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Election Oklahoma’s death penalty

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Education education bond vote Community legal aid funding Letters Chicken-Fried News

15 Review Right-A-Way Burger 16 Feature eat Mid-Del 19 Briefs 20 Event Thirst for a Cause 22 Gazedibles buffets

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Rest of OKC Best of OKC Winners Visual Arts A Hiding Place Visual Arts Matisse exhibit extended hours

47 Performing Arts Maria Bamford 48 Performing Arts OCCC season

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A&C

P.25 Welcome to Oklahoma Gazette’s annual Rest of OKC issue, where we take a lighthearted look at the best other things in Oklahoma City! You’ll find a list of all of this year’s Best of OKC winners plus fun and games celebrating the weird and wonderful things about our great city. By Gazette staff. Cover design Christopher Street.

FUN

arts & Culture

EAT & Drink

news

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COVER

Mission statement Oklahoma Gazette’s mission is to stimulate, examine and inform the public on local quality of life issues and social needs, to recognize community accomplishments, and to provide a forum for inspiration, participation and interaction across all media.

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50 Books civil rights book discussions 51 Books OKC Zine Fest 52 Education OSU-OKC entrepreneur school 53 Community Somebody’s Mama 54 Education Decoding Dyslexia 55 Calendar

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Event WestFest Event Cyndi Lauper Event Banjo Fest Event Streets Gone Wild Live Music

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65 Astrology 66 Puzzles Sudoku | Crossword

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Gazette Weekly Winner! ​Don Stagner

To claim your tickets, call 528-6000 or come by our offices by 9/7/16! For information on entering this week’s Gazette Giveaway see pg. 67

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NEWS that the legislation would preserve capital punishment for the worst criminals. Sykes, a Moore Republican, did not answer an Oklahoma Gazette request for comment.

election

Penalty vote

Bill of Rights

State Question 776 has little to do with whether or not voters support the death penalty and everything to do with the state Constitution. By Laura Eastes

When former state Sen. Connie Johnson began speaking out against State Question 776, she knew she would encounter death penalty advocates. And that’s exactly what happened in midAugust when Johnson spoke to a group gathered at Langston University. “There was one prominent gentleman in the audience who said he was for the death penalty,” Johnson said. The three-time elected state senator emphasized that the November ballot question doesn’t ask Oklahoma voters to support or oppose the death penalty. This is a repeated message of the Say No to SQ 776 Campaign, of which Johnson is chairwoman. “Whether you are for or against the death penalty, this is not what the state question asks,” Johnson said. “It is about putting it in the state constitution or not.” If passed by voters, State Question 776 — a legislative referendum — would change the state constitution to allow the Legislature to determine methods of execution not expressly outlawed by the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution. Among other details, it would declare the death penalty — “as distinguished from a method of execution” — shall not be considered cruel or unusual punishment, the bill summary states. The constitutional amendment would situate capital punishment within the Oklahoma Constitution’s Bill of Rights, which enumerates the rights of all Oklahoma citizens. 4

Former state Sen. Connie Johnson leads efforts against State Question 776, which asks voters to decide whether to add death penalty protections to the Oklahoma Constitution. | Photo Gazette / file

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During her decade in office, Johnson was known for repeatedly sponsoring antideath-penalty bills. Since her retirement, Johnson has persisted, serving as a member of the Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. She said she believes that the state question is a waste of time, especially following the 2015 passage of House Bill 1879. That legislation affirmed that executions would continue even if Oklahoma’s lethal injection policy were deemed unconstitutional or during a lethal injection drug shortage. Johnson warned of what she calls a hidden agenda behind the state question, which will be the first question on the seven-question general election ballot Nov. 8. According to Johnson, the measure attempts to place the state’s execution process beyond judicial review, removing the checks and balances system provided by the judiciary. If affirmed, she said the measure would almost certainly face costly litigation and legal challenges, with taxpayers footing the bill.

Death penalty

A large, double-paned window allows visitors of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester to view the execution chambers where the condemned speak their last words and inhale their final breaths. A silence has befallen the chambers in the 20 months since the state’s last execution, when Charles Frederick Warner uttered, “My body is on fire,” as life-ending drugs were administered to him on Jan. 15, 2015.

Between 1915 and 2014, the state has killed 191 men and three women at Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Records show that one person was hanged, 82 were executed and the rest died by lethal injection. Until its 2015 moratorium, Oklahoma had the highest number of executions per capita in the country, according to Washington D.C. nonprofit Death Penalty Information Center. A report released earlier this year by an Oklahoma multicounty grand jury into the executions of Warner and Clayton Lockett and the scheduled execution of Richard Eugene Glossip found the state’s execution protocol was “vague,” “poorly drafted” and “woefully inadequate.” They also reported negligence resulting in an unapproved drug being used in the procedures and an “inexcusable failure to act on the part of a few individuals,” among other things. As the state further reviews execution polices and procedures, executions are on hold due to a moratorium, which began in October.

State Question 776

Almost a year after Lockett’s “botched” execution — he died of a “massive heart attack” after violently reacting to administered execution drugs, according to former Department of Corrections Director Robert Patton — Sen. Anthony Sykes filed Senate Joint Resolution 31. The 2015 legislation called for ennobling the death penalty within the state Constitution. Additionally, the amendment provides for the change of execution methods, such as firing squads and electrocution, and that the death penalty was not cruel and unusual. The measure cleared both houses and is slated for the Nov. 8 ballot as State Question 776. Sykes, an attorney, stated in April 2015

If voters approve SQ 776, the Sooner State would join four other states with death penalty measures inscribed into their constitutions, said Abraham Bonowitz, a longtime opponent of capital punishment who has helped repeal death penalty legislation in a handful of states. “This is the first time a state has proposed adding it to the constitution in a way that is just a waste of time,” said Bonowitz, a campaign strategy and tactics consultant and former director of affiliate support for the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. Of the four states, one state — Michigan — makes the death penalty illegal. However, Florida, California and Oregon constitutions allow the death penalty. More than four decades after California voters wrote the death penalty into their state’s constitution, voters in that state will have the opportunity to repeal the measure in November. “I think the most important thing people need to understand about SQ 776 is it is an attempt to subvert the traditional checks and balances of the three branches of government,” Bonowitz said. Lawmakers cannot circumvent judicial review of their laws in the view of the federal Constitution.

State question

Unlike many other state questions dealing with criminal justice reform, farming rights and education, SQ 776 has failed to garner a strong interest among voters. Media coverage includes only a handful of reports online. That troubles death penalty opponent Rev. Don Heath, who has worked three years with Oklahoma Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. The vice-chairman worries that voters will arrive at the polls unaware of the state question and its implications. “The ballot wording does a poor job of explaining it,” Heath said. Heath hopes voters realize the issue at stake is a constitutional amendment, specifically to the Bill of Rights. “It is turning the Bill of Rights inside out,” Heath said. “The purpose of the Bill of Rights is to protect individuals from the state. This should scare people about state power, even if they support the death penalty.” Earlier this month, the Say No to SQ 776 Campaign launched as volunteers canvassed critical Oklahoma City and Tulsa neighborhoods. Voters are receptive to the message of the campaign, Johnson said. She has engaged in conversations with people on both sides of the political spectrum as well as for or against the death penalty. “Once you share the message with people, they get it,” Johnson said. “Without fail, they agree to vote no. They know it is not right to put the death penalty in the state’s constitution.”

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ANTI-AGING SERvICES

Constructive bond

The Village’s Ridgeview Elementary School undergoes a gymnasium addition as part of the 2007 Oklahoma City Public Schools bond package. Ridgeview is one of 78 building sites that would benefit from the proposed bond issues on the November ballot. | Photo Laura Eastes

Leaky roofs, plumbing issues and air unit failures prompt the school board to place $180 million bond package on the November ballot. By Laura Eastes

On Aug. 1, the first day of school this academic year, when Capitol Hill and Star Spencer high school students turned the bathroom sink taps to hot, only lukewarm water flowed out. The problem persisted for days, impacting meals prepared by cafeteria staff and even affecting menu options. Across town, students at Taft Middle School studied in classrooms without airconditioning. School leaders opened windows and used fans to circulate air as operations staff worked to fix the aging system. Stagnate summer air also overpowered classrooms at Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) sites US Grant High School, FD Moon Academy, Linwood Elementary and Jackson Middle School. For years, district leaders have called for updating malfunctioning plumbing, electrical, roofing, heating and air conditioning. Following the first week of the 2016-17 academic year, leaders concluded that staff and students could no longer wait. Capitol improvement enhancements must begin as soon as possible. Last week, the Oklahoma City Board of Education approved putting before voters a $180 million bond package to bring major facility improvements to the 72-school district, Oklahoma’s largest. “We’ve been talking about when would be the best time to go out for [a bond],” OKCPS Superintendent Aurora Lora said following the board vote. “As we’ve started school, we’ve had a number of building maintenance issues surface. It’s been challenging when you send crews out to fix the air conditioning, and we think we’ve got it done, and it breaks the next day.” Nov. 8, voters who reside in the district

will be asked to approve three bond propositions. First, district leaders are asking for $106.3 million to be plugged into the school building maintenance fund to benefit 78 sites. In addition to school sites, districtowned buildings that are now home to district-authorized charters will see building enhancements. Two former school sites, Dewey and Madison, are also listed for plumbing and heating and air conditioning. District leaders are considering converting the former elementary sites to district offices. Another bond proposition proposes almost $54.5 million distributed to technology purchases, such as updating network infrastructure and placing 11,010 new electronic devices in the hands of students. Lastly, the district wishes to invest $19.2 million into 100 new buses and other transportation equipment. Under state law, a 60 percent supermajority is required in order to pass a school bond. The final day to register to vote is Oct. 14 in order to participate in the general election.

No new construction

The last significant bond measure district voters approved was $248.4 million in 2007. Bond dollars were designated toward 54 classroom additions and 47 new gyms throughout the district. The bond also covered renovation of stadiums at Taft and Capitol Hill High School. The proposed 2016 bond is unlike the nearly decade-old bond package, as school leaders ask for no new construction. Districts commonly issue municipal bonds for capital campaigns, including the con-

struction of new school buildings and building additions. Scott Randall, who oversees the district’s capital projects, referred to the bond proposal as a maintenance bond. A key facet of the campaign, for example, deals with cooling school buildings. In the coming years, district leaders must address overcrowding in schools in the southern portion of the district as well as expansion in the charter school sector. In a December 2014 board presentation, former OKCPS Superintendent Rob Neu first proposed sending a bond issue before voters in 2016. Although no numbers were tied to the notion, Neu hinted the bond would address additional classrooms and new building construction to meet the district’s growth. Before any new construction projects are proposed, Lora said, the district must secure funding for updating existing building sites. If voters approve the bond proposition, the district looks to begin projects during the first quarter of 2017 and continue over a five-year period.

Tax implications

A vote in favor of the bond packages will not increase property taxes, said Randall. Instead, the district’s mill levy, a property tax based on a property’s assessed value, will remain at 18.61 mills, which is the third lowest mill rate among school districts in Oklahoma County. Only Luther and Crutcho districts levy a smaller amount in property taxes than OKCPS. Neighboring districts, including Millwood, Mid-Del, Edmond and Putnam City, levy more than 24 mills, according to records from the Oklahoma County Assessor’s office. Lora admitted district leaders would need to consider raising the mill for new construction. “We are well below a number of other districts,” Lora said when asked about raising the mill levy. “In order for us to someday build new schools, that will need to happen.”

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NEWS

Justice gap

Oklahoma is undergoing efforts to recalibrate the civil justice system to better serve poor Oklahomans. By Laura Eastes

A half-century ago, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that states must provide legal counsel to criminal defendants charged with serious crimes in federal and state courts. The monumental ruling transformed America’s criminal justice system, ensuring that all criminal suspects — the guilty and the innocent — would be aided by defense attorneys in court. The right to legal counsel is reserved for criminal cases only. In civil matters such as evictions, child protection issues, domestic abuse and home foreclosures, people must retain a lawyer by other means, represent themselves or not seek legal relief. Hiring and retaining an attorney can be costly, which makes it especially difficult for low-income individuals to access legal representation. “Most Americans don’t realize there is no right to a lawyer in a civil case,” said Jim Sandman, president of national Legal Services Corporation (LSC), which distributes federal funds to two Oklahoma legal aid groups. In cases such as homeowners in risk of foreclosure, parents with child custody issues in family court and domestic abuse victims obtaining protective orders in civil court, no lawyer is provided, Sandman said. Annually, millions of federal dollars are distributed to the offices of Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. and Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, Inc. to aid low-income Oklahomans with legal assistance. In 2015, the two nonprofits served a combined 18,264 people with attorneys closing 8,750 civil cases, according to LSC, established decades ago by the U.S. Congress to provide financial support for civil legal aid to poor Americans. Behind the federal assurance to provide civil legal aid support is the reality that not everyone receives the assistance they need. In fact, LSC estimates at least 50 percent

of poor Americans seeking help are turned away, often because of lack of resources. Oklahoma is no exception. Two years ago, the Sooner State finished last in a national study on access to justice. The National Center for Access to Justice, a nonpartisan policy organization, compared the states based on civil legal aid lawyers’ policies to aid non-English speakers and people with disabilities in court and systems to support those representing themselves. This year, Oklahoma fared better in the Justice Index. However, Oklahoma remains in the bottom 10 nationally for access to civil justice.

Oklahoma efforts

In a legal system built on the principle of equal justice under the law, legal cases going unresolved and undefended is troublesome to the state’s Supreme Court. “Many low-income Oklahomans are unable to receive full representation on civil legal matters; inadequate funding and well-intentioned but uncoordinated efforts stand in the way of a fully integrated civil legal services delivery system,” a court order from March 13, 2014, states. The 2014 order gave way to the creation of the Oklahoma Access to Justice Commission. The seven-member commission, which includes judges and attorneys, is responsible for producing a statewide strategic plan for delivering civil legal services to low-income Oklahomans. Additionally, the commission is charged with increasing resources and funding and reducing the barriers to the justice system. “Our commission is working on a number of initiatives,” said attorney David Riggs, who serves as commission chair, in a press statement, “which we think will improve access to justice for needy Oklahoma citizens while at the same time helping to strengthen our economy by re-

Jim Sandman speaks to the Oklahoma Access to Justice Commission. | Photo Garett Fisbeck

ducing homelessness and unemployment and by resolving family conflicts.” Through partnerships with Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. and the Oklahoma Bar Association, a statewide assessment on legal needs is expected to be released the fall, and a website — oklahoma.freelegalanswers.org — providing free legal information to low-income residents recently launched.

Total access

“We have a legal system; as great as it is, [it] was never built for people who don’t have a lawyer,” Sandman said. “It was built by lawyers for lawyers. It was constructed at every turn under the [assumption] that you have a lawyer.” Sandman, who visited with Oklahoma Access to Justice Commission, advocates for courthouses becoming more userfriendly by allowing people better access to the court. Some legal matters are as simple as completing court forms and filing them with the proper clerk and don’t require an attorney. Sandman said that assistance programs operating in county courthouses go a long way to ensure legal access and matters get resolved. Legal resource websites like the one recently launched in Oklahoma also reduce the number of people going without legal help. Volunteer lawyers answer questions about issues such as divorces, landlord disputes, wills and trusts by electronic

communication. The website matches the call of the Conference of Chief Justices and the Conference of State Court Administrators, who approved a 2015 resolution setting a goal of 100 percent access to effective assistance for essential civil legal needs. “The idea is turn no one away with nothing,” Sandman said. “Every day, huge numbers of people are turned away from legal aid organizations with zero because there aren’t enough resources to help them.” For fiscal year 2016, LSC granted $5.096 million for basic operations of Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma, Inc. and Oklahoma Indian Legal Services, Inc. The nonprofits are also supported by private donations and other government grants. Sandman admits funding pressures from the federal level down to the local level make it difficult to grow legal aid programs. The programs have an important message to share, helping a grandparent obtain guardianship of their grandchild, working with a veteran through bankruptcy court, filing a fair housing complaint to assist a family avoid eviction. “It is very difficult to persuade people why they should care or give money to this,” Sandman said. “Until we tackle that problem — a basic communication problem — there is a limit on how much success we can achieve.”

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letters

NEWS Oklahoma Gazette provides an open forum for the discussion of all points of view in its Letters to the Editor section. The Gazette reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity. Letters can be mailed, faxed, emailed to jchancellor@okgazette.com or sent online at okgazette.com. Include a city of residence and contact number for verification.

Motherly advice

The floods, wildfires and extreme weather events now becoming common are early warnings of greater challenges coming because of global warming and climate change. For more than 50 years, climate scientists have warned that rising levels of C02 and methane from human sources were warming the atmosphere and that, unless abated, would have dire consequences for nature and humanity. Scientists now say that we are living in the “sixth great extinction” of species in Earth’s history. This one is human-made by our consumptive lifestyles, including burning of coal, oil and natural gas. With the general elections approaching in November, voters should know that one major political party, and virtually all of its candidates, officially ignores these warnings. Their party platform extols coal as an abundant and inexpensive resource that can serve humanity for hundreds of years. They pledge to “end the EPA’s war on coal,” and to “approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.” Mother Nature asks America to vote wisely, and Mother Nature will have the last word. Nathaniel Batchelder Oklahoma City

America’s new normal

It’s no longer enough to rationally discuss differences. Instead, attack like a spitflying mad dog. It’s in the idiotic, profane protesters at rallies who disrespect law while unwit-

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tingly feeding a candidate’s publicity machine. It’s in followers who emulate a candidate’s childlike name-calling and sometimes profanity-laced tirades. And it’s in fabricated, taken for gospel e-shares every day. No, W’s not a Nazi, Obama’s not a Kenyan Muslim terrorist and not everything’s a liberal or conservative conspiracy. Like we used to tell my granddaughter, “Use your words ... use your words.” Rational words. In other words, grow up. Jack Bowen Fort Worth, Texas

Understanding testimony

It saddens me deeply, not only as a Christian but as a human being, to see things of this nature (News, Religion, “Dark testimony,” Ben Luschen, June 29, Oklahoma Gazette). They hid behind the right of freedom

of speech to say and do what they want in the demonstration of their beliefs but are unwilling to show Christians the same resect. Despite such disrespect to the Mother of God, she continues to love them and intercede in their behalf with God. I am unable to understand as a Christian and a human being why anyone would want to spend all eternity in the fires of hell, where they will suffer nothing but pain and anguish. I pray for such confused people daily and ask the Holy Spirit to send them the graces to see the error of their ways before it is to late. Terre Barklage St. Louis

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Corrections

>> An Aug. 10 Eat & Drink section story, “Pacing Plaza,” by Greg Elwell misidentified the photographer of a picture that ran with the story. The photographer is Quit Nguyen.

>> An Aug. 24 Best of OKC winner photo caption misidentified Dr. Tim Love, MD in Oklahoma Gazette print editions. Love earned Best of OKC’s

>> An Aug. 24 Best of OKC winner profile for YMCA of Greater Oklahoma City incorrectly stated the organization currently offers indoor soccer. The nonprofit does offer children and youth sports programming, including spring and fall youth soccer leagues, at participating branches. >> An Aug. 17 Chicken-Fried News item, “Minor Puig,” incorrectly identified the team Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Josh Reddick was traded from. Reddick was traded to Los Angeles from the Oakland Athletics.

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8/16/16 10:34 AM

chicken

friedNEWS Smoke out

Voting changes

In a state with low voter turnout, voting just got harder. That’s right. Come November, polling volunteers will hand out feather quills instead of pens. Voters must provide their own ink. Ballots will feature a 6-point sized font, which allows for all the state questions to appear on one page and saves the state thousands of dollars by eliminating the need to print additional pages. Stereo systems blaring the calls of Scissor-tailed Flycatchers — “cah-key … cah-key” — will be staged next to voting booths. Scissor-tailed Flycatchers set the mood for important decisions. The new soundtrack began as a practice of ancient Oklahoma lawmakers and they’re most commonly heard in house and senate committee meetings. Actually, we at Chicken-Fired News are totally kidding. In fact, voting hasn’t changed much, except for stickers being handed out after a ballot is turned in. Seriously, if anything kooky is going on at polling stations, a majority of Oklahomans wouldn’t know it. Two years ago, the Sooner State posted the second-lowest voter turnout in the nation as 34.2 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In all seriousness, though, changes really are happening. In mid-August, an Oklahoma County judge ruled in favor of the state’s voter ID law. To vote, Oklahomans must show a valid photo ID, state-issued voter card or a signed affidavit to vote, according to News9.com’s report on a court ruling. Supporters of the law say it prevents voter fraud. Others believe it is unconstitutional and poses an additional identification hurdle for poor, older, young and minority voters. Voters and nonvoters, keep that into account when you head to the polls. “Cah-key!”

The fire is dwindling for classic burger joint The Charcoal Oven, 2701 Northwest Expressway, which closes its doors in midSeptember, ending 58 years in business. Restaurant owner David Wilson said in a statement to KFOR that the business was “like a member of our family” and that saying goodbye is difficult. “It’ll be hard to walk out of here for the last time,” he said. “But at 84 years old, I’m really looking forward to traveling.” During its nearly 60 years in business, The Charcoal Oven expanded to a pair of new locations before shrinking back down to just the original. The iconic neon sign shone over Northwest Expressway through 11 U.S. Presidents, four University of Oklahoma national football championships, multiple oil booms and busts and 12 people walking on the moon. The restaurant employed all of Wilson’s children at one time or another. Once the last burgers are flipped and The Charcoal Oven’s charcoal oven is extinguished, the property is scheduled to become a Discount

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Millennial paradise

The governor said something was good, so now it’s official. That’s the way it works, right? No? Well, in any case, according to News9.com, Gov. Mary Fallin “applauded Oklahoma City for being listed as a top place for millennials to live.” Realtor.com recently listed our fine city as the sixth best millennial paradise. “This is great news for our workforce,” Fallin said in a media statement. “City leaders across the nation are vying to attract these young adults to boost their local economy.” Realtor.com noted that OKC has the second-lowest unemployment rate and the lowest median home price, $219,000, of those in the top-10 list of Top Destinations for Millennials. San Antonio, Texas; Jacksonville, Florida; Tampa, Florida; Miami, Florida; and Orlando, Florida; rounded out the top five. Austin, Texas, was named No. 9. Realtor.com based its list on migration data from 2009-2013 released by the Census Bureau. If all the restaurants, pop-up shops and art havens aren’t enough proof that millennials have claimed OKC as their own, you probably need to leave the house more often and explore the new OKC.

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WITH PURCHASE OF AN ENTRÉE Expires 10/31/16. Free side with the purchase of an adult entrée. Limit one per person per visit. Not valid for alcohol sales. Not valid for online orders. Not valid with other offers or discounts, Taxes not included. No photocopies. No cash value. Offer valid at participating restaurants only. ©2016 Smashburger IP Holder LLC. PLU 6372

Fair fare

The Oklahoma State Fair returns Sept. 15-25 at State Fair Park, and event organizers recently announced a roster of new foods to be featured at this year’s event. Food on sticks? Yup. Deep-fried delectables? Absolutely. Funnel cakes? You betcha. New items include: >> WonderStick: Don’t judge! It’s a J-shaped, gluten-free, thick and crunchy cone filled with ice cream — of all things. >> Funnel Cake Fries: Two of Oklahoma Citians’ favorite fair foods in one! >> Deep-Fried Veggies: Asparagus, broccoli and cauliflower are dipped in batter, fried and served snack-sized and made especially for health-conscious fried food lovers everywhere. >> Chocolate-Covered Bacon Walking Taco: Need we say more? Find this year’s list at okstatefair.com.

