Highlights: Governor’s State of the State Address
In her address to lawmakers, Fallin talked about tax cuts, education, school safety, Obamacare, reducing government waste and spending and standing up to federal intrusion. She also outlined her legislative priorities and agenda for this session. Following are excerpts from the speech, according to press statement from the governor’s office. Oklahoma’s economy: Fallin discussed the…
TW Shannon resigns House Speaker role
In a statement emailed to Oklahoma Gazette, he said: “It has been a great honor to serve as speaker of the House, and I am proud of the things we as a team accomplished. … But now it is time for a new leader to take up the cause of generating conservative policy. The people…
Shelter petition group files suit against governor
Take Shelter, represented by Oklahoma City attorney David Slane, has alleged in court documents that Fallin, Attorney General Scott Pruitt and the State Chamber of Commerce conspired to defeat the petition drive, which required 160,000 signatures so the measure could be decided by voters. Slane claims the emails are necessary for a Feb. 25 Oklahoma…
Cheap eats
Stop in at Grand House Asian Bistro, 2701 North Classen Blvd., for its sumptuous lunch special. This delightful Chinese bistro offers a variety of combos, including sweet and sour chicken, vegetable lo mein, fried rice and an egg roll. All this for $5 is a good deal indeed. Walk in to the brand-new Sheesh Mahal,…
Mayor Mick
When former television journalist Mick Cornett stopped covering sports and switched to news in 1996, he had no idea how his life would be transformed. His way of thinking and priorities changed drastically after the April 19, 1995 Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building bombing in downtown Oklahoma City. As he went through an admitted “midlife…
Race is on
As expected, OKC incumbent Mayor Mick Cornett will seek a record fourth term, but he has got plenty of challengers, most notably spinal surgeon and Ward 2 Councilman Ed Shadid. Retired businessman Joe “Sarge” Nelson, the last to file for office Friday, and Phil Hughes, owner of Hughes Synergies Co., up the race to four…
The greenest senator?
The letter, addressed to Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin, states, “I am giving you substantial advance notice with the hope that you will be able to schedule a special election concurrent with the existing election schedule and not impose any undue burden on Oklahoma taxpayers.” Coburn’s thriftiness comes as no surprise to Oklahoma voters. For the…
Train earlier, work smarter
And what better ways to fix the problem than starting in public schools? CareerTech and the Department of Career and Technology Education are asking for $35 million more funding. Nearly all of that would head directly into schools for “performance-based” funding. “A job for every Oklahoman and a workforce for every company,” NewsOK reported Sommers…
Clothes or drones?
This is the dilemma Daniel Webster Keogh and his wife, Danielle, allegedly faced. Keogh, the former president of Triton Scientific, a research company contracted by OSU-Multispectral himself Jay Moore is responsible for the Labratories (UML), is facing a potential FBI investigation and a multi-milliondollar lawsuit filed by Oklahoma State University after funds were diverted from…
OKG 7 SHOP
Ok City Chorus OkCity.ORG 720-7464Send a singing Valentine performed by the esteemed ladies of the OK City Chorus. Your song can be delivered in person ($50), over the phone ($10) or through email ($5). You can even send your love a personal message (and possibly a treat), as well. Bricktown Candy Co. 100 E. California…
Sports hall inductees announced
Inductees include political icon and OU quarterback J.C. Watts, rodeo champ Roy Cooper, Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett and All-American footballer Leslie Claudis O’Neal, with posthumous inductions of four-time basketball All-Star Darrell Porter and Amateur Athletic Union basketballer and Olympic coach Gerald Tucker. “This year’s inductees are respected citizens and athletes; a remarkable group of…
FILM
The Loving Story, (U.S., 2011, Nancy Buirski) a racially charged criminal trial and a heart-rending love story converge, 7-9 p.m., Feb. 6. Oklahoma History Center, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Drive, 522-0745, okhistory.org. THU The White Meadows, (Iran, 2009, dir. Mohammad Rasoulof) Rahmat has been asked to meet the inhabitants of these islands to collect their tears,…
Judges Creed
Not too long ago, someone who works at Oklahoma Gazette asked, “Does anyone in Oklahoma City make movies besides Mickey Reece?” My answer was, “Of course,” supplemented with several caveats, one of which is that the local filmmaker generally makes more feature films in a year than my parents see within the same time frame.…
PLSTKNOVA — Lights
His second EP, Lights, is an entrancing odyssey through the sleep cycle, pouring an ethereal dream-pop fog over mind-bending down-tempo bass grooves. Taking cues from Tycho, Baths and Four Tet, the seven-track effort focuses on aural world-building delicately built brick by brick. The adventurous but contained record is melodic and gripping all the same, its…
Words of a feather
