April 2013

SLICE THE MAGA ZINE OF CENTR AL OKL AHOMA

SLICE AWARDS // READERS’ CHOICE // 60 CATEGORIES OF FAVORITES

WEATHER REPORT! BOOM OR BUST

On Site at Norman’s National Treasure

The Sky Is{n’t} Falling

among other thing s…

Gabriella’s Ir re Italian, a Fam sistible Holiday & Fall ily-Friendly ing U “Swan Lake” nder the Spell

The Future is Budding FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS OPENING NIGHT OKLAHOMA CITY STORYTELLING FESTIVAL SUNDAY TWILIGHT CONCERT SERIES OUT OF THE BOX ART MOVES COMMUNITY ARTS PROGRAM

The Arts Council of Oklahoma City is dedicated to bringing the arts and the community together through free or low-cost cultural events and a variety of arts outreach activities that impact under-served populations. Each year, Arts Council events, programs and services reach nearly one million residents and visitors to the Oklahoma City community.

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2 SLICE // APRIL 2013

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FEATURES

The Slice Awards

Who do you love? We asked readers to pick their favorites from across the metro in categories ranging from dream neighborhoods to favorite burgers to best place for a cheap date – and we’re confident the results identify the best of central Oklahoma.

31 What If the Boom

CANDI COFFMAN

36

April 2013

On the cover

Goes Bust?

The metro’s economic future looks rosy … right? Recent high-profile scrutiny of cornerstone energy companies might be cause for concern in some quarters, but further investigation reveals that overall, we have several good reasons to breathe a little easier.

4 SLICE // APRIL 2013

And the winner is ... everyone in central Oklahoma, thanks to the A+ list of Slice Award winners

5,700

There are 5,700 hospitals in the U.S.

1,000

Less than 1,000 of those are certified to treat stroke.

25

Less than 25 are certified as Comprehensive Stroke Centers.

1

And the first in all of Oklahoma is Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City.

24/7

24 hours a day, seven days a week, Mercy is ready with expert stroke care.

1

So in the moment that counts the most, the name to remember is Mercy.

Mercy earned Comprehensive Stroke Center certification from the Joint Commission, American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association for our ability to treat the most complex stroke cases.

mercy.net/okcstroke APRIL 2013 // SLICE 5

DEPARTMENTS 26

THRILL OF THE HUNT

Everything old is new again, and the perfect vintage or repurposed piece to complete a home’s décor is out there … somewhere. Be patient and enjoy the thrill of the hunt.

12 From the Publisher UP FRONT 15 Chatter The tasty impact of Made in Oklahoma cuisine, the new face at the helm of the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and other local topics of conversation.

24 Retrospective Remembering the way we were with a look back at the festive atmosphere and all-you-could-eat bliss of Casa Bonita.

28 Exchange A give and take about everything from hole-in-the-wall dining to fear of motivational posters with lifelong cartoonist and mayoral Chief of Staff Steve Hill.

SPACES 47 Norman’s National Treasure Even if you don’t like the weather in Oklahoma, you stand a much better chance of knowing about it in advance thanks to the cuttingedge science, technology and talent that makes up the National Weather Center.

98

TRAVEL 56 77 Counties Amid her ongoing travels through Oklahoma, author and photographer M.J. Alexander heads to the panhandle to trace the legacy of a Dust Bowl family portrait.

April 2013 68 Standing Tall Kids can’t be expected to fight for their own rights, but neglected and abused juveniles don’t have to, thanks to the volunteer efforts of Oklahoma Lawyers for Children.

MINGLING 70 Making an appearance on central Oklahoma’s social scene.

PRACTICAL MATTERS 74 Sometimes the sky really is falling – when nature decides to play rough, these tips should help minimize the impact of hail damage to your home.

PURSUITS 77 A rundown of local events and entertainment options, including a top 10 list of must-see attractions and a closer look at the OKC Ballet’s leap to a new level.

FARE 95 In the Kitchen Fresh ingredients and just a bit of effort yield light, delicious results in this recipe for grilled Nicoise Salad that’s perfect for celebrating spring.

98 All in the Famiglia Familiar atmosphere and a chef who’s thoroughly versed in her calling thanks to a lifetime in the family business make Gabriella’s an Italian wonder.

100 Eat & Drink Take a gastronomic tour with Slice’s citywide dining guide.

110 Last Laugh 112 Last Look

61 Home on the Range A haven for children’s literature, frontier history and mouthwatering beef-based creations, Abilene holds wonders for a range of ages and interests.

21 6 SLICE // APRIL 2013

COMMUNITY 65 The Present Is a Gift In an excerpt from his recent book “Vibrant,” behavioral psychiatrist Dr. R. Murali Krishna ponders finding happiness in the moment and his own formative influences.

28

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 7

April 2013

Volume 4 Issue 4

PUBLISHER Elizabeth Meares EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mia Blake EDITORIAL Features Writer John Parker Associate Editor Steve Gill Contributing Writers M.J. Alexander, Kerry Barrick, Mark Beutler, Lawrence Evans, Lauren Hammack, R. Murali Krishna, M.D., Caryn Ross, Russ Tall Chief, Elaine Warner, Sara Gae Waters, John Wiscaver ART Art Director Scotty O’Daniel Graphic Designer Brian O’Daniel Contributing Stylist Sara Gae Waters Contributing Photographers M.J. Alexander, Justin Avera, David Cobb, Jorge DeLucca, Butch Enterline, Simon Hurst, Claude Long, Michael Miller, K.O. Rinearson, Brandon Snider, Elaine Warner, Carli Wentworth ADVERTISING Executive Director of Advertising Cynthia Whitaker-hill

But you’re actually helping him picture an entirely different future.

It may seem like just an art class. But what you may not see is a kid who was struggling. Who found an outlet for a skill he never knew he had. Which led to opportunities that normally would have passed him by. And at Allied Arts, we fund programs that help more than 321,000 students just like him every year. Can’t you just picture the impact?

A little give ... is all it takes.

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8 SLICE // APRIL 2013

Donate Today!

405.278.8944 alliedartsokc.com

3/4/13 3:01 PM

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Saturday 9am to 5pm APRIL 2013 // SLICE 9

April 2013

Volume 4 Issue 4

READER SERVICES Mailing Address 729 W. Sheridan, Suite 101 Oklahoma City, OK 73102 Phone 405.842.2266 Fax 405.604.9435 Subscription Inquiries info@sliceok.com Advertising Inquiries dwalker@openskymediainc.com Job Inquiries jobs@sliceok.com Internship Inquiries jobs@sliceok.com Story Ideas editor@sliceok.com Letters to the Editor Your views and opinions are welcome. Letters must include your full name, address and daytime phone number. Email to letters@ sliceok.com; fax to 405.604.9435; mail to the address listed above. Letters sent to Slice magazine become the magazine’s property, and it owns all rights to their use. Slice magazine reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity.

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Director of Events & Community Relations Meredith Parsons Marketing & Events Coordinator Meghan Athnos ©2013 Open Sky Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of Slice magazine content, in whole or part by any means, without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Slice magazine is not responsible for the care of and/or return of unsolicited materials. Slice magazine reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed detrimental to the community’s best interest or in questionable taste. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ownership or management.

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APRIL 2013 // SLICE 11

On a Clear Day You Can See Forever O

ne of the many things I love about Oklahoma is the idiosyncratic weather.

Granted, the last few summers haven’t been my favorite, but I enjoy the changes from season to season and the meteorological surprises within the seasons – all gardening complications aside.

I have developed a habit of checking the weather forecast every morning before getting dressed. T-shirt weather? Sweater weather?

Overcoat weather? All of the above before noon?

This practice was unnecessary when I lived in Houston, where you could intuit the weather on any given day: hot and humid or hotter and more humid. At least the forecasts here trend more toward the dramatic.

So it seems most appropriate that the home of the National Weather Center is Norman, Oklahoma. It’s a massive, state-of-the-art facility, and Lauren Hammack checks in to see just what’s going on there for this issue.

In other turbulent matters, John Parker addresses whether or not we need to be concerned about the current kerfuffle in the energy industry in “What if the Boom Goes Bust?”

And this month, we also hear from you. In January, we asked you to cast your vote in the inaugural Slice Awards, and it’s time for the results – the Readers’ Choice selections begin on page 36. We appreciate the gift of your time in taking the survey, and though the polling is closed, we still welcome your opinions at letters@sliceok.com.

12 SLICE // APRIL 2013

M.J. ALEXANDER

From the Publisher

THE COMPANY WE KEEP

I am both fortunate and grateful to be surrounded, on a daily basis, by the talented team at Slice. I consider it an honor to work with each of them.

One member of that team, Mia Blake, has been with this publishing company since its inception. Her knowledge of this industry is vast, and she possesses a keen awareness of what is required to keep the wheels turning and maintain forward momentum. And in case you’re not a masthead reader, I’ll post the news here: Mia has recently been promoted to the position of editor-in-chief.

I’m not going anywhere (though my desk is slightly less disheveled than it was a week ago), but will instead focus my attention on my role as publisher while you enjoy hearing from her on this page next month and for many months to come. I hand over the reins of the editorial department to her with the utmost confidence and enthusiasm.

The forecast for the future: bright and sunny!

Elizabeth Meares

Publisher elizabeth.meares@sliceok.com

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 13

THE STATE OF

L

ady Liberty beckons us all, not with her expression or fame, but with her ideals. She greets every citizen, every immigrant, every

dreamer, with a solemn peace. This is why we are silenced at her sight. Why we are drawn to her steady gaze. We believe in an America of the free. A place where all things are possible. Where dreamers become doers and tomorrow is a word of hope. Where obstacles are never roadblocks, only detours. Where possibilities in life are always as bright as her golden torch. At First Liberty Bank, we believe in hope for the future.

At First Liberty Bank, we believe in you.

Life. Happiness. First Liberty.

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UP FRONT Screen Tests

April is shaping up to be an especially good month for film in Oklahoma. Ben Affleck and Rachel McAdams struggle with emotional ties amid the familiar scenery of Bartlesville and Pawhuska in “To the Wonder,” while Choctaw native Ryan Merriman joins Harrison Ford, Christopher Meloni and title character Chadwick Boseman in the Jackie Robinson biopic “42.” Both films open April 12.

CHATTER Topics of conversation from around the metro 16

RETROSPECTIVE A quick look back at a festive piece of local history 24

DETAILS Things we love, from elegant accessories to cozy decorative touches 26

EXCHANGE Sitting down with cartoonist and Cornett Chief of Staff Steve Hill 28 APRIL 2013 // SLICE 15

UP FRONT | Chatter

Spin Cycle ’Tis the season – last April Norman made national news by paying unwilling host to an EF-1 tornado, a situation with which the area is not unfamiliar. Without sounding too much like Chicken Little, now might be a good time to remember that KOCO, KFOR and the Red Cross all offer free smartphone apps for severe weather updates.

GETTING IN TUNE

Their name is an accusation; their sound is a revelation. Cameron Neal, Alberto Roubert, Cody Fowler, Zach Zeller and Alex Coleman aren’t actually rustlers, but in operation as Horse Thief, they will steal breath and hearts from anyone susceptible to their grit-edged, tumultuous psychedelic-folk rock. If that’s too many descriptors, just remember “rock.” Originally from central Texas, the band relocated to and was rejuvenated by OKC and its ACM@ UCO music program. With a brawny sound and a general philosophy that music is “about losing yourself in the sound and creating an experience that sticks with you long after the show is over,” they’re a natural at live performances (and veterans of both SXSW and Norman Music Festival), but for the times between gigs, their debut LP “Grow Deep, Grow Wild” hits the street April 1.

y a w A g n i Sw

“In some respects the recent settlement of Oklahoma was the most remarkable thing of the present century.

Unlike Rome, the city of Guthrie was built in a day.

To be strictly accurate in the matter, it might be said that it was built in an afternoon.

At twelve o’clock on Monday, April 22, the resident population of Guthrie was nothing; before sundown it was at least ten thousand.

In that time streets had been laid out, town lots staked off, and steps taken toward the formation of a municipal government.”

- William Willard Howard, published in “Harper’s Weekly” May 18, 1889

It’s still 90 feet to first base, but the rest of the experience is a whole new level for the competitors in the Majestic Roofing High School Baseball series at the Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, which culminates April 6 in a triple-header scrap between schools from Edmond and Moore.

Catch the action for free; visit okcredhawks.com for more info.

16 SLICE // APRIL 2013

LOVING LOCAL

By Kerry Barrick // Photo by Carli Wentworth

OKLAHOMA IS A STATE WITH A RICH HISTORY, unique cultural experiences and local cuisine that dazzles the senses. It’s also home to the more than 40 businesses of the Made in Oklahoma (MIO) Coalition, which provides Oklahoma-made food products to shoppers across the state and beyond.

In 2001, Gov. Frank Keating declared April Made in Oklahoma Month to celebrate these Oklahoma food producers, processors and manufacturers who represent more than 25 different towns and cities, and produce a diverse range of meats, dairy, beverages, condiments and more.

This year, in recognition of the statewide observance, try a new MIO Coalition recipe (see page 102) or incorporate an MIO Coalition product into an old family favorite. These are small actions that, when combined, can have a large impact on our state’s economy.

“When Oklahomans buy local products, they help keep jobs in our state and put money back into our local economy,” said the coalition’s Barbara Charlet. “It’s good for you, and it’s good for Oklahoma.”

MIO Coalition member companies employ more than 20,000 Oklahomans, with a total of more than $700 million in payroll, and generate nearly $4 billion in annual sales, revenue that is reinvested here instead of going out of state or out of the country. In fact, 85 percent of those sales are a result of exports – a testament to the quality and reputation of MIO products.

Sadly, Oklahoma ranks among the top five states in the number of hungry people, but the MIO Coalition is helping via monetary and food donations. To date, coalition members have donated more than 4.3 million pounds of food to Oklahoma food banks, pro-

viding more than 3.6 million meals to those in need. Additionally, sales of MIO paper towels in grocery stores across the state raise funds – more than $150,000 so far – in support of the Food for Kids Backpack Program, a school-based emergency assistance program that provides weekly backpacks full of food to 13,500 chronically hungry children.

“We are proud to support community organizations like the food banks that help our neighbors and improve living conditions in our home state, especially for the children of Oklahoma,” said David Brooks, regional sales manager of Shawnee Milling and MIO Coalition board member. “No child should go to bed hungry, and we’re doing everything we can to prevent that from happening.”

Kerry Barrick is the Made in Oklahoma coordinator for the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry.

GET COOKING AND WIN! The MIO Coalition is searching for the top Oklahoma-original recipes. Submit your best recipe creations, using at least two MIO Coalition products, for a chance to win $1,000.

The entry deadline is May 17; for contest details and regulations, visit miocoalition.com.

A HOW-TO GUIDE IN FOUR SIMPLE STEPS locally 1. Choose made products over national brands at your grocery store.

your retailer 2. Tell you would buy

local products if they were offered.

miocoalition.com at restaurants 3. Dine 4. Visit for a list of MIO Coalition featuring locally made products on their menu.

companies and retailers that offer their products.

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 17

UP FRONT | Chatter

ON THE PAGE

Sweet Charities

Having 24 finalists for a chance to be named the most well-run charity with the greatest impact in Oklahoma may seem like a fairly big pool, but consider the competition: The state boasts 19,000 nonprofits.

On April 20 at Tulsa’s Southern Hills Country Club, the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits will honor the two dozen do-gooders that do it the best at the annual Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence Awards ceremony. Making it to the finals earned the nonprofits $5,000, with another shot at $7,500 if they win in their mission category.

The state’s top nonprofit will profit from another $10,000 for its cause.

The central Oklahoma-based finalists are Allied Arts, the Oklahoma Heritage Association, Junior Achievement of Oklahoma, Neighborhood Services Organization, A Chance to Change Foundation, Wonderfully Made Foundation, Oklahoma Honor Flights, Urban League of Greater Oklahoma City and Access Sports Inc. The event promises to be a happy one as the angelic organizations will earn nearly $150,000 in all. For tickets or sponsorship information, call 800.338.1798.

What’s in a Name?

The new building, at N.W. 12th and Broadway in OKC, is slated for completion in 2016 and still in the “big patch of dirt” phase, but the new name is cemented.

The beloved City Arts Center is now Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center.

18 SLICE // APRIL 2013

Tulsa native Benjamin Lytal grew up and headed over the horizon to shoot for the big time, and hit it: He made a name for himself reviewing fiction for the New York Sun, and has written for the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, McSweeney’s, the London Review of Books and more.

But when he turned to writing his own novel, his pen was spurred not

by New York nor Chicago – his hometown was where his heart was. “A Map of Tulsa” is a lush portrait of Oklahoma’s second city, moved as much by its appreciation for the distinctive joys of Brookside and the art deco skyline as by its intoxicating unfolding of young love. It’s a remarkably assured debut and rewarding read … with a little extra reward for those of us who share the love for the Sooner State.

Read any good books lately? The Oklahoma Center for the Book has – 116 since mid-January, in fact, and the cream of that crop were named finalists for the 24th annual Oklahoma Book Awards. Works considered were all published during the calendar year 2012, and either have an Oklahoma-based theme, or are written/ illustrated/designed by a current or former Oklahoma resident. The April 13 ceremony will announce winners in youth-oriented, fiction, nonfiction and poetry categories, as well as illustration/design. If you’re looking for outstanding contemporary Oklahoma literature, consider this list strongly recommended reading.

View the full list of finalists at odl.state.ok.us/ocb/13final.

Cultivating Knowledge

Students visiting Peach Crest Farm inadvertently planted the seed of an idea, and with the combined generosity of the organic farm in Stratford, OKC Beautiful and a few dozen volunteers, a special project is getting ready to blossom. The schoolchildren had been full of questions about the process of growing food, so as an educational gift, Peach Crest Farm agreed to donate green apple and pear trees to interested elementary schools throughout the metro – as many as they desired, with a minimum of two to allow for cross-pollination. After the schools responded, OKC Beautiful and 60 volunteers from local organizations delivered and helped plant the bounty: 280 trees in all. In the coming years before they mature enough to bear fruit, students can learn how to water and care for the trees, and gain an appreciation for the process of food production and the efforts and rewards involved. In more ways than one, it’s about growth.

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LANDMARKS

Featuring new works by Mary Anna Goetz April 4th- 27th OPENING RECEPTION - Thursday, April 4th, 5-7pm “Kaisers” 16" x 20” oil

“The National Memorial” 16" x 20” oil

“Cock o the Walk” 9" x 12” oil

“Boomer Theater Marquee Norman” 20" x 10” oil “Twilight Over OK River” 30" x 24” oil

OKLAHOMA’S PREMIER ART GALLERY 6432 N. Western Avenue | 405.840.4437 | www.howellgallery.com Visit our website for additional images from this show.

Left: “The Milk Bottle” 20" x 16” oil

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 19

UP FRONT | Chatter

Calendar Watch April 1 April Fools’ Day April 2 The end of your excuse to play outrageous pranks on your gullible friends April 19 We remember.

April 22 Earth Day April 23 Don’t start polluting just because it’s not Earth Day anymore.

THE SHAPE OF WISDOM TOPS OF THE HOPS

Back in January, Slice mentioned the expansion of the OKCity Brewing Collective and the participants’ hopes for the future. Those hopes are becoming reality; Mustang Brewing Company’s first beer produced at the facility is its first-ever India Pale Ale: DoppelHopper IPA. It’s a strong brew that definitely flexes its ample hops, but includes enough malt for a balanced palate. It’s a limited release for spring, though, so don’t wait to knock one back.

20 SLICE // APRIL 2013

For nearly 500 years, Drepung Monastery in Tibet housed thousands upon thousands of scholars and seekers of serenity (including the second Dalai Lama) … and then it was crushed when China invaded in 1959. But an ideal is hard to destroy, and thanks to survivors’ patience and dedication the quest for enlightenment and peace continues in India, at a satellite center in Atlanta and, for four days, in Norman.

Tibetan monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery will share their cultural ideals, present evening lectures on enlightenment and assemble a breathtaking work of sacred art during their stay at St. Stephen’s United Methodist Church April 10-13. Visually speaking, the highlight will be the painstaking creation of the Mandala of Wisdom, a formal geometric pattern that is “painted” through millions of grains of intricately arranged colored sand. The process takes multiple days to complete, and when they are finally finished, the monks have a brief ceremony consecrating their work and then immediately dismantle and disperse the mandala, in acknowledgement that all we do in this life is transitory. So if you’d like to see something wondrous, don’t hesitate.

SOLD ON THE CITY

By Mark Beutler Photo by Carli Wentworth

THE COLORS OF SPRING signify new beginnings. As the world awakens from its winter slumber, sun-colored jonquils bask in the light and all around there is a feeling of change in the air. At the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, that change arrives in the form of a new president and CEO: Michael Whittington, who comes to Oklahoma from California, where he served as the Monterey Museum of Art’s executive director.

So what prompted him to leave the West Coast, taking the helm in Oklahoma City?

“Well, Monterey has one of the most important visual arts traditions in the country,” Whittington said. “Additionally, I’m an avid hiker, backpacker and foodie.

So that says something about how much I enjoyed northern California. What I encountered on my very first visit to Oklahoma City, however, was a vibrant and sophisticated art museum the community cherishes. Once I met the talented board and staff leadership, I knew I wanted to be a part of their growth.”

Officially taking the reins April 8, Whittington said it’s important for anyone in a

Michael Whittington

new leadership position to spend a lot of time listening and learning. That, he said, is something he intends to do. He also has a certain vision for the museum’s longevity.

“Changes are always on the horizon,” he said. “The arts are about change, evolution and a reflection of our community and the times in which we live. I see the museum growing stronger in its core collection areas and more significant exhibitions in the future. With our region’s outstanding museums, I also envision more and more opportunities for cultural tourism.”

“I certainly want to continue the museum’s outstanding tradition of bringing world-class exhibitions to Oklahoma City,” Whittington added, “but we also have an obligation to share our collections and exhibitions. So I would say that I hope

to bring culture and arts to the rest of the country by sharing the proud accomplishments of Oklahoma.”

While in Monterey, Whittington launched a capital campaign to fund special exhibitions, grew museum attendance more than 100 percent and increased memberships and overall growth. He says he looks forward to becoming part of Oklahoma City.

“I’m originally from the Deep South, so I understand pride and a sense of place,” Whittington said. “I encountered those in strong measure from my visit here and it is what helped sell me on Oklahoma City.

The sense of excitement about the city’s renaissance is something everyone shares, and I am definitely looking forward to being part of that.”

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 21

GOING GREENER

BY THE NUMBERS

April 22, 1970 first Earth Day

59.6 64.1

5

Average temperature in OK in April 2012

Average temperature in OK in April 1970

22

wattage of CFL bulb needed to match the output of a 100-watt incandescent bulb

10

1,000

incandescent bulbs that would burn out over the average life of a single CFL

pounds of carbon dioxide saved over its lifespan by replacing 1 incandescent bulb with a CFL

trash cans full of glass jars and bottles thrown away by the average American in a year

50%

amount of water pollution reduced by recycling glass vs. manufacturing new

353

Energy Star certified homes built in Oklahoma in 2012

2,051,989

pounds of carbon dioxide saved by those energy-efficient homes (approx.)

33%

amount of U.S. aluminum supply that comes from recycled materials

3.5

hours a 100-watt light bulb can run off the energy saved by recycling 1 aluminum can

90% amount of air pollution reduced by recycling aluminum vs. manufacturing new

9,808,386

3 recycling drop-off centers operated by the city of Norman: Lindsey & McGee; 24th Ave NW and Main; 1499 N. Porter

1

recycling drop-off center operated by the city of Edmond: I-35 and Covell

Dozens

recycling facilities in OKC for various materials: okc.gov/trash/ recycle/beyondbin

pounds of paper recycled in FY 2012 by public entities statewide

pounds per year recycled by houseof recycling collected by the city 360 average 7,100,000 pounds holds in The Village’s Recyclebank program of Norman’s curbside program in 2009

22 SLICE // APRIL 2013

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APRIL 2013 // SLICE 23

o r t Respective

Mi Casa es Su Casa

By Mark Beutler // Photo courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society

IT IS AN INDISPUTABLE FACT that Oklahomans love Mexican food. Tex-Mex restaurants have come and gone, but one of the best-loved of its day was Casa Bonita.

The restaurant opened in 1968 at N.W. 39th and Portland and expanded into a chain of restaurants in the 1970s.

It was well known for its “deluxe all-you-can-eat” menu, including tacos made with Casa Bonita’s own special blend of seasonings, cheese and onion enchiladas smothered in queso, freshly made guacamole and sopapillas dripping with butter and honey. And if you wanted seconds, or even thirds, you raised the little (generally greasy) flag at your table.

The Oklahoma City restaurant closed in 1993, and Tulsa’s location in 2005. Today, the only surviving Casa Bonita is in Denver, where the flag-raising tradition remains.

24 SLICE // APRIL 2013

The National Weather Center Biennale art’s window on the impact of weather on the human experience Exhibition Opens April 22, 2013 The National Weather Center Biennale is the first exhibition of its kind: an international juried exhibition featuring art about the weather and the role it plays in shaping our lives.

Sponsored by the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma, and the Norman Arts Council, the exhibition will be staged in the dramatic 244,000-square-foot National Weather Center.

For each media category (Painting, Works on Paper, and Photography) there will be a $5,000 award, as well as an overall $10,000 Best-in-Show Prize. The exhibition opens on Earth Day, April 22, 2013 and will close on June 2, 2013. The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. Visit www.ou.edu/eoo Visit www.nwcbiennale.org for registration and other information.

Tony Abeyta (Navajo, b. 1965) Storm from the South [Detail], 2011 Oil on canvas, 36 x 48 in.

On loan from a private collector.

The National Weather Center • The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art The Norman Arts Council

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 25

UP FRONT | Details

Clockwise from top left: Industrial stool with green wooden painted bowl from Verdigris, OKC // Vintage seltzer bottle from Verdigris // Wooden pedestal, vintage straw dispenser, wax paper straws from The Social Club, Norman // Reclaimed authentic cotton gin light bulb from Plenty Mercantile, OKC 26 SLICE // APRIL 2013

THRILL of the HUNT

By Sara Gae Waters // Photos by Carli Wentworth

WHAT GIVES A DESIGN LIFE? The details. If you haven’t noticed, today’s consumers care about the particulars of origin more than ever before. Products deemed “repurposed,” “reclaimed,” “vintage” or even “rescued” are popular and trendy, but true to their tag line, they are here to stay. The look is so desired that even new things are made to look old ... a little something extra to impart authenticity.

My interest in obscure antique stores began far outside the Oklahoma City area. New Orleans and St. Louis were frequent vacation spots for my family, and it was there that my parents hooked me with the thrill of the hunt. Antique doors were bungeed to the top of the family car for a long drive home, along with miscellaneous smaller treasures.

There’s nothing like being on the lookout for the perfect finishing touch for a room and now, more than ever, you don’t have to go to an antique store to find these one-of-a-kind details. I have happily perused some great businesses in the metro that offer all that you could ever want in this department. To my delight, there’s nothing obscure about any of them, and I know for a fact that there are many more to be found.

A bit of advice when you are out there looking: Be patient and keep your eyes open. Details ... details.

Clockwise from top left: Study magnifying sconce from Plenty Mercantile // English finial from Plenty Mercantile // Reclaimed postal bag dog bed from Plenty Mercantile // Reclaimed apothecary matchstick bottle, vintage emerald green cloth napkins from The Social Club // Recycled glass candlestick from Plenty Mercantile // Set of antique books by Shakespeare from Verdigris

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 27

UP FRONT | Exchange

The man, drawn by the man: Steve Hill against a background of work he’s created in the past year for the Sports Page Weekly (Dallas), FanNation and various sports blogs for which he is a regular contributor.

28 SLICE // APRIL 2013

Comic Genius A tion versa Con h Steve wit y) Hill k (Cor

What’s your hometown? I was born in Indianapolis, but we moved around a lot (Michigan, Tokyo, Minnesota, Honolulu, Germany) because my dad worked for the FAA. I was in ninth grade when we moved to Oklahoma City.

LONG BEFORE HE WAS MAYOR MICK CORNETT’S CHIEF OF STAFF, Steve Hill endeared himself to Oklahoma City as one of its favorite sons. The former contributor for the Oklahoma Gazette and radio personality has been a gifted cartoonist since childhood – thanks, in no small part, to a steady literary diet of comic books.

More than anything, it’s his undeniable sense of humor that endears Hill to us and keeps him at the top of our short list of favorite conversationalists. Who else, we wondered, is as funny, mysterious and dangerous?

Who do you think you could be mistaken for? Well, when my hair was still red, it used to be Richie Cunningham, and then it was Conan O’Brien.

Not so much anymore.

Where did you go to college?

OU. Journalism major.

How long have you had the gig at the mayor’s office?

Two years.

Is this city still on a diet? I signed up, but let’s just say I got distracted. And hungry.

Hey, this city has lost almost a million pounds! About 47,000 people lost an average of 20 pounds.

Speaking of food, what’s your favorite hole-in-thewall in OKC? VZD’s. Also, Picasso’s on Paseo. They have really good food.

Do you ever cry at a movie?

Not really, but I can’t watch the end of “My Dog Skip.”

What’s your best character trait? My sense of humor.

What was your favorite Saturday morning cartoon?

“Scooby Doo.” And you know, I loved how they worked in cartoon guest stars. One day, they might just run into the Harlem Globetrotters. What other cartoon does that?

Are you married? Yes. My wife is Desiree. We have a son in the eighth grade – Sam.

What’s the best part of that job? Everything about the job is good. Mick (Cornett) and I have been friends for a long time and it’s nice to work with him. Our work styles complement one another.

By Lauren Hammack

What do you watch on TV? If it comes on, I’ll always stop and watch “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” Also, “Goodfellas” and “Justified” on F/X. What do you bring to a crowded room? An appreciation for all the exits.

How much worthless trivia do you retain? An alarming amount … at the expense of valuable information. Probably a cure for cancer tried to float into my head at some point and there was no more room.

How many songs have you got on your iPod? Probably 9,000.

What trait would you gladly give up? I’m not particularly driven for the sake of personal ambition.

Where are you likely to be on a Friday night? At home or at some kind of sporting event.

Ginger or Mary Ann? Mary Ann.

What were your parents wrong about? They never really liked the fact that I always liked reading comic books.

How ironic! Where have your sketches appeared? Right now, they appear in some ads each week in The Dallas Morning News. They’ve appeared at different times in other newspapers around the country.

You have such an artistic gift. Do you worry about keeping it out there? It’s one of those things that’s just a part of who I am, no matter what I do for a living.

I get it. I can write backwards in cursive. That’s part of who I am.

What did you get in the most trouble for when you were young? Smarting off in class.

I like to think I was funny.

How many good ones? 8,000.

No Styx.

Are you a good speller? Yes.

Who is your real-life hero?

My dad.

And underappreciated, obviously. Are you a night owl?

Yes.

What do you value most in your friends? Humor. Being interesting.

What are the odds you’ll pick the fastest lane in the drivethru at the bank? Zero.

What should people get you for your next birthday?

There’s an electric motorcycle that I’ve been wanting – the Zero. And people should know that my birthday is November 8.

What cereal? Raisin Bran.

Are you kidding? You sounded like an old man just then. OK. Raisin Bran with chocolate soy milk.

Gross.

Do you have any phobias?

Those creepy motivational posters.

If you could have another name, what would it be? Hmmmm. I dunno. Something mysterious. Something kind of dangerous … Corky.

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 29

How Well Does Your Wealth Advisor Know You? Your dreams not only help define who you are as a person, they should be the driving force behind your wealth management decisions.

By focusing on life goals rather than financial goals, we become more than advisors. We’re your advocates. With knowledge rooted in a personal relationship, we can use our expertise to weather market conditions without losing sight of your ultimate destination. All with the comfort of an experienced financial professional just down the street.

What do you want out of life? Give us a call and let’s build your plan together.

Private Banking | Fiduciary Services | Investment Management Wealth Advisory Services | Specialty Asset Management 405.463.1973 | www.bankofoklahoma.com

© 2013 Bank of Oklahoma, a division of BOKF, NA. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

WMPB_030713_WealthAdvis_Slice.indd 1

30 SLICE // APRIL 2013

3/1/13 12:50 PM

WHAT IF THE

BOOM GOES BUST?

By John Parker First of all, the Thunder-blue skies of Oklahoma City’s economic horizons are not falling.

Despite the collapse of record-high natural gas prices in the 2000s, oil-mammoth Continental Resources is still on course to triple its size in five years. Hard-hat crews await to rip up sidewalks and block streets as all the construction – except the new convention center – from the $777 million MAPS 3 plan is scheduled to roar.

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 31

Previous page: SandRidge Energy explores for and produces oil in shallow, conventional, domestic basins primarily in the Mississippian formation in northwest Oklahoma and west Kansas.

This page: Drilling at the Cana Woodford Shale of west-central Oklahoma – Devon’s largest producer.

32 SLICE // APRIL 2013

NEW JOBS HAVE BEEN COMING ONLINE TWICE AS FAST

as the rest of the nation and the metro leads among employment boomtowns across the country. Wages are still climbing at a brisk clip, ranking us among the top 20 up-and-comers in America.

Buzz-generating Von Maur is building a 150,000-square-foot department store in north Oklahoma City to wrap around its trademark piano performances. Other national favorites such as Trader Joe’s and Costco are reportedly looking to follow pioneers like Williams-Sonoma into the local retail market.

Our horizons look bright. It’s just the other downtown thunder that has people worried.

With a March Madness zeal that can only come from having to put up with trash talk about the hometown “Big Four,” the metro has been transfixed by SandRidge Energy’s proxy fight with New York-based investment fund TPG-Axon. In November the fund unleashed a full-court press aimed at yanking out SandRidge’s board of directors and founder/local hero Tom Ward. In turn, that raised the prospect of SandRidge being sold and moving, leaving behind an oil-black hole in the metro’s economy.

