TulsaPeople August 2019

2019-2020 PERFORMING ARTS GUIDE LEGENDS: JAY O’MEILIA August 2019

FACES OF THE FUTURE 4 achieving graduates and the teachers WHO inspire them

EDUCATING ABOUT EDUCATION The nuts and bolts of local OPTIONS

TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Dedicated to women’s health.

Saint Francis Health System and Warren Clinic are dedicated to providing comprehensive women’s healthcare for the various stages of a woman’s life. With physician office locations throughout the community, Warren Clinic provides obstetrical and gynecological (OB/GYN) services, care for high-risk pregnancies, a dedicated OB/GYN hospitalist program, breast health services, access to advanced surgical technology and more.

To learn more or schedule an appointment with Warren Clinic, call 918-488-6688 or visit warrenclinic.com.

WARREN CLINIC WOMEN’S HEALTH SPECIALISTS TULSA AREA Warren Medical Building 6465 South Yale Avenue, Suite 615 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 Lana Oglesbee, M.D. Micah Relic, D.O.

Warren Medical Building 6465 South Yale Avenue, Suite 815 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 Michelle Brotherton, M.D. Patricia Daily, M.D. Kenneth Hamilton, D.O. Elizabeth Harris, D.O. Donald Loveless, M.D. Warren Clinic Tower 6600 South Yale Avenue, Suite 650 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 Candice Meyer, D.O. Denise Shaw, M.D. Melanie Mead, APRN-CNP Saint Francis Hospital South 10507 East 91st Street South, Suite 250 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133 Amanda Christian, M.D. Lee Ramos, D.O. Conchita Woodruff, M.D. Tamara Madjid, APRN-CNP Warren Clinic Broken Arrow – Elm 2950 South Elm Place, Suite 260 Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012 Amanda Christian, M.D.

FAMILY MEDICINE WITH OBSTETRICS Saint Francis Hospital South 10507 East 91st Street South, Suite 550 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133 Matthew Stevens, M.D. MATERNAL AND FETAL MEDICINE Kelly Medical Building 6565 South Yale Avenue, Suite 601 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 Christine Blake, M.D. David Gorenberg, M.D. Stephen Jones, M.D. GYNECOLOGY ONLY Kelly Medical Building 6565 South Yale Avenue, Suite 508 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136 Rachel Gibbs, M.D. Jenna Aizenman, APRN-CNP

Saint Francis Hospital South 10507 East 91st Street South, Suite 220 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133 Erin Hill, D.O.

McALESTER 1401 East Van Buren McAlester, Oklahoma 74501 David Doyle, M.D. Edwin Henslee, M.D. Stephen Riddel, M.D. Gina Powers, PA-C Janie Cloud, APRN-CNP MUSKOGEE AREA 3504 West Okmulgee Street Muskogee, Oklahoma 74401 Jonathan Baldwin, M.D.

108 Lone Oak Circle Fort Gibson, Oklahoma 74434 Sarah Poplin, APRN-CNM GLENPOOL Warren Clinic Glenpool 140 West 151st Street South Glenpool, Oklahoma 74033 Lee Ramos, D.O.

Warren Clinic Jenks 2605 West Main Street Jenks, Oklahoma 74037 Teressa McHenry, M.D.

warrenclinic.com

Dr. Monique Modest-McKoy Obstetrics / Gynecology

COMPASSION Amazing things are happening at Hillcrest, where our

physicians and providers are applying advanced medical technologies with heartfelt compassion that’s changing lives for the better every day. We’re using new treatments, new procedures and new approaches to patient care, while delivering hope and healing through an impressive

Changing lives for the better.

range of comprehensive services. Call 918-585-8000 to schedule an appointment with one of our providers.

•

HILLCREST MEDICAL CENTER HILLCREST HOSPITAL CUSHING BAILEY MEDICAL CENTER

•

•

HILLCREST HOSPITAL SOUTH •

HILLCREST HOSPITAL CLAREMORE

HILLCREST HOSPITAL HENRYETTA

OKLAHOMA HEART INSTITUTE

•

•

HILLCREST HOSPITAL PRYOR

TULSA SPINE & SPECIALTY HOSPITAL

•

UTICA PARK CLINIC

Hillcrest.com

AUGUST 2019 | VOLUME 33 ISSUE 10

9 CITY DESK “Hamilton” comes to Tulsa.

Four pageturners. New art around town. Fish tales at Street School.

Funding lunch. A local school’s 120th anniversary.

28 LEGENDS: JAY O’MEILIA Teacher, sculptor, painter and printmaker.

BY GAIL BANZET-ELLIS

31 FACES OF THE FUTURE How four students have excelled, thanks to determination, positivity and the mentorship of a great educator.

BY KAYLIE COTTEN AND MADELINE EWING

39 EDUCATING ABOUT EDUCATION

65 TAKE THE STAGE Performing arts events from 2019-2020.

BY KAYLIE COTTEN, MADELINE EWING AND JUDY LANGDON

73 LIFESTYLE Fanny packs are on trend. A trip to Joplin, Missouri. Wallpaper that makes a statement. STEMcell’s new storefront. Being kind is on Connie Cronley’s to-do list.

97 TABLE TALK Bodean names a new chef. A young man’s cookie business. Cuban flavor is the star at Mangos. Four spots for all-day breakfast.

SPECIAL SECTIONS 51 Tulsa Community College’s 50th anniversary 78 topDentists

What to know about schooling in Tulsa.

BY KRISTI EATON

2019-2020 PERFORMING ARTS GUIDE LEGENDS: JAY O’MEILIA August 2019

TULSAPEOPLE AUGUST 2019

FACES OF THE FUTURE

THE EDUCATION ISSUE

4 achieving graduates and the teachers WHO inspire them

EDUCATING ABOUT EDUCATION

From wallflower to wildflower P. 32 Union graduate Ingrid Gutierrez Caldero and teacher Jennifer Fisher 4

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY

PHOTO BY VALERIE WEI-HAAS Broken Arrow graduate My Vu Le and teacher Christian Welborn

VALERIE WEI-HAAS

The nuts and bolts of local OPTIONS

Before all the baby talk, let’s talk babies Ascension St. John care teams listen to you as a woman and an expecting mom. We take the time to understand the care you need, including any special care your baby needs. Then, together we create a care plan that’s right for you, your baby, and your new family.

Visit stjohntulsababy.com

© Ascension 2019. All rights reserved.

WHAT’S ONLINE TULSAPEOPLE.COM Follow us on Twitter @TULSAPEOPLE

Find us on Facebook FACEBOOK.COM/TULSAPEOPLEMAG

Follow us on Instagram @TULSAPEOPLE

SEASON 3 LAUNCH TULSAPEOPLE.COM/A-LIST Our readers’ favorite businesses in 105 categories.

AUG. 7

Leigh B. Goodson TCC PRESIDENT AND CEO

THE 2019 TULSA GUEST GUIDE IS ONLINE! The Guest Guide is a great resource for both Tulsans and visitors!

A discussion about TCC’s 50th anniversary, diversity and inclusion in the classroom, checking in on Tulsa Achieves and her thoughts on paying for college — a hot topic in the presidential election.

Cookie king Watch 11-year-old businessman Onifade Amusan bake cookies at TULSAPEOPLE.COM Read the story on p. 102.

AUG. 21

Looking for something fun to do?

TULSAPEOPLE.COM/CALENDAR

Deborah Gist TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT

THE FACES AND STORIES BEHIND A VARIETY OF LOCALLY-OWNED COMPANIES AT TULSAPEOPLE.COM/FACES. 6

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

It’s a new school year for Tulsa Public Schools.

A discussion with the superintendent about teacher hiring, bond projects, education equity and more.

For weekly online-only content: TULSAPEOPLE.COM/TULTALK

Our stories delivered straight to your inbox every Tuesday.

TULSAPEOPLE.COM/NEWSLETTER

COOKIE: GREG BOLLINGER; GOODSON, GIST: COURTESY

PLUS

FROM THE EDITOR

Volume XXXIII, Number 10 ©2019. All rights reserved.

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

The old adage “You learn something new every day” isn’t lost on me.

TulsaPeople Magazine is published monthly by

1603 South Boulder Avenue Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119-4407 918-585-9924 918-585-9926 Fax

PUBLISHER Jim Langdon PRESIDENT Juley Roffers VP COMMUNITY RELATIONS Susie Miller

As a journalist, I’m always asking questions.

included. Today it serves more than 24,000 stu-

Whether they are to a source, to my publisher,

dents each year. TCC also provides an excep-

or even just to Google, questions make up a large

tional opportunity through Tulsa Achieves, a

part of my vernacular.

program that waives tuition and fees for eligible

Many of my questions are aimed at myself,

high school graduates. The program has helped

usually asked on my drive home from work.

20,000 students receive a college education.

What could I have done better today? What’s

Nice job, TCC.

that new business? What’s for dinner tonight?

Why is there so much road construction?

Learning opportunities surround us each day.

I encourage each one of us to challenge ourselves.

Asking questions is the easiest way to learn

Ask questions. Introduce yourself to someone

something new. That’s one of the reasons behind

new. Seek out a new passion. Reignite an old one.

our feature on p. 39 about some of Tulsa’s educa-

Whether you are taking a formal dance class,

tional opportunities. Defining some of the basics

brushing up on a skill or two for your career, or

will hopefully shine some light onto the count-

learning about growing tomatoes in your back-

less resources and learning endeavors currently in

yard, learning never ceases.

progress in Tulsa.

Questions were no doubt swirling in the heads of the four students featured in our cover

Be inquisitive.

all high school graduates, thanks to their deterfriends and teachers. Those student/teacher rela-

On p. 51 we also celebrate 50 years of Tulsa Community College. Many of us can say we are former students or graduates of TCC — me 8

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

CREATIVE DIRECTOR ART DIRECTOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER MANAGING PHOTOGRAPHER CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER VIDEOGRAPHER

Madeline Crawford Georgia Brooks Morgan Welch Michelle Pollard Valerie Wei-Haas Greg Bollinger

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES Andrea Canada Steve Hopkins Betsy Slagle CONTROLLER SUBSCRIPTIONS DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR INTERNS

Mary McKisick Gloria Brooks Amanda Hall Kaylie Cotten Madeline Ewing

MEMBER

TulsaPeople’s distribution is audited annually by

Disregard any TulsaPeople subscription solicitation that is not directly mailed from the Langdon Publishing office at 1603 S. Boulder Ave. Contact Langdon Publishing directly if you are interested in subscribing or renewing your TulsaPeople subscription.

mination, as well as support from their families,

good teachers are to young minds.

EDITORIAL CONSULTING Missy Kruse, The Write Company

Langdon Publishing Company sets high standards to ensure forestry is practiced in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable manner. This issue of Tulsa People was printed on recycled fibers containing 20 percent post-consumer waste with inks containing a soy base blend. Our printer is a certified member of the Forestry Stewardship Council and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, and additionally, meets or exceeds all federal Resource Conservation Recovery Act standards. When you are finished with this issue, please pass it on to a friend or recycle it. We can have a better world if we choose it together.

Learn something new. TP

American schools. Now these young women are

summer interns, and demonstrate how important

Anne Brockman Morgan Phillips Tim Landes Judy Langdon Anna Bennett

Be curious.

story on p. 31 when they fi rst ventured to their

tionships are explored in the story written by our

EDITOR CITY EDITOR DIGITAL EDITOR ARTS & BENEFITS EDITOR DIGITAL PROJECT MANAGER

Anne Brockman EDITOR

S AY N O T O H A T E

C A L E N D A R + C A U S E S + C U LT U R E

Amari Robinson models Troy Griffin’s designs at the annual Project Hallway student fashion show at Central High School on March 28.

KENDALL RIMMER

T

HIGH FASHION

he dress worn by Central High School student Amari Robinson could be straight off the pages of Teen Vogue. But it was designed by her classmate Troy Griffin.

“I chose the colors because they reminded me of fairies,” Griffin says.

“The gold sparkles and the green reminded me of nature.”

Griffin and Robinson attend Central High School’s fine and performing arts magnet program. The school offers 38 fine arts courses, including four pre-AP and AP studio art classes. Each year, students in grades 9-12

showcase their skills in the school’s annual fashion show, Project Hallway.

Griffin, a senior, plans to attend college and obtain his doctoral degree.

He also dreams of having his own fashion label one day.

“My favorite part is creating outfits, upcycling and creating whatever visions come into my head,” he says.

FOR MORE ON TPS’ MAGNET PROGRAMS, SEE THE FEATURE ON P. 39.

TulsaPeople.com

9

AUGUST C OMPIL ED BY JUDY L A NGDON

hits to the Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Concert in the LaFortune Park Gardens.

Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

Legendary rock’n’roll band Chicago visits Paradise Cove at River Spirit Casino Resort.

ahha Tulsa presents the exhibits “Together/Apart: The Lady Minimalist Tea Society,” works from six New Mexico women, and “Into the Land of Spectres,” a series of large-scale drawings. (Open through Sept. 22.)

Michael Cavanaugh brings “The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John” to the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

1-4

The Tulsa Drillers take on the Northwest Arkansas Naturals at ONEOK Field. Fireworks follow the Aug. 2 game.

It’s your last chance to view the “John Lee Hooker: King of the Boogie” exhibit at the Woody Guthrie Center in Tulsa Arts District.

1

Lines’ seventh annual Car 3 Fine Show visits RiverWest Festival Park,

where you can find favorite makes, styles and colors.

Surge into “space:next frontier” at the Cosmos Creation: a night of galactic exploration, STEAM art projects and a live art installation at Chapman Green.

music fills the Joint at 4 Eighties Hard Rock Hotel and Casino when 38 Special performs.

6

Chapman Green presents Games on the Green, a nostalgic pastime with a cultural and creative twist.

(Also Aug. 13, 20, 27.)

7

Shop for produce and more at the morning Brookside Farmers Market in the Brookside Church parking lot. (Aug. 14, 21, 28)

8

Head northwest of T-town to Tulsa Botanic Garden for Family Craft Nights to make a different nature-themed craft.

(Also Aug. 15, 22, 29.)

3

favorite canine beat 10 Letthe your summer heat at the SoCo

Pooch Pool Party at Bixby’s South County Recreation Center.

Watch more than 100 small aircraft at the annual Will Rogers/Wiley Post Fly-in on the Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch in Oologah. The event celebrates small plane aviation and the lives of Rogers and Post.

the BOK Center.

Theatre Tulsa brings the music of ABBA to life with its production of “Mamma Mia!” at the Tulsa PAC. (Also, Aug. 1618, 23-25, 30-Sept. 1) Osborne sings the songs 11 Joan of Bob Dylan for an all-ages

returns to Utica Square’s Summer’s Fifth Night for two hours of listening, dancing and relaxation. (Also: Aug. 1, Red Dirt Rangers; Aug. 8, Doctors of Replay; Aug. 22, Hydramatics; and Aug. 29, Stars.)

River Spirit Casino Resort.

downtown to Chapman 17 Head Green for Mayfest Creative Culture Night, featuring live dance performances.

Osage Casino and Hotel welcomes The Spin Doctors to its Skyline Event Center.

concert at Cain’s Ballroom.

Easy” at Gathering Place’s Jazz Night Concert series featuring “Nola Music” on the Great Lawn.

10 TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

own saxophonist/ 15 Tulsa’s recording artist Grady Nichols

’em! Professional Canadian rock band Nickelback 10-11 Ride Bull Riders “Unleash 16 visits Paradise Cove Theater at the Beast” for two days of excitement at

a virtual 9 Take trip to “The Big

10

The kids can let their hair down at Gathering Place’s Kids’ Summer Music Concert on the Great Lawn.

RED MUSTANG: ZLAJS/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; SUGARLAND AND POOL PARTY: COURTESY

duo Jennifer Nettles and Up (classic rock/blues/ 1 Country 2 Bottoms Kristian Bush bring their Sugarland oldies) plays at the First Friday

the 50th 20 Celebrate anniversary of the release

CHARITABLE E VENT S

of the film “Alice’s Restaurant,” Arlo Guthrie’s Woodstock appearance and his family and friends with the Woody Guthrie Center’s special exhibit “In Times Like These: Arlo Guthrie, Friends and Family.” (Open through Jan. 5.)

3 American Theatre Co.’s 50th season Opening Gala and Fundraiser Benefits American Theatre Co. AMERICANTHEATRECOMPANY.ORG

Setzer’s Rockabilly 22 Brian Riot tour hits the stage of the Joint at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Visit Guthrie Green in the Tulsa Arts District to enjoy a free movie, “Instant Family.”

22

22-25

“Heller Theatre Shorts 2019,” written by local playwrights featuring local actors, is presented at Henthorne Performing Arts Center in Brookside.

Museum of 23 Philbrook Art’s Movies on the Lawn

8 Pint Night Benefits Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma GSEOK.ORG

get excited.

28 “Everybody” The BOK Center welcomes

9 Annual Burn Co. Barbecue Event Benefits Tulsa Boys’ Home.

TULSABOYSHOME.ORG / BURN-CO-BARBECUE

presents the film “Black Panther.”

Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

the Backstreet Boys.

Thomas, Grammy 30 Rob Award-winning rock

musician/songwriter and former lead singer of Matchbox 20, hits the Tulsa Theater (formerly Brady Theater).

the summer 30-31 End laughing along with national and local comedians who return for T-town’s Blue Whale Comedy Festival at Guthrie Green.

Jeans and Jewels Gala Benefits Tulsa State Fair Ringmasters.

TULSASTATEFAIR.COM 10 Back-to-school Style Show and Brunch Benefits Baptist Children’s Home, Owasso.

OBHC.ORG The Tess Trail Run 5K Benefits Tristesse Grief Center.

THEGRIEFCENTER.ORG Tulsa Taller 5K and Family FunRun Benefits Assistance in Health Care.

RUNSIGNUP.COM / RACE / OK / TULSA / TULSATALLER5KANDFUNRUN

23 Golf Scramble Benefits Tulsa Area United Way. TAUW.ORG 24 DIVAS 4 H.O.P.E. Benefits Health Outreach Prevention Education Inc. HOPETESTING.ORG Maker Faire Tulsa Benefits Fab Lab Tulsa.

TULSA.MAKERFAIRE.COM Wild Brew Benefits Sutton Avian Research Center.

WILDBREW.ORG

COURTESY

29 McDazzle Fun Ball Benefits Ronald McDonald House.

RMHCTULSA.ORG

30-31

EDITOR’S NOTE: TULSAPEOPLE IS A SPONSOR OF THE HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS.

TulsaPeople.com

11

NOTEBOOK

BY MORGA N PHILLIP S

Voices of Oklahoma

RIVERFIELD WORKS WITH NASA

Charlotte Suttee

“Twenty or 30 years from now,

Young writer GOES TO PUERTO RICO

just try to imagine what can be done with architecture engineering be part of our design philosophy. I went to the Oklahoma State University School of Architecture’s 100year anniversary several years ago, and there were already several people that I went to school with working on what’s called ‘net-zero buildings’ — buildings that use zero energy.

It’s just an exciting time.”

— The late Robert L. Jones, founding partner of Tulsa architecture firm Murray Jones Murray, which designed numerous Tulsa structures, including the Civic Center. Jones died Sept. 14, 2018, at age 93.

“Voices of Oklahoma” is an oral history project founded by John Erling in 2009.

Visit voicesofoklahoma.com.

12

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

Jerry Bates, Riverfield Country Day School head of school; the Upper School coding team of Jack Jones, Grant Koski, Caden Kesselring, Ilan Kaiser and Noah Hall; and Riverfield Technology Coordinator Penny Kuhn visited NASA in June.

Students in Penny Kuhn’s class at Riverfield Country Day School recently developed an application to support NASA’s upcoming Orion Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2) flight test.

NASA’s App Development Challenge is a new pilot program that is part of the agency’s Next Generation STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Initiative and provides an opportunity for middle- and high-school students to practice computer coding and app development.

This summer, in preparation for its next lunar mission in 2024, NASA will demonstrate the abort system through which Orion and its crew can escape if an emergency arises during the climb to orbit. NASA asked teams to design a computer, web or smart phone app to visualize simulated test data in support of the flight test, an important step in demonstrating the safety of Orion.

Kuhn, Riverfield’s five-student team and Head of School Jerry Bates traveled to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for five days in June to participate in tours of NASA facilities and labs, meet scientists and engineers, and present their app to the AA-2 engineering team.

TULSA RANKED IN TOP SMALL CITIES Tulsa has been ranked the No. 5 Small City in

Resonance Consultancy’s 2019 America’s Best Cities Index.

The ranking analyzes and compares 23 factors in six categories using a combination of statistics and online ratings and reviews from TripAdvisor, Facebook check-ins, Google searches and Google trends.

The Best Cities Index is compiled by Resonance Consultancy, an advisor in tourism, real estate and economic development for countries, cities and communities.

A Tulsa teen will travel to Puerto Rico this month to gather with more than 100 peers from around the world. The mission: to learn with and from accomplished writers, activists and elected officials.

Now in its second year, the International Congress of Youth Voices chooses student delegates to attend the conference at no cost based on their commitment to leadership and social justice and their passion and eloquence as writers.

A recent graduate of Jenks High School, Charlotte Suttee makes films and writes poems, plays, scripts, short stories and essays. The staff at the Tulsa City-County Library — who were familiar with her award-winning work for TCCL’s Creative Writing Contest — suggested she apply for the ICOYV. “It’s a writers’ conference where you can learn leadership skills and find your voice,” Suttee says. “I expect to learn from other people how to get involved politically and make a difference.”

The International Congress of Youth Voices is Aug. 7-10 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This fall Suttee will attend Sewanee: the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, to study environmental science and creative writing.

SUTTEE, VOICES, RIVERFIELD: COURTESY

and having architecture and

If your mother was diagnosed with cancer, how would you want her to be treated?

That’s the way we care for you.

When Briana learned her mother had breast cancer, she never imagined she would be diagnosed with the same disease a few years later. She wanted the same cutting-edge treatment options and compassionate care her mother received, so she went to Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA), where she received both—all in one place, all with one team, all working together to fight her cancer.

We call that unique approach the Mother Standard® of care.

C AL L OR G O ON LI N E TO S C H E D U LE YO U R A P P OI N TME N T TODAY.

800.515.9610

cancercenter.com/tulsa

© 2019 IPB

BIZ WHIZ

Covers

Paul and Daven Tackett, owners of the Just Between Friends Tulsa sale. Daven co-founded the consignment event 22 years ago. It has since become a successful international franchise; the Tulsa sale remains the largest kids’ sale in Oklahoma.

SCALE OF THE SALE With Tulsa roots, Just Between Friends grosses millions.

BY HEATHER KOONTZ

A

consignment sale that got its start in a Tulsa living room in 1997, Just Between Friends is estimated to gross $33 million in 2019.

JBF sold its first franchise in 2004 and is now the largest children’s and maternity consignment event organization in North America, with 151 sales in 30 states, according to JBF co-founder and Tulsan Daven Tackett.

She says it’s a success story with a direct impact on the local community. “JBF makes it easy for busy moms to drop off their items and allow us to sell them without the hassle of haggling, meetups and no shows,” Tackett says. “We mail them a check, and they can donate their unsold items to our charity partners.”

JBF typically donates around $80,000 worth of items to Emergency Infant Services and Hope Harbor every year, Tackett says.

At the upcoming Tulsa sale in September — which fills all 58,000 square feet of the Exchange Center in Expo Square — upward of 1,000 families are expected to sell their gently used children’s items. Tackett relies on a team of 40 staff and 14

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

approximately 200 JBF volunteers to help ensure a smooth, safe event. “This takes a village to put on, but it is so worth it to help families,” Tackett says.

Items sell for 50-90% off retail price, and consignors make an average of $350 during the event — anywhere from 60-80% of their items’ sales. The fall sale includes back-to-school items such as lunch boxes, backpacks, uniforms and sports equipment, as well as 640 racks of children’s clothing.

“Our families who sell with us depend on us, and they use their money to pay for sports and piano lessons and cheer lessons or family vacations or trips,” Tackett says. “They also use it to just keep caught up on bills and all of the extras that come when you have little kids.”TP SEPT. 8-14 JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS FALL SALE Expo Square Exchange Center, 4145 E. 21st St. $20, VIP presale; $10, first day only (or get in free with a copy of this article); free admission for the remainder of the sale. tulsa.jbfsale.com

Hundreds of high school graduates have Tulsan Jayne Reed and internationally acclaimed opera star Simon Estes to thank for their college educations and degrees.

Reed, featured on TulsaPeople’s February 2003 cover with arts “power players” Ken Busby and Marcello Angelini, is the co-founder (with Estes) of the Simon Estes Educational Foundation Inc., which began in 1983.

The Foundation had been Reed’s dream for many years: to create a way for local disadvantaged high-school students to receive a college education.

When Estes arrived in Tulsa in 1983 for a performance, Reed was able to secure his support, which included committing to annual Tulsa concerts benefiting the foundation.

Due to an automobile accident, Estes has ceased his operatic performances but still does recitals all over the world. Reed says he continues to be closely involved with the Foundation in Tulsa and participates in the scholarship selection process.

Over the past 36 years, the Foundation has raised several million dollars toward scholarships to assist nearly 400 graduating Tulsa-area high school seniors. Recipients may attend any accredited college or university of their choice on a full-time basis. There is no requirement to major in music.

Now Reed, who remains the foundation’s CEO, has another dream up her sleeve. “The Foundation, with two other not-for-profits, is in negotiations with a well-known figure for a Tulsa engagement in 2020. However, due to agency restrictions, we are not at liberty to announce at this time.” — JUDY LANGDON

BIZ WHIZ: VALERIE WEI-HAAS

REVISITED

6:00 - 9:00 PM • TULSA COX BUSINESS CENTER • 100 CIVIC CENTER TICKETS START AT $75 • patron sponsorships available from $500 - $50,000

Event Chairs Melissa and Mac Stallcup

Honorary Chairs Gayle and Frank Eby

Live Auction Chairs Beth and Scott Brown

Patron Chairs Barbara and John Turner

Silent Auction Chairs Phyllis and George Dotson

Patron Chairs Hilary and Tom Clark

Pioneer Spirit Award Kay Herring

Please join Saint Simeon’s at our 23rd annual Western Days fundraising event. The evening will be filled with exciting Live and Silent Auctions, music by Mid-Life Crisis and our fan-favorite General Store.