Face it

Selfies are a great way to save memories. Take one at the Grand Canyon or at a relative’s graduation. Still, some selfies are regrettable. There’s at least one area thief who probably regrets his.

look at the suspect. In today’s social-media world, it could have been a subconscious reaction for the thief to point the first camera lens he saw at his face to mark the occasion — no different than a leg-jerk reflex after a doctor taps a patient’s knee. The snap was at least good practice for his possible future police mugshot. Maybe the thief came back the second time to figure out how to get the footage on his Instagram. We here at Chicken Fried-News do not think the Valencia filter will help any theft look less red-handed. A man broke into Okie Energy, a Midtown business at NW 10th Street and N. Walker Avenue, on two consecutive nights, reported Fox25.com. Police believe it was the same man because the store’s high-definition security camera caught images of the suspect scavenging through the store. The store’s owner told News 9 the man allegedly took around $8,000 worth of electronics and other items, including a watch, headphones and computers. At one point, the suspect can be seen grabbing the security camera and obliviously staring into it, almost as if he were taking a selfie. Police could not have asked for a better

DUI prevention (No. 2 overall), speeding enforcement (No. 2 overall) and reckless driving (No. 11 overall). Alaska ranked No. 2 and Georgia earned the No. 3 honor for strictest rules against high-risk drivers. The most lenient states were North Dakota, Pennsylvania and South Dakota. WalletHub collected data on high-risk driver insurance rates and increases; DUI, speeding and reckless driving penalties; and overall treatment of these offenses to come up with its rankings.

We’re No. 8!

Oklahoma ranks top in the nation when it comes to having the strictest rules against high-risk drivers, according to personal finance website WalletHub. Though the state ranks very low (No. 47) in speeding enforcement, our penalties for reckless driving and criminal DUI pushed us into the top 10. Arizona earned the No. 1 slot, with top rankings in DUI criminal penalties (No. 1 overall),

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Thank you for voting us

Best Bricktown District Restaurant! BRICKTOWNBREWERY.COM

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re v ie w

EAT & DRINK

Keep Right

North Edmond restaurant Right-A-Way Burger eschews the fryer for healthier, delicious burgers and sides. By Greg Elwell

competitors, but without sacrificing flavor. That’s because owner Jimmy 2917 E. Waterloo Road, Edmond Johnson has figured out an ​right-a-wayburger.com | 405-359-1020 important skill: seasoning. What works: The Working Man and Using simple seasonings, The Right-A-Way are great choices. Right-A-Way adds a lot of punch to its burgers without What needs work: The parking lot adding extra calories. Break is tough to navigate. a chunk of meat away from the toppings and give it a Tip: Take cash or be prepared to pay a $2 ATM fee at the gas station next door. chew. It’s tender, but not greasy, with beef flavor enhanced by salt and pepper. There is no freezer in the back of RightIt’s also the secret ingreA-Way Burger. If that does not seem like dient in the baked beans ($2), which are a remarkable detail, then consider how a mix of sweet and savory. Right-A-Way many restaurants use products that were, makes its own barbecue sauce and cooks down onions to give the beans a slightly at some point, frozen. It’s most of them. thick texture. The crumbled hamburger It’s not that freezing something is wrong. There are reasons for it, including gives it heft and keeps the side from the ability to keep products fresher for getting too sugary. Johnson said he doesn’t fry anything longer periods. But that’s just not necessary at Right-A-Way Burger. at the restaurant, and that includes the Tucked into a little shopping center in fries. Instead of fat-fried french fries, he far north Edmond at 2917 E. Waterloo opts for buttery, cheesy home fries ($2). Road, this eatery burns through its stock Again, the seasoning is done perfectly, by selling a lot of burgers. Despite the making it taste like the best baked potato somewhat remote locale, the small venue around. It requires a fork to eat, though seems forever packed. it’s best to grab a couple — people will want It’s no mystery why, either. Of all the to share. questions a food writer hears, the one One more side before getting to the right after the ever-popular, “What’s your main course: green chili mac and cheese ($2). There’s a subtle heat here that’s irfavorite restaurant?” is, “Who makes the best burger in town?” resistible. The cheese flavor isn’t overThe maker of the best burger in the whelming, but the bite of the chili and the Oklahoma City metro is a hotly contested creaminess of the sauce make it hard to prize. This burg has many great burgers pass up. And it doesn’t hurt that there’s to choose from, and folks are always crumbled bacon on top, either. looking for more. But let’s be honest. Anybody driving Right-A-Way isn’t content to just be a all the way out to Right-A-Way is going tastier sandwich; it also wants to be a there to get a burger. There are plenty to choose from. healthier one. There are no fried products at the restaurant. The burgers The Old Fashioned ($7) is about the are made with a lower-fat simplest on the menu for purists: lettuce, beef than many tomato, pickle and onions on a burger with

Right-A-Way Burger

The Working Man | Photo Garett Fisbeck

The Right-A-Way | Photo Garett Fisbeck

Baked beans, green chili macaroni and cheese and home fries | Photo Garett Fisbeck

a brioche bun. As much as the restaurant focuses on making a great sandwich, it seems to be particularly proud of the buns, and it’s easy to see why. Soft and buttery, the bread has a high egg content that gives it a tender texture that holds a burger together before it melts on the tongue. It’s a fair bet that the item the owner named after the restaurant is probably one worth trying. The Right-A-Way ($7.50) is stacked with honey bacon, cheddar, fried onions, house sauce and coleslaw. If that last topping gives pause, let’s assuage those fears. The coleslaw is not glop. It adds a zing and a dose of moisture to the burger, but it’s not going to leave diners with a mess. The Heater ($7.25) was a pleasant surprise, as well. Sometimes, joints want to spice up a burger and go overboard, creating a bite that’s too hot for most mouths to handle. While there are jalapeños and ghost pepper cheese on The Heater, it’s not going to burn diners from teeth to tongue. It’s definitely not a sandwich for those who like it very mild, but it’s not an inferno, either. My favorite so far is The

Working Man ($7.25), which is a classic combination of bacon, cheddar, pickles and grilled onions on a burger. Take it apart and marvel at the just-right crispy bacon and the tawny hue of the onions. Every piece of this is cooked correctly, and when it’s put together, it’s better than the sum of its parts. While The Porta-Swiss ($7.25) was satisfying, it’s not for all comers. Mushroom and Swiss is a time-tested pairing, but it’s also a divisive one. Those who are already fans of this type of combo will find no complaints here. Johnson said he has only gotten to dabble in baked goods, with much of his prior career spent in upscale catering, but he’s hit a home run with the cinnamon rolls at Right-A-Way. Just a couple of seconds in the microwave turned the peanut butter and chocolate cinnamon roll ($3.75) into a gooey, delectable round that everyone wanted to taste again and again. Though the service is quick, don’t expect fast food at Right-A-Way. This hidden gem is a quality restaurant serving great burgers with a smile. You should head there right away.

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EAT & DRINK

5805 NW 50th • Warr acres • 603.3997 2106 sW 47th • OKc • 601.2629 OpeN 7 days a WeeK Sunday-ThurSday 11am-8pm • Friday & SaTurday 11am-9pm

f eat u re

Owner Genna Ivashchenko folds a Spanish chorizo crêpe at Creperie & European Cafe in Midwest City. | Photo Gazette / file

Mid-Del America Tinker Air Force Base is surrounded by flavors from all over the world. By Greg Elwell

The crossroads of the world is in Midwest City. No, seriously. Oklahoma City has plenty of districts, but anyone looking for the widest variety of cuisines need look no farther than the area around Tinker Air Force Base, 3001 South Douglas Blvd. Service members travel the world, fall in love, marry and get transferred here. Families are raised here. Businesses begin here.

Sweet Ukraine

Just up the road from Tinker is a hopping little breakfast-and-lunch spot with an interesting origin. Creperie & European Cafe, 2839 S. Douglas Blvd., began in 2013 when Ukraine-born Genna Ivashchenko decided to open a restaurant. Crêpes might be strongly associated with France, but in truth, these ultra-thin and pliable pancakes have spread all over Europe, wrapping themselves

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around flavors from every nationality. Ivashchenko said in Ukraine, the crêpes are called blini. “It’s the same thing, but it’s called a different name,” she said. “I’ve had French groups who come in and people who come up to me speaking French.” The menu at Creperie is just as eclectic, with sweet and savory crêpe options and other European delicacies. For breakfast, it’s hard to resist a French toast crêpe ($3.50) with brown sugar, butter and cinnamon or a classic combo of Spanish chorizo, eggs, peppers, onions and cheese ($5). But an even heartier choice is a traditional Shepherd’s pie for $6.99. It’s a casserole of ground beef, onions and veggies under a canopy of cheesy mashed potatoes. Or go a little more exotic with pelmeni ($6.50) and pierogi ($6) dumplings, which Cochon de lait | Photo Gazette / file

are just as filling and quite delicious.

Korean competition

Though Oklahoma City’s Asian District is largely populated by Vietnamese restaurants, many of its Korean restaurants are in the Mid-Del area. For a full restaurant experience, Korean House, 4813 SE 29th St., is the best place to stop. There’s sushi on the menu, but those going to experience the Korean food should focus on the spicy pork stew kimchi chigae ($10) or bibimbab ($10), a mix of vegetables and beef, spicy sauce and steamed rice that has become a local favorite. A different experience can be found at OK Ko-Mart, 6000 SE 15th St., which is a grocery and convenience store with a Korean barbecue in the back. Be sure to enjoy the banchan, a free smattering of sauces, condiments and small bites that comes with most meals.

Indian jones

A newcomer to the area is Fusion Kitchen, 1100 S. Air Depot Blvd., which serves both deli-style sandwiches and a rotating menu of Indian curries. It’s a great place for adventurous foodies and their more staid friends to meet up for lunch — there’s spicy chicken pesto curry for one and a BLT wrap for the other. Ruhi Patel and her husband Rupal run the restaurant and share ownership with another two investors. She takes great care in cooking healthy, homestyle curries each day. “I don’t add a lot of oil and no preservatives,” she said. “It’s strictly how I’d cook at home.” The curries change daily and do not carry over, so customers can always be assured of fresh foods and new flavors. “Every day you come in, it’s an adventure,” Patel said. The most popular sandwich on the menu, the chicken tikka, is another of her recipes. But the restaurant is also expanding its selection of tacos, adding a fish option to the current chicken and vegetable varieties. Whichever way a customer chooses, the can’t-miss appetizer is samosas ($2.99 for two), which pack potatoes, peas and spice inside a crispy fried pyramid of flavor. Though it does more than fried food, it’s hard to deny the draw of fried frog legs and

boudin balls at C’est Si Bon Cajun Catfish & Po-Boys, 101 N. Douglas Blvd. and 5501 Main St. After wowing crowds at the last couple Festivals of the Arts downtown, chef and owner Ken Mills continues to dominate the Cajun and Creole cuisines in the east. On the go? Look no farther than Cochon De Lait, a po-boy filled with slowroasted pork, coleslaw and spicy Creole mayonnaise.

Filling Filipino

Another new restaurant in town fills Oklahoma City’s dire need for food from the Philippines. Chibugan Filipino Cuisine, 4728 SE 29th St., is the place to find tart and spicy pork adobo ($8.95) and Filipino comfort food kare-kare ($10.95), which combines oxtail with a thick peanut sauce, vegetables and shrimp paste for an incredibly satisfying stew. But those looking for great American food don’t have to leave the area, thanks to spots like Grub, 5501 S. Main St., and Judge’s Char-Grill, 9201 SE 29th St. Grub specializes in scratch cooking, including on-the-bone roast chicken so juicy it’s liable to cause a flood. Judge’s is a classic burger joint with a great selection of sandwiches. Beyond the cheeseburger and Caesar burger, diners will find a tasty chicken-fried steak sandwich, chili and a chopped brisket sandwich. And don’t forget the basket of fresh cut fries on the side. Whatever customers crave, be it a taste of home or the taste of someone else’s home, it’s worth a stop in Midwest City and Del City.

Your choice for

lunch, dinner & drinks

thank you for all our nominations!

open daily 11am - 2 am

corner of classen & Boyd, norman 405.329.3330 | themont.com

Thanks for making us a winner OKC!

Ted’s #1

Roast chicken and macaroni and cheese at Grub | Photo Gazette / file

Best Mexican Restaurant Del City 5301 Main St. Ste. 117 405-813-8337 Lawton 3807 Cache Road 580-699-8337 West OKC 300 Outlet Shoppes Dr. 405-607-8337

Pork, beef bulgogi and short ribs surrounded by banchan at OK Ko-Mart | Photo Gazette / file

OKC 2836 NW 68th St. 405-848-8337

Edmond 801 E. Danforth Rd 405-810-8337

Broken Arrow 3202 W. Kenosha St. 918-254-8337

South OKC 8324 S. Western Ave. 405-635-8337

Norman 700 N. Interstate Dr. 405-307-8337

Tulsa Hills 7848 S. Olympia Ave. WEST 918-301-8337

Dine-In • ToGo • Catering • Banquet Facilities O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 3 1 , 2 0 1 6

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EARLY BIRD 15% OFF TUE-FRI 3-5 PM

Valid on food only and participating with restaurant. Cannot be combined with other promotional offer or discount.

Valid until Sept. 16, 2016 1333 N. SaNta Fe, edmoNd #123 | 405-471-6587 SaLa tHaI | 1614 NW 23rd, OKC | 405.528.8424 taSte oF tHaI | 1801 S. Air depOt, MWC | 405.732.1519

ginthaifusion.com

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brie f s By Greg Elwell

EAT & DRINK

125 W Britton rd. ★ oKC ★ 405-840-3474

Texas de Brazil Churrascaria | Photo Texas de Brazil / provided

•Big Texans

Oklahoma City has no shortage of steakhouses, but the opening of Texas de Brazil Churrascaria brings the Brazilian steakhouse concept back to the city for the first time in years. The franchise opened a Tulsa location in June. The Oklahoma City venue, 1901 Northwest Expressway, Suite 1069B inside Penn Square Mall, is the second in the state and the 48th for the company. “We are thrilled to bring the art of churrasco to the residents of Oklahoma City,” said company culinary director Evandro Caregnato. “We are currently having great success with our recently opened Tulsa location, and we’re eager to continue sharing our authentic Brazilian experience with even more guests.” The 7300-square-foot restaurant holds 190 guests and provides them a view of the grill, which prepares beef, lamb, pork, chicken and Brazilian sausages that the gauchos carve at the table for guests. Prices are $42.99 for a regular dinner, including meat service and salad area, or $24.99 for a salad area-only dinner. Visit texasdebrazil.com or call 405-362-9200.

Spooky supper

New general manager and executive chef Cally Johnson is wasting no time setting up special events at J. Bruner’s at The Haunted House, 7101 Miramar Blvd. Taking advantage of the beautiful scenery outside the classic restaurant, Johnson planned a Haunted Lawn dinner at 6 p.m. Sept. 25. “It’s all local and it’s going to be amazing,” she said. The event will be exclusive, with just 40 seats available to guests, she said. The dinner is $100, including wine. Reservations are required and are available by calling 405-478-1417. Visit jbruners.com

Ooh la la

“This is probably the most excited I’ve been to do an event in a long time,” said Ludivine co-owner and chef Jonathon Stranger about his audacious plans for Le Restaurant Français of the 1939 World’s Fair, a special dinner served on the Wheeler Ferris Wheel 6-9 p.m. Sept. 18. Guests will enjoy period-friendly cocktails and hors d’oeuvres before climbing aboard the Ferris wheel, 1701 S. Western Ave., for a four-course meal. The dishes are inspired by French cuisine and food served at the 1939 World’s Fair. The Savoy Trio will perform, and dancers will entertain. Though period dress is not required, it is encouraged, Stranger said.

Tickets are $100.99, available at ticketbase.com, and include a few different experiences. As they arrive, guests will be served drinks from Ludivine bar team Chris Barrett and Colby Poulin with charcuterie and a raw bar for appetizers. When their names are called, riders will embark on the Ferris wheel and be served by Stranger and Ludivine co-owner chef Russ Johnson for an approximately 30-minute ride. Afterward, they will be served a coupe nesselrode dessert. “I want it to be a special event with big exclamation points on each word,” Stranger said. Call 405-778-6800.

•Icy welcome

The problem with training employees in a wide-open concept like newly opened

Andy’s Frozen Custard, 5801 Northwest Expressway, is customers start arriving before it’s open, said marketing and communications manager Avery Klein. The Missouri-based franchise opened its first Oklahoma City store Aug. 24. “Warr Acres is an important market for Andy’s Frozen Custard. Now with our store in the Oklahoma City area, we’re excited to serve new fans of new markets and continue our push into the state of Oklahoma,” said company president Andy Kuntz. Andy’s is already working on a second location in the metro, with a new store scheduled to open in Edmond in Spring 2017. Andy’s shares a hometown with another recent transplant; the first location of J. Bruner’s at The Haunted House is in Osage Beach, Missouri, as well. Visit eatandys.com. Andy’s Frozen Custard | Photo Greg Elwell

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EAT & DRINK

RUSTIC ITALIAN FOOD AND ITALIAN WINE

Tues-Thurs 5PM-10PM | Fri & Sat 5PM-11PM Sun 5PM-9PM

Now taking reservations on Open Table 1 block from Civic Center & OKC Museum of Art

Gift Cards Available

305 N. Walker

patroNookc.com

405.702.7660

e v ent

Guests at Thirst For a Cause 2015 learn from winemakers as they get a pour. | Photo Maddie Gregory / provided

Thirst-y work

More than a fun evening, Thirst For a Cause organizers count two lives saved among the event’s accomplishments. By Greg Elwell

The impact of Thirst for a event. Thirty wineries participate, opening up Cause could be counted in Thirst For a empty wine bottles, exmore than 600 bottles of Cause hausted chefs or ever200 different wines. For g row ing attenda nce wine lovers, it presents a 6:30-9 p.m. Sept. 14 numbers. unique opportunity to Jim Thorpe Museum But for organizers meet the people who make 4040 N. Lincoln Blvd. A lex K roblin, Ku r t their favorite wines. thirstforacause.com Fleischfresser and Verej “It’s a go-at-your-own405-942-9463 Jazirvar, the number pace event,” Kroblin said. $75-$89 that matters is two. “People go from table to “ T h is money ha s table that are serving made a difference,” said tastes of all kinds of difFleischfresser, Western Concepts ferent wines, and the people serving them Restaurant Group director of operaare from the winery. They know what tions. “It’s saved two lives. To me, that they’re talking about.” makes the whole thing worthwhile.” Fleischfresser said Thirst for a Cause Thirst for a Cause celebrates its eighth exceeds expectations for wine drinkers. “They get to taste the wine and meet year raising money to help members of the people. It’s kind of an undersell and Oklahoma’s hospitality industry pay for urgent medical needs and expenses overwhelm mentality,” he said. “From 6:30-9 p.m. Sept. 14 at Jim Thorpe the restaurant side, everybody wants to have the best dish there. It’s not a comMuseum, 4040 N. Lincoln Boulevard. petition, but it’s a competition.” Since it began, the event helped save the lives of a hostess with Stage 4 leukeInterspersed among winery tables are mia and a line cook who needed to pay 10 restaurants serving up bites for attendfor a kidney transplant and has kept ees to taste. Though some tasting events others from crushing medical debt. include judging food, Thirst skips over the “It’s amazing that we can facilitate scoring sheets and just lets the crowd something like that,” Fleischfresser said. enjoy the food. But Fleischfresser said that “People get to eat and drink and enjoy doesn’t mean there aren’t rivalries. the event that makes it happen.” This year’s evening features unofficial m atchups bet ween B ou lev a rd Steakhouse, Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, Sips and nibbles Vast, Cafe 501, La Baguette Bistro, While the evening helps support a worthy cause, Thirst Wine Merchants managing Packard’s New American Kitchen, Paseo partner Kroblin said it’s far from a solemn Grill, Stella Modern Italian Cuisine, West 20

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and Running Wild Catering. With so many chefs in one room, especially in front of a crowd of winemakers and wine lovers, there’s a real drive to create something special. “Being paired with winemakers you’ve known for years means you have to do great things,” Fleischfresser said. Keeping things fresh, Thirst aims for about 30 percent of the restaurants each year to be new to the event. Fleischfresser said it’s hard to get through it all in just three hours.

‘Greatest hits’

The fundraiser wouldn’t raise nearly as much without the work of Jazirvar, executive vice president of Petroleum Club, Kroblin said. “It gets overlooked every year, but the Jim Thorpe Museum donates the space for the event,” he said. “It’s really hard to quantify how much that means to the event.” Jazirvar said a big problem with charities are the expenses, but by keeping it simple, Thirst continues to grow without taking funds away from those who need it. “Our committee is three guys,” he said. “We want almost 100 percent of the money to go back to the charity. That’s what charity events should be about.” Kroblin said it’s a must-attend event for local oenophiles. This year, he’s particularly excited about having Savage wine from Santa Barbara, California, and Eric Kent Wine Cellars from Santa Rosa, California. And because it’s also the 10th anniversary of Thirst Wine Merchants, the company will have a special “greatest hits” table with some of the most expensive, exclusive and hardest-to-find wines the company has distributed. “People can sample some stuff they might never get to try otherwise,” Kroblin said. Thirst for a Cause also features silent auction items and rare bottles available for bidding. Since 2009, the event raised nearly $200,000 for those in Oklahoma’s hospitality industry, which is a neat feat for an evening regular guests call “Christmas for winos.” Other wineries scheduled to appear and pour are 32 Winds, Adelsheim, Angeline Vineyards, Blackbird Vineyards, Bonny Doon Vineyard, Canyon Lakes Winery, Casa Smith, Charles Smith Wines, Dalla Terra Winery Direct, Darms Lane Winery, Domaine de la Côte, DuMOL, The Eyrie Vineyards, Evening Land Vineyards, Failla Wines, Famille Sichel, K Vintners, Lail Vineyards, Marietta, Martin Ray, Martine’s Wines, Mouton Noir, Raptor Ridge, Sandhi, Scarpetta, Scribe, Squadra, Sixto, Skurnik Wines, Vine Connections, Vine Street Imports and Well Oiled Wine Co. Tickets are $75 in advance or $89 at the door and can be purchased by phone at 405-942-9463 or online at okrestaurants. com.

Thanks for The VoTes okC!

Best Sushi Restaurant

Best Japanese Restaurant

Sushi Neko • Musashi’s Best Western Avenue District Restaurant

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g a z e di b l e s

eat & DRINK

Don’t stop

Loosen that belt. Unbutton the top button of those jeans. At these metro all-you-can-eateries, one can push the boundaries of good taste and what tastes good all at once. Mama didn’t raise no quitter! By Greg Elwell | Photos Garett Fisbeck and Gazette file

Join us

for lunch

Open Tuesday-sunday | 1630 nW 23rd | 405.525.8886 22

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Thai Kitchen OKC

Hibachi Supreme Buffet

This all-you-can-eat buffet just tastes so good! The mix of sweet and savory is intoxicating. Whether it’s curry over rice, a bowl of luscious noodles topped with tender chicken or just a plate full of fried spring rolls, Thai Kitchen always puts out more fresh food on the buffet. The menu is great for specific dishes, too.

After stops at Hibachi Pretty Good Buffet and Hibachi That’s Nice Buffet, it’s time to dig in to something a bit more intense. Diners should upgrade to Hibachi Supreme Buffet if they want an endless supply of nigiri and rolled sushi; meaty Chinese-style ribs sticky with sweet sauce; and the sizzle, chop and flip of steak, chicken and fish on the hibachi. All the Chinese buffet classics, like orange chicken and beef and broccoli, are there, too.

327 Dean A. McGee Ave. thaikitchenokc.com | 405-236-0229

Thank You for Voting Us

Best Thai Restaurant

1012 W. Interstate 240 Service Road hibachisupreme.net | 405-632-5888

Fuze Buffet & Bar

6512 Northwest Expressway facebook.com/fuzebuffetbarofficial 405-603-8668 Attention mad food scientists: Go home. Thanks for years of dedicated work and all, but Fuze Buffet & Bar eliminated the need for that position. Now anybody can grab a table and a plate before creating neverbefore-imagined food combinations. All it takes to eat General Tso’s chicken tacos, sushi-covered pork chops and gelato pie cake is the will to make it happen. Or just take the family and let everybody finally have whatever kind of food they want.

New Owner & New Menu

8027 NW 23rd • Bethany • 405.789.7111

Cajun King

5816 NW 63rd St. 405-603-3714 (to the tune of “My Favorite Things”) Fried chicken on taters and bowls of étouffée, Blackened pork chops aplenty and gumbo with filé, Basket after basket of catfish almondine, This is what makes this Cajun buffet the King! Be honest; brown paper packages tied up with string aren’t even in the running for favorite things as long as Cajun King is around.