SandRidge’s corporate affliction was yet another replay of what happened to Chesapeake Energy, another Big Four player along with Continental Resources and Devon Energy. Both companies know what it is to be invasively Reutered – that is, become the subject of journalistic probes by the London-based news agency, which exposed questionable company practices, followed by shareholder uprisings.

The scrutiny had already aroused at least four federal agencies to a closer look at Fortune 500 Chesapeake. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, watchdog of legal corporate conduct, is formally investigating what Reuters reported. For its part, the company has cleared itself and former CEO Aubrey McClendon (as of April 1) of any intentional wrongdoing after its own internal investigation.

Corporate governance drama aside, the first real rumble of trouble on the horizon for the metro sounded in January: Debt-heavy Chesapeake kicked off the year with the disclosure that it would halve its budget for lobbying, trade association dues and, most importantly, charitable giving.

Chesapeake is a Johnny Appleseed of nonprofit support in the metro; it spreads its generosity often and widely. Last year, it aided devotedly thankful nonprofits with $31 million that went to 1,000 charities where it does business. And with SandRidge trudging through the same ground as Chesapeake, metro nonprofits are paying attention.

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 33

SIMON HURST

“It is a real concern. We’re small-business people – though some are big-business people – but we are business people. When you see either a trend in the economy or, specifically, one or two of your donors having large changes that could impact you – absolutely we’re telling everybody to go cautiously, to look at all your expenses.”

- Marnie Taylor, president of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits

The first impacts of Chesapeake’s trimming are likely to hit midyear as scores of nonprofits begin their new fiscal year. The Chesapeake Community Plaza near Nichols Hills is a physical manifestation of its far charitable reach. The company refurbished a strip mall to create 64,000 square feet of discounted offices where more than 20 nonprofits flocked.

After the January announcement, Chesapeake revealed little about how it will manage the cuts. The company has a “huge heart” for giving and choices will be wrenching, said Marnie Taylor, head of the Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits.

Should it cut a $10,000 grant to a small town, or $30,000 to a metro nonprofit that has more likely funders available?

“One of the points that need to be made is we have a lot of generous funders – so that’s good,” she said. “We have a lot 34 SLICE // APRIL 2013

of large foundations that are well-established and there’s no volatility around them about oil and gas prices, which is fortunate. And the rest of the business sector has grown so much.”

The cuts, which include possible layoffs, would spill wide.

Roughly half of Norman and Edmond’s residents jam Interstate 35 and the Broadway Extension each workday, commuting primarily to jobs with state government and Tinker Air Force Base, but also with downtown energy companies.

John Woods, head of the Norman Chamber of Commerce, said there’s been little talk there about possible economic ripples from OKC’s situation – especially not along the lines of the 1980s oil boom and the subsequent bust that plunged the state into stagnation.

“The residual economic impact is felt throughout the metro, so you’re always concerned and monitor each individual company, but I do believe, long-term, that we’re in a fairly stable environment overall, mainly because of the demand side in the energy sector,” he said.

“I think Oklahoma in general has done a better job ... than where we were at in the oil bust of the ’80s. We have a diverse economy overall and a diversified energy portfolio. I think those put me in much more comfort than I would be otherwise three decades ago.”

If global media are peering at OKC’s multi-billion-dollar companies with a magnifying lens, Oklahomans tend to descry all the attention through a Hubble telescope – they pay much more attention to it than the rest of the world. Roy Williams, president of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, said he’s sensed very little hesitation about the resiliency of Oklahoma City’s renaissance.

“Most people I talk to nationally know nothing of this story,” he said. “Because we tend to think that, well, we read about it every day, therefore everybody must read about it every day. And they don’t.”

HOW TO STOP WORRYING AND LEARN TO LOVE THE PHENOM

The natural gas boom went bust. Thank God for the oil boom.

Predictions of the next economic bubble may fall along the lines of local weather forecasters refusing to grasp that snowf lakes are as common as igloos in central Oklahoma, but plenty of economists, industry analysts and international data geeks see it as a real possibility.

A legion of factors fueled the natural gas rush of the 2000s: record-high prices; reimagined techniques for horizontal drilling and forcing high-pressure water, sand and chemicals down a well to fracture hard-rock shale to release the gas amid it; plus multiple other advances, such as four-dimensional geological imaging that elevated seeing what’s underground from the X-ray era to full-body CT scans.

In the heart of Oklahoma, the heyday of natural gas amazed as people watched Chesapeake Energy – the brainchild of Heritage Hall graduate Aubrey McClendon and the pride of Seiling, Oklahoma, Tom Ward – spread out and up along N.W. 63rd and Western.

The sprawl now comprises a 111-acre headquarters with upscale amenities for about 5,000 employees.

Rising with it was a company founded in 1971 by John Nichols and his son Larry; today, Devon Energy ranks among two 500s – Fortune magazine’s and the S&P’s stock index.

The inflation of the natural gas balloon was phenomenal. Natural gas production that had climbed only slightly since 1970 shot to record levels after 2000. With re-imagined ways of applying oldschool “fracking” and other advances, the “shale gale” blustered up prodigious profits.

“We tend to talk about the Big Four, but there are dozens and dozens of multi-milliondollar oil and gas companies that are headquartered here … and you never know which one of those is the next big one, because they’re all potentially positioned to do that.”

- Roy Williams, head of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber

“It was almost like a gold rush,” said Robert Dauffenbach, director of OU’s Center for Economic and Management Research. “In other words, you suddenly learn that there are these extractable resources that you didn’t even know were there before, and so you had this big rush to buy up the property and get the deals out there.”

All the technological innovations were focused on extracting natural gas, by every company that could do it. Even though natural gas grew steadily as a more viable source of energy nationwide, producers overdid it to the point of gluttony. Facing bulging levels of gas in storage, the all-time high prices in 2008 tumbled to their current levels, which hover around the relatively meager rates before the boom began.

“I don’t know if in a private-sector framework there’s really anything you can do about that,” Dauffenbach said. “The competitive juices get f lowing …”

Fortunately for Oklahoma City, the technological breakthroughs that revived natural gas are now being applied to forcing up all the formerly unrecoverable oil left behind by industry pioneers.

For a year and half, Continental Resources gathered widespread drilling rights on the hush in a handful of counties southwest and west of Norman. The landowners sat on “wet” shale lands rich in crude and “natural gas liquids,” such as the butane that fuels backyard grill lighters. In October, they revealed their “SCOOP” – the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province. The company announced its plan to drill 2,000 wells there to soak up an estimated 1.8 billion barrels of crude.

Oklahoma’s nimble energy companies, and fossil-fuel companies nationwide, have shifted radically away from drilling for lowpriced natural gas to the high-profit prospects of oil, now trading in the $90-a-barrel range in the United States. In 2011, as much as 70 percent of Oklahoma’s drilling hunted for natural gas. By January this year, 84 percent were oil rigs, marking the reversal of a 25-year decline in oil production.

Although Oklahoma’s Big Four have “plays” – places where they expect profitable oil and gas production – across the country, the state is a mirror of the overall industry.

“What’s good for Oklahoma is that we have oil plays,” said Chip Minty, media relations manager for Devon Energy. “We have great natural gas plays and resources that we can produce from, but right now we have oil plays – and that’s where the industry’s going.”

Further along the horizon, the International Energy Agency says U.S. oil output will surpass the world’s leader, Saudi Arabia, as early as 2020. Despite the promotion of the idea that America is at the mercy of “foreign devils,” the country has long been the world’s third-largest oil producer. It’s our consumption that shoves us back on our feet. The years ahead not only point to energy independence, but possibly massive exports.

A Continental Resources rig in the Anadarko Woodford formation.

The state of the metro energy industry as it stands now is this: Chesapeake and SandRidge are facing serious allegations of corporate malfeasance that have nothing to do with the energy sector’s long-term outlook. As public companies that accepted the rules when they asked for more money by offering public stock, Chesapeake and SandRidge can be sold and moved to meet the profit demands of investors who have no stake in Oklahoma’s greater good.

The oil and gas industry is nowhere near where it was in the 1980s, when the last oil boom plunged Oklahoma City into stagnation by 1986. Thirsty energy demand from China, India and other developing nations didn’t exist 30 years ago. The metro also thrives on never-before-seen growth in the health and research sector, along with boosts by tech companies like Dell Inc., with its estimated $340 million annual economic impact and its 2,000 employees.

For context on today’s worries, Williams refers to the 2006 loss of downtown oil and gas company Kerr-McGee when it moved after its sale. SandRidge stepped in to buy its empty office tower and it’s filled now.

“We tend to talk about the Big Four, but there are dozens and dozens of multi-million-dollar oil and gas companies that are headquartered here,” Williams said. “But because they’re smaller, they don’t get the attention. And you never know which one of those is the next big one, because they’re all potentially positioned to do that.”

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 35

We invited our readers to play a game of 20 60 questions and vote online for their favorites in multiple categories encompassing the delights of life in central Oklahoma. With our thanks to the participants and our congratulations to the victors, we gladly present the inaugural Slice Awards.

36 SLICE // APRIL 2013

DRINKING, DINING & OTHER

CARLI WENTWORTH

t n e m i rr e M LOCALLY OWNED COFFEE SHOP

Elemental Coffee Roasters

Both a local roaster and coffee house, Elemental serves up some fine java. The retail side of the business was launched to facilitate a more personal relationship with customers, and the company’s unique approach to roasting comes from a firm belief that coffee’s “flavor and appeal will change from season to season … even from batch to batch.” The result is a lively and ever-changing range of brew with one mainstay: excellence. 815 N. Hudson in OKC, 633.1703, elementalcoffeeroasters.com Second place: Red Cup, 3122 N. Classen Blvd., OKC Third place: Coffee Slingers, 1015 N. Broadway, OKC

WEEKEND BRUNCH Seven47

Housed in a nifty art deco-style building on Norman’s Campus Corner, the industrialchic décor manages to be über cool and warmly welcoming at the same time. The tempting brunch offerings run the international gamut from Café du Monde beignets to Belgian waffles to Crabby Eggs – a crab cake Benedict with tomato hollandaise and sweet pepper relish. 747 Asp in Norman, 701.8622, seven47.com Second Place: La Baguette Bistro, 7408 N. May, OKC Third Place: Kitchen No. 324, 324 N. Robinson, OKC

WORKDAY LUNCH SPOT Texadelphia

The Stick a Fork in Me Burger (so named because its combination of cheeses – jalapeno, jack and queso – make it a dangerous proposition for tackling with one’s bare hands) and Founder’s Favorite angus cheesesteaks are favored dishes at this friendly, casual spot, but lighter fare is offered as well if you’re prone to napping at your desk on a full stomach. Two locations: 200 S. Oklahoma in OKC, 208.4000; 1150 W. Lindsey in Norman, 701.5635 Second place: Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, Bricktown and Norman Third place: Coolgreens, five metro locations

GREASY CHEESEBURGER

S&B’s Burger Joint

Whether you’d happily eat a burger every day or just like to occasionally indulge, S&B’s gourmet burgers and sliders won’t disappoint. The Fatty has quickly become renowned for both size and taste, and is served alongside beer floats, soda floats and delicious homemade pies. Three locations: 5929 N. May (843.8777), 20 N.W. 9th (270.0516) and 7745 S. Walker in OKC (631.0783), sandbburgers.com Second place: Tucker’s Onion Burgers, N.W. 23rd and Classen Curve, OKC Third place: Irma’s Burger Shack, N.W. 63rd and Midtown, OKC

BREAKFAST PLACE KITCHEN NO. 324

Amazing food (like Pastrami & Eggs, Fried Green Tomato Benedict, House Made Granola served with berries and milk) is served with fresh-pressed juices alongside tasty pastries in this new addition to the dining scene, and it’s a big hit. The space is beautiful and bathed in natural light, and the bustling business proves that life in downtown Oklahoma City is thriving seven days a week. 324 N. Robinson in OKC, 763.5911, kitchen324.com Second place: Jimmy’s Egg, 11 metro locations, jimmysegg.com Third Place: The Diner, 213 E. Main, Norman

APPETIZERS

Texadelphia

A double winner this year (see Workday Lunch Spot), Texadelphia keeps it simple but great where starters are concerned, and their Okie Fried Pickles and Hand Battered Onion Rings are good-yet-uncomplicated comfort fare … and, of course, fried.

Two locations: 200 S. Oklahoma in OKC, 208.4000; 1150 W. Lindsey in Norman, 701.5635 Second place: Deep Fork Grill, 5418 N. Western, OKC Third place: Republic Gastropub, 5830 N. Classen Blvd., OKC

SPOT FOR A COCKTAIL Seven47

In addition to its winning status for Weekend Brunch, Seven47 is a hip spot for a cocktail, and the location is perfect for stopping in just before any OU home game. Sidle up to the brushed stainless steel bar, or lounge with friends in the plush couch pits that surround the bar area. The specialty cocktails are as swanky as the décor. 747 Asp in Norman, 701.8622, seven47.com Second place: Ludivine, 805 N. Hudson, OKC Third place: Republic Gastropub, 5830 N. Classen Blvd, OKC

DESSERT

La Baguette Bistro

Brothers Alain and Michel Buthion call Oklahoma home, but their culinary roots are firmly planted in their native France.

The bistro they opened together, thanks to its adjacent deli and bakery, has more options than your average dessert selection. The tarts, pastries and cakes (Bombe Au Chocolat, please) are so exceptional that the most arduous part of your visit will be making a decision. 7408 N. May in OKC, 840.3047, labaguettebistro.com Second place: La Baguette Bakery & Café, 924 W. Main and 1130 Rambling Oaks, Norman Third place: Cheever’s, 2409 N. Hudson, OKC

CASUAL DINING

Iron Starr Urban Barbeque

When you need to feed your rabid craving for barbecue, Iron Starr adds an uptown flair to the fare. The famous St. Louis Cut Pork Ribs get a 24-hour dry spice rubdown before being slow smoked, and the Fancy Mac & Cheese will ruin you for any other version. End the meal with their Double Chocolate Bread Pudding with a grand marnier glaze, whether you “left room” for it or not. 3700 N. Shartel in OKC, 524.5925, ironstarrbbq.com Second place: Iguana Mexican Grill, 9 N.W. 9th, OKC and 6482 Avondale, Nichols Hills Third place: Cheever’s, 2409 N. Hudson, OKC

FINE DINING

The Metro Wine Bar & Bistro

Located adjacent to Nichols Hills but a popular spot for residents from across the metro, this establishment has been an upscale dining fixture since 1988. From the Cedar Plank Salmon to Filet of Beef APRIL 2013 // SLICE 37

to Chicken Vermouth, the menu is always changing and always excellent, and the service is outstanding. A bowl of the Vichyssoise alone is worth the trip. 6418 N. Western in OKC, 840.9463, metrowinebar.com Second place: Red PrimeSteak, 504 N. Broadway, OKC Third place: Ludivine, 805 N. Hudson, OKC

VEGETARIAN RESTAURANT {FOR THE NON-MEAT-EATERS WHO SOMEHOW ENDED UP IN OKLAHOMA} Coolgreens

Every item on the Coolgreens menu – wraps, salads, soups, flatbread pizza – is made fresh daily and processed foods of any kind are forbidden. Choose the protein of your liking, (tofu available!), add greens, topping and dressing, then enjoy it as a salad or a wrap. And there’s no denying that part of the restaurant’s success is attributable to some mighty fine frozen yogurt. Five locations: 6475 Avondale in Nichols Hills, 841.2665; 204 N. Robinson (600.6444) and 14201 N. May (286.9304) in OKC; 1189 E. 15th in Edmond, 562.1020; 3700 W. Robinson in Norman, 701.5000; coolgreens.com Second place: Red Cup, 3122 N. Classen Blvd., OKC Third place: Picasso Café, 3009 Paseo, OKC

CHEAP DATE VENUE Cuppies & Joe

It’s a quaint café in a charming building in the Uptown 23rd district of Oklahoma City, and if you want maximum enjoyment with minimal expense, this is the place. The cupcakes are made fresh daily (along with other desserts) with the best ingredients in a setting that makes you feel right at home.

The atmosphere is lively but amenable to quiet conversation over a gourmet cup of coffee and cupcakes for two. 727 N.W. 23rd in OKC, 528.2122, cuppiesandjoe.com Second place: Big Truck Tacos, 530 N.W. 23rd, OKC Third place (tie): Myriad Botanical Gardens, downtown OKC and The Wedge Pizzeria, 4709 N. Western and 230 N.E. 1st, OKC

EXPENSIVE DATE VENUE

Redrock Canyon Grill

When you pair an excellent meal with a spectacular view of Lake Hefner, you have all the ingredients to make your date feel special (and frankly, the restaurant isn’t really all that expensive – it feels more upscale than its cost). Redrock offers fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere, and the enclosed patio allows for watching fabulous sunsets year round. There are ample Southwest and American options

on the menu, but the real specialty is the Wood-Fired Rotisserie Chicken. 9221 Lake Hefner Pkwy. in OKC, 749.1995, redrockcanyongrill.ehsrg.com Second place: Vast, 333 W. Sheridan, OKC Third place: The Coach House, 6437 Avondale, Nichols Hills

OUT-OF-BUSINESS RESTAURANT YOU WISH WOULD MAKE A COMEBACK Nichols Hills Drugstore

No small number of points separated this category winner from the other entries; it won by a landslide. As one voter put it, “I crave this every morning and every day at lunch.” It wasn’t fancy; it was nostalgia.

Sitting at the fountain and ordering up a cheeseburger, fries and a milkshake was a cherished tradition … and nearly impossible when school was out of session. Formerly in Nichols Hills Plaza Second place: Molly Murphy’s House of Fine Repute in OKC Third place: Sleepy Hollow in OKC

CAFÉ/RESTAURANT NO ONE HAS HEARD OF (PROBABLY) Café Kacao

Guatemalan food has a freshness to it in both taste and appearance, incorporating bright colors and interesting textures.

Lunch and dinner are both very good here, but those in the know are hooked on the breakfast. Motuleno is a popular choice – corn tortillas with black beans, topped with eggs (cooked your way), ranchero sauce, cheese and avocados. The corn tortillas are handmade, and the Guatemalan coffee is delightful. 3325 N. Classen Blvd. in OKC, 602.2883, cafekacao.com Second place: Couscous Café, 6165 N. May, OKC Third place: Joey’s Pizzeria, 700 W. Sheridan, OKC

RESTAURANT TO EMBARRASS YOUR FRIEND BY ANNOUNCING HIS/HER BIRTHDAY Ted’s Café Escondido

A popular Mexican food spot for years, Ted’s doesn’t hold back on the free chips and salsa … nor the spectacle. Tell your server it’s your companion’s birthday and you’ll get the works – sombrero and all. There’s even an official (and loud) Birthday Song. 2836 N.W. 68th (848.8337) and 8324 S. Western (635.8337) in OKC; 801 E. Danforth in Edmond, 810.8337; 700 N. Interstate Dr. in Norman, 307.8337; tedscafe.com

HOLE-IN-THE-WALL YOU’RE NOT ASHAMED TO ADMIT LIKING EISCHEN’S

It’s a bit of a drive to get there, but the fried chicken (it’s a whole fried chicken) is legendary, as is Eischen’s place in history as the oldest bar in the state. There are a total of eight items on the menu, and if you don’t want fried okra as your side order, your alternative is nachos. Seriously. Leave the credit card at home; they only accept cash and personal checks. Seriously. 109 N. 2nd in Okarche, 263.9939, eischensbar.com Second place: Nic’s Grill, 1201 N. Pennsylvania, OKC Third place: Cock o’ the Walk, 3705 N. Western, OKC

38 SLICE // APRIL 2013

Second place: Texas Roadhouse, 2100 E. Memorial, OKC Third place: Chelino’s, 13 metro locations, chelinosmexicanrestaurant.com

EXCURSION FOR SHOWING YOUR OUT-OF-TOWN GUESTS WITH KIDS A GOOD TIME Pops

The trip east from Edmond to the spot marked by an iconic 66-foot-high soda-bottle sculpture is totally worth the time. While the food is tasty, the prime draw is the incredible selection of bottled beverages awaiting thirsty travelers, making a long-lasting impression on kids whose default question

surrounded by over 2,700 electronic games in a lavish atmosphere ripe with excitement; it’s an effort of will to tear yourself away and enjoy the stylish restaurants or live entertainment, from blazing hot country singers to the cream of classic rock like Chicago and the Doobie Brothers. Even if you don’t break the bank, at Riverwind a great time is a sure thing. 1544 W. Highway 9 in Norman, 322.6000, riverwind.com Second place: WinStar World Casino, 777 Casino Ave., Thackerville Third place: Remington Park, 1 Remington Pl., OKC

IN-TOWN HOTEL TO REKINDLE THE ROMANCE (OR JUST ESCAPE THE KIDS) SIMON HURST

Skirvin Hilton

EXCURSION FOR SHOWING YOUR OUT-OFTOWN GUESTS A GOOD TIME BRICKTOWN

Deservedly the standard-bearer in conversations touting the metro’s current boom of growth and development, the thriving Bricktown entertainment district is loaded with possibilities for enjoyment: major sporting events, shopping, dining in a panoply of genres, catching a movie or going bowling, even floating serenely through it all along the canal.

It’s a prime way to show off OKC, especially to those who haven’t seen downtown in a while. bricktownokc.com Second place: Republic Gastropub, 5830 N. Classen Blvd., OKC Third place: Thunder game, nba.com/thunder

will soon change from “Are we there yet?” to “Can we go back yet?” As one reader put it, “What kid doesn’t like five bazillion types of soda and a cheeseburger?” 600 W. Highway 66 in Arcadia, 928.7677, route66.com Second place: Oklahoma City Zoo, okczoo.com Third place: Myriad Botanical Gardens, myriadgardens.org

BEST PUBLIC FESTIVAL

Festival of the Arts

It’s a community celebration of arts – visual, performing and culinary – and it happens to take place this month (April 23-28). The International Food Row fuels your body to meander among 144 visual artists and four stages with nonstop performances, and strolling performers add to the jubilant atmosphere. After all, if it’s Festival time, it must be spring! Annually in downtown OKC, 270.4848, artscouncilokc.com Second place: Norman Music Festival, normanmusicfestival.com Third place: deadCENTER Film Festival, deadcenterfilm.org

CHARITY EVENT

Red Tie Night

In the early 1990s, Jackie and Barbara Cooper and a small group of friends banded together with the idea to help those strug-

gling with a newly developing disease.

Twenty-plus years and more than $16 million later, Red Tie Night has changed Oklahoma’s HIV/AIDS care forever. The event – the largest single-evening fundraiser in the state – is about as “red carpet” as it comes. Annually in OKC, 348.6600, okaidscarefund.com Second place: Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition’s 12x12, ovac-ok.org Third place: Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon, okcmarathon.com

PLACE TO SPEND A LAZY SATURDAY Warren Theatre

The key word is “lavish” – impeccable style and Old Hollywood glamour radiate from every inch of this magnificent movie palace with comfortable appointments and multiple dining options …and once you enjoy a film from the plush balcony with full food and drink service, you may never want to go back to a regular theater again. 1000 Telephone Rd. in Moore, 703.3777, warrentheatres.com Second place: At home Third place: Myriad Botanical Gardens, downtown OKC

CASINO TO BLOW YOUR PAYCHECK AND FEEL (SORT OF) OK ABOUT IT Riverwind Casino

The poker tables never close and they’re

With every modern amenity and an unmistakable air of timelessness acquired over its century-plus history, the Skirvin does ambiance like no other. A quiet meal in the Park Avenue Grill, drinks over live jazz in the Red Piano Lounge or simply curling up in a king-sized suite – there’s no wrong way to enjoy. 1 Park Ave. in OKC, 272.3040, skirvinhilton.com Second place: Colcord Hotel, colcordhotel.com Third place: Waterford Marriott, marriott.com

WEEKEND GETAWAY IN THE STATE Beavers Bend State Park

Our readers must love geology, as Beavers Bend is home to the unusual and fascinating rock formations of the Ouachita Mountains. Either that or they’re drawn to the prospects for hiking, fishing, canoeing, golfing, swimming and more amid absolutely idyllic natural splendor, all while experiencing the comforts of home … if home were in a forest paradise. Northeast of Broken Bow, 580.494.6455, beaversbend.com Second place: Tulsa Third place: Grand Lake

Investment MAKING A PERSONAL

MEN’S CLOTHING STORE

Spencer Stone Company

The store’s namesake and owner opened his business in 2003 with a honed focus on two main principles: offer fine menswear and do so with the highest level of service. From jeans to suits to tuxedos, Stone and his staff ensure that Oklahoma gentlemen of all ages look their best. 6492 Avondale in Nichols Hills, 608.0586, spencerstoneco.com Second place: Mr. Ooley’s, Penn Square Mall, OKC Third place: Gil’s, 7644 N. Western, OKC

KIDS’ CLOTHING STORE Uptown Kids

This is far from your average children’s store.

The atmosphere is a nifty combination of retail store/gallery/playhouse, the clothes are very fashion-forward, and many of the lines APRIL 2013 // SLICE 39

K.O. RINEARSON

won’t be found anywhere else in the metro. If you want the place all to yourself – or with a few close friends – book an after-hours private shopping event. 5840 N. Classen Blvd. in OKC, 418.8881, uptownkidsstyle.com Second place: Blue Seven, 7518 N. May, OKC Third place: Green Bambino, 5120 N. Shartel, OKC

SHOE STORE Balliets

No matter how great the outfit, you gotta have the right shoes. The perfect pair is only steps away at Balliets (see Women’s Clothing Store), and the stock is carefully selected to complement the clothing lines.

Lines include Cole Haan, Jimmy Choo, Prada and Valentino, so you’re certain to find the perfect fit. 5801 N.W. Grand in OKC, 848.7811, balliets.com Second place: Dillard’s, three metro locations, dillards.com Third place: Heirloom Shoe, 4415 N. Western, OKC

JEWELER/JEWELRY STORE B.C. Clark Jewelers

It’s a family affair at B.C. Clark. The first store opened before statehood, and today is run by the founder’s grandson and two great-grandsons. In fact, it’s the oldest retail store in Oklahoma under the same name and ownership. High fashion jewelry shares space with luxury timepieces and exceptional giftware. The store’s famous holiday jingle even made it as far as “The Tonight Show.” Three locations: 101 Park Ave. (232.8806), Penn Square Mall (840.1441) and Northpark Mall (755.4040) in OKC, bcclark.com Second place: Naifeh Fine Jewelry, 9203 N. Pennsylvania, OKC Third place: Samuel Gordon Jewelers, 5521 N. Pennsylvania, OKC

HAIR STYLIST

Chad Taber

Truly creating style at Salon W, Chad’s work is an in inspiration, especially to readers who voted him as the go-to stylist for looking their best. A Keune national artisan, Chad excels at the top-flight salon where the emphasis is on quality and continuous education for its slate of admired style pros. 7304 N. Western in OKC, 608.0692, salonwokc.com Second place: Estrella Evans, Velvet Monkey, 1701 N.W. 16th and 3003 N.W. 63rd, OKC Third place: Sara Donavan, Trichology Salon, 14101 N. May, OKC

WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE BALLIETS

The store’s design is as impressive as its designer labels, the result of a two-year collaboration with architect Rand Elliott. Italianate travertine, a grand staircase and a generous infusion of natural light give Balliets a serious “wow” factor, and the staff is unfailingly gracious. The cosmetics department is located on the upper level to facilitate privacy, along with a spa and outdoor relaxation deck. Feel free to linger. 5801 N.W. Grand in OKC, 848.7811, balliets.com Second place: Blue Seven, 7518 N. May, OKC Third place: CK and Company, 6429 Avondale, Nichols Hills

SPA

COSMETIC DENTIST

The team of 50+ professionals at Cottonwood are no stranger to awards; the company had made Salon Today magazine’s list of top salons in the U.S. for eight consecutive years. The 11,000-square-foot facility is a Mecca of respite, with soothing waterfalls and ample sunlight to complement a seemingly endless list of services designed to make you feel like a better version of your former self. 35 E. 33rd in Edmond, 340.1700, cottonwoodsalonspa.com

Pearly whites are oh-so nice, and it’s a big bonus when the “getting there” experience is a pleasant one. Patient rooms offer a garden view that includes a Bill Worrell sculpture, and time spent in the chair can be whiled away listening to music via headphones or watching your favorite movie with virtual iGlasses. Dr. Jones holds a spot in the top five percent of Oklahoma dentists for continuing education and was named 2012 Dentist of the Year by the Oklahoma Dental Association. 2000 S.E. 15th, Building 200 in Edmond, 341.9370, kristajonesdds.com

Cottonwood Salon Spa

Second place: Renaissance Salon & Spa, 10440 N. Broadway Ext., OKC Third place: Eden Salon & Spa, 12200 Warwick and 4200 N. Western, OKC

HAIR SALON

FLORIST TO IMPRESS YOUR LOVE (OR GET YOU OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE)

Velvet Monkey

A Date With Iris

Owner Estrella Evans was clever enough to claim space in Oklahoma City’s Plaza District very early on in the area’s revitalization. Her salon’s edgy, artistic style and quirky name caught on in a big way – so big that she opened a second salon (Velvet Monkey Too) to facilitate the growth in devoted clientele.

Two locations: 1701 N.W. 16th (528.1106) and 3003 N.W. 63rd (879.1002) in OKC, velvetmonkeysalon.com

Sending flowers is always a good idea, but sending something truly unique is a great idea. A Date With Iris specializes in unusual blooms, which gives your good gesture some extra zing. They do weddings, of course, but also offer weekly deliveries to local businesses – a good way to spruce up more than your love life. 4201 N. Western in OKC, 604.5959, adatewithiris.com

Second place: Trichology, 14101 N. May, OKC Third place: Salon W, 7304 N. Western in OKC

Second place: New Leaf Florist, 2500 N. May, OKC Third place: Trochta’s Flowers & Garden Center, 6700 N. Broadway Ext., OKC

40 SLICE // APRIL 2013

Krista M. Jones, D.D.S.

Second place: Damon R. Johnson, D.D.S., 1400 W. Covell, Edmond Third place: Dana B. Price, D.D.S., 5601 N. Classen Blvd., OKC

COSMETIC SURGEON

Tim R. Love, M.D.

People seem to just love Dr. Love. First, he’s an expert, with over 30 years’ experience and board certification from the specialized American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Secondly, his personable ways put patients at ease before taking that big step, or even just getting a clinical peel or restoring some of that hair you lost in the shower drain.

11101 Hefner Pointe, Suite 104 in OKC, 751.5683, drtimlove.com Second place: Justin M. Jones, M.D., 6305 Waterford Blvd., Suite 115, OKC Third place: Stephen Gaulthier, M.D., 2520 N.W. Expressway, OKC

ANTIQUE STORE

Mockingbird Manor

It may sound counterintuitive, but these aren’t your grandfather’s antiques. Walking in the manor, you’ll be surrounded by outstanding home décor items chosen for attractiveness and high quality. It’s also two trips in one, with modern pieces vying to outshine their senior competition. 4417 N. Western in Oklahoma City, 521.1212

NEIGHBORHOOD TO BUY YOUR “ALWAYS KEEP ’EM GUESSING” HOME Crown Heights

Crown Heights homes are beautiful and interesting, with styles as varied as Italian Renaissance to minimal traditional. Its three parks are uptown oases for playing ball or spreading a blanket for a picnic. Never overly ostentatious, some of the wealthiest people in the metro live there. Or do they? ch-eh.org

Second place: Treasures Past, 1015 N. Broadway, OKC Third place: Rink Gallery, 3200 N. Rockwell, Bethany

Second place: Mesta Park, mestapark.org Third place: The Paseo, thepaseo.com

FURNITURE STORE

LOCALLY MADE THING THAT EVERY OKLAHOMAN SHOULD OWN

Mathis Brothers Furniture

It’s a metro TV fixture with the address that’s hard-wired into our collective brains, somewhere right beside the B.C. Clark jingle. Fine furniture hunters rarely forget Mathis Brothers’ immense selection, ranging from colorful options for kid rooms to high-end, designer sofas. What’s that address again? 3434 W. Reno in OKC, 943.3434, mathisbrothers.com Second place: True North Living, 7318 N. Western, OKC Third place: I.O. Metro, 3248 S. Broadway, Edmond

Original Art by a Local Artist

To everyone who thinks Oklahomans don’t appreciate culture, consider this: By a wide margin, Slice readers think original art is the No. 1 thing every citizen should own. Buying artwork from a local artist says you love their creations, are proud they live in your town and are hip enough to know the metro is bursting with rare talents.

Second place: Braum’s ice cream Third place: Keep It Local card

AUTO DEALERSHIP Bob Moore

Starting off selling tail-finned beauties in the Fifties, Bob Moore Auto Group has bloomed into more than a dozen metro dealerships.

Now they sell models by 16 automakers, from Dodge Rams to Porsche Boxsters. You don’t get that big without handing over the keys to plenty of satisfied (and pumped up!) new vehicle owners. 14 metro dealerships, bobmoore.com Second place: Bob Howard, 11 metro dealerships, bobhoward.com Third place: Fowler, 4 metro dealerships, fowlerauto.com

NEIGHBORHOOD TO BUY YOUR “STARTER” HOME Mesta Park

If you’re young and a first-time home buyer, our readers suggest you meet one of the grand dames of OKC neighborhoods: Mesta Park. Born in 1902, she’s stately, yet alluringly inviting – and she’s still got it. Her Craftsmanand Prairie-style homes are in great shape.

As the neighborhood says it, “Modern living.

