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Oklahoma State University loves its orange and black, but it looks like there’s also room for a fair amount of green. That’s according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which named OSU fifth in the nation for green-power purchasing among colleges and universities.

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We at Chicken-Fried News believe in the power of print. (We like having jobs; go figure!) So for Valentine’s Day, we’re buying our Special Someone a real-deal card. The kind that opens on the right-hand side with a modicum of energy. The kind with flowery fonts you don’t often see outside of church bulletins and/or funeral programs. The kind you have to visit a brick-and-mortar store to buy.

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U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Muskogee, is to Capitol Hill charts what John Holmes was to porno movies: Both know how to make a big impression.

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Certainly it’s no coincidence that Valentine’s Day falls smack in the middle of National Condom Week, which Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma is celebrating through Tuesday.

OKG7 things to do
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Seeking a hard dose of heavy metal? Seek no further than The Parish, 1757 N.W. 16th. At 5 p.m. Friday, the venue hosts DIY Dallas act Seeker. This sample lyric from “Pale Death” proves their head-banging cred: “I’ll rip it out and feed it to the beast / Now your body will lay lifeless.” Told ya. Tickets are $8. Call 474-1783 or visit theparishokc.com.

Friday

OKG7 things to do
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On Saturday, Olympic gold medalists Bart Connor and Nadia Comaneci invite the public to live healthier lifestyles at their 2013 Bart & Nadia Sports & Health Festival at the Cox Convention Center, 1 Myriad Gardens. From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., the indoor activities include archery, sitting volleyball and a fun run through The Underground downtown tunnels. Admission is free. Visit bartandnadiafestival.com.

Saturday

OKG7 things to do
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Thursday’s Art from the Heart is more than an art sale to benefit University of Oklahoma art school scholarships. It’s also a delicious luncheon of grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade soups, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Lightwell Gallery, 520 Parrington Oval in Norman. Eat all you want for $10; take home a piece of art for a mere $5 more. Call 325-2691 or visit ou.edu/art.

Thursday

OKG7 things to do
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Earplugs ready? Good, because Monster Jam roars into Chesapeake Energy Arena, 100 W. Reno, for three big ol’ shows: 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday Sunday Sunday! Tickets are $8-$28. Call 800-745-3000 or visit chesapeakearena.com.

Saturday-Sunday

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Optical illusions, 3-D art and the abstract conspire to blow your mind as the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, 555 Elm in Norman, goes Into the Void. Opening Saturday and running through July 28, the exhibition of optical art is curated by University of Oklahoma students. Admission is free. For more information, call 325-3272 or visit ou.edu/fjjma.

Saturday, daily, ongoing

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Two saxophonists and one drummer combine to make Moon Hooch, an out-of-this-world brew of indie jazz and math rock. The instrumental trio joins local band Montu to open for Lotus at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Diamond Ballroom, 8001 S. Eastern. Tickets are $15-$19. Call 677-9169 or visit diamondballroom.net.

Thursday

Hey! Read This:
• Lotus interview
• Montu's Bloom album review 

OKG7 things to do
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Through a partnership with Peach Crest Farm, OKC Beautiful is gifting pear and green apple trees to local elementary schools. The problem? Volunteers are needed to help plant them, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. C’mon — a little shoveling would do you good! Call 525-8822.

Thursday-Saturday

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The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne is no stranger to weird and wondrous endeavors, but his latest project is particularly notable for just how heartfelt it is. And speaking of hearts, if you’ve ever yearned to feast on an anatomically correct human heart made of chocolate, you’re in luck.

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People have been getting hitched for centuries. You know the drill: The bride and groom recite vows, sign a contract and voilà! But that’s just not enough for state Sen. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, whose Senate Bill 105 seeks to make “covenant marriage” a legally recognized option.

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The U.S. Senate is often considered a collegial governing body, but every so often, a wayward thumb gets stuck in the eye of fraternity. The latest thumbstick came Jan. 29, when senators overwhelmingly confirmed one of their own, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., for the post of Secretary of State.