Eating is an Adventure in Santa Fe

Photography and Text by Terry “Travels with Terry” Zinn  t4z@aol.com

Having been to Santa Fe a number of times, it is always fun and relaxing to again visit those dining establishments that made an impression over the years. This fall the eating adventure led me to sample several familiar popular gourmet dining venues, and none mentioned here disappointed.
The Compound, http://www.compoundrestaurant.com/ located just off of artist filled Canyon Road, is an all-time favorite for the sophisticated palate. In an upscale adobe styled dining room, you can succumb to the temptations of; a Stacked Salad of Romaine, Tomato, Ham, Blue Cheese and Hard Cooked Taos eggs with Avocado Ranch Dressing topped with Free Range Chicken. If your luncheon appetite is not quenched, for dessert you might try the Bittersweet Chocolate Marquis of Pistachio Gelato, Apricot Pistachio; or the Orange Olive Oil Cake of Fig Jam, Lemon Curd and Crème Fraiche. Your evening plans might include a return to the Compound to enjoy a night cap or light supper at their intimate bar. With seating only about ten people, reservations are recommended.
The La Fonda Hotel http://www.lafondasantafe.com/la-plazuela holds many historic adventurous tales due to its early Santa Fe incarnation, but the restaurant, La Plazuela, has been a long time favorite for its casual, attentive, and never disappointing selections. Your skeletons might include: a spinach salad with grilled hazel nuts, with gluten free prosciutto bathed in a cranberry vinaigrette. Your entre might be the Alaska Silver Salmon with lemon cilantro butter sauce, or sweet and buttery hearty pork tenderloins with pineapple glaze and papaya vinaigrette. Top the meal with a Chocolate Molten Cake of dark chocolate truffles, dark rum cream glaze which accents the desserts warmth and coolness. It is impressive when your server knows the term “Ice on the Pond” when ordering your extra cold, extra dry Martini, which is served to perfection. While the décor has been renovated over the years, the hand painted side glass panels remains as the signature to this Santa Fe tradition. Your high expectations for Santa Fe service, ambiance and dining are always met at La Fonda. Be sure and take time to visit the shops at La Fonda and the outside entrance to the top fashions of Rocky Gorman.
If you have not discovered the surprising and intimate atmosphere of Santacafe, http://santacafe.com/ you are missing a treat. Here inside white adobe, small dining areas, complete with a hint of Georgia O’Keeffe styled decor, you will find the best fresh Chimayo Red Chile onion rings available anywhere. But this seeming simple appetizer is only a prelude to an array of tasty selections including: Blue Corn Chicken Confit of enchiladas of red and green chile, or the healthy pan seared salmon roasted with fingerling potatoes over a kale and spinach lime cream. It’s known during high season to have one of the best outdoor patios for celebrity sightings.
While the Rosewood Inn of the Anasazi has undergone a dining room renovation, to open up the bar for casual tequila tastings and encourage conversation, the restaurant retains its elegant atmosphere and gourmet menu. You might start off your evening with a Kettle One Citron Pomegranate Martini, or a selection from one of their fine wines. A flavorful good soup is an invitation to a gourmet meal and the Anasazi sweet potato soup was a perfect complement to the autumn weather. The Buffalo Empanada over an Avocado Mouse is personally recommended as is the fashionable crusted Salmon with baby beets, parsnips in a tamarind sauce. For dessert, you can play like a child with the Fried Ice Cream reminiscent of an outdoor campfire s’more.
You can’t leave Santa Fe without a nighttime visit to La Cantina next to La Casa Sena restaurant http://lacasasena.com/ . At the Cantina the waiters treat you, between serving food courses and beverages, with their favorite contemporary and Broadway styled songs. Many of the talented singers are bidding their time here, saving their money before jumping into the Broadway pool of performers. Feel free to order a Mexican styled dinner, or just a beverage with their chips and dip. The congenial atmosphere, the prompt and friendly service is a fitting farewell to the enchantment that is Santa Fe.
Consider your Santa Fe visit between high tourist times like the Santa Fe Opera Season or the Indian Market. In this way you can be assured of obtaining your preferred dining reservation times, and Santa Fe will have a more accessible feel and friendliness.
Editor’s Note: Terry Zinn has visited Santa Fe many times over the years and is a past President of the International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association

Mr. Terry Zinn – Travel Editor
Past President: International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association
http://realtraveladventures.com/author/zinn/
http://www.examiner.com/travel-in-oklahoma-city/terry-zinn
www.new.okveterannews.com – www.martinitravels.com

