February's Coast Connection meeting had a great turnout with everyone sticking to their New Year's resolution of showing up at CBS on the second Monday of every month.

Scheduled guests, Harry Friedman and Sandy Veneziano, had to reschedule at the last minute. Sandy's much sought after production design skills landed her a new gig on a film, and one can only speculate that Harry was hard at work coming up with extra hard Final Jeopardy answers/questions in preparation for Champion's Weeks.

The good news to this is that there was more time to go around for guests Lucy Buntain, one of the key masterminds behind the creation of the NCC, and Dean of UN-L's Arts and Sciences, Jack Oliva.

Lucy told a great story of sharing a hot fudge sundae with Todd Nelson as the two thought up the initial concept of what would become the NCC. For some of the younger folks in the crowd, this story was very captivating as it took place all the way back in the last century.

Then, Dean Oliva shared the exciting changes that are afoot at dear old Husker U. No mention of the Bill Callahan era, but there was plenty of talk about the ever growing Film Studies Department. Dean Oliva left everyone a souvenier DVD promoting the great work coming from the new film program. With the film studies majors set to graduate this May, Dean Oliva speculated that a few members would soon be joining the ranks of the NCC out in Hollywood.

In other exciting news, NCC member and Olympic hopeful, Kevin McMahon is going to be appearing in an upcoming issue of VOGUE Magazine.

Finally, in the Wacky Connection Department: During his introduction, Frank Smith mentioned that he was feeling a little dated having played Judas in Lincoln High's production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" in 1978. Well, he wasn't alone for long as Eric Chapman immediately recalled having attended that very play back in 1978!

Courtesy of Todd Munson

THE ANNOUNCEMENT

Monday, at the NCC Holiday Salon...

The February Salon has been SUPER-SIZED! Come and meet FOUR Special Guests in One Salon!!

First up is a long-anticipated visit from HARRY FRIEDMAN, Executive Producer of Sony's JEOPARDY and WHEEL OF FORTUNE. Harry will give you a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes action at the two biggest gameshows around.

Also attending Monday will be three special guests from UN-L: Dean of Arts & Sciences Jack Oliva, Professor of Film (and Production Designer of many big Hollywood films like TERMS OF ENDEARMENT, DEAD POETS SOCIETY and STAR TREK) Sandy Veneziano, and Lucy Buntain Comine from the University Foundation.

Plus, rumors are that Lew and Pam Hunter will also be joining us from Nebraska.