August 15, 2019 Vol. 20, No. 12
In This Issue DIRECTIONS
LEARNING AGAIN UCO STAGING ANNUAL STAMPEDE WEEK
Directions, by Joe Slack, in real life is located in front of OnCue, at 15th and I-35, 4100 E. 15th Street, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. Email c o n te s t @ e d m o n d p a p e r. c o m with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. For more information, see page 4.
Back to School 2019 High School/College Edition Inserted Today!
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 Partly Cloudy High 93° Low 75°
SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 Partly Cloudy High 95° Low 77°
SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 Sunny High 98° Low 76°
PHOTO PROVIDED
The University of Central Oklahoma welcomes students to campus with a series of activities and events Aug. 17-22 as a part of its annual Stampede Week celebration. Now in its 22nd year, the Broncho tradition signals the start of a new school year, bringing Central students together to connect with the UCO campus and community. Pictured are students enjoying 2018 Stampede Week activities. The University of Central Oklahoma welcomes students to campus with a series of activities and events Aug. 17-22 as a part of its annual Stampede Week celebration. Now in its 22nd year, the Broncho tradition signals the start of a new school year, bringing Central students together to connect with the UCO campus and community. The 2019 festivities include traditional favorites like Wake Up in Wantland Aug. 17 and the Bronze and Blue football scrimmage Aug. 18. This year’s Stampede Week will feature comedian, actor, writer, producer and television host Joel McHale at 8 p.m. Aug. 21 at Central’s Hamilton Field House. Other highlights include Water World, sponsored by MidFirst Bank, at 8 p.m. Aug. 23 at Plunkett Park. Attendees will enjoy a 92-foot inflatable slide, pools and much more. The first 500 participants will receive a UCO beach towel for attending. “Stampede Week is a great way for students to get connected to the
UCO Community at the beginning of the year. These events provide a unique way for students to meet others while developing pride in their university,” said Caleb Cash, assistant director of Student Engagement at Central. Stampede Week events are free and open to UCO students, faculty and staff. Valid UCO IDs will be required for admission to events. For a complete schedule of events or for rain site information, visit www.uco.edu/stampedeweek. Students are encouraged to follow @ uco_se and #UCOSW19 on Twitter for up-to-the-minute event information. Stampede Week highlights include: Friday, Aug. 16 3:45 p.m. – Join UCO President Patti Neuhold-Ravikumar for Freshman Convocation in the Nigh University Center Ballrooms. Convocation is the official welcome to Central’s academic community. Students should meet at Old North, continued on Page 3
EPS starting Friday School bells ring again Friday for the Edmond Public Schools. An estimated 25,000 students, from grades pre-k to 12, are expected at almost 30 campuses throughout Edmond. The school district has also invested in more security in the past year. For drivers, please be mindful of school zones. Save yourself from paying a hefty ticket. Also if a bus stops, and flashes the stop sign, state law requires drivers on both sides of the road to stop. A violation of that is also an expensive ticket and could possibly lead to a suspension of your driver’s license. Driving patience is really required near 15th and Santa Fe. Work on that intersection has narrowed traffic to one lane. It is expected to be that way until later this month. That intersection is near Santa Fe High School, home for thousands of students.
Page 2 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 3
Dr. Judith James
Understanding autoimmune diseases New findings from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation will help doctors better predict an individual’s risk of developing an autoimmune disease and to understand how immune systems of some family members prevent autoimmune diseases. Autoimmune diseases are conditions in which the immune system becomes unbalanced and turns on the body instead of protecting it. Many of these illnesses strike women at much higher rates than men. OMRF scientists led by Judith James, M.D., Ph.D., partnered with researchers from the University of Colorado and Benaroya Research Institute, to reveal that healthy people at risk of developing one autoimmune disease also may have autoantibodies typically associated with another autoimmune condition. “We brought together groups that study different autoimmune diseases to ask: ‘Where does autoimmunity start?’” said James, OMRF’s Vice President of Clinical Affairs and Chair of the Arthritis and Clinical Immunology Research Program. James said the research looked at samples from large collections of lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes patients, and their family members, with the goal of identifying some of the first things that go wrong in autoimmunity. “If you’re in a family with a person who has RA, do you have blood markers that only look like rheumatoid arthritis, or could they also look like lupus or type 1 diabetes?” said James. “It’s important to understand if individuals start with abnormal immune re-
sponses to many different factors which cross autoimmune diseases or if they just start with markers specific to one disease.” Findings revealed lupus family members in particular were more likely to have antibodies seen in patients who go on to develop lupus, but some also had antibodies for RA and other autoimmune diseases present. “We’ve found that you are probably more likely to have blood markers of autoimmunity if you’re in a family with someone who has lupus or RA, even though most of the time you will not develop an autoimmune disease,” she said. This knowledge will help further disease prevention trials like two currently underway at OMRF for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. “Instead of trying to figure out the best way to treat patients who already have an established disease, which often has already resulted in irreparable damage, we want to prevent the diseases from occurring long before damage is done,” said James, who also holds the Lou C. Kerr Chair in Biomedical Research. If they can see blood markers at early time points, clinicians might think about different ways to treat patients. “We may need to think about medications treating broader pre-clinical autoimmunity in general as opposed to targeting a specific disease,” she said. The findings were published in the journal EBioMedicine, and the research was funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.
Cover From Page 1 on the west side of campus, no later than 3:30 p.m. for the processional into convocation. Saturday, Aug. 17 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. — Take part in games and other activities into the wee hours of the morning at the 14th annual Wake Up in Wantland at Wantland Stadium. Sunday, Aug. 18 7 p.m. – Get a first look at the Broncho football team in action at the Bronze and Blue Scrimmage at Wantland Stadium. Monday, Aug. 19 7:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Central Locate: Faculty and staff volunteers will be available from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Library, Human Environmental Sciences and Business buildings to help locate classes. 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Learn more about Greek life at Central at the Fraternity and Sorority Life Fair at Broncho Lake. 8 p.m. — Bronchos can splash in the water at Water World in Plunket Park. The event is sponsored by MidFirst Bank. Tuesday, Aug. 20 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Learn about volunteer opportunities on campus and in the community or connect with potential employers at the Volunteer and Part-Time Job Fair at Broncho Lake.
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Donate blood at the Oklahoma Blood Institute blood drive in the NUC Heritage Room. The drive will continue through Thursday. The drive will be in the NUC Robert S. Kerr Room Thursday. 8 p.m. — Bronchos can dance the night away at the Silent Storm in the NUC Ballrooms. Music will be spun by local DJs with the music only being heard through headphones. Wednesday, Aug. 21 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. — Learn about the hundreds of ways to get active on campus at the Student Involvement Fair at Broncho Lake. 8 p.m. — Settle in for a night of laughs with comedian Joel McHale in Hamilton Field House. Thursday, Aug. 22 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. — Learn about local religious and spiritual organizations and area houses of worship during the inaugural Interfaith Fair at Broncho Lake. 8 p.m. — Known as the “YouTube Hypnotist,” experience the hypnotism of Glenn Rottmann, as he performs a mind-reading act in the NUC Ballrooms. For more information, visit www.uco.edu/stampedeweek, or call the Office of Student Engagement at 405-974-2363.
Page 4 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
From the Publisher
Technology improves learning The Internet has changed the way that we do pretty much everything, from how we stay in touch with each other to how we collaborate on a team to get work done. Nowhere have these new capabilities been more evident than in education, where the needs for new and interesting ways to share lessons comRay Hibbard bine with a young, tech-savvy audience ready to put new technology to the test. Our Edmond Public Schools has done an incredible job of using taxpayer money to keep our students up to date and knowledgeable when it comes to new technology. They have embraced the task of preparing students for the future. Our school district does so many things well and the area of technology is no difference. Our own University of Central Oklahoma has been on a multiyear effort to be current and provide students with new technology. A few years back the student body assessed a fee on themselves to make sure systems on campus were relevant and up to the task of taking learning into the future. UCO doesn’t stop at software and equipment updates. The entire campus now has their learning focused on the use of technology in each field of study and their new buildings have all been designed with using technology for learnings. At the heart of all of this is the Internet’s power to change the game when it comes to how students learn. The ways that students connect with teachers are increasing, as well as deepening and enriching our ability to explain complex subjects more directly. Our friends at Cox Business has provided us information below on how the Internet is changing the future of education. The Power of Video It used to be that the teacher would wheel out the video cart, and you’d have an hour off from school to watch a movie or documentary. While Internet access can’t guarantee that the video choices, we make are all 100 percent on-topic, it does open the door for a broader, more varied approach for how we integrate visual learning into education. Integrating short videos into a lesson plan makes it easier than ever to engage students in new ways. The access to video streaming services that broadband provides means a teacher can pull up a video to illustrate what they’re talking about easily. Not every student is great at getting all the information they need from a lecture, and visual examples can help explain things more clearly. Online Testing Teachers have been using web apps to handle tests and homework for a while, but bigger organizations are getting in on the act to make things simpler and easier. Both the SAT and ACT are moving to online versions of their tests, although they still need to be taken on school-issued computers due to (understandable) security concerns. Learning New Languages The Internet’s power to connect people across the globe has great potential for new frontiers in
tary filmmaking, publishing, marine sciences, and more, as well as virtual tours through Aztec ruins, the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, and the Abraham Lincoln Library. These tools make it easier than ever to find new and exciting ways to connect your classroom to the world outside and offer new perspectives and possibilities for students. Lack of Broadband Hurts Students A 2017 Florida report showed that “the lack of high-speed internet services in many rural areas is one of the challenges hindering Florida’s efforts to increase college degrees and spur economic development.” Reliable Internet service underlies almost everything we do these days, and not having access means barriers to learning opportunities, even for activities as simple as reading the news each day. Connectivity is essential to staying relevant in the future of education.
education. One natural fit for broadband’s power to connect in new ways lies in learning new languages. Immersion has always been a key component of gaining mastery over a new language. The challenge, of course, is finding a way to get that immersion without spending months in the country in question. With iTalk, however, you can get free language practice by exchanging time teaching your native language for time learning a foreign language. Browse through people around the globe to find the teacher who works best for you, and the extra practice can help you achieve that mastery. Adaptive Courses Not everyone learns a subject at the same rate. It’s hard, however, for one teacher to address the differing needs of 10 to 20 students with one syllabus. Math presents a lot of challenges for people with different levels of understanding and backgrounds. Companies like Dream Box, Zearn, and ST Math have responded with adaptive learning web apps that adjust their course plan in response to the student. For students who are further along with math, these apps also let them work ahead and explore further. Adaptive, web-based courses have also been developed for writing and literacy, using the Internet to offer flexible new ways of displaying information and judging students’ progress. Virtual Field Trips One of the biggest changes of the past ten years is that everyone now has a high-resolution camera in their pocket, capable of streaming video to anywhere else in the world. While that generally means a whole lot of cat videos, it also means that classes can take behind-the-scenes peeks at things that previously were prohibitive for a field trip. Through the Skype in the Classroom partner program, a class can not only visit the zoo but get a backstage look at what animal care is really all about. There are lessons in journalism, documen-
What You Can Do Right Now The Internet is a vital part of our everyday lives, and it’s even more important in an educational setting. The future of broadband is rich, full of videos, language lessons, virtual field trips, and adaptive courses that can be run from anywhere and are adjusted to meet individual students’ needs. It’s time to take advantage of these innovations. Those of us who are of a certain age can get overwhelmed a bit by the speed at which new technology developed. It is difficult to imagine so many things that our children and especially grandchildren regard as second nature. I have had my concerns about social media and the invasive technology that is being used by the giant companies that provide “free” services. However, education is made for expansion and better processes through technology. It opens an entire new world for so many young people in our education system at all levels. My son, Clark, completed his Master of Engineering degree using technology from the University of Arkansas this year. When he first was considering getting his masters his thought was that he would need to quit his work and take two years out of the job market to complete it. He didn’t want just an online program but a truly accredited program of course work. My boy enjoys being challenged. He found this respected program which required very little on campus time. Most of his work was from his home. I know it was difficult because he was constantly nervous about how he was doing. As smart as this young man is, he would be sweating bullets when we saw him. He missed many family functions because of course work or studying for tests. It was hard and he had to work for the degree. Actually, the technology he used was pretty old hat. The amount of technology available to students many times exceeds the course work available. Congratulations and appreciation to our Edmond Public School District for what they have done with technology not just in providing the opportunities to our students but in their work to keep them safe. (Ray Hibbard may be reached by e-mail at ray@edmondpaper.com)
Check out what’s inside! n n n n n n n n n
Weekend calendar of events ........................................................Page 8. Coming State Fair attractions ......................................................Page 9. The toxic state of politics ..........................................................Page 10. Dave Farris’ look at the Marlow brothers....................................Page 11. ‘Dora the Explorer’ review by George Gust ................................Page 15. Crossword ..................................................................................Page 15. Senior newsw ..................................................................Pages 18 & 19. Business News ............................................................................Page 21. Worship directory ......................................................................Page 23.
See if you can find ‘Directions’ “Directions,” in real life is located in front of OnCue, at 15th and I-35, 4100 E 15th Street, but this week is hidden somewhere in our paper. E-mail contest@edmondpaper.com with the correct location to be entered in the weekly drawing. Local artist Joe Slack created the sculpture to draw the public in. “I just want to engage,” said Slack, “And for it to be part of the landscape.” At it’s tallest point of 17 feet ‘Directions' is the largest sculpture Slack has ever attempted. It features three huge faces with a rust patina. Located along I-35 it is certain to draw travelers in to engage with just one of the pieces of public art Edmond is known for. For more information on Edmond public art please visit http://visitedmondok.com/public-art.php
Publisher Ray Hibbard Jr. ray@edmondpaper.com Partner Christopher T. Hoke Editor Steve Gust news@edmondpaper.com Production April Burgess, Deanne York Advertising Director Alexx Harms alexx@edmondpaper.com Contributing Writers Dave Farris, Mallery Nagle, Kacee Van Horn, Rose Drebes, George Gust.
Legal Counsel Todd McKinnis Ruebenstein & Pitts, PLLC Copyright © 2019 by Edmond Media Publishing 107 S. Broadway Edmond, OK 73034 405.340.3311 (office) 405.340.3384 (fax) Mailing address: P.O. Box 164 Edmond, OK 73083 All rights reserved. Material contained herein may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission from Edmond Media Publishing. edmondlifeandleisure.com
Photographer Melinda Infante
facebook.com/edmondlifeandleisure
Cover Design April Burgess
instagram.com/edmondlifeandleisure
twitter.com/edmondlifeandleisure
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 5
St. Jude’s Dream Home
PHOTO PROVIDED
NFL player, and former Sooners star Blake Bell visits with young Reese. Also with Bell is his girlfriend, Lyndsay Walter.
