TulsaPeople August 2016

August 2016

Edison Preparatory School’s Brainiac Indra Coronado

Window Fashions to Match Every Design Personality.

Bassett Custom Capabilities in 30 Days!

Watch our Bench-Made artisans at work at bassettfurniture.com/benchmade

10137 East 71st Street Tulsa, Oklahoma 918.254.6618 www.bassettfurniture.com

#backtoschool #deckedoutkids #uticasquare

Capture, Share #uticasquare

uticasquare.com

Summer’s end. The time for classmates, camaraderie and cooler weather will soon be upon us. And the perfect time to shop for the unique styles you’ll find only at Utica Square. With a little help from Tulsa’s hometown treasure, your little ones will start the school year off well dressed.

Laresa B.

a different kind of

finish line.

Laresa had battled her weight her entire life. The struggle only continued after having children and working a desk job. After trying multiple diets, she decided to look into Bariatric Surgery because she wanted to be sure she would be around for her kids and future grandchildren. She attended a support group meeting and educational seminar hosted by The Center for Bariatrics at Bailey Medical Center. Just a few months after her surgical weight loss procedure, Laresa ran her first 5K, followed by her first half-marathon. Laresa has accomplished much more than losing half her body weight; she’s accomplished something she’d never dreamed of - an active life.

To learn more about Laresa’s life-changing experience at Bailey Medical Center, visit Hillcrest.com.

Hillcrest.com | 918.585.8000 “Like” us on Facebook.

30 Q&A

DEPARTMENTS AUGUST 2016 ✻ VOLUME 30 ISSUE 10

Scott Stulen, Philbrook Museum of Art’s new executive director

By JANE ZEMEL

32 SOUNDING THE ALARM

Budget woes mean Tulsa firefighters get by with smaller crews and less pay.

By MORGAN PHILLIPS

CityBeat 9 10 12 14 16 18

47 MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED

20

By CHANDLER HUNT, TARA RITTLER and JOSALYN SCAIFE

24

Fourteen of Tulsa’s standout 2016 graduates share their passions and plans for the future.

22 26

53 MANUFACTURING OPPORTUNITIES

29

Local schools are matching students with future employers and careers through innovative partnerships.

By LIZ BLOOD

Bowls of fun Brookside’s new cereal café Notebook Topics of interest to Tulsans

Roots Christine Price is at home onstage.

Conversations Randall White, an open book Passions A food forest

Cause and effect Making a difference in Tanzania Local talent Raw skill

Postgame Jeff Bennett, former Olympian

The way we were Flying high for 88 years Musings Garden hoses

A park grows in Tulsa The Land of the River Giants

The Dish 91 92 94 96 97

Palate paradise The Tropical dishes up flavor.

For the cause Metro Appliances & More hosts a Gourmet Gathering.

Table talk Tulsa’s tastiest products, restaurants and events Cheers! A summer cool-down The list Morning glories

The Good Life 67 99 100 102 104 106

FEATURES

Game on Show your school spirit.

Wright on Bowled over

Weekend getaways Westward ho!

In the garden Out of the shade Home A natural fit

Agenda 123 124 126 127 128 130 131 132

Regent Preparatory’s Brainiac Isabelle Perkins

Health College after cancer

Horsin’ around NSBA World Championship Breeders and Futurity Horse Show Calendar This month’s standout events Out & about See and be seen

Benefits Fundraisers and fun happenings Behind the scene Summer’s Fifth Night Screen/print Ben Lindsey’s viewpoint

Tulsa sound Honoring Stan and Steve

Flashback Celebrating TulsaPeople’s 30th anniversary

Special Sections 37 73

Silver anniversary Ronald McDonald House celebrates 25 years in Tulsa.

Season preview What’s to come from local theater groups in 2016 TulsaPeople.com

3

What’s Online

FOLLOW US Use #MyTulsaPeople to tag your Instagram and Twitter photos of the people who make this city great.

Use #Flashback30 to capture your favorite covers and articles from TulsaPeople’s 30-year history.

We’ll feature our faves!

AUGUST 2016 ✻ VOLUME 30 ISSUE 10

Visit TulsaPeople.com all month long for exclusive content you won’t want to miss, including photo galleries, videos and much more.

#mytulsapeople Follow us on Twitter

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@TulsaPeople

There’s more on @jake_fruitoftheloom We can choose to be fearless, we can choose to be honest.

Excuses are limitations. : @paisanoking #parkourislife #rooftopping #tulsa #urbex #keepitwild #downtowntulsa #mytulsapeople 2016 GUIDE TO T ULSA’S PR I VATE SCHOOLS T           —  -      . T    , ’     T  . F  - ,    .

C  A B

YEAR FOUNDED

1957

Pre-K-8th

Yes

Yes

19-1

See website.

Catholic

395

Yes

1997

Pre-K-12th

Yes

Yes

15-1

$5,250, Pre-K-5th; $5,950, 6th-8th; $6,750, 9th-12th

Christian

222

Yes

April-June

BISHOP KELLEY HIGH SCHOOL 3905 S. Hudson Ave. | 918-627-3390 bishopkelley.org

1960

9th-12th

Yes

Yes

12-1

$8,500, Catholics supporting a parish; $10,800, all others.

Catholic, Lasallian

875

No

Registration: November 2016; testing: January 2017

525

Afterschool care

Register online for entrance exam or shadow day. Call to schedule a campus tour.

CASCIA HALL PREPARATORY SCHOOL 2520 S. Yorktown Ave. 918-746-2600 (Upper School); 918-746-2616 (Middle School) casciahall.com

@alexandrajordon Cheers to restful Sundays (and lots of coffee if you’re headed to early morning service)!..........#goodlife #flashesofdelight #nothingisordinary #mytulsapeople

GRADE LEVELS

UNIFORMS FINANCIAL AID

STUDENT TEACHER RATIO

TUITION ANNUAL, UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED

BEFORE SCHOOL OF THOUGHT TOTAL AND AFTER OR AFFILIATION ENROLLMENT SCHOOL CARE

SCHOOL NAME ALL SAINT’S CATHOLIC SCHOOL 299 S. Ninth St., Broken Arrow 918-251-3000 | allsaintsba.com AUGUSTINE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 6310 E. 30th St. | 918-832-4600 acatulsa.org

REGISTRATION/ TESTING DATES Registration: February; testing: summer

6th-12th

Yes

12-1

$13,125

Catholic, Augustinian

CHRISTIAN MONTESSORI ACADEMY 3702 S. 90th E. Ave. 918-628-6524 montessorilearning.org

N/A

Preschool-8th

No

No

9-1

$490 per month, three days per week (ages 3-4); $590 per month, five full days (ages 3-6); $590 per month, ages 6-12; $645 per month, ages 12-15

Montessori

95

Yes

Call 918628-6524 to schedule a tour.

HAPPY HANDS EDUCATION CENTER 8801 S. Garnett Road | 918-893-4800 happyhands.org

1994

Infant-K, deaf, hard of hearing, communication disorders

No

Yes

4-1, infants; 5-1, all others

Sliding scale

Christian

66

Yes, for all-day enrollees

Ongoing

HOLLAND HALL 5666 E. 81st St. 918-481-1111 hollandhall.org

1922

Pre-K-12th

Yes

Yes

9-1

$6,675, preschool (3 days); $10,830, preschool (5 days); $12,485, Jr. K; $14,470, K; $14,950, 1st-3rd; $16,725, 4th-5th; $17,410, 6th-8th; $18,850, 9th-12th

Episcopal

950

HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL SCHOOL 820 S. Boulder Ave. | 918-582-0422 holyfamilycathedralschool.com

1899

Preschool-8th

Yes

Yes

10-1, preschool; 15-1, K-8th

$5,000, preschool; $4,000, K-8th (Catholic); $5,000, K-8th (non-Catholic). Multiple child discounts.

Catholic

184

Yes

LINCOLN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 1003 N. 129th E. Ave. | 918-234-8150 lincolnchristianschool.com

1997

Pre-K-12th

Yes

No

14-1, Pre-K; 16-1, K; 18-1, 1st-12th

Available upon request.

Christian

941

Yes

Registration: Feb. 1

Catholic

445

Yes

School tours by appointment.

Christian

1,013

Afterschool care

Open house: 9 a.m., Feb. 23; 6 p.m., March 29

1926

Yes

MARQUETTE SCHOOL 1519 S. Quincy Ave. 918-584-4631 marquetteschool.org

1918

Pre-K-8th

Yes

Yes

12-1, Pre-K; 22-1, K-8th

$5,031, one child (parishioner); $8,211, two children (parishioner); $11,125, three children (parishioner); $13,543, four or more children (parishioner); $6,360 per child (nonparishioner). ECDC rates vary.

METRO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 6363 S. Trenton Ave. | 918-745-9868 metroca.com

1983

P3-12th

Yes

Yes

18-1

$5,875-$9,625

Grades 4-12 testing: Feb. Extended 6; March 8, 29; day for April 12, 26; May preschool10; separate 8th exam for primary school.

Call for more information.

Our PRIVATE SCHOOL GUIDE is one of the many resources available on our website.

Educate yourself on Tulsa’s unique coolness with our 2016 ALIST.

Stay in the know by subscribing to THE INSIDER for our editors’ weekly picks.

VIDEO

@shenannagrams Shout out to the August 2010 issue of @tulsapeople for reminding me I only have 4 years left to win that Oscar................ #timeflies #flashback30 #tulsapeoplebrainiacs #dreamon #unrealisticgoals STEELPANZ @TulsaPeople I just picked up your magazine for the first time while dining at Boston Deli. I absolutely LOVED the content in it.

4

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

FOOD FOR THOUGHT (p. 16) A group of citizens transforms an empty highway easement into the Tisdale Food Forest to feed the community.

From the editor

H

by MORGAN PHILLIPS

H         

indifferent I haven’t, and I think that’s for a reason. The people

attracted to this profession — and most public servants like them — are the salt of the earth.

This was never more evident than during my time spent with

the crew at Tulsa Fire Station 3. During the four hours I conducted

interviews and observed station life for part three of our series “The

Price of Public Service” (p. 32), I witnessed two scenarios in which the captain and crew went above and beyond to make people in their neighborhood feel valued.

Here is one account: A man named Donald phones Station

3 every day — sometimes several times a day — to ask the crew about its recent calls to fires and medical emergencies. Despite his developmental disabilities, Donald knows more about TFD than many firefighters, Captain Chad Meyer told me.

When Meyer put Donald on speaker phone, it was clear the two

had a rapport. The call was quick, but warm, and provided me a les-

son in humility — fitting for a story in our annual education issue.

Each year, I find the August issue to be one of TulsaPeople’s

most inspirational, and this year is no exception.

Our talented editorial interns highlight 14 of Tulsa’s best and

brightest high school graduates on p. 47. See what these shining

stars are most likely to accomplish in our annual Brainiacs feature.

The Janada L. Batchelor Foundation for Children celebrates

a decade of life-changing work in Tanzania (p. 18), and a group

of Tulsans has turned a highway easement into a sustainable food source for the nearby community (p. 16).

Education is one-third of our mission at TulsaPeople — we

seek to inform, educate and entertain — and we certainly hope this issue achieves that goal.

Readers just might learn something new about the history

of Spartan College (p. 24) or about area programs training high

school and college students to enter the manufacturing field (p.

53).

One of our 2016 Brainiacs shared a variation of this anony-

mous quote: “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room.” How true that is.

May we never lose the pure joy of

learning something new. tþ

Morgan Phillips City Editor

TulsaPeople.com

5

Volume XXX, Number 10 ©2016. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher.

TulsaPeople Magazine is published monthly by

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L U X E T U L S A .C O M 9922 Riverside Pkwy, Tulsa, OK 74137

6

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

(918) 459-8950

YOUR HEALTHIEST LIFE IS OUR

HIGHEST PRIORITY. Guided by an integrated approach to care, St. John Clinic is committed to delivering the highest level of medical excellence. We believe the most successful patient relationships are built on the trust that every decision is made with you.

With more than 500 physicians and 100 locations, St. John Clinic offers convenient access to a wide range of services, which include: family medicine, internal medicine, geriatric medicine, general surgery, obstetrics & gynecology, cardiology, neurosurgery, stroke, urgent care, pain management, ear, nose & throat, pediatrics, and dermatology.

P U L S E L I N E P H Y S I C I A N R E F E R R A L 918 - 744-0123 ST. JOHN MEDICAL CENTER | ST. JOHN SAPULPA | ST. JOHN OWASSO | ST. JOHN BROKEN ARROW JANE PHILLIPS MEDICAL CENTER | ST. JOHN CLINIC URGENT CARE | ST. JOHN CLINIC

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citybeat

NEWS ✻ PEOPLE ✻ OPINIONS

Bowl-n-Spoon Cereal Bar is open 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Thursday; and 7 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday.

Bowls of fun Evan Taylor

O

Scott and Jamie Horton, back row, and their daughters, Madison and Emily.

pen since mid-July, Bowl-n-Spoon Cereal Bar at 4510 S. Peoria Ave. is Oklahoma’s first cereal café, says owner Jamie Horton.

Her goal: Create a family-friendly concept to attract millennials and remind families of simpler days, circa “The Jetsons” cartoons of the 1960s.

Whether dining in or via curbside service, Bowl-n-Spoon customers can choose from 30 cereals and 20 toppings. PJ-clad cereal mixologists also create custom cereal blends, such as a s’moreinspired mix of Golden Grahams, marshmallows, chocolate milk and chocolate syrup.

Decorated with nostalgic “cereal memorabilia,” Bowl-n-Spoon also offers a Ronnoco Coffee bar, waffles and desserts. tþ

TulsaPeople.com

9

CITYBEAT

NEWS ✻ PEOPLE ✻ OPINIONS

Notebook

Topics of interest to Tulsans

by MORGAN PHILLIPS

ROOT TULSA LAUNCHES

Locals and visitors have access to an “urban field guide” to Tulsa, thanks to the George Kaiser Family Foundation.

Root Tulsa is a mobile website and free app for iPhone that invites users to explore their surroundings based on their location and interests.

Through a partnership with The Tulsa Voice, Root also features a citywide calendar of events and curates articles from local media such as TTV and TulsaPeople.

Although much of the app’s initial content is focused on downtown, Kate Hofland, Root Tulsa editor, says GKFF wants the app to be a citywide resource.

“We don’t want to be Yelp,” Hofland says. “We want to provide more insight and a deeper narrative to what Tulsa is like.”

Email events@roottulsa.com to add events and business listings to Root Tulsa.

Courtesy Lois Ahrend

Mariachi students at East Central Junior High.

TPS OFFERS MARIACHI PROGRAM

A program at Tulsa Public Schools is gaining popularity among students interested in mariachi, a type of Mexican folk music that traditionally uses string instruments and trumpets.

Through a partnership with VH1 Save the Music, TPS began offering the mariachi program at seven sites in November in response to the high number of Hispanic students in the district, says Ann Tomlins, TPS director of fine arts.

Approximately 125 students at elementary, junior high and high schools participated in the program during the 2015-16 academic year. Students receive instruction during the school day as part of their music curriculum.

“There are many students who are not interested in traditional marching band,” Tomlins says. “Programs like mariachi make us more nimble and give us more opportunities for kids.”

Jim Lyall, Phil Dessauer Jr., Ginny Utter, Carol Collins and Karen Smith.

CSC CELEBRATES 75 YEARS

This month, the Community Service Council will celebrate 75 years of improving early child development, education and health along with providing employment and housing opportunities.

Few understand the CSC’s mission better than Phil Dessauer Jr., who recently retired as executive director after 40 years at CSC and 32 years at its helm. During that time, he oversaw CSC’s growth from 25 staff members to over 100. CSC now serves 200,000 people per year.

“This growth is due mainly to the vision, wisdom and hard work of our board members and the tremendous commitment, energy and talent of staff at all levels,” says Dessauer, who calls his four decades at CSC challenging, yet fulfilling.

“I will miss the magic of regularly seeing what can be accomplished when egos are left at the door and people bring their best, working together and putting helping others and the community first.”

Aug. 4 • COMMUNITY SERVICE COUNCIL’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

6:30 p.m. Christiansen Aviation Jet Center, Richard L. Jones Airport, 8605 S. Elwood Ave. Cocktails, dinner, dancing and auction. Honors Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, Judge Rebecca Nightingale, Principal Chief James Floyd and Mary Lignon. Guests also are welcome to honor their own veterans. $75, tickets; sponsorships available. Benefits Community Service Council. Visit www.csc75th.com.

VOICES OF O K L A H O M A www.voicesofoklahoma.com “Voices of Oklahoma” is an oral history project supported by the Oklahoma Center for the Humanities at the University of Tulsa.

Courtesy Miss Oklahoma

Miss Tulsa Sarah Klein was crowned Miss Oklahoma on June 11 and will represent the state in the Miss America pageant in September. Klein is a graduate of Victory Christian School and the University of Oklahoma.

10

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

“I was teaching a course in social problems, and I talked about it to my class … My class just exploded: ‘There was no race riot!’ I said, ‘Will you go home and ask your parents? They’ll tell you about it.’”

Nancy Feldman, on teaching about the Tulsa Race Riot at TU in the 1950s

Courtesy

TULSAN CROWNED MISS OKLAHOMA 2016

Dr. Larson celebrates the routine deliveries and is ready for the ones that need extra help.

“That moment of birth never gets old,” said Dr. Lora Larson, who has delivered more than 10,000 babies throughout her medical career. After years in private practice, she is now a Saint Francis Hospital OB/GYN hospitalist. As part of a team on duty 24/7, she cares for emergency deliveries and provides support for patients until their regular OB/GYN arrives at the hospital.

Because of resources that include physician specialists, nurses and the area’s only Level IV neonatal intensive care unit, Saint Francis Hospital also serves as a regional referral center for women with high-risk pregnancies. “We train for every possible situation to keep moms and babies safe,” Dr. Larson said.

Lora Larson, M.D. OB/GYN HOSPITALIST

For more information about Saint Francis Women’s and Children’s Services, call 918-488-6688 or visit saintfrancis.com.

Healthcare for life.

ROOTS

Checking in with former Tulsans

Leading lady Christine Price is at home on stage.

by JACKIE WELTON DIPILLO

V

Tell us about your upbringing in Tulsa. I was born and raised in Tulsa with three smart, very social, athletic siblings. Me? I was one of the shyest kids you’ve ever met. I took piano lessons … there was a lot of Disney music. My grandmother truly believed I had something special. She would come over and say, “You have such a great voice.” So, I would always sing for her. She passed away when I was 10, and I sang at her funeral.

When did you start performing regularly? During a seventh grade talent show, I performed Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway,” and everyone — including my parents 12

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Price and Theo Hoffman in the April 2016 Juilliard Opera production of Mozart’s “The Magic Flute.”

Rosalie O’Connor

NOW: This fall, the 24-year-old will embark on a rare opportunity awarded to only four students annually. Funded by the James and Ellen Marcus Foundation, the Artist Diploma in Opera Studies is a Juilliard-affiliated program that involves two years of serious onstage acting and singing work.

Richard Termine

ITAL STATS: Took on the Big Apple her junior year at Cascia Hall, when she was accepted into the Juilliard School Pre-College Division, a program meant to give promising young people an early, advanced step in music education. Graduated from Professional Children’s School in New York City, a high school that allows flexibility to young artists who work on Broadway or are in highly competitive arts programs. Earned her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from the Manhattan School of Music and completed a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from Juilliard in May.

Mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, right, visited the Juilliard School on Dec.10, 2015, to conduct a master class for four students from Juilliard’s Marcus Institute for Vocal Arts, including soprano Christine Price.

— reacted like, “Whoa.” That was the moment. When I was on stage, it felt like the only time I could really be myself. Immediately, mom called Carol Crawford, head of Tulsa Opera. They were about to have Tulsa Youth Opera auditions. The timing was all very “fatey”.

Where did you discover your love of opera? I fell in love with it during my first production with TYO: “The Little Prince,” a beautiful new opera by Rachel Portman.

My time there taught me that I wanted to learn more and be in the best place. It was always my dream to somehow go to Juilliard.

How did you hone your talent growing up? Starting at age 14,

I studied privately with Pamela Armstrong, an international opera singer and Tulsan at the time. I learned the International Phonetic Alphabet to be able to read in any language. At 16, I was a semifinalist in the Classical Singer competition for high school kids, which was in New York City the same time as auditions for the Pre-College Division. My older sister had recently moved to Manhattan, so when I got the call that I was accepted into Juilliard’s program, I was able to move in with her for my last two years of high school.

Describe your experiences at Juilliard and performing at Carnegie Hall. The most amazing thing about Juilliard is that we are

taught by some of the premier musicians in the country, and being located in NYC, we have many performance opportunities that we can audition for.

This past semester was a marathon. I won first place in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, advancing to semifinals.

Singing on The Met stage was exhilarating, humbling and a bit scary, but I loved every minute of it. In April, I was Pamina in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” And then, three days later, I did Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the prestigious Juilliard Gala, under conductor Alan Gilbert, music director of the New York Philharmonic.

In May, I debuted at Carnegie Hall as soprano soloist in Beethoven’s “Missa Solemnis,” with The Cecelia Chorus. It was a magical experience.

I have had tremendous performance opportunities as a result of my affiliation with Juilliard.

What are your career goals? My voice won’t mature totally until age 27-30, so I hope to sing in Germany for a while, or sing in the U.S. in a young artist program. And I hope someday to sing on the major stages around the world, including the Metropolitan Opera. But as long as I’m singing, I’m happy. tþ

Ask how to earn $100-$500 when you open a new checking account

“They just kept asking, what can we do to help?”

“We had our car loan with TTCU, but we hadn’t switched all of our accounts yet, when we got in a wreck. It was a rainy day. Six car pile-up. Our son was in the car, and the car was totaled.”

“TTCU gave us so much help – more than our insurance company. They just kept asking, what can we do to help? You see the benefits of having all your accounts at TTCU, but maybe you hesitate. Until you have a situation like we had, and get amazing service.

– Brian & Jennifer F., TTCU Members

918-749-8828 | www.ttcu.com $25 minimum deposit to open. | Annual Percentage Yield for dividend bearing accounts .20% as of 7/1/16. | Rate is variable and subject to change after account opening. | Fees could reduce the earnings on the account. | Offer valid 8/1/16 – 10/31/16. | Cash bonus will be automatically deposited into the new account within 60 business days following second qualified direct deposit posting or second consecutive month of twenty debit card transactions per month. | Some restrictions apply | Federally insured by NCUA

CONVERSATIONS

Tulsans’ points of view

Storybook business CEO Randall White defied the odds and found success.

by ANNA BENNETT

I

feel like Belle in “Beauty and the Beast,” only instead of an enormous magical library, I’ve walked into a cavernous warehouse containing 10 million books.

I joke with Education Development Corp. CEO Randall White about the number of words in the room; we reach a conservative estimate of 2 billion.

At a time when publishers and bookstores struggle to turn profits in Amazon’s shadow, EDC has experienced incredible growth.

White attributes this to the wild success of the company’s direct sales force.

That’s a little ironic, considering the negative impact the internet has had on the publishing industry. About four years ago, we were literally being driven out of business because people were buying the books on Amazon. So, I made the decision to not be on Amazon. They were about 30 percent of our business, but we did it. And it has been nothing but growth since then. Everyone in the industry said, “You must be crazy.” I said, “Hey, I’m dying anyway.”

Do they think you’re crazy now?

No, we are the talk of the publishing world. A little old company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, you’ve never even heard of.

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TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Evan Taylor

So, it’s like Avon or Pampered Chef? We think we’re a little different, but you get the idea. Now, instead of having a home party, they’re on Facebook. It has caused our business to explode. Last summer at this time, we had 7,800 salespeople. Today, we have over 21,000.

Randall White helps fulfill orders at Education Development Corp.’s new Tulsa distribution facility. The company owns Kane Miller Books and is the exclusive U.S. publisher for Usborne Books, a widely acclaimed children’s book publisher based in England.

Do you like it that way? Flying under the radar? No, I want to be on the cover of TulsaPeople. I don’t mind being out in front of people. You can probably tell that.

I’m pretty chatty.

Why do you think these books have become so popular with children? Usborne Books in England has been acclaimed over the past three years as creating the very best books in Europe. By the way, the publishing industry in Europe is much older than it is in America.

Oh, it’s as old as the Gutenberg press. You got it. So we own the rights in the United States to those books. I hitched my wagon to that star early on. I saw Usborne as a way to get quality products in

a company that didn’t have the money to do it themselves. So, that relationship has grown for 30 years now, and we’re their largest customer in the world. The books are unique, they are vividly illustrated and created with the assumption that children are intelligent. Children gravitate toward them.

Did you ever expect to be in the publishing industry? I came to EDC 33 years ago. I’d actually gotten fired at my previous job in the oil industry. I found this job as an accountant. After about three years, I took over as president and chairman of the board.

The company was just about bankrupt, so being elected president was about like being named captain of the Titanic. But I thought

there was value there. I personally guaranteed the debt of the company. I mortgaged my house. I might have failed to mention it to my wife, Carol.

Has your wife forgiven you for mortgaging the house? She has forgiven me because she’s gotten a few benefits since then. When I came here, the stock was about 10 cents. In June, it was about $11. So, that has been a nice little return.

It’s nice to be able to give back to the community and be charitable when you’ve been blessed as we have. tþ

TulsaPeople.com

The conversation continues.

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PASSIONS

People, places and other things Tulsans love

Forest of possibility The Tisdale Food Forest provides healthy food and jobs in north Tulsa.

by BRIA BOLTON MOORE

16

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Valerie Grant

T

o the average driver cruising along the L.L. Tisdale Parkway, it looks ordinary: trees on the side of a highway.

But the half-mile of vegetation on the east side of the parkway just north of downtown is more than branches and leaves.

The trees are part of the Tisdale Food Forest, a joint project of the Brady Heights Neighborhood Association and Up With Trees with far-reaching objectives such as noise reduction, beautification, food and education.

The idea was born when Nathan Pickard, chairman of both the Tisdale Food Forest committee and the Up With Trees education committee, read a book called “Restoration Agriculture,” which discusses how to sustainably grow perennial food crops such as fruit trees.

He began to ask, “What if?” What if there were a food forest in Tulsa?

In his community?

Six months later, in April 2015, volunteers planted about 500 trees, including pecan, plum, mulberry, cherry, apple and pine trees.

Up With Trees donated 40 loblolly pines, and other donors paid for the fruit and nut trees.

Up With Trees has a license agreement with the City of Tulsa to plant trees on public easements such as the land where the Tisdale Food Forest is located. City officials approved plans for the food forest, and Up With Trees agreed to maintain the area.

This kind of partnership is beneficial to both the community and the municipality because public easements can cost cities a lot of money to maintain, Pickard says.

Soon after the trees were planted, a Brady Heights neighbor became interested in a Flow hive, a

Nathan Pickard is chairman of the Tisdale Food Forest’s six-member committee, which meets monthly to discuss fundraising opportunities, maintenance, volunteer needs and teen jobs. Up With Trees is responsible for mowing and weed-eating the area. beehive where honey is extracted by a crank.

Invigorated by the possibilities of adding honey to the forest, neighbors invested in the hive together, and recruited a local beekeeper who already has five hives in the area.

The bees produced so well that the food forest committee hosted a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to use the honey to provide an entrepreneurial experience for teens. The three-week campaign, which concluded in May, raised $6,845. The money will be used

to purchase jars, pre-pay the beekeeper, pay the Kickstarter participation fee and pay teens to fulfill orders of the “ultra-local honey.”

The honey will be available for purchase in August at the R&G Family Grocers mobile grocer. In addition to the fruit and nut trees and honey, the forest now has grapes, raspberries, blackberries and sweet potatoes, which also will be sold to north Tulsa citizens via R&G Family Grocers.

Providing nutritious food is a cornerstone of the Tisdale Food Forest.

It’s located in a food desert, an area

in which residents live more than a mile from a grocery store.

Engaging youth in north Tulsa has always been important to Pickard. He says he remembers watching teenagers grow and sell bell peppers from the Brady Heights community garden in 2008.

“I think the fun thing was that the youth had never eaten those vegetables, but when they saw them growing, they wanted to try them,” Pickard says. “Then they were amazed at how they tasted.”

Brian Parker, president of the Brady Heights Historic District Inc. and a food forest committee member, says he has quite literally watched the food forest idea take root over the past year. The forest borders his backyard.

“It’s about taking something that is throw-away space and finding a new use for it — a very productive use for it,” Parker says.

“A well-functioning food forest can actively be a source of food in communities that are located in a food desert.

“Every time I drive anywhere else now, we’re always pointing out, ‘That could be the next food forest. That could be the next thing that engages the people in that immediate community with learning about food production and being involved in that beyond the weekly grind of going to the grocery store and picking pre-packaged meals.’”

In fact, the Tulsa Health Department has already received a grant from the American Planning Association to explore future food forest opportunities. Pickard says he and local groups are eyeing a stretch along East Pine Street and the Osage Prairie Trail for the next potential location. tþ

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CAUSE AND EFFECT

Tulsa-area nonprofits

Around the world Ten years later, Tulsans are still making a difference in Tanzania.

by ABIGAIL SINGREY

18

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Evan Taylor/inset: Courtesy JBFC

W

hen a group of eight girls was asked what they wanted to be, they answered: teacher, journalist, doctor and pilot.

