WHAT’S NEW IN SPRINGFIELD, NE
February 25, 2009
They placed 2nd in the 2009 Nebraska State Dance Competition
in Grand Island, Nebraska
February 21st in the hip hop division class B.
Way to go girls!!!
Jr. High students are invited to register for a Poetry & Printmaking Workshop at Springfield Memorial Library. The workshop will be held from 3:45 – 4:45pm on March, 24. 31, April 7, April 14. An Art Show is planned for April 21 where students will show off their completed projects to family and friends. This workshop will be led by library assistant and local artist, Nancy Davis and is funded by a grant from the Eastern Library System. Please call the library at 253-2797 for questions or more information.
SSAP is still accepting soccer registrations until February 28. Hurry and sign up! Registration forms are online. To find out more, log on here: www.ssap.org
Westmont Elementary will hold a “Pennies for Patients” fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This campaign runs February 23 thru February 27. Bring those pennies to school for a good cause!
Springfield PTO hosts Dine Out Night at Hometown Café at Hwy 50 & Main St. on Monday, March 2 from 4-8pm. Everyone in the community is invited to come out and support our local elementary school. A portion of the proceeds benefit the PTO.
It's Preschool Story Time at the Springfield MemorialLibrary! Spring Storytime will begin on Wednesday, March 4 at 9:30am for all 2 1/2 - 5 year olds. Join us for books & activities for 45 minutes every Wednesday until May 6.
Mark your calendars for the upcoming Lenten Friday Fish Fries at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Fish Fry dates are March 6, 13, 27 & April 3.
SYAA News- The Springfield Youth Athletic Association is hosting the 5th Annual Spring Fling Dinner and Auction on April 18, 2009. For additional information, contact Angie Michaels at 290-7714 or Billie Jo Karnik at 597-1525.
Friends of the Springfield Memorial Library Fundraiser News - Marcus Theatre ticket packages and gift certificates are still on sale. Purchase Gold tickets, anytime pass, for $6.00 ea. or Silver tickets, day pass, for $5.50. Get ready to garden with Flower Power "Summer Garden Collection" packages. Stop by the Library or call 253-2797 for more information.
A big CONGRATULATIONS to Platteview High wrestler, Isaac Roth, for finishing the State Tournament with a third place medal.
February 27 is the date set for the Sarpy County Ag Society Fish Fry at the Sarpy County Fairgrounds.
March 2, 12pm – Senior Meal at First United Methodist Church.
March 2, 4-8pm – Springfield PTO “Dine Out Night” at Hometown Café. Give Mom a break & eat out tonight!
March 6, 13, 27, & April 3 - Lenten Fish Fries at St. Joseph.
March 10, 12pm – Senior Brown Bag Lunch at Springfield Memorial Library.
March 14, 7 pm – Soaring Wings Vineyard “Meet Your Wine Maker Dinner”. Meet your wine maker while enjoying a five course meal. Each course is paired with Soaring Wings Vineyard wines. This is a delicious dinner prepared by executive chef Paul Pleskach. $60 per person. Call 253-2479 for a reservation.
NEWS FROM NEARBY COMMUNITIES
LOUISVILLE JAZZERCISE!!
TEMPORARY LOCATION 132 Main St. Bay #4 (old antique store, enter from the 3rd door on 2nd Street)
GRAND OPENING WEEKEND SALE!!!
Lofte Theatre to Hold Annual Meeting
While the purpose of the gathering is primarily to announce financials, report on ticket sales and elect board members, the evening usually takes on the form of an extended family reunion. Friends who haven't seen each other since the summer months are eager to catch-up with one another and reminisce about past play productions.
Artistic Director Kevin Colbert will announce schedule changes for the upcoming 2009 season, as well as share his play selections for 2010. Special awards will be presented to outstanding volunteers for 2008.
RSVP for this event by calling the Lofte box office at (402) 234-2553 or sending an email to ticket manager Jean Colbert at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Kiwanis Club of Florence is hosting Railroad Fest
FROM OUR STATE SENATOR, DAVE PANKONIN:
For Immediate Release: New Responsibilities
February 20, 2009, Lincoln—What a difference a couple of years makes in the Nebraska Legislature. The first month of the One Hundred First Legislature, First Session, is behind us. Bill introduction concluded on January 21st, and public hearings before the Legislature’s standing committees are underway.
Because the full effects of term limits have now been implemented, only eleven of Nebraska’s 49 senators have served for more than two years. Leadership responsibilities in introducing bills and becoming committee chairs have made this a very different experience for me as compared to my freshman year in 2007.
During my first year, I introduced four bills. This year I am the principal introducer of 15 bills. My legislative colleagues have elected me to three new positions. I was selected to be one of the 12 senators on the Committee on Committees. This group meets on the first day of the session to place senators on the fourteen standing committees. There is an established procedure, through which committee members are assigned based on the geographic area they represent, plus their personal interests and professional expertise. There is also some politics involved to balance committee perspectives on the issues. I think our efforts were successful, and the committees, with many new members, are already functioning well.
I was elected by the Unicameral body to chair the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee. Seven members of my legislative class of 24 were elected, with just two years of experience, to chair standing committees. I was also elected by the Health and Human Services Committee to serve as its vice chairperson.
The duties of a committee chairman include setting the schedule of bills to be heard in each public hearing, presiding over the hearings, helping committee members to understand the purpose and consequences of the bills, making sure that all sides of each issue are presented fairly, defending the committee’s decision during floor debate, and trying to minimize surprises for the committee and the entire legislative body. Committee leadership also involves staying abreast of court decisions, the activities of interested or affected parties, and what other states are doing with regard to issues, for which the committee is responsible. A chairman should also identify and facilitate learning opportunities for the committee, so members understand as much as possible about the policy areas they will influence.
The Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee is served by a committee clerk and a legal counsel. Denise Leonard is the committee clerk. Denise joined my legislative staff as an administrative assistant in September 2007. In her new role, Denise is the recording secretary for the Committee. She prepares notices of hearings, maintains notebooks for Committee members, makes tape recordings of the Committee’s public hearings, prepares hearing notes for the legislative transcribers, assists in the preparation of committee reports and committee statements, and makes arrangements for interim study hearings in the Capitol, and, if need be, at sites throughout the state.
Kate Allen is the Committee’s legal counsel. Kate came to the Legislature in 1985. She served as a legislative aide, until she became a policy advisor to former Governor Ben Nelson in 1991. Kate returned to the Legislature in 1993 where she worked, most recently, for former Omaha Senator Don Priester. When I was elected last month to chair the Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee, Kate agreed to serve as the Committee’s counsel. In her new role, Kate conducts legal research, analyzes policy issues, drafts bills and amendments for the Committee and its members, and summaries legislative bills before public hearings and floor debate. She works with interest groups and state agencies, and responds to inquires concerning issues that fall under the Committee’s jurisdiction.
The Nebraska Retirement Systems Committee is fortunate to have such talented and competent staff to help us fulfill our responsibilities.
I appreciate the opportunity you have given me to represent District 2 in the Nebraska Legislature.
We welcome your contacts by mail, phone or email.
Senator Dave Pankonin
State Capitol
PO Box 94604
Lincoln, NE 68509
(402) 471-2613