School Board To Discuss Closing Campus For Incoming Freshman

It's only for discussion purposes only, but the Norman school board will at least begin to consider the possibility of closing its high school campuses for freshmen starting in 2009-10.

Hate to sound like a fuddy-duddy, grumpy old man here, but I think the entire campus should be closed for lunch. First, if school officials are de facto parents during the day and charged with ensuring the safety of teenagers, then said teenagers have to be under their control. Second, from a health perspective, food options are better on campus.

Third, I know what some teens do during lunch. Some. I know your kid's awesome.

Read more about it at the Norman Transcript's Web site: right here.

And how about some more Norman-related links, news and notes for your Norman, Okla., reading enjoyment:

Vista building can handle 60 MPH winds! Yay!

Local sports artist dies

OU employee hit by crane is WAY lucky

OU's men's gymnasts finish third nationally

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Odds On Vista Restaurant Reopening Don't Appear To Be Good

Owners of the Financial Building in downtown Norman say they just about have some basic bracing up. In a Sunday story in the Norman Transcript, a construction project foreman said that the building strengthens for each floor that gets braced, meaning the overall structure can withstand higher gusts.

However, the owner of the space formerly occupied by the Vista Restaurant didn't sound terribly optimistic that the bar and grill would reopen. About 30 jobs were lost.

Take a tour of the inside, courtesy of the Transcript:

Financial Center close to stable
Uploaded by normantranscript

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Gusty Winds Force Evacuation Of Businesses Near Norman's Vista Building

Anytime spring Oklahoma winds gust beyond 50 mph, the question gets asked around Norman: Is today the day the Vista building comes crumbling down?

Norman fire officials evacuated four businesses for more than four hours on Thursday because of high wind gusts, weeks after an engineering firm's warning that the Vista building in downtown Norman was not only leaning but also structurally deficient.

The businesses evacuated included Bison Witches sandwich shop, Broce Construction Company, Rawhide and Winans Fine Chocolates and Coffees. A clear zone was established in and around a several-block radius of 111 N. Peters Ave.

On the home page of the Vista Bar & Grill's Web site, general manager Skay McCall said there is no timeline for the building's reopening. The Vista is one of Norman's best pubs, and it sits atop the downtown financial building, providing patrons with the best view in Norman.

City officials have not indicated whether the building can be repaired or would have to be torn down. There has also been no word how the upcoming Norman Music Festival, which takes place downtown later this month, could be affected if winds were particularly gusty.

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