Have a great time during the Rescue Day & Dog Wash on Sunday, May 20, while you have your dog washed at one of the four wash stations for only $10 per dog, buy some raffle tickets, and see celebrities dunked in a tank. Photo provided

By Darla Shelden
Contributing Writer

On Sunday, May 20, the 3rd Annual Rescue Day & Dog Wash will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Britton Square Shopping Center, NW corner of N. May Ave. and W. Britton Road. Coordinated by Carey Pet & Home Care and A1 Pet Emporium, this event supports Oklahoma rescues and animal welfare organizations in their efforts to rescue, foster, restore and find homes for dogs and cats. Many of the rescues are breed specific and will have animals on hand ready to be adopted.
“Over 200 dogs were washed last year and we are hoping to more than double it this year,” said Cris Carey, co-founder of Rescue Day & Dog Wash and owner of Carey Pet & Home Care.

“In addition to the dog wash, there will be inflatables for the kids, a DJ with music, a Mobile Vet doing low cost vaccinations & micro chipping, and an ordained minister will bless your pets, along with more than two dozen vendors and attractions. People will have an opportunity to win a trip for 2 to the Hard Rock Resort & Spa in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.”

The net proceeds from the event go directly to the 25 well-deserving rescues and animal welfare organizations that are participating.

“Rescue Day & Dog Wash is in its third year,” said Carey. “This year we hope to raise over $10,000 for the pet organizations. “We have a blast doing this and it’s personally rewarding to be able to do something big for the local rescues who constantly struggle to meet (vet), food and boarding costs.”

In 2010, Cris Carey and Trisha Clark, owners of A1 Pet Emporium, decided to hold a small dog wash fund raising event to support a few local rescues. The idea included having some local business set up booths to promote their products and services. Rescue Day & Dog Wash was born.

“Come have your dog washed at one of our four wash stations for only $10 per dog, buy some raffle tickets, and have a local celebrity dunked. Come one and all,” said Carey.

This year, the raffle Grand Prize is a trip to the Hard Rock Resort at Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic for two people, for four days and three nights. Grand Prize Drawing tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. Main raffle table tickets are $3 each or 4 for $10.

Free raffle tickets are available by bringing unwanted CDs, DVDs and video games. In exchange, For Your Entertainment will donate the value of your CD/DVD/Game to Rescue Day & Dog Wash. Donate 5 CD/DVD/Games for one raffle ticket ($3 value). Or simply donate your unwanted discs to help raise funds for participating organizations.

Donate any type of bags, boxes, or cans of pet food to The Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma City to receive a chance to win the Pet Food Pantry prize drawing.

At 2 p.m., Reverend Ted Uhlig of Mayfair Heights United Methodist Church will be blessing the pets at the event. PAWS-OK, Pet Adoption and Welfare Services of Oklahoma, Inc., will be selling penny candy throughout the day.

Other event activities include a dunk tank, a groomer to do nails and ears, food vendors including Smokin’ Okies BBQ, Pops Hamburgers and Waffle Champion, and a photographer for posing pets. Any used leashes, collars, and toys will be appreciated and donated to Second Chance Dog Rescue.

Rescues included in the event are: Great Plains Mastiff Rescue, Homeward Bound Pug Rescue, Pit Bull Rescue Oklahoma, Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue, Pet Angels Rescue, The Jude Ranch, Safe Haven Animal Rescue, Inc., Pekes and You Rescue, Oklahoma Westie Rescue, Heartland Weimaraner Rescue, Doberman Rescue Group, Fasthound Greyhound Adoption, Inc.

Also, All 4 One Rescue, HazelJane’s Blessings Italian Greyhound Rescue, Red Dirt Boxer Rescue, Pit Bull Rescue, Oklahoma Yorkie Rescue, Maltese Rescue of Oklahoma, ZsaZsa’s Sheltie Rescue, Friends with 4 Paws, Because of You Chihuahua Rescue, Heartland Lab Rescue, and the Oklahoma Cocker Rescue.

Of course, sponsors make it all happen. Gold Level Sponsors include Veterinary Home Health Care, A1 Pet Emporium and Carey Pet & Home Care.

Silver Level Sponsors include The Plumbing Company, Two Sister’s Bakery, and Precious Pet’s Cemetery. And Bronze Level Sponsors include Ainsworth Pet Nutrition, Paint Your Art Out and Spacewalk of West. Oklahoma City.

