Engineering Group Hopes to Drive its Way to First

The Sooner Racing Team is busily working to put together a formula racing-style car for competition this summer. This team of around 12 builds a new car from scratch every year, and has made a name for themselves as one of the top teams to watch out for at the competitions.

According to the Society of Automotive Engineers’ website for the student competition in 2011 they won second place overall in the SAE-west competition in California, this is the competition that pits 80 school teams from the western part of the nation against each other. At these competitions the car is tested in topics ranging from cost effectiveness to endurance trials.

The competitions can also prove to be a good place to get hired as well, as president of the Sooner Racing Team, Robert Schwartz, explains.

“So actually at competitions there is usually employers just uh, walking through the pits walking around asking if anyone has resumes because they know that these students are the ones who have put in the long hours and worked really hard. “ Schwartz said.

The team is given one-third of the money it needs from OU, while they have to fund raise for the rest of the money that they need, usually by garnering sponsors.

The team members start out with more of the simpler machinations of the car in their first and second year and then as juniors and seniors they move on to more complicated things like the suspension and the engine intake.

The team works on the car for a year. Usually starting in August and going to the competitions in June of the next year. The students don’t get school credit for their work. Civil engineering junior Ryan Campbell explains what he personally gets out of it.

“At the end of the year when the car is done and together and you get to see what you have put a whole lot of hard work into come together as something.” Campbell said, “Its really cool and its really rewarding.”

The team is still building the car for this year’s competitions. Their car will be ready to race this summer.

New Club Sweeping Up Fun

Sunday the Sooner Curling Club met at Arctic Edge Arena in Edmond for a special Learn-to-Curl opportunity where students were taught the basics of curling at a reduced rate.

The Sooner Curling Club was started by Dylan Smith in 2010 when he was a freshman at OU.

“Mostly I just wanted something to do.” Smith said, “Like when I first came here I didn’t, y’know, I didn’t really know that many people. I was kind of bored and I had watched curling on the Winter Olympics and was like ‘that looks kind of cool, I want to try that’ so I started it up.”

The Learn-to-Curl opportunity brought 11 students out to learn the ropes of curling. OU senior Andrew Belliveau stepped out onto the ice to try his hand at curling for the first time.

“I came because my friends encouraged me to come and I have been interested in curling ever since the Winter Olympics last time.” Belliveau said, ”So I just wanted to try it out.”

The new curlers were taught the basics of curling from the Oklahoma Curling Club, an adult club. The new curlers were able to pick up the sport quickly.

 Rachel Davenport releasing the curling stone.

“My favorite part was everybody was really nice and there was a real sense of community around the sport of curling.” Said Belliveau, “and it was really satisfying seeing yourself improve... and it was fun sliding the stone across the ice.”

Smith had not played the sport before he created the club, but he has been happy with the results.

“70 people probably have learned to curl while I have been president.” Smith said, “Um like in the last two years. But there have been a lot of other people that have come to various meetings. So, like, it’s getting pretty big. We have taught quite a few people how to curl.”

OU students after sweeping the curling stone.

Smith will be stepping down as president next fall semester, he wants to stay focused for his senior year, but he already has his replacement picked out. He wants to make sure that his club survives past his four years at OU.

There will be another Learn-to-Curl session on Dec. 2, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The price is $5, reduced from the normal $20.

Fivefingers on One Foot

Vibram didn’t invent the foot. They only invented the Vibram Fivefingers. Vibram Fivefingers are shoes which fit onto feet like gloves fit onto hands. They have dedicated toe holds. They were debuted in 2005 and their popularity has grown since.

“I began in about July of 2010 and sales began to rise quite a bit because they had been popular on either of the coasts.” Said Benjamin Nichols, a sales associate at the outdoor store Backwoods, “But that momentum began to move to the middle of the state. And so people would like them for running or working out or anything. Just the idea of being barefoot seemed like a lot of fun.”

The shoes require the wearers to walk and run differently. Runners who are used to running long mileage should not run the same distance with the Fivefingers at the beginning. It takes time to work up to the same mileage that they are used to in other shoes.

“I do tend to run more on the balls of my feet.” Said Michael Bibens, a Health and Exercise Science Senior and also an owner of a pair of Fivefingers, “My calves and my feet sometimes are sore after running less miles than I normally do.”

Some claim that by using Fivefingers, or similar footwear, that you can have healthier feet.

“Especially if you have foot problems you might just try them on the side. “ Bibens said, “I mean, you are already spending a lot of money on orthotics and shoes anyway. So you might as well try something different.”

