Matt Markgraf

"Vaffeldagen," a great day to eat waffles in Sweden! It's also "Our Lady's Day," the Christian holiday traditionally known as the Feast of the Annunciation. In Swedish this is called "Warfrudagen," which in vernacular sounds like Vaffeldagen, hence the dual celebration. Pass the syrup!

It’s Monday, March 25

The Calloway County Public Library hosts an Easter Egg Hunt and picnic Wednesday morning at 10:30.  Children of all ages are invited to bring their Easter baskets and a blanket to enjoy a morning of egg hunting followed by a picnic lunch.  The free event takes place rain or shine.

The Beatles released their first album in the UK on this day in 1963. "Please Please Me" featured the hit single of the same name, and "Love Me Do" among a dozen other songs. Rolling Stone placed the album as no. 39 on their "500 Greatest Albums of All Time" list.

It’s Friday, March 22

The Murray Woman’s Club invites elementary, middle, and high school students to enter the 2013 Art Contest.  Categories include drawing, printmaking, collage, painting, fiber arts, sculpture, photography, and miscellaneous.  Entries should be delivered to the clubhouse on Tuesday between 3:30 and 4:30PM.  For more information, call 753-5452.

One of the great music innovators in the second half of the Twentieth Century, and the formative years of the Twenty-First, was the Chicago based iconic artist Franz Jackson. Having performed with Fletcher Henderson, Billie Holiday, and Duke Ellington (as well as being a leader on several recordings), Jackson brought energy, excitement, and soul to his music. As such, Jackson was one of the great pioneers of American jazz. History professor and host of Café Jazz, Dr. Brian Clardy spoke with his daughter, Michelle Jackson-Jewell in a telephone interview. Listen to the full interview above. See more at franzjackson.com, including how to purchase his new album, "Milestone."

"The Rock" closed on this day in 1963. The prison served as a military garrison during the Civil War, then became a military prison, and eventually a federal penitentiary housing some of the most notorious criminals in the country, like Al Capone, the Birdman (Robert Stroud), "Machine Gun" Kelly, "Whitey" Bulger, among others. No prisoner successfully escaped.

It’s Thursday, March 21

The Puppy Party offers 6- to 16-week-old puppies the opportunity to learn basic obedience skills and to socialize with other dogs.  Murray State University animal behavior students lead three sessions at Carmen Pavilion on Monday nights in April, beginning on the 15th.  The cost is $25.  To register, call the Humane Society of Calloway County at 759-1884.

We wish Marian McPartland a happy 95th birthday today. Marian fell in love with jazz at an early age, touring Europe during WWII entertaining troops. In 1964, she began a weekly radio program on WBAI in New York, paving the way for Piano Jazz on NPR in 1978. The long-running program featured music and guests until Marian stepped down in November, 2011. In 2004, she received the Grammy Trustees' Lifetime Achievement Award for her work as an educator, in 2007 she was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame, and in 2010 was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

It’s Wednesday, March 20

Acclaimed musician and fiddle scholar John Harrod presents “Kentucky’s Diverse Fiddling Traditions” tomorrow night at 7 at the McCracken County Public Library.  Hear the story of the old fiddlers, their personalities, their eccentricities, and their exploits.  For more information about the free presentation, call (270) 442-2510.

On this day in 1962, a 20 year-old Bob Dylan released his first album, simply titled Bob Dylan. The album featured folk standards like "Man of Constant Sorrow" and "House of the Risin' Sun" along with two originals, "Talkin' New York" and "Song to Woody." The album received little notice, but was good practice for his breakthrough, The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan.

It’s Tuesday, March 19

“Herb Appeal” is Friday at 11:30 at the McCracken County Cooperative Extension Office.  The luncheon offers a four-course meal prepared with different herbs and the opportunity to learn more about growing, preparing, storing, and cooking with herbs.  Purchase $20 tickets from any PAMGA member or at the Extension Office.

German inventor and mechanical engineer Rudolf Diesel was born on this day in 1858. He developed the Diesel engine, which became an  important replacement for the piston engine, and more fuel efficient than gasoline engines. Although, he may not have known the significance of his own design. In 1913, Diesel suffered a mysterious death on the passenger steam ship SS Dresden.

It’s Monday, March 18

There’s an informational meeting tonight about the Paducah Parks Services Department softball leagues.  The meeting is tonight at 6:30 at the Parks Office, and the deadline to register teams is March 29.  For more information, visit paducahky.gov.

As many as 60 conspirators, led by Brutus and Cassius were involved in the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. According to Plutarch, a seer had warned Caesar that harm would come to him in the Ides. On this morning, he joked with the seer that the Ides have come but the prophecy had not been fulfilled, to which the seer replied, "Aye, Caesar, but not gone."

It’s Friday, March 15

Paducah Parks Services offers its annual Leprechaun Hunt tomorrow afternoon at Noble Park.  Registration starts at 12:30, and the hunt begins at 1.  Teams of family members or friends compete against other teams to complete a scavenger hunt through the park.  The event is free and prizes are awarded.

Today is Pi Day! And there's nothing funnier than a pie in the face! When you contribute to WKMS today before Sounds Good, you can get in on the fun! Make your gift (or additional gift) at 800-599-4737  and place your vote for the WKMS staff member who'll get a pie in the face near the end of Sounds Good today! :)

It’s Thursday, March 14

The Murray State University Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Band present a concert tonight at 7:30 at Lovett Auditorium.  The free concert features works by Rossini, Holst, deHaan, Grainger, and deMeij.

Classically trained vocalist Solitaire Miles has the range and sound that echoes the musings of jazz singer Anita O'Day and Ella Fitzgerald, and opera singer Fredericka Van Staad. Her brilliantly recorded albums Born To Be Blue and Melancholy reflect her complex ideas and multifaceted influences. But equally impressive are her paintings, one of which is of President Obama that was accepted by the White House. Café Jazz host and Department of History professor Dr. Brian Clardy spoke with her by telephone about her work and views on the future of jazz as an art form. A shortened version of this interview aired on Café Jazz Wednesday, March 13. The interview above is the longer, full version.