Matt Markgraf

Behold the Kingda Ka, the tallest roller-coaster in the world, the second fastest, and the second strata (extremely terrifying) coaster. The coaster launches to 128 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds, climbs up 456 feet into the air, and whips around a 3,118 foot-long track. It's at the Six Flags in New Jersey... if you're brave enough.

It’s Tuesday, May 21

The Music Department of the Murray Woman's Club hosts "Red, White and Belue," an evening of dinner and entertainment, starting tonight at 6 at the clubhouse. Featured entertainers include the MWC Chorus, By Grace, and Ted Franklin Belue. Proceeds go to scholarships. For ticket availability call Bobbie at 759-4578.

On this day in 1873, San Francisco businessman (and one-time Kentucky resident) Levi Strauss and tailor Jacob Davis received a patent to make riveted work pants out of denim, the first blue jeans. Still a family-owned business, Levi Strauss & Co. employs over 16,000 people and has an annual revenue of $4.4 billion.

It’s Monday, May 20

Alzheimer’s Association Education Coordinator Helene French provides training on Activities and Home Safety tomorrow morning at 10 at the Pennyrile Area Development District office in Hopkinsville. For more information and to register, contact James Patterson at 886-9484.

There have certainly been no shortage of political scandals in Washington, but there has only been one that led to the resignation of a US President. Beginning on this day in 1973, major television networks took turns airing the hearings, starting with ABC. An estimated 85% of Americans tuned in to at least one hearing.

It’s Friday, May 17

There’s a free youth baseball clinic at Brooks Stadium in Paducah on Sunday for kids ages 6-16. Kids can get tips on hitting, throwing, and fielding. The first 100 participants get free T-shirts. Registration begins at noon with the clinic starting at 1.

On this day in 1868, the US Senate failed to convict President Andrew Johnson by one vote. The primary charge was that Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act by removing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. He was later acquitted. The Act was repealed in 1887. 

It’s Thursday, May 16

Hopkinsville native and Georgetown College student Brendan Jones gives a brief concert on the historic Estey pipe organ at Grace Episcopal Church in Hopkinsville tomorrow at noon. The public is invited to attend.

Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion: 1. Planets move in ellipses with the Sun at one focus. 2. The radius vector describes equal areas in equal times. 3. The squares of the periodic times are to each other as the cubes of the mean distances. Kepler's Third Law would lead Newton to his law of gravitation (not an apple).

It’s Wednesday, May 15

The Calloway County Public Library hosts New York-based classical guitarist Peter Fletcher tomorrow evening at 6:30 in the library meeting room. The concert is free of charge and the public is invited to attend. For more information call 753-2288 or visit callowaycountylibrary.org.

NBC sitcom Seinfeld aired its last episode on this day in 1998, reaching an audience of 76 million viewers, making it the third most viewed finale. During the show, TV Land just posted a still that read "Gone watching Seinfeld - Back in 60 minutes."

It’s Tuesday, May 14 Murray State University offers a four-week workshop for adults with hearing loss. Audiologist Susan Brown leads the workshop, which helps participants with hearing loss and the person with whom they communicate the most learn techniques for improving difficult listening situations. Classes meet Tuesday mornings in June. To register, call 809-6821.

Ben Carlin was the first (and only) person to circumnavigate the globe in an amphibious vehicle. It began as a honeymoon idea: to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a Ford GPA. He and his wife Elinore launched from Montreal, and traveled 11,000 miles by sea and 39,000 miles by land over a ten-year span. Elinore left him in Australia.

It’s Monday, May 13

The Alzheimer's Support Group holds a regular monthly meeting tomorrow morning at 10 at the Pennyrile Area Development District office in Hopkinsville. For more information, contact James Patterson at (270) 886-9484.

We continue our occasional series previewing good reads for young adults from Katherine Farmer, Coordinator of the Racers Children's Preview Collection at Murray State University. This week's recommended read is The White Bicycle, by Beverly Brenna, a 2013 Printz Honor coming-of-age adventure told from the perspective of Taylor Jane, a young woman with Asperger's Syndrome. Booklist calls this story, for ages 14 to 17, a "finespun gem" that would be "a shame" to miss. 

"The GOP: Seize the Center or Die?"

Airdate: May 14, Noon

2012 was a disappointing year for Republicans. The failure to win key swing states in the presidential election and surprising losses in the House and Senate have prompted some reflection. Was their embrace of small government, low taxes, and a strong conservative stance on social issues at odds with shifting American demographics? Or did the GOP embrace the right platform, but the wrong candidates?

Panelists: