By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina Post

The 2023 Live First Friday Concert Series kicks off this Friday at the City Lights Stage in downtown Salina.

The Llew Brown Band is scheduled to perform from 6-8 p.m. Friday on the City Lights Stage, which is located at the corner of N. Santa Fe Avenue and W. Ash Street.

"I am so excited to have live entertainment back in Downtown Salina and to welcome everyone back to City Lights Stage! We are thrilled to have all new bands for our First Friday concert series this year and we listened to our community," Leslie Bishop, executive director of Salina Downtown Inc. told Salina Post. "We are starting our concerts later – April and May, the concerts will be from 6-8 p.m. and June, July, August, September the concerts will be from 7-9. It is time to be together again!"

Before the band begins its performance, Salina Downtown Inc. will draw the names of the winners of its Downtown Dough, which began in mid-January and ended March 31. Bishop explained that for every $50 people spent in participating downtown stores and businesses during that time period, they were able to enter the Downtown Dough drawing. Downtown Dough prizes include the following.

First Prize:&nbsp;$800 in downtown gift cards

Second Prize:&nbsp;$500 in downtown gift cards

Third Prize:&nbsp;$250 in downtown gift cards

"Winners do not need to be present to win, however, when we call the winners, we will not leave a message, so remember to answer your phone," Bishop said.

In addition to the concert at City Lights Stage, the April First Friday will include an art exhibit and artist reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, 148 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

The art exhibit will feature acrylic paintings by Michael Floria Jilg and jewelry made by Joyce Jilg from discarded objects.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680869094253.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By LESLIE EIKLEBERRY Salina PostThe 2023 Live First Friday Concert Series kicks off this Friday at the City Lights Stage in downtown Salina.The Llew Brown Band is scheduled to perform from 6-8 p.m. Friday on the City Lights Stage, which is located at the corner of N. Santa Fe Avenue and W. Ash Street."I am so excited to have live entertainment back in Downtown Salina and to welcome everyone back to City Lights Stage! We are thrilled to have all new bands for our First Friday concert series this year and we listened to our community," Leslie Bishop, executive director of Salina Downtown Inc. told Salina Post. "We are starting our concerts later – April and May, the concerts will be from 6-8 p.m. and June, July, August, September the concerts will be from 7-9. It is time to be together again!"Before the band begins its performance, Salina Downtown Inc. will draw the names of the winners of its Downtown Dough, which began in mid-January and ended March 31. Bishop explained that for every $50 people spent in participating downtown stores and businesses during that time period, they were able to enter the Downtown Dough drawing. Downtown Dough prizes include the following.First Prize:&nbsp;$800 in downtown gift cardsSecond Prize:&nbsp;$500 in downtown gift cardsThird Prize:&nbsp;$250 in downtown gift cards"Winners do not need to be present to win, however, when we call the winners, we will not leave a message, so remember to answer your phone," Bishop said.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680869121392.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>In addition to the concert at City Lights Stage, the April First Friday will include an art exhibit and artist reception from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Peaceful Body Wellness Retreat, 148 S. Santa Fe Avenue.The art exhibit will feature acrylic paintings by Michael Floria Jilg and jewelry made by Joyce Jilg from discarded objects.

Downtown Salina First Friday concerts begin again this week; art show, too

MCPHERSON –&nbsp;A vision, 10 years in the making, has come true for students, alumni, and employees of the McPherson College Automotive Restoration program — the only four-year bachelor’s degree program for automotive restoration in the nation. The 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet, entirely restored by students, has been accepted by the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and will be shown there on Aug. 20.

“Congratulations to the McPherson College students for having their car accepted to Pebble Beach,” said comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno. Leno’s support 20 years ago was the turning point for the program when it pivoted from an associate’s to a bachelor’s degree. “I am proud to be associated with the college. Much like art historians who clean and repair the works of the renaissance era, the young men and women at McPherson College are doing it with automobiles, recreating abilities and techniques long forgotten, and they’ll make a good living doing it. Our hobby and heritage are safe in their hands.”

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the oldest Concours in the United States and one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings of rare and antique automobiles. Prized collector cars compete each year for Best of Show, the most coveted award in the automotive industry. The Concours Selection Committee spends weeks vetting each entry, narrowing its selection down to the top classic cars in the world, which are invited to show.

“We set a bold vision 10 years ago to show a car at Pebble Beach, and I was confident our students and staff could attain it,” said Amanda Gutierrez, provost and vice president of automotive restoration. “The goal was to get invited to compete at Pebble Beach, but there is a significant process that makes that happen, especially at a small college with students working outside of class hours. This project has been a valuable learning experience for our students as they study toward their bachelor’s degree in automotive restoration. It was intense work requiring exceptional commitment, and I am extremely proud of them.”&nbsp;

After an exhaustive search for the right car, work on the project began and has incorporated classroom curricula, expert guest lectures, and senior capstone experiences. The restoration was completed by teams of student interns who worked over the course of the restoration. Brian Martin, director of automotive restoration projects, supervises the student team.

“When we set out to do this, we knew it was going to be a long-term commitment,” Martin said. “It is a complete, frame-off, top-to-bottom restoration by students. We planned for it to become the cornerstone of our program and an example of the skills our students develop while they are here.”

McPherson College has a long history of student participation at Pebble Beach, dating back to 2008 when the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Pebble Beach Company Foundation established scholarships honoring Formula One World Champion and famed restorer Phil Hill. Over the years, more than 25 McPherson College students have earned college scholarships from Pebble Beach.

Pebble Beach Company Foundation scholarship recipients not only attend the event and shadow the judges, they also have been part of panel discussions, prepared and presented cars for the field, and attended numerous additional events during the week. However, this August will mark the first time the college will show a classic vehicle fully restored by its students.

“It’s a remarkable accomplishment,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “Since the project began, nearly every student in the auto restoration program has been exposed to the restoration through classes, workshops, or as part of an internship team. For some of them, getting a chance to work on this project was why they decided to attend McPherson College. This achievement will positively impact our students and program for years. Managing this project was an enormous undertaking, and I commend the individuals, especially Brian Martin, who helped mentor our students through this process. Our friends at Paul Russell and Company, as well as the Mercedes Benz Classic Center, were excellent advisors on the project. I also thank Jay Leno, whose early and consistent support over the years has helped us flourish and reach Pebble Beach.”

Members of the student team, the Pebble Beach Scholars, college staff, and alumni will accompany the car to Pebble Beach in August. A recognition of their efforts will be celebrated during the CARS Club Motoring Festival on May 6 at McPherson College at 2 p.m. before the awards ceremony.

Showing a student-restored car at Pebble Beach is another example of McPherson College achieving what many consider impossible. In November, the college announced a historic $500 million matching gift. To date, the college has raised over $170 million of the $250 million needed to secure the $500 million, including generous gifts from car enthusiasts Melanie and Richard Lundquist, the Rob Walton Foundation, and Dave Kinney.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680831636015.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>McPherson CollegeMCPHERSON –&nbsp;A vision, 10 years in the making, has come true for students, alumni, and employees of the McPherson College Automotive Restoration program — the only four-year bachelor’s degree program for automotive restoration in the nation. The 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet, entirely restored by students, has been accepted by the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and will be shown there on Aug. 20.“Congratulations to the McPherson College students for having their car accepted to Pebble Beach,” said comedian and car enthusiast Jay Leno. Leno’s support 20 years ago was the turning point for the program when it pivoted from an associate’s to a bachelor’s degree. “I am proud to be associated with the college. Much like art historians who clean and repair the works of the renaissance era, the young men and women at McPherson College are doing it with automobiles, recreating abilities and techniques long forgotten, and they’ll make a good living doing it. Our hobby and heritage are safe in their hands.”The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is the oldest Concours in the United States and one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings of rare and antique automobiles. Prized collector cars compete each year for Best of Show, the most coveted award in the automotive industry. The Concours Selection Committee spends weeks vetting each entry, narrowing its selection down to the top classic cars in the world, which are invited to show.“We set a bold vision 10 years ago to show a car at Pebble Beach, and I was confident our students and staff could attain it,” said Amanda Gutierrez, provost and vice president of automotive restoration. “The goal was to get invited to compete at Pebble Beach, but there is a significant process that makes that happen, especially at a small college with students working outside of class hours. This project has been a valuable learning experience for our students as they study toward their bachelor’s degree in automotive restoration. It was intense work requiring exceptional commitment, and I am extremely proud of them.”&nbsp;After an exhaustive search for the right car, work on the project began and has incorporated classroom curricula, expert guest lectures, and senior capstone experiences. The restoration was completed by teams of student interns who worked over the course of the restoration. Brian Martin, director of automotive restoration projects, supervises the student team.“When we set out to do this, we knew it was going to be a long-term commitment,” Martin said. “It is a complete, frame-off, top-to-bottom restoration by students. We planned for it to become the cornerstone of our program and an example of the skills our students develop while they are here.”McPherson College has a long history of student participation at Pebble Beach, dating back to 2008 when the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and Pebble Beach Company Foundation established scholarships honoring Formula One World Champion and famed restorer Phil Hill. Over the years, more than 25 McPherson College students have earned college scholarships from Pebble Beach.Pebble Beach Company Foundation scholarship recipients not only attend the event and shadow the judges, they also have been part of panel discussions, prepared and presented cars for the field, and attended numerous additional events during the week. However, this August will mark the first time the college will show a classic vehicle fully restored by its students.“It’s a remarkable accomplishment,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “Since the project began, nearly every student in the auto restoration program has been exposed to the restoration through classes, workshops, or as part of an internship team. For some of them, getting a chance to work on this project was why they decided to attend McPherson College. This achievement will positively impact our students and program for years. Managing this project was an enormous undertaking, and I commend the individuals, especially Brian Martin, who helped mentor our students through this process. Our friends at Paul Russell and Company, as well as the Mercedes Benz Classic Center, were excellent advisors on the project. I also thank Jay Leno, whose early and consistent support over the years has helped us flourish and reach Pebble Beach.”Members of the student team, the Pebble Beach Scholars, college staff, and alumni will accompany the car to Pebble Beach in August. A recognition of their efforts will be celebrated during the CARS Club Motoring Festival on May 6 at McPherson College at 2 p.m. before the awards ceremony.Showing a student-restored car at Pebble Beach is another example of McPherson College achieving what many consider impossible. In November, the college announced a historic $500 million matching gift. To date, the college has raised over $170 million of the $250 million needed to secure the $500 million, including generous gifts from car enthusiasts Melanie and Richard Lundquist, the Rob Walton Foundation, and Dave Kinney.

