LOCAL

Hopes Dim for McCain Bush Truce
Kay County Jury Hands Drug Trafficker 15 Years
Ponca City Airport Gets Federal Funding Benefit
Nearly News
Hospice Recognizes Employees

Hopes Dim for McCain Bush Truce

WASHINGTON (AP) — John McCain’s advisers expressed disappointment today with Texas Gov. George Bush, who said in an interview he has no intention of making concessions to his formal presidential rival. Bush’s remarks make an alliance between the two less likely, the senator’s advisers said.

Bush, who has clinched the GOP nomination, is said to be eager to mend fences with McCain and gain the backing of some of the Arizona senator’s independent and Democratic supporters. But Bush declined in an interview Wednesday with The New York Times to reach out to McCain.

‘‘No, he didn’t change my views,’’ Bush said in reply to a question about whether McCain had elevated his consciousness about reform or changed his views. ‘‘He made me a better candidate. He forced me to play to my strengths better.’’

‘‘Is there anything McCain brought to light for you or changed your opinion on in any way?’’ Bush was asked.

‘‘No, not really,’’ the governor replied. ‘‘We agreed more than we disagreed.’’

The remarks were not received well by McCain’s camp. Senior advisers said the comments virtually ruled out the prospect for a quick reconciliation and made an endorsement less likely.

‘‘We’re obviously disappointed by the tone of the Bush campaign,’’ spokesman Todd Harris said.

‘‘I just don’t know what Bush was thinking,’’ said Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., a McCain backer. ‘‘He won the nomination, fine, but to win the White House he has to reach out to McCain ... and he’s not going to do that with macho talk about no concessions.’’

Trying to prevent an angry fallout, Bush’s senior advisers reached out to McCain intermediaries today and said the governor did not intend to offend the Arizona senator. ‘‘The governor hopes that McCain supporters will read the entire interview in which he says ’We agree more than we disagree,’’’ said spokesman Ari Fleischer. He said Bush has made clear in other interviews that he wants to work with McCain on subjects on which they agree.

McCain’s staff, meanwhile, planned to form a political action committee as early as today to allow the failed Republican presidential contender to campaign for other candidates this year and lay the groundwork for his own future, which could include another White House race.

Advisers said New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, who is running for the Senate, will be the first candidate for whom McCain campaigns.

Advisers say the political action committee would accept limited, regulated ‘‘hard money’’ donations — as opposed to the more freewheeling ‘‘soft money’’ contributions that McCain is trying to ban.

The unspoken purpose of the PAC-financed activities is to retain McCain’s political viability in case Bush loses in 2000 and McCain, 63, is positioned as the early front-runner for 2004, advisers say.

Kay County Jury Hands Drug Trafficker 15 Years

NEWKIRK — A Chicago man caught trafficking marijuana on Interstate 35 was sentenced to 15 years Wednesday by a Kay County jury in District Court.

The jury convicted Jose Martinez, 32, on the marijuana trafficking charge and fined him $75,000 after deliberating more than two hours following the two-day trial.

Martinez was en route from Mexico to Chicago on Jan. 27, 1999, when he was stopped near Blackwell. Highway Patrol troopers discovered more than 60 pounds of packaged marijuana in a false compartment in Martinez’ Lincoln Continental.

Assistant district attorney Brian Surber said the marijuana was compressed into 22 bundles formed to fit into the compartment under the vehicle.

Because Martinez was charged with trafficking, once the jury decided the length of the prison sentence, the defendant became ineligible for probation, Surber said.

District Attorney Mark L. Gibson said, “Trooper (Jim) Siler, who was assisted by troopers (Bob) Deitrick and (Jim) McBride, is to be commended for his outstanding work in stopping this shipment of illegal drugs, which the defendant was running from Mexico to Chicago.

“All three troopers worked closely with Brian to make this a successful prosecution,” Gibson said.

Ponca City Airport Gets Federal Funding Benefit

WASHINGTON D.C. — Congressman Ernest Istook (R-OK) says local airports in Guthrie, Bartlesville, Ponca City, Blackwell-Tonkawa, and Perry will all benefit from an aviation bill passed today by the House of Representatives.

It will also allow Oklahoma airports keep a greater share of the federal revenue which they generate.

