TulsaPeople June 2026

the A-LIST issue

INCLUDING FLORIST/PLANT SHOP WINNER ANTHOUSAI FLORALS HAND-PICKED

Thank you for naming us best...

Home Health Care - Saint Francis Home Health

Hospice - Saint Francis Hospice

Hospital - Saint Francis Hospital

Urgent Care - Warren Clinic Urgent Care

Hearing Aids - Warren Clinic ENT

Pain Management - Warren Clinic Pain Management

Dermatology - Warren Clinic Dermatology

Health Club/Gym - Health Zone at Saint Francis

FIRST OKLAHOMA BANK PRESENTS

Leaders with Heart

DRIVEN. ENTREPRENEURIAL. STRATEGIC THINKER.

For Warren Ross, professional satisfaction begins long before a ribbon cutting. As CEO of Ross Group, he enjoys working alongside customers, colleagues and partners to figure out what keeps them up at night and then working to solve issues. If he sees a problem, he is wired to fix it.

In 1979, Warren’s father, Jesse Ross, founded a small contracting company specializing in carpentry and interior finishes. By 1996, Warren had joined his father in the privately-owned company, and today Ross Group offers development, engineering, design-build, construction, and industrial construction services.

“For me, the real fulfillment isn’t in the celebration at the finish line - it’s in the work itself. I love working through tough problems. Once it’s solved, I’m ready for the next one… Take the Tulsa Club as an example. To take a derelict historic building and restore it and repurpose it into a thriving hotel contributing to the economic vitality of Tulsa is awesome!”

When it comes to civic engagement, the Ross Group focuses on community organizations and educational causes that Warren’s team is passionate about. “If something aligns with our team’s values and we can make a real impact, we’re in. But I’d rather do one thing well than simply write a lot of checks,”

he says. Two causes that have helped put Tulsa on the national and global roadmap are the efforts of the Route 66 Alliance and Tulsa Tough – the Super Bowl of criterium cycling.

“These days, I focus on things that matter to me, investing in science, mathematics, and doing what I can to position my children, Jocelyn and Nathaniel, and their generation for a better future. When something is better because you showed upthat is what makes the investment worthwhile. I hope, in some small way, my perspective contributes to that,” Warren says.

Outside of work, he enjoys traveling with his family - hiking, skiing, “coffee crawling” across cities along the northeastern seaboard, West Coast, or abroad. Beyond that, he savors simple pleasures found in his work, fitness, time spent with his wife Teresa and anticipation of his next trip to visit his adult children.

“Warren, who graduated from MIT in engineering, is straightforward

and someone you can count on. He sees opportunities and has the unique ability to organize people to accomplish difficult tasks and challenges,” says Tom Bennett III, President and CEO of First Oklahoma Bank. “His company does work all over the United States, but he has chosen to remain headquartered in Tulsa. Warren is a great corporate citizen who has helped build Tulsa’s economy by creating jobs and overseeing projects that have improved our community.”

Warren enjoys working with people at First Oklahoma Bank. “I trust them as partners focused on the business of banking, executing on time and with superior quality. I’m not much of a small-talk person, and the relationships I’ve developed there are meaningful, direct, and concise. We focus on what needs to get done today, and we get it done.”

Trusted care

7

CITY DESK

Street stretching. Summertime reading. Cherry Street’s newest studio. One man’s trash.

34

BUILDING A BETTER WAY

A new facility planned for the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation will tell untold stories and encourage community conversation.

BY SHARON BISHOP BALDWIN

36

TWO DECADES OF TULSA TOUGH

What drives Tulsa’s biggest party on wheels. BY

JULIE WENGER WATSON

41

A-LIST 2026

TulsaPeople is proud to present the 2026 A-List Readers’ Choice Awards. Plus, our editorial team joins in with their own picks. BY STAFF

77

LIFESTYLE

SoBo flower studio. Coastal capers. Glass class. List languish.

89 TABLE TALK

Downtown’s latest Japanese concept. Limited-time slice. Shake it up. Hoppin’ happenings.

EDITOR’S LETTER

My rst time on Cry Baby Hill was in 2019. e night before that year’s Saint Francis Tulsa Tough nale, my friends and I painted ames onto thrifted shirts to match the theme: “Guy Baby Hill” (referring to the Mayor of Flavortown Guy Fieri). Superfans might remember the other theme that year was “puberty,” but I don’t recall seeing many who opted to dress for that.

at day in the baking sun, as I inhaled the still-drying-acrylic-paint fumes radiating o my cropped tee, I learned that I should have brought a much larger water bottle and extra sunscreen. Now when people ask me what to expect, I tell them to go as early as they’re willing to get out of bed on a Sunday morning to beat the heat.

As the bike festival turns 20 this year, writer Julie Wenger Watson — a cyclist herself — explored the tradition and the communities it builds, from bike groups like the Divas and Project Dudeman to the debauchery that takes place during the aforementioned McElroy River Parks Criterium. You can read about all of it on p. 36. As a bonus, for anyone who wants to celebrate architecture (and air conditioning), p. 22 has details for a special birthday party taking place along the crit course June 7 at Spotlight eater.

is issue, like the last one, is full of summer fun ideas including a preview of the upcoming season of Tulsa Chautauqua (by Intern Kamron Williams, p. 8) and our monthly Tulsa 10 lineup (compiled by Intern Mary A. Smith, p. 10).

If you nd yourself looking for more, head to tulsapeople.com where we are constantly putting together event roundups, from how to celebrate Pride Month

(by Intern Michael Searles) to Route 66 Centennial activations (a team e ort).

With this being the annual A-List issue, a celebration of our readers’ beloved Tulsa businesses, our editorial team had the chance to highlight some of our own favorites who didn’t win in the voting round. You’ll see that content spread throughout the issue, which is not only interesting to peruse, but also can be very helpful next time you’re deciding who to trust with your home renovation or pest control needs. Do you see any categories missing? Let me know at lauren@langdonpublishing.com. Finally, don’t miss Assistant Editor Ti any Howard ’s write-up on Natsukashii. If Natsukashii wasn’t already on the editorial calendar for this month, it would have very likely been an additional Editors’ Pick. As always, thanks for reading. tp

Lauren Rogers EDITOR

Growing a gallery

NEWS CAUSES PASSIONS

Chris O’Dell with musician George Harrison, whom she joined on the Apple Corps headquarters rooftop during The Beatles’ legendary 1969 performance. “There were only four of us in the audience: Myself, Yoko (Ono), Maureen Starkey — Ringo (Starr)’s first wife — and Ken Mansfield from Capitol Records,” O’Dell recalls. “We were the only four up there until people started coming out the windows.”

FROM ABBEY ROAD TO TULSA TIME

Few people have witnessed music history as intimately as Oklahoman Chris O’Dell. From working closely with The Beatles at Apple Corps to managing legendary tours — a breakthrough for women in the music industry — for classic rock artists like Queen, The Rolling Stones (even appearing on the band’s album cover for “Exile on Main St.”), Led Zeppelin and more, O’Dell spent more than a decade at the center of what would become, arguably, the most influential era of music.

Having grown up in Owasso and Keota (before later moving to Arizona), one of O’Dell’s first jobs as an adult was working Apples Corps, where she was introduced to The Beatles, befriending the musicians over the years and even becoming the inspiration for George Harrison’s song “Miss O’Dell.” Later on, her path crossed with Leon Russell, who would go on to write “Hummingbird” and “Pisces Apple Lady” about her.

Fittingly, O’Dell has partnered with The Church Studio to release a podcast titled “Miss O’Dell: Abbey Road to Tulsa Time” in which she speaks with friends and fellow music industry insiders. The first episode released May 19 with Pattie Boyd, iconic photographer and author, as well as former wife of Harrison and Eric Clapton — the latter of which wrote “Layla” about her.

TulsaPeople had the chance to speak with O’Dell about her whirlwind career, new project, move to Tulsa and more. Read the exclusive Q&A at tulsapeople.com. — MADISON WALTERS

TULSA CHAUTAUQUA RETURNS JUNE 2-6

History will come to life on the front lawn of the Museum of Tulsa History this month as Tulsa Chautauqua returns to enlighten guests through engaging performances and workshops, continuing a tradition spanning more than 35 years. With each year of programming centered around a specific historical theme, the 2026 Tulsa Chautauqua season June 2-6 will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

The series of interactive events features devoted scholars who represent notable figures in character, offering interactive discussions aimed to entertain audiences of all ages. This year’s lineup includes Doug Mishler, Ph.D., as William Clark , Rebecca Marks Jimerson as Sojourner Truth, John Dennis Anderson, Ph.D., as Washington Irving , Susan Marie Frontczak as Eleanor Roosevelt and Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., as Lucille Ball

This offering is inspired by the original Chautauqua movement in the 18th and 19th centuries, originally designed as a professional development opportunity for teachers that blends education with entertainment. Admission to Tulsa Chautauqua performances and workshops is free of charge and open to the public. Find the full schedule and learn more at tulsachautauqua.org. — KAMRON WILLIAMS

MEMORY LANE

TULSA JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL ON GREENWOOD AVE. 40 years of TulsaPeople

In 2023 TulsaPeople writer Blayklee Freed chatted with Tulsa Juneteenth Inc. Executive Director Lauren Corbitt ahead of her first year as the primary leader for the annual festival, a role she took on after the unexpected loss of her mother, Sherry Gamble Smith

“I think my mom ran a great race, not only in life, but in this organization and with the Tulsa Juneteenth Festival,” Corbitt said during her TulsaPeople interview in 2023. “We just continue to keep running, and I’ll run my leg of the race, and we’ll see how long that lasts and what that entails. I do it with great intentionality and love for the Tulsa community.”

The festival, founded in 2013, incorporates live music, food trucks, souvenir vendors and wellness activations to create a weekend of engaging, family-friendly fun in the historic Greenwood District. This year’s event is scheduled for June 19-21.

“It’s really important for us to build wealth and health through this,” Corbitt continued. Read the original story at tulsapeople.com. —STAFF REPORTS

A NATION OF ADVENTURE

Native Culture, Natural Beauty

Experience authentic Native art, inspiring stories, rolling hills and sparkling lakes. Spend quality time in Cherokee Nation.

JUNE

COMPILED BY MARY

A. SMITH

“Profi topia” by stepmom is Living Arts of Tulsa’s newest exhibition.

June 5-July 25

PROFITOPIA

Visit Living Arts of Tulsa’s newest exhibition, “Profi topia” by Oklahoma band stepmom.

“Profi topia” is an EP turned immersive experience, originally produced in partnership with Factory Obscura in Oklahoma City. livingarts.org/events

June 5

T.E.G. INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL

Experience live music from artists such as Annie Ellicott , Alisha Pattillo Electric Band and Thaddeus Ford at Guthrie Green from 6-10 p.m. Free admission. internationaljazzfest.wordpress.com

June 6

RAIN ON RIVERSIDE

Gathering Place has teamed up with SWAT Meet Inc. to host a free event for sixth-12th graders. From 6-9 p.m. attendees may register for three-on-three basketball, access a live recording booth to create their own songs and more. gatheringplace.org

June 13

DRAG BRUNCH: PRIDE, BABY!

Secure your tickets in advance for Elote’s June Drag Brunch, which will celebrate queer visibility during Pride month (reservations subject to availability). elotetulsa.com/events

June 13

TASTE OF SUMMER

Get ready to beat the heat with Taste of Summer on Broken Arrow Main Street, the ultimate celebration of community and all-you-can-eat Blue Bell ice cream! tasteofsummerba.com

June 15

DECONSTRUCTING FOLK MUSIC

Join Scott Freima and the Bob Dylan Center at Circle Cinema as they present a deconstruction of the folk genre’s revival period across both the U.S. and the U.K. circlecinema.org

June 19-21

TULSA JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL

Celebrate Black history and community at the 2026 Tulsa Juneteenth Festival taking place in the historic Greenwood District. The festival will include live music, local vendors and even a 5K run. tulsajuneteenth.org

June 20

TIME TRAVELER’S VINTAGE EXPO

Explore dozens of vendors at the renowned traveling vintage market June 20 at the SageNet Center. timetravelersexpo.com

June 22

Lauren Hough

Magic City Books and Woody Guthrie Center are delighted to welcome Lauren Hough for a free event to celebrate her latest book, “Monster of a Land,” which recounts her cross-country road trip with her Husky mix Woody. magiccitybooks.com

June 27-28

ROUTE 66 ROAD FEST

Experience Route 66 via a showcase of automobiles and other history-driven activities at the SageNet Center at Expo Square. Event hours on Saturday range from 10 a.m.-6 p.m., while hours on Sunday range from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. route66roadfest.com

Moving forward

The Oklahoma Parkinson’s Alliance inspires hope and resilience through community and movement.

BY MARNIE FERNANDEZ

It’s not uncommon to nd Susan Phillips in her basement practicing ping pong, which she picked up as a hobby about 10 years ago. e tabletop sport has even taken her overseas for an international competition — a trip she made while also living with Parkinson’s.

“I have worked hard not to let the disease de ne me,” Phillips says. “I don’t let it stop me from doing the things I want to do.”

It has been an up and down journey for Phillips and her family since she received the diagnosis at age 53.

“When I rst got diagnosed, I was taking 35 pills a day,” she says. “Eventually, I had DBS (deep brain stimulation) which has helped improve my motor function.”

Now at age 66, Phillips embraces her life, staying active with ping pong, regular exercise and even ballet lessons. She credits the Oklahoma Parkinson’s Alliance for o ering services and support to people with Parkinson’s.

“ e OPA has helped me tremendously,” Phillips says. “I have connected with so many other people with Parkinson’s through their events, activities and support groups they host regularly.”

Founded in 2004, Oklahoma Parkinson’s Alliance is the largest and most active nonpro t organization dedicated to supporting Parkinson’s patients and their families. OPA o ers everything from support groups, speech therapy, educational resources and exercise programs such as cycling, dancing and even boxing.

“Susan has developed deep connections within the Tulsa Parkinson’s community,” says Matthew Morton, OPA’s director of community development. “She has been a beacon for others who see her joy and hard work and think, ‘I too, can keep living my life.’”

OPA also o ers events for the entire family, such as the OPA’s Rally Walk on June 6.

“ is walk gives Parkinson’s families a chance to rally around their loved ones,” Morton says.

“And being physically active is so important to living well with Parkinson’s disease, so the act of walking is truly a way to ‘ ght back’ against the disease.”

Phillips, along with her family, will participate in the walk.

“Even before Parkinson’s, Susan lived an active lifestyle — and those habits have allowed her to keep moving — which is so important for Parkinson’s patients,” says DeAnn Ralston, Phillips’ sister. “OPA has given her so many ways to connect with others and helped her build a strong community that allows her to serve others.” tp

Thinking about electric vehicles? If you have questions about EVs — or even hybrids — get the facts and see if they’re right for you. After all, knowledge is power.

Learn more at GetToKnowEV.com.

Val Binkley

Manager at Yellow Brick Road Pub

BY LAUREN ROGERS

Nearly four years ago, longtime lesbian bar Yellow Brick Road Pub went up in ames. At that point, the watering hole and community hub at 2630 E. 15th St. had been open for nearly two decades, which makes it one of the oldest bars of its kind in the country. Fortunately, fans rallied. A GoFundMe campaign raised just under $9,000 to help revive the space, which reopened in the summer of 2023. If you look closely, you can still see indications of the inferno, like the singed slippers — ruby red, but burnt— hanging on the wall beside the pool tables.

Today, YBR is open seven days a week, with themed events and activities nearly every night of the week. e pub is governed by a set of Golden Rules, including “Y’all really does mean ‘all,’” and o ers visitors resources like a library shelf stocked by QueerLit Collective. Val Binkley, the bar’s rst lesbian manager in more than 10 years, agreed to unlock the door early for an interview so we could learn more about the multifaceted work she’s been doing over the last two years — both behind the bar and behind the scenes.

WHAT HAS MANAGING YBR BEEN LIKE?

ere’s just a lot of details that — if you’re not in the community, you’re not going to realize exactly what the community needs. Before my team, there was only one gay bartender almost at all times ... Now, this is the gayest the team has ever been. We’re constantly raising money for nonpro ts. We just recently had a party at the end of March, and we raised over $600 for QueerLit Collective. ey’re the ones that install the libraries all over. ey’ve been able to branch out to other states now ... One of my bartenders actually helps run Queer Women’s Collective Tulsa. We’ve raised money for them, (and) we’ll do drives like menstrual product drives ... just small details like that. I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without my team, without the community. I have so much help from the community. It’s been healing for me too, because I didn’t realize I was gay until, like, a few years ago.

WOAH, CAN YOU TELL ME MORE ABOUT THAT REALIZATION? Yeah, I’m a late-in-life gay. And then I speed ran, and now I’m managing the lesbian bar. So, it’s been nice for me, and obviously I think that helps (YBR) — having a leader who is in a good head space, and again, queer, so they know what people want.

e biggest thing — my entire team knows this, a lot of regulars know this as well — before we are a party place for the Queer community, we are a safe space. at is number one. We don’t gatekeep this, everybody’s allowed here. It’s a lesbian bar, and we’re gonna brag about that because there’s only 30-something (lesbian bars) in the entire country, but every single person is welcome here. And there are straight men that come in here all the time, and they’re like, “ ank you for making it so comfortable.” Somebody just told me the other day — he had been coming in a couple times a week — and he was like, “You know, I like it here. I just miss my wife,” because he recently lost his wife. And my team members, most of us, have had people come out to us over the last couple years. We’re all in it together.

