The Pulse Magazine January 2013 issue

7/30/2019 The Pulse Magazine January 2013 issue

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COVER ART

CONTEST WINNER


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Do you have an event we should know about?

Contact us at [email protected] or on our website

and tell us about it. We want to hear from you.

Find us on Facebook:

www.Facebook.com/mypulsemag

www.mypulsemag.com

Share your knowledge with all of Green Country

If you are a professional in your eld, the Pulse Pro is

accepting submissions for articles on many topics. Pleasecontact our ofce and let us know what you do.

The Pulse Staff

Main Phone Number: (918) 931-9981

Fax: (888) 386-5094

Sales: Lisa Pinnick (918) 316-7237 [email protected]

Ad design: Emmet Pedrick, [email protected]

Layout: Juanita Lewis, [email protected]

Story Editor: Amy Addams, [email protected]

Contributing Writers

Angel Waldo - Deb BaytonJulie Wenger-Watson - Alexis Greybird

Lorenzo Zoil - B. Rick Wall - Jaci Taylor

Dakota Jones - Carol Marie Merritt

Trent McDaniel - Jennifer Smith - Sarah Bowman

Staff Photographer: Deb Bayton

Produced by Pod Publications

All rights reserved 2013

P 4 - Jnr 2013 - T P www.myPulsemag.com

We made it!

If you are reading this, it means we all survived the end of days

allegedly prophesied by the Mayans as well as the planetary line-

up that was also going to spell doom and gloom for us all. So

where do we go from here? The way I see it, we have two choices:

we can let out a collective sigh and go back to whatever we were

doing previously, or we can decide that maybe there was a lesson

to be learned here and do a bit of change in how we live our lives

and how we look at the earth.

Truth be told, there is no telling when or where it all ends. What

if you found out that you had a disease or your exact amount of

time left on this planet was much shorter than you anticipated?Would you spend that time panicking about the day-to-day

scenarios that may or may not come to fruition? Would you spend

that time worried about the same things you worried about previ-

ously? Chances are that everything else would come to a grind-

ing halt and you would spend that time giving those you love the

things you meant to leave them with warm hands instead of cold

ones; you would also make sure you tell those same people how

much you love them. Too bad that it takes a major catastrophe to

make us aware that we dont tell others how we feel enough of

the time - which is pretty sad when you think about it. Whats even

worse is that when a crisis is over, we rarely learn anything from

the event. We just turn around and continue down those same

paths that lead us to nowhere.

Maybe what we were meant to come away with is the prophecy

that our previous ways are no longer applicable; we need to do

things a bit differently and revamp our perspective of the world

and our place in it. It might do us all a bit of good to be bit nicer

to this big blue ball we call home and the people who surround us.

Heck, it cant hurt, right?

Happy 2013 Green Country! Dont forget to hug your loved ones.

Congratulations go to our

winning cover artist GUY

LOCKWOOD, D.V.M. who

is a semi-retired veterinar-ian, that works in oils, por-

traiture, animals and wildlife

living in Grove, OK. His

winning painting KAYLEE;

OUR LITTLE ANGEL was

painted from a photo of a

friends granddaughter.

You can see all of our winning

art entries on pages 26 & 27.

Thanks to all who entered

our contest.


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T Hrtbt f grn cntr

CRAZY

for

Casinos

6Fun and

entertainment

all over Green

Country.

22

??

Seasonal birdwatching

opportunites

abound in winter.

Our Communities10 Muskogee Celebrates11 Rogers County12 Pawnees history is alive,

Sequoyah is going to the birds13 Pryor steps back... in time,

Grove brings Spring in January14 Washington County gets its groove16 Tulsa oats your boat17 To-Dos around T-town18 Creek County celebrates Indian art19 Ottawa keeps the Powwows comin,

McIntoch matters20 Craig County has a cow21 Wagoner is wonderful24 Pawhuska parades its pretties,

Adair County is the place for you25 Okmulgee offers eats for everybody,

Nowatas architectural destinations

Going Out/Staying In26 Cover art contest

30 Winter weather advisories

32 Pulse Pro - Getting your nances on track34 Tripping on a Tankful36 Health - Get off that couch38 Art in these parts

39 Theater40 Movies41 TV for fun and education42 Dining Out - Steaks46 Live Entertainment48 Homegrown Heroes - Volunteering50 Recipe Corner - For a cold winters day

Month at a Glance

52 A calendar listing of fun stuff to do

January 2013 - Vol. 2, Issue 1

Can you

nd theGEEK?

Look for this image

placed somewhere

in the magazine

and win a t-shirt

from the library.

The Eagles

and Loons

are coming


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Northeast Oklahoma seems to be jam-packed with casinos. Thereare towns where the local casino keeps that town alive and justwhen you think there isnt room for another casino, lo and behold,a new one pops up. They are big business in these parts andwithout them, many of our beloved towns would be in seriousnancial trouble.

There are many of us who do not gamble so as a rule we avoid

the local casino. We also hear about perceptions of casinos andso far, none of them match the reality. Some folks think that thecasino is a waste of time for a non-gambler, but the truth is verydifferent. Many casinos have restaurants where the food is sec-ond to none, entertainment venues where nationally-known starsgive the audience an up-close and personal show (for a goodprice) and many other amenities that many people never knowabout. Until now. Weve gone out and researched the casinos inNE OK and what we found might pleasantly surprise you. All this

fun and it was right in your neighborhood all this time.

A new casino thatwe should all beproud of is theHard Rock Hotel &Casino in Catoosa.This is a fantastic

place to have aromantic getawayfor two or for agroup of friendswho want a break from life. You can enter the casino on Fridaynight and never leave for your entire visit. They have all kinds ofentertainment, night clubs, golf, restaurants with all sorts of foodoptions, a pool, tness center and plenty of shopping. You canplan your stay around corporate meetings, weddings or reunions.Whatever you need, The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino can take

care of it handily.

What you may not know is that there are some other Cherokeecasinos that have food and events that will rock your socks off;they are only missing the Hard Rock name attached to them.Weve included a cheat sheet to help you nd your way around.Be sure and check out the new Cherokee Casino in Ramona(Washington County) as well. They have been working hard tobring great entertainment in every single month. You can see

their entertainment schedule for January on page 15.

Another casino chain that we are not only impressed with, butdownright oored by are the Creek casinos. While the Creekcasinos might not be as widely known, its the quiet ones that

often astound,and the Creek

casinos are justthat astounding.We are talkingabout their food

(and who doesntlike food, eh?).You can go to the River Spirit Casino and have a nice dinner outthat easily competes with any high-end restaurant in the state.The Creeks took their dining to the next level with their multiplerestaurants. If you are looking for a great steakhouse, ElementsSteakhouse will ll your needs. If you would like to sample amultitude of foods or if you are with a group, all with differentwants, then you cant miss with Visions Buffet. Visions is not your

typical overcooked food meant to ll you quickly and send youon your way. Oh no, Visions is high-end dining in a buffet style.Worth mentioning is that Visions has numerous specials going onalmost consistently, including a Champagne brunch on Sundayssure to excite everyone. Lastly, if you are looking for a cheapbreakfast or lunch that is also ready quick, then check out RainBay Caf. They have a $4 breakfast special anytime and wehear its pretty dang mouthwatering. Looking for a special nightaway from it all? Then River Spirit has partnerships with all kind

of hotels where they will even shuttle you there so your eveningcan be worry free.

The Osage Casinosare convenientlylocated all aroundour great area, butdid you know theyhave music, food

and monthly spe-cials that compete with everyone else too? Oh yeah, the Osagecasinos have really done their homework where entertainment isconcerned. From 80s hair bands to 70s classic rock to Country regional artists, Osage Casinos are always on the search for thebest musical acts and they really do deliver. They have a buffet

at the Tulsa casino where every day of the week is an ethnic specialty and they dont have a bunch of kids working in the backmaking the food. They have an executive chef on staff to ensure

your palates happiness. Bartlesville has the Fresh Market Buffetwhere even the snobbiest of food critics wont nd fault. Theirclaim to fame, fresh foods, makes them really stand out. Anotherthing that makes Osage Casinos buffet exciting is that they arepriced competitively with any other buffet in the area. You caneat til your hearts content for around $10-$12 per person. Wedont know how they do it.

Miami is chock full of all kinds of casinos run by many different

By Amy Addams

NOT yourfathers


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www.myPulsemag.com T P - Jnr 2013 - P 7

tribes. If you are looking to sample some casino offerings without

venturing into Tulsa, might we suggest that you take a drive toMiami? With The Stables, Bordertown, High Winds, Buffalo Runand more all right near each other, take a chance on Miami fora day of casino perusal.

The Stables, for instance, is more than just slot machines andblackjack, but youre in luck if you like either of those becausewith their Horseplay points and special Party Zone theyve

got something special to offer. Party Zone is when over 100machines are connected and feed into three different progres-sive jackpots. Anyone can win as long as theyre playing withtheir Gold Club Card. Youll also not want to miss eating at TheClubhouse Restaurant for Upscale American Cuisine that is nothorsing around!