“This is big for these rescues that work so hard to find good homes for animals that wouldn’t survive without temporary caregivers,” said Trisha Clark.

For more information visit www.RescueDayDogWashOKC.org or call Cris Carey at 405-605-3355 or Trisha Clark at 405-209-9868.

First prize went to Partners & Partners TOO for their incredible pirate float, Powered by Pride, in the 2011 OKC Pride Parade. Photo by Dee Goodwin

By Darla Shelden

Contributing Writer

Celebrating their 25th anniversary, OKC Pride has organized ten days of activities celebrating Pride Week. A partnership of the Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association (OGRA), Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays of Norman (PFLAG of Norman), Cimarron Alliance, and Church of the Open Arms will be hosting events to run from May 18 to 27.

25 years ago, the first Pride demonstration was held on the 39th Street “Strip” by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. In 2012, OKC Pride is moving to a new downtown festival location on Oklahoma City’s Film Exchange District (a.k.a. Film Row), located between Dewey and Shartel, at Sheridan.

Prior to the official kick off of Pride Week, a film screening of “Wish Me Away,” the story of Chely Wright, the first country music star to come out as gay, will be held on Thursday, May 17, at 7:30 p.m. The event is sponsored by The Oklahoma City Museum of Art and co-presented by deadCENTER Film Festival and OKC Pride. Tickets are available at www.okmoa.com. Also, on May 17, eat at either S&B Burger Joint location, 5929 N. May Avenue or 20 NW 9 Street, and OKC Pride will receive 10% of sales.

OKC Pride Week 2012, themed “Proud. Strong. United” officially begins on Friday, May 18 with a free movie. Producer and director Tim Wolff and special guest activist Albert Carey will present “The Sons of Tennessee Williams” covering 50 years of New Orleans’ gay civil rights revolution. The outdoor movie begins at 8:30 p.m. at the festival’s new Film Row venue, in the parking lot at 616-624 W. Sheridan Avenue. Pride officials encourage everyone to bring chairs & blankets for a film screening under the stars. Parking is available in the lot located at 614 W. Sheridan Avenue.

Also on May 18, from 7 to 9 p.m., the Other Options Fashion Show, A Toast to Life, will be held at 722 N. Broadway; $50 admission.

Continuing at the Film Row venue, on Saturday, May 19, a free, daylong 2012 OKC Pride Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. The family friendly festival will include live music, entertainment, food, drinks, raffles and prizes.

The festival’s stage will feature performing artists Beth Isbell; Burlap Tuxedo and Local Honey; D.D.N.T; Mont Lyon; MoonSue; the Aalim Bellydance Academy, Randy Rodgers; and Spencer Hicks and BradChad Porter. There will be non-profit exhibitors, commercial vendors and community resources available.

With more than 60,000 people in attendance in 2011, on Sunday, May 20, the 25th annual OKC Pride Parade will follow the same route as last year. The parade will lineup on Classen Boulevard at NW 36 Street, at 4:00 p.m. Judging begins at 5 p.m., and the Parade will step off at 6 p.m. The route travels north on Classen, turns west on 36 Street and ends just west of Pennsylvania at Barnes.

This year, to commemorate the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, OKC Pride is inviting current LGBT service members to march in the event as the Parade’s collective Grand Marshals. Those interested can sign up at OKCPride.org. 2012 Parade emcees will be Renee Hilton and Jezebel Banks. There will be food vendors available in the Angles Club parking lot.

On Monday, May 21, as part of OKC Pride’s awareness initiative and a sign of support for LGBT Youth who are bullied in schools, OKC Pride asks everyone to wear purple.

On Tuesday, May 22, at 8:30 p.m., a free outdoor sing along screening of the film ‘Grease” will be hosted by Expressions Church, 4010 N. Youngs Boulevard.

Wednesday, May 23, a free viewing of “Fish Can’t Fly” will be held at 7 p.m., at Church of the Open Arms, 3131 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. The documentary examines reparative therapy and the role of faith communities. The event is presented by PFLAG of Norman, Cimarron Alliance and Church of the Open Arms.

Thursday, May 24, at 8 p.m., “Turning Drag on its Wig,” hosted by Cimarron Alliance, will offer an evening of unlikely drag queens, at Angles, located at 2117 NW 39th Street. Emcee will be Mr. Gay Oklahoma USofA, Kelly “Keliente.” Must be 21 and $5 cover charge.

