Money wins
WARD 8 Ward 8 challenger Clifford Hearron raised a total of around $13,700. Hearron’s opponent, incumbent Patrick Ryan, raised about $122,400, with legal maximum donations of $5,000 coming from Clayton Bennett, owner of the Oklahoma City Thunder, chairman of Dorchester Capital LLC and past chair of the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber; Larry Nichols, Devon Energy…
Alien 2: On Earth
Not a sequel, but an unabashed rip-off, Italy’s “Alien 2: On Earth” — or “Alien 2: Sulla Terra,” as the untranslated credits read — takes the Hollywood concept from outer space to an underground cave, some 150 feet below Earth’s surface. There reside blue, breathing rock/egg-like things containing slimy pink creatures able to rip your…
Foes may fear Thunder’s new X factor, ‘The Beard’
Thabo Sefolosha will always frustrate the opposing team’s best perimeter scorer with his relentless defense, and Kendrick Perkins will do the same to a post player. Off the bench, Nick Collison is going to take a charge. This routine has worked wonderfully for the team through 70 games of the regular season. Yet, with the…
Strapping sandals
Now, I’m supposed to be finding suitable bridesmaid shoes — something that I’ll be able to sport in the sand, on a vintage trolley and wherever else my best friend/bride needs me to be — but what fun is that when there are such great spring sandals and flats to be had? Yeah, that’s right:…
He’s Poppe-ular
Among the notable names and faces that graced the venue: famed music critic Jim DeRogatis, drummer Martin Atkins (of the legendary band Public Image Ltd.), Thomas Conner of the Chicago Sun-Times, Bill Pearis of the dangerously hip website BrooklynVegan and Nathan Poppe, Oklahoma State University senior and Look at OKC contributor. During Stillwater-based Colourmusic’s set,…
Dodging bullets
Shadid, who was rescued and survived the sniper’s gunshot, said he remembers the feeling of resignation that washed over him that day as he stared up at the unforgiving gray sky, accepting what he thought was his fate. Nine years later, that same feeling returned like an unwelcome visitor as Shadid and three other New…
Freddie vs. all
Freddie Gibbs’ story is one like many rappers before him: He was a 20something who had taken up drug dealing … and wound up a convicted felon, before music saved him. “It gave me something to focus on, something I love. That had always been my problem … I just didn’t have a passion for…
Low show
Sometimes, things come together perfectly, and that’s certainly been the case for All Time Low. Sounding like a hybrid of Blink-182 and Weezer, the Maryland punk-pop quartet has engaged a grassroots following with pulsing rhythms, life-size hooks and bright vocal melodies. What began as simply “something to do” grew into a life choice. The band…
Price pains
While trucks and SUVs remain highest on the list of interested shoppers/ surfers, data toward the tail end of February shows a slight leaning toward searching for fuel-efficient cars. The site also polled visitors on whether they consider such a vehicle, and 53 percent said they would, compared to their current one. “If gas prices…
Did Dez’s drawers droop?
