Matt Markgraf

On this day in 1993, Janet Reno became the first woman to serve as Attorney General and would eventually become the second longest serving Attorney General after William Wirt (in 1829). In 2009, the American Judicature Society awarded her their highest honor for "her commitment to improving our systems of justice."

It’s Monday, March 11

The McCracken County Public Library hosts “Gross to Great! Picking Produce for Your Family’s Health and Wallet.”  The free class is tonight at 6.  Registered dietitian Laura Duff teaches participants how to tackle unfamiliar tastes, boost their families’ health, and lower grocery bills.  For more information, call 270-442-1166.

Chicago area pianist, composer, and band leader Kelly Brand has been on the music scene for well over a decade and a half entertaining jazz lovers with her innovative compositions and arrangements. Her original compositions, as well as her covers of musicians like Bobby Hutcherson, have enthralled listeners from the concert stage to her stellar recordings. Murray State History Professor and host of Café Jazz Dr. Brian Clardy spoke with her via telephone in an interview that was aired recently on the Wednesday night broadcast. Hear is the full interview. Discover more of her work at kellybrand.com.

Philips and Sony were in dead heat debuting the compact disc, but Philips edged out the competition by a week and made the first public demonstration on this day in 1979. The demo showed that it was possible to use optical recording and playback to reproduce audio in stereo quality.

It’s Friday, March 8

Neighborhood Watch Training is offered tomorrow evening at 5 at Kelly Baptist Church in Hopkinsville.  Everyone in Christian County is invited to attend.  Neighborhood Watch is a network of neighbors trained in home and self protection, suspect identification, and how to serve effectively as eyes and ears for law enforcement agencies.  For more information, call 885-1530.

Alexander Graham Bell raced to the patent office in 1876, beating out Elisha Gray for a patent, which he was granted on this day that covered "the method of, an apparatus for, transmitting vocal or other sounds telegraphically..." What better reason to make your pledge today to WKMS  by calling 800-599-4737! We appreciate your support!

It’s Thursday, March 7

There’s an opening reception tonight for the Paducah School of Art National Photography Invitational. The exhibit features works by leading artists employing a contemporary approach to the art of photography.  The reception is at the WKCTC Clemens Fine Arts Center Gallery from 5 until 7.

WOW! You are wonderful! The WKMS Spring Fundraiser goal was met at the end of All Things Considered on Wednesday afternoon (April 17)! The community has joined together to raise over $130,000 in financial support, keeping public radio going strong in the Four Rivers Region.

Sounds Good: The Week of May 20

Monday: In the first hour, Dietician Laura Marbury of the Southeast Dairy Association tells us how to fight the yearly, inevitable weight gain of one to three pounds. In the second hour, Chris Kerlick joins us to promote SamFest IV at Hidden Creek Resort this Saturday. It benefits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

We lost Ed McMahon in 2009, but his legacy is best remembered as Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show and as the host of Star Search. Conan O'Brien said Carson and McMahon created "the most iconic two-shot in broadcasting history. There will never be anything like that again."

It’s Wednesday, March 6

The Paducah Renaissance Alliance is now accepting applications from farmers who are interested in being vendors for the 2013 Downtown Farmers Market.  The market kicks off on April 25 and is open Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9 to 3 and on Thursdays from 2 to 6.  Apply at paducahalliance.org; click on events.

He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one for film and the other for television. Sir Rex Harrison won his first Tony as Henry VIII in 1949, and his second for Prof. Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady in 1957, which he reprised for the film in 1964. He was married six times, and died in 1990 at the age of 82.

It’s Tuesday, March 5

Alvin Wong, a new music cellist and Yale University doctoral candidate, gives a concert tomorrow night at 7:30 in the Performing Arts Hall at Murray State University.  The concert features a work by MSU composition professor Dr. Brian Ciach.  Admission is free. 

When Columbus landed in Portugal on this day in 1493, word of finding new lands spread quickly. He was received a hero in Spain, and displayed captive natives, gold, the previously unknown tobacco plant, pineapple, turkeys, and hammocks. He called the coast of China "a miracle," not yet realizing exactly what he had found.

It’s Monday, March 4

The Murray Human Rights Commission invites all residents of Murray and Calloway County to participate in a Town Hall Meeting to be held next Monday night at 7 at Murray Middle School. The public forum addresses bullying in our community.