ionok.com DECEMBER2016/JANUARY 2017 JC Watts knows what it means to dig deep Skirvin Hilton Celebrates a Special Anniversary Jo Meacham shares "Classic Collaborations" from 2016 NextGen Under 30 2016 Award Ceremony . Lifestyle … Culture … Entertainment Nichols Hills Plaza • NW 63rd &Western 405.842.1478 rmeyersokc.com Follow us on publisher : Don Swift assistant : Joni Yeager editor : Tim Farley editiorial assistant : Darian Woolbright videographer : Jeremy Gossett director of photography : Michael Downes web site developer : Patrick Moore with Set Sail Media web site developer : Nina Jones, Data Design Inc. illustration : Rosemary Burke graphic design : Wendy Mills Advertising Sales Tina Layman Photographers Jeremy Gossett Hugh Scott, Jr. Tracy Reece Jerry Hymer Advertising Consultants Peter Preksto Contributors fashion : Linda Miller art : Joy Reed Belt people : Peggy Gandy entertainment : Heide Brandes social issues : Robbie Robertson community : Lauren Wright contributing writer : Greg Horton contributing writer : M.A. Smith contributing writer : Mindy Wood contributing writer : Julie York • Access to the best in-home WiFi experience—including hassle-free setup and support • Over 250,000 WiFi hotspots when you travel • Free Security Software protects your computer from viruses and spywar e (a $169 value) 600-7647 COX.COM/INTERNET COX SOLUTIONS STOR E® *Max download speeds are increasing to 50Mbps for Preferred and 100Mbps for Premier. 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Van Deventer 44 Opening Night: New Year’s Eve in Oklahoma City 18 BUSINESS 18 Skirvin Hotel celebrating 10th anniversary of reopening: ‘Great Lady’ has served OKC since 1911 24 CEO Funk makes major announcement: Express employees to receive $5,000 for dependent care services 46 First Liberty Bank Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Unitholders 80 Classic Collaborations: Jo Meacham guides homeowners’ ideas by Tim Farley, Photos by Michael Downes 8 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 PEOPLE 52 40 Helen Ford Wallace: The Ultimate Party Girl by M.J. Van Deventer 62 NextGen Under 30 Award Honors Mark Costello: First recipients named at 2016 awards banquet by Garland McWatters 64 Next Gen Awards 2016: Investing in the Millennial Generation is Important to Oklahoma’s Future by Don Swift 72 Psych! Trick Your Brain into Keeping New Year Resolutions TRAVEL by Mindy Ragan Wood 48 La Fonda on the Plaza: A look back in time combined with modern trends 74 Amazing Work: Jim Kinammon helps the by Sandi Davis less fortunate in the U.S. and overseas by Tim Farley 80 SPORTS 78 OKC Thunder 2016-2017 Schedule 30 HOLIDAY 58 Sensitive Santa’s Special Magic by Mindy Ragan Wood 70 Still Shopping? – Gift ideas to consider by Linda Miller DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 ionOklahoma 9 Publisher’s Note Welcome to ion Oklahoma Magazine, one of Oklahoma’s fastest growing online digital lifestyle magazines and news-entertainment website. In 2016 we have experienced a 17% growth rate when compared to the same time period in 2015. Are you one of these people who get the majority of their news and other information each month over the Internet? If so, we want you to visit www.ionok.com. Many of our ion subscribers download free each of the annual six printed editions to their computers or mobile phones and read as they get time to review. At ion Oklahoma magazine we are continuing to send over 300,000 emails monthly with certain weekly updates like photos from local events in our ion website photo gallery pages and brief videos from our ion website video diary pages. In just a short 60 months ion Oklahoma Magazine and website have attracted over 39,677 opt in ion subscribers that enjoy the feature stories and content we publish and post. On this past November 18, 2016 ion Oklahoma Magazine sponsored the sixth annual NextGen Under 30 awards ceremony. The decision was made early in 2016 to expand this award recognition program statewide and honor talented young Oklahomans in 16 different career categories. From over 