The Oklahoma 100 - 100 word stories & 100 second videos on topics of intrigue

Next Chapter for Storied Art Deco Skyscraper

First National Center’s massive bank vault doors will become part of an upscale Italian restaurant after the renovation of the 1.1 million-square-foot art deco landmark.

Gary Brooks, the developer of the 1931 First National Center, invited the public for tours before closing doors for three years to begin a $230 million makeover into a mix of housing, hotel, retail and garage.

The skyscraper’s showstoppers are the iconic Great Banking Hall that is like a palace with its ornate, three-story space surrounded by 16 columns 35 feet tall and travertine marble floors from Italy; and a bank vault with massive steel doors for protection from bank robberies, common during the 1930s.

“The history of First National Center is as important as its future,” said Brooks.

— Brenda Jones Barwick, APR, Jones PR

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Food & Drink

Simple Lessons for Savory Summer Grilling

Experienced local chef Jonas Favela's simple tips for savory summertime grilling. (Photo courtesy of The Meat Market Refectory via Facebook)

With experience at The Metro, Ranch Steakhouse, Flint and current executive chef at Meat Market Refectory, Chef Jonas Favela shares tips for savory summer cooking:

The Grill: Use a good-quality grill – thick, heavy grates matter. Make sure they’re properly seasoned, which is similar to seasoning cast iron. Apply a cooking oil to the grates and heat until the oil cooks off.

Wood smoke: Put wood chips in a foil pouch directly over heat for a slightly smoky flavor.

Location: Pretty much everything can go over direct heat, but after it’s properly marked, move to the edges for even cooking.

— Jake Pasdach, Jones PR

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Tulsa 100

Tulsa STEM Program Receives Sizable Donation

SK Innovation gave a large donation to support STEM students in Oklahoma.

SK Innovation, the parent company of Tulsa’s oil & gas company SK Plymouth, LLC, donated $50,000 to the Tulsa Regional STEM Alliance this month. The South Korean company seeks to further develop opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math fields for Oklahoma students.

“We look to continue building goodwill with the Tulsa community and are doing so by supporting TRSA’s mission of building broad, deep and innovative pathways for students to have access to high-impact careers in STEM,” said SK Innovation CEO Jun Kim.

SK Innovation’s donation will support additional STEM educational outreach programs to multiple Tulsa area schools.

— Kelly Hughes, Jones PR

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History

Birthplace of America’s Most-Loved Cowboy

Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch near Oologah. The house was moved to its current location on the hill overlooking Lake Oologah before the lake was built.

The birthplace of “Oklahoma’s Favorite Son” is a perfect destination for classic summer activities.

Will Rogers was born in 1879 at Dog Iron Ranch along Oologah Lake. He lived there until his mother died in 1890; afterward, his family moved to nearby Claremore.

Today, visitors can check out 400 of the original 60,000 acres on Birthplace Ranch. Guests are welcome to enjoy a free tour, trail or picnic as well as see some of the Texas Longhorn cattle.

This summer, visit the place Will Rogers called home. Birthplace Ranch is open daily from 10AM-5PM.

— Tori Garrett, Jones PR

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Events

Firing off the Fourth in Oklahoma

Oklahoma's top fireworks displays are mapped out for your entertainment.

Oklahoma knows how to celebrate Independence Day in style. Here are a few acclaimed fireworks shows around Oklahoma.

Boomer Blast Stillwater –With picnic areas, food trucks, family activities and dazzling fireworks, Boomer Blast really speaks for itself.

Freedom Fest Fireworks Show in Yukon – Enjoy a classic car show, free family swim and an outdoor concert before experiencing one of the biggest fireworks displays in Oklahoma.

Duck Creek at Grand Lake Fireworks – Tens of thousands of visitors come out to Grand Lake and watch the War Bird flyover to kick off the fireworks show.

Don’t miss out this Fourth of July!

— Christian Franklin, Jones PR

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Tulsa 100

Bob Dylan Archive Arrives in Tulsa

Tulsa will be the permanent home for Bob Dylan's 6,000-item collection. (Photo courtesy of the University of Tulsa)

Tulsa is now a hot spot for Bob Dylan fans.

A 6,000-item collection from the acclaimed singer’s career has made its permanent home in the Helmerich Center for American Research at the University of Tulsa.

