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Edmond Outlook is a lifestyle magazine based in Edmond, OK and is delivered free to over 50,000 homes and businesses.

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Page 1: Edmond Outlook MARCH 2010

13431 N Broadway EXT, STE 104Oklahoma City, OK 73114

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Follow Us On Twitter

Become a Fan on Facebook

Visit our website www.edmondoutlook.com

Publisher DaveMiller

OperationsManager StacyBrasher

ProductionManager JoshuaHatfield

AdvertisingSales DonnaWalker JRRoss

Design JoshuaHatfield

ProductionDesign KrystalHarlow JoshuaHatfield

ManagingEditor RebeccaWulff

Photography RandallGreen

Writers RadinaGigova LouiseTuckerJones KathrynSpurgeon AmyDeeStephens DonnaWalker LindsayWhelchel NathanWinfrey RebeccaWulff

Distribution TheEdmondOutlookis deliveredFREEbydirect mailto50,000Edmond homesandbusinesses.

Additionalcopiesavailable attheEdmondChamberof Commerce,VisitorsBureau, &Back40Designoffice.

EdmondOutlook 13431N.BroadwayExt.,Suite104 OklahomaCity,OK73114 405-341-5599 Fax:405-341-2020 Website:www.edmondoutlook.com E-mail:[email protected]

To Advertise Call 341-5599

(Volume6,Number3)EdmondOutlookisapublicationofBack40Design,Inc.©2010Back40Design,Inc.

ArticlesandadvertisementsinEdmondOutlookdonotnecessarilyreflecttheopinionsofthemagazineorBack40Design.Back40Designdoesnotassumeresponsibilityforstatementsmadebyadvertisersoreditorialcontributors.TheacceptanceofadvertisingbyEdmondOutlookdoesnotconstituteendorsementoftheproducts,servicesorinformation.Wedonotknowinglypresentanyproductorservicethatisfraudulentormisleadinginnature.EdmondOutlookassumesnoresponsibilityforunsolicitedmaterials.

departments6 ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT Ben Stone

8 LETTERSFROMLOUISE Deja Vu

10 SPORTS Golf Tips

12 BESTOFEDMOND Garage Innovations & Dr. Jonathan Roth

14 DININGGUIDE Dan’s Pizza

18 HOME&GARDEN Lighting Trends & Tips

22 FINELIVING Classic Cars

25 HEALTH&FITNESS Eye Care

31 AROUNDTOWN

features26 HAITI’SWATERCRISIS Filtration Straws That Save Lives

28 TEXTMESSAGING Edmond’s Response to Excess

32 EXTREMEMAKEOVER From the Heart

22

www.back40design.com

MARCH 2010

COVER CONTESTTell us exactly where 3 of 4 cover pictures were taken

in Edmond & you’ll be entered to win:

A sprinkle heart necklace from Retropolitan - or-

Full service oil change (5 qts reg. oil) from PortersInstructions for contest entries

& drawing winners will be Tweeted.

Follow us at twitter.com/edmondoutlook for details.

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A rts & Entertainment

5$ Off

Afleet of new Mountain Dew flavors will hit store shelves in April, one of which will bear the artwork of Edmond resident Ben Stone. He is one of three winners

from the Mountain DEWmocracy Design Challenge, a competition to create new packaging.

He found the Mountain Dew contest on Face-book, which started with a not-so-simple challenge: redesign the current Mountain Dew can. “Mountain Dew is kind of the original energy drink,” he says. “It was considered an energy drink before they were really big. It had the most caffeine. I like the green, and the black really makes it stand out, so I went with a black can with green lightning coming out of the logo, symbolizing the energy.”

Of the top ten designs, fans voted through Facebook for their three favorite designers who would go on to create cans for the three new flavors. Stone’s design ended up number one. From there, he was assigned to the flavor “Distortion,” while the other two designers were assigned “Typhoon” and “White Out.”

Stone came up with about ten designs, all while collaborating with Mountain Dew developers and fans via live chats. He was given the “Distortion” name and “Lime Blasted Dew” flavor description during the design process.

He says he tasted about 15 bottles of the product. “It’s pretty good. It adds some extra lime to the Mountain Dew.”

Stone bounced ideas off of his collaborators, trying to get a grasp of what images came to their minds when they heard the word “distortion.” A common image was that of sound waves. His design features a green beam of light coming down through the logo on a black background.

“There were some limitations,” Stone says. “Fine lines tend to blend together when printing on

aluminum, and they have to work with distributors across the United States, so they had to go with the lowest common denominator on print quality.” He says there were also restrictions on logo placement and size. “It was definitely a challenge, trying to stay in all the guidelines.”

In the last few months, he has grown Stone Graphic Design to include contract programmers and voiceover talent. “I have three other people who have been helping me with projects and it’s really turning into a full-size company,” Stone says. “I like the simplicity of being on my own schedule. I hesitate to have an office, because then I would have to go to it everyday.”

Stone may work from home, but he puts in an exhaustive amount of hours. He says he currently works about 80 hours per week, but that business slows significantly in the summertime. “Being free-lance, the schedule definitely fluctuates,” he says. “I’m probably doing something different just about every day. I could be doing three things in one day.” He specializes in illustration, 3D models, animation, interactive flash and branding.

These days, he displays much of his work on his Web site, www.stonegraphicdesign.com. “You have to have a Web portfolio. Whether or not you put it together yourself, you need to have it online and put as much good stuff on there as you can and tell everyone you know to go look at it.”

