Deck the Halls

In this month’s magazine, we’re celebrating all things Christmas. 
From an exclusive sneak peek into the Governor’s mansion decorated for the festive season to ways to help you get a jump start on your resolutions, we’ve got you covered. 
This is also a month where everything feels like it speeds up and slows down at

once. Sure, you’ve got holiday parties, family events, school and church functions, but you also have nights decorating the house and cold afternoons spent in the movies. We’ve got you covered for that stuff, too, since our own Sarah Neese is quite the movie buff and there’s a few great ideas for date nights downtown.
I’m making this letter short this month so you can get on decorating, celebrating and spending time with friends & family. If you need me, I’ll be decking the halls.
Happy Holidays,
Meg McElhaney,
Editor-in-Chief

A New Tradition

December 3rd, 2015 kicked off Midwest City OK’s inaugural year of Storyland Christmas.
 “Our event is intended to take our older visitors back on a nostalgic view of Christmases past while possibly in-troducing our younger visitors to many traditional sights and sounds of Christmas they may have not experienced before,” Kay Hunt, Midwest City public relations specialist and event coordinator said.
 So what is Storyland Christmas?
Featuring 35 hand painted murals depicting traditional Christmas stories, Midwest City’s Johnson Central Park transformed into a winter wonderland—the park is ADA accessible, so individuals in wheelchairs and families with strollers have full access to the magic of Storyland Christ-mas. The event is full of merry-making, new traditions, and welcomes everyone to come join in the fun and take pride

in the land we all call home.  
The murals portray beloved Christmas stories such as A Christmas Carol, 12 Days of Christmas, Frosty the Snow-man, The Gingerbread Man, The Night Before Christmas, The Polar Express, and Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer. Each grouping of murals will have an audio component as visitors walk through the park; it will either be a recording of the story, or a recording of the song.
“We want to create a multi-sensory experience, so adding the audio component to the visual component should make for an enjoyable time,” Hunt said. The murals will be avail-able to view 7 days a week through December 20.
Dr. Bob E. Palmer, Ed.D, a retired educator who has painted more than 1,800 murals across Oklahoma, Canada, Mexi-co, and Eastern Europe was chosen to paint the 35 murals alongside his chosen protégés. Dr. Palmer has been recog-

nized as the “Outstanding Oklahoma Higher Education Faculty Member”; “Oklahoma Art Educator of the Year”; selected as the State’s Centennial “Feature Mural Painter” in 2007, and in 2013 he was recognized by Gov. Mary Fallin with the “Governor’s Art Award in Community Service”.
“I knew that he was the artist we wanted to ask to paint our murals,” Hunt said. “We are so excited to have him be a part of this event and for Midwest City to be part of his mural painting legacy.”

Palmer talks about his experiences painting murals, saying that he and his protégés working love to work with local communities so that they can accurately depict the histor-ical images. In part this is to accurately depict the histor-ical images, but it is also to help the viewers of the murals understand the area in which they reside. Palmer also emphasized the idea that understanding the heart and soul of a town is not always found in directly depicting historical facts. Sometimes it is found in depicting things that people appreciate, things that educate the viewers, or sometimes things that are hopeful and wishful.
The murals found in the Storyland Christmas will add hopefulness and whimsy to the lives of all who experi-ence the event. Not only for those who will receive the full sensory experience, but also for those who do not get the full experience. Because of the auditory component of these murals, children and adults with visual impairment will get to experience the stories, making Storyland a breath of fresh air. 
 “The city is always seeking opportunities for its residents to have within the community that make them proud of the fact that they live and work here,” Hunt explained. “We think Storyland Christmas will be one of those experiences.”
Additional activities occurring in Storyland Christmas include photos with Santa live storybook characters, and family Christmas movies, making the event a multi-sensory experience, accessible to individuals with visual and hearing impairments. 
Santa will be available each Saturday and Sunday until De-cember 20th. He will be available on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Family-friendly movies will be shown in the park on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday with showings at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m., and 6 p.m., and Sunday with showings at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Local volunteers and local performers donate their time and talent to give the event even more of an added flare.
Storyland Christmas makes Christmas Cheer accessible to all, embodying the spirit of Christmas and the spirit of Oklahoma.
 The event is free to all and located in the Charles J. John-son Central Park in Town Center Plaza, north of SE 29 and Mid-America Boulevard in Midwest City, OK. It is funded in part by the Memorial Hospital Authority Board of Grant-ors.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their cameras and cap-ture their new memories and documenting this great new tradition.
Written by Kennedy McAlister
Photo from Midwest City Facebook Page

