The Oklahoma Daily

THURSDAY URSDAY JUNE 25, 2009

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Friday’s Weather Blake Griffin leaves lasting legacy in Oklahoma. PAGE 3

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Jazz in June festival fest comes to Norman, bringing Nor smooth sounds sm and an celebration.

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CONFERENCE PROMOTES OKLAHOMA WIND ENERGY State expected to be No. 2 provider of wind energy in U.S. KYLE WEST The Oklahoma Daily

Wind Commerce 2009, a multi-national convention promoting wind power’s economic and environmental use throughout Oklahoma, took place Tuesday and Wednesday at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in north Norman.

Over 430 people registered to attend the two-day event, said Kylah McNabb, wind development specialist for the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. “[The convention] is to showcase Oklahoma and what we can provide to the wind industry,” McNabb said. “Oklahoma is projected to be the No. 2 provider of wind energy in the United States. We are trying to connect Oklahoma to the supply chain.”

The convention d i s p l ay e d m o re than 70 exhibits presenting businesses, research institutions and universities interested in promoting and using wind power. OU’s branch of the Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative participated, and the “OU Spirit” wind farm, scheduled to be completed in early 2010, was also featured.

McNabb said Oklahoma is one of the most promising sites for developing the wind industry, and that holding the convention in Norman was a great way to present the state’s capabilities.

“We’re showing a move from not just

from wind development, but really taking the next step to making Oklahoma a leader in the wind energy industry,” McNabb said.

She explained the conference was an important step in marketing Oklahoma as one of the best places to develop wind energy.

Lt. G ov. Jari Askins spoke about Oklahoma’s role in the development of wind power in her opening address on Tuesday.

“We believe that Oklahoma is perfectly located to develop this industry in our state,” Askins said. “Wind power is an opportunity to expand Oklahoma’s power industry.”

OU participated in the convention through its branch of the Oklahoma Wind Power Initiative, which had a booth at the convention.

Britton Rife, 2009 environmental studies graduate and OWPI outreach coordinator, said the OWPI helps facilitate between landowners interested in harnessing wind power and wind energy professionals. They also do educational outreach concerning wind energy, she said.

“It was great to see all of the Oklahoma companies and research groups and business professionals networking together and talking about the possibilities and potential for the wind industry in Oklahoma,” Rife said.

Geology professor Scott Greene, who directs the OU branch of OWPI, also spoke during the conference.

TYLER METCALFE/THE DAILY

The Vindicator, a new device developed by Catch the Wind, Inc., uses laser technology to determine the direction of wind 300 meters away. This was but one of many displays at Oklahoma Wind Commerce 2009, held Tuesday and Wednesday at the John Q. Hammons Conference Center.

“One of [the] things we’re doing is trying to foster community in wind power,” Greene said. “Research is trying to develop products and services that companies can use to develop economically.”

Lowell B. Catlett, an economic futurist and dean of the college of environmental sciences at New Mexico State University, gave the convention’s keynote address on how wind energy and other environmentally friendly technologies would change in the coming generations.

“This world will change, and change very quickly,” Catlett said. “You cannot have healthy humans separated from plants and

animals and people.”

Catlett talked about how far wind energy has come, from his childhood when it powered batteries, to now, where it powers cities and towns. Catlett said the coming generations will not be looking for cheap energy, but clean energy.

Rife said she thought the conference served its purposed of uniting the wind industry in Oklahoma.

“It was really neat to see the big picture and to see everyone together,” Rife said. “It brought a wide spectrum of Oklahoma residents, businesses and companies together to discuss the industry.”

OU Regents approve raises for Stoops, Capel Athletics subsidizes academics at OU, Boren says CHARLES WARD The Oklahoma Daily PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY ELI HULL/THE DAILY

Members of the Norman City Council unanimously approved a city ordinance to ban tobacco use in city parks Tuesday. Norman is the third city in Oklahoma to ban tobacco use in public parks.

City council bans smoking in parks Ban excludes Westwood Golf Course JAMES LOVETT The Oklahoma Daily

Norman City Council members unanimously approved a city ordinance Tuesday banning smoking and tobacco use in city parks.

Councilman Doug Cubberley, who suffers from asthma, has advocated for the tobacco ban in parks for more than two years.

“This is a compromise legislation, but it is a leap forward,” Cubberley said. “The compromise is at this time that Westwood [Golf Course] is not included. There is also a compromise that the parking lots are not included.

Again, it’s not perfect, but what are we going for in this legislation? It’s the public health, and it’s the example that we are teaching our children.”

The ordinance exempts Westwood Golf Course, although it is also owned by the city, and parking lots surrounding parks. Officials said the golf course was excluded from the ordinance because not as many people were directly affected by smoking on the course.

City officials said 76 percent of residents surveyed supported a ban on smoking in the parks, and 70 percent supported a ban at Westwood Golf Course.

Council member Bob Thompson said he worried an ordinance might impend on the individual freedoms of smokers, but he thought it was necessary since residents were not adhering to the anti-smoking resolution already

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“The most difficult question here is, in my opinion, a question of people’s individual liberties, and in so far as the smoking affects other people’s health, then liberties are appropriately conceded.”

NORMAN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER BOB THOMPSON in place.

“There isn’t anybody up here that would consider defending the idea of smoking in front of children and setting a bad example for children,” Thompson said. “The most difficult question here is, in my opinion, a question of people’s individual liberties, and in so far as the smoking affects other people’s health, then liberties are appropriately conceded. My support for this is yet again one of compromise because I don’t like the infringement on liberty that this suggests as an ordinance.”

Norman is the third city in Oklahoma to ban tobacco use in public parks, following Noble and Owasso.

The council also approved an ordinance requiring bicycle racks on any new residential or commercial which has at least eight parking spaces.

Additionally, one bicycle rack for each 10 additional parking spaces is required in residential buildings, and one bicycle space for every 20 parking spaces in non-residential properties.

The bicycle parking ordinance passed with a vote of 7-2, with council members Thompson and Ezzell opposing.

© 2009 OU PUBLICATIONS BOARD

ARDMORE — OU head football coach Bob Stoops will make $4.675 million in 2010 as part of a reworked contract approved Wednesday by the OU Board of Regents.

Stoops’ new contract, which will pay him $2.925 million in guaranteed compensation for 2009-10, includes a $700,000 per-year bonus for remaining at OU, and a $200,000 per-year increase in salary. Stoops also collects a one-time stay bonus of $800,000 if he’s still the Sooners’ leader on Jan. 2, 2011. The amount does not include any performance bonuses, such as for winning conference or national titles, bowl games or for graduating players.

O U P re s i d e nt D av i d Boren said the university could not control the market value for such a highly sought-after coach.

“I wish we could,” Boren said. “Do I think salaries nationwide are too high?

