City/area digest

Library focus group meeting

COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Public Library Board of Directors is inviting interested parties to participate in a focus group beginning at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Columbus Public Library Auditorium.

A previously announced meeting date was changed because of scheduling conflicts.

The focus group will last about an hour and a half. Refreshments will be served.

The board is developing a strategic plan to determine its future direction. Through the planning process, the board wants to clarify its role in the community and identify issues that need to be addressed in the coming years. A critical step in this process is to hear from the public, which has an interest in the success of the library.

Those who wish to attend should contact Nancy Saalfeld by Monday at 562-4232 or nsaalfe@columbusne.us.

Pathfinder Chorus to perform

FREMONT -- The Pathfinder Chorus will present “Jazzin’ the Blues Away” at its annual spring concert Friday-Saturday at the Fremont High School McPherson Auditorium on 16th Street and Lincoln Avenue.

The evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and the Saturday matinee begins at 2 p.m. The program will feature “Gotcha!” 2004 International Quartet Champions, The Pathfinder Chorus, and several other quartets. Tickets are $12.50 each for evening and $10 for matinee performances, available at the door.

For more information, call Jim at (402) 721-4977 or visit www.pathfinderchorus.org.

Scout rummage sale Saturday

COLUMBUS -- Boy Scout Troop 276 will be having a rummage sale from 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Saturday at the Immanuel Lutheran School gymnasium, 2965 26th Ave.

This will be a multiple family sale with baby items, toys, electronics, tools, small appliances, clothing, furniture and much more. Proceeds benefit the local boy scout troop and will help send kids to summer camp.

St. Anthony’s soup supper Sunday

COLUMBUS -- St. Anthony’s Catholic Church is sponsoring a fundraiser Soup Supper from 4-8 p.m. Sunday at the St. Anthony Social Hall/cafeteria.

Proceeds from the free-will donation event will go to the Scotus students’ mission trip to the Dominican Republic this May. The trip is sponsored by Creighton University, and will have nine students and four adult sponsors spending two weeks in the Dominican Republic.

Sculpture garden tour Friday

COLUMBUS -- The public is invited to attend a groundbreaking ceremony at 5 p.m. Friday for a sculpture garden in front of the Fine Arts Center at Central Community College-Columbus.

The garden was started by the Phi Theta Kappa Chi Sigma Chapter, and the SkillsUSA Club will now work with the campus administration to design and build the sculpture. The project will be funded by a $6,000 grant provided by Lowe’s.

A portion of the grant also will be used to build a trophy case and install two bulletin boards in the North Education Center to highlight the SkillsUSA Club achievements and activities.

Spoken word artist in Lincoln

LINCOLN -- Lincoln’s Star City Slam will host spoken word artist and revolutionary Jared Paul of Providence, R.I., at 7 p.m. Thursday at Jones Coffee, 727 S. 11th St.

Paul leaves no social issue unexamined, challenging audiences to rethink their opinions on social and political issues. This event is free and open to the public.

For more information visit www.myspace.com/jaredpaul or www.myspace.com/lincolnslam. Contact JM Huscher at (402) 202-2245 for more information on this or other poetry projects.

Orchid show set for this weekend

OMAHA -- Orchid growers from a five-state region will be displaying their orchids at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. in Omaha, from 10 a.m-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.

This is the 21st annual show hosted by the Greater Omaha Orchid Society, featuring hundreds of rare and gorgeous orchids in beautiful displays.

There is an admission fee to the Gardens, but there is no additional fee for the orchid show. Plants will be for sale at the show, along with information on orchid culture.