Western Days benefits the residents of Saint Simeon’s and supports our legacy of compassionate care.

For more information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Lisa Gray at (918) 794-1977 or visit our website, SaintSimeons.org/westerndays.

Saint Simeon’s is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

ON DISPLAY

Statement piece T

he smiling face in Ghazal Ghazi’s mural near 2411 E. Admiral Blvd. is meant to celebrate women, diversity and nature, the artist says.

“I hope my mural can bring people together and garner more appreciation and respect for these three things,” says Ghazi, who was chosen for the Kendall Whittier Walls Project initiated by Kendall Whittier Main Street and the Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation.

Thirty-four artists submitted applications for the project, and the committee narrowed it down to four artists, including local artist John Hammer and regional artists Phil Shafer and Brady Scott. Their four murals can be seen at 6 N. Lewis Ave., 1906 E. 11th St., 2444 E. Admiral Blvd. and 2424 E. 11th St. “I believe that public art is one of the most democratically accessible forms of art,” Ghazi says. “It intervenes in the public spaces that we transit during the course of our daily lives. It brings art outside the walls of galleries and museums and to people who might not be able to access those spaces.”— SARA PLUMMER

BY K AYLIE COT TEN A ND S A RA PLUM M ER

Oh, Tulsa! Art Exhibition

16

Wondrous Worlds: Art and Islam through Time and Place

Living Arts of Tulsa’s biennial art exhibition celebrates visual, literary, performance, sound, video and installation art in the Tulsa area. All art is by native Tulsans or is centered around Tulsa’s past/ present/future. This year’s exhibition will be juried

by Tulsan, curator and artist Julie Niemi.

The most extensive exhibition of Islamic art shown in Oklahoma, “Wondrous Worlds” represents 1,200 years of creativity organized into five themes: architecture, hospitality, clothing, writing and cross-cultural exchange.

AUG. 9-29 LIVING ARTS OF TULSA 307 E. RECONCILIATION WAY

THROUGH OCT. 6 PHILBROOK MUSEUM OF ART 2727 S. ROCKFORD ROAD

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

The Experience Transforming the second floor of ahha Tulsa, The Experience exhibition is an artist-driven, largescale, immersive art installation that encourages visitors to explore a multimedia environment through sight, sounds, movement and touch.

THROUGH DECEMBER 2019 AHHA TULSA 101 E. ARCHER ST.

ON DISPLAY: GREG BOLLINGER; OH TULSA!: LIVING ARTS OF TULSA; THE EXPERIENCE: VALERIE WEI-HAAS; WONDROUS WORLDS: TIM LANDES

3 TO SEE

DISCOVER THE

NATURAL ADVENTURE OF THE

OZARKS

BEGIN YOUR ADVENTURE AT

DOGWOOD CANYON

Dogwood Canyon Nature Park is a 10,000 acre paradise that has been largely left untouched since its earliest settlers. Here, conservation and education have become the cornerstones for developing this authentic wilderness experience. Natural beauty abounds in the towering bluffs, cascading waterfalls, crystal clear streams, hand-crafted bridges and wildlife ranging from bison, elk and deer to humming birds, owls and eagles.

The park offers guests miles of hiking and biking paths, Segway tours, group tram or private guided tours, horseback riding, and trout fishing for the novice and experienced fly-fisherman alike.

You’ll also find the full-service Canyon Grill and a treehouse built

by Animal Planet’s Treehouse Masters!

DOGWOODCANYON.ORG

MILESTONES

PAGETURNERS Middle school students at Holy Family Cathedral School Academy of Arts and Sciences participate in an Olympic parade in May.

BY M A DELINE E W ING

“JUST THINKIN’: AN INAUGURAL COLLECTION OF COLUMNS 2013-2017”

by Hal Shearon McBride Jr. Born and raised in Oklahoma, University of Tulsa graduate McBride provides a collection of his weekly columns printed in the Stigler (Oklahoma) News Sentinel, covering content from politics to sports.

A+ ANNIVERSARY

“AN INVINCIBLE SPIRIT”

by Don Fulk as signed to Janet Allen Deafened, then paralyzed, at a young age, Tulsan Fulk tells of his own triumphs and tribulations and his fight to empower others with disabilities.

Holy Family Cathedral School marks 120 years and the building’s centennial.

BY BRIA BOLTON MOORE

students.

“When we talk about class size, boy, in the 1920s, we had issues,” laughs Principal Trish Spoerl.

A lot has changed since the school began 120 years ago. In 1899, the congregation that would become Holy Family Cathedral erected its first building at East Third Street and South Elgin Avenue. With a desire to also build a school for Native American children, they contacted Katharine Drexel, a Catholic nun and the daughter of a wealthy Philadelphia banker. Drexel founded two schools on the Osage Reservation and agreed to loan $1,500 in 1899 to establish St. Teresa’s Institute for Indian Girls, which was renamed Holy Family School in 1910.

The school operated out of the church until the current school building at 820 S. Boulder Ave. was built in 1920. At the time, Sisters of the Divine Providence from San Antonio taught firstthrough 12th-graders. However, the high school students moved to Bishop Kelley High School when it opened in 1960.

Today, Holy Family Cathedral School serves

18

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

3-year-olds through eighth-graders and has 130 students. “We have a diverse population,” Spoerl says. “We’ve had children in our school from Iceland to Venezuela, from Sri Lanka to Burma. It’s a wonderful, beautiful group of nationalities.”

In 2016, the school was accepted as an Oklahoma A+ School and “began the integration of the arts into all areas of curriculum,” Spoerl says. “At that time, we made some drastic changes that were very positive for our school.”

They hired full-time instructors for art and music and instituted a band program into the school day for sixth, seventh and eighth grades, becoming the only Catholic school in Oklahoma to offer a band program during the school day.

More change is coming. In the 2019-2020 school year, Holy Family Cathedral School will become the first Catholic classical school in its diocese. Catholic Classical Liberal Education is a student-focused approach that studies the relationship between body, soul and spirit and includes discussion of literature, poetry, art and historical events as a part of the anthropology of Christ.

“The result of all these integrated subjects now in our school will be to lead students to discover what is true, what is good and what is beautiful,” Spoerl says. TP

“IN THE WOODS”

by Carrie Jones and Steven E. Wedel Jones and lifelong Oklahoman Wedel unfold a story through the perspectives of Chrystal and Logan, who join forces with Chrystal’s paranormal-chasing dad on the hunt for a deadly presence in Oklahoma’s woods.

“AMY’S STORY”

by Serena Reed Okmulgee native Reed shares a short testimony based on true events of a woman’s life filled with obstacles and the God-given strength to overcome them.

THEN AND NOW: ABBEY WELLS

O

nce upon a time in the history of Holy Family Cathedral School Academy of Arts and Sciences, 18 women taught 590

POWER YOUR GROWTH WITH BUSINESS REBATES FROM PSO. IN BUSINESS, EVERY PENNY COUNTS When you make your business more energy-efficient, you can lower your monthly overhead and improve your bottom line. But every business is different, and one size does not fit all. That’s why PSO offers customized solutions and rebates for energy-efficient upgrades across a variety of industries—so you can increase your profit margin and better grow your business in a way that makes sense for you.

SMALL BUSINESS

MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL

OPERATING EQUIPMENT

AGRICULTURE

OIL & GAS

HOSPITALITY

LIGHTING

BUILDING UPGRADES

Schedule a consultation today and get on the road to savings.

Visit PowerForwardWithPSO.com/my-business or call 888.776.1366

COOLING & HVAC

BEHIND THE SCENES

Seventh-grader Xavier Zimmerman is in the robotics club at Webster Middle School.

When opportunity

Actors Shoba Narayan, Ta’Rea Campbell and Nyla Sostre in the national touring production of “Hamilton: An American Musical.”

The blockbuster show will be performed in Tulsa from Aug. 20-Sept. 8.

MAKING HISTORY This month’s ‘Hamilton’ breaks box office records in Tulsa.

BY MORGAN PHILLIPS

A

fter Celebrity Attractions announced “Hamilton: An American Musical” would be a part of its 2019-2020 season, the Tulsa-based presenter and producer of national tours had to cap season ticket sales for the first time.

As pleased as she was with a record 14,809 subscribers, Celebrity Attractions President Kristin Dotson wasn’t shocked. She knew the Tony Award-winning show would be a boon for Tulsa. It’s known as the “‘Hamilton’ effect.” “‘Hamilton’ has been a game-changer for the industry,” Dotson explains. “It’s such a unique production from all angles.”

On its face, she says, “Hamilton” is a historical show about the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of the Founding Fathers. However, the show is set to R&B, rap and hip-hop music, and is one of the first shows to embrace non-white casting. The tour will be in Tulsa from Aug. 20-Sept. 8.

Dotson says several elements make Tulsa a match for blockbuster shows like “Hamilton,” including its central geography. Then there is Tulsa’s strong subscription base, among the top 20

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

three for markets our size. “When producers look to route a tour, before they sell one ticket, they’re already making money,” she says.

So, why cap season tickets if the demand for “Hamilton” remained? Dotson says Celebrity Attractions wanted to ensure “everyone” has a chance to see the acclaimed show. At press time, more public tickets were planned for release in August.

“There’s the audience development aspect,” Dotson says. “‘Hamilton’ is bringing a lot of people into the theater for the first time.” TP Editor’s note: Celebrity Attractions is anticipating a huge response for remaining public ticket sales. President Kristin Dotson cautions against purchasing tickets from third parties (scalpers). Most of these tickets are extremely marked up, are fraudulent and will not be honored at the box office.

Purchase official “Hamilton” tickets directly at celebrityattractions.com/hamilton; Dotson advises people to check back often, as new blocks of tickets will periodically be released.

The Opportunity Project, Tulsa’s out-of-school intermediary program under the Tulsa Community Foundation, and the two programs it launched after inception — Relate 918 and AfterOpp — will begin their third year in September.

Relate 918 is an initiative focused on building life skills during and after school. It works with external learning partners to teach children at 10 schools and community sites about building self-awareness, empathy and understanding.

AfterOpp, which serves three TPS middle schools with hopes to expand to the fourth this fall, offers students an extensive menu of afterschool clubs exploring subjects like sports, debate, music and art.

Executive Director Caroline Shaw says it’s great for students to discover their passions, or just to explore. “It helps students continue to feel invested in school, to want to come to school, so we really see after school as a fantastic way to continue to build that engagement,” she says.

Shaw says data suggests the programs are helping with school-day attendance, in school behavior and linking classroom learning to realworld experiences.

Data is an important part of The Opportunity Project’s success. This year the organization will underwrite the development of a comprehensive system that will track data from individual providers across the city, measuring things like attendance, enrollment and the types of activities students are doing in after-school programs.

Shaw explains, “High-quality data helps us better understand the landscape of out-of-school time offerings for young people, as well as identify barriers, improve access, deepen quality and ultimately level the playing field for students at risk of being left out of these critical experiential learning opportunities.” — MADISON SCHULZ Relate 918 and AfterOpp are recruiting staff and volunteers at all sites.

Learn more at theopp.org.

BEHIND THE SCENES: JOAN MARCUS; THE OPPORTUNITY PROJECT: GREG BOLLINGER

KNOCKS

APPLAUSE

By the numbers: TTCU

Directors of the Will Rogers High School Community Foundation outside the school

Tim Lyons, TTCU Federal Credit Union president and CEO, cuts the ribbon at the grand opening of TTCU’s downtown branch on May 14, 2018.

Will Rogers High School Community Foundation celebrates nearly 10 years.

BY BRANDON SCHMITZ

I

n an era when education budgeting is a continuous challenge, investing more than $500,000 into a school’s students is no small feat. Since 2010, the Will Rogers High School Community Foundation has supported the school through a variety of fundraising efforts, not the least of which has been the school’s Hall of Fame gala.

The Hall of Fame was created by the founding board members of the Foundation to inspire current and future students by honoring distinguished alumni, according to Foundation President Lori Roberts.

“From household names like Leon Russell to those whose fame is more subtle, our Hall of Fame has some of the most amazing people,” Roberts says.

“Will Rogers is in a low-income neighborhood, so our Hall of Fame is a great opportunity for students to see what people at Rogers have achieved.”

Speaking of Russell, the Foundation paid homage to the rock-and-roll legend and WRHS class of 1959 grad with a tribute concert this past February. A recently restored piano Russell played

22

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

at Will Rogers served as the concert’s main feature.

“I was a stagecraft manager in high school, and keep in mind that when I saw Russell play, it was 1956 — the dawn of rock and roll,” says Dick Risk, the Foundation’s founder. “That piano has significance because that’s where he honed his skills.”

The Foundation funds lab equipment, painting supplies, sports uniforms and field trips, to name a few projects. Requests come from various sources, including the principal, individual board members, public suggestions, and the work of committees, Roberts says. Funds are raised through individual donations, tickets sold to the Hall of Fame gala, merchandise sales and special events, such as concerts.

“With the school’s 80th anniversary reunion coming up, I’m mostly proud of the fact that we’ve been this continuing resource for 10 years,” Roberts says. “I feel like we’re on the precipice of a huge step-up. I’m just so proud of the longevity of what we’ve done for Will Rogers students.”

To learn more, visit willrogersfoundation.net. TP

16 branches spread over northeastern and central Oklahoma comprise TTCU Federal Credit Union.

TTCU will have 2 new branches in Sand Springs, expected in 2020, and Oklahoma City, expected this year.

There are 130,731 current members.

The credit union’s asset size is billion.

$1.9

$2.9 million in member rewards dividends were paid out in 2018. $1.1 million has been donated through

the School Pride program since 2007. Members select debit card designs honoring area schools, and every time they use their debit card, TTCU makes a financial donation to that school. — MADISON SCHULZ

APPLAUSE: VALERIE WEI-HAAS; TTCU: COURTESY

SOLID FOUNDATION

In 1934, Linnie B. Wilson started the Tulsa Teacher’s Credit Union out of a schoolhouse cigar box to help teachers during the Great Depression. Now 85 years later, TTCU Federal Credit Union has grown to become the second largest credit union in the state.

And although the business may have grown over time, leaders say the goal remains deeply embedded in the company’s DNA: to take care of its members.

“It’s a tremendous culture that we are stewards of, and one of our tasks is to make sure we don’t lose that,” says President and CEO Tim Lyons.

Change Yourself.

Change the World.

At 41st & Yale, you’ll find meaningful degrees and graduate certificates with flexible options. We offer more than 30 degree programs and graduate certificates through night, weekend, and online classes to fit your busy life.

Find your fit at TulsaSooners.com.

tulsasooners.com

918-660-3318

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

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

TulsaPeople.com

23

PASSIONS

Fishing for

LESSONS

Stacie Nutt is the founder of Go Nutts Lunch Club, which pays for school lunches and weekend food packs for Tulsa students.

LUNCH BUDDY Tulsan wants every student to eat a nutritious lunch.

BY MADISON SCHULZ

I

n early 2017, fatigued and frustrated from all of the negativity surrounding the 2016 presidential election, Stacie Nutt was seeking purpose.

As she perused an issue of “Reader’s Digest,” she noticed a section with advice on simple ways to give back. One tip mentioned going to a local school and paying lunch balances. “When I read that, God slapped me across the face and He was like, ‘Here is what I want you to do,’” Nutt says. “He could have come knocking on my door, it was that powerful.”

Nutt visited schools and talked with parents. All elementary students qualify for free lunch in Tulsa Public Schools, but some middle through high school students can go without lunch if they don’t qualify for the federal free and reduced-price lunch program. Additionally, if a middle or high-school student has a negative lunch balance, they might get an alternative lunch or be simply refused, according to Nutt.

24

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

And so began the Go Nutts Lunch Club, or simply “The Lunch Club,” which has paid for about 3,400 lunches and 100 weekend food packs since its inception in 2018.

Nutt is focusing on micro-giving to fundraise for her organization. She wants to focus on “people in the working community who want to do something but don’t have a lot of money to do it.” She will continue accepting donations of any amount and wants to expand into team meals for student athletes before games.

“Food in school should be like any other school supply,” Nutt says. “It shouldn’t be another way that we label kids. Food in school is like the great equalizer. It gives every kid that same opportunity.” TP

To support Go Nutts Lunch Club, visit gonenuttscuffs.com.

Students in Madelyne Jones’ science class at Street School did more than just learn about trout this past semester — they raised them, then released them into the wild. The project spanned October to May and taught students about the importance of fish to lakes and streams, Jones says.

The project was made possible by a grant from the Tulsa Chapter of Trout Unlimited, which paid for a 55-gallon tank and other equipment needed to raise trout from eggs. Jones’ father, Eddie Jones, is a local chapter member of Trout Unlimited and served as a classroom volunteer throughout the Street School project. Her mother also volunteered with the class.

However, the experience went beyond just a science lesson. All 35 students traveled with Jones to the Illinois River south of Lake Tenkiller Dam near Gore, Oklahoma, in May to release the trout. Many had never been outside of Tulsa County, Madelyne Jones says.

In addition to releasing trout, students learned to tie a fly, cast fishing rods and hunt for fossils.

Most importantly, students were able to experience a world outside the classroom. “It was my opportunity to share the outdoors with these kids,” Jones says.

“It gave them an opportunity to connect with nature.”

From an early age, Jones says her father taught her how to fly fish and about the importance of fish to the ecosystem. She says she was proud to be able to share these lessons with her students and with the support of her own parents.

“Many of these kids are surrounded by stress in their homelife and at school,” she says. “Being outside is a way to release stress and anxiety, it’s quiet, it’s stimulating to the senses.” — MORGAN PHILLIPS

PASSIONS: GREG BOLLINGER; STREET SCHOOL: KELLY MCELROY

Street School students release trout into the Illinois River on May 8.

Here to Help You Rebuild Your LifeÂŽ

Has the judge made up their mind?

Stange Law Firm, PC - In divorce or family law matters, pre-trial con-

ferences, settlement conferences and other preliminary court dates often take place. These court appearances can sometimes take place in open court.

In other instances, they can take place in chambers with only the attorneys present.

In many of these court appearances, the attorneys in the case tell the judge their client’s versions of the facts of the case. They also might tell the court what it is their client wants.

The hope on the part of the attorneys and the parties is often to have the judge weigh in terms of what they think. Many then hope that this can lead to a settlement of some kind.

Some parties even take this a step further. They worry when the judge gives some preliminary thoughts or opinions that the judge has already made up their mind. Many feel as if they might not have much of a choice but to settle after hearing the judge’s input.

While parties certainly want to hear the preliminary thoughts of the

judge carefully in terms of weighing their options, the truth is that a family court judge is not to definitively make up their mind until they have heard the evidence. While a judge might hear arguments and take in some information at these court appearances, evidence is formally admitted at a trial or evidentiary hearing.

At a trial or evidentiary hearing, witnesses can testify. Evidence can also be admitted, like documentary, photographic, video or other electronic evidence.

Expert witnesses can also give opinion testimony and reports.

At the conclusion of the evidence, this is when a judge is only supposed to make up their mind and enter a judgment. Thus, while it feels at a preliminary court appearance that a judge has already made up their mind, parties do have a due process right to a hearing in the family court. Sometimes, what a judge says in a court appearance is not always what they do after they have heard all the evidence.

Stange Law Firm, PC limits their practice to family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, guardianship, adoption, medi-

ation, collaborative law and other domestic relation matters. Stange Law Firm, PC gives clients 24/7 access to their case through a secured online case tracker found on the website. They also give their clients their cell phone numbers. Call for a consultation today at 855-805-0595.

Tulsa County Office

6660 S. Sheridan Road, Suite 240 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74133 855-805-0595 | www.stangelawfirm.com

The choice of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements.

Stange Law Firm, PC is responsible for the content. Principal place of business is 120 South Central Ave, Suite 450, Clayton, MO 63105. Court rules do not permit us to advertise that we specialize in a particular field or area of law. The areas of law mentioned in this article are our areas of interest and generally are the types of cases which we are involved. It is not intended to suggest specialization in any areas of law which are mentioned The information you obtain in this advertisement is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. We invite you to contact us and welcome your calls, letters and electronic mail. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Past results afford no guarantee of future results and every case is different and must be judged on its merits.

TulsaPeople.com

25

2

1

3

Rhinestone Cowboy

Approximately 600 people gathered at Expo Square Pavilion on May 10 to attend RIPPLE, an event celebrating the 10-year anniversary of Project Hope Worldwide. PHW’s mission is to provide hope for the world’s most vulnerable children in Uganda, Nicaragua and Mexico.

Guests enjoyed appetizers in RIPPLE’s Top Chef Invitational, exclusive auctions and raffle packages, dinner and an inspirational message from New York Times best-selling author Bob Goff. Project Hope Ambassador Brian Nhira, a past contestant on NBC’s “The Voice,” emceed and provided entertainment for dancing.

The 270 guests at Rhinestone Cowboy had a “boot-scootin’” good time at Cain’s Ballroom, dancing to live music by Nashville recording artist Taria Lee on May 3. The event supported Volunteers of America of Oklahoma and benefitted more than 2,600 individuals, including veterans, the aging and citizens who are homeless or have disabilities.

The event also honored two former Oklahoma Secretaries of Veterans Affairs: retired Maj. Gen. Rita Aragon and retired Maj. Gen. Myles Deering. The Heart of Courage was presented to Richard Albritton, a veteran who received employment services, and all active service military/veterans in the audience. Rumbledrum served as event planner with food prepared and catered by the Chalkboard; floral décor was by Message Floral.

Volunteers of America National President Mike King spoke about individual contributions to making our world a better place to live.

1. Retired Maj. Gen. Rita Aragon and retired Maj. Gen. Myles Deering 2. VOA National President Mike King addresses the audience.

3. Guests June Patton, Lori Riley and Nancy Bolzle 4. Dan Higgins, second from right, and his table of friends during the live auction

4 26

3

RIPPLE

1. Guests Bridgett and Bryce Hood 2. Entertainer and emcee Brian Nhira 3. Guests Chelsie Henrie, Amber Post and Tamara West 4. Guest Lisa Toews, author and keynote speaker Bob Goff and guest Candace Johnson

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

2

4

RIPPLE: ASHLEY HOPPER AND JOEL MERRILL; RHINESTONE COWBOY: DAN BIVENS/BOOK WITH BLUE PHOTOGRAPHY

1

White Party White Party sponsors and guests in all-white attire dined and danced in Tulsa’s Deco District on May 6 while sampling craft cocktails made by the city’s premier mixologists. A total of $340,000 was raised at the gala, benefiting the one in six Tulsans who are helped by Family and Children’s Services.

Approximately 800 people attended the annual White Party, hosted at the Vault. DJ Kylie provided live entertainment, and the event was planned by TPC Studios.

1. Guests Adam Leavitt, Annie Tran and Mark Hogan 2. Guests Josh Roby, Jenny Roby, Ashley Cuningham, Brad Cunningham, Hamel Reinmiller, Kirsten Lang and Heather Sher 3. Guests Torii Freeman, Sandra Quince and Sarah Fox 4. White Party co-chairs Scott and Kayla Vaughn

2

1

3

4

CREATE Gala

JOHN BIVENS/BOOK WITH BLUE PHOTOGRAPHY

1

ahha Tulsa in the Tulsa Arts District was the setting for the fourth annual CREATE Gala on May 11. Approximately 350 guests attended.

Staff, artists and a volunteer committee planned the event, beginning with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the Jack and Ann Graves Garden for the Arts.

A “designer dinner” continued in the main gallery, provided by the Summit Club’s executive chef, William Lyle. Guests then bid on artfully packaged auction items. The evening concluded with a dessert buffet and drinks in a rooftop after-party on the third-floor terrace, with live entertainment provided by singer Branjae.

Approximately $300,000 was raised to support ahha Tulsa’s mission to cultivate a more creative Tulsa.

2

1. Branjae and her band perform at the afterparty.

2. Guests Cheri Tatum, Clair Dietz, Wes Lawhorn and Danielle Hewitt 3. Guests Michelle Hardesty and Dave Wadley 4. Dinner in the gallery 5. CREATE Patron Chairs Jon and Ashley Althage

3

4

5 TulsaPeople.com

27

LEGENDS

Jay O’Meilia TEACHER, SCULPTOR, PAINTER AND PRINTMAKER

BY GAIL BANZET-ELLIS

I

Jay O’Meilia, 92, inside his midtown studio surrounded by past works, references and current projects.

28

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

f you ask Tulsa’s Jay O’Meilia when he first became interested in art, he will tell you grade school.

As a young boy, two teachers recognized his gift and love for drawing and painting and encouraged him to pursue his passion. He took art lessons twice a week and often carried a sketchpad.

During and after his service in the U.S. Navy, he attended two prestigious art schools in New York City and Chicago.

He later returned to New York, where he worked part time at an advertising agency. When the demanding world of assignments and deadlines became too much, a former mentor told O’Meilia to go back to Tulsa and pioneer the city’s arts scene. He heeded the advice and taught art classes in his hometown at iconic locations such as Philbrook Museum.

When students and other members of the community began commissioning paintings, he learned how to maximize his value as a professional. He and his late wife, Jody, raised five children, and through the years O’Meilia established himself as a highly regarded painter and sculptor.

An athlete all of his life and fascinated by Oklahoma’s booming oil industry, his artwork specialties are sports and images of the oil patch.

Today, he’s known internationally for his craft and has been inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. A few years ago, his son Matt authored the book “Father Figure: The Life and Work of Jay O’Meilia.” All of his children reside near him in the Tulsa area.

WHERE DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY? WHY? I went to Marquette Catholic School until the seventh grade and then to Wilson Junior High. There were two sisters at Marquette who were superb art teachers. They had trained at one of the top professional schools in New York. I attended high school at Tulsa Central.

