Guitar Center announced it collected more than 52,000 cans of food donated by musicians as part of a four-week nationwide food drive. The Tulsa store collected 583 cans as part of the drive.
All the cans – 52,981 – were donated to local food banks across the country where Guitar Center has stores.
“When Guitar Center initially launched the nationwide food drive, we only had plans of collecting for two weeks,” said Gene Joly, Executive Vice President of Guitar Center Stores. “However, we quickly realized that due to overwhelming support from local communities, as well as each Guitar Center location, we needed to extend our efforts through the entire month of November. Guitar Center would like to thank everyone who made this project such a success–our generous customers and sales associates really rose to the occasion this holiday season.”
Guitar Center supported the local communities’ efforts with a multi-tiered marketing campaign–including presence in the Guitar Center buyer’s guide with a circulation of over one million. Guitar Center also conducted targeted in-store promotion with signage and in-store audio, a full online promotional push, as well as a public relations initiative, launched to drive additional awareness and participation.
Everybody’s Fine
United States, 2009
Directed By: Kirk Jones
Written By: Kirk Jones
Starring: Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell
Running Time: 99 min.
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language.
3 out of 5 stars
It’s Christmas time, and that means the public is 67% more likely to go to a movie if it has a Christmas tree on the poster. Okay, I just made that fact up, but it sounds plausible, right? And I guess the promoters behind Everybody’s Fine thought so, hence the Christmas tree on the poster. So, just in case it really is that important to you to see a Christmas movie, I guess I should warn you that Everybody’s Fine is not, in fact, a Christmas movie. Actually, it’s a loose remake of the 1990 Italian movie of the same title, and just like it, it’s set in the summertime.
Not that would have been any different if it had been set at Christmas, mind you. It’s a pretty simple family drama, and it even manages to streamline the original and ignore most of its subtleties. It begins when recent widower Frank Goode (Robert De Niro) decides to get his four children together for the last week of summer, and then watches them cancel, one by one. Ever the optimist (and despite a fairly serious medical condition), he decides to hit the road to surprise them all at home.
Of course there wouldn’t be much of a movie if they weren’t all weaving a complex web of lies, so the rest of the movie is about Frank untangling them all. And it’s actually pretty good — really — but I still can’t think of a real reason to recommend it. The operatic aspirations of the original have been replaced by the relatively facile conflict between Frank’s blue-collar background and his kids’ artistic aspirations; there are some pretty good visual metaphors at play — until the movie beats you over the head with them.
Robert De Niro puts in arguably one of his best performances in quite a while, and Drew Barrymore (playing one of his daughters) is as engaging as always, but Kate Beckinsale (playing his other daughter) remains as bland as she’s ever been.
That Christmas tree on the poster finally does make a cameo in the final scene (you were getting worried, weren’t you?), but in the end, Everybody’s Fine is nothing more than the latest bland remake of a much-better foreign film to come out of Miramax. You could do a lot worse, but you could probably do bette.
About the author: Luke Harrington is a resident of Tulsa, editor for MovieZeal.com, staff writer for The Christian Manifesto, and freelance entertainment critic. He holds a degree in film studies from the University of Nebraska. Contact him at luke.t.harrington@gmail.com.
Everybody’s Fine
United States, 2009
Directed By: Kirk Jones
Written By: Kirk Jones
Starring: Robert De Niro, Drew Barrymore, Kate Beckinsale, Sam Rockwell
Running Time: 99 min.
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements and brief strong language.
3 out of 5 stars
It’s Christmas time, and that means the public is 67% more likely to go to a movie if it has a Christmas tree on the poster. Okay, I just made that fact up, but it sounds plausible, right? And I guess the promoters behind Everybody’s Fine thought so, hence the Christmas tree on the poster. So, just in case it really is that important to you to see a Christmas movie, I guess I should warn you that Everybody’s Fine is not, in fact, a Christmas movie. Actually, it’s a loose remake of the 1990 Italian movie of the same title, and just like it, it’s set in the summertime.
Not that would have been any different if it had been set at Christmas, mind you. It’s a pretty simple family drama, and it even manages to streamline the original and ignore most of its subtleties. It begins when recent widower Frank Goode (Robert De Niro) decides to get his four children together for the last week of summer, and then watches them cancel, one by one. Ever the optimist (and despite a fairly serious medical condition), he decides to hit the road to surprise them all at home.
