Math giant Martin Gardner passes away
Best-selling author and “mathemagician” Martin Gardner died Saturday at Norman Regional Hospital. He was 95. A prolific writer, Gardner penned more than 70 books over topics as far-reaching as mathematical puzzles to scientific theory to literary criticism of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” His lasting legacy, however, will be as the man who made math…
The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu
<iframe src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=oklahgazet-20&o=1&p=8&l=as1&asins=B003NTUOGU&fc1=000000&IS2=1 Barring Nicolas Cage’s cameo in “Grindhouse,” the Sax Rohmer character of evil genius Dr. Fu Manchu hasn’t graced the silver screen since Peter Sellers played him in the 1980 parody, “The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu.” The movie is a failure, but a noble one. Now available through the burn-on-demand Warner Archive…
Dfest postponed due to money woes
Due to hard economic times and high production costs, Dfest co-founders Tom and Angie Green announced the festival is being postponed. A press release Friday morning from the Greens addressed the difficulties they have had getting the Tulsa annual music festival off the ground for its 2010 incarnation. “We have to make the difficult decision…
American Vampire #3 – Scott Snyder and Stephen King
Three issues into Vertigo’s monthly “American Vampire” series, and it’s clear that it’s deserving of the “new horror classic!” status the publisher has placed on promotional materials. It’s to the title’s credit that it would achieve this even without Stephen King’s name to help sell it. Although King’s half of the continuing quasi-anthology of interrelated…
Oklahoma City Barons hockey team officially unveiled to metro
Hockey is returning to Oklahoma City once again, this time in the form of the Oklahoma City Barons. As Prodigal LLC owner Robert Funk Jr. addressed the standing-room-only crowd at the official unveiling of the Barons, he said the search for a new team name from 20,000 submissions from hockey fans was long and strenuous,…
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1 – Grant Morrison
Just when I think you couldn’t tell a fresh Batman story, Grant Morrison remakes him into a Conan-style warrior in “Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #1,” the first in a six-issue miniseries. Although I’m not sure how (especially because he’s dead in the current run of “Batman and Robin,” also by Morrison), Bruce Wayne…
Jonah Hex: No Way Back – Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti
me with another man. Once Hex locates her “? her body withered by age and alcoholism “? he learns he has a half brother, Joshua, who’s the preacher/sheriff in the tiny town of Heaven’s Gate, Colo. Having a sibling is news to Joshua, who can’t comprehend the news. Hex explains in his gruff, inimitable way:…
A hard-rocking local trio gives locals a chance to karaoke to metal and a real band
Metal Nutz10 p.m. SaturdayTapWerks121 E. Sheridanwww.tapwerks.com319-9599$5 Four minutes of rock stardom is still four more minutes than the average person ever gets, and a swaggering blonde made the most of the spotlight by roaring through a fiery cover of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child o’ Mine.” “Oh, Christ,” another prospective rock star muttered as she…
Ridley Scott’s ‘Robin Hood’ steals from rich film history and pays with violent entertainment
Movie buffs can have a lot of fun playing the “what if” and “what the hell” games with this new version of Robin Hood’s adventures, of which there have been countless variations in film or on TV since Douglas Fairbanks hippety-hopped through the Sherwood Forest of Southern California in 1922. The most fondly remembered re-telling…
Marijuana criminalization outdated
In response to Scott Cooper’s article “Pot of gold” in the May 12, 2010, Gazette: I am still trying to figure out why our lawmakers insist on clinging to an outdated, ridiculous law such as the criminalization of marijuana. It is the very definition of the Latin legal term malum prohibitum, or “bad because it’s…
City fighter looking to bounce back in a big way
With society’s growing appetite for instant gratification, patience barely has a pulse. The faster, the better seems to apply in just about every aspect of life these days, especially in the sports world. Noah Zuhdi recently discovered the express road to the top of the boxing world is paved with more than heart, talent and…
Falconry brings the ‘sport of kings’ to Oklahoma skies
Oscar Pack of Mustang is an enthusiastic hunter. Yet, he rarely hunts with firearms or archery. Instead, he trains his eyes to the sky to watch his golden eagle ” a 9-and-a-half-pound bird of prey with a 7-foot wingspan ” eye rats, rabbits, mice and other birds to bring down in a hunt. wingMENGetting started…
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Sufi holy man Ibn ‘Ata Allah was speaking about prayer when he said the following: “If you make intense supplication and the timing of the answer is delayed, do not despair of it. His reply to you is guaranteed; but in the way He chooses, not the way you choose, and at the moment He…