McPherson College to show car at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

By COLE REIF Great Bend Post

One of the most frequent questions that Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo Curator Ashley Burdick receives is, “When are we getting new animals?” Burdick said most of the exhibits are full, but with the recent passing of the zoo’s bald eagle, there are two bobcats the zoo will be adding. The two bobcats came from the Milford Nature Center near Junction City. "One of the bobcats had some injuries and wasn't going to be releasable," said Burdick. "The younger one was an orphan and was a little too accustom to people. They're like a giant housecat but do have claws and teeth. They do really well in our winters and seem to manage the summers fine." Burdick said the bobcats are currently off exhibit, but the animals will be on display once zoo staff can install benches and other structures for them to climb on. Burdick expects the exhibit renovations to be complete in a couple of weeks.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/4/1680789189766.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By COLE REIF Great Bend PostOne of the most frequent questions that Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo Curator Ashley Burdick receives is, “When are we getting new animals?” Burdick said most of the exhibits are full, but with the recent passing of the zoo’s bald eagle, there are two bobcats the zoo will be adding. The two bobcats came from the Milford Nature Center near Junction City. "One of the bobcats had some injuries and wasn't going to be releasable," said Burdick. "The younger one was an orphan and was a little too accustom to people. They're like a giant housecat but do have claws and teeth. They do really well in our winters and seem to manage the summers fine." Burdick said the bobcats are currently off exhibit, but the animals will be on display once zoo staff can install benches and other structures for them to climb on. Burdick expects the exhibit renovations to be complete in a couple of weeks.

Great Bend zoo to add bobcats to their collection

On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State Shooting Sports team members Kyler Niblock and Katie Dettmann discuss recent team activities and accomplishments as they reflect on the history and legacy of the team and it's impact on FHSU.

<div><iframe title="FHSU Shotgun Team success continues building legacy" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=3hepb-13d8535-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Fort Hays State Shooting Sports team members Kyler Niblock and Katie Dettmann discuss recent team activities and accomplishments as they reflect on the history and legacy of the team and it's impact on FHSU.

🎙 Post Podcast: FHSU Shotgun Team success continues building legacy

NEW YORK (AP) — “Moana” will be the latest Walt Disney Co. animation to get the live-action treatment, and at least one star is coming back.

Disney chief executive Bob Iger announced a live-action “Moana” remake is in development Monday in a call with investors. The production is in the early stages — no director has been announced — but Dwayne Johnson is set to return as the demigod Maui.

“This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” said Johnson. “I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me.”

Drawn from Polynesian myths and buoyed by songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Moana” was a massive hit for Disney in 2016, grossing $643.3 million worldwide. Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original, is to be an executive producer on the live-action version.

NEW YORK (AP) — “Moana” will be the latest Walt Disney Co. animation to get the live-action treatment, and at least one star is coming back.Disney chief executive Bob Iger announced a live-action “Moana” remake is in development Monday in a call with investors. The production is in the early stages — no director has been announced — but Dwayne Johnson is set to return as the demigod Maui.“This story is my culture, and this story is emblematic of our people’s grace and warrior strength,” said Johnson. “I wear this culture proudly on my skin and in my soul, and this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reunite with Maui, inspired by the mana and spirit of my late grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, is one that runs very deep for me.”Drawn from Polynesian myths and buoyed by songs from Lin-Manuel Miranda, “Moana” was a massive hit for Disney in 2016, grossing $643.3 million worldwide. Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the original, is to be an executive producer on the live-action version.

Disney developing live-action 'Moana' with Dwayne Johnson

LOS
 ANGELES (AP) — Travis Kelce is living his best life: On the heels of 
winning the Super Bowl and hosting “Saturday Night Live,” the Kansas 
City Chiefs superstar tight end will cap his successful string with a 
music festival this month.

The two-time Super Bowl winner 
announced Tuesday that he’ll host his first-ever festival called “Kelce 
Jam” during NFL Draft weekend. The inaugural event will be held April 28
 at the Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Kansas — a metropolitan 
area of Kansas City.

The event will feature performances by Machine Gun Kelly, Rick Ross, DJ duo Loud Luxury and Kansas City rap legend Tech N9ne.

“With
 the draft coming to KC, I think it’s perfect timing for me to throw the
 biggest music festival that’s ever come here,” said Kelce, who believes
 the festival could lure around 15,000 attendees. “We’ll have some 
unreal stage productions, Kansas City’s best food, tons of attractions 
and football-related games. This will be a whole lot of fun.”

Kelce said he’s taking advantage of his surging popularity after the Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2023-kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-43a1fb387f63438c1eea23b6a4244d95">Super Bowl 57</a>
 in February. Last month, he hosted “Saturday Night Live” and he 
co-hosts a flourishing podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce, who plays 
for the Eagles.

In this moment, Kelce is enjoying “every bit of it” and feels ecstatic about his upcoming music festival.

“Every
 door that’s been opened because of winning the Super Bowl, I’ve been 
running through them,” he said. “It’s not going to stop anytime soon – 
especially with Kelce Jam. I think this will be the nail-in-the-coffin 
for the 2022 season.”

Kelce said he wanted to bring some of his 
favorite artists including Machine Gun Kelly – who is an Ohio native 
like himself. He felt inspired to host his own music festival after he 
attended four-time Super Bowl champion <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rob-gronkowski">Rob Gronkowski</a> ’s Gronk Beach during the NFL Draft in Las Vegas last year.

“I
 took note from what Gronk did last year,” he said. “I want to throw a 
big party knowing that the draft is coming to Kansas City. It’s a 
special event for the city to host. … I’m going to need Kansas City to 
come out and be electric with me.”

LOS
 ANGELES (AP) — Travis Kelce is living his best life: On the heels of 
winning the Super Bowl and hosting “Saturday Night Live,” the Kansas 
City Chiefs superstar tight end will cap his successful string with a 
music festival this month.The two-time Super Bowl winner 
announced Tuesday that he’ll host his first-ever festival called “Kelce 
Jam” during NFL Draft weekend. The inaugural event will be held April 28
 at the Azura Amphitheater in Bonner Springs, Kansas — a metropolitan 
area of Kansas City.The event will feature performances by Machine Gun Kelly, Rick Ross, DJ duo Loud Luxury and Kansas City rap legend Tech N9ne.“With
 the draft coming to KC, I think it’s perfect timing for me to throw the
 biggest music festival that’s ever come here,” said Kelce, who believes
 the festival could lure around 15,000 attendees. “We’ll have some 
unreal stage productions, Kansas City’s best food, tons of attractions 
and football-related games. This will be a whole lot of fun.”Kelce said he’s taking advantage of his surging popularity after the Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles in <a href="https://apnews.com/article/super-bowl-2023-kansas-city-chiefs-philadelphia-eagles-43a1fb387f63438c1eea23b6a4244d95">Super Bowl 57</a>
 in February. Last month, he hosted “Saturday Night Live” and he 
co-hosts a flourishing podcast with his brother, Jason Kelce, who plays 
for the Eagles.In this moment, Kelce is enjoying “every bit of it” and feels ecstatic about his upcoming music festival.“Every
 door that’s been opened because of winning the Super Bowl, I’ve been 
running through them,” he said. “It’s not going to stop anytime soon – 
especially with Kelce Jam. I think this will be the nail-in-the-coffin 
for the 2022 season.”Kelce said he wanted to bring some of his 
favorite artists including Machine Gun Kelly – who is an Ohio native 
like himself. He felt inspired to host his own music festival after he 
attended four-time Super Bowl champion <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/rob-gronkowski">Rob Gronkowski</a> ’s Gronk Beach during the NFL Draft in Las Vegas last year.“I
 took note from what Gronk did last year,” he said. “I want to throw a 
big party knowing that the draft is coming to Kansas City. It’s a 
special event for the city to host. … I’m going to need Kansas City to 
come out and be electric with me.”

