Room X Room

By

-

March 3, 2011

For some it’s philosophical; for others, it’s economical. But homeowners everywhere are taking a look at their living space. More thoughtful choices in the home are creating more individualized luxury for the owners and their families to enjoy.

“People of all ages are moving toward paring down to less square footage as well as making their space highly functional,” says Tulsa-based designer Deborah Gatica of SR Hughes.

By rethinking their space, owners are now able to focus on comfort and convenience with a purpose.

“With all the stressful environments and situations like the economy we want to have things work for us without complication in our homes,” Gatica says.

Simplifying the home and going to a more “clean” look is a common theme, according to Sherri Duvall, a designer at Duvall Architects in Tulsa.

“It can also mean a ‘transitional’ look and feel that is edited properly to have the exact balance of cozy, but not stuffy. People desire a nest or sanctuary innately when we come home from our crazy, hectic lives,” Duvall says.

Homeowners are moving away from formal dining and living spaces and changing into flexible usage rooms. While square footage has gone down, the kitchens are larger with higher-grade appliances capable of pleasing everyone, and the overall décor is focused on family function.

“Essential pieces that tell their family’s story without looking too staged,” Duvall says of the key to helping clients achieve their balance.

With the aid of technological advances, the home can now work for the owner. Fully automated features and wiring for media throughout the house allow the home to work for the owner by saving time and energy.

Along with responsible space planning, eco-friendly features from soy-based paints to repurposed wood furniture that are found in every room keep in tune with the return to natural elements owners are moving towards.

By making thoughtful choices and taking advantage of technological advances, today’s homeowners are not just making a choice about their house, but about their lifestyle.

Spa Treatment

For modern homeowners, a trip to the spa can be as close as the master bath.

A blend of technology and natural elements allow owners to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Heated flooring, towel warmers, custom automated walk-in showers and jacuzzi tubs are all part of the spa experience.

“Imagine having automated lighting set each morning to a certain illumination as to not hurt the eyes, the towels and flooring have been heated awaiting your arrival,” says Bryan Tosh of The Phonograph in Tulsa.

He further explains that those showering can listen to a pre-set audio channel, while those at the vanity can watch their favorite morning show on the television that shows through the bathroom mirror. Once finished, the entire system shuts itself off.

“A lot more is possible than you think – not just for new builds, but even to retro-fit,” Tosh says.

Technology doesn’t edge out eco-friendly, however. Companies like Toto blend the two with their Wi-Touch remote control low-flow faucet that can work with existing plumbing as well as dual flush toilets that conserve 80 percent more water.

Adding interest to ingenuity are heavy glass frameless shower doors by Guardian.

“These are easy to clean and resist corrosion,” says Lorie Halle, co-owner of Don Tracy Glass.

“More people are remodeling their bathrooms with granite and marble, creating a beautiful space; so it would be a shame to cover it up with a large frame door.”

Marble, travertine and limestone flooring are all natural stone options that give a luxurious feel and can extend into the walk-in shower. Granite, concrete and recycled glass countertop features are also very popular, along with a growing selection of distinct sink options.

Homeowners can now have their bathroom as high-tech or low-maintenance as they want it to be.

Going Green

Today’s homes are green – not so much in color as in concept.

There is a push for natural materials for a home’s exterior and durable siding and roofing that will add to the environment or at the very least work with it.

“People are definitely concerned that things are vanishing,” says Gatica. “Sustainability is a factor, not just a trend anymore.”

Homeowners that are building new homes are going green from the outset, and remodel projects often involve LEED-certified builders to correct issues such as the removal of lead paint.

“Less is becoming more again,” Duvall says. “This means less mixing of exterior materials and limiting the variety used together to as few as possible.”

Instead of just paint, more people are going with stone and brick exteriors as well as clay.

The process of making brick creates very little waste, and it has a nearly limitless life span. Another benefit is that brick can be recycled from demolished buildings and used in new ones.

“Stone is as natural as it gets,” says Johann Skaftason, owner of EuroCraft. “Anything man makes is not going to be as durable.”

American clay plaster can look beautiful and eliminate the need for painting.

“No more ‘faux.’ When materials are used honestly, then they have innate integrity and can convey beauty without being fussy or over-done. I like the timeless, age-old stone, brick, stucco and various woods. Just not at the same time,” Duvall shares.

Even without painting, owners are shifting their homes to earthy tones and natural colors.

Green doesn’t stop at the siding. Owners wanting to go completely green can do Re-Cover roofing and receive a tax credit. Other options are salvaged slate or asphalt roofing, both considered among the most attractive and durable materials.

“More area is being covered by xeriscaping or indigenous planting,” Gatica says of owners’ use of their yards.

Another way owners are connecting with nature is through intricate water features and strategic planting.

“In Oklahoma, plants in pots take tons of water so I always suggest a drip system on a timer.”

