Good morning, Jefferson City.

Ameren Missouri is donating 100 Energy Star air conditioners to the Samaritan Center in Jefferson City to help in-need families beat the summer heat.

The center will give away the free units by mid-July—offering a low operating cost of about $1 a day that helps reduce heat-related health risks.

Jefferson City will host the Salute to America event on July 4 from 2-10 p.m. to celebrate independence and the city's 200th birthday.

The free event will offer food vendors, musical performances, a parade starting at 4 p.m., and a motocross show (at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.) on Broadway Street, ending with a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m.

Jefferson City's bicentennial celebration will feature a free concert on July 3 at the Capital Region Amphitheater at Ellis-Porter Riverside Park with performances by Bobby Showers Band and Members Only, and gates will open at 5:30 p.m. (the event will also offer face painting, coloring pages, balloon art, and yard games for families).

The new Go Mid Mo arts calendar for June 26–July 2 lists music gigs, theater shows and other arts events in Jefferson City and surrounding areas with details on times and venues.

Bands, theater groups and art venues must send their event information by noon Tuesday (phone 573-761-0240 or email [email protected]) to be included in Thursday's calendar.

Legendary Mizzou football coach Don Faurot began coaching the Tigers in 1935 after inheriting a program that had 21 head coaches + heavy facility debt.

He improved recruiting and field tactics to win three conference championships, and his 190 games remain the school record with Faurot Field later named in his honor.