Yes. I certainly do. But, we can’t control the national marketplace. This does not make any of our coaches the highest paid. Coach Stoops, I think it probably puts him inside the top five nationally. But, his record is certainly

in the top five, and the additional revenues brought to the university.”

The regents also approved a raise for men’s basketball head coach Jeff Capel, whose salary will increase to $1.5 million for the coming season. Capel’s new deal includes a $1.1 million stay bonus if he remains at OU through 2014, and an additional $400,000 if he stays through the 2016 season.

Other head coaches receiving raises include women’s basketball coach Sherri Coale, head softball coach Patty Gasso and head baseball coach Sunny Golloway.

“There’s a marketplace, and if you’re going to maintain a successful Division I program, you simply cannot cripple that program by losing the talent that produces the revenues as well,” Boren said. “Obviously, it’s not just a matter of revenues. It’s right values, right standards of conduct.”

The athletic department will be bumping up its contribution to OU’s academic program to $4 million of direct contributions for the coming school year. Boren said the athletic department gave about $1 million per year to academics in previous years.

When combined with indirect contributions from income from other athleticdepartment-related sources, such as affinity card programs and soft drink REGENTS CONTINUES ON PAGE 2

VOL. 94, NO. 162

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Thursday, June 25, 2009

James Lovett, managing editor dailynews@ou.edu • phone: 325-3666 • fax: 325-6051

‘MAIL-ORDER BRIDE’ INVADES OU E-MAIL OU IT: OU network receives more than 3 million spam e-mail messages per day RICKY MARANON The Oklahoma Daily

An online dating service managed to send a mass e-mail to OU students and faculty Tuesday disguised as a letter from a single Russian woman named “Svetlana.”

The e-mail, which appears to be a in the form of a letter from a 27-year-old woman describing a life of hardship who is desperately seeking true love, came into OU Exchange accounts Tuesday morning.

Some students said the two attachments bundled with the e-mail have made their computers run slower. One attachment is a picture of the purported love-sick author, and another is a description of the woman which describes her as a dental assistant who is artistic, athletic and a graduate of medical school.

“We get over 3 million known spam or malicious e-mails a day, and 90 percent of them are usually blocked by our spam filter and never make it to anyone’s account,” OU IT spokesman Nick Key said. “The junk e-mail filter did a good job with [this mass e-mail] and most people left it alone because it went right to their junk e-mail box.”

Regents Continues from page 1 sales, Boren said the athletic department’s contribution to academics would be more than $7 million.

“Of all the universities in the country, we are one of only five or six that are receiving a subsidy [from the athletic department],” Boren said. “[Athletic department funds] are not money that are being taken out of academics. Quite the contrary, the athletic department is subsidizing academics.”

The Regents also approved a resolution to name a proposed health clinic in Tulsa after Wayman Tisdale, a former OU All-American basketball player from Tulsa, who died May 15.

“To see a facility named after him is,

Key said the reason why some students might experience a slow down in the speed of their computers is because they may be a victim of something that they did not actually see as a part of the e-mail.

“You should never click on a suspicious e-mail, and if you have opened it, then you should never open an attachment to a suspicious e-mail,” Key said. “Your computer could become a hub for spam e-mail, viruses could run undetected in the background in your computer and you could also be the victim of phishing.”

OU IT will be upgrading to a new e-mail system, Exchange 2010, in July. The new program will “enhance spam identification and better manage spam e-mails,” Key explained.

He also said there are limits to sending mass e-mail through OU Exchange.

“OU has a strict mass e-mail policy,” Key said.

“Attachments are not allowed along with other restrictions.

Because of the nature of the e-mail, we can see that it did not come from OU. IT is looking into the origin of the email, and we are trying to attempt to stop future transmissions from the sender.”

PHOTO PROVIDED

Russian mail-order bride “Svetlana” invaded OU e-mail accounts Tuesday, purportedly seeking true love. Some students have said their computers have run slower after opening the spam e-mail and its attachments.

I think, momentous,” said his brother, Weldon Tisdale. “I don’t think honored is a strong enough word.”

All of this came as the Regents approved a $1.48 billion total operating budget for the university. The budget calls for no increase in tuition or in mandatory fees that all students would be required to pay. $772 million of the budget will fund the Norman campus, with the remaining $716 million going to fund the Health Sciences Center.

Both campuses took a combined $18.5 million hit in state appropriations, which will be made up with federal stimulus dollars. The stimulus money is a one-time appropriation. The campuses received $5.9 million in new appropriations, plus funding to cover increased teacher retirement.

“You still have a long-term concern, because stimulus money is for this year.

Stimulus money is for “[Athletic department funds] are shortfalls,” Boren said. next year, and then “For example, the year three, once we not money that are being taken out June numbers came get out as far as 2011, of academics. Quite the contrary, in under the estithere are not stimuand so we were the athletic department is subsidiz- mate, lus funds at this time,” prepared. We do not Boren said. “We are ing academics.” foresee a scenario that more fortunate than would force us into other states (because) OU PRESIDENT DAVID BOREN furlough days.” ... we have the rainyThe Regents also day fund.” agreed to extend Boren said the hirBoren’s contract until ing freeze at OU will remain in place, but Nov. 30, 2014. If he serves his full contract, there are no extraordinary cost-cutting Boren will complete 20 years as university measures, such as layoffs or furloughs, president. He is currently the longest-servplanned. ing school president of the Big 12 schools.

“That would have to be like the end of The Regents additionally honored Boren the world, virtually, because we have main- by naming the David L. Boren Presidential tained some reserves in our budget, in case Chair at the OU Foundation. The chair will we continue to have month-by month- be funded with private donations.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ACCURACY

POLICE REPORTS Names are compiled from the Norman Police Department and OUPD. The reports serve as a record of arrests, not convictions. Those listed are innocent until proven guilty.

MINOR IN POSESSION OF ALCOHOL Bianca Marycella Zamora, 18, S. Pickard Ave., Monday

TRESPASSING Ocsar A. Alvarado-Cuellar, 24, 2200 Classen Blvd., Tuesday Chin-Yew Chen, 19, 2200 Classen Blvd., Tuesday Thomas Mitchell Davis, 20, 2200 Classen Blvd., Tuesday Julie Star Garland, 22, 2200 Classen Blvd., Tuesday Eduardo Granaaos, 24, 2200 Classen Blvd., Tuesday Masaasha T’Shea Leach, 19, 2200 Classen Blvd., Tuesday Amy Ashley Miller, 19, 2200 Classen Blvd., Tuesday Robert Dylan Post, 24, 2200 Classen Blvd., Tuesday Bianca Marycella Zamora, 18, 2200 Classen Blvd., Tuesday Hayley Ann Thomas, 18, 2200 Classen Blvd., Tuesday

