Oklahoma Gazette's Guide to the Holidays by Oklahoma Gazette

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INSIDE COVER

With the holidays upon us, ‘tis the season to reflect on what we have and what those less fortunate among us need to survive. By Ryan Spencer Cover graphic by Jerry Bennett Cover by Phillip Danner

NEWS COVER Survival is success Native boarding schools 12 Bikeable OKC 15 COVER Wrap up homelessness 16 Citizen Spotlight: Delisa Doreen 18 Black Sky Affair 19 The Toe Tag 20 Holiday Gift Guide 5 9

EAT & DRINK 14 Gazedibles

ARTS & CULTURE RACE Dance Collective It’s A Wonderful Life / A Christmas Carol 28 Calendar 24 26

MUSIC 30 31

Soundcheck Live music

THE HIGH CULTURE 33 35

Recipe: corn casserole Strain reviews

FUN 36 38

Astrology Puzzles sudoku | crossword

OKG CLASSIFIEDS 36

VOL. XLIII NO. 14 PUBLISHER Bryan Hallman | bhallman@okgazette.com EDITOR Matt Dinger | mdinger@okgazette.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Berlin Green | bgreen@okgazette.com DIGITAL MEDIA & PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Kendall Bleakley ADVERTISING advertising@okgazette.com 405-528-6000 DIRECTOR OF SALES Christy Duane | cduane@okgazette.com SENIOR ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Saundra Godwin | sgodwin@okgazette.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Clyde Dorr | cdorr@okgazette.com CIRCULATION MANAGER Patrick Hanscom | phanscom@okgazette.com CONTRIBUTORS Sarah Atwood-Cotton KM Bramlett Frances Danger Evan Jarvicks Ryan Spencer

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COVER STORY

Survival is success WHILE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS BEEN TOUGH ON EVERY MEMBER OF OUR SOCIETY, THOSE ALREADY IN PERIL OR PRECARIOUSLY CLOSE TO THE EDGE HAVE DISCOVERED NEW BARRIERS TO HEALTHY, THRIVING LIVES. By Ryan Spencer

While COVID-19 has indisputably affected the entire Oklahoma City population, marginalized groups in the metro area such as the homeless, the indigent, the mentally disabled, and those recovering from substance addiction have experienced unique challenges over the course of the last twenty months. While formal data relating to these challenges can be scarce and much has yet to be revealed until we are afforded the benefit of an enlightened hindsight, city residents familiar with these issues have offered the Oklahoma Gazette their insights into the pandemic’s effects upon these often overlapping marginalized groups and how members of such groups have fared throughout its duration. The Homeless Alliance is a nonprofit organization committed to ending homelessness in Oklahoma City through collaboration and coordination with service providers, city government, and local businesses. This entity oversees the operation of the Westtown Homeless Resource Campus which includes housing, a comprehensive resource center, and a Day Center. This Day Center provides support services to homeless individuals and at-risk families with children including case management, showers, a commercial kitchen serving breakfasts and lunches, computers to provide connection with the online world, a barber shop and salon, as well as classroom space for educational opportunities including Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous classes. It also functions as a location where local organizations may engage with the homeless population to provide needed services serving roughly 350 people daily, most of whom are living on the street. To say the pandemic complicated and challenged the operations of the Homeless Alliance in its mission to

City Rescue MIssion, Photo Berlin Green

provide services and partner with other entities seeking to aid the homeless and indigent of Oklahoma City would be a considerable understatement. “Early on in the pandemic, all six of Oklahoma City’s overnight shelters, our day shelter, and the Catholic Charities shelter all suspended volunteer work. That’s a huge sacrifice for agencies like that who depend on volunteers to get their day-to-day work done,” said Dan Straughan, executive director of the Homeless Alliance. “We did that not so much to protect our volunteers as to protect our clients because, especially early on in the pandemic when spread was happening, it was happening in restaurants, movie theaters, house parties, all places that people experiencing homelessness do not go. Our fear was that a volunteer would come in and spread the virus to our clients. Our clients are vulnerable by definition. Most of us continue even to this day not using volunteers in direct client-facing activities like serving meals. We’ve all brought volunteers back into non-client-facing activities, but for client-facing activities we’re still trying to limit that as best we can.” Staff were reassigned in a reducedcapacity and socially-distanced environment at the Day Shelter in an effort to compensate for the lack of volunteers. Masks for staff and clients alike became and continue to be the norm. Antiseptic ultraviolet lighting was installed. Beginning in March of 2020, coordination with local homeless shelters and charity hospitals through multiple weekly and even daily conference calls helped the Homeless Alliance knit service partners togeth-

er to protect those in need against the spread of the virus throughout the homeless population. Isolation centers with medical professionals were established within the day shelter to provide a safely quarantined environment for the homeless and indigent discharged from local hospitals, and opportunities for vaccination were provided as well as testing. “From Sept. 1, 2020 to mid-Jan 2021, Healing Hands and a couple of other agencies conducted mass testing at all of our shelters and through street outreach. In total they administered more than 6,000 COVID-19 tests. During that whole period the non-repeat positivity rate never rose above 4 percent. We’re really proud of that because in December of 2020 the positivity rate amongst the general population in Oklahoma City was over 20 percent. Again, because the homeless population tends to live in congregative environments and has a lot of co-occurring morbidities, it makes them particularly vulnerable to spread of the virus. Keeping that positivity rate down below 5 percent was quite an accomplishment,” Straughan said. The 2020 Point in Time survey, an annual single-day “snapshot” of homelessness including a count of the number of homeless in Oklahoma City conducted in January of 2020 (therefore reflecting pre-pandemic numbers from 2019) found 1,573 individuals considered homeless. This is the most recent data available, as the January 2021 survey was canceled due to prevaccination exposure concerns (fortunately, post-vaccination infection rates indicate the survey scheduled for January 2022 should proceed).

According to Straughan, however, the homeless population has grown beyond that number since that time. “Anecdotally, it seems that population is at the very least much more visible than it was pre-pandemic, and likely more numerous than it was prepandemic. It’s speculation on my part, but I think there are really three big reasons for that. The first is early in the pandemic all our overnight shelters had to reduce capacity to enable social distancing. They didn’t put people out, but they weren’t allowing as many folks in, so that reduced the number of shelter beds we had and increased the number of unsheltered homeless in the community. The second piece of that was twofold. The community was working hard to reduce the total population in the Oklahoma County Jail, so the police department and law enforcement generally in central Oklahoma implemented a cite-andrelease program. They wouldn’t arrest you for camping in a place that you were not supposed to be. At most you would get a ticket and more often you’d just get a lecture and were asked to move on. So we kind of removed that consequence of not going to the shelters. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encouraged local law enforcement to leave the camps alone, because you didn’t want to take people that were naturally isolating and drive them into the congregative environment of a homeless shelter where their chance of exposure to the virus was greater. The third thing was, this is a generous community and people see need and they want to help. People saw unsheltered homeless and they just started

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COVER STORY trying to help, passing out blankets, sandwiches, water, tents in some cases, sleeping bags. It’s never going to be easy to live outside in Oklahoma City, but we kind of made it easier, and that’s contributed I think to the increase both in the number of unsheltered homeless and the visibility of that population,” he said. Straughan also noted a substantial effort by Oklahoma City faith-based organizations, churches, and private citizens contributing on their own initiative to provide food to the homeless and indigent by delivering meals to locations such as bus stops and other frequented areas, serving out of vehicle windows to limit exposure as much as possible. “If there’s a silver lining to being a disaster-prone community — and I’m thinking about things like the Murrah Building bombing, the 1999 tornadoes, the wildfires — it has taught us as a community that there is no single entity that can address these disasters. So we’ve just become used to working together to step up to a disaster. We’ve recognized in Oklahoma City that homelessness, while it’s not a disaster like a tornado, is a kind of slow-motion disaster. It is easier here for the government sector, the nonprofit sector, and the faith-based sector to come together when we need to address these issues. The pandemic was absolutely a perfect example of that, getting all the providers on the same page with the city and county health departments, the state health department, the epidemiologists at OU Medical Center, that was an easy thing to do because we are used to recognizing that we’re all pulling on the same rope,” Straughan said. Rebecca Hayes, Area Command Director of Social Services for the Salvation Army, described how COVID-19 affected operations at their Oklahoma City emergency overnight homeless shelter. “We’re still looking to find ways for things to go back to normal,” Hayes said. “When the pandemic first started we followed the CDC guidelines that were set out. We only operated at 50 percent capacity then increased to 75 percent as the CDC said we could. That really affected the number of people we could serve experiencing homelessness. When you operate an emergency shelter, people are coming in and out all the time. We were looking at how you make sure people are finding shelter and meeting those basic needs, but also making sure everybody else who’s already in there is protected.” As at the Homeless Alliance day shelter, mask-wearing remains a requirement. “We’re staying pretty full and have been, for the last four to five months, we have really been right at close to 6

Day shelter meal service pre-pandemic, Photo courtesy of the Homeless Alliance.

capacity with what we’re able to safely have. Like those in our shelter, staff are wearing masks all the time. The pandemic has added a level of stress on people that we’re all still learning to navigate even this far into it. It has been difficult on staff. During the pandemic, we’ve had times with bad winter weather, and anybody operating an emergency shelter, you still have to have staff to be there. So on top of the pandemic we have staff still showing up during times of winter storms or any kind of bad weather, and I think that says a lot about the resiliency of the staff in our shelter,” she said. Amanda Medina-Baxter, a metro area resident, saw a great need during the onset of the pandemic to assist those struggling. In response, she founded a Facebook group designed to coordinate efforts to meet that need a nd cont i nues to ser ve a s its administrator. “Hard Times 2020 was established in March 2020 after I began working remotely. It was clear this was just the beginning, so I established Hard Times specifically to help friends network resources while underemployed or unemployed,” Medina-Baxter said. The group currently consists of nearly 900 members. She has also been assisting fellow Oklahomans with unemployment insurance issues during lockdown layoffs and terminations and has met bureaucratic and political hurdles at local and state levels to obtaining assistance along the way. “I’ve enjoyed advising others, and local offices along with Shelley Zumwalt [Executive Director of the Oklahoma Employment Security

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Commission] have been tremendously helpful when clarification was needed. Unfortunately state leaders have been less than understanding about the difficulties facing people attempting to return to the workplace,” she said. Scam employers posting bogus job opportunities and spamming have been an issue within the group. “These are people preying on those in a vulnerable situation and for some at their lowest point, and that makes me furious,” Medina-Baxter said. “I really enjoy getting feedback by members who reached out after seeing a post that advised of a job or a resource being able to get the help they needed.” She advises those continuing to seek assistance and those interested in lending a hand not to give up. “Please reach out to local resources. Speak to your city council members, call your city hall and ask what services are provided for someone in hardship. Calling 211 is a good resource but seek out Facebook groups like Hard Times 2020. It’s not just for the unemployed but for anyone suffering a hardship to post about their difficulties and how they need assistance. We’ve networked to help people get health insurance or have their pets seen by a veterinarian. It’s about community. As the saying goes, ‘It takes a village,’” Medina-Baxter said. For insight into the pandemic’s effects upon Oklahoma City’s mentally disabled and the recovering addicted, Dr. Jody Lee, doctor of internal and emergency medicine with a keen interest in epidemiology, offered his views. While acknowledging the general depression he believes has been expe-

rienced one way or another by every Oklahoman since the onset of the pandemic, he emphasized those who have suffered most in terms of mental health throughout its duration are individuals who were already dealing with moderate to severe mental illness requiring close supervision, regular medical appointments, and medications to maintain their mental equilibrium. “Most mental health providers were ill-prepared for the transition to telehealth so the spool up for seeing all of their patients took an inordinately long time,” Lee said. “Patients who needed regular checks went without for months, medications were inadequately managed, and anxiety and mental illness in general were going to spike with an international pandemic even if we were able to transition smoothly to telehealth and virtual visits. But with the great difficulty the system had in making that transition, there were more patients doing without and suffering emotional distress needlessly. Those who needed the most help suffered the most.” In terms of those recovering from addiction, his thought was much the same: “We had inadequate resources to begin with and the pandemic brought about a precipitous decline in the evaluation and treatment of those in recovery.” Himself a recovering individual who has graciously allowed Oklahoma Gazette to reveal such publicly, Lee said, “Having been in recovery from alcohol abuse for a number of years it has seemed less traumatic [for me] than for those going through the initial stages [of substance abuse recovery]

either just prior to the onset of or during the pandemic.” For those underinsured or lacking any medical insurance, including large numbers of the homeless, the indigent, the mentally disabled, and those in addiction recovery, the situation has been even worse. “The free clinics and sliding-scale clinics, really all the resources normally available to provide free or subsidized mental health treatment were brought to a near standstill initially. We have fantastically inadequate resources here in Oklahoma as a baseline, then you introduce a pandemic to the mix. It was a recipe for disaster,” he said. Data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit organization focused on national health issues, bears out Lee’s statements. From a KFF report published in Feb. 2021: “The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic recession have negatively affected many people’s mental health and created new barriers for people already suffering from mental illness and substance abuse disorders. During the pandemic, about four in 10 adults in the US have reported symptoms of anxiety or depressive disorder, a share that has been largely consistent, up from one in 10 adults who reported these symptoms from January to June 2019.” A state-specific KFF report from October 2021 found 34.7 percent of adult Oklahomans polled reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder, higher than the national average by four points. Of those reporting such symptoms, 32.1 percent also reported an unmet need for counseling or therapy. For another perspective on how the pandemic has affected those seeking to recover from substance addiction, an Oklahoma City sober living house for men owner and operator offered his experience over the last twenty months. Due to privacy concerns relating to the Alcoholics Anonymous program, he shall remain unnamed. “At first, we were in limbo,” he said. “Then, all of a sudden, it seemed in a one week period or so the guys lost their jobs because they’re all in food service, for the most part. So we now had a full sober house that had no income. They’re all scrambling for what to do. Are they going to get kicked out? Are they not? Does the house shut down? Does it not? Luckily we sprung into action. The guys were helping each other get side jobs, I was helping them get side jobs, people were stepping in and sponsoring them. There are solutions if you look for them. That’s what they were having to live through until the time came when the stimulus checks came through. At that point, we lost multiple people to stimulus money, and not in a good way. On guys suddenly having more money than they’d ever had in their lives, it’s not a good combination in my experience