Children’s Rehabilitation Center
‘Belldozer’ named honorary board member at hospital MELINDA INFANTE
A steady crowd of people took advantage of an Open House at the St. Jude Dream Home over the weekend. The home is valued at $550,000 and is located in the Arcadia Ridge edition in Arcadia. The home will be awarded Aug. 28. Call 800-592-1596 or visit dreamhome.org for more information or to buy a ticket for the drawing.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Jax Sealey, 12, operates ‘Every Penny Counts/ Cans for Cures’ in Arapao, Okla. He was among those viewing the home.
MELINDA INFANTE
One of the many bedrooms in the house designed by Cadence Homes.
The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital, a nonprofit pediatric hospital, announced last week that Blake Bell, football tight end for the NFL Kansas City Chiefs, will serve as a member of the hospital’s honorary board. Bell will be part of a public relations and marketing campaign for the hospital, including public service announcements, speaking engagements, and social media outreach. Bell played college football at the University of Oklahoma, where he received the nickname Belldozer. In April, Bell signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. He became familiar with the hospital after receiving an invitation to take a tour with a family friend. “I really enjoyed my visit at The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital,” said Bell. “It was eye opening to see how amazing the hospital is and all the resources they have for the patients and their families. I look forward to many more visits in the future and excited to be an honorary board member.” Other honorary board members in-
clude: Kelli O’Hara, Tony Award winning Broadway actress; Lincoln Riley, University of Oklahoma football head coach, Michael Fulmer, pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and the 2016 American League Rookie of the Year, J.T. Realmuto, catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies and two-time All-Star, Jordy Mercer, shortstop for the Detroit Tigers, Ogbo Okoronkwo, defensive player for the Los Angeles Rams and Darci Lynne Farmer, winner of America’s Got Talent Season 13. The honorary board members serve as ambassadors for The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital, as well as support the hospital’s fundraising efforts through personal and community influence. The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital is an innovative leader in offering medical services that can only be found in the region while also providing a promising pathway from hospital to home. The Children’s Center Rehabilitation Hospital is more than a place where children come to heal. They come to learn and grow in a supportive, caring environment.
Page 6 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Benefit has ‘Roarin’ Twenties’ theme Do you think the Roarin’ Twenties are the bee’s knees? The berries? The cat’s meow? Are you ready to whoop it up at the party event of the decade (rather, the decade that happened 100 years ago)? Then join the Edmond Historical Society and Museum from 7:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 6, for a 21 & Up evening that will make you say, “Ain’t We Got Fun?” The evening’s entertainment comes with a dose of flapper flare, including an illusionist, jazzy music, Charleston dance demonstrations, classic card games, historical interpreters and more. Everyone who is hip to jive will be there, so come Party Like It’s 1920! Ticket price is $45 for members/$50 non-members, $60 at the door. With advanced tickets, you will receive a secret entrance and password to the party (please don’t be a killjoy and let this information reach
the wrong ears, if you know what we mean). Ticket includes era-appropriate hors d'oeuvres and two 1920s prohibition cocktails. (Allegedly, Edmond was a prohibition town, but frankly, we’re skeptical. It is rumored that the museum has uncovered a mysterious metal contraption that looks rather like a still.) Soda fountain selections, cash bar and non-alcoholic options are also available. Costuming not required, but welcome. Purchase tickets at edmondhistory.org. Because this is a fundraiser, a $20 wine pull, silent auction and 1920s merchandise will also be available. Please bring cash or checks for the purchase of additional items. Exhibit Info: The party celebrates the year-long exhibit 1920s Edmond: Ain’t We Got Fun? At the Edmond Historical Society & Museum. The exhibit runs from February 2019 through January 2020.
Home residents & their rights Residents in long term care settings have rights. One of those is the right to file a grievance without fear of retaliation, and to receive a response as to what will be done to address your concern. Retaliation in long term care can come in many forms and from many different sources. It can be something as subtle as an aide making you wait a few minutes longer for help each time your call light is turned on or it can be as blatant as verbal or physical abuse. Retaliation can come from other residents, administrative staff, floor staff, family members and other outside visitors, or caregivers from third party vendors. Residents in long term care settings should be made aware of their rights and also that no form of retaliation will be tolerated and these acts should always be reported. When an accusation of retaliatory action is made by a resident, the appropriate administrative staff, law enforcement (if necessary), LTC Ombudsman, and Oklahoma State Department of Health (if necessary) should all be notified and a complete investigation should be completed. Residents need to feel safe in their home and it is up to everyone that interacts with them in any form to ensure this happens. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is in place to advocate for elderly Oklahomans who reside in Long Term Care facilities. As our aging population grows, so does the need to make sure our loved ones are being cared for. If you have question or concerns regarding retaliation in a long term care facility there are several ways to contact an Areawide Aging Agency Ombudsman. Call 405-942-8500 to speak to an Ombudsman Supervisor, visit the agency website at www.areawideaging.org, or find us on Facebook.
More Senior news 18 &19
Salvation Army & grant to help elderly in metro The Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma is pleased to announce it has received a $20,000 grant from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and its Services for the Elderly iFund grant program. The grant will be used to assist in funding enrichment activities through The Salvation Army’s Senior Programs Department, which will allow the nonprofit to increase its level of service to the population it serves. “Enrichment activities are so important to our senior community,” said Major Susan Ellis, area commander. “These activities help participants achieve a sense of purpose, independence, and empowerment. The Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma is excited to offer a variety of opportunities to engage and connect with this growing population.” The enrichment activities funding will cover includes field trips, special events, holiday celebrations, and incentives to participate in ongoing activities taking place at the three senior centers. The Salvation Army Central Oklahoma has been serving the elderly population for over 50 years. There are currently three senior centers in the Oklahoma City metro area serving approximately 350-425 seniors each week. The centers are open to anyone age 55 or older, free of charge. Wellness activities, lunch, Bible study, and reading and discussion groups are all a part of the current programming taking place. Those locations are: Danforth Center, 5301 N. Meridian, OKC; Reding Center, 1000 SW 38th St., OKC and Shartel Center, 5415 S. Shartel, OKC.
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 7
Presentation on marijuana & opioid myths The Edmond Chapter of Parents Helping Parents will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20 at McLaren's Pantry located at 3414 South Boulevard in the Boulevard Shopping Center located in the SE corner of 33rd and Boulevard. The restaurant is closed to the general public at 6 p.m. The meeting is from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
FILE PHOTO/MELINDA INFANTE
Kevin and Sherry Waldon enjoyed a food truck dinner during last month’s Heard on Hurd street party in downtown Edmond.
This Saturday evening
Heard on Hurd party marks summer’s end Citizens Bank of Edmond’s Heard on Hurd Aug. 17 will say farewell to summer and hello new school year with a “Back to School Bash” themed event. With 32 food vendors, 17 retail vendors, three rocking local bands, The OC Summer Singers, Lime Scooter demonstrations, Teacup Chain square dancers and more, the bash should not disappoint! Lime Scooters have made it to Edmond! With the City of Edmond’s recent approval of the scooters, they will be giving free demonstrations for safe riding practices as well as basic usage. The Edmond Public School Foundation will be raffling off a brand-new VW Jetta in December! You can see the car in person as well as buy raffle tickets at the remaining Heard on Hurd events of the 2019 season. Did you know there are over 2,000 elementary students in the Edmond School District that qualify for free or reduced lunches? Citizens Bank of Edmond and Heard on Hurd will be partnering up with local vendors to provide a donation site during the August event for festival goers who would like to donate supplies to Edmond Public Schools. The most needed supplies include: 24 pack crayons, washable markers, Clorox wipes, glue sticks, scissors, pencils, tissues, composition notebooks, cap erasers, pink pearl erasers, spiral notebooks, and notebook paper. Street entertainment performances will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Main and Broadway. This month’s event will feature the Oklahoma Christian University “Summer Singers”. Stop by the Heard on Hurd stage to hear sounds from three local artists: n The Old Bulldog Band at 6 p.m.; The Old Bulldog Band’s roots go back to the 60’s – with many of its members playing together at dances and sock hops in the Old Armory, the junior high & high school, and the college. Some 50 years later, this group of friends - graduates of Edmond High School – are having fun playing the songs that made up the sound-
track of those days. It’s fitting that the Old Bulldog Band starts things off on this ‘back to school’ edition of Heard on Hurd. These Edmond grads from 66-79 are a collection of attorneys, business owners, educators, PhD’s, and government employees, who are also musicians! n Steelwind at 7:20 p.m.: The friendship of co-songwriters, Blake Parks and Michael Henneberry, continues to fuel their creative force in writing their all-original bluegrass songs with tight harmonies and soulful instrumentation. Their first album, The Sound of a Train, was released in 2010, and their latest album, F5, released April 2016. From playing intimate listening rooms to performing at major festivals, these Oklahoma songwriters are making a name for themselves. n The Wight Lighters at 8:40 PM: In 2016, three Oklahoma natives came together with one common goal in mind — to create no-nonsense music with an appeal factor for the masses. Dwight Hamlin, Joniel Prouty and Derek Carothers released their first project as Wight Lighters in 2016 and they haven’t slowed down since. With guitar influences from The Rolling Stones and 80’s rock bands like Skid Row combined with the soulfulness of the likes of Eric Clapton, it’s no wonder this band has a sound that is getting them on show bills with a diverse list of acts, from Whiskey Myers to Chase Rice, and with that, the band is certainly living up to their goal. Their music has spread like wildfire as they’ve caught the attention of loyal music fans in their home state and beyond. The band is set to release their next project in the fall of 2019 which is certain to send their careers to the next level. Our featured nonprofit of the August event will be Edmond Ambucs. AMBUCS is a national charitable service organization dedicated to Inspiring Mobility and Independence and the Edmond Chapter was founded in 1977. Members of the Edmond AMBUCS Chapter are all volunteers that do community service projects for the Edmond community.
Our speaker on is Harold C. Urschel III, MD, MMA. His topic is, "Marijuana and Opioid Myths: What Parents Need to Know." Parents Helping Parents provides support and resources for parents of addicted children (any age child). This is an anonymous meeting and no cost or reservations required. For more information please call 405-642-8198.
Page 8 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Female pilot group The Ninety-Nines
Air rally Saturday to raise funds for scholarships The 41st Annual proficiency air rally is scheduled to take place on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Sundance Airport in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma Chapter of the International Organization of Women Pilots, The Ninety-Nines, brings pilots together for the Derby, testing their aviation skills and raising money for the Wings of the Future Scholarship, which has garnered
over $75,000 since its inception. The Derby resides at Sundance Airport for the sixth consecutive year and its unique characteristics bring spectators from near and far to witness the action. On rally day, pilots will take off at Sundance Airport, having been provided a predetermined course to fly. That course entails a route beginning at Sundance Airport in west
Oklahoma City, and encompasses C.E. Page, Duncan and Watonga before heading back to the finish at Sundance. Each entry predicts their fuel usage during flight and elapsed time to fly the course before they depart. The pilots are furnished with live GPS trackers from US Fleet Tracking, back as a sponsor of the Derby again this year. The company’s GPS tracking technology makes it possible for officials as well as spectators to view all participants during the rally, as it happens. The entrant who comes closest to their predictions wins the rally and walks away with a trophy, bragging rights and 50 gallons of aviation fuel sponsored by Sundance Airport. The Wings of the Future Scholarship has helped women realize their dreams of flying by helping them get started in flying or assisting in furthering their aviation education.
What’s Happening This Weekend Aug 15-18 Thursday, Aug. 15 ---- In the Gallery ---- Full Moon OKC Bike Ride & Run ---- Summer Shootout Barrel Racing Friday, Aug. 16 ---- In the Gallery ---- Summer Shootout Barrel Racing ---- Pool & Spa Show ---- First day of school for the Edmond Public Schools. Be mindful of school zone speed limits. Saturday, Aug. 17 ---- In the Gallery ---- Edmond Farmer’s Market ---- Heard on Hurd ---- OKC Area Play Date ---- Kyle Rainer ---- Summer Shootout Barrel Racing ---- Pool & Spa Show ---- Just Between Friends ---- Fort Reno Historic Spirit Tour ---- Dolese Brothers Company Rock the Block Sunday, Aug, 18 ---- In the Gallery ---- Summer Shootout Barrel Racing ---- Pool & Spa Show ---- Just Between Friends Extra Information on Weekend Happenings In the Gallery Location: Edmond Fine Arts Institute Extra Info: Featuring works by Austin Navrkal; for information go to: http://www.edmondfinearts.com Edmond Farmers Market Location: Festival Marketplace & Plaza Extra Info: Free admission; 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.; for more information go to: edmondOK.com Market to Table Brunch Location: Festival Market Place & Plaza Extra Info: $25/person; Register by calling 405-359-4630; for more information visit edmonok.com Heard on Hurd Location: Downtown Edmond Extra Info: Free admission; 6 -10
p.m.; Enjoy local food, unique shopping and live music. OKC Area Play Date Location: Bickham Rudkin Park and Community Dog Park Extra Info: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.; for more information visit them on Facebook Kyle Rainer Location: River Lounge, Riverwind Casino Extra Info: 9 p.m.; for more information visit riverwind.com Full Moon OKC Bike Ride & Run Location: Myriad Botanical Gardens & Crystal Bridge Tropical Conservatory Extra Info: for more information visit oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com Summer Shootout Barrel Racing Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: for more information visit shootoutbarrels.com Pool & Spa Show Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: for more information visit aquahavenspas.com Just Between Friends Location: Oklahoma State Fair Park Extra Info: for more information visit okc.jbfsale.com Fort Reno Historic Spirit Tour Location: Historic Fort Reno Extra Info: for more information visit fortreno.org Dolese Brothers Company Rock the Block Location: Downtown Oklahoma City, 14th & Broadway Extra Info: Free; 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; 9 – 10 a.m. quiet hour for children with noise sensitivity; Touch-A-Truck event with a variety of construction equipment and trucks for children of all ages to explore. A can of food is the suggested donation for the event to benefit the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Lunch proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
(Please send items to Melinda Infante at infante318@cox.net.)
PHOTO PROVIDED
On Saturday Dolese Bros. Co. will host its third annual Rock the Block, a construction industry Touch-A-Truck community event. The free, familyfriendly event is open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned/non-perishable food items to donate to the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma. Lunch proceeds will benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It will be held Saturday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will be held at 14th Street and N. Broadway Ave.