Hometown Hoops
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL IN FULL SWING

Basketball season gets hot when the weather turns cold. Local high school teams are ramping up their efforts in order to make their season count and eventually qualify for the “big dance,” otherwise known as the high school basketball state tournament. Each year teams give it their all and fight it out in Districts, Regionals and Area hoping to get their time under those bright lights. This year the Harrah and Choctaw basketball teams are looking to shake things up in an effort to make their season one to remember. 
Choctaw
The girl’s basketball team is looking to take it all the way to the state finals after reaching the Class 6A semi-finals last year.  After falling in OT to Muskogee, theLady Yellowjackets are sure to bring motivation with them this basketball season.  Junior guard, Ana Lla-nusa averaged 22 points per game as a sophomore and

well—the Yellow-jackets also took home the coveted, Academic State Championship tro-phy.  Coach Beale and his crew are looking forward to taking on frontrun-ners like Mustang and close neighbor, Harrah.
Harrah

The Harrah Panthers are sure to make a run for the play-offs. The Panthers return close to the entire starting line-up from last season’s successful 24-win season. These players include Brady Manek, a 6-8, forward and Kellen Manek a 6-7, forward both of whom had stellar seasons last year. Defense and execution are going to be big fo-cuses for the Panthers this year, two intangibles that are sure to lead them deep into playoff games. 
The Lady Panthers have high hopes for their season as well, after their first round loss in the 4A State Basketball Tournament to Locust Grove.  With six of their eight top players returning for next season, it’s easy to predict vic-tories for 2016. Moreover, the Lady Panthers know suc-cess—they’ve been to the State Tournament 8 of the last 10 years and 14 of the last 19 years.  Though losing Blake Blessington and Ashley Dodd will be a challenge, the many returning underclassmen and experienced players are sure to step up to that challenge leading the Lady Pan-thers through the playoffs.
Written by Katy Fabrie

First Home & Garden Show of 2016
STATE FAIR PARK HOSTS THREE-DAY EVENT

The Oklahoma City Home & Garden Show returns
to State Fair Park again this year, January 15-17. The three-day show includes a variety of exhibits and events, including Glorious Gardens, featuring the latest in outdoor landscaping and outdoor
entertainment, and an expo involving
the newest in innovative products for
around your home. The Lifestyle Stage, 
located in the Expo Building, will
feature various HGTV celebrities, as
well as presentations on landscaping
ideas and do-it-yourself tips. The Made
in Oklahoma section, located in the
Modern Living Building, showcases
products made and sold within the
state.
The Annual Plant Sale will take place from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, January 17, allowing event attendants to buy plants and flowers at bargain prices from the show’s landscaping

vendors. Also on Sunday, January 17, anyone in the military, fire department, or police force will get into the event at no cost, as part of the show’s Hero Day. Service members can gain free admission by showing their valid service ID at the Show Office, located at the east entrance of the Cox

Pavilion. 
Admission tickets for the event are $12 for adults, and children under age 12 can attend for free. Parking is free around the fair grounds and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information about the home and garden show, stage schedules, or exhibitors, visit www.oklahomacityhomeshow.com or call 800-395-1350.
Written by Sarah Neese

High Five’s Top 5

The beginning of a new year signals the frantic frenzy to kick-start new endeavors and ditch those nasty habits we may have picked up during 2015. However, it’s a well-known fact that New Year’s resolutions don’t always go according to plan. At High Five, we’re all about daring to be intentionally different. That’s why we’ve curated a unique list of five resolutions that we think are pretty rad. Here’s to actually crossing all those resolutions off your list this year. Cheers to 2016! - Sarah Neese

