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Today’s Word from JB on 423
Dear colleagues,
You are probably aware of ballot Initiative # 423 (also referred to as the spending lid), which will be on the November 7 general election ballot in Nebraska. According to our legal counsel, as public employees, we are prohibited from using public resources—including a university e-mail account—to advocate support or opposition to a ballot question. On the other hand, I am allowed to provide to you an objective analysis of the potential impact of Initiative 423, and to encourage you to actively express your views as private citizens and to vote.
Lincoln’s Best: Venues
It’s the last day of “Lincoln’s Best” week. Today’s topic is venues, whether for music, drama, sports, or anything else. What are Lincoln’s five best venues? What makes them the best?
Friday Five
This week I asked everybody what they thought were “Lincoln’s Best” in five different categories. For today’s Friday Five, I present my favorite in each category. Here we go:
- Best Park: This goes to Pioneers Park, hands down. It has trees, prairie, wetland, open space, water, flat spots, hilly spots, trails, playgrounds, an amphitheater, animals, sculptures, a nature center… What’s not to love?
- Best Building: The capitol building, of course. Call it cliche if you will, but that thing is a treasure.
- Best Restaurant: This is a tough, tough call, so I’m going to weasel out and pick three establishments that serve very different purposes. The Oven, Crawdaddy’s, and Ivanna Cone. I would happily eat my last meal (or caramel shake) at any of those, depending on my mood.
- Best Retailer: Another toughie, but for sentimental reasons I’m going with Avant Card.
- Best Venue: The Nebraska Coliseum, home of the Husker volleyball team. Without a doubt.
Pre-Game Festivities
Looking for something to do tonight? Head to Misty’s (Havelock) and/or Grandmother’s tonight to participate in a little pre-game revelry as members of the Cornhusker Marching Band fire up the Husker faithful. Pep bands will play at 7:30 and 8:30 at Misty’s, and 10:00 and 11:00 at G-ma’s. Don’t dress too warmly, and bring ear plugs and your hollerin’ voice.
Local Football Legend Retires
Chuck Mizerski, Lincoln Southeast football coach and Frank Solich’s replacement back in 1979, coached his last game last night. He finished his career with 5 state championships under his belt. Not bad at all.
Lincoln’s Best: Local Retailers
It’s the Thursday edition of “Lincoln’s Best” week here at Lincolnite. Today’s topic is local retailers. What are the five best local retail establishments in Lincoln? What makes them the best?
A Sure Loss?
Is it a sure sign that the Huskers are going to lose to Texas that the Journal Star is running ”Nebraska is cool” articles? The message seems to be “they may whoop us, but at least we know they think we’re o-kay”.
In other Nebraska vs. Texas news, the Husker volleyball team stopped Texas in a tough, five-game battle last night. I caught the first two games on TV, and the Huskers looked alternatingly brilliant and lost. One of these day’s the team’s slow starting ways will bite ‘em in the butt.
Try, Try Again
If you thought the debate over a Wal-Mart at 84th and Adams was over, think again.
Pete’s Next Campaign Commercial?
So far, Pete Ricketts’ campaign commercials have been almost entirely ridiculous. Well Pete, here’s something of substance you can attack Ben on: the Benator’s “power ranking” in the Senate is a pathetic 88. The power scores are calculated by looking at Congressmember’s position, influence, and legislative activity. Seems to me Pete has an opening to attack Ben on the grounds that Ben lacks the drive and power in Congress to get anything done on behalf of Nebraska.
(Insert standard acknowledgement that this is just a number, and that it doesn’t necessarily reflect Ben’s influence in Washington. Lies/damned lies/statistics. Blah blah blah. It’s just a campaign commercial, folks. Deep analysis of the underlying methodology doesn’t apply.)
If you’re curious, Chuck is an above-average 43, but that’s not very impressive for a presidential hopeful. In the House, Tom sits at 222, Lee at 311, and Jeff at 329. Frankly, 329 seems high for Fortenberry. Can anybody name one thing he’s done in Congress besides vote the party line?
Lincoln’s Best: Restaurants
It’s the hump day edition of “Lincoln’s Best”. Today we’re talking restaurants. What are Lincoln’s five best restaurants? What makes them the best?
Lincoln’s Best: Buildings
It is day two of “Lincoln’s Best” week here at Lincolnite. Today let’s talk about Lincoln’s best buildings. What are Lincoln’s five best buildings? What makes them the best?
Essential Training
Don’t try to renew your driver’s license this week. All DMV offices are closed until Friday for “essential training in fraud detection, computer use and customer service”. Here’s a hint that the DMV might need a little work on customer service: their website doesn’t contain any information about the closures.
Lincoln’s Best: Parks
It’s “Lincoln’s Best” week here at Lincolnite. Let’s start with parks. What are Lincoln’s five best parks? What makes them the best?
Trick or Treating
Halloween is fast approaching. What are Lincoln’s best locations for Halloween festivities? Perhaps the most obvious answer, for families with children anyway, is Boo at the Zoo (October 26-30, 5:30pm - 8:00pm). Any other suggestions?
Kudos to the LJS
Criticizing is easy and commonplace, but giving credit is rare. Kudos to the LJS for running a front page story today on Hispanic-owned businesses in Crete, AND for a front page photo with an interracial couple. That obviously raised some eyebrows from the old guard as evidenced from the comments. This country is about to hit 300 million, one in three of which is a racial minority (By the way....welcome to the “real world” George Allen).
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