by Vickie Jenkins

I recently attended the INTEGRIS Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Reunion and Halloween Party. This is just one of the events sponsored by the Oklahoma Family Network and the NICU nurses for families that experience the NICU. The party was for the babies that were taken care of in the NICU over the last 15 years. Some of those tiny miracles are teenagers now! What a meaningful time for the parents, children and the wonderful nurses that cared for them at that time. The love that was present in the room was overwhelming as the Halloween party came alive as the children, parents, families, nurses and doctors reminisced. It was obvious to see that many lives had been touched through the care of the NICU.
The children were wearing their Halloween costumes; ballerinas, tigers, policemen, princesses, clowns and power rangers filled the room. There were balloons, games, a cake-walk and plenty of cookies, punch and candy for everyone. Smiles were seen all around, from the children to the nurses to the mothers and fathers.
I was introduced to Tamara Crabtree. This was the second year that Tamara had attended the Halloween party. Her daughter was born pre-mature at Integris Baptist hospital and was taken care of by the nurses in the NICU. At the time, Tamara felt a need to do something for the parents with the babies born premature. She began by taking baskets of goodies to the parents; something for the moms and something for their baby. “It has grown quite a bit since then,” Tamara says. “We try to have special events throughout the year. Our next one will be a Christmas party for the babies that are being taken care of in NICU,” she adds.
According to the Oklahoma Family Network, a Christmas party will be sponsored here at Integris Baptist Medical Center. The special event, Baby’s 1st Christmas, will be for families who are experiencing NICU during the Christmas Season. We believe that a family’s 1st Christmas is a special event especially for families who are on the NICU path, and should be given a chance to honor their baby’s 1st Christmas regardless of circumstances.
When I asked if anyone would like to share their story about their baby and their care in NICU, Kristie Dodd was happy to share her experience.
“My name is Kristie Dodd and I was pregnant with my first child. I developed Hellp Syndrome. (Hellp Syndrome is a life-threatening pregnancy complication usually considered to be a variant of preeclampsia. Both conditions usually occur during the late stages of pregnancy or sometimes after childbirth.) Pretty much the cure for me was to deliver my baby. My son, Ryan was delivered at 23 weeks. He weighed 1 lb.1 ounce, staying in NICU for 111 days,” she said. “That was the roughest thing that I have ever gone through. I was here at the hospital every day. It was such an emotional time and being here at the reunion and seeing the nurses that cared for Ryan is so special. The care that was given to him meant everything to me,” she added. “The staff, doctors and nurses always treated me with the utmost respect. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I am so thankful for everyone here. Today, Ryan will be 3 years-old in January. He is healthy and fine and he is my little miracle, thanks to the wonderful care of the nurses here at Integris Baptist Medical Center.”

by Bobby Anderson
Staff Writer

From time to time, Gary England will drop by the School of Meteorology at the University of Oklahoma to speak with the incoming freshman class.
Any student who knows anything about weather in Oklahoma understands when England walks into the room they are in the presence of greatness.
But the self-described kid from Seiling sets down a manila folder and pulls out rejection letter after rejection letter.
“I went a lot of places and they didn’t like me,” he grins.
Even in retirement the 76-year-old is still cracking jokes and – more importantly – he’s still helping Oklahomans protect themselves from Oklahoma weather.
Through much prodding, the University of Oklahoma has taken up some of England’s retirement time to collaborate on a new weather series.
This Sooner Series consists of short, entertaining videos that will give people of all ages a better understanding of Oklahoma’s severe weather patterns and events. This entertaining series will make it easy and fun for you to become familiar with the fundamentals of our weather, the history of weather forecasting, and the technology used by meteorology professionals to keep the public as safe as possible.
Using Janux’s social discussion forum, participants will be able to interact directly with Gary and share their own weather stories and experiences with people around the globe.
This series is being offered at no cost through multiple media channels, including iTunes U, YouTube, and OU’s Janux online learning platform.
These videos have been professionally produced by NextThought, and the entire series is being released at once, so that taking part is convenient to fit your schedule.
Visiting his granddaughter, Cassidy, now a sophomore at OU, England was hit up while on campus to work on the series by President David Boren’s Chief of Staff Nicholas Hathaway.
“A bunch of us sat down and what amazes me is how you gather so many really intelligent and creative people together,” England said. “They’re quite amazing.”
“I like doing the series. You plan it. You do it and you’ve got it out there forever for people.”
From there, the Janux series was born. It came at a right time for the recently retired England.
“Retirement kind of snuck up on me,” say’s OU’s meterologist in residence. “I never have liked to take vacations. Never liked to travel. I love what I do. My lifetime dream was to be on TV at Channel 9. I never had a thought past that.”
Undeniably, England is an Oklahoma treasure. Born in Seiling, Oklahoma, England joined the U.S. Navy at age 17, after which he attended The University of Oklahoma, graduating in 1965 with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics and meteorology.
He began his broadcasting career with KWTV in Oklahoma City in 1972. Over his 41-year career with KWTV, England is credited with saving countless lives and properties with his steady, measured reporting during severe storms in Oklahoma.
England became internationally noted for pioneering innovations in weather technology and systems that are now common tools in the world of severe weather coverage, including first acquisition and application of commercial Doppler radar, the storm time of arrival warning system, corner screen warning maps, and cellular still picture/video transmission.
With the firm Enterprise Electronics, he implemented the world’s first commercial Doppler weather radar in 1981, becoming the first person in history to use Doppler radar for direct warnings to the public.
Dubbed “The Weather God of Oklahoma City” by the New York Times, England is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including four Emmy Awards and the Silver Circle Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Heartland Division.
He was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2013. He also received the prestigious Edward R. Murrow Award for best in the nation in breaking weather coverage in all large markets.
He is the author of four books and has appeared in more than 60 national and international severe weather programs. In 2013, England assumed a new role at KWTV-9 as the vice president for corporate relations and weather development at Griffin Communications.
England was named an OU Outstanding Alumnus in 2008. He was further honored by OU in October 2013 at the annual Ring Ceremony and also served as parade marshal for OU’s Homecoming. England received the University of Oklahoma’s highest award in 2014, an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters.
England is still highly-sought in the legal field as a consultant, testifying for attorneys as an expert witness – something he’s done since the 1970s.
“The legal stuff is fun until you get to court,” England laughed.
But when Oklahoma’s weather ramps up, England still feels that itch.
“I miss it a little,” England said. “I’ll tune in on bad weather and I think … I don’t miss the death, destruction and human suffering. I grew really weary of that.”
And just like he’s done for the last 40 years, even in retirement England is still trying to keep Oklahomans safe.