Chiefs' Travis Kelce to host music festival in Kansas City

Enter to win Cash Grab

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with USA Today Woman of the Year 2023 honoree Jade Piros de Carvalho.

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p4fEi-BuxTE" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with USA Today Woman of the Year 2023 honoree Jade Piros de Carvalho.

🎤 Forward Ever: USA Today Woman of the Year 2023 honoree Jade Piros de Carvalho

On this episode of the Post Podcast Amy B. chats with Letters from Home performers, prior to their Friday night performance in downtown Hays.

<div><iframe title="Letters from Home comes to Hays Friday" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=tu3pa-13cfaa5-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Amy B. chats with Letters from Home performers, prior to their Friday night performance in downtown Hays.

🎙 Post Podcast: Letters from Home comes to Hays Friday

Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau

ABILENE - Race organizers are preparing for the 2023 Eisenhower Marathon.

The Marathon will be April 29, in Abilene. The race will start in Old Abilene Town and offers 5k, 10k, Half-Marathon, and Full-Marathon options.

READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/62d4f736-5616-4cc5-bdf3-879d18d785e0">More than 700 runners already registered for Salina Crossroads Marathon</a>

The race began in 2003 under the leadership of June DeWeese and was one of only a handful of marathons in the Midwest. Today, Steve Cathey serves as race organizer. A Boston Marathon Qualifying Course, runners from 27 states are registered for the “fast and mostly flat” race.

&nbsp;“People love running the Eisenhower Marathon,” Cathey said. “Many people set personal records on this course.”

&nbsp;Another reason runners love coming to Abilene is the hospitality.&nbsp;

“The event&nbsp;provides big race swag and small-town hospitality; runners coming to town become part of the Abilene family!” he said. “Over the past three years of being the director, we have had many returning runners due to the amazing support of our staff on race day, making everything enjoyable for the participants!”

A race of this size wouldn’t be possible without community support.

“Thank you to all of our sponsors for their continued support,” Cathey said.

For more information about the Eisenhower Marathon or to volunteer, contact Steve Cathey at (785) 280-0705 or visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.eisenhowermarathon.net/" target="_blank">www.EisenhowerMarathon.net</a>.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1678983370510.jpeg" alt="A previous Eisenhower Marathon.&nbsp;Photo courtesy&nbsp; Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau" />
 <figcaption>A previous Eisenhower Marathon.&nbsp;Photo courtesy&nbsp; Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau</figcaption>
 </figure>Abilene Convention and Visitors BureauABILENE - Race organizers are preparing for the 2023 Eisenhower Marathon.The Marathon will be April 29, in Abilene. The race will start in Old Abilene Town and offers 5k, 10k, Half-Marathon, and Full-Marathon options.READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://salinapost.com/posts/62d4f736-5616-4cc5-bdf3-879d18d785e0">More than 700 runners already registered for Salina Crossroads Marathon</a>The race began in 2003 under the leadership of June DeWeese and was one of only a handful of marathons in the Midwest. Today, Steve Cathey serves as race organizer. A Boston Marathon Qualifying Course, runners from 27 states are registered for the “fast and mostly flat” race.&nbsp;“People love running the Eisenhower Marathon,” Cathey said. “Many people set personal records on this course.”&nbsp;Another reason runners love coming to Abilene is the hospitality.&nbsp;“The event&nbsp;provides big race swag and small-town hospitality; runners coming to town become part of the Abilene family!” he said. “Over the past three years of being the director, we have had many returning runners due to the amazing support of our staff on race day, making everything enjoyable for the participants!”A race of this size wouldn’t be possible without community support.“Thank you to all of our sponsors for their continued support,” Cathey said.For more information about the Eisenhower Marathon or to volunteer, contact Steve Cathey at (785) 280-0705 or visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.eisenhowermarathon.net/" target="_blank">www.EisenhowerMarathon.net</a>.

Runners headed to Abilene in April for Eisenhower Marathon

Lovegrass
Music Festival brings ‘experience’ to Defiance Brewing Co. Saturday for free event featuring new beer

At 3
p.m. Saturday, The Lovegrass Music Festival Association and Defiance Brewing,
2050 Old Highway 40, are teaming up to bring a “Lovegrass Experience” to Hays.

The day will
feature food, games, a benefit raffle and area bands to raise awareness and
funds for the annual fall bluegrass music festival at the Wilson Lake State
Park.

“We are
a 501(c)3, and so we're a nonprofit, and we like to keep our festival free,” said
organizer Aimee Riegel.

She said that over the last few years maintaining the festival has been challenging, but it
has continued and grown with events like Saturday’s benefit helping spread awareness
and funds.

“Besides
our festival — which is our main culminating event each year — we have in the
last two years broadened our scope to provide music not just at the lake but
also in other areas, such as Hays. We've done some activities over Wilson at
the Midland Hotel. We are also partnering with Great Bend Alive at the end of
April for an event down there as well.”

While The Lovegrass Music festival
may center on music, Saturday’s event will also feature a popular area
activity.

“Branson
Kyle from the Hays Cornhole League is going to be organizing a cornhole tournament,”
Riegel said. “They're very passionate about this project, and you can sign up
ahead of time.”

The tournament
will kick off the day’s festivities at the brewery’s taproom, with signup beginning
at 3 p.m.

“There
are two different leagues, pro and then social league,” Riegel said. “That's
the first event, and then we've got music kicking off at four o'clock with
three bands.”

Bartlett
will open the musical offerings at 4 p.m., followed by 80 Proof Alice and
Haymakers. Each band will perform for about an hour.

“Both of
those bands are going to be playing for absolutely no charge as a donation to
the festival,” Riegel said. “So, if you come on out, bring some money to tip
the bands. That way, they can make it worth their time.”

She said
she is especially excited to bring Haymakers to Hays.

“They're
doing a fundraiser down in Garden City for the Tumbleweed Festival, (which is) run by
Valerie Smith,” Riegel said. “They're doing that on Friday. And then, funny
enough, they're coming here to do our fundraiser the next day.

“They play
more blues, bluegrass, folk-type music and Americana. They're really
wonderful.” 

Haymakers
are set to take the stage at 7 p.m.

Following
their set, Riegel said they would host a jam session open to everyone.

“If you
have an instrument and you want to come play, we're going to keep the taproom
open as long as there are folks out there that want to play and partake,” she
said. “Come out, bring your guitar, bring your banjo, bring your spoons,
whatever it might be, and join us for some jamming.”

Defiance Brewing Brand Master
Brett Straight said hosting an event like the Lovegrass Experience is a part of
their mission.

“Any
time we get an opportunity to support local music, and live music, we're all
about it,” he said.

And with the upcoming event, they
hope to support the organization.

“What we
were focused on was just being able to provide an experience where people can
come out,” Straight said. “There's no obligation that you have to spend any money.
You can just come out and enjoy the festival, but what we hope is going to
happen is that people are going to purchase the custom-made pint glasses that
we had made.”

Custom
stickers were also designed for the event and will be available. 

“There's
been some wonderful people that donated some great prizes,” Straight said. 

“We really
had an outpouring of sponsorships,” Riegel said. “I think it's really
interesting, considering our festival is in Wilson at Wilson Lake in Russell
County, we usually target those areas for sponsorships for our main festival.
But for the smaller events, I believe, getting the word out and collaborating
with Defiance, and having that known name and recognition has been really
helpful for us to be able to procure certain sponsorships.”

“People
have been really wonderful. And helping this event, I was really blown away,
actually. So, we want to thank all of those that have made this possible, and
especially Defiance. They are going to be helping out too, they've just been
wonderful to work with.”

Part of
the support included the brewing of a beer to match the event.

“We
wanted to try something that is oriented around Bluegrass,” Straight said. “So,
we came up with a Blueberry Pie Gose. It's called Tap That Grass, and we will
be showcasing that on Saturday.”