Friday, May 25 will feature various club events on the 39th Street Strip including “Wear Pink Day.”

The 27th Annual Great Plains Rodeo, hosted by the Oklahoma Gay Rodeo Association, will be held at the State Fair Grounds, barns 6 and 7, on Saturday, May 25 through the 27. For more details visit www.ogra.net.

OKC Pride Inc. is the single-largest LGBT organization in the State of Oklahoma. Over 70,000 people attend OKC Pride festivities each year and the organization hosts the second largest parade in Oklahoma. OKC Pride works to provide leadership to meet the needs of the LGBT community through awareness, health, and educational services.

On Saturday, June 23, the “Oklahoma Remembers LGBT Candlelight Vigil” will take place outside of Angles Club, 2117 NW 39 Street, at dusk. This event will illuminate the past 25 years of OKC Pride by remembering those lost to HIV/Aids, as well as those affected by hate, bigotry, and bullying.

OKC Pride 2012 is sponsored by: Coors Light, Miller Lite, Tecate, Boulevard Brewing Company, Anheuser Busch, Renaissance Hotel, Dell, Bob Lemon, Josh Powell, OKC Estate Sales, Access to Counseling Services, Cricket Communications, Sprint, Advance America Cash Advance, Film Row, and Joey’s Pizzeria.

For more information visit OKCPride.org.

Rodney Bivens of the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank speaks at a Friday press conference to express appreciation for the generosity of the management and employees of Chesapeake Energy Corporation. Behind, from left, are Dr. Judy Jones (principal, Horace Mann Elementary, partially obscured), Deborah McAullife Senner (Allied Arts), Marnie Taylor (Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits) and (standing) Debby Hampton (United Way of Central Oklahoma). Photo by Patrick B. McGuigan

By Patrick B. McGuigan
Executive Editor

Goodwill Industries hosted a gathering of local non-profit leaders last Friday, at which more than two dozen agencies joined to express appreciation to the management and employees of Chesapeake Energy Corp.

The company and its founder, Aubrey McClendon, have been the subject of a series of critical news stories from the Reuters news agency and other media entities.

Speakers included Rodney Bivens of the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank, Dr. Judy Jones (principal, Horace Mann Elementary), Deborah McAullife Senner (Allied Arts), Marnie Taylor (Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits) and Debby Hampton (United Way of Central Oklahoma). Also addressing a press conference was Ray Bitsche of Skyline Ministries.

Bivens emphatically expressed appreciation of both the financial support Chesapeake has given to care-giving agencies like his, and also for “thousands of volunteer hours Chesapeake employees have provided” in the community.

Dr. Jones described the energy company’s partnership with her MidCity school (located on N. Western Avenue) and the determination of employees there to improve student performance.

With Jones was Evelyn Smith, a fifth grader at Horace Mann, who said (in spontaneous remarks), “They always believed in me. I never felt alone.” In prepared reflections circulated to reporters at a press conference at the Goodwill headquarters on South Blackwelder Ave., Smith said, “I am one of those students who Chesapeake mentors currently mentor and have mentored since pre-school. Mentoring has and does make a difference in my personal education.”

Senner said Allied Arts “simply could not sustain its support for the arts in Central Oklahoma without the generosity of corporate visionaries like energy giants, Chesapeake and Devon. Several years ago when we’re looking to expand the benefits we provide … it was Aubrey and Chesapeake who led the way with the first transformational pledge.”
Marnie Taylor pointed to Chesapeake’s statewide impact in support of local charities in towns like Weatherford, Elk City, Woodward and Bridge Creek, among many others.

When Hampton asked attendees, “Which groups here get help from Chesapeake?” roughly half of those (other than reporters) present raised their hands.

The event attracted leaders or activists with local agencies that benefit from the energy giant’s giving or employee volunteers.

Hampton moderated the session. In response to questions from the media, she and others said motivation to hold the event did not emerge from Chesapeake, but from collective concern among the leadership of local groups supporting arts, care-giving and other charitable causes.

Phil Van Stavern, Chief Operating Officer for LifeShare of Oklahoma, received a transplanted kidney donated by his older brother Neil in 1988. Van Stavern is seen here with his grandson Nick. Photo provided

By Darla Shelden
Contributing Writer

With over 113,000 Americans waiting for organ transplants across the United States, nearly 900 are waiting for their transplants right here in Oklahoma. The waiting list far exceeds the number of organs available.
Many Oklahomans do not understand the need for donation and how it can save lives and improve the quality of life for so many. In 2011, 278 transplants were performed in Oklahoma, but sadly, there were 62 people who died while waiting for their life-saving surgeries.

