Least Competent Criminals
Not Ready for Prime Time: William Jarrett, 38, was charged in Hempstead Village, N.Y., in November with swiping a necklace from a 32-year-old pregnant woman and running off. Despite her condition, the woman chased him, screaming, for six blocks and caught up with him just as a police officer was arriving on the scene. Muoi…
Update
When News of the Weird last mentioned Andy Park, of Melksham, England, in 2002, he was in his eighth straight year of celebrating Christmas every single day of his life, with not only seasonal decorations and cards mailed to himself but a full holiday meal including turkey and champagne. However, as he told the Daily…
Unclear on the Concept
When Arien O’Connell posted the fastest time in October’s Nike Women’s Marathon in San Francisco, she expected of course to be declared the winner, but the shoe company apparently had promised a group of elite runners (to attract them to enter the race) that one of them would be the “winner,” and consequently, first place…
Modern Obsessions
Professionals at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, told an annual meeting of radiologists in Chicago in December that they had discovered an alarming new teenage trend of self-mutilation: girls deliberately inserting objects into their arms, hands, feet, ankles and necks (including needles, staples, wood, stone, glass and a crayon). According to the Chicago Tribune,…
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):
“God calls you to the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet,” wrote Frederick Buechner. You’re free to ignore that call, of course. You can pretend that you don’t really know what brings you deep gladness, and you can act as if the world’s deep hunger is of no concern to…
Two up-and-coming Okie bands lead masquerade ball
A masquerade ball commanded by two Oklahoma bands will make New Year’s Eve at the 51st Street Speakeasy feel like Halloween in December. The suggestion to don masks and welcome the new year was a “random,” collaborative idea from members of Oklahoma City’s The Uglysuit and Stillwater band Mayola. Mayola formed in Enid in 2004…
European Christmas symbols
In several European countries, identifying the “naughty” kids at Christmastime is not Santa’s job but is left to unsavory legendary icons who have endured for centuries (according to a December series of articles in Germany’s Der Spiegel). In Italy, determinations are made by the extremely ugly witch La Befana, who has the ability to fly…
Paseo gallery displays ‘Metropolis’ exhibit
he flowing, fantastic lines of Mikesell’s work for bold, vibrant colors, Berry’s works are inspired by advertisements and commercial labels. His paintings typically take inspiration directly from photographs he snapped on metro streets. Using stripes, paisleys and plaids behind his city scenes, Berry’s work takes on a distinct 1950s and ’60s flair. An opening reception…
Doubt
“Doubt” hits the big screen with some formidable talent behind it, but don’t let its impressive pedigree throw you. Forget for a moment that it’s an adaptation of a Pulitzer- and Tony-winning stage play. Forget that it stars two heavyweight actors in Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Forget that it is bathed in the…
Oklahoma Labyrinths: A Path to Inner Peace – Gail Peck, Linda Yeingst and Phyllis Pennington
Hawks Publishing Free your mind and the rest will follow. In increasing numbers, labyrinths are the sites to do just that. Out of approximately 5,000 labyrinths worldwide, Oklahoma plays home to roughly 70 of them, which “Oklahoma Labyrinths: A Path to Inner Peace” covers in detail. They’re not to be confused with mazes, which require…
Former OKC Thunder coach comments on his stay in state
One month after getting the unceremonious boot as Thunder head honcho, P.J. Carlesimo recently commented on his 13-game regular season tenure in Oklahoma City. The coach got the old heave-ho in the midst of a home-and-away series with the New Orleans Hornets on Nov. 21. (Remember them?) Carlesimo kept his family in Seattle during his…
Opening Night will feature dozens of bands, musicians
Dozens of bands and musicians will perform for New Year’s Eve crowds tonight during “Opening Night” events scattered throughout downtown Oklahoma City. The 7-11:30 p.m. event, sponsored by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, will feature performances from known locals like Junebug Spade, Lemma, Ford Chastain and Edgar Cruz (pictured). A midnight fireworks display at…
Norman pop songwriter crafts album with help of all-star cast
Compelling art comes from the kind of experiences most ninth graders haven’t have had to deal with yet. But Norman songwriter Ford Chastain’s early introduction to tragedy has helped him create a “If I Leave,” a six-song EP that showcases the young musician’s relaxed vocal delivery, impressive ear for complex and engaging melody, and working…
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