Nearby Wyandottehas much to offeras well. Wyandotte

Nation Casino boastsone of the best Chefs

in the area at their Twin Bridges Restaurant. Chef Charles Bowenis trained formally in classic French cuisine, Charles has traveledextensively in Italy and lists Italian food as one of his passions.Of Polish decent, Charles also has even taught Polish cuisineclasses in Austin, Texas. Hes a wonderful baker too, so if you

have a gluten craving go give Wyandotte Nation Casino a try.

In Tahlequah youll ndanother one of the CherokeeCasinos, but dont forget tocheck out The KeetoowahCasino as well. Most casinosare for ages 21 and over, butone of the things that make

Keetoowah Casino stand out isthat one only needs to be 18to enjoy the amenities here.So if youre under 21, thatsure makes it handy to sampleone of those burgers that our readers voted as one of the best inGreen Country!

There are many casinos we didnt mention here, but thats not be-cause they arent worth it, its because there are so many to pick

from. Its like picking your favorite star in the heavens too manyto choose. For your next evening on the town without the kids,

why not give a casino a chance? You dont have to be a gamblerto enjoy all the Green Country has to offer, you only need todecide what you are hungry for.


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Casino Location phone # Size Website Music Hotel Onsite R

Osage Tulsa 699-7667 lg www.osagecasinos.com YCreek Bristow 367-9168 med www.creeknationbristow.com N N TQuapaw Miami 540-9100 www.quapawcasino.com N Y YCreek Stigler 967-8364Golden Pony Okemah 560-6125 med www.goldenponycasino.com N N CRiver Spirit Tulsa 299-8518 xl www.creeknationcasino.com Y N E

Osage Hominy 885-2990 sm www.osagecasinos.com N N YCherokee Tahlequah 207-3600 med www.cherokeecasino.com N RCreek Muskogee 683-1825 N N CHigh Winds Miami 541-9463 www.highwindscasino.net N YBuffalo Run Miami 542-7140 med www.buffalorun.com Y C

Keetowah Tahlequah 456-6131 sm www.keetoowahcherokeecasino.com N N SStables Miami 542-7884 med www.the-stables.com N N TCherokee W. Siloam Springs 422-5100Hard Rock Catoosa 3 266-4352 xl www.hardrockcasinotulsa.com Y Y B

Cherokee Roland 427-7433Creek-Duck Creek, Beggs 267-3468Creek Eufaula Eufaula 689-9191 smOsage Travel Skiatook 396-2626 www.osagecasinos.comCherokee Sallisaw 800-256-2338 med www.cherokeecasino.com Y N BLucky Turtle Wyandotte 678-2877

Wyandotte Wyandotte 678-4946 med www.wyandottecasinos.com N N TwMiami Tribe Miami 540-8670 sm noneGrand Lake Grove 786-8528 med www.grandlakecasino.com N N ESac & Fox Stroud 968-2540Osage Pawhuska 699-7777 sm www.osagecasinos.com YOsage Skiatook 396-2626 sm www.osagecasinos.com N N NOne Fire Okmulgee 756-8400 sm www.onerecasino.com N N COsage Sand Springs 699-7723 m-lg www.osagecasinos.com Y Y CCreek Okemah 623-0051Fair Meadows (Race Track) Tulsa 743-7223 www.fairmeadows.com NOsage Bartlesville 335-7519 lg www.osagecasinos.com Y YChoctaw McAlester 423-8161Cherokee WRD Claremore 283-8800Downstream Quapaw 919-6000Cherokee Fort Gibson 207-3662 sm www.cherokeecasino.com space N yChoctaw Pocola 436-7761Stonewolf Pawnee 454-7777 sm SBordertown Wyandotte 666-8702Osage Ponca City 765-2973 sm www.osagecasinos.com DCherokee W Siloam large www.CherokeeCasino.com Y Y FCherokee Roland medium www.cherokeecasino.com N N BCherokee Ramona medium www.CherokeeStarRewards.com Y N Th

Casinos in G



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2 Rest. 3 Bars Bingo Golf Course Poker Blackjack Address

NINE18 Y Y 951 W. 36th St NN comp 121 W. LincolnY N N 58100 E 64th Rd

N 109095 Okemah Sthouses Buffet

Rain Bay CafScoreboard Sports Bar Y Y 8330 S. Riverside Dr

s Casino Cuisine N N 39 Deer AvenueN Y 16489 Hwy 62N Y N Y Y 3420 West Peak Blvd 22,500 sf 400 machines

Bar Y 61475 E. 100 Rd

Outback Grill Y N Y Y 1000 Buffalo Run Blvd

D) N N N 2450 S. Muskogee AveRest Starting Gate Lounge Y 530 H Street SE

s on 19ions Grill N Y Y 777 W. Cherokee St.

806 West Forest Ave 240 machines 7400 sf6455 West Rogers Blvd

rill Back40 I-40 Exit 308

staurant Deli- Sandwich shop Y Y 100 Jackpot Place

y 202 S. Eight Tribes TrailEndZone Y 24701 S. 655 Rd

Y Y 2017 E. 15th St/Hwy 99N N N 6455 W. Rogers Blvd 190 games

1901 N. Wood Drive

2 Y 301 Blackjack Drive

4145 E. 21st St222 Allen Road

3 Rivers Tavern Bar N 107 N. Georgetown Rd 7400 sf 500 gamesStoneWolf Deli 54251 S. 349 Rd 10,000 sf

N 73 North City View Road 6,000 sfkhouse and River Cane Buffet Y Y US Hwy 412 & 59

Y Y I-40 Exit 325rill 31501 US HWY 75

een Country



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Muskogee is renowned for being a place with a rich culture and

history. The folks there know how to throw down and have a good

time with it. It looks like they arent slowing down in January.

Weve got quite a bit to tell you about, so lets get to it.

We start with the Soul Food Cook-Off at the Muskogee CivicCenter on Jan. 18-19 (at 425 Boston) where MLKs legacy andaccomplishments are celebrated through the universal languageof food. If youve never had soul food, you just gotta try it. Youare in for a real treat. If you are a maker of soul food, but noone ever paid you much attention (until dinnertime), you need

to participate in this special event. On Jan. 18, all cooks arewelcome to a party in your honor and then you get to show offwhat you know on Jan. 19. If youve never had collard greensor black-eyed peas made in the soul style, youll be rushing to

the store to buy some to make them at home. Theres somethingabout soul food that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. Its alldown-home cooking done by those who have been doing thisfor a quite a while and really got it going on. This is part of anational competition for unknowns who do what they do so well.

Find out more about this national event at www.nationalsoulfood-cookoff.com.

If youve been down-home cookin your whole life, then its time toshow off your prowess with a fry pan and maybe get some rec-ognition for it. Cassandra Gaines at the Civic Center is heading-up this event so you know it will be a big day of fun for the fam-ily and a great way to learn more about local cultural cuisine.

On Jan. 25-26, Bull Riders, Inc. is celebrating their 2012 Na-tional Finals at the Civic Center and its a rst. They promise todeliver bull riding at its best with the top 30 bull riders as wellas see who takes home the crown. It happens at 7 pm both days.Find out more at www.muskogeecommunitycalendar.com.

If you are looking to see a great lm with a great message, then

check out October Baby at the Roxy Theatre on Jan. 27 at 3 pm.

Suggested donation is $10 and the message is worth every penny.

Do you know a vet or military member who is looking for a job?Then send them to the Muskogee Civic Center on Feb. 7 forthe Military Hiring Fair happening 10:30 am 3 pm. Now is a

perfect time to get that resume updated so you are sure to ndthe perfect position. If you are an employer looking for qualied

and motivated candidates, then contact Patty Garner at (918)682-3364 and let her know you need to be there.

Stay tuned to The Pulse for more in Muskogee for February; wehave heard rumors that a festival just for chocoholics is happen-ing right here in Green Country!


MUSKOG

EECOUNTY

Muskogee celebrates its soul......and heritageBy Jennifer Smith

RODEOSCHOOLDA

Y

JANUARY 25, 201310AM - 12PMAT THE

MUSKOGEECIVIC CENTER$5.00 PER PERSONINCLUDES LUNCH

A JUST SAY

NOTO DRUGS

EVENT

i i

i i

LEARN COWBOY HISTORY

EVENING BULLRIDING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC


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Motorsport enthusiasts will have a heyday inClaremore this month at the Expo Center. Lo-

cated at 400 Veterans Parkway, this city facilitywill host the Tuff Truck & ATV Racing and Demo-lition Derby on January 18 - 19, followed by theAmerican Arenacross on February 1 - 2. Thosewho prefer their engines in the air can catchthis months Okie Flyers Fly In at the ClaremoreRegional Airport on Jan. 6. Finally, if yourea basketball fan, check out the Rogers StateUniversitys Hillcats. Both the mens and womens

teams have several home games in January.

For two nights this month, the Expo Center willbe lled with the roar of engines and the clashing of steel. OnFriday night the 18th, you can watch trucks, ATVs and Razorbikes race around the arena. The following night will be full ofmetal crushing as the Mad Dog Derby Tour takes the stage withboth full size and compact vehicles competing. For more informa-tion see www.motorheadevents.com

On the last Saturday of each month, pilots from Oklahoma andsurrounding states converge on Claremore Regional Airport for apilots luncheon and a chance to show off their planes. This event

takes place Jan. 26 from 11 a.m. -1 p.m. and is free and open

to the public. Its a great chance to see a variety of planes andmake new friends in the aviation community. For more informa-tion, call the airport at (918) 343-0931.

