Sure, I feel great . . .

. . . but the three-year-old that lives with me isn't feeling too hot. This isn't a blog about parenting (it's about being at UNO) but the trials and tribulations of dealing with a small, upset, sick little kid are in the UNO non-traditional student tradition. (Try saying that fast.)

On day's like today, I can't imgine being a student with classes to get to, studying to get to, a job to get to, AND a sick son or daughter. It's hard enough just dealing with the logistics of work and home. Anyway, she's sleeping and I'm at home . . . and I'll post some while it's quiet.

From the daily city paper
I saw my first UNO hockey game at the Civic. A thousand years ago, I saw my first concert there, too (Crosby, Stills and Nash in 1986 . . . lots of old hippies in the crowd.)

"Civic Auditorium will be evaluated, city might tear it down
The fate of the Civic Auditorium could be sealed by an upcoming study.

The Omaha City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved spending nearly $70,000 to evaluate the condition and future costs of the 53-year-old building. Click for more.

And again from the daily city paper

"Omaha Film Festival

---

Here's a movie event to go with your popcorn yen.
When: through Sunday
Where: Westwood Cinema 8, 2809 S. 125th Ave.
In competition: 12 narrative features, six documentaries, nine animated shorts, seven shorts by Nebraska filmmakers, three documentary shorts, 20 other short films
Tickets: $45 pass to all screenings; $6 for individual screenings; $70 all-access pass, which includes all screenings plus closing-night party, award ceremony and T-shirt
Awards ceremony: 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Westwood 8.
Information: omahafilmfestival.org
Special screenings: "My Brother," inner-city story of two impoverished boys starring Vanessa Williams and Tatum O'Neal, 9 p.m. Friday; "War/Dance," documentary screened this year at Sundance about three children in northern Uganda whose families have been torn apart by civil war, 4 p.m. Saturday; "Out of Omaha," a dark comedy filmed in Omaha in 2005 about a dysfunctional family trying to get out of town for a vacation trip in an RV, 3 p.m. Sunday (director-screenwriter Linda Voorhees will attend)."

Hockey honors for Dupont
Here's the headline and story from gomavs.unomaha.edu (which is still working.)

Dupont Nets Third CCHA Weekly Honor
Freshman goalie Jeremie Dupont was named Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s goalie of the week.

Dupont stopped 41-of-47 shots (.872) in the Maverick’s first ever sweep of Alaska in Fairbanks. Dupont also backstopped 66:40 of shutout hockey for the Mavs helping secure a fifth-place finish in the conference for the team.

Dupont’s two previous weekly honors were for CCHA rookie of the week.

Back on campus . . .

. . .and feeling better, thanks for asking.

A little love from the Daily Nebraskan

Here's the start of a story and a link to the full article. UNO Child Care is a great thing for campus.

UNO's child care flourishes as UNL's closes
By: Laura Chapman
OMAHA - The University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln aren't just sister institutes, they're practically neighbors.

But as far as child care goes, the two schools don't compare. Click for more.

Theater stuff
The Gateway gave the current play up in the Weber Building a thumb's up.

The theatre department's web page is kind of trippy. Lots of pop ups.

And a note on campus computers, the web, etc.
This announcement is up on the unomaha.edu website. I know they're working on the issue.

The message -- "The Avalon Web server, which houses UNO college and department Web pages, experienced a ser ious malfunction overnight on Feb. 26. This did not affect general Internet connectivity, only access to UNO Web pages.

We have established a temporary site for access to critical resources. Additionally, we will be restoring all other data from tape backup, which may take most of the day today.

Other campus systems, such as Blackboard and the myMail system, are still available."

And I think it's funny . . .

. . . I've become sort of addicted to the online Chad Vader webcasts. If you don't know about Darth Vader's socially insecure brother, well, here you go.

Down for the count

I'm lousy when I'm out sick. All that I want to do is curl up in a dark corner and just wait it out. I may post more later, but don't count on it.