Engagement, Wedding notices Do you have a wedding or engagement notice? If so, please contact us at Edmond Life & Leisure, either by phone, 340-3311 or e-mail, news@edmondpaper.com. We will then send or fax you an engagement or wedding form.The cost is $35, which includes a photograph. Payment is due upon submission by noon Thursday.
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 9
What’s new at upcoming State Fair At the 2019 Oklahoma State Fair, fans can expect a variety of attractions that all work together to create the ultimate experience of FUN MADE HERE. Continue reading for the full list of new exhibits, shows, competitions and more that Fairgoers can expect in 2019. Renaissance Village – Located in the Centennial Plaza, Fairgoers can take a step back into the middle ages, to the time of Kings and Queens, jesters, minstrels and knights. Enjoy performances by talented dancers and singers, incredible archers and hilarious jokesters. Visitors can shop the wares of medieval artisans and have a taste of delicious food and drink from the period. This fully immersive experience is one that nobody will want to miss out on. Xtreme Chinese Acrobats – Visit the new Entertainment Stage in the Bennett Event Center to watch these high-fling performers as they attempt daring stunts. This show is sure to wow audiences of all ages. Oklahoma State Fair Film Festival – Submitted and judge ahead of the Fair, short films that are selected as the 1st through 3rd winners in each category of this competition will be shown in the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center on Sept. 14. Following the Film Festival, the winning videos will be shown for the remainder of the Fair. LIVE Mural Challenge – This new competition will take place on Sept. 14 in The Circle. The 20 accepted entrants will create their murals and a judging panel will award cash premiums to the top pieces. All 20 murals will remain on display throughout the duration of the Fair. Kids Celebration – This interactive show is meant to engage and entertain the whole family. Every child and teenager in the audience will have the opportunity to be the star of the game show. Each show is different, so patrons can come back again and again to experience the fun. Don’t miss this on the Entertainment Stage in the Bennett Event Center. A Grizzly Experience – Yogi and his two friends will make a stop at the Oklahoma State Fair to show you that a grizzly bear is more than a cute face. Witness the interaction between animal and man and learn what to do if you ever meet one in the wild. Charro Gabriel Hernandez – Located in the Oklahoma Frontier Experience, Gabriel Hernandez began riding horses before he could walk and is one of the youngest performing charros at the age of 14. This charro rides his horse, El Vallo, and is a rare left-handed talent that comes from PHOTO PROVIDED many generations of experienced horseYoung Gabriel Hernandez is a rare left-handed horseman and will show off his charro talents every evening in men. Catch him every night at the 7:30 the Wild West show during the upcoming Oklahoman State Fair. p.m. Wild West Showcase. Flyin’ Fiddler Wayne Cantwell – Mr. that tune’ with bingo to make a fun night with This event showcases the skills necessary to funcCantwell makes his first appearance at the Oklafriends. Music ranges from 60’s to today. Alternattion on a working ranch. Don’t miss this competihoma Frontier Experience with his fiddle thrown in tion in the Performance Arena. ing with SINGO rounds will be Trivia Live. Test a gunny sack over his shoulder. Using an old time Pleasure Draft – This division has been added to your knowledge and see how much you really clawhammer banjo and fiddle, he’ll perform tradithe equine competitions as a way for Draft Horses know about life. Amazing prizes will be awarded tional music of the open prairie or what you would and other Draft type breeds to compete in classes throughout the evening, in the Modern Living have heard around a campfire or during an old Building on Sept. 12. such as barrel racing, trail, or obstacle classes. western barn dance. Special event announcements and general upWatch as these gentle giants show off a huge variEarly American Potter – From digging up the dates for the 2019 Oklahoma State Fair will be reety of skills. clay to the finished product, learn what it took to leased as information becomes available. Tickets to In case you missed it last year… make pottery back in the 1800’s. Showcasing her the 2019 Oklahoma State Fair, including Disney Oklahoma Cornhole Classic – Through a partneramazing craftsmanship, Reggie will show you the On Ice, PRCA Xtreme Bulls & Broncs, outside gate ship with Oklahoma Cornhole, we present the secvarious methods it takes to make products that admission tickets and carnival ride armbands are ond annual Oklahoma State Fair Cornhole Classic. were used in the frontier’s everyday life. Compete for prizes and bragging rights for this event. on sale now. To stay up-to-date on all the Fair fun, Team Penning – Team Penning is an equine Check the Oklahoma Cornhole Facebook page for in- visit www.okstatefair.com, find us on Facebook or competition where mounted horsemen and follow us on Twitter and Instagram. And don’t forformation on tournament registration and fees. This women separate and herd a select designated get to share your Fair memories and stories with us event takes place Sept. 22 at The PATIO. group of cattle safely and efficiently into a pen. using #OKStateFair and #FunMadeHere. SINGO / Trivia Night – SINGO combines ‘name
Page 10 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Commentary ... We’re on YOUR Side
Odd days for our politicians Immigration reform The toxicity of American politics continues to hit new lows. Major candidates for one party’s presidential nomination last week called Steve Gust the president of the United States a “white supremacist” and claimed he had responsibility for a mass shooting. Really? Discourse like that is reckless. Somewhere on Youtube (unless they’ve taken it off) is Donald Trump from 20 years ago. (Please check it out) He was working with the Rainbow/Push Coalition to help minorities. Let’s see if CBS News plays that video sometime soon. I’m thinking that probably won’t happen. And the politics has shifted into high gear over firearms. What’s sad about it, is something I brought up last week. Not too many people seem concerned about the ongoing violence in major cities, most of which have some of the tough-
est gun contol laws in the nation. Although it’s not a mass shooting, it still results in far too many people injured and killed annually. Yet the violence continues. Someone needs to work on a solution to that. For whatever reason it doesn’t seem to be a priority. Now we’re talking about Red Flag laws. Many states already have them. I probably need to read the exact statue, but from what I’ve heard if someone is acting mean or odd, a citizen can complain. Then a judge can possibly order the person’s guns seized. Seems to me it’s more work for a legal system already swamped. And the law probably has flaws. Suppose I get a bit miffed one day and hang the telephone up on someone? Can that person request my guns be seized? That would be a real trick since I don’t have any. But then the person complaining can say I’m lying and demand the police come out to my house and search. Let’s say also that the state seizes someone’s guns. What’s to
stop the guy from buying more firearms or borrowing some weapons from his cousin Billy Bob? Yet we have politicians who still think we’re one or two laws away from making everyone safe. They ignore facts. A person who commits one of these heinous shootings even today breaks at least a half a dozen laws that can get you put away for life or executed. We’re still told that more laws are the answer. The same people who don’t care about millions of people coming into the nation illegally, will preach about new gun laws making a difference. I don’t think so. Sadly we have too many mentally ill people and criminals. Those people don’t seem to care about laws or human life. Many people also don’t realize, or care, that some day they’ll be held accountable to God. Please don’t get me wrong. If I thought a new law would end mass shootings, I’d be all in favor of it. I just don’t think it’s realistic. (Steve Gust may be reached at news@edmondpaper.com)
The cartoon has been previously published
doesn’t equal ‘hate’ By Rich Lowry National Columnist President Donald Trump's immigration agenda has always been considered exclusionary and prejudiced by progressives; now they consider it tainted by mass murder. The El Paso massacre, carried out by a white nationalist waging a lunatic war against Hispanic immigration, is being used as a bludgeon against Trump and immigration restriction more broadly. After years spent trying to rule immigration restriction out of bounds, the left is doubling down on ruling immigration restriction out of bounds. It can't be that the only reason for protecting the border, rejecting bogus asylum-seekers, reorienting the legal immigration system toward skills rather than family
unification and reducing overall numbers is rank hatred bordering on homicidal malice. It can't be that the only choice is between extremely latitudinarian policies that allow asylum-seekers into the country, often never to be seen again, or mass murder. It can't be that the only respectable position on immigration, safe for the general public, is whatever the Democrats' center of gravity on the issue is at any given time (always in flux and always moving left). First, let's stipulate that Trump's words on immigration often are crude and inflammatory. Yet nothing he's ever said could possibly justify indiscriminately shooting people. Trump is not a terrorist, a supporter of terrorism or an enabler of terrorism. The El Paso shooter's apparent manifesto overlaps with some of Trump's rhetoric, but what defines the document is its apocalyptic argument that slaughter is the way "to reclaim" the country. The gulf between that view and Trump's — that Congress should build a wall and change some highly technical asylum rules — is vast. It is the difference between justifying criminality and advocating legislation, between quitting on America and calling for policies to solve one of its problems. Much is made of Trump's use of the word "invasion," which also features in the manifesto. This is a loaded term best avoided. It speaks to a hostile intent among immigrants who, by and large, come here to improve their lives. But, again, the impulse to gun down these supposed invaders shopping at Walmart and the im-
See Hate, Page 11
Churches play role in foster child care By The Oklahoman Editorial Board Oklahoma’s foster care system has presented the state with major challenges for generations, driven primarily by the volume of children who need the state’s services. According to the Department of Human Services, the number of children in state custody stands at roughly 8,000 today. That’s an improvement over four years ago, when the total was about 11,000. However, according to the website ChildTrends.org, 5.8 of every 1,000 U.S. children were in foster care in 2017 but in Oklahoma, the figure was 9.7 per 1,000, the seventh-highest rate in the nation. As DHS strives to reduce the number of children in foster care, it also looks constantly for more people who may be willing to serve as fos-
ter parents. A local church is making it a priority to help in that area. The Oklahoman’s Carla Hinton wrote recently about Edmond-based Life.Church, which began a major foster care initiative in 2016 and last weekend began a new initiative aimed at raising awareness about the need for more foster care families. The church is working along with DHS, Oklahoma Fosters, Project 111 and other agencies. Jon Mays, the church’s director of local mission partnerships, says the chief goal is to partner with organizations that offer preventative services, to support at-risk families. The church also is urging its members to consider opening their homes to foster children. “We believe local churches can and should make a difference in our communities …” Mays
Letters to the Editor policy We love mail, especially mail from Edmond Life & Leisure readers with complaints, compliments or comments about what they read here. The rules, even for e-mail letters: 1) You must tell us your full name; 2) You must give us your complete address and phone numbers (but we will identify you only by name); and 3) We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity and taste (our taste). Send mail to Letter to the Editor, Edmond Life & Leisure, 107 S. Broadway, Edmond, OK 73034, or fax to 340-3384 or e-mail to news@edmondpaper.com.
said. He is right about that — the state cannot, on its own, tackle such a monumental problem as foster care. Doing so requires the help of Oklahomans from border to border. Life.Church has made a difference. In 2016, it helped launch an interactive system that helps DHS staffers inform churches about the needs of foster families and families trying to reunify with their children. The church also distributed information to its members explaining how to support the foster care system. Deb Shropshire, director of child welfare services for DHS, said the agency subsequently saw a noticeable increase in families signing up to foster. “They are really trying to build on what they started in 2016,” she said. Hinton highlighted a couple who became foster parents to an 8-month-old boy after learning about foster care through the church three years ago. For many, younger children come immediately to mind if the issue of foster care is broached, but older children need homes, too — Shropshire says about 80 children sleep in Oklahoma shelters on any given day, and at least 90 percent of them are 13 and older. We offer kudos and thanks to Life.Church, and to all the churches and organizations in Oklahoma that are engaged in this important work. Anyone interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting can contact DHS at (800) 376-9729 or visit https://okfosters.org/. From www.Oklahoman.com
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 11
Justice for the Marlows By David Farris The 1965 classic western, “The Sons Of Katie Elder,” was inspired by actual events involving the Marlow brothers from Indian Territory. Just like in the movie, the brothers were chained together – George to Epp and Charley to Alf. On Jan. 19, 1889, at around 10 p.m., they were being transferred Farris from the jail at Graham, Texas, to the one in Weatherford, 60 miles away, due to threat from a lynch mob two nights earlier. The vigilantes knew the route that Deputy Ed Johnson would take with his prisoners and ambushed them from alongside the road as their wagons approached, killing Alf and Epp. George and Charlie were also shot and seriously wounded; but that didn't stop them from grabbing guns and fighting off the vigilantes while chained to their dead brothers. The movie ends in an exciting Hollywood shootout, complete with a spectacular explosion. That was instead of the actual, anti-climatic ending that took almost two years to play out in court. Despite the usual tedious nature of courtroom proceedings, there were still plenty of dramatic twists, turns and surprises. After a two day stand off at the Marlow family's cabin near Graham against Sheriff Tom Collier and more than 50 men, George and Charley, and fellow prisoner Louis Clift, surrendered to Deputy F.W. Morton. The fugitives refused to surrender to Collier and his men, some of whom had participated in two mob attacks against the helpless, chained prisoners. By Jan. 24, they were safely locked away in the Dallas jail, under the watch of U.S. Marshal William Cabell. The Graham Leader condemned the mob's actions and called for swift justice against the participants. On Jan. 24, a grand jury convened and indicted county attorney Phelete Martin, and constables Eugene Logan and Sam Waggoner for obstruction of justice and murder. The men received a court date in October and were released after they each posted a $2500 bond. In the meantime, George and Charley still had yet to be tried on their original charges of horse theft that brought them to Graham in the first place. The charges against the dead brothers were dropped, which included Boone, who had been murdered in Indian Territory for the price on his head. Boone had killed the former sheriff, Marion Wallace, while in a shootout with his then deputy, Tom Collier. When Collier became sheriff, he used his authority to continued his feud against the Marlows. In March, George and Charley finally got their day in court. When witnesses for the prosecution failed to arrive, the brothers were acquitted; however they remained in custody so they could testify in the upcoming trial against the mob members. They were finally released on the condition that they remain in Dallas. When the brothers asked for permission to carry firearms, they were denied. After a special grand jury at Graham met in August, Logan and Martin were rearrested on new charges of complicity with the mob that led to the death of one of its' members, Sam Criswell, in addition to Alf and Epp. On the latest charges, bail was set at $5000 for Martin and $7500 for Logan. Residents of Graham had turned their opinion in favor of the Marlows after the horrific injustice they had suffered at the hands of local authorities. It then became necessary for those who were responsible for these events to protect themselves from prosecution. A rumor reached Dallas that Sheriff Collier was going to charge George and Charley in the death of Sheriff Wallace, which would require their return to Graham. They had barely survived their last stay at the town and had no plans to return. In contempt of the court that released them, they collected their family and relocated near Ridgway, Colorado. When the mob trial convened in October and the brothers didn't appear, it was postponed until the following March and both men were issued warrants for arrest as witnesses. In January 1890, the U.S. Circuit Court for the Northern District of Texas at Dallas indicted four more members of the mob who survived the battle: Clint Rutherford, Bruce Wheeler, Verna Wilkerson, and Bee Williams. Logan was, again, also charged, as was for some reason a dead man, Frank Harmison, who was killed by Charley. In February, Martin was again indicted, as was John Levell who was Sheriff Wallace's deputy tax col-
George & Charley Marlow lector. Levell had been at the jail on Jan. 17 during the first attack on the Marlows and lead the mob to their cell with the keys in his hand. When the mob trial resumed in March, the brothers still didn't show. Sheriff Cyrus Wells Doc” Shores from Gunnison County, Colo., learned about the warrants for the reluctant witnesses and rode out to the Marlow's homestead with a couple of deputies. The brothers refused to submit to arrest, or to return to Texas. Aside from that, their meeting remained cordial and the lawmen sat down for dinner with the family. Sheriff Shores decided to take the diplomatic approach and made the brothers an offer. If they agreed to return to Gunnison, he would swear them in as deputies, allowing them to carry their guns. Shores would then provide them with disguises so that they could return to Texas unrecognized, and armed guards to protect them to and from court. The brothers trusted the respected lawman and agreed to his terms. With the brothers present, the mob trial resumed in Graham on Oct. 20. Due to their testimony, 12 more members of the mob were identified and indicted, including Sheriff Collier. On Nov. 22, Rutherford was found not guilty and a mistrial was declared for Logan and Wilkerson, requiring a second trial. A couple of defendants didn't live long enough to be tried. William Williams' health began to deteriorate while in custody, and died in early January 1891. He was soon followed by Collier, who contracted typhoid fever and died in mid-January, also while in custody. It was ironic that the former sheriff responsible for perpetuating the violent environment that took so many lives was never tried for his actions. In late January, U.S. Marshal George Knight took unusual action to further protect George and Charley and encourage their continued participation in any upcoming hearings. They were sworn in as special U.S. deputy marshals and each brother was placed in custody of the other as “attached witnesses.” By April 1891, the defendants, charged with conspiracy and murder, were all tried together. On April 17, Logan, Waggoner and Wallace were found guilty of conspiracy, but not murder. To the Marlow family's disappointment, the other defendants were all found not guilty. The following day, the three guilty men each received a ten year sentence and a fine of $5,000. For all of the family's sorrow over the loss of three of their members, and the persecution they experienced at the hands of corrupt officials at Graham, it seemed that justice had not been served. Their heartbreak over the verdict only intensified when the Supreme Court in Washington (it was yet to be D.C.) overturned the convictions of the three defendants, due to misconduct by the judge, and ordered the case to be retried. The men were released, and their was never a second trial. Since the criminal justice system had failed the Marlow family, all that remained was the hope of finding vindication in civil court. Martha Marlow, the boys' mother, sued for $10,000 for Alf's death; Zenia Marlow, Epp's widow, also asked for $10,000; and George and Charley each sought $10,000 for there wounds and suffering. The court awarded George $1000, Charley $1950, and Martha and Zenia received nothing. The Marlow family returned to Colorado after their two year nightmare in Texas and began to rebuild their lives. Unfortunately, Graham officials weren't done with George and Charley. An attempt was still underway to hold them responsible for Sheriff Wallace's death; however, by that point, the brothers had been martyred. Popular opinion in Texas, and Colorado, was too strongly in their favor for the possibility of any prosecution.
