‘Kern is wrong’
By now, everyone should know quoting evolutionary scientists out of context to misrepresent the intent of their comments is a standard, dishonest tactic of creationists. It’s called “quote mining.” Here’s what Steven J. Gould said about one of his most commonly misrepresented passages: “Since we proposed punctuated equilibria to explain trends, it is infuriating to…
Fuel for fossil debate
If he read my book, “No Other Gods,” there is a section that shows how the ancients knew the earth was round very early on. A flat earth is a later concept. I challenge Nimmo to refute the observable evidence that has convinced me that dinosaurs and man lived at the same time. If the…
‘Christian’ nation ‘going to hell’
We can’t pay our teachers, but we can cut checks to people who are already well off? The people who lambaste the poor for trying to get government money just to live have had their own lips affixed to the government teat for more than a decade! What does this say about our society, especially…
The right facts
He says liberals are moving forward a state of complete equality as seen in the landmark New York gay marriage decision. In response to enactment of this law, Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, expressed “grave disappointment with the (New York)…
Devious changes
First, Clifton Adcock’s two articles, “Shift happens” and “Crossed wires,” quote Dr. Shadid. Then, Shadid’s two-page paid advertisement tells the complete jaw-dropping story about how we taxpayers are being suckered and gouged. When we voted for the MAPS 3 sales tax in December 2009, one of the projects to be funded was a convention center,…
Shallow pals
And if you want your film to withstand the test of time, don’t be tempted to include of-the-moment pop-culture crazes like, say, a flash mob. “Friends with Benefits,” an otherwise springy rom-com, is saddled with two flash mob scenes, an unfortunate turn given how that phenomenon is already taking on the whiff of Macarena rot.…
Badd company
Bryan Abrams is a survivor. And now he’s looking to reclaim his “Eye of the Tiger.” He’s best-known for belonging to the supergroup Color Me Badd. The hip-hop/doo-wop quartet from Oklahoma City’s Northwest Classen High School hit it big in 1991 with “I Wanna Sex You Up,” then followed with two No. 1 singles, a…
A life of volunteering
Woods (pictured), 87, received gold honors in the Community Champion category from the Older Volunteers Enrich America awards program, which is sponsored by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and the MetLife Foundation. He was one of 26 people to receive awards earlier this summer in Washington, D.C., and just one of three…
Pucker up for Tucker’s
The fast, casual restaurant will have a very limited menu. Cooks will be churning out onion burgers, fries, shakes and salads. At times in some restaurants around town, it is difficult to leaf through the novel — nope, that’s a menu — to decide what to order. Thank goodness, hungry diners will no longer face…
True Brit
To prove there’s more to British cinema than stiff-upper-lip costume dramas and slapstick comedies starring Rowan Atkinson, Oklahoma City Museum of Art presents “From Britain with Love.” From Thursday to Sunday, the showcase screens six UK films — each one time only, so consult the sidebar on the next page for times — ranging from…
Soundcheck: The Okee Dokee Brothers
“There’s a participatory culture in all of our performances,” Mailander said. “We like to break down the barriers between the performer and audience. It turns what’s normally a passive experience for the listener — like watching TV — into a more active one.” He and Lansing, better known as kid-friendly folk duo The Okee Dokee…
Flag this
That would be bad, however, because Marvel has saved the best for last. It’s miles better than that Norse god with the magic hammer, and just a hair below the greatness of Robert Downey Jr.’s first go-round in his iron armor, both of whom will team with Cap in next summer’s guaranteed nerdgasm, “The Avengers.”…
Just like a wavin’ flag
Opening Friday, [Artspace] at Untitled’s newest exhibit features 34 original pieces of photography. What makes that unique is they all were taken with phones, and the result is “Can You See Me Now: Photos Made on Phones.” More than 70 artists answered the gallery’s call for entries of photos — non-pornographic, mind you — taken…
Streetcar system
For those of us who love theater, nothing — well, almost nothing — beats watching an accomplished actor playing a great role, and that excellent combination is what you have with Alissa Millar as Blanche DuBois (pictured) in Oklahoma City Theatre Company’s production of Tennessee Williams’ 1947 classic “A Streetcar Named Desire.” Millar modulates perfectly…
Oh, Deer!
Stillwater’s Deerpeople is most certainly a breed of its very own. Formed in 2009, the indie-rock group may recall bits and pieces of other bands — Modest Mouse’s untamed feel, Arcade Fire’s grandiosity, The Flaming Lips’ general chaos and weirdness — but the music is its own beast. Deerpeople’s stomping grounds seem to play the…
Kid stuff
The seventh annual “Back Yard Bash” takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at the Cottonwood Flats, west of historic downtown Guthrie. Activities and attractions will include candy fishing, face painting, a petting zoo, Bible storytelling booths and inflatable slides and obstacle courses. Participants will also receive…
H 2 NO
So perhaps it should come as no surprise that the Oklahoma Water Resources Board’s comprehensive water plan became contentious before it was even released. A draft version of the plan in April covers a variety of water-related issues in the state and provides both technical and policy recommendations affecting the reliable water supply up to…
Tulsa time
When Marc Matheos — owner of Tulsa’s Crystal Pistol Saloon — started planning a humble DFest after-party with neighbors Soundpony Bar last year, he didn’t ever anticipate it becoming the main event. “The day we announced FreeTulsa! — this little production that was just going to happen in front of our place — was the…
Very refreshing
His research and understanding of the subject matter are reflected in his grasp of the issue. I appreciate his approach that informs rather than influences the reader. Please pass along my thanks for his coverage. —Keith Bryant Oklahoma City Bryant is chief of the Oklahoma City Fire Department.
