Missy's Keys4cabs offers safe ride home to prevent drunken driving
BY SUSAN HYLTON World Staff Writer
Wednesday, December 05, 2012
12/05/12 at 2:48 AM
A membership drive for a new program designed to save lives and prevent drunken driving was launched Tuesday at the Full Moon Cafe on Cherry Street.
Missy's Keys4cabs offers free cab rides home from participating establishments to those who have over-imbibed and could possibly cause harm and heartbreak on the highway.
Former Club SRO owner Tim Barraza started the nonprofit organization in honor of Missy Eubanks who was killed on May 7, 2010, by a drunken driver at Sixth Street and Peoria Avenue.
"This is a program we must offer as a liquor-serving establishment," Barraza said.
Nearly 50 businesses participate in the program, but there are more than 500 businesses in Tulsa licensed to sell alcohol, Barraza said.
"We need every one of them to become a member," he said. "We all know it's illegal to over-serve a customer, but we know it can happen. We just ask that you have this safety program in place."
Barraza said that Missy's Keys4cabs has given more than 150 rides since the program started more than a year ago.
Unlimited, free cab vouchers are offered when the customer or the server senses the person is too impaired to drive.
Eubanks was 40 when she was killed. She left behind a 9-year-old son that her sister Christine Brasel is raising with her husband and the child's grandparents.
"This gives us something good to carry on that came from something horrible," Brasel said.
Eubanks' mother, Vicki Gifford, fully supports the program.
"I like that her legacy is that people's lives may be saved," she said.
Tom Dittus, owner of Blue Rose Cafe, said it's important for everybody to be a member of the program.
"From an operator's standpoint, it's another way to keep you safe so you can come back and see us again."
Full Moon Cafe owner Tony Henry said that they offer the program, but that more people need to be aware that it's available and complimentary.
"We mention it to folks. We definitely support 100 percent what Tim is doing," he said.
Joshua Paul Nosak is serving a 60-year prison sentence stemming from Eubanks' death.
How to be involved
For more information about Missy's Keys4cabs or to donate or become a member of the program, go to tulsaworld.com/keys4cabs.
Missy's Keys4cabs members
11th Street Pub
3340
Another Round
Arnie's
Back Alley Blues & BBQ
Blue Dome Roadhouse & Diner
Blue Rose Cafe
The Brook (Peoria)
The Brook (South)
Cain's Ballroom
Caz's
Caz's Chow House
Club 209
Cosmos Cafe
Crystal Pistol
Doc's Wine & Food
Doe's Eat Place
The Doghouse
Eclipse Cultural Coffee House
Electric Circus
Elm St. Pub
ENSO
Fassler Hall
Full Moon Cafe
Gray Snail Saloon
George's Pub
Goldmine Lounge
Gypsy Coffee House
Harvard Sports Bar
Hey Mambo
Hunt Club
IDL Ballroom
Joe Momma's
Jumpin J's BBQ
Keo's
Magoo's
The Max Retropub
McNellie's
Mercury Lounge
Pickles Pub
Renegades
Soundpony
Treehouse
Tulsa Eagle
Vintage 1740
White Owl
Wolfgang Puck Bistro
Original Print Headline: Missy's Keys4cabs offers safe rides
Susan Hylton 918-581-8381 susan.hylton@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Blue Rose owner Tom Dittus (left) signs up with Sarah Inman and Christopher Schreiner for the Missy's Keys4Cabs, a service providing taxi rides for customers who have had too much to drink. STEPHEN PINGRY / Tulsa World
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