HOW DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER YBR?

I was a downtown girl in my 20s. I was down there, and I never made it out this way. If I made it out here, it was the end of the night, so I don’t really remember being here. en right before I started (in 2024), a couple friends and I came here. We were hanging out that night and we came here afterwards because Eric, who is actually one of my best friends and one of my bartenders, was coming here a lot. And then a couple weeks later, he was like, “Hey, the manager (at the time) needs a bartender.” And then shortly after that, I found out that the manager was going back to school. So, as the only lesbian on the team I was asked. I love my job. It’s the best job I’ve ever had because, like I’ve said, it’s also been very healing for me. Coming out of a very abusive relationship before I worked here and then having the community is really — it’s awesome. We all support each other. I can’t say that enough ... Before I even started working here, I still struggled with being called a “lesbian” big time — which I now know that is very common — but it was just because I hadn’t been around queer women, so I wasn’t con dent in that yet. So up until I started working here, I was still struggling with my identity and understanding myself.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT WORKING

AT YBR? I see people that I love every single time that I’m in here ... I just have a really great team. Everybody on my team, I trust wholeheartedly. And I know that they strive to make this a safe space too, because they know I don’t put up with anything. I don’t know if you have been to the bathroom, but I have a handwritten sign that says, “Stop using these walls to talk sh*t about one another, because it’s a safe space. Love, Val.”

Another favorite thing of mine is how we’re the safe space for the trans community. A lot of our trans regulars are here on Mondays because Lo, my (Monday) bartender, he’s trans. And so they’re all together on Mondays, for sure. But every single night, if you’re here until 2 a.m. when we’re kicking people out, there is probably going to be at least two of our trans regulars. We always have trans people here, and in this day and age all of us are having a very hard time, but especially the trans community. ey’re being attacked; they’ve been constantly under attack. But it’s been awesome to watch and see in front of us (at YBR): I’ve had two or three trans people come out to me since starting here ... In Oklahoma, we lose a lot of our trans community because they are so afraid to live here. We actually have a regular who is moving in a couple weeks ... It’s just important to support them.

YBR IS NO STRANGER TO BEING NAMED ON NATIONAL LISTS HIGHLIGHTING LESBIAN BARS. DO YOU GET A LOT OF OUT-OF-TOWN TRAFFIC? Oh yeah, that’s any lesbian bar you go to — they’re searching. I’ve met people from Ireland. We had two ladies that ... it was their honeymoon, and they were doing

Route 66, and they stopped in here all the way from Ireland. We’re constantly meeting people from out of the state. One day, casually, Eric texted me, and he was like, “ Pandora Boxx is here.” She’s a drag queen from “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” She was here with her husband. ere’s people from all over, because again, you need that community, and we don’t always feel safe in certain spaces. But that goes back to why I want to make sure we’re a safe space for every single person, not just queer people, because there are so many spaces that we might not feel comfortable, I don’t want to make other people feel like that.

WHAT DO YOU WANT POTENTIAL FIRST-TIMERS TO KNOW ABOUT YBR? e fact that it is a safe space and that we’re not just here to make money. Yes, we need money, but we’re here to support the community. We’re here to provide that safe space. I’ve got up to 10 nonalcoholic (drink options) at all times, because we have tons of people that come here that don’t drink, but they still might want something to sip on ... ere’s so many men who’ve met their wives or their girlfriends here. It’s just a space for everybody, and everybody should feel comfortable. tp

Big opera-tunity

Tulsan Abigail Raiford to take part in a prestigious San Francisco opera program.

BY MADISON WALTERS

For some, summer means going on vacation to the beach or relaxing by the pool and soaking up the sun, but for Tulsan Abigail Raiford , this season will be spent taking part in the prestigious Merola Opera Program in San Francisco. Out of an applicant pool of more than 1,500 from all over the world, Raiford and 27 other artists were chosen to represent the 2026 cohort, which features participants from Australia, China, South Korea, Türkiye, Mexico, Canada and the U.S.

To be accepted into this all-expense-paid program is a dream come true for Raiford. “I knew in my gut that Merola was where

I wanted to end up this summer. So doing the audition and getting the o er to be there was huge for me,” the soprano says. While in San Francisco for this 12-week undertaking, she will receive individual coaching from world-renowned conductors, directors and teachers, as she prepares for her own performances in the Merola Summer Festival. Raiford has been cast as Echo (and is a cover for the character Zerbinetta) in a production of “Ariadne auf Naxos,” which will be presented on July 30 and Aug. 1. e Tulsan will also take part in the Merola Grand Finale on Aug. 15. “ e nale is comprised of scenes that are curated by Carrie Ann Matheson,”

Raiford explains. “She gets to know everyone over the course of the program, and then will assign us certain scenes from various operas to perform with our colleagues, where we will really dig in to perform to the best of our abilities to show everyone in the Merola community — the audience, donors, people in the industry — what we’re made of and what we love.”

From a very young age, Raiford has always had a deep love and appreciation of music. “My love of music really started because of my parents,” she says.

Both her mother and father, Judith Pannill Raiford and Steve Raiford , were opera singers who lived and worked in New York City until they decided to move their family to Tulsa when Abigail was nine. Music still stood at the forefront of their lives: Raiford’s father took over as the music director for St. James Presbyterian Church in Jenks, and her mother began teaching at e University of Tulsa, where she currently serves as the School of Music director. ough she saw her parents’ careers as musicians, it wasn’t until a return trip to NYC as a teenager that Raiford began to envision the same life for herself when her family attended a viewing of the documentary “Becoming Traviata,” which details renowned opera singer Natalie Dessay ’s performance of Violetta in “La Traviata” at the Aix-en-Provence Festival.

“We bought the DVD of the actual production (of ‘La Traviata,’) came back to Tulsa and watched it. When we got to the third act, I was just in tears,” she says, “And I remember looking at my mom, and saying that’s what I really want to do. She said, ‘Okay. Well, let’s get started.’”

Her mother, who had been a member of the New York Vocal Arts Ensemble and performed at venues like Carnegie Hall, began to work with her as a vocal coach shortly before Raiford enrolled at TU to study music. After graduating with her bachelor’s degree, the vocalist moved to NYC and completed a master’s program at Mannes School of Music.

But for Raiford, Tulsa will always hold a special place in her heart, as it shaped her artistic journey. “ e Tulsa community has really given me a lot of warmth and individual care when it comes to my music,” she says. “Every time I’m in Tulsa, singing or making music, it’s been received with so much care and love. If I was anywhere else — in a larger city — I don’t think I would have gotten the same nurturing that I did in Tulsa.” tp

The spirit of Black Wall Street

‘Deep Greenwood Ignited’ comes to Tulsa for Juneteenth weekend.

BY SARA PLUMMER

Around 2010, Mia Walker was acting in Oklahoma City in other people’s plays and productions but wasn’t feeling ful lled.

“I wanted to be a part of something that was more compelling, something that would help the community, something enlightening,” Walker says. “So I thought, ‘Should I write something that has a real purpose and meaning to it?’”

Her mind went to the Tulsa Race Massacre, which she rst learned about as a teenager in Oklahoma City. At 16 years old,

she started attending a church led by a pastor whose family had lost their business in Greenwood during the two days of devastation and white mob-led violence that razed the thriving community to the ground.

“I thought about writing a story about Black Wall Street or the Tulsa Race Massacre, but that seemed too heavy for my rst piece,” she says. “(But) for three nights in a row, I kept waking up thinking ‘Write about Black Wall Street.’”

Following Walker’s third restless night, a family member compelled her to pursue

the thought. “My cousin called me and said ‘Hey, I think you should write about Black Wall Street’ and I was like ‘What is going on?’” she recalls, adding that she asked if he had been talking to God. “It was all the con rmation that I needed to start.”

Walker spent two years researching the people and businesses of Greenwood and Black Wall Street, as well as the Tulsa Race Massacre and the rebuilding of the area. She compiled her ndings into the fulllength play, “Deep Greenwood Ignited: e Hidden Truth of Black Wall Steet,” which debuted in Atlanta in 2018.

e show was rst performed in Tulsa in February 2020, then again in Broken Arrow in 2022. It will return June 19 and 20 at the Maya Angelou Auditorium at Central Middle and High School, 3101 W. Edison St.

“( e production) tells the history of Black Wall Street, how it got started and how the community thrived. en it talks about the massacre and ends with the rebuilding of the community,” Walker explains. “I wrote it to inspire people. I wanted to create a feeling of what it felt like for that community to own theaters and banks. I didn’t want this story to just be about the massacre, this terrible thing that happened in Tulsa. I also wanted the audience to understand the resilience of that community. Even though it was burned down, they still came back together and they rebuilt.”

Walker says she’s looking forward to coming back to Tulsa. During past visits she and the play’s cast members have been able to tour the Greenwood District and explore the Greenwood Cultural Center and Greenwood Rising Museum.

“ e rst time we brought the play to Tulsa, a lot of the descendants were at the production and the feedback I got from them is something I will always keep dear to my heart. It means more to me than anything,” she says. “I love bringing the play to Tulsa. It’s always inspirational and it’s always touching. It’s emotional; it takes me to another place. at feeling in Tulsa, it’s incomparable.”

For more information and to purchase tickets to the show’s performances, visit deepgreenwoodtulsa.com. tp

Sun Salutations

BY JOHN TRANCHINA

At 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 27, the downtown Deco District will transform into an outdoor yoga studio to celebrate both the summer solstice and International Yoga Day. is year marks the sixth iteration of Namastreet Downtown Yoga, which Downtown Tulsa Partnership has produced for the last three years on Boston Avenue between Fifth and Sixth Street.

“(Namastreet) started in 2019, even before our organization had formed, and we brought it back in 2023,” explains Daniel Jackson, Communications and Engagement Coordinator for Downtown Tulsa Partnership. “It’s a really cool event that promotes wellness and yoga. And doing it right between all those buildings in the Deco District is a really cool visual aspect of it.”

Annie Clark , who owns and teaches at the local studio Updog Yoga on the southeast end of downtown (415 E. 12th St.), is returning for a third year to lead the unique yoga experience.

“ is will be the rst year that we’re doing it at 9:30 in the morning, which I think will be cool, because people aren’t rushing there from work,” says Clark, who has been a yoga teacher since 2001. “Traditionally, we do about 30-40 minutes of open-level yoga to fun music. It’s going to be beautiful.”

Clark promises the event is suitable for yogis of all levels, whether someone is new to the practice or a longtime participant.

“Whether you’re an advanced yogi or just yoga-curious, come join in,” Clark says. “I don’t know anybody who’s ever left a yoga class and said, ‘Wow, I wish I hadn’t done that,’ because you’re breathing and you’re moving and you’re present in your body.”

e session winds down with an immersive sound bath and guided meditation led by Sue Webb and Ti any Tran of Sana Meditation.

“You’re lying down, and if you look up, there’s blue skies (and) these beautiful buildings. It’s impressive,” Clark explains. “What makes this special is really having the opportunity for just anybody to participate and come together.”

Namastreet Downtown Yoga is free to attend; just bring a mat.

“ e point of yoga is union; it’s to bring people together,” Clark says. “ is symbolic day, International Day of Yoga and the solstice, gives you an excuse to get together and it’s just going to be amazing.”

Learn more at downtowntulsa.com.

JUNE 16 | AUG 25 | NOV 3

For Nicole Morgan, Founder and CEO of Resolute PR and the Tulsa Regional Chamber’s vice chair of Government Affairs, voting is both a responsibility and a privilege.

“I know it sounds corny, but I always feel a sense of pride and gratitude when I stand in line at the polls,” Morgan said. “Being surrounded by neighbors who take time out of their busy days to vote because they believe in the future of our city, state and country is always a moving experience for me. We might not agree on the issues, but we all have a passion for making our voices heard.”

This month and the rest of the year, all Tulsa voters regardless of party affiliation will have several opportunities to participate in elections, including state questions and non-partisan municipal elections. Morgan said she will be taking steps to ensure that everyone she knows, from family and friends to her employees, plan to participate.

“We allow company time for voting and proudly wear our ‘I Voted’ stickers after,” she said. “It’s a simple but visible way to reinforce the importance of civic participation and to encourage others we interact with throughout the day to do the same.”

It was a proud moment for many this year when more than 80% of

Tulsa voters approved a $609 million school bond package. In 2024, according to Oklahoma Voice, our state had record voter registration and early voting participation.

Visit the Oklahoma Voter Portal, at okvoterportal.okelections.gov, if you are a lapsed voter or unsure of where or how to vote. By voting, you help show strong interest and engagement in your community and promote the region’s growth and success.

“As someone who chose to start my business and raise my family in Oklahoma, I see both the momentum in our state and the work still needed to keep it moving forward,” Morgan said. “Every legislator we elect and every issue we vote on can change the trajectory of where we’re going. Voting allows me to be part of that process.”

3

Going, going, Goff!

Go Fest is gearing up for a grand Go birthday bash.

BY LAUREN ROGERS

Renowned architect Bruce Go spent much of his early childhood on the move. Born in Alton, Kansas, on June 8, 1904, young Go lived in northeast Oklahoma until his father’s entrepreneurial endeavors took him brie y back to Kansas in 1913, then Denver. After giving up on his Colorado watch shop, Go ’s father Corliss brought the family back to Tulsa in 1915. e following year, Corliss set up his 12-yearold son with an apprenticeship at local architecture rm Rush, Endacott and Rush. ( e group operated from 1912-1929; after which Go was shortly a partner at its successor Rush, Endacott and Go ). Go , who did not deny his identity as a gay man throughout his career, built a design portfolio exceeding 500 projects.

His work helped shape remarkable buildings across the nation, including the Tulsa Club Hotel and the Pavilion for Japanese Art at Los Angeles County Museum of Art. To this day, it is hotly debated whether Go should be attributed as the lead designer of the Boston Avenue United Methodist Church, which he envisioned with Adah Robinson

Now, more than four decades after Go ’s death, Go Fest is preparing for its sixth year of honoring the architect’s legacy. On June 7, “Bruce Go ’s Birthday Bash: A family friendly event at Spotlight eater,” will celebrate of all things “Go tecture.” e event coincides with the nal day of the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough, which takes cyclists on a route that runs straight past the Go -designed venue on Riverside Drive.

“I just love how the celebration is di erent each time,” says Go Fest organizer and Tulsa Artist Fellowship alum Karl Jones. is year, he notes, Tulsa Artist Fellowship, in partnership with Twisted Arts, will highlight the queer architect as part of its Pride Month kicko during the Tulsa Arts District’s First Friday Art Crawl June 5. Additionally, the Tulsa Foundation for Architecture will host a neighborhood tour of Cherry Street June 6 that will include Bruce Go designed buildings and interiors.

Along with Jones, the Go Fest team includes lmmaker Britni Harris and artist Jamie Pierson, who banded together in 2021 to promote Go ’s legacy. Harris herself directed and produced “GOFF,” a documentary detailing the life of the proli c architect, and Pierson — owner of Scraps Designs — channeled her lifetime love of Go into an architectural Pop-Up Playscape activity to engage and delight up-and-coming design fans. e interactive element will be a part of the birthday bash again this year.

“It’s been fun to be with people who have such a deep appreciation, knowledge of and love for Bruce Go as I do,” Jones says. “And as a team, it’s been really fun to play with it.”

e Sunday Birthday Bash taking place 12-6 p.m. will also present a showcase from Tulsa Foundation for Architecture summer camp students, a live DJ, face painting, ice cream from Cherry & Bark, co ee from Coracle Co ee, a cash bar and — a luxury on Cry Baby Hill — air conditioning. e University of Oklahoma, where Go was once the chair of the School of Architecture, will also provide an informative display.

“We want to bring up a new generation of ‘Go heads’ — people who appreciate the work of Go — nationally, and especially here in Tulsa,” Pierson says of Go Fest’s year-round mission.

e team hopes that by cultivating the next era of Go fans, they can build momentum to ensure more of Go ’s aging architecture is maintained to inspire generations to come.

“I think that’s what art is,” Harris explains. “We are in uenced by each other. Why not learn about one of the greatest architects that was in your backyard and have him inspire you to do great things as well?”

To learn more about Go Fest and the June 7 event, visit go -fest.com. tp

Summertime reading

Soak up the sun with Tulsa literature in hand.

BY LAUREN ROGERS

With summer kicking o this month, it’s o cially the season to chill outside by the pool with a good book. Or, perhaps you prefer to read inside where there’s plenty of air conditioning. Either way, Tulsans and people obsessed with Tulsa have steadily been churning out new literature. We’ve selected a few recent releases to consider for your summertime reading needs. If you haven’t already signed up for the Tulsa City-County Library’s summer reading program (with di erent levels for adults, teens, children and littles) you can nd out how to do so at tulsalibrary.org/summer.