Among all of Stone’s projects, the Mountain Dew packaging design is definitely his most public. “It will be advertised on TV and Facebook, and all over the Internet, and I’m going to have my name on the can,” he says. “I’m definitely excited. I have a little bit of a can collection, so I’m looking forward to adding one of my own.”

Ben Stone can be reached at 880-5661 or by e-mail at [email protected].

by Nathan Winfrey

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L etters from Louise

15%

I’ve heard the expression, “life can change on a dime.” I’m not sure where that originated, but my life certainly took an unexpected turn in mid January. If you are one of my loyal readers (I love all your e-mails!), you will remember

that my husband had emergency surgery in December. We thought that was the end of surprise medical conditions. We were wrong!

Just three days after having oral surgery, I found myself in the intensive care unit at Mercy Hospital. It had nothing to do with my surgery. In fact, no one really knows the exact cause of my problem. All I know is it seemed like déjà vu as the ambu-lance transported me to the ER with my husband following behind—much like when I took him to the ER in December. Needless to say, it was scary. The good news is that my condi-tion should heal on its own with a special diet and rest.

During this healing process I have had time to reflect on things that really matter in this life and have seen love and compassion in action. Before I left for the hospital, my longtime friend, Marqueeta, rushed to our home at 2:30 am to take care of Jay, our son with special needs. She is one of those friends that the Bible describes as “sticking closer than a brother” (sister in this case). She also stayed with Jay when I took Carl to the ER. Déjà vu!

Another friend, Mary Lou, met us at the ER and waited with me through those wee morning hours until early after-noon. She was also with me in December when the surgeon met me in the waiting area to report on Carl’s surgery. Déjà vu!

My son, Aaron, loaded his family in the van and drove to Edmond from Arkansas to check on me. Sons and moms

have special bonds, in case you didn’t know. I even got to have a short visit with my grandchildren at the hospital. Four-year-old Alexandria was concerned that Grammi-Lou’s hair was messy. She took a comb and tried to fix it while two-year-old Axton gave me toddler kisses. Those healing hugs from my grandbabies were like “liquid joy” running through my IV.

Not one to do well at hospitals, I talked with Jay by phone. “Hey Baby, Mom’s going to be okay. I love you!” I could hear the smile in his voice as he replied, “I love you Ma-ma.” And Carl? Well, he kept the turnpike hot between Edmond and Mercy, taking care of Jay’s needs when only he could do so then sitting with me at the hospital, sleep deprived from caring for me through oral surgery and now this. Though exhausted, he refused to leave my side. Seeing such love and concern etched on his face made me realize all over again that I made the right decision 44 years ago when I said “I do” to a hand-some, young soldier in a little Army chapel just hours before he went overseas.

There were calls from family, too distant to visit, and a lifelong friend who didn’t know I was in the hospital but just had a “feeling” she needed to call. A minister from my church prayed with me in ICU. Morning prayers were broadcast over the hospital intercom as I was transported to a treatment room where a nurse and assistant took my hands and prayed before the doctor arrived to perform an invasive procedure. There were unseen prayer warriors everywhere.

When I got home, friends brought food and offered to do laundry or run errands. What a blessing to be loved and pampered when energy is “lower than low.” I believe this is what God calls all of us to do—to pray, wait, call, help, cook, shop, clean—whatever we can to help those in need.

Today, as I look around my home, I realize there are few tangible things that really matter to me. My treasure is found in the hearts of those I love and the God who never leaves me. May you find this same treasure in your own life—hopefully, without a health crisis!

Those healing hugs from my grandbabies were

like “liquid joy” running through my IV.

by Louise Tucker Jones

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about the authorLouise Tucker Jones is an award-winning author and inspirational speaker.Author and co-author of three books, her work has been featured in numerouspublications. Mother of four and grandmother of three, Louise resides inEdmond with her husband, Carl and son, Jay. Contact her at: [email protected] or www.LouiseTuckerJones.com.

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Golf Tips from the Pros

S ports

The weather is finally beginning to warm and many Edmond residents are turning to the outdoors and hitting the green. This cold winter season may have caused a few

golfers to get a little rusty and in need of some tips from the experts.

“The question I get asked most commonly is ‘Can you help me hit farther?’,” says Danny Cline, long time PGA professional and COO of Oak Tree National. “The answer depends on a few factors: equipment, golf swing, strength, range of motion and speed. In some cases, just changing the shaft or length of the equipment helps people hit further. Other golfers may need to work on range of motion through a stretching or strength program.”

Scott Smelser, Director of Golf at Coffee Creek Golf Club agrees and says lessons from a qualified PGA Golf Professional are a must. Smelser says he’s been playing golf since he was six years old and has always been an accomplished player. “I have been a member of the PGA of America since 1997, and entering my 16th year at Coffee Creek.”

When it comes to improving your swing, Smelser advises to “swing in balance at all times, accelerate through impact on all shots, and keep your body rotating towards your target.”

According to Cline, PGA golfer Davis Love’s father was one of the best instructors in history. He always told Love to hit golf balls by making a full swing using a short iron at a slow speed. “The swing has to be slow enough that you can feel every muscle and the weight of the club so when you start the down swing the golf ball gets struck in the middle of the club’s face. If you’re not making good contact, slow down even more. Once good contact is achieved on a consistent basis, increase the speed. As you feel more comfort-able, go to a longer club. This drill develops hand-eye coordination and muscle memory.”