Enjoy the weekend

It may get wet and snowy, but there are things to go to and check out. No home sports this weekend, but . . .

Ecoutez! Continues Feb. 24 with Flutist Hubert Laws
The 2006-07 Ecoutez! series at UNO will continue Saturday, Feb. 24, with a performance by jazz flutist Hubert Laws. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall on the UNO campus.

Tickets will be available at the door and cost $15. All students are admitted free of charge with identification. The doors will open 30 minutes prior to each concert. Click here for more info.

And more music up ahead
The UNO Department of Music will showcase its ensembles and faculty during performances of Brahms' German Requiem Saturday, March 3, at the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall. Performances will be held at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. Click here for more info.

Sound file Friday
A link to something pleasant for the weekend. Hubert Laws sound files at www.hubertlaws.com/audio.htm

Assorted UNO Thursday . . . .

Here's something for folks who are looking to stay fit and do good at noon.

7th Annual Poker Walk/Run
There are no prizes or awards for being fast, as the best three poker hands from five cards distributed on the 1.5-mile course win prizes. Door prizes also will be awarded, and the event is free to all participants.

Registration is requested by calling the Campus Recreation Office at (402) 554-2539, but it is not required. Set for noon today.

Benefit performances set for Feb. 23-25
The UNO Women's Resource Center will present its second annual benefit production of Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues Friday through Sunday, Feb. 23-25.

The production, directed by Sonali Kumar, will be performed in the Eppley Administration Building Auditorium on the UNO Dodge Street campus. The house will open at 7 p.m., with a 7:30 p.m. curtain for Friday and Saturday performances. On Feb. 25, the house will open at 3 p.m., with a 3:30 p.m. curtain. The Sunday performance will be followed by a talk-back session with the director, designers and cast.

And speaking of performances . . .
Former UNO student Conor Oberst will be playing in town this weekend. Good luck finding tickets. Here's the story from the daily metro paper -- "Oberst and Bright Eyes to play Saturday at Murphy's Lounge"

And while we're highlighting stories . . .
. . . here's a story that was on the national wire yesterday about our friends down at UNL -- Music piracy at UNL targeted

My apologies . . .

. . . this is the first day I didn't get a post in (and this doesn't count.) Work kept me hopping today. KETV did a segment in the early afternoon on music downloading that airs tomorrow morning. Had a couple of meetings, too, and took a bunch of phone calls while typing away at press releases.

I'll be better tomorrow. Promise.

Playoff time in Omaha

Student tickets for the hockey playoffs are just three bucks. The details follow from the good people at gomavs.unomaha.edu --

Playoff Tickets on Sale Tuesday
Tickets for the March 2-4 best-of-three first round playoff series in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association will go on sale Tuesday, Feb. 20, at noon. The Mavericks clinched home ice for the first round with Saturday's overtime win over Ohio State.

UNO, which plays at Alaska this weekend, will meet a yet-to-be determined opponent in the series. All games will start at 7:05 p.m. at Qwest Center Omaha.

Playoff ticket prices: Adults upper bowl $13; Adults lower bowl $16; child ticket $9; UNO Students $3 with ID.

Fans may order tickets by phoning 554-MAVS (6287) or through Ticketmaster, or buy them in person at Qwest Center Omaha or the UNO Athletic Ticket Office at Sapp Fieldhouse from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

For a completely different kind of game . . .

"Family Fun Center Offers Tokens Discount for Mavericks

The Family Fun Center has been a sponsor of Maverick Hockey for the 2006-2007 season and, as the hockey season is coming to a close, they would like to present a special offer to all UNO students, faculty and staff.

With the offer, receive 20 free tokens with the purchase of 20 tokens, now through the end of the 2007 hockey playoffs. Simply show your UNO ID at the main counter to receive the offer. This special - Coupon Code MAV07JW - is not valid with any other offers. It is limited to one use per family per day and has no cash value. The offer will expire Saturday, March 31..