India Village

2110 W. Lindsey St., Norman 405-217-2288 It takes a village to raise a child, but to feed an adult, you need India Village. Most Oklahomans are not familiar enough with Indian food to have a favorite, unless you count chicken tikka masala and naan. But this northern Indian buffet is full of new dishes for diners to try, so stop in, grab a plate and find something new to love. Spice lovers will especially want to check out the vindaloos (chicken, lamb and shrimp), which pack a fiery heat.

Cattlemen’s Steakhouse 1309 S. Agnew Ave. cattlemensrestaurant.com 405-236-0416

Before writing off Cattlemen’s as just a place for a plate of lamb fries and a tasty steak, remember that this legendary Oklahoma City eatery has long served one of the best breakfasts in the metro. On the weekends, early risers and hungry diners can find succor in Cattlemen’s breakfast buffet. Nothing warms the belly like unlimited bacon, piles of biscuits with creamy gravy and heaping helpings of scrambled eggs.

Sumo Japanese Steak House

1801 S. Broadway, Edmond edmondsumo.com | 405-340-3398 Buffets are nice, but how about an option where a server keeps bringing plate after plate of food for you to eat? Look no farther than Edmond’s Sumo Japanese Steak House and its all-you-can-eat sushi. The key is customers have to ask for this option. For $25.99, diners can order from an abbreviated list of rolls and have them delivered to the table.

best place to pick up your gazette | best breakfast

Join Jimmy’s Cracked Egg E-Club at www.jimmysegg.com

16 metro area locations!

#jimmysegg O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 3 1 , 2 0 1 6

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REST OF OKC

REST OF OKC

Welcome to Oklahoma Gazette’s annual Rest of OKC issue, where we take a lighthearted look at the best other things in Oklahoma City! You’ll find a list of all of this year’s Best of OKC winners plus fun and games celebrating the weird and wonderful things about our great city. By Gazette staff | Photos and illustrations by Gazette staff, file, provided and bigstock.com

Word-lib By Greg Elwell Start Rest of OKC off (adjective) by filling in your own story about this (adjective) city.

It was the summer of 2016 in Oklahoma City, and it was hotter than a The city was having a JOB TITLE

year.

adjective

Kevin Durant decided that

than staying in Oklahoma City, so he Thank goodness for

on fire.

NOUN

NOUN

past tense verb

adjective

and

off to Oakland to join the Golden State

star Russell Westbrook, who

extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Fans will

were more important to him

NOUN

past tense verb

ACTION VERB

him lead the

plural noun

.

the day by signing an NOUN

for years

to come. This made everybody feel

INTENSE EMOTION

, which was good, because the

ADJECTIVE

work being done by the Oklahoma

Legislature was making the state suffer. See, despite being

past tense verb

to improve the state, the

dollar budget shortfall. Many people lost their and the economy was going to

LOCATION

One of the few bright spots was Oklahoma And the next week, the Now go

VERB

ADJECTIVE

plural nounS

plural noun

when the price of oil fell below

NOUN

’s Best of OKC reader poll.

of OKC issue came out, full of

VERB

ENORMOUS #

dollars a barrel,

TINY #

in a handbasket.

the rest of Rest of OKC. There are lots of

in any of the stories, feel free to

in Oklahoma’s government let the state fall into a

was named the best in the city!

YOUR FAV RESTAURANT

ADJECTIVE ADJECTIVE

them to something you enjoy.

articles by

writers and editors.

word meaning extremely attractive

games to play. And if you don’t like the words continued on page 26

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25

INTELLIGENT DISCUSSION. ESSENTIAL LOCAL MUSIC. SUPER SWEET TOTE BAGS.

REST OF OKC

oklahoma lawmakers

Pledge your support during our Fall Membership Drive September 8-15 to help keep our air fresh, our things considered, and our lives American. #BLMOKC

Best person to avoid in a public restroom

Oklahoma lawmakers 91.7 OKC | 107.5 TULSA | KOSU.ORG

Back in the day, people used public restrooms to relieve themselves, wash their hands, check their teeth for food bits and maybe touch up their lipstick. It has always been illegal to assault someone in the restroom or snap creepy photos. However, those protective measures aside, some Oklahoma lawmakers pushed a national message of fear when it came to our transgender community members and public restrooms. Sen. Joseph Silk, R-Broken Bow, filed Senate Bill 1014 to force people to use the bathroom assigned to the gender they were at birth. The bill failed but resurfaced in the final week of session.

Best friend of Oklahoma women

Emily Virgin

When Norman’s District 44 voters elected law student Emily Virgin to the Oklahoma House, they upped the intelligence level at the state Capital. The passionate Democrat is a fighter standing against anti-LGBT legislation and looking out for Oklahoma women. In 2015, Rep. Chuck Strohm’s Religious Freedom Act called for business to refuse services to customers if it was against their religious beliefs. Opposed to such a law, Virgin penned an amendment stating businesses refusing customers on religious beliefs must post discrimination statements on the front door of their businesses and their websites. The bill failed to earn a floor vote. This past session, Virgin co-authored 26

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#staykd

Senate Bill 1491, which lowered the number of domestic violence incidents from three to two for establishing a pattern. Also, Virgin advocated for equal pay for equal work legislation. We appreciate you, Emily Virgin!

Best OKC-related hashtag

#BLMOKC

Anyone who witnessed the thousands of marchers coming over G.E. Finley Bridge into Bricktown on July 10 instantly pulled out their cameras for a snap. Hashtags #BLMOKC and #BlackLivesMatterOKC allowed the world to watch as metro-area residents peacefully gathered for a protest, rally and memorial vigil in solidarity with the families and communities impacted by the hundreds of black Americans killed by police across the nation.

Best worst OKC-related hashtag

#stayKD

Oklahoma’s message to Oklahoma City Thunder baller Kevin Durant as he entered free agency was simple. Hashtag #StayKD became social media lingo for “Please don’t ever leave Oklahoma, you basketball God.” The hashtag efforts were joined by T-shirts, billboards and a rally at The Bleu Garten. In the end, hashtag aside, the NBA star was ready to move on. However, #GoodbyeKD never caught on.

continued on page 29

BEST OF OKC WINNERS PEOPLE

BEST BUSINESS OWNER (AND THEIR BUSINESS)

BEST RADIO PERSONALITY OR TEAM

owners of A Good Egg Dining Group

JOEY AND HEATHER at KYIS KISS 98.9

Favorites: Jack and Ron (KQOB-FM Fun 96.9); Rick and Brad (KATT-FM Rock 100.5); TJ, Janet and JROD (KJYO-FM KJ103 102.7); The Morning Animals (WWLS-FM 98.1)

KEITH & HEATHER PAUL

Favorites: Ian & Hailey McDermid (owners of The Pump Bar), Adam & Stephanie Jones, (owners of Paint N’ Cheers), Stephanie Durst (owner of OKC Vapes), Mindy Emmerich (owner of On the Edge with Skulls & Stones)

BEST LIVE MUSIC CLUB

THE BLUE DOOR

Favorites: The Blue Note Lounge, Wormy Dog Saloon, The Deli, Opolis BEST CONCERT VENUE

CHESAPEAKE ENERGY ARENA Favorites: The Zoo Amphitheatre, The Criterion, Civic Center Music Hall, Diamond Ballroom

BEST LOCAL BAND BEST PERSON TO FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

THE LOST OGLE

Favorites: Aaron Tuttle, Kevin Durant, Steve Lackmeyer, Floyd Martin BEST LOCAL WEBSITE OR BLOG

THE LOST OGLE

Favorites: Keep It Local OK, Red Dirt Report, OKCTalk, Daily Thunder BEST LOCAL LIVING AUTHOR

REE DRUMMOND

Favorites: S.E. Hinton, Emily Alexander, Kristi Brooks, Lou Berney BEST BIG-TIME OKLAHOMA SINGER/SONGWRITER

GARTH BROOKS

Favorites: Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, Toby Keith BEST LOCAL SINGER/SONGWRITER (NOT NATIONAL)

GRAHAM COLTON

Favorites: Mike Hosty, Samantha Crain, Chelsey Cope, Carter Sampson BEST COMMUNITY LEADER

MICK CORNETT

Oklahoma City Mayor

Favorites: Ed Shadid (Ward 2, Oklahoma City Council) Jill Castilla (President & CEO, Citizens Bank of Edmond), Cyndi Munson (U.S. House Representative District 85), Kevin Durant (formerly of Oklahoma City Thunder) BEST CHEF

RYAN PARROTT of Picasso Cafe

Favorites: Bruce Rinehart of Rococo, Kurt Fleischfresser of Vast, Jonathon Stranger of Ludivine, Steve Spitz

THE FLAMING LIPS

Favorites: My So Called Band, Mike Hosty Duo, Horse Thief, Nicnōs

HIDEAWAY PIZZA

several metro locations

Favorites: Cheever’s Cafe, Charleston’s Restaurant, The Pump Bar, The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro BEST BAR TEAM

THE PUMP BAR

2425 N. Walker Ave.

Favorites: Edna’s, Republic Gastropub, Ludivine, Rockford Cocktail Den BEST WAITER OR WAITRESS (AND THEIR RESTAURANT)

RACHEL TENNYSON at The Pump Bar

Favorites: Whitney Wood at Hideaway Pizza on Northwest Expressway, Chris Evans at Oak & Ore, Katherine Ramont at Hideaway Pizza on Northwest Expressway, Eryn Scott at Bellini’s Underground

DJ DIVERSE

Favorites: Crystal Vision, Blake O, DJ Saad, DJ J20 BEST PERFORMING ARTS GROUP (EX: THEATER COMPANY, DANCE COMPANY, ORCHESTRAL GROUP)

LYRIC THEATRE OF OKLAHOMA Favorites: Oklahoma City Philharmonic, OKC Improv, Carpenter Square Theatre, Oklahoma City Ballet BEST VISUAL ARTIST

JACK FOWLER

Favorites: Erin Cooper, Jason Pawley, Adam Jones, Rick Sinnett

Favorites: Becky Ginn at The Pump Bar, Katie Wicks at Guyutes, Amy Nelms at Red Piano Lounge in the Skirvin Hilton, Chris Barrett at Ludivine

Favorites: The Copa, Kamps 1310 Lounge, Dollhouse Lounge & Burlesque, Club One15

COOKIE’S

Favorites: Henry Hudson’s Pub, Nancy’s 57th Street Lighthouse, Don Quixote Club, By George’s Tavern

PLAZA WALLS PROJECT IN PLAZA DISTRICT

Favorites: New Zealand Thunder player Steven Adams mural on The Paramount building in Film Row, Taste of Western murals in Western Avenue District, Cultivation mural at EK Gaylord Boulevard and W. Reno Avenue, Flamenco memorial to John L. Belt in Paseo Arts District

Favorites: KFOR-TV NBC channel 4, KOCO-TV ABC channel 5, KOKH-TV channel 25

Favorites: Festival of the Arts, Plaza District, DNA Galleries, Paseo Arts Festival

PASEO ARTS DISTRICT

BEST LOCAL ANNUAL EVENT OR FESTIVAL

BEST MUSEUM

Favorites: Paseo Arts Festival, Oklahoma Pride Festival and Parade, deadCenter Film Festival, Plaza District Festival

Favorites: Science Museum Oklahoma, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Sam Noble Museum

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART

Favorites: COOP Ale Works Anniversary Party benefiting Central Oklahoma Humane Society, Boots & Ball Gowns Gala benefitting Infant Crisis Services, Inc., Red Tie Night benefiting Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund, Festival of Quilts benefiting Edmond Quilt Guild

RICHARDSON HOMES

Favorites: Salazar Homes, Inc., Home Creations, Ideal Homes & Neighborhoods, Jeff Click Homes BEST LGBT EVENT

OKC PRIDE FESTIVAL AND PARADE

Favorites: Sunday Gospel Brunch at The Boom, Red Tie Night, AIDS Walk OKC, Equality Run

PLACES BEST PLACE TO VOLUNTEER

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HUMANE SOCIETY

Favorites: Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma; Infant Crisis Services, Inc.; Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity; Pets and People Humane Society

FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

BEST BOOKSTORE OR COMIC SHOP

FULL CIRCLE BOOKSTORE

Favorites: Second Chance Books & Comics, New World Comics, All-Star Comics, Best of Books

BEST VAPOR SHOP

OKC VAPES

Favorites: 23rd Street Vapes, Vapor World, Party Moore, Liquid Vapor Lounge

BEST PLACE TO GET FIT

YMCA OF GREATER OKLAHOMA CITY

BEST PLACE TO MEET A HIPSTER

PLAZA DISTRICT

Favorites: Lake Hefner, 10Gym, Hidden Dragon Yoga, Four Star Fitness

Favorites: Paseo Arts District, The Mule, The Pump Bar, Saints Pub

BEST PARK

MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS

RENAISSANCE SALON AND SPA

BEST PLACE TO SEE OR BE SEEN

Favorites: Rejuvena Cosmetic Medical Center, Mariposa Aesthetics & Laser Center, Advanced Aesthetics, Premier Plastic Surgery and Aesthetics

Favorites: The Bleu Garten, Plaza District, Bricktown, Fassler Hall

BEST BICYCLE SHOP

Favorites: Daisy Exchange, Nearly New Shoppe, Cindy’s Resale, The Bottom Drawer

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER GAMES

BEST PLACE TO SPEND ADULT TIME THAT IS KID-FRIENDLY

AL’S BICYCLES

Favorites: Whole Foods Market, Target, Anthropologie, H&M

BAD GRANNY’S BAZAAR

Favorites: Fowler Auto Group, Bob Howard Auto Group, Hudiburg Auto Group, Eskridge Auto Group

DR. TIM LOVE, MD

BEST THRIFT STORE

BEST CLOTHING CONSIGNMENT

BOB MOORE AUTO GROUP

BEST PLACE TO GET AN AESTHETIC UPDATE

BEST (NATIONAL OR REGIONAL) RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT YOU WISH WAS LOCALLY OWNED

Favorites: Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma, Uptown Thrift, Nearly New Shoppe, EARC Thrift shop (Employment & Residential Centers)

Favorites: Fowler Auto Group, Bob Howard Auto Group, Hudiburg Auto Group, David Stanley Auto Group BEST PLACE TO BUY A USED VEHICLE

Favorites: Mariposa Aesthetics & Laser Center; Dr. Tim Love, MD; Bliss Medical Spa, Udånder

Favorites: Naifeh Fine Jewelry, Lewis Jewelers, Mitchener Farrand, Huntington Fine Jewelers

BAD GRANNY’S BAZAAR

BOB MOORE AUTO GROUP

BEST MED SPA

Favorites: Schlegel Bicycles, Wheeler Dealer Bicycle Shop, Celestial Cycles, Melonbike

BC CLARK JEWELERS

BEST PLACE TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE

Favorites: Will Rogers Garden Exhibition Center; Mitch Park, Edmond; Stars and Stripes Park; E.C. Hafer Park, Edmond

BEST FINE JEWELRY

BEST CHARITY EVENT

OKLAHOMA CITY MEMORIAL MARATHON

Favorites: University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City (OSU-OKC), Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), Francis Tuttle Technology Center

BEST PUBLIC ART/MURAL

BEST PLACE TO BUY LOCAL ART

KWTV-TV CBS CHANNEL 9

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA (OU)

BEST KARAOKE BAR

BEST WEATHER TEAM

BEST FREE ENTERTAINMENT BEST BARTENDER (AND THEIR BAR) SUSAN EMBERTON at Edna’s

GROOVYS

BEST CLUB DJ

BEST LOCAL HOMEBUILDER BEST WAIT STAFF

BEST DANCE CLUB

BEST PLACE FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION

MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS

Favorites: Oklahoma City Thunder games, The Bleu Garten, Plaza District, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum BEST PLACE TO TAKE A SELFIE

SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET

MYRIAD BOTANICAL GARDENS Favorites: Oklahoma City Thunder games, Bricktown, Plaza District, Devon Energy Center (Devon Tower)

BEST FAMILY IN-STATE STAYCATION

BEAVERS BEND STATE PARK

BEST PLACE TO PAY IT FORWARD

REGIONAL FOOD BANK OF OKLAHOMA

Favorites: Turner Falls Park, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, The Oklahoma City Zoo, Grand Lake o’ The Cherokees

Favorites: Central Oklahoma Humane Society; Infant Crisis Services, Inc.; The Curbside Chronicle; S&B Burger Joint’s Pay it Forward

BEST LOCAL DISTRICT

BRICKTOWN

BEST FURNITURE CONSIGNMENT

Favorites: Midtown, Plaza, Paseo Arts, Uptown 23rd

BEST PET-FRIENDLY PATIO

Favorites: RetrOKC, The Green Attic, 2 Doors Down, K&N Interior Consignment

BEST ADULT ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENT

Favorites: Sauced on Paseo, The Pump Bar, Fat Dog Kitchen & Bar, Fassler Hall

RINK GALLERY

BEST MEN’S CLOTHIER

BLUE SEVEN

Favorites: Mr. Ooley’s, S. J. Haggard & Co., TRADE Men’s Wares, Steven Giles BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE

BLUE SEVEN

Favorites: Lucca Fashion Boutique, Lush Fashion Lounge, Balliets, The Black Scintilla

THE BLEU GARTEN

DOLLHOUSE LOUNGE & BURLESQUE

BEST PLACE TO TREAT YOUR PET (EX: SUPPLIES, VET, PARK)

Favorites: The Boom, Night Trips, Red Dog Cafe, Little Darlings

BARKING DOG BAKERY

Favorites: Midtown Mutts Dog Park, Edmond Dog Park, A1 Pet Emporium, Midtown Vets

BEST NEW RETAIL ESTABLISHMENT TO OPEN AFTER 6/1/15

RUST & ROT

BEST PLACE TO GET A HOME OR AUTO LOAN

Favorites: Forever Young Toy Shoppe, Bison Shop, Mode, AMP Variety, Reference Point

TINKER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Favorites: Bank of Oklahoma, BancFirst, Oklahoma Employees Credit Union, Weokie

BEST NONPROFIT

Arts Council Oklahoma City

BEST PLACE TO DINE BEFORE A SHOW

Favorites: Myriad Botanical Gardens; Bricktown; Sonic Summer Movies at Myriad Botanical Gardens; Sunday Twilight Concert Series, Arts Council Oklahoma City

Favorites: Cheever’s Cafe, Museum Cafe, Red PrimeSteak, Flint

EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE

CENTRAL OKLAHOMA HUMANE SOCIETY

Favorites: Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma; Infant Crisis Services, Inc; Goodwill Industries of Central Ok Inc.; Sunbeam Family Services O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 3 1 , 2 0 1 6

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BEST OF OKC WINNERS BEST PLACE TO CELEBRATE AN ANNIVERSARY OR BIRTHDAY

CHEEVER’S CAFE

Favorites: Ranch Steakhouse, Vast, Red PrimeSteak, Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse BEST CASINO

RIVERWIND CASINO

Favorites: WinStar World Casino, Remington Park Racing & Casino, Grand Casino Hotel & Resort, Lucky Star Casino BEST PLACE TO PICK UP YOUR GAZETTE

JIMMY’S EGG

Favorites: City Bites, The Pump Bar, OKC Vapes, Party Moore BEST PUB QUIZ/TRIVIA NIGHT

THE GARAGE BURGERS & BEER Favorites: 51st Street Speakeasy, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewing Company, Henry Hudson’s Pub, Saints Pub

FOOD AND DRINK

BEST SUSHI

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT

BEST PLAZA DISTRICT RESTAURANT

Favorites: Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, The Sushi Bar, In the Raw Sushi Bricktown, GoGo Sushi

Favorites: Sushi Neko, Shógun Steak House of Japan, Tokyo Japanese Restaurant, Shiki Japanese Restaurant

Favorites: The Mule, Oak & Ore, Saints Pub, Chiltepe’s Latin Cuisine & Bar

BEST TEA OR COFFEEHOUSE

BEST VEGAN, VEGETARIAN, GLUTENFREE OR HEALTHY MENU OPTIONS

CUPPIES & JOE

Favorites: The Red Cup, All About Cha, Elemental Coffee Roasters, Urban Teahouse

23RD STREET BODY PIERCING

Favorites: Atomic Lotus Tattoo, No Regrets Tattoo, Mystical Illusions, Mind Bender Tattoo BEST PLACE TO SPRUCE UP YOUR HOME

HOBBY LOBBY

Favorites: Plenty Mercantile, Mathis Brothers Furniture, Decades Revisited A Vintage Mall, K&N Interior Consignment BEST LGBT BAR OR CLUB

THE BOOM

Favorites: HiLo Club, The Copa, Angles, Tramps BEST PRE-GAME OR PRE-CONCERT SPOT

THE GARAGE BURGERS & BEER

PUT A CORK IN IT WINERY

BEST LOCAL CRAFT BEER

BEST LIQUOR STORE

COOP ALE WORKS

Favorites: Anthem Brewing Company, Bricktown Brewery, TapWerks Ale House, Mustang Brewing Company

TAPWERKS ALE HOUSE

Favorites: James E. McNellie’s Public House, Oak & Ore, Republic Gastropub, Bricktown Brewery BEST COCKTAIL (AND THE RESTAURANT/BAR THAT SERVES IT)

LUNCH BOX, EDNA’S

Favorites: S&B Bloody Mary (S&B’s Burger Joint), Sooner Swirl (The Mont), The Black Betty (The Pump Bar), Fire on the Pineapple (Guyutes) BEST BREAKFAST

JIMMY’S EGG

Favorites: Waffle Champion, Cafe Kacao, Classen Grill, Kitchen No. 324

BEST POST-GAME OR POST-CONCERT SPOT

Favorites: Picasso Cafe, Kitchen No. 324, Cafe Kacao, Packard’s New American Kitchen

BEST ROOFTOP (BAR OR RESTAURANT)

ROOF TERRACE AT OKLAHOMA CITY MUSEUM OF ART

CHEEVER’S CAFE

BEST LUNCH SPOT

EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE

Favorites: The Mule, Cafe 501, Saturn Grill, Thai House Restaurant BEST LATE-NIGHT EATS

Favorites: Packard’s New American Kitchen, O Bar at the Ambassador Hotel, Guyutes, Bossa Nova Caipirinha Lounge at Cafe do Brasil

BEVERLY’S PANCAKE HOUSE

BEST BOUTIQUE OF LOCAL ODDITIES

BEST HAMBURGERS

Favorites: Bad Granny’s Bazaar, Craig’s Curious Emporium, Plenty Mercantile, DNA Galleries

Favorites: S&B’s Burger Joint, Nic’s Grill, Tucker’s Onion Burgers, Irma’s Burger Shack

Favorites: Empire Slice House, Waffle Champion, The Pump Bar, Guyutes

Favorites: Sauced on Paseo, The Pump Bar, The Mont, Flint

BYRON’S LIQUOR WAREHOUSE

THE GARAGE BURGERS & BEER

BEST SANDWICH SHOP BEST FARMERS MARKET OR FARM STAND

OSU-OKC FARMERS MARKET Favorites: OKC Farmers Public Market, Edmond Farmer’s Market, Uptown 23rd Farmers Market, Urban Agrarian BEST OPTICAL SHOP

MIDTOWN OPTICAL

Favorites: Sam’s Optical, Black Optical, Dick Story Optical, TSO Optical BEST FLORIST

A DATE WITH IRIS

Favorites: New Leaf Florist, Trochta’s Flowers & Garden Center, Capitol Hill Florist and Gifts, Tony Foss Flowers

THE MULE

Favorites: City Bites, Someplace Else A Deli & Bakery, Neptune Submarine Sandwiches, The Sandwich Club BEST BARBECUE RESTAURANT

IRON STAR URBAN BARBEQUE

WHISKEY CAKE KITCHEN & BAR Favorites: Panera Bread, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, The Cheesecake Factory, Chili’s Grill & Bar BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

THE DRAKE SEAFOOD AND OYSTERETTE

Favorites: Pearl’s Oyster Bar, Hefner Grill, The Shack Seafood & Oyster Bar, Off the Hook Seafood & More BEST DESSERT RESTAURANT, SHOP OR BAKERY

PIE JUNKIE.

