Boyd Street Magazine March 2019

Norman Attorney Talks Tax Debt

Trouble With Taxes

Sooner Baseball Loaded for New Season

Return Trip

March Normanite

Kelvin Droegemeier

March 2019 • Issue 3 • Volume 18

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W W W. P U B D U B . C O M

Features

MARCH CONTENTS 2019

ISSUE 3– VOLUME 18

14 by Sharla Bardin

A Lasting Legacy

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mark Doescher

Norman Chamber of Commerce celebrates 100 years.

MANAGING EDITOR Lindsay Cuomo

SENIOR EDITOR

18 by Chip Minty

In His Hands

Chip Minty

PHOTOGRAPHY

Norman prodigy attributes piano talent to Jesus.

Mark Doescher Jim & Lisa Photography

30 by Emily Robinson

Oklahoma Best-Seller

CONTRIBUTORS

Roxanne Avery | Stefanie Brickman Tegan Burkhard | Kaylee Campbell Lindsay Cuomo | Kathy Hallren Joy Hampton | Josh Helmer Shannon Hudzinski | Chelsey Kraft Chris Plank | Catherine Poslusny Jeff Provine | Emily Robinson | Paige Uhr

Norman financial planner inspired by mother’s hardship.

35

Kelvin Droegemeier

Normanite in the Spotlight:

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES

by Chip Minty

OU Meteorologist adapts to intense role as White House Science Advisor.

Tracie Gray - tracie@sportstalk1400.com Trevor Laffoon - trevor@sportstalk1400.com Perry Spencer - perry@sportstalk1400.com PUBLISHER Randy Laffoon

42 by Josh Helmer

68-Team Giveaway

SportsTalk listeners to gather for annual March Madness fun.

Boyd Street Magazine 2020 E. Alameda Norman, Oklahoma 73071 Phone: (405) 321-1400 E-mail: editor@boydstreet.com Copyright © Boyd Street Magazine

46 by Chris Plank

Return Trip

OU Baseball hopes for another postseason run.

Any articles, artwork or graphics created by Boyd Street Magazine or its contributors are sole property of Boyd Street Magazine and cannot be reproduced for any reason without permission.

Any opinions expressed in Boyd Street are not necessarily that of Boyd Street management.

50 by Chris Plank

Earning His Stripes

Former Norman High QB is the head man in Cincinnati.

Spotlights

54 by Roxanne Avery

Changing Times

OU Bookstore is now the Campus Corner Store.

10 Detective Ryan Bruehl

58 by Tegan Burkhard

62 by Jeff Provine

Sooner Scooter

New transport trend storms Norman.

Service Spotlight:

evolve

Boyd Street Teacher Features

38 Lt. Jeff Hixon

Thai restaurant opens second location in west Norman.

80

by Lindsay Cuomo

Norman attorney rescues clients from tax debt.

All in the Family

Tax Code Changes 2019 Unraveling Italian Wines

75 by Lindsay Cuomo

Sooner Bowling celebrates 35 years as a family business.

boydstreet.com

by Joy Hampton

73 by Kathy Hallren

84 by Kaylee Campbell

ServiceSpotlight:

67 by Shannon Hudzinski

Trouble with Taxes

by Chelsey Kraft

26

by Lindsay Cuomo

Cleveland County YMCA debuts new programs, new facility.

Double the Thai Thai

Visit Norman

22

David Grizzle

Street name commemorates Oklahoma’s colorful territorial governor.

78

by Kaylee Campbell

by Paige Uhr

12 by Stefanie Brickman

What’s in a Name: Jenkins Avenue

70 by Roxanne Avery

Service Spotlight:

/boydstreetmagazine

@boydstreet

Disaster Ready

Cover images provided

COMM U N I T Y

BY: PAIGE UHR

Service Spotlight: Detective Ryan Bruehl

D

etective Ryan Bruehl joined the Norman Police Department in May 2006, just as he graduated from the University of Oklahoma.

Now, 13 years later, Bruehl still holds the same passion for serving his community as he did when he first started his career.

For the first several years with NPD, Bruehl was assigned to patrol – serving on both the night and afternoon shifts.

A little more than three years ago, he was transferred to the criminal investigations section.

He started out as a general assignment detective but eventually became a major case detective, handling events such as homicides or officer involved shootings.

His days are more structured in the investigation unit than when he was on patrol. A normal morning includes looking through current cases on his desk and checking to see if he was assigned any new cases to investigate.

From there, he will create a game plan for the new cases and prioritize his list based on his caseload.

Bruehl serves on a team with other case detectives, and they often partner together when tasks or cases align.

“We’re a team and come together as a unit,” Bruehl said.

10 | March 2019

On a positive note for the Norman community, Bruehl and the other major case detectives still find themselves working on general assignment cases because there are generally not enough major case events to fill their workload.

“We work on a little bit of everything here,” he said.

your personal life if you don’t leave it here.”

He enjoys being an investigator because he’s able to see his cases through to the end. He feels most accomplished and rewarded when the victim appreciates his efforts on their case.

If there is one thing Bruehl has learned in this field, it’s to leave his work at his desk, separate from his home life. Although this has become easier over time, he said certain cases are hard to let go.

Bruehl has been married 11 years, and he and his wife have two children. His hobbies are golfing, fishing and hunting. He also loves to spend time with his family at Lake Texoma when they’re able to get away.

“It’s hard to walk away and flip the switch, but at one point I just decided this has to stay at work. It will consume

“Between those hobbies, I fill all of my free time,” he said. “That keeps me going when the job gets tough.” – BSM

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COMM U N I T Y

BY: SHARLA BARDIN

A Lasting Legacy W

Norman Chamber of Commerce Celebrates 100 Years

hat was once a small prairie town has developed into a municipality with a myriad of business, retail and educational opportunities, and the Norman Chamber of Commerce has had a front-row seat to all of that growth over the past 100 years.

ing opportunities for our members to thrive,” he said.

National Weather Center and its supporting businesses, he said.

Charles Hooper, owner of Hooper Printing in Norman, believes the chamber has been influential for businesses and the city itself. His business has been a chamber member since 1951.

Ever since it was established in 1919, the chamber has been instrumental in Norman’s evolution, said Chamber President Scott Martin. Members have always had a desire to see Norman grow and succeed.

Chamber members recently celebrated the anniversary during an annual banquet. Martin said members have played an important role in the progress of the city, and their work is reflected in many of Norman’s significant events.

Some of those milestones include the addition of the Navy bases that were once located in the city, the development of Lake Thunderbird, the expansion of the University of Oklahoma and the redevelopment of the city’s core downtown area.

Martin said he recently read historical articles about the organization’s founding and noticed familiar objectives.

“It’s the same core values and missions that we have today. It’s provid14 | March 2019

Other notable business developments through the years have included Johnson Controls, Hitachi and Avara Pharma Technologies, as well as the

Hooper said he thinks some of the reasons for the chamber’s longevity is how the organization has expanded and diversified its focus.

“It’s progressed to represent the citizens and all the entities in the city,” he said.

Hooper said he believes the chamber’s legacy will continue because of the important role it plays in Norman.

“I see another hundred years, for sure,” he said.

Martin said the 100th anniversary is a chance to celebrate the chamber’s influence through the years, while also looking forward to future success.

“I hope that today and a hundred years from now that we’ve been a positive difference maker for our community,” he said. – BSM

Martin said it is incumbent on the chamber to continue the work that founding members have set in motion.

That work today includes providing programs and resources to help businesses, large and small, to enhance and grow operations.

There are 1,300 members of the chamber, and “we try to provide opportunities for each of our members to succeed,” Martin said.

Membership benefits includes networking opportunities, marketing efforts, leadership programs, advocacy and small business assistance.

Vicki Davis serves on the chamber’s board of directors, and she believes the chamber has been successful because of the support and opportunities the organization provides to businesses, the chamber’s ability to adapt with the times and its continual efforts to help the city thrive.

“I really appreciate seeing the things they want to do to help us improve our community,” said Davis, plant manager for Johnson Controls.

Looking forward, Davis said she believes the chamber will still play a pivotal role in Norman’s future, continuing to evolve the organization’s services and programs, seeking out new members and addressing the needs that face businesses and the city.

“I think they’re going to continue to reach out, understand the issues that are facing the businesses today and find creative ways for us to help solve those,” she said.

