Matt Markgraf

WKMS hosts a special early-bird fundraising event with live string band music in Studio A for Sounds Good with Tracy Ross. One of the rotating hosts of Music from the Front Porch, Mike Gowen, joins in to introduce old-time string music of the Purchase Region with Nathan Blake Lynn and Josh Coffey, known through Bawn in the Mash and other groups. 

As part of today's special presentation, Nathan plays music from his historical music project titled The Places I Used To Know. The album features 10 original songs focused on Lynn’s experiences in the Jackson Purchase. All songs were written, performed, and engineered by Lynn at his farm in Heath, Kentucky. For more information visit nathanblakelynn.com.

See a video describing the album and a special fundraiser premium after the jump.

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 Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage, a Newberry Honor Winner that School Library Journal describes as a hilarious modern day mystery, that leaves the readers hoping for sequels.

...and declare "we had found the secret of life." The truth wasn't far off for these molecular biologists, who determined the double-helix structure of DNA on this day in 1953. They had solved a mystery of science - how it was possible for genetics to be passed through generations. Someone buy these gents a drink!

It’s Thursday, February 28

Cinema International presents “Coriolanus” tonight through Saturday night at 7:30 in Murray State University’s Curris Center Theater.  The film version of Shakespeare’s tragedy features a Roman general whose resentment over a failed bid for political office leads him to treason.  Shows are free and open to the public.

Today we remember the life and legacy of sax legend Dexter Gordon. He was one of the earliest jazz tenors to to adapt bebop to the instrument. Gordon's career spans over 40 years including an Academy Award nomination for Best Leading Role in Round Midnight, and a Grammy for the soundtrack.

It’s Wednesday, February 27

Maiden Alley Cinema in Paducah presents a live concert titled “3-Way Tie For First” Friday night at 6.  Featured performers include JD Wilkes and the Dirt Daubers, the Solid Rock’it Boosters, and the Wheelhouse Rousters.  KET films the concert.  A limited number of $5 tickets available at the door.

On this day in 1946, the first reports were filed of missile-shaped objects seen falling over Sweden. Some say it was a meteor shower, others suggest long-range rocket testing by the Russians. The Swedish Army directed newspapers to censor their reporting, but to this day their own investigators remain uncertain.

It’s Tuesday, February 26

Paducah native Samuel Hawkins presents “Spoken Word” tomorrow morning at 11 at the West Kentucky Community and Technical College Clemens Fine Arts Student Center.  The free presentation features Hawkins’s urban-style poetry.  Find more information at westkentucky.kctcs.edu.

George Harrison was born on this day in 1943, and died November 29, 2001. He was the lead guitarist for the Beatles, was influential in the Hare Krishna movement alongside Ravi Shankar, and formed the Traveling Wilburys. Rolling Stone named him the 11th Greatest Guitarist of All Time.

It’s Monday, February 25

The American Red Cross holds a blood drive tomorrow afternoon from 1 to 5 at North Calloway Elementary School.  Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be at least 17 years old or 16 with a completed Parental Consent Form.  Learn more at redcrossblood.org.

Moose Murders, by Arthur Bicknell, is a mystery farce about a family at the "Wild Moose Lodge." Its single performance on this day in '83 was described by the New York Times critic as "the worst play I've ever seen on a Broadway stage." The play has become a touchstone of reference to Broadway flops.

It’s Friday, February 22

The Empty Bowls Project of Paducah is tomorrow from 11:30 to 2 at the Julian Carroll Convention Center.  Empty Bowls raises money for the community kitchen.  Choose a hand-crafted bowl, then fill it with food from participating restaurants.  The cost is $15.

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 Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, a book that The New York Times calls "a fiendishly-plotted mind game of a novel."

On this day in 1958, British artist Gerald Holtom finished his design for the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). The symbol is actually a combination of the letters CND (the N is the 'triangle' in the middle). Eventually, it became known an international symbol of peace.

It’s Thursday, February 21

The 2013 Murray Main Street Trivia Night is tomorrow from 6 to 8:30 at the Maple Center. The evening includes heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.  The cost is $150 for a team of eight, or $10 each for spectators.  For more information, call 759-9474.

On this day in 1998, 15-year-old Tara Lipinski narrowly beat Michelle Kwan in women's figure skating to become the youngest champion in an individual event in the history of Winter Olympics. 

It’s Wednesday, February 20

The American Red Cross holds a blood drive tomorrow afternoon from 12:30 to 5:30 at First Presbyterian Church of Murray.  Donors must be in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be at least 17 years old, or 16 with a completed Parental Consent Form.  To learn more or to schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org.