Of course there wouldn’t be much of a movie if they weren’t all weaving a complex web of lies, so the rest of the movie is about Frank untangling them all. And it’s actually pretty good — really — but I still can’t think of a real reason to recommend it. The operatic aspirations of the original have been replaced by the relatively facile conflict between Frank’s blue-collar background and his kids’ artistic aspirations; there are some pretty good visual metaphors at play — until the movie beats you over the head with them.
Robert De Niro puts in arguably one of his best performances in quite a while, and Drew Barrymore (playing one of his daughters) is as engaging as always, but Kate Beckinsale (playing his other daughter) remains as bland as she’s ever been.
That Christmas tree on the poster finally does make a cameo in the final scene (you were getting worried, weren’t you?), but in the end, Everybody’s Fine is nothing more than the latest bland remake of a much-better foreign film to come out of Miramax. You could do a lot worse, but you could probably do bette.
About the author: Luke Harrington is a resident of Tulsa, editor for MovieZeal.com, staff writer for The Christian Manifesto, and freelance entertainment critic. He holds a degree in film studies from the University of Nebraska. Contact him at luke.t.harrington@gmail.com.
Regular readers know Tulsa Today is the only substantive critic of the
daily newspaper active in Tulsa journalism (since 1996). We have often
taken them to task when we disagree, but have complemented them when –
on that rare occasion – we find their positions valid.
Sunday November 29, the daily provided an editorial column by Associate Editor Mike Jones on downtown growth under the headline, “Coming along.” Kudos to Jones who wrote a good piece as far as it went.
The marquee projects complete and underway in downtown are stunning. First of those, the new BOK Center, has proven beyond doubt that regional residents will support quality live music in Tulsa. The national acts are successful with high complements on attendance and the operational aspects of the venue. Crowds at the smaller halls like Cain’s Ballroom and the several Tribal Casinos are growing – Tulsa loves good entertainment.
As Governor Brad Henry has changed the dynamic of Oklahoma life from the buckle of the Bible belt to that of a gambling Mecca; the challenge now is to develop historic attractions and general family entertainment opportunities – assuming we are smart enough to follow market leader Las Vegas. The State, various Tribes and private tourism entrepreneurs must get busy in developing ways to lengthen visitor stays and solicit visitors worldwide. There is real history to Oklahoma that we have been bizarrely shy (apparently since “Grapes of Wrath” was published) about promoting. The Tribes cannot maintain casino revenue solely off the backs of local gambling fans.
The City of Tulsa’s new ballpark “ONEOK Field” is taking shape and should be fun despite questions on the financing that could and maybe should end up in court. Our Tulsa Drillers team draws the best attendance in Double-A ball and many believe the new park will be highly successful. Like Jones, I will attend the games and I look forward to the 2010 opening.
Jones praises the Mayo Hotel’s rebirth. The new restaurant, Trula, is open to good report. The Mayo also offers residential housing and we are looking forward to additional neighbors.
Three other residential projects downtown are funded in part from Vision 2025. The other two are struggling because of the current capital crunch, but rather than help those projects avoid failure or delay Mayor Taylor funded another new residential project across from the ballpark this week. That may not have been the best course of action, but it is good to be queen some suspect the mayor mutters departing after a single term.
Tulsa Today is looking forward to the development, “One Place” which is planned for the block between Denver and Cheyenne and Second and Third Streets. However, the daily newspaper has hailed many more announced projects for downtown over the years than have come to pass. It’s not the newspaper’s fault really, any fool with a plan can issue a press release – our excitement awaits the beginning of construction.
Elliot Nelson continues to open new dining establishments – some more successful than others, but each contributing to the growing texture and diversity of a vibrant downtown. There are new sandwich shops it seems opening each week (an exaggeration primarily in amazement). Jones’ column lists many, but there is more to downtown than dining. Retail business is growing.
There are several bicycle shops downtown and a new/old shop coming we can not yet tell you about. Banks and lawyers abound in downtown – generally nice people despite their chosen careers. The Downtown Tag Agency is a successful growing operation. You can get a haircut at Hair On The Square on 5th Street and buy office supplies next door or at Ridgeways, 111 South Detroit. Avis rents great cars at a historic Route 66 location on 6thand Detroit.