Hate From Page 10 pulse to exclude them from entry, or quickly and safely return them home once here, don't exist in the same moral universe. For all that the language police profess to care deeply about words, they aren't very careful about rendering Trump's. No one notes that in his Florida rally where a rallygoer notoriously yelled "shoot them" and Trump shook his head, smiled and said "only in the Panhandle," the president was in the midst of saying of border agents, "Don't forget, we don't let them, and we can't let them, use weapons." The discrediting of views that show up in the manifesto only works one way. The shooter expresses a fear of automation and support for the universal basic income. Should we hold that against Andrew
Yang? The shooter fears we're on the verge of an environmental disaster. Should Jay Inslee tone it down? When a member of Antifa was shot dead by police while attacking an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Washington state, Democrats weren't made to answer for their harsh attacks on immigration enforcement. It's even a count against Trump that the shooter, too, says that Democrats favor "open borders." If it's going to be unacceptable to use the term "open borders" of a party that is getting closer and closer to embracing a policy of open borders, we might as well shut down the immigration debate now. From Oklahoman.com
Page 12 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
PHOTO PROVIDED
Beatrice Williamson serves food to students at a school in Africa. Maisha works in rural villages just outside Kisumu and in the Nyalenda slums within Kisumu City.
Goal is $175,000 for Maisha Project
Gala will pay it forward to Africa By Rose Drebes The Sept. 20 Light the Future gala will celebrate the triumphs and dreams of the Maisha Project. The 10th annual event will take place 5:30-8:30 p.m. at the Skirvin Hilton Hotel, 1 Park Place. Beatrice Williamson is the founder and executive director of the Maisha Project. She said the fundraising goal for the gala is $175,000. That money will be used to help further the mission of the Maisha Project, an international organization working on local levels to empower people to transform their community. Maisha works in rural villages just outside Kisumu and in the Nyalenda slums within Kisumu City in Kenya.. Williamson came to Oklahoma in 2001 as an intern at City Church. Growing up in Africa, a Swedish woman had a profound impact on her life. “I wanted to pay it forward,” she said. “I felt I could do something outside Oklahoma.” In 2008, she founded the organization and now, it serves more than 900 people in Africa. Every day, children there face the risk of disease, malnutrition and hopelessness. In the Nyanza Province of Kenya where Maisha is located, the silent epidemic of HIV/AIDS has stolen the lives of mothers, fathers and children; leaving one out of every three households headed by a child, Williamson said. According to Kenya’s Department of Health, one out of every four adults in the Kisumu district is HIV positive. Breaking generational poverty starts with children. Williamson said the Maisha Project is joining forces with “like-minded organizations” for the better good of these Africans. “Maisha resources the existing solution in the very communities we serve,” she said. “We are full of opportunists, it’s in the DNA of the people we resource and in the individuals
PHOTO PROVIDED
Maisha Project founder and Executive Director Beatrice Williamson hands out backpacks to students in Africa. The Maisha Project believes that education is a prime force in ending generational poverty.
that resource us. We are not just a set of projects; we are a community that is helping plant a generation of planners.” Education, health services and economic empowerment are Maisha’s primary areas of focus. Through the organization, people can sponsor students, giving children the tools they need to be a success in life. In addition to the Maisha Clinic, the organization hosts health and HIV/AIDS educational rallies, runs the Living Positive home based care ministry and Nyalenda Slums Project
and partners with other groups to provide clean water, hygiene and sanitation education, Williamson said. Maisha’s economic empowerment model draws on the power within local communities to break the cycle of poverty. Williamson said her organizations works to provide access to small business loans, life-changing information about agriculture and health and unique small-business opportunities. Some 685 Oklahomans have traveled with Williamson to Africa to see the work of the Maisha Project first-
hand. As the organization is mostly funded by individuals, she said this is big way in which people can see firsthand what the Maisha Project is accomplishing. The date for the gala is approaching and Williamson said there is still a need for auction items, as well as table sponsorships. “We hope Oklahoma can step up to support the Maisha Project as they always do,” Williamson said. For more information on the gala and the Maisha Project, visit www.maishaproject.org.
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 13
PHOTO PROVIDED
Gov. Kevin Stitt prepares to sign Nancy’s Law as Nancy Simpson’s friends and family look on. An Edmond resident, Simpson died of breast cancer in 2018. The bill enhances requirements for health care providers who perform mammograms to notify patients about their test results, particularly if they have dense breast tissue.
Named in honor of late-Edmond resident Nancy Simpson
New law should detect breast cancer quicker Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a bill last week that enhances requirements for health care providers who perform mammograms to notify patients about their test results. The measure is part of Oklahoma’s ongoing efforts to fight breast cancer. Known as Nancy’s Law, the legislation is named for Nancy Simpson of Edmond, who lost her life to breast cancer in 2018 at the age of 69. The law focuses on dense breast tissue, which can interfere with efforts to detect breast cancer. “Mammograms are vital tools for detecting breast cancer,” said Sen. Adam Pugh (R), Edmond, who co-authored the bill. “But for some women, they may not tell the whole story. Nancy’s Law will equip those women with the knowledge they need to take charge of their health and, in some cases, save their lives.” Dense breast tissue affects as many as half of all women and can obscure basic mammography scans, making cancer more difficult to detect. Under existing Oklahoma law, if a patient is found to have dense breast tissue, when she receives her mammography results, the health care facility that performed the mammogram must advise the patient of this fact and provide information on additional testing options. The new legislation requires those mammography results and notification to be emailed to the patient if she so elects.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Sen. Adam Pugh (R-Edmond) visits with John Simpson and Elyzabeth Simpson before the Nancy’s Law bill-signing ceremony. The law is named for John Simpson’s wife Nancy Simpson of Edmond, who lost her life to breast cancer in 2018. The law focuses on dense breast tissue, which can interfere with efforts to detect breast cancer. “Our wives, mothers, sisters and daughters depend on breast screening to detect cancer,” said the bill’s co-author Rep. Lewis Moore (R), Arcadia. “This new measure will give more Oklahoma women the chance
to live their lives cancer-free.” Simpson worked for 30 years as a laboratory technician at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, searching for effective ways to control fats that play a major role in
heart disease and stroke. Although she underwent yearly mammograms, Simpson’s dense breast tissue hid her cancer until doctors discovered it at stage 4, when it was too advanced to respond to treatment. At the end of her life, she wrote a letter to Pugh and Moore that served as the catalyst for the new legislation. “Nancy dedicated her career to helping make discoveries to benefit people she would never know,” said OMRF President Stephen Prescott, M.D. “Even in the fight for her own life, she did what she could to ensure that future generations of women could take control of their own breast health and live longer.” Outside of the lab, Simpson had a passion for golf, traveling, the arts and her family. Her husband, John, and their daughters, Elyzabeth and Melissa, attended the signing ceremony, along with a group of Simpson’s friends and OMRF coworkers. “We are so grateful to Sen. Pugh and his staff for what they’ve done in Nancy’s memory,” said John Simpson. “Nancy was a caring, empathetic person. She would love knowing that Nancy’s Law will save lives.” “This law is a major step for women’s health in Oklahoma,” said Stitt. “It ensures that all women can take advantage of advances in breast cancer detection and treatment that can spell the difference between life and death.”
Page 14 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Edmond Elks lodge helps Boys Ranch Town
Presentation On the front row are Boys Ranch Town residents Aiden and Dawson. On the back row are Mike Wintz, David, Executive Director Brent Thackerson, Dawson, Exalted Ruler Scott McDaneld and Elk members Phil Wallace, Vicky and Bob Daniel. Not shown is Les Cummings, Elks Grants Coordinator. PHOTO PROVIDED
The Edmond Elks Lodge has presented the Edmond Boys Ranch $500 in needed school supplies. This donation continues the long-term support of the ranch thanks to the ongoing efforts of the Elks National Foundation’s Community Investment Grants Program. Each year the Elks Lodge purchases school sup-
plies from a list provided by the Edmond Boys Ranch and encourages other philanthropic donors to join with them in this annual project. The grant will also help provide food and refreshments for the annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the Elks Lodge for the Boys Ranch clients and staff.
Excessive heat can pose serious dangers It’s August in Oklahoma, which can only mean one thing: it’s hot. Kids may be heading back to school and summer may be coming to an end, but don’t let that fool you. The heat will be sticking around for a little longer. People who work or play outside during the extremely hot Oklahoma summer run the risk of heat-related injuries. The most serious is heatstroke. "Children and elderly are certainly vulnerable. Also, athletes who participate in sports that may require excess clothing, particularly football players, are at great risk. Others who may exert themselves in the heat such as firefighters, construction workers, military and others who wear extra clothing, equipment, or protective gear are more vulnerable as well," says Dr. Layne Keathly, a physician at INTEGRIS. "Heat-related illness is among the leading causes of death in young athletes each year." Heatstroke is caused when the body overheats due to prolonged exposure or physical exertion in high temperatures. If your body temperature rises to 104 degrees or higher, heatstroke can occur very quickly and cause damage to you heart, muscles, brain and kidneys. If you don’t receive rapid treatment, heatstroke can lead to organ failure and death. Every summer, approximately 600 people die from extreme heat. even though all heat-related deaths are preventable, according to the Centers for Disease Control. When Does Heatstroke or Heat Exhaustion Happen? "Both heatstroke and heat exhaustion refer to an elevation of core body temperature to a level that is unsafe for our bodies," says Dr.
