Update
Last year News of the Weird reported on an organic art project, “Victimless Leather,” in which artists Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr attempted to grow embryonic stem cells of a species onto an artificial platform, in this case creating leather from mouse cells without the need to kill cows. However, in the latest demonstration of…
Least Competent People
At One With Nature: Cameron Fritzson, 20, landed in the hospital in critical condition in May after he scaled first the outer, 10-foot fence at an electrical substation in Pembroke Pines, Fla., and then the main electrical tower, where his arm brushed against a live wire. Police said Fritzson was after a parakeet’s nest at…
Instant Karma
A 31-year-old man was hospitalized in critical condition in Salt Lake City, hit by cars after running into traffic to avoid paying for a taxi ride he had just taken (March). A 25-year-old man, pursued by police after he tried to run down his girlfriend with his car, fled on foot across Interstate 45 near…
News of the Tacky
The leader of the Liberal Party in the Australian state of Western Australia said in April that he would not resign even though an accusation against him was true: that at a party staff meeting in December 2005, when a female colleague got out of her chair, he playfully moved over and sniffed it. The…
People With Issues
In May, a New York appeals court rejected a lawsuit by the former mistress of prominent married rabbi Joel Goor, 75, that claimed he would owe her a $125,000 cash settlement if he broke up with her. The court said it was a contract that facilitated adultery and therefore was not enforceable, even though there…
First Things First
A supervisor at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services told a Billings Gazette reporter in March that some of his employees were complaining that new computers delivered to the office lacked games like solitaire, hearts and Minesweeper, and that it wasn’t fair that employees with older computers still had the games. The…
Inhofe, other senators defeat climate bill
Oklahoma Senator Jim Inhofe is claiming victory in the defeat of a bill aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions and global climate change. The bill ” which would have capped carbon dioxide emissions but also allowed for the exchange of emissions “credits” between emitters ” fell short of 60 votes needed to override a filibuster…
Candidates file for elections, setting up intriguing races
The filing period has ended for the 2008 elections, setting up some intriguing races. The highest profile race will be the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Jim Inhofe. The 73-year-old Senate veteran faces an unusually high number — six “? of opponents: two Democrats (including state Sen. Andrew Rice), one Independent and three…
Convicted former Oklahoma senator will receive pension
The man some referred to as the prince of darkness in Oklahoma politics has arisen once again from the ashes ” and he’s collecting a paycheck for it. Former state Sen. Gene Stipe won his battle in court not to have his state pension reduced, even though he has been convicted of federal crimes involving…
Priceless
Reviewer’s grade: A- Like the best champagne, “Priceless” is light, fizzy and intoxicating. But this French romantic comedy, which shows Thursday through Sunday exclusively at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, has the distinct advantage of being hangover-free. Audrey Tautou (“Amelie,” “The Da Vinci Code”) stars as Irene, a beautiful, unabashed gold digger who has…
Oklahoma bail bondsman uses taser on military man
Some days it just doesn’t pay to get out of jail. Ask Robert Hanks, 26, a military security officer at Tinker Air Force Base. According to recent reports, when a Midwest City bondsman bailed him out of jail, she “Tased” him when they started arguing outside the slammer. According to a story in The Oklahoman,…
Governor calls testimony ‘absolutely absurd’
Gov. Brad Henry denied published reports of Oklahoma City businessman Steve Phipps testifying Wednesday that he gave illegal campaign contributions totaling $70,000 to Henry around the time the governor took office in January 2003. Henry, who told Oklahoma Gazette he has not seen or read Phipps’ testimony, responded when provided a summary account of a…
Bright Ideas