1)    Become an explorer.
In the words of Dora the Explorer, “Come on, let’s get to it. I know that we can do it.” So, why not grab your map and backpack and head out on a journey? New adventures can be intimidating, but we recommend you start in your own backyard. Oklahoma City and the surrounding metro areas offer a variety of amazing places to eat, play, and visit. Explore a little more of your city, this year, and while you’re at it, snap a few artsy Instagram pics to add to your collection.
2)    Change the world.
Let’s face it. The world could always use a little change for the better, and kindness is the perfect catalyst to get the ball rolling. For 2016, try a simple, random act of kindness every day. Pick up a piece of trash. Open a door for someone. Compliment your coworker’s sweet, new Star Wars shirt, and don’t forget about a simple smile. Smiling is our favorite.
3)    Make dreams come true.
Chances are high that, in 2016, you’re going to turn a year older than you were before, which means that you’ve put another year between yourself and your nostalgic childhood. A new year is the perfect time to finally make those childhood dreams come true. Have you always wanted to eat Lucky Charms for dinner? Do it! Have you been dreaming of riding Space Mountain at Disney World for years? Make it happen! Missed out on all those Spring Break ski trips? Hit the slopes! Whatever your childhood dreams may be, this is the year to wave your own fairy godmother wand and bippity, boppity, boo!
4)    Perfect the friend zone.
It’s time to add some new friends into your life, and we’re not talking about expanding your Facebook friends list. Strike up a conversation with one of your coworkers. Grab a bite to eat with someone new. Spend more time with old and new friends alike. Pretty soon, you’ll find yourself asking, “Did we just become best friends?”
5)    Fall in love.
New love is exciting and fun, but it’s time to
swipe right on someone besides creepy Tony
from Tinder. We think we’ve got the perfect
match for you in 2016, and you may know
them better than you think. This year, make
time to fall in love with yourself. Schedule a
solo Netflix and chill date and binge-watch
that series that’s been in your queue for
weeks. We’re firm believers in penciling a
little “me-time” into your schedule. You’re
awesome, and you definitely deserve to
“treat yo self.”

Christmas at the Governor’s Mansion

Talk about decking the halls! High Five Media was honored with the opportunity to have an exclusive, inside look at Christmas at the Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion. Our tour guide, Maggie Clark, executive director for Friends of the Mansion, toured us from room to room as we ogled at the impressive trees, table settings and stockings festooning every inch of Governor Mary Fallin’s home. 
The decoration team was compiled of seven people, headed by local Edmonite, J. Mark Taylor from Traditions Fine Furniture and Design. Taylor’s vision was apparent throughout the house from the festively filled punch bowl (a replica of one from the U.S.S. Oklahoma), to the towering tree in the entryway to a custom-made square wreath created specifically to highlight the state seal of Oklahoma.
“Getting to enjoy the mansion grounds during the holiday season is truly an extra bonus of my job,” said Maggie Clark, 

executive director for Friends of the Mansion. “From the Oklahoma room which showcases all of the past State holiday ornaments, to the five beautiful trees in the Phillips Pavilion, the Oklahoma Governor’s Mansion has an outstanding level of Christmas spirit.”
The Mansion is supported, in part, by proceeds from annual ornament sales. This year’s ornament is a tribute to the State Capitol building which celebrates the Capitol Restoration Project and its effort to relight the dome. Patrons can also purchase a cookbook entitled Getting Grilled, featuring first gentleman, Wade Christensen. Getting Grilled is the first ever first gentleman’s cookbook dedicated to grilling recipes and techniques. 
Written by Katy Fabrie
Photographed by Jonathan Burkhart

Red Envelopes

Spencer’s is annoucning it’s first-ever red envelope week.  Customers receive a red envelope to open in January with prizes that include free items, and a grand prize of a train trip to Fort Worth for two. 
Red evnvelope week is between December 14 - 20th. Evelopes only count if opened in front of a Spencer’s employee in January.  For more information contact Spencer’s at 9900 NE 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73141 or call (405) 769-8373. 
Community Submission

Date Night

With so much hustle and bustle, it’s easy to forget about the important things. In the holiday shopping madness, it’s also easy to forget take care of your relationships with the people for which you buy presents. Remembering to foster those relationships will help your mental state, and when you’re less stressed, those
around you will be
less inclined to feel
stressed.

