Page 1

Examining child trauma
A recent report by the United Health Foundation ranked Oklahoma 48th in overall health — a drop of two spots from the previous year. Despite legislative victories over the past few years lowering taxes, reforming workers’ compensation and shrinking the size of government, Oklahoma is still not “doing fine” when it comes to the health of our people.

LETTERS
David Blatt (Commentary, “Oklahoma and Medicaid Expansion,” July 18, Oklahoma Gazette) makes some important points about the benefits of expanding Medicaid under Obamacare, but neglects to mention the astonishing profit of the plan to the state and taxpayers.

Movin’ on up
The arena’s renovation is funded by a 1-cent sales tax overwhelmingly approved by Oklahoma City voters in 2008. That tax, which ran for 15 months, was expected to raise $121.6 million; however, the nationwide economic downturn resulted in collections falling short of initial estimates.

Term of art
The post oversees public-art spending, which is required by a 2009 City Council-approved plan that sets aside 1 percent of construction expenses for public art. In addition, she will oversee the city Arts Commission, coordinate activities with local arts and cultural groups, identify new arts opportunities and manage the city’s public art collection.

State of health
Perhaps not coincidentally, it is among the bottom tier of states for health coverage. Families USA, a health care consumer advocacy group, lists Oklahoma as among the top 10 states “dying for health coverage.

Have patients
Morrow will be among the hundreds of people at State Fair Park later this month seeking free medical treatment from Remote Area Medical Oklahoma. The Aug. 25-26 event provides limited dental and vision care, along with some medical and women’s health care services.

Off the campaign trail
The 28-year-old Smith was arrested by Pontotoc County sheriff’s deputies on two warrants stemming from his owing nearly $3,000 in back child support and $1,850 in driving-related municipal fines..

When conservatives attack
“Super Al” for his perceived prowess at politics and electioneering, Meadows wrote that Gerhart did not support some important events for the right, and the ones he did try to organize were flops. Meadows also dubbed Gerhart an “ineffective troublemaker” who was “the kiss of death” for many conservative efforts.

That’s a lot of people zooing it
In its last fiscal year, the Oklahoma City Zoo set an attendance record of.

A pilot’s revenge
The saga of what future generations of grateful aviators might well refer to as Inhofecare began two years ago. That’s when the good senator, a pilot himself, had a run-in with the FAA when he landed his plane on a closed runway in Texas, scaring the bejesus out of some workers he narrowly missed.

Satisfaction guaranteed
Mick Jagger was wrong: Satisfaction is.

NEWS OF THE WEIRD
latest religious messages.

Around the world in OKC
Our world’s nations have united in London for the 2012 Summer Olympics. If you can’t afford to jet off to the UK — or anywhere, for that matter — visit these local, yet worldly, houses of flavor for a taste vacation as delicious as it is economical..

Bellissimo
It’s a ritzy joint in a classy neighborhood. Located in the Waterford Properties office and residential complex, the restaurant feeds many from a power center that includes banking, communications and medical services. The Chesapeake Energy campus is nearby, as well.

Chef swap
For 10 years, the Odyssey de Culinaire has worked to keep the spirit of Southern hospitality alive in Oklahoma. Hosted by the Oklahoma Restaurant Association and Oklahoma Hospitality Foundation, the fundraiser dinner benefits high school students pursuing careers in the restaurant, culinary and hospitality fields.

FOOD & DRINK
The farmers’ market hosted by Oklahoma State University’s Oklahoma City campus has grown in demand with a midweek opportunity to buy directly from local farmers 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays in the parking lot of Whole Foods Market, 6001 N. Western..

OKG 7 Seven/just-open restaurants to try
If you’ve got a hankering for tacos or burritos that are muy authentico, make a stop at this new spot. Not in the mood for traditional Mexican fare? Opt for the corn dog. It stays open until 9 p.m., so this taqueria is the perfect option for a late and yummy dinner.

OKG 7 Seven/things to do
As clockwork as owing taxes is the Oklahoma Pastel Society’s annual Small Works show — always a big deal! With pretty li’l pieces from 20 members, this year’s exhibition begins with a 6-10 p.m. Friday reception at Adelante! Gallery, 3003 Paseo, and is viewable thereafter Thursdays through Saturdays until Sept.

Believe it
Have you recently hidden the corpse of a secret lover you killed? If so, do not.

Film it
In case you missed the acclaimed time-travel comedy Safety Not Guaranteed.

Gawk it
thursday.

Rock it
American Idol.

Hear it
thursday-saturday.

Stage it
thursday-sunday.

Go for the gold
You also can pick up a FishWater shirt at Blue Seven (7518 N. May; 604-5199), home of all things fun, quirky and fashionable. Several Olympic-inspired prints are here aside from FishWater’s version, so you can get fixed up with the fit and design you prefer.

LIFE
hile you check out the new art at the Paseo Arts District’s First Friday Gallery Walk for August, be sure to stop by the inaugural Backyard Blues Bash from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at 2915 N. Walker. The event is hosted by the Oklahoma Blues Society and Alotta Action Advertising.

Pic up
“The works themselves haven’t really been out all that much, at least not recently,” White said. “This was really a great opportunity for us to bring out works that are at least important in the context of the collection, but just haven’t been seen in a while.

VISUAL ARTS
elephant may not have tracked through the butter, but he may have taken a walk through the paint again. Animals of the Oklahoma City Zoo have created their own artwork to be on display — and for sale — at the third annual Art Gone Wild.

Wolf trap
Not all the games in London have to do with boxing and basketball. Some focus on the body — we’re not talking Olympic rings, but curves. On Friday, Adéle Wolf’s Burlesque and Variety Show features a dancer who recently competed in the 2012 World Burlesque Games in London.

Diamonds in the rough
Now Fisher’s the starting middle linebacker for the Oklahoma City Diamondbacks, a minor-league franchise that has won 33 straight games in two different leagues with a roster of men hoping for one last shot at making a living playing the game they love.

Sample size
It’s hard to imagine that Gregg Gillis — best known as Girl Talk — spent several years playing for handfuls of people, being that he now regularly plays for 10,000 or more a night. No matter the number, he infused the same manic energy into his mad mash-ups.

Sugar sugar
“It’s scary to think, ‘What if we slow it down and we lose control and can never get it back?’ ‘Cause that’s happened,” Wiser said. “With the shows we do now, it’s just no dead time. If we’re not playing a song, we’re talking and moving back and forth. We try to make sure there’s some kind of audience participation in everything.

From Seinfeld
“It really is an all-ages experience. We love to share music making and encourage participation, but never put anyone on the spot,” she said. “We love to make things up, remain fluid, perform and have a great time.”.

Later, Vader
But he’s got a sound of his own. “I wanted to create something no one has heard on the OKC scene or ever in the existence of recorded music,” he said. “The scene is polluted with cloned copies of the mainstream, and they are at the top. It’s sickening.

Paramount release
More music fans are demanding that physical affront coupled with the sonic experience. Although historically loud acts like My Bloody Valentine and The Jesus and Mary Chain made careers out of thunderous tunes, the market felt scant through the mid- 2000s, until the Internet took its stranglehold on the music industry.

SOUNDCHECK/News
The Memphis rapper’s third solo album is due later this year and marks his first material since becoming a part of Wiz Khalifa’s hip-hop collective, the Taylor Gang.

FREE WILL ASTROLOGY
According to my analysis of the astrological omens, the coming weeks will be an excellent time for you to work on correcting this problem. Do everything you can to make it easy for people to offer you their love and gifts..