‘THE COFFEE PURIST’ BY BRIAN FRANKLIN

Fittingly printed as a coffee table book, “The Coffee Purist” by DoubleShot Coffee Founder, Owner and Roastmaster Brian Franklin gives profound insight into his entrepreneurial journey. Filled with many of Franklin’s own personal stories and photographs, the book takes the reader on an international tour as it follows Franklin’s step-by-step process to discover how to brew the perfect cup of coffee. If you want to learn more about roasting beans or get a behind-thescenes perspective on some of DoubleShot’s most notable moments over the years, you can grab a copy at DoubleShot (1633 S. Boulder Ave.) or find it online at purist.coffee.

‘IN THE GREAT QUIET’

BY LAURA VOGT

Looking for something a little steamy wrapped up in an engaging history lesson? Check out Tulsa author Laura Vogt ’s latest novel, “In the Great Quiet.” Inspired by the real-life story of her great-great-grandparents, Vogt’s romance takes you to pre-statehood Oklahoma. The reader finds main character Minnie Hoopes trying to make her own way through the frontier in 1893 — an ambitious task, especially for women of that era. Vogt paints the tumultuous time — complete with a chaotic land rush and other instances of lawlessness — with a complex cast that (naturally) includes a dreamy, mysterious outlaw, Stot. Learn more about Vogt and where to find your own copy of “In the Great Quiet” at lauravogt.com.

‘THE GREAT BECKONING’: BOOKS ONE AND TWO BY KIRBY LEE DAVIS (AUTHOR), SAPULPA HISTORICAL SOCIETY (CONTRIBUTOR), SAPULPA MAIN STREET (CONTRIBUTOR)

Just in time for the Route 66 Centennial, discover the history of Sapulpa in a packed, two-volume series written by Kirby Lee Davis in partnership with the Sapulpa Historical Society and Sapulpa Main Street. The set of books explores little-known stories from colonial times to the rise of Route 66 as a major pathway for travelers from across the country. The series includes historical photos pulled from the contributors’ robust archives, providing compelling imagery to go along with Sapulpa’s complex history. If you are a fan of history or interested in learning more about Oklahoma’s origins, look no further. You can find both volumes on Amazon.

‘LEE ROY CHAPMAN’S TULSA’ BY THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC SECRETS

Available for preorder, “Lee Roy Chapman’s Tulsa” explores the legacy of the book’s namesake, Tulsan Lee Roy Chapman. A key inspiration for the FX series “The Lowdown” — which has been filming its second season in Tulsa over the last few months — the historian, journalist, artist and activist spent much of his life shedding light on Tulsa stories that had been kept in the dark. He helped establish the Center for Public Secrets, which hosts pop-up exhibitions and events at 573 S. Peoria Ave. Learn more about the Center for Public Secrets’ ongoing work and sign up to preorder a copy of “Lee Roy Chapman’s Tulsa” at centerforpublicsecrets.org. tp

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‘Secret Gardens’

BY MADISON WALTERS

Stepping into Yubi Studio Gallery, 1309 E. 15th St., feels like stepping into a world of whimsy and childlike wonder, and that’s exactly the intention of artist and owner Yubi Lee’s new exhibition “Secret Gardens.”

Lee’s playful and striking collection of paintings on display vary but all contain elements of orals, which is a key element of the exhibition’s inspiration — the classic children’s novel “ e Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett. e book tells the story of a young orphan girl named Mary who goes to live with her uncle after the death of her parents. While living with him, she nds a secret garden that had belonged to her late aunt. Mary takes over the desolate garden, bringing life back to not only to the neglected space, but to her and her uncle’s lives.

“ e novel symbolizes not just a child’s innocence, but the power of nature and that the power of life ... e (story) was a very important inspiration for me, because I was going through a very di cult time in life and it helped me to realize it takes time for something to grow in a barren land,” Lee says. “We just need to wait for the sun to come out.”

When Lee and her family immigrated to Tulsa from South Korea when she was 16, she had no idea that one day she would own a gallery here. Having lived in England, Japan, New Zealand and Atlanta, Lee’s multicultural journey has inspired her goals for the space. “I want to show more of the world to the city. I want people to come into my world, even though it’s small, and connect through culture, beauty, history, religion, psychology and art,” she says.

A graduate of Bishop Kelley — and the only Korean student in her class — Lee went on to receive her bachelor’s at Oral Roberts University before moving to London for her master’s degree in fashion photography. Around 2023, she decided to change careers and pursued painting at the Savannah College of Art and Design. e artist only recently moved back to Tulsa within the last year so she could be with her mother. When the unexpected opportunity to open her own studio appeared, Lee decided to take on the challenge to help bring her dream to fruition.

Yubi Studio Gallery is open to the public every Saturday, and “Secret Gardens” will be on view until July 18. On June 20, Lee will host a painting workshop from 6-8 p.m. For more updates, head to @ubstudio or check out her website ubstudio.org. tp

MUSIC NOTES

Treasure trove

Boulevard Trash is under new management.

STORIES BY

JULIE WENGER WATSON

Located in a converted house at 1545 S. Harvard Ave., Boulevard Trash is an adventure in the alternative. In an increasingly digital world, this niche boutique with its punk rock roots is a tenaciously analog space where retail is secondary to relationships.

Owners Michelle and Tony Cozzaglio rst opened the shop near East 11th Street and South Yale Avenue in 2013 as a record store, label and general resource for the local punk scene. After closing their doors a few years later in order to focus on other projects like the Punk Rock Flea Market and the Oddities and Curiosities Expo, they reopened the store in its current location in 2019. Boulevard Trash now features a thoughtful curation of the weird and wonderful — everything from underground vinyl and clothing to books and zines — with a focus on supporting Tulsa’s homegrown DIY culture.

Kiefer Bassett , a musician who grew up in the local underground music scene, began managing the store earlier this year. He plans to honor the shop’s punk pedigree while also branching out into what he categorizes as the “alternative umbrella” of subgenres like emo, experimental, industrial, garage rock and power pop.

In particular, he’d like to emphasize local products and any kind of physical media.

“Tulsa is full of art. It’s full of creativity in pretty much every aspect — from writing to comics to clothes to music,” he says. “All of that in Tulsa is teeming with life, and this is a place that can speci cally focus on promoting that, especially on this smaller, underground level a lot of these artists or musicians are operating on.”

Community and accessibility are particularly important to Bassett. e shop o ers both new and used vinyl and tries to keep prices a ordable.

“We’re priced pretty competitively,” Bassett says. “I’m going to try to make it as accessible as possible for the people who want it. It’s surrounded by punk DIY, and that’s the ethos. You want people to get into that, and if you’re pricing people out of it, you’ve missed the point.”

Although Bassett plans to expand online sales to give the store a bigger reach, he says Tulsa is what keeps the shop alive.

“At the end of the day, who comes to support this business? Tulsa is what keeps this place around, and I want this place to be able to give back to Tulsa,” he says. Find more at boulevardtrashpunk.com. tp

STARSTUDDED

Tulsan to be honored by Country Music Association

A true Tulsa treasure, Jim Halsey — artist, agent and talent manager — continues to amass accolades well into his 10th decade of life. Last fall, Halsey and his wife, Minisa Crumbo Halsey, were inducted into the Museum of Tulsa History’s Hall of Fame.

On June 2, the 95-year-old impresario will be honored with the Country Music Association’s Touring Lifetime Achievement Award. The award recognizes individuals who’ve made extraordinary contributions to the growth and impact of live touring and whose influence has helped shape the country music industry.

During a career that’s spanned over 70 years, Halsey has represented stars like Roy Clark , Reba McIntire and the Oak Ridge Boys.

“My life is one of immense gratitude,” says Halsey, who describes his career as an incredible journey.

While the CMA will present the award in Nashville, Halsey will remain in Tulsa where he will be celebrated at a concurrent event at the Mabee Center. For more information, visit mabeecenter.com. tp

Comeback story

Tulsan’s band revived thanks to fan loyalty.

BY MADISON WALTERS

When Tulsa transplant Sam Quartin took to social media in 2023 to announce the inde nite hiatus of her band, e Bobby Lees, due to economic challenges presented by the music industry, she had no idea that the actor Jason Momoa would step in to help fund the punk band’s next record “New Self,” which comes out June 12 via Epitaph Records.

Quartin — who moved to Tulsa about ve years ago with her husband, lmmaker John Swab — started the band in Woodstock, New York, in 2017. e group consistently toured and released music until hitting a wall nancially in 2023.

“( e music industry) is now set up in a way that makes it almost impossible for bands like us to economically sustain,”

Quartin wrote in a post on e Bobby Lees’ Instagram page. “Bands our size barely make anything from Spotify payouts. Worse o , they’ve made algorithms and streaming numbers become more important than how something makes you feel.”

It was this post that caught Momoa’s attention. “We had known that he was into the band, but he never reached out in any capacity until he saw what we put online,” Quartin remembers.

“He messaged us and said he was very sad and wanted to help us.”

Quartin immediately got on the phone with the “Aquaman” actor, who genuinely wanted to nd a way to help the band continue making music. As he began lming season 2 of his HBO Max show “On e Roam,” he asked the band if they wanted

to make another record, saying he’d pay for and lm it for the docuseries. Over the course of several months, Momoa and his crew lmed e Bobby Lees rehearsing in Woodstock, then performing at various venues across the country. e production even captured behind-the-scenes footage of the band recording “New Self” in a California studio.

For the trio, the process was a life preserver. “It was a di cult decision to step back,” Quartin says of their initial choice to pause in 2023. “For Kendall ( Wind), our bassist, and Macky ( Bowman), our drummer, music is all they want to do with their life ... Kendall dropped out of college to tour. We were fully committed for years and weren’t earning enough to make a living. It stopped being fun.”

anks to Momoa and “On the Roam,” e Bobby Lees are back with more pep in their step. Quartin — who in the past has dealt with severe stage fright and anxiety — has felt a weight lifted as she creates new music.

“I’ve entered into a phase where I’m like, ‘who gives a sh*t? Let’s do the stu that scares us. Let’s do the stu that we’re not sure is going to work,’” she says.

e band’s risk and dedication has paid o . “New Self” attracted the attention of major label Epitaph Records, which has released seminal albums from e O spring, Rancid, NOFX, Bad Religion and many more.

Alongside being a mother and creating music with e Bobby Lees — as well as for her solo project Lady Boy — Quartin keeps herself busy with her acting career, having appeared in a number of Swab’s lms. Most recently she had a role in “King Ivory,” which was lmed right here in Tulsa and can now be streamed on Hulu. As for future projects, her next lm “Cotton Fever” will premiere at Tribeca Film Festival this month.

e Bobby Lees are preparing to tour across the nation this fall, so music lovers can see for themselves why the likes of Momoa, Iggy Pop, Debbie Harry, Jack Black and Henry Rollins are fans of the band. e band is also front-and-center in season two, episode one of Momoa’s “On the Roam” streaming now on HBO Max. tp

1-Aug. 4

Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraising season

Benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma. bbbs.org/bowl

Every Thursday evening Bands and Blooms

Benefits Tulsa Botanic Garden. tulsabotanic.org

4 Aquarium Run

Benefits Oklahoma Aquarium. okaquarium.org/178/aquarium-run

Bunco for Boobies

Benefits The Stonebrook Project. thestonebrookproject.org

Raise The Woof Gala

Benefits Oklahoma Pet Collective Society. okpetcollective.org

5 Owasso Giveback Golf Classic

Benefits programs of Owasso Community Resources and Rotary Club of Owasso. owassohelps.org

6 Parkinson's Rally Walk

Benefits the Oklahoma Parkinson's Alliance. oklahomapa.org/tulsawalk

June charitable events

COMPILED BY TIFFANY HOWARD

9

25th Anniversary

Benefits the Washington Brown Foundation. washingtonbrownfoundation.com

12

Zoo Nights (21+)

Benefits Tulsa Zoo. tulsazoo.org/zoo-nights

13

American Legion Post 1776

Orphan Car Show

Benefits veterans and local community programs. altulsapost1776.org

Ascension St. John Centennial Gala

Benefits Ascension St. John Foundation. givestjohn.org/gala

BBQ and Bingo

Benefits Broken Arrow Public Schools Foundation. bapsfoundation.org

Celebrate LIFE

Benefits LIFE Senior Services. give.lifeseniorservices.org

Every Moment Counts Run/Walk

Benefits Clarehouse. clarehouse.org/events

On May 16, the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma at 1304 N. Kenosha Ave. was packed with hundreds of guests for the nonprofit’s signature event, The Dinner Party. The event included a lively cocktail hour hosted in the Food Bank’s Table 24 Ballroom with live music, mouthwatering appetizers, and delicious cocktails and mocktails. For the main portion of the evening, attendees made their way into the Food Bank’s main warehouse, tastefully decorated with delicate hanging lights enhanced by colorful uplighting. As guests enjoyed an incredible multi-course meal prepared by the Food Bank’s Chief Culinary Officer Chef Jeremy Johnson, Event Chair Alfre Woodard and Food Bank CEO Jeff Marlow took the stage for an insightful Q&A that reflected on the Food Bank’s previous year and explored what lies ahead for the organization.

Tulsa Firehouse 5K Run

Benefits the Tulsa Firefighters Benevolent Fund. tulsafirehouse5k.itsyourrace.com

13-14

Garden Tour

Benefits Tulsa Master Gardeners. tulsamastergardeners.org

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Paci c in Concert”

Benefits Will Rogers Stage Foundation. willrogersstage.com

19

Golf Tournament at Bailey Ranch

Golf Course

Benefits Bailey Education Foundation. baileyeducationfoundation.com

Reunion 2026: Classes ending in 1 and 6

Benefits Bishop Kelley High School. bishopkelley.org

21-Sept. 7

Mission ImPopsicle

Benefits Tulsa Zoo. tulsazoo.org

23

2026 Patriot Classic

Golf Tournament

Benefits Owasso Education Foundation. owassoeducationfoundation.org

Bunco for a Cause

Benefits Ward-Wiseman Animal Haven and Bailey Education Foundation. baileyeducationfoundation.com

Jam for Wishes

Benefits Make-A-Wish Oklahoma. wish.org/oklahoma

25

Bingo and Silent Auction

Benefits Tulsa Period Pantry. tulsaperiodpantry.org/bingo

26

Poppin’ Bottles: Vegas Baby!

Benefits Emergency Infant Services. eistulsa.org

27

Equality Gala

Benefits Oklahomans for Equality. okeq.org

Get UP for Cancer!

Benefits Tenaciously Teal. climbgravitybear.com

28

St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway

Benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. dreamhome.org

EDITOR'S NOTE: HIGHLIGHTED EVENTS SPONSORED BY TULSAPEOPLE.

On April 18, 80 guests slipped into their finest caftans and crowned themselves with the biggest, bounciest red curly wig they could find and headed out to ONEOK Field for the second annual Mrs. Roper Romp — a unique event benefitting clients of Family Promise of Tulsa County who are at risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. Emulating the colorful style, humor and warmth of the iconic “Three’s Company” character, the Helens (and Stanleys!) had a groovy time at a Drillers pre-game party enjoying a ’70s-themed feast, yard games and silent auction before catching the game and post fireworks show. The $11,000 raised will go directly toward Family Promise’s Future Begins at Home prevention/ diversion program, which helps families stay safely in their homes by providing timely assistance for key needs including rental and utilities support. (Pictured here: Arletta Sloan, Ruthie Pease and Swati Patel.)

A More Personal Approach to Wealth Management

For many people, wealth management can feel transactional, confusing or overly focused on numbers alone. At Scissortail Wealth Management, the experience is intentionally more personal.

Founded by Todd Welsh and Rich Howard , Scissortail was built on the belief that financial planning should be rooted in relationships, trust and long-term partnership. While investment management remains the core of the business, Scissortail’s approach extends far beyond portfolios and performance charts. Their work centers on helping clients navigate life with greater confidence, clarity and security.

That philosophy is reflected in every aspect of the client experience. Conversations are thoughtful, service is attentive and relationships are built over time. Supported by a fullservice team, Scissortail provides tailored guidance designed to meet clients wherever they are in life. Whether helping families prepare for retirement, supporting business owners through major transitions, or planning for future generations, the focus remains on responsiveness, communication and concierge-level service.

Scissortail helps simplify what can often feel overwhelming. Rather than managing multiple financial relationships and decisions alone, clients can rely on one trusted team to help coordinate and guide the bigger picture with clarity and care.

With over five decades of combined experience, Welsh and Howard have built Scissortail around a high-touch model that feels increasingly rare in today’s financial landscape. Clients are never treated like transactions or account numbers, but as long-term relationships built on consistency and trust.

That same commitment extends beyond the office. Through local partnerships, charitable involvement and give-back initiatives like Take 5, Scissortail remains deeply invested in supporting the Tulsa community and the people who call it home.

At its core, Scissortail is about more than financial planning. It is about building lasting relationships and helping clients feel supported, informed and cared for along the way.

Building a better way

A new facility planned for the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation will tell untold stories and encourage community conversation.

BY SHARON BISHOP BALDWIN

Since its formation in 2007, the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation has been working to build trust, cooperation and relationships among people divided by decades of racial strife, conflict and even violence.