Under the Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR-21), which passed, 318-102, Oklahoma will receive over $19.6 million in additional federal funding.

That includes $150,000 each for airports in Guthrie, Bartlesville, Ponca City and Blackwell-Tonkawa in 2001. The Perry Municipal Airport will also receive $60,600.

“Just like we did with the Highway Trust Fund two years ago, this bill lets Oklahoma keep more of the taxes we already pay to Washington,” said Istook.

“It takes money out of the hands of Washington politicians and gives it back to the states where it originated.”

AIR-21 will guarantee $33 billion over the next three years to increase passenger safety and reduce flight delays by allocating ticket tax and fuel tax money directly to aviation improvements.

In past years, the money from the Aviation Trust Fund has not always been spent on aviation.

“Air travel today is the norm for business and vacation travelers,” said Istook.

“Making it safe is important, but it’s not enough. We also want better facilities that fix the delays and the headaches that are too frequent, often because the system relies on old and outmoded equipment.”

Funding for Oklahoma's larger airports, Will Rogers in Oklahoma City, Tulsa International and Lawton-Fort Sill Regional will also increase from $2,875,437 to $5,750,874.

The bill was recently approved by a House-Senate conference committee. It passed the Senate last Wednesday. The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 318-102

Nearly News

An incorrect phone number was published in The Ponca City News to use when ordering an afghan from the First United Methodist Women’s group. The afghans come in a variety of colors and are available by calling 765-1956, 762-1681 or 762-1429.

Area Oil and Gas Report

Showing ability to produce oil at the rate of 40 barrels per day, the No. 1 Hoecker has been recompleted in Kay County’s Ponca City Field.

Originally drilled to a 4,104-ft. bottom, the well was re-perforated to produce at 3,755 to 3,819 feet into the wellbore.

Located 1.2 miles south of Ponca City, the recompletion was conducted by Crawley Petroleum Co.

Section 8-township 25n-range 2e-sw-sw.

Chesapeake Operating Inc. has recompleted a nine-year-old producer in Noble County’s Billings Field 4.2 miles south-southeast of Billings.

Designated as the No. 4 Rudman, it flowed 15 barrels of oil plus 59,000 CF casinghead gas per day on an unspecified choke.

The well originally bottomed and now will produce from new perforations 2,158 to 2,175 feet into the hole.

Section 21-township 23n-range 2w-nw-ne.

Modest production prospects were indicated when the No 1 Little Honey

was brought on line in the Southeast Whiterock Field, Noble County.

Pangaea Exploration Inc. is the operator.

Location is 3.7 miles northwest of Ceres.

Bottomed at 560 feet, the well was perforated for production at 526 to 536 feet and flowed 26,000 CFD.

Section 6-township 23n-range 1w-sw-sw.

Producing 63 barrels of oil and 95,000 CF gas per day on adjustable choke, the No. 3 McNeely has come on line in Noble County’s Billings Field.

Chesapeake Operating Inc. is the operator.

Location is about five miles south-southeast of Billings.

Chesapeake took the hole to a 3,100-ft. bottom and perforated for production 2,886 to 2,908 feet into the wellbore.

Section 21-township 23n-range 2w-sw-se.

An ill-fated wildcat has been written off as a dry hole in Noble County about 4.5 miles west of Marland.

The explorer well was known as the No. 1 Case, with Vector Exploration Inc. as the operator. It was spudded on Jan. 4 and bottomed dry at an undisclosed depth.

Section 18-township 24n-range 1e-ne-nw.

BEZ Resources limited partnership has filed intent to drill the No. 15 Bezdicek “A” in Noble County’s South Perry Field. Located 3.3 miles south-southeast of Perry, the well is earmarked for a 1,275-ft. Hotson Formation test.

Section 10-township 20n-range 1w-sw-nw.

Hospice Recognizes Employees

The Board of Directors of Hospice of Ponca City recently held an employee service recognition luncheon to honor those who have worked with Hospice for five years or more. Employees honored were Claudia Barnes, Melody Lahann, Herb Rains, Tamie Barnes, Trudy Fowler-Smith, and Debra Brock.

Claudia Barnes, R.N., Clinical Director, has been with Hospice of Ponca City since it first began in 1982. She taught the first volunteer training and admitted the first patient in 1983. Barnes is a certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse and holds a BSN from Northwestern Oklahoma State University. She currently is chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Hospice in the State of Oklahoma.

