Martina McBride Brings Her Soaring Voice to Fans in Poplar Bluff on the Love Unleashed Tour

Poplar Bluff, MO (August 15, 2016) – Hot on the heels of her latest studio album, RECKLESS, award-winning country superstar Martina McBride is bringing her all new Love Unleashed Tour to Black River Coliseum on Friday, October 14. Martina will be joined by special guests, High Valley (Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville) and prolific singer-songwriter Hailey Whitters. Tickets will be on sale beginning Friday, August 19 at 10AM. 

 

“With so much tragedy and uncertainty in the world, our family is watching less news and spending more time listening to music, sharing stories over dinner, and loving each other,” says McBride. “I want this concert to be a place where people can share the common experience of music and how it can work its magic, as only music can. A place where we can come together and show our love for each other and head back out into the world a little stronger for having been there."

 

Martina will offer VIP Experiences for the first time which will include a meet & greet and Q&A session, exclusive autographed gift, premium tickets and more. VIP packages go on sale to the public Friday, August 19 in select markets.  More details available here: www.MartinaMcBride.com  

 

RECKLESS (Nash Icon Records) marks Martina’s 13th studio album featuring songs that are both a mix of classic country and a contemporary edge. Martina’s current single, “Just Around the Corner,” premiered on the CMT Awards this summer. Martina’s unparalleled vocals and depth are what keep fans ready for more.

 

For additional tour dates and information, please visit www.MartinaMcBride.com and keep up with Martina McBride on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

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About Martina McBride: 

Multiple Grammy® nominee Martina McBride has sold over 18 million albums to date, which includes 20 Top 10 singles and six #1 hits. On February 26th she released her first single, “Reckless,” the title track from her new album which is now available. McBride has earned more than 15 major music awards, including four wins for Female Vocalist of the Year from the Country Music Association and won three Academy of Country Music for Top Female Vocalist. Martina has been awarded 14 Gold Records. Nine Platinum honors, three Double Platinum Records, and two Triple Platinum Awards. Martina was awarded the Covenant House Beacon of Hope Award and Music Business Association’s prestigious 2015 Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic efforts on behalf of domestic violence. Martina will bring her passion for family and music to help Sarah Cannon launch their national Band Against Cancer campaign this year with special concerts in selected markets. Recently, Martina released her first book, Around the Table, a full-color illustrated collection of her favorite recipes, hosting tips, practical menu planning advice, and themed décor inspiration.  Martina is signed to the innovative Nash Icon Records, an imprint under the Big Machine Label Group umbrella.

Top 5 Tips for New Poplar Bluff High School Drivers

Another school year is here, but this one is unlike any other that you have experienced before. This will be the first year that you will be driving yourself to Poplar Bluff High School. It's an exciting time for you, but it could also be a scary time.

Here are some of the best tips that we can provide for all you new drivers here in Poplar Bluff:

5.  Know Your Driving Restrictions

It's hard not to go for a cruise as soon as you get your vehicle, but you must be aware of the driving restrictions that you fall under. Legal mumbo-jumbo is no fun, but being aware of avoidable mistakes as a young driver will help you in the long run.

Here are the driving restrictions for those with an intermediate license, via the Missouri Department of Revenue:

  • During the first 6 months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than one passenger who is under 19 years old and who is not a member of your immediate family.
  • After the first 6 months, you may not operate a motor vehicle with more than three passengers who are under 19 years old and who are not members of your immediate family.
  • You may not drive alone between 1:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. except to and from a school activity, job, or for an emergency, unless accompanied by a licensed driver 21 years old or older.

4. New School: New Rules

You may have been used to riding with your friends or parents to school back on Victory Lane, but you are at a new high school, in a new location, on new roads. You're not the only one, who doesn't know exactly what to do, or where to go. So be observant, and watch the other drivers around you. See how the traffic flows, and fall in line. You may see an open street to drive down, but just be sure that you are allowed to so, and that it doesn't interrupt the traffic flow.

3. Be Early

Waking up for school and arriving on time is hard, but do you know what's harder? Being late and having to rush for school. When you're late for school, or even cutting it close, you begin to focus on getting somewhere in time so that you don't get in trouble, instead of focusing on getting somewhere safely. We suggest getting up slightly earlier, maybe grab a quick breakfast with some friends, and give yourself the time to start out your day relaxed, instead of in a hurry.

2. Be Patient

You've had a long day of school, and you can't wait to get home to kick your feet up and watch some Netflix. So what do you do? You rush to your car, and stomp on the gas to try to be the first one out of the parking lot. You're not the only one doing that, and that is where a high school parking lot gets really scary. Not only do you have other drivers trying to race home, but you have other students walking around campus. Don't make the mistake of being too hasty. Hangout with some friends in the parking lot, and wait for the traffic to calm down. Sit in your car and listen to some music. Join a club or sport, and get connected with other students. The 5 - 10 minutes that you wait to get out of the parking lot is much cheaper than car repairs, and a lot nicer than your parent's wrath.

1. Put Your Phone Away

You've spent all day looking sneakily looking at your phone under your desk or behind your books. We're not ratting you out, trust us, your teachers already know. The final bell rings, and you can look at your phone without worrying that someone is going to take it away. You text that cutie from 2nd Hour. You snap the newest snapchat filters to your besties. You see what Pokémon are around. This is all well and good, until you put your into drive. Maybe you can abide by Tip #2, and catch up with all of your social media on your phone while waiting for the traffic to clear up. The snap streak will hold until you get home, so please, do not be on your phone while you are at the wheel. 

