Folks, a bit off topic but there is a soccer link. The trailer above is for a short film that was created by a a team of Missouri State students and some local independents. It’s a fantastic film that in the words of Professor Mark Biggs “is an incredible work of student film-making, a film that evokes ‘Blade Runner’ and whose Director of Photography has done a fantastic job”. The film was written and directed by Bryan Manning and his DP was Clayton Mason. Anyone who has spent any time at all at Lake Country Soccer knows Clay well and he’s also a Glendale Falcon, class of 2004 (with Chris Murphy, Wade Luethy among others).

His film is being shown tomorrow, Tuesday, June 17th at 7:30pm, at Springfield Little Theatre. It’s part of a fund raiser for the Film Program at MSU and a great opportunity to see a wonderful group of films. I’ll be there and I highly recommend you join me!

In cooperation with the Springfield Little Theatre, filmmakers from Missouri State University will showcase four short films including “…Or Not To Be,” “Nothing Rhymes with Orange,” “The Death of Alfred Bailey,” and “Apollo.” The filmmakers’ proceeds from the festival will benefit the Missouri State University’s Digital Film Production Scholarship Fund.

From outright comedy to drama to science fiction, each short highlights the multi-faceted cast & crew talents of the region. Three of the productions are based off award-winning scripts. “The Death of Alfred Bailey” placed in the Broadcast Educators Association (BEA) Media Arts Festival in Las Vegas earlier this year. “Nothing Rhymes with Orange” won for best screenplay at the Missouri Broadcast Educator’s annual competition. The science fiction drama “Apollo” received honorable mention. Portions of “Apollo” were shot at the Landers Theatre. All four productions were the result of student work in the Media, Journalism and Film department at Missouri State University.

A moderated Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the 2 hour screening. Tickets may be purchased at the Springfield Little Theatre Box Office, online at springfieldlittletheatre.org, or by calling (417) 869-1334.

Tickets: $8

FILM LINEUP:
-The Death of Alfred Bailey
-Nothing Rhymes with Orange
-…Or Not to Be
-Apollo

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=15278607519

Incarnate Word fends off St. Joseph’s Academy with 1-0 title-game win

Notre Dame de Sion Storm - 1
Notre Dame St Louis - 0
de Sion returns to the Final Four and wins their first ever title.

Late goal lifts Notre Dame de Sion
Notre Dame de Sion wins Class 1 state championship

I can’t think of a better way to spend an evening then Shakespeare in the Park. At least now that soccer is over, and even then I probably would have skipped most games. I highly recommend you pack a picnic dinner and head over to Jordan Valley Park to take in season 2 of the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s production. Produced by Jeff Jenkins (Skinny Improv) and Marc Whitmore (Stonegate Creative), it was a lot of fun Thursday night when they opened.

More information here, show begins at 8:15 pm tonight and Sunday, as well as Thursday - Sunday next week. I’ll be back for a second helping.

Thanks to Pete Goia for sharing his photo of Bottom and The Mechanicals, during an interactive moment prior to the start of the show.

Along with teammates Katie Pritchard, Erica Combs and Orielle Thomas, she’s focused on the Quarterfinal game against Columbia Rock Bridge. Coach Scott will have to wait a bit longer before he gets his seniors back onto the soccer practice field. Good luck ladies!

Films and workshops all day at The Gillioz and The Moxie. Full schedule here.

Have I mentioned I’m the President of the Missouri Film Alliance of Springfield, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for film making and the appreciation of the art of film making?

Do you appreciate world music? How about meeting Leon Ichaso, writer and director of “El Cantante” on Saturday night at The Gillioz. His feature film about Hector Lavoe, the King of Salsa, stars Marc Anthony and features Jennifer Lopez as his wife. Associate Producer Lisa Rhoden-Boyd, a Springfield native (Kickapoo), will also be here and she and Leon will share their stories with the audience following the screening.

Documentaries? “Beyond Belief” is the story of two 9/11 widows who met after losing their husbands and chose to reach out to widows of the Afghanistan war as a way to heal themselves. Opening simultaneously in Springfield and Boston, it’s a remarkable story about their journey. Or “Behind Forgotten Eyes”, edited by Springfield resident Ryan Seale, who will introduce the film and participate in a Documentary Film Maker Panel. His film explores the conflict between Korea and Japan prior to WW II.

