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UNO Hockey Staking its Claim
Don't look now, but UNO hockey may be on the verge of making the kind of noise and capturing the kind of attention traditionally reserved for Nebraska football and Creighton basketball. My Reader (www.thereader.com) story charts some of the reasons why this already has beenand continues being a special season for the program. For the first time this late in the season UNO's nationally ranked and in a contending position for accomplishing big things in their conference and perhaps in the NCAA tournament. The Mavs play their last regular season home series this weekend, March 6-7, at the CenturyLink and it's an important opportunity to keep momentum and maintain a solid spot heading into the post-season.
UNO Hockey Staking its Claim
©by Leo Adam Biga
Now appearing in The Reader (www.thereader.com)
Since launching hockey in 1997 to subsidize its non-revenue generating sports UNO's netted a nice return on investment. Maverick hockey crowds rank among the best nationally, with annual ticket revenues of $2 million. When the school dropped football and wrestling in 2011, it added pressure on hockey to be the signature sport.
The University of Nebraska at Omaha has enriched the city's hockey legacy. The minor league professional Omaha Knights (1939 to 1975) began the love affair. The amateur Omaha Lancers (1986 through today) continued it. UNO found its niche as Neb.'s only collegiate hockey team. Despite gritty performances and many upsets its first 18 seasons. UNO didn't emerge as a title threat. Until perhaps now.
Coach Dean Blais, tasked with making Mav hockey nationally relevant when hired in 2009, has guided UNO through conference changes, player suspensions, stars leaving for the NHL and solid if not stellar play. Now, for the first time this late in the season, he has UNO contending. His team's defeated several highly ranked clubs, splitting four games, three in overtime, with perennial power North Dakota, where Blais won two national titles.
His best offensive player, sophomore forward All-America candidate Austin Ortega, recently tied the NCAA single-season record with his nation-leading 10th game-winning goal.
UNO, 17-10-3 at press time, climbed to No. 4 in the Division I ratings. It's led the powerful National Collegiate Hockey Conference most of the year. Entering the final regular season home series versus Colorado College at CenturyLink Center, UNO hopes for momentum that carries into the NCHC Frozen Faceoff and the NCAA tournament.
As UNO hockey enters the local sports conversation reserved for Husker football and Bluejay basketball, it may establish itself as a must-see attraction and traditional power. The timing's apt since it gets its own facility next year when the UNO sports arena opens on the Ak-Sar-Ben campus, where the Knights played. Touted underclassmen helping drive this special season were recruited to the new venue.
Sophomore center Jake Guentzel is enjoying the ride, "We're more on the map, more fans are coming, so it's pretty special." He's not surprised by the success. "I thought we had the players to do it, I just didn't know if we had the experience. We're bottom-heavy with freshmen and sophomores but we've adapted pretty well. We've been fortunate we've had the opportunity to play and we've taken advantage of it."
He says preseason predictions of UNO finishing sixth in the league provided motivation. He credits an early road trip to Western Michigan, where UNO got a sweep. as a confidence-booster and bonding experience. The right mix of leadership has team chemistry just right.
Senior goalie Ryan Massa has waited four years for UNO to break out. "It's nice to finally see all the hard work pay off for the guys." He feels a humbling exhibition loss to Northern Alberta Institute of Technology in October was a necessary rude awakening. "It kind of opened the new guys' eyes to understand the level we're playing at and helped them grow and mature a little bit faster than maybe anticipated."
Senior forward Dominic Zombo likes this team's make-up. "I do see a component I haven't seen in the past. We've got a really tight-knit group. We don't have any passengers here, nobody's just going through the motions, everybody's here to get better, to win games. Every single guy's committed to their job. That's what makes us so competitive as a team."
Blais doesn't know if UNO's truly arrived but he's confident it soon will.
"I would think so but you never know from year to year. This is a special group of guys and for them I hope we win a league championship, get to the Target Center (home to the Frozen Faceoff), advance to the national tournament. Those are benchmarks for a program and our seniors know they're paving the way for the underclassmen. Hopefully getting to the tournament isn't a big accomplishment, it's an expected accomplishment every year.
"We have a new arena coming that's going to take the program to another level."
UNO athletic director Trev Alberts says the arena signifies that Mav hockey matters.
"You can tell people hockey is very important to your school but if you don't even have a place you can call home and practice in, it's difficult to get the kind of talent in here you ultimately need."
He says the arena will put the program on near equal footing with its stiffest competitors.
"When I hired Dean I really wanted to have somebody who'd been there, done that, who knew what it took to win at the highest levels.
There's built-in disadvantages to being in Omaha, so far from hockey hotbeds. I just feel good we're finally able to give he and his staff some tools necessary to assemble the kind of talent we hope to have here."
Having its own intimate space will benefit UNO, which shares the huge CenturyLink with Creighton. The average hockey crowd of 8,000 downtown still leaves the venue half-empty. That same crowd fills the new arena. It should spike demand from fans and corporate sponsors.
Die-hard hockey fan Ernie May, who's never missed a UNO home game, says, "I can't wait to get into our own building. I think that's going to be fantastic and make the interest grow."
"Clearly this will be the best opportunity we've ever had to have a branded-out facility of excellence our student athletes can compete in," says Alberts.
Omaha hockey historian and former UNO sports information director Gary Anderson says, "They're going to go into an arena exactly the right size they need for the fan base they've created." He says there was never any doubt Omaha could sustain college hockey. "When the program was born you still did have a lot of old-time hockey fans and the Lancers were around the peak of their success, so consequently UNO built a really good fan base right from the start."
That loyal base bodes good times ahead.
"I've been absolutely amazed and humbled by the support UNO hockey fans give to this team, even in some pretty poor years," Alberts says. "Our fans are hungry and we're hungry to give them what they want, which is a consistent winner on the ice."
May enjoys that the Mavs are meshing to put themselves in position to make history: "For me this year almost has as much excitement as the first years we had hockey."
Coach Blais is trying to ensure his team attends to all the details heading into the intense post-season, where little things become magnified and championship teams find ways to win. UNO getting swept on the road at St. Cloud State (Feb. 20-21) resembled the late season swoons it's suffered in past years.
"I don't know if we have any more than we've given already," he says. "How many times can you go to the well? My teams at North Dakota could operate at 70 percent and still win. We're not there yet. Our margin for error's slim. We've got to be all engines going, we can't have one engine not running. We're darn close. It starts with recruiting and we've been lucky enough to land some dandies."
Even if UNO should reach the top, he says, "it's one thing to get there, it's another thing to stay there." First things, first.
Massa says, "Every single one of us believes in our potential. None of us doubts we can be playing at the Boston Garden (site of the Frozen Four) competing for a national championship this year. We've played against the best all year and we've done well against the best."
Zombo can't imagine what a UNO hockey title would mean.
"I wouldn't be able to explain. I've never been a part of anything like that that's a dream."
UNO's dream ride continues at home Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7. Listen on 1180 The Zone 2.
Read more of Leo Adam Biga's work at leoadambiga.com.
Austin Ortega leads UNO hockey to new heights
Homegrown Joe Arenas made his mark in college and the NFL
As much as I enjoy writing about the arts and artists, I equally enjoy writing about athletics and athletes. I finally caught up with a former football great from Nebraska, Joe Arenas, who has never really gotten his full due. If the name isn't familiar, it's because his professional and college exploits happened about 60 years ago. And though he was a very fine player – so good that he is still among the NFL's all-time leaders in career kick return average – his jack of all trades verstality as a returner, running back, receiver, and defensive back made it hard for him to really stand out except as a returner. When you come right down to it, how many returners other than maybe Gale Sayers, Travis Williams, Brian Mitchell, Eric Metcalf, and Devin Hester really made a dent in the national consciousness? Sayers was of course a great running back in addition to being a great returner. The other thing working against Arenas was that he had two future NFL Hall of Fame teammates, in Joe Perry and Hugh McElhenny, who got most of the offensive touches out of the backfield. Before playing pro ball Arenas starred in the single-wing at then-Omaha University, where again he did a little of everything. In the single-wing Joe played a half-back spot in that offense but he did everything a quarterback does. Before he ever played college ball Joe served as a U.S. Marine in World War II. He was wounded at Iwo Jima. My story about Joe for El Perico newspaper refers to the fact that Arenas was among a small number of Hispanic football players who made a mark in the game. I also reference how Omaha U., which today is the University of Nebraska at Omaha, is where another athlete of color, Marlin Briscoe, played quarterback in an era when that was very rare at a predominantly white university. What I didn't mention in the article is that a third athlete of color with local ties, Wilburn Hollis, played quarterback at two mostly white institutions, first at Boys Town and then at the University of Iowa. I was delighted to find Joe a still vital man in his late 80s.