Afterward, I went into the Navy, got topsecret classification and was in what they called the frozen reserve. I was only 17 ½ when I went into the Navy and got permission from my dad to enlist. I served at the tail end of World War II, and 10 days after the Korean War started I got a phone call and went back for 21 months. I was assigned to the Navy Art Department at 63rd and Broadway in New York City. While in the Navy, I went to school five nights a week, three hours a night at the Art Students League, which is like the Julliard of the visual arts. After I got out of the Navy, I had an opportunity to study at a top art school in Chicago for a year and a half.

YOU’RE A PAINTER, SCULPTOR AND PRINTMAKER. DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE OF THE THREE? Not really. They’re all so interesting in their own right. With painting, you’re working on a two-dimensional surface, creating a third dimension. In sculpture, you’re actually making three dimensions. Being the father of five, I looked for every avenue of income.

WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR MOST DEFINING MOMENTS IN LIFE? When I became fascinated with the challenge of sculpture in 1969. This buddy of mine who does sculpture got me into it, and the rest is history. I got commissions, and from then on I balanced painting and sculpture. Critics would say I couldn’t do both. It just takes guts to attempt a medium that is really sort of foreign to you.

WHAT AGE DO YOU FEEL RIGHT NOW AND WHY? I can still do 40 pushups, how about that? I’ve played tennis for 81 years. I play twice a week. I turned 92 in July. I’ve had few injuries in my life. I’m one of the founders of the Philcrest Hills Tennis Club.

It’s fun. It’s a physical chess game.

HOW WOULD YOUR FRIENDS DESCRIBE YOU? They’re fascinated by what I do and that I can make a living at it. They call me an artist. I say I’m not an artist. I’m a professional sculptor, painter and printmaker. This is what I do. I was loaned a gift

through my mother and Uncle Woody. (His mom was an artist as was his uncle, who influenced and encouraged him.) Why I am so fortunate, who knows? But I’ve accepted it and tried to pass it on and reward the Lord by doing the best I can.

WHAT WOULD PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT YOU? I’m very transparent. I don’t look like what they think an artist should look like. I don’t have a beard or ponytail. I don’t drink much. When I dress, you can’t tell if I’m a lawyer or a doctor or judge or anybody else. I make a point to not look like what they think an artist should look like. I don’t want to be labeled any way other than a professional.

IF YOU COULD WITNESS ANY EVENT OF THE PAST, PRESENT OR FUTURE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? Every day is a challenge. I really don’t have a long goal because I’ve been doing this so long that this is what I do for a living. I am so fortunate to be loaned a gift to do this — making a living, raising a family and enjoying good health, which I work at pretty hard. I remember working for my Central High track coach at Camp Kanakuk down in Branson when it first opened. As a junior counselor, every morning I had to swim Lake Taneycomo because I was a lifeguard. Then, I would run 3 miles and do 100 or 120 pushups. Our coach would say, “Men, what you did today, do it the rest of your life.” It was like a branding iron right across my forehead.

He taught us about food, exercising and things of this nature, and I’ll never forget it. I’ve always been involved in athletics, and my dad taught all of his sons to box. When I lived in New York, I’d run through Manhattan.

WHAT WAS A “WORST TIME” AND HOW DID YOU PULL THROUGH IT? When my wife was passing away. I relied on religion. I’m a devout Catholic for many reasons. I was raised that way and it was a godsend for me in the service and life. My wife was a big supporter and influence on me. We started the first grade together, and we were married six months shy of 50 years. She was my buddy. She was a banker’s daughter, so she took care of me and kept my checkbook balanced. She was a great secretary and could write the most beautiful letters for me. She was a great mother and passed away in January 2001 at the age of 72. We had a great life.

I was damn lucky.

WHAT CONCERNS YOU TODAY? I’m a constitutional conservative. We have a great guy in the White House. He’s a brash Ronald Reagan. We had a socialist in before him. The Democratic Party is run by progressives. My concern is that the left, the Democrats, are fighting for power. Years ago, I remember when Reagan was president and he would disagree with Democrats during the day in Congress or in the Senate, but at night they’d all go out and have a cocktail together. They never let politics affect their friendship. Today, you know what’s going on. Thank the world that Trump got

in office because he is a true lover of the United States and a patriot. He’s a negotiator.

HOW DO YOU MEASURE SUCCESS? If you look in your mirror and say, “Hey, guy, you know you screwed up the other day, but you’re doing the best you can.” How else can I gauge it other than I’m using all of my resources to do and perfect something?

Sometimes I win; sometimes I lose. When I lose, I don’t get down. I get mad and I get determined.

I don’t understand defeat because if there’s a will, there’s a way, in my mind. I had to work very hard in business and society, where you’re not too well accepted in your field as an artist.

WHAT IS A FAVORITE TULSA MEMORY? That’s a tough one because I’ve got so many. I love Tulsa. I love the people. Good things come from Tulsa. I didn’t realize how special Tulsa was until I got older. I’ve lived in New York, and I’ve lived in Chicago. I’ve lived on the West Coast. I’ve served in the Navy twice but Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a really unique place with unique people. That’s what makes Tulsa is the people.

DESCRIBE A PERFECT WEEKEND IN TULSA OR ELSEWHERE. I’m in my office most of the time. I never thought of my weekends as unique. I do the same thing every day. I’m having too damn much fun.

Saturday is no different than Monday. I don’t look toward the weekend like a lot of people. I’m working because I have deadlines.

ARE YOU STILL WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK? Yes, it’s a happy addiction. I’m a lucky son of a gun. I usually have about three projects going at once. I can juggle a lot of things. I always knew what it took to be in my field and do what I had to do to support a family and make a living. How lucky can I be? People would be jealous of me and say, “That damn O’Meilia, he’s having fun and he’s getting paid for it!”

WHAT PLACE IN TULSA DO YOU MISS THE MOST? Louisiane was downtown on 18th Street. It was the first really good seafood restaurant. We used to go there every Friday night. My dad knew the guy who ran it. That was a treat to get to go out to dinner.

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGES YOU’VE EXPERIENCED IN TULSA? I can remember Tulsa when it was a smaller town. I’m just totally amazed at how it has developed. The city fathers like the Mabees, Kaisers, Warrens and LaFortunes have turned this city into a giving city. It’s a unique place with Gilcrease Museum, other museums, the opera and ballet. In a place like this, they’re all recognized, not just regionally, but nationally.

OF ALL THE SCULPTURES AND PAINTINGS YOU’VE DONE THAT HAVE STAYED HERE IN TULSA, IS THERE ONE THAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU? It’s always the next one that’s most important. TP TulsaPeople.com

29

Y E A RS

Faces of the future School districts across the Tulsa area are impacting students from around the world. Four recent female graduates, all from diverse backgrounds, have not only overcome, but ourished, in their respective schools.

From immersing themselves in a second language to becoming ďŹ rst-generation college students, each student credits her success thus far to a special mentor.

As their lives continue to transform after high school, they say they will fondly remember the four teachers who helped guide them to become rising leaders.

BY KAYLIE COTTEN AND MADELINE EWING

TulsaPeople.com

31

INGRID GUTIERREZ CALDERO AND JENNIFER FISHER

I

ngrid Gutierrez Caldero arrived in Tulsa from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, in 2014.

During her transition, Caldero struggled with the language barrier, feeling like the students treated her differently because of it. Her only experience with English was brief in her Nuevo Laredo school. While she had some background with the language, it was still difficult to use English upon her arrival in America.

“People speak English differently in the States than they do back in Mexico,” Caldero claims.

As she navigated her life’s big changes, she retreated further into herself.

32

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

“(Other students) didn’t talk to me. They said a lot of bad stuff about me,” Caldero says. “I didn’t have friends; I had acquaintances.”

Her parents were already wanting to upsize to a larger house when Caldero shared her experience at school with them. This solidified their choice to move to a new district. Little did Caldero know that soon a whole new world would open up for her.

On her first day at Union High School in January 2016, Caldero sat in the back of Jennifer Fisher’s marketing classroom. Once an extroverted and lively personality, Caldero only spoke to those sitting next to her.

“She had all these interests and talents, but she was really closed off,” Fisher says.

Caldero’s previous interactions with fellow students discouraged her from the inevitable task of giving a presentation in front of her classmates. She worried about her accent and her English pronunciation, two things that left her feeling alienated in previous schools.

During the presentation, Caldero “freaked out and started crying.” All she wanted was to sit back down and stay out of sight.

“I thought everyone was going to be the same,” Caldero explains.

On the contrary, the students began encouraging her to finish her presentation. Here, Caldero realized that Fisher’s classroom was a safe space.

“The kids really started to accept her,” Fisher says. “I don’t care where you come from or what you’ve done in the past. If you walk in my door and you’re on my roster, you’re my kid now. We’re a family.”

Fisher later learned of Caldero’s background and what spurred her move to Union. Taking Caldero under her wing, Fisher began plugging her into the different facets of her marketing and media classes.

“Really anything that she expressed an interest in, I just empowered her to go do it,” Fisher says.

“Then I couldn’t shut her up.”

Through Fisher’s classes, Caldero not only emerged from her shell, but also gained videography experience and created a start-up business for herself with Fisher’s help. Caldero possessed a passion for makeup and photography and Fisher carved out time to help her develop a social media, business card and platform for it.

For Caldero’s last year of high school, she was selected as president of the U-Hype Crew, the advanced marketing program run by Fisher.

“You could see her confidence grow over the past two and a half years. It’s amazing, she went from wallflower to wildflower,” Fisher says. “She bloomed for all to see.” This little saying coined Caldero’s nickname, “Wildflower,” among her peers in Fisher’s class.

During high school, Caldero earned her certification as a TV production assistant through Tulsa Tech. After graduating in May, she looks forward to taking classes at Tulsa Community College and working toward a second certification from Tulsa Tech in cosmetology. She credits her success to Fisher, whom she refers to as “Mama Fish.”

“She won’t brag about herself, but without her I would be nothing,” Caldero says. “It all started here.”

As for Fisher, this fall she will enter her seventh year teaching at Union. “As a teacher, that’s why you teach,” she says. “You live for those moments — the lightbulb moments when a kid finds their passion or their wings and takes off. And that’s what I saw.”

VALERIE WEI-HAAS

From wallflower to wildflower

A COMMUNITY FOR YOU. Every dream starts somewhere.

At TCC, we’re here with the guidance, support and resources to help you do something big.

Start here, and you can go anywhere.

Join our community today at tulsacc.edu.

Our Commitment. Your Success.

ÂŽ2019 Tulsa Community College

From ‘Welborn yellow’ to Golden Hurricane

M

y Vu Le moved to America from Vietnam in 2007 with her parents and younger sister. In a search for more abundant job opportunities and better schooling, Texas was their original destination. However, Le had relatives on her mother’s side who lived in Oklahoma, so they changed routes and settled in Tulsa.

Le first attended Union Public Schools but later transferred to Broken Arrow Public Schools as a fourth-grader, after moving into a different school district. When first integrating into American school, Le had a difficult time connecting with other students. She eventually befriended some peers who were also Vietnamese and could speak Vietnamese, allowing her some solace in her new surroundings.

Le met Christian Welborn during her junior year at Broken Arrow High School through her leadership class, as well as in student council. The director of student life and activities at BAHS, Welborn was impressed by Le’s work ethic and humility. However, Le did not need praise to work hard; it was just natural for her to excel.

34

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

Welborn has been in the education field for eight years; her parents, grandparents and aunts and great uncles were all educators, as well.

Welborn says they encouraged her to pursue a career outside of their respective field due to the “current rocky climate in the Oklahoma education system.”

Following her parents’ advice, she originally worked as a dietician. After five years working as a dietitian in the field of diabetes, she wanted to pursue her original career path. She earned a master’s degree in administration, and Welborn says she feels blessed to work with students and is always encouraged when she comes across a passionate and hard-working pupil like Le. “I love getting to do something that matters,” says Welborn, who is proud she has seen BA students embracing all genders and ethnicities.

Le says she never felt any negativity toward her background; instead, she experienced many opportunities at BAHS to play a major role in leading the student body.

And Welborn has been a main proponent in the student activities allowing Le to thrive. Le says

she is impressed by Welborn’s ability to connect with her students and multitask in her daily duties.

“She’s like Superwoman,” Le says.

Le decided her career path in eighth grade after developing an interest in chemistry. Now, as a recent high school graduate, she has committed to the University of Tulsa and will soon begin working toward a degree in biochemical engineering.

She says her dream is to become a surgeon and travel to countries in need of efficient medical care.

As a child, Le saw firsthand what lack of proper care could hinder.

The relationship between Le and Welborn is one both wish to maintain as they have grown close throughout the years. Le says Welborn has taught her to remain positive and calm, even in stressful situations. Le looks forward to carrying these lessons with her to college.

“I like being positive — that’s why my favorite color’s yellow,” Le says. “Whenever I see yellow, I think of Welborn.”

Welborn jokes her office will be painted yellow very soon.

VALERIE WEI-HAAS

MY VU LE AND CHRISTIAN WELBORN

SCHOLARSHIPS

ANNMARIE WRIGHT AND ESTHER CING

I

n 2015, Esther Cing flew with her three siblings and grandmother from Burma, now known as Myanmar, to Malaysia to Nashville, Tennessee, to Tulsa, all to reunite with her mother. Cing’s mother had been in the United States six years, working and saving enough to bring her family here.

Cing wasted no time once her feet hit American soil. As soon as she enrolled at Jenks High School, she immediately sought out leadership courses. “I was recommended by one of my youth leaders (for the leadership class) because he took this class, too,” Cing explains. “He said it was going to challenge me to do a lot of things and to be impactful to the people around me.”

In her first leadership class, Cing met social studies teacher Annmarie Wright. An educator at Jenks for 27 years, Wright teaches leadership classes as well as Advanced Placement history courses.

Being submerged in English-speaking classes forced Cing to learn the language at a rapid pace.

36

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

During her high school career at Jenks, Cing took seven AP classes, including AP English Language and AP English Literature.

“AP is a college-level class, which is amazing because Esther had only been here for two years and learned English, but she was reading from a college-level textbook,” Wright says. “Native speakers have difficulty with it.”

Cing says she often reads each passage several times to ensure she comprehends the subject.

Despite the challenge, she remains motivated and grateful for her access to resources. “I feel like the education system here is very, very good and that I have more opportunities,” she says. “Money doesn’t have to be the thing that stops me from getting an education here.”

Cing not only found success academically, but also in developing new friends, including Wright.

The teacher often had breakfast and coffee with Cing, trying to connect and learn more about her.

“What is amazing to me is how much students have going on in their personal lives,” Wright says.

“You don’t always get to see that. I try to be mindful that as students are coming into my classroom, there are a lot of things that they may be dealing with.”

Cing names Wright as a main inspiration for who she is today. “Mrs. Wright is like a teacher and mentor, but also a mother figure,” Cing says.

“I can open up to her.”

Cing will attend Oral Roberts University in the fall to major in psychology and with a minor in youth and ministry. She hopes she will be able to assist fellow students and youth members from her church, just as Wright assisted her. “I really want to be a role model for the younger generation, especially in my community,” Cing explains. “Most of them really struggle with assimilation.”

As Cing continues on her life path, Wright is confident the young woman’s “tenacity” will take her far. “She’s just an incredible young lady,” Wright says. “I feel like Esther and I have that connection and we will hopefully be able to continue that friendship through the years.”

VALERIE WEI-HAAS

From mentee to mentor

From timid to triumphant

BRENDA MEDELLÍN-ZARAGOZA AND ANDREW SMITH BRENDA MEDELLIN-ZARAGOZA AND ANDREW SMITH

B

orn in Piedras Negras Coahuila, Mexico, Brenda Medellín-Zaragoza moved to the U.S. when she was only 11 months old.

Medellín-Zaragoza’s father had already come to America in search of a job before his family followed. After finding work in the Tulsa area, the family settled in Glenpool where Medellín-Zaragoza grew up. The family eventually found their current home in Tulsa.

Medellín-Zaragoza grew up in a bilingual household that expanded her knowledge of multiple cultures.

Quiet and timid, she says she loves talking to people of similar interests but always found it difficult to come out of her shell. At Tulsa’s Central High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society and City of Refuge, a volunteering program with elementary and middle school students. This opportunity gave Medellín-Zaragoza a new passion for interaction and service.

Medellín-Zaragoza believes she would not have had the courage to explore her different talents and open up as much as she has in high school without the help of her teacher and mentor, Mr. Smith.

Andrew Smith taught at Central for seven years and was originally assigned to the school as a member of Teach for America. Smith taught math and served as an academic advisor for freshmen. During MedellínZaragoza’s first advisement appointment, Smith quickly realized her potential. “She has got a lot of abilities and talents and a kind of raw intelligence,” he says.

“If something is hard, she doesn’t give up. She just finds a way to figure it out.”

The student and teacher developed a strong academic relationship through the five different classes they had together.

“I knew I was pretty good at math, but I didn’t actually know how good I was until Mr. Smith’s class,” Medellín-Zaragoza says. “That’s when I started realizing I excelled more at math than English or history.”

Due to her success at Central, MedellínZaragoza was named valedictorian this past May. With this, she gave a speech at her graduation ceremony. She says this was a huge milestone for her because she never pictured herself speaking to hundreds of people, let alone giving a speech the other students might remember forever.

“And her speech was great, by the way, too,” Smith says. “She talks about being nervous in front of people, but you just couldn’t tell that. She doesn’t give herself enough credit there.”

Medellín-Zaragoza will attend Tulsa Tech after high school for hospitality and tourism, and hopes to find opportunities to further her social skills internationally. “I’m able to talk to people, and maybe have a chance to travel the world,” she says.

Additionally she plans to attend Tulsa Community College and possibly pursue an engineering degree.

Smith will move to Edison High School in the fall to teach math and looks forward to what the future holds for both of them. As Medellín-Zaragoza said in her speech, “The challenges we have all faced have pushed us to do more than just our best; they have pushed us past our limits, and in return, we became better — better than we could imagine.” TP TulsaPeople.com

37

SCHOOL CHOICE

Educating about EDUCATION AS THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR APPROACHES, WHAT DO YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT EDUCATION IN TULSA?

BY KRISTI EATON

M

ontessori. School choice. Charter. Magnet. When it comes to education, many terms are used on a regular basis. But they don’t need to be scary or confusing.

According to Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister, who raised her four children in Tulsa and currently lives here with her husband, family engagement is a critical element of students’ classroom success.

Here, we highlight some of the particulars around education in Tulsa and in Oklahoma.

Hofmeister says the term school choice is an important one.

“School choice is a term that, I think, is very important to every mom and dad who has a child enrolled in school,” she says. “It ensures they have input into how their student is going to learn in a setting and method that is best for them.”

Th is can mean, for example, choosing from a variety of schools in a district that might have different educational offerings. It can refer to different types of learning, she says, from a traditional classroom experience to virtual learning or a hybrid of the two. At the high school level, it might mean concurrent enrollment in a district school and in career tech, or even concurrent enrollment in higher education, allowing a student to earn college credit.

“All of these types of school choice opportunities exist within the public-school setting in Oklahoma,” Hofmeister says. Of course, families may also choose a private school and pay tuition.

Many of Oklahoma’s public districts, including Tulsa, she notes, have charter schools in their portfolio of choice.

“They serve either a particular focus for student learning or a concentrated need that would be of interest for students — whether that be the arts or engineering and science,” she says.

Oklahoma law states a charter school is a public school established by contract with a board of education of a school district, an area vocationaltechnical school district, a higher education institution, a federally recognized tribe, or the State Board of Education, pursuant to the Oklahoma Charter Schools Act. Hofmeister adds that charter schools might offer a special curriculum but are not required to do so.

Tulsa Public Schools has six authorized charter schools: Tulsa School of Arts and Sciences, KIPP Tulsa, Tulsa Honor Academy, Collegiate Hall, College Bound Academy and Tulsa Legacy.

“We partner with them, but they have their own separate enrollment process and families apply directly to access those schools, if that’s what they are interested in,” says Jorge Robles, chief operations officer for TPS. Alternative schools are another choice for students and their families.

Within TPS, alternative schools are offered to students who are in unique circumstances that might require credit recovery or a different type of classroom instruction. Those schools include Tulsa Learning Academy, Phoenix Rising, Street School, Tulsa Tech Career Academy, TRAICE Academy Middle School and High School, and Tulsa Met Junior High and High School.

TulsaPeople.com

39

In magnet schools, a specialized focus within that school draws students, Hofmeister says. “This is a term recognized federally,” she says. “It’s something that has been a very successful model, particularly in Tulsa Public Schools.” Federal law defines a magnet school as a public school that offers a special curriculum that can attract students from diverse backgrounds. Booker T. Washington within TPS is one example. Magnet schools are administered by the school district, and acceptance is funneled through district channels.

Robles says the majority of the TPS’ schools are traditional neighborhood schools from pre-K to 12th grade.

However, the district also has lottery magnet schools ranging from the elementary to high schools. These district schools require student application and acceptance. “There is no guarantee that you will be accepted because you live in that neighborhood or any other reason,” Robles says. “There’s a lottery for applicants to get into that school based on that.”

Seven schools fall in that lottery category: Eisenhower Elementary, Zarrow International Elementary, Mayo Demonstration Academy, Dual Language Academy, Thoreau Demonstration Academy, and Will Rogers College junior high and high schools.

TPS also has five schools that are criteriabased: Carver Middle School, Edison middle and high schools, Booker T. Washington High School and Will Rogers College High School. “Essentially, families apply to transfer to those schools … but there is a criteria that applicants need to meet that is academic related,” Robles says.

DIFFERENT PHILOSOPHIES, FORMATS Families might want to consider the learning approach of a school.

The Montessori method, for example, is based on a child-centered approach. Students using the Montessori method are self-directed and self-

NEW VIRTUAL SCHOOL AT UNION 40

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

paced, though they are guided and supported by teachers, according to the nonprofit American Montessori Society. “Individual students follow their own curiosity at their own pace, taking the time they need to fully understand each concept and meet individualized learning goals,” according to the group’s website.

The Montessori method has several core components, including child-directed work and uninterrupted work periods. The philosophy is named for Dr. Maria Montessori, an Italian educator, physician and scientist.

TPS has one Montessori school, Emerson Elementary, a neighborhood school. There are several private Montessori options: Undercroft Montessori School, Christian Montessori Academy, Rainbow Montessori School and Montessori Academy of Owasso.

Another teaching philosophy is Lasaillan, which centers on Catholic values. It’s based on the vision of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, according to the Office of the Lasallian Region of North America. Two private schools in Tulsa follow the method: Bishop Kelley High School and San Miguel Middle School.

TPS has a partnership school called Greenwood Leadership Academy. It’s authorized by the district but has some independent aspects, Robles says, and is a partnership between TPS and the Met Cares Foundation, an organization committed to transforming social and academic outcomes for north Tulsa students.

“They (MET) have a board that is a subsidiary of our the TPS Board,” Robles says. “From the parents’ perspective, you access the school and apply in the regular enrollment system for Tulsa Public Schools, and as Tulsa Public Schools we support enrollment and provide access to kids to get there.”

When it comes to language-focused education, Robles says TPS has 10 elementary schools that offer language enrichment programs. Five of those are neighborhood schools that offer dual language in Spanish. Th ree magnet schools offer dual language in Spanish or French. Two neighborhood schools offer Mandarin language

enrichment opportunities.

Th ree magnet middle schools offer dual language literacy courses for students continuing from elementary dual-language experiences.

Virtual schools are an online educational option growing in popularity in Oklahoma and the Tulsa area.

Epic Charter Schools is one of the most wellknown. The virtual charter school is free for students, but has recently come under intense scrutiny.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation recently investigated Epic for embezzlement of state funds. At press time, no charges had been fi led.

Within TPS, Tulsa Learning Academy is a blended model that offers online and in-person instruction.

“We believe it is important for students to have access to support and do work in collaborative spaces with other students and create a model that allows the flexibility to work virtually,” Robles says, “but it also creates strong opportunities for them to interact with other human beings in a setting and do work that will help them develop those critical skills.”

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS As the new school year approaches, Hofmeister says the state education system is still reeling from the economic downturn the state experienced several years ago. There was a loss of teachers, and salaries stagnated.

Fortunately, “we are now seeing meaningful growth,” she says. Two years of teacher pay raises and more than 1,100 new positions to the teacher workforce last year, as well as a new school accountability system, are just some of the strides, according to Hofmeister.

When considering schooling options, Hofmeister says a family should consider what a particular school can offer to provide their child CONTINUED ON P. 42

Union Public Schools recently announced that it will have a fully virtual school starting with the 2019-2020 school year.

The pilot program will allow students in grades 6-12 to take their courses online, says Chris Payne, district spokesman.

The students also will have the option to take one elective course — like fine arts or athletics — in a face-to-face setting.

“Many students have interests or personal circumstances that make it difficult to attend school on a traditional schedule,” Payne says. “We have had a number of students who travel internationally who participate in dance or athletics that require a more flexible schedule, and virtual has proven to be a great alternative for them.”

To be considered “in attendance,” students must meet a required pace for course completion: five to six hours online each day completing coursework, according to Payne.

“There is no penalty for working ahead, but the minimum completion standards must be met for continued enrollment,” he says. “Students not completing the minimum requirements will receive the appropriate interventions to resume their coursework.”

Students must apply to take part in the pilot program and must meet the same graduation requirements as those in a traditional setting. To be eligible for the virtual school, students in grades 6-12 must live in the district, be enrolled full time with Union Public Schools and may not be enrolled in any other program or school such as private, online or home school, Payne says.

Since 2006

Flexible, Individualized Tutoring

DIRECTORY Featuring Tulsa’s BEST businesses in 105 categories! ✔ Tutoring for All Ages ✔ Homework Help & Study/ – Children, Teens, and Adults Organization Skills ✔ No Long-Term Contracts

DINE LOCAL

FUN FOR ALL

HEAD TO TOE Visit

/A-List

SHOP LOCAL SERVICES

for this useful directory resource!

