The Metropolitan Library System is giving kids and teens ages 10-16 a chance to construct their own robots in two free six-week sessions through a program called “The Green City Robotic Challenge.” Photo provided.

By Darla Shelden

Contributing Writer

Amidst all the 21^st century electronic gadgets that make life easier, the Metropolitan Library System (MLS) is giving kids and teens, ages 10-16, a chance to construct their own robots in two free six-week sessions. The program is called “The Green City Robotic Challenge.”

The robots will be designed to solve challenges related to renewable energy. The learning sessions will be held at the Belle Isle Library, 5501 N. Villa, from Oct. 3 through Nov. 7, and at Ralph Ellison Library, 2000 N.E. 23 Street, from Oct. 11 through Nov. 15.

“We did an experimental introduction to the Lego’s Robotics program at 3 different libraries and the response was overwhelming,” said Dana Morrow, MLS Director of Outreach Services. “With the assistance of our Library Endowment, we decided to offer two six-week classes at two libraries. We know that there is a great need in our community to get kids excited about math and science. There is no better way than through the challenge of real-world robotics.”

The Belle Isle sessions will be held from 4 – 6:30 p.m.  The Ralph Ellison classes meet from 5 – 7:30 p.m.  The sessions are free, but each one is limited to 24 students.

“We’ve presented robotics programs in the past,” said MLS Teen Services Coordinator Emily Williams, “and they’re always as much fun as they are educational.  We encourage anyone between the ages of 10 and 16 who’s interested to give us a call questions or to register.”

Students are introduced to the world of robotics by first exploring basic programming maneuvers utilizing three training mats. When students have completed the training phase and are confident in their robotic building and programming skills, they are presented with the Green City Challenge.

The challenge consists of a number of missions simulating real-life challenges, each environmentally focused and conducted on the Green City Challenge mat. As students complete each mission, they are awarded an Energy Brick.

The Green City Challenge course allows the students to apply and adapt all of their programming and problem-solving skills by making their robots solve challenges related to renewable energy.

Students will solve the Challenges by controlling the movements of their robots.  For each challenge the students are given a simple set of rules, a mission and a point system.

Each student’s goal will be to build a robot that can collect as many of the Energy Bricks as possible and use them to energize the Green City.

Through the Green City Challenge students will learn about science, technology, engineering, and math concepts and how each relates to the field of robotics.  The program helps to enhance teamwork and critical thinking skills, and discover how robotics is used in real-world situations to solve modern-day problems.

The Green City Robotic Challenge is co-sponsored by the Library Endowment Trust and techJOYnt Robotics Academy located in Oklahoma City.  (www.techJOYnT.org)

“This is a great partnership between techJOYnT and the Metropolitan Library System. We tested the interest of library patrons in 2011 by running a 2 hour program at various locations,” said Ray Shaik, Founder & Executive Director of techJOYnT.  “The response was overwhelming and the students loved it. Showing relevance of science, technology, engineering and math through robotics and game design programs will create more interest among today’s generation. I am thankful to be a small part in the future of our community youth.”

The Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County includes 13 libraries and five extension libraries.  In addition to the Belle Isle and Ralph Ellison libraries, the system includes Capitol Hill, Patience S. Latting Northwest Library, Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library and Southern Oaks in Oklahoma City, as well as Bethany, Choctaw, Del City, Edmond, Midwest City, Village and Warr Acres.  Extensions are located in the communities of Harrah, Jones, Luther and Nicoma Park and include Wright Library in Oklahoma City.

To register for the Green City Robotic Challenge call 405-606-3833. To learn more about other Metropolitan Library System programs, visit www.metrolibrary.org

On April 26, the Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum will open the exhibit honoring Enoch Kelly Haney, “Touching the Past”.

In keeping with the gallery’s mission to showcase Oklahoma artists, the exhibit will be a retrospective of internationally recognized painter and sculptor’s 40-year career.

An opening reception will be held Thursday, April. 26 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Museum, located at NW 13 St. & Shartel Ave, in Oklahoma City. The reception is free to the public made possible by the Muscogee-Creek Nation.

When asked how he felt about having a 40-year retrospective, Haney said, “It’s an honor to exhibit at such a prestigious museum. “But I’m particularly appreciative to the many museums and private collectors of my work who allowed me to show their personal Haney art collections. “I’m truly amazed and surprised at the number of paintings that I’ve created.”

Haney said he has been through several creative stages during his life mentioning traditional Indian art, a blue stage, and even a Mondrian stage, but admits he has been in an experimental stage all along the way. He describes his body of work as “contemporary abstract’.