Explore the amazing eccentricities and excitements on Oklahoma Gazette’s bucket list
the PaseoFrom nook to cranny, this Paseo boutique is crammed with the clever, crazy and all things curious. And candles. Egyptian accessories? You bet. Medieval armor? Maybe! Spirit-diffusing herbal concoctions and scandalous stationary? Sure! This place has nothing you need and everything you must have. 23. Scope out the broadcast antennas in Northeast Oklahoma CityIt…
Stumbling loss
Miss Oklahoma almost brought home the crown at the Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas. Perhaps if she had tried to stumble, maybe she would have secured the title. Morgan Elizabeth Woolard, who is majoring in sports media at Oklahoma State University, was named first runner-up after a competitive evening of long legs, high heels…
Everyone should run for office in 2010
Year after year, people complain about government. When asked what they have done about the failed government, they say they voted, they wrote to their legislator. Those actions didn’t work: Voting and e-mailing only achieved the status quo. Year after year, people complain that not enough people vote; those complaints don’t move people to vote.…
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19):
Is Fast Food Too Tempting? read a headline in The Week magazine. The accompanying article discussed whether people have the right to blame and even sue McDonald’s and Burger King for their health problems. In my opinion, we might as well add other allegedly appealing poisons to the discussion. “Is heroin too tempting?” “Is cheating…
Reduxion Theatre’s ambitious but flawed production of ‘Titus Andronicus’ features some standout moments and performances
Titus Andronicus8 p.m. Thursday-Saturdaythrough May 29Reduxion Theatre CompanyCity Arts Center3000 General Pershingwww.reduxiontheatre.com651-3191$15 adults, $12 students and seniors For the final production of the its second season, Reduxion Theatre mounts another adaptation of a Shakespeare play; this time, it’s “Titus Andronicus,” the Bard’s bloodiest tragedy. The play opens with Titus, an aging but well-respected Roman general,…
Leave school behind and get to one of these local live music festivals
Summer Breeze Concert SeriesSunday-sept. 19Free The Performing Arts Studio of Norman begins its summer-long music showcase on Sunday. Hosty Duo will kick off the “Summer Breeze” concert series at 7:30 p.m. at Lions Park, 450 S. Flood. The outdoor series runs through Sept. 19 and includes diverse local acts, from Chuck Allen Floyd and Elephant…
Map the Sea emerges from the remnants of two local bands for an expansive sound
From the cavernous depths of an atmospheric void evolved Oklahoma City band Map the Sea. After calling it quits with Chaos to Cosmos, guitarist Tyler Evans proposed a collaboration with members of the then-recently defunct Bryson Running ” bassist Joe Rigazzi, drummer Clay Vaughn and guitarist Alex Fatkin ” with vocalist Joe Hopkins joining soon…
Fatal ‘Strokes’
What in the name of Conrad Bain has cursed the stars and offspring of “Diff’rent Strokes” in Oklahoma? First Dana Plato, known for playing teen Kimberly Drummond on the popular NBC sitcom, overdosed on prescription drugs May 8, 1999, in Moore (of all places) in an RV parked outside the home of her fiancé’s mother.…
Jobs may be scarce for everyone, but teens face a bigger hurdle finding employment
Help wanted. Those two words are music to the ears of anyone in search of a job. With the much-discussed recession of 2009, that proverbial sign may be in the window, but sometimes there are dozens of applicants for every position available. Forget the mid-level professional and the newly minted college graduate for a moment.…
Gimme storm shelter
The recent tornadoes that killed two people, injured many more and destroyed or damaged dozens of homes, and businesses should encourage Oklahoma leaders to come up with renewed comprehensive safety plans to protect the state’s residents and visitors. This plan might include requiring mobile home parks and apartments to have at least evacuation plans if…
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
When people are truly dehydrated, the impulse that tells them they’re thirsty shuts down. That’s why they may not know they’re suffering from a lack of water. In a metaphorically similar way, Pisces, you have been deprived so long of a certain kind of emotional sustenance that you don’t realize what you’re missing. See if…
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Why would you choose this bright, sunny moment to descend into the dark places and explore the fermenting mysteries? What renegade impulse would move you to turn away from the predictable pleasures and easy solutions, and instead go off in quest of more complex joys and wilder answers? Here’s what I have to say about…
American dance pioneer Anna Halprin’s often-controversial career subject of ‘Breath Made Visible’
Art, in its purest form, isn’t about money or fans or Facebook liking or even about making sense to anyone in particular. It’s about the artist doing whatever he or she feels like to move an inner vision of reality into the outside world. Some people paint, some people write, some people sew, and some…
The next Bieber?
