OKC-area events, news: Mediterranean food festival, free dental care for veterans and more
Get a taste of the Mediterranean at festival
St. Elijah Orthodox Christian Church is hosting its annual food festival celebrating Mediterranean food, culture and church history 10 a.m. to 8 p.m Nov. 4 and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at St. Elijah,15000 N May Ave.
St. Elijah will offer an a la carte menu in both dine-in and carryout and will feature Middle Eastern selections like Ruz and Yahknee (Lebanese Rice Pilaf with Green Bean and Sirloin topping), Cabbage Rolls, Kafta Sandwiches, Chicken Sandwiches, Talami (Homemade Lebanese Bread), Salata (Lebanese Salad), Hummus, Tabouli, Baklava and Ruz Bi Haleeb (Rice Pudding).
The Culinary Cupboard will be available with pastries, breads, cookies, cakes, pies and ethnic foods from around the world, made by the parishioners of St. Elijah. Guests can also find fresh-made refrigerated and frozen items to savor for long after the festival ends.
Guests also are invited to the Cultural Committee’s Hospitality Room to learn about the diverse cultural history of St. Elijah and its parishioners representing such countries as Lebanon, Serbia, Macedonia, Bulgaria, Armenia, Jordan, Syria, Ethiopia, Greece, Russia and others.
For more information about the St. Elijah Annual Food Festival, go to https://www.facebook.com/StElijahAnnualFoodFestival/.
Veterans to receive free dental care
The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, Oklahoma Dental Association, Oklahoma Dental Foundation and Henry Schein Dental will host the third annual Veteran’s Day Dental Clinic on Saturday, Nov. 12, at the OU College of Dentistry on the OU Health Sciences Center campus, 1201 N Stonewall Ave.
With limited dental benefits provided to veterans, access to oral health care can be difficult, and often, veterans delay urgent needs. This one-day event gives access to care and provides professional dental services at no cost to Oklahoma veterans.
To participate in the event, participants must be pre-screened. Appointments for pre-screenings are available now through Nov. 10. To schedule an appointment, call 405-271-7744.
Mayor's essay contest open for entries
EDMOND — The 38th annual Mayor’s Essay Contest is now open for entries. The contest is open to all students grades 1 through 5 in Edmond.
Students wishing to participate will write a short essay (250-word limit) on the following topic: "Imagine a winter wonderland and write about it. What does it look like, where is it located, and what is the overall feel?"
To submit an essay, include their name, school, grade and parent’s contact information no later than 5 p.m. Nov. 9. Essays may be turned in to the mayor’s office at 24 E First St. in downtown Edmond or through email at specialevents@edmondok.com.
The top three winners in each grade will be recognized during the Luminance Kick-Off and Tree Lighting celebration at Mitch Park beginning at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18. Contest winners will have their picture taken with the mayor and awarded a special keepsake.
For additional information or questions, call Sarah London at 405-359-4580.
Museum to host master gardeners from Japan
Science Museum Oklahoma, in partnership with the Japan America Society of Oklahoma, has the honor of hosting a team of Master Gardeners from Kyoto, Japan, to celebrate the restoration of the Kyoto Garden with festivities from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct 29.
The gardeners will work with Science Museum Oklahoma’s Gardens team and community volunteers to restore the museum’s Kyoto Garden to its original condition.
Scheduled activities include authentic Japanese tea ceremonies, calligraphy demonstrations, martial arts demonstrations and performances by Japanese drummers. Guests also will be able to meet the Master Gardeners. These activities are provided by the Japan America Society of Oklahoma.
All activities are included with general admission. Tickets for adults (13-64), $20.95; seniors (65+) and children (3-12), $15.95. There is no charge for children under age 3. Prices do not include sales tax.
More information is available at smo.org/gardens.
Learn about scrap quilts
Janie Steele, a member of Central Oklahoma Quilters Guild, will give a lecture on her “Adventures in Scrap Quilts,” inspired by Bonnie Hunter, at 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, in the Clarence E. Page Building at the Wiley Post Air Park, 5700 N Rockwell Ave.
Steele also will provide information regarding Hunter’s methods of taming and organizing your scraps, building your stash by recycling men’s shirts, followed with a trunk show of quilts inspired by Hunter’s free yearly mystery quilts and other patterns free online and in her books.
Learn about foundation piecing for the Spicer Web or Serpentine Web block in the workshop lead by Steele from 2 to 5 p.m. Charge for the workshop is $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers.
For more information, call Jo Balding at 405-603-7726.
Oklahoma Geological Foundation to honor five legends
The Oklahoma Geological Foundation will honor five individuals at this year’s Legends Dinner from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Petroleum Club Event Center, 4040 N Lincoln Blvd. Tickets are $55 per person.
The Legend Awards honor those individuals who have distinguished themselves in Oklahoma by having had a significant impact on the geosciences, outstanding success in oil and gas exploration, and have given of their time and resources to improve their communities for the better.
The Pioneer Legends award recipients are Clyde M. Becker (1882-1938) and Thomas N. Berry (1872-1946).
The Historical Legend award recipients are Clyde McKee Becker (1928-2006) and Thomas E. Berry (1906-1977).
The Living Legend Award recipient was Thomas C. Cronin.
To purchase tickets or for sponsorship opportunities, go to www.oklahomageologicalfoundation.org/events/legends-dinner.
To be considered for this column, please email news and events with photos to DLindauer@Oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma City metro-area happenings: News and events