He reflected that most of the art he has created was based on who he was at the time or who he currently is.

Sculptures are Haney’s focus now stating that he hasn’t painted in 10 years. “The first sculpture I did was when I was six years old,” he said. “Made from the red clay in front of our house.”

Haney’s newest release is a bronze relief sculpture called ‘Unconquerable Spirit,’ which depicts the legendary tale of Seminole resistance leader Osceola plunging a knife through a proposed treaty with the United States government.

After decades of paintings and his most recently commissioned sculptures, Kelly has an impressive art career spanning over 40 years. In addition to Kelly’s extraordinary artwork, he has also been a successful politician.

A full blood Seminole-Creek Indian, Haney comes from humble beginnings in rural Seminole County, Haney became the first full blood American Indian to serve in the Oklahoma Legislature, first as a State Representative from 1980 to 1986, then serving in the State Senate from 1986 to 2002.

The striking Haney painting, “Standing Guard” depicts a man, half Indian warrior and half Indian soldier. “Many Native Americans go to war and when they come home and they’re not recognized, but they still carry their traditions,” said Haney. “You have to respect those young men and women for their willingness to lay down their lives to do what they believe is right.”

“In this painting, on one side of his body is the hand grenade, which is the symbol of death. On the other side you see those owl feathers that he is wearing, which is also a symbol of death. I made those kinds of comparisons throughout my paintings, because it’s a real way of looking at things. It’s my way,” Haney added.

When Haney was only two years old, his mother noticed his artistic ability. He went on to professionally train at Bacone College in Muskogee and graduated from Oklahoma City University with a degree in Fine Arts. His art has been exhibited throughout the United States, England, Austria and Asia. Haney has won many awards including the title of Master Artist of the Five Civilized Tribes.

In addition to decades of success, Haney became the highly esteemed creator of the 22-foot, bronze sculpture entitled, The Guardian, chosen to top the Oklahoma State Capitol Dome.

Haney has created many commissioned sculptures including the Chickasaw Warrior at the Chickasaw Nation Headquarters in Ada, the Standing His Ground sculpture at Seminole State College in Seminole and 7-foot replicas of The Guardian at various businesses and college campuses through the state of Oklahoma. Haney also created roundels for the Chickasaw Nation Cultural Center, the State House of Representatives and the State Senate Chambers at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Haney currently resides in Norman, Oklahoma and works, in his home, full-time as a sculpture.

Touching the Past will be on display April 26 through July 28 at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum and is sponsored by the Muscogee-Creek Nation.

Through high-tech, interactive exhibits, the Gaylord-Pickens Museum allow visitors to experience Oklahoma’s story through its people. Video-driven displays and computer touch screens provide guests a unique look into the lives of famous and everyday Oklahomans who have affected our state, country and world.

For more information about the Enoch Kelly Haney “Touching the Past” exhibit visit www.oklahomaheritage.com or call 405.235.4458. Those interested in attending the Opening Reception may RSVP to Corie Baker at 405.523.3206.

: In 2009, Oklahoma photographer M.J. Alexander was selected to photograph women's rights activist and Ms. Magazine founder Gloria Steinem for the cover of Ms. Magazine. This photo was taken during that photo shoot. Photo by MJ Alexander

Contributing Writer

M.J. Alexander is an Oklahoma writer, poet, playwright, lyricist and photographer who documents people and places of the American West. Her work, focusing on the American Indian culture, is currently on display at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

“ ‘My Portrait of a Generation’ exhibit has recently relocated from the Tulsa Historical Society for installation in the North Gallery of the State Capitol, where it will hang through April 15,” said Alexander.


Alexander’s portraits have been exhibited both nationally and abroad. Her work has been honored by the Center for Fine Art Photography and featured in many solo shows, including at the Main Gallery of the International Photography Hall of Fame, the Red Earth Museum, and the Tulsa Historical Society.


Alexander is an award winning author and illustrator of two nationally acclaimed books. Salt of the Red Earth: A Century of Wit and Wisdom from Oklahoma’s Elders is comprised of portraits and interviews with 100 centenarians, including dozens born in Indian Territory. And Portrait of a Generation – Children of Oklahoma: Sons and Daughters of the Red Earth spotlights Oklahomans of the 21st century, from newborn to 18 years old.


For Portrait of a Generation, Alexander drove more than 11,000 miles – from the Rita Blanca Grassland to the Tallgrass Prairie, and from the Blue River to the Glass Mountains – to meet more than 250 children of the 46th state. This book was selected as top Young Adult book of the year at the 2011 and was a finalist in two categories at the Oklahoma Book Awards.