With all the different building material options, going green has never been more natural.

Island Cooking

While owners are paring down the size of their homes, kitchens keep getting more square footage.

“There’s no question that kitchens are getting bigger. Galley style kitchens are becoming more popular,” says Skaftason.

Large or small, an island is a must for any modern kitchen. Affording storage, extra counter space and a place for casual seating, this feature fits the bill for dual usage. Warming drawers, prep sinks and a second dishwasher are useful island features.

Professional-grade appliances are also a must. Features like electric cook tops with steamers, as well as fryers and TurboChef’s double wall oven – which cooks 15 times faster than the leading oven – provide the latest technology for efficient cooking.

“It’s all touch technology. If you want it medium-well it shows you a picture,” says Gary Gallaway, Sales Manager at Metro Appliances & More says of the TurboChef oven’s intuitive design.

Touch technology is on the rise. Products such as the SmartTouch faucet are part of a universal design concept that keeps ease of use in mind for groups including the aging population.

Just because owners have great appliances doesn’t mean they want to show them off. The newest trend in cabinetry and appliances is an integrated look that makes even a refrigerator look like it is part of the custom cabinetry.

Caesarstone quartz countertops, granite and limestone and bamboo are all user-friendly countertop options that are easy on the environment and allow the owner to showcase a more colorful backsplash such as back-painted glass by DreamWalls.

“There is quite a trend for a less shiny surface with more texture, or chiseling in creamier neutral tones,” Skaftason says.

In particular, honed white marble kitchen counters are in style and are often set against darker stone flooring.

Glass panels in custom cabinets as well as glass shelving are highly prized features.

“Glass cabinetry gives the open feel owners are looking for,” Halle says.

“In years past, people wanted more frosted glass, but the style is clear now.”

Some glass shelving is equipped with fiber optic lighting from within creating a warm glow.

The openness of the kitchen layouts gives families a chance to be together in their favorite room.

A Living Space

Homeowners today take a thoughtful approach to their living room making sure to consider their lifestyle needs to create a space that not only works for them, but reflects them as well.

“Today it’s about more casual living for people,” Gatica says. “Clients don’t want a room they’ll never use; they don’t feel it’s a responsible use of space.”

Convenience is key in the modern home that is now wired for media, lighting, heating and sound – everything can be adjusted with a touch of a screen for ease of use.

Automated climate control settings coordinate with automated blinds to keep energy costs down even when the owner is away. Another convenience of automation is that with one touch of a screen someone can turn off all lights in the house without having to double check each room.

Owners doing a remodel as well as building a new home can benefit from changing their windows to Low-E that help eliminate extra heat as well as keep the UV rays at bay.

“Some people think it’s just affecting them in summer, but UV light can be just as bad in the winter,” Halle says of the work Don Tracy Glass does to help prevent damage and fading of furniture as well.

Along with making use of their space, homeowners are making it reflect their family as well.

“People are having their grandma’s old chair re-upholstered and put next to a modern glass coffee table,” Gatica says of the authenticity homeowners are looking for.

Another trend in furniture is a resurgence of classic Mid-century Modern pieces from iconic designers like Florence Knoll and Charles and Ray Eames.

“You’ll see those types of pieces on Mad Men now, and they are becoming more popular,” Gatica says.

There are also several eco-friendly choices in materials for the living room, such as soy-based paint options, Forrest Service Certified wood floor choices and upholstery in hemp, organic cotton and bamboo options. A family reflected in their space can feel good about enjoying it.

The Science of Cinema

A growing number of homeowners are adding value and fun to their homes with a custom media room.

Whether the room is full of gaming systems, ping-pong tables and air hockey equipment, or it’s the complete cinema experience, owners are indulging their media wish list beginning with a big screen.

“There is actually a mathematical formula to determine screen size,” says The Phonograph’s Tosh.

“It’s based on viewing distance as well as making sure there is enough light output illuminating that much space for optimal viewing.”

The anticipated audience and size of the room determine the type of equipment that homeowners must purchase. On average, the screen will be 80 inches to a maximum of 10 feet and can also be retractable depending on the needs of the space. A Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound system is a basic feature, although many home theaters and media rooms feature 6.1 or 7.1 along with at least one subwoofer.

Hidden speakers, precision lighting and custom seating are key elements in creating the full viewing experience.

Home theater receivers from companies like Onkyo, Denon and Yamaha are controlled with touch screen remotes. Not to be forgotten are the DVD, TV signal, TiVo and possibly even VCR connections to the system. Another important addition to any media room is the gaming equipment for systems such as Wii, Xbox and PlayStation.

A concession area with drinks and refreshments as well as custom leather seating adds to the overall look and convenience of the room.

“You can have fantastic theater seats in a beautiful room, but if your screen isn’t correct you can lose around 30 percent of the picture,” Tosh says of the common mistake to just pick a large screen without considering the rest of the room.