by Mike Lee, Staff Writer

Sanctuary. A peaceful refuge of country ambiance in the city. That’s the vision Rocky and Phyllis Clark had for the active adult retirement neighborhood they just opened in south Oklahoma City/Mustang. Whispering Creek is designed to foster and retain natural elements for the benefit of people and wildlife. Landscaped walking trails curve around the centrally located ponds and waterfalls. Fountains light up at night so they can be enjoyed at all hours. Deer, owls, rabbits, and birds of all kind call Whispering Creek home. A favorite spot for watching nature is the 1,800-square-foot covered back porch at the clubhouse. This is where the Clarks designed the perfect spot for residents to socialize or just enjoy the peaceful tranquility of the scenic view.
The idea to develop Whispering Creek began when Phyllis and Rocky found themselves looking for senior living options for their parents. Everything they saw in the OKC metro area seemed to have more concrete than green space. The Clarks felt that seniors deserved more. They wanted to create an upscale yet comfortable haven that rewarded people for decades of hard work. A place where residents receive a helping hand with chores and the peace of mind that comes with a gated entrance and cameras. They envisioned a culture where neighbors know and look after each other. They succeeded in their huge investment to make Whispering Creek all they dreamed of it being. Some people are choosing to live in the neighborhood because they like to travel and feel their home is more secure in that environment. Others choose Whispering Creek because they want a private home but not all the maintenance that usually comes with it.
The idea has been so successful that Clark has opened up a purchase offer. The purchase option is new and is in response to the numerous requests for buying into the gated neighborhood rather than renting.
Rocky, age 60, and Phyllis, 59, co-own R&R Homes with their son, Russell, and daughter-in-law, Tabitha. In fact, three of their four kids work alongside them. And, so do their in-laws. Family is a top priority for the Clark clan. They all reside within seven acres of each other and are living what is quickly becoming the new American dream.
Rocky and Phyllis grin ear to ear when talking about their 11 grandchildren and the 2 more being adopted. At first glance a person could mistake the quiet and casually dressed pair as an average Joe and Jane but they are anything but typical. Married 41 years, they are as dedicated to serving others as they are to loving their family and building quality homes. Phyllis was a 1st grade school teacher /school librarian for almost 20 years. She has a Master’s degree and has also illustrated teacher resource books. Rocky has coached Little League Football in Moore since 1985. He started by coaching his son’s team and never stopped. Thirty years later he heads up the Moore Dirt Bags, a team of 10 year-old boys, including two of his grandsons. Rocky and his family have lived in Moore since 1965. That city’s Junior High is where he met Phyllis and they have been together ever since. The Clarks are active at Journey Church. They humbly admit they have been richly blessed and truly want to bless others.
The family business is one of the metro’s most active home builders. R&R Homes has been developing complete neighborhoods for 10+ years. A few of their projects include Bella Terra in Edmond, Rock Creek in Moore, and Riverview which sits on the Canadian River in Newcastle.
Whispering Creek is a gated community of homes for lease to people age 55 and better. The age-restricted neighborhood is designed to cultivate friendships and the extra support / security that comes from living among peers. People can be as social or private as they want. Scheduled activities at the clubhouse will focus on resident’s interests and will vary from yoga, book-of-the-month, and crafts to card games and pot luck socials.
A variety of one and two-bedroom floor plans are available. The homes have many built-in luxuries and upscale extras. Spacious walk-in closets, granite bath and kitchen counters, covered porches, generous lighting, inlaid tile, and window seats are some of the homes’ features. Refrigerator, washer / dryer, and all appliances are provided. Whispering Creek handles all the lawn care and home maintenance. The affordable rents start at $1,425 and include all these things plus basic cable television, water, sewer, trash, and clubhouse amenities. Residents have free access to a storm shelter, fitness center, activities kitchen, crafts room, game area, living rooms, fireplace, and private party room at the clubhouse.
Whispering Creek is located in south OKC / Mustang on County Line Road. It is north of S.W. 59th street and not far from Highway 152.