Oklahoma Liquor Laws Facing Possible Modification

 Oklahoma lawmakers are in debate on whether or not they should change the liquor laws to allow consumers to purchase high point beer and wine in grocery stores. 

If the proposed liquor law passed, there would be a great impact on small businesses across Oklahoma. 

"It would be disastrous for all local retailers," Matthew Sterr, Owner of Spirit Shop said. 

Spirit Shop is a family owned and operated business which has been providing jobs for Norman, Okla. residents for 35 years. Moreover, Oklahoma liquor stores provide about 800 full-time jobs

"I would assume if Wal-Mart would start to sell wine and beer, over half of those businesses you would see would go bankrupt," Sterr said.  

On the other hand, Gene Clifton, owner and operator of Canadian River Winery in Slaughterville, Okla., would profit from the proposed changes. 

Clifton's wine is sold in 110 liquor stores across Oklahoma, including Spirit Shop.

"We of course are not opposed to wine in grocery stores, that's one of the things we want because it would be new market," Clifton said.  

According to the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement (ABLE) Commission, there are 61 winemakers in Oklahoma. The passage of the proposed liquor laws would allow these wineries to reach a wider consumer base. 

"A lot of people won't go into a liquor store, because it's the bible belt, but they shop in grocery stores, and they pick up wine in grocery stores," Clifton said.

With wine sold in grocery stores, a new convenience factor would be added to everyday grocery consumers. 

"It's just like a sack of flour, people just pick it up because it's there. They don't have to go to a liquor store," Clifton said.

According to the ABLE Commission, there are 645 liquor stores in Oklahoma. 

Under current Oklahoma law, retailers may not sell beer and wine above 3.2 percent alcohol concentration in grocery stores. Furthermore, liquor stores in Oklahoma are only allowed to sell liquor, wine, and warm beer. 

With wine and strong beer in grocery stores, minors have more accessibility to these products through juvenile employees and customers. 

"It would basically be a complete deregulation. You might as well throw out the 21 rule for retail because it would become extremely easy for minors to get ahold of strong alcohol," Sterr said.

Oklahoma lawmakers have created a task force to further research the effects of the proposed liquor law changes. 

"I think its a complete politicization of the issue, they knew they couldn't get the bill through, they knew they didn't have the votes. You really don't need a task force to study that," Sterr said.  

The current Oklahoma liquor laws will stay in effect until the task force completes the necessary research next year. 

Osama bin Laden's Death Received Different Reactions From Around the Globe.

Large celebrations were witnessed around the United States once Pres. Barack Obama announced the death of Osama bin Laden; however, there were different reactions around the globe. 

Pres. Barack Obama announces
the death of Osama Bin Laden.
PHOTO: Courtesy youtube.com

"There isn't a lot of talk here...all I hear is that everyone is wondering why there arn't pictures," Feras Villanueva, external relations manager at Carnegie Melon University at Qatar, said.

The U.S. had been looking for bin Laden extensively since the September 11th attacks on the New York City World Trade Centers and the Pentagon. However, bin Laden had been the mastermind behind terrorist attacks against the U.S. since the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center. 

bin Laden was the founder of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda, which has launched terrorist attacks on several countries since the 1980s. 

It was believed that bin Laden was hiding in the mountains around Afghanistan for several years; nevertheless, it was only within the last month that Pres. Obama learned of bin Laden's luxurious living within Abbottabad, Pakistan. 

Pres. Obama announced bin Laden's death May 1 after a successful intricate operation completed by U.S. Navy Seals. 

"The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date against al-Qaeda," Pres. Obama said in his address to the public on May 1. 

Celebrations occurred
 outside the White House.
PHOTO: Courtesy Al Jazeera Newspaper, Qatar

On the streets in New York City, at the front gates of the White House, and in many other cities around the world; celebrations could be found that resembled the look of New Years Eve.  However, these celebrations were not found around the globe.  

"The overall feeling here is of thankfulness...there is still a lot of doubt," Villanueva said. 

While the majority of reactions were in a positive manner, the intense celebrations were not witnessed. 

"The killing of bin Laden is very important news... The Taliban must learn a lesson from this. The Taliban should refrain from fighting," Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan president, said according to Al Jazeera newspaper in Qatar. 

Pres. Obama has announced that his administration will not release photos of bin Laden as he does not want them used as propaganda or to strike up additional violence.

 "We are absolute certain this was him, we've done DNA testing...There is no doubt we killed Osama bin Laden," Pres. Obama said. 