✔ ACT/SAT/GED Preparation ✔ All Levels of Mathematics/ Science/History

✔ Foreign Languages/ English Language Learners ✔ Computer Skills

✔ Reading/Phonics/Writing/ Language Arts Flexible schedules allow our highly qualified, professional tutors to come to you at your convenience. Contact us today to schedule an in-home consultation! www.benchmarktutors.com • 918-850-5363

IN TULSA, FOR TULSA For 20 years, Oklahoma State University-Tulsa has been proud to be Tulsa’s downtown public comprehensive research university. We’re excited for the future and continuing to contribute to our city’s economic growth through research partnerships, community events and outreach initiatives. Most importantly, we’re dedicated to providing Tulsans the opportunity to earn an OSU degree right here, where they live and work.

tulsa.okstate.edu

TulsaPeople.com

41

CONTINUED FROM P. 40

Monroe becomes middle school for north Tulsa students The North Tulsa Community Education Task Force collaborated with Tulsa Public Schools and the north Tulsa community to come up with an improved structure for the area’s schools, according to Rex Langley, principal of Monroe Demonstration Academy.

Through its research, the task force recommended that Monroe Demonstration Academy become the middle school for all of the schools feeding into McLain High School in north Tulsa, Langley says. This change is effective in August and encompasses sixth, seventh and eighth grades.

The district reports this will create stronger academic and extra-curricular programming for McLain feeder schools while reducing the number of transitions that students have throughout their time in school.

“We are very excited about opening up the doors to a strong middle school that will serve the north Tulsa community and create a feeder pattern that is supporting kiddos,” says Jorge Robles, chief operations officer for TPS. “Research is pretty clear that minimizing transitions really helps academic progress.”

The student population at Monroe will grow from approximately 250 to 950 students, so the school is looking for additional educators and support staff.

“We are growing into an additional building,” Langley says. “It will all be one school. It will just be a little bigger than it has in the past.” That additional building was the former site of Penn Elementary School.

Before the consolidation, Monroe already offered an unusual learning twist, which will now

benefi t more students. It is one of three schools in Oklahoma offering the microsociety model, which the Tulsa school calls Monrovia. The model was implemented at Monroe in August 2011.

“Microsociety has a pretty awesome concept,” Langley says. “During a part of the day, the school transforms itself into an actual functional society run by students.”

Monrovia includes everything found in a working society — government, lawyers, sanitation workers, entrepreneurs and a court system, among other ventures.

Each student has a role and they earn money, he says. “They get their paycheck, and on their day off they get to go out and explore society and be a part of society, just like you and I would on our day off. It’s very neat.”

The benefi ts of the microsociety model, Langley says, are that students are able to make realworld connections to their learning — lessons and learning opportunities that other students might not discover until they are adults.

“One of the cool things is that it gives them some buy-in about the things they are learning,” he adds. “For example, if I’m taking math class … microsociety puts scholars in society where they use the skills in their jobs.”

Langley recalls one sixth-grade student talking about starting his own business, but he realized the challenges of running a business, such as paying workers and buying supplies. He learned he might not turn a profi t immediately.

“He had that realization … as a 12-year-old kid, he’s learning life lessons that a lot of people don’t learn until they are in their 40s,” Langley says.

HEAR FROM TULSA PUBLIC SCHOOLS SUPERINTENDENT DEBORAH GIST ON THE AUG. 21 PODCASTEPISODE.

42

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

with a well-rounded education. “I also think it’s important that they have increased transparency, so that the parent can look at the courses and services provided by a school and are able to make an apples-to-apples comparison,” she says.

Today, each public school has a “report card,” outlining its performance in a variety of academic and nonacademic indicators and providing important school-specific contextual information.

They are available through the Oklahoma State Department of Education at oklaschools.com.

However, report cards — which have been lambasted by some because of their methodology — are only one side of the equation.

“I think it’s also important to talk with other families who attend schools that they may be considering, and I think it’s especially helpful to visit and tour a school,” Hofmeister says. “We know that we think about that often when considering a private school, but if you’re also looking at making a decision regarding a preschool or any grade level in public school, we invite our families to schedule a tour and come and see what’s offered.”

Another way a family can stay engaged in a student’s education is by logging into a parent portal that includes the student’s previous test scores for multiple years, she says.

“I think it’s important to know that not only will they see their current test results, but also historical information for that child, including previous assessments in the state, will all be housed there,” Hofmeister adds.

In the statewide portal available at oklaschools.com, she says, parents can track information about their child’s strengths and weaknesses to inform how they support their child in the summer or during the new academic school year. Th is student portal resides within the chosen school’s platform.

“It gives our parents greater opportunities to be engaged in their own child’s learning,” she says. “We believe when we think about success for Oklahoma students, we have to think about the whole child, the whole school and the whole community — all of those levels must be involved and we think it all starts with family,” she says.

Parents will need to have their student’s 10-digit testing ID number to access the information. Some districts also have their own portals.

New in May, the website sde.ok.gov now has free parent guides for all subjects, pre-K through sixth grade. “Th is gives our parents ideas on the high-level look of what’s expected to be taught during these grade levels and how they can support that learning at home,” Hofmeister says.

Regardless of a family’s educational choices, she encourages parents to get involved with their student’s school and stay engaged all year long.

“It’s always best to find out from their teacher the best way to connect throughout the week or the year — that might be through email or text message or visiting in person, but it’s always best to establish that line of communication early so that we can all be working together to support our students.” TP

5666 EAST 81ST STREET, TULSA • 918.481.1111 • HOLL ANDHALL.ORG

Holland Hall

I

t can be challenging to find the right school for a child who’s becoming someone new every day. As Tulsa’s only Pre-K through Grade 12 independent Episcopal school, Holland Hall strives to offer all a child needs for all they’re becoming. The school’s intentionally small-scale approach means each child’s teachers truly know who they are and where their strengths and passions lie. An ambitious curriculum and extraordinary extracurriculars widen horizons, uncover hidden talents, and awaken unexpected interests.

“Students find it all at Holland Hall,” says Director of Enrollment Management Justin Butler.

Holland Hall’s commitment to excellence can be seen across many metrics. Holland Hall has average scores of 1366 on the SAT and 27 on the ACT, the highest in Oklahoma compared to other 4-year high schools. Additionally, 100 percent of graduates attend a 4-year college, and 90 percent of graduates receive a significant college scholarship.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1922 ENROLLMENT: 987 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 9-to-1 GRADES: Early Pre-K–12th grade

Holland Hall students have opportunities beyond the classroom, too. The Upper School offers 62 different art courses, 18 individual and team sports, and more than 30 clubs.

A Holland Hall education may be more affordable than expected. Pre-K tuition is up to $3,000 less per year than other comparable local programs, and 31 percent of all students receive some form of tuition assistance.

“We believe that the best way to learn what makes Holland Hall different is to visit our 162-acre campus and see for yourself,” says Butler.

In addition to private tours, the school offers an open house every other week on “Welcome Wednesdays.” To learn more, visit www.hollandhall.org/open-house or email justin.butler@ hollandhall.org.

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION Our Holland Hall is the only Cum Laude Society School in Tulsa.

Colleges see having a Cum Laude Society chapter as a critical mark of academic excellence.

Playtime today.

Strong skills tomorrow.

At first glance, it’s just children in a sandbox — hands and toes digging, sand swirling in the sunshine.

But on closer inspection, it’s one piece of an intricately connected lesson plan designed by Holland Hall’s early learning experts to stretch from play to critical thinking, social skills, leadership, and decision-making. It’s one piece of a strong, holistic educational foundation that is uniquely crafted in the Holland Hall Primary School.

WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PREK–GRADE 3 PROGRAM? Our Primary School Director of Admission Amber Graybill is here to help!

Contact her at agraybill@hollandhall.org or (918)481-1111 OR visit www.hollandhall.org/ps.

Tulsa’s PreK through Grade 12 Independent Episcopal School

2520 SOUTH YORK TOWN AVENUE, TULSA • 918.746.2604 • CASCIAHALL.COM

Cascia Hall Preparatory School C

ascia Hall has a storied history — a legacy of achievement, excellence and honor spanning more than 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.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1926 ENROLLMENT: 549 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.

46

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

For more than 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.

6363 SOUTH TRENTON AVENUE • 918.745.9868 • METROCA.ORG

Metro Christian Academy “W

e like to say around here that you can tell a lot about something by its name,” says Keith Currivean, Ph.D., Head of School at Metro Christian Academy. “Metro is where we are, Academy is what we are, and Christian is who and how and why we are.”

Located on a 60-acre campus at East 63rd Street and South Trenton Avenue, Metro Christian Academy is an independent Christian school, serving students age 3 through 12th grade. High school scholars are challenged through enrollment in on-level or honors courses, as well as any of the 14 advanced placement classes offered. College credit also is available through concurrent enrollment classes.

Beyond the books, students can participate in competitive athletics including 11 varsity sports. Fine arts classes include dynamic studio art, drama, band and choir programs. Leadership and Missions classes teach students to lead and serve others.

At the heart of Metro is a sense of community. Students, parents, faculty and staff all work together to educate and nurture students to reach their full potential. “We work to develop this culture in which everyone knows who you are,” says Athletic Director Adam Taylor.

“You are somebody here. You are someone important.” You’re invited to explore the Metro website at metroca.com where you can find more details on curriculum, activities and more.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1983 ENROLLMENT: 915 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 18-to-1 GRADES: P3-12th grade

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION Metro Christian Academy is pleased to launch its first Spanish Immersion class this fall in pre-Kindergarten. Students become bilingual by learning subject content in Spanish. This includes bible, history, language arts, science and math.

LEARN MORE ABOUT METRO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Join us for an

OPEN HOUSE Sunday, September 22 2pm - 4pm Register online at visitmetro.com METRO CHRISTIAN ACADEMY Serving students P3-12 6363 S. Trenton Ave., Tulsa, OK 74136 918.745.9868 | metroca.com

TulsaPeople.com

47

2206 SOUTH LEWIS AVENUE, TULSA • 918.742.336 4 • MONTECASSINO.ORG

Monte Cassino School A

s an independent, Benedictine Catholic school, Monte Cassino’s teachers, parents and students work together to educate each student as a child of God in innovative ways that challenge the mind, grow the heart and nurture the spirit. This is evident in the strong curriculum, low student-to-teacher ratio, small class sizes, foreign language programs, abundant enrichment and extra-curricular activities such as robotics, academic bowl, athletics, fine arts and more. From the social/emotional experiential learning in the preschool to the diverse class accommodations in the middle school, your student will thrive here. Supported by the legacy of the Benedictine Sisters, Monte Cassino School provides students with a welcoming and distinctly wellrounded Catholic education.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1926 ENROLLMENT: 750 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 10-to-1 GRADES: Pre-K3-8th grade 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.

As an independent, Benedictine Catholic school, Monte Cassino’s teachers, parents and students work together to educate each student as a child of God in innovative ways that challenge the mind, grow the heart and nurture the spirit. With over $1,000,000 in financial assistance available, your student can be an MC Saint!

48

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

 Small class sizes

 French, Spanish and Latin

 Diverse curriculum

 Strong extra-curricular program:

 Music and arts



Robotics, Drone Class

 Social/Emotional learning



Coding, Rocketry, Arts,

 Middle school Honors Program



Makerspace, HW+ & more

24 33 WEST 61ST STREET, TULSA • 918.4 46.3553 • RIVERFIELD.ORG

Riverfield Country Day School R

iverfield is a nonsectarian school providing quality innovative education for children 8 weeks old through 12th grade. Celebrating its 35th year, Riverfield is dedicated to academic excellence and college preparation while remaining true to its family-oriented atmosphere and whole-student approach to education and learning.

Riverfield provides authentic, experiential learning in a student-centered environment in which individuality is valued. Small class sizes, along with the collaborative nature of the 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.

Riverfield is home to the state’s first and most comprehensive school rock band program, with more than a dozen bands comprised of 4th-12th grade students.

Through participation in the OSSAA, the school has achieved success in athletics, academics, extracurriculars and arts.

Riverfield is accredited through the Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS), the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Oklahoma Private Schools Accreditation Commission.

YEAR FOUNDED: 1984

AREAS OF ACADEMIC DISTINCTION

ENROLLMENT: 625 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO: 4-to-1 to 16-to-1 (based on age/ grade level) GRADES: Infants-12th grade

Located on a 120-acre campus, Riverfield’s students experience the barnyard, hiking trails, gardens and athletic fields as an extension of the academic excellence found in the classroom.

collaborators

artists

creators performers

writers difference-makers

environmentalists innovators

thinkers researchers

readers

athletes

communicators

problem-solvers

scientists

investigators

leaders

riverfield.org 918.446.3553 TulsaPeople.com

49

"Congratulations to TCC for 50 years...

...providing a great education for the many students who have attended TCC. The Aviation program is one of the best flight training programs in the United States."

— Bill Christiansen

President Christiansen Aviation Inc.

• Tulsa Community College’s (TCC) aviation program was formally established in 1992 and is currently offering degree paths in Professional Pilot, Air Traffic Control, and a certificate in Aircraft Dispatch

• TCC’s Professional Pilot program is an FAA approved 141 flight training program • TCC’s Professional Pilot degree program is approved for the FAA Restricted Airline Transport Pilot program

• In 2008 the aviation program was approved by the FAA to be one of only thirty-six schools

in the nation to be authorized as an official Collegiate Training Initiative for Air Traffic Control

• TCC has invested over $1.4M in assets for air traffic control simulation • TCC’s aviation program is the only school in the State of Oklahoma to have an FAA approved Aircraft Dispatch Certificate program.

• In 2016, TCC’s Aviation Center was relocated to a newly renovated state-of-the-art training facility at the Richard L. Jones Jr. Airport

• TCC operates technically advanced aircraft flying the latest Garmin G/1000 equipment • For the fall 2019 semester, TCC’s aviation program is experiencing record enrollment to support the historic hiring demand in the aviation industry

• TCC’s Aviation Center utilizes a full-motion flight training simulator, crosswind trainer and a static G/1000 trainer for flight trainingt

200 Lear Jet Lane • 918-298-6650 • christiansenaviation.com

TULSA COMMUNIT Y COLLEGE 1970 -2020 Celebrating student success for 50 years

The TCC Owasso Community Campus opened in 2013.

TCC milestones FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS TO F O U N D AT I O N A L INSTITUTION

52

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

When Tulsa Junior College offered its first classes in 1970, the response was larger than anticipated.

Some students brought pillows and lawn chairs to class because the college didn’t initially order enough chairs.

Tulsa leaders created the College in response to community demand. They just didn’t know the demand was going to be bring-your-own-lawnchair big.

“From its inception to its impact today, Tulsa Community College has met its students where they are, working to shape and develop them as they learn,” says Tulsa Community College President and CEO Leigh B. Goodson, Ph.D. “In our 50-year history, TCC has educated generations of Tulsans. And, in doing so, TCC has helped to define Tulsa itself.”

TCC, or Tulsa Junior College as it was known in the beginning, would grow from one campus with 2,800 students to a multi-campus college serving more than 24,000 students each year. In

the first five years, enrollment grew to 6,169 for fall 1975, and the graduating class grew from 11 to 444.

“TJC saw rapid and immediate growth,” Goodson says. “The College was fulfilling a need for our region, and students responded to what was offered in numbers beyond what the founders’ thought were even possible.”

GROWTH In 1974, the College purchased the Sinclair Oil Building and adjacent property to serve as a permanent location for the Metro Campus. To make that happen, the Oklahoma Legislature gave $2.5 million, but it wasn’t enough. The City of Tulsa and Tulsa Mayor Robert LaFortune came to the rescue with an additional $456,000. The entire sixfloor structure was remodeled over the next two years.

Our founder, Chuck Schnake, teaching at TCC.

- Schnake Turnbo Frank

Student life at the Tulsa Community College Metro Campus

TCC had more than 3,000 students enrolled in online courses, telecourses broadcast on local TV and interactive television courses. By 2015, TCC offered a total of 32 associate degrees and certificates that could be completed fully online and had more than 7,000 students enroll in TCC online and distance learning courses each semester.

“As online course options increased in the late ’90s, education could be packaged not just for working adults, but for working adults with families,” Goodson says. “With online courses, TCC historically sees the highest online traffic between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., after kids are in bed and a parent has time to do the coursework and study.”

I N N O VAT I O N

HEAR FROM TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT AND CEO LEIGH GOODSON ON THE AUG. 7 PODCAST EPISODE.

The 1979 opening of the Northeast Campus had enough chairs, but stories circulated of students having to push cars out of muddy parking lots because there wasn’t enough money to pave the lots. In 1981, TCC acquired an 80-acre site on East 81st Street between South Mingo and Garnett roads for the Southeast Campus, which opened in 1984. Enrollment continued to increase with students reaching nearly 19,000 by 1989. A land gift from Stephen J. Jatras in 1990 would become the West Campus, which opened in 1996.

“Our growth has allowed us to reach so many students across a large footprint,” Goodson says.

“TCC has served more than 433,775 individuals to date and had nearly 4 million course enrollments since the College started in 1970.”

For nearly five decades, TCC has had a significant positive impact on the business community, Goodson says. A recent economic impact report showed TCC and its students brought $919.9 million into the greater Tulsa-area economy, approximately equal to 1.9% of the total gross regional product.

54

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

“We are proud of the graduates we produce who make an immediate impact on the Tulsa community,” Goodson says. “We’re equally proud to be an economic engine for Tulsa.”

A D VA N TA G E I N O P T I O N S TCC is a leader in delivering college courses to meet demand in the Tulsa community, often utilizing new concepts or methods in Oklahoma. In 1979, the College added distance learning, or telecourses, to supplement on-campus instructional programs. A decade later, Gayle Graham would be recognized as the 20,000th telecourse student.

“TCC acts as a disruptor by offering flexibility when universities did not or could not,” Goodson says. “Thousands of students have completed their degrees because we provide flexible options for their busy lives.”

In 1997, more than 1,600 students completed requirements for graduation. The College began offering online courses in 1998 and by 2001,

Innovation continued as the College started initiatives that are now commonplace in the state.

TCC’s Attend College Early (ACE) program was an early version of today’s dual credit/concurrent enrollment and has gained acceptance throughout Oklahoma. ACE, a free tuition program for up to 1,000 high school students, was about accessibility and introduced college to high school students.

“We made higher education affordable and accessible,” Goodson says. “It wasn’t just about the cost of tuition; it was being able to attend college and go to work. TCC made the possibility of a college degree and a better job easier for a larger number of people than the traditional university.”

TCC again transformed college accessibility with Tulsa Achieves. Created in 2007, TCC led the national discussion on access as it provided a path to higher education for thousands of Tulsa County high school graduates. TCC is Oklahoma’s largest provider of online instruction and enrolls the highest number of dual enrollment students of any institution in Oklahoma.

TCC continues to elevate the way it serves students and, as Oklahoma’s largest provider of transfer students, the College launched the Tulsa Transfer Project with regional partners Langston University, Northeastern State University, Oklahoma State University, the University of Oklahoma, Rogers State University and the University of Tulsa. This is a collaborative effort to improve the success of transfer students and the first initiative of its kind in Oklahoma. The Tulsa Transfer Project, sponsored locally by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, is working with the John N. Gardner Institute for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that partners with higher education institutions to improve student outcomes.

“Over and over, TCC has been a leader as well as a partner with other higher education institutions and businesses and industries to produce students who are ready for the workforce with skills and abilities that translate immediately and directly,” Goodson says. “We’ve been producing quality graduates for 50 years now, and we will continue to do more and more. We’re proud of where we’ve been, and we are still excited for what’s to come.”

Congratulations to all of the dedicated Congratulations to all of the dedicated professionals at Tulsa Community College professionals at Tulsa Community College ononcelebrating 50 years of inspiring celebrating 50 years of inspiring student You are areproof proofthat that studentachievement. achievement. You exemplary can unleash unleashthe the exemplaryleadership leadership can ambition, potentialininour our ambition,passion passion and and potential students.

50years yearsofof students.Here’s Here’sto to another another 50 changinglives livesthrough through education! changing education!

-Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation

-Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation

PRESIDENTIAL ACCOMPLIS

President Alfred M. Philips

President Dean VanTrease

President Tom McKeon

FOUNDING PRESIDENT, 1969-1989

1989-2004; EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, 1969-1989

2004-2014; STARTED AS A HORTICULTURE INSTRUCTOR IN 1980

HEALTH SCIENCES EMPHASIS

EXPANDING ACCESS

VISIONARY LEADERSHIP

After a national search, the Tulsa Junior College Board of Regents asked Alfred M. Philips, Ph.D., who had been vice chancellor at Dallas County Community College since 1966, to become the founding president of Tulsa Junior College. Philips became known for his visionary leadership that established forward thinking in creating a junior college that would be open to all, crossing barriers of gender, cultural and academic diversity. His first hires were Dean VanTrease, executive vice president, and Robert Melott, vice president of computer services and data systems. These longtime close relationships have been described as part of the “magic formula” for the success of Tulsa Junior College.

SERVANT LEADERSHIP

Philips and his colleagues worked long, hard hours to accomplish things that many said couldn’t be done. They faced repeated opposition from local and state officials. An early demonstration of their servant leadership was when a leak (potentially from a fire sprinkler) on the third floor threatened to flood additional floors. The president and his vice presidents, still in their business suits, grabbed mops and buckets to take care of the problem.

EDUCATION FOR ALL

In 1977 TJC opened a center that offered a variety of academic support services and adaptive technology for students with disabilities. Student services expanded when the Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing opened in 1982. The resource center provides sign language interpreters, tutors, speech-to-text services and assistive listening devices. Now named the Education Access Center, it is the first stop to qualify students for educational accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. 56

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

With the opening of the Alfred M. Philips Health Sciences Center on the Metro Campus, TJC expanded opportunities to meet workforce needs for Nursing, Dental Hygiene Assistant and other Allied Health fields. As part of the new facility, the Dental Hygiene Clinic opened providing community members access to low-cost dental hygiene services and a hands-on learning lab for dental hygiene students. TCC also announced the Natalie O. Warren Chair of Nursing, its first endowed chair funded by the Saint Francis Hospital Auxiliary with a matching grant from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER FOR EDUCATION

The Performing Arts Center for Education (PACE) on the Southeast Campus allowed the College to expand its music, theater and arts academic programs with the addition of a 1,500seat performance hall and adjoining classrooms.

The PACE was named for President VanTrease in 2000, which followed a 2003 expansion phase adding stage production laboratories, sound recording and teaching studios. It became the home of TCC’s performing arts programs as well as the Oklahoma Sinfonia, now Signature Symphony, a professional orchestra-in-residence for the College.

CHANGING THE NAME

TJC became known as Tulsa Community College in 1996 to reflect the College’s role in providing quality education for the community and its citizens. Throughout VanTrease’s role as president, he emphasized cooperative education in Tulsa with model educational partnership programs like Tulsa’s Aviation Education Alliance, Career Partners Inc., IndEx Inc., EMERGE, Tulsa Training Coalition and the Tulsa Summer Academies.

Under President McKeon’s leadership, TCC started several initiatives designed to increase access to college that would be adopted across the state and U.S. Through several pilot programs and partnerships, TCC led the state in delivering college classes to high school students. In fact, research from one of the pilots shaped the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s policy on concurrent enrollment. Studies show that completing college courses while still in high school increases the college graduation rate while helping to decrease student debt. To date, TCC is the largest provider in Oklahoma of dual credit for concurrently enrolled high school students.

Additionally, McKeon led the creation of the nationally recognized Tulsa Achieves program, which has served as a model for other communities such as Knoxville, Tennessee. Tulsa Achieves pays tuition and fees for eligible high school graduates to earn a degree without going into debt. Today, Tulsa Achieves has provided a path to college for nearly 20,000 students and more than 650,000 hours of volunteer community service.

TULSA FIRE REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER

McKeon oversaw the planning and construction of the Tulsa Fire Regional Training Center on the TCC Northeast Campus. Jointly funded and in collaboration with the City of Tulsa, it was developed from 20 years of work with the Tulsa Fire Department, as well as other municipal fire departments in the area. Today, the training center provides an enriched education environment for students in TCC’s Fire and Emergency Services program, one of the College’s original degree programs.

SHMENTS

President Leigh Goodson 2014-PRESENT PATHWAYS PROJECT

TCC’s participation in Pathways Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the American Association of Community Colleges, redesigned the way the College operates.

TCC incorporated the Pathways framework and 19 essential practices into its five-year Strategic Plan. The Pathways Project’s goal is to increase the number of graduates and ultimately feed the economy with a ready workforce that meets the needs of local employers and business.

OVERHAULING THE STUDENT ENROLLMENT AND ADVISING EXPERIENCE

Goodson oversaw the initiative to reduce the student-to-academic advisor ratio to 350-to-1 which led to improvements in fall-to-fall retention rates, especially for first-time underrepresented minority students — going from 54% to 63%.

Because of this effort, TCC was named one of 10 finalists for the Bellwether Award in the Planning, Governance and Finance category for overhauling the student enrollment and advising experience and creating clearer paths for students to succeed in higher education.

CLEARING THE PATHWAY

TCC kicked off the public phase of Clearing the Pathway: The Campaign for Completion, the largest fundraising campaign in TCC’s history on Sept. 27, 2018. The Campaign raised $20 million in private funds to support student scholarships, academic advisors, Student Success Centers, science lab renovations and diversity and inclusion outreach. The multi-year campaign, at its core, is about graduating more students by removing financial, navigational and physical barriers.

In 2016, the Riverside Community Campus and Aviation Center opened at R.L. Jones Jr. Riverside Airport.

FILLING THE WORKPL ACE EMPLOYEE GAP How TCC became the ‘MIT of the southwest’ Business and higher education traditionally have a symbiotic relationship. Colleges and universities produce graduates with the education and skills employers need to fill positions in the workforce.

From the beginning, TCC has focused on workforce development. As far back as its Tulsa Junior College roots, the College took on a major role in providing corporate training.

At that time, technology was rapidly changing the workplace, so TJC crafted classes and programs to enhance work skills to keep pace. American Airlines placed SABRE, a computer reservation system, in Tulsa because of an early agreement with TJC. “American Airlines had folks they would fly in to be trained at TJC. It was a success,” says Pete Selden, TCC vice president of workforce development. “That concept became a model that was noticed worldwide, and it really put TJC on a global stage. Industry leaders acknowledged our work as a partner to develop skilled and knowledgeable employees, and that remains true today.”