The City Care Night Shelter, Photo Berlin Green

when you take a bunch of newly sober and homeless alcoholics and suddenly toss thousands of dollars at them, I think it endangers them versus helping them. It put undue pressure on the guys. It caused a bunch of temptation.” This trend, however, has reversed itself dramatically in recent months due to high job availability locally. Many recovering house members are lately obtaining service industry and other jobs almost immediately upon being accepted into his sober living program. “I’ve never seen a time where it was so easy for a felon to work full time with so little effort involved in getting the job. Absolutely every guy who’s come into our homes, provided they follow the structure, gets a job,” he said. When asked how the sudden loss of income for house members cascaded into his rent-based business model, he said, “There’s always something that leaves a financial hardship in a sober house. It’s more about how you respond to that, if you respond to it with fear or if you respond to it with action. When we respond with action, as long as we have the right motives it seems to work out all right.” Participation in the Alcoholics Anonymous program by house members is a strict protocol in his sober living houses, requiring members to attend multiple AA meetings per week. Though not all, several local AA meeting clubhouses shut down entirely in the early days of the pandemic. Some moved to an online Zoom or similar format to continue meetings; this format, while better than nothing, proved far less effective for many of

his sober living members and a slew of AA members at large. In-person meetings and the supportive fellowship it creates are considered essential by most avowed AA members. Online meetings often don’t foster the same type of communal support, particularly for those beginning the recovery process. While most AA clubhouses have reopened since the availability of coronavirus vaccines, tensions linger between different clubhouses initiating varying pandemic protocols such as mask-wearing, determined independently by each clubhouse membership. To help ensure safety in close quarters within his sober houses, this owner modified a section to quarantine members who tested positive for the virus. A separate bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen with an alternate entrance was established. “When it first happened we had to determine our protocol. We took one of the quadrants of the house and reorganized it to be the sick room to play both sides, we weren’t going to shut the house down and we weren’t going to totally disregard it. Our common sense approach was to create an area where, if someone did contract COVID-19, they could safely quarantine while the guys tried to look out for both themselves and the person who was infected as well as they could,” he said. Though four to five members in each of the two houses have tested positive over the course of the pandemic in households of anywhere from ten to fifteen members at any given time, this protocol combined with already strict hygiene measures have been successful in limiting other members’ expo-

sure to infection. The choice of vaccination has been left to individual members to decide as each sees fit. Commitment to addiction recovery in general and the sober living program in particular are considered paramount in these individuals’ struggle to recover from their addictions, patently viewed by them and the owner/ operator as itself a matter of life or death. He has noted a significant increase in the number of men seeking a safe, supportive, and effective environment while recovering from alcohol addiction, throughout the pandemic and holding steady today. “I don’t know what’s in the water at the moment, but we’re full with a waiting list. We certainly are packed,” he said. Having myself been a member of all the aforementioned groups both before and during the COVID-19 outbreak, I continue to deal with mental illness and recovery from alcohol abuse. And while many of our city’s inhabitants have been affected by the pandemic in a manner less upending for them, a fact for which I am actually grateful, I may personally testify to the quite real adversities experienced by the homeless, poor, mentally disabled, and addicted being profoundly deepened by the pandemic’s rippling effects throughout our city. Though my road has not always been pleasant, I’ve received help from countless individuals along the way and have been one of the fortunates to survive this far into the new world COVID-19 has made for all of us. Others have not been so fortunate. Members of these struggling marginalized groups rarely make headlines, even within the context of their groups as a whole, and each group seems to have expanded throughout the pandemic’s course. They are largely othered, many existing well afield of society’s radar. And these groups are hardly distinct, but rather overlap substantially. In the Venn diagram of homelessness, indigence, mental disability, and addiction recovery, for three months in early 2021, I was the perfect overlap. And I wasn’t alone. There are so many others and, while I am thankful to have made it through, I remain haunted by the fact that, due to whichever unfortunate circumstance, many have not, and more will certainly be lost. Lee summarized the entirety of the situation poignantly: “This has been an epic time of strife and turmoil which I hope we never see again. Simply making it through should be considered a win for the past year and a half. Survival is success.”

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NEWS

Kill the Indian, save the man THE HORRORS OF THE INDIAN BOARDING SCHOOL SYSTEM — OF WHICH THERE WERE 83 IN THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA — ARE ONLY NOW FINALLY BEGINNING TO BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD. By Frances Danger

In May 2021 Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nations announced they had used ground penetrating radar to confirm unmarked graves of 215 children, later revised to 200, at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. This confirmation came on the heels of the report by the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission. This report, released in 2015, recommended a list of 94 calls to action to address the history and continuing impacts of Canada’s residential school system on survivors and their descendants. There were a reported 4,100 deaths at the residential schools since their inception in 1894. The Commission estimated that there would be an additional 3,200 confirmed in unmarked graves. To date only five of those schools, a mere 2.5 percent, have been searched, with a total of 1,397 unmarked graves found. Numbers from the Chemawa Indian School in Salem, Ore. pale by comparison. In 2016, Marsha Small, a doctoral candidate working on her thesis, used ground penetrating radar at Chemawa and confirmed 222 sets of remains, higher than the reported total of 208 buried there. These 14 souls didn’t rate much of a mention — much less a headline — in 2016, so why bring them up now? Because Chemawa is in our country, and it’s a name that should have been on our lips years ago. Instead, it was buried along with those Native children. While nominally taught in schools, complete Native history is actually fraught with many tiny genocides: smallpox blankets, massacres, The Trail of Tears. They all reverberate today but the most insidious are the Indian Boarding Schools. These macabre discoveries continue to this day, with an ongoing body count of helpless children who were slaughtered or neglected until their deaths. On Nov. 15, confirmation came that 100 Indigenous youths at Genoa Indian School in Nebraska died of gunshot

wounds, drowning and disease. This has been but one atrocity. There Seneca Indian School in 1905, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration are thousands that are still scared to talk or be heard. The to support the Carlisle Indian Industrial in name only. Students were put to work memory of that time colors the days of School. It would remove children from in the laundry or in the fields, backthose that made it through. They have their homes to a school far away and breaking work under the guise of “volived with the terror of knowing their immerse them in American culture in cational training” that also offset the friends disappeared. For some, that order to civilize them. Carlisle became cost of operation. terror was compounded because they the template for not only the Canadian The children had their hair forcibly saw it happen. They remember not only residential school system but for the cut. If they spoke their language, practhose that were lost but know what their 367 schools that would eventually open ticed their customs, or danced, they own lives could have been had they not in 29 states across the country, 83 of were beaten. Sometimes their fingers also been stolen. They know where the them in Oklahoma. were cut off for speaking their language. bodies are buried and soon you will too. Abuse and death were rampant. Most “We’ve been crying Then you will finally understand that schools had cemeteries. Some had inthough there are survivors of these cinerators. While this treatment didn’t for decades. This “schools,” none of our Native children continue into the 1990s, these “boardshit doesn’t heal. It ever really made it home. ing schools” remained open until then, festers. We couldn’t when they were either taken over by the tell anyone. It was a A dark history tribes or closed. long time ago, but There is no exact known number of I’ll hate that place as Gen. Richard Henry Pratt was the arhow many Native children were forced chitect of the Indian Boarding School into these schools, but by 1926, nearly long as I live.” system in America. In the 1870s, Pratt 83 percent of Indian school-age children had presided over 72 Comanche, Caddo, were attending them. Kiowa, and Cheyenne POWs at Ft. Starting in 1879, hundreds of thouIn 1928, the U.S. government comMarion, prisoners held to ensure their sands of Native American children were missioned the Meriam Report, which families in the west would comply with forced to go to these Indian boarding found the schools overcrowded and the orders of the federal government. schools, run by the federal government unsanitary. The students were weak During his time as captor he impleand various churches. While some chose from malnourishment being overmented educational courses to assimito attend, the vast majority did not. worked. It noted that death rates for late the POWs into American society. These children were either kidnapped Native students attending the schools This required them to dress in uniforms or their parents were forced to bring were six and a half times higher and cut their hair. them to these schools by the denial of than for other ethnic groups. To be clear, this was not some gentle their rations or imprisonment. They act. His attitude towards the Natives literally starved Natives in order to take A survivor speaks held captive under his authority is best their children, many of which were illustrated by this quote: “A great hidden by their families. Tribes moved Oklahoma Gazette spoke, on condition general has said that the only good near the schools, trying to maintain of anonymity, with a survivor of Carter Indian is a dead one, and that high sanccontact but there was no chance of reSeminary in Ardmore who attended in tion of his destruction has been an enorconnection under Pratt’s system. the 1950s. These are among their hormous factor in promoting Indian masThe government then consigned the rifying revelations, provided linearly sacres. In a sense, I agree with the children to boarding schools or gifted to accentuate their brutality: sentiment, but only in this: that all the them to white families. These “adopIndian there is in the race should be tions” aren’t some practice from the — “I was only six years old when I dead. Kill the Indian in him, and save distant past. As late as 1952, a mission was sent there. I had no relatives, and the man.” in South Dakota sold a Native child for didn’t know anyone. I’d cry myself to Satisfied with the outcome with the a $10 donation. sleep at night wanting to be home. There prisoners, he petitioned the government The boarding schools were “schools” was constant homesickness. We were NEWS O KGA Z E T TE .CO M | N OV E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 2 1

force fed religion and bussed into the local town for church services. It was an all-white Southern Baptist Church, and we Natives were forced to sit in the balcony. This was during the 1950s.” — “When I was 12, a 10 year old child hung himself. Later, a young girl slit her wrists. She was only an adolescent.” — “I saw very young children punished for speaking their Native language. Ironically, our country was using those languages in war efforts as code talking.” — “There was violence. I recall one Bureau of Indian Affairs employee using his fists in disciplining young children.” — “It wasn’t just me [or other children]. I know an older Creek man, he was forced to sit on a hot radiator for speaking Creek.” — “There’s more, much more. Another thing: we ate fried eggs for breakfast about once per week. If one was 6 years old, one got one egg; if one was 6 feet tall and weighed 200 pounds, one got one egg. The food wasn’t good, just government commodities. There were rumors the [Bureau of Indian Affairs] employees were stealing prime cuts of meat.” — “I remember when I was sent

there, all our bed clothing and sundries were government issue. We were also given vaccinations; we were given 5 and 6 immunizations. Afterward, I was standing with a group who had just been vaccinated. A BIA employee asked if we got our shots; I responded in the affirmative. But the other little boys spoke no English. They were forced to go through the line twice. We were all only 6 and 7 years old. I remember they became very sick. — “I visited an Indian Indian boarding school at Cantonment, Oklahoma, ca. 1909. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. school friend earlier today. He’s a year younger than I. He couldn’t speak English when he started Echoes of inhumanity schools as well as allowing them to esschool. Those bastards beat his lantablish their own schools on guage out of him, making him ashamed The U.S. government attempted to unreservation land. of himself, affecting his self-esteem, his derstand and address the issues of the In 1978, Congress passed the Indian ‘Indianness’. We both hated that place boarding schools. In 1969, the Senate Child Welfare Act, giving Native … We both survived. After my visit in convened a Special Subcommittee on American parents the legal right to my vehicle, I broke down and cried. I’m Indian Education which issued the refuse their child’s placement in sure he cried too. We were alone crying. report “Indian Education: A National schools. That was also the year The That’s how we let our emotions out as Tragedy, a National Challenge,” also American Indian Religious Freedom children. We cried alone. I could still known as the Kennedy Report. It conAct of 1978 was passed, once again see the hurt in him, being punished for cluded that “coercive assimilation” has making it legal for Natives to practice speaking our beautiful Mvskoke lanhad “disastrous effects on the education their cultures, which had been outlawed guage. We’ve been crying for decades. of Indian children.” by the Code of Indian Offences in 1883. This shit doesn’t heal. It festers. We Congress further passed the Indian As of 2020, the Bureau of Indian couldn’t tell anyone. It was a long time Self-Determination and Education Education operates approximately 183 ago, but I’ll hate that place as long as I live.” Assistance Act of 1975. This act gave schools, mostly non-boarding, and priTribal Nations more control over the marily located on reservations, with a

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Seneca Indian School in 1905, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration

student population of about 46,000. On June 22, 2021 Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative in an address to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) during a virtual conference. In a press release, the Department of Interior stated “...the Department shall undertake an investigation of the loss of human life and the lasting consequences of residential Indian boarding schools. The primary goal of the investigation shall be to identify boarding school facilities and sites; the location of known and possible student burial sites located at or near school facilities;

and the identities and Tribal affiliations of children interred at such locations.” Sept. 30, 2021 is recognized by First Nations and Natives as Orange Shirt Day, held then as it was the time of year when Indigenous children were taken from their homes to the schools. The day recognizes residential and boarding school survivors and those that never came home. Orange is worn to commemorate the color of the shirt that Phyllis Jack Webstad was wearing on her first day at residential school. Her clothes were taken, including the new orange shirt her grandmother bought her that she would never see again. She was six years old.

Also on Sept. 30, the co-chairs of the Congressional Native American Caucus, U.S. Reps Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk) and Tom Cole (Chickasaw), with Sen. Elizabeth Warren introduced a bill for a Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies in the U.S. The proposed commission will examine the ongoing impact of Indian Boarding Schools, locate government and church records, hear testimony of survivors, and will work to locate the children previous administrations have worked so hard to hide. These schools did not exist in a vacuum. They have impacts still being felt today. Many of those institutional-

ized at a young age never learned how to parent, feel safe, or thrive. This intergenerational and historical trauma translates into cycles of violence and abuse, alcohol and drug abuse, low high school graduation rates, poverty, homelessness, and high suicide rates. For most young Natives, they are the first generation not to be forced into these schools since their inception in 1870. That means their parents, aunts and uncles and grandparents all survived this horrific abuse. With that abuse comes the loss of cultures, of language, of community. The schools as they were may no one longer exist but are still stealing Native children. Time will tell if these overtures by the government will be a true reckoning of what has happened and how it continues to affect Native families. Only those affected can decide if now is the time to heal.

