Yearly Archives: 2010

Oilers move forward with 5-3 win over Wichita.

Rich Lohman

altCostello, Beausoleil score pair as Oilers move into a 3rd place tie.

WICHITA, KS.– The Tulsa Oilers got back into the winning ways on Friday night as they traveled to south central Kansas for the second time in a week to face the Wichita Thunder for the third time in a row and came away with a 5-3 victory.

Helping to erase the memory of Tuesday night’s 7-6 loss to Wichita in the BOK Center was the outstanding efforts of Mike Beausoleil and Chad Costello. 

Both forwards combined for four of the Oilers 5 goals, with Evan Kotsopoulos scoring the other goal. The Thunder dented twine behind Tulsa goalie Ian Keserich were Andrew Martens, Lance Galbraith and Mat Robinson, who scored four goals in the game on Tuesday night.

The victory in the InTrust Bank Arena elevated the Oilers to 12-13-1, 25 point record and a four-way tie for third place with the Texas Brahmas, Mississippi Riverkings, Arizona Sundogs and Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in the Berry Conference. The Oilers will head to Allen, Texas tomorrow night for a showdown with the Americans, who are in sole possession of first place in the conference with and 18-4-1 record and 36 points in the standings.

The next home game for Tulsa will be on Sunday afternoon with the Odessa Jackalopes, a team just two points, (or one win) behind the Oilers with a 11-13-1, 23 point record. That game will be preceded by game one of the GTR Cup, presented by GTR Newspapers.

The Broken Arrow Tigers high school hockey team will take on the Tulsa Comets at noon, followed by the Jenks Trojans and Union Redskins at 1:30 p.m. On Tuesday the third place game for the GTR Cup starts at 3 p.m. followed by the championship game at 4:30 p.m. After the GTR Cup title game, the Oilers will host the Texas Brahmas at 7:05 p.m. Tickets for the Oilers games are good for the GTR Cup high school games.

Tickets for all Oilers games are available at the BOK Box Office, tickets.com, Tulsa area Reasor’s stores, and by calling 1-866-7BOK-CTR (866-725-5287). More information is available by calling the Oilers office at 918-632-PUCK (7825).

　

 

TSO Heats Up The BOK Center

Ernie Osborn

altTrans-Siberian Orchestra was back again this year with them an array of sight, sound and passion at the BOK Center Thursday night.  The spectacle, that has become a holiday tradition, lit up the stage with lights, lasers and fire.

TSO donated a portion of its ticket sales to a local charity. A check was presented to Rise School for $10,625. The money will be used for musical therapy for children with disabilities.

The spectacle that is a Trans-Siberian Orchestra is nothing short of amazing, although some of the vocal arrangements seem to lose their luster with over-the-top theatrics.  The vocalist are all world class and come with stellar resumes, but the gestures and movements are a little to much in this reviewer’s opinion.

What does shine throughout the evening, is the pure musicianship onstage. With 3 guitarists, a bass player, 2 keyboards, a thundering drum kit and a string section (The Tulsa Strings) you are constantly looking at something different.  Caitlin Moe, the lead violinist was moving all over the stage and pretty much throughout the arena – not missing a note.  This musical event is a fine polished offering.

The group is known for it’s Christmas themed concerts.  With grandiose flair and impeccable timing they worked their way through a 2 and half hour show that dazzled young and old alike and kicked off the week before the celebration season of Christ’s birth with just that, a kick.

altThe show itself is a 2 part masterpiece, first a pure Christmas story telling of an angel’s flight over the Earth on Christmas Eve in search of Christmas spirit and dreams.  The second is filled with more Christmas style music, but includes songs from Beethoven’s Last Night and Night Castle.  Both of which take a departure from their highly touted Christmas style music.  Renditions of "Silent Night", "O Come All Ye Faithful", "Joy To the World" and songs from The Nutcracker highlight the evening.  They also rocked the house with "Hark the Herald Angels Sing," "Joy to the World,"  but the highlight of the entire evening was "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo" which has been used countless times to accompany elaborate house lighting displays and has become a huge hit on YouTube.

This is TSO’s third trip to the BOK Center and if there is a 4th trip, make sure you get your tickets early and take the whole family.  You will be inspired and if you are one like me that tends to have a tough time getting going for the season, it will be just what the doctor ordered to change your mindset.

New Leon Revival

Jim Downing

It’s 20 years late, but this week Tulsa’s own Leon Russell was finally inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.  Politics and back door deals are part of these things.

Percy Sledge had one hit and he’s in. Al Kooper was involved with many hit-makers and he isn’t. Leon was inducted in what used to be called the ‘Sideman’ category, though he’s been that, producer, arranger, conductor, Grammy-winning songwriter, rock star in his own right, and #1 concert draw.

