Did you know that reading fiction and nonfiction together is good for brains young and old(er)? The wonder of a fanciful story read alongside a fact-based tale is a perfect pair. Fiction and made-up stories help kids explore with their own imagination, and facts and true stories help kids feel grounded in the real world. Kids need both to grow into big, strong readers!

Not sure how to pair up fiction and nonfiction? Try thinking of a topic your kid enjoys and search that word in the library catalog, using the catalog filters to search both fiction and nonfiction. If there’s a topic that kids enjoy, there’s probably both fiction and nonfiction about it!  If you can’t find one, ask a Children’s Associate or Librarian at your local branch, and they’ll be excited to help you find a pair of books.

Two evergreen topics that pair fiction and nonfiction well are dragons and octopuses or octopi (both are acceptable), so here are some pairs to start with for kids and their grownups:

Feeling Dragon-y? Try These!

Like rhinos for unicorns, historians believe humans first saw rare breeds of snakes and created the concept of dragons. Like unicorns, dragons are not real, but the mythology and stories around them are extensive and extraordinary.

For Kids:

Dragon World by Tamara Macfarlane is a great nonfiction introduction to how humans have created and shaped the idea of dragons in different cultures, times and even settings. (Do they live in the sky, in mountainous caves or under the sea? Yes!)

Dragons In a Bag by Zetta Elliott takes a more contemporary fictional look at what happens when a 9-year-old boy helps a next-door neighbor witch ferry three baby dragons to their new home. First in a very popular series, so if your child enjoys this one, there will be more to read.

For Adults:

Grownups can pair fiction and nonfiction, too. And it’s important for kids to see their grownups reading.

The Dragon: Fear and Power by Martin Arnold digs into specific dragon myths, “from the fire-breathing beasts of North American myth and legend to the Book of Revelation’s Great Red Dragon of Hell.” What shared meaning do all of these myths have? What is the relationship between dragons in story to the power of nature – or a recognition of our own mortality? A philosophical treat for those who like to wonder what deep needs in human psyches that dragons might fulfill.

When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Regan Barnhill

There are approximately a million (and two) novels featuring dragons, but this one has the distinct honor of being written by a Newbery Award-winning author AND by drawing both accolades and eyerolls from different folks in my (Laura’s) personal book group. It’s a feminist fable that posits an alternative history: In 1955, there was a Great Dragoning, when women became dragons, leaving behind their small worlds and families. Even those in my book group who didn’t care for the overall work did agree that it was an interesting idea with some well-written scenes.

What About Octopi? Try These!

For Kids:

Also an Octopus by Maggie Tokuda-Hall; illustrated by Benji Davies

How do you write a story with wild characters? This book explores how you create your own imaginative story.

Inky’s Amazing Escape: How a Very Smart Octopus Found His Way Home written by Sy Montgomery; illustrated by Amy Schimler-Safford

This book is a true story about an escaping octopus: How did that octopus make that escape?!

For Adults:

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

A novel with a point of view from an octopus and other interesting, intersecting characters.

The Soul of An Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery

This nonfiction title is written by the author of Inky’s Amazing Escape AND it’s referenced in Remarkably Bright Creatures’ author’s note as inspiration.

Made-up stories like Also an Octopus help spark kids’ imaginations, but so do fact-based stories like Inky’s Amazing Escape. Growing wonder and excitement in kids is one if the biggest reasons we read together! If you’re looking for more great nonfiction-fiction pairs, check out the Bookflix service on the library’s website at tulsalibrary.org/kids

Dr. Jaclyn Duvall is a native Tulsan who knew from an early age that she wanted to help people. Growing up with a mother suffering from multiple sclerosis fueled her passion for pursuing a career that could make lives better.  As you’ll learn, she pursued medicine, even securing a job offer from the prestigious Mayo Clinic – however, she turned it down to return to Tulsa. As a neurologist with a specialization in headaches, you’ll learn the difference between a headache and a migraine, as well as advice for parents who may suffer from headaches.

TK: Tell us a little about yourself:

Dr. Duvall: I was born and raised in Tulsa. It has always been my dream to come back here and open my own practice. While I was at Mayo in training, they offered me a position. As hard as it was to turn down, I know that my purpose in training at The Mayo Clinic was to be able to provide quality headache treatment to people in my hometown. I really feel that God has called me to this and am pursuing my purpose here.

TK: How did you become interested in pursuing a career in medicine?

Dr. Duvall: I have wanted to be a physician since I was about 5 years old. My mother has multiple sclerosis (MS), and I grew up administering her shots and going with her to doctor’s appointments. Even at an early age, being a physician really meant helping people like my mom.

TK: What specifically drew you to neurology and specializing in headaches?

Dr. Duvall: I fell in love with neurology during my second year of medical school in neuroanatomy. I really assumed that I would end up specializing in MS because of my mom. However, with time, I found a passion for headache, and that I could really change someone’s life with headache management – that has always been my dream in medicine.

TK: Can you share a little about your fellowship at the internationally renowned Mayo Clinic?

Dr. Duvall: When I found out I was accepted into fellowship at Mayo in Rochester, I was absolutely shocked. To have the chance to learn from the leading physicians in headache medicine was truly the opportunity of a lifetime. I am so grateful for my time at Mayo and the world-class education I received there.

TK: What type of specialized training and certifications go into this specialization?

Dr. Duvall: Unlike some other sub-specialties in neurology, like neuroimmunology or vascular neurology, there is no board certification for headache medicine. So, the closest and most prestigious certification for headache medicine is the UCNS (The United Council for Neurologic Subspecialities) examination for headache medicine. Individuals are able to take this test if they have completed a headache fellowship to recognize distinction in this field.

TK: Can you distinguish between a headache and a migraine. How common are migraines?

Dr. Duvall: “Headache” is really just an all-encompassing term for any pain involving the head. It’s not a true medical diagnosis. The two most common types of primary headaches are tension-type headache and migraine. The vast majority of headaches that bother someone are actually migraine; although individuals often think they are tension because they are commonly associated with stress, which is a major trigger for migraine, and accompanied by neck pain, which is the most common associated symptom of migraine.

Often, people think that it can only be a migraine if it’s tremendously severe, puts someone in bed and causes significant vomiting. And while that is a severe migraine, migraine is a disease spectrum, and you can even have mild head pain that meets criteria for a migraine. Often, a migraine is associated with some degree of nausea or light and sound sensitivity.

Migraine is the second most disabling disease in the world, and it affects about 40 million Americans (that’s more common than type 1 diabetes, epilepsy and asthma combined). We estimate that about 50% of people who have migraine are currently misdiagnosed.

TK: What’s your advice for parents who struggle with migraines and headaches?

Dr. Duvall: Seek treatment!  As parents, we focus on everyone else, especially our kids, before ourselves. I see so many mothers who have delayed seeking help because they focus on their kids’ appointments first. I try to remind them it’s OK to take time for themselves. You can’t pour out until you fill up!

TK: You’re a board member of the National Headache Foundation. Have you seen some new advancements in treating headaches?

Dr. Duvall: There are so many!  We now utilize Botox for chronic migraine, once-monthly migraine preventive injections, a new class of oral medications called the gepants and even nerve stimulator devices.

TK: Besides your profession as a physician, you are a mom and have a husband. Tell us a little about your family.

Dr. Duvall: While I feel so fortunate to have a job that I love, my most important job is as a mom and a wife. Tulsa is really special to us because of the community we have here, including the closeness of our extended family. I have two kiddos, Parker, age 8, and Kennedy, age 6. They are my biggest joy!

TK: What do you enjoy doing with your kids around Tulsa?

Dr. Duvall: Tulsa is really such a hidden gem of a city! It is so family friendly.  We love being outdoors – especially in the parks around town and the Gathering Place. But we also enjoy Discovery Lab, the Tulsa Zoo and biking and running on Riverside.

TK: What else would you like to share?

Dr. Duvall: I’m so thankful for the support of the Tulsa community. Medical providers have been so welcoming and appreciative of our services. Our patients have been beyond wonderful, and I’m happy to be back in my hometown.

To learn more about Dr. Duvall, check out her website: hsoo.org

Nancy A. Moore is a Public Relations Coordinator at Montreau, Adjunct Professor at Tulsa Community College, and has been writing for TulsaKids for almost 20 years.

Spring Break is upon us. For those of you who lacked the time, financial flexibility, freedom or even the desire to plan an elaborate family vacation, fear not. It’s not too late to build your own Spring Break adventure in Tulsa. Here are some ways to create some special memories, whether you only have a few hours or a few days.

Tulsa Area

Outdoor and Indoor Attractions

Plenty of city parks and local businesses plan special events or activities around spring break. The Tulsa Zoo opens its BUGS exhibit March 14. The exhibit features 19 giant, animatronic bugs and incorporates movement, scent and sound. Entry to the exhibit is the cost of zoo admission plus $6 for nonmembers or $5 for members.

The Oklahoma Aquarium in Jenks is a great place to spend the day without having to worry about the weather. Plan your visit around the feeding schedule. Or, consider booking a Sea Turtle Encounter (an additional charge) for a small group, special behind-the-scenes visit.

It goes without saying that Gathering Place is a beautiful outdoor environment to pass the time for kids of all ages. Entry to the park is free. Check the calendar for special events and performances. A skate park and basketball courts are especially attractive to older kids. Combine your visit with a stop at Discovery Lab. The space is remarkable, and while many of the exhibits are geared toward younger kids, there is a lot for everyone to enjoy.

The grounds at Philbrook Museum are stunning, and the museum’s calendar is geared towards family during the break. Make a day of it with a stop at Elote Café, the museum’s current “pop-up” café vendor for breakfast, lunch or coffee.

Hiking and Nature

Spend time outdoors at Turkey Mountain, featuring miles and miles of trails for walking and mountain biking. An incredible urban wilderness, access to this park is free. If it’s been a while since your last visit, you’ll be amazed by the improvements and expansion over the last several years. Check out the stone staircase -130 steps and more than 600 feet in length.