Jeanine L'Ecuyer Gives Insight to University of Oklahoma Journalism Students

Jeanine L'Ecuyer visited the University of Oklahoma Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communications Tuesday, offering an insiders perspective into the public relations career field to journalism students.  

Jeanine L'Ecuyer talks to future
jouranlism professionals at the
University of Oklahoma Tuesday.
PHOTO: AJ Graffeo

L'Ecuyer is currently the director of communications at Ziemba Waid Public Affairs and works for Girl Scouts of America at Arizona Cactus- Pine Council in public relations and communications, according to Linkedin.com. 

Before entering into the public relations field, L'Ecuyer had an extensive career in the broadcast media industry beginning in 1978 at KOOL-FM in Arizona. Next, she worked for eleven years at KPNX-TV in Arizona in various positions including reporter, investigative reporter, assistant news director, and news director.

L'Ecuyer began her work in the public relations field in 1999 once she created her own company, L'Ecuyer & Associates, for public relations and communications. 

In describing the work of a public relations practitioner, she stressed the importance of writing and communication skills. 

"Know how to write," L'Ecuyer said, "If you can't write a clear concise idea...you got a problem." 

The main focus of the public relations field is to preserve the image of a company to the public. 

While working as press secretary for the office of Gov. Janet Napolitano for the State of Arizona, L'Ecuyer had the opportunity to cover the longest hostage situation in U.S. history and the only one to end without the loss of life. 

"...the only time in my career I dealt with a life and death situation," L'Ecuyer said. She worked to preserve the states image and the governors political image. 

Lastly, she offered her personal advice to the steps of the public relations process. The three steps to the process include: What are you trying to say?, Who are you trying to say it to?, and how are you going to say it?.

"You are not going to find this in any textbook," L'Ecuyer said. 

She stressed if the students were to take nothing else away from the lecture that they should remember that verbal and writing skills are extremely important. 

"I've said it once, I'll say it again...clarity," L'Ecuyer said. 

Beyond the public relations insight, L'Ecuyer offered advice to the future journalism professionals. 

Despite her extensive resume in the journalism and public relations fields, L'Ecuyer never completed her bachelors degree even after attending Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, and the University of Kansas, according to Linkedin.com.

In revealing this personal information, she discussed how tempting it is to quit college near the end as jobs become more available and seem more promising. 

She also stressed the importance of acquiring as many internships in as many disciplines as possible. 

"Pick what you want and stick with it," L'Ecuyer said. 

Four Concerts Take Over Oklahoma Stages This Week

Oklahoma residents were far from silence after four different artists made a stop in either Tulsa or Norman this week.

Lady Gaga on Monday and Kings of Leon on Friday brought crowds to the Bank of Oklahoma Event Center in Tulsa. Miranda Lambert on Thursday and Jason Castro on Friday entertained crowds on the University of Oklahoma Campus. 

Lady Gaga brought swarms of monster loving fans out to the BOK Center in Tulsa, many decorated with fancy costumes and eager to see the much anticipated Monster Ball tour. 

"I was definitely not going to miss Lady Gaga...I skipped my Monday night class to drive to Tulsa," Erick Moham OU sociology senior said. 

Before the Lady Gaga and Kings of Leon shows, the ONEOK Outdoor Concert Series provided free concerts to audiences. 

The concert series originally started in 2008 as a way to promote local musicians and enliven Downtown Tulsa, according to www.bokcenter.com.  

The group Admiral Twin played before the Lady Gaga show and the group Radio Radio played before the Kings of Leon show.

"I got my tickets the day they went on sale," Katie Schoelen said, "I've been a huge fan for a long time."

Lady Gaga's Monster Ball tour stopped in Tulsa Monday. PHOTO: Courtesy amplifyyourvoice.org

In Norman, Miranda Lambert packed the Lloyd Noble Center Thursday with her country hits. 

"[Lambert] was amazing...a perfect way to end my stressful week," Lauren Henderson said. 

The Miranda Lambert was actually the first time alcohol was allowed inside the Lloyd Noble Center. 

"I hardly noticed the alcohol, I guess it kind of just fit the concert scene," Henderson said.

Lastly, American Idol's Jason Castro was brought to the OU Walker-Adams Mall Friday night as part of the Brothers Under Christ Fraternity 11th annual Island Party. 

The Brothers Under Christ Fraternity hosts the free annual Island Party concert each year as a fundraising event.  