Off-road motorcycles will race through the Expo Center on Feb.1 - 2 on a course that includes jumps and obstacles, often soar-ing over 60 feet in the air. Participants will include kids on their50ccs all the way up to the pros on their 450cc MX bikes. TheFMX freestyle jump off is another highlight of the evening, and

there will be a visit from Ned Dirt, the racing clown. Visit www.motorheadsevents.com for more details.

For college sports fans, Rogers State University located in Clare-

more boasts both a mens and womens basketball program. InJanuary, you have ve chances to catch the female Hillcats on their

home turf, including games against John Brown University and St.

Gregorys. The men have four home games this month, too. Look

for a complete schedule for both teams at www.rsuhillcats.com


January in Claremore - trucks,planes and college basketballBy Julie Wenger Watson


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Despite the fact that many people are snuggled down until

March, there are others who see the value of getting out this timeof year to see some of the incredible wildlife to be found in these

parts and the good folks at Tenkiller State Park and SequoyahNational Wildlife Refuge are ready to help you nd them.

Starting Jan. 19, you can see real southern bald eagles nestingat Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in the morning, have a nicelunch and a hot beverage then spend the afternoon checking out

the various loon breeds we have here in NE Oklahoma at Ten-killer in the afternoon. There are four kinds of loons who move infor the winter: the common, red-throated, Pacic and the yellow-billed loons all make this are home for their winter retreat.

Dress warm, wear sensible shoes and bring your binoculars, cam-era and a thermos of coffee to see the majestic birds that migratehere every year. The show will go on every Saturday throughMarch 2 unless travel advisories are happening, but we cantimagine a better way to spend a Saturday with the family. Theywill have a 25 person bus to take you to the refuge so RSVP isstrongly suggested. (There is even a webcam at the eagles nest.)

Their schedule is listed as Jan. 19, 26; Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23; Mar. 2 witeagle tours going on 9 am noon and loon watches at 2 pm with atwo-hour break for lunch and refreshments in Vian in between.

Want to know more? Then call (918) 489-5641 or (918) 489-5025 for details and to RSVP. We suggest that you plan aheadbecause this is one trip that will ll up fast. Happy birding.


PAWNEE

COUNTY

Pawnees history is still aliveBy Alexis Greybird

SEQUOYAHCOUN

TY

Sequoyah is going to the birdsBy Jennifer Smith

If you are or you know someone whose family hails from Pawnee,then it might be worth your time and effort to check out what

the Pawnee County Historical Society and Museum has to offer.While their hours for winter are minimal, they are still open andwill accommodate you.

What they do at the PCHS is quite amazing. For the small fee of

$10/hour, they will research your ancestry and grab anythingthey can nd to help you ll-out that family tree. You need toprovide the name of the person (and anything else you know isuseful) and the folks at the PCHS will go through their recordsrepository to nd information to help you.

If you would like to see the museum, we highly recommend it forthe Dick Tracy fan, as Eliot Gould, the comic strips creator hashis own little spot in the museum (with many Dick Tracy drawings)

as well as a day devoted to his legacy. They also have militarymemorabilia, stoves from days gone by and even a mastodonbone from way back when. Included in the displays are photosof Pawnee from its early days as a Wild West oil town. All in all,its a nice way to get away from the everyday while you learn alittle something.

We highly recommend that you call for hours before you run upto Pawnee, but there are plenty of places to grab a bite, do abit of shopping and ll out the day while you are there. Find

out more about Pawnee County Historical Society & Museum at(918) 762-4681. The Society is located at 513 6th Street andtheir Website has lots of photos to help you decide to go. Checkit out at www.pawneechs.org.


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Grove has a show to help youmake it until springBy Amy Addams

Step back in time in PryorBy Amy Addams

It is not easy to nd things to do this time of year, but the fewthat are out there are truly worth exchanging pajamas for pants

and the Grove Home & Garden Show is one such event.

There will be cooking demonstrations, close to 100 home andgarden exhibits with all kinds of cool products as well as how-toseminars to teach you some things youll need to know to get that

spring plan to redecorate, landscape or remodel nally started.They have it all, including the people who can help you make ithappen no matter your budget or skill level. All you need to dois get there. We heard from some folks who have gone in years

past and they swear that the Home & Garden Show is a reallyfun way to spend the day. All you need to do is decide whichproject to do rst.

Its all sponsored by the Grove Chamber of Commerce and you

can nd out more at www.groveok.org or by calling (918) 786-

9079. The show is being held at the Grove Civic Center Feb. 8-10.

The show hours are: Feb. 8: 3 pm 7 pm, Feb. 9: 10 am 6 pm,Feb. 10: 11 am 3 pm

There are so many places in Oklahoma that we tend to overlookin our rush to get to the destination, never realizing that the littlestops along the way are the best part of the journey. SanduskysMarket and Music in Pryor is one of those places that youd be

foolish to pass up.

Open since 1954, Sanduskys has a little of everything for theveggie lover as well as the music acionado and a lot of littlethings in between. Its a cross between a vegetable market and amusic shop with harmonicas, tambourines and pepper plants all inthe same place.

Depending on when you visit, you mightget the not-so-rare opportunity to sit inon a jam session with the multitudes of visitors who come by quiteregularly to share their music. Even the beginners can come on in

and learn a little something while bagging oranges. All in all, itsa guaranteed fun couple of hours where you and the family canget your fresh produce and perhaps nd a hidden virtuoso. Welove that Sanduskys hasnt lost its days-gone-by feel and it issure to be fun for both adults and the kids.

You can nd Sanduskys at 29 S. Adair Street in Pryor or call(918) 825-2911.


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WASHINGTONCOUNTY

A month of music, art anddance in Washington CountyBy Julie Wenger Watson

Bartlesville greets 2013 with a calendar full of opportunitiesand theres a little something for everyone this January. On

Thursday, Jan. 10, Broadway in Bartlesville presents STOMP atthe Bartlesville Community Center. This internationally touringpercussion and dance production began as a street performancein the UK over 20 years ago. Decades later, STOMP has beenperformed in over 50 countries for over 24 million people,winning rave reviews and numerous awards along the way. Themembers of STOMP use everything from brooms and kitchensinks to trash can lids and Zippo lighters to create a unique per-formance of rhythm and movement that appeals to audiences ofall ages. More information on this performance can be found at

www.bartlesvillecommunitycenter.com

On Jan. 11 - 12, budding artists can join Mitzie McGregor foran Intro to Stained Art for Adults class. Students will learn thebasics of working with stained glass and will complete a projectduring the two day workshop. Jan. 18 - 19, there will be anAcrylic Paint Workshop for students of all skill levels. Partici-pants will have the chance to complete an abstract landscapewhile learning about many aspects of acrylic paint. If colored

pencils are your artistic tool of choice, attend the Colored Pencil

Workshop offered on Jan. 26 - 27. Aspiring artists will learn anumber of techniques they can apply to their own creations. See

www.bartlesvilleartassociation.com for more information.

If live music is your thing, youre in luck. The folks that bring usthe wonderful OK Mozart Festival each June are also presentinga series of House Concerts, intimate opportunities to experiencea wide range of music in a variety of settings. On Jan. 17, enjoyHillbilly-Jazz combo The Biscuit Grabbers at Haskells Loft.Playing original music inspired by early jazz, western swing andclassic country, the trio promises a memorable and entertainingevening. More info at www.okmozart.com.

For a twist on the classical, consider attending the Bartlesville

Symphony Orchestras Mendelssohn Mashup on Jan. 19. Tulsafather-son piano team of Donald and Barron Ryan will performnot only Mendelssohn, but also a fun assortment of jazz and popas well. Details at www.bartlesvillesymphony.org

For more information on all of these events and other upcomingactivities in the Bartlesville area, go to www.visitbartlesville.com


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Its hard to get wound up about anything this time of year, but wefound something that will make even the worst recluse get dressed

and get out. Its the annual Tulsa Boat Sport & Travel Showcoming our way Jan. 28 - Feb. 3 to the Muscogee Creek NationCenter at Expo Square and we highly recommend it.

First, theres the shiny new shing gear that will get you thinkingof warmer days that are just around the corner. You really needto check out the pretty new boats with all their glitter trim andfancy new instruments (bring your boat trailer just in case). But itdoesnt end with the boats. Youll need all of the accoutrements(like new shin poles, reels, spinners and such) because you cantbe seen in a fancy new boat with crappy old equipment! Weare very impressed with the number of local vendors who will bethere, so you can be assured that your money spent is helping the

Oklahoma economy stay on the upswing. Dont forget to get youa new sound system for that new boat too!

Theres more than boats and gear, though. There will be manycamper/RV/camping gear/dock companies on hand to help youcomplete that rst warm weekend of shing, camping and fun.Its a one-stop shop for everything you didnt get from Santa as

well as things you didnt even think to ask for. Remember thatpackage of underwear you got but you thought it was actuallysomething fun? Well, this is the time and the place to make it upto yourself. Even if you are a novice, there are people there whocan help you make the most of your knowledge (or lack of). Theywill have companies that specialize in helping you make the mosof your pretty new gear and can show you where to go and howto get that big catch youve always dreamed of.