The footwear is not for everyone though, and the issue of running barefoot or with minimalist shoes like Fivefingers is highly contested. The companies that have been making the modern running shoes are not ready to give up on their current business model yet; though many of them are introducing minimalist shoes of their own, such as the Nike Free.

“Almost all the feedback has been positive.” Nichols said about Fivefingers, “Sometimes it’s negative. I think some of that has to do with not everything works for everybody.”

It is difficult to gauge whether these minimalist shoes are only a fad, or a larger sign of a changing marketplace for footwear. The owners of the Vibram Fivefingers seem to enjoy them.

“I don’t wear them every day per se but some days I will wear them to class and some days I will wear them to work out and some days I will wear them to run…” Bibens said, “But I wear um, y’know, except for like to church. You name it, I probably wear them to it.”

Regional Food Bank Gearing Up for Holiday Help

There are 25 resources for food and hygiene aid in the local area. Many of these are run by the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma.

 According to the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Angie Gaines, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma serves about 90,000 Oklahomans each week with aid for food. These are distributed through various organizations such as the food pantries, soup kitchens, meals on wheels, and other sources.

Gaines also mentioned that there is a new way they disperse food for those looking for it. There are three food resource centers which are set up to be like grocery stores. Clients are given a dollar amount and left to shop within the store. She stressed that this was important for people with allergies.

According to an article from NewsOK about the Food Resource Centers, there are three food resource centers open now, and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma plans on opening 40 food resource centers in the next several years.

Most food pantries have limits to how many times they can be visited a month. At McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church it is twice a month. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma does not regulate this, or the individual site’s rules about what the client needs to have to receive help.

 “We don’t ask them about what other programs the client has… signed up for.” Pat Stewart, a volunteer at the McFarlin Methodist’s food pantry, said, “We just qualify with one question and that is ‘Do you live in the Norman, Noble, or Little Axe area?’ cause that’s the area we serve. And we work through the Regional Food Bank in Oklahoma City.”

According to Gaines, the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma aids local food pantries by supplying most, if not all, of the food they give out.

In a pamphlet from the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma it states that in 2012, 42.2 million pounds of food was distributed to families, seniors and children. And that one in four children in Oklahoma struggles with hunger every day.

The food pantry at McFarlin Memorial Methodist Church is open every Tuesday and Thursday from 9-11 and 1-4. On Thursdays they also have utilities assistance available. 

Flaming Lips Put on Free Halloween Concert

Oct. 26 was the last concert that Innervisions and Facilities Management Group will ever host at the Zoo Amphitheatre. They went out with a bang with a free concert featuring the Flaming Lips.

Billed as “The largest Halloween party in the Midwest” Freak Night did not disappoint. Even though the temperature dropped below 40 degrees the crowd remained standing in eager anticipation of the next song. The zoo was filled to capacity with around 10,000 guests attending the concert.

Before The Flaming Lips came on the president of Innervisions, Henry Pollack, came out and thanked the audience for coming out.

“This was and is the people’s place, and we thank you all for all your years.” Pollack said.

Pollack then introduced many of the workers who help his company put on these shows.

The new company that will be in charge of putting on shows at the Zoo Ampitheatre is the newly formed 3Horse Productions. No events have been scheduled, so it is unclear what type of events the venue will now hold.

Wayne Coyne, lead singer of the Flaming Lips, at one point claimed that he had spoken with Governor Mary Fallin and she assured him that the use of marijuana would be legal in Oklahoma by the end of 2013.

“But she wanted me to tell you a little bit of a warning, ok?” Coyne told the crowd, “Scientists and smart people have concluded that smoking marijuana…. Can lead to more dangerous substances… smoking marijuana can lead to smoking cigarettes.”

The concert played out in a fashion that was befitting of the style and grandeur of one of Oklahoma’s most famous rock groups. They played some of their biggest hits including “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song”, “Waitin’ for a Superman”, and “Do You Realize??”

Coyne at one point in the night drank a cup of what he claimed was his own blood from a Starbuck’s cup. He also said that at participating Starbucks they would have a little bit of Coyne’s blood to give out on Halloween.

Even though Innervisions and Facilities Management will not be putting on any shows at the Zoo Ampitheatre, the company is not going away.

In an interview with NewsOK Pollack said, “We do probably in excess of about five, six hundred shows a year at the casinos.”

