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God Doesn’t Belong in a Zoo
The Lincoln Children’s Zoo stirred up a real bruhaha when it told daVinci’s, Champions, and First Evangelical Covenant Church they can’t put a Bible story on the back of coupons they planned to hand out at the Zoo’s annual Boo at the Zoo event. As a result, the three groups have pulled out of the event.
The zoo is of course free to have whatever policy it likes regarding religious expression. As part of their “human diversity” policy they bar religious verses and references. I don’t have a problem with that. The diversity the zoo seeks is relatively shallow, yes, but there’s not necessarily anything wrong with that at a facility intended for children. They want to keep things simple.
That’s not to say I would have made the same decision. Whether truth or fable, the story of Noah and his ark is harmless. As if to prove the point, the zoo would still permit a Noah-themed display at the event; the only problem is the printed story on the coupons. The logic in that inconsistency escapes me.
This will be held up as an example of persecution against Christians. Perhaps it is, though I don’t think so. But let’s not pretend for a moment there wouldn’t have been a huge outcry if an organization of Wiccans, Muslims, or some other non-Christian religious group had printed a similar message on an item to be handed out to the kids. I point that out not as a justification, but as a simple reminder to keep things in perspective. Glass houses and all that. Consider daVinci’s own Kelly Knudson on that very topic:
Asked how he would he feel if all religions — including non-Christian ones — were allowed to hand out materials quoting verses and stories, Knudson wasn’t sure.
“It would depend on what they were doing,” he said.
In the end I don’t disagree with the zoo, though I do think their execution was terrible. They waited far too long to make their policy known, and the policy itself is awfully flimsy. This “controversy”, such as it is, is their own fault. Worse still, because of their mistakes they have set themselves up for troubles next year as well.
As for daVinci’s et al., well, more power to them. Dropping out of the event is exactly what they should do if that’s what their principles guide them to do. If they’re smart, they’ll milk this PR opportunity for all it’s worth. For example, “Bring in your ticket stub from Boo at the Zoo and receive a free Noah’s ark-shaped mini pizza!”.
Oh, and one last thing: the Lincoln Children’s Zoo is private. It is not a government entity. The First Amendment does not apply to the zoo any more than it applies to the Zoo Bar.
Firefighter Contract Snuffed Out
I admit I don’t have a solid grasp on the costs associated with the proposed firefighter contract. Still, I can’t help but feel that the City Council’s decision to vote it down is ultimately going to cost us. The question is, will the costs be short term, long term, or both?
Snow!
Yeah, I know it wasn’t long ago I said I wasn’t ready for winter. But between Robbie starting to talk about snow and reading this news this morning, I think I’m ready. I’m sure I’ll change my mind after reffing two soccer matches tomorrow night in the cold and rain.
A Journey to El Salvador
Last Friday I joined Mr. T and Beerorkid at El Salvador Cafe in their new location at 221 South 9th Street. They were formerly located on Northwest 48th Street.
In business for over 10 years now, El Salvador Cafe offers a variety of authentic Salvadorian cuisine. Or so they say. I wouldn’t know; I know zilch about El Salvador. I’ll leave the determination of authenticity to the folks who would actually know.
The interior is nicely decorated and the restaurant definitely has a cafe feel. In fact, it reminded me a lot of the sort of small town cafe you might find all across Nebraska. It’s a nice atmosphere, but it feels more Uni Place, Havelock, or College View than Downtown. If I have a complaint about the atmosphere, it’s the huge television in the corner. It felt out of place to me. At least the volume was kept very low.
When it comes to the menu, repeat after me: Salvadoran food is not Mexican food. The menu does include a few Mexican-style classics like enchiladas and a burrito, but that’s not what El Salvador Cafe is all about.
The menu features two primary sections: antojitos Salvadorenos (roughly: Salvadoran appetizers) and Salvadoran specialties. The antojitos include papusas ($2.00), tamales ($1.75 / $2.75 / $4.00), empanadas ($4.25), tostadas ($4.50), and even yucca ($6.50). Many of the specialties feature chicken, beef, or shrimp, and each is served with rice, beans, and tortillas.
I ordered the camaron al mojo de ajo (garlic shrimp) ($13.50). The dish featured seven tasty shrimp served over a bed of ... crinkle-cut french fries? Yeah, that caught me off guard. The flavor was great, but the fries were an odd partner. Overall, I prefer a similar dish I tried a couple months ago at Las Margaritas. I really enjoyed the rice, which was a fluffy, lightly seasoned white rice unlike most anything I’ve had at any other local south-of-the-border restaurants. The meal also featured a small bowl of black beans served in a very thin, almost soupy style.
Mr. T went with the camarones rancheros (shrimp rancheros) ($13.50). The shrimp were cooked with green peppers and onions, and they were served in a mild red sauce. He noted that some people may find the shrimp flavor of the sauce too strong, but being a seafood fan, Mr. T enjoyed it. He also liked his rice, especially in contrast to the overly salty mounds you receive at a lot of similar restaurants. Mr. T was also a big fan of the tortillas served with the meal. They were warm and filling without being doughy.