In 2008, the nonprofi t center collaborated with the City of Tulsa to begin building John Hope Franklin Reconciliation Park, a tree-filled green space completed in October 2010 and designed to inspire reflection, hope and healing for its visitors.

That’s a lot of building for an organization that lacks, well, a building. But that could be changing soon.

The John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation announced late last year a capital campaign to construct a 7,000-square-foot, $10 million facility in the southwest corner of the park. Besides giving the organization a new physical office, the development also would provide gallery space for both permanent and traveling exhibits, classroom and dialogue space, and room to develop a library collection, says Reuben Gant , executive director of the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation.

“We’ve gotten to the point now where we’ve phased in not just the development of the park but the creation of programming,” he says. “We are now in a position to go to the next phase of creating actual access, and a home for us as administrators and managers of the park.”

Gant, who has been with the center since its founding, says the building was always a part of the plan.

“We use the park as a foundation to honor the memory of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. But the broader picture of our mission and vision is to use the story of Greenwood as a springboard to not just have a focus on a tragic event, but to also unveil an untold story in history and the legacy of a community that thrived at a time when all odds were against them and its development and prosperity,” he explains.

Gant points out that people can be hesitant to talk openly and freely, or struggle to do so without conflict.

“When we first started the John Hope Franklin Center, I don’t know of any organization that was

publicly willing to discuss the issue of race in an open forum. And we took that on as an obligation that would define our organization,” he says. “We were the first to step out there — in this community, anyway — to openly address the issue of race. And we believe that a path to reconciliation is education — knowledge attainment, knowing how you got here, (and) knowing the relationships that existed before, after and during this conflict.”

Since its founding, the center has created myriad ways to do that work: a national symposium now in its 17th year; an annual Reconciliation Dinner, held since 2010, with nationally prominent speakers; docent-led tours of the park; and an online curriculum portal that provides resources for elementary- through college-age learning.

So how will a physical home enhance these efforts?

Gant says the building will serve as a fertile ground for encouraging diversity of thought through dialogue of past, new and shared experiences. One of his ideas is to utilize the space to

host a monthly conversation series, in which each session will begin with posing a quote or discussion topic to get the conversation flowing.

“A good example is something I heard on NPR — a quote that said, ‘The past is the present affected.’ To me, that would generate different ideas and opinions of what it meant to a specific individual, (or) a specific individual in a different culture with a different tradition,” Gant says. “So you’ll get a plethora of answers that are varied for just that one statement. And it would better help the group to understand a pattern of thought based upon words. Words matter.”

Vanessa Adams-Harris , the director of outreach and alliances for the center, explains that another component of reconciliation is “asking ourselves to remember who we are as human beings — that we are actually not fighting against each other, but we are inside of something that’s making us fight against each other,” she says. “Once we have a chance to have a conversation and communicate, we can understand just a little bit better, and it’s in that ‘little bit better’ that we can breathe and move forward together.”

Adams-Harris began volunteering with the center around 2012. After taking a three-year break for an artist’s residency in North Carolina, she joined the staff full time in 2018.

“One of the things that the building will really focus on is exactly what the park speaks to, the process of being human with other humans who have been hurt and hurt. Where was the harm done, when did the harm begin?” Adams-Harris explains. “It is not a competition with other entities but complements the forward direction that Tulsa has been moving toward for some time, and this building supports that growth and development of survival. We lift as we climb when we are together in spaces that call our memory forward to be in community with each other. Because no question

is a wrong question, and in dialogue thoughts can be explored.”

Although a physical building will allow the center to enhance the work it already does, such as providing guided tours of Reconciliation Park, it is designed to not take any emphasis off the park itself. Its purpose is “to integrate into the park, not to compete with the park,” Gant says.

But Gant shares there is even more to explore than just the legacy of Greenwood and the Tulsa Race Massacre, such as the stories emanating from Oklahoma’s history as Indian Territory and the presence of African Americans in it; Black settlements before statehood and all-Black towns in Oklahoma after statehood; and the relationships between different groups, including Indigenous and African American cultures.

“There’s a greater story to be told that we feel not only contributes to the story of Greenwood but also, in totality, it is the story of the development of Indian Territory and Oklahoma,” he says.

Gant envisions that part of the state’s history will be told in cooperation with tribes and tribal nations, such as the Cherokee and Muscogee Nations, exploring freedmen history.

“We hope to look upon those types of partners to create an awareness of our history, as well as Native history, and how it relates to Black lives in Oklahoma,” he says.

Gant says collaboration among marginalized populations is as relevant today as ever.

“It’s been important for marginalized communities to recognize that building political capital requires that we band together, so to speak, because we all are in the same pot in terms of opportunities, or lack thereof, for our own particular groups,” he says. “Together, I think we can build a strength that would be paid attention to. And that’s going to take some work. And we can’t do that if we are not willing to talk to each other.” tp

WHO WAS JOHN HOPE FRANKLIN?

John Hope Franklin, born Jan. 2, 1915 in Rentiesville, was a historian, author and educator best known for his work “From Slavery to Freedom.”

He was the grandson of a Chickasaw freedman.

His father, B.C. Franklin, was a civil rights lawyer who defended Black Tulsans against the City of Tulsa’s attempts to stop them from rebuilding in the wake of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.

John Hope Franklin graduated in 1931 from a then-segregated Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa. He was valedictorian of his class.

Going on to study law and history at Fisk University, he then earned both a master’s and Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. He ultimately received honorary degrees from more than 70 institutions, including The University of Tulsa and the University of Oklahoma.

Franklin served on the research team for the landmark Supreme Court case Brown v. the Board of Education, which outlawed segregation in U.S. schools. He marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. in Selma, Alabama, in 1965, and in 1978 he was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame — a first for a Black Oklahoman. A decade later, he was inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame. In 1995, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. Then, in 1997, he received the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author Award from the Tulsa Library Trust. He was the first (and so far, only) native Oklahoman to receive the award.

Franklin died March 25, 2009, in Durham, North Carolina, at age 94.

Barbara Krauthamer, Ph. D., widely recognized as a leading historian of African American slavery and emancipation, is the speaker for the third installment in the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation’s 17th Annual Reconciliation in America National Symposium, “The Promise and Politics of Native Land.”

She will speak beginning at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10, in the Founders Hall at the OU-Tulsa Schusterman Learning Center, 4502 E. 41st St.

Admission is free, but registration is required. For more information visit jhfnationalsymposium.org or call the John Hope Franklin Center for Reconciliation at 918-295-5009.

TULSA TOUGH TURNS

WHAT DRIVES TULSA’S

BIGGEST PARTY ON WHEELS

BY JULIE WENGER WATSON

The Saint Francis Tulsa Tough celebrates 20 years this month.

What began as an idea for an annual sporting competition to promote the city has grown into a premier cycling event, attracting thousands of riders from across the US and even the globe. is year’s festival takes place June 5-7, and the weekend is aptly themed “King of the Road” to honor the Route 66 Centennial.

“It’s become far beyond what we even dreamed, which is amazing,” says Malcolm McCollam, Tulsa Tough executive director. “Tulsa just grabbed onto it.”

In 2025, over 4,000 professional and amateur cyclists, representing 41 states and 16 countries, registered to participate in the criteriums (high speed circuit races) and the fondos (recreational routes of varying distances). Well over 100,000 fans descended on the downtown and Riverside areas to watch, bringing plenty of tourist dollars and publicity to our town during the three-day festival.

irty-four-year-old Tulsan Austin Boardman competes with an amateur team called Speakeasy Racing (formerly Hodges Bend Racing). is is his fourth year to ride in Tulsa Tough, and he’ll be competing in the Category 3 criterium (or “crit”) races all three days.

“A lot of Tulsans might not realize that Tulsa Tough is the most important criterium-style race in the world. Nearly all professional crit racers would agree,” Boardman says. “ ere’s no other race that has such energetic crowds. e courses themselves are technical, made more challenging by the large elds (of riders).”

Although the event has its share of hard-bodied athletes, Tulsa Tough makes room for everyone.

“We have two parts to our mission. e rst part is elevate Tulsa’s pro le, and the second part is promote active lifestyles,” McCollam says. “ ere are the criterium races that everybody sees, with ash, color, speed and intensity. We broadcast all of those events live over the internet, and they’re viewed coast-to-coast and internationally. en we have the fondos. ey’re open to the public and are very much social, participatory events.”

CRY, BABY, CRY!

You can’t talk about Tulsa Tough without mentioning the infamous “Cry Baby Hill.” is steep climb through the Riverview Neighborhood near West 13th Street and South Riverside Avenue is a grueling segment of Sunday’s River Parks Criterium course, the last race of the weekend. It’s also one of the biggest, most raucous parties you’ll nd in Tulsa and in cycling. Revelers (in all states of dress and undress) line the course, boisterously cheering the competitors along while the costumed referees try their best to impose some control over the chaos.

Cry Baby Hill is “a hot, humid bacchanalia celebrating human performance, creativity and fermentation,” says longtime cyclist and CBH referee, Christian Prudhomme (to protect his reputation and his day job, our CBH source chose to use this name as an alias, which just happens to be the name of the General Director of the Tour de France).

Prudhomme’s duties include devising a theme (which is “Crybabies in Space”

this year), organizing entertainment and recruiting hardy volunteers.

“On CBH I am in charge of crowd control, but I guess I am the Chief Enabler. My job got a lot easier with barriers a few years ago,” he says. “Now I try to organize our amazing crossing guards/spirit counselors up there. ey help show people how to have fun at an event they’re unfamiliar with. ey also help them when they’ve had too much fun at an event they should have left hours ago.”

Although Prudhomme is proud of the event and what the community has created, he’s occasionally nostalgic for the earlier, calmer days of CBH.

“It started o as a very chill block party. e neighbors joined us. It was a place where we knew everyone up there. ere was the smell of burgers grilling, the sound of laughter and cowbells and the sight of racers hauling whole ass up the hill,” he recalls. “Now it’s the children of the people who were up there originally, and now the racers are going even faster up the hill. We miss the old days.”

Despite the changes over the years, Prudhomme still sees CBH as an exuberant celebration of Tulsa’s unique identity that upends perceptions and stereotypes.

“It’s so unexpected. It’s jarring to what they (visitors) perceive our city is. e faces of people seeing it for the rst time are priceless, and it’s not even the coolest thing we have going anymore,” he says. “Our arts have elevated into something uniquely Tulsa. Our music is straight up bonkers great. In virtually every category of what makes a great city, we are ticking o boxes. Weird sh*t like this is one of them. is city

RIDE ON!

The Big Ride is big fun, and it’s also the official afterparty for the Saint Francis Tulsa Tough on Saturday, June 6, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on “Flywheel Field,” 501 N. Main Street. This is the fourth year for the 21+ event, which is produced by the nonprofit Flywheel Presents, with proceeds benefiting the Brain Injury Recovery Foundation. Whether you’re a cyclist, spectator or just ready to celebrate, the Big Ride offers music, food and beverage vendors, art and a drone show in the heart of downtown, all for the general admission price of $10 (or $75 for the VIP experience).

Pop-punk Texas trio, Bowling for Soup, headlines this year’s party. With a career spanning more than three decades, the band is known for hits like “Girl All the Bad Guys Want” and “1985.” Tulsa’s DJ Deker and seven-piece funkrock-soul outfit, The Holdouts round out the lineup.

“We’re so honored that they asked us to be part of the biggest party in Tulsa,” says Weston Horn, one of three lead vocalists and guitarist for The Holdouts. “It’s going to be an unforgettable night, and we’re so excited to see everyone there!” For more information, visit flywheeltulsa.com.

has a troublesome history, but it feels like our future is better because of the creative freedom our community is expressing and supporting. It’s all based on joy, and joy is contagious.”

DIVAS & DUDES

At its heart, Tulsa Tough is about building a vibrant community. Supporting the city’s cyclists and increasing their number is a logical way to further that mission. Tulsa Tough’s Divas and Project Dudeman provide access to the local cycling world.

“ e Divas (are) designed to help women adopt cycling as part of an active lifestyle,” McCollam explains. “Project Dudeman is basically a men’s mental tness group that’s very much like the Divas, but with a little more of a focus on camaraderie and bonding and eliminating stigma associated with mental health and men.”

Heidi Blackmon is the Divas’ ride leader and group coordinator, overseeing the six ride groups that are sorted by average speed and named after pop culture divas (think J. Lo and Beyoncé). According to Blackmon, the initiative currently boasts 258 members, with 140 showing up to River West Festival Park (2100 S. Jackson Ave.) every Wednesday from spring break to Labor Day for the o cial rides.

Blackmon sees the Divas as a way to empower women by teaching cycling basics including road safety, ride training, and bike repair and maintenance, which results in greater independence, a healthier

lifestyle and a diverse group of friends for its members. Lisa VanSchoyck found that the program helped demystify the activity, which can be complex at times.

"In my 20s I found cycling intimidating because it's a gear-centric hobby with confusing etiquette and competitive personalities,” she says. “I joined Divas in my 30s and have developed so much as an athlete from the fellowship of other women athletes.”

For Cori Dillon, the Divas gave her a way to connect with her new city. "When I moved to Tulsa, I was working from home and didn't realize how much I needed both community and something active for myself,” she says. “Finding the Divas gave me the opportunity to make amazing friendships, learn the ins and outs of cycling, and discover a passion for the sport that completely changed my life.”

Eight years later, Dillon now serves as one of the Divas’ 20 volunteer ride leaders. “I now have the honor of leading a group of incredible women, and I am so proud to create the same sense of connection and con dence that this community gave me," she says.

Blackmon emphasizes that without support from volunteers like Dillon, the Divas program would not be possible.

Tony Wallace, 48, has been cycling for three years. He joined Project Dudeman last year when the organization was rst created.

“My wife is a member of the Divas and loves it,” he says. “When I heard they were

starting a men’s group, I wanted to support it and see what it was like.”

Beyond the physical bene ts of regular rides, Wallace appreciates the fellowship and support from the other riders.

“Life, like cycling, doesn’t have to be a competition,” he says. “When we’re vulnerable and let people know when we’re struggling, it’s amazing how many people will lovingly help and sacri ce for us.”

Brad Hu , a former pro cyclist and head Dude, emphasizes the group’s inclusivity.

“(We) focused on creating a space where men could ride without the worries of the typical testosterone and/or competitiveness that happens in typical group riding scenarios,” he says, emphasizing that the group o ers a safe ride “where building endurance, connection and consistency take priority over competition.”

Trevor Brooks, 33, has been riding with Project Dudeman for 10 months.

“I showed up looking for a group ride. I found a community of people who show up for themselves and each other. No dude is left behind,” he says. “It’s a nice relief from traditional group rides where everyone shows up like they have something to prove.”

e friendships Brooks has made support him on and o the bike.

“I rst showed up to Project Dudeman at a very low point in my life. My business was failing, I was depressed and my marriage was hanging on by a thread,” he says. “ e relationships I’ve made in the group have played a major role in supporting and inspiring me to repair my life and get back on track.”

As a relatively new cyclist, Rob Snider, 61, values that group support as much as he appreciates his tness gains — he’s dropped 25 pounds since he began riding with the Dudes a year ago.

“I’ve really enjoyed meeting guys close to my age, and we enjoy riding together. It also provides accountability to get out and ride because you want to see your friends,” he says. “We’re all there to make each other better. Just being a part of a group with people from all walks of life is really nice.”

rough Project Dudeman, Todd Lester, 54, has rekindled a passion for cycling that recalls the joy he felt roaming through the neighborhood as a kid.

“My biggest surprise of joining Project Dudeman is probably how much I love it,” he says. “It’s such a simple thing, riding a bike, but it can be so freeing. I’ve seen parts of Green Country I’d never seen before, and I’ve lived in this part of the state pretty much my entire life.”

To join the Divas or Project Dudeman, or to nd out more about Tulsa Tough, visit tulsatough.com. Learn more about Cry Baby Hill and what to expect at the Sunday tradition on social media, and @crybabyhill. tp

TulsaPeople is proud to present the 2026 A-LIST Readers’ Choice Awards. As voted by readers via tulsapeople.com, 719 businesses are recognized in 143 categories. These are the best in the Tulsa area when it comes to food, fun, service providers and more — all chosen by TulsaPeople readers. Five winners were named in each category, except when results commanded more or less.

The TulsaPeople editorial team wanted to get in on the action, too, and have added a few of their favorites to the section.

Be sure to visit tulsapeople.com/a-list year-round to find a local business the next time you are in need — whether it be for a hair salon, physical therapy or where to go for your next night out.

BY STAFF

Bakery

DINE LOCAL

Antoinette Bakery & Cafe

Co ee House on Cherry Street

Country Bird Bakery

Ludger’s Bavarian Cakery

Merritt’s Bakery

Bar

The Bros. Houligan

Kilkenny’s Irish Pub

McNellie’s

Mercury Lounge

The Starlite Bar

Barbecue

Albert G’s Bar-B-Que

BurnCo Barbeque

Mac’s BBQ

Oakhart Barbecue

RibCrib BBQ

Breakfast

The Big Biscuit

Neighborhood JAM

Queenies

Savoy

Wildflower Cafe

Brewery

Cabin Boys Brewpub

Heirloom Rustic Ales

Marshall Brewing Co.