Most Convoluted Business Plan: Adolfo Martinez, 33, and Mark Anderson, 26, were indicted for fraud in Las Cruces, N.M., in April, accused of passing forged checks. The men’s plan was to buy Domino’s pizzas with the checks, then have one of the men put on a Pizza Hut shirt and resell the pizzas, by the…
OKC locals take blank canvas and bare their creative ‘soles’
If you’re looking to bring an artistic edge to your clothing style or add an unconventional sculpture to your collection “? or both “? pick up a pair of shoes designed or deconstructed by Oklahoma artists this Friday at the “Canvas” art show. “It’s a bunch of local artists who we’ve given a pair of…
Strange Wilderness
2008 Make no mistake: “Strange Wilderness” is one stupid, boneheaded movie “? so stupid it deserves to be spelled “stoopid.” But at least it knows that, and doesn’t pretend to be anything else. Like last summer’s “Hot Rod,” it’s a slightly misunderstood comedy “? a potential cult classic that can be quite funny “¦ if…
The Strangers
Reviewer’s grade: C- Liv Tyler (“Reign Over Me”) and Scott Speedman (“Underworld: Evolution”) star as a couple terrorized by masked home invaders one night in an isolated house. The movie is a 90-minute game of “gotcha” as the yuppies can’t defend themselves with a loaded shotgun against three nutjobs with an ax and a kitchen…
Former Sooner swimmer still making waves at age 77
A former Oklahoma Sooner swimmer originally from South Africa who qualified for the 1952 and 1956 Olympics recently celebrated a birthday. Graham Johnston turned 77 years young last week. He celebrated by trying to figure out what his next great challenge in life will be. Maybe he’ll swim the English Channel. Or maybe he’ll add…
The Fall
Reviewer’s grade: B- At the very least, “The Fall” is a testament to the obsessive nature of creativity. Filmmaker Tarsem Singh (“The Cell”) reportedly spent 11 years scouting locations for this adult fairy tale, which eventually entailed shooting in 18 counties over four years and draining millions of dollars from the director’s personal finances. Was…
Slammin ‘n’ Jammin Block Party seeks to inspire sports love
The Slammin ‘n’ Jammin Block Party — designed to inspire kids “? will section off Reno Avenue next to the Ford Center to make way for basketball goals and tennis courts during the Red Earth Festival. The program is part of this year’s Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival, and will run from 10 a.m.…
Oklahoma FreeWheel will attract nearly 1,000 bicyclists
Starting Sunday, approximately 1,000 riders will participate in the 30th annual Oklahoma FreeWheel bicycle tour. The tour begins in Marietta, near the Texas border, and concludes six days and about 418 miles later in Caldwell, Kan. Tour director Ellen Proctor said the route is different every year, with scheduled stops in Sulphur, Seminole, Henryetta, Drumright,…
The Fashion – The Fashion
Red Ink The highlight of my trip to this year’s South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas, was being instantly hooked by the infectious charm of Denmark dance-rock band The Fashion. With a fresh, easygoing approach, the energetic foursome (five when live) has injected its major-label debut with 10 happy-go-lucky tracks that are immediate…
The spoils of politics
For almost 40 years, I’ve had the opportunity to observe the state Legislature closely from a variety of perspectives. Never have I been as disappointed as I am now over the marginal ethics observed by many in our most important branch of state government. In recent years, the common good often appears to be sacrificed…
The Helio Sequence brings energetic performance to metro area
The Helio Sequence will play along with Crocodile and Dance, Robots Dance! at Opolis in Norman. The Oregon band evolved after two events put The Helio Sequence’s future into a kind of limbo. First, drummer Benjamin Wiekel sat in on recording sessions with acclaimed rockers Modest Mouse, laying down rhythm parts on 2004’s chart-topping “Good News…
Then She Found Me
Reviewer’s grade: C Helen Hunt (As Good As It Gets,” “Mad About You”) directs, co-writes, co-produces and stars in this vanity project that could just as easily have been called “Mad About Helen’s Partially-Nude Torso and Frowny Face.” Hunt stars as April, a schoolteacher who marries Ben (Matthew Broderick, “The Producers”) so she can have…
Christians United for Israel founder heads to OKC
John Hagee, the senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas, and founder of Christians United for Israel, will be in Oklahoma City on June 29 as the keynote speaker in a CUFI event, “Night to Honor Israel.” This is the second annual celebration in OKC, and like last year, the event will feature…
