Northwest Missouri State University will welcome two performances next week to kick off the University’s 2014-2015 Encore performance series.

 

The St. Louis Brass Quintet will give a free performance at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, in the Charles Johnson Theater. Then Circus Electronica will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, in the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts. Both performances are open to the public.

 

Founded in 1964, the St. Louis Brass Quintet is one of America’s longest-standing brass quintets. Formed by members of the St. Louis Symphony to play children’s concerts in the St. Louis area, the group soon expanded to present full length concerts funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Missouri Arts Council and the Mid-America Arts Alliance. Now, 50 years and more than 2,500 engagements later, the quintet members hold top positions across the United States.

 

In addition to its free Encore performance, the quintet will offer master classes to high school and Northwest music students at 3 p.m. and participate with Northwest brass faculty in a help session at 4 p.m. in the Olive DeLuce Fine Arts Building. The brass quintet’s concert and workshop is supported by Northwest and the Missouri Arts Council.

 

“In this setting, members of the ensemble work with students in like-instrument settings,” said Dr. Bill Richardson, professor of music. “This is an important part of the quintet’s time here, as it provides direct interaction between music students and these world-class teachers and performers.”

 

Later in the week, Circus Electronica incorporates a new kind of electronic music with world-class acrobats that groove on the scintillating beats of DJ Bucken. The performance takes audiences of all ages deep into the singularity. As technology and the human experience merge, the audience will witness high-flying aero-ballet blend seamlessly with electronic dance music in a revolution that leaves them stunned.

 

Tickets for Circus Electronica may be purchased between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Student Services Center on the first floor of the Administration Building or online at www.nwmissouri.edu/campusactivities/encore.htm. Adult tickets range from $23 to $25 and children’s tickets range from $13 to $15. Northwest student tickets are free.

Today: Mostly cloudy with a high near 80.  40% chance for showers/thunderstorms.

Tonight: 80% chance for showers/thunderstorms and a low around 64.

Thursday: 80% chance for showers/thunderstorms and a high near 74.

Thursday Night:Mostly cloudy and gradually clearing with a low around 48.

Friday: Sunny and breezy, high near 58.

Friday Night: Mostly clear, low around 36

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 69.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy with a low around 48.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 69.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy with a low around 48.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy with a low around 49

The Northwest Missouri State University Homecoming committee has announced royalty candidates for the University’s 2014 Homecoming celebration.
Students may begin voting at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 6, by logging onto CatPaws; voting ends at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10. The king and queen will be announced at about 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, during the Homecoming Variety Show.

Northwest will celebrate its Homecoming week, “A Trip Down Bearcat Lane” Oct. 12 through Oct. 19. Events are open to all Northwest students, alumni, faculty, staff, families, friends and community members. For a complete schedule of Homecoming 2014 activities and events, click here.

The Variety Show is 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, and Friday, Oct. 17, at the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are free and available at the Student Services Center on the first floor of the Administration Building or at the door.

The candidates for 2014 Homecoming royalty at Northwest appear below.

Candidates for Homecoming King

Trevor Johnson
Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo.
Year: Senior
Major: Business management
Activities: Enactus, Maryville Partners in Prevention, Culture Change Committee, Interfraternity Council, contributing columnist for The Northwest Missourian

 

 

 

 

 

Dannen Merrill
Hometown: Maryville, Mo.
Year: Senior
Major: Accounting and emergency disaster management
Activities: Phi Sigma Kappa senior advisor, Student Senate liaison to Maryville City Council and Organizational Affairs Committee chair, St. Jude Up ‘til Dawn assistant director, Cardinal Key honor society, Order of Omega honor society, Campus-Community Emergency Response Team, Missouri Hope Disaster Training Field Exercise Senior Staff, The American Legion Boys State of Missouri Counseling Staff

 

 

 

 

 

Dakota Sullivan
Hometown: Chariton, Iowa
Year: Senior
Major: Pre-law and political science
Activities: Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, Political Science Club, Pre-Law Society, Mortar Board, Pi Sigma Alpha honor society, Youth Character Building Academy Foundation for Iowa, AmeriCorps USA alumnus
Matthew Tohl
Hometown: St. Louis, Mo.
Year: Senior
Major: Biology with an emphasis in zoology
Activities: Sigma Tau Gamma fraternity, Blue Key honor society, 102 River and Wildlife Club, Beta Beta Beta Ciological honor society, National Honor Society of Collegiate Scholars, Mortar Board honor society, Cardinal Key honor society, Phi Eta Sigma honor society, Alpha Chi honor society, Honors Student Association

 

 

Tobias Weddle
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
Year: Senior
Major: Business management
Activities: Tau Kappa Epsilon vice president, Student Senate treasurer, Blue Key honor society president, student ambassador

