Ben Gordon a beast in Brampton

By Rich Lohman, Tulsa Today

Oilers forward Ben Gordon

BRAMPTON, ONTARIO CANADA – Tulsa Oilers forward Ben Gordon’s Twitter “handle” is Flash, and the 28-year-old native of International Falls, Minnesota lived up to that nickname as he scored a natural hat trick Thursday night as he and his teammates defeated the Brampton Beast 6-4.

After the Beast took an early lead with a goal by Andrew Fournier 7 minutes into the first period, Gordon exploded for three goals in the span of three minutes, assisted by line mates Ryan Menei and Kyle Bochek. His first came when he chipped a pass from Ryan Menei over the shoulder of Kristofer Westbloom for his first tally of the night at 9:59 to even the score at 1-1.
Continue reading →

Brenda Reneau’s Legacy

By Steve Fair

Brenda Reneau

Last week, former Oklahoma Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau passed away. Her funeral is scheduled in her home town, Fort Gibson, Friday (Dec. 13).

Brenda served as Labor Commissioner from 1995-2007. I met Reneau in early 1994 when she started campaigning for office. We immediately hit it off.
Continue reading →

Cynthia Simmons celebrates jingle bell jazz

As the co-producer and star, with fellow vocalist Pam Van Dyke Crosby, of last month’s Tribute to Cole Porter concert, Cynthia Simmons was looking forward to presenting a few Porter songs to the Jazz Depot crowd. But then, things happened.

“I twisted my ankle the week before the show,” she explains, “and then the day before, when we were getting ready to rehearse, I got ill on top of that. So I had to say, `I need to stay home, Pam. I’m sorry.’”

There were several Simmons fans in the audience who were sorry, too. But if they come out to Cynthia Simmons Presents Jingle Bell Jazz Sunday, they’ll hear her do at least a couple of the tunes she had all ready for the Porter show, including “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” and “Miss Otis Regrets.”
Continue reading →

Outside Four Walls: A Case for Religious Liberty

By Attorney General Scott Pruitt

Attorney General Scott Pruitt

One of the many things I treasure about this country is our right to debate, discuss and discern what the founders of this great nation meant by “inalienable rights.” As we approach Christmas, stories of city officials stripping religion from holiday displays or schools axing “Silent Night” from elementary programs have once again spiked. The Founding Fathers did not intend our laws and Constitution to restrict, prevent or condemn our right to exercise our faith. They sought to protect it.
Continue reading →

Tulsa edges Arizona

By Rich Lohman, Tulsa Today

For only the second time this season the Tulsa Oilers swept a series of game over a weekend when they defeated the Arizona Sundogs 4-3 in the BOK Center on Sunday afternoon. It was the second straight win against the Sundogs and with a 4-1 win last night over Wichita the Oilers have won three-in-a-row.
Continue reading →