For more information about the
Lovegrass Music Festival, visit <a href="https://www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com/">lovegrassmusicfestival.com.</a>

<div><iframe title="Defiance Brewing, Lovegrass Music Festival team up for weekend event" allowtransparency="true" height="300" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=v4cwd-13caeae-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=300" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680007122524.jpeg" alt="Courtesy photo" />
 <figcaption>Courtesy photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Lovegrass
Music Festival brings ‘experience’ to Defiance Brewing Co. Saturday for free event featuring new beer</h2>By JAMES BELL Hays PostAt 3
p.m. Saturday, The Lovegrass Music Festival Association and Defiance Brewing,
2050 Old Highway 40, are teaming up to bring a “Lovegrass Experience” to Hays.The day will
feature food, games, a benefit raffle and area bands to raise awareness and
funds for the annual fall bluegrass music festival at the Wilson Lake State
Park.“We are
a 501(c)3, and so we're a nonprofit, and we like to keep our festival free,” said
organizer Aimee Riegel.She said that over the last few years maintaining the festival has been challenging, but it
has continued and grown with events like Saturday’s benefit helping spread awareness
and funds.“Besides
our festival — which is our main culminating event each year — we have in the
last two years broadened our scope to provide music not just at the lake but
also in other areas, such as Hays. We've done some activities over Wilson at
the Midland Hotel. We are also partnering with Great Bend Alive at the end of
April for an event down there as well.”While The Lovegrass Music festival
may center on music, Saturday’s event will also feature a popular area
activity.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680007017649.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>“Branson
Kyle from the Hays Cornhole League is going to be organizing a cornhole tournament,”
Riegel said. “They're very passionate about this project, and you can sign up
ahead of time.”The tournament
will kick off the day’s festivities at the brewery’s taproom, with signup beginning
at 3 p.m.“There
are two different leagues, pro and then social league,” Riegel said. “That's
the first event, and then we've got music kicking off at four o'clock with
three bands.”Bartlett
will open the musical offerings at 4 p.m., followed by 80 Proof Alice and
Haymakers. Each band will perform for about an hour.“Both of
those bands are going to be playing for absolutely no charge as a donation to
the festival,” Riegel said. “So, if you come on out, bring some money to tip
the bands. That way, they can make it worth their time.”She said
she is especially excited to bring Haymakers to Hays.“They're
doing a fundraiser down in Garden City for the Tumbleweed Festival, (which is) run by
Valerie Smith,” Riegel said. “They're doing that on Friday. And then, funny
enough, they're coming here to do our fundraiser the next day.“They play
more blues, bluegrass, folk-type music and Americana. They're really
wonderful.” Haymakers
are set to take the stage at 7 p.m.Following
their set, Riegel said they would host a jam session open to everyone.“If you
have an instrument and you want to come play, we're going to keep the taproom
open as long as there are folks out there that want to play and partake,” she
said. “Come out, bring your guitar, bring your banjo, bring your spoons,
whatever it might be, and join us for some jamming.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680200134811.jpeg" alt="Dustin Arbuckle and Matt Woods perform at the Midland Railroad Hotel in Wilson during a Lovegrass Experience event. (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Dustin Arbuckle and Matt Woods perform at the Midland Railroad Hotel in Wilson during a Lovegrass Experience event. (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>Defiance Brewing Brand Master
Brett Straight said hosting an event like the Lovegrass Experience is a part of
their mission.“Any
time we get an opportunity to support local music, and live music, we're all
about it,” he said.And with the upcoming event, they
hope to support the organization.“What we
were focused on was just being able to provide an experience where people can
come out,” Straight said. “There's no obligation that you have to spend any money.
You can just come out and enjoy the festival, but what we hope is going to
happen is that people are going to purchase the custom-made pint glasses that
we had made.”Custom
stickers were also designed for the event and will be available. A fundraiser
raffle is also planned.“There's
been some wonderful people that donated some great prizes,” Straight said. “We really
had an outpouring of sponsorships,” Riegel said. “I think it's really
interesting, considering our festival is in Wilson at Wilson Lake in Russell
County, we usually target those areas for sponsorships for our main festival.
But for the smaller events, I believe, getting the word out and collaborating
with Defiance, and having that known name and recognition has been really
helpful for us to be able to procure certain sponsorships.”“People
have been really wonderful. And helping this event, I was really blown away,
actually. So, we want to thank all of those that have made this possible, and
especially Defiance. They are going to be helping out too, they've just been
wonderful to work with.”<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680200435901.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Part of
the support included the brewing of a beer to match the event.“We
wanted to try something that is oriented around Bluegrass,” Straight said. “So,
we came up with a Blueberry Pie Gose. It's called Tap That Grass, and we will
be showcasing that on Saturday.”For more information about the
Lovegrass Music Festival, visit <a href="https://www.lovegrassmusicfestival.com/">lovegrassmusicfestival.com.</a><figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680200265495.jpeg" alt="Lovegrass Music Festival 2022. (Courtesy photo)" />
 <figcaption>Lovegrass Music Festival 2022. (Courtesy photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>

🎙 Beer and Bluegrass on tap this weekend in Hays

PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Gwyneth Paltrow won her court battle over a 2016 ski collision at a posh Utah ski resort after a jury decided Thursday that the movie star wasn’t at fault for the crash.

A jury dismissed the complaint of a retired optometrist who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boston.com/culture/celebs/2019/01/29/gwyneth-paltrow-sued-over-utah-ski-crash/">sued Paltrow</a>&nbsp;over injuries he sustained when the two crashed on a beginner run at Deer Valley ski resort, siding with Paltrow after eight days of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gwyneth-paltrow-ski-trial-lawsuit-utah-0d1bf78d45d65d86eafcd0e6bc21ae38">live-streamed courtroom testimony</a>&nbsp;that made the case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gwyneth-paltrow-ski-trial-lawsuit-utah-b748dfec3d0cc7ba7281355a21a4f6ff">a pop culture fixation.</a>

Paltrow, an actor who in recent years has refashioned herself into a celebrity wellness entrepreneur, Paltrow looked to her attorneys with a pursed lips smile when the judge read the eight-member jury’s verdict in the Park City courtroom. She sat intently through two weeks of testimony in what became the biggest celebrity court case since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amber-heard-johnny-depp-entertainment-ae1cbc0ff84940adf857355ec956723e">actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard faced off</a>&nbsp;last year.

The dismissal concludes two weeks of courtroom proceedings that hinged largely on reputation rather than the monetary damages at stake in the case. Paltrow’s attorneys described the complaint against her as “utter B.S.” and painted the Goop founder-CEO as uniquely vulnerable to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-entertainment-ap-top-news-us-news-lawsuits-89356b1afe574eee890e7f31cb193b86">unfair, frivolous lawsuits</a>&nbsp;due to her celebrity.

Paltrow took the witness stand during the trial to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gwyneth-paltrow-utah-ski-collision-trial-3f3b25539799e4537f2157ee3679d202">insist the collision</a>&nbsp;wasn’t her fault, and to describe how she was stunned when she felt “a body pressing against me and a very strange grunting noise.”

Throughout the trial, the word&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gwyneth-paltrow-ski-trial-lawsuit-utah-2d9de9365c38">“uphill” became synonymous with “guilty,</a>&nbsp;” as attorneys focused on a largely unknown skiing code of conduct that stipulates that the skier who is downhill or ahead on the slope has the right of way.

Worldwide audiences followed the celebrity trial as if it were episodic television. Viewers scrutinized both Paltrow and Sanderson’s motives while attorneys directed questions to witnesses that often had less to do with the collision and more to do with their client’s reputations.

The trial took place in Park City, a resort town known for hosting the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sundance-film-festival">Sundance Film Festival,</a>&nbsp;where early in her career Paltrow would appear for the premieres of her movies including 1998’s “Sliding Doors,” at a time when she was known primarily as an actor, not a lifestyle influencer. Paltrow is also known for her roles in “Shakespeare in Love” and the “Iron Man” movies.

The jury’s decision marks a painful court defeat for Terry Sanderson, the man who sued Paltrow for more than $300,000 over injuries he sustained when they crashed on a beginner run. Both parties blamed the other for the collision. Sanderson, 76, broke four ribs and sustained a concussion after the two tumbled down the slope, with Paltrow landing on top of him.

He filed an amended complaint after an earlier $3.1 million lawsuit was dismissed. Paltrow in response countersued for $1 and attorney fees, a symbolic action that mirrors Taylor Swift’s response to a radio host’s defamation lawsuit. Swift was awarded $1 in 2017.

