slice july 2014

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A River Runs Through ItA visually striking representative of Oklahoma City’s immense rejuvenation in recent years, and of its equally massive potential for future development into something truly amazing; the Okla-homa River has gone from an unattractive ditch to a home for thrilling fun and world-class athletics … with more to come.

42

July 2014FEATURES

Changing CourseWhile cooking has a stereotypical reputa-tion as a female pursuit, fewer than seven percent of restaurant head chefs are women. Slice steps into the kitchen to ask five of the metro’s queens of cuisine about their routes to the top, and the ingredients that made up their personal recipes for success.

34On the cover

Mmm ... pie. A tasty slice of strawberry rhubarb from chefs Darcy Schein and Leslie Coale-Mossman. Photo by Chris Nguyen





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It also takes the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute partnering with ProCure to build the state’s only proton therapy center and one of only 10 campuses in the nation.

It takes award-winning stroke programs at INTEGRIS Baptist and Southwest Medical Center, saving lives with one of the nation’s only artifi cial heart programs at Advanced Cardiac Care, performing Oklahoma’s fi rst heart transplant at the Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute and INTEGRIS Heart Hospital’s fi rst and only four-dimensional heart scanner.

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July 2014DEPARTMENTS

12 From the Editor

UP FRONT16 ChatterThe Humane Society’s heartwarming “Hope,” a pioneering brand retaking the road and other topics of conversation.

20 DetailsBring the beach to your home this month with decorative items that feel a bit nautical.

22 RetrospectiveRemembering the way we were with a look back at the origin of Chicken in the Rough and the boost it gave the long-lived Beverly’s Pancake House.

23 By the NumbersFast facts and statistics on the topic of the Oklahoma Capitol.

24 ExchangeA conversational give and take about penmanship, preparedness and the crucial importance of coffee with meteorological pro David Payne.

26 MinglingMaking an appearance on central Oklahoma’s social scene.

FARE68 Fast and FunCaryn Ross dishes up a set of recipes for grilling primo hot dogs.

70 Great Taste on TapThe Barrel is full to bursting with a variety of savory treats both Irish and beyond – prepare to take a deep draught of f lavor.

72 Eat & DrinkTake a gastronomic tour with Slice’s citywide dining guide.

PURSUITS80 Top 10Prime picks for a variety of July enter-tainment.

82 Promenade Through BeautyMarvelous artistic vistas and cre-ations to explore are mere steps apart in inspiring shows filling the Paseo.

84 Acting on ExperienceTowering passion, adventure and ear-pleasing language take center stage in a milestone season for Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park.

86 Making a SplashTake to the water parks, mine the area’s rich geological history or just enjoy the birds and the beef – Wis-consin Dells has a lot to offer.

90 See & DoThe sights, sounds and various hap-penings that are enlivening the metro this month.

94 Last Laugh96 Last Look

68

86

77 COUNTIESIn her ongoing travels through the state, author and photographer M.J. Alexander roams the Santa Fe Trail to check out the guest list at Autograph Rock.

16

GO BEHINDTHE BIZ

PAGE 51

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July 2014 Volume 5 Issue 7

PUBLISHER Elizabeth Meares

[email protected]

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFMia Blake

[email protected]

EDITORIAL Associate Editor

Steve [email protected]

Contributing StylistsTimothy Fields, Fashion

[email protected]

Sara Gae Waters, [email protected]

Contributing WritersM.J. Alexander, Sean Becker, Mark Beutler,

Lauren Hammack, Jill Hardy,Caryn Ross, Elaine Warner

ARTArt DirectorScotty O’Daniel

[email protected]

Graphic DesignerBrian O’Daniel

[email protected]

Production AssistantTiffany McKnight

Contributing PhotographersM.J. Alexander, Justin Avera,

David Cobb, Simon Hurst,Claude Long, Michael Miller, Chris Nguyen,

Elaine Warner, Carli Wentworth

ADVERTISINGExecutive Director of Advertising

Cynthia [email protected]

Account ExecutivesJamie Hamilton

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Elizabeth [email protected]

Account ManagerRonnie Morey

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ADMINISTRATIONDistribution

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Slice Volume 5, Number 7, July 2014. Slice is published monthly by Open Sky Media, Inc. at 729 W. Sheridan, Suite 101, Oklahoma City, OK 73102, 405.842.2266. © Copyright 2014 Open Sky Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction of Slice content, in whole or part by any means, without the express written consent of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Slice is not responsible for the care of and/or return of unsolicited materials. Slice reserves the right to refuse advertising deemed detrimental to the communi-ty’s best interest or in questionable taste. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of ownership or management. Basic annual subscription rate is $14.95. U.S. single-copy price is $4.95. Back issues are $9.50 each

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July 2014 Volume 5 Issue 7

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On the WebTHIS MONTH ON SLICEOK.COM

WEEKLY REWARDS

Friday is great – it’s a fact. How often do you ever hear someone exclaiming “TGIW, am I right?” It’s probably the most popular day of the week. But we’ve thought of a way to make the best even better, and way more deliciously rewarding for some lucky readers, by shar-ing some seriously sumptuous flavors.

Presenting …

The Friday $50Each Friday throughout July, we’ll be giving away $50 worth of some of the city’s finest dining, in the form of gift cards and certificates to one of these purveyors of thoroughly tempting tastes:

Stella Modern Italian CuisinePaseo GrillWestA Good Egg Group*

Visit sliceok.com/eat-drink/ to enter – we’ll draw a winner at random each Friday at noon. Good luck, and bon appetit!*(valid at Cheever’s, Iron Starr Urban Barbeque, Red Prime Steakhouse, Kitchen No. 324, Republic Gastropub and Tucker’s)

Building lasting

in the Communityrelationships

Ron Witherspoon is known to quote the Arvest mission, “People helping people find financial solutions for life.” He’s also known to hand you his

card with an offer to help. Those are two of the many reasons Arvest Bank is pleased to welcome Ron as our new Oklahoma City President.

Since joining Arvest in 1997, Ron’s work in Oklahoma and Arkansas has proven his dedication to that mission. He believes in building

relationships and those relationships build a better community with one financially solvent family, company, or individual at a time.

Join us in welcoming Ron and his wife Nicole to Central Oklahoma.

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From the Editor

I swear, this city is getting better all the time. One of the great perks of my job is early access to information about a wildly varied slate of happenings in our area through both emails and word-of-mouth. Each month, I find something that makes me marvel at how far my

hometown has come toward creating a vibrant, thriving, cultural and entertainment destination – and we are fortunate to share many of these insights with you in our pages. In just the last few weeks, plans have been approved to move for-ward with continued innovation on the Oklahoma River, including a new 11-acre whitewater facility that should be completed next year as part of MAPS 3 (the one cent sales tax approved by voters in 2008 to fund city improvements debt-free). I am doubly excited about this ground-level development, because while the new zip line sounds incredibly cool, you would have to tranquilize me with a blowdart before I’d go anywhere near it. I’m not sure I could even comfortably watch people perched that high in the air, f linging themselves into the void, without feeling woozy. I learned at a pretty young age, while enduring the embarrassment of retreating down the ladder of the high dive platform, that great heights are not for me. My experience on numerous altitudinous photo shoots over the years has proven that there will always be one yahoo who runs right up to the precipice to hang over the edge and gesture spastically. Meanwhile, I sweat and cling to the door handle of what-ever demonic portal has led me to that particular circle of hell and beg the thrill-seeking person sporting a death wish to PLEASE-FOR-THE-LOVE-OF-ALL-THINGS step away from the brink. But (hopefully well-controlled, moderate and family-friendly) whitewater rapids? Sign me up! Writer Jill Hardy explores some of the developments completed thus far on the Oklahoma River (ye olde North Canadian River of my youth) in her article on page 42. While no expensive civic project is ever universally embraced, the river’s rebirth has been a boon for cen-tral Oklahoma. Olympic-level training sites raise the state’s profile and funds from tourism create a tax base that might then be used for other endeavors to create long-term benefits for the populace. Happy 4th of July!

GOING WITH THE FLOW

MIA BLAKEEditor-in-Chief

[email protected]

JULY 2014 // SLICE 13

In celebration of the 100th anniversary of artist Allan

Houser’s birth, a first-ever, statewide collaboration of Oklahoma museums and cultural institutions, in conjunction with the Oklahoma Museums Association, are honoring his memory, works and legacy. Special exhibitions, events and educational opportunities are available across Oklahoma now through 2014.

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UP FRONT

CHATTERTopics of conversation from around the metro 16

DETAILSA wave of summer accessories to make home feel beachy keen 20

BY THE NUMBERSChecking our figures on the state Capitol 23

EXCHANGEShooting the breeze with expert meteorologist David Payne 24

MINGLINGGlimpses of central Oklahoma’s social scene 26

77 COUNTIESScenes from M.J. Alexander’s photographic travels across Oklahoma 30O

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WHAT DINER COULD BE FINER?Through thick and thin, OKC’s own Beverly’s Pancake House has remained a favorite for decades. See page 22.



UP FRONT | Chatter

Getting in TuneREMEMBERING ONE OF THE STATE’S MUSICAL GREATS Born in OKC and raised in Tulsa, JJ Cale was an outstanding guitar player and song-writer, though he never achieved the fame he deserved and has been largely overlooked by music history. At least, that’s the viewpoint of Eric Clapton – the guitar legend considers Cale one of the most important figures in rock history, and is honoring his friend’s passing (Cale died last year) with a star-studded trib-ute album harnessing the talents of Tom Petty, John Mayer, Mark Knopfler and Willie Nelson in addition to Clapton himself. Due out July 29, “The Breeze: An Appreciation of JJ Cale” showcases Cale’s songwriting prowess on its 16 tracks, as well as the strength of his influence and inspiration on some of rock’s luminaries. If the unassuming Cale or his hybrid blues/rock/country sound (the album is named for the Lynyrd Skynyrd track “Call Me the Breeze”) aren’t on your personal radar, this would be a good time to gain some appreciation for an Oklahoma treasure.

THE BEST AT BETTERMENT If there were ever a situation in which the weak-sauce adage of elementary school competitions – “Everyone’s a winner!” – were actually true, it’s this one: the commit-ment to improving others’ lives exemplified by running a nonprofit organization is eminently laudatory, so there truly are no losers at the Oklahoma Nonprofit Excel-lence (ONE) awards. Still, a round of applause is due those selected as the most out-standing in eight categories for 2014, including Catholic Charities of OKC for Com-munity, The Children’s Center in Bethany for Health Services and Science Museum Oklahoma for Open Services. Congratulations, and many thanks to you all.

If you’re making something great, wouldn’t you like to share it? The Nor-man Arts Council is holding an open call for its next round of Individual Artist Awards; winners selected by curator Nathan Lee will receive a $600 hono-rarium and the opportunity to showcase their creations in a featured exhibit at Norman’s MAINSITE Gallery. Entrants must have lived or maintained a studio in Norman for one year, and the call for submissions closes July 31 – but visit normanarts.org to download the application form and put something togeth-er by then, and you might have the chance to show the metro what you can do.

CHIEFS OF THE ROAD A resurgent manufacturer is making new inroads into the metro, and making lovers of the open road extremely excited. The Indian Motorcycle Company was founded in 1901 – purport-edly America’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer – and though it went bankrupt in 1953, its design and dependability never left the minds of enthusiasts. In 2011 Polaris Industries bought the brand and sent new models roaring back out onto the blacktop … and now central Oklahomans looking to own the updated classic don’t have to look far, since an exclusive dealership just opened at 7 NE 10th Street in OKC, right off the railroad tracks. Franchise owner Scott Conway is hoping the location near Auto-mobile Alley will prove friendly to motorcycles as well.

Take a Shot at the Spotlight

Curator Nathan Lee

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Calendar WatchJuly 1

Whoa, Canada! Congrats on becoming a country in 1867.

July 4Happy 238th birthday, America.

You don’t look a day over 212.

July 20Ground was broken on the state Capitol 100 years ago today (the plumbing needed

work then, too)

ON THE PAGEUP FRONT | Chatter

“All those who conduct themselves as worthy members of the Community are equally entitled to the protection of civil Government. I hope ever to see America among the foremost nations in examples of justice and liberality.”-GEORGE WASHINGTON

When tornadoes tore through Oklahoma just over a year ago, the initial response for the com-munity was dismay, followed immediately by an urge to help. For the Central Oklahoma Humane Society, that assistance took the form of sheltering pets recovered from the devastation and work-ing to reunite them with their families. A handful of their most inspirational success stories power “Hope After the Storm,” recently published on the one-year anniversary of May 20. The experience of reading through it is genuinely affecting – I live in Moore, about 2 miles south of the tornado’s path, and when one of my cats (both of whom are adopted from the Humane Society) hopped up on the table to look at the book with me, I had to go find some tis-sues immediately. If you’re a pet person, or know someone who was affected by the tornado, or are susceptible to joy on behalf of others who have suddenly been given back hope they thought was lost, it’s a knockout. All proceeds from “Hope After the Storm” benefit the Central Oklahoma Humane Society. The cost is $60, but don’t think of it as buying a coffee table book with a $60 price tag; it’s more like making a donation to PBS and getting a tote bag as a thank you, only in this case you’re con-tributing directly to a local agency that does its best to care for our furry neighbors and family members, and receiving a reminder of the tangible good they do. Don’t forget the tissues.

POULTRY CONCERNS Why did the chicken cross the road? Because it wasn’t sure whether it needed to get out of OKC after the city council quashed a proposal to allow more residents to maintain poultry within the city limits. They had only been allowed on lots of at least one acre, and a measure aimed at setting up guidelines for keeping “urban chickens” on smaller prop-erties was voted down 5-4 in May. Through a clerical error, though, the 1-acre restriction was dropped – so the legal status of backyard birds is still a bit of a gray area. For compari-son’s sake, Edmond does not allow residential poultry at all (property zoned agricultural only), though Norman permits up to 4 hens per household if certain guidelines are followed. Does that mean it’s the most chicken of the three cities, or the least?

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD

WINNING THE NAME GAME Oklahoma has seen the future, and it is named “Emma.” That was the most popular choice for girls born in the state in 2013, a repeat of 2012 and ahead of “Sophia,” the national number 1 choice that came in second here. Oklahoma’s most popular name for new boys last year was “Mason,” followed by “Liam” and “Noah.” Somehow, “Thunderfist” did not make the top 10.

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UP FRONT | Details

By Sara Gae Waters // Photos by Carli Wentworth

IF YOU AREN’T ACTUALLY AT THE BEACH THIS SUMMER, YOU ARE PROBABLY DREAMING OF IT. July is steamy and we’ve got a few items that are definitely going to cool things off … in a hip kind of way. Anything to add a little nod to the coast is a good idea, from subtle, like a tabletop telescope that encourages stargazing, to the more overt, such as a starfish or shell sculpture or a painted coral frame. Even if you aren’t looking to turn your home into a beach house, it can’t hurt to “summer up” the place a bit. I love hunting around for things with a coastal vibe, and find that somehow those same things feel all-Amer-ican. White and navy definitely say “nautical,” but add a little red to that and you’re celebrating the 4th of July. Even if you only keep the beach-y style around for the summer, it doesn’t hurt to have these kinds of details on hand!

UPSURF’S

Clockwise from top: Table telescope // Sun-shaped clock // Red coral frame // White shell sculpture // Blue and white coral boxes // American flag pillow // From Mister Robert in Norman, 405.321.1818


Bottom grouping, left to right: Navy and white ottoman // Blue and red striped baskets // Blue and white dessert bowls // Glass vases // Seahorse wine stopper // From Target, locations nationwide

Top grouping, left to right: Starfish lamp // Colored glass tea lights // Real starfish // White sandpipers // From Theo’s Marketplace in Norman, 405.364.0728



spectiveRetro-Retro-spective

By Mark Beutler // Photos courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society

DURING THE DUST BOWL DAYS OF THE ’30s, Beverly Osborne and his wife Rubye packed everything they owned and joined the hordes of Okies headed west to California. They took along a basket of fried chicken, but a bump in the road sent the chicken f lying (pun intended.) Rubye muttered, “This is really chicken in the rough.” An idea was born, so they turned around and headed home. They hocked Rubye’s wedding ring and used the cash to open their first restaurant. By 1950, Time magazine was featuring the Osbornes and their now-famous “Chicken in the Rough.” Franchises have popped up around the world, but Oklahoma City has always been home. Some early locations included Lincoln Boulevard near the Capitol and at Northwest Expressway and Penn. Today, Beverly’s original “Chicken in the Rough” is still served at the newest location at Northwest Expressway and Independence.

A Poultry Pioneer


By Steve Gill

OKLAHOMA’S STATE CAPITOLBY THE NUMBERS

23different governors who have worked inside the building

2number of those gover-nors who left office, then were reelected later

9days George Nigh served as governor in January 1963. He would later serve again from 1979-1987.

155the dome’s height in feet

80the dome’s diameter in feet

its rank among the tallest buildings in OKC, as of the Devon Tower’s completion in 2012

0other U.S. state capitols with working oil wells on the property

5,000+people who came to an empty field to watch the groundbreaking ceremony on July 20,1914

106 miles to the Capitol site from Troy, OK, where the pink granite base was quarried $1.5 MILLION budget allocated for Capitol

construction (it went over, so plans to include the dome were postponed)

18height in feet of “The Guardian,” the statue that surmounts the dome

6,000pounds the bronze statue weighs

85years that passed between the completion of the Capitol and the completion of its dome

$120 MILLIONamount of a bond authorized in May for repairs to the soon-to-be century-old building

16

452,508total square feet of floor space

255the Capitol’s height in feet (not including “The Guardian”)

5number of floors

650rooms contained inside


AConversationwith David Payne

UP FRONT | Exchange

Are you a native Oklahoman? Yes. In fact, my family still owns the land they settled in the Land Run, just north of Crescent, but I grew up in Edmond and graduated from the University of Oklahoma.

In terms of professions, yours is a particularly “eventful” line of work. How do you describe it? Con-trolled chaos.

What’s the best part? The best part is, when there’s a weather event, being able to talk about it ahead of time and helping people make good decisions to stay alive and be safe, and then getting through it OK. It makes me sad and sick to my stomach to think of any loss of life from a tornado or some kind of severe weather.

And all those storm chasing vehicles … I’ve destroyed a lot of vehicles in 20+ years.

Which of those events stand out the most? May 20, 2013. May 8, 2003. May 3, 1999.

What is the one thing you can’t live without? Coffee.

If you had a day to kill doing something, what would you be doing? Fishing. Maybe in southeast Oklahoma – Bea-ver’s Bend, Broken Bow – or at Grand Lake.

What did you get in trouble for most when you were a

BEFORE YOU THINK YOU’VE HAD A STRESSFUL DAY AT WORK, try to remember any spring day during the past two decades that hasn’t featured David Payne in front of a radar screen or behind the wheel of a storm-chasing vehicle. KWTV’s Chief Meteorologist is a borderline weather savant who can recall, with remarkable detail, the dates, conditions and paths of any tornado for the past 20 years or more, the Emmy Award-winning meteorologist is as much a part of the Oklahoma weather spotlight as the historic weather events he has covered.

By Lauren Hammack // Photo by Simon Hurst

kid? Talking and never sitting still. I’m that way today. Even at work, I always have to be moving around.

Any guilty pleasure? Choco-late. Peanut Butter. Love a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.

Can you do anything most people have to call in a professional to do? Well, I’ve attempted MANY things and then ended up having to call in a professional to do them – especially anything to do with plumbing, although I’m great at changing sprinkler heads.

What was your best subject in school? Any kind of sci-ence. I really enjoyed that.

What do you value most in your friends? Loyalty.

What do you think they value most in you? Loyalty.

What’s less important than it used to be? Material things.

What’s more important now? Family. My wife and daughter.

What do you wish you’d never thrown away, lost or given away? My grandfather passed away in 2007. I had a ring from him.

Penmanship? Not good.

What’s still on your to-do list? I’d like to go to Europe. I’d like to go scuba diving. I’d really like to jump out of an airplane, too.

What do you find funny that you probably shouldn’t? Someone tripping or running into a door or something.

What’s your favorite hole-in-the-wall in the metro? There’s a little Mexican place at 3rd and Broadway in Edmond called “3 Tequilas.” It’s great.

Early, late or on time? Never late. Usually a little early.

What should people learn to do? Be more tolerant of others.

Is there anything you abso-lutely won’t eat? Sour cream.

What are you constantly learning to do? To balance work and family life – finding that happy medium.

Which movie can you recite the words to? “Christmas

Vacation” and “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.”

The classics. What do you bring to a crowded room? A good story.

How much worthless trivia do you retain? Quite a bit, especially weather events. I’m always comparing one to another. When you’re that connected to something, you remember it and I can re-member most weather events like they happened yesterday.

What advice would you put inside a fortune cookie? Don’t worry. Be happy – let things go.

Are you hoping you’ll end up getting that fortune cookie? Well, I’m not very laid back. I’m trying to get better at not sweating the small stuff.

Ginger or Mary Ann? Mary Ann. No question.

WHATEVERTHE WEATHER


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UP FRONT | Mingling

Want more photos? Sign up for our Snapshot! newsletter at sliceok.com/newsletters.

BEST OF THE CITYPhotos by Justin Avera

Here at Slice we love to celebrate the best exemplars of life in central Oklahoma – especially if it involves a party that’s this much fun.

Jack Elliott, Lesa Crowe, Ron Williams, Lisa Brownell

Julie Oseland, Dinky Hammam, Jack Ransom

Paul Williams, Greg White

Melissa Monroe, Mayor Mick Cornett, April Sandefer

Shakers of Salt Katelynn Calonkey, Steve Calonkey, Katie Ringer

Mia Blake, Sara Gae Waters

Kyle, Andrea andChristopher Dillingham

Paula Love,Justin McSpedden

Cynthia Whitaker-hill, Reynolds Hammack, Scott Wallis


ANGELS AND FRIENDSPhotos by Claude Long

To mark the successful spectacle that is the massive Fes-tival of the Arts, the Arts Council of Oklahoma City hosts supporters at a fete in the beautiful Myriad Gardens.