Homegrown Joe Arenas made his mark in college and the NFL
©by Leo Adam Biga
Originally appeared in El Perico
The longer out it is from the University of Nebraska at Omaha dropping football in 2011, the more its gridiron greats recede into obscurity.No one should forget (Guadalupe) Joe Arenas.This son of Mexican immigrants was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and grew up in Lincoln, Neb. during the Depression. Small but determined, Little Joe didn't play organized football until college yet he still made the National Football League. The high school basketball standout made the varsity hoops squad at the University of Nebraska before transferring to then-Omaha University, where he played both sports, becoming one of America's most accomplished Hispanic athletes.
He won All-American football honors as UNO's do-everything offensive cog (1947-1950), averaging 200-plus yards total offense as a junior and finishing sixth in the nation in total offense as a senior. As the go-to back in the single-wing, a precursor to the spread formation, he received snaps from center, called plays, ran, handed-off, passed, caught and punted the ball. He returned kicks and played defense, too.
Two decades later another athlete of color, Marlin Briscoe, became the first black starting quarterback at UNO and in the NFL.
San Francisco made Arenas UNO's first NFL draftee as an 8th round pick. He enjoyed seven productive years (1951-1957) at halfback, returner and defensive back. He once led the league in kickoff returns and retired as the all-time returns leader. He still ranks ninth in league history in career kickoff return average (27.3).
"If I got one or two blocks, that's all I needed," Arenas says. "Just get me started and I'd try to maneuver around and shake 'em off. Just shifty, that's all. I used to get out early to see teams practice. I'd study their punter and kicker – where they hit it, how far they hit it, getting to know their habits, so I'd know where to stand and what to do."
After fielding the ball, he let his smarts, instincts and athletic ability take over, netting career marks of 3,798 kickoff return yards and 774 punt return yards. He brought back both a punt and a kickoff for scores. From scrimmage he compiled 987 rushing and 675 receiving yards and scored 16 touchdowns. He also threw a touchdown.
Upon leaving the 49ers he laid off two years to mend injuries before trying out with the Boston Patriots of the new AFL. He soon retired for good. En route home to San Francisco his back flared up and he recuperated in Houston, falling in love with his physical therapist. He stayed, they married and the couple raised two daughters.
He remained in Texas coaching football, working with receivers for College Football Hall of Famer Bill Yeoman at the University of Houston. In the 1980 Cotton Bowl the Cougars upset Nebraska 17-14 when an Arenas receiver made the game-winning grab in the end zone with 19 seconds left. Arenas sent several proteges to the NFL.
Long before any of that, he put athletics on hold and his life on the line serving in the U.S. Marines. He took part in the amphibious landing on the Japanese-fortified volcanic island of Iwo Jima, where he and his fellow "no guts-no glory" grunts staged the bloodiest assault of the Pacific theater. American troops storming the beach were pinned down under heavy fire. Arenas dug in and prayed.
"I got hit the very next day. It was a shrapnel wound and they carried me down the beach, where I got evacuated, and I'm glad I did because that was quite some campaign there. Oh man, I'll tell you, I was probably fortunate to get hit and get the hell out of there. All my buddies got shot up.
"That was the worst place anybody could have been. The Marine Corps lost more on that island than they ever lost anywhere. The Japanese had the advantage. They were up on two highlands and we were down in a valley. They could see everything going on right down below them. All they had to do was look down their scopes. They were picking us off like clay pigeons. But we had enough force and enough people and material and guts (to prevail)."
He didn't let his back wound slow his athletic career. He competed with the best, including three 49ers teammates who made the Pro Football Hall of Fame: Joe Perry, Hugh McElhenny and Y.A. Tittle.
Playing in an era before collective bargaining and free agency, he never made more than $10,000. Like other players then Arenas worked a regular off-season job to make ends meet. He was a salesman for spice giant McCormick and Company.
He "never thought" himself or the few other Hispanic players active then, like Tom Fears or Eddie Saenz, as groundbreakers. He's proud Hispanics have since shined: Joe Kapp, Tom Flores, Jim Plunkett, Jeff Garcia. At 49er gatherings he's met franchise legends John Brodie, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice. But there, like at UNO alumni events, few teammates are around. "There's not too many left," says Arenas, who at 89 is now a widower living in a Webster, Texas retirement center.
Coming back to Neb. gets harder. Besides, there's no more football at UNO. "I'm really saddened by UNO not playing football anymore."
He still enjoys watching the game on television, the coach in him critiquing players' techniques and lack of hustle. He still signs bubble gum cards with his likeness on them that fans and collectors send him.
Gone, but not forgotten.
UNO resident folk hero Dana Elsasser's softball run coming to an end: Hard-throwing pitcher to leave legacy of overcoming obstacles
No sooner did my profile of University of Nebraska at Omaha softball ace Dana Elsasser get posted and published than she went out and threw three straight shutouts, including a no-hitter, and she'll go for a fourth in her final home appearance on Wednesday, April 30. Her great run as a collegiate pitcher is fast coming to an end and one has to wonder what might have been if UNO has remained Division II instead of transitioning to Division I during her career. To what heights might she had lead the Mavericks? The transition cost her and her teammates any chance to play in the postseason. The move also made it difficult for UNO to schedule a full slate of regular season games. All of that meant she made many fewer appearances than she would have otherwise. On top of that, upon entering the program she largely had to sit her freshman year behind two returning All-America pitchers. That cost her even more chances. If she'd had those added opportunities her career stats, which are outstanding as is, would be even more impressive. But that's all beside the point because what makes her folk hero in my mind is how she seemingly came out of nowhere to become the face of a storied program and how she made herself into a great player despire all kinds of challenges that's she never looked at as obstacles.
UNO resident folk hero Dana Elsasser's softball run coming to an end
Hard-throwing pitcher to leave legacy of overcoming obstacles
©by Leo Adam Biga
Originally appeared in The Reader (www.thereader.com)
The University of Nebraska at Omaha has a veritable folk-hero in its midst in hard-throwing senior softball ace Dana Elsasser, who's overcame serious challenges to become a pitching phenom. With her near legendary career fast nearing its end, fans have only a few chances left to catch her in action.
In her No. 1 pitcher role she'ill get the ball at least twice in this weekend's (April 25-26) three-game home series against Summit League foe IUPUI. She enters the circle for the final time at home versus Drake on April 30. UNO, with an RPI in the 60s, concludes its season May 2-3 at Western Illinois. The team's guaranteed to finish with a winning record and Elsasser should climb UNO's career pitching charts.
Entering Tuesday's doubleheader versus North Dakota she was 21-7 on the year and 65-24 in her career with a lifetime ERA of 1.44.
Though soon exhausting her eligibility, her legend's sure to grow as a foundational figure in UNO's transition from Division II to D-I.
Her departure's coming too soon for head coach Jeanne Scarpello. She's been enamored with Elsasser's ability and character since first laying eyes on her in 2010.
"From day one you could tell she's a different kid – just the drive and what she wanted to do and what she wanted to be. She's never going to back down from a challenge. She gives 100 percent and expects the rest of us to do the same. She pushes us to be better."
Scarpello's admiration only grew upon learning the obstacles Elsasser faced en route to becoming a winner.
"She does have quite a story," the coach says.
Born "a premie" in San Antonio, Texas to a teenage mother, Dana started life in foster care. After raising kids of their own Rick and Barb Elsasser of Hershey, Neb. were looking to adopt and the white couple got matched with Dana, an African-American, when she was a week old. She became the only black resident of Hershey until the Elsassers adopted more children of color.
Dana was an athletic prodigy, proving a natural at seemingly whatever she tried, including softball, basketball, volleyball and track.
"Dana's balance, hand-eye coordination and kinesthetic sense have always been exceptional," says her father, a principal and coach who worked with her on her fundamentals. especially her pitching mechanics. "Every time she was shown a new skill she would master it quickly. She has always hated to lose but she used to become discouraged easily when her team was behind and that affected her play. Experience in athletics has given her the tenacity to fight through disappointment. Her UNO coaches deserve a great deal of credit for instilling a fierce competitive spirit."
Just as she was turning heads athletically as a teen she developed scoliosis, a severe curvature of the spine. She underwent fusion surgery at the Mayo Clinic. Pieces of her hip bone were fused to her spine with "rods, nuts and bolts to keep everything intact," Dana says.
"The scoliosis thing was scary. Dana faced it all with great courage and determination," Rick says.
Once cleared to resume athletics she and her dad left the hospital and drove around until they found a ball diamond and began playing catch.