Last month, LifeShare of Oklahoma celebrated National Donate Life Month for the 9th consecutive year. The month long celebration honors the generosity of organ, eye and tissue donors and their families and commemorates all transplant recipients in the United States. LifeShare is now focused on supporting Donate Life America’s new campaign, 20 Million in 2012, which looks to add 20 million new organ, eye and tissue donors to state donor registries in 2012.

While 2011 marked the achievement of 100 million designated donors in state donor registries across the country; the need for organ, eye and tissue transplants is steadily increasing. Adding more donors to every state registry is critical.

“It is more important than ever for folks to sign up to become organ, eye and tissue donors,” said Phil Van Stavern, Chief Operating Officer for LifeShare of Oklahoma. “As we honor those donors who have shared life with others, we encourage everyone to consider giving that precious gift.”

In the early 1980s, the arrival of the immunosuppressant drug cyclosporine made the transplantation of organs other than kidneys feasible. This development led individuals to appeal to the public through the media and their legislators for assistance in finding suitable donor organs.

In 2000, the Oklahoma Legislature created the Oklahoma Organ Donor Education and Awareness Program, which established a special fund to support activities that promote and encourage organ, eye and tissue donor education and awareness. Oklahomans can donate to the fund through their local tag agent’s office at the time they receive a driver’s license,ID card, when you complete a title transaction, or purchase a license plate.

Oklahomans can register as an organ, eye or tissue donor at their local tag agency, online at www.lifeshoreoklahoma.org/registry or by calling 1-800-826-LIFE (5433).

The law requires that tag agents and Department of Public Safety employees who issue licenses must ask each applicant if they would like to donate to the fund. Or equally as important, if they would like to be an organ, eye or tissue donor.

“Ideally, from what they call a ‘perfect donor,’ you can recover eight organs: the heart, both lungs, kidneys, the liver, the pancreas and small intestine, said Van Stavern.”Additionally, if that person becomes a tissue donor you could conceivably recover bone, eyes, skin, and connective tissue and potentially help as many as 50 people.”

Every 11 minutes another name is added to the national organ transplant waiting list and every day, 18 Americans die waiting for an organ transplant.

“In 2010, LifeShare Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma reported 134 organ donors and 412 tissue donors for the year,” said Elmer Maddux, a heart transplant recipient and chair, Oklahoma Organ Donor Education and Awareness Program Advisory Council. “And last year the Oklahoma Lions Eye Bank recovered 342 corneas for transplant and research. We believe these donations were due in part to the educational efforts supported by the fund to promote organ, eye and tissue donation.”

When Dennis Godsey suffered a silent heart attack in 2003, the doctor was able to extend his life by implanting a pacemaker in his chest. He made it all the way until March 2009, but then required an LVAD (left ventricular assist device) to replace the pacemaker. Dennis was put on the waiting list for a heart transplant at that time.

In July 2009, Godsey received his new heart. He said, “What happened has been a miracle. The compassionate gift from a 49-year-old woman and her gracious family gave my family back a husband, father and grandfather. It has been such a blessing to be healthy again.”

When an organ procurement organization, such as LifeShare, contacts the nation’s organ transplant system, the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), the organ donor’s medical history, physical measurements, and blood type is entered into the database. Then the list of potential recipients is created in order of matching priority, which includes medical criteria, length of time waiting, blood type, body weight, size of recipient diseased organ, and severity of illness. Kidney and pancreas recipients are also matched by tissue (genetic) typing.

“Generally speaking, the person that is the worst, is the person that is first,” said Brian Jackson, LifeShare of Oklahoma Communications Specialist.

“There is nothing in the system that will allow a person to use their status to fast track themselves on the organ donation waiting list,” said Van Stavern. “The computer doesn’t see the person waiting as Steve Jobs or Dick Cheney. The computer is blind to a person’s status.”
There are nearly 1.8 million Oklahomans on the LifeShare Donor Registry, which is 48 percent of the state’s total population. Excluding minors, 63 percent of Oklahoma’s population is registered organ, eye and tissue donors, making it one of the most successful donor registries in the country.