Keathly. "Heatstroke is a more severe form of heat exhaustion. Fortunately, heat exhaustion does not always lead to heatstroke." Anyone can suffer from heatstroke or heat exhaustion, though it occurs most often in older adults and those with chronic illnesses. Wearing clothing that’s not breathable, drinking alcohol, not having enough water and your age can all increase your risk of sun illnesses. Strenuous sports, physical jobs or any other intense outside activity can cause what is called an exertional heatstroke. "Our bodies have various mechanisms to compensate for increases in body temperature. When our cooling capacity cannot keep up, our core body temperature will rise," says Dr. Keathly. "Significant elevation above our normal core temperature of 96.8 degrees can cause systemic dysfunction, which can potentially lead to multi-organ failure and death." Those who are not accustomed to hot weather can be more susceptible to heatstroke. Traveling to a hotter climate with a lack of air-conditioning or cool air may cause your body to stop cooling down. Certain medications affect your body’s ability to stay cool. "Keep in mind alcohol and some medications could increase risk of heat-related illness. This includes but is not limited
See Heat, Page 15
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 15 Isabela Moner stars as a grown up Dora leading a rag tag team of high schoolers and a fatuous jungle character (Eugenio Derbez) in ‘Dora and the Lost City of Gold.’ PHOTO PROVIDED
Review of ‘Dora the Explorer’
A film for both kids and adults By George Gust As a parent, you undoubtedly find yourself consuming massive amounts of children’s entertainment, willingly or unwillingly. “Dora the Explorer” is one of those shows that seems like it’s been around forever and the children who originally grew up with the show are now the parents showing their children the exploits of the Latina intrepid explorer. Now we’re being asked to grab our backpacks and ‘vamanos’ to the theater to see the big screen adaptation of the beloved children’s character in “Dora and the Lost City of Gold.” But would this movie be the kind of kids show you tune out or be the rare movie that can entertain kids and adults alike? Having spent most of her life exploring the jungle with her parents, nothing could prepare Dora (Isabela Moner) for her most challenging journey ever, High School. Always the explorer, adventure finds Dora and quickly finds herself leading Boots (her best friend, a monkey voiced by Danny Trejo), Diego (Jeffrey Wahlberg), a mysterious jungle inhabitant (Eugenio Derbez), and a rag tag group of teens on a live-action adventure to save her parents (Eva Longoria, Michael Peña) and solve the ancient mystery behind a lost city of gold. Early on in “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” the film sets its self-referential and light tone with a straight into the camera joke that if you’re familiar with the source material, will make you realize that this isn’t just a straight adaptation. The tone in this movie is something like the “Brady Bunch” movies made years ago, mixed with the jungle adventure of Indiana Jones with all the trappings of the kid friendly Dora television show. The overall story of
Heat From Page 14 to antihistamines (Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra to name a few), diuretics, decongestants, and anticholinergics," says Dr. Keathly. Those taking vasoconstrictors, beta-blockers, or antidepressants should also be careful in hot weather. And if you have certain health conditions like heart disease, lung disease or a previous history of heatstroke, you also face a higher risk of sun-related illness. Heatstroke Damage Heatstroke damage can include brain swelling and increased heart rate, with your body going into “shock” (low blood pressure, confusion, possible coma and possible damage to internal organs). At its worst, heatstroke can cause your vital organs to shut down and death can occur. Symptoms of Heatstroke & Heat Exhaustion Signs of heatstroke include a body temperature of 104 degrees or higher, a rapid and strong pulse, rapid breathing, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, losing consciousness, and hot, dry skin or heavy sweating. According to the CDC, if you think someone is having a heatstroke, call 911 right away because heatstroke is a medical emergency and their body needs to be cooled down immediately. Move the person
the movie is unsurprisingly predictable and features plenty of bathroom humor, but throughout the familiar adventure beats keeps its enjoyable positive kid friendly attitude. Children’s movies are usually littered with familiar actors phoning in their performances, but “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” features entertaining adults that appear to be truly engaged here. From Peña as Dora’s father beatboxing rave music to the delightfully over the top performance of Derbez. However, the real star in the movie was the performance of Moner as Dora whose unflappable spirit and magnetic energy really carried the movie. Overall, “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” is a surprisingly entertaining children’s movie that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. The amount of effort and attention put into the movie were appreciated and helped take this adaptation/sequel from simply a trite parental obligation to an enjoyable family adventure movie. “Dora and the Lost City of Gold” is rated PG for action and some impolite humor. 3.9 out of 5 stars
Crossword Puzzle STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: MIND YOUR GRAMMAR ACROSS 1. Red ____ 6. Trigonometric func. 9. Presidential "No!" 13. From this time 14. "General Hospital" network 15. Earth, to Virgil 16. Related to #12 Down 17. Junior's junior 18. Lingo 19. *Noun alternative 21. *Conjunctions 23. Bit of work 24. Sty cry 25. Pendulum's path 28. Liberal pursuits 30. Romani camp formations 35. Not in Impossible Burger 37. Letter before kappa 39. First light of day 40. Without purpose 41. *Ideas separator 43. Part of colliery 44. Gourd musical instrument 46. Flees 47. Flat-bottomed boat 48. *Controversial comma 50. Its motto is "Leadership Excellence" 52. Lt.'s subordinate 53. Barnes & Noble reader 55. Hermey the dentist, e.g. 57. *Person or thing 61. Tactile reading system 65. Earlier in time 66. Color quality 68. Lusitania destroyer 69. Askew, in Scotland 70. *Suffix used when comparing three or more 71. Kick in 72. Rod attachment 73. Pep rally syllable
74. Author Jong DOWN 1. Bruce Lee blow 2. Infantry's last rows 3. Knowing about 4. Part of a play 5. Mrs, in Spain 6. Jealous biblical brother 7. Kimono tie 8. "The Terminator" genre 9. *Simple predicate 10. Therefore 11. Helen of ____ 12. Mares eat it 15. Tibetan religious paintings 20. Finno-____ language 22. *Suffix often confused with -ent 24. Former East Germany currency 25. Friend, south of the border 26. Updike's "Rabbit ____" 27. Shorter than California 29. Saw or awl 31. Beach do-nothings 32. In the cooler
33. *Like sentence without proper punctuation 34. Gushes 36. Pro's opposite 38. BB's and bullets 42. Daisy-like bloom 45. Crotchety 49. Word processing product, for short 51. *Smallest grammatical unit 54. Not the same one 56. Dietary essential 57. Ring practice 58. Encourage 59. Digestive aid 60. "Piano Man" singer 61. Eliza follower 62. "Laughing on the inside" in text 63. Flock member 64. Highest volcano in Europe 67. Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the ____"
See Answers Page 23
Answers Page 23
Page 16 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Free banjo workshop Saturday Joel Parks, a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter from Oklahoma City, will lead a free banjo workshop on Aug. 17 at the Arcadia Round Barn. The workshop is from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the downstairs museum of the barn. Coffee and donuts will be available. Workshop participants should bring their banjoes, but are welcome to attend even if they do not yet own a banjo, said Joe Baxter, who coordinates the live music at the barn. A native of Duncan, Parks grew up playing bluegrass in the Parks Family Band. He has since played in a variety of bands across multiple genres, but has kept his heart in bluegrass. He currently plays banjo in the bluegrass band Steelwind and the acoustic duo Wood Willow. Parks attended the University of Central Oklahoma’s Academy of Contemporary Music. He said he has “always been intrigued by the acoustic oddity that is banjo, and the music of John Hartford, Bela Fleck, Earl Scruggs and more.” Parks studied banjo under Oklahoma musicians Jim Blair, Bret Fransman, Bill Davis and Chris Elliott of Chain Station. For more information about the workshop, call Baxter at 405-833Joel Parks will be strumming the banjo this Saturday at Arcadia’s Round Barn. 1350.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Summer jobs by teens and tax responsibilities (Editor’s note: The follow is a question-and-answer column by Mikayla Estes, a CPA with the established Edmond accounting firm of Arledge & Associates.)
they are above or below the threshold.
Is my teenager required to report summer job income to the IRS?
A teenager’s earned income will not impact the parent’s taxes in any way. The teenager will either be below the filing threshold required to report their income on a return or they will exceed the threshold and file her own tax return.
If your child makes more than $12,000 in income for the year, she will be required by the IRS to file a tax return. Income below the threshold does not have to be reported on a return. However, if your child had federal or state withholding and would like the amount withheld to Estes be refunded she will want to file a tax return. There are many online tax filing software programs that will allow taxpayers to file returns free of charge. Keep in mind, state filing requirements differ from federal requirements. Therefore, be sure to confirm a state return does not need to be filed. For example, the Oklahoma filing threshold for a dependent is $6,350, which varies considerably from the federal amount. What if my received investment income in addition to her summer job income? If your teenager received investment income in addition to summer job income the filing thresholds might change. Investment income includes interest, dividends and capital gains. When considering investment income only, the filing requirement for teenagers under age 18 is $1,050. When determining if your teenager needs to file a return and has both investment income and earned income, first check the investment income threshold. If she is above the $1,050 threshold she will need to file a return with both her investment income and earned income. On the other hand, if her investment income is less than $2,050, then the total income threshold of $12,000 needs to be taken into consideration. Both investment income and earned income will need to be combined to see if
Does the summer job income impact the parents' taxes in any way?
What if that summer job is something like mowing lawns where she gets paid in cash? If your child is entrepreneurial and starts a summer business mowing lawns or walking dogs and everything is in cash, the income and expenses will need to be reported on a Schedule C; Profit and Loss from Business. The self-employment threshold is $400. The net profit or loss is the amount that will be considered for the threshold test. Meaning, the expenses are subtracted from the total income before deciding if filing a return is required. Expenses for a lawnmowing business, for example, would be the gas used to run the mower or for a dog walking business, treats for the dogs. It is important to have your teenager keep track of the money coming in and the money going out. She should keep a detailed log of the dates, customers, and cash amounts so that at the end of the year it can easily be determined if a return needs to be filed and the correct income and expense amounts are reported. Mikayla Estes, CPA, is a tax senior at Arledge and Associates, PC, an Edmond-based accounting firm. Arledge and Associates, PC is a recognized leader in the accounting industry offering practical solutions in the areas of tax planning, auditing, consulting, accounting advisory services and client accounting. Though its Gateway Executive Solutions division, the firm offers outsourced CFO, controller and cloud-based accounting solutions. This article contains general information only and does not constitute tax advice or any other professional services. Before making any decisions or taking any action that might affect your income taxes, you should consult a professional tax advisor.
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 17
PHOTO PROVIDED
Red Shoe Gala Co-Chairs are Brandon Hart, Lindsey Hart, Stacy Lopez and Dave Lopez.
Annual event Aug. 24
Red Shoe Gala supports McDonald House Charities Ronald McDonald House Charities Oklahoma City supporters and Red Shoe Gala CoChairs Dave and Stacy Lopez with Lindsey and Brandon Hart are asking you to put on your fancy red shoes and attend the Red Shoe Gala at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 at The Skirvin Hilton to support Ronald McDonald House Charities Oklahoma City (RMHC-OKC). “If you ever need a good reason to dress up and have a good time with friends, this is it,” said Stacy Lopez, Red Shoe Gala co-chair. “Not only will you have a memorable evening, but you are doing it with a purpose. You will leave with the incredible feeling you have positively impacted the health and well-being of countless children by providing a ‘home-awayfrom-home’ for their families and loved ones.” The evening begins with a cocktail reception followed by dinner and the Red Shoe Award presentation. The evening will conclude with live music featuring My So Called Band and dancing. “After attending the event the last five years, we realized what a profound and direct effect this Gala makes on raising money to house families in medical crisis,” said Lindsey Hart, Red Shoe Gala co-chair. “You get to show off your red shoes, enjoy fine dining, dance to the fabulous live entertainment and bid on some exceptional auction items. All to support Oklahoma families.” This year’s Red Shoe Award recipient will honor Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites OKC North.
“Each year our organization reflects on everyone who has truly impacted our mission to help families in a medical crisis,” said Susan Adams, RMHCOKC president and ceo. “We look for someone who goes above and beyond and carries themselves with integrity, compassion and sense of community. We feel that the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites OKC North embodies these qualities and so much more.” Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites OKC North stepped up to help house up to 14 guest families while RMHCOKC is building 26 more rooms at The Children’s Hospital. The staff go out of their way to make sure RMHCOKC families have the support they need while taking care of their hospitalized child. Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites OKC North employees are frequent volunteers in many capacities such as: providing space for RMHCOKC Meet and Greet dinners, stuffing welcome bags for new families and participating in Walk for Kids. All of this and much more to help keep families together and near the medical resources needed for their hospitalized child. Join us for an unforgettable night while supporting RMHC-OKC’s mission to keep families together during a medical crisis. To learn more about sponsorships and tickets, please visit www.rmhc-okc.org/red-shoe-gala.
Black Towns Tour on Aug 31 They won’t be staying until dawn, but people who sign up for the next Historic Black Towns Tour can hear several hours of music in Rentiesville. Sponsored by the Coltrane Group, a nonprofit dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of Oklahoma’s remaining historically black towns, the Aug. 31 bus tour will visit the Honey Springs Battlefield and Rentiesville Town Hall before attending the Rentiesville Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival, which celebrates the musical legacy of the late D.C. Minner. Rentiesville was the childhood home of Minner, who founded the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame in 2004 along with his wife, Selby. The Labor Day weekend festival is held on D.C. Minner’s birthplace and family farm. Minner returned to Oklahoma and created the festival after 30 years of playing the blues across the nation and abroad. Selby Minner, a bass player, coordinates the festival and also performs. The bus will leave the Oklahoma History Center at noon Aug. 31. Participants will receive a guided
tour at the Honey Springs Battlefield Visitor Center and drive through the site of the Civil War battle. The engagement took place on July 17, 1863, between the First Division Army of the Frontier and the Confederate Indian Brigade. There were about 9,000 men involved including American Indians, veteran Texas regiments and the First Kansas Colored Volunteers, which was the first African-American regiment in the Union army. At Rentiesville Town Hall, Mayor Mildred Burkhalter will speak and a homecooked meal will be served. Festival food will be available at the blues festival, along with shopping and a tour of the Blues Hall of Fame museum. The cost is $80, which includes transportation, meals, snacks on the bus and admission to the festival. The bus will return to the Oklahoma History Center by 2 a.m. For more information or to sign up, call Andre Head at 206-948-8852 or Jessilyn Hall Head at 206-9495012. Or email andreh@thecoltranegroup.org.
Page 18 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
MELINDA INFANTE
A part of the spacious grounds of the Tealridge Retirement Community. Many senior citizens face a hard decision on when to move from their own home into an independent living community.
MELINDA INFANTE
Enjoying their time at Tealridge, from left, are Dorothy Little, Verna Lee Parker and Jean Kirk.
