Each year the students learn about various birds species, from their eggs to behavior and more. In conjunction with their units, the students are assigned to study a bird and share the knowledge they have gained through the construction of a mobile. Each mobile depicts information about the appearance, nesting, habitat, and food of their chosen bird through pictures, text and artistic models.

Mobiles that have met the requirements set by the teachers are brought to the museum to be hung on the second floor in front of the bird displays.

For more information, call Visitor Services at (800) 508-4629 or (402) 461-4629, option zero.

'Spirit' celebration set at MONA

KEARNEY The Museum of Nebraska Art presents "Spirit: A Celebration of Art in the Heartland," its biennial art exhibition and gala art auction, through April 5.

On April 4 and 5, MONA will be at the center of the Nebraska visual art world as 72 artists and more than 400 guests come together to celebrate the art of Nebraska in a special way.

The exhibition, "Spirit: A Celebration of Art in the Heartland," opened March 15 featuring more than 130 artworks representing media from oil paint to bronze, fiber to ceramic, and styles from traditional cowboy art to cutting edge contemporary. "Spirit" culminates with a Patron Preview Reception and Sale on April 4 and a Gala Dinner and Art Auction on April 5.

The Patron Package starts with the Patron Preview Reception on April 4. Those attending the reception will have the first opportunity to meet the artists and purchase artwork at a special "No Haggle/No Hassle" price. On Saturday, patrons will have the opportunity to view cranes at Rowe Sanctuary, tour Kearney's Trails and Rails Museum and have afternoon tea at Kearney's historic Frank House including an artist demonstration or a tour of Geo. Spencer Vineyards in Gibbon. Golf at Kearney Country Club or Meadowlark Golf Course is also an option, weather permitting.

The Patron Package is $250 per person and includes all events, with the golf option priced separately. The Gala Dinner and Art Auction tickets are $90 for MONA members and $110 for others; a table of 10 is $1,000.

MONA is located at 2401 Central Ave. in Kearney. For more information, call the museum at (308) 865-8559 or check the Web site at monet.unk.edu/mona.

Third Thursday Sampler set at MONA

KEARNEY The Museum of Nebraska Art presents Third Thursdays at MONA Art Sampler from 7 to 8 p.m. today (Thursday).

Third Thursdays, a series of art samplers featuring artists and performers from the Central Nebraska area, takes place on the third Thursday of each month throughout the year. The evening consists of three or four presentations of music, poetry, oratory, perhaps a short scene from an upcoming theater presentation, and discussion of an artwork.

Performing this month will be dancers from Dance Works, an oral interpretation of drama by students at Kearney High School, "Picture This" with MONA Director Audrey Kauders, who will talk about MONA's current exhibit; and a vocal performance by "Cabriolet," a local women's barbershop-style quartet with Sherryl Wilke, Bonnie Hahn, Sandra Hanson, and Judy Drown. A social time featuring light refreshment will follow.

For more information, call the museum at (308) 865-8559 or check the Web site at monet.unk.edu/mona.

'Juno' set for Lied Super Screen Theatre

HASTINGS The Lied Super Screen Theatre in the Hastings Museum will feature the 35mm film "Juno "on the giant screen at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4:30 p.m. Sunday.

Juno is a whip-smart teen confronting an unplanned pregnancy by her classmate Bleeker. With the help of her best friend Leah, Juno finds her unborn child a "perfect" set of parents: an affluent suburban couple, Mark and Vanessa, longing to adopt. Luckily, Juno has the total support of her parents as she faces some tough decisions, flirts with adulthood and ultimately figures out where she belongs. Rated PG-13 for mature thematic material, sexual content and language, "Juno" stars Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Olivia Thirlby, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman.

All 35mm film admissions are $4.50 per person. There is also a discount available for seeing both a large-format film and 35mm feature the same day. Seating is limited to 211 for each showing, so reservations are recommended. For more information or to purchase tickets, call Visitor Services at (402) 461-4629 or (800) 508-4629, option zero.