"I was a little scared I wouldn't be able to pitch again but I recovered relatively quickly from the back thing and it just gave me fuel to get stronger because I had to work two times as hard to get where other people were. I just did as much as I could. I ran a lot, I did sprints. I was in the weight room. I got really strong. I think strengthening my body is what helped me be prepared for college," says Dana, who's known to workout on game days and on off days following games.
"I feel I need to do to get in the mood of It's go time. Otherwise, I feel tired and sluggish and just not ready to go."
After opting to specialize in softball her pitching took off under her dad's tutelage. Her high school didn't field a team, She made a name for herself out west playing summers with the North Platte Sensations.
Typical of the upbeat Elsasser, she takes in stride everything that's been put in front of her.
"Honestly, when I was growing up I really didn't see much of the adversity I overcame as a disadvantage. I haven't thought of it as things that set me back. When I tell people my story they're like, 'Wasn't it weird being the only black person in town?' I never thought of it like that. My parents did a really good job of just making things normal for me."
Rick Elsasser says Dana has an innate sbility to adapt and persevere.
"Dana has always had tremendous resolve. I remember when she was about 5 or 6 years old, I spent about 15 minutes showing her how to shoot a basketball and then left her to practice. I went back outside about two hours later and found her still shooting. I had to make her stop and eat."
Scarpello long ago gave up trying to get Elsasser to ease off. The coach still smiles at nearly missing on this model student-athlete who outworks everyone. After all, Dana was a-best-kept secret in the sticks, where her exploits four-hours away fell on deaf ears here.
Scarpello first heard of her via a letter Dana wrote her while a senior in high school. Dana mentioned she was (then) 5-foot-4 and threw 65. Scarpello didn't buy it. She'd never heard of someone so short throwing so hard. It took corroboration from two coaches before she decided to see this little dynamo for herself.
Scarpello and pitching coach Cory Petermann drove to Hastings expecting to see Elsasser pitch in a game only to have it forfeited when the opposing club didn't show. The coaches had Dana warm up with her father for a private audition. Rick had caught his daughter countless times in the yard of their home sitting on a bucket as she threw from a make-do mound. This was different. The stakes were higher, though that didn't register with Dana until reminded of it.
"I was really nervous but actually I don't think I even realized how important it was when they were watching me – that if I do good I'm going to have college paid for," Dana says. "When I started out I wasn't throwing my hardest. My dad told me, 'Get it together, this is your time right here to do it." Then I knew it was a big deal.'"
With a radar gun trained on her she consistently clocked 65 and Scarpello had seen enough to be convinced.
Rising to the occasion is something Scarpello and Co. have come to rely on from Elsasser, who acknowledges she thrives in such situations.
"I like it when I'm in pressure spots and everyone is looking to me. I just like how my team puts their trust in me and it just motivates me to do better. I like being in charge in that moment."
Five years since discovering her, Elsasser will leave UNO as one of the storied program's best pitchers. She's proven herself against elite competition despite being lightly recruited and not looking the part of a mound master with her lithe frame and diminutive stature. Her long limbs, strong core and compact delivery allow her to average 68 miles an hour on her "go-to" pitch, the drop-ball. She's hit 70. Her effortless appearing motion, honed over thousands of hours, makes it appear she's not throwing as hard as she is.
Armed with her heater, a change-up and a rise-ball, plus pin-point control, she has enough stuff to hold her own with the best.
"She is a go-right-at-you kind of kid. She's not a strikeout pitcher, though she's getting a lot more strike outs this year, but she really just lets batters put the ball in play and lets the defense work behind her," Scarpello says. "And she's a great defender as a pitcher."
Last year Elsasser one-hit perennial Big 12 power Oklahoma State iand three weeks ago she beat Big 10 heavyweight and in-state rival Nebraska 3-2 in Lincoln. She calls the victory over NU "the greatest moment I've ever had." The win followed UNO coming up short against the Huskers several times and redeemed a 10-0 drubbing at their hands earlier this year that Elsasser blamed on herself.
"I means everything to me. I got that win for my dad. That was our goal when I made my commitment to UNO – beat the Huskers. I told myself I'm not going to let them make a fool of me on the mound again."
Per usual, her folks were there to cheer her on and as always she heard her dad's voice above everyone else.
"I could him during that game yelling at me from the stands. I looked up there and I saw him jumping around. It was really emotional."
Scarpello says Elsasser has shown she "can play with the big dogs," adding, "She could be playing at any of those programs."
Elsasser says she and her teammates are often underestimated and use their underdog status as fuel to prove they belong.
"We always hear, 'Who's this Omaha team that keeps winning? Who are these people?' But we know we're capable of getting it done."
Overturning doubters seems hard-wired in Elsasser.
She would have been UNO's ace as a true freshman if not for two returning All-America pitchers. She made the most of her limited opportunities, going 10-1. Her pitching mates got most of the starts based on experience, not talent. She also struggled with illegal pitches due to a habit of lifting her foot off the mound during her delivery. She corrected the problem over the summer and prior to the following season Scarpello handed her "the torch to carry the program." Elsasser ran with it to become "our identity" but she first had to make a tough decision. UNO went D-I, initiating a transition period that made it ineligible for the postseason. Scarpello gave her players permission to transfer and she feared Elsasser might move on.
"She knew she would not to get to play for championships and that's what she came here to do," Scarpello says, "and I knew that bothered her because she wanted to make a mark. We've tried in various ways to give her some great opportunities, to challenge her, so she could make her mark and have no regrets she stayed here. Those games against top teams have become a measuring stick for her and for us."
Elsasser's sure of her legacy as a program builder but she can't imagine life without softball.
"What I'm going to miss the most is the relationships and being in the circle. The field feels like home to me. If I come to practice in a bad mood I always leave in a good mood. These girls are my best friends, we do everything together. We're just like a big family. It's kind of unsettling to know I won't have that type of bond and closeness I've been used to every day for four years."
Everyone says she'd make a great coach. "She's a real student of the game," says Scarpello, adding, "I'd hire her in a heartbeat."
"Coaching could be my career," says Elsasser. She"ll be coaching a younger sister this summer who's showing great promise as, you guessed it, a pitcher. Clearly, this legacy has legs.
Nebraska's Changing Face; UNO's Changing Face
I wrote the following feature and sidebar exploring some trends about the changing face of Neb. and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, my alma mater. Slowly but surely the state and some of its institutions are becoming more diverse. Some of the changes can be readily seen already, others not so much, but in a few decades they will be more obvious. It's a healthy thing that's happening, though diversity is still taking far too long to be fully felt and lived and embraced in all quarters, but that's for another story.
Nebraska's Changing Face
©by Leo Adam Biga
Nebraska's "Plain Jane" sameness has long extended to its racial makeup. Diversity hasn't held much truck here. Even when the foreign-born population was at its peak in the state's first half century, the newcomers were predominantly of European ancestry.
An African-American migration from the Deep South to Omaha in the early 1900s established the city's black base. Until a new immigration wave in the 1990s brought an influx of Africans and Latinos-Hispanics to greater Neb., the composite face of this Great Plains state was decidedly monotone.
The perception of Flyover Country as a bastion of white farmers has never been completely accurate. The state's two largest metropolitan areas, for example, have always boasted some heterogeneity. Urban areas like Omaha and urban institutions such as the University of Nebraska at Omaha express more racial-ethnic diversity because of longstanding minority settlement patterns and the university drawing heavily from the metro.
But it is true Neb.'s minority population has always been among the nation's smallest, which only supported the stereotype.
Finally, though, its minority numbers are going up and its diversity broadening.
Still, if Nebraskans posed for a group portrait as recently as 1980 more than 9 of every 10 would have beeb white. Only 6 percent identified as African-Americans, Latino-Hispanics, Native Americans or Asians.
The lack of diversity extended virtually everywhere. The largest minority group then, blacks, was highly concentrated in Omaha. Despite slow, steady gains blacks still account for only 13 percent of the city's population and 4 percent of the state's population.
But as recently announced by UNO researchers, Neb. is changing and with it the face of the state. A group picture taken today would reveal a noticeable difference compared to a quarter century ago, with whites now accounting for 8 of every 10 residents. Indeed, the state's minority population has more than doubled the past four decades, with by far the largest increase among Latinos-Hispanics, who now comprise the largest minority segment. Latinos-Hispanics are on a linear growth trajectory. They tend to be young and their women of childbearing age.
Minority growth has been even greater in select communities, such as Lexington, where meat processing attracted newcomers.
Celebrated native son filmmaker Alexander Payne's new movie "Nebraska" – set and shot primarily in the northeast part of the state – accurately portrays a slice of Neb.'s past and present through a large ensemble of characters, all of whom but two are white. The exceptions are both Hispanic. The Oscar-winning writer-director may next make a partly Spanish-language feature about the impact of the immigrant population on Neb.'s towns and cities.