Tealridge officials & residents reflect on decision
The best time to move from your home? By Melinda Infante Everyone will one day face the decision to consider a move into an independent living community or age in place. Because the decision to move is a tough and complicated process a life-changing event becomes the deciding factor for most people, while others plan for the right time to move. Jean Kirk a Tealridge Retirement Community resident stated, “Moving is thinking about the future.” A round table discussion with residents at Tealridge Retirement Community revealed the main factor in making the decision to move is a lifechanging event or when medical issues became too much to handle on their own. This is when most people realize that it is too scary to be in their home when they need help. Lloyd Davis, a resident, stated that a 911 call for his wife was his turning point in knowing that aging at home wasn’t going to work for them. Once the move was made, they realized the freedom that comes with the decision. Freedom from home expenses, cooking, cleaning and transportation arrangements. Now they are able to get a meal and take it to their apart-
ment or go to the dining room with friends. Meal planning, arranging transportation when needed and home upgrades and repairs isn’t a concern anymore. It is better to have a plan on when to move rather than waiting for the changes in health. What most people don’t realize is that some places have medical acceptance criteria that may keep them from being accepted. Aging at home can bring loneliness and isolation while living in a retirement community there is interaction with other people. Their children and grandchildren are young and in the working period of their lives while rearing small children. There isn’t always time to see parents everyday with their demanding schedules. Loneliness can lead to depression and feelings that life is meaningless. Residents have a sense of family and forge strong friendships and find they have respect for each other and their positions in life before entering the facility. They work together on committees using their talents and knowledge gained through their careers and life experiences. Rick Johnson, president of the resident council stated, “I
searched for the Lord’s way through prayer. I prayed for these blessings; family, friends, faith and freedom.” After a life changing event he knew he needed somewhere to go, and this prayer led him to Tealridge. At Tealridge he found these four important things to bring fulfillment and purpose for his life. Rick states that he gets energy from interaction with other people and they become family. He enjoys the visits and listening to their story. Rick further stated that everyone has a story and he learns that there is a connection with many of the residents through family and friends. Meals and transportation are challenging for seniors who decide to age in place. Meal preparation and planning, grocery shopping these are all difficult for one or two people. When they do prepare a meal, it isn’t always as good as they thought it would be, and it is usually enough to eat for a week. Being a resident takes this burden from the seniors and they have access to healthy meals, and they can choose to eat in their rooms or in the dining room with other residents. Residents agree that this is such a freedom to not have to think about their meals. Transportation can become a burden for family members when seniors choose to age in place. It becomes difficult to get to doctor appointments, shopping, picking up prescriptions and church attendance. Residents have access to transportation to take care of their needs. Dorothy Little, a resident, loves the overall Christian atmosphere at Tealridge. She enjoys not having to plan meals and cook. Sometimes while being on her own she would end up with a meal that she didn’t enjoy, and it was difficult to cook for one person. Her friend Jean Kirk, another resident, said that moving to Tealridge brought new life to Dorothy and she is like a different person. They have
found joy and contentment in the family they found at Tealridge. Jean stated that moving into an independent living community is thinking about the future. This was an important move for her after a medical event with no family or children to help. Any day of the week you will find Jean outside on the swing enjoying the weather and view. She is very happy and stated that Tealridge is “beautiful and affordable.” After the decision to move is made and they become a resident the realized benefits are well worth the move. All agreed that the best benefit is freedom, no more grocery shopping, no cooking, no cleaning up after cooking and no more house cleaning. Freedom from responsibility for home repairs and maintenance and no worrying about large expenses that can occur with home ownership. Most stated they wish they would have moved sooner. Another benefit is gained independence and more time for the things they truly enjoy doing. John McCurdy stated it well when he said you have, “liberty to be more involved and do things you love out of love.” Dorothy Little said, “better to be around people than to be alone.” A lot of people who chose to age in place are alone and wondering if or when someone will come or call. Melissa Mahaffey, executive director, stated that the, “Community creates its own life and atmosphere through people that work live and visit here.” At Tealridge Retirement Community you will find a Christian community that is not dominated by one religion it is just loving people by the staff and each other. There is a community committee at Tealridge that interacts with Edmond to enrich both communities. The goal of Tealridge is to be affordable and provide the best customer service. All the residents I met will agree that they are meeting their goal.
MELINDA INFANTE
From left are Kristy Stevens, Sales, Melissa Mahaffey, executive director and Kristen Moss retirement counselor at Tealridge Retirement Community.
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 19
A scenic view residents at Tealridge Retirement Community Center can take in daily. Please see article, Page 18.
Photographs by Melinda Infante
From left are Rick Johnson, president of Tealridge resident council, Dorothy Little, Verna Lee Parker, Lloyd Davis, John McCurdy and Jean Kirk.
To study aging & age-related diseases
Edmond researcher receives major grant As part of normal aging, people build up inflammation in their bodies – not the acute kind that eliminates an infection, but a mild, persistent inflammation that creates a higher risk for age-related diseases like cancer, Type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s. A researcher at the Stephenson Cancer Center at OU Medicine, Edmond resident Deepa Sathyaseelan, Ph.D., recently received a $1.6 million grant to further her investigations into the role of inflammation in both aging and age-related diseases like cancer. The grant is from the National Institute on Aging, a component of the National Institutes of Health. Sathyaseelan is focusing her research on necroptosis, a cell signaling pathway that causes inflammation. In previous studies, she discovered that with an increase in age comes an increase in necroptosis. Her hypothesis is that necroptosis leads to increased inflammation with age. With her new grant, she will try to block necroptosis to see whether it will reduce inflammation and whether that will have an effect on aging and age-related diseases. Her research is notable because it has major implications for both aging and cancer. “Aging and cancer are interrelated – you cannot separate them because aging is the biggest risk factor for most cancers,” she said. “Rather than targeting individual diseases, if we can learn how to positively affect or slow down aging, we may be able to have an overall preventive effect on diseases.” The beauty of Sathyaseelan’s study is that she may have some new drugs to test. Necroptosis also plays a major role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis, and several drugs designed to treat those conditions are in clinical trials. If found to be successful, those drugs may also be effective for her studies, she said.
Deepa Sathyaseelan Sathyaseelan also made an unplanned discovery that is particularly relevant to hepatocellular carcinoma, a type of liver cancer that is an example of an inflammation-related cancer. When she blocked necroptosis in her research model of hepatocellular carcinoma, the level of inflammation decreased. “That was a very exciting finding,” she said. “It’s a starting point for me to look more into the details of the role of necroptosis and inflammation in liver cancer.” Liver cancer is especially concerning in the United States, where it has risen dramatically since the late 1970s. Even though the major risk factor for liver cancer is chronic infection with hepatitis B and C, obesity and fatty liver disease are the likely causes behind the rise of liver cancer, Sathyaseelan said. And, as with other cancers, aging itself is a factor. By 2030, liver cancer is expected to be the third-leading type of cancer in the United States, she said. ----Sathyaseelan’s research also has been funded locally by the Presbyterian Health Foundation and the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology.
‘Rather than targeting individual diseases, if we can learn how to positively affect or slow down aging, we may be able to have an overall preventive effect on diseases.’ ---- Deepa Sathyaseelan
Page 20 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Work highlights urban life
Paseo District will feature artist Trice Among the artists for the Paseo District's monthly First Friday in September, event will be Milton Trice. He will have an exhibition entitled 'Urban Portraits and Cityscapes." The artists' opening reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 6 at the A Art Gallery Studio 2807 North Walker in Oklahoma City. Ten percent of all sales will be donated to Sisu Youth Services and emergency youth shelter, tax receipts will be available. Oklahoma artist Milton Trice learned to draw as a child by copying the works of Renaissance Master Sandro Botticelli from a booklet he had purchased at the drug store. He later developed his own style of painting and has authored a book, Stereo Realism: The Hidden World. In it he illustrates and explains his style and shares his experiences as a artist. Trice prefers to work from life, using his drawings and plein air paintings to develop large scale works in oil on canvas in his studio. He finds a wealth of material in the urban landscape of Oklahoma City and the people who occupy it. His body of work serves as a history of the city depicting many historic buildings lost to urban renewal. He is currently accepting commissions for portraits. Trice states, “Urban Oklahoma City has a wealth of interesting scenes along with unique and colorful personalities from which to draw artistic inspiration. Developing this series of portraits and cityscapes has been a remarkable experience, both as a person and an artist.” The exhibition will run from Sept. 6 through Sept. 27 and is open to the public. A Art Gallery Studio will be open Wednesday through Friday 3 to 6 p.m. or by appointment during the exhibit.
PHOTO PROVIDED
One of Milton Trice’s work entitled ‘Basket People of OKC.’
Trauma & accepting a new lifetime of change change, the future is still to By Chad McCoy be written, and all you have Edm. Family Counseling is right here, right now. I can Traumatic events are horrifind no better place to start. ble. A trauma narrative is a great Often they are the exway to reprocess the events treme closing of the gap beyou unfortunately have in tween the malevolence of your past, but most recent litwhat I know can happen erature suggests at least 18within the world and what McCoy months before reprocessing, has happened to me within otherwise this may exacerbate my life. For instance: Many the effects of the trauma and addiof us won't maybe say this aloud, but your loved ones are one car ride tionally traumatize the individual. There is no changing or taking away away from never seeing you again; of what happened. There is; howand you living the rest of your life ever, a different way of looking at it, without them. If that doesn't stop you for a moment, I'm not sure what and harnessing that perspective to create a more productive life for could. yourself, your family, and the people That would be trauma. lucky enough to know you in the fuTrauma, especially some of the ture. more heinous events (e.g. sexual One way I encourage people to abuse, traumatic medical injury, etc.) think about trauma is to ask them often happen and turn our lives uphow their life could have, or would side down. How you lived before is have, been different if that event a dreamlike aspiration dreamt up by had never taken place. This is a way Pixar, in some circumstances, and a of me being able to have them exnew goal you never thought you'd press the goals they have for themhave. Your life becomes much more selves. difficult mentally, physically, and We process why that was imporoften times financially. When horritant for them, to build motivation, ble events happen, they are not linand problem solve with them how ear in nature. It's not as though they can still have those things. This when you experience a trauma everything else in your life continues also achieves another smaller goal: Integral steps we can take, here and on and you’re ONLY changed physinow, to get to where we want to cally, or mentally, or financially. go. With trauma, we often have to Often times, these traumas ripple shorten our reference with regard to and are exponential in their effect. time. Like I said earlier, after a seThat singular event, ripples through vere trauma, just getting through your life making all levels of your being a struggle. You disengage from the day is enough. That is the best you can give; but family, friends, and other social conit can't be all that you ever give, for nections. You lack the motivation to engage in what was a simple task like the rest of your life. You have to be willing to engage in smaller steps to brushing your teeth, or even getting set your life back in order. Each day out of bed. Making it through another day, is the best you can muster. progress, no matter how small the step, or task. After enough time, It's the best you can muster, and those small steps will climb that it's all you need; for today. Accept mountain of trauma. With each step your lack of responsibility for what forward, we can grow and expand happened to you, and accept that our reference in time to something a your life, MY life, OUR lives, are couple days out, then a week, a anything but fair. Anything horrible month, and so forth. This all starts that can happen in this world, to with you. Today. Doing the best you anyone, at any time, can happen to can. It's going to take some time, you. This, as best I can tell, is a and be the most excruciating thing great place to start the healing. you'll probably ever experience, but I Accepting the responsibility for guarantee you it is worth it. this unfair hand you've been dealt, and the challenge of overcoming it is an arduous task, indeed. This, I'm If you or somebody you know are sure might be a controversial statestruggling with trauma, or other dement for some who are struggling bilitating mental health issues, with experienced traumas. please do not hesitate to reach out "Accept responsibility for THIS?!?! to us at Edmond Family Counseling I didn't want this!" Of course you at 405-341-3554 or go to www.Eddidn't; however, the past is to never mondFamily.org.
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 21
Official: Economy’s signs of ‘moderation’ Gross Receipts to the Treasury in July are showing signs of moderation in the Oklahoma economy, even as total collections continue to grow, State Treasurer Randy McDaniel announced last week. Gross Receipts to the Treasury in July topped $1.1 billion, up by 9.5 percent from July of last year. Total collections from the past 12 months are near $13.7 billion, and are 11.5 percent higher than during the prior 12 months. However, sales tax collections have been less than the prior year for two consecutive months, and gross production tax receipts on oil and natural gas are subsiding, McDaniel said. “Gross receipts continue to generally reflect the expansion that has been ongoing in the state’s economy,” Treasurer McDaniel said. “Nonetheless, we are beginning to see indications that a potential slowdown in growth revenue is on the horizon.” After growing for more than two years, sales tax receipts fell below those of the prior year in June, and continued in July. June sales tax was off by
2.5 percent. In July, those collections were down by 0.7 percent. “We had hoped the reduction in June sales tax collections was an anomaly caused by severe weather damage. However, if that had been the case, we should have seen a rebound McDaniel in July,” he said. Lower oil prices are impacting collections, as well. Gross production receipts are up over the prior year by 17.4 percent, but the increase is due to higher tax rates enacted last year. If not for the increased rates, gross production collections in July would have been 23 percent less than those of July 2018. Employment in the Oklahoma oil field has fallen during the past few months as fewer wells are being drilled. All other major revenue streams continue to show growth in both the monthly and 12-month reports.
New Tax Revenue Revenue generated by increased tax rates approved in House Bill 1010 during special session last year added $53.9 million to monthly collections, 4.8 percent of all July gross receipts. In the past 12 months, the new rates have added $604.1 million, or 4.4 percent, to gross collections. In July, the largest amount, $28.1 million, came from the increase in the incentive tax rate on oil and natural gas gross production. Higher tax rates on gasoline and diesel fuel generated $12.1 million, and the $1 per pack hike in cigarette taxes added $13.7 million to the July total. Other indicators The Oklahoma Business Conditions index for July remained positive for a second consecutive month, but was down to 52.8 from June’s 54.9. The index dropped below growth neutral during April and May. Numbers above 50 indicate anticipated economic growth during the next three to
See Economy, Page 22
Engineering researchers have tech to cut energy use & boost comfort Homeowners are making their homes more efficient when it comes to heating and cooling thanks to smart thermostats and utility companies’ smart grid options. But smart thermostats alone don’t provide residents with the whole picture when it comes to optimal energy use. Two University of Oklahoma researchers are developing technology that utilizes thermostat data, along with other key information, to make homes both comfortable for the resident and more energy efficient. Li Song, associate professor in the Gallogly College of Engineering’s School of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, along
with her research colleague Choon Yik Tang, associate professor in the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, are developing self-learning heating and air conditioning technology using existing smart thermostats. Their project is funded by a $1 million Department of Energy grant. “Home heating and air conditioning units used to be simple, focusing primarily on a single component,” Song explained. “Now there is so much data from smart thermostats that we can account for multiple facPHOTO PROVIDED tors to know what is precisely happening Li Song and students on her research team from the University of Oklahoma tackle the challenges of making home air condi-
See Energy, Page 22 tioning units more efficient.