We hope that these tips can help put you and your parents at ease. Driving is a lot of fun, but also a major and dangerous responsibility. Help keep our roads safe and have a great year at school!

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of Suicide Squad

With the latest addition to the DC cinematic universe now unleashed amongst the general public, there will surely be a lot of talk surrounding the film. The biggest debate surrounding it, of course, will be whether or not the movie is as bad as many critics say it is. We ultimately believe that it is up to each individual audience member to decide if a film is enjoyable or not. So, instead of a straight forward review, we have decided to provide a pros and cons (no pun intended) list of Suicide Squad.

The Good

The Beginning

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Suicide Squad starts off incredibly strong. The introductions for our "heroes" are possibly the best part of the whole film. We quickly get to understand and connect with these super villains. There are some really quick, but excellent Easter eggs that will warm the heart of any DC comic fan.

Joker

There was a lot of doubt when the first image of Jared Leto's Joker was revealed, but understandably so. For many audience members, Jack Nicholson or Heath Ledger are their quintessential Joker, so Leto had some massive shoes to fill. Leto's Mr. J is definitely different from previous feature film renditions of the character, but still manages to keep the spirit of the character intact. It's a new Joker for a new generation and we can't wait to see more of him.

Harley Quinn

Following The Wolf of Wall Street, it was a no-brainer to cast Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. She embodies the craziness, sexuality, and lovability of the character so well. While she aesthetically looks different from the character introduced in Batman: The Animated Series, Suicide Squad's Harley Quinn is everything we could have hoped that character to be on film.

Will Smith

If you noticed, we didn't say Deadshot. "What's the difference," you ask. Deadshot may be Will Smith, but Will Smith is Will Smith. His performance as Deadshot isn't transformative, but it still works pretty well. Will Smith has been a leading man for years, and he carries Suicide Squad with his charm. 

The Bad

Act 2 and Act 3

What's the problem with Suicide Squad starting out so strong? It rises fast, but takes a slight dip, and levels off completely. Imagine getting on a rollercoaster. Let's say this rollercoaster starts off with a massive climb. "Oh man, we're going so high. This is going to be great," you think to yourself. Then where the big drop is supposed to come, it slowly lets you down at the same rate at which you were climbing, and then stays completely flat until the end of the ride. Sure it may turn left or right here and there, but you're simply coasting to the finish. You realize that this isn't a roller coaster, but a train. I have nothing against trains. Trains are actually pretty cool in their own right, but don't sell me a ticket to a rollercoaster then give me a seat on the subway.

Not Enough Joker and Harley

Let's be honest, Suicide Squad is Will Smith's film. The marketing may have you thinking this is a film focused on an ensemble cast, but Deadshot and Rick Flag are our protagonist, who just happen to be joined by these other characters. Which is fine. Just not great. Warner Bros. did very little to cool down the hype surrounding Joker and Harley Quinn. That's not an easy task, but the trailers and ads may have you fooled into thinking Joker has a substantial part to play. Unfortunately, he doesn't. Hate or love Leto's Joker, we need to see more. Subsequently, we also need more Harley Quinn, even though she is much more of a tertiary character.

This becomes even more upsetting when we take into consideration how many scenes Jared Leto says were cut from the film.

Enchantress 

Enchantress-Gets-Creepy.jpg

This is not an attack on Cara Delevigne. I actually thought she was very likeable as June Moon in the film. Unfortunately, I can't say the same about her alter-ego, Enchantress. That character has potential to be the most interesting piece to Suicide Squad, but seems severely misused. She plays a major part in the film, but at the same time lacks anything that really makes her interesting. When you start to ask "why" in regards to anything surrounding Enchantress, the film really starts to fall apart. Even if there are answers to your questions, they might not be all that interesting or satisfying.

Cara Delevigne did a solid job with what she had to work with. Too bad there wasn't more there for her to do so.

The Ugly

The Tone

via Collider.com

via Collider.com

I like David Ayer. Sometimes I love David Ayer. He wrote Training Day, End of Watch, and Fury, and he directed the latter two of those films. If there's one thing you're probably not saying about any of those movies, it's probably "that was really funny!" That's not to say there aren't some fun or light moments in those films, but they are used as valves to release tension from pretty grim or serious scenarios. David Ayer can get some really great dramatic performances out of people, and that can be seen in Suicide Squad at times. With that being said, the film's tone seems completely unbalanced. There just doesn't seem to be a commitment of whether or not this film is supposed to be fun or not. Not saying you can't have both, but if you're going to, you better succeed.

The Villain(s)

Yikes. The film is completely based on collecting the most dangerous people in the world, in order to fight something worse than them: cool. What Suicide Squad provides in terms of antagonist(s) is/are supremely underwhelming. There are some twists that could have been interesting, but at the end of the day I found myself saying "Really? That looks dumb. Who cares?"