Favorites: La Baguette Bistro, Ingrid’s Kitchen, Brown’s Bakery, Cuppies & Joe

THAI HOUSE RESTAURANT

Favorites: Thai Kitchen OKC, Panang Thai Restaurant, Sala Thai, Tana Thai Bistro BEST VIETNAMESE RESTAURANT

Favorites: Pho Lien Hoa, Mr. Pho, Golden Phoenix, Pho Cuong

PHO LIEN HOA

Favorites: Mr. Pho, Pho’ever, Pho Cuong, Pho’Nomenal Vietnamese Noodle House BEST NEW RESTAURANT TO OPEN SINCE 6/1/15

THE DRAKE SEAFOOD AND OYSTERETTE

Favorites: Guyutes, Sunnyside Diner, Chae Modern Korean, Cultivar Mexican Kitchen BEST FINE DINING ESTABLISHMENT

CHEEVER’S CAFE

Favorites: Red PrimeSteak, Vast, Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse, The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro BEST NEIGHBORHOOD PUB

THE PUMP BAR

Favorites: James E. McNellie’s Public House, Henry Hudson’s Pub, Saints Pub, Guyutes

BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT

TED’S CAFÉ ESCONDIDO

BEST DIVE BAR

Favorites: Chelino’s Mexican Restaurant, Abel’s Mexican Restaurant, San Marcos Mexican Restaurant, Cultivar Mexican Kitchen

Favorites: Cock O’ the Walk, The Pump Bar, HiLo Club, Cookie’s

several metro locations

EDNA’S

CAFÉ DO BRASIL

Favorites: 1492 New World Latin Cuisine, Cafe Kacao, Zarate’s Latin Mexican Grill, Chiltepe’s Latin Cuisine & Bar

FLIP’S WINE BAR & TRATTORIA Favorites: Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria, Stella Modern Italian Cuisine, Vito’s Ristorante, Victoria’s the Pasta Shop

BEST WESTERN EUROPEAN RESTAURANT, NOT ITALIAN (DANISH, ENGLISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, IRISH, SCOTTISH, SPANISH, ETC.)

INGRID’S KITCHEN

Favorites: Fassler Hall, La Baguette Bistro, Old Germany Restaurant, Royal Bavaria

ZORBA’S MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE

REPUBLIC GASTROPUB

Favorites: O Bar at the Ambassador Hotel, Vast, Sidecar Barley & Wine Bar, Rockford Cocktail Den BEST PLACE TO DRINK AFTER A HARD DAY

THE PUMP BAR

Favorites: Republic Gastropub, Edna’s, HiLo Club, Guyutes BEST NEW BAR TO OPEN SINCE 6/1/15

GUYUTES

Favorites: Fat Dog Kitchen & Bar, Rockford Cocktail Den, Anchor Down, Cultivar Mexican Kitchen BEST DINER

CLASSEN GRILL

Favorites: Jimmy’s Egg, Beverly’s Pancake House, Nic’s Grill, The Diner BEST FOOD TRUCK OR FOOD CART

THE SAUCEE SICILIAN

Favorites: The Loaded Bowl, Taqueria Sanchez, Taste of Soul Egg Roll, The Hall’s Pizza Kitchen

BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT

CATTLEMEN’S STEAKHOUSE

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BEST PASEO ARTS DISTRICT RESTAURANT

PASEO GRILL

Favorites: Picasso Cafe, Sauced on Paseo, The Red Rooster Bar & Grill, The Other Room

GRAND HOUSE ASIAN BISTRO

Favorites: Golden Phoenix, Lido Restaurant, Pho Cuong, Fung’s Kitchen BEST AUTOMOBILE ALLEY DISTRICT RESTAURANT

HIDEAWAY PIZZA

Favorites: Iguana Mexican Grill, Red PrimeSteak, Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse, Cultivar Mexican Kitchen BEST BRICKTOWN DISTRICT RESTAURANT

BRICKTOWN BREWERY

Favorites: Chelino’s Mexican Restaurant, West, Jazmo’z Bourbon St. Cafe, KD’s Southern Cuisine BEST CLASSEN CURVE DISTRICT RESTAURANT

REPUBLIC GASTROPUB

Favorites: Tucker’s Onion Burgers, Upper Crust Pizza, Cafe 501, Flip’s Wine Bar & Trattoria BEST DEEP DEUCE DISTRICT RESTAURANT

THE WEDGE PIZZERIA

Favorites: Deep Deuce Grill, Slaughter’s Hall, Urban Johnnie Bar & Grille, Anchor Down BEST MIDTOWN DISTRICT RESTAURANT

WAFFLE CHAMPION

Favorites: James E. McNellie’s Public House, Stella Modern Italian Cuisine, 1492 New World Latin Cuisine, GoGo Sushi

BEST UPSCALE BAR BEST LATIN RESTAURANT

Favorites: Basil Mediterranean Cafe, Mediterranean Imports & Deli, Couscous Cafe, NuNu’s Mediterranean Cafe & Market

BEST STEAKHOUSE

EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE

BEST ASIAN DISTRICT RESTAURANT BEST THAI RESTAURANT

BEST PHO RESTAURANT

BEST PIZZA PLACE

Favorites: Ranch Steakhouse, Red PrimeSteak, Mahogany Prime Steakhouse, Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse

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Favorites: Grand House Asian Bistro, Golden Phoenix, Fung’s Kitchen, Chow’s Chinese Restaurant

BEST (NATIONAL OR REGIONAL) RESTAURANT YOU WISH WAS LOCALLY OWNED*

BEST MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANT

Favorites: Empire Slice House, The Wedge Pizzeria, Upper Crust Pizza, Pizzeria Gusto

DOT WO GARDEN

LIDO RESTAURANT

Favorites: Earl’s Rib Palace, Swadley’s BarB-Q, Backdoor Barbecue, Bedlam Bar-B-Q

HIDEAWAY PIZZA

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT

Favorites: Sam’s Warehouse Liquor, Broadway Wine Merchants, Freeman’s Liquor Mart, Moore Liquor

BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT

BLUE SEVEN

MUSASHI’S

BEST PATIO DINING

THE BLEU GARTEN

BEST WEEKEND BRUNCH

Favorites: The Pump Bar, The Mont, Guyutes, Flint

Favorites: Picasso Cafe, The Loaded Bowl, The Red Cup, Guyutes

Favorites: Waters Edge Winery, Tres Sueños Winery & Vineyard, Native Spirits Winery, Clauren Ridge Vineyard & Winery

Favorites: Bricktown Brewery, The Mont, Flint, KD’s Southern Cuisine

FASSLER HALL

COOLGREENS

BEST LOCAL WINERY

BEST BEER SELECTION BEST PLACE TO GET PIERCED OR INKED

SUSHI NEKO

GOPURAM TASTE OF INDIA

Favorites: Taj Cuisine of India, Himalayas Aroma of India, Sheesh Mahal, Ajanta Cuisine of India

BEST UPTOWN 23RD DISTRICT RESTAURANT

CHEEVER’S CAFE

Favorites: Pizzeria Gusto, Guyutes, The Drake Seafood and Oysterette, Thai House Restaurant

BEST WESTERN AVENUE DISTRICT RESTAURANT

THE WEDGE PIZZERIA

Favorites: Sushi Neko, VZD Restaurant & Bar, The Drum Room, West BEST DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT (INCLUDES ARTS, FILM ROW AND FARMERS MARKET DISTRICTS)

KITCHEN NO. 324

Favorites: Museum Cafe, Joey’s Pizzeria, Power House, Flint BEST LOCAL RESTAURANT TO ORDER TO-GO

BIG TRUCK TACOS

Favorites: Hideaway Pizza, Empire Slice House, The Garage Burgers & Beer, Thai House Restaurant

REST OF OKC indigenous peoples’ day okc

Much Thanks for Your Love & Support, OKC! signed, One Grateful Granny

Thank You for VoTing us

Best Clothing Consignment AND Thrift Store!

LOVE the new you.

ROBERT BATES

Radiofrequency micro-needling 1759 NW 16th • Oklahoma City • 405-528-4585 smoke bombs

Most admired activists at City Hall

Indigenous Peoples’ Day OKC person who placed their pet carrier through an x-ray machine

Best new resident of a state jail

Robert Bates,

former Tulsa County volunteer reserve deputy

In June, Robert Bates arrived at the Joseph Harp Correctional Center in Lexington to begin his four-year sentence. Bates was convicted of second-degree manslaughter by a Tulsa County jury in May. A year ago, Bates fatally shot an unarmed black suspect, Eric Harris, during a sting operation. The incident garnered national attention, as Bates was serving as a volunteer sheriff’s deputy at the time of the shooting. Bates maintains he mistook his handgun for his stun gun.

Best attempt to smuggle something into a courtroom

Person who placed their pet carrier through an X-ray machine

Pet carriers are great for transporting dogs, cats, hamsters and other animals. However, there are a few times when the animals should be removed from the carrier, like when going through courthouse security. In June, Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office officials noticed an unusual image cross their X-Ray scanner screen. It wasn’t a weapon or drugs; it was a doggie. Deputies say there is no need to place a pet or a pet carrier through the machine. Approved four-legged guests just need to walk through the metal detector.

The grassroots group Indigenous Peoples’ Day OKC made its debut at City Hall on Sept. 15. The council heard call after call from residents and fellow Oklahomans to rename the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples Day and shift recognition from sailor Christopher Columbus to the people he encountered and their descendants. A resolution was drafted. Members of the grassroots group sat through three long council meetings, awaiting their opportunity to speak in favor of the resolution. In the end, the resolution failed to gain enough votes, but Indigenous Peoples’ Day OKC leaders contend the group will be back.

Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery Fellow, American College of Surgeons Member, American Society of Plastic Surgeons American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery CareCredit, Prosper Healthcare Lending & Alphaeon Credit welcome

Best worst item forgotten in a backpack

Smoke bombs at #BLMOKC event

If there is one thing to take away from the jail blotter report from the day of the July 9 Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City rally, it’s to remove smoke bombs from backpacks before attending. The peaceful protest and rally, which brought thousands to Bricktown, ended with a single arrest, officials said. According to the July 11 Oklahoma City Jail Blotter, Brandon Jesse Lara was booked on complaints of carrying a weapon, wearing a mask, public indecency and threats to use an explosive, incendiary device or simulated bomb to damage or injure people or property. As reported in The Gayly, Lara is a performer and firebreather and he uses the smoke devices in his act. Witnesses told the newspaper that Lara was targeted because of his appearance. Despite the media coverage of the terrorism hoax arrest, a month after the incident, Lara had not been formally charged and American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma has called for an independent investigation into the arrest. continued on page 30

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REST OF OKC

4/20 pot issue SENATE BILL 1552

durant

Best Oklahoma Gazette Issue to hide from your easily offended grandma

4/20 Pot issue

Unless your grandma and her two roommates mistook marijuana for tea and later hosted a house party, the April 20 Oklahoma Gazette issue probably wasn’t your grandma’s cup of tea. Gazette joined reporters from University of Oklahoma student publication The Oklahoma Daily to report on marijuana issues in Oklahoma, including efforts to legalize medical marijuana, a family that calls themselves medical marijuana refugees and the general attitudes toward pot. Also, the best OKC area restaurants for munchies were featured in Gazedibles.

Mark faulk

Best horrible law defeated in the 2016 legislative session

Senate Bill 1552

Best town to consider a name change or relocation to California

Among the 149 House and Senate members, 92 voted in favor of a bill that would have made it a felony for physicians to perform abortions in the state. In fact, Senate Bill 1552 called for one- to three-year prison sentences for doctors who perform the medical procedure. Physicians also could be stripped of their medical licenses. Landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade must not have entered lawmakers’ minds as they casted votes on the Senate and House floors. Gov. Mary Fallin vetoed the legislation, pointing out the bill’s language was too vague.

Durant

Best concerned citizen

There is no news story or social media posts that hint former Oklahoma City Thunder basketball star Kevin Durant ever stepped foot in Durant, Oklahoma. However, in the days that followed his announcement to play on the West Coast, Oklahomans cringed every time they heard about the Texoma city or saw road signs for it. Maybe it’s time Durant leaders consider a name change. It is just too painful, still. May we suggest Westbrookville or Kanter Town? 30

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Mark Faulk

The Occupy movement arrived in OKC. Mark Faulk joined as one of the organizers. There was a proposal to drill near Lake Hefner. Faulk protested. There was a vacant House District 88 seat. Faulk filed his candidacy. A proposed median safety ordinance seemingly targeted the poor. Faulk spoke out at City Hall.

new academic standards

Every city needs a dedicated community activist, and Oklahoma City has Faulk, who also is a filmmaker, author and radio host. Catch Faulk on his program Red State Radio; he keeps listeners abreast of OKC issues.

Best education trend everyone’s excited about but few know anything about

New academic standards

Remember when Oklahoma joined with many other states to adopt Common Core in 2010? Do you recall that four

years later, Oklahoma lawmakers repealed Common Core, abandoned the new materials purchased and wasted thousands of dollars to educate teachers? With the repeal, state lawmakers promised to create new Oklahoma-specific standards. It’s a task that has kept the Oklahoma State Department of Education busy writing new academic standards in math, English, health and physical education over the past two years. Signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin, the new standards went into effect in August at schools across the state.

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REST OF OKC Best of the rest of letters to the editor Editor’s note: For Rest of OKC, Oklahoma Gazette rounds up two of our readers’ favorite letters to the editor, along with excerpts from several more not-fit-for print letters we received over the past year. Names and context have been removed to protect, well, everyone.

Best letter of 2016 — first place

thankS for voting uS

BeSt liquor Store in okc!

SpiritS

Crown Royal 1.75L - $39.99 Titos Vodka 1.75L - $29.80 Captain Morgan Spiced Rum 1.75L - $20.52 New Amsterdam Vodka 1.75L - $16.99 Seagrams 7 1.75L - $17.27 Tanqueray Gin 1.75L - $33.41 Jameson Irish Whiskey 750ml - $22.44 Larceny Bourbon 750ml - $21.20

Beer

Sam Adams Oktoberfest 6pk Bottles - $6.86 Corona Light 6pk Bottles - $6.72 Pabst Blue Ribbon 6pk 16oz. Cans - $4.78 Founders All Day IPA 15pk Cans - $15.99

Wine

Kendall Jackson Chardonnay 750ml - $13.99 Apothic Red 750ml - $9.99 Beringer White Zin 750ml - $5.48 Meiomi Pinot Noir 750ml - $15.23

valid thru 9/10/2016

Why isn’t anyone doing a story on the five strip clubs in Valley Brook? A year ago, there were two. Now there are five. That is a major entertainment mecca that no one knows about, and why are they opening in Valley Brook and not the city? I’ve visited them all, and they each have something different to offer, which is odd for clubs like that. Little Darlings is great; they definitely have the corporate backing, and it shows. Everything is so nice, and it has a classy feel. The other notable club on the strip is Whispers. It’s owned by a girl who actually works there. She sat down and introduced herself to me when I went in. She’ll actually play a game of pool with you, and she’s not half-bad. These clubs are beating out the more popular clubs around the city.

Best letter of 2016 — honorable mention

On April 14, I was sitting at the City of OKC permit office and saw a copy of your magazine. The cover showed a story about Ben Folds. … Not far into the story, I came across the “f” word completely typed out. I stopped reading the story and scanned to see if this was something throughout the article. To my disappointment, it was.

Enough already!

OK, Gazette, STOP THE PROPAGANDA!

Film at 11

s U w o m a ll r Fo g a on inst to see all our

#selfies! @okgazette

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I stumbled onto a movie in Oklahoma City being made that exposes the errors of the health care system at Oklahoma County Crisis Intervention Center. The whole place is run by actors that are not doctors. Some are extras or had roles in shows like Scooby Doo, Jerry Springer, Judge Judy and quite a few others that I can’t remember.

Up in smoke

I read the pot issue. Are you reporting or advocating the use of pot? Only one side to the report. As a moderate, openedminded person, this report is as bad as FOX news.

Late-night hang-ups

I think frankly that the semi-illiterate clown commentary and ethics you write about, given the complete lack of objective literacy you feature, it’s enough to split a gut over. You’re stupid!

Fur babies

Many pet owners refer to their pets as their children. Refer to them as being brothers and sisters to their biological children.

Classy caller

Imagine I own a classy restaurant in Oklahoma City and you show up with your latest edition. For the first time I have ever seen the “shit word” is printed on your cover. Well, your publication is in a class all by itself. Shame on you, you, you sh— (laughs, pauses). … Low.

Non sequitur

I have some advice for the “I cannot believe I still have to protest this shit” sign person: Why don’t you … move out of your parents’ home and pay off your college loan. Then you will not have time to protest all the shit.

Huh????

Enraged. As rage is an illogical feeling, “enraged” is its only appropriate expression (in writing, anyhow). I’m enraged not by “your publication of a trend,” but more by the fact that “that symbol” seems “owned by” a certain group. This is just my reaction to only the cover-“tag” for the article within, which I haven’t gotten around to reading yet and which I’ll probably just skim through and read the headers-etc. unless some phrase catches my eye.

O, RLY?

The illuminati are all going to be dead soon … who could be afraid of a bunch of morons who have to pay for sex with prostitutes and child sex slaves!!!

Aiming high

The problem for the police is that, unless you carry the weapon at the close order ready, intending to double-tap you with a couple of rounds at any second, it does not leave your hands free to do anything else (except butt-stroke: ooorah!).

Huh?

Kids, if a bully beats up your friends… >> Don’t call him a bully. (It might offend him and encourage others to be a bully.) >> Don’t tell your friends he’s a bully. (It will prove your “bully-phobia.”) >> Don’t blame the bully for the violence. (Blame his fists.) >> Don’t say anything if a bully threatens to beat up other kids. (It will show your preconceived prejudice against bullies.)

Blight in whining armor

Watching the howling mob of hatefilled white people spewing venom at Hillary Clinton during the RNC, I was astonished at the transformation of the GOP from Reagan’s sunny optimism to a dark, apocalyptic vision of America, one beset by crime and terror, whose lone savior can only be Donald Trump (big government will fix everything), the blight in whining armor.

hobo tavern

Ludivine

broadway 10 bar & chophouse

Best bar bacon

Broadway 10 Bar & Chophouse

The fact that there is competition in this category speaks volumes about the unquenchable thirst Oklahomans have for bacon. While some bars flavor liquor with hunks of seasoned, smoked pork, one broke away from the pack by just filling glasses with strips of crispy, chewy bacon for discerning patrons to munch on while they enjoy their cocktails. Broadway 10 said, “Nuts!” to nuts and went whole-hog with a bar snack so decadent, it’s usually served wrapped around filet mignon. Runner up: The R&J Lounge and Supper Club. Kudos our runner-up, where the thick-cut bacon appetizer has the consistency of steak and the flavor of house-cured pork belly drizzled in truffle honey.

Best swine-infused liquor that landed someone in jail

The Pump Bar

It’s a fair bet that no one in jail wants to be asked, “What are you in for?” and have to answer, “Maintaining a disorderly house.” Yet that was the charge The Pump Bar manager Colin Grizzle was arrested on in April when police found bacon-infused vodka in the restaurant. But like so many pioneers before him, Grizzle’s arrest sparked real change as the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission came back with a ruling that said businesses with mixed beverage licenses can make and sell infused liquors.

Best Beatles-themed drink menu

Ludivine

Every year, this category gets more cut-throat, but it’s hard to compete

boulevard cafeteria

oncue

with the mixologist geniuses at Ludivine. Bar manager Chris Barrett and bartender Colby Poulin poured themselves into the classic 1966 Beatles’ album Revolver to create 14 seasonal cocktails — one for each track. Though the venue has since moved onto another seasonal drink menu, this one with a Western theme, customers can always order a Tomorrow Never Knows since that’s a cue for the bartender on duty to mix something new.

Best convenience store ice

OnCue

There are a lot of things to recommend at OnCue, the Stillwater-based convenience store chain that established a foothold in Oklahoma City a few years ago. The Roller Grill, where hot dogs of various pedigrees lope along next to jumbo taquitos, for instance. But the best part might be that OnCue offers two kinds of ice for its massive fountain drinks. There’s cubed ice for the squares and “Sonic-style” crushed ice for people who like to live life to the fullest.

Best restaurant menu item that should be deep-fried and served on a stick

Pho

There are two things Oklahoma City loves: convenience and pho. This go-go-go city is regularly listed as one of the best

pho your mom’s place

places to do business. But it’s also a city that is in the midst of a decades-long love affair with Vietnamese beef noodle soup known as pho. Now, in 2016, it’s time to put Oklahoma’s best and brightest to work finding ways to make the soup into a solid so it can be served fried on a stick, finally making it an ideal food to eat while driving.

Best worst bar name for a randomly chosen Tinder first date

Hobo Tavern

A trip through Tinder might seem interminable. How many lefts must one swipe before a righty come along? So when a pair finds something mutually appealing about each other on the app, it’s important to make the right first impression. Reviews of Hobo Tavern say it’s a place to find down-to-earth people who are like a second family and maybe a good spot to sing some karaoke. That sounds awesome to us! But, as names go, you know, it might send a different impression to a first date. Save it for the second date.

Best classic restaurant that’s now gone

closed its doors late last year, scattering fans of the Midtown mainstay into the wind. Though fried chicken, jalapeño cornbread and pie are served throughout the greater metro, it’s harder to find restaurants that still make gelatin mold desserts and serve giant bowls of carrot and raisin salad. As the area continues to be a hotspot for growth, it likely won’t be long before Midtown sees something replace the old girl.

Best bar name that totally isn’t nasty at all

Your Mom’s Place

Anyone with a friend who cannot help but reply with a, “Your mom does [fill in the blank]” needs to know about a little music club and bar called Your Mom’s Place. It’s a cozy, casual, cashonly establishment that does not take itself too seriously — unless you count the promise of “NO KARAOKE” posted on its Facebook page. (And hey, that’s a selling point for a whole lot of us.) More to the point, it’s the perfect place to take that friend when the response to, “You want to get a beer?” is “I’d get a beer at Your Mom’s Place!”

Boulevard Cafeteria

Shed a tear, Oklahoma City. The longlived and long-loved Boulevard Cafeteria

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REST OF OKC 16th street plaza district

zach smith

Steven Adams Mural

Gandini’s circus

Best place to catch a Pokémon GO! Character

bricktown santa fe railway wall

The Oklahoma City Zoo

big question is, Does the fence keep the public out or Patches in?

Let’s face it, just about any public space with a Pokémon lure set up is a good place to hunt virtual monsters. What sets Pokémon catching destinations apart is the potential for worthwhile screen captures. Catching Pokémon at the zoo is all the more enjoyable when you can get Pikachu on screen with the elephants or put Seel where he belongs — in the tank with the real-life seals and sea lions.

Funniest funnyperson

Zach Smith

Best place for a first date

16th Street Plaza District

This is perfect place to unleash that irresistible white polka-dotted shirt with its own special spot in the closet. Take in some music during LIVE! on the Plaza and follow it up with late-night grub at Empire Slice House. What’s that, dear? You haven’t heard of Plaza Walls? Well, let me impress you with my intimate knowledge of this city’s hidden art gems. Why yes, I am quite cultured. Thank you.

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Best place to be murdered by a ghost clown

Gandini’s Circus,

Edmond

If death should come by Patches the Clown’s undead hand, it might as well happen in an appropriate setting. Gandini’s Circus, a scrappy heap of oldtimey circus cages and infrastructure, has lived on in the whispers of Edmond high school and college students. The site rests on private property but can be partially seen through a fence. The

There’s a good reason to call comedian Zach Smith the funniest person in Oklahoma City: He literally won the right to that title in July, when he was named champion of OKC Comedy’s second annual Funniest Person in OKC competition. Do not let Smith tell you that he looks like an extra on Home Improvement’s Tool Time. A man of his status deserves at least a co-host spot.

Best Steve Lackmeyerapproved public art mural

Bricktown Santa Fe Railway Wall

For those who believe the only worthwhile public art is that which gives homage to local icons of the past, this is the magnum opus. Innumerable

famous Oklahomans are packed into a train featured on the wall near the intersection of N. E.K. Gaylord Boulevard and Robert S. Kerr Avenue. It should be an appreciated fact that Flaming Lips rocker Wayne Coyne and former astronaut Shannon Lucid share space in the same mural, even for people who are not fans of the painting. We’re obviously guessing it’s Steve Lackmeyer’s favorite, because it includes, like, everything.

Best mural to take a selfie in front of

Steven Adams mural, Film Row

In the mural selfie game, recency rules the roost. There is still time to get a picture with the portrait of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s New Zealander, unveiled in June at The Paramount building. Even if everyone and their dog gets a picture in front of the Big Kiwi’s likeness, there really is never a bad time to be photographed alongside Steven Adams.