Really old houses.” mestapark.org Second place: The Village, thevillageok.org Third place: The Paseo, thepaseo.com

NEIGHBORHOOD TO BUY YOUR “I’VE MADE IT” HOME Nichols Hills

With spring in full bloom, you should go on a pleasant walk in Nichols Hills. The eastern stretch of gently curving Northwest Grand Boulevard is a good place to start, with its walking paths flanked by hickory trees and beautiful estate homes. After that, get back to work ASAP and make your first million so you can move there. nicholshills.net Second place: Heritage Hills, heritagehills.org Third place: Gaillardia, gaillardia.com

GOTTA LOVE THOSE

Okies

NON-POLITICIAN YOU’D LIKE TO VOTE INTO OFFICE Wayne Coyne

Does he have an expert grasp of how to maintain economic expansion or a comprehensive plan for education reform? Maybe not, but not all of our current public servants are political masterminds, and none of them seem especially likely to attend City Council meetings while equipped with confetti and a big plastic ball. Coyne 2014!

Second place: Jim Roth Third place: Desmond Mason

BUSINESS LEADER Larry Nichols

The Fortune 500 company he helped build from the ground up is also a mainstay of that publication’s 100 Best Companies to Work for List; now that the hardworking Nichols finally hung up his Devon Energy CEO hat and retired, hopefully his schedule will allow more time for the philanthropic drive that has beautified the Myriad Gardens and all of downtown OKC. Second place: Aubrey McClendon Third place: David Green

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION LEADER Lance McDaniel

Taking the reins of the deadCENTER Film Festival meant filling some big shoes, but

ELECTED OFFICIAL MICK CORNETT

Mayor Cornett loves Oklahoma City, and the feeling is entirely mutual – that’s why the man who took office in 2004 is still in the big chair today. In that time, he’s championed the MAPS 3 initiative, helped bring the Thunder to town, encouraged us all to get healthier … and become one of only four people in city history to be elected to a third mayoral term.

Second place: Mary Fallin Third place: Ed Shadid

McDaniel is the man for the job – he’s kept the celebration of independent cinema on the grow (this year’s festival is June 5-9 in downtown OKC) and exudes a lasting passion for the craft, fueled in part by his own time behind the camera as a producer and director.

Second place: Julia Kirt, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition Third place: Debby Hampton, United Way of Central Oklahoma

PERFORMING ARTIST Kyle Dillingham

Fiddler extraordinaire Dillingham doesn’t just play music; he revels in it and uses it to connect emotionally with listeners, and his visible joy and enthusiasm in performing make it easy to see why he was named Oklahoma’s Musical Ambassador by Governor Henry, and why his band Horseshoe Road is just getting back from a month-long tour of east Asia organized by the U.S. State Department.

Second place: Graham Colton Third place: Wayne Coyne

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 41

VISUAL ARTIST

Desmond Mason

Everyone loves a good success story, and Mason’s already had one: after years of dedication to hone and channel his natural gifts, he became an NBA sensation.

Then he retired from sports, and now he’s dedicating himself to doing something that makes him happy and adds beauty to the world. We tend to love that too.

Second place: Romy Owens Third place: Lisa Lee

SPORTSCASTER

Bob Barry, Jr.

He’s been in broadcast media since his student days at Norman High School, and you couldn’t ask for a better pedigree in the eyes of Sooner fans. Honored five times by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association as Oklahoma’s Sportscaster of the Year, Barry is who Slice readers turn to when they want to know more than just the score.

Second place: Dean Blevins Third place: Bob Irzyk

METEOROLOGIST

Gary England, KWTV

Oklahoma has gained a reputation for producing some of the country’s best meteorologists, but in this notoriously competitive market England continues to reign supreme. And no wonder – he’s won multiple Emmys, pioneered Doppler radar in weather broadcasting and brings a touch of gravitas to a profession that occasionally inclines toward hyperbole.

Second place: David Payne, KWTV Third place: Emily Sutton, KFOR

NEWS ANCHOR

Linda Cavanaugh, KFOR

J MICHELLE MARTIN COYNE

In three decades, she’s received over 30 national awards and become an on-air

institution. A globetrotting, groundbreaking journalist (she was the first U.S. reporter inside the “Hanoi Hilton” POW camp) and humanitarian who spearheaded efforts to found the state’s first hospice, Cavanaugh has dedicated her career to keeping us informed.

sadors on the next page) shoots him right to the top of the “no questions asked” queue.

Second place: Kelly Ogle, KWTV Third place: Jessica Schambach, KOCO

Ferris O’Brien

NEWS ANCHOR HAIR

Linda Cavanaugh, KFOR

Behold one of the secrets to her success in the previous category! While there’s much more to Cavanaugh’s onscreen presence and reporting than her coiffure, readers seemed to appreciat her short blond ’do for style and consistency.

Second place: Kelly Ogle, KWTV Third place: Meg Alexander, KFOR

ACTOR TO PLAY KENT OGLE IN HIS BIOPIC Kevin Ogle

Anchor of the state’s most watched morning newscast; golf enthusiast; philanthropist; regular singer at the Oklahoma Opry … who would be best suited to breathe life into this metro media mainstay? Who better than another member of the Ogle news dynasty: his brother Kevin?

Second place: Will Ferrell Third place: Matt Damon

LOCAL CELEBRITY/ PERSONALITY MOST LIKELY TO BE ON YOUR SPOUSE’S “FREE PASS” LIST Kevin Durant

The classics apparently never go out of style with voters, as the 6’9” Durant’s combination of world-class athleticism, competitive focus and unfeigned niceness (see the question about state celebrity ambas-

Second place: Desmond Mason Third place: Carrie Underwood

RADIO DJ

O’Brien lives, breathes and dreams music – plus he’s had over 20 years in the radio business, and his unflagging dedication is the reason perennial underdog The Spy is back on the FM dial thanks to a new partnership with KOSU. Don’t stop believing – and keep enjoying the greatest in independent radio.

Second place: Ron Williams Third place: Jack Elliott

MORNING RADIO TEAM

Jack and Ron, 98.9 KISS-FM

Considering that they placed third and second, respectively, in voting for best DJ, it should come as no surprise that our readers agree with Messrs. Elliot and Williams’ self-assessment as “The Best Damn Morning Show in Oklahoma.” KISS listeners never know in advance what the topics of the day’s conversation will be, but history suggests they’ll enjoy it.

Second place: Rick and Brad, KATT Third place: Joey and Heather, KKWD

RADIO PERSONALITY WHO LOOKS LEAST LIKE HIS/HER VOICE Ron Williams

Theoretically, this category’s winner should have people regularly telling him, “Holy nardz, you sound just like Ron Williams! Have you ever met him?” There’s no mistaking Williams’ ability, however, to be far more chipper than most of us in the a.m. and forcing morning drivers to spit coffee on their steering wheels with a snappy joke. 98.9 KISS-FM Second place: Jack Elliott KISS-FM Third place: Janet KJ103

LOCAL BAND THE FLAMING LIPS

It’s been a long, strange, psychedelic trip to international stardom for Wayne Coyne and company, but even as the world gets more in tune with their experimental sound and legendary live performances, the Lips maintain their ties to Oklahoma – ask anyone who’s marched in the Ghouls Gone Wild Halloween Parade.

Second place: Horseshoe Road Third place: Mike Hosty Duo

42 SLICE // APRIL 2013

AMBASSADOR/ CELEBRITY WHO MAKES YOU PROUD TO BE AN OKLAHOMAN KEVIN DURANT It’s more than just his status as the marquee star of our hometown team – Durant is renowned for making time to meet fans, he’s always quiet and polite in interviews … he even kisses his mother before games. How awesome is KD? Nike is running an ad campaign based around the assertion that he’s the nicest guy in the NBA. When he’s wearing the colors, the man makes us all look good.

Second place: Kristin Chenoweth Third place: Carrie Underwood

SURVEY SAYS: OUTTAKES

Random commentary and information gleaned from our reader poll.

• Beatnix Café’s name is difficult to spell: Beatnicks, Beetnx, Beetnix, Beatniks, Beantxs.

neither above the pettiness of asking the question, nor pointing out the typo.

• In the category of Best Charity Event, one generous-of-spirit reader suggested, “Buy fans of a losing NBA a team a drink, pat ’em on the back and tell ’em we love ’em.”

• In reference to a non-Slice-Award-winning news anchor’s hair, one reader wrote, “It changes so frequently. Like a blustery, uncomfortable wind.”

• In response to the Best Neighborhood to Buy Your “I’ve Made It” Home, one reader admonished us with this response: “I am to [sic] far above such pettiness to consider an answer to that question.” Apparently we are

• In the Best DJ category, one reader cast his/her vote for KGOU’s news director, Kurt Gwartney, then cast aspersions on him/herself for it: “Elitist answer.”

• Several respondents answered the question of Best Elected Official with “Is this a trick question?” Another voted for Kevin Durant.

• While most survey-takers used “IDK,” “don’t know” or “dunno” when they had no opinion in a particular category or simply couldn’t think of second- and third-place votes, one incredibly polite person faithfully wrote, “Not sure, sorry!” No need to apologize, but we appreciate both the enthusiasm and good manners.

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 43

LAKEVIEW

11415 Waters Welling Way • Lakeside of Oakdale

Breathtaking wooded 1 acre (mol) lakeview lot, in exclusive gated community!

Tuscany style, one level home appointed w/cast stone, travertine, hickory floors, reclaimed custom wood cabinetry and more! Approx. 5500 sq.ft., 4 bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, media room, 3 car garage. Boat dock and lake access included with property.

RECENTLY REDUCED! $1,500,000.

Because Your Address is a

Reflection of You

Rhonda Bratton 405.615.1557

7313 Lancet Ln Nichols Hills

Located on a quiet culdesac this 2010 remodeled home is unique in every way. One-of-a-kind upgraded appointments with a transitional flair are combined with a “Ralph Lauren” warmth and charm. Fabulous kitchen with top-ofthe-line appliances is a chef ’s dream. Spa-like master bath has roll out windows that overlook the outdoors with fireplace and fountains. Downstairs master, three car garage and ready for occupancy sum up the ideal find for Nichols Hills. Drastically reduced and ready for quick occupancy!

Don't miss out! - $1,500,000

Check out new listings at RhondaBratton.com

Prestigious Oak Tree Golf and Country Club Community R E A L

E S T A T E ,

L L C

405.840.5655 6200 AVALON LANE IN GLENBROOK Luxury duplex with over 7047 SF of living area mol 4 bed, 3.5 bath owners side with master suite and sitting room w/ FP plus luxurious steam shower with heated floors. Gourmet kitchen, tiled salt water pool, fabulous entertaining areas.

Listed at $899,000 only $127 per ft. Other side leased until August.

333 Heritage Boulevard Oak Tree in Edmond • $925,000

4 bed; 4 bath; 4 family rooms; 2 bars; 3 car attached garage; approx. 6172 sf; golf course lot with water view; designer wall treatments; sprinkler system

7400 AURELIA ROAD IN GATED COLTRANE HILLS

Kathy Cooley CRS, GRI, CSP

405.330.2626 (Office) • 405.919.4033 (Cell) kathycooley@kw.com 44 SLICE // APRIL 2013

Earth sheltered quality concrete construction with 4214 SF of living area mol. 4 beds, 3 baths, open living and dining areas luxuriously appointed.

Gourmet kitchen, expansive outdoor entertaining areas on 5.5 fabulous acres. Call for details.

The Legacy at Oak Tree A luxury gated golf community featuring 32 homesites.

Maintenance free lawns.

Country club access 20 HOMESITES AVAILABLE Reserve yours now!

New homes and custom building exclusively by: Bill Roberts Building Co.

Marketed By: Tracy

Thomas 405-204-2560 • Jenny Shipley 405-831-1360

A Bill Roberts Development Nestled off of Covell Rd, West of Santa Fe

Reserving Phase II lots now!

• Edmond Schools • 3 Acre Park & common area • Community clubhouse & pool • Nature walking trail

www.FallbrookofEdmond.com

For plat, floor plans, & community info:

Tracy Thomas 405-204-2560 Jo Ann Paterson 405-227-8920

BUILDING UNIQUE COMMUNITIES: BILL ROBERTS is renowned throughout the Oklahoma City metro area for unique developments and building styles. If you want a home and community that’s not just like all the others, visit all our communities and see the difference for yourself!

P.O. BOX 31625 • EDMOND OK 73003 405-359-0275 • WWW.BILLROBERTS.COM APRIL 2013 // SLICE 45

Luxury estate living in a gated community moments from town.

• 36 Serene 2+ acre wooded homesites priced from $125,000; Lakeside lots available • Conveniently located East of Lake Arcadia off of Route 66 & Post Rd. PRESENTED BY • Edmond schools, utilities, water & ONG www.SweetwaterofEdmond.com

For community & lot info: Tracy Thomas 405-204-2560 • tracy@tracythomas.com

WHAT MAKES A CENTURY 21® AGENT? ENERGACITY. OKAY, THAT’S NOT A WORD. BUT IF IT WERE, THESE GUYS WOULD BE THE DEFINITION. THE ENERGY TO TAKE ON THE HOME-BUYING EXPERIENCE. THE TENACITY TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN. ENERGACITY. PRINT IT. CENTURY 21® AGENTS.

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REWARDS. RECOGNITION. RESPECT. RESULTS. Because it’s more than just a job – it’s a career. Call to learn more.

Edmond: 405-359-7400 Guthrie: 405-282-7000 Norman: 405-366-1111 Harrah: 405-454-6233 Midwest City: 405-736-0127 GOODYEAR GREEN

46 SLICE // APRIL 2013

Each Office Independently Owned and Operated.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS ®

Form & Force | SPACES

Weather Alert!

NORMAN’S NATIONAL TREASURE

By Lauren Hammack

Editor’s note: The titled photos that accompany this feature were submitted by Slice readers in response to our call for wild weather images. To see more of our readers’ camera work, visit sliceok.com.

IT’S AMAZING THAT IT’S HERE. It’s even more amazing that scores of Oklahomans are unaware of its presence and therefore fail to be in awe of its scope and capabilities. The National Weather Center in Norman is an impressive, 250,000-square-foot facility that anchors the rapidly expanding University of Oklahoma Research Campus.

Many confuse the National Weather Center (NWC) with the National Weather Service (NWS). To spare you any embarrassment at your next tornado watch party, here’s the skinny on the differences: The National Weather Center is a collection of federal, state and university meteorology groups located in one building in Norman, Oklahoma. The National Weather Service is an agency of the Federal Government within the Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is responsible for providing observations, forecasts and warnings of meteorological and hydrological events in the interest of national safety and economy. There are about 122 NWS offices throughout the nation that focus on their local conditions. The NWS also includes the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, which is located inside the NWC. More than 550 people work in the NWC facility. Among them are research scientists, operational meteorologists and climatologists, engineers, technicians, support staff and graduate and undergraduate students. The fifth floor houses OU’s

“Hospital Lightning,” photographed by David Ewoldt on September 11, 2010, in Kingfisher.

School of Meteorology, the largest and most elite program of its kind in the United States. In short, these are the people who will beat you every time with the science and nature questions in Trivial Pursuit.

The NWC welcomed more than 57,000 visitors last year to its current facility, which was completed in 2006. The main areas of the center are open to the public and an enclosed observation deck on the building’s sixth level offers a front row seat to watch impending severe weather.

RADAR LOVE

In the universe of weather prediction (the Farmer’s Almanac, the groundhog, Magic 8 Ball, Grandma’s sore hip), one technology supersedes all others: radar. And if you’re amazed at the down-to-the-squaremile precision of the radar you’ve seen during severe weather coverage, consider this: That technology is decades old.

Advancing the studies and capabilities of radar technology to sci-fi-esque levels is just another day at the office (and classroom) at the Advanced Radar Research Center inside the NWC. Under the direction of Dr. Robert Palmer, associate vice president for research and OU professor of meteorology, the ARRC has earned international acclaim as the global authority for radar.

The ARRC’s innovative approach to radar research and development includes an interdisciplinary collaboration of meteorologists

and engineers. True, that’s a lot of pocket protectors in one place, but the ARRC’s hands-on approach to designing and building cuttingedge radar technology (think mobile radar systems) is a proven success.

WOULD YOU LIKE SOME COFFEE TO GO WITH THAT FUNNEL? Why is the NWC located in central Oklahoma? Because this doesn’t happen in Vegas: On May 10, 2010, as Palmer was giving a final exam to his Intro to Meteorology class in the NWC building, a tornado developed right outside the window on Highway 9 and Lindsey Street. Palmer allowed his students to “take a break” so they could watch the tornado on its way east. Once the tornado moved out of view, the students came back and finished the exam.

The same tornado carved a destructive path through central Oklahoma that day, but its brief proximity to the NWC brought more than just visual aid to Palmer’s students. “The tornado grew to EF-4 intensity about eight miles to the east of Norman near Lake Thunderbird,” Palmer recalls.

“Some of the highest resolution polarimetric radar data was taken with the radar OU-PRIME, which continues to provide a wealth of scientific discovery.”

Yeah. What he said.

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SPACES | Form & Force

“Supercell at Sunset,” photographed by Mark Henke on May 21, 2011, in Oklahoma City.

The University of Oklahoma has begun construction on the Radar Innovations Laboratory, a 35,000-square-foot facility created exclusively for radar development, design and research. The facility will be the new home of the ARRC and is scheduled to open by the end of 2013, just east of the National Weather Center.

CUE THE LOCUSTS

It’s the first thing we asked Dr. Kevin Kloesel, director of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey in Norman: What’s with the heat? With a string of record-breaking, hot summers behind us (and the electric bills to back it up), we can’t help wondering if this year will be just as toasty.

Kloesel is an associate professor at the College of Atmospheric and Geographic Sciences at OU, where he is also the college’s associate dean for Public Service and Outreach.

“That’s the million-dollar question,” Kloesel says in response to our why-so-hot query. “Everyone wants to link the weather extremes we’ve been experiencing to climate change, and I don’t think we’re ready to do that yet.”

Kloesel notes that, although we have better tools for observation now than at any other time in history, much of the data for

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the Dust Bowl of the 1930s and the drought of the 1950s remains with those who lived through it. Most of them have passed on, taking the information with them. “If the past two summers are anything like those two periods, the ’30s and the ’50s, we’re not out of this yet,” Kloesel laments.

At the suggestion that the extreme Oklahoma summers might be what really killed the dinosaurs, Kloesel says, “I’m not sure if it killed the dinosaurs, but it definitely killed my lawn.”

ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA CLIMATOLOGICAL SURVEY AND THE OKLAHOMA MESONET The Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS) provides detailed climate information to Oklahomans and conducts research projects to improve weather forecasting, predict the onset of drought conditions and develop new technologies used to monitor weather and climate.

The OCS also runs the Oklahoma Mesonet, a partnership between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University that implements a network of environmental monitoring stations throughout the state, at least one in each county. Kloesel notes that data from the Oklahoma Mesonet is widely used during local television weather forecasts.

National Weather Center’s atrium

The Mesonet has also developed a free iPhone app to provide detailed weather conditions, with updates for all 77 Oklahoma counties provided every five minutes, around the clock.

Kloesel says the Android version will be available soon. A mobile site is also available at mesonet.org.

“Stormy Sunset on Lake Hefner,” photographed by Mark Henke on March 20, 2012, in Oklahoma City.

The National Weather Center

“The Three Horsemen,” photographed by Charles E. Grubbs in 2006 in Cashion.

“Malicious Clouds,” photographed by Mark Henke on March 30, 2008, in Oklahoma City.

“Lightning Show,” photographed by Jonathan Gourley on May 15, 2009, in Enid.

“El Fuerte,” photographed by Jonathan Gourley on May 24, 2011, in Chickasha.

The Holy Grail of climatology, Kloesel says, is predicting specific weather events or conditions months or a year in advance.

“In the big picture, we’re doing well – predicting continued drought for the summer, for example – and we’re gaining skill in this area,” he observes.

Advance prediction of specific types of severe weather is something altogether different. Kloesel expresses amazement at the National Weather Service’s accuracy in predicting the possibility of tornadoes several days ahead of a tornadic day, as they did last May. “The NWS gave predictions of possible Monday tornadoes on the Thursday before,” Kloesel recalls. “As we got closer to Monday, the NWS could even predict that the activity would possibly run along I-35,” he adds, explaining that predictions that are three, five, seven or even 10 days out have remarkable accuracy.

For the foreseeable future, Kloesel anticipates a growing need to keep computing and technology at the forefront of their capabilities. “We need bigger, better, faster ways to process the information we get.

Besides saving lives, excellent and timely information has countless practical applications, like letting a farmer know whether or not to put down pesticide on a given day.”

Pesticides are probably not such a bad idea – this is usually when the locusts swarm into the weather picture, isn’t it? “It’s funny you’d mention that,” Kloesel says, “because we actually had what looked like a plague of grasshoppers for two days last year at the National Weather Center. They just swarmed in and took over the parking lot.

I’d never seen so many grasshoppers. Not locusts, but pretty close!”

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SPACES | Form & Force

Tornado Alley. In 1954, the National Severe Storms Forecast Center (now known as the Storm Prediction Center) was established in Kansas City, Missouri. It relocated to Norman in 1997 and is now housed inside the National Weather Center.

Source: SPC/NOAA History

THE DIRTY DOZEN: WHAT BLEW IN

Here’s a look at some of the tornadoes that made history: DEADLIEST (1882 to present): Woodward, April 9, 1947: an F5 tornado killed 116

COSTLIEST (1950 to present): Bridge Creek, Oklahoma City, Moore, May 3, 1999: $1 billion Moore, Oklahoma City, Choctaw, May 8, 2003: $370 millon Altus, May 11, 1982: $200 million Ardmore, May 7, 1995: $100+ million Cordell, October 9, 2001: $100 million Tulsa, April 19, 1981: $75+ million Source: NWS/NOAA

Snyder, May 10, 1905: an F5 wiped out much of the small town, killing 97 Peggs, May 2, 1920: an F4 killed 71 people, representing 30 percent of the town’s population Antlers, April 12, 1945: an F5 killed 69 people, but the event was overshadowed by President Roosevelt’s death the same day “Tornado at Willow,” photographed by David Ewoldt on March 18, 2012, in Willow.

THE T-WORD!

The earliest predictions of tornadoes (sort of) came from the U.S. Army Signal Corps in 1884, but official policy prohibited the use of the word “tornado” to prevent undue public panic. (If we ignore it, it might go away … ) The Weather Bureau (a predecessor of the National Weather Service) was established in 1891, but forecasting techniques hardly advanced for almost 50 years until a March 20, 1948, tornado made its own military cuts across Tinker Air Force Base, destroying 32 military aircraft and causing significant damage to many buildings.

Five days later, Major Ernest Fawbush and Captain Robert Miller, members of the Air Weather Service, noticed that conditions that day bore an uncanny similarity to those from five days earlier, so they issued a warning of a possible tornado – and they were right.

The Weather Bureau continued to keep tornado predictions to themselves until 1952, when public pressure led them to release storm forecasts from the bureau’s Washington, D.C., headquarters – a long way from

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Pryor, April 27, 1942: an F4 killed 52, destroying more than 500 buildings Bridge Creek, Moore, Oklahoma City, May 3, 1999: an F5 was one of almost 60 tornadoes that struck central Oklahoma that day, killing 36 “Lightning and Pump Jack,” photographed by David Ewoldt on June 23, 2010, near Kingfisher.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

For all their unpredictability, tornadoes do have a few common patterns: May: peak month for tornadoes, followed by April and June December-January: There’s never really a time to let down your tornado guard in Oklahoma, but you’re least likely to see a tornado during these months.

2-7 p.m. CST: most likely time frame during which a tornado will form “Cloud Swirl,” photographed by Mark Henke on March 6, 2009, in Oklahoma City.

That funky green sky: When has this ever been a good sign? Watch out.

Source: NWS/NOAA

“Rocky,” photographed by David Ewoldt on July 2, 2011, in Okarche.

TALKIN’ ABOUT THE WEATHER • Weather is responsible for roughly 20 percent of all trucking delays, costing in excess of $3 billion annually. (Dan Krechmer, Cambridge Systematics Inc.)

• Forty years ago, the average three-day forecast of hurricane landfall was off by 400 miles. Today, the average forecast error is almost down to 80 miles. (Alexander E. MacDonald, NOAA)

• Weather apps are the second-most popular apps on mobile devices – more popular than social networking, maps, music and news. (Barry Myers, AccuWeather)

• There are about 70,000 new cases of potentially deadly skin cancer (melanoma) every year. A new mobile application developed by university scientists helps individuals know when they’ve been exposed to too much ultraviolet radiation. Note: The EPA’s SunWise UV Index app will do this. (Craig Long, NOAA/NWS) Source: The Bulletin of the American Meteorlogical Society DAVID COBB

• Heat waves kill more people than floods, lightning, tornadoes and hurricanes combined (1995-2004); forecasting and communicating these risks saves lives. (Christopher Uejio, NCAR/CDC)

When severe weather strikes…

Rich Thompson is your man.

Rich is one of four lead forecasters for the NOAA Storm Prediction Center, a part of the National Weather Service, located inside the NWC. The SPC monitors the contiguous United States around the clock, providing forecasts and watches for severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, wildfires and other hazardous weather events. If conditions are favorable for severe weather Rich (or one of the other lead forecasters on duty) will issue a severe weather watch to the National Weather Service offices in the affected area. If a warning is warranted, it comes from the local NWS office.

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SPACES | Form & Force

EARTH, WIND AND CANVAS

Architect’s rendering of the new Radar Innovations Laboratory, scheduled to open late 2013.

Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching (SMART) Radar

At work within the National Weather Center

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Dramatic images of weather are standard décor at the NWC, but this month nature’s expression will take several new forms for the National Weather Center Biennale – a national, juried exhibition of paintings, works on paper and photography by international artists whose works reveal the impact of weather on the human experience.

Representing the collaborative efforts of the NWC, the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art at the University of Oklahoma and the Norman Arts Council, the biennale is the first exhibition of its kind, opening on Earth Day (April 22) at the National Weather Center Atrium.

The inspiration for the event came from the need for a suitable venue to display the works of student artists during the recent renovation of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. With its 9,600-square-foot atrium and gallery lighting, the NWC proved to be an ideal location for an offsite art show. Soon after, OU art instructor (and curator of the biennale) Alan Atkinson convinced his friend and colleague, Ghislain d’Humières, director of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, that weather would be a fascinating theme for a future show, and quite naturally, that art show should take place at the NWC. “I don’t think we’ve thought of the weather as a shared experience in art, but weather evokes such visually powerful imagery that it makes perfect sense as a theme to underscore the ways that both art and weather shape our humanity,” Atkinson explains. “As a jumping-off point, weather is something that runs the gamut for artists. It could be expressed artistically as a shared experience that affects all of us, a means to show what is happening to our planet or as a part of nature that is so awe inspiring.”

An international call for entries took place one year ago, producing more than 700 submissions by about 400 artists in all 50 states and several countries. From those initial entries, 100 works were selected to be displayed in the biennale exhibition until the conclusion of OU’s Arts Week, June 2.

Prior to the exhibition’s April 22 opening, a panel of three guest jurors will review the 100 works and choose a winning piece from each category before selecting the Best of Show. Each category winner will receive $5,000. The prize for Best of Show will be $10,000 and a full-page advertisement for the winner in an upcoming issue of Southwest Art magazine. Winners will be announced during the biennale’s opening, allowing visitors to view the winning works on display throughout the exhibition.

DAVID COBB

From left: Ghislain d’Humières, director of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art; Erinn Gavaghan, executive director of the Norman Arts Council; Dr. Berrien Moore, director of the National Weather Center; and Alan Atkinson, OU art instructor and biennale curator. The image used to promote the initial NWC Biennale is “Storm From the South,” 2011, oil on canvas, 36 by 48 inches, by Tony Abeyta (Navajo, b. 1965) – on loan from a private collector. Future biennales will feature art images and/or photography from works included in this year’s collection.

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SPACES | Form & Force

“House on the Prairie,” photographed by David Ewoldt on May 21, 2011, in Piedmont.

Final jurors are Christoph Heinrich, director of the Denver Art Museum; Spencer Finch, an American artist specializing in glass and light installations; and Jacqui Jeras, a broadcast meteorologist with WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C. National Weather Center Director Berrien Moore says, “These judges bring an artistic sensitivity and breadth with an appreciation of the magic of our planet and its weather. Importantly, all three understand the world of communication and the importance of images.”

As curator for the biennale, Atkinson points out that he is most proud of the collaboration among the event’s presenting partners. “It’s rare that something this significant is such an in-fact collaboration, rather than in name only,” Atkinson says.

“The success of this event has depended

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upon the expertise of each department.

We are especially grateful for the contributions of the IT department of the National Weather Center for designing the software that allows us to process and score the large number of entries.”

Atkinson hopes the biennale will become a signature art event that will allow Norman to gain national prestige as an arts venue. Erinn Gavaghan, executive director of the Norman Arts Council, believes it will.

“We are so fortunate to have both a worldrenowned art museum and the National Weather Center as part of the University of Oklahoma in Norman,” Gavaghan explains.

“This is such a wonderful opportunity for the arts community here to work with these two superb institutions, which are bringing the worlds of arts and science together for this truly unique biennale exhibition.”

The National Weather Center Biennale opens to the public on April 22 and runs daily through June 2 (Mondays-Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sundays, noon to 5 p.m.).

Admission is free, however, visitors must present a photo ID for entry into the NWC, located on the OU Research Campus at 120 David L. Boren Blvd. Learn more at www.nwcbiennale.org.

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TRAVEL | Wanderlust

77 COUNTIES: CIMARRON COUNTY

Oklahoma’s True Grit Dust Bowl Family, 77 Years Later

By M.J. Alexander THE SHED IS LONG GONE, collapsed and consumed by the soil of the far western Panhandle of Oklahoma. The sand has settled or blown away. The parched tenant farm itself has been absorbed by a larger operation, made green through irrigation and indistinguishable from the miles of fields that surround it.

But the legacy of the historic photograph of a farmer and his two sons leaning into the wind of the Dust Bowl, hurrying across the drifts past a ramshackle shed, remains. The image was taken by Arthur Rothstein in April 1936, one year after the epic storms of Black Sunday, and published that month in newspapers across the nation. The family fleeing the storm has become one of the most recognizable moments of the 20th century.

Writing for The New York Times in 2009, documentary filmmaker Errol Morris noted: “It’s an iconic photograph. It’s a photograph that will be around for a long, long, long time, and captures something so powerful ... In the ’30s it was a plea for help; now it is a story of triumph over adversity. It is how we have come to see an entire era.”

Arthur Rothstein’s (1915-1985) iconic Dust Bowl photograph, taken in 1936.

When first published – 77 statehood. Arthur was mustered to fight in World War I out of Guyyears ago this month – the names of the farmer and his sons were mon in 1918, but Armistice Day arrived before he had a chance to not included in the caption: “Farmer and Sons Walking in the Face ship out. He married schoolteacher Mable Kelly in Boise City on May of a Dust Storm, Cimarron County, Oklahoma, April 1936.” They 14, 1927. By the time Rothstein visited their farm nine years later, the were everymen, caught up by elements beyond their control. couple had four children, all born on the land: Ona Ozzelee, Milton The components of the image have long since faded, returning Garth, Darrel Arthur and Beverly Ann. to the Oklahoma dust. The shed. The fenceposts. Even the father and Darrel, the little boy in the photograph, was asked two years sons themselves, buried near one another beneath the prairie not far before he died about growing up in the Dust Bowl. “Ah, it kind from where the photograph was made. But a legacy of true grit lives of scared me, best I can recall,” he said with a chuckle. “I thought on in the family it immortalized: The Cobles of Cimarron County. maybe the world was coming to an end, I didn’t know.” Why would The farmer, Arthur Coble, started his life June 10, 1896, in Sailor he stay rooted in a place where day-to-day survival was such hard Springs, Clay County, Illinois. He was the fourth of eight children, work? “It’s just home. Dad always says, ‘Anybody ever come out here and oldest son, of William Allison Coble and Mattie Ellen Armand wear out two pairs of shoes here, they’d never leave.’” strong Coble and moved to Oklahoma with his family soon after Editor’s Note: This is the eighth installment in a continuing series as author and photographer M.J. Alexander chronicles her travels across the state of Oklahoma.

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Arthur and Mable Coble’s family lived on rented ground, six people in a three-room house. The sand drifts blocked the door of the shed in the Rothstein photo, so baby calves were hoisted out of the wind and into the shelter by lifting the sheet of tin like a trap door.

As adults, the brothers would make light of the hard times. In the 1970s, Darrel recounted, “During the storms, we’d eat in bed.

Less dust.” Their house did not get indoor plumbing until 1947, after World War II. In the meantime, Milton said, “We took our Saturday baths in a galvanized tub behind the kitchen stove, with walking water. You had to walk to get it.”

Whether because of the lingering effect of years of trying conditions or just a string of bad luck, much of the Coble family died young. Arthur died of pancreatic cancer on November 16, 1956, at the age of 60, and was buried three days before Thanksgiving. Milton – his oldest son, striding beside him in the photograph – was plagued by bleeding ulcers, dying October 24, 1973, at age 43. The youngest child, Beverly, was found dead at age 41 on December 9, 1976, with heart attack listed as the official cause of death. Darrel was felled by heart problems on November 19, 1979. He was 46. Ozzelee, the oldest, perished February 1, 1981, trapped in a fire in her mobile home.

After outliving her husband and all four of her children, Mable Kelly Coble was laid to rest in 1984 at the age of 83.

In an interview with Bill Ganzel in the 1970s, Darrel said some of Arthur’s family had done well in California and offered to help the Cimarron Cobles move out of the Dust Bowl. “They said they’d pay his way out to California, the whole family, but he said he wouldn’t go. He was just a hard-headed Coble, I guess. He was pretty independent. I just imagine he thought that if it was going to be somebody else’s money, why, he wasn’t gonna go, period.”