There are several copy shops and a long established Edward Jones office at 115 West 3rd operated by Financial Adviser Chuck Graham, AAMS. Graham reports brisk business even in this changing economic environment. Our favorite retailer may be Mary Beth Babcock of Dwelling Spaces for eclectic living, clothing and other fun stuff.
The self-serving part of Jones’ column is the criticism of critics. Yes, downtown Tulsa has critics which are primarily contrarians in addiction to their own ambitions for leadership. (Repeatedly defeated by voters, they whine.) Jones,of course, takes pride in the projects supported by his newspaper, but that paper supports everything utilizing tax dollars and/or other people’s money confident in Liberal superiority.
The question we have is when the daily newspaper will decide to do something beside provide coverage for other good works in downtown. God knows, they are making money publishing,but their ownership seems to prefer spending profits in Texas or on some fancy yacht it takes thirty employees to sail. (Ok, so the family spends millions on their private homes, but we don’t think that counts.)
Jones is correct in noting the crime level downtown is lower than any other section of the city. Parking is more convenient than in any other major city, but yes, spoiled suburbanites may have to walk a few blocks. (Get over it; it’s good for your health.)
Now approaching nine years, I have lived and worked downtown and I love it. I have seen the growth and I help individual developers who ask with detailed history, introductions and suggestions that aid in their success. I confronted drug dealers and panhandlers on the streets in the beginning, but they haven’t been seen on the streets now in years. Jokingly calling the early days “urban assault living” because of some of the challenges and grateful for owning an off-road vehicle during periods of massive street repair, even the bad times downtown were good.
A friend of mine from a nearby neighborhood once rode her bicycle downtown to bring her husband lunch at the Williams Towers. As she dismounted, two missionaries rushed her offering lunch. After introductions and explanation of her mission that day they went on with their efforts to minister elsewhere, but downtown dwellers would like the general public to know that everyone dressed casually or on a bicycle is not necessarily homeless or in need of charity. Sometimes we are just hanging out like you do in your neighborhood.
Consider, as Tulsa approaches 2010, that downtown Tulsa holds more potential for private development success than any other area of the city. As more people live downtown, that success grows. Those individual decisions to live the urban life add heartbeats to the streets and Tulsa’s heart is very much alive.
Regular readers know Tulsa Today is the only substantive critic of the
daily newspaperactive in Tulsa journalism (since 1996). We have often
taken them to task when we disagree, but have complementedthem when –
on that rare occasion – we find their positions valid.
SundayNovember 29, the daily provided an editorial column by Associate Editor MikeJones on downtown growth under the headline, “Coming along.” Kudos to Jones who wrote a good piece as faras it went.
The marqueeprojects complete and underway in downtown are stunning. First of those, the new BOK Center, has proven beyond doubt thatregional residents will support quality live music in Tulsa. The national acts are successful with high complements on attendance andthe operational aspects of the venue. Evencrowds at the smaller halls like Cain’s Ballroom and the several Tribal Casinosare growing.
As GovernorBrad Henry has changed the dynamic of Oklahoma life from the buckle of the Biblebelt to that of a gambling Mecca; the challenge now is to develophistoric attractions and general family entertainment opportunities – assumingwe are smart enough to follow market leader Las Vegas. The State, various Tribes and private tourism entrepreneurs must getbusy in developing ways to lengthen visitor stays and solicit visitors worldwide. There is real history to Oklahoma that we have been bizarrely shy (apparentlysince “Grapes of Wrath” was published) about promoting. The Tribes cannot maintain casino revenuesolely off the backs of local gambling fans.
The City ofTulsa’s new ballpark “ONEOK Field” istaking shape and should be fun despite questions on the financing that could andmaybe should end up in court. Our TulsaDrillers team draws the best attendance in Double-A ball and many believe thenew park will be highly successful. LikeJones, I will attend the games and I look forward to the 2010 opening.
Jonespraises the Mayo Hotel’s rebirth. Thenew restaurant, Trula, is open to good report. The Mayo also offers residential housing and we are looking forward toadditional neighbors.
Three otherresidential projects downtown are funded in part from Vision 2025. The other two are struggling because of the currentcapital crunch, but rather than help those projects avoid failure or delayMayor Taylor funded another new residential project across from the ballparkthis week. That may not have been thebest course of action, but it is good to be queen some suspect the mayor muttersdeparting after a single term.
