On June 28th, 1969, Crosby, Stills and Nash released their first album.

In 1978, members of the band Kansas became the first rock musicians to be named Deputy Ambassadors of Goodwill by UNICEF during a ceremony at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

In 1986, Wham! played their farewell concert, for 72,000 fans at London’s Wembley Stadium.

In 1989, actress Amy Irving filed for divorce from director Steven Spielberg in Los Angeles.

In 1990, Joan Rivers won her first Daytime Emmy Award as a talk show host.

In 1991, Paul McCartney made his debut as a classical composer when his “Liverpool Oratorio” was performed in Liverpool.

In 1992, the first National Music Day was celebrated in England. The day was the brainchild of Mick Jagger, and included hundreds of events nationwide.

In 1994, the Rolling Stones’ “Voodoo Lounge” album made its debut at Houston’s Astrodome following an Astros-Reds game.

In 2006, Barbara Walters banned Star Jones from the set of “The View” after Jones made a surprise announcement the day before that she was leaving the show in July.

Also in 2006, Charles Gibson appeared for the last time on “Good Morning America.”

Several Nebraska parks have full agendas planned for the Fourth of July weekend. Seven of the state recreation areas and one state historical park will allow park goers to set off their own fireworks in designated areas.

Visitors can set off fireworks on July 4 from 8 a.m. until midnight at Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) near Malcolm, Fort Kearny State Historical Park (SHP) near Kearney, Fremont SRA near Fremont, Two Rivers SRA near Venice, Pawnee SRA near Emerald, Wagon Train SRA near Hickman and Memphis SRA near Ashland.

Signs will be posted at the recreation areas directing people to the fireworks sites and their boundaries will be clearly marked. Use of fireworks elsewhere in state areas or at other times is prohibited. Only fireworks approved for sale in Nebraska by the state fire marshal are permitted and visitors must pick up expended fireworks and deposit them in appropriate containers. Here’s a summary of event offerings at parks across the state:

July 4 – Living History – Fort Kearny State Historical Park SHP 
Fort Kearny SHP will fire their cannon at 2 p.m. on July 4, 6 and 7 with scheduled historical living history activities July 6-7. The living history days include staged events that reflect the day-to-day routines of 1860’s civilian and soldier camps.

July 4 – Fourth of July Celebration BBQ – Fort Robinson State Park SP
Following the Fourth of July parade in Crawford, Fort Robinson will be hosting a noon BBQ for $6 or a buffet for $8.95 served at the Fort Robinson restaurant.

July 5 – “Light Up the Lake” – Johnson Lake State Recreation Area SRA
Johnson Lake Association is sponsoring a “Light Up the Lake” fireworks display on Johnson Lake at dusk.

July 6-7 – Living History Weekend-Fort Atkinson SHP
Fort Atkinson will conduct an 1820’s Fourth of July celebration. The historical activities include a military salute to the states and a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Civilians will churn butter and spin and weave, while the blacksmith and tinsmith work at the armory shop. The sutler’s store will be open to display and sell wares representing the time period. Activities begin at 10 a.m. and end with the lowering of the flag at 4:45 p.m. Visitor center admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children age 13 and under.

July 6 – Dutch Oven Cobbler & Ice Cream Social – Ponca SP
Homemade Dutch oven cobbler and hand cranked ice cream will be served while old fashioned games are played at the Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center at 7 p.m.

July 6 – Antique Appraisal Fair – Fort Hartsuff SHP
Bring your items to Fort Hartsuff before noon to enter the appraisal fair. Tom Bassett, a professional appraiser will be on hand to appraise your items at a cost of $5 per item with a 2-item limit. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. Appraisals begin at 2:00 p.m.

Jul y 6 – National Park Service Outdoor Event – Niobrara SP
The National Park Service will have staff presenting demonstrations on a variety of topics and outdoor events are scheduled.

July 6 – Buffalo Cookout – Niobrara SP
A buffalo cookout will be held at the shelter at 6 p.m. Cost is $12 for adults and $8 for children. Deb Carpenter Nolting and Lyn Messersmith of the Nebraska Humanities Council will be providing the program, “Legends & Leaders of the West.” Reservations must be made by noon on the day of the event.