Paltrow’s defense team tried to paint Sanderson as an angry, aging and unsympathetic man who had over the years become “obsessed” with his lawsuit against Paltrow. They argued that Paltrow wasn’t at fault in the crash and also said, regardless of blame, that Sanderson was overstating the extent of his injuries.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1680216584319.png" alt="Gwyneth Paltrow sits in court during an objection by her attorney during her trial, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Park City, Utah, where she is accused in a lawsuit of crashing into a skier during a 2016 family ski vacation, leaving him with brain damage and four broken ribs. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)" />
 <figcaption>Gwyneth Paltrow sits in court during an objection by her attorney during her trial, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, in Park City, Utah, where she is accused in a lawsuit of crashing into a skier during a 2016 family ski vacation, leaving him with brain damage and four broken ribs. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)</figcaption>
 </figure>PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Gwyneth Paltrow won her court battle over a 2016 ski collision at a posh Utah ski resort after a jury decided Thursday that the movie star wasn’t at fault for the crash.A jury dismissed the complaint of a retired optometrist who&nbsp;<a href="https://www.boston.com/culture/celebs/2019/01/29/gwyneth-paltrow-sued-over-utah-ski-crash/">sued Paltrow</a>&nbsp;over injuries he sustained when the two crashed on a beginner run at Deer Valley ski resort, siding with Paltrow after eight days of&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gwyneth-paltrow-ski-trial-lawsuit-utah-0d1bf78d45d65d86eafcd0e6bc21ae38">live-streamed courtroom testimony</a>&nbsp;that made the case&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gwyneth-paltrow-ski-trial-lawsuit-utah-b748dfec3d0cc7ba7281355a21a4f6ff">a pop culture fixation.</a>Paltrow, an actor who in recent years has refashioned herself into a celebrity wellness entrepreneur, Paltrow looked to her attorneys with a pursed lips smile when the judge read the eight-member jury’s verdict in the Park City courtroom. She sat intently through two weeks of testimony in what became the biggest celebrity court case since&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/amber-heard-johnny-depp-entertainment-ae1cbc0ff84940adf857355ec956723e">actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard faced off</a>&nbsp;last year.The dismissal concludes two weeks of courtroom proceedings that hinged largely on reputation rather than the monetary damages at stake in the case. Paltrow’s attorneys described the complaint against her as “utter B.S.” and painted the Goop founder-CEO as uniquely vulnerable to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/travel-entertainment-ap-top-news-us-news-lawsuits-89356b1afe574eee890e7f31cb193b86">unfair, frivolous lawsuits</a>&nbsp;due to her celebrity.Paltrow took the witness stand during the trial to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gwyneth-paltrow-utah-ski-collision-trial-3f3b25539799e4537f2157ee3679d202">insist the collision</a>&nbsp;wasn’t her fault, and to describe how she was stunned when she felt “a body pressing against me and a very strange grunting noise.”Throughout the trial, the word&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/gwyneth-paltrow-ski-trial-lawsuit-utah-2d9de9365c38">“uphill” became synonymous with “guilty,</a>&nbsp;” as attorneys focused on a largely unknown skiing code of conduct that stipulates that the skier who is downhill or ahead on the slope has the right of way.Worldwide audiences followed the celebrity trial as if it were episodic television. Viewers scrutinized both Paltrow and Sanderson’s motives while attorneys directed questions to witnesses that often had less to do with the collision and more to do with their client’s reputations.The trial took place in Park City, a resort town known for hosting the annual&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/sundance-film-festival">Sundance Film Festival,</a>&nbsp;where early in her career Paltrow would appear for the premieres of her movies including 1998’s “Sliding Doors,” at a time when she was known primarily as an actor, not a lifestyle influencer. Paltrow is also known for her roles in “Shakespeare in Love” and the “Iron Man” movies.The jury’s decision marks a painful court defeat for Terry Sanderson, the man who sued Paltrow for more than $300,000 over injuries he sustained when they crashed on a beginner run. Both parties blamed the other for the collision. Sanderson, 76, broke four ribs and sustained a concussion after the two tumbled down the slope, with Paltrow landing on top of him.He filed an amended complaint after an earlier $3.1 million lawsuit was dismissed. Paltrow in response countersued for $1 and attorney fees, a symbolic action that mirrors Taylor Swift’s response to a radio host’s defamation lawsuit. Swift was awarded $1 in 2017.Paltrow’s defense team tried to paint Sanderson as an angry, aging and unsympathetic man who had over the years become “obsessed” with his lawsuit against Paltrow. They argued that Paltrow wasn’t at fault in the crash and also said, regardless of blame, that Sanderson was overstating the extent of his injuries.

Gwyneth Paltrow not at fault for ski collision, jury decides

On this episode of the Post Podcast Amy B. speaks with Autumn Ragland, lead singer of Ragland, as she shares information about their upcoming performance in Hays.

<div><iframe title="Ragland to perform in downtown Hays Thursday" allowtransparency="true" height="600" width="100%" style="border: none; min-width: min(100%, 430px);" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" src="https://www.podbean.com/player-v2/?i=hxzqx-13cdddc-pb&from=pb6admin&square=1&share=1&download=1&rtl=0&fonts=Arial&skin=3267a3&font-color=auto&logo_link=podcast_page&btn-skin=3267a3&size=600" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>On this episode of the Post Podcast Amy B. speaks with Autumn Ragland, lead singer of Ragland, as she shares information about their upcoming performance in Hays.

🎙 Post Podcast: Ragland to perform in downtown Hays Thursday

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20LEICESTER%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN LEICESTER Associated Press</a>

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — “Attention. Air raid alert,” the voice says with a Jedi knight’s gravitas. “Proceed to the nearest shelter.”

It's a surreal moment in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine-war">an already surreal war</a>: the grave but calming baritone of actor Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker of “Star Wars,” urging people to take cover whenever Russia unleashes another aerial bombardment on Ukraine.

The intrusion of Hollywood science-fiction fantasy into the grim daily realities of war in Ukraine is a consequence of Hamill's decision to lend his famous voice to “Air Alert” — a downloadable app linked to Ukraine's air defense system. When air raid sirens start howling, the app also warns Ukrainians that Russian missiles, bombs and deadly exploding drones may be incoming.

“Don’t be careless," Hamill’s voice advises. “Your overconfidence is your weakness.”

The actor says he's admired — from afar, in California — how Ukraine has "shown such resilience ... under such terrible circumstances." Its fight against the Russian invasion,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-one-year-ba61809330c132929a6da34fe99ddab2">now in its second year</a>, reminds him of the “Star Wars” saga, he says — of plucky rebels battling and ultimately defeating a vast, murderous empire. Voicing over the English-language version of the air-raid app and giving it his “Star Wars” touch was his way of helping out.

“A fairy tale about good versus evil is resonant with what’s going on in Ukraine,” Hamill said in an interview with The Associated Press. “The Ukrainian people rallying to the cause and responding so heroically ... It’s impossible not to be inspired by how they’ve weathered this storm."

When the dangers from the skies pass, Hamill announces via the app that “the air alert is over." He then signs off with an uplifting: "May the Force be with you.”

Hamill is also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mark-hamill-ukraine-drones-46cfb2c53d43e7e1b4e270d0292a5f32">raising funds</a>&nbsp;to buy reconnaissance drones for Ukrainian forces on the front lines. He autographed “Star Wars”-themed posters that are being raffled off.

“Here I sit in the comfort of my own home when in Ukraine there are power outages and food shortages and people are really suffering," he said. “It motivates me to do as much as I can.”

Although the app also has a Ukrainian-language setting, voiced by a woman, some Ukrainians prefer to have Hamill breaking the bad news that yet another Russian bombardment might be imminent.

On the worst days, sirens and the app sound every few hours, day and night. Some turn out to be false alarms. But many others are real — and often deadly.

Bohdan Zvonyk, a 24-year-old app user who lives in the repeatedly struck western city of Lviv, says he chose Hamill's voiceover rather than the Ukrainian setting because he is trying to improve his English. He's a “Star Wars” fan, too.

“Besides," he said, “we could use a little bit of the power that Hamill wishes us.”

After one alert, Zvonyk was riding a trolley bus when Hamill's voice rang out from his phone. He said the man in front “turned to me and said, smiling: ‘Oh, those damn Sith,'" to describe Russian forces. The Sith are the malevolent enemies of the do-gooding Jedi.

Olena Yeremina, a 38-year-old business manager in the capital, Kyiv, said Hamill's “May the Force be with you" signoff at first made her laugh. Now its enduring humor gives her strength.

“It’s a very cool phrase for this situation,” she said. “I wouldn’t say that I feel like a Ukrainian Jedi, but sometimes this phrase reminds me to straighten my shoulders and keep working.”

Sometimes it can be wise to shut Hamill off. Yeremina forgot to do that on a trip outside Ukraine — to Berlin — and paid for the error when the alarm started shrieking at 6 a.m. and, again, when she rode the subway in the German capital. She wasn't alone. Another person in the subway car also had the app and it erupted, too. The two of them first cursed, but then “it made both me and that person smile,” Yeremina recalled.

Ajax Systems, a Ukrainian security systems manufacturer that co-developed the app, hopes Hamill's star power will encourage people outside Ukraine to download it — so they get a taste of the angst heaped on Ukrainians by nerve-shredding alarms and airborne death and destruction.

“With Mark's approach, it won’t be so terrifying," said Valentine Hrytsenko, the chief marketing officer at Ajax. “But they will understand somehow the context.”

In the invasion's first year, air-raid alarms sounded more than 19,000 times across the country, so “of course people are getting tired,” he said. The app has been downloaded more than 14 million times. Hrytsenko is among those who use its English-language setting to hear Hamill’s voice.

“For Star Wars fans, it sounds really fantastic," he said. “It’s kind of a Ukrainian mentality to find some humor even in the bad situation or to try to be positive.”

Hamill is pleased that the sci-fi saga is again transporting people, even if just temporarily, to its galaxy far, far away.

“It does inspire people,” he said. “Everyone flashes back to being 6 years old again. And if the movie can help people get through hard times, so much the better.”