Color the Best of the Rest!

Best-known phallic reference in the Oklahoma City skyline

Best lost and confused (relocated) Santa Monica Ferris wheel

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REST OF OKC Cliché search

Put your thinking caps on, dig in your heels, read between the lines and find some of our city’s hottest, on-trend clichés that send shivers down our spines and drive us up the wall. Only time will tell how much longer they will last!

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ACT OF GOD AUTHENTIC BIG LEAGUE BURNING BRIDGES

CRAFT BEER DINING DESTINATION

DOING TIME DREAM ON GREENER PASTURES GUNS BLAZING HIPSTER HAVEN HUMP DAY

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SUMMER HEAT

Best ballot write-ins for the 2016 Best of OKC reader’s poll You’ll find this year’s official Best of OKC winners and favorites list on P.27 and online at okgazette.com. Here, Oklahoma Gazette presents some of the most hilarious, fun and interesting ballot write-in comments and nominations from our 2016 voting ballots.

donald trump

Best radio personality or team ballot write-in >> Ferris O’Brien: Ferris has been

Thank you

spearheading alternative music and local bands for years. He deserves recognition for that as well as his tenacity. Best person to follow on social media ballot write-ins >> @dill_doe_sand_rugs: Dank riversport adventures oklahoma city

memes! >> Sauerkraut Kitty: Sauerkraut

317 NW 23rd Street RockfordOKC.com

is a local kitty and Instagram

Noisiest swine at the state fair

Donald Trump

No offense to Wilbur or Babe, but neither of them can draw a crowd like Donald Trump can draw a crowd. The candidate’s eventual rise to Republican presidential candidate was far from certain when he visited The Great State Fair of Oklahoma last September, but that did not stop throngs of supporters and curious onlookers to see the famed New York businessman firsthand. It is not known if Trump partook in any deep-fried Kool-Aid while he was here.

Best entertainment locale that’s filled with water

Riversport Adventures Oklahoma City

Riversport is the obvious choice in this category, although a hypothetical Chesapeake Energy Arena filled to the brim with seawater and dolphins would be a worthy rival. Get on that, OKC! This is the city’s chance to get ahead of the inevitable indoor scuba trend. Until then, whitewater rafting, kayaking, tubing and a variety of on-land activities like ziplining and wall climbing Riversport the ruler of aquatic adventure.

celebrity! @thesauerkrautkitty >> Tracey Zeeck: Hilarious and momish. Best unofficial Twitter ballot write-in >> Best dad bod: Travis Nance, aka @BeardedSkeptic. “I’d like to thank Haribo, Taco Bell, and Pokemon GO for sculpting this bod, and y’all for not fleeing in terror.” Best local website or blog ballot write-in >> Reddit.com/r/okc: Technically this works, right? Best local living author ballot write-in >> Doc Don Stinson: He taught me at Northern Oklahoma College and he kicks ass. Best big-time Oklahoma singer / songwriter ballot write-in >> Carrie Underwood: She is the only one I know of. Best local singer / songwriter (not national) ballot write-in >> Carter Sampson: A wonderful singer! She is also spearheading the OKC Rock Camp for Girls. continued on page 38

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REST OF OKC Best ballot write-ins continued from page 37

In the next room (or the vibrator play)

Best community leader ballot write-ins >> We don’t have one: Oklahoma is in shambles because of our leadership. >> James Lankford: I love his Christian values. >> Jonathan Fowler: Art. He gets it. He supports it. >> Michael Clark: He has taken OKC Pride from a small, local festival to a regional destination. >> Rep. Lisa Johnson-Billy: Honors our Native American heritage. >> Ranya O’Connor: She spearheaded the fight against the anti-panhandling ordinance. The results of her first year as the Director of The Curbside Chronicle are also quite impressive.

aaron tuttle vs the lost ogle

>> Sarah Adams-Cornell: Her Native Rights activism is unparalleled. Best chef ballot write-ins >> Amanda Simcoe aka The Cheese Wench: She moved here from Tulsa. She KNOWS cheese. >> Gina Baird: My baby sister. Best wait staff ballot write-ins >> Chelino’s on N. May Avenue: Armando has taken care of us for years. He knew my kids when they were small and now serves the grandkids. >> Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers on N. May Avenue: Friendly as f*** >> Olive Garden: ?? >> Picasso Cafe: They never make you wait; always attentive hipster service. Best bar team ballot write-ins >> James E. McNellie’s Public House: A place where the bar team knows your name. >> Rockford Cocktail Den: Anna Mains, BAMF >> Vast: They really know their crap. Best waiter or waitress (and their restaurant) ballot write-ins >> Renee Hilton at The Boom: Hardest working server in drag. >> Sandi at The Miller Grill in Yukon: Like grandma bringing you goodies. Best bartender (and their bar) ballot write-ins >> Begona DeDios Tatum at HiLo

2310 N. WesterN • 524-0887 M-F 7aM-6:30pM sat 9:30aM-4pM

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continued on page 40

Most buzz-worthy performing arts production

In the Next Room (or The Vibrator Play)

Oklahoma City has seen few performances in the last year as electric or gratifying as Reduxion Theatre Company’s In the Next Room, also known as The Vibrator Play. The play, which ran in the city in June, is set in the Victorian era, in the 1880s, when doctors used the newly invented vibrator to cure “hysterical” women. Don’t have a partner? No problem!

Best media brawl

Aaron Tuttle vs The Lost Ogle

In the fight ring of media personalities, The Lost Ogle has made its reputation as the city’s own Floyd Mayweather, but without the infinite riches. Not too many people would be willing to pick a physical fight with outspoken online weatherman Aaron Tuttle, but The Lost Ogle has shown in recent years it often reigns not only the internet, but also in the courtroom.

Color the Best of the Rest! Best weather term to enter the local lexicon

CoNNECT THE DOTS Most controversial public art mural that doesn’t yet exist Local artist Jack Fowler’s octopus mural will grace the wall of Chevy Bricktown Events Center, 429 E. California Ave., sometime soon ... someday ... maybe.

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REST OF OKC Ben Folds

Best ballot write-ins continued from page 38 Club: She looks like Siouxsie Sioux, is the fastest and most professional bartender around town. She makes a MEAN Piña Colada too! >> Cameron Hess at The Copa: Cameron has worked for The Copa for over six years. He won Bar Wars last year, has a great personality and is great at mixing drinks. >> Chelsey Cope at Empire Slice House: Maybe she might sing to you... Best business owner (and their business) ballot write-ins >> Bruce Rinehart at Rococo’s: Best crab cake you will find and

“Edith Bunker Was an Alien” by Matt Addis

the nicest man I know. >> Scherry Johnson at Broadway Florist in Moore: During the 2013 tornado she provided the main flower arrangement for the altar or center of the gathering place for all victims of the Moore tornadoes funerals at no cost to the family. Best local band ballot write-in >> Jay’s band: The guy from OKC Vapes

Best use of curse words in an A&Erelated interview

Ben Folds

Best performing arts group (ex: theater company, dance company, orchestral group) ballot write-in

Suburbia’s poet laureate has been long been known for expertly deploying the English language’s choicest words. Readers of a March Gazette interview with the musician were treated to a clinic on the f-bomb. Folds used the word and its variants 17 times in the Q&A, most notably when he called David Bowie “the coolest motherfucker of all time” and when he described the “fucking penis gourds” worn by villagers in primitive times.

>> ReAct: My girlfriend told me

Funniest song title by a local band

>> Jack Fowler: I own a few of his

‘Edith Bunker Was an Alien’ by Matt Addis

There is no way of proving Mr. Addis’ theory on the wife of iconic All in the Family character Archie Bunker, but try finding evidence proving she was not. The tune comes from the July release We’re All Doomed!, an eclectic blend of sounds and general lightheartedness that proves to be one of the state’s best guilty pleasures of 2016. This record also brought listeners the classic title “Fuck the Confederacy (And Fuck That Flag).” Bravo, Matt Addis!

to put it. Best visual artist ballot write-ins >> Amanda Bradway: Multimedia artist constantly on the move: murals, paintings, jewelry and now light fixtures! >> Bert Seabourn: Amazing; Native American and modernism >> Erin Cooper: The public art on Western … still the best in the city. pieces. He wins, my art collection increases in value, right? / Octopus rising! >> Trent Lawson: VELVET PAINTINGS, YO! Best weather team ballot write-ins >> KFOR: Less hysterical than the rest. Best local annual event or festival ballot write-ins >> Christmas: I like to get presents and eat candy.

continued on page 43 continued on page 43

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BEST OF OKC EVENT

Best of OKC wrap party

The metro’s original, longest-running and only all-local reader’s poll wraps another successful year! Oklahoma Gazette’s 32nd annual Best of OKC awards is complete! Winners were announced in 129 categories Aug. 23 at a tropics-themed event and blowout party inside Will Rogers Theatre and Will Rogers Lobby Bar in the heart of the Western Avenue district. This year, Gazette readers cast more than 1 million votes for nominees (1,212,084, to be exact) during this year’s Best of OKC poll. That’s a record high and over two times more votes than were cast in last year’s poll. Thank you, readers, for making this the greatest Best of OKC reader’s poll in our city’s history. Find the full event slideshow and Best of OKC winners and favorites, online now at okgazette.com. Best of OKC event catering and venue by Will Rogers Theatre, decor by factor 110, DJ courtesy of BTP Productions and photo booth by PhotoArt Studios. For information about photo use permissions, digital photos and reproductions, please contact Linda Meoli, Oklahoma Gazette vice president of corporate affairs, at lmeoli@okgazette.com.

Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon representatives celebrate their Best of OKC win for best charity event.

Barking Dog Bakery representatives show off their Best of OKC win for the best place to treat your pet. Guests enjoy the Will Rogers Theatre bar during the Aug. 23 Best of OKC appreciation event.

Party guests took this year’s tropical themed party to the extreme.

Best of OKC appreciation swag bags fill kiddie pools at Will Rogers Theatre.

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BEST OF OKC EVENT Jason and Tisha King show off their 23rd Street Body Piercing award for best place to get pierced or inked.

Best of OKC party guests mob the buffet at Will Rogers Theatre during the Aug. 23 appreciation event.

April Sandefer and friend Alicia Rambo

Guests dance at the Aug. 23 Best of OKC appreciation party at Will Rogers Theatre.

Best of OKC event guests mug for the Photoart Studio camera.

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Packard’s New American Kitchen enjoys the best of okc party.

REST OF OKC Daemon Rising

Best ballot write-ins continued from page 40 >> deadCenter Film Festival: In its 16th year, deadCenter Film Festival has grown to be a sophisticated film festival with better parties than Sundance! >> Momentum OKC: Always a fun party; showcases the work of younger artists. Best charity event ballot write-in >> Planned Parenthood of Central OK’s Choices Gala: They do VERY important work in the community. Best LGBT event

Prague

ballot write-ins >> Any night at Chae: Twothirds of their waitstaff is LGBT

Best Bible-burning satanic metal in OKC

Daemon Rising

and they have gender-neutral bathrooms. >> OKC Pride: Largest festival and parade in the state, and

Oklahoma Gazette was the first to tell readers about Oklahoma City Luciferian black metal band Daemon Rising. In our January story, the act was a one-man effort backed by Kansas transplant Joseph Wrobel. Since then, Daemon Rising has grown into a threepiece with a good-sized following. It performs regularly at local venues like Your Mom’s Place, 3201 N. May Ave.

definitely the most fun.

Small local town that probably shouldn’t have a music festival

ballot write-in

Prague

Sorry, Prague. While the idea of 3,000 festivalgoers gathered around the Infant Jesus of Prague stage sounds like a heavenly dream, this town is only big enough for one festival: Kolache Festival. That’s already a humongous event! Name one music festival that comes with warm, fruity sweet rolls. Besides, the name would confuse less-than-sober music fans who might think they’ve wandered into the Czech Republic.

Best cosign by a major celebrity

Shaquille O’Neal and Chief Peace

Best charity event ballot write-in >> AIDS Walk of OKC: Donates thousands of dollars to different organizations that provide support and services to those living with HIV and AIDS in OKC. Best concert venue >> The Criterion: This place was a much-needed venue for our OKC downtown area. It is sincerely my new favorite music venue. Best dance club ballot write-in >> Kamp’s: Robotic Wednesdays is the best!!!!!!! Best karaoke bar ballot write-in >> Cookie’s: This place is the tiniest dive, but I ONLY go there for karaoke — they let you swear and their KJs are so professional! Best park ballot write-in >> Stars and Stripes Park: They cleaned that shit up!

Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2016 playoff run might not have led to a coveted franchise championship, but it did win local rapper and artist Chief Peace an unforgettable life memory. Shaq shared the stage with Peace at Hubbly Bubbly Hookah & Cafe after a postseason game against the San Antonio Spurs, and the rapper became a viral star after video of the performance was featured on gossip website TMZ.com. O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 3 1 , 2 0 1 6

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ARTS & CULTURE Spotlight on sentence which drives them back to Visual art becomes audible at Poems Out of Hiding. The free, poetry-filled

people together and inspiring art can

Untitled 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 to

be found in every aspect of A Hiding

read the works that inspired A Hiding

Place. “This kind of exhibit is important

The exhibit embodies collabora-

ence together. It helps folks think

process that created it.

about creativity as a vital force availcan count on the creative crew of

and lead participants in brief writ-

[Artspace] at Untitled to make things

ing exercises. The discussion will be

happen in new and inclusive and

facilitated by Jane Vincent Taylor,

astounding ways.”

Ben Myers and Chad Reynolds. “We will talk about some

The theme for A Hiding Place came to fruition over meetings at

approach that we find interesting

Elemental Coffee Roasters. Myers

and effective for writing a poem,”

and Taylor were inspired by child-

Taylor told Oklahoma Gazette. “I

hood games of hide and seek. “As children, we all played hide and

then we will give little prompts to

seek,” Taylor said in her artist state-

write that are tied into the collection

ment. “We learned through that game

in some way,” Taylor said. “The idea

the stillness of hiding and the neces-

is that we will talk about poetry, give

sity of being found. Both are essen-

people an opportunity to play with

tial to living the communal life. This

an assignment.”

collaborative project explores these

The exercises aim to help the audience see the art from new per-

themes through poetry and art.” Taylor said poets and artists share a moment of artistic spark and cre-

spectives. “Scribblers and non-scribblers will enjoy this, as there will be no

v i s ua l a r t s

able to all,” she said. “I know we

speak about their writing process

might talk about the letter poem,

Hiding themes

in that it brings a more diverse audi-

tion in the work it presents and in the At Poems Out of Hiding, poets will

Cynthia Adler created mixed-media panels inspired by Anita Skeen’s poem “Room of Hidden Things.” | Photo provided

Taylor’s dedication to bringing

event brings poets to [Artspace] at

Place.

Sunni Mercer’s sculptures were inspired by Jeanine Hathaway’s poem “May Contain a Geode.” | Photo provided

work in the studio.”

ative impulse in their work. “Each of us, in various ways, must

pressure to write a work of genius,

confront the hidden and finally illu-

simply to respond to the art with the

minate what we have found in soli-

written word,” Taylor said. “[Poets

tude,” Taylor wrote.

may find themselves inspired to new paths, and] artists may discover the

By Adam Holt and Lauren Dow

An exhibit mixes the creative processes of visual art and poetry in A Hiding Place at Artspace at [Untitled]. By Lauren Dow and Adam Holt

Though art and poetry response to each poem. walk different avenues, “We told the artists, ‘We A Hiding Place they subscribe to a similar don’t expect you to illustrate the poem,’” Taylor goal to express thought 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and emotion and inspire said. “‘We want you to read Tuesdays-Saturdays audiences. But what the poem, spend some time through Sept. 24 happens when one is used with the poem and then as a catalyst to create the create art of your own that Poems Out of Hiding other? [Artspace] at you feel like is sparked by 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 10 Untitled, 1 NE Third St., the poem.’” The works encompass a explores that premise with Artspace at [Untitled] wide array of mediums inits current exhibit, A 1 NE Third St. Hiding Place. cluding paint, sculpture, 1ne3.org “I think a lot of people installations and video. 405-815-9995 Taylor said the think of poetry as a kind Free t heme w a s of a very private business. It’s created in solitude chosen because usually,” said Jane Vincent Taylor, a poet it gave the artists room to play. and an exhibit curator. “But then to see “They all reflect some aspect of hiddenness,” she how it goes out into the world and makes something else happen, something gets said. “The bridge between borne from that.” the art and the poem is not A Hiding Place is a collaborative effort necessarily real obvious.” between eight poets and 24 visual artists. The poets involved include Taylor, Oklahoma Each poet submitted work written specifically for the exhibit, which was then State Poet Laureate Benjamin shared with the artists for inspiration. Myers, Julia McConnell, Anita Three artists created individual works in Skeen, Daniel Simon, Chad

Ben Myers helped gather poets and curate A Hiding Place. | Photo Rebecca Youngblood / provided

Reynolds, Jeanine Hathaway and Quraysh Ali Lansana. Each has roots or connections to Oklahoma except Skeen, who is a professor at Michigan State University, and Hathaway, a professor at Wichita State University. Many of the participating artists, including Claudia Wylie, George Liz Wilson’s ceramics were inspired by “Ascent” by Daniel Simon. | Photo provided

Wilson and Sarah Clough, hail from Oklahoma. “The most inspiring thing about working on this project is just to see out of eight small poems, how much creativity got generated out of that and how clearly these artists work long and hard on what they wanted to do,” Taylor said. “Some people said, ‘It took me a couple of reads, but then I thought, “I know what I am going to do.”’ Other people said, ‘It led me to do something not like anything I’ve ever done.’” A Hiding Place is on display through Sept. 24. [Artspace] at Untitled is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Admission is free. Visit 1ne3.org.

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45

v i s ua l a r t s

ARTS & CULTURE

Window of opportunity Oklahoma City Museum of Art expands its hours and adds additional programming as its exclusive Matisse exhibit nears the end of its run. By Candice Macis

Oklahoma City Museum of Art (OKCMOA) is extending its hours on Labor Day Weekend and the last two Sundays leading up to the end of the exhibit Matisse in His Time: Masterworks of Modernism from the Centre Pompidou, Paris. “We’ve had an unprecedented number of visitors this summer,” Becky Weintz, museum director of marketing and communications, said of the public’s reaction to the sole North American exhibit, which features a collection of works by French painter Henri Matisse and other major artists of the 20th century. Matisse was a leader in the 20th century Fauvism art movement and contributed to modern art in many ways. Fifty of his works, including sculptures, paintings, prints and drawings, are showcased in the exhibit. It also features an additional 50 masterworks from artists such as PierreAuguste Renoir, Pablo Picasso and others. Weintz said it has been great to see people traveling from neighboring states to see it, but also from as far away as California and Massachusetts. Museum organizers also added a public lecture, Matisse’s Windows, 6 p.m. Sept. 7. Lecturer and director of curatorial affairs Michael J. Anderson explained the museum holds lectures and public tours for all its exhibits. Even so, he also admitted the Matisse exhibit has been different. “We learned pretty early on that people would want something else toward the end of the exhibition,” Anderson said about the public’s “thirst for more about Matisse.” The venue nearly sold out during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, and museum administration knew interest would likely peak as Matisse in His Time drew closer to its Sept. 18 closing date. “We’re getting a lot of feedback that people love this exhibition,” he said. “We’re proud to have this in Oklahoma City.” Anderson explained the recurring element of the window in numerous works is a good way to tell the artist’s story. The window motif opens the Matisse’s Windows lecture up to explanations on Fauvism and Matisse in addition to how his works were a precursor to cubism and modern art. “So we can tell the story of art and Matisse’s story and what really makes him this unique figure in the history of modern art,” he said. In addition, the lecture will reexamine Matisse outside the exhibit, Anderson said. Matisse in his Time focuses on the artist’s relationships with other artists, but the 46

A u g u s t 3 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Michael Anderson | Photo provided

lecture explains how he’s the center of a number of art movements. Anderson mentioned several of the artist’s paintings that prominently feature windows. He described one of the most important works at the exhibit, Matisse’s “Porte-fenêtre à Collioure” (“French Window at Collioure”), which was created at the beginning of World War I. “It’s a very unique work,” he said. “[The window opens up to black and exemplifies] Matisse’s flirtation with cubism.” Conceptualism is central to modern art, which emphasizes that the idea expressed is more important than perhaps an aesthetically pleasing result, Anderson said.

Matisse in His Time: Masterworks of Modernism from the Centre Pompidou, Paris Extended hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11 and Sept. 18 Also open regular hours through Sept. 18 Oklahoma City Museum of Art 415 Couch Drive okcmoa.com/matisse 405-236-3100 Free-$12

pe r f o r m i n g a r t s

Serious schtick

Comedian Maria Bamford finds success and creative inspiration in self-depreciation and opening up about her own mental health. By Adam Holt

Maria Bamford presents her anxieties on Maria Bamford | Photo stage and brings her comedy to Mitchell Piper Ferguson / provided Hall Theatre at University of Central Oklahoma on Sept. 9. toward self-depreciation shows as she Bamford’s tour comes on the heels of admits it crosses her mind. her Netflix Original breakout comedy “Sometimes,” she said. “Not enough to Lady Dynamite. The series features lay down 100 bucks on a starter instruBamford as a fictionalized version of ment, but who knows? Everything is posherself as she restarts her life in Los sible with a daily 1,000 milligrams of Angeles after spending six months in Depakote in the evening.” treatment for bipolar disorder. Bamford Bamford was blunt as she explained said the character is heavily influenced the medication does have its downsides, by her own struggles with anxiety and especially now that she plays the lead role depression. in Lady Dynamite, a show created by “Relationships with everyone, includMitchell Hurwitz (Arrested Development) ing myself. I’m obsessed with connecting and Pam Brady (South Park). better because I’m not “The meds I’m on very good at it,” said also take away the Bamford as she dismanic stamina I once Maria Bamford cussed the aspects of had, but that’s the her personal life she trade-off for contentwith Jackie Kashian draws into Lady ment,” she said. “I 8 p.m. Sept. 9 don’t mind feeling Dynamite. Mitchell Hall Theatre Her sense of humor sleepy.” University of Central Oklahoma about her mental She began her 100 N. University Drive, Edmond health has long been a stand-up career at age okccomedy.com/shows prominent feature of 19 in Minneapolis, 405-618-6944 Minnesota. In the her stand-up work. $27.50 She said a recent years since, Bamford change helps keep her watched the stand-up in check. landscape change in multiple ways, particularly in diversity. The link between creativity and depression continues to intrigue behavioral “There are also, thankfully, many more scientists, and Bamford has found success wonderful young women, LGBTQ and using both as fodder for her comedy. people of color performing all across the In addition to her stand-up tour, she is country, it seems, or I hope,” she said. writing a book, working on a comedy “Like it’s much less explaining yourself special and preparing for the second when you perform, like ‘I’m a woman,’ season of Lady Dynamite. Much has what I feel like where I’m defensive about changed for the comedian, voice actor and having the right to be a comedian.” actress since her teenaged comedic debut. She said audiences and venues are more “I’ve got a great meds cocktail that’s accepting of nonwhite, non-male comebeen working the past five years,” Bamford dians than they were in her early years of stand-up. said. “It’s miraculous. I have done a lot of therapeutic work, but I’ve got to say meds “You can just do comedy. You don’t have have been the game-changer from to call anything out like, ‘I know what Hangman to One Big Blob.” you’re thinking: another trans female in Bamford said One Big Blob is a hippie a hijab with cerebral palsy doing observaplayground game that involves running tional humor about hip-hop,’” she said. and cooperation. “You can just talk about whatever you Also, a part of her stand-up act in her want to talk about. You don’t have to have early career was playing violin between your appearance, culture or sexual identity be the center of your whole act if that jokes. When asked whether she contemplates bringing the instrument back into doesn’t interest you. Just like white the fold, her well-recognized tendency dudes!”

List your event in Submissions must be received by

Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date. Late submissions will not be included in the listings. Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible.

