Oklahoma Magazine February 2023

PLUS: Image Matters

Private School GUIDE

SIP & SAVOR

Cocktail recipes, must-visit bars and a look at the trends

EXCELLENCE IN TECHNOLOGY

Exploring the sector

EDUCATION PREVIEW

toAdapting the

How universities are staying competitive

Here to Help You Rebuild Your Life®

What Can Bank Statements Show in a Divorce?

What can bank statements show? And why can they be important in a divorce? These are questions many would ask.

In a divorce, there is a lot of information and evidence that a court may look at in terms of helping to ensure a just result. One piece of evidence that can become important is bank statements.

In some circumstances, the courts may order the parties to exchange bank statements voluntarily. In some cases, the parties may agree to exchange bank statements by consent. And in other cases, the parties may issue requests for production upon each other to produce bank statements.

In some cases, the parties in a divorce may have jointly titled all of their bank statements. In other cases, the parties may have had separate bank accounts during the marriage. This can lead to different levels of concern in some cases — and different levels of need to exchange this information.

As it relates to spousal maintenance and child support, bank statements can show deposits into an account. In cases where the income of the parties is a disputed issue, this can be even more relevant. This can be particularly true where there is commission-based income, tips, rental income, or income from secondary employment.

Bank statements can also show spending habits. These spending habits can be important as it relates to determining the expenses of parties in a divorce. These expenses can be important as it relates to spousal maintenance. It can also be important as it relates to child support when the expenses relate to the children.

In some cases, the parties might need to show fairly recent bank statements. In some cases, it might be useful to go some period of time backward in terms of looking at bank statements. Different facts can lead to different needs in divorce cases.

Stange Law Firm, PC limits

their practice to family law matters including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, guardianship, adoption, mediation, 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 855805-0595.

Sip & Savor

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right? Sit back, relax and enjoy our annual booze spotlight. Explore the origins of whacky cocktail names, get a vocab lesson from the beer lexicon, nd your new favorite watering hole or try out the sober lifestyle with a few non-alcoholic o erings. Bottoms up!

Adapting to the Times

Higher education continues to evolve. We discuss the pros and cons of arti cial intelligence, ways that institutions are protecting students’ online privacy and the continual normalization of hybrid schooling.

40

Private School Guide

If you’re looking to make decisions regarding your child’s education, Oklahoma Magazine can help. e Private School Guide presents an easy-to-understand breakdown highlighting a variety of elementary, middle and high schools in Tulsa and OKC.

45

A Burgeoning Industry

In an unsteady market, one thing is certain: the prevalence of tech jobs continues to grow. We discuss a few opportunities within the sector, plus the core skills to master and resources to utilize if you want in.

48

Image Matters

e world of aesthetics is becoming more accessible than ever, with a variety of non-invasive procedures at your ngertips. We explore a few of those, as well as plastic surgery trends on the rise, and talk with pros about a handful of myths about injectables.

52

Keeping Connections Alive

As one ages, the importance of friendships, relationships and planning ahead can’t be understated. Senior living community experts and physicians weigh in on making the most of your golden years.

New symptoms?

Check in on your heart health

If daily tasks or short walks are more difficult than they used to be, it might be time to talk with a specialist about your risk for heart disease, and if a heart screening is right for you. Heart care shouldn’t wait. Get heart care sooner to catch things before they could get worse.

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

If you can believe it, we’re quickly approaching the second month of 2023. If that’s as overwhelming to you as it is to me, perhaps our cocktail feature will be a welcomed reprieve (page 26). is year, we o er a variety of recipes from popular Tulsa and OKC watering holes, alongside with a vocab breakdown from the ever-expanding beer lexicon and a prediction about this year's most popular drink trends.

Cosmetic procedures – whether non-invasive or surgical – have never been more accessible. In the annual Image Matters spotlight (48), experts explore aesthetic o erings on the rise, plus some myths about injectables and the e cacy of di erent procedures.

February also welcomes the Education Preview. We delve into the pros and cons of arti cial intelligence in the classroom, as well as the slow normalization of hybrid schooling and the many ways institutions are protecting students’ online privacy (page 33).

Other goodies include our tech feature (page 45), the Senior Health spotlight (page 52), and the Private School Guide (page 40), which showcases the many facets of di erent private institutions, including tuition rates, student/teacher ratios and foreign language o erings.

February is also Black History Month; we talk with state leaders about di erent commemorative events, as well as how Oklahomans can educate themselves on the topic (page 6). Stick around for a chat with chef Nick Corcoran, who cut his teeth at the iconic BurnCo Barbeque before pivoting into a new concept with Watershed Hospitality (58). All that and more is yours for the reading!

COMING IN FEBRUARY

In conjunction with our cocktail feature, you'll nd bonus drink recipes and images online at okmag.com. Bottoms up!

PRESIDENT AND EDITORIAL DIRECTOR

DANIEL SCHUMAN

PUBLISHER AND FOUNDER

VIDA K. SCHUMAN

MANAGING EDITOR

MARY WILLA ALLEN

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

JOHN WOOLEY

GRAPHICS MANAGER

MARK ALLEN

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

NATALIE GREEN, NATHAN HARMON, SCOTT MILLER, STEPHANIE PHILLIPS, DAN MORGAN, DAVID COBB, SCOTT JOHNSON

CONTACT US

ADVERTISING INQUIRIES: ADVERTISING@OKMAG.COM

EVENTS AND CALENDAR SUBMISSIONS: EVENTS@OKMAG.COM

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT CONTENT: EDITOR@OKMAG.COM

ALL OTHER INQUIRIES: MAIL@OKMAG.COM

Oklahoma Magazine is published monthly by Schuman Publishing Company

P.O. Box 14204 • Tulsa, OK 74159-1204 918.744.6205 • FAX: 918.748.5772 mail@okmag.com

www.okmag.com

Subscriptions are $18 for 12 issues. Mail checks to Oklahoma Magazine

P.O. Box 14204 Tulsa, OK 74159-1204

Copyright © 2023 by Schuman Publishing Company.

Oklahoma Wedding, The Best of the Best, 40 Under 40, Single in the City, Great Companies To Work For and Oklahomans of the Year are registered trademarks of Schuman Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Reproduction without written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited. All photographs, articles, materials and design elements in Oklahoma Magazine and on okmag. com are protected by applicable copyright and trademark laws, and are owned by Schuman Publishing Company or third party providers. Reproduction, copying, or redistribution without the express written permission of Schuman Publishing Company is strictly prohibited. All requests for permission and reprints must be made in writing to Oklahoma Magazine, c/o Reprint Services, P.O. Box 14204, Tulsa, OK 74159-1204. Advertising claims and the views expressed in the magazine by writers or artists do not necessarily represent those of Oklahoma Magazine, Schuman Publishing Company, or its aff iliates.

Understanding Black History

Black History Month is a time dedicated to examining the past and honoring the many contributions of African Americans throughout U.S. history.

is February, Oklahomans can do just that by engaging with the state’s cultural institutions. Many of these organizations have big plans to broaden their audiences and tell a fuller story of Oklahoma’s history in years to come.

The Oklahoma Historical Society

e Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) invites Oklahomans to take advantage of its programming and resources year-round.

“We’ve been told that we’re a very well-kept secret,” says Saidy Orellana, multicultural o cer at the OHS.

“We don’t want to be a secret. We want people to know about us, and especially about themselves. History enlightens people to understand who we are.”

Since the 1980s, the OHS has been compiling resources that give historical context into the Black experience in Oklahoma; these are accessible through its webpage, Black History is Oklahoma History. Topics covered range from the arrival of the freedmen in Indian Territory to the sit-ins in Oklahoma City.

e OHS o ers virtual programming on its YouTube channel, @okhistoricalsociety, in honor of Black History Month. On Feb. 9, the society will stream an interview with Donnie L. Nero, Ph.D., the rst African American president of a higher education institution in Oklahoma.

e interview will focus on the theme of segregation in education.

As a part of its People of Oklahoma video series, the OHS will also premiere a documentary that recounts the state’s civil rights movement on YouTube. Viewers can watch beginning on Feb. 20.

“[Our] objective is to help each other connect and nd the humanity in all of us,” says Orellana. “ at way we can work together and make Oklahoma a better place to live.”

Greenwood Rising

Located in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District, Greenwood Rising aims to immerse visitors in the history of the Greenwood community, beginning with the rise of Black Wall Street, the underpinnings that led to the Tulsa Race Massacre and the

Myriad resources exist to help Oklahomans learn more about the state’s vast and storied Black history.

revival of the district that followed.

In 2022, the museum announced new leadership plans, welcoming Raymond Doswell, Ed.D., as executive director. Doswell stepped into the role in January.

“My goal over the next few years is to build up a lot of activity and get people coming back to the museum,” he says.

e announcement came after a 6-month recruitment and interview process. Originally, Doswell recommended other colleagues for the job, but his interest piqued as he learned more about the organization.

“I got to thinking about the possibilities… and the ideas kept owing to the point where I couldn’t sleep,” he recalls.

Previously, Doswell worked at the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City for 27 years, serving as the VP of curatorial services for the last decade.

When teaching about dicult historical events he advises: “You’ve got to tell the truth... and try to make the connections with what’s happening today so that it remains relevant.”

With many ideas in store, Doswell says he’s ready to hit the ground running.

“I look forward to talking and

listening to people in Tulsa as I learn about the community and history,” he says. “And I want to encourage folks to continue to support the institution and look for opportunities to participate.”

The Clara Luper Civil Rights Center

Born and raised in Oklahoma, schoolteacher Clara Luper became one of the most in uential civil rights activists of her time. In memory of her legacy, the City of Oklahoma City is building the Clara Luper Civil Rights Center, a project publicly funded by the MAPS 4 program.

e center will sit on a ve-acre campus that will include a welcome center, gift shop, administrative o ces, an exhibition space and the Freedom Center of Oklahoma City, a nonpro t located in the building that Clara Luper and the NAACP Youth Council used as a civil rights activity hub.

Once completed, the Freedom Center of Oklahoma City will take over operations of the campus.

“We really want to keep the legacy of youth development alive by engaging young people through educational resources,” says Christina Beatty, project director at the OKC Freedom Center.

Development began in 2019.

e City of Oklahoma City and the Freedom Center hired architectural rm Bockus Payne to provide renderings of the campus layout. It will include thoughtful design elements, such as inverted skylights that look like gems – a nod to how Clara Luper would refer to her students as diamonds. Construction will begin in 2024 and nish in 2026.

However, the restoration of the Freedom Center in Oklahoma City is already underway. is part of the project has been privately funded and will repair the building’s brick exterior and add a pitched roof. e restoration also involves cataloging the items that remained in the building, including NAACP member records, handwritten letters sent to Clara Luper, and her personal desk.

Beatty says that the restoration of the Freedom Center will wrap up by the end of 2023. Oklahomans can check out project updates at freedomcenterokc.org.

“ ere’s such a rich history that we haven’t had the opportunity to be proud of as a city and as a state,” says Beatty. “[Our history] helps us understand the power that each of us holds to improve the community around us.”

DID YOU KNOW?

• OHCA supports more than half of all births in Oklahoma.

Understanding the roles of various entities within state government can be confusing. But for many Oklahomans who nd themselves in need, the Oklahoma Health Care Authority can be a lifesaver. And even if you don’t need them right now, understanding the help they provide could be important in the future.

“Overall, the vision at the healthcare authority … is for all Oklahomans to be healthy and have access to quality healthcare, regardless of the ability to pay,” says Kevin Corbett, OHCA CEO and Secretary of Health and Mental Health.

• OHCA is the second largest funds appropriation agency in the state.

• It serves approximately 1.3 million people – with just over half of those being children.

• Oklahomans can determine their eligibility for SoonerCare at mysoonercare.org.

OHCA is the state Medicaid agency, says Corbett, and it operates SoonerCare, which facilitates healthcare services for those that are not able to a ord it otherwise. SoonerCare is a rich set of bene ts that provides for anything from general wellness care to hospitalization to surgeries, mental health services, substance abuse assistance and more.

e OHCA serves

about one third of the state’s population, with approximately 1.3 million people a part of SoonerCare. e authority also works with more than 70,000 partners and providers across the state to serve members and deliver healthcare services.

Eligibility is mostly income based, and the service often meets a temporary need, like after a job loss, for example. According to Corbett, an eligibility example could be a family of four that makes less than $40,000 per year, but anyone can check their eligibility status quickly at mysoonercare.org.

“[ e SoonerCare] program is there to support and be a safety net for those that nd themselves in a situation where they need access to healthcare, but they are not capable, on their own, to be able to support that,” says Corbett.

e OHCA, which was formed in 1993, saw big changes – and an increase of about 300,000 members – in the last few years after the state adopted Medicaid expansion. ey now serve Oklahomans from birth to end of life with bene ts across the entire spectrum, says Corbett. And there are big things ahead for this state agency.

When it comes to health in the state, the OHCA and secretary Corbett recognize that there is work to be done. e team has stayed steadfast in its bold vision for all Oklahomans to be healthy, and have taken a hard look at how to achieve those outcomes.

“We are in, what I call, a health transformation phase. We have made the commitment that we want to honor that vision, and therefore we are changing the healthcare delivery system that the Medicaid program supports today,” says Corbett.

e agency will be launching the new SoonerSelect program likely in early 2024, which will be an outcome- and improvementbased delivery system transformation, according to Corbett.

“We are looking to partner with others that will help us coordinate care and help drive outcomes on a very collaborative basis,” he says.

Regardless of the in’s and out’s of the service, the vital message remains the same: “Just understanding that the state has a support for all citizens that are in need of healthcare, regardless of ability to pay,” says Corbett. “Just knowing that it’s there to serve all citizens that are in need, that’s important.”

TEACHING RESEARCH EXTENSION

At OSU, we know we belong to the land. And with the promise of a bright orange era on the horizon, Oklahoma State University is set to become the nation’s preeminent land-grant university.

Through thoughtful research and empowering conversations, President Kayse Shrum’s new, bold vision will take OSU where no other land-grant university has gone before.

Guided by its modern land-grant mission, OSU will:

• Create an innovative path forward for students by making higher education more accessible to all through financial support — allowing more students to graduate debt-free.

• Embrace dynamic interdisciplinary research to develop and define cuttingedge solutions to meet society’s needs.

• Invest in Oklahoma by broadening workforce and economic development, and expanding health care.

And this is just the beginning. Learn more about OSU’s strategic vision.

Working Towards Walkability

Acentury ago, pedestrians and the occasional horse-drawn conveyance ruled the streets. erefore, the largest metropolitan areas in Oklahoma were laid out accordingly – to maximize pedestrian considerations. But the introduction of automobiles into everyday life brought about a lot of change that would have long-lasting e ects.

“Automobile ownership became the natural way that people got around,” says Justin Henry, transportation program planner with the City of Oklahoma City. “We really shifted away from that pedestrian planning for a long time.”

Designing streets and neighborhoods for car tra c began to take its toll, and in recent years, there has been a shift back to the idea of making both Oklahoma City and Tulsa more walkable.

“We have done more sidewalk construction probably in the last ten years now than we did in the previous fty,” says Henry. “So we’re really trying to invest in it in a big way and move forward.”

Terry Ball, director of streets and stormwater for the City of Tulsa, describes making a city more “walkable” as helping people get from point “a” to point “b” safely. Whether you want to go to the library or the grocery store and whether you are on foot, a bicycle or scooter, walkability can include various means of transportation, just minus the car, he says.

Walkability isn’t an on/o switch either; it’s a gradient of amenities, says Henry. It includes things like proper lighting, street furnishings such as benches or water fountains, landscaping elements like shade trees, and even the placement of buildings and other land uses near walkable streets and sidewalks.

In 2018, Oklahoma City’s city council adopted BikeWalkOKC, the bicycle and pedestrian master plan. is plan directs priorities for spending on sidewalks, bike lanes and street enhancements (a catch-all term for those higher level aspects of walkability), says Henry.

Why is Walkability Important?

The autocentric nature of many neighborhoods and city districts today can be very isolating in a time when we feel isolated for many other reasons, says Henry.

There is a lot of information out there about the health benefits of walking, so it benefits us all when our cities make us feel safer in that pursuit to walk more.