New UNO Center for Public Affairs Research projections posit that by 2050 the state's portrait will dramatically change as a result of major demographic trends well under way. Within four decades minorities will account for about 40 percent of the entire population. Nearly a quarter of the projected 2050 population of 2.2 million, or some 500,000, will be Latino-Hispanic.
It's a sea change for a state whose diversity was traditionally confined to a few enclaves of color. Immigration, migration and natural causes are driving this new minority surge.
Everything is relative though. So while CPAR Research Coordinator David Drzod says, "Our diversity will increase," he adds, "Neb. is one of the less diverse places countrywide and other states are going to become more diverse as well."
Still, the snapshot of Neb. is changing due to real demographic shifts with significant longterm consequences. Just as the majority white base is holding static or declining, non-whites are proliferating. The results can be seen in the ever more diverse profiles of some communities, neighborhoods, schools and other settings.
Thus, for the first time in Neb. diversity is becoming more lived reality than aspirational goal.
Economic conditions were the main driver for the sharp rise in Latinos-Hispanics migrating here. Plentiful jobs, a low cost of living, coupled with aggressive industry recruitment, lured people to move here from places with comparatively weak economies, high cost of living and job shortages. Neb. grew its Latino-Hispanic base from points of origin in California, Texas. Mexico, Central America and South America, The state also saw its African and Asian populations increase as refugees from Sudan and Bhutan, for example, resettled here.
Drozd says, "People are not coming as directly for new jobs like in the '90s when the meat processors were expanding and recruiting. We expect to see some regional migration that Neb. has typically seen from smaller locations to more urban locations that tend to have a diverse pool of job opportunities within various industries."
While migration has slowed from its peak waves it's expected to continue in fits and starts. Migration, researchers agree is "a wildcard" that can't be accurately forecast, but Office of Latino and Latin American Studies Research Associate Lissette Aliaga Linares notes an uptick in Latinos-Hispanics from Arizona, which OLLAS Director Lourdes Gouvia attributes to that state's anti-immigrant policies.
Drozd says Neb.'s minority experience is consistent with some surrounding states and inconsistent with others.
"We are typical of the Great Plains in that we tend to suffer from outmigration especially of young college-aged whites, which is counteracted by in-migration and increase in the minority population groups. On the other hand Neb. is unique in that we are growing faster in some of our metropolitan areas and not holding our population as well as some of the more rural areas."
The emergence of more minorities is perhaps most visible in urban inner city public schools, where student enrollment naturally reflects the heavily minority communities these schools serve. Minority enrollment in the Omaha Public Schools stands at 68 percent.
"The diversity of UNO will continue to grow and one only has to look at the demographics in the metro area to understand that traditional middle school and high school students will increasingly be students of color," says UNO Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs B.J. Reed.
Some outstate school districts are now majority Latino-Hispanic.
The impact of diversity in this small population state that suffers from brain drain cannot be overstated.
"There's a large part of Neb. that would be having population decline if it were not for minority growth," says Drozd. "There's all sorts of implications with respect to aging, the workforce, health care, education. From a gerontology standpoint you have the possibility of seeing a younger, more diverse working-age population caring for a predominantly white non-Hispanic aging population and will there be any issues associated there. With programs like Social Security you're going to be relying more and more on an immigrant population to support payments for predominantly white people collecting from the program. So there are potentials for tension there and of course political ramifications and all sorts of factors."
Gouveia, a sociology professor, reminds that "Latinos are going to imitate some trends of the larger population the more urban and educated they become," adding. "The more women are able to work outside the home fertility rates will drop and the population will begin to age. It's the life cycle."
As minorities grow they become a larger sector of the tax and voting base that elected officials and prospective candidates must recognize.
Drozd says communities must adapt, whether offering English-as-a-Second Language programs or multicultural competency classes, in order to best serve minorities and their particular needs.
As more minorities graduate high school educators and employers hope that many of these college-bound grads and working-age young adults will attend school and find jobs in-state.
"As people have become upwardly mobile in Neb.'s past that has led to outmigration out of the state," says Drozd. "It's going to be a very policy relevant factor because people born in the early '90s are now hitting age 18. Even if they choose a Neb. college where are they going to go to work? Will there be jobs and associated positions for them here in the state or will they go out of state?"
Just as preparing students to succeed in school is critical, so is preparing a workforce for today's service and skilled jobs.
"Let's make no mistake about this, without immigration Nebraskans may have to rethink how they are going to have a viable economy that produces not only jobs but payrolls that produce taxes from which an aging population will benefit greatly," says Gouveia. "Without this population there won't be services this Boomer population and this aspiring mini-global city of Omaha depends on. These are increasingly service economies and that means it's very important for the economy to increasingly be based on higher pay jobs likely to grow, such as information technology or biotechnology.
"That also means educational institutions need to be able to truly know how to train this generation of children of immigrants. The children may not be immigrants themselves but a large number have immigrant parents who endured very poor, disadvantageous conditions that tend to disadvantage the educational achievement of their children. We have to have multidimensional. multidisciplinary perspectives to understand who this population is. And that goes to our research also."
She believes minorities will succeed to the extent opportunities allow.
"We haven't addressed the serious barriers to education that would guarantee that new face of America and of Neb. becomes a face with equal opportunities to participate in the prosperity all of us will want to share." She says if barriers to upward mobility aren't removed "it may prevent Neb. from truly harnessing what we call this demographic bonus that's been gifted to this state. A state that was losing population were it not for minority growth and international migration would be in serious trouble today to have a viable economy and future."
Daniel J. Shipp, UNO associate vice chancellor for student affairs, says schools must find ways to support minority students.
"When combined with the typical struggles of new college students the demographics of race-ethnicity will create even more difficult challenges in both access to and success in college. Not only must we continue to open our doors wider to traditionally under-served student populations but once on campus it is critical for all of us to see their success as a top institutional and community priority."
UNO Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs Pelema Morrice urges educators and employers to appreciate diversity's many forms.
"We always focus on racial-ethnic diversity but I think intellectual diversity, geographic diversity, cultural diversity, all those different forms of diversity, really add a lot of value to everyone's experience. There's plenty of evidence that the more diverse environment we're in the more we all have opportunities to learn from each other.
"So I think it's incredibly important for an institution to be a welcoming and diverse environment where folks can learn from each other at a higher level. I think that adds to the educational experience and it provides students with really good training to go out and be productive citizens and to be successful in the workplace."
Diversity is also the way of this flatter, interconnected world.
Reed from UNO's Academic and Student Affairs office, says "Our students will grow up in a much more global environment requiring exposure to difference cultures and different experiences."
Where diversity often must be programmed, Gouveia is heartened by students' inherent embrace of it. "About this new Neb. mosaic, one thing I'm particularly hopeful about is the younger generation. I love our new students. From any background they are so much more prepared and so much more ahead of where we are as professors or department chairs or deans in terms of knowing how to do diversity. We are the ones who are often behind them."
As Neb. becomes more multi-hued, UNO's Morrice says representative stakeholders should discuss what diversity holds for the state.
"With these new demographics coming forward it means our student base will obviously be more diverse than it is now and that means the outcomes will be more diverse and so we'll see more diverse workplaces and communities within the state. We're just a piece of that puzzle but I think it's a good collective conversation for everyone to have as the state continues to grow and it becomes clear that there will be different faces at the table."
UNO's Changing Face
©by Leo Adam Biga
The same demographic trends on pace to make the United States a minority majority population by 2050 and making Neb. a more racially-ethnically diverse place in the second decade of the new millennium, are increasingly being expressed at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Roughly a quarter of UNO's 2013-2014 freshman class is minority and just under 20 percent of the school's entire undergraduate enrollment is minority. Both are record marks for the school. In 2000, for example, UNO's minority enrollment stood at 9 percent. The minority numbers are even greater among graduate students.
The 11 percent rise in UNO minority enrollment from 2000 until now reflects in large measure the Latino-Hispanic boom that happened in-state from 1980 to 2010, when that segment increased from about 37,000 to 167,000. The Latino-Hispanic population is expected to add another 370,000 residents by 2050, according to UNO's Center for Public Affairs Research.
As a public institution with a state-wide reach, UNO's a model for the changing face of Neb. Drawing principally from the Omaha metropolitan area, which as the state's largest urban center has always been Neb.'s most racially-ethnically diverse spot, UNO is, as expected, one of the most diverse campuses in the University of Nebraska system.