FAIRY TALE BALLPhotos by Justin Avera

The Oklahoma Children’s Theatre drops costumed kids into a night of wonder and adventure at its annual ball for the whole family.

Chad, Jamie, Callie and Makalyn Hamilton with Alexis Graves

Garrett Henderson,Kevin Taylor,Lana Whittington,Michael Spegar

Gabriella Gross,Sunny Gay

Margaret, Emily and Millie McCann

Mike, Hayley, Mitchell and Madelynn Thompson

Larry and Darlene Parman, Meg Salyer

John Michael and Kathy Williams

Mike and Karleen Krywucki, Lynn and Travis Pickens


UP FRONT | Mingling

PC SCHOOLS WALL OF FAMEPhotos by Claude Long

Putnam City Schools adds Neal McCaleb to its roll of honored alumni during an evening of celebration at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum.

SPRING SAMPLERPhotos by Michael Miller

Oak Tree looks even more beautiful during the Fine Arts Institute of Edmond’s exquisite fund-raiser, the Evening of Art.

MEMORY GALAPhotos by Claude Long

Valerie Naifeh is honored and consciousness is raised during the Alzheimer’s Association’s thoroughly elegant gala, empha-sizing the domino effect’s importance in fighting the condition.

Governor Frank and Cathy Keating, Neal and Georgann McCaleb

Margaret and Ross Swimmer, Caroline and Fred Gist

Josh Harrell, Lan Truong

Shallen Mirzababa, Levi Heard

Kristee and James Moore

Jim and Gayle Shane

Richard and Teresa Carrington, Cindy and Jeff Smith

Lana andMike McGinnis


Want more photos? Sign up for our Snapshot! newsletter at sliceok.com/newsletters.

UPTOWN UNCORKEDPhotos by Claude Long

The revitalization of the 23rd Street corridor is a per-fect cause to simultaneously support and toast at a tasty fundraiser in the Gold Dome.

WESTERN HERITAGE AWARDSPhotos by Claude Long

Wrangler sculptures mark the addition of titans of the Western cultural landscape to the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum’s esteemed ranks.

LADIES IN THE NEWSPhotos by Claude Long

Female luminaries make success look magnificent at an annual luncheon and fashion show for the Oklahoma Hospitality Club.

Burns and Ann Hargis, Anne and Clint Stone

Chuck and Kathy Schroeder

Dean Smith, Rick Simpson

Gina Olaya,Sara Ann Brings Plenty

Susan Howard, Lynne Trigg

Sharlene Branham, Anne Gray

Alicea Walley, Jerri English

Matt Ralls,Kurt Shewmaker

Ashley Kringen, Ryan Legg

Mary Bingaman, Lillian Yockel


UP FRONT | Wanderlust

Editor’s Note: This is the 23rd installment in a continuing series as author and photographer M.J. Alexander chronicles her travels across the state of Oklahoma.

AUTOGRAPH

ROCK77 COUNTIES: CIMARRON COUNTY

IMAGINE THAT ROUTE 66 WAS RECLAIMED BY THE PRAIRIE, AND THAT I-40 RAN NOT PARALLEL WITH THE OLD HIGHWAY BUT INSTEAD HAD BEEN BUILT MILES AWAY. Aside from the occasional rut, imagine there was no evidence that the road had once been the busiest route of its day. Imagine there was only one vestige of the travelers who had come before: the grafittied names of those who had passed by.

By M.J. Alexander



UP FRONT | Wanderlust

That is the tale of Autograph Rock, on the northwestern edge of the Okla-homa Panhandle. The names carved into its surface are the only clue this corner of Cimarron County was once a key stop on the famed Santa Fe Trail, which snaked nearly 900 miles from Franklin, Missouri, to Santa Fe, capital of the northern Mexi-can provinces. From 1821 to 1880, when the tracks were completed on the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, the trail was the gateway to the American West. Today, the sandstone slab – about 20 feet tall and 700 feet long – bears the names of more than 300 pioneers, soldiers, trad-ers, gold-seekers and adventurers from the Santa Fe Trail. Hundreds of additional inscriptions have been found around Cold Spring Creek and nearby at the lesser-known Signature Rock. The Santa Fe Trail was cobbled together in 1821 by William Alexander Becknell of Missouri, who had been jailed for debt and released on bond with a deadline to pay what he owed. The Virginia-born son of an American Revolutionary War veteran, a determined Becknell set out with a party of six and enough mules to haul $300 in goods. He arrived in trade-hungry Santa Fe in 77 days, just after Mexico had won its independence from Spain, and headed back to Missouri with $6,000 in silver coins from buyers so eager for goods they would pay $3 for a yard of calico. Bucknell’s second trip used a shorter route – which came to be called the Cimarron Cutoff – and took 48 days, earning $91,000 from $3,000 worth of goods. The shortcut shaved 200 miles and 10 days off the longer mountain crossing through Colorado’s Raton pass. The trade off: fewer water sources and more attacks from Indians unhappy by con-tinued encroachment on their territory. Over time, however, the Cimarron Cutoff would

carry three out of four Santa Fe travelers. All of them would pause for a drink or a rest at the natural springs and sandstone ledges of Autograph Rock. Tens of thousands made the trek. Kit Carson, who operated Fort Nichols outside modern-day Wheeless in the year after the Civil War, liked to wait until 500 wagons had arrived at the Rock before he allowed them to continue, four abreast, as protec-tion against Comanche and Kiowa raids. The caravans would stretch across the fron-tier, sometimes in lines more than three miles long. While resting and waiting, some travel-ers scratched their mark into the soft sand-stone. In addition to names and initials, there are crosses, hearts, a five-pointed star, cattle brands, a double-pointed arrow, a reference to the American Expeditionary Force, Masonic and Odd Fellow emblems and an elaborate carving left unfinished. Some of the names belong to characters well known in their day. Most of the stories, however, are lost to time. Today, about 2,000 people each year travel the long, windy road on the Sharp family ranch to the site. Admission is free, but visitors must pass muster at the Cimar-ron Heritage Center & Museum in Boise City to be entrusted with directions. They see that the very softness that made the ancient stone so appealing to carvers has led to the fading of many inscriptions. Nearly two centuries of ero-sion from sun and rain and wind and ice have erased the oldest etchings. Some are already unreadable. It is easy to imagine a time when the curious might pay a pilgrimage to this remote outcropping, its surface worn smooth and inscriptions long melted into oblivion, and wonder how in the world it ever became known as Autograph Rock.


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CHANGINGBY SEAN BECKER // PHOTOS BY CHRIS NGUYEN

The two-earner households of the modern era (and post-mod-ern, and post-post-modern eras, if you mark time in terms of literary and artistic movements) have modified those roles to some extent, but certain gender-specific tasks persist. Cleaning, shopping and general child-rearing all tend to be more commonly linked to the woman of the house. Fixing (or breaking!) things, car maintenance, yard work – those are the man’s chores. Carry those mundane domestic tasks over into the professional arena and the gender specificity usually follows. Almost without exception, we turn to women when hiring a housekeeper or child-care professional. Who changes your oil, cuts the grass and cleans the chimney? Well, we usually know a guy who does that kind of

OR CENTURIES THE STATUS QUO IN THE ARCHETYPICAL AMERICAN HOUSEHOLD CONSISTED OF DISTINCTLY SEPARATE MALE AND FEMALE ROLES. THE HUS-BAND/FATHER EARNED A LIVING FOR

THE FAMILY BY WORKING OUT IN THE BIG SCARY WORLD. THE WIFE/MOTHER MAINTAINED THE HOME AND LOOKED AFTER THE CHILDREN. THE MAN WAS THE BREADWINNER AND THE WOMAN THE BREAD BAKER, TO TURN A PHRASE.

work. Given all that we collectively have come to expect growing up in our relatively cozy American homes, this professionalized gender stereotyping makes pretty good sense when you get right down to it. And then there’s the kitchen. Who does the cooking? Don’t be ashamed if your knee-jerk response is, “Mom!” For a nation still shaking off the Norman Rockwell hangover of the 20th century, that’s exactly the answer one would expect. Now before any of the testosterone-tinged masses get their boxers in a bunch, kindly understand that nobody is trying to say men can’t cook. We’re just trying to say, politely of course, that men usually don’t do the bulk of the cooking at home. To be fair, modern-day American men have made great strides proving they are at home at the range, just as many brilliantly tal-ented women have proven their worth in the C-level suites of the corporate world. But despite the best efforts of the boys to erase the caricature of themselves as simply masters of the barbecue, the household kitchen generally is still considered the woman’s domain. Further, though lacking scientifically proven survey results, I’m going to venture to say that many households have unwritten rules about who goes where and does what. Succinctly put, men should stay out of the kitchen; women should stay out of the garage, shed, basement or any other space that smells faintly of petroleum distil-lates. That last bit is a tad off point, perhaps, but clearly, within the domestic domicile, the kitchen is the woman’s territory. It stands to reason, then, that when we dine out – when we extend that domestic skill of cooking into the professional arena – we would expect to see a woman in charge of the restaurant. And more often than not, we would be wrong. Really, really wrong. So wrong, in fact, that a recent Bloomberg.com article reported that women held a mere one of every 16 head chef positions among the restaurant groups studied. That’s less than seven percent! Why the underrepresentation at the top of commercial kitchens? We went looking for answers.

COURSEF


“I LIKE MAKING FOOD THAT MAKES PEOPLE SMILE. WHATEVER THAT IS ... TACO, HOT DOG, BRISKET, RIBS OR NEAPOLITAN PIZZA. I WANT TO MAKE FOOD THAT PEOPLE LINGER OVER AND ENJOY.” - KATHRYN MATHIS


RECIPES FOR SUCCESS Local restaurateur Kathryn Mathis has put together a winning trio of casual dining destinations in Oklahoma City with Big Truck Tacos, Back Door BBQ and Mutt’s Amazing Hot Dogs. A fourth res-taurant, Pizzeria Gusto, is set to open later this summer near NW 23rd and Walker. Although restaurant ownership wasn’t necessarily her top career choice, “I always loved to cook,” Mathis says. She grew up in the panhandle, and not surprisingly, her path to the top of the food chain started in the kitchen with her mom. “She always had three meals on the table,” recalls Mathis. “I loved to be out on the truck with my dad, but I couldn’t wait to get in to help cook dinner.” Mathis’s real-world kitchen training came “at the school of hard knocks,” she laughs, listing a resume of restaurant stops too lengthy to list. After a stint at Tulsa’s Montrachet, Mathis moved to Austin, where she ran the kitchens at Mezzaluna and Bitter End. Mathis also spent time as a personal chef. Along the way, “I worked with some really great people who were encyclopedias [of culinary knowledge].” With extensive experience in classical French and Northern Italian cuisine, Mathis is now her own reference book. Looking back on a career spanning three decades, it sounds simple. But it wasn’t always easy. Restaurant work is tough under the best of circumstances. As a woman invading – yes, invading – the male-dominated world of the restaurant kitchen, Mathis relied on her talent and persistence to make it to the top. “You’ve always got to play a better game,” Mathis states matter-of-factly. “Females have to work harder to prove themselves. I don’t think it’s just in the kitchen. It’s a boys’ club – that’s just how it is.” Mathis harbors neither bitterness nor delusions about her work, and is quick to add, “It’s getting better.” Her philosophy and demeanor would serve anyone well in any career. “I never minded working up through the pantry to the appetizer station,” she says. “That’s the career path in this industry. I just put my head down and let my work speak for itself.” For someone skilled in some of the world’s greatest cuisines, I couldn’t help but ask: What’s your favorite dish or ingredient? Mathis chided me good-naturedly, “That’s like asking a mother which one is her favorite kid!” The passion for food that has made her so successful provided the answer: “I like making food that makes people smile. Whatever that is – taco, hot dog, brisket, ribs or Neapolitan pizza,” she muses, “I want to make food that people linger over and enjoy.”

Mathis’s newest venture, Pizzeria Gusto, will feature a full bar and dinner menu. Highlighting the choices will be authentic Nea-politan pizzas made in a pizza oven imported from Naples. “The mortar is made from ash from Mount Vesuvius,” she says. It’s hard to get more authentic than that!

HOLD THAT LINE! While Mathis is frequently pulled away from her multiple res-taurant locations – hey, she can’t be everywhere at once! – somebody has to keep things running smoothly. Enter Executive Sous Chef Amie Gehlert. While Mathis worked her way up in the rough-and-tumble, boys’ club kitchens of the ’90s, Gehlert went the culinary school route. Their different paths to the same destination make for a solid leadership team. Gehlert grew up in a small town of 1,300 people in Oklahoma before training at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Min-neapolis. Her professional stops included the resort destination of Walt Disney World and a lengthy stay in the corporate dining seg-ment with Aramark before coming back to her home state. Like Mathis, Gehlert’s original inspiration for making a career in the kitchen was a memorable woman from her childhood. “I’m a chef today because of my grandmother,” Gehlert says. “She was an amazing cook.” Gehlert also credits her mom for her work ethic. “She was a single mom raising three kids but she never complained,” says Gehlert. “I come from a long line of strong, independent women.” Along with the lessons she learned growing up and in the world of corporate kitchens, Gehlert lists Mathis among her mentors. “Kathryn really taught me how to run a business and run a restau-rant,” she says. “There’s no rest if you want to stay ahead and keep up with the times” in the culinary world. Although Gehlert’s journey differed from Mathis’ matriculation through the aforementioned “school of hard knocks,” they have faced similar challenges unique to being female at the top of the foodser-vice food chain. Still, Gehlert doesn’t see the restaurant business as being that unique. “The hurdles are common in any business – the male-dominated roles in leadership positions,” she reasons. Gehlert again draws from her childhood experiences for inspira-tion. Looking back, she bristles at the limited expectations for women that were modeled for her at the time. “The women in my hometown were so unappreciated – there was such a stereotype of what women should do,” she says. Sure, one of those things was to cook. But Gehlert took that one to heart. Her success as a female chef in the professional world turned that stereotype upside down.


“I’M A CHEF TODAY BECAUSE OF MY GRANDMOTHER. SHE WAS AN AMAZING COOK.” - AMIE GEHLERT


TAKE A NUMBER Beth Ann McFarland-Lyon, Chef de Cuisine at Kitchen No. 324, took a short path to the kitchen. “I’ve always been a restaurant girl,” she says. But for McFarland-Lyon, her indoctrination into the business was in the “front of the house,” i.e., the dining area. Her transition to the “back of the house” (that’s the kitchen, of course) can be described as a triumph born of tragedy. “My grandmother passed away,” she explains, “and my family went to Golden Corral for Thanksgiving for two years. It was dev-astating.” She wouldn’t stand for a third. “The next year I cooked a turkey and the whole nine yards,” she recalls. “I did one for my friends who didn’t have family here and another one for my family.” It turned out that the front of the house veteran had some culinary chops of her own. “Everybody loved it,” McFarland-Lyon says, “and my mom said, ‘Why don’t you do this for a living?’”

While it seems simple enough to make a transition from the dining room to the kitchen, nothing could be further from the truth. Although the two work zones are separated by little more than a door (or maybe just a hot line in the open kitchen concepts so common today), the envi-ronments are worlds apart. McFarland-Lyon was undaunted. “I gave up a salaried management position to basically start all over again,” she says. “I think I started out in the kitchen making $7.50 an hour.” That first kitchen job was spent as a “fry girl for one hot sum-mer” at Sushi Neko. Her talent, dedication and willingness to step back from a salaried position to hourly work made an impression on local luminary Kurt Fleischfresser of Coach House fame. She became just the third woman to go through the renowned restau-rant’s apprenticeship program. From there, things got a lot tougher. During the apprenticeship, McFarland-Lyon says, “I was fighting for my life in a kitchen full of men.” Midway through the program, McFarland-Lyon became pregnant with her first child. Given the stressful nature of her work at the time, what


“IT’S POSSIBLE TO BE A MOM, A WIFE AND A CHEF. YOU HAVE TO FIND BALANCE BUT IT’S WORTH IT.” - BETH ANN MCFARLAND-LYON


“WE BOTH GREW UP ON FARMS ... I REMEMBER GOING OUT IN THE MORNING AND PICKING UP PLUMS AND APPLES, AND THOSE THINGS TURNED INTO PIES IN THE AFTERNOON.” - LESLIE COALE-MOSSMAN

DARCY SCHEIN AND LESLIE COALE-MOSSMAN


should have been joyous news was met with trepidation. “I was terri-fied,” she says. Her strength to forge ahead came from a woman from Guatemala, who was working as a dishwasher. “She was a single mother raising five kids,” McFarland-Lyon says. “She picked me up and said, ‘It’s going to be OK. If I can do it, you can do it.’ And that was it.” McFarland-Lyon went on to work at Boulevard Grill, where she learned the business side of the restaurant world, including ordering and managing a kitchen. While there, she worked with Chris McCabe, who she credits as the first person to help her really tap into her talents. “I got to see what I was capable of,” she says. A Good Egg Dining Group, which counts Kitchen No. 324 among its roster of restaurants, took notice as well. Good Egg brought in McFarland-Lyon, making her the first chef hired from outside the company. Now the proud mother of two children, McFarland-Lyon looks back on her steps to becoming a chef with appreciation. “The strug-gle that got me here – I wouldn’t change it. I’ve grown a lot in the past few years,” she shares. “Becoming a mom through the whole process was a strong point for me.” Her personal and professional growth is hardly coincidental. “Good Egg Group is the best com-pany to work for in Oklahoma City,” says McFarland-Lyon, citing the company’s guidance in both her personal life and career. “It’s possible to be a mom, a wife and a chef,” she says contentedly. “You have to find balance but it’s worth it.” McFarland-Lyon has learned some tricks of the trade along the way, too. Her experience in all areas of the restaurant busi-ness has been an asset, and her ability to manage men and women effectively is the result. “I’ve worked with some men who had a hard time taking direction from a woman,” she recalls. “So I approached them differently.” As a result, they became some of her best employees.

JUST DESSERTS -AND MAYBE A QUICHE

Whether it’s from the hardscrabble school, the front of the house or the college of haute cuisine, the metro’s women of the kitchen have taken both direct and circuitous routes to restaurant royalty. So what crazy and inspirational story of struggle and perseverance in a traditionally male-dominated domain do Darcy Schein and Leslie Coale-Mossman have to share? “We met at a ‘mother’s day out,’” Schein says with a wry grin. “We both sort of realized at the same time that ‘Jeez, our husbands work a lot.’” Schein and Coale-Mossman, co-owners of Pie Junkie, began shar-ing cooking duties between their two families. That informal partner-ship morphed into cooking classes for friends and others they met. Soon they were running a small catering business out of the kitchen at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. Their dessert selection, as it turns out, was especially popular and garnered some attention. “S&B Burger Joint on 59th asked us to make them a pie,” relates Coale-Mossman. That pie sold so quickly that S&B came back and asked the duo to produce two pies. Pretty soon, they were selling so many pies that the treats became the team’s full-time focus. The S&B franchise took the pair’s pies to their new locations, and things started heating up. After renting kitchen space at the church for three years, the pie purveyors were outgrowing the arrangement – and conscientious enough to not want to wear out their welcome. “We didn’t want to interfere with St. Luke’s mission and what they are trying to accomplish.” What has followed since has been a sweet

slice of success, as Pie Junkie recently celebrated its first full year on NW 16th on the edge of the Plaza District. Soooo … why pie? It’s a story countless families can appreciate. “We both grew up on farms” to some extent, says Coale-Mossman. From as young as two or three years old, “I remember going out in the morning and picking up plums and apples,” she continues, “and those things turned into pies in the afternoon.” As she grew older, her grandmother taught her how to make and roll the crust and how to turn raw fruit into irresistible pie filling. Schein, a Kentucky native, also reminisces about her roots in the kitchen with her grandmother. “Kentucky Derby pie was big, of course,” she says, “but in the summer we always had sliced toma-toes on the table, too,” which gave her more experience in the area of savory pies. Together, Coale-Mossman and Schein have crafted a pie palate of wide-ranging f lavors, attracting dedicated followers along the way. While some old family favorite recipes make the cut, the Pie Junkie pair finds inspiration in a variety of places. Popular seasonal offerings range from the familiar strawberry-rhubarb in summer to fall’s delectable pumpkin pie topped with a brown sugar crum-ble. Winter brings such creations as their orange bourbon pecan pie. Schein’s tomato pie is a seasonal summer offering, featuring tomato, basil and cheese (“It’s to die for,” says Coale-Mossman). A quiche is always in the offing as well. And contrary to another popu-lar myth, “Men do eat quiche,” says Schein with a smile. Seasonal ingredients provide some “pie-deas” (sorry) as do reci-pes found hither and yon. Some of Pie Junkie’s bestsellers are con-glomerations of one or more recipes or old standbys that feature an unusual twist that sets them apart. The macadamia key lime pie, for example, features chopped macadamia nuts in the crust. Perhaps that explains why the sometimes-polarizing key lime is a top choice among patrons. Another “mishmash recipe,” as the pair refers to it, is the “drunken turtle” pie – a baked chocolate fudge pie with pecans and salted caramel. You really can’t go wrong there. Coale-Mossman and Schein have found inspiration as well in the neighborhood surrounding their new digs. The district’s businesses are supportive of one another, and after years of operating out of rented kitchen space, the pie purveyors are getting to know their cli-ents. “We have lots of regular customers,” says Schein, “and we know what they like. That’s what’s really nice about having our own store.”