Melody Lahann recently passed her tenth anniversary as Administrative Director of Hospice. During that time she helped Hospice of Ponca City become a United Way agency, certified by the Health Care Financing Administration (Medicare), and licensed in the State of Oklahoma. Lahann holds an M.S. in Mass Communication from the University of Illinois and an M.S. in Health Care Administration from Oklahoma State University. She has served as president of the Hospice Association of Oklahoma and is currently serving as Secretary.

Herb Rains, Financial Administrator, began as a volunteer with Hospice of Ponca City as did volunteer Coordinator/Office Manager Tamie Barnes. Both were employed by Hospice in 1993. Barnes graduated from Northern Oklahoma College.

Trudy Fowler-Smith, R.N., has been a staff nurse for Hospice since 1994. She recently earned certification as a Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse.

Debra Brock also began working for Hospice in 1994. She is employed as a bereavement counselor as well as coordinator (and founder) of the Raindrops program. She recently earned her master’s degree in counseling from Northwestern Oklahoma State University and is working to complete her certification as a Licensed Professional Counselor.

Hospice of Ponca City board members include Sandy Gearhart, chairman; John Gardner, vice-chairman; Karen Shiflet, secretary; Bill McCann, treasurer; Marybeth Glass, Phyllis Kennedy, the Rev. Wayne Majors, Ron Mersman, Pixie Rowland, and Phil Turney.

DEATHS

Bernadine R. Jensen
Joe M. Nulik
Elizabeth F. Beman
C.B. Thompson

Bernadine R. Jensen

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Bernadine R. Jensen, resident of Arkansas City, died Wednesday, March 15, 2000, at South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center in Arkansas City. She was 87.

The funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, March 17, at the First Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in the Riverview Cemetery under the direction of Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home in Arkansas City. Visiting hours at the funeral home are 5 to 8 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to noon Friday; the casket will be closed at the service.

Bernadine R. Jensen was born June 24, 1912, in Wichita, Kan., to Ernest Wilhelm and Ida May (Mark) Drowatzky. She was reared in Wichita, graduating from Wichita North and attending Friends University. She married Arthur P. Jensen on Nov. 20, 1945, in Wichita, where they made their first home, and then Illinois and, in 1976, they moved to Arkansas City.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Green Thumb Club, AC Music Club and Hapatia Club.

Survivors include a daughter, Marla M. Gammill of Ponca City; a brother, Karl Drowatzky of Wichita, Kan.; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband on Dec. 6, 1987; two brothers, Mark L. Drowatzky and Frank Drowatzky; three sisters, Ernestine M. Drowatzky, Charlotte A. Baker and Josephine J. Fisch.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Good Samaritan Fund of the Presbyterian Manor, c/o Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, 100 East Kansas Avenue, Arkansas City, Kan. 67005.

Joe M. Nulik

CALDWELL, Kan. — Joe M. Nulik, resident of Caldwell, Kan., died Tuesday, March 14, 2000 in Wichita, Kan. He was 75.

The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Friday, March 17, at the Assembly of God Church in Caldwell with the Rev. Rick Burcham officiating. Burial will be in the Caldwell City Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Schaeffer Mortuary.

Joe M. Nulik was born July 27, 1924, in Caldwell, Kan., the son of Edward Nulik and Agnes Jenista Nulik. He married Raye Etta Anderson on April 3, 1978, in Caldwell. He spent his life farming.

He is survived by his wife of the home; two brothers, Ivan Nulik of Ponca City and Carl Nulik of Arkansas City, Kan.; and three sisters, Algie Smrcka of Medford, Lorraine Fogleman of Medford, and Lydra Ann Salsbury of Carlisle, Pa.

Services Pending

Elizabeth F. Beman

Elizabeth F. Beman, Ponca City resident, died Thursday morning, March 16, 2000, at the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa. She was 75. Survivors include a daughter, Claire Russell of Ponca City. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

C.B. Thompson

C.B. Thompson, Ponca City resident, died Thursday morning, March 16, 2000, at his home. He was 79. Survivors include his wife, Neva of the home. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

NEWS BRIEFS

Free Hearing Test — National Hearing Center in Ponca City has announced the offer of a free hearing test to persons over the age of 18. The center is located inside Wal-Mart Super Center.

