OKC Events: October 1, 2008

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Oct 1, 2008 by Joan Gilmore

The first-ever Make-A-Wish Foundation ball was titled "A Magic Carpet Ride" and what a ride it was. Setting the mood were the belly dancers who did dips and grinds and such to magic music. Then there were the PYTs (Pretty Young Things) doing group dances to the rhythmic tunes of (quite loud) SuperFreak. Then there was the audience, which included Oklahoma's first lady Kim Henry, tapping her toes in time to the music.

A great evening for a first time out.

The always gracious Teresa Rose, speaking on behalf of the presenting sponsor Chesapeake Energy Corp., welcomed guests and introduced the popular morning show hostess on KWTV Channel 9 who served as emcee for the evening. Speakers included Carol Bauman, a Wish Mom, and Janell Flanery, who presented a recognition award to the Jean I. Everest Foundation, which was accepted by Jim and Christy Everest.

Party guests included James Pickel, Ed Kelley, Judge Jerome Holmes, Chris and Meg Salyer, John and Molly Ross Fritch, David Evans, Corey and Mike Blake, Kevin Flannery, Gene Rainbolt, Charlotte Lankard, Kyle and Cher Golding, Richard and Glenna Tanenbaum, Carrie and Ryan Leonard, Joy and Jerry Richardson, David Leader, Erin Fitzgerald, Eli Embree, Brenda Jones, Gale and Lee Bollinger, Vicki and Leland Gourley, Bonnie and Stan Naifeh, Kim and Steve Mason, Linda Haneborg, Rob Mills, and Patti and Dick Marshall.

The Harris Foundation was one of the presenting sponsors and other supporters included BancFirst, Stacey and Eric Stiglets, Blake Production, OG&E, The Gelvin Foundation, Presbyterian Health Foundation, Presentation Service Audio-Visual, Great Plains Coca- Cola Bottling Co., Gardner Tanenbaum Group, Inasmuch Foundation, Skirvin Hilton Hotel, Transforming Lives, PLLC-Greg and Traci Walton, Joullian Vineyards and the Everests.

Honorary chairman of the ball was Annie Bohanon and event advisor was Christy Everest. Event chairs were Janell Flanery and James Schelnick and Make-a-Wish board chairman is Kevin Doyle.

Bits and pieces

The Bella Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is sponsoring a giant pet adoption day from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Saturday at Duffner Park. This will be the foundation's second annual "A Dog Walk in the Park," with proceeds used to assist low-income, elderly or terminally ill pet owners who can no longer care for their pets. For more information, call (866) 318-7387 or visit www.thebellafoundation.org.

If you love the hilarious Greater Tuna, you'll adore A Tuna Christmas, which Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre (City-Rep) will present Dec. 5-21 in CitySpace Theatre at Civic Center Music Hall. Call (405) 848-3761 for tickets.

Tickets for the Trans-Siberian Orchestra appearance at Ford Center on Nov. 30 will go on sale at 10 a.m. Saturday. Contact any Ticketmaster outlet, Suncoast Movie Co. or the U.S. Army Box Office at the Ford Center or visit www.okfordcenter.com.