Darrel, the toddler in the photograph, left Cimarron County in 1952 for a four-year stint as a Marine sergeant during the Korean War. On leave back home, he met teenager Clara Lawrence. Their son Lloyd recounts: “Dad f lipped her a dime and told her to call him when she was older.” They married after Clara turned 19, on September 23, 1956, and raised three sons – Keith, Charles and Lloyd – and a daughter, Tracey. Over the years, the family worked their 190 acres, 12 miles west of the old rented place, while Darrel also held outside jobs over the years for the county highway department, at the helium plant in Keyes and as the driver of a propane truck.

THE LAST COBLES OF CIMARRON COUNTY Ten-year-old Trevor Darrel Coble, named for his uncle and his grandfather, is the fourth generation of Coble men to grow up in Cimarron County. He and his sister, Christie McKenna Coble, 11, are the children of Lloyd Coble and Valerie Miller Coble of Boise City. Their grandfather Darrel Coble, great-uncle Milton Coble and great-grandfather Arthur Coble were photographed 75 years ago this month during Arthur Rothstein’s Dust Bowl coverage.

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TRAVEL | Wanderlust

Only Lloyd has stayed in Cimarron County with the next generation of Cobles. He has opted out of farming and lives in town, a superintendent for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. In September, he will celebrate 20 years of marriage with his wife, Valerie, whose nail and hair salon is by the Loaf ‘N Jug in Boise City.

Just before their 20th wedding anniversary, in 1976, Darrel and Clara Coble were surprised by another pregnancy. Their fifth child, Austin Trevor Coble – his name inspired by the novels of Louis L’Amour – was born prematurely and died February 25, 1977. He is buried near his parents and grandparents in Bertrand Cemetery, southeast of Felt.

Their markers are of simple granite, with Coble etched atop.

Arthur and Mable’s names are carved in pink granite with f lowers blooming, right and left, in the upper corners. Milton’s gravestone has a similar design, with the name and birthdate of his wife, Martha. Widowed just after her 40th birthday, she will turn 80 this September and never saw the point in remarrying, because she’d never find another man as good as Milton.

Of the graves of the men featured in the photograph, only the marker for Darrel and Clara is different.

Centered at the top of their gray headstone, just above the uppercase COBLE, a sepia-toned photograph is inset into the granite. It is of a little boy rubbing sand from his eyes and chasing after his family in the Oklahoma dust.

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OKLAHOMA’S ICONIC DUST BOWL PHOTOGRAPH “HAS A LIFE OF ITS OWN” At the time 21-year-old photographer Arthur Rothstein from the federal Farm Security Administration stopped by a dusty Cimarron County plot of land that day in 1936, Arthur Coble and his sons were out on the parched land digging fence posts. Rothstein’s contact sheets show a series of images of the farmer and his older son working, with the younger boy playing in the sand.

The last photo of the roll – with Arthur and his oldest boy, Milton, striding together in synchronicity and Darryl, not yet 3, scurrying behind to catch up, shielding his eyes from the sand, nearly indistinguishable from the half-buried fence posts – is so theatrical, possessing such artful composition, that a cabal of doubters have claimed it must have been set up.

The Coble family and Rothstein always have been adamant that it was a documentary moment, a split second from years riding out the Dirty Thirties.

On the 25th anniversary of the photo, in a LOOK magazine spread from October 24, 1961, Rothstein remembered: “I was about to get into my car when I turned to wave to [Coble and his two sons]. And I looked and saw this man bending into the wind, with one of the boys in front of him and another one behind him, and great swirls of sand all around, which made the sky and the earth become one. And I said, ‘What a picture this is!’ and I just picked up my camera and went ‘click.’ One photograph, one shot, one negative.”

In an interview with the Smithsonian Institution’s Archives of American Art on May 25, 1964, Rothstein spoke at length about the image and its importance: When my picture of the dust storm was printed widely, over and over and over again, it made people realize that here was a tragedy that was affecting people - it wasn’t just affecting crops, but it was affecting people the relationships between the dust storms and the migrations of people out of this part of the United States and the way it was affecting them individually. This photograph had a great deal of influence on people in the East, for example, who had no contact and no sense of identity with this poor farmer walking across the dusty soil on his farm in Oklahoma - it gave him a sense of identity. And it helped me put a lot of these soil-conservation practices in, and provide legislation for soil conservation to remedy these conditions.

In the beginning, it was a record; after that it became a news picture, it then became a feature photograph, eventually it became a historical photograph, and now it’s considered a work of art in most museums. It’s a picture that went through a kind of evolutionary process all by itself. It has a life of its own.

In December 2011, an original 15-by-19-inch gelatin silver print of the Cobles moving through the dust storm, signed by Rothstein, was auctioned off at Christie’s in New York City. The pre-sale estimate of its value: $5,000 to $7,000. Winning bid: $21,250.

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 59

PRECISION VISION SURGERY CENTER Darrell J. Pickard, MD is the first and only surgeon in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan area to offer bladeless, laser cataract surgery.

This is available using the LenSx laser at Precision Vision Surgery Center in Oklahoma City. The LenSx laser from Alcon is a computer-controlled femtosecond laser which delivers more precision and accuracy than traditional cataract surgery. This laser assists the surgeon in performing the most delicate parts of the cataract procedure. High-definition imaging helps the surgeon customize each patient’s surgical treatment to their eye’s unique anatomy.

Femtosecond lasers are a proven technology, having been used for over a decade in corneal eye surgery like LASIK. Advances in imaging and computer technology have allowed for its expanded use in cataract surgery.

Dr. Pickard has been performing eye surgery in Midwest City and the Oklahoma City metro for 19 years. “I’ve performed over 12,000 traditional cataract surgeries using a blade to manually make the small incisions.

After investigating this technology, I’m in agreement with other thought leaders in Ophthalmology that LenSx offers patients the most advanced treatment for cataracts.” says Dr. Pickard. “As a refractive cataract surgeon, I not only want to safely eliminate the cataract but to also deliver the best vision possible to my patients after cataract surgery.”

If you have been diagnosed with cataracts and would like a consultation for candidacy for traditional or laser cataract surgery, feel free to call McGee, Pickard and Robinson Eye Associates at 405-733-4545.

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60 SLICE // APRIL 2013

HOME ON THE RANGE

By Elaine Warner

STEVE BUTMAN PHOTOGRAPHY

A FAMILY-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY

Do you like green eggs and ham?

I do not like them, Sam I Am! – Dr. Seuss

I do not like them either. But I had a plateful of them last year at Abilene’s First Annual Children’s Art and Literacy Festival. Did I like that? You bet! And if you have children – or if you’re young at heart – you’ll love it, too.

ABILENE IS THE HOME OF THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR CHILDREN’S ILLUSTRATED LITERATURE, a brilliant gallery/bookstore/ creative place that honors art and artists featured in children’s books. It was conceived in 1993 when the then-mayor, Dr. Gary McCaleb, discovered that the book he was reading to a group of grade school students was set in Abilene. He invited the author of “Santa Calls,” William Joyce, to speak at a Cultural Affairs Council luncheon. Joyce (who had never been to Abilene) and the mayor hit it off and a seed was planted which bloomed into the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature – affectionately known as “The NCCIL” (nickel).

The NCCIL has a growing permanent collection of artwork including pieces from Caldecott winner Ed Emberley’s “Drummer Hoff,” “Tops & Bottoms” by Janet Stevens, several pieces from William Joyce and an illustrated copy of “Alice in Wonderland” with

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TRAVEL | Getting Away

Illustrator, photographer and artist Walter Wick, honoree at this year’s Children’s Art and Literacy Festival.

TRADEMARK AND COPYRIGHT WALTER WICK. USED BY PERMISSION. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

art by Salvador Dali. Artists featured in temporary exhibits have included N.C. Wyeth, the Berenstains and Tomie dePaola.

The bookstore carries a wide selection of books for children of all ages and the NCCIL regularly hosts art programs for youngsters. An art room is open anytime for visitors who want to come in and create.

With such a great resource, it was only logical to have a festival. I was there last year for the first festival, which saluted Dr. Seuss. I ate the aforementioned green eggs, watched “Horton Hears a Who” in the historic Paramount Theatre, cheered a parade of Seuss characters as they marched down the street, looked at exhibits, heard readings and had as good a time as any of the many children who attended.

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This year’s honoree is illustrator Walter Wick, artist and photographer best known for the “I Spy” and “Can You See What I See?” books. He’ll be at this year’s festival, June 13-16. A bronze statue of his “Seymour” will be dedicated and will join the Cat in the Hat and other popular Seuss figures and a figure from “Santa Calls” in the Storybook Sculpture Garden.

Visitors will get to hear Wick discuss his creative process with visual aids, stories and crowd participation. Other special events included this year will be a miniature train ride through Storybook Park, Dad’s Sundae Fun Day, a planetarium event where photos from Wick’s newest book, “Out of This World,” will be projected on the dome and “I Spy” experiences, including one at the zoo. You can easily combine sight-seeing with festival events as many of the town’s attractions are hosting parts of the festival. Combine a reading with a visit to the Grace Museum and take in a special performance at the 1930 movie palace Paramount. What a great family weekend this will be!

Smile When You Say That, Podner!

This is Texas – and cowboy country – and there’s no better place to learn about the region than at Frontier Texas! The building (which also serves as an area visitor center) houses an interactive museum which focuses on the period from 1780 to 1880, a pivotal era in the region’s history. There are enough interactive features here to keep youngsters interested, and learning and textual material is cleverly designed to provide in-depth information for those who want to delve deeper into history.

Through the use of holographic technology, actors portraying actual historic characters tell their stories. History is explored from the viewpoints of a Spanish explorer, a buffalo hunter, a Comanche leader, an Army officer, Indian captive Cynthia Ann Parker and others. Information is even subtly embedded in the architecture – the Ludder’s limestone of the building is the same kind of stone quar-

ried locally by the military when they created Fort Phantom Hill in the 1850s.

A few miles from town, the Buffalo Gap Historic Village, collected buildings constructed around the county’s first courthouse, depicts a slightly more recent period – 1880 to 1925.

Best Kind of Cowboy

In my humble opinion, few things are more appealing than a good-lookin’ cowboy – unless it’s a good-lookin’ cowboy who can cook. That would be Tom Perini. At the restaurant on his Buffalo Gap Ranch, he whips up some mighty fine vittles. And he’s served up cowboy fixin’s from the James Beard House in New York to the White House. He even hauled his chuck wagon and 5,000 pounds of mesquite on a cooking tour of Japan.

You can order a variety of entrees, but I can’t imagine having anything but steak here – although it is disconcerting to see a herd of cattle meander by the patio as you’re eating. I fired up my appetite with some fresh jalapenos stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped in bacon followed by a salad (chopped lettuce topped with crispy bacon, tomato and blue cheese dressing) and refreshing sangria. Then came the steak – a lean, tender, 8-ounce filet, hand-cut and rubbed with Perini Ranch rub and grilled over mesquite. The steak was accompanied with cowboy potatoes, skin-on potato wedges, seasoned and roasted with butter and garlic, and sourdough rolls served with sea-salt-and-basil-seasoned butter. Full? Yes, but not too full for jalapeno cheesecake – cheesecake drizzled with savory jalapeno jelly and topped with a fresh jalapeno, the only thing left on my plate. This is one range I could really feel at home on.

Clockwise from top: Buffalo Gap Historic Village includes a collection of buildings from 1880 to 1925, plus historical collections and artifacts. // Rustic décor at Perini Steakhouse on the Perini Ranch // Frontier Texas! Museum showcases Texas life from 1780 to 1880.

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From India to Oklahoma City | COMMUNITY

The Present Is a Gift Behavioral psychiatrist Dr. R. Murali Krishna is president and COO of Integris Mental Health, as well as co-founder and president of the James L. Hall Jr. Center for Mind, Body and Spirit. The following excerpt, part of an ongoing series, is from his recent book “Vibrant: To Heal and Be Whole,” co-authored

by Kelly Dyer Fry, in which Dr. Krishna recounts the difficult journey of his own life and uses those experiences to encourage readers toward choosing to become happier, more purposeful people.

A Little Sibling Rivalry, A Little Mischief It started with a little tickle in his throat.

Then it was moving.

Squirming.

Murali reached into his mouth and pulled out a worm. His aunt stood there wagging her finger. “I told you so.” The toddler had been sneaking into the kitchen and grabbing handfuls of sugar. It was another example of young Murali acting out. His baby sister had arrived and turned his world upside down. Rama Devi was now getting all the attention. But at least his mother was healthy and happy — for now.

Sibling rivalry. Rebellion.

“I’m not sure what it was. It must have been a roundworm. My aunt was so mad at me. She came to help my mom with the new baby. Her main job was to try and stop me from eating sweets. I would reach up to the counter and grab anything I could.

The worm scared me. That’s what finally got me to stop.”

That memory is one of many for Murali. Other memories center on his new baby sister.

“I remember thinking, ‘That little thing comes along and gets all the attention.’”

Then there was the memory of the lost fruit tree.

“There were two fruit trees in our yard. We called them jama trees. It’s a green fruit – really sweet. It is similar to the guava fruit that is sold now in the Asian stores and Mexican stores. One tree had really sweet fruit we used to eat. The second tree was not as sweet. My father removed the sweet tree because it was too

close to the roof. I didn’t understand why he took it away.”

First the baby, then the tree. Threeyear-old Murali’s world was turned upside down.

And that was just the start of it.

His parents made great sacrifices and scraped together enough money to send their only son to a private pre-school. It was a convent. The uniform for the school was a crisply starched white cotton shirt and dark navy blue shorts. His parents were excited about the big day. Murali was not.

A rickshaw pulled up in front of their house to take the little boy to school. Murali would have no part of it.

His mother grabbed his hand to escort him to the waiting “driver.” Pulling away from his mom’s grip, Murali dropped to the ground and rolled in the red dirt. He was covered head to toe in sticky dirt. Back inside he went. Another bath. Another set of clean clothes. This time he was carried directly to the rickshaw.

Murali arrived at the school and found that everyone had matching clothes. There was a nun dressed in a full black habit. She glided across the floor as her habit swished.

It looked like she had no feet. She had a kind face, but there was no smile. Serious.

Perfectly still.

“I remember there was no talking, no laughter. I felt I did not fit in.”

Every morning, it was the same routine. The starched white shirt. The clean shorts. Red dirt. Another bath. After only a few days of wrestling with the young-

ster, his parents surrendered. Murali was moved to a government school.

“I loved it. I fit right in.”

The government school was loud and chaotic. The teacher carried a rod and didn’t hesitate to line everyone up for a whack if he could not nail down the single instigator.

“Looking back on it, I wonder if in the back of my mind I knew the convent was such a financial hardship for my parents.”

His father was working as a clerk at the time. He was making very little money, and they could not find a cheaper house to rent.

“In India there was no rental standard.

It depended on how much money the owner needed rather than what the house was worth.”

His maternal grandfather grew concerned for his daughter and her young family. “He came to visit us and walked the streets for days to find more suitable housing.” Murali’s father was spending half his earnings on rent, leaving little money to feed and care for his family.

“For days and days and days, my grandfather walked the streets until he found a new home for us. Everything in India is about family. That was monumental. It left a lasting impression on me.”

One of the highlights of the grandfather’s trip was Akshara Abhyasam. The special Indian ceremony introduces young

Murali poses with his mom, dad and two sisters in Rampachodavaram.

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 65

COMMUNITY | From India to Oklahoma City

To this day, I say there is a test to see if someone is a happy person. If they show pleasure at someone else’s success and if they can show concern when someone is suffering or hurting, then they are truly a happy person. children to the world of learning. Akshara translates to “letters.” Abhyasam means “practicing to become perfect.”

It was a special day. Murali was dressed in nice clothes while waiting for the special moment between grandfather and grandson.

Dry rice was mixed with turmeric.

Blessings.

Prayers.

It was spread on a large round plate.

Grandfather took Murali’s small hand in his. With his index finger, he traced through the yellow rice while saying “Om” in a slow low voice. According to custom, “Om” is the first sound uttered in the universe. They slowly wrote the figures in Telegu. O M. They prayed to Saraswathi, the goddess of learning.

The story of his grandfather coming to find their new house was repeated to young Murali throughout his childhood.

“It made an impression on me. It demonstrated such an act of caring. To this day, I say there is a test to see if someone is a happy person. If they show pleasure at someone else’s success and if they can show concern when someone is suffering or hurting, then they are truly a happy person.

My grandfather showed such great concern for us. It was a valuable lesson.”

School started to go well for young Murali. He soared through kindergarten and first grade. He remembers the black slate with the pencil they called a balapam.

“We wrote our letters over and over and over on the slates.”

But it was when they started writing numbers and doing multiplication tables that he started to shine.

“I found that math came very easy to me. I was fast.” Teachers soon caught on to his advanced skills. One day his parents came to the school. With much excitement and fanfare, they were told their secondgrader should be promoted early to the third grade.

“They were joyful.”

But the walk from one class to another was filled with anxiety for Murali.

“I was leaving my friends behind. Now everyone was older and much bigger. It was 66 SLICE // APRIL 2013

like a mechanical event for me. I felt scared.

“I learned some adaptive skills – mostly how to run fast so I could get away from the bigger boys. My athletic skills never involved size or muscles, but quickness.”

Murali spent only six months in the third grade before the early promotion struck again. He was once again moved up to the next grade and was now getting a lot of attention for his school work. This made his Thatha very proud.

“I found what made my grandfather proud, and it motivated me.”

When Murali was not showing off his multiplication skills – “12 times 12 is 144” – he was showing off his newfound running skills. The big boys still picked on him, but he could still outrun them. And, surely if he could run fast, he could eventually fly.

“I used to think as a child that somehow you could fly.” That childlike belief led him to many flying experiments. Murali took palm leaves and spread them wide before attaching them to his chest. His friends watched as he leapt from a ledge.

“If you run fast with the wind at your back, it feels like you fly a little bit.” Even now, the distinguished doctor gets a far-off look when he thinks about his flying attempts. A slow smile spreads across his face.

Another favorite pastime was making and flying kites. Newspapers were tied to bamboo sticks. The boys ran through the village with homemade kites soaring behind them.

“The whole place was like a park. Anywhere there was space, we played.” If they weren’t flying kites, they were rolling tires.

“We would roll them down the middle of the streets. We raced along beside them.” There weren’t many cars, so the streets were fair game for running or playing cricket.

“We set up to play cricket anywhere we wanted. If a car came, which wasn’t very often, we just moved everything aside.”

His father’s cousin had one of the few cars he knew of. The small black car resembled an English taxi, only much smaller.

“I remember it had a crank on the front to start it.” Murali piled into the car with his father and his cousin who had two young boys. There are still scattered memories

of a pond, some goldfish, a water fountain and roses. Special times. Special places.

With no televisions, the children played outside until well into the evening.

There was a loudspeaker in the park where townsfolk would gather at 7 o’clock to hear the evening news. Radio was a novelty.

Sunday mornings, families would gather around the radio to hear a special children’s program.

“It was called Radio Thatha or Radio Grandfather.” Skits and songs crackled to the delight of children. Storytelling was an important part of Murali’s young life in India. When he traveled to his paternal grandfather’s house, he sought out one of Thatha’s administrative helpers.

“We had to bribe him with fruit or pocket coins so he would tell us scary stories.” Many of the stories focused on good and evil. “The mythology gave me strong roots in knowing good and bad, true and false or truth and lies. The importance of really doing good to people.”

The myths were 5,000 to 6,000 years old. It was oral tradition. “I have always been fascinated by the themes.” Though the world changes, the basic principles of good and evil have remained throughout the centuries.

Thatha’s house always held surprises for Murali – like the time his grandfather took cardboard to make a sort of can that was tied to string. Murali was on one end and Thatha was on the other. String stretched through the house. “I was astounded when I could hear his voice.” His grandfather took note of his grandson’s delight. He knew how much Murali loved spending summers with him.

“He would say, ‘Don’t get too settled down, Murali. You have a guaranteed return ticket on your train. You will go home when school starts.’ I later realized he was not only talking about my return trip after summer vacation, he was talking about my return ticket to heaven. I remind people of that still to this day. We all have a return ticket home.

Life is a very short journey.”

DR. KRISHNA ON ENJOYING THE MOMENT

It seems the older we get, the faster life goes.

Mahatma Gandhi said it like this, “There is more to life than increasing its speed.”

I remember as a child that summertime seemed to last forever. While childhood can

be filled with play, often adulthood can be filled with stress and anxiety. But we can still tap those childlike feelings of exploration. We can continue to discover life, to learn, to grow.

We can learn throughout our lives to savor the moment. We can get more out of right now.

Many of us may be over-focused on what has happened in the past or what may happen in the future. We may not even be aware we are doing it. When we look back or look forward, we can often miss what is happening right in front of us. We literally kill the present.

Ironically, the present is the only thing we can control. Each moment is all we really have.

the moment. Enjoy the meal. Interact faceto-face with those you care about.

We can all turn off our devices long enough to get centered, refocused.

I sometimes hear people say they are “too busy” to slow down. But it doesn’t take very long to regroup our emotions. And it doesn’t take a quiet room with scented candles. You can refocus yourself at any time.

One way to slow down a hectic moment is to focus on your breathing. Focus on drawing in the cool air through your nostrils. Feel it filling your lungs. Breathe deep and let your belly rise. As you exhale, feel the air that has been warmed by your lungs.

You can count each breath to keep your focus on it. Or, you can think a simple word like “relax” or “peace” on each out breath.

The answer is not complex. It is simple. Stay in the present. Be mindful. Be present. Be focused on what is in front of you.

It is important to learn from the past, but it is also important to not let it distract and take energy from the present.

We often are guilty of looking too far into the future. We react based on things we think might happen. This creates anxiety and tension within us and can negatively impact our present decisions.

In short, if you worry too much about the future, your anxiety can impact the decisions you make today.

The answer is not complex. It is simple.

Stay in the present. Be mindful.

Be present.

Be focused on what is in front of you.

We live in a society of screens. Computer screens, television screens, smart phone screens, tablet screens and others.

We are “plugged in” 24 hours a day.

We are distracted.

Look around you at a restaurant and notice all the people with their heads down interacting with their phone or laptop.

There may be a loved one sitting across the table – a loved one who deserves our focus and attention. Are you present? Are you mindful of the distractions you are allowing to dominate the moment? It’s not just in restaurants. How about around the dinner table in your own home? Is the television on? Are you savoring the food?

We have to take inventory and evaluate how we are spending time with our family, friends and loved ones. Take time to enjoy

Another exercise is to take a long breath through your nostrils. Hold it for a few seconds then pucker your lips and exhale as slowly as you can.

If we take a few moments each day to do these simple breathing exercises, we can train ourselves to relax, focus and enjoy the moment.

“Walking awareness” is another way of re-centering ourselves. It can be outside or even in a long hallway of a busy office building. Notice each step you take. Focus on your step, your stride. Focus on the way you hold your shoulders and bend your knees. Be mindful of your every movement.

Relax. Breathe.

These are simple ways of bringing yourself back into the moment.

It can be almost magical when we truly focus on the moment.

If you are moving too fast, stop and ask yourself what is motivating you?

If you are spending all your time in a car driving your children to soccer, baseball, piano and dance lessons, ask yourself why?

Are you over-scheduling your child? What is your motivation for all these activities?

Find out what your goal is and then determine the proper steps to get there.

Take responsibility for your decisions.

Each of us is given 24 hours in a day. How do you want to spend your time? Where is the balance in your day? Did you work?

Play? Relax? Enjoy time with those you care

about and love? Every second of every day counts. Focus on those seconds.

What are your priorities?

Our to-do lists are often too long. Be realistic. Live your life deliberately. Reduce the number of to-dos to a more realistic level so you can focus on the larger goals in life, like building lasting relationships. Experiences count more than acquiring things or accomplishing a list of errands and tasks.

We have all had moments in life when we experience oneness. A sense of joy envelops us and we notice and savor it. Maybe it was when your child was born. Maybe it was admiring a waving field of golden wheat or a beautiful Oklahoma sunset. It is important to notice those moments of oneness, to savor them. When every cell in your body resonates that “this is good,” it recharges us. It also has positive restorative power. It lowers our blood pressure and boosts our immune system. We can train ourselves to notice even the smallest of God’s miracles. It is in noticing and savoring these moments that we gain benefit.

So, slow down. Stop moving so fast.

If you were born in 1900, your lifespan may have been only 40 years. Today we live on average into our 80s. Though we have twice the amount of life to live, we fill our lives with too many demands.

Those who came before us lived life at a slower pace. They worked very hard, and many of their tasks were quite timeconsuming. If we filled our days walking behind a horse to plow our fields, we would be overwhelmed. Technology has improved our lives. You would think with all the advancements, we would have more time to devote to our friends and family.

That is often not the case.

How do you spend your time?

Do you savor the moment?

Ask yourself these questions, and make deliberate decisions. You cannot control all situations, but you can always control how you respond. You are in control of your own peace of mind.

Proceeds from “Vibrant: To Heal and Be Whole” endow the Dr. R. Murali Krishna Family Eliminate the Stigma Award. Visit sliceok.com/ vibrant to order ($24.99) and receive a complimentary copy of Dr. Krishna’s “Natural Relaxation” CD while supplies last. Find Dr. Krishna online: web: drkrishna.com // fb: rmkrishnamd // tw: @drrmkrishna

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 67

COMMUNITY | For the Kids April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month – a great time to find a way to get involved in making a child’s life better.

OLFC is the beneficiary of this year’s Redbud Classic (April 6-7) and hosts its own fundraising events throughout the year. To find an event or get information on volunteer opportunities, visit oklahomalawyersforchildren. camp9.org.

Oklahoma Lawyers for Children president Tsinena Thompson and John Hermes, partner at McAfee & Taft and chairman of the OLFC board.

Lamps decorated by OLFC kids enjoying a sense of creative freedom

Standing Tall

By Lawrence Evans // Photos by Simon Hurst

JUST OUTSIDE THE PEACEFUL and occasionally kid-inspired décor of the offices housing Oklahoma Lawyers for Children, a framed quote atop a mantelpiece reads: “A man never stands as tall as when he stoops down to help a child.” These words represent the mantra of the more than 700 attorneys and hundreds of non-lawyers who volunteer for OLFC, speaking up for the neglected, abused and deprived children in our state.

“Being a lawyer is a stressful job and you can feel very unappreciated in this profession, but doing this type of work fills your cup back up. It fills your tank,” says OLFC president and CEO Tsinena Thompson.

68 SLICE // APRIL 2013

“Your heart swells, your step is a little lighter, and you know you’ve done something good.

What you get out of it is greater than anything else that I know of.”

For two attorneys in 1997, this silver lining was a little harder to spot. While traveling home from a visit to the Oklahoma County Juvenile Justice Center and the Pauline Mayer Shelter, Don R. Nicholson II and D. Kent Meyers could only see the need.

“At that time, there was a pretty incomprehensible amount of children cases. They decided to start the organization on the bus ride home,” says Thompson. “Back then, they only had three juvenile public defend-

ers to handle that entire case load. Because of this lack in attorneys available to represent the children, kids’ cases were going on for years.”

The founders of OLFC left that bus ride with one goal: Find attorneys to represent the children.

Sixteen years and thousands of court cases later, OLFC has become one of the leading organizations in the fight for the rights of children. “Since 2010 we’ve almost doubled our numbers in volunteers. We’ve also increased the types of programs we do,” says Thompson.

Annette Jacobi, chief of Family Support and Prevention Services at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, sees a growing need for the services that OLFC offers.

“Families are facing many challenges today – everything from typical questions about parenting to full-blown crises such as poverty, substance abuse and domestic violence,” says Jacobi. “Because of their efforts, it is possible for some children to be reunited with their biological parents or perhaps placed in safe, stable, nurturing foster or adoptive homes. I feel certain that all of the OLFC volunteers want the children to be healthy, happy and loved.”

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MINGLING | On the Town

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CHOCOLATE DECADENCE Photos by Justin Avera

Sweet treats, smooth beats and a romantic atmosphere fuel the annual soiree in the heart of Automobile Alley.

1. Ann West, Alex Cameron, Tracy Tibbs 2. Jack Elliott, Ron Williams 3. Christina and Jonathan Nguyen 4. Trinity Goodwin, Britney Williams, Jessica Perry 5. Ryan McGuire, Kacy Schlener 6. Anthony McDermid, Michael Mangrum 7. Miles W. Mixon, Lauren Kirby

7 70 SLICE // APRIL 2013

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MINGLING | On the Town

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HOWELL GALLERY OPENING RECEPTION Photos by Michael Miller

Guests and friends gather to the gallery for the opening of a joint show by husband and wife Dick and Susan Stamm Evans.

1. Susan Stamm Evans, Sally Scott, John Flewelling 2. Gennie Johnson, Donna Lawrence 3. Nick Berry, Betsy Hyde, Nancy and Bob Anthony 4. Dick Evans, Linda Howell

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OSHBA BANQUET

Photos by Brent Fuchs

Dinner, conversation and the start of a new year for the Oklahoma State Home Builders Association at the organization’s annual banquet

3 72 SLICE // APRIL 2013

4

1. Senator David Holt, new OSHBA President Jeff Click 2. Three generations of the Click family: Deziray, Alessondra, Jeff, Cindy and Dick 3. Jeff Smith, Kathy and Robert Crout 4. Carter and Becky Foree

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Special Exhibits Native Gift Gallery Located in the heart of downtown OKC Park Avenue at Broadway Next to historic Skirvin Hilton Hotel Open Weekdays 10-5 pm • Free Admission

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APRIL 2013 // SLICE 73

PRACTICAL MATTERS | Hail Damage

When the Sky IS Falling

By John Wiscaver

ACROSS THE NATION, hailstorms cause an average of $1 billion in damage each year to property and crops.

74 SLICE // APRIL 2013

and hail-resistant roofing may lessen the risk of storm damage, and you may receive a discount on your insurance premium. The preferred standard in the industry that best protects from hail damage are roofing materials with a “Class 4” rating, which means that the product did not crack when hit twice in the same area by a two-inch steel ball.

As you make updates to your roof, be sure to choose a reputable contractor who is bonded, insured and up-to-date on the latest issues and product requirements to ensure you get the best value on a longlasting roof. A good place to start would be contacting members of the National Roof Contractors Association.

If you don’t have plans to update your roof in the near future, you should at least make sure your property values are accurate. Homeowners should update their coverage each year to ensure they have accurate values on file to help avoid gaps in coverage.

You should also have a good understanding of your current insurance policy and be comfortable asking questions to stay informed about your coverage needs.

You never want to wait until you need to make a claim to learn that you don’t have adequate coverage in place.

If it’s spring in Oklahoma, you are at risk for hail damage. Taking a few preventative steps can save you from a lot of inconveniences and help you better weather the storm.

HOLY HAIL!

Hail can originate from any thunderstorm, but large hail is most common in rotating thunderstorms known as “supercells.”

Nearly all supercells produce hail, while less than 30 percent produce tornadoes.

The largest hailstone in terms of diameter and weight ever recorded in the U.S. fell on July 23, 2010, in Vivien, South Dakota.

It measured eight inches in diameter and 18.62 inches in circumference, and weighed in at 1.93 pounds.

John Wiscaver, vice president of public affairs for Oklahoma Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, has 25 years of experience within the industry and was chair of the 2013 National Tornado Summit in Oklahoma City.

PHOTO COURTESY IBHS RESEARCH CENTER

Our state is at the center of the most hail-prone region, and from March through June Oklahomans batten down the hatches and hope to weather the storm without significant losses.

This February, I attended the first-ever full-scale artificial hailstorm designed to test how different types of roofing and siding perform during the real thing. The simulation, produced by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) Research Center in South Carolina, consisted of approximately 10,000 hailstones of varying sizes fired from multi-barreled air cannon arrays that hung 60 feet above the test sampling.

This national-level demonstration provided valuable information that will help Oklahomans prepare for the upcoming storm season. Primarily, it illustrated the importance of choosing hail-resistant materials when putting on a new roof or replacing one. With better roofing materials, you are less likely to have future hail damage.

Homeowners should consider installing storm-resistant materials because wind-

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JEFF MINCHIN

PURSUITS

A Joyful Noise Alt-rock Welsh tunesmiths The Joy Formidable have a new album in stores and a new target on the horizon: helping to headline the free three-day gargantuan jam that is Norman Music Festival 6, April 25-27. See page 79.

TOP TEN Prime starting points for making the most of the month 78

SPOTLIGHT The Oklahoma City Ballet reaches a magical milestone in its season’s final performance 80

SEE & DO The music, theater, visual arts and other delights on April’s calendar 86 APRIL 2013 // SLICE 77

PURSUITS | High Points

The Top

By Steve Gill

IT’S A BIG, BUSY METRO OUT THERE – IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO EVERYTHING, HERE’S WHERE TO START.

HOLDING COURT

March 31-April 2, Chesapeake Arena The good news is that one team will leave this weekend with a ticket to New Orleans and a shot at the ultimate prize. The bad news is that they’ll be the only ones celebrating. Four top teams give their all to advance as OKC hosts the 2013 NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional.

GET TO IT

April 5, OKC Farmers Public Market Art marks the spot as chair Amanda Kirkpatrick and Allied Arts support group Catalyst circle the Farmers Market for an annual fundraising blowout – guests who reach “Destination: ARTini” can celebrate with a drink from local restaurants competing to create and serve the best original martini, and enjoy live music, a silent art auction and many more delights.

Robert Mitchum

UP, UP AND AWAY!

April 13, Petroleum Club The power of imagination can propel those exploring it to exciting heights, but it never hurts to have a little help from reality, especially if it’s among the clouds in the Petroleum Club. The Oklahoma Children’s Theatre’s Fairy Tale Ball provides entertainment for parents, tweens and the juvenile stars of the show titled “Heroes, Heroines and Happily Ever Afters.”

