Searching Norman homes for radon Yesterday | Add a comment Chances are you’re familiar with carbon monoxide and its hazardous effects on the human body. You may even have a carbon monoxide detector in your home. But what about radon? Did you know...

Game results in a Wii case of Wii-itis Mon, Jan 5, 2009 | Add a comment NORMAN — My parents joined the 21st century during the holidays and got a Wii. They’ve been spending most of their evenings playing Wii bowling. My mother was an avid bowler when she...

Will 2009 become the year of clowns without the customary colorful suits? Fri, Jan 2, 2009 | Add a comment NORMAN — In 2008, the "Men of the Mortuaries” calendar provided months of entertainment in my office. One of the reporters was given the calendar featuring a mortician from...

Try goals instead of resolutions Wed, Dec 31, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — Did you make a New Year’s resolution this year? Maybe you want to go on a diet, spend less money, quit smoking or exercise regularly. Or maybe you’re like actor Matthew...

Be safe, think ahead before heading out to celebrate this New Year’s holiday Tue, Dec 30, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — If you’re thinking about drinking and driving, you might want to think again. Norman police have been stepping up efforts to keep drunken drivers off the streets, and since...

Deciding when to take down decorations Mon, Dec 29, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — The anticipation, the excitement, the letdown. Now that the gifts are unwrapped and the new toys are scattered across the house, we’re all left with the decision of when to...

Difficult packaging can spark ‘wrap rage’ Wed, Dec 24, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — Hopefully none of you have succumbed to "wrap rage” this Christmas. If you aren’t familiar with wrap rage, it is a term used to describe the anger, frustration and...

Seeing Christmas in a different light in Norman Wed, Dec 24, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — Like most parents, from time to time I’ve hidden noisy toys from my son. I’ve even been known to remove batteries and tell him certain toys are "broken.”...

Buying toys? Think injury prevention Mon, Dec 22, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — Chances are you probably have most of your Christmas shopping taken care of by now. If you still plan on buying gifts for children, the Cleveland County Health Department asks you to...

Norman boy’s crying ceases when he’s on stage Fri, Dec 19, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — I’ve enjoyed seeing the photos from children’s Christmas programs we’ve had in the newspaper. Hopefully you’ve found joy in them as well. I may be partial,...

When making a gift list, think locally Thu, Dec 18, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — If you’re like me, you probably have a lot of Christmas shopping left to do. Before you head to a discount store or mall, consider shopping at some of Norman’s locally...

Ballet highlights Oklahoma’s treasures Wed, Dec 17, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — In a recent column I asked readers to share a favorite Norman holiday tradition. Several people sent me e-mails telling me how much the Norman Ballet Company’s "The...

Flu shot debate: It could be like taking a gamble Tue, Dec 16, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — I enjoy writing about flu shots each year because it always sparks a lively discussion. Last week I wrote that my office keeps a running list on a dry-erase board of who has had a...

Sharing time brings smiles Fri, Dec 12, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — The holidays can be so hectic sometimes we forget how little we really have to do to make someone happy. I was reminded of that Wednesday evening. I attend a Bible study group and...

Flu shot or not? Some still undecided Thu, Dec 11, 2008 | Comments 14 NORMAN — I feel guilty every time I look at the big, white eraser board in my office. On the left hand side of the board is a list of everyone in the office who is "flu free.”...

Sooner Theatre’s ‘Annie’ is top-notch Tue, Dec 9, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — In third grade, my mom took me to see "Annie” at the Civic Center in Oklahoma City. It was one of several touring productions of the show that opened shortly after...

Smile! You’re on camera with the entire community Mon, Dec 8, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — I don’t look at community outings as just events, I see them as photo opportunities — a chance to make memories. When I saw the list of community holiday activities...

Does avoiding germs make us less resistant? Fri, Dec 5, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — I guess germs is a topic a lot of people can relate to. I’ve received several responses since writing a column on shopping cart germs earlier this week. Jack Dill of Blanchard...

Norman has plenty to get you into the holiday spirit Wed, Dec 3, 2008 | Add a comment NORMAN — Last year my husband procrastinated too long to put up Christmas lights, so we didn’t have any. He made up for it this year. The day after Thanksgiving, he gathered all of his...

Germy buggies aren’t lethal Tue, Dec 2, 2008 | Comments 6 NORMAN — When my son was born, I kept him inside for weeks so he wouldn’t be exposed to anyone or anything that might make him sick. He’s 20 months old and I’m wondering if...