Her iconic portrait of Thomas Jefferson Brown, 103, was named one of the top photographs in Oklahoma history by the editors of Oklahoma Today magazine.


Alexander was the only U.S. photographer honored at the 2009 UNESCO-sponsored World Humanity Photography Awards in Guangzhou, China, for her photographic series on Apache crown dancers.


That same year she photographed women’s rights activist and Ms. Magazine founder Gloria Steinem for the cover of Ms. Magazine in commemoration of Steinem’s 75th birthday.

“Although an outspoken activist, Steinem is extremely self-effacing and modest. She was reluctant to be featured by herself, insisting that the ideals behind the magazine are larger and more important than any one person. She agreed to be on the cover, but only if the honor would be shared with another pioneer: her good friend Alice Walker, an early editor at Ms,” said Alexander. “I had been in residence with her and four other writers at Hedgebrook, a retreat for women writers, on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle, for about a week. I’ve been there three times, but even now find it hard to believe such a place exists.”

Speaking of another portrait taken of Steinem during that session Alexander said, “This image was created at the beginning of our session, when we were laughing and settling in. She has expressive hands and long, tapered fingers. I asked her to bring them forward and she struck a classic activist’s pose. I love the focus and determination she channels through a simple gesture.”


Alexander grew up in a town of 250 people on Michigan’s Lake Superior where she attended a two-room schoolhouse. She worked as a park ranger and sportswriter before earning degrees from Vassar College and Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism.


A dual citizen of Canada and the United States, Alexander is a veteran of The Associated Press in New York City and former head of the journalism department of St. Michael’s College in Vermont.


The Portrait of a Generation exhibition is on display in the first floor of the State Capitol, North Gallery until April 15. Gallery hours are weekdays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and weekends, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The North Gallery is curated by the Oklahoma Arts Council.


For more information visit www.mjalexander.com.

State Sen. David Holt, District 30, stands in his Capitol office with a Northwest Classen High School jersey. As a result of reapportionment, Holt's district now includes the near-northwest parts of the Midtown area.

Staff Report

Sen. David Holt of Oklahoma City, a Republican, said he’s pleased to welcome 7,984 additional constituents in Midtown Oklahoma City to the District 30 legislative district he already serves.

Holt gained new parts of The City Sentinel’s Midtown readership area following redistricting and the departure of Sen. Andrew Rice, an Oklahoma City Democrat, on Jan. 15.

Rice’s seat will be filled in a special election on Feb. 14. The special election will be held in the new district lines.

The new area joining Senate District 30 in Oklahoma is roughly bounded by N.W. 10 St., N.W. 30 St., Pennsylvania Avenue and Interstate-44.
The area includes Northwest Classen High School and Shepherd Mall, along with the Linwood, Miller, Cleveland, Shepherd, Crestwood, Las Vegas, Reed Park, Pennville, and Milam Place neighborhoods.

“My wife Rachel and I love these historic neighborhoods,” Holt said. “This is such an exciting time for the people in these neighborhoods, and I’m honored to have this opportunity to represent these thriving areas of Oklahoma City.”

Holt is an Adjunct Professor at Oklahoma City University, where he teaches an Honors class with President Robert Henry. Sen. Holt is also a graduate of the OCU School of Law.

The OCU community borders the new areas in Sen. Holt’s district.

The Oklahoma City native graduated from Putnam City Schools, then earned a Political Science degree from The George Washington University.

He served in Washington for U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Pres. George W. Bush before returning home to Oklahoma in 2004. Since then, he served then-Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin and U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe.

Holt spent five years as the Chief of Staff to Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett until he was elected to the Senate in 2010.

In addition to serving in the Senate and at OCU, Holt is an attorney with Williams, Box, Forshee & Bullard in downtown Oklahoma City.

He and his wife, Rachel, have two children, George, 2, and Margaret, three months. They are members of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church.

Senate Minority Leader Andrew Rice, an Oklahoma City Democrat, announced today (Tuesday, October 18) he was resigning effective Jan. 15, 2012.

In a statement sent to The City Sentinel and other news organizations, Rice said he had submitted letters to Secretary of the Senate Paul Ziriax, President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman, and Governor Mary Fallin.

Rice said, “I am supporting my wife in her pursuit of a career opportunity outside of the state of Oklahoma. She has made immense sacrifices for me in her support of my political career and public service, and I am honored to be able to reciprocate that for her now. Therefore, I will be unable to serve the remainder of my term, which ends in November 2014.”