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Frontier Legacy

April 19-20, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum The American West is the stuff of legend, populated with largerthan-life figures and deeds; at the cheerfully convivial Jingle Jangle Mingle and the annual black-tie Western Heritage Awards, the preservers of the West relish the chance to applaud those who share its stories with the world through film, literature and music.

PHOTOS: SCULPTURE COURTESY FIREHOUSE ART CENTER; ROBERT MITCHUM COURTESY NATIONAL COWBOY & WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM; WEST SIDE STORY BY CAROL ROSEGG

METALS OF HONOR

April 12-May 31, Firehouse Art Center Charles Lewton-Brain has gained worldwide renown as a jewelry consultant, author and innovative master craftsman. Charleen Weidell is chair of the department of Charleen Weidell, art at UCO, and creates deli“Datura Inoxia” cately beautiful sculptures from hammered metal. Together, these experts are preparing to fill the Firehouse with works more exquisite and precious than the gold, silver and copper of which they are wrought.

FOR THE BIRDS

April 19-21, OKC Civic Center With apologies to Michael Jackson, it does matter if you’re black or white – if the black version of you is a magically enhanced duplicate intended to make the Prince forswear his oath of love and condemn you to being a swan forever. Sorcerers, man. With orchestral assistance from the OKC Philharmonic, the OKC Ballet concludes its season with the ethereal, emotive, impeccably elegant “Swan Lake.”

THE CHARM OF MAKING

April 23-28, Downtown OKC Hundreds of masters in every kind of artistic endeavor, from painters both local and nationwide to performers like children’s choirs, professional bands and featured street artist Derek McAlister to a bevy of prime restaurateurs – it’s no wonder thousands of people make time to enjoy the fruits of their labors in the week of creative celebration called the Festival of the Arts.

SONIC BOOM

April 25-27, Downtown Norman Take two outdoor stages and multiple indoor venues, add dozens upon dozens of incredible national and local bands, turn it up to eleven and you’ve got a recipe for success tens of thousands of fans can enjoy – for free – as JD McPherson, The Joy Formidable and many more prepare to shake the city to its foundations at Norman Music Festival 6.

Snappy Repartee April 23-28, OKC Civic Center Two street gangs, both alike in dignity, on the Upper West Side, where we dig that scene. Essentially, when you’re a Capulet, you’re a Capulet all the way, even if your character has been transported centuries through history into one of the all-time great musicals: Tony and Maria sing their star-crossed love in Celebrity Attractions’ big, bold production of “West Side Story.”

ONWARD AND UPWARD

April 26-May 31, IAO Gallery While the title of her new exhibit “On the Rise” could easily apply to Michelle Junkin herself, as a recent recipient of the Paseo Arts Association’s Emerging Artist Award, the pieces make it clear that the referent is the future of her beloved Sooner State: the richly textured and colored mixed media paintings include the word “Oklahoma” cut hundreds of times from collected and donated local magazines.

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 79

PURSUITS | Spotlight

An Enduring Classic It is one of the great artistic triumphs of all time and epitomizes classical ballet – though at its 1877 premiere, “Swan Lake” was not well received. It wasn’t until a revival of the work in 1895, with a few revisions to the magnificent Tchaikovsky score by Riccardo Drigo and new choreography staged by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, that the Swan Queen gracefully glided into the hearts of ballet lovers around the world.

Even audiences that may not be fluent in ballet repertoire can hum Tchaikovsky’s melodic pas de deux theme and describe the ballerina’s arms majestically mirroring the fluttering of the wings of a swan. Many companies regularly present excerpts, but it is considered a bold milestone to stage the ballet in its four-act entirety. Thus, Oklahoma City Ballet’s 41st season becomes a landmark year for the company with its first-ever full-length production of “Swan Lake” April 19-21.

In his fifth year directing Oklahoma City Ballet, Robert Mills says the company is ready to make the artistic and technical leap the ballet demands. “We have enough dancers in the company to be able to perform such a large ballet, and the company is now performing with cohesion,” Mills says.

“The principal dancers, Miki Kawamura and Yui Sato, are now also performing at very high levels. It is the perfect time for us to present ‘Swan Lake.’”

Companies around the world regularly cast separate dancers in the roles of the White and Black Swans, but in this production, Kawamura – a powerful dancer from Sapporo, Japan – performs both roles.

“I like to have one dancer perform both roles because it stretches the dancer,” Mills says. “Each role is dramatically different, so it brings a lot out of the dancer as an artist.”

“Swan Lake” requires an extraordinary amount of acting in addition to highly technical dances. Sato, from Kyoto, Japan, studied the story in depth in order to personify his character, Prince Siegfried.

“Acting in addition to dancing the story is challenging,” Sato explains. “There is a lot of drama in my role, which requires a lot of control – especially the dances with Miki.”

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Kawamura’s lyrical and soft White Swan (Odette) evokes a quiet strength as she protects the other swans. Her Black Swan (Odile), on the other hand, embodies sharp seduction as she tricks Sato’s character into believing she is Odette.

“Yui is very responsive to me as we partner,” Kawamura says. “He engages in the relationship between the characters and gives me acting and gesture to respond to, which is a very good quality to have for a dancer.”

Mills has invited guest artists Nao Kusuzaki and Christopher Coomer from the Houston Ballet to dance the leading roles on April 20 and 21, and the production also benefits from the skills of guest repetiteur Lisa Moon and returning Oklahoma City Ballet performers David Barocio and Mary Price Boday. The palace scenes are staged by Mills, along with Oklahoma City Ballet Master Jacob Sparso. Inspired by the original choreography of Marius Petipa, Mills and Sparso also insert some of their own choreographic touches.

“I grew up with ‘Swan Lake,’ performing the ballet even as a child at the Royal Danish Ballet,” Sparso reminisces. “The Tchaikovsky score is such beautiful music you can’t help but be moved by it. The music always speaks to me first when I am creating choreography, but I choreograph with the specific dancers in mind. I know exactly what they can do and how they move. It’s like writing a song with someone’s voice in mind – you just know how it is going to sound.”

Mills says he would not have considered performing “Swan Lake” without a live orchestra. For his part, Maestro Joel Levine, music director for the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, has been looking forward to

By Russ Tall Chief

conducting the entire score in Oklahoma City for many years. “‘Swan Lake’ is the ‘grand opera’ of ballet,” exclaims Levine, who is enjoying his 24th season leading the Philharmonic. “It is a vastly complex work. So I will be sitting in on rehearsals at the ballet studios discussing tempo and the dancers’ musical needs.

The music must always serve the dancers for the sake of the performance, and also for the safety of the dancers.”

Levine and Mills have been coordinating their efforts for more than a year now in preparation for the performances, and have chosen to incorporate optional elements of the score, such as the “Danse Russe” (“Russian Dance”). Tchaikovsky’s famous White Swan Pas de Deux features two of the Philharmonic’s foremost virtuosos, Gregory Lee and Jon Ruck, whose performances are likely to resonate with audiences long after the Civic Center curtain closes.

While the ballet concludes with a poetically tragic “swan song,” this particular performance symbolizes not a sorrowful ending but a triumphant ongoing rebirth for the Oklahoma City Ballet, which struggled for years to amass community support and recognition.

“The community has really gotten behind Robert and the company and helped it grow over these past five years,” Levine says. “I have never seen an arts agency rebound in a more magnificent way.”

Witness the Magic

The great masterwork casts its spell over audiences at the Oklahoma City Civic Center April 19-21; call 843.9898 or visit okcballet.com for tickets, and share in the excitement.

Miki Kawamura

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PURSUITS | Spotlight

A Heart for Giving

By Lauren Hammack

SHAREN JESTER TURNEY, president and CEO of Victoria’s Secret, a $6 billion company, is an alumna of the University of Oklahoma and a native of Ardmore who believes in the power of philanthropy. This month Turney will be joined by several women business leaders as she returns to her alma mater to address the Women’s Philanthropy Network at a one-day symposium. The event will be a forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the meaningful changes women can make in their communities through philanthropy. What does that look like to her? We connected with Turney to find out.

Do you see philanthropic partnerships as an integral part of any corporation’s social responsibility? All corporations are accountable for growing sales and profit.

But I believe corporations should also have a higher purpose – one that involves improving the lives of others. Corporations should do good for the communities in which they operate … and certainly philanthropic partnerships are a great way to do good.

How does your company support various nonprofits? Do Victoria’s Secret’s philanthropic efforts have a consistent focus, or do they vary from year to year according to need? As part of the Limited Brands family, our philanthropic focus reflects our associates’ and our customers’ values.

We support community programs that focus on empowering women, nurturing and mentoring children and improving education. Also embedded in our focus is a commitment to inclusion and enriching the cultural arts. We believe that vibrant cultural arts are synonymous with vibrant and diverse communities.

Annually, we support the United Way, Komen Race for the Cure and Pelotonia (a bike ride to support cancer research at The James Cancer Hospital of The Ohio State University). In addition, the Limited Brands Foundation contributes millions of dollars to various nonprofit organizations in our home office communities domestically and internationally.

How do you think personal growth is tied to volunteerism? Our success in life has 82 SLICE // APRIL 2013

so much to do with the experiences we have. My dad used to tell me, “You’re only as smart as the ground you grew up on.”

What he meant was that none of us knows it all. But, fortunately, we have unlimited capacity to learn and grow. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people, have new experiences and gain insights that will benefit you in every facet of your life – especially in your career.

Are there particular charitable organizations that speak to you personally? Philanthropy is very personal. If we’re doing it right, we’re doing it from the heart. My brother had developmental disabilities, which inspired in me the desire to help those who are not as able to help themselves. That’s why I served on the board of directors for the Winston School in Dallas and now serve on the board for Nationwide Children’s Hospital and sponsor children at the Abigail House orphanage in Sri Lanka.

My husband, son and I are also committed to supporting cancer research. My mother and father both had cancer and I lost my mother to it at a young age. Unfortunately, that is the reality for too many families. Our goal is a cancer-free world and with the groundbreaking advancements like those being made at The James Cancer Hospital at The Ohio State University, I believe it’s possible and I hope it happens within our lifetime.

What advice do you have for women who might not be the business owner or top management of their company, but who see a need to connect to the nonprofit community in some way through their work?

No matter your level, you can play a valuable role in your community. First, figure out what you’re truly passionate about – then find a not-for-profit that suits that passion. Your company might actually be able to help connect you via their philanthropic network. There are truly unlimited opportunities for getting involved, from reading to children through a school program to volunteering your work talents to an organization you’re passionate about. If you work in finance, marketing, HR … all those skills could be incredibly valuable to a not-for-profit.

Sharen Jester Turney

THE MAIN EVENT Women’s Philanthropy Network Symposium Wednesday, April 10, 2013 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Oklahoma Memorial Union, Molly Shi Boren Ballroom 900 Asp Ave., Norman

Additional speakers include: Julia Chew, Norman insurance agent and president of Sooner Stilettos Michelle Harris, owner of Green Bambino, an Oklahoma City ecobaby product store Danielle Keogh, owner of Liberté, a women’s boutique in Oklahoma City Melissa Scaramucci, owner of Local, a Norman restaurant Beverly Woodrome, director of the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence David and Molly Boren Mentoring Initiative Register by April 5 at ou.edu/women.

Tickets are $25 and include a fashion show and lunch. Students may contact Cassie Gilman at 325.5676 for discounted ticket information.

Thank you to our generous patrons for 21 years of helping us educate and save lives as we work toward an AIDS-free generation.

RED TIE NIGHT The Board of Directors

www.OkAIDSCareFund.com

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On view through April 21

Photorealism Revisited is produced by International Arts® Don Jacot (American, b.1949). Times Square, 1937, 2012. Oil on linen, 40 x 78 in. Louis K. Meisel Gallery, New York. © Courtesy International Arts® Image: Hubert DeLartigue (French, b.1963). OMG!, 2009. Acrylic on canvas, 38 in. diameter (96.5 cm). Courtesy of Bernarducci.Meisel.

Gallery © Courtesy International Arts®

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 83

PURSUITS | Spotlight

Gender Dynamic

By Steve Gill

Step Right Up

Speaking of getting involved, World Neighbors is hosting an opportunity to help support the Work of Women while indulging in a marvelous evening’s entertainment specifically geared toward ladies: the Meinders Hall of Mirrors is a great place to reflect on fashion temptations and enjoy a glass or two and the camaraderie that ensues at the annual Wine, Women and Shoes fundraiser April 19.

AS BIG AS THE WORLD IS, WE’RE ALL STILL NEIGHBORS, and whether it’s played out against a backdrop of sand-scoured desert or frozen tundra, many aspects of the human experience are fundamentally the same everywhere. Including, unfortunately, the hard truths that for all they contribute to their own lives and future generations, women earn just one-tenth of the world’s income and own less than one-tenth of the world’s property, suffer disproportionately from violence and are marginalized in leadership and decision-making. But those numbers aren’t set in stone; and isn’t helping one another out what good neighbors do?

The Work of Women program is a membership organization within World Neighbors dedicated to empowering and mobilizing people in support of efforts to improve lives of women and their families in the poor, rural villages around the globe where World Neighbors works.

“As a wife and mother, I am no different than the women found around the world in our Work of Women program: We all dream the same dreams and have the same hopes for our children and families,” muses Erin Engelke, World Neighbors’ V.P. of marketing and communications. “I’m so proud to be a part of the program as it bridges the gap between women here in the United States with women in the developing world, lifting them out of hunger and poverty.”

Through involvement with Work of Women, members multiply their individual efforts and truly create change by helping these women reach their dreams: contributing to the program helps facilitate the creation of savings and credit groups that start micro-businesses; it invests in women’s leadership and skill building for community decision-making; it supports efforts to encourage and help villagers to work together for development that moves them beyond subsistence, betters their health and their families’ and inspires increased participation and leadership in their villages and beyond; it improves lives, families, communities. Oh, and one more thing: involvement with this work improves members’ lives as well. Making existence better for women – for people – around the world: that’s a pretty impressive mission statement.

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Guests will sip world-class wines from eight visiting vintners, savor delectable bites courtesy of Kam’s Kookery and Nothing Bundt Cakes and explore the retail wonders of the Marketplace – whose participants include Black Optical, Bonfaire, Closet Moxie, Head Over Heels, Heirloom Shoe, Liberté, Pink Sugar Shoe Boutique, Plenty Mercantile and Nihsima Jewelry – showcasing the season’s latest styles in shoes and accessories, while the charming “Shoe Guys” tempt guests with must-haves on their silver platters. A fashion show, a live auction, raffles valued at over $10,000 … there’s plenty to enjoy, including the feeling of doing good. For tickets or questions, check out wn.org/workof-women.

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See & Do DANCE Contemporary Dance Oklahoma Apr 5-14 Classical elements, modern sensibilities, thrilling results. OU School of Dance faculty members present original choreography set to the music of Queen, Duke Ellington and Richard Strauss in an energetic display of athleticism and grace. OU Rupel Jones Theatre, 540 Parrington Oval, Norman, 325.4101, ou.edu/finearts/dance Swan Lake Apr 19-21 Riveting. Full stop.

The OKC Ballet’s company premiere of classical ballet’s gold standard is must-see viewing as it is; add in the OKC Philharmonic performing Tchaikovsky’s monster score and guest artists from the Houston Ballet and the experience approaches epic proportions. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 843.9898, okcballet.com

EVENTS Oklahoma Native American Youth Language Fair Apr 1-2 English may be the language of the land now, but it wasn’t always - this annual event helps state schoolchildren learning their Native tongues. Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chatauqua Ave, Norman, 325.4712, snomnh.ou.edu Panhellenic Women of the Year Luncheon Apr 3 Outstanding representatives of over a dozen sororities take their bows at a convivial meal and award ceremony by the Greater OKC Panhellenic Association, an event that supports its scholarship fund. OKC Golf & Country Club, 7000 NW Grand Blvd, OKC, 330.0297, okcpanhellenic.org Terrance Hayes Poetry Reading Apr 3 One of the most compelling voices in American poetry, the eloquent and ofthonored Hayes will talk about his writing process, answer questions and read some of his poems during two sessions as part of OCU Thatcher Hoffman Smith Poetry Series. OCU Meinders School of Business, NW 27th St & Blackwelder Ave, OKC, 208.5472, okcu.edu/film-lit Allied Arts ARTini Apr 5 The OKC Farmers Market is the place to be as an expected 800 people gather to sample specially crafted martinis and appetizers from favorite local restaurants, enjoy a puissant performance from SquadLive and support the organization that supports the arts in central Oklahoma.

OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 S Klein Ave, OKC, 278.8944, alliedartini.com La Gran Fiesta Apr 5 What better annual fundraiser than a big party? The Red Cross does it up right with a muy delicioso Mexican spread accompanied by a beer, tequila and margarita tasting. NCED Conference Center, 2801 E State Hwy 9, Norman, 321.0591, okc. redcross.org Medieval Fair Apr 5-7 Have a merrie olde time at the annual commingling of jugglers, minstrels, tons of arts and crafts vendors, educational exhibits, jousters and outstanding amounts of food. Reaves Park, 2501 S Jenkins Ave, Norman, 325.8610, medievalfair.org

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FAI Spring Sampler Apr 6 Nature’s rebirth inspires a creatively good time in the Edmond Fine Arts Institute’s beautiful Evening of the Arts. Oak Tree Country Club, 700 Country Club Dr, Edmond, 340.4481, edmondfinearts.com Respect Diversity Exhibit Awards Apr 9 We all belong - and the sooner we learn that, the better for humanity.

Students statewide explored issues of cultural diversity and global peace through the arts, and their best efforts are lauded in this musical, beautiful ceremony. Harding Fine Arts Academy, 3333 N Shartel Ave, OKC, 359.0369, respectdiversity.org Giving With Style Symposium Apr 10 The OU Women’s Philanthropy Network welcomes Victoria’s Secret CEO Sharen Jester Turney and other entrepreneuses for a discussion on combining business and philanthropy in style. OU Memorial Union, 900 Asp Ave, Norman, 325.4483, ou.edu/women Lecture: The U.S., Human Rights and the World in the 1970s Apr 10 Before rights can be defended, they must be asserted - Dr. Daniel Sargent discusses the institutionalization of human rights advocacy in the 1970s. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave, Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma OKC Memory Gala Apr 11 The Alzheimer’s Association honors longtime philanthropist Gene Rainbolt and offers an impeccably elegant night to remember in what it hopes will be a record-setting 13th annual fete. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 319.0780, memorygalaokc.org OK Centennial Horse Show Apr 1114 American Saddlebreds, Morgans, Shetland ponies and Arabians are all champing at the bit to show their stuff in this 24th annual roundup of equestrian excellence. State Fairgrounds, 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd, OKC, 903.882.4755, okcentennial.com

1618 N Gatewood Ave, OKC, 367.9403, plazadistrict.org

& Country Club, 7000 NW Grand Blvd, OKC, 606.3760, mls.lib.ok.us

Lyric’s Broadway & Brew Apr 12 Join Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma for a fundraiser featuring top-tier beer, delicious food and spectacular entertainment from some of the metro’s finest performers. Myriad Botanical Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 524.9310, lyrictheatreokc.com

Town Hall Lecture Series: Dr. Elliot Engel Apr 18 OKC Town Hall completes its slate of thought-provoking speakers with an old friend; frequent guest Engel concludes this season’s lecture series with “Leonardo da Vinci - Before the Code.” St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 222 NW 15th St, OKC, 826.9689, okctownhall.com

Fairy Tale Ball Apr 13 Dubbed “Heroes, Heroines and Happily-Ever-Afters,” the 2013 festivities offer joyous fun for young children and their parents alike, plus a new magical party just for tweens. Petroleum Club, 100 N Broadway, OKC, 606.7003, oklahomachildrenstheatre.org Reach for the Stars! Apr 13 Dreams stand a better chance of coming true with a day-to-day support system; Youth Services of Oklahoma County marks its 40th year of acting as a safety net for homeless metro teens with auctions, a wine pull, dinner and dancing with DJ Ronnie Kaye. Skirvin Hilton, 1 Park Ave, OKC, 235.7537, ysoc3.publishpath.com Bill Maher Apr 14 It’s open for debate whether he’s more a standup comedian or political pundit, but given his outspoken criticism of the Republican party and its positions, his visit to the reddest state in the union should be interesting. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 297.2264, okcciviccenter.com Paws for Parks Apr 14 Dog devotees will have their day: the Junior League’s afternoon event includes beautifying the community park, an on-site vet to provide microchipping and the opportunity to meet candidates for adoption from Second Chance Animal Shelter. Norman Community Dog Park, 12th St NE & High Meadows Dr, Norman, 329.9617, juniorleagueofnorman.org

2nd Friday Circuit of Art Apr 12 A monthly community-wide celebration of creativity, focused on historic Downtown Norman. Norman Arts Council, 122 E Main St, Norman, 360.1162, normanarts.org

Sandra Soli Poetry Reading Apr 14 The author of Oklahoma Book Awardnominated “Silvering the Flute” and “What Trees Know” undertakes a live reading of her work. Santa Fe Depot, 200 S Jones Ave, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org

Integris Gala Apr 12 The 15th annual gala will provide the James R. Daniel Stroke Centers with critical funding for education and stroke prevention … and provide guests with a great dinner and the exhilarating sounds of Rolling Stones tribute band Satisfaction.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 951.5054, integrisgiving.org

Devon Energy College Basketball Awards Apr 15 Newly expanded to honor the NCAA player, coach and freshman of the year as well as the Wayman Tisdale Humanitarian of the Year, these awards gather college basketball’s very best for an event unmatched by any other.

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, access-sports.net

Ladies in the News Apr 12 The honorees have added so much to our community; now they get to add a little pizzazz to the runway in the 46th annual style show and luncheon sponsored by the Oklahoma Hospitality Club and benefiting The Children’s Center and The Foundation for the Disabled. OKC Golf & Country Club, 7000 NW Grand Blvd, OKC, 470.4499, oklahomahospitalityclub.org

Cowboy Cantina Apr 16 An afterhours, adults-only tour of the Museum’s wonders in a monthly event offering drinks, conversation and live music. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org

Live on the Plaza Apr 12 Vendors, artists, residents and passerby unite for a monthly fiesta. OKC Plaza District,

Literary Voices Apr 18 The Metropolitan Library System’s annual fundraising dinner continues its streak of worldrenowned authorial guests with twotime Pulitzer-winning historian and biographer David McCullough. OKC Golf

Wine, Women and Shoes Apr 19 In this case, two’s company; three’s amazing. Benefiting the philanthropic accomplishments of World Neighbors’ Work of Women, this commingling of a designer footwear fashion showcase and carefully selected accompanying wines makes for a sensational evening.

Meinders Hall of Mirrors, 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 752.9700, wn.org Biting the Apple Apr 19-20 Art can be decorative, profoundly insightful, sometimes perplexing or occasionally just provocative.

IAO turns up the allure and looks to arouse guests’ interests in its annual adults-only fetish ball. IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan Ave, OKC, 232.6060, iaogallery.org Remembrance Day Apr 19 Some were killed, some survived and the city was changed forever in the 1995 bombing. Through the Memorial’s programs, the 168 seconds of silence and the memories of the community, we all strive to find comfort, peace, strength, hope and serenity. OKC National Memorial & Museum, 620 N Harvey Ave, OKC, 235.3313, oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org Western Heritage Awards Apr 1920 A convivial gathering in Friday’s Jingle-Jangle Mingle and a formal gala in Saturday’s black-tie awards ceremony both recognize the years great achievements in Western movies, television, literature and music, plus titanic personalities who have kept the legacy alive. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org 89er Day Parade Apr 20 Classic cars, live music, covered wagons, horses and more in a fun event to commemorate the Land Run of 1889. For fun, try running down Main Street the day before and calling yourself a Sooner.

Downtown Norman, 101 E Main St, Norman, 321.1600 Bids for Kids Apr 20 A little dinner, a little dancing courtesy of a live performance by Superfreak, a few words from country star Jimmy Wayne, a wine pull and the namesake tantalizing auctions. Whoever takes home the prizes, the foster care community wins in Citizens Caring for Children’s fundraiser par excellence.

OKC Golf & Country Club, 7000 NW Grand Blvd, OKC, 753.4099, citizenscaringforchildren.org Evening EscAPE Apr 20 The meal is stylish, the wine excellent and the company … just a trifle wild.The OKC Zoo’s annual simian soiree includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the Great EscAPE exhibit and a presentation from one of its keepers, and helps fund great

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PURSUITS | See & Do

ape conservation. OKC Zoo, 2101 NE 50th St, OKC, 425.0612, zoofriends.org Magnolia Brunch Apr 20 Derby Day is around the corner, so the Women of the South leave their hats on while honoring Lou Kerr at a midmorning feast, fashion show and purse and jewelry auction.

Petroleum Club, 100 N Broadway, OKC, 691.4770, womenofthesouth.org Symphony Show House Gala Apr 20 The OKC Orchestra League’s tradition of bringing the metro’s finest furnishers and designers together to make a chosen mansion into a thing of beauty is turning 40 this year - that calls for a celebration before tours begin in May, a preview soiree featuring tasting stations from local restaurants and a sneak preview inside the Trio at Fairview Farms.

Symphony Show House, NW 150th St & Western Ave, OKC, 842.6787, symphonyshowhouse.com Festival of the Arts Apr 23-28 Six days.

Around 750,000 visitors. The best of the visual, performing and culinary arts from Oklahoma and beyond in the form of over 200 artists and over 300 musicians, actors and entertainers. It’s a one-of-a-kind wonderland. Downtown OKC, 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 270.4848, artscouncilokc.com Science Lounge: Evening With Einstein Apr 25 Science is for adults only in a special themed evening with live music, appetizers, a cash bar and hands-on experimentation. Science Museum OK, 2100 NE 52nd St, OKC, 602.6664, sciencemuseumok.org JDRF Hope Gala Apr 27 The blacktie dinner with special live and silent auctions helps drive research by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation; his support for their cause will earn Dan Boren special recognition at the “party with a purpose.” Renaissance Hotel, 10 N Broadway Ave, OKC, 810.0070, jdrf. org/oklahoma

FILM Happy People Apr 4-7 Acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog takes viewers into a remote village untouched by modernity in this documentary subtitled “A Year in the Taiga.” OKC Museum of Art, 415 Couch Dr, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com Precious Life Apr 7 The OCU Film Institute shares the award-winning story of a Palestinian boy who needs a very costly surgery - one that must be performed in Israel by Jewish surgeons. Eschewing sentimentailty, it maintains hope for future peace.

OCU Sarkeys Law Center, NW 23rd St & Kentucky Ave, OKC, 208.5472, okcu. edu/film-lit STATIC Film Screening Apr 11 A free monthly showcase of local filmmakers’ craft in dramas, animated shorts and other genres. IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan Ave, OKC, 232.6060, iaogallery.org Film Preservation Festival 9 Apr 11-14 Classic creepies live again in this allstar lineup: “Phantom of the Opera,” “Frankenstein,” “Bride of Frankenstein,” “The Invisible Man,” “Dracula,” “It Came From Outer Space” and “Creature From the Black Lagoon.” OKC Museum of Art, 415 Couch Dr, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com

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New Jewish Cinema Fest Apr 18-21 The Israeli influence on filmmaking runs throughout this lineup of “The World is Funny,” “The Flat, “The Other Son” and “Hava Nagila.” OKC Museum of Art, 415 Couch Dr, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com How to Die in Oregon Apr 21 The OCU Film Institute’s documentary series continues with a provocative Emmynominated film about the controversial Oregon law legalizing physicianassisted suicide. OCU Sarkeys Law Center, NW 23rd St & Kentucky Ave, OKC, 208.5472, okcu.edu/film-lit Upstream Color Apr 25-28 A mysterious life form draws two strangers together in this eerie followup from the director of “Primer.”

OKC Museum of Art, 415 Couch Dr, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com They Call It Myanmar: Lifting the Curtain Apr 28 Shot clandestinely over a two-year period and drawn from over 100 interviews blended with footage of Burmese life, this final installment of the OCU Film Institute’s series provides a rare look into a country held in stasis by a brutal military regime for nearly half a century. OCU Sarkeys Law Center, NW 23rd St & Kentucky Ave, OKC, 208.5472, okcu.edu/film-lit

GALLERIES EdgeArtNow Through Apr 16 The very sharpest ideas are at the cutting edge of art - new techniques and experimental media make this annual show a wonder to behold. IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan Ave, OKC, 232.6060, iaogallery.org Dreams Through Apr 28 A trio of beloved Norman artists - Carolyn Faseler, Corazon Watkins and Betty Wood - use their expertise in varied media to explore the realm of dreams and its imagery. Santa Fe Depot, 200 S Jones Ave, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org Istvan Spring Show Through Apr 28 The gallery welcomes familiar faces and fresh talents in a combined show by four artists: mixed media expert William Struby, captivating photographer Marvin Lee and emerging artists Amanda Bradway and Alesa Clymer.

Istvan Gallery, 1218 N Western Ave, OKC, 831.2874, istvangallery.com Healing Studio Exhibition Through Apr 30 The desire for artistic expression shouldn’t be diminished by lack of ability to execute it - the Firehouse’s Healing Studio offers education and encouragement for students of varying cognitive and physical abilities, and this annual exhibition of their work.

Firehouse Art Center, 444 S Flood Ave, Norman, 329.4523, normanfirehouse. com Exposed Through May 17 Bryan Adams - yes, that Bryan Adams, Canadian rock star - shares more than a decade of high notes from his side gig as a photographer in this touring exhibit.

OK Contemporary Arts Center, 3000 General Pershing Blvd, OKC, 951.0000, oklahomacontemporary.org Sheila Minnich Apr 1-30 Be it oils, pastels or colored pencils, Minnich says the medium doesn’t matter as much as the process of “getting there.” Her destination in these works

is the Sooner State itself, as she chronicles the land we belong to in her Oklahoma series. Summer Wine Art Gallery, 2928 Paseo St, OKC, 831.3279, summerwinegallery.com Landmarks Apr 4-27 You’ll be seeing all the old familiar places inside the gallery this month, as Oklahoma native Mary Anna Goetz lavishly captures wellknown locales around Norman, OKC and even New York on her canvases. Howell Gallery, 6432 N Western Ave, OKC, 840.4437, howellgallery.com Scribner/Adams/Scribner Apr 5-30 JRB rarely exhibits photography, but the painterly prints of Catherine Michele Adams’ exploration of Paris will make a happy exception, displayed alongside the figurative realism of female forms painted by husband-and-wife artists Shane and Sara Scribner. JRB Art at the Elms, 2810 N Walker Ave, OKC, 528.6336, jrbartgallery.com Lewton-Brain & Weidell Apr 12-May 31 A rich lode of creativity is exposed at the Firehouse this month, as its gallery displays exquisite jewelry and metalwork by author and master goldsmith Charles Lewton-Brain and UCO associate professor of jewelry and metalsmithing Charleen Weidell. Firehouse Art Center, 444 S Flood Ave, Norman, 329.4523, normanfirehouse.com Revive Apr 18-May 9 Functionality isn’t dependent on provenance - garbage is given new life as usable art in this exhibition of custom furniture design that takes objects from trash to treasure. UCO Nigh Gallery, 100 N University Dr, Edmond, uco.edu/cfad Michelle Junkin Apr 23-May 31 It’s hard to predict what you’ll find in a Junkin show; her artistic range encompasses clay monoprints, stone work, acrylic and gouache painting and mixed media collages, and she freely admits that “just as in life, I have some but not total control of the outcome.” But as her full CV attests, the results are always complex, vibrant and captivating. IAO Gallery, 706 W Sheridan Ave, OKC, 232.6060, iaogallery.org

MUSEUMS Photorealism Revisited Through Apr 21 These pictures are worth tens of thousands of words - and a closer second look. Featuring nearly 60 works

by Flack, Estes, Parrish and more, this exhibition examines the movement’s recognition and impact on the art world.

OKC Museum of Art, 415 Couch Dr, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com Bugs: Outside the Box Through May 12 The Sam Noble Museum shrinks visitors so they can shake pincers with the kingdom of the spiders, ants, beetles and butterflies in this traveling exhibit of vastly enlarged, intricately detailed insect sculptures with educational commentary. Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chatauqua Ave, Norman, 325.4712, snomnh.ou.edu An Enduring Legacy Through May 12 Look into a piece of the West’s history in this collection of photographs chronicling the Otoe-Missouria tribe, a Great Lakes people who met Lewis and Clark and gave their name to Missouri. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org

Crumbo Spirit Talk Through May 29 Six decades of the great painter’s personal career, plus examples of Woody’s legacy in the artwork of his children. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr, OKC, 521.2491, okhistory.org Enriched: Animal Art Through Jun 1 Living in the zoo can get a bit boring, so some of the OKC Zoo’s resident artists explore their muses, with curiously aesthetic results. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr, OKC, 521.2491, okhistory.org Art Interrupted Through Jun 2 Organized in the 1940s and then quickly torpedoed by conservative mindsets, this reunion tour of a national experiment shows what might have been and prompts contemplation on the intersection of art and politics.

Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave, Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma Into the Void Through Jul 28 A studentcurated printmaking exhibition of visual spectacle paying homage to the founders of the Optical Art movement it’s pretty much a must-see. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave, Norman, 325.2691, ou.edu/fjjma Oklahoma @ the Movies Through Aug 10 Help commemorate the beautiful friendship between the Sooner State and the silver screen. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr, OKC, 521.2491, okhistory.org Beautiful Beasts Through Sep 16 Macrophotographer Thomas Shahan takes a closer look - closer than that … no, way closer - at the forms and faces of our tiny neighbors in an exhibit subtitled “The Unseen Life of Oklahoma Spiders and Insects.” Sam Noble Museum, 2401 Chatauqua Ave, Norman, 325.4712, snomnh.ou.edu Reigns Supreme Through Dec 30 Extravagant in impact if not subject matter, the Oklahoma History Center’s exhibit draws on the Oklahoma Historical Society’s fashion collection to portray over 75 years of the little black dress. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr, OKC, 521.2491, okhistory.org Red Earth Master Artist Show Apr 3-Jun 28 The monumentally magnificent Red Earth Festival is on the horizon - get a taste of things to come by enjoying some of the best of what has been in this retrospective exhibit featuring prominent artists from previous years.