So whether you’ve got to call the babysitter—or the dog sitter—or you need to take a breather from studying for finals, or you just want to have some good fun, OKC during the holidays is the place for you.

Start off your evening with an early dinner at Pizzeria Gusto (2415 N Walker Ave.). Pizzeria Gusto takes the entrepreneur spirit of Oklahoma and mixes it with old Italian traditions of Pizza Napoleatana, a pizza that takes simple ingredients and an intense wood fire to make a pizza you won’t forget. They feature a number of small plates, appetizers, salads, desserts, and 11 beers on tap
Open Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m to 11 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Catch some drinks at the OKC Uptown success story, The Pump Bar (2425 N. Walker Ave.). Known to have Harry Potter audiobooks playing over the sound system, choose from their 16 local specialty beers they have on tap, or choose from over 50 domestic and import craft bottles and whiskeys. You won’t want to

miss out on this Uptown success story.
Open weekdays from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. and weekends 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Then, head up to the Plaza district and catch A Christmas Carol. Lyric Theater will be putting on A Christmas Carol for its 5th year in a row with Devon Energy as a proud and local sponsor.
Running December 2-27. Show times vary. Check lyrictheaterokc.com for tickets and show times.
Just can’t get away for the night without crossing something off your to-do list? Make a compromise and do something fun WHILE still shopping for your gift list. Check out the OKC Midtown’s Holiday Pop-Up Shops! Located on the NE corner of 10th and Hudson, these geodesic domes house different shops every weekend until Christmas! 35 independent shops rotating through every week, an urban Christmas tree lot managed by Bishop John Carroll School and OKC’s own Katiebug’s hot chocolate trailer make this block merry! 
The holiday shops opened November 27th and will continue until December 20th. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m to 9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Written by Kennedy McAlister

An exclusive with North Pole City’s Santa

When we walked up to the front porch of Santa’s home
(we can’t tell you where that is, for obvious reasons) he was chatting with a couple of neighborhood kids who had stopped by for candy and conversation on their way home from school. This was a quintessential Santa moment, embodying everything we think of the jolly Christmas legend. He gently
bade them farewell
as he ushered us
inside, to a warm
home with books, 
more candy, and of
course, a collage of
crosses on his wall.

Here at Santa’s secret lair - far from his holiday headquarters at the North Pole – he offered us a window into his world. We sat down with him and heard how he became the most beloved bearded man in the world.

Thirty years ago, 
he wasn’t Santa. He was Dan Short, an ambitious man with a wealth of experience in politics and non-profits. He was a man obviously interested in, and capable of being a change-making leader. But he was – and still is – a very spiritual man.
 “I came to an awareness that my original motivations to serve and to lead were all motivated very purely to be of service,” Dan said. “But over the years, those motivations were corrupted.” He realized that he had become motivated more by recognition than by service. He prayed about it, and asked God for the strength to change course. Finally, he made a promise to himself, and to God, that he would not seek leadership positions from then on out, and that he would only accept those offered to him if he truly felt called. 
 Ten years later, Dan was a man dutifully accompanying his wife to the mall for some holiday shopping. “I didn’t

particularly like shopping,” he said. But he went along anyway, as so many husbands, fathers, and significant others do on chilly days when holiday deals are just too good to pass up. As his wife shopped, he found a bench, and soon found himself passing the time by watching the mall Santa listen to kids talking about what they hoped to get for Christmas.

“I was enthralled by
the guy,” Dan said. “He was so gentle with those kids. Each kid was just the only person in the world to him.” Dan was mesmerized by it. “He was establishing a relationship with those kids,” he said of the Santa he admits studying for over an hour while his wife shopped.
After five years, - yes, FIVE YEARS of passing the time watching Santa as his wife shopped at Quail Springs, Santa came up to him during one of his breaks. 

“I was like a kid,” Dan said, giddy with excitement that Santa would come talk
to him.  Then came the unexpected and life-changing question: Santa asked Dan, “Have you ever thought about being Santa?” 
“Of course I had,” Dan said, but he had no idea how to go about doing it.
Next thing he knew, he and his wife were in Las Vegas for what was essentially an audition to be Santa. He met Santas all over the country, hearing both their saddest and funniest Santa stories from the previous season. He even remembers one of the more novel experiences from that first trip. 
“We met a couple times to go to a buffet,” he said of the gathering of real-bearded Santa’s, who could take off their costumes but not their tufts of cotton-white facial hair. “It was really quite a spectacle.”