This was remarkable because some of these girls formerly lived on the streets of Tanzania. Others came from improper or abusive homes. In December 2015, after participating in the residential program at the Janada L. Batchelor Foundation for Children, they became part of the 28-member inaugural graduating class of the foundation’s Joseph and Mary School.

“They never would have had the opportunity to dream of this before,” says JBFC Board Member Kristin Bender. “It’s great to see them empowered.”

This year the foundation celebrates its 10th anniversary of helping girls reach for their dreams.

It has been a long and rewarding journey to get to this point. It all started when JBFC’s founder, Chris Gates, then a 15-year-old Tulsan, went on a mission trip to Tanzania with his grandmother.

Gates wanted to be an exotic animal veterinarian, but his life changed when he connected with former street boys.

“Here I was, a spoiled teenager from America, gaining a perspective on what mattered,” Gates says.

“It was those connections that helped to ground me and give me a new worldview.”

He continued volunteering at a boys’ home in Tanzania over the next two years, which inspired him with a mission: Start a similar program for girls. In March 2006, Gates founded JBFC — named for his grandmother, who died in April 2012 — in Tulsa. The next

Chris Gates founded the Janada L. Batchelor Foundation for Children when he was 15 years old. The foundation is based in Tulsa but operates its residential program, a school, a health clinic and a farm in Tanzania. INSET: Three girls in the residential program. year, JBFC opened its residential program on the shores of Lake Victoria in Tanzania to give vulnerable girls a home and a family.

Girls entering the residential program are often in dire straits.

One 4-year-old girl weighed only 14 pounds. But the JBFC staff nursed her back to health, and now she’s in first grade and learning English and Swahili.

“She’s as bossy as they come,” Gates says. “It’s amazing to see that this little girl, who literally would have died, now has a future and is able to be a kid again.”

Along the way, Tulsans provided a helping hand. Gates formed a partnership with his former school, Holland Hall. Students took trips to JBFC’s Tanzanian campus to volunteer, and some of

them fell in love with it, too.

The foundation’s mission has expanded over the years to include alleviating extreme poverty in the area. It takes a holistic approach, focusing on food, shelter, education and health care. In addition to the residential program and school, JBFC has a health clinic and a farm.

JBFC’s school enrolls 331 students. Students are accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis and pay a modest tuition, although the foundation grants 64 scholarships.

The eight girls who completed JBFC’s residential program in December 2015 are now living in a transitional house run by the organization in the city of Mwanza.

Here they are learning to develop budgets, open bank accounts and other practical skills.

“I’m proud that we graduated eight residential girls who otherwise would have been married or in a domestic service situation or on the streets,” Gates says. “Now, they’re looking at their futures. We are providing a catalyst for change in the community.”

As JBFC enters its second decade, Gates is looking to the future. Plans are underway to break ground on a second campus in Tanzania.

“We have a really successful model that has proven we can make changes on the community level and on an individual level,” Gates says. “I think we’ll be able replicate that in other communities, so we can affect not just hundreds, but thousands of lives and several other communities.” tþ

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LOCAL TALENT

Tulsa’s creative community

Raw skill An unorthodox artisan creates functional furniture from concrete.

by LANDRY HARLAN

20

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Valerie Grant

G

reg Hosterman’s life has been shaped constantly over the years, much like the concrete he uses to craft modern furniture masterpieces.

From an early age, it was clear the arts would be part of his future, but his path was unorthodox.

“My mom and dad were very musical, and my aunt was an artist who always sent me brochures on where to buy art supplies,” Hosterman says. “I was a theater major and loved to paint and draw at Holland Hall. The arts have just sort of permeated my life.”

After brief stints at Rhodes College in Memphis and the University of Oklahoma, Hosterman moved to Los Angeles, where he worked as a singer-songwriter.

He and his wife, Wendy, eventually moved back to Tulsa to plan their wedding — and ended up staying.

The couple now has two sons, Noel, 11, and Shane, 6. Hosterman discovered his love for concrete when they decided to remodel their home with a modern aesthetic.

“It’s a hobby that has kind of gotten out of control,” says Hosterman, a freelance graphic designer.

In fact, his concrete work has turned into a part-time job.

After an entry table, a kidneyshaped bench and other works were featured at the 2016 Tulsa Designer Showcase — a fundraiser for the Foundation for Tulsa Public Schools — numerous attendees approached Hosterman to commission works. He also became a vendor at the River City Trading Post in Jenks.

Presently Hosterman is working on a concrete pingpong/outdoor dining table for a client, his most difficult (and likely heaviest) project yet. This piece has a 9-by-5-foot

Craftsman Greg Hosterman creates furniture and planters, like the one above, from concrete. He works out of his admittedly “decimated” garage, but any plans to open a studio will emphasize keeping it local. His business has picked up since the 2016 Designer Showcase, which featured some of his products. top, with two trapezoidal wood-cast concrete supports. Joe Gilbert, another Designer Showcase furniture maker, is partnering with Hosterman in this endeavor.

“I’m inspired by Brutalist architecture that was popular in the ’50s and ’60s,” Hosterman says. “‘Brut’ in French means ‘raw.’ It’s very functional, monochromatic and exposed. (Concrete) is the one material that you make. A tree makes the wood, the earth makes the granite, but the artisan makes the concrete.”

Hosterman says he also is inspired by “the massive wave of talent in this city and state,” as well

as by international artists he has connected with through social media. An advocate of the local movement, he is especially grateful to people like Rick Boyles, who commissioned the kidney-shaped bench for Designer Showcase.

“You can go to the store to get something manufactured abroad, (but) what you really need to be doing is buying local, supporting craftspeople and makers,” Hosterman says. “There is this soullessness when you don’t know the person who made the product.”

His artistic process involves pouring the concrete mix into a watertight mold, letting it cure over-

night, removing the cured concrete from the mold and sanding it.

“It’s like Christmas Day,” he says of freeing the concrete from the mold.

He uses molds of various shapes, sizes and materials, from melamine sheets to plastic water bottles picked up from the dollar store.

He often makes his own molds but has the option, for larger pieces, of drafting a design and sending it to a custom mold manufacturer.

“You conjure it out of your own chutzpah,” Hosterman says of creating with concrete. “For a hack like me who lacks formal training, it’s perfect.” tþ

POSTGAME

Catching up with former athletes and coaches

LEFT: Jeff Bennett coaches Oklahoma Christian University multi-events competitor Audrey Hayes at the Oklahoma Baptist University Invitational Meet in Shawnee in March 2016; TOP: Bennett prepares to pole vault at Oklahoma Christian College in 1970; BELOW: USA teammates Bruce Jenner and Bennett at the New Zealand Games in Christchurch, New Zealand, in 1975.

Photos courtesy OC Athletics

Jeff Bennett Oklahoma decathlete narrowly missed a medal at the 1972 Olympic Games.

by DOUG EATON

O

ne-time Olympian Jeff Bennett still vividly recalls when he first caught the track and field bug.

“I was watching the pole vault in the 1960 Olympics on our black and white television. I decided that’s what I wanted to do,” remembers Bennett, then 12 years old.

As a high school freshman, Bennett also took an interest in the long jump and hurdles. But the pole vault was his main event. As a senior, he won the state title after taking second place the two previous years.

He went on to Oklahoma Christian College (now Oklahoma Christian University), where he ran the 400-meter hurdles, winning the national meet his sophomore year as he simultaneously started training in the decathlon.

“I would high jump before practice and then try to throw the shot put or discus after my workout,” Bennett says.

He holds school records in the 400-meter hurdles and decathlon, was a four-time National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics All-American and a member of the NAIA and Oklahoma Christian University Athletics Halls of Fame.

After graduating from OCC in 1970, Bennett accepted a teaching job in Midwest City but still planned to compete in decathalons.

However, just a month after school started, he was drafted into the U.S. Army.

Expecting to be sent to Vietnam, Bennett knew the Army had a track team and was looking for

22

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

exceptional athletes to represent the military. By joining the team, he was relieved from an assignment in Vietnam. From March until the end of the summer Bennett served as an athlete. The rest of his days were spent as a filing clerk for the headquarter division.

“I look back at that as a true blessing,” he says. “I was going to teach school, work out on my own and pay my own way to the meets. The Army became my vehicle for training.”

While in the Army, Bennett seized the opportunity to participate in the 1972 Olympic trials and qualified. He says he felt intense pressure to perform well just to make the team going to Munich.

The day before the Olympic decathlon was scheduled to start, terrorists took several Israeli athletes and coaches hostage. Ultimately, 11 Israeli athletes and coaches, a West German policeman and five terrorists were killed.

“It was like a roller coaster of emotions,” Bennett remembers. “No one knew what was going to happen. Would the Games continue? I realized, ‘If they cancel the Games, I may never get another chance.’”

Officials decided to resume the competition, but Bennett did notice a change. Soldiers with The Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games will broadcast on NBC starting Aug. 5. The decathlon competition is scheduled for Aug. 17-18.

automatic weapons replaced the friendly guides at the gates.

Bennett, who was the smallest decathlon competitor at just 5 feet, 8 inches and 152 pounds, excelled in the running events and the pole vault.

Finishing third in the 100 meters, second in the 400 meters and winning the pole vault offset his lesser marks in the strength events such as the shot put and discus.

Going into the final event, the 1,500-meter run, Bennett was in a distant 13th place. But a courageous performance resulted in a second-place finish in the race that pushed him to fourth place overall — 10 points from the bronze medal.

A half-inch in the long jump or a 10th of a second in the 100 meters would have made the difference and earned Bennett a medal.

“I spent some sleepless nights thinking where I could have made up 10 points,” he says. “But I soon realized that it was just a tremendous experience to compete against the top athletes and finish fourth in the world.”

The next year, he won the Amateur Athletic Union national decathlon championship, but injuries prevented him from competing in the 1976 Olympics, and he eventually hung up his spikes.

Bennett served 30 years in the National Guard while teaching and coaching in the Oklahoma City area before retiring from public education.

But Bennett is still making an impact as an assistant track coach at Oklahoma Christian, where he also serves as associate dean of students. tþ

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THE WAY WE WERE

A peek into Tulsa’s past

Flying high Spartan has provided hands-on training for 88 years.

by CHANDLER HUNT

Courtesy Beryl Ford Collection/Rotary Club of Tulsa, Tulsa City-County Library

TOP: In the 1920s and ‘30s, Spartan College was home to the Three Blind Mice (later renamed the Spartan Dawn Patrol), a group of young aircraft enthusiasts who practiced difficult flying formations. BOTTOM: Today Spartan has three Tulsa campuses.

It recently expanded into California and Colorado.

L

egendary Tulsa oilman W.G. Skelly saw aviation as the next frontier of travel. He also knew a growing industry would require a field of highly trained, passionate workers to keep the metal in the sky.

Skelly’s decision to found Spartan College of Aeronautics in 1928 changed the lives of thousands of students and workers and helped make Tulsa an aerospace hub.

The equally famous oil magnate J. Paul Getty continued Spartan’s success by providing the highest standard of production and training. Getty purchased the college in 1935 and took over its management in 1942.

Thanks to these forward-thinking entrepreneurs, Spartan has been a staple of the aeronautics industry for 88 years in Tulsa.

Over the decades, the school has trained approximately 95,000 workers in various fields. The college itself also has produced aircraft, trailers and more — adapting its curriculum and products to meet the needs of the time. During World War II, the college contributed parts for approximately 5,800 B-24 bombers and 2,500 engine mounts for the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter aircraft.

These days, Spartan focuses on four core areas of study: aviation maintenance, aviation electronics, non-destructive testing and piloting. Students can earn associate’s degrees in these fields or attain a Bachelor of Science degree in aviation technology management.

Spartan’s fingerprints are scattered far and wide.

“It has been said that you will be hard pressed to go to any airport in the nation and not find someone who graduated from Spartan,” says Jesse Martin, who is a tour guide for Spartan’s three Tulsa campuses and acts as promoter and unofficial historian of the college.

Taking one six-week course at a time, students divide their time between the classroom and the lab, working with the same types of equipment and scenarios seen in the workforce.

“Spartan has the right way of training students for the industry,” says instructor Curtis Ostman, a retired Navy engineer.

The college recently expanded to the West Coast with aviation maintenance campuses in Los Angeles and Riverside, California, and to Colorado, acquiring two campuses in the Denver area. tþ THREE BLIND MICE

Evan Taylor

Aeronautics has always enjoyed a reputation for derring-do.

In 1929, three Spartan students deemed themselves the Three Blind Mice and began practicing difficult flying formations. They flew daily in the early morning hours to hone their skills as expert pilots.

The group was later renamed the Spartan Dawn Patrol after the Allied fliers in France who flew patrols early in the morn-

24

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

ing. The Spartan patrol eventually provided cross-country formation training and garnered large crowds at regional airports.

Its motto, “Knowledge and Skill Overcome Superstition and Luck,” still adorns each Spartan campus. To honor this part of the school’s history, students and instructors still fly quarterly formations. They leave at dawn, fly to a destination and present solo flight certificates and other student awards.

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MUSINGS

Thoughts about everyday life

NUMBERS

Garden hoses

by CONNIE CRONLEY

A

ren’t garden hoses a bane of our summer existence?

I’m not talking to you lucky people who have sophisticated watering systems that spray the lawn and spot-water trees, shrubs and plants.

No, I’m talking to the rest of us poor souls who hand-water some things in our gardens and maybe everything.

And it’s not even the hand-watering that we mind. That can be meditative and calming.

We’re grateful we have gardens and plants we can water. (Confession: I love my garden to the edge of idolatry.) We’re grateful we have running water for our gardens and that we don’t have to carry buckets of water from the creek. (Remember the French film “Jean de Florette” with its human drama of access to a spring? And remember seeing it at the cinema at the Williams Center beside the ice rink?)

We’re grateful for the invention of garden hoses that ease our gardening labor. We’re grateful for the development of the flexible hose. (Alert: Historical information coming. The ancient Greeks invented the flexible hose 2,500 years ago by using the intestines of an ox. The first manufactured water hose was made of leather in the 1600s by a Dutch inventor. Over the years, hoses were made of canvas, sailcloth, cotton and linen. None were as successful as the rubber version made in 1870.)

Now garden hoses are like mops. There are always new and improved versions, but they’re still mops.

But a gardener must be a person of faith and hope, so I keep buying new and improved garden hoses: kink-free, light-weight, flat, soakers, rubber, vinyl, sprinkler, expandable and coiled.

Plus the necessary attachments of sprayers and sprinklers. None is perfect, but they are all better than ox guts.

It is the garden hose itself that is frustrating.

The heft of long hoses, the connections of shorter hoses that leak and need yet another rubber washer, the hand spray that isn’t working, the 26

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

leak somewhere that affects the water pressure, the fierce water pressure of the sprinkler that downs us when we relocate it. Most of the summer I look like a wet and bedraggled cat.

Then there’s the hose left lying about to be tripped over versus the titanic task of trying to coil it. Any and all of these vexations invoked language from me that fried the tender plants in my garden until — oh, happy day — I bumped into a YouTube video of how to easily coil a hose. The secret is to coil it flat on the ground, not draped over your arm. This will keep the coils untangled and as neat as a cobra.

Pessimistic thought: As water becomes a scarce commodity in the United States, home gardens and lawns — and garden hoses with them — might become as extinct as the carrier pigeon. Droughts are no longer only a news story from third-world countries; drought is as close to home as California, Texas and — gulp! — Oklahoma. Western history is filled with battles over water rights. Think of the movies about the fights and murders over water: “The Big Country” with Gregory Peck, “El Dorado” with John Wayne and Robert Mitchum, “Pale Rider” with Clint Eastwood and, of course, “Chinatown” with Jack Nicholson.

And yet.

I remember the childhood joy of water hoses and sprinklers. Now the birds in my yard love the sprinklers. So do the roses, zinnias, asters, coreopsis, coneflowers and so many more. Plus the fireflies that gather at twilight.

What a summer pleasure — to sit at sunset and watch a lawn sprinkler, see its mini rainbows and hear its rhythm. How can I grumble about garden hoses when I see how much pleasure they bring? (Note to self: Knock it off.) tþ

Connie Cronley is a columnist, an author of three books and a public radio commentator. She is executive director of Iron Gate soup kitchen and food pantry.

New heights

by JOSALYN SCAIFE

T

he Tulsa Dream Center helped 80,000 Tulsans in 2015 by providing weekly groceries, clothing, medical care, legal assistance and youth recreational opportunities.

Its pilot education program began in 2011, when the Dream Center teamed up with Tulsa’s “high-risk” public schools to keep north Tulsa children from falling behind.

72%

Of third graders within 5 miles of the Dream Center were failing the state-mandated reading proficiency test in 2014, making them five times more likely to drop out of school.

100%

Of students in the Dream Center program passed the reading proficiency test in the past four years. Many are now reading beyond their grade level.

72 450

Children were in the program during the 2015-16 academic year.

Students have completed the Dream Center’s program in the past four years.

16 8/27 75

Years ago, the Tulsa Dream Center opened its doors to the community.

The Tulsa Dream Center will go “Over the Edge” for education.

Participants will rappel 20 stories from the top of the Warren Building at East 61st Street and South Yale Avenue.

$1,000

Is the fundraising goal for each participant.

Proceeds will support the Tulsa Dream Center’s education program. tþ

To register or donate, visit www.tulsaovertheedge.com.

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CASTLEBERRY’S AN AUTHORIZED ETHAN ALLEN RETAILER TULSA 6006 SOUTH SHERIDAN 918.496.3073 Ask a designer or visit ethanallen.com for details. Sale going on for a limited time. ©2016 Ethan Allen Global, Inc.

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NEWS FROM OUR ADVERTISERS

Courtesy

In July, Kevin Smith joined Monte Cassino as its new head of school. Smith came to Tulsa from Evanston, Illinois, where he was headmaster of Roycemore School.

Smith has taught kindergarten through 12th grade and has served as a coordinator of teachers, an assistant principal and a head of school in Ohio, Colorado and Illinois. Smith and his wife, Maria, have two children, T.J. and Maggie.

“Monte Cassino was both an excellent opportunity for me as a school leader and, perhaps more importantly, an ideal school for our family,” Smith says. “In blending both an excellent, innovative independent private school educational program with the truly foundational faith formation instilled by the Benedictine culture, we have found a school and community where our children will thrive.

“Tulsa was a bonus of our decision. We have found the essential elements of a great city with wonderful parks, cultural institutions, great food and a smaller-town, friendly feel where we can raise our family.”

Courtesy

Cole receives 2016 Vision in Education Leadership Award Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.) will receive the 2016 Vision in Education Leadership Award at the Tulsa Community College Vision in Education Leadership Award Dinner on Sept. 1.

The TCC Foundation is honoring Cole for his leadership and commitment to education. Cole sits on the House Budget and the House Appropriations committees. As chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies, he has worked to ensure students have the financial and academic tools necessary to pursue a degree.

“Rep. Cole has been part of the national dialogue about higher education, college accessibility and the achievement gap since he was elected in 2002,” says TCC President and CEO Leigh B. Goodson. “Every student pursuing higher education in Oklahoma, as well as the across the country, has benefited from his advocacy and leadership to remove barriers to higher education.”

Funds raised by the Vision Dinner support student scholarships, competitive academic conferences for students, presentations by noted scholars and enhancements in the classroom. The TCC Foundation gives more than $1 million annually to programs and scholarships to support students, faculty and staff.

For sponsorships and tickets to the 2016 Vision in Education Leadership Award Dinner, call 918-595-7836 or visit www.tulsacc.edu/visiondinner.

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TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Santa Fe Opera’s “Don Giovanni”

Heading to Santa Fe this month?

Catch an opera performance • by Judy Langdon

Ken Howard for Santa Fe Opera

Monte Cassino welcomes new director

There’s still time to experience Santa Fe Opera’s 60th anniversary summer season before the curtain goes down Aug. 27.

If your travels this month take you to New Mexico’s capital, you can catch Puccini’s “The Girl of the Golden West,” Mozart’s “Don Giovanni,” Charles Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Richard Strauss’s “Capriccio” and Samuel Barber’s “Vanessa” at Santa Fe Opera’s 2,128-seat amphitheater.

The venue’s stunning backdrop is the Sangre de Christo and Jemez mountains.

Operas are presented Monday through Saturday nights. All performances begin at 8 p.m., but there are more opportunities to enhance your Santa Fe Opera visit. Prelude talks, one and two hours before performances, are free to ticket holders; a dine-and-dance black tie gala is Aug. 6; backstage tours start at 9 a.m., Monday through Friday; and SFO’s young opera singers and theater technicians take center stage at the Apprentice Showcase Scenes. A Mariachi Extravaganza on Sept. 3 closes out the year.

All productions have opera titles on the seat backs in English and Spanish.

“The Girl of the Golden West” takes place during the gritty years of the California Gold Rush and tells the story of Minnie, who considers herself an equal to the men who frequent her saloon, but loves her own man more. American soprano Patricia Racette debuts as Minnie; Gwyn Hughes Jones portrays her lover, outlaw Dick Johnson; and Mark Delavan plays shady Sheriff Jack Rance. Sung in Italian.

“Don Giovanni” has been called one of Mozart’s greatest operatic works. His version asks whether the notorious playboy’s three paramours (Donna Anna, Donna Elvira and Zerlina) are his victims or willing accomplices. Baritone Daniel Okulitch sings Don Giovanni, soprano Leah Crocetto portrays Donna Anna, Keri Alkema is Donna Elvira, Edgaras Montvidas debuts as Don Ottavio, and Rhian Lois makes her American debut as Zerlina. Sung in Italian.

Shakespeare’s captivating, yet tragic, “Romeo and Juliet” is set to Gounod’s lush and elegant score. Soprano Ailyn Perez portrays Juliette, tenor Stephen Costello debuts as Romeo, Elliot Madore is Mercutio, and Emily Fons plays Romeo’s page, Stephano. Sung in French.

Strauss called “Capriccio” his “conversation piece for music.” Soprano Amanda Majeski sings the role of the Countess Madeleine; Susan Graham plays her actress friend and foe, Clairon; baritone Joshua Hopkins portrays the poet Olivier; bass baritone David Govertsen is LaRoche; and tenor Ben Bliss debuts as Flamand. Sung in German.

With music by Samuel Barber and libretto by opera composer Gian Carlo Menotti, “Vanessa” casts a spell of secrets, deception and densely layered emotion. Soprano Erin Wall sings the role of Vanessa, tenor Zach Borichevsky plays her lover Anatol, contralto Helene Schneiderman debuts as the Old Baroness, mezzo soprano Virginie Verrez portrays Erika and James Morris portrays the Old Doctor. Sung in English.

For ticket prices and more information visit www.santafeopera.org.

A PARK GROWS IN TULSA

A giant paddlefish, above, and two blue herons will serve as climbing structures at A Gathering Place for Tulsa; RIGHT: Shirley Martin, grants manager and Hille Foundation board member; Leslie Hille Hamrick, grant officer and board member; Mary Ann Hille, president and trustee; Sheila Hille Lequerica, grant officer and board member; and Maggie Hille Yar, executive director and trustee.

Larger than life

The Land of the River Giants is inspired by two species of Oklahoma wildlife.

by MORGAN PHILLIPS

THE ELEMENT: LAND OF THE RIVER GIANTS

Looking fresh from the Arkansas River, the River Giants — a 42-foot-long wooden paddlefish and two 20- to 24-foot-tall blue herons — are wildlifeinspired climbing structures designed for children ages 5-8.

The Land of the River Giants is one of seven landscaped “rooms” in the park’s 5-acre Chapman Adventure Playground. Other features of the River Giants area include three basket swings that are wheelchair accessible and an open “free play” area.

Greg Bollinger/Rendering courtesy Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates

A GATHERING PLACE – PART 12

MONSTRUM

Nordholmen 14 DK - 2650 Hvidovre +45 33221077 www.monstrum.dk Date: Feb 5th 2016

SITE PROGRESS THIS MONTH Continue erecting steel for ONEOK Boathouse and Williams Cos. Lodge.

Complete concrete work on underground maintenance building.

Continue work on grading and vaults at Water Mountain and Mist Mountain.

Complete land bridges’ headwalls.

Continue north and south bumpout construction, including armoring of the shoreline, pending reduced Keystone Dam water releases.

Continue work on stabilization of the slopes throughout the elevation changes of the park, including the pond.

Continue work on underground utilities and site stormwater system.

Continue work on playground preparation.

Continue work on site pedestrian bridges.

Continue fabrication of sitewide stone walls.

TH E DO N O R: HILLE FOUNDATION

Hille Foundation President Mary Ann Hille says her late husband, Jo Bob, would have appreciated the Land of the River Giants.

“He grew up fishing in Collinsville and on the rivers of northeastern Oklahoma,” she says. For the past 40 years, the family also has kept a place at Grand Lake.

The couple’s daughter, Maggie Hille Yar, is executive director of the Hille Foundation, a $3 million donor to A Gathering Place. She says the park fits within the foundation’s mission to serve the underserved.

“It will be accessible to all of Tulsa, it will be open year-round, and it will be free,” Hille Yar explains. tþ

City of Tulsa to continue work on two major stormwater projects on north and east sides of site.

City of Tulsa to continue upgrading water and sewer lines on west side of Riverside Drive.

City of Tulsa to continue reconstruction of Riverside Drive.

Editor’s note: Construction plans subject to change.

For more information, visit www.agatheringplacefortulsa.com.

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Q&A

Scott Stulen Executive director, Philbrook Museum of Art

by JANE ZEMEL 30

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

A

A        thesaurus. Now that Scott Stulen is the director of the Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsans will need a new arsenal of adjectives to describe the excitement he brings.

Cogs and wheels in his brain turn differently.

Synapses connect in uncharted patterns. To him, art is energy. Interactive. Entertainment. Fun and learning are partners, not mutually exclusive. Buzzwords like engagement and experience sound powerful, not jargon-y.

Stulen’s goal is to make Philbrook the center of the Tulsa universe, where everything that’s exciting happens. So, hang on to your berets.

Here we go.

What did you know about Philbrook before you took the job? I knew Philbrook was one of six museums featured in (the book) “Magnetic: The Art and Science of Engagement” for changing engagements, the culture and future of museums. That mission resonated with me.

What was the dealmaker? Museums across the country are beginning to wake up to the idea that their role is more than being a physical building that displays notable works of art.

Philbrook is ahead of that curve. It has gone through the difficult parts, and everybody is on board for change. The momentum is here. My job is to take it to the next level and let the rest of the country know.

What makes an art museum great? Being accessible. Cultural institutions should be town squares — hubs of learning and social activities.

Good museums do all those things. When you enter, you should feel welcome; that you belong.

The real strength and future of museums depends on being integral to the community. You become the venue.

What is your vision for Philbrook? I don’t have a set agenda other than doing something of an inventory — who is the staff, what’s working, what isn’t, what are the community strengths, what are the areas where we can have impact?

There’s no shortage of possibilities. We have to be strategic about what to do first to make it both memorable and sustainable.

What’s at the top of your wish list? I’d like to expand the public spaces and programs — connect the inside to the outside by integrating the garden space with the collections. Philbrook Downtown has huge potential, too. I’d like to see that First Friday vibe more than once a month.

How did you end up in the museum field?

My undergraduate degree was in sculpture and installations; my master’s was in painting and drawing. I fell into museum work when I didn’t get a professorship. I taught (school-based)

contemporary art at Rochester (Minnesota) Art Center museum camp, then was hired permanently when they received a grant. The position fit artistically, because I could continue my studio work. I did a little bit of everything there, from writing grants to hanging drywall.

And your professional history? Recently, I was project director of mnartists.org at the Walker Art Center (in Minneapolis). When officials at the Indianapolis Museum of Art (IMA) caught my TED(x)talk in 2012, they created a new curatorial position in audience experience and performance, the first one of its kind in the U.S. My team launched more than 200 new programs, generating a 320 percent increase in program attendance over the past two years.

“Museums across the country are beginning to wake up to the idea that their role is more than being a physical building that displays notable works of art.

Philbrook is ahead of that curve.”

What is audience experience? It’s everything time-based: music, public spaces, traditional spaces, events, interactive projects. It’s about creating connections between assets. At IMA, we instituted Family Days, Artist-designed Mini Golf, Avant Brunch, College Nights, Cereal Cinema, ARTxFIT, Adult Summer Camp, Mash-up Lectures, B-movie Bingo and Silent Night, among others.

Who or what is your primary competition?

Entertainment is competition for any cultural institution. Netflix. Anything. People are overstimulated. Their schedules are packed full. Our events have to be more compelling than staying home on the couch. They have to be interesting enough, unique enough, for people to want to be here to be with friends or family.

Tell us about your family. My wife, Rachel, and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. She works for a financial services company.

Our oldest son, Erlend, will be 6 in October

and is headed for kindergarten. Oliver, who is 20 months old, is a clone of me as a curious kid.

What first interested you in art and/or museums? On a field trip to a local art museum in the fourth grade, I saw a Rembrandt and was blown away. I didn’t necessarily want to be Rembrandt, but I wanted to make something similar. As I leaned into the painting for a closer look, I tripped all the alarms. I remember that part as much as I remember the art. I want to make an impact with people but change how museums function.