Earth power
“The house did not catch on fire, but that was a minor miracle,” she said. While making the home repairs, Caldwell (pictured right), who was elected to Edmond’s City Council this spring, became intrigued with the idea of replacing her conventional HVAC system with a residential geothermal heat pump, which utilizes the Earth’s constant subterranean…
Dragon riders
In protest to the Chu Dynasty, Chinese poet and scholar Qu Yuan threw himself into the Mi Lo River. But so beloved was he by the local population, fishermen piled into boats and rowed furiously in tandem to try to save him. They did not succeed, but the sport of dragon boating was born. Centuries…
Rap this
He drops “Return to Sender” as his first fully original album. The 18-and-up event carries a $5 cover. Call 819-6004. Friday
Help wanted
So it is at this point, the sad saga of former Creek County District Judge Donald Thompson (aka 2006’s penis-pump-at-the-bench judge) may have turned a corner from being fodder for double entendres to “All right, maybe this guy really should seek some help.” Thompson was arrested July 19 by the Creek County Sheriff’s office and…
Red Rhone rising
Grenache Noir (there is also a Blanc) accounts for more than 70 percent of plantings in the region, and the fame of the wines made it likely that other countries would try to duplicate their success. Tim Fish, an associate editor at Wine Spectator, recently wrote about the reasons Americans failed to produce good Grenache.…
Kern: Go back to the closet
The GOP lawmaker who keeps getting re-elected appeared on Alan Colmes’ Fox News Radio show July 8 to promote her book, “The Stoning of Sally Kern.” Colmes, a selfdescribed liberal host, asked some salty questions and started the interview by having Kern clarify her infamous comment on homosexuality being a bigger threat than terrorism. “All…
Spanking new
Napoli’s Italian Restaurant 800 S. Air Depot, Midwest City 610-7900 Knowing that we all have eaten Italian cuisine repeatedly, Napoli’s offers some unusual fare, including a Jet’s Special done with chicken and eggplant, lobster ravioli, and linguini tutto mare done with mussels, shrimp and scallops. Open daily, this used to be King Wah for a…
CFN Quotes of the Week
“It’s insane! … Every time I get baked (on the tour bus), I go in my bunk, put on ‘The Dark Knight,’ and just wait for (Heath Ledger’s) scenes.” —Hinder front man Austin Winkler, in the book “Reefer Movie Madness: The Ultimate Stoner Film Guide” by Shirley Halperin and Steve Bloom “The trippiest part (of…
Yeah, mon
The annual festival features some of the region’s best reggae music, traditional Caribbean cuisine and a wealth of vendors offering everything from beer to tie-dyed T-shirts. Friday’s main stage performance schedule is as follows: —5-6:20 p.m.: The Suspects —6:45-8:15 p.m.: Sam and the Stylees —8:45-10:05 p.m.: One Love Uprising —10:30-midnight: The Ark Band Saturday’s main…
Ruling class
He also stated during the meeting that one of the most powerful men in Oklahoma City was behind a much-criticized election campaign and held sway over many important decisions made in the city, and that municipal government was in danger of becoming more of a plutocracy rather than a representative democracy. Shadid’s comments, made during…
Whiskey business
Bartenders a bit more bold might instead reach for a whiskey to get a taste from which to build. Some local bartenders are on the forefront of exploring the boundaries of whiskey, including James Etzler (pictured right) of The Office Drinks and Nosh, 5929 N. May. He’s concocted several drinks using different types of whiskeys,…
Bite Size: 7-27-11
A LETTER TO THE FOOD EDITORHere’s a tip on an out-of-the-way restaurant from reader Brian Hulett: “Found an elegant little restaurant I guarantee you’ve never been to … because it’s in Meeker!!! I’ve lived in this town for 20 years and knew some locals were fixing up a place and calling it The Marketplace, but…
HP: More than a stodgy computer
And you may be unaware that HP stands for “historic preservation” and refers to OKC historic districts such as Heritage Hills, Mesta Park, Edgemere Park, Crown Heights, Putnam Heights and Shepherd. Designed and built in the early 20th century, these neighborhoods are charming, but living there comes with certain responsibilities. Namely, one must maintain the…
Freeze, please
And what do you want when it’s triple-digits? Why, “fro-yo,” of course. If you’re in Midwest City, a popular place for live culture, nonfat frozen yogurt is Pink Swirls in the Town Center Plaza strip mall on the north side of Interstate 40. Live culture yogurt is touted as fixing about everything that ails you,…
Student body
Few Oklahoma City bands were more prolific than The Fellowship Students through the ’00s, but only a select few songs ever made it onto recordings. There was their debut EP, “The Youth Want Distortion,” and the full-length “Rainbow Around the Sun” (which was really more the work of guitarist/ vocalist Matthew Alvin Brown and spawned…
Best Betz