Patio, French and terrace doors. We sell and install. Ponca Glass, 300 West Highland and Pine, 762-6522. adv.

Harassment — A woman was at the Ponca City Police Department at 8:51 a.m. Wednesday to report harassment. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

25 Cents a gallon drinking water. Pure Water Wagon 1717 N.

5th. adv.

Money Missing — A woman from the 2100 block of John Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:23 a.m. Wednesday that some of her money was missing while at work. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

R & G Style Shop-Newkirk. Shop Saint Patrick’s Day weekend and save 17% off selected new spring items. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. adv.

Vehicle Towed — The Communications Center received several calls at 11:17 a.m. Wednesday that an accident had occurred at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and Cooley Avenue in the south bound lane. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

Pokemon Cards in stock! The Hot Corner, Ponca Plaza Shopping Center. 765-5333. adv.

Beer Missing — A clerk at Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:25 a.m. Thursday that someone had left without paying for beer. An officer was assigned and the information was logged.

Requests Assistance — Law enforcement officials from Osage County requested assistance from the Ponca City Police Department and other law enforcement in Kay County at 3:09 p.m. Wednesday in locating a vehicle that had been used by suspects leaving Fairfax after being involved in a domestic situation. A Kay County Deputy found the vehicle just south of U.S. 60 on U.S. 177 and information was logged.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Vehicle Towed — A woman from the 700 block of North Pine Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:25 p.m. Wednesday that a vehicle was parked illegally at Highland Avenue and Pine Street causing a problem. An officer was assigned and the vehicle was towed from the scene for creating a traffic hazard.

Hair Etc. introducing Becky Gearheart spring break perm special $25.00 March 15 through 31. 762-4247. adv.

Injury Accident — The Communications Center received a report at 2:18 p.m. Wednesday that an injury vehicle accident had occurred two miles west of U.S. 177 on Oklahoma 15. The Ponca City Fire Department sent units to the scene to handle the situation.

Onion Plants, onion sets, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli,

cabbage, potatoes, strawberries,grapes, bulk seed. Keathly Nursery. adv.

Colorful Floating glass fish and octopus now at Carla’s Hallmark. Fourth and Grand, Downtown. adv.

Subjects Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded to the intersection of South First Street and South Avenue when the Communications Center was informed at 6:25 a.m. Thursday that a vehicle had hit a curb. The officer took into custody a 17-year-old boy for public intoxication, and a 19-year-old man for public intoxication and obstructing an officer. Information was logged that the owner of the vehicle was contacted, and it turned out the vehicle had been stolen.

Just Arrived year 2000 Frankoma Political mugs. Brown’s Antiques 1204 N. 3rd. adv.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Subject Held — A man from the 800 block of South Fourth Street requested assistance from the Ponca City Police Department at 12:37 a.m. Thursday. An officer was assigned and a 32-year-old man was held on a Kay County warrant.

Head Country all day Friday special­ All you can eat, smoked

BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day.

1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Lunch and Card Party — St. Patrick’s Day themed luncheon and card party is scheduled March 22, noon to 3:30 p.m. Sponsored by St. Francis Guild of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, the event will be held in the church parish hall. Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased by calling Deanna Nicholas, 762-5496; Joan Slovacek, 762-5953; or Beverly Smith, 762-2695. Members of the community are welcome to attend.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat

ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th,

765-7979. adv.

GARDENING

Digging in the Dirt
Conservation Tree Seedlings Offered to Rural Landowners
Basils Exhibit Theme For OKC Omniplex
Purple Cauliflower Can Be Tasty

Digging in the Dirt

By KATHY ZEHR

For years I was mystified and at a total loss to understand the numbers and names of the elements in the hundreds of fertilizers found in almost every retail store in America. Following are a few suggestions about selecting the right fertilizer.

The three numbers in the “mysterious” formula tell you the percentage of the three most important nutrients needed by all plants — nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

The first number is ALWAYS the amount of nitrogen in the mix, the second is for phosphorus (P205) and the third is potassium (K2O). Some special purpose mixes will have a fourth number or formula (CaO) which stands for calcium. For instance, a common mix that has 20-10-5 tells you the mix contains 20 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus and five percent potassium. Some special mix chemical fertilizers may contain only one or two of the main nutrients and might read 15.5-0-0-28, which means the mix contains 15.5 percent nitrogen and 28 percent calcium.