At the University of Nebraska-Kearney minority undergraduate enrollment has nearly doubled since 1995. Today, nearly a quarter of its students are non-white or non-resident alien. Meanwhile, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln reports the most diverse student body in its history. UNL's 2,328 minority undergrads are about 12 percent of the undergraduate total, a 9 percent increase just from last year. Just as at UNO, the largest minority gains at each school are in the Latino-Hispanic and international students categories,
As minorities comprise a growing segment of the state's mainstream and of its public schools' enrollment, institutions are tasked with incorporating these populations and responding to their needs.
"The good news for Omaha is that UNO has a proud tradition of supporting minority students through various educational equity and learning community investments such as Goodrich, Project Achieve and the newer Thompson Learning Community," says UNO Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Daniel J. Shipp. "These programs provide student participants with a network of caring and concerned faculty, staff and peer mentors that help students to succeed and thrive in college. Moving forward, I expect we will continue to build on our national reputation for attracting and supporting the growing numbers of minority students and their families in the Omaha area and beyond."
"Minority students are an important population but they are only one of an increasing mosaic of diversity at UNO, whether they are military, first generation, students of color or adult learners or transfer students," says UNO Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs B.J. Reed. "We are working every day to ensure that these students feel welcome at UNO and have the type of support services and environment that will make them want to be want to be here and to be successful. We do this for all our special populations of students. We have programs and learning communities as well as staff specifically directed at helping ease their transition to UNO and success in their academic goals."
Reed says hiring faculty and staff who reflect the changing face of UNO "is a top priority," adding, "We have made important strides in diversifying our staff but we lag behind where we want to be here and also with recruiting and retaining a more diverse faculty. We are working on reviewing existing policies and procedures and looking at incentives and support efforts to increase the diversity of faculty and staff to reflect the changing demographics of our student body."
There's wide agreement that diversity is a net sum experience for all involved.
"The benefits are substantial," Reed says. "The workplace is becoming increasingly diverse and employers need and want an increasingly diverse group of employees. We cannot underestimate the shift occurring here. We need to provide a strong educational workforce for employers and UNO must be positioned to do that effectively."
Office of Latino and Latin American Studies Director and Sociology Professor Lourdes Gouveia agrees that educators at UNO and elsewhere must increasingly consider diversity and its impact.
"We have to educate our professionals and student populations in ways that allow them to be skilled about global issues and diversity and to have multicultural competencies as the world is very connected," she says. "But also we need to address structural barriers that may prevent Neb. from truly harnessing what we call this demographic bonus that has been gifted to this state. A state that was losing population if not for minority growth and international migration would be in serious trouble today to have a viable economy and a future."
Wanda Ewing Exhibit: Bougie is as Bougie Does
Omaha has lost one of its most respected and exibited artists, Wanda Ewing. As a memoriam to her, I am posting for the first on this blog a story I did about an exhibition of hers some years ago. When the assignment came I already knew her work and like most folks who experienced it I was quite impressed. I very much wanted to do a full-blown profile of her but I only got the go-ahead to focus on the exhibit. She was very gracious with her time in helping me understand where she was coming from in her work. Her untimely death has taken most of us, even though who knew her far better than me, by complete surprise. Facebook posts about her are filled with shock and admiration.
You can appreciate her work at http://www.wandaewing.com. The Omaha World-Herald should have a notice in the next day or so.
Wanda Ewing Exhibit: Bougie is as Bougie Does
©by Leo Adam Biga
Originally appeared in The Reader (www.thereader.com)
Wanda Ewing is at it again. The Omaha printmaker known for her provocative spin on African-American images has created a sardonic collection of reductive linocuts and acrylic paintings that considers aspects of beauty, race and social status. The work has been organized in the solo exhibition, Bougie, at the Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery in Lincoln, where it continues through December 2.
The title comes from a slang term, derived from the French word bourgeois, used in the black community as a put down for anyone acting "uppity," said Ewing, an assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. "It speaks to the level of acceptance due to your social and economic background, your physical appearance, all of it."
She explores bougie through the template of popular magazine culture and its vacuous lifestyle advice. The heart of the show is 12 faux glossy covers, each a reductive linocut with vinyl lettering on acetate, depicting a slick monthly women's mag of her imagination called Bougie. The garish covers are inspired by Essence and other Cosmo knockoffs whose content places style over substance.
Among the "bougie markers," as Ewing calls them, are black cover girls with straight or long hair and "story tags" that embody those things compelling to bougie women — shopping, how to lose weight, money and getting a man. Some of the teasers get right to the point: "Not Hood enough? 25 ways to get ghetto fabulous." Another reads, "It's what's on the outside that counts." Among the many double entendres are, "Tom Tom Club, back on the scene" and "I'm dreaming of a white Christmas."
"I wanted to achieve something that was funny to read, but had some grit to it," she said.
Each "issue" is adorned by a head and shoulders illustration of a black glamazoid female, the features made just monstrous enough that it's hard to recognize the real-life celebs Ewing based them on. One vixen is based on home girl Gabrielle Union. Other iconic models include Halle Berry, Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Tyra Banks, Janet Jackson, Eve, Star Jones and Queen Latifah.
Ewing "distorted" the images, in part, she said, as "I didn't want them to be necessarily commentary on the celebrity, because it's not about that,"
These cover girls represent impossible beauty standards and thus, in Ewing's hands, become primping, leering creatures for the fashionista industry. Like the figures in her popular Pinup suite, she said, bougie women "are not shrinking violets."
Contrasted with the plastic mag images are big, bold, beautiful head portraits of more realistically rendered black women and their different hair styles — bald, straight, permed, afroed, cornrowed — executed in intense acrylic and latex on canvas. These are celebratory tributes of black womanhood. The figures-colors jump out in the manner of comic book or billboard art. "I'm still holding onto being influenced by Pop Art," Ewing said. "I love color. I'm not afraid of color." The Hair Dresser Dummy works, as she calls them, are a reaction to the stamped-out glam look of the old Barbie Dress Doll series. Ewing's "dolls" embody the inner and outer beauty of black
women, distinct features and all. We're talking serious soul, here.
There are also fetching portraits of women that play with the images of Aunt Jemima and Mammy and that refer to German half-doll figures Ewing ran across. Another painting, Cornucopia, is of a reposed woman's opened legs amid a cascade of flowers — an ode to the source of life that a woman's loins represent.
All these variations on the female form also comment on how "the art world likes to celebrate women," she said, "especially if they're naked and in pieces."
Bougie examines women as objects and the whole "black is-black ain't" debate that Ewing's work often engages. Glam mags help inform the discussion. Ewing said black models were once shades darker and displayed kinkier hair than today, when they have a decidedly more European appearance. "I grew up looking at these images and felt bad because as hard as I tried, I couldn't achieve what was being shown," she said. At least before, she said, publications offered "a variety of the ways black women looked. Now, these magazines idealize the same type of woman with the same kind of features. I find that interesting and damaging on so many levels."
Like the figures in her Pinup series, Bougie's women are too self-possessed or confident to care what anyone thinks of them.
Leave it to a master satirist, Omaha author Timothy Schaffert, to put Ewing's new work in relief. In an essay accompanying the show, he comments:
"The women…demonstrate a giddy indifference to their objectification, defying any interpretations other than the ones they choose to convey. See what you want to see, the women seem to be saying. You can't change who I am, they taunt. Ewing portrays women in the act of posing, women possibly conscious of their degradation yet nonetheless seducing us with their self confidence. For Ewing's women, the beauty myth becomes just another beauty mark…
"And yet the politics of fashion are what give Ewing's work its sinister and satirical bent. Just beyond the coy winks and the toothpaste-peddling smiles and curve-hugging skirts of these fine black women is the sense that the images aren't just about them" but about "the various co-conspirators in the invention of glamour. In Ewing's work, black women assert themselves into the commercial, white-centric iconography of prettiness, and the result is at times funny, at times sad, at times grotesque, but often charming. Her women rise above the didactic, each one becoming a character in her own right, in full control of her lovely image."
In the final analysis, beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
"Although this work is coming from an artist who is black, it is not limited to just the black community," Ewing said. "Ultimately, the work is about beauty. That's a conversation everyone can contribute to."
A conversation is exactly what her work will provoke.
The Sheldon Gallery is located at 12th & R Streets. Admission is free. For gallery hours, call 402.472.2461 or visit www.sheldonartgallery.org.
Related articles
- Bougie… Insult or Badge of Honour? (crazyramblingsofaconversatingadult.wordpress.com)
- Black women need more self esteem. (blacksforabetterlife.wordpress.com)


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Apartamentos Zodiac, Lloret de Mar
Situated in Lloret de Mar, Apartamentos Zodiac is by the sea and close to Sa Caleta Beach, Lloret de Mar Beach, and Sant Joan Castle. Also nearby are Parish Church of Sant Roma and Puig de Castellet.
Property Features.
Wireless Internet access is available in public areas (surcharges apply). Onsite parking is offered for a surcharge.
