The real and imaginative adventures of Dennis Spielman

Author: Dennis Page 167 of 180

Travel Log: Lights at the Downs Family and Markwell

Despite being busy with several projects, I’ve made time to see some great Christmas lights this year. The Markwell Neighborhood Lights and the Downs Family Lights were the most spectacular free displays. I posted sample videos on Uncovering Oklahoma’s Facebook page, which I’ve embedded below.


Markwell Lights:
Tune your car radio to 102.3 and watch a neighborhood of lights syned to music. To get to this amazing display, from highway I-40 in Oklahoma City, exit onto N. Council Rd. and head north to 23rd Street. The intersection will have a stop light. Turn left heading west on 23rd street. Turn left heading south on Graham (it’s the second intersection) and follow the lights!


Downs Family:
A short sample of the Downs Family Christmas Light Show. At 2900 72nd Avenue, about one-half mile south of Highway 9 in Norman, you’ll find the Downs Family Christmas lighting display. Park on the large field, turn your radio to 107.1 FM, and watch the 20 minute light show. Afterwards, donate some canned food for charity.

Travel Log: Dec. 8, 2012


Yesterday, I had some good travels with some good company. The first stop was to get some food at the pizza place, Joey’s Pizzeria (700 W. Sheridan Ave, Oklahoma City, OK, USA) on Film Row. Although they were busy and a bit short staffed during my visit, the pizza was delicious. I love what the city has done to the Film Row to improve it. The intersections have Hollywood movie art to them, such as spotlights and stars. I just wish more businesses, especially movie related ones, would open there. It would be awesome if there was even something small like a museum of autographs. *Hint!* Hint!*

One of the cool places to visit in Film Row, that I have yet to visit, is The Paramount, which is across the street from Joey’s Pizzeria. The Paramount is the most movie related place there as they have a movie club and show various classics. I’ve heard nothing but good things about them. I even have a quote from them to feature them in my date idea book.


Next we went to the main event: the Second Saturday Artist Opening at I.V.C. Gallery (710 N. Broadway Ave, Oklahoma City, OK, USA). The featured artists that night were J.T. Coburn & Oliver Chase Coburn, with handmade furniture and lighting designs by J.T. Coburn and Holo Transfer Art by Oliver Chase Coburn. I’ve seen the halo transfer art before and it’s just so vibrant. I love it.

I took some pictures of the event to update my photos of the gallery for the date idea book. This was my first time to actually visit the gallery for one of their art opening nights. I chatted with the gallery owner, Ian, and I mentioned that the next edition of the date book (which the gallery has been featured in) was going to be available in print, he offered to resale it! So, I have another place the book will be available. YAY!


Afterwards, we walked along Automobile Alley and visited the new retailer, Plenty. I wrote this short blog post on Uncovering Oklahoma highlighting the new shop. Plenty can be described as Restoration Hardware meets the local, do-good, and green shop movement. It’s worth a visit.

All and in all, another great night.

Recommendation: Wildfire by Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun

I stumbled upon the band, Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun, like I how find most of my new music – through awesomeness that is Pandora. Specially, from a Common Reaction by Uh Huh Her playlist. (FYI, I have a Pandora One membership since I use it so much.) After making playlists on Pandora just to listen to the band some more, I bought Wildfire on iTunes. I can only describe the album as a mixture of fun and dark. I just love the lyrics and the unique dark themes they go to all with an indie pop/rock style. It’s definitely pretty cool.

The band describe themselves through Facebook being “…about the connections between sound and people. It’s about the heart and the head. It’s for mistakes and triumphs, and against arrogance and underconfidence.” They are fairly unknown (at the time of writing this, their Facebook fan page has around 3,300 likes), but popular or not, more people do need to listen to their first full length album.

Wildfire by Today the Moon, Tomorrow the Sun gets my recommendation.

Nook, Board Game Geek, and Fans

The Movie Murder Mystery Party is now available for the Nook. (Actually, it’s been available for some time, but I just updated the page with the link to buy it for the Nook.)

The game is also now listed with Board Game Geek, so please show some support there.

If you’ve played the game, I would love to see some pictures and videos of your session. Contact me and share them here.

Next Book: The Date Idea Book – Sneak Peek

The next book I’m working on releasing in January will be Uncovering Oklahoma’s Date Idea Book. If the name seems a bit different, it’s because it is different. I’ve found out that when I talked about the date guide book people thought I had wrote a “dating guide” book with dating tips. So, yes, I’m changing the title based on very “expensive” marketing research.

The awesome thing about the date idea book is the totally different layout and I’m excited that it will be printed. I already have one business interested in selling copies. As for the book’s progress, I only have the Oklahoma City section converted to the new format, so I still have some work ahead of me.

I wanted to take a moment to share a status update. Keep on the look out for it in January!

Page 167 of 180

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén