Commodities clinic dates set for April

The Commodities Supplemental Food Program will offer a commodities clinic from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 6 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, as well as April 8-10 and April 15-17 at 2525 W. Old Lincoln Highway, Grand Island.

For more information or to see if you or your family qualifies call the Grand Island office at 385-5500; Loup City and Broken Bow, (308) 745-0717; O'Neill, (402) 336-4298; or Columbus, (402) 564-1124.

The program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program which provides food purchased and distributed by USDA to infants, children up to the 6th birthday, women who are pregnant, breastfeeding and who have had a baby within the past year and elderly 60 years of age or above. Participants need to meet the federal income guidelines.

Locals encouraged to complete air service survey

The Central Nebraska Regional Airport has posted a short survey regarding air service on its Web site, www.flygrandisland.com.

Local residents are encouraged to visit the site and answer questions regarding their travel habits and their preference for a new air carrier in Grand Island.

The CNRA has received bids for Essential Air Service from two airlines, Hawaii Island Air and Great Lakes Aviation. Each airline offers different flight schedules and amenities, which are also posted on the airport's Web site.

The information gathered from survey responses will be used to help the airport indicate its airline preference. The airline that receives Grand Island's contract will provide service for a duration of two years.

The airport board will also welcome public comment on the air service bids during its 8 a.m. meeting April 9.

Dubas to conduct town hall meeting

State Sen. Annette Dubas (34th Legislative District) will hold a town hall meeting at 9 a.m. April 5 at the Platte Valley State Bank in Grand Island.

Residents of the 34th Legislative District are welcome to attend the one-hour informal gathering. Dubas will briefly speak about her legislation and then will take questions from constituents in attendance. The Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the event.

Those attending should park in the north and south lots of Platte Valley Bank. Overflow parking will be available at Home Depot. Doors will open at 9 a.m.

* st. paul

American Legion celebrating birthday

The St. Paul American Legion, Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion are hosting a birthday party celebrating 89 years on Saturday. The event is scheduled with social time beginning at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30. A dance is planned from 7:30 to 11:30, with music provided by R.J. Cannon. The celebration is open to the public.

For more information, call Charlotte Rasmussen at (308) 863-2281.

* taylor

Nebraska author Dennis Vossberg to speak

Nebraska author Dennis Vossberg will speak Monday at the Loup County Community Center in Taylor.

Vossberg is the author of "Hector's Bliss," the story of African-American homesteaders in the Goose Lake region in Wheeler and Holt counties.

He will speak at about 7 p.m., after a light meal that starts at 5:30. The presentation is free and open to the public. Autographed copies of the book will be on sale at the program.

The presentation is sponsored by the Taylor Public Library and the Loup County Historical Society. For more information, call Kevin Brown at (308) 942-6115.