Custom club fitting and individual instruction will pay dividends tenfold, says Cline. If you’re new to the game, getting an educated start really helps. There are many qualified PGA professionals locally who can help. “We employ and train the very best

by Rebecca Wulff

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staff members and we are fanatical about producing the very best golf course possible.”

Oak Tree will be hosting the 2014 US Senior Open and the 2012 Trans-Mississippi Amateur championship. According to Cline, Oak Tree has been mentioned as one of the top golf courses in the world. After their construction in 2009, it was rated the third hardest golf course in America by Golf Digest. Cline hopes to announce more major championships in the next year or so.

Smelser says he’s also excited about the Senior Open’s arrival into Edmond. Coffee Creek Golf is currently in the process of renovating their course. “We offer a quiet, country club type atmosphere to the public golfer.”

No matter what your experience level is, there’s always something to learn in golf and Edmond courses are a great place to start. Oak Tree National is located at 1515 W. Oak Tree Drive. Coffee Creek Golf Club can be found at 4000 N. Kelly Ave.

“The question I get asked most commonly is ‘Can you help me hit farther?’”

Golf Course

EQUIPMENT THAT IS HOT ON THE MARKET RIGHT NOW:Golf products are very ability-specific now days and it all depends on your handicap. A fitting session with a professional will ensure a great fit. The key is getting the proper club head, loft, shaft, lie angle and grip for each individual based on their swing.

Drivers: The Taylor Made R9 Driver recently improved its moveable weight technology and added an adjustable shaft which provides the player with 24 options for ball flight.

Woods: Ping G15 woods have a lower center of gravity and a wide, yet low profile head design that makes it easier for golfers to get the ball airborne.

Hybrids: Callaway Diablo Edge offers a range of playability with exceptional weight and balance that result in a high launch with great feel.

Irons: Titleist recently improved the AP2 Irons. The simple, yet polished forged design combined with super-soft feel have made these irons idyllic for serious golfers.

Wedges: The new groove rule has had an impact on the innovation of wedge design making the Titleist Vokey Wedge a popular choice. The spin milled design, classic finishes and loft options from 48 to 64 degrees make the Vokey Wedge a golf staple.

Golf Balls: The Titleist PRO V1 continues to be the most used golf ball on the course. The TaylorMade Penta has five layers that provide exceptional feel, spin, control, launch and distance. Source: Danny Cline, General Manager and COO of Oak Tree National.

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Best of Edmond

Silver Star importS inc.

Best of Edmond

by Rebecca Wulff

It seems like clutter has a unique ability of accumulating very quickly and taking over entire rooms in no time at all, especially the garage.

If you have a garage full of “stuff” and you desire a clean and organized space, Garage Innovations could be your solution.

Owners Jason and Jennifer Johnson started Garage Innovations after they real-ized there was a need in the market for a garage organization company in Oklahoma. Jason was looking online at different cabinet solutions to outfit his woodworking workshop when he realized Oklahoma lacked a solution for garage storage and organization. “Jason has always had that entrepreneurial spirit and had been looking into different opportunities,” said Jennifer.

“We are the only company in Oklahoma to offer complete turnkey solutions with multiple product lines,” Jennifer said. “We manufacture our own wood cabinet line, Simply Storage, utilizing state-of-the-art computer machining equipment. We are also the exclusive dealer of the Liquid Granite epoxy floor coating for Oklahoma.”

The family owned business opened its doors in March 2004 and is celebrating six years in busi-ness this month. “We have seen many garage organizational companies come and go in the

last six years, but our over 1,500 customers can be assured we are here to stay,” Jennifer said. The couple has faced many of the same chal-lenges that nearly all business owners face. “You have issues like long hours, cash flow manage-ment, hiring the right employees and setting up a diverse product line,” Jennifer said. “We have learned a lot and through smart business decisions; we have tackled those challenges and welcome new ones.”

The Johnsons know they’ve done a great job when previous customers move into a new home or buy a vacation house and call Garage Innova-tions to outfit their new garage. “When we see or hear an ad for a house and the ad says ‘Garage outfitted by Garage Innovations,’ we think wow, they liked their garage so much they are using it as a selling tool.”

If you are tired of a cluttered garage, it is time to call in the experts. Stop in to see Steve Lawson, manager of Garage Innovations at 7704 N. May Ave., or visit www.mycustomgarage.com.

Steve Lawson, Garage Innovations

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Dr. Jonathan Roth, Compassionate Care

Many parents who have raised chil-dren with behavioral problems know the strain it puts on fami-lies, marriages and relationships.

Dr. Jonathan Roth of Edmond specializes in child behavioral issues and disorders. He’s a skilled professional with 25 years experience in pediat-rics and is board certified.

“The people who see me are at their wits end,” says Dr. Roth. “It’s so gratifying to help people who have no hope, then figure out what’s going on and deliver that kind of care. According to Roth, developmental

pediatrics is a relatively new field. “General practitio-ners aren’t educated in these types of developmental problems. They take a very good stab at it, but usually fall short because of their time limitations. People are finding that pediatrians are the first step, but there are specialized pediatrians to help further.”

Roth says he opened his own practice because he felt patients were too rushed when visiting the doctor and weren’t getting the proper amount of attention. He blocks off two hours for each consul-tation and schedules just one morning and one afternoon appointment.

“I really get to know the families and I’m available by phone and follow up with therapy recommenda-tions,” Roth says. He’s even connected his office phone to his cell phone. “I want patients to get a hold of me. They have access to me 24 hours a day, seven days week.”