Nothing’s Left Brewing Co.

Welltown Brewing

Burger

The Brook Restaurant and Bar

The Bros. Houligan

Howdy Burger

Society Burger

Tina’s

Catering

The Bros. Houligan

Ludger’s Catering

McNellie’s

RibCrib BBQ

Take 2: A Resonance Cafe

Cheap Eats

Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store

The Bros. Houligan

Chick-fil-A

Que Gusto

Ruby D’s Burger Joint

Chicken Fried Steak

The Big Biscuit

The Brook Restaurant and Bar

The Bros. Houligan

Charleston’s Restaurant

Nelson’s Bu eteria

Chinese/Japanese/Korean KEO

Mandarin Taste

Mr. Kim’s

Osaka Steakhouse & Sushi Bar

Roka

Cocktail/Mocktail List

Bar Serra

Nola’s Creole & Cocktails

Red Door Grille

The Starlite Bar

Valkyrie

Co ee Shop

COFFEE @ HEIRLOOM

Co ee House on Cherry Street

DoubleShot Co ee Co.

Nordaggios Co ee

PonyCo ee

Deli/Sandwiches

Doctor Kustom Bistro

Lambrusco’z To Go

Queenies

Take 2: A Resonance Cafe

Trenchers Delicatessen

Dessert/Ice Cream

Big Dipper Creamery

Braum’s Ice Cream & Dairy Store

Cherry & Bark

Little Taiyaki

Red Door Grille

Doughnut Shop

Big Baby Rolls and Donuts

Daylight Donuts

Livi Lee & Co. Co ee & Donuts

Sugar Llamas Broken Arrow

Super Secret Donuts

Fine Dining

Amelia’s Wood Fired Cuisine

Bull in the Alley

Charleston’s Restaurant

The Hemingway

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse

Gluten-free Menu

Chimera Cafe

Co ee House on Cherry Street

Holé Molé

NEFF Brewing

Ruby D’s Burger Joint

Italian

Dalesandro’s

Gambill’s Pastaria & Grocery

il seme

Mondo’s Ristorante Italian

Prossimo Ristorante

Juice Bar/Vegetarian/ Vegan

Chimera Cafe

ediblend superfood cafe

Inheritance Kitchen + Juicery

Pure Kitchen and Market

Ruby D’s Burger Joint

Longtime Favorite

The Brook Restaurant and Bar

The Bros. Houligan

Kilkenny’s Irish Pub

McNellie’s

RICARDOS

Lunch

The Bros. Houligan

Doctor Kustom Bistro

Queenies

RICARDOS

Take 2: A Resonance Cafe

Mediterranean/

Middle Eastern/Indian

Desi Wok

India Palace

Meddys

Shawkat Mediterranean Restaurant

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

Mexican/Latin American

El Chico

Mi Tierra Cocina Mexicana

Noche Woodfired Grill & Agave Bar

RICARDOS

El Rio Verde Restaurant

New Restaurant

Ava June

Doctor Kustom Bistro

Mi Tierra Mexican Kitchen

Ruth’s Chicken

Taste of Poland

Patio

Cafe Olé

McNellie’s

Mercury Lounge

Nola’s Creole & Cocktails

Society Burger

Pizza — Gourmet

Andolini’s Pizzeria Cherry Street

East Village Bohemian Pizzeria

Hideaway Pizza

La Roma Pizza

Savastano’s

Pizza — Takeout/Delivery

Empire Slice House - Downtown

Tulsa

Hideaway Pizza

Mazzio’s Italian Eatery

Pie Hole Pizzeria

Umberto’s

Restaurant Curbside/ Carryout

The Bros. Houligan

Charleston’s Restaurant

Hideaway Pizza

Red Light Chicken

Take 2: A Resonance Cafe

Seafood

Barons on 1st

Bodean

Fish Daddy’s Grill House

Red Door Grille

White River Fish Market

Steak Bull in the Alley

Mahogany Prime Steakhouse

PRHYME

The Spudder

Texas Roadhouse - East 71st St.

Sushi

Akira Sushi Bar

In the Raw Sushi

Mr. Nobu’s Sushiya

Sushi Hana Yokozuna

Taco

918 Maples Tacos & Cantina

RICARDOS

Tacos Don Francisco

Tacos x Mezcal (TXMZ)

Velvet Taco

Thai/Vietnamese/SE Asian

Kai Vietnamese Cuisine

KEO

Lanna Thai Restaurant

Ri Le’s

The Tropical Restaurant & Bar

Weekend Brunch

Bramble Breakfast & Bar

Hatch Early Mood Food

Maple Ridge Grocer

The Pump Bar

Wild Fork

Wine List

Barons on 1st

The Hemingway

Polo Grill

Vintage Wine Bar

Waters Edge Winery & Bistro

EDITORS’ PICK

Everyone’s a winner at Shu les Board Game Cafe

Entering Shu es Board Game Cafe is like finding a secret portal out of the droll day-to-day and into a witty wonderland of delicious craft fare, fandom-themed libations and endless game options. Purchasing an $8 all-you-can-game pass (half-price on Thursdays!) grants players access to over 1,000 games ranging in di culty level and genre — from classic and cooperative to strategy and party favorites. While visitors are more than welcome to enjoy Shu es’ full bar and tantalizing menu full of snacky crowd pleasers, piping hot pizzas and playful milkshakes without the purchase of a pass, our suggestion is to definitely level up the fun with a rousing game or two (or three ... or four ... hey, it’s summer! Sleep in tomorrow).

If you’ve still somehow never been to Shu es, attending a Game Night Mixer session — held the last Wednesday of every month — is a great way to let Shu es’ sta introduce you to the plethora of gaming options available. Learn more at shu estulsa.com or @shu estulsa.

EDITORS’ PICK

Fill up at Family Thai

Family Thai, located at 2623 E. 11th St., has been serving up traditional Thai food since 2024, making itself a staple in the midtown culinary scene. With a wide range of options — including appetizers, salads, noodle and rice dishes, entrees, beverages and desserts — there’s something for everyone, especially since the restaurant allows you to choose your own spice level for your dish. Diners can pick between mild, medium, hot and “Thai hot,” the latter of which o ers an authentic heat sure to leave your mouth watering for more.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and a fan favorite is the Drunken Noodles (Pad Kee Mao) — rice noodles in a dark and sweet soy sauce with egg and a heap of veggies. Green Curry is another popular option with its Thai basil, eggplant, bell peppers and savory green curry paste. Don’t forget the Papaya Salad (Som Tum Thai), a fresh salad containing papaya, carrots, tomatoes, garlic and roasted peanuts.

Adult Education

Studio 308

Tulsa City-County Library

Tulsa Community College

Tulsa Tech

The University of Tulsa

Bowling

AMF Sheridan Lanes

Andy B’s

Broken Arrow Lanes

Dust Bowl Lanes and Lounge

Main Event Tulsa

Casino

Hard Rock Hotel And Casino Tulsa

Osage Casino Hotel - Tulsa

River Spirit Casino Resort

Dance Studio

Broken Arrow Dance Academy

Miss Shelly’s School of Dance

South Tulsa Dance Co.

Temple of Dance

That’s Dancing! Studio

Event — Nonprofit

Dance of the Two Moons —

Indian Health Care Resource Center

The Holistic Wellness Event — Oklahoma Center for Wellness

Pearl House Gala

Red Ribbon Gala – Tulsa CARES

WALTZ on the Wild Side — Tulsa Zoo

Western Days — Saint Simeon’s Foundation

Event — Run/Walk/Cycle

Alzheimer’s Association Oklahoma Chapter Walk/Run

Route 66 Marathon

St. Patrick’s Day Run

Tulsa Tough

Tulsa Zoo Run

Family Fun

Adventure Avenue

Gathering Place

Purple Glaze Studio

Tulsa Play & Cafe

Tulsa Zoo

FUN

Festival

Tulsa Greek Festival

Tulsa International Mayfest

Tulsa Juneteenth

Tulsa Pride

Zeeco Oktoberfest Tulsa

Hands-on Art Studio

Agitsi Stained Glass

Contemporary Arts of Tulsa (formerly Liggett Studio)

Pinot’s Palette

Purple Glaze Studio

Tulsa Stained Glass

Hotel

Ambassador Hotel Tulsa

Brut Hotel

Hard Rock Hotel And Casino Tulsa

The Mayo Hotel

River Spirit Casino Resort

Live Music Venue — Over 1,000

BOK Center

Cain’s Ballroom

The Cove — River Spirit Casino Resort

Guthrie Green

Hard Rock Live — Hard Rock Hotel And Casino Tulsa

Live Music Venue — Under 1,000

The Church Studio

Maggie’s Music Box

Mercury Lounge

The Vanguard

The Whittier Bar

Local Sports Team

FC Tulsa

Oral Roberts University

Tulsa Drillers Baseball

Tulsa Oilers

The University of Tulsa

Movie Theater

Admiral Twin Drive-In

AMC Southroads 20

Cinemark Tulsa and IMAX

Circle Cinema

Regal Warren Broken Arrow

Museum

Discovery Lab

Greenwood Rising Black Wall St. History Center

The Outsiders House Museum

Philbrook Museum of Art

Tulsa Air and Space Museum

Park

Gathering Place

Guthrie Green

River Parks

Tulsa Garden Center at Woodward Park

Whiteside Park

Professional Arts Organization

Celebrity Attractions

Living Arts of Tulsa

Tulsa Ballet

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Tulsa Symphony Orchestra

Recreational Sports Facility

BirdieBay Golf

Courts & Commons

Oilers Ice Center

SoccerCity

WeStreet Ice Center

Venue — Event

Cain’s Ballroom

Guthrie Green

Station 13

Tulsa Zoo

WOMPA

Venue — Performing Arts

BOK Center

The Church Studio

Studio 308

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

WOMPA

Venue — Wedding

Glass Chapel

The Mayo Hotel

Philbrook Museum of Art

Tulsa Botanic Garden

Tulsa Zoo

EDITORS’ PICK

No appointments, no stress — just style at The Edit Walk-In Salon

Life moves fast, and so does your hair. That’s why The Edit Walk-In Salon in Tulsa is designed for the spontaneous, the busy and anyone craving a fresh look without the fuss of planning ahead. Just walk in and let the team work their magic — whether it’s a precision cut, vibrant color or a blowout that turns heads. The modern, inviting space makes it easy to feel pampered in minutes, not hours, and the stylists are pros at tailoring each look to you on the spot. Perfect for lunch breaks, errands, or those “I need a change now” moments.

The experience is a walk-in extension of Brookside staple Jara Herron and is located just down the street at 4510 S. Peoria Ave. Learn more at editwalkinsalon.com or on social media, The Edit Walk-In Salon and @editwalkinsalon.

EDITORS’ PICK

Did you know the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma o ers catering services? Chef Jeremy Johnson and the Table 24 culinary team create delicious menu options for events of all kinds, and every order helps support the Food Bank’s mission to feed Oklahoma families experiencing food insecurity. Located on the Food Bank campus at 1304 N. Kenosha Ave., the Table 24 Ballroom also o ers decorations, music, linens, tables, chairs, and setup and teardown services. Whether you’re planning a corporate event or celebrating a milestone, Table 24 can handle every detail. Learn more and book your next event at table24catering.com.

Looking for more delicious ways to support the Food Bank? Bring an order of Tiny’s Big Cookies to your next meeting or book club! Coming in flavors of chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin and snickerdoodle, these big-as-your-face cookies benefit the Food Bank’s Food for Kids programs (tinysbigcookies.com).

EDITORS’ PICK

Don’t sleep on Jazz Night at The Bend Mercantile

On Tuesdays, the vibrant, flower-framed door at The Bend Mercantile in downtown’s East Village stays open until 10 p.m. to welcome visitors for Jazz Night. The weekly tradition calls back to what fans could once find across the street on Monday nights at Hodges Bend: live musicians, lounge-style seating and — of course — libations.

Tunes kick o at 7 p.m., but the pro strategy is to arrive ahead of time to claim a spot and get comfy. Those wanting a breath of fresh air can opt to sit in The Bend’s quaint, disco-decorated alleyway and listen through an open window when the weather allows. If you’re craving ca eine or something stronger, the self-proclaimed “bodega meets mercantile” at 810 E. Third St. B. o ers an array of drinks to enhance your listening experience including co ee, a curated wine selection, and canned concoctions like hard cider and spiked iced tea. From floor to ceiling, the place is packed with neat knick-knacks and giftable goodies like kitschy stickers, stained glass panels and incense burners. In the back room you’ll find a thoughtful selection of fresh foods and produce, with grab-and-go snacks and staple supplies like milk and crackers. Keep up with The Bend Mercantile at thebendmercantile.com and on The Bend Mercantile and @thebendmercantile.

Where Where Main Street Main Street

CLOSER

HEAD TO TOE

Chiropractic Center

918 Chiropractic

Free Spirit Chiropractic

Huskey Chiropractic Clinic

Snyder Chiropractic & Acupuncture

Tulsa Spine and Rehab

Cosmetic Surgery Center

E. Bradley Garber M.D. Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

Green Country Surgical Arts

Kreitzberg Plastic Surgery

Landis Plastic Surgery

Plastic Surgery Center of Tulsa

/ Dr. Greg Ratli

Cosmetic/Implant

Dental Center

Bold Dental

Lewis Park Family Dentistry

Oasis Dentistry

Perfect Smile Tulsa

Tulsa Premier Dentistry

Dental Clinic

Beam Dental

Elwood Avenue Dental

Lewis Park Family Dentistry

Oasis Dentistry

Perfect Smile Tulsa

Tulsa Premier Dentistry

Dermatology

Cornerstone Skin Surgery Center/ Dr. Carlos Gomez-Meade

Midtown Dermatology

Saint Francis Warren Clinic

Tulsa Dermatology Clinic, Inc.

Utica Park Clinic Dermatology

Dispensary

Lady Jane’s Naturals

Mango Cannabis

Okie Wonderland

Ritual Cannabis

Seed Cannabis Co.

Eye Care

Downtown Tulsa Eyecare

The Eye Institute

His Vision Eye Care & Eye Wear

Tulsa Vision Clinic

Twenty Twenty Eyecare

Fitness Studio —

Barre/Pilates/Other

Club Pilates

LEAGUE Studios

Orangetheory Fitness

Tandy Family YMCA

Zeta Aerial Arts & Fitness

Fitness Studio — Yoga

Be Love Yoga Studio Jenks

HOTWORX

Orangetheory Fitness

SALT Yoga

Updog Yoga

Hair Salon

Hello.Salon

Ihlo Salon & Day Spa

Matthew Perkins Hair

Raw Elements Salon

The Salon on Harvard

Health Club/Gym

Ascension St. John Siegfried

Health Club

Club Pilates

Health Zone at Saint Francis

Orangetheory Fitness

Tandy Family YMCA

Hearing Aids

American Hearing + Audiology

Audiology of Tulsa

Clear-tone Hearing Aids

Hearts for Hearing

Warren Clinic ENT

Hospital

Ascension St. John Medical Center

Hillcrest Medical Center

Oklahoma Surgical Hospital

Saint Francis Hospital

Tulsa ER & Hospital

Massage

HE Med Spa (H.A.N.D.S. Esthetics)

Ihlo Salon & Day Spa

Jara Herron

Quiet Mind Therapeutic Massage

Spa Lux

Spa Southern Hills

Medical Spa

BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center

Balance Med Spa

Be Well Medical Clinic

Emerge Medical & Well Spa

Fig Medical Spa

Men’s Grooming

Elephant in the Room

Ihlo Salon & Day Spa

Matthew Perkins Hair

Ponyboy Barbershop

The Salon on Harvard

Nutrition/Prepared Meals

Chef JV Jason Kendrick Vaughan

Chefs For Seniors (Tulsa)

Ediblend Superfood Cafe

Lambrusco’z To Go

Reeder’s Auto & Tire

Orthodontist

Cooper & Misner Orthodontics

Du y Orthodontics, Kevin Du y

Henry Orthodontics

Kirkpatrick & Lai Orthodontics

Tulsa Braces by Dr. C

Orthotics/Prosthetics

The Good Feet Store

Hanger Clinic: Prosthetics & Orthotics

Progressive Prosthetics & Orthotics

Total Care Orthotics and Prosthetics

Pain Management

Advanced Orthopedics of OK | Dr. Kelly Volk, Physiatrist

Advanced Pain of Tulsa

Pain Management of Tulsa

Tulsa Bone & Joint Associates

Utica Park Clinic | Andrew Barker, M.D.

Warren Clinic Pain

Management | Muhammad Qasim Maqbool, M.D.

Physical Therapy/ Sports Medicine

Ascension St. John Physical Therapy & Sports

Rehabilitation Broken Arrow

LifeMotion Physical Therapy and Balance Center

Physical Therapy of Tulsa

Riegel Athletic Therapy

Tulsa Bone & Joint Midtown

Physical Therapy

Skin Care

BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center

Balance Med Spa

Fig Medical Spa

Ihlo Salon & Day Spa

Sam’s Touch

Tattoo/Piercing Shop

Geek Ink Tattoo and Piercings

Hand of Fortune Tattoo

Haunted Heart Tattoo Co.