The Family Fun Center is located west of UNO at 71st and Dodge St. More details are available online at http://www.familyfuncenter.net or by calling 554.1925.

Big melting Monday

Sure, it's the start of a new week and everyone is back at school and work, but everyone has to like the warmer temperatures. It also means sloppy roads (and dirty cars) but my fingers don't feel like frozen fish sticks any more (is "fish stick" one word, two words or hyphenated?)

Nickel and Dime it this weekend
Good stuff this week from Theater. Check it our below.

"The UNO Department of Theatre will present "Nickel and Dimed" Friday and Saturday, Feb. 23-24, and Wednesday through Saturday, Feb. 28 to March 3, on campus. The production - written by Joan Holden and based on Barbara Ehrenreich's book, Nickel and Dimed, on (Not) Getting by in America - will be directed by Doug Paterson, UNO professor of theatre. A preview performance will be held Thursday, Feb. 22, at 7:30 p.m. Want to know more? Click here. It's featured in UNO What's Up.

New profile of Alexander Williams . . .

. . .is up on the university's feature story website. Good reading.

Monday, music, web stuff

From my friend at Lazy-i.com. Some local music info.

"In other news…

Websites for the two newest, yet-to-open clubs in town went online in the last couple of weeks. Slowdown, the Saddle Creek Records music hall/bar in downtown Omaha, put up this website (at www.theslowdown.com) that is nothing more than a countdown to their grand opening June 8 (if my math is correct, and it probably isn't). Other than the clock, there's nothing to see. Meanwhile, just as cryptic is the new Waiting Room website (at www.waitingroomlounge.com) that sports the message "Keep Waiting." Keep an eye on both sites, I have a feeling they will be updated shortly.

Not a Valentine's Day post

This is from the folks at Coolhunting.com. It's not quite a voodoo doll with pins, but it made me smile. (But I like dark humor.)


Hate dartboards

There's whole exhibit with stuff like this at the Dazed and Confused Gallery (but it's in London) or go to the 180 Things I Hate About You site.


Some education major notes
Tyler Micek just invited me to join (and I did) the UNO Education Majors United Group on Facebook. Here's some upcoming events for Kappa Delta Pi, the Honor Society for Education:

Kappa Delta Pi
Chapter Meeting
February 19, 2007
Topic: Time Management Panel
Time: 6:45-8pm
Location: Kayser Hall 520

Kappa Delta Pi
Spring Initiation
February 21, 2007
Location: MBSC Chancellor’s Room
Time: 5:30-7:30pm

This blog can sure run meeting notices for organizations if that's helpful. And thanks Tyler!

"Caps for Cancer" Set for Feb. 17 Hockey Game

This one came out of UNO eNotes today.

"Senior captain Mike Eickman and the UNO Red Army will sponsor "Caps for Cancer" at the Saturday, Feb. 17, hockey game at the Civic Auditorium.

Hockey fans are invited to bring a new, unused hat to the Feb. 17 Ohio State game. During the second intermission, participants will be asked to throw their hats onto the ice. The hats will be collected and donated to the Eppley Cancer Institute.

Only new hats will be accepted. Maverick hats can be purchased at the Lawlor's stand at the game at a five dollar discount. For each cap sold, Lawlor's will donate one dollar to the Eppley Cancer Institute.

For more information, call Ashley King at 554.2140."

Soundfile Friday
I like Guided By Voices. This is "The Best of Jill Hives" off the Matador Records website. If the mp3 link doesn't work, click on www.matadorrecords.com/guided_by_voices/.

The band in town I want to hear but haven't? Domestica.

Cowbells for the weekend . . .

. . . and that's bound to drive Ohio State just nuts.

BLACKOUT set for Friday and Saturday
From the good folks in Student Government

"Catch a ride with SG-UNO to the February 16 and 17 BLACKOUT hockey games against the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Civic Center. Buses depart the North Campus Clock Tower at 6:25 p.m. for Friday's game and 7:25 p.m. for Saturday's game.