The collaboration was so strong that a decade later, a publication from American Airlines’ SABRE system referred to TJC as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology of the southwest for computer education. A partnership followed with IBM that culminated in the Computer Integrated Manufacturing/Enterprise Center on the Northeast Campus. At one point, the College offered 130 different classes in computer sciences.

“From day one, workforce development was a foundational focus for us and remains an integral part of what TCC does today,” Selden says. “TCC is intentional in developing students to meet marketplace demands. We use a combination of workforce certificates and associate degrees to meet an individual’s short-term or long-term goals. We provide customized training, based on industry feedback, to help prepare a workforce for our local companies.”

In 1986, TCC established the International Language Center with instruction in 13 languages, including English as a Second Language and American Sign Language. With a workforce focus, the Language Center trained long-distance operators for AT&T, international reservation agents for Avis, architects designing international stores for Walmart, missionaries to Russia and medical personnel.

“In addition to working with local companies, we collaborate with other education institutions,” Selden says. “We have designed programs to address the skills that employers say are missing in the workforce. In some cases, such as manufacturing, we are able to package those credentials as the groundwork for a college degree. We also are working to get students started earlier in workforcecentered training so they can get on pathways to employment and a college degree.”

A recent study, commissioned by TCC, showed 90% of TCC’s graduates live and work in the greater Tulsa area. Currently, TCC offers 38 degree programs and 37 certificate programs designed for students to go directly into the workforce. Advisory committees made up of private sector and employer partners provide TCC with industry-specific knowledge as well as provide feedback on the skills our graduates need in the workplace. Approximately 320 individual companies are represented on the advisory committees.

“We know there is a growing skills gap in industry and business,” Selden says, “and we’re staying committed to our founding principle of providing the Tulsa-area with an educated and prepared workforce.”

TulsaPeople.com

57

Tulsa Community Coll 1969 Tulsa Junior College is established and Alfred M. Philips, Ph.D., is appointed as TJC’s founding president.

1970 TJC opens to its first class of 2,796 students on three floors of leased space in the Sinclair Oil Building.

1971 TJC’s first graduation awards degrees to 11 students on May 28, 1971. The TJC student newspaper publishes its first edition on Oct. 19, 1971.

1972 TJC’s first nursing class Capping Ceremony is held.

1975 Enrollment at TJC has more than doubled to 6,169 students.

58

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

1976 In just five years, the graduating class grows to 444 students. To streamline student services, the College adds computer-assisted career counseling and instruction programs to provide students with help outside the classroom.

1977 Fully committed to accessible higher education for all, the College opens what later becomes known as the Education Access Center.

1984 The Southeast Campus opens. TJC’s total enrollment stands at an all-time high of 15,756.

1989 After 20 years, TJC’s founding president, Alfred M. Philips retires. Dean P. VanTrease, Ph.D., is named president.

1979 The Northeast Campus opens. TJC adds telecourses to supplement on-campus instructional programs as enrollment exceeds 9,000.

1990 The College announces its first endowed chair, the Natalie O. Warren Chair of Nursing, funded by the Saint Francis Auxiliary with a matching grant from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. The Alfred M. Philips Health Sciences Center is dedicated at Metro Campus.

1981 TJC becomes the third largest institution of higher education in the state, behind only Oklahoma State University and the University of Oklahoma.

1992 TJC graduate Carol Johnson is the College’s first Academic All-American Scholar, a recognition awarded by Phi Theta Kappa and USA Today.

1982 Continuing its commitment to provide college access for all students, TJC develops what later becomes the Resource Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.

1996 Tulsa Junior College changes its name to Tulsa Community College. The College unveils the new Performing Arts Center for Education and the TCC West Campus opens.

lege through the years 1999 Responding to area needs for qualified veterinarian technicians, TCC creates the Veterinary Technology program in 1999.

2009 The TCC Air Traffic Control Program opens at the R.L. Jones Jr. Riverside Airport. The Center for Creativity at Metro Campus opens.

2001 Oklahoma Sinfonia becomes the professional orchestra-in-residence for the College. The name is changed to Signature Symphony at TCC.

2010 Leaders from TCC, Tulsa Tech, Oklahoma State University-Tulsa, the University of OklahomaTulsa, Oral Roberts University and the University of Tulsa form the Tulsa Alliance for Engineering, which later becomes the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance. TCC launches its first dual credit classes for concurrently enrolled high school students.

2004 President Dean P. VanTrease announces his retirement and TCC selects Thomas K. McKeon, Ph.D. to replace him. TCC announces Attend College Early free tuition program for up to 1,000 high school students who concurrently enroll at TCC. 2007 The Health Sciences and Biotechnology Learning Center at Southeast Campus opens and is one of the first completed Vision 2025 projects. TCC announces the Tulsa Achieves program to provide up to 40 hours of college credit for Tulsa County graduating seniors at no cost. TCC opens the Educational Outreach Center in east Tulsa.

2013 The TCC Owasso Community Campus opens in the newly completed Tulsa Tech Owasso Campus.

2014 President Thomas K. McKeon announces his retirement and TCC names Leigh B. Goodson, Ph.D., as his replacement. The Nate Waters Physical Therapy Clinic opens on the Metro Campus.

2015 The Tulsa Fire Safety Training Center opens at the Northeast Campus. The College is selected as one of 30 community colleges nationwide to join Pathways, an initiative funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and led by the American Association of Community Colleges.

2016 The Riverside Community Campus and Aviation Center opens at R.L. Jones Jr. Riverside Airport.

2017 Corrections Education has record enrollments with TCC’s participation in a Pell Grant pilot program by the U.S. Department of Education to support incarcerated individuals as part of TCC’s Second Chance program.

2018 TCC, along with regional partners Langston University, Northeastern State University, Oklahoma State University, Rogers State University, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Tulsa join forces for the Tulsa Transfer Project to help improve success of transferring from TCC to any of these four-year institutions without losing credit hours.

TulsaPeople.com

59

Serving all students T C C ’ S A S L E D U C AT I O N PROGRAM SETS S TA N D A R D , C R E AT E S LASTING BONDS

Lisa Riley entered Tulsa Community College right after high school, but she didn’t need a campus tour or directions to her classes.

“My mom started at TCC at the beginning in 1970 as a school nurse,” Riley says. “She worked there from before I was born until her retirement more than 30 years later.”

During her mother’s career, Bobbie Woodward worked her way up to be the director of the Allied Health Program and the Dean of Instruction of TCC’s West Campus. In addition, she was instrumental in the development of TCC’s American Sign Language Education program, which gives TCC students an opportunity to acquire an understanding of the deaf community as part of human diversity, and acquire American Sign Language skills.

Woodward, knowing her daughter’s passion for people, guided Riley to the ASL Education program. Riley immediately fell in love.

“I loved being a part of the deaf community,” Riley says. “Going to TCC was a better transition for me, and I felt like the ASL program made me grow up tremendously. It made me be an adult. It

taught me a lot of life lessons and opened me up to learning things I had never thought about before.”

She says TCC provided her with the best possible education, noting the program is held in high esteem throughout the ASL community.

“It is just one of the best programs in the nation,” Riley says. “When we would go to conferences, people looked at us like we were royalty because our degrees were from TCC.” Inclusion and meeting the needs of all students has been a focus of TCC since its inception.

The ASL Education courses are designed with appreciation of deaf culture and the language. And along with the associate degrees in American Sign Language, which produce graduates able to serve the deaf community, TCC has two resource centers designed to assist individuals with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing is committed to communication access for all by providing sign language interpreters, tutors, speech-to-text services and assistive listening devices. The Education Access Center manages academic support resources for students with other types of disabilities. Both centers serve about 350 students each semester.

After graduating from TCC, Riley went to Oklahoma State University, earning a degree in speech pathology. Now back in Tulsa after a stint in Houston, Riley currently owns Pinot’s Palette, where guests create artwork with friends. She says that despite a career shift, her passion for the ASL program and connection to the faculty and

Champions of education From the beginning, TJC leaders understood the power of education to change lives and were champions of education for the community. TJC hired faculty from the Tulsa area. Oral Roberts, a public supporter of TJC, allowed full-time ORU faculty to teach as adjunct faculty at TJC. Championing education by TJC leaders would also extend to TJC helping other higher education institutions get started in Tulsa such as the Oklahoma College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Oklahoma School of Medicine and Langston with whatever was needed at the time, including sharing facilities.

Achievements in the classroom included five TCC faculty recognized as the Oklahoma Professor of the Year by the Council on the Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

• Kay Miller, Assistant Professor of English, 1994 • Carla Thompson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Mathematics, 1995 • Sally Bright, Assistant Professor of English, 1998 • Phoebe Baker, Assistant Professor of Psychology, 2004 • Mary Phillips, Associate Professor of Biology, 2013

60

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

Lisa Riley

professors remain strong. When her mother died several years ago, she says she was touched when so many of her former professors came to pay their respects.

“My instructors and my mentors all showed up at my mother’s funeral even though it had been years since I had graduated,” she says. “It spoke to how much heart they have and how much they invest and follow up with their students.”

Riley says TCC gave her more than just an education. It created a lifelong connection with a community outside her own, and friends and mentors for life.

“What more could you ask for?” Riley says.

“TCC gave me a foundation for life.” TP

Seven TCC students have been awarded the largest private scholarship for community college transfer students in the country, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship.

• 2005: Linda Siegmann • 2007: Jolie Olsen • 2007: Stephanie Makaula • 2008: Rose Lynch • 2014: James (Jim) Presley • 2014: Michelle Harris • 2016: Dallas Elleman TCC is part of a national initiative, the Pathways Project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and led by American Association of Community Colleges, to raise graduation rates across the country. TCC was one of the 30 community colleges in the country selected to join the project in 2015.

Editor’s note: Special thanks to Tulsa Community College for this section’s content development.

THANK YOU, TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE…

Community.

Dedication. Vision.

…we are proud to be your partner in providing the college cutting-edge technology to save money and backing it up with A+ support and service. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you with our team of engineers, technicians and consultants.

Grant Thornton congratulates Tulsa Community College on their 50th Anniversary.

Tulsa Sales Manager Ben Berghall and Oklahoma Market President Alan Webb

© 2019 Grant Thornton LLP | All rights reserved | U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd

7231 East 41st Street 918-585-8686 www.ImageNet.com

Congratulations TCC www.AAON.com/Careers

Heating and Cooling Products

2425 S. Yukon. Ave., Tulsa, OK

TulsaPeople.com

61

Celebrating TCC’s 50 Years of Excellence

ENRICHING LIVES & BUILDING COMMUNITY THROUGH EDUCATION

Congrats on 50 years!

W W W.KKT A R CH IT E CT S .CO M

Lamar is a proud supporter of Tulsa Community College.

LamarTulsa.com

62

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

Congratulations Tulsa Community College on 50 years of making our community stronger.

C ONGR AT U L ATIONS TO TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON

50 Y EARS OF STUDENT SUCCESS!

Delivering natural gas for a better tomorrow.

OneGas.com

ONE Gas TCC 50 ad.indd 1

7/18/19 11:47 AM

VISION IN EDUCATION LEADERSHIP AWARD DINNER 6 p.m.

Thursday, September 19 Cox Business Center Honoring

Commissioner Karen Keith District 2 For more information, contact the TCC Foundation at (918) 595-7836 or visiondinner@tulsacc.edu

TulsaCC.edu/VisionDinner TulsaPeople.com

63

October 18-26, 2019 Tulsa Performing Arts Center Doenges Theatre

December 12-23, 2019 Tulsa Performing Arts Center Williams Theatre

May 1-9, 2020 Tulsa Performing Arts Center Doenges Theatre

March 20-28, 2020 Tulsa Performing Arts Center Doenges Theatre

TAKE THE

STAGE

Mark your calendars for this year’s performing arts events.

BY KAYLIE COTTEN, MADELINE EWING AND JUDY LANGDON

Every Saturday:

6-7 • The Wonderful Music of Oz

Sept. 8, 2019-May 10, 2020

6-8, 13-15 • Fairytale Misfits

“The Drunkard” and the Olio presented by Tulsa Spotlight Theatre, Spotlight Theatre

Second Sunday Series presented

by Heller Theatre Co. Studio 308

AUGUST

1 • Michael Cavanaugh: The Music of Billy Joel and Elton John Tulsa Performing Arts Center Cavanaugh Productions

7 • Brown Bag It: Tulsa PAC Staff Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa PAC Trust

9-11, 16-18 • The Wizard of Oz Broken Arrow Community Playhouse

12-22 • Creations in Studio K Studio K Tulsa Ballet

13 • Alexandra Cousteau’s This Blue Planet: Restoring Natural Abundance and Diversity to the Earth Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Town Hall

13-15, 20-22 • Picasso at the Lapin Agile Tulsa Performing Arts Center Theatre Tulsa

14 • Opening Night Gala Concert with Rachel Barton Pine

10 • The Wiggle Party Time Tour!

20-21 • Project Alice

20-25, 27-31, Sept. 1, 3-8 • Hamilton

21-22 • American Brass Quintet

22-25 • Heller Shorts: Now and Then

24-29 • Les Misérables

Tulsa Performing Arts Center The Wiggles Live

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Celebrity Attractions

Henthorne Performing Arts Center Heller Theatre Co.

23-25 • TBII: On Your Radar

Studio K and Zarrow Performance Studio Tulsa Ballet

SEPTEMBER 1 • Mamma Mia!

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Theatre Tulsa

5-8 • She Likes Girls MATTHEW MURPHY

Tulsa Spotlight Theatre Spotlight Children’s Theatre

9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31 • Mamma Mia! Tulsa Performing Arts Center Theatre Tulsa

Tulsa Performing Arts Center OK World Stage Theatre Co. Les Misérables

VanTrease PACE Signature Symphony

6 • Symphony in the Park

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Symphony

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Portico Dance Theatre

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Chamber Music Tulsa

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Celebrity Attractions

27 • Fridays in the Loft: Chamber Music I Fly Loft Tulsa Symphony

27 • Miss Nelson Has a Field Day Tulsa Performing Arts Center PAC Trust

27 • Peter and the Wolf Studio K Tulsa Ballet

28 • Tchaikovsky 5 VanTrease PACE Signature Symphony

Guthrie Green Tulsa Symphony

TulsaPeople.com

65

25-27, 31 • Little Shop of Horrors

5 • Bandstand

15-17 • Legally Blonde

25, 27 • Carmen

7-10, 15-17 • Love, Loss and What I Wore

15-17, 22-24 • Peter and the Wolf

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Project Theatre

3-6 • 39 Steps

VanTrease PACE TCC Theatre Department

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Opera

4 • Dr. Ann Kulze: The Happiness Diet

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Town Hall

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse

5 • Debussy’s Images

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Symphony

Tulsa Performing Arts Center American Theatre Co.

8 • Dragons Love Tacos and other Stories

26 • Choral Colors of the Continents Cascia Hall Performing Arts Center Tulsa Oratorio Chorus

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Ballet

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Choregus Productions

NOVEMBER

9-13 • CATS

Dennis R. Neill Equality Center Heller Theatre Co.

11-12, 17-20 • The Drowsy Chaperone Tulsa Performing Arts Center Theatre Tulsa

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Ballet

11-13 • Lysander Piano Trio Tulsa Performing Arts Center Chamber Music Tulsa

18-19 • The Golden Age of Greenwood

VanTrease PACE Signature Symphony

VanTrease PACE Signature Symphony

CHAMBER MUSIC TULSA

CELEBR ATES 66 YEARS Miró Quartet

9 • Annie Moses Band: From Copland to Cash

30 • Grady Nichols Christmas Show

14 • Napoleon Dynamite

DECEMBER

VanTrease PACE TCC Theatre Department

2 • Mozart Prague Symphony

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Symphony

23 • Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Hodie

14-17 • Fun Home

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Project Theatre

16 • Mozart Piano Concerto No. 24 in C Minor

8-10 • Harlem Quartet

Tulsa Theater, formerly Brady Theater DCF Concerts

1-3 • Little Shop of Horrors

Tulsa Spotlight Theatre Spotlight Children’s Theatre

22 • Robin Sutherland and Carlos Ortega

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

1-3 • Giselle

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Theatre Tulsa Academy

8 • Peter and the Wolf

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Chamber Music Tulsa

1-2, 8-10 • The Deaths of Sybil Bolton

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Celebrity Attractions

Tulsa Performing Arts Center PAC Trust

Zarrow Performance Studio Tulsa Ballet

31 • Giselle

5 • RIOULT Dance NY

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

Tulsa Performing Arts Center OK World Stage Theatre Co.

18-26 • What the Butler Saw

4-6, 11-13 • War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast

66

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Celebrity Attractions

15 • Robert Edsel: The Greatest Treasure Hunt in History Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Town Hall

Fly Loft Tulsa Symphony

First Baptist Church Tulsa Oratorio Chorus

Tulsa Performing Arts Center ALS Patient Services

6-8, 13-15 • Miracle in Bedford Falls Broken Arrow Community Playhouse

6-8, 13-15, 20-23 • A Christmas Carol

Tulsa Performing Arts Center American Theatre Co.

7 • The Petersens Bluegrass Christmas Tulsa Performing Arts Center

CONTINUED ON P. 68

You might not blend “The Mother Road” with classical music, but Chamber Music Tulsa is revving its musical engines as it begins its milestone anniversary next month with the theme “Celebrating 66 years on Route 66.”

“The obvious correlation to Tulsa’s most famous road inspired us to reflect upon and celebrate the journey Chamber Music Tulsa began in 1954,” says Bruce Sorrell, CMT executive director.

CMT was founded as Concertime Inc. by late Tulsan Rosalie Talbott, a pianist, teacher and graduate of The Juilliard School in New York City. Today it is recognized as one of the premier chamber music presenters in the country.

“We book returning groups that our audience loves and groups we want to introduce to Tulsa,” Sorrell says. “This season, the Miró Quartet returns with its fourth appearance since 2012. The American Brass Quintet and Daedalus Quartet have both been in our series, but it has been a decade or more since their last appearances. We are thrilled to bring the Harlem Quartet, and the McGill/McHale Trio to Tulsa for the first time.”

CMT concerts, Sorrell says, are divided into three categories: Friday Gallery, Saturday Salon and Sunday Afternoon. Friday Gallery tickets are available by subscription or individual sale. Saturday Salon concerts sell out to subscribers, but occasional tickets are turned in. Check with the CMT office for availability.

The PAC’s Kathleen Westby Pavilion is the venue for Saturday nights. Sunday afternoon concerts follow in the PAC’s John H. Williams Theater. “Last year CMT concerts added Friday performance weekends to new venues in the Tulsa Arts District, to “replicate (the Saturday Salon experience) in a different setting,” Sorrell says. “We are offering four this year, two at DUET and two at ahha.”

Major highlights of the 66th season include a “New Year’s Gift” Parthenia Viol Concert, with soprano Sherezade Panthaki, on Jan. 5 at St. John’s Episcopal Church; and an April 23 “progressive concert” in the lobbies of historic downtown buildings, featuring the Akropolis Quintet.

The Miró Quartet asked Chamber Music Tulsa to be part of a group of presenters from around the country to commission a new string quartet from Pulitzer-Prize winning composer Kevin Puts. This new work will be performed on April 5, Sorrell says.

MICHAEL TAD CARTER

OCTOBER

31 • Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Ballet

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Innovation Arts and Entertainment

7 • A Morning with Marlee Matlin and Henry Winkler

13-14 • Christmas in Tulsa

31-Feb. 2 • Daedalus Quartet

8 • Malpaso Dance Co.

FEBRUARY

8 • Mozart and Grieg

7-8, 13-15, 21-22 • The Nutcracker

VanTrease PACE Signature Symphony

20 • Kristin Chenoweth and Sandi Patty Christmas

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

31 • Miss Saigon

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Celebrity Attractions

JANUARY 1-5 • Miss Saigon

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Celebrity Attractions

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Chamber Music Tulsa

11 • Strauss and Schumann Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Symphony

17 • Peter and the Wolf Zarrow Performance Studio Tulsa Ballet

20-22 • Blue Man Group: Speechless Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa PAC Trust, Celebrity Attractions

21 • The Color Purple

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

24 • Ian David Rosenbaum Tulsa Performing Arts Center Choregus Productions

24 • Fridays in the Loft: Chamber Music II Fly Loft Tulsa Symphony

24-26, 31 • Big Bad Musical Tulsa Spotlight Theatre Spotlight Children’s Theatre

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Choregus Productions

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Project Theatre

15 • Kelli O’Hara

1 • Voctave

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Symphony

12-16 • A Doll’s Repertoire: A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen and A Doll’s House Part II by Lucas Hnath

1-2 • Big Bad Musical Tulsa Spotlight Theatre Spotlight Children’s Theatre

6-9 • I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to me by a Young Lady from Rwanda Tulsa Performing Arts Center OK World Stage Theatre Co.

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

28 • Madama Butterfly Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Opera

29, March 1 • Trolls Live!

VanTrease PACE TCC Theatre Department

BOK Center

13-16 • Dorothy and the Prince of Oz

1 • Madama Butterfly

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Ballet

14-15 • Queens of Rock and Soul VanTrease PACE Signature Symphony

St. John’s Episcopal Church Chamber Music Tulsa

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Theatre Tulsa

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Theatre Tulsa

14-23 • Godspell

5 • Parthenia Viol Concert, with Sherezade Panthaki, soprano

10-12, 17-19, 23-26 • The Music Man

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Town Hall

14-16, 20-23 • August: Osage County

85 YEARS OF

From its founding 85 years ago by a small group of women “to enlighten and entertain,” Tulsa Town Hall has broadened its commitment “to open minds and stir curiosities,” says Executive Director Kathy Collins.

TTH has grown from 400 subscribers to its fi rst capacity crowd of over 2,200 in 1980 in Chapman Music Hall.

TTH has been sold out or near capacity for the past five years.

Seasons are planned a year in advance, with individual topics typically planned by guest speakers, working with Tulsa Town Hall’s program committee.

“Speakers must be dynamic, reflect the TTH mission, and they must be diverse, current and within budget,” Collins says. “Occasionally a speaker will be invited to return, particularly if they were popular and their topic remains relevant.”

Tulsa Town Hall’s PAC sessions are only available by subscription, offering open seating; no individual tickets are sold.

In 2018, TTH began evening sessions called “Tulsa Town Hall After Dark,” held once a year at Cascia Hall Preparatory School’s Performing Arts Center. It is “a way to reach beyond the near-capacity Friday morning audience,” Collins says.

To commemorate the 85th season, TTH memories will be projected on the big screen before lectures, as well as noted in issues of Intermission, the PAC’s official magazine. Tickets are available at tulsatownhall.com or by calling 918-749-5965.

TULSA TOWN HALL

Marlee Matlin and Henry Winkler

MARCH

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Opera

6 • Fridays in the Loft: Chamber Music III Fly Loft Tulsa Symphony

6 • Moon Mouse: A Space Odyssey Tulsa Performing Arts Center PAC Trust

6-8 • McGill/McHale Trio Tulsa Performing Arts Center Chamber Music Tulsa

6-8 • Stomp

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Celebrity Attractions

11 • The Choir of Man

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

13-15, 19-22 • A Little Night Music Tulsa Performing Arts Center Theatre Tulsa

13-15, 20-22 • Adventures of Peter Cottontail Tulsa Spotlight Theatre Spotlight Children’s Theatre

14 • Beethoven 5 VanTrease PACE Signature Symphony

14 • Star Wars in Concert Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Symphony

25 • Shostakovich 5

20-22, 27-29 • The Humans

30-31 • Mark Nizer: 4D and Sciencesplosion

20-22, 27-29 • And Then They Came for Me: Remembering the World of Anne Frank

VanTrease PACE Signature Symphony

Tulsa Performing Arts Center PAC Trust

Tulsa Performing Arts Center American Theatre Co.

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse

CONTINUED ON P. 70

68

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

COURTESY TULSA TOWN HALL

CONTINUED FROM P. 66

YOUR NEWEST HOME FOR THE ARTS The curtain goes up at this fall at The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts in Stillwater. Performances are selling out – order your tickets today!

New York Philharmonic with Kelli O’Hara | OCTOBER 11-13 Cirque Mechanics | NOVEMBER 22-23 Preservation Hall Jazz Band | JANUARY 30 The Buddy Holly Story | APRIL 2-3

View the full Inaugural Season lineup at McKnightCenter.org | Box Office: (405) 744-9999

CONTINUED FROM P. 68

26-29 • Vendetta

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Ballet

28 • Finding Neverland

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center

28 • Celebrating Choral Music by Today’s Leading Women Composers Cascia Hall Performing Arts Center Tulsa Oratorio Chorus

APRIL

3 • Peter and the Wolf Studio K Tulsa Ballet

3-4 • Tulsa Sings III: You’re Doin’ Fine, Oklahoma!

VanTrease PACE Signature Symphony

4-5 • Miró Quartet

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Chamber Music Tulsa

7-12 • Anastasia

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Celebrity Attractions

10-12, 16-19 • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Project Theatre

16 • Tulsa Town Hall After Dark with Steve Forbes Cascia Hall Performing Arts Center Tulsa Town Hall

16-19 • Tamora

VanTrease PACE TCC Theatre Department

17 • Insights with Steve Forbes

24-26, 30 • Matilda the Musical Tulsa Performing Arts Center Theatre Tulsa

25 • Mahler The Song of the Earth VanTrease PACE Signature Symphony

26-28 • TBII: Next Generation

Studio K and Zarrow Performance Studio Tulsa Ballet

MAY

1, 3 • Emmeline

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Opera

1-3 • Matilda the Musical Tulsa Performing Arts Center Theatre Tulsa

1-3, 8-9 • An Enemy of the People Tulsa Performing Arts Center American Theatre Co.

7-10 • Signature Series Lorton Performance Center Tulsa Ballet

8-10 • Frozen Jr.

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Theatre Tulsa Academy

9 • Revolutionaries

Cascia Hall Performing Arts Center Tulsa Oratorio Chorus

15 • Peace, Love and Arlo Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Symphony

22-24, 29-31 • Plan 9 From Outer Space

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse

JUNE

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Town Hall

TBA • 25-Hour Play Festival

17-18, 24-26 • Double Feature

3-14 • Frozen

Heller Theatre Co.