“This isn’t TV; it’s supposed to be cinema, so we have to look at size and acoustics. It’s really a science to put a good room together.”

Open Spaces

Most homeowners have a favorite room in the house, but for a growing number, that room is outside.

“Patios have been around for a long time, but now people are going much further,” says Gatica.

Outdoor stone fireplaces, trellises and pergolas are just the beginning. Full-fledged living areas and kitchens with space heaters and sky lighting create a space that can be used for at least three seasons in Oklahoma.

“The obvious problem to overcome in Oklahoma is the weather, “ Gatica says. “When you spend a lot of money, you want to use the space for as long as possible.”

Companies like NanaWall and Phantom Screens can help create a room that opens directly to the outdoors and can be enjoyed year round.

Gone are the days of going to the backyard just to grill burgers.

“The kettle grill is being replaced with a complete stainless outdoor kitchen. At the very least, many homeowners are building in gas grills and cooking areas,” Gatica says.

Side burners, warming drawers, under-counter refrigerators and even a beverage and cocktail center make the outdoor kitchen an owners dream for entertaining guests.

Whether it’s a party or just a casual family dinner an integral feature of the outdoor living room is seating and entertainment.

The modern home is now fully wired for media including the outdoor living areas. Surround sound with multiple speakers, adjustable lighting systems including mounted sconces, as well as an outdoor plasma screen TV are must haves for any outdoor space.

Companies now offer all-weather sofas and ottomans helping to create an aura of comfort along with stylish rugs and pillows.

The stone fireplace feature that centers the space can also be an eco-friendly choice.

“Eco-smart fireplaces can be freestanding or built in and don’t require venting, plus you receive a 30 percent energy credit on your tax return,” Gatica says.

The modern homeowner can now enjoy the outdoors by taking advantage of the space they have in their own backyard.

Learn With Your Kids

By

Susan Wagner

-

March 3, 2011

Parenting is all about spending time with your kids, but for most of us, that time is often spent shuttling them to activities or supervising homework and chores. Just being in the same room with your child isn’t enough – it’s important to find ways to hang out with your kids, ideally doing things they love to do.
Sign your little one up for a class or camp – either one you can do together or something for him to do on his own – and then make a point of pursuing that activity as a team. You might be surprised at the way something as simple as a day at the museum or an afternoon run can change your relationship with your child.

Cooking With Kids

Instilling a life-long love of cooking in your child means building his or her confidence in the kitchen. For many kids, a cooking class – sans mom or dad – is the best way to do this. Sign your little Bobby Flay up for a cooking class and then let him take over in the kitchen, while you serve as assistant. Extend the lesson – and the quality time with your child – to grocery shopping for ingredients for a meal. And then encourage your child to invite friends and family to share the bounty.
Resources
Tulsa’s Sage Culinary Studio offers a variety of classes and camps for kids as well as adult-child cooking sessions designed to introduce kids to grown up food (dim sum and fondue, for example).
In Oklahoma City, the Young Chefs Academy has created a kid-friendly kitchen space designed specifically for little cooks. Young Chefs Academy classes include a recipe binder for participants so that they can recreate what they’ve learned at home. Young Chefs also hosts birthday parties and field trips.
Want something more personal? Consider hiring a personal chef to come to your home and teach a parent-child class for a group. Most classes can be tailored to the group’s tastes and experience or can be built around a holiday or theme. This is a great way to get to know your child’s friends and their parents.

Science With Kids

Admit it: You’re one of those parents who is counting down to middle school because you’re really excited about the Science Fair. Don’t wait to get your child excited about science – take advantage of their interest and toss some Mentos into a bottle of Coke and see what happens (but not inside the house – I warned you). And when you’re done experimenting at home, follow up the cool science opportunities in your community.
Resources
Oklahoma City’s Science Museum Oklahoma offers a range of exhibits and programs for kids of all ages. Whodunit?, created in partnership with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, introduces kids to forensic science, while permanent exhibits like the Gadget Tree turn physics into playtime.
For Neil Armstrong wannabes, the Tulsa Air and Space Museum is the answer. TASM offers one-day mini-camps throughout the school year and a summer aerospace camp that you’ll wish you could sign yourself up for.

Fitness With Kids

How do you get your kids off the couch and on their feet? You can sign them up for a team, but if you want the benefits of exercising with your kids without the hassle of hauling them to practices and games, think about taking up a sport together. Running and cycling are two simple activities that have long-term health benefits, and both will enable you to spend quality time with your child.
Resources
The Oklahoma City Marathon includes a Kids’ Marathon, open to runners through sixth grade. Participants keep a running log where they track 25 miles of running before race day; the log has to be signed by a parent or teacher, but of course we suggest that instead of just writing your name, you run the miles with your little athlete. On race day, participants run a secure, closed, 1.2-mile course in downtown Oklahoma City. Each participant gets a t-shirt and a medal, and parents can run the course with kids for free. This is a great way to get your child motivated to exercise; it’s also an opportunity to introduce her to an important community event in Oklahoma City’s history.
Want to do more than just run a mile? Think about getting your child involved in a kids’ triathlon. There’s an Iron Kids event in Oklahoma City each summer; participants compete in age-appropriate distances, and no special equipment is needed. Training for a triathlon gives you a chance to do a variety of physical activities with your child – after all, kids love to swim and run and ride, and they love when adults join in.

