INTEGRIS Health is looking for both sponsors and teams to play in its inaugural Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, April 15 at Chicken N Pickle in Oklahoma City!
The tournament will bring together true pickleball competitors, those who play for fun and even those trying the sport for the very first time.
But the event is about more than just fun and games. It is an official fundraiser to help support the life-changing services provided at the INTEGRIS Health Arcadia Trails Center for Addiction Recovery.
The facility is Oklahoma’s most advanced state-of-the-art addiction, mental health and trauma treatment center in Edmond, offering a full continuum of care to include both inpatient and outpatient services for adults 18 and older.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 15 at Chicken N Pickle, located at 8400 N. Oklahoma Ave. in Oklahoma City.
There are several opportunities to sponsor, play or both! However, there are limited spots available to play, so act fast before the bracket is full. The deadline to sponsor and be included in printed materials is Wednesday, March 15. Attached is a sponsorship form, or you can register online at https://www.integrisgiving.org/pickleball.

Mercy Health Foundation recently hosted its annual gala event at the Omni Oklahoma City Hotel and kicked off fundraising to expand Mercy’s gastroenterology services in the Oklahoma City metro area.
“In one night, 550 people raised $498,285 to help Oklahomans with digestive diseases that are debilitating, often preventing them from working, participating in normal activities and living a full life,” said Dr. Jesse Campbell, president of Mercy Clinic Oklahoma and co-chair of the Mercy Health Foundation Gala. “We have big dreams to one day be able to offer more services for patients in need, and those dreams begin with the support of our community.”
The gala, sponsored by Mercy’s foundation and Mercy Clinic Gastroenterology, featured a reception and silent auction followed by a dinner. Guests enjoyed a live concert by the 13-piece high-energy group, Emerald City Band. Incoming Mercy Health Foundation president Nicole Dell’Osso and husband Nick Dell’Osso committed $50,000 toward the goal.
“At Mercy, we believe we are called to serve others and the health needs of our community, but we can’t do it alone,” said Lori Cummins, vice president of development for Mercy Health Foundation. “We are so grateful for our many sponsors and donors who support our mission and our ministry.”
To learn more, visit
https://mercyhealthfoundation.net/communities/oklahoma-city
or call (405) 486-8775.

Story by Darl DeVault, contributing editor

Paseo Arts District First Friday Gallery Walk April 7
Each first Friday of the month, art lovers are invited to stroll the historic Paseo Arts District, 3024 Paseo in Oklahoma City where 80 artists with more than 25 businesses and galleries participate from 6 to 9 p.m., all within walking distance. Opening receptions showcase the new work of the gallery/studio owners or the creations of guest artists. Restaurants are open for dining and patio seating. Parking is available along Paseo and the surrounding historic Paseo Arts District N.W. 27th & 30th Streets and Walker & Hudson.
PJ Acker creates portraiture and figurative art in oil, acrylic, oil pastel, soft pastel, charcoal, watercolor, soft clay, and oil-based clay for bronze upstairs in the Paseo Arts Creativity Center building.
At the far south end of the street, another resident artist Susan Cromer Yback, 65, teaches youth and adults art and sells her creations at 2927 Paseo Drive. Yback’s classes and art have become a mainstay of Paseo Gallery One. Yback says, “First Friday has become a wonderful tradition for everyone who works along the Paseo, and I love it.”
The area also hosts the Paseo Arts Festival each May. The three-day event Memorial Day Weekend – May 27-29 this year usually adds 100 artist’s booths to what the 80 district resident artists offer.

MS. OKLAHOMA SENIOR AMERICA PAGEANT
Ms. Senior Oklahoma 2023 will be selected at a 1 p.m. pageant on April 15 at the Mustang Performing Arts Center on the Mustang High School Campus.
Contestants are Barbara Bryant-Waggoner, Jones, Trish Carr, Newcastle, Sharron Clifton, Bethany with Wonna Cornelson, Lynn Jones, Carla Joy, Doreen Miles Williams, Edie Thomas, and Karen Tims, all of Oklahoma City. The other contests are Debbie Hay, Sand Springs, Ellen Henson, Yukon, Pam Holzberger, Nichols Hills, Judy Jackson, Mead, Eileen Milles, Del City and Venessa Saunders, Edmond will compete in Interview, Talent, Evening Gown and Inner Beauty, a presentation of their philosophy of life.
This October, the winner will represent our state at the Ms. Senior America National Pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The MS Senior Oklahoma Foundation has sponsored the local event since 2008.
The Ms. Senior America Pageant is a national, not-for-profit organization giving women at least 60 an opportunity to display their “inner beauty,” talents, elegance and honors senior women’s achievements.
Tickets are available at the door at 200 W. Juniper Dr. in Mustang for $20, with group discounts available. Contact Carol Kallenberger at (903) 918-1478 for more information and group discounts.

