Special nights planned at Graff Events Center

McCook Community College's Student Life Office gave out free customized T-shirts, totes and mouse pads as part of the "Put-It-Where You Want-It" activity. James Babic, center, sophomore from Omaha and Taylor Acosta, right, sophomore from El Paso, Texas, were two of the students who took advantage of the chance to put their favorite quotes, photos and logos on a free shirt. Rachel Bashor, far left, area student activities specialist-student life administrative assistant, manned the T-shirt press. Student Life has been busy with a number of activities already this semester with a number of guests, events and activities including intra-mural sports. Courtesy photo

McCOOK, Neb. -- A trio of upcoming promotions at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center on the McCook Community College campus will honor community members as well as raising money and awareness for a cause.

"Bison Night" is set for Tuesday; "Chamber Night" Oct. 1 and "Pink-Out 2015" scheduled for Oct. 5. Also free popcorn nights are set for Sept. 30 and Oct. 2.

"Bison Night" will be tonight with free admission for all McCook Junior High and High School volleyball players, as well YMCA youth players and their immediate family members. That game starts at 7 p.m. with the opponent Laramie County Community College.

Oct. 1 has been designated "Chamber Night" with all members of the McCook Area Chamber of Commerce and their employees gaining free admission to the MCC volleyball game against Trinidad State starting at 7 p.m.

Games on Sept. 30 and Oct. 2 have been designated "free popcorn" nights courtesy of AmFirst Bank. MCC takes on Southest at 5 p.m. Sept. 30 and a doubleheader Oct. 2 against Otero at 5 p.m. and Northeast at 7 p.m.

Students, faculty, and staff at McCook Community College are gearing up for the fourth annual "Pink Out" night to help fight breast cancer and to raise awareness. This year North Platte Community College will again be the opponent when the Lady Indian volleyball team takes the court for the 7 p.m. game at the Peter and Dolores Graff Events Center.

Student organizations plan face painting, a bake sale, a cotton candy machine, breast cancer awareness informational table, a silent auction with items donated from the MCC athletics, a raffle for a gift basket with items donated from local businesses. There will also be a volleyball signed by the MCC Lady Indians to raffle off.

Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Beta Lambda and the Gay-Straight Alliance will help with "Pink Out" events.

T-shirts are available (after Sept. 15) to purchase for $10 each in the Student Success Center located in the lower level of von Riesen Library. Shirts will also be available to purchase on game night.

Pink bracelets are being sold $2 each, pink hair bows will be made by PTK members and sold for $3.

For those who don't have a "sweet tooth" and don't want to purchase baked items, they can donate $2 or $3 to the "donate a latte jar."

All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society.

John Weaver exhibit at MCC through September

The works of one of Nebraska's best-known artists is on display through the end of September at Wrightstone Gallery on the McCook Community College campus. On loan from the Museum of Nebraska Art is an exhibit featuring the works of John Weaver.

Weaver is known for his highly expressionistic portraits including those of Bob Devaney, Ernst Lied, and Norman Geske. His oils and lithographs capture the true personality of the subject; even though some appear quite ugly, each is truly meaningful.

The works on display in McCook include a number of pieces inspired by his love of the railroad and of boyhood toys. Weaver received his MFA from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 1968.