Here's Raw Material For Your Weekend Plans

November 17-20, 2016

After the Fall - Mason City Community Theatre 215 S Delaware (641-424-6424). Box office open 1-5pm weekdays. Show times Thursday-Saturday 7pm; Sunday 2pm. A man confides in a friend, in the background are key figures in his life, and they move in and out of narrative. They bring the tortured image of his mother's death and of his mother's fury with his father. These intertwining images bring back the memories of inquisition when men were asked to name names of those who had joined with them in a communism that they mistook for a better future…

November 18, 2016

Indoors Farmers Market - Willlowbrook Mall, 1631 4^th St. SW (641-424-4002). 10am-2pm, baked goods, frozen berries, rugs, jewelry, potholders, honey, eggs, homemade cleaners and more! For questions call Glenys Scloemer 641-530-0837

November 18, 2016

FAME : The Musical - NIACC Auditorium, 500 College Drive (641-422-4188).  The Musical is a full-throttle journey traversing the struggles, fears, and triumphs of young artist navigating the worlds of dance, music, and theatre. Show  at 7:30.  Call/ order online for tickets at www.niacc.edu/boxoffice

November 18, 2016

Molly Hatchet- Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr., Clear Lake (641-357-6151). Southern Rock music filled with style and emotion, such as the Allman Brothers, Lynyrd Skynyrd and a band from Jacksonville, Florida called Molly Hatchet. Tickets: $20 advanced/ $25 at the door. Doors open at 8pm.

November 18, 2016

Holiday Premier of It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas - The Music Man Square, 308 S. Pennsylvania Ave. (641-424-2852).  Share in the holiday spirit as friends and neighbors gather at The Music Man Square from 5-8pm to experience the nostalgia and warm memories of Christmases past. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the season as you stroll the 1912 Streetscape adorned with vintage animated window displays, decor and holiday music. The culinary staff from Hy-Vee East will provide samples from an abundance of savory appetizers, artisan pastries, flavorful cheeses and fancy desserts, paired with tastings of your favorite wine choices. Tickets $50 per person.

November 19, 2016

Holiday Extravaganza - Willlowbrook Mall, 1631 4^th St. SW (641-424-4002). Style show -features styles from Brown's shoes, Tried & True, Emerson's at the Willow and Saxony - starts at 1pm. For questions call Glenys Scloemer 641-530-0837

November 19, 2016

ART ON THE PLAZA 1 Year Anniversary Open House - Art on the Plaza, 11 S. Federal, downtown Mason City.  From 10am-4pm Art on the PLAZA, will host an open house to celebrate our first year anniversary! Please join us for beverages and snacks and a chance to visit with the artist! We look forward to seeing you.

November 19, 2016

Whimsical Christmas Painting - Charles H. MacNider Art Museum, 302 2^nd St. SE (641-421-3666). Get imaginative for this acrylic on canvas class. Paint a whimsical Christmas theme you will be proud to have in your home. Holiday treats will be provided. Class time: 1pm-4pm. Cost: $30 public/ $27 members.

November 19, 2016
Toys For Tots Collection With Santa Claus – Cannonball 457, East State Street (East Park) (641-423-5328), 1-3pm.

November 19, 2016

Neal McCoy - Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr., Clear Lake (641-357-6151).  Enjoy country hits such as 'No Doubt About it', 'The Luckiest Man in the World', 'Billy's Got His Beer Goggles On' and more. Tickets: $20 advance/$25 at the door. Doors open at 8pm.

November 19, 2016

Origami Class- Wright on the Park, 17 S. Federal Ave. (phone). Students ages 5-12 are invited to an origami class from 1-4pm. The event is FREE and materials are provided. Joanne Hardinger member of the WOTP education committee, will lead the Japanese Paper folding activities.

November 19, 2016
Roller Derby- River City Dames of Anarchy vs. Harbor City from Duluth, North Iowa Events Center- All Seasons Building, 3700 4^th St SW (641-494-4831) Doors open at 6pm with play beginning at 7pm. Tickets:  $12 per person.

November 20, 2016

KCMR Annual Christmas Concert – NIACC Auditorium, 500 College Drive (641-424-9300)
28^th Annual concert promises to be “An Old Fashioned Christmas”. Toni Timmer &  The Iowa Andrews Sisters headline along with an all-star cast of singers. Concert will be at 2 pm and is a wonderful North Iowa beginning to this special season. Early bird discount tickets are $15. www.kcmrfm.com

November 20, 2016

Soup for Paws -  Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N Pennsylvania Ave (641-423-0536). Patriots for Pets supper is from 5pm to 7pm free will donation with proceeds going to medical bills for the animals.