If you need help: The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition: https://boardingschoolhealing.org 24-hour Indian Boarding School crisis line: 866-925-4419

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NEWS

Dreams of a bikeable OKC A BICYCLE INFRASTRUCTURE ADVOCATE SHARES HOW EVERYONE BENEFITS FROM A BIKEABLE COMMUNITY AND HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED IN CREATING POSITIVE CHANGE. By KM Bramlett Photos by Anthony Carfang

Oklahoma City has modernized a ton over the last decade, and our population explosion makes our city one of the fastest-growing in the country. By many metrics, OKC is a great place to live. The arts and music scenes are bustling, the food is top-notch, and the cost-of-living is low, making living here a great value. However, the roads are known for being rough, and traffic safety is generally poor. In 2021, the American College of Sports Medicine ranked OKC as the unhealthiest and least physically active in their American Fitness Index of the 100 largest cities in the US, and life expectancy here is lower than the national average. Luckily, there is one simple change OKC could make to improve all these deficiencies and others — make OKC more bikeable. Anthony Carfang donates an enormous amount of time advocating for better bikeability in OKC, and he currently bikes nearly everywhere on an electric-assist cargo bike: to work, to run errands, and on adventures around town as he spends quality time with his 3-year-old daughter Isabella, his partner Jennie, and their dog Sagan. Biking became Carfang’s primary mode of transportation over two decades ago in his hometown of Chicago and he’s also participated in competitive cycling over the years. “Biking was the most efficient way

to get around living in Chicago, and it was my main form of transportation since starting high school in 1999. I started racing road bikes in college in 2006, and riding/racing mountain bikes in 2009 after moving to Colorado,” Carfang said. When he moved to OKC for work in 2014, he noticed a need for better bikeability in the city. “Moving from Colorado, I saw significant gaps in OKC’s infrastructure that would invite more biking and walking; a lot of it seemed like low-hanging fruit to easily address and make big strides,” Carfang said. His cycling background along with his experience as a lead software engineer developing safety-critical flight software for military aircraft has prepared him for understanding the best ways to improve the safety of bike infrastructure across the city. Carfang said it was easy to get involved in bike advocacy in OKC. “City leaders, planners, and state legislators have all been very accessible. Further, many of these leaders were eager to hear from me and other members of the public, repeating vocally how much they want public input, to hear what’s important to our residents, and to work together to shape a positive future. So combining that leadership access with unifying the voice of advocates made it inspiring to push forward,” he said.

Carfang demonstrates that the cargo-bike is a great work bike, capable of carrying 220 lbs of cargo in the front basket (and another 45 on the rear rack). This trip to Lowes includes 3 bags of mulch, 3 plants, and a number of other odds and ends.

N OV E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 2 1 | O KGA Z E T TE .CO M NEWS

Morning daycare commute with Carfang’s daughter, neighbor, neighbor’s daughter, his partner, and his dog. His neighbor loves riding, and both she and her partner have since gotten their own cargo bikes as well.

It hasn’t been all work and no play for him while he enjoys the social benefits of bicycle advocacy. “While advocating for better policy and better infrastructure, it has been rewarding to invite individuals on a personal level to bike with me and my family for beer, food, or ice cream. Showing them how feasible and fun it can be to bike a short distance for these...trips has increased our city’s transportation biking (albeit slowly), while also building more public demand for better policy and infrastructure,” Carfang said. Carfang shared a wealth of statistics that demonstrate how everyone b e n e f it s f r o m l i v i n g i n a bikeable community. When cities become more bikeable, it results in safer streets for everyone: cars, cyclists, and pedestrians. It also leads to longer-lasting roads due to lower car traffic, improves air quality, increases tourism, creates safer cities, tighter-knit communities, and higher levels of independence for those who cannot drive cars, primarily children and the elderly. “This alleviates stress and time on parents...statistically, especially mothers,” Carfang said. For some people, the only option for transportation is a bike, and for them, safe bicycle infrastructure is imperative. “Many of the city’s transportation cyclists are those who are in a situation where there is no other choice – either because the cost of car ownership is too high, a physical impairment may result in driving being too uncomfortable or unsafe, and bus service may not be pervasive or convenient enough to serve their needs,” he said. When people see others cycling,

they feel safer trying it themselves, and they’re motivated to ditch the car for short errands, leading to better overall health. It’s also been proven that children who regularly cycle or walk to school “have shown better engagement in school, with better ability to solve complex problems, and overall better apt it ude,” Carfang explained. Building better bike infrastructure also saves governments money and creates jobs. “Bike infrastructure is cheaper by one to three orders of magnitude compared to car-based infrastructure on a per-mile basis. So money goes further. Even more, the finer detail of the projects results in costs going more to labor, and spreading further across material supply chains. So bike infrastructure projects end up impacting/creating more jobs than other infrastructure projects [according to the 2012 AASHTO study],” Carfang said. With the invaluable MAPS Projects, most of OKC’s bike trail development has been for sport, and the culture around recreational cycling has increased in OKC over the last several years, but Carfang would like to see the development of safer routes for commuter cycling to work, for errands, etc. “One-off events like Open Streets, or Bike To Work Day, or Bike/Walk to School Day has yielded a lot of people choosing to bike for that one event, but it hasn’t resulted in a routine choice. However, over the years living in Oklahoma City, while infrastructure and education have been improving, I’ve been seeing many more people biking for transportation. It’s been exciting to see, and keeps me motivated in my advocacy work. Many other wonderful advocates have

emerged and help shoulder the workload,” Carfang said. He currently ser ves on the Community and Neighborhood Enhancement Advisory Board for Ward 2, overseeing the implementation of our Better Streets Safer City sales tax projects, which includes about $168 million for street resurfacing, $20 bike trails, $15 million for on-street bike infrastructure, $25 million for sidewalks, and another $31 million for street enhancement projects. “This includes providing my perspective to the projects and priorities, while also being a point of contact for the public to share their opinions on projects,” Carfang said He also serves as the government chair for BikeOklahoma, which works on policy issues with state legislators and departments of transportation. This work has led to real change and legislation that boosted Oklahoma’s ranking as a “Bike-Friendly State” by the League of American Bicyclists from 46th to 41st in a few short years. Carfang has big dreams for OKC, for the future of transportation, and the well-being of the city’s citizens. “Simply put, I dream of an OKC where a majority of the population understand that there’s not always a need to use a car for all trips. By seeing inviting, safe infrastructure for walking and biking, some car trips can be substituted with other modes.

Carfang’s Riese and Muller Load 75 cargo bike, parked at a bike rack in the Plaza District for getting ice cream from Roxy’s (seen on the bike seat). Two years and 6,500 miles old. Daughter Isabella, Dog Sagan, and partner Jennie are happy riders.

Ideally, frequent pervasive bus service will follow too, further leading to safety, mode shift, and health,” he said. If you want to get involved with making OKC more bikeable, there are multiple ways to contribute. “Email and call other advocates, and especially leaders. It can be as simple as stating that you want better bike infrastructure. It could go further stating how you like specific projects, or that you don’t bike but would if the

infrastructure was good. It could be that you feel driving is too stressful, and better infrastructure would... [make] it safer for everyone...Sharing your personal story goes a long way,” he said. There are several local organizations to join or follow if you’re looking for a community that is dedicated to safer cycling for everyone. You can join BikeOklahoma (OKBike.org), the non-profit, all-volunteer advocacy

group. You can also check out the Oklahoma Bicycle Society (OKCBike. org ) and @HideA ndGoBike on Instagram. To follow Anthony Carfang’s biking adventures around OKC with his family, find him on Instagram @CarliteCarfangs, as his family is “not quite car-free, just car-light.” You can also reach out to him directly if you want more information on statistics, resources, infrastructure, or policy. Carfang, a self-proclaimed introvert, said he will flip the switch to extrovert when he gets the chance to talk about biking. “I live and breathe these issues daily and love sharing thoughts and hearing new ideas. Additionally, advocacy is hard, time-consuming, often thankless work. Regarding infrastructure, it takes a long time to see results. Your voices not only give us information about priorities, but also motivation to keep going.” If you encounter a cyclist on the street, Carfang urges you to be a good neighbor and share the road. “It’s important to note everyone on the street is just trying to get around safely. Many are parents, children, brothers or sisters. A little patience and empathy for other road users (regardless of being on foot, wheels, or car) goes a long way for keeping everyone safe.”

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NEWS

Wrap up homelessness WRAP UP 2021 BY PURCHASING WRAPPING PAPER THAT BENEFITS THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE THROUGH THE CURBSIDE CHRONICLE’S ANNUAL WRAP UP HOMELESSNESS PROJECT. By Ryan Spencer and Matt Dinger

Continuing a tradition seven years running, Oklahoma City’s Homeless Alliance program The Curbside Chronicle is embarking on its annual holiday season Wrap Up Homelessness campaign. Curbside Chronicle vendors will be offering an array of holidaythemed gift wrapping paper packages designed by local artists. The mission of The Curbside Chronicle, our state’s first and only street paper, is to provide opportunities for employment for those experiencing homelessness through their vending of its local magazine and to give a voice for these vendors and all the homeless of our city, as well as to encourage its vendors to foster the skills of time and money management and social interaction. “With Curbside Chronicle, everything we do with our magazine, our flower shop, and our wrapping paper, is try to help everyday people know they can be a part of the solution in ending homelessness. Small actions collectively have a lot of power in helping people end their homelessness in Oklahoma City,” Ranya Forgotson, Director of Social Enterprise for the Homeless Alliance, said. “We will start making the wrapping paper available this Friday, Nov. 19, and sales will go straight through until Christmas. Of course you can buy packets from your local Curbside Chronicle vendor, wherever that person might be, and we also have some physical locations in the Midtown Holiday Pop Up Shops, they’ll be there all season long. And Automobile Alley Lights On Broadway, as well as the Indie Trunk Show,” Dan Straughan, Executive Director of the Homeless Alliance, said. The OKC Midtown Holiday Pop Up Shops will be located at the corner of NW 10 and Hudson Avenue on Thursdays through Sundays from Nov. 26 through Dec. 19. The OKC Automobile Alley Lights On Broadway event will be held on Saturdays Nov. 20 and 27 and Dec. 4 and 11, as well as the Indie Trunk Show in the Centennial Building at State Fair Park on Dec. 11. “Prices are $12 per package if bought

at a shop, $10 if bought from a Curbside Chronicle vendor. Each package contains five designs. There’s a traditional package and a contemporary art package. We have ten Oklahoma artists represented with ten different designs t hat ra nge f rom t rad itiona l Christmas-y designs, angels and Christmas trees and Santa Claus, to much more modern kinds of design that look like graffiti with Christmas messages of love and joy.” Further information about the Wrap Up Homelessness campaign will be forthcoming at the paper’s website. Forgotson said, “Not only does our Wrap Up Homelessness campaign give people an additional source of income around the holidays, but includes them more in the holiday festivities, contributing to another person’s holiday experience. Every package of wrapping paper is sold to a customer who’s then taking that home and wrapping gifts for their families and loved ones. I think that’s a hugely empowering part of this program, is that our vendors know they’re making other people’s holiday experiences more meaningful, more colorful, more artistic through the product they’re selling,” Straughan said. Jerry Bennett is one of the participating artists this year. “I always wanted to do the Wrap Up Homelessness project. It was always a bucket list item,” Bennett said. “Last year, actually, one of the Homeless Alliance members who used to work on that project solely, she’d reached out to me and wanted me to do it last year, but I was so overly booked on things. I felt horrible that I couldn’t take it on, but I told her that I definitely want to do it, so she said, ‘Well, let’s just plan on for next year’ and so I had actually been working on these sketches for over a year.” It’s not the only project that Bennett has been working on with the Homeless Alliance. Editor-in-chief of The Curbside Chronicle Nathan Poppe had something else up his sleeve for Bennett this year. “We’ve known each other for a

while, and he had been looking for something right up my alley, and he had found out they were doing a few children-oriented issues. One of them was going to be this kids activity section. And I got to create for him this one illustration where you find hidden objects and so I got to do that for one of his issues. And then just a few weeks later, he actually reached out to me again because they were going to be doing a completely kids-focused issue and they had a three page comic book story that they wanted me to do for them. And so the issue that just came out last month, I have a really awesome three-page story. The whole issue is focused on allowing parents and kids to be able to have discussions about poverty and homelessness, so it was

such an amazing story. I haven’t I mean, I’ve been crazy busy, but I couldn’t say no to that because it was just too good. It played to my strengths perfectly and I just had to do it, so I probably lost a little sleep, but it was completely worth it,” Bennett said. “I always buy the magazine, and I’ve been buying the wrapping paper for years and I just always thought it was the coolest thing seeing all these local artists doing pieces for the wrapping paper project ... I’ve always had a passion for doing whatever I can to just bring awareness to the homeless population and to the homeless community and showing you know that there are things that can be done,” he said.

NEWS O KGA Z E T TE .CO M | N OV E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 2 1

CITIZEN SPOTLIGHT

Delisa Jones DELISA JONES PAYS IT FORWARD THROUGH FAITH, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND GIVING SECOND CHANCES. By Berlin Green

To be in the presence of Delisa Jones is like standing near a beaming ray of sunshine. Her positivity is as radiating as her smile, and her generosity knows no bounds. When I walked into Second Chances Thrift Store, she was joyously handing a man a sack lunch and a bus pass, asking about his day and checking to see if he had everything he needed to get him through it. There are no strangers here. Every person who walked through the door was a friend, including me. “We feed people six days a week. We provide a sack lunch and a hot meal each day. We also give them a bus pass,” Jones said.

