OKC Central Live Chat at 10 a.m. Today … and Other Thoughts
“Some people see things as they are and ask why. I see things as they can be and ask, why not?”
- Robert F. Kennedy
I’ve always loved this quote. Some say Kennedy actually spun this off of a similar thought by George Bernard Shaw. All I know is when I first heard it, I was told these words were spoken by Kennedy, and they immediately captured my world view.
I apologize for not blogging much the past couple of weeks, Sometimes, quite honestly, I go through a bit of writers’ block. And in the past few months it’s been a rather nasty recurring cerebral virus for me. Back in the early part of my career, I was The Oklahoman’s police reporter. I covered fires, murders, crime sprees and disasters. And I was good at it. I was in the lead covering the April 19, 1995 bombing, I got to the scene way too quickly, and the images I saw that day have haunted me ever since. I was out there day and night, until the last of the rescue workers left, and I couldn’t tolerate one more minute amid the rubble. I went from being a top notch disaster reporter to a person who, to this day, gets physically ill at the sight of such devastation.
My disaster beat days are long behind me.
So on weeks like this, or when terrorists struck in Boston and a fertilizer plant blew up in Texas, it gets to be a bit much for me. I see things as they can be – without hate, without violence, without needless losses of life when twisters sweep through town – and I ask, why not?
And I’m terrified at the prospect that question may never be answered.
Like many of you, I wept while smiling reading Berry Tramel’s story Thursday about “Big Dog” and “Little Dog.” I was nauseated by the bombardment of endless imagery of entire neighborhoods and schools wiped off the face of this planet. We all watch, we all want to help, and yet we know we’re helpless to totally make things right, to fix everything that’s broken.
So we donate money, we lend our talents, our labor, our skill, our know-how and we do what we can. But lives lost can’t be brought back. And some trauma can’t easily be erased.
So that’s that. We’re Oklahomans, those of us born here like Big Dog, and those of us like Little Dog (including me) who were transplants from what might as well be another country. For there is no place like Oklahoma. Maybe that’s why we’re so misunderstood by those who have not stepped foot on our red soil. There’s something special about this place that makes us cling to these crazy tornado swept Plains. New York Times Magazine writer Sam Anderson began to nail it when he described this state’s birth, our culture, our community as virtual super-collider of humanity. And Berry, God bless him, he closed this identity crisis once and for all with what may be the great single piece of literature ever to grace the pages of The Oklahoman – the story of Big Dog and Little Dog.
Against such great writers, sometimes I feel like a fraud. I realize I have a long, long way to go before I deserve the time I ask of all of you to read my words, to take it in, and ask yourselves – why not? I promise, I will never give up trying to earn your time.
Thanks for making my words a part of your daily reading. And yes, life will go on, and in the interest of distraction, I’ll even embrace every “mystery tower” question you can throw at me today during this morning’s OKC Central Live Chat.
- Steve
Photo gallery: Cassadee Pope volunteers with Moore tornado relief efforts
Cassadee Pope, last season’s winner on NBC’s “The Voice,” spent this morning volunteering at First Baptist Church in Moore to help with tornado disaster relief efforts.
She joined other volunteers in sorting toiletries and other items delivered by the Regional Food Bank, which is working with local agencies to distribute food and necessities to Oklahomans impacted by the Sunday and Monday’s deadly and destructive tornadoes.
The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is the state’s largest hunger relief organization. The nonprofit provides enough food to feed more than 90,000 hungry Oklahomans each week through a network of more than 1,000 schools and charitable feeding programs in 53 central and western Oklahoma counties. Since its inception in 1980, the Regional Food Bank has distributed more than 470 million pounds of food to feed Oklahoma’s hungry. For more information, go to www.regionalfoodbank.org.
Pope, who competed on “The Voice” Season 3 on the team coached by Oklahoma country music superstar Blake Shelton, is traveling the country on a radio tour. She was already scheduled to be in Oklahoma City today when the tornadoes ripped through central Oklahoma earlier this week.
The singer-songwriter will return to Oklahoma on Aug. 10 when she opens for Rascal Flatts and The Band Perry at Tulsa’s BOK Center. For more information, go to www.bokcenter.com.
I got the chance to interview Cassadee after she finished her volunteer efforts this morning with the food bank. Look for my interview in the coming days, and check out these provided photos now:
-BAM
“Longmire”: Season Two has a superb start
Robert Taylor stars in A&E’s hit drama series “Longmire.” – Photo Credit: Adam Rose/A&E
The Season Two premiere episode of the A&E drama “Longmire” titled “Unquiet Mind” begins with Walt (Robert Taylor) and Vic (Katee Sackhoff) assisting with a transfer of prisoners.