We often think if a little is good then a lot is better when fertilizing a yard or garden, but not so. Too much of any nutrient does more damage than too little. It can burn plants and compromise the soil.

Understanding how each of these three nutrients work will help you select the proper fertilizer for the job. A soil test is the best way to determine the proper nutrients needed by your soil.

Nitrogen (N)

Lack of nitrogen shows up in plants as stunted growth, yellowish mottled leaves and a general blighted look. Too much nitrogen will cause excessive growth that is less vigorous and less resistant to disease. It causes vegetables to have a rank odor and taste.

Although nitrogen is plentiful in the air, it is available to plants only from decaying organic material, legumes, or from chemicals. Chemical nitrogen may come in either nitrate, nitric, or ammonia form. The nitrate and nitric forms are fast-acting and release nitrogen quickly, but will not last long. Ammonia has a slower release and lasts for a longer time.

Phosphorus (P)

The second number in the formula stands for phosphorus which is especially necessary for the beautiful blooms on flowers. It is also needed for proper development of seeds and fruit and is necessary for healthy cell function. Phosphorus deficiency shows up as reddish or purple discoloration on leaves and stunted, slender stems.

Both water soluble and insoluble phosphates are available. The most common form of phosphorus is phosphate (P2O5). Water insoluble (ordinary phosphates) must be broken down by root excretions and should be applied early in the fall. It stores well over the winter. Water soluble (superphosphates) are quickly absorbed by plants and are suitable for surface feedings, but are quickly washed away by rain and irrigation.

Potassium (K)

The third number in the formula is the percentage of potassium in the mix. Potassium deficiency shows up as slow growth and dead spots on the leaves, particularly at the edges and tips. Soils in this area are not usually deficient in potassium due to low soil acidity. However, soils built up for growing acidic loving plants may need some added potassium.

Potassium is necessary for firm cell walls and producing strong, healthy stems and branches. Plants with the proper amount of potassium are more disease resistance and geared for winter hardiness.

Potassium is relatively long-lasting in the soil. Only chlorine-free potassium fertilizers should be used in the garden because few plants can tolerate much of the stuff in the soil. Potassium fertilizers should be applied at least two weeks before seeding or planting.

Calcium

Though not listed in the common mixes magic formula, calcium and other trace elements are sometime added in minute amounts. These trace elements are also necessary for healthy plants and are usually already sufficient in area soils. If there are deficiencies, they have usually been created by alteration of soil acidity or from leaching of nutrients from annually placing the same plants in the same place. Crop rotation and the addition of organic matter to the soil will usually take care of most trace mineral deficiencies.

A calcium deficiency created by too much acidity is usually noticed by twisted and deformed young plant parts. This nutrient is necessary for the formation of healthy cell walls and membranes which regulate the flow of water and nutrients from cell to cell. Calcium in the form of lime (calcium oxide and calcium carbonate mixed) is necessary to reduce the acidity.

Most knowledgeable gardeners prefer complete fertilizers with a nitrogen content of about 12 percent, but use only those complete fertilizers that are chlorine-free.

Some examples of various mixes and their uses are 6-20-20 for shrubs and vegetables; 20-6-6 for shrubs and lawns, 20-10-5 for lawns only and 15-30-15 for vegetables.

Still confused? Me too!

Conservation Tree Seedlings Offered to Rural Landowners

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Forestry Services Division will be distributing one year old bareroot conservation tree and shrub seedlings to interested rural landowners throughout Oklahoma for natural resource and conservation plantings during the months of March and April, said Al Myatt, Central and Western Area Forester.

Regeneration Center

The low-cost seedlings are available through the state’s Forest Regeneration Center to aid rural landowners in establishing windbreaks, curbing soil erosion, protecting livestock, improving wildlife habitat, growing Christmas trees, fuel wood plantations, and for reforestation, as well as reclaiming mine and landfill sites.

Over forty species of bareroot conifer and hardwood seedlings will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The conservation seedlings, natural resource assistance, and other services are available through the joint cooperation of the Forestry Services, OGE Energy Corp., Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the NRCS and the local Conservation Districts.