The Pacing

What makes Suicide Squad so underwhelming isn't any of the individual pieces. There weren't actually that many "bad" things on film. The problem is that not many of the pieces fit together to make a cohesive movie. Parts start and then they stop, then something else starts and then stops. It's like a driver's ed student learning how to break effectively and accelerate efficiently. It's not that this film, and what was captured couldn't work, it just doesn't. Another set of eyes in the editing room could have made this film work really well. It's a shame that it didn't come together on the cutting room floor, because if it had, this could have easily been a much better movie.

So there you have it. Some of the best and worst things about Suicide Squad. It's not the dumpster-fire that some claim it to be, but it does fail to live up to the recent hype surrounding the film. 

Did you see Suicide Squad? Let us know what we missed and tell us know what you think below! 

Rock & Roll Inductees HEART Coming to The Convo in October

Jonesboro, AR – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees Ann and Nancy Wilson first showed the world that women can rock when their band, HEART, stormed the charts in the ‘70’s with this like “Crazy on You,” “Magic Man,” “Barracuda,” “Straight On,” and so many more.  Not only did the Wilson sisters lead the band, they wrote the songs and played the instruments too, making them the first women in rock to do so.  Heart continued topping the charts through the ‘80’s and ‘90’s with huge hits like “These Dreams,” “Alone,” “What About Love,” “If Looks Could Kill,” “Never,” and a string of other hits that showcased the sisters’ enormous talents as musicians and singers.

The famed duo have done it again by releasing a new album, Beautiful Broken, in January 2016 and are touring in support of that album.  They are coming to Jonesboro to perform at the Convocation Center on October 18 at 7:30.  An “Evening with HEART” tickets will go on sale Friday, August 5 at 10:00 a.m.  

As individuals, the sisters have also achieved significant success.  Ann sang on songs that were both chart successes and motion picture themes, like “Almost Paradise” from Footloose, “Best Man in the World” from Goldenchild, and “Surrender to Me” from Tequila Sunrise, while Nancy composed and performed the scores to a half dozen motion pictures including the award winning Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous.

Along the way, music by Ann and Nancy Wilson and their band Heart sold more than 35 million albums, sold out arenas worldwide, and found their way into the soundtrack of American life through radio, motion pictures, television, and associations with branded sponsors.  Today, songs made famous by Heart are heard in every aspect of contemporary culture.

Tickets will go on sale on Friday, August 5th at 10:00 a.m. and can be purchased in person at the Convocation Center Central Box Office.   You can also order by calling 870-972-2781 or 800-745-3000 or on-line at Ticketmaster.com.  For more information about this show go to AStateConvo.com

Cards Purchase Veteran Pitcher Jerome Williams; Mike Mayers Optioned to Memphis (AAA)

ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 25, 2016 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to tonight’s series opener in New York that they have purchased veteran right-handed pitcher Jerome Williams from Memphis (AAA). 

In order to make room for Williams on its 40-man Major League roster, the Cardinals have transferred right-handed pitcher Jordan Walden (right shoulder) to the 60-day disabled list.   The team optioned rookie pitcher Mike Mayers to Memphis following last night’s game.

Williams, 34, was signed by the Cardinals to a minor league contract in June.  He was 5-3 with a 4.89 ERA in nine starts (57.0 IP) for the Triple-A Redbirds, allowing just 15 walks while fanning 34.

The 6-3, 260-pound Williams is a veteran of 10 seasons in the majors with a career mark of 52-66, 4.57 ERA in 225 games (149 games started).   He was 4-12 in 33 games (21 starts) for Philadelphia last season.

Williams, a native of Hawaii, was the San Francisco Giants 1st round draft pick in 1999.  He debuted with San Francisco in 2003 and has had career stints with the Giants (2003-05), Chicago Cubs (2005-06), Washington (2007), Los Angeles Angels (2011-13), Houston (2014), Texas (2014) and Philadelphia (2014-15).  Williams pitched in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in 2010.

Williams has been assigned uniform no. 38.

Dierks Bentley: Somewhere On A Beach Tour is Coming to Jonesboro

Jonesboro, AR-  Dierks Bentley: Somewhere On A Beach Tour is coming to the Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas on October 20th with special guests Randy Houser and Drake White and the Big Fire!

Bentley, released his eighth studio album Black earlier this year and the album’s lead single, “Somewhere on a Beach.”

“This album is about all phases of a relationship, including the breakups,” Bentley says in a press release. ”’Beach’ is a pretty blunt take on that wild rebound we’ve all had or maybe imagined having. The carefree attitude is exactly the spirit we wanted to bring out on the road this year.”

“I’ve toured with Randy before, and he’s just a great dude — on stage and backstage,” he adds.

Tickets for this show will go on-sale Friday July 29 at 10:00 a.m.  To purchase tickets in person go to the Convocation Center Central Box Office, order by phone at 870-972-2781 or 800-745-3000, or online at Ticketmaster.com. For more information regarding this show go to AStateConvo.com 

First Footage of the New "Justice League" Film

San Diego Comic Con is in full swing. That means exclusive and not-so-exclusive looks at some of the most anticipated films for the next year or two. One of the films that we were really excited to see more from was the new "Justice League" film. After a less-than-stellar, but more than decent "Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice," fans have been wondering if we would be seeing the DC cinematic universe take a different direction tonally. Luckily, Warner Bros. have released the Comic-Con footage for the world to see, and it can be found below.

Share Your Fan Videos for a Chance to Meet Yadier Molina!!!