His interview went well, and they eventually found him a job as Santa at Iowa City, Iowa’s Coral Ridge Mall, where he served as Santa for two years. He had fun, he said, but had no idea how draining it could be. 
“I literally could not get out of bed on Christmas Eve that year,” he recalled of his first season. But he found that it had its perks, as well. Because they were traveling home to Oklahoma City on Christmas Day, they had their Christmas dinner at a Red Lobster. When he tried to pay, he found that their meal was on the house, and as they got up to leave, they were met with loud applause from the other diners.
Dan went back to Iowa City for his second season as Santa the following year, but tragically, his wife was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer a few days after Christmas. Because
of her diagnosis, Dan decided not to return to Iowa City. His time as Santa may well have been over then, but as it happened, North Pole City needed a Santa, and he was happy to oblige. His debut season as the North Pole Santa (pretty official sounding, right?) was in 2003. His wife was still battling cancer, and they were very accommodating. Any time he needed to take her to the doctor or be with her after a treatment, they simply hung a sign that said, “Santa is feeding his reindeer.”
His wife passed away in March of 2004.
Over the years, the ups and downs of his personal life have 24 LINKED CHOCTAW HARRAH

had an impact on his work as Santa. But, he says, “The role of Santa is a privilege to me. It has been since I observed that Santa so many years ago.” So no matter what happens, he makes sure that the kids he meets get as authentic a Santa experience as he can give them.
While some Santas don’t always give it all they’ve got, Dan’s approach is special. 
“I try to convey that Santa is love,” he said, as he talked
of tying his work with his faith. In fact, he sees a lot of parallels between Santa and the trinity – the unconditional love of the Father, the sacrifice of the Son, the ever-present wisdom and nature of the Holy Spirit. He sees that the image of Santa – a man who inexplicably gives every child a gift on Christmas, who kids believe works hard all year to accomplish that feat, who knows who has been naughty and who has been nice, as a symbol of faith for young children to absorb. He even incorporates the teaching of the real story of Christmas into his work as Santa. When he worked at the mall, he asked every kid he met to do him a favor: sing happy birthday to Jesus. “For me, it is a mission of communicating that Santa loves them and that they are worthwhile, valuable.” 
“Every kid is a unique encounter,” Dan said. Knowing that for many kids, their moment on Santa’s lap can be a huge one in their lives, he makes sure to say something uplifting to each kid who comes to see him. He always asks what

their name is and how old they are, but when time permits, he loves to try to get to know them. And he lets them ask him questions, as well. “I try to keep it light and affirming.”
One thing parents may not like about Dan’s approach is that he doesn’t believe in the naughty list. He makes sure to tell every kid that they made the “Nice List” again this year. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t run into mischievous children. He recalled a little girl who asked him for a big, scary snake. “Where are you going to keep it?” he asked, to which she replied, “in my sister’s bed!”
Does he encounter Santa skeptics? Of course! He laughed as he told us of a time recently when he visited an elementary school. As the kids were clamoring to meet him, he overheard an older student say “don’t buy into it, it’s a lie!” 
“You can’t win them all over,” he said.
But his spirit of service doesn’t end when Christmas is over. He lives in one of the poorer zip codes in Oklahoma City, and does so intentionally. He believes in creating a strong sense of community, and that that being a good neighbor is even more important in neighborhoods like the one he lives in. Most people on the block call him Santa, both because many of them don’t know his real name, and because they know he is the kind of person that will help them when they’re in need. “Being a good neighbor is all I’m trying to do here,” he humbly said.