MUNICIPAL WARRANT Jodie Gayle Box, 29, 200 Chalmette, Tuesday Daniel Forrest Cotrone, 24, 759 Asp Ave., Monday Trae Emanuel Gaines, 20, 100 12th Ave. NE, Tuesday Dana Renee Foreman, 44, 201 W. Gray St., Monday Willie Lonzell Jackson, 55, 1327 E. Lindsey St., Monday Michael Derale Massenburg, 24, 1600 E. Lindsey St., Monday Duncan Ray McCraw, 19, 1907 Twisted Oak Drive, Monday Michelle Rae Self, 33, 201 W. Gray St., Monday PETTY LARCENY Spencer Garrett Dye, 19, 3499 W. Main St., Tuesday Tanner Jack Dye, 20, 3499 W. Main St., Tuesday Catherine Lynn Hammond, 49, 1100 W. Main

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St., Tuesday Avery Michael Lane, 26, 333 N. Interstate Drive E., Tuesday Maria Stema Lombardo, 21, 3499 W. Main St., Monday Lyndsey Danielle lyschen, 20, 3499 W. Main St., Monday Leslie Taylor Rhoades, 18, 3499 W. Main St., Tuesday COUNTY WARRANT Brandy Michelle Gipson, 38, 425 12th Ave. NE, Tuesday Jessica Andrea Hayes, 22, 600 12th Ave. NE, Tuesday Tommy Jay Stevens, 24, 1004 24th Ave. NW, Tuesday Michael C Strotter, 59, 425 12th Ave. NW, Tuesday PUBLIC INTOXICATION Tina Ann Hall, 24, 2900 Oak Tree Ave., Monday POSESSION OF MARIJUANA Jacob Wayne Strutton, 18, 1307 Erie Ave., Monday

The Daily has a long-standing commitment to serve readers by providing accurate coverage and analysis. Errors are corrected as they are identified. Readers should bring errors to the attention of the editorial board for further investigation.

3

Thursday, June 25, 2009

James Lovett, sports editor dailysports@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

GRIFFIN LEAVES LASTING LEGACY EDDIE RADOSEVICH The Oklahoma Daily

soon found himself on the big stage at the McDonald’s All-American game. While garnering the title of Player of the Year from both The Oklahoman and Tulsa World, and Gatorade Player of the Year, Griffin won the McDonald’s All-American slam dunk contest.

Throughout that run, a special bond would be created between the high school phenomenon and his future college coach. “[We were] mostly talking about music and other stuff, not basketball,” Capel would recall during a March interview with Dan Patrick of ESPN Radio.

With that bond came a commitment, and the rest would be history.

When NBA commissioner David Stern walks to the podium Thursday night at New York’s Madison Square Garden, former OU all-everything big man Blake Griffin will continue to do what he has done all year — make history.

Griffin will become the school’s and the state’s first basketball No. 1 overall draft selection.

In what seems to have been a ‘‘short’’ two-year career at Oklahoma, Griffin averaged 23 points and 14 rebounds while rewriting OU and Big 12 record books.

He led the nation in rebounding with 30 double-doubles, as well as setting OU and Big 12 single-season records in rebounds, rebounding average, field goal average and field goal percentage.

Oh, and how irresponsible it would be if I didn’t mention a three-game tear through mid-January in which he would become the first Big 12 player to record 20 points and 20 rebounds in a game — two of those games came back-to-back.

Griffin was the recipient of every ‘Player of the Year’ honor in 2009 — Adolph Rupp, Oscar Robertson, Sports Illustrated, Sporting News, Athlon Sports, Foxsports. com, Coaches Big 12 Player of the Year, AP Big 12 Player of the Year — as well as a unanimous first-team All-American selection, the first time since 1988 for a school that is more prominently known on the gridiron than the hardwood.

PATH TO OU It was 2006 and the University of Oklahoma basketball program was at a crossroads.

Coming off the recent departure of Kelvin Sampson and a looming NCAA probation, athletic director Joe Castiglione knew he needed a “home run.”

Castiglione took a chance on up-andcoming Virginia Commonwealth head coach Jeff Capel. Hiring the former Duke player, which came as a surprise to many, would end up paying off in the long run.

In three years, Capel would go on to make Castiglione’s hire look genius.

But, it wasn’t always so peachy.

After taking the job in ’06, Capel watched as all the recruits that had previously committed to Sampson bolted, opting out and attending different schools.

Capel knew he needed a big name for

JAMES CORNWELL/ THE DAILY

Blake Griffin jumps to lay the ball into the basket during the Sooner’s second round NCAA Tournament game against Michigan in Kansas City on March 21. During his two-year stretch at OU, Griffin averaged 22.7 points and 14.4 rebounds per game, and registered 30 double-doubles. what would become his first recruiting class for the next year. His cornerstone for that class just so happened to live less than 30 miles up the road from Norman.

Averaging 26 points, 15 rebounds and four

assists during his senior season at Oklahoma Christian School in Edmond, BlakeGriffin soared above the competition.

Ending his senior season with his fourth consecutive state championship, Griffin

MOVING ON As North Carolina cut down the nets in Memphis after defeating the Sooners in the South Regional final, head coach Jeff Capel met with reporters in the underground hallways of the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies’ FedEx Forum.

“Blake’s the hardest working kid I’ve ever been around,” Capel said. “He’s done so much for this program. Whatever he decides to do, we’ll be behind him 100 percent.”

Only minutes after the season had ended, speculation on whether the country’s best player would make a leap to the pros began.

After less than a month of deliberation, the Oklahoma City native had reached his decision. When the April 7 announcement came, he was ready to move on.

“This kid has an incredible mental makeup to go with God-given physical ability that will serve him well,” said ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla during a pre-draft workout. “He’s just a baby. He’s only 20. He runs the floor like Karl Malone. He has the agility to be a terrific NBA power forward.”

Now, his time has come. The Los Angeles Clippers won the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, and will almost certainly select the Sooner star.

Possessing a dominant physical presence and a tremendous ability to establish position deep inside the lane, Griffin will have an opportunity to make an impact on a team that posted a 19-63 record last season.

But, before the young Griffin heads west to the land of glitz and glamour in Hollywood, we must first recognize him and what he has accomplished.

For perhaps, he is the cornerstone of what has become Oklahoma basketball.

Miracle on the grass: US shocks Spain 2-0 RAF CASERT Associated Press

BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — The world will surely take notice of this.

The U.S. soccer team is in the final of the Confederations Cup, beating mighty Spain 2-0.

Even more stunning, the Americans were on the verge of elimination and ready to head home last weekend before a reversal of fortune. On Wednesday, goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey led to an upset of the planet’s topranked team.

Call it a miracle on grass — maybe not the World Cup, but still an American soccer echo of the U.S. hockey team’s upset of the Soviet Union at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics.

By winning, the maligned United States advanced to its first men’s FIFA final since starting play in 1916.

Altidore scored in the 27th minute and Dempsey added a goal in the 74th as the Americans became the first team to defeat Spain since Romania in November 2006.