Red Earth Museum, 6 Santa Fe Plaza, OKC, 427.5228, redearth.org Reitz & Kratohvil Apr 12-Jun 1 Their sculptures - Don Reitz’s ceramics and Marko Kratohvil’s work in steel - both depart from the traditional utility of their media, embracing form over functionality for spatially involving works with surprising delicacy of spirit.

[Artspace] at Untitled, 1 NE 3rd St, OKC, 815.9995, artspaceatuntitled.org Stirring the Fire Apr 13-Jul 28 Subtitled “A Global Movement to Empower Women and Girls,” it’s an illuminating compendium of photographer Phil Borges’ efforts to call attention to gender issues worldwide. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave, Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma National Weather Center Biennale Apr 22-Jun 2 It is the first exhibition of its kind: an international juried show of art

about weather and the role it plays in shaping our lives. Nearly 400 artists submitted works; this free exhibit features the top 100 pieces. National Weather Center, 120 David L. Boren Blvd, Norman, 325.1496, nwcbiennale.org Art After Hours: Art Responds to War Apr 26 Works by George Morris, Ralston Crawford and William Gropper drive a presentation of creativity’s condemnation of the futility and ravages of war. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave, Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma

MUSIC Tuesday Noon Concerts Apr 2-23 Its incredible collection of art is now free for public perusal, but the museum sweetens the deal further with complimentary lunchtime accompaniment: flutists Valerie Watts Apr 2 and Paula Conlon Apr 9, guitar professor Larry Hammett Apr 16 and alumni duo Leslie Flanagan and Jake Johnson Apr 23. Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm Ave, Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma Valery and Friends Apr 3 An incredibly gifted pianist, UCO’s Artist-in-Residence Valery Kuleshov puts on a sonic show with some highly skilled assistance. UCO Jazz Lab, 100 E 5th, Edmond, 974.3378, uco.edu/cfad Noon Tunes Apr 4-25 Free lunchtime serenades in the Downtown Library: pianist Callen Clarke Apr 4, the OCU String Quartet Apr 11, the Pamela Green vocal studio Apr 18 and jazz singer Justin Echols Apr 25. Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave, OKC, 231.8650, mls.lib.ok.us Afrikania Apr 5 The Masala World Music Series brings music from around the world to OU - in this case, a viscerally captivating display of west African drumming and dance from the Afrikania Cultural Troupe of Ghana. OU Catlett Music Center, 500 W Boyd St, Norman, 325.4101, music.ou.edu Purple Bar Performances Apr 5-27 A cozy setting, ample menu and outstanding music from local artists: Stephen Speaks Apr 5 and 26, Rick Jawnsun Apr 6 and 20, Becannen & Vollertson Apr 12, Jamie Bramble Apr 13 and 19 and Laura Leighe Apr 27. Nonna’s Purple Bar, 1 S Mickey Mantle Dr, OKC, 235.4410, purplebarokc.com Air Supply Apr 6 Over a dozen musicians and singers have accompanied them on their various albums, which have sold over 100 million copies, but the core duo of Russell and Hitchcock have remained constant, and continue to sound as smooth today as ever. Riverwind Casino, 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6000, riverwind.com Bass-o-Rama Apr 6 He’s the director of OCU’s string program and a mean hand on the double bass … and with a concert name like that, you can be sure Professor John Schimek has something entertaining in store. OCU Kirkpatrick Auditorium, 2501 N Blackwelder Ave, OKC, 208.5227, okcu.edu/music Russian Enchantment Apr 6 It’s an extraordinarily apt title: if the evening’s lineup of Stravinsky’s “Petrouchka” and Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 isn’t mesmerizing enough in concept, its execution with assistance from

incredibly fluid pianist Olga Kern should leave the audience spellbound. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 842.5387, okcphilharmonic.org Byron Berline Band Apr 7 Bluegrass baron Berline and crew put on a witty, engaging show, filling Armstrong’s expansive venue to the rafters with delight. Armstrong Auditorium, 14400B S Bryant Ave, Edmond, 285.1010, armstrongauditorium.org

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Sugar Free All-Stars Apr 7 The OKC Philharmonic gets a little funky in the final installment of its Discovery series with assistance from All-Stars Dr. Rock and Boom! Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 842.5387, okcphilharmonic.org The Beethoven Quartets Apr 8-26 OU’s Presidential Dream Course series continues sharing the magic of the maestro’s music as the Avalon String Quartet performs Apr 8 and the Chiara String Quartet concludes the series Apr 26. OU Catlett Music Center, 500 W Boyd St, Norman, 325.4101, music.ou.edu Shawn Mullins Apr 11 Winter is behind us, but the Performing Arts Studio has one more breath of Winter Wind in its concert series: a special bonus performance from the Grammynominated Mullins and Nashville pro Chuck Cannon. Santa Fe Depot, 200 S Jones Ave, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org Leonard Bernstein’s Mass Apr 13 Canterbury Choral Society and the OCU Bass School of Music team up to stage the Oklahoma premiere of the monumental musical representing the human struggle with faith. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 232.7464, canterburyokc.com

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Ying Quartet Apr 14 Teachers, innovators and musical communicators, the Yings share an imaginative view of chamber music’s place in today’s world.

After their performance of Barber, Beethoven and Haydn for the Chamber Music in Oklahoma audience, their place in OKC is assured. Christ the King Catholic Church, 8005 Dorset Dr, OKC, cmok.org Assad Brothers w/ Paquita D’Rivera Apr 16 Variety is also the spice of music. Works from Argentina, Brazil, Cuba and more are invigorated futher by the skill and chemistry of guitar masters Sergio and Odair Assad, with their friend D’Rivera on the clarinet.

Armstrong Auditorium, 14400B S Bryant Ave, Edmond, 285.1010, armstrongauditorium.org OKC Symphonic Band Apr 18 Got a favorite tune? Want to hear it knocked out in style by nearly 100 dedicated volunteer musicians? The final concert of the OKC Symphonic Band’s season is “By Request.” Yukon High School, 1777 S Yukon Pkwy, Yukon, okcband.org Chicago Apr 19 Who knew back in the early ’70s when they were releasing albums labeled III and IV that they’d eventually reach XXXIII? The classic hit-makers - still with one of the greatest horn sections in the business - are Norman-bound. Riverwind Casino, 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6000, riverwind.com Project 21 Concert Apr 19 School of Music students exemplify the versatility needed for a new century

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PURSUITS | See & Do

of composition in creating these groundbreaking performances.

OCU Kirkpatrick Auditorium, 2501 N Blackwelder Ave, OKC, 208.5227, okcu. edu/music

through OKC for four of the country’s top-tier teams - only one of whom will advance. Chesapeake Arena, 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com

Bright Virtuosi Apr 22-23 No pressure: The musicians of the Brightmusic Chamber Ensemble are limbering up for an evening of performances that demand absolute mastery to dazzle audiences with renditions of Kodaly, Weber and Tchaikovsky’s finest. All Souls’ Church and St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral, 6400 N Penn Ave and 127 NW 7th St, OKC, brightmusic.org

ALN Charity Golf Tournament Apr 2 A four-person scramble where trips, a car and other prizes await the most perfect players, and everyone’s play rewards the Assistance League of Norman’s Operation School Bell. Jimmie Austin Golf Club, 1 Par Dr, Norman, 321.9400, norman. assistanceleague.org

UCO Student Jazz Ensembles Apr 22-24 In the mood for some out-of-sight jazz?

The kids are better than all right; they’re remarkably skilled at laying down serious sound. UCO Jazz Lab, 100 E 5th St, Edmond, 359.7989, ucojazzlab.com She’s All That: An Evening With Debbie Apr 25 On Broadway and opera stages worldwide, she’s Demetra George, but Putnam City grads know her as Debbie Giannopoulos - the Pirate alumna will return to the OKC stage during the annual PC Schools Foundation banquet. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 495.5200, pcf4kids.org Norman Music Festival 6 Apr 25-27 Dozens upon dozens of high-caliber crowd-rocking indie bands from across the country - headlined by JD McPherson and the Joy Formidable converge on Main Street for a three-day explosion of musical bliss. Downtown Norman, 300 E Main St, Norman, normanmusicfestival.com Josh Turner Apr 26 Turner has no problem getting deep with his listeners; his rich baritone has propelled him to double-platinum status and sounds terrific on his latest, last year’s “Punching Bag.” Riverwind Casino, 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6000, riverwind.com Deftones Apr 28 Drawing on influences from all over the musical map, the California quintet continues to explore varied nuances of its “alternative metal” sound, often very loudly indeed.

Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave, OKC, 866.977.6849, diamondballroom.net Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet Apr 29 Four of its five members have been playing together since the group’s inception in 1988, and as they blow through compositions by Mozart, Francaix and Haas, audiences will hear that practice makes perfectly amazing. Armstrong Auditorium, 14400B S Bryant Ave, Edmond, 285.1010, armstrongauditorium.org Sutton Concert Series Apr 2-25 The OU School of Music presents a full arrangement of musical excellence: the OU Symphony Orchestra Concerto Gala performance Apr 2, Percussion Orchestra Apr 9, Wind Symphony Apr 16, the OU President’s Concert featuring the OU Symphony Orchestra and combined choirs Apr 21 and the OU Jazz Bands Apr 25. OU Catlett Music Center, 500 W Boyd St, Norman, 325.4101, music.ou.edu

SPORTS 2013 NCAA Women’s Basketball Regional Through Apr 2 The road to the Final Four in New Orleans leads

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Barons Hockey Apr 2-21 OKC’s ice warriors face off against Hamilton Apr 2, Chicago Apr 6 and 7, Abbotsford Apr 19 and 20 and Houston Apr 21.

Cox Center, 1 Myriad Gardens, OKC, 232.4625, okcbarons.com Ram National Circuit Finals Rodeo Apr 4-6 Seven fiercely contested events, from team roping to bull riding, draw the country’s greatest rodeo athletes to OKC to compete for over half a million dollars in prize money. State Fairgrounds, 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd, OKC, 232.7787, rncfr.com Thunder Basketball Apr 4-17 The defending Western Conference Champions host San Antonio Apr 4, New York Apr 7, Sacramento Apr 15 and Milwaukee Apr 17. Playoffs ho!

Chesapeake Arena, 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, 208.4667, nba.com/thunder Dirty Girl Mud Run Apr 6 It’s not a race exactly, as it’s untimed, non-competitive and encourages participants to detour around obstacles they find especially daunting. But there are obstacles in plenty, and those women who complete the mud-soaked course will have plenty to brag about, especially since all proceeds support the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

Extreme OKC, 3501 NE 10th St, OKC, godirtygirl.com Redbud Classic Apr 6-7 Fitness, fun and philanthropy combine in a community-wide set of races and events with a legacy over 30 years strong. Waterford Complex, NW 63rd St and Penn Ave, OKC, redbud.org RedHawks Baseball Apr 12-30 Take yourself out to the ball game - OKC’s Triple-A titans take on Memphis Apr 12-15, Round Rock Apr 16-19, New Orleans Apr 25-28 and Nashville Apr 29-30. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S Mickey Mantle Dr, OKC, 218.1000, oklahomacity.redhawks.milb.com Red/White Game Apr 13 Life after Landry begins here for the OU football team, as fans get a look at emerging talent. Owen Field, 180 E Brooks St, Norman, 325.2424, soonersports.com Gorilla Golf Apr 15 No, it’s not a throng of simians armed with fourirons - apes are the beneficiaries of this four-person scramble tournament (with meals included) sponsored by the OK Zoological Society, in that net proceeds go to support the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.

Fairfax Golf Club, 2905 N Sooner Rd, Edmond, 425.0612, zoofriends.org 2 Minute 5k Apr 20 The name refers not to a Barry Allen-esque time limit for completion, but to the frequency of sexual assault in the U.S. - a grim statistic that the YWCA seeks to

alleviate with the proceeds from this event. Stars & Stripes Park, 3701 S Lake Hefner Dr, OKC, 948.1770, ywcaokc.org Heart Walk OKC Apr 20 Any physician will tell you exercise is good for your heart; one morning’s exertion, however, is good for everyone’s, as participation in this event helps raise funds and awareness for the American Heart Association. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S Mickey Mantle Dr, OKC, 948.2123, heartwalk.org Orange/Gray Game Apr 20 Lunt?

Walsh? Chelf? OSU has three returning QBs competing to be the go-to guy, and the spring game would be a good time for a standout performance.

Boone Pickens Stadium, 700 W Hall of Fame Ave, Stillwater, 744.5745, okstate. com Roller Derby Apr 20 Part graceful race, part all-out brawl, the month’s slate of spectacle includes the Tornado Alley Rollergirls lacing up to battle Wichita’s ICT Roller Girls as the Valkyrie Vixens face off against Cell Block 9. OKC Farmers Public Market, 311 S Klein Ave, OKC, 496.1348, okcrd.com Calm Waters Golf Classic Apr 22 Inner peace is a priceless goal for children and families affected by death, divorce or other loss, and Calm Waters helps them reach it. Playing golf helps the center make that difference, so swing away. Quail Creek Golf and Country Club, 3501 Quail Creek Dr, OKC, 841.4800, calmwaters.org OKC Memorial Marathon Apr 28 The race is serious business - over 10,000 people come from all over the world to compete - but the immense community support and common cause to make something meaningful out of tragedy elevate it into a landmark event. OKC National Memorial, 620 N Harvey Ave, OKC, okcmarathon.com

THEATER The Glass Menagerie Apr 2-13 Lyric Theatre takes a careful tour of Laura’s delicate collection and ponders the fragility of the spirit in Tennessee Williams’ haunting, melancholy drama.

Lyric’s Plaza Theater, 1725 NW 16th St, OKC, 524.9312, lyrictheatreokc.com No, No, Nanette Apr 4-7 Quarreling lovers, would-be blackmailers, oblivious spouses and a runaway fiancee, thrown together amid breakups, shakeups, makeups and plenty of farce - plus plenty of singing and dancing. That’s entertainment, Roaring Twenties-style. UCO Mitchell Hall Theater, 100 N University Dr, Edmond, 974.3375, uco.edu/cfad Hello, Dolly! Apr 5-14 You say you can’t make a living through meddling? That’s because there’s only one Dolly Levi, matchmaker extraordinaire and willing chanteuse to boot, as the Sooner Theatre’s ebullient musical production amply demonstrates. Sooner Theatre, 101 E Main St, Norman, 321.9600, soonertheatre.org The Importance of Being Earnest Apr 5-14 Maintaining multiple identities even if it’s for the best of causes, like oiling out of tedious social obligations - is exhausting. So it’s a good thing CityRep is partnering with TheatreOCU

and Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park to keep the effervescence up in Wilde’s uproarious farce. OCU Kirkpatrick Auditorium, 2501 N Blackwelder Ave, OKC, 848.3761, cityrep.com My Name Is Asher Lev Apr 5-27 A tightly knit community with a strong sense of religious tradition can be a frustrating environment in which to seek your own individual identity as a creative force.

A young Jewish painter struggles to reconcile family obligation with artistic drive in this sometimes painful play.

Carpenter Square Theatre, 800 W Main St, OKC, 232.6500, carpentersquare.com Fences Apr 5-28 Subjects as vast as racial tension and generation gaps and as personal as long-simmering bitterness and fear of death - there’s a lot happening in this quiet little family drama, and a good reason it won August Wilson a Pulitzer. Poteet Theatre tackles an emotionally nuanced classic. St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 222 NW 15th St, OKC, 609.1023, poteettheatre.com Gross Indecency Apr 11-13 The sad though acerbically witty - story of the three trials that in combination ruined renowned playwright Oscar Wilde’s reputation, cast him into prison for homosexuality and ultimately cost him his life. OCU Sarkeys Law Center, NW 23rd St & Kentucky Ave, OKC, 208.5121, okcu.edu/theatre Dirty Work on the Trail Apr 11-May 5 The Jewel Box Theatre is closing its season with a throwback to ripe old melodramas - audience participation is encouraged in the form of hissing the villainous plot to disgrace the Pony Express, cheering the hero’s attempts to thwart said villainy or awww-ing the tender romance once he saves the heroine from peril (spoiler!)

Jewel Box Theatre, 3700 N Walker Ave, OKC, 521.1786, jewelboxtheatre.org Native American New Play Festival Apr 12-21 Organized by the OKC Theatre Company with an aim toward encouraging Native artists, this year’s festival includes a dramatic monologue memorializing the OKC bombing as well as a full staging of Bret Jones’ “Chalk in the Rain.” Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 297.2264, okctheatrecompany.org In the Next Room Apr 17-21 Yes, Sarah Ruhl’s opus is subtitled “The Vibrator Play,” but like so much of life it’s really about communication and connections, or lack thereof, as a doctor’s office and equipment prove instrumental in helping a Victorian wife enjoy the act of love as well as the emotion. OU Old Science Hall, 640 Parrington Oval, Norman, 325.4101, ou.edu/finearts/drama West Side Story Apr 23-28 Star-crossed lovers never sounded so musically stirring - making the most of the classic Bernstein and Sondheim score, Celebrity Attractions brings one of the great American musicals to the Civic Center stage. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 800.869.1451, celebrityattractions.com Eclipsed Apr 24-27 A student-directed production of Patricia Brogan’s autobiographically inspired drama about life in a Magdalen Laundry, Irish institutions purportedly to help young women that were closer in reality to prison camps. OU Old Science Hall, 640 Parrington Oval, Norman, 325.4101, ou.edu/finearts/drama

Where Art & History Come Alive.

The First Friday Gallery Walk takes place on the first Friday of every month, rain or shine, from 6-10pm.

Paseo galleries host lively opening receptions featuring new artwork, live music, and refreshments. The Gallery Walk is free to attend and open to the public. Join us for an unforgettable art experience.

The Historic Paseo Arts District stretches from N.W. 28th and Walker to N.W. 30th and Dewey, and is the oldest arts district in Oklahoma City. The Paseo is home to 20 galleries and working studios, all within walking distance, and occupied by more than 75 artists. Intermingled with the galleries are a variety of unique gift and clothing shops, an event center and restaurants.

For more information, call 405.525.2688 or visit thepaseo.com.

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Old World Iron Stairs, Gates & Balconies for Fine Homes

Todd Miller

PURSUITS | See & Do

Dido & Aeneas Apr 25-28 The queen of Carthage and the hero of Troy who survived his city’s fall allow themselves to love each other and hope, but fate - and some mean old witches - force them apart to his sorrow and her death in this venerable Purcell opera. And we hoped those crazy kids could make it work. UCO Mitchell Hall Theater, 100 N University Dr, Edmond, 974.3375, uco.edu/cfad Into the Woods Apr 26-28 Nothing ever ends.

Even “happily ever after” is just a convenient stopping point … but what happens when the story goes on from there? Rapunzel, Cinderella and other fairy tale stars find themselves in a tangled web as the OCU Opera and Music Theatre Company ventures into Sondheim’s musical. OCU Kirkpatrick Auditorium, 2501 N Blackwelder Ave, OKC, 208.5227, okcu.edu/music/omt.aspx On the Town Apr 26-May 5 The Bronx is up and the Battery’s down, but the action’s in Norman, where OU students under the sure hand of director Lyn Cramer race through the dizzy escapades of sailors on leave in Bernstein’s beloved musical.

OU Reynolds PAC, 540 Parrington Oval, Norman, 325.4101, ou.edu/finearts/drama

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Don’t be in De-Nile!

Miss Nelson Is Missing Apr 26-May 10 A rambunctious class quickly learns to appreciate the sweet, kind teacher they had when she disappears and is replaced by a gruesome taskmaster (who looks awfully familiar) in the tale enthusiastically told by the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre. OCU Kirkpatrick Auditorium, 2501 N Blackwelder Ave, OKC, 951.0011, oklahomachildrenstheatre.org

ON THE RADAR Delbert McClinton May 3 The long-lasting McClinton is a bluesman down to his shoes - he’s been a musician for over 50 years, teaching John Lennon how to blow the harp, backing for Howlin’ Wolf and sharing his own songs ever since.

Sooner Theatre, 101 E Main St, Norman, 321.9600, soonertheatre.org Cirque de la Symphonie May 3-4 It’s a, um, soaring performance as the OKC Philharmonic puts an exclamation point on its Pops season with a little help from their high-flying friends in Cirque du Soleil. Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave, OKC, 842.5387, okcphilharmonic.org Walk MS OKC May 4 Stepping out together can be the key to funding lifesaving research and ongoing awareness of Multiple Sclerosis; keep the effort moving forward. OKC Zoo, 2101 NE 50th St, OKC, 918.488.0882, nationalmssociety.org

“YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN OUTDOORS!” ®

May Fair May 4-5 When the month arrives, the event is nigh - this is the 40th year the Assistance League of Norman combines art, food, music and family fun in Andrews Park. And don’t miss the 5k Saturday morning! Andrews Park, 479 N Webster Ave, Norman, 321.9400, norman. assistanceleague.org

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SPREAD THE WORD Like to list your upcoming event in Slice? Visit sliceok.com/calendar, click the link for “Submit an event” and tell us about it – and remember that submissions must be received two months prior to publication for consideration.

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CARLI WENTWORTH

FARE

Taste of Spring

When warmer weather beckons, thoughts naturally turn to using fresh ingredients and creating light and easy meals that won’t keep you in the kitchen too long. For a quick take on a delicious composed salad, see page 96.

MATTERS OF TASTE Generations of practice flavor Gabriella’s rich Italian experience 98

EAT & DRINK Variety is on the menu in Slice’s citywide dining guide 100

LOCAL LOVE The Made in Oklahoma Coalition brings the heat in a quick recipe 102 APRIL 2013 // SLICE 95

FARE | In the Kitchen Grilled Nicoise Salad 1 lb sushi grade tuna steaks 3 lemons, cut in half 10-12 fingerling potatoes, boiled, drained, cut in half 6 hard-boiled eggs, cut in half ½ lb nicoise olives 3 T capers 1 bunch red and yellow beets, roasted and cut in half 1 head Boston Bibb lettuce, leaves washed, dried and torn into large pieces 5 radishes, sliced thin 1 hothouse cucumber, sliced thin 4 heirloom tomatoes, cut into quarters ½ lb green beans or haricots verts, parboiled Vinaigrette ¾ c olive oil ½ c pomegranate red wine vinegar 2 shallots, minced 3 T honey 2 T Dijon mustard sea salt and pepper, to taste Preheat grill or grill pan until it is smoking hot. Brush tuna steaks and lemons with olive oil and place on the hot grill. Grill for 5 minutes each side. Do not cook the tuna all the way through or it will be tough. Cook it medium rare and then remove from grill to rest.

Fresh Feast

By Caryn Ross // Photos by Carli Wentworth

I WAS TRAVELING IN FLORIDA recently when I ordered a salad that was a game changer for me. The back story: I grew up thinking tuna was a terrible, Miracle Whipladen spread placed squarely on a piece of whole wheat bread. There was nothing appealing about it in the least. So, I decided then and there (mind you, I was 10), I would never have anything to do with tuna EVER again.

That was until I tried a grilled nicoise salad. Sounds fancy. Even intimidating. It is a fresh tuna salad with seasonal vegetables, baby potatoes, olives and green beans, drizzled with a bright vinaigrette. Pure genius! It’s like eating springtime from a plate. The best part is that you can make this salad for one or serve on a platter to feed a crowd. Versatile, elegant and guaranteed to be beautiful.

The secret to this salad is getting the freshest ingredients possible. There are no rules. I have even branched out from the traditional nicoise by adding roasted red and golden beets, cucumber, heirloom tomatoes and grilled lemons. Pick what you like and you will fall in love with this salad just like I did!

96 SLICE // APRIL 2013

Fill a medium-sized saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add some salt and the potatoes.

Cook until they are just cooked through, which only takes about 6-8 minutes. Remove the potatoes and save the water. Allow potatoes to cool and then cut in half. Using the reserved boiling water, drop in the green beans and cook for 3 minutes – no more! Remove from the water and place in a bowl filled with ice water. Allow to chill and then drain and dry the green beans.

In a small bowl or quart Mason jar, combine the olive oil, pomegranate red wine vinegar, shallots, honey and Dijon mustard. If you are using a jar, shake well, or whisk in a bowl until the oil is emulsified. Add salt and pepper to taste.

In a large metal bowl, toss the torn lettuce with some of the dressing until it is lightly dressed. Cover the bottom of a platter or individual plate with the dressed torn lettuce. Then dress the potatoes the same way.

Place them on the plate in a row. Follow with the green beans, roasted beets, radishes, and cucumbers. Now add the eggs, grilled lemons and olives. Cut the tuna into ¼ inch slices and place that in the middle of the salad. Sprinkle with capers. Serve the salad with a drizzling of the pomegranate vinaigrette.

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 97

FARE | Matters of Taste

All in the

Famiglia

By Steve Gill // Photos by Carli Wentworth EXPERTISE IS POPULARLY held to be the result of training and rehearsal – “practice makes perfect,” after all – but many behavioral scientists also stress the genetic factor, that talent runs in families.

Now consider that chef Vicki Muhs grew up in the kitchen, and her clan has been in the Italian restaurant business for 60 years and through multiple generations … then be glad they’re in OKC, and go to Gabriella’s.

For those interested in history, Gabriella’s Italian Grill and Pizzeria is housed in the former County Line Barbeque, whose semiprivate booths and expansive back window view remain intact, and builds on the Giacomo family’s legacy of success in Krebs (Isle of Capri) and South Padre (the former Gabriella’s).

For those interested in the present, start with the zuppli, a tantalizing combination of creamy risotto, cheese and sausage that’s breaded, fried and served with a zesty pepper dipping sauce. It’s a natural prelude to a huge tower of lasagne stuffed with sausage and cheese, or immense bowl of Carbonara Americana. (It is, for the record, unfair for a waiter to ask “How is everything?” when you have a mouthful of bacon covered in warm, creamy asiago sauce. At that moment, how could you find fault with anything on this earthly plane?) Gabriella’s also prides itself on 18-inch oak-fired brick oven pizzas like the Roma, whose description simply sings: “smoked gouda and mozzarella, Italian sausage and fire-roasted red peppers; drizzled with red pepper cream sauce.” And by the way, the prevalence of Italian sausage in these selections is not an accident: it’s house-made from a family recipe and preposterously good.

Atmosphere is a factor too – this food, these exact dishes, could just as easily be served on an orchid-bedecked table of brushed chrome while speakers play Adele or Brahms … but there’s something about the combination of checkered tablecloths, a candle in a wax-dribbled wine bottle and Tony Bennett crooning “The Best Is Yet to Come” that feels somehow correct, that completes the experience of Italian dining. Relax and enjoy – you’re in expert hands.

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Quick tips Try to remember to make a reservation. It’s fairly quick and painless using the OpenTable app on gabriellasokc.com, and if you walk in without one, the host uses that software to make one for you – might as well do it yourself ahead of time.

The beer selection is unexpectedly robust, but to accompany this menu you can scarcely go wrong with a glass of red; try the Foppiano petite sirah.

Handle dessert Clemenzastyle: Leave some room. Take the cannoli.

Gabriella’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria 1226 N.E. 63rd St, Oklahoma City 405.478.4955 Monday 3–10 p.m.

Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Saturday 3–11 p.m.

Sunday Closed

APRIL 2013 // SLICE 99

Eat & Drink KEY $ $$ $$$

most entrees under $10 most entrees $10 to $25 most entrees over $25 outdoor dining reservations accepted new or updated entry

Have an addition that you’d like us to consider?

Send establishment name, address, phone number and a brief description (40 words or less) to dining@sliceok. com. Submissions must be received two months prior to publication.

AMERICAN ANN’S CHICKEN FRY HOUSE This Route 66 classic provides a blast from the past in its copious decorative memorabilia, and excellent chicken fried steak big enough to sate the hugest appetites.

4106 NW 39th, OKC, 943.8915 $ AROUND THE CORNER RESTAURANT A no-frills, old-school diner that’s a favorite spot for Edmondites to linger over omelettes, pork chops or pancakes and coffee. 11 S Broadway, Edmond, 341.5414 $ BASEMENT, THE Local ingredients in signature made-from-scratch dishes, including Whoopie Pies – plus the entertainment of RedPin Bowling Lounge under the very same roof. 200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 602.0111 $ BOULEVARD CAFETERIA Roast beef, chicken and dumplings, even liver and onions … one of the last of the area’s independent cafeterias is still pounding out the hits. 525 NW 11th, OKC, 239.6861 $

COACH’S RESTAURANT Overlooking the diamond at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark or within earshot of Owen Field, Coach’s locations serve fans during games and fans of its pizza, barbecue, burgers and beer anytime. 102 W Main, Norman, 360.5726; 20 S Mickey Mantle, OKC, 232.6224 $$ DEEP FORK GRILL The dimly lit, crisply elegant atmosphere perfectly complements the contemporary menu of superb seafood, (wood-grilled cedar plank salmon is the house specialty), steaks and accoutrements. 5418 N Western, OKC, 848.7678 $$ DIAMOND DAWGS A love of baseball informs this Campus Corner spot from the grounder up; its huge all-beef franks and specialty options will inform and reinspire visitors’ love of hot dogs. 753 Asp, Norman, 364.3294 $ DINER, THE The classics never go out of style, and when locals refer to this institution as a greasy spoon, it’s a term of endearment if not veneration.

Masterful preparation of ordinary breakfast and lunch fare – expect lengthy lines. 213 E Main, Norman, 329.6642 $ EISCHEN’S Two things to bear in mind: 1. It’s in Okarche, about 45 minutes from OKC proper. 2. It’s universally agreed to be well worth the trip. Legendary fried chicken and okra in a gloriously noisy packed house; cash only. 108 S 2nd, Okarche, 263.9939 $ FANCY THAT No longer restricting customers to a quick lunch and bakery treats, this Main Street café’s robust expansion into evening and weekend hours is cause for celebration… over dinner. 215 E Main, Norman, 307.0541 $$ FLINT Approachably casual style in the front of the house, with impeccably serious attention to detail in the kitchen; it’s the Colcord Hotel’s winning combination for contemporary cuisine.