“Increased walkability [and] healthier urban environments help create better health outcomes,” says Henry.

Another way in which changes in walkability are happening is through resident requests and the recognition of need. When citizens of Tulsa reach out with a walkability need, Ball’s o ce gets more information and utilizes a scoring sheet to prioritize the projects. But the score sheet isn’t about where people live, it’s all about the urgency of the need, he says. Oftentimes it’s a person with a disability who needs access from home to the store, a library, or to a public transportation stop.

“We had a couple locations in east Tulsa that were just worn out because people were going to the grocery store from a neighborhood and apartments,” says Ball. “So we came in with our money allocation we had that year and we actually poured sidewalks, that way they were on a paved surface and not walking in the mud to get to the grocery store.”

Local governments are making Oklahoma a safer and easier place to traverse without a car.

Stamp of Approval

OKC’s Skydance Bridge can be found on U.S. Postal Service stamps throughout 2023.

Asmall part of Oklahoma is making its mark across the U.S. in a rst-class way.

e Oklahoma City Skydance Bridge is one of four bridges that will be on a U.S. Postal Service Presorted First-Class Mail stamp this year.

e others selected include the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge in Omaha, NE; the Arrigoni Bridge in Middletown, CT; and the Iowa-Illinois Memorial Bridge in Bettendorf, Iowa, and Moline, IL.

According to the U.S. Postal Service’s website, “the stamps feature existing photographs of

tion o cer for the City of Oklahoma City, suspects the bridge was selected because of its iconic, soaring design.

“ e sculpture is the most valuable and visible piece in the city’s growing art collection,” she says.

e pedestrian bridge is 380 feet long and 197 feet tall, stretching over Interstate 40 near Robinson Ave. in Oklahoma City. It connects the north and south halves of the 70-acre Scissortail Park – a sprawling outdoor green space completed with money from MAPS3, a debt-free public improvement program funded by a temporary penny sales tax.

e U.S. Postal Service art director, Ethel Kessler, designed all of the stamps in the bridges collection with existing photographs.

“ ese particular bridge images were selected primarily based on the dynamic lighting and perspective of the photograph,” says James McKean, senior public relations representative for the U.S. Postal Service. “At this small scale, the images needed to be

The Major Players

MKEC Engineering and SX-L were responsible for the design and structural engineering of the bridge that opened in 2012.

S-X-L is a collaboration of architects, engineers, university professors and designers, including Laurent Massenat with Obelisk Engineering; Hans Butzer with Butzer Architects and Urbanism; Stan Carroll with Beyond Metal; Ken Fitzsimmons with TASK Design; Chris Ramseyer with Fears Lab at the University of Oklahoma; David Wanzer with Pivot Project Development; Bret Johnston; and Jeremy Gardner with Gardner Architects.

This bridge, already an iconic landmark for Oklahomans, will now continue to make an impression across the country via the stamp.

“Having a stamp that represents Oklahoma City’s landmark keeps us on the national stage and helps give our skyline a unique identity,” says Yager. “The bridge has become a popular backdrop for weddings, engagements and family photos and provides the perfect anchor for Scissortail Park. We are proud of Skydance Bridge and the fact it was designed locally.”

The stamps will be available for purchase by bulk mail users in coils of 3,000 and 10,000.

Showcasing the State

Creative duo Jeremy and Kara Choate have pivoted into movie making with Tenkiller – shot in the Sooner State.

The Oklahoma lmmaking community continues to grow year after year.

Jeremy and Kara Choate, a husband and wife creative duo from Tahlequah, have joined those ranks.

eir rst lm, Tenkiller, debuted in November 2022. It follows an eighteenyear-old machinist who struggles with the death of his best friend, the divorce of his parents and the general violence of his life. Although this is the pair’s rst dip into movie-making, they’ve been veterans of storytelling for years; they own Choate House, a photography/video production company specializing in weddings and personal stories. Additionally, the couple created Blood Relative Films to release their movies.

e idea of making a movie had been gestating for a while – but a harrowing moment in the family provided a push.

“Kara had always mentioned how cool it would be for us to write and direct a movie,” says Jeremy. “I started writing the screenplay for Tenkiller after my thirteenyear-old daughter saved Kara from drowning in a kayaking accident.”

e lm, which is available to stream on Amazon, was shot entirely in Oklahoma, near Tenkiller Ferry Lake.

Jeremy utilized his Oklahoma roots when writing the story.

“ e idea for the script was inspired by experiences I had as a kid growing up in Tahlequah,” he says. “One in particular was when I watched from the woods as a friend broke into his uncle’s house.”

While the duo was already comfortable behind the camera, there were some growing pains shifting to a scripted lm.

“ e rst time lming a movie scene felt a bit sti ,” admits Kara. “It was just a crew of the two of us, along with the sound

guy, so you can imagine the juggling act. As we got more into lming, we really began to feel things open up in freedom and ow. I think you can see that momentum build when you watch the lm.”

While the couple is proud of the entire work, there are a few standout moments.

“ e scene of the brothers playing with the water hose in their front lawn stands out for me,” says Kara. “Behind the camera, it had a feeling of e Tree of Life. It’s an honest moment between two real-life brothers that brought up similar childhood memories of my own.”

e lm ran into a few production woes, notably COVID-19 and, of course, the harshness of Oklahoma weather.

“I think the toughest thing about lming was the heat,” says Kara. “We’d originally slated to lm in the spring, but COVID hit the week prior and shut everything down, so we had to lm in July. e majority of the scenes were lmed outdoors in 100+ degree heat. It was brutal, but we’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

And do it again they did; Kara and Jeremy liked the process so much they’ve already completed a second lm, e Awkward Stage, which is in post production now with a planned release this year.

“It’s a story about a bullied middle school reject who falls in love with a sculpture,” says Jeremy.

Learn more about the duo at choatehouse.com or bloodrelative lms.com.

Curating Camaraderie

Recreational sporting leagues bring Oklahomans together.

Aplethora of athletic leagues are available for men and women over 18 who want to make friends, burn some calories and, above all, have fun. ere are options for play seven days a week, and recreational teams run the gamut, from ag football, basketball, softball and kickball to volleyball, pickleball, cornhole and soccer. ese leagues are available through various groups including Tulsa Sports and Events, and Adult Athletics of OKC Parks. ere are leagues for serious athletes, folks who just want some exercise, and those ages 50 and up.

“We aim to provide a social and recreational experience for our community to cultivate health and wellness, no matter the age or ethnicity, and we o er a safe and fun- lled space to enjoy the sports our community loves to play,” says Jae Keller, the adult athletics program coordinator for OKC Parks. “We o er things less physical than our basketball and softball leagues. For example, our soccer program is great for those who just want to exercise and meet new people. We also have a senior sports division as well, and it includes cornhole.”

e OKC program o ers ten leagues across all sports, and some are co-ed. Keller says there were about 1,400 OKCarea athletic program participants in 2022. Prizes often range from gift bags to medals and shirts, and although the OKC

leagues currently compete against each other, plans are in the works for city-versus-city tournaments across the state.

For those in the OKC area, Keller says the rst step is “deciding what sport you want to participate in. Once the decision is made, we o er a website with all our sports information – youth included. Anyone can go to teamsideline.com/okc, and that link will take you to a world of information, along with our contact information, posted there for other questions that need to be answered.”

Tulsa Sports and Events Inc. organizes a variety of recreational league sports and tournaments in the metro, with goals of helping people stay active and social; connect with others; and provide a way for friends, family and co-workers to get closer. Tulsa Sports and Events o ers eight versus eight and ve versus ve ag football, men’s basketball, co-ed softball, co-ed kickball, men’s softball and co-ed, indoor sand volleyball. ere are multiple divisions based on skill level, and Tulsa Sports and Events is now partnered with the Tulsa Volleyball League.

To connect with Tulsa Sports and Events, go online to tulsasportsandevents.com.

A Relationship Builder

Although teams are competitive, Keller says she’s witnessed strong friendships form, and even seen amazing support among competitors and staff.

“We have a recreation specialist who assists with softball and runs the fields when games are being played,” says Keller. “The amount of love and respect he receives from the players is shocking to witness. He has his own relationship with each team captain. They love him, and it’s mutual and obvious by the way he is dedicated to making sure our programs succeed. And I have made connections along the way that I will take with me once I’m long gone.”

More Than Books

The Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) and Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County (MLS) have reimagined the uninspired vision of a library – nding a book and shushing your voice – into an intoxicating abundance of dynamic experiences.

And that’s welcome news, because every Tulsa County resident lives within ve miles of a TCCL library branch. And MLS has 19 library locations throughout Oklahoma County, plus a 24-hour-aday Metro to Go kiosk in Edmond for returns and pickups.

Both systems have creative maker spaces and studios. TCCL’s is a “hands-on learning space to develop new skills and work on a hobby,” with access to a variety of equipment options ranging from laser engravers and sewing machines to podcast production equipment, says Hector Arrazola, coordinator of maker spaces at TCCL.

Angel Suhrstedt, director of communications for the MLS, says the Bethany and Belle Isle locations have Maker Spaces where guests can use everything from digital printers to sewing machines and recording equip-

ment. Several locations have Maker Space Carts, and “our new Almonte Library and Edmond2 will have maker studios,” she says.

MLS classes include English as a Second Language; Citizenship; HiSET; Computers; and how to navigate Medicare; plus one-onone tech help. Guests can dive into knitting, crocheting, ber arts, books, movies, boards, tai chi, painting and crafts. Kids and teens even have access to Dungeons and Dragons clubs.

“If we see a need from the community, it would be something we explore,” says Suhrstedt. “We have robust programs available as digital resources, such as Mango Languages and Little Pim for kids.”

TCCL o ers Yuchi and Kiowa language classes, alongside other class topics that include ways to start healthy habits and foreign policy.

“We also host many author events annually, and bestow four author awards,” says Ellen Cummings, TCCL director of customer experiences.

TCCL guests use the digital literacy lab to develop new apps and software skills, try out equipment

BONUS PROGRAMS

TLLC offers the PAWS for Reading Program, allowing children to read aloud to a registered therapy dog, plus a world-class program offering videos in which Grammy Award-winning music professionals help all levels of players reach their music goals.

TLLC houses the African American, Hispanic, and American Indian resource centers, and the Summer Reading Program participation ranges up to 65,000.

As Oklahoma’s largest library system, MLS serves anyone who lives, attends schools or owns property in Oklahoma County. MLS is one of 50 U.S. libraries hosting Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries, an educational initiative of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C.. Guests may experience the exhibit at the Downtown Library at 300 Park Ave. through Feb. 12.

and digitize family history. Plus, numerous online resources include a digital catalog of historical photos and ephemera. e MLS digital collections include historic photos and documents, books, audio books, movies, music, newspapers and more than 150 databases including Ancestry.com.

Tulsa and OKC’s library systems o er classes, community programming, top-of-the-line tech and maker spaces.

Looking Out for Our Rural Neighbors

Healthcare advocates –particularly those most concerned with delivering quality services to rural areas of Oklahoma – will gather this fall to discuss the challenges facing the state and to honor rural providers.

e 2023 Oklahoma Rural Health Conference is set for Nov. 2-3 at the Hilton Garden Inn and Conference Center in Edmond. e conference, held annually, focuses on healthcare delivery and serves as a showcase for the state’s overall e orts to address current and future healthcare challenges in rural areas. e conference also bestows the honor of Oklahoma’s top rural health advocate for 2022.

Delivering adequate healthcare to lesser-populated areas is a challenge here and in other states where residents are scattered.

According to 2020 U.S. Census gures, about a third of Oklahoma’s roughly 3.9 million inhabitants are considered residents of “nonmetropolitan areas.”

Rural healthcare delivery is the focus of both the state’s Rural Health Association and the Oklahoma O ce of Rural Health. e state o ce and similar centers in the other 49 states have the backing of the National Organization of State O ces of Rural Health.

A Decades-Long Effort

For the past several decades, e orts to deliver rural healthcare have been supported as part of an overall federal mandate.

e National Rural Health Association was created to assist state rural health o ces in their e orts to improve access to healthcare and to improve the quality of care rural residents receive, according to the national organization’s website. Some 61 million Americans are considered rural residents.

Oklahoma’s Rural Health Ofce has a sta of three, according to its website, which states that o ce personnel work with rural communities to help ensure their healthcare infrastructure is economically viable. e sta also works to broaden and improve the access and quality of health care services, seeks to help stabilize rural hospital nances and to educate the public and policymakers

about rural health issues.

e status of healthcare in Oklahoma has gained the attention of at least one policy advocacy group, the Oklahoma Poor People’s Campaign.

Poor People’s Campaign board member Marilyn Knott recently wrote an opinion article that was published in e Oklahoman Knott stated that providing quality healthcare in rural areas depends on the availability of well-trained providers.

“Many people prefer living in rural Oklahoma,” Knott wrote. “We need to surround them with the services needed to let them prosper in place.”

In a later interview, Knott, who retired as the State Human Services Department’s administrator of planning, policy and research, said that healthcare in rural parts of Oklahoma is in peril, due in part to distances from adequate care and also due to hospital closings from inadequate pro t margins.

“No one should have to drive 100 miles to have a baby,” she said. HENRY DOLIVE

Finding Romance

Aaah, the month of love! If you’re not sure where to go with your partner for Valentine’s Day, we o er a few options.

Music and Performance

First Date Etiquette

Going on a first date this month? We present a few etiquette tips:

• Barring extreme circumstances, always be on time.

• Be honest about your expectations and goals up front.

• Put your phone on silent and in your pocket/purse.

• Stay positive and stay away from incendiary topics ... unless you don’t mind a lively debate.

• Stand up for yourself if things are going south.

• Dress well.

• If you initiated and planned the date, offer to pay.

If you enjoy the arts, Oklahoma has you covered with performances on and around Valentine’s Day.

In Tulsa, one of the most lauded love stories of all time – Cinderella – comes to life via the Tulsa Ballet, running Feb. 9-12 at the PAC.

OKC o ers plenty of goodies. First is Cirque Du Soleil: Corteo from Feb. 9-12 at the Paycom Center, followed by OKC Ballet’s rendition of Cinderella at the Civic Center Music Hall from Feb. 10-12. Stick around the Civic Center for Jesus Christ Superstar, running Feb. 14-19.

In Edmond, the stunning Dublin Irish Dance performance returns to Armstrong Auditorium on Feb. 15, and fans of country music will be thrilled to see Trace Adkins on Feb. 14 at Stillwater’s McKnight Center for the Performing Arts.

Art

If you’d like to opt for something interactive, a few Oklahoma museums have you covered with o -the-wall romance.

On Feb. 11, OKC’s Factory Obscura presents the Mix-Tape V-Day Bash. ere, you’ll enjoy a smattering of live band performances alongside the sale of handmade cards, felt owers and local art. In Tulsa, Love and Lust runs Feb. 11 at Living Arts. Created just for Valentine’s Day, the show is dedicated to what the gallery dubs “sensual artistry.”

On Feb. 12, guests can venture to the Museum of Osteology to enjoy Valentine’s Day Forenic Night. On the same note, visit Norman’s Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History on Feb. 17 for ARTxFACTS: Dating with Dinos, a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum’s vertebrate paleontology collection.

Activities

Whether you’re a couple that loves the great outdoors, arts and crafts, or painting, there are options for you.

On Feb. 12, Full Bloom Flower Bar o ers make-and-take bouquets at Tulsa’s American Solera Brewery. You can also swing by Tulsa Stained Glass on Feb. 14 for the Valetine’s Day Stained Glass Event. Groups and individuals can make simple (yet romantic) glass creations.

In OKC, creatives should try Painting with a Twist. ere, couples can paint Valentine’s Day-themed creations ... with champagne included!

For the t pairs, the Ancient Trail Trek runs Feb. 18 at the Keystone Ancient Forest in Sand Springs.