NEW AND IMPROVED MENU American women began making their mark in the workforce en masse over a century ago. Although historically an incongruous minority in restaurant kitchens, and particularly in leadership posi-tions, women are finally breaking through another glass ceiling. As more and more women enter culinary arts schools – enrollment in these programs is nearing parity levels – we can expect to see more female chefs, restaurant owners and victual visionaries on the scene. As evidenced by some of the women profiled here, there is no set pathway to becoming a female chef or running your own kitchen. And these talented chefs will be the first to admit that men are not the enemy – the litany of male chefs they readily list as mentors speaks to that truth. Regardless of the route taken, the pavement will be a little smoother for the next generation of female chefs thanks to their trailblazing predecessors … and the taste buds of a nation will surely savor the sublime culinary sensations cooked up by kitchen equality.


A RIVER RUNS THROUGH IT BY JILL HARDY // PHOTOS BY SIMON HURST

THE REBIRTH OFTHE METRO’S RIVERFRONT


CHILDHOOD MEMORIES INVOLVING THE DOWNTOWN OKLAHOMA CITY PORTION OF THE NORTH CANADIAN RIVER ARE QUICKLY JOINING REFLECTIONS ON A BYGONE ERA LIKE GETTING UP TO CHANGE THE CHANNEL ON THE TELEVISION AND STANDING UP IN THE FRONT SEAT OF YOUR MOM’S PINTO. (OR PROVIDING CLUES ABOUT THE AGE OF THE PERSON DOING THE REMINISCING.)


for water sports and a vision for a culture change in the metro. One such individual was Mike Knopp, Executive Director of the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation. As the river rede-velopment began to take shape, Knopp (a longtime rowing enthusiast who helped start OCU’s club rowing team, and later left a successful legal career to become their first-ever varsity coach) began to push for the creation of a boathouse, which led to corporate sponsorship and the con-struction of the Chesapeake Boathouse in 2006. Fellow oil and gas giants Devon and SandRidge followed suit, financing an additional boathouse and the SkyTrail adventure course, respectively, and the Boathouse District was born. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the SandRidge SkyTrail’s new 700-foot zip line that extends across the Oklahoma River (an event which saw Mayor Mick Cornett, Gov-ernor Mary Fallin, and Oklahoma treasure Barry Switzer take the first official “zips”

across), Knopp reflected on the importance of the river’s role in improving not only the city’s appearance, but its lifestyle opportu-nities as well. “Part of the Oklahoma City Boathouse Foundation’s initiative is to get people outside and active.” Knopp says. “We’re trying to infuse an outdoor culture into Oklahoma City.” Officially established as a U.S. Olym-pic and Paralympic training site in 2009, the Boathouse District is more than just a diversion opportunity for Oklahoma residents; current and hopeful Olympians train at the state-of-the-art facilities (both boathouses contain fitness centers open to the public) and the river’s reputation as a world-class training ground has spread in the rowing community. “The rowing world knows about our development, our world-class facilities,” says Sherry Burnett, director of public relations for the Oklahoma City Boat-house Foundation.

t’s been 10 years now since a seven-mile section of the North Canadian River was renamed the Oklahoma River, the crown-ing touch of its makeover, a part of the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) capital improvement pro-gram. The plan – funded by a tem-porary one-cent sales tax that was in effect from 1993 to 1999 – also financed upgrades to several rec-reational, cultural and convention venues (including the construc-

tion of the ballpark in Bricktown, the Ford Center and the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library) as well as the Bricktown Canal, the mile-long conduit between the river and the downtown and Bricktown areas. In addition to the support of leaders and funds from MAPS, the river had sev-eral friends in the corporate and private sectors; companies who saw the chance to make investments in their chosen com-munities, individuals who held a passion

I44 SLICE // JULY 2014

“The athletes we have training at the High Performance Center (in the Devon Boathouse) are renowned. Everyone knows that the athletes coming out of our facilities are raising the bar in their classes.” Recent examples of aquatic athletic excellence coming out of Oklahoma City include the qualification of nearly a dozen Oklahoma City athletes to represent the United States in international competition during the USA Canoe/Kayak 2014 Sprint Team Trials, which were held on the Oklahoma River this past April. For the city, just like the individual, sometimes reinvention is not only good for the soul … it can also help the pocketbook. Just as the Bricktown Canal and Ballpark permeated downtown with a new charm, paving the way for new business and rec-reation opportunities (property values in Bricktown quadrupled after the start of the original MAPS), the improvements that have allowed the river to become a source of recreation and visual pleasure also have


the potential to enhance some Oklaho-mans’ economic endeavors, both by direct employment opportunities, and by the rip-ple effect of a new source for startups and boosts to existing companies. OKC Kayak was already doing a brisk business when the Oklahoma River rebirth led to readily accessible kayaking in down-town Oklahoma City, but manager Ryan Jones credits the river’s renovation with helping to increase kayaking and water sport consciousness among a new sector of the population. “We’ve been around long before this,” Jones says. “Most of our business comes through word of mouth, or the Internet, but it’s definitely opened some people’s eyes, having it [the river] right here.” The shop’s downtown location and easy-going atmosphere make it a natural choice when adventurous appetites whetted by experiences at the Boathouse District pave the way to a more lasting habit that might lead beyond the river. Individuals and families can rent kayaks and standup paddleboards through the Boathouse District’s Welcome

Center in the Chesapeake Finish Tower, and attend classes or pursue paddling regularly through day or season passes. “I do have a lot of customers who have memberships at the Boathouse, and either they or their kids have taken classes there, but then they come here, maybe take some of our classes, and pur-chase a kayak.” While large-scale, corporate sponsors like the Boathouse District are fantastic kick-offs for developments intended to get residents outdoors and moving, privately owned local businesses like OKC Kayak represent the possibilities for helping to make those changes truly deep and last-ing. Jones points to the river’s rebirth as an encouragement both visual and physical. “Even just driving by it, I love seeing it. Having the Boathouse [District] here in the city has definitely been a major improvement. The health and culture of the city has changed since it came along. There’s a lot of potential, not all of it’s been tapped yet. It’s constantly evolving. It’s exciting, though, having them here,

and being able to send customers down, or welcome theirs here.” Formerly relegated to lakes and rivers off-site, Jones also acknowledges the river’s proximity (OKC Kayaks’ Oklahoma City location is just off of 2nd street on Western, downtown) as a benefit. “We do utilize the river when custom-ers want to test out a boat. It’s nice having it right there, nice and clean. We can go down real quick, throw it down a boat ramp and try it out. It’s really handy.” “We’ve always been community- and sport-involved, not just a retail shop. We’re hands-on; we’re kayakers. This is our life-style, what we do. Most people aren’t will-ing to spend $1,000 on a kayak (at a large retail sporting goods store) and then go put the boat in the water and see if they like it. Between us and the Boathouse, people can actually go out and see if they like kayaking before they start making investments.” The good faith effort and feelings don’t just extend one way; Jones relates that Boathouse associates have reached out and expressed a desire for continued symbiosis as well.


RIVER PRIMERA History of the Oklahoma River Award-winning journalist and author Steve Lack-meyer has written and co-written several books on Oklahoma City history and has been covering the metro’s development for almost two decades. He has a unique perspective on the whole story of the Okla-homa River, and why it’s a true tale of renewal. “The river was a real river during the first 20 years or so of the city’s life,” Lackmeyer says, dispel-ling the image of the original North Canadian River as a muddy culvert. “It ran through the areas where we now have things like the Oklahoma City Zoo and the ballpark. As the city developed, the river became prone to severe flooding.” During the ’20s, the river flooded the Stockyards area and Capitol Hill, causing destruction that led officials to seek funding to remedy the problem. The eventual solution involved changing the river’s course and lining it to ensure drainage, which addressed the flooding dangers, but altered the river’s appearance dramatically. “They created,” Lackmeyer says, “basically, a ditch.” No longer a flood threat, the river was now the very opposite; an eyesore which was almost dry for much of the year. It also became an unofficial bor-der between north and south Oklahoma City, and an unintentionally bleak representation of the down-town area. The effort to mitigate the aesthetic consequences of the re-routing started in earnest in the ’60s, Lack-meyer explains. “From the 1960s all the way through the 1970s and ’80s, there were repeated efforts to try and figure out a solution to this, to try and bring the river back.” None of the various strategies suggested bore fruit, but the time period did see the formation of the River Redevelopment Authority, resulting in the creation of some preliminary designs for dams, which were helpful when the MAPS program materialized in the early ’90s. Improvements to the river (and the construction of the Bricktown Canal) were included in the changes funded by the program, and provided the means for the necessary dams, creation of the surrounding trails and landscaping. Corporate sponsors followed suit, and built on the foundation secured by Oklahomans through MAPS - building the Chesapeake and Devon Boathouses, and most recently, the SandRidge SkyTrail, an 80-foot adventure course featuring rope walks, a zip line and America’s tallest slide. Having gone from an embarrassment to a full-fledged river (able to provide the means for a host of recreational and competitive water sport endeavors) the revitalized metro section of the North Canadian was re-christened the Oklahoma River in 2004, and continues to thrive as a source of economic and cultural renewal, thanks to Oklahomans committed to making it a representation of their capital city’s ongoing growth and development.


A MAYORAL MINUTEMick Cornett Speaks About the River’s Legacy In the 10 years since the Oklahoma River’s reinvention was made offi-cial with a new name, the metro has seen change and improvements on many fronts. The changes are not limited to its new waterway, but mayor Mick Cornett believes that the city and its river are inextricably linked. “It’s played a symbolic role on two fronts; if you go back to the original MAPS, the two most popular items on the ballot were the library and the river. The rest of the items needed campaigning and convincing. I think that shows that the people in this community were committed to the river for symbolic reasons, as a source of pride and a way to add appeal.” Originally just intended to improve the river’s appearance, the city’s measures proved to be fertile ground for further developments, which Mayor Cornett admits exceeded even his expectations. “I don’t think we believed at the time that Oklahoma’s economy was such that we’d have a lot of economic development through it, but then things started to change.” Cornett credits the vision of individuals like Mike Knopp and others for seeing the river’s promise as a water sport hot spot (and generating philanthropic interest in investing in such a goal) with the resulting world-class venue. He also points to the importance of such a change to the city’s inner health and image. “It draws worldwide attention to Oklahoma City, which is good on a couple of fronts. First, we have a reputation of being a dry, dusty state. It’s outdated, and not really accurate, but it’s there. Hosting Olympic caliber [water] events is a new image for us. Secondly, on the health front, these are sports that are getting Oklahomans active in ways we couldn’t have imagined 20 or 30 years ago.” Another improvement which had its genesis in the 1990s – the relo-cation of I-40 – exposed several blighted blocks in the downtown area, and the concern about development of this area resulted in the Core to Shore plan, an improvement strategy whose goal is to bring the positive outcome of the river’s redo all the way into the heart of the city. The MAPS 3 initiative will provide for construction of a new park and convention center in the area, and the hope is that just like with the river, private and corporate interest will follow. “The park is the city’s investment,” Cornett says. “And I anticipate incredible public investment around it.” No large-scale plan is ever controversy-free. Disagreements are ongoing between the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and com-munity groups about the best location for the new boulevard and road-way that’s part of the Core to Shore design, but progress and cooperation are still possible; in May of this year ODOT agreed to extend the public comment period (from a mere two weeks) in response to an appeal from advocacy group Friends for a Better Boulevard, in order to hear concerns about the preservation of historical areas and ideas about how construc-tion could best benefit both existing communities and future progress. Growing pains aside, Mayor Cornett encourages metro residents to take pride in the changes to date, and look to the future with a mix of patience and excitement. “The park is scheduled to open in 2022. That’s a good timeline. The next decade could easily be when Core to Shore comes to fruition.” “I’m forever the optimist. I believe the positive things we’re doing today are only going to continue. You have to always be looking for what’s next, what the city is going to require in the next five or six years. A city never reaches its destination; you just continue to build. One of the best perspectives I’ve heard is that we all live in cities we didn’t create. We’re making alterations that are going to affect generations to come, and we hope that others will be able to build on those visions. You have to keep looking out onto the long-term horizon if you want your city to continue past your generation. I think this city has done a really good job of that in the last 20 to 30 years.”


“I’ve had the director of the Boathouse come in, working out ways to help each other. The engineer from the Whitewater Center came in as well, to see what we carry, and just chit chat.” The whitewater park is one of the future additions planned for the Boathouse District, funded (along with other various river improvements) by MAPS 3. Scheduled to debut within two years, the venue promises to take the riverfront transformation to an entirely new level. Mike Knopp points to the opportunity as one that will help Oklahoma capitalize on a change that has already set it apart in the United States. “Imagine being in Bricktown, having dinner, and then walking down to zip line across the river, go rock climbing, scale the SkyTrail or go whitewater rafting, kayaking … these are incredible opportu-nities for Oklahoma City, and the fact of the matter is that there’s not really another urban center area that will have as much outdoor adventure as Oklahoma City will, in less than two years.” Knopp illustrates how the renewed river has taken the metro from a city in need of a makeover, to a destination that serves as an example for other communities. “It’s for our residents, but then again, this is going to be some-thing that brings people in from all over, as just another reason to visit Oklahoma City. It’s not like what other cities have. A lot of times, cities try to replicate what other cities have, but what we have is truly unique; there’s not another aquatic venue like the Oklahoma River. The fact that it’s right next to downtown, the fact that we have Olympic athletes training, high adventure and youth activities all occurring … in fact, we have a lot of cities coming here, trying to fig-ure out how they can do something like this with their waterfronts.” The river’s renovation may have started out as a simple desire to undo the cosmetic damage of a f looding solution, or a means to try and make the metro’s scenery a little less depressing, but it has served as a very visual example of what can happen when basic care and development are used as a springboard for further idealism and dreams. Few investments lend themselves so easily to metaphor, but the Oklahoma River’s rebirth is a great symbol for the rejuvenation it has caused in our city’s economic outlook and overall morale; from a trickle to a world-class waterway, with whitewater rapids still to come.

“Imagine being in Bricktown, having dinner, and then walking down to zip line across the river, go rock climbing, scale the SkyTrail or go whitewater rafting, kayaking … these are incredible opportunities for Oklahoma City ...”


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Arts Council of Oklahoma City ..................52Lakeside Women’s Hospital,INTEGRIS Network ......................................53Dale Rogers Training Center ......................54Huntington Fine Jewelers ...........................55Winter House Interiors ................................56Carwin’s Shave Shop ...................................56Mister Robert Fine Furniture & Design ....57The Skirvin Hilton .........................................58The Bridal Boutique .....................................58McRay Roofing & Exteriors .........................59Metro Appliances & More ..........................60Dutch Floral & Home ...................................60Clinton Webster, M.D. .................................61TSO Optical ..................................................62Vitality Medical .............................................62Rawhide Ranch Co. ......................................63Rococo ...........................................................64Phenix Salon Suites ......................................64Oklahoma Pork Council ..............................65Coredination Pilates ....................................66OU’s Janux ....................................................66

The companies and organizations whose names you‘ll see in this section may be familiar – in fact, you might well be a frequent patron. But how much do you

know about the people who devote themselves to making it all happen, or why they love to do what they do?

Behind the Biz gives these local businesses a stage to share their stories, and lets you take a closer look at a selection of the enterprises and establishments that give the city some of its unique character.


SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION


BEHIND THE BIZ


Arts Council of OKC

400 W. California Ave., OKC, 405.270.4848artscouncilokc.com/arts-after-school

An existence without music, without dance, without painting or sculpture, would be unbearably dismal – experiencing art is good for the soul, and creat-ing it is beneficial to emotional development. In

fact, studies have shown that students with a high level of in-volvement in the arts perform better academically, and stay in school longer, than those with low arts involvement. And yet, many students in the OKC metro receive little to no arts exposure in their school days. The Arts Council of Oklahoma City’s Arts After School program was created to help fill that gap. Professional teach-ing artists of various disciplines take up a 12-week “residence” to conduct twice-a-week classes during the spring and fall semesters after school is done for the day. It enriches the cul-tural lives of at-risk children, gives them a chance to take the spotlight during an end-of-semester showcase … and doesn’t cost them anything to participate. Recent classes for kids have focused on movement, crea-tive writing, watercolor and more – everything from sculp-ture to hip-hop dance to musical performance. Arts After School has so far been expanded to 14 sites including underserved public schools and community cent-

Bringing Kids a Creative Voice

ers. Currently, over 600 kids receive a dose of the arts they wouldn’t have access to otherwise – but that’s just a drop in the metaphorical bucket. Program expansion is continually underway based on available funding; the goal is to add four more sites this fall. And by the way, July is national Make a Difference to Chil-dren Month. What better time could there be to help bring the gift of creative self-expression and the joys of music and art to children who need them most? For information about the Com-munity Arts Program and more, visit artscouncilokc.com.


When Lakeside Women’s Hospital and its own-ership group of female physicians accepted their first patients in 1997, they set out with the goal of dedicating their efforts to improv-

ing women’s health as well as the care women receive – an im-portant delineation. This clear, singular objective – and more than a decade of diligent work toward it – has earned Lakeside official awards and recognition as Oklahoma City’s best hospital for women from multiple sources, as well as its unofficial reputation as a beloved hospital for women across the state. In 2012, the leadership of Lakeside Women’s Hospital took another important step to bring its patients the best care possible. They partnered with INTEGRIS Health, the largest Oklahoma-owned healthcare provider in the state. This partnership expanded the boundaries for both enti-ties. INTEGRIS now had access to Lakeside’s highly esteemed women’s services, and Lakeside could now offer its patients the comprehensive continuum of care that’s made INTEGRIS a household name, from its nationally recognized centers of excellence like the Nazih Zuhdi Transplant Institute and IN-TEGRIS Heart Hospital to the specialists that INTEGRIS at-tracts from around the nation and world, who are focused on the unique aspects of women’s health within their specialties: cardiologists, medical oncologists, orthopedic specialists, urologists, urogynecologists and more.

Lakeside & INTEGRISHealthcare for the Whole Woman

In the 18 months that have passed since this part-nership was forged, Lakeside patients have scarcely no-ticed a difference in the care they receive – except to see that there’s even more care available to them than ever before – because both Lake-side and INTEGRIS were careful to ensure doctor-pa-tient relationships, appoint-ments and schedules were not affected. In short, eve-rything women love about Lakeside remains the same, there’s just more to love. Lakeside Women’s Hos-pital and INTEGRIS are now united to provide the whole spectrum of healthcare for the whole being of every woman. It’s a relationship

that promises to continue to benefit more women, through every step of their journeys, from womanhood to motherhood and beyond.

11200 N. Portland Ave., OKC, 405.936.1500, lakeside-wh.com

BEHIND THE BIZ



BEHIND THE BIZ


It’s named for a movie and TV star, but the Dale Rogers Training Center is one of the area’s foremost names in nonprofit excellence. Inspired by Roy and Dale Rogers’ daughter born with Down Syndrome and the joy she

brought to their lives, the center that began as a small school for children with developmental disabilities marked its 60th anniversary in 2013; it now comprises multiple locations in Oklahoma dedicated to vocational training and personal sup-port, and employs or trains more than 1,200 people with dis-abilities per year. Executive Director Connie Thrash McGoodwin – an OSU alumna and graduate of Leadership Oklahoma who has received an array of local and regional awards and guided the DRTC’s growth for over 30 years – was quoted in the New York Times last winter, in an article touting the success of the center’s program to purchase and operate a Papa Mur-phy’s franchise. That’s a first for the take-and-bake custom pizza purveyor, which normally works directly with individ-

uals, but this experiment has proven financially viable as well as a prime placement opportunity for workers with disabilities … and a delicious dinner option for satisfied custom-ers, many of whom have become regular patrons. In addition to that Papa Mur-phy’s partnership that’s gaining na-tionwide attention, the DRTC oper-ates Wyman Framing, the trophy and award supply business Prism Place and an gift shop at the DRTC main campus near N.W. 23rd and Utah, featuring a line of delectable Made in Oklahoma Prairie Spices packaged in-house – all staffed by people who take pride in their work and relish the opportunity to con-tribute to a team. Their efforts are what set the DRTC apart as a nonprofit organiza-tion. Rather than relying on dona-tions or fundraising special events, it operates entrepreneurially. In fact, participants with disabilities

working through the center earned nearly $5 million in wag-es last year, supporting themselves and the facility that has helped guide them into more productive lives. Just 17 per-cent of the DRTC’s programs are located on its campus; the other 83 percent operate in (and bring these Oklahomans into) the community. The Dale Rogers Training Center helps give individual people with disabilities a sense of purpose and a way to ex-press their skills in an atmosphere of dignity and respect, while also helping to make the community stronger. That’s the best kind of partnership.

2501 N. Utah Ave., OKC, 405.946.4489, drtc.org

Dale Rogers Training CenterPartners in Promoting Abilities

Connie Thrash McGoodwin and Carla Folks inside Wyman Framing


Celebrating life’s special moments has been a life-long pursuit for the close-knit family who oper-ates Huntington Fine Jewelers. For 28 years so far, they’ve been building friendships with satisfied

customers as they’ve built their business, bringing a new gen-eration into the store’s ongoing legacy as their children have grown up and entered the trade. The store itself has grown as well, expanding into a new location in 2007 and then increas-ing its size by 50 percent last year – a 4,500-square-foot treas-ure trove of breathtaking beauty now waits on south Western for customers to explore. Huntington’s success and growth have been based on providing a personal experience (that’s a touch that comes from being a family business) and offering excellent value on pieces of impeccable quality. For every age, individual style and event, at any budget, the showroom holds something ex-ceptional: engagement rings, anniversary pendants, watches and necklaces for any occasion … the choices range from fash-ion forward, popular name brands like Tacori, Le Vian, Hearts on Fire, PANDORA, Gucci, Rhythm of Love, Michael Kors, Sei-ko and many more to distinctive specialty lines like Tesoro, Eleganza and Philip Gavriel. The selection is vast, and finding

Rich Legacy, Glittering Futurethe perfect adornments is a pleasure thanks to the staff’s friendly assistance. Customers are also invit-ed to take advantage of their personal services including appraisals completed in-house by their certified gemologist, repairs, engraving and even superb custom designs made from the finest gold and silver, as well as the highest quality diamonds and gems. Just ask; they’ll be glad to help. While the family likes to say it is “where Oklahoma City gets engaged,” Huntington Fine Jewelers is fundamental-ly a place where you can find something beautiful to help celebrate any occasion.