The archive includes handwritten original lyrics, master tapes of Dylan’s entire musical catalog and hundreds of hours of video material. Many of these items have never been seen before, but access to the collection is currently limited to select researchers. Public exhibitions will open in the near future. With such iconic memorabilia, this archive will be a required stop for true music enthusiasts.

– Tori Garret, Jones PR

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Business News

Dunkin’ Donuts Now Open in The Village

This month, Dunkin' Donuts teams up with the March of Dimes to raise money to improve the health of babies.

The new Dunkin’ Donuts, located at 9705 N. May in OKC, will keep you energized with its beverage offerings, including freshly brewed hot/iced coffees, cold brew and Rainforest Alliance Certified dark roast, along with an espresso lineup that includes Americano, cappuccino, espresso and hot/iced lattes and macchiatos.

As a part of the new opening, Dunkin’ Donuts will partner with the March of Dimes on a fundraiser. During the promotion, Dunkin’ Donuts will have a special March of Dimes donut at all OKC metro stores and will donate a “dime a dozen” for all donut dozens sold during June.

— Taylor Ketchum, Jones PR

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Education

Oklahomans Make Headlines at National Spelling Bee

Rohan Rajeev of Edmond takes second place in this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee. (Photo courtesy of Fox 25 News)

Oklahoma was well represented at the 2017 Scripps National Spelling Bee.

Rohan Rajeev, an eighth-grader from Edmond, was the first runner-up in the competition. After nearly 20 head-to-head rounds, he narrowly missed first place by the word “marram.” As a second-place prize, he went home with $30,000.

Six-year-old Edith Fuller from Tulsa was the youngest competitor ever in the competition. The home-schooled kindergartner spelled all her words correctly on stage but didn’t score high enough on the writing portion to advance.

Congratulations to Edith and Rohan on a job well done!

— Tori Garrett, Jones PR

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living

Visit the Coldest Place in OKC This Summer

With whole body cryotherapy, inflammation is greatly reduced, performance is improved and pain from inflammation or injury is decreased.

There is an easy way to escape the heat this summer!

OK Cryo’s whole body cryotherapy has a range of effects that vitalize the body. Toxins and other stored deposits are flushed out of layers of skin and blood perfusion is improved. Metabolic rate increases, allowing your body to burn an extra 500-800 calories on the day of treatment. Your skin is exposed to temperatures -200 to -300 Fahrenheit, giving your body an immediate sense of relief from the hot Oklahoma summer.

You can book an appointment with OK Cryo at Red Rock Fitness and at The Weight Room.

– Taylor Ketchum, Jones PR

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Food

‘Sweet’ Summer Stops in OKC: Week 3

Katiebug’s Shaved Ice and Hot Chocolate is one of Oklahoma's most popular sweet tooth remedies. (Photo courtesy of Elyse Fair)

Oklahoma City has a growing base of unique eateries crafting Pinterest-worthy desserts, and with summer at our heels, our mouths are watering for something cold and sweet to beat the heat.

Each week for the next month or so, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite OKC dessert joints. This week’s pick is Edmond’s gourmet shaved ice food truck, Katiebug’s Shaved Ice and Hot Chocolate.

The mother-daughter duo who own Katiebug’s serve organic snow cones in the summer and gourmet marshmallows and hot chocolate in the cooler months.

Follow @KatiebugsOKC to find out when they’ll be near you!

– Kelly Hughes, Jones PR

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Tulsa 100

All Aboard the Tulsa Express

Today, public transit use is on the rise as people look for alternatives to the automobile, and Tulsa Transit is leading the way. (Photo courtesy of Tulsa Transit)

First formed in 1968, the Tulsa Transit has been a major city project of Vision Tulsa. With various modes of transportation available, Tulsa Transit has something for everyone.

Bus Transit — With transit buses all around the Tulsa area, people without cars don’t need to walk.

Bike Share — For 24 hours, you can borrow a free bike to ride. Just apply for a Rack-n-Roll Club membership.

Park and Ride — After parking your car in a lot, you can ride the bus around Downtown Tulsa.

The Lift — There’s transportation available for people with disabilities, ages 5 years old and older.

— Christian Franklin, Jones PR

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Sports

Three Oklahoma Natives Competed in 2017 U.S. Open

Native Oklahomans, Brad Dalke, Jimmy Walker and Talor Gooch, qualified for the U.S. Open.