If you would like to schedule a consult with Dr. Jonathan Roth, call his office at 202-8003 or visit www.jonrothmd.com.

by Rebecca Wulff

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Dining Guide Main

Located on Waterloo and Broadway, Dan’s Pizza may be a bit of a drive for some, but the trip will definitely be worth your time.

“Our customers are wonderful. We love that they keep coming back,” says Stephanie Hobson of Dan’s Pizza. “Since the first day we opened we have had regular customers.”

The restaurant makes their dough fresh three times a day and only uses the freshest ingredients. “We can say we use fresh products and ingre-dients and mean it,” says Hobson. “It is impor-tant to us to make you a fresh pizza when you order it.”

Dan’s Pizza hand cuts all their vegetables every day to maintain freshness so every bite is guar-anteed to be delicious. They offer a savory garlic butter which encourages patrons to happily devour the crust.

Their most popular pizza on the menu is the supreme, which boasts seven different toppings. They start with pepperoni and then add Italian sausage, hamburger, onions, bell peppers, mushrooms and olives. Cheese is piled high and the crust is topped with their special garlic butter.

Another popular item on the menu is the chicken alfredo pizza. It starts off with alfredo sauce, chicken and then covered with their five blend cheese. They say it’s the best “Dan” chicken alfredo you will eat. Try the BBQ chicken pizza, a new addition to the menu. Instead of using pizza sauce, they use barbeque sauce, add freshly cooked chicken and top it off with cheese, onions and bacon.

by Rebecca Wulff

“Our customers are wonderful. We love that

they keep coming back.”

Dining Guide

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Exp. 04/15/10

$1 OFFANY LARGE PIZZA

$2 OFFANY XL PIZZA

“Eventually we will expand the menu to include some Italian dishes and sandwiches,” Hobson says. Along with their delicious toppings and growing menu, Dan’s Pizza has a warm and inviting atmo-sphere with friendly, smiling faces to greet you when you walk through the door. “Our restaurant boasts four televisions so you can watch all of your sports here with us.”

“We are a family business,” Hobson says. “We are proud of our pizza and look forward to serving new customers every day.”

Visit Dan’s Pizza at 121 E. Waterloo Road or call 359-3900 to place your pick up or delivery order.

Dan and Stephanie Hobson, Dan’s Pizza

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Dining Guide

Looking for a little Irish flavor right here in Edmond? Treat your taste buds to the unique flavors of Jo’s Reuben pizza. That’s right, a Reuben pizza. This pizza is fresh-made with chopped corn beef, sauerkraut and tangy pas dressing. If you prefer your pizza Italian-style, you can always enjoy a freshly-shredded Canadian pizza or a supreme. Visit Jo’s Famous Pizza at 900 S. Kelly Ave. for a great meal.

Be a little fruity for St. Patrick’s and Easter celebrations. Give the gift of taste with an Edible Arrangement. It’s a healthy substitution to other party treats and makes a great impression. Bouquets are beautifully arranged with fresh strawberries, pineapple, melon and more. Want to treat yourself? Stop in to Edible Arrange-ments for yummy chocolate-dipped strawberries at 3209 S. Broadway.

$5

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Celebrate Easter with a deliciously prepared meal full of homemade flavor from Super Suppers. You can call in your order and impress your guests with a special dinner including tender ham, au gratin potatoes, green beans, yeast rolls and a light, luscious dessert. Free up your time, enjoy the day and save money. Feed up to eight people with this fancy feast for only $88 at Super Suppers, 1333 N. Santa Fe.

We all know it’s home of the “Best Chicken Fry in the Universe,” but did you know Chuck House offers juicy, delicious hamburgers? Burger lovers can choose from a double cheeseburger, chili burger or their original “Okie” burger. The Okie is big and tasty with double meat, lettuce, tomato, mayo and relish. Try a combo to get filled up at a great value. Sink your teeth into a mouth-watering burger or chicken fried steak at Chuck House, 700 S. Broadway.

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H ome & Garden

Lighting has the power to create and trans-form any room. It’s a simple accessory that can easily compliment any design style. Your choice in lighting is important and

there are several parameters to consider before you begin shopping.

You first need to determine what the lighting will be used for. If you need a lamp that will provide a high light output, you should select one with a lightly colored shade. A lamp used for decoration doesn’t need to give off the brightest light, so a darker shade is suitable for this purpose.

“LEDs are the way things are going. It’s

green, there’s no mercury in them and the

light will last forever.”

by Rebecca Wulff

First Dibs Lifestyles

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Choose a lamp that is an appropriate size for where it will be placed. A thin, candlestick lamp would be fitting for a narrow or small table, while a thick lamp is best for a large table.

Height is also a factor to take into account. Short lamps look better on high tables and taller ones on lower tables. Take measurements before you begin shopping to be sure the lamp will be tall enough to cast light over your shoulder. The bottom of the shade should be just lower than eye-level.

It’s also important to consider how many watts you’ll need to light the area. Switch on a lamp in your home and take note of the brightness, then notice the wattage. If it’s not stated, multiply the voltage and current amount together.

“Most people don’t know that no more than 180 watts are allowed in lighted ceiling fans,” said Stacey Loud, manager of Hunzicker Lighting Gallery. They’ll take the light home and realize it isn’t bright enough to light the room by itself.

