Edmond family to be featured on TV’s ‘Hoarders’
An Edmond family will be featured on the third-season premiere of A&E’s “Hoarders” on Monday. Three million Americans, including many Oklahomans, struggle with a form of obsessive-compulsive disorder known as “hoarding,” which is marked by a need to acquire and keep things, even if the items are worthless, hazardous or unsanitary. A Moore family was…
Stripped Naked
FFFFFF&f=ifr”> I love the cover for “Stripped Naked.” It suggests a campy crime caper with the same sex appeal as the underdog “Bitch Slap.” Operative word: “suggests.” Instead, “Stripped Naked” is one of the worst movies I’ve seen all year. Although lead Sarah Allen has something, whatever it is is wasted in this straight-to-vid indie…
Amnesty International chapter to host prenatal care forum
Although the United States spends more on health care than any other nation, a pregnant woman in this country is more likely to die of pregnancy related complications than a woman in 40 others. In Oklahoma, one in five women receives delayed or no prenatal care. As a result, the state ranks 39th nationally in…
State honors city’s creative manager for innovative communication
Zach Nash, creative manager for the City of Oklahoma City, received the 2010 Ben Frizzell Memorial Award from The Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management on Aug. 31 for his innovative emergency communication strategies. Since he was named to the post three years ago, Nash has communicated disaster information to the public in groundbreaking ways. In…
The Unwritten: Inside Man
Mike Carey and Peter Gross continue to push the boundaries of what graphic storytelling can do, in “The Unwritten: Inside Man,” the second trade-paperback collection of their rightly acclaimed Vertigo comic series. When we last left Tom Taylor “? the real-life inspiration for his father’s “Harry Potter”-esque series of fantasy novels “? he was thrown…
Fogtown
Of all the Vertigo Crime books, Andersen Gabrych and Brad Rader’s “Fogtown” features a protagonist who most resembles an old-school pulp clich
‘Efficient, cost-effective process’ needed for new convention center
Regarding Scott Cooper’s “What the heck is going on with the new convention center?” cover story (Aug. 25, Oklahoma Gazette): I’d like to offer my own personal guess regarding an Oklahoma City convention center, having lived through Urban Renewal, the Pei Plan, the Pelli Plan, various configurations of the perpetually underutilized Myriad Convention Center, the…
Hubble 3D
editing, the mission actually comes off as very orderly and routine. The high point of the drama comes when astronaut Michael J. Massimino has to remove more than 30 screws from a control panel. Not to say it looks easy, but it’s a job saturated with tedium rather than high stakes, and even the astronauts…
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
In an old Star Trek episode, a 24th-century starship captain is weighed down by a knotty problem about how to deal with two of her enemies who are at war with each other. Unable to come up with a viable solution, she retreats to the holodeck, where virtual reality technology can create a convincingly real…
This boulevard is on a diet
contend getting a finalized plan all can agree on should not be too difficult. Like merging onto the interstate: Just go with the flow. Stretching out How important is the new boulevard to OKC’s future? See if this is hard to interpret: “The new Boulevard would join some of the most memorable streets in the…
CFN Quote of the Week
“The EEOC had alleged that the manager of Pizza Pub had subjected an 18-year old female worker to physical touching and verbal comments of a sexual nature, including telling her that he wanted to lick frosting off her body.” “from an Aug. 18 U.S Equal Employment Opportunity Commission press release, titled “Buffalo, OK Pizzeria Settles…
The Mynabirds make up for breakup as Laura Burhenn’s baroque-gospel call soars high above ‘Fire,’ ‘Flood’
The Mynabirds with The Shining Lights and Hotel Love 9 p.m. Thursday the Conservatory 8911 N. Western 607-4805 www.conservatoryokc.com $7 The Mynabirds debut, “What We Lose in the Fire We Gain in the Flood,” is a stately, soulful slab, moving with a grace of swelling strings and moody keyboards fueled by singer Laura Burhenn’s smoky…
Prop 8 and Oklahoma