“We are fortunate to be able to serve a lot of people. We have a big community, we feed about 75 people a day, six days a week.” -Delisa Jones “We have mini-size hygiene packs for outside-homeless and full-size hygiene packs for people coming out of prison or those who live in sober living houses. People who are inside-homeless can come in here and get stuff that will help them prepare meals. We have a rack that’s for providing clean clothes. On Thursday, we have a full dress-out day, which means they can change out their clothes, shoes, jackets and all that. If someone’s had an emergency, we’ll

The pantry inside Second Chances Thrift Store at 2605 N. MacArthur Blvd. 16

N OV E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 2 1 | O KGA Z E T TE .CO M CITIZ EN SPOTLIGHT

dress them then too. Then on Saturdays, we have a $10 filler bag, so everything you can fit for ten bucks.” Delisa’s life didn’t always look this way, but the trials and tribulations she experienced brought her here. Her childhood was fraught with abuse, from human trafficking to homelessness, these experiences shaped her and led her to her calling. “Second Chances is a re-entry ministry where we focus on people coming out of prison and homelessness and addiction. I do this because it’s also my life story,” Jones said. “I was an addict for 30 years. I was in prison for a total of 15 years, doing it three different times. I was sold as a child. So we deal with people who have experienced human trafficking, sex trafficking, domestic violence — anybody who’s just like me, people who struggle. Funny story, I used to have ads in the [Oklahoma] Gazette, but for a completely different kind of business. When I got out of prison 11 years ago, I just decided to get my life together and not be in the game. I’d been in the game my whole life. I was sold to the game, and it’s all I knew. I became my mother, the monster that she was — I became that. When you’re born into sickness like that, you just learn to master it so that you can survive. So when I got out of prison, I worked two jobs in restaurants and simultaneously went to business school, then got pregnant right away. I wanted to give my child a better life. I wanted to teach her about God and goodness, but I didn’t know anything about it. So one day, this lady I used to get mad at for sitting in my section because she’d take up my section on Saturdays with Bible study. One day, she’s like, ‘Hey, Lisa, do you want to learn about Jesus?’ That was on a Saturday. Monday I moved forward and started going to Bible study, then I got baptized and that was it.” Jones credits her faith for leading her to open Second Chances Thrift Store, 2605 N. MacArthur Blvd. “One day at church my pastor asked, ‘Who is wasting their giftedness?’ I was like, well, surely he’s talking to me. So I sold everything I owned and opened this shop. When I’d gotten out of prison I worked hard to have all the material things that I was used to — the watches, the Louis Vuittons, the BMW, all the good things. I thought, well, okay, I’m

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by appointment Only Delisa Jones of Second Chances Thrift Store, Photos Berlin Green.

not serving at the capacity that I’m supposed to be. I’m thinking more about the lease and less about him. So I just sold everything and gave that game up. There’s my BMW,” Jones said as she pointed to a wall of clothes lining the thrift store wall. “These are my Louis Vuittons… All the luxury things I would surround myself with, sold. It’s been almost five years now.” She initially opened the store as a resource for women getting out of prison but soon discovered the community needed far more, so now Jones serves anyone who needs her. “We are fortunate to be able to serve a lot of people. We have a big community, we feed about 75 people a day, six days a week,” she said. “Then on Sundays, I go out and serve with Feed His Sheep. They’re amazing. They’ve been serving food to people out at the Dunlap Codding Building every Sunday for ten years.” In her store Delisa employs the same people she serves, with the mission of truly giving people an opportunity to get back on their feet. “Anyone that works here has either been homeless or is currently homeless,” Jones said. “My son Chris was panhandling. We brought him in, put him in a hotel. He comes in and works hard full-time. We ended up getting him an apartment, and now he and his family aren’t homeless. They’re all doing well. So that’s just who we hire, people that are just like me. I have not been homeless as an adult but as a child … I know what that feels like.” The pantry is stocked with food and toiletries donated by churches, local businesses and others who support Doreen’s mission. Outside the store, you’ll find racks of clothing and other items outside the store for people to take things as they need. But there is always a need for resources of all kinds. “We are fortunate to have some amazing donors from Memorial Road

Church of Christ. One of our biggest needs is always bus passes. They’re expensive, but so many people need them. The busses are the only way they can get around, and with winter coming the need will grow.” Second Chances Thrift Store provides an immense sense of joy and purpose to Delisa and her small team, and she has no plans of slowing down. She hopes to one day expand the space and be able to serve more people. For Thanksgiving, she is teaming up with Feed His Sheep Ministries to provide food and distribute 400 backpacks filled with toiletries, bus passes, flashlights, batteries, gift cards and more, hoping to spread joy and provide necessities this holiday season.

For more information about Second Chances Thrift Store or to support Delisa’s mission, scan the QR code with your smart phone.

In each issue, we highlight a person in our community who stands out for their leadership, kindness, and good deeds. Know someone like that? Email bgreen@okgazette.com to share their story.

the New Coffee Table Photobook by local photographer JAred Kinley that has been over a year in the making. Now Available. Email for your copy.

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ASTRONOMY

Black sky affair A 1987 SUPERNOVA CHANGED THE WAY WE SEE THE STARS. By Ryan Spencer

On Feb. 23 1987, an astonishing supernova heralded the beginning of a new phase of stargazing. Christened SN 1987A, the supernova was the first to be seen with the naked eye in more than 400 years though roughly 168,000 light years distant in the neighboring galaxy of the Large Magellanic Cloud. To say this celestial event was a benchmark in astronomical science would be an understatement; it afforded modern astronomers the first opportunity since the invention of the telescope to study one of these titanic explosions in fine detail. The star giving birth to this supernova, or “progenitor,” was known as Sanduleak -69 202, a blue supergiant. When the internal nuclear fusion of such a massive star grows inadequate to balance the sustainability of its core with its own gravitation, the core col-

lapses and a monumental explosion occurs. Such an explosion creates neutrinos, barely detectable and nearly massless subatomic particles which stream from the supernova into space. SN 1987A was the first supernova to be detected by the discovery of its neutrino emissions, confirming predicted supernova models for such star types and giving birth to the subdiscipline of neutrino astronomy. “The detection of a neutrino flux from the explosion was a gratifying confirmation of that process,” Peter Shull, Oklahoma State University Associate Professor of Physics Emeritus, said. One of Shull’s areas of astronomical expertise is the study of the objects left behind by supernovae, known as stellar remnants. The core remnant of SN 1987A is predicted to be a neutron star, an extremely dense object only about six miles in diameter yet with a mass greater than our sun. After SN 1987A’s discovery, the Space Telescope Science Institute rapidly established a computer bulletin board to facilitate prompt international communication of the latest results of SN 1987A research. “Supernova remnants develop very rapidly when they are young, so it is important to get news out as soon as possible, especially for 1987A because

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it exploded right under our noses, so to speak.” Shull’s service as a deputy network scientist for the supernova’s research bulletin board combined with other studied efforts over the course of the last 34 years continue to pay off. Computer modeling of supernovae processes and SN 1987A in particular across the decades has improved significantly. “The earliest computer simulations had limitations,” Shull said. “They would assume a perfectly uniform gaseous interstellar medium around the star. Observations made and published in recent years show the dust in

the expanding remnant of SN 1987A is distributed around the explosion site in a clumpy fashion with sufficiently high densities to obscure light coming from behind. That would explain why no neutron star has been spotted to date.” Shull confidently thinks that SN 1987A’s core remnant is indeed a neutron star, and new data from early 2021 bears this out. Such is the story of humanity’s likely first view of a neutron star dating from its violent birth.

THE TOE TAG

The last responder IN THIS INSTALLMENT OF THE TOE TAG, WE MEET THE WOMAN BEHIND THE LAB COAT. By Sarah Atwood-Cotton

Now that I’ve told you a couple of Oklahoma stories about death, it’s only fair to share my own. What I do is not for everyone. It’s not even for a select few. I graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with my double bachelor’s degree in forensic science and criminal justice in 2011. Through the Forensic Science Institute, I was able to participate in the internship program for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. It was right then and there that I decided I didn’t want to be in law enforcement like my parents. During my time at UCO, there weren’t any classes that taught forensic pathology or medico-legal death investigations — this was a job that was so tainted by the raw nature of what investigators would see daily that it wasn’t socially acceptable to discuss openly. But I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the investigative side of things, and how I could potentially help deceased victims and bring some closure to their deaths. At the age of 22, I started what I thought would be a lifelong career as a medicolegal death investigator for the state of Oklahoma. I found out right away that this job was not for the lighthearted or the emotionally weak. Death investigators respond to scenes and cases that fall under investigative standards by state statute, meaning they are violent, unusual, and unnatural in nature. These are your homicides, suicides, and accidental deaths. I saw people on the worst (and final) day of their lives. For me, it was just another day. At every scene I responded to, I felt like the most dreaded person in the room. I was the bearer of bad news — the undertaker. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of sadness knowing that there was nothing I could say or do to bring their loved ones back. I could offer no help or relief other than to take their loved ones away with the promise I would do my job to the best of my abilities to get the family the answers they sought, needed or demanded. Having to deny a family the right to see their loved one that was the victim of a homicide for evidence preservation purposes, not letting a mother hold her child that was beaten to death by her boyfriend or telling a grieving father that his son was not viewable because

he put a shotgun in his mouth was the most difficult part of the job. But it was the job. I don’t remember the very first scene I worked, but I remember some of the most horrendous cases I would work throughout my six years with the medical examiner’s office. The glorified field of forensics tends to leave out the part where you’re crawling through a hoarder’s house to recover a body, the houses with no electricity or running water, bodies that have been decomposing for weeks or months, or removing bodies from burning buildings. And the smells ... I didn’t wear nice suits or heels to scenes. I had to throw away mo s t of my c lot he s a f t er some workdays.

“At the age of 22, I started

what I thought would be a lifelong career as a medicolegal death investigator for the state of Oklahoma. I found out right away that this job was not for the lighthearted or the emotionally weak. ”

-Sarah Atwood-Cotton I thought this was going to be my lifelong career. It’s why I went to school, after all. But as I got older, the cases got harder to handle, the long hours, low pay, and sleep deprivation started to follow me home. A motor vehicle fatality, overdose, a suspicious, and a dead baby or three are what a normal shift was like as a death investigator; sometimes more, sometimes less. Most shifts as an investigator, I worked alone. I covered the three busiest counties in the Oklahoma City metro, responding and answering calls from hospitals, law enforcement agencies, hospice, and funeral homes. Sometimes with little to no sleep, as an investigator, I would typically respond to between three to 15 scenes and answer anywhere from two to 40 phone calls or reports in 14 hours. The remaining 10 hours were spent in the autopsy lab. Most people enjoy Christmas or holidays with their families, but I would be working a suicide or collecting evidence from a homicide victim. As a death investigator, it almost felt taboo to talk or

Sarah Atwood-Cotton. Photo by Berlin Green

discuss cases with people outside of the job because they just wouldn’t understand. It’s not something to talk about at dinner or over a cup of coffee. My career was six years, which may not seem like much, but the average death investigator only lasts about two due to the burnout and low pay. I worked and participated in close to or maybe over a thousand death scenes and autopsies during my tenure. I have seen young people, healthy people, unhealthy people, old people and innocent people taken way before their time. Even now, some of the cases I have worked are too macabre to share with you, but they remain in my mind for the unforeseeable future and an integral part of who I am today. I learned so much and value everything I learned. I still have the best relationships with people I met while in the field. I enjoy educating in the field of forensics and sharing my experiences and knowledge. But, as I said in the beginning, this job is not for the faint of heart or the weak of mind. This job can — and often

does — take more than it gives. While death investigators may seem “coldhearted,” we have feelings and emotions that we suppress so that we can speak for those who are no longer able. We live to serve the dead.

Sarah Atwood-Cotton left the Medical Examiner’s Office in 2018 to further pursue her education and started her Instagram (@the_toe_ tag) in 2020 to spread awareness and information about death scene investigations. She is a part-time teacher’s assistant at the University of Central Oklahoma, which has since expanded its forensic pathology and medico-legal death investigations curricula.

TOE TAG O KGA Z E T TE .CO M | N O V EM B ER 24 , 2 0 2 1

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Picasso Hand Painted Glass Bottle Price: $40 and up Perfect for: art lovers

The Paseo Arts and Creativity Center 3024 Paseo thepaseo.org |405-525-2688

Gift basket includes one bottle of red wine, handpicked by our sommelier/co-owner, chocolates from Good Girl Chocolates, nuts from Healthy Cravings, and pretzels from Rhino Pretzels. Price: $50 Perfect for: that guy in your office that talks about that “time he went to Napa”, ANY mother-in-law, girlfriends, boyfriends, non-binary thruples, MeeMaw, Pap-Pap, your lawyer, your husband/wife/third party, your lawyer again (because of third party), YOUR THERAPIST, that barista that makes your non-fat latte with the little leaf on top, your boss(office whoopsie?), your cat(it’s really for you… shhhhh) and all the teachers you know because it’s the holidays and they’re really tired.

The Study 701 W Sheridan Ave, Ste. 100 thestudyokc.com/shop

MALU BU FLIPPER

FRONTIER CIT Y SE ASON PASS

Get unlimited visits for the rest of 2021 and all of 2022, including this year’s Holiday in the Park celebration! Price: $49.99 Perfect for: Families, thrill seekers, teens, and young adults

Frontier City 11501 N I- 35 Service Rd sixflags.com/frontiercity | 405-478-2140 20

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For the best in premium quality blades, visit Sharp Things OKC. Hundreds of unique items for the sharp-lover on your list. Price: $-$$$$

Sharp Things OKC 6610 N May Ave., OKC sharpthingsokc.com | 405-418-4996

TRENDY BE ANIES AND ACCESSORIES Visit Lush Fashion Lounge today for our Fa La La La Lush holiday collection and several items for unique holiday gifts! We have the perfect gift waiting for you! Open early on Black Friday! Price: $-$$ Perfect for: Fashionistas

Lush Fashion Lounge 14101 N May Ave shop.lushfashionlounge.com | 405-936-0680

RIVERSPORT SE ASON MEMBERSHIPS

Season memberships give you world-class outdoor adventures including whitewater rafting, kayaking, tubing, surfing, skiing/ snowboarding, climbing, adventure course, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, high speed slides and – new – ice skating, curling and Nordic climbing! Price: 50% off! Starting at $99.99 Perfect for: Adventure seekers, outdoor enthusiasts and families

RIVERSPORT 800 RIVERSPORT Drive riversportokc.org | 405-552-4040

THE WOMANIZER

Knock her socks off with this stocking stuffer. Perfect for: Lovers

Patricia’s 2 OKC Locations - 615 E Memorial & 8009 W Reno facebook.com/PatriciasInOKCEnid | 405-755-8600 O KGA Z E T TE .CO M | N OV E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 2 1

EAT & DRINK

GAZEDIBLES

No Cook Thanksgiving ‘TIS THE SEASON FOR TURKEY. OR NOT. There are lots of reasons why you might not be spending the day seated at a traditional dinner table but still want someone else to cook your food. From traditional holiday fare to notso-much, here are seven spots around OKC where you can get a great meal on Thanksgiving Day. By Berlin Green

Photos provided.