The Swiss are building a 35-mile railroad tunnel through the Alps. It’ll take another nine years to finish carving out the path through the mountain, and will ultimately require the removal of 24 million tons of rock. I suggest you regard this masterpiece, the Gotthard Base Tunnel, as an inspirational symbol. The coming months will…
Bartlesville will bill 7,700 utilities customers from previous undercharging
Just in time for the annual holiday credit card statements, another little prize will be showing up in Bartlesville mailboxes. The B’Ville council reportedly announced that utility customers were undercharged from December 2007 through March 2008 and it’s now time to correct that error. The city apparently uses separate systems to tally summer and winter…
Can’t Possibly Be True
In a March change of regulations, the Pentagon began saving money by reducing “combat-injury” benefits for all except those wounded while actually fighting, explaining that combat-“related” injuries were simply not worthy of full compensation. Thus, in examples offered by The Washington Post in November, Marine Cpl. James Dixon and Army Sgt. Lori Meshell were not…
Film reviewers take stock in 2008, predict 2009
Oklahoma Gazette film reviewers take stock in 2008’s erratic cine-conomy, detailing its tops and tumbles, and outlining good and bad bets for next year’s movie market. DOUG BENTINJOE WERTZMIKE ROBERTSONPHIL BACHARACHROD LOTT Doug BentinWith a love for classic horror movies and Westerns, Bentin takes particular stock in movies made before the mid-1950s and well-told, linear…
Ray Wylie Hubbard knocks on The Blue Door
As 2008 comes to a close, Ray Wylie Hubbard can look back at a very busy year: He co-wrote a script and scored a movie that’s currently in post-production; produced albums by two other artists; is readying a new, live album recorded earlier this year; written a batch of songs for a new studio album…
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22):
Here’s an update on the world’s tigers: Fewer than 5,000 are living in their natural habitats, while the U.S. alone has more than that number in zoos. Let’s use that fact as a starting point for your meditations, Leo. How much of your animal essence is in captivity, and how much is running free? Is…
Former Sooner quarterback hoping to impress NFL scouts
As a kid growing up in the football-crazy state of Texas, Rhett Bomar dreamed of making a name for himself in high-stakes January bowl games. As he played out various fictional postseason scenarios in the friendly confines of his back yard, the fledgling young quarterback always found some dramatic path to victory. Such success, he…
Dr. Pants bristles at the ‘novelty band’ label
Dr. Pants is not a novelty act. Yes, a ballad dedicated to the genius of John Cusack and a funky mantra titled “Kenny Loggins” form the backbone of band’s “The Cusack-Loggins” EP, but the album is bookended with the bellowing rocker “It All Depends” and a guitar-slinging instrumental named “Sweet Natasha,” neither of which possess…
OKC professionals contribute to social networking book
With the click of a mouse, you can find a former classmate now living halfway around the world. You can also connect with fellow professionals in your area. You can even track your friends’ day-to-day movements ” in real time. But what impact does this have on our personal and professional lives? And when does…
Oklahoma woman sets up bat haven
Beverly Wallace is known around her rural neighborhood as the “Bat Whisperer.” At her home between Sapulpa and Glenpool, Wallace dedicates her time to feeding, rehabilitating and generally caring for her nocturnal mammal friends, according to a recent article in the World. Her home even acts as the staging ground for a nonprofit sanctuary, licensed…
Oklahoma Film Critics Circle picks top releases
For its third time, the Oklahoma Film Critics Circle ” the state’s professional association of movie critics ” has released its picks for the year’s top releases. “Slumdog Millionaire” was selected as the best motion picture of 2008, just one vote ahead of “The Dark Knight.” The remaining films selected for the year’s 10 best…
Library displays presidential photography exhibit
A child-inspired photography exhibit opens Friday in downtown Oklahoma City. Works for the “Dear Mr. President” exhibit, on display at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, were shot by acclaimed Oklahoma City photographer M.J. Alexander, an artist known for her vivid and revealing portraiture. For the exhibit, children shared advice for President-elect Barack Obama, inspiring…
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21):
Studies suggest that the average person who reaches old age has been upset with some family member or another for a total of 30 years. Is that a standard you’d like to match, Scorpio? If not, you will have an excellent chance to reduce any inclination you might have to hold grudges in 2009. The…
TAURUS (April 20-May 20):
American financier Jim Rogers evaluates life as many devout capitalists do: under what circumstances can he achieve the most wealth? That’s why he relocated to Singapore. “If you were smart in 1807 you moved to London,” he said two years ago, “if you were smart in 1907 you moved to New York City, and if…