CARDINALS ANNOUNCE MOLINA #MADE4THEBEST FAN VIDEO CONTEST
Fans Encouraged to Share Videos for Chance to Meet Yadi on Field or Win One of a Dozen Molina Autographed Baseballs

ST. LOUIS, Mo., July 19, 2016 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced that they have launched the Yadier Molina #Made4TheBest Fan Video promotion to encourage fans to submit videos celebrating Molina or creatively communicating one or more of the values or themes underling Molina’s M4 apparel brand, which is available exclusively at the Official Cardinals Team Store at Busch Stadium.

“The Molina #Made4TheBest Fan Video Contest is one of the most exciting and rewarding #CardsFanFlix fan-engagement promotions we have launched,” said Ron Watermon, Vice-President of Communications for the St. Louis Cardinals. “In addition to providing a dozen valuable prizes that any fan who participates can win, this contest is a wonderful opportunity for all of our loyal fans to engage with and celebrate one of our most beloved and admired players, Yadier Molina.”

The fan that creates the best video will win the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet Molina on the field at Busch Stadium on Saturday, October 1st, as well as enjoy the game as a VIP with three friends in the President’s Box. What is more, a dozen fans who participate in the video contest will receive a Yadier Molina #Made4TheBest autographed baseball as part of Molina’s #Made4TheBest Mondays, a random drawing from the pool of video contest participants which will take place each Monday from July 25 – October 3.

To participate in the contest, fans are asked to post a video, in English or Spanish, that is two minutes in length or less that creatively celebrates Yadier Molina, demonstrates that they are the ultimate Yadi fan, or conveys one or more of the values and themes behind M4 - #Made4TheBest (being legendary in your own way, giving back, having fun, making a difference, being bold, being unique, living your passion, embracing life, being strong, showing courage and having discipline). Each Monday, one lucky fan who submitted a video, will win a baseball autographed by Yadi, with “#Made4TheBest” also inscribed on the ball by Molina. The contest runs through Monday, September 26. Fans can find out more about the contest, the M4 apparel line, view videos submitted by other fans and submit their entry at www.cardinals.com/yadi. Fans can also pick up a number of exclusive M4 apparel items at the Official Cardinals Team Store at Busch Stadium. 

The Molina #Made4TheBest Video Contest is one of several #CardsFanFlix fan engagement initiatives the St. Louis Cardinals have undertaken to encourage fans to create videos that celebrate the team. Over the last two seasons, hundreds of fans have collectively participated in the various #CardsFanFlix video engagement promotions which included two Ultimate Fan Video Contests, the High School Video Challenge, Take Me Out to the Ballgame Music Video contest, the 2015 All-Star Video the Vote promotion, the Ultimate Fan Broadcaster Contest, Greatest Postseason Moments Contest, #12inStL Fan Video Rally, and the team's 2015 season-long celebration of Red Schoendienst's incredible 70+ years in major league baseball, #LoveRed2.

The Cardinals are also currently sponsoring #STLisLou, a season-long celebration of Lou Brock and the St. Louis community that is also raising money to help children with diabetes, as well as the ongoing promotion #PlayBallLikeACardinal, a youth-focused video engagement initiative that is inspired by Commissioner Rob Manfred’s directive to encourage MLB teams to work to get more kids to play baseball.

Through the #CardsFanFlix fan engagement initiative, the St. Louis Cardinals hope to tap into the increasing trend of user-generated video content made possible by advances with mobile technology and social media. In light of the growing importance that digital content, online video, social media and mobile based entertainment play in growing the St. Louis Cardinals’ digital community, the team routinely recognizes fans for their extraordinary achievement in digitally promoting the team by awarding the Cardinals’ For Really Entertaining Digital Award (#CardsFREDaward). Fans can check out FRED award winners and nominate themselves or others at www.cardinals.com/FREDawards, and they can learn more about #CardsFanFlix and view fan created videos at www.cardinals.com/fanflix. Fans can join the conversation with #CardsFanFlix and #Made4TheBest. For more information about the Molina #Made4TheBest Video Contest, visit cardinals.com/yadi.

–STL– 

10 Reasons You Should Watch Netflix's Stranger Things

The new Netflix original series Stranger Things has probably come up on your queue once or twice, but if you're like me, you always skip past it to get to your go-to Netflix shows or movies. Even when I considered watching it, the description was so vague, that it didn't really spark my interest. Over the past few days though, it seems that I have been getting my social media feed bombarded with praises for this show. So, I took the plunge yesterday, and didn't return to the surface until I had binged watched the entire season within the same day.

Stranger Things  could be Netflix's best bit of original programming ever, and here are 10 reasons why you should dive in, and join the rest of us who have already taken the plunge.

10: The 80's

A lot of times films or shows set in the 80's only tread into the shallow end of references to the era. It's typically used to strike the nostalgia bone of audience members, but that's as far as it typically goes. While Stranger Things points to and references pop culture from the era, the fashion, music, film, and technology play a huge part in setting the tone, and also become major plot devices.

9: The References

I know. I just used shallow references to films from the era as a knock against other era films or shows, so how does Stranger Things use them differently. Often times the references to a particular film, book, or song reveal a lot of the underlying story or overarching theme of that particular episode or scene. The cheesy pop hits become quite funny and oddly appropriate when used in the context of being hunted by a monster.