What would people be surprised to know about you? I’ve had a number of strange jobs while in school and pursuing my art career, so I’ve learned to deal with people. I sold baseball cards for two years when Ebay was really hopping, worked at a florist for one and a half years and managed a coffee shop with my wife.

You seem to be a natural marketer. How do you feel about that description? I come from a more entrepreneurial background. I embrace being a marketer. My mom owns a small business. I’ve run a business. I’ve been in the real world. And I understand the art world. That influences how I approach things from a marketing perspective.

How did you become known as “the cat video guy” in the museum world? Being creator and producer of the Internet Cat Video Festival got me on the national radar, although the New York Times outed me for not having a cat. It was part of the Open Field Project, a series of events that took place in an outdoor space next to the Walker. It became a hip social place through events like yoga, letter writing (no one does that any more), cursive handwriting classes (no one does that either) and analog tweets. The Internet Cat Video Festival is the most attended event in Walker history, bringing in more than 10,000 people at its launch and hundreds of thousands of attendees since. Since then, it has been screened in 230-plus cities and 12 countries.

What makes programming exciting? A lecture format can be compelling if it’s more of a mashup. You can take two things you don’t expect to go together, like an urban beekeeper and an art historian — speakers who are interested in each other — and discover how they’re related. It’s taking the standard format and tweaking it.

What brings people in? What brings them back? The event you’re attending at the time makes you interested in the next one. Especially if it’s one you didn’t expect. That’s forward momentum.

How quickly will Tulsans see these changes? I have one speed. I just go fast. I sense the same spirit here. tp TulsaPeople.com

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SOUNDING THE

BUDGET WOES MEAN TULSA FIREFIGHTERS GET BY WITH FEWER CREW MEMBERS AND LESS PAY. 32

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

E ALARM the PRICE of

PUBLIC SERVICE

the PRICE of

PUBLIC SERVICE PART 3

BY MORGAN PHILLIPS Five minutes isn’t long, except when seconds count.

When a fire is ravaging someone’s home or a firefighter is providing urgent first-response medical treatment, five minutes can be an eternity.

Industry tests show that for firefighters, the size of the crew responding to an emergency can equal precious time gained or lost.

Although four people on a fire department apparatus is a national standard proven to minimize loss of life and property, a shortage of Tulsa firefighters means many fire stations are sharing personnel and making do with threeperson crews.

At press time, 676 firefighters were employed with the Tulsa Fire Department. TFD was awaiting news on the status of an application for the SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant, which would federally fund a 2016 academy to hire 27 cadets, including filling 23 vacancies left by retirements within the department.

Personnel costs are expected to shift to the City of Tulsa’s general fund following the twoyear grant period, according to the City’s operating budget for fiscal year 2016-17.

But even with that academy, Assistant Fire Chief MIKE BAILEY says TFD won’t hit its goal of “two in, two out.” The phrase refers to a minimum of two firefighters working as a team inside a structure and a minimum of two firefighters on standby outside, considered to be a best practice in the field.

Unfortunately, TFD leadership says the firefighter staffing problem is just one of several departmental issues — which range from a lack of competitive salaries to worn-out equipment — that are all tied to the City’s budgetary constraints.

SIZE MEANS SAFETY

TFD firefighters must be able to deal with more than putting out flames. As the city’s first responders, they are trained to respond to emergency medical needs while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

TFD Captain BRENT GOINS, vice president of Tulsa Firefighters Local 176, says he has seen crew size make a difference on countless calls.

His Station 16 is in north Tulsa, where the most fires occur citywide due to a high concentration of older homes — many with substandard wiring.

“If a station is going to have four-person crews, it’s usually mine,” he says.

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“IT USED TO BE THAT TULSA WAS THE STANDARD BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DO AND WHAT WE GOT PAID.” TFD CAPTAIN BRENT GOINS A few years ago, Goins’ station responded to a fire at the Apache Manor apartments near East Apache Street and North Harvard Avenue. He says two firefighters were able to put out a fire on the top story of the complex while the other two firefighters performed CPR on a woman at the front door. The crew’s efficiency resulted in zero fatalities.

National firefighter field experiments in April 2010 found that four-person crews at a low-hazard structure fire completed the same number of tasks 5.1 minutes or nearly 25 percent faster than three-person crews.

Four- and five-person crews also completed search and rescue operations 6 percent faster than three-person crews. Although this equates to less than a minute, Goins says the time difference can be key in a life-threatening situation.

In January, the City will begin collecting revenues from the public safety portion of the Vision 2025 sales tax extension, which was recently approved to fund the hiring of 65 firefighters. Hiring will take place over three years starting in spring 2017, Goins says.

Regarding staffing concerns of some in TFD management, City Manager Jim Twombly says, “We have budgeted to do what we said we would do, which is to add firefighters.”

While the number of firefighters on an apparatus is a major concern for TFD, so is the working condition of the apparatus themselves.

Most TFD apparatus were purchased before 2007 and some are 20 years old, says TFD Captain Chad Meyer. The vehicles must 34

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

often take off and stop hard. Consequently they are starting to break down frequently, overworking the City’s repair shop. The exact number of vehicles in the fleet changes, but currently every reserve apparatus is in use. A fire engine costs $850,000; a ladder truck costs $1.3 million.

According to the City’s operating budget for FY 16-17, apparatus replacement is scheduled in FY 18 from funding provided by a 2014 sales tax package.

However, Twombly says the City plans to expedite that process.

“It is creating quite a problem,” he says of the TFD repair issues. “It’s something we recognize and are working to address. It may be that we need to jockey some things around to make use of those funds (for apparatus replacement) as quickly as possible.”

LESS MONEY, MORE PROBLEMS

TFD is Oklahoma’s second-largest fire department in the state’s second-largest city, yet its average pay across all ranks is 12th in the state, according to Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System data provided by Local 176.

A first-year Tulsa firefighter’s annual salary is $40,247.58, or $14.88 per hour. Goins says performance raises are touted during the hiring process, but he says that for the past seven years or so, the City has denied some high-performing firefighters annual raises to cut costs.

Twombly says the City has provided seven across-the-board pay increases to TFD since

2001, ranging from 1 percent to 7 percent. Since 2001, the City has awarded satisfactory performance increases to eligible Tulsa firefighters every year except FY 13-14. “(The performance increases) haven’t been consistent because we have had ups and downs during that time with the economy,” he says.

“We would like to provide satisfactory performance increases every year because we do think that is important.”

According to the contract between the City of Tulsa and Local 176, firefighters who have been on the job for eight years have the potential to earn an annual salary of up to $63,058.88 or $23.32 per hour, but Goins says that might not be a reality for the firefighters hired since 2009.

Twombly says hitting a specific pay level based on years worked is not a sure thing for firefighters.

“We have specifically instructed recruiters not to make that guarantee because we can’t guarantee that,” he says. “If someone has told a firefighter that, they shouldn’t have.”

Firefighters in the Broken Arrow and Owasso suburbs are paid more on average than Tulsa firefighters, although they respond to a fraction of Tulsa’s 50,000-60,000 calls per year. Goins says Tulsa’s size and geographic diversity — with the rare combination of high-rise structures and a river — require high-level, intensive training procedures. The department still draws thousands of zealous candidates to apply for openings.

But as the suburbs have grown and increased their tax bases, TFD has seen many quality ap-

plicants turn down offers in Tulsa for jobs in smaller communities that pay more.

“It used to be that Tulsa was the standard because of what we do and what we got paid,” Goins says.

To supplement their income, many TFD firefighters have side careers ranging from roofing to lawn care to odd jobs. Before Bailey’s promotion to assistant fire chief, he says he worked construction and security on his days off and frequently built sets as a stagehand at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

Despite TFD’s inability to compete on the wage scale, Bailey and Goins stress that the pride of being a Tulsa firefighter and public servant is more important than what they are paid.

“It’s not about the money,” Goins says. “We just want to be treated fairly.”

HEALTH EFFECTS

The job search website CareerCast ranks firefighter the No. 2 most stressful job of 2016, just behind enlisted military personnel.

Being a firefighter is not only physically demanding and dangerous work, but also mentally and emotionally draining due to the traumatic nature of the scenes firefighters regularly encounter.

“I feel like we see things people shouldn’t see,” Bailey says. “I’ve seen things I will never forget for the rest of my life. Firefighters experience death every day.”

Largely, it seems Tulsa firefighters turn to their crewmates to process difficult scenes — it’s a sort of unofficial “group therapy” with others who experienced the same thing. TFD’s Critical Incident Debriefing Team, comprised of peer firefighters and mental health professionals, responds to crews involved in particularly traumatic incidents. Firefighters also can call the team themselves.

“There is that stigma,” Bailey admits, “but we try to teach them it’s OK to ask for help from that first day of academy.”

Alarmingly, many first responders who spend their careers fighting fires also go on to face an unexpected battle in their personal lives: cancer.

In 2013 the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health followed 30,000 firefighters in three large cities. The study found that firefighters are more likely than the U.S. population as a whole to develop cancers of the respiratory, digestive and urinary systems. The firefighters had twice the rate of mesothelioma, an aggressive cancer affecting the lining of the lungs and abdomen, than the general population.

Researchers determined the increased risk of cancer is due to firefighters’ exposure to contaminants that are known or suspected to cause cancer such as benzene and formaldehyde, and materials in debris such as asbestos from older structures.

TULSA’S MEDICAL RESPONSE Tulsa has a two-tiered medical response system in which the Tulsa Fire Department and the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) both respond to 911 medical emergencies.

Dispatchers determine whether TFD and/or EMSA will respond to medical calls through a screening and medical evaluation process. Firefighters are generally called to life-threatening emergencies such as difficulty breathing, cardiac arrests and strokes, among other situations.

As the city’s first responders, TFD typically arrives first on the scene to assess and stabilize patients. Upon their arrival, EMSA transports patients to the hospital.

Ninety-five percent of Tulsa firefighters are emergency medical technicians (EMTs), according to Assistant Fire Chief MIKE BAILEY. TFD also employs more than 100 paramedics, who have advanced life support training to execute more intensive medical procedures such as starting IVs and tracheal tubes.

In the past decade, TFD has bid twice to provide the City of Tulsa with emergency ambulance service. Both times the City has opted to continue receiving the service from EMSA, a public trust that also provides nonemergency ambulance transport via a private company, American Medical Response.

City Manager JIM TWOMBLY says the trust indenture that created EMSA allows either or both Oklahoma City and Tulsa to opt out of ambulance service every five years. The next potential opt-out period is this October.

Twombly wasn’t in his current position 10 years ago, but he recalls that five years ago he and other city officials reviewed TFD’s preliminary proposal for ambulance service and “didn’t feel there would be any additional benefit to have TFD take on the additional service.”

“At best, it looked like it would be a wash,” Twombly says.

TFD Captain BRENT GOINS, however, says Tulsa could potentially save money and reduce duplicative services if TFD provided emergency ambulance transport.

“We go on about 80 percent of EMSA’s calls,” he says. “We’re doing a large percentage of the job right now.”

In late 2015, the City of Tulsa commissioned the Center for Public Safety Management (CPSM) to provide a comprehensive review of the working relationship between TFD and EMSA. Although CPSM’s preliminary report makes seven recommendations for improving the overall working relationship between TFD and EMSA, it found the relationship to be “a highperformance and progressive arrangement that is recognized nationally in the delivery of EMS (emergency medical services).”

“On the basis of our observations and the analysis of response activities, training, deployment and patient outcomes, CPSM recommends that the City of Tulsa maintain its working relationship with EMSA in the delivery of pre-hospital emergency medical services,” the draft states.

The City has come under fire for not completing the study prior to the Vision 2025 vote in April. The study’s preliminary recommendations for TFD operations include keeping three firefighters to a truck. TFD says having four firefighters to a truck is a national standard that maximizes safety.

Twombly agrees the report results would have been useful prior to the Vision vote, but he says funding wasn’t available for the study until summer 2015. He says the scope of the study also was expanded, requiring additional funds and time.

Funding has to be in place before the City can begin the request-for-proposal process with potential vendors, Twombly explains.

“In the best of circumstances, it was a tight timeframe,” he says, “and we didn’t have the best of circumstances.” • Editor’s note: EMSA declined to comment for this article.

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Tulsa Fire Department Captain Chad Meyer

ANSWERING THE CALL At age 11, CHAD MEYER watched his house burn to the ground. Although 911 was called, the volunteer fire department in his rural Oklahoma community never came, and his family lost everything.

The traumatic experience set Meyer on a personal mission.

“I grew up saying, ‘I’m going to become a firefighter, and I’m going to show up. I’m not going to let this happen to another family,’” he recalls.

Meyer began his career as a volunteer firefighter and eventually was hired by the Tulsa Fire Department, where he holds the rank of captain at Station 3 near East Admiral Boulevard and North Utica Avenue. His second job is working his Osage County cattle ranch.

Since joining TFD 12 years ago, Meyer has made countless calls he and his crew members will never forget.

The September 2012 fire at the old Barnard Elementary School in midtown Tulsa is one of those calls. The 1920s-era building was being remodeled as the new site of the Tulsa School for Arts and Sciences.

Although no students or staff were in the building at the time of the fire, nine Tulsa firefighters were injured in a series of backdrafts and an explosion. Although all nine are back on the job, several suffered disfiguring injuries, says Meyer, who recalls the severity of the situation.

“When the explosion went off, we had already started the grieving process because we thought we’d probably lost a lot of our best friends,” he says. “It’s very tough to call a wife at 1 in the morning and tell them, ‘Your husband is headed to Hillcrest.’”

A father of two, Meyer says some of his parenting decisions are influenced by tragic calls he has responded to during his firefighting career.

“People think I’m paranoid, but every time I get in my vehicle, I walk all the way around it, and I tell my kids, ‘I’m backing out,’” Meyer says. “I also don’t let my kids go to the lake with anyone, and that’s based off a call I made. Seeing these things just changes you.”

Other memories are much happier. Meyer recalls his crew’s participation in a lunch buddy program at a middle school near their station. The school’s principal was in need of positive male role models to mentor a few at-risk male students on their lunch hour once a week.

The crew spent months getting to know the boys and finding common interests, Meyer says.

The firefighters then challenged them to improve their attendance and grades. By the end of the program — which Meyer says was discontinued the following year due to an increase in state testing requirements — all of the boys had made significant gains in both areas, and each wanted to be a firefighter.

Most Tulsans have positive opinions of the fire department, Meyer says, but many don’t know the “extra” work firefighters put in — from donating their time to arrive an hour or more early for each shift, to praying for people while providing medical help, to making sure every home they enter has a working smoke detector.

“To do our job and to do it well and put in the effort with compassion, you have to start with someone who cares,” Meyer says.

“I tell these guys (his crew at Station 3), ‘If we know in our hearts we did everything we could to help someone and to make it better, regardless of the outcome, that gives us some sort of peace.’” • 36

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Goins has seen several of his firefighter peers through cancer treatment, including two drivers at his station. He explains that homes of previous generations were built with natural materials; today they are built with synthetic, petroleum-based products that are dangerous when burned.

“When a new home catches on fire, it’s like stepping into an oil refinery,” explains TFD Captain Jeff Smith.

Although TFD can’t change what materials modern homes are built with, Goins says they could minimize their risk of exposure if they had extra equipment. Although protection is the purpose of a firefighter’s gear, Goins explains that contaminants are still absorbed where the gear makes contact with the thin skin of the face and neck.

“If I go into a fire, my gear is contaminated, and it has to be cleaned,” he says. “So, we need a second set of gear.”

Of course, more gear costs money — something already in short supply. A second set of gear, hats to boots, costs $3,000, Goins says. It takes about 12 hours to properly wash and dry a set of contaminated equipment. This process requires a special extractor and dryer, which cost about $60,000. TFD has only three of these setups at a west Tulsa facility, and firefighters must transport their own equipment for cleaning.

But Goins and Smith stress that contaminants put more than just firefighters at risk.

“Not only are we exposing ourselves, but when we come into other people’s houses wearing contaminated gear, we are exposing citizens,” Smith says.

SATISFACTION DESPITE SACRIFICE

Tulsa firefighters spend a third of their lives on the job, working 24 hours on duty followed by 48 hours off duty.

The schedule, while flexible in some ways, also can sacrifice family time — for example, missed anniversaries, sports games and dance recitals.

When firefighters are on duty, they can’t run home for family emergencies such as a broken bone, a busted water heater or even a baby’s birth.

Vacation is chosen according to seniority, Meyer says, which ironically means that firefighters with young children often miss birthdays and holidays.

However, despite the challenges of being a firefighter, there’s no doubt the occupation can be incredibly rewarding. Victories are celebrated and losses are mourned within the unique brotherhood and sisterhood of those who share TFD’s responsibility.

“As a Tulsa firefighter, you can be really proud of what you do,” Meyer says. “You really get to make a difference.” tþ

A SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY SECTION SALUTING

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES TULSA

Tulsa Ronald McDonald House

K E E P I N G FA M I L I E S C LO S E

25

Photo: Tom Gilbert

YEARS

C ELEBRATING O UR 25 TH A NNIVERSARY ยง T ULSA , O KLAHOMA ยง 1991-2016

Key Players Speak Out It is a great tribute to the RMH mission that the following original players were not only instrumental in bringing the House to Tulsa, but are also still actively involved after 28+ years of service.

“George and I are so grateful to see the continued widespread support for this sanctuary of love and hope – a perfect prescription for health. We have dedicated our lives to helping those with burdens and the RMH shares the best qualities that represent Tulsa’s community spirit of hospitality and caring for others.”

– Phyllis Dotson Original Catalyst for Tulsa RMH; JLT Task Force; VP–Nominating 1989–91; Capital/Expansion Campaigns Co-Chair 1990–91, 2002; McDazzle 1992 Chair; Advisory Board 1991–Present

“The child summons the courage to fight the disease.

The family encourages the child and struggles to make ends meet. The community serves them in every possible way. We are blessed to be a part of this great effort.”

– John and Lucia O’Connor John: Board President 1988–90; Advisory Board 1991–Present • Lucia: JLT Task Force; McDazzle 1993 Co-Chair; Advisory Board 1995–2009; VC–Resource Dev/PR 2012–13; Advisory Board Chair 2014–Present

“It is an honor to serve the House that serves families in need. We love the Ronald McDonald House, the families who stay with us, the staff and board members, and each and every individual in the community who makes this happen.”

– Bob Wagner, Jr. McDonald’s Owner/Operator, Original Catalyst in getting McDonald’s Tulsa Co-op involved; VP–Resource Dev. 1989-90; Advisory Board 1991–2009 and 2013–Present; Board 2010–13

“The House holds a very special place in my heart and I am humbled to be part of this incredible RMH family. My heart skips a beat, even after all these years, when I enter the doors, and a feeling of pure joy overwhelms my senses for this magical place that our guest families call home.”

– Beth Bovaird

RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES TULSA

Tulsa Ronald McDonald House

K E E P I N G FA M I L I E S C LO S E Tulsa’s premiere facility serving as a “home-away-from-home” for families whose seriously ill or injured children are receiving medical treatment at any Tulsa hospital.

25 YEARS

Welcome to the House that Love Built!®

T

philanthropic community. wenty-five years ago, the Our rich history is highlighted Tulsa Ronald McDonald House opened its doors throughout this section and to serve as a “home-awaywe are honored to be making from-home” for families who an important, positive contritravel to Tulsa seeking specialbution to families in need on ized medical treatment for their a daily basis. seriously ill or injured children Please join us as we celebrate at any Tulsa hospital. Our our Silver Anniversary and House, staff and volunteers thank the thousands of have embraced thousands of community members, compaJean Ann Hankins families with a simple and nies, foundations, service constant goal – to provide a warm, organizations, churches, schools and supportive environment with all the clubs who have remained steadfast comforts of home to allow families to supporters of this critical facility. focus on their most important concern: It is a great honor to be serving as the health of their children. the second Executive Director in our A milestone for Tulsa, an immeasurable stellar history. Please take the time to benefit to families facing one of the get involved, stop by for a tour and find most stressful times in their lives, and out all the exciting happenings at this an integral service to Tulsa area hospitals, remarkable home-away-from-home. the Tulsa Ronald McDonald House Warmest regards, unites the entire community and Jean Ann Hankins embodies the spirit of such an active, Executive Director

JLT Task Force; VP–Community Relations 1990–92; McDazzle 1993 Co-Chair; Newsletter Editor 1990-2013; Advisory Board 1997–Present

“The House will always be a part of my life. The mission and the people that make this dream a reality continue to capture our hearts. The widespread community support for the House for over 25 years sends a clear message and appreciation for what this House means to Tulsa and to the families it serves.”

– Larry Lipe Photo: Chase Bovaird

Board President 1990–91; Capital/Expansion Campaigns Co-Chair 1990–91, 2002; Advisory Board 1993–Present

“When I think of my experience with the Tulsa Ronald McDonald House, I have to borrow a McDonald’s phrase, ‘I’m lovin’ it.’ ” –Lynn Jones VP–Resource Dev. 1990–91; Board President 1992–93; Advisory Board Chair ’02–’03; Advisory Board 1994–Present

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The Tulsa Ronald McDonald House, 6102 South Hudson Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Phyllis & George Dotson Honorary Co-Chairs, McDazzle Fun Ball 2016

I

t is quite fitting a home-like that Phyllis and environment in a city George Dotson unfamiliar to families are serving as who must travel to Honorary Co-Chairs Tulsa seeking specialof McDazzle Fun ized medical treatBall 2016, as their ment for their names are synonychildren. She knew mous with the what Tulsans were House. Their like – she had unwavering dedicaexperienced the love tion for the past and support from so 31 years is a true many during her testament to their son’s battle – and community spirit. she knew if there Phyllis’ vision and was ever a city to Phyllis and George Dotson unwavering determisupport such a nation to establish a Ronald McDonald facility, it would be Tulsa. She, once House for Tulsa has truly been “a journey again, solicited the help of the Junior of the heart” and George has been right League of Tulsa and also recruited Dr. by her side every step of the way. Phyllis Daniel Plunket, her son’s oncologist, to learned early in her nursing career what get involved. Together, they joined forces families experience with seriously ill (1985) and initiated a JLT Task Force children. Sadly, in 1976, the Dotsons in 1986 to research the possibility of endured the experience, first-hand, when bringing the Ronald McDonald House their six-year-old son, Ben, was diagnosed to Tulsa. McDonald’s Owners/Operators, with cancer. After a courageous battle, as well as community members in all Ben died two years later. fields, came on board to help make the Shortly after her son’s death, Phyllis dream a reality. After years of planning, a felt a strong need to help seriously ill drive was mounted to build this muchchildren and their families and she began needed facility and the rest is history! volunteering 40 hours per week in the Phyllis was not only the driving force pediatric unit of St. John Medical Center, behind the establishment of the Tulsa developing fun activities for the hospitalRonald McDonald House, but she has ized children. Not one to settle for status also served in many significant capacities quo, Phyllis saw the need for expanded throughout her tenure. Her role as Capital Campaign Co-Chair to build the services for these families and solicited House and to expand the House was critithe involvement of the Junior League of cal to our success. Together, the Dotsons’ Tulsa (JLT). Together, they developed unwavering support cannot be overstated. the Pediatric Enrichment Program in We hope you will honor the House which members volunteered weekly at and the Dotsons with your support and area hospitals to provide support services attendance at McDazzle Fun Ball 2016 for families in crisis. on August 25, 2016 – a very special year Phyllis still felt the need to do more to as we celebrate our 25th Anniversary of help these families. She wanted Tulsa to serving families in need. be able to offer Thursday, August 25, 2016 at Cox Business Center 25th Anniversary honoring Phyllis & George Dotson

JOIN US FOR A FUN, RELAXED EVENING Dinner ™ Dancing ™ Live/Silent Auctions ™ Entertainment by Barrett Baber of NBC’s The Voice ™ Visit www.rmhtulsa.org or call 918.496.2727 for details

How We Operate The Tulsa Ronald McDonald House is truly a community effort. Although affiliated with an international network of 356 Ronald McDonald Houses, the Tulsa House, like all Ronald McDonald Houses, is independently owned and operated by a local, 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, and is entirely dependent upon donations for its success.

The Tulsa House operates as Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tulsa, Inc. (RMHC–Tulsa) through its Board of Directors and Advisory Board, composed entirely of volunteers – parents, health professionals, McDonald’s representatives, community volunteers, business and civic leaders – all working together to provide this much-needed facility for families with seriously ill or injured children. Our paid staff includes an executive director, development director, house manager, facilities manager, resident manager, weekend manager and administrative assistant. Our dedicated community volunteers work daily shifts at the House, providing immeasurable support to our families and staff members.

Guest Families Families must live outside a 10-mile radius of Tulsa and have a dependent child, 21 years of age or younger, receiving medical treatment at any Tulsa hospital to be eligible to stay at the House.

Families are referred by hospital social workers and are asked to pay a $10 nightly room donation, but no one is ever turned away for inability to pay. Each private bedroom/private bath accommodates up to four family members with all the comforts of home – kitchen, laundry facilities, community rooms, outdoor/indoor play areas and free wifi – in a supportive environment. Complimentary shuttle service to all Tulsa hospitals is also available.

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25 Years

1985

The Need Is Recognized Phyllis Dotson, community volunteer, unites McDonald’s, Junior League of Tulsa, and her son’s pediatric oncologist, Daniel Plunket, M.D. to discuss need for a House.

McDonald’s Tulsa Co-op, composed of McDonald’s Owners/Operators of the greater Tulsa area, has been a key player since inception. Contributing over $1.2 million, to date, through their local fund raising efforts, major capital campaign contributions, McDazzle patronage, and service as board/ advisory board members, their steadfast commitment is a vital part of our success.

1986

Jr. League of Tulsa, Inc. Takes Lead Feasibility study conducted culminating in a 5-year task force.

1987–1988

TLC, Inc. (Tulsa Loves Children) Established With the full support of every local hospital, a local non-profit corporation, composed of community volunteers, is established (’87) to own and operate House. Board fully functional (’88). Planning intensifies and site search begins.

Grand Opening rs taking part in the be em M d ar Bo .

Inc TLC, is now a reality!

4, 1991. The dream r be to Oc on y on Cerem

1989

Land Acquired Saint Francis Hospital generously donates an ideal location at 61st & Hudson for a 99-year lease ($1 per year).

Building team secured; plans drawn.

First annual fund raiser, McDazzle, held.

McDazzle now in its 27th year!

1990

Capital Campaign Launched (March 1, 1990) Press Conference held to announce $2 Million Campaign – $1 million for construction/furnishing; $1 million to establish an endowment. Campaign kick starters include: Bama Pie, Ltd.; The Mervin Bovaird Foundation; H.A. & Mary K. Chapman Charitable Trust; Helmerich Foundation; Junior League of Tulsa, Inc.; McDonald’s Owners/ Operators of Oklahoma; and Ronald McDonald Children’s Charities.

Ground Breaking Ceremony (October 3, 1990) Construction begins. 40 companies donate goods and services that lead to cost reductions in nearly all areas of construction.

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TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Remember the adorable 3rd graders from Lee Elementary who performed at the Grand Opening Ceremony? They are now in their 30s with families of their own!

1991

HOUSE OPENS (October 4, 1991) Grand Opening Ceremony held amidst great fanfare. First families arrive at our 10,000 square-foot, 14-family facility. Staff in place.

In-House Volunteer program developed and volunteers trained.

Capital Campaign reaches goal.

1996

A Glimpse at One of our Guest Families (pictured right) – The McDaniels, of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, prepare to take 4 ½ -month-old baby twin, Leah (front left), home for the first time following multiple surgeries and a successful heart transplant.

Dividing their time between the Tulsa RMH and St. Louis RMH, this “miracle baby” receives special goodbyes from her incredible doctors at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis in Tulsa.

TLC, Inc. Becomes Ronald McDonald House Charities of Tulsa, Inc. (November 13, 1996) Merger aligned all RMHs worldwide. Each House still locally owned and operated by its respective 501(c)(3) corporation, but now grant monies generated by McDonald’s national/regional fund raising efforts allow each House to provide grants to local organizations helping children. Each House allotted a share to distribute.

of Love

Grand Re-Opening (October 4, 2002) Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony held to celebrate completion of House expansion.

9,645 square-foot expansion enlarges House footprint to 19,645 square-feet, allowing RMH to now serve 24 families per night.

2016

Kitchen Expansion/Renovation Plans underway for new double commercial/residential kitchen to enhance dining facilities for guests and Guest Chefs (individuals, companies and groups who cook dinner for our families most nights). 2,000 square-foot expansion included. Stay tuned for fund raising drive.

Exactly 11 years to the day after grand opening, our “More Room, More Love” Grand Re-Opening Ceremony is held on October 4, 2002 to officially re-open the doors to our newly-expanded facility. Ronald McDonald is joined by Glenda Love, Executive Director (1991–2012) and DeWayne Allen, Board President (2001–2002).

1991 – Present Volunteers are the heart of th e House.

Board/Advisor y members, Hou se volunteers and community su pporters celebrate our 15 th Year in 2006 . Hard to believe that was 10 years ag o!

House Fulfilling Mission Since opening, more than 30,000 family members have been guests at the Tulsa Ronald McDonald House. House accommodates 24 families per night with all the comforts of home.