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HuntingtonFine Jewelers

10633 S. Western Ave., OKC, 405.692.4300huntingtonfinejewelers.com

Left to right: Jeff, Lexis, Landyce, Lisa, Lantz, London, Lauren and Matt


Licensed interior designer and decorative expert Steve Winters knows that your vision, the stylish design you have fixed in your mind’s eye, is a spe-cial blend of your tastes, lifestyle and knowledge

of your space, a look distinctive to you. That’s why Winter House Interiors concentrates on the individual, providing spectacular pieces and expert assistance to make clients’ goals – your goals – into beautiful realities. Custom draperies and specialty bedding, furniture or f looring, comfortable patio seating or delightful acces-sories … all are at customers’ fingertips, providing ideal components whether you’re remodeling an existing room, beginning new construction or planning a future space. The Winter House showroom, frequently updated to stay abreast of new design potential, currently includes such star names as Hancock and Moore, Taylor King, The-odore Alexander, John Richard and Massaud, to name but a few. With the combined expertise of an award-winning staff and a wide selection of wonders in its Classen Curve showroom, one of the prime resources available to home-owners in the OKC metro is the assistance of Winter House.

Winter HouseInteriorsA World of Unique Possibilities

5710 N. Classen Blvd., OKC, 405.607.1199, winterhouseinteriors.com

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Everyday experiences can become extraordinary when combined with expert care and the finest equipment. While most men have been shaving at least intermittently since puberty, the humdrum

process becomes a luxuriant ritual of personal care and ap-preciation for the classics at Carwin’s Shave Shop. Carwin’s in Classen Curve is fully stocked with an ar-ray of razors, creams and moisturizers for purchase, so customers can give themselves a higher quality of personal skin care at home, as well as a multitude of leather goods … but one of its main attractions is the barber’s chair, home to a genuinely special experience. Chuck Naifeh – who is a li-censed barber, and an artist with a straight razor – performs a variety of tonsorial services including men’s haircuts and shaves, with hot towels, specially prepared moisturiz-ers and all the trimmings (so to speak). And on weekends, Kourtney Ziai also wields a deft scissor and straight razor as an expert barber. Relaxing, reinvigorating and thoroughly enjoyable, it’s an old-fashioned service for the modern man of taste and refinement. Call Carwin’s Shave Shop for an appointment, and don’t be surprised if it becomes a habit.

Carwin’s Shave ShopElite Grooming for Gentlemen

5710 N. Classen Blvd., OKC, 405.607.1197, carwinsshaveshop.com

A driving passion for fine furnishings and impecca-ble design burns at its core, but sharing that pas-sion with clients for more than 50 years elevates Mister Robert as a standout on the Oklahoma de-

sign scene. That dedication and commitment to showing the finest products and designs designates Mister Robert Fine Furniture & Design as an unparalleled destination for per-fecting the look of an elegant home or office. In its original loca-tion since 1958 and still going strong, the three-generation business rep-resents a family tradition characterized by an ap-preciation for craftsman-ship and exemplary qual-ity, a history of exacting attention to detail, elevat-ed design talent and time-less style. Mister Robert strives to bring customers the very best in each select piece, utilizing top lines like Henredon, Maitland-Smith, Theodore Alexan-der and E.J. Victor as well as one-of-a-kind and dis-tinctive items, accessories and works of art chosen for their “wow” factor. For the ideal combination of comfort and elegance, choose detailed statement pieces from the showroom or take advantage of com-plimentary design servic-es from an expert team of designers. Mister Robert is a ba-rometer of fashion with a keen eye to social trends and the newest palettes, fabrics and styles. While the fashion pendulum can swing from traditional to contemporary, Mister Robert dabbles in the edgy, but stays true to customer desires for transitional, timeless pieces that blend and flow with both traditional and modern, nuanced

Mister RobertThe Look of Luxury

109 E. Main St., Norman, 405.321.1818, misterrobert.com

silhouettes. With a wide spectrum of styles, Mister Robert nods to modern classics for a distinctive feeling of luxuri-ous and livable comfort, design and quality that will endure through the ages. Its permanent location, filling six well-stocked historic buildings in downtown Norman, is a vast and captivating collection of original oil paintings, vibrantly colorful rugs, polished and intricately carved wooden tables, dressers and armoires, inviting chairs of every style and upholstery, large high-end leather pieces (Mister Robert is a premier purveyor of fine leather upholstery for a lifetime) and much, much more. Sophisticated, sumptuous, stunning … and waiting to be experienced at Mister Robert.

Katie Ringer, Steve Calonkey, Katelynn Calonkey, Keven Carl


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Brookhaven Village3700 W. Robinson Ave. Suite 144, Norman, 405.801.3377

bridalboutiqueoklahoma.com

There are so many aspects to organize and plan in preparation for a wedding; it’s comforting to know that The Bridal Boutique is an exceptional source of not merely beautiful attire, but assistance as well.

Newly relocated into a larger space, The Bridal Boutique now has an even larger selection of spectacular fashions to help more brides find “the dress.” It’s one of the largest collections in the OKC metro, with beauty for every bride and every budget – and while the space has been expanded, the staff remains con-centrated on providing friendly, personal customer service and maintaining a welcoming environment. Hand-selected gowns from several well-known designers – Allure, Casablanca, Lillian West, Essense Designs and many more – offer a wealth of stylistic variations to provide a bridal look from “country chic” to classic and timeless. Complementa-ry styles for bridesmaids, flower girls and mothers of the bride are here too. The Bridal Boutique can even supply the finest in accessories from veil to sequined slippers, as well as unity can-dles, pillows for the ring bearer and other details that help bring the whole picture into ideal focus. “We can’t wait to work with you to help you find the perfect dress for your perfect day,” enthuses new owner Alex Long. It’s an outstanding resource for one of life’s most special occasions.

The Bridal BoutiqueWhere Bridal Beauty is Found


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For Christopher Pope, Executive Chef at Oklahoma City’s historic Skirvin Hilton Hotel, there’s no place like home. Not North Carolina. Not Miami Beach. Not even Palm Springs, where

he served as Executive Chef at the legendary Riviera Resort and Spa from 2008-2011. Despite a 26-year career that has taken him to some of the nation’s most enviable destina-tions, Pope jumped at the opportunity to return to Oklahoma in 2011. For Pope, who grew up on 30 acres in north-east Oklahoma, taking over the kitchen for the Skirvin Hilton’s Park Av-enue Grill and Red Piano Lounge was a chance to get back to the place where his passion for the kitchen first caught fire. Back to that quarter-acre vegetable garden that taught him how to grow his own produce and appreciate natural ingredients and local tastes. “Being a chef is all about creating flavor,” said Pope. “When it comes to freshness, flavor and supporting the local commu-nity, nothing compares to homegrown.” Today, the Skirvin’s modernized menu infuses authentic American staples and neo-classic fare with farm-to-fork offer-ings that are expertly complemented by more than a dozen vari-eties of herbs grown in the hotel’s onsite herb garden. Pope’s localistic ideology doesn’t begin and end in the kitch-en, either. It extends into the community, where he is actively involved with numerous culinary arts advisory boards and men-torship programs. Whether it’s in the kitchen or the community, for Chef Christopher Pope there really is no place like home.

The Skirvin’sChristopher PopeRight Where He Belongs

PARK AVENUE GRILL1 Park Ave., OKC, 405.702.8444, skirvinhilton.com


McRay RoofingA Masterpiece to Protect Your Home

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When you truly care about what you do, “good enough” isn’t good enough. Passion and craftsmanship can bring an elevated level of artistry to roof design and give homes a

beauty that will last for years to come – for guaranteed excel-lence from a company Oklahomans trust, McRay Roofing is the name to know. To get the best results, it helps to start with the best mate-rials. That’s why McRay Roofing uses premier components like high-impact shingles to withstand wind and storms, and syn-thetic tiles and materials from DaVinci Roofscapes for enduring beauty and unsurpassed durability. They provide exceptional craftsmanship at a variety of price points, and are even experts at incorporating accents like custom-designed copper elements to give homes an extra burst of beauty and aesthetic value. Plus, the McRay Roofing story isn’t just about quality materials; it’s about committed people. Owner Jeff McRay is a firm believer in community involvement: he’s a member of the Greater OKC, South OKC and Norman Chambers of Com-merce, helped Kevin Durant kick off his first annual toy drive in 2013 and partnered with local nonprofits to give away over 500 turkeys to Oklahomans in need last Thanksgiving. He and 1625 Greenbriar Place, OKC, 405.692.4000, mcrayroofing.com

his company have also recently participated in fundraising golf events with Sam Bradford on behalf of St. Jude, and with Toby Keith for his namesake Foundation to help kids battling cancer. Considering that Jeff was a talented amateur golfer who considered going pro before his love for architecture won out over his love for the game, playing a few holes to help the community he loves is a perfect match of interests. Two similar houses can look drastically different depend-ing on the design of their roofs, and the quality of the shelter overhead can make a huge difference in the peace of mind of the people who live under it. To top off your home with a work of art that will stand the test of time, even in the Oklahoma elements, get in touch with the experienced professionals at McRay.

Owner Jeff McRay


In a competitive marketplace, a business doesn’t last very long if it doesn’t provide something special to its patrons, and evolve to continue meeting their changing needs. Metro Appliances & More began as a source for builders

only, then expanded to offer the public access to over 40 top brands at impressive savings due to its volume discount. The ability to provide the right appliance to meet every need, every taste and every budget is a major reason why the company is currently celebrating its 40th anniversary. Employees own the company, making them personally invested in its success, and each salesperson has a wealth of industry training and experience unmatched by other stores. Service is valued even after the sale, because it’s a company goal that every customer be a happy customer. Each of Metro Appliances’ 10 showrooms in 4 states is richly stocked with technologically advanced equipment for the home; the OKC location features a huge lighting depart-ment, while the Edmond showroom will soon include a state-of-the-art living kitchen that will host live demonstrations and potentially cooking classes from area chefs. To celebrate the company’s milestone, it’s giving away a total of $40,000 in prizes to customers who register in the store. Though that has the potential to be a nice bonus, the service, selection and prices at Metro Appliances & More are the real reward for savvy homeowners. Here’s to 40 more years.

Metro Appliances & MoreDecades of Dedication

7400 W. Reno Ave., OKC, 405.787.7400220 NE 150th St., Edmond, 405.751.8833

metroappliancesandmore.com

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The co-creation of Lindsay Gibson (wedding plan-ner extraordinaire and owner-operator of Gibson Events) and Kelly Long (owner and overall maes-tro of floral design studio Poppy Lane Design),

Dutch Floral & Home isn’t just different from other boutiques; because of its immense and constantly rotating selection of fresh flowers, it’s never quite the same store twice. Every arrangement is custom-made, the home décor items are festive and creatively intriguing and the person-alized customer service is a joy thanks to employees who genuinely love what they do – General Manager Courtney Ramos enthuses that coming in to work is “like Christmas every morning.” If you’re in the mood to share a bouquet of beauty, you can use the cash and carry station to choose your own flowers, or have a unique assort-ment made on the spot. If your order clocks in above a certain price threshold, they’ll even deliver it for you to any-place in the OKC metro with no extra fee. July should see an even greater focus on the beauties of nature, with an expanded floral line including more plants, pre-made gift baskets and a cooperative effort with local chefs and artisans to craft a summer cocktail series. Visit Dutch to let your imagination take a page from the flowers’ handbook … and bloom.

Dutch Floral & HomeGarden of Delights

401 N.W. 23rd St., OKC, 405.609.2809, dutchfloralandhome.com

Kelly Long and Lindsay Gibson

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When you want to look your best, you want to put yourself in the hands of a surgeon you can trust. For many years, Oklahoma City turned to Dr. Edward Dalton, and when the

time came for him to retire, he personally chose Dr. Clinton Webster as his successor. Originally from OKC, Dr. Webster received his M.D. with honors from the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine, then completed residency at the University of Utah and prac-ticed in Utah and Florida before being invited back home. He’s board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Sur-gery and is a member in good standing of the American So-ciety of Plastic Surgery, and has performed more than 1,100 operations over the course of his career so far.

His practice includes invaluable assistance from esthet-ics specialist and Duncan native Patsy Hooten; Rebel Hud-son, his scrub assistant; Registered Nurse Debra Ruster and Ariel Hudson, the secretary for his practice. Dr. Webster and Oklahoma Plastic Surgeons should be one of the first practices you consider for services like lipo-suction, body contouring, facial rejuvenation, breast sur-gery, skin and fat removal and other cosmetic procedures, as well as reconstructive surgical work such as skin therapy, hand surgery, nasal fractures and corrective treatments for injuries to the body or extremities. The decision to improve the way you look shouldn’t be made lightly, but it also shouldn’t be too difficult – put your trust in Dr. Clinton Webster and the accomplished profes-sionals of Oklahoma Plastic Surgeons.

CLINTON WEBSTER, M.D.3705 N.W. 63rd St., OKC, 405.842.9732

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Clinton Webster, M.D.The Practice of Perfection

The Oklahoma Plastic Surgeons TeamAriel, Katie, Rebel, Debra, Patsy (not pictured)


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Vitality MedicalWhere to Look to Look Better

5740 N.W. 135th Street, OKC, 405.896.9283, vitalitymcc.com

V itality Medical and Cosmetic Center has an enemy – time – and a vision: to be Oklahoma’s premier center for anti-aging and regenerative medicine. Its special multidisciplinary approach is focused on providing

greater choices among quality life-enhancing products, services and procedures, designed to help patients get the best results at turning back the clock … affordably. Case in point: the new technological innovation called Exi-lis Elite. This non-invasive procedure uses topical applications of therapeutic heat, combined with high frequency radio waves to attack stubborn fat cells, making them shrink and dissolve. The process also invigorates collagen and tightens loose skin for a more youthful appearance in the face, eyes, neck, arms, ab-domen, thighs and buttocks. It’s fast, powerful and safe, while cheaper than surgery and requiring less recovery time. The treatment, which takes about an hour per session, re-quires no preparation or medication; most patients describe the sensation as something like an unusually warm massage. Results can be seen within 2 treatments, and while results vary, patients report one to four inches lost after the recommended number of treatment sessions (generally 4). Consultations are always free, and Vitality’s specialists are confident you’ll see the appeal and appreciate its efficacy – so much so that during the month of July, patients can purchase any area of Exilis Elite 4-treatments at the substantial savings of 25 percent off. A younger, healthier-looking you is waiting.

ITALITY MEDICALChiropractic | Aesthetics | Regenerative | Education

Phil Clayton has seldom been accused of coloring inside the lines. And for the past 28 years, that’s been a very good thing for his Edmond optical company: TSO Optical, a destination for unique

and modern eyewear. When Clayton bought a distressed Texas State Optical franchise in April 1986, he made a rebellious break from the franchise’s discount culture, transformed his inventory to feature well-constructed, high-quality optical designs and never looked back.

In 1996, Clayton chose not to renew the Texas State Op-tical franchise and planned to rename the business. Inter-estingly, the parent company liked Clayton’s business model and, although the store is no longer a franchise, it asked him to keep TSO as the name. Today, the industry is continually changing – from the swiftly evolving fashion end of the business to keeping up with modern and innovative lens designs. Clayton believes these challenges in the optical industry are also the most re-warding. By bringing these innovations in products and ser-vices, Clayton’s clientele are staunchly devoted to him and his knowledgeable staff. TSO has a full-service lab that is unique: they not only cut lenses in-house, they also have the ability to make cus-tom digital lenses. That creates the opportunity for same-day service on most prescriptions – this includes making single vision and progressive no-line bifocals, which is a pro-cess that can normally take up to two weeks. TSO also offers a full range of ophthalmic services, from routine eye exams and contact lens fittings to surgeries.

TSO OpticalRetail Visionary

3840 S. Boulevard St., Edmond , 405.341.6941, tsooptical.com


As customers enter Rawhide, they’ll notice a broad selection of merchandise inspired by the warm, rich textures and colors and timeless look of the ranch lifestyle, but Rawhide Ranch Co. is by no

means a “cowboys only” business – in fact, proprietor Angie Bailey says that “Most of our customers are not ‘Western’ at all; they like this style and the way it mixes into every décor.” The spacious shop is filled with a vast collection of cloth-ing, furniture, lighting, home décor items, jewelry and other personal accessories. Beautiful handmade boots and hand-bags, engraved silver belt buckles, chairs covered in luxurious leather, lush draperies and upholstery – even distinctive piec-es like a massive chandelier of wrought iron and natural ant-

Rawhide Ranch Co.A Style for Everyone

1007 N. Broadway Ave., OKC, 405.236.4600, rawhideranchco.com

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lers. Bailey herself is a skilled interior designer and source of wisdom on integrating elements into different looks. Perhaps most impressive is how fully customizable Rawhide’s wares can be, from head to toe to home, and encompassing scales from glassware to a massive conference table top. Most of the merchandise is made in the U.S.A. by quality craftsmen who operate on a smaller, personal scale – that leads to products of lasting, enduring quality. Resilience is an important part of the Rawhide story as well. Bailey founded the business on Norman’s Main Street in late 2007, during an economic downturn, but it survived, and thrived, and grew. Looking for a more centralized location to better serve the entire metro, she decided on OKC’s Automo-bile Alley, and moved the store to its new (and larger) home in 2010. Rawhide continues to flourish, and with the district’s ongoing development and recent renovation to provide more and more convenient parking, the future looks rosy. For aficio-nados of stylish, classic, luxurious comfort, this is the place.


In June of 2004, Chef Bruce Rinehart opened Rococo Restau-rant and Fine Wine at the corner of 28th and Penn. Rinehart created a “little island of fine dining” with East Coast style fresh seafood, killer pastas and a huge variety of favorites

from the New England area. Over the last decade, Rinehart has cultivated a culinary brand known for quality. The original res-taurant is still going strong, along with the second Rococo loca-tion in Northpark Mall and an event catering division. So what exactly does East Coast style mean? According to Rinehart and longtime cooking partner Chef Jason Busta-mante, it’s “simple with a focus on fresh seafood.” Rococo is known for the freshness of their seafood, including overnight deliveries of specialties like steamer clams and non-farm raised salmon. But of course, Rococo is best known for having the best darn Crab Cake around, a lightly baked collection of Maryland Lump crab and secret ingredients. No frozen-then-fried hockey puck here. The Clam Chowder (say “Chowda” when ordering) is al-ways a crowd-pleaser, along with exotic dishes such as Hawai-ian Poke, escargot and Rococo Cookies, which are savory (not sweet) bites of various flavors. There’s a lot of chophouse fare at Rococo as well: steaks, pork and duck are always on the menu. Because the restau-rant is chef-driven, the menu changes seasonally and multi-ple daily features are the norm. Rococo also has vegan and gluten-free options. If you want to impress guests or simply have something deliciously different for dinner, think Rococo.

RococoFresh from the Coast

2824 N. Penn Ave., OKC, 405.528.282412252 N. May Ave., OKC, 405.212.4577

rococo-restaurant.com

East Coast StyleFresh Seafood, Killer Pasta & So Much More.

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The idea that inspired Phenix Salon Suites is a simple one: operating a salon shouldn’t be so difficult. Gina Rivera grew up in and around her family’s salons and became a licensed hairdresser, but grew frustrated

by how much of her time, effort and profit were being sucked away by business overhead. She and her husband Jason formed a new concept for salon professionals (named after their son) and within 7 years have over 70 locations from coast to coast, in partnership with salon professionals who love the freedom, focus and support Phenix provides. For salon professionals, it’s an opportunity to follow their passion without being distracted or frustrated by the behind-the-scenes details of business management. Phenix Salon Suites provides private, fully equipped suites, creating a luxuri-ous atmosphere for salon professionals and their guests. Phe-nix gives them the freedom and support to customize and grow their business, their way. What does that mean for guests? Services you want, performed by pro-fessionals who truly care about their craft. Phenix is an outstanding desti-nation for haircuts, style, professional makeup, skin and nail care and many more ways to look and feel fantastic. It’s the way to receive top-tier personal care from pros who love what they do and are able to pour themselves into doing what they love. Everybody wins!

Phenix Salon SuitesThe New Style in Salon Management

2218 24th Ave. N.W., Norman, 405.999.2783facebook.com/phenixofnormanok

The Rivera family


All across Oklahoma, hog farmers start each day with a goal of doing what’s right for people, pigs and the planet. That simple goal is manifested in a set of ethical principles that provide the frame-

work for everything that happens on Oklahoma hog farms. They believe they have ethical responsibilities to: Produce safe food – They are feeding their families and yours. They were the first major livestock species group to develop a quality assurance program to help ensure they are producing the safest food possible. Protect and promote animal well-being – Healthy ani-mals produce safe food. Caring for their animals every day is not just expected, it is the standard Oklahoma hog farmers live by. They work with veterinarians to ensure that every ani-mal in their charge receives the best possible care. Ensure practices to protect public health – Produc-ing safe food equates to protecting public health. Through their interactions with veterinarians and their environ-mental management efforts, they work every day to protect public health. Safeguard natural resources in all practices – Their families live on their farms. They must provide clean air and water for their families and their animals. Farmers use man-agement plans approved by state regulators to make sure they are safeguarding our natural resources.

Oklahoma Pork CouncilDoing What’s Right for People, Pigs and the Planet

901 N. Lincoln Blvd., Suite 380, OKC, 405.232.3781, okpork.org

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Provide a work environment that is safe and consistent with their other ethi-cal practices – Employees are a vital part of the work done on the farm. Farmers teach employees the importance of these ethical principles and set standards that not only protect their animals and the environment, but also their people.

