Undignified Deaths
(The most recent instance of someone killed by a flying cow occurred on a road near Carnarvon, Australia, in May, when a 26-year-old man in an SUV accidentally crashed into a cow and knocked it into the air; it landed on the vehicle’s roof, collapsing it and crushing the driver. In April, a prominent cat…
Recurring Themes
In early May, “scores” of Taiwan lawmakers brawled on the floor of parliament, wrestling, throwing punches and spraying water at each other over an election reform bill, according to a Reuters dispatch. However, a week later, one legislator, and also a U.S. political scientist who follows the Taiwan legislature, told a Reuters reporter that most…
Once
Reviewer’s grade: B As winner of the Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, “Once,” a quasi-musical from Ireland, has generated buzz usually reserved for the likes of iPhones and Shrouds of Turin. But this low-budgeter is best appreciated if you put aside expectations and surrender yourself to its modest charms. Writer-director…
Public input on Ouachita forest roads sought
The OuachitaNational Forest “? which stretches across the Arkansas border in southeastern Oklahoma — is installing a road and trail system for year-round public access, and seeks public input on what kind of motor vehicle routes should be developed. “We have heard from the public, members of Congress and off-highway vehicle groups about the…
Ex-Rocketplane chief engineer says funding diverted from tourism vehicle
Rocketplane’s XP, a suborbital tourism vehicle meant to take off from the Oklahoma Spaceport in Burns Flat, is in a funding free fall, according to the project’s former chief engineer. David Urie, who joined in 2004 as chief engineer, said funding for the craft was diverted to Rocketplane’s acquisition of Kistler Aerospace and the development…
Least Competent Criminals
Can’t Stop Ourselves: Sheriff’s deputies in Hilmar, Calif., arrested Tasha Silva, 30, in April and charged her with stealing a deputy’s pickup truck, but her boyfriend and co-suspect, Marcus Schulze, fled. According to the sheriff’s office, the couple drove away, thought they were in the clear, and stopped to have sex in the truck, but…
Medicaid recipients now required to prove citizenship, identity
As of July 1, most Medicaid recipients who are American citizens will need to establish their citizenship and their identity to maintain eligibility, as a result of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Most Medicaid recipients will receive a letter at the time of their regular annual eligibility review informing them of these new…
New system tracks Oklahoma County arrestees, inmates
A new online system will allow any citizen to log on and check the release status or location of anyone arrested or convicted of a crime, county and state law enforcement officials announced Tuesday. Called “VINE,” the system allows anyone ” including crime victims ” to anonymously check the release status of someone accused…
Cultural Diversity
In Congo, which has lost an estimated 4 million people in the civil wars of the last decade and where many must get by on about 30 cents a day, “gangs” of designer-clothes-wearing men periodically square off against each other in preening contests in the streets of Kinshasa to prove that Versace and Gucci look…
People With Issues
In April, FBI officials warned of a disturbing series of threats dating from 2004 to college athletic officials and news organizations from someone apparently upset that television coverage of cheerleaders emphasizes those showing the least amount of skin (such as Ohio State’s, who often wear long-sleeved, jacketed outfits). According to an FBI agent interviewed by…
Scientists compare fossil find to Oklahoma’s land rush
Scientists who discovered a primitive, shrew-like Mongolian mammal fossil from 65 million years ago say the animal’s emergence on the scene was not unlike that of another particular state of affairs ” this one, actually. According to scientists writing in a recent edition of the journal Nature, the recognition of the mammal “Maelestes gobiensis,”…
The Masutatsu Oyama Trilogy
1975/1976/2007 Sonny Chiba’s “Street Fighter” movies are more fun, but fans of the “Kill Bill” co-star will not want to pass this up set of action films based on a real-life martial arts master. Included are “Karate Bullfighter,” “Karate Bearfighter” and “Karate for Life.” The titles aren’t metaphorical, either. As Masutatsu Oyama, Chiba engages…
Rollergirls hit roadblock with loss of venue
Despite a successful first year in the Oklahoma City area, the Tornado Alley Rollergirls’ roller derby league is working through some growing pains. Amanda Lipscomb, aka Jane’s Affliction, TARG league manager and co-owner, said the league has lost its regular venue, Edmond’s Rockin’ Roller Rink. With the league championship scheduled for the end of…
Abstract artist’s landscapes open to interpretation
Byron Shen’s “The Harvest” is devoid of detail, instead opting for hints of land, hills and sunset. This elusiveness of abstract art is exactly what drew him to develop his landscapes. “It’s not that you can’t see a beautiful literal landscape differently, but that’s what it will always be,” said Shen, whose “Passages” exhibit is…
Zoo Amphitheatre on upswing with diversified lineup
The Zoo Amphitheatre is seeing its best days since the PM Group took over operations six years ago. “We really revamped the amphitheater so it looks good, feels good, sounds good, so people want to come to it,” said Howard Pollack, a senior partner with the PM Group. Howard said it’s long been an underutilized location,…
Atmospheric rockers Soular making metro live debut