Accommodations at Apartamentos Zodiac feature safes. Televisions are equipped with satellite channels. All units have kitchens.
Great week with lots of things to do nearby as well as neighbouring towns if you have a car.
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Hotel Info: 020 3027 9803from £86
- Standard Room, 1 Bedroom (Street View)
- Standard Room, 1 Bedroom, Sea View
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Key facts
- Check-in time 5 PM-8 PM
- Check-out time is 10 AM
Required at check in
- Credit card or cash deposit required
- Government-issued photo ID required
Travelling with others
- Pets allowed
- Restrictions apply *
Extra people
- Rollaway beds available, charges may apply*
- WiFi in public areas *
- WiFi in rooms *
- Self parking *
Nearby Two Star Lloret de Mar hotels
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- Tours/ticket assistance
In the room
- Sofa bed
- Separate living room
- Private bathroom
- Satellite TV channels
- Kitchen
- In-room safe
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"Stayed for 1 night on our way to L'Escala. Very happy with hotel. Reception staff were very helpful and very informative about places to eat and visit."Feb 3, 2015
Apartamentos Zodiac, Lloret de Mar's small print
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 2500, due to national regulations. For further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation.
Pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation.
Mandatory fees
You'll be asked to pay the following charges at check in or check out:
A tourist tax will be collected at the property upon arrival. The tax applies up to a maximum of 7 nights per person per stay. Children under 18 years of age are exempt from this tax.
- A tax is imposed by the city: EUR 0.50 per person, per night, up to 7 nights. This tax does not apply to children under 18 years of age.
- Destination fee: EUR 0.50 per person, per night
- Resort fee: EUR 150 per accommodation, per stay
Optional extras
Self parking costs EUR 10 per day
WiFi is available in guestrooms for EUR 5 for 24 hours (rates may vary)
WiFi is available in public areas for EUR 5 for 24 hours (rates may vary)
We have included all charges provided to us by this hotel. However, charges can vary, for example, based on length of stay or the room you book.

subset: commoncrawl


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SceneKid#6: "What they did was tech-ni-cly high treason!"♫
Seth McFarlane and co.'s take on the 1980s Iran-Contra affair provides a painfully funny history lesson…
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Dir: Pam Cooke
Original Air Date: 11 May 2008… 667 more words
CLICK HERE FOR OUR PILOT EPISODE ! We tell you a bit about ourselves, what truly scares Indiana Jones, a discussion about bloodbourne and recent superhero cinematic news. 13 more words


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ID theft
WILLMAR -- A case of identity theft was reported around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday along the 1400 block of Lakeland Drive Northeast. A woman reported someone in Missouri was using her identity.
WILLMAR -- The theft of fuel from a vehicle was reported around 12:50 p.m. Tuesday at South 71 Vet Clinic, 4119 Abbott Dr. S.E. Someone had siphoned gas from a vehicle.
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Book passage now for star-packed cruise to the Caribbean.
Joe Nichols will sing two songs at the funeral of model and actress Anna Nicole Smith in the Bahamas, Friday, March 2, reports Entertainment Tonight.
Smith's attorney and friend Howard K. Stern requested Joe because he frequently sang her favorite song, "Wings of a Dove." Joe will perform that song as well as "I'll Wait for You" at the service. Joe met Anna Nicole at the Grand Ole Opry in 2005, and says, "I hope to bring some comfort through music to the people who were closest to her during this sad time."
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Three-hour-long set for The Big Revival Tour's opening date features guests Taylor Swift, Joe Walsh and others to the stage.
"Dylan, Cash and the Nashville Cats" opens to the public March 27.
No hesitation in cutting the song, Kimberly says.
Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks and Others to Receive ACM 50th Anniversary Milestone Award
Honors unique to the ACM Awards will be given to an elite few during the telecast.
The song, "Guess You Had to Be There," appears on Brian's new album, "No Pier Pressure."


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How long is the necklace?
was nice set for price was just to small for me but nice size and would recommend....
Finesque 1/4ct TDW Diamond Greek Key Necklace with Bonus Bracelet (I-J, I2-I3)
Buy this beautiful diamond accent necklace and get a bonus matching bracelet. Crafted of silver overlay, both the necklace and bonus bracelet feature an exquisite Greek key design.
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ITEM#: 16094965Buy this beautiful diamond accent necklace and get a bonus matching bracelet. Crafted of silver overlay, both the necklace and bonus bracelet feature an exquisite Greek key design.
Necklace Information
White Diamonds
- Diamonds: 24
- Diamond cut: Round
- Diamond measurements: 1.25 mm
- Diamond weight: 1/4 carat
- Color: I-J
- Clarity: I2-I3
- Setting: Prong
- Metal: Silver overlay
- Finish: High polish
- Style: Necklace
- Metal weight: 42 grams
Diamond total weight: 1/4* carat TW
Bracelet Information
White Diamonds
- Diamonds: One
- Diamond cut: Round
- Diamond measurements: 1.25 mm
- Diamond weight: 0.01 carat
- Color: I-J
- Clarity: I2-I3
- Setting: Prong
- Metal: Silver overlay
- Finish: High polish
- Style: Link
- Clasp: Box
- Metal weight: 14.4 grams
- Bracelet dimensions: 8.25 mm wide x 7.25 inches long
Diamond total weight: 0.01* carat TW
All weights and measurements are approximate and may vary slightly from the listed information. *T.W. (total weight) may vary and is a minimum of 0.005 carat. Treatment code N (diamond). See Treatment Guide for further information.
|Silver Overlay
|Diamond Color
|Total Diamond Weight
|Up to .5 Carats
|18 Inch
|Diamond Cut
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|Necklace Type
|8.2 mm wide x 17 inches long
|Brass, Diamond
|Model Number
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was nice set for price was just to small for me but nice size and would recommend.Read More
Not well made
When I received the product, I thought it was broken. There is a flimsy wire the connect the necklace and it's only on the top of the necklace not on the bottom. I would be scared to wear it in the party. Not well made and not worth the money.Read More
Questions & Answers
Hi catrob, we were able to verify this information with our support team. The necklace is 17 inches long. We hope this helps. Thanks for shopping with us.
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Shopping for bridal jewelry is an important part of the wedding planning process. You want your wedding day to be perfect, and that starts with the perfectly accessorized dream gown. Wedding jewelry is a large investment, whether you choose a classic pearl jewelry set, a luxurious diamond necklace, or sweet sterling silver hair jewelry. Give yourself some time to consider and select bridal jewelry to ensure that you'll be thrilled with your wedding day ensemble.
Best Pendant Styles for Long Necklaces
Long necklaces with large pendants are definitely one of the trendiest pieces of jewelry at the moment. Long chains and long strands of pearls have been gracing runways for several seasons and are probably at the top of your style list right now. If you're used to wearing pendants on short chains, then you may be wondering how to try this new jewelry trend. The key to wearing long necklaces stylishly is in the pendant selection. The right pendants can keep long necklaces from seeming like they are wearing you. Use this guide to choose pendants for long necklaces.
Anniversary Gemstones At-A-Glance
Gemstones have long been thought to bring a person luck. On your anniversary, they're also a great way to show the special person in your life how much you care. In addition to gems, precious metals and specific pieces are associated with some anniversary years. Use this guide to choose an anniversary gift or a piece of gemstone jewelry for this milestone occasion. Once you have determined which gemstone will be perfect for your anniversary, you might be wondering which type of jewelry to select. Gemstone jewelry is available in a wide range of styles. For a romantic reminder of your relationship that can be worn every day, look for anniversary rings. Gemstone necklaces, bracelets, and earrings can be extravagant for special occasions or casual enough for regular wear. Consider your loved one's wardrobe and style whenever you're shopping for jewelry gifts. Some anniversaries are associated with a gemstone or precious metal and a coordinating celebration, called a "jubilee." Celebrate your 25th wedding anniversary with a silver jubilee, your 30th with a pearl jubilee, your 50th with a gold jubilee, your 60th with a diamond jubilee, your 70th with a sapphire jubilee, and your 80th with a ruby jubilee.