Contribute to a better quality of life in their communi-ties – Hog farmers are school board members, church mem-bers, little league coaches. They are your neighbors. They are Oklahomans. They have a responsibility to give back to their local communities and their state. Following tornado disasters across Oklahoma, they provided meals for some of the thou-sands of volunteers who were helping clean up from the storms. They also support their local 4-H and FFA chapters. Oklahoma’s hog farmers believe you know who they are. They are people just like you. They care about their neighbors, their communities and their state. They share the same values as you. They just have a different job: producing safe food in a responsible manner. Doing what’s right for people, pigs and the planet.


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Built in partnership with Oklahoma technology leader NextThought, Janux is the University of Okla-homa’s free interactive learning community that features world-class faculty, content and access to

thousands of learners around the world. The more than 20 Janux courses include: • “Law and Justice” • “Chemistry of Beer” • “Native Peoples of Oklahoma” • “Introduction to Computer Programming” • “Social Statistics” • “Understanding and Detecting Deception” • and over a dozen others. Each integrates video lectures, online tests, interactive whiteboards and additional resources that allow students to share notes, form groups, live chat and otherwise productive-ly interact with fellow learners and professors. Since Janux was launched in fall 2013, over 1,000 OU stu-dents have taken these innovative, content-rich offerings to accrue university credit, while more than 19,000 learners from over 130 countries have taken them without earning credit. Eight new courses begin in August. Experience the power of Janux and sign up now.

OU’s JanuxA Free, Powerful Way to Learn

janux.ou.edu

It’s been the subject of adages and advice for thousands of years: one of the keys to life, and the most fundamental aspect of being able to enjoy it, is taking care of yourself physically. Even the ancient Roman poet Virgil wrote

that “the greatest wealth is health.” You can ease aches and pains and get back to getting joy out of life by improving your body’s flexibility, decompressing joints and correcting misalignments. Using the proven meth-odologies of Pilates and GYROTONIC® expansion system, Coredination Pilates can help. The studio works with clients in small groups and even one-on-one appointments to pro-vide hands-on assistance and personalized attention; keeping the focus on you and your well-being. The studio’s proprie-tor and resident expert Sharin Wolfe thinks of her work as a pleasure and a responsibility: “That means respecting you, your body and the time it takes to invest in your health. At Coredination Pilates we want to improve your body’s fitness so you may live an active, fulfilling, robust life.” Strolling down the boulevards of Paris, keeping up with the kids or grandkids, making sure your body is ready for all the years ahead … it’s all in your power. Wouldn’t you like to feel better?

Coredination PilatesMoving Toward Better Health

128 E. Main St., Suite 201, Norman, 405.701.8140coredinationpilates.com

Sharin Wolfe

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FAST AND FUNFire up the grill to whip up these top dogs 68

EAT & DRINKVariety is on the menu in Slice’s citywide dining guide 72

BARRELING TOWARD DELICIOUSNESSCozy Western Avenue pub The Barrel holds an ample supply of prime flavors from Ireland and beyond. See page 70.


FARE | In the Kitchen

By Caryn Ross // Photo by Carli WentworthFAST AND FUN

Here are three of my favorite “Top Dog” variations:

ULTIMATE SUMMER BRATHickory Smoked Thunder Dog, gar-den fresh sliced tomato, sauerkraut and a generous spoonful of home-made pickled red onions on a King Hawaiian hot dog bun.

THUNDER DOWN UNDERJalapeño Cheddar Smoked Sausage slathered with a generous spoonful of Schwab’s Chili (this stuff is crazy good) and a sprinkling of cheddar cheese on a traditional hot dog bun.

FOCACCIA DOGOld School Frank topped with mari-nara sauce, shredded provolone and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle with fresh basil and serve on a focaccia bun.

REFRIGERATOR PICKLED RED ONIONS 2 qt sized canning jars1 c red wine vinegar1 c distilled vinegar1/2 c sugar1 t yellow mustard seed1 t pickling spice1/2 t kosher salt1 red onion, sliced thin2 cinnamon sticks Prepare jars, seals and rings by wash-ing them in the dishwasher in high heat. Remove from the dishwasher and allow them to cool. In a medium-sized stock pot, simmer together the red wine vinegar, distilled vinegar, sugar, yellow mustard seed, pickling spice and kosher salt. Simmer until the sugar is completely dissolved. Place sliced onions in the jars and then add a cinnamon stick. Pour the pickling liquid over the onions, leav-ing a half an inch of room at the top of the jar. Put the seals and rings on the jar and store the pickles in the refrig-erator. Allow your pickles to marinate for three days before using.

EVERY 4TH OF JULY, I AM FACED WITH THE DILEMMA of either breaking out the grill for a full-day, monster grill-fest or just serving hot dogs. This year I’m not giving it a second thought. I will be loading up on the best dogs ever: Schwab’s Jalapeño Cheddar Smoked Sausage Dogs, Old School Franks and the all-beef, hickory-smoked “Thunder Dog” (also supplied for the Thunder games!). So this summer, I am going to get creative. No more boring yellow mustard and ketchup dogs at this house. I am going to clean out my pantry and break out all those exotic sauces to create complex gastro-fabulous dogs! If you love anything pickled but are nervous about canning, give this recipe a try. My Pickled Red Onions take less than 30 minutes to prepare. These “pickles” are terrific on your favorite dogs, burgers, fish tacos and even on a fresh pot of pinto beans. I have a jar ready in the fridge all summer long! I encourage you to branch out, too. You will be amazed at what you can do with a little creativity.


I N S P I R E D F O O D A N D D R I N K121 NE 2ND ST // 405.208.4477 // URBANJOHNNIE.COM

INSPIRED FOOD AND DRINK

MON-WED 11-11PM // THURS-FRI 11-MIDNIGHT // SATURDAY 10-MIDNIGHT // SUNDAY 10 -9PM

BUFFALO DUM DUMS

KALE SALAD WITH SHRIMP

THE STEVE MCQUEEN WITH ONION RINGS PHILLY CHEESE STEAK

FANCY PANTS

NOT YOUR MOMMA’S APPLE JUICE

URBAN THUNDER

WAKE UP THE WOLF

www.urbanjohnnie.com

FARE | Matters of Taste

By Steve Gill // Photos by Carli Wentworth

THE BARREL4308 N. Western Ave., OKC

405.525.6682

3 p.m.-2 a.m. Mon-Fri10 a.m.-2 a.m. Sat-Sun

GREAT TASTE ON TAPTRAVELERS ALONG OKC’S WESTERN AVENUE might have noticed the signage for the newest venture of the Deep Fork Group. They might have stopped for a drink in its dimly lit interior of exposed brick and dark wood paneling … and hopefully they lingered for dinner. They probably had a hard time describing it succinctly, though, as it doesn’t limit itself to a single genre of food – you could think of it as mostly Irish, though I prefer “Irish-ish.” For-tunately, while The Barrel is a bit challenging to categorize, it’s much easier to recommend. For starters, consider this intriguing combination of words you don’t see together very often: Grilled Caesar Salad. They marinate a huge head of Romaine, cut it in half lengthwise and run it quickly through an extremely hot grill; it doesn’t actually cook the lettuce, it just gives it a bit of extra body so you can carve it more easily with the provided knife. The house-made Caesar dressing with croutons pre-crumbled in is deliciously piquant with a lot of anchovy pop – and by the way, you’ll be seeing the phrase “house-made” on the menu a lot. That’s a pretty good sign.

ERIN GO BRAGH The menu boasts a number of choices fit for an Ulsterman, including some notewor-thy authentic touches – in the Bangers and Mash, for example, the latter component is actually colcannon, an Irish dish of mashed potatoes mixed with kale and a sprinkling of green onion for a rich, smooth, delicious side. The Shepherd’s Pie is a little runnier than other versions I’ve had, more like a plate of beef stew with mashed potatoes dolloped on top than a baked casserole, but it’s inarguably delicious. I intended to take a couple of bites and bring the rest home, but wound up cleaning my plate. Plus, take it from a reviewer who’s Irish-ish too: there’s no substitute for a pint of Guinness fresh from the tap. BEYOND THE EMERALD ISLE Here’s where The Barrel’s lack of an explicit theme comes in gastronomically handy: it’s a big, delicious world out there, and man shouldn’t have to dine on corned beef and cabbage (which, by the way, is also on the menu) alone. Take advantage of their willingness to branch out by try-ing the exquisitely tender Chile-Caramel Filet, lacquered in a sweet and spicy sauce that informs the beef’s f lavor without over-whelming it; or, if I may make a special rec-ommendation, the utterly great Not So Po’ Boy. It’s a filet of blackened red snapper in a wheat bun, topped with “Cajun candied” bacon (thick, crisp, succulent) and a tangy orange splash of shrimp remoulade – a beautiful piece of foodcraft for customers in the mood for something with a kick. The dessert board has a distinctly English f lavor; based on name alone the Eton Mess is a clear winner (unless you’re a Harrow fan, in which case what are you doing in Oklahoma?) and tasty too. It’s a large martini glass filled with layers of whipped cream, macerated strawberries, a few dabs of custard and crumbled pieces of meringue cookies, not too sweet and eas-ily enough for two after full meals. Though if you have time to give the kitchen about 30 minutes’ notice, I don’t know how you could pass up the prospect of a made-to-order milk chocolate souff lé.


QUICK TIPSKeep it simple. If your libation of choice ends in –tini or –rita, be aware that there’s no section of the drinks menu for cocktails. On the other hand, the page for spir-its contains more than two dozen bourbons and more scotches than that, and that’s not even count-ing the ryes or Irish whiskies. This would be an excellent time to try something that doesn’t require five ingredients and a blender – plus, anyplace that serves Blanton’s bourbon gets a point from me.

Don’t forget brunch. During the week the Barrel is a dinner-only (or a really late lunch) proposition, but on weekends there’s a full brunch menu to explore.



KEY $ most entrees under $10 $$ most entrees $10 to $25 $$$ most entrees over $25 outdoor dining reservations accepted new or updated entry

Have an addition that you’d like us to consider? Send establishment name, address, phone number and a brief description (40 words or less) to [email protected]. Submissions must be received two months prior to publication.

Eat & Drink

AMERICANANN’S CHICKEN FRY HOUSE A Route 66 classic with copious decorative memorabilia, and huge portions of excellent chicken-fried steak. 4106 NW 39th, OKC, 943.8915 $

BOULEVARD CAFETERIA Chicken and dumplings, liver and onions - one of the last of the area’s independent cafeterias is still pounding out the hits. 525 NW 11th, OKC, 239.6861 $

CAFÉ 7 Fast and casual, with varied salad, sandwich, pizza and pasta options, all priced under $7. 14101 N May, OKC, 748.3354; 120 N Robinson, Suite W 175, OKC, 748.3354 $

CAFÉ 501 Pizzas, salads and specialty sandwiches on artisan breads. 501 S Boulevard, Edmond, 359.1501; 5825 NW Grand, OKC, 844.1501 $$

CLASSEN GRILL Deftly done diner deliciousness, especially breakfast. 5124 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.0428 $

DEEP FORK GRILL Crisply elegant atmosphere complements superb seafood (cedar plank salmon is a specialty) and steaks. 5418 N Western, OKC, 848.7678 $$

DINER, THE The classics never go out of style – just ask the locals who flock here for masterful preparation of ordinary breakfast and lunch fare. 213 E Main, Norman, 329.6642 $

DISTRICT 21 This sleek, inexpensive bastion of creativity is run by Francis Tuttle’s culinary school. 12777 N Rockwell, OKC, 717.7700 $

FLINT Casual style plus outstanding contemporary cuisine makes a winning combination in the Colcord Hotel. 15 N Robinson, OKC, 601.4300 $$

HEFNER GRILL Upscale fare and a tempting brunch to boot, with the enhancements of a live piano and a spectacular lake view. 9201 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 748.6113 $$

INTERURBAN Great food (and prices) in casual comfort – try the chicken-fried steak and anything with honey-pepper bacon. 4 metro locations, interurban.us $$

KAISER’S AMERICAN BISTRO Founded in 1918, Kaiser’s boasts a great view, a top-notch buffalo burger and an ice cream soda fountain. 1039 N Walker, OKC, 232.7632 $

LEGEND’S A casually upscale landmark for over 40 years, it still serves exceptional seafood, steaks and more. 1313 W Lindsey, Norman, 329.8888 $$

MUTT’S AMAZING HOT DOGS Inspired creations featuring varied prime meats and unexpected and tasty flavor profiles. 1400 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.3647 $

NEBU This airy provider of chef-prepared sandwiches, sushi, pizza and more is in the garden wing of the Devon tower. 280 W Sheridan, OKC $

PACKARD’S NEW AMERICAN KITCHEN They’re not kidding about the “new” – the menu is filled with innovative ideas. 201 NW 10th, Suite 100, OKC, 605.3771 $$

PARK HOUSE The staunch wine list and great view of the Myriad Gardens add to a menu filled with contemporary American tastes. 125 Ron Norick Blvd, OKC, 445.7080 $$

PICASSO CAFÉ As creative as its neighbors in the Paseo Arts District; zippy sandwiches, salads, pizza and surprises abound. 3009 Paseo, OKC, 602.2002 $

POPS A bit out of the way but worth the drive, this café has burgers, salads, shakes and an unbelievably broad soda selection. 660 W Highway 66, Arcadia, 233.2020 $

REDROCK CANYON GRILL Rotisserie chicken, enchiladas and steak in a casual hacienda-style atmosphere by the lake. 9221 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 749.1995 $$

ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRILL Amply portioned and green chili-amplified burgers, breakfasts and more fill this inviting diner. 231 S Coltrane, Edmond, 562.4777 $

SATURN GRILL A lunch star: inspired pizza, sandwiches and salads. 4401 W Memorial, OKC 463.5594; 6432 Avondale, OKC, 843.7114 $

SCRATCH Isn’t that the best place for food to come from? Entrees, sides and wondrous craft cocktails are carefully

concocted in-house. 132 W Main, Norman, 801.2900 $$

SYRUP The most enticing meal of the day is at this unique breakfast boutique (the crunchy French toast is something special). 123 E Main, Norman, 701.1143 $

VAST Steaks, seafood and globally inspired American cuisine, with a view truly unparalleled in Oklahoma. 280 W Sheridan, 49th floor, OKC, 702.7262 $$

WAFFLE CHAMPION A Midtown diner bringing joy to those addicted to its gourmet sweet or savory waffle options. 1212 N Walker, OKC, 525.9235 $

WHISKEY CAKE High-quality locally sourced food served in a homey atmosphere. Enjoy – and don’t forget the namesake dessert. 1845 NW Expressway, OKC, 582.2253 $$

ASIAN180 MERIDIAN GRILL Blending Asian cuisine with U.S. culture: sirloin with teriyaki butter, hoisin BBQ duck pizza and sushi options. 2541 W Main, Norman, 310.6110 $$

DOT WO GARDEN Dot Wo continues its legacy by pairing sumptuous classics of Chinese cuisine with fiery, fresh sushi. 6161 N May, OKC, 608.2388 $$

GRAND HOUSE A Chinese restaurant that goes the extra mile to provide enjoyable ambiance alongside its excellent cuisine. 2701 N Classen, OKC, 524.7333 $$

GUERNSEY PARK A hidden treasure on an Uptown back street, it’s home to tasty Asian fusion with a hint of French influence. 2418 N Guernsey, OKC, 605.5272 $$

O ASIAN FUSION Sublime quality in a wide span of culinary influences – freshly rolled sushi to fiery curry – in cool, vibrant digs. 105 SE 12th, Norman, 701.8899 $$

SAII Rich ambiance boosts expertly done Japanese, Thai and Chinese fare plus stellar sushi. 6900 N May, OKC, 702.7244 $$

VII ASIAN BISTRO A bright, sleek interior and savory spate of Chinese and

Vietnamese options. 2900 N Classen, OKC, 604.2939 $

BAKERYBIG SKY BREAD Enjoy cookies, scones, brownies or granola, plus an incredible bevy of fresh-baked bread. 6606 N Western, OKC, 879.0330 $

BROWN’S BAKERY An incredible selection of delicious traditional and specialty cakes, cookies, breads and other baked goods. 1100 N Walker, OKC, 232.0363 $

CUPPIES & JOE The name is only part of the story: it’s cupcakes and coffee and pie and live music and a cozy, trendy vibe and more. 727 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.2122 $

KITCHEN NO. 324 Seasonally inspired café, coffee curator and craft bakery serving spectacular rustic American cuisine. 324 N Robinson, OKC, 763.5911 $

LA BAGUETTE Comfort and exquisite baking make a tres chic destination for brunch and beyond. 1130 Rambling Oaks, Norman, 329.1101; 2100 W Main, Norman, 329.5822 $

NONNA’S BAKERY Scrumptious cream pies, cakes and much more founded on family recipes – walk in and pick or call ahead to order. 1 Mickey Mantle, OKC, 235.4410 $

PIE JUNKIE Call ahead to order a whole pie or quiche or walk in and choose from what’s on hand; either way the flavors are incredible. 1711 NW 16th, OKC, 605.8767 $

SARA SARA CUPCAKES The ambiance and milk bar make great additions to the variety of specialty cupcakes in this charming little converted house. 7 NW 9th, OKC, 600.9494 $

BAR // PUB FOOD51ST STREET SPEAKEASY The joint’s porch and patio are perpetually packed, and the top-shelf spirits and beers flow with joyous abandon. 1114 NW 51st, OKC, 463.0470 $

ABNER’S ALE HOUSE Beers and whiskies of the best, plus knockout dishes aimed at re-creating the true English public house vibe. 121 E Main, Norman, 928.5801 $$

THE BARREL Drink deep of top-shelf wines, beers and whiskies, braced by thoroughly appetizing pub fusion cuisine. 4308 N Western, OKC, 525.6682 $

BELLE ISLE BREWERY Live music, handcrafted beers and a great burger selection in 50 Penn Place. 1900 NW Expressway, OKC, 840.1911 $

BLU FINE WINE & FOOD A sleek bar that stands out due to quick, courteous service and a menu with gourmet range. 201 S Crawford, Norman, 360.4258 $$ CLUB ONE15 A nightclub vibe with energetic music and three bars, plus a robust menu including fajitas, pasta bowls and seafood. 115 E Sheridan, OKC, 605.5783 $$

DEEP DEUCE GRILL A funky, comfortable alternative to Bricktown crowds, featuring burgers, beer and a people-watching patio. 307 NE 2nd, OKC, 235.9100 $

JAMES E. MCNELLIE’S Designed to bring Ireland’s pub culture to OKC, this Midtown hotspot features 350 varieties of beer. 1100 Classen Dr, OKC, 601.7468 $$

MONT, THE Tempting pub food with Southwestern zing at a Norman landmark with a primo patio. 1300 Classen Blvd, Norman, 329.3330 $

O’CONNELL’S IRISH PUB & GRILLE Beloved by students, alumni and townies, it’s served killer burgers, beer and festive atmosphere since 1968. 769 Asp, Norman, 217.8454 $

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L I K E U S O N F O L L O W U S O N

FARE | Eat & Drink

PELOTON Brake for a handful of apps, sandwiches and salads plus a great wine and beer selection. 900 N Broadway Ave, OKC 605.0513 $

PUB W Multiple atmospheres for whatever vibe you like, and a menu of choice beer and “new classic” fare from barbeque wings to thick pork chops. 3720 W Robinson, Norman, 701.5844 $$

REPUBLIC GASTROPUB Part beer bar and part upscale eatery, pairing a vast selection of quality brews with imaginative menu items. 5830 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 286.4577 $$

SAINTS An inviting Irish bar where whiskey and beer offerings pair nicely with classics like shepherd’s pie, bangers and fish and chips. 1715 NW 16th, OKC, 602.6308 $$

SEAN CUMMINGS’ Classic Irish fare delivered with engaging and gracious service. Plus, naturally, there’s Guinness on tap. 7523 N May, OKC, 755.2622 $$

URBAN WINEWORKS Made-in-Oklahoma wine paired with haute culinary creations featuring rabbit, duck, pork belly and more. 1749 NW 16th, OKC, 525.9463 $$

VZD’S The unusually broad, tasty bar menu draws a substantial lunch crowd; try the turkey burger, the chili or both. 4200 N Western, OKC, 524.4203 $

WES WELKER’S The food shows great variety and imagination, like duck nachos, and the bevy of TVs and 83 available beers ain’t bad either. 3121 W Memorial, OKC, 608.2200 $$

BARBEQUEEARL’S RIB PALACE Beloved by locals in a competitive genre, the chain pounds out hit ribs and turkey as well as a top-tier burger. 6 metro locations, earlsribpalace.com $

IRON STARR URBAN BARBEQUE Named for notorious outlaw Belle Starr, its entrees are excellent, but the sides are equal players as well. 3700 N Shartel, OKC, 524.5925 $$

LEO’S BAR-B-Q Rich flavor and tender texture for commendable value – no wonder it’s a periennial favorite among Oklahoma connoisseurs. 3631 N Kelley, OKC 424.5367 $

RUDY’S Totally casual – plastic trays and utensils – with serious barbeque chops. 3450 Chautauqua, Norman, 307.0552; 3437 W Memorial, OKC, 254.4712 $$

BURGERS // SANDWICHESBISON WITCHES Monster sandwiches with standout flavors, best enjoyed with a bread bowl of fresh hot soup and a bag of pretzels. 211 E Main, Norman, 364.7555 $

CAFÉ PLAID Fresh sandwiches begging to be combined with sensational salads (veggie, tuna, pasta…) – an ideal lunch spot near OU. 333 W Boyd, Norman, 360.2233 $

CHARCOAL OVEN Serving premium charbroiled burgers since 1958 for the flavor of a backyard cookout via drive-in. 2701 NW Expressway, OKC $

COW CALF-HAY The selections are ample and the delicious never-frozen patties are mmmmmassive. 3409 Wynn, Edmond, 509.2333, 212 N Harvey, OKC, 601.6180 $

