U2, Black Eyed Peas Will Be In Norman On Oct. 18

Barcelona, Milan, Glasgow ... Norman.

Legendary rock band U2 will be in Norman, Okla., on Oct. 18 with the Black Eyed Peas in what should be a concert this town talks about for years.

According to 'The Norman Transcript,' a pre-sale of tickets will happen on April 14-16 for those who are subscribers to U2.com.

I'm cynical about that, so I checked it out. Subscribers to U2.com actually get quite a bit besides pre-sale access. There are remastered albums, interviews, streaming U2 music anytime you want and more.

Seems to me that if you're a mega-U2-head, this might be worth it to you.

The Oklahoma Family Gaylord Stadium (or whatever we call it these days) holds almost 90,000 people, and I would have to imagine the sounds will be audible across much of central Norman.

As for the Black Eyed Peas, this concert will mean that Fergie will be in town. Let us all be good Normanites and show her some hospitality by making sure she knows where the bathroom is.

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James Garner Is 81

From the "where does time go" category of the files, our roundabout namesake turned 81 years old today.

'The Norman Files' is a take-off, namewise, to the 1970s television show 'The Rockford Files,' which starred famous Normanite actor James Garner. There is a James Garner Plaza in Norman, a James Garner Avenue here.

James' voice is used in the 'This is Oklahoma football' videos that play before Sooner games on Saturdays.

Norman's celebration of James Garner isn't one of those obligatory gestures cities pay to rich or powerful people. No, we actually like him. One of the coolest actors of his generation.

In fact, The Norman Transcript set up a form where you can wish James a happy birthday.

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OUPD Crime Report April 3-5

Among the items of interest in the April 3-5 weekend edition of the University of Oklahoma police report:

Only a handful of issues at or near the Medieval Fair over the weekend, but they all seemed to come in like a two-hour period on Saturday:

• 2:58 p.m. > Fender bender in the Lloyd Noble Center parking lot


• 3:28 p.m. > PUblic intox at the LNC


• 3:33 p.m. > Public intox at the LNC

Aside from that excitement, it appears to have been a quiet weekend on the fair front.

Perhaps that's because OU students were studying, er, partying in their dorms. OUPD officers were called just after 2 a.m. Friday to Couch Center, 10th floor West, to deal with a "drug violation."

A report was made, but the OUPD log does not indicate any arrests.

Speaking of partying, a fight was reported at Boyd Street and Jenkins Avenue just after 2 a.m. Sunday.

No reports of injuries, YouTube videos or Twitter pics.

If you're ever aware of a campus-area crime we should look into -- and it's for REAL -- e-mail us at thenormanfiles@gmail.com.

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Fire Causes $5,000 In Damage To Norman Apt. Complex

Preliminary damage is estimated to be about $5,000 after a Sunday night fire at a Norman apartment complex.

The Norman fire department responded to an apartment fire at 8:42 p.m. at 1111 Oak Tree Ave. Smoke was seen coming from Building C, and heavy flames were spotted on the north side of the building.

Fire officials said the fire had engulfed the breezeway portico and extended three floors up the siding to the attic.

The building was evacuated, and no injuries were reported.

The cause of the blaze is currently under investigation.

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Rivalry Soccer Monday Night

It's not Bedlam. It doesn't have a clever name like the Moore War.

But when Norman North and Norman High get together, it always matters to the folks involved.

Tonight, the soccer teams take the field at North for their battle (postponed from a March date that conflicted with playoff basketball).

Varsity girls play at 6, followed by the boys.

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Storm Water Master Plan Public Meeting Monday Night

From the city of Norman Web site:

A Public Forum will be held on Monday, April 6, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building, City Council Chambers located at 201 West Gray, Norman, Oklahoma. This meeting is being held to provide a progress report on the Plan and to receive public input.

This is the 4th forum in a series of public meetings on the topic of Storm Water Master Plan. The master plan is in the final draft stage.

The City's consultant, Post, Buckley, Schuh, & Jernigan (PBS&J), will make a presentation describing the final draft of the Storm Water Master Plan. Subjects will include Storm Water Phase II regulations, Trails/Greenbelt Master Plan, new flood plain mapping, capital improvement projects, proposed water quality enhancements, drainage easement issues and financing options. The public will have an opportunity to ask questions and to make comments or recommendations. Printed copies of the Storm Water Master Plan are available for review at four locations as follow:

• Norman Public Library, 225 N Webster Avenue


• Norman Chamber of Commerce, 115 E. Gray Street


• City of Norman, City Clerk's office, 201 West Gray, Main Municipal Building


• City of Norman, Public Works Department, 201 West Gray, Building A

Following the public forum, the City Council will meet in Study Session on Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. to review the final draft of the Storm Water Master Plan. Future actions regarding adoption of the Master Plan will be determined by the City Council. Please contact the Department of Public Works at (405) 366-5453 if you have additional questions.

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Norman Public Schools Art Show Tuesday

Artwork from Norman students and NPS visual art faculty will be on display early Tuesday night.

The event happens from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Nancy O'Brian Center for the Performing Arts, which is adjacent to Norman North High School on Stubbeman Avenue.

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Medieval Fair: Millions Of Dollars Pass Through Norman

There is no official word on the amount of money brought into Norman via the 33rd annual Medieval Fair this weekend, but judging from traffic on what turned out to be a beautiful Saturday, I'd guess millions if not tens of millions of dollars.

Rarely have I seen Lloyd Noble Center's parking lot so full.

The weather was all over the place with moderate temps on Friday, downright warm highs on Saturday and blustery and cool on Sunday. The wind was so stiff at times on Sunday, it was laborious just to be outside.

My favorite events or booths at the fair centered on scantily clad women, animals and food. The belly dancing was intriguing as usual, and there was even a belly dancer who was like 8 or 9 months pregnant. Videos of several of the activities will be posted in the next few days.

Kids were able to get camel rides, and the camels are just huge.

Last but not least, there was a ton of food at the fair, and I'm proud to say I resisted the Indian tacos and funnel cakes and smoked turkey legs, opting instead for a plate of Indian food from a Taste of India here in Norman, whose fare is always wonderful.

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