“We have tried to make the availability of the seedlings very convenient for the landowner,” said Roger Davis, State Forester. “We have scheduled one or two programs per day throughout March and April at a wide variety of locations across Oklahoma.”

Conservation seedlings and technical assistance will include the following locations:

Thursday, April 6, 8 a.m. to 12 at the Newkirk NRCS Office, 115 S. Maple.

Thursday, April 6, 2-5:30 p.m. at the Stillwater NRCS office, 2600 S. Main.

Representatives from several organizations will be available to answer questions and provide landowners with free technical assistance on tree planting and other conservation and natural resource practices.

“It’s really remarkable how a few well-placed trees will improve a site, said Davis. “On an unproductive or hard-to-reach parcel of land, several tree species can be used to improve wildlife habitat. Mulberry, American plum, sand plum, autumn olive, Russian-olive and osage orange provide food for wildlife as well as much needed nesting sites and cover.”

Field Windbreak

Red cedar, sycamore, green ash, ponderosa pine, arborvitae and Rocky Mt. juniper are a few of the species that can provide an effective, attractive farmstead or field windbreak. A properly placed and maintained farmstead windbreak can reduce home-heating costs in the winter by up to thirty percent. Field windbreaks dramatically increase soil moisture available to crops and help reduce soil erosion due to wind.

“Properly planted black locust seedlings can significantly reduce the growth of a rapidly eroding gully or stream cut-bank, as well as provide a future source of valuable firewood,” added Davis.

For those interested in Christmas tree production, Virginia pine and Scotch pine are available. Pecan, oak, green ash and black walnut seedlings are available for timber and nut production.

There is a minimum order of 200 bareroot forest tree seedlings. Prices of the seedlings will vary according to the species and amounts that are ordered.

For information on current seedling availability, free natural resource assistance or other natural resource information you can call Forestry Services at 1-800-517-3673.

Basils Exhibit Theme For OKC Omniplex

Explore the many varieties and uses of basils in a special Kirkpatrick Greenhouse exhibit at Omniplex March 22 - April 21.

This versatile and useful plant is used in cooking, for medicinal purposes, in teas and in our industrial market. There are even some varieties that are used for purely decorative planting, too.

"Because of the multitude of varieties available, basil is one of the most popular and useful herbs around," Billie Roche, Ommplex gardens manager, said. "It Is also fairly easy to grow and can be grown indoors or out."

Omnlplex is located at 2100 NE 52nd Street in Oklahoma City. Admission is $6.50, adults, $5.75, seniors, and $5.25, children (plus tax). For more inforniation, call 405-602-6664 or visit the Omniplex website at www.omniplex.org.

Purple Cauliflower Can Be Tasty

By LEE REICH

(AP) — Keep your eye out for seeds of purple cauliflower and broccoli. They are vegetables well worth growing. Sometimes they are sold as cauliflower, other times as broccoli; it doesn’t matter because broccoli and cauliflower are so similar. Purple broccolis and cauliflowers behave more like cauliflower in rarely sprouting side shoots.

The name broccoli is justfiable because the purple heads turn emerald green when cooked. Why not just call them purple broccoflowers or cauliccolis?

Purple broccoflowers are delicious, more delicate in flavor than either cauliflower or broccoli. They cannot tolerate rough handling so they are not widely grown on a commercial scale. With purple heads nestled in among blue-green leaves, these plants are pretty enough to consider planting in the flower garden.

Grow purple broccoflowers the same way you do regular cauliflower or broccoli. For an early crop, sow seeds indoors two- and-a-half months before the average date of your last spring frost. Cover the seeds with a quarter of an inch of soil, and when they germinate, grow the seedlings in a cool, very sunny window or under fluorescent lights.

Transplant the seedlings outdoors about six weeks later. Space them in the garden a foot and a half apart in fertile soil that has a good supply of calcium. Pulverized limestone is one good source for calcium. Once they are acclimated to the outdoors, there’s no need to protect the seedlings from cold unless the temperature dips below the low 20s.