He takes pleasure in the little things in life, because he doesn’t have time for much else; Betz (pictured right) officially takes office Monday as the 20th president of the University of Central Oklahoma. “When you are selected and choose to follow a pathway like this, you realize that there’s no downtime,” Betz said. “It’s…
Art house
To ensure an ideal creative environment, finding the right space — whether a spare room or rented studio — becomes critical to building a career. Space for the creative types is available for rent at places like Downtown Music Box and the soon-to-be-completed Paseo Plunge, but creatives aren’t always flush with cash, so working from…
Bedroom oasis
I decided a few weeks ago (on a whim, as is standard) to repaint my bedroom. So what to put on the walls? Would it be Cathedral Stone? Or maybe Drizzling Mist? Turbid Amethyst (I’m so not joking with that name) was an option, until it was quickly struck down by my husband. Turbid Effing…
Neu attitude
As far as Oklahoma DJs go, DJ Neu is one-of-a-kind. “In terms of female DJs, there aren’t a lot, and I actually don’t think there are any black female DJs in the city at all,” said Keela Candler, aka DJ Neu. “I guess that’s my niche.” The Los Angeles/West Texas transplant has made a big…
Source Code
The less you know about the plot, the more pleasurable the experience. Without spoiling anything, however, its Escher loop of a story plops Jake Gyllenhaal’s Everyman character aboard a commuter train, where his government mission is to give him eight minutes to find a bomb that then will explode. If he can, they can find…
Exporting Raymond
It follows “Everyone Loves Raymond” creator Phil Rosenthal on a business trip to Russia —where he’s accompanied by a driver/bodyguard who may have killed a bunch of people — to help that country’s network creatives adapt his mega-popular show for their populace. Needless to say — for this picture wouldn’t exist otherwise — the cultural…
We Are What We Are
Father knows best, but when the patriarch pukes up bile on the sidewalk and dies a most undignified death, that leaves the clan on their own for food. His two sons man a watch stand at an outdoor flea market to support the fam, but one of the young men’s hotheadedness gets them kicked out.…
Stake Land
In this film by director/co-writer Jim Mickle (“Mulberry Street”), the monsters are a mix of zombies and vampires. The characters call them “vamps,” but if not for the fangs, you wouldn’t think “bloodsuckers” at all. You may, however, think “horses,” because I swear the sounds of their attack-mode hiss contains an equestrian whinny. Co-writer Nick…
Limitless
Then a chance meeting on the street with a former in-law introduces him to a wild, new experimental drug called NZT-48 that unlocks all of the brain’s synapses to make you super-smart and super-productive before the effects wear off. Suddenly, he’s not only on a creative spree, but making a fortune playing the stock markets,…
Captain America: The First Avenger
That would be bad, however, because Marvel has saved the best for last. It’s miles better than that Norse god with the magic hammer, and just a hair below the greatness of Robert Downey Jr.’s first go-round in his iron armor, both of whom will team with Cap in next summer’s guaranteed nerdgasm, “The Avengers.”…
Patti Smith — Outside Society
But you can easily imagine Smith swaying back and forth for three and a half minutes, plinking on a grand piano Elton John-style, her voice trembling for the punishment she’s soon to inflict with the song’s grand finale. In the liner notes of her forthcoming greatest hits compilation, the songwriter reflects that the track is…
Chesapeake secures arena naming rights
The energy company has partnered with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the naming rights to the downtown arena where the team plays its games. Originally known as the Ford Center, then the Oklahoma City Arena, it will now be known as the Chesapeake Energy Arena. Chesapeake CEO Aubrey McClendon is one of the team’s owners.…
Heat advisory to continue all weekend long
Though expected to be partly cloudy weather, temperatures will reach the triple-digit degrees on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the counties of Canadian, Cleveland, Grady, Lincoln, Logan, McClain and Oklahoma, according to the NWS located in Norman. County residents can also expect low wind gusts from 10 to 15 mph coming from the south-southeast on…
The Sentiment of the Flesh
Bold, brash and daring, the French-language film must be like if outré cinema’s reigning Davids — Cronenberg and Lynch, of course — joined forces to make a romance. Does that thought repel you? Then don’t even press “PLAY.” Instead, leave it for the rest of us to enjoy, because I kind of loved it. Maybe…
The George Sanders Saint Movie Collection
There were even eight “Saint” features within five years, with George Sanders (“All About Eve”) playing him five times for RKO Radio Pictures. Those films have been collected by Warner Archive for its two-disc package with the unwieldy title of “The George Sanders Saint Movies Collection.” Also known as Simon Templar, The Saint is no…