15 N Robinson, OKC, 601.4300 $$ GOOD GRAVY DINER Hefty, heavenly portions of roast beef or chicken fried steak, tasty sandwiches and burgers, a constellation of breakfast options… and a whole slew of specialty gravies to top them off. 8014 N Western, OKC, 842.6200 $

CAFÉ 7 A fast, casual restaurant with a very cool concept: widely varied salad, sandwich, pizza and pasta options, all priced under $7 and served up in 7 minutes, 7 days a week. 14101 N May, OKC, 748.3354; 120 N Robinson, Suite W 175, OKC, 748.3354 $

INTERURBAN CLASSIC GRILL It’s a simple concept: serve good food at a reasonable price in comfortable, casual surroundings. Favorites like chickenfried steak are always on the menu, but there are plenty of options for the health-conscious as well. 4 metro locations, interurban.us $$

CAFÉ 501 Rustic stone oven pizzas, fresh, uniquely designed salads and delicious specialty sandwiches on house-made artisan breads – add classic atmosphere and enjoy. 501 S Boulevard, Edmond, 359.1501; 5825 NW Grand, OKC, 844.1501 $$

JIMMY’S EGG Although it’s open for lunch as well, Jimmy’s Egg is a breakfast favorite with endless omelette possibilities, friendly service and freshbaked breads and biscuits. 11 metro locations, jimmysegg.com $

CLASSEN GRILL Don’t be thrown by the seen-better-days exterior; the food inside is deftly done diner deliciousness, especially the breakfast options. The eggs benedict and cheese grits can make your day in advance. 5124 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.0428 $

KAISER’S AMERICAN BISTRO Founded in 1918 and serving contemporary classics like a top-notch buffalo burger, Kaiser’s boasts a great view… if you can tear your attention away from the ice cream & soda fountain. 1039 N Walker, OKC, 232.7632 $

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LEGEND’S A Lindsey Street landmark for over 40 years, this casually upscale, three-diamond AAA restaurant still serves exceptional seafood, steaks and more down-to-earth fare amid welcoming surroundings. 1313 W Lindsey, Norman, 329.8888 $$

WILL’S/THE LOBBY BAR Coffee vendor by day, bar by night, it features an unexpected and wonderfully inviting lunch and dinner menu: baked manchego, lobster sliders and many more. 4322 N Western, OKC, 604.4650 $

MUTT’S AMAZING HOT DOGS Now this is a hot dog – Mutt’s inspired creations feature prime meats like chicken, bison and duck, topped off with tantalizing and unexpected flavor profiles. 1400 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.3647 $

ASIAN

NEBU You shouldn’t have any trouble finding this airy, accommodating provider of chef-prepared sandwiches, sushi, pizza and more – it’s in the garden wing of the colossal Devon tower. 280 W Sheridan, OKC $ PICASSO CAFÉ Its neighbors are painters, potters and sculptors, so it’s no surprise its management strives to make their cuisine a work of art. Creative arrangements of pizza, sandwiches, salads and surprises abound. 3009 Paseo, OKC, 602.2002 $ POPS A little out of the way but undeniably worth going the extra mile, the Good Egg Group’s roadside café has burgers, salads, shakes and the irresistible draw of an unbelievably broad soda selection. 660 W Highway 66, Arcadia, 233.2020 $ REDROCK CANYON GRILL Rotisserie chicken, Southwestern enchiladas, pork chops and steak by the lake served expertly in a casual, energetic, haciendastyle atmosphere of stone walls and mahogany beams around an open kitchen. 9221 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 749.1995 $$ SATURN GRILL A star of the lunchtime stage, its surprising daily specials and inspired, tasty twists on ordinary sandwiches, salads and pizza keep it crowded on weekdays. Fortunately, the line moves quickly and calling ahead is encouraged. 4401 W Memorial, OKC 463.5594; 6432 Avondale, OKC, 843.7114; 1012 N Walker, OKC, 606.8182 $ SHARTEL CAFÉ Diverse diner-style classics – bacon cheeseburgers, pancakes, reubens, bakery goodies, etc. – done with panache and further improved by airy, comfortable surroundings and friendly service. 5116 N Shartel, OKC, 843.0900; 201 Robert S. Kerr, LL 140, OKC, 601.8024 $ SYRUP The most important meal of the day is also the most enticing at this unique breakfast boutique serving a heaping helping of signature dishes (the crunchy French toast is something special) and Stumptown coffee. 123 E Main, Norman, 701.1143 $ TOBY KEITH’S I LOVE THIS BAR & GRILL He does, you know. Deep in the heart of Bricktown, this venue hosts frequent live music performances and features a homestyle menu, memorabilia and drinks served in Mason jars. 310 Johnny Bench, OKC, 231.0254 $$ VAST Keeping your attention on the steaks, seafood and other globally inspired American cuisine might be surprisingly difficult: the view is truly unparalleled in Oklahoma. 280 W Sheridan, 49th floor, OKC, 702.7262 $$

180 MERIDIAN GRILL Intended to unite east and west through blending the essence of Asian cuisine with culture, its intriguing menu spans sirloin with teriyaki butter, hoisin barbecue duck pizza and ample sushi options. 2541 W Main, Norman, 310.6110 $$ BLUE MOON CHINESE RESTAURANT Chinese cravings may come much more often after experiencing the spectacular amount of sweet, sour and savory tastes from this student-friendly eatery. 1320 S Broadway, Edmond, 340.3871 $ DOT WO GARDEN With an elegantly appointed new location, Dot Wo continues its crowd-pleasing legacy of over two decades by pairing sumptuous classics of Chinese cuisine with fiery, fresh sushi. 6161 N May, OKC, 608.2388 $$ FOODIES There are other, more decoratively soigné places to meet for atmosphere; for Asian fusion in big servings with tremendous flavor, drive by this friendly little diner. 1220 N Hudson, OKC, 235.1111 $ GRAND HOUSE A number of Chinese restaurants concentrate on their cooking to the exclusion of any other aspect of dining – Grand House is the happy exception that goes the extra mile to provide enjoyable ambiance alongside its excellent cuisine. 2701 N Classen, OKC, 524.7333 $$ O ASIAN FUSION Sublime quality in a wide span of culinary influences – freshly rolled sushi to fiery curry – in a cool, vibrant environment. Call ahead; it becomes a packed house in a hurry. 105 SE 12th, Norman, 701.8899 $$ SAII ASIAN BISTRO & SUSHI BAR With a dark, rich ambiance that elevates it over its surroundings, Saii serves expertly prepared Japanese, Thai and Chinese dishes plus an extensive and adventurous sushi menu. 6900 N May, OKC, 702.7244 $$

BAKERY AMY CAKES Imaginative cakes and cupcakes to make any special occasion a bit more memorable – and it’s a onewoman show. By appointment only. 113 Hal Muldrow, Norman, 360.1131 $ BROWN’S BAKERY An incredible selection of delicious traditional and specialty cakes, cookies, breads and other baked goods. 1100 N Walker, OKC, 232.0363 $ CRIMSON AND WHIPPED CREAM With a cheery Campus Corner vibe and the operators’ celebratory approach to food and life, it’s a terribly tempting spot for cookies, cupcakes, tea and dynamite coffee. 331 White, Norman, 307.8990 $

Welcome to West

½ Price Appetizers Every Day from 3-6 Brunch Every Saturday and Sunday 10-4 Book Private Parties/Events in Our North Room 6714 N. Western Avenue | Oklahoma City 405.607.4072 | www.westbar.com

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APRIL 2013 // SLICE 101

FARE | Eat & Drink

menu of specialty cupcakes – selections range from traditional chocolate to blueberry honey and even bacon, egg and cheese. 7 NW 9th, OKC, 600.9494 $ SUGAR Got a special event on the radar?

Customized cakes and cupcakes with incredible artistry and imagination as a key ingredient are Sugar’s specialties – call for a consultation. 6900 N Western, OKC, 286.0058 $$$ SWEETS & SPURS Specializing in gourmet cupcakes, mini-pies, handdipped chocolates and cowboy boots… not pastries; actual footwear. Yee-ha! 215 34th Ave SW, Norman, 801.2555 $

BAR // PUB FOOD Pepper Jelly Brie Bites A recipe from the Made in Oklahoma Coalition 2 pkgs frozen mini phyllo shells, thawed 5 oz Brie 1 jar Suan’s Scotch Bonnet Pepper Jelly Cilantro for garnish Place phyllo shells on a cookie sheet. Fill each with ½ teaspoon Suan’s Scotch Bonnet Pepper Jelly, then top with a 2-inch slice of Brie. Bake at 350° for 5-6 minutes. To serve, top with a sprig of cilantro.

GIGI’S CUPCAKES Brace yourself – each Gigi’s location is home to a dozen different cupcake temptations in inspired flavors that rotate daily, and it’s surprisingly difficult to choose merely one. 1636 24th Ave NW, Norman, 801.2525; 14101 N May, OKC, 286.6200 $ GREEN GOODIES BY TIFFANY Specialty organic cupcakes for all – even those adhering to vegetarian and vegan diets or coping with food allergies or other dietary concerns can enjoy these high quality, flavorful treats. 5840 N Classen Blvd, Suite 5, OKC, 842.2288 $ KITCHEN NO. 324 The venerable Braniff Building on the SandRidge campus downtown hosts this seasonally inspired café, coffee curator and craft bakery serving rustic American cuisine. Aroma alone summons crowds. 324 N Robinson, OKC, 763.5911 $ LA BAGUETTE BAKERY & CAFÉ A spacious, comfortable seating area combined with the exquisite baking mastery that is the brand’s trademark makes this a tres chic, and very popular, destination for brunch and beyond. 1130 Rambling Oaks, Norman, 329.1101; 924 W Main, Norman, 329.5822 $ MCLAREN’S PANTRY For over 25 years, this independent bakery with a tempting sandwich selection has been a welcoming environment to enjoy a bite and connect with friends. 3414 S Boulevard, Edmond, 348.2336 $ NONNA’S BAKERY Family recipes are the foundation of these unbelievably

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51ST STREET SPEAKEASY A converted house with a perpetually packed porch and patio, the joint jumps with energy and the top-shelf spirits and beers flow with abandon. 1114 NW 51st, OKC, 463.0470 $ ABNER’S ALE HOUSE Beers and whiskies of the best, plus knockout renditions of accompanying dishes, with the aim of re-creating the true English public house vibe. 121 E Main, Norman, 928.5801 $$ BELLE ISLE RESTAURANT & BREWERY Live music, handcrafted beers and a great burger selection fill this bustling bar in the landmark 50 Penn Place. 1900 NW Expressway, OKC, 840.1911 $ BLU FINE WINE & FOOD A popular bar option among OU students and Normanites, blu stands out due to quick, courteous service and a menu with gourmet range – try the hummus. 201 S Crawford, Norman, 360.4258 $$

JAMES E. MCNELLIE’S PUBLIC HOUSE Designed to bring Ireland’s pub culture to our city, this Midtown hotspot features 350 varieties of beer, including difficult-to-find options from all over the world. 1100 Classen Dr, OKC, 601.7468 $$ LIBRARY BAR & GRILL, THE Despite the name and its location directly adjacent to the OU campus, this low-light hangout spot won’t help you study… unless you’re doing independent research on local beers and excellent pizza. 607 W Boyd, Norman, 366.7465 $ LIBRARY OF FOOD & SPIRITS, THE A cozy, welcoming place to receive a friendly greeting and curl up with a good book-themed entrée, fresh salad and soup, monstrous burger or vegetarian fare – plus a commodious collocation of beverages. 119 N Robinson, LL, OKC, 235.8880 $ MONT, THE Though frequented by many purely for its primo patio and Sooner Swirls from the bar, the Norman landmark also boasts a tempting suite of pub food with a zing of Southwestern flavor. 1300 Classen Blvd, Norman, 329.3330 $ O’CONNELL’S IRISH PUB & GRILLE Beloved by students, alumni and townies alike, this OU Campus Corner landmark has been serving up burgers, beer and festive atmosphere since 1968. 769 Asp, Norman, 217.8454 $ PURPLE BAR, THE Inviting and intimate; an ideal place for celebratory martinis to close out the workweek or a quiet nightcap with dessert from Nonna’s bakery. 1 Mickey Mantle (in Nonna’s), OKC, 235.4410 $ REPUBLIC GASTROPUB Dedicated to bridging the gap between beer bar and upscale eatery, this contemporary public house in Classen Curve pairs a vast selection of quality brews with imaginative menu items designed to complement one another. 5830 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 286.4577 $$

scrumptious treats – walk in and pick or call ahead and special order cream pies, decadent cakes and much more. 1 Mickey Mantle Dr, OKC, 235.4410 $

BRICKTOWN BREWERY Only here for the beer? Not so fast – an ampedup menu of temptations demands a sampling at lunch or dinner… or both. 1 N Oklahoma, OKC, 232.2739 $$

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES Luscious flavors of rich, moist cake and frosting, available in bite-sized bundtinis packaged by the dozen; single-serving bundlets; or multi-tiered marvels that sate over two dozen dessert connoisseurs. 2520 W Memorial, Suite B, OKC, 751.8066 $

BRIX RESTAURANT & SPORTS LOUNGE More than 30 flatscreens fill the enormous, plush lounge, restaurant and bar area, and the amenities include the Sunday NFL Ticket and NBA League Pass. If the game’s on, it’s on at BRiX. 27 E Sheridan, OKC, 702.7226 $$

SAINTS An inviting Irish bar nestled in the Plaza District, its whiskey and beer selection dovetails nicely with classic dishes like shepherd’s pie, bangers and fish and chips. 1715 NW 16th, OKC, 602.6308 $$

PANERA BREAD The breads are fresh, the sandwich and salad options ample and the atmosphere welcoming, thanks in part to the tasty baked goods and free wi-fi access. 9 metro locations, panerabread.com $

CLUB ONE15 The nightclub vibe is in full effect with energetic music and three bars, though the robust menu including fajitas, pasta bowls and seafood is quite a draw of its own. 115 E Sheridan, OKC, 605.5783 $$

SEAN CUMMINGS’ IRISH RESTAURANT & PUB Classic Irish fare (lamb stew, bangers and mash, even beef or salmon boxtys) mixed with favorites and delivered with engaging and gracious service. Plus, naturally, there’s Guinness on tap. 7523 N May, OKC, 755.2622 $$

PINKITZEL CUPCAKES & CANDY Sweetness reigns supreme in this local confectionary creation – gourmet cupcakes that are baked fresh daily, a substantial candy boutique and gift shop and cafe seating to enjoy it all with coffee, tea, hot chocolate and more.

1389 E 15th, Edmond, 330.4500; 150 E.K. Gaylord, OKC, 235.7465 $

DAN O’BRIEN’S PUBLIC HOUSE With a party atmosphere and rocking live shows, it’s more a group bar than a casual restaurant; though the full menu and mighty burgers should universally satisfy.

2747 W Memorial, OKC, 752.4486 $

PRAIRIE THUNDER BAKING CO. In this house of carbs, the bread baked on-site is the star of the show: on its own to take home, repurposed into breakfast pastries and desserts or accompanying the deli sandwiches and soups in the cafe. 1114 N Classen Dr, OKC, 602.2922 $ SARA SARA CUPCAKES Located in a charming little converted house, the ambiance and milk bar make great atmospheric additions to the varied

DEEP DEUCE GRILL The funky, comfortably run-down vibe of its namesake district lingers in this alternative to Bricktown crowds featuring burgers, beer and a peoplewatching patio. 307 NE 2nd, OKC, 235.9100 $ FOX & HOUND PUB & GRILLE Considering the pool, darts, frequent live music and perpetual celebratory vibe, it might be hard to concentrate on the varied menu… but at least try the freshbaked pretzels. 3031 W Memorial, OKC, 751.7243 $

SOONER LEGENDS Sandwiches and salads, outstanding barbecue, steaks, even Mexican and Italian specialties made to order in a loudly, proudly crimson and cream atmosphere. Great hangout for OU fans. 1200 24th Ave SW, Norman, 701.8100 $ TAPWERKS ALE HOUSE & CAFÉ The staff will gladly serve burgers, wraps, pizzas and other entrees, but most of the crowd – and it gets crowded – is here to sample from the 212 (yes, really) beers on tap. 121 E Sheridan, OKC, 310.9599 $$ URBAN WINEWORKS If its delicious made-in-Oklahoma wine isn’t draw enough (and it should be), the haute culinary creations featuring rabbit, duck, pork belly and more should certainly entice diners to the Plaza. 1749 NW 16th, OKC, 525.9463 $$

VZD’S RESTAURANT & CLUB Live music is a staple on weekends, but the unusually broad, tasty bar menu draws a substantial lunch crowd as well. Try the turkey burger, the chili or both. 4200 N Western, OKC, 524.4203 $

BARBECUE BILLY SIMS BBQ Even Cowboy or Longhorn fans will find serious taste to enjoy, but the memorabilia isn’t exactly in short supply in these tailgate-style chowhouses owned by the namesake Sooner star. 7 metro locations, billysimsbbq.com $ EARL’S RIB PALACE Beloved by locals in a setting far from starved for competition, the award-winning barbecue chain pounds out hit ribs, pulled pork and smoked turkey as well as a top-tier burger. 6 metro locations, earlsribpalace.com $ IRON STARR URBAN BARBEQUE Named for notorious outlaw Belle Starr, Iron Starr specializes in “a unique and tasty spin on comfort food.” The entrees are excellent, but the sides are equal players here as well. 3700 N Shartel, OKC, 524.5925 $$ LEO’S BAR-B-Q Dense, rich flavor and tender texture through and through, delivered in genuine unpolished style for commendable value – no wonder it’s a recurring favorite among OK connoisseurs. 3631 N Kelley, OKC 424.5367; 7 Harrison, OKC 236.5367 $ RUDY’S COUNTRY STORE & BARB-Q It’s hard to get more casual than a set of picnic benches, where food comes on cafeteria trays with plastic utensils and paper towels... but as the lines attest, the brisket and other barbecue staples speak for themselves. 3450 Chautauqua, Norman, 307.0552; 3437 W Memorial, OKC, 254.4712 $$ STEVE’S RIB A longtime Edmond favorite, its flavorful brisket, fried okra and more are the same but diners can choose their milieu: a seated restaurant in Edmond or a stand-up counter in NW OKC. 1801 W Edmond Rd, Edmond, 340.7427; 7202 W Hefner, OKC, 728.9555 $ VAN’S PIG STAND A scion of Oklahoma’s oldest family-owned and -operated barbecue restaurant (open since 1935 in Shawnee), it does well with the basics and really rocks at ribs. 320 N Porter, Norman, 364.0600 $

BURGERS // SANDWICHES ABRAHAM’S WESTERN CAFÉ Follow your nose – the onion burgers coming off Abraham’s grill draw lunch crowds with effortless ease. 4716 N Western, OKC, 528.5152 $ BISON WITCHES BAR & DELI The monster sandwiches are loaded with standout flavors, but the best way to enjoy them is in halves, accompanied by a bread bowl of fresh hot soup and a bag of pretzels. 211 E Main, Norman, 364.7555 $ BROWN BAG DELI Quick-as-a-wink sandwiches, desserts and killer chili.

Limited seating; takeout recommended.

7600 N Western, OKC, 842.1444 $ BUNNY’S OLD FASHIONED ONION BURGERS Small space; big taste. The namesake creations are fresh, lean beef grilled to perfection and served in “big” and “bigger” versions. 5020 N Meridian, OKC, 949.2889; 1023 S Meridian, OKC, 949.2949 $ CAFÉ PLAID & BAKERY Fresh sandwiches begging to be combined with a sensational selection of salads (veggie, tuna, pasta…) make it an ideal spot for lunch when you’re near OU. 333 W Boyd, Norman, 360.2233 $ CHARCOAL OVEN The smoke-filled flavor of a backyard cookout without having to fire up your own grill – get ’em while they’re hot! 2701 NW Expressway, OKC, 842.8911 $ CITY BITES Get in, get a full-flavored hot or cold sub on your choice of fresh bread, or soup and a baked potato, get some cookies for the road, get on with your day. The plethora of metro locations means you’re never far from a tastier day. 18 metro locations, citybites.com $ CLASSIC ’50S DRIVE-IN A locally owned drive-in that just gets the concept right. Burgers and shakes, fried pickles and slushes, breakfast items… the waves of students during peak hours are proof that familiarity breeds devotion. 1521 W Lindsey, Norman, 321.2271 $ FIRST EDITION, THE A café inside the Downtown Library would be worth it merely for the convenience, so it’s a welcome bonus that the sandwiches, pizza and panini practically warrant a trip all on their own. 300 Park, OKC, 605.8347 $ FLATIRE BURGERS Beloved by (and generally crowded with) UCO students, this bravura burger joint excels at innovative additions to the classic patty and bun, like sauerkraut, carrots, pineapple relish and habanero salsa.

100 N University Dr (at UCO), Edmond, 974.4638; 6315 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany, 603.2822 $

Best Restaurant Nobody Has Probably Heard Of 3325 N. Classen Blvd | 405.602.2883 | www.cafekacao.com Tu-Sat: 8am-5pm | Sun: 9am-2pm | Closed on Monday

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GARAGE BURGERS & BEER, THE It gets noisy in the low-lit sports bar atmosphere, but even if your focus isn’t on a televised game, conversation would probably revolve around the huge, juicy burgers and fries – both available in several tempting flavor possibilities – anyway. 307 E Main, Norman, 701.7035; 601 S Bryant Ave, Edmond, 341.5801 $ HOME RUN SLIDERS A tasty array of sliders, from your basic “Rookie” to prime rib, is served in an atmosphere that pays tribute to the national pastime. And don’t miss the ode to the condiment: Oklahoma’s largest ketchup bar. 128 E 5th, Edmond, 513.5410 $ IRMA’S BURGER SHACK Hand-cut fries, hand-breaded onions rings and simply great burgers. Try the No-Name Ranch burger – lean and flavorful, thanks to a unique breed of cattle raised in Wynnewood using organic techniques.

1035 NW 63rd, OKC, 840.4762; 1120 Classen Dr, OKC, 235.4762 $ JOHNNIE’S CHARCOAL BROILER Fresh-ground hamburgers cooked over real charcoal set Johnnie’s apart. Try the incredibly popular Cheese Theta or Caesar burgers, and don’t forget a side of their outstanding onion rings. 4 metro locations, johnniesok.com $

Over two dozen selections of the world's finest bourbons 943.9111 4300 W. Reno 1 block east of meridian www.PearlsOKC.com

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FARE | Eat & Drink

KAMP’S 1910 CAFÉ The Kamp family is well-known in the Oklahoma food scene, and their 1910 Café builds on that history with first-rate breakfast and lunch, bakery items and full coffee shop on site.

10 NE 10th, OKC, 230.1910 $ LOUIE’S GRILL & BAR Casually cool and come-as-you-are, these popular neighborhood bar-type hangouts excel at inexpensive burgers, sandwiches and pizzas. 12 metro locations, louiesgrillandbar.com $ LOUIE’S ON THE LAKE An unbeatable view of scenic Lake Hefner from the patio adds to the ambiance of this classic eatery, which features a tasty spate of entrees under $10. 9401 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 751.2298 $ MULE, THE Solid beer and beverage selection plus a delectable array of gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and melts (ingredients range from fontina to figs) fill the menu at this relaxation destination in the Plaza District. 1630 N Blackwelder, OKC, 601.1400 $ ND FOODS Gigantic deli sandwiches featuring Boar’s Head meats, homemade soups in a variety of intriguing flavors and a selection of freshly baked cookies, pies and other desserts. Step right up!

2632 W Britton, OKC, 840.9364 $ NIC’S GRILL It’s small, it’s crowded, it’s cash-only… and it’s incredible. The colossal burgers, easily among the metro’s best, and mounds of fresh fries make this hole-in-the-wall diner pure paradise. 1202 N Pennsylvania, OKC, 524.0999 $ PATTY WAGON Building these burger behemoths involves ingredients like fresh, toasted buns and add-ons like thick, crisp fries, but it all comes back to a foundation of outstanding local farmraised beef. 3600 N May, OKC, 917.1711 $ RED HORSE GRILL A prime lunch spot thanks to its speedy but cooked-toorder menu, the onion burgers, shakes, malts and frozen custard have devoted local followings, as does the Friday Fish Fry special. 2205 W Main, Norman, 360.3287 $ S&B’S BURGER JOINT Good news: these burgers’ exquisite flavor combinations – including such showcase ingredients as peanut butter or a coffee crust – come in slider form as well, the better to sample more selections. 20 NW 9th, OKC, 270.0516; 5929 N May, OKC, 843.8777; 7745 S Walker, OKC, 631.0983 $ SERVICE STATION Once a filling station, the building still has vintage décor and is home to Bentleys, Packards and dipsticks, but now they’re the names of its delicious half-pound burgers and fries.

502 S Webster, Norman, 364.2136 $ SMASHBURGER Billing itself as a place with a burger soul, this savory hot spot provides 100 percent Angus beef in three sizes amid a panoply of tasty toppings and sides, plus similarly varied chicken sandwiches and salads. 2127 W Memorial, OKC, 418.8416; 7642 W Reno, OKC, 787.5700; 1841 Belle Isle, OKC, 767.9771 $ SOMEPLACE ELSE DELI Simple, straightforward hot and cold sandwiches made especially superb by virtue of fresh breads, speedy service, low price tags and the option of adding on an array of exceptional baked goods. 2310 N Western, OKC, 524.0887 $

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SOONER DAIRY LUNCH The menu’s masthead, “Serving Norman since 1954,” should serve as a fairly strong recommendation all by itself – this modest little drive-in has been cheerfully feeding its staunch fans burgers, fries, tots and shakes for six decades and counting. 1820 W Main, Norman, 321.8526 $ TEXADELPHIA Popular hang-out spots inside and out due to the numerous flatscreen TVs and patio seating. The menu draws raves for burgers and wraps, but especially the monstrous made-toorder cheesesteaks. 1150 W Lindsey, Norman, 701.5635; 200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 208.4000 $ TUCKER’S ONION BURGERS With one burger (and variants), one side dish (fries), one salad and beverages, the menu is easy to remember. With this level of bravura execution, the meal is hard to forget. 324 NW 23rd, OKC, 609.2333; 5740 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 286.3331 $

COFFEEHOUSE // TEA ROOM ALL ABOUT CHA Universal standards and more adventurous concoctions (the sweet potato latte is a wonder) in a bright, bustling atmosphere that still has room for quieter lingering. 3272 S Broadway, Edmond, 340.9959 $ ARAVALLI This weekday waystation in the Devon Energy Center is a prime spot for breakfast pastries and coffee, lunch gelato and desserts and a daily rotating handful of grab-and-go entrees. 333 W Sheridan Ave, OKC, 278.7000 $ BEANS & LEAVES Comfy and welcoming like a coffeehouse should be, the large menu of brewed temptations simply rocks. 4015 N Pennsylvania, OKC, 604.4700 $ BEATNIX CAFÉ, THE While it’s certainly possible to get a sandwich, cup of hearty soup or powerhouse latte to go, doing so would mean missing out on the lovely laid-back vibe that pervades this stressless dawdling spot. 136 NW 13th, OKC, 604.0211 $ BLUE BEAN COFFEE CO. Excellent coffee, even better service and a particular knack for formulating a perfect balance within creatively flavored specials. 13316 S Western, OKC, 735.5115 $ CAFÉ EVOKE Outstanding coffee drinks and other beverages from one of the area’s great caterers; if patrons wish to stick around for soup, sandwiches, snacks or sweets, so much the better.

103 S Broadway, Edmond, 285.1522 $ COFFEE SLINGERS Rocking a brisk, urban vibe thanks to its Automobile Alley location, this has become a gathering place for genuine java enthusiasts, especially during the monthly educational sampling seminars called “cuppings.” 1015 N Broadway, OKC, 606.2763 $ COWGIRL COFFEE Patrons can’t linger and loiter and soak up the atmosphere – because there isn’t any; it’s a tiny to-go shack in a parking lot – but that’s about the only downside to this sweet spot for baked goods and specialty beverages. 121 E Waterloo, Edmond, 341.5060 $

CUPPIES & JOE The name’s not really a misnomer, but if it listed all their features it’d be too long. For cupcakes and coffee and pie and live music and a cozy, trendy vibe and more, park around back and take a peek. 727 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.2122 $ ELEMENTAL COFFEE Seriously spectacular coffee roasted in-house - the passionate staffers are always eager to share knowledge about the process - augmented with locally sourced treats, including a variety of crepes on weekends. 815 N Hudson, OKC, 633.1703 $ MICHELANGELO’S COFFEE SHOP & WINE BAR Enjoy exceptional coffees, a well-stocked pastry case with chocolates and sweets, a surprisingly robust wine catalog and even breakfast and lunch selections. 207 E Main, Norman, 579.3387 $ PARAMOUNT, THE A Film Row joint with a screening room attached, it serves a few options for breakfast and lunch and snacks to go with its movies, but it’s the all-day beverage menu that delivers the stuff dreams are made of. 701 W Sheridan, OKC, 517.0787 $ RED CUP Comfortably ramshackle surroundings encourage curling up for conversation over spectacular PrimaCafe coffee, baked treats, vegetarian-friendly breakfast and lunch specials and live music. Highly recommended! 3122 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 525.3430 $ T, AN URBAN TEAHOUSE Proving that an establishment’s focus can be narrow and broad simultaneously, this endearing retreat doesn’t do coffee or sandwiches, but does offer over 100 varieties of tea and expert counsel to explore a world of possibilities. 7518 N May, OKC, 418.4333 $ VINTAGE TIMELESS COFFEE A locally owned and lauded beverage bistro with plenty of sweet flavor combinations, treats from Brown’s Bakery and innovations like the smooffee (an espresso-powered smoothie). 1101 NW 49th, OKC, 752.0038 $

CONTINENTAL BIN 73 WINE BAR Diners can fill up on filet mignon or simply top the evening off with tapas while enjoying the full bar and chic ambience. 7312 N Western, OKC, 843.0073 $$ BLACKBIRD A Campus Corner gastropub pairing delectably creative food – pot roast nachos! – with an expansive beer, wine and whiskey list. 575 S University, Norman, 928.5555 $$ BOLERO A unique experience provided by coupling delicious tapas with the perfect Spanish wine from a signature selection, in an elegant, open-air atmosphere. 200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 602.0652 $$ CAFÉ NOVA Lunch, dinner and late at night, the simple but innovative fare and hopping bar in this Western Avenue spot aim to please hipsters, families and white- and blue-collar joes and josephines. 4308 N Western, OKC, 525.6682 $$ CHEEVER’S Dress up or down for the Southwestern-influenced recipes

and love of seafood that drive the contemporary comfort food found in this converted florist’s; truly one of the city’s finest destinations for dining out.

2409 N Hudson, OKC, 525.7007 $$ CHEFS DI DOMANI A proving ground of sorts for the chefs-in-training at Platt College’s culinary institute, this restaurant offers the opportunity to watch the students in action and enjoy their internationally influenced work.

2727 W Memorial, OKC, 749.2423 $$ COACH HOUSE, THE Definitively among the metro’s most refined, elegant, upscale dining experiences, the rotating menu of seasonal cuisine highlights regional specialties prepared with classical perfection by master chef Kurt Fleischfresser. 6437 Avondale, OKC, 842.1000 $$$ HEFNER GRILL Hand-cut steaks and fresh seafood are served by courteous staff in conjunction with one of the best views in the city. 9201 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 748.6113 $$ LOTTINVILLE’S WOOD GRILLE Rotisserie chicken and wood-grilled salmon are the featured players among a host of Southwestern-influenced entrees, salads and panini; the Sunday brunch is epic. 801 Signal Ridge, Edmond, 341.2244 $$ MANTEL WINE BAR & BISTRO, THE Marvelous steaks, seafood and other specialties (don’t miss the lobster bisque), combined with a refined, intimate atmosphere and outstanding service, make a truly memorable meal.

201 E Sheridan, OKC, 236.8040 $$$ MELTING POT, THE If the occasion is special, here’s where to make a meal into an event. Specializing in four-course fondue dinners, this elegant restaurant rewards time investments with delectable memories. 4 E Sheridan, OKC, 235.1000 $$$ METRO WINE BAR & BISTRO, THE A perennial favorite that feels comfortably upscale without exerting pressure to impress on its clientele, the far-reaching menu covers culinary high points from vichyssoise to crème brulée. 6418 N Western, OKC, 840.9463 $$ MICHAEL’S GRILL Thoroughly urbane dining in an elegant, intimate setting – the steaks, chops, seafood and pastas are excellent, and the Caesar salad prepared tableside is legendary. 2824 W Country Club, OKC, 810.9000 $$$ MUSEUM CAFÉ, THE A setting as inspiring as the Oklahoma City Museum of Art warrants something special in terms of cuisine… et puis voila. Ethereally light or delectably robust, this Europeaninspired menu delights for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. 415 Couch, OKC, 235.6262 $$ NIKKELLETTE’S CAFÉ A selection of fresh salads and tasty sandwiches on homemade bread, served in a distinctive atmosphere: how many other cafes have tableside chandeliers? 2925 Lakeside Cir, OKC, 755.3560 $ NONNA’S EURO-AMERICAN RISTORANTE & BAR A cozily appointed, thoroughly opulent atmosphere housing distinctive cuisine, specialty drinks and live music in The Purple Bar and freshbaked goodies to top off a grand evening.

1 Mickey Mantle, OKC, 235.4410 $$$

EDMOND’S FAVORITE WINE BAR NOW SERVING DINNER!

PARK AVENUE GRILL A one-of-a-kind dining experience inside the luxurious Skirvin Hilton, blending traditional steak and seafood cuisine with the high style of its original 1930s setting. 1 Park, OKC, 702.8444 $$$ PASEO GRILL Quiet and intimate inside, cheerful and comfortable out on the patio, with an award-winning menu full of distinctive flavor combinations – try the duck salad. 2909 Paseo, OKC, 601.1079 $$$ ROCOCO RESTAURANT & FINE WINE An “east coast-style” restaurant, built around a diverse menu of hand-crafted international dishes from Penne Bolognese to Petrale Sole, set off by carefully selected wine and exceptional service. 12252 N May, OKC, 212.4577; 2824 N Pennsylvania, OKC, 528.2824 $$ SEVEN47 A Campus Corner hotspot boasting sleek, swank décor, an appealingly broad menu including a tantalizing brunch and a consistently celebratory vibe make this winning combination. 747 Asp, Norman, 701.8622 $$ SIGNATURE GRILL Unassuming locale; magnificent culinary rewards. Chef Clay Falkner’s expertly considered menu mixes French and Italian techniques, presenting a wide spectrum of amazing flavors in a few select dishes. 1317 E Danforth, Edmond, 330.4548 $$$ TASTING ROOM, THE Located in Will Rogers Theatre, this intimate space is a culinary stage for expert chefs to dazzle small groups. 4322 N Western, OKC, 604.3015 $$$ VIN DOLCE Primarily a venue for the endless, joyous pursuit of discovering the perfect glass of wine, downtown Edmond’s hot spot also serves gourmet tapas and homemade sweets. 16 S Broadway, Edmond, 285.5333 $$ WEST The staff is speedy, the décor sleek and modern, and the entrées – like bucatini with meatballs or roasted salmon and ratatouille – are wideranging but elegantly simple. 6714 N Western, OKC, 607.4072 $$

FRENCH LA BAGUETTE BISTRO Brothers Alain and Michel Buthion have firm roots in the city’s culinary landscape, and La Baguette combines fine dining (linger over multiple courses whenever possible) with an exceptional bakery, deli and butcher shop on site. 7408 N May, OKC, 840.3047 $$ WHISPERING PINES B&B A secluded getaway on the south end of Norman, this inn houses a treasure of a restaurant serving sumptuous, savory Frenchinspired cuisine in quiet comfort with first-class service. 7820 E Highway 9, Norman, 447.0202 $$$

GERMAN DAS BOOT CAMP Longtime fixture for Deutsch festivities and feasting Royal Bavaria has brewed up a second round of the same exceptional cuisine (and magnificent beer) for a faster-paced location in downtown Norman. 229 E Main, Norman, 701.3748 $

INGRID’S Authentic German fare at its best, including outstanding Oklahomamade bratwurst. Join the Saturday regulars for breakfast and try the apple French toast, and no one can resist Ingrid’s bakery counter. 3701 N Youngs, OKC, 946.8444 $$ OLD GERMANY RESTAURANT Justly renowned for its Bavarian delights – the schnitzels, soups and cevapcici sausages are spectacular. Reservations strongly recommended; it’s a small place and dinner’s already a lengthy process without waiting in line. 15920 SE 29th, Choctaw, 390.8647 $$$

16 S. Broadway Downtown Edmond 405.285.5333 vindolcewinebar.com

ROYAL BAVARIA Excellent renditions of traditional dishes like Wienerschnitzel, Jagerbraten and a variety of sausages, plus fantastisch house-brewed beers, make the time consumed a worthy investment. 3401 S Sooner, Moore, 799.7666 $$$

HEALTHY // ECLECTIC COOLGREENS This health-conscious establishment has a menu, but customization is encouraged; every available component in their salads, wraps and frozen yogurt is naturally delicious. 4 metro locations, coolgreens. com $$ EARTH NATURAL CAFÉ & DELI, THE Super, super fresh sandwiches, salads, soups and baked goods in one of the most vegetarian- and vegan-friendly menus you’ll ever see, plus organic fairtrade coffee and tea. 750 Asp, Norman, 573.5933 $

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GREEN & GRILLED Steak, chicken, pork, veal or tofu grilled to order and served with fresh salads and sides, resulting in a balanced, filling, extremely tasty green meal for only a little green. 8547 N Rockwell, OKC, 563.2605 $ HEALTH NUT CAFÉ Fast food that’s also fresh and nutritious in the form of salads, wraps, melts, smoothies and more. Eat healthy, live happy! 333 NW 5th, Suite 104, OKC, 601.1444; 920 N Lincoln, OKC, 239.2233 $ LOCAL Utilizing some of the finest, freshest regionally sourced ingredients available to fuel chef Ryan Parrott’s creative cuisine, its menu changes seasonally but its welcoming full-family atmosphere is constant. 2262 W Main, Norman, 928.5600 $$ LUDIVINE The experience is never the same on successive visits, because the menu adjusts constantly to reflect availability of elite-quality, locally sourced ingredients. 805 N Hudson, OKC, 778.6800 $$$ MATTHEW KENNEY OKC Built with sustainability and raw cuisine preparation in mind, it’s a warm, modern setting in which to savor the unique and innovative menu crafted by the renowned raw food chef and author.