With a wide range of trails, Oxley Nature Center in Mohawk Park is always worth a visit. Check the calendar for special activities.

Sand Springs’ Keystone Ancient Forest is open Thursday through Sunday. Start with a quick stop at the Visitor’s Center to check out the map and choose your trail. Options range from short and sweet to longer, challenging hikes, and the setting is gorgeous.

If you didn’t grow up on a farm, but you’re fascinated by farm animals, consider a visit to Claremore’s Lucky R Ranch. Book a 30-minute session ($60 for up to four guests) to pet, brush, and take pictures with one of their Scottish Highland cows. These are big, sweet, beautiful animals, and you can feel your heart rate slowing just by being near them.

Road Trip

Natural Falls

If you have more time, head east. Natural Falls State Park on the Arkansas border features a stunning 77-foot waterfall, as well as multiple trails. Situated in the scenic Ozark Highlands region, the park was a set for several scenes from the 1974 movie, Where the Red Fern Grows. About an hour’s drive, it’s an easy, affordable day trip (entrance and parking are $10/car). There are camping options, too, and you can even overnight in a yurt!

Bentonville

Two hours from Tulsa, Bentonville, Arkansas is home to Crystal Bridges, a world-class museum sitting on 120 beautiful acres. Entrance is free, although some of the special exhibits are ticketed. If the weather is nice, park for free at the public lot adjacent to 21c Museum Hotel and follow the winding nature trail to the museum, taking in some of the outdoor exhibits along the way.

Extend your visit with a stroll through the picturesque, pedestrian-friendly downtown. Bentonville is a haven for coffee-lovers, and there are plenty of great restaurant options, too. If you’re looking for physical activity, bring along your bikes and try a leg of the expansive multi-use trail system that includes the Razorback Greenway. Stop by Phat Tire Bike Shop for some tips, or bike rentals, before you head out.

Eureka Springs

If you have a few days, a beautiful three-hour drive into Arkansas will get you to Beaver Lake. Here, you can rent a cabin with a view of the water, or pitch a tent at one of the many campsites. Depending on where you land on the lake, Eureka Springs, in all of its wonderful weirdness, is a short trip away. Stay overnight at the haunted Crescent Hotel (take a ghost tour!), hike around Lake Leatherwood or travel above the tree line at Ozark Mountain Ziplines.

Julie Wenger Watson is a freelance writer who’s worked in all aspects of music promotion. She’s also Co-Director of “Live From Cain’s,” a public radio show pilot.

Brindle is in first grade at University School. After placing well in a scholastic chess tournament in Edmond in January, the US Chess Federation notified Brindle that she was nationally ranked as one of the top 100 female chess players aged 7 and younger. The better a competitor performs in tournaments, the higher their chess rating will climb. Her mom, Heather Morrow, says she is “very kind, has a precocious sense of fairness and justice, and a very tender heart.” Brindle is also passionate about chess, Pokémon and Minecraft.

TulsaKids: When did you start playing chess? How did you get started?

Brindle:  My dad taught me how to move the pieces when I was 3. After I learned how to move the pieces, it was easy. When I was 3, I got upset a lot because he never let me win. But one day when I was 5, I beat him! I ran to tell my mom, and we got to celebrate with ice cream.

Parents: It may sound incredulous, but Brindle showed signs of analytical and complex thinking since late infancy. She became accustomed to winning/succeeding at tasks without much effort, so we knew we needed to create opportunities and an environment for her to grow emotionally and cognitively. Chess seemed like a good solution! Losing matches while also gaining skills and having fun with her family taught her sportsmanship, pushing through a challenge, and not to be overly emotionally invested in winning or losing. In short – it helped create resilience. University School has also been an incredible environment for her growth.

TulsaKids: Who do you play chess with?

Brindle: I play chess with anyone who will play with me! I play my friend Jonah online. He’s really good. I play with my chess club at University School, and I play with my sister a lot, too. I also play with my online chess club in Virginia. One time I tried to play with my cat, but he wouldn’t sit still.

TulsaKids: Was it hard to learn how to play chess? Who taught you?

Brindle: My dad taught me how to play when I was really little. One day I was at [my best friend] Emi’s house, and my dad was playing chess against her dad. I didn’t care about playing in the sprinklers anymore because I just wanted to watch the chess game. Uncle Chris (Emi’s dad) told my parents they should find a chess coach for me. They didn’t know there was such a thing as a chess coach, so they had to look it up. Then I learned moves and tactics from my coach. The first move I ever learned was called the “Rook ‘n Roll.”

TulsaKids: What is the most fun thing about playing chess?

Brindle: Everything! I like the tournaments the most because they are exciting. I get to make friends from different cities. My mom and I are going to a big tournament and festival in North Carolina. I’m excited to ride on an airplane.

Parents: I told Brindle if she earned three medals at tournaments in the fall, that I would take her to a national chess festival. I 100 percent did not anticipate having to go. Apparently, that’s great motivation for her because she practiced independently more than she ever had. Now I’m headed to North Carolina in February.

TulsaKids: Do you play in competitions? If so, do you get nervous?

Brindle: I love tournaments! I don’t get nervous at all now, but I did when I was little. I didn’t like it when my mom and dad had to leave the playing hall. But now I’m not afraid of that since I’m 6.

Parents: Brindle plays in most scholastic tournaments in Oklahoma. She had a really hard time at her first tournament when she was 5. Her very first match she was paired with an older boy who didn’t appreciate being paired with a 5-year-old, and he asked her if she even knew how to move the pieces. That hurt her feelings and shook her confidence, and it made us wonder if she was too young. We were encouraged to keep going by other, more seasoned parents, so we used that moment with Brindle to come up with ideas about how she would treat younger children when she was the big kid.

She does her best every time and has fun, win or lose. When she’s walking back from a match, we can’t tell if she has won or lost because she carries herself the same either way. She also did a summer chess camp called “Accepting and Learning from Losses.” We have found that there are really nice parallels between chess (or any competitive activity) and life – great little nuggets for teaching. She does like winning medals and trophies though.

TulsaKids: You’re on a list of top chess players for your age. How does that make you feel?

Brindle: It makes me excited!

TulsaKids: How often do you play chess? Does it take a lot of practice to be good?

Brindle: If you want to win a lot, you do need to practice. Sometimes practicing isn’t fun, especially Tactics Tuesday. But I know if I want to win, I should practice. The fun practice is puzzles and puzzle duels against another kid. I play a little bit every day. Sometimes it’s a lot of games, and sometimes it’s just like one little puzzle. And sometimes I just like to play Minecraft or video games.

Parents: We do encourage her to play a little each day, but we don’t want to make it a chore. We try to weave it in naturally, like listening to a video lesson together in the car or playing puzzles while waiting in line at the grocery store. We don’t want chess to become a burden for her – we want it to be a joy.

TulsaKids: What would you tell other kids who might want to learn to play chess? How can they get started?

Brindle: First, just learn how the pieces move. It’s A LOT easier after that. You can ask a grown up, and you can watch free videos online too. Funmaster Mike on ChessKid is soooooooooooo funny.

TulsaKids: What other things to you like to do besides play chess?

Brindle: I love playing video games like Minecraft, Pokémon and Princess Peach. I play the piano and play the guitar at School of Rock. I loooove movies, and right now my favorite is Hercules. He’s so handsome. I also like “Knock Knock” jokes.

TulsaKids: Do you have a special fun fact about you that you’d like to share?

Brindle: I got a new cat this year. We found him in a tree in a cemetery! His name is Poe.

 Betty Casey is the associate publisher and editor in chief of TulsaKids Magazine. She has been with TulsaKids over 20 years. 

Celebrity Attractions’ 41^st Broadway Season is the biggest Tulsa Broadway Season to date. With seven shows running for a total of 10 weeks, it’s generating more than 1.21 gigawatts of pure entertainment power! From the Moulin Rouge to the land of OZ – audiences will travel around the globe and across time with MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL, MJ – The Musical, MRS. DOUBTFIRE – The New Comedy Musical, LES MISÉRABLES, CLUE, BACK TO THE FUTURE the Musical, and WICKED.

Season subscribers will be able to renew beginning in March. New season tickets will be available for purchase in May, with a special priority window of time available first to registered email members.  Individuals interested in more information on season tickets are invited to register their email at CelebrityAttractions.com/Tulsa and follow Celebrity Attractions on their social channels listed at the bottom of this release.

MOULIN ROUGE! THE MUSICAL

August 6 – 18, 2024

Pop the champagne, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is the winner of 10 Tony Awards® — including Best Musical!

Enter a world of splendor and romance, of eye-popping excess, of glitz, grandeur, and glory! A world where Bohemians and aristocrats rub elbows and revel in electrifying enchantment. Welcome to Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Baz Luhrmann’s revolutionary film comes to life onstage, remixed in a new musical mash-up extravaganza. Directed by Tony Award®-winner Alex Timbers, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is a theatrical celebration of Truth, Beauty, Freedom, and — above all — Love. With a book by Tony Award®-winner John Logan; music supervision, orchestrations, and arrangements by Tony Award®-winner Justin Levine; and choreography by Tony Award®-winner Sonya Tayeh, Moulin Rouge! is more than a musical — it is a state of mind.

MJ – The Musical

October 15 – 20, 2024

He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry comes to Tulsa as MJ, the multi–Tony Award®-winning new musical centered around the making of the 1992 Dangerous World Tour, begins a tour of its own. Created by Tony Award®-winning Director/Choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Michael Jackson into legendary status. MJ is startin’ somethin’ this October in Tulsa.

MRS. DOUBTFIRE

November 12 – 17, 2024

A new musical comedy about the things we do to stay together.

Everyone’s favorite Scottish nanny is headed to Tulsa! Rob McClure will reprise his Tony-nominated Broadway performance on tour alongside co-star (and real wife!) Maggie Lakis in this internationally acclaimed hit musical critics call “wonderful, heart-warming, and laugh-out-loud funny” (Manchester Evening News) and “a feel-good, family-friendly comedy that delivers” (The Hollywood Reporter). Based on the beloved film and directed by four-time Tony Award®-winner Jerry Zaks, MRS. DOUBTFIRE tells the hysterical and heartfelt story of an out-of-work actor who will do anything for his kids. It’s “the lovable, big-hearted musical comedy we need right now,” raves the Chicago Tribune – one that proves we’re better together.