Just Another Hole

Ritual Electric

Urgent Care

Ascension St. John Urgent Care

PediStat - Pediatric Urgent Care

Tulsa Pediatric Urgent Care

Utica Park Urgent Care - Utica

Warren Clinic - Tulsa Hills

Weight Loss

BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center

Balance Med Spa

Be Well Medical

Clover Pediatrics

Fig Medical Spa

Wellness Clinic

BA Med Spa & Weight Loss Center

Balance Med Spa

Be Well Medical

Fig Medical Spa

Red Nose Wellness

Total Care Orthotics & Prosthetics is a Tulsa-based, family-owned clinic dedicated to helping patients regain mobility, comfort, and independence through personalized prosthetic and orthotic care. Their experienced, board-certified and state-licensed providers combine advanced technology with a compassionate, patient-first approach to create customized solutions tailored to each individual’s lifestyle and goals. From everyday support to complex cases, Total Care delivers trusted expertise with the personal attention of a hometown practice. Visit them at 6565 S. Yale Ave., Ste. 909 in Tulsa, book online, or call 918-502-5975 to schedule a consultation.

At Total Care Kids, children and families receive specialized pediatric care in a welcoming, family-focused environment designed to make every visit comfortable and encouraging. Their dedicated team provides cranial remolding helmets, custom pediatric bracing, and pediatric prosthetic solutions with gentle, individualized attention that supports each child’s growth, mobility, and confidence. By partnering closely with parents and caregivers, Total Care Kids creates a supportive experience where expert care and compassion go hand in hand.

MIDTOWN TULSA (918) 725 - 1705

MIDTOWN TULSA

3230 E 21st Street Tulsa, OK 74114

(918) 725-1705

SOUTH TULSA

3230 E 21st Street Tulsa, OK 74114

(918) 770 - 7391

9136 S. Sheridan Rd., Ste. C Tulsa, OK 74133

SOUTH TULSA (918) 770-7391

JENKS LANDING (918) 291 - 1420

9136 S. Sheridan Rd., Ste. C Tulsa, OK 74133

JENKS LANDING

11476 S. Union Ave, Ste. 102 Jenks, OK 74037

(918) 291-1420

BROKEN ARROW

(918) 998 - 0884

11476 S. Union Ave, Ste. 102 Jenks, OK 74037

2552 E Kenosha Street Broken Arrow, OK 74014

|

SHOP LOCAL

Bridal/Formal Wear

Bella Rose Bridal

Bryde Ellis Bridal

Facchianos Bridal and Formal Attire

Jamie’s Exclusively Plus

Florist/Plant Shop

Anthousai Florals

Messages Floral Design Studio

Mrs. DeHaven’s Flower Shop

Southwood Landscape and Garden Center

Stems Floral Design

Toni’s Flowers & Gifts

Local Antiques

Forty Year Vintage JADE on MAIN

Linda James Antiques

Love Me Two Times

River City Trading Post

Local Appliances

Appliance Solutions

Ferguson Home

Hahn Appliance Warehouse

J & J Appliances

Metro Appliances & More

Local Art Gallery

108 Contemporary

The Hulett Collection

Living Arts of Tulsa

M.A. Doran Gallery

Ziegler Art & Frame

Local Arts — Crafts —

Hobby Store

Amber Marie & Co.

Community Craft

Ruby Clay Co.

Tatermash Embroidery, Gifts & Oilcloth

Ziegler Art & Frame

Local Auto Dealer — Domestic

Bill Knight Ford

Chris Nikel Chrysler Jeep

Dodge Ram Fiat Ferguson Subaru

Mark Allen Buick GMC

Nelson Mazda Tulsa

Local Auto Dealer — Import

Chris Nikel Chrysler Jeep

Dodge Ram Fiat

Don Carlton Honda

Ferguson Subaru

Jackie Cooper Imports

Jim Norton Toyota

Local Auto Dealer — Luxury

Audi Tulsa

Don Thornton Cadillac

Jackie Cooper Imports

Land Rover Tulsa

Lexus of Tulsa

Local Bicycles

Bicycles of Tulsa

City Cycles

Phat Tire Bike Shop

Tom’s Bicycles

T-Town Bicycles

Local Bookstore

Book and Bloom

Gardner’s Used Books & Music

Magic City Books

Meadow Market Books

Peace of Mind Bookstore

Local Clothing — Children’s

Amber Marie & Co.

The Children’s Closet

Goodwill Industries of Tulsa

The Lolly Garden

The Racks Tulsa

Uptown Resale & Consignments

Local Clothing — Men’s

Echo Shop

The Flip Side Collective

The Racks Tulsa

Travers Mahan Apparel

Tulsa Vintage Company

Local Clothing — Women’s

Amber Marie & Co.

Black Sheep Boutique

J. Spencer | Tulsa

Top Drawer

Twisted Soul Sisters

Local Eyewear

Black Optical

Downtown Tulsa Eyecare

Empire Optical

Hicks Brunson Eyewear

Warby Parker Center 1

Local Fine Jewelry

Diamond Cellar

Dillon Rose

J. David Jewelry

Letney Jewelers

Moody’s Jewelry

Vincent Anthony Jewelers

Local Flooring —

Floor Covering

Brucke Flooring Co.

C & C Tile & Carpet Co.

Grigsby’s Carpet Tile & Hardwood

Mill Creek Carpet & Tile

Renaissance Hardwood Floors

Local Furniture

Consignment/Estate Sales

Estate Sales By Allen

Exquisite Estate Sales

The Heart of Route 66 Vintage Market

I Heart Estate Sales

Mustard Seed Consignment

Local Furniture Store

Amber Marie & Co.

Luxe Furniture & Design

Mathis Home Tulsa

Sunshine Furniture

Tulsa Super Thrift East

Local Garden Center

A New Leaf

Garden Deva Sculpture Company

Rancho Flores Lawn and Garden Center

Riddle Plant Farm

Southwood Landscape and Garden Center

Local Gift Shop

Amber Marie & Co.

Anybody’s Guest

Black Moth

Elegant Design Co.

Ida Red

Local Grocery Store

ALDI

Fresh Market

Oasis Fresh Market

Reasor’s

Trader Joe’s

Local Home Interiors

Amber Marie & Co.

The Dolphin Fine Linens

Elegant Design Co.

Grisaille Cottage

Jenkins & Co.

Local Liquor Store

Bulavard Liquor

Land Run Distillery

Liquids Wine & Spirits

Parkhill’s

Ranch Acres Wine & Spirits

Local Pet Shop

Dog Dish

Fetch

Pooches

Southern Agriculture

Tails & Ales

Three Dog Bakery

Local Shoe Store

Fleet Feet Tulsa

Fleming’s Comfort Footwear

J. Cole Shoes

RunnersWorld Tulsa

Silhouette Sneakers & Art

Local Sports and Outdoors Store

Fleet Feet Tulsa

The Gadget Company

Gearhead Outfitters

Scheels

Sun & Ski Sports

New Store/Location

Apertures Photo

DECOPOLIS TulsaRama

Ice Cream and FableRealm Bookstore

Favored by A.K.

Meadow Market Books

Okie Family Market

Shopping Center/District

Cherry Street

Kendall Whittier Main Street

Rose District

Tulsa Hills Shopping Center

Utica Square

Vintage Clothing

Echo Shop

The Flip Side Collective

Harrington Rose Vintage

Love Me Two Times

Robinhood Couture

EDITORS’ PICK

Root around at Across the Prairie and Friends: Native Plants and More

The cutest little midtown plant shop is on a big mission to educate Tulsans on the importance of pollinators (such as butterflies, bees and even bats) and what to plant to encourage pollinator growth. Located at 1423 S. Harvard Ave., Across the Prairie and Friends o ers a large selection of pesticide-free native plants sourced completely from local growers. Owner Sarah Cross and her team love to talk plants and can provide expert guidance on what to choose from their abundant variety, share cost-free tips to make your yard more pollinator-friendly and even advise on how to utilize natural methods to get rid of pesky mosquitoes.

“I really am passionate, I like talking about this,” Cross says. “I feel like all the di erent companies have their lobbyists, but nature itself doesn’t have the money to pay for a lobbyist, so I kind of feel like that’s what I’m informally being.”

According to Cross, monarch butterfly populations have declined between 80-90% within the last 30 years — a motivating statistic to get down to Across the Prairie and see what we can do as Tulsans to help reverse this alarming trend.

In addition to plants, Across the Prairie also sells a wide range of locally made items including bird and bat houses, teas, accessories and decor. To learn more and see up-to-date plant o erings check out Across the Prairie & Friends: Native Plants & More.

EDITORS’ PICK

Take center stage with Theatre Tulsa

Whether you’re a lifelong theater lover or are simply looking for a memorable night out, Theatre Tulsa continues to bring energy, talent and community spirit to Tulsa’s performing arts scene. Oklahoma’s oldest and largest not-forprofit theatre, Theatre Tulsa stages a dynamic mix of beloved classics, family-friendly productions and contemporary favorites throughout the year, giving local performers and creatives a chance to shine under the spotlight. From dazzling musicals to heartfelt dramas, every production o ers audiences the magic of live performance in an intimate, welcoming setting. Entering its 104th season, we can’t wait to see Theatre Tulsa’s rendition of “Grease” and “Merrily We Roll Along,” our standouts from a stacked season also including “Sweeney Todd: School Edition,” “The Diary of Anne Frank” and “Les Misérables.”

Beyond the stage, Theatre Tulsa also nurtures the next generation of performers through educational programs, camps and workshops for aspiring actors of all ages. Whether you’re planning a date night, introducing kids to live theater or looking to get involved yourself, there’s always something worth applauding at Theatre Tulsa. Learn more about upcoming productions and tickets at theatretulsa.org.

NELSON MAZDA

One Price. One Person. One Hour.

At Nelson Mazda, buying your next vehicle is designed to feel simple from the very beginning You’ll receive our very best price upfront, with no back-and-forth and no guessing about the real price From there, one dedicated Client Advisor stays with you through the entire process, helping you shop, answering your questions, and guiding you through your purchase without the usual handoffs

Our entire sales staff is non-commissioned That means our team is paid a salary, not based on how much you spend Their focus is simple: to ensure every guest has an amazing experience while helping you find the perfect vehicle to fit your needs and wants

Once you choose your vehicle, our process is designed to take less than an hour, so you can spend less time waiting and more time enjoying what comes next It’s a warmer, easier way to buy, designed around clarity, comfort, and respect for your time

We’ll Make A Believer Out Of You

Service You Can Trust

We believe the service experience should be just as exceptional as the buying experience From convenient service hours, 7:00 a m to 7:00 p m , Monday through Saturday, to valet service and a fleet of more than 80 service loaner vehicles, we ’ re committed to making vehicle ownership as easy and convenient as possible for our guests

Every service visit also includes a personalized video walkaround of your vehicle, giving you a transparent look at exactly what our team sees while your vehicle is in the shop Whether everything looks great or something needs attention, you can review the video yourself and feel confident before any work begins

It’s one more way Nelson Mazda keeps your experience simple, transparent, and easy to understand From your first visit to every mile after, we ’ re here to make both sales and service feel a little more personal

Architect/Design Firm

Ethos Architects

GH2 Architects

Gracie Turner Design

Inventure

Kirkendall Design

Auto Body Shop

Bill Knight Collision Repair41st and Memorial

Buddy’s Paint & Body

Gerber Collision & Glass -

9233 S. Memorial Dr.

Jim Blankenship Quality Collision

Auto Repair

ABLE Transmission & Auto Care

Christian Brothers AutomotiveTulsa Hills

Nelson Mazda Tulsa

Precision Auto Specialist

Svenskraft

Childcare

B’nai Emunah Preschool

Busy Bees Daycare Center

The Goddard School of Bixby

Kirk of The Hills

Lovebugz Too Child Care

Credit Union

Energy One Federal

Credit Union

Oklahoma Central Credit Union

Oklahoma’s Credit Union

Tinker Federal Credit Union

TTCU Federal Credit Union

Dry Cleaning

Brookside Cleaners & Laundry

Fox Cleaners

Phoenix Cleaners

WaterStone Dry Cleaning

Yale Cleaners

Electrical Services

Airco Service

Aspen Electrical Services

Edison Electric Co., Inc.

Nova Electric

Watt’s Right Electric

SERVICES

Full-service Law Firm

Conner & Winters

Greg Denney Law, PLLC

Hall Estill

Richardson Richardson Boudreaux

Winters & King, Inc.

Hardwood Floor Service

Brucke Flooring Co.

C & C Tile & Carpet Co.

Grigsby’s Carpet Tile & Hardwood

Renaissance Hardwood Floors

Roper Hardwood Floors

Home Builder

Brian D. Wiggs Homes, Inc.

Fixed Framing and Carpentry

Renovations By Helms, Inc.

Simmons Homes

Thomason Design

Home Health Care

Choice Health at Home

CompleteOK Home Health & Hospice

LIFE Senior Services

Oxford Healthcare

Saint Francis Home Health

Home Heat and Air

Air Assurance Heating, Air

Conditioning & Plumbing

Airco Service

Asap Heating & Air Inc

Hendrick Heat & Air

Summit Heat & Air Tulsa

Home Improvement Services

Burnett Home Improvement

Drywall Specialists, Inc.

Renovations By Helms, Inc.

Roper LLC | The Expert in Home

Remodeling

Tulsa Twins

Home Pest Control

Arrow Exterminators, Inc.

Dandi Guaranty Pest Solutions and Termite Protection

Guardian Angel Exterminating

Mother Nature’s Pest & Lawn

Nature Guard Pest & Lawn -

Oklahoma

Home Remodeler

Fixed Framing and Carpentry

Renovations By Helms, Inc.

Roper LLC | The Expert in Home Remodeling

Thomason Design

Tulsa Twins

Hospice

Clarehouse

Complete Hospice Care

Live Well Hospice

Saint Francis Hospice

Seasons Hospice

Interior Design

GH2 Architects

Gracie Turner Design

Huntington Interior Design

Inventure

Kirkendall Design

Kitchen Design

Huntington Interior Design

Kirkendall Design

Kitchen Concepts

Mel Bean Interiors

Renovations By Helms, Inc.

Lawn and Garden Care

Complete Lawn Care

Premium Lawns, LLC

Ryan Lawn & Tree

Tom’s Outdoor Living

Yardvarks, LLC

Local Bank

Arvest Bank

Blue Sky Bank

BOK Financial

First Oklahoma Bank

Mabrey Bank

Outdoor Living

Galaxy Home Recreation

Hardscape Materials Inc.

Tom’s Outdoor Living

Tulsa Twins

Vista Pools

Pet Boarding/Sitting don’t stress meowt - Groom and Board

Noah’s Bed and Biscuit Pooches

River Trail Animal Hospital and Pet Lodge

Woodland West Pet Resort

Pet Grooming Muddy Paws Pooches

Professional Pet Grooming By Emily

River Trail Animal Hospital and Pet Lodge

Ru to Flu

Plumbing

Airco Service

Half Moon Plumbing & Electric | Tulsa

Roto-Rooter

Spot On Plumbing of Tulsa

Plumbers

Williams Plumbing & Drain Service

Pools

Baker Pools, LLC

Fiesta Pools & Spas

Tom’s Outdoor Living

Tulsa Custom Pools

Vista Pools

Professional Home Cleaning

A New View Homekeeping

Bliss Maid Services

Clean Freaks of Tulsa

DomesticAide of Tulsa

Level Up Cleaning

Professional Tree Care

Atkins Tree Care

Golden Arbor Tree Service (of Tulsa)

Trees By Jake

Tulsa Twins

We B Trees

Retirement Community

Montereau

The Parke Assisted Living

Saint Simeon’s Senior Community

Trinity Woods

Zarrow Pointe

Roofing

A-Best Roofing

Arrowhead Roofing

Duralast Roofing Specialists

Native Roofing Co.

RainTech

Tailor

Harvard Shoe Repair & Alterations

Lu’s Tailor Shop

Queen Tailor Shop

Snow White’s Tailor Shop

Vo’s Tailor Shop

Veterinary Care

15th Street Veterinary Group

City Veterinary Hospital

Feline Specialties Veterinary Hospital

Hammond Animal Hospital

River Trail Animal Hospital and Pet Lodge

EDITORS ’ PICK

Cool down at Sweet Shack Hawaiian Shaved Ice

Bringing the flavorful tastes of Kauai and Maui to Tulsa, Sweet Shack Hawaiian Shaved Ice o ers both traditional Hawaiian desserts and unique creations like the ever-popular Shark Attack, a playful treat that looks like a scene from “Jaws.” With blue raspberry serving as the ocean and raspberry being the blood, a gummy shark is perched on top of the dessert, along with Sour Patch Kids.

Other fun flavors options include Oklahoma Sunset (a tropical delight with mango, orange, strawberry, kiwi and topped with fruit), Candyland (blue cotton candy and pink bubble gum with gummy worms) and so many more.