8: The Music

Speaking of cheesy pop hits, all of the music is actually quite brilliant. The synth-heavy score helps add tension and dread, but at the same time feels really cool. If you're a fan of the soundtracks for Drive and The Guest, you will be in for a treat.

7: The Tropes

There's always a bad-boy looking to steal the innocence of the smart girl. There's always well intentioned, but completely oblivious parents. There's always a bully. There's always someone for the bully to bully. There's always the "fat" kid.

Yeah, Stranger Things has all of these classic 80's movie tropes, and doesn't shy away from them. At the same time, it does manage to dig a little deeper to prevent these characters from being one dimensional. Well, at least for your primary characters. The show really succeeds at making you unsure of how you are supposed to feel about certain characters. The particular standouts are the bad-boy boyfriend, and the loose cannon policeman. 

6: It feels like a modern E.T. / The Goonies

The coolest thing about Stranger Things and movies like Super 8 and The Guest, is that these were all created by people who grew up loving Steven Spielberg and John Carpenter. The inspirations are clear, and while some would call these stolen elements derivative, I'm sort of happy that they exist. In a world that is constantly trying to follow the current Marvel model and establishing franchises, it's nice to see some artists creating pieces that honor what got them interested in film and television in the first place. What does that mean for us, the audience? With Stranger Things, we are getting genre bending entertainment that could really be a genre of its own. The Goonies and E.T. did an excellent job of blending horror, drama, comedy, and coming of age tales together. In Stranger Things, we get all of that, but the horror and drama can go even darker. I really enjoyed Super 8 back in 2011, but Stranger Things might be an even more successful love letter to a particular era of film.

5: The Science Fiction

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It's a great time to be a nerd. You have your high fantasy fix in Game of Thrones. You can get your zombie fix with The Walking Dead. Star Wars and Star Trek are back in a big way, and superheroes rule the box office and television ratings. With all of these science-fiction elements infused with all of our favorite films and television shows, you think that we would be all sci-fi'd out by now. While Stranger Things might not do anything completely original, it does those things extremely well. It doesn't share a lot in common with Doctor Who in terms of content, but Stranger Things does share a tone of playfulness in the face of dire circumstances. It should also appeal to you conspiracy theorists and fans of Lost.

4: The Mystery

I started watching Stranger Things yesterday at 12:00 p.m. and had finished the entire season before 10 p.m. the same day. I needed to know what was going to happen next. The show rolls out information at a very satisfying pace. While some of the twists and turns can be a bit predictable or unoriginal, the way in which the shows achieve those reveals kept me hooked. The season doesn't quite have cliffhangers at the end, but it leaves a lot open for the future. With that being said, the season's mysteries all payoff pretty well, and have some sort of way to close this chapter of the story effectively. I desperately want season 2, but would also be satisfied if this was a standalone story.

3: The Feels

I cried a lot during my watching of Stranger Things. Though, pretty much everything makes me cry. There are some incredibly moving moments in the show. While I didn't have a crying fit at any point in the season, there were multiple moments where the show unloads tear jerking line or event, and then builds off of that for an extended teary-eyed experience. Some of the conflict feels out of place or forced, but for the most part the cast does an excellent job of forcing you to empathize for the characters. There are even a few times that you will be crying from a sad moment, but before you even get to dry your tears, a moment so uplifting will happen that may cause tears of joy. 

2: Winona Ryder's Tears

Speaking of feels, we have to give a lot of credit to Winona Ryder. Her charters "descent into madness" is portrayed wonderfully. As an audience, we probably know that she isn't completely crazy, but we understand why other characters might think so. I doubt that there is an episode in this first season where Winona Ryder isn't crying through the majority of it. Her stellar performance will surely surprise everyone; from the generation that knows her as the sweetheart from the 80's, to those who know her from Mr. Deeds, to those who know her from her shoplifting incident, and those who have never heard of her or seen her before. I'm not sure if the performance is Emmy worthy, but she should at least be part of the conversation.

1: The Kids

I don't take this lightly, and for those who know me, this is a big deal: Stranger Things has the best ensemble of kids on a television show since the kids from season 4 of The Wire. While their stories may not be as dark or as deep, we find ourselves falling in love with these kids and just hope for the best for them. They're an excellent reminder that there isn't an age minimum for being courageous and loyal. It's not hard to see yourself as one of these kids, and the ultimate sense of nostalgia isn't remembering pop culture from the 80's, but remembering that innocence and sense of wonder. Each kid plays their roll incredibly, but Millie Bobby Brown, who plays a character named Eleven, has the potential to be a huge star.

 

Well, there you have it. My 10 reasons for why you should check out Stranger Things. After you check it out, let me know what you think. Comment or tweet me @NicoSaysThings!