One day, he was enjoying the nice weather on his front porch when a young man walked by. “Hey Santa, will you pray for my mother?” he asked. “She’s in Detroit, and we think she’s going to see her last day pretty soon.” Dan prayed with the stranger. A few days later, that same young man walked by again and said, “I want you to know, my heart is good. I know she’s in heaven because she was a good woman.”
We plied him, and Dan told us several other moving stories of his interactions with his neighbors. He truly is the embodiment of Santa, but year ‘round, and for people who need it the most.
Talking to Dan it is hard not to believe, if not just for his appearance. If Santa is real, he is most definitely a good neighbor, a caring soul, someone to pray with and someone who makes each child know how special and important they are, even if he’s the only one saying so.  He would go into the bad neighborhoods and love the undesirables. And, on his off days he would probably rock a sweet pair of Toms. No one knows if Dan is the real Santa, or just one of his highest ranking associates, but for now, you can find him at North Pole City, showing children that they are each special, and that Santa loves them.
Written by Meg McElhaney & Forrest Bennett
Photographed by Jonathan Burkhart

A Reel Good Time

The holiday season is here and with its arrival comes work-free weekdays and the perfect opportunity to spend some quality time with friends and family. There’s something special about catching a new holiday box office hit or snuggling in to watch a decades-old classic. This season’s movie releases are packing a powerful punch, and your favorite holiday movies are just as good as you remember. Here are a few movies we think you should check out this holiday season. 

Coming Soon:
Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force
Awakens
Release Date: December 18
Years in the making, the newest addition to the Star Wars trilogy is finally arriving in theaters. This story of this long-awaited film, directed by J.J. Abrams, is set three decades after the end of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. Starring cast originals Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford, as well as a host of Star Wars rookies, including Daisy Ridley, Adam Drver, Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Simon Pegg, and Lupita Nyong’o, The Force Awakens is likely to generate record-breaking buzz throughout this holiday season. 

Sisters
Release Date: December 18
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler team up in this comedy about two sisters who throw one last house party after discovering that their parents have placed their childhood home up for sale. Fey and Poehler have a habit of working well together on screen, which is sure to translate in this holiday release. The film is rated-R, so be sure to leave the kids at home. 

The Hateful Eight
Release Date: December 25
Quentin Tarantino’s eighth film, The Hateful Eight, tells the story of eight strangers, ranging from outlaws and sheriffs to confederates and criminals, trying to escape a Wyoming blizzard in the post-Civil War era. Keeping in classic Tarantino style, the movie features a host of intriguing characters played by a notable cast, including Kurt Russell, Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Roth, and Walton Goggins. With a likely R-rating and intense themes, this lengthy Tarantino western is best left for adult viewers. 
26 LINKED CHOCTAW HARRAH

Joy
Release Date: December 25
With the likes of Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle, David O. Russell’s recent films have earned multiple Oscar nominations. Joy will likely follow in those Academy Award footsteps. Russell has teamed up once again with Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, and Robert De Niro for a comedic drama, which follows the story of Joy (Jennifer Lawrence) and her journey to becoming the head of a powerful family business. If you plan on seeing this film, it would probably be a good idea to bring along some tissues. 

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road
Chip
Release Date: December 25
Back again for a fourth installment, Alvin and the Chipmunks are on a mission to get to Miami and prevent their friend Dave from abandoning them for his new girlfriend. Jason Lee, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate are all returning for the film and are joined by new cast members Bella Thorne and Kaley Cuoco. Be sure to bring your kids along for this wild, cartoon “road chip.”

Concussion
Release Date: December 25
This hard-hitting film, starring Will Smith, tells the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, the man who first discovered the effects of brain trauma caused by football-related injuries. The film explores the controversy surrounding the discovery and the NFL’s efforts to keep it quiet. Also starring Alec Baldwin and Luke Wilson, Concussion is already garnering Oscar buzz. 

The Revenant
Release Date: December 25
Inspired by true events, The Revenant tells the story of Hugh Glass, a man left for dead by his companions after a bear attack. His journey to seek revenge and redemption leads him through a brutal winter, and the audience is along for the ride. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy headline this film, with Domhnall Gleeson and Will Poulter joining the supporting cast. This film is rated-R and will likely be a high-intensity drama. 

The Classics: 
Home Alone
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Kevin McCallister’s adventures in booby-trapping criminals and exploring life while Home Alone. What better way to celebrate the holidays and the film’s anniversary than by watching this classic feel-good film? Merry Christmas, ya filthy animal!