Albuquerque, N.M.’s Soular has spent a lot of time in Oklahoma ” the band has recorded in Norman, and even played Tulsa and Tahlequah, but never has played Oklahoma City. That all changes Friday when the quartet arrives at the Belle Isle Brewery with Oklahoma City’s Luma and Fayetteville, Ark.’s spiritual power popper Benjamin Del…
Waner brothers took baseball skills from family farm to Hall of Fame
Paul and Lloyd Waner used the lessons they learned playing on their family farm in Harrah to become the most prolific brother tandem in Major League Baseball history. The Waners spent 14 seasons in the Twenties through Forties terrorizing opposing teams side by side at Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field. The siblings earned the nicknames “Big Poison”…
The Continuing Crisis
On one fateful day in 2003 in Sikeston, Mo., according to Holly Adams, she had sex at different times with Raymon and Richard Miller, who are identical twins and who did not know about each other’s encounter. Adams became pregnant, but both Millers deny paternity despite, of course, an identical DNA match for each brother…
Construction boss recalls unusual contact with Marland widow
In the Seventies, Bob Berry’s construction company landed the first contract for refurbishing the opulent Marland mansion, once the Ponca City home of oilman E.W. Marland and wife (formerly his niece and then adopted daughter), Lydie. Then the workers discovered a mystery. They were worried about the unsecured structure, with its $2.5 million gold-leaf ceilings,…
A bad case of ‘reportitis’
Call it “reportitis” or report burnout, but Oklahomans have to be tired of hearing about all the latest studies and rankings that show the state has major problems. One of the most recent reports by The Commonwealth Fund shows the state tied with Mississippi for worst overall health care performance in the nation. Mississippi?…
Sewing camps for kids offered at OSU-OKC
Whether it’s to fix that hole in a person’s favorite pair of Levi’s or to turn an ordinary T-shirt into a unique statement, sewing is a skill that remains in high demand. The Oklahoma County Oklahoma State University Extension Center, 930 N. Portland, is doing its part to keep local youth threaded with its “Summer…
Failure of Penn Square Bank recalled
This week marks the 25th anniversary of a jolt that sent the American financial industry into chaos, with the July 5 federal takeover and closing of Penn Square Bank. Timeline of Penn Square Bank’s closing “It was the first bank closure in decades that was newsworthy,” said Vince Orza, dean of the Meinders School…
OKC’s Chesapeake finally purchases holdout sandwich shop
Oklahoma Cityans can “eat fresh” no more at the corner of N.W. 63rd Street and N. Western Avenue, as the Subway there has closed its doors. The franchisee of the sandwich shop watched as the Chesapeake Energy Corp. grew around him, but long had refused to give up his lease. Eventually, money talks, and…
John Marshall announces sweeping administration changes
The new John Marshall High School will begin the fall school year with a new principal, effective today. Corey Harris, a Tulsa native, replaces Trina Liles, who has been appointed to another district school. New Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent John Q. Porter, who officially began work July 2, announced the administrative changes at…
Yukon woman featured in ‘Sicko’ documentary
When the twin towers fell in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, Reggie Cervantes was among the first on the scene. Like many first responders, Cervantes was never quite the same after the tragedy. She now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, which has kept her from being continuously employed, thereby making it impossible to…
Nature Calling
About 100 people were able to escape the perhaps-fatal effects of a sinkhole that collapsed under their one-story apartment house in eastern Sarawak, Borneo, in April, only because Renjis Empati, 57, had arisen in the middle of the night to go to the communal toilet. He noticed the ground moving and awakened all the residents.…
Local musician releases soldier-inspired single
At first listen, Felix Linden’s single, “Dying to Come Home,” sounds like it would be playing in a cabana somewhere in the Caribbean instead of an Army barracks. With his soft vocals and light-rock sound, a listener might not suspect the deeper meaning of the song. Yet by carefully listening to the lyrics, a sad…
Ryan Adams – Easy Tiger
e:smarttags” /?>Americana. Recorded at the legendary Electric Lady Studio in New York City’s Greenwich Village, the album finds Adams’ perhaps aided by sobriety’ managing to focus on writing and arranging some of his most tear-wrenching and honest songs. “Oh My God, Whatever, Etc.” is an album standout, as is “These Girls.” Bluegrassy banjos…
Oklahoma City couples wins 7-7-07 Wal-Mart wedding contest
Watch out for falling vows! Shoppers of the Wal-Mart Supercenter at 7800 Northwest Expressway might notice a little something unusual going on in the aisles on Saturday ” not to mention a little something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Oklahoma City couple Oliver Roper and Debra Russell are slated to say “I…
Pottery exhibit benefits artist’s college education
Nineteen-year-old emerging artist Dakota Wolf will show nearly 200 pieces of pottery at his new exhibit opening Friday, and he hopes to raise some money for college in the process. The second annual “Freshly Baked II: Keep Dakota in College” exhibit and fund-raiser kicks off with opening receptions at 6 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday.…
The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark
2007 Still mourning the loss of “Mystery Science Theater 3000”? Well, it’s back “? sort of “? with the debut of “The Film Crew: Hollywood After Dark,” the first in a planned series of DVDs featuring “MST3K” alum providing hilarious commentary tracks to some truly terrible movies. Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett…