2016 Optimist Soccer League Registration Opens

The Poplar Bluff Optimist Soccer League is accepting registrations for youth who will be 4 years old by July 31, 2016 through age 14 as of July 31, 2016. Forms are available at the Poplar Bluff Parks and Recreation Office located at 430 North Second Street. Forms are also available online at pbosl.com or at www.poplarbluff-mo.gov/242/announcements-and-new-information. An open registration will be held on Saturday, August 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Whiteley Park. Early registration fee is $20 if received on or before August 20, 2016. Late registration fee is $25 if received after August 20, 2016. Registrations will not be accepted after August 29, 2016. Completed forms and payment may be mailed to Optimist Soccer League, P.O. Box 1364, Poplar Bluff, MO 63902 or dropped off at the Poplar Bluff Park Department. There are opportunities for coaching and sponsorship. Sponsor fee is $225. The coach's forms are available online also.

for more information, contact Soccer Commissioner Stacy Barker at 718-5289

Looming Threat of Rain Forces Briggs & Stratton to Reschedule Poplar Bluff Independence Day Festivities

With a high percentage chance of rain over the Fourth of July Weekend, Briggs & Stratton has decided to reschedule the Independence Day fireworks display to July 8, at dusk, and the Fourth of July Parade until July 9, with the line-up at 8 a.m. and parade beginning at 9 p.m.

The parade line-up will take place at Hydro Adventures in Poplar Bluff.

We will continue to update this post as news comes in.

[Per Penny McGath]

What You Should Watch While You Wait for the Next Game of Thrones Season

Season 6 of Game of Thrones ended with a bang, and now there you sit, with no idea what to do with the next year. Well luckily for you, we've compiled a list of great TV shows that you can binge watch right now!

Mr. Robot | Amazon Prime

Mr. Robot is launching its second season in July on the USA network, and it is absolutely the best show that no one seems to be talking about. Cerebral, provocative, and amazingly performed, the first season of Mr. Robot is just as compelling as AMC's big hitters and Game of Thrones. It is only a matter of time until the world is talking about how amazing actor Rami Malek truly is. The stellar writing pulls you into the show so much, that in its beginning moments you realize that we, the audience, are actually characters in the show itself. "What? That doesn't make sense." Oh, but it does, and in such a beautiful fashion. For those of you who like to develop theories, look no further. We are also getting a live talk show following each episode of season 2 as well!

Doctor Who | Amazon Prime

We know what you might be thinking, "Doctor Who is too nerdy of a show for me." Sorry to break it to you, but if you've made it this far into Game of Thrones and know who owns what sword and what that sword is made of, and how many kinds of those swords exist in the world, YOU ARE AS NERDY AS IT GETS. Doctor Who is one of the longest running shows, and for good reason. It has all of the twists and turns that you enjoy in Game of Thrones, without taking itself quite as seriously. That's not to say there aren't some extremely emotional moments, but the humor is consistent. We suggest that you start at the "fifth season" with Matt Smith and continue moving closer to recent episodes. Once you have fallen in love with the universe established in the show, it will be easier to overlook the dip in production value in earlier seasons. 

Sherlock | Netflix

Another British show? You bet! We have to admit that this won't take up too much of your time, though. Sherlock would probably fall into the mini-series category instead of your standard television show. Each "season" contains three episodes, but with the third season having an additional Christmas special. Each episode lasts about 90 minutes, and while there is an overarching story, each episode does feel like its own film. If you enjoyed the Sherlock Holmes films staring Robert Downey Jr., you are more than likely going to love this modern telling of the great detective. 

After the Thrones | HBO Now

If you didn't know, Game of Thrones has a talk show following each episode, and it's actually pretty good. With it only having started this past season, there are still some clumsy transitions from segment to segment, but it is a really great place to get your Game of Thrones fix, especially if you don't have a group of friends to discuss the show with. They often mention a few things that you might not realize after an initial watch, and can help you connect the dots pretty nicely. Game of Thrones lore can be overwhelming at times, so it's nice to know that HBO is providing a show that should assist its fans.

The Wire | HBO Now and Amazon Prime

Did you really think we were not going to mention The Wire? It's definitely not a show for everyone, but it is arguably one of the best shows of all time. Much like Game of Thrones, the lingo and characters can be hard to keep up with from time-to-time. The show is a tangled web that may be intimidating to some, and just plain boring to others, but very rewarding to those who power through. For you Game of Thrones fans, Little Finger becomes a very important character to The Wire come season 3, and you'll be glad to hear that he is not a complete creep here. If this wasn't enough to convince you, we had a podcast discussing the show at length.

This is just a short list of shows that you can check out while you wait for Season 7 of Game of Thrones. Let us know in the comments bellow if there are other shows that Game of Thrones fans should watch during this waiting period!

Rascall Flatts Coming to Jonesboro in September

Jonesboro, AR- Country music’s super group Rascal Flatts will be in Jonesboro, Arkansas on September 22 at 7:30 p.m.

 Since their musical debut in 2000, Rascal Flatts has over 22.5 million albums sold and over 28 million digital downloads and delivered 16 #1 singles to the top of the charts.  Rascal Flatts is the most awarded Country group of the past decade, earning over 40 trophies from the ACAs, ACMs, AMAs, CMAs, People’s Choice Awards and more. As one of the hottest-selling acts on tour in any genre, they’ve sold over 7 million concert tickets, and counting.

This year’s summer tour, the Rhythm and Roots Tour, will continue into the fall with new dates.  The Jonesboro show is one of the dates added to the tour and it is a performance the band is having fun with.  “It’s really important to us that each year our shows are fresh and exciting for our fans,” band member Jay DeMarcus said in a statement announcing the tour. “We put a lot of thought into how to do that this year, and mixing it up in Vegas was really fun, so we decided to continue with this new change of pace out on the road this summer. We are so pumped because no one has ever seen Rascal Flatts like this before.”