Hospitals Represented All Tulsa Area Hospitals including Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis, Hillcrest Medical Center (+ South), Laureate, OSU Medical Center, Riverside, Saint Francis Hospital (+ South), St. John Medical Center, Shadow Mountain

The Tulsa Ronald McDonald House today.

The inviting entrance reflects the spirit of the House, welcoming all to this warm, supportive environment.

2002

HOUSE EXPANDS As Tulsa’s pediatric medical facilities expand, RMH faces overwhelming dilemma – lack of space for the increasing number of families needing our services. “More Room, More Love” $2.1 Million Capital/Endowment Campaign launches (January 2002) to nearly double House size with 10 additional family bedrooms/private baths, community rooms, expanded reception and outdoor patio/garden areas and additional parking. $1.8 million raised in 8 months. Early 2003, campaign meets goal.

Land Acquired Saint Francis Hospital graciously donates one acre west of current facility for $1 per year (99-year lease). Construction begins with same dream team as original House: Architect Connie McFarland and Builder Ken Klein, Kleinco.

Areas Served to Date • 67 of 77 Oklahoma counties • 42 U.S. States • 9 Countries: USA, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, England, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Ukraine Economics • $10 requested room donation per night (per family), but no one is ever turned away from inability to pay • $80 actual RMH operating cost per night • Share-a-Night and Adopt-A-Room programs available to community supporters – great ways to help ease the financial burdens facing families in crisis TulsaPeople.com

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Announce Your Recent Wedding In TulsaPeople ngs i d d e w l a e R TULSA COUPLES

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The world is theirs to explore.

T h e a d v e n T u r e b e g i n s aT h o l l a n d h a l l .

Follow the journey on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @HollandHall

HollandHall.org

MOST LIKELY TO SuCCEED FOURTEEN OF TULSA’S STANDOUT 2016 GRADUATES TALK ABOUT THEIR PASSIONS AND PLANS FOR THE FUTURE.

By Chandler Hunt, Tara Rittler and Josalyn Scaife

It’s not an easy question: How will you make your mark on the world? We asked 14 of Tulsa’s top-performing 2016 graduates — all driven by passions that influenced their high schools, communities and decisions about the future. Although our 2016 Brainiacs are pursuing a variety of remarkable goals, you could certainly say they are all among those most likely to succeed.

Mohamed Aly Anthony Barnett Indra Coronado HIGH SCHOOL: BOOKER T. WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL, 4.5 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: QALAM SEMINARY FOR ONE YEAR; UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA Aly paves a path wherever he goes and has a genuine passion to help others. During his time in high school, he was involved in youth philanthropy, the Islamic Society and was a leader in school activities. He and a friend started an Ultimate Frisbee team that won second in the Tulsa high school league this past year; since then, the school team has gained a lot of interest. He also captained various Academic Bowl and Science Bowl teams that saw success on state and national levels.

After graduating third in his class, Aly looks to take his talents to the greater world. He wants to study business and engineering, but also is excited about an opportunity to make a change. “Be kind, for kindness never comes in something except that makes it beautiful, and kindness is never removed from something except that it makes it ugly,” is a quote from the Prophet Muhammad he lives by. Aly wants to take the friendliness of Tulsa with him to help make a real difference in lives and communities.

HIGH SCHOOL: WILL ROGERS COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL, 4.3 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: PRINCETON UNIVERSITY

HIGH SCHOOL: EDISON PREPARATORY SCHOOL, 4.3 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY OF TULSA

Barnett loves learning and wants to use his knowledge to teach and help others. Although he will enter Princeton as a mechanical engineering major, Barnett’s interests include everything from politics and ethics to fitness and quantum physics.

One of his proudest high school accomplishments was captaining the cross-country team his senior year. He says the team formed a tight bond while braving Tulsa’s scorching summer heat.

Next year, Barnett hopes to participate in Princeton’s Engineering Without Borders chapter so he can receive hands-on experience while using his expertise to help those in need. He also plans to try his hand at book writing.

“I have tried to share my passion for science and mathematics with my fellow classmates and kids in my community in the form of tutoring, but I can only reach so many people doing this,” he says. “Writing an easy-to-read book on a vast number of different subjects within science is only a natural progression for me in my mission to inspire others to learn more.”

Enduring late nights of studying and dance practice, Coronado graduated high school ranked fourth out of 243 students.

She has participated in many groups such as class board, Spanish Club and Key Club. Despite the challenge, Coronado says that having the opportunity to be involved in so many different activities was her favorite part about high school.

In addition to being on the Principal’s Honor Roll and in National Honor Society for three years, she has been recognized for her talent in dance, writing and art.

Excited about the diversity of college classes, she intends to try a variety of classes to feed all of her interests, including languages, culture and business, before settling on a major.

Coronado plans to participate in TU’s True Blue Neighbors program, which connects TU students with service opportunities throughout the city. She had a “Big Sister” through the program as a child and looks forward to showing that same leadership to another lucky kid.

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Morgan Cyr

Peter gerstenberger

Carolyn “Carly” Hughes

Emilie Jenkins

Ethan Landis

Hsin-Roe Pan

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Morghan Cyr HIGH SCHOOL: OWASSO HIGH SCHOOL, 4.2 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: DUKE UNIVERSITY

Peter Gerstenberger

Carolyn “Carly” Hughes HIGH SCHOOL: TULSA SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES, 4.0 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY OF TULSA

Cyr seems to have found the perfect balance. Staying active in the community, she tutored students in math and social studies and volunteered at the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. She has also participated in missions in Detroit, Joplin, Houston and Belize.

Cyr worked at QuikTrip from her sophomore year on and was also an Ignite intern at First Presbyterian Church. Even though she stayed busy with work, she still managed to be ranked second in her graduating class.

As drum major for two years, she bonded with other band members as a mentor and leader. The experience taught her to say what she means and hold firm to her beliefs, but acknowledge that everyone isn’t perfect nor will they always agree.

Cyr plans to study public policy, Russian and Arabic. She does not yet speak these languages, but is eager to learn them because she believes there’s a growing need for knowledge of these languages in America.

In college, she will continue to play in marching band, participate in language clubs and is enrolled in a Middle East and Islam in Global Context Focus Group.

Just like he would in his soccer, cross-country and tennis matches, Gerstenberger kept his eye on the prize until the very end of his high school career, earning him over $600,000 in scholarships to study medical microbiology.

If that wasn’t challenging enough, Gerstenberger also plans to minor in biochemistry, psychology and possibly Spanish. He would love to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking country.

Gerstenberger participated in many groups and activities while in high school such as Art Club and Spanish Club. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Art Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society.

As a sophomore, he founded independent worship nights, where Metro students from various churches came together to worship throughout the year.

He is one of two teenagers who represented Oklahoma at the National Youth Science Camp in West Virginia this summer, having been nominated for this honor by his AP Biology teacher.

Hughes’ AP Literature teacher gave each student a children’s book as a going-away present. Each was chosen to reflect its recipient’s qualities and personality. The book given to Hughes was “What Do You Do With an Idea?,” which teaches that one idea can change the world.

Hughes has many ideas and is already changing the world around her. One of these ideas is to build a new library for TSAS. The current one consists of “a bookshelf in the cafeteria but no place to sit or read comfortably,” she says.

Recognizing this need, Hughes organized a book drive, often staying after school to index donated books. For this year’s senior class gift, each graduate donated their favorite book to the new library along with a note to future readers. They also plan to design new custom bookshelves for the library once the renovations are complete.

On a grander scale, Hughes hopes to delve into narcolepsy research. Recently diagnosed with the condition, she says very little is being done to study this disease. Consequently, she plans to study chemical engineering at TU, hoping to become a neuroscientist.

Emilie Jenkins

Ethan Landis

Hsin-Roe Pan

HIGH SCHOOL: BIXBY HIGH SCHOOL, 4.75 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY

HIGH SCHOOL: RIVERFIELD COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL, 3.76 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY OF TULSA

HIGH SCHOOL: UNION HIGH SCHOOL, 5.29 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: PARSONS SCHOOL OF DESIGN

Jenkins is a leader and an inquisitive mind. She knows what it takes to be successful and has met that challenge with passion and joy. Graduating sixth in a class of 391 students, she has worked hard to stand out.

Whether captaining color guard and winter guard or attending Bixby German Club, she always tried to expand her outlook and “stay savvy” in high school. However, her true passions were ignited as a junior in high school when she took an aerospace class at Tulsa Tech. Already interested in engineering, the class set the direction for her future studies. Jenkins is majoring in aerospace engineering this fall. She plans to get involved in the OSU aerospace program, where she will be able to build her own planes, compete and try out robotics. Her ultimate goal: working for NASA.

How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Ask Landis. He performed at Carnegie Hall twice as part of a highly selective, international honors orchestra for high school musicians. Although he played viola at Carnegie Hall, Landis also plays electric cello for local rock band La Lune, which has performed at Cain’s Ballroom, Guthrie Green and elsewhere. Additionally, he plays with two trios. The first, The Missing Links, features a viola and two cellos and performs music from popular video games like “The Legend of Zelda.” The other group is called The Hayden Trio and includes fellow local musicians Alexis Boylan and James Guidry. Their trio primarily focuses on playing the works of Joseph Haydn and has performed at the University of Tulsa’s Lorton Performance Center and First Friday Art Crawl.

But music isn’t all Landis does. He also was student council president his senior year and helped organize events such as game nights, fundraisers and prom. He plans to double major in music performance and biochemistry at TU, hoping to become a doctor while staying involved in music.

Pan’s senior quote is a good way to summarize how she lives her life: “Your passion is what makes you say, ‘Just a minute,’ when your mom tells you dinner’s ready.”

Pan found her own passion in fashion design, which landed her admission at the prestigious Parsons School of Design on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. She has been interested in fashion design since fifth grade, when her dad taught her to sew. Since then, she has won several awards for her designs — most recently for a dress incorporating pieces of broken glass left over from the school bathrooms.

When fabric becomes “too boring,” Pan turns to “found” materials for her designs. She also is fascinated by wearable technology and is looking forward to using the 3-D printers at Parsons.

Pan advises aspiring Brainiacs to “find what they love and do that.” She says that once you’ve found your passion, don’t be distracted by things that don’t captivate you. Pan has followed her own advice and because of this, is indeed most likely to “hit the runway” in her field of fashion design.

HIGH SCHOOL: METRO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY, 4.55 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY

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Isabelle Perkins

Gracie Rule

Sehej Parmar

HIGH SCHOOL: REGENT PREPARATORY, 4.18 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: BOSTON UNIVERSITY

HIGH SCHOOL: CASCIA HALL PREPARATORY SCHOOL, 4.29 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY

HIGH SCHOOL: HOLLAND HALL, 4.2 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

Of all the works on her extensive reading list, “Les Miserables” is Perkins’s favorite “because it’s such a beautiful depiction of mercy and justice.” Her resumé reflects these qualities: She received the Kanakuk Kamp Silent Hero Award, which is given to those who serve without expecting recognition or payment; she has done mission work with Haitian orphans; and she volunteered as a high school English tutor.

Perkins also received a National Merit Scholarship and was a nominee for the Princeton Book Award.

Having read everything from Boethius to J.K. Rowling, Perkins clearly has a limitless love for reading. However, she also enjoys traveling and connecting her literary pursuits to current events.

At college, she plans to study international business and the history of art and architecture.

Along with taking in the world’s most interesting architectural and cultural sights, Perkins is certain to bring the spirit of compassion with her wherever she goes.

Rule spent her high school years volunteering in the community and at church and participating in music, robotics, academic bowl and various scientific endeavors. She also was a student mentor, running the mentor program her senior year; an executive officer in student council; and held a regional executive position in Key Club her junior year. A genuine passion for the world around her combined with a curious and sharp mind has opened a world of opportunities for this young woman. But there is no denying the impact of science in Rule’s life; it’s her true passion.

“Over the years,” she says, “our Science Research Team at Cascia bonded as we spent many hours researching and developing our separate research projects.”

Additionally, in high school, she was given permission to work in a biochemistry lab at the University of Tulsa so that she could pursue her own research after school: studying the anticancer and antibacterial properties of honey. This two-part project allowed her to compete at the state, regional, national and international levels.

Rule plans to double major in chemical engineering and cellular and molecular biology, all while continuing to play cello, guitar, piano and bass.

Parmar received the Goddard Scholarship every year from the sixth grade until her senior year. Once she entered high school, she remained on the Headmaster’s Honor Roll until graduation. If that doesn’t say enough, she was the National Merit Commended Finalist for her school and represented Oklahoma at the National Youth Science Camp in West Virginia this summer.

However, Parmar isn’t only focused on her grades. She is very close with her family and cooks them breakfast every Sunday morning. In the eighth grade, her father was diagnosed with colon cancer and had a re-occurrence when she was a sophomore. After testing, it was discovered he carried the gene for Lynch Syndrome. That is when she took an interest in studying medicine. Later, she was privileged to shadow the world-renowned stem-cell and bone-transplant surgeon and oncologist, Dr. Joseph Lynch.

During high school, she stretched her time to make it count. She volunteered at Hillcrest and the Indian Association of Greater Tulsa, played tennis, stayed involved in scholastic activities, earned her black belt in Tae-Kwon-Do and stayed connected with her Indian heritage through dance and singing.

Parmar is excited to see where life will take her.

Ethan Veenker

Simona Yaneva

HIGH SCHOOL: CHARLES PAGE HIGH SCHOOL, 5.07 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY OF TULSA

HIGH SCHOOL: BROKEN ARROW HIGH SCHOOL, 5.21 GPA HIGHER EDUCATION: UNIVERSITY OF TULSA

Veenker is living outside the box. He spent his high school days standing out in various ways: He found success as a trumpet section leader and varsity debate, and was an active member and co-treasurer of the National Honor Society. Academically, he was ranked first out of 376 students, which he accomplished while working 14 hours a week as a pharmacy clerk at Spoon Drug Pharmacy.

Self-motivated, he sets his own standards and doesn’t measure himself against others.

If you asked him what he really wants to do, the answer would be simple: write. From a young age, Veenker loved stories. He wrote short stories growing up, compelled by the idea of creating a world and choosing what to do with characters. A big fan of science fiction and authors Isaac Asimov and J.R.R. Tolkien, he plans to study English this fall.

Yaneva values hard work and individualism. Self-motivated and talented, she strives to separate herself from the pack. And although it is not apparent, English wasn’t her first language. When she was 7 years old her family moved to Tulsa from Bulgaria. Becoming proficient in English felt good, and she enjoyed the process of becoming skilled at something. Doing things exceptionally well became a hallmark of her life.

On top of finishing second in a class of 1,216 students, she also worked 35-40 hours a week as a manager at a Pizza Hut. She plans to major in chemical engineering and can’t wait to try out activities like photography and student government on campus. And yes, she’ll be working, too.

She advises other students to not give up and keep on pushing because it’s all worth it in the end. tþ

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Isabelle Perkins

Gracie Rule

Sehej Parmar

BRAINIACS 2016 ETHAN VEENKER

Simona Yaneva

TulsaPeople.com

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W h at e v e r i s h a p p e n i n g i n y o u r l i f e ,

there’s a good chance your

college experience helped you get to where you are today. When you reflect on that tim e, you may be overwhelmed by fond memories — meeting your spouse, celebrating a big football win, pulling an all-nighter to study or laughing with people who became your lifelong friends. Today’s Oklahoma State University students are having the same experiences as they pursue bright orange futures.

Visit OSUgiving.com to lear n how you can be a par t of their journey.

Manufacturing opportunities Local schools are matching students with future employers and careers through innovative partnerships.

Jeffery Mason/Courtesy Tulsa Public Schools

by LIZ BLOOD

East Central High School student Kerry Mayfield works on a project in class.

But for the high school student sitting hunched over a computer, it might be his path to employment. He is taking one section of the four-part Certified Production Technician (CPT) test.

For students who aren’t quite sure if college is for them, or for those who know it isn’t, the CPT classes and other manufacturing and engineering classes in area public high schools offer teenagers another route: to head directly into the workforce.

Students in Cecil Lewis’ Manufacturing – CPT class at East Central High School can receive certification in four areas: safety, quality practice and measurements, production processes and manufacturing maintenance.

“If you pass all four of those,” Lewis says, “you receive your CPT certification. You can also get individually certified, but if you pass all four you’re an actual CPT-certified individual.”

For laymen, that means you’ve proven you understand the basic principles behind working in the manufacturing field.

Jeffery Mason/Courtesy Tulsa Public Schools

The large industrial-looking room, with its cracked-open garage door doesn’t look much like a classroom.

Antonique Clark and Tina Morris work together in their East Central High School classroom.

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Micah Hertzog and Stephanie Cameron work at APSCO, a local air power systems manufacturing company. Hertzog earned his Certified Production Technician certification as a student at Union Public Schools and now attends Tulsa Community College.

“This qualifies them for an entry-level job, but they can get a $2- or $3-an-hour boost over someone who’s coming in uncertified,” Lewis says.

Not only does this provide a benefit to students who wish to enter the workforce, but programs like this also help to close the “skills gap” — that is, the disconnect between what skills the workforce needs, and what students are being taught.

Stephanie Cameron, who works for local air power systems manufacturing company APSCO, says the CPT training in high schools and community colleges cuts their company’s training time in half.

Additionally, “It adds a level of maturity, gives (students) real-world experience, and they come in with a foundational knowledge of manufacturing practices,” Cameron says. “We give preference to people coming in with the certification.”

William Ollar, who administers the CPT tests at East Central, says about half of their 2015 graduates went straight to work.

“The purpose is to close the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields gap by getting kids interested — to create a feed into colleges and universities and to create jobs to fill the voids of boomer retirements,” Ollar says.

For students who elect to continue their education post-high school, Tulsa Community College will give three credit hours per CPT area that a student passes. If they passed all four certification areas, they’ll receive 12 credit hours — the equivalent of one semester.

Through a Department of Labor grant, Tulsa Community College offered the CPT certification for the adult population, and it was brought into the high schools at the request of OK2Grow, APSCO and Union Public Schools. Since then, it has been adopted

by Sand Springs and TPS East Central High School and has operated through a partnership with OK2Grow, TCC, industry partners, Union Public Schools, East Central and Sand Springs. Now that TCC’s grant has expired, OK2Grow has received a matching grant from the Schusterman Family Foundation to help sustain the CPT program in the high schools moving forward.

Ben Hooks, a TCC CPT instructor at Sand Springs’ Charles Page High School, says most of his students went into the workforce after graduation.

“But, if they do come to TCC, we have manufacturing, quality control and engineering technology degree programs that students can apply those credits to,” he says.

Before students receive full credit for the transfer hours, they must complete 12 resCONTINUED ON P. 56

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Bring your amBiTion.

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Bring your passion. Your initiative.

Your big plans. Most of all, bring your ambition. Because whether you’re on your way to a four-year university or a new career, TCC is the smart way to invest Madison, Professional Pilot

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CONTINUED FROM P. 54

ident hours at the college for those credits to become vested in the degree.

“For an associate’s degree, it’s usually a 60-credit-hour path,” Hooks says. “Essentially, they’re knocking out 20 percent of the degree with transfer hours.”

There’s also a paid internship placement program for seniors.

After TCC helped to train Lewis, the school administration at East Central now runs its CPT program. East Central wanted to slow down the course a bit, so that junior and senior students could focus on two certification areas per year.

Charles Page and Union might look at slowing the course down in future years. But for now, the programs will continue as-is with all four areas taught in one year.

High school connections Besides TCC, Tulsa Tech also is a major player in getting high school students educated in manufacturing-related areas before they graduate. Amanda Howell at Union Career Connect works on programming for juniors and seniors in the College and Career Center at Union High School.

“Our biggest partner is Tulsa Tech, but they don’t always have enough slots for our students,” Howell says. “We have over 3,000 students at Union High School, and about 385 are taking classes at Tulsa Tech in things like HVAC, construction, automotive maintenance, drafting, carpentry.

Tech is our first stop. They have great facilities and instructors.”

Of the 4,898 full-time students enrolled at Tulsa Tech in the 2015 fiscal year, 3,478 were high school students. Schools sending students to Tulsa Tech include Berryhill, Bixby, Broken Arrow, Catoosa, Collinsville, Glenpool, Jenks, Liberty, Owasso, Sand Springs, Skiatook, Sperry, TPS, Union and a handful of private, parochial and home-schools.

At many area high schools, they take select Tulsa Tech programs to the students.

“For these off-site programs, we fund the supplies, equipment, technology and teachers,” says Dr. Steve Tiger, Tulsa Tech’s superintendent and CEO. “The schools give us the space and utilities.

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“We serve a large number of high school students, and manufacturing is one of the largest program areas. Manufacturing is at the heart of our mission because it’s strongly related to the job market in this region. We take pride in developing programs that align with workforce needs.”

To that end, Tulsa Tech also has career advisors who work in every area high school in Tulsa County to help promote manufacturing.

“They work in partnership with high school counselors, who may be limited in their understanding of career opportunities in manufacturing areas,” Tiger says.

“Young people unaware of the potential — and the potential is great — and how to pursue those avenues through tech training is what’s causing a skills gap. Young people do not have the skills the workforce needs, causing extreme under-employment and unemployment of young adults.”

Job placement is Tulsa Tech’s No. 1 metric for success, and it currently stands at over 90 percent placement. Some local employers where its students are finding jobs include APSCO, Baker Hughes, McElroy Manufacturing, AAON, M & M Manufacturing, Tulsa Winch Group, Harsco, Matrix Services and American Airlines.

Union student Luis Guzman interned at APSCO through the school’s partnership with the local company.

The path to success The partnership and support of area businesses such as the aforementioned are invaluable in placing students on the path to working-world success.

APSCO began the OK2Grow program to focus on youth entrepreneurship, career awareness and has since taken on a national program related to manufacturing career paths, Dream It Do It. One element of Dream It Do It is a focus on bringing manufacturing classes back to schools.

Through OK2Grow, APSCO partners with Union, Sand Springs and East Central high schools among others by providing supplies, tours of their own facilities, internships and help with tuition fees.

OK2Grow is a workforce development and career pathways nonprofit focused on youth entrepreneurship, career awareness and manufacturing pathways. Through the Dream It Do It program, the nonprofit facilitates student and educator tours of local manufacturing companies, presents Emerging Manufacturing Leaders and Technical Educator awards, commemorates Manufacturing Week, partners on manufacturing education in the high schools, visits classrooms, organizes a Craftsman Society of early career manufacturing employees and celebrates National Manufacturing Day.

CONTINUED ON P. 58

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His program of two years, Learning With a Wrench, teaches automobile mechanics classes to students of Union High School who attend class at the City of Tulsa’s motor pool facility nearby as part of the Union Career Connect program. At the end of the course, they take written and verbal tests and receive a basic mechanics certification if they pass.

Similar to Learning With a Wrench is the Aerospace Academy at Tulsa Tech’s Riverside location, another of the mayor’s initiatives. High school juniors and seniors are able to attend and receive aerospace education in areas ranging from pilot training and avionics communication to aviation maintenance and aeronautical engineering.

“These types of academies can be replicated throughout the vo-tech system,” Bartlett says. “It will give Tulsa a unique position because no one else in this region of the country is doing it. It gives kids exposure to career paths. Young students can see a hopeful future in a realistic, productive way.

“My motivation is economic development and supporting students who aren’t going to go to college for whatever reason. We are making certain those students are exposed to career choices. Alternate career choices are very important and a responsibility of the school, community and school board. I’m pleased to see it happening.” tþ

Another of Mayor Bartlett’s motivations is providing an educated workforce since the No. 1 comment he hears repeatedly from local manufacturers is there are not enough skilled workers to meet their demands. Since TulsaPeople’s interviews, Bartlett and his staff have furthered this initiative by working with Central High School and area bank partners to pilot a financial/banking academy at Central in the fall.

Students in Cecil Lewis’ class at East Central High School can earn certification in four areas: safety, quality practice and measurements, production processes and manufacturing maintenance.

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Jeffery Mason/Courtesy Tulsa Public Schools

Micah Hertzog, a former student at Union, was asked by his counselor if he’d like to try the CPT program when it was newly formed.

“I was excited,” Hertzog says. “It was a different experience. We did internships with APSCO throughout our second semester senior year, I got my CPT certification, and then the vice president of the company contacted me and offered me a job in the fabrication shop.”

A little over a year later, Hertzog still works for APSCO and attends TCC where he is studying graphic design.

“I would tell other students to try the CPT program,” he says. “It gives you somewhere to go if you don’t have anything else planned. Gets you out of the retail and customer service stuff.”

Cameron notes, “The technical school system in Oklahoma is fantastic, but they couldn’t serve all the students. A lot of kids’ career path choices are based on what is offered to them in school. It’s important to invest in our students and give them these experiences in high school before making major decisions like going to college or choosing a major.”

Mayor Dewey Bartlett agrees.

“Too many people say you have to go to college to be successful,” Bartlett says, “and for some, college is a great opportunity. But these programs open another door — give students a different option.”

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7 p.m. Sept. 15 TU Student Union ALSO: Private School Showcase including University School at TU, Bishop Kelley, Cascia Hall, Holland Hall, Mizel, Monte Cassino, Riverfield, Town & Country and Undercroft Montessori

918-631-5060 • utulsa.edu/uschool The University of Tulsa is an EEO/AA institution.

EQUIPPING FUTURE

WORLD CHANGERS NOW ENROLLING

ADMISSIONS@METROCA.COM

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59

The University of Oklahoma 550 Parrington Oval (OU Visitor Center), Norman • 800.234.6868 www.ou.edu

T

he University of Oklahoma is a doctoral degree-granting research university serving the educational, cultural, economic and healthcare needs of the state, region and nation. The Norman campus serves as home to all of the university’s academic programs except health-related fields.

The OU Health Sciences Center, located in Oklahoma City, is one of only four comprehensive academic health centers in the nation, with seven professional colleges. Both the Norman and Health Sciences Center colleges offer programs at the Schusterman Center, the site of OU-Tulsa.

OU enrolls more than 30,000 students, and employs more than 2,700 full-time faculty members. The university has 21 colleges offering 171 undergraduate majors, 263 graduate majors, 36 professional majors and 34 graduate certificates. While OU has all of the opportunities of a large, public university, its service and commitment to help students succeed creates a sense of family — more akin to that of a small, private institution. OU has more than 400 student organizations, more than 30 intramural activities and 50 active fraternity and sorority chapters, leadership and volunteer programs.

OU stands out by being ranked No. 1 in the nation among public universities in the number of National Merit Scholars enrolled. In fact, 311 freshman National Merit Scholars made OU their choice for higher education in 2014.

As a pacesetter in American public higher education, OU offers a culture of academic excellence and opportunity. OU students experience a vibrant student life, a diverse community and a beautiful campus.

Year Founded...................................................1890 Undergraduate Enrollment Norman ..................................................... 21,314 All Campuses ............................................ 22,152 Student-Faculty Ratio .................................. 18-to-1

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION The Joe C. and Carole Kerr McClendon Honors College offers one of the most energetic and creative honors programs among public universities in the United States. More than 2,000 students participate in small classes, usually of 19 or less. More than 80 informal book clubs have been created in the past three years.

Number of Undergraduate Degrees Offered ............................................... 171 Graduate Enrollment Norman ....................................................... 5,618 All campuses .............................................. 6,138 Number of Graduate Degrees Offered ............263

OU - Oklahoma’s Leader in Excellence

• In 2015 OU became the first public university in U.S. history to be ranked No. 1 in freshman National Merit Scholars enrolled.

• OU is the only Big 12 university to be named in the top 10 of the most impressive historic college campuses in the nation.

• OU was recently awarded the prestigious Davis Cup for the third consecutive year in recognition of its record-setting enrollment of United World College international freshmen. OU is the only public university to ever be awarded the Davis Cup.

• The OU Honors College is one of the top 25 programs at a public university in the nation based on A Review of Fifty Public University Honors Programs.

• OU is the only university in the nation, public or private, whose students have won Goldwater, Mitchell, Truman, Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright and National Security Education Program scholarships in the same year.

• OU has the academically highest ranked student body at a public university in Oklahoma history.

• OU is the only Big 12 university to be selected as having one of America’s 25 most beautiful campuses.

• OU has produced 29 Rhodes Scholars; no other university in Oklahoma has had more than three.

• The four-year School of Community Medicine – a joint effort of the University of Tulsa and the University of Oklahoma – welcomed the first entering class in the Fall of 2015.

• With construction underway, OU will become one of the first public universities in the country to build residential colleges for upperclassmen and women, patterned on those at Yale, Oxford, Harvard and Cambridge in England. The living/learning communities will become the cornerstone of the undergraduate experience.

• The One University Digital Initiative allows OU faculty to develop digital alternatives to high-cost textbooks, translating to an annual savings of almost $500 per student in textbook costs.

The University of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity institution. www.ou.edu/eoo

- The Impact of Excellence

Monte Cassino 2206 South Lewis Avenue, Tulsa • 918.742.3364 www.montecassino.org

M

onte Cassino is a premier independent school with a powerful Catholic Benedictine identity and message. For more than 90 years, Monte Cassino has served students and families with distinction and care by providing unparalleled education in all core subjects.