1,000 nominations, 296 winners were selected by “Like” us on facebook the judges in September 2016. facebook.com/pages/ We recognize this success of ion Oklahoma Magazine could not be possible without you IonOklahoma-Online our loyal followers. Please let us hear from you with any suggestions for publishing certain stories about Oklahoma events, people or travel. Our ion Oklahoma website weekly special edition “Eye On The Weekend” has been the most popular and read during 2016. follow us on twitter @IonOklahoma Sincerely Don Swift Publisher ion Oklahoma Magazine 220 West Wilshire Ste F2 Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73116 405.607.0930 10 ionOklahoma DECEMBER 2016/JANUARY 2017 2016–20172016–2017 OCCCOCCCCC PerformingPerffoorming ArtsArts SeriesSeries Close To You: The Music of the Carpenters Koresh Dance Company Saturday, January 21 • 8:00 PM 25th Anniversary, Classic Koresh A tribute to the Carpenters complete with all their Tuesday, January 24 • 7:30 PM big hits, plus anecdotes and stories about Karen’s Koresh strives to be an artistic force by life and songs. creating innovative and emotional dance performances for audiences around the world. Carrie Newcomer - CD Release Concert Defending the Caveman Friday, January 27 • 7:30 PM Friday, February 10 • 7:30 PM Carrie Newcomer combines a rich voice with Saturday, February 11 • 1:30 PM & 7:30 PM equally rich lyrics to weave a tapestry of life A hilariously insightful play about the ways and hope. men and women relate which has both sexes roaring with laughter and recognition. Artrageous "Art & Music, Gone Wild" The U.S. Army Field Band Tuesday, March 21 • 7:30 PM Jazz Ambassadors Free Concert! Witness an artist painting a masterpiece in front Saturday, April 1 • 7:30 PM of your eyes, combined with captivating vocals, Returning to OCCC, the Jazz Ambassadors, intricate choreography and exciting music. čiÀV>½Ã } >`]ÃÌ ivwV>ÌÕÀ}L} band of the United States Army. Opus Cactus - MOMIX Dance Company Les Liaisons Dangereuses - January 15 Tuesday, April 11 • 7:30 PM Hangmen - April 23 Experience a visual journey into the mysteries The Deep Blue Sea - May 14 and hidden secrets of the Southwestern Plus desert… a spectacular blend of physical Bolshoi Ballet in Cinema: A Contemporary Evening - May 7 theatre, circus, athleticism, and comedy. All events are encore presentations pre-recorded in HD. Sundays, at 6:00 PM The Oklahoma City Community College Performing Arts Series invites you to share the gift of music and dance this Holiday Season! Great tickets are still available for all performances. To order, visit tickets.occc.eduÀV>Ì i Ý"vwVi{äxÈnÓÇxÇ° "> > ÌÞ ÕÌÞ i}iUÇÇÇÇ-°>ÞčÛiÕiU www.occc.edu/pas Cultural Programs COVER Sports, politics and life gave J.C. Watts reason to ‘Dig Deep’ Former OU quarterback faced adversity many times, but overcame all obstacles BY TIM FARLEY hether he was quarterback at the University of Oklahoma or a congressman serving the W Fourth District, J.C. Watts always knew what it meant to dig deep. Without a doubt, that’s the reason his new book “Dig Deep” holds that particular title. Watts spent 20 years in athletics, 20 years in politics and has been a youth pastor, husband, father and friend to many. With each role, Watts knew there were certain responsibilities he had to fulfill. Oftentimes, it wasn’t easy and that’s when he had to “dig deep.” Watts, now 59, has traveled around the nation affirming that “life can be messy, difficult and stinky sometimes,” he said, during a telephone interview with ionOK.com “People have to remember that every storm runs out of rain,” he said. “The sun is going to shine again but in the middle of difficulties it’s difficult to see that.” Watts seems to love using clichés and folk wisdom expressed by his father. He uses those teachings and his own wisdom when talking about the difficulties he encountered during his collegiate football career and later on the Oklahoma and national political scene. Watts began his OU career in 1979, assuming the QB role after Thomas Lott graduated and headed to the NFL.