LES MISÉRABLES

January 21 – 26, 2025

STILL THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR MUSICAL

Cameron Mackintosh presents the acclaimed production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s Tony Award®-winning musical phenomenon, LES MISÉRABLES.

This brilliant staging has taken the world by storm and has been hailed as “Les Mis for the 21^st Century” (Huffington Post), “a reborn dream of a production” (Daily Telegraph) and “one of the greatest musicals ever created” (Chicago Tribune).

Set against the backdrop of 19^th century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an enthralling story of broken dreams and unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption – a timeless testament to the survival of the human spirit. This epic and uplifting story has become one of the most celebrated musicals in theatrical history.

The magnificent score of LES MISÉRABLES includes the songs “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” “Bring Him Home,” “One Day More,” “Master of the House” and many more.  Seen by over 130 million people worldwide in 53 countries, 438 cities and 22 languages, LES MISÉRABLES is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.

CLUE

February 11 – 16, 2025

A mansion. A murder. A mystery.

Murder and blackmail are on the menu when six mysterious guests assemble at Boddy Manor for a night they’ll never forget! Was it Mrs. Peacock in the study with the knife? Or was it Colonel Mustard in the library with the wrench? Based on the fan-favorite 1985 Paramount Pictures movie and inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, CLUE is the ultimate whodunit that will leave you dying of laughter and keep you guessing until the final twist.

BACK TO THE FUTURE – The Musical

April 15 – 20, 2025

Great Scott! BACK TO THE FUTURE, the beloved, cinematic classic is now a Broadway musical with its destination set for Tulsa in 2025.

Winner of the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical, BACK TO THE FUTURE is adapted for the stage by the iconic film’s creators Bob Gale (Back to the Future trilogy) and Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump) and directed by the Tony Award®-winner John Rando with original music by multi-Grammy®-winners Alan Silvestri (Avengers: Endgame) and Glen Ballard (Michael Jackson’s “Man in the Mirror”), alongside hit songs from the movie including “The Power of Love,” “Johnny B. Goode,” “Earth Angel,” and “Back in Time.”

When Marty McFly finds himself transported back to 1955 in a time machine built by the eccentric scientist Doc Brown, he accidentally changes the course of history. Now he’s in a race against time to fix the present, escape the past, and send himself… back to the future. When BACK TO THE FUTURE hits 88mph, it’ll change musical theatre history forever.

WICKED

May 28 – Jun 15, 2025

So much happened before Dorothy dropped in.

WICKED, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle.  Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.”

From the first electrifying note to the final breathtaking moment, WICKED —the untold true story of the Witches of Oz—transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story. “If every musical had the brains, heart and courage of WICKED, Broadway really would be a magical place” (Time Magazine).

Tickets and Additional Information

For the best seats to Celebrity Attractions’ 41st Broadway Season at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center, become a Broadway Season Subscriber. Season Subscriber benefits include many advantages: the best seats at the lowest prices, the same great seats for every show, the ability to buy additional tickets to individual shows before the public, the option to exchange show tickets to another performance before the public on sale and the opportunity to purchase tickets to any special add-on productions before the general public.

Ticket buyers are reminded that for Celebrity Attractions’ productions, the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office and Celebrity Attractions are the only official retail ticket outlets and the only way to guarantee that you are paying face value for legitimate tickets for all performances at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Ticket buyers who purchase tickets from a ticket broker or any third party should also be aware that the Tulsa PAC Ticket Office and Celebrity Attractions are unable to reprint or replace lost or stolen tickets and are unable to contact patrons with information regarding time changes or other pertinent updates regarding the performance.

Get social with Celebrity Attractions by becoming a fan on Facebook.com/BwayTULSA. Follow us at Twitter.com/BwayTULSA and Instagram.com/BwayTULSA. Join in the conversation by using #BwayTULSA.

We are very pleased to have KOTV-News on 6 and Tulsa World as our season sponsors for this new Broadway season.

Several years ago, a friend said that he felt unsafe living in Tulsa as a transgender person. At the time, I thought maybe he was exaggerating because I simply could not understand why anyone else would possibly care. Color me naïve and call me Pollyanna, as I’ve sadly become all too aware that my friend was not overstating the danger. It has become painfully apparent that there is a level of hatred towards the LBGTQ community that is toxic and, in some cases, fatal. The recent death of Nex Benedict is the result of that hatred.

There are still many unanswered questions in the case of Nex’s death, but there are some facts we know. Nex Benedict identified as nonbinary and had previously reported bullying targeted at their gender identity. On February 7, Nex was severely beaten by three other students in the bathroom at Owasso High School. No ambulances were called; they were sent home on the school bus. The next day, Nex died at the hospital. An investigation by the Owasso Police is currently underway.

We know Nex was targeted because of gender identity. Maybe I’m slow to understand, but someone please explain to me why there is such hatred for people who are gay, transgender, or nonbinary. I have to believe that hate is rooted in fear and ignorance. How does someone being nonbinary, gay, or transgender threaten someone else? No one is being asked to change their beliefs or religion. All that is asked is that you allow others to make their decisions about their body. If it affronts your religious beliefs, let your God deal with it on judgment day. Be kind and mind your own business.

Unfortunately, in Oklahoma, the hatred toward the LBGTQ community begins with leadership. It’s become accepted to promote an atmosphere of exclusion. Ryan Walters, the State’s Superintendent of Education, is a vocal opponent of allowing students to use the restroom that correlates with their gender identity. He called it a “woke agenda” and supported Senate Bill 615, which limited students to using the restroom that correlates with the sex on their birth certificate. That bill became law, even though it contradicts Title IX. Stitt and Walters have teamed up to promote other bills discriminating against the LBGTQ community, thereby creating an atmosphere of non-acceptance.

Nex was a child who deserved to live to be an adult. Their life was cut short by hatred and ignorance, by bullying and violence. Nothing can justify that. Justice must be done, and those who beat Nex must face punishment. If school authorities didn’t follow through properly, they must answer for their failures. There are still too many questions and not enough answers.

There is no answer that will bring Nex back, but we must change our atmosphere of hatred so that another child isn’t the victim of hatred and violence. Nex didn’t deserve this fate. Our schools, our cities, and our state need to be places of love and acceptance. Our children’s very lives depend on it.

[Editor’s note: Originally, we shared information about a vigil happening in Owasso on Sunday evening, Feb. 25. It has since been brought to our attention that this vigil is primarily for the Owasso community and people who knew Nex. However, there is a community vigil happening on Sunday, Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m. at Guthrie Green. Details about that can be found at facebook.com/events/281481858123248/]

If you need support or know someone who does, contact The Trevor Project. The Trevor Project is a suicide prevention and crisis intervention non-profit organization for LBGTQ youth. There is information and support available 24/7. Call 1-866-488-7386 or text 678-678

We are inching closer to March, which is National Reading Month, a time dedicated to promoting the joys and benefits of reading across all ages. Now is the perfect time to start planning ways to engage your child in reading during this celebratory month. Don’t have a kiddo that likes to read? Perhaps this is a great time to open the window to a whole new world. 

Here are some ideas to get kids reading and keep them engaged.

1. Create a special space just for reading.

Make it cozy and allow your kid to select favorite things, like a blanket, to keep in the space. A quiet area is ideal. This could be a chair or loveseat. It could even be a pop-up tent, which is one of the places my daughter would flip through pages of books even before she could read. When the weather is nice, outdoor options are also wonderful. Older kids can benefit from space away from distractions (like games and social media) while reading, so a space where devices are removed might be a good option.

2. Follow up books with movie or show adaptations, if available.

I’ve found that a good number of books my daughter has read have been adapted into movies or short series. Once she reads a book, we enjoy watching the screen version and comparing it to the book. We talk about parts that were excluded or added in the version we are watching, which leads to some pretty interesting discussions!

3. Allow kids to select a book from the library or local bookstore.

Online shopping can be convenient, but going in-person to choose a book is empowering. This allows children to see the variety of genres and topics and find something that speaks to them. It also allows the parent or caregiver to ask advice of employees regarding selections. There are some great  independent bookstores in and around Tulsa such as Magic City Books and Fulton Street Books & Coffee. If your local independent bookstore doesn’t have what you are looking for, they might be able to order it, so ask!

4. Set aside a special time for reading.

Make it a normal part of the schedule and make it fun. My daughter is allowed to stay up 30-45 minutes after she has gotten ready for bed to read independently. This has become her special reading time and one she looks forward to. I’ve encouraged her to circle any words she is uncertain of with a pencil and ask me about them in the morning. I want to make sure she understands what she is reading.

Isabelle has quite an array of books — from chapter books she reads now, to books from when she was younger that she still cherishes and reads from time to time.

5. Check out book-themed events and reading challenges.

Look online and talk to others. You are likely to find various events going on throughout the year. The Tulsa City-County Library is a great resource. Local stores also host reading events. You can find virtual events not specific to our area as well if your child is interested in a certain genre or author.

6. Give older kids the opportunity to listen to audiobooks.

While I think reading words is important, absorbing a story through listening is great as well. Older kids likely have more opportunities (and the concentration) to do this while on road trips, exercising, or unwinding from a busy day. While I don’t think audiobooks should be a total replacement, I do believe there can be a happy medium in mixing both. I personally enjoy audiobooks when I’m in the car. 

7. Read together.

Reading with your child or as a family can be an always thing —  for any age! I know families who read parts of a book aloud so everyone is (literally) on the same page. It can also help children, whether young or teens, who struggle with reading. Positive reading reinforcement in a comfortable family setting can work wonders but takes commitment.

Why read when there are so many other activities tugging at your child’s (and your) schedule? Here are just a few reasons why kids (and adults) should keep a book in hand.