Dining/Drinking

A few Valentine’s Day dining and drinking experienced include:

Italian Wine Tasting

Feb. 9 NEFF Brewing, Tulsa

neff brewing.com

Valentines Day Dinner

Feb. 9 Skirvin Park Avenue Grill, Oklahoma City skirvinhilton.com/dining/park-avenue-grill

The Ultimate Valentine Dinner Date Event

Feb. 10 Mayo Hotel, Tulsa

themayohotel.com

Valentine’s Day Dinner

Feb. 11 Bricktown Brewery at Remington Park, OKC

remingtonpark.com/dining/bricktown-brewery

OKC Chaine des Rotisseurs and Society Mondiale du Vin Present: A Special Valentine’s Event

Feb. 11 Vast, OKC

vastokc.com

Love is in the air ... but your Valentine’s Day plans shouldn’t be.

The Legacy of Scout Younger

everyone in Tulsa would’ve known Scout Younger’s name. Now, no one does.”

Shell, along with fellow historian Stephen McCartney, are out to change that, hoping to bring a new round of recognition to a man they say was not only a pioneering Oklahoma lmmaker, but a consummate showman and trick rider who, from his Tulsa base, launched his own Wild West show and other attractions all across America. In addition to that, he was one of the city’s early successful businessmen; a piece in the November 19, 1908, Tulsa Democrat newspaper noted that after 12 years in town, Younger was operating “the largest dressed meat and poultry business in Oklahoma.”

According to that story, Younger had been “stranded in a desolate part of Western Texas” when he decided his fortunes might improve if he moved “further east and north.”

“He was an entrepreneur,” explains McCartney, “and he came to Tulsa just as it was waking up from being a

the town exploded. And he was there during those formative years.”

Not only was he there; he was making movies.

McCartney found all of this out while he was doing some research on the Dalton family, the one that produced four of America’s most notorious late-19th century outlaws. In the course of his investigations, McCartney came across a couple of interviews done during the 1930s by a writer for the Works Progress Administration’s Oral History Project, a federal government operation that sent people out to gather stories about the country’s earlier days. e writer was E e S. Jackson, and her eld interviews included one with Younger and another with his wife,

McCartney. “I started wondering, ‘Who was this fellow?’”

He contacted his friend Shell, and the two of them began digging up whatever they could about Scout and Pauline, looking especially for movies and other entertainmentrelated work. Among other things, they discovered evidence that the Youngers were the rst people in Tulsa to own an actual movie studio, which they operated at 19 North Victor, beginning in 1906. In her WPA interview, Pauline Younger told writer Jackson, “I think we were the rst independent movie producers in the United States.”

Like most of the other early Oklahoma lmmakers, the Youngers made lms about cowboys and out-

Many think Scout Younger, a lmmaker, showman and entrepreneur, deserves a larger place in Oklahoma history.

laws, subjects re ected in the list of productions Pauline Younger shared with her interviewer: Scout Younger on the Western Border, their rst, in 1902, which was expanded from the original two-reel version to a fourreeler (with a “reel” running approximately 10 minutes) in 1906; 1907’s Quantrill; 1909’s e Dalton Gang; and later ones, including Bosco (1912), Texas (1913), Belle Starr, and e Younger Brothers. e latter movie starred reformed bandit Cole Younger, from the infamous James-Younger Gang.

And here is as good a place as any to note that Scout Younger and the four brothers in the James-Younger Gang were not related, even though they shared a last name and Scout was sometimes referred to in the media of the day as a nephew or cousin. Pauline Younger told Jackson “ ere is no direct relationship between Scout Younger and Cole Younger and his brothers,” and McCartney has traced the ancestry of Marcus Jacob Younger – Scout’s given name – back to Scotland, while the outlaw branch of the Youngers had its origins in Germany.

It’s highly unlikely, however, that Scout Younger did anything to quell the assumption that he and the four outlaw Younger brothers were kin. As Shell notes, “Some of Scout’s stories were a little too wild to be acceptable,” including those featured in a long interview that appeared in the November 22, 1913 edition of the Ogden (Utah) Standard, describing how he had ridden with with Jesse James and the James-Dalton Gang.

As McCartney notes, “He would’ve been about eight years old when Jesse James was killed.”

ere’s no denying, however, that Scout Younger provided employment to some oldtime outlaws – notably Cole Younger and Emmett Dalton – at the ends of their lives, using them as actors and and taking them on tour with the lms, where they would talk to crowds about about the advisability of staying on the straight and narrow.

Re ecting on the early days of their lmmaking for the WPA interview, Pauline Younger said, “Of course, it was all simple like those nickelodeons you used to see thirty years ago. We produced our own pictures, then traveled around from town to town in the United States presenting them and giving lectures in connection with them. Our motto was ‘Crime does not pay.’ To prove this, whenever possible, we had the original bandit or outlaw with us and had him tell his own story and draw his own moral from his experience.”

Newspaper ads from the time indicate that Scout did a lot of the lecturing himself for these roadshows. Sometimes, he did

even more than that. An ad for the “Pathe 5-Cent eatre” from the October 8, 1911, edition of the Shawnee (Oklahoma) News, for instance, noted that its engagement of the lm Scout Younger on the Texas Border would be “presented by Scout Younger himself who will take tickets during performances.”

At one point, the Youngers also owned their own Tulsa theater, the Subway, between Main Street and Boston Avenue on Second Street.

In her WPA interview, Pauline Younger said that the two of them sold o their movies and got out of that particular business in the early ’20s, going to Chicago and engaging a sculptor named Schmidt to craft a series of wax gures of famous Oklahoma outlaws, which Pauline and Scout then took on the road. Somewhere in there, the two split up, but Scout Younger continued to display the collection for many years afterwards. When the government interviewer E e S. Jackson caught up with him on August 26, 1937, she found him in the Cowman’s Bar, an establishment he owned at 1440 E. ird St. in Tulsa, surrounded by many of the gures and other memorabilia that she termed “relics of outlawry.”

“To Younger,” she wrote, “this is the end of the trail – his last stand.”

And indeed it was. He died, at the age of 64, only a few months after Jackson’s visit. Neither McCartney nor Shell has been able to nd out what happened to any of the waxworks that were last on public display in Tulsa well over 80 years ago. However, they’re hoping that renewed attention to him and his work might help unearth some of those old e gies.

“He had at least ve di erent sets of them,” notes Shell, “because at one time he had three wax museums around the country, along with two or three traveling exhibits.”

“Maybe there are some of those gures in a basement somewhere,” adds McCartney, “or in someone’s closet.”

But their collective purpose in getting Younger’s name back before the public –or at least before that part of the public interested in Oklahoma history – doesn’t just have to do with unearthing artifacts.

ey believe that Scout Younger belongs in the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, and that’s one of the main reasons they want to raise public consciousness about him and his work.

“He was a moviemaker and a pioneer and he has been greatly forgotten,” Shell says. “Why he isn’t written up in some of the history books I don’t know. e more you learn about him, the more interesting he becomes.”

THE PROFESSIONALS

How can I make charitable donations strategically?

Deciding which charities to support can feel overwhelming. Here are some tips to keep in mind. Ask these questions: Do I have a close connection to the organization? If not, do I have a passion for the charity’s mission? Is the organization’s reputation strong? After you determine where and how much to give, explore potential tax savings. The reality is that the tax benefits of giving have changed dramatically; the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 raised the standard deduction to a point where the majority of Americans are better off claiming that form of deduction rather than choosing to itemize deductions on their tax returns. One potential alternative is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) directly from an IRA to qualified charitable organizations. You must be age 70-1/2 or older to execute a QCD. More than money: If your budget is tight, keep in mind that many organizations benefit from the contributions of time. Volunteers are critical to the success of most non-profit groups.

David Karimian, CFP®, CRPC®, APMA® Prime Wealth Management

A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial 2431 E 61st St, Suite 400, Tulsa, OK 74136 918.388.2009

David.x.Karimian@ampf.com www.primewealthmgmt.com

I am ready to start using dermal fillers. How do I decide which one is right for me?

The first place to start when deciding which dermal filler is best for you is with a complimentary consultation with one of our medical professionals. There are many different types of dermal fillers and different manufacturers to choose from. It is common to use a hyaluronic acid (HA) based dermal filler when being injected for the first time. The most common HA filler on the market today are those in the Juvederm family, made by Allergan. If you are ready to start researching dermal fillers for your first time, check out our new online quiz to find the best fit for you at baweightspa.com. Make sure to check it out soon, as this quiz is available for a short time only. For more information and to schedule your consultation, call us today at 918-872-9999.

LIFE & STYLE

Captivated in Cape Town

One of South Africa’s capital cities presents extraordinary vistas, plus shopping and dining galore.

Cape Town was founded in the 1650s by the Dutch as a rest stop for ships heading east on the legendary Spice Route. e site on the southern tip of the African continent was a good choice, with two oceans and a large bay in its front yard. e backdrop is courtesy several mountain ranges dominated by the 3,500-foot attopped Table Mountain.

Either hike or take a cable car to the top of the Table – the views stretch for miles. Go out, over the sea to the west, into the Western Cape to the east and down below to the city of Cape Town, the country’s oldest city and the recognized mother of modern South Africa. In the past 30 years, the Mother City’s population has doubled to nearly ve million.

Nudging its way up the slopes of Table Mountain is the 1,300-acre Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Stroll the elevated wood and steel Boomslang Tree Canopy Walkway as it climbs and dips, then curls and meanders through the arboretum like a tree snake (a boomslang). e series of gardens showcase more than 7,000 southern African plant species, 30% of which are found nowhere else in the world.

Answer the call of the wild with a day trip to the Aquila Private Game Preserve for face time with cape bu alos, rhinos, elephants, lions, blue wildebeest, gira es, baboons and zebras.

One of the world’s two mainland colonies of African penguins hangs out nearby at Boulders Beach, where suspended walkways bring folks right alongside the engaging little fellows. For top-notch sur ng, head to Mui-

zenberg Beach, which o ers brightly-colored Victorian beach huts that line the sand. Back in town, the historic Bo-Kaap area is also lled with homes of vibrant hues along with aromatic Cape Malay spice shops.

At Camps Bay, the sand is white and ne and there are miles of it. On the other side of the bay are chic bars, restaurants and ery sunsets. e locals will be dining on

biltong (dried cured meat) and bobotie (curry and turmeric meatloaf with raisins) and sipping Rooibos (red bush) tea, made from a shrub found only in the area.

e wines produced in South Africa are superb, and there are probably no ner vineyards than the 200-plus found in the fertile, green valleys of Stellenbosch, not far from town. Some of the oldest vineyards in the southern hemisphere lie in Constantia, a suburb boasting an established wine route which features excellent wineries and more than a few ne dining establishments.

Some of the best upscale shopping is found on the charming Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, where restaurants compete with 450 shops and purveyors of sunset cruises for your attention. Among things to buy: wire and beaded art, decorated ostrich eggs, Amarula cream liqueur ( avored with the fruit of the native marula tree; tastes much like to ee) and, of course, tanzanite and diamonds.

While you’re on the waterfront, swing by the Two Oceans Aquarium’s celebration of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, located in the heart of the shopping

district. Sharkfeeding times are very popular.

Your visit to Cape Town will not be complete without a stop at Robben Island in Table Bay. It’s now a World Heritage site, but for 27 years, a prison on the island built by apartheid supporters was home to Nelson Mandela. In 1994, the thenfreed Mandela became South Africa’s rst democratically-elected president.

Stay at one of Cape Town’s nest ho-

tels, the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa on the ocean just minutes from town, anked by Table mountain. Rejuvenate at one of the hotel’s indulging mountainside spa gazebos looking out over the Atlantic.

Winter’s cold and u season can slow you down and make you feel wary of every sni e and sneeze. And unfortunately, there’s no way to avoid exposure to illnesses, aside from never leaving your house. But there are a few simple and realistic ways to help you stay healthy.

Douglas A. Drevets, MD, chief of infectious diseases at OU Health and a regent’s professor with the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine in OKC, explains that instead of trying to boost your immune system, you should focus on how to prevent damaging it.

“For example, heavy drinking, smoking and persistent lack of sleep are never good for you, and these should be avoided, particularly during the long winter months,” says Drevets. “It’s reasonable to take a multivitamin year-round to avoid vitamin D deciency and it’s good to remember to wash your hands frequently.”

He says many respiratory vi-

ruses, such as in uenza, RSV and the common cold, circulate predominantly in the colder months due to viruses being more stable in colder and drier air.

“Also, during the winter we are indoors more and therefore in closer proximity to other people,” he says. “If you have a choice, avoid tight spaces where there are a lot of people coughing. A good example would be avoiding a crowded elevator. Opt for the stairs.”

It’s also important to receive the appropriate vaccinations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this u season has resulted in 20 million illnesses, 210,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths.

Drevets recommends getting the in uenza vaccine in October or November to allow the vaccine time to build antibodies before the season begins peaking in December.

“ ere is some decrease in ef-

cacy by February or March, but it’s more likely because of changes in circulating viruses as opposed to decreases in antibody levels,” he says. “Di erent kinds of in uenza viruses circulate every year. Early in the season, a particular strain may be the predominant one, but later in the year, it may be a different one. How good the vaccine works is dependent on whether it is a match for that particular virus.”

Along with the u vaccine, he says individuals should stay upto-date with the pneumococcal vaccine if they are within the age group or risk group that’s eligible.

e CDC currently recommends the pneumococcal vaccination for all children younger than ve years old and all adults 65 years or older. Other children and adults with certain medical conditions may also qualify. Ask your doctor if you meet the current recommended criteria.

Beating the Last Weeks of Winter

e cold months aren’t done quite yet; an infectious disease physician weighs in on ways to stay healthy.

Tackling Cold Weather Threats

While winters in Oklahoma are typically mild, most would agree that we should never take Mother Nature for granted, even at the end of the coldest months. A little planning can make a big impact on how we survive (and thrive) during winter.

Your Home

If you nd yourself extra chilly at home, here are some ideas to consider:

Install thermal pane or storm windows. During extreme weather, cover windows on the inside with plastic.

Caulk windows and put weatherstripping on doors to avoid drafts.

Repair roof leaks when they make themselves known.

Have tree branches that overhang? Trim them before they fall down during a storm. Branches, no matter how innocuous they look, can create serious damage.

Installing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors is a good idea all year long – but it’s particularly helpful when power is out and other sources

of heat are introduced in the home. Consider purchasing a generator for power outages to preserve a sense of normalcy – and warmth. Purchase space heaters that turn o periodically. If severe weather is predicted, ensure you have enough nonperishable food and clean water in your home to last at least three days.

Stock up on ashlights, candles and matches, and have warm clothes and blankets at the ready. Let water taps drip to avoid frozen pipes and open cabinet doors to keep warm air circulating.

And last but not least – bring pets indoors or ensure their enclosures have been winterized if cold weather strikes.

Your Health

Monitor your temperature. In the event you lose power, staying warm is particularly important for infants and the elderly, who have a harder time regulating body temperatures. Ensure these people have ample blankets and clothing.

Pay attention to your heart. e heart works overtime to warm the body during freezing weather. If you need to exert yourself, ensure you’re well dressed and work slowly, especially if you have high blood

pressure or heart disease. Watch for signs of hypothermia. ese include excessive shivering, confusion/memory loss, slurred speech, drowsiness, very red skin and low energy. If a person’s temperature is below 95 degrees, they need immediate medical attention. Ensure any wet clothing is taken o , and work to warm the center of the body rst.

Your Car

If you have to travel when winter weather strikes, prepare a kit to help you survive a worst-case scenario. Some essential items include: A cell phone and charger; a batterypowered radio to stay in touch with forecasts and road closures; hats, coats, gloves and blankets; ashlights, water and snacks; a pocket knife and a standard rst aid kit; a rope or tow chains; sand to provide traction under your tires on ice and snow – and the “myth” is true – kitty litter works just as well, or better; hazard lights or other re ectors like orange cones; and waterproof matches and a candle, as other heat sources can melt snow to drink if you run out of water.

Even if you are not planning a trip, keep the gas tank in your car or truck full so fuel lines will not freeze. Replace worn tires and take care to ensure your tire pressure is at manufacturer-recommended levels.

Winter may be scary at times, but with a little e ort, it’s easily manageable.

From health precautions to home improvements, there are myriad ways to avoid dangerous situations during cold weather.

An Impressive Comeback

Despite becoming nearly abandoned during World War II, Medicine Park has entered its renaissance.