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOHN%20LEICESTER%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOHN LEICESTER Associated Press</a>KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — “Attention. Air raid alert,” the voice says with a Jedi knight’s gravitas. “Proceed to the nearest shelter.”It's a surreal moment in&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine-war">an already surreal war</a>: the grave but calming baritone of actor Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker of “Star Wars,” urging people to take cover whenever Russia unleashes another aerial bombardment on Ukraine.The intrusion of Hollywood science-fiction fantasy into the grim daily realities of war in Ukraine is a consequence of Hamill's decision to lend his famous voice to “Air Alert” — a downloadable app linked to Ukraine's air defense system. When air raid sirens start howling, the app also warns Ukrainians that Russian missiles, bombs and deadly exploding drones may be incoming.“Don’t be careless," Hamill’s voice advises. “Your overconfidence is your weakness.”The actor says he's admired — from afar, in California — how Ukraine has "shown such resilience ... under such terrible circumstances." Its fight against the Russian invasion,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-one-year-ba61809330c132929a6da34fe99ddab2">now in its second year</a>, reminds him of the “Star Wars” saga, he says — of plucky rebels battling and ultimately defeating a vast, murderous empire. Voicing over the English-language version of the air-raid app and giving it his “Star Wars” touch was his way of helping out.“A fairy tale about good versus evil is resonant with what’s going on in Ukraine,” Hamill said in an interview with The Associated Press. “The Ukrainian people rallying to the cause and responding so heroically ... It’s impossible not to be inspired by how they’ve weathered this storm."When the dangers from the skies pass, Hamill announces via the app that “the air alert is over." He then signs off with an uplifting: "May the Force be with you.”Hamill is also&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/mark-hamill-ukraine-drones-46cfb2c53d43e7e1b4e270d0292a5f32">raising funds</a>&nbsp;to buy reconnaissance drones for Ukrainian forces on the front lines. He autographed “Star Wars”-themed posters that are being raffled off.“Here I sit in the comfort of my own home when in Ukraine there are power outages and food shortages and people are really suffering," he said. “It motivates me to do as much as I can.”Although the app also has a Ukrainian-language setting, voiced by a woman, some Ukrainians prefer to have Hamill breaking the bad news that yet another Russian bombardment might be imminent.On the worst days, sirens and the app sound every few hours, day and night. Some turn out to be false alarms. But many others are real — and often deadly.Bohdan Zvonyk, a 24-year-old app user who lives in the repeatedly struck western city of Lviv, says he chose Hamill's voiceover rather than the Ukrainian setting because he is trying to improve his English. He's a “Star Wars” fan, too.“Besides," he said, “we could use a little bit of the power that Hamill wishes us.”After one alert, Zvonyk was riding a trolley bus when Hamill's voice rang out from his phone. He said the man in front “turned to me and said, smiling: ‘Oh, those damn Sith,'" to describe Russian forces. The Sith are the malevolent enemies of the do-gooding Jedi.Olena Yeremina, a 38-year-old business manager in the capital, Kyiv, said Hamill's “May the Force be with you" signoff at first made her laugh. Now its enduring humor gives her strength.“It’s a very cool phrase for this situation,” she said. “I wouldn’t say that I feel like a Ukrainian Jedi, but sometimes this phrase reminds me to straighten my shoulders and keep working.”Sometimes it can be wise to shut Hamill off. Yeremina forgot to do that on a trip outside Ukraine — to Berlin — and paid for the error when the alarm started shrieking at 6 a.m. and, again, when she rode the subway in the German capital. She wasn't alone. Another person in the subway car also had the app and it erupted, too. The two of them first cursed, but then “it made both me and that person smile,” Yeremina recalled.Ajax Systems, a Ukrainian security systems manufacturer that co-developed the app, hopes Hamill's star power will encourage people outside Ukraine to download it — so they get a taste of the angst heaped on Ukrainians by nerve-shredding alarms and airborne death and destruction.“With Mark's approach, it won’t be so terrifying," said Valentine Hrytsenko, the chief marketing officer at Ajax. “But they will understand somehow the context.”In the invasion's first year, air-raid alarms sounded more than 19,000 times across the country, so “of course people are getting tired,” he said. The app has been downloaded more than 14 million times. Hrytsenko is among those who use its English-language setting to hear Hamill’s voice.“For Star Wars fans, it sounds really fantastic," he said. “It’s kind of a Ukrainian mentality to find some humor even in the bad situation or to try to be positive.”Hamill is pleased that the sci-fi saga is again transporting people, even if just temporarily, to its galaxy far, far away.“It does inspire people,” he said. “Everyone flashes back to being 6 years old again. And if the movie can help people get through hard times, so much the better.”

Feel the Force: Hamill carries 'Star Wars' voice to Ukraine

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOCELYN%20NOVECK%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer</a>

“You’re not a lot of fun, are you,” notes barbarian Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) to brave fighter Xenk (Regé-Jean Page) in the new “Dungeons &amp; Dragons” film, making two jokes at once.

The first is that Xenk, a paladin (or holy knight) in “D&amp;D” lingo, is everything BUT fun — gorgeous, noble, heroic, smart, and did we mention gorgeous? He’s just REALLY not fun, or funny. He’s so not funny, it’s hilarious.

The second, broader joke is that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGvv-Hhft3U">“Dungeons &amp; Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,”</a>&nbsp;hotly awaited by devotees of the decades-old role-playing game, makes darned sure to be fun, and funny — enough to laugh at itself. And that's the thing that makes it work.

At least, for a newbie like me. I’ve never played the game, I confess. But this is a movie, not a game, and I’m here to tell you how it works for over two hours at the multiplex. Which is to say, surprisingly, sometimes delightfully well — even if you have no clue what a paladin or Red Wizard or Harper is, or if the term “Dungeon Master” sends your mind straight to “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

The most obvious reason for this success, besides fleet-footed direction by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, is star Chris Pine, whose sunny charisma and smooth knack for comedy, plus an ability to seem like he’s both inside the movie and outside looking in, keeps everything bubbling.

He’s ably assisted by Rodriguez, plus young accomplices Justice Smith as a confidence-challenged (but sweet) wizard and Sophia Lillis as a shape-shifting druid. And then we have a graying Hugh Grant, playing the heck out of yet another comic villain role — a character almost as curmudgeonly as he was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAHZqLAuo_M">on the Oscar red carpet.</a>

Plus there’s a cameo from another big star, but more on that in a minute. Because first we have to mention the pudgy dragon. Yes, pudgy. Whatever dragons eat, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eater.com/2019/4/24/18512398/what-do-the-game-of-thrones-dragons-eat">we can only try to imagine,</a>&nbsp;he’s had too many.

But back to Pine, aka the bard Edgin, whom we first meet in a dank, freezing prison cell. He’s — well, he's knitting. Nearby sits Holga (Rodriguez), and her own hobby is eating. She's not a cordial sort, especially when food supply is at risk.

An appearance in front of a judicial council, begging for a pardon, gives Edgin the chance to tell his backstory. Turns out he wasn't always a criminal; he was a Harper, part of a spy guild acting for the greater good, but he attracted the ire of the Red Wizards of Thay, which led to the tragic murder of his wife.

Teaming with Holga, he sets out to find the magical Tablet of Reawakening that would return his wife to him and especially their baby daughter Kira (played by Chloe Coleman as a youngster). But they get captured, and their accomplice Forge (Grant), who somehow escapes, swears to take care of Kira.

Edgin, a master planner, devises a jailbreak right during the pardon hearing. They discover Kira is now living in a walled city with Forge, a con-man who turns out (gasp!) to have planned the whole thing, and has convinced her that Dad betrayed her for riches. And now he’s allied with Sofina, a terrifying sorceress (Daisy Head). Forge not only refuses to give Kira back but sends Edgin and Holga to their deaths. Holga, however, quickly dispatches all the soldiers meant to kill them — all while Edgin tries, and fails, to untie a rope.

Now they need that tablet, but first they need a magical helmet (bear with us.) The quest, upon which they're joined by Simon (Smith) and Doric (Lillis), leads to the film’s most entertaining scenes. One of these is an impressive, fast-paced sequence where shape-shifter Doric infiltrates enemy lines and then, chased by Sofina, morphs seamlessly into various animal forms and back to herself again.

Another is a comic bit where Pine’s Edgin tries to elicit key information from a series of corpses. Summoned to life by an increasingly effective Simon, each corpse can answer five questions before returning to the grave forever. Edgin keeps wasting his chances with questions like “Did that count as a question?”

And a prime comic moment comes from none other than Bradley Cooper (see, worth the wait!). We'll reveal nothing but the observation that this cameo is small, but packs a punch.

Finally we have Xenk (Page), perfectly cast as a paladin so, well, perfect that he delivers babies in between vanquishing enemies, and provides the crucial help Edgin needs. But for all sorts of reasons, Edgin can’t bring himself to like the guy. Most of all, he can't deal with his lack of understanding of irony, sarcasm, and especially humor.

He’s probably right. Heroism is all well and good, but humor is crucial. That’s a lesson this film has, luckily, already figured out.

