Update
In 1964, a chaste, 23-year-old woman was injured in a municipal streetcar collision in San Francisco, and in one of the most notorious turns in medical history, became a nymphomaniac because of injury to the part of her brain that controls impulsive behavior. (According to her lawyer, she once had sex with partners 50 times…
Least Competent Criminals
Unclear on the Concept: The 44-year-old man who allegedly skipped out on a court appearance in April in Vernon, British Columbia, in connection with marijuana-growing was arrested in December in Mission, British Columbia, when he applied for a job at the county jail. Also in December, police in Oakland, Calif., charged Jason Brooks, 24, who…
Darkon
class=MsoNormal style=”MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt”>The extremes some people take can make for amazing documentaries “? and certainly inventing kingdoms and accompanying lingo has to rank up there “? but “Darkon” doesn’t quite hit that, even if it occasionally approaches. Unlike, say, “American Movie” or “The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters,” there’s no real…
Fine Points of the Law
Ryan Holle, 25, is serving a life sentence (with no possibility of parole) in Florida even though his only connection to a 2003 murder was that he loaned his car to one of the killers. According to a December New York Times report, Florida, even when dispensing its second-worst punishment of all, does not restrict…
News That Sounds Like a Joke
Salt Lake City police reported that an out-of-town man was treated at a local hospital on Dec. 1 after being beaten up by gang members. The man had earlier mentioned to the gangbangers that “Utah gangs” are not as tough as those from his hometown. In October in West Palm Beach, Fla., Jacqueline Holmes filed…
People Different From Us
Small-Town News: Nicholas Palmer, 22, briefly took to the woods near Swanville, Maine, in October after an altercation with his sister. He had tried to snip the cord of the clipper she was using to shave the family cat to rid it of fleas and ticks. Robin Handel, 44, was arrested in Rowlett, Texas, in…
Klimt
2008 Art films are expected to deviate from the boundaries of conventional filmmaking, but there are some basic conventions which, when left out entirely, create tedious, taxing, unpleasant, patience-sucking vortexes of pretentiousness. “Klimt” is such a film. Starring John Malkovich, “Klimt” is supposedly a biopic about Gustav Klimt, the Viennese painter famous for participating in…
New meeting, same result for Porter
A day after the Oklahoma City school board had to reconvene to consider suspending Superintendent John Q. Porter, the group made the same decision as they did Jan. 7. Allegations arose Jan. 10 that the Jan. 7 Oklahoma City school board meeting — in which the members voted to suspend Porter with pay until…
SeaQuest DSV: Season Two
1994-95/2008 The second-season set of NBC’s “SeaQuest DSV” carries a front-cover tagline of “Beneath the surface lies the future.” If that’s true, the future sure ain’t pretty, but at least it’s shiny. Executive-produced by Steven Spielberg “? and therefore full of his brand of childlike wonder “? the series had a troubled behind-the-scenes environment, which…
Hudson offers to resign if Porter does the same
According to a brief 185-word statement released by The Gooden Group, the chairman of the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education, Cliff Hudson, has offered to resign if current Superintendent John Q. Porter does the same. “We need to get on with the business of the district for the sake of the students. We…
Volunteer organizations aid in debris removal following ice storm
Following last month’s record ice storm, National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters, an umbrella organization that draws together various volunteer programs, had sent out chain-saw teams to begin cutting and clearing debris from the homes of the elderly, disabled and single parents. “This is wonderful,” said Midwest City resident Louise Frank of the team. “I’m…
One Missed Call
Reviewer’s grade: D What better way to start the new movie year than with a third-rate remake of a second-rate Asian horror movie? It’s either that or get a lobotomy, and the movie ticket costs less. The Somnambulism Twins “? Shannyn Sossamon and Ed Burns “? star as a college student and a cop…
Library holds ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!’ tournament
Children and teens are invited to duel today in the metro. No need to alert the authorities, however; it’s all in good, clean fun as the Midwest City Library at 8143 E. Reno presents its monthly “Yu-Gi-Oh!” tournament from 4 to 5 p.m. Like “Pokémon” or “Dragon Ball Z,” “Yu-Gi-Oh!” is a popular trading card…
Upset over flag decision, Edmond restaurant owner refuses service to three
Hell hath no fury like an Italian scorned. As previously reported in CFN, pizzeria proprietor Danny Falcone initially told Edmond residents to fuggedaboutit when a site plan allowing an Italian flag awning was turned down last October by the city’s Planning Commission. In order to use the same awning style with the green, white…
New music lab gives kids room to rock
Last summer, when John Archiniaco wanted to call a band practice, everyone crammed into his bedroom. His mom, Cynthia Archiniaco, wished for a comfortable place for her son to practice, she called up her friend Gary Good, who happens to be both a musician and a businessman, to see if he could help solve the…
Local stores offer free coffee for shoppers