• Reading  improves concentration, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. 
• Reading enhances empathy, allowing readers to experience the world from diverse perspectives. 
• Reading unleashes creativity and the power of imagination!

Books have the power to entertain, educate, and inspire. It is never too early to start reading to your child because they are absorbing all of it. It is also never too late to develop a love for reading. 

In an upcoming post, I’ll share book series that have captured my kids’ imaginations. Happy reading! 

Betty Casey was editor of TulsaKids Magazine for almost 30 years. During that time, she won multiple Parenting Media Association Awards and was also honored with several Great Plains Journalism awards.

She is the author/illustrator of three children’s books: May Finds Her Way, That Is A Hat and The Prince of the Prairie” (The RoadRunner Press).

Betty and her husband, Wes, have three adult children. They enjoy running and live in Tulsa with their rescued labradoodle, Sandy.

There’s been a lot of shouting about banning books and censoring teachers and librarians who are just trying their best to do their jobs. Groups like Moms for Liberty are hellbent on promoting ignorance by deciding which books they think are appropriate for your kids or my kids to read. Which begs the question: Have the Moms for Liberty ever used a smart phone or computer? We all have access to all kinds of reading material 24/7. And, banning anything only makes teens want it more, so banned books reading groups are popping up everywhere. Rather than getting all riled up about nothing, what if we saw school libraries for what they are – safe spaces for kids, places where librarians partner with teachers to support their lessons, places to create community and, above all, places to read and learn. Those are the values that Sheridan school district in Colorado focused on when they revived their closed high school library.

In an article in Chalkbeat, reporter Yesenia Robles describes how the outgoing Sheridan district superintendent, Pat Sandos, put funding for librarians into a mill levy tax request. Sandos is quoted as saying that he couldn’t believe the high school didn’t have a library. “It’s the hub of the school. So much goes on there.” What a refreshing take on school libraries. At a time when so many school libraries are closing, or their spaces are being made into technology hubs or learning recovery centers, Superintendent Sandos articulated the importance of libraries for students.

The Sheridan school library has exceeded expectations and continues to grow with community support. Not only does the digital teacher librarian, Jenn Alevy, partner with teachers to find books that will support their lesson plans, she encourages students to read and has been ordering more books as well as working on a “three-year plan to create more integration between technology and learning.”

The library has a puzzle table and a table to play games. Students hang out during free periods and lunch. English and Spanish books are shelved side-by-side to encourage students to read both versions. The library brings students together.

Alevy started a new elective class called Introduction to Literature. Students pick the books they’ll read for the semester,  write about them and promote them in the library. She found that students prefer paper books to digital books, so she is growing the library’s book collection, which currently has 1,500 books.

I have fond memories of my high school library. My honors English class required that we read several books by the same author for our final literary analysis paper. I met with friends for discussion and study groups in the library. Student council met in the library.

At my kids’ elementary school, I led a before-school Great Books discussion group. The kids showed up early in the morning to meet in the library and discuss the extra reading they had done for the group. We had some amazing discussions. These little upper-elementary school kids had a lot to say, and they loved having the safe space to talk about how the literature we were reading related to them – to their lives. It gave them new understanding of people who might be different from them. It gave them insight into themselves. It made them think and analyze. It opened new worlds. That’s what reading can do. And that just doesn’t happen by reading an excerpt or a paragraph from a book on a computer and then answering multiple-choice questions.

Like many parents who want their kids to love to read, I’ve been feeling discouraged when I see book bans and school librarians being vilified. Books are not evil. Reading is fun. We should all take note of how Sheridan High School transformed an empty, closed library into what a high school library can be and has always been – a safe place for students to learn, to read and to create community. It worked for them.

What are your thoughts and memories of school libraries?

Today is Valentine’s Day, a day to celebrate love. The age-old rhyme about love goes something like this, “Joe and Susie sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g, first comes love, then comes marriage, then comes Susie with a baby carriage.” But what if Joe and Susie are financially penalized for getting married? Couples with disabilities are confronted with the difficult decision of choosing between love and money.

People who receive Supplemental Security Income take a 25% cut if they marry. The maximum federal benefit for SSI is $943 in 2024. If two people receiving SSI benefits marry, they will jointly receive $1,415 instead of $1,886. No one ever accused me of being a math scholar, but that is a decrease of $471 a month if both people had been receiving the maximum amount. Facing that significant reduction in funds may force a couple to forego marriage.

The idea behind the decrease in monthly benefits for married couples is the theory that two people can live cheaper than one. That theory doesn’t hold true for people with disabilities. It does not take into account the complicated healthcare issues some people with disabilities experience. With the current rules, some people might lose Medicaid if they marry. For example, if a person with intellectual disabilities who is receiving SSI benefits marries someone who is not on SSI, they could face a loss of Medicaid benefits depending on the spouse’s income and assets. Medicaid is essential for people with intellectual disabilities. Medicaid covers services not covered by other health insurance plans, such as a personal care aid, certain durable medical equipment, medications, and transportation to medical appointments.

Choosing marriage despite the loss of benefits can be dangerous for those who depend on Medicaid for life-sustaining services. According to Robyn Powell, an associate professor of law at the University of Oklahoma, “There’s no rule or law that explicitly says disabled people can’t get married, but there are marriage penalties baked into existing benefit programs related to income. These rules prohibit people with disabilities from marrying not explicitly, but implicitly because they would no longer be eligible for benefits.”

The presence of intellectual disabilities does not prohibit the inherent right of a person to seek loving and fulfilling relationships. This might include romance, physical intimacy, and marriage. It might be heterosexual or homosexual relationships and marriages. Punishing those who choose marriage forces some into hiding their relationship.

People with intellectual disabilities have the legal right to marry. However, there is a societal stigma that causes some to be skeptical of people with disabilities exercising their right to marriage. There is a tendency to infantilize people with intellectual disabilities, to assume they are forever children and are asexual. Parents may have difficulties accepting that their adult children have the desire for romantic and physical intimacy. Some of the denial is out of a sense of protecting their adult child, and some of it is fear-based. They are allowed to get dressed up and go to Night to Shine once a year and be paired with “dates” for the night, but heaven forbid they have romance, sex (clutch the pearls), and marriage. It’s much easier to pretend people with intellectual disabilities don’t have the same desires and rights.

Even when those societal barriers are broken, the financial impact of marriage remains. The rules that financially penalize a person with disabilities if they marry are outdated. They originated in an era when people with disabilities were not expected to marry or have families. The assumption that people with disabilities won’t marry is an archaic idea that needs to be put in the past.

A bipartisan bill was recently introduced that would eliminate the marriage penalty. The legislation would require that a spouse’s income and resources and a person’s marriage status be disregarded when determining SSI eligibility for those with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Hopefully, justice will be done, and couples will no longer have to choose between love and money! If the bill passes, Joe and Susie can climb down from that kissing tree and apply for a marriage license!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, our family has found true love — I mean “moo” love — in the miniature Highland cows at High On A Hill Dairy Goats. Located just 30 miles from Tulsa in Kellyville, the farm is a piece of heaven on 25 acres. They primarily raise dairy goats, but also have Kunekune pigs, chickens, and now, the most adorable cows on the planet. The farm is also well known for hosting goat yoga, which they offer on Saturday or for private groups by appointment.

Photo courtesy High on a Hill

In fall 2023, farm owner Leah got her first two micro miniature Highland cows after being on a waitlist for two and a half years! Leah told me that she didn’t even get off of the original waitlist, but ended up getting her cow crew from other locations in multiple states instead. Now there are three of them. Two are micro mini cows and the other a mini cow. Their names are Willie, Winnie, and Whimsy. The micro minis, Willie and Winnie, will be 3 feet tall when fully grown. All enjoy being brushed and having their chins scratched. Our family fell in love with their gentle demeanor and sweet faces. 

It was easy to understand why anyone would want to take a short drive to the farm for one of these “Cow Cuddling” sessions. It was very therapeutic. Based on the adorableness factor alone, our family could understand why the waitlist for these beautiful, docile animals was so long, but there is more to the Highland mini cow than their good looks. 

What’s so special about the Highland mini cow or micro mini cow?

• They are suitable for smaller farms or properties.
• Their reduced size means they require less pasture and are easier to manage. 
• Due to their grazing being less impactful on the land, they are a great option for people interested in sustainable and eco-friendly farming practices. 
• Mini Highland cows are known for excellent temperament and trainability making them excellent companions. 

We also made goat friends with Ana, Elsa, and Lilo. We were told there was a Stitch, but he was dirty at the moment, which seemed fitting for the name! The goats were fun and talkative while we were there. If you don’t think you’re a goat person, try spending time with Nigerian dwarf goats, and I bet you’ll change your mind! They were darling.

The kids and the kids (goats) – pun intended!

Owning and maintaining farm animals is a major commitment of time, energy, and financial resources. It’s a good thing there are some wonderful farms to visit nearby where you can relax, unwind and make new furry friends without buying one yourself! Leave it to professionals like High On A Hill Dairy Goats for your goat cuddling, goat yoga, and cow cuddling needs. 

Peter brushing a cow

You can reserve an appointment online on their website.

A year ago this week, we moved to the same neighborhood as our grandchildren. It was all part of our long-term plan to buy a house that would make it easier to “age in place.” We had many requirements when choosing a new home, but the main priority was to be within the same square mile as our daughter and her family. When a house came on the market two blocks from them, was one story, and had room for a pool, we knew we’d found “the one!” Now that we’ve been living within walking distance of our grandchildren for a year, I will answer the question of whether it’s possible to live too close to your grandchildren.

The process of downsizing and moving closer to our grandchildren began two years ago. Looking back on it, I am so glad I didn’t know how difficult getting to this point would be. I’m afraid I would have balked at the enormity of the project and stayed where I was. That would have been a mistake. We were in a house that was perfect when we were young and raising children but had become burdensome as we were aging. We had filled up all the spaces with “stuff” that was no longer needed but was hard to eliminate. I’m almost embarrassed with the amount of junk we had to give away or trash, but we did it and haven’t missed anything.