The Little Book of Big Medical Emergencies
emerg.jpg” hspace=”10″ src=”/Images/Imported/Book%20review%20thumbnails/littlebookofbigmedicalemerg.jpg” width=”100″ align=”right” vspace=”10″ border=”0″ /> By Dr. Stuart Fischer and Mark D. SteiselHatherleigh Press People being more active in summer can mean more injuries, which might make “The Little Book of Big Medical Emergencies” handy. In simple, concise, bullet-pointed entries, it covers all the uh-oh biggies, including drowning, strokes and even gunshot…
Live Free or Die Hard
raper or an airport. If you like seeing people shot, smashed, run over, chopped up and incinerated with clever repartee wedged in between, immediately see this movie. PG-13 “?Michael Robertson View trailer
The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Collection: Volume 11
2007 Out of nearly 200 episodes that comprised the late, lamented “Mystery Science Theater 3000” television series, all but maybe three are a guaranteed good time, which makes every box set Rhino Home Video puts out a must-buy. For the uninitiated, “MST3K” involves a space-stranded host forced to heckle excruciatingly bad movies with…
All Will Be Revealed
y “? certainly the only one all year to involve a porn-addicted customer, a mental institution, a failed polar expedition and the very real possibility of ghosts. Siegel’s novel is not prurient, but its lyrical language and strong characterization intrigues the senses. Siegel makes good on the multiple-meaning title, enveloping the reader in his richly…
Real choice in education
In health care, we currently have choice for those who can afford it and government subsidies for those who cannot to help them go to public or private hospitals. What we lack is a sufficient level of universality ” the working class gets left out. Meanwhile, in education, we have universality for public schools, but…
Treasure of gold may be buried near Cherokee
Under the dam forming the Great Salt Plains Lake near Cherokee may be 1,400 pounds of gold bullion. In 1854, miners were returning from the California Gold Rush when they saw hostile American Indians riding up for an attack. Using the red bluffs near the river bank as a landmark, the miners took no chances,…
Congress of a Crow headline ‘support the troops’ rally
It takes something unique for a rock ‘n’ roll band to appeal to dance-happy clubgoers, but Tulsa’s Congress of a Crow is doing just that. The band has managed to play ” and be rebooked several times ” at CityWalk in downtown Oklahoma City. “Well, (CityWalk) is more of a dance club, for sure,” drummer…
CityRep celebrates first five years
Five years ago, Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre, aka CityRep, began with a group of old friends who had studied theater together at Oklahoma City University. Behind their first modest season of three productions was a dream to establish and maintain Oklahoma’s first fully professional theater. Michael Jones, founding company member and frequent CityRep director, explained…
Oklahoma City’s ‘nothing’ water is a good thing, really
Here’s a nice little picker-upper for those who don’t think Oklahoma City gets enough good news: Our water tastes like nothing. No, no ” that’s good. As reported by Reuters, “a neutral water that tastes of nothing won the ‘best of the best’ award” at a recent annual competition to find “North America’s finest…
The 38th Time Was Not a Charm
In June, Indian farmer Shiv Charan Yadav, 73, failed his high school gateway exams (normally given at age 15) for the 38th time, and what’s worse, he had vowed the first time not to marry until he passes; he said he would immediately start studying for number 39. In May, the San Antonio (Texas) Independent…
Timeline of Penn Square Bank’s closing
Failure of Penn Square Bank recalled April 26, 1982: “The American Banker” publishes a story bringing into question some of Penn Square Bank’s loan practices. June 28, 1982: The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency determines PSB would fail. June 30, 1982: Oklahoma City oilman Robert A. Hefner III withdraws $28 million from his…
Digitalism – Idealism
Astralwerks Do you want something completely new and original or something really fun? If you don’t mind two German kids reworking a Cure song and some sometimes-generic electronic music, “Idealism” is an upbeat dance-the-night-away album. The pair sampled and reworked The Cure’s “Fire in Cairo,” rebranding it “Digitalism in Cairo,” and adding a…
Ratatouille
Reviewer’s grade: C There’s a surprisingly familiar feel to “Ratatouille,” Pixar’s tale of Remy, a country rat (Patton Oswalt) who’s convinced that his destiny isn’t scavenging through garbage, but creating haute cuisine like his idol, celebrity chef Gusteau (Brad Garrett). He’s the latest in a long kid-entertainment line of “be yourself even though everyone…
The Band – The Best of ‘A Musical History’
Capitol After hitting home runs with their first two albums, members of The Band have been living down that legacy. This abridged compilation of a 2005 Band boxed set contains 19 tracks, with a deluxe-edition DVD including six film clips. The CD starts with a rousing recording of Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks,…
Museum hosts cinematic “Images of Oklahoma at the Movies”
As depicted on film by Hollywood, the Sooner State is one of “termayters” and tornadoes, of outsiders and Okies. And although they may not all be flattering portrayals ” unwed teen mothers living at Wal-Mart, anyone? ” the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, 415 Couch, will explore various “Images of Oklahoma at the Movies” with…