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation If we’re honest, we’ve all got a little bit of Griswold in our family. Perhaps that’s why this classic Christmas comedy is so darn funny. We laugh, because it’s true. Join the Griswolds again this year in celebrating the most wonderful time of the year – cousin Eddie and all. Having the hap- hap- happiest Christmas should definitely include a viewing of Christmas Vacation. 

A Charlie Brown Christmas
Looking for the true meaning of Christmas? Well, so is Charlie Brown. Let’s face it. We could all use a little Charlie Brown, and the perfect time for Charlie Brown to drop some wisdom into our lives is the holiday season. It’s a classic that brings equal parts sarcasm and heart-warming sentiment. We never thought it was such a bad little movie. It’s not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love.
Written by Sarah Neese

Dental Care in MWC

Quality Dental Plan is pleased to announce that Dr. Tennille Cheek-Covey at Precision Dental offers patients an afford-able, easy-access dental savings plan.  According to statistics, as many as one in five children in Midwest City may now be going without very basic dental care.  
As the economy suffers, many families can no longer afford the basics, including dental care.  Up to 60% of Americans don’t have dental insurance and the Dr. Cheek-Covey and Precision Dental are working to make dental care a acces-sible and affordable, not a luxury, by offering a plan with benefits that individuals and families can take advantage of immediately.  
Quality Dental Plan is offered to both children and adults at an inexpensive yearly fee and is an alternative to dental in-surance that can cost in the thousands of dollars for minimal benefits. Patients using Quality Dental Plan can get two den-tal visits, two teeth cleanings, exams, x-rays, and significant procedural discounts by being a member. 
“We looked at the costs associated with giving quality dental care to our patients and we saw that we could significantly reduce our treatment rates if we saw patients early in the pro-cess and encouraged the whole family to take part in good and on-going care,” said Dr. Tennille Cheek-Covey of Pre-cision Dental.  “When a child is in pain, they miss school.  Even worse, the cost to treat a painful situation can be a three or four times more expensive than it would have been if the problem had been diagnosed a few months earlier.”  
Quality Dental Plan has begun to receive national atten-tion for its innovative approach to health care with Dr. Cheek-Covey being one of the first in the nation to under-stand the significance.  “So much of our cost to provide dental services to the community goes to things that really don’t help our patients like insurance administrative charges.  Quality Dental Plan allows us to cut those costs significantly and achieve our core mission to help the people of Midwest City have the best and most affordable dental care possible,” said Tennille Cheek-Covey.
For more information about Quality Dental Plan go to Qual-ityDentalPlan.com.  To schedule a press interview with one of the dentists from Precision Dental contact Tennille at 733-1641.  
Community Submission

LOCAL EVENTS

WHAT: A great way to get together with the whole family, the Devon Ice Rink offers up chilly, holiday fun with an ice-skating rink perfect for all ages. 
WHERE: Myriad Botanical Gardens
INFO: For more
information, visit www. oklahomacitybotanicalgardens.com
COST: $12 general admission
(including skate rental); $8 with your own skates
December 15 – 22, 2015
Oklahoma City Ballet
Presents: The Nutcracker TBA
WHAT: The Nutcracker classic ballet with traditional staging and Tchaikovsky’s score.
WHERE: Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker, Oklahoma City, OK.
INFO: For Tickets, call 405.843.9898 or 405.848.8637
December 15 – 30 2015
Midwest City Holiday Lights
Spectacular
6pm – 9pm
WHAT: Watch one of Oklahoma’s largest animated drive thru light

displays.
WHERE: Joe B. Barnes Regional Park, Midwest City, OK 73110.
INFO: For more information on this free event, call 405.733.3801 or 405.739.1288.
December 17, 2015
Sounds of the Season
7:30pm
WHAT: Oklahoma City Philharmonic will perform Christmas classics.
WHERE: Yukon Fine Arts Center, 850 Yukon Ave, Yukon, OK.
INFO: For Tickets, call 405.350.8937 or 405.354.8442.
December 17-20
A Territorial Christmas Carol Dec. 17-18: 8 p.m.; Dec. 19: 2 p.m. & 8 p.m.; Dec. 20: 2 p.m.
WHAT: This tradition, celebrating its 28th year, uses the backdrop setting of the era of the Oklahoma Land Run to tell Charles Dickens’ story of the Christmas Carol. This adaptation by Stephen P. Scott is a bestseller year after year. 
WHERE The Pollard Theatre, 120 West Harrison Avenue
,Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044
INFO: Infants and toddlers will not be allowed into the theater. For more information, visit www. thepollard.org or call (405) 282-2800. 