“It goes to show what hard work and commitment to each other can bring,” said U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard, who made eight saves as he frustrated David Villa and Fernando Torres. “Sometimes football is a funny thing.”

Now the U.S. will play defending champion Brazil or host South Africa in Sunday’s final, which concludes a two-week tournament designed to prepare the organizers of next year’s World Cup. “Regardless of whether we play Brazil or the Bafana Bafana, the challenge will be great,” U.S. coach Bob Bradley said.

Midfielder Michael Bradley, son of the U.S. coach, will miss the final. He received a red card for a late challenge in the 87th minute, the third American ejection of the tournament.

Still, American players had much to celebrate, given how slim the chances of such a U.S. victory seemed just a few days ago. Or any victory, for that matter. The 14th-ranked Americans were soundly defeated in their first two games in this event.

“I think it just shows that we can compete with the best.

Now we need to do it on a consistent basis,” U.S. captain Carlos Bocanegra said.

Spain, the European champion, had set an international record with 15 straight victories and had tied Brazil’s record unbeaten streak of 35 games from December 1993 to January 1996.

The United States had been 1-7-1 against No. 1 teams, beating Brazil in the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup and tying Argentina last summer in an exhibition at Giants Stadium.

“This is an accident, a little step backward,” Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. “We have to look forward with optimism.”

Altidore got the first goal when he outmuscled Joan Capdevila, his teammate on Spain’s Villarreal, to send an 18-yard shot in off the hand of goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Capdevila thought he was fouled by Altidore, who had engaged in some trash texting a few days ago.

“I told him, ‘Be careful of the USA.’ And he tried to say I didn’t understand Spanish, so it was just all fun and games,” Altidore said. “We’re teammates and we were just messing around with each other a little bit, but in the end we had the last laugh.”

Altidore, a 19-year-old forward from New Jersey, was so excited after he scored that he took off his jersey as he ran toward the stands in celebration, drawing a yellow card.

It was the first goal against Spain in 451 minutes, since Turkey’s Semih Senturk scored on April 1, and just the third goal the Spaniards allowed in 17 games dating to last summer’s European Championship.

Dempsey sealed the victory, scoring from 6 yards when he pounced on Landon Donovan’s cross, which had bounced off Gerard Pique and the foot of Sergio Ramos.

“There will ups and downs in any cycle,” U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said. “I think this tournament makes that point very clearly. Tonight was a very big up.”

The U.S. opened the tournament with a 3-1 loss to world champion Italy, then was outclassed by South American

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AP PHOTO

U.S. soccer player Landon Donovan, right, celebrates with teammate Carlos Bocanegra during their Confederations Cup semifinal match Wednesday in Bloemfontein, South Africa. The U.S. defeated No. 1 Spain 2-0 to advance to the final. champ Brazil in a 3-0 defeat. The Americans advanced over the Italians on the second tiebreaker — total goals — only by beating Egypt 3-0 on Sunday as Brazil defeated the Azzurri by the same score.

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COMMENTS OF THE DAY »

Thursday, June 25, 2009

In response to Tuesday’s column about feminism.

Luke Atkinson, opinion editor dailyopinion@ou.edu • phone: 325-7630 • fax: 325-6051

YOU CAN COMMENT AT OUDAILY.COM

OUR VIEW

City park smoking ban clearing the air As we all know, smoking is bad for you.

Although this knowledge nearly has become common sense, it still doesn’t change the minds of some smokers. But for those smokers, the area in which they are free to light up has become smaller.

By banning the use of tobacco products in parks, the Norman City Council has taken a step towards better health and easier breathing for us all. The ban will prohibit the use of any tobacco products in any city park, except for the Westwood Golf Course.

Norman has become the third city to ban the use of tobacco products in parks, adding to the list of Oklahoma cities who are taking a progressive stance of limiting tobacco use.

Parks are intended to encourage recreation, which carries the connotation of participating in healthy activities.

People who frequent the parks are not interested in the damaging effects of smoking which disrupt their outdoor activities.

By removing the tobacco products

“I’ve got some bad news for you, Josh - people aren’t as stupid or ignorant as you apparently think they are.

Please spend a little more time researching reality rather than wallowing in an indulgent liberal fantasy that makes all of us - especially “rank and file” non-activist feminists - look

like a bunch of idiots in need of enlightening by a man.”

- JJanowiak

“He wrote this article for people that might need to hear it’s message. Go back to English 101 and learn about a writer’s “audience.”

- king3808

STAFF CARTOON

from areas accessible by children, we can remove the influence of unhealthy habits that children may see while at the park. Reducing the amount of exposure to the products may lower the trend of teenage smoking.

We can also lower the exposure to secondhand smoke, which kills an average of 3,000 non-smoking adults each year, according to the National Cancer Institute.

According to the Center for Disease Control, more than 440,000 people die each year from diseases associated with smoking.

Some argue that smokers’ voices were not heard in the debate, however, the city conducted a survey which found that a majority of 76 percent of Norman residents favored the ban. For any survey, this percent is a substantial number of citizens to represent the removal of tobacco products in a public place.

For smokers who are concerned about where they are allowed to smoke, the parking lots of these parks are still available to take a smoke break.

Mai-Thao Nguyen is a biochemistry senior.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Daily columnist wrong on recession origin First off, I applaud you Elijah Lavicky for taking an interest in and writing about such an important topic.

Conclusions on what caused the current economic crisis will determine the appropriate “fixes” and we will both have to live with those fixes for many, many years.

As a summer intern working at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Topeka, I’ve spent part of my summer researching causes of the housing bubble and subsequent crash.

I acknowledge it’s a complicated subject and that there were many factors at play and much blame to go around.

However, I was shocked by your conclusion that we should let Wall Street off the hook.

Sure, the government played a role. But take a look at the toxic assets in the financial system and where they came from. Wall Street found a crack in the system and exploited it to the max, while stuffing so much money in their pockets they rivaled the drug cartels. Wall Street found that they could package questionable mortgages into so-called private label mortgage backed securities, obtain AAA ratings from the rating agencies and sell them throughout

the world. Where did they get the mortgages? Mortgage brokers, who continued to originate loans to meet Wall Street’s unquenchable need for MBS product even though those loans had little likelihood of ever being repayed. But it didn’t make any difference because Wall Street would just tweak the structure of the securities and continue to get the AAA ratings. Bottom line, it was a grand scheme that worked to blow housing prices through the roof until it started to become apparent how far underwriting standards had deteriorated. Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s contribution: they bought billions of Wall Street’s questionable securities when they either did or should have know better. Listen to what the CEO of Goldman Sachs, Lloyd Blankfein, one of the Wall Street firms that appears to have survived the crisis, recently said: “[the firm]regrets that [they] participated in the market euphoria and failed to raise a responsible voice.” That sounds like a ‘sorry we screwed up’ to me.