Do you have what it takes to qualify for the U.S. Open? There are 16 exemptions for entry into the U.S. Open. In 2017, exempt players (77) comprised over half of the field.

Out of 8,979 golfers who participated in Local Qualifiers, 525 advanced to SectionalQualifiers where they were met by international competitors and professionals who were exempt from local qualifiers. Out of the Sectional Qualifiers, 73 golfers earned a trip to Erin, Wisconsin, to compete.

That brings the total field to 156 golfers, three of whom are native Oklahomans and five more who attend college here.

— Adam Maxey, Jones PR

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travel

Fingerprint, Facial Scanners at the Airport?

Passengers may soon be able to board flights using their fingerprints. (Photo courtesy of Delta Air Lines)

In 2004, the International Air Transport Association began pushing airlines to issue electronic tickets. Prior to that, most passengers received their tickets through the mail from a travel agent or from an airline ticket office.

Soon we may not even need electronic tickets or scans on our smartphones. Delta is testing a pilot program at Reagan National Airport for SkyMiles members to use their fingerprints to check bags and board their flight.

JetBlue is testing facial recognition technology that uses images verified through the US Customs and Border Protection database to allow passengers to board flights from Boston to Aruba.

– Jan Schroder, Girl on the Go

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Pets

Have a Safe Summer With Your Pets

Avoid walking your dog in the middle of the day. Concrete pavements and blacktop surfaces heat up quickly in the sun and can burn your pet's paws.

The summer activities we love can cause our pets stress, or even pose a danger to them.

Keep your pets safe with these summer safety tips:

– Remind guests not to feed your pets. Picnic staples like alcohol, chicken wings and desserts can be dangerous to pets, and the artificial sweetener “xylitol” in sugar-free foods can be deadly.

– Only use sunscreen or insect repellent on your pets if the label says it’s safe for animals.

– Keep pets home during firework displays. Create an area where they feel safe and comfortable. Distract them with ambient noise from a TV or radio.

– Brent Bardell, SPCA Tampa Bay

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Education

2017 Hot Beach Reads

Enjoy the beach or sit poolside with a good book this summer. Check out this list of recommendations that will keep you captivated.

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

A single mom found dead in a river dredges up secrets long submerged.

Camino Island by John Grisham

A library heist, a crooked bookstore owner and a young novelist converge under mysterious circumstances.

Secrets in Summer by Nancy Thayer

An ex-husband and two new romances on Nantucket leave Darcy with options.

The Beach Inn by Joanne DeMaio

An architect’s renovation plans are thwarted when his client wants to sell his beachfront rental property. Can the townspeople help save it?

Same Beach, Next Year by Dorothea Benton Frank

Two couples, 20-year transformative friendship.

– Tara Frier, The Boston 100

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The 100 Gal

Live Stream Your Message to Engage Audiences

Downtown Oklahoma City live streamed the Dean A. McGee Awards, the premier annual downtown leadership event.

All organizations need an audience. Whether you’re selling products or services, or are a nonprofit or religious group, without people, you have no audience.

Live streaming is an excellent way to engage your audience with your unfiltered message. The anticipation generates buzz that excites people. Research finds live video generates 10 times as many comments as on-demand video. Cisco reports mobile video is expected to grow 62% by 2020.

Businesses are concluding that live streaming helps their bottom line, due to reaching broader and more engaged audiences. This trend isn’t slowing down, only rising in popularity. Lights! Camera! Action!

– Brenda Jones Barwick, APR, Jones PR

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Father’s Day Gift Guide

No matter what type of dad you have, here are five gift ideas guaranteed to make him smile.

What do you get the dad who has everything? Amazon, the world’s favorite online store, has perfect Father’s Day gifts guaranteed to win dad’s approval.

Dapper Dad – Signature Parker Fountain Pen for the sophisticated father.

DIY Dad – Upgrade your handy dad’s tool kit with the brushless motor Dewalt Compact Drill and Driver combo kit.

The Culinarian – ChefSteps Joule Sous Vide. You’re welcome.

Renaissance Dad – The Echo Dot and iRobot Roomba 980 are must-have gifts for anyone (but especially your “cool” dad).

Go with the Flow Dad – You can’t beat the classic gift card.

Check out the full list here.