Diopside Jewelry Fact Sheet
Diopside's name comes from two Greek words: "di," which means two, and "opsis," which means vision. This beautiful green gem is rich in color and reasonable in price -- a seductive combination. Diopside's deep green coloring has become a popular choice since the fall of the Soviet Union opened trade routes for this import from Siberia. Diopside, with its shamrock-colored tones, often appears in Irish-themed jewelry pieces, such as diopside rings, diopside necklaces and diopside earrings, and is an affordable gem alternative to emeralds. Diopside jewelry goes with practically anything and can be worn daily
Best Jewelry Ideas for Men
Jewelry can really add to the style of a man, depending on how he chooses to wear it. The type and quantity you choose to wear really says a lot about you. Wearing the right jewelry and watches can catch the eye and give you a look that is quite professional and classy, while wearing the wrong jewelry can appear tacky. Whether you are buying men's jewelry for yourself or shopping for men's watches, rings, necklaces and bracelets to give as gifts, the best men's jewelry ideas are those that reflect your personal style and contribute to a sophisticated look. Rings are one of the most common men's jewelry items and can require a lot of thought during the shopping process. Whether you are shopping for a men's wedding band, a special ring for an anniversary or Valentine gift or just want to add a nice ring to your jewelry collection, masculine rings come in a variety of styles to suit nearly every man's taste. Classic materials such as silver and gold are a great choice in men's rings because they are timeless and come in nearly every shape and size to fit you just right. On the other hand, materials such as tungsten, titanium and stainless steel are becoming popular choices for men's rings because of their durability and sleek, modern look. Men's rings are also available with diamonds and gemstones if you are interested in a ring with a little more flair. The right watch will add a lot to your daily look, and should also be a highly functional piece. You have a wide range of options when shopping for a men's watch. If you feel overwhelmed by the process, then you might try narrowing it down by price, material and functions. Men's watches are available in a wide range of prices, so establishing a budget is a great first step in the shopping process. Additionally, with so many styles available, it is important to have a general idea of the look and type of material that you want in a watch. Sporty watches with high quality plastic and leather straps are perfect additions to casual looks, while fancier watches made of gold, silver, titanium, stainless steel, tungsten and platinum can add a lot to a classy and dressy wardrobe. When it comes to functions, shopping for the perfect watch becomes very personal. Every man needs something different in a watch and you can find the perfect one for you, whether you want something very simple and basic or you desire a highly technical timepiece. Shopping for men's bracelets, necklaces and earrings can be a little tricky and requires some careful thought. Many men find that watches and rings are simply not enough for their jewelry wardrobe. There are many different kinds of men's bracelets, necklaces, earrings and other unique pieces that you can add to create the right look for you. These pieces come in many different varieties to suit your style preferences. Necklaces and bracelets made of gold, silver, titanium and platinum add a bit of polish to an outfit, while natural materials such as hemp and leather provide a more understated look. When shopping for men's earrings, personal style is a main factor and you can choose between studs with diamonds and gemstones, ear plugs, surgical steel hoops and many others. Don't be afraid to let your personal style shine through, use men's jewelry pieces to accentuate every outfit in your closet. View All Men's Jewelry Back to Guides Directory View All Men's Jewelry
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Pairs wander through a pastoral vineyard, savor up to nine wines from souvenir glasses, and enjoy $10 toward the purchase of wine
Zorvino Vineyards
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90-minute distillery tours give guests insight into the making of delicious rum, with sampling and souvenir t-shirt
Brewery Tour and Tasting Package for Two or Four at Henniker Brewing Company (Up to 48% Off)
Henniker Brewing Company
Guests get a behind-the-scenes look at the process of brewing Henniker's variety of beers before sampling the wares; includes gift set
Two-Hour Wine-and-Chocolate-Tasting Class for Two or Four at Attrezzi (Up to 54% Off)
Wine and chocolate experts pair gourmet chocolates and truffles with private-label wines
Entry to Boston Event Guide's Wicked Wine Fest or Craft Beer Fest at Cyclorama (44% Off). Five Options Available.
Boston Event Guide
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Beer or wine events each include multiple hours of tastings and raffles with prizes worth as much as $1,000
Distillery Tour for Two or Four of Bully Boy Distillers (Up to 50% Off)
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Tours travel past mash tanks & copper stills to see how the distillery produces rum, vodka & whiskey
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Drink craft beer and cocktails at four to five bars while dressed according to a playful theme
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Stock up on malt, barley, or other brewing essentials, or take a class on the basics of making your own batches of beer or wine
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Guests pair white, red, and ice wines with cheeses in addition to taking a vineyard tour and learning more about the wine-making process
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Hermit Woods Winery
Tour an urban winery and taste wines handcrafted from locally grown fruit and raw honey
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Beaumont/Port Arthur
January is School Board Recognition Month and the Beaumont Independent School District is joining other districts across the state to thank local leaders for their dedication and willingness to serve as advocates for our children and public schools.
The Beaumont Police Department confirmed Jan. 20 that an arrest was made in the Jan. 6 homicide of 27-year-old Derek Allen Phillips of Beaumont, who was reportedly discovered dead by his roommate at their shared residence in the 1300 block of Central Drive in Beaumont, near where West Lucas intersects with Gladys Avenue.
The second-floor courtroom at the Jefferson County Courthouse is often the scene of intense crime and punishment dramas. Last Monday, Jan. 12, Judge John Stevens of the Criminal District Court decided the fate of Terry Rogers, accused in the theft of a cherished local landmark that had stood in front of the Port Arthur Public Library for over 30 years.
After a tight race battling Republican Charlie Wiggins and a subsequent recount, new District Clerk Jamie Smith was finally sworn into his hard-won office Jan. 8 in the Jury Impaneling Room at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
Last weekend, the Golden Globes showered "Boyhood" (available now on VOD) with the lion's share of awards. Best Supporting Actress went to Patricia Arquette, Best Director (Drama) went to Richard Linklater and Best Drama went to the movie. It was quite a night for the Texas filmmaker's grand experiment, as he has called it.
While we harbor no disrespect for the Wall Street Journal who called us "that scrappy little paper from Southeast Texas," we prefer to think of ourselves as simple seekers of the truth. We're of the opinion that headlines and sound bites never tell the whole story. Our readers demand all the facts, facets and flavors of every story or event. And, they expect to be informed, educated and stirred to action.
For this week's New York Times crossword puzzle, pick up a copy of this week's The Examiner on newsstands now.


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HAVE: Hoya kerrii
denise_gw(5)July 4, 2009
Had to seriously whack back my kerrii this spring, so I have two rooted cuttings that I need to dispense of before fall. One is a branched plant that has 8 leaves on it, with two peduncles that are budding up now, and 3 other existing peduncles that may follow. The other one is a surprise to me - I lost the only leaf it had on it when potting it up, and figured it would die without at least one leaf. It has rooted and has three new leaves forming and two other places I can see that are new growth "buds". It also has 6 existing peduncles, all young peduncles that will likely flower, if not this year, definitely next year.
If you have a cutting of something you'd like to trade for one of these, please e-mail me thru "my page."
Denise in Omaha


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The sony nwz s545 16 gb digital media player is sold out or discontinued. We found 1500 related products.
Sony F-V100 Dynamic Cable Consumer Microphone
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Product Details: Superb Sharpness in Available Light - In conjunction with the Super SteadyShot image stabilization system of the Sony (alpha) DSLR-A100 camera, this lens achieve pinpoint sharpness even working with hand-held camera by available light. Bright f1.4 Aperture - The ability to capture more light in dark environments gives you a superb lens for hand-held shooting without flash, to preserve the mood or in locations where flash is not permitted. Circular Aperture - Conventional lenses close their apertures with blades that can create multi-sided shapes but the aperture blades of this superb wide-angle lens form a near circle at the wide openings you'll use for low-light shots, so spot-light sources have a pleasing circular defocused effect. Product Specifications: Optics/Lens Lens Type: Standard Medium Telephoto Aperture (Max.): f/1.4 Aperture (Min.): f/22 Filter Diameter: 55 mm Lens Groups-Elements: 6 groups, 7 elements Minimum Focus Distance: 1 6' (45cm) Aspheric Elements: no aspheric Depth-of-Field: Scale: Yes Distance Encoder: Yes Distance Scale: Yes Aperture Blade: 7 aperture blades Focal Length (35mm equivalent): APS: 75 mm (35mm Equivalent: 50 mm Magnification: x 0.15 Weights and Measurements Dimensions (Approx.): 2 9/16 x 1 11/16 (65.5 x 43mm) Weight (Approx.): 8oz (220g)
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Jun 01, 2012 at 10:54PM EDT
Admittedly the pony generator is often used to make crap like this:
(hes cryo hs parnts r a chingling nd a wingdo ok?)
It's not an inherently bad program though, for example if you want to commission an artist to draw your OC but you don't want to describe it in excruciating detail you can just send the artist a pic from the program.
