Local Columns

JOHNSON: Freedom isn't free

BY DAVID A JOHNSON

The other day word came out that Freedom Communications had sold the Odessa American and several other publications in South Texas to the newly formed media group AIM Media Texas.To be honest, for people in the middle of it, it wasn’t...... Full story

MILLER: I’m just an American Capitalist

BY NATHANIEL MILLER

Everyday is pretty much the same. I wake up each morning at 4:30 a.m., put on my Reebok shorts, a white Hanes T-shirt, my black and yellow Nike running shoes, grab my green iPod Nano and go to the gym. Once my workout is finished, I go home and...... Full story

HAWKINS: Graduation is tough for adults

BY CELINDA HAWKINS

Graduation. It is tough for adults — I’ll agree with the late, great Erma Bombeck on that one. “They go to the ceremony as parents,” she famously wrote. “They come home as contemporaries. After 22 years of...... Full story

JOHNSON: It's a good day to be man born of woman

By David Johnson

The other day, my mom and I went to see “Wrath of the Titans” at the theater. My mother is an elementary GT teacher with Ector County ISD and one of the things they’re studying now is Greek culture and mythology.Some of her...... Full story

MILLER: MCA fought for our right (to party)

BY NATHANIEL MILLER

It’s still hard to believe that only a week has passed since Adam “MCA” Yauch of the Beastie Boys died. At only 47 years old, the rapper/bassist for the trio that helped teach us about a little horsey named Paul Revere was...... Full story

HAWKINS: A satisfied mind makes for sweet memories on Mother's Day

BY CELINDA HAWKINS

When I think of my mother I think of beauty, charm, strength, grace, elegance and intelligence — and as Mother’s Day approaches, I remember the special bond that belongs to mothers and their children. In October of 2010, my mother Judy...... Full story

MILLER: Just because it’s popular, doesn’t mean it’s good

BY NATHANIEL MILLER

If you look at my biography under the local columnists tab, it states I enjoy playing my bass guitar and “talking or shouting angrily at people on the topic of music.” I’m here to clarify that yes, both statements are incredibly...... Full story

HAWKINS: Muddle throught the minutia when cell phone hunting

BY CELINDA HAWKINS

I don’t know about you, but I get disgusted with my cell phone every day. My colleagues all have smart phones and they are on them all day – giddily texting, calling, tweeting and looking up stuff – basically multi-multi tasking....... Full story

JOHNSON: This column is one big mistake

BY DAVID A JOHNSON

The other day a man sought by police held himself inside his home for many hours before coming out to end in his life in full view of his relatives, neighbors and other onlookers, and he did it within range of powerful cameras broadcasting it all to...... Full story

MILLER: I’ll probably be called the name of this band after this one

BY NATHANIEL MILLER

I’m going to be going back into my short archive for this one, but I feel after all that’s happened this week, it’s just something that has to be said. After Monday’s standoff, we here at the Odessa American have been taking...... Full story

JOHNSON: It's times like these I wish I were in a band

BY DAVID A JOHNSON

The other day I was talking to a prospective woman, having a conversation that was potentially portentous.As a single man, 95 percent of conversations are just conversations. You’re either talking to someone with a utilitarian purpose ("So...... Full story

MILLER: After 30 years, it’s still not cool to urinate on the Alamo

BY NATHANIEL MILLER

Sometimes, the opportunity to write about certain topics comes once in a blue moon. Today, for example, happens to be April 20 (4/20) and I thought about sharing my experience at the Willie Nelson concert earlier this month and write a little bit...... Full story

HAWKINS: There is superstition so keep your fingers crossed

BY CELINDA HAWKINS

Last week, Friday the Thirteenth came around for the second time this year. The first was in January, and get ready, there’s going to be another in July. What’s up with all the presumed bad luck days? I thought I had escaped the doom...... Full story

MILLER: Shinedown tackles the issue students are coping with

BY NATHANIEL MILLER

As I sit typing this column, the reporter across from me is writing the story about the incident at Hood Junior High School that reportedly involved three juveniles ganging up on one individual. By the time this column runs Friday, mostly everyone...... Full story

JOHNSON: Thankfully for my car, there’s no more sisters

BY DAVID A JOHNSON

I went to a wedding the other day in South Texas.If this sounds like a retread of a previous article, you’re obviously a good and loyal reader of my column, and God bless you.(One day I’ll have a “thank you” reception, and...... Full story