OKC FRIDAY Vol. 57 No. 11 • One Section • 14 pages • July 21, 2023
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Delta Gamma Alumnae
GNO and the YWCA
Jane Clark hosted the OKC Delta Gamma Alumnae for a wine tasting and charcuterie evening. At left: Suzanne Reynolds, Jane Clark and Margaret Clark. Page 3
Debbie South, left in photo, hosted Girls Night Out and organized a clothing drive for Our Sister’s Closet, a mission of the YWCA. She is pictured with Debbie Moore and Danna Pippin. Page 13
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$40 million bond issue to appear before NHills voters this fall
‘This is your song’
Darla Z’s song earns international acclaim
By Mike W. Ray Staff Writer
By Annabella Potts Student Intern When Darla Zuhdi was out for dinner one night in 2005 with her husband, she never expected the success that would come out of standing up to sing one of her original country songs. Shortly after that evening, Darla found herself opening a concert for Willie Nelson as a crowd of over 10,000 people watched. Raised in Stillwater, Darla attributes her upbringing and support from her family and spouse as the most impactful on her style of music. “I believe the way I was raised by my parents influences my moral compass and positively affects my desire to create not only the best lyrics and melodies I can possibly write, but also to create beautiful, quality, wholesome and inspir-
Darla Zuhdi’s latest song, “To All the Gabbys in the World,” was written in light of the tragic case of Gabby Petito, a young woman who was killed by her boyfriend while traveling across the United States. ing entertainment,” Darla said. “Meeting my husband in Oklahoma and being married to him, with his continuous encouragement and support of my craft, has made me the artist I am today.” Since Darla’s stand-out career moment in 2005, she has headlined and performed in Las Vegas numerous times while starring in national television specials that have aired from
The Village delays Habitat PUD vote By Mike W. Ray Staff Writer Confronted with a hostile audience of homeowners, The Village City Council – after protracted debate pro and con Monday night – opted to continue consideration of the final plat for a Habitat for Humanity subdivision. The subject will be revisited during the council’s first meeting in August, city officials indicated. See VILLAGE, Page 11
New York City to Los Angeles. Her “Christmas ‘Round the World” was broadcast for three years nationwide, in Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Currently, Darla Zuhdi is gaining rapid success with her new song and music video, “To All the Gabbys in the World,” which has won many awards
Wall of Fame Awards to laud six honorees The Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation announced four individuals and one couple as its 2023 Wall of Fame honorees. This year’s class includes four traditional honorees, with one being honored posthumously, and one couple designated as Unsung Heroes. They are: Cuong Do (Northwest Classen High School) , J. Don Harris, D.D.S. (Capitol Hill High School), Pamela Ruth Henry
Parks Commission agrees less is more By Mike W. Ray Staff Writer Less is more, members of the newly created Nichols Hills Visual Arts Commission were advised by the City Council. The three-member commission will make recommendations to the council on “art objects and artifacts” suitable for display in municipal buildings and in 60-acre Grand Boulevard Park along with the city’s 31 other, smaller parks. The council is the final arbiter on selections.
Members of the Visual Arts Commission (VAC) are Leigh Ann Albers, Steve Knox and Melissa Scaramucci; each represents one of the city’s wards. Mayor Sody Clements chose Ms. Scaramucci to chair the VAC. “A few pieces wellplaced can be plenty in our community,” Councilman Peter Hoffman told the commission members. “This is total quality, not quantity.” Councilman Steve Goetzinger concurred. For example, “We don’t
See DARLA, Page 5
Nichols Hills residents are to vote this fall on a $40,850,000 bond issue that would produce funds dedicated to improvements of local streets, the water system, sanitary sewer lines, parks, traffic control and the Public Works Complex, technology upgrades, and new vehicles for the police, fire and public works departments. The proposed projects are identified in 10 separate propositions on which voters are to pass judgment in a nonpartisan special election set for Oct. 10. General obligation bonds to finance the proposed improvements would be sold competitively and would “bear interest at the lowest rate not to exceed 10%” annually, City Attorney John Michael Williams emphasized. The debt is to be retired over a 25-year period from ad valorem taxes collected on all real property in Nichols Hills. Nichols Hills had $41,975,000 in total G.O. bonds outstanding as of July 10, City Manager Shane Pate said. The City of Nichols Hills “typically holds a bond election every five to six years to reauthorize enough bond projects to keep the city’s ad valorem tax levies stable (approximately 30 mills),” Pate noted. The last G.O. bond election in Nichols Hills was held in 2019. From that election “we have approximately $1.85 million in authorized projects remaining,” the city manager said. For a list of what is included in the bond issue, see Page 11.
want to turn Grand Boulevard Park into a cracker-barrel park,” he said. “Whatever we do here, be judicious and consistent and make sure the scale is right. “I am one of Cracker Barrel’s greatest patrons,” Goetzinger said afterward. “But I don’t want to adopt Cracker Barrel’s decorating methods, which are designed to resemble a crowded, old-fashioned general store. It’s my hope that we will be very judicious about the See PARKS, Page 5
(John Marshall High School, posthumous), Florence JonesKemp (Douglass High School) and Ray and Pat Potts (Unsung Heroes). The 2023 honorees are to be inducted into the Wall of Fame on Oct. 30 at the 39th annual Wall of Fame Humanitarian Awards event. For nearly four decades, the OKCPS Foundation’s Wall of Fame has celebrated the long, rich history of Oklahoma City
FRIDAY’s
Baby of the Week This is Nash, Dylan and Sarah Gather’s 10-month-old baby boy. Nash loves playing ball and with any toys with wheels. He also enjoys swimming and watching his parents.play basketball. He loves chasing his dogs, Malou and Tank, around the house and watching “Miss Rachel.” Email Dog, Cat, Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com.
Public Schools by recognizing alumni who have gone on to become influential leaders in the city, state and beyond. The new honorees will join 100 other Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) alumni who have been inducted since the creation of the Wall of Fame in 1985. Cuong Do (Northwest Classen High School) is president and CEO of BioVie Inc., a See WALL, Page 2