Former Oklahoma State wide receiver Desmond “Dez” Bryant, now a highly paid superstar with the Dallas Cowboys, was ejected March 19 from an upscale Dallas mall for allegedly drooping drawers, according to The Associated Press. Offduty officers working security at NorthPark Center booted Bryant and three of his buddies after a dispute over descending dungarees.…
Alcohol problem
Numerous writers dutifully integrated this marketing theme into their copy, from the food and beverage pieces to the “ShopGirl” column on hangover-friendly merchandise. Even Phil Bacharach’s Flogging Molly concert preview tipped its hat to “everyone’s favorite drinking holiday.” (I thought that was New Year’s Eve, but never mind.) Having alcohol as the issue’s theme allowed…
Counting on Fingers
Fingers, the Oklahoma City power-pop act that was a staple of metro venues in the early 1980s, return for a semi-reunion concert at 9 p.m. Saturday at Coach’s Brewhouse, 110 W. Main in Norman — “semi” because the original lineup, sadly, is not intact. Alan Roach said the recent death of Fingers member David Medford…
Workers under attack
Check that. For sure, the GOP has overreached again on typical wedge issues, such as “sanctity of life” involving medical research, evolution science and anti-illegal immigration, but the real overreach might just be its full fiscal assault on the middle class. It’s happening here and across the country as Republican-dominated legislatures work to cut state…
Questions answered from the Rev. Kern
My remarks were, “The Constitution is Christian document; prepared by Christians to preserve an already established Christian social order.” His two questions were concerned with established slavery during that time and the problem of divine right of kings, which he says was perpetuated by Christian absolutes. First, there is the question of slavery. It no…
Trust
In fact, that’s really the only reason I can recommend the family drama: as a cautionary tale about what happens when the social network becomes a sexual one. It should be an “ABC Afterschool Special,” and not playing at theaters starting Friday. At least it’s well-made. With “Trust,” director David Schwimmer — yes, Ross from…
smag 7
What’s new, pussycat? Another batch of new restaurants coming up around the metro! Holy cow, does it ever stop? Diners should be in good hands at any one of the following seven. All you need to bring is your wallet, a good appetite and some appreciation for the work of these new restaurant staffs. —Carol…
Hayes’ code
You may be surprised to spot a country artist like Hayes Carll residing between the respectively pop and alternative-friendly pages of Rolling Stone and Spin, but you wouldn’t be the only one — Carll included. The singer/songwriter and terrible vacuum salesman had a failed go at a music career in Austin, Texas, before returning home…
Colt defense
Sometimes, you just need a little time to catch your breath. It’s been almost a decade of jet-setting and TV appearances for Oklahoma City pop-rock singer Graham Colton, all amounting to very little rest and downtime in his hometown. Some changes have afforded Colton a welcome return to the Sooner State, and he’s taking it…
Party with the Gazette!
The first one is Saturday at The Blue Note Lounge, 2408 N. Robinson, with live music and opportunity to win free Soundcheck shirts and other swag all night long! Sponsored by Boulevard Brewing Co., other parties are scheduled for the following Saturdays: • April 9, Wormy Dog Saloon, 311 E. Sheridan • April 16, TapWerks…
Dr. Strangebrew
But in the interest of objective journalism, I set out on a three-day tour of beer cocktails, just to see if I was unjustly writing off the work of a new generation of mixologists. “The kind of people we target with these beer cocktails are those that don’t drink a lot of beer,” said Randy…
Slab slingers
Like many of the best barbecue joints, it’s not a fancy restaurant. You can walk from the gasoline station next door that it’s attached to without going outside. There are only a few tables, but the place is spotless. The staff is friendly and efficient. “God bless Tinker,” Scott Pearce, general manager, said one recent…
Better than ever
“We’ve gone through three generations of management,” said David Egan of Cattlemen’s Steakhouse, 1309 S. Agnew in the historic Stockyard City area of Oklahoma City. Among the first dining establishments in the metro, the remarkable Cattlemen’s is the granddaddy of all historic restaurants in Oklahoma, with a solid heritage of 101 years under its belt.…
Insidious
What little optimist left in me thinks it could have been worse; at least our son wasn’t sent into a coma by a malevolent demon he encountered in the attic. That’s the situation facing the Lambert family in “Insidious,” opening Friday. From the creative talents behind the “Saw” and “Paranormal Activity” franchises, this welcome twist…