“Transplant surgeries are almost always covered by a person’s private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid,” said Van Stavern. “There are some rare occasions when donor recipients don’t qualify for any of those methods of coverage, and in those situations often the family will begin fundraising efforts. The transplant centers often eat the costs of surgery rather than let someone die because they have no way of paying.”

Van Stavern said, “As far as the surgeries that we do when we recover organs for transplantation, once brain death has been declared, every medical charge from that point forward until the organ recovery has taken place and the body has been released to the funeral home of the families’ choice, all of those charges are paid for by LifeShare.”
Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced the addition of a new tool that will allow people to share their status as an organ donor on their timelines.

Users can go to their timeline, click on “Life Event,” select “Health and Wellness,” and add the new option “choose Organ Donor.” Then they can add where and when they registered and include a personal story, picture or video. If they’re not already an organ donor, Facebook offers a link to state or national donor registries to easily enroll.
In 1988, Van Stavern received a transplanted kidney from his older brother Neil. Now, as the COO of LifeShare Oklahoma, he spends his life helping those who have the same need for a life-saving transplant that he received.

“We recover every transplantable organ that we can recover,” said Van Stavern. “We need to spread the word that donation changes lives every day. These remarkable changes are made possible because someone like you made the decision to donate. You have the power to donate life. We urge everyone to act now.”

For more information visit www.lifeshareoklahoma.org.

Gordon has served on the YSOC board of trustees since 1986, serving as president in 1990. Since joining the board, Gordon has been instrumental in many of the organization’s major capital achievements, including the purchase of the agency’s headquarters building and the campaign to fund and build YSOC’s emergency youth shelter. Gordon also aided in the development of many of YSOC’s programs, including the Supporting Kids in Independent Living (SKIL) Program, which helps students who live without parental support finish high school.


“It is particularly fitting that we honor Kevin and Janice at Reach for the Stars! because the funds we raise at the event are directed toward the SKIL Program they helped start,” said Forshee. “Our SKIL Program helps provide the resources students need to complete school and the necessities these kids need for daily life. Kevin and Janice are certainly champions for the students who count on our services.”


Gordon and Mathews-Gordon are the parents of two children, Trace and Elise.
“Janice and I are honored to be recognized by Youth Services,” said Gordon. “By working with YSOC, we can help students finish high school so that they are better prepared as they move on to college, technical school, military service or the work force. We are proud to be associated with the staff, board members and volunteers who give so much of themselves to make life better for needy students.”


In the past, Reach for the Stars has helped raise more than $100,000 in support of YSOC’s programs. The Route 66 event served as a fund-raiser for YSOC. It included Route 66-themed chef specials, live music and live and silent auctions.
Former Oklahoma City Thunder star Desmond Mason and his wife, Andrea, served as the honorary chairpersons at the gala, with YSOC board of trustees member Randi Green served as the event chair.


Information is available by contacting YSOC Development Coordinator Cass Hayes at (405) 235-7537 ext. 208 or cass.hayes@ysoc.org.


Established in 1972, YSOC is a not-for-profit organization that provides food, clothing, counseling, shelter and a host of other services to Oklahoma County teenagers.

OKC RedHawks mascot Cooper joined YWCA of Oklahoma City walkers for the Kiddie 1K event, which preceded the 2 Minute 5K event at Regatta Park. Both events were held to raise awareness and funds for the YWCA’s services for victims of sexual assault. Photo provided.

By Darla Shelden

Contributing Writer

The YWCA Oklahoma City recently hosted its 4th annual 2 Minute 5K at Regatta Park in downtown Oklahoma City. The race, held annually during sexual assault awareness month, raises funds that will benefit the YWCA’s services for victims of sexual assault, including the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program and hospital advocacy.

The event is titled “2 Minute 5K” to highlight some startling statistical information.

“Every two minutes someone in the U.S. becomes a victim of sexual assault, and we think that hurts way too many people,” said Janet L. Peery, CEO of the YWCA Oklahoma City. “This race not only raises funds for us to assist victims of sexual assault, but it also raises awareness about a serious issue that many people don’t realize happens right here in our own community.”

During the Kiddie 1K, a visit from Cooper, the Oklahoma City RedHawk’s mascot, guaranteed to get the day off to a fun start. Along with the two races, the event included live music, awards, a community fair, a fire truck for children to explore, and other family-friendly activities.