There are only a couple of people who have played on as many hit records as Leon Russell. The first was The Ventures’ version of Telstar. He played piano on Herb Alpert’s biggest album, Whipped Cream which contained the huge hit A Taste Of Honey. He has played on top ten hits by The Crystals, Jan & Dean, The Beach Boys, Garry Lewis & The Playboys, The Byrds, Delaney & Bonnie, Joe Cocker, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Willie Nelson and countless others.

In fact when he met Willie, they were listening to Willie’s first album and Leon asked “Who’s on piano? The guy is stealing all my licks.” It turns out Leon had played on it without ever meeting Willie.

Leon worked for Jack Nitzche, Herb Alpert and Phil Spector as a session man and arranger, thereby learning how to produce records.

Alpert said “Leon would show up in a suit and tie, maybe looking perplexed – ‘I don’t know what to do.’ I gave him complete freedom; ‘If you think of something that fits, put it in’. Leon has this great groove.  He’s in his own time zone.  He’d play a simple accent and then the band just filled in around him.  He’s one of America’s greatest musicians.”

His early productions were Jan & Dean and Garry Lewis. Marc Benno, whom he also first produced, said that “Leon played everything on “This Diamond Ring” – he knew how to assemble all the parts to make a pop hit.” Benno goaded a reluctant Russell into “Doing something you want to do.” And they became Asylum Choir.

Shortly after that, the studio legend moved into the spotlight with Delaney & Bonnie, then Mad Dogs & Englishmen, which contained many of the same people and the future Dominoes. He recorded part of his first album in England and the stars were clamoring to play with him. Chris O’Dell asked George Harrison if Ringo might do a Leon session. He said he’d ask, “If I can play too.”

“Roll Away The Stone” is one of the rockingest songs ever.  The band on that track is Charlie Watts, Bill Wyman, Mick Jagger,  Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood.  How’s that for credentials?

Sadly, the general public didn’t know this for years because Leon couldn’t credit them .

“At the height of my popularity I was tired and took a couple of years off.  When I came back, it wasn’t there.”  Asked why he isn’t better known he replied “I just didn’t pursue that.  I’m not drawn to television and the press.”  This is why Benno calls him “The Howard Hughes of rock.”

In 1973, Leon was back in Tulsa and built three state-of-the-art studios; one at his home in Maple Ridge, one on Grand Lake, and the famous Church Studio. Shelter records produced Tom Petty, Dwight Twilley, Willis Ramsey, Phoebe Snow, J.J. Cale and Freddy King.

Two years ago Elton John was listening to Leon’s Greatest Hits and started to cry, because Leon was so under-appreciated.  Elton was petrified in 1970 at The Troubador when he saw ‘his hero’ sitting in the front. “No one plays piano like him, and he writes these beautiful melodies.  The Ballad Of Mad Dogs & Englishmen is as good as anything ever written.”  Leon’s songs have been covered by literally hundreds of artists.  “The last few years, he’s been driving the bus, playing small gigs and putting food on the table.” said John.

So Elton and Leon have a new album out; “The Union”, produced by T-Bone Burnett.  Leon even wrote a song for Elton. When they finished, Leon said “Thank you for saving my life.” His wife added “You got to him just in time.” It moved Elton to tears again. “In my whole life, it was the most moving thing I’ve ever experienced. He needs to be in the Hall Of Fame; we’ll see if that happens.” Echoing Alpert: “He’s one of America’s greatest musicians.”

To support the induction of Leon Russell into The Rock And Roll hall Of Fame, click here.

For more and, as some suggest, ALL Things Leon, click here.

Recoveries Largest in History

Staff Report

U.S. Attorney Thomas Scott Woodward announced Thursday that financial collections by the Department of Justice U.S. Attorneys’ offices in criminal and civil cases across the nation reached an all-time high. Nationwide, the ninety-four U.S. Attorneys’ offices contributed to the collection of $6.68 billion during the government’s fiscal year – FY 2010 (Oct 1, 2009 to Sept 30, 2010), making it the most successful collection year so far.

According to statistics from the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Oklahoma located in Tulsa collected $16,992,406 in FY 2010.  Of this amount, $1,560,160 was collected in criminal cases and $15,432,246 was collected in civil cases.  Health Care Fraud accounted for $13,229,348 of the civil collections. Additionally, the office also obtained orders for forfeiture of $52,444,127 in criminal and civil cases, of which $1,177,554 has been paid to victims.

“During this time of economic recovery, these collections are more important than ever,” said U.S. Attorney Woodward.   The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to protecting the public and recovering funds for the federal treasury and for victims of federal crime.  We will continue to hold accountable those who seek to profit from their illegal activities.