In a 2004 landslide vote, Oklahomans amended the state’s constitution to deny marriage equality to gay people. The so-called “defense of marriage amendment” made it illegal for anyone to issue a marriage license to a same-gender couple here and made it clear the state would not recognize same-gender marriages performed in states that do allow…
Instrumental five-piece Balmorhea escapes Earth’s blue skies and reaches for classically inspired ‘Constellations’
Balmorhea with The Non, Dignan and Farewell Flight 7 p.m. Friday Opolis 113 N. Crawford, norman 447-3417 www.opolis.org $10, $12 under 21 Space is a cold, empty place, and Balmorhea’s latest, February’s “Constellations,” is similarly sparse. The Austin, Texas-born quintet formed in 2006, released four full-length albums in as many years, and has accrued a…
PR BS
Lots of press releases related to the Sooner State cross our desk. This week, these titles least screamed “Stop the presses!” “”CoaLogix’ SCR-Tech Signs Five-Year Contract Establishing Provisions for Regeneration of American Electric Power (AEP)’s SCR Catalyst” “”National ResidentialAuctioneers to Hold Real Estate Auction for Bank Owned Properties in Owasso and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma” “”PennWell…
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Seth Grahame-Smith rewrote Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice. He kept 85 percent of her material, but also added a big dose of “ultraviolent zombie mayhem,” creating a new story, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. In his version, Austen’s tale is expanded and altered by the previously unrevealed activities of zombies. I urge you…
Questioning Sally Kern’s viewpoint
In regard to the latest Sally Kern exposé (News, Greg Horton, “Millionaire waltz,” Gazette), it’s too bad Kern has no gay or lesbian family member who will come out and explain to her the facts of gay/lesbian life. We want to live a life protected by the same laws that protect straight people. I and…
Trailblazer Kathryn Polk comes to OU for lectures, exhibit of lithographs
Kathryn Polk 3 p.m. Tuesday Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art 555 Elm Avenue, Norman 325-3272 – exhibit on display through Sept. 10 Lightwell Gallery in OU’s Fred Jones Art Center 520 Parrington Oval 325-2691 The University of Oklahoma is highlighting a collection of lithographs and sketches by Kathryn Polk, an Arizona-based artist whose work…
With marching orders from the Oklahoma City Council, the MAPS 3 board turns its attention to the senior wellness centers
The MAPS 3 Citizens Advisory Board wanted to send a message to the Oklahoma City Council: We hear you loud and clear. At the council’s Aug. 17 meeting, several councilors were upset that the advisory board had focused too much attention on the new convention center to be built from MAPS 3 funds, and hardly…
The MAPS 3 trails addition doesn’t quite add up
Many Oklahoma City residents who voted for the $777 million in MAPS 3 projects apparently thought the newest MAPS would complete the 1997 Oklahoma City Trails Master Plan. Not quite. MAPS 3 designates $40 million for 57 miles of trails and will bring the city’s trail total up to about 140 miles, connecting most of…
Local live music pillar Scott Keeton sounds off on the blues, Bo Diddley and ‘suck-ass’ six-strings
Scott Keeton 9 p.m. Saturday Oklahoma City Limits 4801 S. Eastern www.oclimits.com 619-3939 Oklahoma Gazette: What was the first blues record that hooked you? Scott Keeton: There are way too many to list but “The Best of Muddy Waters” and The Fabulous Thunderbirds’ first record were huge. OKG: What about the most recent blues album?…
Light rail proponents met recently with Texas rail reps to talk about commuter rail’s next step in Oklahoma
Don’t be afraid of the price tag. That’s what commuter and light rail proponents in Oklahoma City are urging citizens and stakeholders to do as discussion continues on commuter rail possibilities. Last month, Rep. Charlie Joyner, R-Midwest City, and other proponents, discussed commuter rail service in the state with representatives from the Dallas Area Rapid…
In your Face
You talk, we listen! Here’s what readers said on some of last week’s Oklahoma Gazette stories, via unedited comments left on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/okgazette: On Oklahoma City University’s announcement of Islam Day scheduled for Thursday: “”I love to see Tolerance….this is HUGE for a state like Oklahoma!” “Jeanie Willis On the “Let’s Talk…
Oklahoma City artist Denise Duong makes mixed media pieces of love, life, adventure