Art with Kids

If you’re raising a crafty kid – the kind who will draw on any available scrap of paper or use all the LEGOS in the house to build a tiny skyscraper – consider seeking out an art class in your community. Most art museums offer classes that combine a tour of the various permanent and visiting collections with classroom instruction. If your child really loves the museum, pick up a family membership and make a point of going together; looking at art is a simple way to connect with your child and spend time just being together.
Resources
Both Tulsa and Oklahoma City have a variety of terrific opportunities for kids to learn about art. If you’re looking for a hands-on experience, consider a class at Oklahoma City’s City Arts Center. With offerings that range from pottery and drawing to bookbinding and tablet weaving, there is quite literally something for everyone.
If your goal is more art appreciation-oriented, consider a class at an art museum. Both the Oklahoma City Museum of Art and Tulsa’s Philbrook Museum of Art offer classes that combine hands-on experience with tours of the galleries. Both sites also offer occasional parent-child classes, which is a fun way to spend an afternoon with your kids. You can find details about classes and tours on the museums’ websites.

Maximum Exposure

By

Meika Yates Hines

-

March 3, 2011

“We are in a position to shine the spotlight on all of the exciting things currently going on here to a worldwide audience.”Every year in the month of March, Austin ups the ante as one of the leading hubs for innovation and entertainment in the country with the South by Southwest (SXSW) Conferences & Festivals.

Renowned for providing both priceless exposure for creators and hosting compelling entertainment for enthusiasts hungry for fresh meat, the festival offers the ultimate buzz-generating, entertainment triple whammy: music showcases, film screenings and new media presentations.

Although Oklahoma has had a significant presence at SXSW since 2005, this year will mark the first for the Sooner State to have an all-encompassing, multi-day endeavor representing all three industries of music, film and interactive media.

After realizing that several Oklahoma entities were interested in being at SXSW this year to promote their activities in one of the individual festival sectors, the Oklahoma Music and Film Office recognized an opportunity to bring them all together to make an even larger combined impact in Austin.

Jill Simpson, director for the Oklahoma Music and Film Office, says that by connecting leading professionals in the business sectors of all three areas, the state is in a prime position to present a fresh, updated snapshot of life in Oklahoma.

“Oklahoma has the opportunity to network and connect our companies and talent with film production and distribution brass, music label executives, heads of established and emerging interactive companies and the media,” she says.

“Exposure at SXSW is not only beneficial for our companies and talent, but for the state as well. We are in a position to shine the spotlight on all of the exciting things currently going on here to a worldwide audience. The ultimate goal is to provide networking opportunities for our participants that will be beneficial for years to come.”

Having established a healthy presence and good working relationship with the festival over the years, an exciting new addition for Oklahoma this year is the first-ever official Oklahoma SXSW Showcase, a four-day event hosted by the Oklahoma Music and Film Office that maximizes the state’s presence.

Taking over the venue Friends, this year’s showcase presents a film party, an interactive party and three music parties, versus the single official music party of previous years.

Deemed the Buffalo Lounge, the transformed venue has a modern, colorful and, most importantly, very Oklahoman appeal that reflects the positive, thriving progress going on throughout the state.

“It is no accident that I get at least five calls a month from native Oklahomans working in our industries outside the state who are hearing good things about what’s going on here and are interested in coming home. This was not happening five years ago,” Simpson notes.

“The buffalo is an intrinsically Oklahoman image and a source of pride. In a nutshell, that is the image we want to promote: What we’ve got here is great and you will want to be a part of it. We are not trying to be anybody else.”
Indeed, the Oklahoma music showcase has proven successful in spotlighting the state’s unique talent.

Artists play in front of new audiences and garner media attention and buzz – two valuable goals that up-and-coming musicians strive to achieve.

“We are in a position to shine the spotlight on all of the exciting things currently going on here to a worldwide audience.”

For first-time participating musicians who have attended the festival as concert-goers in the past, simply the opportunity to perform at the festival is a huge honor.

Oklahoma pop musician and 2011 SXSW participant Jacob Abello believes that Oklahoma is currently one of independent music’s best kept secrets, but that it won’t be a secret that much longer.

“It’s a scene that has so much talent to offer, but hardly any of the pretension,” he says. “I’m sure any band playing for the first time this year was a humble attendee at one point, so we’ve all seen bands we love and respect play at this festival. You meet so many other people doing the same thing you’re doing, yet I don’t think that there is much of a competitive atmosphere. Honestly, most bands are playing too many shows to even worry about competing with anyone else.”