Edmond outdoor venue hosts ‘Footloose’
It’s time for the whole family to cut loose and celebrate Summerstock Productions’ fourth season with its opening production, “Footloose.” Outdoors at Mitch Park Amphitheatre, 2733 Marilyn Williams in Edmond, the production company is showcasing “Footloose,” the musical adapted from the 1984 movie, itself based on a true story of repression and teen rebellion in…
Juno Reactor – Gods & Monsters
Metropolis To listen to a Juno Reactor album is to be transported to an intergalactic space station where astronauts drink not Tang, but Red Bull. The brain child of Ben Watkins, the electronica act has specialized in high-energy, jungle-rhythm trance for nearly 20 years. Although not a household name, Juno Reactor has been a pioneer…
Hinder earns BMI award for Song of the Year
It wasn’t your imagination: The ballad “Lips of an Angel” was officially on the radio all the time in 2007. The song earned Oklahoma City rock band Hinder accolades for Song of the Year at the BMI’s 56th Annual Pop Awards held May 20 in Beverly Hills, Calif. “Lips of an Angel” received more airtime…
Oklahoma City holds RiverFest event
The third annual Oklahoma RiverFest is a three-day celebration featuring river cruises, paddleboats, Chesapeake Boathouse tours, rowing demonstrations, a park of inflatables and the increasingly popular dragon boat team racing. As Central Oklahoma’s temperatures begin to climb steadily, residents across the city look for opportunities to keep cool. And as the dog days reach their…
Park it
Memorial Day is behind us, and it is more than obvious that the high transportation fuel costs greatly impacted the vacation decision-making processes. With no relief in sight, summer vacations will be altered, as well. Oklahomans are hedonists at heart, and the “Red River Rivalry” is but one of many examples of how we’re willing…
Casinos take leap from smoky bingo hall days
n Catoosa, an avid golfer can send his or her spouse off to the machines or lunch while hitting the links at Cherokee Hills golf course, adjacent to the casino. ENTERTAINING CASINOSAnother strategy is to offer entertainment like sporting events and concerts that also bring in customers who might not otherwise come into a casino,…
Dirty Harry: Special Edition
1971 I know what you’re thinking: “Dirty Harry” has already been released on DVD. But this being a two-disc special edition “? “restored, remastered and fully loaded” “? you should feel lucky. Clint Eastwood had his signature role as renegade police detective Harry Callahan, patrolling the streets of San Francisco in one of cinema’s all-time…
Member of Oklahoma’s Hanson becomes father
The youngest Hanson brother booked a new gig last week as MMMPops after the birth of his baby boy on May 27. Zac Hanson, 22, and his wife, Kate, 24, became the parents of John Ira Shepherd Hanson after the birth at a Tulsa hospital, The Associated Press reported. The baby boy weighed 8 pounds,…
Libertarian Party aims to get party on Oklahoma’s ballot
Former Georgia Rep. Bob Barr said the Libertarian Party just might be the party voters thought they were getting when they originally voted Republican ” a government that will leave you alone. But then, the Libertarian Party presidential candidate added, there is the catch if you want to be Libertarian in Oklahoma: State law won’t…
Guantanamo Bay beachfront vacations for rent
The U.S. military operates a beachfront vacation site for its personnel worldwide and their families at the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, with $42-a-night air-conditioned suites, surfing, boat rides, golf course, bowling alley and even a gift shop. One T-shirt for sale reads, “The Taliban Towers at Guantanamo Bay, the Caribbean’s Newest 5-star Resort.” News of…
Red Earth looks beyond its traditional festival format
Competition is a tricky thing, especially for festivals vying for crowds, but Eric Oesch, deputy director of Red Earth, sees opportunity. This weekend’s staging of the American Indian cultural festival at the Cox Convention Center will correspond with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus next door at the Ford Center. Instead of worrying…
Jackass Presents Mat Hoffman’s Tribute to Evel Knievel