Candace McCoy and her husband, David, were on their way to possible retirement in Texas’s Hill Country in April 1995 when they detoured through southwestern Oklahoma’s Medicine Park, the one-time spa and resort community that fell into disrepair over the years. It being her birthplace, Candace says they wanted to get a new look at the once-popular town. Despite its outward appearance, the couple saw the possibilities.

“ e town was basically asleep, but it was just so beautiful,” she says. “We saw what it could be.”

So, the McCoys made a business decision to stay and attempt a revival. rough the help of others, that attempt was successful.

ments on the docket.

According to an historical account on Medicine Park’s website, the late John William Elmer omas – later elected to the U.S. Senate from Oklahoma – founded the town in 1908; the town was named for the supposed medicinal properties of nearby Medicine Creek. e spa had its heyday in the Roaring ’20s, but years of neglect that began with the onset of World War II left the place in various states of decay.

did, it was from ten years ago or so. It is drastically di erent,” says Trisha Parker, marketing director for the Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center. “If you haven’t been in awhile, I strongly encourage it.”

580-529-3601

mpmns.org

580-429-3222

580-429-2197

fws.gov/refuge/ wichita-mountains

580-529-2825

From that initial visit, the McCoys – whose portfolio includes real estate, property development, sales and management – have been major players in re-envisioning, restoring and exceeding Medicine Park’s original glory.

Medicine Park is located about ve miles west of Interstate 44, close to Lawton and Fort Sill and adjacent to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. With an estimated permanent population of about 400, the community has become a tourist destination, with more improve-

Over the past three decades, a steady renaissance has taken place. Candace says that Medicine Park now has a police and re department, a stable tax base that includes a hotel tax, as well as a number of Airbnb stops and other overnight lodgings, restaurants and even an aquarium. With vacation rentals, festivals and attractions held throughout the year, plus a local bicycle club and the popular Bath Lake in the middle of town, the reformation of Medicine Park shows no signs of slowing down.

Candace says shing nearby is good all year, and the area also includes camping, walking, hiking and biking trails – not to mention the scenic Wichita mountains.

“A lot of Oklahomans don’t know about Medicine Park, and if they

e 10,000-square-foot Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center and six-acre botanical gardens opened 5½ years ago, but planning began several years earlier as a way to bolster the town’s economic impact and tax revenue. e McCoys donated the original eight acres to launch the project. Development of the second phase of the center, a native wildlife zoo, is under way. It will be a natural t with the nearby federal wildlife refuge.

Also beckoning tourists yearround is Bath Lake, which acts as a swimming hole and shing center. Parker considers it one of Oklahoma’s “hidden gems,” as is replete with several waterfalls, entry stairs and shallow and deep areas.

Medicine Park has come a long way, Candace says, as she re ects on what has happened since that day in 1995.

“We’ve been busy, but [bringing the town back] has been a real honor,” she says.

&SipSavor

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere, right? So, feel free to sit back and enjoy our annual booze spotlight. Explore the origins of whacky cocktail names, get a vocab lesson from the beer lexicon, find your new favorite watering hole or try out the sober lifestyle with a few non-alcoholic o erings. Bottoms up!

What Are We Drinkin’ in 2023?

Drink trends wax and wane, that’s true, but there are a few crazes that seem to be sticking around for the long haul.

(ANOTHER) RISE OF THE MARTINI

While this simple cocktail has been around since your grandparents were drinking, its many iterations are coming back into mainstream consciousness in a major way. Whether you find yourself partial to the classic dry gin, dirty vodka, espresso or chocolate, you really can’t go wrong. Another popular variation, which we’ll just call the ‘P Star,’ includes vanilla-flavored vodka, Passoã, passion fruit and lime juice, accompanied by a chilled shot glass of prosecco.

GETTING NICE WITH SPICE

Imbibers are looking to kick things up a notch in 2023 with spicy creations. Think bloody marias (the classic with tequila instead of vodka), alongside jalapeno margaritas, red pepper sangria and habanero martinis.

MORE AT-HOME CREATIONS

It’s never been easier to be your own bartender. All you gotta do? Order a few ‘bartending tools’ online and visit the world wide web to see what the pros can help you make.

AGAVE OR NOTHIN’

It all started with agave-based artisanal tequila and mezcal, and now people are realizing just how great agave really is. A couple of lesserknown options you might see this year include raicilla – similar to mezcal; and bacanora – a spirit found in northern Mexico.

CONSCIOUS COCKTAILS

As we collectively move towards a more sustainable future, the booze industry wants in. You’ll likely see restaurants and bars opting for green ingredients, alongside a focus on recyclable packaging and general sustainability.

LEARNING THE ORIGINS

When you’re waiting at a crowded bar, you probably don’t stop to wonder why, exactly, it’s called a ‘Fuzzy Navel.’ But often, some of these curious drink names have funny backstories. We explore a few.

SCREWDRIVER – Legend has it, American oil workers used to add vodka to their orange juice while on the job in the Persian Gulf. They didn’t have mixing tools, so what did they use to stir the new drink? An actual screwdriver, of course!

MAI TAI – A pretty simple translation, “maitai” means “good” or “nice” in Tahitian. You’ll probably be feeling both good and nice after a few of these rum-heavy concoctions.

MIMOSA – The combo of sparkling wine and juice most likely gets its name from a plant, acacia dealbata, also called the “mimosa tree.” The tree grows orange-yellow flowers that look a lot like –you guessed it – the color of champagne and orange juice mixed together.

FUZZY NAVEL – A drink created as a marketing tactic for DeKuyper Peachtree Schnapps, the Fuzzy Navel refers to peach fuzz (peach Schnapps) and the navel of an orange (orange juice). Get your mind outta the gutter!

OLD FASHIONED – During the cocktail renaissance of the 1800s, more drinks began using sweet liqueurs. The cocktails that remained popular without those elements were called “old fashioned” drinks – and the most popular of all got its name from that sentiment: just sugar, bitter, waters, orange and whiskey.

MOJITO – According to the Oxford English Dictionary, this delicious cocktail takes its name from a relatively normal place – the Spanish word mojo, which is a Cuban sauce made with citrus fruit.

COCKTAIL – Perhaps the weirdest of them all, the word ‘cocktail’ comes from the French. Many a drink was served in an egg cup called a ‘coquetier.’ After a few too many, the pronunciation got a little slurred, leading to ‘cocktail.’

OKLAHOMA-BASED BRANDS

If you’re looking to shop and drink local, try these brands/establishments on for size –either at the liquor store, bar or restaurant you visit next.

BEER:

405 Brewing

American Solera

Anthem Brewing Co.

Nothing’s Left Brewing Co.

Prairie Artisan Ales

Roughtail Brewing Co.

Stonecloud Brewing Co.

Twisted Spike Brewery

SELTZERS AND WINES:

Blue Coyote Winery

Clauren Ridge

Vineyard and Winery

RECIPE CORNER

DISTILLERIES:

Cane Creek Distillery

Castle Spirits Distillery

Gambill’s Distilling Co.

Vast, OKC

Florence Nights

1 oz. Meletti Cioccolato

liqueur

1 oz. Raspberry vodka

.5 oz. Raspberry purée

1 oz. Half & Half

Served with a chocolate swizzle stick

Valkyrie, Tulsa

Flower

1.5 oz. Hibiscus gin (house-made)

.5 oz. Lemon juice

.5 oz. Hibiscus syrup

.25 oz. Honey syrup

.25 oz. Cardamom syrup

.25 oz. St. Germain

6 drops Rose water

4 drops Salt solution

Shake and dump into an old fashioned glass. Garnish with an edible flower.

O Bar, OKC

Osler’s Fix

2 oz. Bacon fat washed whiskey

.75 oz. Fresh lemon juice

.75 oz. Grade A maple syrup

2 dashes Orange bitters

Shake and strain over ice in a rocks glass. Use orange expression and blueberries as a garnish.

Vintage Wine Bar, Tulsa

New York Sour

2 oz. Bourbon

.75 oz. Lemon

.5 oz. Simple syrup

Shake with egg whites. Float red wine. Top with cherry.

Jones Assembly, OKC

Tiny Dancer

.75 oz. Olive oil washed Dr. Bird rum

.5 oz. Gosling’s Black Seal rum

.5 oz. Pasubio

.25 oz. St. Elizabeth allspice dram

.5 oz. Rosemary syrup

2 dashes Angostura bitters

MUST-TRY HOTSPOTS

On the hunt for your next Cheers experience? Here are a few places where everyone will know your name ... eventually, and if you tip well enough.

THE MERRITT – Nichols Hills

Experience: A reservation-only champagne lounge themerret.com

SIDECAR BARLEY

AND WINE BAR – Tulsa

Experience: Cherry Street’s skyhigh, sleek bar sdcrbar.com

PALO SANTO – OKC

Experience: An upscale cocktail bar with small bites palosantobar.com

ROOF 66 – Tulsa

Experience: A swanky lounge with great views roofsixtysix.com

PARLOR – OKC

Experience: Seven restaurants and a massive bar parlorokc.com

Wild Fork, Tulsa

Dancing Cherries

Mezcal

Luxardo

Amarena cherry syrup

Lemon juice

Orange bitters

Simple syrup

DECO LOUNGE – Tulsa

Experience: An eclectic space with delicious drinks

facebook.com/decoloungetulsa

THE DALEY – OKC

Experience: An intimate bar with great brunch options fridasouthwest.com/menu/brunch

BAR 473 – Tulsa

Experience: A laid-back watering hole with plenty of outdoor space bar473.com

BUNKER CLUB – OKC

Experience: A no-fuss joint with popular karaoke bunkerclubokc.com

THE BLOK – OKC

Experience: A friendly, industrial space with delicious bar eats facebook.com/blokbarokc

Hodges Bend, Tulsa

Pastry War

.75 oz. Angostura aromatic bitters

.75 oz. Orgeat

.75 oz. Banhez Mezcal Artesanal

.75 oz. Lemon juice

Shake, garnish with dehydrated lime and serve.

Saturn

Room, Tulsa

Surfers On Acid #2

.75 oz. Plantation Pineapple

.75 oz.

RumHaven coconut rum

.5 oz. Coconut cream

.5 oz. Lime juice

.5 oz.

.75 oz.

Flamingo

Tiki Room, OKC

Sidewinder’s Fang

1.5 oz. Lime juice

1.5 oz. Orange juice

1.5 oz. Passion fruit syrup

1 oz. El Dorado three year rum

Pineapple juice

Jäegermeister (Float)

Shake everything except Jäegermeister with crushed ice.

Dump into pearl diver glass, float the Jäegermeister and garnish with pineapple.

1 oz. Dark Jamaican rum

3 oz. Topo Chico

Add all ingredients, sans Topo Chico, to shaker tin, shake with ice. Strain into oversized brandy snifter, add three oz. Topo Chico, add ice. Garnish with mint and orange peel.

Mr. Kim’s, Tulsa

Haetae

1 oz. Tito’s vodka

1 oz. Olema Sauvignon Blanc

1 oz. Choya Ume plum liqueur

.5 oz. Chai tea demerara syrup

.25 oz. Lime juice

1 dash plum bitters

Top with soda and a couple shakes of plum sugar.

THE BEER LEXICON

The craft beer industry has exploded over the last two decades, with an entirely new vocabulary to learn. Maybe you’re a beer enthusiast or just like to order what sounds the most tasty. No matter how you ‘experience’ your brews, we offer a few vocab words that will help you out during your next beer-centric experience.

Types of Brews:

ALE: Ale is the original brew our forefathers (and mothers!) were drinking back in the day. What makes it specifically ‘ale’ is the warm-temperature fermentation and the introduction of top-fermenting yeasts.

LAGER: The lager ferments for a longer time and a lower temperature than the ale. It also relies on bottom-fermenting yeasts.

PORTER: Under the ale umbrella, porters are dark, malty beers that can be fruity or dry.

STOUT: Another ale, stouts are also dark with roasted flavors. They’ve often got a coffee essence to them, with foam atop.

IPA: The India Pale Ale is a light beer that’s as hoppy as can be – bitter with citrus, pine or resin flavors.

PILSNER: Under the lager umbrella, the pilsner is hoppy, dry and bitter.

SOUR: Often described as funky, sour beers use wild yeasts and evoke tangy and spicy flavors.

Descriptors:

CRISPY: If you see a beer described as ‘crisp’ or ‘crispy,’ it will likely be dry and clean, with very little sugar left behind after fermenting. Another word akin to crispy is ‘bright.’

DANK: While ‘dank’ is often used to indicate there’s a smell/taste of cannabis flavor in the beer, it can also mean the drink has an interesting musk to it.

FUNKY: Typically, a funky beer is one that’s tart and acidic, often fermented with wild yeast. (Sours are often called funky.)

HOPPY: Hoppy almost always means slightly bitter – with hints of citrus or pine. (You’ll see this a lot with IPAs).

ROASTY: You’ll see this descriptor on a variety of stouts and porters, referring to the taste of coffee.

Serving Styles/Packaging:

GROWLER: A 32- or 64-ounce jug for craft beer, sold to-go.

CROWLER: A 32-ounce aluminum can for togo pours. (It’s basically a smaller growler, in a large can.)

PONY: A 7-ounce glass bottle.

STUBBY: A 12-ounce glass bottle.

TALLBOY: A 16-ounce can.

NON-ALCOHOLIC ALTERNATIVES

If you’re planning on keeping ‘Dry January’ up for a little longer, or even permanently, it’s never been simpler to indulge in alcohol-free options. A few include:

ZERO PROOF ALCOHOLS: If you enjoy the taste of booze but want a clear head and no chance of a hangover, there are plenty of zero-proof options. This way, you get the aroma and bite of booze without the consequences.

BOTANICALS: Zero-proof botanicals usually have ingredients like fennel, lemon and jasmine, so you can still make a delicious mocktail with gin-like flavors.

SELTZERS AND KOMBUCHA: A variety of brands are trying their hands at non-alcoholic seltzers and kombucha drinks. You can still feel involved during social events ... without the threat of “hang-xiety.”

CANNABIS COCKTAILS: If you’re looking to move away from alcohol but still want a buzz, research THC and cannabisinfused drinks.

Year after year, Oklahoma Magazine’s 40 Under 40 classes continue to impress. Don’t miss the 2023 honorees in our APRIL ISSUE.

The Oklahoma State University Foundation is looking for passionate, motivated and creative professionals to join our team to advance Oklahoma State University’s priorities. We foster a fun work environment that values authenticity, integrity and service while offering growth opportunities, work-life balance, flexibility and a competitive benefits package. Check out our current job openings at OSUgiving.com/workforus, or scan below

e UNIVERSITY of OKLAHOMA

As Oklahoma’s flagship research university, we’re intent on providing affordable academic excellence for students while serving our state through discovery and creativity.

With 18 colleges and the state’s only comprehensive academic hospital, the University of Oklahoma is ready to cultivate and empower those who can positively affect change in their communities.

OU.EDU

Tim A topting tה

Institutions of higher learning must continually evolve to stay competitive in a saturated market. From the integration of artificial intelligence into the classroom to a greater emphasis on online safety and privacy, schools are changing with the times and attracting the nation’s brightest students.

Preparing for Life After High School

Preparing students for life after high school is a continuing and evolving e ort, with various methods and tools such as concurrent enrollment, college credit courses and assistance and counseling related to college admissions. Many schools emphasize opportunities like prep courses to ready oneself for collegiate entrance

exams, including the SAT and ACT.

Assisting eventual graduates in navigating their post-high school life is a major priority for Tulsa Public Schools.

“At TPS, we believe there are many pathways to becoming college- and career-ready,” says Deborah Gist, superintendent of TPS. “Our goal is

to provide learner-centered experiences, designed to help students be successful in college, careers and life. Our students have access to rigorous advanced placement courses, career technology programs and concurrent enrollment opportunities, designed to help them achieve their goals and grow into the best versions of themselves.”

Protecting Online Privacy

e ever-evolving needs for both data security and protection against online threats to personal privacy weigh heavy on the minds of school o cials – as schooling itself has relied more heavily on digital components in the last decade. Schools are working to ensure their students’ online personal information is safe.