FLATIRE BURGERS Boasting innovations like sauerkraut, pineapple relish and habanero salsa.100 N University, Edmond, 974.4638; 6315 NW 39th Expwy, Bethany, 603.2822 $

GARAGE BURGERS & BEER, THE The focus is on the many tempting flavor possibilities of huge, juicy burgers and fries. 5 metro locations, eatatthegarage.com $

ICE HOUSE Big, beefy burgers (made by Nic of Nic’s Grill), salads and shakes, with the gorgeous Myriad Gardens as a backdrop. 125 Ron Norick, OKC, 232.6427 $

IRMA’S BURGER SHACK Simply great fries, rings and burgers; try the No Name Ranch beef. 1035 NW 63rd, OKC, 840.4762; 1120 Classen Dr, OKC, 235.4762 $

JOHNNIE’S CHARCOAL BROILER Fresh-ground burgers cooked over real charcoal; try the Cheese Theta or Caesar varieties. 4 metro locations, johnniesok.com $

LOUIE’S GRILL & BAR Casually cool and come-as-you-are bar-type hangouts excelling at burgers, sandwiches and pizzas. 12 metro locations, louiesgrillandbar.com $

LOUIE’S ON THE LAKE An unbeatable view of Lake Hefner from the spacious patio adds ambiance to a tasty spate of entrees under $10. 9401 Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 751.2298 $

MULE, THE Solid beer and beverage selection plus delectable gourmet grilled cheeses and melts (ingredients range from fontina to figs). 1630 N Blackwelder, OKC, 601.1400 $

NIC’S GRILL It’s small, it’s crowded … and it’s incredible. Mounds of fresh fries and colossal burgers, easily among the metro’s best. 1202 N Penn, OKC, 524.0999 $

S&B’S BURGER JOINT Good news: these super-tasty burgers come as sliders too, the better to sample more selections. 5 metro locations, sandbburgers.com $

SERVICE STATION A former filling station with vintage décor, now serving

up delicious half-pound burgers and fries. 502 S Webster, Norman, 364.2136 $

SOONER DAIRY LUNCH This modest little drive-in has been feeding its staunch fans delicious burgers, tots and shakes for over six decades. 1820 W Main, Norman, 321.8526 $

TEXADELPHIA The menu draws raves for burgers and wraps, but especially the monstrous made-to-order cheesesteaks. 200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 208.4000 $

TUCKER’S ONION BURGERS A small menu whose bravura execution makes the meal hard to forget. 324 NW 23rd, OKC, 609.2333; 5740 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 286.3331 $

URBAN JOHNNIE’S Gourmet burgers and more in a sleek bar atmosphere from the minds behind Johnnie’s Charcoal Broiler. 121 NE 2nd, OKC, 208.4477 $

COFFEEHOUSE //TEA ROOMALL ABOUT CHA Universal standards and unusual concoctions (the sweet potato latte is a wonder) in bright, bustling atmosphere. 3272 S Broadway, Edmond, 340.9959; 7300 N Western, OKC, 840.7725 $

BEATNIX CAFÉ, THE Get a sandwich, cup of hearty soup or powerhouse latte in the lovely laid-back vibe that pervades this dawdling spot. 136 NW 13th, OKC, 604.0211 $

THE BLUE BEAN Smoothies, pastries and sweet treats, plus excellent small-batch roasted coffee – try the specialty flavor combos. 13316 S Western, OKC, 735.5115 $

CAFÉ EVOKE Outstanding coffee and other beverages from one of the area’s

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great caterers; plus soup, sandwiches, snacks or sweets. 103 S Broadway, Edmond, 285.1522 $

COFFEE SLINGERS Rocking a brisk, urban vibe on Automobile Alley, it’s a gathering place for genuine java enthusiasts. 1015 N Broadway, OKC, 606.2763 $

DISTRICT HOUSE Pop into the Plaza District for beans from Tulsa’s Topeca Coffee, deli sandwiches and the occasional live music event. 1755 NW 16th, OKC $

ELEMENTAL COFFEE Seriously spectacular coffee roasted in-house - passionate staff is always eager to share knowledge about the process. 815 N Hudson, OKC, 633.1703 $

MICHELANGELO’S Enjoy exceptional coffees and wines, a well-stocked pastry case and even breakfast and lunch selections. 207 E Main, Norman, 579.3387 $

PARAMOUNT, THE A Film Row joint with a screening room attached, its all-day beverage menu delivers the stuff dreams are made of. 701 W Sheridan, OKC, 517.0787 $

RED CUP Comfortably ramshackle with great coffee, vegetarian-friendly specials and live music. Highly recommended! 3122 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 525.3430 $

T, AN URBAN TEAHOUSE This endearing retreat offers over 100 varieties and expert counsel to explore a world of possibili-teas. 7518 N May, OKC, 418.4333 $

CONTINENTALBIN 73 Diners can fill up on filet mignon or simply top the evening off with tapas while enjoying the full bar and chic ambiance. 7312 N Western, OKC, 843.0073 $$

BLACKBIRD A gastropub with succulent creativity (pot roast nachos!) and a broad beer, wine and whiskey list. 575 S University, Norman, 928.5555 $$

CHEEVER’S Southwestern-influenced recipes and contemporary comfort food; truly one of the city’s finest restaurants. 2409 N Hudson, OKC, 525.7007 $$

COACH HOUSE, THE Definitely among the metro’s most elegant dining: specialties prepared with classical perfection. 6437 Avondale, OKC, 842.1000 $$$

GRILLE SIXTEEN Downtown Edmond’s hot spot serves gourmet tapas and entrees to complement the perfect glass of wine. 16 S Broadway, Edmond, 285.5333 $$

KYLE’S 1025 For an evening of understated sophistication, Kyle’s magnificent steaks, prime seafood, tapas or even meatloaf are a must. 1025 NW 70th, OKC, 840.0115 $$

LOTTINVILLES Rotisserie chicken, wood-grilled salmon and a host of entrees, salads and panini; the Sunday brunch is epic. 801 Signal Ridge, Edmond, 341.2244 $$

MANTEL, THE Marvelous steaks and seafood (don’t miss the lobster bisque), in a refined, intimate atmosphere. 201 E Sheridan, OKC, 236.8040 $$$

MELTING POT, THE Make a meal an event to remember with an elegant fondue feast. 4 E Sheridan, OKC, 235.1000 $$$

METRO WINE BAR & BISTRO, THE A comfortably upscale favorite covering cuisines from vichyssoise to crème brulée. 6418 N Western, OKC, 840.9463 $$

MICHAEL’S GRILL Urbane, intimate dining: steaks, chops, seafood and pastas, and Caesar salad prepared tableside. 2824 W Country Club, OKC, 810.9000 $$$

MUSEUM CAFÉ, THE Inside the OKC Museum of Art, its European-inspired

menu delights for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. 415 Couch, OKC, 235.6262 $$

NONNA’S EURO-AMERICAN RISTORANTE A cozily appointed, opulent atmosphere housing distinctive cuisine and drinks. 1 Mickey Mantle, OKC, 235.4410 $$$

PARK AVENUE GRILL A soigne dining experience in the Skirvin Hilton, blending traditional steak and seafood with 1930s high style. 1 Park, OKC, 702.8444 $$$

PASEO GRILL Intimate inside and cheerful on the patio, with an award-winning menu of distinctive flavors – try the duck salad. 2909 Paseo, OKC, 601.1079 $$$

ROCOCO RESTAURANT & FINE WINE A diverse international menu set off by select wines. 12252 N May, OKC, 212.4577; 2824 N Penn, OKC, 528.2824 $$

SEVEN47 Enjoy sleek, swank décor and an appealingly broad menu including a tantalizing brunch. 747 Asp, Norman, 701.8622 $$

SIGNATURE GRILL Unassuming locale; huge culinary rewards of French and Italian flavors in a few select dishes. 1317 E Danforth, Edmond, 330.4548 $$$

WEST The staff is speedy, the décor sleek and modern, and the entrées wide-ranging but elegantly simple. 6714 N Western, OKC, 607.4072 $$

FRENCHLA BAGUETTE BISTRO Fine dining (linger over multiple courses often) with an exceptional bakery, deli and butcher shop on site. 7408 N May, OKC, 840.3047 $$

WHISPERING PINES B&B A secluded getaway housing sumptuous, savory cuisine in quiet comfort. 7820 E Highway 9, Norman, 447.0202 $$$

GERMANDAS BOOT CAMP Exceptional cuisine (and magnificent beer) in a fast-paced location downtown. 229 E Main, Norman, 701.3748 $

INGRID’S Authentic German fare, including outstanding Oklahoma-made bratwurst. Don’t overlook breakfast, or the bakery counter! 3701 N Youngs, OKC, 946.8444 $$

OLD GERMANY Justly renowned for its Bavarian delights – the schnitzels, soups and sausages are spectacular. 15920 SE 29th, Choctaw, 390.8647 $$$

ROYAL BAVARIA Excellent renditions of traditional dishes, plus fantastisch house-brewed beers. 3401 S Sooner, Moore, 799.7666 $$$

HEALTHY // ECLECTICCOOLGREENS Customization encouraged; every available component in salads, wraps and frozen yogurt is naturally delicious. 3 metro locations, coolgreens.com $$

EARTH, THE Super, super fresh sandwiches, salads and soups in one of the most vegetarian- and vegan-friendly menus you’ll ever see. 750 Asp, Norman, 573.5933 $

LOCAL Using fine, fresh regionally sourced ingredients, its menu changes seasonally but its warm atmosphere is constant. 2262 W Main, Norman, 928.5600 $$

LUDIVINE The menu adjusts constantly to reflect availability of elite-quality, locally

www.lottinvillesrestaurant.com


sourced ingredients. 805 N Hudson, OKC, 778.6800 $$$

ICE CREAM // YOGURTIL DOLCE GELATO Rich, creamy and decadently delicious, handmade daily from scratch. 937 SW 25th St, Moore, 794.7266; 1318 N Interstate Dr, Norman, 329.7744 $

ORANGE LEAF Dozens and dozens of tasty, waistline-friendly flavors and toppings, charged by the ounce. 9 metro locations, orangeleafyogurt.com $

PEACHWAVE A full 50 flavors – every one low-fat or non-fat – of the finest, freshest ingredients in customized combinations. 3 metro locations, peachwaveyogurt.com $

INDIANGOPURAM – TASTE OF INDIA A full-service restaurant with the feel of fine dining, even during the inexpensive and plentiful lunch buffet. 4559 NW 23rd, OKC, 948.7373 $$

KHAZANA INDIAN GRILL The food is superior and very fresh; the staff is delightful, and new diners can even get a guide. 4900 N May, OKC, 948.6606 $$

MISAL OF INDIA A Norman institution for over 30 years, specializing in tandoori-cooked delicacies in splendid ambiance. 580 Ed Noble Pkwy, Norman, 579.5600 $$

TAJ A tremendous set of Indian staples and delicacies, plus full lunch and dinner buffets. 1500 NW 23rd, OKC, 601.1888 $$

ITALIAN // PIZZABELLINI’S Tasteful in décor and Italian offerings alike, this romantic nightspot quietly, confidently exudes elegance. 6305 Waterford Blvd, OKC, 848.1065 $$

BENVENUTI’S Subtly flavored minestrone to rich, hearty ragouts, the fare keeps the booths full; don’t overlook Sunday brunch. 105 W Main, Norman, 310.5271 $$

CAFFE PRANZO The atmosphere raises first-time diners’ hopes; the execution exceeds them as classic dishes are elevated to greatness. 9622 N May, OKC, 755.3577 $$

EMPIRE SLICE HOUSE Reigning over the Plaza District in New York style, it offers whole pizzas or slices, a full bar and a primo patio. 1734 NW 16th, OKC $

GABRIELLA’S A fresh chapter in the family’s delectable legacy; one bite of the homemade Italian sausage should win diners’ hearts with ease. 1226 NE 63rd, OKC, 478.4955 $$

HIDEAWAY PIZZA Incredible pizza in jovial surroundings; it’s amassed a devoted following for over half a century. 7 metro locations, hideawaypizza.com $$

HUMBLE PIE PIZZERIA No humility needed for this true Chicago-style pizza, boasting perhaps the best crust known to man. 1319 S Broadway, Edmond, 715.1818 $

JOEY’S A creative pizzeria on OKC’s Film Row, Joey’s serves first-rate appetizers and salads along with its mouth-watering pies. 700 W Sheridan, OKC, 525.8503 $$

OTHELLO’S Warm mussels to tiramisu – all you could want in a romantic Italian café. 434 Buchanan, Norman, 701.4900; 1 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.9045 $$

PIZZA 23 A tempting suite of specialty pies and good beer selection in crisp, urban décor. 600-B NW 23rd St, OKC, 601.6161 $$

SOPHABELLA’S A quiet, classy gem offering premier tastes from Chicago

and beyond in style. 7628 N May, OKC, 879.0100 $$$

STELLA MODERN ITALIAN CUISINE A luscious spate of tastes for a casual lunch, romantic dinner or brunch, amid stylish scenery. 1201 N Walker, OKC, 235.2200 $$

TOMMY’S An old favorite returns to the metro to provide primo pasta, pizzas and plenty of ambiance. 5516 W Memorial, OKC, 470.5577 $$

UPPER CRUST This pizzeria and wine bar specializes in thin-crust, New York-style pies. 5860 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 842.7743; 1205 NW 178th, Edmond, 285.8887 $$

VICTORIA’S A shabby-comfortable atmosphere with local art on its walls and the art of pasta on its plates – try the chicken lasagna. 327 White, Norman, 329.0377 $

FARE | Eat & Drink

S Service Rd, Moore, 794.3474; 432 NW 10th, OKC, 602.6333 $$

IN THE RAW DUNWELL SUSHI A chic space on the Bricktown Canal offering excellent sushi, specialty rolls and sake. 200 S Oklahoma, OKC, 702.1325 $$

MUSASHI’S Exquisitely flavorful Japanese cuisine prepared with genuine artistry by skilled chefs at tableside hibachi grills. 4315 N Western, OKC, 602.5623 $$

SUSHI BAR, THE Sushi staples done with élan, plus more adventurous options, in a bustling, comfortable environment. 1201 NW 178th, OKC, 285.7317 $$

SUSHI NEKO An established OKC favorite combining style (sleek, brisk, classy) with substance (in a broad and creative menu). 4318 N Western, OKC, 528.8862 $$

TOKYO JAPANESE RESTAURANT It’s small with a traditional menu; but it’s palpably

a bounty for vegetarians. 6165 N May, OKC, 286.1533 $

HAIGET’S Vegan-friendly – and friendly in general – this gem rewards the adventurous with Ethiopian and Kenyan specialties. 308 W Edmond Rd, Edmond, 509.6441 $$

MEDITERRANEAN IMPORTS & DELI Selected groceries and a menu stocked with options; the food is authentic, quick and spectacular. 5620 N May, OKC, 810.9494 $

NUNU’S Tangy, tantalizing, fresh and healthy flavors, reproduced from generations-old recipes. 3131 W Memorial, OKC, 751.7000 $

QUEEN OF SHEBA A spicy, vegan-friendly menu of Ethiopian delights awaits the bold. Bring friends and be prepared to linger. 2308 N MacArthur, OKC, 606.8616 $$

ZORBA’S Family recipes proudly share flavors of Cyprus, Spain, Greece and Morocco. 6014 N May, OKC, 947.7788 $

MEXICAN //LATIN AMERICAN1492 Authentic Mexican cuisine in an elegant, romantic setting with perhaps the world’s best mojitos. 1207 N Walker, OKC, 236.1492 $$

ABUELO’S The variety, plates, flavors and experience are all huge. No passport required. 17 E Sheridan, OKC, 235.1422; 3001 W Memorial, OKC, 755.2680 $$

ALFREDO’S Kick back with an agave limeade and peruse the ample menu’s avocado enchiladas, fried tacos and more. 4 metro locations, alfredosok.com $$

BIG TRUCK TACOS It’s often standing-room-only at lunch, but don’t let that deter you from fresh, imaginative taco creations. 530 NW 23rd, OKC, 525.8226 $

CAFÉ DO BRASIL It’s a long way to Rio, but the spicy, savory menu covers the distance in a mouthful. 440 NW 11th, OKC, 525.9779 $$

CAFÉ KACAO A sunlit space filled with bright, vibrant Guatemalan flavors. The breakfast specialties truly dazzle. 3325 N Classen, OKC, 602.2883 $

CANTINA LAREDO A sophisticated take on Mexican fare, specializing in fresh fish and Angus beef. 1901 NW Expressway (in Penn Square Mall), OKC, 840.1051 $$

CHILTEPES Chuchitos to atol de elote, this Plaza District restaurant serves as a guided tour to the wondrous flavors of Guatemala. 1800 NW 16th, OKC, 601.0384 $$

CHUY’S The portions are substantial, the Hatch chile-fueled flavors are strong and the vibe is playfully enthusiastic. 760 N Interstate Dr, Norman, 360.0881 $$

FUZZY’S TACO SHOP Jumbo burritos, big salads and especially shrimp tacos – quickly and in plenitude. 752 Asp, Norman, 701.1000; 208 Johnny Bench, OKC, 602.3899 $

IGUANA MEXICAN GRILL Unique Mexican flavor in a fun atmosphere at reasonable prices. 9 NW 9th, OKC, 606.7172; 6482 Avondale, OKC, 607.8193 $$

INCA TRAIL Flavors from around the world, piquant ceviches to homemade flan. 10948 N May, OKC, 286.0407 $$

JUAN DEL FUEGO This self-styled Mexi-Diner dishes up breakfast and lunch from both sides of the border. 223 34th Ave SW, Norman, 310.20302 $

LA BRASA Flavors of Peru make for a powerfully delicious dining experience in ceviches, sandwiches, fried rice and other entrees. 1310 NW 25th, OKC, 524.2251 $$

Moonshine Apple PieSCRATCH

VITO’S RISTORANTE Homestyle Italian cuisine in an intimate setting where the staff treat customers like guests in their home. 7521 N May, OKC, 848.4867 $$

WEDGE, THE Wood-fired pies with fresh ingredients (like figs or truffle oil) and sauce from scratch. 230 NE 1st, OKC, 270.0660; 4709 N Western, OKC, 602.3477 $$

JAPANESE // SUSHICAFÉ ICON Tempting sushi and Japanese specialties fill the menu to bursting with visually splendid and palate-pleasing treats. 311 S Blackwelder, Edmond, 340.8956 $$

GOGO SUSHI Prime for lovers of speed and convenience – go go check it out! 1611

fresh and routinely cited as among the metro’s best. 7516 N Western, OKC, 848.6733 $$

MEDITERRANEANAVANTI BAR & GRILL Casual elegance with contemporary Italian menu twists: crab falafel, bolognese pizza and more. 13509 Highland Park, OKC, 254.5200 $$

BASIL MEDITERRANEAN CAFÉ Chicken Bandarri, Beef Souvlaki or a fresh bowl of tangy tabouli; flavor leaps from every corner of the menu. 211 NW 23rd, OKC, 602.3030 $

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FARE | Eat & Drink

LA LUNA Its festive cantina-style atmosphere only adds to the enjoyment of classic fajitas, enchiladas and the bold carne ranchera. 409 W Reno, OKC, 235.9596 $$

MAMA ROJA MEXICAN KITCHEN Hand-rolled tamales, vendor-style tacos and more, on the scenic shores of Lake Hefner. 9219 E Lake Hefner Pkwy, OKC, 302.6262 $$

MAMAVECA Familiar Mexican favorites plus the diverse delights of Peruvian cuisine. 2551 W Hemphill, Norman, 573.4003 $$

TARAHUMARA’S This airy ristorante serves huge, tasty Tex-Mex classics plus less ubiquitous fare like mole poblano. 702 N Porter, Norman, 360.8070 $$

TED’S CAFÉ ESCONDIDO Fast, fresh and amply portioned, it’s often very crowded and always supremely delicious. 4 metro locations, tedscafe.com $$

YUCATAN TACO STAND Feisty Latin fusion cuisine plus signature nachos and combos… and over 75 tequilas. 100 E California, Suite 110, OKC, 886.0413 $

ZARATE’S The familiar joys of enchiladas and chimichangas, plus Peruvian dishes of plantains, yuca and imported spices. 706 S Broadway, Edmond, 330.6400 $$

SEAFOODFISH CITY GRILL Shrimp and grits, oysters on the half shell… anyone who wishes Oklahoma had a coastline should feel right at home. 1389 E 15th, Edmond, 348.2300 $$

HILLBILLY PO BOYS Unassuming name; mighty appealing flavor in tasty seafood sandwiches and the licit thrill of moonshine cocktails. 1 NW 9th, OKC, 702.9805 $

JAZMO’Z BOURBON STREET CAFÉ An upscale yet casual environment boasting Cajun and Creole-inspired selections. 100 E California, OKC, 232.6666 $$

PEARL’S CRABTOWN A huge Bricktown warehouse where the Crab Boil is a favorite and taste is king. 303 E Sheridan, OKC, 232.7227 $$

PEARL’S OYSTER BAR A perennial winner in “best of the metro” polls for fresh, flavorful seafood and spicy Creole-inspired dishes. 5641 N Classen, OKC, 848.8008 $$

SHACK SEAFOOD & OYSTER BAR, THE A massive selection of nicely spiced Cajun and Creole cooking, plus seafood. 13801 Quail Pointe Dr, OKC, 286.5959 $$

SOUL FOODBIGHEAD’S Fried alligator, frog legs and simmering, savory seafood gumbo – it’s a bayou treat right nearby. 617 S Broadway, Edmond, 340.1925 $$

THE DRUM ROOM Crispy, juicy fried chicken (among the city’s best) stars with fried okra, waffles and a fully loaded bar. 4300 N Western, OKC, 604.0990 $$

