Lincolnite

Hawthorne Elementary's supporters came out in droves yesterday to protest the potential closing of the school. Many of the supporters' arguments just aren't very persuasive, but yesterday at least one new argument came to the fore: although the number of families with young children is small right now, the neighborhood is primed for an influx of younger residents as long-time elderly residents gradually leave. I don't know if the facts support that contention, but it's a good theory. Much better than one woman's statement that "this is the only school that [she has] seen that they are so friendly." Setting aside whether or not you think Hawthorne and Dawes should close, do you think they will? Do you think the Board of Education will follow through on this proposal?

I have previously noted a few outstanding auto repair outfits here in town I have had experiences with, such as Economy and Performance in downtown and also Fayad's, both of which seem to operate largely on good word of mouth. Add to that list Rick Hein and the Tuffy Auto Service Center on 14th and Pine Lake Road. After some punks let the air out of my car tire on Saturday morning, I took it over to the Tuffy's - which just happened to be both open on Saturday and the closest repair shop to where I was. Within minutes of my arrival, Rick took the time to remove and inspect the tire thoroughly, put it back on, and had me on my way shortly thereafter, without any charges. Kudos to Rick and Tuffy's.

Have you noticed how the Journal Star is branching out these days? They have the newspaper (of course), and its accompanying website; there are a bunch of podcasts; there are mags like Wheels for You; they've just come out with a new recycling program; and I've been told they're even building a handful of houses. Ten bucks says a Downtown sandwich shop is next on their agenda.

I haven't been able to listen to KLIN's web feed lately. Have any of you tried it recently? Is it just me, or do you come up empty as well?

How 'bout those Huskers? Sure, it was "just" Nevada, but it was still a nice win. (Aren't they all?) I don't think we should have any visions of a top-five finish at this point, but it's at least plausible that we'll take two of the biggest three games (USC, Mizzou, Texas) this season. How 'bout those Huskers? Yeah, those Huskers, the ones in tight shorts and pony tails. Five games down, three ranked teams squashed. Not a bad start to the season. Who hit the State Fair this year? How was it? Robbie and The Missus went for a couple hours one day, but I never did make it. I'm bummed. I really wanted a Twinkie on a stick. Fall is almost here. I'm not ready.

Go Big Red!

Tomorrow is a big day for Lincoln, thanks to the Husker football team's first game of the season against Nevada. I won't make it to the game, but I do, of course, plan to watch. Duh. Are any of you going? If you go, do me a favor and watch the Tunnel Walk very carefully. Especially the part around the time that the team comes out. If my sources are correct, you may see a surprise or two. If you can grab it on video and YouTube it, even better.

The Haymarket's biggest building has been sold, and it will soon get a facelift to "give it more of a Haymarket feel". The current Holiday Inn may even become a Crowne Plaza, giving it its fifth name in three-and-a-half decades. I'm curious about the exterior facelift to make it look Harmarket-y. Are they going beat the exterior with sledgehammers to make it look like it's old and falling apart?

Sometimes data speak for themselves. From Chief Casady's blog.

I love Schlotzsky's. I could eat there every week, easily. Unfortunately, ever since the location at 33rd and Pioneers closed, we Lincolnites have been stuck with only one impossible-to-access location at 27th and Superior. (Aside: The access problems at 27th and Superior are roughly analogous to those proposed by the city at 48th and O. Easy to see why businesses aren't flocking there, no?) In addition, that location isn't the most, umm, attractive or well-maintained location. Compare Lincoln's dive with these nifty locations. Fortunately, it looks like my favorite place to eat with my eyes closed is in the midst of a minor makeover. There is new paint (plus wainscoting!) on the walls; new tile is going to be laid; and the whole place just looks fresher. On top of that, the staff were noticeably pleasant and happy when The Missus and I stopped by on Sunday. New management, perhaps? I can't believe there is only one Schlotzsky's in town. It really is a shame. If I had my way, there would be at least three locations in town: one on South 14th or South 27th; one on 84th Street near the new Wal-Mart; and a replacement for the current eyesore somewhere on North 27th (probably closer to the Interstate). I would even throw one in at 48th and O ... assuming that little access problem could be figured out.

I can't possibly summarize this any better than the Journal Star already has:

It’s not clear why, but a 30-year-old allegedly was seen circling a fountain near the Lincoln Children’s Zoo in his pickup Tuesday night. It was 10:20 p.m. when a zoo employee spotted him driving around Teacher’s Fountain, 27th and Capitol Parkway, and called police with a description of the driver, his pickup and plate number, Capt. Jim Thoms said. He said police went to the registered owner’s address at 2742 Cable Ave. and found the blue 2000 Chevy S-10 pickup with mud and grass on it. When they talked with the owner, Joshua Arney, he denied any involvement. But the zoo employee identified him as the driver, Thoms said. Police cited Arney on suspicion of vandalism — and reckless driving. Damage to the shrubs and landscaping was estimated at $100.

Bizarro.

Congratulations to Union College for reaching the 1,000 student mark, after seeing numbers almost half that size a decade ago. Do we have any Union College alum among our readers?

The Planning Commission will consider blighting some 400 acres west of the Haymarket today. Actually, they will just make a recommendation; the City Council will have to make it official. A blight designation will allow tax increment financing (TIF) to kick in, which will likely be very important for building a new convention center and arena. Note that, unlike the Antelope Valley Project, this project will almost certainly require a public vote at some point.

Mayor Beutler will give his State of the City address tomorrow at 3:00pm. How do you perceive the state of the city?

I didn't blog about this earlier because I figured the article would eventually show up online. So far, no dice. According to an article by Deena Winter in yesterday's Journal Star titled "Ambulance response times lag, study finds", Lincoln Fire and Rescue has failed to have an ambulance on scene in eight minutes or less 90 percent of the time. As Ms. Winter puts it,

That means firefighters' promise to voters in 2001 -- that they would handle the ambulance service "faster, better and cheaper" than the private company that had it -- has failed on at least two of those counts.

On the plus side, data show that the first paramedic on the scene arrives by firetruck within 8 minutes 95 percent of the time.