Additionally, foreign languages, honors courses and stimulating programs in athletics, the arts, music, community service, computer education, academic bowl and National Junior Honor Society are offered. Faculty members embrace each student, and drive spiritual and intellectual development by respecting the dignity and unique gifts of each child.

Monte Cassino boasts a beautiful five-building campus in the heart of midtown, which features a performing arts theater, a chapel, a track and more. Open house events and tours are conducted every first Wednesday of the month at 10 a.m. in the middle school admission office. Individual tours are also offered by request.

Interested parties should RSVP to Director of Admissions Brooke Jones at 918-746-4238.

Year Founded.......................................................... 1926 Enrollment ................................................................ 815 Student-Faculty Ratio...........................................12-to-1 Grades ................................................. Pre-K3-8th grade

The Sisters of St. Joseph Monastery and the Board of Directors of Monte Cassino School are pleased to introduce

Kevin Smith as the new

Head of School.

It’s not easy to

but it’s worth it.

MonteCassino.org 918.742.3364 | 2206 S. Lewis Ave. Applications being accepted for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 school year.

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AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION Monte Cassino School is accredited by the Oklahoma State Department of Education and North Central Association AdvancED. Monte Cassino School is an accredited member of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA) and Diocese of Tulsa Catholic Schools.

Cascia Hall Preparatory School 2520 S Yorktown Ave, Tulsa • 918-746-2604 www.casciahall.com

C

ascia Hall has a storied history — a legacy of achievement, excellence and honor spanning 90 years of graduates who have gone on to make indelible marks in the world.

Our tradition is alive and dynamic as today’s students excel in rigorous academic programs, the arts, sciences and athletics.

Cascia’s Augustinian values of “Truth, Unity and Love” instill in each student the habits of mind and strength of character to achieve lifelong success. The school’s curriculum, technology and methods continue to ready today’s students for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Students prepare for an outstanding future at Cascia Hall.

For 90 years, Cascia Hall has been preparing young women and men for college and for life by focusing on the Augustinian values of Truth, Unity, and Love.

Year Founded.................................................................. 1926 Enrollment ........................................................................ 515 Student-Faculty Ratio.....................................................9-to-1 Grades ............................................................ 6th-12th grade AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION Students in grades 6-8 have opportunities to earn high school credit in math, science and world language. Students in grades 9-12 can earn college credit in the extensive Advanced Placement program.

Be...College Bound Be...A Cascian

CONGRATULATIONS CLASS OF 2016 • • • • • • • • • • •

All 85 graduates are college bound. See a list of college acceptances at casciahall.com/college.

24 Oklahoma Academic Scholars 3 Recognized by National Merit 1 National Presidential Scholar 3 Championships and 1 Runner-up Title in Academic Bowl 1 Team Academic State Championship in Girls’ Tennis 9 All State Athletes 8 State Championships and 6 Runner-up Titles in 7 Sports 5 Will Play Sports at the College Level 9,600 Community Service Hours Performed $10 million offered in merit-based scholarships

2520 S. Yorktown Ave. • Tulsa, OK • 918-746-2604 www.casciahall.com • admissions@casciahall.com TulsaPeople.com

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Riverfield Country Day School 2433 West 61st Street, Tulsa • 918.446.3553 www.riverfield.org

R

iverfield is a nonsectarian school providing quality innovative education for children 8 weeks old through 12th grade. Founded in 1984, Riverfield is dedicated to academic excellence and college preparation, while remaining true to our family-oriented atmosphere and whole-student approach to education and learning.

Riverfield provides a student-centered approach to education with a program of authentic, experiential learning in which individuality is valued and the needs of the whole student are honored. Small class sizes, along with the collaborative nature of our classrooms, provide the opportunity for students to cultivate leadership, interpersonal skills and the confidence needed for success today and tomorrow. Personalized programming and flexible scheduling offer middle and upper school students the opportunity to develop talents and explore interests in a college prep setting.

Riverfield is home to the state’s first school rock band program, with 13 bands comprised of fourth-12th grade students. Through participation in the OSSAA, the school is finding success in athletic, academic and arts competitions.

Year Founded............................................................................. 1984 Enrollment ................................................................................... 613 Student-Faculty Ratio................................................................4-to-1 16-to-1 based on age/grade level Grades .................................................................. Infants-12th grade

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION Outdoor education is an important component of the Riverfield experience at all ages. The 120-acre campus includes a barnyard, hiking trails, gardens, freshwater system, outdoor classrooms and athletic fields.

YOU’LL � THE LEARNING

YOU’LL � THE ACTIVITIES

Visit Us And Yo u ’ l l s ay

YOU’LL � THE SPIRIT

YOU’LL � THE CREATIVITY 64

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

2 4 3 3

W e s t

6 1 s t

S t r e e t

t t r i v e r f i e l d . o r g

CITY YEAR TULSA #MAKEBETTERHAPPEN

Dedicated To Helping At-Risk Students and Schools Succeed Our Work in Tulsa Thousands of students in Tulsa are at risk for dropping out. The consequences are real: Students who drop out are eight times more likely to become incarcerated and three times more likely to be unemployed. When a student drops out of school it has a lasting effect on our communities.

Our Corps HIGHLY SKILLED NEAR-PEER MENTORS In 2013, City Year Tulsa deployed 20 highly skilled AmeriCorps members to serve in 2 schools. Together, this team positively impacted close to 200 students. Three years later, our numbers have more than doubled with 50 AmerCorps members serving in 6 schools.

Our Approach TAPPING INTO TULSA’S POTENTIAL At City Year, we believe education has the power to help every child reach his or her potential. However, in high-poverty communities there are external factors and obstacles students are faced with every day that can interfere with their ability to get to school ready to learn.

Support Us MAKE AN IMPACT TODAY When you support City Year, we’ll use your help to put more AmerCorps members into more schools nationwide – which helps more students and schools succeed. By 2023, we aspire to serve 1 million students per day, in over 1,200 schools nationwide, something that’s only possible with the continued support of our donors and partners. City Year Tulsa is grateful for the generosity of this year’s Team Sponsors QuikTrip and Tulsa Area United Way, supporting Eugene Field Elementary School and Clinton Middle School respectively.

CITY YEAR TULSA | 15 EAST FIFTH STREET, SUITE 1621 | TULSA, OK 74103 WWW.CITYYEAR.ORG/TULSA

City Year Tulsa Receives National Recognition On Wednesday, July 13th, City Year Tulsa was honored to receive "The Stephen G. Woodsom Best Of City Year" award from the national City Year organization at the annual CY Summer Academy in Boston. The honor is given annually to select City Year sites that have performed exceptionally against numerous organizational goals. Sites are assessed against more than 75 performance goals, including service impact, corps members recruitment and retention, financial health, staff development, board leadership, and stakeholder engagement. Pictured at the award presentation are, left to right, Stephen Spaloss, Regional Vice President at City Year, Inc.; Toneille Bent, Managing Director of Impact at City Year Tulsa; Hollis McAllister, Chief of Staff at City Year Tulsa; and Tom McKeon, Vice President and Executive Director at City Year Tulsa.

A video of the presentation of the award can be viewed at: www.facebook.com/groups/cityyeartulsa/.

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College after cancer

H E A LT H

After beating an inoperable brain tumor as a high school senior, 19-year-old Sarah Gerlach eyes the future.

by ASHLEY VAN HORNE

T

T    ,  Jenks high school student Sarah Gerlach could tell something wasn’t quite right with her health. She was experiencing debilitating headaches that interfered with her ability to study and play in the marching band. She rarely had an appetite and experienced extreme fatigue.

“My headaches were so bad my junior year that I would come home from school and take three-hour naps every day,” Gerlach recalls. “I would go to the doctor all the time and get blood tests, but everything would come back normal. The doctors would just tell me I was stressed with school, and they were stress headaches.”

But Gerlach knew she was not stressed. She was trying to enjoy a normal high school life, filled with “Keeping up with the Kardashians” marathons, playing her oboe and preparing for the ACT. Her frustration built as doctor after doctor dismissed her concerns.

“Going to the doctor was a real struggle for me early on because I already knew what they were going to say,” Gerlach says. “I felt very frustrated, like nobody believed me.”

Finally, she had a breakthrough at an appointment with Dr. Amy Stauffer, a pediatric neurologist at Warren Clinic. Stauffer admitted Gerlach to expedite the process of getting her a cranial spinal MRI. For Gerlach, having Stauffer there to take action was a breath of fresh air.

“Amy made me feel so comfortable and made me feel like someone was finally listening to me,” Gerlach remembers.

When Gerlach’s MRI results came back indicating she had a cancerous brain tumor, it wasn’t the doomsday moment one might expect. In fact, Gerlach didn’t even realize she had cancer until her mother brought her to an apTulsaPeople.com

67

pointment on the third floor of the Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis: oncology.

“I remember I asked my mom, ‘What does oncology mean?’” Gerlach says. “It was then that I realized, oh, my gosh, I have cancer.”

Gerlach was told she had an intercranial mixed germ cell tumor that was located on her hypothalamus — the part of the brain that controls critical functions like appetite, emotions and personality development. Because of the sensitive location, the tumor was deemed inoperable, since a botched surgery could lead to personality disorders or extreme insatiable hunger. Additionally, Gerlach had a small tumor on her pituitary gland.

Luckily, Gerlach’s spinal tap indicated that her cancer had not yet spread. She immediately began aggressive chemotherapy with outpatient and inpatient stretches at the Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis. Although the chemotherapy treatments shrunk the tumor, they did not eliminate it. When two rounds of higher-dose inpatient treatments had minimal effects, Gerlach and her family decided to look into radiation.

Gerlach faced the decision of whether to start radiation in Tulsa, or try proton therapy treatments in Oklahoma City. Proton therapy uses precise radiation, which means fewer side effects. However, driving to Oklahoma City would involve disrupting Gerlach’s schooling and day-to-day activities.

Gerlach elected to try the proton therapy with Dr. Michael Confer at ProCure in Oklahoma City — one of only 16 facilities in the country where this treatment is available.

Thankfully, Gerlach’s team of doctors, family, friends and teachers made her treatment as easy as possible.

“Jenks was really awesome,” Gerlach says.

“They said, ‘Let’s do whatever we can to get you graduated on time.’ So during the week, I would

“I was actually happy to go to school. It made me feel normal and took my mind off of things. My friends acted like nothing was even wrong.

I’m sure they had a million questions, but they never hounded me. My bandmates were so supportive.

When I play music, everything else just goes away.”

— SARAH GERLACH go to Jenks for three or four hours of school, then drive down to Oklahoma City in the afternoons for my daily proton treatment.

“I was actually happy to go to school,” she adds. “It made me feel normal and took my mind off of things. My friends acted like nothing was even wrong. I’m sure they had a million questions, but they never hounded me. My bandmates were so supportive. When I play music, everything else just goes away.”

Gerlach’s positive attitude during treatment undoubtedly helped push her forward while

balancing school and treatment in two different cities.

“I just never let myself think, I’m going to die,” she says. “My parents were my rock. They didn’t physically have it, but I always say they had cancer, too. We are all survivors together.”

Another special source of support throughout her cancer journey came from Melissa DeYoung, a pediatric nurse at the Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis. Through Gerlach’s months of appointments and various treatments, she and DeYoung struck up a friendship, and they still talk and text today.

“Sarah is a great inspiration to me,” DeYoung says. “She always has such a positive outlook on life. I love how music played a big part of helping her cope throughout her treatment.”

The teen’s last proton therapy treatment was April 6, 2015, and an MRI shortly thereafter showed that the family’s prayers had been answered: The cancerous tissue was dead, and Gerlach was officially in remission. She could finally see light at the end of the tunnel.

As expected, Gerlach’s outlook on life has been shaped by her battle with cancer.

“I look at complaining so differently now,” she states. “When I hear people complaining about dumb or insignificant stuff, it gets to me.

I witnessed so many horrific things during my cancer journey, seeing what other kids are going through — it makes me so grateful and blessed, every single day.”

After finishing up a year of Tulsa Community College this spring, Gerlach excitedly talks about attending the University of Arkansas in fall 2016. She’ll be living in the dorms with a new roommate, studying music education and playing the oboe.

“It’s so freeing to be going away to college now — I feel like a normal person,” Gerlach shares. “I want to be a band director one day.”

Continued on p. 70

The Hearing Doctor Providing sound service to patients Audiologist Dr. Brandy Vowell assists individuals with hearing and balance disorders, adult amplification and aural rehabilitation. Hearing loss affects people of all ages, posing many challenges with communication in all aspects of their family and professional relationships.

The Hearing Doctor evaluates each patient’s problems and concerns and develops a communication solution based on the latest technology available from all major manufacturers. Personalized care is a standard of the family owned practice. Common procedures include earwax removal, diagnostic hearing evaluation, hearing

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TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

aids, & custom ear molds for noise protection. The office accepts most insurance and is an in-network provider for American Airlines employees. The Hearing Doctor is also a contracted provider for workers compensation hearing aid services.

The Hearing Doctor 10115 S. Sheridan Road, Suite A 918-779-7500 www.TheHearingDr.com

Dr. Brandy Vowell

Cancer Treatment Centers of America Advanced adult oncology and evidence-based supportive services under one roof Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) in Tulsa is focused on treating cancer — at any stage — through advanced technologies and precision medicine. Depending on a patient’s specific needs, the care team may recommend a variety of conventional approaches, including genetic testing, tumor genomic assessment, targeted chemotherapy, immunotherapy, margin assessment during surgery and intraoperative radiation therapy.

Carefully selected clinical trials may also be an option, based on disease type and other factors. In addition, highly trained reconstructive surgeons offer advanced microsurgical techniques to help restore what cancer takes away.

In addition to cancer experts who treat the disease with advanced treatments and technologies, the CTCA® integrated approach also strives to support patients’ strength, stamina and quality of life with a comprehensive array of evidence-based therapies, each tailored to the needs of the patient.

That way, patients may be better able to maintain their treatment regimens, with fewer delays or interruptions.

CTCA recognizes that no two cancer patients — and no two cancers — are exactly the same. Every patient’s care plan, from treating the disease to managing related side effects, is designed to meet his or her needs and treatment goals. Patients and their caregivers are involved every step of Cancer Treatment Centers of the way, empowered to make informed America in Tulsa decisions about their care. Best of 10109 E. 79th St. all, this comprehensive approach is 800-515-9610 available all under one roof. www.cancercenter.com/tulsa

TulsaPeople.com

69

“My parents were my rock.

They didn’t physically have it, but I always say they had cancer, too.

We are all survivors together.”  SARAH GERLACH Continued from p. 68 Although she battles some permanent side effects such as short-term memory loss and cortisol dependency — meaning she has to take a daily cortisol replacement — she recently enjoyed some incredible experiences, such as going on a First Descent trip, where she surfed the Outer Banks of North Carolina with other cancer survivors. Through the Make-A-Wish program, she and her family also recently visited Hawaii — the wish she made prior to going into remission.

“My Make-A-Wish trip was so amazing,” Gerlach says. “I couldn’t decide between Hawaii and going to the Super Bowl, but Hawaii was perfect. We went while it was snowing here in Tulsa, and it was 80 degrees in Hawaii.”

Now wise beyond her 19 years, she stresses the importance of seeing a specialist at the outset of any concerning symptoms.

And to anyone currently facing cancer treatment, “Stay positive and just watch a lot of ‘Kardashians’ or whatever you find fun,” Gerlach laughs.

“Do whatever keeps you happy throughout the process.” tp

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SEASON ARTS PREVIEW AUGUST-DECEMBER 2016

COMPILED BY JOHN LANGDON The arts are alive in Tulsa. Music and theater lovers alike are sure to find a performance to fit their tastes this fall and winter. See you at the theater.

AU G UST

EVERY SATURDAY The Drunkard & The Olio Tulsa’s own longest-running live melodrama west of the Mississippi River, with local vaudeville talent afterward.

SPOTLIGHT THEATRE - Tulsa Spotlighters 3 Brown Bag It: Rebecca Ungerman The Tulsa jazz icon opens the free weekly noontime concert series at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, where you can bring your lunch.

KATHLEEN WESTBY PAVILION, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PAC Trust

3 L-E-V Dance Company Experience the authentic Israeli dance troupe’s presentation, “OCD Love,” in its premiere Tulsa visit.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Choregus Productions

4-5 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Author C.S. Lewis is alive and well as his favorite novel is set to dance.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

6 Bodytraffic This contemporary dance troupe hails from Los Angeles and is visiting Tulsa for the first time.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Choregus Productions

12-SEPT. 4 Oklahoma!

Meet Curly, Laurey, Aunt Eller, Will, Ado Annie and Judd in this musical of Oklahoma’s early days.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Theatre Tulsa

19-SEPT. 3 The Will Rogers Follies The musical story of “Oklahoma‘s favorite son,” who “never met a man he didn’t like.”

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Theatre Tulsa

Choregus Productions

19-21 TBII: On Your Radar A triple-bill program introducing the newest members of Tulsa Ballet II. STUDIO K - Tulsa Ballet

5 10 Hairy Legs The five-member all men’s dance troupe from New Jersey, founded in 2012, hits the stage.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

26-SEPT. 4 Heathers: The Musical A nice girl encounters a snobby clique of three mean girls named Heather.

LIDDY DOENGES THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Choregus Productions

Theatre Pops

S E P TE M B E R

EVERY SATURDAY The Drunkard & The Olio Tulsa’s own longest-running live melodrama west of the Mississippi River, with local vaudeville talent afterward.

SPOTLIGHT THEATRE - Tulsa Spotlighters 7 Brown Bag It: Dean DeMerritt Jazz Trio Enjoy a mid-week fix of light jazz at this free event, where you can also bring your lunch.

KATHLEEN WESTBY PAVILION, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PAC Trust

8-11 Blue Whale Comedy Festival Comedians converge on Tulsa for a weekend of laughter.

THE BRADY ARTS DISTRICT 9-10 Symphony of Tango The quartet Quartango opens Signature Symphony’s Pops season with hot, memorable music.

VAN TREASE PACE - Signature Symphony

10 TSO Classics: Gala Anniversary Concert featuring Joshua Bell This Grammy Award-winning violinist has been hailed as “the most perfect interpreter of this generation.”

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tulsa Symphony

11 Dover Quartet Reaching international stardom in 2013, they’ve been dubbed “the young American string quartet of the moment” by The New Yorker.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Chamber Music Tulsa

TulsaPeople.com

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13-18 Disney’s Newsies The musical about kids who delivered the papers … and made headlines.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Celebrity Attractions

16 Vicki Lawrence & Mama: A Two-Woman Show Mama always has the last word and never fails to share her hilarious wit.

BROKEN ARROW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 16-25 The Who’s Tommy Based on the 1969 rock album, an exhilarating story of hope, healing and the human spirit.

CHARLES E. NORMAN THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tulsa Project Theatre

16-25 Creations in Studio K Be the first to see three world-premier works created just for Tulsa Ballet by top choreographers.

STUDIO K - Tulsa Ballet

23 Soledad O’Brien An award-winning journalist, educator and mentor you might remember from CNN and NBC. CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

27-28 Once A Dublin street musician is about to give up on his dream, when a young woman takes a sudden interest in his love songs.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

23-OCT. 2 Glengarry Glen Ross Four desperate real estate agents sell undesirable property to unsuspecting buyers.

LIDDY DOENGES THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

30 Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters Africa comes to Tulsa through drumming, colorful staging and powerful choreography.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Tulsa Town Hall

Theatre Tulsa Next Stage

24 Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition American violinist Sean Riley performs.

VAN TREASE PACE - Signature Symphony 25 Grupo Corpo Brazil’s premier contemporary dance company makes its Tulsa debut.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Choregus Productions

Celebrity Attractions

PAC Trust

OC TO B E R

EVERY SATURDAY The Drunkard & The Olio Tulsa’s own longest-running live melodrama west of the Mississippi River, with local vaudeville talent afterward.

SPOTLIGHT THEATRE - Tulsa Spotlighters 5 Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood — Live!

Bring your kids to this production from “Mister Rogers Neighborhood.”

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 35 Concerts

CONTINUED ON P. 76

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TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

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The bART Center for Music congratulates our wonderfully talented students on their accomplishments during the 2015-16 season.

University acceptances and scholarships: Nicholas Bashforth (student of Sheri Neubauer), University of Tulsa, full music scholarship in violin Quinn Maher (student of Sheri Neubauer), University of Tulsa, full music scholarship in viola Nationally competitive competitions and programs: Alumnus Joseph Bates (student of Sheri Neubauer), National Youth Orchestra Student Kayla Cao (student of Tatyana Lantos), Honorable Mention, Music Teacher’s National Association South Central Division Junior Performance in Piano Alumnus Anthony Conroy (composition student of Noam Faingold and cello student of Krassi Figg) 1st place, Music Teacher’s National Association South Central Division Composition Competition Alumnus Nick Stavros (student of John Rush) featured on NPR’s “From The Top” Student Laura Wang (student of Sheri Neubauer), Young Musicians Honorable Mention, American Protege International Piano and Strings Competition, Performance in Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall, Julliard Preparatory Program, New York 2016-2017 Statewide accomplishments, competitions, and programs: Barthelmes Conservatory String Quartet (coached by Jarrett Bastow and Sheri Neubauer), 1st place, Chamber Music Tulsa/Tulsa Camerata Young Chamber Artists Competition

Makayla Baxter (student of Susannah Brooks), Kristin Chenoweth Arts and Education Foundation Scholarship, Oklahoma City University Musical Theatre Camp, All State Choir, Participant, 3rd annual Kristin Chenoweth Masterclass, Kristen Chenoweth Boot Camp, Theatre Tulsa: Cinderella and Fiddler on the Roof Kayla Cao (student of Tatyana Lantos), Marilyn Witcher Junior Honor piano competition, East Central University (Ada) Grant Detwiler (student of Diane Morrow), Aida chorus member, Tulsa Community College Julia Grantham (student of Diane Morrow), Peter Pan, Home School Productions Aubrey Jones (student of Allyson Eskitch), winner, Oklahoma Free Will Baptist State Music Competition Marin Miller (student of Susannah Brooks), Oklahoma City University Musical Theatre Camp Sebastian Paden (student of Diane Morrow), Theatre Tulsa production of Rent, A Chorus, Fiddler on the Roof Krystyna Popova (student of Sheri Neubauer) Principal 2nd Violin, Union High School Jared Riddoch (composition student of Noam Faingold, piano student of Tatyana Lantos) Bela Rozsa Memorial Competition Winner, high school division

Fall semester begins August 24, 2016.

Private and group lessons for all ages.

Pre-registration for Fall 2016 begins July 15.

918-794-0330 • thebart.org

Alina Ryzhkova (student of Tatyana Lantos), OMTA senior competition winner, 1st place, OSU High School Piano Competition Abigail Terrill (student of Tatyana Lantos) OMTA senior competition winner, 2nd place, Oklahoma State University High School Piano Competition Vic Wiener (student of Diane Morrow), Tulsa Oratorio Chorus Rachel Wimp (student of John Rush), 3rd chair, All-County Honor Band, 6th chair, All-District band, 1st Division Rankings at District and State Solo and Ensemble All Regional Orchestra: Megan Merrill, Assistant Concertmaster All State Orchestra: Nicholas Bashforth, violin, 6th chair, (3 year All State Orchestra Medal Winner) Quinn Maher, viola, (student of Sheri Neubauer), 4th chair, All State Orchestra Tulsa Youth Symphony Orchestra: Dorothy Palmer, flute, (student of John Rush) Margaret Barbour, Nicholas Bashforth, Krystyna Popova, Laura Wang, violin, (students of Sheri Neubauer) Jack Campbell, James Owens, cello, (students of Kevin Jackson), Emma Palmer, cello, (student of Krassi Figg)

CONTINUED FROM P. 74

5 Brown Bag It: Margaret Sewell Tulsa soprano presents classical songs and arias at this free lunchtime concert series.

KATHLEEN WESTBY PAVILION, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PAC Trust

8 TSO Classics: Rachmaninoff ’s Second Symphony Guest conductor Philip Mann conducts works

by Rachmaninoff, Mozart and Barber.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tulsa Symphony

6-8 C.S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert An engaging personality comes to life on stage.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Fellowship for Performing Arts

7-16 All The Way Some of history’s most dynamic figures of the 20th century are portrayed during the pivotal year of 1964 in this Tony Award winner.

LIDDY DOENGES THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Theatre Pops

8 Carol Burnett: An Evening of Laughter and Reflection Where the Audience Asks Questions You finally have your chance to ask America’s funniest comedienne your questions.

BROKEN ARROW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

8 Octonauts Live — Deep Sea Volcano Adventure Captain Barnacles, Lieutenant Kwazii and Medic Peso lead an under-the-sea adventure with interactive surprises for fans of all ages.

BRADY THEATER 9 Trio Solisti By popular demand, the string trio makes its second Tulsa appearance since 2012.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Chamber Music Tulsa

14-16 Pryor Rendering A young man comes of age and comes out in 1960s rural Oklahoma in this play written by Tulsa native Gary Reed.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER American Theatre Company and CityRep

Sincerely, Kathleen Saint Simeon’ s Resident R on with wife K athleen Four Levels of Assisted Living Independent Living Memory Center HealthCare Center Skilled Nursing 918-425-3583 | www.saintsimeons.org Saint Simeon’s is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

76

20 Casting Crowns: The Very Next Thing Tour The contemporary Christian band returns to Tulsa.

MABEE CENTER

Compassion International and Museum of the Bible

21 The Man who Planted Trees A lowly shepherd plants a forest, acorn by acorn, transforming a barren wasteland.

LIDDY DOENGES THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PAC Trust

21-22 Big Band Broadway Tony Award winner Debbie Gravitte shares musical favorites from the Great White Way and the Big Band era.

VAN TREASE PACE - Signature Symphony CONTINUED ON P. 78

“The care given at Saint Simeon’s to Ron with his Parkinson’s disease has been phenomenal. The individual instruction given in the Wellness Center and pool goes beyond expectations.

His quality of life has truly improved at Saint Simeon’s!”

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Quarter_3.875x4.875_Intermission_JuneJulyAug.indd 1

14-22 Mary Poppins The Victorian-era British nanny, Burt, Jane, Michael and Uncle Albert, hit the musical stage.

MUSKOGEE LITTLE THEATRE

7/7/16 1:10 PM

FRIDA KAHLO Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray This exhibition has been organized by the Nickolas Muray Archives and is circulated by GuestCurator Traveling Exhibitions.

July 10 – September 11, 2016

TU is an EEO/AA Institution.

Exhibition season title sponsor is the Sherman E. Smith Family Charitable Foundation. Support also provided by Mervin Bovaird Foundation, C.W. Titus Foundation and M.V. Mayo Charitable Foundation.

GILCREASE.ORG

CONTINUED FROM P. 76

21-23 The Pearl Fishers Georges Bizet’s mysterious and haunting opera set on the island of Sri Lanka.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tulsa Opera

2 Brown Bag It: Vintage Voices Hear your favorite melodies performed by this community choir at the weekly free lunch series.

KATHLEEN WESTBY PAVILION, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PAC Trust

28-NOV. 6 Cabaret The whirlwind romance of a 19-year-old British dancer and a young American writer in 1930s Berlin.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Theatre Tulsa

28-30 Onegin Full-length ballet of the touching romance between Eugene Onegin and his lover Tatiana, based on the novel by Alexander Pushkin.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tulsa Ballet

29 An Evening with Lyle Lovett The American singer-songwriter makes a tour stop in Broken Arrow.

BROKEN ARROW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

N OVE M B E R

EVERY SATURDAY The Drunkard & The Olio Tulsa’s own longest-running live melodrama west of the Mississippi River, with local vaudeville talent afterward.

SPOTLIGHT THEATRE - Tulsa Spotlighters

4 Dave Barry Popular columnist, comedian and author shares his thoughts and comments.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tulsa Town Hall

5 TSO Pops: Raiders of the Lost Ark Watch the popular movie while listening live to John Williams’ epic score, conducted by Ron Spigelman.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tulsa Symphony

9 Ben Folds, “A Piano & A Playpen” Tour The singer, songwriter and producer brings his voice and piano solo rock tour to Broken Arrow.

BROKEN ARROW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 12 Switchfoot/Relient K Two Grammy Award-winning rock bands on one stage, on one night.

MABEE CENTER 12 Dvořák New World Symphony Signature Symphony and Tulsa Ballet collide to present Dancing Across the Continents.

VAN TREASE PACE - Signature Symphony

Cool Dog... Happy Dog! Experience Tulsa’s Summer Stage Season with a Staycation at The Campbell Hotel.

Located on Historic Route 66, and National Register of Historic Places.

The COOL PET PAD is a self-cooling pet cushion that cools without refrigeration, water or electricity.

No Maintenance, no mess.

2636 E 11th St • 918-744-5500 • thecampbellhotel.com

1778 Utica Square | 918-624-2600 | Mon-Sat, 10-6 78

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

13 Modigliani Quartet The works of Brahms, Beethoven and Dvorak highlight the second Tulsa appearance of this European quartet.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

2&4 TSO Pops: Home for the Holidays Tulsa Symphony, Tulsa Oratorio Chorus and area high school choirs celebrate the music of the holidays. Ron Spigelman conducts.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Chamber Music Tulsa

Tulsa Symphony

15-20 Elf: The Musical Young orphan Buddy learns what it’s like to be a too-big elf in Santa’s workshop, but a special trip becomes his greatest gift.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

2-10 A Christmas Carol Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and the Three Spirits relay the true meaning of Christmas.