2008 Oklahoma’s own BMX superstar Mat Hoffman invites “Jackass” ringleader Johnny Knoxville and several extreme-sports friends over for a “Tribute to Evel Knievel.” In order to honor the superstar daredevil who passed away last year, Hoffman and his crew attempt to break a slew of world records on their bikes and motorcycles “? “ghetto-style,” says…
Oklahoma’s gaming compacts fill up coffers at an alarming rate
The impact of tribal gaming can be seen from the highways and from the balance sheets. Casinos dot the Oklahoma landscape by the dozens and impact the state’s treasury by the millions. Revenues have doubled to roughly $2 billion in the past two years, according to Indian Gaming magazine. Yes, that’s billion with a B.…
Edison Glass brings The Bang Tour to OKC
Hailing from Long Island, Edison Glass’ members first began playing music together in church, and formed their first band almost 10 years ago. Thomas Alva Edison may have never appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone, but the father of the phonograph is a major inspiration for the group. So much, in fact, the band…
Former house speaker will not run
Former Oklahoma House Speaker Lance Cargill, R-Harrah, issued a statement late Wednesday saying he will not file for re-election in 2008. The announcement comes months after Cargill stepped down from the Speaker position when he admitted he was late paying state taxes. However, Cargill did not mention this or any reason for his decision not…
Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum features high-tech interactive galleries
The Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum is diversifying its high-tech interactive galleries by featuring artist Paul Medina’s mixed-media pieces in an exhibit through July 2. A native Oklahoman, Medina is one of four artists whose work is being featured in the museum’s 2008 “art on shARTel” series. Staying true to his Spanish and French heritage, much…
The Continuing Crisis
Another Criterion for Teacher Certification: Police in Fort Myers, Fla., were called to Royal Palm Exceptional School in April and wound up arresting an 8-year-old boy named Deshawn for punching his female teacher in the face, leaving several bruises. Said Deshawn’s grandmother, Dorothy Williams, when interviewed by WBBH-TV: “He gets very upset, and he loves…
Sex and the City
Reviewer’s grade: B+ It’s hard not to be swept up by “Sex and the City,” the big-budget studio film version of the popular HBO TV series. The film appealingly runs like a really long episode and largely follows lead Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker) as she plans her life and future with Mr. Big (Chris…
Monroe Mustang – Monroe Mustang, The Imaginary Band, Regretfully Declines
Jagjaguwar In the late Nineties, Norman-based Monroe Mustang released a handful of quiet but polished albums of slow-core shoegazing records “¦ and then seemingly disappeared. The band is back (sort of) with its fifth album’ its first since the dawn of the new millennium and an MP3-only release’ even if its members are scattered across…
Former Oklahoma congressman, quarterback plans Black Television News Channel
Two former quarterbacks from the University of Oklahoma were in the news last week. The Sooner Nation mourned the passing of wishbone “Godfather” and former Lt. Gov. Jack Mildren at age 58. Meanwhile, fellow signal-caller J.C. Watts made headlines with the announcement of the new Black Television News Channel slated to debut next year. BTNC…
I Am My Own Wife’ sifts through the life of East German transvestite
The one-man show, “I Am My Own Wife,” starring David Mays opens Friday at the CitySpace Theatre in the Civic Center Music Hall. A drama specialist steps in to research and analyze the political, cultural, literary and historical basis of a story, serving as a critical tool for works such as Oklahoma City Theatre Company’s…
CFN Quotes of the Week
“I take the president at his word that he is open to other ideas, and I trust that he will do everything he can to force those writing the bills in the House and Senate to moderate their flawed bills. The final test will be the legislative product Congress produces over the next few weeks.…
Killed bills
In my Jan. 30 commentary, I challenged this Legislature to a session focused on issues of concern to a bipartisan electorate. I also posed another scenario in which elected officials could instead “pander to their ‘base,’ relegate their finest moments to the agenda of special interests (particularly those who can pay to play), and use…