July 7 – Sidewalk Chalk Art – Niobrara SP 
The park office will be the focal point for a fun day of sidewalk chalk art beginning at 10 a.m. There will be prizes for participants.

A park entry permit is required for all vehicles. Contact information for the parks can be found atwww.outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks/guides/contact.asp

Wade Shows, one of the largest carnival companies in North America, will be making their debut on the Nebraska State Fair midway for the first time in 2013.

The appearance of Wade Shows follows on the success of the installation of the company’s Sky Ride at the fair in 2012 and show owner Frank Zaitshik said the people of Nebraska should prepare for even more amazing rides and attractions.  “We are going to be bringing some really unique rides to the fair”, said Zaitshik.  “Some of our rides are one of a kind attractions and Grand Island will be the only place most people will have the opportunity to experience these amusement rides”, he added.

Examples of these unique attractions include the White Water Log Flume ride, one of only a few portable models in the United States and the Fighter, an enormous portable ride that swings riders high in the air on arms that extend out from the center of the ride.  Other rides include the Crazy Cat roller coaster, the Mega Drop and the Drag Strip Mega Slide.

In addition to the big attractions, there will also be plenty of rides the whole family can enjoy together.  “Lil’ Pardner Land”, the company’s kiddie area, will feature dozens of attractions the whole family will enjoy.  “We want to have attractions where Mom and Dad can ride along with the kids on our midways” said Zaitshik. “That has been a focus of our ride purchases in recent years”, he added.

In addition to all the great rides and attractions, guests will notice improvements in the amenities that are offered along the midway.  “We try to make our carnival midway as close to what you would find at an amusement park as possible”, said Zaitshik.

The midway at the Nebraska State Fair will feature expanded seating areas with shading and comfort zones in 2013.  Colorful ride height signs; banners, canvas and flags will reach as far as the eye can see, giving the midway a uniform look. All employees will be dressed in uniforms and present a professional appearance.  The midway will also have Photo Opportunity Areas where guests can have their picture taken in set pieces provided by Wade Shows and the Nebraska State Fair.

“I think Nebraska State Fair guests will see some big changes this year”, said Zaitshik.  “We are working very hard to bring the best the industry has to offer to Grand Island.  Between the new rides and attractions and all the midway improvements, I think the midway will rival that of any of the top fairs in the U.S”, he concluded.

For more midway information, including ride lists, height requirements and pictures and video of many of the amusement rides and amenities, visitwww.wadeshows.com

Playing 6/27-7/4

THURSDAY 6/27 ONLY
Screen #1
Man of Steel 2D…. 11:00, 2:15, 5:00 & 8:45
Screen #2
Monsters University 3D….12:00 & 9:30
Monsters University 2D…. 4:00 & 7:00
Screen #3
Man of Steel 3D…. 12:00, 3:30, 6:45 & 10:00
Screen #4
This Is The End…. 1:15, 4:15, 7:15 & 9:50
Rated R… Must See ID
Screen #5
World War Z 2D…. 1:15 & 9:50
World War Z 3D…. 4:00 & 7:05
Screen #6
Fast & Furious 6….1:00 & 4:10
White House Down….7:00
The Heat….10:00
Rated R… Must See ID

PLAYING 6/28-7/4
Screen #1
White House Down….12:00, 4:00, 7:00 & 10:00
Screen #2
Monsters University 3D….12:00 & 9:30
Monsters University 2D…. 4:00 & 7:00
Screen #3
The Heat….1:00, 4:05, 7:00 & 9:55
Rated R… Must See ID
Screen #4
This Is The End…. 1:15, 4:15, 7:15 & 9:50
Rated R… Must See ID
Screen #5
World War Z 2D…. 1:15 & 9:50
World War Z 3D…. 4:00 & 7:05
Screen #6
Man of Steel 2D…. 12:00, 4:00, 7:00 & 10:00

(AP) — A funeral service for actor James Gandolfini is scheduled to take place in one of New York City’s largest churches.

The ceremony at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine is planned for 10 a.m. Thursday. It comes after a private wake for the former star of “The Sopranos” on Wednesday in New Jersey.