Shorts? Meet Springfield native Adrienne Wilkinson and her director for the short “Reflections”. Nathan Springer, MSU grad and winner of the Moxie Shorts contest with his student production “Duck Duck Goose”. A remarkable short about the Bosnian conflict, edited by MSU Film grad Tyler Earring, now at the American Film Institute, is paired with two other shorts on Saturday and is my “must see” pick if you come downtown for one screening.

Ever thought about making your own film? SATO48 returns in April - shoot, edit and produce a 5 minute short film in 48 hours. Come to our Saturday morning panel and hear from four local film makers who will help you begin planning your teams effort now.

We offer a $25 Film Maker Pass on Saturday that provides entry to all screenings, film making panels and a Film Maker Celebration at Nonna’s at 9:30 pm where you’ll have another chance to meet the film makers and party with other film fans. Advance purchase only.

There is also a $40 Weekend Pass that includes Friday and Sunday’s screenings at the Moxie.

Tickets can be purchased from Board Members like myself, via our website or at The Coffee Ethic, 124 Park Central Square. Check it out if you haven’t been in there yet. They are my favorite latte and I’ve got experience in that department.

Your support by purchasing passes for the Festival, for your enjoyment or as a post-Valentine treat for clients or friends, would be greatly appreciated. Call me or email me for more information. Or check our blog!

And now I see that Alan Allen at the News-Leader is prompting readers to vote for him as the the hardest-working, most official all-encompassing Springfield-area sports blog.

Well, we know how all encompassing the News-Leader really is. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, if you want to support THIS site and send a message, then vote for Springfield Soccer.

To do so, you must be a blogger. MySpace and Facebook pages do work. Vote for Springfield Soccer - especially if you have a photo of yourself playing soccer that I’ve taken on your page!

e-mail Larry at llitle1@sbcglobal.net (thats LLITLE1) and share your thoughts on the best local sports blog.

Thanks

Arthur Glenn Olson, age 77, of Florissant, MO, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2008 from lung cancer. Preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Betty (Ray) Olson. Survived by his wife Margaret and children, Steve Ole Olson, Julie (Ron) Watson-Valdez, Louise (Bob) Sommer; grandchildren Tim, Chris and Haylie Watson and Eric Sommer (pictured below left with his Grandpa) and many nieces and nephews. Art graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1952. He married Margaret in 1953 at Holy Trinity Lutheran. Art was a career officer in the Army, serving for 32 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Tours of duty included Germany, Korea and Vietnam, during which he received the first of two Bronze Stars. In retirement, he and Margaret worked at McCluer North HS in Florissant where Art coached the Golf team and worked as the statistician for the football team. Habitat for Humanity, golf and traveling with his family were his passions.

A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday January 26, 2008 at the Lutheran Church of the Living Christ, 2725 Concord Drive, Florissant, MO 63033. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Art’s memory can be made to Habitat for Humanity.

In the words of his friend, Byron Smith (film editor of “Running With Scissors” and “Nip/Tuck”)

finally, proof that Bud Hogan is not that bad of a mountain biker. I shot this video a few weeks ago during a trip we shared together in Moab.

In the case of these two, the answer is definitely yes. In case you don’t recognize them, on the left is senior Katy McLain, Kickapoo Chiefs, who will be joining with Chealsey Russell to establish the Chiefs as the top high school team in the region beginning in March. On the right is senior Cody Reinberg, Drury Panthers, who has completed his college career as the Captain of the Panthers. Maybe we’ll see him on the pitch again this summer with the Springfield Demize.

Each was featured in a photo spread this recently. In Katy’s case, she was part of an article in the November issue of 417 Magazine on pets and fashion. In Cody’s case, you can catch him right now. He’s part of a center spread for the cover story in Downtown Now’s December issue. You can pick one up in several locations downtown and at most coffee houses. Me, I’m spending a lot of time at the new Coffee Ethic that just opened up on the square. Click on the photos to see the larger size.