Continued on page 20

IO Metro

IO Metro

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When you’ve found a lamp that suits your needs and decor, you’ll want to step a few feet away to make sure the shade hides the bulb and the socket. If a portion of the bulb is peeking out, it can be blinding.

Notice the type of bulb your light uses: LED, CFL or incandescent. “Over the years incandescent wattages have slowly been derated to decrease energy consumption. You can’t buy a 100 watt light bulb anymore,” says Loud. “Compact fluorescents are supposed to be the way to go, but the concern is where to properly dispose of the bulbs because there’s mercury in them.”

“LEDs are the way things are going,” Loud adds. “It’s green, there’s no mercury in them and the light will last forever.” The expense is what holds consumers back and they will sometimes resort to purchasing LEDs online. “You have to be careful, sometimes you won’t get what you’re expecting.”

Lighting plays a significant role in your home and with these considerations in mind, you will be well informed and ready to make your next lighting purchase.

Hunzicker Lighting Gallery is located at 501 N.E. 122nd St. IO Metro can be found at 3248 S. Broadway. First Dibs is at 15020 Bristol Park Blvd. Lifestyles is located at 1801 W. 33rd.

Continued from page 19

Hunzicker

Lifestyles

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F ine Living

HARDWARECONCEPTS. INC.Jewelry for your home

“I’ve always been crazy about things that have wheels,” said Joel Hardy of Guthrie. “When I was in school, it was the days of muscle cars and two-door hard tops. Cars were a way of

life back then — your dates, drive-in movies, drive-in restaurants — that’s how I developed my love of cars, and there’s no comparing the cars of today to the cars of the ’50s and ’60s.”

Joel is one of many classic automobile enthusiasts who travel the local car show circuit, a pastime that hearkens back to the era of cruising main street and drag races. His wife, Penny, shares his affection for classic cars. “I love the excitement,” she says.

Their chrome-adorned pride and joy is a 1955 Chevy Bel Air, a red-and-white, two-door hard top. When they bought the car 10 years ago, it had been restored two decades earlier but was starting to deteriorate. “It was several years before we got this car up to the state it’s in now,” Joel says. “It took probably four years or more.”

“Each year, we would pick a big project and work on that,” Penny says. “It was fun to see how we could improve it to make it look better.”

Car show season runs from April to November. Last year, Joel and Penny’s Chevy ended up with 19 awards, sometimes two or three awards per show. They attended just a couple shows per month.

Jack Byers, Edmond-resident and member of the Oklahoma Street Rod Association, has been showing his 1941 Buick Super Coupe for about 10 years. It’s black

by Nathan Winfrey

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with a silver top and has won close to 100 trophies. “It was my favorite car,” he says. “I was 13 years old when it came out.”

Byers bought the car as a bucket case and put it together himself. “I’ve had a lot of experience with those cars and a lot of experience since then,” he says.

He built a 1957 Chevy Bel Air sport coupe for his son, Ben Byers, which they also show. It’s red with a white top. Byers is currently working on a 1971 Chevy pickup that has won several trophies.

“It’s all I know,” Byers says. “It’s been my life.” He owned a body shop in Duncan at age 21, and then went to work for General Motors at Fisher Body in 1953. He was assigned to the Garland Training Center in Dallas and taught body work and paint for five years.

“I do all my own work,” Byers says. “I’m legally blind, and I do my own painting work and my own engines, and any mechanical thing on the car.” Gas welding is the only job he can’t do because of his eyesight. He also built a 1969 Chevelle Super Sport convertible for his son which was featured on “Is this a Great State, or What?” about 10 years ago. He’s currently working on a 1939 Ford convertible.

Stephanie Johnson fell in love with classic cars at an early age. “I was turning wrenches at the age of five,” she

“I’m legally blind, and I do my own painting work and any mechanical thing on the car.”

Joel and Penny’s 1955 Chevy Bel Air

Continued on page 24

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says. “I used to drag race all the time, and I still drag race sometimes. There aren’t many women in the sport.”

Her 1968 Camaro SS runs a quarter mile in 11 seconds. It’s purple with white racing stripes. Last year, it won News 9’s Coolest Car Contest. She also owns a 1991 Camaro RS, which was her very first car; a 1992 Camaro 25th Anniversary Z28 that won first place in the Super Chevy car show competition three times; and a 2002 Camaro 35th Anniversary SS that has also won the Super Chevy contest. “My dad got one when I was really young and I just fell in love with them,” Johnson says.

The LibertyFest Car Show is a local favorite and will be held on Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the University of Central Oklahoma campus. It’s a great opportunity to show off that special car and win trophies and prizes. “It’s a good show. There’s always a good turnout, and there are a lot of spectators,” Joel says.

“We just love the car show crowd,” Penny says. “That’s what it’s really all about — getting together with all your friends, getting in a caravan with all the cars and sitting around in a little chair with a pop, looking at all the cars you like. It’s just a lot of fun. We get up early in the morning before the sun is even shining; we hear the rumble of the glass packs and that two-lane road a’calling.”

Continued from page 23

Larry Meyer’s Classic Chevy

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Dr. Grindstaff examining a patient at

Optique Vision .

H ealth & Fitness

“Cool thing about eyes is they help us with life,” says Dr. Mike Grindstaff of Optique Vision Center. “We want to give kids every advantage and

their eye care is vital. Eighty percent of learning is visually stimulated.”

Children’s eye exams are different than adults. Dr. Grindstaff and his team look for milestones in eye development such as alignment, distance, color, depth perception, and many other issues that arise.