True the government wants to help people own homes, but none of the government’s programs required that lenders give out loans to just any average Joe with the time to fill out an application. None of the programs asked

lenders to make loans that weren’t secure or sound.

The main cause of the housing crisis wasn’t the government. It was the rocket scientists on Wall Street and in the rating agencies who placed too much trust in mathematical models as opposed to using common sense. It was the mortgage brokers who were all too willing to make loans to people with bad credit, little capacity to repay , and poor collateral because they got paid for making loans regardless of whether those loans would ever be repaid.

The big names of Wall Street said it themselves – they had a chance to stop things before they spiraled out of control, but chose to continue to make money instead.

Maybe the government helped to set the stage, but it was Wall Street that had the starring roles.

Again, I appreciate the OUDaily for printing coverage of this important topic and Elijah Lavicky for taking the time to write the article. However I disagree with Elijah’s perspective and opinion; facts should prevail, not political perspective. Please don’t let Wall Street off the hook on this one.

Thank you.

Lorin Jetter/University of Kansas 2011

University should protect students from bikers During the school year, thousands of kids walk around campus trying to get to class.

At the same time, they are trying to avoid one thing, bicyclists.

While the walkers are taking their time strolling through the South Oval, a biker is weaving between people, hurrying to class with nothing to separate the DARA two than a painted bike lane MIRZALE that no one seems to obey.

Last week, I witnessed a bicyclists run into two pedestrians after it was clear that the biker did not know how to stop her bike. The two girls

had scrapes on their legs and were lucky to not have any other injuries.

Do not get me wrong, not every bicyclist out there is clueless as to how to ride their bike. Some actually do pay attention to bike lanes, and pedestrians crossing in front of them. But for every one of those bikers, you have another that has no idea what they are doing besides pedaling.

It is clearly becoming more and more dangerous for students to walk around campus while bicyclists are speeding through the very same road. When a danger like this is posed to students it is the University's job to help protect those students. OU can do that by doing one thing, banning bikes on campus.

If riding your bike is the only mode of

transportation you have to get to campus then that is fine, but once you get to campus you should have to lock it up and walk like the rest of us. It is not for your safety, but mainly for mine.

Bikers have also posed a risk to drivers on campus. We have all seen bikers ride across a street hardly stopping or looking both ways. All it takes is one driver to not pay attention for one second and the results could be deadly.

There are already parts of campus that says you must walk your bike from this point on, but hardly anyone follows those rules.

Maybe we could use one of the people constantly writing up parking tickets on campus and have them enforce those no biking

zones. Those signs are there for a reason, and if you can not follow it on your own accord, someone should make sure you do.

I know people may argue that riding your bike is environmentally friendly, and it is. But you know what is even friendlier? Walking.

Think about what goes into making a bike, after all the metal on that bike was not magically formed. All it takes is one person to get seriously injured and people will become concerned with this issue, and I am just hoping that OU takes actions before that happens. Until then, all of us walkers are constantly in danger.

Dara Mirzaie is an economics senior.

Role of the father in desperate need among children With Father’s Day just behind us, I find myself pondering over the importance of fatherhood. Driving up and down the small town streets of Norman, I could smell the sweet savory smells of a family barbecue. Going into restaurants, seeing the families celebrate their love of their father and all of the happy memories that build on Father’s Day are happening right around you. But this isn’t the case for everyone.

All across America, there are children saddened by the fact that they are unable to spend this spectacular day with their dads. Some mourn the loss of their beloved fathers, while others wonder just where he might be.

Whatever the case, the role of the father is an important position that cannot be filled by any means. It is one never to be taken lightly.

President Barack Obama wrote, “We can do everything possible to provide good jobs and schools and safe streets for our kids, but it will never be enough to fully

Luke Atkinson James Lovett Elizabeth Nalewajk Luke Atkinson Eli Hull Luke Atkinson

CONTACT US

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Night Editor Opinion Editor Photo Editor Senior Online Editor

make up the difference. That is why we need fathers to step up, to realize that their job does not end at conception; that what makes you a man is not the ability to have a child, but the courage to raise one.” “We” referring to the United States does a lot for the youth of America, but like he says it is not enough to fully make up the difference.

The government does their best to keep these “dead -beat dads” in check with such things as alimony. Some of these “dead-beats” would claim that they haven’t abandoned their child because they pay their alimony.

Comments like these are absolutely absurd.

Although single mothers may struggle to make payments more than a traditional household, the children miss out on the teachings of the father, not so much the money he provides. Father’s give us the belief to do whatever it is we want, while always showing the boundaries of how far we can extend our wings. A true dad teaches you the lessons you must learn to maintain a balanced

Brendan Smith Eli Hull James Lovett Dusty Somers Judy Gibbs Robinson Thad Baker

160 Copeland Hall, 860 Van Vleet Oval Norman, OK 73019-0270

phone: (405) 325-3666

Assistant Online Editor Multimedia Editor Sports Editor Life & Arts Editor Editorial Adviser Advertising Manager

e-mail: dailynews@ou.edu

lifestyle.

The need for fathers to step up and do the right thing is becoming more and more important with the economic hardship we are facing and most likely will to continue face for some time to come. In times of depression, a man’s actions and behavior is more important than the size of his wallet, so the lessons of the father are in desperate need with the generation to come.

As much as we need these fathers to do the right thing, for some it may be best that they stay gone. These “dead-beat dads” that are choosing to leave families probably have little to offer their children anyhow, but for those who do we need them to step up. We need them to do the right thing and be there. We need them to not only give children life, but to be a dad, to be someone to look up to, to be a hero.

Brandon Smith is a University College freshman.

The Oklahoma Daily is a public forum and OU’s independent student voice.

Letters should concentrate on issues, not personalities, and should be fewer than 250 words, typed, double spaced and signed by the author(s). Letters will be cut to fit. Students must list their major and classification. OU staff and faculty must list their title. All letters must include a daytime phone number. Authors submitting letters in person must present photo identification.

Submit letters Sunday through Thursday, in 160 Copeland Hall. Letters can also be submitted via e-mail to dailyopinion@ ou.edu.

Guest columns are accepted at editor’s discretion. ’Our View’ is the voice of The Oklahoma Daily.

Editorial Board members are The Daily’s editorial staff.

The board meets Monday and Wednesday at 2:45 p.m. in160 Copeland Hall.

Columnists’ and cartoonists’ opinions are not necessarily the opinions of The Daily Editorial Board.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

PLACE AN AD

L

Lost & Found

Phone: 325-2521

LOST & FOUND E-Mail: classifieds@ou.edu

Lost & Found Ads FREE!

Fax: 405-325-7517

Announcements

DEADLINES

Display Ad ............2 days prior Classified Display or Classified Card Ad Place your display, classified display or classified card ads no later than 5:00 p.m. 2 days prior to publication date.