Vision business to have ribbon cutting Aug. 27 NewView Oklahoma has provided rehabilitative and clinical services to clients with low vision for 11 years, and now they are able to serve more clients than ever before. On Tuesday, Aug. 27, NewView will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house from 4 to 7 p.m. at their newly renovated Center for Low Vision and Blindness, located at 4301 North Classen Boulevard. NewView’s state-of-the-art facility features three low vision exam lanes, a pediatric therapy room, assistive technology space, and the ONE Gas adaptive teaching kitchen. Features throughout the building have been designed to assist those with low vision; all overhead lighting runs north and south to help with orientation, and all doorways and hallways are marked with high contrast colors. Architects at ADG P.C. and the
NewView Oklahoma team at Smith and Pickel Construction helped bring NewView’s vision to life in revitalizing the outdated building on N.W. 43rd and Classen. “The transformation was truly a vision,” said Betsy Guthrie-Brunsteter, principal and project manager at ADG P.C. “Everyone came together to contribute ideas, and those ideas transformed the building into something I’m really proud of.” “It took a great deal of thoughtful planning and collaboration to make this project a reality,” said Matt Thomas, president and project manager at Smith and Pickel Construction. “This is a particularly rewarding project, because I know it is bringing a desperately needed service to those who experience blindness and low vi-
See Vision, Page 22
Scooter fleet is in place A fleet of electric scooters arrived last week. The 150 Lime scooters are available to rent. Their boundaries are Danforth to the north, 15th Street to the south, Kelly to the west and Coltrane to the east. The scooters are limited to one rider, who must be at least 18. It cost $1 to unlock the scooter and 15 cents per minute to use.
APRIL BURGESS
Page 22 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
UCO has 483 summer grads The University of Central Oklahoma congratulates the 483 students from throughout Oklahoma, the U.S. and the world who will complete their college degrees as the summer 2019 semester comes to a close. Of that number, Central received applications for graduation from 411 undergraduate students and 72 graduate students. A complete list of graduates, including their degree earned and major, organized alphabetically by hometown, may be downloaded for publication at media.uco.edu/Press/SummerGraduates08.19. Since Central does not hold a summer commencement ceremony, many of these students participated in the spring 2019 ceremony. With strong connections throughout the Oklahoma City metro, the University of Central Oklahoma is dedicated to developing in students the confidence to succeed through transformative learning experiences. Central prides itself as a smart investment for success, preparing future leaders in an opportunityrich environment, with access to more than 200 student organizations and the internship, employment, entertainment and cultural offerings of the rapidly growing Oklahoma City metropolitan area. Founded in 1890, Central connects its nearly 16,000 students to unmatched value found in 121 undergraduate areas of study and 76 graduate majors from its main campus in Edmond and facilities throughout the metro area. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. For more information about the University of Central Oklahoma, visit www.uco.edu. The grads listed below are from Edmond Edmond (Graduate) Chambers, Travis Wesley, With Honors, MA, History Gonzales, Danielle R., MS, Nutrition & Food Science Newberry, Kenneth, With Honors, MA, Crime & Intelligence Analysis Riddle, Sydney Elizabeth, MA, Psychology - General Psychology Robertson, Tiffany Sheruan, MED, Elementary Education
Sickler, Chad, MS, Business Analytics Smith, Juliette S., With Honors, MS, Forensic Science - Biology/Chemistry Stacy, Peyton Parris, MS, Wellness Management-Health Studies Thomas, Eldhose, MS, Business Analytics Wadley, Ashlyn Michele, MS, Nutrition & Food Science Edmond (Undergraduate) Aman, Kaitlyn Britney, BS, Kinesiology - Exercise/Fitness Management Ball, Thomas Eugene IV, BBA, Business Administration - General Business Ballard, Brody, BS, Accounting Belew, Jordan Taylor, BA, Mass Communication - Professional Media Boling, Karen A., Cum Laude, BA, Criminal Justice - General Criminal Justice and BS, Forensic Science Bruns, Michael Burnet, BS, Kinesiology - Outdoor & Community Recreation Bulock, Elisha, BS, General Studies Chavarria, Omar, BBA, Management Dao, Trang Thi Minh, Summa Cum Laude, BS, Biology - Medical Laboratory Science Davis, Tia Nichole, BA, Criminal Justice - General Criminal Justice and BS, Forensic Science Ecton, Matthew Alexander, Cum Laude, BA, Human Communication - Interpersonal Communication Eldridge, Haley Hunter, BA, Strategic Communication Goldman, Taylor N., BS, Kinesiology - Exercise/Fitness Management Griffith, Amber R., BBA, Management Haddock, Jennifer Lee, BA, Criminal Justice - Police Hammons, Blaik Lee, BS, Fashion Marketing Han, Gyoul, BBA, Management Human Resource Management Hanna, Harrison S., BBA, Business Administration - Business Administration Hays, Ryan Matthew, BS, General Studies Head, Don Joseph, BS, Organizational Leadership Hester, Jenna M., BS, General Studies Hirn, Hunter C., BBA, Business Administration - Business Administration Hoang, Sarah T., BS, General Studies Hughes, Leigha K., BS, Kinesiology Outdoor & Community Recreation Jackson, Karrington McKenzi, Cum Laude, BA, Mass Communication Organizational Communication Janis, Savannah Katherine, BS, Kinesiology - Outdoor & Community Recreation
Jones, Michael A., Cum Laude, BS, Forensic Science and BS, Accounting Knox, Jaydie Taylor, BS, Fashion Marketing Lilly, Victoria Lynn, BS, Kinesiology Exercise/Fitness Management Lord, Jared Kellogg, BS, Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Management McClernon, Stephen Michael, BBA, Marketing - Professional Selling Mcdaniel, Joshua C., BS, General Studies Minton, Casey Austin, BBA, Information & Operations Management Management Information Systems Muse, McKayla Mariah, BS, Biology - Biomedical Sciences Muwafaq, Nabaa M., BS, General Studies Niskern, Marla K., CERT, Certificate in Accounting Northenor, Makenzi Northenor, BA, History - Museum Studies Omeke, Nneka Laura, BS, Biomedical Engineering Pratt, Brandon, BS, General Studies Reason, Aleace, BBA, Management Human Resource Management Reid, Penny Lane, BS, Biology Ritter, Melissa, BS, General Studies Roberts, Molly, BBA, Information & Operations Management - Operations & Supply Chain Management Roche, Caleb Michael, BBA, Marketing Rose, Cynthia Elder, BA, Psychology Salim, Ashley N., Magna Cum Laude, BBA, Finance Samaniego, Odalys Marie, BS, Biology Samour, Asma, BS, Biology Sample, Eric, BS, Industrial Safety Sickler, Leslie, Magna Cum Laude, BS, Organizational Leadership Sigl, John Daniel, BS, Industrial Safety Smallwood, Natalie Renee, BA, Psychology Smith, Megan Maydell, Summa Cum Laude, BS, Biology - Biomedical Sciences and BS, Forensic Science Stine, Audrey Nicole, BA, History Taff, Kurstin Diane, BA, Psychology Takyi-Micah, Janelle B., BS, Forensic Science and BA, Psychology Ticer, Seth M., BBA, Information & Operations Management - Management Information Systems Tracy, Shamra Leann, BAED, English Education Veeraprame, Ceres, BA, Psychology Wariboko-Alali, Ezekiel T., BA, Strategic Communication Wishon, Tymothy Michael, BS, Forensic Science Witcher, Kendra Mariah, Magna Cum Laude, BS, Biology - Biomedical Sciences Wodarski, Jack Michael, BBA, Marketing - Professional Selling Wynn, Jonathan David, BA, Psychology Zickefoose, Dakota Hunter, BBA, Marketing - Professional Selling
Energy From Page 21 when a home is heated and cooled.” Their model takes that data, combined with other factors such as the efficiency of the heating and cooling equipment, air distribution system and home design, to determine the right combination where homeowners are comfortable while reducing energy consumption and cost. “Indoor temperature of homes in the same neighborhood can fluctuate by as much as 10 degrees,” Song explained.“ If we can provide more information about the indoor temperature and its forecast in an individual home then the resident can make optimal decisions about energy use and cost based on their temperature preferences, home insulation quality, weather conditions and time-ofuse electricity rates.” According to the Building America Research to Market Plan, homes currently can reduce energy consumption by up to 42 percent by using advanced monitoring. Song and Tang’s technology is estimated to contribute to the DOE’s energy reduction goal of reducing heating and air conditioning energy use by as much as 40 percent in existing homes and 60 percent in new homes, compared to the 2010 level. Song and Tang will initially test their technology in two lab homes at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington, and in four homes in Oklahoma. They plan to expand their research to homes in other states to analyze performance in different climates. The research team’s goal is to work with energy companies to implement the technology on a wider scale. The project team includes OU’s Building Energy Efficiency Laboratory, the HVAC Laboratory at the University of Miami, Building Diagnostics and Controls group at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, ecobee Inc. and Oklahoma-based residential builder Ideal Homes. This research is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Building Technologies, Building America Program, under award numbers.
Vision From Page 21 sion right here in our community.” The building’s renovation was a 4-million-dollar project. The space totals 27,000 square feet, including a large community room where NewView hosts art programs for students who are visually impaired, veterans’ programs, peer-run activities groups and more. The community room is also available for local community members to utilize for group meetings and gatherings. “The Center for Low Vision and Blindness is a major step forward for NewView’s rehabilitative services and community programs,” said NewView President and CEO Lauren Branch. “We are now able to increase the number of clients we serve and empower even more people to live life independently, age in place, and continue doing the things they love to do. We’re very pleased to be able to open this space up to our community.”
Economy From Page 21 six months. Oklahoma’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate of 3.2 percent in June was unchanged from the previous month, while the U.S. jobless rate of 3.7 percent was up by one-tenth of a percentage point from May, according to figures released by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. July collections July gross collections total $1.1 billion, up by $97.4 million, or 9.5 percent from July 2018. Gross income tax collections, a combination of individual and corporate income taxes, generated $339 million, an increase of $38.3 million, or 12.7 percent, from the previous July. Individual income tax collections for the month are $417.5 million, up by $133.7 million, or 47.1
percent, from the prior year. Tax commission officials said the relatively large increase in individual income tax collections is due to an additional reporting period for withholding taxes this July compared to last. Corporate collections are $58 million, an increase of $41.1 million, or 243.6 percent. Wide variances in corporate receipts are not uncommon. Combined sales and use tax collections, including remittances on behalf of cities and counties, total $475.5 million in July. That is $12 million, or 2.6 percent, more than July 2018. Sales tax collections in July total $417.5 million, a decrease of $3.1 million, or 0.7 percent from the same month of the prior year. Use tax receipts, paid on out-of-state purchases including online sales, generated $58 million, an incrase of $15.1
million, or 35.1 percent, over the year. Tax officials primarily credit increased compliance by online retailers as the reason for the growth. Gross production taxes on oil and natural gas generated $80.8 million in July, an increase of $12 million, or 17.4 percent, from last July. Compared to June 2019 reports, gross production collections are down by $11.3 million, or 12.3 percent. Motor vehicle taxes produced $75.9 million, up by $2.9 million, or 4 percent, from the same month of 2018. Other collections, consisting of about 60 different sources including taxes on fuel, tobacco, medical marijuana, and alcoholic beverages, produced $153.7 million during the month. That is $32.1 million, or 26.5 percent, more than last July.
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 23
Plans proceeding for St. Mary’s & new building site By Carla Hinton Oklahoman.com Dirt work has begun on local church property near the corner of Covell Road and Broadway. St. Mary's Episcopal Church hopes to build its new building at the site. The Rev. Mark Story, St. Mary's rector, said the church will take its revised plans for the property to the Edmond City Council in September to get the OK for a building permit. Story said the church had hoped to be further along with the construction project, but city leaders wanted to discuss certain details about the Covell Road property. "When we presented our plans, they had more questions than we anticipated. It just caught us by surprise," Story said. "The plan had to be sent back to be revised, so that was the delay." He said the city has certain requirements for trees, and those have now been met. Story said the church needs the building permit and the approval of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma to begin construction. He's hoping those two issues will be handled in September so the building project may move forward in earnest. St. Mary's project is the result of a property agreement between the church and the University of Central Oklahoma. The two organizations essentially agreed to swap property in 2016. The congregation of St. Mary's Episcopal Church agreed to swap its 3 acres of property at 325 E First to adjacent UCO in exchange for 23 acres of property near Broadway and Covell Road, plus $1.4 million. The agreement was designed to give land-locked
St. Mary's an opportunity to move closer to St. Mary's School at 505 E Covell Road, and it will alleviate parking concerns for the congregation. Church members have parked in nearby parking lots for many years, and UCO eventually purchased one nearby property and allowed the congregation to park there on Sunday mornings. At the time, UCO leaders agreed to lease the First Street property to St. Mary's for up to three years to give the congregation time to move. University leaders said they had no specific plans for the St. Mary's property. On the move Under the terms of the 2016 agreement, the church had until the end of 2019 to move, but Story said the university graciously gave the church more time because of the delays with the city. Adrienne Nobles, UCO's assistant vice president for communications, said the university granted
the extension because "it was the right thing to do. Our work with Father Mark and the church has always been collaborative, and a six-month extension to allow them to finalize their plans for a new church home was reasonable." Now the church is preparing for that move. "Our plan was to have it all done by now," Story said. He said the church has to be out of the building by April 2020 so church members are now working to determine what items will go with with them to the new facility. Story said the new building won't be completed until at least a year from the start of construction so St. Mary's will move its office to St. Mary's School. He said the congregation will begin worshiping at the school in May 2020 until the new building is completed. With preparations for the move under way, the congregation is excited.
Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi Good Shepherd Anglican Church (Traditional Episcopal) 1000 N. Broadway, Edmond •314-8715 Sundays - Holy Communion 8:00 & 10:00am Animal Friendly Parish “If you have people who exclude any of God’s creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have those who deal likewise with their fellow human being.” St. Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
www.anglicancgsedmondok.com 1928 Book of Common Prayer • anglicancgesedmondok.com
SCRIPTURE • TRADITION • REASON
Page 24 • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 1B
High school and college edition
AN ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT OF EDMOND LIFE & LEISURE
Page 2B • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
“Reading one book is like eating one potato chip.” – Diane Duane bestofbooksok.com For over 30 years, Best of Books has been Edmond’s go-to, family operated book store. From current best sellers to thrillers and romance, Best of Books carries it all. They are also known for their section of young adult books, which they have in abundance. Here are some picks from the staff at Best of Books that are great reads for high school and college aged students. Hey, Kiddo by Jarrett Krosoczka In kindergarten, Jarrett Krosoczka’s teacher asks him to draw his family, with a mommy and a daddy. But Jarrett’s family is much more complicated than that. His mom is an addict, in and out of rehab, and in and out of Jarrett’s life. His father is a mystery -- Jarrett doesn’t know where to find him, or even what his name is. Jarrett lives with his grandparents -- two very loud, very loving, very opinionated people who had thought they were through with raising children
until Jarrett came along. Jarrett goes through his childhood trying to make his non-normal life as normal as possible, finding a way to express himself through drawing even as so little is being said to him about what’s going on. Only as a teenager can Jarrett begin to piece together the truth of his family, reckoning with his mother and tracking down his father. Hey, Kiddo is a profoundly important memoir about growing up in a family. How We Roll by Natasha Friend Quinn is a teen who loves her family, skateboarding, basketball, and her friends, but after she’s diagnosed with a condition called alopecia which causes her to lose all of her hair, her friends abandon her. Jake was once a star football player, but because of a freak accident―caused by his brother―he loses both of his legs. Quinn and Jake meet and find the confidence to believe in themselves again, and maybe even love.