Looking to warm up as you navigate the aisles? Here’s where to grab a cup of joe as you drop those post-holiday Benjamins. Westlake Ace Hardware, 6951 Northwest ExpresswayWhere: at registers” Sugar?: yes” Creamer?: yes” Sweet’N Low?: no” Splenda?: no” Napkins?: no” Stirrers?: noNotes: Mr. Coffee was completely empty Buy for Less, 3501 Northwest ExpresswayWhere: near deli” Sugar?: yes” Creamer?: yes” Sweet’N Low?: no” Splenda?:…
Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten
Reviewer’s grade: C- Director Julien Temple puts together a collage of old photographs, film clips and interviews with friends and former co-workers of Joe Strummer, lead singer of Seventies punk band The Clash. As the title implies, the film is more Strummer-centric than other, earlier Clash documentaries. Temple delivers early in the film with…
Oklahoma City mayor puts citizens on a diet
CFN couldn’t help but notice Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett trying to put our fair city on a diet. As a New Year’s resolution, Cornett reportedly challenged residents to lose a few pounds (say 1,000,000), according to The Associated Press. “The message of this obesity initiative is that we’ve got to watch what we…
So Far Good – Self Titled
2008 Distorted guitars and cascading cymbals introduce the first song on Edmond rock band So Far Good’s new self-titled CD. The opening song, “The Drive,” gives way to softer melodic verses before increasing both the tempo and volume into a full-on promenade of guitars and brisk, punchy drums. Deft palm muting by…
Asatru’s ancient teachings require weapons
In December, inmate Michael Polk (serving time for robbery and aggravated assault) filed a federal lawsuit against the Utah Department of Corrections for denying him the right to properly practice his religion, Asatru. According to its teachings, adherents must communicate with ancient Nordic gods (such as Odin, Thor and Heimdal) and for that, it is…
Senate Republicans place reform, repair on session agenda
More tax cuts, lawsuit reform and school choice were among the items presented by state Senate Republicans as part of their agenda for the upcoming Legislative session. During a news conference at the state Capitol on Wednesday, GOP senators laid out a host of initiatives they want to push when lawmakers convene next month. …
Eddie Sutton should have stayed retired
Three games. Three losses. Not exactly what Eddie Sutton had in mind when he signed on as interim head coach for the San Francisco University men’s basketball program back in late December, admittedly to fulfill his goal of reaching 800 career wins. Had Sutton known just how bad his new team really is, he might…
Indoor beach volleyball tourney debuts in city
Trading snow for sand, the Association of Volleyball Professionals will dump roughly 200 tons of the latter onto the floor of the Ford Center on Thursday night. Its members will don their finest bathing suits and kick off “Hot Winter Nights,” an indoor beach volleyball tour in its inaugural season. “We’re bringing summer to the…
Library of Congress gifts ‘Oklahoma!’ to National Film Registry
The Library of Congress gave Oklahoma a late birthday gift recently: It inducted the film version of the musical Okies either love or love to hate into the National Film Registry. Yup, pore “Oklahoma!” isn’t daid. The 1955 flick featuring Gordon McRae ” and corn as high as an elephant’s eye ” joined…
Transylvanian artist brings paintings to IAO
rful Labyrinth” exhibition will show at IAO, 811 N. Broadway, through Jan. 25. Her works could easily find wall space on the set of a Tim Burton movie or within a Dr. Seuss illustration. IMAGERYAccording to Darvay’s artist statement, the playful imagery in her work comes from a mythical worldview where color breathes life into…
Denied Playboy magazine, Oklahoma City’s Murrah Building bomber really wanted to read an article
Just in case you can’t go through a year in Oklahoma without hearing, reading or smelling something else about Oklahoma City federal building bomber Timothy McVeigh, there is yet more. According to a recent story in The Oklahoman, McVeigh was quite the joker, laughing loudly during discussions with his attorneys and chortling about a…
Arkansas transplant makes impact in local drama scene as director, writer and actress
To many Oklahomans, theatrical success means “making it” somewhere else. If New York or Los Angeles recognizes a person’s talents, they’ve passed some kind of litmus test. To some local artists, however, success means creating theater that’s meaningful to us in the community, and producing it with people they enjoy. That’s precisely how Rachel Carter,…
Museum to screen opera ‘Aida’ in HDTV
The fat lady sings closer to your doorstep when the Oklahoma City Museum of Art’s Noble Theater screens the popular opera “Aida” in high-definition at 2 p.m. Sunday. Directed by filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli (“Romeo and Juliet,” “Jane Eyre”), this version of Giuseppe Verde’s “Aida” opened in 2006 at Italy’s prestigious La Scala theater, where its…
Reviewing cold medicines may cause drowsiness
Winter is the time when bacteria and viruses like to curl up in your body, knowing that the consistently low temperature outside and steady infusion of your grandma’s pecan divinity and alcoholic eggnog have weakened your immune system, giving the little buggers plenty of opportunity to multiply. It’s not surprising that most humans, warm-blooded germ-bags…
Electro-rockers Peachcake promise dynamic live show
Care for a slice of synthesizer sounds sprinkled with electronic beats that crumbles with sweet garage-punk vocals? Grab a fork and help yourself to a slice of Peachcake, a buzzed-about band that cooks quirky songs with a colorful stage show. The Arizona-based “band,” according to Stefan Pruett, one of Peachcake’s founding members, started in 2004…
The Entrepreneurial Spirit!