Northeastern State University takes the evolving threats seriously, says Richard Reif, Ph.D., the university’s chief operating o cer.

e school has an existing agreement with a vendor for Security Operations Center protection, which ingests computer logs in real-time to search for threats. Additionally, NSU added a virtual chief information security o cer (VCISO) to their ranks.

“ e VCISO will ensure that NSU is providing quality cybersecurity defenses, as well as improving our policy and procedures,” he says. “NSU has rewalls on all campuses and endpoint protection software on all campus-owned computers. NSU also patches computer systems on a regular basis so that security weaknesses may be reduced.”

At Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, leadership understands the risks of using online resources and is prepared for just about anything.

“We have adopted leading cybersecurity frameworks, including the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and COBIT, to inform our implementation of protective security controls used

to mitigate these risks to our stakeholders’ personally identi able information,” says Kevin Hulett, Ph.D., associate vice president of tech services. “ is is just part of a move toward a zero-trust architecture that employs various security controls to ensure that our systems never trust and always verify identity.”

A representative at the University of Oklahoma says “IT has a very robust set of tools to prevent and detect malicious network behaviors, and our team of security analysts can quickly respond to these threats. As the nal and most personal layer of defense, we have had a very successful training and ongoing

awareness campaign that helps our users detect phishing attacks and report them to a central collection tool.”

Normalization of Hybrid Schooling

More and more schools are adopting hybrid learning and teaching schedules – making higher education more exible and accessible.

“OSUIT has made signi cant investments in expanding its distance learning capabilities and utilizing immersive virtual training environments to improve and expand student access to its hands-on applied technology programs,” says Jody Grammer, the school’s vice president of academic a airs. “ is investment represents a critical component of OSUIT’s strategic plan to ensure its long-term sustainability and ability to meet Oklahoma’s workforce needs.”

OSUIT uses these technologies to combine the most bene cial aspects of traditional and online instruction and add a new dimension to students’ learning experiences, she says.

“Hybrid programs facilitate the online delivery of theory-based content that better prepares students to engage in hands-on learning activities, allowing instructors and students to maximize the e ectiveness of their time together by focusing on the development and re nement of advanced technical and critical thinking skills,” says Grammer. “Online and virtual technologies provide access to a wide range of resources, equipment and simulations that can be difcult to replicate in a traditional classroom or laboratory setting.”

Institutions grapple with both optimizing the advantages and workshopping the challenges of remote learning and hybrid programs.

“Implementing virtual learning environ-

ments and distance learning technologies can be costly, and their e ective use necessitates an investment in faculty training as well as ongoing support. Students must be self-motivated and disciplined to make the most of these learning technologies; however, instructors can encourage this behavior by creating engaging content that intentionally incorporates their

Fighting Rising Costs

education is

more expensive than ever ... with zero signs of this scal fact changing anytime soon. Schools respond to rising costs in various ways, including the targeted marketing of attractive features such as state-of-the-art recreation centers or the o ering of nancial

At OSUIT, o cials are taking a close look at many cost variables to discern what can be done more e ciently.

“Even though OSUIT had been very cost conscious and is constantly looking for e ciencies, [the school] started participating in an annual program evaluation analysis ve and a half years ago,” says Jim Smith, the

school’s vice president of scal services. “ is analysis discloses the contribution margin of all schools, programs, courses and sections. OSUIT has been able to use this information to pinpoint actions to better the university nancially,” as well as to increase investment in di erent academic areas, give raises to its employees and invest in OSUIT’s future.

“ e investment in OSUIT’s future includes development of an OSUIT Metaversity and related student services in XR Technology,” says Smith. “It also includes the development of several training modules related to technical education.”

Working on Admissons

e admissions process for Oklahoma universities is rigorous – but institutions are aiming to welcome well-rounded students rst and foremost.

“ e University of Oklahoma reviews freshman applications utilizing a holistic admissions process, which considers several factors that predict academic success,” says Danielle Dunn, the school’s director of communications and marketing in the division of enrollment management.” ese factors include high school GPA, academic rigor, ACT/SAT scores, and engagement in academic and nonacademic activities. e primary emphasis of the review is the student’s overall academic performance. However, we recognize that a student is more than a test score. at’s why when evaluating a student, test scores are just one component considered.

“Since OU is dedicated to providing access to students who wish to attend, we are a test-optional institution. Submitting test scores is still a great option for applicants, but we encourage students to choose which option works best for them.”

The Pros and Cons of Artificial Intelligence

Arti cial intelligence is making major waves in the education sector, with new technology like ChatGPT nding its way into classrooms.

e AI is trained to interact in a “conversational way. e dialogue format makes it possible for ChatGPT to answer follow-up questions, admit its mistakes, challenge incorrect premises, and reject inappropriate requests,” according to OpenAI. ChatGPT, and other tech like it, come with various pros and cons.

“Whether we like it or not, the genie is out of the bottle when it comes to generative AI that can generate intelligent content,” says Akhilesh Bajaj, Ph.D., professor of computer information systems and director of the School of Accounting and CIS in the University of Tulsa’s Collins College of Business. “ e biggest pro, in my opinion, is the potential for chatGPT type AIs to be coaches that carry on a conversation with students, so that they learn at their own pace with a steady drill down into richer and richer ideas. A second pro is the ability of the AI to synthesize information that is already available and use it to generate content to answer the questions posed.”

But, there’s always a downside.

“ e biggest con is that it can act as a crutch, where students do not develop their own abilities to create new ideas after reading through existing content,” he says. “A second con is that students can potentially lose the ability to write prose, or paint or compose music, on their own, since generative AI will do it for them.”

New AI technologies continue to emerge. TurnItIn – an internet-based plagiarism detection service – is used by all OU campuses for plagiarism/similarity detection in support of academic integrity, says Aaron Biggs, the university’s Associate Provost for Academic Technology. Biggs shared insights from the school’s TurnItIn account manager, saying that the conversation about AI technology in the market evolves daily and AI detection has been, and continues to be, a front and center topic.

“ e Turnitin AI Team has been working on paraphrase detection and AI writing detection for over a year now,” says Biggs. “ ey hope to launch a back-end paraphrase detection service by the end of 2023. is will power a forthcoming tool to help instructors tackle the problem of AI paraphrasers. TurnItIn is also expanding the pool of AI researchers dedicated to paraphrase detection and AI writing detection. For educators, the top AI writing need is detecting auto-paraphrased papers.”

Trey Hill, Ph.D., dean of the School of Arts,

Sciences and Health at OSUIT, says educators need to look at the bigger (positive) picture as it relates to AI.

“Arti cial intelligence, like any new technology, always has a mixed reception in the classroom. Higher education has a tendency to value progressive ideals, but to simultaneously be slow to change its timehonored traditions, even if those traditions are maladaptive,” he says.

“My view on arti cial intelligence is that it is a net positive. Although there is always the possibility that students will nd ways to use the technology to cheat, the technology si-

Private School Guide

If you’re looking to make decisions regarding your child’s education, Oklahoma Magazine can help. The Private School Guide presents an easy-to-understand breakdown highlighting a variety of elementary, middle and high schools in Tulsa and OKC. Explore student/teacher ratios, tuition rates, foreign language offerings and religious affiliations.

“I teach at Holland Hall because it feels more like a big family community than a job. It’s really about the whole child as opposed to testing and grades. The kids have the opportunity to recognize their own strengths and walk their own paths.”

THE BURGEONING

TECH INDUSTRY

IN AN UNSTEADY MARKET, ONE THING IS CERTAIN: THE PREVALENCE OF TECH JOBS CONTINUES TO GROW. READ ON TO LEARN ABOUT OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE SECTOR, PLUS THE CORE SKILLS TO MASTER AND RESOURCES TO UTILIZE IF YOU WANT IN.

Job Options Abound

Tech jobs are a growth industry in Oklahoma, and vocational schools, colleges and universities across the state stand ready to train future employees, who will likely be sought-after and well-paid.

What the career field could use is a public relations campaign among young people, says Brent Kisling, executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

“We need to start in middle school and high school, encouraging students toward STEM careers,” he says.

The age-old fear of math and science classes is a factor in students steering away from information technology careers, Kisling says. And some students simply aren’t aware of the breadth and depth of tech jobs, says Bryan Warner, deputy principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

“We want to make sure they know what opportunities are out there,” says Warner.

Oklahoma is host to about 2,200 tech companies, which provide functions such as software programming, data processing and storage, IT services and communications, and employ about 17,000 people.

Job titles include database architects and computer network architects, which pay an average wage of $50 an hour. Computer systems analysts earn an average of $38 an hour but often much more, says Kisling.

Computer network support specialists, security analysts, application developers, help desk workers, IT technicians, operations analysts and technical specialists are in demand at tech companies and many other workplaces.

Job titles might be standard at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, but the people who hold them know they are essential to an important mission, says Brent Keck, chief information off icer and associate vice president for the foundation.

“Nothing happens at OMRF that doesn’t go through IT,” says Keck. “Eventually it ends up in a document or spreadsheet and we have to take care of that.”

Core Skills

A variety of skills come into play as tech workers strive to get trained and stay in touch with innovation, says John Hale, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Cyber Studies at the University of Tulsa.

In the fight against cybercrime, for example, “it’s a combination of producing the people to build more secure software that doesn’t have vulnerabilities, and to write policies and do training so employees are more savvy,” he says. “So, it’s all

those things. it is a broad skill set that you need.”

Cybersecurity begins with a deep technical foundation, “but what differentiates it is the human element,” says Hale. “You must try to read the minds of your fellow employees so they won’t do stupid stuff. You are training people, getting them to practice good cyber hygiene. It’s developing a culture.”

Keck says people who apply to his department should have a desire to wear a lot of hats, because all the employees fill more than one role.

“We want people who like to do something different every day and are really smart,” he says. “We have a lot of long-term employees. Our turnover is pretty low in IT.”

Knowing the Programming Languages

In the Cell Cycle and Cancer Biology Research Program at OMRF, the work is increasingly more about computerized data and less about test tubes.

“We still attract students who want to work primarily at the bench,” says Chris Sansam, Ph.D., an associate member of OMRF. “But more and more, we will attract students who think first about working on a computer.”

Sansam says that in his lab, “we need specialized software and high-performance computing to help us make sense of this data. For the most part, we use Python. We use Java some. Learning how to program in R is a valuable skill for scientists.”

Many OMRF scientists write their own programs, and share software back and forth with other research institutions.

“Speed is really the thing,” says Keck. “We don’t want to take days and days and days to do analysis, we would rather do that in minutes.”

If you have an interest in programming or working with computers, Sansam says, “there is a place for you in research.”

Resources

Technical training starts as early as high school in Oklahoma and continues on through vocational schools, four-year colleges, continuing education and employee training.

“We are big about trying to reach out in the community,” says Hale, who is chairperson and a professor in the Tandy School of Computer Science at TU. “We can do a lunch and learn, or a weeklong bootcamp.”

To break into the tech sector, “a great place to get started and get trained is at the career techs and two-year colleges,” says Hale. “Oklahoma State University-Okmulgee has a really strong program.”

Rogers College High School is a college-prep magnet school in Tulsa that offers a two-year cyber education program that TU professors helped develop.

“If the students come to TU, they will get six hours of college credit for the course,” says Hale.

The Oklahoma Small Business Development Center offers free training to business owners and entrepreneurs in e-commerce, technology commercialization, cybersecurity and how to compete on a level playing field for Department of Defense contracts.

A Growing Industry

Technology is a business necessity, and existing Oklahoma firms will continue to create computer-focused jobs. But the tech industry will also get a boost from the recruiting efforts of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce.

While there’s already a steady tech market, “we think there is still plenty of room to grow,” says Kisling.

He says the commerce department is projecting a 15% growth in tech jobs by 2030, mentioning that technology is one of eight industries targeted by economic development specialists.

Cherokee Nation’s expansion plans mean “the sky is the limit” when it comes to tech jobs, says Warner. The tribe plans to build a 127-bed hospital in Tahlequah, and is working toward adding resort casinos in Arkansas and Mississippi to the list of casinos it owns in Oklahoma.

“Surveillance and gaming go hand in hand,” he says. “That’s a huge technology piece.”

The nation employs more than 300 IT workers, and Warner expects that number to grow quickly to serve business interests as well as the needs of tribal citizens.

Many employees support electronic medical records for the tribe’s vast health system. Others create apps and video games to help teach the Cherokee language. And with 12,000 total jobs between tribal government and the business arm of the nation, internal IT operations are essential.

The World of Cybersecurity

Cybercrime is big business, and jobs are going begging in the cybersecurity industry, says Hale.

Nationwide, “there are an estimated

600,000 unfilled posted jobs right now,” he says. “We need all kinds of cybersecurity people.”

Cybercrime does not require a huge investment for a nation state to get involved.

“They just need some clever people,” says Hale. “There are people who discover the exploits, which is a piece of code that takes advantage of a weakness or a vulnerability on your computer. For somebody to take advantage of that weakness, they write another piece of code.”

Ransomware sent to the workplace is what appeals most to cyber criminals.

“Bad guys are more interested in work computers,” says Hale. “The real money is where business is transacted.”

Cyber criminals penetrate systems with malicious software and lock up data until the victim pays a ransom. They might also store and then threaten to release company data, which would compromise the internet security of employees and customers. Email attachments are a common ploy.

“They try to convince you to open a document or pdf with a malicious payload,” says Hale. “Your computer will try to load up that bad data. I try not to open attachments. I prefer to pick up the phone and ask somebody if they sent me an email.”

Employees should be suspicious of unsolicited emails, especially ones with bad grammar or spelling. And personal computers and other devices have increasingly been targeted, with more people working from home since the start of COVID-19.

“By definition, we are always going to be one step behind. Mostly, defense is a reactionary posture,” says Hale. “The good news is that there are so many existing problems we know about that we can deal with. We can close the gap and make the world a much safer place.”

IMAGE MATTERS

Non-Invasive Procedures

Natural beauty and natural results are back, says Cristie LehrHawkins, M.D., medical director of Fig Medical Spa in Tulsa.

“ e days of over lling the face or an unnatural appearance are gone,” says Lehr-Hawkins. “People are paying more attention to their skincare routines and seeking ways to age gracefully.”

Lehr-Hawkins predicts that popular non-invasive procedures this year will be “laser device treatments, hair restoration and treatments o ering little to no down time but with long-lasting e ects – such as skin tightening, improvement of ne lines and wrinkles, and collagen stimulation.”

Known as the ‘lunchtime face-lift,’ Lehr-Hawkins says the ClearLift laser by Alma is a rejuvenation treatment that’s painless with no recovery time.

“You can have the treatment over your lunch hour and go right back to work,” she says. “It rms and tightens the skin around the eyes, reduces ne lines around the mouth, and treats facial discoloration caused from sun damage, age spots or conditions such as melasma.”

Another option is Alma’s Opus Plasma, which combines plasma and radio frequency energy to resurface and tighten the skin simultaneously. is micro-ablative skin resurfacing technology results in improved skin tone and texture.

“It’s safe for all skin types and is also very e ective for treating stretch marks and acne scars,” she says.

Another nonsurgical procedure available to treat minor facial sagging and loss of skin tone is PDO threading, where temporary dissolvable PDO sutures are placed beneath the surface of the skin to lift and tighten the face and neck.

“PDO threading provides patients with a more youthful appearance without surgery,” says Lehr-Hawkins.

She also mentions that there has been an increase in patients seeking hair restoration, as many individuals experienced hair loss after having COVID-19.

“Patients are excited to have a pain-free option for hair restoration,” she says. “ e Alma TED system is a needle free hair restoration treatment that uses ultrasound technology to stimulate hair growth.”

e world of aesthetics is more accessible than ever, with a variety of non-invasive o erings at your ngertips. We explore a few of those, plus plastic surgery trends on the rise, myths about the industry, and the e cacy of di erent procedures.

How Long Do They Last?

Kasey L. Swayden, PA-C, with Radiance Medical Aesthetics of Oklahoma in OKC, helps break down the average e cacy of some common cosmetic treatments.

“It’s important to remember that no matter what treatment or procedure we have done, we will all continue to age,” says Swayden. “No matter what the e cacy of these treatments are, you’re more than likely going to need maintenance treatments at some point.”

She says injectable neurotoxins such as Botox, Dysport and Xeomin last three to four months on average.