A serial killer among the group leads an escape that results in hostages being taken up a mountain with Walt in hot pursuit.
Walt not only has to track down the escapees, but also has to deal with a snow storm while he’s doing it.
Throw in some hallucinations relating to his past brought on by hypothermia and this gritty Wyoming sheriff has his hands full.
“Unquiet Mind” is an excellent start for the second season of a series that is always well-written and acted, and Taylor’s portrayal of this tough guy with a vulnerable side is continually appealing.
Cassidy Freeman, Lou Diamond Phillips, Bailey Chase and Adam Bartley also star in “Longmire.”
Season Two of ”Longmire” debuts at 9 p.m. Monday, May 27, on A&E.
– Melissa Hayer
mhayer@opubco.com
Follow me on Twitter: @MelissaHayer
Photo gallery: Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert perform “Over You” on “The Voice” as a tribute to Oklahoma tornado victims
This May 21, 2013, photo released by NBC shows married singers Miranda Lambert, left, and Blake Shelton performing an acoustic version of the hit “Over You” during a broadcast of the singing competition series, “The Voice,” in Los Angeles. Shelton and NBC are putting together a benefit for Oklahoma tornado victims.
As previously reported, Oklahoma country music superstar Blake Shelton and his wife Miranda Lambert delivered an emotional tribute to his tornado-ravaged home state to open Tuesday night’s live episode of “The Voice.”
On Sunday and Monday, a series of devastating and deadly tornadoes ripped through central Oklahoma, killing at least 26 people and leveling houses, schools and businesses.
The country music power couple, who live in Tishomingo, performed a heartfelt acoustic rendition of Lambert’s emotional chart-topper “Over You” on Tuesday’s “The Voice.” Check out these NBC photos of the performance.
The couple co-wrote the song about the death of Shelton’s brother, Richie, in a car accident. The song has earned song of the year honors from the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association.
After Tuesday’s episode of “The Voice,” Shelton announced that he was planning to perform a televised benefit show to aid with the Oklahoma tornado relief efforts.
Shelton’s “Healing in the Heartland” tornado benefit concert is set for Wednesday at Chesapeake Energy Arena, reports the Associated Press.
The event will be televised live on NBC.
The “Healing in the Heartland” lineup and more details will be announced Friday.
This May 21, 2013, photo released by NBC shows married singers Miranda Lambert, left, and Blake Shelton performing an acoustic version of the hit “Over You” during a broadcast of the singing competition series, “The Voice,” in Los Angeles. Shelton and NBC are putting together a benefit for Oklahoma tornado victims.
-BAM
Blake Shelton’s “Healing the Heartland” televised tornado benefit set for Wednesday at Chesapeake Energy Arena
Blake Shelton (AP file)
Oklahoma country music star Blake Shelton’s “Healing in the Heartland” tornado benefit concert is set for Wednesday at Chesapeake Energy Arena, reports the Associated Press.
The event will be televised live on NBC.
Shelton, an Ada native who now lives in Tishomingo, announced plans for the benefit after Tuesday’s episode of “The Voice.” He and his wife, Miranda Lambert, opened the live episode of the hit TV show with a heartfelt rendition of her emotional anthem “Over You” dedicated to victims of the deadline tornadoes that tore through central Oklahoma earlier this week.
Shelton isn’t the only country star helping out Oklahoma tornado victims. As previously reported, Checotah native Carrie Underwood announced tonight that she is making a $1 million donation to the American Red Cross’ disaster relief fund. Plus, Toby Keith, who grew up in Moore, has said he wants to play a benefit show as well.
The “Healing in the Heartland” lineup and more details will be announced Friday.
-BAM
Big 12 baseball: Too many teams?
OSU was still playing deep into Thursday night. / Photo by Sarah Phipps
It’s 10:30 p.m., I’m finishing up a little work and watching the OSU-TCU baseball game in the Big 12 Tournament. It’s in the fourth inning. And it’s remarkable they’re that far along.
Heavy rain deluged the Oklahoma City metro area on Thursday morning, and the Big 12 Tournament started 31/2 hours late. That’s disastrous when you’ve got four games a day scheduled. But the teams got in a hurry, played some solid and quick ball, and the tournament’s first day — already delayed by the Moore tornado tragedy — has a chance to end before midnight.
But still, this is a tournament that’s daring the fates. The Big 12 has tried bracket play, and pool play, and then went back to bracket play only to resort back to pool play with the change in schedule this week. But it’s not the format that’s the problem. It’s the field. The number of teams.
Eight teams is pushing the boundaries. Four games a day is pushing the boundaries. One misstep with weather, and it’s difficult to get back on track.