MUSKOGEE LITTLE THEATRE

Celebrity Attractions

20 Kelli O’Hara Sooner native soprano and Tony Award winner presents an intimate Tulsa recital.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Choregus Productions

29 Annie The beloved red-haired moppet, her dog Sandy and Daddy Warbucks come to life in this one performance national tour stop.

BROKEN ARROW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 29-30 Cirque Dreams Holidaze Dancing, lights and holiday favorites, with a contemporary verve.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Celebrity Attractions

D EC E M B E R

EVERY SATURDAY The Drunkard & The Olio Tulsa’s own longest-running live melodrama west of the Mississippi River, with local vaudeville talent afterward.

SPOTLIGHT THEATRE - Tulsa Spotlighters

4 Brian Regan This stand-up comedian, a regular on Comedy Central, brings his humor and wit to Tulsa.

COX BUSINESS CENTER

16-22 Elf Jr. A youth cast performs the story of Buddy, the oversized elf.

LIDDY DOENGES THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Theatre Tulsa Family

28 Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis The holiday musical light show you won’t soon forget.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Celebrity Attractions

6 Brown Bag It: Tulsa Festival Ringers Bring on those Christmas bells!

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER PAC Trust

8-23 A Christmas Carol Tulsa’s own musical version of the Charles Dickens classic.

JOHN H. WILLIAMS THEATRE, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER American Theatre Company

9-10 Christmas In Tulsa Sit back and let the music of the holidays engulf you in this yuletide Tulsa tradition.

VAN TREASE PACE - Signature Symphony 10-23 The Nutcracker Tulsa Ballet’s own Parisian version of this holiday dance classic.

CHAPMAN MUSIC HALL, TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Tulsa Ballet

12 David Phelps Christmas The popular award-winning male vocalist shares his favorite songs of Christmas.

BROKEN ARROW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

BRADY THEATER 105 W. M.B. Brady St. • www.bradytheater.com BROKEN ARROW PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 701 S. Main St., Broken Arrow • www.brokenarrowpac.com COX BUSINESS CENTER 100 Civic Center • www.coxcentertulsa.com MABEE CENTER 7777 S. Lewis Ave. • www.mabeecenter.com MUSKOGEE LITTLE THEATRE325 E. Cincinnati Ave., Muskogee • www.muskogeelittletheatre.com TULSA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER 110 E. Second St. • www.tulsapac.com SPOTLIGHT THEATRE 1381 Riverside Drive • www.spotlighttheatre.org STUDIO K 1212 E. 45th Place • www.tulsaballet.org VAN TREASE PACE 10300 E. 81st St. • www.signaturesymphony.org TulsaPeople.com

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Chamber Music Tulsa presents

September 11, 2016 DOVER QUARTET

October 9, 2016 TRIO SOLISTI

November 13, 2016 MODIGLIANI QUARTET

February 17–26, 2017 MIRÓ QUARTET

April 2, 2017 HERMITAGE PIANO TRIO

April 30, 2017 LYSANDER PIANO TRIO

Beethoven Winter Festival: Experience the complete quartets

**SPECIAL CONCERT! TRIO SETTECENTO** Sunday Oct. 23rd St John’s Episcopal Church SEASON SUBSCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE NOW! For the full calendar of events and ticket information, visit ChamberMusicTulsa.org.

WORLD-CLASS DANCE AND MUSIC

2016-2017 SEASON Grupo Corpo (Brazil) Sept 25 Black Grace (New Zealand) Apr 1 Che Malambo (Argentina) Apr 18 DANCE

MUSIC FREE Jeffrey Zeigler and Ian Rosenbaum Sept 1 Kelli O’Hara Nov 20 Nathan Gunn Jan 22 DETAILS AT CHOREGUS.ORG

TICKETS 918-688-6112 OR MYTICKETOFFICE.COM

IAN ABRAMSON

RON FUNCHES

FORTUNE FEIMSTER

ERIC ANDRE

DJ DOUGGPOUND

JULIAN MCCULLOUGH

MONROE MARTIN

SEPTEMBER 8 -11 TULSA , OK NATE BARGATZE

RHEA BUTCHER

TONY HINCHCLIFFE

WWW. BLUEWHALECOMEDYFESTIVAL .COM

Experience Music From All Over the World with the 2016-2017 Signature Symphony Season “World Passport: A Symphonic Excursion”.

Andrés Franco, Signature Symphony Artistic Director and Conductor

POPS September 9 & 10, 2016 Symphony of Tango Guest Artists: Quartango & Tango Dancers, Roxana and Fabian Belmonte

October 21 & 22, 2016 Big Band Broadway Guest Artist: Debbie Gravitte

December 9 & 10, 2016 Christmas in Tulsa Tribute to Larry Dalton Guest Artists: Signature Chorale

February 24 & 25, 2017 Night at the Oscars Music from Oscar winning movies

April 7 & 8, 2017 Signature Celtic Guest Artists: Cherish the Ladies

CLASSICS September 24, 2016 Huang Saibei Dance Say Violin Concerto Mussorgsky Pictures at an Exhibition Guest Artist: Sean Riley, violin

November 12, 2016 Akpabot Three Nigerian Dances Mejía Pequeña Suite Dvorák Symphony No. 9, From the New World Guest Artists: Diana Gómez and Andrés Figueroa, dancers, and Tulsa Ballet II

January 21, 2017 Still Afro-American Symphony Daugherty Gee’s Bend for electric guitar and orchestra Rodríguez Mosaico Mexicano Copland Rodeo Guest Artist: D.J. Sparr, electric guitar

March 11, 2017 Bologne Symphonie Op. XI No. 2 in D Compañón Colección De Música Virreinal Mozart Requiem Guest Artists: Tulsa Opera Studio Artists and Signature Chorale

April 22, 2017 ALL SHOWS START:

7:30 PM

Edwards Dawn Mantras Mahler Symphony No. 1 Guest Artists: Tulsa Youth Opera and Signature Chorale

Don’t miss a beat. Call 918.595.7777 for ticket info. | SignatureSymphony.org

PAC K AG E S & S I N G L E T I C K E T S

Creations in Studio K

Sep 16-25

5 Ballets $115

Onegin

Oct 28-30

4 Ballets $97

The Nutcracker

Dec 10-23

3 Ballets $75

Dorothy & the Prince of Oz Feb 10-12

PACKAGES AS LOW AS

SINGLE TICKETS AS LOW AS

$25 Plus Fees

CALL 918.749.6006 VISIT TULABALLET.ORG

Youhee Son in Swan Lake Photo Credit Jeremy Charles

SEASON PERFORMANCES

Swan Lake

Mar 24-26

Signature Series

May 11-14

TBII MINI SERIES

On Your Radar

Aug 19 & 21

Emerging Choreographers Showcase

Apr 21 & 23

6 9 T H

S E A S O N

TOSCA PUCCINI POP PUCCINI’S

Opening Night Friday May 5, 2017 | 7:30 pm

Matinee Sunday May 7, 2017 | 2:30 pm

to

Opening Night Friday October 21, 2016 | 7:30 pm Matinee Sunday October 23, 2016 | 2:30 pm

6 INTERNATIONALLYACCLAIMED ARTISTS

BIZET’S

THE PEARL FISHERS INTRODUCING

TOBIAS PICKER | Artistic Director |

gather on the Tulsa stage for an unforgettable evening of

SOARING OPERA HITS

Alyson Cambridge

David Miller (of Il Divo)

Leona Mitchell

Michael Todd Simpson

Sarah Joy Miller

James Lowe

plus a dazzling selection of

MUSICAL FAVORITES!

One Night Only!

Saturday, February 25, 2017 8:00 pm

Renew or Purchase Season Tickets Now! View our all-new Season Ticket and Event Packages at tulsaopera.com Or call the ticket office at 918-587-4811 for more information.

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for tickets call 918/584-3645 or www.TulsaSymphony.org

TULSA SYMPHONY PRESENTS THE 2016-2017 SEASON EE FR CO N CE T R

in the park Sept. 2, 2016 7:30 PM

Guthrie Green

Sept. 10, 2016 8:00 PM

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Oct. 8, 2016 7:30 PM

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Fri, Dec. 2, 2016 7:30 PM

Sun, Dec. 4, 2016 2:30 PM

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

January 14, 2017 7:30 PM

Nov. 5, 2016

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

7:30 PM

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

April 8, 2017 7:30 PM

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

March 11, 2017 7:30 PM

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

May 13, 2017 7:30 PM

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

TABLE TALK ✻ DINING ✻ CHEERS!

Palate paradise T

he Tropical has become synonymous with fresh ingredients, plenty of vegetarian-friendly options and bold flavor profiles. The Nam Prik-Pao Fried Rice is all that and more. The Tropical’s version is served with your selected protein and glazed with sweet-ginger sauce. The dish is topped with julienned green apples, carrots, red onions, cilantro and sliced omelet. ($9.95, lunch; $13, dinner) tp 8125 E. 49th St., 918-895-6433, www.tropicaltulsa.com

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SPONSORED EDITORIAL Spicy shrimp in a tomato broth

GOURMET GATHERING Biga’s chef/owner Tuck Curren presented a cooking demonstration June 9 at Metro Appliances & More for supporters of Crossroads Clubhouse.

by ANNE BROCKMAN WALKING INTO METRO APPLIANCES & MORE on a recent summer evening, guests to Gourmet Gathering were treated to intoxicating aromas wafting through the Bosch demonstration kitchen. Chef Tuck Curren briefly stepped away from his Italian feastin-progress to wow those in attendance with stories from his recent trip to Italy.

As he made final preparations to the first course, spicy shrimp served with pureed

chickpeas and a tomato broth, Crossroads Clubhouse Executive Director Pat Fluegel welcomed guests to the celebratory evening.

The second course featured rigatoni alla vodka. The creamy sauce coated the perfectly cooked pasta and left a hint of spice on diners’ palates thanks to red pepper flakes and garlic.

A porchetta-style roast pork was served with a ladle of Curren’s salsa verde. He put

P R E S E N T E D BY

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TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

his own twist on the sauce by using Italian parsley, basil, garlic, lemon juice, capers and olive oil, which was reduced over a hot stove.

For dessert, fresh strawberries were topped with zabaglione, an Italian custard Curren created from egg yolks, sugar and Marsala wine.

The courses were presented with a Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio, an Antinori Santa Cristina Rosso and a Primo Amore Moscato.

Chef Tuck Curren

Rigatoni alla vodka

Chef Tuck Curren; Metro Appliances & More’s Linda Johnson; Scott McClung, Crossroads Clubhouse development coordinator; Pat Fluegel, the nonprofit’s executive director; and James Torrey, its board president.

Fresh strawberries

a dinner benefit

SUPPORTING

CROSSROADS CLUBHOUSE S INCE 19 95, CROSSROADS C LUBHOUSE has been a community of support and hope for adults diagnosed with a mental illness.

It provides opportunities for social engagement, employment, housing, education and wellness. Members can explore continuing education opportunities, participate in the Clubhouse’s popular gardening program, have lunch at the Clubhouse or utilize numerous job placement services. Crossroads Clubhouse is one of more than 300 clubhouses in the United States and 41 countries.

Speaking to a room of board members, friends, Clubhouse members and associates, Board President James Torrey announced that Crossroads Clubhouse is beginning a capital campaign to build a larger facility.

Visit www.crossroadsok.org for more information on how to donate to the campaign or become involved with Crossroads Clubhouse.

Porchetta-style roast pork with salsa verde

The June 9 event at Metro Appliances & More benefited Crossroads Clubhouse.

TulsaPeople.com

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TA B L E TA L K

The buzz on Tulsa’s tastiest products, restaurants and events

by NATALIE MIKLES

IT’S IN THIS LAST STRETCH OF SUMMER WHEN WE CONSIDER WHETHER WE’VE CROSSED EVERYTHING off our summer bucket lists.

For me, that list is mostly a food list. I can check off making fresh-squeezed lemonade, nibbling wedges of watermelon at the lake, slicing homegrown tomatoes for tomato tarts and many more.

August is our last chance to sip every drink and taste every bite until the sun goes down on summertime.

Oklahoma corn is not to be missed in the summer. I like it grilled in the husk, boiled and buttered or scraped off the cob into a baked corn pudding.

ROASTED CORN WITH BASIL BUTTER Serves 6 6 ears yellow or white sweet corn, in husks ¼ cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

Pull back corn husks, leaving them attached. Remove silks.

Combine butter and basil in a small bowl; brush over corn. Pull husks over corn, and grill corn over medium-high heat for about 15 minutes, turning occasionally.

CORN FRITTERS Makes 1 dozen

Sweet Tomato Relish on Brioche 1 2 ¼ 2 ½ 3

tablespoon diced garlic tablespoons diced shallots cup diced onions pints cherry tomatoes cup balsamic vinegar tablespoons honey

Juice of ½ lemon Salt and pepper, to taste 1 loaf brioche ½ cup butter 12 ounces goat cheese, crumbled

In a pan, saute garlic, shallots and onions for 2 minutes or until tender. Add tomatoes, vinegar, honey and lemon juice and cook until syrupy. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside to chill, or serve at room temperature.

Cut bread into 2-inch cubes. Saute bread in butter until golden brown on both sides.

Top bread with tomato relish and finish with crumbles of goat cheese.

TulsaPeople.com Get Natalie Mikles’ recipe for Tomato Pie. 94

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

4 ears sweet corn, husks and silks removed 2 eggs, beaten ¼ cup milk ½ cup flour 1 teaspoon baking powder

½ 1 ¼ 1

teaspoon salt teaspoon sugar teaspoon cayenne pepper tablespoon bacon drippings or vegetable oil

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil corn 5 minutes or until just tender. Cut kernels from corn, and place in a medium bowl. Stir in eggs and milk.

Combine flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Stir into corn mixture, and mix gently.

Heat bacon drippings or vegetable oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Drop batter by ¼ cupfuls and cook until browned, then turn to brown the other side. These are delicious with butter and maple syrup. tp Natalie Mikles is a writer who loves food, cooking and the people behind the stove. If she could only eat one food every day, it would be pie — hands down. She explores life with her husband and three children, who she is determined will become adventurous eaters.

PARTICIPATING RESTAUR ANTS ANDOLINI’S PIZZERIA BAXTER’S INTERURBAN GRILL BIN 35 BISTRO AT SEVILLE

A TEN DAY CELEBRATION OF TULSA’S CULINARY SCENE BENEFITING THE FOOD BANK!

CAZ’S CHOWHOUSE CHIMERA THE CHALKBOARD DAILY GRILL DILLY DINER DOC’S WINE & FOOD EL GUAPO’S DOWNTOWN EL GUAPO’S ON HARVARD FASSLER HALL FLORENCE PARK CAFÉ FOUNDATIONS AT PLATT COLLEGE THE FRENCH HEN IN THE RAW BROOKSIDE IN THE RAW ON THE HILL JAMES E. MCNELLIE’S DOWNTOWN JAMES E. MCNELLIE’S SOUTH CITY KEO KEO SOUTH LAVILLA RESTAURANT AT PHILBROOK THE MELTING POT MICHAEL V’S QUEENIE’S PLUS NAPLES FLATBREAD PALACE CAFÉ RUSTY CRANE SISSEROU’S SONOMA BISTRO & WINE BAR SMOKE TEXAS DE BRAZIL THE TAVERN THE VAULT THE WINE LOFT BISTRO YOKOZUNA DOWNTOWN YOKOZUNA ON YALE ... AND MORE TO COME!

10% OF RESTAURANT WEEK SALES WILL BE DONATED TO THE FOOD BANK WITH EACH DOLLAR MATCHED BY THE GEORGE KAISER FAMILY FOUNDATION!

Tulsa’s Tenth Annual Restaurant Week is a delicious opportunity to experience Tulsa’s best restaurants at a low, fixed price AND help fight hunger in Oklahoma. Special Restaurant Week menus will be available on TulsaPeople.com beginning August 15!

LUNCH - $12.95*

DINNER $35 each or $35/2*

Two-course menus include choice of appetizer and entree or entree and dessert!

Three-course menus include choice of appetizer, entree and dessert!

*Excluding tax, tip and beverage SPONSORS:

BENEFITING: Tulsa

Wireless Technologies, Inc.

Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope

Community FOOD BANK of Eastern Oklahoma

A

A      and school quickly approaches, the Oklahoma heat and humidity are still with us. As an antidote to the swelter, we suggest a trip to Hop Bunz, 3330 S. Peoria Ave., for shakes: nonalcoholic for the kids, boozy for the grown-ups.

Nothing says, “I see you, heat wave, and raise you this cold beverage,” quite like something frozen, blended, frothy and creamy — so opposite of hot.

At Hop Bunz, boozy flavors include mint chocolate (mint and chocolate liqueurs), oatmeal cookie (Irish cream, butterscotch and cinnamon liqueurs), strawberry mudslide (Irish cream, coffee liqueur, vodka), and bourbon and caramel, and a rotating flavor of the month.

Kids will relish the option to add Reese’s, gummy bears, cookie dough and the like to their own shakes.

I had the bourbon and caramel, proving a longstanding theory I’ve had about bourbon and ice cream: They taste great together. The oaky, cereal sweetness of Jim Beam matches perfectly with caramel sauce and vanilla custard. My partner in crime for the afternoon had a flavor of the month — a Nutella shake made with XO Patron coffee liqueur. Coffee, custard and Nutella turns out to be a winning combination, as well. tp

CHEERS!

Strawberry mudslide shake from Hop Bunz

Summer’s curative The heat is on, so cool off with a boozy milkshake perfect for summer sipping.

by LIZ BLOOD

PHILBROOK’S MIX Back for its third year, Philbrook’s do-not-miss event MIX promises an evening of cocktail magic in the name of fundraising for the arts. Sixteen local bartenders have worked furiously to create one-of-a-kind cocktails in order to compete for first-place bragging rights.

Local photographers Melissa Lukenbaugh and Jeremy Charles will present portraits of the bartenders that also represent their individual cocktail creations. Proceeds support Philbrook educational programming and museum operations.

PARTICIPATING BARTENDERS: Chris Armstrong, Arnie’s Bar Patrick Hayes, The Bramble David Jeffries, The Chalkboard Jack Wood, Chimera Café Kate Sheckarski, East Village Bohemian Pizzeria Jamie Jennings, Hodges Bend Michael Cuckler, Juniper: Third Street Bistro Matthew Land, Mix Co Ryan Stack, Prairie Brewpub Dustin Saied, PRHYME: Downtown Steakhouse Lesley Nelson, Torero Trevin Hoffman, The Summit Club Steve Richardson, The Tavern T. Read Richards, Valkyrie Blake Engleman, Vintage 1740 Jared Almeria, an unnamed establishment Aug. 27 — Philbrook MIX 7:30-11 p.m.; 6:30-7:30 p.m., patron hour. Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N. Main St. $100, Philbrook members; $125, non-members.

Patron packages available. Visit www.philbrook.org/mix.

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Blue Moon’s English muffin breakfast sandwich

THE

List BY

NATALIE MIKLES Weekends are for leisurely breakfasts, but when it comes to weekdays, most of us don’t have time for much more than a cup of coffee and a bowl of cereal.

But why not make it a great cup of coffee, a delicious bowl of granola or a smoothie? Here are a few notable spots for breakfast on-the-go.

Blue Moon You can’t beat the convenience of a wrap for breakfast on the go, and Blue Moon’s breakfast wrap is ideal. A whole-wheat tortilla is filled with scrambled eggs, red cabbage, cheese, salsa, tomato and green chilies. If you’re the occasional fan of a fast food breakfast, Blue Moon raises the bar, with a toasted English muffin sandwiching scrambled eggs, Capicola ham and provolone cheese.

3512 S. Peoria Ave., 918-749-7800, www.bluemoontulsa.com Heirloom Baking Co. Tucked away off Cherry Street, Heirloom is one of my favorite places for a cup of tea or coffee and something slightly sweet to start the morning. Here, many customers linger at the counter before ordering, contemplating the difficult decision between cinnamon rolls, breakfast kolaches or any other number of things fresh from the oven. I usually end up with a small bag of delicious things, like the goat cheese and date scone, ham and cheese croissant or a lemon poppyseed muffin. Heirloom recently expanded its breakfast menu to include bubble waffles, shakshuka and more, so it also is an option for a sitdown breakfast.

1441 S. Quaker Ave., 918-295-8975, www.theheirloombakery.com The New Atlas Grill Early risers trickle into the lobby of the Atlas Life Building, making their way to a longtime favorite, The New Atlas Grill. Service is quick at the Atlas, so many diners sit down and have a proper breakfast before heading to the office. Others get theirs to go, ordering bags of breakfast tacos to share with co-workers. The Cincinnati omelet is popular, with house-made pimento cheese made from Monterey jack, cheddar, Vermont white cheddar and roasted peppers. For a quick, simple breakfast, try the oatmeal with fresh berries.

415 S. Boston Ave., 918-583-3111, www.newatlasgrill.com Nordaggios Coffee Nordaggios served real-deal coffee in Tulsa way before Starbucks was ubiquitous and a decent cup of coffee was taken for granted. Stop here for a strong espresso to get your day started, or try a refreshing cup of aged cold-brew that has been stored in oak barrels. Pair it with a homemade pastry or slice of quiche, and you know it’s going to be a good day.

8156 S. Lewis Ave., 918-296-5288, www.nordaggios.com Antoinette Baking Co. Next time you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, skip your shredded wheat and head to Antoinette. The delightful bakery is an exercise in decadence. The scones and muffins here change daily and are always divine; homemade doughnuts, quiche crowns and frangipan fruit galettes are both charming and delicious. My advice? Order one of everything, and then share with lucky friends and co-workers.

207 N. Main St., 918-764-8404, www.antoinettebakingco.com TulsaPeople.com

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1778 Utica Square 918-624-2600

Summer of APP-reciation!

A new deal for APP users every week this summer.

Sign up for the Dog Dish APP to see what specials we'll be dishing out!

the

good life

TRENDS ✻ HOME ✻ HEALTH

Rustic Cuff bracelets, $22 each

Dear John jean shorts, $56

Cross-body phone charger purse, $88

Tank from local company Gameday Couture, which was recently featured on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” $42

Sandals, $98

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ALL ITEMS CAN BE FOUND AT POSH.

Sunglasses, $18

Earrings, $12

SHOW YOUR SCHOOL SPIRIT AND STYLE AS YOU CHEER ON THE HOME TEAM.

BY KENDALL BARROW

TulsaPeople.com

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WRIGHT ON

M

Bowled over

M  , JAY,   ACT scores each time he took the test in 11th grade.

Me … not so much. I place full blame on the math section, particularly all those algebra and geometry questions.

Jay was both the athlete and the academic in the family. That made me the “creative one” by default. He was on the state calculus team, exceled in debate and scored a full ride to Ole Miss. Meanwhile, six grades behind him, I was creating a kid-oriented soap opera/comic book titled “Days of Our Children” and only submitting to studying for tests when low grades prompted my parents to revoke TV privileges.

Fast-forward four years later to the end of my sophomore year. My English teacher at Grand Bay High School in Alabama suggested I take a timed exam for the College Bowl team that fall. Or Scholars Bowl. The Brain Bowl?

Lord, it was 25 years ago; it could’ve been the Vintage Pyrex Mixing Bowl of Fake Fruit for all I know. But lo and behold the phone, I actually passed the dang exam and was put on the team my junior year with a bunch of seniors I didn’t know — including one I had a massive crush on and couldn’t make eye contact with for fear of my mind being read. That’s another story better fit for an evening at Valkyrie over one or two Don’t Text Your Ex cocktails.

Anyway, that aforementioned English teacher was the team coach, and she was pretty

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by JASON ASHLEY WRIGHT

much the only person I’d talk to on the competition trips we’d take throughout Mobile County. That was mostly because I was extremely introverted and cringed at the thought of social interaction with anyone other than my immediate family and school teachers.

But it was partly because I felt like the biggest poseur for being on the same school bus with people who made all As and had dreams of lucrative careers in engineering or medicine.

I just wanted to pass Algebra II and maybe one day be a writer on “Knots Landing.” Or maybe just the guy from craft services who made sure Ted Shackelford and Michele Lee had snacks whenever they wanted.

During bowl games or whatever they were called, I’d typically be too embarrassed to blurt out an answer to the team for fear of it being wrong and having everyone blame me for losing — which we did rather fabulously without my input. But staying silent didn’t endear me to anyone either. Neither did that hideous bowl cut I got the previous summer that made me look like a Ken doll’s missing parts.

In retrospect, I realize I had a self-confidence issue. I mean, I know with Absolut certainty I wasn’t one of the smartest students on the team; but I was on that team, nonetheless. It was one of my first extracurricular activities to participate in, which made me a little less nerve-wracked when trying out for

show choir the following spring after we left Alabama to return to Mississippi — and I made it in. (Full confession: I sucked in show choir. I legitimately have no idea how I made it because I’d only mouth the lyrics during madrigal performances, and my dance moves to “Gimme Some Lovin’” were more like slightly coordinated spasms. Still, it was an esteem booster that eased the transition from my country high school to college and, eventually, a new life in Tulsa.)

Magic Cereal Bowl or Whatever It Was Called did not, however, prepare me for adult trivia competitions, as my frequently wrong answers tend to mire my team in the middle of the overall standings by game’s end. If you know for sure your trivia event will test your knowledge on identifying city skylines or naming all of Valene’s married names on “Knots” — in chronological order, thank you very much — I’m totally your guy. Or, if you have money riding on it, I can just give you my brother’s cell number. tþ

A Mississippi native, Jason Ashley Wright has called Tulsa home since 1998. He spends his free time finishing a novel and contemplating his next meal.

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W E E K E N D G E TA W AY S

Westward ho!

From a bevy of bats to shimmering buttes, here are five reasons to head west and visit Oklahoma’s Great Plains.

by TARA RITTLER

W O    , a mineral used in everything from fertilizer to food products to fine art. Although fertilizer might not seem like a good reason to drive 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours from Tulsa to western Oklahoma, gypsum has contributed to a stunning landscape, enhanced by the beauty of the grasslands and a diverse range of wildlife. Here are five places to visit when you make the trip.

1.

Alabaster Caverns State Park Although some call them “rats with wings,” others might find nothing more delightful than entering a park that is home to five species of bats. In addition to its furry inhabitants, Alabaster Caverns State Park is home to Alabaster Cavern, the world’s largest natural gypsum cave open to the public.

The park offers daily tours of the cave. More adventurous guests can get a permit to explore other caverns on their own. Additionally, camping enthusiasts who are looking for a unique camping experience can reserve the Water Cave — just know the nearest bathroom facility is a quarter-mile away.

217036 State Highway 50A, Freedom; 580-621-3381; www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.110

2.

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge It may be too late in the season to spot the whimbrel or the long-billed curlew, but summer visitors to the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge can still keep their eyes peeled for the American coot, the blue-gray gnatcatcher or any other bird species that call the Salt Plains home. The Salt Plains are a key migratory rest stop for thousands of birds, but even in the heat of the summer, they host an abundance of birds and other wildlife. The park has incorporated several trail systems, including an observation deck and an auto tour route of the area. Millions of years ago, seawater repeatedly flooded the area, but was eventually cut off and evaporated, leaving layers of salt. Also, from April 1-Oct. 16, visitors can dig for selenite crystals at a designated digging site — the type of treasure hunt that is certain to both entertain and exhaust enthusiastic children just in time for the drive home.

71189 Harper Road, Jet; 580-626-4794; www.fws.gov/refuge/salt_plains

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John Jernigan/Oklahoma Tourism, Rebekah Workman/Oklahoma Tourism, Shauna Lawyer/Oklahoma Tourism

W

Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge

Gloss Mountain State Park

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site

Distinctive Downtowns

Crystal Bridges Museum

BELLA VISTA | BENTONVILLE | EUREKA SPRINGS | FAYETTEVILLE Boiling Springs State Park

HOLIDAY ISLAND | HUNTSVILLE | ROGERS | SILOAM SPRINGS | SPRINGDALE

Naturally Fun an d au ty, big -ci ty fun mi x of natural be tinctive dis d an ors En joy the pe rfe ct tdo ou explore our great d more. small-town charm: r world-class art an ve co dis ns, tow wn do

Alabaster Caverns State Park

3.

Gloss Mountain State Park Gloss Mountain State Park is notable for its flat-topped buttes rising up to 175 feet from the valley floor. Not only do the buttes show off Oklahoma’s famous red dirt, they also contain three different types of gypsum. In the right conditions, the high levels of selenite cause the buttes to sparkle. For a truly stunning view, hike to the top of Cathedral Mountain.

Highway 412, Fairview; 580-227-2512; www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.3030

4.

Washita Battlefield National Historic Site On Nov. 27, 1868, Lt. Col. George Custer attacked the village of Peace Chief Black Kettle in the Washita River Valley. It is estimated that between 30 and 60 Cheyenne and 20 of Custer’s soldiers died in the attack. Today, visitors can visit the battlefield site or take an educational walk around the visitor center. This short trail runs near the Native Garden, which features plants traditionally used by the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes.