“By law, Gov. Fallin will call a special election for Senate District 46 within 30 days of my effective date of resignation. The Senate Democratic Caucus will hold an internal election in the coming months to choose a new Senate Democratic Leader to succeed me when I leave the Senate.”

“It has been an immense honor and privilege to serve the people of Senate District 46. I am grateful I have had the opportunity to be their voice at the State Capitol. I will miss the many friendships that I have formed with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the senate staff. I will also greatly miss the many relationships I have formed with the citizens of this great state. We are sad that this change will take us away from Oklahoma, but this is the best decision for our family at this time.”

“Although I’ve run unsuccessfully for higher office, and have had a great deal of ambition politically, I have always approached my public service as a temporary and limited part of my career. I have been honored to fill that role for a short time, and I am confident that District 46 will be well served with the new ideas and passion that will come from electing a new Senator.”

“I look forward to what lies ahead for me in my career now that I am leaving elected office. Whatever it may be, I will continue to pursue ways to try and improve the common good, and be a voice for the underdog.”

Sen. Bingman, a Sapulpa Republican, responded to Rice’s announcement within minutes. He commented, “Though we may not have always seen eye-to-eye on every issue, I have nothing but respect for Senator Rice and his service to the state of Oklahoma. He is compassionate, intellectually honest, and relentless in the defense of his constituents. I could not have asked for a better Senate colleague and Minority Leader counterpart.”

“While saddened to learn of Senator Rice’s resignation, I am excited for him and his family as they pursue new opportunities. I’m honored to count Andrew and his wife, Apple, as friends — surely they will be missed by many Oklahomans. I wish their family the very best as they embark on the next chapter in their lives.”

Sen. David Holt, a Republican from northwest Oklahoma City, will inherit parts of the current District 46 in his newly configured District 30.

Today, Holt commented on his colleague’s departure in comments to The City Sentinel. He said:
“Senator Rice and I weren’t always on the same side of arguments, but I always respected his intelligence, work ethic, and spirit of service. I am appreciative for his years of public service and wish he and his family all the best in their next adventure.”

“The Senator who represents downtown Oklahoma City carries a special burden. I know the voters of that district, some of whom I will represent after redistricting takes effect in 2012, will accept their upcoming responsibility with wisdom and diligence.”

Election Board Chairman Ziriax (who is also secretary of the Senate) told CapitolBeatOK, an online news website, that redistricting provisions and the timing of the resignation leave it unclear if the special election should be held in the current District 46, or within the new set lines that take the district into south Oklahoma City. Ziriax said that question would be determined within the next few days.

In any case, the senator elected in the special will represent the new district beginning in 2013. The newly configured district’s first general election will be held in 2014.

Today, Rice told supporters on his website that he intended to support fellow Democrat state Rep. Al McAffrey in the special election.

Concerning the special election, Republican state Chairman Matt Pinnell told The City Sentinel, “”We will field a strong, qualified conservative candidate with the goal of picking up another key Senate seat.”

www.CapitolBeatOK.com

Susan Bumgarner, a pre-kindergarten teacher and Greg Eskridge, the school’s drama teacher, received the awards recently at the Black Liberated Arts Center (BLAC,) Inc., officials said.

The Clara Luper Arts Integration Award is given to a classroom teacher/artist who has done notable work using arts integration. Winners must also show previous experience teaching others how to effectively incorporate the arts in instructional methods in the classroom.

Former Wilson principal Beverly Story will receive the John F. Kennedy Center’s Arts Education Special Recognition Award. Story spent 15 years serving Wilson Elementary and established the school as an art integration site.

“Mrs. Story successfully brought Wilson Arts Integration School from a low performing school to one of the top 10 schools in the Oklahoma City Public School District,” said Anita Arnold of BLAC Inc.“This work included establishing a highly effective training, teaching, and learning model with arts integration, and engaging the community in adding a fine arts wing to an existing historical school building.”

Award winner Greg Eskridge said, “BLAC, Inc. has made the best arts integration trainers available to Wilson Elementary teachers since 1998. Thanks to this community-school partnership, our school has been elevated to model arts integration status.  It is worth noting that university education programs from across the state of Oklahoma now send the next generation of teachers to us for mentoring and classroom observation.”

Wilson Arts Integration Elementary is at 2215 N Walker in Oklahoma City.  The school is a partner with BLAC, Inc, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

Teachers use arts integration techniques to teach core subjects of math, reading, science, and social studies to students in pre kindergarten through 5^th grade.