“The YWCA OKC’s Sexual Assault Programs provide 24-hour response to meet the needs of the community,” said Karla Docter, Senior Director of Sexual Assault Services. “We provide services across a continuum of care starting with the 24 hour Sexual Assault Hotline, providing an Advocate to assist with safety and support during a Sexual Assault Nurse Exam, as well as case management, free counseling and a sexual assault support group. We also serve as a resource center to the community by offering information, speakers, and referrals.”

When a victim is taken to the hospital for a forensic exam, the YWCA coordinates getting a volunteer nurse and advocate to the hospital within one hour. Hospital advocates are trained volunteers who provide emotional support and resources for victims to make them as comfortable as possible during and after the exam.

“With early intervention, victims are able to decrease the symptoms of traumatic stress, improve their ability to cope and heal from their experiences,” said Docter. “They will perform better in school/work and will be able to form healthy relationships with peers. Early intervention will increase the likelihood that they will be able to form and maintain functional relationships.”

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2011, the YWCA provided sexual assault advocacy to 365 of primary and 263 secondary victims of sexual violence.

“You can support the YWCA Oklahoma City, and most importantly the sexual assault survivors in Oklahoma, in several ways. You can speak out about sexual assault, educate yourself about rape myths, stand up for those victimized or volunteer in one of our many lifesaving programs or special projects. The YWCA clients are also in need of clothing and other supplies,” said Docter.

YWCA’s 5K Title Sponsor for 2012 was Chesapeake Energy and the event’s Legacy Sponsor was The Chickasaw Nation.

Additional sponsors of the 2 Minute 5K Run included First Med Urgent Care, RCB Bank, Mike Wimmer, Amtrak Heartland Flyer, Tinker Federal Credit Union, AT&T, Red Coyote Running and Fitness and Comtech Design Print & Mail.

The YWCA Oklahoma City is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice and dignity for all. The YWCA Oklahoma City is best known as the only certified shelter for battered women and children in Oklahoma County.

More than15,000 women, children and men receive help through YWCA programs, including emergency shelter for battered women and children, counseling, support groups, child care, transitional housing, financial literacy, batterer’s intervention and other services.

Ongoing community outreach efforts of the YWCA provide education on the issues of domestic and family violence, the empowerment of women and strategies to end racism.

YMCA officials hope people will save the date for YWCA’s annual Purple Sash fundraising gala, to be held on Saturday, June 23, at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, in Oklahoma City. The evening will include fashion, food, wine and silent and live auctions.

For more information on the YWCA Oklahoma City, visit www.ywcaokc.org .

For the fourth year, the Work of Women (WOW!) program at World Neighbors recently hosted LUNAFEST, a traveling festival of short films by, for and about women. The event was held at Oklahoma City’s Plaza District area’s Lyric Theater.

In its 12th year nationally, LUNAFEST is a creation of LUNA, the makers of the whole nutrition bar for women and a division of Clif Bar & Company.

LUNAFEST was created to simultaneously promote women filmmakers, raise awareness for women’s issues, and support the Breast Cancer Fund and local non-profits that help women.

The WOW! Program at Oklahoma City-based World Neighbors is the local beneficiary of LUNAFEST. 100 percent of all net proceeds for the Oklahoma City event go to support WOW and the Breast Cancer Fund.
From a documentary about maternal healthcare problems and a film about missed chances at romance to a comedy about the trials of an unwed woman pressured to find a husband, the films are full of reflection and whimsy, hope and humor, grace and perseverance.

This year’s LUNAFEST was co-chaired by two Oklahoma film advocates Cacky Poarch and Tracey Zeeck. Poarch spent eight years as executive director of deadCENTER Film Festival in Oklahoma City and is event coordinator of the Okie Noodling Tournament in Pauls Valley. She also volunteers with the Oklahoma City Arts Commission and Arts Council of Oklahoma City.

“I was on the committee for the inaugural year of LUNAFEST,” said Poarch. “It’s consistently very good film programming and it’s for a great cause.”

Zeeck currently serves on the board of deadCENTER Film Festival and is an active volunteer with the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, City Arts Center, Putnam City Academy Alternative High School and World Neighbors.

“The quality of these films is so good,” said Tracey Zeeck. “The films may be about woman, but they are such high quality that anyone who appreciates film will love these documentaries. LUNAFEST is a good primer for the deadCENTER film festival here in Oklahoma City because it gets you into the spirit of independent film.”