Martin also sees more milestones ahead for the chamber.

boydstreet.com

BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 15

Congratulations to all our Award winners!

Large Business of the Year

Small Business of the Year

NEXT under 40 Awards

Presented by

Volunteer of the Year

Women’s Leadership Award Ambassador of the Year

Alexandria Britz Kayla Brandt Michael Buckmaster Rebecca Copelin David Clay Floyd Cody Giles

B. J. Hawkins Katelynn Henry Chelsea Hinkle Michelle Hohlier Adam Jacquez

Tyler McManaman Jeff Moody Aaron Parker Matthew Peacock Kyle Phillips

Presented by Co-sponsored by

Jan Moran Presented by

Lynne Miller Presented by

Debbie Barnhill

Greenovation Awards

Small Conservation

Presented by

Teacher of the Year Awards

Large Conservation & Large Recycling

CC Environmental, LLC Small Recycling

Teresa Lansford Presented by

Pam Brown Frank Lawrence (not pictured)

Presented by

COMM U N I T Y

BY: CHIP MINTY COM M UNI TY

In His Hands Norman Prodigy Attributes Piano Talent to Jesus

M

ost people can’t remember a time in their lives when they didn’t know how to talk. For Gathan Graham, it’s hard to remember a time when he couldn’t play the piano.

That’s because he taught himself how to play at age four, and he’s been playing ever since. But that’s only one aspect of Graham’s amazing story.

The lifelong Norman resident doesn’t read music, never has. Every song he plays, he plays by ear, and boy, can he play! Fast, slow, loud, soft, always creating, always playing in an endless stream of improvisation. Each song is a little different than the last time he played it.

He loves to take requests, and audiences rarely throw him a pitch that he can’t hit. That’s because, Graham says, there are more than a thousand songs in his repertoire, locked in an auditory memory that seems to be hardwired to his fingertips.

Graham plays all of the popular hits and genres, but he’s most passionate about classic gospel and spiritual hymns.

Through the years, Graham has produced more than a dozen albums and has performed hundreds of concerts nationwide. He’s appeared on televi-

18 | March 2019

sion, on radio, and he’s been invited to play at the White House 11 times, serving the Clinton, Bush and Trump administrations.

At age 49, Graham is a humble person, who doesn’t mind talking about his weaknesses and shortfalls. He says it took 18 tries before he finally passed his real estate license exam; his grades in school were horrible; and he never went to college.

As a child, Graham struggled with Attention Deficit Disorder, which went undiagnosed and untreated until later in life.

But, when it came to music, the piano was easy. He doesn’t mind being called a prodigy because he doesn’t consider his musical ability an achievement.

To him, it’s a gift from Jesus, and he suspects that it’s somehow associated with his cognitive disability.

“People like me click to a different clicker,” he says.

Meanwhile, he’s using his gift each day to serve others. Graham says he spends 135 hours a month playing the piano, sometimes up to eight hours a day, mostly for seniors in retirement homes, Alzheimer’s care units and assisted living centers.

He spends most of his time playing in Edmond and north Oklahoma City

where there’s a large concentration of retirement centers. When he’s not in those communities, he’s travelling to Del City, Tulsa, Shawnee, Tecumseh, El Reno, Purcell or he’s visiting centers in Norman.

He said he charges half the going rate other musicians charge because playing music for seniors is his calling, and when he’s playing the piano in nursing homes, he’s in his element, especially when the audience is made up of Alzheimer’s patients.

People between 80 and 100 years old are hard to entertain, Graham said.

Some performers struggle to reach them, but almost everyone in his audiences appreciate how he plays, and they ask him back, which is fulfilling.

“I sing the songs through my fingers,” he says. “The older I get, the more I understand what playing by ear is all about. It’s literally hearing the song and playing it. I know it, and I want to use my God-given talent to play it.”

“It’s God, working through my fingers. It’s a gift God has given to me,” he said.

Samples of Graham’s music and his contact information are available at www.gathangraham.com. – BSM

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COMM U N I T Y

BY: CHELSEY KRAF T

Service Spotlight David Grizzle

Part of Grizzle’s responsibility while in the National Guard was with the Office of Military Support, which serves as the command and control element for when the National Guard goes on state active duty missions for any kind of disaster response.

He was stationed at the military department when the Oklahoma City bombing occurred and helped run the emergency operations as a plans and operations officer.

His military experience also featured roles in tactical communications and positions that were logistics oriented, through which he provided support to frontline troops. While he still provides support to those on the frontline, they are now Norman’s first responders and members of the Norman community.

“The thing I enjoy about my job is the ability to be in a position to help peo22 | March 2019

ple when they have a time of need or to make sure that they are taken care of by all the available resources that they can get assistance from after a tragedy,” Grizzle said.

For the City of Norman, Grizzle is a liaison between the fire department and the emergency management office. He coordinates with city, county, state and federal officials. He also works with preparedness partners who provide resources in case of a disaster. He may call in helicopters for fire suppression, organize generator support from various locations or have organizations like the Salvation Army or Red Cross help to feed first responders during an extended event, Grizzle said.

Community outreach is another key component of Grizzle’s job for the City of Norman. Through the year, Grizzle and members of the Norman emergency response volunteer team attend events like the Earth Day Celebration, Medieval Fair and more to address the public and provide information about disaster preparedness.

Grizzle said his robust volunteer base is “extremely helpful” because his emergency management role is a one-person position. Volunteers assist in a variety of ways, including aiding with storm spotting during severe

weather, handling weather data and operating radios or taking phone calls at an emergency operations center.

“We have a large participation by the community in the emergency management efforts here in Norman,” Grizzle said. “Having those volunteers come in is just a tremendous help.”

For those interested in volunteering, Grizzle suggested joining with the Medical Reserve Corps, Red Cross or the Salvation Army to get vetted and trained, so they’re prepared to lend a hand when needed.

Grizzle is also a member of the United States Army Reserve, where he works as a career management officer. In this role, he talks to officers about their careers and about what they should be doing for their advancement. In September, he will be retiring from the military after nearly 42 years of service.

A native of Oklahoma, Grizzle has lived in various communities around the northeastern part of the state. His father was also in the National Guard, working as a technician after serving in the Korean War as part of the 45th Infantry Division. He and his wife, Teresa, now live in Newcastle. – BSM This is a continuation of our series on public servants in Norman.

Photo by: Mark Doescher

T

hrough his career, David Grizzle has been in various roles that serve and support others.

A veteran of the Oklahoma National Guard, Grizzle has worked as the City of Norman’s emergency management coordinator since February 2003, a role that falls under the Norman Fire Department to ensure the community is prepared and safe in the event of a disaster.

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COMM U N I T Y

Eden Ware

F

or many educators, their profession is also their calling. For Eden Ware, a third-grade teacher at Truman Elementary, her understanding of the importance of work that happens inside the classroom has grown with her family.

“My love for children has always been my motivation,” Ware said. “But now that I have children of my own who are in public school, I understand the importance of having a loving and present teacher in the classroom every day.”

Having such a lofty daily demand can be difficult to maintain, Ware said.

“Some days are challenging, and I would be lying if I said otherwise, but I get to make an impact on every child who is in my room. As long as I have taken them as far as I can, I have done my job.”

She cherishes the quieter moments when she gets to slow down and talk

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

with her students about things outside of the day’s lesson plans.

“All of my students are unique,” she said. “My most memorable moments are those times when I have a chance to just sit down and talk to my kids about non-educational things. I love to get to know them and see the things that interest them.”

She also finds inspiration in her own struggles as a student.

“I chose third grade because it was my hardest year when I was in elementary school. I love this age group and their hunger for knowledge and love for school.”

Ware was named Truman’s 2019 Teacher of the Year, an honor bestowed upon her by her colleagues.

“I was pretty shocked to be named Teacher of the Year. Truman is full of amazing teachers so this is definitely an honor.” – BSM

Teaching Norman Jennifer Sandlin

S

tudy after study confirms how important reading is to a child’s education. Books offer children a way to explore the endless possibilities of imagination within their educational journey and the heart of those journeys often begin at their school library.

Teacher librarians, like Jennifer Sandlin at Lakeview Elementary Scool are able to cultivate long-term relationships with students over several school years.

“I love working with students from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade and seeing them grow over time,” she said.

Within the Norman district, the role of a teacher librarian is a unique blend of both an educator and librarian, Sandlin said.