If you are still concerned about the end of days, this is the placeto get your survival gear updated and learn more about whatelse you need to be the last survivors. They have it all.

It doesnt end with gear and guides. They will have all kinds ofnational and regional celebrities as well as live music for you toenjoy while you take a break with a hot dog and drink. Needmore? How about those crazy dudes from Animal Planets seriesHillbilly Handshin? Yep, Skipper Bivins and Trent Jackson willbe on hand to shake hands and give you a bit of advice on howto do your own handshin (but wed still suggest a rod and reel seems like a scary notion, grabbing a sh that big with yourbare hands). Phil and Bob Soven from MTVs series WakeBrothers will be there to give you tips on how to wake board, which rapidly becoming a very popular sport worldwide (and many oour local lakes offer it).

Still not sold? Well, how about this: you can take your kids 12 andunder in the doors for free! Just imagine you entertain the youngones with all kinds of fun and entertainment while you sneak off

and drool on the boats and RVs. Its a great day for the wholefamily and a great way to look forward to spring; which is only afew days away in these parts. The show will help you survive theFebruary doldrums while you stand in the garage and look at all

the new gear that is patiently waiting for you.

They will have multiple vendors for all of your camping, boatingand shing needs, so get off that couch, put some real pants onand check it out. Find out more information at www.tulsaboatshow.

com or call Show Manager, Jennifer Maricle at (918) 519-1210for specics. Their website is quite informative and should cover juabout anything you need to know. Expo Square is located at East

21st Street in Tulsa and the hours are Mon., Jan. 28: 5 pm 9 pmTue.-Fri.: noon- 9 pm, Sat.: 10 am 9 pm, Sun.: 11 am 5 pm.


TULSACO

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By Amy Addams

WIN TICKETS TO THE 2013

JANUARY 28 - FEBRUARY 3MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION CENTER AT EXPO SQUARE

KEEP WATCHING

FACEBOOK PAGE

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!



If you have resolved to shed some pounds this year, the good folks at Tulsa

County Parks have thought of a way to get in touch with your inner iron man

(or woman) with the 2013 Big Freeze 5K & Fun Run scheduled for Feb. 2 at

LaFortune Park.

The course is certied (and you might be certiable if you want to get out

and run in the dead of winter, but we salute you) and it includes OBSTACLES!!!

Thats right; its the kind of course that separates the die-hards from the

wimps, but the wimps are welcome to walk part or all of the course and it

really only amounts to no more than an hour of your day - even if you walk

the entire thing (5K=3.2 miles). BUT what makes this run really special is that

the proceeds go towards helping Tulsa parks stay alive and functioning. In a

time where budgets are being cut for parks, here is your opportunity to get

out and help keep Tulsa parks alive and thriving. Best of all, they are offering

awards, so make room on the shelf for that trophy so you can enjoy it untilApril.

Interested? Then check out their website at www.bigfreezetulsa.com or call Pat

Ward at (918) 596-5977. Everything you need to know is on their Website

and they also have the registration there too. Online registration closes Jan.

31, so dont ddle around. If you get registered early, you might get yourself

a goody bag and T-shirt to show the world just how tough you are. The fun

run begins at 7:30 am and the 5K begins at 8 am, so wear layers that you

can wrap around your waist as the sun gets higher in the sky.

Instead of rehashing the Tulsa theatre events, weve put all of them together

on page 39, but its worth mentioning that Tulsa is thriving with theatre in

January, so be sure to see whats there to offer.

Now get those running shoes out of the back of the closet and get running!

Happy 2013.

Other Tulsa To-DosBy Amy Addams

If you thought that the local Chamber of Commerce was takingtime off until spring, you would be dead wrong. It appears thatmany local chambers are locked and loaded for January and all

you need to do is decide which one you fancy.

First, we start with the 2013 Annual Awards Gala in Bixby. This isa masquerade gala with food, fun and awards going to busi-nesses, citizens and volunteers who have worked hard in Bixby allyear. It happens Jan. 11 and you can nd out all of the detailsat www.bixbychamber.com.

While you are looking at their website, be sure to check out the

various luncheons and events the Bixby Chamber has planned. If

you are a local business owner (or you wanna be one), you needto make sure you check in with them. Call the Bixby Chamber at(918) 366-9445 with questions.

The folks at the Glenpool Chamber are hosting an annualawards luncheon on Jan. 25 and they are following it up with anauction too. If you want to attend, then check out www.glen-poolchamber.org for more info. You can also call the GlenpoolChamber at (918) 322-3505 with questions.

Check out page 18 for details about the Tulsa Indian Art Showalso happening in January.

Getting around Tulsa - literallyBy Trent McDaniel



CREEKCO

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A Showcase of Fine Indian ArtBy Deb Bayton

In 1987, the rst Indian Art Festival was held in the Pavilion atthe Tulsa Fairgrounds. The artist Ben Shoemaker had donated apainting to the American Indian Theatre Company of Oklahoma,

entitled The First Night and so it was the featured artwork. Theevent was a huge success, and has continued to draw such inter-est that this year will mark their 27th festival!

Over the years the Festival has overcome many obstacles, butwith the continued support of two founding members and the Tulsacommunity, the TIAF has awarded scholarships to American Indianstudents, and upheld the beauty and importance of American In-dian art as an integral piece of the proud heritage of Oklahoma.

Each year a featured artist is selected for the Festival, and thisyear the artist is Kimberly Greene-Bugg. Reading through thepast roll-call of 26 years, it is a veritable whos-who of talentedAmerican Indian artists.

The caliber of artwork at the festival is extremely ne, and cer-tainly worth taking the time to see.

In addition to the vendors, there will also be entertainmentthroughout the duration of the festival, featuring Don White,Erica James and Mahenwahdose, all talented and respectedperformers. There will also be a variety of exhibition dancing,storytelling and ute playing, so truly something for everyone to

enjoy. This will be a wonderful opportunity to get out after thebusy holidays, and enjoy a few hours in the comfort of Glen-pools new Conference Center. Come and see the Tulsa IndianArt Festival, A Showcase of Fine Art and Tradition, Honoring theSpirit of the American Indian.

You will nd this years Tulsa Indian Art Festival (TIAF) at Glen-pool Conference Center, Hwy 75 & 121st Street on February 8,9 & 10. For more information, go to www.tulsaindianartfest.comor call (918) 298-2300



Ottawa keeps the Powwows cominBy Amy Addams

McIntosh mattersBy Alexis Greybird

One thing you have to admire about Miami is their spirit andattachment to their heritage. No matter what folks have planned,they make time to honor where they come from and they alwaysdo it in a big way.

On January 26, the Miami Nation is hosting a Tribal Stomp Dance

at the NEO College Arena where you can partake in a dinner, then

watch the gourd dancers take the stage and wind it all up with

the stomp dance. If youve never been

to a stomp dance, this is a fantastic way

to get your feet wet and learn a little

something about the culture and avor

of the Native community.

There will not only be dancing but theywill have gorgeous costumes you justwont see anywhere else, fancy danc-

ing, drumming and singing. The MiamiTribe really know how to put on a bigdeal shindig, and this is a great timeof year to check it all out. Who knows?You might get hooked and want tolearn how to stomp dance (think weightloss, exercise and fun).

The NEO College Arena is where it all

happens (at 200 I Street in Miami) andyou can learn more at www.miami-nation.com or by calling (918) 542-

7260. We looked at the Miami NationWebsite and couldnt nd the hours for

the dance, but maybe youll have moreluck.

This is a family-friendly event that promises an evening of fun forthe whole family. An added bonus is that you can get out for anevening of good food, good people and fun without breakingyour budget or boring yourself to tears. Now put on those jeansand get dancin!

While McIntosh County is relatively quiet this time of year, thereis one place where they are shaking things up pretty regularly.Its happening at the Plumb theatre, located about ve miles eastof downtown Eufaula on Route 1.

If you are looking for a place to takethe family for a night out listening to

music that doesnt offend, then givePlumb theatre a shot. They claim to havea gospel music show on Fridays and acountry music show on Saturdays startingat 7 pm. There is only a $5 cover forSaturday shows and Friday night showsare FREE!

We are very impressed with the factthat this is a smoke-free and alcohol

prohibited venuewhere you can graba snack while you

check out some family-friendly music.

We attempted to contact the owners,but with the holidays, they may havebeen too busy, so give them a call at

(918) 452-2020 to see whats goingon or check out their website at www.plumbmusics.com and check out theirUpcoming Events page for whats new.

The Lake Eufaula Arts Center is host-ing some pretty cool January classes

also, so check them out for somethingnew.


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CRAIGCO

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Out of the way, but right upyour alleyBy Amy Addams

Looking for a nice afternoon out of the house? Then check out

Cow Creek Pecan Co. & Caf, located in Welch, just down the

road a piece from Vinita. We found out about this cute little spotquite by accident, but what a happy accident it was!