18555 Oklahoma 47 A, Cheyenne; 580-497-2742; www.nps.gov/waba

5.

Boiling Springs State Park and Shattuck Windmill Museum In addition to camping grounds, Boiling Springs State Park has four rental cabins and numerous picnic sites. Visitors to the park can look for badgers, whitetail deer, wild turkeys and many other species.

Fifty minutes away is the Shattuck Windmill Museum, featuring 63 windmills built over the past 100 years. Guests also can explore a dugout (a stone and sod house used by early settlers), a farmhouse and a replica mercantile store open for business.

Boiling Springs State Park: 207745 Boiling Springs Road, Woodward; 580-256-7664; www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.672 Shattuck Windmill Museum: 120 E. 11th St., Shattuck; 580-938-5291; www.shattuckwindmillmuseum.org tp

Beaver Lake

This ad paid for with state and private regional association funds

Northwest Arkansas TulsaPeople.com

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IN THE GARDEN

These mixed colors of SunPatiens were planted in the Utica Square shopping center landscape in full sun.

Out of the shade SunPatiens explode with color in the sun.

W

W’   I Y  now grow them in the sun as well as the shade, which is good news for lovers of these bright, showy annuals.

Ten years ago SunPatiens appeared on the market as the first sun-loving Impatien series. But gardeners know impatiens have a long history as plants to perk up a shady bed or walkway.

Impatiens were considered a houseplant in the 1800s. In Britain the name is “Buzzy Lizzy.” Its botanical Latin name means “impatient,” and a common name of “touch-me-not” arises from the explosive release of the mature seed capsules when touched, sending seeds several feet away.

These early Impatiens came from Zanzibar, Tanzania, in the mid-1860s and were named Impatiens sultanii by Sir Joseph Hooker after the potentate, the sultan of Zanzibar.

Later the name was changed to Impatiens wallerana in honor of Horace Waller, a missionary in central Africa. These selections, hybrids and cultivars were for decades the kings of annuals for shade in bedding work.

In 1970 a joint exploration by the Department of Agriculture and Kennett Square, Pennsylvania’s, Longwood Gardens to southeast Asia resulted in the introduction of the New Guinea Impatiens, Impatiens hawkeri. The

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Story and photo by RUSSELL STUDEBAKER

New Guineas had larger flowers, grew taller, had variegated leaves and — best of all — could tolerate more sun than the older bedding types.

Adoption was slow, but demand grew when the Paul Ecke Ranch in California introduced cultivars from a German company to American growers.

Sakata Seed Corp. of Japan further popularized them 10 years ago by working with the Republic of Indonesia to hybridize their native Impatiens with those from New Guinea.

SunPatiens are patented plants, and Sakata pays a royalty to the Indonesian government for each one propagated.

So, what has made SunPatiens so popular, appealing and special? In addition to thriving in full sun or part shade, the robust plants have stronger stems and hold up well in rain and wind. They flourish under high heat and humid conditions. They provide flowers all summer until a hard freeze. Flowers are up to 2 inches wide and give nectar to butterflies and hummingbirds.

SunPatiens come in three series that differ in size. The Compact Series can grow 14-32 inches tall and 14-24 inches wide and are best in hanging baskets. The Spreading Series has a strong mounding habit, faster coverage in the garden and is more vigorous than the Compact Series. The plants grow 18-36 inches tall and 24-36 inches wide, and are best for patio con-

tainers. The Vigorous Series is 24-42 inches tall and 24-30 inches wide and is best for backdrops or massive color displays as the flowers have an upright habit with sturdy stems and robust color.

Aside from watering, SunPatiens are virtually maintenance free. When planting in baskets and containers, plant in a well-drained soil or potting mix. Add a slow-release fertilizer at half the recommended rate. Then add water and place the container in full sun or part shade, and if the plants wilt, water them again.

In the garden, plant them in a well-drained, organically rich soil with compost or peat moss and keep the soil moist until the plants are established — about 7-10 days.

SunPatiens are available at box stores and most nurseries and garden centers. They are marked with a SunPatiens label, which tells the growth series of the individual cultivar.

SunPatiens will provide continuous color from spring to frost and are easily grown, reliable, wildlife-friendly and low-maintenance landscape annuals for your summer garden. tp

Russell Studebaker is a professional horticulturist, book author and garden writer in Tulsa and can be reached at russell.studebaker@cox.net.

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In lieu of a large foyer, a long hall beckons guests into this new 2,400-square-foot midtown home.

HOME

Natural fit

New construction blends old world charm with eco-friendly technologies in an established neighborhood.

T

T-    : You have to choose between convenience and closet space. An older home in the midtown area doesn’t always have the amenities today’s lifestyles demand.

But Shawn and Susan Miller chose all of the above and decided to create the best of both worlds in an environmentally sustainable way with their custom home near Brookside.

They worked with J. Madden Homes and W Design Architecture to create a new home in an older neighborhood that didn’t stick out as if it got lost on its way to the suburbs.

“We really wanted to make it fit into the neighborhood and be as sustainable as possible,” Susan Miller says. “I can walk anywhere I want to go from here.”

When the Tulsa native and her husband decided to move back to Tulsa in 2012, they started looking at homes in midtown and in the Maple Ridge area.

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by KIM BROWN Photos by BEN CHAU

“I had just lived in Oklahoma City in a 1924 home that was great, but it had horrible energy efficiency,” she says. “I wanted to live in midtown but knew we’d be getting into all of that again. That’s when we started thinking about building our own home instead.”

Buying a lot and building from scratch was what they opted to do, but they wanted to honor the integrity of the neighborhood and keep their footprint to a minimum.

“We will probably retire in 15 years, so we wanted a home where we could stay long-term,” she says. “And my bills are so low. I’d guess my utility bills are $50 a month in the spring and fall and $90 in the summer.”

The approximately 2,400-square-foot home with three bedrooms and 2 ½ baths is comfortable, but not a sprawling mini-mansion. It features the latest environmentally friendly and sustainable materials, including a Climate Master geothermal heating and cooling system, spray

foam insulation, a GE Geospring hot water tank, Anderson Smart Sun Windows, Water Sense plumbing fixtures and Energy Star appliances.

“Technology continues to get better and better, which makes building a ‘green’ home more cost-effective,” says John Madden, owner of J. Madden Homes.

By using these materials, including a BIBS insulation system — in which the insulation is made with specially manufactured fiberglass to keep outside elements from penetrating the home — the result is an “enclosed, conditioned space that’s insulated evenly so everything is running with the optimal energy efficiency,” he says.

Architect Weldon Bowman of W Design Architecture says it was important that the look of the house fit in with the neighborhood, so he created what he calls a midtown “Mediterranean-style home, but more downsized and simplified.”

Continued on p. 109

The architect designed this home to maximize every inch of space, as evidenced by the desk and shelving built into the staircase.

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Plenty of earth-friendly features were built into the midtown Mediterranean-style home, including geothermal heating and cooling, and a groundpermeating water runoff drainage system.

The front living space is used to entertain guests.

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TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

The home was built so the couple could remain in the home for many years.

Continued from p. 106

“It feels a lot bigger than it is,” he says. “It has that new, south Tulsa home feel with all the features but in a much smaller footprint.

“The Millers were all very adamant about not wanting a midtown McMansion,” Bowman says. “And because it was 2,400 square feet — which is very efficient — we knew we had to maximize every inch.”

Instead of a large formal foyer, guests walk in and immediately see an attractive staircase.

The Millers use the front living area for entertaining and relaxing, but keep the media and TV tucked away in what Bowman calls the “hearth room” in the rear of the home’s first floor behind the kitchen. As Susan walks through the traditional kitchen, she also points out a convenient desk area, which is built into the staircase and many of her favorite cabinets and storage spaces.

“I love all the storage — that’s one of my favorite parts,” she says.

The first-floor master suite, which was an absolute must for the couple, was designed to make every inch count, especially storage and closet space.

“The utility room goes right into my closet,” she says, noting that she and her husband have separate closets. Hers flows from the utility room through to the master bath, which makes doing laundry much more convenient.

The polished concrete floors on the first floor were “already a finished product, aside from the color,” Madden says.

The home’s exterior is made of stucco and engineered stone, and it even has a detached garage in the style of other homes in the area.

“With the stucco and the man-made stone, the plaster ceiling of the front porch and the cedar beam, we were trying to create the look of an older home,” Madden says.

But it’ll be much easier to keep clean.

“The biggest upkeep will probably be cleaning spiderwebs,” Madden says.

The home’s watershed is another essential element to creating a sustainable home.

“The goal is to minimize water runoff and lessen the burden on our storm sewers,” Madden says. “We ran (drainage) lines under the driveway to the yard, so the water will naturally permeate the ground,” adding they are focusing on the all-around effect, trying to minimize the impact on the environment.

Despite their initial concerns about building a new home in an older neighborhood, the Millers say they couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome.

“I really hate it when houses come in and don’t respect the neighborhood,” Susan says.

“I have neighbors come by all the time and say that it fits in really well.” tp

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McGraw Realtors

theEHC

Extraordinary Home Collection

Extraordinary Homes Extraordinary Realtors 11714 S Richmond Ave, Tulsa

$699,000

Beautifully Updated with separate guest quarters. Viking kitchen with 2 granite islands. Game/theater room. Selfcleaning saltwater pool, spa, outdoor fireplace, covered patio and fountain. Sound system throughout! ◆ 5 Bedrooms

◆ 4 Full, 2 Half Baths ◆ 3 Living Areas ◆ 3 Car Garage ◆ Jenks Schools ◆ MLS 1619564

8426 S Phoenix Place, Tulsa

$398,000

Green Certified New Construction in low maintenace 55+ gated community. Elegant granite kitchen, luxury master bath w/heated floors. Includes lawn maintenance, pool, putting green, fitness center, tennis, pond & more! ◆ 2 Bedrooms

◆ 2 Baths ◆ 1 Living Area ◆ 2 Car Garage ◆ Community Center ◆ MLS 1620712

6633 E 123rd Street, Bixby

$909,000

New Transitional design with luxruy finishes! Dream kitchen w/2 islands, fabulous study, wine room, lavish master w/fireplace, game room, separate theatre, outdoor living & kitchen w/room for a pool on treed lot. ◆ 5 Bedrooms

◆ 5 Full, 1 Half Baths ◆ 3 Living Areas ◆ 3 Car Garage ◆ Bixby Schools ◆ MLS 1601782

Curt Roberts 918.231.0691 110

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Katie Lieberman 918.698.3800

Laura Hawkins 918.260.7885

Extraordinary Homes Extraordinary Realtors 3645 S Wheeling Avenue, Tulsa

$1,300,000

McGraw Realtors

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Extraordinary Home Collection

Essentially rebuilt in 2009. Grand oversized kitchen with massive center island & commercial appliances. Travertine floors throughout first level. Master Suite & Living Quarters on first level. Fabulous Outdoor Living & Pool! ◆ 5 Bedrooms

◆ 3 Full, 2 Half Baths ◆ 5 Living Areas ◆ 3 Fireplaces ◆ 3 Car Garage ◆ MLS 1619417

8437 S Canton Ave, Tulsa

$599,000

Beautiful Hollinger Built home on wooded lot w/room for a pool! Backs to wooded area of Holland Hall Prep.

Handscraped teak hardwoods, updated master bath, study, open floor plan, game room, theater & safe room. ◆ 4 or 5 Bedrooms

◆ 3 Full, 1 Half Baths ◆ 5 Living Areas ◆ 3 Car Garage ◆ Union Schools ◆ MLS 1606695

4730 S 168th E Ave, Tulsa

$346,000

Gorgeous one owner home with 2 bedrooms down!

Handscraped hardwoods, custom details, beamed ceilings, large granitie island kitchen, study, game room, large expansion area & neighborhood pool/pond/park.

◆ 4 Bedrooms ◆ 3 Full Baths ◆ 3 Living Areas ◆ 3 Car Garage ◆ BA Schools ◆ MLS 1622284

Pam Case 918.809.3247

Chris Zinn Group 918.994.1235

theEHC

Extraordinary Home Collection

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McGraw Realtors

theEHC

Extraordinary Home Collection

Extraordinary Homes Extraordinary Realtors 9919 S Louisville Avenue, Tulsa

$1,100,000

Country Estate living in beautiful Silver Chase. Large lot with pool and numerous shade trees. Oversized kitchen with newer appliances, 2 wet bars, elevator, large scale rooms, theater room and 50 year roof. ◆ 5 Bedrooms

◆ 7 Baths ◆ 4 Living Areas ◆ 3 Car Garage ◆ Jenks Schools ◆ MLS 1613681

4651 E 55th Place, Tulsa

$259,900

Extensive Renovation in Holliday HIlls area & Carnegie Elem! Transitional design, hardwoods, granite kitchen & baths, flexible floorplan, private oversized master suite, shaded backyard, inside utility, vinyl windows & more! ◆ 3 Bedrooms

◆ 2 Full Baths ◆ 2 Living Areas ◆ 2 Car Garage ◆ Tulsa Schools ◆ MLS 1621527

6950 S Delaware Place, Tulsa

$525,000

Spectacular renovation in Timberland Heights. Beautiful transitional design, gourmet kitchen, new stainless steel appliances, vaulted great room, luxurious master with fireplace, covered outdoor living and park-like backyard. ◆ 3 Bedrooms

◆ 2 Full, 2 Half Baths ◆ 2 Living Areas ◆ 2 Car Garage ◆ Tulsa Schools ◆ MLS 1610693

Curt Roberts 918.231.0691 112

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Katie Lieberman 918.698.3800

Laura Hawkins 918.260.7885

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3122 E 70th Street, Tulsa

$549,000 10909 S 89th E Avenue, Tulsa

$318,000

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11007 S Kingston Avenue, Tulsa

$1,295,000 8622 S Fulton Avenue, Tulsa

$295,000

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1502 E 35th Place, Tulsa

$720,000 10379 S 92nd E Avenue, Bixby

$799,000

Contact an

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TulsaPeople.com

Extr Ex

113

McGraw Realtors

Luxury Property Group at McGraw Realtors Gordon sHelTon

918-697-2742 gshelton@mcgrawok.com Gordon@GordonShelton.com

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918-629-3717 dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

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Kelly Howard

918-230-6341 khoward@mcgrawok.com

sHerri sanders

918-724-5008 ssanders@mcgrawok.com 114

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Maple Ridge 1121 E. 19th Street Immaculate newer home in Maple Ridge Historic District.

Full brick Contemporary with first floor master suite with luxury bath and double walk-in closets. Three bedrooms up. Study off entry with custom bookshelves.

Open kitchen and family room with fireplace. Formal living room with fireplace overlooks in-ground gunite pool and pergola. Wood floors. $798,000

BRaniff Hills 2916 E. 68 Street Contemporary home on cul-de-sac lot near So. Hills County Club. Great room with a floor-to-ceiling fireplace & limestone floors.

Chef’s kitchen with honed granite, stone wall and custom cherry cabinetry.

Master suite with fireplace, hickory floors and access to private garden. Formal dining, study, music, game and fitness rooms. $785,000

WenMooR 10921 S. 69th E. Avenue Exquisite Estate on over 1.5 acres of well-manicured grounds. 4 bedrooms, 4 full & 4 half baths. 5 living areas. Hardwood floors.

Professional kitchen with everything a chef would want. Master suite, guest suite, and theater room.

Family room opens to outdoor pool, covered outdoor kitchen, fire place, fire pit and cascading Jacuzzi. $2,895,000

Enjoy the Luxury Lifestyle you desire

avalon Place

Grand laKe

3020 S. Trenton Avenue - One owner custom built smart house. Architect Rachel Zebrowski calls it “Desert Mediterranean”. 4 bedrooms, 4 full & 1 half baths. 3 living areas, 7 fireplaces. Eat-in granite island kitchen. Patio and pergola. Pool overlooks greenbelt & Crow Creek. $1,150,000

Very private Sawmill Hollow Point waterfront with 200’ of shoreline, 3 BR, 2.5 BA, 2 living areas, 2 wet bars, large covered decks overlooking incredible views of Grand Lake & awesome 2-slip dock in protected cove. $649,000

Grand laKe

cedar ridGe villa

meGee

Large & spacious 1 level Sawmill Hollow Point home on 3.7 acres of immaculate lawn. Huge stone patio w/fireplace, commercial kitchen open to great room, incredible master suite w/his & her closets. All BR have private BA & just a golf cart away from a 1-slip dock on the lake. $549,000

5712 W. Orlando Circle - Cedar Ridge gated Villa. 12’ ceilings, 8’ doors, hardwoods & heavy crown. 2 bedrooms down, 1 up each w/private baths. Theater room over garage. Private courtyard, outdoor living w/fireplace, grill & water feature. $450,000

2428 E. 24th Street- Updated Midtown Country French home. Fabulous kitchen opens to family room with fireplace. Large formals. Original hardwoods. Sunroom.

Outdoor living space fireplace. Cul-de-sac. $699,000

villaGe on UTica

sequoyaH Hill ii

1630 E. 31st Street - Tuscany inspired home. 4 bedrooms, 3 full & 1 half baths. Open granite kitchen & dining. Spacious game/media room with wet bar.Walled courtyard with pool & outdoor FP. $850,000

11523 S. Oswego- 4 bdrms 4 bath & 2 half baths, Stunning outdoor kitchen and pool with Cabana. 3 car garage. Media room and game room. Mater suite and guest downstairs with 2 large bdrms with baths upstairs. $1,950,000

Call any of the Luxury Property Group Realtors about one of these homes, or any property that you have an interest in.

They will provide you with superior personal service with the highest integrity.

The Luxury Property Group TulsaPeople.com

115

McGraw Realtors

A Network of Realtors Representing the Finest Properties in NE OK

McGraw Realtors 6010 E. 117th St. Beautiful new listing in the prestigious South Tulsa neighborhood of River Oaks. This English Estate has every amenity possible to make easy. kitchen 6519 S. Gary ave. living - Located on aOpen culdesac behind and familyroom hasSouthernHills. granite and stainless appliances.

The The hosue is a beautiful drive up withmasgreat ter suite offers sitting area with fireplace to cozy up on winter landscaping, extra parking and a rear$1,200,000 entry garage. The nights, the spa bathhouse has afeatures salted2 bedrooms soakingon tub.

3first additional bedtheVivian floor each Six having orginial fixtures.

Extensive use of wood and moldings throughout will be a feastinforevery the aspect Custom built for current owners with attention to detail of theBillards house room from the roof to the Jeff rooms. hasslate full kitchen, media room Pool. and more. to $2,995,000 aroom bath. Spacious kitchen with granitelevel and tile eyes.

The kitcheneach has been updated with large prep island.

4 bedrooms closets, located on two the located Callon forthe more bedrooms having private baths and spacious firstinformation. floor.access Family with fireplace.

Lower flooring. Upsatirs has 2 bedrooms, bath, plus game room 2nd floor.

Master retains the orgianl tile bath.

Basement clubroom with laundry and walkout has gameroom, exercise room, full laundry and mini kitchen that services the pool.

All exterior patiosoutdoor are covered with and exercise room. Ultimate kitchen with all the storage.

Guest apartment is updated located over the 3 car garage. Pool. $1,150,000 Pennsylvania Blue Stone. stainless applainces you need. Pool. $510,000

10625 S. Garnett rd. Gracious Georgian manor home on 5 acres.

A winding drive and a pool with a fountain greet you through the gate. There are over 6000 sq. ft. of pure luxury in this home. Gorgeous woodwork, and deep crown moldings. Marble entry. Large 2651 center S. St. island LouiS kitchen.

- Orginial home views in John Book’s granite Fabulous andWalton balconies.

Salt-is exceptional in design. The water pool.marble $1,350,000 circullar staircase greats you as you enter with an imprssive 3 story entry with 7777 S. Jamestown Avenue

3266 e. 75$th St. well - Custom2404 built home with quality 7777 S.front JameStown ave. with - Amazing customchairs built Jack Arnold 60 woodward BLvd.P-lacE Boston Cir. SquareThis Condos with close accessbackyard.

2165 E.E.2628th th PlacE $1,495,000 3180 S.S. FlorEncE 699,000 6623 Evanston could be your This St. Wide porch rocking makes craftsmanship.

Beautiful frontfeel doorwelcome open to office built for thethe current owners. Attention to details are in to Riverparks and new Gathering First floor features appointed home with gorgeous wood, hardware and marble is glassyou in home this style home.

Large open rooms Located on over an acrecolonial of land backyard is an entertainer’s Unique piece of property inPlace.

Ranch Acres on almost an acre of land. with rich paneling, built-ins with &dream fireplace.

Formal living every room of the house.

Hardwood floors, beamed ceilings, combo living/dining area having a fireplace and wetbar.

The situated on 2.8 acres.

The house is close to 8000 sq. ft. beautifully a lots of windows make the house great for lots of living. with outdoor kitchen, putting green, pool and bridge over Updated floorplan with open kitchen having granite stainless and dining& rooms.

Large center island kitchen with on beautiful cabinetryMaster and lots ofsuite natural plus light make this house kitchen has solidand wood cabinetry andtreed Corianlot. countertops. landscaped has a large Thenewer 6 bedrooms, kitchen Hardwood floors 1st floor. additional Crow Creek.

The house been updated with new appliances.

Master suite expanded with bath & his/her high-end appliances opens tobedroom family room. Master suite one ofhas a kind.

6 bedrooms each having walk-inkitchen closetscenter andand full Upstairs featuesliving master suite with double closets, large bath and formal areas are on one-level.

There are 7 full baths and 3 bedrooms up.

Spacious kitchen has baths.

Several formal and informals living areas provide you with closets.

Lower level gameroom has full bath and screened porch. thekitchen first floor. Upstairs features game roomdishwashers. baths. 2 located 3onliving first floor.

Lower level has high ceilings, and private Second bedroom pluslevel study,gameroom full bath and located and one balcony. ½ bath.

Large lower with on full island and double areas. $898,000 options.

Two outdoor mastersmedia oneroom, located the kitchenette first floorplus andwork oneout onroom. the Three bedrooms, three full & onepool. half bath, fourplus cartwo garage. additional bedrooms.

Wonderful gameonroom, laundry.

Calloverlooks for more details and bath a beautiful $1,500,000

second$599,900 floor plus anAll additional three entertaining space has stone fireplace. outside surfaces arebedrooms. covered in Pennsylvia bluestone tile.

Inground pool. Call for more details.

3126 E. 87th PL Gated Wellington 4942 E. 103rd St. Custom Built in Wexford 10520 S. 91st E. Ave. Magnificent home in E. 37thFormal StrEEt Legacy Park II built by Bill Haynes $1,295,000 3904 E. 64th PlacEof the pond. Recently by Murphy has $ 379,000 South has view been nicely 2245 updated.

Homes. The You will want to live outdoors all the entertaining space 6423 S. i ndianapoLiS a ve .

Modern twist with a great floorplan Stunning unit with marble floors and high end finishes.

Kitchen 11413 e. 132ndwith pLis. Custom built home with attention to 59th pLKitchen . Gated Garden Parkbacksplash, with hardwood remodeled with attention grabbing living2117 and e.dining. has tile open floorplan great for entertaining with make house onenook ofroom. a kind.

Gated courtyard pond pretty patios, court yard The detail pool, inroom everytennis room.

Located onplus overfireplace. an acrespace! of land.

Master floorscounters andeach lots ofhaving natural Combo formal livinginground andgreat hasthis breakfast and bar.with Three bedrooms details in every 5eating bedrooms, 2koi granite and light. stainless appliances. having stone Granite opens to double frontand doors.

Floating formal livingclosets. and dining plus 2with additional bedroomsfloors, down. Upstairs features game dining.could Kitchen hasup double overlooking front house is also beautiful hardwood pretty and fireplaces located on the 1st floor.

Study.

Redone Familyroom with built-ins and fireplace.

3 kitchen has stainless appliances cherry private baths spacious walk-in Master be or windows is down. over a lower level family room having stone fireplace. room, 2 other bedrooms and office.

Open kitchen with patio.

Kitchen Aid appliances.

2 bedrooms.

2 baths. gameroom with wet bar.

Beautifully bedroms on 1st floor with 2 additional bedcabinets.

Office.

3 bedrooms on the first floor. and ceilings.

Open living area has slate floor large living area Two different outdoor spaces. A private courtyard in the Spacious eat-in French kitchen with pantry. wing features Alderwood cabinetry and Expansion granite Saferoom.

4 car Bonus room used has a studio. $175,000 landscaped. $760,000 rooms up + gameroom and opens sitting area.

New Plantation Shutters. space upstairs to double island kitchen with new counters. appliances.

Three front with doors offBedroom the kitchen and then a spacious back private study. Master suite plus 4 additional bedroomsRoof. and garage.

Must See! plans.

Call for more details. bedrooms on firstwith floor.

Large master.

Upstairs has$334,500 two more deck area overlooking just one of Point South’s$475,000 tennis courts. pullman baths. Large lot. $419,000

bedrooms and gameroom. Call for more details.

Wonderful lot to build your dream home on in Woodlar. The property is 1.077 acres. $275,000 116

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

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117

McGraw Realtors

Specializing in Fine Quality Homes 260-1800

11415 South Sandusky

Luxury custom home features 4 bedrooms, 4 full and 2 half baths and 4-car garage. Living and dining rooms with views. Family room opens to Chef’s kitchen with Labradorite granite island. Wide plank wood flooring throughout.

Entry, office and Patio doors are 100-year-old, hand-carved wood with special hardware. Theater room. In-ground gunite pool & expansive patios. Gated Oakhill. Jenks Southeast Schools. $1,500,000

11503 S. Granite Pristine upgraded home in desired Estates of Forest Park backs to beautiful pond. First floor has 2 story spiral staircase made of Cherry wood. Gourmet remodeled kitchen has huge center island with quartzite counters abundant custom cabinetry and new 6 burner stove with double oven. Spectacular resort-like backyard with in-ground heated gunite pool, spa and patio with complete privacy. 4 bedrooms, 6 full and 2 half baths. Theater room with wet bar. $1,475,000

7435 S. Gary Place - Guierwoods III, Jenks - Stunning French home on 1/2 acre corner lot. Kitchen/Family room has vaulted ceilings with wood burning fireplace. 10’ center island, double ovens, sub zero refrigerator, cook top with built-in grill. Formal dining room, formal living room with fireplace, office with bookcase, hobby & exercise rooms. Hardwood floors, crown moldings and decorative moldings. 4 bedrooms, 4 full & 2 half baths. In-ground Lagoon pool. 3 car garage. $699,999 118

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

11402 S. Granite Place - Estates of Forest Park, Jenks- New Listing! 4 or 5 bedrooms - 4 on first level. 4 full and 2 half baths. Open kitchen to family, formal dining, living, office. Upstairs can be game room with bath. Sun room off family room. Exercise room off Master bath. In ground pool. 3 car garage.

Jenks schools $650,000

McGraw Realtors

DeeDee Jesiolowski Fulfilling dreams, one HOME at a time!

231-3821

5539 E. 107th Place, Tulsa

Outstanding, one owner, custom built home, meticulously maintained.Beautiful hardwoods, plantation shutters, double ovens and gas cook-top, game room with drop down media screen. Gorgeous landscaped backyard with inground pool. 4 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths. $570,000

deedee@deedeej.com

7449 S. Indianapolis Avenue, Tulsa

Quality custom built home on beautiful treed lot. Gorgeous marble & hardwood floors, large open floor plan, contemporary kitchen, remodeled master bath with custom closet, amazing storage, home generator, heated driveway, inground pool. 3 bedrooms, 3 full and 2 half baths. $392,000

9519 S. 87th E. Avenue, Tulsa

Beautifully maintained 4 bedroom home on cul-de-sac lot. Hardwood flooring on 1st level. Updated kitchen with granite and stainless appliances. Remodeled master bath.

Phenomenal outdoor kitchen and living area. 3 car garage with separate workshop. $345,000

Allison JAcobs 918-850-2207 Call or Text

ajacobs@mcgrawrealtors.com

2677 Terwilleger Blvd

5708 E. 104TH PLACE - FOREST PARK III Beautiful Tulsa home in Jenks Schools. Updated with new paint and gorgeous wood floors. Master bedroom down, four bedrooms up, plenty of storage with over 6000 sq ft. Open floor plan with double-sided fireplace. Spacious patio with arbors, professionally landscaped backyard, and refinished pool. Established neighborhood with incredible trees! Call for more information.

Want to own a piece of Tulsa History? Former Designer Showcase home sits on large Midtown lot, close to Utica Square and Philbrook. Remodeled, freshly painted inside and out, refinished hardwood floors and NEW kitchen! Four bedrooms, two full and three half baths. In-ground pool with UV light filtration system - no chemicals needed. Please call for more information.

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McGraw Realtors

Rodger Erker 918-740-4663

Scott coffman 918-640-1073 scoffman@mcgrawok.com

1207 Hazel Boulevard

$575,000

Classic midtown home on prestigious Hazel Boulevard.

Updated throughout, beautiful kitchen with granite, gas cooktop and island, classic curved staircase in entry, beautiful moldings and trim work, finished basement, four bedrooms, sleeping porch, three car garage, newer gated driveway, lifetime tile roof.