Submit your listings online at okgazette.com or e-mail them to listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted. O kg a z e t t e . c o m | A u g u s t 3 1 , 2 0 1 6

47

performing arts

ARTS & CULTURE

Arts array

OCCC offers the best of singing, dancing and theater in its 2016-17 Performing Arts Series. By Ben Luschen

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a u g u s t 3 1 , 2 0 1 6 | O kg a z e t t e . c o m

Oklahoma City Community College once again brings high-quality singers, performers and other stars of the stage to south Oklahoma City. Eight performances and three add-ons make up OCCC’s Performing Arts Series 2016-17 season. The purpose of the series is to allow people from all walks of life and financial backgrounds to enjoy theater, said Linda Ben Vereen performs Bosteels, series coordinator. The least exNov. 18 at OCCC. | Photo pensive eight-show pass offered by the Isak Tiner / provided school costs around $30 per show. “It’s an incredibly economical price for just about anybody,” Bosteels said. said. “They picked us to do The season begins with the return of that, which is a pretty British-born singer-songwriter Polly big deal.” Gibbons. The vocalist performed last OCCC presents October at OCCC. This time, she’s joined Steppin’ Out with Ben Vereen by Oklahoma City Jazz Orchestra, the on Nov. 18. The show displays Sooner State’s premier jazz orchestra, 7:30 the many talents of Vereen, known for his p.m. Sept. 13 at OCCC Visual and role as Chicken George Moore in the televiPerforming Arts Center Theatre (VPAC), sion miniseries Roots and several major 7777 S. May Ave. Broadway appearances, including one as Gibbons’ influences span Joni Mitchell, Leading Player in Pippin, for which he won Charlie Parker and D’Angelo. She has a 1973 Tony Award for Best Actor in a opened for George Benson and Gladys Musical. Knight this year. “I didn’t realize that he had such a deep “She is an amazing jazz vocalist,” background in everything, so I’m really Bosteels said. “She’s only 31 and very tallooking forward to hearing and seeing him,” ented. And when you put her with a big band, Bosteels said. it’s going to be great.” Koresh Dance Company performs Jan. Frequent Branson, Missouri, perform24 at VPAC. Renowned one-man comedy Defending the Caveman has shows Feb. 10 ing and vocalist trio The Texas Tenors performs an add-on show Sept. 29. An ensemand 11. Artrageous: Art & Music, Gone Wild ble cast of actors and musicians bring Once, helps guests appreciate visual art in a new way March 21. 2012 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, to theatergoers Oct. 4. The Hit Men will The U.S. Army Field Band Jazz deliver favorite golden classics from the Ambassadors, the official touring big band likes of Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, of the United States Army, performs April Cat Stevens, Elton John and more Oct. 21. 4 at OCCC. Athletic MOMIX dance A new incarnation of hit musical Annie, company closes out the season April 11. directed by the show’s original director and lyriFirst-class arts cist Martin Charnin, offers Bosteels said interest in two add-on preview perthe performing arts series Polly Gibbons formances Nov. 4 and 5 at has grown and she hopes and the VPAC before the producfor expanded growth in Oklahoma City tion embarks on a national the future. Jazz Orchesra OCCC’s new, enlarged tour. The production will prepare and rehearse for theater can be partially 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 two weeks at the school. credited for that growth. OCCC Visual and “When a Broadway VPAC, a 1,049-seat venue, Performing Arts Center opened in February 2014. show goes out on the road, Theater they have to actually put The school’s former 7777 S. May Ave. primary venue, Bruce all of this together in a occc.edu/pas theater somewhere and Owen Theater, seated 280. 405-682-7576 then they go,” Bosteels “Now, we have almost Free-$25

four times that amount of space,” she said. “That enables us to book larger shows and better artists.” Bosteels said the center features first-class technology and amenities. She has heard patrons compliment the venue, including its natural acoustics. Lemuel Bardeguez, OCCC vice president for community and workforce development, curates much of the talent that makes up the performing arts series. “He goes to arts conferences and actually hears some of these performers in a small environment,” Bosteels said. “Seeing them and with recommendations from other presenters, that’s how he develops a final list of performers, and then we narrow it down.” In a written statement, Bardeguez said the school is dedicated to sharing the theater experience with everyone. “OCCC is committed to bringing quality shows at an affordable price point to the

people of Oklahoma City,” he wrote. Bosteels said OCCC is trying to fill its own role in the local market. Those wanting classical theater and ballet productions can find them at Edmond’s Armstrong Auditorium, she said. OKC Broadway brings major stage productions to Civic Center Music Hall. Big-name entertainers often perform at Chesapeake Energy Arena or in one of the state’s casinos. OCCC wants to establish VPAC as a performing arts hub in south Oklahoma City. Bosteels said people have few theater options in the space between downtown and Norman. VPAC is located a few exits away from Will Rogers World Airport on Interstate 44. “One of the things we’re trying to get people to focus on is we’re not that far away and we do have something that is unique and professionally produced,” she said. Visit occc.edu/pas to learn more.

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49

ARTS & CULTURE books

Equal time

OCU hosts the Let’s Talk About it, Oklahoma book series examining civil rights. By Jack Fowler

Civil Rights and Equality: A Pulitzer Prize Centennial Series 7 p.m. Sept. 13 Walker Center for Arts and Sciences, Room 151 Oklahoma City University NW 26th Street and N. Florida Avenue okhumanities.org/lets-talkabout-it-oklahoma okcufilmlit.org 405-208-5707 Free (preregistration recommended)

A discussion series at Oklahoma City University will focus on civil rights and black history in what the event’s curator calls “a book club, but way deeper.”

Civil Rights and Equality: A Pulitzer Prize Centennial Series kicks off 7 p.m. Sept. 13 in Room 151 of Walker Center for Arts and Sciences on the Oklahoma City University (OCU) campus. It’s the latest of a panel series created by Oklahoma Humanities Council called Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma, and OCU hosts the biggest one in the state, said series curator Tracy Floreani, who also is an OCU English professor and department chairperson and is director of OCU’s Center for Interpersonal Studies through Film & Literature. “Different nonprofits from anywhere in the state can participate, but we’re the biggest,” she said. “We usually get 60 to 70 people participating. It really is like a book club, but with more intellectual content. We bring in scholars of history, literature and philosophy to talk about the books and generate discussion.” All of the books were either nominated or won a Pulitzer. Floreani was asked by Oklahoma Humanities Council to curate this series in part due to her experience teaching a course called Race and Ethnicity

in Literature. Her first selection is The Known World, a historical novel by Edward P. Jones. One of the most acclaimed novels of the new millennium and winner of the 2003 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, The Known World tells the story of Henry Townsend, a former slave who, under the tutelage of a powerful landowner, acquires over 50 slaves to work his own land. A fluid, powerful novel, Jones’ work has been praised for its prose and for thrusting into light the morally gray questions that people still grapple with today. “It’s a really intriguing book about free blacks in Virginia who owned slaves,” Floreani said. “It raises some really interesting questions about the history of slavery and civil rights.” There also will be discussion on local history, specifically regarding historian Kevin Boyle’s The Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age. That book club meeting is Oct. 11. Southern African-American Civil War history is examined Sept. 27 through Natasha Tretheway’s poetry in Native Guard, and global struggles with poverty, race and class are brought into stark relief Nov. 1 in the series discussion of Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Life, Death and Hope in a Mumbai Undercity, a study of crippling poverty by investigative jour-

The Known World opens Civil Rights and Equality: A Pulitzer Prize Centennial Series on Sept. 13. | Image provided

nalist Katherine Boo. Floreani said this particular installment of the Let’s Talk About It series is important because participants discuss more than history. “I think so much of what we’re reading translates to the culture right now and addresses questions that really need to be resolved,” she said. “These are things that are really prevalent right now in our culture: racial and social justice, race and the police, immigration, who does and doesn’t deserve to be here, who does and doesn’t deserve full rights of citizenship.” “I recommend this book for anyone who wants to understand the 1921 Tulsa race riots better,” Floreani said. “It centers around a similar situation that happened in Michigan, but it gives plenty of context for what was going on all over the country.” Native American civil rights issues will be addressed Oct. 25 with A Plague of Doves by novelist Louise Erdrich. Floreani said those wishing to attend the discussions don’t have to have read the books beforehand, nor do they have to join in on the discussions if they are more comfortable listening. The most important thing is to attend.

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besT Of OKC fOr THe pAsT 17 YeArs

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books

Clint Williams organized the upcoming OKC Zine Fest to celebrate DIY subcultures. | Photo Gazette / file

Zine scene

A planned OKC Zine Fest proves the continued popularity of the zine and DIY culture By Ian Jayne

Once the domain of punk-rock enthusiasts DIY aspect of it. People in punk bands and those seeking an alternative respite typically book their own shows, their own from the mainstream, the “zine” is making tours, make their own fliers. [Zines are] a continuation of that.” a comeback. “It’s short for ‘magazine,’” said Clint While Williams said he is able to sell Williams, organizer of his zines in the Plaza District the upcoming OKC Zine and Chicago, financial secuFest. “A do-it-yourself, a rity is not the reason he self-published, book or OKC Zine Fest makes them. “It’s definitely not about magazine. It can be any1-5 p.m. Sept. 17 thing you want: photothe money,” Williams said. Brass Bell Studios graphs, poetry, art, “It’s just kind of nice to be 2500 NW 33rd St. comics.” able to create something and facebook.com/ For Williams, zines have it be whatever you want brassbellstudios provide an outlet for total and be able to get it out 405-361-3481 creative expression. there.” Free “I think it’s just a way Williams’ interest in to have complete control zines has extended beyond over… what you want to release. I think making and selling them, which he has that’s the appeal for a lot of people,” he said done for about four years. After he attended a zine fest last year at Holy of their renewed allure. Williams said he began making zines Mountain, a zine and record store in Tulsa, around 2011, after a hiatus from art. inspiration struck. “I quit drawing for several years after “It got me interested in wanting to do the same thing here,” he said. high school,” he said. “I’ve always enjoyed making something tangible with my Williams began planning OKC Zine hands.” Fest 2016, which happens 1-5 p.m. Sept. 17 Even in today’s internet-dominated, at Brass Bell Studios, 2500 NW 33rd St. often-paperless world, the humble zine Admission is free; vendors might be cashstill has cultural and communal sway. only. An after-party will be at Blue Note “I feel like print’s dying, but at the same Lounge, 2408 N. Robinson Ave. Doors open time, maybe people want to hang on to at 6 p.m., and music begins at 7 p.m. Entry that,” Williams said. is $5 but is free for those who held a table In their heyday, zines allowed for likeat OKC Zine Fest. minded people and subcultures to connect “I’d done a previous zine release at Brass with one another. Williams said that some Bell to coincide with their five-year anlarger print zines, such as Razorcake or As niversary,” Williams said of his location You Were, are more mainstream than some choice for the Zine Fest. “The response has of the smaller, local zines. been very good. We’re already looking at “I network with a lot of people online venues for next year.” about zines,” Williams said, “but I haven’t Williams said the venue will be comfound a super-huge community as far as pletely full, as 23 tablers from Oklahoma City, Norman, Kansas City and Texas all distribution goes.” display their works. Zines continue to honor their origins. Williams said the event would feature “Most of the zines that I keep up with and follow are music- or punk-rock-relat“mostly comic and art-related zines” along ed. I think it has to do with just the whole with poetry. O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 3 1 , 2 0 1 6

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ARTS & CULTURE Parsons, who had a lifelong dream of owning a fashion business, found herself at an investment company, making little progress toward her goal. “While I was there, I felt I was losing my creativity,” she said. “I was losing myself.” She decided to learn more about the resources she needed to launch a business. She developed a plan and met with advisors. She said the result was shocking. “But when I got all the finances on paper, it actually scared me half to death,” she said. “I realized what a big financial commitment and all the startup capital I would need in order to actually do this 850-square-foot retail business.” She came across the OSU program while searching for education opportunities to enhance her chances of business success. Parsons said she was impressed by the array of classes and ability to learn from home. “What drew me to the program was that it was pretty much taking the same courses as an MBA course would, but it has more of a focus on starting a business,” she said. “I went through that whole program while I was working at the investment company full-time.”

Movable roots

e d ucat i o n

Cargo Room owner Heather Parsons completed OSU’s online Masters in Entrepreneurship program and opened a mobile boutique. | Photo provided

Engaging entrepreneurship An online course at OSU helps fledgling business owners make their dreams a reality. By Adam Holt

The business world is often unkind. The Small Business Administration, a national government agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses, reports that only half of new businesses are still afloat after five years, and only one-third survive a decade. So entrepreneurs survive the startup scene, Spears School of Business at Oklahoma State University created an online Masters in Entrepreneurship program. The course of study was recently rated best in the nation by OnlineColleges.com “Rather than a general business degree, it’s much more specific about new businesses, startup businesses or growing a small business,” said Kyle Eastham, the program’s executive in residence. What differentiates the online master’s course compared to others is the amount of resources devoted to it, Eastham said. “It is a very complete program,” he 52

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said. “Where a lot of universities offer a few entrepreneurship classes under the management department, we have a whole separate school for the department of entrepreneurship.” The course, comprised of classic business studies, also includes finance and management and provides coursework that encourages forward thinking and creativity. One such class is Imagination. “One of the goals is for students to think more entrepreneurially. So being more creative, more innovative. ‘What if we tried this?’” Eastham said as he described Imagination. The push for inventive thinking also earns praise from students. “You would exercise your creative muscles by every day coming up with a new business idea and then researching and bringing the idea to life,” said Heather Parsons, a program graduate and owner of Cargo Room, a mobile women’s clothing and accessories boutique in Oklahoma City.

Parsons took advantage of the college’s Entrepreneurship and Empowerment in South Africa program. While living in Cape Town for six weeks, she studied how business models differ in different parts of the world. “We were working with underprivileged business owners that didn’t have a lot of resources at their disposal,” Parsons said. “So they were taking these unconventional resources and turning them into businesses. That got me in a new mindset.” The experience influenced Cargo Room. Many Cape Town businesses do not have the luxury of brick-and-mortar sites. Entrepreneurs make due with carts and other mobile means. Parsons took the idea to heart, and after graduation, she bought a 12-foot concession trailer and converted it into a boutique on wheels, complete with fitting room and heating and air conditioning. Cargo Room visits festivals and outdoor events and it can be reserved for parties and get-togethers. She confers with hosts on their wants and needs and creates a custom inventory for them. Cargo Room carries a mix of national and local brands, and products cost less than $60. Cargo Room’s success allowed her to open a showroom in Midtown. She credits the online entrepreneurship program for her prosperity. “It gave me that confidence that I needed also because after doing my business plan and getting everything on paper, I was just so terrified,” Parsons said. “It gave me the tools that I needed.” Visit go.okstate.edu for more information. The first deadline to enroll for the 2017 Spring semester is Nov. 1.

co m m u n i t y

Mama’s love

Somebody’s Mama president and founder Leia Johnson in Nepal | Photo provided

A local nonprofit helps women in other countries find success and purpose in their lives. By Jessica Williams

If you’re doing it right, parenthood heightens your sense of empathy. When Leia Johnson became a mother, she responded with global action, creating nonprofit organization Somebody’s Mama. “Several years ago, when I was at home with two babies, I felt disconnected from the outside world and wanted to regain the sense of connection I had when I was younger,” Johnson said. With cofounder Erika Wright, Johnson created Somebody’s Mama to find a greater sense of purpose and, in turn, help other women find theirs. The nonprofit helps women in countries like Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Nepal and India through education, health care, economic empowerment and violence prevention. At its core, Somebody’s Mama is about relationships. The organization formed through family bonds and close-knit friendships. “I grew up in a family of helpers,” Johnson said. “My mom was a guidance counselor at an elementary school, and my dad found community development and sustainability nonprofit work in Oklahoma City. … I also travelled as a teen-

ager and in college and made connections which served me once I started Somebody’s Mama.” Johnson said the group’s current partnership stems from Johnson’s initial nonprofit efforts five years ago at Bushenyi Alliance for Rural Health Development (BARHD). “I first got involved with a nonprofit called the BARHD about five years ago,” Johnson said. “My friends and I pooled our money together to donate to a maternity ward in Uganda, and I have been excited about the cause ever since.” Johnson decided to start Somebody’s Mama based on her and her friends’ involvement with BARHD. “Since I was receiving so many donations from people for BARHD, I decided to put the money toward my own organization,” she said. “The majority of donations came from mothers, and the donations were going to help other mothers, and that’s how I came up with the name Somebody’s Mama.” Johnson’s organization began as a line item in her dad’s nonprofit organization’s budget. However, after a few years,

Somebody’s Mama expanded into a much larger venture. “At some point, Erika told me Somebody’s Mama had a lot more potential than a line item in a budget,” Johnson said. “Since then, we have become an independent nonprofit organization with new partnerships and projects almost every year.”

Creative fundraising

Now in partnership with BARHD president Amy Williams, the group also provides women’s health and prenatal care, immunizations and HIV testing in southern Uganda. Two goals underline this project: kits for new moms and placenta pits. “Placenta pits are exactly what they sound like,” Johnson explained. “In rural southern Uganda, placenta pits cover, burn and dispose afterbirth byproducts safely in order to prevent the spread of blood-borne diseases.” Somebody’s Mama researches problems and solutions before acting in other countries.

“I’m a mom with two kids, but that doesn’t mean I know about being a mom in other countries,” she said. “We ask people how we can help them and act from there, because it’s a disservice to them and to us when we think our ideas are the best.” Before its current partnership, Somebody’s Mama funded women’s agriculture business education in South Sudan; trained social and medical workers in Kolkata, India; built a school in a West African village; and even converted their maternity ward in Sierra Leone into an Ebola treatment center. The organization’s largest project was a campaign in which Johnson and others climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for women in war-zones. “Our goal was $19,341, which is the height of Kilimanjaro,” Johnson said. “By the end, we raised over $23,000, which is still the largest amount we’ve raised for one project.” In order to succeed, Johnson said Somebody’s Mama hopes to achieve the same visibility as a 20,000-foot mountain. Board director and press coordinator Nassim Seyedali-Hursh discovered the nonprofit through social media. “Leia and I were classmates in school, and I learned about the great work she was doing,” said Seyedali-Hursh, who joined Somebody’s Mama in February. “I am currently a stay-at-home mom, and I wanted to get involved as a way to do something meaningful with my time and educational background.” While the majority of the team is based in Oklahoma, statewide Love Clubs support the organization. “Our Love Clubs give anyone the opportunity to fundraise however they want,” said Johnson. “Some people throw dinner parties, some throw play dates at the park with their kids and some throw pool parties. The options are endless, and we make it easy to do something positive for women.” For more information, visit somebodysmama.com.

My friends and I pooled our money together to donate to a maternity ward in Uganda, and I have been excited about the cause ever since. Leia Johnson

Somebody’s Mama works with women in countries like Uganda, Sierra Leone and India. | Photo provided

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ARTS & CULTURE

Publishing sePtember 21, 2016

co m m u n i t y

Decoding Dyslexia OK teacher Renee McFarland and Sam Keiper share with students tips for opening up communication with classroom teachers when there is a need for support. | Photo provided

Decoding dyslexia

Local teacher Michelle Keiper launches a teaching initiative after her son is diagnosed with dyslexia. By Mark Beutler

Michelle Keiper is a teacher by profession and gave her son a head start on reading when he was a small child. But in early elementary school, it became clear to Michelle that he was struggling. “In the third grade, he hit a wall and began to shut down as a learner,” Keiper told Oklahoma Gazette. “I was desperate to stop relying on the wait-and-see approach, and through my own research, I found his struggle was due to dyslexia.” Dyslexia is a learning disability that is neurological in origin, Keiper said. Simply put, that means a student with dyslexia has difficulty learning to read. “With that identification, I was able to educate myself and his classroom teacher on ways to support my son in the classroom,” she said. Nationwide, dyslexia affects between 10 and 20 percent of the population. “In a typical classroom size of 27, we might see characteristics of dyslexia in two to five students,” Keiper said. “Young students ages 5 to 8 will have difficulty learning the alphabet, rhyming, repeating what is said, naming letters, matching letters to sounds, learning to read at the expected age, remembering printed words, spelling correctly and consistently and writing neatly.” When her son was diagnosed, Keiper knew there were others who were experiencing the same difficulties, and she decided to form a network to bring these folks together. As a result, Decoding Dyslexia OK was created. “This is a grassroots movement of parents and teachers who are working together to solve a real problem of the lack of information in our schools concerning struggling readers with dyslexia,” Keiper said. “It is out of a real problem the group exists; however, through collaboration and partnership, we seek to build opportunities to build awareness of dyslexia.” 54

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Right now, Decoding Dyslexia OK has a following of about 1,400 on Facebook with a social media reach of over 10,000. Keiper has developed a committed leadership team representing parents and teachers in each region of the state. This summer, the group held their first statewide conference, hosting more than 300 educators, parents, students and advocates. “Educators from the Oklahoma State Department of Education joined us, as well as policy makers at both the state and federal level,” Keiper said. “One educator expressed her thankfulness for the opportunity and said, ‘Teachers want to know more. It is hard to know what you don’t know.’” Dyslexia can be identified early, often as early as age five and a half, Keiper said. Students who go undiagnosed are at an increased risk of low self-esteem, school failure, substance abuse, dropping out of school, teen pregnancy and problems with the juvenile justice system. Keiper added that when a child is diagnosed, an adult counterpart might realize they also have dyslexia. Singer/actress Cher was in her 40s when her oldest child, Chaz Bono, was diagnosed and she realized she also had the learning disability. “Also, actor Henry Winkler was in his 30s and seeking help for his son, a struggling reader, when he realized his own struggle with learning to read and in school was due to dyslexia,” Keiper said. The bottom line, Keiper said, is that her group hopes to educate and raise awareness in communities, states and the nation. “We want to empower and support families as they advocate for their children,” she added. “And we want to inform policy makers on best practices to identify, remediate and support students with dyslexia.” For more information, visit decodingdyslexiaok.org.

There is a lot to do, see and purchase throughout Autumn and Gazette gives its readers direction on where to find the best festivials, fashions, foods and more!

Featuring a

3 month calendar

For all your Favorite Fall activities expanded editorial content on fall activities in central oklahoma and a special section on the mother road. route 66 shopping, eating and attractions across the state.

DeaDline For aD space is september 13, 2016.

to adVertise call or email us todaY For more inFormation.

specialsections@okgazette.com • 405.528.6000

calendar are events recommended by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staff members For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.

Brewing Company, 8 p.m. Aug. 31. Opolis, 113 N. Crawford Ave., Norman, opolis.org. WED Brown Bag Lunch Series: Emblems of War and Regalia, curator Eric Singleton provides a general overview of the museum’s newest exhibition, Power and Prestige: Headdresses of the American Plains, focusing on how Native American

Weekly Farmers Market, shop goods from local produce, bakers and artisans, 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sept. 3. OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 S. Klein Ave., 405-232-6506, okcfarmersmarket.com. SAT

YOUTH Titanoba: Monster Snake, exhibit of a realistic replica of the largest snake on record weighing an estimated one and a half tons and measuring 48 feet long. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-3254712, snomnh.ou.edu. Be the Dinosaur, A state-of-the-art video game exhibit that turns the player into a virtual Triceratops or a T-rex. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu. Art Adventures, young artists are invited to experience art through books and related art projects for children ages 3-5, 10:30 a.m. Sept. 6. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., Norman, 405-325-3272, ou.edu/ fjjma. TUE Bringing Books to Life, storytime based off nature and the season; includes small craft; ages 2-5, 10 a.m.-11 a.m. Sept. 7. Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-297-3995, myriadgardens.com. WED

PERFORMING ARTS

A film by Jacques Tati Fans of classic French cinema should definitely see this month’s OKC Film Club screening. The city’s cinephile group shows a comedy by French filmmaker, actor and writer Jacques Tati. He is regarded as one of history’s greatest directors and is known for classic films like Mon Oncle (My Uncle) and Play Time. The screening begins 7 p.m. Tuesday at District House, 1755 NW 16th St. Admission is free and the exact film will be revealed during the screening event. Visit facebook.com/OKCFilmClub. Tuesday Image The Weinstein Company / provided

BOOKS Lance Hawvermale Book Signing, author signs Face Blind: A Mystery in which a man with a neurological disorder that prevents him from recognizing human faces confronts a killer in Chile’s Atacama desert, 6:30 p.m. Aug. 31. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com. WED

bonnets are viewed and perceived, noon-1 p.m. Sept. 1. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. THU

Terrarium Thursday//A DIY Workshop, workshop all about succulent terrariums — how to design, create and maintain an easy-to-care-for plant world, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 1. The Plant Shoppe, 705 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-748-0718, plantshoppe. com. THU

Let’s Talk About It, Oklahoma, lecture series over the book The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan, discussion led by Dr. Kenny Brown, 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Full Circle Bookstore, 1900 Northwest Expressway, 405-842-2900, fullcirclebooks.com.