Bricktown Brewery at Remington Park

Serving 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. No reservatons required. 405-425-3270 | remingtonpark.com/ dining/bricktown-brewery 1 Remington Place

If you are hankering for more of a traditional holiday meal and perhaps a bit of fun, Bricktown Brewery at Remington Park is offering an all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving buffet. Fill up on all your favorites and enjoy a full-service bar with handcrafted beers with a full view of the track.

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Grand House

Ingrid’s Kitchen

Bypass Thanksgiving food altogether and enjoy some variety of a different kind with a traditional dim sum service. Enjoy a variety of tasty treats, none of which are turkey or stuffing. Available for dine-in or takeout.

Ingrid’s German roots might make it seem like an unusual choice for celebrating an American-style Thanksgiving, but they will be serving up all your traditional Thanksgiving favorites buffetstyle. Make reservations in advance to reserve your spot for dine-in or for takeout if you still feel like spending the day at home.

Serving 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No reservations required. 405-524-7333 | grandhouseokc.com 2701 North Classen Blvd.

Serving 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Reservations required. 405-946-8444 | ingridsok.com 3701 North Youngs Blvd.

The Skirvin Hilton Hotel Shiloh’s Serving 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Reservations required. 405-272-3040 | skirvinhilton.com 1 Park Avenue

Serving 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. No reservations required. 918-254-1500 | eatshilohs.com Multiple Tulsa area locations

Fleming’s Steakhouse

Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse

If you wanted a reason to celebrate turkey day in a haunted hotel, your wish has been granted. The historic Skirvin Hotel Hilton is serving up a traditional Thanksgiving Feast in their Grand Ballroom. The menu promises a meal you won’t want to miss, filled with indulgent salads, meats, cheeses, dips and desserts.

Shiloh’s is a Tulsa area gem known for serving up home cooked favorites. This Thanksgiving, they’ll be open for breakfast followed by a holiday dinner. Choose from a main course of turkey or ham, accompanied with delicious sides and desserts that will make you thankful you chose not to cook.

Fleming’s is giving you the option to enjoy a traditional meal or do something different. Their three-course Thanksgiving menu features herb-roasted turkey or filet mignon with your choice of delicious starters, sides and desserts. Their cinnamonorange infused cranberry sauce is not to be missed.

Ruth’s is offering a three-course Thanksgiving meal filled with all the traditional favorites. From a main course of roasted turkey breast with sausage and herb stuffing and cranberry relish to a special chef’s selection for dessert, it’s a meal to celebrate.

Serving 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations required. 918-712-7500 | flemingssteakhouse.com 1976 Utica Square, Tulsa

Serving 11 a.m. to 8pm. Reservations Required 918-995-8600 | ruthschris.com 8330 Riverside Parkway, Tulsa

E AT & DRINK O KGA Z E T TE .CO M | N OV E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 2 1

ARTS & CULTURE

Dancers (left to right): Justyce James, Aubrey Wager, Audrey Johnston, and Daisy Cummings performing “Snowfly Girls” in the 2017 performance of RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker, Photos Anna Stolarczyk

The four elements of Christmas RACE DANCE COLLECTIVE, A VISIONARY GROUP THAT MAKES DANCERS, SUSTAINS DANCERS, AND GIVES BACK TO OKC THROUGH PERFORMANCE AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH, IS PERFORMING HIP-HOP NUTCRACKER THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. By KM Bramlett

SELECT DAYS BETWEEN NOV. 20 - JAN. 2 Visit SixFlags.com/FrontierCity and use promo code OKG21 for free parking with a One-Day Ticket purchase

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RACE Dance Collective was founded by Hui Cha Poos in 2008 with the goal of creating more professional dance opportunities in the OKC metro area, especially for dancers who want to stay in Oklahoma long-term. Poos saw what it would take to create and sustain a vibrant local dance scene, and did it through collaboration with other local dancers who shared her vision. Poos, a dance professor at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), had years of experience behind her when she decided to found RACE. Her extensive resume includes performances all over the world and in a wide range of venues from film, music theatre, concerts, and even the circus. While she loves performing, she discovered a passion for teaching. “... there was something about teaching that connected deeply with me and I couldn’t ignore that,” Poos said. Creating an enduring scene in any performance art requires dedicated experts, high-quality training opportunities to bring up the next generations of performers, a compelling performance season, “hands-on” experiences for the community to deepen appreciation for the art form, diverse representation in programming, and avenues for access to performing arts education for underserved populations. RACE Dance Collective does all this and more in their holistic approach to developing and sustaining OKC’s dance scene. UCO was immediately supportive of Poos’s mission and provided rehearsal space in the early days. After years of growth RACE now has their own studio on Film Row where they offer classes for

professionals, children, and adult community members who want to experience dance firsthand. RACE stands for “Radical Application of Creative Energy,” and their mission lives up to their name. From the RACE website: “We believe in being deliberate in our artistic choices as a collective as we provide multi-genre performance opportunities, mentoring and training to our community. We strive to cultivate a culture of intrinsic growth, professionalism, and collaboration through dance and movement.” Diversity and inclusion are integral to RACE’s mission. After living and working in LA, Poos was acutely aware of the need for diverse dance experiences in OKC. “One of the main takeaways from living in LA was that I saw more opportunities for people of color than I had here in Oklahoma. I was aware of the overt segregation and racism that exists here and wanted to help defy it using entertainment as an outlet to speak out and fight back,” Poos said. OKC dancers and audiences were hungry for Poos’s mission for an inclusive, collaborative organization like RACE Dance Collective. From the beginning, they have had support. “At the time (2008), we were the only dance company with this mission so audiences were instantly curious and supportive...they appreciated that we offered opportunities for thought, challenge, and change while offering entertainment with a tangible take away,” Poos said. Brandi Kelley (RACE Co-Artistic Director) and Sheri Hayden (RACE Executive Director) described how diversity and inclusion have been funda-

mental to the organization’s development. “...over the last 13 years we have made more intentional choices to embody these practices internally and in our programming. We have actively sought out more diverse representation for our Board and company members, as well as class offerings and community partnerships. Additionally, we have scholarships available for students who need financial assistance to be a part of RACE Academy, our training program for middle and high school students,” Kelley said. The organization has also worked to emphasize collaboration and minimize a sense of hierarchy. Within the last few years, we changed our name from RACE Dance Company to RACE Dance Collective because we wanted to emphasize the circular nature of our organization that believes in community and collaboration, versus a more traditional hierarchy. Whether you are someone who comes to take classes, supports our shows, or are a part of our performances, you are a part of our Collective,” Hayden said. In the years since its founding, RACE has grown to include training for future professional dancers in the RACE Academy, dance classes for adult students in RACE the Space, and dance education and mentorship for Oklahoma City Public School students in the annual Hip Hop Nutcracker (HHN) program. Hip Hop Nutcracker is a “re-imagining of the classic holiday story as you follow [the main character] Carlos on his hip hop journey to self-discovery through magical lands filled with larger-than-life characters,” the RACE website states. This program places RACE dance instructors in OKC schools for 2-3 months as they learn the choreography for the Hip Hop Nutcracker performance. The participating schools this year are U.S. Grant High School, Capitol Hill High School, Classen School of Advanced Studies (CSAS) Middle School, John Marshall High School, and Southeast High School. The show is scheduled for Dec. 3 and 4 at OCCC’s Visual and Performing A rts Center Theater. The program is immersive for the students who participate. “This process provides the opportunity for students to build a relationship with a professional dancer, engage in collaboration and teamwork with their cast, and offer a space for their artistic expression to be valued. During show week, students learn firsthand what it takes to...create and execute a professional dance show. They are [also] involved in Tech Rehearsals, Dress Rehearsals, and final Hip Hop Nutcracker performances which require them to be accountable and responsible for their contribution to the production, and offer support and encouragement to their fellow performers,” Hayden said. Like sports for many kids, dance teaches many of the same skills neces-

sary for success later in life. “The discipline that is required of a performance art is something that can be used for any endeavor in life: the focus, the attention to detail, the accountability, and the creativity that comes from artistic pursuits help shape us into wellrounded and responsible individuals. When we rehearse with our high school dancers, we’re teaching them life skills that will help them be successful in anything they pursue; they learn to ask questions, they learn to express themselves, and they learn the importance of teamwork. We’ve seen so many students dance with us in HHN that come to train with us in our Academy, and then further their dreams as successful adults in university dance programs,” Hayden said. RACE teaches that dance is a worthwhile activity at any age. If you missed out on dance as a kid and want to reap these benefits in adulthood, the studio offers classes for adult learners in their RACE the Space community program. The dance styles currently on the class schedule include contemporary, jazz, hip hop, musical theater, K-pop, modern, jazz funk, and tap. Kelley and Hayden shared how they connected to dance. “I fell in love at a young age with how dance made me feel both connected to the world around me, and how I felt most like myself when I was dancing,” Kelley said. “I actually got into dancing when I was 7 years old because my dad wanted to give me a coping outlet to deal with my parents’ divorce at the time. Little did he know that I would become my life’s greatest passion,” Hayden said. “Dance has the ability to bring us into the present moment and allow us to feel connected to our deepest selves and the world around us. Dance training, whether in a studio, at home, or as a cultural practice, can provide a sense of community, self-regulation, and overall confidence. Dance can teach us how to embody kindness, appreciation, love and joy for humanity,” Kelley said. Hip Hop Nutcracker performances are scheduled for Dec. 3 and 4 at OCCC’s Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater. Two other performances have already been announced for 2021. The RACEy Show will take place Feb. 25 and 26. “This cabaret-style dance show explores ideas of intimacy, sensuality, and pleasure, creating an atmosphere of empowerment for both dancers and audiences. Audience members must be 21 and older,” according to the site. Finally, illume is scheduled for June 10 and 11. “This triple bill is a multi-genre experience about humanhood, with sections covering the layers of grief, individual perceptions on an “ism” (a distinctive practice system or philosophy), and joy.” Learn more about RACE Dance Collective, their 2021-2022 performance season, and sign up for a class at racedance.com ART S & CULTURE O KGA Z E T TE .CO M | N OV E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 2 1

ARTS & CULTURE

The most wonderful time of the year TWO HOLIDAY CLASSICS RETURN TO THE STAGE Frank Capra’s Christmas classic returns to the stage with Pollard Theatre’s It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. It opens Nov. 26 “This family-friendly play encourages patrons to participate as the livestudio audience experiencing the intricate and enthralling operations of a radio studio nestled in downtown Manhattan, New York, on a snowy Christmas Eve in 1946. An ensemble cast portrays radio personalities retelling the redemptive story of George Bailey one fateful night,” according to a news release. The pandemic provided its own challenges, as well as a series of facility issues, but an electrical storm striking the building twice almost canceled this year’s production. “We cannot thank Cory’s Audio Visual enough for their help; they have been a light in a dark moment, literally.

But we still have considerable work to do. We must raise funds to repair and replace our equipment. A Christmas Carol, Photo courtesy of Lyric Theatre. Christmas at the Pollard is a special tradition for nu23. Tickets start at $35 for adults, $31.50 merous Oklahomans, one that will for seniors, and $25 for children under return thanks to our friends,” 12. For the health and safety of audience Executive Director Kara Luthermembers, masks are suggested to be Chapman wrote. “George Bailey’s worn. Tickets are on sale now at www. story reminds us that generosity and thepollard.org. selflessness are the core values of citizenship, and a community is only Over the past decade, Lyric Theatre as strong as its most has raised nearly $200,000 for the vulnerable members.” Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma with Combining live foley sound effects, its annual productions of Charles virtuosic, high-energy performances, Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and the traand the occasional prop, It’s a Wonderful dition continues this year. Life: A Live Radio Play runs for 15 perFor the second year, the Nov. 17 formances from Nov. 26 through Dec. through Dec. 23 performances will be

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held outdoors at the historic Harn Homestead, 1721 N. Lincoln Blvd. The space will be reimagined as a Victorian era setting for the 75-minute performance as audiences will be guided from scene to scene, according to a news release. “Lyric Theatre’s production of A Christmas Carol is one of the best holiday traditions in the metro. … We are so grateful to Lyric Theatre and their patrons, whose generosity has made a real impact in the fight against hunger in Oklahoma,” said Stacy Dykstra, chief executive officer of the Regional Food Bank. Since 2011, Lyric Theatre patrons have donated $194,700 to the Regional Food Bank. The 2020 production of A Christmas Carol at Harn Homestead received praise from both The New York Times and BBC News for being among a select number of theatres in the world staging the holiday favorite. The production, limited to 200 tickets each, is staged in the open air to allow social social distancing. Each performance is limited to 200 guests. Tickets for A Christmas Carol are available at LyricTheatreOKC.org or by c a l l i ng Ly r ic ’s b ox of f ic e at 405-524-9312.