We will be giving a cow bell to all hockey fans in black that ride the bus!

**STUDENT SEATS ARE LIMITED AT THIS GAME SO EVERY STUDENT THAT RIDES THE BUS WILL BE GUARENTEED A FREE TICKET WITH THEIR UNO ID. **

Shop at the UNO Bookstore to get ready for the blackout. They are offering Buy One, Get One Half Off the week of the game! And we're collecting caps for kids with cancer at Saturday's game!"

Free concert next week, too
Jazz is good for you. No, not like taking your vitamins or getting eight hours of sleep. Jazz is smart and a major part of the cultural heritage and landscape of America. UNO jazz students will be part of the event, too. Get a date, make plans, enjoy.

Ecoutez! Continues Feb. 24 with Flutist Hubert Laws
The 2006-07 Ecoutez! series at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) will continue Saturday, Feb. 24, with a performance by jazz flutist Hubert Laws. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall on the UNO campus. Tickets will be available at the door and cost $15. All students are admitted free of charge with identification. Want to know more? Click here.

Valentine's Day -- happy day to one and all

Get a card, get flowers, get something for the significant other in your life. It's good advice. Trust me.

Maverick Sports coming up (and it's a busy few days) --

Wednesday, Feb. 14 (Today)
- Wrestling vs. Augustana
Sapp Fieldhouse
7 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 16
- Tennis vs. Graceland
Hanscom Park
3200 Ed Creighton Ave.
6:30 p.m.

- Hockey vs. Ohio State
Civic Auditorium
1804 Capitol Ave.
7:05 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 17
- Women's basketball vs. North Dakota
Sapp Fieldhouse
2 p.m.

- Men's basketball vs. North Dakota
Sapp Fieldhouse
4 p.m.

- Hockey vs. Ohio State
Civic Auditorium
1804 Capitol Ave.
8:05 p.m.

More info. is always at gomavs.unomaha.edu.


Two more from UNO Athletics --

NCC Tabs Prince as Athlete of the Week
"LaCheryl Prince, who won both the long jump and the triple jump at last week's Wayne State Wildcat Open, has been named the North Central Conference's women's field athlete of the week. Want to read more? Click here for the full story.

LaCheryl Prince


Thies Earns Nebraska Player of the Week Honors
Senior guard Karen Thies has been named the Nebraska Division II Player of the Week for the third time this season. Want to know more? Click here.

Karen Thies

Sure, it's beyond frigid today, but Spring Break is coming

Seven Days of Service is a great time for everyone involved and makes a big difference in the community. Here's the press release that the university put together.

Participants Sought for "Seven Days of Service"

Looking for something to do during spring break that will benefit you and the community?

Seven Days of Service offers UNO students a chance to improve their community by refurbishing homes for low-income families.

From March 10 to 17, students and other volunteers will be working on six homes in south Omaha. The UNO Service-Learning Academy directs the project, and the Family Housing Advisory Services in Omaha will sell the renovated homes to low-income families.

Students can sign up to help with Seven Days of Service at the Information Desk in the Eppley Administration Building (first floor) or in 220 Arts and Sciences Hall. Public administration students will also have a sign-up booth in the lower level of the Milo Bail Student Center Monday, Feb. 12, through Friday, Feb. 23, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

For more information, call the Service-Learning Academy at 554.6019.

Classes are on today

Just wanted to make it clear in today's blog headline that UNO is in session.

And here are a few things going on . . .

Sixth Annual Malcolm X Festival Set for Feb. 13-14

Omaha - The sixth Annual Malcolm X Festival at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) will focus on the Black Arts Movement during two days of lectures, presentations, performances and discussions on Tuesday (TODAY) and Wednesday, Feb. 13 and 14. All events will be held in the Milo Bail Student Center and are free.