“Dermal llers can last anywhere from six months to 24 months or longer,” says Swayden. “ e e cacy of these products depends on the rheology [cohesivity] of the product, where the ller is placed and the individual’s metabolism.”

For skin rejuvenation, such as laser treatments, chemical peels and micro-needling, results vary by person. She says factors include the type of treatment or combination of treatments done, the individual’s skin type, and how committed they are to protecting their skin from further damage.

“We generally recommend maintenance treatments every year or two,” she says. “With consistent skincare and sun protection, results can last up to 24 months.”

General aesthetic treatments like facials and other skincare services are vital to the health of your skin.

“ ink of these services like getting a manicure or a haircut,” she says. “ ey are part of your routine to keep you looking and feeling your best. We recommend getting facials every four to six weeks to keep your skin healthy and happy.”

The Importance of Preventative Care

Swayden emphasizes that the best thing you can do to support cosmetic treatments is to commit to a consistent skincare routine and protect yourself from the sun.

“ e sun’s UV rays are responsible for about 80% of the signs of aging we see on our skin,” she says. “So at minimum, you need to be wearing sunscreen everyday, even if you’re not going outside, or it’s cloudy outside. In addition to sunscreen, a consistent, medical grade skincare routine and monthly facial treatments, like HydraFacials, will maximize your treatment results and maintain them longer.” Swayden says when it comes to aging, prevention is always easier, and more a ordable, than correction.

“Starting skin treatments and an anti-aging skincare routine in your mid-twenties to early thirties will slow the signs of aging signi cantly, and your 50-year-old self will thank you!”

Injectable Neurotoxins

As the marketplace continues its pursuit of longer-lasting cosmetic products, a new injectable neurotoxin, Daxxify, recently became the rst peptide-powered, FDA-approved frown line treatment with a median duration of six months, and up to nine in some patients.

“ is product is formulated with a unique propriety protein that stabilizes the toxin and improves its ability to bind to nerve cells,” says ai Do, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Oklahoma City’s Dean McGee Eye Institute, who specializes in oculofacial cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. “In clinical trials, the e ect of Daxxify lasts up to 24 weeks, compared to the average of 12 to 14 weeks for the other botulinum toxin products. is may reduce the number of treatments a patient may need annually. is also decreases the risk of injection-related complications such as pain, bleeding, bruising and infection. Daxxify also has a similar safety pro le to the other products, which is fantastic.”

However, both Do and his colleague, Jeremy Tan, M.D., say a prolonged e ect has its risks.

“With longer duration of good e ect also comes longer duration of the possible unwanted e ect as well, such as asymmetry, a completely frozen face, and ptosis [drooping of the eyelid], amongst others,” says Tan. ere is no antidote for botulinum toxin, says Do, so if a patient is over-treated then they are left waiting for the e ect to slowly resolve.

“We all want to achieve our best selves,” says Do. “Every treatment has pros and cons. It is important for patients to do their research and have honest conversations with their providers of their goals. It is an anti-aging marathon and not a sprint, so aim for achievable, safe, long-lasting results over quick xes.”

Plastic Surgery Trends

A post-pandemic clientele and a looming recession is in uencing trends in the world of plastic surgery.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), patients want more natural-looking results, making a ‘face-lift lite’ popular as it o ers a naturally improved look with less scarring and recovery time.

Liposuction and breast augmentation continue to be top requests, but smaller breast implants and breast reductions are on the rise.

Blepharoplasties (eyelid lifts) and brow lifts continue to be popular as these procedures can reduce sagging skin, open up the eyes and o er a more youthful appearance. e deep plane

face-lift also continues to thrive. While a traditional face-lift separates the skin from the super cial muscularaponeurotic system (SMAS), a deep plane face-lift lifts the skin and SMAS together. By repositioning the skin and SMAS as one unit, a more authentic appearance is achieved with a shorter downtime (seven to ten days).

Myth Vs. Reality

Dermatologist Kristen Rice, M.D., with Utica Square Skin Care in Tulsa, clears up a few myths about the world of cosmetic procedures.

MYTH: Results are immediate.

TRUTH: Often people are dissatis ed with their treatment(s) due to this misunderstanding. Which is unfortunate, because if they remain committed to the plan, they could be very pleased with the results.

MYTH: Aesthetic procedures are geared toward women speci cally.

TRUTH: Men’s skin can bene t from looking younger and healthier just like women’s. It is becoming more common for men to seek out these procedures, but many men feel that these treatments are mainly for women so they don’t feel comfortable having them done. is misunderstanding is slowly changing.

MYTH: ese services are only for the wealthy.

TRUTH: ere are a variety of skin care treatments that are more a ordable than others. When you start to enter the world of injectables, it does become much more expensive. But with maintenance, it does not need to be done very frequently, so with proper planning and spacing of treatments, many people are able to a ord it.

MYTH: ese services are generally unsafe.

TRUTH: ere will always be risks with these procedures, but knowing what the risks are, and knowing that a quali ed and well trained doctor will assist in your care in the event of a complication, makes things safer in the long run. Choose your provider very wisely. Read the consent forms. Ask questions.

Connections Alive Keeping

Maintaining Connections Leads to Early Detections

If there is anything consistent in life, it’s change – and getting older might be the best example of this fact. As we near our golden years, there are many new things to consider when it comes to overall health. ere are some simple things, both physically and emotionally, that become paramount as we light more and more candles on the birthday cake.

Motion is life – and if you’re not moving, eventually things are going to break down.

is is the lesson a mentor taught Michael Cain, D.O., family medicine physician with Norman Regional Health System. Now Cain mentions mobility as one of the top considerations for seniors, along with proper nutrition, for staying in tip-top condition.

“Maintaining those basic activities of daily living are crucial,” he says.

But not all considerations are physical in nature. Cain emphasizes the importance of his patients staying connected with others. Oftentimes, due to retirement or loss of a spouse, people’s connection status may change as they age. When these variables happen, it’s important to stay on top of

keeping connections alive.

“When they’re going to work every day, they had connections to people. Now they’re not working every day, what is their connection?” asks Cain.

It’s important that people replace that support system with friends, family or grown children.

“If you have someone that really cares about that person, they’re going to see [potential medical issues] really early on and then maybe we can intervene to prevent progression,” he says.

Innovative and Dynamic Senior Activities

Another big shift that often comes along as we rack up the decades is a change in living arrangements. ere are many senior living communities that o er a wide range of living options, from garden homes, condos and apartments to independent living and skilled nursing care. But if there’s one thing that has de nitely changed in recent years, it’s that these communities don’t need to be equated with only bingo and bridge for fun. Many now provide a wide range of o erings.

“Our community activities are as innovative as our residents,” says Sharon Goforth,

As one ages, the importance of friendships, relationships and planning ahead cannot be understated.

Senior living community experts and physicians weigh in on making the most of your golden years.

resident life director at Covenant Living at Inverness. “Building o the vast knowledge and skills of Inverness residents, we have resident-led dance lessons, followed by a monthly dance trip to a local lodge.”

And this is just one example of the dynamic shift in senior living communities.

Activities range from the physically energetic – water aerobics, boxing, walking and, coming soon, pickleball – to brain health boosters – like brain games classes, technology workshops and Do Tell Luncheons, where residents can share interesting stories from their lives and careers. Members of the community have even been known to pursue high- ying activities like skydiving, ziplining and rides in a hot air balloon. And, that emphasis on connection is nurtured at Inverness.

“Believing in the many bene ts of multi-generational experiences, we have partnered with a local homeschool group,” says Goforth. “Various aged children come regularly to read to our residents or be read to. ey then share a time of art and, of course, snacks!”

Goforth describes how residents aren’t looking for a “retirement” from the activities that they love – they still enjoy being physically active and giving back to their community by volunteering.

“ ey want interesting, educational and entertaining opportunities to stay healthy, active and vibrant in this chapter of their lives,” she says.

A Checklist for the Big Move

e timing of major change can be critical – and this includes making decisions about living arrangements in retirement.

“Typically, if someone is considering moving to a continuing care retirement community, it’s time,” says Goforth.

But what steps should be taken, and considerations evaluated, when making a decision about a senior living community?

Goforth suggests some initial steps of evaluating residency agreements for what they o er. is can be found in a contract that a community representative provides. A potential resident should understand all costs and what is included. Take a tour and picture yourself living there, and nd out how much input residents have in dayto-day operations.

One important initial step should be to make a list of features of living that are important to you, says Goforth. Do you prefer a quiet setting, lots of interpersonal interaction, pet-friendliness, shopping and dining availability, religious a liation, an idyllic view? Take time to evaluate if this community matches your preferences. Talk to other residents about their experi-

ences. And while you’re talking to people, take time to meet the executive director, dining manager, tness professionals and clergy, if applicable.

“Most people make their own decisions, and it is not as complicated as it may appear,” says Goforth.

Healthcare 101

Prepping for waning health is certainly not fun, but it is necessary.

One major pitfall that Cain sees with his patients is that they don’t realize they are supposed to reach out and get the ball rolling on Medicare well ahead of their 65th birthdays – perhaps six months or more.

“What’s good for one person may not be good for another person, based on what medicines they take and what illnesses they have,” he says. “So it’s important to start that process in advance.”

And while you’re thinking about the future, end of life medical and nancial considerations are an important conversation to have

with loved ones and your doctor. Make sure critical documents, such as advanced directives and designation of a power of attorney, are captured in your medical records, recommends Cain.

“It’s important when you’re well – when your mind is good, your body is good – to have those discussions with the people that are going to be at your bedside in those end days,” says Cain.

Financial Elder Abuse

Aging includes vulnerability, but there are ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from elder abuse – physical, emotional and nancial.

“One smart choice to protect against elder abuse is to stay connected with your community – family, friends, neighbors, a faith community – to help insulate yourself,” says Jeromy Buchanan, Director of Community Living, Aging and Protective Services, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Human Services.

It’s also important to stay informed.

“Knowing what’s out there and knowing how to protect yourself is important,” says Buchanan. e National Council on Aging has an updated list of current scams being

perpetrated against the elderly.

Buchanan also mentions Area Agencies on Aging around the state as important avenues for information of all types for older adults.

And, most importantly, if you have an elderly community member you are concerned about, speak up.

“If you see something, make a report to [Adult Protective Services], because we will go out and investigate,” says Buchanan. Abuseisnotok.org or the Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-800-5223511 is where to start.

Signs of Financial Elder Abuse:

• Sudden changes in bank accounts or practices, including unexplained withdrawals of large sums of money;

• e inclusion of additional names on an older adult’s bank signature card;

• Abrupt changes in a will or other nancial documents;

• Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions;

• Provision of substandard care or bills left unpaid despite the availability of adequate nancial resources;

• Discovery of a forged signature for nancial transactions or for the titles of the older adult’s possessions;

• Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming their rights to an older adult’s property or possessions;

• Unexplained sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family;

• e provision of services that are not necessary;

• An older adult’s report of nancial exploitation.

Taken from the United States Department of Justice

TASTE

FOOD, DRINK AND OTHER PLEASURES

Much Ado about Milo

OKC’s Milo, Josh Valentine brings traditional Oklahoma food with a twist to hotel guests and locals alike.

Oklahoma-born executive chef

Josh Valentine has a passion for contemporary Oklahoma cuisine, and is working to revive that essence in his home state. At Milo, the restaurant inside OKC’s Ellison Hotel, he’s reinventing traditional avors with a unique and approachable twist – drawing on four generations of family roots to serve up plates featuring only the freshest seasonal ingredients.

November 2021 marked the opening of Milo, showcasing local ingredients in inventive, exciting and delectable dishes. Despite having to brie y close its doors after a Nichols Hills apartment building re in spring 2022, Milo re-emerged

triumphant.

Valentine takes his Del City roots and adds a modern spark to classic Southern avors, with dishes like chicken-fried steak, fried chicken and pillowy biscuits enveloped by savory gravy.

“I just try to play with those things and put my little twist on them,” he says.

Valentine, a formally trained chef and former Top Chef Seattle contestant, brings a air to his dishes. His menus o er “dishes that are familiar but di erent enough for those that aren’t necessarily adventurous eaters,” he says. “Guests will recognize something on our menu and take a chance on a dish they may not have

tried before.”

At Milo, customers can experience everything from pimento cheese tater tots served with homemade spicy ketchup, to the buttermilk fried quail served with collard greens, grits and chorizo gravy.

Growing up, Valentine’s grandmother and great-grandmother alike captivated him with their culinary experiences. He fondly remembers “always being by their sides in the kitchen, eating, cooking or getting in their way,” he says.

Most of all, he remembers the walls of bright jars, lled to the brim with pickles, okra and other vegetables that lined their storm shelter and cellar walls – the con-

At

tents straight from their own gardens.

ose walls of jarred goodies have found their way into the menu as condiments. One of Valentine’s childhood favorites is chowchow, a pickled relish made with a variety of summer vegetables.

Diners can’t get enough of the restaurant’s crispy pork rillettes starter, either. e rillettes are savory breaded nuggets made with slow-cooked bacon and pork, fried to perfection and served alongside that beloved chowchow and whole grain mustard.

Valentine is dedicated to providing memorable Oklahoma culinary experiences by sourcing ingredients only from local farms and ranches. e team takes a exible approach when it comes to menu planning; instead of deciding what should be served ahead of time, Valentine likes to “see what they [the farmers] are growing, what they are having luck on, and then I try to use that to turn and see how the menu will change seasonally.” is brings the most

Chengdu Restaurant

ere were two families, newly arrived here from China. One came from Sichuan, a remote and verdant land of rivers and mountains that joins Tibet to central China – a land whose ery, complex avor-packed cuisine is famous worldwide. e other was from Fujian, that outward-looking coastal province of seafarers and traders. e families met in America and decided to open restaurants.

eir rst restaurant served Americanized Chinese food, but customers told them they wanted authentic, traditional recipes. Who more quali ed, they thought, than us? And so Chengdu Restaurant came to be.

e chefs all come from Sichuan, and the head chef started cooking in restaurants in China at the age of sixteen. Intense, powerfully avored stews such as water-boiled beef or numbing pepper and spicy sh pack revelations of unexpected avors. ere are Sichuan dry pots, full of the tingle of Sichuan peppercorns and the heat of red-hot chili peppers. ere are also lots of Chinese-American classics such as Mongolian beef.

memorable avors of Oklahoma cuisine to hotel guests, as well as the community.

Milo is also the place to satisfy even the heartiest morning cravings with breakfast and weekend brunch. Feast on signature dishes like their delectable Okie Benedict, tender chicken fried steak served over pillowy soft biscuits smothered in gravy, or opt for something lighter like a fruit bowl or freshly baked pastries.

While Milo’s menu is mainly rooted in traditional Oklahoma cuisine, Valentine has elevated it to create something truly special. He’s particularly excited for the year ahead.

“I’m looking to get better – pushing, being creative and keeping the sta happy,” he says. “ at’s the most important thing right now, just keeping my sta engaged and happy.”

Milo at the Ellison Hotel is located at 6201 N.W. Ave. in OKC. It is open for breakfast and lunch Monday-Friday, brunch on Saturday-Sunday, and dinner seven nights a week.

NICKY OMOHUNDRO

“But we are from Fujian,” says the wife of one of the partners. “And Fujian people love seafood. So we also have live seafood and serve fresh whole lobster, eel, crab and sh.” It’s not on the menu, but there are sh tanks in the back. You just have to ask.

Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Although

Just east of Woodward Park is a massive red brick house that looks as if it was built

surprise that Nick gravitated toward a career in restaurants.

Nick was a server at a few upscale spots before deciding ne dining wasn’t right for him.

“So I worked for years at the original Hideaway in Stillwater,” he says. “ at was my introduction to restaurant kitchens, and it was fun. Kitchen life is fun.”

Just as Nick moved back to Tulsa, two of his cousins – Robbie Corcoran and Adam Myers – opened a new restaurant and followed the family tradition by doing all the cooking on Hasty Bake grills. ey called it BurnCo, and by the time they were done, it had achieved nationwide fame. Nick was their rst hire; he worked there for eight years, ending up as pitmaster. Every day, he’d unlock the dining room doors at 10 a.m. and greet the long line of customers with a hearty, “Wel-

By 2019, he was ready for a change. He ran into a former classmate named Justin Carpenter, who owned Foolish ings Co ee and wanted to set up a bar serving Korean food: enter High Dive. Nick put a menu together and ran the place, but when the pandemic came knocking, the restaurant closed and Nick started serving takeout barbecue to bring cash in.