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

OPENING NOV 26

PERFORMING ARTS Armstrong Auditorium’s Performing Arts Series: Bridget Kibbey and the Dover String Quartet Armstrong Auditorium’s Performing Arts Series draws stellar talent to Oklahoma once again, with harpist Bridget Kibbey and the Dover String Quartet bringing a critically-acclaimed celebration of Bach’s keyboard concerto to the stage on Thursday, December 2, at 7:30 p.m. Armstrong Auditorium, 14400 S. Bryant Ave., 405285-1010, armstrongauditorium.org. THU, DEC 2

HAPPENINGS Coffee & Cars Coffee and Cars OKC is the largest monthly gathering of car enthusiasts across the state of Oklahoma! Head to Chisholm Creek on the first Saturday morning of each month to share your passion for automotives. The event will be held at the property just north of Pawnee Drive and Cabela Road. Everyone is welcome and there are no fees!, first Saturday of every month, 8 p.m. Chisholm Creek, 13230 Pawnee Dr., 405-728-2780, chisholmcreek.com. SAT, DEC 4

ArtAfloatOKC Showboat Concert Series Join live local musicians ON A BOAT for an ArtAfloatOKC Showboat Concert Series performance., Your $25 ticket includes one of three 40-minute sets at 7pm, 8pm, or 9pm, plus pre-show beers at Bricktown Brewery (must be 21 to drink and must arrive at brewery 30 or more minutes before showtime)., Bricktown Brewery is also offering half-price cash and carry growlers that you may take on the boat., *No drinks sold onboard the boat.*, Thursdays. Bricktown Water Taxi, 111 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, artafloatokc.com. THURSDAYS

Devon Ice Rink The Devon Ice Rink returns for its 10th season in the Myriad Botanical Gardens in 2021! Get ready for another great winter of outdoor ice skating at Downtown in December’s premier attraction. Skate across 5,500 square feet of real ice and indulge in seasonal food and beverage offerings. Experience the magical, parklike atmosphere surrounded by the glittering lights of the Devon Ice Rink., Through Jan. 30, 2022. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-445-7080, downtownindecember.com/devon-ice-rink THROUGH JAN 30

EYEwitness Tours Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum Experience the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum through stories from those most impacted by the April 19 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Hear personal accounts from retired FBI Special Agent and Bomb Tech, Barry Black. As a first responder on April 19, he conducted an initial assessment of the scene, coordinated efforts with the FBI’s Evidence Response Team and supported the investigation through the trials in Denver. Black will lead a private tour of the Museum and a curator will give a behind-the-scenes look at the Museum Archives. Free parking in Memorial Garage with paid admission., Fri., Dec. 3, 8-9:30 a.m. Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, 620 N. Harvey Ave., 405-235-3313, MemorialMuseum.com/ events. FRI, DEC 3 The Great Pumpkin Smash This family-friendly event is free. Drop in between 9 am and noon., What to do with all those pumpkins, once Thanksgiving is over and cold weather sets in? Bring them and the kids to CommonWealth, where we’ll make a big compost pile and everybody can toss and smash pumpkins to their hearts’ delight. Messy fun for the whole family! You can bring your leftover hay bales, too, and we’ll add them to the mix., Sat., Nov. 27, 9 a.m.-noon. CommonWealth Urban Farms, 3310 N. Olie Ave., 405-524-1864, commonwealthurbanfarms.com/ garden-school. SAT, NOV 27 Holiday Entertaining Hacks Hosted by OSU Extension and OHCE, Inc. - Join us for “Holiday Entertaining Hacks.”, Interact with OSU Extension Educators and see demos for:, * Easy Christmas morning cinnamon rolls, * Make-ahead Christmas casserole, * The hot holiday trend - Charcuterie boards!, * A fun holiday party craft., Please register in advance for this Zoom event at the “Buy Tickets” link above. (The registration form is hosted by Oklahoma State University.) FREE, Thu., Dec. 2, 7 p.m. 405-744-3145, ohce.okstate.edu. THU, DEC 2 Lights On Broadway Cruise down historic Automobile Alley for the district’s holiday open house and experience its stunning light display during the 6th Annual Lights On Broadway event! On the last two Saturdays of November and first two Saturdays of December, attendees can enjoy familyfriendly programming along the sidewalks such as live music, balloon art, performance photos with Snow Globe Santa and much more each Saturday from 4pm7pm., Sat., Nov. 27 and Sat., Dec. 4. Automobile Alley, 1015 N. Broadway Ave., 405-488-2555, downtownindecember.com/lights-on-broadway. SAT Make Ready Market Join us at the Make Ready Market, an outdoor market located in Midtown OKC. We will have tons of vintage, beautiful pottery, locally made clothing, jewelry, skin care, flowers, soap, plants, and original art! Plus food trucks and live music, it’s a fun time. Bring a friend and see you there! Follow us @makereadymarket for more info. FREE, fourth Saturday of every month, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through Nov. 27. Make Ready Buildings, 220 NW 13th St., 4053990097. THROUGH NOV 27

Mantels and Trees Holiday Home Tour MANTELS AND TREES: Holiday Charm in

for years to come! There’s something for the whole family, so bring everyone along for a ride in the snow, hot chocolate and a snack, and a festive holiday atmosphere., Fri., Nov. 26 and Sat., Nov. 27. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S. Mickey Mantle Drive, 405-2181000, milb.com/oklahoma-city/community/winterfest.

RACE Dance’s Hip Hop Nutcracker Back for its 9th annual season, join

RACE Dance Collective and OKCPS Dance Programs as they tell a reimagined tale of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic! Through the eyes of a young Carlos, we follow him on a journey of self-discovery as he meets magic dolls, battling robots, and tap dancing Snowfly fairies! In the end, he discovers how love comes from the diverse community that surrounds him. RACE’s Hip Hop Nutcracker is a show that celebrates the culture and community of OKC and is full of exciting performances that will keep you on the edge of your seat! $20-$25, Fri., Dec. 3, 7:30-9:30 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 4, 2-4 & 7:30-9:30 p.m. OCCC Visual and Performing Arts Center Theater, 7777 S. May Ave., 405-682-7579, racedance. com/hhndetails. FRI & SAT, DEC 3 & 4, Photo provided Historic Miller Neighborhood, From the elegant Miller Mansion to the coziest of bungalows, six homes in the historic Miller neighborhood will be decked out in their holiday finest and welcome the public to share in the festive display the holidays bring. $10, Sat., Dec. 4, 6-9 p.m. Miller Neighborhood, NW 10th to NW 16th, N Villa to N May, (405) 818-9510, facebook.com/MillerOKC. SAT, DEC 4

WinterFest at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark will be returning in 2021! Riding down the gigantic snow tubing slope is a thrill you won’t want to miss. From snow tubing to holiday movies on the video board, plus sparkling holiday lighting and décor, this will be a holiday highlight that your family will remember

Canterbury Voices presents Handel’s Messiah A musical rite of the holiday season, Canterbury Voices presents Handel’s Baroqueperiod oratorio Messiah. One of the most beloved holiday traditions, it begins with the phrase “Comfort ye my people. In a year when people need comfort more than ever, Canterbury Voices joins with the OKC Philharmonic, bringing to life this beloved masterpiece. Tickets start at $18.00!, Sun., Dec. 5 7 p.m. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N. Walker Ave., 405-297-2264, canterburyokc.com/messiah. SUN, DEC 5 Cirque Italia Cirque Italia’s Gold Unit performers can’t wait to take you back to a time when hula hoops and soda fountains were abundant, Elvis Presley dominated the airwaves, greased hair was all the rage, and street racing was a parent’s greatest concern! Come along for the ride when a 1950s-obsessed adolescent falls asleep and dreams of living in this revolutionary era. This high-octane show is guaranteed to captivate and engage every kiddo and Daddy-O in the audience., Thu., Nov. 25, Fri., Nov. 26, Sat., Nov. 27 and Sun., Nov. 28. Heart of OK Expo Center, 1700 W Independence St,, 405-275-7020, cirqueitalia.com. THU-SUN, NOV 25 - 28

PAMBE Ghana Global Market PAMBE Ghana’s seasonal fair trade Global Market returns this year in a new location. Shoppers of all ages will discover unique gifts, from the useful & handy to the creative & fun. All merchandise are fair trade items, from almost every continent, made by artisans who are paid a living wage for their work. Profits from the sales provide crucial funding for PAMBE Ghana’s elementary school in rural northern Ghana. The Global Market will be open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 noon until 6:00 pm. PAMBE Ghana is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization with the Guidestar Gold Seal of Transparency. Free, Tuesdays-Saturdays, 12-6 p.m. through Dec. 24. PAMBE Ghana Global Market, 2420 N. Robinson, 405/210-5214, pambeghana.org. THROUGH DEC 24

Stargazing in the Park Join the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club on Friday, November 26 from 8pm10pm for Stargazing in the Park at Scissortail Park!, The Oklahoma City Astronomy Club will have telescopes set up on the Love’s Travel Stops Stage & Great Lawn for the public to view the night sky (or you can bring your own telescope)., This event is FREE and open to the public., Fri., Nov. 26, 8-10 p.m. Scissortail Park, 300 SW Seventh St., 405-445-7080, scissortailpark.org. FRI, NOV 26

YOUTH LifeShare WinterFest & Snow Tubing The LifeShare

It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play In its exciting third year at the Pollard Theatre,

Frank Capra’s classic film will come to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast opening on November 26th., This family-friendly play encourages patrons to participate as the live-studio audience, experiencing the intricate and enthralling operations of a radio studio nestled in downtown Manhattan, New York, on a snowy Christmas Eve in 1946. An ensemble cast portrays radio personalities retelling the redemptive story of George Bailey one fateful night., Fri., Nov. 26, Sat., Nov. 27, Thu., Dec. 2, Fri., Dec. 3, Sat., Dec. 4 and Sun., Dec. 5. The Pollard Theatre, 120 W. Harrison Ave., 405-282-2800, thepollard.org. OPENS FRI, NOV. 26, Photo provided

GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR MORE LISTINGS C ALENDAR O KGA Z E T TE .CO M | N OV E M B E R 2 4 , 2 0 2 1

Lyric Theatre’s A Christmas Carol The historic Harn Homestead once again will be reimagined as the Victorian Era setting for Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, magical spirits, and a host of unforgettable characters. Patrons will follow Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of transformation and redemption, as they are guided from scene to scene at the homestead., Tuesdays-Sundays. through Dec. 23. Harn Homestead Museum, 1721 N. Lincoln Boulevard, 405-235-4058, lyrictheatreokc.org. THROUGH DEC 23 OU University Theatre and School of Dance present Contemporary Dance Oklahoma OU University Theatre and School of Dance present “Contemporary Dance Oklahoma.”, Enjoy the exciting and dynamic dance artistry by guest choreographers Gus Solomons Jr., Sidra Bell, Tommie Waheed Evans, and by School of Dance faculty Leslie Kraus and Roxanne Lyst., Tickets on sale Nov. 15. Elsie C. Brackett Theatre, 563 Elm Ave., Norman, OK 73019. Theatre.ou.edu 1240, Fri., Dec. 3, 8 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 5, 3 p.m. Elsie C. Brackett Theatre, 563 Elm Ave., 405-325-4101, ou.edu/ finearts/universitytheatre. FRI & SAT, DEC 3 & 4 Picasso at the Lapin Agile by Steve Martin Winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award and Best Off-Broadway Play in 1996, this absurdist comedy places Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso in a Parisian bar in 1904, just before the scientist transformed physics with his theory of relativity and the painter set the art world afire with cubism. Martin plays fast and loose with fact, fame, and fortune as these two geniuses muse and argue. The bar fills up with delightful characters, and the final surprise patron is a charismatic dark-haired visitor in blue suede shoes who time warps in from the 1950s. Steve Martin’s humor at its finest! $5-$30, Fri., Nov. 26, 8-9:45 p.m., Sat., Nov. 27, 8-9:45 p.m., Fri., Dec. 3, 8-9:45 p.m. and Sat., Dec. 4, 8-9:45 p.m. Carpenter Square Theatre, 1009 W. Reno, 405-232-6500, carpenteresquare.com. OPENING NOV 26

The Scribe Join Jewish Theatre of Oklahoma for their second show of the 2021 Season, The Scribe! It’s the (maybe) true story of how “in the beginning” really began., The Scribe is an anachronistic, funny and compelling show about a reluctant scribe rushing to codify the Torah and navigate the multiple source texts, conflicting historical stories, and his own personal doubts., This show will be presented in-person and live streamed! Tickets available now! Student/ Senior: $16 General Admission: $18 Livestream Season

Pass: $20, Sat., Dec. 4, 8-9:30 p.m. and Sun., Dec. 5, 2-3:30 p.m. Shakespeare on Paseo, 2920 Paseo St., (602) 620-3075, jewishtheatreok.org/thescribe. SAT & SUN, DEC 4 & 5

ACTIVE Yoga Tuesdays an all-levels class; bring your own water and yoga mat, 5:45 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesdays. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W. Reno Ave., 405-4457080, myriadgardens.com. TUESDAYS

VISUAL ARTS Abstract Remix Oklahoma Contemporary is bringing murals indoors with Abstract Remix, an exhibition of the work of homegrown Abstract Expressionists who use the large-scale format of muralism as a medium for their giant concepts., Mondays, WednesdaysSundays. through Jan. 24. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org. THROUGH JAN 24 Art Moves Art Moves is an Arts Council OKC initiative that provides free arts events each workday from Noon-1:00. Events previously took place in various downtown locations and may include artist demonstrations or musical performances. The daily line-up features a wide range of artistic mediums including musical and theater performances, live art demonstrations, short film selections, and more, Mondays-Fridays, noon. artscouncilokc.com/artmoves. WEEKDAYS Art of the Heartland - Oklahoma Photography Gallery The Art of the Heartland - an Oklahoma Photography Gallery Show is now live in-person at Social Deck + Dining through the end of the year and is also available to view online in the curated art section of nicolelowry.art., This collection features stunning Oklahoma landscapes by OKC photographer Jason Pierce, Grand Life Photography., Stop by Social Deck + Dining for a cocktail, sharable bites, brunch, or dinner and to browse this captivating sequence of the beauty of Oklahoma., #artinokc #oklahomasunsets #photography #landscapephotography #photographyinthewild #oklahomartist #curatedart free, Through Dec. 31, noon. Social Deck + Dining, 1933 NW 23rd St., 4054305779, nicolelowry.art/collections/artof-the-heartland-photography-by-jason-pierce-grandlife-photography. THROUGH DEC 31

Saints Santa Run Grab your costumes and running shoes, the Saints Santa Run

sponsored by SSM Health – St. Anthony Hospital is returning! Each year, our family-friendly holiday run brings all ages, and even pets, to downtown Oklahoma City for a festive 5K. In 2020, the Santa Run went virtual and we are excited to welcome our runners back to our in-person race in Midtown in 2021. St Anthony Hospital, 1000 N. Lee, downtownindecember. com/saints-santa-run. SAT, DEC 4, Photo provided