“The great part about having my job in a place like Norman is that I get to fulfill both parts of my title,” she said. “I especially enjoy helping students to find a love of reading and learning. I always strive to make my students feel like they

26 | March 2019

are safe, welcome and part of a family.”

Utilizing the diversity of literature, Sandlin is able to offer students a kind of freedom that is not always accessible in other curriculums.

“I have learned that students will surprise you so much when you give them freedom to learn in their own way,” she said. “When students feel a level of comfort and support, they can really feel free to question, learn, grow and make mistakes.”

Before getting her master’s degree in library and information studies, Sandlin spent her early teaching years inside a traditional elementary classroom.

“I loved being an elementary classroom teacher. Being an educator today is the most rewarding experience you can have,” she said. “Although it has its challenges, we, as educators, are inspired by our students each day and they deserve the best we have to offer.”

Hoping to see her professional career come full circle, Sandlin would like to one day have the opportunity to cultivate future educators.

“I would love to teach at the college level and help the next generation of educators get excited and prepared for their new career.”

Sandlin was recently named Teacher of the Year at Lakeview, an honor she was not expecting since she is a relatively new teacher librarian.

“I was floored to be named Teacher of the Year at my school,” she said. “I am really grateful to have the support of the people that I co-teach with every day.” – BSM

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COMM U N I T Y

BY: EMILY ROBINSON COM M UNI T Y

Oklahoma Best-Seller Norman Financial Planner Inspired by Mother’s Hardship

P

eggy Doviak had always envisioned herself as a fiction writer.

But financial hardship struck her mother, and the next thing she knew, the former educator turned financial planner was writing about facts and figures that readers could actually take to the bank.

Doviak earned a Ph.D. in curriculum development and worked as a corporate trainer, but she always wanted to write. She dreamed about writing novels, not a book about finances.

“When you want to write, the normal path is usually fiction. Writing nonfiction is trickier because you have to know something,” Doviak said.

But in 2000, after her mother lost more than 40 percent of her retirement savings to tech companies that went bankrupt, Doviak’s focus shifted.

Her outrage sparked curiosity, so she began researching and encountered some startling revelations.

30 | March 2019

“I discovered that my mother’s broker had done everything wrong,” Doviak said. “Her broker put her in the highest risk tolerance and overloaded her in new high-tech companies.”

This type of high-risk trading created what the financial industry called the dot-com bubble and eventual bust.

Over time, Doviak pursued her Certified Financial Planner designation along with a master’s in finance.

Her new book is meant to help people avoid the financial damage that happened to her mother. Her book is titled “52 Weeks to Prosperity Ask Peggy Doviak: What Your Accountant, Banker, Broker & Financial Adviser Might Not Tell You,” and it has become an Oklahoma best-seller.

It is designed to introduce people to the different spheres of money management, so when they talk to an advisor, or accountant they know what to do.

“I wanted to inform consumers,” she said.

Doviak was nothing short of “shocked” and “overwhelmed” when she saw that her book had made Oklahoma’s best-seller list, which, according to The Oklahoman, is compiled from book sales at Oklahoma bookstores.

“I’m so grateful to the independent bookstores who must have promoted 52 Weeks without my knowledge.

They have supported me by promoting book signings in their stores,” Doviak said. “It feels amazing.”

Doviak is a strong advocate for financial consumers and mandatory fiduciary standards in Washington. She’s already working on her second book, which focuses on the needs of women who suffer severe financial setbacks after a divorce, especially if they did not work outside the home.

For more information about Doviak’s book, visit Peggydoviak.com.– BSM

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COM M UNI T Y

BY: CHIP MINTY

NORMANITE IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Kelvin Droegemeier K

elvin Droegemeier was among the most gifted and respected researchers at the University of Oklahoma, where he served nine years as vice president of research.

Over his tenure, the meteorologist’s leadership credentials have expanded from Norman to the Oklahoma State Capitol and to Washington D.C.

“It’s intense, working with this group of incredible people,” he said. “You look around and say, ‘what am I doing here?’ They’re just amazing,” Droegemeier said in a recent telephone interview.

So, it’s safe to say, Droegemeier was accustomed to working in high-profile circles. But, none of that compares to where he is today, directing the Office of Science and Technology Policy for President Donald Trump and his administration.

Despite his humility, Droegemeier was called to serve because of his long list of career achievements and contributions.

He works in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, just steps away from the White House and west wing, a long way from his quiet office on the third floor of Five Partners Place at OU’s University Research Campus in Norman.

Droegemeier is now in the fast-paced, intense world of the Trump administration, where many of his co-workers are regulars on Sunday-morning talk shows and prime-time cable news. Mick Mulvaney, acting White House chief of staff, Kellyanne Conway, assistant to the president, John Bolton, national security adviser and many others walk the hallways outside his offices.

boydstreet.com

A native of Kansas, he earned his bachelor’s degree in meteorology from OU in 1980. In 1985, he earned his Ph.D. in atmospheric science from the University of Illinois. After graduate school, he returned to OU, where he has served as a member of the university’s faculty and administration until he left for Washington last year.

His academic research has focused on extreme weather events, and he has worked with the National Science Foundation to establish the Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms in Norman. He also co-founded the Engineering Research Center for Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere, an enterprise shared by OU, the University of Massachusetts and other institutions.

Droegemeier served on the National

Science Board for 12 years during the George W. Bush and Obama administrations, and he was appointed Oklahoma Secretary of Science and Technology in 2017. He served as OU’s vice president of research from 2009 to 2018.

Droegemeier was confirmed to head the Office of Science and Technology Policy in early January, and his responsibilities are to advise the president and other government agencies on all matters related to science.

“The portfolio of activity within the office of science and technology is mind blowing,” he said. “There were 80 to 90 briefs that I reviewed in preparation for my testimony to the Senate committee in August.”

Through the course of that hearing, Droegemeier faced questions ranging from the politicization of science, and sexual harassment in science to international competition and climate change.

Droegemeier told senators that science has to be conducted without political interference. He said there are multiple views within the climate issue, and that he welcomes all of them.

BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 35

“As a scientist, I get very concerned, and I’ve read articles where they say this particular view of science, not climate, is absolutely settled. Science rarely provides immutable answers about anything. We have to be open and inclusive of all points view. Science is the loser when we tend to vilify and marginalize other voices,” he said in his testimony.

Shortly after joining the office, Droegemeier helped complete and roll out the American Artificial Intelligence Initiative, which dedicates government resources to the continued development of artificial intelligence. The initiative is an effort to further improve national security, economic security and improve quality of life through artificial intelligence technology.

The initiative had been more than a year in the making, and the Feb. 11 launch was attended by Trump and the national media.

While artificial intelligence is an enormous development that will only continue to grow, Droegemeier said there are dozens of other scientific issues his office deals with. They range from healthcare and infectious diseases to safe drinking water, drones, high speed internet and advanced manufacturing technology.

He spends the majority of his time meeting with government agencies as well as leaders within the Trump administration, such as Ivanka Trump, the first daughter and advisor to the president.

She is working with his office to address STEM education and workforce development issues surrounding the continued advancement of manufacturing robotics technology. That technology is displacing manufacturing jobs, so the U.S. workforce is going through a rearranging process to fill new types of jobs created within the automated work environment.

“She’s a fabulous, amazing mind and a force of nature, working on women’s issues,” Droegemeier said.

Making the transition to life in Washington has been smooth, he said. As a former member of the National Science Board, he has made trips to the capital 25 to 30 times a year, so he’s familiar with the city.

Droegemeier lives a short distance from the Washington Metro transit system, so he can walk to the station and ride to work each day.

He said the door is open for him to return to OU when his time in Washington is over. The university granted him an unpaid leave of absence, so when the time comes, the meteorologist can leave the political winds of Washington and the White House, and return home to the rain, hail and thunderstorms of Tornado Alley. – BSM

COMM U N I T Y

BY: JOY HAMPTON

Service Spotlight:

Lt. Jeff Hixon L t. Jeff Hixon was a military kid who grew up moving from town to town before settling down in Noble when he was a sophomore in high school.

“We moved here from Washington, D.C.,” Hixon said.

After having lived in a wide variety of cities and even abroad in Japan, Noble was a dramatic change of pace. For Hixon, who is 6’7”, sports — especially basketball — was a way for the introvert to fit in and make friends.

Despite his quiet nature and need for moments of solitude, Hixon loves being involved in the community and meeting people as he drives patrol for the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office.