Liberals ‘blather without restraint’
Bill complains in Phil Bacharach’s rather brief “interview” story (“‘Real Time,’ red state,” March 16, Gazette) about how so very tough it is for liberals to survive as a minority in Oklahoma City! Try being a conservative in Hollywood — I know that turd-rich environment from nine years’ effort, in the process finding conservatives aplenty,…
CFN QOTW, Part Deux
—Oklahoma Conservative Political Action Committee founder Charlie Meadows on the March 16 issue
Lil’ Lips
Oklahoma City’s own The Flaming Lips are becoming the latest band to have its tunes turned into nursery-ready instrumentals in the “Rockabye Baby!” compilation series. The vibraphone-heavy albums have reworked the music of such rock ’n’ roll superstars as The Beatles, U2, Coldplay, Madonna, Radiohead and many others. Twelve tracks will be featured on “Rockabye…
Drafting MAPS
Meanwhile, despite the convention center subcommittee’s decision to rule out a site that would have required the city to purchase and move an OGE substation, the city could end up doing that anyway, and has $30 million in MAPS 3 funds — three times the amount set aside for sidewalks — budgeted for that purpose.…
‘Dawn’ of the dread
After watching all his fellows mauled, eaten or drowned, Odysseus resolved to stay at home, thenceforth, with his family in Ithaca. And now the sequel, “Odyssey Dawn: II.” Will it be 20 years before America comes home again? Perhaps we should revise our Constitution so that our soldiers are required to die in wars declared…
Vamp camp
With titles like “Color Me Blood Red” and “The Erotic Adventures of Robin Hood” under his belt, the sales pitches definitely crackled. Ultimately, it was up to hungry audiences to decide if they were eating prime rib or snout membranes. When shooting a film titled “Bikini Vampire Babes” in a conservative state shaped like a…
Russell’s brand
Tom Russell has no patience for pigeonholes. Despite a penchant for rootsy story-songs about dust-blown, blue-collar characters, he scoffs at the Americana tag that’s been hung around his neck for years. “They always need a tag — progressive country, new country, altcountry — to put outsider writing in,” Russell said. “I don’t see my music…
No time like the present
“It’s not about timing the market. It’s about time in the market,” said Steve Berkowitz, Move Inc. CEO. “Be confident about your own job security, down payment resources and tolerance for upkeep, as well as the lifestyle you want today and in the near term. While homeownership may not be for everyone, it is the…
Bite Size
Authors and sisters Julie Albert, who only got in the kitchen when she had a family to feed, and Lisa Gnat, a skilled chef, pulled together 175 recipes. This will be on the top of my shelf just for laughs, but the recipes look good, too. Tongue-in-cheek-titled chapters include “Spoon me,” devoted to steamy soups;…
Munn ho!: Sixth in a series
The Oklahoman turned actress/ model/geek icon subbed for Kathie Lee Gifford on the St. Patrick’s Day edition of NBC’s “Today,” where she got, in her words (tweets), “Day Wasted.” “It was better than an ‘SNL’ skit,” reported USA Today, noting the Munn already had downed half a glass of green beer in the opening minutes.…
Woman power
In her newest exhibit, “Our Lady of the Perpetual Pin-Up,” now on display at the a.k.a. Gallery, 3001 Paseo, she uses mixed-media collages of vintage paper combined with hand embroidery to comment on what it’s like to be a woman in today’s American culture. In “You Wanna Meat?” and other works, Marilyn Artus examines society’s…
PR BS
—“Rose State College to Host ‘Wee Water Wahoo’” —“How to Get a New Job in DFW” —“Gwen Stefani Donates $1,000,000.00” —“Drop Dead Diva Mini- Marathon – Sunday, April 8”—“Deputy Chief Cecil Clay Unavailable”
Swapping spit
Turns out the discolored funkiness on the clarinet swab shouldn’t have been so amusing — as it could have caused brain abscesses, staph infections and food poisoning, oh my! (Not to mention problems that one time at band camp.) On March 22 MSNBC reported on a study authored by Tom Glass, professor at Oklahoma State…
Spruce up your speeches
1. Speak in short sentences or phrases. 2. Don’t step on your punch word. 3. Perfect your pause. 4. Repeat your key ideas more than once. 5. Never read your speech. 6. Use stories. Help your listeners to “see” your words. 7. Say something memorable. —Gazette staff
Celebrity chef to appear at Thunder game
In conjunction with the arena’s Levy Restaurants, Moonen will offer Thunder fans nothing less than his signature gourmet shrimp dogs, the Moon ‘N Doggies. As the Thunder takes on the Golden State Warriors, the Courtside Club will serve the item, an all-natural shrimp dog with Asian slaw and toga chips served on a toasted roll.…
One Week