Although the networking opportunities and professional possibilities are abundant, SXSW also inadvertently works as a tool to help artists connect with other artists and hone their crafts to evolve creatively.

“You have to step up your game – re-evaluate your performance and focus on strengths and work out your weaknesses to be better. I see it all as a positive thing, whether anything comes out of it business-wise or not,” says Oklahoma musician and SXSW participant Sherree Chamberlain.

“We can show out-of-staters the kind of great music we have to offer here. I think a lot of times people are pretty surprised when they really get to see what kind of talent comes out of Oklahoma.”

Digital Groundbreaker

By

Dustin Hughes

-

March 1, 2011

If you’re like many Oklahomans, your daily routine is captured in Facebook status updates, photos uploaded to Flickr, tweets and more. But what happens to your digital life when you die?

For as much as people have been sharing their lives online, very little has been done to ensure that those online remnants of Oklahomans’ lives are properly dealt with.

That is, until a former state representative’s bill was signed into law late last year. Now Oklahoma is leading the nation in helping make sure that a person’s virtual life can survive long after their real life ends.

Ryan Kiesel authored a law that took effect in November 2010. Under the rules set forth, the executors of an individual’s estate have control over their online holdings as well. In other words, family members, or whoever is designated to control an Oklahoman’s estate, can decide what to do with their online legacy.

“In the past, you might have had a shoebox full of letters or photos that somebody might leave behind as part of their estate,” Kiesel says. “A lot of those photos are on Flickr now. A lot of those letters are now in email form online. A lot of those communications are on Facebook or Twitter.”

Many web services only allow the creator of an online account to control its contents, according to their Terms of Service agreements. If that creator dies, their online accounts could remain in limbo.

Bill Handy, a visiting professor with Oklahoma State University and social media expert, says the law will help ease the process as executors deal with an online estate.

“The thinking is, let’s not make it difficult for families who are dealing with estate issues to do what they normally do with ease because once there were paper trails. Now those paper trails no longer exist,” he notes

Under Kiesel’s law, which was met with bipartisan support, people who are appointed by the state or a person’s will automatically have the power to act on a person’s online accounts, both personal and financial.

There is still a question of how the law will work when it goes up against potentially conflicting terms of service agreements of online companies. But Handy says the Oklahoma law should act much the same as laws dealing with physical property do.

If nothing else, both Kiesel and Handy say the law should be helpful in encouraging Oklahomans to plan now for their legacy when the inevitable happens.

“I think the biggest benefit is that it has started a discussion about more thorough planning,” Kiesel says.

Fresh Music

By

-

February 24, 2011

Ricky Martin, Musica + Alma + Sexo – Martin is back with his ninth studio album, his first in more than six years. The Desmond Child-produced opus includes English and Spanish tracks and collaborators including Puerto Rican reggaeton sensation Wisin and Yandel and Brazilian singer Claudia Leitte. The album’s debut single, “The Best Thing About Me Is You,” featuring British singer Joss Stone is already a hit. Feb. 1.

P.J. Harvey, Let England Shake – Harvey takes album making very seriously, trying to make each successive effort musically and stylistically distinct from the last. In that fashion, she began work on her latest effort during the release of the piano-driven White Chalk. The result is an album, which will recall hardcore Harvey from her Rid of Me days, but with a political message – and an autoharp. Feb. 15.

Drive By Truckers, Go Go Boots – The Athens, Georgia-based sextet is one of the more unique musical acts performing today. Originally hailing from the storied Muscle Shoals, Ala. area, the group’s music draws on diverse styles from country to gospel to southern rock. The songs on Go Go Boots were recorded along with those on 2010’s The Big To-Do and continue in the same vein. However, frontman Patterson Hood describes this as their most “Muscle Shoals sounding album.” That’s probably a good thing. Feb. 15.

Adele, 21 – Adele burst onto the scene in 2008 with a soulful, mature sound that belied her young age (19) and garnered her two Grammys, two Brits and a Mercury Prize to name a few. 21 is a perfect sophomore album. It’s everything we love about Adele, but it marks a continued evolution of her talents. Oklahoma connection: One of Adele’s collaborators is none other that One Republic frontman and hitmaker, Tulsa’s own Ryan Tedder. Feb. 22.

Table Tennis, Anyone?

By

Dustin Hughes

-

February 24, 2011

Remember the dusty ping-pong table in your friend’s garage? Remember tapping a ball back and forth in some basement?

Now put that aside. There’s more to table tennis than ping-pong, say passionate players of the world’s most popular sport.

It’s about time the sport got its due respect in Oklahoma, they say.

That may be easier said than done, says Kelly Boyce, president of the Tulsa Table Tennis Club.