November 22, 2016

Fall Instrumental Band Concert – NIACC Auditorium, 500 College Drive (641-422-4188) North Iowa Concert Band will perform their Fall Concert, under the direction of John Klemas.  Show begins at 7:30PM with reception following. Admission: $5 adults/ Students Free

Here's What's Going On Around Here!

November 11-13, 2016

After the Fall - Mason City Community Theatre 215 S Delaware (641-424-6424). Box office open 1-5pm weekdays. Show times Thursday-Saturday 7pm; Sunday 2pm. A man confides in a friend, in the background are key figures in his life, and they move in and out of narrative. They bring the tortured image of his mother's death and of his mother's fury with his father. These intertwining images bring back the memories of inquisition when men were asked to name names of those who had joined with them in a communism that they mistook for a better future…

November 11, 2016

BJ Huffman – Mason City Brewing, 28 E. State Street (641-423-1080). Enjoy live music – starting at 8pm.

November 11, 2016

Live Music - Lorados, 18 S. Federal Ave. 'Six Pool' starts at 9pm.

November 11-12, 2016

In-Home Business & Craft Show - Willlowbrook Mall, 1631 4^th St. SW (641-424-4002). Friday: 9am-5pm, Saturday 9am-3pm. For questions call Glenys Scloemer 641-530-0837

November 11, 2016

The River & The Thread: Rosanne Cash with John Leventhal - NIACC Auditorium, 500 College Drive (641-422-4188). Singer/songwriter Cash and musical director, guitarist and husband Leventhal will perform a highly-acclaimed and three-time Grammy® winning album, 'The River & The Thread'. It is a collection of original songs that connect and reconnect Cash to the American South, the place of her birth and the home of her ancestors. Show begins at 7:30. Tickets start at $20.  Call or order online for tickets at www.niacc.edu/boxoffice

November 12, 2016

Live Music – Kristy Neidlinger – FION BISTRO, 107 S. Delaware Ave. (641-529-7645)

November 12, 2016

Wine Tasting Fundraiser - Bolan Schoolhouse & Cultural Center, 4206 Tulip lane, Kensett, Iowa. The Bolan Schoolhouse will host a Wine Tasting Fundraiser from 1 to 4pm. For a $12 donation attendees can enjoy wine samples, snacks and appetizers and musical entertainment of Betsy and Tom of Betty & the Gents. There will be a large variety of Iowa wines to taste.

November 12, 2016

Flash Back - VFW 1733 1603 S. Monroe Ave. Enjoy a spaghetti supper starting at 4:30pm and live music from 7pm-11pm  with 'Flash Back'.

November 12, 2016

Little River Band - Surf Ballroom, 460 N Shore Dr., Clear Lake (641-357-6151). A blend of musicians performing great vocals of the '70's & 80's. Little River Band is considered to be one of Australia's most significant bands. 

Tickets: $25 advanced/ $30 at the door. Doors open at 8pm.

November 12, 2016

MacNider Anniversary Film - MacNider Art Museum 302 2^nd St. SE (641-421-3666).  A film celebrating the MacNider Museum's 50^th anniversary will be shown at 10am in the Salsbury Room. There will be a reception with coffee and rolls. The film's director Paul Micich and the museum staff will be on hand to answer questions. The public is invited to this free event.

November 13, 2016

Travel & Adventure Film Series “Hawaii and the South Pacific”– NIACC, 500 College Drive (641-422-4358)

Films that appeal to a wide audience of travelers. Beautiful scenery, out-of-the-ordinary locations, various cultures, and people depicted throughout the films. 1^st Citizens Bank will be sponsoring the November film series -  FREE admission. Starts at 2PM.

November 13, 2016

The North Iowa Coin, Stamp and Currency Show- Best Western Holiday Lodge, 2023 7^th Ave. N Clear Lake (641-357-5253). From 9am-4pm this family-friendly market will feature items in all price ranges. There will be 20 tables of coins, stamps, gold, silver collectible currency and collecting supplies. Dealers from Iowa and Minnesota will offer free appraisals and will buy sell and trade.

November 14, 2016

After School Special Talkin' Turkey! - Lime Creek Nature Center, 3501 Lime Creek Road  (641-423-5309). 'Parent/Child' program will include a presentation about the wild turkey and a fun craft activity for the kids. Event is from 4-5pm.

November 14, 2016

Rising Country Star Jenn Bostic - Stillman Auditorium, 1601 Third Ave N., Clear Lake (641-357-6518). The Clear lake Area Concert Association will present young country artist Jenn Bostic at 7pm. Based in Nashville this Minnesota native is returning to the Midwest to share her beautiful voice piano skills and hot guitar.