“How many stages are there?” he asks, not quite comprehending the severity of the situation. “Four,” replies the doc. Ben’s first instinct is to cancel his upcoming wedding to Samantha (Liane Balaban of “Last Chance Harvey,” looking like a taller, thicker-browed Natalie Portman). His second, taking advice from a disposable coffee cup, is to ride…
Geraldine Ferraro and the locked door
My plate was more than full, my family was thriving and all was right with my world — except that I longed for the excitement of the political life I’d left in Washington, D.C. I had worked in the Capitol city for progressive women running for the U.S. House and Senate, including a snappy, smart…
‘Mo’ money
A Chamber spokesman confirmed to Oklahoma Gazette that the economic development group Forward Oklahoma City IV contributed to a nonprofit that then sent the money to a committee conducting the campaign operations. The 527 group Committee for Oklahoma City Momentum purchased ads endorsing several candidates and issued critical direct mail pieces against Ward 5 Councilman…
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules
Given its success, a sequel was inevitable. Given how quickly its stars are aging, however, a sequel was also rushed. The one-year-later result is “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules.” While it’s still enjoyable and full of goodwill, the quick production schedule shows in the seams. Whereas the original focused on Greg Hefley’s (Zachary…
The Resident
And yet that’s just what her supposedly brilliant ER doctor character does in “The Resident,” a thriller barely released in theaters last month. There’s good reason for that: It won’t raise your pulse a single beat. The relaunch of the iconic Hammer Films brand got off to a great start last fall — at least…
Bob Dylan — In Concert: Brandeis University
But when a CBS executive feared a libel suit from the John Birch Society and asked Bob to perform something else, Dylan walked out. American audiences never saw Dylan’s satirical song performed on the popular Sunday-night variety show on May 12, 1963. However, a previously unknown recording of that song from two days before is…
In Plain Sight: Season Three
And it’s better than “Monk” was. Sacrilege, you say? Tough. Monk was one character I could not get behind. But Mary Shannon? Totally. It helps — considerably — that she’s played by Mary McCormack, who’s good in everything and cute as the proverbial button. She deserves plaudits that her cable peers regularly get for work…
Dirty Vegas — Electric Love
For one thing, it’s not dirty-sounding at all. Sayonara, sense of foreboding. As the lead track “Little White Doves” makes perfectly clear with beats of shiny, sunny optimism, this disc equally aims to put a smile on your face as it does to move your feet. Subsequent songs live up to this promise of positive…
Dam Mantle — First Wave
The glitch-heavy production only serves to enhance the feeling of life within the tracks, which is the first time I’ve heard that herky-jerky stops and starts have worked that way. The winner here is “Movement,” which I featured here. A symphony orchestra gets the chopped-up treatment, with the breaks and jumps only serving to make…
Beneath the Dark
From the first few scenes, it seems much of the same will be in store for our couple, stopping at a roadside motel in the desert to catch some badly needed winks after a near-wreck on their way to a wedding in Los Angeles. Thankfully, “Beneath” then veers off to forge its own path. Not…
Noah and the Whale — Last Night on Earth
Noah and the Whale’s “Last Night On Earth” trades in the acoustic guitars and clever lyrics of previous efforts for big synthesizer hooks and optimistic platitudes. These tunes aren’t bad. They have solid choruses, good instrumental melodies and pleasing arrangements. All those elements are carried over from Noah’s two earlier albums. But there are bands…
Toro Y Moi — Underneath the Pine
This is probably why Baths plays piano now, Foxes in Fiction is suddenly a guitar-based songwriter, Neon Indian is collaborating with The Flaming Lips, and Toro Y Moi plays disco/funk. Yep, you heard that right: Toro Y Moi, a pillar of the nascent chillwave scene, has released a sophomore album called “Underneath The Pine” that…
Galaxina / The Crater Lake Monster
“Galaxina” and “The Crater Lake Monster.” Yet here they are, hand in hand, forever preserved in a “Science Fiction Double Feature” from Mill Creek Entertainment. These are the kind of movies I’d never buy separately, but stick them together in one value package, and my Visa card’s already whipped out of the wallet. “Galaxina” was…
The Complete Sherlock Holmes Collection
This is the one time I hope you didn’t take my advice, because now the glorious package is on Blu-ray. You essentially get the same thing: 14 films spread across five discs, only in the best possible resolution home-video technology has to offer. OK, now you can take my advice: Buy this one instead. You’ve…