Cow Creek is a caf where you can get all kinds of homemade

foods (and you can pronounce all of them) while you sit back and

take a load off. Cow Creek is food that you just wont be able to

turn away from and their prices are quite reasonable. They have

all kinds of dishes for all kinds of tastes, such as pickle chips, sal-

ads, burgers, entrees and more and we didnt nd anything that

costs over $10. We were also pleasantly surprised by the af-

fordable kids menu (everything is $4). Okay, honestly, what we

were really excited about is the desserts. Everything from pie to

ice cream sundaes bigger than your head (appropriately named

the Cow-lossal Sundae) are all for the taking. Its a fabulous little

nd that you may not have known about but it will be your new

favorite. Its a great place to bring the whole clan and eat good

for cheap.

Worth mentioning are the specials that they always seem to have

an abundance of. They had a Steak for Two running in Decem-

ber as well as kids eat free (one kid per paying adult) specials

to name just a few, so check out their latest cheap eats on Face-

book (www.Facebook.com/eatatthecow).

What really got our attention is the gift shop. If you missed some

folks for the Holidays, then check out their fabulous gift shop

where you can browse through all kinds of Okie-made items and

create that specialty gift basket that will never be forgotten.

They have all kinds of treats for all kinds of tastes and everything

is a good price. Stock up on some yummies to get you through

the cold winter nights or just look for stuff for the warmer spring

months just ahead. Did we mention that they also have a 1,200

acre pecan grove? If that doesnt get your attention, nothing will.

Find out more about Cow Creek on their Webpage: www.cow-creekpecanco.com or on Facebook (www.Facebook.com/eatat-

thecow) or if you dont care for the techno world, just call them at

(918) 788-3638. Their staff is real friendly and will surely help

you get the info you need.

Cow Creek Pecan Co. & Caf is located at 387 South Commer-

cial Street in Welch, just off Highways 2 and 10 and Welch is

almost due west of Miami. OR just follow the fat squirrels until

you get there. Cow Creek is open Tuesday through Saturday

10:30 am 9 pm with shorter hours Sunday-Monday.



Sometimes, we are pleasantly surprised by the small towns in Green Country who mightnot have anything going on during the overall busier times, but when all the others arerolling up the streets, towns such as Wagoner are stepping out and making it a January

to celebrate.

We start with the Western Hills Winter Bluegrass Festival at Western Hills Guest Ranch(AKA: Lodge at Sequoyah State Park) going on Jan. 17-19. Pickers of all skill levels arewelcome and various group sessions will be jamming all over the place, including thelobby. They are putting the call out for all instruments, including, but not limited to: ve-string banjo, attop guitar, ddle, mandolin, dobro and bass, and workshops will be heldfor all of them as well. No matter what your specialty, there will be someone there whocan help you take your skill to the next level.

You must have a ticket to participate and its all indoors, so no need to watch theweather for this event. Folks from all over the region will converge on Western Hills forthis weekend to remember. Youll want to show up to learn from all the specialists in theeld. The Lodge is located at 17131 Park 10 in Wagoner. Learn more by calling (405)273-8578.

The State Fiddlers Winter Convention is slated for February, so now is the perfect time toimprove your skills.

Wagoner is wonderful this winterBy Alexis Greybird



CHEROKEECOUNTY

Cherokee County goes forthe birdsBy Alexis Greybird

Hulbert is a quiet little town that likes it that way, and youll have

to respect that quiet when you check out the Eagle Tours hap-pening at Sequoyah State Park on Jan. 12, and the Eagle Tour &

Loon Watches going on Jan. 19 - Mar. 2 at Sequoyah and Ten-

killer State Parks. The eagle watches happen 9 am noon and

the loon watches start at 2 pm. They are scheduled for every

Saturday unless weather dictates differently.

What more can you want than to see eagles and not one but

THREE kinds of loons? What about one of the best guitar players

to ever grace planet earth? His name is Frank Vignola and if

youve never heard of him, you have heard of the people hes

played for. Names such as Madonna, Wynton Marsalis, Ringo

Starr, the Boston Pops and more all know his name and the leg-

endary Les Paul names him one of his Five Most Admired Guitar

List in the Wall Street Journal. Youll be truly amazed at his skill,

so come check out the guitar whisperer live at NSU on Friday,

Jan. 25 at 7:30 pm. Find out more at www.academics.nsuok.edu/

si/GalaxySeries or at www.frankvignola.com.

How about a wine tasting? The Tahlequah Main Street Associa-

tion is hosting their Wines of Winter Event scheduled for Feb. 7,

6-8 pm in downtown Tahlequah. For only $15, you can have a

leisurely stroll through downtown where you can check out the

various wine offerings, then stop off and have a nice dinner at

one of the many restaurants that have some great choices that

will excite you. If you pre-register, you get your own commemo-

rative wine glass with your $15 purchase (only a few are avail-

able so dont wait). Find out more at www.tahlequahmainstreet.

com or stop by the Tahlequah Chamber at 123 E. Delaware

Street just off Muskogee Ave.

110 North MuskogeeTahlequah, OK

(918) 458-0454

Winter Inventory

CLEARANCE!

15-70%

OFF SALE



235 N. Muskogee

Tahlequah, OK

918-456-6931

RememberYouAlwaysdoB

etterAt...


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OSAGECOUNTY

Pawhuska parades itspretties all year roundBy Alexis Greybird

ADAIRCOUNTY

Osage County always makes people think it is only a large tractof ranching and prairie land broken up by the occasional house,

but the truth is that Pawhuska is a shopping Mecca for those in

search of that special unique item such as an antique, etchedglass, collectible or western dcor. Pawhuska is truly the old-timey downtown shopping district where everything is new andexciting. All you need to do is get there.

A few places we found were Sisters Attic (115 E. Main, (918)287-2626), Promise Land Antique Mall (721 Kihekah, (918)287-9120) and Shops at Townmaker Square (519 Kihekah Ave.).

Pawhuska is a great place to park the car and peruse on footand we recommend that you park as close to downtown as pos-sible so you can get out and get some exercise while you shop.

What will you nd? These shops have it all and we havent evenlisted all of them antiques, candles, shabby chic, western,Native American, jewelry, vintage and more are all there andwaiting your presence. Think of all the things you wanted forChristmas and didnt get. Nows your chance to rectify it and get

yourself some of the things missed on your Christmas list.

There are plenty of places to stay (we recommend The Grand-view Inn B&B for a special night) as well as places to grab a bite

to eat. Its all there and only a few hours away. Now is the time

of year to get out and check out Pawhuska while there are nocrowds to interfere. Find out more about what Pawhuska has tooffer at www.visittheosage.com, www.pawhuskachamber.com, ocall (918) 287-1208 to plan your visit.

We heard of a restaurant in Stilwell called Somethin SweetDiner and Steakhouse on Blackjack Street in a quiet neighbor-hood off Hwy 59. As we entered, the waitress greeted us withwarm, welcoming smiles. The restaurant was well-kept and veryclean with a wonderful friendly atmosphere and surroundings.When we looked at the menu, we saw numerous plate dinnersalong with the classic burgers and fries plus homemade pies

and cobblers. We each ordered something different as well assome dessert. It was all beautifully cooked and tasted great.The pie will give you one big sugar rush, but dont skip out on it.If you enjoy great food and being catered to, then visit Ronnieand Brenda Hales Somethin Sweet Diner and Steakhouse -youll be glad you did. They are open 7 am 8 pm Monday Saturday and they serve breakfast all day Saturday.

If you are in Stilwell on the rst Saturday of the month, thendrop by the Flint Masonic Lodge #11 located on Hwy 59 Southat Plum Street for their monthly breakfast. Its served 7 am 10 am and the cost is $6 for 12 and older, $2.50 for childrenand children under ve eat free. All proceeds go toward local

Adair County is the place for youBy Ronnie Hopkins & Edna (Fields) Hopkinscharitable causes such as the food pantry, student scholarships,Angel Tree and so many more. You can have a great breakfastand help the Masons do so many wonderful things at the sametime.

Visit www.mypulsemag.com for pictures of Somethin Sweet.


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Okmulgee offers eats foreverybodyBy Amy Addams

Nowata mixes architecturewith learningBy Trent McDaniel

One thing we all tend to forget is to check out something newwhen we visit a new town. Many of us look for familiar signs

because even though the food is edible and not much more,we accept this as our due. One town has not one, but manyrestaurants that are not only some of the best in Okmulgee but

they are some of the best in Oklahoma. All you need to do isdecide which one to try rst. For the next coupleof months, we are going to focus on the good eatsyou can nd in Okmulgee starting with the legend-ary Masseys Bar-B-Que located at 200 N. WoodDrive.

If youve tried all of the chain BBQ joints andfound them lacking, then its long overdue that

you gave Masseys a try. His claim of No BragJus Fact is not a lie. The food is fall-off-the-bonetasty and the one thing they didnt neglect is theside dishes. You can get all kinds of sides to com-pliment your meal and not one is disappointing.

Masseys is family-friendly with fair prices thatwont make you feel like youve been ripped off.They have only a few desserts but chances are

pretty good that you wont want anything after afew ribs and your side dish.

Honestly, we arent sure how he stays in business with the portionsizes, but were not complaining. Theres only one Masseys and it

could be because their food is as original as they are.

Find out more about Masseys at www.masseysbarbeque.com or

call (918) 756-8227.