 

 

 

 

 

Candidates for Homecoming Queen

Tori Cantrell
Hometown: Easton, Mo.
Year: Senior
Major: Spanish education and English
Activities: Sigma Society vice president, Student Senate secretary and Civic Service Committee chair, Sigma Pi Sigma honor society vice president, Student Activities Council, Freshman Seminar peer advisor, SOAR leader

 

 

 

 

 

Hope Garrett
Hometown: St. Joseph, Mo.
Year: Senior
Major: Business management and marketing
Activities: Sigma Sigma Sigma president, Student Senate vice president, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Nodaway County big sister and board member, Freshman Seminar office assistant, Student Ambassador, MORE Mentor, Cardinal Key honor society, Order of Omega honor society

 

 

 

 

 

Betsy Hildebrand
Hometown: York, Neb.
Year: Senior
Major: Public relations
Activities: Northwest Dance Company president and choreographer, Cardinal Key honor society president, Lambda Pi Eta honor society vice president, National Society of Collegiate Scholars vice president of public relations and membership, Echo treasurer, P.E.O. Sisterhood, Freshman Seminar peer advisor, Mortar Board honor society, Multiple Sclerosis Walk chair

 

 

 

 

 

Emma Hulsey
Hometown: Gretna, Neb.
Year: Senior
Major: Business management and marketing
Activities: Alpha Sigma Alpha, Cardinal Key honor society, Order of Omega honor society, Delta Mu Delta honor society, St. Jude Up ‘til Dawn, Student Support Services, student ambassador

 

 

 

 

 

Abby Peitzmeier
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.
Year: Senior
Major: Business management and marketing
Activities: Alpha Sigma Alpha, Student Senate senior class president, student ambassador, Freshman Seminar peer advisor, SOAR leader, National Society of Leadership and Success

St. Joseph residents will soon see new signs up around town identifying the city as as National Weather Service Storm Ready Community.

“What it means is we’re somewhat prepared as a community if we have Tornadoes, or severe weather come up,” said St. Joseph Fire Department Captain George Albert. “A lot of it deals with our notification.  How we notify people about the weather, educating the public on storms and how to be prepared for those.”

This year the city applied for the recognition with the National Weather Service.  Albert said officials with the National Weather Service reviewed the city’s severe response plan and equipment before approving the city as a Storm Ready Community.

“If we actually have a tornado, weather warnings and watches that come in and we’ve told you to take cover that’s the biggest thing,” said Albert.

Even with the recognition the city is continuing to make improvements to its weather system with the addition of a new tornado siren.

“It’s being donated to us and it’s going to add into the coverage of our area,” said Albert.

He said the new siren has been installed near the area of Riverside Road and 36 Highway and should be fully operational in a matter of weeks. In total the City of St. Joseph now has 22 tornado sirens and two private sirens for use in the event of an emergency.

Albert said the Storm Ready Community signs will be installed within the next three weeks.

 

Increasing the awareness of asthma, generating funds to support two area hospitals – St. Francis Hospital and Health Services in Maryville and the University of Kansas Hospital – and remembering a Northwest Missouri State University alumna are the goals of the upcoming seventh annual Jennifer Shaw Suhr 5K Memorial Run/Walk in Maryville.

The event begins at 9 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Raymond J. Courter College Park Pavilion, just west of Bearcat Stadium on the Northwest campus. The registration fee is $20 for adults and $10 for students and children. Each participant will receive a T-shirt and complimentary brunch.

Participants may register the morning of the event, beginning at 8 a.m., or in advance by visiting www.runforjennifer.com or contacting Julie Shaw at 816.591.0788 or Taylor Deen at 660.528.1528. Pre-registration will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, at College Park. Registration forms also are available at the Maryville Community Center and at several locations on the Northwest campus, including the Northwest Fitness Center, the Student Recreation Center, the Office of Campus Activities and Roberta Hall.

In addition to participating in the 5K event, individuals and businesses are invited to become a sponsor (for $250) or contribute items for a raffle and participant “goody bags.” Individuals wishing to make a donation may send a check, payable to KU Medical, to Tim Shaw, 8104 NE 74th St., Kansas City, MO 64158.

Proceeds from the Jennifer Shaw Suhr 5K Memorial Run/Walk will benefit St. Francis Hospital’s respiratory therapy department to purchase a new screening device for lung conditions, including asthma. Proceeds also benefit the University of Kansas Hospital’s asthma unit.

Members of Northwest’s Phi Mu sorority are once again playing a significant role in organizing the event and will assist on race day. Representatives from the University of Kansas Hospital and St. Francis Hospital will be present to provide information about asthma. Free asthma screenings also will be provided.