On Feb. 13, events begin at 10 a.m. with “Lynch Fragments: The Works of Mel Edwards.” Edwards is a contemporary American sculptor whose work often incorporates found metallic objects. At 11:30 a.m., a panel discussion will be held on the image of the young black male. Panelists include: Deb Bunting, Nebraska Arts Council, Peggy Jones, visiting assistant professor in the UNO Department of Black Studies, and Mike Carroll, associate professor in the UNO Goodrich Program.

Feb. 14 events begin at 9 a.m. with the Imani Winds Quintet giving an artist's talk. The quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, French Horn, bassoon) is comprised of African-American and Latino musicians who combine their cultural backgrounds with the classical tradition. Formed in 1997, the group has played from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center to the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. “Imani” means faith in Swahili. The group will give a full performance later in the day at 7 p.m.

Two other presentations are also set for Feb. 14:

* M1 of Dead Prez will speak at noon;

* Reggie Clark aka “Slim” and Nkrumah will discuss the business of hip hop at 1 p.m.

Waiting for snow, slipping on ice

So I take one step out of the door and -- whoops -- there go the feet. Wish I was Spider-Man and could stick and stand better on a day like today.

It's a grab-bag of stuff.

A week from today, be kind to the ol' ticker
The good people in UNO Student Health always are nice. They've given me tetanus shots, band-aids, and advice. On Feb. 19, they have the following going on --

8:30 am - 11:30 am Love Your Heart! UNO Student Health Services is hosting its annual Healthy Heart Day! The event will feature cholesterol and blood sugar screens ($20 cost), free blood pressure screens, free body mass index (BMI) screens, Mav-tracks, hip-to-thigh ratio, Hy-Vee dietician and free giveaways. Location: Milo Bail Student Center Dodge Room Contact Phone: (402) 554-2374

Something bright and beautiful . . . even if it is an ad
Sony's UK ads give me hope. I bounced into this yesterday and, boy, I want a paint cannon.

Give the folks who shovel . . .

. . . scrape, and dust the snow and ice from the campus sidewalks and parking lots credit. They do a great job. The side streets of Omaha are entirely another matter . . . .

UNO Gateway stories to check out

• Good story related to the Jackson Katz event earlier this week.
• The Malcolm X Festival kicks in on Feb. 13 and 14.
• And the Pikes are raising cash for the Ronald McDonald House.

Soundfile Friday
Youtube.com is amazing. I find out the other day that B.B. King is coming to town on April 1, do a quick search, and, voila, a 1969 video of Mr. King.

Why the interest in B.B. King? Once upon a time, while an undergrad nearly 20 years ago, I spent a semester in New York (thanks to the UNO Honors Program.) I went to a midnight show at the Apollo Theater and met B.B. King backstage. He’s a legend, an extremely nice legend, who made time for a kid from Omaha.

A free concert for UNO students . . .

. . . is set for tonight. Here's the deal --

"Ecoutez! Continues Tonight with Trombones de Costa Rica

The 2006-07 Ecoutez! series at UNO will continue tonight, Feb. 8, with a performance by the Trombones de Costa Rica. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.

Tickets will be available at the door and cost $15. All students are admitted free of charge with identification. The doors will open 30 minutes prior to each concert. Phone reservations for student tickets are recommended.

"Ecoutez! is committed to bringing the highest caliber of established performers and emerging artists to the metropolitan area," said Roger Foltz, a professor of music at UNO and coordinator of the series. The word "ecoutez" is French for "listen." KVNO Classical 90.7 FM is the media sponsor for the series.

Trombones de Costa Rica is one of the most innovative and virtuosic brass ensembles of the American continent. Their recordings - titled "Contrastes," "Imagenes" and "Trombonismos" - present a mix of standard classical and Costa Rican music. The quartet has traveled extensively throughout the Americas, the Caribbean and Europe. It has performed with the U.S. Army Band, the Oregon State University Symphonic Band, the Carroll College Wind Ensemble, the University of Miami Wind Ensemble, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ecuador, San Jose National Band, the Costa Rican National Symphony and the University of Costa Rica Wind Ensemble.