KD’S Pork chops, stuffed catfish, shrimp and grits and more of Kevin Durant’s favorite foods, presented with skill and vim – and a dose of star power. 224 Johnny Bench Dr, OKC, 701.3535 $$

MAMA E’S WINGS & WAFFLES A labor of love adored by locals seeking authentic Southern classics. 3838 Springlake, OKC, 424.0800; 900 W Reno, OKC, 231.1190 $

STEAKHOUSEBOULEVARD STEAKHOUSE Perfectly soigné ambiance and cuisine easily in the metro’s elite – a sumptuous, if pricy, masterpiece. 505 S Boulevard, Edmond, 715.2333 $$$

CATTLEMEN’S This Oklahoma institution’s huge corn-fed steaks and matchless atmosphere are history served anew every day. 1309 S Agnew, OKC, 236.0416 $$

HOLLIE’S FLATIRON STEAKHOUSE Plush and cozy, with entrees seared on a flatiron grill and a kick of Southwestern spice in the menu. 1199 Service Rd, Moore, 799.0300 $$

JAMIL’S STEAKHOUSE Steak, lobster or prime rib with Lebanese appetizers gratis – Jamil’s has fed Oklahoma well since 1964. 4910 N Lincoln, OKC, 525.8352 $$

JUNIOR’S A landmark restaurant where hand-cut Angus steaks and lobster fight for attention with knockout fried chicken. 2601 NW Expressway, OKC, 848.5597 $$$

MAHOGANY PRIME STEAKHOUSE The ambiance and service are sublime, but fine aged steak broiled to perfection is the star. 3241 W Memorial, OKC, 748.5959 $$$

MICKEY MANTLE’S This lushly atmospheric social spot in Bricktown serves powerhouse entrées and sides and with full amenities. 7 S Mickey Mantle, OKC, 272.0777 $$$

OPUS PRIME STEAKHOUSE Hand-cut USDA Prime Black Angus steaks, a vast wine selection and intimate ambience. 800 W Memorial, OKC, 607.6787 $$$

RANCH STEAKHOUSE Effortless opulence, custom-aged hand-cut tenderloins and ribeyes and warm Southern hospitality. 3000 W Britton, OKC, 755.3501 $$$

RED PRIMESTEAK Visionary design and atmosphere house super-premium steaks, vibrant, imaginative flavors and amenities. 504 N Broadway, OKC, 232.2626 $$$

TWELVE OAKS Lobster, seafood and divine steak, enhanced even more by the ambiance of a hilltop Victorian home. 6100 N Midwest, Edmond, 340.1002 $$$

THAIPAD THAI Dine in or carry out beautifully executed exemplars of soups, curries and noodles. 119 W Boyd, Norman, 360.5551 $

SALA THAI Pineapple curry, basil squid, cinnamon beef... the variety is exceptional, making this a popular midday option. 1614 NW 23rd, OKC, 528.8424 $

SWEET BASIL The enormous aquarium adds to the cozy ambiance; with its outstanding curries and soups, it makes a great dinner date. 211 W Main, Norman, 217.8424 $$

TANA THAI There’s a lot to like here, from red snapper filet to pad thai. Pay attention to the soups, and do not play chicken with the spice level. 10700 N May, OKC, 749.5590 $$

VIETNAMESECORIANDER CAFÉ Updating traditional Vietnamese recipes, this vegetarian-friendly café makes a quick, casual dining alternative. 323 White, Norman, 801.3958 $

LIDO Spring rolls to vermicelli bowls, this venerable diner runs the gamut of Vietnamese,Chinese and even French cuisine. 2518 N Military, OKC, 521.1902 $$

PHO CA DAO Vermicelli bowls, rice platters, piping hot pho, icy cold bubble tea and more. 2431 N Classen Blvd, OKC, 521.8819 $

PHO BULOUS Super fresh and super fast, specialties like Honey Ginger Chicken or Wasabi Salmon merit closer inspection. 3409 S Broadway, Edmond, 475.5599 $

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PURSUITS

TOP 10Prime starting points for making the most of the month 80

PROMENADE THROUGH BEAUTYTake a walking tour through a pair of Paseo art shows 82

MAKING A SPLASH Geology, good eats and great waves in Wisconsin Dells 86 SEE & DOJuly’s music, theater, visual arts and other delights 90B

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COME SAIL AWAYOklahoma Shakespeare in the Park launches into a double dose of theat-rical greatness for its 30th splendid season. See page 84.


PURSUITS | High Points

The TopBy Steve Gill

IT’S A BIG, BUSY METRO OUT THERE – IF YOU CAN’T MAKE IT TO EVERYTHING, HERE’S WHERE TO START.

SPIRIT TOURJuly 1-September 30, Red Earth MuseumThe sun and stars, the wind and rain, incor-poreal bringers of health and happiness – there are centuries of tradition behind the Hopi, Pueblo and other peoples’ representation of the guiding forces around them in kachina form, and the Red Earth Museum in OKC has been collect-ing for 35 years. The exhibit “Kachinas From the Red Earth Collection” is a trip through cosmology made concrete, and beautiful.

YOU’RE A GRAND OLD FINALEJuly 4, EdmondHaving celebrated some of the joys of summer with kites and cars and cardboard boats, LibertyFest is now ready for the main event: A pageantry-filled parade through downtown, a family-friendly carnival at UCO and a massive fireworks display form one powerhouse day that wishes America a happy birthday, and gives all who participate an explosively memorable experience.

STAYING POWERJuly 7-13, Oak Tree NationalSure, many of us play golf … but it takes immense skill to play at this level, and these guys have had lots and lots (and lots) of practice. The 2014 U.S. Senior Open boasts 156 pro and amateur competitors over 50, studding the links at Oak Tree with stars like Greg Norman, Vijay Singh and Fred Couples in an event that’s a boost for Edmond and a tremendous gift for golf enthusiasts.

A WINNING COMBINATIONJuly 9, OKC Zoo AmphitheatreOne’s been a household name for decades, has a discography of over 200 albums, is in the Country Music Hall of Fame and was a Highwayman; the other’s at number 2 on the all-time Grammy count and has sold more than 12 million records. Put incredible talents Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss on the same stage and it’s pure musical magic.

Mediums of ExcellenceThrough September 14, Fred Jones Jr. Museum of ArtEven if you’re a teacher, you never stop learning. The Fred Jones Museum’s new exhibit “Oil and Wood: Okla-homa Moderns” spotlights painter George Bogart and sculptural furniture designer James Henkle, two long-time members of the OU art faculty whose explora-tions of their respective mediums’ potentials helped shape the university’s creative development.

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PUT IT ALL ON JOYJuly 19, National Cowboy & Western Heritage MuseumGuests can’t actually make a mint at this Vegas-esque event; while over 40 gam-ing tables offer blackjack, craps, poker and roulette, the chips won and lost are purely for fun. On the other hand, there is one set of real winners: the ailing kids who will see their wishes come true because of the funds raised by Make-A-Wish Oklahoma’s Dealing for Dreams. Ante up.

DON’T STOP ’TIL YOU GET ENOUGHJuly 22-23, Chesapeake ArenaIt might seem curious that Cirque du Soleil, renowned for their wizardry of move-ment and dazzling visuals, would be bringing a concert tour to OKC – except the art-ist in question was the King of Pop, and spectacle was his stock in trade. A live band and breathtaking choreography help to capture the musical magic and sheer performa-

tive power of a legend in “Michael Jackson: The Immortal.”

IT’S ONLY A MODEL OF HILARITYJuly 22-26, OKC Civic CenterThey’re knights of the Round Table; they dance whene’er they’re able. It’s a busy life in Camelot … and just as Monty Python fans know the lyrics, OKC residents know that Lyric Theatre and director Ashley Wells will do a bang-up job of knock-ing down conventional mythic heroism during King Arthur’s wildly funny hunt for the Holy Grail in “Spamalot.”

Bringing ItBack HomeJuly 18, Riverwind CasinoIt’s been 30 years since the Academy of Country Music named him Top New Male Vocal-ist. Their confidence has been pretty well justified since: Vince Gill has recorded 19 albums, received 20 Grammys (more than any other male country artist) and been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. And through it all, he’s never forgotten his roots. Catch the Norman native as he comes back through town.

OF CAMERAS AND CATSJuly 26, Myriad GardensLaugh and the world laughs with you, says the old proverb. In these modern times, one of the foremost avenues of simultaneous global hilarity is the online video of a cat falling off something or making a goofy face. Until such time as the Oscars institute a category to honor this art form, the Internet Cat Video Fest presents some of the world’s foremost feline follies – enjoy!

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PURSUITS | Spotlight

WALKING IS GOOD FOR THE BODY; ART IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL; and while a long trek might be a daunting prospect in an Oklahoma July, wandering through multiple creative domains comprises a sur-prisingly short trip if you start in the right place: the Paseo Arts District. Home to more than a dozen galleries that display a consistently renewed panoply of fresh wonders, the Paseo is an aesthete’s para-dise year-round. However, if you do happen by this month (and we think you should), pay special attention to a pair of two-person shows: Don Narcomey and Liz Roth at JRB Art at the Elms, and The-resa Hurt and Basil Martin at In Your Eye Gallery. Both joint exhibits open during the First Friday Art Walk, which this month happens to coincide with Independence Day. The show at In Your Eye runs through July 26, JRB’s closes July 27 … and all four featured artists’ realms of creativity are within easy saunter-ing distance. Bon voyage!

Don Narcomey, “Cave”

PROMENADE THROUGH BEAUTYBy Steve Gill

THE GOOD EARTH Though their preferred media differ in ways as fundamental as the number of dimensions in which they exist, contemplation of nature characterizes the oeuvres of both artists exhibiting in JRB Art at the Elms. Lifelong Oklahoma resident Don Narcomey, a former instruc-tor at his alma mater UCO, had his furniture featured on HGTV’s “Modern Masters” in 2001, while recent visitors to the Myriad Gar-dens in OKC have seen his enormous creation “Roots.” He sculpts with natural elements like wood and stone as a meditation on the progress of life. “I look for something about the nature of these materials,” he muses, “to give me some insight about the nature of life or human experience.” Liz Roth spends a good deal of time observing how humans understand the natural world, but her attention for this show is focused on one particular facet of that world, immense though it is. “Chasm,” a series of oil paintings of the Grand Canyon, seeks to probe differences between the direct visual experience and see-ing the same view through a lens. Roth calls Stillwater home (she teaches at OSU) but is well-traveled creatively, with a following even broader than her extensive itinerary.

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION There’s an element of uncertainty in the processes of July’s In Your Eye Gallery artists; they consider it a necessary step toward better results. Abstract painter Theresa Hurt begins a new piece by selecting a color at random, layering other shades atop it in other shapes, eventually creating a cascading acrylic mélange that is as intuitive in process as it is vibrant in execution. And that visual ebullience is deliberate for this cancer survivor: “I am thankful for each day, and try to convey in my art brightness and hope of things to come.”

Liz Roth, “Powell Pointe”

Don Narcomey, “Flow”


Verticality and an almost ethereal feeling characterize the sculptural works of Oklahoma City sculptor Basil Martin III – they seem to be the results of careful balancing acts. The gentle connecting curves of thin metal and the free-form organic shapes cut from larger sheets nestled within those curves play off one another to form structures that suggest both aspiration and growth. And even the artist doesn’t know ahead of time exactly what will result; Martin says, “I have learned that experi-mentation leads to innovation in my work.”

Basil Martin, “Ithaca”

JRB ART AT THE ELMS2810 N. Walker Ave., OKCMonday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.,Sunday 1-5 p.m.528.6336, jrbartgallery.com

IN YOUR EYE GALLERY3005-A Paseo St., OKCThursday-Saturday noon-5 p.m.525.2161, inyoureyegallery.com

Basil Martin,“Subconscious Calligraphy”

Theresa Hurt, “Hyacinth Mist” (top), “Flight” (bottom)


PURSUITS | Spotlight

HOW DO YOU CELEBRATE A MILESTONE ANNIVERSARY LIKE 30 YEARS? From the perspective of thespianic titans Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park, there’s an answer within the words of their muse: The play’s the thing. The community troupe is marking its third full decade the same way it has every year to date since 1985 – with a summer season of Shakespearean splendor. Executive Director Kathryn McGill, who co-founded the com-pany with the late Jack O’Meara, made sure that this season began with an homage to the past back in June: “Twelfth Night,” the first show they ever staged. “It’s pretty amazing when you put it into that perspective,” she mused. “All the things that have happened – one f lood and two fires – I just feel so grateful and so proud that we’ve persevered this well over all this time.” While discussing that stamina, McGill revealed something of an unofficial mission statement that speaks volumes about why OSP keeps making its collective way back out into the summer sun: “We believe that words have power, and the power to connect us more deeply with each other. That appreciation is one of the things that’s kept us going over the years.” The seasons’ performance slates occasionally detour to include works by Shaw, Dumas or other playwrights, but besides the date being a big deal for the troupe, 2014 would also have included Shakespeare’s 450th birthday, so they’re celebrating with an all-Bard bonanza that continues in July with a fiery romance.

“Antony and Cleopatra”July 3-18, Myriad Gardens Water StageA tale of doomed attraction, towering personalities including a potent, capable female ruler, historical drama … and accord-

REMEMBER THE FUNDAMENTALSSummer’s scenes hath all too short a stay, and seating is but finite anyway – so don’t wait too long to secure yourself entry to these productions. Verily. Visit oklahomashakespeare.com or call 235.3700 for tickets or more information.

ACTING ON EXPERIENCEing to McGill, “really some of the best language. It’s been a joy to work on; it’s a big play, and we don’t do a couple of the big battles onstage, but it feels grand.” Judith Pender directs the collision of politics and passion.

“Pericles, Prince of Tyre”July 24-27, OKC Civic CenterCertainly one of Shakespeare’s lesser-known works, in which the titular prince finds himself in a dicey situation at home and elects to pursue the better part of valor, absconding on a sea cruise that quickly becomes more eventful than he had planned and accrues peril of its own before its happy end. “Pericles very rarely is done, but it’s so charming,” says McGill with a smile. “It’s like an epic fairy tale.”

McGill and cohorts invite you to discover some new works, re-embrace the better known and seize the opportunity to appreciate the depth and breadth of Shakespeare’s talent, in a season that skips from comedy to history to romance to the highest of high drama (the final performance is “Macbeth,” September 11-27). “Four very different plays, but all unmistakably Shakespeare.”

By Steve Gill

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Kathryn McGill and Rick Nelson as Cleopatra and Antony



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PURSUITS | Getting Away

BY ELAINE WARNER

“WATERPARK CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!” THAT’S WHAT WISCONSIN DELLS BOASTS – AND IT’S PROBABLY RIGHT. BUT YOU CAN ONLY STAY BIGGEST IF YOU KEEP GETTING BIGGER, AND WISCONSIN DELLS IS DOING JUST THAT. THE TOWN IS SO CONFIDENT OF ITS CONTINUING PROWESS THAT THEY’VE HAD THEIR NICKNAME COPYRIGHTED.

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Facing page: The spectacular fly board in action at the Tommy Bartlett Ski Show // This page, clockwise from top: Downtown Wisconsin Dells – Branson with cheese curds // Mount Olympus, one of Wisconsin Dells’ many watery attractions // H.H. Bennett’s iconic 1886 photo of Stand Rock // Tommy Bartlett’s Ski Show has been entertaining guests for six decades.

A HISTORY LESSONEVEN BEFORE THE FIRST WATERPARK WAS BUILT, THE BEAUTIFUL WISCONSIN RIVER AND UNUSUAL ROCK FOR-MATIONS ATTRACTED EARLY TOURISTS TO THE AREA. In the last quarter of the 19th century, noted photographer H.H. Bennett set up shop here. His amazing landscape photos attracted even more visitors. His most famous photo is of his son jumping five feet from a rock ledge across a 47-foot-deep chasm to a flat rock atop a slender sandstone pillar. The photo went viral – as fast as it could in 1886. And, of course, there were daredevils who wanted to try the jump. Insurance companies put a stop to the stunts in the ’40s, but visitors can still see specially trained dogs make the leap. Bennett’s studio is now a museum. After World War II, amphibious military vehicles were brought to the area. The Ducks had landed. Still in business as “The Original Wisconsin Ducks,” they trundle tourists along woodsy wilderness paths and into nearby waters. The big new attraction in the ’50s was the Tommy Bartlett Ski Show. Its founder has passed on but the show continues. Yes, there are lovely bathing beauties, skiing pyramids, jump-ing and barefoot skiing, but you’ll also see innovations like the water-jet-propelled f ly board and the sky ski along with the antics of daredevil clowns.


PURSUITS | Getting Away

PAUL BUNYAN’S NORTHWOODS COOK SHANTY: all-you-can-eat bodacious breakfast served home style. The buttermilk donuts are great.

SPRECHER’S: burgers, brats and their own beers. Or go for their home-brewed root beer.

MOOSEJAW PIZZA AND DELLS BREWING COMPANY: pizza and beer but don’t miss the beer cheese soup. Worth a stop for a picture of the little red delivery car with the moose on top.

HOUSE OF EMBERS: family-owned, specialty hickory-smoked ribs and heavenly cinnamon rolls

DEL-BAR: “steakhouse/supper club with a modern edge” in business for over 70 years. Great food and super service leads to longevity.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

In the late ’80s, a local resort owner saw a pool complex with some exciting extras that made plain pools seem passé during a visit to Texas. Considering the shorter summer season in Wisconsin, he and his partners decided to build a similar attrac-tion but with a roof over it, creating the nation’s first indoor waterpark. Now there are over 20 indoor water-park/water playground facilities in the Dells – more waterslides per capita than anywhere else in the world. America’s larg-est waterpark, Noah’s Ark Waterpark, cov-ers 70 acres and features three miles of waterslides. The Kalahari Waterpark Resort is Wisconsin’s largest indoor waterpark with 125,000 square feet, while the Wilder-ness Hotel and Golf Resort holds the record for the largest indoor/outdoor waterpark resort in the nation. The combined space is equivalent to 12 football fields. This place is kid heaven – but bring your wallet. All the parks have added attrac-tions: video games, gift shops and other opportunities to drop a few dollars.

Top to bottom: Visitors to Lost Canyon travel through narrow gorges barely wide enough for the wagons. // All-you-can-eat invite // Sprecher’s old-fashioned, home-brewed root beer

TRUE CONFESSIONVISITING THE DELLS CAN BE A SCHIZOPHRENIC EXPERIENCE. Part of the town offers the Branson-strip experience – souvenir stores, quirky museums and fudge shops – and the waterpark attractions. And while I loved the fudge, it was the scenic beauty and the geologic his-tory surrounding the tourist-y town that appealed to me. Here’s a quick geology lesson. Zip back half-a-billion years to the Cam-brian Period. This area was the sandy shore of an ancient sea. Over the millennia, the sand hardened into sandstone. During the Ice Age, a great lake existed near here, a melted glacier dammed up by remnants of un-melted ice. About 15,000 years ago that ice dam failed and lake waters rushed over the sandstone, carving deep gorges and canyons. There are many ways to explore the area – I chose the easiest. One of the best land tours is at Lost Canyon where a horse-drawn wagon ride wanders through a mile of narrow gorges squeezed by towering cliffs. Some places were so narrow that I couldn’t see how the horses – a pair of massive Perche-rons – would get through.

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The Duck tour goes through similar, though not as dramatic, terrain, but you’ll also see some of the river and Lake Delton. Both the Lost Canyon tour and the Duck tour were short compared to the Dells Boat Tours cruise. This two-hour, 10-mile round-trip takes you upriver from downtown Wisconsin Dells. In addition to the scenery you’ll see while relaxing on the boat, there are two stops to stretch your legs. The first, Witches Gulch, is a narrow canyon with high, layered sandstone walls. The next features Stand Rock where, weather permitting, you will see trained dogs making that historic leap.

FOR THE BIRDS – AND BEASTSTHE INTERNATIONAL CRANE FOUNDATION, FOUNDED BY TWO ORNITHOLOGISTS WITH THE LOFTY GOAL OF SAVING THE WORLD’S CRANES, IS A BONANZA FOR BIRDERS. This is the only place in the world where you can see all of the world’s 15 crane species. Neces-sary fencing makes photography tricky but the whooping crane enclo-sure is blessedly free of annoying barriers – and the majestic birds posed regally while seeming to ignore us. One of the town’s newer attractions is Timbavati, a wildlife park and a work in progress. The staff here is great and you’ll have a much more personal animal encounter than most places. Before my visit was over, I’d bottle-fed a baby camel, petted a zebu on the head, fed an eland and served carrot sticks to several greedy giraffes. Ride an elephant or watch circus animals perform at Circus World Museum in nearby Baraboo. A Wisconsin Historic Site, original Ringling Brothers buildings house exhibits – my favorites, the elaborate circus wagons. For more information about Wisconsin destinations, visit travelwisconsin.com.

Clockwise from top: Sunset highlights the rainbow colors of the sandstone cliffs. // Eye to eye with a Siberian crane – and happy for the fence // Pair of whooping cranes at the International Crane Foundation // A narrow boardwalk leads into the Witches Gulch. Geologists speculate that the area gorges could have been created by rushing water in as quickly as a few days.