There are many little towns all over NE Oklahoma that we maynot make a special effort to visit and sometimes that list includes

Nowata. We know that many in Nowata like it that way and theyare content to be a sleepy little hamlet with all the necessitiesright in downtown, but if you are looking for a cheap day trip,you might want to make Nowata your destination.

There are two placeswhere the architec-

ture is interesting enough to warrant a trip. One of them is theNowata County Courthouse and the other is the library. For Janu-ary, weve decided that the Nowata Library deserves attention.If you are interested in learning more about Green Countrys

library system events for January,check out pages 28-29.

The architecture at the NowataLibrary is beautiful. We could talk

endlessly about the tall windowsand the angular rooftops, butinstead, we thought you might getmore from a picture. And afterall, a picture is worth a thousandwords, right?


26/56


WINDING STAIR MOUNTAINSby BILL HARRIS


27/56


GREEN

C

OU

NTRY

A

RTIS

TS

A BOY AND HIS HORSEby GUY LOCKWOOD

MEMORIES OF HOMEby MOJAH HAMNER

EAGLEby SHIRLEY WHITMAN

CHILDREN OF THE WINDby EDDIE MORRISON

TOMAHAWKSby J. T. MITCHELL

VASEby JACKIE SWAFFORD

THANKS TO ALL OF THE ARTISTSWHO SUBMITTED WORK FOR OUR COVER CONTEST

YOU ARE ALL TRULY TALENTED


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30/56

Winter is ofcially upon us. With all the excitementand fun that this time of year brings, there are alsocertain dangers to be aware of.

Snow and ice are prevalent during the winter monthsand precautions must be taken in order to protect

home and person. The most hazardous conditions canbe on the roads. Heavy snow can present white-outconditions making the roads nearly impossible tonavigate. Ice can be equally hazardous. Icy roadsare difcult to detect and leave the driver with littleto no traction. In hazardous conditions, it is best toavoid driving at all if possible. If you must ventureout, make sure your vehicle is in good working orderand prepare an emergency kit just in case. This can

include cell phone, blanket, candle, matches, water, apower bar, road are and a ashlight.

Snow and ice can also be a danger to the home.Snow banks can clog furnaces, dryer vents and heatpumps, causing overheating and carbon monoxideleaks. Ice accumulations on power can cause poweroutages causing cold and dangerous conditions athome. After a snow or ice event, you should always

do an outside check of your home for blockages,downed limbs or damage.

Regardless of snow or ice, however, winter can just be downrightcold. And with prolonged exposure to cold, either directly or

indirectly, comes many dangers, physically and mentally, to beaware of. If you must be out in the cold this season, be aware ofthe signs of hypothermia and frostbite which can be potentiallylife-threatening conditions. Signs of hypothermia can include

shivering, clumsiness and drowsiness among other things. Signsof frostbite can be a prickly, itching sensation in the skin, dis-coloring of the skin and a numb or burning sensation. For moreinformation on symptoms and treatment visit www.mayoclinic.com.Heart attacks are at a high in the winter time due to the cold. Sopractice caution when exerting yourself outdoors and limit yourtime in freezing temperatures. During these long cold monthsmany also suffer mentally. Seasonal affective disorder or SADis common this time of year. Symptoms of this disorder include

loss of energy, moodiness, and depression. If you notice changesin someones mood, it might be a good idea to get them somemedical help.

Winter time is also cold and u season. As it gets colder outside,we naturally tend to be indoors for longer periods of time. Thiscauses viruses to pass easily from one person to another. Thereare many simple tips to prevent cold and u; wash your handsregularly, maintain a healthy diet and get adequate exercise in

order to boost your immune system. It is also recommended thateveryone get a u shot each year. To nd out where to get youru shot this year visit www.u.gov. If you do get the u or a cold,

it is recommended that you open a window and air out the housefor even one hour after the sickness has largely passed.

Radon is a silent danger that can be a threat any time of theyear. However, concentration of this invisible natural gas tendsto be higher in the winter months. Radon is a gas that lives in thesoil and travels up into the air and into your home. As we shutourselves in for the winter, radon becomes thicker in the air andthus more of a danger to those in the home. Winter is the recommended time to have your home tested for radon levels. Formore information on radon and how to test your home visit www.

epa.gov/radon.

While watching out for yourself and your loved ones this winter,dont forget about your pets. They are just as susceptible as

anyone to the cold weather. Extreme cold can even be deadly your pet. It is suggested to bring your animals indoors as muchas possible this winter. If they must be outside for long periodsof time provide them with adequate shelter capable of cuttingout the wind. It is recommended that the shelter be raised a few

inches off the ground and covered with a waterproof covering tprotect from rain and snow. Also, check their water dish for signof freezing. More suggestions on how to protect your pets thiswinter can be found at www.humanesociety.org.

Enjoy this winter season with family and friends, but remember tplay it safe!


The Dangers of Winter WeatherBy Sarah Bowman


31/56


Last month The Pulse included a great article on New YearsResolutions. It included many helpful tips and also some greatwebsites to visit for specic resolutions.

Now that January and the New Year is upon us it is time to startmaking those resolutions reality.

If you are like many other Americans, getting more exercise maybe on your list of goals for the New Year. This particular resolu-tion seems to rate among the most popular every year.

Our fast paced lifestyle, availability of fast food, longer com-mutes, more sedentary jobs and home environments all lead toless exercise for the average person. If you are not making aconscious decision to be active, chances are you are not living an

active lifestyle. Add to that the extra food, parties and poundsthat often come with the holidays, its no wonder that we nd our-

selves anxious to make a change this time of year.

So, just how do we make a tness resolution that we can indeedstick to?

1. Dont expect to replace your sedentary lifestyle with week-

ends full of marathons overnight. Try instead to set realistic

smaller goals. That way you are not faced with an all or nothingattitude and success seems easier to obtain. If you currently getno exercise, start with walking for 10 minutes extra a day, orsimply increasing your daily steps. You can purchase inexpen-sive pedometers which will measure your steps for you. If you

already have an exercise routine, try adding an additional 10minutes, an additional day or increasing the intensity or varietyof your exercise.

2. Write it down! Keeping goalsposted can strengthen your re-solve and improve your success.I recommend writing your weeklygoal (be specic) and posting itin one or more places (car, homeand your ofce).

3. Grab a friend or family

member. Having a focused anddedicated exercise buddy canadd motivation and accountabil-ity when your own is lacking. Ifyou choose to work out in a gymor walk at a park, try gettingknow someone there if a friendor family member is not avail-able.

4. Focus on what you are gain-

ing. Resolutions are typically related to something we want toadd or take away from our lives. It is usually easier to add goodhabits than it is to break bad ones. Try thinking of your resolu-tion with that in mind. Decide why you want to exercise, what willbe the benet to you.

5. Develop some distractions. This means that if you know youare likely to sit and check your Facebook page after eating yourlunch at work, but you want to walk a couple of ights of stairsto get more exercise, leave your lunch in the car so you have todo the stairs rst. If, on the other hand, your neighbor alwayscatches you as soon as you step outside for your 15 minute walk,plan to stop by the park and take your walk there instead. Thedistractions must be planned ahead to be successful.

6. Do not give up at the rst sign of setback. Expecting andaccepting setbacks for what they are (a temporary step back-

ward) and not allowing yourself to give up is a really importantpart of success. After all, if your goal is to walk for 15 minutesevery evening and you were unable to walk two days out of theweek, then that is still ve days in the right direction.

7. Reward success. Some ideas are a new workout outt, anew CD, a special meal out with a friend. Anything that you

value (and doesnt sabotage your exercise goal) will work. Youchoose.

8. Envision what your success will look like. What will it feellike! Remind yourself to think about this at least once a day.

You can do this. Little steps toward your goal are better than nosteps at all. There is no time like the present. You can choosetoday to get started.

Fitness Resolutions that WorkBy Karen Brown


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Christmas has ended, the trees, lights and wrappings have beenput away and now we all sit back and wait for those bills tocome while we nurse that Christmas spending hangover. Some ofyou used cash for your holiday expenses and to those who did,we applaud you. For those of you who didnt and are facing big

credit card bills, we want to help you get back on track.If you are paying high interest rates, take a look at either

transferring your balances to a lower-rate card or getting alow-interest loan from your bank. Borrowing from family if youvereally made a mess of things is another option but the idea isto pay off everything by June because you will need to savefor next year and youll need some time so you dont repeat thesame mistake.

How will you gather the money to pay the bills? First, take a lookat your budget. Do you eat lunch out every day? That can be

dropped to one or two days and take the money to pay downthose bills. What about your cable TV bill? Do you have all the

channels? Could you get rid of them for a few months? Whatabout your day-to-day expenses? Do you really need new shoes,a new bag or other treats? Can you make last years goods lastanother year? The trick is to look at your monthly expenses anddrop them down so that money can go to your bills. Somethinghas to give (shopping in your closet can help you avoid givingyour money to the mall).

Do you need to get a part-time job? Some people get a part-time to pay off their bills, but every penny you earn needs togo to paying down that debt. Do you have to hit your retirementaccount or other savings plan to get these bills paid? If you arereally in the hole, look at what you pay in interest versus what

you gain from your other accounts and do some math. If its wortborrowing against your retirement account or other accounts,

then by all means, get those bills paid! You might want to borrowagainst your car, home or other valuable but dont make this aregular thing to keep your nances straight. This is an emergencyx, not a regular way to x your money.