Not everyone’s eyes develop equally. “The brain is moldable and we can correct the eyes with good training. We test for alignment, movement, and muscular depth. The sooner we catch a problem and intervene, the sooner we can correct it.”

Optometric Physician at Premier Eyecare, Dr. Julie Moore, also screens for congenital defects in children. Moore says tumor of the eye is more common in kids under five years old. “Many kids are misdiagnosed with ADD or ADHD and may have eye difficulties, 25% of school-aged children have vision deficiencies.”

Some signals that a child might need an eye exam are eye crossing, crowding up to their work or screen, squinting, or rubbing the eyes. Other indicators may be tilting, short attention span, lack of coordina-tion, watery eyes, headaches, red eyes, clumsiness, poor handwriting, or possibly introversion. “It’s very important to have a check up early. Usually we take our vision for granted,” says Moore.

An eye exam is recommended once a year, starting before the child’s first birthday. The Amer-ican Optometric Association recommends the first exam at six months and there are objective tests for

nonverbal children who cannot respond to letters or pictures.

Oklahoma requires school screening for chil-dren in kindergarten, first and third grades. This mandatory screening has been effective, but it’s just a screening.

An eye exam goes beyond the screening. The two parts to an eye exam are vision and health. “Through eye exams, I’ve found health problems such as thyroid, MS, diabetes and brain tumors,” says Dr. Moore. “We’re pushing for a comprehensive eye exam before entering school. Screenings are good but a comprehensive eye exam is more.”

According to Dr. Grindstaff, computer eye strain definitely affects children. “We see more eye fatigue syndrome, which is stressful on the eyes. Some kids may need reading glasses simply to relax their eyes.”

Eye care and eye wear are not the same. “Eye care is an investment in your future vision for the next 10, 20, or 30 years,” said Dr. Grindstaff. “Our priority is to make sure your eyes are healthy. We check behind the vision, checking the health of the eyes. If eyes aren’t healthy, it affects your overall health.”

Health problems can be diagnosed early and underlying problems discovered, like in children with short attention spans or those who cause problems.

“It’s a great starting point to have their eyes checked out because that could be part of the problem. Without good eyesight, children’s ability to learn and retain is inhibited.”

Allergies and dry eyes can affect kids, sometimes safety glasses or contacts for sporting activities are needed. “UV protection is important for children because 80% of UV damage happens before they are 18 years old,” Dr. Grindstaff states. “Wearing sunglasses is like sun screen for your eyes.”

To give your kids the best chance to achieve, make sure they have good vision. Eye exams are important for overall health and eyes should be checked on a regular basis, just like dental checkups. Many people don’t realize Sooner Care Medicaid insurance pays for an eye exam and some private insurance companies offer an eye care option. Infantsee.org providers offer a free eye exam for children from birth through one year old.

Children may not know their poor vision isn’t normal. They probably won’t say “I can’t see,” but they may have other complaints. Don’t wait until your child has a problem before you take them for an eye exam.

To meet with Dr. Grindstaff, call Optique Vision at 715-EYES (3937) or visit their webpage at www.optiquevisioncenter.com. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Moore at Premier Eyecare, call 513-8150.

by Kathryn Spurgeon

“Without good eyesight, children’s ability to learn and retain is inhibited.”

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Imagine your day without water. You wake up. You don’t shower or brush your teeth. You don’t water your lawn or wash your car. And yet, you could still live without these activities. What

you can’t live without, is water to drink. Water is Life. It is not only a fact; it’s an Edmond

based, non-profit international effort to bring clean drinking water to as many people as possible. Ken Surritte, Water Is Life president, was in Africa when it really hit him; the absolute and undeniable need for water.

“I was in Nairobi getting ready to leave Kenya. I had the shower turned on and it was the first hot water I’d seen in a long time. The over-whelming thought of ‘water is life’ came over me. Truly in Africa, water is life. The kids I had just seen in the orphanage would give anything for the water that I was letting go down the drain,” said Surritte.

He and others started an effort to deliver water to areas lacking clean water supply. It appears to be

a simple plastic tube or straw, but it will purify water from any source for up to a year.

The straw consists of membrane filters at the bottom of the straw, iodine crystals that kill the waterborne diseases and a charcoal filter which removes taste and provides the child with clean water.

Surritte says 6,500 people a day die from a lack of clean drinking water and 5,000 of those are children. “Our passion is to try to get these into the hands of as many kids as possible.” Water Is Life is currently in 27 different countries.

The organization goes into an area and gives everyone a straw. They leave extras in case one gets lost or broken. This is to ensure the straws don’t become a bargaining chip in poverty stricken areas. Each straw filters two to three liters of water per day for one year, Surritte says this buys the organization time to come in and build a sustainable solution, such as water wells.

It’s the immediacy of the straws’ effectiveness that is so essential. Now Water is Life is getting involved in one of the most horrific disasters the world has ever seen, the recent and heartbreaking earthquake in Haiti.

“We’ve got 6,600 (straws) already on the ground in Haiti, mainly with medical teams,” says Surritte. “We took our emergency stash and sent them all and then have others that we ordered and they’re already there as well.”

“My encouragement would be for people to roll up their sleeves and get involved in some way, whether it’s with us, a church group or civic organization. Go and do something. Go and make a difference,” says Surritte.

One eyewitness account of the earthquake comes from Ruben Cenea, who was trapped inside his class-room when disaster struck. He describes waiting for help. “Nobody wanted to come because it was dangerous and the earth (would) shake every while,” says Cenea. Eventually he was rescued.