First off, we have to offer major kudos to Edmond sixth grader Greyson Chance. We’re pretty sure you’ve seen the YouTube video of him singing and playing the piano to Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi,” or maybe you even saw him on “Ellen” last Thursday. Seriously, the kid is talented. But why did CBS News, when talking…
The ‘Gray ‘ village
It takes a village to raise a child. A hallmark of civilization is how societies have struggled to solve the evolutionary dilemma of mother’s baby being daddy’s maybe. The biological fact of it is universal while the greatly varied attempts to answer it are an aspect of culture. Social problems are subjective. What is a…
Parkour hits the ground running in Oklahoma
The stealthy moves of Jackie Chan left a mark on Chris Stevenson. The Oklahoma City resident, taken by the kung fu guru’s cinematic skills, soon became a Chan aficionado and martial-arts master. It was through his love for the art that he came across parkour, a sport with similar stylings, but very different results. It…
Local artist celebrates dusk with his paintings
“Waiting for the Moon”Governor’s Gallery, state Capitol 2101 N. Lincoln8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, until June 6arts.ok.gov. Oklahoma sunsets are known for their beauty and are just the thing that captivates one local artist. Painter Dean Wyatt’s “Waiting for the Moon” exhibit is on display at the Governor’s Gallery at the state…
Oklahoma City and Choctaw Nation both want water rights to local lake
The future of Oklahoma City may be on the line. All because of a little body of water about 175 miles away. At stake is the right of Oklahoma City to gain access to water from Sardis Lake, located in the southeast part of the state in Pushmataha and Latimer counties. “We’ve worked on this…
Brooklyn singer/songwriter Natalia Zukerman’s ‘Brand New Frame’ is her latest and greatest to date
Natalia Zukerman with Chris O’Brian, Buffalofitz and Kate Robinson8 p.m. Thursdaythe Blue Door2805 N. McKinleywww.bluedoorokc.com524-0738$15 Like a network sitcom, the world of singer/songwriters trends toward the predictable. In that context, Natalia Zukerman belongs on HBO. Her strumming is particularly percussive, recalling Ani DiFranco, and she samples a variety of styles, surveying smoldering blues, ambling folk,…
Warr Acres to use fun fair as a safety education tool
Warr Acres Safety Fair10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday3800 N. Macarthur www.cityofwarracres.com The Warr Acres community is out to prove that learning about safety can be fun. Saturday’s inaugural Warr Acres Safety Fair brings together the city’s police and fire departments along with Oklahoma Highway Patrol and EMSA members to give kids a fun and…
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
The mind loves order, the heart loves chaos, and the gut loves action, says my astrological colleague Antero Alli. The ideal situation is to honor each of these needs, keeping them in a dynamic balance. But now and then, it’s healthy to emphasize one over the other two. According to my astrological analysis, you’re entering…
Ghostlight tries on a heartfelt, postmodern musical and finds a great fit with ‘[title of show]’
[title of show]8 p.m. Friday-Saturday through June 12Ghostlight Theatre Club3110 N. Walkerwww.ghostlightokc.com286-9412$15 adults, $10 students and seniors In what is unquestionably one of the best productions in 2010 so far, Ghostlight Theatre Club took a huge risk and wins big with a hilarious, heartfelt production of the brilliant, Tony-nominated “[title of show].” “A musical about…
PR BS
Lots of press releases related to the Sooner State cross our desk. This week, these titles least screamed “Stop the presses!” “”Oklahoma Horses May Have Stomach Ulcers, Attend This Educational Event”””Farmers Insurance Deploys RightSignature for Electronic Signatures, Expanding eZsign to 16 States and Its Entire Claims Processes”””New Data Demonstrate Safety, Efficacy of Stereotaxis for Patients…
Actress, singer and vocal teacher Renee Anderson returns to Lyric Plaza for cabaret charity concert
Renee Anderson8 p.m. Friday-SaturdayLyric Plaza Theatre1727 N.W. 16thwww.lyrictheatreokc.com524-9312$25 After a successful sold-out debut last year, Oklahoma City-based actress and singer Renee Anderson will premiere her second one-woman show, “Alive,” this weekend at the Lyric Plaza Theatre. An Oklahoma City University graduate with a master’s in musical theater, she grew up in Edmond and has been…
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
You don’t have to answer to anybody this week, Taurus. You don’t have to defend yourself, explain yourself, or compromise yourself. I mean, you can do those things if you want to be super extra nice, but there won’t be any hell to pay if you don’t. It’s one of those rare times when you…
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
All 26 of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ stories about Tarzan are set in Africa, but he never once visited that continent. And Bram Stoker didn’t feel the need to travel to the Transylvanian region of Romania in order to write about it in his novel Dracula. But I don’t recommend this approach to you in the…