– Jake Pasdach, Jones PR

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living

‘Sweet’ Summer Stops in OKC: Week 2

Darcy Schein and Leslie Coale-Mossman opened Pie Junkie in the Plaza District of Oklahoma City. (Photo courtesy of Journal Record)

There’s something about the sweltering Oklahoma heat that makes a cold slice of lemon cream pie an exceptionally refreshing treat, and I have yet to find anyone who makes a better lemon cream pie than Pie Junkie.

Planted in the heart of the Plaza District, Pie Junkie is the go-to dessert joint for many. Whether you stick to your rhubarb pie roots or try something new every time, Pie Junkie won’t disappoint.

What’s my favorite thing about Pie Junkie? Ordering a pie online after a #PinterestFail at home. Follow PieJunkieOKC on Instagram to see what pies they’re serving today!

– Kelly Hughes, Jones PR

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Community

OKC Downtown Public Art Featured in Video

Each year since 2009, Kendall Riley and Nathan Greyson have been capturing what’s new in downtown Oklahoma City in a video series that premieres at the Dean A. McGee Awards, benefiting Downtown Oklahoma City, Inc. They have taken viewers on trolley, bicycle and walking tours, and chronicled a young family living, working and enjoying beautiful downtown Oklahoma City.

This year, the video features people engaging with public art. From street entertainers and an outdoor painted piano to OKC National & Memorial Museum’s Field of Empty Chairs, recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts, public art touches everyone who comes downtown.

– Brenda Jones Barwick, APR, Jones PR

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living

Start Something BIG

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cleveland County is changing lives for the better, forever.

Since 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Oklahoma has greatly impacted the lives of countless children. One powerful example is Bo, who was referred to BBBSOK in 2008. This shy, 9-year-old girl had low confidence and difficulty in school before meeting her “big sister” Marilyn.

Bo and Marilyn instantly bonded, and Bo’s teachers, family, and friends immediately noticed changes in her. Through the years, Marilyn mentored Bo and today Bo successfully graduated high school and has also received numerous prestigious scholarships.

What if every child in Oklahoma fulfilled his or her potential? Visit here and start something BIG.

– Jake Pasdach, Jones PR

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Food & Drink

Legislative Session and Liquor

The Oklahoma Legislature was thirsty for new, modernized liquor law reform.

Oklahoma’s latest legislative session brought modernization to the state’s liquor laws. All authored by Sen. Stephanie Bice (R-OKC), these measures will take effect in October 2018:

Senate Bill 411, grants breweries and liquor stores extended hours, allowing breweries to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. and package liquor stores to begin operation at 8 a.m.

Senate Bill 211, signed into law May 25 by Gov. Fallin, puts Sunday liquor sales to a vote in Oklahoma counties.

State Question 792, which was approved in November 2016, will allow grocery stores to sell wine and full-strength beer in 2018.

– Kelly Hughes, Jones PR

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Health

Simple Hacks for Summertime Symptoms

Before your first weekend camping or trip to the beach, take note of these simple hacks to soothe common summertime health issues.

1. Sunburns

Hack: Aloe vera and ice are great for treating burns. Make aloe vera ice cubes and stock the freezer.

2. Bug bites

Hack: Toothpaste or baking soda. Create an anti-inch serum (one tablespoon of baking soda mixed with water). Rub on bite to reduce inflammation.

3. Poison ivy

Hack: Fruits and vegetables. A freshly cut onion reduces swelling, banana peels moisturize/reduce sting while lemon and lime have anti-itch/antibacterial properties.

4. Swimmer’s ear

Hack: Toynbee maneuver. Take a sip of water, pinch your nose and then swallow keeping your nose pinched. The pressure subsides immediately.

– Jake Pasdach, Jones PR

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Health

Deskercise and What You Should Do to Get on Board

Research suggests workday inactivity could detrimentally affect the long-term health of working professionals.

Research by the Mayo Clinic suggests inactivity at your desk job could be slowly killing you. Here are some insider tips to easily increase your activity around the office:

Get a stationary bike. You can score a stationary bike that fits under your desk on Amazon for as little as $26.

Stand up. Decrease your risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease by spending part of your day standing.

Take the stairs. Take advantage of a few minutes of exercise.

Go for a walk. Instead of emailing your co-worker, make the short trek down the hall to their office.