Joining Rascal Flatts in Jonesboro is Chase Bryant. Music defines Chase Bryant.  At every level and in often unexpected ways, his truths are expressed in melody, lyrics, hooks and sounds… but his reality goes even deeper than that.  Bryant’s heritage is defined by music.  His upbringing, his craft, his inspiration and his obsessions are all centered in the same – which is good – because there’s no other way to explain how a 23-year-old Texan could already be a top-flight guitar player, head-turning songwriter, RED BOW recording artist and co-producer of his debut album.

 Tickets for this exciting night of entertainment will go on-sale Friday June 24 at 10:00 a.m.  To purchase tickets in person go to the Convocation Center Central Box Office, order by phone at 870-972-2781 or 800-745-3000, or online at Ticketmaster.com. For more information regarding this show go to AStateConvo.com  

# # # 

RASCAL FLATTS

September 22 @ 7:30 PM

Doors: 6:30 PM

Ticket Prices: $73.50, $63.50, $53.50 & $43.50

*Plus Applicable Service Fees*

TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 24 @ 10 AM

 

With Special Guest Chase Bryant

 

Tickets are available at the Convocation Center Central Box Office,

charge by phone at 870-972-2781 or 800-745-3000, and online at

www.Tickets.AState.edu or www.Ticketmaster.com 

Puxico School Beta Clubs Present Bryan White

Puxico High School will be hosting a concert featuring country recording artist Bryan White on June 6th at 7pm to help the Puxico Beta Club go to nationals.

Puxico Beta Club has two young men running for president of Beta club and Junior Beta Club in New Orleans.

 For more info call Tracy Robison, director of beta club at Puxico schools, at 573-222-3107

or Kyle Dare in the superintendent's office at 573-222-3762.

Relay For Life of Butler County Team Captain Kick-Off & Packet Pick-Up

Thursday, June 2, 2016
Drop-In from 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
The Bread Company, Poplar Bluff

Help us kick off 2016 Relay For Life of Butler County, Drop by and learn how to get your team get started!

Relay For Life Teams assist in aiding cancer patient's needs in Butler County and contributing to cancer research to Find a CURE!

WE NEED YOU!

We "Relay" hope you can join us to learn more about how you can get involved in the Fight against cancer. This is an opportunity to pick up everything you need for your team to Paint your World in 2016!

For more information: Please contact Community Manager,
Shanna Hayes @ 573-718-3746 or shanna.hayes@cancer.org

http://relayforlife.org/butlerpoplarbluffmo

Budweiser Clydesdales Coming to Poplar Bluff in June 2016

UPDATE (May 27, 2016): We now have the complete schedule of where to find the Budweiser Clydesdales when they come to our area. 

• Monday –  June 6, 2016 : Arrive in Poplar Bluff, MO. 
No Budweiser Clydesdales activity scheduled on arrival day.

• Tuesday –  June 7, 2016: “Meet the Budweiser Clydesdales Crew” Promotion
Location:   Castello’s Restaurant/Holiday Inn, Hwy 67 N. Poplar Bluff, MO Time: 6:30pm-8:00pm

• Wednesday-June 8, 2016: Budweiser Clydesdales eight-horse hitch authentic beer delivery
Start: Buffalo Wild Wings, Hwy 67 N. Poplar Bluff, MO. Stop: Budweiser Clydesdales will make a special visit to the VA Hospital to honor our VeteransEnd: Poplar Bluff Square-Las Margaritas parking lot . Time: 5:30-7:30pm.

• Thursday - June 9, 2016:  Private Event-No Budweiser Clydesdales activity scheduled.

• Friday –     June 10, 2016: Budweiser Clydesdales eight-horse hitch on parade.
Start:  Veterans Memorial Wall, Black River ColiseumStop: Poplar Bluff Library ”100th Anniversary” and Sacred Heart Church “125th Anniversary” End:  Black River Coliseum Time: 3:00-5:00pm.

• Saturday- June 11, 2016: Budweiser Clydesdales eight-horse hitch on parade Wappapello Lake75th Anniversary
Start: Redman Creek Area Stop: Bill Emerson Memorial Visitor Center Stop: Gate House End: Budweiser Clydesdales parade across Wappapello Lake dam. Time: 12:00-2:00pm.

• Sunday– June 12, 2016: Budweiser Clydesdales eight-horse hitch on parade
Start: Wal-Mart Neighborhood MarketStop: Three Rivers College West entrance “50th Anniversary” End: Harps Grocery Location: Shelby Road, Poplar Bluff, MO Time: 1:00-3:00 pm.

•Schedule dates and times subject to change

 

UPDATE (May 13, 2016): According to Budweiser.com, the Budweiser Clydesdales will be coming to the Poplar Bluff area from June 7 - June 12, instead of the original dates scheduled from June 3 - June 7.

Original Story (April 14, 2016): The world-famous Anheuser-Busch, Budweiser Clydesdales are coming to the Poplar Bluff area on June 3-7, 2016, to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Wappapello Lake. You, your friends, and your family will have an opportunity to see, meet, and take pictures with the iconic "living legends" as well as experience the Clydesdales Mobile Stable.