“I’m still a people person. I enjoy being involved with church events or work events — anything that’s a good cause,” Hixon said.

Growing up, Hixon knew he wanted to help people, but he never thought about law enforcement. In fact, he applied for a job at the Cleveland County jail to help pay for college.

“My dad saw the ad in the newspaper,” he said.

The job was a natural fit. He liked the variety and the excitement of working 38 | March 2019

at the detention center. As he worked his way up the chain of command, he set a goal to become a deputy.

First, Hixon tried working courthouse security, but it wasn’t a good fit for his personality. He moved to patrol and found his niche.

“What I love about the job is every day is different,” he said.

Hixon enjoys the face-to-face of patrol work and likes to interact with the community so that they understand he is there to help and that a patrol presence can help prevent crime.

Preventing and responding to domestic violence is particularly important to him, he said.

In one case, Hixon remembers helping a woman get away from an abusive relationship that involved co-dependency and drug abuse. Three years later, he saw her in court. She looked so healthy that he didn’t recognize her until she approached him and told him she had gotten help, gotten off drugs and was now in a healthy relationship.

“Sometimes you never know the effect that you have on them, but that’s what you hope for,” he said.

Sadly, in another case, a woman he had

helped went back to her abuser. Hixon was on duty the night the call came in that a house was on fire and learned her abuser had murdered her. That was a tough one.

“You can’t save everyone, but you try,” he said.

Hixon said the rewards are worth the tough calls, however.

“I like working patrol and being involved with people,” he said. “I like talking to people and helping them the best way I can.”

Cleveland County deputies patrol the rural periphery of the county’s 558 square miles with calls coming in from all directions. Every community has its unique characteristic, but the key is to spread coverage around as much as possible.

In places like Little Axe, the sheriff’s office is the only real law enforcement available outside of Norman City limits and outside of the Absentee Shawnee Tribal land.

Lexington and Noble also depend on the sheriff’s office outside of city limits.

“They really need us out there,” he said.

This is a continuation of our series on public servants in Norman.

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S P O RT S

BY: JOSH HELMER COM M UNI TY

68-Team Giveaway

SportsTalk Listeners to Gather for Annual March Madness Fun

Depending on how an individual’s team performs in the tournament, great prizes from SportsTalk Media Group’s advertisers are awarded.

“It’s like a giant community office pool at Buffalo Wild Wings,” SportsTalk owner Randy Laffoon said. “People turn out to get a team, but they all want to know what they can win. It’s a win for the advertiser, and it’s a win for the listener.”

Buffalo Wild Wings is the perfect place to host the event thanks to its 42 | March 2019

spacious complex. Show hosts from SportsTalk will be set up in the bar area atop a stage to announce teams beginning during the 1 p.m. hour of programming. Thanks to Buffalo Wild Wings’ setup, families with kids don’t have to be bashful about joining in on the fun and can nab a team, too.

“The speaker system goes throughout the whole building, so we can have a lot more people than just in the bar area,” Laffoon said.

SportsTalk program director TJ Perry has been a part of the event since its inception back in 2002.

“It’s just always been a special event,” Perry said. “Regardless of what the prizes have been over the years, the event has become more about the togetherness, about friends getting together.”

As the station’s biggest event of the

year, he noted the event’s importance to SportsTalk’s listeners, as well.

“It’s the one time of the year that the loyal listeners to the station can all get together. It’s almost like a family reunion,” Perry said. “Many take vacation days to be there, because a lot of it starts in the middle of the day. They don’t want to miss anything. People meet one another and save tables.”

Longtime listener and caller Kurt Keeley echoed those sentiments. He is an event regular for many years, and he was lucky enough to win an iPad one year.

“It’s my favorite event, just the camaraderie of it,” Keeley said. “It’s always packed. I enjoy everybody getting together all in the same place for a couple hours, all of the on-air talent, hall of fame callers, people you may have never met face to face.”

Photos by: Mark Doescher

S

portsTalk Media Group is excited to welcome back the 18th annual 68-Team Giveaway on Monday, March 18 at Buffalo Wild Wings in Moore. This event gives listeners an opportunity to have their name drawn for one of the teams competing in the postseason NCAA men’s basketball tournament, affectionately known as “March Madness.”

Toby Rowland, host of the “T-Row in the Morning Show” and voice of the Sooners, said the event has really grown and he appreciates the opportunity to engage with listeners and callers.

“This is the one time where a significant percentage of listeners are all under the same roof at the same time,” Rowland said. “It’s grown and grown. I remember when it first started, we would give away multiple teams to the same people because we didn’t have enough people to draft all 68 teams.”

“It’s just fun,” Rowland said. “They’ve got wing sauce all over their face, and they probably have had a couple of their favorite beverages. Everybody’s excited about the tournament and the brackets being out, and so we all get together to figure out who is going to win this thing.” – BSM

44 | March 2019

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BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 45

S P O RT S

BY: CHRIS PLANK

Return Trip OU Baseball Hopes for Another Postseason Run

Six top hitters and nearly 60 percent of OU’s pitching staff graduated or were drafted into Major League Baseball. After a 38-25 season that ended in an NCAA regional championship game, OU is now without top draft picks Kyler Murray, drafted ninth, and Steele Walker, drafted 46th.

Of the 47 home runs last year, this season’s returning players accounted for just 11.

“We had a tremendous first year, ended up in a regional championship against a lot of odds, and the attitude of the team was really good,” Johnson said. “We’re really looking forward to the opportunity in front of us.”

The Sooners also lost pitcher Braidyn Fink to an arm injury.

Despite losing so many key pieces, Johnson is encouraged by the amount of talent that has stepped up.

46 | February 2019

“Depth is going to be one of our strengths. We have a lot of young depth,” Johnson said. “There will be bumps and bruises and adversity, but guys gain experience as we go through.

We got better as the year went last year.

What we talk about day in and day out is winning the last game of the season.

That’s what we talk about as our vision for the program.”

While depth is a strength, Johnson is charged with finding leaders and personalities to replace the experience that left for the next level. From rally babies to eccentric personalities, the Sooner clubhouse has been loaded with character, over the last few seasons.

“We’ve still got the characters in the locker room,” senior Brylie Ware said.

“Blake Brewster’s probably our biggest character. That’s what we love about Brew.”

While many faces and names have changed on the field and in the clubhouse, a few things have remained the same. SportsTalk 1400AM and 99.3 FM will continue as the play-byplay radio home of Sooner baseball, providing coverage of all 56 regular season and all post-season games on both the terrestrial radio signals and on-line at SportsTalk1400.com.

“Being in the Norman community, we try and bring the best coverage of OU that we can, even broadcasting some things outside the box like soccer and volleyball,” said TJ Perry, SportsTalk’s program director and morning show co-host. “But for me, baseball works on the radio better than any other sport. You can have it on in the office, working around the house, etc. Plus, it comes at a time of the year when people are getting out enjoying the weather. OU baseball has also been extremely popular with our out-of-state listeners on our app.”

Randy Laffoon took over ownership of SportsTalk 99.3FM and 1400AM in April of 2009, and the partnership with Sooner baseball has been a key piece of the relationship the station has within the community and with Oklahoma Sooner athletics.

“I felt as loyal as Sooner fans are, our location in Norman and with me being an alumnus, baseball broadcasts are a perfect fit,” Laffoon said. “Every year, we carry every game. It’s a commitment to OU, to the community and, of course, to the fans.”

In fact, SportsTalk 99.3FM and 1400AM is branded as the home of Sooner fans. In addition to baseball broadcasts, the station carries

Photos by: Mark Doescher

T

he second season of Skip Johnson’s head coaching tenure will have a much different look than his inaugural season. While much has changed for Sooner baseball, the foundational pieces remain in place as the team works toward a return to Omaha.

sports, Learfield and OU,” Perry said.

“Over the years, we’ve developed a pretty good system to make sure everything is good to go for the start of the season since we produce nonconference games in house. It takes a lot of work to coordinate making sure everything runs smoothly.”

For Laffoon, it’s an opportunity to not only showcase his alma mater, but also one of his favorite sports.

women’s basketball, football coaches’ shows, soccer, volleyball and more.

