OKC FRIDAY Vol. 57 No. 20 • One Section • 16 pages • September 22, 2023
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New Walk in the Park app to be celebrated in Nichols Hills
To celebrate the launch of the new app A Walk in the Park, residents are invited to explore the app while enjoying a pop-up art show on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Kite Park in Nichols Hills. A Walk in the Park sends residents on a walking loop through the parks of Nichols Hills highlighting the many pieces of public art in the neighborhood. Users can pause at each installation and listen to music from Oklahoma composer, Nick Poss, while listening to information and reflections about each piece. The entire loop is 5.45 miles and takes the user to each public piece in Nichols Hills. Users can also opt in to the app at any time to learn more about the sculpture collection throughout the parks. Featuring food trucks, children’s activities and the work of Dr. Daniel Molina, visitors are invited to bring their phones to engage in Dr. Molina’s augmented reality art work and to explore the features of the new Walk in the Park app with friends and neighbors.
Mayor Holt lauded by TIME as a top 100 emerging leader Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt has been named by TIME to its 2023 TIME100 Next List. An expansion of the TIME100 list of the most influential people in the world, TIME100 Next highlights 100 emerging leaders who are shaping the future of business, entertainment, sports, politics, health, science and activism, and more. Mayor Holt is the fifth American mayor to be named TIME100 Next, joining Pete Buttigieg (2019), Francis Suarez (2019), Michelle Wu (2022) and Mattie Parker (2022). This year’s TIME100 Next List includes former University of Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts; Hurts and Holt are believed to be the first people on the TIME100 Next list with strong Oklahoma ties. Each of the 100 people on the 2023 list are featured with a tribute, usually written by a past member of the TIME Most Influential People list. Mayor
MAYOR DAVID HOLT
Holt’s tribute is written by former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Bloomberg wrote that Holt is “one of the most dynamic and innovative” mayors in the country and he is “helping to write a promising new chapter for his city, and as he does, he’s demonstrating how the combination of ambitious plans with effective management is popular with voters in both parties.” The full listing is available online at time.com/next. Mayor Holt and the rest of the 2023 TIME100 Next will be honored at a gala event in New York City in October.
City to consider new arena By Rose Lane Editor
Above: Melissa Scaramucci, who helped create the Walk in the Park app, with Nancy Herzel, worked out the trail linking the art. They are pictured in front of the first public art piece donated to Nichols Hills Parks, Pan of Rohallion. At right: Dr. Daniel Molina, whose augmented reality art work is to be on display during the celebration.
Jason Brown is named to OAAE Hall of Fame Oklahoma City Public Schools (OKCPS) announced that Jason Brown, the district’s deputy superintendent, has been selected as a 2023 inductee into the Oklahoma African American Educators’ (OAAE) Hall of Fame. The ceremony is set for Friday, Sept. 29 at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. See BROWN, Page 3
See ARENA, Page 14
Mayor unhappy with golf cart drivers’ recklessness By Eric Oesch Staff Writer Nichols Hills Mayor Sody Clements is not happy with underage children driving recklessly on city streets. The City Council spent much of its September meeting discussing options the city has to curb this dangerous trend.
OU president to be honored by Putnam City Schools Foundation Joseph Harroz, Jr. is Putnam City Schools Foundation’s Wall of Fame honoree for 2023. Currently serving as the University of Oklahoma’s 15th President, Harroz is to be inducted at an awards dinner next Thursday at La Bella Events Center in Oklahoma City. Harroz graduated from Putnam City North High School in 1985, where he served in several student leadership positions and was named Mr. Panther by his peers. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of
On Tuesday, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and City Manager Craig Freeman are expected to present to the City Council a plan to construct a new downtown arena that commits the Thunder to play its home games in Oklahoma City for 25 more years.
Oklahoma in 1989 where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics and continued on to earn his J.D. at Georgetown University Law Center in 1992. “The Foundation and District are elated to honor President Harroz this year. Harroz’s commitment to excellence in education and student experience continue to raise the bar in Oklahoma and reinforces Putnam City’s challenge to ‘Go Boldly.’” said Alyx Picard, executive director of the Putnam City See HARROZ, Page 14
Children as young as 12 and under continue to drive golf carts on major thoroughfares, breaking the law in Nichols Hills and causing the council toput its foot down. Police have been instructed to issue citations to those who break city ordinances. “I have received more calls on this issue than any other
matter since 2009,” said Mayor Sody Clements as she opened discussion, “and the issue is, of course, that parents are allowing their children, many under the age of 12 and far younger, to drive these things (golf carts) on our streets.” In June 2022 council members See NHILLS, Page 14
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Baby of the Week Asher Jask Reshef is the son of Dr. Evan and Amanda Reshef of Arizona. He is the fifth grandson of Fridaylanders Dr. Eli Reshef and Edie Roodman. Email Dog, Cat, Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday.com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.