We essentially bought the location, and it happened to have a house on the lot. It was a very old house, built the same year I was born, so it had some aging issues, but we do also, so we’re in sync. It met our most important requirement of a close walk to see our grandkids. The bonus has been that we love our neighborhood and all of our neighbors. It feels like a community, a throwback to my own childhood when neighbors chatted over the fence and occasionally borrowed a cup of sugar. My grandson’s best friend lives across the street from me, and sometimes, I hear my grandson’s voice coming from the neighbor’s yard. More times than I can count, I have been washing dishes, looking out the kitchen window, and have seen my daughter or her husband walking the dogs down the street. Last summer, I heard a knock on my front door and a soft voice saying, “Grandmom, can I come in and have a cookie?” Those casual, unplanned moments assure me we made the right decision.

We didn’t live that far away before, but being so close makes everything easier. Favorite stuffed animals are forgotten at our house, or one of us needs to borrow a last-minute ingredient for dinner? It’s no problem to run something right over. The parents are going grocery shopping, and one of the kids doesn’t want to go? Just drop them off on the way. We had a pool built in our backyard, guaranteeing even more visits from our kids and grandkids this summer.

After living close to our grandkids for a year, I have some tips if you’re considering a similar move.

1. Communicate

Before you set the wheels in motion for a move, talk to your child and their partner. Propose the idea and then give them some time to discuss it privately. It may take them some time to weigh the pros and cons. I think your child’s partner, in our case, our son-in-law, gets an extra vote. It’s one thing to have your parents live close by, and it’s another to have your in-laws as part of your daily life. We assured our daughter and her husband that there would be no hard feelings if they vetoed the idea of us being neighbors. We were lucky that we had a close relationship with our son-in-law and maybe even more fortunate that he grew up with his grandmother on the next block. He thinks it is normal for kids to see their grandparents every day, so he enthusiastically gave us the green light.

2. Boundaries

Most families need a few boundaries, such as calling or texting before coming over. We are more casual than that, and we’re okay with drop-ins. I read about one set of grandparents who live next door to their grandkids, and they use a flag system. If the grandkids are welcome to drop in, the green flag is up. I don’t need a flag system, but I do have other boundaries and have voiced them. A few times, maybe more than a few times, I have bluntly (but nicely) said that it was time for my daughter and her family to go home. I have a chaos limit that hovers around three hours, depending on the time of the day and the sugar intake of the children. If it’s after 9 p.m., it’s time for me to be in bed with a good book.

3. Communicate

I know I already said this, but it’s so vital that it deserves repeating. It is essential to discuss what your role will be as a neighbor and grandparent. How involved do you want to be, and how much babysitting are you willing to do? Childcare could become a sticky issue when you are neighbors. My family knows I’m not up for full-time child care, but I like babysitting for two or three hours. Being so close means I am available for a school pick-up or drop-off or a ride to an activity. I love those opportunities. Communicate your preferred grandparenting role and your limits.

4. Expectations

This overlaps with communicating and boundaries, but it’s a bit more nebulous. If the two families aren’t on the same page with expectations, it can lead to disappointments. If you’re expecting daily involvement and your adult kids are happy with a weekly visit, there is going to be frustration and disappointment. Do you have a shared vision of what you want from a multigenerational family relationship? It’s vitally important to go into being neighbors with similar views.

5. Time will change the relationship

We are in the stage when the grandkids are young, and they think coming to our house is great fun. Although my six-year-old grandson likes to say he will still be coming for Saturday night sleepovers when he’s a teenager, we know his priorities will change. They should. Right now, my husband and I are in our 60s, and we’re healthy and independent. That may change in the next twenty years, and we may need our adult kids and grandkids to assist us in some ways. We’re our own little village.

6. Cookies

You will need to keep the cookie jar full for those precious moments when there’s a knock on your door and a little voice says, “Grandmom, can I have a cookie?”

Is it possible to live too close to your grandchildren? I’m sure the answer is yes for some families. But after a year, our answer would be an enthusiastic no. Two blocks may be too far away for us. In fact, I’m wondering if we can convince our daughter and her husband to move next door when a house comes on the market!

In my last blog, I talked about bonding moments between a father and his son. I took my son Atticus to the Dallas Cowboys/Green Bay Packers football game at AT&T stadium. And today’s blog, I’m going to talk about bonding moments with my 10-year-old daughter, Angel.

Let’s Go, Oilers!

That’s not exactly a phrase I’ve heard my daughter say very often. I have taken both my kids to Oilers games numerous times over the years, but it isn’t so much because they are big Oilers fans as I am. I like to expose my kids to lots of different fun things that Tulsa has to offer, and Tulsa Oilers hockey is definitely a reason why Tulsa Rocks!

They have been having record crowds at BOK Center, so when my daughter asked if her friend, Izzy, can spend the night, I thought this would be an exciting thing to do.

So, I said “Sure! Let’s take her to an Oilers game!”

Angel said, “Um, Dad, she doesn’t like basketball.”

To which I quipped, “Great! Because it’s hockey!”

So instead of the girls being stuck in our house on their phones all night, they were stuck at a hockey game on their phones. 

Have you ever been to an Oilers hockey game? If not, I highly advise doing so. The tickets are cheap, and even if you don’t know anything about hockey, it’s almost like a rock concert on ice skates.

The game begins with the lights all turned off except the spotlights on the ice. The announcer is hyping up the crowd, loud music playing, the ice girls cheering on the crowd and team, and the fans are on their feet, cheering and banging cowbells!

Once the game starts, it’s fast-paced, and the sound of the puck slapping against the wooden sticks and bodies slamming against the boards is wild. Not to mention, as I’ve told my kids, this is one of the times you can use your outside voice, inside! So yell and scream, “Let’s go, Oilers!” all you want!

I’m not sure we have ever stayed for a whole game. We usually end up leaving in the 3rd period. That’s with my kids; when I go to an Oilers game with my beer-drinking buddies, we usually stay for the whole game.

Sadly, the Oilers lost that night, although I think we all won because we had fun, and the girls got out of the house for a few hours, which made going back home even that more cozy.

There’s nothing like Daddy Daughter Time. 

Welcome to our list of places kids can eat free in Tulsa! We update this page fairly regularly, but please call ahead to make sure the deals are ongoing. If you know of a great “Kids Eat Free” deal in Tulsa that’s not on the list, feel free to email details to tara.rittler@gmail.com. Thank you!

Big Whiskey’s

4523 E. 51st St.
Deal: Kids eat free on Tuesdays with purchase of adult entree purchased 5-9 p.m., dine-in only. 

El Chico

Gaetano’s Pizzeria & Creamery

HuHot Mongolian Grill

Louie’s Grill and Bar

6310 E. 101st St.
Deal: Kids eat free every Wednesday with purchase of an adult entree. 

MAD Eats

201 S. Main St. Suite #130, Owasso
Deal: Kids eat free on Mondays from 5-8 p.m., with purchase of adult entree. 

Peppers Grill

Ted’s Cafe

The Chowhouse

18 E. Reconciliation Way, Tulsa
Deal: Kids eat free every Wednesday, 5-close, with purchase of adult entree and drink!

Village Inn

On February 2, I was laying in bed drifting off to sleep when the slight rumble of the 5.1 Oklahoma earthquake had me springing to my feet. The kids slept right through it, though I’m told plenty of people in the area woke up because of the late-night surprise quake. The irony for us was that we had just visited the Jenks Planetarium the day prior to see a show about earthquakes! 

Have you visited the Jenks Planetarium? It is an impressive facility! We built the perfect weekday family date-night around our visit there. We started our evening at Rustic Gate Creamery on Jenks Main Street. The ice cream is amazing, the merchandise is wonderful, and they even have an area in the back where you can hang out and catch a show or movie. Rustic Gate Creamery is just a short walk from Jenks High School. 

The planetarium is located in Jenks Public Schools Mathematics and Science Center. The next time you drive by, you’ll notice it at the top of the building if you haven’t already. It is a state-of-the art facility that was built in 2010 and has been meticulously cared for. There is an impressive lineup of shows spanning this winter into the spring, but we chose Earthquake: Evidence of a Restless Planet (again, ironic). The visuals were outstanding, and we all learned so much. After the show, they showed a night sky map. We will definitely go back soon!

Inside the Jenks High School Mathematics and Science Center

Excited to learn more, I asked Dan Zielinksi, Jenks Public School Planetarium Director, a few questions about the Jenks Planetarium and his position there. 

How did you get your position with the Jenks Public School Planetarium?

When the planetarium was built in 2010, I was working in a planetarium in Philadelphia. Jenks Public Schools reached out to me and asked if I’d be interested in directing their new planetarium.  After a phone interview and then an in-person interview and tour, I was hired and moved to Tulsa for the job!

How did you get into planetariums to begin with?

I was in a freshman-level astronomy course in college, and it was held in a planetarium.  I not only enjoyed the science, but also loved the simulation provided by the planetarium.  The professor saw my interest in both and offered me a job as a TA of sorts.  I worked four years under my professor in both the planetarium and observatory.  I did my student teaching also in a planetarium and then became the director of my first planetarium right after college.

What types of programs do you all run throughout the year?

Jenks Planetarium runs public shows every Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m.  We also host a matinee showing at 11 a.m. and an evening showing with a rooftop telescope stargaze afterwards at 8 p.m. one Saturday a month.

Other than public shows, Jenks Planetarium is a community planetarium and serves all school districts in the area.  This includes Bixby, Union, Glenpool, Broken Arrow and many of the local private, charter and home schools.

What other fun facts should people know about Jenks Planetarium?

Jenks Planetarium is a production facility in that we make our own planetarium shows.  Each year, under my direction, high school students narrate the show.  Students compose the music for the show.  Students provide supplemental art or design the logo for the show.  We even have some that program the automations.  We are proud that our students create great shows and that our shows can be seen in 20+ planetariums nationwide!

The Jenks Planetarium hosts groups such as schools, scouts, birthday parties, and business meetings as well. Contact Dan at 918-299-4415, ext. 3307 or email him at dan.zielinski@jenksps.org for details or to schedule an event.