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This Drone is Armed - But Not Like You Might Imagine
We're almost so used to the idea of weapons-toting drones, that finding a drone with a pair of actual arms is a little unusual. This quadcopter with a pair of arms is the brainchild of university professors, who clearly didn't think about the consequences of giving flying robots the ability to pick things up and run… »
This Sticky Quadrotor Can Literally Be a Fly on the Wall
In the not too distant future the world is going to be abuzz with quadrotors flying about making deliveries, monitoring traffic, and of course spying on everyone: a skill this gecko-like craft is particularly adept at. Thanks to a special dry adhesive it's able to stick and unstick from surfaces, letting it land and… »
30 Quadrotors Form a Star Trek Constellation In the London Skyline
It's supposed to be an hour when everyone conserves energy by turning off the lights and other superfluous power drains. But apparently Paramount is still not up-to-speed on what Earth Hour is all about since over the weekend it celebrated the event by sending 30 quadrotor drones into the air, forming the Starfleet… »
Watch These Quadrocopters Throw and Catch Poles Like Acrobats
Oh God, Here Come the Private Security Drones
It was inevitable. Drones are in ever-wider use by the military, and some day they might deliver you food, but it looks like they'll also be the private, flying-camera spies for private companies too. That's what Japanese security company Secom is banking on with its new private security quadrotor. »
The Tacocopters Are Coming, For Real
The Tacocopters are coming. Sure, the original pitch was a clever troll aimed at credulous and impatient fast-food junkies. But the numbers don't lie – a typical taco weighs less than a pound, and aircraft that can autonomously fly a few dozen ounces of payload to your doorstep are already available for around a… »
Dropping Explosives From a Quadrotor Puts Tom Clancy to Shame
To a casual observer, this video might look like dropping high explosives from an RC helicopter. Which would be cool enough on its own. But the real case is so, so much better: This is the future of dropping tiny, deadly bombs from the sky. »
Breakthrough Quadcopter Does Previously Impossible Acrobatics
Looking at their latest invention, Mark Cutler and Jonathan P. Howe will get an awesome job at some military aerospace company. They have created a quadrotor drone with variable-pitch, something that didn't exist before in these kind of machines. Not they can do some crazy acrobatics. »
Oh Great: A Killer Swarm of Synchronized Quadrotor Drones
One day, drones won't just fly by themselves: they'll hunt in packs. Imagine a swarm of tiny, flying drones chasing after you, synchronizing their movements to catch you in the most effective way possible. If you can't imagine it, don't worry: it's already happened. »
Watch the Murderous Quadrotor Blooper Reel to Feel Better about the…
We've established many times over that quadrotors are going to kill you, probably in your sleep. And that's, you know, that's okay, we've come to terms with it. Or had, until we found out their crucial weakness: they're actually hilariously bad at quadrotoring. Watch, giggle, and hope that it's one of these fools… »


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Rates are calculated based on the latest information provided. Please contact the manager/owner to confirm actual rates for your requested dates.
We're so glad you were able to reunite with family and have a quiet getaway at the same time. We're hoping to see you and your friends and family again...


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Latest News
MTM and the BBC presented their paper 'Blurred lines: exploring contemporary attitudes to gender portrayal in the media' at the MRS Impact Conference in London, as part of the 'Amplifying voices, uncovering truths' session. You can complete this short questionnaire to find out your own… Read More
MTM's Forum: TV 2020 - The Future of Pay-TV 25th March, 6-7:30p.m., followed by drinks and networking One Alfred Place, London WC1E 7EB We are delighted to announce our next MTM forum which will be exploring the prospects for UK TV industry revenue streams through… Read More
We are proud to announce that last night MTM's research team the award for Best Custom Media Project at the 2015 MediaTel Research Awards, for our study produced on behalf of Channel 4 and the Home Office investigating teen attitudes towards violence against women. Lynne Robinson, research… Read More
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TechCity UK - analysis of digital economy clustersMarch 2, 2015
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MTM is an independent research and strategy consultancy. We are specialists in the media and technology sectors, providing expert advice to our clients on how to succeed in fast-moving, digitally-driven markets
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Not a big fan of "Food Chains" but Maggiano's hit the mark! I took my mother and father for lunch. We ordered a few Flat Breads as appetizers and Lobster Carbonara for my dad and I. Everything was delicious and possibly the best food I've had at at chain restaurant. The service was good and we were quickly seated and served. My dad can be a little quirky; however, the server took everything in stride and did a great job taking care of us. Overall, a great lunch spot and will definitely return again.
If you own or manage Maggiano's Little Italy, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.


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Published by Hudson, Developed by Hudson
Genres: Puzzle
US release date: Mar 29th, 2010 | EU release date: Mar 26th, 2010
Price: 1000 points
Diner Dash will come to life in 3D on new generation consoles when players have the option to take direct control of Flo as she runs around to seat patrons, take orders, deliver food, take payment and bus tables as efficiently as possible within the time limit allowed.
Players fond of the traditional control schemes may also use a point-and-click style with hotkeys to aid Flo in her quest for customer satisfaction, which is reflected in a heart meter that empties as customers lose patience. If the meter empties completely, then the customer will leave the restaurant. Servers looking to play with co-workers can join with up to seven other players in multiplayer across four diners in Team Dash or go 1 on 1 in Head to Head mode.
Diner Dash has no review on Wii's World.
No posts yet for this game. The posts are in another castle.
Project Ukulele - Possible Hint at Characters
Could it be?
Free to Play Pokemon Shuffle now available on 3DS eShop
Nintendo offers another micro-transaction based title
Gold Mario Amiibo is a Wal-Mart Exclusive
Get ready to shell out your coins
Area Effect Announces Izle for Wii U
Part action, part adventure, all cel-shaded
Nintendo Confirmed As Sponsor For APEX 2015
Another positive step for the Smash competitive scene
Majora's Mask 3D Collector's Edition Contains Skull Kid Figurine
Pre-orders are now open!
Ackk Studios Rings in the New Year with New Y2K footage
Starting the New Year with a bang!
Is Nintendo Making A New Wii U Gamepad?
Recent commercial may have leaked new GamePad model
Zeldathon Relief Announced
Pot smashing for a great cause
Why the Inclusion of The Duck Hunt Dog in Super Smash Bros. Was Brilliant
How the the most hated character in video games rose to the top of the Smash heap
Karaoke Joysound
Released on July 3rd, 2014
Deer Drive Legends
Released on November 19th, 2013
Retro City Rampage
Released on February 28th, 2013
Vampire Crystals
Released on December 20th, 2012
Reel Fishing Ocean Challenge
Released on October 18th, 2012
Michael Jordan said:
No they're making it from the movie ... Speed Racer: The Video Game
daveoneal said:
Thanks Rob. I had no idea this one was published. I'm very happy about it! Yes, Jonathan, it is hard as all get-out, ... Street Fighter 2010: The Final Fight review
daveoneal said:
This was a very well-written review. Apparently Super Hexagon was developed by Terry Cavanagh (who made vvvvvv), so ... Cosmophony review
dirk said:
:p p ... TMNT: Smash Up
dirk said:
cool :p ... TMNT: Smash Up
Wii's World is not officially affiliated with Nintendo! (but they wish we were).


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Very peaceful and quiet. Rooms were amazing. A few of the staff made our stay very memorable. Our bartender GATO went out of his way to make our stay special and became a good friend. David the cook was amazing, as well as the girls at the front desk. The only thing the Issimo lacked was that they closed the bar at 7pm and there was absolutely no night time entertainment. Also, if you wanted to go on the many early tours you never got breakfast. I highly recommend Ronnie's Place for dinner. It's a short walk to the private beach, don't under estimate it. The snorkelling there is pretty good, same place all the tours take you, can dive for lobster and oysters. They have snorkelling rentals on the beach, but if you want a 2 way snorkel bring your own. It's about a 15 minute walk uphill to a grocery store, or a 10 minute cab ride to either quepos or manual antonio. We used Safari Tours through the hotel, did Atv, mangrove kayaking, manual antonio national park, this company is top notch and what a blast.
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
- Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel, Spa & Waterfront Reserve offers intimacy and elegance for your romantic escape. Each suite includes a Jacuzzi bath tub for relaxation and enjoyment, as well as a majestic ocean view overlooking a pristine pacific cove. A plush king size bed, sofa, and room service from our boutique restaurant await your arrival. You can also indulge yourself with a massage in our spa after a day of adventure on one of our many tours or beaches. Our romantic hideaway suites access adjacent sandy beaches with a walk to the cove or famous Manuel Antonio Park and beaches. ... more less
- Reservation Options:
- TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Expedia, Travelocity, Hotels.com, BookIt.com, Orbitz, Cheap Tickets, Booking.com, Tingo, Odigeo and EasyToBook so you can book your Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel and Spa reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.
- Also Known As:
- Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel Manuel Antonio National Park
- Issimo Hotel Boutique
- Issimo Boutique Hotel
- Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel And Spa Costa Rica/Manuel Antonio National Park