“I got to explore things beyond traditional barbecue while still playing with heat and re,” he explains. “Most barbecue uses the

same spices. I didn’t. People don’t have preconceived expectations of Oklahoma barbecue the way they do of other states, so I can make it whatever I want it to be.”

Get Nick talking about barbecue and he’ll tell you about every aspect that excites him. But what gets him most animated is talking about Alley Cat Ranch, the new restaurant he’s building for Watershed Hospitality – the same one that operates Nola’s, Kilkenny’s and Hemingway.

“It will be one of the biggest barbecue places in the country and the biggest bar around,” says Nick. “Four thousand square feet indoors and an acre outside, with chairs and tables and re pits and maybe a pickleball court. We’ll make this the absolute anchor of the neighborhood.”

at neighborhood being the amorphous sprawl just east of downtown, 723 E. Second St., north of Bohemian Pizza and Lowood.

e food will be creative. Burnt ends will be braised in a sauce using either gochujiang or molé. ere’ll be custom blend sausages, frybread tacos, pulled pork nished in an adobo braise, and brisket nished in homemade tallow.

All this will take time. But by the time you read this, there should be a food trailer in that same spot serving a preview of Alley Cat Ranch’s fare. And yes, the food will be cooked on Hasty Bakes. ere will also be a covered area with picnic tables; Nick uses local craftsmen whenever he can, and the tables are created by an 80-year-old-man in Bixby.

“He got bored and started making picnic tables,” says Nick. “I’m picking up three this week.”

he’s already made a major mark on Tulsa’s food scene, chef Nick Corcoran is hungry for more.

Formosa Street Food and Bar

Serving up Taiwanese and Chinese dishes in stylish digs, Formosa Street Food and Bar has been an OKC favorite since its inception. Popular entrées include the basil popcorn chicken, pan-fried pork soup dumplings, mini scallion pancake wraps, and the shrimp dumplings in chili oil. e drink menu is vast – ranging from Chinese herbal teas and sodas to boba. If you’re looking for a buzz, signature cocktails include the Formosa, with rum, juice and grenadine, and the East Old Fashioned, with Japanese whiskey, simple syrup and bitters. 427 N.W. 23rd St., OKC; formosaokc.com

BARLEY & BEES

e story of Barley & Bees is one of perseverance. e restaurant began in 2020 with the mission to bring authentic Southern food to OKC. Like many, it su ered due to COVID-19, and the team pivoted to a food truck to deliver handmade biscuits to local neighborhoods. Now, the restaurant operates out of Twisted Spike Brewery. Biscuits are still the star of the show on the brunch menu, with favorites that include the Voodoo Chick – a honey butter fried chicken biscuit with pickles, and the Nashville Johnny – a biscuit sandwich with bacon, apple butter, cheddar and honey. Dinner o erings include club sandwiches, nachos and pulled pork sliders. Stick around for decadent dessert biscuits! First N.W. Tenth St., OKC; barleyandbees.com

BAR SERRA

You’re basically stepping inside a modern greenhouse when you enter Bar Serra, Utica Square’s newest food and drink destination. Serving elevated cuisine and ample spirits, Serra will likely be your next neighborhood bar favorite. Start your culinary journey with Parmesan potatoes, crispy artichokes, chicken tikka meatballs or smoked trout dip. Enjoyable mains range from kale salads to chicken sandwiches, sh tacos and the Mediterranean bowl, replete with quinoa, cauli ower and falafel. Top it all o with ice cream from the local Rose Rock Ice Cream. A full bar awaits, o ering specialty cocktails and mocktails, beer and wine. 1876 Utica Square, Suite 2E, Tulsa; barserra.com

MARY WILLA ALLEN

Wildflower Cafe

If you’re on the hunt for a cozy, no-fuss breakfast and lunch spot, Wild ower Cafe at 11th and Peoria in Tulsa is just the ticket. With an atmosphere described as “an eclectic blend of vintage elegance and fun,” Wild ower strives to deliver the best service around. Breakfast highlights include quiche, breakfast burritos, crepes, pancakes and avocado toast. For lunch, try the sweet chicken salad, BLT, or mushroom and Swiss burger. If you want to take the delicious home with you, the restaurant o ers an assortment of baked goods, including pies, cakes and cookies. Make sure to look for daily specials every day of the week; favorites include Meatloaf Monday and Pasta Wednesday. 1306 E. 11th St., Suite F, Tulsa; wild owercafetulsa.com

WHERE & WHEN

GREAT THINGS TO DO IN OKLAHOMA

EVENTS LISTED ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK INDIVIDUAL WEBSITES FOR UPDATES.

IN TULSA PERFORMANCES

FURTHER UP & FURTHER

IN Feb. 2-5 Tulsa PAC Awardwinning actor Max McLean’s tour de force performance captures C.S. Lewis’ magnetic personality, astonishing eloquence and self-deprecating wit. tulsapac.com

WORLD STAGE THEATRE

COMPANY PRESENTS:

TERMINUS Feb. 2-12 Tulsa

PAC This is the story of Ellera, a progressive white matriarch–and her mixed-race grandson, Jaybo, who live together down by the railroad tracks in rural Georgia. tulsapac.com

TULSA SYMPHONY PRESENTS CAPTIVATING: BRAHMS’ SYMPHONY NO.

1 Feb. 4 Tulsa PAC Enjoy guest conductor Yaniv Dinur as he leads the symphony in a rousing show. tulsasymphony. org

TULSA BALLET PRESENTS:

CINDERELLA Feb. 9-12 Tulsa

PAC An ordinary girl experiences one magical night, thanks to her Fairy Godmother and a pair of glass slippers. tulsaballet.org

MEN ARE FROM MARS... Feb. 11 Tulsa

PAC This off-Broadway hit comedy is a one-man fusion of theater and stand-up. tulsapac.com

THE SECRET AGENCY Feb.

16-18 Tulsa PAC As the first song blasts out, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo begins a family dance party that is more Soul Train than Thomas the Train. tulsapac.com

DISNEY ON ICE: FIND YOUR HERO Feb. 17-20 BOK

Center Get ready to discover the hero inside us all when Disney On Ice returns with a magical adventure for the whole family. bokcenter.com

THEATRE NORTH PRES-

ENTS: PARADISE BLUE Feb.

18-26 Tulsa PAC Blue, a gifted trumpeter, contemplates selling his once-vibrant jazz club in Detroit’s Blackbottom neighborhood to shake free the demons of his past and better his life. tulsapac.com

CHAMBER MUSIC TULSA

PRESENTS: ROLSTON

STRING QUARTET Feb.

19 Tulsa PAC Canada’s Rolston String Quartet continues to receive acclamation and recognition for their musical excellence. tulsasymphony.org

PRIDE AND PREJUDICE Feb.

ON THE STAGE

A POWERFUL PERFORMANCE PUNCH

While it may be the shortest month of the year, February packs a powerful performance punch. Head to the Tulsa PAC for Tulsa Symphony’s Captiving: Brahms’ Symphony No. 1 on Feb. 4, as well as Tulsa Ballet’s Cinderella from Feb. 9-12. Stick around for Chamber Music Tulsa’s presentation of the Rolston String Quartet on Feb. 19, and Tulsa Opera’s Aida on Feb. 25. Make sure to make your way to the Tulsa Community College Van Trease PACE on Feb. 25 for Signature Symphony’s Legends and Swans.

e Civic Center Music Hall hosts three OKC Phil events this month, including Rite of Spring on Feb. 4; It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s the SuperPhilharmonic! on Feb. 5; and An Evening with Kelli O’Hara Feb. 24-25. You can also see OKC Ballet’s rendition of Cinderella Feb. 10-12 and Jesus Christ Superstar on Feb. 14-19 courtesy OKC Broadway. Don’t forget to visit Lyric at the Plaza for Lyric eatre’s production of Huckleberry Finn’s Big River, running Feb. 16-March 11. Edmonites can venture to Armstrong Auditorium on Feb. 15 for Dublin Irish Dance and Feb. 28 for the Lviv National Philharmonic of Ukraine.

Additionally, catch On Your Feet!, the inspirational musical following the lives of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, on Feb. 2-3 at Stillwater’s McKnight Center for the Performing Arts and Feb. 4 at the Bartlesville Community Center.

24 Tulsa PAC As the Bennet sisters try to navigate their way towards love and marriage, Austen humorously skewers the hypocrisies and absurdities of the English class system and puts the thoughts and feelings of her women characters front and center. tulsapac.com

SIGNATURE SYMPHONY PRESENTS: LEGENDS AND SWANS Feb. 25 TCC Van Trease

PACE From Tchaikovsky’s graceful and unforgettable melodies of Swan Lake to the swan-inspired theme in Jean Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony hear how two composers crafted two beloved but very different works with a similar inspiration. signaturesymphony. org

TULSA OPERA PRESENTS: AIDA Feb. 25 Tulsa PAC The grandest of grand operas, Verdi’s

1

classic tragedy is performed in concert with festivities to follow. tulsaopera.com

CONCERTS

THE JUDDS Feb. 2 BOK

Center The Judds: The Final Tour will be continuing in 2023 thanks to the overwhelming love and support of fans. bokcenter.com

AARON LEWIS Feb. 2 River Spirit Casino Resort Aaron Lewis grew up in Springfield, Vermont, listening to his grandparents’ country 8-tracks. riverspirittulsa. com

KOOL & THE GANG IN CONCERT Feb. 3 Skyline Event Center Kool & the Gang will fill this Tulsa venue with the sounds of their top hits like “Celebration,” “Fresh” and “Jungle Boogie.” osagecasino.com

DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE Feb.

7 Cain’s Ballroom See this indie band with Momma on the Asphalt Meadows tour. cainsballroom.com

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN Feb. 21 BOK Center Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band are bringing their 2023 Tour to BOK Center. bokcenter.com

ART

REMBRANDT TO MONET: 500 YEARS OF EUROPEAN PAINTING FROM JOSLYN ART MUSEUM Feb. 22-May 28 Philbrook Immerse yourself in European masterworks at Philbrook. philbrook.org

SLUMGULLION: THE VENERATE OUTPOST Ongoing Philbrook Museum of Art Philbrook is proud to partner with award-winning artist Karl Unnasch to present Slumgullion a full-scale log cabin built from the skeleton of a late-1800s pioneer

home. philbrook.org

SPORTS

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Feb. 1, 12, 18 Reynolds Center The Lady Hurricane plays at home this month. tulsahurricane.com

TULSA OILERS Feb. 3-26 BOK Center See the Oilers take on a variety of competitors. bokcenter.com

THE CONTENDER TOURNAMENT

REGIONAL FINALS Feb. 5 Expo Square Enjoy an action-packed day with western sporting disciplines. americanrodeo.com

UNIVERSITY OF TULSA MEN’S BASKETBALL Feb. 5, 15, 21, 26 Reynolds Center Enjoy the Tulsa Hurricane battle regular season foes. tulsahurricane.com

PBR: UNLEASH THE BEAST Feb. 10-11 BOK Center For the 19th consecutive season, the Professional

Bull Riders elite Unleash The Beast will buck into Tulsa holding the PBR Express Ranches Classic. bokcenter. com

COMMUNITY

FIRST FRIDAY ART CRAWL Feb. 3 Downtown Tulsa Since 2007, the Tulsa Arts District has presented the community with rotating art displays as part of the First Friday Art Crawl. travelok.com

TULSA WOMEN’S EXPO WITH A CAUSE Feb. 4-5 Expo Square Shop 200 booths, enjoy yummy tastings, talk to home experts and learn to personalize your space. womenslivingexpo.com

SECOND SATURDAY ARCHITECTURE TOUR Feb. 11 100 E. Second St. Take a fun and educational walking tour during the Second Saturday Architecture Tour. tulsaarchitecture.org

TULSA BOAT, SPORT AND

TRAVEL SHOW Through Feb.

5 Expo Square Lovers of outdoor recreation should visit this show. exposquare.com

AKDAR SHRINE

CIRCUS Feb. 23-26 Expo Square Enjoy family friendly fun at the circus. exposquare. com

CHARITABLE EVENTS

COOKING UP COMPAS-

SION Feb. 3 Cox Business Convention Center Enjoy a night of food and fun to benefit Catholic Charities. cceok. maestroweb.com

RIVERFIELD ROCKS Feb.

4 Cain’s Ballroom All proceeds benefit the Riverfield Rocks band program from Riverfield Country Day School. cainsballroom.com

THE CANDY BALL Feb.

4 Cox Business Convention Center This night of fun benefits the Child Abuse Network. candyball.org

MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION

VETERANS BENEFIT

CONCERT Feb. 4 River Spirit Casino Resort Visit this concert to help combat homelessness, and assist with hunger relief, physical wellness, mental wellness, career and benefits counseling for MCN veterans. riverspirittulsa.com

NIGHT AT THE SYMPHONY

Feb. 4 Tulsa PAC Members of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra perform works by Johannes Brahms, Carlos Chavez and Edvard Grieg to benefit the Tulsa Area United Way. tauw. org

IN OKC PERFORMANCES

OKC PHIL PRESENTS: RITE OF SPRING

Feb. 4 Civic Center Music Hall Enjoy music from Tchaikovsky and Stavinsky. okcphil.org

OKC PHIL PRESENTS: IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE! IT’S A SUPERPHILHARMONIC! Feb. 5 Civic Center Music Hall Superman promises he’s on his way, and with our help, he’s going to make it! okcciviccenter.com

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL:

CORTEO Feb. 9-12 Paycom Center Cortero plunges the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth. paycomcenter.com

UCO DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS PRESENTS: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING Feb. 9-12 Mitchell Hall Theatre, Edmond This comical tale of two couples’ misadventures in love will delight audiences. travelok.com

OKC BALLET PRESENTS:

CINDERELLA Feb. 10-12 Civic Center Music Hall Join Oklahoma City Ballet for the most famous happilyever-after story ever conceived, Cinderella okcballet.org

LYRIC THEATRE PRESENTS: HUCKLEBERRY

FINN’S BIG RIVER Feb. 16-March 11 Lyric at the

Plaza This new revision of Broadway’s Tony Awardwinning musical, with the support of over 100 consensus organizers serving the Black community, will lift your spirit. lyrictheatreokc.com

OKC BROADWAY PRESENTS: JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR Feb. 14-19 Civic Center Music Hall Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, a new mesmerizing production of the iconic musical phenomenon returns to the stage. okcciviccenter.com

DUBLIN IRISH DANCE Feb.

15 Armstrong Auditorium Direct from Dublin comes a brand new Celtic dance production featuring exquisite Irish and World champion dancers together with Ireland’s finest musical and vocal virtuosos. armstrongauditorium.org

DRAGONS AND MYTHICAL BEASTS Feb. 26 Civic Center

Music Hall Calling all brave heroes! Enter into a magical world of myths and legends in this fantastical new show for all the family. okcciviccenter. com

LVIV NATIONAL PHILHARMONIC OF UKRAINE Feb.

28 Armstrong Auditorium

Founded in 1902 in Lviv, the National Philharmonic of Ukraine was led by eminent artists such as Gustav Mahler, Richard Strauss and Ruggero Leoncavallo. armstrongauditroium.org

CONCERTS

KODY WEST Feb. 3 Beer City Music Hall Enjoy rocker Kody West for one night only. towertheatreokc.com

THE SOUL II SOUL TOUR Feb. 24 Paycom

Center The Soul II Soul Tour is bringing KEM and Ledisi to Oklahoma City along with

SPORTS

special guest, Musiq Soulchild. paycomcenter.com

OKC PHIL PRESENTS: AN EVENING WITH KELLI

O’HARA Feb. 24-25 Civic Center Music Hall Tony Award winner and Grammy nominee Kelli O’Hara is coming home. okcciviccenter.com

ANDY SHAUF Feb. 26 Beer

City Music Hall Candian singer-songwriter Andy Shauf visits OKC. towertheatreokc. com

ART

PLAYING COWBOY Feb.