Finding ways to while away the hours during the waning winter weeks was always a chore when my kids were little, but I managed to dream up some pretty fun ideas to keep everyone entertained — wild things like tent camping in our own living room or building the ultimate pillow and blanket fort. When you’re parenting teenagers, I think it’s easy to get into the habit of letting everyone drift into their own bedroom. But keeping your family engaged by spending time together makes kids feel loved and accepted and — let’s be honest here — helps keep them out of shady Discord groups and other various hijinks most parents of teens don’t want their kids getting up to. 

Even if the idea of a tabletop game makes your kid groan initially or they have to pretend like they’re too cool for it, most teens really enjoy playing games. Give them a deck of Uno, and they’ll be entertained for a fairly decent time frame, if not hours. My theory is that they love being competitive anyway, and playing a family game gives them a chance to be snarky and on somewhat equal footing with their adults, effectively preparing them for a future where they one day will be. 

Lucy came up with a perfect cold-weather activity — a game night-themed watch party. And since we have a pretty well-stocked game closet, I told her this sounded like a great idea. After disappearing for a moment, she breezed back into the room with a stack of three Clue boxes. There was the standard Clue game, a Simpsons-themed Clue, and a Supernatural-themed Clue — after a quick vote, we settled on the Simpsons. 

I love playing board games with my family because no one has a poker face and everyone is the worst kind of competitive, so things get pretty wild and silly fast. After a fairly long and energetic game in which Lucy was the winner, we sat down to watch the film Clue starring Tim Burton, following it up with the Psych “Clue” homage episode “100 Clues,” which, like the 1985 film, has multiple endings. The kids had a blast picking out references to the film like the actors, the chandelier, and that hilarious improvised quote about flames. 

The evening was such a hit I thought it might be fun to put together a game-themed watch party so we can do it again. In the past, I’ve had a blast coming up with food to match game nights, so I thought I would do something similar here but make the whole thing revolve around a tabletop game. 

I’m including our Clue-themed game night with a list of suggested snacks. I’m adding a few viewing options to choose from, depending on your kids’ or teens’ age and what you feel is appropriate (some are more “Mature” than others). Here’s what I came up with:

1. Clue Party

Game: Clue

Viewing ideas: Clue, Psych’s “100 Clues,” Knives Out

Meal/snack ideas: In the film Clue, guests are served Shark Fin Soup with Monkey Brains for dessert. Since I’m not really sure you want to (or should, for that matter) serve those dishes, you could always make the ersatz version. Here’s a link with some alternative ideas.

If you’re watching the Psych episode, you can add chocolate and licorice bites to your snack list. 

2. Treasure Hunt Night

Game: A good old-fashioned DIY treasure hunt — this is a game where each new clue leads to the next clue. And it works best when clues involve a complicated puzzle — in Goonies, the kids have to use their knowledge from Spanish class and piano lessons to finish the clues. This will take some prep time, but you can find tons of ideas for creating a treasure hunt online — here’s one. The beauty of this is that your family doesn’t have to compete against each other — instead, they can all work together to solve the clues. 

Viewing ideas: Midnight Madness, The Goonies

Meal/snack ideas: Ice cream, just like the kind Chunk finds stashed in the freezer.  

3. Chess Club

Game: Chess, of course!

Viewing ideas: Alice in Wonderland, Searching for Bobby Fischer, The Seventh Seal, Queen of Katwe, Young Sheldon “A Rival Prodigy and Sir Isaac Newton”

Meal/snack ideas: Black and white candy and snacks like Oreos

4. Jumanji

Game: Jumanji

Viewing ideas: Jumanji and Jumaji – The Next Level

Meal/snack ideas: Jumanji berries. I don’t know what they are, but they’ll be there for you in your time of need. 

Help me add to my list and keep these teens entertained for the rest of the season by dropping me a line in the comments, and have a family fun-filled week in your little nebula!

A couple times in conversation lately, I’ve been reminded of McNellie’s old $3 burger night. Or Joe Momma’s $5 pizza night. Or how I used to know about a $5 burger deal for most any weeknight. But I’m a little out of the loop! Here are some meal deals on my radar – but please let me know of others in the comments!

Also, TulsaKids has a list of Places Kids Eat Free in Tulsa that I try to update periodically. It’s was time to do so again, so here is the updated list: tulsakids.com/kids-eat-free-in-tulsa/

Holé Molé: $3 Taco Tuesday

[Sept. 2024 update] Holé Molé recently re-opened on Cherry Street. This post was inspired by our first visit to their Pearl District location, when they had $2 tacos. It always seemed like an incredible deal, as there was a variety of tacos to choose from, along with fresh salsa! Based on a Facebook post from Sept. 17, it looks like they’re still doing Taco Tuesday, only it’s now $3 per taco instead of $2. But that’s still a pretty great deal!

They also have happy hour from 3-6 p.m. every weekday. If they’re doing what they did at the former location, this is also a great opportunity to get $3 tacos. The difference is that, on Tuesday, the deal lasts all day.

I really loved the chips and salsa!

Holé Molé is part of the 3 Sirens Restaurant Group, which also owns Bird & Bottle, Market31, Bramble Breakfast & Bar and Shaky Jake’s Burgers and Franks (which I’d never heard of till just now.) I went to Bird & Bottle for the first time a few weeks ago, and that was incredible as well. Plus they’ve got a $4 espresso martini for brunch on weekends!

Happy Hour and $7 Burgers at Roka

We went to Roka during one of the recent snow days with a friend who didn’t mind driving as much as I do on the icy roads. It was great to get out of the house, and Joss loves Roka for their sushi and ramen.

They have a Happy Hour with discounted appetizers from 3-6 p.m. every day – and Happy Hour specials last all day on Wednesdays. Plus, their Roka Burger – which is my favorite menu item anyway – is just $7 on Tuesdays. Not quite a $3 burger, but it’s really good. I love their fries, and the burger comes with mushrooms, red peppers and wasabi sauce. So it’s unique and flavorful.

Here’s their list of weekly specials: rokatulsa.com/events

Half-Price Ramen at Roppongi

Roppongi has half-price ramen on Thursdays – their Facebook Event page about it says it’s Thursdays from 4-6 p.m.; however, Facebook posts they’ve made about it say 4-10 p.m., which I think is probably more accurate. We’ve been doing this fairly regularly because Joss also has music class downtown on Thursdays from 4-5, so it’s very convenient. The deal applies to their pork, chicken, vegan and miso ramen. The vegan is my favorite.

Sushi Wednesday at Reasor’s

Joss loves sushi, so we’ve taken advantage of Reasor’s discounted sushi on Wednesdays for awhile. Certain rolls are $5.55. So…it’s still not cheap, since Joss typically eats two rolls, but it is cheap-er.

Andolini’s Monday Meal Deal

Sadly, Andolini’s swapped their previous Monday Meal Deal (which was amazing) for a BOGO 50% off pizza deal on Mondays. Sign up for their eNewsletters to get the online ordering code each day. They also do free dine-in garlic knots on Wednesdays.

Other Deals to Know About

These aren’t deals I’ve taken advantage of yet/recently, but here are some other options:

• Elote: Looks like they’re still doing $2.50 chicken and vegan puffy tacos on Wednesday evenings
• District Burger: $5 burgers for Happy Hour (2-6 p.m.), Monday-Thursday
• Gaetano’s in Jenks is on our Kids Eat Free list for their Wednesday special. But they also do a large pizza for $11 on Tuesdays (5 p.m.-Close)
• Calavera’s has some weekly specials – most in the $8 to $12 range. See them at calaverasmexicangrill.com/copy-of-our-story

I’ll try to add more information as it becomes available. But feel free to shout out your favorite weekly meal deal in the comments!

Hey, with all the crazy news coming out of Oklahoma City – like State Superintendent Ryan Walters trying to take back bonus money that he gave to teachers – we could all use a little break from reality. In a few short days, our collective hearts will turn to romance. No, I’m not talking about Valentine’s Day. I’m referring to the day that T. Swift’s boyfriend’s football team plays that other team. How many times will the camera focus on Taylor cheering for him as he does whatever it is he does?

Anyway….as I prepare for watching, I did a little research. No, not on football. On snacks. I wondered what type of Taylor-inspired snack I could create that kids would like. I was hoping her favorite food wouldn’t be something like escargot. I got lucky. Do you know what Taylor Swift’s favorite snack is? (If you can believe Mr. Google). It’s chicken tenders! Wow. This is almost too easy. That’s almost every kid’s favorite food, too!

So, here’s a recipe that I came up with that uses frozen chicken tenders as the main ingredient. I also incorporated one of America’s favorite foods – Ranch dressing. This would be a great snack to serve while watching Taylor’s boyfriend play football, or it’s simple enough to serve any time.

Here’s my recipe:

Maybe Taylor Swift Eats These Chicken Tender Roll-ups

Ingredients:

• 1 package frozen breaded chicken strips (use whatever brand you like best)
• Soft cream cheese (tub is easiest)
• Ranch dressing (thicker is better)
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Flatbread or large tortilla for rolling
• Lettuce leaves, optional other veggies like shredded carrots, cucumbers, etc.

The amount of ingredients you use depends on how many roll-ups you’re making. Plan on using two chicken strips for each flatbread, so if you have 3 flatbreads, you’ll want to cook 6 chicken strips.

Directions:

Cook chicken strips according to package directions. Mix cream cheese with about 4 oz. of Ranch dressing, or to taste. Mix in shredded cheddar cheese. Spread mixture over each flatbread. Lay two chicken strips across the narrow end or top of the flatbread. Add lettuce leaves and/or veggies over cream cheese mixture. Roll flatbread, starting with the end with the chicken. Secure with decorative toothpicks. Cut into 1” – 1 ½” slices. Arrange on a platter.

Enjoy watching Taylor’s boyfriend throw her air kisses every time he scores. Is he one of those guys who makes touchdowns? Watch Taylor cover her eyes when he’s tackled. I hope she doesn’t get stuck in Tokyo after her concert the night before. You could make this into a great geography and math lesson for your kids. Have them look up the location of the game and Japan. Talk about the time difference. Have them calculate the flying time. Can she make it?