Acheson Consulting is looking for 50 subjects to participate in a color vision study conducted at the FAA. Subjects will distinguish colors relevant to pilots and air trafďŹ c controllers. Subjects: * Are Between the Ages of 18-55 * Have A Color Vision DeďŹ ciency * Have a Valid Government-Issued Photo ID * Have Transportation * Have 20/30 or Better Visual Acuity (Glasses/Contacts Allowed) Available study dates - week of June 29 - July 2 & July 6-10 faaresearch@bellsouth.net or 405-246-9237

C Transportation

TM

Payment is required at the time the ad is placed. Credit cards, cash, money orders or local checks accepted.

Businesses may be eligible to apply for credit in a limited, local billing area. Please inquire with Business Office at 325-2521.

RATES Line Ads There is a 2 line minimum charge; approximately 45 characters per line, including spaces and punctuation.

1 day ............. $4.25/line 2 days ........... $2.50/line 3-4 days........ $2.00/line 5-9 days........ $1.50/line 10-14 days.... $1.15/line 15-19 days.... $1.00/line 20-29 days.... $ .90/line 30+ days.......$ .85/line

Classified Display, Classified Card Ads or Game Sponsorship

AQuotations UTO INSURANCE Anytime

The Oklahoma Daily will not knowingly accept advertisements that discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religious preference, national origin or sexual orientation. Violations of this policy should be reported to The Oklahoma Daily Business Office at 325-2521.

Help Wanted ads in The Oklahoma Daily are not to separate as to gender. Advertisers may not discriminate in employment ads based on race, color, religion or gender unless such qualifying factors are essential to a given position.

All ads are subject to acceptance by The Oklahoma Daily. Ad acceptance may be reevaluated at any time.

ExLarge 1 bedroom furnished garage apt. Bills paid. Easy I35/HW 9 access.

Avail 8/09. $450/mo, $300 deposit. 3609983 or 639-7571

Summer Special! Nice 3-4 bd, 2.25 bth, 612 Ash, $750; 916 Branchwood, $775; 826 Jona Kay, $975; 3401 Abilene, $1000.

Call 360-2873 or 306-1970.

Handy Man Special in OKC, 2 bdrm, 1 bth, 1 car, fenced yard, needs TLC, rent free in lieu of repairs. 714-726-1204 1109 E Lindsey, 2/3 bd, 1 bth Refrig, w/d, stove, wood oors, no pets, $775/mo, $500/dep. Lawn maintenance optional. Call 329-1933 or 550-7069.

$99 Deposit! $99 1st Mo. Rent!

Free Membership at Steel Fitness! *some restrictions apply Models open 8a-8p Everyday!

Elite Properties 360-6624 or www.elite2900.com

CONDOS UNFURNISHED 2 bd, 2 full bath, w/d, ďŹ rst oor of The Edge, $850/mo, no pets. Call 414-4046.

1 1/2 blocks from OU. Attractive, clean, 2/1/carport, W/D hookups. Yard maintained.

404 Page Circle $575/mo 3294321 6 blocks W of OU - 3 bd/2 ba, 2 car garage, dishwasher, CH/A, W/D, refrig, range, new kitchen, no pets. $1500/mo.

Bob, Mister Robert Furniture 321-1818

Tired of squeeky oors and outlets that don’t work? Try a new place! Wanting 3 roommates. Call Elisabeth, 600-4363.

J

Housing Sales

MOBILE HOMES 3 bed, 2 bath M/H FS. 620-227-8799

4 BDRM, 2 Bath, walking distance to campus, kitchen appl incld, w/d, lawn care provided, pets OK. Call 826-1335.

3-4 Bdrm homes near OU, Reasonable Call 329-4119 Walk to OU. 2 large bd/1 ba, large living room - Flood & Lindsey. W/D hookup, water paid, no pets. $600/mo. 323-1412 4 blocks W of OU - 1034 S Lahoma - 3 bd/3 ba, Florida room, garage, basement, wood oors, w/d, CH/A, refrig, range, dishwasher, no pets, $1800/mo. Bob, Mister Robert Furniture 321-1818.

ROOMMATES WANTED Females to share clean 3 br, 1.5 bth, 2 car, 1.5 mi to OU, 1 blk from CART. For info, 306-6203.

Bartending! Up to $250/day. No exp nec.

Training provided. 1-800-965-6520, x133.

Canvassers needed P/T. $10/hr + Bonus.

Call Eric at 210-2630.

CITY OF EDMOND Summer positions at Pelican Bay Aquatic Center: Asst Pool Manager, Cashier & Cafe Managers, Cafe Staff/Cashiers, Lifeguard Staff, Water Safety Instructors.

Golf Course, Arcadia Lake, Parks & Recreation jobs also open.

Job info line, 359-4648 www.edmondok.com Apply at 100 E First, Room 106 P/T Leasing Agent for west side apt complex. 15-30 hrs per week, $7.50-8.00 per hour. Please call 360-7744.

Pre-school Teaching Assistant in Norman: M Tu W F, 11am-3pm. Th 9am-1pm. $8/ hr. Experience & References Required.

Fax resume to 310-6463.

9

number

crisis line

[help is just a phone call away]

325-6963 (NYNE)

OU Number Nyne Crisis Line except OU holidays and breaks

Hazing?

Not on our campus.

Report incidents at:

325-5000

All calls are anonymous.

The University of Oklahoma is an Equal Opportunity Institution.

3 9 7

HELP WANTED

6

4 9

8 2 5 8 3 4 3 7 2 5 9 8 3 1 7 5 9 2 7 3 4 6

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4 3 9 7 5 8 2 1 6

3 9 8 4 1 7 5 6 2

6 5 4 2 8 9 7 3 1

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Monday- Very Easy Tuesday-Easy Wednesday- Easy Thursday- Medium Friday - Hard

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. That means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

HOROSCOPE

By Bernice Bede Osol

Copyright 2008, Newspaper Enterprise Assn.

Thursday, June 25, 2009 CANCER (June 21-July 22) -Unless you walk the middle line instead of siding with one friend over another, you could alienate that pal in the process. It won’t be worth it.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- Your emotions are volatile, so when mingling with friends or associates, be careful how you react to their meaningless comments.

Once you make a poor impression, it’ll be hard to eradicate.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -Usually, you are someone who is extremely orderly and who always follows an established routine. However, a price will be paid when you, uncharacteristically, do things in fits and starts.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- A present joint endeavor in your field of expertise might be far more complicated than what is usually the case and throw you off balance. Stop and analyze things before you take another step.

The Oklahoma Daily is responsible for one day’s incorrect advertising. If your ad appears incorrectly, or if you wish to cancel your ad call 325-2521, before the deadline for cancellation in the next issue. Errors not the fault of the advertiser will be adjusted. Refunds will not be issued for late cancellations.