Poarch has just completed a film titled the ‘Reawakening of Meade.’ “The film is about my son, Meade, who had a very scary, life threatening health situation a year ago,” said Poarch.’ “He came out of it great and actually his recovery was unexplainable and that’s what the film is about. In the film I interviewed several people, Tracy included, that were a part of that journey with me. It will premiere at the deadCenter film festival, which is always the second weekend in June.”

Established in 2000 by LUNA, the makers of the Whole Nutrition Bar for Women, LUNAFEST connects women, their stories and their causes through film. This traveling film festival spotlights the work of a diverse array of talented women filmmakers with intelligent, funny and thought-provoking themes.
LUNAFEST is built to be used as a “fundraiser-in-a-box”, helping hosts raise money for nonprofits in their communities, as well as for the main beneficiary, the Breast Cancer Fund.

Since its inception, LUNAFEST has grown from a single annual event to a coast-to-coast force with more than 150 North American screenings each season. To date, 92 filmmakers have been featured, nearly $1.2 million dollars has been raised and thousands of attendees have been moved, entertained and inspired.
This season’s program was comprised of nine selected films united by a common thread of exceptional storytelling by, for and about women.

Part of the Every Mother Counts educational campaign, ‘Obstetric Fistula’ is a film that looks at one of the most common morbidities resulting from poor maternal health care. Interviews conducted in Bangladesh and Tanzania shed light on this deadly yet preventable birth complication that affects between 50,000-100,000 women each year. By focusing on real women’s stories, Every Mother Counts seeks to create a mainstream maternal health movement that improves the lives and well-being of mothers worldwide.

Another poignant film, ‘I am a Girl!’ tells the story of Joppe, a 13-year-old girl who dreams of the object of her affection, Brian, but struggles about how to tell him that she was born a boy. ‘I Am a Girl!’ shows audiences a brave young person unafraid to stand up for herself and to be who she truly believes she was meant to be.

‘How to be Alone’ is a vivid collaboration between filmmaker Andrea Dorfman and spoken word artist Tanya Davis that uses music, poetry and animated images to explore the state of being alone. The film addresses the fundamental fact that we are all alone in some way, and confronts our feelings of loneliness with humor, hope and measured reflection.

Other 2012 LUNAFEST films include Life Model, Missed Connections, A Reluctant Bride, The Wing is Blowing on my Street, Lady Razorbacks and Worst Enemy.

“We didn’t want audiences to be scared off thinking these films are just for women, because they are for everyone,” said Zeeck. “If you can move someone in a short amount of time and make them feel like they are part of the story, then you’ve done your job.”

The WOW! membership program at World Neighbors mobilizes women in support of a better life for their counterparts in isolated villages throughout the world. Through involvement with WOW!, members facilitate the creation of women’s savings and credit groups, invest in women’s leadership for equity in community decision making, and support women contributing to the health and livelihood of their families.

For more information visit www.workofwomen.org.

A springtime Sunday dinner with some special horses will take place on April 29 at the Turning Point Ranch in Stillwater. Turning Point Ranch Therapeutic Riding is celebrating its second annual fundraiser with a chicken dinner, auction and riding demonstrations from noon to 2 p.m. at the Wes Watkins Center on the OSU campus.

The event will feature an array of live and silent auction items plus opportunities for pictures with OSU’s Spirit Horse, Bullet.

Proceeds from the event will be used to provide therapeutic horsemanship for children and adults facing physical, mental and emotional challenges in Payne County. Riders from ages 3 to 25, assisted by volunteer leaders and sidewalkers, participate in weekly sessions at Turning Point. The experience helps them to gain riding skills, improve balance and muscle control, broaden social and verbal skills and to provide them a challenge to meet higher and higher goals.

Among the things Last year’s fundraiser provided is a mobile mounting ramp that helps riders get on their horses in a way that’s safer and easier on the horse’s backs. Turning Point also purchased a set of folding bleachers so parents and other observers can cheer and for the riders to have a safe place to wait before mounting.

The program has added a wireless sound system to help students hear and focus on directions. Board members have participated in several workdays to renovate the Turning Point tack and game rooms.
An American Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant restroom has been added to the activity area and the program has supported six individuals in training to become certified through the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship.