– Kelly Hughes, Jones PR

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tourism

The Skeleton Key to Summer Entertainment

The Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City houses incredible exhibits like an enormous humpback whale skeleton. (Photo courtesy of the Museum of Osteology)

The Museum of Osteology in Oklahoma City is widely known for engaging locals and tourists with its fascinating exhibits.

With over 300 skeletons from species all around the world, this museum is one of Oklahoma’s most unique places to visit. Other than a tourist attraction, it serves as a popular location for school field trips. Multiple educational programs are offered at the museum, allowing children to gain hands-on experience to learn interesting facts about skeletal structures.

The museum is open to the public daily Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., with different hours of operation on weekends.

– Christian Franklin, Jones PR

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living

Edmond’s Darci Farmer Steals America’s Heart

Twelve-year-old Darci Lynne Farmer of Edmond auditions in the season premiere of "America’s Got Talent" and advances to the live show. (Photo courtesy of NBC)

Last August, Oklahomans may remember seeing a video that went viral on Facebook of a young girl yodeling her ventriloquist act in front of classmates at a local school talent show.

Fast-forward to just last week when the season premiere of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” aired. Oklahoma’s own Darci Lynne Farmer, a 12-year-old dynamic ventriloquist from Deer Creek Elementary School, was the final audition of the night, and what an audition it was.

Darci received a standing ovation and a golden buzzer from “AGT” judge Mel B, which means Darci will advance straight to the live show.

– Kelly Arnold, APR, Jones PR

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technology

Sprint’s Family Summer Survival Guide

Use the summer months to teach your kids about safety on their mobile devices.

Now that school has ended and parents are starting to panic about what to do with the kids this summer, it is the perfect time to talk about technology responsibility with your tweens and teens.

Sprint employees can show parents how to set controls on their accounts to monitor cellphone and data usage – giving parents peace of mind!

Covering your devices with screen protectors will help shield them from messy fingers and accidental drops. Planning a family road trip? Better grab some Beats headphones for the teens. This way, they can listen to their music and you can enjoy yours!

– Taylor Ketchum, Jones PR

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Business

AARGH! Moving Beyond Crisis in Business

Only 54% of companies in a Burson-Marsteller study had a crisis plan in place, yet 80% of business leaders felt they would experience a crisis at some point.

There are dozens of examples of how *not* to react in crises. United Airlines’ recent fiasco is just one such example. The reality is that PR can help you navigate these turbulent waters and keep the ship afloat. Transparency and responses that align with company philosophy and reputation are at the foundation of crisis management.

I use the AARGH theory to maneuver through these situations: Assess, Activate Plan, Respond, Gauge Reaction, Heighten Response. It’s about telling YOUR story, telling the truth and telling it first. You have a better chance of coming away with lessons learned, rather than business lost.

– Jane Dvorak, The Colorado 100

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cars

Three Ways to Get Your Vehicle Summer Ready

Your tires will increase or decrease by 1 PSI for every 10-degree temperature change. If the air pressure isn’t just right, your tires could overheat. Now is also the perfect time to have your tires rotated, which is recommended every two seasons.

With summer months approaching, now is the time to get your vehicle ready to handle the heat. Below are three things you can do:

1. Get your AC inspected for leaks, clogs and cracked hoses. Refrigerant is the fuel for your AC unit. One leak in the system could deplete refrigerant levels and cause a malfunction.

2. Get your radiator inspected to ensure that tubes aren’t blocked and that there aren’t loose or leaking coolant hoses. A failing radiator could cause components in your vehicle to melt and produce smoke.

3. Check your tires. Hot pavement can cause tire blowouts.

– Anthony Blackman, Atlantic Tire & Service

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Health

A Little Exercise Goes a Long Way

Don’t be afraid to take the stairs. Small changes in your routine can add up over time.

It’s easy to find excuses for why we couldn’t stick to our routine workout schedule — it was too hard, too much to do and we weren’t ready.

However, what if your commitment was to simply walk 15 extra minutes a day? Walk to work, walk during a lunch break, walk the block at night. It may seem like it’s not worth it, right? Wrong!

That small amount of exercise is the exact, constant gentle pressure that is needed to keep pushing yourself. It prepares you, so when the time is right you can make those major changes down the road.

– Emily Krueger, The Boston 100

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