I do not like that, Sam-I-am
Arguably, nothing good came out of the May 10 tornadoes that devastated parts of Oklahoma … except maybe for giving a national weatherman the opportunity to make himself look like a fool. “Good Morning America”‘s resident map-pointer Sam Champion (is that a real name?) was with his own ABC crew at the Interstate 40 and…
Evaluate honestly
Regarding Sherry Fair’s article (News, “Teacher incentive,” April 12, 2010, Gazette): There is one major, greatly overlooked reason why teachers’ pay should not be tied to what is cleverly, and misleadingly, referred to as “student achievement.” If such an evaluative tool is to be used, it should be used honestly. If student achievement, or educational…
Citizen Carolyn, my hero
When I walked into Carolyn Hill’s office in March of 1995, little did I know that my life and the cultural life of our city was about to change. We hit it off immediately. Both of us were native Oklahomans who’d recently moved back. We recognized in each other a passion for the arts and…
Country singer Pat Green enjoys the ascent, even without touching the top
Pat Green with Kevin Fowler and Mark McKinney6 p.m. SaturdayFrontier City11501 n.e. Expresswaywww.frontiercity.com478-2140Free with park admission, $19.99-$36.99 Everybody has their limits, and for Pat Green, it seems like the ceiling is set at second place.A perennial bridesmaid, he’s been poised on the brink of stardom for ages. He’s toured with Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews,…
GEMINI (May 21-June 20)
When Paul McCartney first got the inspiration to write the song “Yesterday,” he had the melody and rhythm but couldn’t get a feel for what the lyrics should be. For a while, as he was waiting for the missing words to pop into his brain, he used nonsense stand-in phrases. The dummy version of the…
Letters to Juliet’ is pretty … and pretty superficial
“Letters to Juliet” opens with shots of kisses taken from classical paintings and vintage photos, a montage proudly proclaiming its chick-flick romantic-comedy bona fides. It also serves notice not to expect much in the way of sophistication, invention or emotional depth. That’s not necessarily a criticism. Romcoms aren’t exactly renowned for edginess, and “Letters to…
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
All of us have gaps in our education. You and I and everyone else alive have dank pockets of ignorance that diminish our humanity and musty pits of naivete that prevent us from seeing truths that are obvious to others. We all lack certain skills that hold us back from being more fulfilled in our…
Oklahoma City among 75 cities hosting a walk to support the National Alliance for Mental Illness
National Alliance on Mental Illness’ seventh annual 5K walk 8 a.m. Saturday Stars and Stripes Park, near N. Portland Avenue and S. Lake Hefner DriveRegister by calling 230-1900free An Oklahoma group for mental health awareness is trying to change the world one step at time. The National Alliance on Mental Illness will host its seventh…
The World Organization of China Painters Museum displays painted porcelain from around the world
I’ve never been the most graceful guy in world. In fact, I’m a bit of a klutz. So I was naturally a bit hesitant to explore the rows of fragile fancies lining the shelves at the World Organization of China Painters Museum, 2641 N.W. 10th. Founded in 1967 with a mission to preserve the art…
Surrounded by New Mexico mountains, Taos blends art, history and nature for a great trip
New Mexico calls itself the Land of Enchantment. Driving due west through the endless, scrubby flatlands of western Oklahoma and the Texas Panhandle, the name seems apt. Crossing into New Mexico, the mesas gradually gain elevation, winding ever closer to the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, a southern branch of the Rockies. Around townEat and sleepThe…
Let the Gazette tell you where you should be planning to go during the sunny months
How does an all-inclusive family vacation that doesn’t include mouse ears and character parades sound? While many parents with small children may stay home and skip a summer vacation altogether, the Azul resorts in Mexico cater to families with children of all ages. Couples vacaysGirls’ getaway Bonnie Hedges, the vice president of sales and marketing…
A popular natural springs park still attracts big crowds after 100 years
It’s always been about the water. At the turn of the century, settlers sought out the healing powers of the natural mineral springs and shaded travertine formations in the wooded areas south of Oklahoma City. Flowing pure from the ground near Sulphur and Davis, the springs were rumored to cure ailments.A long historyThat’s wild More…
Dark ‘shroom
In response to the May 5, 2010, article about mushrooms (Greg Horton,”‘Shroom with a view, Oklahoma Gazette), I wish to take this opportunity to alert anyone who might be considering using mushrooms, whether for spiritual, recreational or any other reason: Please beware! My 22-year-old son used mushrooms one time, on Friday, March 13, 1981, with…