10-May 7 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Since the publication of the first dime novels and the worldwide tours of Wild West shows in the 1880s, children across the globe have “played cowboys and Indians.” nationalcowboymuseum.org

FIGHTERS FOR FREEDOM: WILLIAM H. JOHNSON PICTURING JUSTICE Feb.

18-May 14 OKCMOA William H. Johnson celebrated black activists and their accomplishments even as he acknowledged the realities of racism, violence, and oppression they faced and overcame. okcmoa.com

ART AND ACTIVISM AT TOUGALOO COLLEGE Feb.

18-May 14 OKCMOA Co-organized by the American Federation of the Arts and Tougaloo College, Art and Activism at Tougaloo College examines the birth and development of this unique collection—the first in Mississippi dedicated to modern art. okcmoa.com

LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS TO THE WEST Through Feb. 19 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum From 1991 to 1996, Wilson Hurley devoted his life

A MIXED BAG OF PLAY

Basketball still has a stronghold on Oklahoma sports this February.

Catch the TU women’s team at home at the Reynolds Center Feb. 1, 12 and 18, and the men’s team on Feb. 5, 15, 21 and 26. e Sooners play at the Lloyd Noble Center on Feb. 1, 11, 14 and 21 for men, and Feb. 4, 15 and 25 for women. e OSU Cowgirls can be found at Stillwater’s Gallagher-Iba Arena on Feb. 1, 7, 11 and 22, and the men play Feb. 4, 8, 14, 25 and 27. e OKC Blue and OKC under both play at the Paycom Center on Feb. 4, 13, 15, 26 and 28.

On-the-ice action can be found at BOK Center as the Tulsa Oilers compete Feb. 3-26. Stick around the arena for Professional Bull Riding’s Unleash the Beast event, running Feb. 10-11.

More high-octane fun can be found at the OKC Fairgrounds when the Bucking Bull Futurity stampedes into town on Feb. 25.

WHERE & WHEN | ENTERTAINMENT

and artistic skills to creating five enormous triptychs that depict the grandeur of the American western landscape. nationalcowboymuseum.ogr

ARTOONS Feb. 24-July 26 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Presented in conjunction with the Toys R Western and You Have Died of Dysentery exhibitions, ARToons will continue the playful nature of the exhibitions on display throughout the Museum at the same time. nationalcowboymuseum.org

FUGITIVE SPEECH Through April 30 Oklahoma Contemporary Featuring seven artworks by three artists, Fugitive Speech explores acts of personal testimony in the face of social, cultural and historical odds. oklahomacontemporary.org

ART OF THE NORTHWEST

COAST Through May 1

National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum From painted totem poles to ben wood boxes, northwest coast artwork is known across the world. nationalcowboymuseum.org

OUTLAWMAN Through May

7 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Using the museum’s material culture object collection, works of art, and the Glenn Shirley Collection in the DRC, this exhibition examines the often-thin line separating the outlaw from the lawman. nationalcowboymuseum.org

YOU HAVE DIED OF DYSEN-

TERY Through May 7 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum “You have died of dysentery” is a line from the famous ‘game over’ screen from The Oregon Trail series of computer games. The quote also calls out the connection between Western themed play and the often-dark realities of history. nationalcowboymuseum.org

CHIHULY THEN AND NOW: THE COLLECTION AT TWENTY Ongoing OKCMOA

Redesigned in collaboration with Chihuly Studio, Chihuly

Then and Now: The Collection at Twenty incorporates a unique design, featuring five decades of glass and painting and tells a comprehensive story of Chihuly’s groundbreaking career. okcmoa.com

SPORTS

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

MEN’S BASKETBALL Feb. 1, 11, 14, 21 Lloyd Noble Center, Norman Enjoy the OU men’s basketball team as they take on regular season foes. soonersports.com

OKC THUNDER BASKETBALL Feb. 4, 13, 15, 26, 28

Paycom Center Don’t miss the state’s NBA team take the court against regular season adversaries. paycomcenter. com

OKC BLUE BASKETBALL

Feb. 4, 13, 15, 26, 28 Paycom Center Enjoy plenty of home games with the OKC Blue. paycomcenter.com

UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Feb. 4, 15, 25 Lloyd Noble Center, Norman The OU

women’s basketball team takes the court. soonersports.com

PRAIRIE CLASSIC QUARTER HORSE SHOW Feb. 8-12 OKC Fairgrounds Enjoy a variety of top-notch quarter horse events. okcfairgrounds.com

OK STATE HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Feb. 24-25 OKC Fairgrounds Top high school athletes duke it out during the state wrestling championships. okcfairgrounds.com

BUCKING BULL FUTURITY Feb. 25 OKC Fairgrounds Enjoy a bull riding event hosted by American Bucking Bull Inc. okcfairgrounds.com

COMMUNITY

FIRST FRIDAY GALLERY

WALK

Feb. 3 Paseo Arts

District Visitors can enjoy art openings, wine tastings, live music and other activities. thepaseo.org

SEDGWICK STREET

RODDERS WINTER SWAP

MEET Feb. 3-4 OKC Fairgrounds Car enthusiasts won’t want to miss this actionpacked, two-day swap meet. okcfairgrounds.com

POOL & SPA SHOW Feb. 3-5 OKC Fairgrounds Get ready for a great summer at the Pool and Spa Show. okcfairgrounds.com

NORMAN MARDI GRAS

PARADE Feb. 18 Downtown Norman Norman’s Mardi Gras parade is coming back, all dressed up and fully lit for an evening of family fun. travelok.com

CELEBRATING TOGETHERNESS

If you want to veer away from sports or performances this month, community events abound.

In Tulsa, get your tickets to the Second Saturday Architecture Tour on Feb. 11, hosted by the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture. is month, the group explores the Tulsa Underground tunnel system. And if you’re prepping for summer, swing by Expo Square for the Tulsa Boat, Sport and Travel Show through Feb. 5. A similar event, the Pool and Spa Show, runs Feb. 3-5 at the OKC Fairgrounds. You can also get festive at the Norman Mardi Gras parade, running downtown on Feb. 18.

Art options are vast this month. Philbrook o ers a new show, Rembrandt to Monet – 500 Years of European Painting from Joslyn Art Museum from Feb. 22 to May 28. In OKC, the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum debuts Playing Cowboy on Feb. 10, running through May 7. OKCMOA presents Fighters for Freedom: William H. Johnson Picturing Justice, as well as Art and Activism at Tougaloo College, from Feb. 18-May 14.

And in honor of Black History Month, Boley Community Center hosts the Black History Celebration on Feb. 4, complete with performances and art from Black creators.

FAMILY/KIDS

FUN FOR ALL, ALL FOR FUN

ere’s plenty of family fun to be had this month around the state. In Tulsa, you can visit the BOK Center for Disney On Ice: Find Your Hero from Feb. 17-20. ere, you can “discover the hero inside us all” with captivating ice skating and music. Head over to Expo Square for the classic Akdar Shrine Circus on Feb. 23-26 as well.

OKC o ers plenty of family-friendly events this month. Start with Cirque du Soleil: Corteo from Feb. 9-12 at the Paycom Center. ere, the audience will be plunged into “a world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth.” Stick around the Paycom Center for Monster Jam – a heart pounding monster truck competition – on Feb. 18-19. e Civic Center welcomes Dragons and Mythical Beasts on Feb. 26, which calls all audience members to “enter into the magical world of myths and legends.” And canines enthusiasts should surely report to the OKC Fairgrounds on Feb. 18-19 for the International Dog Show.

And for those with a sweet tooth, the Yukon Chocolate Center comes to the Dale Robertson Center on Feb. 4, with over 20 chocolate booths, plus a silent auction and awards.

MONSTER JAM Feb.

18-19 Paycom Center Experience full-throttle family fun at Monster Jam, where world-class athletes and their 12,000-pound monster trucks tear up the dirt in wide-open competitions of speed and skill. paycomcenter. com

INTERNATIONAL DOG

SHOW Feb. 18-19 OKC Fairgrounds See intelligent canines compete for top prizes. okcfairgrounds.com

CHARITABLE EVENTS

ADVOCACY ROUNDTABLE Feb. 3 Online During Oklahoma’s Legislative session, Advocacy Roundtable brings together nonprofit leaders to discuss policy, exchange ideas and offer support and advice to one another. okcnp.org

GREEN TIE GALA Feb.

4 National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum Catholic Charities hosts the Green Tie Gala to raise funding for the Sanctuary Women’s Development Centers in Oklahoma City and Norman. ccaokc.org

TASTE OF OKC 2023 Feb.

24 Oklahoma City Convention Center Sponsors and attendees will celebrate an evening of tastes and sips from more than 30 of OKC’s city’s finest restaurants, all to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. bbbsok.org

THE STATE PERFORMANCES

ON YOUR FEET!

Feb.

2-3 McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater Her voice. His vision. Their story. On Your Feet! is the inspiring true story about heart, heritage and two people who believed in their talent to become an international sensation: Gloria and Emilio Estefan. mcknightcenter.org

PAULS VALLEY OPRY Feb. 4 Pauls Valley High School The Pauls Valley Opry revived a 1960s and 1970s tradition built on traveling the state to play country, rock and folk music in a variety of clubs. travelok.com

BROADWAY IN BARTLESVILLE

PRESENTS: ON YOUR FEET! Feb. 4 Bartlesville Community Center Hear the inspiring true story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan in the award-winning musical On Your Feet! bartlesvillecommunitycenter.com

THE CEMENT OPRY Feb. 4 410 N. Main, Cement The Cement Opry is a monthly live variety show held in the Jesse James Ballroom, which is located above the Cement Museum. travelok.com

CTAC LIVE PRESENTS: THE WORLD FAMOUS GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA Feb. 9 The Simmons Center, Duncan Plan for an entertaining night of music, and experience the sounds of live musicians as they take the stage. chisholmtrailarts.com

CONCERTS

KEITH URBAN Feb. 3-4 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant One of country music’s biggest stars comes to Durant for two nights. choctawcasinos. com

JAKE OWEN Feb. 11 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Durant Jake Owen is an American country music singer, songwriter and actor. choctawcasinos.com

TRACE ADKINS Feb.

14 McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, Stillwater Country singer and star of the hit television drama Monarch, Trace Adkins performs at the McKnight Center for a special Valentine’s Day concert. mcknightcenter.org

DWIGHT YOAKAM Feb. 18 Choctaw Casino and Resort, Druant See country crooner Dwight Yoakam for one night only. choctawcasinos.com

SPORTS

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL Feb. 1, 7, 11, 22 Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater The women’s basketball team plays regular season foes this month. okstate.com

OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY MEN’S BASKETBALL Feb. 4, 8, 14, 25, 27 Gallagher-Iba Arean, Stillwater The men’s basketball team plays at home. okstate.com

FEBRUARY FILMS BECKON

ebruary, the month of love, returns to us with pretty much no romantic films for its entire duration. Not to worry – there are still plenty of good movies to enjoy for a Valentine’s Day date, or just as a way to escape the cold for a little while.

Right out the gate, we have Knock at the Cabin. Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, the film sees a family of three vacationing at a remote cabin – only to be taken hostage by four strangers who tell the family they must sacrifice one of themselves to stop the apocalypse. As is true with most Shyamalan films, there will almost certainly be a twist that either amplifies or, as it has done in most of his recent outings, unravels the story to an accidental and unintentional comedy. Starring Dave Bautista (Guardians of the Galaxy), Jonathan Groff (Mindhunter) and Ben Aldridge (Spoiler Alert), we’ll find

Fout if the story can hold up the insane premise when it releases on Feb. 3.

Next up is a trip to the Hundred Acre Wood, although not how you remember it, with Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and Honey. A comedy slasher film, the story follows the iconic and loveable Winnie the Pooh and his pal Piglet on a murderous rampage after Christopher Robin abandons them for college. After Disney finally lost the exclusive rights to the character, writer and director Rhys Frake-Waterfield jumped on the chance to make a horror version of the beloved childhood icon. The trailer, to be honest, definitely makes it feel like the budget was extremely low and the movie was shot hastily – but it will surely be a unique viewing experience either way. If you want to see it in theaters, it’ll be there for one day only – Feb 15.

If you (somehow) need some more Marvel, check out Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The first film in Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (will it ever end?), the plot finds Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) and Wasp (Evangeline

Lilly), pulled into the Quantum Realm. There, they must deal with a new enemy, Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors, Lovecraft Country). With plot elements from the Disney+ show Loki, as well as the other films, the MCU grows larger with every movie. The trailer has an unending sea of CGI and the typical remix of a popular song, but the story looks to take the characters to new heights when it hits theaters on Feb. 17.

Finally, from the vault, I present an animated film that came out in August 2022 and was one of my favorites from last year. Titled Inu-Oh, the Japanese animated musical film is a sight to behold. Set in 14th century Japan, the plot follows the budding friendship between Inu-Oh, a dancer born with unique physical characteristics, and Tomona, a blind musician. Although society largely shuns them, the two use their artistic skills to propel themselves to stardom. The film is beautifully animated, uniquely told, and absolutely worth your time. It’s streaming online now.

Despite its short span, February o ers an array of cinematic gems, including horror, suspense, action and animation.

Brent Kisling

Executive Director of Oklahoma’s Department of Commerce, Brent Kisling has dedicated his professional life to the state’s economic development. Before he came to Commerce in 2019, Kisling led the Enid Regional Development Alliance for nearly a decade. An Oklahoma native, he graduated from OSU with a bachelor’s in Agribusiness. We caught up with Kisling and got his thoughts on ...

... what has kept him in-state.

I started my career right out of high school working for Senator Jim Inhofe. Traveling around the state with him gave me an early perspective of how our state operates and what makes us unique. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to see the world, and I truly believe Oklahoma is the best place on the planet to live and raise a family. We are spoiled here, and we don’t even know it. Our people are friendly, hardworking and united in mission more than any other place I have been. I have never once had a desire to leave.

...projects he’s most proud of.

I am most proud of the way our Commerce team responded during the pandemic. Although I believe that the Oklahoma Department of Commerce does not create jobs, we certainly have the mission of creating an environment where Oklahoma businesses feel comfortable putting capital at risk and keeping our citizens employed.

at environment was tested in 2020 –and all of the months since – as we responded to health concerns, business closures and in ation pressure, and we pivoted out of the downturn. I am proud of the supply chain platform, Connex Oklahoma, that was stood up before any other state as a response to purchasing concerns for manufacturers, and I am proud of the Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program, which is the premier legacy business assistance program in the nation. OIEP provides up to $150,000 awards to Oklahoma businesses that are making innovative investments and diversifying their revenue streams. We assist over 120 manufacturers a year through this program. e e orts we put forth during the pandemic have allowed Oklahoma to now be the tenth fastest growing state in terms of population in the nation. We have bundled up this thing called freedom and have been selling it to the world ... and the world is buying it!

... the origins of his passion for economic development.

My wife Jennifer and I owned a very large bed and breakfast in Enid that we sold a few years ago. At one point, we were trying to grow and expand, and had to attend a city council meeting to get our re-zoning approved. Over 50 people signed up to oppose our application, and it completely caught my wife and I o guard. No one spoke up on our behalf, or on behalf of the growth of our small business. We just assumed everyone would be excited that we were taking an old abandoned house and investing thousands of dollars to return it to functionality. We were wrong, and we lost our vote with the council. From that day forward, I vowed that every chance I had to publicly thank people who were investing in our community and hiring our neighbors, I would do it. at passion turned into a strong desire to use my personal experiences to help others grow.

... his day-to-day.

At Commerce we do ve things. We help recruit businesses to the state. We work with existing businesses to help them grow. We do research to support our economic e orts throughout all of state government. We do community development to help local entities prepare for growth. And we provide workforce development services for businesses looking to hire and citizens looking for work.

As I work in each of these areas every day, it’s like solving puzzles. Every project we work on has some issue that must be solved, and I absolutely love trying to solve these puzzles. Sometimes the need is for land. Sometimes it involves closing a capital needs gap. And sometimes the puzzle includes a need for people. Every project has a de nite beginning and a de nite ending with success or failure. I love working in that kind of environment.