“Home of the Sooners tells exactly who we are. All of our hosts cover OU yearround,” Laffoon said. “Toby Rowland, Chris Plank, James Hale and Teddy Lehman are all pros and are well respected. We’re able to cover all sports, but we lean toward the Sooners.”

boydstreet.com

Toby Rowland enters his eighth season calling Sooner baseball. Rowland also co-hosts the T-Row in the Morning show every weekday with Perry from 6 to 9 a.m. For a die-hard baseball fan like Perry, preparing for the season is a lot of work, but also a labor of love.

“Preparing for the season, I work closely with several people at Sooner

“Baseball has always been a favorite sport of mine,” Laffoon said. “We’re committed to giving Sooner baseball the coverage it deserves for its fans and the university. That’s why we’re there every game home and away, any time of day.”

In addition to hearing the game on SportsTalk 99.3FM and 1400AM, Sooner baseball broadcasts also stream at SportsTalk1400.com and on the SportsTalk app. You can find the SportsTalk app by searching SportsTalk 1400 in your app store. – BSM

BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 47

S P O RT S

BY: CHRIS PLANK

Earning His Stripes

Former Norman Tiger QB Hired by Bengals

A

s the cameras flashed and the assembled media looked on, the new head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals smiled widely. He laid out his plan to propel the Bengals to the top of the football world and Cincinnati, Ohio was not the only town beaming with pride and anticipation.

The Bengals named Norman-product Zac Taylor as their new head coach.

Taylor grew up in Norman and played quarterback for the Norman Tigers before moving on to a successful collegiate career and eventual NFL coaching career. At the age of just 35 years old, Taylor became the 11th Oklahoma born head coach in professional football.

“It’s a lifelong dream of mine to be a head coach at the highest level and for a franchise like this. I’m grateful for the opportunity,” Taylor said. “I’m excited to put in some hard work and bring great things to the Cincinnati Bengals franchise.”

The press conference was not the setting for nostalgia, so the 35-year-old newly minted leader of the Bengals 50 | March 2019

laid out his plan for success. After highlighting his excitement and proclaiming how grateful he was for the opportunity, Taylor went to work laying out his game plan.

“As long as you can help make the players better, they’ll do anything for you,” Taylor said. “Everything we’ll do will be with sound reasoning. We’re going to have an attacking mindset. These players are going to be excited to walk in the door every single day. We’re going to hire people who are really good coaches, that think outside the box and are really pushing these players to the max and get the most out of them.”

Back in Norman, those who were close to Taylor beamed with pride including Taylor’s high school coach, Butch Peters.

“It’s a big moment to be honest,” Peters said. “I’m so excited for him and his family. I told my wife years ago, you wait and see, he’ll be a head coach in the NFL before too long. Zac got in with a good situation with the Rams and all the success they had. It all fits and makes sense if you look at his his-

tory. Look how well he did in the JUCO ranks and at Nebraska.”

The one word that kept coming up when talking about the Norman product was special. Taylor was not just special on the field, but he was special off as well.

“It’s a real special situation for anyone that knows Zac,” Peters added. “The thing I remember the most about him was how well he got along with his coaches and teammates and how good of a student he was in school. He’s done well everyplace he’s been. I think it’s going to continue. They got a great hire.”

Taylor was more than just a standout quarterback on the field for the Norman Tigers. He was also the maestro for neighborhood football games and home run derbies. He grew up around Kellen Sampson and Zac Selmon and lived in the same neighborhood as Gary Gibbs. The Cynthia Circle culde-sac actually developed five starting Norman quarterbacks in an 11-year span. Zac Selmon, currently the senior associate athletic director at the Univer-

sity of Oklahoma, referred to the area as, “The Sandlot on Steroids…and Zac was ‘Benny The Jet’.”

“It was like a sandlot, there were activities going on every single day,” Taylor recalled. “I certainly don’t know about being the Benny the Jet, but I was the manipulator. I would often times trick a lot of people to coming over and we’d start a game. Growing up in the Trails gave us all a great advantage in life because of the comradery and competitiveness we all experienced. It was a great way to grow up. It led to good things for all of us.”

Taylor’s leadership skills carried over to his stretch as the starting quarterback at Norman. When Norman split into two high schools in 1997, suddenly the roster, and the talent, was split between two programs. Despite the struggles on the field, a foundation was being laid during that stretch.

“He meant a lot to the program because we had gone through the big Norman split back then and he was instrumental in getting that foundation laid for those teams that came after him,” coach Peters said.

“He got kids believing in Tiger football and what we could do with two schools in Norman.”

For Taylor, the split was challenging but also an incredible learning experience. “(The split) happened when I was going into my freshman year. It wasn’t easy,” Taylor said looking back. “Half the players were gone. There were certainly challenges there initially and we didn’t go to the playoffs when I was there and that’s frustrating. Those next classes with my brother, (Press), they started going back to the playoffs and getting Norman back in that mix.”

The creative offensive mind that sold the Bengals to name him head coach started on the playgrounds in Norman, and grew up on the playing field on Friday nights. Peters noticed Taylor’s ability to do special and creative things on the field immediately.

“He would make adjustments on the field because he saw what the defense was doing to him,” Peters said looking back. “It’s hard to get high school kids to do that. Zac is by far the best all-around boydstreet.com

quarterback I ever coached.

I had some great athletes at quarterback and he just had the whole package.

The arm, he understood the presence in the pocket and when he had to move and all those things that go into being a solid player.”

After graduating from Norman, Taylor worked through the JUCO ranks as a quarterback before eventually landing at Nebraska. At every stop, Taylor was successful. He led Butler Community College to the National Championship game and was named a second-team All-American. At Nebraska, he was named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year after a senior season in which he led the Huskers to the Big 12 Championship game.

“The fact that his dad had been a coach, he had so much football knowledge,” Peters said. “You didn’t have to go back over it with him. He understood the game and learned it at an early age. Being from a football family, it was all second nature to him. Press, of course with the Eagles, is the same way. They are just football kids and they made us coaches look better.”

Taylor worked his way up the coaching ranks. After a stint in College Station with Texas A&M, Taylor went to work for the Miami Dolphins as their quarterbacks coach and eventually the offensive coordinator. Taylor teamed up in 2017 with Sean McVay and helped to re-energize the relocated Rams franchise. His offensive numbers were staggering and other NFL teams took note. When the Bengals called, the fit was perfect, and Taylor became the head coach, replacing long-time Bengals boss Marvin Lewis. But the transition was challenging because of the timing.

The Rams were in the midst of a historic play-off run that ended in the Super Bowl. NFL rules prohibit teams from introducing head coaches who are actively involved in the playoffs. While Taylor was doing everything he could to help the Rams win, there was also an excitement of being an NFL head coach. He just had to wait.

“You just have to really be where your

feet are,” Taylor said. “I was a Ram for the Super Bowl and focused on trying to do what I could to help the staff and team. Once that game ended, I turned my focus to the Bengals.”

“It was a little bit difficult to process the emotions because it was a dream to play in the Super Bowl and a crushing defeat, then you turn around the next day and you’re living another dream and you’re a head coach in the NFL. It’s been a whirlwind and someday I’ll take a deep breath and process it all. But right now, we’re just trying to make this team the best we can.”

As his high school coach watches from afar, he has some sage advice for Taylor, if he ever needed it from the long-time Norman Tiger leader.

“He’s got to be himself… that’s the way he was in high school. He can’t follow the pattern of someone else,” Peters said. “Be Zac… Zac is different. He works hard and is respected by everyone around him. If he does that, he’ll be successful.”

For the new Bengals coach and Norman native, it is all about respecting his roots, and realizing just how special his hometown truly is.

“I wouldn’t say I faced a lot of adversity in my life,” Taylor said. “There may be things I would have said were difficult, but in the grand scheme of things, they weren’t even close. Norman is the greatest place to grow up. Youth sports were competitive. There are great athletes and great teachers that help you become the type of player you wanted to be. I’ll be forever grateful for that community and all the things they gave to us. It’s just a great place to grow up and a lot of great people have come out of there.” – BSM BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 51

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B U S I N E SS

BY: ROXANNE AVERY

Changing Times

OU Bookstore is now the Campus Corner Store

54 | March 2019

with the same great service.

“We still have textbooks and course materials, supplies, blue books and Scantron test sheets,” Marci said.

“There are a lot of people calling in a panic looking for Scantrons and we have them. We also have all our great apparel and gift items that are really popular.”

Noah Lopez, an OU student studying botany and dental studies and his brother Lance, an Electrical Engineering student, both said the new store is worth the trip.