Wine and Palette Fundraiser Benefiting CASA, create your own piece of art that is a unique expression of your personal talent, 6-8 p.m. Sept. 1. Wine & Palette, 201 NW 10th St., Ste 120, 405-2270230, wineandpalette.com. THU

FILM

Geekinomicon, everything from cosplay supplies, geek gear, signed memorabilia to clothing and more along with over 30 special guests, Sept. 2-4. Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens, 405602-8500, coxconventioncenter.com. FRI -SUN

Western Movie Matinee: An Afternoon of Comic and Cartoon Shorts, screening featuring six comedy short films ranging from The Paleface to Two Little Indians, 1 p.m. Aug. 31. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. WED Right Now, Wrong Then, (SK, 2015, dir. Hong Sang-soo) a film director falls in love with a young painter, 5:30 and 8 p.m. Sept. 1. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. THU Drums Along the Mohawk, (US, 1939, dir. John Ford) Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert in this frontier romance set during the American Revolution, directed in Technicolor by the legendary John Ford and featuring some outstanding location cinematography, 1-3 p.m. Sept. 7. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. WED

HAPPENINGS August Plaza Beer Walk, walk through the plaza visiting restaurants featuring a lineup of delicious craft beer from a different brewery each time, 5-9 p.m. Aug. 31. Plaza District, 1618 N. Gatewood Ave, 405-367-9403, plazadistrict.org. WED Big Game, live team game show with Alex Sanchez presented by OKC Comedy and Black Mesa

The Liar, an adaptation of Pierre Corneille’s 17th-century French comedy from the brilliant mind of David Ives; wild misassumptions, mistaken identities and tangled truths played out in outrageously clever verse, 8 p.m. Sept. 1-3. Shakespeare on Paseo, 2920 Paseo St., 405-2353700, oklahomashakespeare.org. THU -SAT Driving Miss Daisy, Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prizewinning play puts together a crotchety white Southern lady and a proud, soft-spoken black man who form a bond that endures for 25 years, 8 p.m. Sept. 1-3, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 4. Jewel Box Theatre, 3700 N. Walker Ave., 405-521-1786, jewelboxtheatre.org. THU -SUN

Art After 5, enjoy the OKC skyline along with live music, friends and cocktails on top of OKCMOA, 5-11 p.m. Sept. 1. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. THU

Dr. Paul R. Lehman Book Signing, local author reads and signs his book, The System of European American (white) Supremacy and African American (black) Inferiority, 6-7:30 p.m. Sept. 1. Best of Books, 1313 E. Danforth Road, Edmond, 405-3409202, bestofbooksok.com. THU

WED

Dave Landau, comedian seen on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central’s Live at Gotham, and heard nationwide as a regular guest on The Bob & Tom Radio Show, 8 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 1 and Sept. 4, 8 and 10:30 p.m. Sept. 2-3. Loony Bin Comedy Club, 8503 N. Rockwell Ave., 405-239-4242, loonybincomedy.com. WED -SUN

Slide Outta Summer, family fun including nine inflatable water slides, music and food trucks, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 3. Mitch Park, 1501 W. Covell Road, Edmond, 405-359-4630, edmondok.com/ parks. SAT Red Brick Nights, enjoy music, food and shopping in downtown Guthrie, 7 p.m. Sept. 3. Downtown Guthrie, Wentz and Oklahoma Ave., Guthrie. SAT

FOOD Let’s Make Organic Apple No-Bake “Cookies”, customize the perfect good4u snack with an organic apple no-bake “cookie” and a selection of 100 percent organic bulk toppings: spices, nuts, dried fruits, chocolate, coconut and granola, 4-6 p.m. Sept. 1. Natural Grocers, 7013 N. May Ave., 405-840-0300, naturalgrocers.com. THU

Friday-Sunday Photo Gazette / file

Sylvia, a modern romantic comedy about a marriage and a dog, Sylvia centers around Greg and Kate, a couple married twenty-two years and returning to Manhattan from the suburbs, after their children have left the nest, 8 p.m. Sept. 1-3, 2 p.m. Sept. 4. The Pollard Theatre, 120 W. Harrison Ave., Guthrie, 405-282-2800, thepollard.org. THU -SUN Becky’s New Car, Becky Foster is caught in middle age, middle management and a middling marriage with no prospects for change on the horizon until an awkward, grief-struck millionaire stumbles into the car dealership where she works and offers her nothing short of a new life, 8 p.m. Sept. 2-3 Carpenter Square Theatre, 806 W. Main St., 405232-6500, carpentersquare.com. FRI -SAT

ACTIVE OKC Dodgers vs. Memphis, minor league baseball game, 7:05 p.m. Aug. 31-Sept. 1. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, 405218-1000. WED -THU

Fall Gardening Workshop, learn about fall gardening, talk about community gardening options and participate in a seed exchange and giveaway, 10-11 a.m. Sept. 3. Norman Public Library, 225 N. Webster Ave., Norman, 405-701-2600, pioneerlibrarysystem.org. SAT Powerhouse Flea September, local makers and collectors along with music from Aaron Pierce, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sept. 4. Power House, 1228 SW Second St., 405-619-1169, powerhouseokc.com. SAT

Little Men At first glance, Jake (Theo Taplitz) and Tony (Michael Barbieri) don’t have much in common. Jake is a quiet artist with wealthy parents, and Tony is an aspiring actor from an immigrant family in Brooklyn. The two become friends when they end up living in the same building and then have their friendship shaken when they are caught in the crossfire of their parents’ business argument. Little Men, directed by Ira Sachs and also starring Jennifer Ehle and Greg Kinnear, screens 5:30 and 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday and 2 and 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive. The film is rated PG. Tickets are $5-$9. Visit okcmoa.com or call 405-236-3100.

Deep Deuce Dash and Draft, run a 5K and enjoy a cold one for your hard work afterward, 6 p.m. Aug. 31. Anchor Down, 30 NE Second St., 405-605-8070, anchordownokc.com.

Yellowstoned and The Reveal Oil painter Jan Hellwege’s Yellowstoned examines the emotions of animals and acrylic artist KB Kuteman’s The Reveal puts an abstract spin on scenes of Native American culture. The two exhibits are unveiled at an opening reception 6 p.m. Friday at Contemporary Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St., and remain on display through Oct. 2. The gallery is open noon-5 p.m. ThursdaysSaturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is free. Visit contemporaryartgalleryokc.com or call 405-601-7474. Friday-Sunday, ongoing

WED

Zumba in the Gardens, participate in the Latininspired cardio-dance, 5:45-6:45 p.m Sept. 1. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. THU Drop-In Yoga, yoga class in the museum’s galleries, 5:45-6:45 p.m. Sept. 1. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. THU Dancing in the Gardens: Cha-Cha, instructors from 3Sixty Dance Studio give a dance demonstration followed by a free lesson for all, 7-10 p.m. Sept. 2. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/ events. FRI

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Photo provided

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

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calendar Yoga in the Gardens, all-levels class led by Lisa Woodard; bring a mat and water and enjoy yoga in the Myriad Botanical Gardens, 5:45-6:45 p.m. Sept. 6. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. TUE

VISUAL ARTS A Hiding Place, group exhibition of poetry, video and visual art. Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE Third St., 405-815-9995, artspaceatuntitled.org. Art Gone Wild, paintings by the OKC Zoo animals; from gorillas to giraffes and stingrays to sea lions, animal art is created using a wild palette at The Oklahoma City Zoo. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com/events. Art Show at INTEGRIS Cancer Institute, The show includes more than 200 pieces of art by artists whose lives have been touched by cancer. Integris Cancer Institute, 5911 W. Memorial Rd., 405-7736400, integrisok.com. Artwork by Linda Hiller, exhibit on display for July and August. 50 Penn Place Gallery, 1900 Northwest Expressway, Suite 113-R , 405-8485567, 50pennplacegallery.com.

The Love Jones Experience The 1997 romantic drama Love Jones is getting the stage show treatment. Before catching the September preview performances at Oklahoma City Community College, fans can mingle with MC Lyte and other cast members at a special party and reception. The event begins 7 p.m. Sunday at Park House, 125 Ron Norick Blvd. Admission is free with RSVP. VIP, which includes seating with the cast and a buffet, is $25. Guests should wear white formal attire. Visit lovejonesexperienceokc.com. Sunday Photo provided continued from page 55 Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Southeaster Louisiana, college football game, 2:30 p.m. Sept. 3. Boone Pickens Stadium, 700 W. Hall of Fame Ave., Stillwater, 405-744-7714, okstate.com. SAT Brookhaven Run, 1-mile fun run and 5K race benefiting Norman and Norman North High Schools cross country programs, 7 a.m. Sept. 3. Brookhaven Village, 36th Ave. NW and Robinson Ave., Norman, 405-321-7500, brookhaven-village. com. SAT

As We OKC It, art exhibition featuring the works of Sue Hale and Carl Shortt, presenting artistic photographs and acrylic paintings depicting OKC from what inspires them. In Your Eye Gallery, 3005 Paseo St. #A, 405-525-2161, inyoureyegallery.com. Carol Armstrong, a two-day, one-woman exhibit and sale, Sept. 2-3. The Summer Wine Art Gallery, 2928-B Paseo St., 405-831-3279, summerwinegallery.com. FRI -SAT Crossroads of Commerce, Oklahoma history buffs won’t want to miss this exhibit showcasing the growth and development of Oklahoma’s economy from 1716 to statehood, the Dust Bowl, the depression, and all the way to present day. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 405-521-2491, okhistory.org/historycenter. Da Vinci: The Genius, the most comprehensive exploration of Leonardo da Vinci’s work ever created; interactive experience immersing guests in da Vinci’s timeless brilliance through full-scale interpretations of the mastermind’s inventions and unparalleled studies of his iconic art. Science Museum Oklahoma, 2100 NE 52nd St., 405-6026664, sciencemuseumok.org. Drop-In Art: Cubist Paper Collages, join guest artists each Saturday as they interact with families to create extraordinary works of art inspired by the museum’s collection, exhibitions and special occasions, 1-4 p.m. Sept. 3. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com. SAT Edmond People, Edmond Politics, showcases a variety of political memorabilia and historic photographs that illustrate the many ways Edmondites have participated in local, state and national politics; political brochures, elections guides and even a Bellmon Belles dress with matching jacket complement the many posters

Professional Bull Riders: Built Ford Tough Series If you enjoy the thrill of watching a cowboy try his hardest to stay on a bull for eight seconds and find the smell of dirt and manure refreshing, you’re in luck. The bull riders of the Built Ford Tough Series strap on their spurs, chaps and vests this weekend at WinStar World Casino, 777 Casino Ave., in Thackerville and compete for the World Championship belt buckle. Food trucks and souvenir vendors will be on-site. The fun starts 7 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 p.m. Sunday at The Colosseum at WinStar. Tickets are $35-$55. Visit winstarworldcasino.com. Saturday-Sunday Photo bigstock.com

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go to okgazette.com for full listings! go to okgazette.com fo

on view in the Sign of the Times exhibit. Edmond Historical Society & Museum, 431 S. Boulevard, Edmond, 405-340-0078, edmondhistory.org. FiberWorks 2016, an annual, juried fiber exhibition giving artisans an opportunity to showcase their work from traditional crafts to innovated art. IAO Gallery, 706 W. Sheridan Ave., 405-232-6060, individualartists.org.

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Focus on Dark Art, group exhibit debuts a selection of new works from a signature group of artists who dabble in the realm of dark art. Kasum Contemporary Fine Arts, 1706 NW 16th St., 405-604-6602, kasumcontemporary.com.

Best Chinese

Hell on Wheels: Uniting a Nation by Rail, exhibition of the labor force that built the first transcontinental railroad reflecting the colorful diversity of the American West in the 1860s through a display of wardrobes. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-478-2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. Hidden Prairie, abstract artist Ginnie Baer plays with the reality of Oklahoma’s land and the fantasy of our subdivisions. The Project Box, 3003 Paseo St., 405-609-3969, theprojectboxokc.com. House & Garden, solo exhibition from Alex Emmons. Mainsite Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main St., Norman, 405-360-1162, mainsite-art.com. Jerron Johnston, artist showcases work in water color, pencil pastels and oil. In Your Eye Studio & Gallery, 3005-A Paseo St., 405-525-2161, inyoureyegallery.com. Lucem Ferre, an exhibition featuring the silicone artworks of Central adjunct professor Lopeeta Tawde, MFA; silicone jewelry draws on the relationship between art and biology. Melton Gallery, 100 N. University Drive, Edmond, 405-525-3603, uco.edu.

to celebrate our 32nd anniversary we will give 15% off every ticket during dim sum every sat. in sept 9am-3pm when you mention this ad JRB Art at The Elms opening reception JRB at the Elms debuts three artist exhibitions during Paseo Arts District’s First Friday Gallery Art Walk. Artists DJ Lafon, JP Morrison and Julia Margaret Brigham each have works featured in the gallery. The opening reception is 6-10 p.m. Friday at JRB at the Elms, 2810 N. Walker Ave. Admission is free. Visit jrbartgallery.com or call 405-528-6336. Friday Image provided

Lunch Box Group Show, featuring over 50 artists working with a common theme; each artist celebrates the nostalgic media. DNA Galleries, 1709 NW 16th St., 405-525-3499, dnagalleries.com.

Spring 2016 Show, featuring works in oil, acrylic, watercolor and mixed media; handmade jewelry and ceramic sculptures will also be featured. The Studio Gallery, 2642 W. Britton Road, 405-7522642, thestudiogallery.org.

Margot Holaday and Dodge Hill, featured artists for the month of August. The Studio Gallery, 2642 W. Britton Road, 405-752-2642, thestudiogallery. org.

The Colors of the Spirit, works of alcohol ink artist Kim Harrison; brilliantly colored abstract landscapes. The Purple Loft Art Gallery, 514 NW 28th St., Suite 400, 405-412-7066.

Matisse in His Time: Masterworks of Modernism from the Centre Pompidou, Paris, experience the full scope of Matisse’s extraordinary career through nearly fifty of his paintings, sculptures, drawings and prints dating from the late nineteenth century to after World War II; including additional major works by Picasso, Renoir, Braque and more. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com.

The Modernist Spectrum: Color and Abstraction, explore the invigorating ways in which postwar American artists, especially those associated with the Washington Color School, made it new, producing novel work that sought to reinvent abstract art through an alternatively rigorous and playful manipulation of color, line and shape. Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch Drive, 405-236-3100, okcmoa.com.

Oddities: A Curio Cabinet on Paper, celebrate the opening of the exhibit by Kjelshus Collins, 6-10 p.m. Sept. 2. Bombs Away Art, 3003A Paseo, 405-4740679, bombsawayart.com. FRI

Through the Eyes of the Lynx: Galileo and Microscopy, the second of two Galileo’s World exhibitions; the Academy of the Lynx, or Accademia dei Lincei, were responsible for the first published report of observations made with a microscope (Apiarium, 1625), as well as with the telescope. At the same time Galileo was making his telescopic discoveries, he was also experimenting with lenses to magnify the small. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, 2401 Chautauqua Ave., Norman, 405-325-4712, snomnh.ou.edu.

OKCurrent, consists of original works by: Matt Glazner, Colby Bowers, Jay Gourley, Gretchen Rehfeld, Charles Davis,Nora Bisher, Kevin Lee Wells, Brent Learned, JD Merryweather, Zack Parker and Micah Moad; benefiting Big Dogs Huge paws. Studio 3108, 3108 N. Classen Blvd., 405210-5701. Oklahoma Stories, photography exhibition from Charles Rushton. Mainsite Contemporary Art, 122 E. Main St., Norman, 405-360-1162, mainsite-art.com. Paseo First Friday Gallery Walk, see what the historic Paseo Art District has to offer; galleries and shops host receptions for new shows and featured artists along with live music, food trucks and local restaurant options, 6-10 p.m. Sept. 2. Paseo Arts District, 3022 Paseo St., 405-525-2688, thepaseo. org. FRI Power and Prestige: Headdresses of the American Plains, original exhibition includes nine headdresses from northern and southern American Great Plains along with historical photographs, and other supporting artifacts including ledger art depicting Indian warriors and bonnets from the museum’s permanent collection. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St., 405-4782250, nationalcowboymuseum.org. Savages and Princesses: The Persistence of Native American Stereotypes, The exhibit curated by America Meredith features sixteen Native American artists and explores the stereotyping of Indigenous peoples using an often humorous approach. 108 Contemporary, 108 E. Matthew Brady St., Tulsa, 918-895-6302, 108contemporary.org. Spirit Masks, mixed media pieces by Diana J. Smith combining Raku stoneware and natural materials including feathers, raw wool, shells, antler, sinew, semiprecious stones, turquoise, quartz, carved fetishes, snake-skin, pelts of all kinds, pottery shards and trade beads. Paseo Studio Six, 3021 N. Paseo, 405-528-0714.

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Submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date.Late submissions will not be included in the listings. Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible. Fax your listings to 528-4600 or e-mail to listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

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MUSIC

EVENT

Chase Kerby second from right and his band, The Villains, perform in the festival he helped create. | Photo Hanna Bixel / provided

West friends

WestFest’s second year draws in new guests and reunites drinking buddies. By Ben Luschen

WestFest crowd by double or more. WestFest moves up to Labor Day weekend in its The fest was moved up to noon-10 p.m. Saturday second year in the historic avoid conflicts with some of Western Avenue District Western Avenue shopping the month’s other scheduled Western Avenue and dining district. events, said Rachael Taylor, between 41st and 43rd The music festival’s inWestern Avenue Association streets augural event, held last executive director. This westfestok.com year in mid-September, year’s event runs noon-10 Free brought an estimated p.m. Saturday in the same 5,000 people to the area location. along N. Western Avenue between NW 41st “There’s a lot of other festivals in and 43rd streets. Organizers hope word of September, so we got to looking around at mouth and this year’s diverse lineup — inall the other possible dates we could do and cluding Austin singer-songwriter David noticed that there wasn’t a whole lot else Ramirez, indie rockers Chase Kerby + The going on Sept. 3,” she said. A second outdoor stage is being added, Villains, Oklahoma City three-piece KALO, rapper Jabee and others — help grow that and more food trucks and beer options from Anthem Brewing Company will be available, but Taylor said this year’s festival will look Rachael Taylor believes this year’s WestFest will draw larger crowds on Labor Day and feel similar to the event held in 2015. weekend. | Photo Gazette / file “Everything went off without a hitch,” she said. “We had good attendance, and the weather was perfect. The most important thing is we got to see a lot of people who don’t usually hang out on Western Avenue come out and explore.” The primary stage is outside VZD’s Restaurant & Bar, 4200 N. Western Ave., and neighboring A Date With Iris. Taylor said last year’s street party boosted area business during the event and in the following months. The fest is also an opportunity for the district to show off its newly completed streetscape. “With wider sidewalks and better landscaping and everything, we hope people see the district as a really exciting place to hang out and shop around,” Taylor said.

Friend fest

Kerby was co-chairman of WestFest’s 2015 music committee but pulled himself from the position this year so he could perform in the festival he helped build. His set on the main stage is 8 p.m. Saturday and precedes headliner Ramirez’s 9 p.m. gig. Kerby said he has been friends with Ramirez for a few years and the folk musician’s name came up last year as organizers considered potential headliners. Ramirez was passing through Oklahoma City on tour when a mutual friend introduced him to Kerby. After Ramirez played his show at The Blue Door, the three went out for a drink. They became quick friends. “Several times, [Ramirez] has come through, and I give him a couch to sleep on and a buddy to drink beers with,” Kerby said. “There are times even if he’s just

driving through and not playing a show I’ll give him a place to crash and some company.” The Villains frontman said Ramirez has a strong following in the state. He often tours solo in Oklahoma, but this time, he brings with him a full band. WestFest marks the first time Kerby and Ramirez will perform a show together. “This will be really nice,” Kerby said. “It will be really cool to have him here and to play a show together and potentially kick it afterwards.” Kerby is known by many for competing on the ninth season of NBC’s singing competition The Voice. In some ways, he’s the perfect act for the event. Kerby works with his mother at 42nd Street Candy Co., which has made its home on Western for nearly two decades. “We loved the business, and I know last year Mom loved all the little kids coming in,” he said. “We really enjoyed it last year, and we’re really looking forward to it this year.” Kerby said the state’s music community is so vast that WestFest can continue to offer variety in its lineup each year without becoming repetitive. “There are so many amazing acts in this state, and we didn’t think it needed to be pigeonholed to one specific sound, so we really just kind of wanted to champion diversity in that department,” he said. Kerby said many artists strive to take part in an event like WestFest. Public festivals can be as advantageous to the artist as they are to the surrounding neighborhoods. “It puts you in front of people you wouldn’t normally be in front of,” he said. “Sometimes people don’t seek out music like they used to. Sometimes you have to bring the music to them.” Find the full schedule and learn more at westfestok.com.

Austin’s David Ramirez headlines this year’s WestFest. | Photo Greg Glannukos / provided

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Scenic route

Cyndi Lauper enlists Oklahoma’s Vince Gill for a foray into country music. By Ben Luschen

When ’80s pop legend Cyndi Lauper saw Making no attempt to minimize her Vince Gill in drag, she knew she had the Queens accent, the singer speaks pointright man for the job. edly and clearly in ways down-home Lauper and Norman native Gill work Southerners can respect. “Look, when I was coming up, I would together to cover “You’re the Reason Our have these rock ’n’ roll radio or television Kids Are Ugly,” on Lauper’s latest album, Detour (released May 6), the New Yorkmoguls tell me I was making disposable born diva’s take on country music classics. art,” she said. “I was like, ‘No, I’m not making disposable music. I’m making The song is a rollicking and infectious music that makes people version of the 1978 country B-side recorded feel better and has a story that has humanity in it.’” by Loretta Lynn and Cyndi Lauper Conway Twitty. Detour was borne as a col labor at ive ef for t In September, Lauper 8 p.m. Sept. 13 renews touring efforts in between Lauper and influCivic Center Music Hall support of her 11th solo ential producer and record 201 N. Walker Ave. studio album and perlabel executive Seymour okcciviccenter.com forms 8 p.m. Sept. 13 at Stein. 405-297-2584 Civic Center Music Hall, In addition to Gill, the $48.50-$128.50 201 N. Walker Ave. album features vocalists Willie Nelson, Alison Gill recorded the video K rauss, Jewel a nd for “It’s Hard to Kiss the Lips at Night That Chew Your Ass Out All Emmylou Harris. Lauper said she picked Day Long” in 2004 with The Notorious through boxes of song ideas before settling Cherry Bombs, an all-star country outfit on the 12 covers that comprise the finished that included crooner Rodney Crowell, project. percussionist Eddie Bayers, guitarist “I went through all the folders, and I Richard Bennett and others. picked out these songs because I felt they were relatable to today,” she said. The video shows Gill taking turns in Detour is country, but it also exemplidrag with Crowell and slinging lyrical onefies the artist’s trademark eccentricity. liners like, “If a tree fell in the forest and she didn’t hear it, would I still be wrong?” More than a decade later, Lauper saw Gill’s praise it on YouTube. She laughed, amazed at how Lauper said she suggested producer Tony ideal Gill was to fill the role she had for Brown (who has produced Reba McEntire him on Detour. and George Strait, among others) work “I was like, ‘OK, then it’s kind of perfect, with Gill for her version of “You’re the isn’t it?’ because he’s so funny,” she admitReason Our Kids Are Ugly.” “[Gill] is such a joy,” she said. “The guy ted during a recent telephone interview with Oklahoma Gazette. walks in and he has this vibe and the whole room changes. Everybody’s happy.” Lauper knew Gill loosely through her Country roots It is unlikely many fans predicted Lauper friendship with the Northwest Classen would record an all-country album with High School graduate’s wife, Christian and physical releases for sale at Cracker Barrel pop musician Amy Grant. Old Country Store, but the artist known The women met at Women Rock! Girls for timeless pop hits like “Girls Just Want & Guitars, a 2000 star-studded charity to Have Fun,” “Time After Time” and concert and subsequent live album ben“True Colors” said it was a natural fit. efitting the fight against breast cancer. Before her solo success, Lauper Sheryl Crow, Destiny’s Child, Melissa Etheridge, Wynonna Judd and others launched her music career in New York rockabilly band Blue Angel. As a little girl, joined them on the event bill. she listened to country radio as she sat in Around that time, Lauper was working her aunt’s kitchen. on her Shine EP. She played some of her “It wasn’t so far-fetched for me to sing unreleased work, including the song this,” she said. “I used to listen to Wanda “Water’s Edge,” for Grant, who later Jackson to figure out how women sang relayed what she was working on to Gill. Grant later told Lauper that Gill loved rock ’n’ roll.” Lauper made a career out of bucking the chorus for “Water’s Edge.” Lauper said convention, and Detour is no different. that succinct praise is still very meaning-

I used to listen to Wanda Jackson to figure out how women sang rock ’n’ roll. Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper released her 11th studio album, Detour, in May. | Photo Chapman Baehler / provided

ful to her. She said it came at a time when she faced criticism from industry executives who did not understand her creative efforts. “I was always touched by that,” she said. “I always felt like [Gill] understood my work — and the both of them did — so I always had a soft spot for him.”