Oklahoma Arts Advocates Visit Oklahoma Capitol
Organizers say arts advocates need to show the governor and the Oklahoma legislators they want state American Rescue Plan Act funding for state organizations in this legislative session. The group will advocate increasing public funding for the arts by gathering from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on April 18 at the State Capitol.
Every year, Oklahomans for the Arts hosts Arts & Culture Day, the only state arts advocacy event. The day consists of advocacy training, learning about legislative issues, and connecting with legislators to celebrate the importance of arts and culture to our citizens.
This year OFTA, the only statewide, multidisciplinary arts advocacy organization, supports a proposal to invest state ARPA funding to help rebuild the arts and cultural sector.
OFTA members will inform their legislatures of the need for resources and policies that support the development, advancement, and accessibility of art instruction and culture statewide.
This opportunity allows for networking within arts advocacy groups that share their concerns. They can share information and strategies for effectively communicating with legislators and organizing to make their voices heard.
Please allow for a short wait to get through the Capitol Security checkpoint.

Festival of The Arts
The free Festival of the Arts April 25-30 in downtown Oklahoma City Bicentennial Park usually enjoys pleasant spring weather with one of its biggest events of the year.
Running Tuesday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and finishing Sunday, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m., the Oklahoma City Arts Council’s tradition since 1967 celebrates six days of visual, performing, and culinary arts.
Myriad art forms take over the park as artists from across America converge on the city to showcase their unique offerings, including a one-day Youth Art Sale.
Visual artists and performers take to the outdoor stage to make this massive festival arguably the biggest Spring art event each year. The organizers ask visitors to keep their pets at home.
Children visiting the festival can enjoy interactive the Children’s Art Field, Pottery Place, and face painting. This offering takes over the area surrounding City Hall for family fun and activities. The Youth Art Sale featuring sculptures to paintings is always an impressive example of what art students are learning. This one-day event, also known as “Young at Art Mart,” will be located on the east lawn of City Hall from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more info, go to Festival of the Arts – Arts Council Oklahoma City (artscouncilokc.com)

Senior Marathon Saturday, April 29, Downtown
Senior marathoners can enjoy being part of one of the nation’s most significant feel-good events for fitness in the lead-up to the “Run to Remember” event on Sunday, April 30. The day before the marathon, Saturday, at 8 a.m., the Senior Marathoners complete their event between the 7 a.m. start of the 5K run and the Kid’s Marathon of a similar style at 9 a.m.
The Senior Marathoners will run or walk the last 1.2 miles of their marathon distance directly south from the Oklahoma City National Memorial starting line to the finish in Scissortail Park. This allows seniors to feel like “elite” participants because of the on-course support from a massive outpouring of cheering from volunteering OKC residents.
Additionally, these new Senior Marathoners can enjoy the camaraderie of attending, interacting, and visiting the popular Health and Fitness Expo that Saturday at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. The Expo is adjacent to the finish line, presented by the OKC Convention and Visitors Bureau and OU Health. Mercy is the presenting sponsor of the inaugural Senior Marathon and invites everyone to visit the Expo.
Seniors who sign up for the Senior Marathon will pay $30 and receive an event t-shirt, a finishing medal, and free entry to the museum that day with their bib number. This achievement can energize many people to participate in an activity that provides good health, a key to aging gracefully.