This year the funds were raised for the Haiti Rising Fund. 

Miranda Lambert brings fans and alcohol into the Lloyd Noble Center Thursday. PHOTO: Courtesy Soonersports.com

For music fans that did not get their concert fix this week, the BOK center is hosting Bob Seger April 28, the Foo Fighters May 17, and Josh Groban May 20. 

Tickets can be purchased for all BOK Center events at www.bokcenter.com or by phone at 1-866-7-BOK-CTR. 

Medieval Fair Brings a Timeless Escape to Norman

The scene looked as if it were a University of Oklahoma football game day this weekend as large crowds gather at Reaves Park in Norman to relive the medieval times. 

People stretched for miles away from Reaves park; however, replace the sea of crimson and cream and tailgaters with a sea of medieval costumes and vendors, as it was a different crowd at this time of year. 

"I love when [the medieval fair] comes to town...it offers an escape from the daily grind of classes and homework," Emily Blasdel, Studio Arts junior said. 

The faire offered thirty-five vendors and six stages to keep the journey back to the medieval times alive. 

"There were fox tails and rabbit ears, turkey legs and fried pickles, music and medieval dancing, and of course elephant riding," Elliot Hale, Geography senior said.

Performers play songs from the Medieval times. 
PHOTO: Courtesy medievalfair.org

The highlights of the fair included jousting knights on horseback and the intense human chess games that occurred on a daily basis. 

The Medieval fair has been an annual event in Norman since 1977 and boasts to be the state's largest weekend event and the third largest event in Oklahoma, according to www.medievalfair.org. 

The fair offers fun for all ages as there is a large variety of food and drink, games, face painting, and several performances throughout the weekend.

"This would have been really fun to go to when I was a kid, I would bring my family with me if it were in my hometown," Blasdel said. 

Crowds gather around the human chess game. 

PHOTO: courtesy Kyle Phillips, Norman Transcript

The fair ran three consecutive days, living the timeless classic between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. It also offered free parking in all areas around Reaves park. 

"This was my first time to attend, and it definitely will not be my last," Gianna Barolin, International Area Studies junior said. 

Midterm Interesting Person Profile

The Race for Summer Lifeguard Jobs is Underway

Students seek lifeguard certification in hopes to gain summer employment in hard economic times. 

A high number of students have recently enrolled in lifeguard certification classes at the University of Oklahoma Murray Case Sells Swim Complex. 

"Students are looking for summer jobs with good pay and that still get to enjoy the summer weather," Kim Bramblett Head Lifeguard at the OU Swim Complex said. 

With the ever-present hard economic times, students are beginning to get creative in searching for new summer jobs; however, some students still seek out lifeguard jobs even with the high volume of applicants. 

View from the lifeguard stand at the OU Swim 
Complex. PHOTO: AJ Graffeo

"I'm a little nervous with the times being how they are...less people are paying to swim at public pools, which I think means pools will hire less lifeguards," Amber (last name withheld) prospective lifeguard said. 

Bramblett said last summer the OU Swim Complex had about 40 applicants for lifeguard positions, and only about 20 were hired throughout the summer. 

The applications for this summer are posted at www.jobs.ou.edu in early April. The OU Swim Complex is estimating to have about 45 to 50 applicants for this summer based on their inquiry volume, Bramblett explained. 

"Experience and leadership set the quality lifeguards apart from the other applicants," Bramblett said. 

Every year the OU Swim Complex provides various lifeguard certification classes that begin in January and run two consecutive weekends. 

"For the current class in session ten students are enrolled, and the numbers have increased for each class as the Summer gets closer," Rhiannon Windsor Lifeguard Certification Instructor at the OU Swim Complex said.  

Windsor explained how lifeguard certification students will learn surveillance and rescue techniques, CPR, and basic first aid. 

"[The lifeguard certification] will prepare the students adequately and give them the confidence to respond correctly in an emergency situation," Windsor said. 

Lifeguarding can be a high-stress job especially in the middle of the summer as the temperatures climb and more pool patrons come to swim. This does not scare away most applicants, however. 

"I think I'll be able to handle the stressful emergency situations, I've known how to swim well since I was little," Amber said. 

The OU Swim Complex offers one more lifeguard certification class in late April through early May. The classes cost $150, which includes all materials necessary. For more information on classes and employment, call the OU Swim Complex at 405-325-4837.

The necessary safety equipment used by lifeguards. PHOTO: AJ Graffeo