Featured Artist Of The Month: Robert Pratt

For 40-some years, Algona native Robert Pratt (AKA The Digital Chicken) has enjoyed, some might say, a "checkered" career in the arts--professional actor, corporate creative director, fiction writer, and throughout it all, a painter of chickens. 

In his early twenties, after nine semesters of college, he hitch-hiked from Iowa to make a name for himself in Hollywood. Living in a rented garage for six months, he got his first break as a journeyman actor at the prestigious Mark Taper Forum Theatre in Los Angeles, followed by a year of studying with world famous acting coach Peggy Feury, then the 1970 Peter Fonda film, "The Hired Hand." (far right)

 That auspicious debut led to a contract with Universal Studios, and more than 28 film and television productions, including co-starring with Academy Award winner Sally Field in the TV movie "Marriage: Year One."

In the late 70's, Bob formed a production company, Prattooth Productions, with his longtime friend Randolph Mantooth, star of the hit television show "Emergency," on which Bob had guest roles.

That led to another career, as a creative director, first in Minneapolis, then Milwaukee, then to St. Louis for Busch Creative, a division of Anheuser-Busch, and a People Magazine cover.

All the while, he was writing novels, including "Kachina Dreams," and pursuing his hobby of painting chickens crossing interesting roads, and living interesting lives, inspired by nearby people and events. This one seems pretty appropriate to us today:

Bob's chicken calendars sell out regularly, as do his prints, which are available on his website, www.thedigitalchicken.com. This is our current favorite work, but you'll want to be sure to watch the video on the landing page:

Algona's Bob Pratt now lives contentedly in a customized vintage Airstream, traveling wherever and whenever he pleases, painting and writing along the way, including a novel called "Aluminum Fever." A real free-range chicken. We think Bob has the Life thing down pat. We envy him.

Little River Band at The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake

 Little River Band was formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1975, a blend of musicians who had enjoyed success in other Australian rock acts. with good songwriting, powerful vocals, and guitar harmonies. Hit singles include It’s a Long Way There, Help Is on Its Way, Happy Anniversary, Reminiscing, Lady, Cool Change, Lonesome Loser, The Night Owls, Take It Easy On Me, Man On Your Mind, We Two, and The Other Guy. Worldwide album and CD sales now top 30 million. They also set a record for having Top 10 hits for 6 consecutive years…the first band to achieve that mark.

Tickets for the Surf Ballroom show on Saturday are $25 in advance, $30 at the doors, which open at 8:00.

Central Park Dentistry

Central Park Dentistry, 23 N Federal, Mason City, IA 641-423-4225

Serving North Iowa since 1993.

Office hours:

• Monday:         8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Tuesday:         8:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Wednesday:   8:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Thursday:       8:00 am – 6:00 pm
• Friday:            8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Office closed o­n major holidays; answering service always be available to take messages when the office is closed.

One of the best shows in the area is this one, tomorrow night: John Prine

American treasure John Prine has written songs for some of the biggest names in music, from Johnny Cash and John Denver to Ben Harper and Joan Baez. He’s won numerous honors, including two Grammy Awards and being one of the few songwriters honored by the Library of Congress and U.S. Poet Laureate. Hear him perform some of his A-list songs live at the Des Moines Civic Center. 7:30 p.m. 221 Walnut St. Tickets are available at DesMoinesPerformingArts.org, the Civic Center Ticket Office, by phone at (515) 246-2300 or on the Des Moines Performing Arts app (available for Android and IOS users).  (Courtesy: DM Register)

Bruce's Column: November!

My column for Nowonder on a very nice day.
It's the month we set aside a day to be thankful. A day doesn't seem long enough, it should be a week, or all month or we could just be thankful every day...
Of all the things in life over which we have no control where and when we are born is the big one. If you've seen the movie Men In Black 3 you know my favorite character, the little guy who could see the outcome of various realities.
This makes sense to me. A small thing can have monumental consequences, so you're being thankful for the choice you made.or wishing things had turned out differently.
To steal from the Lennon/Cartney songbook from In My Life "there are places I remember some have gone and some remain" the places I have been and the people who were meant to come into my life, "some are dead and some are living, in my life I've loved them all".
The sad thing about aging is that the ones you love do too...but I have made so many friends that have entered my life to be grateful for it makes me happy to think about the times we shared.
I am thankful for the life I am living after all the years, going on 39 in North Iowa, my family and friends and the association with the people I have worked along side and for, and being able in a way to keep in contact with a number of you.
I will do my best to be thankful for what I have every day.
Have a good month, check with you in Distemper...61 days to 2017.