This local family-run business has a shack at Tulsa Hills, 7225 S. Olympia Ave. W., and two locations in Broken Arrow, 21910 E. 71st St. S. and 703 W. New Orleans St, as well as a location in Jenks at 101 W. Main Street.

EDITORS’ PICK

Find support and care at Plastic Surgery Associates of Tulsa

When making any medical decision, whether elective or urgent, it is important to have trust and confidence in your provider. Continuing a 40-year tradition of excellence, Dr. Stephen Murray Paulsen and his team at Plastic Surgery Associates of Tulsa ensure patient care comes first.

The practice is located on the Saint Francis campus in the Williams Medical building at 6585 S. Yale Ave., #1020 with a state-of-the-art operating room that is nationally accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, Inc. Plastic Surgery Associates o ers a diverse range of procedures from neck lifts and tummy tucks to earlobe repair for former gauge-wearers. Additionally, those interested in injectables can explore a variety of options including Botox and Juvederm. Patients can expect their comfort to be a priority throughout their entire visit, and the Plastic Surgery Associates team is happy to assist with arrangements for transportation, hotel accommodations and private nursing if needed. Learn more about Plastic Surgery Associates at psaoftulsa.com.

Lifestyle

HOME HEALTH TRENDS

STAY GLASSY

LEARN MORE ABOUT NORTON’S GLASS WORKSHOPS ON P. 82.

Want to learn how to make your own fused glass artwork? Local artist Valerie Norton offers hands-on workshops from her backyard studio in midtown for students who want to try their hand at the craft.

Room to bloom

Anthousai’s new studio blossoms on south Boston.

BY TIFFANY HOWARD

In late March, Anthousai Floral House

o cially opened the petal pink door to its SoBo district studio at 1622 S. Boston Ave., welcoming a new era of whimsy for the oral design company. Built into a restored 1930s home, the studio is awash with sunlight splashing o wooden oors and blush-hued walls, a large center table standing ready to host creative projects and communal events in equal measure.

Over the past 11 years, Anthousai has cultivated a strong reputation for designing stunning and unique art-forward oral creations. Closing their walk-in Kendall Whittier storefront last August, owner Katie Allen says she was ready to lean in to a new version of the business — one more oriented around purposeful creation and human connection.

“I wanted to slow down and be a lot more intentional,” says Allen, who established Anthousai with business partner Jenny Rausch in 2015. While the new

studio still takes online orders for a variety of arrangement options and subscription services, Allen explains that Anthousai has pivoted from walk-in service to focus more on custom event design and installation work.

“We do orals for events, weddings (both local and destination) and creative projects,” Allen says, noting her blooms come from as near as Bixby and as far as Holland and Japan. “ at could be for a lm shoot, or an artist, or someone needing owers for a really speci c project or private party.”

Anthousai’s oral designs have appeared in such high-pro le places as Pink ’s greenroom at her sold out November 2024 BOK show and in Ethel Cain’s stage decor during her May Cain’s Ballroom performances.

“I’m very inspired by ‘Ikebana’ — it’s the centuries and centuries-old form of Japanese oral arranging that is very meditative and works a lot with naturalness,

SHOP FAVORITES

movement and negative space,” Allen says of Anthousai’s signature, ethereal style. “It highlights how owers actually grow in nature, and how they fall apart.”

In addition to more creative exibility, the new studio space allows Allen to host more community-oriented events, such as dinners and workshops.

“I love reasons to bring people together, and I love creating a space for people to come together,” she says. “We do arrangement workshops. We’ve done wine tastings and worked with sommeliers that walk through di erent wines, and then we’ll do a ower arranging portion.”

Flower fans can also book private oral workshops in the SoBo studio for events like team building activities, bridal showers, private parties and more.

To learn more about Anthousai’s oral services, or to place an arrangement order, visit anthousai orals.com. For more whimsical oral happenings check out @anthousai and @anthousai oralhouse on Instagram. tp

Cruising through Cape Cod

Celebrate America’s 250th in Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

BY FAITH HARL

For generations, artists, celebrities and tourists have been charmed by the quiet allure of Cape Cod, Massachusetts. e 400-squaremile peninsula is famous for its secluded beaches, picturesque seaside villages and nautical-inspired recreation. is year only, dozens of special events will take place on the cape in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. By hopping a nonstop ight to New York City and taking a car the rest of the way, you too can get in on the magic.

Established in 1637, Sandwich (named for the seaport of Sandwich, Kent in England — not the food) is the region’s oldest village and is chock-full of colonial history. On June 29, Sandwich’s Dexter Grist Mill will o er free admission as it revisits what life was like in 1776. e Heritage Museum and Gardens also retraces the town’s unique history through a diverse collection of 18,000 objects and artifacts.

Starting in June, Barnstable will also kick o a lineup of Massachusetts 250 celebrations, commemorating the nation's

Semiquincentennial. As the cape’s largest township, Barnstable features over 100 miles of pristine beaches and seven villages steeped in old-world character.

One of Barnstable’s villages, Hyannis, is a major transportation hub and the site of the Kennedy family’s summer home. To learn more about the a uent family’s ties to the region, stop by e John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum and walk the 1.6-mile Kennedy Legacy Trail.

From Hyannis, travelers can hop aboard a high-speed ferry to get to the cape’s illustrious islands.

Martha’s Vineyard, the backdrop for Steven Spielberg ’s “Jaws”, is located seven miles o the coast. Stroll through the island’s pastel-colored gingerbread cottages at Oak Blu s, check out a bevy of upscale boutiques and restaurants and take a moment to relax in the Japanese-inspired gardens at Mytoi.

Replete with cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture and luxurious accommodations, Nantucket is 30 miles south of the cape and can also be accessed

by ferry. Spend a day lounging on Surfside Beach, exploring the island’s three lighthouses and sipping craft beer from Nantucket’s beloved breweries.

On the tip of the cape, Provincetown — or as the locals would say “Ptown” — is a mecca for the arts, shopping and the LGBTQ+ community. While there, take in scenic views and learn about the May ower pilgrims’ rst landing at the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum.

You won’t want to miss the Provincetown Portuguese Festival and the Blessing of the Fleet either. Running June 26-28, the festival is a long-standing cultural tradition that brings together live music, dancing and traditional Portuguese dishes for all to enjoy.

With a port near New England’s only marine sanctuary, Provincetown is also a whale-watching hotspot. With excursions running through October, Dolphin Fleet o ers unforgettable experiences highlighting an abundance of marine life, from humpback whales to seals.

If you haven’t gotten your sea legs, you can still experience the untamed beauty of the deep blue at Provincetown’s Race Point Beach, the northern-most point on the cape, where sandy-white shores coalesce with the Atlantic Ocean.

No Cape Cod vacation is complete without experiencing its world-famous sea fare. In Provincetown you can nd e Lobster Pot, a decades-old restaurant which serves up classic seafood dishes as well as their take on traditional Portuguese plates, like Portuguese soup and baked clams with linguiça (Portuguese sausage). en, about a 20-minute drive from Provincetown you can visit the seasonal Beachcomber restaurant in Well eet.

Originally a life-saving station, the Beachcomber is one of the only eateries that operates on the Cape Cod National Seashore. Known for its massive lobster rolls, the operation runs from May through August and limits entry to those 21+ during the later evening hours. tp

Glass act

BY ALLY LIGHTLE

Self-taught glassmith Valerie Norton has been working with glass for more than 20 years. What began as a hobby evolved into attending art markets to sell her work under her brand Artful Adornments.

“I love glass,” Norton says. “It’s taking something solid, then it becomes liquid or soft, and it’s always a surprise. My vision and what it may come out to sometimes switch paths a bit.”

Norton specializes in fused glass, which is the art of shaping or decorating glass pieces by heating them in a kiln. As they melt together, the pieces join to create one solid piece.

“I start with sheet glass that is handrolled and made in the USA. en I cut, layer and fuse it together,” Norton explains. “ ere are so many things to do with glass, I make votive holders, nightlights, LED panels and more.”

As demand for her artwork continued to grow, Norton left her corporate job in 2024. Alongside her husband Ricky, she built an art studio in the backyard of her Johansen Acres home. Surrounded by lush gardens and lled with the soothing sounds of a bubbler fountain, it’s the perfect place to be inspired before taking on an art project.

“Flowers and nature inspire me,” Norton shares. “Nature is like glass: it’s unpredictable.”

When showcasing her pieces at events like Tulsa International Mayfest and Utica Square’s Art in the Square, Norton says she would often receive questions about her process — which gave her an idea.

In August 2025, Norton began hosting her very own glass art workshops in her backyard studio.

“I love doing classes and sharing my love of glass,” says Norton.

Usually those wanting to learn the art of fused glass start with a votive holder or nightlight. is involves a smaller piece of glass that the class participants can decorate as they please. Norton stays away from teaching “craft kit” classes, meaning her students can create whatever design they want on their project.

ose interested in fused glass courses can visit artfuladornments.net/classes to nd a calendar or request a custom class. tp

Spa staycations

Treat yourself at these recently renovated Tulsa hotel spas.

BY LAUREN ROGERS

Thinking of taking a staycation this summer? Two Tulsa hotels have recently revamped their spa o erings, expanding the services they can provide to guests and locals alike. Whether you book an overnight stay for a full retreat from reality or opt for an in-andout daytime visit, these refreshed relaxation options are worth considering for anyone looking to unwind.

HYATT REGENCY LEVELS UP WITH LOTUS SPA

In the upper lobby of the downtown Hyatt Regency (100 E. Second St. S.) the newly opened Lotus Spa o ers a premier wellness escape in the heart of the historic Deco District. Celebrated with a cheerful ribbon cutting earlier this year, the space was brought to life thanks to a partnership between the hotel and TJ Woodberry — the driving force behind Poppi’s Spa + Lounge.

“ e Hyatt’s commitment to hospitality and excellence makes this a natural t, and we’re proud to enhance the experience for everyone who walks through their doors,” Woodberry said in a press release.

Lotus o ers a thoughtfully curated menu designed to melt away everyday stressors, from targeted custom massages and oorbased ai Body Balance to salon services like waxing and hair styling. e downtown oasis is also uniquely equipped to host large groups — perfect for anyone planning a girls’ day out.

You can combine your spa day at Lotus with a dip in the Hyatt Regency’s rooftop by booking a room in the hotel or a day pass through ResortPass. Learn more about Lotus Spa at lotusspaatthehyatt.com.

1820 SPA EXPANSION AT BRUT HOTEL

Tucked into the historic Elizabeth Manor building next door to the Brut Hotel, 1820 Spa provides a restorative escape with a focus on mindful wellness and holistic healing. Whether you are sweating it out in the sauna, booking a couples massage or hosting a chill spa party with friends, stepping into 1820 can take you away the daily grind without ever leaving the 918.

Guests can choose from services including specialized massage therapy, body treatments and plant-based facial options utilizing Eminence Organic Skincare. You can take your spa retreat one step — or Sun Salutation — further with a private yoga session to add intentional stretching and movement to your day. 1820 o ers one-onone and two-on-one options to customize to your liking, along with guided classes for one to three people that incorporate Yoga Nidra, a meditative practice commonly referred to as “yogic sleep.”

is month, the spa is slated to unveil its highly anticipated Juniper Room, an expansion project that has been in the works since the beginning of this year. e addition will host small groups for tai chi, Pilates, wellness happy hours and more.

Like the Hyatt Regency, Brut Hotel also o ers day passes to their pool for those wanting to swim before or after their spa day. Find out more about 1820 Spa at 1820spa.com. tp

How to make yourself miserable in six easy steps

What is it about numbered lists that give them such authority?

Is it the stark format, a column as straight as soldiers? (Lists don’t drift all over the page.)

Is it the de nitive number? ( is many, and no more.)

Is it the blunt, assured tone? (Do it!)

Is it the implied con dence? (Someone has gured out the answer and here it is.)

Is it nality, like a mystery solved? (No ambiguity.)

While loitering on Facebook one day I clicked on a list of something and now lists come at me like buckets of water in Disney’s “ e Sorcerer’s Apprentice.” On and on they come, relentlessly and without focus. I’ve read lists of “How to Fall in Love With Your Life,” “Tips for Staying Young” and “Seven ings Most Doctors Won’t Tell You.” I now know something about almost everything. I remember little of it, but here is some.

“Weird ings All Men Find Attractive” include humming while you do chores and the way you talk to animals.

“Eighty Percent of Your Problems Will Go Away” with steps like keeping only two priorities a day and asking yourself, “Will this matter in ve years?”

You will appear younger if you reduce your sugar intake ( ne lines fade away) and limit our-based foods (to keep your cheeks rm).

You can fall in love with your life again if you wake up early, choose yourself rst and talk to yourself with kindness.

“Eleven ings People Notice About You” includes your energy when you enter

BY CONNIE CRONLEY

HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF MISERABLE IN SIX EASY STEPS

a room and the way you carry silence in a conversation.

“You Will Look Expensive” if you choose clothes in neutral colors and clean your shoes regularly.

e “Surprising Psychological Facts” list informed me that I look like seven other people in the world, people are more honest when they are tired and my body is weakest at 3 or 4 a.m.

“ irty ings at Quietly Upgrade Your Home” involves matching hangers and a fresh sponge every week.

“Fifty ings People with Always Clean Homes Do Di erently” includes wiping light switches and handles weekly and keeping a donate basket in the wardrobe. e dark side to the wonderous world of lists is the To Do list. A soul-crushing list of chores drags on from day to day, week after week as few things are marked o and more items added. I’m speaking from the ancient world of paper and pen, for those of us who

write grocery lists and To Do lists in smart little notebooks, cute note pads, on backs of envelopes and scraps of paper. ese are the lists that are mislaid or left behind. We know they’re out there somewhere smirking and chuckling malevolently.

I don’t know if the modern world of To Do apps is less burdensome. I checked a list of those — the “New York Times’ Wirecutter’s 3 Best To-Do Apps” — and found recommendations for Todoist, TickTick and ings 3. I’ll put those on my imaginary app shopping list.

e best advice I have come across about lists urges us not to keep a “To Do” list, but a “Done” list instead. At the close of the day, consider what we accomplished instead of brooding over the (longer) list of what we left undone. is is a way to congratulate ourselves as e cient doers instead of denigrating ourselves as procrastinating sloths. What eventually occurred to me is that lists are usually anonymous. Who compiled them? What quali cations or authority do they have?

Since anyone can do it, I’m writing a list of my own: “How To Make Yourself Miserable in Six Easy Steps.”

1. Plant vinca in the garden.

2. Make an extensive deep cleaning To Do list.

3. Flip through an old address book.

4. Get a bid for car repairs.

at’s as far as I got. I was becoming too miserable to continue. tp

Editor's Note: Award-winning journalist Connie Cronley is the author of three books of essays — “Sometimes a Wheel Falls O ,” “Light and Variable” and “Poke a Stick at It” — and the biography “A Life on Fire: Oklahoma’s Kate Barnard.” She has been writing TulsaPeople "Musings" since 2010.

LUXURY PROPERTY GROUP

Call any of the Luxury Property Group Realtors about one of these homes, or any property that you have an interest in. We will provide you with superior personal service with the highest integrity.

TULSA HILLS

1.25 acre lot just 1 mile west off 71st and Hwy 75 South near Tulsa Hills. Property is situated near the corner of 33rd West Ave & 71st St. Current agricultural zoning, excellent potential for residential homesites. W 71st Street S Tulsa. $225,000

BROKEN ARROW

Prime location, street frontage on 51st St and street frontage on 193rd zoned Agricultural in Tulsa County, Broken Arrow Schools, great investment!

0 County Line Road Broken Arrow. $975,000

OAKS COUNTRY CLUB

SHELTON 918- 697-2742 gshelton@mcgrawok.com

This stunning 4,549square-foot estate sits on a private one-acre lot backing up to the Oaks Country Club. The home features unique architectural details like a two-story turret with a circular staircase and a dramatic stone fireplace. Modern updates include a kitchen with quartz countertops and thermal windows, while the exterior offers a massive $30 \times 40$ stone patio and a fourcar garage with a builtin tornado sh elter.

4825 W Oak Leaf Dr, Tulsa, $779,000.

SANDERS 918- 724-5008 ssanders@mcgrawok.com

PATTERSON 918- 629-3717 dpatterson@mcgrawok.com

GRAND LAKE

Located in the gated Eagles Nest community on Disney Island, this high-end 4-bedroom, 3-bath home sits on 1.21 acres with 160 feet of Grand Lake bluff shoreline. The interior features hardwoods throughout, an open living space with massive lake-view windows, updated appliances, and a private main suite. Outside, you'll find extensive covered living areas, a custom sound system, a cantilevered deck over the water, and a marina just five minutes away.

530 Eagles Nest Dr, Disney

$1,095,000

MIDTOWN

This stunning 2350-square-foot contemporary residence is nestled on a sprawling half-acre lot within the highly sought-after Timberlane neighborhood. It perfectly blends mid-century charm with modern living, featuring a spacious deck and a private pool ideal for outdoor entertaining.

2433 E 33rd Street, $565,000

MIDTOWN

Built in 1950 and occupied by the current owners since 1995. This one level home has undergone renovations like roof, newer heat and air, upgraded electrical, hot water tank and kitchen upgrades since 2018. A comfortable oone level home with a newer master bathroom!2 large living areas and 3 bathrooms make this home a must see.

