New sheriff in town
Shop the Look
Sunny Cearley, left, the new president and CEO of Allied Arts, responds to outgoing President and CEO Deborah Senner’s introduction during RANCHtini. Page 2.
Fashion Editor Jennifer Clark helps you shop fashions from CK & Co., Krista Anne’s and the Women’s Health Boutique. Page 11.
OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 13 • One Section • 12 pages • August 12, 2022
$1 per copy
www.okcfriday.com facebook.com/okcfriday OKC’s only locally-owned legal newspaper with all local news Serving Oklahoma City, Nichols Hills, The Village, Quail Creek, The Greens and Gaillardia for 48 years
Befforts chair art museum gala ball
Mayors break bread, reaffirm relationship
By Rose Lane Editor
By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
Julie and Mark Beffort are the chairman of the 46th Annual Renaissance Ball, the largest annual fundraiser benefiting the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. The black-tie gala is set for Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club. The event celebrates the museum’s 20th anniversary of its downtown location and the new exhibition, “Chihuly Then and Now: The Collection at Twenty.” “It has been an amazing 20 years as part of the downtown OKC community, and we are looking forward to honoring and thanking all our loyal patrons for their years of support and service to the Museum at this year’s Renaissance Ball,” said Michael J. Anderson, president and CEO. “We are also thankful for the Befforts for chairing this year’s gala. Their generous support is greatly valued, and I am excited to see their take on this year’s event.” The evening is to feature an open bar cocktail reception followed by an elegant dinner. The late-night celebration, a separately ticketed event, begins at 9:30 p.m. with an open bar and refreshments continuing until midnight. “We’re honored to
The unexpected resignation of Village Mayor Adam Graham has left the city scrambling to replace a vacant Ward 3 seat, and mend fences with their neighboring City Council and police department in Nichols Hills. At the recent City Council meeting newly appointed Village Mayor Sonny Wilkinson reported to the council and audience that, “I had a wonderful breakfast with Nichols Hills Mayor Steve Goetzinger. It was a long overdue meeting for the two of us and was quite enjoyable.” Wilkinson reassured the council and residents of The Village that the relationship between the two cities is strong and the partnership that was created more than 50-years ago between the two metro suburbs is not in danger. “We are great partners and friends,” said Wilkinson.
See BALL, Page 7
Guy & Girls for the Greater Good The Heroes Ball benefiting the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy was the occasion for these three, from left, Vicki Clark Gourley, Gary and Carol Sander to put on their hats and boots for the party at the Skirvin Hotel. They were greeted by Zorro and one of the Ghost Busters, who said he had already found two ghosts. For more photos, see Page 12.
“That’s something Steve (Mayor Goetzinger) and I don’t want to ever see changed.” Wilkinson also told the council he visited with members of The Village Police Department. “My understanding through them is that their professional relationship with the officers in Nichols Hills is strong and they continue to support each other on calls when needed,” Wilkinson said. Nichols Hills Mayor Steve Goetzinger said, “We at Nichols Hills are grateful for the five decades of mutual support we have had with The Village. The Village assists us every day and we hope this relationship continues in perpetuity.” Meanwhile, The Village City Council is preparing to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat which represents 1,930 residents. Ward 3 is in the city’s northeast quadrant. “We’ve received calls See MAYORS, Page 3
Finnegan next president, CEO of OKC Community Foundation
TRISHA FINNEGAN
Trisha Finnegan has been named president and chief executive officer of the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, which works with donors across the region to create charitable funds that benefit the community. She succeeds Nancy B. Anthony who led the Community Foundation for 37 years. “With 20 years of experience
Brightmusic announces 20th season Brightmusic Chamber Society of Oklahoma celebrates 20 years as premier presenters of the world’s greatest chamber music. Chamber musicians lauded the format. “Among the hallmarks of chamber music are the variety of its ensembles and the wealth of its repertoire,” wrote James M. Keller. Trios, quartets, quintets, chamber music is endlessly varied. Mozart’s famous “Gran Partita” has 13 players. “Even if you are a pianist,” said chamber musician David Finckel, “your concerto repertoire is very limited compared to what your chamber repertoire would be ... ”
Co-artistic directors Chad Burrow and Amy I-Lin Cheng created a balanced season featuring three guest artists and works by composers old and new, from solos and sonatas to octets and even a nonet! Concert 1, Sept. 27, “Music of Dreams and Angels,” features guest trombonist David Jackson playing works by various composers including the soulful “Till I Wake,” the fifth and final piece of a song cycle by late 19th and early 20th-century composer Harry Burleigh based on a text by Laurence Hope. It was Burleigh
across the public, private and nonprofit sectors, Finnegan brings a commitment to innovation, collaboration and placebased investment to address community needs,” said Oklahoma City Community Foundation Chairman T. Scott Spradling. “As president and CEO, she will continue to enhance the foundation’s relevance as a trusted philanthropic partner and strive to increase
FRIDAY’s Dog
and use its assets to impact and benefit the community.” Finnegan was hired after a nationwide search conducted by Kittleman & Associates. She comes to Oklahoma from the Community Foundation of Louisville, where as chief strategy officer and senior vice president, she consistently secured funds and partners to See FOUNDATION, Page 7
of the Week Hello my name is Giorgio Armani, but mom calls me Gio. My favorite thing to do is play with my babies. And I love to take naps. I’m a little King Charles Cavalier Spaniel. My humans are Nina and Tim Kirpicheva. Send Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.
This sponsorship is available! Call (405) 755-3311 for details. See MUSIC, Page 3