$400, bills paid, efďŹ ciency LOFT apartments, downtown over Mister Robert Furniture, 109 E Main, ďŹ re sprinkler, no pets, smoke-free. Inquire store ofďŹ ce.

2

(located just below the puzzle)

POLICY

ROOMMATES WANTED

Employment

8 p.m. - 4 a.m. every day

1 col (1.833 in) x 2.25 inches Crossword .....$515/month

HOUSES UNFURNISHED

!-0*' !-&1"- -0&*"! .+)"/%&*$ ,-" &+0. ) "- ,+!

Foreign Students Welcomed Jim Holmes Insurance, 321-4664

Contact an Acct Executive for details at 325-2521.

2 col (3.792 in) x 2 inches Sudoku ...........$760/month Boggle ............$760/month Horoscope .....$760/month

APTS. FURNISHED

HOUSES UNFURNISHED

AUTO INSURANCE r

J Housing Rentals

APTS. UNFURNISHED SPECIAL NOTICES

PAYMENT s r

J Housing Rentals

Call 325-2521, to place your ad.

Campus Address: COH 149A

Line Ad ..................2 days prior Place your line ad no later than 9:00 a.m. 2 days prior to publication date.

J Housing Rentals

5

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) -- You know from experience the takers who never pay their share or give anything back in return, so don’t put yourself in another situation with someone who will stick you with the bill.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) -- If this turns out to be one of those days when the world treats you unfairly, don’t take it out on those who love you the most. You’ll hate yourself if you do.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) -- You are a sensitive individual with keen powers of observation. Unfortunately, though, you may only see the undesirable aspects in others and be blind to their finer qualities.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) -- Do nothing impulsive where money is concerned. Thoroughly think through your moves before spending hard-earned cash, especially on unimportant, spur-of-the-moment items.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) -It’s never wise to harp on your mate’s shortcomings, so don’t start. If you want things done right, bolster this person instead of voicing constant reminders about his or her weaknesses.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) -- Acting in ways that make others believe that you are looking out only for yourself will cause them to deliberately put obstacles in your path in order to trip you up.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) -- If you burn the candle at both ends, there will be no flame left to light your path to victory. Guard against pushing yourself beyond your limitations.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- You’ll be sorry you swept a past mistake under the rug when you are forced to clean up the mess with no spare time to do so.

Previous Answers

Universal Crossword Edited by Timothy E. Parker June 25, 2009

ACROSS 1 Semester, e.g.

5 Flat-faced canines 9 Move slightly 14 Place for small scissors 15 Clay crock 16 They’re rather pointless 17 Some bread slices 18 Military detachment 19 Up to the present 20 Site of a famous race 23 “Your point being?�

24 Caribbean conjuring 28 “Have ___ and a smile� (old slogan) 31 Place Billy Joel sang about 34 Fully mature fillies 35 Evil grin 36 New homonym?

37 “Come ___, the water’s fine!�

38 “Stompin’ at the ___�

39 Leader of a lush life in Mayberry?

40 A season abroad 41 Word from the pews 42 Non-electric shaver 43 “The Wire� city

46 Gibson’s “Lethal Weapon� role 47 Act like a sponge 48 Tooth that turns 49 Honeymooners’ destination, often 56 Build up, as a fortune 59 “Maalox moment� cause 60 Horseradish sauce source 61 Calf in a range herd 62 Exhibit an inclination 63 Commercial award 64 GTs and Kadetts 65 Having butterflies 66 Metal fastener DOWN 1 Used a links peg 2 An active volcano 3 Giuliani of N.Y. 4 Off the mark 5 Butcher shop unit 6 Forearm part 7 Like smooth, offhand talk 8 Satisfy to excess 9 Guiding light 10 Consequence 11 “The Partridge

12 13 21 22 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 38

Family� actress Susan “Aw� follower Ultimate suffix Small bills Brooks who played Hawk Army identification Admitting (with “up�)

Burdens Biology 101 specimen Cambridge student Projecting windows Memorable Texas place Part of a voting machine “A Fistful of Dollars� director Bossa nova kin

39 Member of a ruling clique 42 Univ. teacher 44 It’s down in the mouth 45 Showy spring flowers 48 Country club summer job 50 Airport area 51 Got a perfect score on 52 Word with “onion� or “promise�

53 Kinks song 54 Superman’s gal 55 “Freeze!�

56 “And now, without further ___ ‌â€?

57 Janitor’s tool 58 Grow wizened

PREVIOUS PUZZLE ANSWER

Š 2009 Universal Press Syndicate www.upuzzles.com

SEE THE USA by Kay Daniels

6

Thursday, June 25, 2009

« OCTOPUS PROJECT

Dusty Somers, L&A editor dailyent@ou.edu • phone: 325-5189 • fax: 325-6051

OUDAILY.COM

Austin indie-tronica band The Octopus Project will swing by Norman next week. Go online to find out what to expect.

26th Jazz in June festival will heat up Norman MEGAN MORGAN The Oklahoma Daily

The recent heat wave has been scorching, but things might get even hotter when the sun sets this weekend for the three-day Jazz in June festival which features sizzling blues and jazz musicians.

This year’s Jazz in June marks the 26th anniversary of the free outdoor event, which also includes educational clinics and jams.

The concert series will feature both local and national musicians.

“I’m constantly amazed at the number of wonderful musicians from the Oklahoma area who share the stage with the national artists,” said Karen Holp, treasurer of the Jazz in June board of directors.

Jim Johnson is the chairman of the festival’s program committee, and said people should attend Jazz in June because of the quality of the music.

“I think one of the hallmarks of Jazz in June each year is that it has been consistent in the quality of the musicianship, even though each year only samples a small amount of the wide variety of jazz,” Johnson said.

Management information systems junior David Leach participates in the jazz band at OU and is also a member of a combo group called The Jazzmen.

Leach said he definitely plans on attending Jazz in June.

“It’s a great opportunity to hear jazz in Norman, since that’s kind of a rare thing,” he said.

THURSDAY — BLUES UNDER THE STARS Thursday’s lineup opens with the Roland Bowling Band from Oklahoma City. The night’s headliner is Lloyd Jones, a songwriter, guitarist and singer from Oregon who plays a combination of blues, funk and R&B with a Memphis flair.

Thursday night’s festivities conclude at Coach’s Brewhouse, 110 W. Main St., with

ELIZABETH NALEWAJK/THE DAILY

Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame member and blues legend Miss Blues performs at the opening night of the 2008 Jazz in June festival. Miss Blues was voted the Best Blues Band in Oklahoma in 2007.

“Blues after Hours,” a jam session led by AJ Johnson & Why Not. Local musicians are encouraged to bring their instruments to jam along.

Tom Houser, one of the owners and operators of Coach’s Brewhouse, said the restaurant will be open during the jam session and he anticipates a very positive effect on business.