5820 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.1050 $$ PINK ELEPHANT CAFÉ On Main Street but off the beaten track, the green, health-conscious labor of local love has a small menu and constantly rotating daily specials to complement its earth-friendly vibe. 301 E Main, Norman, 307.8449 $

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FARE | Eat & Drink

ICE CREAM // YOGURT IL DOLCE GELATO Rich, creamy and decadently delicious, with two dozen flavors daily handmade from scratch on location; the cioccolato scuro is unbelievably sublime. 937 SW 25th St, Suite B, Moore, 794.7266; 1318 N Interstate Dr, Norman, 329.7744 $ ORANGE LEAF FROZEN YOGURT Dozens and dozens and dozens of decadenttasting, waistline-friendly flavors, topped however you like since you’re making it yourself. Just don’t try them all at once, since it’s charged by the ounce. 9 metro locations, orangeleafyogurt.com $ PASSIONBERRI An oasis for the dessert lover whose sweet tooth is tempered by a healthy mindset, the menu includes self-serve frozen yogurt and toppings, tea and new passion sweet crepes. 1204 N Interstate Dr, Norman, 701.8898; 1236 E Alameda, Norman, 801.2233 $ PEACHWAVE YOGURT A full 50 flavors – every one low-fat or non-fat – conveyed to your taste buds via the finest, freshest ingredients in completely delicious customized combinations. 3 metro locations, peachwaveyogurt.com $

INDIAN AJANTA CUISINE OF INDIA Find appealing possibilities at the busy lunch buffet or delve into the menu’s tandoori treasures – the hardest part is choosing.

12215 N Pennsylvania, OKC, 752.5283 $$ GOPURAM – TASTE OF INDIA A fullservice Indian establishment whose richly appointed interior and attentive staff give the feel of fine dining, even during the inexpensive and plentiful lunch buffet. 4559 NW 23rd, OKC, 948.7373 $$ KHAZANA INDIAN GRILL Don’t let the thought of a buffet throw you off this place. The food is superior and very fresh; the staff is delightful. New to Indian food? Alert a server and you will be guided through the cuisine. 4900 N May, OKC, 948.6606 $$ MISAL OF INDIA BISTRO A Norman institution for over 30 years, specializing in tandoori-cooked delicacies and boasting healthy, natural, delicious cuisine, served amid splendid ambiance.

580 Ed Noble Pkwy, Norman, 579.5600 $$ TAJ CUISINE OF INDIA A tremendous selection of Indian staples and delicacies – the menu has sections for vegetarian, tandoori, South Indian and Indo-Chinese specialties – plus full lunch and dinner buffets. 1500 NW 23rd, OKC, 601.1888 $$

ITALIAN // PIZZA BELLINI’S RISTORANTE & GRILL Tasteful in décor and Italian offerings alike, this romantic nightspot quietly, confidently exudes elegance. 6305 Waterford Blvd, OKC, 848.1065 $$ BENVENUTI’S Subtly flavored minestrone to rich, hearty ragouts, the splendid menu keeps the booths full and diners planning return trips; don’t

106 SLICE // APRIL 2013

overlook the Sunday brunch. 105 W Main, Norman, 310.5271 $$ CAFFE PRANZO The atmosphere raises first-time diners’ hopes; the execution exceeds them. Classic dishes, as well as less ubiquitous options that should be better known, are elevated to greatness. 9622 N May, OKC, 755.3577 $$ FALCONE’S More than a pizza place, although the “by the slice” is terrific, it encourages experimentation via a deli counter of imported Italian meats, cheeses and delicacies. 6705 N May, OKC, 242.2222 $ FLIP’S WINE BAR & TRATTORIA Managing to feel rustic despite its location in a busy corridor of OKC, this cozy Italian joint keeps extended hours, and tends to get busier and louder as the hour gets later. 5801 N Western, OKC, 843.1527 $$ GABERINO’S HOMESTYLE ITALIAN Finding a seat can be tricky - the handful of tables generally stay filled, possibly due to the powerful aromas, tender pasta and savory sauces that make up the family recipes the owners are happy to share. 283 34th Ave SW, Norman, 310.2229 $

PAPA DIO’S Three generations of the Bonadio family offer an ample menu of new and classic dishes – Tuscan fusion, anyone? – in separate dining rooms for casual or more refined dining. 10712 N May, OKC, 755.2255 $$ PIZZA 23 The tempting selection of specialty pies is available for takeout, but dining in is recommended: the crisp, urban décor and good beer selection add savor to the flavor. 600-B NW 23rd St, OKC, 601.6161 $$ SOPHABELLA’S CHICAGO GRILL A quiet, classy gem offering premier tastes from Chicago and beyond – the menu includes Coquilles St. Jacques alongside pepperoni rolls – in comfort and style.

7628 N May, OKC, 879.0100 $$$ SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE, THE A family destination since 1989 and one of the initial harbingers of the Bricktown renaissance, it delivers immense servings of piping hot pasta and 15-layer lasagna with cheerful enthusiasm. 101 E Sheridan, OKC, 235.0402 $$ STELLA MODERN ITALIAN CUISINE A luscious spate of modern Italian cuisine for a casual lunch, romantic dinner or brunch that’s a bit of both, framed by stylish surroundings. 1201 N Walker, OKC, 235.2200 $$

GABRIELLA’S ITALIAN GRILL AND PIZZERIA A fresh chapter in the Giacomo family’s delectable legacy of success in Krebs, McAlester and South Padre; one bite of the chicken piccata or homemade Italian sausage should win diners’ hearts with ease. 1226 NE 63rd, OKC, 478.4955 $$

UPPER CRUST WOOD FIRED PIZZA A chic, contemporary restaurant in Classen Curve, this uptown pizzeria and wine bar specializes in woodfired, thin crust New York-style pies complemented by a full menu and wine list. 5860 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.7743; 1205 NW 178th, Edmond, 285.8887 $$

HIDEAWAY PIZZA If you’ve been serving pizza to a devoted following for over half a century, then you must be doing something right. In this case, that something right is incredible pizza in jovial surroundings. 7 metro locations, hideawaypizza.com $$

VICTORIA’S PASTA SHOP A shabbycomfortable atmosphere with local art on its walls and the art of pasta on its plates – the chicken lasagna and linguine with snow crab are especially excellent.

327 White, Norman, 329.0377 $

HUMBLE PIE PIZZERIA There’s really no need to be humble about pizza made the way a true Chicago pizzeria would make it. Take your choice of toppings and relish what is quite possibly the best crust known to man. 1319 S Broadway, Edmond, 715.1818 $ JOEY’S PIZZERIA A creative pizzeria on OKC’s Film Row, Joey’s serves first-rate appetizers and salads along with its mouth-watering pies. Can’t get enough?

Have your pizza, then have another for dessert; The Surfer Dude can pinch hit as entrée or dessert. 700 W Sheridan, OKC, 525.8503 $$ NOMAD II A classic old-school Italian restaurant (the pizza is especially popular) that also serves excellent steaks and fried chicken, and offers a slice of OKC history through its décor.

7301 N May, OKC, 843.4557 $$ OTHELLO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT Garlic bread and mussels to tiramisu and coffee – everything you’d hope for from a romantic, comfortably shabby Italian café. The adjoining bar regularly hosts live local music. 434 Buchanan, Norman, 701.4900 $$ OTHELLO’S OF EDMOND A sister restaurant to the original Othello’s in Norman, it offers a similarly welcoming atmosphere and menu, with its own spin courtesy of a historic location and customers’ culinary contributions. 1 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.9045 $$

VITO’S RISTORANTE Homestyle Italian cuisine in an intimate setting where the staff and management treat customers like guests in their home. It’s a small space, so calling ahead is recommended.

7521 N May, OKC, 848.4867 $$ WEDGE, THE Wood-fired pizzas crafted from fresh ingredients and made-fromscratch sauces; there’s a build-yourown option if the house specialties’ unconventional toppings (figs, truffle oil, walnuts) don’t appeal. 230 NE 1st, OKC, 270.0660; 4709 N Western, OKC, 602.3477 $$

JAPANESE // SUSHI FULL MOON SUSHI Mango salsa, chive oil, crème fraiche, “cherry death sauce”… you won’t find fresh, marvelously creative combinations like these elsewhere. Expect to spend some time poring over the extensive menu, and definitely try the Devil’s Advocate. 326 E Main, Norman, 535.6548 $$ GOGO SUSHI The name reflects the restaurant’s attitude toward speed and convenience, but doesn’t mention the robust menu or tantalizing specials.

Go go check it out! 1611 S Service Rd, Moore, 794.3474; 432 NW 10th, OKC, 602.6333 $$ IN THE RAW DUNWELL SUSHI A chic, colorful, open-concept restaurant on the Bricktown canal offering excellent

sushi, even more impressive specialty rolls and a wide assortment of sake. Try the bananas tempura for dessert. 200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 702.1325 $$ MUSASHI’S Exquisitely flavorful Japanese cuisine prepared with genuine artistry, thanks to the skilled chefs performing at tableside hibachi grills.

Nobody does the onion volcano better.

4315 N Western, OKC, 602.5623 $$ SHIKI JAPANESE RESTAURANT A boisterous, high-energy meal off the hibachi menu, or a quieter repast of reliably fresh, high-quality sushi – either way, diners win. 14041 N May, OKC, 751.8989; 4406 W Reno, OKC, 947.0400 $$ SUSHI BAR, THE Sushi staples done with élan, as well as options starring more adventurous ingredients like sweet potato and jack cheese, in a bustling, comfortable environment. 1201 NW 178th, OKC, 285.7317 $$ SUSHI HAYASHI Lovers of fresh, flavorful and sometimes fiery sushi, take your chopsticks to this southside scion of a California success story to experience their love of quality food and warm atmosphere. 10600 S Penn, OKC, 759.7788 $$ SUSHI NEKO An established OKC favorite combining style (sleek, brisk, classy) with substance (in the form of an especially wide-ranging and creative sushi menu). Flavor favors the bold! 4318 N Western, OKC, 528.8862 $$ TOKYO JAPANESE RESTAURANT It’s neither huge nor lavishly appointed, and the menu focuses more on traditional dishes than experimental flights of fancy; it is, however, palpably fresh and routinely cited as among the metro’s best. 7516 N Western, OKC, 848.6733 $$

MEDITERRANEAN AVANTI BAR & GRILL Gather around the hammered copper bar for the casual elegance of Italy and the Mediterranean with contemporary twists: crab falafel, bolognese pizza, osso bucco and more. 13509 Highland Park, OKC, 254.5200 $$ CAPERS There’s no menu per se; it’s more a case of deciding what delicacy you’re in the mood for – gyros, shawarma, fresh tabouleh, falafel, homemade Mediterranean-style pizzas, baklava – and then retrieving it from the massive buffet. 6317 N Meridian, OKC, 720.2600 $$ COUS COUS CAFÉ Massive flavor comes packed into this small space; an impressive balancing act among the payload of spices elevates the kabobs, shawarmas, tagines and other Moroccan hits. 6165 N May, OKC, 286.1533 $ LET’S DO GREEK A versatile menu of Mediterranean standards, with many flavors available in salads, pitas or arepas, distinguishes this family endeavor – and the curry chicken stew is exceptional. 180 W 15th, Edmond, 285.8898 $ MEDITERRANEAN IMPORTS & DELI Selected groceries and a menu stocked with options from a simple Greek salad to eye-watering cabbage rolls; the food is authentic, quick and spectacular. 5620 N May, OKC, 810.9494 $

FURNITURE FOR LIFE

NUNU’S MEDITERRANEAN CAFÉ & MARKET The tangy, tantalizing, fresh and healthy flavors that characterize the cuisine of Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine and their neighbors, faithfully reproduced from generations-old recipes. 3131 W Memorial, OKC, 751.7000 $ QUEEN OF SHEBA Practically the definition of a hidden treasure, an excellently spiced, extremely veganfriendly menu of varied Ethiopian delights awaits the adventurous. Bring friends and be prepared to linger. 2308 N MacArthur, OKC, 606.8616 $$ ZORBA’S MEDITERRANEAN CUISINE For over 20 years, Zorba’s has satisfied appetites and pleased adventurous palates. Serving traditional and modern dishes from recipes passed down through generations, they proudly showcase the flavors of Cyprus, Spain, Greece and Morocco. 6014 N May, OKC, 947.7788 $

MEXICAN // LATIN AMERICAN 1492 1492 offers authentic Mexican cuisine in an elegant atmosphere, a fusion decor with an open bar, possibly the best mojitos in the universe and a romantic setting. 1207 N Walker, OKC, 236.1492 $$ ABEL’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT TexMex necessities like enchiladas and tacos are plentiful, while authentic flavor really shines in steak and pork specialties. Bonus points for the Huevos Chorizo. 5822 NW 50th, OKC, 491.0911; 6901 S May, OKC, 686.7160 $ ABUELO’S MEXICAN FOOD EMBASSY In a word: huge. The restaurant itself, the variety, the plates, the flavors, the experience. No passport required.

17 E Sheridan, OKC, 235.1422; 3001 W Memorial, OKC, 755.2680 $$ ALFREDO’S MEXICAN CAFÉ Kick back with an agave limeade and take your time perusing the menu. From avocado enchiladas to fried tacos, the choices – and portions – are more than ample. 3 metro locations, alfredosok.com $$ ALVARADO’S MEXICAN Options abound – from creamy, dreamy chicken tortilla soup to sopapillas with brandy butter sauce made to order – for a Mexican feast leaving customers full and fully satisfied. 1000 E 2nd, Edmond, 359.8860 $$ BIG TRUCK TACOS It’s nearly always standing room only at lunch, but don’t let that stop you – shove an elbow in at the counter and enjoy fast, fresh, imaginative taco creations. 530 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.8226 $ CAFÉ ANTIGUA Breakfast and lunch are both served until close, making it twice as hard for the midday diner to choose from the double lineup of intriguing Guatemalan specialties. 1903 N Classen, OKC, 602.8984 $ CAFÉ DO BRASIL OKC is a long way from Rio, but the supremely savory menu in this Midtown hot spot covers the distance in a mouthful. Even brunch is a spicy, inimitable treat. 440 NW 11th, OKC, 525.9779 $$

CAFÉ KACAO A sunlit space filled with bright, vibrant flavors from the zesty traditions of Guatemalan cooking.

Lunch possibilities beckon, but it’s the breakfast (and brunch) specialties that truly dazzle. 3325 N Classen, OKC, 602.2883 $ CANTINA LAREDO A sophisticated take on traditional Mexican food, specializing in fresh fish specials and certified Angus beef dishes. 1901 NW Expressway (in Penn Square Mall), OKC, 840.1051 $$ CARNITAS MICHOACAN On beyond Tex-Mex! This walk-up taqueria-style destination serves specialties from its namesake southern Mexican state, including asada, pollo, cabeza and even lengua dishes. 306 W Edmond Rd, Edmond, 341.0356 $ CHELINO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT How do you find some of the metro’s fastest, most frequented Tex-Mex? Look around – there’s probably a Chelino’s nearby. An Oklahoma flavor empire spanning from Norman to Edmond, its substantial menu includes a bevy of lunch specials. 11 metro locations, chelinosmexicanrestaurant.com $$ CHUY’S If you’re just feeling a trifle peckish, you might have your hands full with this one – the portions are substantial, the Hatch chile-fueled flavors are strong and the vibe is playfully enthusiastic. 760 N Interstate Dr, Norman, 360.0881 $$ DIEGO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT The proprietors’ personal investment (there’s a family tree on the menu) and pride in their Central Mexican culinary heritage fuel the marinades and specialty dishes in this charming little café. 1501 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.1700 $$ EL POLLO CHULO Chicken, steak and seafood options marinated in limes Spanish-style and grilled for healthy flavor make for a lean, inexpensive, savory meal. 5805 NW 50th, OKC, 792.2300 $

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FUZZY’S TACO SHOP At home in high-traffic areas because it helps create crowds, Fuzzy’s dishes up jumbo burritos and big, flavorful salads – and, with special serious emphasis, shrimp tacos – quickly and in plenitude. 752 Asp, Norman, 701.1000; 208 Johnny Bench, OKC, 602.3899 $ IGUANA MEXICAN GRILL Whether “down by the railroad tracks” or returning to its roots in Nichols Hills Plaza, Iguana offers unique Mexican flavor in a fun atmosphere at reasonable prices, including awesome deals on Iguana Tuesdays. 9 NW 9 th, OKC, 606.7172; 6482 Avondale, OKC, 607.8193 $$ INCA TRAIL Maintaining a cultural culinary heritage that includes flavors from around the world results in great variety, from piquant ceviches to silkysmooth homemade flan. The Pollo a La Brasa comes highly recommended.

10948 N May, OKC, 286.0407 $$ JUAN DEL FUEGO Blueberry pancakes to beef quesadillas, this “Mexi Diner” in Redbud Plaza dishes up breakfast and lunch standards from both sides of the border for a devoted, and expanding, clientele. 223 34th Ave SW, Norman, 310.2030 $ LA CUEVA GRILL Homestyle Mexican just north of downtown OKC, the menu

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FARE | Eat & Drink

is an appealing mix of old and new dishes, and the breakfast burrito with egg and chorizo is not to be missed. 409 N Walker, OKC, 604.0523 $ LA LUNA MEXICAN CAFÉ Its cantinastyle atmosphere is undeniably festive, and only adds to the enjoyment of classic fajitas, enchiladas and bolder dishes like the carne ranchera. 409 W Reno, OKC, 235.9596 $$ MAMA ROJA MEXICAN KITCHEN A festive atmosphere on the scenic shores of Lake Hefner sets off a menu loaded with hand-rolled tamales, vendor-style tacos and signature dishes. 9219 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 302.6262 $$ MAMASITA’S A popular watering hole due to its spacious patio and prime location on the south side of Nichols Hills Plaza, it also offers a full menu – try the tortilla soup! 1121 NW 63rd, OKC, 848.0541 $ MAMAVECA MEXICAN RESTAURANT A tasty take on familiar Mexican favorites plus a rare treat for culinary explorers: the diverse delights of Peruvian cuisine, which incorporates the combined flavors of four continents. 2551 W Hemphill, Norman, 573.4003 $$ MARGARITA’S RESTAURANTE MEXICANO The menu offers comfortably familiar favorites, and the real draw is the exceptional execution: always fresh, never greasy, reliably delicious. 7800 N May, OKC, 848.8394 $$ PEPE DELGADO’S Fast service, consistent quality and proximity to campus make Pepe’s a packed house during the lunch rush, as students and faculty keep coming back for more Mexican classics. 752 Asp, Norman, 321.6232 $ PURPLE BURRO Casual and lighthearted (if you couldn’t guess from the name), it specializes in New Mexican cuisine fueled by the heat of green chiles in classics like chicken enchiladas and chile verde stew.

231 S Coltrane, Edmond, 359.8400 $$ TARAHUMARA’S CAFÉ & CANTINA Beloved by locals (there’s usually a line but it moves quickly), this airy, unassuming ristorante serves huge, tasty portions of Tex-Mex classics plus less ubiquitous fare like carnitas de puerco and mole poblano. 702 N Porter, Norman, 360.8070 $$ TED’S CAFÉ ESCONDIDO The gold standard of OKC-area TexMex: residents may prefer another eatery, but when they attempt to make converts, Ted’s is the point of comparison. Fast, fresh and amply portioned, it’s often very crowded and always supremely delicious. 4 metro locations, tedscafe.com $$ TRE’S TAQUERIA Y CANTINA A trio of cuisines – Spanish, New Mexican and South American – provide distinctive flavors for diners in selections ranging from daily tapas specials to hallacas (Venezuelan tamales), finished with exquisite tres leches cake. 305 E Main, Norman, 701.8282 $$ YUCATAN TACO STAND Fast, fresh and often fiery Latin fusion cuisine like paella and tamales wrapped in banana leaves alongside signature nachos and taco combinations… plus a selection of over 75 100-percent-agave tequilas. 100 E California, Suite 110, OKC, 886.0413 $

108 SLICE // APRIL 2013

ZARATE’S LATIN MEXICAN GRILL And now for something a trifle different: In addition to the familiar joys of enchiladas and chimichangas, the chef’s Peruvian heritage shines in South American dishes featuring plantains, yuca and imported spices. 706 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.6400 $$

SEAFOOD BIG TUNA FISH JOINT, THE Large, fast and fresh, with a casual vibe, counter service and a menu filled with handbattered seafood flown in daily and a varied drink selection – a prime port of call in Brookhaven Village. 3720 W Robinson, Norman, 928.5250 $$ FISH CITY GRILL Shrimp and grits, tilapia po boys, oysters on the half shell… anyone who secretly wishes Oklahoma had a coastline should feel right at home in this Spring Creek Village stopover. 1389 E 15th, Edmond, 348.2300 $$ JAZMO’Z BOURBON STREET CAFÉ Its upscale yet casual environment and Cajun and Creole-inspired selections provide a nice backdrop for both a night out in Bricktown and watching the big game at the bar with a bowl of gumbo.

100 E California, OKC, 232.6666 $$ PEARL’S CRABTOWN A 20,000-foot Bricktown warehouse is home to Crabtown, where the Cajun Crab Boil is a favorite and guests are encouraged to “leave the silverware at home and dig in.”

303 E Sheridan, OKC, 232.7227 $$ PEARL’S OYSTER BAR A perennial winner in “best of the metro” polls for its fresh, flavorful seafood and spicy Creole-inspired dishes: Shrimp Diablo, Tabasco Caesar salads and more. 5641 N Classen, OKC, 848.8008 $$ SHACK SEAFOOD & OYSTER BAR, THE A massive selection of nicely spiced Cajun and Creole cooking, plus fried and grilled seafood, in an atmosphere that’s as casual as can be. 303 NW 62nd, OKC, 608.4333 $$ TRAPPER’S FISHCAMP & GRILL Zesty, delectable flavor from the Pearl’s family of restaurants finds a comfortable home in a backwoods fishing lodge atmosphere. 4300 W Reno, OKC, 943.9111 $$

SOUL FOOD BIGHEAD’S Fried alligator appetizers and frog leg platters, oyster po’ boys with a tangy remoulade and simmering, savory seafood gumbo – it’s a bayou treat right nearby. 617 S Broadway, Edmond, 340.1925 $$ CAJUN KING The buffet filled with étoufée, jambalaya, collard greens, candied yams and red beans and rice could satisfy even the most rapacious palates, and the fresh fried catfish and beignets are purely regal. 5816 NW 63rd, OKC, 603.3714; 700 Ed Noble Pkwy, Norman, 928.5050 $$ MAMA E’S WINGS & WAFFLES Now with two locations after a star turn on The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” this labor of love is adored by locals looking for classic Southern dishes flavored with authenticity. 3838

Springlake, OKC, 424.0800; 900 W Reno, OKC, 231.1190 $

STEAKHOUSE BOULEVARD STEAKHOUSE Perfectly soigné ambiance down to the least detail and cuisine easily ranking among the metro’s elite – a sumptuous, if expensive, masterpiece. 505 S Boulevard, Edmond, 715.2333 $$$ CATTLEMEN’S STEAKHOUSE The very definition of an Oklahoma institution – it’s over 100 years old in a state that’s only 105 – its immense corn-fed steaks and irreproducible atmosphere are history served anew every day. 1309 S Agnew, OKC, 236.0416 $$ HAUNTED HOUSE, THE A quaint estate renowned for its spooky past (its name is no accident, folks) and being a tad difficult for newcomers to find, The Haunted House is legendary for its steak, lobster and quirky charm. 7101 Miramar, OKC, 478.1417 $$$ HOLLIE’S FLATIRON STEAKHOUSE This plush, cozy restaurant in front of the Warren Theatre features fresh, tasty entrees seared on a flatiron grill and a kick of Southwestern spice running through the menu. 1199 Service Rd, Moore, 799.0300 $$ JAMIL’S STEAKHOUSE Saving room for your steak, lobster or prime rib is difficult when your gratis appetizers arrive in the form of a Lebanese bounty, but make the effort. Jamil’s has been feeding Oklahoma exceptionally well since 1964.

4910 N Lincoln, OKC, 525.8352 $$ JUNIOR’S Some of the biggest oil deals in boom and bust days were finalized at this landmark Oil Center building restaurant, where hand-cut Angus steaks and lobster fight for attention with knockout fried chicken. 2601 NW Expressway, OKC, 848.5597 $$$ MAHOGANY PRIME STEAKHOUSE The service is outstanding and the ambience casually welcoming, but the star is the steak: the finest hand-selected customaged beef, broiled to perfection and served sizzling and delicious. It’s where great steak is the rule, not the exception.

3241 W Memorial, OKC, 748.5959 $$$ MICKEY MANTLE’S STEAKHOUSE Named after a legendary Oklahoman, this lushly atmospheric social spot in Bricktown serves powerhouse entrées, sides and amenities that have become the stuff of legends themselves. 7 S Mickey Mantle, OKC, 272.0777 $$$ OPUS PRIME STEAKHOUSE Aspiring to the ultimate in upscale dining via hand-cut USDA Prime Black Angus steaks, a wine selection comprising over 1,000 labels and an ambiance of intimate elegance. 800 W Memorial, OKC, 607.6787 $$$ RANCH STEAKHOUSE Driven by custom-aged hand-cut USDA Certified Prime tenderloins and ribeyes, the effortlessly opulent Ranch offers exceptional food, warm hospitality and unbridled Southern comfort. 3000 W Britton, OKC, 755.3501 $$$ RED PRIMESTEAK Visionary design and atmosphere house super-premium steaks that are among the state’s very finest, accompanied by vibrant, imaginative flavors and refined amenities

to make world-class dining. 504 N Broadway, OKC, 232.2626 $$$

THAI PAD THAI Dine in comfortably or quickly carry out beautifully executed exemplars of the form: delicately flavored or searingly spiced soups, curries, fried rice and noodle dishes like its namesake. 119 W Boyd, Norman, 360.5551 $ SALA THAI Pineapple curry, basil squid, fried rice with crab, cinnamon beef with rice noodles... the variety is exceptional, and the inexpensive create-your-own lunch special makes it a popular midday option. 1614 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.8424 $ SWEET BASIL THAI CUISINE The enormous aquarium adds to Sweet Basil’s cozy ambiance, which when coupled with its outstanding curries and soups recommends it as a date spot.

Be aware that it is on the higher end of Norman’s price range for Thai. 211 W Main, Norman, 217.8424 $$ TANA THAI BISTRO There’s a lot to like about the food in this little spot, from the red snapper filet to the plain old (so to speak) pad thai. Pay attention to the soups, and do not play chicken with the spice level. 10700 N May, OKC, 749.5590 $$

VIETNAMESE CORIANDER CAFÉ Updating traditional Vietnamese recipes with modern sensibilities via local ingredients, this vegetarian-friendly café makes a quick, casual, comfortable dining alternative.

323 White, Norman, 801.3958 $ LIDO Spring rolls to vermicelli bowls, this venerable diner runs the gamut of Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine, and even finds room for a few French specialties. 2518 N Military, OKC, 521.1902 $$ MR. PHO It abuts the riotous variety of Super Cao Nguyen market, so it’s not surprising that Mr. Pho is exceptionally fresh and its menu is far-reaching: from pork vermicelli to whole Cornish hens.

1133 NW 25th, OKC, 525.7692 $ PHO BULOUS Super fresh, super fast, reasonably priced and perhaps Edmond’s finest take on the namesake soup… although some of the specialties like Honey Ginger Chicken or Wasabi Salmon also merit closer inspection. 3409 S Broadway, Edmond, 475.5599 $ PHO CA DAO Vermicelli bowls, rice platters and even banh xeo crepes are there for investigating, but the main draw is still piping hot pho (with choice of meat) and icy cold bubble tea. 2431 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 521.8819 $ PHO SAIGON Can’t decide between Vietnamese and Thai? The spicy noodle broth in this casual restaurant’s name is a standout, but the proprietors have happily added some of their native Thai cuisine to the menu as well. 2800 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 525.1110 $ SAIGON BAGUETTE Fast and flavorful – and unbelievably cheap – this cash-only counter in the Milk Bottle Building just north of Western packs a Vietnamese punch into fresh sandwiches and knockout egg rolls. 2426 N Classen, OKC, 524.2660 $

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APRIL 2013 // SLICE 109

Last Laugh

d a Rules of th e R o

By

L a u re n

Ha

mm ack

THINK OF HOW MANY TIMES YOU’VE SEEN THIS: a woman, along in her years, driving with her husband as the passenger. I’ve seen this arrangement thousands of times and until lately, I’ve never really given it much thought. Maybe they’ve always traveled that way.

Maybe she has better eyesight than her spouse. Maybe she has cat-like reflexes behind the wheel. Maybe he’s an inflatable decoy.

Or maybe she’s a gal who saved her marriage (and neck) with the words, “ … then move over and I will drive, Magoo.”

Nothing about my husband’s driving has ever suggested that he gives a flip about the safety of his terrified passengers – or that he even took driver’s education, for that matter. There’s an entire set of rules (and barf bags) that accompany any ride in the car with him at the wheel. As a service to those of you who share the road or – God forbid, share a ride – with him, I’ve listed them here.

No matter the road or traffic conditions, my husband has two speeds – Andretti or Sunday Driver – which he simultaneously maintains with a relentless jerk-and-release pumping maneuver on the gas pedal that keeps Dramamine in business.

The rule: Do not point out the spiking and plummeting RPMs on the display panel, as doing so will only take your eyes off the horizon.

In his Andretti mode (which kicks in any time he’s expected somewhere), he’s been known to try to beat the railroad guards on their way down, jump curbs for a possible back road shortcut, or simply drive down the street in the direction of oncoming traffic, in the interest of time.

The rule: Avoid funnel cake, Indian tacos or Sonic Route 44 cherry slushes before getting into the car with this man.

In his Sunday Driver mode (which kicks in any time someone else is expected somewhere), he routinely turns May Avenue into his personal school zone. In response to the jerks who dare proceed past us at 40 mph (the posted speed limit), he will motion for them to “come on” as he announces, “I guess he’s in a big hurry to get to that red light.”

The rule: Do not call him “grandpa” or “Magoo.” This will only agitate him back into Andretti mode.

The man will not turn on the windshield wipers, so everyone in the car gets The Fly effect, which turns any set of oncoming headlights into the Pink Floyd Laser Show. Asking him to turn on the wipers will provoke an audible “humph!” and, in a show of defiance, he will turn them on at the hummingbird setting.

The rule: If the Laser Show lights suddenly turn red, it means those stopped cars are only 20 feet ahead of you and Mr. Andretti.

You must operate the wipers from the passenger’s side. And then you must scream.

110 SLICE // APRIL 2013

The willow bends and twists with ease, but my husband is not The Willow. He is the Mighty Oak, and he bends and twists with the same ease of the oak’s trunk. For years, checking blind spots has been my job, for I am The Willow.

A few weeks ago, my husband ignored my very vocal warning about an oncoming SUV and pulled onto May Avenue, right in front of it. The SUV appeared to have been shot out of a cannon and, if the Mighty Oak could turn his head to the left, he might have seen it careening our way.

Instead, in Sunday Driver mode, he crept onto May, causing the speeding SUV to jam its brakes. As luck would have it, behind the wheel of the car beside us was Sunday Driver Two. My husband and his counterpart had unwittingly hemmed in the SUV, which, we would later learn, had been stolen moments before.

As my husband inexplicably covets the left lane, he wasted no time getting there, oblivious to other drivers. Sunday Driver Two then oozed into the right lane. All the while, the carjacker behind us grew increasingly weary of this choreography (how I feel his pain) and took the first opportunity to veer the SUV onto the first residential street in his getaway path. In his haste to get off the road he was sharing with my husband, he plowed into a parked car and, subsequently, was apprehended.

Naturally, my husband takes full credit for foiling the crime he never saw.

The rule: Do not steal an SUV and think you’ll get away with it when the Sunday Driver is on the road.

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www.soonertheatre.com APRIL 2013 // SLICE 111

Last Look

The Tide of Fortune Photo by Gayle Barrett

When weathering life’s travails – like a winter drought turning Lake Hefner into a muddy puddle – sometimes a philosophical attitude is the best approach.

To submit your photo for Last Look, visit sliceok.com/last-look 112 SLICE // APRIL 2013

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