Beerorkid ordered a combination plate ($7.00) off the antojitos side of the menu. It featured a papusa, taco, tamal, and beans. He seemed to really dig his meal, though I’ll let him speak for himself on the ups and downs of it all. It certainly looked tasty.
You may have noticed that the prices of the Salvadoran specialties part of the menu seem kind of high. They are. Prices range from $9.50 (pollo guisado [stewed chicken]) to $14.50 (pescado frito [fried fish] or costa azul [combo of fried fish, ranchero shrimp, and crab legs]). Those prices aren’t necessarily terrible for dinner, but they’re way too high to be competitive in the Downtown lunch market. In my opinion El Salvador needs to come up with five to ten lunch specialties in the $6.00 to $8.00 range.
Service was excellent. The employees were universally friendly and helpful. We did experience one hiccup when Beerorkid initially received an incomplete order, but the problem was quickly fixed and he ended up receiving a free papusa as a result. Food could come out of the kitchen more quickly, especially at lunch time. Perhaps having those 5-10 lunch specials nearly ready to go would help.
Overall I would rate our experience at El Salvador Cafe as enjoyable. For now the best meal for your money comes from the antojitos menu. If you’re new to Salvadoran food that isn’t a bad place to start anyway, since you can try several different items at a reasonable price.
Where in Lincoln is this?
Edit: The Fletch-meister correctly identified the location of this picture again! Good going Fletch.
Trophy time
Lincoln Southwest picked up their first state championship in softball on Friday as they defeated Class A power Papillion LaVista with a 4-3 victory in Hastings. Lincoln Southwest avenged a loss to the Monarchs last year in the title game. This is only the schools 3rd state title in any sport and the first in a girls sport. (2007 & 2008 Boys Golf champion)
Other softball champions:
Blair (Class B)
Yutan/Mead (Class C)
Lincoln Pius X won the Class B boys tennis title on Friday as well. The thunderbolts edged Omaha Skutt 40 1/2 to 36 points. Lincoln Pius X got a #1 doubles victory from Kyle Conzemius and Garrett Sutton and completed an undefeated season. This is Pius’ 9th boys tennis title and first since 2001.
Other tennis champions:
Omaha Creighton Prep (Class A)
Girls Golf champions:
Omaha Marian (Class A)
Scottsbluff (Class B)
Kearney Catholic (Class C)
Cross Country next weekend. Football wraps up their regular season next week as well. Volleyball postseason play begins after November 1st.
Into the Shadows
Shadowbrook Salad Company is no more, yet another victim of a restaurateur’s eyes being bigger than his stomach, so to speak. It was a good idea that just never quite gained traction.
Won’t Somebody Please Think of the Gorillas!
Classic Lincoln body art shop Guns 2 Roses (possibly NSFW) has moved Downtown to 14th and P. Normally I wouldn’t pay that news much attention—I’ve never even worn a temporary tattoo—but in this case I’m worried. Where will the gorillas go? Those things are icons. Maybe if they were to sit on a bicycle it would be considered art…
Hat tip: Matt Olberding
Transparency in the Unicam
I didn’t realize that in Nebraska there is no official record of each senator’s vote at every step in the legislative process. The Platte Institute’s latest policy report lays out the case for what they call “true” transparency in Unicameral voting procedures.
I’m all in favor of transparency in government. Improving the official record of votes will improve citizens’ ability to track a senator’s support of a bill. That, in turn, can provide additional clues to the political processes that led to a bill’s passage or failure.
Are there any downsides to improving vote tracking at all stages of the legislative process?
Chucky’s Future
Watch the presidential debate last night? So did Chuck Hagel’s wife....at the invitation of Michelle Obama. Surely, this must bode well for those who believe Hagel has a place in a future administration, whether it be an Obama or McCain one.
Nebraska’s First DNA Exoneration
It is great to see that Nebraska has logged its first exoneration under the state’s law that allows convicted persons to request DNA tests that may prove their innocence. Unfortunately, in this case it is difficult to declare Joseph White and Thomas Winslow completely innocent since the results of DNA tests only rule them out as the rapists of Helen Wilson; the results don’t tell us anything about their role, if any, in Ms. Wilson’s murder.
DNA-based exonerations are a double-edged sword. On the one hand they get innocent people out of prison. But on the other hand, exonerations of any kind expose flaws in the justice system for all to see. In some jurisdictions, prosecutors fight DNA testing because they would rather have somebody behind bars than nobody. Victims’ families often fight the process because they don’t want to have to deal with the pain of the crime again. When convicted persons are proven not guilty, evils like racism and corruption in the criminal justice system are often exposed at the same time. Ultimately, it proves that countless taxpayer resources have been spent punishing someone while the real criminal is still on the loose, leaving us no safer than we were before. Freeing the innocent is worth uncovering those uncomfortable truths, but we need to be ready for them.