For fall harvest, which, with cool days, makes for especially tasty buds, sow seeds about 14 weeks before your expected first fall frost. Start the seeds in pots or right out in the garden. Purple broccoflowers are easier to grow than white cauliflower. They aren't finicky about the weather and don't need their leaves tied to blanche the curds white. Quality of the purples also does not suffer if the harvest is held off a couple of days. This is not the case for white cauliflower.

These purple-headed beauties really are not all that new. They were mentioned in seed catalogs 100 years ago and they periodically surface in todays catalogs and seed racks.

Varieties offered include Green Ball Chartreuse, Purple Head, Burgundy Queen and Purple Giant cauliflower; Sicilian Purple, King Purple, King Robert Purple, Purple Sprouting and Violet Queen broccoli. Grow these and you may give up growing green broccoli or white cauliflower.

SPORTS

NOC Advances in National
Old Pueblo Will Support Najera
Life is a Winner in NAIA

NOC Advances in National

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Maybe Northern Oklahoma College coach Mick Weiberg should think about starting his bench players.

The Mavericks got another great effort from their bench to topple Northeast Colorado, 71-59, in the first round of the National Junior College Tournament Wednesday.

The win advanced NOC to the quarterfinals round tonight against Shelby State Community College of Memphis, Tenn. Shelby State blasted Independence, Kan. 108-91 early Thursday.

With star point guard and leading scorer Larry Reid handcuffed by the Plainsmen in the first half, Weiberg went to his bench early and often with the usual results.

“We usually get 20-25 points off the bench,” Weiberg said afterwards. “That’s one of our greatest strengths.”

Another strength for the Mavericks is their three-point shooting.

With the taller Plainsmen clogging the middle, Northern went to its outside shooters to get some breathing room in the first half.

Chris Arledge (13 points) and Jeff Newby (12) each hit from beyond the arc in the closing minutes of the first half as the Mavericks went on a 12-4 run to go into intermission with a 38-29 lead.

“That spurt gave us some breathing room.” Weiberg said. “But nine points is not anything here. We still had to put together a good second half.”

The Mavs struggled early in the second half as Northeast cut the lead to 38-33.

Scott Prater finally broke the ice from inside and Sherman Rochell added a conventional three-point play to boost the Northern lead back to nine points at 43-34.

Later, a pair of treys by Newby propelled NOC to a 54-40 lead with just over 12 minutes left to play.

That was to be the biggest Northern lead until it finished off the Plainsmen with an 8-0 run in the final three minute.

Northern was 9-of-21 from three-point range for the game (43 percent), while Northeaster managed just 2-of-17 from beyond the arc.

Richie Myers, a 6-7 freshman, showed he was not afraid to go among the Northeastern trees (6-11, 6-8) and finished as the Mavericks’ leading scorer with 14 points.

Reid finally got free enough to score 12 points in NOC’s balanced attack.

“Larry did not have a good game,” Weiberg said. “I think being here with all the coaches scouting him, had some affect. Also, Northeastern was doing some things that held us out of what we like to do.”

Rashad Kirkland led Northeastern with 23 points and Scott Spradlin had 11 as the only other Plainsmen in double figures.

Northern’s more deliberate style of offense will clash sharply with the run-and-gun approach of Shelby State.

“We do like to try to get quick points in transition,” Weiberg said. “But if we try to run against Shelby State we’re in trouble.”

Shelby led most of the way against Independence, but had a hard time putting away the tournament’s upstart team.

Independence entered the tournament with a 23-11 record after knocking off the nation’s No. 1 ranked team, Barton, in the regional.

Old Pueblo Will Support Najera

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — To locals, Tucson is the ‘‘Old Pueblo,’’ a city greatly influenced by its Hispanic heritage. It’s just the right place for Oklahoma star Eduardo Najera to begin the final NCAA tournament of his college career.

Najera, considered the best Mexican-born basketball player ever and almost certain to become the second from that country to play in the NBA, expected a big Hispanic following today when the third-seeded Sooners (26-6) played 14th-seeded Winthrop (21-8) in the opening game of the West regional at Arizona’s McKale Center.

‘‘I feel great about the support from the Mexican people, not only the country of Mexico but the whole Hispanic population of the U.S. and even South America,’’ Najera said Wednesday. ‘‘We need a lot of people to support us, especially the Hispanic people. We know there are a lot of Hispanic people here, and hopefully they will be for us.’’