de-li’cious: highly pleasing, sweet, palatable East Gallery of the state Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln On display through Oct. 10 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday 521-2931 free Oklahoma City artist Denise Duong’s latest exhibit, “de-li’cious: highly pleasing, sweet, palatable,” is not focused on food that pleases the palate, but…
Green Corn Revival’ Say You’re a Sinner
Green Corn Revival isn’t the kind of country music you expect to come from Western Oklahoma. The band recorded a three-song EP shortly after forming in 2009, and the seven musicians have come quite a way in only a year. The Weatherford act’s full-length debut, “Say You’re a Sinner,” drops Sept. 24 and is an…
Metro students and professionals joined a local resident to give back to his native country through Smile Colombia Foundation
When Edwin Amaya first came to Oklahoma in 1997, he didn’t speak any English. He had just graduated from high school in his native Bogotá, Colombia, and was traveling with a friend. “My best friend’s uncle was doing a master’s in petroleum engineering at (the University of Oklahoma), and we wanted to take a little…
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
Everyone alive should see the musical comedy “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” At the very least, we should all meditate regularly on the play’s title, using it as a self-mocking mantra that dissuades us from committing the folly it describes. How better to serve the health of our relationships than by withdrawing the…
New report suggests that two moms may make the difference when it comes to well-adjusted kids
A report published in the journal Pediatrics in July indicates the children of lesbian parents score higher than their peers in straight families on psychological markers related to self-esteem and confidence. The study also shows that these children fare better academically and are less prone to rule-breaking and aggressive behaviors. The report was the result…
Text to the top
Here is another one of those national studies that ranks Oklahoma near the top. The question is, does this one mark the Sooner State with a badge or black eye? According to Nielsen, which is more commonly known for ratings of television shows, Oklahoma ranks high when it comes to texting. OMG! Did you think…
Metro kids rock out, learn lessons in self-confidence in Edmond’s ‘Guitar for Cool Kids’ program
Students are learning to rock out and jam to the sound of their own instruments, boasting names like Blonde Willie and Ruby and the Gems, sometimes while wearing full-on rock-star garb and, other times, not so much. As cinematic as it may sound, this is not a scene from Jack Black’s 2003 film “School of…
Pastor and seminary student Adam Shahan didn’t realize he had a book in him, but the result is sci-fi’s ‘Fall of the Four’
When Adam Shahan let friends and family read his first attempt at a novel, he told them, “Don’t just tell me it was great because you know me.” Instead, he wanted their honest feedback. He got it. And it included such rave reviews as “Shorten up your sentences,” “You’re too wordy,” “I’m getting lost” and…
CFN Bonus Quote of the Week
“‘WHAT HE HECK is going on with the new convention center?’ is the question is: we don’t know yet ” is the answer. We didn’t know last year, we don’t know yet this year yet, either. This is still the planning process. Funding is up over the estimates (which everyone on here blasted would never…
CFN Tweet of the Week
“Well, last minute packing this morning! I’ve had so mich fun in OKC and wld come back in a second 2 film again! But now its time 2 move on.” “actress Milla Jovovich, posted at 8:33 a.m. on Aug. 14 on her Twitter page
Norman’s Little River Zoo is home to nearly 400 animals
You can pet a porcupine, feed a kangaroo and get friendly with a 17-foot albino Burmese python at Norman’s Little River Zoo, 3405 S.E. 120th. Just south of busy Highway 9, the zoo sits amid 50 heavily wooded acres in the cross timber forest, which the zoo claims is one of the last remaining ancient…
The wrath of grapes
Regarding Jason’s Reese’s “A grape idea” (Commentary, Aug. 25, Gazette): Much like John Steinbeck’s tale of Depression-era Oklahoma, allowing wine to be sold in grocery stores would inevitably lead to a similar exodus of much-needed resources. The fact is that Oklahoma has laws that are very favorable to not only wholesalers and retailers but also…
Ain’t Oklahoma grand?’
