Spaghetti Feed Saturday to benefit Lyman VFD

Michelle Hill and Tom Welsch from the Lyman Volunteer Fire Department were guests on KNEB's News Extra program Monday morning.

They were on the show to promote the department's annual Spaghetti Feed fundraiser this Saturday, March 1st from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Lyman Fire Hall.  Funds will be used to upgrade the radio system for their ambulance, pay for bunker gear, and help move them closer to the purchase of a new pumper truck.

Pre-Medicare Informational program discussed on News Extra

A Pre-Medicare informational program will be held Feb. 26 at Scottsbluff.

Help is available for people who will be 65 in the next year or two, are receiving mail about Medicare insurance, and want to learn more about Medicare and what it covers.

Jeanne Murray, UNL Extension Educator and a Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) volunteer, joins Kevin Mooney on KNEB's News Extra program Friday morning. Jeanne will present an informational program on pre-Medicare issues Feb. 26 in Scottsbluff. The program will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the board room at the UNL Panhandle Research and Extension Center, 4502 Avenue I, Scottsbluff. Enter the building through the side door to the left of the main front doors on the east side of the Center.

Topics include how and when to apply for Medicare; what to do for those who want to keep working and delay Medicare; explanations of Part A, Part B, and Part D; descriptions of Medicare Advantage plans; deciding whether to purchase Medigap or supplemental insurance; and things to consider when choosing a plan. There will also be information on Medicare’s preventive services and MyMedicare.gov, the place where claim information is stored.

For adequate handouts, please RSVP by Tuesday, Feb. 25, to the Scotts Bluff County Extension Office, 308-632-1480.

Polar Plungers set to get wet and cold for a good cause

Kathy Scott from Special Olympics and Sheriff Mark Overman were guests on KNEB's News Extra program Thursday morning for one final push before Saturday's Panhandle Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics Nebraska.

A plunger can be anyone with enough nerve and heart, willing to dip more than their toes in some freezing water for a good cause. Minimum donations start at $50. Plungers can participate on an individual basis or be part of a team. And if you're taking the plunge, just know that this event is all about having fun while doing good. In other words, dress up in a costume or come up with a theme for your team, the wackier the better.

Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. Teams and individual plunges will start at 11:00 a.m. Immediately following the plunge there will be a post-plunge party held at YMCA Camp. Food will be provided for the plungers and there are incentives at the $75 through $3,000 levels. Polar Plunge merchandise will also be available for purchase at the party. Friends and family members of the plungers are also invited to attend the post-plunge party.

For full information, log on to: Scottsbluffcounty.org.

Bluffs Middle School Band events promoted on News Extra

Bluffs Middle School Band Instructor Michael Koch was guest on KNEB's News Extra program Wednesday morning to promote a number of activities they will be involved in soon.

The Tenth Annual Western Nebraska Middle Level Instrumental Music Contest will be held on Saturday, February 22nd at Scottsbluff Senior High School in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Area schools participating in the contest this year are: Alliance Middle School, Bayard Junior High, Bluffs Middle School (Band and Orchestra), Bridgeport Junior High, and Gering Junior High.

Contest Director/Host, Michael A. Koch, has scheduled over 190 solos/small ensembles and 9 large ensembles for this years’ event. The solos will take place at Scottsbluff Senior High School from 7:30 a.m. to noon with the large ensembles taking the SHS Auditorium stage beginning at 1:00 p.m.

The judges for this years’ contest will be Stacey Bean (Kearney, Nebraska), Duane Johnson (Hastings, Nebraska), Steven J. Miller (Cheyenne, WY), Michael Stephens (Chadron, Nebraska), and Jan Wymore (Kearney, Nebraska). We are confident that they will make this event a very positive learning experience for all involved. The judges will have time to talk to each soloist and large ensemble and will offer encouragement and advice to help them improve as players. Our hope is that this early contest experience will give the students more confidence to try out for an Honor Band or to take a solo to District Music Contest as they progress through their school music programs.

The Middle Level Contest is open to the public. Please be aware, however, that the solo rooms are small. (Seating 10-15 people plus the judge and the soloist) We also ask that audience members follow appropriate performance etiquette while in attendance so that we might give these young musicians the very best experience possible. We know that you will be proud of their accomplishments.

A complete list of the contest results will be available following the contest.


Bluffs Middle School Band Presents Mid-Winter Concert

On Monday, February 24th, Bluffs Middle School will present the 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Concert Bands in a Mid-Winter Concert. The Concert will be held in the Scottsbluff Senior High School Auditorium at 7:00 p.m. and it is free and open to the public. Please make plans to attend and support these young musicians.

Bluffs Middle School Jazz Band/WNCC “Fire in the Pan” Swingers Concert

In Celebration of ‘Music in our Schools’ Month, the BMS 7th & 8th Grade Jazz Band and the WNCC ‘Fire in the Pan’ Swingers will be performing a combined CONCERT on Thursday, March 27 at 7:00 p.m. in the BMS Cafetorium.