What are your favorite football game watching snacks?

I haven’t been blogging about books as much as I did when I first started this blog. But that doesn’t mean I haven’t been reading, oh, no! It’s still my preferred hobby, and being able to check out E-books from the library makes it very affordable and convenient. So here are a few middle grade book series I’ve been enjoying lately.

The Stormwatch Diaries Series by Kristiana Sfirlea

I came across this series somewhat randomly, and it’s been so fun! I’m currently reading book 3, “Legend of the Tempest Teaser,” which came out in Oct. 2023. Sadly, the library doesn’t have this digitally at least, so I did purchase them on Kindle. But they were all pretty cheap, under $5.

Image from amazon.com. I love the illustrations!

The Stormwatch Diaries feel unique and chaotic, in a good way. The books are set up as diaries written by an angel – Rose – who has unstable magic and is therefore (in the first book), literally held at arm’s length by her family. In the first book, her magic grows too out of control, and she ends up at Heartstone Asylum, where she finds a new family and meets with various adventures. I was a little wary because the first book had an explanation chapter about how asterisks would signal time breaks or information breaks, and there are lots of parenthetical statements where Rose breaks the fourth wall to talk to the reader of the book – but it all makes sense quickly and doesn’t distract from the book.

Relationships are at the heart of The Stormwatch Diaries, particularly the deep friendship between Rose and her best friend, Marek. A lot of the characters are flawed or misfits in some way, so watching them come together and support each other is really lovely. But the books are also full of unexpected and humorous situations and places. My favorite (*spoilers*) so far is The Two Parlors, with a funeral parlor on one side and a funeral-themed ice cream parlor on the other. You just never know what’s going to happen or where the characters will end up!

The Conjurverse Series by Dhonielle Clayton

I liked this series so much that I went ahead and bought the first book at Fulton Street Books & Coffee, even though I’d just finished reading it through the library. It’s a magic school story, where the 11-year-old protagonist, Ella Durand, not only goes to magic school for the first time, she is the first “Conjuror” to attend an exclusive school that was formerly only open to “Marvellers.” Conjurors have a different relationship to magic than Marvellers, and the two societies are very segregated. Ella meets with a lot of prejudice, but also is optimistic and excited to learn a new way of magic.

I’ve read a lot of magic school series at this point, and it’s always fun to see how magic works in a different world, what the food is like, etc. But the themes of prejudice and political/cultural division make it feel very relevant as well. There’s even an Educator’s Guide PDF you can download from Clayton’s website. Questions the first book’s Educator’s Guide asks include, “How do individuals participate in and shape their communities?” and “How can individuals use their gifts in pursuit of justice?” There are some interesting journal prompts and other activities as well.

Girl Giant Series by Van Hoang

If you like trickster gods – like Māui or Loki – and reading about different mythologies, you might enjoy the Girl Giant series. It’s the story of Thom Ngho, who has recently moved to a new middle school. Although outgoing and friendly, Thom is finding it hard to fit in – not only due to facing prejudice, but also because she has a secret: she is incredibly strong. On top of that, her super-strength is a fairly recent development, and she doesn’t know how to control it. Shortly into the book, Thom accidentally frees the Monkey King, a trickster god, who makes a deal with her. If she will steal his magic cudgel back from the gods, he will take away her inconvenient strength.

Image from amazon.com

Thom makes some big mistakes due to her trust in a trickster god. But the second book leaves her wrestling with the question of whether the Monkey King’s goal of taking over the Heavens is so bad. It asks questions like, who decides what is good and bad, who deserves mercy, etc.

Here’s a study guide for the first book, “Girl Giant and the Monkey King”: authorvanhoang.com/_files/ugd/eb7a4d_67238617b37f46238c664db9b5059512.pdf

Study questions range from simple – “What is your favorite boba drink?” – to more complex – “If you had a chance to make a deal with a trickster god, what would you ask him for? What would you be willing to do in return?”

What book series have you or your kids been enjoying lately? Tell me about them in the comments!

My oldest child was 15 months old when my second child was born. The close age spacing of the kids meant we were a two-crib family for a few years. My oldest daughter loved her crib and was content to stay in it until she was a little past three. Her sister was a much more physical child and was ready to be in a toddler bed a little before two, so they gave up their cribs at the same time. How do you know when it’s time to move your child out of the crib?

Today Show co-host Jenna Bush-Hager recently stirred up the crib debate when she announced that her four-and-a-half-year-old son had just transitioned from his crib to a toddler bed. It was surprising what strong, primarily negative responses this admission elicited from her viewers. Many people expressed concern that a child just seven months shy of his fifth birthday was still in a crib. Bush-Hager explained the delay by saying her son Hal had said he wasn’t ready to move out of his crib. Suddenly, he woke up one morning last week and announced he wanted to move into a “big boy” bed. I love that she respected his feelings and waited until he was emotionally prepared. Are there other signs it’s time to move your child out of the crib?

Signs a Child May Be Ready for a “Big Bed”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that a child be moved out of the crib when they are 35 inches tall. This guideline is because a child of that height can crawl out of the crib even when the mattress is at its lowest. The average age to move out of the crib is between eighteen months and three years old. However, many other factors must be considered before packing that crib in the attic. Here are some signs it may be time.

• They are attempting to crawl out of the crib. This can lead to falls and injuries.
• The child is asking to move to a bed.
• They are completely nighttime potty trained.
• No other significant transitions are occurring in the family.
• You are expecting a new baby, and you need the crib. There should be at least a few months between the older child’s transition to a bed and the new baby in the crib. Otherwise, the toddler might feel displaced by the baby. Because my kids were so closely spaced, I borrowed a crib for the second baby.

There are no hard and fast rules, so don’t feel your child is “behind” developmentally because they prefer to stay in their crib. My three-year-old granddaughter has been nighttime potty trained for a year, sleeps through the night, and is past the recommended height limit. However, like her mother as a child, Sylvia loves her crib and does not attempt to get out. She has her world of stuffed animals and lovey blankets and is happy to sleep in her little nest. (Important reminder: No blankets or stuffed animals should be in the crib until a child is twelve months old!)

There are some advantages to a child staying in the crib a little longer than average. Some studies have shown that children in a crib are less likely to have sleep disturbances, sleep longer durations, and have less bedtime resistance.

Smoothing the Transition

When it is time to move from the crib to a “big kid” bed, there are ways to make the transition smoother.

• Involve the child in the process. Turn it into a fun, exciting time by allowing the child to choose the bedding, if possible.
• Set up the bed a week or two before you try to transition them out of the crib. This gives them time to adjust to the idea. Begin by encouraging them to take a nap in the new bed.
• Childproof the room. Childproofing the room was done before the baby was born, but new dangers might be within reach with them out of the crib. Make sure outlets are blocked, there are no loose wires, and no cords are hanging down from window blinds. Bolt bookshelves and dressers to the wall so they can’t be pulled over. Put safety gates on the stairs.
• Stick with the familiar bedtime routine. Children thrive on routine, so keep the familiar bedtime rituals.
• Expect setbacks. It may be a learning process for everyone. Expect to have to take them back to bed a few times in the beginning. If it’s not working out after a few weeks, don’t rule out bringing the crib back. They may not be ready yet.

The takeaway is to do what you think is best for your child and not let others shame you into action. Trust your parenting instincts to know when it’s the right time to move them out of the crib and into a bed. I promise they won’t go straight from their crib to their college dorm bed.

Our family made the journey 30 minutes south of Tulsa to Boynton, Oklahoma to visit Fleecy Friends Alpacas. I recently learned about Fleecy Friends through Instagram and, being an animal loving group, decided we had to visit as soon as possible. 

An Alpaca Paradise

Derek and Julie Smith started with 3 alpacas in 2021 to see if they wanted to make a bigger commitment to the animal. They fell in love with the adorable creatures, which are closely related to llamas and part of the camelid family. In 2022, they incorporated the farm. Today, there are 35 animals on the Fleecy Friends farm! Add to that another 10 babies coming in the spring. The babies, called cria, are a level of cuteness I cannot quite explain. 

Alpacas are fascinating not only because of their adorableness, their gentle nature, but also because not many people own them. Alpacas are native to South America, specifically the Andes Mountains, where they live at an elevation of 11,000 to 13,500 feet. The animals are critical to the people of the region as ranching is their main source of income.

They have been domesticated for thousands of years in Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Brazil and are primarily raised for their luxurious fiber. Alpaca fleece is used to make textiles, clothing, toys, and more. Though they are plentiful in South America at around 4 million, there are only around 300,000 in the United States. 

An Opportunity to Educate

We saw the many prizes Derek and Julie’s alpacas had won at competition alongside products made of alpaca fleece. Once you slip your hand into a mitten made of alpaca fleece, you won’t forget it because they feel magnificent. Both kids loved touching and feeling the products. We learned about the process to make such products – the care, art, and science of it. 

Awards And Items Made From Alpaca Fleece

At Fleecy Friends, alpacas are carefully bred by bloodline, which means that Derek might be on the road driving across the United States quite often. They select different lines if they are seeking denser fleece, finer fleece, or longer staple-length fleece. As Derek described it to us, the goal is to always build the fleece up so there is better quality. On a recent trip to Oregon to bring in a mama alpaca and her cria, Derek logged 5,200 miles in 5 days. The commitment to quality is no joke! As if Derek isn’t already busy, he paints with oil and makes lightweight fence panels and custom barns.

Learning about and feeling the products was wonderful when complemented by spending time with the alpacas themselves. They were sweet, and being around them was incredibly calming. It is no wonder these animals are successfully used by occupational therapists. Touching and handling the alpacas was something we could have done for hours. 

Kieren And Isabelle Getting Some Alpaca Love

There is a particular commitment by Fleecy Friends to take care of any animal and see it live its best life regardless of ability. Our family met the locally famous alpaca, Cowboy, who made big waves on the TV when News on 6’s Kaitlyn Deggs reported on his new prosthetic leg. There are other friends on the farm as well, including goats, black nose sheep, miniature horses, a miniature donkey, and a precious pig. 