Regarding “Organizing controversy” (News, Greg Horton, Aug. 18, Gazette), in which critics claim a local religious coalition is a “socialistic” organization: When referencing Saul Alinsky’s groundbreaking work in community organizing, it might interest your readers to know that his work is the principal guiding document used by such socialist groups as, for instance, the leadership…
MAPS 3.1
How would you spend $25 million to improve Oklahoma City’s quality of life? I have been asking that for more than a month, and I’ve been impressed with the diversity of ideas and thoughtful suggestions proposed by citizens willing spend a little time and imagination to dream up ways to enhance OKC. Usually,…
Support Muslim moderates in U.S.
After reading the impassioned “A call for nonviolent disobedience” (Letters, Aug. 25, Gazette) by state Rep. Paul Wesselhöft, R-Moore, I want to send a statement from the Interfaith Alliance of Oklahoma Foundation concerning the New York events that have led to national furor. Since 9/11, many Americans have stereotyped and treated Muslims with suspicion, fear…
Should voters show ID at the polls, or is SQ 746 a needless measure that burdens the elderly, minorities and the poor?
Those in favor liken it to a guard in a bank lobby, while those seeking to block it assert that it would be costly and would place an undue burden on the elderly, minorities and the poor. Polling conducted for a week in July found that 83 percent of Oklahomans polled are in favor of…
Get Low
In “Get Low,” everyone has a story about Felix Bush (Robert Duvall, “Crazy Heart”). He’s a hermit and a mean ol’ man, and even young kids can’t resist throwing rocks through the windows of his house. Bush has been stashed away in his forested compound for years, so when he decides one day to hitch…
Sportscaster Bob Barry Sr. to retire from OU play-by-play after 50 years
Bob Barry Sr., radio play-by-play voice of the Oklahoma Sooners, announced Aug. 31 that his 50th year announcing Division I sports will be his last. The 79-year-old Barry plans to retire after these current football and men’s basketball seasons. “It’s time,” he said. “I had been thinking about it for a couple years and kind…
Ludo’ Prepare the Preparations
No preparations are necessary to enjoy pop-rock act Ludo’s second major-label release, the whimsically titled “Prepare The Preparations,” which drops Sept. 7. The name only hints at the surprises in store on an album that fully pays off on the promise showed in the band’s spectacular 2005 sci-fi rock opera, “Broken Bride.” The St. Louis…
Thriller: The Complete Series
Considered one of television’s few Holy Grails of horror series, the Boris Karloff-hosted anthology show “Thriller,” airing from 1960 to 1962, is now available on one massive, 14-DVD set containing all 67 episodes and more than 50 hours of bonus features. In other words, save your pennies. Only a sample disc was made available for…
Mad Ron’s Prevues From Hell
One thing I thought I’d never see on DVD: 1987’s “Mad Ron’s Prevues From Hell,” a no-frills compilation of horror trailers, which could be found on the shelves of every oddball local video store, back in the days of … well, video stores. (Trust me, kids, it was a glorious time.) You’ve never heard of…
Held Hostage
As I feared, “Held Hostage” has “made-for-Lifetime movie” written all over it “? and somewhat literally in the first scene, with cheap, superimposed credits that are the telltale sign. “Dexter” wife Julie Benz portrays Michelle Estey, former stripper and current single mom whose happy days as a bank executive “? meeting with mortgage clients, awarding…