Westco American Legion Baseball Banquet promoted on News Extra

Amy Winters was guest on KNEB's News Extra program Friday morning to promote the Westco American Legion Baseball Banquet to be held on April 4th at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Scottsbluff. 

There will be 100 tickets available at $250 per ticket. The top prize $5,500 with lots of both live and silent auction items. Tickets go on sale on Friday, February 21st. For information, call 308-641-5125.

WNCC "A Gale Evening" previewed on News Extra

WNCC Vocal Music Director Rita Stinner was guest on KNEB's News Extra Tuesday morning. 

The Western Nebraska Community College Vocal Music Program, under the direction of Rita Stinner, presents the 24th annual A Gala Evening at the Gering Civic Center on Friday, February 21 and Saturday, February 22.

The 2014 theme, "Dancing Through Life," includes "Not While I'm Around" from Sweeney Todd, "Outcast" from Glee, "The Impossible Dream " from Man of La Mancha, "Popular" from Wicked, plus hits from Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, The Blues Brothers, Jefferson Starship, and more. The evening is topped off with "Dancing Through Life" from the Broadway show Wicked. 

Stinner, WNCC music program and choral activities director, said of the project, "We continue to have an exceptionally high level of talent this year. We began the year with a featured performance in Seattle at the National ACCT Convention and the students have continued to impress with their fine talent and work habits ever since. Excitement is high. We look forward to presenting another fabulous gala, this year exploring our path through life, with all its many detours, and how we each make the best of it all. Every vocal music ensemble at WNCC will be featured as we explore great music around this theme."  

A Gala Evening begins with a social hour at 6:00 p.m. and dinner service following at 6:45 p.m. The dinner menu features: orange, beet, and fennel salad; chicken imperial with white wine and mushroom sauce; boursin mashers swirled with sweet potato; matchstick roasted vegetables; artisan breads; and red velvet whoopie pie with berries. 

All seating is reserved and by advance sale only. Seating is limited and tickets have sold out each of the last 17 years. Individual tickets go on sale Monday, January 20 and credit cards are accepted. Individual tickets are $27.50 and Angel tickets (preferred seating and recognition) are $50. Tickets may be purchased at the WNCC Business Office, 308.635.6020.  Corporate tables of eight seats (preferred seating, program advertisement, and recognition) are available now for $400 by calling Mary Ann Hospodka at 308.635.6103. 

"Girl Rising" to be presented at Midwest Theater Sunday

Scottsbluff County TeamMates, Soroptimists International, Scottsbluff County Chapter
& The Midwest Theater to Bring Groundbreaking

New Film Girl Rising to Scottsbluffs Historic Midwest Theater

Among Thousands Organizing On Demand Screenings around the Nation

From Academy Award-Nominated Director Richard E. Robbins, Film to be screened at Midwest Theater

on Sunday, Feb 16^th at 1:30pm

With Cate Blanchett, Priyanka Chopra, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway, Salma Hayek, Alicia Keys, Chloë Moretz, Liam Neeson, Freida Pinto, Meryl Streep, and Kerry Washington

Scottsbluff, Nebraska 2/10/14 – Scotts Bluff County TeamMates is bringing a global movement to educate girls and change the world home to Scottsbluff with a screening of the new film Girl Rising. Girl Rising spotlights the stories of nine unforgettable girls born into unforgiving circumstances, capturing their dreams, their voices and their remarkable lives. It will be screened at the Midwest Theater in Scottsbluff Nebraska. Girl Rising premiered on March 7^th, the eve of International Women’s Day, and has since been screened at hundreds of theaters around the country.

Directed by Academy Award-nominee Richard E. Robbins and narrated by Cate Blanchett, Priyanka Chopra, Selena Gomez, Anne Hathaway, Salma Hayek, Alicia Keys, Chloë Moretz, Liam Neeson, Freida Pinto, Meryl Streep, and Kerry Washington, the movie is at the center of 10x10 – a global campaign to educate and empower girls.
“If to see it is to know it, this film delivers hope; reasonable, measurable, tangible hope that the world can be healed and helped to a better future," said Meryl Streep, one of the film’s narrators.

As a result of passionate organizers stepping up to captain screenings on demand in their local cinemas, more than 1,700 screenings have been requested around the nation to date.

“Girl Rising is about the world-changing power of educating girls,” said Holly Gordon, Executive Director of 10x10. “I am incredibly moved by the thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations who have stepped up to bring this important film to movie theaters and communities around the country. Girl Rising is the centerpiece of our global campaign, and these organizers are the foundation. Together, they are driving transformative change one community at a time.”

“It's a powerful film that has potential to inspire change in the world. If you're not moved, you're not breathing," said Alicia Keys, who also narrates the film.

