OKC FRIDAY Vol. 56 No. 24 • One Section • 14 pages • November 11, 2022
$1 per copy
OK Contemporary Celebrating the opening of the “La casa que nos inventamos: Contemporary Art From Guadalajara” at Oklahoma Contemporary are: At left, Eli Hellman and Christian Keesee; and at right, Rand and Jeanette Elliott and Pam and Bill Shdeed. Page 3
See photos of Fridayland veterans on Page 13.
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First Citizen’s Police Academy in 20 years is deemed a ‘huge success’
Slavonic would consider returning to service By Rose Lane Editor Retired Rear Adm. U.S. Navy Greg Slavonic’s service to the country might not be over. Slavonic, the former acting under secretary of the U.S. Navy, isn’t ready to say he’s really retired yet. “If Trump gets reelected and I get a call, depending on the position, I would consider it,” he said. He attended Christ the King Catholic Grade School and graduated from John Carroll Catholic Grade School and Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School. Slavonic earned a bachelor of science degree in journalism and broadcasting from Oklahoma State University. An eventual veteran of three wars – Vietnam,
By Eric Oesch Staff Writer
••• Navy Reserve He completed a masters of education at the University of Central Oklahoma and entered the United States Navy Reserve in Oklahoma City where he earned a commission as an ensign. Slavonic went to work in the media business, selling advertising for six years for The Oklahoman and
Village Police Chief Russ Landon was told long ago that, “the police need the people they serve to help the police establish their priorities.” During the past year The Village Police Department has resurrected two popular programs designed to bring residents and officers together in their effort to strengthen relationships with the community. It has been a year since the department revived their successful Police Bicycle Unit after a 30-year absence, and earlier this month the city graduated 16 participants in their resurrected Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA). It has been 20 years since the CPA had their last graduation class. At the time, City Manager Bruce Stone said the catalyst for resurrecting the Police Bicycle Unit and the Citizens Police Academy was a “desire to improve the public image of police in general. We want to promote better communication with residents and provide our citizens more opportunities to interact with police officers.” Chief Landon considers the recent academy a “huge success,” as the basic goal of
See SLAVONIC, Page 5
See VILLAGE, Page 12
Above: Now-retired Rear Adm. U.S. Navy Greg Slavonic with Col. Ollie North during a press conference. At right: An official portrait.
Dessert Storm and Iraq – and the acting under secretary of the Department of the Navy, Slavonic joined the Navy after he received a pre-draft notice in 1971 and upon his graduation from OSU. “I took control of the situation and joined the Navy so I could see the world,” he said. ••• Vietnam He spent eight months on an Aircraft
carrier in Vietnam and another nine-and-a-halfmonth deployment after the peace treaty was signed in January 1973. Slavonic’s job was to monitor the return of the United States’ POWs, one of which was John McCain. The Navy rotated crews and Slavonic said during his time off, he visited such places as Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philipines and Japan. “I did see the world,”
he said.
Chickasaw Nation breaks ground on OKANA Resort Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, along with tribal, state and Oklahoma City leaders, participated in the official groundbreaking ceremony for OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark. Situated along the Oklahoma River near downtown Oklahoma City and adjacent to the First Americans Museum,
OKANA will be a $400 million tourist destination designed to continue the momentum of economic development in Oklahoma City. “We expect the OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark to be a significant economic driver of job growth and opportunities
FRIDAY’s Dog
See OKANA, Page 3
of the Week Lucy is an 8-year-old Labrador who was adopted from the Heartland Lab Rescue. Her humans are OKC FRIDAY Deputy Publisher and Editor Rose and Bob Lane. Lucy likes to go for walks, sleep on the couch and carry around one of her many “babies.” Send Pet and Baby of the Week nominations with complete descriptions to rose@okcfriday. com. Submissions are used in the order they are received.
Red Andrews seeks donations Since 1947, members of the Red Andrews family, local community leaders, and event volunteers have provided Christmas dinner to the community. The event is free and open to the public. Due to the COVID-19 virus, the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner Foundation is providing a bag of groceries to prepare a delicious Christmas dinner along with a toy for the children. Groceries and toys are to be distributed 10 a.m. –12 p.m on Christmas Eve at Santa Fe South Charter School located at 7000 Crossroads Blvd. “Last year we provided food to approximately 8,000 people, gave away thousands of toys and coats,” said Mary Blankenship Pointer, board secretary/treasurer. “The Red
Andrews’ Christmas Dinner is our gift to the community. Due to the economic environment, the needs are greater this year than ever. “It has been incredible to witness Oklahomans working together in the spirit of serving our neighbors,” added Pointer. “We are all united in that we recognize what a highly-valued and impactful event this has been on the community for many decades.” Organizers are also asking for donations of coats of all sizes. “Last year we gave away hundreds of much needed coats to children and adults,” Pointer said. “Many times the adults will sacrifice to get coats for their children.” Beginning Nov. 15, donations of See DINNER, Page 12