Yearly Archives: 2009

Curious George Jumps To The BOK

Staff Reports

The world’s most curious animal – Curious George himself – will be jumping around the BOK Center this week on his world premier muscial tour.

Curious George is the hero of a series of popular children’s books. He is brought from his home in Africa by "The Man with The Yellow Hat" to live with him in the big city.

According to the production’s web site, "Curious George swings and flips his way through a fun-filled story that takes the audience from home to Rome.  You and your children will laugh out loud, tap your toes, sing and dance along as you follow Curious George on his quest to win the Golden Meatball Contest.  It’s a story about friends helping friends because of one very special "secret ingredient"!  

Performances are scheduled from Dec. 3 (Thursday) through Dec. 6 (Sunday).

On Dec. 3, the BOK Center will collect books for the Tulsa Library book drive. There will be a storytime starting at 6:15 p.m. in the grand lobby.

Tickets are  $29 (gold circle), $23, $18, $15

Showtimes are:

Dec 3 – 7:00pm*
Dec 4 – 10:30am**, 7:00pm
Dec 5 – 10:30am, 2:00pm
Dec 6 – 1:00pm, 4:30pm

*Opening Night: All seats $14 (excluding Gold Circle)
** Kids’ Matinee: All seats $12 for school/daycare groups of 10+

For more information and to get tickets,

Bill Would Make Police Video Available To Media

Staff Reports

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Sen. Jim Wilson has filed legislation to allow audio and video recordings of the Department of Public Safety to be made public.

Wilson said he believes the media should have access to the videos, especially in light of controversial incidents involving officers. If enacted, the bill would amend the state’s Open Records Act.

“Our public safety officers are public servants who work at the will of the public, so why shouldn’t the public have access to video of them doing their jobs?" he asked. "It seems to me that releasing these digital records will help dispel the suspicion that they have something to hide.  Their job is to serve, protect and uphold the law."

“Unfortunately, we’ve had incidents where officers have abused their power while on duty.  There have also been instances where the media has exaggerated or provided inaccurate information about a case because they didn’t have the video and, therefore, didn’t have all the facts," Wilson said in a prepared statement.

Currently, certain items are not included under the definition of “record” under the Open Records Act, including computer software, nongovernment personal effects, personal financial information, credit reports, any digital audio/video recordings of toll collections and audio or video recordings of the Department of Public Safety.  

Wilson’s bill – Senate Bill 1252 – would allow DPS audio and video recordings to be made public.  

Cancer Sucks at the Cain’s

Ernie Osborn

It is a disease that strikes too many people in this world.  Those who are close to us, related to, work with or it may even be you but there is no mistaking that Cancer Sucks! 

Cancer Sucks is a local charity organization with one goal in mind, kicking the crap out of the disease.  Rick Horton founded Cancer Sucks in 1998 following the loss of his mother, Donna Holland White, who died of brain cancer.

Saturday’s Cancer Sucks concert was the fifth year for the event. This year’s headliner was national act Rev Theory, riding high on the heels of the hit song, "Far From Over."  The organization touts a catch phrase of "Charity with Attitude" this is spot on based on the event put on by the Cain’s Ballroom.  More biker rally than concert, there were plenty of different people to look at and give a chuckle too.  There were definite hints of irony in play also, for instance the smoking area was packed in between sets with fans quick to light up, also it would seem that cancer is the prime enemy, but they are not too concerned about liver damage with all of the beer and booze.  Just an observation.

The event was an all day affair kicking off at 5:30 pm Saturday night and going throughout the rest of the evening.  10 different bands donating their time and talent for the cause graced the stage. 

The local line-up of music, which includes Sweatin’ Bullets, Pedal Point, Chuck Cooley and the Demon Hammers. Cooley played from a bar stool and at one point stated that he had a cancerous growth taken out of his leg earlier in the year.  Cancer Treatment Centers and KMOD provided major sponsorship, with Lynn Hernandez from KMOD serving as emcee. 

This event and organization take charity to another level in that it is very informal and allows all walks of life to get involved in some way.  There are no black-ties required and it is very low key.  Last year, Cancer Sucks donated more than $50,000 to cancer research to the Gateway for Cancer Research, this year looks to be a banner year also with all of the proceeds from the benefit show going to cancer research, as well as, some of the bands donating part of the proceeds of their t-shirt and CD sales for the night to Cancer Sucks.

Cancer Sucks invited participants to enjoy the night while helping support an important cause. During the concert event, participants had the chance to win auction items such as floor seats to the KISS Dec. 8 concert at the BOK Center and autographed music memorabilia. There were also authographed guitars, and photos.

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Photos: Kevin Pyle

To learn more about this charity visit:  www.cancersucks.com

School Superintendant Candidates Featured

Staff Reports

The Republican Women’s Club annual membership luncheon will be held Tuesday.

The $12 buffet will feature candidates for the state school superintendant post.

The luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Select Inn on I-44 and Yale

For more information, please contact Nancy Rothman (742-8822) or tulsarwc@cox.net

Gangs Using Social Media

Michael McNutt, NewsOK

Gang members in Oklahoma have begun using cell phones and text messaging to conduct criminal activities, and Internet social media such as Facebook and YouTube to recruit members as young as second-graders, according to a survey of gang activity in the state.

The survey, a follow-up to a study in 2006, shows Oklahoma’s increase in gang members the past three years is relatively small compared with the rest of the country. But youth in the state are joining gangs at an earlier age and gang members are becoming more prone to violent actions.

As a result, the entire community, not just law enforcement, must address the gang issues facing Oklahoma, said Michael Wilds, an associate professor of criminal justice and legal studies at Northeastern State University, the author of the report.

"You’re seeing more recruiting done to the younger population,” he said.

Oklahoma City and Tulsa officers reported gang members as young as 10 years old, compared with the youngest being identified as 12 years old three years ago. Oklahoma City officers reported that some youngsters are recruited as young as 8 years old, the survey states.

Officers reported Oklahoma gangs are becoming more sophisticated in conducting criminal operations by using Internet social networking sites to recruit new members. They are also using cell phones and text messaging for communications related to criminal activities such as drug manufacturing and distribution routes, the survey found.

Gang members are also using cell phones and international dialing to maintain contact with incarcerated gang members or gang members who have been deported to Mexico, Columbia, El Salvador and other Central American countries.

State law enforcement agencies and district attorneys reported 1,026 gangs in 2009, a 2 percent increase compared with the 1,006 gangs reported in 2006, the report shows. Wilds also did the 2006 report.

Law officers reported 13,512 gang members in the state, an increase of 0.26 percent compared with the 13,477 gang members reported in 2006. Nationally, gang members increased 25 percent, according to the National Gang Threat Assessment.

To read more, click here