Lincolnite

OK, so you didn't make the megamillions investing in real estate in Lincoln that you could have made in, say, Vegas. At least you can take solace in knowing that Lincoln's economy is expected to keep on growing, while lots of folks elsewhere are in for a heck of a time.

Chief Casady pointed out an amusing contrast between the "family"-style gathering of regulars at The Keg, and the aftermath later that night. Isn't irony grand?

Trang Nguyen is darn lucky he's still alive after re-entering a burning building to rescue his son. Those stories seem like they almost never end well. Thank goodness this one came out ok. In fact, none of the family members even had to go to the hospital. Sure, their house is gone, as are most of their possessions. But considering the family easily could have been without a dad and brother, they're awfully lucky.

Anybody know anything about Star City Boot Camp? Apparently it is:

A four-week outdoor program of fitness instruction, nutritional counseling and motivational training. You will be inspired and have fun while participating in a fantastic workout led by Certified Adventure Fitness Trainer, Jody Berg. Each day, camp will be one hour in length starting at 5:45 am.

Unfortunately, it's just for women. Not that I'm looking to participate in a fitness program right now, but even before I heard about SCBC I had always thought a boot camp-style training program could be a lot of fun. I'm sort of weird that way. If anybody has participated in the program or knows somebody who has, I would enjoy hearing your thoughts on the program.

The Missus tells me she saw a billboard tonight announcing that The Peacock, a new Indian restaurant, is open in the strip mall on the southeast corner of 27th and Pine Lake. Can anybody confirm that? If true, we may give it a try either on Wednesday or over the weekend.

Contrary to earlier reports that the space on 13th and L which housed the old M13/Ma Lou's restaurant would be converted into a coffee shop, instead it seems that the location is being remodeled into a mens' barber shop which may open as early as the middle of next month. Speaking of Ma Lou - her new Manila Bay restaurant has been open for several weeks now - katty corner from where she was before on 10th and O. An LJS review is still forthcoming for a to be announced hard opening.

There sure hasn't been much buzz lately about the ol' Catalyst One project, has there? I wonder if that falls into the category of "no news is good news", or if the silence implies something less positive for the project. Originally I thought we were supposed to have news within 6 months, which would have been approximately mid-September. As I read through my materials, though, I see that the real timeline for negotiations is anywhere from six to 18 months. In other words, that ugly slab of blacktop could be there for another year or more.

Lincoln's "Central Park" gets some details in today's Journal Star. Actually, there aren't really any surprises. If you have followed the Antelope Valley news over the past few years, or if you have read through the AVP website, you'll recognize most of the plans. The pricetag for the park comes in at around $7.6 million, a little less than half of which is being taken care of by the 2015 Vision folks. The only thing that bothers me about the park -- and it has bothered me since Day 1 of this project -- is the water. Will it be filtered upstream to help keep it clean? How will we assure a good presentation both during dry spells (low water) and wet spells (high water)? These aren't unanswerable questions, but what concerns me is that folks have been asking those questions for years now, and nobody official has chipped in a response. The park will need a name. Right now a portion of the area is called Trago Park. It's not clear if that name will stick, or if the entire park will renamed. If you were to name this new park, what would you call it? Note that the easy "Antelope Valley Park" is probably out since it would be too easy to confuse with the existing Antelope Park.

The little buggers aren't here yet, but emerald ash borers are on the way. Maybe. The larvae of the green insects kill ash trees, much the way Dutch Elm Disease wiped out Elm trees a few decades ago. So do your civic duty. If you see any metallic green insects walking around this spring, squash 'em.

Several local families are watching carefully for more news about potential human remains found today near 120th and Van Dorn. That one of those families could receive closure in their search for their lost loved one is both good and tragic.

I really don't like the term "Black Friday". It's such an ugly term. It reminds me of the Black Death. That's not what the marketers are going for, I'm sure. Then again, some people would say that the rampant consumerism that happens on Black Friday is somehow analogous to the Black Death. That characterization is a tad over-the-top for my tastes, but then again, so is Black Friday. Anyway, The Wilsons will be venturing into the Black Friday crowds today, if only by accident. The Missus scheduled a family photo at JC Penney's at 1:00pm. Yes, we're going to Gateway on Black Friday. And yes, I'm getting my photo taken in the middle of a Husker game. *sigh* Look for us if you're out there. We'll be the only people at Gateway not shopping. Are any of you braving the Black Friday crowds today? What deals did you get?

Ahh, it warms my heart to see the first snow of the season falling on the Capital City. Welcome, winter! I missed you! Oh cheer up, warm weather lovers. May is practically right around the corner.

Nothing like a good drive-by shooting to give hunters a boost in reputation. You can almost hear the twang of the banjos, can't you?

A preliminary estimate of the proposed UNL research park's cost to taxpayers is $300 million. Quick, what's your first impression of that price tag? Got it? OK, read on. My first impression was that the cost sounded about right. It may even be a bit on the low side of my expectations. The overall public/private investment estimate is around $1 billion. Again, that feels about right. The Antelope Valley's price tag has been pegged at around $1 billion as well ($250 million public, $750 million private). I hope the debate over State Fair Park's future use doesn't turn into a simple decision centered on the cost of the available options. The issue is so, so much more complex than simple dollars. At play are the emotional attachment to the State Fair; the future of UNL; usage of a critical piece of Lincoln real estate; and dozens of other factors. I support UNL's vision for the land. I don't want Lincoln (or Nebraska) to lose the State Fair, but the Fair's potential contributions to the city and state are far below what we should expect from a research campus. I wish I could be more enthusiastic about the Fair's future, but right now the evidence doesn't suggest to me that the Fair is a good long-term investment. I'm willing to be convinced otherwise. A research park, on the other hand, is an excellent long-term generator of quality jobs, tax income, and private investment. Getting back to UNL's estimated price tag, $300 million, despite being near my expectations, certainly isn't cheap. I would be much more comfortable with spending that kind of money if I knew that private research firms were committed to starting up operations on opening day. I don't doubt that's possible -- even likely -- but it's something we won't know until we've committed to building the park. Classic chicken and egg. Generally speaking, Nebraskans like the sure thing, or at least what they perceive to be the sure thing. Right now, the State Fair -- in existence for years and years -- is the sure thing. Unseating it will be no easy task.

Could it be true? Is Jon Bruning leaving the Senate race before the race even really begins? If it is true, I don't get it. Why quit so early? I don't think he'll win, but that doesn't mean I don't think he could win. And it's not like he and Johanns have to worry about beating up on each other so much that a Democrat could sneak into the seat. Nebraska's Democrats are down to, what, their 43rd choice at this point? Maybe Bruning's campaign knows something we don't. Perhaps they're afraid more details about Bruning's inappropriate behavior could come out if he stays in the race. That would screw up his Senate ambitions and his career as Attorney General. Maybe there's some other skeleton in his closet. Or perhaps Bruning is just choosing to focus on the areas in which he knows he can have success. It's an awfully conservative approach for somebody as driven as Jon Bruning, but it's not an unreasonable way to go. Without some external motivator, I don't understand Bruning's decision. (If it's true, of course.) It seems premature. Then again, it wouldn't be the first time Bruning's actions have confused me.