By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready

Here in Oklahoma, we know all too well the damage flooding causes and the danger it presents. In May 2019, Oklahomans saw some of the worst flooding in history after 17 tornadoes struck the state in one day. The storm carried 5 to 6 inches of rainfall, causing the tragic loss of lives and significant financial damage. Flooding devastated thousands of Oklahomans, resulting in more than $31 million in estimated losses. In addition, more than 6,000 flood claims were reported, yet far too many storm victims did not have flood insurance.
March is Flood Insurance Awareness Month in Oklahoma. I want to remind Oklahomans to get ready before spring flooding and consider getting flood insurance coverage now. Here are three reasons why now is a great time to learn more about the importance and benefits of flood insurance.
You live in Oklahoma. Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States. 90% of natural disasters in the U.S. involve flooding. While most standard homeowners policies cover tornadoes, hail, and wildfires, they do NOT cover floods. You are 27 times more likely to experience a flood than a fire during a 30-year mortgage.
30-day waiting period. It typically takes 30 days for a flood policy to go into effect, so the time to buy is well before a disaster. That is why you need to purchase or renew flood insurance well in advance. Waiting until you see the water rushing in is too late. Get flood coverage under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or through private insurance. Talk to your agent today.
Cost of flooding. Flooding can be an emotionally and financially devastating event. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, an inch of water in a home could cause more than $25,000 in damages. About 33% of all flood claims come from outside of high-risk areas. In 2021, the average flood insurance claim payment through NFIP was $44,050, while Oklahoma’s average flood insurance premium was $81 a month.
While we cannot prevent another flood from occurring, we can get our state financially prepared for the damage when it hits. This month let’s make sure Oklahomans understand their flood risk. As I always like to remind folks—If it rains where you live, it can flood where you live.
For more insurance information, please contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at
https://www.oid.ok.gov/.

Dear Savvy Senior,

What’s the best way to go about choosing an assisted living facility for my 86-year-old father? Since mom died last year, his health has declined to the point that he can’t live at home anymore but isn’t ready for a nursing home either.
Searching Susan

Dear Susan,
If your dad needs help with things like bathing, dressing, preparing meals, managing his medications or just getting around, an assisted living facility is definitely a good option to consider.
Assisted living facilities are residential communities that offer different levels of health or personal care services for seniors who want or need help with daily living.
There are nearly 29,000 assisted living communities (also called board and care, supportive-care or residential-care facilities) in the U.S. today, some of which are part of a retirement community or nursing home. Most facilities have anywhere between 10 and 100 suites, varying in size from a single room to a full apartment. And some even offer special memory care units for residents with dementia.
To help you choose a good assisted living facility for your dad, here are some steps to follow.
Make a list: There are several sources you can turn to for referrals to top assisted living communities in your area including your dad’s doctor or nearby hospital discharge planner; friends or neighbors who’ve had a loved one in assisted living; or you can do an online search at https://www.caring.com/.
Do some research: To research the communities on your list, put a call into your long-term care ombudsman. This is a government official who investigates long-term care facility complaints and advocates for residents and their families. This person can help you find the latest health inspection reports on specific assisted living facilities and can tell you which ones have had complaints or other problems in the past. To find your local ombudsman visit LTCombudsman.org.
Call the facilities: Once you’ve identified a few good assisted living facilities, call them to see if they have any vacancies, what they charge and if they provide the types of services your father needs.
Tour your top choices: During your visit, notice the cleanliness and smell of the facility. Is it homey and inviting? Does the staff seem responsive and kind to its residents? Also be sure to taste the food, and talk to the residents and their family members, if available. It’s also a good idea to visit several times at different times of the day and different days of the week to get a broader perspective.
On your facility visit, get a copy of the admissions contract and the residence rules that outline the fees (and any extra charges), services and residents’ rights, and explanations for when a resident might be asked to leave because their condition has worsened, and they require more care than the facility can provide.
Also, find out their staff turnover rate, COVID infection-control procedures and if and when medical professionals are on site. To help you rate your visit, Caring.com offers a checklist of questions that you can download and print at Caring.com/static/checklist-AL-tour.pdf.
How to pay: Monthly costs for assisted living ranges anywhere from $2,500 to $6,000 or more, depending on where you live, the facility you choose, and the services provided. Since Medicare does not cover assisted living, most residents pay out-of-pocket from their own personal funds, and some have long-term care insurance policies.
If your dad has limited financial resources and can’t afford this, most states now have Medicaid waiver programs that help pay for assisted living. Or, if he’s a veteran, he may be able to get funds through the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit. To find out about these programs, ask the assisted living facility director, or contact his local Medicaid office (see Medicaid.gov) or the regional VA benefit office (800–827–1000).
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.