You may want to talk to your accountant about your taxes for2012 and see if you can set yourself up to get a big refund fromUncle Sam. Youll need to ensure that the money doesnt burn ahole in your pocket on the way to the mailbox but if you really

want to get rid of the bills you can do it.

If you really overdid things, you might want to talk to a creditcounseling service and have them help you get straightened out.Many offer these services for free and will negotiate a lower bifor you. If you have reached that point, then its time to cut-upthose cards and get on a budget diet. One such company is Consumer Credit Counseling Service (www.cccs.org) where you canget the credit help you need.

Most importantly, dont beat yourself up over it too badly butits time to rethink your future spending and its never too soon todo so. Many people overspend at Christmas time, but if youvedone this many times before, its a symptom of something bigger

at work and therapy might be in order. You may be a chronicspender/shopper and there might be reasons you spend moneytoo quickly. Find out the reasons you overspend and get help.Have someone you trust either cut-up your cards or put them

away until you can get the bills under control. Some peoplefreeze their charge cards in a block of ice. If you still want itafter the credit card has thawed, then it may be okay to buy.Now if you can, put a bit of money aside for next year. Many ous are Christmas fanatics and spend way more than we should, splanning ahead is key to stopping the trend towards overspend-ing. Putting away $100-200 per month can get you a big fatpayout for your next holiday without the credit card hangover

next January. Its never too early to start the plan. Ask your bankif they have a Christmas club where you can save a bit of moneyevery month for the next Christmas season and stick to it. Youmay want to revamp the amount of money you spend on otherstoo. Its never too early to make a plan and revise it to keepyour expenses under control. Everyone doesnt need the bestmoney can buy and neither do you.

Happy 2013 Green Country! (Notice how we survived the Ma-yan prophecy? Now, take that as a sign that you will be here a

while and some changes need to happen.)


PULSEPRO

Getting your After-Christmas nances back on trackBy Amy Addams



Helpful Hints for Charitable GivingBy Jaci Taylor, NEO Accounting

Charitable Organizations

Contributions to qualied charitable organizations are generallytax deductible as an itemized deduction. Qualied charitableorganizations include nonprot groups that are religious, chari-table, educational, scientic, or literary in purpose, or that workto prevent cruelty to children or animals. If you are consider-ing a charitable contribution to an organization, ask the charityabout its tax-exempt status. You can also visit IRS.gov and use theExempt Organizations Select Check tool to ensure the charity isa qualied charity. Donations charged to a credit card by Dec.31 are deductible for 2012, even if you pay the bill in 2013.A gift by check also counts for 2012 as long as it is mailed in De-cember. Gifts given to individuals, whether to friends, family orstrangers, are not deductible. Contributions to political organiza-tions and candidates are NOT deductible.

Expenses Incurred While VolunteeringOut-of-pocket expenses incurred in performing volunteer workfor a charitable organization (including the charitable mileage

deduction) are considered cash contributions. The value of adonors time is not deductible.

Contributions That Benet the TaxpayerIf a taxpayer receives a benet in exchange for a charitablecontribution, the deduction is reduced by the value of the benetreceived.

Auto Expenses

Deductible out-of-pocket expenses in-clude the cost of using the taxpayersauto in providing services for acharitable organization. Deductthe actual cost of gas and oil

or the standard mileage rate.Add parking and tolls to amountclaimed for either standardmileage rate or actual expenses.A mileage log is required.

Standard Mileage RateThe general standard mileage rate forcharity is 14 per mile in 2012.

Contributions of Property

If used items were given to charity, such as clothing or furniture,the fair market value of the items is used to determine the de-ductible amount. Fair market value is what a willing buyer would

pay a willing seller when neither has to buy or sell and both areaware of the conditions of the sale. Most cell phones today cantake pictures. Take a picture of all items donated. Keep theelectronic pictures for proof the items were in good used condi-tion or better at the time they were donated.No deduction is allowed for a charitable contribution of cloth-ing or household items unless the clothing or household item is ingood used condition or better. The IRS is authorized by regula-tion to deny a deduction for any contribution of clothing or ahousehold item that has minimal monetary value, such as usedsocks and undergarments.

Recordkeeping Rules for Charitable ContributionsTo help substantiate a deduction for the fair market value of

used items donated to charity,make a list of each item donated on a separate sheet of paper,along with the followinginformation: Name and address of charity. Date items were donated to the charity. Description of each item donated. Fair market value of each item at the time they were donated. Date each donated item was originally purchased or acquired. Cost or other basis of each item donated.

Part Contribution, Part Goods or ServicesA written statement from a charity is required if a donation ismore than $75 and is partly a contribution and partly for goodsor services. The statement must contain an estimate of the valueof goods or services received.Exception: A written statement for goods or services is not re-quired if one of the following is true.1) The charity is a federal, state, or local government or a re-

ligious organization where the benet is an intangible religiousbenet, such as admission to a religious ceremony.2) The goods or services are of token value.3) The goods or services are membership benets.

Donating a Vehicle Written AcknowledgementObtain written acknowledgement from the organization,

which includes details on the use or disposition ofthe vehicle by the donee organization. A

copy of the written acknowledgementmust be attached to the tax return.

Deduction LimitsA deduction for used items

donated to a charity are gen-erally equal to the fair marketvalue of the item at the timeof the donation. In the case of

vehicles, the deduction may beless than fair market value under

the gross proceeds deduction limit,if certain conditions are met.

Contributions of Less Than $500A written acknowledgement is still required if the

contribution is $250 or more.

Seek Professional Tax Advice

To determine your individual tax situation, contact a licensedCPA. CPAs are required by state law to complete continuingeducation each year so that they are aware of changes in thetax law. Many times taxpayers believe that services providedby CPAs are more expensive than other preparers; however,fees for tax preparation are comparable to other non-licensedpreparers. CPAs can act as your representative before stateand federal tax authorities. They will serve as personal repre-sentatives, or reply to correspondence concerning tax returnsor provide explanations, schedules, and other documents in taxexaminations. CPAs are the professionals trained to give yousound advice.


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GOINGOUT


Winter (especially January) is a perfect time of year to take alittle long weekender to a nearby city while still minding yourbudget. Many hotel chains have January deals that will keep

your sanity and your checkbook happy. We have some cities thatare all within a 6-hour drive from Green Country. All you need todecide is which one suits you best.

Dallas (4 hour drive): Dallas has it all: food, shopping, culture,museums, take your pick. The north side of Dallas is convenientfor plenty of shopping with malls, shopping centers and lots ofchain restaurants as well as many one-of-a-kind places whereyou can get your ll of ethnic food, home cooking and anythingyour heart, and stomach, desires. There are also many townsalong Route 75 where you can stop off for a sandwich, drink andpotty break along the way.

A few shopping stops we really like are: North Park Center,Galleria Dallas and Highland Park Village. The Dallas WorldAquarium as well as the Childrens Aquarium at Fair Park arequite the spectacle and Plano has a quaint little downtown districtchock full of antiquing opportunities and plenty of good food.If you are venturing into Dallas during the weekdays, be fore-warned that rush hour is alive and well so driving between 4 and6 pm can be a little chaotic.

Find out more about Dallas at www.visitdallas.com.

Little Rock (4-5 hour drive): We love Little Rock and if you are abig Bill Clinton fan, there are lots of places to relive the Clintonera including a museum devoted to the man. Downtown is beauti-

ful and runs along the river and they have a great trolley systemthat can take you anywhere you want to go in downtown.

Little Rock is also chock-full of antiquing opportunities, shoppingmalls and specialty boutiques, so plan your trip before you go oryou miss out on something really fun. Little Rock is also well-knownfor their eclectic mix of breweries and distilleries with all kindsof micro breweries such as Boscos, Diamond Bear and Rock TownDistillery to name just a few. They also have a zoo and muse-ums such as the Arkansas Arts Center, Arkansas Inland MaritimeMuseum and MacArthur Museum of Military History; the list goeson and on.

Want to know more? Then check out www.littlerock.com and planyour trip.

Oklahoma City (2-3 hour drive): Many of us have been to OKC,but we went there with an agenda, never stopping to check outwhat else was around. OKC is truly and arts and cultural Meccawith a lot to offer. If you plan well, you can make it a day trip orstay for more you wont run out of things to do, we promise.

Of course, OKC Zoo is a great stop and plenty of their animalslove the cooler weather, so you can be assured that the polarbears and penguins wont be hiding from the heat of summer.Theres also the Science Museum, Bricktown, Paseo Arts Districtand Automobile Alley and we havent even skimmed the surface.

You wont run out of food options in OKC either. With plenty ofoptions, you will only need to decide what you are hankering forbut you might want to let your sniffer be your guide to pickingout what you crave. Mexican, steakhouses, sports grills and cafesare easily accessible and plentiful.

Of course, no trip would be complete without a bit of shopping

and OKC is renowned for their boutiques, antiques and artsyshopping spots. Plenty of places can be the go-to for your Chrismas 2013 list but make sure you grab a few goodies for yoursetoo.For more information, visit www.visitokc.com.