The U.S. Attorneys’ offices are responsible for enforcing and collecting civil and criminal debts owed to the United States and criminal debts owed to federal crime victims.  Statistics from the Department of Justice indicate that the total amount collected in criminal cases totaled $2.84 billion in restitution, criminal fines, and felony assessments.  The law requires defendants to pay restitution to victims of certain federal crimes who have suffered a physical injury or financial loss.  While restitution is paid directly to the victim, criminal fines and felony assessments are paid to the Department’s Crime Victims’ Fund, which distributes the funds to state victim compensation and victim assistance programs.

Additionally, the U.S. Attorneys’ offices collected $1.8 billion in asset forfeiture cases in FY 2010.  Forfeited assets are deposited into either the Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund or the Department of Treasury Forfeiture Fund and are used to restore funds to crime victims and for a variety of law enforcement purposes.

The statistics also indicate that $3.84 billion was collected in civil cases.  The largest civil collections were from affirmative civil enforcement cases, in which the United States recovered government money lost to fraud or other misconduct or collected fines imposed on individuals and/or corporations for violations of federal health, safety, civil rights or environmental laws.  In addition, civil debts were collected on behalf of several federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, and Small Business Administration.

The nationwide collection totals for FY 2010 represent nearly a 30% increase in criminal collections and 57% increase in civil collections over FY 2009. In FY 2009, the U.S. Attorneys’ offices collected more than $4.6 billion.  Of the amount collected, $2.23 billion was collected criminally and $2.44 billion was collected civilly.  The significant increase in collections was due to various large criminal restitution cases as well as large health care fraud cases.

For further information, the Department’s Annual Statistical Reports can be found on the internet by clicking here.   http://www.justice.gov/usao/reading_room/foiamanuals.html.

Owasso school board to reconsider defiance of ‘Lindsey’s Law’

Capitol Editor Patrick B. McGuigan

Writing for Neighbor Newspapers, including the Broken Arrow Ledger,
Danielle Parker and Nour Habib report the Owasso Board of Education has
scheduled a special meeting for Thursday (December 16) at 5 p.m.

According to a
story update: “The agenda calls the board to discuss and vote on whether
to rescind the board’s resolution on House Bill 3393. The meeting will
be held at the Dale C. Johnson Education Service Center, 1501 North Ash,
in Owasso. There is no time slotted for public comment on the agenda
posted.”

In a previous story, they reported that Owasso attorney Gordon Cummings
is seeking a Writ of Ouster for members of the local board of education
who have defied implementation of House Bill 3393, the Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships Program Act, also known as Lindsey’s Law.

In an October 26 letter to Attorney General Drew Edmondson, Cummings
characterized as “willful misconduct” the decision to impede
implementation of the law benefiting special needs children.

In that letter, Cummings said, “Removal from office and appointment of
new board members is the best solution since it punishes lawbreakers,
not innocent students.” Cumming continued, “They are setting themselves
up as a mini-supreme court. When you feel a law is unconstitutional, you
challenge it in court or go the legislature. But until the law is
overturned, it should be followed.”

Cummings argued, “The fair way to resolve this is between equal
government forces in court, not the poor parents against a board with so
many resources.” According to the Ledger, Cummings said he has no
financial interest in the case, but acted as a concerned citizen: “It
has been nearly 60 days, and no one has done anything, because no one
knows what to do. The law must be obeyed.”

A writ can proceed from local petitioning or action by the attorney
general, according to Cummings’ interpretation of a Supreme Court case
from 1927. He said: “This is not a crime, but misconduct. No one wants
to go to jail in this case, but by intentionally voting to disobey the
law, they should be removed from their positions. An elected official
has refused to do what his/her duty is, and that is, obey the law. It’s
pretty clear cut.”

Defiance of the law has drawn massive criticism from a bipartisan group of public officials.

The controversial law firm of Rosenstein Fist Ringold has
advised districts not to implement the law, even though the measure
gained bipartisan legislative support and was vetted before enactment by
Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett and Governor Brad
Henry.

(In related news, the Ledger has scrutinized increased legal fees paid to the firm by several Tulsa-area school districts.)

Superintendent of Public Instruction Sandy Garrett told CapitolBeatOK in
October she believed school board member who defied implementation of
the law had placed themselves “in violation of their oaths of office.” Garrett, a Democrat, did not seek reelection this year and is leaving office after 20 years of service.

Incoming Speaker of the House Kris Steele of Shawnee, a Republican, and state Rep. Jabar Shumate, a Democrat, have decried efforts to impede the law’s implementation.

The measure passed with a bipartisan effort led by state Rep. Jason Nelson of Oklahoma City and state Sen. Patrick Anderson of Enid, both Republicans, with co-sponsorship from Shumate and state Rep. Anastasia Pittman, an Oklahoma City Democrat.

The measure was signed into law early this summer by Governor Brad Henry.