Of the hundreds of state agencies that exist to ensure the smooth management of Oklahoma, many of them are well known and operate quite publicly – such as the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and the Department of Public Safety. Next time you turn on the tap and fresh water pours out, however, you can thank one of the lesser-known state...

Festive Furnishings

After a bummer of a holiday season last year, replete with cancellations of at-home holiday parties, office celebrations and community events, Oklahomans are more excited than ever to get festive in 2021. People are decorating their homes and businesses earlier, and the results can sometimes be considered works of art.  Design To some,  the idea of glitter and ribbon, twinkling lights...

Minding the Gap

Supply chain disruptions won’t be easing anytime soon, but Oklahoma transportation industry leaders are doing their best to mitigate the aggravation. “We want to be part of the solution and help the supply chain,” says Dan Grisham, deputy director of the City of Tulsa-Rogers County Port Authority, which does business as Tulsa Ports. “It’s just not going to be overnight....
Although some professional musicians are just naturally gifted, most spend years perfecting their crafts. Music education plays a vital role in developing those abilities, and Oklahoma is home to over 25 collegiate music programs. Every semester, hundreds of prospective students seek admission to one of them. Virtually all collegiate music programs require students to go through a two-part admissions process....
“It’s a story about moving to another country, starting a new business, surviving the pandemic, rediscovery and adventure. What more could you ask from life?” asks Marco Simonelli. When Tulsa native Amanda Forman moved to Italy in 2017, she didn’t intend to become an olive oil producer and exporter. She’d had a successful career in Tulsa working in her family’s...
A mixed bag of events make December an exciting time to be in Oklahoma. Tulsa welcomes ZZ Top to the River Spirit Casino Resort on Dec. 5. With soulful music described as “100% Texas American,” this concert is a can’t-miss. Other goodies in Tulsa include State of Craft, an art exhibition hosted by 108 Contemporary running Dec. 3-Jan. 23, featuring...

A Lifelong Calling

From the south of France to North May Avenue in Oklahoma City, the Buthion brothers are no strangers to the fine dining experience. For three decades now, Michel and his brother, chef Alain, have brought the cuisine, service and ambiance of their hometown of Grenoble, France, to OKC. Raised watching their father operate his popular boucherie, it’s no surprise that...

Living the Island Life

On a wedge of pure pleasure just off the southeastern Georgia coast lies a resort that’s really a complex of lodgings, stretching across the private entity of Sea Island and into St. Simon’s Island. It’s called Sea Island Resort, anchored by the marvelous Roaring Twenties-era hotel that started it all, the one with the gorgeous twin iconic towers: the...

Christmas Tree 101

Nothing quite beats the annual outing to pick out a perfect tree for holiday celebrations. And, says Bill Jacobs of Owasso Tree Farm, “the freshest tree you can buy is one you cut yourself, grown on an Oklahoma Christmas tree farm.” First Steps Planning for your tree should start before you leave for a farm. Pick a spot for the tree...

The Spirit of Giving

If there’s one thing that’s worth spreading this holiday season, it’s the spirit of giving. At the forefront of doing good deeds are Oklahoma’s nonprofits and other charitable organizations, many of which are spearheading festivities that address their communities’ greatest needs. No matter the cause, these places depend upon the support of others to bring their programs to life. Moreover,...