For more information on Wilson Arts Integration Elementary School visit www.okcps.org or find OKCPS on Facebook/OKCPublic

Starting from their home in Reading Pa., Collin Whitlock (pictured) and his father Jeff Whitlock toured Route 66 donning their customized plate. Photo by Jeff Whitlock.

By Darla Shelden

Contributing Writer


In the US, cross-country drivers typically pass through Oklahoma City, especially with the popularity of historical Route 66. Now, finding a local to put them up has become a lot easier through the Internet phenomena called CouchSurfing.


CouchSurfing.org is an international non-profit network that connects its travelers with locals in over 230 countries around the world. Since 2004, nearly 2.5 million members have been using this system to come together for cultural exchange, friendship and learning experiences.


More than just a free night’s stay, CouchSurfing can add another dimension for any traveler.


Starting from their home in Reading, PA, Jeff Whitlock and his son Collin were touring Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica, when they had their first CouchSurfing experience in Oklahoma City. “I think CouchSurfing is a great idea, especially for traveling. We recently explored Route 66 and it was great. It’s much more fun than staying at a hotel because you meet interesting people and you can talk and have a good time during your visit,” stated Collin.


From northern California, Chalyse Drake, Kristen Kampa and Klyvlundd, their four legged surfer were traveling the country to collect stories about the true culture of America.


“We had a great time in Oklahoma City. Even though we arrived late, we clicked immediately with our host who made us comfortable and took us to a local jazz club. We enjoyed hours of wonderful conversation, loud laughs, and dog lovin’ fun!”


CouchSurfing’s initial focus was on hosting and “surfing” (staying with a local as a guest in their home). But now local events are drawing CS’ers together such as the Oklahoma City community weekly potluck dinner.


Sara Jacoby, from Crestwood says, “The OKC Community has a great group of hosts. CouchSurfers from Pakistan, India, Columbia, Costa Rica, Mexico, USA, Turkey, and the UK participate in events here in the city. We have a food society where we all bring meals from our childhood. It’s been the biggest blessing of my life.”


Reed Park residents Luis and Kevin Saenz, have been CouchSurfing since 2005. “We have had such a great experience with guests including singers, researchers, environmentalists, students and professionals –People in transitions of careers or just in the search of their own soul.” “Every time we host CouchSurfers I wish I could just drop everything and join them in their quest.“


CouchSurfing can be compared to staying in hostels around the world, but the big difference is that you’re staying with a local, for free, who can show you the insider’s view of a city.


Matthew Weaver and Tessa Powell from Ft. Lauderdale had their second CS experience in OKC.  “Our Oklahoma City host was welcoming and eager to show us around.


After taking us out to hear some local musicians, we saw the Federal Building Memorial We had a delicious meal at Cattlemen’s, a true taste of Oklahoma dining. Couch surfing is a wonderful experience that we’ll never forget.”


Hosts can screen potential guests through their online profiles, which often read like personal ads, with photos, offering a sense of who they are.  User profiles have rating systems with feedback from previous hosts in the same way sites like Amazon and eBay include buyer and seller feedback.


Couchsurfing.org was created by Casey Fenton, an American web consultant. After buying a bargain flight to Iceland, he realized that he had no interest in spending his time and money in a hotel, as a tourist.


The CouchSurfing site offers some safeguards, such as a system of users vouching for each other online and a higher verification level ($25), where a letter is sent to the host’s home address requiring a postal reply.


The main thing that the majority of users have in common is a passion for travel and a desire to exchange ideas with new people.


You may not end up becoming best friends with the people you host or surf, but they might open your eyes to a different way of thinking or teach you something new. And that appears to be the real benefit of a thing called CouchSurfing.

picture by Darla Sheldon

staff report

As the sun set on Monday evening, August 8, severe storms slammed north and west Oklahoma City.

City officials contacted The City Sentinel to report that this evening’s storm caused a power outage at the Hefner Water Treatment Plant and pump station. OG&E is on the way to transfer the plant to backup power supply.

In the meantime, customers in far northwest Oklahoma City may experience low to no water pressure. Crews will work as quickly as possible to restore power and water service.

There are widespread initial reports of water and wind damage, and downed power lines, mostly in far north Oklahoma City and south of Edmond, but some in the Midtown area.

Eyewitnesses have told The City Sentinel there was loss of electrical power to some homes in the Crown Heights area and immediately north of there, up to at least N.W. 50th Street.

Other news reports indicate roughly 35,000 OG&E customers are without power in the state of Oklahoma. Most are in Warr Acres or Enid; but the electrical utility said about 4600 are in north Oklahoma City.

– compiled by Senior Editor Patrick B. McGuigan