Cover Story
COVER: Great destinations
Oklahoma City’s network of thriving business districts exploded over the past two decades, building community and stoking the city’s economy in areas dominated by locally owned businesses. Neighborhoods such as The Paseo Arts District, 16th Street Plaza District, the Western Avenue District, Automobile Alley, Midtown, Bricktown, Wheeler District and Film Row have transformed from disused…
Circus act
Kinky Friedman 8 p.m. Tuesday The Blue Door 2805 N. McKinley Ave. bluedoorokc.com 405-524-0738 $35-$40 There is no question that viewing great art has the potential to inspire an individual’s own great works. The Parthenon and ancient Greece had a lasting impact on architecture. Great African art helped inspire Pablo Picasso’s Cubism. Citizen Kane went…
Finding reform
Lost in June’s eyebrow-raising voter turnout numbers for the approval of medical marijuana and the controversial amendments to the law added by the Oklahoma State Medical Board days later is much talk of the provisions for decriminalization of marijuana possession outlined in State Question 788. Chris Moe — a vocal SQ788 advocate who works closely…
Battling hate
The Changing Face of Hatred 7 p.m. Aug. 2 Emanuel Synagogue 900 NW 47th St. tiaok.org 405-237-8426 $35-$45 Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma and Jewish Federation of Greater Oklahoma City are teaming up for a free one-time event to educate its attendees on the ways they can become better suited to handle the prevalence of prejudiced…
International lifeline
Growing up the daughter of Christian missionaries in Brazil, Cindy Combs would come to Oklahoma to visit her mother’s family in Oklahoma while her parents raised funds for humanitarian efforts in the Brazilian state of São Paulo. Oklahoma represented a new beginning for Combs and her three children in 2002 after her marriage ended. The…
Green living
Hearing farmers describe the modern agricultural methods at the 2003 World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Stephanie Holiman decided she wanted to opt out. “That was it for me,” Holiman said. “I listened to that talk and said, “OK, I don’t want my food grown this way.” The 2003 World Social Forum’s motto was…
Realized potential
In fall 2015, single mother of four Camille Dennis was enrolled in the nursing program at Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC), ready to venture down a path of continued education that would ultimately land her and her family in a more secure financial position. But there was an element of uncertainty surrounding her schooling. Her…
Indian tacos
You don’t have to wait for fall and the state fair to get an indulgent fry bread Indian taco. Whether you’re looking for a classic location that has been serving them for decades or something a little more modern, these seven restaurants have you covered. The Miller Grill 326 Elm Ave., Yukonfacebook.com/themillergrill 405-265-2775 A takeout…
Chicken-Fried News: Striped heroes
Not all heroes wear capes, and one in particular in Tulsa is wearing a striped uniform and carrying a whistle. If you have attended a youth sporting event over the last 20 years, you’ve no doubt seen it: an irate parent berating a volunteer or underpaid referee because they blame the ref for their child’s…
High culture
Nearly 20 years ago, the Philadelphia Church of God started its Performing Arts Series in an attempt to elevate the cultural landscape of Edmond without preaching or proselytizing. “The church wanted to sponsor it as basically just a way to reach out to the community in a nonreligious way,” said Armstrong Auditorium concert manager Ryan…
Community connections
The Black Foodie Summit 4-8 p.m. SATURDAY Ice Events Center & Grill 1148 NE 36th St facebook.com/okcblackeats Free Connecting Oklahoma City’s expanding food scene has been on Apollo Woods’ mind since he moved back to Oklahoma in 2016 after two decades away. Woods is employed in the oil and gas industry but has a background…
Western reels
Western Movie Matinee 1 p.m. Wednesdays Aug. 1-Nov. 14 National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum nationalcowboymuseum.org 405-478-2250 Free $12.50 This August, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum dusts off the reels of several classic pieces of Americana in anticipation of its annual Western Movie Matinees. The series is composed of selections detailing over a century…
Learning luminary
For eleven years, Norman-based second-grade teacher Macey Stewart has taught mathematics, honing her skills and pedagogy to foster a love of learning in elementary-age students. Earlier this summer, Stewart received national recognition for her hard work when she, along with Claremore teacher Michelle Rahn, was awarded a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science…
Chicken-Fried News: Fan out
One year ago, Oklahoma City Thunder fans were floored by the news that general manager Sam Presti had won the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes and negotiated a trade to get the star — and his bloated contract — out of the Big Apple and into the Big Biscuits and Gravy (our official state fruit). But the…
Chicken-Fried News: Errant Ezell
Like most Oklahomans, your attitude toward yet another installment of the medical marijuana saga is probably “puff, puff, pass,” but you might not have heard the latest drama. Lucky for Chicken-Fried News, Oklahoma is full of drama. That’s what keeps us covered in thick, spicy fry batter so we can stay tasty. Anyway, we just…
Rap rationale
Logic w/ Kyle 6:30 p.m. Aug. 1 The Zoo Amphitheatre 2101 NE 50th St. thezooamphitheatre.com 800-514-3849 $36-$70.50 In some respects, Maryland rapper Logic’s song “1-800-273-8255” is an unlikely candidate to be a top three Billboard hit single. For one, its phone number song title includes too many digits and too many verbal syllables to be…
Artistic Celebration
Celebration of Life 5:30 p.m. Thursday-Sept. 7 Integris Cancer Institute 5911 W. Memorial Road integrisok.com/celebration-of-life 405-773-6400 Free Surviving cancer can be a difficult experience to convey to other people. Joe Holcomb, director of Oncology Wellness at Integris Cancer Institute, said that the institute’s art show Celebration of Life helps many cancer survivors communicate their feelings.…
Saving smoke
Regulatory actions following the June 26 approval of State Question 788, the Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, appear to be shrouded in a cloud of special interests and bureaucratic deliberation. To ensure the will of the people is preserved, creators of a new initiative have since been actively petitioning to land State Questions 796 and 797…
Hidden delight
Tandoor 1901 E. Reno Ave. tandoorokc.com 405-270-0379 What works: Chicken qorma and allo gobi pack flavor with afforable prices. What needs work: Fresh food takes at least 30 minutes. Tip: Its attached Indian market is filled with hard-to-find spices. Some of the best food of my life has been eaten in a gas station. I’m…
Planting seeds
A desire to help himself has allowed Moore native Dale Spoonemore to create a popular mobile app that is helping people across the country grow their own produce. Spoonemore has found that working in his home garden is the best way he can fight off anxiety and depression, but it is his love of gardening…
Cell manual
Cell division is one of the most basic and important biological processes of all living things, yet scientists still don’t fully understand the way it works or, sometimes, doesn’t work. Here’s a quick refresher for those of us several years removed from biology class. In typical human cell division, chromosomes in a nucleus are replicated…