“Meet the Clydesdales and experience their legacy like never before! Learn their history, discover the tradition, and test your skills at this one-of-a-kind exhibit.

First introduced in 1933 after the repeal of Prohibition, the Clydesdales have served as a living symbol of not just Budweiser, but the unconquerable American spirit as well for over 80 years.
Famous worldwide for their appearances in parades, television broadcasts and even Presidential inaugurations, they’re now set to make their most important appearance yet – the one with you!”
— Budweiser.com

We are still waiting for more details to come in, so be sure to return to foxradionetwork.com to find out more information regarding this event and more.

Source: [Budweiser.com]

Win Tickets to See Boston and Blue Oyster Cult

Boston is celebrating their 40th Anniversary in 2016, and we want to celebrate with you by sending you to the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri with two free tickets on Friday, June 3, 2016!!!

All you have to do is visit our Facebook page, share this post, and comment bellow with your favorite Boston song.

We've got more than one pair to giveaway, so you've got a great chance to win! All winners must pick up tickets from our Poplar Bluff office.

Visit familyarena.com for more information about the event!

10 Things All Poplar Bluffians Know

While Poplar Bluff might not be the biggest town in the world, or have any world-famous landmarks; there are a couple of things that everyone who has spent a significant amount of time in Poplar Bluff knows about this cozy little place that we call home.

10. Lunch Traffic

It may not be difficult to get around town in the morning or late at night, but the traffic at lunch time will have you asking, "where did all of these people come from?!?" If you're trying to get from one side of town to the other for a quick lunch meeting, you might as well leave 10 - 30 minutes earlier.

9. Kids Crossing Westwood BLVD

Football season in Poplar Bluff has always been a blast, but also sort of dangerous. Thankfully, the Poplar Bluff Police Department has always done an excellent job of managing traffic and allowing Mules fans to cross back and forth between the First Baptist Church parking lot and the Poplar Bluff Junior High School. With that being said, you will have a few stragglers crossing the busy street during the game, so you Poplar Bluff drivers know to be on the lookout. 

Of course all of this will change with construction of the new high school football stadium well underway.

8. Nobody Drives the Speed Limit on PP Highway and Shelby Road

We do not condone breaking any laws of any sort, but let's be honest, if we had a dollar for every car that drives over 45 miles per hour on PP Highway and Shelby Road, we'd probably be able to payoff the cost of the new Poplar Bluff High School.

7. I know! I know, but His Name is Rocky Raider!!!

Three Rivers College's mascot does not look like any other fictional character. You'd be crazy to think he looks like anything that you have ever seen before. Why are you still watching cartoons anyways?

6. You know what your senior pictures need? Brick roads.

It never fails. Another year, another graduating class, and another flood of pictures taken on Downtown Poplar Bluff's famous brick roads. Don't worry though, you are more than welcome to take your prom pictures and engagement photos here too! 

5. Shorts on Tuesday, Snow on Thursday

The weather in Poplar Bluff, Missouri is so fickle. One day you will be struggling to breathe in 85 degrees with 99.999% humidity, and the next day you'll find yourself wearing shorts being bombarded by freezing rain.

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4. Before He was Psycho-T from UNC, He was Tyler from Poplar Bluff

Even for those in Poplar Bluff who don't pay attention to collegiate or professional basketball, we all know the name Tyler Hansbrough. Following his great high school career as a Mule, Tyler Hansbrough went on to being one of the greatest University of North Carolina Tar Heels EVER. It was there that he garnered national attention for what we already knew about his skill-set and hustle. Tyler was later drafted by the Indiana Pacers, played for the Toronto Raptors, and is currently back in North Carolina, playing for the Charolette Hornets. 

3. Don't take good Mexican Food for Granted

For a small town in Missouri, we have a spectacular selection of Mexican restaurants. For students who go away for college, eating at one of our many family owned Mexican restaurants is a must when returning home to visit the family.

Oh and Poplar Bluff really knows how to celebrate Cinco De Mayo.

2. The New Roundabout is the Best/Worst Thing to Ever Happen in PB

The intersection of Township Line and PP Highway has always been one of the most dangerous intersections to cross in the area, but now we have a new roundabout taking its place. You would think that this would make things better, and I have yet to see an accident happen... yet. I can't count how many times I have pulled up to the roundabout to see 1 of 3 things happen. 1: Drivers don't yield and just drive through. 2: Drivers never enter the roundabout. 3: Drivers stop WHILST INSIDE the roundabout to let others in.

1. The Scariest Place On Earth is the Poplar Bluff Square Parking Lot

We've all experienced it: you're going to have a lovely dinner with your friends at places like Colton's, Exotic Grill, or Las Margaritas, then you pull into the parking lot and it looks like a very uneventful demolition derby. In this parking lot, nobody appears to abide by any rules. Everyone might as well close their eyes and scream "GOOD LUCK" as they inch their cars closer and closer to the impending doom awaiting them. Okay, maybe it's not THAT bad, but next time you visit that parking lot, count how many cars you see driving through the parking spaces, cutting through the lot at an angle, or see cars driving on the "wrong side." That parking lot is the last remaining remnants of the wild west.

Written by Nico Cuevas. 
You can listen to Nico's ridiculous ramblings on his podcast Nico Says Things.
You can also follow him on Twitter @NicoSaysThings