Hi there and welcome back to Around Edmond! Again, another groundbreaking week nationally in politics on both sides of the aisle, this is making for starkly different and distinctive candidacies.

One sparks joy and hope for the future, and one is angry, mean spirited and divisive.

I for one agree with small government and balanced budgets and am not at all for what I’ve read in the Republican Party’s Project 2025 up to page 489. If you haven’t, I suggest you find the pdf and read it. So far, from what I read and gather, they as a collective group of conservative men that wrote this document seem to … really hate women. I understand their desire to control half the country of females, so they are wanting to strip away women’s rights, security, health care and not just access to abortion but other forms of health care, force their own brand of familial and religious beliefs on folks, and that is really … something, and … just unacceptable and NOT American, in the least.

I am not going to get into it with folks who love one candidate over the other either, as I had done in 2020 while a certain group called for boycotts of certain businesses all over Edmond, including mine. I would NEVER do that to a group or to another business and this behavior just really needs to stop what with a recession raging currently.

Apparently, the Heritage Foundation has made Oklahoma the testing ground to see what happens when you destroy the public education system and testing just how far lawmakers in a red state will allow them to go, among other things. So far, only one candidate has a proven track record for governing daily in the public sphere that can show how public service-oriented governing positively affects the daily lives of residents. For me, I choose joy and hope for the future and helping neighbors, and not attacking them.

When the **** hit the fan in 2020 with some residents freaking out over the then President and Governor shutting businesses down and masks being worn to prevent the spread of Covid, the “We the People” group that was started by Moms for Liberty out of Florida, began attacking our school board here in Edmond, and after nasty vitriol arrived at City Council Chambers ~ only one leader rose up and insisted on civility in Edmond ~ Mayor Darrell Davis. We have been lucky to have his leadership over the last few years.

What was announced yesterday will leave Edmond with what is sure to be a spicy open mayoral race for April 2025, after Mayor Davis announced he would not be seeking a 3rd term as Edmond’s Mayor:

And just today, one of the projects Mayor Davis spoke of above had it’s ground breaking! Check out the photos from the Edmond Public Library/YMCA ground breaking this morning:

Although it rained, that didn’t stop Edmond’s community from gathering during July’s Heard on Hurd! Photo: Provided by Citizen’s Bank of Edmond

Citizens Bank of Edmond Celebrates Back to School on August 17^th at Heard on Hurd

The 11^th season to feature food trucks, pop-up shopping and live music

 Citizens Bank of Edmond‘s Heard on Hurd will return to downtown Edmond on Saturday, August 17. The monthly food truck event and concert series will be on Broadway between 1^st and Hurd. Attendees will enjoy original Oklahoma music as well as a variety of food trucks and pop-up shops from 6-10pm.

The Back to School theme will include Toy Story characters Woody and Buzz, and Boulevard Buddies will be collecting donations in the Citizens Bank of Edmond community lobby to support Boulevard Academy students. Young attendees can bring their teddy bears and participate in the Oklahoma ER & Hospital teddy bear clinic, walking their beloved stuffed animals through various health check stations. Sports fans should plan to stop by the OKC Spark professional softball team booth to meet some of their favorite players.

Local musicians taking the Heard on Hurd stage this month will be Brandon Laib at 6pm, Tanner Fields at 7:20pm, and King Cabbage Brass Band at 8:40pm. Don’t miss this lineup of top local talent.

“August’s Heard on Hurd is one of the best months to attend because the community is back from summer travel and school will have just kicked off,” said Jill Castilla, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Edmond and founder of Heard on Hurd. “The streets are always filled with friends and neighbors supporting small businesses and enjoying local music.”

Citizens Bank of Edmond, the host of Heard on Hurd, has been a steadfast supporter of local, small businesses. With a commitment to fostering economic growth within the community, the bank has played a pivotal role in the event’s success. Heard on Hurd has not only contributed to the revitalization of downtown Edmond but has also generated an astonishing $65 million in economic impact for the city.

To find out more about the event, follow Heard on Hurd on Facebook, Instagram and the website at mycitizens.bank/heard-on-hurd.

RIVERSPORT’s Fall Learn to Row Classes

RIVERSPORT will host two additional Learn to Row classes this season. Designed for people with no previous rowing experience, the two sessions will be held Aug. 10-11 and Sept. 7-8 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Chesapeake Boathouse. 

Participants will learn basic rowing techniques, water safety and boat handling on the Oklahoma River. The program includes two three-hour lessons over one weekend and the cost is $100. 

Upon completion, participants are eligible for Learn to Row 2 at a 50% discount when they join the RIVERSPORT masters (adult) program. 

Classes are open to ages 18 and up, and no prior experience is necessary. Register now at https://www.riversportokc.org/buy/discover/rowing/learn-to-row/ 

Oops I Arted Hosts Free Friday 8/9/24 from 1-3 pm!

Shop Edmond this weekend!

Starting with the Edmond Farmer’s Market Saturday from 8-1 pm on 1st Street west of Broadway in Downtown Edmond, this weekend is looking like a weather friendly weekend to get out and finish up your school shopping! Serendipity Market vendors are already getting set up for Fall, as well as holiday gift giving, located at 917 E Danforth Rd.

Paper Arts at 221 S. Santa Fe, has stocked up on Greek letters to paint and decorate, don’t forget, Paper Arts is open 12-4 on Sunday’s!

Mira Bird who is located just a few doors down from Oops I Arted in the Shoppes of Cheyenne center at 3400 S Bryant, just south of 33rd Street, has a new and very cute charm bar, and is offering fresh flowers!

Cultured Cloths at Covell & Exchange is now stocking some of the cutest sweaters just in time for a surprise cold front, and Dallas Designs has some of the cutest pull over wind breakers now in stock (found online and at Painted Tree Boutique and The Market at NorthPark Mall.) Silver Leaf Gems is offering 20% off for all teachers, located on Campbell just west of Broadway in Downtown Edmond!

The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, a national franchise, is getting things ready to move into the space on 5th Street in S. Downtown Edmond, between Parcel & Co. and Mode, just across from Stephenson Park. Our readers are super excited about this. What a wonderful addition to Edmond!

If you are looking for a fitness home, The Body Barre at 10 S. Broadway in the center of Downtown Edmond is having a membership sale!

That’s it for this week. Let’s sit down with neighbors and let’s get used to talking about some of the unprecedented things that are happening and get started making a plan to keep our community pleasant regardless of our differences. Our community is so worth it.

And… it’s going to rain and be 77 on Saturday. What could even be better?

Have a great weekend and stop by next week to see what’s been happening in Edmond. If you are a business that would like something mentioned here or on our social feeds, send me a message wherever it is that you follow, and I’ll respond as soon as possible.

Take care,

Sherri