Star City Blog

Artists and Writers Present "Look Both Ways"--Responding to Artwork with the Written Word

By Sarah F. Sullivan
For the Star City Blog

The definition of art is “the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance” (Dictionary.com). But how would you define it?

On Saturday, May 2nd, artists and writers will gather together to show Lincoln different forms of art and how it can affect us in a variety of ways. The program “Look Both Ways” will take place at The Loft at the Mill (8th & P Streets) in Lincoln’s Haymarket and will feature seven visual artists and seven writers. These individuals have been paired together, one artist with one writer. The writers will present their ‘response’ to a piece of artwork to the audience, therefore “multiplying and spreading the creative process,” according to The Angels Theatre Company website.

First Friday Art-Walk Guide

On the First Friday of each month, throngs of art enthusiasts stroll around downtown Lincoln in search of art.  There are nearly two dozen participating galleries, but where are they? If you'd like to explore new territory and uncover all of the treasures that First Friday has to offer, you may find the Official Star City Blog Art-Walk Guide to be of some value.

To get your very own pocket-size, high-gloss, full color, double-sided art walk guide, pay a visit to a downtown coffee house or art gallery, where you may be lucky enough to find one as yet unclaimed. Alternatively, just click on the map to the left to download and print your very own.  Enjoy!

Jane Kinsey: An appeal to the average Lincoln voter

By Sylvia Hermanson
For the Star City Blog

In her election campaign for the Lincoln City Council this spring, Jane H. Kinsey has consistently stressed three main objectives: controlling the city budget, getting partisan politics out of city government, and urging city residents to take back their power.

 

"People need to speak up and not let the developers have all the say about what goes on in Lincoln," Kinsey said at the April 20 candidate debate co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Lincoln-Lancaster County.

 

Kinsey, a clinical social worker who lives in southeast Lincoln, said she entered this race for an at-large seat on the council "because I was very concerned that nobody was really listening to what the people want."

 

That's her main beef with the current City Council.

 

The Rohman Family and the Arts in Nebraska

By John Cutler
For the Star City Blog

LINCOLN -- Jane Rohman pointed to a large, pastoral painting on the west wall of the great room. “It’s a Henri. A Robert Henri,” she said.. “He bought that painting, and our last child had just graduated from high school, and I told him, well, I think I’ll just go back to school and get a course or two on art, because he’s talking to these people in New York, and....I got hooked.”

‘He’ is Carl “Ky” Rohman, whose family has been in the middle of Lincoln business and culture for 100 years. The Robert Henri no longer hangs on the great room wall of the large Piedmont residence; the Rohmans have moved, no longer able to care for the sprawling five-bedroom home at the south bend of Fall Creek Road.

Interview with Larry Griffing, Artist

By Sarah Kornbluh
Junior Reporter for the Star City Blog

Larry Griffing is a painter who specializes in pop art. I met him at Gallery 9 on Sunday afternoon, April 26, 2009, where his work is on exhibit, and recorded the interview that is in the audio file below.

Mr. Griffing received his BFA in painting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2003.  He has been a student of art since 1974, and he has exhibited his work consistently since 1997.  In 2000, he received the Hank Grabowski Award, given for work he produced while studying at UN-L.

Featured Business: Bandiola Spice Company

Michael Gochnour, owner of the Lincoln-based Bandiola Spice Company, is a seasoned veteran of the barbecue business.  Over the years, Michael has attended barbecue festivals and competitions all around the country, picking the brains of award-winning barbecue chefs.

For the last year Michael has been working on a line of barbecue spices, and in March, 2009, the Bandiola Spice Company was born.  The company produces seasonings for steak, barbecue, chicken, pork, ribs, and even one for popcorn.  "We take pride in what we produce", Mr. Gochnour asserted.

The Marley Method?

By Jill Morstad

Some years ago on an Internet forum, another trainer asked the writer and dog trainer Vicki Hearne why the dog-handler learning curve was so much shorter for people with horse experience than those without. Vicki laughed, "Because you can't be stupid about horses.  If you're stupid with horses, they'll kill you."

Dogs are forgiving. People can be very stupid with dogs and get away with it. Scott Powers’ editorial provides a detailed testimonial to the hazards of the ‘Marley Method’, a passive approach to life with a dog, one that relies chiefly on learned helplessness (the owner’s):

http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentary/43313177.html

Electric Cars Espoused as Key to Energy Independence

In anticipation of Earth Day, consider the energy problem. There's a lot of talk about ending our dependence on foreign oil. A company called "Better Place" has an ambitious plan to further that goal, and they are executing it. Projects are now in progress around the world, as well as here in the USA, to roll out electric vehicles manufactured by Renault-Nissan that introduce standards for batteries, charging receptacles, and charging stations. Watch the video to learn more.

Find more videos like this on Planet Better Place

Nebraska Tops List of "Financially Happy States"

According to Mainstreet.com's "Happiness Index", the state of Nebraska takes the No. 1 spot. See full article here.

UPDATED: Cyclists: Ride with Phil Keoghan on Friday, April 17

According to his website, Phil Keoghan is now (at 2:40pm Monday, April 13) cycling through Stratton, Nebraska, heading East at a speed of 17mph.  His journey, dubbed "Phil Keoghan Rides Across America", began on March 29th in Los Angeles, California.  His goal is to arrive in New York City on May 9th.  On April 17th, he'll be right here in Lincoln at the Southpointe Pavilions mall at 12 NOON (previously reported as 8am), and you can ride a segment of his journey with him, provided that you fill out a waiver.

Who in the world is Phil Keoghan, and why is he riding across America?  He's best known for hosting the US version of The Amazing Race on CBS since it came out in 2001.  Now he's on a triple mission to 1) raise money for multiple sclerosis, 2) promote bicycling, and 3) introduce a new food product called "NOW One Square Meal".

Phil plans to average 100 miles per day, and ride a total distance of 3,500 miles.  He hopes to raise money for MS through donations on his website.