Tulsa Todayis looking forward to the development, “One Place” which is planned for the blockbetween Denver and Cheyenne and Second and Third Streets. However, the daily newspaper has hailed manymore announced projects for downtown over the years than have come topass. It’s not the newspaper’s faultreally, any fool with a plan can issue a press release – our excitement awaitsthe beginning of construction.
ElliotNelson continues to open new dining establishments – some more successful thanothers, but each contributing to the growing texture and diversity of a vibrantdowntown. There are new sandwich shops itseems opening each week (an exaggeration primarily in amazement). Jones’ column lists many, but there is moreto downtown than dining. Retail businessis growing.
There areseveral bicycle shops downtown and a new/old shop coming we can not yet tellyou about. Banks and lawyers abound indowntown – generally nice people despite their chosen careers. The Downtown Tag Agency is a successfulgrowing operation. You can get your haircut at Hair On The Square on 5th Street and buy office supplies nextdoor or at Ridgeways, 111 South Detroit. Avis rents great cars at a historic Route 66 location at 6thand Detroit.
There areseveral copy shops and a long established Edward Jones office at 115 West 3rdoperated by Financial Advisor Chuck Graham, AAMS. Graham reports brisk business even in thischanging economic environment. Ourfavorite retailer may be Mary Beth Babcock of Dwelling Spaces for eclecticliving, clothing and other fun stuff.
Theself-serving part of Jones’ column is the criticism of critics. Yes, downtown Tulsa has critics which are primarilycontrarians in addiction to their own ambitions for leadership. (Repeatedlydefeated by voters, they whine.) Jones,of course, takes pride in the projects supported by his newspaper, but thatpaper supports everything utilizing tax dollars and/or other people’s moneyconfident in Liberal superiority.
Thequestion we have is when the daily newspaper will decide to do something besideprovide coverage for other good works in downtown. God knows, they are making money publishing,but their ownership seems to prefer spending profits in Texas or on some fancy yacht it takesthirty employees to sail. (Ok, so thefamily spends millions on their private homes, but we don’t think that counts.)
Jones is correctin noting the crime level downtown is lower than any other section of thecity. Parking is more convenient than inany other major city, but yes, spoiled suburbanites may have to walk a fewblocks. (Get over it; it’s good for yourhealth.)
Nowapproaching nine years, I have lived and worked downtown and I love it. I have seen the growth and I help individualdevelopers who ask with detailed history, introductions and suggestions thataid in their success. I confronted drugdealers and panhandlers on the streets in the beginning, but they haven’t beenseen on the streets now in years. Jokinglycalling the early days “urban assault living” because of some of the challengesand grateful for owning an off-road vehicle during periods of massive streetrepair, even the bad times downtown were good.
A friend ofmine from a nearby neighborhood once rode her bicycle downtown to bring herhusband lunch at the Williams Towers. As she dismounted, two missionaries rushed her offering lunch. After introductions and explanation of hermission that day they went on with their efforts to minister elsewhere, butdowntown dwellers would like the general public to know that everyone dressedcasually or on a bicycle is not necessarily homeless or in need ofcharity. Sometimes we are just hangingout like you do in your neighborhood.
Consider, asTulsa approaches 2010, that downtown Tulsa holds more potential for privatedevelopment success than any other area of the city. As more people live downtown, that successgrows. Those individual decisions tolive the urban life add heartbeats to the streets and Tulsa’s heart is very much alive.
Guitar Center announced it collected more than 52,000 cans of food donated by musicians as part of a four-week nationwide food drive. The Tulsa store collected 583 cans as part of the drive.
Everybody’s Fine
Regular readers know Tulsa Today is the only substantive critic of the
The marquee projects complete and underway in downtown are stunning. First of those, the new 
There are several bicycle shops downtown and a new/old shop coming we can not yet tell you about. Banks and lawyers abound in downtown – generally nice people despite their chosen careers. The 
Jones is correct in noting the crime level downtown is lower than any other section of the city. Parking is more convenient than in any other major city, but yes, spoiled suburbanites may have to walk a few blocks. (Get over it; it’s good for your health.) 
A friend of mine from a nearby neighborhood once rode her bicycle downtown to bring her husband lunch at the Williams Towers. As she dismounted, two missionaries rushed her offering lunch. After introductions and explanation of her mission that day they went on with their efforts to minister elsewhere, but downtown dwellers would like the general public to know that everyone dressed casually or on a bicycle is not necessarily homeless or in need of charity. Sometimes we are just hanging out like you do in your neighborhood.