Bridging gaps

Lauper’s Gazette interview came the day after her son Dex, 18, released his debut hip-hop single “Wavy.” It’s a song with strong pop and trap leanings in line with much of today’s contemporary radio music trends. “If you look at [‘Wavy’] like a traditionalist, you’re like, ‘What the heck is this?’” Cyndi said. “Then, like two hours later, I’m doing something else and I’m singing it. And now I’m going, ‘Oh yeah. Now I get it. That’s what the heck.’ It’s catchy.”

The family name has released music under the country and hip-hop genres in one three-month span. Lauper is one of the last people anyone will find criticizing another’s choice in artistic direction. She is excited to see where music takes her son. “I’m happy for what he’s doing, and I support him and I hope that he can grow into who he is going to become,” she said. When Lauper takes the Civic Center stage, she will perform for an audience that spans generations. There’s an enduring element to much of her work that appeals across eras. Some of it will likely live on even after she’s gone. “I think still today there’s songs that mean a lot to people and help them,” she said. “Music is a great healer. Nobody understands that better than the musicians because they got into music in the first place sometimes with a big hole in their heart that only music could fill.” O kg a z e t t e . c o m | a u g u s t 3 1 , 2 0 1 6

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Pulling strings The inaugural Banjo Fest showcases local and global greats. By Mark Beutler

Oklahoma has a colorful musical heritage, display with performances by four of the one with deep roots in the traditions of world’s most renowned and respected banjo Americana. The banjo, long considered by players and entertainers.” many to be the quintessential American Those performers include New York instrument, has its own museum right here City jazz icon Cynthia Sayer, who is known in Oklahoma City. for her work with Woody Allen’s New Orleans Jazz Band. Now the American Also on the night’s Banjo Museum presents l i neup i s G a r y its first Banjo Fest concert 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at Banjo Fest “Biscuit” Davis, a fourHudiburg Chevrolet time national banjo 7 p.m. Sept. 10 champion and Dolly Performing Arts Theater Hudiburg Chevrolet Center Parton bandleader. at Rose State College, Rose State College 6420 SE 15th St., in Additionally, musician 6420 SE 15th St., Midwest City Midwest City. Mark Johnson, creator americanbanjomuseum.com “The banjo has been of the “clawgrass” 405-297-2264 clawhammer/threeevolving with American $25-$35 finger-style playing, social and popular will be joined by culture since it was introduced to American soil by African slaves in Emory Lester. English multi-instrumentalist Andy Eastwood also will perform. the mid-1600s,” said Johnny Baier, museum executive director. “It is inextricably tied “Although the American Banjo Museum to the development of American popular has done a number of festival and concert music since the 1800s, and to many, the events in the past, Banjo Fest is the new banjo is ‘the sound’ of America. … The permanent brand we have assigned to what musical diversity of the banjo will be on full we plan to be an annual event,” Baier said.

Gary Davis | Photo provided

The museum originated in a small, second-floor space in Guthrie in 1998. From there, it grew to the current 21,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility in Bricktown. Baier says the venue typically sees in excess of 10,000 visitors annually from around the world. “Museum guests are sometimes banjo players, but more often than not, our guests are non-players who are interested in the banjo and how it relates to American popular music and culture,” he said. “An icon of banjo music and pop culture, (actor and comedian) Steve Martin has lent his name, story and some rare instruments and artifacts to our current special exhibit.” That popular exhibit, The Banjo World of Steve Martin, runs through February at the downtown Oklahoma City museum. Banjo Fest is part of the museum’s Hall

of Fame weekend, which runs Sept. 8-10. A welcome reception is 6 p.m. Sept. 8 at the museum and includes a barbecue dinner and a ceremony honoring this year’s Award of Excellence recipient, Oklahoma’s own five-string banjo picking legend John Hickman. The Hall of Fame induction dinner follows 6 p.m. Sept. 9 at Vast atop Devon Energy Center, Baier said. “The formal evening is a celebration honoring banjo’s best from around the world,” he said, “[and it honors] bluegrass architect J.D. Crowe, Disney banjo favorite Pat Terry Jr., innovative manufacturer Deering Banjo Company, prolific banjo educator Alfred Greenhouse and beloved British entertainer George Formby.” Informal Hall of Fame induction performances begin at noon Sept. 10 at the museum. “Physically, the banjo has been in a constant state of evolution, changing its construction, tuning and playing style to suit the popular music of the day,” Baier said. “Although most recently associated with bluegrass, folk and country music, early banjos could be heard playing classical music in concert halls of the late 1800s, providing the rhythmic pulse of dance bands during the Jazz Age of the 1920s or accompanying the singing and dancing of comic performers in the minstrel shows of the mid-1800s.” Learn more at americanbanjomuseum. com.

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Queensrÿche headlines the two-day Streets Gone Wild festival Sept. 10 in Tulsa. | Photo provided

Metal memories Streets Gone Wild brings hair metal nostalgia to downtown Tulsa. By Adam Holt

For some, the rise of Nirvana, Pearl Jam Sirius/XM satellite radio personality Eddie and alternative music in the early 1990s Trunk hosts the event. Tickets start at $30. was an introduction to a new and loved “There’s still a huge loyalty for Night genre of music whose influences are still Ranger, Queensrÿche, Warrant, Great heard to this day. The music that alternaWhite,” Stahmer said. “We were wanting tive genre eclipsed — a mix of heavy metal, to fill that niche and do it in different glam and hard rock — never lost its devomarkets.” tees and began a resurgence of its own in Streets Gone Wild is a production of the new millennium. Frederick Entertainment. The company In celebration of the revival, downtown produces similar events featuring ’80s Tulsa will be saturated rock across the country. with overdriven guitar Stahmer said these events chords and ballads in early are so successful because of Streets Gone September. the connection between the Wild Streets Gone Wild artists themselves and their rocks the corner of Detroit connection with the fans. Sept. 9-10 Avenue and First Street in For example, the Sept. 8 (kickoff party Sept. 8) the Blue Dome District in acoustic preparty features IDL Ballroom Kip Winger of Winger and downtown Tulsa. The First Street and Detroit event features more than Mike Tramp of White Lion. Avenue, downtown Tulsa a dozen ’80s rock and Access to that event, held idlballroom.com metal acts, including inside IDL Ballroom at 230 $30-$225 headliners Night Ranger E. First St. in downtown Tulsa, is included with the a nd Q ueen sr ÿc he. Festivities begin with a kickoff party Sept. three-day VIP “ultimate” ticket package. Tickets are $225. 8 and continue with the two-day festival “It’s not often you get to see the singer Sept. 9-10. The rest of the card is reminiscent of a of Warrant get up there with Night Ranger mid-’80s MTV music video lineup. or Great White or the guitarist from Warrant, Stryper, Great White, Quiet Riot Steelheart get up with FireHouse,” he said. and others perform their classic hits like “There’s a lot of longtime friendships in “Cherry Pie,” “Calling On You,” “Once those bands, and they are also very fanBitten Twice Shy” and “Cum On Feel the friendly because they still appreciate the Noize.” For many, every note and chord loyalty of the people who support them.” will be electrified with memories. The festival is a one-stage event for “I think one of the successes of what general admission, while multiple levels of these concerts bring is the nostalgia,” VIP packages grant access to the VIP Freddy Stahmer, executive producer of the lounge and stage inside IDL Ballroom. event, said. “You know when it’s something “That will also be where the afterthat you grew up on and you love, you would party is held both nights,” Stahmer added. still love to see those bands in concert, and “And there will be artists hanging out at this is where this all came from.” the after-party and a couple of perforThe outdoor festival features vendors, mances going on.” food and drinks in a block party-like atmoSingle-day and two-day general admissphere. Bands perform from around 5 p.m. sion tickets, as well as a “front of stage” to midnight Sept. 9 and around noon to package, also are available. Learn more at idlballroom.com. midnight Sept. 10. Music historian and

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LIVE MUSIC These are events recommended by Oklahoma Gazette editorial staff members. For full calendar listings, go to okgazette.com.

WEDNESDAY, 8.31 Amarillo Junction, JJ’s Alley. COUNTRY Grant Wells, Skirvin Hilton Hotel. PIANO Harumph, The Deli, Norman. JAZZ Jesse R.S., Red Brick Bar, Norman. ROCK

THURSDAY, 9.1 Adrian+Meredith, The Blue Door. FOLK Duel/Cobrajab/Oberon, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK Garage Band Jam, Bourbon Street Bar. Blues

UPCOMING EVENTS AT FIRELAKE ARENA

Hollie Caskey/Madison Lowry/Chris Hall, Red Brick Bar, Norman. ACOUSTIC Jackyl/Drunk on Monday/A Beautiful End, Diamond Ballroom. ROCK Kent Fauss, Hillbilly’s. COUNTRY Rock the Route: Stoney LaRue & the Arsenals/Wade Bowen, Yukon’s Best Main Street, Yukon. COUNTRY SquadLive, Red Rock Canyon Grill. VARIOUS The Great Trumpet, Anthem Brewing Company. COUNTRY

FRIDAY, 9.2 Aaron Newman, JJ’s Alley. ROCK Bad Influence, Alley Club. COVER Cut-Throat Queens, Thunder Alley Grill and Sports Bar. ROCK Kerry Wayne’s Rock Star Band, Bistro 46. VARIOUS Martha Stallings, Lottinvilles Restaurant, Edmond.

Norman Jackson Band

Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival Hey blues fans, it’s that time of year again. Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival celebrates its 26th year this weekend, and that means it’s time for a road trip. More than 30 acts perform during the three-day festival over Labor Day weekend, 5 p.m.-5 a.m. Friday through Sunday at D.C. Minner’s Down Home Blues Club, 701 DC Minner St., in Rentiesville, about an hour and a half east of Oklahoma City. Admission is $15 each day. Admission is free for children age 12 and younger. While you’re in town, visit the D.C. Minner Rentiesville Museum to learn more about the iconic and influential bluesman’s career. Visit dcminnerblues. com or call 918-855-0978. Friday-Sunday Photo F.O.R. Blues Inc. / provided

SUNDAY, 9.4 Beth Lee and the Breakup, Red Brick Bar, Norman. ROCK

Blake Lankford, The Blue Door. COUNTRY

VARIOUS

Blues Jam, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES

Max Ridgeway Trio, Full Circle Bookstore. JAZZ

Exit 13 Band, JJ’s Alley. COUNTRY

Midas 13, Remington Park. ROCK Jana Horn/Cameron Niel/Jose Hernandez, Power House. SINGER/SONGWRITER

Mike Rae, Native Spirits Winery, Norman. ACOUSTIC Paper Sparrow, The Bluebonnet Bar, Norman. FOLK Quicksand Band, Bourbon Street Bar. ROCK Shortt Dogg, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. BLUES Stacey Sanders, The Mantel Wine Bar & Bistro. SINGER/SONGWRITER

The Royal Jelly/The Phryg, The Deli, Norman.

Russ T. Nutz/Christophe Murdock/Brian Dhrty, Your Mom’s Place. country Scott Lowber/Will Galbraith/Rick Toops, Friends Restaurant & Club. COVER Twilight Concert Series: The Notionaries, Myriad Botanical Gardens. POP

VARIOUS

MONDAY, 9.5

The Stir, Okie Tonk, Moore. ROCK

Artifex Pereo, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

SATURDAY, 9.3

Melody Pond, Saints. FOLK

2AM, TapWerks Ale House & Cafe. ROCK

TUESDAY, 9.6

Aaron Newman, Fuze Buffet & Bar. ROCK

Death Angel, 89th Street Collective. ROCK

Bad Influence, Alley Club. COVER

Debbie Henning, Puebla Tacos y Tequileria, Norman.

Black Pussy/Turbo Wizard/Trap Queen, Blue Note Lounge. ROCK Brent Blount, The Mantel Wine Bar & Bistro. JAZZ

ACOUSTIC

FACS: Natalie Syring, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. CLASSICAL

David Mayfield, The Chouse, Norman. ROCK

WEDNESDAY, 9.7

Electric Avenue, Newcastle Casino, Newcastle.

Amarillo Junction, JJ’s Alley. COUNTRY

COVER

Empire 6, Baker Street Pub & Grill. ROCK Miss Brown To You, Full Circle Bookstore. JAZZ

Ben Stalets, The Root. FOLK Maurice Johnson, The R&J Lounge and Supper Club. JAZZ

Scott Keeton, Remington Park. BLUES Smilin’ Vic, UCO Jazz Lab, Edmond. BLUES Stephen Salewon, The Patriarch, Edmond. FOLK

405-273-1637 • FIRELAKEARENA.COM 18145 OLD RANGELINE RD • SHAWNEE, OK FIRELAKE.ARENA 64

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FIRELAKEARENA

Stinnett Brothers, Bourbon Street Bar. BLUES The Number 4/Snake G/Emanuel Montes/ Bishop, Sauced on Paseo. HIP-HOP Zach Coffey, Wormy Dog Saloon. COUNTRY

Live music submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the desired publication date. Late submissions will not be included in the listings. Submissions run as space allows, although we strive to make the listings as inclusive as possible. Fax your listings to 528-4600 or e-mail to listings@okgazette.com. Sorry, but phone submissions cannot be accepted.

go to okgazette.com for full listings!

puzzles New York Times Magazine Crossword Puzzle Wonder-ful!

By Kathy Matheson & Jeff Chen | Edited by Will Shortz | 0828 ACROSS 1 “It’s a pity other cars aren’t built this way” cars 6 Fischer, to Spassky, e.g. 11 “Stop!” at a port 16 Ring around a classical column 18 Verdi aria 19 Spots for auto logos 21 Rap’s ____ Boys 22 Flat-bottomed boat 23 Passionate kiss 24 Busy time for malls: Abbr. 25 Nascar unit 27 Row maker 29 Life force in Chinese philosophy 30 High-powered guns 32 Home to more than half the world’s active geysers 37 Enigmatic one in The Hobbit 38 Dunham of Girls 39 Organized hikes 40 Follower of Joel 41 Approver of new meds 43 Snack brand whose name hints at its flavor 44 Zika monitoring org. 46 Alternative regimen to an 84- Down, informally 49 Surrender 51 Whacks 54 I C U, e.g. 58 Highly rated bond 59 Highly rated Bond? 61 Telenovela, e.g. 63 Fury 64 Result of many years of study, for short 65 Halley of Halley’s Comet 67 Like Serbs, but not Hungarians 68 What might replace you? 69 Subject of many Ansel Adams photos 71 Mortgage, often 73 The Simpsons character in a green jacket 74 Disney dwarf 75 Kind of treatment 77 Cousin of goth 78 Bethesda-based research agcy. 80 Federal agency established on Aug. 25, 1916 85 Like some oaths 86 Region of ancient Greece

87 Insult, say 89 Election night graphic, for short 90 Annual N.Y.C. fund-raising event 92 Oprah’s BFF 93 “Keep fighting the good fight!” 96 Like Sherpas 99 Very, very 102 Subatomic particle named for the weak force 104 “Mind … blown!” 108 House majority leader before DeLay 110 Good fact-checking types 115 Three Coins in the Fountain fountain 116 Light and breezy entertainment, informally 119 Dazzled 120 Portions 121 Concerted efforts 122 Break up with someone 123 Untethered 124 Nina Totenberg’s milieu 125 Milk dispensers? DOWN 1 Blessed thing? 2 Painkiller containing caffeine 3 Neighbor of Ger. 4 Luncheonette order, for short 5 Six, in Italy 6 Dazzling 7 Annoy 8 The Henry who founded the House of Tudor 9 Raiders’ org. 10 Erupter at 32-Across 11 Radio host Shapiro 12 Kind of pass 13 Nothing but 14 Henry W. ____, Union major general during the Civil War 15 Disco relative 16 So You Think You Can Dance judge 17 Wire message 19 Harris’s role in The Right Stuff 20 Jumps higher than, in sports slang 26 Gran Paradiso, e.g. 28 It’s as good as XXX 31 Partner of sound 32 Word of support 33 Dog created by Jim Davis

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Puzzle No. 0821, which appeared in the August 24 issue.

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Assistant EDITOR Brittany Pickering Staff reporters Greg Elwell, Laura Eastes, Ben Luschen Contributors Mark Beutler, Lauren Dow, Jack Fowler Adam Holt, Ian Jayne, Candice Macis Jessica Williams Photographer Garett Fisbeck Circulation Manager Chad Bleakley ASSISTANT Circulation Manager Duke Fleischer Art Director Chris Street Print Production Coordinator Ashley Parks Advertising/Marketing Design Coordinator Erin DeMoss Graphic Designer Anna Shilling www.okgazette.com Order mounted or ready-to-frame prints of Oklahoma Gazette covers, articles and photos at okgazette.yourheadline.com 3701 N. Shartel Ave. Oklahoma City, OK 73118-7102 Phone (405) 528-6000 Fax (405) 528-4600 Copyright © 2016 Tierra Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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free will astrology Homework: All of us are trying to wake up from our sleepy delusions about the nature of life. What's your most potent wake-up technique? ARIES (March 21-April 19) Truth decay is in its early

stages. If you take action soon, you can prevent a fullscale decomposition. But be forewarned: Things could get messy, especially if you intervene with the relentless candor and clarity that will be required for medicinal purification. So what do you think? Are you up for the struggle? I understand if you're not. I'll forgive you if you simply flee. But if you decide to work your cagey magic, here are some tips. 1. Compile your evidence with rigor. 2. As much as is humanly possible, put aside rancor. Root your efforts in compassionate objectivity. 3. Even as you dig around in the unsightly facts, cherish the beautiful truths you'd like to replace them with.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Are you willing to lose

at least some of your inhibitions? Are you curious to find out what it feels like to cavort like a wise wild child? If you want to fully cooperate with life's plans, you will need to consider those courses of action. I am hoping that you'll accept the dare, of course. I suspect you will thrive as you explore the pleasures of playful audacity and whimsical courage and effervescent experiments. So be blithe, Taurus! Be exuberant! Be open to the hypothesis that opening to jaunty and jovial possibilities is the single most intelligent thing you can do right now.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) What's the current status

of your relationship with your feet? Have you been cultivating and cherishing your connection with the earth below you? The reason I ask, Gemini, is that right now it's especially important for you to enjoy intimacy with gravity, roots, and foundations. Whatever leads you down and deeper will be a source of good fortune. Feeling grounded will provide you with an aptitude for practical magic. Consider the possibilities of going barefoot, getting a foot massage, or buying a new shoes that are both beautiful and comfortable. CANCER (June 21-July 22) A woman in the final stages of giving birth may experience acute

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By Rob Brezny

discomfort. But once her infant spills out into the world, her distress can transform into bliss. I don't foresee quite so dramatic a shift for you, Cancerian. But the transition you undergo could have similar elements: from uncertainty to grace; from agitation to relief; from constriction to spaciousness. To take maximum advantage of this blessing, don't hold onto the state you're leaving behind — or the feelings it aroused in you.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) In one of my dreams last

night, a Leo sensualist I know advised me to take smart pills and eat an entire chocolate cheesecake before writing my next Leo horoscope. In another dream, my Leo friend Erica suggested that I compose your horoscope while attending an orgy where all the participants were brilliant physicists, musicians, and poets. In a third dream, my old teacher Rudolf (also a Leo) said I should create the Leo horoscope as I sunbathed on a beach in Maui while being massaged by two sexy geniuses. Here's how I interpret my dreams: In the coming days, you can literally increase your intelligence by indulging in luxurious comforts and sensory delights.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Play a joke on your

nervous anxiety. Leap off the ground or whirl in a circle five times as you shout, "I am made of love!" Learn the words and melody to a new song that lifts your mood whenever you sing it. Visualize yourself going on an adventure that will amplify your courage and surprise your heart. Make a bold promise to yourself, and acquire an evocative object that will symbolize your intention to fulfill that promise. Ask yourself a soul-shaking question you haven't been wise enough to investigate before now. Go to a wideopen space, spread your arms out in a greeting to the sky, and pray for a vision of your next big goal.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) The Illuminati do not

want you to receive the prophecy I have prepared for you. Nor do the Overlords of the New World Order, the Church of the SubGenius, the Fake God that masquerades as the Real God, or the nagging little

voice in the back of your head. So why am I going ahead and divulging this oracle anyway? Because I love you. My loyalty is to you, not those shadowy powers. Therefore, I am pleased to inform you that the coming weeks will be a favorable time for you to evade, ignore, undermine, or rebel against controlling influences that aren't in alignment with your soul's goals.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) The dictionary says that the verb "to schmooze" means to chat with people in order to promote oneself or make a social connection that may prove to be advantageous. But that definition puts a selfish spin on an activity that can, at least sometimes, be carried out with artful integrity. Your assignment in the coming weeks is to perform this noble version of schmoozing. If you are offering a product or service that is beautiful or useful or both, I hope you will boost its presence and influence with the power of your good listening skills and smart conversations.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

If you are attuned with the cosmic rhythms in the coming weeks, you will be a source of teaching and leadership. Allies will feel fertilized by your creative vigor. You'll stimulate team spirit with your savvy appeals to group solidarity. If anyone can revive droopy procrastinators and demonstrate the catalytic power of gratitude, it'll be you. Have you heard enough good news, Sagittarius, or can you absorb more? I expect that you'll inspire interesting expressions of harmony that will replace contrived versions of togetherness. And every blessing you bestow will expand your capacity for attracting favors you can really use.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) The fictional

character known as Superman has one prominent vulnerability: the mineral kryptonite. When he's near this stuff, it weakens his superpowers and may cause other problems. I think we all have our own versions of kryptonite, even if they're metaphorical. For instance, my own superpowers tend to decline when I come into the presence of bad architecture, cheesy

poetry, and off-pitch singing. How about you, Capricorn? What's your version of kryptonite? Whatever it is, I'm happy to let you know that you are currently less susceptible to its debilitating influences than usual. Why? Well, you have a sixth sense about how to avoid it. And even if it does draw near, you have in your repertoire some new tricks to keep it from sapping your strength.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) It's quite possible

you will receive seductive proposals in the coming weeks. You may also be invited to join your fortunes with potential collaborators who have almost fully awakened to your charms. I won't be surprised if you receive requests to share your talents, offer your advice, or bestow your largesse. You're a hot prospect, my dear. You're an attractive candidate. You appear to be ripe for the plucking. How should you respond? My advice is to be flattered and gratified, but also discerning. Just because an inquiry is exciting doesn't mean it's good for you. Choose carefully.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) Would you like to

become a master of intimacy? Can you imagine yourself handling the challenges of togetherness with the skill of a great artist and the wisdom of a love genius? If that prospect appeals to you, now would be a favorable time to up your game. Here's a hot tip on how to porceed: You must cultivate two seemingly contradictory skills. The first is the capacity to identify and nurture the best qualities in your beloved friend. The second is the ability to thrive on the fact that healthy relationships require you to periodically wrestle with each other's ignorance and immaturity.

Go to RealAstrology.com to check out Rob Brezsny’s expanded weekly audio horoscopes /daily text message horoscopes. The audio horoscopes are also available by phone at 1-877-873-4888 or 1-900-950-7700.

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