“We have waiting lists for all our sessions and we were able to take 18 riders to Oklahoma Equestrian Special Olympics for the first time,” says Board President Dee Miller. “Our riders blew everyone away. They performed horsemanship skills from trail to showmanship that no one expected and came away with nearly 30 medals.”

Another big benefit of last year’s fundraiser was the “auction” for the care of three therapy horses, Bucky, Chiquita, Snick and Tolly. This year, Bucky, Chiquita and Snick will return to demonstrate elements of therapeutic riding and they will be joined by Buck and George.

“With hay prices this year, and the fact that our horses are getting older, the support from last year’s fundraiser made a huge difference in our ability to operate and keep our herd healthy. We’ve been able to add a few horses on long term loan that lets us rotate horses for sessions now,” said Miller. “Without the community support of from our volunteers and donations from those who attend our fundraiser, we wouldn’t be able to provide this amazing service. We say we see miracles every session when a rider remembers a challenging reining move or correctly names a part of a horse or giggles at making a basket. Our parents and teachers see amazing progress and believe our horses are difference makers.”

Auction items for this year’s fundraiser include a Spa Weekend at the Canebrake, a Wyoming Lodge Vacation, a Weeden-Blackmon signed football, handcrafted furniture and many more unique listings. Guests will be treated to demonstrations by the Turning Point horses and riders and OSU’s Bullet will be on hand for pictures.

Tickets are $15 per person in advance for the Chicken Dinner catered by Freddie Pauls or $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at any BancFirst location, Stillwater National Bank downtown, Stillwater Milling, Alan’s Pharmacy or The Territory or by e-mailing volunteer@turningpointriding.com.

Other therapeutic riding centers in Oklahoma include Coffee Creek Riding Center, located just North of Edmond; Coyote Ridge Riding Center, in Claremore; TLC Horse Therapy, located in Eufaula; Sunnyside Riding Center located just north west of Clinton; American Therapeutic Riding Center in Sand Springs; Sunset Therapeutic Riding Center located in Yukon; Stateline Riding Center in Alva; Bluestem Therapeutic Horseback Riding in Bartlesville; Bit By Bit Rogers State University, in Claremore.

Also, the Right Path Riding Academy in Drumright: Critter Creek TRC in Lawton; Charham Therapeutic Arena in Shawnee; and The Sky’s the Limit Ranch in Oklahoma City.

Turning Point Ranch, a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, is dedicated to enriching the lives of people facing physical, mental or emotional challenges through therapeutic horsemanship. For more information visit turningpointriding.org.

Church of the Open Arms in MidTown Oklahoma City officially celebrated 15 years of history with Sunday services and a reception for members of the congregation and friend from around the community.

Pastor Kathy McCallie and Assistant Pastor Scott Hamilton (who joined the ministry team about one year ago) led tours of the facility, with special joy showing visitors new construction beneath the fellowship hall which significantly expands space for meetings and the Open Pantry, a food “store” with a nice supply of goods provided at little or no cost to those in need.

In publicity for the event, the ministers offered visitors “a free elevator ride in our new elevator to our newly expanded and remodeled basement.”

Dr. McCallie said it was hard to believe a decade and a half had passed since she founded the congregation at 3131 N. Pennsylvania Avenue. She took the leap of faith after a disagreement over doctrine with doctrine. She started the church to be “welcoming and inclusive” to all, regardless of differences.

“The passion that unites our congregation is seeking justice including economic and class issues, racial harmony, non-violence, environmental sustainability, and gender equality. We also celebrate full equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered people, including ordination and marriage equality.” McCallie said.

Concerning the facility improvements, she continued, “Our whole basement will now be accessible to differently-abled people, greatly expanding our religious education and public program possibilities,” McCallie said.

Guests enjoyed an array of refreshments in the church hall, musical entertainment in the worship space (with an updated sanctuary), and tours of a new playground. Visitors took particular note of the dramatic improvements to the parking lot.

Working in the basement office of Amnesty International, John Walters and Victor Gorin chatted with visitors, while Open Pantry workers explained their mission. Youth minister Stefan Warner and volunteers showed guests improvements in the area where children play or take Bible lessons during regular services. Architect Sam Moore answered questions about the logistics and design for the project.

In her first year at the present location, McCallie hosted a conference on “Homosexuality and Scriptures” – leading a group of Ku Klux Klan members to secure a permit for a demonstration against the event. But a wintry blizzard on the day of the conference kept critics away.