Kansas City (about 5-6 hour drive): Now, no trip to KC is com-plete without trying a bit of BBQ which is what Kansas is knownfor, but you wont want to stop there. We highly recommendVillage West for a day of shopping with Cabelas and NebraskFurniture Mart. Its easily accessible from major highways andencompasses 400 acres, so theres a full day of fun and shoppinright there. If you want to have a more upscale experience, checout Country Club Plaza where all of the fancy shops are congre

gated. The architecture alone is enough to leave you standingthere gaping. They claim to have 15 block of Endless Possibili-ties but youll want to have some serious money in your pocketbefore you venture inside.

Find out more about things to do in KC at www.wycokck.org.

Branson (about 5-6 hour drive): For the gambler, show lover andlive music fan, Branson has something for all of you and manyare within walking distance. Its as good as any Las Vegas with-out the longer drive. There is lots of golf too, but it might be thetime to scout out the fairways you want to hit when the weatherwarms up a bit. You can, however, checkout the myriad of pro

Tripping ona tankful


35/56


shops where you can nd all kinds of golf needs.

Shopping is everywhere you look in Branson. With Antiques, craftmalls, IMAX theater, the Shops at Branson Meadows and BransonLanding, Tanger Mall you will not run out of shopping opportuni-ties. Youll run out of steam before you hit them all, so wear goodshoes. While you are there, check out all that downtown Bransonhas to offer.

If you cant nd something to feed you in Branson, then theres

just no hope. Seafood to steaks, American to Italian to Asian,Branson has food to keep you replenished while you shop, peruseor party your day away. Its all there, including family-stylerestaurants and pubs. Theres also plenty of fast food if you arehungry but need to eat and run.

Find out more about Branson at www.branson.com, www.explore-branson.com or www.bransontourismcenter.com.

Source: Google Maps

Camp Gruber, Zeb Unit, Cherokee Country

Kayaking on the Illinois River


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This past fall we experienced warmer than usual weather. With

more warm weather likely this January, why not get the fam-ily out of the house and off of the couch this winter? Whetheryou like to be spontaneous or you prefer to plan ahead, GreenCountry has many lovely places to enjoy. The choices are numer-ous (too many to mentions here), many are free or very inexpen-

sive, and most are only a short drive away.

Hiking/Nature Trails

There are so many places to enjoy the great outdoors on a sunny

winter day (again, way too many to mention). Being surroundedby natures beauty can improve moods and reduce stress. It canbe very refreshing for people of all ages to get outside andbreak the routine. Below are just some of the many places thatyou can go to hit the trails:

In the Tulsa Area:

Mary K. Oxley Nature Center-Gates open 8 am - 5 pm

Located in Mohawk Park, Mary K. Oxley Nature Center is a surestep away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Enjoy the trailsor call ahead to get information on one of the many programsoffered, including Sat morning Bird Walks.

Red Bud Valley Nature Preserve-open 8 am - 5 pm (Wed.-Sat.)Kids of all ages will enjoy the hiking trails. Red Bud Valley Na-ture Preserve has a lot of boulders and small caves to peek inand around.

Turkey Mountain - open dawn to duskYou will nd over 20 miles of trails, both rugged and scenic at

Turkey Mountain. Its a beautiful place to get a little exercise.

Outside Tulsa:

You can also nd lots of trails in state parks around Green Coun-try. For a complete list of NE Oklahoma State Parks visit: www.stateparks.com But here are just a few of the 21 State Parksin the area: Greenleaf State Park, Osage Hills State Park, Twin

Bridges State Park, Lake Eucha State Park, Keystone State Park,Bernice State Park, Sequoyah State Park

Local Parks

Local Parks are indeed great locations to enjoy some fresh air.If we continue to be blessed with especially warm afternoons, trystopping by your local park for a picnic. But, dont worry if theOklahoma wind prevents a picnic, just trade in that picnic ideafor a brisk walk, or maybe a quick trip to the playground with

your children.

Zoos

On a pretty day, theres really no place like a zoo. Many ani-

mals are more active in the cooler weather. The Tulsa Zoo andLiving Museum has indoor as well as outdoor habitats to view,making it nice even when the weather is less than perfect. Oftenoverlooked is the Nature Exchange at the Tulsa Zoo. Check itout for a unique way to spark your childrens interest in biology,botany, and zoology.

Museums

Perfect for a colder day and another great escape from the oldroutine, Green Country is home to some great museums. Museums

offer an educational experience and can often expose children

(and adults) to a whole new world. And, when you consider that

many have free or reduced admission fees for children under 17,

museums can be hard to beat. Youll probably want to Google you

preferences for more specic information and hours of operation.

In Tulsa:

Gilcrease Museum, Philbrook Museum of Art, Sherwin Miller Mu-

seum of Jewish Art, Tulsa Air and Space Museum, Jenks Aquarium

Outside Tulsa:

Har-Ber Village Museum is known as the largest antique historicamuseum in the U.S. It is located on Grand Lake, near Grove, OKWill Rogers Memorial MuseumWoolaroc Ranch, Museum and Wildlife Preserve is located SE ofBartlesville, OK.Eastern Trails Museum

Darryl Starbirds National Rod & Custom Car Hall of FameMuseumPrice Tower Arts CenterUSS BatshShepherds Cross is located outside of Claremore and offerstours, seasonal petting zoos, yearly festivals and ber art classes

If you are looking to beat the winter blues or simply break theold routine, then the possibilities are practically endless. The list

below includes even more ideas, which just might keep you fromspending the whole winter on the couch! So get out and havesome fun this winter!

Ice Skating, Geocaching, Bowling, Rock Climbing, Roller Skat-ing, Fishing (including Trout shing), Laser Tag, Paintballing, Birdwatching, Indoor Swimming, Local Historic Sites, Community PlaysCeramic and Stained Glass Shops, Craft classes at Hobby Storesand Community Centers, Totem Pole, Blue Whale

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Off the CouchBy Karen Brown


37/56

Okay, we admit that we are guilty of sitting on the couch, inour sweats, remote in one hand, can of pop in the other, want-ing to do something else, but not really making any efforts todo so. While many people are making New Years resolutionsto lose weight, quit smoking, etc., we have decided that we areno longer going to spend our time wasting away in front of the

TV until the weather warms up. This idea led us to give you someideas on what you can do to get up and get out, even for only anafternoon so here are some ideas to help you break the routinewithout breaking the budget.

1. If you want to get the whole family out for a budget-friendlyafternoon of fun including eating out, make sure you eat lunch,not dinner. Lunch specials are to be had all over the place andyou might want to ask others where they suggest you go. You can

eat for as little as half of what you would for dinner. Splittingyour meal with another is another way to be good to your waist -line and your wallet.

2. If youd like to see a movie but its not one you are sure youlllike, try nding a matinee where tickets are oftentimes 25-35%less or nd some of the second run theaters where shows are$2-5. Youll have to wait a few months for a movie, but if youwerent sure you wanted to see it in the rst place, you wont be

out a lot of money. Be sure you eat something at home, becausetheaters often get your wallet with popcorn and snack prices.

3. If you want some fresh air, a tour through a town you haventvisited in a while (or ever) might be in order. Many downtownsor main streets are great places to spend an afternoon windowshopping, grabbing a bite and getting home in time for dinner.

Some great places to visit are Grove, Claremore, Owasso, Col-linsville, Tahlequah, Bartlesville, Vinita and Tahlequah.

4. A museum is always a nice way to spend an afternoon. Thereare so many museums, we could never cover them all, but a feware: Gilcrease, Philbrook, Crystal Bridges, Air and Space Museumand Daryl Starbirds Car Museum. If you would like to decidewhich museum best suits you, check out what www.travelok.comhas to offer as well as www.okmuseums.org. Both offer maps andoptions for what kind of museum might strike your fancy.

5. If travel doesnt excite you, why not see whats around in your

town or a neighboring one? Many of our towns have museumsthat cover what made our town famous and many of us haventvisited them since we were in grade school (or ever). Visit a res-taurant youve never triedbefore while you areout and see what mightbecome your new favor-ite. Its like seeing your

hometown with new eyes.Afterwards, spend sometime perusing the shopsdowntown. You dont

have to go into all of them but you might nd a place youve notvisited before.

6. When were you at the library last? Many of our local librarieshave DVDs, a big childrens section and lots of friendly peoplewho can help you select a few books to take home and turn off

that TV. If you arent sure what to select, ask whats popular, trya new genre or just re-read an old favorite. Anything to engageyour mind instead of mind-numbing hours in front of the televi-sion. If you cant nd or dont have a library card, get a new one.It only takes a minute.

7. Places such as the zoo, the aquarium, bumper cars, bowling,ice skating, roller skating or even walking around a mall offerexercise and a chance to get out and do something fun as a fam-

ily without breaking the bank. Many kids only play video gamesto alleviate boredom and doing something interactive gives themsomething new to do as well as some much-needed exercise.

8. Did you get gift cards or gift certicates for Christmas? Whynot ask the family what everyone wants to do and use thatmoney toward it? You might be surprised at how much you havein gift cards lying around, thus making for a day of fun for nomoney at all.

9. Why not see what

The Pulse Magazine January 2013 issue

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Transcript of The Pulse Magazine January 2013 issue