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Art Show & Auction is an annual fundraising event benefiting the Paseo Arts Association that is perfect for the beginning collector and one of a kind holiday gifts! Proceeds from art sales will support the PAA’s year-round work of enriching, educating and inspiring the public through the arts. This year’s auction features the work of more than 85 artists who have created a unique piece of art to donate to the PAA. The 4x4 Art Show & Auction will be on display at the Paseo Arts & Creativity Center at 3024 Paseo for the December First Friday Gallery Walk on Friday, December 3. The Paseo Arts & Creativity Center 3024 Paseo, 405-525-2688, thepaseo.org. FRI, DEC. 3, Cerao Pedernal by Carol Shanahan Chakaia Booker: Shaved Portions Commissioned specifically for Campbell Art Park, Shaved Portions is among the most recent additions to Booker’s body of work marked by her distinct ability to radically transform her signature material — salvaged rubber tires — into an incredible array of biomorphic sculptures. Free, Through Aug. 31, 2022. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405-951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org/exhibitions/upcoming/chakaia-bookershaved-portions. A Life in Looking: The Creighton Gilbert Collection Through themes of religion, architecture, allegory, portraiture, and humor, A Life in Looking: The Creighton Gilbert Collection explores a collection built on seven decades of expertise by this impressive scholar, educator, and connoisseur., first TuesdaySunday of every month. through Dec. 31. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave., 405-325-3272, ou.edu/ fjjma/exhibitions1/CreightonGilbert. THOUGH DEC 31 Maren Hassinger: Nature, Sweet Nature Traveling from Aspen Art Museum, the exhibition Nature, Sweet Nature, by renowned artist Maren Hassinger, has been reconfigured to respond to the grounds of Oklahoma Contemporary., Nature, Sweet Nature is comprised of two installations constructed with galvanized wire rope. Garden and Paradise Regained will each stand in rows at relative human scale; one near the entrance to the art center and the other within the Sculpture Garden. Free, Through Aug. 31, 2022. Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, 11 NW 11th St., 405951-0000, oklahomacontemporary.org/exhibitions/ upcoming/maren-hassinger-nature-sweet-nature.

as Alison Brown and Rhiannon Giddens to pop icons Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton and many others, historic insights, instruments, stage attire, and a glimpse of ever-changing fashion trends all help in the telling of this important aspect of banjo history., Through May 31, 2022. American Banjo Museum, 9 E. Sheridan Ave., 405-604-2793, americanbanjomuseum.com/currentexhibits/special-exhibits.

TH A EN SF EW EATU YO RED RK IN TIM ES !

Paseo Arts Association’s Annual 4x4 Art Show & Auction The 4x4

Visit okgazette.com/Events/AddEvent to submit your event. Submissions must be received by Oklahoma Gazette no later than noon on Wednesday seven days before the For OKG desired publication date. live music Submissions run as space allows, although we strive see page 31 to make the listings as inclusive as possible.

Paseo Arts District’s First Friday Gallery Walk Peruse art from over 80 artists with 25 participating businesses for a night of special themed exhibits, refreshments and a variety of entertainment opportunities, 6-9 p.m. first Friday of every month. Paseo Arts District, 3024 Paseo St., 405-525-2688, thepaseo.org. FRI, DEC 3

Women of the Banjo A special exhibit at the American Banjo Museum Women of the Banjo chronicles the contributions of women to the colorful past, vibrant present, and unlimited future of the banjo. From prominent contemporary performers such

CHARLES DICKENS • ADAPTED BY MICHAEL BARON • DIRECTED BY MICHAEL BARON & ASHLEY WELLS

Go from Humbug to Happy in One Magical Night!

Lyric’s Immersive, Outdoor Holiday Experience Returns to the Historic Harn Homestead! 1721 N. Lincoln Blvd. • Oklahoma City

NOW THROUGH DECEMBER 23! For Tickets: (405) 524-9312 and 24/7 at LyricTheatreOKC.org OKLAHOMA’S PREMIERE PROFESSIONAL THEATRE

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SOUNDCHECK

The Bottom of the Barrel - Sober DON’T LET THE TITLE FOOL YOU. SOBER IS CHOCK-FULL OF DRINKIN’ SONGS. by Evan Jarvicks

The debut 9-track album from Oklahoma City quartet The Bottom of the Barrel is a rip-roarin’ time, and that’s no small feat for an acoustic record. Comprised of guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, and upright bass, the sounds on Sober are noticeably light on percussion, with just the occasional snare, shaker, snap, or foot stomp to supplement the rhythm already set by the players’ strumming and picking. That’s all the band needs to party heartily, though, and if that isn’t indication enough that these boys are tightly in sync, they offer plenty of multipart harmonies throughout the LP to prove it several times over. More of a bluegrass act than anything else, The Bottom of the Barrel hits a lot of country tropes that have been watered down over time — fishing, women, hitting the road — but not in the same way. “The Highway Up” has an escapist motivation to its drive out of town. “Ms. Jedadine” extends its amorous inclinations to acknowledge real-world consequences. “Fishin’ for You” even has all the qualities for a pop-country hit. It has 30

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a catchy, gimmicky concept, and a full electric band could easily amp it into something more generic. The band keeps it grounded, acoustic, and sincere. Then there’s the liquor, which mostly takes the form of whiskey and appears in at least half of the tracklist. The band cleverly loads the back end of the album with more party songs and drinking numbers than the front end, turning the album experience into a gradual loosening. By closer “Blood and Booze,” background yelps and hollers are in full force. There are some nice surprises on the album, such as the borderline artsy fiddle opening to “Blood Gold,” but what the band does best is deliver on expectations. Sober aims to be a downright hootenanny, and that’s what listeners get. Add some authentic studio work from local mainstay Breathing Rhythm Studio, and you have a bottle of in-the-moment energy distilled into a sweet 30 minutes, which is literally about how long it takes for alcohol to take effect. Now that’s a twist worth toasting.

ON SALE NOW DEC 9 Asleep at the Wheel, Tower Theatre DEC 10 Randy Rogers Band, Cain’s Ballroom DEC 11 JD McPherson, Cain’s Ballroom DEC 12 Todd Snider, Cain’s Ballroom DEC 17 Giocannie and The Hired Guns, Tower Theatre JAN 6 Maddie & Tae, Tower Theatre JAN 7 Mike Ryan, Cain’s Ballroom JAN 30 TOOL, BOK Center JAN 31 Cat Power, Cain’s Ballroom FEB 9 Marcus King, Cain’s Ballroom FEB 15 Donavon Frankenreiter, Cain’s Ballroom FEB 20 Badfish- A Tribute to Sublime, Cain’s Ballroom FEB 22 Hippo Campus, Cain’s Ballroom FEB 22 Strfkr, Tower Theatre FEB 24 Mat Kearney, Jones Assembly MAR 3 YUNGBLUD, Cain’s Ballroom

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

MAR 8 Hippie Sabotage, Cain’s Ballroom MAR 15 Kaleo, Jones Assembly MAR 17 Journey | Billy Idol, Paycom Center

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 24

APR 3 girl in red with Holly Humberstone, Cain’s Ballroom

Graham Colton, The Jones Assembly. The 20 Year Homecoming Concert

APR 20 Hippo Campus, The Jones Assembly

T. Hanksgiving Party, Ponyboy. Jessica Tate, Sean Cummings Pub

Pecos & the Rooftops, Diamond Ballroom. COUNTRY | with special guest Cole Barnhill

Weekend AllStars, VZDs.

SUNDAY, DEC. 5

THURSDAY, NOV. 25 The Spark Concert Series Featuring the music of Adam and Albert Aguilar and Edgar

Acoustic Open Mic, Core4 Brewing.

FRIDAY, NOV. 26 16th Annual Leftover Turkey with Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Cain’s Ballroom. Special guests Mike & The Moonpies

Black Friday Blues, Chopper Hopper Saloon. Live performance from the Blues Brothers OKC

Swim Fan w/ The God of Love Ponyboy. ZZ Top, First Council Casino.

SATURDAY, NOV. 27 Audio Book Club w/ Burl, Ponyboy. Elexa Dawson, Core4 Brewing. Singer/ songwriter

Cruz. Hosted by Michael Todd and Cristela Carrizales. Kick off the Christmas season with this Black Friday alternative to shopping and family fights. The Auditorium at The Douglass, 600 N. High, 405-652-9541 auditoriumatdouglass.com. FRIDAY, NOV 26 Photo provided

MONDAY, NOV. 29

FRIDAY, DEC. 3

Purity Ring, Cain’s Ballroom. Electronic pop

Brett Young, The Criterion.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 1

Mad Honey w/ Ken Pomeroy, Ponyboy.

Dizzy Wright, 89th Street.

Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Tower Theatre.

THURSDAY, DEC. 2

SATURDAY, DEC. 4

ArtAfloatOKC Showboat Concert Series: Chase and Emily McCumber, Bricktown Canal.

Dameon Allensworth, VZDs.

Phillips 66 Bedlam Series Concert featuring

Acoustic Open Mic, Core4 Brewing.

‘Tis the Season Holiday Concert, Scissortail Park.

Bridget Kibbey, Harpist with Dover String Quartet - Celebrating Bach, Armstrong Auditorium.

SUNDAY, NOV. 28 Hosty, The Deli. Electric

For King and Country, Paycom Center. HOLIDAY

Elizabeth Turner: Flashbacks, Belle Isle Restaurant & Brewery. Stepmom w/ Kelsey Bou & Lust Online, Ponyboy. Kyle Nix & The 38s + RC & The Ambers, Cain’s Ballroom

Jesse McCartney, Diamond Ballroom.

GO TO OKGAZETTE.COM FOR FULL LISTINGS!

Hosty, The Deli. ELECTRIC Neal Francis w/ Wildermiss, Ponyboy.

TUESDAY, DEC. 7 Chelsea Grin, 89th Street.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 8 The Milk Carton Kids, Tower Theatre.

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.

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www.romantix.com come visit us. S C A N F O R LO C AT I O N

Lingerie • Sex Toys • Fetish • Pride Gear • Hosiery Visit us In-Store or Online at: www.romantix.com

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4005 n. pennsylvania ave. oklahoma city, ok. 73112

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THE HIGH CULTURE

Kind side NEED AN EASY HOLIDAY RECIPE TO KEEP THE HUNGRY HORDES AT BAY? THE CHEFS AT GUYUTES HAVE YOU COVERED WITH THEIR INFUSED CORN CASSEROLE RECIPE. By Matt Dinger

The holiday season is upon us once more and with it comes togetherness, food and stress. The chefs at Guyutes, Matt Pryor and Jarrod Friedel, have two of those bases covered for you, with a stress-free infused cream corn casserole recipe that requires just a few minutes to prepare and an hour of baking time. “Two years ago, we did the smoked infused turkey for Thanksgiving,” Pryor said. “So with Thanksgiving coming up, we figured we might as well go ahead and do some kind of some kind of side this time. That said, this is one of my favorites. My mom always makes it every year. It’s a corn casserole. It’s super simple. It’s really just a two-step process. You mix everything and then you’re gonna just bake it off.” Make sure to pour the liquid from the canned corn directly into the mixture. Most of the moisture will be absorbed by the muffin mix, Pryor said. “You’re going to get your liquid water from your sour cream, cream corn and your regular corn. So where you would add milk and stuff before, because you’re gonna use a cornbread filling to thicken it. What’s going in here is going to be the egg and the liquid from the actual corn itself,” he said. “A lot of the things you do for Thanksgiving are always time intensive, like making stuffing and stuff like that. If you need something quick and easy, if you’re going to meet up with some

friends on Friendsgiving or something like that, this is the perfect recipe. It takes about an hour to cook, in and out of the oven. Done. As soon as it’s done cooking, it can be served right then and there,” Pryor said. The dish can also be embellished and spiced up any way you choose. “If you want to add bacon to it, if you want to add jalapenos to it, add them in and just play with it and add more flavors to it, just like you would do with cornbread, you know, just kind of soup it up,” Pryor said.

Corn casserole, Photo Phillip Danner

Corn Casserole Recipe 1 can whole corn (undrained) 1 can creamed corn 1/4 cup finely chopped onion 1 stick melted butter 1 beaten egg 1 cup sour cream 1 box Jiffy muffin mix. 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, separated black pepper to taste Mix all ingredients, then transfer to a buttered casserole dish. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 50 minutes. Remove and add remaining cheese. Bake 5 minutes more.

Budder recipe

Dosage information

Set up a pot for a double boiler and set heat to medium. Add two sticks of butter to the top bowl of the double boiler. When butter melts, add decarbed cannabis and stir. Let cannabis infuse melted butter for at least one hour. Strain melted cannabis butter through a cheesecloth into a sealable container. Strain again if needed.

28g x 20 percent THC 28g x 200mg (percentage converted to decimal) 5600 x .088 (decarbing loss) 4928 x .80 (loss in infusion process) 3942.4 mg divided by 16 tablespoons 246.4 mg per tablespoons 246.4 x 4 tablespoons 985.6 divided by 12 servings 82.13mg per serving

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THE HIGH CULTURE STRAIN REVIEWS

Strain name: Cowboy Cup indoor flower entry #98 (strain unknown) Grown by: ??? Acquired from: The Lettuce Bar Date acquired: Oct. 12 Physical traits: purple and light green with wiry stigmas and frosted trichomes Bouquet: gassy and sweet Review: Of the 82 samples provided for the second judges pack (there were so many entries that the packs were split into two groups), this one was the shining star in my opinion. Everything was right on the button: appearance, aroma, taste and effects. Each criteria was as close to perfection for my tastes as I’ve ever experienced. Using the “follow your nose” style of strain selection has always been my preference and, once you understand terpene composition and combination, you can usually trust your olfactory bulb to lead you in the right direction. Calming, energizing, uplifting and sleep-inducing depending on your mood and time of day,

this one is a strain for all seasons. If its identity is revealed after judging is completed, I’ll put the name and grower in my piece about judging my first cup in the Dec. 8 issue. Hopefully my fellow judges will see the same things I did, but cannabis tastes and effects being highly individualized, I won’t criticize my fellow panelists if this one doesn’t make it as a finalist, but for my money, this one gets the blue ribbon.