The 51-year-old actor died of a heart attack last week while vacationing in Italy with his son.

Broadway theaters paid tribute by dimming their lights briefly Wednesday night. Gandolfini was nominated for a Tony Award in 2009 as an actor in “God of Carnage.”

Singer Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys is 71
Actress Julia Duffy (“Newhart”) is 62
Actress Isabelle Adjani is 58
Country singer Lorrie Morgan is 55
Writer-director J.J. Abrams (“Lost,” ”Alias”) is 47
Actor Yancey Arias (“Kingpin”) is 42
Actor Tobey Maguire is 38
Singer Leigh Nash of Sixpence None The Richer is 37
Reality star Khloe Kardashian is 29
Actor Drake Bell (“Drake and Josh”) is 27
Actor Ed Westwick (“Gossip Girl”) is 26
Actress Madylin Sweeten (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 22
Actor Chandler Riggs is 14.

On June 27th, 1968, Elvis Presley began taping his first TV special, “Elvis.” The show’s success was seen as the beginning of his comeback.

In 1989, The Who performed the rock opera “Tommy” in its entirety for the first time in 17 years. The performance in New York was part of the band’s reunion tour, and it raised money for a children’s charity and for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Also in 1989, singer Tom Jones got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 1992, Michael Jackson kicked off his worldwide “Dangerous” tour. About 70,000 people filled a stadium in Munich to see the first show.

In 1993, actress Julia Roberts married singer Lyle Lovett. They divorced in 1995.

In 1995, actor Hugh Grant was arrested for engaging in “lewd conduct” with a prostitute in a rented BMW in Los Angeles.

In 1996, actor Eddie Murphy got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Fans started lining up a full day ahead to get a good look at the unveiling.

In 2001, comedian Paula Poundstone was arrested on child endangerment charges in Malibu, California. The charges were later dropped.

Also in 2001, actor Jack Lemmon died of cancer in Los Angeles. He was 76.

In 2002, bassist John Entwistle of The Who was found dead in his hotel room in Las Vegas the night before the band was starting a tour. Entwistle was 57. His death was ruled a result of cocaine use and heart disease.

(AP) — Justin Bieber has been sued by a paparazzo who claims the singer kicked and punched him last year at a Southern California shopping center.

A lawsuit filed Wednesday alleges the “Baby” crooner attacked Jose Osmin Hernandez Duran after Bieber and his then-girlfriend went to the movies at The Commons in Calabasas.

Bieber’s representation did not respond to a request for comment.

Duran claims Bieber started to leave the shopping center in his Mercedes, but got out of his car and sprinted toward him.

Duran says Bieber jumped into the air from 6 to 8 feet away to deliver a martial arts-type kick to the photographer’s gut before punching him in the face.

The suit seeks unspecified damages for “severe and extreme emotional distress” and negligence.

 

(AP) — Microsoft has released an update to Windows 8, aiming to address some of the gripes people have with the latest version of the company’s flagship operating system.

The company made a preview of Windows 8.1 available for free as a download on Wednesday.

At an event Wednesday in San Francisco, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer acknowledged that the company pushed hard to get people to adopt a new tile-based user interface. Microsoft is now back-pedaling, making it easier to reach and use the older “desktop” interface.

According to CNN…..

Smithfield Foods drops Paula Deen

Paula Deen has been dropped by a major sponsor, Smithfield Foods, after it came to light last week that she admitted using a racial slur in a lawsuit deposition. The deposition was part of a suit filed by Lisa T. Jackson, a former general manager of one of Deen’s Georgia restaurants, for sexual and racial harassment while working for Deen and her brother Bubba Hiers.

The announcement comes as another harsh blow after Food Network announced on Friday that it will not be renewing its contract with the 66-year-old cooking personality Deen, who joined the network in 1999.

Keira Lombardo, the Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications of Smithfield Foods, released this statement to CNN:

Smithfield condemns the use of offensive and discriminatory language and behavior of any kind. Therefore, we are terminating our partnership with Paula Deen. Smithfield is determined to be an ethical food industry leader and it is important that our values and those of our spokespeople are properly aligned.

Deen became a spokesperson for Smithfield Foods, the country’s largest producer of pork products, in 2006.