Nightingale Theatre Heller Theatre Co.

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Celebrity Attractions

18 • Bloch and Brahms

5-7, 11-14 • Seussical

AMERICAN THEATRE CO.’S

GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY Since its founding in 1970 by Kitty Roberts and former University of Tulsa students Richard Ellis, Robert Odle, Richard Averill and Edward Durnal, American Theatre Co. “has grown to be one of the largest community advocates for theatrical arts in the diverse community of Tulsa,” says Chandler Hayes, ATC’s executive director.

ATC’s fi rst home was an abandoned furniture store at East First and South Main streets. The company spent its fi rst year on the road, with concurrent, sold-out and rave review shows. The Living Arts Center, now Living Arts of Tulsa, was the venue for local performances.

The company became an independent nonprofit in 1977. That same year, ATC’s popular musical version of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” debuted at the Tulsa PAC. In 2013, ATC moved into its own headquarters at 308 S. Lansing Ave., now known as Studio 308. Last April, it merged with Theater Pops.

To celebrate its 50th anniversary, ATC will have a year-long display exhibit at Living Arts of Tulsa, featuring selected costumes worn by its actors and actresses in past productions.

“ATC will kick off the historic season with a spectacular Golden Anniversary Gala at the historic Mayo Hotel on Aug. 3,” Hayes says. “We are really excited about this season as we reflect back on our past but tackle some shows that have never been done in Tulsa.”

VENUES BOK Center 200 S. Denver Ave.

First Baptist Church 403 S. Cincinnati Ave.

Studio K 1212 E. 45th Place

Fly Loft 117 N. Boston Ave., #208

St. John’s Episcopal Church 4200 S. Atlanta Place

Henthorne Performing Arts Center 4825 S. Quaker Ave.

Tulsa Performing Arts Center 110 E. Second St.

Lorton Performance Center 550 S. Gary Place

VanTrease Performing Arts Center for Education (Tulsa Community College) 10300 E. 81st St.

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Symphony

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Tulsa Project Theatre

Tulsa Theater (formerly Brady Theater) 105 W. Reconciliation Way

23 • Akropolis Quintet

16-21 • Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Broken Arrow Community Playhouse 1800 S. Main St.

Downtown locations to be announced.

Chamber Music Tulsa

23-26 • The Revolutionists Tulsa Performing Arts Center OK World Stage Theatre Co.

24 • Fridays in the Loft: Chamber Music IV Fly Loft Tulsa Symphony 70

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

Tulsa Performing Arts Center Celebrity Attractions

JULY

14-19 • Come From Away Tulsa Performing Arts Center Celebrity Attractions TP

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center 701 S. Main St. Cascia Hall Performing Arts Center 2520 S. Yorktown Ave. Dennis R. Neill Equality Center 621 E. Fourth St.

Nightingale Theater 1416 E. Fourth St. Tulsa Spotlight Theatre 1382 Riverside Drive Studio 308 308 S. Lansing Ave.

Zarrow Performance Studio (Tulsa Ballet) 1901 W. New Orleans St., Broken Arrow

UNFORGETTABLE 2019 –2020 SEASON SEPT

6–7 2019

THE WONDERFUL MUSIC OF OZ With Scott Coulter and a trio of New York’s top vocalists

QUEENS OF ROCK FEB 14–15 AND SOUL 2020

2019

CHRISTMAS 13–14 IN TULSA

APR

3–4 2020

DEC

2019

SEPT

28

With Sam Briggs, winner of the 2019 Tulsa Sings! competition, and the Signature Chorale

YOU’RE DOIN’ FINE, OKLAHOMA! Tulsa Sings Rodgers and Hammerstein

TCHAIKOVSKY 5 With Jeff Midkiff, mandolin

2019

MAR

14 2020

MOZART PRAGUE SYMPHONY

APR

2019

With Alejandro Gómez Guillén, conductor, and the Signature Chorale

2020

JAN

SHOSTAKOVICH 5

25

Connecting the Dots — Bringing the Score to Life

NOV

THE GOLDEN AGE OCT 18–19 OF GREENWOOD With Tulsa native Ernie Fields Jr.

With LaKisha Jones

S I G NATU RE CL A SS I CS

2

2020

25

BEETHOVEN 5 With Stephen Goforth, trumpet

MAHLER THE SONG OF THE EARTH Mahler Das Lied von der Erde With Clara Osowski, mezzo-soprano; and John David Nevergall, tenor

— A L L C O N C E RT S S TA RT AT 7: 3 0 P. M . —

Don’t miss a beat. Call 918-595-7777 for ticket info. signaturesymphony.org

TulsaPeople.com

71

T R AV E L + H O M E + T R E N D S

Hip huggers

Fanny packs are back and better than ever, thanks to these stylish designs from Owl and Drum, located inside the Studios at Retro Den, 1216 S. Harvard Ave. Choose from a variety of stocked options or customize your own. Prices start at $35. Visit owlanddrum.com for more information.

BY KENDALL BARROW TulsaPeople.com

73

STOREFRONT

Just because you’re a beer nerd doesn’t mean you can’t be a science nerd, too.

The Heroes of Science pint glasses let you have a pint with the likes of Marie Curie and Charles Darwin. $12.50 each.

Represent the best humanity has to offer with this pin designed after the famed Voyager Golden Record. It might not play, but it looks good on a denim jacket. $8.

Terry Mudge

Mad science STEMCELL EDUCATES AND ENTERTAINS IN THE KENDALL WHITTIER DISTRICT.

BY FRASER KASTNER

T

erry Mudge, owner of the STEMcell, doesn’t remember exactly when he became interested in science. It’s more like he can’t remember a time when he wasn’t. “When do you learn your favorite color?” he asks.

Mudge had always wanted a place like STEMcell, where customers could come interact with scientific tools and artifacts. He was working in natural gas in 2015 when he pitched his business idea for the new Boxyard: “Sort of a Willy Wonka factory, but with science,” he says.

The business opened its doors in December 2016 and met great success. It was so successful, in fact, that STEMcell had to move to its new Kendall Whittier address just to have enough space for customers and to accommodate online and subscriptions orders. Mudge and his friend, artist and local mad scientist Tyler Thrasher, set up their new shop at 2415 E. Admiral Blvd.

STEMcell is experience-oriented. Dinosaur bones are on display alongside radioactive element samples, old lab equipment and other scientific paraphernalia.

74

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

Mudge also helps Tulsans connect with new scientific ideas. Through the shop he organizes Think and Drink, a monthly science talk hosted by Kendall Whittier neighbors Heirloom Rustic Ales.

Held on the second Thursday of every month, the talks give experts on a variety of subjects a chance to talk about their passions. Past Think and Drinks have covered subjects like rare diseases, clean energy, scientific literacy and dinosaurs.

Ever passionate about learning, Mudge continues to study new subjects that pique his interest.

“I’ve never really had an idle time in my life, as far as learning goes,” he says.

He recently bought some old geiger counters to experiment with, along with some radioactive samples. “But in a month or so,” he says, “I’ll shift on to something else.” TP

STEMcell 2415 E. ADMIRAL BLVD. STEMCELLTULSA.COM 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday; noon-5 p.m., Sunday

Boxes of Matter delivers a shipment of science surprises every month. Dinosaur teeth, element samples, seeds from some of Earth’s oldest tree species and more could soon find their way to your door. $40 per month.

NASA’s control center has seen a lot, and so have these old computer chips.

Taken from 1970s MODCOMP computers, used by NASA to launch and control spacecraft telemetry, these chips have taken part in some of science’s greatest triumphs. $12.

Liven up your next dinner party with a little Jurassic flair. Nothing starts a conversation like a life-sized reproduction Allosaurus skull. $1,795.

❖ ORGANIC INGREDIENTS ❖ H A N D M A D E PA S T R I E S

T–F 6:30 am -2pm SA 7:30 am -12pm

610 W. Main, Jenks 918-528-6544

esperancebakery.com

ORGANIZE STUFF WITH SCOUT STORAGE BINS!

www.TraversMahanApparel.com South Lewis at 81st • The Plaza • 918-296-4100

How Soon Can You Get Here?

NOW AT 3541 S. Harvard Ave, Tulsa, OK 74135 918-712-8785 |

Tulsa’s newest independent senior living community invites you to be its newest resident!

d Custom Picture Framing d Fine Art d Home Accessories 6 N. LEWIS

Reserve now and we’ll waive the additional fees for a second resident — FOREVER. So what’s keeping you?

CedarhurstWoodlandHills.com (918) 205-1016 I 7345 S. 99th E. Ave.

918.584.2217 ZIEGLERART.COM

TulsaPeople.com

75

BEYOND CITY LIMITS

Joplin bound TAKE I-44 EAST FOR A MISSOURI ADVENTURE.

CUNNINGHAM PARK, West 26th Street and South Maiden Lane, is the oldest park in the city. It was destroyed when the historic EF-5 tornado ripped through town in 2011. Volunteers from all over the U.S. planted trees and set the park on the path of restoration. Overlooking the play areas, pond and butterfly garden is an artistic memorial: tall black structures that look like sketched outlines of three houses lost in the storm. Among these outlines are interpretive panels that educate visitors about the tornado, the lives lost and the work to rebuild.

GRAND FALLS, 5685 Riverside Drive, is the largest continuously running waterfall in the Show-Me State. The nearby WILDCAT GLADES, 201 Riviera Drive, offers a series of hiking trails through a uniquely diverse natural area.

The chert glades here showcase flora and fauna that are not found together anywhere else in the world. The rock formations scattered throughout the park are beautiful in any season.

Notorious gangsters BONNIE AND CLYDE’S GARAGE APARTMENT sits at 215 W. 34th St. in a quiet residential neighborhood. This two-story stone structure was used by the Barrow Gang to lay low in 1933 after a series of robberies. When the local police showed up on April 13, 1933, to investigate reports of suspicious activity, a gunfight broke out. Two officers lost their lives in the exchange. Evidence left behind, including an undeveloped roll of film, later helped law enforcement bring the gang to an end. The apartment is an AirBnB today, but the city museum, the JOPLIN HISTORY AND MINERAL MUSEUM at 504 S. Schifferdecker Ave., has a few artifacts on display.

WILDER’S STEAKHOUSE, 1216 S. Main St., is fronted by a restored neon sign. The interior recalls the glamour of the 1940s with an art deco bar and wooden booths. Since 1996, Wilder’s has been owned by the Pawlus family, and the historic restaurant has become known for its fine dining experience.

The EAGLE DRIVE-IN, 4224 Hearnes Blvd., serves gourmet burgers in a hip space near the interstate. It also pours a selection of local beer. It’s not your “greasy spoon” style of drive-in, but the food here is worth the wait. TP

44

44

The ROUTE 66 MURAL on Main Street is a fun photo opp; you can pose with a mock 1964 Corvette that really captures that vintage Mother Road feeling.

76

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

44

86

MURAL: RHYS MARTIN; EAGLE DRIVE-IN, GRAND FALLS: VISITJOPLINMO.COM; MAP: GEORGIA BROOKS

BY RHYS MARTIN

T UL S A P E OP L E .C OM GI V E AWAY S Visit TulsaPeople.com to register for our $200 Shop & Dine Package!

Enjoy shopping and dining on Brookside with gift cards for In the Raw and Ida Red!

• R E GI S T E R B Y A UGUS T 31 •

A NNO UNC I NG T H E R E L E A S E OF TURN AND FACE THE WIND The poetry of Oklahoma author Teresa Prins Wood artfully demonstrates the influences of her cultural heritage. Of Cherokee, Dutch, and Spanish descent, her work addresses individual empowerment, intimacy/romance, social injustice, spiritual devotion, and day-to-day living in 21st century America. TURN AND FACE THE WIND is the second book in her poetry series and follows the 2016 publication of IN HER OWN NATIVE TONGUE. An award winning poet with a straight forward, story-telling approach, her verses exhibit humor, sarcasm, compassion, and our shared desire to experience life within an environment of peace.

Available where quality books are sold; in hardbound, soft cover, or Kindle edition at amazon.com.

Also available directly from the author: teresaprinswood.com

Teresa Prins Wood

Learn about the author, her books, and more at: teresaprinswood.com TulsaPeople.com

77

Smile SAVERS

71 NAMED TOPDENTISTS “IF YOU HAD A PATIENT IN NEED OF A DENTIST, WHICH DENTIST WOULD YOU REFER THEM TO?” This is the question we’ve asked thousands of dentists to help us determine who the topDentists should be. Dentists and specialists are asked to take into consideration years of experience, continuing education, manner with patients, use of new techniques and technologies and, of course, physical results.

The nomination pool of dentists consists of dentists listed online with the American Dental Association, as well as dentists listed online with other dental societies, thus allowing virtually every dentist the opportunity to participate. Dentists also are given the opportunity to nominate other dentists that they feel should be included in our list. Respondents are asked to put aside any personal bias or political motivations and to use only their knowledge of their peers’ work when evaluating the other nominees.

Voters are asked to individually evaluate the practitioners on their ballot whose work they are familiar with.

Once the balloting is completed, the scores are compiled and then averaged. The numerical average required for inclusion varies depending on the average for all the nominees within the specialty and the geographic area.

Borderline cases are given a careful consideration by the editors. Voting characteristics and comments are taken into consideration while making decisions. Past awards a dentist has received, status in various dental academies can play a factor in our decision.

Once the decisions have been finalized, the included dentists are checked against state dental boards for disciplinary actions to make sure they have an active license and are in good standing with the board. Then letters of congratulations are sent to all the listed dentists.

Of course, there are many fine dentists who are not included in this representative list. It is intended as a sampling of the great body of talent in the field of dentistry in Oklahoma. A dentist’s inclusion on our list is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow dentists. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, we remain confident that our polling methodology largely corrects for any biases and that these lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate and useful list of dentists available anywhere.

This list is excerpted from 2019 the topDentists™ list, which includes listings for over 70 dentists and specialists in the Tulsa metro area. For more information, call 706-364-0853; write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, Georgia, 30903; email info@usatopdentists.com; or visit usatopdentists.com. topDentists has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause. Copyright 2012-2019 by topDentists LLC of Augusta, Georgia. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without permission of topDentists. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.

78

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

TO

E NTI S TS

PD

TULSA

Dr. Matthew McShane, Dr. Vic Trammell, Dr. Greg Segraves, Dr. Larry Lander, Dr. Todd Johnson, Dr. Heath Evans

Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Northeastern Oklahoma’s largest and most established oral surgery group Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (EOOMS) is committed to providing comprehensive oral surgery care. They practice the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery. Common procedures include wisdom teeth and dental extractions with intravenous anesthesia for patient comfort. They specialize in all aspects of dental implant surgery, bone grafting and jaw reconstruction. As a group they offer 24-hour practice coverage and take trauma calls for local hospitals.

EOOMS is comprised of six experienced oral surgeons: Larry Lander, D.D.S. MS.; Vic Trammell, D.M.D.; Todd Johnson, D.D.S.; Gregory Segraves, D.D.S.; M.S. Heath Evans, D.D.S.; Matthew McShane, D.D.S. All EOOMS surgeons hold memberships in numerous dental societies including the Tulsa County Dental Society, Oklahoma Dental Association, American Dental Association, Southwest Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.

For patients’ convenience, most of the group’s services are provided in the EOOMS offices. The offices are board certified for

office IV anesthesia to ensure patient comfort. Quality of care and patient safety are always the group’s primary concern.

The EOOMS staff is a committed group of employees who strives to achieve the highest standard of care. Their surgical team has specialized training in oral surgery and anesthesia assisting, which provides for a more comfortable and safe oral surgery experience.

EOOMS is located in the 91st and Highway 169 area at 4716 W. Urbana St. and at our NEW location in Owasso just off of Highway 169 and 96th Street North at 12802 E. 101st Place N. in the Medical Park Plaza.

Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Broken Arrow Owasso 4716 W. Urbana St. 12802 E. 101st Pl. N. 918-449-5800 918-274-0944 www.eooms.com

topDentists ENDODONTICS Christopher DeLong Owasso Endodontics 12899 E. 76th St. N., Suite 108, Owasso 918-272-2488 owassoendo.com Eugenia M. Johnson Green Country Endodontics 10507 E. 91st St., Suite 340 918-994-6000 greencountryendodontics.com Michael J. Kubelka Kubelka Endodontics 4606 E. 67th St., Suite 201 918-494-4144 kubelkaendodontics.com Laurie L. Southard Southard Endodontics 5010 E. 68th St., Suite 104 918-493-3880 southardendodontics.com Amy E. Stone Tulsa Endodontic Associates 6565 S. Yale Ave., Suite 712 918-481-6622 rootcanalstulsa.com Byron N. Tucker Endodontic Specialists of Northeast Oklahoma 5555 E. 71st St., Suite 210 918-524-3366 esneok.com Kent H. Wyatt Endodontic Specialists of Northeast Oklahoma 5555 E. 71st St., Suite 210 918-524-3366 esneok.com GENERAL DENTISTRY Bryan D. Archer 4606 E. 67th St., Building 7, Suite 312 918-494-4445 bryanarcherdentistry.com Mark L. Argo 8500 N. 129th E. Ave., Owasso 918-274-8500 markargodds.com Benson L. Baty 7335 S. Lewis Ave., Suite 206 918-496-1051 Kathryn E. Beller 81st Street Dental 7711 E. 81st St. 918-461-2766 kathrynbellerdds.com

HIGHLIGHTED LISTINGS DENOTE ADVERTISER.

Seth Bingham Bingham and Howarth Family Dentistry 6565 S. Yale Ave., Suite 1100 918-481-4925 binghamandhowarth.com Wesley N. Black The Dental Studio of South Tulsa 6112 E. 61st St. 918-745-0500 dstulsa.com Craig E. Buntemeyer Buntemeyer Dental 9113 S. Toledo Ave. 918-743-9275 tulsagreatsmiles.com

Ted L. Marshall Marshall Family Dentistry 8830 S. Yale Ave. 918-492-6200 marshallfamilydentists.com Molly Marshall Hays Marshall Family Dentistry 8830 S. Yale Ave. 918-492-6200 marshallfamilydentists.com Randall S. McCormick The Tulsa Dentist 1701 S. Peoria Ave. 918-743-2346 thetulsadentist.com

Charles W. Calhoun 10016 S. Mingo Road, Suite B 918-250-8861 calhoundds.com

Karen T. Pate Gentle Dental Care 5510 S. Memorial Drive, Suite D 918-627-6364 karentpatedmd.com

Conrad C. Casler Jr. Casler Dental Group 6911 S. 66th E. Ave., Suite 300 918-221-9138 caslerdentalgroup.com

Terry J. Reavis Bixby Family Dentistry 13302 S. Memorial Drive, Bixby 918-369-3990 bixbyfamilydentistry.com

Carolyn M. Caudle 401 S. Boston Ave., Suite 1800 918-582-3877

Jerry W. Robertson Restorative Dentistry of Tulsa 9224 S. Toledo Ave. 918-492-7263 restorativedentistryoftulsa.com

Walter M. Davies III Progressive Dental Care of Tulsa 7614 E. 91st St., Suite 120 918-477-7774 dentalcareoftulsa.com Craig S. Dudley 2738 E. 51st St., Suite 120 918-749-1747 drcraigsdudley.com Robert A. Gruenberg 133 W. Blue Starr Drive, Claremore 918-342-3477 Loretta Hare Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry 201 N. Lynn Riggs Blvd., Claremore 918-343-4300 thehealthysmiles.com Meghan Hodges ĂŠlan by Dr. Meghan Hodges 10031 S. Yale Ave., Suite 104 918-528-7486 tulsadentalcare.com Bruce D. Horn 7990 S. Sheridan Road 918-492-9090 Joe F. Maltsberger Innovative Family Dentistry 106 Atlas Ave., Oologah 918-443-2431 innovativefamilydentistry.com

Carrie D. Sessom Riverwalk Dental Spa 400 Riverwalk Terrace, Suite 200, Jenks 918-770-0027 riverwalkdentalspa.com Dean O. Todd 7134 S. Yale Ave., Suite 100 918-493-2444 drdeantodd.com Shannon K. Toler Origin Dental Wellness 2100 S. Utica Square, Suite 205 918-747-6453 origindentalwellness.com Chadwick N. Webster Dental Creations 8190 S. Memorial Drive 918-307-0307 tulsadentalcreations.com ORAL AND MAXILLOFACIAL SURGERY Daniel Cannon Cannon Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 3345 S. Harvard Ave., Suite 103 918-743-1351 cannonoralsurgery.com

Heath Evans Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 4716 W. Urbana St., Broken Arrow 918-449-5800 eooms.com

Kevin C. Duffy Duffy Orthondontics 1621 S. Eucalyptus Ave., Suite 201, Broken Arrow 918-249-1818 duffyorthodontics.com

Lloyd A. Hudson Oklahoma Wisdom Teeth Center 7316 E. 91st St. 918-392-9970 oklahomawisdomteeth.com

Clinton W. Emerson Emerson Orthodontics 800 W. Mission St., Broken Arrow 918-459-0092 emersonbraces.com

D. Todd Johnson Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 4716 W. Urbana St., Broken Arrow 918-449-5800 eooms.com

Blake R. Henry II Henry Orthodontics 7705 E. 81st St. 918-294-7705 henryorthodontics.com

Larry D. Lander Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 4716 W. Urbana St., Broken Arrow 918-449-5800 eooms.com Christopher R. Mastin Ashton Creek Oral Surgery Suites 9118 S. Toledo Ave. 918-495-1800 suiteoralsurgery.com Gregory D. Segraves Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 4716 W. Urbana St., Broken Arrow 918-449-5800 eooms.com Vic Trammell Eastern Oklahoma Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 4716 W. Urbana St., Broken Arrow 918-449-5800 eooms.com Donal R. Woodward 6143 E. 91st St. 918-492-6994 ORTHODONTICS Llon Clendenen Tulsa Braces 3305 E. 45th St. 918-932-2707 tulsabraces.com Jonathan S. Cooper Cooper Chockley Orthodontics 3916 E. 91st St. 918-876-7846 cooperchockleyortho.com Brent S. Dobson III Owasso Orthodontics 12813 E. 101st Place N., Owasso 918-272-4242 owassoorthodontics.com

Phyllis C. Higgins Carter and Higgins Orthodontics 3232 E. 31st St. 918-986-9986 carterandhigginsortho.com Michael J. Hosier Hosier Orthodontics 9101 S. Toledo Ave. 918-523-4999 hosierorthodontics.com Jeffrey A. Housley Owasso Orthodontics 12813 E. 101st Place N., Owasso 918-272-4242 owassoorthodontics.com Douglas A. Kirkpatrick Kirkpatrick and Lai Orthodontics 5304 S. Harvard Ave. 918-747-1346 klortho.com Thomas B. Kirkpatrick Kirkpatrick and Lai Orthodontics 5304 S. Harvard Ave. 918-747-1346 klortho.com Joseph Lai Kirkpatrick and Lai Orthodontics 5304 S. Harvard Ave. 918-747-1346 klortho.com Ryan V. Nowlin Nowlin Orthodontics 11910 S. Memorial Drive, Bixby 918-369-6100 nowlinortho.com Van L. Nowlin Nowlin Orthodontics 5010 E. 68th St., Suite 200 918-492-6464 nowlinortho.com Kyle R. Shannon Drs. Shannon and Shannon 3150 E. 41st St., Suite 112 918-743-2321 shannonorthodontics.com CONTINUED ON P. 82

80

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

TO

E NTI S

Dr. Wesley Black

TS

The Dental Studio of South Tulsa

PD

TULSA

Skilled dental team has provided exceptional care for 18 years Dr. Wesley Black and his capable dental team have been serving Tulsa for 18 years, offering family, cosmetic and implant dentistry services. The practice offers common procedures such as bridges, fillings and in-office whitening, but also goes above and beyond by offering same-day crowns, Invisalign, Botox, complex cosmetic reconstruction and sleep apnea devices.

“I get to work with the best dental team on the planet,” says Black, a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantology. Black is certified by the ADA, and holds additional certification from the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

The Dental Studio uses only the industry leaders in dental products, such as Cerec, Oral B and Phillips Zoom whitening.

When not at work or spending time with his wife and two daughters, Black likes to volunteer at various charities.

Black is honored that his peers chose him for the designation of Top Dentist.

He looks forward to continuing to serve the Tulsa community.

The Dental Studio of South Tulsa 6112 E. 61st St. 918-745-0500 dstulsa.com

TO

General Dentistry practice with emphasis in biological and holistic dentistry At Origin Dental Wellness, a person’s dental health is just the tip of the toothbrush. This general dentistry practice treats the whole person, giving personalized evaluations that focus on quality living and resolving underlying issues that cause problems in the mouth.

“We treat the person, not just the illness,” says Shannon Toler, D.D.S. “That means improving your overall health profile and not just treating pain. By providing you with a comprehensive picture of your nutritional and oral care, we aim to prevent future illnesses in your whole body.”

The practice oversees dental care for adults and children, providing comprehensive exams utilizing cone beam CT scan technology to evaluate the interconnection of the health of the mouth and the health of the overall body. This motivates patients by creating awareness and providing oral health and systemic education, Toler says.

Origin is a mercury-free and mercury-safe practice that utilizes ozone in its patient care procedures. Services include preventive, restorative, cosmetic and surgical procedures, safe mercury amalgam removal, dental implants, same day all-porcelain crowns and platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapy.

Toler is an accredited member of the International Academy of Oral Medicine & Toxicology, as well as a fellow of the International Dental Implant Association.

E NTI S

TS

Origin Dental Wellness

PD

TULSA

Angie Reynolds, Kristen King, Dr. Shannon Toler, Cassie Berryman

Origin Dental Wellness 2100 S. Utica Ave., Suite 205 • 918-747-6453 origindentalwellness.com

TulsaPeople.com

81

HIGHLIGHTED LISTINGS DENOTE ADVERTISER.

PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY Jeffrey J. Ahlert 14600 E. 88th Place N., Owasso 918-272-1444 owassopediatricdentistry.com Sarah M. Fox-Broermann Fox Broermann Pediatric Dentistry of Tulsa 6565 S. Yale Ave., Suite 401 918-492-1106 foxbroermann.com R. Grant Gerety 4606 E. 67th St., Suite 310 918-493-3031 tulsa-child-dentist.com Kerry K. Kitterman Morrow, Lai and Kitterman Pediatric Dentistry 2930 S. Pittsburg Ave. 918-742-9810 mlkdentistry.com April A. Lai Morrow, Lai and Kitterman Pediatric Dentistry 2930 S. Pittsburg Ave. 918-742-9810 mlkdentistry.com

Mark E. Morrow Morrow, Lai and Kitterman Pediatric Dentistry 2930 S. Pittsburg Ave. 918-742-9810 mlkdentistry.com PERIODONTICS Ray A. Beddoe 2619 S. Elm Place, Suite A, Broken Arrow 918-451-2717 gumsbybeddoe.com

Trung Tran Tulsa Dental Implants and Periodontics 8006 S. 101st E. Ave., Suite B 918-288-0818 tulsaperiodontist.com David H. Wong Route 66 Dental Implants and Periodontics 4545 S. Harvard Ave. 918-749-1850 route66implants.com

Wm. Brent Burchard Dental Surgical Arts of Tulsa 2902 S. Pittsburg Ave. 918-748-8868 dsaot.com

William B. Wynn IV Eastern Oklahoma Periodontics 6565 S. Yale Ave., Suite 1008 918-492-0737 eoperiodontics.com

David Stapleton Owasso Periodontics and Dental Implants 12810 E. 101st Place N., Owasso 918-376-2191 owassoperio.com

PROSTHODONTICS Roman M. Lobodiak Jr. Tulsa Dentures and Implants 6565 S. Yale Ave., Suite 1012 918-743-1558 tulsadenturesandimplants.com

PD

E NTI S

TS

CONTINUED FROM P. 80

Dr. Craig S. Dudley, DDS, PLLC

TO

topDentists

TULSA

All that is good starts with a SMILE Dr. Craig Dudley has a long-term, prevention-oriented restorative practice in Tulsa. Focusing on family and esthetic dentistry, the practice’s staff strives to provide a professional but friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The practice plays a wide variety of music for patients’ enjoyment. Although Dudley continues to enjoy the practice of dentistry, his personal life is enriched by extensive community service and time spent with family, including his wife, three children and two grandchildren.

Dr. Craig S. Dudley, DDS, PLLC 2738 E. 51st St., Suite 120 918-749-1747 drcraigsdudley.com

Craig S. Dudley DDS

Care, Comfort, and Compassion Dr. Kent Wyatt

Dr. Byron Tucker

At ESNEOk, as specialists, we strive to work in partnership with your general dentist to provide you with the best endodontic care.

Our doctor’s and staff look forward to being of service to you and providing the highest standard of professional care in a friendly, comfortable environment.

www.esneok.com

5555 EAST 71ST STREET # 9210 | TULSA OK, 74136 | 918.524.3366 82

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

As a dentist and a clinical psychologist, Dr. McDougall provides compassionate, high-quality dental care. Dr. McDougall and his staff listen to and understand your concerns, needs, and goals. As a reflection of his commitment to the highest level of patient care, Dr. McDougall will call you personally following each treatment visit. Dr. McDougall and his staff are dedicated to creating a comfortable, relaxing, and enjoyable experience, utilizing the best of current technologies to help you achieve the smile of your dreams.

918-742-8775 • 4433 S. Harvard Ave. www.mcdougalldds.com

Time-honored commitment.

You’ve dedicated your life to your family and profession, and that’s afforded you many great accomplishments.

You deserve a more prestigious banking relationship.

One with a solid foundation steeped in tradition and local roots. One with concierge level service and solutions designed to fit your lifestyle. One that values commitment the way you do. Discover an unparalleled banking experience today at MidFirst Private Bank. midfirstprivatebank.com 918.293.6860

Member FDIC

Healthy patients and a healthy business.

At Commerce Bank, we have the experience to manage the unique financial challenges of the healthcare industry. From simple loan plans that help patients to optimizing your most complex payment processes, we have options that allow you to focus on providing a higher level of healthcare.

918.879.2238 commercebank.com © 2018 Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Float Coat™

“Why does watching a dog be a dog fill one with

happiness?”

– J.S. Foer 84

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

1778 Utica Square 918-624-2600 Open Mon-Sat, 10-6

HOME

Make a statement

P

attern play is one of interior designer Leslie Story’s specialties. For her, the fun doesn’t end with furniture and decor. Now, it’s all about the walls.

With wallpaper, “You can make a big impact for not a lot of money, and when you get tired of everything, you can just change it,” Story explains.

When working with wallpaper, she says, first decide the statement piece of the room.

If a work of art or funky furniture is calling the shots, choose a color showcased in the statement piece for wallpaper to help tie it into the theme.

If the wallpaper is meant to be the center of attention, make sure to coordinate other aspects of the room with it, Story says. This includes choosing matching throw pillows, blankets and curtains for a bedroom or napkins and tablecloths for a dining room.

Wallpaper pricing varies, according to Story. Prices can range between $75 and $500 for the wallpaper, while prices differ for installation. Typically, the more textured the wallpaper is, the higher the price point.

Story likes to use textured prints for ceilings and in shelf backing, and bigger prints for an accent wall. However, she advises to be careful when using wallpaper in bathrooms; make sure there is proper ventilation or else the paper can warp, peel and develop mold from trapped moisture. — MADELINE EWING Whether the project is spicing up an old piece of furniture or a room in need of some pizzazz, wallpaper can get the job done. “We like to layer things like nobody’s business,” Story laughs. “It’s a way to bring in texture that’s just kind of fresher — fresher than paint, and more fun.”

“GOURDON,” STONE 02, FABRICUT // This scaly sample with semi-reflective, metallic undertones provides a spunky decorative aspect for small spaces that usually go unnoticed. Story used it to transform an unused wet bar into a one-of-a-kind bookshelf by swapping the mirrored backing for this textured print.

“MARIPOSA” DESIGNED BY CHRISTIAN LACROIX, AVAILABLE AT DESIGNERSGUILD.COM // This wallpaper features a swarm of whimsical butterflies. When used on a larger surface, the full pattern appears. Vibrant and quirky, “Mariposa” is perfect for an accent wall or to add bold personality in a powder bath.

“INCANDESCENT,” CARBON 01, FABRICUT // Story recently used this for a lofted ceiling. She says its shimmery silver effect didn’t compete with the room’s other patterns, and it added chic style to an otherwise standard space that isn’t often considered when sprucing up. “Incandescent” is available in three other colors. TP

TULSAPEOPLE.COM/WALLPAPER See how Leslie Story incorporated wallpaper into recent projects.

BEAUTY & WEIGHT MANAGEMENT I am looking for a “one-and- done” procedure — something to target my deep wrinkles, fine lines, skin tone and texture, all in one treatment. Is there anything like that available?

Our laser Lumenis AcuPulse is a great option for anyone looking to target multiple problems with one treatment. The main advantage of the AcuPulse is that results are visible after one treatment. As your skin heals following the treatment, you will begin to notice an improvement in wrinkles, fine lines, tone and texture. Typically, you should expect to continue to see improvement for up to 18 months following the procedure.

Immediately following treatment, your skin will be warm and may be slightly red and swollen, depending on your customized treatment settings. Most patients are able to resume their daily activities within a week. For more information or to schedule your complimentary consultation, call 918-872-9999.

Malissa Spacek and Dr. James Campbell BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center 510 N. Elm Place • Broken Arrow, OK 74012 918-872-9999 • www.baweightspa.com

INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT I am turning 66 in a few months and trying to determine if I should take Social Security benefits or defer until later?

Deferring until age 70 is usually beneficial, but not always. By waiting, your benefits from Social Security will increase 8% per year. This results in a 32% increase in four years. Factors such as health, marital status, employment status and other resources should be considered. Few people take advantage of the deferral, but doing so could have a significant impact on the amount received over you and possibly your spouse’s life.

Discuss your options with Social Security Administration and your financial advisor.

J. Harvie Roe, CFP, President AmeriTrust Investment Advisors, Inc. 4506 S. Harvard Ave. • Tulsa, OK 74135 918-610-8080 • hroe@amerad.com

VETERINARIAN Is my dog overweight?

Due to extreme weather this summer, many animals have gained weight due to inactivity. While understandable, it is important to increase physical activity once the weather permits. Your dog’s body condition is more important than their weight. Ideal body condition consists of: a visible tummy tuck from the side, hour glass shape when viewed from above, and ability to feel the ribs easily (not see them sticking out) without pushing hard. Your vet can help you decide if your pet needs to lose a few pounds and discuss options.

Dr. Mark Shackelford 15th Street Veterinary Group 6231 E. 15th St. • Tulsa, OK 74112 918-835-2336 • www.15thstreetvet.com TulsaPeople.com

85

MUSINGS

MI CASA OBVIOUSLY IS NOT SU CASA

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

N

ot one but two people recommended I watch the Netflix series “Dead to Me.” “I couldn’t stop laughing,” one said. “It is so funny. You’ll love it,” the other one told me.

I took a look at it, a quick look, and then I looked away even quicker. It might be hilarious to them, but not to me. What were they thinking? It opened with a grief support group. After what I’ve been through — am still going through — nothing about grief is funny to me.

The world is asking me, “Aren’t you over that yet?” No, I’m not. And neither are the half dozen quietly, privately grieving widows, widowers and parents I know. Grief isn’t something you get over; it is something you get on with. But you try to do it privately and quietly, which seems polite. That is what makes it misleading because other people don’t see it. They are over it.

Life rushes on, carrying us with it, but we’re not 100% buoyant yet. The edges of loss are blurry on the outside, but they are sharp to those of us still inside. We don’t want pity, but neither do we want to hear people say, “What a Gloomy Gus! Just get another cat, dog, child, husband, mother, home, business, friend, career.”

Not that we don’t have compassion. We do, and

86

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

plenty of it. Pity, sympathy, empathy and compassion are ombre shades of caring for others. All of those emotions have Latin and Greek root words that mean piety and suffering.

Grief is not a subject we are comfortable discussing. Mentioning the name of someone close to us who has died makes others uncomfortable. They don’t know what to say or how to say it. I saw this condolence email to a woman whose adult son had died: “Oh, that’s tough.”

No. Tough is when I accidently mow down the hollyhock I’ve been babying. Tough is when I drop my phone into the dog’s water bowl. When a child dies, whatever his age, whatever the parent’s age, the word is tragic.

Both the foul weather of grief and the deceptively calm surfaces of bereavement are tricky seas to navigate. They last as long as they last. They are as treacherous to those in the water as to those watching from shore. We all do the best we can.

Those of us on this side can be ham handed, too, and I am an example.

“How’s Jay doing?” someone asked me cheerfully.

“Not well. He died two years ago.”

Big, thudding silence.

Life goes on at a rush and drags us with it.

We’re all so busy and polite, we gild our various griefs, to disguise them. Some cultures dramatized them: wore black clothes, cut off their hair, refrained from listening to music, pulled down the window shades, stopped the clocks, hung black bunting on the home, neither danced nor went to parties, wailed in public, wore no jewelry, offered a fire sacrifice and ripped their clothing. These displays said, “I’m in mourning, and don’t you forget it.” Maybe that would be cathartic. Maybe it would be a helpful reminder to others.

We have all been through a lot of stress and anxiety in recent months. The floods and tornadoes almost did us in. Even on calm days, those annoying robo calls nip at our nerves. We do need to laugh, and we need to find ways to be kind to one another and to ourselves.

Here’s my personal kindness to-do list for the month: • Do not watch sad TV shows or movies.

• Do read calming things, like the baseball box scores.

• Learn to make boozy popsicles.

• Share them. TP

RACQUET AND HEALTH YOUR FITNESS JOURNEY • USTA Regional Training Center • Tucker Tennis Academy • New spa and new clubhouse • Pilates, TRX, BARRE, Les Mills • Pickle Ball • State of the art workout facility

ART contest

3030 E. 91 S T ST.

Submissions due Nov. 15.

Cash prizes. Free to enter.

For all students K-12.

Kick Off at Philbrook Saturday, Aug. 10.

918

298-9500 1335 E. 11th St. Suite E., Tulsa, OK 74120

RAH91.COM

located on historic Route 66

www.fcsok.org/artcontest

jenkinsandcotulsa

PROSPERITY

LISTEN UP!

Presented by:

TulsaPeople’s popular TULSA TALKS podcast — all about our local community and culture — returns for SEASON 3 this month!

August guests include: AUGUST 7: TCC President Leigh B. Goodson AUGUST 21: TPS Superintendent Deborah Gist

Subscribe for FREE on Apple Podcasts, Google Play or Spotify!

» ECONOMIC & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT » BUSINESS & EDUCATION ADVOCACY

• COMMUNITY CLASSES • VETERANS CLASSES

» TOURISM

• YOUTH O U T R E AC H

» COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

YOUR PARTNER IN PROSPERITY tulsachamber.com

W E ’ R E M OV I N G !

Follow us on social media for Grand Opening information.

M - SA: 9AM - 5 PM • SU: Closed After hour classes available by appt.

918.582.4527 • 7440 E. 7th St. TulsaPeople.com

Tulsa Talks Pod Cast - TulsaPeople- 1.375 3/4/19 x 4.875.indd 12:50 PM1

87

McGraw Realtors

WELCOME TO

Tammy Perry McGraw, REALTORS® is very honored to announce the addition of Tammy Perry to our company. She is a highly respected REALTOR® in the Tulsa community with a great reputation of serving her clients with top notch service. Tammy is enthusiastic and energetic with a true passion for what she does. Tammy attended Northeastern State University & Pittsburg State University, and has been in sales for the past 20 years. Tammy earned her CRS designation which is the highest credential awarded to residential sales Agents.

Less than 3% or Realtors nationwide have obtained this designation which has resulted in her being a top producer in Tulsa for the past 17 years. Tammy is very involved in the REALTOR® community serving on several boards, and she is also a member of the Bixby Chamber of Commerce. She loves the satisfaction of helping families find the right home for them, and specializes in first time home buyers, clients relocating to Tulsa, golf course properties, and gated communities. In her spare time Tammy enjoys golfing, running, and spending time with her daughter Kylee.

(918) 906-8064

Tammy@tammyperry.com 88

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

McGraw Realtors

Chris Noel 918-740-2103

cnoel@mcgrawok.com

South Lewis View 4687 S Columbia Avenue, Tulsa - PARADE OF HOMES STUNNER! New Construction on .53 acres features huge butler’s pantry, 11 ft. waterfall island, 8 foot doors, 14 foot ceilings, custom cabinets, designer finishes, vaulted ceilings in this award winning open concept plan. Professionally landscaped w/programmable irrigation, gourmet kitchen features 2 dishwashers, 2 fridges, wine, open to living area w/fireplace & view of outdoor living/dining courtyard. All bedrooms feature private en suite baths with walk-in closets. 4/6/3 4824 Sq. Ft $1,150,000 !

ng

i nd

e eP

l

Sa

Bren-Rose

The Reserve at Stonebrooke 627 W 80th Street - Spectacular custom estate in gated Stonebrooke Reserve. Covered outdoor living overlooks greenbelt and two ponds. Office & theater down, game room & terrace up.

Endless amenities. Split 4 car garage, 2 outdoor fireplaces, an absolute MUST SEE!!! 5/4.3/4 6207 Sq. Ft. $1,215,000

2124 E. 32nd Place, Tulsa - SPECTACULAR REMODEL. Beautifully designed remodel in highly desirable Bren-Rose addition in midtown. Stunning, newly designed kitchen, nook, and outdoor living. Entire home updated with new paint, tile, beautifully refinished original wood flooring and trim. New designer fixtures and hardware. A truly remarkable balance of new transitional styling meeting the elegant charm we love from midtown Tulsa. 4/4/2 3478 Sq. Ft. Call for Pricing

Complimentary Staging Services! www.LuxeRealEstateTulsa.com

TulsaPeople.com

89

McGraw Realtors

246 E. 27th Street $1,375,000 Amazing new listing in sought after Bolewood the house has been completely remodeled within the last 6 years. Beautiful entry with lots of natural light opens to formal living and dining room. The Great room has a vaulted ceiling and fireplace. The kitchen as a unique layout with top of the line appliances and lots of storage. Familyroom with dual access to beautiful outdoor living. Master suite is separate from the other bedrooms. Private office. Large closet and luxury bath. 3 additional bedrooms on the first floor. Lower-level apartment area with sitting room, bedroom and bath. Private. Additional land is available. Call for more details.

11619 S Hudson Place $425,000

Gated area in South Tulsa is a beautiful listing that was custom built by the current owner.

Open formals having hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings. Butlers pantry with storage and sink. Kitchen has been updated with new appliances and granite. Master suite located on 1st floor. Office with French doors and hardwoods. 2 additional bedrooms. Sun room.

Beautiful grounds.

90

S. Atlanta Place 19393849 E 45th Place $675,000 $1,297,000 Beautiful new listing with lots of charm and unique

touches. Spacious formal living room has wide

planked and setting fireplacelocated the roominopens to a Beautiful home in aflooring park like private patio. Dining room opens to second outdoor Bolewood Acres.

Fully Large renovated living space. kitchenwith with extensive lots of cabinets and original indoor BBQ.floorplan 2 bedroomswith located on the 1st outdoor landscaping.

Open custom floor each having private baths and walk-in closets. cabinetry throughout, storage, & amenities Office on firstextensive floor with lots of shelving and decorative fireplace. Family room with vaulted ceiling, wall of such as heated floors & a continuous flow instant built-ins and fireplace. 2 additional bedroomshot and bathExtensive located onoutdoor the secondliving floor. Lots of landscaping. water system. space with a large stone patio, a custom tree house & play space, plus sport court. The majority of living space is on one E 60th Street floor with a completely2132 separate living suite that has $189,000 the option for a separate entry.

Gated Garden Park- Located all on one-level with open living area with beamed ceilings and fireplace. Spacious eat-in kitchen with beautiful cabinetry. Master bedroom with sitting area, walk-in closet and spacious bath. 2nd bedroom also has walk-in closet and full bath. Garden Park offers residents two pools, walking-trails, on-site manager and 24 hour security.

3849 S Atlanta Place $675,000

Unique property with lots of charm and natural light. Large formals with wide plank hardwood floors.

Dining room opens to private patio.

Large kitchen has eating space, true butlers pantry and original bbq. Familyroom with fireplace. 3 bedrooms on 1st floor each having private baths and walk-in closets. 2 additional bedrooms on 2nd floor share a pullman bath. Beautifully landscaped grounds. Lots of parking and outdoor space.

11619 S Hudson Place $435,000

Gated area in South Tulsa is a beautiful listing that was custom built by the current owner. Open formals having hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings. Butlers pantry with storage and sink. Kitchen has been updated with new appliances and granite. Master suite located on 1st floor. Office with French doors and hardwoods.

3883 S Birmingham Place $375,000

Located in a desirable part of Tulsa just off of 41st and Lewis. The house is located all on one-story with formal living and dining rooms. The kitchen is spacious with newer appliances. Sunroom is next to the kitchen with fireplace. 3 bedrooms. Office. Very nice lot.

2132 E 60th Street $184,000

Custom built by the Developer of Garden Park. Open formal living and dining having vaulted and beamed ceiling plus fireplace.

Spacious kitchen with the original St. Charles cherry cabinets which have metal insides, island and double ovens. Master suite has sitting area & full bath. 2nd bed/ private bath. Utility room has lots of storage. Large private patio.

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

PROPERT Y GROUP

McGraw Realtors

LUXURY

TIM HAYES

SHERRI SANDERS

918-231-5637

thayes@mcgrawok.com

918-724-5008

ssanders@mcgrawok.com

A T M C G R AW R E A L T O R S

Call any of the Luxury Property Group Realtors about one of these homes, or any property that you have an interest in.

We will provide you with superior personal service with the highest integrity.

GORDON SHELTON

DIANA PATTERSON

918-697-2742

918-629-3717

gshelton@mcgrawok.com

dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

GRAND LAKE Eagle Bluff 4 BR, 4.5 BA, 4,356 s.f., 97.9 feet of shoreline, overlooking Grand Lake in the largest way you can ever imagine! Enter this gorgeous comfortable home into the great room open to the kitchen and wet bar, 14’ ceilings, huge fireplace, floor to ceiling windows which lead out to an outdoor living space overlooking a beautiful pool and then Grand Lake. Enjoy a 1,300 s.f. master suite with huge bathroom, large walk-in closet, see through fireplace, enter saferoom through master closet, second bedroom with views of Grand Lake could also be an office/workout room, large walk-in closet and bath convenient to the pool, third bedroom also has private bath. Fourth bedroom is upstairs with more living space and bath. This home is custom all the way with tile, carpet, granite, upper end appliances and comes completely furnished! $1,200,000 MIDTOWN 2619 E 33rd Street, Tulsa This custom build home sits on a beautiful Midtown Street at 33rd & Birmingham. Master bedroom downstairs with a private patio. 4 bedrooms, a large game room & an additional laundry room upstairs.

Kitchen opens to family room that looks over swimming pool. $1,350,000

SO

LD

FOREST HILLS 1840 E 27th Street - An exquisite home in Forest Hills built in 1992.

Features include formal living and dining rooms, kitchen combined with family room, game room, and study. Master bedroom w/ en-suite luxury bathroom on first floor, 3 bedrooms upstairs with 2 bathrooms. 4,904 square feet.$1,299,000

ONE ACRE MIDTOWN 4303 S Lewis Ave - One Level Contemporary on one acre in Mid-town! Study, Formal Dining, Game/Media Room, Mud-room and Prep-kitchen. Great room opens to chef’s kitchen & nook. Master with spa bath. 3 additional En-suite bedrooms.

Hardwoods. Oversized 3 Car. Fabulous modern finishes throughout. $1,260,000

FAIRWAY ESTATES III 2921 E 56th Place, Tulsa Impressive remodel in Fairway Estates.

Huge covered back patio looks over the new swimming pool/spa. Master bedroom down with large closet and dressing area. 2 gamerooms and an additional laundry room upstairs.

The brand new kitchen opens up to a family room and looks out over the covered patio. $775,000

GLENOAK

NEW BEDFORD 2518 S Columbia Avenue, Tulsa Recently updated. Situated on a secluded cul-de-sac lot in Midtown.

High ceilings, hardwoods & natural light with views. Formal living/dining.

Kitchen with quartz island, gas stove & double ovens. Master Suite has spa bath & sitting area overlooking the pool & spa. 3 beds up. Immaculate. $699,900

5802 S Indianapolis Avenue - Kleinco Construction built this home in 1996 for the present owner. Vaulted & beamed ceiling living room. Study with wet bar w/ half bath. Remodeled granite countered kitchen open to family room w/ gas log FP. Spacious master bedroom w/ dual closets. Upstairs are 2 beds, 2 baths, game-room, exercise studio, and office. $749,000

E N J OY T H E LU X U RY L I F E ST Y L E YOU D E SI R E TulsaPeople.com

91

McGraw Realtors

Nancy Kavanaugh-Gotcher 918.625.6260

nkavanaugh@gmail.com

92

Debra Adamek 918.695.4945

Crown Jewel Collection

Debbie.Adamek@gmail.com DebAdamek.com

6221 E. 108th Street, Tulsa - The Gates at Forest Park STUNNING HOME! A Custom Build by Sam Hollinger! 4 Bedrooms, 4 Full 2 Half BA’s.

Exterior w/ true Cast Stone Stucco, Gas Lanterns, Circle Dr. & Tile Roof.

Soaring 20 ft. Ceilings, Floating Iron Staircase, Marble Tile Floors, Theater & 2nd bedroom on first floor and each bedroom with its own private bath.

Gated Community! $1,250,000

3047 E. 38th Pl. in Midtown, Ranch Acres One Level. 4 / 5 Bedrooms, 5th is currently being used as an office, 2 Living, 3.5 Baths, Formal Dining, lots of beautifully redone hardwood floors, New Master with high ceilings, New Master Bath, Spacious Kitchen with large island. Gorgeous backyard and pool with fabulous landscaping. Meticulously maintained. $765,000

10574 S 93rd East Avenue, Tulsa - Legends II 5beds/3full&2half baths/3car garage. GREENBELT, POND & small POOL = private backyard living. Gather at the exterior fireplace & enjoy good times, natural wildlife, outdoor TV & sound system. Huge 1st floor (3756 sf) has 3 beds + study w/wet bar. Main areas overlook pond. Upstairs (1245 sf) boasts 4th bed + 2 additional living areas. Indoor safe room. $735,000

3223 S. Florence Ave. in Midtown, Ranch Acres One Level. 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Baths, Formal Dining, 3 Living Areas, 2 fireplaces, Large windows, hardwood floors, large spacious bedrooms, remodeled bathrooms, newer deck, huge yard, 2 Car Garage plus extra parking spaces. Clean, Neat and well maintained. $569,000.

3148 E 58th Street, Tulsa, Fairway Estates I. One Level. Beautiful home centered in middle of Tulsa, across from SHCC. 4 spacious bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths, 2 living rooms, large open kitchen, Newly remodeled Master Bedroom and Bath ,beautiful outdoor living space plus gorgeous pool. Lots of storage! Must see! $559,000.

5908 E 139th Street N, Collinsville - Hollow Creek.

4beds/2baths/3car garageCountry living at it’s finest. Spread out on this .61 acre corner lot on culdesac. 1-level. 10’ ceilings in main living areas.

Corner fireplace. Center island kitchen has large eating area + vaulted formal dining/study. Private master suite. Laundry room located in bedroom corridor. Extended back patio, fenced yard & storm shelter.

Security system. $265,000

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

918.808.4780

Tulsa Top 100 Realtors

mkeys@mcgrawok.com

6311 E 105th Street Amazing estate home on approx 1.1 acres in Gated Rockhurst. Located in highly desirable Jenks SE Schools. 6 Ensuite beds + 2 bed quarters that have access from the home & also a separate outdoor entrance. Entertainers dream w/2 game rooms & theater, diving pool, private pool bath, hot tub, outdoor living/kitchen & indoor basketball court w/separate entrance. Stunning details throughout. All rooms w/ incredible scale and fantastic natural light. Custom built one owner with meticulous attention to detail. $2,980,000

McGraw Realtors

Real Estate, Real Results!