For more information, call 554.3427."

Should be a great performance. More music on campus next week, too. Details to be written up soon.

And a picture is here . . .

. . . and it's a unique one. Marlin Briscoe is in the center of the photo (photo taken by UNO's Tim Fitzgerald) and he's surrounded by former Maverick QBs, young and old.
This was a great event for UNO. Even though it started late due to Mr. Briscoe's plane being slightly delayed, it was genuinely nice to see people come out to get an autograph, a handshake, a hug. Good day to be a Maverick.

Pictures coming later today . . .

. . . of the Marlin Briscoe event in the MBSC over the noon hour, hopefully.

Nine former UNO quarterbacks from a variety of eras are supposed to be attending.

More soon.

For $10, students can waltz

This is quite the deal for students -- live band, dance lessons, dessert. Not bad at all. I'm going to be there.

"Chamber Orchestra to Present "Romance and Roses" Feb. 10

The UNO Chamber Orchestra will present "Romance and Roses," a romantic evening of Viennese waltzes, Saturday, Feb. 10. The event will be held from 7:30 to 10 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom.

Tickets are $25 for individuals, $40 for couples and $10 for students with ID. The proceeds will benefit the Friends of Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra Scholarship Fund.

"This will be a very romantic affair to celebrate Valentine's Day," said Christopher Stanichar, an assistant professor of music at UNO. "If you're looking for the perfect romantic event to surprise the love of your life, then look no further!"

Stanichar will conduct the program. An assortment of desserts and champagne is included in the ticket price. Those attending are encouraged to come early and learn to waltz from 7 to 7:30 p.m.

For tickets or more information, call 554.3427."

Thursday -- an evening on basketball

Last weekend was a big sports weekend. It's a little quieter this week, but Thursday night is still a rgeat night to catch a couple of basketball games here on campus --

	Women's Basketball St. Cloud State Thursday, Feb 8 Sapp Fieldhouse 6:00 p.m. Men's Basketball St. Cloud State Thursday, Feb 8 Sapp Fieldhouse 8:00 p.m.

And if you just like hanging around . . .
Friday, Feb. 9, there's the following going on over in HPER

"Buddy Day at the Wall
Come with a friend and receive rental equipment and a belay course for half price. (The public must still pay the $5.25 per person guest entrance fee.)

Location:	110 Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) Building
Contact Phone:	(402) 554-3342"

Post-Super Bowl Monday . . .

. . .and here's the info. on the big football-related event set for Feb. 7. It's the official press release from the UNO Athletic Department.

Marlin Briscoe to Return
To UNO on February 7

Former football All-American Marlin Briscoe will return to his alma mater next Wednesday. Briscoe, the first black starting quarterback in professional football, will appear at the Milo Bail Student Center to discuss the recently-released book Third and a Mile: The Trials and Triumphs of the Black Quarterback, which chronicles the experiences of the first black quarterbacks.

The book is authored by New York Times sports columnist William C. Rhoden.

Briscoe’s appearance is presented by ESPN Books. He will be at the Fireplace Lounge in the student center from noon-1:30 p.m. to discuss the book and to sign copies. In addition, several former UNO quarterbacks and many of Briscoe’s teammates are expected to attend.

The Omaha native played at the school when it was Omaha University from 1963-67, establishing 22 records. He was a first-team NAIA All-American under the late coach Al Caniglia. Briscoe was one of the original inductees into the UNO Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975.

Drafted in the 14th round by the Denver Broncos, he started as a defensive back, then, because of injuries, was switched to quarterback by coach Lou Saban. He was installed as the team’s starting quarterback before mid-season and passed for 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns. Briscoe set the team single-game record for total offense with 333 yards and still holds the record for total offense in a season by a rookie with 1,897 yards.