“Dungeons &amp; Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” a Paramount Pictures release, has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America “for fantasy action/violence and some language.” Running time: 134 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22JOCELYN%20NOVECK%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By JOCELYN NOVECK AP National Writer</a>“You’re not a lot of fun, are you,” notes barbarian Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) to brave fighter Xenk (Regé-Jean Page) in the new “Dungeons &amp; Dragons” film, making two jokes at once.The first is that Xenk, a paladin (or holy knight) in “D&amp;D” lingo, is everything BUT fun — gorgeous, noble, heroic, smart, and did we mention gorgeous? He’s just REALLY not fun, or funny. He’s so not funny, it’s hilarious.The second, broader joke is that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGvv-Hhft3U">“Dungeons &amp; Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,”</a>&nbsp;hotly awaited by devotees of the decades-old role-playing game, makes darned sure to be fun, and funny — enough to laugh at itself. And that's the thing that makes it work.At least, for a newbie like me. I’ve never played the game, I confess. But this is a movie, not a game, and I’m here to tell you how it works for over two hours at the multiplex. Which is to say, surprisingly, sometimes delightfully well — even if you have no clue what a paladin or Red Wizard or Harper is, or if the term “Dungeon Master” sends your mind straight to “Fifty Shades of Grey.”The most obvious reason for this success, besides fleet-footed direction by Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, is star Chris Pine, whose sunny charisma and smooth knack for comedy, plus an ability to seem like he’s both inside the movie and outside looking in, keeps everything bubbling.He’s ably assisted by Rodriguez, plus young accomplices Justice Smith as a confidence-challenged (but sweet) wizard and Sophia Lillis as a shape-shifting druid. And then we have a graying Hugh Grant, playing the heck out of yet another comic villain role — a character almost as curmudgeonly as he was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAHZqLAuo_M">on the Oscar red carpet.</a>Plus there’s a cameo from another big star, but more on that in a minute. Because first we have to mention the pudgy dragon. Yes, pudgy. Whatever dragons eat, and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eater.com/2019/4/24/18512398/what-do-the-game-of-thrones-dragons-eat">we can only try to imagine,</a>&nbsp;he’s had too many.But back to Pine, aka the bard Edgin, whom we first meet in a dank, freezing prison cell. He’s — well, he's knitting. Nearby sits Holga (Rodriguez), and her own hobby is eating. She's not a cordial sort, especially when food supply is at risk.An appearance in front of a judicial council, begging for a pardon, gives Edgin the chance to tell his backstory. Turns out he wasn't always a criminal; he was a Harper, part of a spy guild acting for the greater good, but he attracted the ire of the Red Wizards of Thay, which led to the tragic murder of his wife.Teaming with Holga, he sets out to find the magical Tablet of Reawakening that would return his wife to him and especially their baby daughter Kira (played by Chloe Coleman as a youngster). But they get captured, and their accomplice Forge (Grant), who somehow escapes, swears to take care of Kira.Edgin, a master planner, devises a jailbreak right during the pardon hearing. They discover Kira is now living in a walled city with Forge, a con-man who turns out (gasp!) to have planned the whole thing, and has convinced her that Dad betrayed her for riches. And now he’s allied with Sofina, a terrifying sorceress (Daisy Head). Forge not only refuses to give Kira back but sends Edgin and Holga to their deaths. Holga, however, quickly dispatches all the soldiers meant to kill them — all while Edgin tries, and fails, to untie a rope.Now they need that tablet, but first they need a magical helmet (bear with us.) The quest, upon which they're joined by Simon (Smith) and Doric (Lillis), leads to the film’s most entertaining scenes. One of these is an impressive, fast-paced sequence where shape-shifter Doric infiltrates enemy lines and then, chased by Sofina, morphs seamlessly into various animal forms and back to herself again.Another is a comic bit where Pine’s Edgin tries to elicit key information from a series of corpses. Summoned to life by an increasingly effective Simon, each corpse can answer five questions before returning to the grave forever. Edgin keeps wasting his chances with questions like “Did that count as a question?”And a prime comic moment comes from none other than Bradley Cooper (see, worth the wait!). We'll reveal nothing but the observation that this cameo is small, but packs a punch.Finally we have Xenk (Page), perfectly cast as a paladin so, well, perfect that he delivers babies in between vanquishing enemies, and provides the crucial help Edgin needs. But for all sorts of reasons, Edgin can’t bring himself to like the guy. Most of all, he can't deal with his lack of understanding of irony, sarcasm, and especially humor.He’s probably right. Heroism is all well and good, but humor is crucial. That’s a lesson this film has, luckily, already figured out.“Dungeons &amp; Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” a Paramount Pictures release, has been rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America “for fantasy action/violence and some language.” Running time: 134 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four.

Review: 'Dungeons & Dragons' puts the funny in fantasy

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MATT%20O%27BRIEN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MATT O'BRIEN AP Technology Writer</a>

William Shatner, Monica Lewinsky and other prolific Twitter commentators — some household names, others little-known journalists — could soon be losing the blue check marks that helped verify their identity on the social media platform.

They could get the marks back by paying up to $11 a month. But some longtime users, including 92-year-old Star Trek legend Shatner, have balked at buying the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twitter-api-eca5709035a08d2ebed8fac673809ea8">premium service</a>&nbsp;championed by Twitter's billionaire owner and chief executive Elon Musk.

After months of delay, Musk is gleefully promising that Saturday is the deadline for celebrities, journalists and others who'd been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-software-mobile-phones-b9110ad02f8d5e17d130b259fa19d852">verified for free</a>&nbsp;to pony up or lose their legacy status.

"It will be glorious," he tweeted Monday, in response to a Twitter user who noted that Saturday is also April Fools' Day.

After buying Twitter for $44 billion in October, Musk has been trying to boost the struggling platform's revenue by pushing more people to pay for a premium subscription. But his move also reflects his assertion that the blue verification marks have become an undeserved or "corrupt" status symbol for elite personalities and news reporters.

Along with verifying celebrities, one of Twitter's main reasons to mark profiles with a free blue check mark starting about 14 years ago was to verify politicians,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-science-social-media-a7e2e3214abb4470dcb6e2837aa39c2e">activists</a>&nbsp;and people who suddenly find themselves in the news, as well as little-known journalists at small publications around the globe, as an extra tool to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-politics-european-union-0f912b92a70742ba8ad280cde2f935d9">curb misinformation coming from accounts</a>&nbsp;that are impersonating people.

Lewinsky tweeted a screenshot Sunday of all the people impersonating her, including at least one who appears to have paid for a blue check mark. She asked, “what universe is this fair to people who can suffer consequences for being impersonated? a lie travels half way around the world before truth even gets out the door.”

Shatner, known for his irreverent humor, also tagged Musk with a complaint about the promised changes.

“I’ve been here for 15 years giving my (clock emoji) &amp; witty thoughts all for bupkis,” he wrote. “Now you’re telling me that I have to pay for something you gave me for free?”

Musk responded that there shouldn't be a different standard for celebrities. “It’s more about treating everyone equally,” Musk tweeted.

For now, those who still have the blue check but apparently haven’t paid the premium fee — a group that includes Beyoncé, Stephen King, Barack and Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, Tucker Carlson, Drake and Musk himself — have messages appended to their profile saying it is a “legacy verified account. It may or may not be notable.”

But while “the attention is reasonably on celebrities because of our culture,” the bigger concern for open government advocate Alex Howard, director of the Digital Democracy Project, is that impersonators could more easily spread rumors and conspiracies that could move markets or harm democracies around the world.

“The reason verification exists on this platform was not simply to designate people as notable or authorities, but to prevent impersonation,” Howard said.

One of Musk's first product moves after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-san-francisco-business-204237cbfdc7a2bb11d3457f6de6c19e">taking over Twitter</a>&nbsp;was to launch a service granting blue checks to anyone willing to pay $8 a month. But it was quickly inundated by imposter accounts, including those impersonating Nintendo, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Musk’s businesses Tesla and SpaceX, so Twitter had to temporarily suspend the service days after its launch.

The relaunched service costs $8 a month for web users and $11 a month for iPhone and iPad users. Subscribers are supposed to see fewer ads, be able to post longer videos and have their tweets featured more prominently.