Najera knows he’ll have family support. His mother, father and a brother plan to make the nine-hour drive from his hometown of Chihuahua.

They will cheer on a young man whose mastery of English, as well as of basketball, is remarkable considering he could hardly speak the language and was extremely green at the game when he left Mexico five years to attend Cornerstone Christian High School in San Antonio.

‘‘Eduardo is the sweetest, most sensitive, most beautiful soul you’ll ever want to meet,’’ Oklahoma coach Kelvin Sampson said. ‘‘But once he crosses those lines it becomes a battlefield to him. He’s a tough, tough kid.’’

Najera, a third-team All-American, finished second in the Big 12 in scoring (18.8 points per game) and rebounding (9.5). That only begins to describe his importance to the Sooners (26-6).

‘‘Eduardo fits our personality and fits our identity,’’ Sampson said. ‘‘We want to play harder than you do. If the ball is loose, we want to be the first one to it. There’s nothing that we do for our identity that he’s not outstanding in. ... He’s a winner. The kids in our program have really embodied our spirit.’’

The Sooners, who upset Arizona in the first round a year ago and then beat North Carolina-Charlotte before losing to Michigan State, are taking nothing for granted against Winthrop. Najera and teammate Renzi Stone said they remember watching Winthrop beat North Carolina-Asheville for the Big South Conference tournament title a year ago.

They also are aware that Winthrop, until the early 1970s an all-female school in Rock Hill, S.C., won at Missouri and took Maryland into overtime this season.

‘‘That team is good,’’ Stone said. ‘‘We’re not taking them lightly, that’s for sure.’’

The Eagles’ nonconference challenges against big-name teams leaves them anything but in awe of heavily favored Oklahoma.

‘‘The confident feeling that they have now is so great that they don’t care who they’re playing or where, that they can beat anybody,’’ Winthrop coach Gregg Marshall said. ‘‘These guys now have some firsts — first Big South team to make consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament, first to beat a big school. There’s one more first out there, and that’s to win one in the NCAA tournament.’’

In other first-round games in Tucson, sixth-seeded Purdue (21-9) plays 11th-seeded Dayton (22-8), seventh-seeded Louisville (19-11) meets 10th-seeded Gonzaga (24-8), and second-seeded St. John’s (24-7) plays 15th-seeded Northern Arizona (20-10).

Life is a Winner in NAIA

Sarah Reese scored 22 points, leading Oklahoma Christian past Voorhees 76-51 in the first round of the NAIA women’s tournament.

The news wasn’t as good Thursday for Oklahoma Baptist, which was eliminated by Trevecca Nazarene 64-63.

Oklahoma Christian (23-9) went ahead 9-6 on a 3-pointer by Ali Griffin with 15:10 left in the first half, and Voorhees (25-6) never threatened again. The 12th-seeded Lady Eagles will face Finzlay in the second round today.

Julie Wright’s layup with 9:30 left started a 12-2 run for Oklahoma Christian that made it 32-12, and the Lady Eagles were up 41-23 by halftime.

Oklahoma Christian built its lead in the second half, making 21 of 30 free throws, compared to Voorhees’ 5 of 12. A layup by Griffin with 11:19 left gave the Lady Eagles their biggest lead of the game, 57-27.

Lindsay Wilson added 13 points for Oklahoma Christian, and Griffin chipped in 11.

In the OBU game, Holly Carter hit a jumper from the lane with 41 seconds left to give Trevecca the victory.

The Lady Trojans (24-8) jumped out to a 19-3 lead with 9:15 left in the first half, before Oklahoma Baptist fought back to a 31-29 halftime deficit.

The game stayed close throughout the second half, with neither team getting more than a five-point lead. There were four turnovers in the last 40 seconds of play. Kristi Turley of Oklahoma Baptist missed a chance to take the lead when she went to the foul line with 36 seconds left and missed the first shot of a 1-and-1.

Amy Nichols of OBU drove the length of the court as time ran out, but missed a 30-foot shot at the buzzer.

Turley led the Bison (18-11) with 17 points. Andy Holubova scored 16, and Casi Cox added 10.

Oklahoma City University plays its second-round game this afternoon against Rio Grande, Ohio. The winner advances to the quarterfinals.