OKC Events: February 22, 2005

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Feb 22, 2005 by Joan Gilmore

For the 22nd year, OKC Beautiful will present Distinguished Service Awards to individuals, organizations and businesses who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to enhance the appearance of Oklahoma City. The awards luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. March 3 at the Central Oklahoma Home Builders Association, 625 NW Grand Blvd. Kelly Ogle of KWTV-Channel 9 will serve as master of ceremonies.

Recipients and their awards are American Fidelity Property Co., Chesapeake Energy Corporate Award; Will Rogers Park, Community Spirit Award; Master Gardeners of Oklahoma County, Education Award; Donald A. Karchmer and James R. Tolbert III, Individual Initiative Award; Richard N. Coyle, Lifetime Achievement Award; Integris Baptist Medical Center and Integris Southwest Medical Center, Mayor's Award; and Downtown OKC Inc., Visionary Award.

Mayor Mick Cornett will present the Mayor's Award. Special awards to be announced at the luncheon include the Morrison Graham Tucker Leadership Award and the Rookie of the Year Award.

Underwriter for this year's luncheon is Chesapeake Energy and presenting sponsor is the Philip Boyle Foundation. Additional sponsorships have come from Kerr-McGee Corp., The Oklahoman and the Payne Family. Corporate table sponsors include Bank of Oklahoma, Richard N. Coyle, Donald A. Karchmer and James R. Tolbert III, Don and Susan Johnston, Downtown OKC Inc., Gladys H. Tucker, Integris Health, Mathis Brothers Furniture, OGE Energy Corp., T.E.E.M. Inc. and Trust Company of Oklahoma.

Luncheon reservations are $25 per person and corporate tables for eight guests are available for $500. A special Friend of OKC Beautiful reservation is $50. Checks payable to OKC Beautiful may be mailed to P.O. Box 2296, Oklahoma City, 73101. For additional information, call 525-8822.

Mark Patterson is president of OKC Beautiful's board and Janie Deupree is executive director of the nonprofit organization.

Delicious tasting

Taste for Sight, the pre-party for the annual Swing for Sight Charity Golf Tournament, will take place from 7:30 until 10 p.m. March 19 at the Coca-Cola Bricktown Event Center. Food from metro residents and wines and beers from more than 50 wineries and breweries will be available at the party.

Professional golfer Gil Morgan hosts the annual golf tournament, which is in its 30th year as a benefit for Prevent Blindness Oklahoma. The Taste for Sight party will be presented by Eskridge Lexus of Oklahoma City.

Guests at Taste for Sight will have the opportunity to bid on auction items such as a 2006 Lexus GS300, hand-signed Leroy Neiman prints, jewelry from Valerie Naifeh, vacation and golf packages and more.

Proceeds from Taste for Sight will fund projects of Prevent Blindness Oklahoma, a nonprofit volunteer organization.

In addition to Eskridge Lexus, Taste for Sight 2005 is presented by Anne Richardson Designs, Central Liquor, Heritage Press, IBC Bank and Claims Management Resources.

Participating restaurants include Bin 73, Cafe do Brasil, Coco Flow Chocolate Fountains, Deep Fork Grill, Gopuram Taste of India, Iron Starr Urban BBQ, Johnny Carino's, La Luna Mexican Cafe, Old Germany Restaurant, the Mantel, SophiaBella's Chicago Grill, Tom & Jerry's Steak & Fish Grille, Uncommon Grounds and VZD's Restaurant & Club.

Tickets are $35 per person in advance or $60 at the door. To purchase tickets or a sponsorship, call Nicole Thomas at 848-7123.

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