A warehouse on Chicago’s West Side is “the world capital of fake (latex) vomit, where it’s still made the old-fashioned way, ladle by ladle, formed and coagulated,” reported the Chicago Tribune in December. Though it is not as popular as 50 years ago (7,000 units sold yearly, compared to 60,000 then), Fun Inc. President Graham…
The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Reviewer’s grade: A+ In 1995, 43-year-old Elle France editor Jean-Dominique Bauby had, in the words of his doctor, a “cerebrovascular accident” (a stroke) which left him with “locked-in syndrome” (paralyzed except for his left eyelid). During the long, lonely months of his hospital confinement, Bauby learned how to dictate his thoughts via that one…
Report: Council member questioned bid process in Porter’s former district
Lack of competitive bidding over reading program software was questioned in suspended Superintendent John Q. Porter’s former school system while he was there, according to a Washington Post report. Failing to seek competitive bids for expanding the same program lies at the top of a notice detailing 21 allegations against Porter that led to his…
Momentum’ displays work of fresh, under-30 artists
More than 3,000 people are expected to view the work of Oklahoma’s most innovative young artists and participate in a weekend event that is as much a party for creativity as an art opening. Held annually by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, “Momentum” includes work from Oklahomans under the age of 30. This year’s show,…
Nonprofit offers free financial counseling
Financial stress is no secret, but is seldom openly discussed. One organization, Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Oklahoma, offers free financial counseling. The nonprofit is committed to giving people the tools to help themselves become financially strong through counseling, debt management and education. “In 2006, we counseled 13,000 people,” said Jennifer Wallis, vice president…
Taxing rhetoric
Should Oklahoma City voters approve an extension of a penny sales tax to fund improvements to the Ford Center so the city can have its own NBA team? There is little doubt the city is ready for the big leagues. It proved this when it became the temporary home of the New Orleans Hornets…
Oklahoma man allegedly brandishes pork chop as a weapon
Not even two full days into the new year, and we had our first report of a man being stabbed with a pork chop bone for 2008. According to an Associated Press report, a food fight turned quite literal in Ardmore when one man allegedly took the skeletal remains of an assumably delicious piece…
Cutting-Edge Science
Males Will Be Males: University of Lausanne (Switzerland) researchers discovered that not only are cichlid fish oriented to “oral sex” (because the female stores fertilizable eggs in her mouth) but that studlier males have evolved a trick to get females to open up: Super-procreative males create egg-like growths on their fins, which females imagine are…
An idiotic law
Send them all back, let them stay, amnesty, prison, give them driver’s licenses or don’t, build a wall “¦ this is about as deep as the discussion on illegal immigration gets. Politicians have managed to confuse voters into believing the war on terror is the same thing as illegal immigration. America doesn’t have a coherent…
Sled heads find downhill glory at local parks
To many in the metro, snow blows. The frosty weather and ice are just annoyances to suffer on the way to the mailbox and an extra irritation to survive on the drive to work. But to some, like Mary and Tom Dempsey, crisp air and packed powder mean one thing: sledding. Although Tom Dempsey said…
School superintendent’s suspension causes heated board meeting
A meeting that originally slated approving MAPS for Kids design reports turned into a forum for voicing anger and frustration to the Oklahoma City Public Schools board Monday night. Nineteen community members signed up to speak at the regularly scheduled meeting, which followed the school board’s suspension of Superintendent John Q. Porter Monday morning. David…