2812 E 29th St, Tulsa. $610,000

4303 S Lakewood Ave, Tulsa 4 beds | 2 baths | 1,821 sq.ft. | $289,900

Come see this one if you want true move-in ready living in the heart of Tulsa. Fresh paint, updated fixtures, beautiful flooring, and refreshed kitchen and baths make the home feel clean, current, and instantly comfortable. The layout is wonderfully functional, featuring a walk-in pantry, walk-in closets, and smart storage throughout. Outside, you’ll find the largest yard on the block,

with an extended patio and a roomy storage shed. And yes—the shed grill and playset stay. A unique front courtyard creates a charming, private welcome the moment you arrive.

HEARTWOOD COMMONS

Vibrant Community: A close-knit neighborhood designed for social connection and sustainability.

Prime Location: Just one block from Arkansas River Parks trails; near Gathering Place and Turkey Mountain.

Private Homes: Energy-efficient, single-story, accessible layouts (750–1,500 sq. ft.) with large covered porches.

The Common House: Shared gourmet kitchen, great room, art studio, and media room for meals and activities.

Guest Amenities: Two private on-site guest rooms with baths for visiting family and friends.

Outdoor Perks: Community garden, dog park, walking paths, fire pit, and shared tool library.

All-Inclusive HOA: One fee covers water, sewer, trash, recycling, high-speed internet, cable, and long-term maintenance.

TOUR & PURCHASE:

Contact Jenny Wilner: (415) 624-7353

Email: jwilner@mcgrawrealtors.com

Table Talk

DINING FOOD DRINKS

Rather than relying on gimmicky adornments or overly complicated dishes, new downtown restaurant Natsukashii (14 N. Cheyenne Ave.) strives to “champion the beauty within things,” as Savory Director Colin Sato puts it.

A shining example of Natsukashii’s artistry, the Ume Martini charms with its simple construction. The bite of the drink's Lao Lao rice gin is perfectly tamed by a subtle plum sweetness. tp

14 N. Cheyenne Ave. • 918-212-6303 • natsukashiitul.com Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.- 10 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m.- 10 p.m. Closed daily 2 p.m. - 3 p.m.

The art of nostalgia

New restaurant Natsukashii fuses fl avor and familiarity.

BY TIFFANY HOWARD

The rst thing guests see when entering Natsukashii — the new modern homestyle Japanese restaurant by the James Beard nominated Et Al. chefs collective — is a large pencil drawing of a pantry full of bottles, jars, boxes and jugs nestled alongside crockery and cookware of all shapes and sizes. e piece depicts the pantry of Savory Director Colin Sato’s childhood home, but the soft comfort of the scene still feels uncannily familiar, like it could have been conjured from the observer’s own earliest memories of places where they were nurtured and well-fed.

e warmth captured in the piece — which was drawn by Sato’s sister, Maya — could easily symbolize the Natsukashii dining experiene as a whole. ough some of the dishes may be new to Tulsa diners, they are thoughtfully made to still feel approachable. Comforting, even.

“My dad’s side of the family is Japanese, from Kobe, and (Natsukashii) is a thing he would frequently say when eating or drinking something that took him back to positive sensory memories of his past,” says Sato, who co-owns the restaurant with Pastry Director Chloe Butler and Service Director Sam Luna . “We have this idea that, within food, there’s this sort of shared core ... It’s like these really soulful foods that connect people to some sense of meaning — they don’t necessarily taste the same, but they have this common spirit you can recognize, even if you didn’t grow up eating that food.”

Butler adds that, while some may be disappointed Natsukashii isn’t a Japanese Omakase or sushi restaurant, others will be delighted to see items that are right at home on any Oklahoma table.

“We call it ‘homestyle food’ because it is,” she says. “It’s not something that’s exclusive, exotic or weird — you can come in and literally get fried chicken and a baked sweet potato, things that feel very familiar and just comforting and nice.”

I’ve had a food crush on the Et Al. chefs collective for years, so I eagerly made my rst visit to Natsukashii shortly after they opened in mid-March. My two friends and I happily waited for a table in the packed space before ordering no less than seven plates to split once we sat down.

As dutiful Oklahomans, we of course had to order the crispy Karaage (Japanese fried chicken), which is totally gluten-free and served with a house ponzu for a nice acidic splash of brightness. We also inhaled an order of pork and nira gyozas (which were made Tulsa-famous through

Et Al.’s long-running Dumpling Nights at Foolish ings Co ee Co.), and loved the gingery mingle of avors and textures in the Okonomiyake — a savory cabbage pancake topped with umami mayo, tonkatsu sauce, nori (seaweed), benishoga (red pickled ginger), scallions and bonito akes.

Perhaps the most charming detail of Natsukashii’s warm dining space is the sprawling wall of shelves near the open kitchen that holds a collection of the sta ’s sentimental items. I also love the gorgeous cottonwood bar top crafted by Ben Colvin of Woody River Hardwoods that anchors the north end of the space. In the mornings, that’s where breakfast goers can nd a pastry case lled with delicious graband-go options such as milk tea donuts, Okonomi sausage rolls and Shokupan (Japanese milk bread) cinnamon rolls — the latter of which I can admit easily rival those of my own grandmother (who is, by the way, a Tulsa State Fair blue ribbon queen. So you know that’s really sayin’ something!).

ough one of Butler’s buttery laminated confections pairs perfectly with a cappuccino, black sesame latte or strawberry matcha from the bar’s co ee program, morning customers might also opt to try one of Natsukashii’s signature rice balls — or “onigiri” — which come in combinations of hapa (mixed) rice and various savory llings, such as pickled shiitake mushroom and salt-cured salmon with lemon zest.

“Here it’s like a novelty,” says Sato, noting they are commonly eaten in Japan for breakfast and lunch. “People have said, ‘Oh my gosh, I’ve seen this in anime and now I get to have one!’”

For lunch, options include rice and noodle-based dishes, the popular pork chop curry and the Katsu Sando — a fried pork chop sandwich layered in cabbage, tonkatsu sauce and umami mayo, served with a side of curry fries. For a refreshing daytime accompaniment, try the Spicy Pineapple Soda — fresh pineapple, lapsang tea and gochugaru Korean chili powder — or one of the other housemade sodas, like ginger beer with tamarind.

Before dinner service, Natsukashii’s “Rascal Hour” reigns from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., and my co-workers and I ed the o ce early one day to try it out (you know, for journalistic integrity). e Izakaya-style potato salad packs a starchy, avorful punch that even the pickiest eater will fall for, and a frosty $5 mug of Heirloom’s Yanchan lager is the perfect complement to wash it down.

“It’s fast, a ordable and approachable food geared toward being enjoyed with drinks,” Luna says.

Post Rascal Hour, we rolled right into dinner. After reading through the inventive and playful cocktail menu I went for the

adorably-titled Ooohh Big Stretch (crushable cream soda with butter-washed gin, orange cordial and milk) and it was absolutely heavenly — like a drinkable push-pop fresh o a ’90s ice cream truck.

ough I was tempted to order the Garlic Soy Ribeye, I wanted to try something that highlighted the quality of Natsukashii’s sh o erings, so I decided to go for the Salmon Temaki Set. e buildyour-own hand rolls are assembled using silken cuts of fresh salmon, nori, griddled lemon and “good” soy sauce, which is a freshly pressed, raw soy sauce that retains a richer and sweeter avor due to never being heated during production.

In my opinion, the hand rolls are denitely one of the stars of the show.

“We y in 200 pounds of fresh sh every week,” says Sato, adding that the yellowtail is brought in from Japan, and the salmon from the Faroe Islands.

ough Natsukashii has an excellently curated wine program, Sato highly recommends guests also venture out and try one of the many unique sake options.

“ ey’re so expressive and so fun to eat with, too,” Luna says. “It’s fun to be able to bring them to people, and hopefully they catch on.”

To help remove barriers for guests trying something new, Natsukashii intentionally keeps their sake options at an accessible price point.

“We have a yuzu sake that I think is the best starter for people that haven’t had a lot of sake,” adds Butler. “And (we o er) the yuzu sake as a spritz. Especially over the summer, I think that’s going to be people’s gateway to trying sake.”

Natsukashii’s commitment to showcasing simple yet high-quality ingredients is perhaps on most obvious display during its Japanese Breakfast service, which is available on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. It's a $35 prix xe a air where guests are served nine di erent small dishes including rice, miso soup, house-made pickles, elegantly salted salmon and Onsen Tamago — a velvety-soft, slow-cooked egg with a custard-like yolk. (A vegan version of this naturally gluten-free meal is also available).

“For me, it’s the most beautiful meal we serve, maybe period,” Sato says, noting that balance and restraint are key tenants of the traditional meal.

Having experienced their Japanese Breakfast for myself, I can attest that that thick, lushy piece of salmon followed by the warm umami of the miso soup and a nutty bite of rice now permanently lives in my food daydreams. ough I will say it vies heavily for top billing with Butler’s satiny-smooth, luxuriously dense pot de creme — with which I am quite incapable of showing neither balance nor restraint while devouring. tp

Rising to the occasion

BY TIFFANY HOWARD

Whether cruising along Route 66 or walking downtown, Empire Slice has become a Tulsa pizza scene staple with two locations (at 417 N. Main St. and 1502 E. 11th St.) that both offer a rotating selection of 14 different flavor combinations. Now, Empire is blending Mexican and Italian cuisines with their newest addition, available for a limited time, “Dude, Where’s My Car-nitas?” Each mouth-watering slice combines Guajillo marinara and mozzarella with slow-braised pork carnitas, pickled red onion, corn, poblano peppers and Queso Fresco. Topped with a packet of Cholula Hot Sauce, Empire’s new feature carefully blends spice and savory — the tender carnitas easily fall apart, pairing nicely with the crunchy onion and peppers. The Cholula’s heat is far from overpowering, but dipping into a side of ranch can also cool it down without cutting any of the flavor.

“Dude, Where’s My Car-nitas?” will remain on Empire’s list of special slices until June 28 — after that, a brand-new concoction will cycle onto the daily menu. —

MICHAEL SEARLES

Magical. Intense. Surreal. ese are the three words Tulsan Sue Taylor uses to describe her experience competing as one of eight contestants in Season 4 of “ e Great American Baking Show,” which dropped in May on e Roku Channel.

Chosen out of thousands of applicants, the grandmother to three spent four weeks last summer lming in the storied tent just outside London, where she brought her lifelong love of baking and a whole heaping cup of Oklahoma heart to the halcyon English countryside. Taylor even celebrated her 70th birthday while she was there, receiving a one-of-a-kind apron as a gift from the production team and sta .

While it was di cult keeping such a big, delicious secret under wraps for so long, Taylor can now freely declare what a sweet experience she had being a part of the show, and how it has inspired her to encourage others to reach for something big, no matter their age.

“I had an awesome, over-the-top experience,” she told TulsaPeople while sitting down for a chat with us in her cheery kitchen. “To me, my mission is to say, ‘Hey, dreams come true.’ You don’t have to give up when you retire. You don’t have to say I’m too old for this, because it happened to me.”

Head to tulsapeople.com to check out our Q&A with Taylor to learn more about the application process, what goes on behind the camera that audiences can’t see, special moments Taylor experienced in the tent and the lasting bond she formed with her fellow baking castmates. tp

SHAKE IT UP

Tucked inside one of midtown’s cutest neighborhoods, Common Tart has been bringing Tulsans joy by the slice since just before anksgiving in 2020. Led by mother-daughter team Alexandra and Sherrie Coppinger, the shop has earned a reputation over the years for its handmade sweets and late-night slice Fridays (when the shop stays open until 9 p.m. so you can grab a post-dinner treat).

As summer kicks in, those looking for a cool way to cool down can head to Common Tart to try pie blended into a milkshake. Select your preferred slice from the case to have mixed with enough vanilla ice cream to create a creamy, slurp-able delicacy — garnished with a sweet, whipped topping. If you’re looking for more, you can always pair your drink with another piece of pie.

inking ahead for your next cookout? You can order full pies and other sweet treats from Common Tart online or by phone in advance. — LAUREN

ROGERS

Common Tart

1717 E. 17th St. • 918-764-8298 commontart.com

Got hops?

Hop the Gri n brews coming to store shelves soon.

BY TOM GILBERT

At 7143 S. Yale Ave. in the Lighthouse Shopping Center, Steve Gri n’s pub Hop the Gri n is nearly ve years old. e operation began brewing small o erings of Gri n’s beers, but is now supported by Hop the Gri n Brewing Company — a full-scale production facility near 51st Street and Highway 169.

Gri n’s dream for a larger brewing facility started to gain momentum two years ago, when his business partner Joel Stinson pressed him to go bigger.

“I’ve known Joel my entire life,” Gri n says. “He came in (to the pub) for a couple months, and seeing how good the beer was he asked if I wanted to do something bigger, like getting into distribution. I thought he was just joking with me, but it became apparent that he wasn’t, and it kind of went from there.”

After facing many hurdles during the establishment process for the warehouse, including permitting and zoning, Hop the Gri n Brewing Company now operates a system of 19 vessels ranging from three-barrel test systems to 20-barrel production tanks. Fully loaded, the o site brewhouse could technically push roughly 170 barrels per month.

“We’ve got exibility most breweries don’t,” says brewer Tim Schley. “We can brew small batches, dial them in and then scale up without sacri cing quality.”

Schley was previously the master brewer for the homebrewing store High Gravity Fermentations. He and Gri n had become friends during the years Gri n frequented High Gravity before opening his own brewery. Gri n brought Schley on shortly after High Gravity closed, and he says Schley’s technical expertise in

water chemistry and yeast balanced his approach.

“I always brewed by experimenting and feel, whereas Tim is more science-driven,” Gri n says, adding that within a month he realized he’d also been doing things the hard way. “He just showed me easier ways to clean vessels and taught me how to make technology work for me.”

With Pippin’s Taproom and a few other Oklahoma breweries closing along with High Gravity during this period in 2024, Hop the Gri n was able to purchase the equipment needed for the new brewhouse at a signi cantly reduced price. Along with its capacity for both small-batch IPA brewing and ability to scale, the warehouse’s high-quality equipment also allows for tighter temperature control and consistency — all factors that open the door to collaboration beers, custom runs for restaurants and experimental releases that keep the lineup new and exciting. When it comes to IPAs, the team plans on sticking to smaller batches to keep them fresh.

“Because we have a di erent variety of size vessels, we can make it to where our IPAs won’t ever get too old,” he says, noting IPAs are best enjoyed eight-12 weeks after brewing. “We can make batches that will stay fresher that way, and they’re not going out six months old or anything like that.”

Recently, Hop the Gri n has started distributing kegs at e Brook, with some other exciting local partnerships in play. Next comes cans. Eight core beers — including hop-forward favorites like e Legend and Libra, which has achieved gold metal status in Oklahoma’s Untappd awards — are nearing release.

“Every liquor store I’ve talked to has said ‘yes,’” Gri n says. “Now we just need the product ready.”

At the pub, taproom expansion is already underway. Soon, 18 taps will pour a rotating mix of styles, turning the space into both a testing ground and showcase. It’s where Gri n and Schley are experimenting with new hop pro les, dialing in recipes and constantly re ning what comes next.

“I never want to get comfortable,” he says. “ at’s how you stop getting better.”

Community is important to all local breweries, and it is very important to Gri n. He hopes to eventually host tours, events and collaborations at the new brewery to bring people together.

“Beer connects people,” he says. “ at’s the part I love.” tp

‘Buick Corner’

BY PATRICK MCNICHOLAS

In 1926, e Forster-Davis Motor Company, a Buick dealership located in the heart of Tulsa’s business district, purchased property at East Eighth Street and South Detroit Avenue to build a stand-alone automobile service center.

At the time, the area was a residential neighborhood made up of wooden houses, some nearly 20 years old. When these properties sold, some homes were relocated to other neighborhoods. e president of the motor company, T.J. Forster, purchased additional property nearby the proposed maintenance center and began to develop it as well.

By the end of 1926, e Forster-Davis Motor Company completed the new main-

tenance center along Detroit. Across the street, a secondary building with a similar design was being constructed to operate as the company’s tire service center. Forster personally visited some of the best tire shops in the country to help him design the layout of the new building.

Originally leased out to Goodyear Tires in 1928, the tire center operated under Goodyear for nearly eight years until it was remodeled as Forster-Davis Motor Buick’s elegant new showroom. Opening in 1936, the showroom o ered three times as much space and the ability to showcase a wider variety of Buick automobiles through the large display windows. e showroom joined the service center and

adjacent used car lot to become the Buick headquarters, which was brie y advertised as “Buick Corners” in newspapers.

In 1937, the Forster-Davis agency was sold to brothers Sam Norton Jr. and H. Mead Norton. e properties remained under the Norton name for over 60 years at this location, most notably under Curtis “Chick” Norton

After decades as a car dealership, the building was repurposed as a workout facility in the early 2000s and now serves as a multipurpose space for First Presbyterian Church of Tulsa. Both buildings that made up “Buick Corners” still stand today, across from one another on Eighth Street. tp