A portion of Girl Rising ticket sales go to support girls’ programs around the world through the 10x10 Fund for Girls’ Education. The Fund is distributed to 10x10’s high-impact network of non-profit partners who are working on the ground: A New Day Cambodia, CARE, Girl Up/United Nations Foundation, Partners in Health, Plan International USA, Room to Read, UNICEF, and World Vision.

Girl Rising is from the award-winning producers of The Documentary Group and Vulcan Productions, with strategic partner Intel Corporation and global television distribution partner CNN Films.

ABOUT 10X10

10x10 was founded by award-winning journalists at The Documentary Group and Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Productions, along with strategic partner, Intel Corporation. 10x10 is built on a foundation of partnerships with NGOs, corporations, policy makers, and grassroots organizations — all working to change minds, lives, and policy. 10x10’s coalition of NGO partners include a high-impact network of champions and leaders in girls’ education. These organizations provide life-changing services to girls every day, and are among the best practitioners of their kind. 10x10’s film, Girl Rising, has been acquired by CNN Films and will be broadcast on CNN in the summer of 2013.

Tickets are available in advance for $5.00. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the Midwest Theater, visiting online at MidwestTheater.com or by calling Scottsbluff County TeamMates Mentor Terri Smith at 635-3072.

Tickets Day of Screening are $5.00 for Members\Students & $7.00 Non-Members

Rating: PG-13
Runtime: 101 min
Showtime: Sunday, February 16^th 1:30pm

Minatare students reading Gary Reilly

MINATARE – In addition to the classic American authors, American Literature students at Minatare High School are also learning about a character named “Murph” and his adventures as a taxi cab driver.
 
Prior to the beginning of the school year, MHS Language Arts Instructor Roger Holsinger contacted Mark Stevens with Running Meter Press in Denver to find out if the company would be interested in donating some of the books, written by the late Gary Reilly, for his American Literature class.
“When I contacted Mark he said they would love to make the donation,” said Holsinger. “I was thrilled because I hoped the book would impact the lives of my students in the same way it impacted mine.”
 
But why ask for a book about a man driving a cab in Denver?
 
“I first began reading the first in the series more than a year ago and I was instantly hooked,” said Holsinger. “I was not what you would describe as an avid reader growing up and in high school. I read what I had to read in order to pass an assignment, but never thought about reading in my spare time.
 
“However, after reading the first and then second book, I was intrigued with Reilly’s character and perhaps I saw a little of myself in Murph. One of the problems many schools face is inspiring students to read and I figured that if these books could get me reading at 47, then perhaps some of my students might enjoy the mystery that is Brendan Murphy,” said Holsinger.
MHS junior Miguel Martinez, Jr. said he is enjoying the book because of the humor. “It’s funny and he gives us an inside look of being a taxi cab driver and his life. I find it intriguing,” he said.
Junior Angelica Longoria said she also likes the humor and “the fact the author opens up to the reader and is not afraid to show us he makes mistakes and that he is vulnerable,” she said.
Reilly has a direct connection to the North Platte Valley and his sisters Joanne Krieg and Judy Waite still live in Scottsbluff. The Reilly family moved to Scottsbluff in 1967 where their father managed the Woolsworths Department Store.
 
Reilly lived with his family in Scottsbluff for less than a year after the family moved there from Wheatridge, Colo. Reilly was born in Arkansas City, Kan., and attended Catholic schools in Kansas and then in Denver. Joanne Krieg said that she sees a number of similarities between her brother and the main character, Murph.
 
She said that her brother drove a taxi while living in Denver, he had his bachelor’s degree in English, and that Gary always enjoyed Twinkies.
 
Reilly first gained attention in 1977 when one of his short stories, “The Biography Man,” appeared in the prestigious Pushcart Prize Winners collect. As Reilly moved to longer forms of fiction, he was in no hurry to be published. Instead he poured his energy into editing previous work and starting on new projects.
 
In 2010 Reilly decided it might be time to get his books out to the public. Like many authors he sent letters of interest to agents in New York, but as expected the process was long and slow. He then looked at other venues for publishing; smaller presses and print-on-demand along with electronic media.
 
Unfortunately, Reilly ran out of time on March 10, 2011 losing his battle with cancer. But Murph and many others of Reilly’s characters did not fade away as members of his family, long-time partner Sherry Peterson and novelist Stevens began the printing process of “The Asphalt Warrior” series.
“Running Meter Press is thrilled to donate copies of The Asphalt Warrior to Minatare High School. We deeply appreciate the continued interest in Gary Reilly’s remarkable and quite natural storytelling ability. While the stories are straightforward on one level, we also think that Brendan Murphy, a.k.a. “Murph,” offers an interesting perspective on life, work and the individual’s role in society, all while delivering laughs on nearly every page,” said Stevens.