“Table tennis is the number one sport in the world, in terms of participation,” Boyce says.

Internationally, and especially in European and Asian countries, a large framework exists to help elevate players’ table tennis games to the next level.

In Oklahoma, table tennis is confined to a grassroots level. In Tulsa, players use their own equipment in rooms provided by parks departments in recreation centers.

Oklahoma City’s club operates out of Crossroads Mall, says Britt Salter, club president. Tulsa’s club meets at either the Dawson Community Center or Bixby Community Center for their play.

Everybody’s welcome, club presidents say. One sure way to learn more about table tennis is to come out and join members some night.

“Don’t be intimidated,” says Robert Kyker, who plays in Tulsa. “Nobody gets upset if somebody’s not good enough.”

While table tennis players in the state are serious about their games, they’re also serious about having fun with it.

“Everybody loves ping-pong,” Boyce says. “It’s a sport to really enjoy and love playing. That’s why it’s number one in the world.”

Kyker was quick to dispel one of the biggest misconceptions he says he hears about table tennis – that it’s not athletic.

Kyker says serious players train regularly to stay and shape, and over the course of a tournament, he loses several pounds through sweat and exertion.

“You’re totally exhausted by the end of the day,” he says, noting that the physical and mental components add up to a workout. “It’s like chess at 100 miles per hour.”

If there’s one thing the state’s players wished for table tennis, it’s that their Sooner brethren played more of it.

Boyce got hooked on tennis in the early 1970s, when the popularity of the sport worldwide really took off thanks to “ping pong diplomacy,” when international matches helped sooth tensions between America and communist China.

Kyker started playing while attending the University of Oklahoma in 1974, where the large population of international students meant table tennis was a popular sport.

Indeed, table tennis is huge everywhere but in America, Salter says. And that lack of visibility has hurt the nation’s competitiveness on the international scene.

“In America, we’re pretty terrible actually,” Salter says. “But we’re getting better.”

Without structured support for young players, with programs and chances for advancement, Boyce foresees a bleak future for America’s table tennis.

Salter is more optimistic, pointing to some young guns who are starting to pop up on the radar on the national scene.

For some, the future of table tennis in America is bright – and might just begin in Oklahoma.

For more on the Oklahoma City Table Tennis Club, visit www.okctt.wordpress.com. For more on Tulsa’s Table Tennis Club, visit www.tulsatabletennis.com.

Fragile Art

By

Paul Fairchild

-

February 24, 2011

For 35 years, Osage County resident Kreg Kallenberger has turned out glass sculptures that garner acclaim around the world. He works from his studio on 100 Monkeys Ranch, a restored dairy farm, north of Tulsa. The University of Tulsa graduate received an NEA Artist’s Fellowship Grant in 1984 and has taught worldwide. His pieces are on display in museums across the globe.

Oklahoma Magazine: Why glass? It can’t be the easiest medium to work in.

Kreg Kallenberger: It was just circumstances. I was at the University of Tulsa working on a pottery degree. My professor and mentor got interested in glass, so I caught the bug, as well. Glass was just completely unknown and fascinating to me, but it had a lot of the same chemistry and mechanical properties as pottery. It seemed very spontaneous compared to pottery. Of course, being the way I am, I’ve turned it into something very labor-intensive and not spontaneous at all. But at the time it seemed like it was.

OM: Do you bring the shape to the glass or does the glass show the shape to you?

KK: It’s more the glass than me. I always start with an idea, but if I were just to follow that idea, I find that it generally ends up not as well articulated as it is when I listen to the glass. The material is always telling me what to do.

OM: Do you ever drop your work?

KK: Yeah. Sometimes they fall on the floor and break. But some of my best pieces have come from that. A piece falling over and cracking gives you a broken piece and you’ve got to solve that problem. It pushes you in a direction you wouldn’t have gone on your own because it’s glass. To me the best work comes when I’m solving problems. Otherwise, it’s just rote.

OM: A lot of your work seems to be the combination of sharp, well-defined edges with landscapes. Am I onto something here?

KK: It’s about the juxtaposition of very formal, crisp geometric forms with an organic exterior. Quite frankly, the glass is so damn beautiful to begin with that I’m always fighting to add some organic, natural, rough edge to it. I’m not trying to make Steuben glassware. In my Titanic series, there’s a clear sculpture with a little thing on the top of it. People read a lot into it, but basically the glass is so beautiful that I had to stick something on there that was not appropriate – some mark to distract the eye from just how pretty the material is. I’m not big on pretty.

OM: Your studio is in the middle of nowhere. How’d that happen?

KK: My wife found this place. She got lost and found this old dairy about an hour north of Tulsa. Completely dilapidated. For the most part it was just stone walls. We fell in love with it. We like being out in the middle of nowhere. So we came back and bought this old place and for the past 12 years I’ve been restoring all these buildings. And doing 99 percent of it myself. I’m a hands-on guy.