8231 S Kingston Avenue Beautifully updated home in gated Stonewall Estates; 1.65 acres with mature trees & heavy landscaping; 2 large bed down, 3 up, each with walk-in closet & private bath. Game room, theater, office & gym. Outdoor living with kitchen, Fireplace, pool, spa & tree house. $2,490,000

4344 S Lewis Place Custom home in gated Greenhill. Beautiful finishes, impeccable detail. 4 bed, 3.5 baths, beautiful hardwood floors; kitchen/ family room combo w/stone fireplace opens to outdoor entertaining space including fireplace & spa. Oversized garage w/storage. 929,000

5405 E 119th Street Open floor plan on 2/3 acre in Hampton Oaks; Large Master down along w/2 other en-suite bedrooms; 4th bed up w/large Game room and internal expansion space; Beautiful Outdoor living w/pool, spa, water feature and full kitchen. 5 FP’s; limestone floors. $870,000

2631 E 14th Street Updated house in desirable Renaissance Heights. 2 living areas, 3+ bed & updated kitchen and baths. Just built 2 car garage with storage and inviting pool and patio out back. Great entertaining home! $344,900

Scott Coffman

918-640-1073 - scoffman@mcgrawok.com CE

W

NE

I PR

!

NG

I ND

PE

2531 S Cincinnati Avenue | $547,000

Stately Sunset Terrace home w/ 3 bed 3.5 bath on a double lot.

Kitchen Ideas Bill Powers designed kitchen and master bath remodel.

Beautiful hardwoods, 2 downstairs living areas, spacious vaulted master bedroom retreat. 4 car total garage. Natural light throughout.

Large park like yard. Old Master bedroom could be 4th bedroom or upstairs living area. Walk to Council Oak Elementary.

2943 E 56th Place | $309,500

Stunning one level home with 3 bedrooms plus study. 2 or 3 living rooms. Very open floor plan. In ground diving pool. Vaulted ceiling.

Gorgeous landscaping. Beautiful large master suite. 2 car rear entry garage. Large living room with vaulted ceiling. Sprinkler system. Pool.

TulsaPeople.com

93

McGraw Realtors

Top 100 Realtors in Tulsa 3112 E 88th St E! ID Stately home S K located in a gated OO R and guarded B neighborhood.

Updated 6 large bedrooms, 2 offices, media room, game room, spacious living 1426 E 37th Place, Clean & move in ready! Brookside, areas. Half acre newer construction. Jay Rambo Cabinets. Granite. 2 lot, pool, circle beds up, 2 beds down. Master Bath retreat! Outdoor drive. New roof! Fireplace. Transitional to Modern Flair. $649,000 $998,000

4234 S Troost Place One level Ranch style home with tons of updates. Granite countertops with waterfall edge. New Wolf stove & range. Hardwoods, new tile & fresh paint throughout. Back patio with fireplace.

Private Midtown neighborhood. $395,000

1417 S Carson Ave, Darling Craftsman home located near the Gathering Place & Trails. 1 level, 3/4 beds, 2 baths, new 2 car garage. Updated electrical, plumbing, roof, windows, garage. NEW back deck & professional landscaping. Front porch with sunset views! $325,000

Lewanna Shaw

NE

W

IC PR

E!

10625 S Irvington Ave, 5 beds, gameroom, 4 car garage w/ storage space & storm shelter. Repainted + new carpet, spacious kitchen & 3 living areas, formal dining room + breakfast nook. Office & master bed downstairs. Large backyard. $525,000

6636 E 54th St, Sungate neighborhood, stunning 1 level home. Meticulously maintained, 3 beds 2 full baths & 2 car garage. Over sized laundry room.

Gardener’s dream yard! $164,000

Laura Bryant Tulsa Top 100 Realtor

918-693-2961 - lbryant@mcgrawok.com

876 Barker Creek Drive, Sand Springs

918-409-3968 - lshaw@mcgrawok.com

Helping people to live their dreams.

94

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

Tuscan-inspired home on 10.65 acres. Gorgeous Keystone Lake views from kitchen/living room/ master. Enjoy sunsets, privacy & watch sailboat racing from the Native stone patio. Spacious master has Fireplace & private balcony. Oversized master closet! Master bath: Walk-in shower & whirlpool tub. Chefs kitchen w/formal & informal dining. Pella windows & doors. High end finishes entire home. Tile roof. Easy 20 min drive to downtown Tulsa. Gated entry. Outside of HOA, no restrictions.

5462 SQ feet, 4 bed (5 bed if use game room), 3.5 bath, 2 car. $625,000

CHARITABLE EVENTS SUPPORTED BY

PRESENTED BY

A CASUAL EVENING OF BOOKS, BARDS AND BITES BENEFITING TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY’S RUTH G. HARDMAN ADULT LITERACY SERVICE

JOIN THE FIGHT FOR ALZHEIMER’S FIRST SURVIVOR.

FEATURING AUTHORS

LIV CONSTANTINE, JULIET GRAMES AND EBONY ROBERTS

AND DELECTABLE APPETIZERS FROM SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS AND BUSINESSES

THURSDAY, SEPT. 5 • 6:30 P.M. HARDESTY REGIONAL LIBRARY • 8316 E. 93RD ST. $50 PER PERSON

For sponsorship information or to make reservations, visit www.TulsaLibrary.org/Chapters or call 918-549-7494.

At the Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®, people carry flowers representing their connection to Alzheimer’s — a disease that currently has no cure. But what if one day there was a white flower for Alzheimer’s first survivor? What if there were millions of them? Help make that beautiful day happen by joining us for the world’s largest fundraiser to fight the disease.

Register today at tulsawalk.org.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s - Tulsa Veterans Park September 21 Party starts: 7:30 am Ceremony/Walk starts: 9 am TulsaPeople.com

95

THE BEST TASTING WEEK OF THE YEAR BEGINS SEPTEMBER 6!

13TH ANNUAL

SEPT. 6- 1 5

Join Tulsa’s BEST restaurants for a 10-day celebration of Tulsa’s amazing culinary scene benefitting the Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma’s Food for Kids program. All prix fixe menus served during Restaurant week include an automatic donation to the Food Bank, which will be matched up to $25,000 by the George Kaiser Family Foundation.

BRUNCH

LUNCH

DINNER

DINNER

DINNER

$22

$15

$20

$35

$45

2-3 courses

2 courses

2-3 courses

3 courses

3-4 courses

SIGNATURE COCKTAIL at participating restaurants

201 9 PARTI CI PATI N G R E STAU R ANTS: Amelia’s • Antoinette Baking Co. • Baxter’s Interurban Grill • Biga Italian Restaurant • Bin 35 Bistro • Bird & Bottle The Bistro at Seville • Bluestone Steakhouse & Seafood • Bonefish Grill • Bramble Breakfast & Bar Downtown Bramble Breakfast & Bar Riverwalk • The Chalkboard • Daily Grill • Dilly Diner • Duet Restaurant & Jazz • El Guapo’s Downtown El Guapo’s South • Elgin Park • Elote • Fassler Hall • Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar • In the Raw Brookside • In the Raw On the Hill Jane’s Delicatessen • Juniper • Kitchen 27 • Lowood • Maryn’s Taphouse & Raw Bar • McNellie’s Downtown • McNellie’s South The Melting Pot • Michael V’s Restaurant & Bar • Naples Flatbread & Wine Bar • Oren • Palace Café • Peacemaker Lobster & Crab Co. Prairie Fire Pie • Queenie’s Café • Roka Bar & Asian Flavors • Roppongi • Sisserou’s Restaurant • SMOKE. Cherry Street SMOKE. Owasso • The Tavern • Tavolo • Taziki’s Mediterranean Café • Taziki’s Mediterranean Café South • Texas de Brazil Ti Amo Ristorante Italiano • Ti Amo Ristorante Italiano South • The Vault • Villa Ravenna • Yokozuna Downtown • Yokozuna on Yale As of 7/ 18/19

SPONSORED BY:

PRESENTED BY:

BENEFITTING: Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope

Community FOOD BANK of Eastern Oklahoma

www.okfoodbank.org

On cue

P

ecan wood and time are some of the special ingredients at Leon’s Smoke Shack, owned and operated by Leon Thompson.

A love of barbecue turned into a career for Thompson five years ago when he opened his place on South Sheridan Road.

There are plenty of sandwich variations on the menu, including a bologna sandwich lunch special for only $5. But if you’re really hungry, try a rib mixed order ($13.50). Choose from spare ribs or baby back, a second meat option and one of four sides. The rib meat falls off the bones and the brisket pairs well with “Them” beans, a Smoke Shack specialty.

Leon’s is only open 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Thursday-Saturday. TP 601 S. SHERIDAN ROAD | 918-798-7907 | LEONSSMOKESHACK.COM

TulsaPeople.com

97

CHEERS! What to do if you love breakfast but aren’t a morning person? Breakfast for dinner! When you don’t want to make it yourself, here are (PRICES: $: LESS THAN $10 $$: $10-$15 $$$: $16-$25 $$$$: OVER $25) some good choices that serve breakfast all day. — NATALIE MIKLES

Tally’s

When you’re craving eggs Benedict at 9 p.m., Tally’s is your place. The same goes for corned beef hash, Belgian waffles and veggie omelets. The breakfast menu here is huge, which matches the size of its short stacks. One of the specialties at Tally’s is a breakfast bowl called the Smart Bomb: hash browns, diced ham, bacon, sausage, veggies and cheese, topped with two eggs.

For the birds Tulsa’s longest-running craft beer festival, Wild Brew, will celebrate its 21st birthday this month.

The event, dubbed “the greatest party ever hatched” on Aug. 24 will raise funds for the George Miksch Sutton Avian Research Center, best known for its work with bald eagles. In 2007 the bald eagle was removed from the endangered species list; now they are a regular part of our Oklahoma skyline. Sutton also swoops in to rescue other Oklahoma feathered friends and their habitats.

With 50 participating breweries and hundreds of beers, Wild Brew also has seen the number of Oklahoma-based breweries bubbling up in recent years.

Recognizable local breweries, like Marshall’s, New Era Fine Fermentations, Bricktown Brewery, Dead Armadillo and others will be in attendance.

Wild Brew will be 5-8 p.m., with patrons allowed in at 4 p.m. at the Cox Convention Center, 100 Civic Center.

Patron tickets are $185 at the door and $165 online and include early entrance to the event and a VIP area with games, cocktails and posh places to perch.

General admission tickets, which are $75 at the door and $65 online, allow ticket holders to taste all the beers and mingle with the brewers while nibbling on delicious delights from 40 of Tulsa’s best restaurants. Visit wildbrew.org.

— ANGELA EVANS

1102 S. YALE AVE., 918-835-8039 6100 S. SHERIDAN ROAD, 918-895-6375 $-$$

Freeway Cafe

Classic breakfasts are favorites here. For something heartier, try the grilled pork chop and eggs, or chicken fried steak and eggs. If you like omelets, try the Oklahoma omelet — packed with bacon, sausage, shredded beef and ham with green peppers, onions, cheddar cheese and salsa. The kids’ menu has portions sized just right; little ones might like the mini pancakes or the cheese omelet with hash browns and toast.

Dilly Diner

On the sweet side of Dilly Diner’s menu is the Cinnamon Crunch French Toast. Thick-sliced brioche is coated in crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and griddled, with maple syrup and butter on the side. On the savory side, you can’t do better than a classic breakfast sandwich, with a fried egg, bacon and American cheese on a toasted English muffin.

Breakfast is served until 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and until 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday.

402 E. SECOND ST. | 918-938-6382 $$

Black Bear Diner

Big breakfasts are the signature of the Black Bear Diner. Everything from chicken fried steak and eggs to huevos rancheros can be found. But some of the best gems are on the sweet side. Sweet cream waffles and French toast are both good. Or try the cinnamon roll French toast or the bear claw French toast.

9026 E. 71ST ST. | 918-459-8711 $$

1547 E. THIRD ST., 918-836-6726 | 465 S. SHERIDAN ROAD, 918-836-8150 | 5849 S. 49TH W. AVE., 918-292-8678 $-$$

In the Raw 3321 S. Peoria Ave., 918-744-1300 | 6151 S. Sheridan Road, 918-524-0063 | 216 S. Main St., Broken Arrow, 918-893-6111 | intherawsushi.com

Yokozuna 309 E. Second St., 918-508-7676 | 9146 S. Yale Ave., Suite 100, 918-619-6271 | yokozunasushi.com

Sushi Hana 9904 Riverside Parkway, 918-528-6688 | 3739 S. Peoria Ave., 918-712-9338 | sushihanatulsa.com

Sushi Train 3300 E. 51st St. | 918-747-9931 | sushitraintulsaok.com

Fuji 8226 E. 71st St. | 918-250-1821 | fujitulsa.com

98

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

SUSHI These winners from TulsaPeople’s annual A-List Readers’ Choice Awards serve up the freshest rolls with flattering flair.

How do you describe a commercial cleaning company that has been in business for 34 years in 1 word?

TULSA SMALL BUSINESS SUMMIT

Blessed.

Here’s to the next 34 years!

Presented by

Featuring a keynote presentation from

STACY BROWN Founder, Chicken Salad Chick

THURSDAY, OCT. 24 7:30 A.M.-1:30 P.M. Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center 6808 S. 107th E. Ave. | Tulsa, OK 74133

Learn more and purchase tickets at tulsasbc.com/summit

YOUR PARTNER IN PROSPERITY

A

R

1 4

T H

T

7/15/19 10:09 AM

EROKE

T

H

E

C

TSBC_ Small Business Summit Ad - QTR page.indd 2

MARK

E

A N N U A L

CHEROKEE ART MARKET 12

OCTOBER & 13, 2019

Sequoyah Convention Center at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa cherokeeartmarket.com

|

877.779.6977

Martha Berry - “Sageeyah Gold: Honoring the Pollinators & the Humans Who Protect Them” (textile) Culture Keeper Award

TulsaPeople.com

99

DINING OUT

The Cuban sandwich at Mangos is one of the restaurant’s most popular menu items.

Anthony, Mary and Josh Martinez

The restaurant is located in the Studio Row area of midtown.

FAMILY TRADITION HANDED-DOWN RECIPES MAKE UP THE MENU AT THE NEW MANGOS CUBAN CAFE.

BY NATALIE MIKLES

100

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

F

or Tulsa, a city with a pretty diverse food scene, its lack of Cuban food was a surprise to Mary and Anthony Martinez.

Anthony’s father was from Havana, Cuba, and Anthony grew up with black beans and rice, plantains and braised beef. If he wanted good Cuban food, he didn’t go to a restaurant. He turned to the recipes from his grandmother and relatives.

So when Mary and Anthony and their son, Josh, were approached about a restaurant space on Studio Row, they knew what kind of restaurant they wanted to open. The area around Church Studio, once Leon Russell’s legendary recording studio, is getting attention as the studio is being renovated, and it’s anticipated to attract even more visitors once the renovation is completed. A coffee shop, retail space and the Martinezes’ restaurant, Mangos Cuban Cafe, are part of that revitalization.

Arroz con pollo

Mangos is a bright, clean restaurant with comfortable seating, a nice bar and lively music. We visited for lunch, and service was quick even with a crowd.

We started with papa rellena ($3.95), mounds of mashed potatoes filled with ground beef, peppers, onions and green olives. The potato balls are then deep fried for a crisp crust. Our table of five immediately ordered another round. We also liked the croquetas ($5.50), a crisp-fried dough filled with a creamy mixture of chopped ham in a bechamel sauce.

Many diners were ordering the Cuban hamburger ($8.95), an off-menu special, that looked delicious, featuring a beef, pork and chorizo patty and dressed with a tomato-based sauce. That and the Cuban sandwich were the most popular foods the day we were there. Mangos’ Cuban sandwich ($10.50) is made traditionally with slow-roasted pork, sliced ham, dill pickles, mustard and Swiss cheese. It’s served on Cuban bread, which is shipped from a bakery in Florida.

Another traditional Cuban food Mangos does well is arroz con pollo ($10.95), a dish of chicken and seasoned rice, served with black beans and fried plantains.

We also enjoyed the bistec palomilla ($12.95), a thin-cut marinated steak with grilled onions.

Josh Martinez says the highest compliment, and one he often hears from people, is the food at Mangos reminds them of food they have eaten in Miami or Cuba.

“We knew there was a market for Cuban food,” he says. “A market that was untapped. And now we’re hearing that from so many customers.”

Still, Josh says, there are a great number of customers who are new to Cuban food. “Some people think it’s going to be like Mexican food or very hot and spicy,” he says. “But it’s nuanced — subtle and very seasoned.”

Mangos’ menu was developed using Anthony’s grandmother’s and other family members’ recipes.

“These are traditional, homemade recipes,” Josh says. “It’s food that’s very specific — food that originates from Cuba and from Cuban people in Miami.”

For dessert, the Martinezes make flan ($5.50) in-house. The creamy custard, which is topped with a caramel sauce, is a nice end to a Cuban meal. TP

Bistec palomilla

Mangos Cuban Cafe 317 S. TRENTON AVE. | 918-932-8608 MANGOSTULSA.COM 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday. Closed Sundays.

TulsaPeople.com

101

W H AT’S COOK ING?

Onifade Amusan and his mom, Ifaseyi Amusan

The buzz on Tulsa’s tastiest products, restaurants and events

BY NATALIE MIKLES

Barbecue chicken pasta salad

COOKIE king

VIDEO

at TULSAPEOPLE.COM

Watch Onifade make his favorite recipe.

102

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

I

t’s time to say goodbye to summer. Why not celebrate these last days of the season with a favorite meal?

Pasta salads are easy to make and are great for feeding a crowd. One of our favorites is a barbecue chicken pasta salad. Add any of your favorite summertime veggies to this mixture of grilled chicken, roasted corn, pasta and a dressing made with barbecue sauce.

BARBECUE CHICKEN PASTA SALAD

Serves 6 1 pound cellentani or rotini pasta, cooked 2 cups shredded, cooked chicken 1 cup corn kernels 1 cup black beans 1 cup halved grape or cherry tomatoes 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro 2 scallions, thinly sliced

BARBECUE SAUCE DRESSING 1 cup barbecue sauce Juice of 2 limes 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 garlic clove, crushed ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika ¼ teaspoon cumin ¼ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, corn, beans, tomatoes, cilantro and scallions.

Make the dressing by whisking together all sauce ingredients.

Drizzle half of dressing over pasta, tossing to coat. Taste to see if more dressing is needed. You might end up with leftover dressing.

COOKIE: GREG BOLLINGER

At 8 years old, Onifade Amusan had a sweet business plan.

He wanted to travel with his mom, Ifaseyi Amusan, to visit family in Africa. But after learning the cost, he decided there must be a way he could help pay for their travel expenses.

He already knew his way around the kitchen, mostly because his mom, who is a chef, let him help her while baking. So Onifade started making cookies. Onifade’s Cookie Co. is now three years old, with deliveries made all over the Tulsa area and shipped nationwide.

One thing that sets Onifade’s cookies apart is the number of flavors he makes, including chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, oatmeal raisin, white chocolate macadamia, lemon white chocolate, peanut butter, key lime, butter, caramel pecan and more. Some flavors also come in gluten-free and vegan varieties.

“It surprises me how good he is at business,” Ifaseyi Amusan says. “We were at a function, and he brought samples and handed out his card.”

Onifade is now 11 years old and a fifthgrader at Eugene Field Elementary School.

Cookies sell for $7 a dozen, or wrapped packages of two cookies are $3.50. Order cookies by calling 918-707-5827 and visit facebook.com/onifadescookieco for more information.

In May, Tim Swepston was named the new executive chef at Bodean, 3376 E. 51st St. He was previously Bodean’s chef de cuisine. We caught up with him soon after he became top chef of the 50-year-old seafood restaurant.

Tim Swepston

Q&A

HOW’S IT GOING SO FAR? It’s amazing, daunting and ultimately exhilarating. Taking the mantle from Chef (Jared) Chamberlain is an honor. We have worked together for the last three years, and I am thankful for his friendship and guidance.

DO YOU HAVE ANY MEMORIES OF BODEAN FROM WHEN YOU WERE GROWING UP IN TULSA? Yes, absolutely. My parents prepared for boils at the market back in the ’80s. I finally had the pleasure of joining my mom in the restaurant as an adult. The trout has always been her favorite menu item, and I have assured her it will not change.

WHEN DID YOU DECIDE YOU WANTED A CULINARY CAREER? My dad taught me to cook with a cast iron skillet when I was in the Boy Scouts, and who would have guessed it would become a necessary survival skill in my early 20s. At that time, I was putting the “starving” in artist, so I worked in kitchens to eat and fuel my art (he studied at the Academy of Fine Art New Orleans).

Somewhere in there, the lines blurred, and the creativity merged. The way I cooked became more of a craft, and my art reflected the life of a chef.

YOU WORKED AT EMERIL LAGASSE’S FAMOUS DELMONICO RESTAURANT IN NEW ORLEANS. TELL US ABOUT THAT. What can I say? There is no place like home. I started my chef career opening Dels, ventured out into kitchens from the Riverbend to the French Quarter, and actually closed my 15-year stint in New Orleans back at Delmonico as their saucier (saute chef). The people at that restaurant and in that scene are like my family, and I have been honored to serve with them.

WHAT CHEFS HAVE INFLUENCED YOU THE MOST? Anthony Bourdain is like the patron saint of old-school chefs, so a glass tap is in order there. As for up-close-and-personal figures that have molded me, I’d have to say Gerard Crozier, Leah Chase and Paul Prudhomme.

WHERE DO YOU LIKE TO EAT IN TULSA? Sisserou’s and Stonehorse have been safeties since we moved here. They deliver every time.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR INSPIRATION? I’m not an Instagram chef. Putting a sepia filter over a bowl of grits doesn’t give them authenticity, and stuff like that actually inspires me to rebel against the social media food culture all together. It lights a spark for me to create moments for guests that can’t be replicated online. Food should be felt,

it should be personal, and I’m passionate about serving up that kind of experience.

WHAT WOULD WE FIND IF WE LOOKED IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR? My wife, Emma, is a connoisseur of hot sauces, seasoning salts and pickled things. Beyond all that indigestion is a random selection of charcuterie.

IS THERE ANYTHING NEW ON THE HORIZON AT BODEAN? Bodean is an institution. It holds a level of integrity for its dishes that has defined fine dining for centuries, which makes it immune to the changing tides of fad food. You can expect that my style is a bit different from my predecessors, but I’m philosophically consistent with what they do. I love it, and it’s a privilege to be a part of it.

The 1800 and The Garden 1800 UTICA SQUARE

Lost restaurants of Tulsa

THE GARDEN: COURTESY HOWARD HOPKINS COLLECTION

Restaurants might come and go in Tulsa, but many have made their mark on our city’s history for their food, service, owners and atmosphere. Here’s one serving of Tulsa’s gastronomic history from “Lost Restaurants of Tulsa.”

Before it was The Garden tea room, the restaurant was known simply as “The 1800.” It was operated by the Carters (co-developers of Utica Square) and the Powers family before it transitioned into The Garden in 1967.

The Garden was operated by Gerri Freeman and Peggy Helmerich; it was designed to offer an unparalleled dining experience in Tulsa. Each room was elaborately decorated around a specific theme. Helmerich explained: “In the west room, (decorator Jack Wagor) wallpapered the walls with stylized tulips … sort of contemporary. And then, he made chandeliers … that brought the colors together. He did sconces on the wall … it was sort of fabulous. It just knocked your socks off.” Another room was stylized around an iris theme with purple, blue and lavender. “The middle room was for men,” for a period of time. “It had beautiful fixtures with great big copper plates … it looked very masculine. That was the Geranium Room.”

The Garden became quite a social hub. It was the site of wedding showers, bridal luncheons and fashion shows. After The Garden closed in 1995, the space evolved once again.

Today, the Wild Fork occupies the space. — RHYS MARTIN TulsaPeople.com

103

TULSA TIME WARP

In this undated original photo, station attendants clean the dock and add a fresh coat of paint to Phillips 66 Station No. 473 at 2224 E. Admiral Blvd.

FILL ’ER UP T

ulsa’s fi rst suburban shopping center, Whittier Square, grew up around the area’s post office, which was established in 1916, according to the City of Tulsa Preservation Commission. Thirteen years later, in 1929, Phillips Petroleum Co. opened a service station in the bustling neighborhood known today as the Kendall Whittier District.

Phillips 66 cottage-style stations, like Station No. 473, were intended to blend into residential areas by design and appearance. Their dark green exterior with orange and blue trim added a commercial appeal and recognizable characteristic common of Phillips stations at the time.

The area got a huge boost when Route 66 cut through Whittier Square, approximately where I-244 runs today. Station No. 473 continued to thrive, even adding a garage service bay to the building’s west end in 1941.

Like other Phillips stations, this location was operated by Phillips Petroleum Co. until World War II and then leased to ease financial concerns brought on by the war. Many lessees operated as fi lling stations selling Phillips fuel.

The company finally sold the property in 1962 with a stipulation prohibiting the new owner from selling or storing fuel and oil at the location.

It has since regained its original name and operates as Bar #473. TP

104

TulsaPeople AUGUST 2019

COURTESY BERYL FORD COLLECTION/ROTARY CLUB OF TULSA, TULSA CITY-COUNTY LIBRARY AND TULSA HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM

STORY AND COMPOSITE IMAGE BY PATRICK MCNICHOLAS

EXCEPTIONAL Senior Living: Minutes from downtown, Miles from ordinary Nestled on 50 secluded acres just outside downtown, Saint Simeon’s has been exceeding expectations in senior care and living since 1960.

Residents love the state-of-the-art wellness center, therapeutic indoor pool and enjoying time with friends. Their families enjoy the park-like grounds, feeding the peacocks and watching the grandkids on the playground. But the real difference is our outstanding care. With Saint Simeon’s, families have peace of mind.

Come see for yourself.

Call Donna at 918-425-3583 for your free tour today.

Saint Simeon’s is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

SaintSimeons.org