The Big 12 Baseball Tournament started out with six teams, back when the league had 11 baseball-playing schools. Then the tournament expanded to eight teams. Maybe it’s time to go back to six.
Then the tournament could breathe a little. It would need 10 or 11 games to crown a champion, depending on the format.
I know every school wants to be included. But every school is not included now. The ninth-place team (this year Texas) is omitted. If you can keep out one, you can keep out three.
Somehow, groundskeepers and tournament organizers and quick-moving ballplayers got the first day’s action finished in decent shape. But this had disaster written all over it. OSU-TCU is a game that easily could have started at 11 p.m. They’re trying to play too much baseball in too short a time.
Carrie Underwood donates $1 million to Red Cross for disaster relief in wake of deadly Oklahoma tornadoes
Carrie Underwood performs an October 2012 show at Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena. Photo by Garett Fisbeck, The Oklahoman Archives
As Carrie Underwood wraps her 2012-13 “Blown Away Tour” tonight in Abbotsford, B.C., Canada, a $1 million donation is being made to the Red Cross for disaster relief. The charitable contribution to the Red Cross derives from the tour’s concert proceeds and was established when it launched in spring 2012.
“I have watched the devastation in my home state of Oklahoma over the past several days with great sadness,” said the Checotah native in a news release. “With the help of my fans who attended my concerts over the past year, we can offer the Red Cross a little extra help in comforting those affected by the recent tornadoes.”
Deadly tornadoes ripped through central Oklahoma Sunday and Monday, including an EF5 twister that killed at least 24 and destroyed homes, schools and businesses. Underwood’s contribution to disaster relief will help people affected by disasters like tornadoes, floods and other catastrophes around the country, including Oklahoma, according to the release.
“The impact of the tornadoes in Oklahoma and the Midwest was devastating and the road to recovery will be long for many families. Through the generosity of Carrie, the American Red Cross can quickly respond with shelter, food and comfort now, and with lasting help as they move toward recovery,” said Neal Litvack, chief development officer for the Red Cross, in the release.
Every year, the American Red Cross prepares for and responds to nearly 70,000 disasters across the United States where they provide shelter, food, and emotional support for those in need. Proceeds from her Canadian concerts will be donated to the Canadian Red Cross.
Earlier in her lengthy tour, following a performance in Atlantic City, N.J., the 2005 “American Idol” winner designated funds to support the response and relief efforts in New Jersey in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.
“Crazy thought: we started the tour mid September 2012 & the tour ends tonight…that’s 8 months (granted, we took some time for Christmas),” Underwood posted on Twitter @carrieunderwood earlier today.
“Thanks to all who came out to see us throughout this amazing time in our lives! We have received so much love and support on this tour!”
The tour included home-state concerts last fall in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Since releasing her debut album in 2005, Underwood has sold more than 15 million albums and placed 17 No. 1 singles on the charts. Her most recent album, “Blown Away,” made history by debuting at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart, making her only the second country artist in the 47-year history of the chart to have each of their first four albums debut at No. 1. The now-platinum-selling “Blown Away” album also debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart, making the Oklahoma native only the second country artist in history to have three consecutive albums debut at No. 1. She is a six-time Grammy winner, a two-time Academy of Country Music Entertainer of the Year, a three-time Country Music Association and ACM Female Vocalist winner, and a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry.
-BAM
Country star Gary Allan asking fans to help with Oklahoma tornado relief efforts at Saturday’s Music & Mayhem at Lake Eufaula
EUFAULA – Gary Allan is slated to headline the Music & Mayhem Festival Saturday at Eufaula Cove Amphitheatre, and multiplatinum country music star is partnering with the venue and Oklahoma radio stations and reaching out to country fans asking them to support their neighbors in their time of need.
The venue and Allan have teamed up with volunteers from the local U.S. Cellular store to have staff onsite to collect items at the amphitheater, according to a news release. Allan is urging his fans to bring nonperishable food, canned goods, snack items, water, sports drinks, diapers, formula, baby wipes, toiletry items (shampoo, soap, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, etc.), gloves and infection control supplies (hand sanitizer, hand wipes, etc.). All physical items collected onsite will be distributed through local church charities to those in need in the five areas affected by the deadly and devastating tornadoes that hit central Oklahoma this week.
Preferred Fan Ticketing also will have representatives onsite to take monetary donations for disaster relief funds supporting the affected areas.
Allan is eager to get the word out to his fans.
“I was heartbroken to see the devastation in Oklahoma. My fans in Oklahoma have been so supportive of me over the years and I’m hoping we can pull together to get food, water, supplies and the basics to those in need,” he said in the release.
For more information on Allan, go to www.garyallan.com. For event tickets, go to http://eufaulacove.preferredfan.com.