Strain name: G.A.S Grown by: Magestic Craft Cannabis Acquired from: Route 66 Buds Date acquired: Nov. 11

Zkittlez and MAC1), Death Breath and Formula 1 (both of which descend from “Grape” parents). Also got this one for a steal for the quality, further proof that even the more economical growers are putting out superior product that should put established names on notice.

Physical traits: frosted light and dark green with hints of purple Bouquet: gassy and earthy Review: The name doesn’t lie. This one tastes like pure diesel up front, earthy on the exhale and a slightly sweet aftertaste. A budtender’s recommendation, this one is at least cousins to the Cowboy Cup entry above. My understanding is that the lineage of this one, Great Aunt’s Secret is what the acronym stands for, comes from Capulator, the breeder behind Miracle Alien Cookies #1 (AKA MAC1). This strain is a cross between that and Starfighter. Definitely leans more towards a Starfighter sensation with its uplifting feelings rather than than the sledgehammer that is MAC1. This was my first taste of Majestic’s offerings but it put them on my radar. Strains in the pipeline include Fruntz (a cross between Watermelon

FIND MORE STRAIN REVIEWS AT OKGAZETTE.COM/THEHIGHCULTURE

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FREE WILL ASTROLOGY WEEK OF NOVEMBER 25

Homework: Gratitude is the featured emotion. See how amazing you can make yourself feel by stretching it to its limits. Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com ARIES (March 21-April 19)

Aries author Chris Brogan says, “Don’t settle. Don’t finish crappy books. If you don’t like the menu, leave the restaurant. If you’re not on the right path, get off it.” That’s the best possible counsel for you to hear, in my astrological opinion. As an Aries, you’re already inclined to live by that philosophy. But now and then, like now, you need a forceful nudge in that direction. So please, Aries, go in pursuit of what you want, not what you partially want. Associate with the very best, most invigorating influences, not the mediocre kind.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20)

Author Kurt Vonnegut wrote wistfully, “I still catch myself feeling sad about things that don’t matter anymore.” If similar things are running wild in your head, dear Taurus, the coming weeks will be a favorable time to banish them. You will have extra power to purge outdated emotions and reclaim at least some of the wild innocence that is your birthright. PS: There’s nothing wrong with feeling sad. In fact, feeling sad can be healthy. But it’s important to feel sad for the right reasons. Getting clear about that is your second assignment.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20)

“I’ll walk forever with stories inside me that the people I love the most can never hear.” So says the main character in Gemini author Michelle Hodkin’s novel *The Evolution of Mara Dyer*. If that heart-rending statement has resonance with your own personal experience, I have good news: The coming weeks will be a favorable time to transform the situation. I believe you can figure out how to share key stories and feelings that have been hard to reveal before now. Be alert for unexpected opportunities and not-at-all-obvious breakthroughs. CANCER (June 21-July 22) A study of people in 24 countries concluded that during the pandemic, over 80 percent of the population have

CLASSIFIEDS

taken action to improve their health. Are you in that group? Whether or not you are, the coming weeks will be a favorable time to go further in establishing robust self-care. The astrological omens suggest you’ll find it easier than usual to commit to good new habits. Rather than trying to do too much, I suggest you take no more than three steps. Even starting with just one might be wise. Top three: eating excellent food, having fun while exercising right, and getting all the deep sleep you need.

Perry Barlow, that says, “You ain’t gonna learn what you don’t want to know.” I propose you make that your featured advice for the next two weeks. I hope you will be inspired by it to figure out what truths you might be trying hard not to know. In so doing, you will make yourself available to learn those truths. As a result, you’ll be led on a healing journey you didn’t know you needed to take. The process might sound uncomfortable, but I suspect it will ultimately be pleasurable.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)

Leo-born scholar Edith Hamilton loved to study ancient Greek civilization. She wrote, “To rejoice in life, to find the world beautiful and delightful to live in, was a mark of the Greek spirit which distinguished it from all that had gone before.” One sign of Greece’s devotion to joie de vivre was its love of play. “The Greeks were the first people in the world to play,” Hamilton exulted, “and they played on a great scale. All over Greece, there were games”—for athletes, dancers, musicians, and other performers. Spirited competition was an essential element of their celebration of play, as was the pursuit of fun for its own sake. In resonance with your astrological omens, Leo, I propose you regard ancient Greece as your spiritual home for the next five weeks.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)

Virgo singer-songwriter Florence Welch of the band Florence and the Machine told an interviewer why she wrote “Hunger.” She said, “I looked for love in things that were not love.” What were those things? According to her song, they included taking drugs and performing on stage. Earlier in Florence’s life, as a teenager, “love was a kind of emptiness” she experienced through her eating disorder. What about you, Virgo? Have you looked for love in things that weren’t love? Are you doing that right now? The coming weeks will be a good time to get straight with yourself about this issue. I suggest you ask for help from your higher self. Formulate a strong intention that in the future, you will look for love in things that can genuinely offer you love.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)

There’s a Grateful Dead song, with lyrics written by John

Scorpio author and philosopher Albert Camus was a good thinker. At age 44, he won the Nobel Prize for Literature—the second-youngest recipient ever. And yet he made this curious statement: “Thoughts are never honest. Emotions are.” He regarded thoughts as “refined and muddy”—the result of people continually tinkering with their inner dialog so as to come up with partially true statements designed to serve their self-image rather than reflect authentic ideas. Emotions, on the other hand, emerge spontaneously and are hard to hide, according to Camus. They come straight from the depths. In accordance with astrological potentials, Scorpio, I urge you to keep these meditations at the forefront of your awareness in the coming weeks. See if you can be more skeptical about your thoughts and more trusting in your emotions.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)

Poet Renée Ashley describes what she’s attracted to: “I’m drawn to what flutters nebulously at the edges, at the corner of my eye—just outside my certain sight. I want to share in what I am routinely denied or only suspect exists. I long for a glimpse of what is beginning to occur.” Although I don’t think that’s a suitable perspective for you to cultivate all the time, Sagittarius, I suspect it might be appealing and useful for you in the coming weeks. Fresh possibilities will be coalescing. New storylines will be incubating. Be alert for the oncoming delights of the unknown.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)

You’re in a phase of your astrological cycle when you’re more likely than usual to see what’s necessary to salve your wounds and fix what’s broken. Take maximum advantage of this opportunity! I proclaim this next chapter of your life to be titled “In Quest of the Maximum Cure.” Have fun with this project, dear Capricorn. Treat it as a mandate to be imaginative and explore interesting possibilities.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)

“It is a fault to wish to be understood before we have made ourselves clear to ourselves,” wrote my favorite Aquarian philosopher, Simone Weil. I agree. It’s advice I regularly use myself. If you want to be seen and appreciated for who you really are, you should make it your priority to see and appreciate yourself for who you really are. The coming weeks will be a favorable time to make progress in this noble project. Start this way: Write a list of the five qualities about yourself that you love best.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)

Nigerian author Ben Okri, born under the sign of Pisces, praises our heroic instinct to rise above the forces of chaos. He writes, “The most authentic thing about us is our capacity to create, to overcome, to endure, to transform, to love, and to be greater than our suffering.” You’ve been doing a lot of that excellent work throughout 2021, dear Pisces. And I expect that you’ll be climaxing this chapter of your life story sometime soon. Thanks for being such a resourceful and resilient champion. You have bravely faced but also risen above the sometimesmessy challenges of plain old everyday life. You have inspired many of us to stay devoted to our heart’s desires.

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.

What could you do to diminish your suffering? Your next assignment is to take two specific steps to begin that process.

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PUZZLES NEW YORK TIMES MAGAZINE | THIS AND THAT By Sid Sivakumar | Puzzles Edited by Will Shortz | 1121

1 hit for Travis Scott) 23 Labyrinth builder of myth 19 20 21 28 Tarot card said to ‘‘radiate’’ positivity 22 23 24 31 Foretold the future 32 Certain gasket 25 26 27 28 29 33 Deterrent to a pickpocket 30 31 32 33 34 34 Behaves like a fool, informally 35 36 37 36 Drama linked to the 38 39 40 resurgence of the name ‘‘Betty’’ for baby girls 41 42 43 37 Remains tightly secured 38 Acquired family member 44 45 46 47 48 49 39 Actress Meyer of ‘‘Beverly Hills 90210’’ 50 51 52 41 Tested the censor, say 42 Vendors of e-cigs 53 54 55 56 43 Cruise stop 44 Wet behind the ears 57 58 59 60 45 Important sales for 61 62 63 growing businesses? 46 Argument 64 65 66 47 Totally wipes out 48 Like some very old 67 68 69 characters DOWN 49 Pallet piece 70 71 72 73 74 75 1 Put on pretensions 50 Small drink of whiskey 2 Island home to Faa’a 51 Zap, in a way 76 77 78 International Airport 54 Items at T.S.A. 3 It’s located in the middle checkpoints 79 80 81 82 of an alley 56 Boeing competitor 83 84 85 86 87 88 4 Drones, e.g. 58 What the waving of a 5 Terse confession white flag can indicate 89 90 6 Op. ____ 59 Business brass 7 Bad person to confess 60 Reduce in rank 91 92 bad things to 62 Style pioneered by 8 Twisting together Picasso 9 Puerto Rico’s ____ 63 Works at the cutting ACROSS 35 Clear spirit 52 Spoils Telescope, formerly the edge? 36 Seasonal fast-food 53 Up 1 Piles world’s largest single66 Hot, in Havana sandwiches that aren’t halal 54 Command center 15 Tablet purchases aperture telescope 67 Evidence of a crossword 37 ‘‘Star Trek’’ virtual55 Multiday event, for short 10 Impersonate at a 19 Setting for Banff solver’s mistake, maybe reality chambers 56 2017 CVS Health National Park Halloween party 68 Dairy-free coffee 38 San ____ (European acquisition 21 Dealer’s enemy 11 Immune system additive enclave) 57 Profess 22 Disney film with more component 69 Butcher’s offering 39 [stern glare] 58 Tough bass part? than a million hand-drawn 12 Vegetable in bhindi 70 Quiver 40 Italian wine region 60 Really grooves with bubbles masala 71 Ripply fabric pattern 41 Certain developer’s job something 24 Rap’s Run-D.M.C., e.g. 13 Lens holder 72 Give a thumbs-down 42 Seriously unpleasant 61 Quaint locale of first-aid 14 Fine crystals used in 25 Ostrich or kangaroo 73 Bespectacled ‘‘Peanuts’’ 43 Or greater supplies 26 Amtrak service food preparation character 44 Fall flavoring 63 Valorous 27 Emulate Ella Fitzgerald 15 Symbol of industry 74 Gives a thumbs-up 64 Bhikkhunis : Buddhist 29 Boxer Wolfe who played 45 Some movie-theater 16 Make a flying jump onto 75 Talk-show slate monastery :: ____ : convent a slope Artemis in ‘‘Wonder Woman’’ concession areas 76 Harped (on) 50 Shattered 65 The C of C major, e.g. 30 ‘‘Yes, indeed’’ 17 They get left in the dust 77 Unfashionable 51 Eateries serving small 66 Word with zone or boots 18 Treat on a tea trolley tray 78 Time off, for short 31 Get-together plates 67 Actor Idris 33 Rush 20 ‘‘____ Mode’’ (2018 No. 81 Slightly spoiled, in a way 1

68 Error message? 69 Was completely exhausted 70 Hiking aids 72 Employees who work a lot 73 Bit of reading near a cashier, in brief 76 Grasps at straws? 77 Not at all 78 Big name in pasta sauces 79 N.B.A. coach ____ Unseld Jr. 80 Badly hurt 81 ‘‘Capisce?’’ 82 Rail in a dance studio 83 Images on some Australian silver coins 85 V.I.P. access points 89 Mythos 90 Nutritional plan involving controlled removal of foods 91 Predator frequently appearing in Calvin’s daydreams in ‘‘Calvin and Hobbes’’ 92 Special delivery?

82 Label signing 84 ____-positive movement 86 Contest 87 Actress Mowry of ‘‘Sister, Sister’’ 88 Authority, metaphorically

Stumped? Call 1-900-285-5656 to get the answers to any three clues by phone ($1.20 a minute).

SUDOKU MEDIUM | N° 906379241 Fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3-by-3 box Grid n°906379241 medium1 through 9. www.printmysudoku.com contains the numbers

2 9 8

6 5

9 1 5 4 5 7 1 4

5 7 6 4 1

7 1 1 5 2 8 6

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NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS Puzzle No. 1107, which appeared in the November 10 issue.

A M O S F R A Y S C O U T S R A Z Z

L O F T

L I F E

A R E W E L O O I L K P A O Y O H H A W O D E R A L N P L I T N A P T A O I L W O L I N E E S T

H A N S A D G R E E W E T R O N S T B A Y T A O N N G S D J S

T I M E X S I D E R O A D E Y E U P

D E V I S E S

E X E S

R U S C K A R V A I M A B L A S R I U R S I T Y

B I T C A C O L R E B O U S I B E R A I S C I S E I T D T A R T I Y O G M A D I S I C E L I L E R T N T E E L I E O K R A E V E N T N E E I D E L G N A T E M O U S S A R B Y S

D A N T E U N I O N R E P E L I D E

C O D

S H I C E H E L O L D N E G B L S A N R E E I A D N M O S I D O N S P A T E S N H I T M O P E

P U T A L I D O N I T

A L E S

T A M E

S E C T O R

H E K A T E

V I O L

I N R I

E A S T

E T N A

W E A R

T R E S

VOL. XLIII NO. 14 Oklahoma Gazette is circulated at its designated distribution points free of charge to readers for their individual use and by mail to subscribers. The cash value of this copy is $1. Persons taking copies of the Oklahoma Gazette from its distribution points for any reason other than their or others’ individual use for reading purposes are subject to prosecution. Please address all unsolicited news items (non-returnable) to the editor. For subscription inquiries, email kbleakley@okgazette.com

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