COST: $30 general admission; $27 seniors (62 & older); $24 military or teachers; $15 students
December 19
Territorial Victorian Walk
5-9 p.m.
WHAT: The Victorian Walk offers a peek into Christmas celebrations of Victorian times. The Downtown Historic District will feature living scenes, carolers, peanut vendors, shopkeepers, and traditional Victorian costumes. 
WHERE: Guthrie’s Downtown Historic District
INFO: For more information, visit www.guthrieterritorialchristmas. com or call (405) 412-4132. 
COST: Free
December 23 – 24, 2015
Shen Yun
Wednesday 7pm; Thursday 12pm
WHAT: Global sensation of classical Chinese dance performed for audiences. 
WHERE: Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker, Oklahoma City, OK.
INFO: For Tickets, call 405.297.2264 or 888.974.3698
December 23, 2015
Trans-Siberian Orchestra in
Concert
4pm & 8pm

WHAT: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve, Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s rock opera.
WHERE: Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK.
INFO: For Tickets, call 405.602.8500.
December 25, 2015
OKC Thunder Christmas Game 1:30pm
WHAT: KD and Russ take on Derrick Rose and the Bulls in this NBA match up.
WHERE: Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W Reno Ave, Oklahoma City, OK. 
INFO: For Tickets, call 405.208.4800.
December 31, 2015
Opening Night
7pm
WHAT: New Years’ Eve celebration with music, dancing, and fireworks.
WHERE: Downtown OKC
INFO: For more information, call 405.270.4888
January 2 - 3, 2016
OKC Land Run Antique Show Saturday 9am – 5pm Sunday 10am – 5pm
WHAT: Discover treasured antiques and collectibles.
WHERE: Oklahoma State Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Blvd, Oklahoma City, OK.
INFO: For Tickets, call 918.619.2875
January 7 – 9, 2016

Oklahoma Winter Quilt Show 10am – 5pm
WHAT: Learn, shop, and get great quilting ideas at the Oklahoma Winter Quilt Show
WHERE: Cox Pavilion at State Fair Park, 3001 General Pershing Blvd, Oklahoma City.
INFO: For more information, call 775.971.9266 or 650.269.0889.
January 12 – 17, 2016
Celebrity Attractions Presents: 
Jersey Boys
7:30pm
WHAT: Experience the Broadway Tony Award winning musical, 
“Jersey Boys”.
WHERE: Civic Center Music Hall, 201 N Walker Ave, Oklahoma City, OK
INFO: For Tickets, call 800.869.1451.
January 14, 2016
Armstrong Auditorium
Presents: Sara
Sant’Ambrogio
7:30pmWHAT: Grammy Award Winning cellist, Sara Sant’Ambrogio
will perform for audiences. 
WHERE: Armstrong Auditorium, 14400 S Bryant Rd, Edmond, OK.
INFO: For Tickets, call 405.285.1010
January 15 – 17, 

2016
International Finals Rodeo Friday 7:30pm-10:30pm, Saturday 1:30pm-10:30pm, Sunday 11am-4:30pm
WHAT: What the top 15 cowboys and cowgirls compete for World Championship Titles.
WHERE: Oklahoma State Fairgrounds, Oklahoma City, OK.
INFO: For more information, call 405.235.6540.
WE ALWAY TRY TO ENSURE ACCURACY WITH EVERYTHING WE PRINT. HOWEVER, BE SURE TO CALL AHEAD TO CONFIRM TIMES & DATES. WANT TO HAVE YOUR EVENT FEATURED? EMAIL DETAILS TO HIGHFIVE@ HIGHFIVEMEDIA.COM BY THE  15TH OF EACH MONTH FOR THE NEXT MONTH’S EVENTS.