Look for more information on Music & Mayhem and other Memorial Day weekend events happening around Oklahoma on Friday here at BAM’s Blog.
-BAM
Hazardous weather outlook, National Weather Service, Norman
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK…UPDATE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NORMAN OK
733 PM CDT THU MAY 23 2013
HARPER-WOODS-ALFALFA-GRANT-KAY-ELLIS-WOODWARD-MAJOR-GARFIELD-NOBLE-
ROGER MILLS-DEWEY-CUSTER-BLAINE-KINGFISHER-LOGAN-PAYNE-BECKHAM-
WASHITA-CADDO-CANADIAN-OKLAHOMA-LINCOLN-GRADY-MCCLAIN-CLEVELAND-
POTTAWATOMIE-SEMINOLE-HUGHES-HARMON-GREER-KIOWA-JACKSON-TILLMAN-
COMANCHE-STEPHENS-GARVIN-MURRAY-PONTOTOC-COAL-COTTON-JEFFERSON-
CARTER-JOHNSTON-ATOKA-LOVE-MARSHALL-BRYAN-HARDEMAN-FOARD-WILBARGER-
WICHITA-KNOX-BAYLOR-ARCHER-CLAY-
733 PM CDT THU MAY 23 2013
THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK COVERS NORTHERN…WESTERN…
CENTRAL…AND SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA…AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS.
.DAY ONE…THROUGH TONIGHT…
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK…
THUNDERSTORMS WILL REMAIN POSSIBLE THROUGH EARLY FRIDAY ACROSS PORTIONS OF
CENTRAL AND WESTERN OKLAHOMA… AND WESTERN NORTH TEXAS. A FEW OF THESE
STORMS COULD BECOME STRONG TO SEVERE.
DISCUSSION…
A FEW THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT PARTS OF WESTERN NORTH TEXAS
THIS EVENING BEFORE MOVING SOUTH INTO WEST TEXAS.
WITH VARIOUS BOUNDARIES EXPECTED OVER THE AREA… ADDITIONAL THUNDERSTORMS
COULD DEVELOP LATER TONIGHT INTO EARLY FRIDAY MORNING AS THE LOW LEVEL JET
STRENGTHENS. SOME OF THESE STORMS COULD BECOME STRONG TO POSSIBLY SEVERE
WITH HAIL UP TO THE SIZE OF QUARTERS AND WIND GUSTS TO 60 MPH.
PROBABILITY TABLE…
VALID THROUGH 700 AM CDT FRIDAY MAY 24.
PROBABILITY OF THUNDERSTORMS OCCURRING IN THE
NWS NORMAN COUNTY WARNING AREA…100 PERCENT.
PROBABILITY OF SEVERE STORMS IF STORMS OCCUR…20 PERCENT.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER…
DUE TO ALREADY SATURATED GROUNDS FROM THE HEAVY RAINFALL THURSDAY IN CENTRAL
OKLAHOMA… ANY ADDITIONAL RAINFALL OVER THESE AREAS LATE TONIGHT INTO FRIDAY
MORNING MAY RESULT IN FLOODING ONCE AGAIN.
MINOR RIVER FLOODING CONTINUES ALONG THE CLEAR BOGGY CREEK NEAR CANEY
IN ATOKA COUNTY.
.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…FRIDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY…
THUNDERSTORM OUTLOOK…
LINGERING THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE EARLY FRIDAY MORNING. SOME OF
THESE MAY BE STRONG…BUT THE OVERALL SEVERE THREAT IS LIMITED.
THUNDERSTORM CHANCES WILL CONTINUE ACROSS PARTS OF THE AREA THROUGH
THE MIDDLE OF NEXT WEEK. A FEW STRONG TO PERHAPS SEVERE STORMS WILL
BE POSSIBLE DURING THIS TIME FRAME…ESPECIALLY TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY.
OTHER HAZARDOUS WEATHER…
NONE.
Oklahomans compete in tonight’s “American Bible Challenge” finale
The Wagner Warriors, three brothers from from Tulsa and Owasso, are competing tonight in the Season 2 final competition of “The American Bible Challenge.”
The trio, Joshua, Daniel and Jesse Wagner, will face off against the Sisters of Mary and the Girls of Grace.
The brothers and their friends and family are planning to watch the finale together at the Oral Roberts University student center. Jesse and Joshua are students at ORU.
They are competing for a grand prize of $100,000, which would bring their total winnings on the Game Show Network show to $140,000. The prize money will benefit their family ministry Wagner Ministries International.
Gospel recording artists Mary Mary will perform a song during tonight’s show. It is set to air at 8 p.m.
Carla Hinton
Religion Editor