OM: Fair enough. Where’d the name come from?

KK: The way it got its name is that I immediately wanted to live here but my wife worked at Philbrook Museum in Tulsa. She collects sock monkeys. Been collecting them for 40 years. So she said she would move up here when she got to 100 sock monkeys. She didn’t, but we just started calling it the 100 Monkey Ranch. And now we’re stuck with it.

Art Works

By

Alaina Stevens

-

February 24, 2011

Doodling since she was a little girl, Jaime Lynn Henderson’s scribbles have turned into expressive, colorful and unique artwork. This artist is leaving her mark in the art world and following her dreams in Chicago.

After obtaining her fine arts degree from the University of Oklahoma, Henderson, who calls Lawton home, applied to several graduate programs and was accepted to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago. She knew the big city could offer her many opportunities to show her artwork.

“I wanted to take a big leap of faith after undergrad,” she recalls. “When I moved to Chicago in the summer of 2007 I didn’t know a soul. It was a really difficult transition at first.”

Henderson is currently working along with five other artists at The Merchandise Mart, the world’s largest commercial building and wholesale design center in Chicago.

“It was given to us for a year to make original artwork in a building that traditionally sells mechanically produced home items,” she says. “We have access to people who might not walk into a gallery.”

Occasionally, her artwork will feature biblical references, but she says there is a big difference between being a Christian who is an artist and a Christian artist. She adds that she’s trying not to narrowly define her artwork.

“I certainly don’t mind the identification (of being a Christian artist), but I personally try to avoid such specific descriptions of myself only because it limits what I feel I can make in my work,” she responds.

“It also limits how people look at my work. I’m definitely a Christian and it is a huge part of my life, but I’m also an artist. I try not to define myself in that way. I’m just free to express whatever I want in my work.”

Henderson was featured on Bravo’s inaugural season of the reality TV series, Work of Art: The Next Great Artist, which aired in the summer of 2010. In each episode, contestants were faced with the challenge of creating unique pieces in a variety of mediums such as painting, sculpture, photography, collage and industrial design. The show was an adventure for Henderson, who was eliminated during episode five.

“It was incredible,” she recalls. “It was infinitely more challenging and fun than I thought it would be. It was very challenging for me because I’ve never forced myself to work that quickly.”

Henderson says her experience on the show did change her in more ways than one. She now can challenge herself to get more work done in a shorter period of time and her perspective about her art has changed.

“Being on the show somehow made me want to be more playful with my work,” she explains. “It kind of made me take a step back and not take myself so seriously.”

With a goal to support herself solely on her artistic talents, Henderson says she will continue to look for ways to express herself creatively and pursue a life filled with art.

To view Henderson’s artwork visit www.jaimelynnhenderson.com.

In The Market

By

Tara Malone

-

February 24, 2011

Etymologists often debate the origin of the term “flea market.” According to some, the bazaars take their name from the famous Marchés aux Puces – literally, “market of fleas” – a marketplace of second-hand goods in Paris where the wares were all too often infested with vermin. Others maintain that the term is a linguistic perversion of the Vallie or Fly Market in revolutionary-era Manhattan.

Regardless of what camp you’re in, most people can agree on one thing: Despite its antiquated roots, the flea market is alive and bustling still.

Oklahoma is home to countless flea markets of all types, from the sprawling stalls of Old Paris Flea Market in Oklahoma City to weekly swap meets at dusty country crossroads. And with no two markets exactly alike, the variety is a huge lure for customers throughout the state.

Some markets, such as Tulsa Flea Market, cater to a certain clientele. This bazaar, operated on Saturdays at the Tulsa County Fairgrounds, is renowned for specializing in hard-to-find antiques, collectibles and vintage memorabilia. This specialty niche sets Tulsa Flea Market apart from many competitors.

“It’s the exception to the flea market rule,” says Melissa Larry, who co-owns and operates the flea market alongside her mother, Patsy.

“We have the luxury of being choosy with our vendors, and we’ve got a great core group of customers and vendors who have been with us since 1972.”

K.O. Jose runs his own unique establishment: the Cherokee Flea Market, one of the state’s oldest. The bazaar is located in Smith Village, a tiny township nestled in the midst of the Oklahoma City metro. Jose, who has been the operator of the flea market for nearly 27 years, calls his meet “an old-fashioned outdoor flea market” where vendor space can still be purchased for the negligible price of $5 to $10. In the summer months – the market’s peak time for business – vendors at the Cherokee Flea Market attract customers looking for rare goods and vendor services, such as hard-to-find tools and onsite lawnmower repair.

But what, after hundreds of years in existence, has kept buyers coming back to these establishments? The answer, much like the origin, is a matter of opinion.

“It’s fun, social thing,” Larry says. “It’s a friendly atmosphere. For a lot people, it’s their Saturday morning ritual. They come out, meet friends and enjoy good shopping together. And you never know what you might find.”