He went on to become an all-pro receiver with the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins and was a key member of the 1972 undefeated Dolphins. He played on Miami’s two Super Bowl champion teams.

And a reminder on this event set for Feb. 6 -- Tough Guise
Bunch of good folks are putting this together --

SPO, UCMHE, Women Studies, WRC, and many more

The details:

Come learn about intimate partner violence...oh by the way, don't think this event is just for women, men are welcome. Here is what will happen...
Movie: Tough Guise from 11 am to 1pm, FREE Food!!!!!!
Workshop: 4 pm to 5 pm
Lecture: 7 pm till ....
All events will be in the Nebraska room. Come have fun yet learn a lot.
http://unomaha.facebook.com/event.php?eid=2232918678

Fridays are good, even in the cold

I had an opportunity to talk about Maverickland at last night's SGUNO meeting. There were a few questions, and I think the senators were positive about what they saw. I'll throw this out to them (and anyone else reading) -- send me feedback, send suggestions, send ideas. If this place on the web is going to be successful, I better listen.

Pikes going to the Ball
Got this from Michael Riggenbach from Pi Kappa Alpha.

"Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity Assisting with 2007 Omaha Heart Ball

Members of Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), the leading fraternity at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, will be aiding in the American Heart Association’s 19th annual Omaha Heart Ball. The American Heart Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to reduce health problems associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke.

The Omaha Heart Ball will be taking place on Friday, February 3rd at 5:30pm and will be held in the Mutual of Omaha Dome on 33rd and Dodge St. The Ball is an elegant, black-tie event with many corporate leaders, philanthropists, and medical professionals in attendance. This will be the American Heart Association’s largest fundraising event in Nebraska.

The members of Pi Kappa Alpha will be assisting in the cleanup of the event. After a night of dinner, dancing, and live and silent auctions, Pike members will be in charge of returning the Mutual of Omaha Dome back into shape. For more information concerning Pi Kappa Alpha’s involvement in the Omaha community, please contact Michael Riggenbach. Any questions concerning the Omaha Ball can go to Kathy Wolf at kathy.wolfe@heart.org."

Soundfile Friday
First up -- I've posted a new UNO Radio News Line. What's a Radio News Line? It's mostly for reporters around the state at radio stations, but anyone can check it out. The current segment is on a team taught set of UNO honors courses.

Second up -- I wrote earlier this week about Lazy-i. Well, the guy who puts the daily online zine together pointed me towards a very cool and appropriate pop song by Belle and Sebastian. "Another Sunny Day" make me happy. And here's a link to the band's Matador Records page. If there's a problem linking to the sound file, it's one click away from info. page.

February -- it's a long 28 days

February might be short on the calendar, but it's the toughest month of the year for me. Always has been. Too cold, still too far until spring. Blech. Time to stop complaining and focus on the good and the great. So . . .

Bhangra event gets some attention
Like clockwork, Josie Loza put the info about the DJ Rekha event slated for campus later this week in her "On the Town" column in the Omaha World-Herald. It's a nice write up and Josie is great. What I'm not crazy about at this point is the omaha.com redesign. The website still isn't easy to search.

I wrote up the event earlier in this blog, too.

More music in more places
One of the links I've put on this blog (see the laundry list of stuff on the right side of the screen) is to the online, local music magazine Lazy-i. A friend of mine writes it up each and every day. (He's a blog inspiration.) He focused on a new venue coming to Benson yesterday --

"The Wait Is Over
One Percent to open music venue.
For the guys at One Percent Productions, a long-held dream is about to become a reality.

That dream is called The Waiting Room, a new venue slated for an early March launch at 6212 Maple St., the location of the now-defunct Marnie's Place. The impending opening is bound to send shockwaves throughout the Omaha music scene . . . ." Read more by clicking here.

Non-music, but important and cool -- Black History Month Events
eNotes today has a listing of all the UNO Black History Month events coming up. Film screening, discussions, stepping . . . and it's all free. Click over to eNotes and check it out.