“We expect a bunch of people enjoying good music and good beer,” Houser said.

Coach’s Brewhouse opened as a music venue in October, and Houser said it usually hosts blues and rock groups. This is the first year Coach’s has been able to participate in Jazz in June.

“It’s an amazing event that we hope everyone in Norman will continue to support — mostly by just coming out and having a good time,” Houser said.

FRIDAY — JAZZ UNDER THE STARS

ELIZABETH NALEWAJK/THE DAILY

Bassist Victor Rook and saxophonist Gary Clardy perform at the 2008 Jazz in June festival at Andrew’s Park in downtown Norman.

Friday night will feature saxophonist Morris McCraven from Oklahoma City and headliner Judy Carmichael, a Grammynominated pianist from New York.

Carmichael will play swing and classical jazz that draws from the ’30s and ’40s jazz repertoire.

Carmichael’s quartet consists of a drums, sax and guitar in addition to her piano and vocals. She plays in a challenging style known as stride, in which her left hand plays her own bass lines.

“The concert will be rhythmic and upbeat, and everyone will want to dance,” Carmichael said.

She said she expects Oklahoma to feel even hotter after the unusually cool summer in New York.

“That’s gonna be a shock,” Carmichael said. “But I know the people are gonna be

into the concert.”

The large crowd that usually attends Norman’s Jazz in June doesn’t daunt her, she said.

“People that want to have fun are my favorite kind of people,” Carmichael said.

SATURDAY — JAZZ IN THE PARK Saturday’s festivities will start with the Norman North High School jazz choir, which has been a Jazz in June tradition for 10 years.

Guitar prodigy Aaron Squirrel, 20, is returning for his second Jazz in June, but it will be his first as a performer.

Last year, this guitarist, who was born and raised in Norman, taught a guitar clinic. This year, he will be taking the stage with his quartet and two featured vocalists.

“Our music’s pretty eclectic and diverse,” Squirrel said. “We have jazz elements, some funk and even bluegrass.”

Squirrel said the performance will be high-energy, and he hopes to “rock it out” and gain some new fans.

“It’s really fun getting out and getting to

show your talent,” Squirrel said.

Jeff Lorber is a Grammy-nominated electric keyboard player who specializes in smooth jazz. He is scheduled as Saturday’s headliner.

But Lorber isn’t the last feature of Jazz in June. Jazz after Hours will take place from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. This event is a jazz jam session held at Sooner Legends Inn & Suites, where musicians are again invited to join in.

The Saturday jam will be led by Juanita “The Duchess” Ellington, a vocalist and relative of the legendary Duke Ellington.

Doug Kennon, one of the owner-managers of the hotel, said the jam will be held in one of the hotel’s ballrooms with a bar and that this is the fourth year Sooner Legends has hosted a Jazz in June event.

“We like to be actively involved in the community,” Kennon said.

He said he welcomes everyone to come out and have a good time.

“It’s a very laid-back, warm and quaint setting where you can get up close and personal with the musicians,” Kennon said.

2009 JAZZ IN JUNE LINEUP THURSDAY “Blues Under the Stars” Brookhaven Village

7 p.m. — Roland Bowling Band 8:45 p.m. — Lloyd Jones 11 p.m. — Blues Jam led by AJ Johnson & Why Not at Coach’s Brewhouse

FRIDAY “Jazz Under the Stars” Brookhaven Village

7:15 p.m. — Morris McCraven 9:15 p.m. — Judy Carmichael

SATURDAY “Jazz in the Park”

Andrews Park Noon: Clinics (at NIPA) 6 p.m. — NNHS Jazz Choir 7 p.m. — Aaron Squirrel 9 p.m. — Jeff Lorber 11 p.m. — Jazz jam led by Juanita Ellington at Sooner Legends Inn & Suites

BIGGER, LOUDER, DUMBER: ‘TRANSFORMERS’ SEQUEL PUTS MICHAEL BAY IN A CLASS BY HIMSELF If you absolutely must be one of the 20 million or so moviegoers to subject themselves to “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” this weekend, here's a little advice: Don't even think about operating heavy machinery for several days, have a designated driver waiting outside the theater and prepare yourself a cooling eye salve.

I'm serious about the last one.

The sequel to 2007's proudly stupid “Transformers,” this go-around is an all-out assault on the senses. It's like a snuff film with giant robots — how much can you enDUSTY dure before you just have to look away?

SOMERS At the end of his career (Lord, let it come soon), director Michael Bay will almost certainly have “Transformers 2” as the crown jewel of his filmography. A brief glance at Bay's oeuvre makes it clear the guy has been doing his damndest to create the biggest, loudest and dumbest action film of all time.

Well, he's succeeded.

“Transformers 2” makes “Armageddon” look subtle, “The Island” look intelligent and the first “Transformers” look like a study in restraint.

This time, poor Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf) is trying to shed his robot-infested past, and head off to a normal life at college.

He's determined to make a long-distance relationship work with girlfriend Mikaela (Megan Fox in full-on eye candy mode), but there's going to be trouble if he isn't willing to take the plunge and profess his love for her. This is by far the most interesting conflict in the film.

Elsewhere, we learn that the Decepticons and the Autobots are far more ancient than anyone thought, and they've been locked in mortal combat ever since. The Autobots are helping the military attempt to eradicate the Decepticons from the earth, but this is essentially impossible. It is — stop making movies about it. There can be no end.

About 75 percent of the film is dedicated to robots duking it out in scenes that are so poorly shot and edited, forget

about identifying which ones are bad and which are good.

Perhaps a pocket robot field guide is in order.

The other 25 percent of the film comes as a massive relief as Bay decides to actually give a little screen time to his human characters. None of these people are remotely interesting, but the respite from the exhausting battle scenes is entirely welcome.

Ever the classy and witty PHOTO PROVIDED guy, Bay fills the downtime Virtuous robot Optimus Prime speaks with human ally Sam Witwicky (Shia LeBeouf).

“Transformers: with gems like doggy sex, a leg-humping robot, Fox Revenge of the Fallen” is the follow-up to the 2007 blockbuster “Transformers,” which grossed more repeatedly running in slow- than $300 million domestically. motion like she's auditioning “Transformers 2” is neither; it's in another category all for “Baywatch,” two incredibly offensively stereotyped “black” robots and John Turturro by itself. A category that belongs solely to Bay. He's outdone himself. in a thong. How does he pack it all in?

A lobotomy wouldn't make “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” a pleasant experience. There are guilty pleasure movies and there are “so god-awful, I can't even mindlessly enjoy Dusty Somers is the Life & Arts editor and a journalism junior. this” movies.

JUNE 25-JULY 4TH 11 Great Events Celebrating Our Nation’s Independence!

Selected by CNN & USA Today as one of the Top 10 places to be on the 4th of July!

Edmond Convention & Visitors Bureau www.visitedmondok.com or call (405) 341-4344