Taco Truck Capitalizes on Growing Trend

Jonathan Grupe doesn’t have an average day job. Grupe works at Big Truck Tacos. Big Truck Tacos is a traveling taco stand that drives all over central Oklahoma.

While living in Chicago Grupe managed a pizza restaurant. When Grupe moved back to Oklahoma, where he was born, he wanted to open his own food truck but had insufficient funds.

Grupe was surprised to find that Oklahoma already had a food truck in the form of Big Truck Tacos. Grupe joined Big Truck Tacos and worked his way up from a cook all the way to truck manager.

“I’ve been there for about a year and a half, and it has just kept growing and growing.” Grupe said.

Big Truck Tacos has been on the scene of Oklahoma City eateries since 2009. Like the taquerias it is modeled after, it moves to different locations to maximize the availability.

“Essentially it’s like a RV, but instead of beds there’s a kitchen.” Said Grupe.

In another separation from taquerias, Big Truck Tacos uses social media in communicating to their customers where they will be on a day to day basis.

Customer Justin Westmoreland said, “I follow them on Twitter, so, I’m a fan.”

Big Truck Tacos also has a permanent restaurant in Oklahoma City. Grupe explained that it wasn’t originally intended to be a restaurant, but was only supposed to supply the trucks with food and other materials before they went out. When Big Truck Tacos decided to also sell food there the owners had to buy the building next door to expand to make it a full restaurant.

Since opening their first truck in 2009 Big Truck Tacos has been successful, and it doesn’t show much sign of slowing down.

Grupe said, “The name is just spreading more, and we are getting more and more business.”

Scholarships for Native Americans

Following the relocation of many Native American tribes to Oklahoma, it is now the state that has more Native Americans of diverse tribes than any other state.

Among the many Native American tribes that were relocated to Oklahoma were the Muscogee Creek tribe. Tusa Beaver is a member of the Creek Tribe. Beaver is also a a junior at the University of Oklahoma who studies special education.

The American Indian Student Association puts on some activities for Native Americans throughout the year. Beaver believes the school and clubs like this are doing a good job helping Native Americans in their studies there, and letting them show some of their culture on campus.

“Last year in April we were able to go in the south oval and they were able to do some powwow songs there and we were able to dance a little bit there and I think OU is doing a good job.”

Beaver grew up in Eufaula, OK which is part of the Creek Nation territory in Oklahoma.

“I like to joke and say 'if you pass by an Indian, they are probably related to me.'”

Beaver doesn’t think that there are many differences between Caucasians and Native Americans living in Oklahoma.

According to the 2010 Census, the Creek Nation has approximately 88,000 members currently living in the United States. It is the 9 largest Tribe in the U.S.

Beaver receives some scholarship money from both the Creek Nation and other associations. Beaver has received around $5000 from her tribe for school, she said other tribes are not as giving.

“I think a lot of tribes aren’t helping as much as they could. My tribe might pay more than many other tribes. I don’t think the Cherokee Nation helps as much.”

Beaver’s fiancé, Lawrence Scraper Jr., is from the Cherokee Nation. He met Beaver after a high school professor told him about her.  At the time she was a Muscogee Creek Nation Princess, a pageant that awards scholarship money to the winner.

Scraper also believes OU is doing a good job representing the Native American Tribes of the state.

“They have different languages that they offer to everybody, I guess." Scraper said, "Not like you have to be of the tribe to learn them.”

The American Indian Student Association puts on several events throughout the year to celebrate the heritage of the Native Americans who go to OU. The annual powwow will be held in spring 2013.                                                                                    

Smoking Ban Changing Air We Breathe

The smoking ban on all Oklahoma schools is in full force now. Students may now only use tobacco products off of school grounds. Since last spring the University of Oklahoma has offered smoking cessation classes for students who want to quit. Since that time 11 people have used the service. According to Nicole Pritchard from the OU Health Services 100% of people who started the school’s smoking cessation continued through it to the end. As evidenced by relatively low numbers of attendees at the classes. The classes are for those who want to change their habits. If students don’t want to quit smoking then they won’t go use a system to change.