Stunning landscaping and stone work. Lee Elementary!

Updated Bungalow on cul-desac lot. Charming details include high ceilings, skylights, wood beams, fireplace, great natural light, hardwoods and Saltillo tile. Three bedrooms, two full and one half baths. Two living areas. Open eat-in kitchen.

Game room plus office or fourth bedroom upstairs. Beautiful backyard with patio and mature trees. Union Schools.

5823 E. 77th Place 120

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

$198,500

14471 Tiffany Lane, Skiatook $789,900 Custom built by current owners. Home overlooks Skiatook Lake. Four bedrooms, three full and one half bath. Three living areas.

Huge master has vaulted, beamed ceilings and access to deck with hot tub. Master bath has walk-in shower. Amazing views from walls of windows. Tile floors. Rambo cabinetry.

Anderson Windows. Tornado shelter in 3-car garage. Trex decking and cable railing. Near two marinas. Cul-de-sac lot. Skiatook Schools.

Please visit http://www.tourfactory.com/1576350

McGraw REALTORS® Rockford CATHERINE SANTEE HUGHES Realtor

For almost 10 years Catherine has consistently been bringing together buyers and sellers in Tulsa and surrounding communities. Call Catherine for her expertise in: · Midtown Tulsa · Farm and Ranch properties · Family needs, whether you have Athletes or Mathletes When you are looking to buy or sell in the Tulsa area,

CALL CATHERINE! 918.639.4199 · chughes@mcgrawok.com

11705 S. Sandusky Avenue, Tulsa - One of a kind! Five bedrooms, four full and one half baths, three car garage. Master plus second bedroom down with full bath. Backs to greenbelt, so no worries about building behind this home! Private backyard, gorgeous for entertaining. Open floor plan with great flow for family and friends. Custom wrought iron gate and fence. Jenks Schools. $720,000

US EOED! G R AT GO G &

& Beal Team

McGraw Realtors

Bovasso

Charity Farris-Smith

Sharna Bovasso (918) 605-2995 | sbovasso@mcgrawok.com Dee Ann Beal (918) 688-5467 | dbeal@mcgrawok.com

918-636-0277 Charity says

3107 E. 88th Street Custom dream home with chef’s kitchen and new high end appliances. All beds have private baths. Two masters down! Fifth bedroom could be second office or in-law suite.

Extreme theater room and recording studio. Backyard oasis with pool, spa, waterfall, Koi Pond and outdoor kitchen. Wellington South. $949,000.

G!

N NI

N TU

S

3307 E. 96th Place Exquisite custom gated home with elaborate attention to detail.

Completely updated. Chef’s gourmet kitchen opens to vaulted beamed family room. 4 beds down. Gameroom & loft with fireman’s pole.

Approx. 1 acre lot with saltwater pool that backs to jogging trail. Crown Pointe. $750,000.

IN E- Y! OVAD M E R

421 W. 77th Street Pristine home with master + two bedrooms down, one up and gameroom.

Flexible layout, great for entertaining! Beautiful hardwoods. Granite kitchen opens to great room. Large master closet next to laundry room.

Custom features. Neighborhood pool and park.

Close to Tulsa Hills. $370,000.

“Its all about you!!

Tailoring to your needs and desires of both owning or selling residential properties.” call Charity @ 918-636-0277

e r e h w e v o L you

live!

Sue Ann Blair Real Estate Agent since 2002

Designer Showcase Chair since 2011 Top 100 Tulsa Realtor

4632 E. 109th Place Tuscan style with travertine flooring, gourmet kitchen, study, storm shelter, open floor plan. Wall of windows overlooks patio with fireplace and cooker. Separate utility with work area, abundant cabinets. Second living up, via separate staircase. $535,000

Judy

Dunagan

918.813.3477 • sueann@mcgrawok.com

SRES

When results matter call..

918-671-9315 TulsaPeople.com

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Q&A

From Tulsa Professionals

For information about participating in Q&A, please contact adservices@langdonpublishing.com.

GENERAL DENTISTRY Q: Can dental implants last a lifetime?

A: Absolutely dental implants can last a lifetime. If the implant is placed in an adequate amount of bone and gum tissue it is very reliable. The following factors can contribute to an implant failing: smoking, poor oral hygiene, implant design and a person’s own immune system. Today, dental implants are considered the standard of care for tooth replacement over other options such as fixed bridges and partial dentures

VETERINARIAN Q: Can my dog get heat stroke?

A: Yes, dogs can suffer from excessively high body temperature, or hyperthermia. If not allowed to cool themselves, dogs can become hyperthermic which can lead to serious complications, including death. Never leave your dog in a parked car without the air conditioning on, even with the windows rolled down. Always make sure there is shade and plenty of cool, fresh water when your dog is outside. Signs of hyperthermia are excessive panting, bluish color of the mucous membranes, and/or inability to walk, and a body temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit or above. If any of these signs are present, call your veterinarian immediately.

Dr. Mark Shackelford 15th Street Veterinary Group 6231 E. 15th St. • Tulsa, OK 74112 918-835-2336 • www.15thstreetvet.vetsuite.com

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Q: What are my options to transfer assets to designated heirs?

A: There are several options, both during life and at death. Annual gifts up to $14,000 per recipient are the easiest. Lifetime gifts can also be made up to $5,450,000 without gift taxes. If not used during life, the lifetime exemption also applies at the time of death. A spouse can also make annual gifts and lifetime gifts. Proper estate planning ensures consistency in the intent and timing of the transfers. Wills, trusts, beneficiary designations and power of attorney are all tools to reach your goals.

Gene McCormick DDS SAFE/COMFORT Dentists 2106 S. Atlanta Pl. • Tulsa, OK 74114 918-743-7444 • www.genemccormickdds.com

J. Harvie Roe, CFP, President AmeriTrust Investment Advisors, Inc. 4506 S. Harvard Ave. • Tulsa, OK 74135 hroe@amerad.com • 918-610-8080

WILLS AND TRUSTS

BEAUTY AND WEIGHT MANAGEMENT

Q: I’m remarried. Do I have to make a new will?

Q: What are my options for more youthful lips without looking ducky?

A: Upon remarriage, blended families bring unique challenges for estate planning. A growing number of blended families use a combination of two trusts to gain greater flexibility. Additionally, a children’s trust or an irrevocable life insurance trust may be necessary to meet your blended family needs. Contact your estate-planning attorney for the best options available.

A: Soft, pouty, pink lips are the biggest beauty trend of 2016 and having them is one of the easiest ways to give yourself a more youthful appearance. Juvederm Ultra and Restylane Silk are both hyaluronic acid dermal fillers formulated for the lip area. The result is softer lips that look pouty, but not “ducky.”

Both fillers can be injected during a 30-minute appointment, and results last for up to a year. Call the BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center to schedule your complimentary consultation.

Karen L. Carmichael The Law Office of Karen L. Carmichael 918-493-4939 • 2727 E. 21st St., Ste. 402 www.tulsawillsandtrusts.com 122

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Malissa Spacek and Dr. James Campbell BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center 500 S. Elm Place • Broken Arrow, OK 74012 918-872-9999 • www.baweightspa.com

agenda

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ✻ OUT & ABOUT ✻ BENEFITS

A competitor at the 2015 National Snaffle Bit Association World Championship in Tulsa.

8/13-21

Horsin’ around E ven if you don’t know what a snaffle bit is (the most common type of horse bit), don’t miss the World Championship Breeders and Futurity Horse Show at the Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex. The 11th annual competition presented by the National Snaffle Bit Association will judge horses on manners, gait and disposition with over $500,000 awarded in cash and prizes. Built Ford Tough Livestock Complex, Tulsa Expo Square, 4145 E. 21st St. Free admission. Visit www.nsba.com. tþ

Larry Williams Photography

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OUT & ABOUT

People, places and events

Saint Simeon’s The Western Days 2016 Kickoff Party was April 27 at The Restaurant at Gilcrease Museum. Pictured are Mandy and Blake Atkins, Western Days 2016 patron chairs; John Brooks Walton, recipient of the Pioneer Spirit Award; George and Phyllis Dotson, event co-chairs; and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny, honorary chairman. Western Days: Decades of Compassion will be Sept. 13 at the Cox Business Center.

Child Abuse Network The fifth annual CANdlelight Ball on April 23 at the Mayo Hotel raised more than $250,000 for the Child Abuse Network Inc. Pictured at the event are Scott and Diana Booren and Susan and Kevin Gross. Susan is a member of the CAN Board of Directors.

Tulsa City-County Library The Bank of Oklahoma and the Tulsa Library Trust recently honored former Mayor Robert J. LaFortune for his decades of service to libraries and literacy.

Pictured are Rik Helmerich, Tulsa Library Trust chairman; LaFortune, recipient of the 2016 Marcus R. Tower Service Award; and Gary Shaffer, Tulsa City-County Library CEO. American Cancer Society The 10th annual Cattle Baron’s Ball is Sept. 24 at the Cox Business Center. Pictured are 2016 Barons Andy Soares, Chris Holder, Shohreh Woessner, Darryl Baskin, Michael Trupia, Chet Wilson, Steve Jaggers and Heath Collins.

University of Tulsa College of Law At the fifth annual TU Law Alumni Gala, Danny C. Williams Sr., U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, accepted the 2016 TU Law W. Thomas Coffman Award for Community Service on behalf of the late Judge Carlos J. Chappelle.

Pictured at the Gilcrease Museum event are Danny C. Williams Jr., Wendy Williams, Williams Sr. and Morgan Williams.

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NatureWorks Harvey Payne received the 2016 NatureWorks Wildlife Stewardship Award at the May 5 unveiling of “Glacier Park Billy Goat.” The piece is the 27th heroic-size bronze monument donated to the City of Tulsa as part of NatureWorks’ efforts to promote wildlife awareness and art appreciation through public wildlife monuments. Pictured with his wife, Leisa, Payne was the longtime director of the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.

Planning a wedding or event?

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Troy Jackson –“Industrial Warrior” (sculpture) 2015 Innovator Award

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OUT & ABOUT

People, places and events

Saint Simeon’s The Western Days 2016 Kickoff Party was April 27 at The Restaurant at Gilcrease Museum. Pictured are Mandy and Blake Atkins, Western Days 2016 patron chairs; John Brooks Walton, recipient of the Pioneer Spirit Award; George and Phyllis Dotson, event co-chairs; and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Edward J. Konieczny, honorary chairman. Western Days: Decades of Compassion will be Sept. 16 at the Cox Business Center.

Child Abuse Network The fifth annual CANdlelight Ball on April 23 at the Mayo Hotel raised more than $250,000 for the Child Abuse Network Inc. Pictured at the event are Scott and Diana Booren and Susan and Kevin Gross. Susan is a member of the CAN Board of Directors.

Tulsa City-County Library The Bank of Oklahoma and the Tulsa Library Trust recently honored former Mayor Robert J. LaFortune for his decades of service to libraries and literacy.

Pictured are Rik Helmerich, Tulsa Library Trust chairman; LaFortune, recipient of the 2016 Marcus R. Tower Service Award; and Gary Shaffer, Tulsa City-County Library CEO. American Cancer Society The 10th annual Cattle Baron’s Ball is Sept. 24 at the Cox Business Center. Pictured are 2016 Barons Andy Soares, Chris Holder, Shohreh Woessner, Darryl Baskin, Michael Trupia, Chet Wilson, Steve Jaggers and Heath Collins.

University of Tulsa College of Law At the fifth annual TU Law Alumni Gala, Danny C. Williams Sr., U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, accepted the 2016 TU Law W. Thomas Coffman Award for Community Service on behalf of the late Judge Carlos J. Chappelle.

Pictured at the Gilcrease Museum event are Danny C. Williams Jr., Wendy Williams, Williams Sr. and Morgan Williams.

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NatureWorks Harvey Payne received the 2016 NatureWorks Wildlife Stewardship Award at the May 5 unveiling of “Glacier Park Billy Goat.” The piece is the 27th heroic-size bronze monument donated to the City of Tulsa as part of NatureWorks’ efforts to promote wildlife awareness and art appreciation through public wildlife monuments. Pictured with his wife, Leisa, Payne was the longtime director of the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve.

Fundraisers and fun happenings

CHARITABLE EVENTS REGISTRY

AUGUST

compiled by JUDY LANGDON

Aug. 4 CIGARBQUE

Benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. www.bbbsok.org

Aug. 6 BAPTIST CHILDREN’S HOME BACKTO SCHOOL STYLE SHOW & BRUNCH

Benefits Baptist Children’s Home, Owasso. www.obhc.org/bch-owasso

Aug. 4 COMMUNITY SERVICE COUNCIL’S 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

Aug. 6 CLOSE THE GAP 5K

Benefits Community Service Council. www.csc75th.com

Benefits YWCA Tulsa’s Girls on the Run Program. www.gotrtulsa.org

Aug. 4-6, 11-13 HARWELDEN MURDER MYSTERY

Aug. 8 OPERATION AWARE GOLF TOURNAMENT

Benefits Arts & Humanities Council of Tulsa. www.ahhatulsa.org

Benefits Operation Aware of Oklahoma. www.operationaware.org

Aug. 5 WINE, EATS AND EASELS

Aug. 11 HOME SWEET HOME

Benefits Broken Arrow Neighbors. www.BAneighbors.org

Benefits Hudson Villas. www.tulsadaycenter.org

Aug. 11 TASTE OF BROOKSIDE

Benefits Youth Services of Tulsa. www.tasteofbrookside.com Aug. 19 CF CYCLE FOR LIFE NITE TOUR 2016

Benefits the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. www.cff.org/tulsa Aug. 22 24TH ANNUAL KIWANIS CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC

Benefits Special Olympics Oklahoma. www.sook.org Aug. 22 MUSICAL MONDAYS

Benefits LIFE Senior Services. www.lifeseniorservices.org

Volunteer spotlight

by JUDY LANGDON

A

Courtesy

n opportunity for her family to host two young women from Tulsa’s sister city of Behai, China, in 1998 was the catalyst for Cathryn Render to begin volunteering with Tulsa Global Alliance. “(The women) were attending a wonderful TGA program my daughter was in called ‘Breaking Through the Boundaries,’ that bonded Tulsa-area youth with people from our then six sister cities through music, culture sharing, stories and fun,” Render says.

That fall the three Render children joined TGA’s high school program, the International Youth Coalition of Tulsa.

After 18 years that have included service on the TGA Board of Directors, hosting TGA guests, visiting Tulsa’s sister cities and preparing youth for global business, Render is chairwoman of TGA’s upcoming 40th anniversary celebration.

Explain the TGA programs that will be supported by the 40th anniversary. Major programs benefited are Kids World 2017, our ongoing Sister City Program outreach for Tulsa’s Cathryn Render, chairwoman of Tulsa Global Alliance’s 40th eight sister cities, support for student exchange anniversary, and pianist Barron Ryan, who will perform at the event. programs in area schools, a “culture box” program

available to all area schools that serves as a meetand-greet for students to mingle with others in the program, trade support and networking opportunities for area business and some other programs through the U.S. State Department and our local university partners.

Why do you volunteer with TGA? I was always thankful visionary people had created something worthy for my family, and I guess I’ve just been trying to give back to future families since then.

My husband, Mike, and I like meeting new people and making new friends. TGA offers such a unique network of people. I just like working with every one of them.

It’s a very hard-working board. You know your work is appreciated and when it makes a difference. tþ Aug. 18 TULSA GLOBAL ALLIANCE 40TH ANNIVERSARY, “40 YEARS OF GLOBAL VISION”

6 p.m. Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame, 5 S. Boston Ave. Recognizes impresario Jim Halsey, musician Roy Clark and Native American artist Minisa Crumbo Halsey for the impact of their work on world peace. Live entertainment and Asian fusion food. $75, TYPros members; $125, TGA members; $150, nonmembers. Benefits Tulsa Global Alliance. Call Cathy Izzo, 918-631-4801, or visit www.tulsaglobalalliance.org.

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BEHIND THE SCENE

Perspectives on local art and culture

Seasonal tradition Summer’s Fifth Night celebrates 25 years.

by GAIL BANZET-ELLIS SUMMER’S FIFTH NIGHT Aug. 4

Alaska & Madi (country pop) Aug. 11

Grooveyard (pop) Aug. 18

Jambalaya Jass Band (dixieland) Aug. 25

Grady Nichols (jazz)

Valerie Grant

7-9 p.m. Utica Square, 1709 Utica Square. Free for all ages. www.uticasquare.com

WHAT’S HAPPENING

T

here’s something magical about live music in the open air on a lazy summer evening, especially when it’s flowing from a stage at Utica Square.

A free community concert series, Summer’s Fifth Night is celebrating its 25th season of outdoor entertainment for the entire family.

The tradition of Summer’s Fifth Night began in 1991 with a couple of acoustic bands in Utica Square’s garden. Around 100 people showed up to listen, but with each show the event has grown to a 13week schedule that entertains an all-age crowd in the thousands.

“We’d like to think that we’re sort of the grandfather of these parking lot concerts,” says Jessica Barr, Utica Square property manager. “June is probably our biggest month with around 5,000 people and a couple thousand during the rest of the summer.”

Utica Square’s landscape and maintenance staff dedicates extra hours every Thursday to blocking off parking lots, assembling the stage and setting up tables and 128

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chairs. The booking agency SRO Productions is responsible for scheduling the bands, stage and sound. The lineup spans all varieties of music, including Beatles rock, R&B, red dirt, big band, jazz and country. Saxophonist Grady Nichols rounds out each season in late August.

Utica Square merchants participate as weekly sponsors, introducing the bands and hosting drawings for merchandise and services during intermission.

“It’s a way for them to promote their sales or events and also connect with the audience,” Barr says.

Utica Square pays close attention to safety with the on-duty presence of three internal security officers and five Tulsa Police officers each week, Barr says. Visitors can bring their own food, but many concertgoers grab dinner, enjoy a glass of wine and window shop during the concerts. Lawn chairs, blankets and dancing shoes are always welcome. Barr says the summer series complements Utica Square’s relaxing, casual vibe.

“It’s a way to kick back, start your weekend and find a sense of community,” she says. “We see people who wouldn’t otherwise have ever met set up their lawn chairs in the same place every week. They become friends because of Summer’s Fifth Night.”

Opened for business in 1952, Utica Square is a longstanding symbol of Tulsa history as one of the country’s first lifestyle centers.

“Back in the 1950s, shopping was done downtown, and this area was still considered south Tulsa,” Barr says. “It was a new concept to come out and shop in the ‘burbs.’”

Those attending Summer’s Fifth Night this year have witnessed historic changes at Utica Square.

Construction to replace the building that housed Petty’s Fine Foods and Miss Jackson’s is underway, and Barr says the new space holds exciting possibilities.

“That’s why these concerts were started — as a way to give back to our customers and the community,” she says. “It’s fun to celebrate a milestone.” tþ

Through Sept. 11 “Frida Kahlo: Through the Lens of Nickolas Muray”

The exhibition provides an intimate look at Kahlo, Mexico’s most prolific and well-known female artist, through the photographic lens of Muray, her longtime friend and lover. In May 1931, Muray (1892-1965) traveled to Mexico on vacation, where he met Kahlo (1907-1954). The two started a romance that continued on and off for the next 10 years and a friendship that lasted until her death. The exhibition is comprised of approximately 50 photographic portraits of Kahlo taken

by Muray. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., TuesdaySunday. $8, adults; $6, seniors, active military; free, members and youth 18 and under. Gilcrease Museum, 1400 N. Gilcrease Museum Road. Call 918596-2700 or visit www.gilcrease.org.

Gail Banzet-Ellis has been fascinated with Tulsa since she was a little girl. It’s a dream come true to write about the city’s magic and charm.

CHARITABLE CAUSES SUPPORTED BY

A CASUAL EVENING OF BOOKS, BARDS AND BITES BENEFITING TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY’S RUTH G. HARDMAN ADULT LITERACY SERVICE

2016 Tulsa Cattle Baron’s Ball

FEATURING AUTHORS

ROSANNE BITTNER, ALTON CARTER AND ALISON GAYLIN

Live entertainment, food from top local restaurants, western-themed activities, and silent and live auctions!

PHOTO BY FRANCO VOGT

Saturday, September 24, 2016, 7:00 – 11:00 pm, Cox Business Center

HEADLINE ENTERTAINMENT BY:

AND DELECTABLE APPETIZERS FROM SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES

TABLES AND TICKETS: TULSACATTLEBARONSBALL.ORG Sponsorship Opportunities available!

Contact Erin Cole - Development Manager, Distinguished Events 918.477.5415 - erin.e.cole@cancer.org presented by

THURSDAY, SEPT. 8 • 6:30 P.M. HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY • 8316 E. 93RD ST. $50 PER PERSON

CALL 918-549-7494 FOR SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION OR TO MAKE RESERVATIONS. www.TulsaLibraryTrust.org • 2016

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SCREEN/PRINT

Regional film and literature

Ben Lindsey Production manager, What’s Happening Tulsa

by HEATHER KOONTZ

I

f you recently saw a videographer traveling the country in a 1974 Volkswagen van, it might have been Tulsa’s own Ben Lindsey.

He recently went on a 35-day trip around the nation to film stories about people who left the corporate world and went on their own journeys. The “Blow Up the Box Tour” stopped in 15 cities and provided Lindsey with material for his biggest and most nerve-wracking project yet. It is currently in production.

Lindsey studied video at Oral Roberts University before joining forces with fellow Tulsans to create What’s Happening Tulsa, a platform that uses creative, fun videos to unite Tulsans and spotlight what the city has to offer.

If you had to pick one genre of films to watch for the rest of your life, what would it be? Horror.

Nothing gets your emotions and nerves in a bunch like being scared of the unknown. Anything can hap130

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

Courtesy

What movies are you looking forward to this year? The top movies I’m looking forward to this year have to be “Suicide Squad,” “Sausage Party” and “Doctor Strange.” I’m hoping “Suicide Squad” can bring the movie quality Marvel has offered time and time again. I find that DC’s animated series are better than Marvel’s, yet they can’t put it together on the big screen. Speaking of Marvel, “Doctor Strange” is going to be awesome. Mark my words. And, “Sausage Party”! I feel like Seth Rogen might have struck a gold mine, or it may just be a onehit wonder. He has tapped into a very small niche: adult animated films.

The Seattle Great Wheel at Pier 57 on Elliot Bay in Seattle was among Ben Lindsey’s stops on his “Blow Up the Box Tour.”

FILM AND BOOK NEWS pen in horror, unlike superhero or action movies. You don’t know if the protagonist will die or live on to see a sequel. I love that about great movies.

Describe the plot of your favorite film without spoiling it for the rest of us. So, there is a couple that goes to their therapist, and they are on the verge of breaking up. The therapist sends them on an isolated trip so they can learn to discover what they love about each other and rekindle the relationship.

What they find out individually is how they would like to truly be treated from their spouse. The question is, if you had a glimpse of your “perfect spouse,” would you go back to the “regular spouse”?

Bottom line is, check this movie out. (The film is “The One I Love.”)

If you could pick someone to play you in a movie about your life, who would it be? I know I’m black, but I feel like Joseph Gordon-Levitt would be the best imitation of me.

What’s your favorite movie of all time? “The Lion King.” tþ Heather Koontz is a graduate of the f ilm studies program at the University of Tulsa.

She enjoys spending time with her Westie and French bulldog, as well as remodeling her 100-year-old home with her husband, Byron.

FILMS UNDER PRODUCTION IN OKLAHOMA This fall, Washita Valley Film LLC starts production on drama “The Washita Valley,” BS Pictures begins filming “The Last Cut” and Hallows Movie LLC kicks off production for “The Recovery.”

AUG. 11, VISIT FROM LEGAL ANALYST JEFFREY TOOBIN The author of “American Heiress: The Wild, Strange Saga of the Kidnapping, Crimes and Trial of Patty Hearst” and legal analyst for CNN and The New Yorker will join BookSmart Tulsa to discuss his new book at Congregation B’Nai Emunah, 1719 S. Owasso Ave. $30, admission for two and a copy of Toobin’s book. Call 918520-2240 or visit www.booksmarttulsa. com for details.

The local music scene

Honoring Stan and Steve An insider’s glimpse into the musicians’ last days together

by LINDSEY NEAL KUYKENDALL

Evan Taylor

S

crowd went wild, giving him and his band a standing ovation.”

Roy met Reed in 2012 at a Pryor gig. A romance blossomed that continued until the bassist’s death.

As Reed’s partner, Roy fostered his music by allowing him to set up a studio — Black Crow Studios — in her home. There, he set to making an album with Pryor. Musicians such as Wayne Sharp on B3 organ/ keys and Jamie Oldaker on drums joined them.

Roy remembers“a few nights with the bass shaking the walls at 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. Pillows, earplugs, nothing would block it out.”

The sacrifices made in those late nights produced the friends’ final works.

“They spent four years of their lives on the recordings,” Roy says.

“They were always so comfortable with each other. Steve was always just walking around the house with the guitar trying something.

I’ve even written songs with Steve.”

In February, Reed was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Pryor stood by his friend’s side. As Reed’s illness

BEST BETS FOR LIVE MUSIC Aug. 11, Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs, The Joint at Hard Rock Casino Most popular for their work in The Doobie Brothers and the Steve Miller Band respectively, McDonald and Scaggs most recently joined forces with Donald Fagen in 2010 to form supergroup The Dukes of September. The reunification of McDonald and Scaggs is an opportunity to hear their distinct voices perform platinum hits and solo works. Doors open at 7 p.m.; show at 8. Tickets range from $65-$85. www. hardrockcasinotulsa.com

Bonnie Roy was the fiancée of Stan Reed, bass player for blues guitarist Steve Pryor. Both men died within three weeks of each other this spring. teve Pryor‘s name is widely known as a legendary Tulsa blues guitarist and frontman with a colorful history. His tragic death this spring brought an outpouring of tributes.

Perhaps a lesser known but important behind-the-scenes motivator for Pryor was his bass player, Stan Reed, who died less than three weeks after his friend.

Like Pryor, Reed also had a background as a touring musician, accompanying greats such as John Lee Hooker.

For the past several years, Pryor, Reed and friends could be seen playing a gig in Tulsa on any given night.

“I think hands down that anybody who had the pleasure of seeing Steve Pryor perform live came out of the venue shaking their heads with amazement that they had just seen the best of the best when it comes to the blues guitar playing,” says Bonnie Roy, Pryor’s friend and Reed’s fiancée.

“When he opened for BB King in Colorado two years ago, the

TULSA SOUND

progressed, the recording continued even until he was in a hospital bed set up in the dining area.

“There would be days when they really wanted to work and days when they just wanted to visit,” Roy says. “I was kind of pushing because I saw Stan getting sicker and sicker, and I wanted to see it get finished. I knew that is what he was driven to do, and that’s what he was living for.”

Then, Pryor was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident on May 6.

Roy was afraid to tell Reed about the death because of his fragile state. Yet, she says, he somehow sensed it.

“The morphine had him loopy,” she explains, “but he just asked me point blank, ‘Did Steve die?’” She had to tell him the truth.

Just 15 days later, Reed died of cancer.

The album recorded in their final year has not been released.

“I have the masters,” Roy says.

“We hope to one day bring it to a finish. It’s like, let’s honor them by at least getting it out.” tþ

Aug. 12, David Bazan, The Vanguard For Pedro the Lion fans seeking an intimate, concert experience, this is an opportunity to see the songwriter behind the band like never before. Following the release of Bazan’s solo album, “Blanco,” in May, this Tulsa tour stop will be one of the first live opportunities to hear his new songs and old favorites. Opening acts include Michael Nau and Unwed Sailor. Doors open at 8 p.m.; show at 9. Tickets start at $15. www.thevanguardtulsa. com Aug. 12, Dolly Parton, BOK Center One of country music’s most acclaimed female musicians, Parton shows no signs of slowing down on her 60-city “Pure and Simple” tour. Fans can expect to hear her iconic hits and new material from her latest album, the double-disc “Pure & Simple with Dolly’s Biggest Hits” due out this year. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; show at 7:30. Tickets range from $55$125. www.bokcenter.com TulsaPeople.com

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Flashback 30 Archived photos from three decades of TulsaPeople Magazine

by JUDY LANGDON

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1. Sharon King Davis, left; her daughter, Kelley Davis Chilcoat; and her sister, Terry L. King, announced the 117,000-square-foot KingsPointe Village shopping center in 1997. The shopping center, at East 61st Street and South Yale Avenue, replaced the Holliday Hills Shopping Center and was built in two phases. Construction on phase one started in 1999.

2. Ruth Young, owner of Queenie’s restaurant in Utica Square, holds one of its popular longtime desserts, Italian Cream Cake, for the September 1989 issue of TulsaPeople. In the accompanying article, Young shared several favorite menu items and said she named her restaurant after her grandmother’s milk cow.

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3. Barbara Schwartz; the late Kathy Harper, a breast cancer victim; the late Jack Wing, Tulsa Race for the Cure director from 1997-2012; and Susan Ford Bales. The group is pictured with artist Dr. John Phillips’ painting following its unveiling at a September 1997 race reception for cosponsors prior to the first Tulsa Race for the Cure.

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TulsaPeople AUGUST 2016

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