“I like the atmosphere of Campus Corner,” Lance said. “There are lots of places to go and there’s always something going on down here.”

“Walking to campus corner does take a little longer than getting to the stadium where this store was located but I like it,” Noah said. “There are lots of cool places all around it here.”

To find out about the inventory or more details about what is available at the new store, visit www.campuscornerstore.com or call 364-1470. – BSM

Photos by: Mark Doescher

A

s the saying goes, often times, the more things change, the more they remain the same. The OU Bookstore, once located at the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial stadium, has made several changes, but Normanites can still find many of the same resources as before.

With a new name, new location and new product line, the newly named Campus Corner Store opened in the building once occupied by CVS Pharmacy in Historic Campus Corner at 745 Asp Ave. The store now carries a full line of Apple products including AirPods, iPads, MacBooks, watches and accessories.

Alison Marci, the store’s director, said they are really excited to be an Apple store.

“It’s a place where people can buy Apple accessories without driving to Penn Square,” she said. “With the iPads and MacBooks institutionally priced, OU students, faculty and staff can purchase them at a lower price.”

Customers will enjoy the same selection of extensive inventory of textbooks, supplies, clothing and gifts,

COMM U N I T Y

BY: TEGAN BURKHARD

Sooner Scooter T

New Transport Trend Storms Norman

he electric scooter craze took Norman by surprise last August and the community has been enjoying a new form of mobility ever since. Meanwhile, officials with the City of Norman are adjusting to the new business.

worked to establish permitting rules.

After several months of discussion, the city modified its Revocable License Agreement, which opened the door to permits for Bird, Lime, SLIDR and Gotcha, the rental companies behind the national craze.

yet to be determined, city officials say they can learn a lot about pedestrian traffic if granted access to data collected on the scooters. Meanwhile, local businesses may have the potential to see new customers walk through their doors.

“I was as surprised as everyone else…,” said Jeff Stewart, owner of O’Connell’s Irish Pub on Campus Corner. “One morning you go to work and there are small groupings of scooters in various places all around the area.”

“We don’t have as much public transportation as other communities,” said Dan Schemm, Visit Norman’s executive director, “So this is a great alternative to be able to get somewhere, especially short distances between Campus Corner and downtown or Lindsey Street and Campus Corner.”

“I don’t feel that it has impacted our business very much,” said Jerry Hatter, owner of Balfour of Norman on Campus Corner. “However, you see students riding them on the Corner and wonder if they would have come here if they didn’t have the scooter available.”

Guests, visitors and residents can head to scooter hotspots across the city or pick up a scooter laid out on the sidewalk for a quick dash across campus or an afternoon of exploring.

As SLIDR and Gotcha prepare to make their way to Norman this spring and other companies tinker with newer electric scooter models, Norman continues to develop ordinances that match the ever-changing alternative transportation environment.

Once the scooters arrived, city officials fielded calls from curious community members. Then they got to work assessing public safety concerns, as well as researching how other cities handled similar influxes of scooters. They were concerned about scooters blocking public rights of way on narrow sidewalks. Meanwhile, there were questions about whether scooters were meant for use on sidewalks or on streets.

While studying scooter usage across the country, the City of Norman also examined existing regulations and 58 | March 2019

“When you’re out on a scooter, it gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself into the community and into Norman,” Schemm says. “And maybe see some shops and restaurants you wouldn’t get to see otherwise.”

Although the full impact of the scooters on the Norman community has

“The technology is changing quickly,” says Terry Floyd, City of Norman development coordinator. “And we’re trying to have a system that can somewhat adapt to that.”– BSM

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COMM U N I T Y

BY: JEFF COM MPROVINE UNI T Y

Jenkins Avenue

Street Name Commemorates Oklahoma’s Colorful Territorial Governor

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or more than a century, Norman residents have rolled up and down Jenkins Avenue without much thought about the man behind the name.

Turning back the pages of history reveals the real Jenkins and the dramatic scandal of his seven-month tenure as Oklahoma Territory’s fifth governor.

William Miller Jenkins was born April 25, 1856, in Alliance, Ohio. He excelled in school, and ultimately attending Mt. Union College in his hometown.

After graduation, he began a career in teaching at the Stark County School in 1878. He then married his wife, Delphina White, and together, they raised six children during their 54 years of marriage.

To support his growing family, he left the Stark County School, moved to Iowa, enrolled in law school, and passed the bar exam in 1883. The family then moved to Arkansas City, Kan., right on the border of Oklahoma Territory.

When the word spread about a land run to open the Cherokee Outlet in 1893, Jenkins decided to join the crowd of hopeful land seekers.

He claimed a homestead in Kay County, where he became one of the early leaders through his law practice. Soon Jenkins took a step back from his own work to dedicate himself to public ser-

62 | March 2019

vice. Jenkins was no stranger to politics.

In Kansas, he had served as a delegate to the 1888 Republican National Convention, where he cast one of two votes for the 42-year-old congressman from Ohio, William McKinley.

Though Benjamin Harrison won the vote and ultimately the presidency, McKinley never forgot Jenkins’s support. In 1896, McKinley won his spot in the White House as the 25th president of the United States.

Presidents appointed the governors of territories, and McKinley eventually rewarded Jenkins with the governorship of Oklahoma Territory in 1897.

Jenkins took the oath of office that April, only to be ousted in November.

Much of his time in office was dedicated to opening the Comanche-Kiowa-Apache and Wichita-Caddo lands to white settlers, creating new counties in Oklahoma Territory.

Meanwhile, rumors broke out about Jenkins’ handling of contracts associate with the Oklahoma Sanitarium Company, which provide mental health care at the former campus of Norman’s High Gate Methodist College in Norman.

There were questions about Jenkins’ involvement in financial transactions associated with the for-profit company.

However, Jenkins denied any wrongdoing, and President McKinley believed him.

But, when McKinley was assassinated in September 1901, Jenkins lost his protector, and murmurs behind closed doors turned to outright blame. Despite scant evidence, the new president, Theodore Roosevelt, replaced Jenkins almost immediately with Watonga newspaperman and Republican booster Thomas Ferguson.

Meanwhile, inquiries into the Jenkins case continued by the Department of the Interior and the Oklahoma Territorial Legislature, but neither found evidence. By 1905, Jenkins was exonerated, but his political career had been ruined.

Despite controversy surrounding the mental hospital, the Norman community honored Jenkins with the street name because of his service as a University of Oklahoma regent in 1901. His position as regent was one of many hats Jenkins wore, and it was a fitting commemoration of his work with the legislature to grow OU. After his governorship was cut short, Jenkins continued to new paths. Different reports have him settling in California for a time, as well as Utah and closer to home in Guthrie. Ultimately, he made his home in Sapulpa, where he was elected county clerk in 1920.

In 1932, he became an inductee to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. – BSM

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CHANGES TO ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS

While most changes won’t take effect until April 2019, some of them can impact the financial choices you’ll make this year. For that reason, here’s the details on the most important tax changes.

• Medical and dental expenses - For 2019, you can only deduct those expenses exceeding 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI).

CHANGES IN STANDARD DEDUCTION AMOUNTS The standard deduction in 2019 will be $12,200 for individuals, $18,350 for heads of household, or $24,400 for married couples filing jointly and surviving spouses.

ELIMINATION OF PERSONAL EXEMPTIONS The personal exemption amount is being eliminated for the 2019 tax year.

CHANGES TO THE AMOUNTS TAXED FOR EACH INCOME BRACKET The seven tax income brackets remain unchanged, but the amounts each bracket is taxed have gotten an overhaul.

View the new rates for taxpayers filing as individuals in the chart below.

You can check out the taxable income rates for couples filing jointly and for individuals filing as heads of households online.

Some of the itemized deduction changes for 2019 include:

• State and local taxes (SALT) - The new maximum for SALT deductions is a combined total of $10,000 for taxpayers filing jointly.

• Home mortgage interest - In 2019, home interest payments will be maxed at $750,000 for married couples filing jointly.

• Job expenses and miscellaneous - In 2019, you can only claim work-related deductions that are less than 2%of your AGI.

CHANGES TO TAX CREDITS There have been several adjustments to various tax credits for 2019, including the following: • Child Tax Credit - The child tax credit has increased to $2,000 per child.

• Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) - The maximum EITC amount for 2019 is $6,557 for married taxpayers filing jointly who have three or more children.