See & DoEVENTS1st Friday Gallery Walk Jul 4 The historic arts district’s name means “stroll,” which happens to be the preferred form of locomotion while taking in its wonders during a monthly display of arts and culture. Paseo Arts District, 3022 Paseo St, OKC, 525.2688, thepaseo.com

LibertyFest! Jul 4 The incredible collection of family events, activities and entertainment culminates in an Independence Day extravaganza with a parade, free concert and huge fireworks display. Throughout Edmond, 340.2527, libertyfest.org

2nd Friday Circuit of Art Jul 11 A monthly community-wide celebration of creativity, focused on historic Downtown Norman. Norman Arts Council, 122 E Main St, Norman, 360.1162, normanarts.org

Live on the Plaza Jul 11 Vendors, artists, residents and passerby unite for a monthly fiesta. OKC Plaza District, 1618 N Gatewood Ave, OKC, 367.9403, plazadistrict.org

Full Moon Bike Ride Jul 12 Get a new perspective on downtown OKC, as well as a nice bit of exercise, in this leisurely group bicycle tour at dusk. Myriad Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 445.7080, myriadgardens.org

Sit. Stay. Art! Jul 12-13 Local artists paint portraits of shelter pets in the hopes that visitors will “adopt” the painting, the dog or cat, or both. The event benefits Pets & People Humane Society and this year features a second day for kids. Graphite Elements, 1751 NW 16th St, OKC, 831.7212, sitstayart.org

Premiere on Film Row Jul 18 Fowler Honda sponsors the downtown OKC street festival; it’s family-friendly, pet-welcoming, free to wander through and filled with treats for the ears and taste buds. Film Row, 706 W Sheridan Ave, OKC, 232.6060

Dealing for Dreams Jul 19 The dice are hot and everyone gets in on the entertainment as the Oklahoma chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation bets on a bountiful fundraiser. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 286.4000, dealingfordreams.org

IEEW Fashion Show Jul 22 Scott Hines and Abigail Ogle emcee “Jewel,” a fabulous fashion extravaganza and cocktail party benefiting the Institute for the Economic Empowerment of Women. Gaillardia Country Club, 5300 Gaillardia Blvd, OKC, 943.4474, ieew.org

H & 8th Night Market Jul 25 Midtown becomes a primetime paradise in this after-hours street festival boasting live music, a convoy of awesome food trucks, craft beer and free socializing. Hudson Ave & 8th Street, 801 N Hudson Ave, OKC, 633.1703, h8thokc.com

Edmond Quilt Festival Jul 25-26 Explore this judged show featuring over 200 quilts, door prizes, vendors, an artisan market and a raffle quilt, sponsored by the non-profit Edmond Quilt Guild. OC Hardeman Auditorium, 2501 E Memorial Rd, Edmond, 348.3594, edmondquiltguild.us

Day of the American Cowboy Jul 26 The Cowboy Hall marks a national holiday with a few Western-themed enticements for guests of a roping, wrangling, cowboy-appreciating turn of mind. National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, 1700 NE 63rd St, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org

Krazy Daze Jul 26 Shop local - and have a ball doing it - as the merchants of the Downtown Edmond Business Association offer a day of special savings and festivities. Downtown Edmond, 249.9391, downtownedmondok.com

FILMClassics Series Jul 1-29 Catch a masterpiece you missed the first time around or just want

online. The Conservatory, 8911 N Western Ave, OKC, conservatoryokc.com

Purple Bar Performances Jul 4-26 A cozy setting, ample menu and outstanding music from local artists: Rick Toop & Friends Jul 4 and 25, Jamie Bramble Jul 5 and 11, Rick Jawnsun Jul 12, Nathan Kress Jul 18 and the Flat Land Band Jul 19 and 26. Nonna’s Purple Bar, 1 S Mickey Mantle Dr, OKC, 235.4410, purplebarokc.com

Jennifer Nettles Jul 5 The lead singer of popular country duo Sugarland makes a solo stop in Oklahoma as part of her That Girl tour. Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd, Shawnee, 964.7263, grandresortok.com

Frontier City Concerts Jul 5-26 For some extra fun in the sun-soaked amusement park, catch performances by Ted Nugent Jul 5, Matt Maher Jul 12, Tesla Jul 19 and Three Dog Night Jul 26. Frontier City, 11501 N I-35 Service Rd, OKC, 478.2140, frontiercity.com

Opolis Shows Jul 5-30 Metro, meet Opolis. You’ll make beautiful music together, courtesy of a vast and varied lineup of bands - including The Donkeys Jul 5, SAINTSENECA Jul 17 and Nick Waterhouse Jul 30. Check online for the fresh scoop. The Opolis, 113 N Crawford Ave, Norman, opolis.org

Twilight Concert Series Jul 6-27 The Arts Council of OKC invites metro residents to close out the week in style during its free weekly outdoor concerts: the Susan Herndon Trio Jul 6, Brian Lynn Jones & the Misfit Cowboys Jul 13, The Wurly Birds Jul 20 and The Salsa Shakers Jul 27. Myriad Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 270.4848, artscouncilokc.com

Willie Nelson & Alison Krauss Jul 9 A living legend whose appeal far exceeds merely country fans, and one of the sweetest voices to ever lean into a microphone - this team-up at the Zoo should be one for the ages. OKC Zoo Amphitheater, 2101 NE 50th St, OKC, 602.0683, thezooamphitheatre.com

Horseshoe Road Jul 10 Oklahoma Musical Ambassador Kyle Dillingham and friends share the Heartland Acoustic sound that got them named Slice’s reader favorites. The Paramount, 701 W Sheridan Ave, OKC, 517.0787, horseshoeroad.net

Rascal Flatts w/ Sheryl Crow Jul 10 Chameleonic chanteuse Crow is likely to cross over into country for the evening, since her co-headliners in this jam under the stars are an exceptional country trio, touring in support of their new album Rewind. Downtown Airpark, 1701 S Western Ave, OKC, 877.960.7882, okcairpark.com

Summerland Tour 2014 Jul 12 Radio stars Everclear, Soul Asylum, Eve 6 and Spacehog combine their powers to alt-rock the Grand Casino. Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd, Shawnee, 964.7263, grandresortok.com

New Edition Jul 13 The pop/R&B pioneers are reuniting to remind fans of how smooth they sounded way back when; they do it all for love. OKC Zoo Amphitheater, 2101 NE 50th St, OKC, 602.0683, thezooamphitheatre.com

Summer Breeze: The John Arnold Band Jul 13 A free dose of the hometown combo’s special blend of bluegrass, country swing, jazz and rock lights up the park as the Performing Arts Studio’s series continues. Lions Park, 450 S Flood Ave, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org

The EP Expo Jul 17-19 Elvis is still in the building - spiritually, at least, since this massive three-day show is all about paying exhaustive tribute to the King. Grand Casino, 777 Grand Casino Blvd, Shawnee, 964.7263, grandresortok.com

Vince Gill Jul 18 Gill’s a pure Oklahoma treasure, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame who still loves sharing his voice and presence with audiences after earning more Grammys than any other male country artist. Don’t miss this one!

to re-experience on the big screen: “Rocky” Jul 1, “The Untouchables” Jul 8, “Tommy Boy” Jul 15, “The Seven Year Itch” Jul 22 and “Wet Hot American Summer” Jul 29. Harkins Theatres, 150 E Reno Ave, OKC, 321.4747, harkinstheatres.com

Sonic Summer Movies Jul 2-30 Bring family, friends, anybody you like to this free set of outdoor screenings courtesy of America’s Drive-In: “Field of Dreams” Jul 2, “Frozen” Jul 9, “Despicable Me 2” Jul 16, “Ghostbusters” Jul 23 and “The LEGO Movie” Jul 30. Myriad Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 445.7080, myriadgardens.org

Drive-In Movie Night Jul 10-24 Take a dip and watch a flick at the same time, as the swimming center presents special screenings of “The Sandlot” Jul 10 and “Jingle All the Way” Jul 24. Pelican Bay Aquatic Center, 1034 S Bryant Ave, Edmond, 359.4630, edmondparks.com

Internet Cat Video Fest Jul 26 It’s not likely to be mistaken for great cinematic art, but you’ll probably laugh, you might cry and you’re bound to enjoy yourself in the company of others in this outdoor screening of feline follies from the web. Myriad Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 445.7080, myriadgardens.org

spirits and elements of the natural world, and the craftsmanship used in their creation is generally breathtaking. Tour this grouping from Red Earth’s permanent archives and see for yourself. Red Earth Museum, 6 Santa Fe Plaza, OKC, 427.5228, redearth.org

ONGOINGAllan Houser: On the Roof Through Jul 27 OKC Museum of Art, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com

Master Artists at the Jacobson House Through Jul 31 Jacobson House, Norman, 380.8236, jacobsonhouse.org

Prix de West Through Aug 3 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, OKC, 478.2250, nationalcowboymuseum.org

Hungry Planet: What the World Eats Through Aug 31 Sam Noble Museum, Norman, 325.4712, snomnh.ou.edu

Shifting Frontiers Through Sep 6 Oklahoma Heritage Museum, OKC, 523.3231, oklahomaheritage.com

Oil and Wood: Oklahoma Moderns Through Sep 14 Fred Jones Jr Museum of Art, Norman, 325.3272, ou.edu/fjjma

Gods and Heroes Through Sep 14 OKC Museum of Art, OKC, 236.3100, okcmoa.com

GALLERIESFreedom and Form Jul 4-26 Explosions of color are barely contained within Theresa Hurt’s abstract canvases, while Basil Martin moves beyond two dimensions in his intricate, interesting metal sculptures. In Your Eye Gallery, 3005 Paseo St, OKC, 525.2161, inyoureyegallery.com

Narcomey and Roth Jul 4-27 The cozy gallery in the Paseo is home to intriguing art, inside and out: this month features the visual heft of Don Narcomey’s large-scale sculptures and selections from “Chasm,” Liz Roth’s series of oil paintings depicting the Grand Canyon. JRB Art at the Elms, 2810 N Walker Ave, OKC, 528.6336, jrbartgallery.com

ONGOINGGlitch Analog Through Jul 12 MAINSITE Contemporary Art, Norman, 360.1162, mainsite-art.com

FAC Faculty Art Show Through Jul 26 Firehouse Art Center, Norman, 329.4523, normanfirehouse.com

Info Nation Over/Load Through Aug 22 Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center, OKC, 951.0000, oklahomacontemporary.org

MUSEUMSKachinas From the Red Earth Collection Jul 1-Sep 30 The doll-like figures represent

Fore! Looking Back at Golf in Edmond Through Sep 27 Edmond Historical Society, Edmond, 340.0078, edmondhistory.org

Born to Freedom: Allan Houser Through Dec 31 Oklahoma History Center, OKC, 522.0765, okhistory.org

MUSICRed, White and BOOM! Jul 3 A free powerhouse portion of patriotic pops courtesy of the OKC Philharmonic, with fireworks to follow. Huzzah! State Fairgrounds, 333 Gordon Cooper Dr, OKC, 842.5387, okcphilharmonic.org

Noon Tunes Jul 3-31 Free lunchtime serenades in the Downtown Library: Ali Harter Jul 3, the Steelwind Bluegrass Duo Jul 10, Sarah Chan’s String Studio Jul 17, Wayne McEvilly’s Bach2You Jul 24 and the Young Artists Trio Jul 31. Downtown Library, 300 Park Ave, OKC, 231.8650, mls.lib.ok.us

Reckless Kelly Jul 4 There will be two kinds of fireworks at the casino this night: the pyrotechnic kind after the show, and the passion-powered eruption of country sound that marks all this hard-travelin’ combo’s live performances. Riverwind Casino, 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6464, riverwind.com

The Conservatory Jul 4-23 Sonic jams of all descriptions in an OKC hotspot: Young Widows with White Reaper Jul 4, Touche Amore Jul 7, CES CRU Jul 13, Ghost Town Jul 23 and more - adds and adjustments posted

SHERYL CROWJuly 10, Downtown Airpark


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PURSUITS | See & Do

Riverwind Casino, 1544 W Hwy 9, Norman, 322.6464, riverwind.com

Steely Dan Jul 21 This is the ideal chance to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers in our backyard - who knows when they’ll Do It Again? Act fast; the ‘Peake will have restricted ticket sales to create a more intimate experience. Chesapeake Arena, 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com

Cirque du Soleil: Michael Jackson the Immortal Jul 22-23 The King of Pop lives on in his enduring music, and thanks in part to eye-popping spectacles like this one that are fueled by his trademark choreography and the world-renowned athleticism of Cirque’s performance art. Chesapeake Arena, 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com

Diamond Ballroom Concerts Jul 24 Crank it up down by the river with a hard, fast cavalcade of sound courtesy of Machine Head with Anti-Mortem, Horse Called War and Myora. Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S Eastern Ave, OKC, 866.977.6849, diamondballroom.net

Blue Door Shows Jul 24-31 Self-billed as “the best listening room in Oklahoma,” it certainly has some of the best music, including Hayes Carll Jul 24, Bill Kirchen Jul 26 and David and Valerie Mayfield Jul 31 - check online for updates. The Blue Door, 2805 N McKinley Ave, OKC, 524.0738, bluedoorokc.com

Summer Breeze: Larry Mitchell Trio Jul 27 Russ Garner on drums, Austin Solomon on bass and the Grammy-winning, guitar-slinging Mitchell in the lead - that’s a recipe for funky fervor in this free concert. Lions Park, 450 S Flood Ave, Norman, 307.9320, pasnorman.org

UPCOMINGMichael Buble Aug 2 The man’s a born entertainer, with an effortless performing charisma and a voice that’s - well, he’s sold over 45 million albums, odds are good you know something about the man coming to share his new album, “To Be Loved.” Chesapeake Arena, 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com

SPORTSRedHawks Baseball Jul 4-24 OKC’s men of summer step to the plate against Iowa Jul 4-6, New Orleans Jul 7-10, Nashville Jul 17-20 and Round Rock Jul 21-24. Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, 2 S Mickey Mantle Dr, OKC, 218.1000, oklahomacity.redhawks.milb.com

2014 Senior Open Jul 7-13 Greg Norman, Bob Tway, Scott Verplank, Fred Couples, Vijay Singh and many more of their all-star comrades-in-clubs will take to the Oak Tree links in this elite golf event, which will be broadcast to more than 100 countries. Oak Tree National, 1515 W Oak Tree Dr, Edmond, 348.2004, 2014ussenioropen.com

Energy Soccer Jul 12-19 Open wide for some soccer! The OKC Energy FC kick off against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Jul 12, Phoenix Wolves Jul 17 and L.A. Galaxy II Jul 19. Pribil Stadium, 801 NW 50th St, OKC, 235.5425, energyfc.com

OK Victory Dolls Jul 19 Blazing speed and deft athleticism … hitch your eyes to these rising stars as the roller derby dames face off against the Kansas City Roller Warriors and KC Plan B. State Fairgrounds, 333 Gordon Cooper Blvd, OKC, oklahomavictorydolls.com

OKC Roller Derby Jul 20 Part graceful race, part all-out brawl, this month’s slate of spectacle sees the Lightning Broads lace up against the Central Arkansas Roller Derby belles. Skate Galaxy, 5800 NW 36th St, OKC, okcrd.com

WWE LIVE Jul 26 Pro wrestling fans should be feeling their temperatures rising about now; the SummerSlam Heatwave Tour is headed this way, bringing John Cena, Bray Wyatt and the Wyatt Family and more to OKC for a one-night throwdown. Chesapeake Arena, 100 W Reno Ave, OKC, 800.745.3000, chesapeakearena.com

THEATERAntony & Cleopatra Jul 3-18 The pair has all the makings of a storybook romance … except that their situations and enemies are likely to end it “unhappily ever after.” Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park investigates one of history’s great tragic affairs. Myriad Gardens, 301 W Reno Ave, OKC, 403.1750, oklahomashakespeare.org

The Little Mermaid Jul 8-12 Lyric makes a summertime splash with an energetic rendition of Disney’s take on the classic fairytale. OKC Civic Center, 201 N Walker, OKC, 524.9312, lyrictheatreokc.com

The Gondoliers Jul 11-13 Cimarron Opera navigates the sometimes turbulent, but always tuneful, waters of international statecraft in a Gilbert and Sullivan tale of two brothers who jointly become king of a small country (it’s complicated). Nancy O’Brien Center, 1809 Stubbeman Ave, Norman, 364.8962, cimarronopera.org

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Jul 11-Aug 3 The corporate ladder is not without its chutes in this Pulitzer-winning tale of ambition, greed and shady dealings - fortunately, it’s G-rated. St. Luke’s Poteet Theater, 222 NW 15th St, OKC, 609.1023, poteettheatre.com

Jack and Jill: What Happened Jul 16-20 Details are sketchy, but one thing that’s clear is that when those kids went up the hill, they fetched a pail of trouble. Now Jack and Jill must turn Rhymeville upside down to solve the mystery of what really happened up there. OCU Burg Theater, 2501 N Blackwelder Ave, OKC, 951.0011, oklahomachildrenstheatre.org

Spamalot Jul 22-26 Become part of the adventure as - no, wait - laugh at the ridiculousness (that’s better) as Lyric sings the story of the knights of the Round Table, Python-style. OKC Civic Center, 201 N Walker, OKC, 524.9312, lyrictheatreokc.com

Pericles Jul 24-27 A road movie onstage instead, this tale of the titular Prince of Tyre lets Oklahoma Shakespeare in the Park follow a haphazard journey around the Mediterranean. OKC Civic Center, 201 N Walker, OKC, 403.1750, oklahomashakespeare.org

Children of Eden Jul 24-Aug 2 The creation of the heavens and the earth, the first human being to draw breath, basically the entire book of Genesis up through the Flood - wouldn’t it sound better set to music? Upstage Theater is giving it a shot; see what you think. Mitch Park Amphitheatre, 1501 W Covell Rd, Edmond, 285.5803, upstagetheatreok.com

Shrek the Musical Jul 31-Aug 3 Onions, earwax, mud, shouting and other subjects that are always popping up in the classics of musical theater fill the Sooner stage in a fantasy-filled PG performance about a grumpy ogre and the transformative power of love. Sooner Theater, 101 E Main St, Norman, 321.9600, soonertheatre.org

ONGOINGMistakes Were Made Through Jul 19 Technically a play about a play, it’s more accurately described as a riotously comic play about desperately attempting to stage what’s turning out to be a disaster of epic proportions. Fun! Carpenter Square Theater, 800 W Main St, OKC, 232.6500, carpentersquare.com

SPREAD THE WORDLike to list your upcoming event in Slice? Visit sliceok.com/calendar, click the link for “Submit an event” and tell us about it – and remember that submissions must be received two months prior to publication for consideration.

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Last Laugh

IF MY HUSBAND, BOB, HAS LEARNED ANYTHING ABOUT TAK-ING VACATIONS, THE LESSON IS NOT TO LEAVE TOWN WITH-OUT THE ENTIRE BROOD IN TOW. At press time, we are a family of eight – specifically, five humans and three pets. Depending on the whims of a few cats, the headcount can reach 11 or 12. Without putting his finger on the reasons for it, Bob has con-nected the calico dots and discovered that, each time he leaves the rest of us behind, we quickly fill the vacancy with an animal that comes with a life expectancy of at least 15 years. Though he’d never believe us, we really don’t lie in wait for him to get out of town before we can act upon the ever-present urge to fill the air with catnip or puppy breath. It just happens that way. The first time it occurred, while Bob was away for a weekend basketball tournament, my kids and I came across the desperate “save me!” mews of a precious kitten, abandoned under a moving truck on a hot July day. Anyone with a heart would at least take Kitty home (by way of Petsmart) for some hydration, love and a new collar. The following summer, it just so happened that a guys’ golf weekend and another basketball tournament coincided exactly with the dates that our pack more than doubled in size with the addition of two dogs and two cats. We were inching dangerously close to either a city code viola-tion or a featured segment on an upcoming episode of “Animal Hoarders.” By the time we’d taken in our fourth dog, Bob had finally cracked the code: Leaving town without the fam = Four more paws on the f loor. At his displeasure, we insisted that one of the dogs (a f lea-cov-ered, abandoned stray who quickly took a shine to three meals a

day, a cushy bed and round-the-clock A/C) would be out the door as soon as we found her owner. We were going to make signs and post them all around the neighbor-

hood, we promised. Six weeks later, the stray was sleeping in the marital bed.

“You have made NO attempts to find this dog’s owner!” Bob huffed.

“I said we’re going to make signs!” I answered. “Just as soon as we figure out

how we want to word them, we’ll get right on

By Lauren Hammack

it,” I added, knowing he just needed a few more weeks to become emotionally attached to the stray. Happily, we found an excellent home for the dog. Sadly, her absence left a void that, well … just had to be filled. As I was driving him to the airport before his two-week mis-sion trip to Eastern Europe, Bob chatted away about the projects of the coming weeks abroad. We said our goodbyes curbside and, just as if a light switch had gone off in his head, Bob made a rare preemptive strike: “I’d better not get home and have a new dog,” he said (at 1:30 p.m.) ... “Perfect! We can meet you at 3 p.m.,” I told the owner of the puppy we adopted at 3:10 p.m., which was probably the very moment the wheels of Bob’s plane were pulling up from takeoff. By 3:30 p.m., my kids and I were on the collar aisle of Petsmart. My kids can’t recall a time when Dad went out of town alone that didn’t result in a dog or cat rescue. Even the out-of-town condi-tion has been subject to reappraisal in recent years. Once while Bob enjoyed a four-hour golf outing just blocks from our home, my daugh-ter drove to Braum’s and found the wait in the drive-thru to be twice its infernal duration, thanks to a box of orphaned kittens (FREE to a good home!). Proving the cat doesn’t fall far from the tree, my daughter came home with strawberry shake and a side order of kitten. Despite our urgings, Bob hasn’t left town without the rest of the family in more than five years. The last time he was fool enough to tempt us by plan-ning an overnight whoknowswhere, he issued this threat: “If there’s a new dog when I get back, you’re going to have to choose between us” – putting me in the market for a new collar and a divorce attorney.

ANOTHER DAY,ANOTHER COLLAR


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*Fastest WiFi based on June 2013 study of comparable in-home wireless routers by Allion Test Labs, Inc. 1Available with Preferred tier and higher. See cox.com/hotspots for coverage areas and hotspots. Cable modem required for Cox Internet services. A DOCSIS 3 modem is required to consistently receive optimal speeds for Preferred and higher tiers, and is strongly recommended for all other tiers. Cox cannot guarantee uninterrupted or error-free service, or the speed of your service. Other restrictions may apply. ©2014 Cox Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.

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