OU senior Carson Gober hasn’t changed his smoking habits, and doesn’t plan to. “No not really.” Gober said, “Maybe for only the saving money part of it” According to the Bruce Chan of the OU Police Department there have only been 24 warnings issued. One was a written warning, and in some of the 24 warnings there were more than one person; so more than 24 people have been warned. Gober has noticed that the students have been respectful of the ban. “No, I have only seen like one person smoking since the ban.” OU Junior Brittany Weaver is not sad about the ban. She has strong opinions about smoking, but she does concede that she would be fine with designated areas for smokers. The original plan was for there to be designated smoking areas, but Governor Mary Fallin signed an executive order that prohibited smoking anywhere on state owned property. Some smokers who go to school here smoke just off of campus at the corner nicknamed “Cancer Corner.” Whether the ban on smoking will encourage students to quit is questionable. Gober is doubtful that the laws really affect smokers who don’t plan on quitting. “It doesn’t stop people it just forces them to find ways around the rules.” According to the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation there are 774 smoke free campuses in the U.S. with Oklahoma, Iowa and Arkansas having laws that prohibit tobacco use on school property. More and more campuses are moving toward 100% tobacco free campuses each year. With this in mind it seems as if the question is not as much if a school will ban tobacco, and more when it will ban tobacco.

Meeting People Just a Click Away

Meetup.com was started in New York City in 2001 after the events of September 11^th. Co-founder Matt Meeker noticed that people around the city were waving to each other, something New York City residents aren’t known for doing. Meeker thought this was a sign that people wanted to connect with each other in a way that they hadn’t before.

Meetup.com is different than Facebook and Twitter in that while those sites allow you to meet people from all across the globe, Meetup.com puts the emphasis on meeting locals with like interests. While other sites encourage you to stay put in your home, Meetup reaches its full potential by meeting in person.

Meetup.com has events all around the Nation with some in smaller cities, but most in the bigger ones. One of the most active groups on the site in Norman is the Norman Naturalists. They have several events per month where they meet and talk about their religion in various locations around Norman, including Gray Owl Coffee.

The group founder David Wheelock, who created the group in 2008 said about Meetup.com, “It’s about getting people together face to face, who are local to each other.”

The Naturalists may be one of the most active groups here in Norman, but the website has lots of different groups; some of the local groups include the Moms and Margaritas, the Oklahoma Red Dirt Paddlers, and even the OKC Tall Club, where you have to be a certain height to join.

Since the site is geared toward finding what you like, you can find people with similar interests, it can be a good way to meet people. Courtney Crites, a Norman Naturalist member, said “Meetup itself is really cool, it’s safer than just going up to a random person and saying lets be friends.”

There are other sites that you can use to connect to local people. Reddit has a similar feature, and so does craigslist. While these sites don’t have near the popularity of Facebook and Twitter it is good that there is an option for those who want to meet locals.

Meetup.com is the largest social site for people to find groups to join or start their own. According to the site it has 11 million members and there are 340,000 monthly Meetups in 45,000 cities.

For those wanting to meet new people Meetup.com may just be the tool you are looking for. 

Hope for Newspapers Yet

Sharks must continue to swim, or they die. That was essentially the point of Rob Curley’s speech on Monday night. He pushed for the evolving of newspapers to not merely survive, but thrive.

Curley did not tell the audience of about 100 how to do fix all newspapers; he only told what he had done at past publications and how it worked for him. Above all Curley pushed for newspapers to be aware of what their audience really wanted, and then give it to them.

Curley presented the listeners with 5 P’s for giving the consumer what they wanted. These were Passion, Practical, Playful, Personal Communication, and Porn. Before any article is published they must be in at least one of these categories. Curley also stated that instead of focusing on the classic formula of Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How he is now focuses on only the How and Why. He feels these are the most pressing questions that face the readers.

One of the most powerful images that Curley used was a bar graph that compared the steady rise in population with the stagnant sales of newspapers over the years. Stephanie Wingfield said that the graph was one of the most surprising things about the speech.

A large portion of the night was spent talking about Curley’s time at the Las Vegas Sun, where the readership increased eightfold from the time that they started to integrate multimedia.

 The management at the Las Vegas Sun noticed viewers were reading the online versions of stories longer. They found that this was due to a point in a webpage where advertisements are no longer a distraction. This is called the “book zone,” where a reader is able to focus on only the article. A reader never reaches this zone in a print newspaper and so therefore they rarely read an entire article.

Curley went over some of the more glamorous facets of the Las Vegas Sun, such as a virtual history of Las Vegas with information on the past mob ties of the city and a virtual strip that can be altered by changing the year and seeing the corresponding buildings that were on the strip at that time.

Curley ended the talk with asking the question of how to increase the amount of readers of the Oklahoma Daily.  It is an important question, and a seemingly much more positive outlook than many give the newspaper these days.