• Adoption Credit - The maximum adoption credit in 2019 for a child with special needs is $14,080. The ceiling for other adoptions is $13,810.

• Lifetime Learning Credit - For 2019, the AGI used by joint filers to determine the reduction in the Lifetime Learning Credit is increasing to $116,000.

RETIREMENT ACCOUNT CONTRIBUTIONS For 2019, you can contribute a total of $6,000 to one or more traditional or Roth IRA(s) if you’re under age 50, and $7,000 if you’re age 50+. For 401(k)s, you can contribute $19,000, and $25,000 if you’re age 50+.

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evolve

BY: ROXANNE AVERY COM M UNI TY

Cleveland County YMCA Debuts New Programs, New Facility

I

t’s a new year and the Cleveland County YMCA is opening a second location, one designed with options in mind. As the first location in the country with the modular, multi-purpose fitness equipment system, QueenAxe by Precor, Y staff is very excited to debut the new amenities at the grand opening in March at 3408 36th Avenue NW.

The YMCA’s new location has been designed to entice people who want more personalized training. There will not be just one type of class for one type of person but rather different programs members can choose from. The programming will be competitive, fast paced and designed for clients who are serious about making changes in their workout regimen.

Mary Beth Broyles, the facility coordinator with the Y, said that since Norman is the pilot location for Precor’s QueenAxe system, everything at the Y’s new facility is new to Precor, too.

“They are pretty intense classes,” Broyles said.

“As they are evolving, so are we,” laughed Broyles. “When the QueenAxe is installed, Precor staff will come in and train our trainers showing us different circuits. The YMCA has a great relationship with Precor and the boutique fitness industry is where the Y wanted to spread out into. It’s really exciting.”

70 | March 2019

The programming will be competitive, fast paced and designed for clients who are serious about making changes in their workout regimen. Their premier pilot program called Evolved will focus on evolving the mind, body and spirit, utilizing three phases.

“There’s Studio Ignite for strength training, Studio Compete, a cardio intense class and Studio Restore for stretching and recovery after those classes,” explained Broyles. “But it’s

not yoga. It’s rolling on foam rollers and that sort of thing. And the nice thing is that no class will be exactly the same.”

The new location will also offer Studio 7 programming.

“It’s a mix and match of several programs that members can best align for their health and fitness needs,” Alice Vile said, membership information specialist with the Cleveland County YMCA. Similar to High Intensity Training (HIT), Studio 7 programming focuses on seven four-minute work periods divided into phases, and is based on heart rate training. Traditional workouts build exercise by exercise, but, with Studio 7 block training, there will be seven different blocks incorporating tissue work, dynamic movement, balance, cardio, strength, power and flexibility.

“It’s unique in that it’s not going to be your basic exercise program,” Vile explained. “It’s more fluid and streamlined and incorporates whole personal health rather than just trying to build big muscles or lose fat.

And it’s pretty cool that right here in Norman, Oklahoma, we’re one of the first to offer it.”

The one-time registration fee for the Evolve program is $99 and includes a Bluetooth heart rate monitor, a gym bag, towel and water bottle. Then, it’s $100 a month with a membership to the YMCA. “You get to use both facilities,” Broyles explained.

“You get all these cool classes at a boutique fitness center plus a membership at the YMCA with all the benefits.”

The new facility and its programming is designed for adults 18 years and older, but youth and team programming are also available upon request. However, childcare is not available at the new facility.

For more information, contact ymcanorman.org/ evolved or call 364-9622. – BSM

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BY: KATHY HALLREN | JOE’S WINES & SPIRITS

Unravelling Italian Wines

M

arch tends to focus on St. Patrick’s Day, Spring Break and college basketball, which are not exactly great fodder for a wine column. Ireland does produce some wine, but mostly mead, which is not available in Oklahoma.

Since travel is common activity in March, let’s look at wine from the other country starting with an “I.” Italian wine is traditionally known by the region in which it was produced. The rules governing this are strict and enforced by the government. Within each region, the wine must be comprised of designated grapes and aged for specific times. The strictest category is the Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). The most well known DOCG wine is the Chianti, which is produced around Florence and made from at least 80 percent Sangiovese grapes. This dry red wine is not a beginner’s wine.

Many people returning from Italy look for Frascati. Frequently served in colorful rooster pitchers, this light wine is fruit forward and comprised of Trebianno and Malvasia grapes. Unfortunately, it is not widely available in Oklahoma, but similar white wines are available.

Popular during the holidays, customers seek Barolo. Barolo produced in northern Italy from the Nebbiolo grape and

LI F EST Y L E

is considered Italy’s finest wine. It is very expensive and needs to be cellared for five to 10 years, depending on the vintage purchased.

Other popular wines from Italy are the Moscato and Prosecco. Generally, Italian Moscato is lighter than the American product. Moscato d’Asti has a DOCG designation and originates in northern Italy as well.

A favorite of this writer, Montepulciano grapes are grown in central Italy and can have a Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) category label. It is a dark red but generally has less acidity than Sangiovese.

There are also very interesting wines produced in Sicily and Sardinia. The reds from these regions tend to be more mellow than the Northern wines.

Italian producers have moved towards listing the grapes in the wine as well as the region, which helps you, the consumer, focus on exactly what you are looking for. But, of course, you can always ask your local retailer.

Ciao, Kathy

H EA LT H

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Disaster Ready

W

hether facing straight-line winds, heavy rain and tornadoes or extreme heat and dangerous drought, severe weather is a reality in the Sooner state. It’s not a matter of if, but a matter of when, said Capt. Matt Myers, paremedic and crew chief with Norman Regional EMSSTAT.

“We have to be disaster prepared,” Myers said. “One of the best ways to ensure your safety is to plan ahead of time. It’s much harder to figure it out afterward.”

This goes beyond household preparedness. At the same time you are packing your tornado bags and readying your emergency plans, Norman Regional’s EMSSTAT and emergency departments are doing the same, just on a larger scale.

“We do routine disaster drills to be sure we are prepared for an influx of patients,” confirmed Dr. Patrick Cody, emergency medicine physician and medical director of Norman Regional’s EMSSTAT.

Norman Regional’s EMSSTAT is part of a federally funded, statewide network tasked with comprehensive emergency response preparations. This network addresses training and physical resources, as well as the cooperative efboydstreet.com

forts among a variety of organizations.

“Weather-related emergencies can easily overwhelm a single agency so we are connected with mutual aid partners,” Myers explained. “We have agreements with surrounding agencies, to help each other in times of need.”

Given their unique role within the Oklahoma Regional Response System, Norman Regional’s EMSSTAT is equipped with an entire strike team. The team has a full arsenal of specifically trained staff and specialized equipment designed for a scope of emergency situations, including a mobile command trailer and an all-terrain ATV that is fully-equipped to act as a mini ambulance.

“We are prepared to bring all our capabilities right to the disaster,” Myers said.

The department recently acquired a wildfire rehabilitation trailer, with support from Norman Regional Foundation and Firehouse Subs. The trailer is equipped to provide care and supplies to fire fighters fighting wildfires as well as citizens that have been injured as part of the event, explained Myers.

“It has a full-functioning kitchen, a shower and bedding to make extended response possible,” he said.

Emergency medicine physician and medical director of Norman Regional’s EMSSTAT Dr. Patrick Cody

Cody and Myers hope that you have a plan in place as well.

“Having a plan and practicing it a couple times a year is very important,” Myers encouraged. “It’s not just a cliché, it is true.”

However, even with the best safety plans, injuries still happen.

“If you find yourself involved in a disaster situation and you have the ability to get out of the situation, you should,” Cody added. “Go quickly and as safely as you can to the nearest hospital.”

But, if you don’t have the ability to get yourself out, Cody had some helpful advice.

“Everyone should have a first aid kit around their house and, if you can, put a tourniquet in it. We know those save BOYD STREET MAGAZINE | 75

lives,” Cody said. “Since it is likely the debris you come in contact with is contaminated, we like to say the best solution to pollution is to wash it out. Even clean tap water will help wash containments from a wound and you want to do that as soon as you can.

Then, cover it with the cleanest thing you can find like gauze or even a clean t-shirt.”

While tornadoes first come to mind when addressing your severe weather plans, Cody said that extreme heat is also very dangerous.

“We are so used to hot weather, we don’t talk about the risks.

