Matt Markgraf

Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion: 1. Planets move in ellipses with the Sun at one focus. 2. The radius vector describes equal areas in equal times. 3. The squares of the periodic times are to each other as the cubes of the mean distances. Kepler's Third Law would lead Newton to his law of gravitation (not an apple).

It’s Wednesday, May 15

The Calloway County Public Library hosts New York-based classical guitarist Peter Fletcher tomorrow evening at 6:30 in the library meeting room. The concert is free of charge and the public is invited to attend. For more information call 753-2288 or visit callowaycountylibrary.org.

NBC sitcom Seinfeld aired its last episode on this day in 1998, reaching an audience of 76 million viewers, making it the third most viewed finale. During the show, TV Land just posted a still that read "Gone watching Seinfeld - Back in 60 minutes."

It’s Tuesday, May 14 Murray State University offers a four-week workshop for adults with hearing loss. Audiologist Susan Brown leads the workshop, which helps participants with hearing loss and the person with whom they communicate the most learn techniques for improving difficult listening situations. Classes meet Tuesday mornings in June. To register, call 809-6821.

Ben Carlin was the first (and only) person to circumnavigate the globe in an amphibious vehicle. It began as a honeymoon idea: to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a Ford GPA. He and his wife Elinore launched from Montreal, and traveled 11,000 miles by sea and 39,000 miles by land over a ten-year span. Elinore left him in Australia.

It’s Monday, May 13

The Alzheimer's Support Group holds a regular monthly meeting tomorrow morning at 10 at the Pennyrile Area Development District office in Hopkinsville. For more information, contact James Patterson at (270) 886-9484.

We continue our occasional series previewing good reads for young adults from Katherine Farmer, Coordinator of the Racers Children's Preview Collection at Murray State University. This week's recommended read is The White Bicycle, by Beverly Brenna, a 2013 Printz Honor coming-of-age adventure told from the perspective of Taylor Jane, a young woman with Asperger's Syndrome. Booklist calls this story, for ages 14 to 17, a "finespun gem" that would be "a shame" to miss. 

"The GOP: Seize the Center or Die?"

Airdate: May 14, Noon

2012 was a disappointing year for Republicans. The failure to win key swing states in the presidential election and surprising losses in the House and Senate have prompted some reflection. Was their embrace of small government, low taxes, and a strong conservative stance on social issues at odds with shifting American demographics? Or did the GOP embrace the right platform, but the wrong candidates?

Panelists:

Anna Jarvis wanted to do something special to remember her mother. On this day in 1908, she held the first "official" Mother's Day in Grafton, West Virginia. What began as a church service turned into a national campaign. Four years later, Congress passed a law designating the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day.

It’s Friday, May 10

The Paducah artists who traveled to Innsbruck, Austria, as part of an artist-in-residence cultural exchange present a talk and share photos of their experience at the Yeiser Art Center Saturday afternoon at 3. The event includes presentations from Freda Fairchild, John Hasegawa, Lily Liu, Paul Lorenz, Teri Moore, and May Wong. See details at theyeiser.org.

For this Memorial Day weekend we remember and honor members of our Armed Services. Throughout the holiday weekend (Friday through Monday) we'll announce roll calls to honor our veterans with a service member's information including their name, rank, branch of service, and community. These are the air times: 7:19 am, 11:19 am, 2:19 pm, and 4:19 pm. Join us throughout Memorial Day weekend as we thank members of our Armed Forces for their service and supreme sacrifice.

William Marston was a psychologist, feminist, inventor, and a comic book writer best known for his character Wonder Woman. He felt comics had great educational potential and sought "to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman."

It’s Thursday, May 9

As part of the Movies in the Park series, Noble Park presents a free showing of the animated film “Brave” tomorrow night at dusk, weather permitting. Concessions will be available for purchase. Attendees may want to bring lawn chairs or blankets. For more information, visit paducahky.gov. 

They weren't the first to reach the top of Mt. Everest, but on this day in 1978, Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler became the first to the summit without supplemental oxygen. Before them, such a feat was thought to be impossible. Messner did it again in 1980.

It’s Wednesday, May 8

Angels Attic Thrift Shop seeks donations of men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing; furniture; appliances; household items; and toys. Sale proceeds benefit Angels Community Clinic, which provides health care to the working uninsured in Calloway County. Bring donations to 972 Chestnut Street Monday through Saturday from 8 to 5, or call 762-0505 for pickup.