Cenea works for a non-profit called Mission of Hope Haiti that has education and health programs in the country.

Mission of Hope’s Executive Director Otis Garrison says the organization is currently serving between 200,000 and 300,000 meals a day to earth-quake survivors. “Don’t forget Haiti,” says Garrison. “The light of the media is slowly going out, but the problem is still as big as it ever was.”

Water Is Life is currently working on getting a desalinization pump for sustainable water in Haiti. The need for impact and change is enormous, for Haiti and elsewhere. Surritte wants everyone to take action in whatever way they can.

For more information on Water Is Life, please visit www.waterislife.com. For more infor-mation on Mission of Hope Haiti, please visit www.mohhaiti.org.

“It appears to be a simple plastic tube or straw, but it

will purify water from any source for up to a year.”

by Lindsay Whelchel

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As electronic devices become more sophisticated and easier to use, one form of communica-tion, text messaging, is becoming more and more popular.

Cell phone users in the United States sent 110 billion text messages in December 2009 alone. That’s 10 times more than just three years ago, according to a survey by the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunica-tions Industry (CTIA). Researchers believe the numbers will keep growing at a staggering rate.

The benefits of sending short messages through a small hand-held gadget are numerous. “You just say whatever you want to say and not waste time over the phone. It’s quicker, it’s easier and you don’t have to disrupt other activities,” said OU student and Edmond resident Victor Haynes.

“CrackBerry” addictions and texting frenzies are making headlines not only in the United States but also around the world. In the city of Modena, Italy the Roman Catholic Church suggested a “texting-free Friday” as a way of fasting before Easter.

Texting has also been used for noble causes. People donated millions of dollars through text messages to victims of the Haiti earthquake.

It has also become an “official” sports discipline. This past January, the South Korea team won the Texting World Cup, a two-person speed competition. The U.S. team took second place.

“I think it’s a type of technology that’s impossible to put back in a box,” says Santa Fe High School principal, Jason Brown. “Here, we focus not necessarily on prohibiting

it, but just teaching kids the way that’s appropriate and the way that it’s not. And trying to use the technology to our advantage.”

Brown says SFHS students are not allowed to use cell phones during instructional time. Students might use it inappropriately, like sending information about a test or assignment. “In other schools, I think they have bigger problems in the classroom because kids are sneaking to use them all the time because they are never allowed to use them,” he said. “Here they are allowed to use them several times a day so they won’t have to sneak.”

Texting has become so widespread that walking the fine line between using its advantages and overdoing it might be difficult. UCO student, Cameron Hacket said his 17-year-old sister once sent 6,000 messages in a month. “No matter what she’s doing, she’s texting all the time,” he said. “She is on her laptop while she is texting too. If she actually talks, she will have one conversation verses five or six that she has going on at once.”

However, there are serious risks when texting inter-feres with daily activities. TWD (texting while driving) is considered almost as dangerous as a DUI. A recent AAA poll shows people are aware of the risks of driving while texting but do it anyway. 95 percent said texting while driving was unacceptable behavior, yet 21 percent admitted to recently texting or sending an e-mail while driving.

“I ride a motorcycle and there has been more than one occasion when somebody cuts you off or goes right behind you. You look closer and see they’re texting and have no idea what’s going on around them,” said Philip Forbes, 23.

Often drivers who are texting exhibit the same signs of people who are intoxicated, said James Hamm, collision investigator with the Traffic Enforcement Division of the Edmond Police Department. “They veer off their lane; they have slow reaction times; they run lights and they run stop signs.”

In many states texting and talking on the phone while driving is prohibited, but Oklahoma is not one of them.

by Radina Gigova

“I think it’s a type of tech-nology that’s impossible to put back in a box.”

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Under the current law, drivers must devote their full atten-tion to driving but a police officer can issue a ticket for viola-tion only if an accident occurs. “At that point it’s too late,” Hamm said.

Some changes in that direction are already taking place on both the federal and state level. Recently President Obama signed an executive order prohibiting government employees from texting while driving. Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has implemented legislation that bans state employees and truck drivers to text on the road. 19 states and Washington, D.C. currently ban texting while driving for all citizens.

Many argue, however, that there is still certain contro-versy regarding text messages. While some people are LOL (Laughing Out Loud) while texting, others like psychology graduate student and Edmond resident Andrew Bedford, are concerned that language is becoming sterile, people are becoming isolated and the “art of conversation” is being lost.

After all, “it is just another way of humans interacting with one another,” said Dr. Garry Steward, UCO sociology professor. “I think text messaging has actually increased the amount of interaction. Now you are populated by the thoughts of others in a way that we weren’t exposed to 10 years ago,” he said.

“Our biggest problem with text messaging is also the biggest benefit,” says Brown. “Communication and information spread so quickly with text messaging and unfortunately that may include inaccurate or negative information. There are so many advantages that could come from the tech-nology if used appropriately. I think our focus should be more on appropriate verses inappropriate uses, and then how can we utilize the technology for education instead of trying to sanction it or limit it.”

Aside from being a source of distrac-tion and spelling frustrations, the unlimited texting plan is like a highway without a speed limit. Decide for yourself 2 text or not 2 text, but OMG! Just be careful.

“I think it’s a type of tech-nology that’s impossible to put back in a box.”

