A Taste of Spain

Culture, climate and geography converge in Spain to produce some of the most highly prized foods in the world, including olive oils, cheeses and cured ham, notably Serrano and Ibérico. Let’s start with the ham. The exceptional Ibérico pig descends from a breed of wild boar that once roamed the Mediterranean basin. The animals are the last of the grazing...
Vida and Daniel Schuman, Oklahoma Magazine’s publisher and president/editorial director, respectively, have graciously allowed my writing to occupy this space for well over 15 years now. And while that’s maybe been more of a blessing to me than it’s been to readers, I remain deeply grateful to have this platform to, among other things, celebrate some of the people...
Human trafficking, a difficult topic to discuss, can feel very removed from the typical Oklahoman’s daily life. But according to local experts, it’s happening all around us – and it’s essential that all Oklahomans understand what human trafficking is, how to protect loved ones and how to work towards ending it. “Human trafficking is essentially the exploitation of someone’s service,”...
Paying off ransomware attackers is something business owners don’t exactly like to think about. Yet, just about every 11 seconds, bad actors from around the globe – or even grandma’s basement – launch malicious software that infects a computer. They often hold the data hostage until ransom is paid. That’s where Tulsa-based SageNet steps up. One division of SageNet focuses its...
Decisions made by the leaders of nations can affect oil supply and demand, explains Tom Seng, director of the School of Energy at the University of Tulsa, but he says the price at the pump is not all about politics.  However, Brook Simmons, president of the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma, says the president’s actions have consequences. “The president has taken more...

A-OK at OVAC

A group in Oklahoma is dedicated to supporting visual artists through promotion, education, funding and connection. That organization is the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition – or OVAC. Established more than 20 years ago, OVAC seeks to raise public interest and awareness of visual arts for all ages. It’s also a great venue for up-and-coming artists to show their work through...
In the classic novel The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck called Route 66 the “Mother Road.” In the 1930s, the paved road carried hundreds of thousands of Depression-era migrants from the Midwest to California in the hope of jobs and a better life. Years after the Depression, Route 66 took on the role of America’s main highway for adventure, beckoning...
Oklahoma’s favorite son Will Rogers once said: “We do more talking about progress that we do progressing.” And in some Oklahoma cities, progress often looks like orange traffic cones, delays and detours.  Other progress has threatened one treasured asset in our small Oklahoma towns in the past century: the main street districts and historic downtown centers that reflect ample history...
What’s New? The Oklahoma economy is booming, thanks in part to a variety of infrastructure projects spearheaded by Native American Nations. For example, the Choctaw Nation broke ground in June on a $238 million casino and resort in southeast Oklahoma. Choctaw Landing will employ about 600 people in Hochatown, near Broken Bow Lake, says Janie Dillard, senior executive officer of the...
Destiny ReyesUnion High School Attending: University of Oklahoma  Intended major: Psychology. For as long as I can remember, I have been captivated by the complexities of the human mind. I firmly believe that a great deal of healing can come about from understanding how and why the gears turn the way they do in one’s brain. Biggest influence: My mother. She immigrated...