What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper For fans of The Book Thief and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas comes a lushly illustrated novel about a teen Holocaust survivor who must come to terms with who she is and how to rebuild her life. “A tour de force. This powerful story of love, loss, and survival is not to be missed.” --KRISTIN HANNAH, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale After losing her family and everything she knew in the Nazi concentration camps, Gerta is finally liberated, only to find herself completely alone. Without her papa, her music, or even her true identity, she must move past the task of surviving and on to living her life. In the displaced persons camp where she is staying, Gerta meets Lev, a fellow teen survivor who she just might be falling for, despite her feelings for someone else. With a newfound Jewish identity she never knew she had, and a return to the life of music she thought she lost forever, Gerta must choose how to build a new future. “What the Night Sings is a book from the heart, of the heart, and to the heart. Vesper Stamper’s Gerta will stay with you long after you turn the last page. Her story is one of hope and redemption and life--a blessing to the world.” --Deborah Heiligman, award-winning author of Charles and Emma and Vincent and Theo.
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 3B
Back to School Edmond Public Schools Start August 16th!
Unique extracurricular activities that can help students stand out When thinking of extracurricular activities, many people’s first thoughts might be about team sports or group activities like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. While such activities are popular, attracting tens of millions of kids every year, there are plenty of extracurricular activities rooted in academics as well. Extracurricular activities can provide a respite from schoolwork and give kids a chance to socialize with their peers. Extracurricular activities also can be great places to learn lessons that might not be taught in the classroom, such as how to work as a team, the value of good sportsmanship and how to handle defeat. Many of those same lessons can be learned through more unique extracurricular activities. In addition to the things they can learn, students who participate in extracurricular activities can bolster their college applications. According to The Princeton Review®, college admissions officers approach each admissions season hoping to create a class made up of students with diverse interests and backgrounds. To accomplish that goal, officers typically look at each applicant’s extracurricular activities to learn more about the person behind the application. Academic performance is important, but extracurricular activities might help set students apart from other applicants with similar academic backgrounds but little or no extracurricular activity on their applications.
Students who want to their extracurricular activities to stand out among the masses of college applicants can speak with officials at their school about these opportunities. • Model United Nations: Often referred to as “Model UN,” this activity asks students to role-play as United Nations delegates. Students who participate in Model UN develop public speaking skills while also learning how to conduct research, frame debates and develop their leadership skills. • Foreign language clubs: Many high schools offer foreign languages clubs to their student bodies. Such clubs can allow students who study foreign language to develop their language skills further, and they also can be great ways to learn about the culture and history behind the languages they’re learning. Fluency in a foreign language can bolster a student’s college application. Many schools also sponsor additional subject-specific clubs, such as chemistry clubs or English clubs, which can be ideal for students who want to pursue college degrees in such subjects. • National Honor Society: While it’s easy to mistake the National Honor Society as little more than an honor roll, the organization is much more than that. Students who qualify for membership in the NHS are challenged to develop their skills further through participation in school activities and community service. -MS
Women and STEM
The number of women entering the professional fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is slowly growing around the world, but there is still a sizable gender gap in these professions. According to the College Board, which produces many standardized tests, only 27 percent of all students taking the AP Computer Science exam in the United Science are women. Similarly, just 18 percent of American computer-science degrees are attained by females. However, this is not the case elsewhere in the world. A paper by Gijsbert Stoet and David Geary published in Psychological Science noted that women who live in countries with traditionally higher gender inequality tend to choose STEM professions more readily. Algeria, for example, has one of the highest ratios of women in STEM professions, at 41 percent. Stoet and Geary surmise that women in these countries may be choosing careers with the strongest path to financial independence. According to a U.S. Department of Education report, students studying science or math in college have a higher employment rate and salary than other majors after graduation. STEM majors typically earn an average of $15,500 more annually than non-STEM majors. Engineering and engineering technology tends to pay the most. Women eager to secure competitive, stable and well-paying jobs should carefully consider the opportunities available to them in STEM fields. -MS
Did you know? An IEP, or an individualized education program, is a document that is developed for a public school student who requires special education services as determined after an assessment. In addition to being a legal document, the IEP will lay out the program of school instruction and serve as a map for support and services that the student needs for success, according to Understood.org, an organization for parents of students with learning and attention issues. The IEP is covered by law by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in the United States. IEPs may provide for longer testing times, assistive technology, specialized seating or classroom placement, dictated tests, or whatever the parents and school team agree on. Goals are typically set, and parents will meet with the team in regular IEP meetings to gauge students’ progress. Similar to an IEP, a 504 plan is a plan that also offers accommodations so students with disabilities have equal access to the general education curriculum. However, 504s are not part of the realm of special education. Parents can work with the administrators of their child’s school to determine which education plan or program is most fitting for their youngsters. Both are free of cost and can last through high school.
Page 4B • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
College majors that can lead to higher earnings Choosing a college major is an important decision that many students delay making until their sophomore or even junior years. Only after taking a few courses and uncovering one’s interests do some college students figure out what they want to do with their lives. Each student is different, and while some may pursue a degree based on a particular passion, others may choose majors that can lead to high-paying jobs. While men often lean toward majors like engineering and computer science that have traditionally been linked to high earnings, women have historically gravitated to lower-paying specialties like education and social sciences. But in recent years a shift has occurred, and more women have begun to choose majors associated with higher post-graduate salaries. Reports from the career guidance site Glassdoor analyzed how much male and female professionals with the same college degree earned and identified many instances in which women went on to earn more than men in the
first five years of their career. They’ve identified several majors where female college graduates can earn as much or more than their male counterparts and find successful careers. • • • • •
Architecture • Pharmaceutical sciences Information sciences • Chemical engineering Computer science • Electrical engineering Computer engineering • Business economics Civil engineering • Sports management
Despite these findings, the college resource CollegeFactual and the U.S. Department of Education says that women remain likely to pursue education, design and applied arts, health services, and social work as career options. Female students unsure of which major they want to pursue can take career assessments to help narrow down their options. Working with mentors or engaging in internships also can present a first-hand idea of high-paying career paths. -MS
Edmond Life & Leisure • August 15, 2019 • Page 5B
How to save on college housing costs College is expensive, and the costs are only rising. Scholarships and grants can help mitigate the costs of higher education, but even students who receive such aid could find themselves scrambling for ways to make college more affordable. Housing is one of the more expensive costs for college students and their families. According to the College Board, the average cost for room and board during the 20162017 school year was $10,440 at four-year public schools and $11,890 at private colleges and universities. And those costs typically cover housing for just the school year, which may last anywhere from six to eight months. However, there are ways for students and their families to reduce those costs. • Examine your dormitory options. Many schools assign students to dormitories for their freshman years, giving students little say with regard to where they will live. However, students might have more input in their housing come their sophomore, junior and senior years. Some dorms might be more attractive and offer more amenities than others, but students and families looking to save money on housing costs should opt to live in the most budget-friendly dorms available to them. In addition, choose to live with a roommate rather than in a single room, as singles tend to cost substantially more than double rooms. • Sign up to be a resident advisor. Resident advisors, or RAs, often
receive free housing in exchange for living in dormitories when they are upperclassmen or graduate students. RAs help newly enrolled or younger students adjust to campus life while also ensuring nothing untoward happens on the floors they’re tasked with looking after. Students who may want to apply for RA positions should first confirm if serving as an RA will affect their overall financial aid package and how great that impact might be. • Live with roommates even after leaving the dorms. Due to limited space, many colleges insist dorm residents live with roommates. Upperclassmen who are moving out of the dorms and into university or off-campus apartments can save money by continuing to live with roommates. This can be especially beneficial to students who will be living in off-campus housing where amenities such as electricity, cable television and water are unlikely to be included in the cost of the rent. • Commute to school. While it might not be ideal, commuting to school can save college students and their families substantial amounts of money. Public university students who did so during the 2016-2017 school year might have saved nearly $11,000, or $44,000 in four years. That’s money that can be used to pay tuition or finance postgraduate educations. College housing costs can be considerable. But budget-conscious students and families can save on such costs in various ways. -MS
How to identify and stop cyberbullying Today’s students have many new things to contend with as they navigate the school year. As a greater number of schools transition to providing lessons, homework and tests on digital devices, students spend much more time online. This connectivity can have many positive results. However, the same availability also opens up students of all ages to various dangers. One of these dangers is a more invasive form of bullying called “cyberbullying.” The global organization DoSomething.org says nearly half of kids have been bullied online, with one in four saying it has happened more than once. Cyberbullying has grown as access to computers and devices that offer an online connection has grown. Bullying is now just as likely to occur online as it is on the playground. Cyberbullies may bully classmates through email, social media, instant messaging, and other social applications. Since cyberbullying tends to target emotions and mental well-being, and reaches beyond the school campus into a student’s home, its impact can be even more serious. According to the Megan Meier Foundation, which campaigns against bullying, peer victimization during adolescence is associated with higher rates of depression, suicide ideation and suicide attempts. In the United States, suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals between the ages of 15 and 24, according to data compiled from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Cyberbullying occurs in many different forms. Here are some types of cyberbullying educators and
parents can look for if they suspect their students or children are being bullied. • Flaming: This is a type of bullying that occurs in an online forum or group conversation. It’s achieved by sending angry or insulting messages directly to the person. Flaming is similar to harassment, but harassment usually involves privately sent messages. • Outing: This type of bullying is a sharing of personal and private information about a person publicly. When information has been disseminated throughout the internet, one has been “outed.” • Fraping: Fraping occurs when someone logs into another’s social media account and impersonates him or her. This could be a child or an adult impersonating the person and posting inappropriate content in his or her name. Sometimes this type of bullying is also called “posing” or “catfishing.” • Masquerading: Masquerading occurs when bullies create fake profiles so they can harass someone anonymously. The bully is likely someone the person being targeted knows well. • Exclusion: Sometimes direct targeting is not necessary. Students can be bullied simply by being deliberately left out, such as not being invited to parties or encouraged to participate online conversations. Securing privacy online is one way to prevent cyberbullying attacks. Students also can be selective about who they share personal information with or whose social media friendships they accept. Thinking before posting and paying attention to language and tone can help curb cyberbullying as well. Students should stick together and report instances of cyberbullying if it becomes an issue. -MS
Page 6B • August 15, 2019 • Edmond Life & Leisure
BOE APPROVED 12/3/18
2 0 1 9
E D M O N D J U L Y S 7
2 0 1 9
A U G U S T
M
T
W T
1
2
3
8
9
10 11 12 13
4
F
S
5
6
S 4
M 5
T 6
–
P U B L I C
2 0 1 9
S C H O O L S
F
S
M
T
W T
1
2
3
1
2
3
4
8
9
10
8
9
10 11 12 13 14
5
F
S
6
7
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
28 29 30 31
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
29 30
O C T S
M
6
7
2 0 1 9
N O V
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
4
5
8
9
10 11 12
S 3
2 0 1 9
T
W
T
F
S
S
1
2
1
4
5
6
7
8
9
8
M
Nine Week Reporting Period Aug. 16—Oct. 17 Oct. 22—Dec. 20 Jan. 7—Mar.13 Mar. 23—May 22
D E C
M
172 INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS
2 0 1 9
W T 7
S
S E P T
2 0 2 0
2 0 1 9
T
W
T
F
S
2
3
4
5
6
7
9
10 11 12 13 14
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
27 28 29 30 31
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
29 30 31
42 39 First Semester 81 47 44 Second Semester 91
Six Week Reporting Period Aug. 16—Sept. 26 Sept. 27—Nov. 6 Nov. 7—Dec. 20 First Semester Jan. 7—Feb. 19 Feb. 20—Apr. 8 Apr. 9—May 22 Second Semester
27 27 27 81 30 30 31 91
days days days days days days days days days days days days days days
Holidays J A N S M
F E B
T
F
S
3
4
8
9
10 11
2
3
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
9
10 11 12 13 14 15
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
26 27 28 29 30 31
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
29 30 31
A P R I L S 5
M 6
T 7
2 0 2 0
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
4
8
9
10 11
4
W 5
M A Y S 3
M 4
T 5
T 6
F
2 0 2 0
2
7
T
M A R C H
W
6
S M
2 0 2 0
1 5
T
2 0 2 0
7
S
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
9
10 11 12 13 14
2 0 2 0 W 6
T 7
J U N E
F
S
1
2
8
9
S 7
July Sept. Sept. Sept. Oct. Oct. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May
2 0 2 0
M
T
W
T
F
S
1
2
3
4
5
6
8
9
10 11 12 13
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
26 27 28 29 30
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
28 29 30
31
4 2 3 16 17 18 21 25 — 29 23 — Jan. 3 6 20 17 16-20 24 25
Independence Day Labor Day Fall Teacher Collaboration/Staff PD Day Teacher Prof Dev Day Conference Break Fall Break Teacher Prof Dev Day Thanksgiving Break Winter Break Spring Teacher Collaboration / Staff PD Day Martin Luther King Day President’s Day Spring Break April Day Memorial Day
Professional Development Days
Aug. 8 & 9 Aug. 12 Aug. 13 Aug. 13 & 15 Aug. 14 Sept. 3 Sept.16 Oct. 21 Jan. 6 Feb. 17 May 26
Inductee Teachers Report New Teachers Report All Teachers Report Professional Day Convocation Fall Teacher/Staff Collaboration Day Professional Day Professional Day Spring Teacher/Staff Collaboration Day Professional Day Teacher Record Day
STUDENT INFORMATION Aug. 9 Middle School Information Day
Oct. 10 & 15
Elementary Parent/Teacher Conference
Aug. 13 Elementary Information Day
Oct. 10 & 14
Middle School Parent/Teacher Conference
Aug. 16 First Day of School PK—12
Oct. 8 & 15
High School Parent/Teacher Conference
May 22
Last Day of School
GRADUATION is MAY 16, 2020 - North 10 a.m. / Santa Fe 2:00 p.m. / Memorial 6:00 p.m.
(4:30—8:00 pm) (4:30—8:00 pm)
(4:30—8:00 pm)