Fun fact: Alpaca fleece is antimicrobial and hypoallergenic. 

Big Plans Ahead

Derek and Julie aren’t stopping now – they have big plans for this year and the years to come. Fleecy Friends Farm will have a farm store, grain silo, and an event center later in the summer. They plan to eventually have two silos that offer a unique and fun bed and breakfast experience. All of this will make Fleecy Friends a fantastic place for weddings. 

The couple has taken animals to schools, birthday parties, and holiday events and is looking to expand their reach with more events this year in and around the Tulsa area and elsewhere. They are passionate about education and raising the next generation to be familiar with farms and farm animals. Fleecy Friends is open for individual and group tours by appointment now, for birthday parties, and will be ready to host alpaca picnics starting in the spring, kids camps in summer, summer yoga, painting with the alpacas! To reach out for an appointment or event contact: fleecyfriendsalpcas@gmail.com. 

Follow Fleecy Friends on Instagram or on Facebook to watch their farm grow!

TulsaKids’ February issue has a feature all about Owasso. Doing some research for social media around this article made me eager to check out some of the interesting Owasso businesses for myself. Thankfully, I had the opportunity to spend a few hours in Owasso last Sunday. Here are some fun things I did that aren’t mentioned in TulsaKids’ article, but very much fit my current interests.

LacaBoba

A friend had recommended this. And, as Joss and I are currently on a casual mission to try all of Tulsa’s boba shops, it was a must-do. Located at 12500 East 86th St. N., Suite 108, LacaBoba is a fun place to hang out and talk, play games, etc. They have an extensive menu that includes seasonal specials – I tried the gingerbread milk tea with regular boba – and some food items as well. I was especially excited to try their taiyaki, and got one with red bean filling. Joss wasn’t a huge fan of the red bean, but he would probably like their vanilla-filled version.

They’ve got a nice indoor seating area decorated like an outdoor porch, with low tables. You can bring stackable cushions over to sit on, and there are fake greenery and flowers creating a calming atmosphere. And there is a fun “wings” mural photo op that I failed to pose in front of. Next time!

Board Wipe

Across the street from LacaBoba (very convenient!) is Board Wipe, a tabletop gaming store. They had a good selection of Pokémon cards and stuffies, Lego, board games, other collectible cards, etc. There were several gaming tables set up, and I think there were quite a few people hanging out and gaming – although I was mostly distracted by the merch so didn’t pay much attention.

But if you, like me, are trying to visit all of Tulsa’s game stores thanks to a young Pokémon fan in your life, definitely make Board Wipe part of your Owasso itinerary.

Owasso Library

One of my best friends works at the Owasso Library, along with the famous Marlow the Pig. (I wrote this post about Marlow back when they worked at the Jenks Library, but they’re at Owasso now.) Sadly, the Owasso Library is closed on Sundays, so I couldn’t go in and say hello, but I did snap a selfie on the bench outside. (It was a very cold day.)

Throughout the month, Owasso Library hosts weekly storytimes, events for teens, an open-ended creativity event for kids, and more.

And, for anyone else playing Pokémon Go, my librarian friend says that the library is an excellent place to play. It’s located across the street from Redbud Festival Park in the heart of the Redbud District. On a nicer day, I would’ve definitely walked down the block spinning Pokéstops.

Timmy and Cindy

Throughout Owasso, you’ll see statues of a boy and a girl playing. These are Timmy and Cindy, and you can read more about them at cityofowasso.com/359/Timmy-Cindy-Project. Keep an eye out for them, and encourage your kids to do the same, as you drive through town!

So, those were the highlights of my day in Owasso. I’ll have to go back another time to try some of the other fun activities, like Copper Kiln, Mad Eats milkshakes, etc. Read TulsaKids’ latest Know Your Neighbors article to learn more about Owasso: tulsakids.com/know-your-neighbor-owasso/

And let us know in the comments if we missed your favorite Owasso activities!

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) stand as pillars of progress in education, the workforce and the economic landscape of Oklahoma. In the dynamic realm of education, DEI fosters inclusive environments that empower students from all walks of life to thrive academically and personally. Beyond the classroom, DEI plays a pivotal role in shaping a competitive and adaptable workforce capable of recognizing the unique perspectives of individuals and viewing differences as assets rather than points of contention. The positive impacts of DEI also extend to the economic development of Oklahoma, where a diverse and inclusive workforce is crucial for attracting businesses and driving prosperity. To delve deeper into the multifaceted significance of DEI, I spoke with Oklahoma Senator Mary Boren with the aim of gaining insights into the role of DEI in shaping the state’s students, workforce and economy.

Senator Mary B. Boren

Addressing Misconceptions and Criticisms

In face of challenges, such as Gov. Stitt’s  DEI executive order, signed on Dec. 13, 2023, to defund DEI efforts in public colleges, critics often misinterpret the fundamental purpose of DEI, portraying it as an obstacle to the attainment of an equitable society. However, it is essential to acknowledge the bias and privilege embedded in such perspectives. DEI is not about promising equal outcomes but ensuring equal access to opportunities and fostering an atmosphere of decency, empathy and intelligence within educational institutions and workplaces, as well as all aspects of public life. These directives are particularly relevant in Oklahoma, as the state’s demand for highly qualified workers adds urgency to the need for inclusive practices.

Contrary to the prevalent misconceptions, DEI is not synonymous with affirmative action; yet misleading talking points often create unwarranted associations between the two initiatives. Senator Boren emphasizes this distinction, stating, “DEI gives everyone the opportunity to show up to school and work with their merit. DEI opens doors for diverse backgrounds, including single parents, caregivers for older individuals, people with disabilities and those dealing with mental health issues.”

As pointed out by Senator Boren, adherence to the DEI principles is essential for breaking down unnecessary barriers, providing more Oklahomans with the chance to utilize their full potential. Thus, criticisms that draw parallels between DEI and affirmative action, as Senator Boren notes, constrict the circle of opportunities, limiting workforce prospects for those wishing to find employment in the state.

The Inclusivity Beyond Race, Gender and Sexual Orientation

DEI initiatives transcend traditional boundaries, reaching out to a diverse spectrum of individuals beyond the conventional focus on race, gender and sexual orientation. By providing support to first-generation students, those with disabilities, veterans and neurodiverse individuals, and by acknowledging the impact of socioeconomic factors on individual life trajectories, these initiatives create an inclusive and enriching learning environment for everyone.

In recognizing that diversity encompasses a wide array of experiences and backgrounds, DEI becomes a powerful tool for fostering equal opportunities and a sense of belonging in our educational institutions, workplaces and communities. This inclusive approach is essential not only for disadvantaged individuals, but for every member of our society, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to thrive and contribute to collective prosperity.

Implications for the Economy and Community

Beyond the classroom, DEI emerges as a linchpin in economic development, and the apprehensions surrounding the ban on DEI initiatives underscore its potential impact on economic strategies and the future employability of business professionals. In an age characterized by rapid technological change, sociopolitical discord and growing globalization, having a diverse workforce capable of navigating and appreciating differences stands as a decisive competitive advantage. The exclusion of DEI not only jeopardizes the formation of global partnerships but also deters businesses from considering Oklahoma as a viable destination for expanding their market reach.

Senator Boren aptly emphasizes this point, stating, “DEI is a mainstream pathway to get the workforce to work together and to attract and retain the highest qualified workforce possible.” Senator Boren’s insight underscores the strategic role of DEI in shaping a workforce that can collaborate effectively both internally and on a global scale.

Businesses and stakeholders are increasingly recognizing the significance of fostering diverse and inclusive workplace environments for maintaining competitiveness, as they appreciate that DEI is not only important for the well-being of employees and customers but also for the broader success of economic enterprises.

“If you’re selling Starbucks,” Senator Boren says, “you’re not just selling Starbucks to one demographic. And they know that. And they know that to be competitive, they have to be targeting everybody. Everybody has to see themselves in a particular brand.” DEI is inextricably linked with market dynamics, as adherence to its core principles ensures that businesses remain relevant and have the potential to attract a wide and diverse consumer base.

Embracing the Diversity of the New Generation

As the fastest-growing workforce, millennials prioritize workplace diversity and inclusivity. Therefore, educational institutions lacking DEI programs run the risk of depriving students of a crucial competitive edge, leaving them unprepared for working with all types of individuals, including different cultures, races, abilities and more.

“If we look at the workforce and if we look at how corporate America is utilizing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” Senator Boren says, “it’s basically about manners [and how to collaborate] with diverse people. How to show up at a business meeting and not say things that are horribly ignorant and horribly offensive.”

Moving Forward Amidst Challenges

It is crucial for business owners to communicate the impact of DEI on their bottom line to Oklahoma lawmakers. As noted by Senator Boren, it is important to discuss the tangible economic costs of discriminatory practices within the business community. By engaging in these conversations, and by demonstrating how divisive rhetoric and discriminatory policies hinder economic goals, business owners can collectively advocate for DEI programs.

This process should also include community members as their active participation will emphasize their personal commitment to diversity. As challenges like the ban on DEI programs persist, collaborative efforts from educators, community leaders and concerned citizens become even more vital. Through advocacy, education and grassroots movements, a united front can be formed, and this collective movement aimed at creating a more inclusive and economically prosperous Oklahoma can mitigate the absence of state-funded initiatives.

Conclusion

The recent executive order is not merely an attack on DEI initiatives, it is a threat to the very foundation of healthy communities. The recognition that equitable and inclusive schools are essential for all students to achieve their full potential, and are thus the bedrock of thriving communities, emphasizes the invaluable role of DEI in education. It is time to recognize the benefits of DEI and a wide array of its dimensions. We can work collectively to ensure that our educational systems prepare students for a future where diversity is not a challenge but a strength.

Dr. Tamecca Rogers is Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Tulsa Technology Center. She is a writer and mom to three boys who love adventures.