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22MATT%20O%27BRIEN%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By MATT O'BRIEN AP Technology Writer</a>William Shatner, Monica Lewinsky and other prolific Twitter commentators — some household names, others little-known journalists — could soon be losing the blue check marks that helped verify their identity on the social media platform.They could get the marks back by paying up to $11 a month. But some longtime users, including 92-year-old Star Trek legend Shatner, have balked at buying the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/twitter-api-eca5709035a08d2ebed8fac673809ea8">premium service</a>&nbsp;championed by Twitter's billionaire owner and chief executive Elon Musk.After months of delay, Musk is gleefully promising that Saturday is the deadline for celebrities, journalists and others who'd been&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-software-mobile-phones-b9110ad02f8d5e17d130b259fa19d852">verified for free</a>&nbsp;to pony up or lose their legacy status."It will be glorious," he tweeted Monday, in response to a Twitter user who noted that Saturday is also April Fools' Day.After buying Twitter for $44 billion in October, Musk has been trying to boost the struggling platform's revenue by pushing more people to pay for a premium subscription. But his move also reflects his assertion that the blue verification marks have become an undeserved or "corrupt" status symbol for elite personalities and news reporters.Along with verifying celebrities, one of Twitter's main reasons to mark profiles with a free blue check mark starting about 14 years ago was to verify politicians,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-science-social-media-a7e2e3214abb4470dcb6e2837aa39c2e">activists</a>&nbsp;and people who suddenly find themselves in the news, as well as little-known journalists at small publications around the globe, as an extra tool to&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-politics-european-union-0f912b92a70742ba8ad280cde2f935d9">curb misinformation coming from accounts</a>&nbsp;that are impersonating people.Lewinsky tweeted a screenshot Sunday of all the people impersonating her, including at least one who appears to have paid for a blue check mark. She asked, “what universe is this fair to people who can suffer consequences for being impersonated? a lie travels half way around the world before truth even gets out the door.”Shatner, known for his irreverent humor, also tagged Musk with a complaint about the promised changes.“I’ve been here for 15 years giving my (clock emoji) &amp; witty thoughts all for bupkis,” he wrote. “Now you’re telling me that I have to pay for something you gave me for free?”Musk responded that there shouldn't be a different standard for celebrities. “It’s more about treating everyone equally,” Musk tweeted.For now, those who still have the blue check but apparently haven’t paid the premium fee — a group that includes Beyoncé, Stephen King, Barack and Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, Tucker Carlson, Drake and Musk himself — have messages appended to their profile saying it is a “legacy verified account. It may or may not be notable.”But while “the attention is reasonably on celebrities because of our culture,” the bigger concern for open government advocate Alex Howard, director of the Digital Democracy Project, is that impersonators could more easily spread rumors and conspiracies that could move markets or harm democracies around the world.“The reason verification exists on this platform was not simply to designate people as notable or authorities, but to prevent impersonation,” Howard said.One of Musk's first product moves after&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-twitter-inc-technology-san-francisco-business-204237cbfdc7a2bb11d3457f6de6c19e">taking over Twitter</a>&nbsp;was to launch a service granting blue checks to anyone willing to pay $8 a month. But it was quickly inundated by imposter accounts, including those impersonating Nintendo, pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly and Musk’s businesses Tesla and SpaceX, so Twitter had to temporarily suspend the service days after its launch.The relaunched service costs $8 a month for web users and $11 a month for iPhone and iPad users. Subscribers are supposed to see fewer ads, be able to post longer videos and have their tweets featured more prominently.

Twitter celebs balk at paying Elon Musk for blue check mark

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22SIAN%20WATSON%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By SIAN WATSON Associated Press</a>

The origin story of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7d1c234eccc740e09b9a165b7bd25681">iconic computer game “Tetris”</a>&nbsp;is more thrilling than you may think.

It involves border crossing, authority dodging, underhand deals, putting your house on the line and — finally — trying to secure the rights for the game from behind the Iron Curtain. And now it's a film,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/streaming-tv-music-movies-video-games-6aa7d7d618e7444866f0edf2c86dfbaa">releasing March 31, on Apple TV+.</a>

After playing an early version of Tetris,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c554c22f6d824ad799819c5211644c54">game designer Henk Rogers</a>&nbsp;(played by Taron Egerton) travels&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/02ebcc0e70fc35835d2542ab8275dade">to the Soviet Union</a>&nbsp;in 1988 to meet Tetris designer Alexey Pajitnov (played by Nikita Efremov), hoping to secure worldwide distribution rights to the game. Rogers was driven by his love of Tetris and his eagerness for the world to experience it, but the transaction was not smooth.

Egerton says he doesn’t have the tenacity of Rogers, who potentially put his life on the line for the sake of the game.

“I have a more developed sense of my own frailty and vulnerability than he does, I think, whereas he’s got this kind of single-minded lack of, sense of self-preservation,” he said in a recent interview.

He added: “I really like his sort of single-minded, determined devil-may-care thing. It makes him an appealing hero, you know, his kind of cowboyishness. But yeah, I probably wouldn’t have done anything like what he did to get the rights to Tetris.”

The movie is directed by Jon S. Baird, who switched projects from action sequel “Kingsman 3" because of the pandemic, bringing his leading man — Egerton — and producer Matthew Vaughn along for the ride.

“We were looking for something to do and the ‘Tetris’ script landed and we thought, ‘Right, that’s great let’s just move everything on to that.’ And that’s really what happened,” he said.

While the pandemic stopped Pajitnov and Rogers from being involved in the actual shoot, the duo was involved heavily in the scriptwriting and in detailing the imagery of Soviet Russia, much of which was recreated in Aberdeen and Glasgow, Scotland.

Baird said he was apprehensive about showing Pajitnov and Rogers the finished movie but was overjoyed at their response.

“I got a text from Maya, who’s Henk’s daughter, who’s obviously personified in the film, too and she was like, ‘They all love it. They all absolutely love the movie.’”

Egerton, known to many for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/68cae4cb0daa40289ca0ed9c867b2258">portraying Elton John in “Rocketman,”</a>&nbsp;says he finds playing a real-life person “odd.” However, he believes that the men he has brought to the screen have all enjoyed his portrayals, smiling that “it hasn’t blown up in my face yet!”

<a href="https://newsroom.ap.org/home/search/?query=byline:%22SIAN%20WATSON%22&amp;mediaType=text&amp;st=keyword&amp;sortOrder=newest">By SIAN WATSON Associated Press</a>The origin story of the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/7d1c234eccc740e09b9a165b7bd25681">iconic computer game “Tetris”</a>&nbsp;is more thrilling than you may think.It involves border crossing, authority dodging, underhand deals, putting your house on the line and — finally — trying to secure the rights for the game from behind the Iron Curtain. And now it's a film,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/streaming-tv-music-movies-video-games-6aa7d7d618e7444866f0edf2c86dfbaa">releasing March 31, on Apple TV+.</a>After playing an early version of Tetris,&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/c554c22f6d824ad799819c5211644c54">game designer Henk Rogers</a>&nbsp;(played by Taron Egerton) travels&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/02ebcc0e70fc35835d2542ab8275dade">to the Soviet Union</a>&nbsp;in 1988 to meet Tetris designer Alexey Pajitnov (played by Nikita Efremov), hoping to secure worldwide distribution rights to the game. Rogers was driven by his love of Tetris and his eagerness for the world to experience it, but the transaction was not smooth.Egerton says he doesn’t have the tenacity of Rogers, who potentially put his life on the line for the sake of the game.“I have a more developed sense of my own frailty and vulnerability than he does, I think, whereas he’s got this kind of single-minded lack of, sense of self-preservation,” he said in a recent interview.He added: “I really like his sort of single-minded, determined devil-may-care thing. It makes him an appealing hero, you know, his kind of cowboyishness. But yeah, I probably wouldn’t have done anything like what he did to get the rights to Tetris.”The movie is directed by Jon S. Baird, who switched projects from action sequel “Kingsman 3" because of the pandemic, bringing his leading man — Egerton — and producer Matthew Vaughn along for the ride.“We were looking for something to do and the ‘Tetris’ script landed and we thought, ‘Right, that’s great let’s just move everything on to that.’ And that’s really what happened,” he said.While the pandemic stopped Pajitnov and Rogers from being involved in the actual shoot, the duo was involved heavily in the scriptwriting and in detailing the imagery of Soviet Russia, much of which was recreated in Aberdeen and Glasgow, Scotland.Baird said he was apprehensive about showing Pajitnov and Rogers the finished movie but was overjoyed at their response.“I got a text from Maya, who’s Henk’s daughter, who’s obviously personified in the film, too and she was like, ‘They all love it. They all absolutely love the movie.’”Egerton, known to many for&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/68cae4cb0daa40289ca0ed9c867b2258">portraying Elton John in “Rocketman,”</a>&nbsp;says he finds playing a real-life person “odd.” However, he believes that the men he has brought to the screen have all enjoyed his portrayals, smiling that “it hasn’t blown up in my face yet!”

Taron Egerton slots Tetris story into place in new biopic

On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Fort Hays State University President Tisa Mason.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<div><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/doPcPDLJu2o" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>On this episode of Forward Ever: Leading in Challenging Times, host Gary Shorman speaks with Fort Hays State University President Tisa Mason.&nbsp;&nbsp;

🎤 Forward Ever: Fort Hays State University President Tisa Mason

Photo courtesy Arts Council of Dickinson County

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2023/3/1679539146457.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>Photo courtesy Arts Council of Dickinson CountyBy SALINA POSTABILENE - Learn about eastern European Easter eggs and how to make them during a class Sunday in Abilene.The Arts Council of Dickinson County is offering a Pysanky class at 1 p.m. Sunday at 401 N. Cedar Street. During the three-to-four-hour class, participants will learn the history of the Pysanky, which is rooted in eastern Europe, as well as design and create their own pieces of artwork.The cost of the class is $40 per person.For more information or to reserve your space in the class, call (785)263-1884, text (785) 280-0543 or email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:artscouncilofdc@gmail.com">artscouncilofdc@gmail.com</a>.

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