Like Larry, Jose agrees that part of the allure of the flea market is the possibility of stumbling upon those rare and coveted items.

“There are lots of things customers cannot find any other place,” he says.

He also cites the typically reasonable prices of flea market wares as an attraction to attendees.

Regardless of what you’re looking for, you’re likely to find something at any one of Oklahoma’s numerous flea markets.

What We're Eating

By

Staff

-

February 24, 2011

Abear’s on Greenwood

It’s small – only a dozen or so chairs – and it’s definitely not fast food – entrees are made to order – but the next time you’re in downtown Tulsa, stop by Abear’s on Greenwood for great burgers, sandwiches and comfort food classics. Daily specials ranging from char-cheese burgers to a rib eye steak sandwich, come with fries and a drink and cost anywhere from $6.45 to $8.50. Other favorites on the menu are the pork chop sandwich, hot link sandwich, chicken salad sandwich and the fish sandwich. Fried chicken is also a hot item, with three piece chicken dinners served with fries, salad and Texas toast. Baskets filled with chicken wings, catfish, shrimp or pork chops are also served with fries. Bugers are also in demand at Abear’s, and the patties are chargrilled for great flavor.

Abear’s on Greenwood is located at 111 N. Greenwood in Tulsa, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 918.592.1025. www.abearsongreenwood.com

Mama Veca

A trip to Mama Veca may feel like any other trip to a Tex Mex joint in Oklahoma, but study the menu closely. Though it includes Tex Mex favorites like huevos rancheros and fajitas, it’s the traditional Peruvian food that steals the show. The Ceviche de Mixto is a seafood lover’s paradise. The traditional South American dish includes shrimp, mussels, calamari and fish that are marinated in lime juice and chilies. The dish is served with thinly sliced red onions, sweet potatoes and corn. Also try the traditional Peruvian highlands dish Papa a la Huancaina, a combination of boiled tomatoes and cream sauce with different cheeses, milk, olive oil, lime juice and yellow pepper served with a boiled egg and olives. Chaufas is another popular choice. Peruvian Chinese style fried rice is cooked with eggs, green onions, and soy sauce, and can be ordered with chicken, vegetables or a combination of shrimp, mussels and calamari.

Mama Veca is located at 840 W. Danforth Rd. in Edmond, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday through Saturday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 405.844.8780.

Junkyard Dawg

If it’s a dog you crave, head to Junkyard Dawg for the most extreme hot dogs and sausages around. The small restaurant serves more than a dozen creations on buns, ranging from the basic The T-Town Pup, a traditional coney dog topped with yellow mustard, diced onions, coney chili and shredded cheddar cheese, to the monstrous Mojo Inferno, a jalapeno cheese sausage dog piled with fire sauce, nacho cheese and grilled onions, tomatoes and jalapenos. The Junkyard Dawg’s namesake comes with a quarter-pound all beef dog topped with red mustard, spicy chow chow, grilled onions, shredded cheddar cheese, bacon and topped with Axle’s sauce. Other specialties include The Brueben, a bratwurst topped with spicy brown mustard, sauerkraut and celery salt, and The Bada Bing, an Italian sausage topped with marinara sauce, grilled onions and peppers and shredded mozzarella.Junkyard Dawg also sells their chili by the pint or quart.

Junkyard Dawg is located at 6011 S. Mingo in Tulsa, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. seven days a week. 918.893.4663. www.thejunkyarddawg.com

Chocolate Festival

Nothing says romance quite like chocolate. On Feb. 5, Norman Firehouse Art Center will hold its 29th annual Chocolate Festival, an event that brings together some of the top restaurants and chocolatiers in the state for a day of decadence and sweet delight. More than 30 vendors will offer creations in chocolate, ranging from a blackberry blue corn tamale filled with dark chocolate and drizzled with white chocolate, a unique chocolate chili, chocolate snow cones and tempura cheesecake topped with chocolate drizzle. An Arts Day will also be available at the festival with art activities planned for children.

The fundraiser is a benefit for the Norman Firehouse Art Project, an organization that provides visual art classes and gallery exhibitions to residents in Norman and surrounding communities.

“The Chocolate Festival is the primary way we raise funds for the Firehouse Art Center each year,” says Jennifer Skinner, public relations coordinator for Firehouse Art Center.

The Chocolate Festival will be held Feb. 5 from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Thurman J. White Forum Building, 1704 Asp Ave. in Norman. For more information or to purchase tickets, log on to www.normanfirehouse.com or call 405.329.4523.

Spa Treatment

Going Green

Island Cooking

A Living Space

The Science of Cinema

Open Spaces

Cooking With Kids

Science With Kids

Fitness With Kids

Art with Kids

Abear’s on Greenwood

Mama Veca

Junkyard Dawg

Chocolate Festival

Most popular

Editor's choice

918.744.6205