This all leads me to wonder how good Nebraska is about pursuing post-conviction claims of innocence and analyzing potentially exculpatory evidence. Separating the valid claims from the baloney is no easy task, to be sure. Do we have any local versions of Craig Watkins, or perhaps his opposite?
Bargain Books By the Boxful
Lincoln City Libraries is holding its annual book sale today through Saturday. Hours are Noon until 8:00pm today, and 10:00am until 6:00pm tomorrow and Saturday. The sale takes place at State Fair Park in the Ag Building. Most items sell for $1.
Is the Firefighter Pension Proposal a Good Deal?
Would anybody care to do a little analysis of the proposed changes to the firefighter pension plan for us? The basics are these:
Lincoln’s firefighters don’t receive social security benefits, and their pensions don’t increase annually to keep up with inflation. That means the longer a firefighter is retired, the less his monthly pension is worth. The proposal before the City Council would initiate cost of living adjustments (COLAs) in 2010 of the lesser of (a) 1.5% or (b) the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
That’s all pretty easy to understand. What’s much more difficult to understand—and what the Council is currently trying to figure out—is whether it’s a good deal for the City. I don’t know.
I’m also curious as to whether it’s a good deal for the firefighers. A maximum 1.5% annual increase sure doesn’t sound like much given the CPI’s history. Recent year-to-year changes in the CPI have been roughly in the 2.5% - 3.0% range, on average. And what if the CPI decreases? That hasn’t happened since the 1950’s, but the possibility exists.
Should the City accept the proposal?
I’m Not Ready!
Normally I love cold weather. I love snow and ice, and I even enjoy shoveling the driveway. And sleeping is so much better in cold weather than in the summer.
Despite all that, I absolutely protest tonight’s frost advisory. I’m not ready. Can’t we hold off another couple weeks? Pretty please?
Mini Review: Roost’s Noodle Bowls
Mr. T and I had lunch at Roost on Friday. I had received a coupon for their new noodle bowls earlier in the week, so we intended to check them out. I’m a big fan of Roost’s sandwiches. Would their noodle bowls match up?
For $5.95 you get a decent serving of cavatappi noodles in one of a variety of styles:
- BANGKOK PEANUT: Peanut curry sauce, topped with fresh cilantro. Delicious with Chicken added.
- CRAZY MAC™: Fresh cream with a splash of our own wing sauce then topped with bread crumbs & cheddar-jack cheese. Try with Chicken or Shredded Bacon added.
- VODKA BELT™: Cream based marinara sauce, vodka style! Topped with fresh basil. Tasty with our chop-chop™ Chicken added.
- CHEESY CHEESE: Fresh cream sauce topped with cheddar-jack cheese. Great with Chicken or Shredded Bacon added.
- JALAPEÑO CREAM: Diced jalapeños mixed with our fresh cream sauce. Try with Chicken or Shredded Bacon added.
- SWEET CURRY: Sweet curry sauce. That’s all we can say, the rest is a secret. Delicious with Chicken added.
- PESTO CREAM: Homemade pesto cream sauce. Great with our chop-chop™ Chicken added.
- FRESH BASIL MARINARA: Our house marinara topped off with fresh basil. Delicious with Chicken added.
Adding chicken runs an extra $1.79 (if I remember correctly), bringing the total close to $8. The serving size should satisfy most people. On the whole it’s not a terrible value, but I do think the price is too high for the Downtown lunch crowd. To me, a lunchtime meal and drink should together come in under $8. Alternately, Mr. T suggested that adding a breadstick might give the diner more bang for his buck.
Pictured here is the item I ordered, a jalapeno cream noodle bowl. Note in the description above that the item promises jalapenos mixed into the cream sauce. That wasn’t the case in the bowl I was served. And that’s what was most disappointing to me. The bowl consisted of four very distinct ingredients: noodles, cream, jalapenos, and chicken. Each of the four ingredients was fine, but they didn’t really do anything for each other. There was no teamwork, if you will.
Mr. T opted for the pesto cream noodle bowl. He said it was “very good” and compared it favorably to a similar item available at Noodles & Co. He commented that the noodles and the sauce were prepared very nicely.
So how do Roost’s noodle bowls grade overall? I admire their attempt to reach out and grab more business in the hyper-competitive Downtown dining market, but in my opinion the noodle bowls are average and unexceptional. Note that I’m not—repeat not—saying they are bad. They’re fine. But when I crave noodles Downtown, I’m still going to go to either Noodles & Co. or Spaghetti Works. Roost hasn’t done anything to break me out of that habit. Meanwhile, when I want a sandwich Downtown, Roost sits comfortably among my top picks.
Then again, I didn’t care for Roost’s sandwiches the first time I had one, whereas now I crave them. Roost has shown both a willingness and an ability to adapt and evolve. With a little work, perhaps the noodle bowls will make a name for themselves.
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