ARIES (March 21-April 19):
It’s a great privilege to live in a free country. You’re fortunate if you have the opportunity to pursue your dreams without having to ward off government interference or corporate brainwashing or religious fanaticism. But that’s only partly useful if you have not yet won the most important struggle for liberation, which is the freedom…
GEMINI (May 21-June 20):
When I was 19, I read Alan Watts’ The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are. After that, I was sure there was nothing else I needed to know in order to live intelligently. It was, I thought, a compendium of the best insights worth knowing. My certainty eventually faded, thank Goddess. In…
Oklahoma health-care workers split on ‘right of conscience’ rule
Oklahoma health care workers are divided along familiar lines with respect to a new federal rule. The “right of conscience” rule, signed by President George W. Bush on Dec. 18, extends federal protection to health care workers who have a “reasonable” connection to the delivery of health care services, including pharmacists, nurses and, conceivably, custodians,…
OKC literary figures had choice words about drinks
tern writer Louis L’Amour as a part of President Roosevelt’s Works Project Administration. In addition to calendars and other pamphlets, the project under Thompson endeavored to write about Oklahoma’s labor history ” he was at one point a member of the Communist Party ” and also attempted to develop a history of black Oklahomans with…
Inexplicable
The Wishroom lingerie shop on Japan’s Internet shopping mall Rakuten announced in November that it had already sold more than 300 of its new bras specially made for men (about $30 each) since the product launch earlier in the month. A Wishroom official told a Reuters reporter: “We’ve been getting feedback from customers saying, ‘Wow,’…
Escape from Earth: New Adventures in Space – Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois, editors
Firebird The seven short stories that comprise “Escape from Earth: New Adventures in Space” are indeed new “¦ provided you didn’t pick this up as a member of the Science Fiction Book Club, which issued it as an exclusive hardcover in 2007. Firebird presents it in paperback to a much broader audience. Firebird is also…
The Fortune Tellers reunite for a New Year’s Eve show
Considered local legends by many metro music fans, The Fortune Tellers reunite tonight for a New Year’s Eve show in Oklahoma City. Returning to the metro from Greece, guitarist Miho Kolliopoulos will join his brother Basile and bassist Victor Goetz for tonight’s concert. Well-known in the 1980s, The Fortune Tellers headlined large shows throughout the…
Oklahoma senator takes multiple African visits on whose dime?
The drums are echoing tonight about Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Tulsa, according to a recent story in The Oklahoman. Inhofe’s various trips Africa totaled $187,000, according to the story. The senator visited the continent on the average of twice a year ” making at least 20 trips ” since 1999, all on taxpayer-financed trips. The…
Kirk, Karl, what were you thinking?
At its last meeting, the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board received a recommendation from its superintendent, Karl Springer, to not sell $196 million in school bonds authorized by a record margin of victory in the district’s 2007 bond election. Following the superintendent’s recommendation, board chair Kirk Humphreys recessed the meeting and held a press conference…
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18):
I’ve got three quotes for you. I hope you’ll write them out and keep them in a prominent place for the duration of 2009. They’ll set the right tone for everything you do. The first is from psychologist Abraham Maslow: “A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write if he…
Wild West
Some Oklahoma legislators seem to have fantasies of the Wild West. On Wednesday, Dec. 17, Rep. Eric Proctor, D-Tulsa, and Sen. Kenneth Corn, D-Poteau, announced they would be introducing legislation in the upcoming session that would repeal state taxes on the sale of guns and ammunition. We were told that people should not have to…
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20):
What would it take for you to collaborate with the forces of change? Not in a resigned, resentful way. Not with a sense of defeat, wishing things could stay the same forever. Rather, what would you have to do in order to feel eager about adjusting to the ongoing shifts? Is there any way you…
The Flaming Lips lead OKC into the future with ‘Freakout’
Given conservative state liquor laws and its innate resistance to pedestrian traffic, Oklahoma City may not be the epitomic locale for traditional New Year’s Eve debauchery. But this year, maybe that’s perfect, because The Flaming Lips may not be the traditional band for anything, and once again, the twain shall meet tonight as the Lips…