It’s important to stay indoors when possible when we experience extreme heat, but if you can’t, stay hydrated and watch out for others,” Cody advised.

Dangerous physical symptoms related to the heat include vomiting, behavioral changes and stroke-like symptoms.

And, for those eager to help during a disaster, Myers is thankful for your generosity, but encourages you to be patience.

“This is Oklahoma. I know we want to help but that can cause problems with traffic and communication, and there are safety concerns,” Myers explained. “Keep yourself and your family safe. Don’t rush out and put yourself in danger. You can volunteer at a food distribution center, donate blood or provide in-kind items that are needed.”

Norman Regional Health System has three emergency rooms, two in Norman and one in Moore. Their EMSSTAT serves Norman, Moore and surrounding communities across approximately 400 square miles. – BSM

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BY: KAYLEE CAMPBELL COM M UNI T Y

Double the Thai Thai

Thai Restaurant Opens Second Location in West Norman

Koi and her husband, Clint Strickland, own and operate Thai Thai, a popular and aptly named restaurant on Main Street across from Norman High School — and now a second West Norman location in the University North Park at 24th Avenue NW and Tecumseh Road.

Koi’s love of food and cooking began when she was a child in Thailand, watching her grandmother cook for their family and rice paddy workers.

By the time she turned 8, her grandmother had taught her how to make the rice. Later, she learned how to make curry and how to get milk from coconuts.

78 | March 2019

Whether she was learning how to cook from her grandmother or how to operate a food cart from her father during the off season of rice farming, food and service have always been central fixtures in Koi’s life.

“She’s the everything. It’s her menu. It’s all her recipes,” Clint said of his wife.

“She remembers almost everybody. She can remember their face, their name and what they had the last time they were in. She makes people feel at home.”

While the original Thai Thai location only seats 25 people and does about half of its business in takeout and delivery orders, according to Clint, the new location has enough space to seat three times that.

The West Norman location also features a fresh look, which he describes as “more of a minimalist, modern rustic look.”

The one thing that’s not changing is the food.

“There’s a lot of Thai places you can go to, they may have a menu that’s five pages long with everything you’d see in Bangkok but that’s not us,” Clint said. “We try to keep the food simple and stick to the things that we do well.”

“The most popular thing is Pad Thai.

I refer to it as the cheeseburger of Thailand,” Clint said. “For me, that Pad Krapo is it. We get it with a couple of over-easy eggs on top.”

For Koi however, the inspiration behind Thai Thai’s menu is simple.

Each menu item is one of her favorite dishes — something that she both enjoys cooking and eating.

“I like to eat,” Koi said, pausing only for a laugh. “In Thailand, they have

Photos by: Mark Doescher

J

ust talking to Koi Strickland, you quickly realize the passion she has for cooking, especially the home-cooking of her native Thai cuisine.

405.701.2890 FastSigns.com/2040 the same food, but it tastes different depending on where you are. On the north side, it’s not spicy, the south has lots of spice, but in Bangkok, where Koi is from, it’s everything: spicy, sour, sweet — everything together.”

The new Thai Thai location is open Tuesday to Friday, for lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and for dinner from 5 to 9:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. – BSM

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B U S I N E SS

BY: LINDSAY CUOMO

Troubles with Taxes

Norman Attorney Rescues Clients from Tax Debt

Rod Polston, senior attorney and founder of Polston Tax Resolution & Accounting, has seen firsthand the dire situations some face.

grown to become today.

“My first collections client was a tough oil field guy, but there he was crying in my office,” Polston recalled.

“He was the sole financial provider in his household. I knew I needed to help this guy.”

“After that case, I thought about all that I had done to become a lawyer, and I saw the purpose in it all: it was to help people that owe back taxes. God kind of laid it in my lap and I love it.”

“The fear of the unknown is the worst,” Polston said. “I am no different than anyone else. I am holding my Today, Polston Tax breath a little every time I employs a team of “I am no different do my taxes too. But there are manageable solutions.” than anyone else. I am 100 people focused on helping people like In fact, this is the very rea- holding my breath a that first client, those in son he started working little every time I do over their heads trying in tax resolution. Polston desperately to make my taxes too.” spent many of his college things right. years working as an intern for a tax “People just think ‘why don’t they just lawyer and then several years in his pay their taxes,’ but it’s not that simown start-up law firm focusing on ple. No one just wakes up one day and other aspects of the tax law specialty. decides not to pay their taxes,” Polston However, his experience with an oil said. “Events happen that you don’t field welder shaped what his firm has 80 | March 2019

plan on. Divorce causes problems.

Traumatic events happen. All my staff is trained and very aware of the stress that our clients are experiencing. We know they’re in a difficult situation.”

So, he offers some sage advice this tax season. When a problem develops, respond to it. Not doing anything about it just makes the problem worse.

Photos by: Mark Doescher

T

ax season is upon us once again, and, as we wade through earnings and credits, expenditures and assets, April 15 can bring about an intense amount of stress for those with a mounting tax bill.

“I know people get nervous that they can’t pay and then they just don’t file,” Polston said. “But the IRS files for you anyway. The longer you let it go, the more penalties you accrue. And not filing or filing a false return is a crime.”

“Plenty of people owe back taxes,” he said. “The good news is there is a solution, one you can live with.”

People who find they are unable to pay their tax debt should find an attorney that knows the ins and outs of tax resolution, Polston said.

“Someone who doesn’t do that can really mess things up,” he said. “You are already in a tough financial situation. You don’t want someone who dabbles.”

Polston said his company has been helping people with appeals, audit representation, bank levies, installment agreements and more for nearly 15 years.

“We’re not just crunching numbers around here. We’re in the business of

helping people. We work to get (our clients) compliant and to find the best solution for them,” he said. “Then we work on an advance tax plan to make sure, going forward, taxes don’t become a problem again.”

To learn more about the options and services available, visit polstontax.com or call 801-2146 for a free consultation.

They also have a selection of helpful videos on YouTube about topics such as small business bookkeeping, audits and debt relief options. – BSM

82 | March 2019

B U S I N E SS

All in the Family

BY: KAYLEE CAMPBELL

Sooner Bowling Celebrates 35 Years as a Family Business

The long-standing business was purchased in 1984 by Alan and Deloros Haws, who frequently bowled at the lanes along with their family. Today, the Haws’ daughter-in-law Mandy Haws manages the family business.

While the family entertainment industry remains traditional on many levels, under Mandy Haws’ leadership, Sooner Bowling has embraced the challenge of staying current in an era where the industry is dominated by large, chain venues.

“We’ve done considerable improvements in the past few years,” Haws said. “The carpets on the walls came 84 | March 2019

down, and we painted and added the Sooner back up on the wall that was done by a mural artist in OKC.”

she now travels the country advocating social media as a tool for bowling center proprietors.

In addition to cosmetic changes, the bowling center has modernized its scoring and point of sale systems, added flat panel monitors and new arcade games, upgrading the arcade to a game card system.

Her work in this area is helping to move the industry forward and the Bowling Proprietors’ Association of America (BPAA) recently announced that she will be honored in June with the BPAA industry service award for special projects.

Sooner Bowling has also upgraded the way it communicates by using social media to stay front-and-center with its customers.

With more than 17,000 followers on Facebook, the platform helps them stay competitive in the overall marketplace by beating what Haws calls “bowling’s presence-of-mind issue.”

In fact, social media has become such a useful tool for Sooner Bowling that

All together, the center’s updates have proven beneficial for casual and league bowlers alike.

The only bowling center in the area with USBC sanctioned lanes, Sooner Bowling is the go-to-place for league bowlers of all experience levels. The center hosts adult and youth leagues, including special need leagues, Oklahoma high school bowling, home school leagues and a Junior Gold program.

Photos by: Mark Doescher

F

or 35 years, Sooner Bowling Center has served as a gathering place for the Norman community and impacted the sport of bowling in Central Oklahoma, turning a Norman tradition into a family’s legacy.

“We have several hundred league bowlers at Sooner Bowl and many of them bowl competitively all over the OKC area and beyond, so they’re serious about their bowling, which is great,” Haws said.

Sooner Bowling Center still considers itself a true community bowling center, where people can gather to have fun around the sport of bowling, even if only recreationally.

“It’s still one of those places where you can socialize. The great thing about bowling is that anyone can do it. Bowling is great because you can do it from 5 years old to 95 and beyond.

It’s a lifetime sport.” – BSM

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