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FeverSpring

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MARCH 8 JAZZ CONCERTThe UCO Student Jazz Ensemble Concert will be held at 7 p.m. in the Jazz Lab. Food and beverages will be available one hour prior. Cost is $7. Visit their website at www.ucojazzlab.com for more information.

MARCH 13 PHOTOGRAPHY THROUGH TIMENow through March 13 at the Edmond Historical Society & Museum, learn about the history of cameras and photography. Call 340-0078 for more information.

MARCH 13 DINNER AND DANCINGBallroom dance to live music at UCO from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Cost is $40 per person, buffet and a cash bar included. Reservations are suggested. For more information, call 844-8147.

MARCH 16-18 MAD SCIENCEThe Edmond Historical Society & Museum will be hosting MAD Science from 2 to 3 p.m. This free children’s event is open to the public. Learn how science has changed history. Call 340-0078 to reserve your spot.

MARCH 19 A LITTLE COUNTRYCountry music singer, Chris Young will be performing at Firelake Grand Casino at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15-$35 and can be bought online at www.firelakegrand.com.

MARCH 27 AN EVENING OF ARTThis fundraising event for the Edmond Fine Arts Institute includes a live auction, silent auction and a buffet. Held at Oak Tree Country Club at 7 p.m. Cost is $100 per couple. Call 340-4481.

APRIL 6 PLAY AT THE LIBRARYEvery Tuesday in April at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. bring your children up to age four to play with toys at the Edmond Library. This is a free event, pre-registration is required. Call 341-9892.

BUSINESS BRIEFSOffering all your favorite brands, Lil Dudes and Divas is now open with a new owner. Visit them at 1448 S. Bryant, Mon.-Sat 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sun. 1 to 5 p.m. For a tasty treat, stop in the recently opened Cupcakes To Go Go at 2524 W. Edmond. Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tues. - Sat. Call 330-2190 to place your to-go order.

Langley Auto Center is now offering body repair. Get your vehicle fixed up at 907 S. Broadway. Pamper yourself at the newly opened Prestige Nail Spa Salon, located at 66 E. 15th Street. Call 216-9000 to schedule an appointment.

Visit Ladybugs and Lizard’s Children’s Boutique, an upscale clothing and acces-sories store located at Spring Creek Village. Open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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Why would Edmond companies donate time and money to help build a house located over an hour away? Some might say it was the

allure of being part of the “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” television show, but for these Edmond companies, it was less about entertainment and more about heart.

In 2007, the infant son of Brian and Audra Skaggs suffered multiple cardiac arrests. Baby Jhett under-went a miraculous heart transplant which requires constant, expensive care. The Skaggs struggled to pay medical bills on the salary of a cattle rancher and pre-school teacher.

On February 1, the Skaggs family received the show’s iconic surprise knock on their front door. They learned that in just 106 hours their moldy, termite-eaten house near the Slaughterville and Lexington border would be replaced with a new, healthy home. Completely donated.

“We were so excited,” said Audra Skaggs. “The kids were screaming and jumping up and down. They watch the show, so they knew a little about what was going on.”

Just weeks before the knock came, the spon-soring builder, Ideal Homes, began contacting local

businesses about donating materials and labor for the project. Edmond-based companies generously volunteered to be part of the house-raising crew.

“I’ve been given so many breaks in the past, and I wanted to pay it forward and give someone else a break,” said Roger Tucker of Oklahoma Closets in Edmond. “How can you pass up the opportunity to make the lives of this family better?”

Oklahoma Closets was responsible for installing five walk-in closets in the Skaggs’ new home. Most of the prep work was completed in their shop, so it only took five hours to install the closets at the build site.

“The interior is the heart of a home,” Tucker said. “When the rest of the Skaggs’ lives are hectic or they are focusing on Jhett’s health, they will at least have control over the organization of their home.”

Absolute Lawn Management and Landscaping of Edmond was responsible for completing the Skaggs’ front walkway and the back patio and grill area. In order to lay decorative concrete pavers, Marcus Jerry realized that other preparations needed to take place first. He invited two other Edmond companies to donate their services.

Time Tool and Equipment Rental provided two plate compactors for stamping down the sand and dirt. Minick Materials provided screening that had to be placed before the pavers were installed, as well as flagstones and stone benches.

“It was exciting to help someone out,” said Joey Vines of Minick Materials in Edmond. “The atmo-sphere was upbeat and happy. I think the Skaggs will appreciate sitting on the benches while they are grilling in the backyard.”

“This project was contagious. All my employees wanted to go down and help,” said Jerry. “It was inter-esting to watch the shoot, but mainly, it was awesome to help the family.”

“The community has showered us with love and prayers,” said Audra Skaggs. “We are completely blessed.”

Weather certainly didn’t make the task any easier. The ice-storm had left the Skaggs’ land saturated, and temperatures hovered around freezing the entire week. Television crew members admitted that Okla-

homa had provided some of the worst working condi-tions they ever filmed.

“The weather gave us its worst,” said Tucker. “Despite the cold, the mud and the rain, people pushed through to make it happen anyway.”

“We worked until two in the morning,” said Jerry. “It was amazing to see all the different companies work together. They had the drive and the heart to get it done.”

“Heart” was evident in the giving spirit of the 3,000 volunteers, 150 donor companies, and 50,000 hours poured into building a new life for the Skaggs family. When the show airs this spring, millions of viewers will find their hearts captured by Jhett and his tiny, beating heart.

“But for these Edmond companies, it was less

about entertainment and more about heart. "

by Amy Dee Stephens

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