Photo: Caitlin Lindsey Feathered Rabbit’s sound hits you in waves. There’s the sultry lounge essence and smoky jazz groove, both wafting with a natural ease. That’s met with a wallop of punchy, gravelly blues and swampy psychedelia that swirl together in a patchwork of sound swatches belonging to a forgone era of American music. Complex…
Gutter punks
Any self-respecting alt-teen in the early ’90s fell into one of two camps: the punks or the poseurs. The punks were, of course, the true rebels of the courtyard, dressed in torn denim vests adorned with homemade patches, trading bootleg tapes of Propaghandi, Anti-Flag and Guttermouth, ever so secure that punk would never die, man.…
OKG7 Eat: Winning in Windsor
Smokey’s BBQ and Diner 2410 N. Portland Ave. smokeysbbqokc.com 948-2001 To quote the 1980 horror flick Motel Hell, “Meat’s meat, and a man’s gotta eat.” Regarded as one of the best BBQ joints on the northwest side of OKC, its meaty menu is filled with ribs, pulled pork, brisket and hot links. Take in every…
BOOKS
Storytime with Mr. Steve, stories for all ages, 11 a.m., Feb. 8. Barnes & Noble, Norman, 540 Ed Noble Parkway, Norman, 579-8800, barnesandnoble.com. SAT Christina Bloomer Kiser and Amanda G. Breeden Book Signing, author Christina Bloomer Kiser and illustrator Amanda G. Breeden will sign their new children’s book Cora’s Way: A Story of Kindness, 1-2:30…
Wise guy
Photo: Samantha Lamb For all the talk of Oklahoma singer-songwriter Parker Millsap and his Pentecostal roots, there’s a point that gets glossed over along the way. People note that gruff howl of a voice rumbling out of his gut with a tent-revival vigor equal parts fire-and-brimstone and piss-and-vinegar. Millsap himself nods to those Sunday morning…
Happenings the week of Feb. 3, 2014
FOOD Wine Tasting, featuring the Rhone wines of Kermit Lynch with specially chosen food pairings, Feb. 5. Bin 73, 7312 N. Western Ave., 843-0073, bin73.com. WED Chocolate Decadence 2014, chocolate treats from premier local restaurants and caterers, 6-8:30 p.m., Feb. 6. Hudson Essex Building, 825 N. Broadway Ave., 605-0831. THU Paint N’ Cheers, creative social…
Redux revealed
After three months spent with Larry Herzel of HSE Architects and Massey Construction, Reduxion Theatre opens the doors of its new home, The Broadway Theater, with its Valentine’s Day production of William Shakespeare’s romantic comedy As You Like It. Reduxion has become known for adding a signature twist when adapting classic plays. As You Like…
Wholly molé
In Mexican Spanish, the term molé is derived from a Nahuatl word (an Uto-Aztecan language), molli, meaning “a sauce or mixture.” The word was used by the pre-Columbian indigenous peoples of Mexico to describe the sauces they made by pounding spices, dried chiles, seeds and nuts in oversized mortar bowls. Subsequently, the Spaniards brought to…
Happy birthday
Ellison is considered by many to be one of the most important literary figures of American literature in the 20th century. His existential novel Invisible Man is about race, identity and alienation. It was published in 1952 to critical acclaim and won the National Book Award the following year. In cooperation with Oklahoma City University,…
PERFORMING ARTS
Clybourne Park, comedic play by Bruce Norris written in response to Lorraine Hansberry’s play A Raisin in the Sun, 8 p.m., Feb. 5-8; 3 p.m., Feb. 9. University of Oklahoma, 660 Parrington Oval, Norman, 325-0311, ou. edu. WED–SUN Take 9 Variety Show, fast-paced, interactive sketch comedy, Feb. 5. Red Room Event Center, 114 W. Main…
Odd men out
An ancient theatrical relic is on display in the Plaza District under the auspices of Lyric Theatre. The historical artifact in question is a comedy from A.D. 1965 titled The Odd Couple (you may have heard of it) by a popular playwright of that era named Neil Simon (who, for the record, is still alive).…
No gyros allowed
Sorry, you delicious melange of beef and lamb, shaved thin and crisped on a spit. Some days, I want to expand my options. I’m obsessed with doing so at Nunu’s Mediterranean Cafe & Market, 3131 W. Memorial Road. Nunu’s is the rare Mediterranean spot in Oklahoma City that does not serve a gyro. But if…
LETTERS
The Nazis stole this beautiful impressionist painting by Camille Pissarro during the occupation of France during WWII. Yes, we understand that there is an antiquated court ruling in Switzerland that denied the painting to the owners because the established timeframe to make the claim expired. This whole court decision is arbitrary and unclear. What is…
Legalize, regulate and tax
The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) has long noted that there has never been a recorded case of an overdose death attributed solely to marijuana. Johnson, a Forest Park Democrat, has started a much-needed discussion at the state Capitol about decriminalizing a substance that even President Barack Obama, who used marijuana…
Make me a match
Perhaps Valentine’s Day is actually the bleakest holiday. While all holidays celebrate love and togetherness, it is specifically Valentine’s Day that can make the most staunchly independent souls feel like their lives are lacking. It celebrates a special kind of togetherness, and the Oklahoma Artist Network (OAN) is taking this opportunity to celebrate matchmaking of…
Context-free CFN quote of the week
“It’s Wayne Coyne’s fault.” — Esquire, Feb. 2014 issue.
