Curbside Chronicle

08/12/2026

Have you picked up a copy of our August edition yet? We wanted to share one of the 10 original comics you can find inside. Each story was inspired by Curbside vendors and their lives. 💥🦸🎭💚

What’s this one about? Well, mental health 🧠 can be a tricky hurdle no matter your station in life. In this comic, a Curbside vendor named Matthew uses a rock 🪨 as a metaphor for turning hard days into something manageable. At the time, Matthew had been staying at a local shelter, which can be a tough place to find rest. This vendor uses a Thor-like hammer 🔨 to chip away at his problems and finds some silver linings.

Who drew ✍️ it? Norman-born artist Nick Hermes. He is an oil painter with an emphasis on portraits and landscapes. He’s also the creator of the ongoing comic, “The Black-Jack Demon,” which is published by Literati Press. Blaze Stark wrote the script based on an interview by Curbside’s editor, Nathan Poppe.

cc: Oklahoma Comic Arts Foundation

07/31/2026

New month! New magazine! 📘 The August issue of Curbside just hit the streets of Oklahoma City. It’s the amazing return of our comic book edition. 🦸‍♂️ Fun fact: every single story is illustrated!

That’s right. We once again teamed up with the Oklahoma Comic Arts Foundation (Oklahoma Comic Arts Foundation) to get 10 different Okie artists to draw 10 original comics inspired by the lives of Curbside vendors. We also got writing help from additional comic book talent. If you like what you’re hearing, then be sure to also check out next month’s Oklahoma Comic Arts Festival on Sept. 12 at Oklahoma Contemporary. It’s FREE to attend.

We’d also like to acknowledge the Curbside vendors for their candid stories and for trusting us with such meaningful moments inspired by their lives. None of these stories would be possible without their willingness to collaborate and allow us into their world.

Pick up a copy of the newest Curbside for just $2. You can find one from a vendor in green like Amanda, who normally sells around N Meridian Ave. + NW Expressway.

You can always find the current issue at Curbside Flowers, too. Thank you for your support in helping end homelessness in OKC. 💚

Cover illustration by Natasha Alterici
Editor note comic and artist profiles by dean13

07/27/2026

Friendly reminder: There’s a free admission pass to Red Earth inside every July issue of Curbside. The 40th rendition of this Indigenous and Native American cultural celebration is happening Aug. 1-2 at the OKC Convention Center. Don’t wait on this ticket 🎟️ opportunity! Our new August issue will hit streets on Friday, so find a vendor in a green vest today. 💚

07/24/2026

You’ve seen 👀 Curbside vendors carrying magazines before but today was all about carrying a tune. 🎶 That’s right, Curbside vendors sang 🎤 their hearts out at our annual karaoke celebration filled with prizes, pizza 🍕 and fun. It was a special way to take a break from the summer heat ☀️ and share the stage with friends and family. A big thanks to Resonant Head for welcoming the party 🎉 and being such incredible hosts. 💚

07/13/2026

Unhoused people booked into the Oklahoma County jail are detained up to twice as long on average as those with housing, according to a population report from the Oklahoma County Criminal Justice Advisory Council.

Public defenders say judges routinely fail to consider whether defendants can afford bail, leaving poor and homeless people jailed on low-level charges.

07/07/2026

It’s cheaper to release people pretrial through The Education and Employment Ministry than to keep them behind bars. TEEM supervision averages $4.66 per participant per day, compared to the roughly $70 it costs to house someone in the Oklahoma County jail for a day.

Supporters of a county pretrial release program say thousands of people who pose little public safety risk remain jailed because they can't afford bail. Prosecutors frequently oppose release, even though the program is designed to help people show up to court.

07/06/2026

🧡💙 We got drafted! 💙🧡

We’re incredibly honored to be named a 2026 Community Draft Pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder 🏀 alongside our friends at Goodwill Central Oklahoma, Diversion Hub, and SidexSide OKC.

This recognition belongs to our entire Curbside team — our vendors, staff, supporters and everyone who has helped build Curbside one magazine, one bouquet, one shirt and one snow cone at a time.

Thank you to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Thunder Cares for believing in organizations like Curbside working to make Oklahoma City stronger. We’re proud to be part of this community and grateful for this incredible honor.⚡️

📸: Nathan Poppe

07/01/2026

New month! New magazine! 📘 The July 2026 issue of Curbside just hit the streets 🏘️ of Oklahoma City. This edition’s cover story features an original photo essay by celebrated Okie photographer Kelly Kerr called The Weight, which focuses on folks who carry everything they own everywhere they go. He had this to say about the project.

“I want you to see a person who isn’t ashamed of their station in life and has attempted to make the most of it,” Kelly said. “The most surprising aspect of this project was the variety of situations and settings — from cars and tents to alleyways and storage facilities.”

Inside every issue you’ll also find a free admission pass to the 40th Red Earth, which runs Aug. 1-2 at the Oklahoma City Convention Center. How cool is that!?!

Want to pick up the new issue? Andre often sells Curbside near the INTEGRIS Health Baptist Medical Center. You can always find the current issue at Curbside Flowers, too. 💐 Thank you for your support in helping end homelessness in OKC. 💚

🖼️ Cover photo by Kelly Kerr

06/29/2026

It’s HOT out there, y’all! 🔥🔥 As temperatures continue to rise this summer, our Curbside staff wants to make sure that our vendors have all the supplies they need to stay safe during warm weather.

We supply our vendors with items like sun hats, cooling rags, sunscreen, water bottles and more on hot days to help them beat the heat. But our supplies are low, and we need your help to restock and keep our vendors cool.

Our biggest needs:

🧢 Sun Hats
🧊 Cooling Rags
☀️ Sunscreen

Please consider donating items or hosting a drive with your office, family, friends or faith community.

You can drop off donations at Curbside Flowers at 522 N Classen Blvd. in OKC Monday-Friday 10 am-6 pm and Saturday 10 am-4 pm. Donations can also be dropped at Plenty Mercantile in Automobile Alley at 807 N Broadway Ave. Monday-Saturday 10 am-6 pm and Sunday 12-4 pm.

You can also purchase items off our Amazon wish list or donate funds directly at our website. Links 🔗 will be posted below. Thank you for your support! 💚