Jennifer Shaw Suhr, who cherished being a mother and wife, led an active and healthy lifestyle. She enjoyed running, water skiing, playing softball and bicycling, was a member of Phi Mu sorority and graduated from Northwest in 1992. However, in December 2000 she died as a result of asthma, a disease she had battled her entire life. At the time of her death, she left behind a husband, Troy, also a Northwest graduate and member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, and a 2-year-old son, Wyatt.

“By planning and participating in the upcoming event, those of us who knew Jennifer have the opportunity to reminisce about the special times we had with her, and that keeps her spirit alive,” said Tim Shaw, Jennifer’s brother and one of the event organizers. “At the same time, we realize not everyone taking part in the 5K knew Jennifer, so we hope to bring awareness and educate others on how deadly this disease can be.”

Last year’s event attracted more than 200 participants and raised more than $5,500, all of which was used for asthma awareness and education initiatives.

For additional information, contact Julie Shaw at julie@pinupmarket.com or 816.591.0788.

Even though backers no longer support Missouri Amendment 3 the Missouri School Board Association said it is still concerned. 680KFEQ Barry Birr files this report.

Today: Mostly sunny afternoon with increasing evening clouds. Winds out of the South 5-15 with gusts up to 20 mph. Slight chance for showers/thunderstorms after 5 p.m.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy and showers and thunderstorms likely mainly after 1 a.m. Low around 64. 80% precipitation. Half and three quarters of an inch possible

Wednesday:High near 78 and an 80% chance for showers/thunderstorms.

Wednesday Night: Showers and thunderstorms likely. Low around 63. 70% chance precipitation

Thursday: Mostly cloudy with a high near 74. 50% showers/thunderstorms.

Thursday Night:Partly cloudy low around 49.

Friday: Sunny high near 63.

Friday Night: Mostly clear with a low near 41

Saturday: Sunny with a high near 65

After more than 25-years of granting dreams to critically and chronically ill children one man is preparing to retire.

“My love, other than giving the dreams away is raising the money to do the dreams,” said Dream Factory of Northwest Missouri Volunteer Ron Dougan. “I love bringing the money so we can do these things.  I’ve tried my best to do fundraising.”

Dougan helped to found the Dream Factor chapter of Northwest Missouri.  In his years with the Dream Factory he has helped to grant more than 100 dreams to children dealing with an illness.

“I started with a part of the Kansas City chapter, we were the North part of Kansas City here in St. Joe and I served as the president of the North chapter which was a part of the Kansas City one then,” he said. “Later we formed as part of Northwest Missouri.”

Northwest Missouri Dream Factory Vice President Terry Parker said the organization is a way to give happiness to children between the age of 3 and 18 struggling with health issues.

“Well we can’t give them their health back but what we can do it put a smile on their face,” said Parker. “Families are stressed out, their kids are stressed out, if we can give them some relief then it’s great you know.”

Sunday during BaconFest at the Civic Arena the Dream Factory presented a dream to a Central Freshman girl named Stevie dealing with a connective tissue disorder.  Stevie’s dream was to go to Hawaii.

“They don’t have to think about doctors, they don’t have to think about needles, they don’t have to think about tests,” said Dream Factory President Rita Hook. “It’s just time for the family to just forget about everything and have fun with each other.”

Stevie’s dream of going to Hawaii was one of the last dreams Dougan will get to see before his retirement, but his final dream has yet to be granted.

“I am working on one personally myself,” said Dougan. “It will probably be done over the Christmas break when the little girl’s sister is home from college, she wants to swim with the Dolphins in Florida.”

 

 

Missouri Senator Roy Blunt stopped in at Rosecrans Memorial Airport Monday afternoon to hear from area law enforcement agencies during a closed meeting about resources needed to protect area residents.

Sen. Blunt said discussion surrounding arming law enforcement officials has been a hot topic since 18-year-old Michael Brown was shot by a police officer last month in Ferguson, Missouri. Blunt said the armored trucks used during the protests after Brown’s death were able to save several individuals.

“So much of the discussion of what’s happened in our State since August is not based on the facts on the ground,” said Blunt. “The three big defensive vehicles that were there and they were like a Brinks armored truck.”

Blunt said debate in Washington over what equipment is used by law enforcement should come from actually talking to law enforcement officials about what they really need.

“The further you get a decision away from where you’re really going to try to solve a problem the less likely you’re going to meet the common sense standard that you will meet if you try to solve those decisions close to home,” said Blunt.

Buchanan County Presiding Commissioner R.T. Turner said the meeting with the Senator was helpful because much of the equipment purchased and used by the law enforcement comes from government funded grants.

“Just talking about the equipment we have received and it’s not just vehicles but other equipment that’s been very important like radios,” said Turner. “It’s not just military vehicles that’s very important in Northwest Missouri.”