New temptation; more of the old temptation
The city that famously lost a million pounds during its This City is Going on a Diet campaign has a new temptation. The Wall Street Journal reported recently that Dunkin’ Donuts wants to invade OKC in a major way. The owner of four local franchises, Misha Goli, has plans to develop 13 new stores, he…
LIFE
The Historic Paseo Arts District’s In Your Eye Studio & Gallery will present Seeing Red, an art show that uses the color red as a catalyst that celebrates the fierce power of the color. Artists represented in the gallery include Sue Hale, Theresa Hurt, Michelle Phillip Junkin, Andrea Kissinger, Basil Martin III, Janice Mathews-Gordon, Dana…
Do not interrupt family, er, game time
The pair were arrested Jan. 28 on a child neglect complaint after Daren allegedly barricaded their 3-yearold daughter into a hall closet and left her there all night. A maintenance worker at the Nashburn’s apartment complex, Parkview Terrace Apartments at 1615 W. 59th St. in Tulsa, found the child and called the police. According to…
Yes, they’re natural, Gill says
The Huffington Post reported that years ago, when Amy Grant and her husband, Vince Gill, a graduate of OKC’s Northwest Classen High School and Oklahoma native, appeared on Today, Lauer’s attention was unwittingly pulled away from Grant’s performance and instead landed on a particularly “voluptuous” backup singer. He quickly realized Gill was also looking at…
LIFE
Oklahoma City’s Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library will hold History Resources at Your Fingertips about the available resources for researching the history of commercial districts and specific buildings. It will be taught by Debra Spindle, librarian at the Oklahoma History Center, and Larry Johnson, librarian at the Downtown Library for the Oklahoma Room. The class…
Freeze causes city building to flood
The building’s basement flooded with more than 12 feet of water after a pipe leading to the fire suppression system burst early Sunday. City officials have not released a damage estimate yet, but Yager said the electrical system, computers, elevators and the heating and air units were affected. The water consumed the entire basement. The…
Tuesday budget meeting rescheduled due to weather
The original meeting was slated for Tuesday, Feb. 4, but was postponed because of winter weather conditions, city spokeswoman Kristy Yager said. Oklahoma City University economist Russell Evans was slated to discuss the economic outlook for Oklahoma City. Other agenda items included financial trends, the city’s revenue and expense forecast, departmental issues and the fiscal…
OKC Council to discuss economy Tuesday
Oklahoma City University economist Russell Evans will discuss the economic outlook for Oklahoma City. Other agenda items include financial trends, the city’s revenue and expense forecast, departmental issues and the fiscal year 2015 budget outlook. The meeting will take place in rooms 14 and 15.
Meeting will address possible addition of City Council wards
The meeting will be held in the third floor’s executive conference room. This will be the council’s second meeting on the subject. Oklahoma City residents are currently represented by eight wards. Ward 4 Councilman Pete White suggested the city expand its eight wards to 10 so residents would have better representation. Currently, each council member…
The Postman Always Rings Twice
Most of the sordid story unfolds at the Twin Oaks Tavern, a sparsely attended roadside diner owned by a Greek man (John Colicos, The Changeling) whose prized possession is either the place, his record player or his much-younger wife, Cora (Lange, TV’s American Horror Story). Much bored, she perks up when Frank (Nicholson) drifts in.…
Banshee Chapter / You’re Next
Using the CIA’s real-life Project MKUltra as a jumping-off point, freshman writer/director Blair Erickson explores the fates and legacy of those who volunteered for the controversial mind-control experiments, which ran in secret for about 20 years beginning in the 1950s and often involved LSD. After a friend disappears from downing a 150-mg dose, an…
Cornett, Shadid make mayor bid official
Three-term Mayor Mick Cornett filed his re-election paperwork early Tuesday at the Oklahoma County Election Board, making him the first candidate to enter the race. More candidates are expected to file before Friday’s deadline. Feeling jovial while waiting for his filing to be processed, Cornett joked with election board workers and reporters covering the event.…
State of the City speech
“It’s 2014 and you should be proud of your city for several reasons,” he told a crowd of about 1,600 people at the Cox Business Services Convention Center. According to Atlantic Monthly, OKC is one of the most popular cities for millennials. The city also has been recognized nationally for its low cost-of-living and for…
Oklahoma Food Co-op meet-and-greet set
Oklahoma Food Co-op Meet-Greet-Eat10 a.m., Feb. 1Old Farmers Market Building311 S. Klein Ave.200-8155oklahomafood.coop The Oklahoma Food Cooperative is holing a meet-eat-and-greet 10 a.m. Feb. 1. The co-op is a member-owned business that serves to connect everyday consumers with more than 100 local producers. Non-members and the public are welcome and can learn more about how…
T.W. Shannon throws hat in Senate race
Coburn is retiring. Shannon joins U.S. Rep. James Lankford (R-Oklahoma City) in the race for Republican nomination. Shannon wrote on his official website: “It’s official: Today I announced my intention to run for the United States Senate.” He did also confirm in a letter to House members that he doesn’t plan on stepping down as…
