Features;News

Founded in 1940, the Oklahoma State Prison Rodeo is the only one of its kind in the world. Annually, it gives more than 13,000 spectators a peek behind prison walls and a chance to see convict cowboys battle bulls, and each other, for the top prize, according to Helen Wheeler, executive director of the McAlester […]

With almost 50 vineyards and wineries across the state, you can turn a few glasses of your favorite Merlot into a wine-soaked weekend of full-bellied fun. While out-of-state wine snobs may pooh-pooh Oklahoma’s fledgling wine industry, Don Neal, co-owner of StableRidge Vineyards in Stroud, said this still-tiny business was once more full-bodied (with a rich […]

After watching the senior citizens of the Oklahoma City Swing Club dip, kick and glide across the floor, one may think they’ve discovered the fountain of youth. They certainly think they have. “Dancing makes me happy,” said 91-year-old Garnet Harris. “It keeps me from getting old. I’m old in age, but I don’t feel it.” […]

A daring, larger-than-life stage presence and an unfaltering obedience to style are part of what has made the drag scene a long-running tradition in cities across the country, even here in the buckle of the Bible Belt. “You can put a dress on, do up your hair and think you’re grand, but when you are […]

The Oklahoma Centennial Book Festival and Conference, an official centennial event, will be held Saturday at the Meinders School of Business on the Oklahoma City University campus, 2501 N. Blackwelder. “Promoting literacy, reading and the creative art of writing is extremely important to me and Oklahoma,” said Ann Lacy, festival chairperson, in a press release. […]

On Wednesday, the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library celebrates the 30th anniversary of one of the most successful and influential films ever made: “Star Wars.” Refreshments will be served prior to the 5 p.m. screening in the library’s auditorium. Attendees are welcome to show up dressed as their favorite character, as members of the Oklahoma […]

For his new novel, “Skin,” Christian author Ted Dekker has dropped the evangelical angle on which he has built his entire writing career.   Yet Dekker insists he hasn’t turned his back on God or his fans. The serial-killer suspenser is “kind of like ‘The Matrix’: Depending on who are, you take away something very […]

The Press Club of Dallas and the Press Club of Dallas Foundation filed a civil fraud lawsuit on Monday against former Press Club President Elizabeth Albanese over the judging of the 2005 and 2006 Katie Awards, which honor journalism and communications excellence.   Recent published reports have found Albanese may have rigged the contest by […]

This week in 1935, the Oklahoma City Council approved the installation of the world’s first parking meter.   Invented by lawyer and newspaper editor Carl C. Magee, the parking meter was met with as much disdain more than 70 years ago as it is today.   “It was controversial,” said Michael Dean, public relations director […]

The sixth annual Free Comic Book Day will be held nationwide Saturday.   Visitors to participating area stores can choose from 43 titles specially published for FCBD, featuring such characters as: ” Spider-Man, ” Justice League of America, ” Transformers, ” Mickey Mouse, ” The Simpsons, ” Archie and more.   “A whole bunch of […]