From my notebook…

Say what you want about the upcoming U.S. Senate race, but former Nebraska Governor and Senator Bob Kerry’s entry in the race has caused a stir.

Maybe that’s not all bad.

Two days after Kerry flip-flopped his decision to run for office, Republican candidate Jon Bruning’s campaign circulated its first attack ad.

The spot paints Kerry as an out-of-state liberal who has no business in Nebraska.

Shouldn’t Bruning be more concerned about the upcoming Republican primary since he faces two other candidates?

And, what’s to guarantee Kerry will win the Democratic nomination? After all, Chuck Hassebrook tossed his hat into the ring.

Looks like it’s shaping up for an interesting election season in Nebraska.

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Four games in four days for the Huskers women’s basketball team at the Big 10 tourney. Two overtimes on Sunday against a scrappy Purdue team left Nebraska four points short in a 74-70 loss.

It’s the second time these two have battled to overtime. When the Huskers played in West Lafayette during the regular season, they beat the Boilermakers 93-89. Triple overtime.

It’s an exciting season for Connie Yori’s group, and hopefully they receive encouraging news next Monday when the NCAA tourney bids are handed out.

Go Nebrasketball!

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Twenty years after Nebraska became the 37th State in the Union, the Nebraska Senate adopted a resolution to form the Grand Island Veteran’s Home. It opened on March 4, 1887, making it the first and oldest veteran’s home in Nebraska.

The city raised funds for the original Soldiers and Sailors Home.

The Grand Island facility was constructed to serve wounded Civil War veterans, but consider how its scope has grown since then. I’ve had a family member receive care at the facility and appreciate the efforts made by the staff.

Here’s to another 125 years of service to those who serve us.

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Last week on Facebook, the National Weather Service posted an interesting photo of their radar screen, showing a large mass of something in the air between Beatrice and Lincoln. Sure, it was windy, but the sun was shining; no storms were detected on the radar.

‘What could it be?’ questioned the NWS.

According to area residents, an extremely large gaggle of snow geese passed over that very day, making it the most obvious choice.

The Weather Service agreed.

I’d believe it, too. Last Tuesday on my way home from school, a humongous gaggle of geese were in the midst of our cornfield. I stopped to photograph the group, which seemed to stretch from fence line to fence line. When they lifted into the air, I’d estimate nearly a thousand birds flocked north of our house.

Next, be on the lookout for the Sandhill Cranes. Nebraska Game and Parks estimates about 650,000 cranes will make the trek from Mexico to Alaska, Canada, and Siberia. 

You know, bird watching means big business for our state. Between $25 to $50 million infiltrates Nebraska’s economy during this time of year.

 That’s a lot of cash to quack about.

                And this year’s Oscar goes to . . .

                The 84th Academy Awards ceremony aired Sunday night, and while many viewers tuned in simply to see which starlet wore a certain designer’s dress and was draped in diamonds worth the national debt, others watched with great anticipation, celebrating the year’s best offerings from the cinema.

                Then, there are those who don’t watch the Awards. At all. (More than likely, these are the same individuals who refuse to fork over a Hamilton – and I’m not talking George – for a movie ticket or another twelve bucks for the buttery tub o’ popcorn and diet Coke.)

                As I watched snippets of Sunday’s broadcast, I wondered how many Oscar statuettes have been awarded to actors, directors, writers, editors, and musicians with Nebraska ties. Off the top of my head, a few winners came to mind. I was surprised to discover 22 individuals from our state have been nominated by their peers since the awards began in 1927.

                In all, Nebraska natives or residents have been nominated 55 times for their talents on stage or behind the scenes. Of those nominations, 21 have been named the best of the best.

                Five honorary awards have been given to Nebraskans.

                Count the two movies that won Best Picture– “Boy’s Town” in 1938 and “Terms of Endearment” in 1984 – associated with Nebraska, the total of statutes with Nebraska implications equals 28.

                Henry Fonda, born in Grand Island, was nominated for and won three Oscars. In 1941, he won Best Actor for his performance in “The Grapes of Wrath.” He was part of the cast comprising 1958’s Best Picture, “12 Angry Men.” In 1981, Fonda struck gold again in “On Golden Pond.”

                Lincoln-born Hilary Swank earned two Best Actress Oscars. Her portrayal of Teena Brandon in 2000’s “Boys Don’t Cry” told the story of the brutal rape and murder of a cross-dressing teen in Falls City, Nebraska. In 2005, her depiction of a struggling-waitress-turns-boxer in “Million Dollar Baby” was golden.

                Omaha’s Marlon Brando was nominated eight times and won twice, for “The Godfather” and “On the Waterfront.”

                What about the behind-the-scenes folk?  

                A short story by author Bess Streeter Aldrich of Elmwood won the 1942 Oscar for Best Scoring of a Dramatic Picture.

                A short documentary, “Quicker ‘N a Wink,” explained stroboscopic photography, a slow motion technique developed by Harold E. Edgerton of Aurora and won Best Short Film in 1940.

                Mike Hill of Omaha is one of Hollywood’s top film editors. He has four nominations and won Best Film Editing for Apollo 13.

                Even a Northeast Nebraska native has brought home Oscar. In 1938, the song “Sweet Leilani” from the movie “Waikiki Wedding” won Best Music, Original Song. The writer: Harry Owens of O’Neill.

                Don’t forget Alexander Payne, who has won two Best Adapted Screenplay Oscars in the past seven years.

                Plus, Johnny Carson hosted a handful of Oscar ceremonies.

                While everyone may not enjoy watching yet another award ceremony, we Nebraskans can be proud of the cinematic contributions made by our state’s award winners.

                Go for a spin, funnel cakes. Goud-an outta here, fried cheese curds. Aw, shucks, corn dogs.

                You’re so last year’s fare.

                We should eat to live, but if you attended the Nebraska State Fair, perhaps you lived to eat. Celebrating the tagline “The Good Life on a Stick,” food vendors showcased fair favorites, as well as some newfangled treats, impaled or threaded onto a stick.

                At this year’s extravaganza, over 30 different menu items dish up either fried or chocolate-covered edibles on a stick. Catfish on a stick. Deep-fried peaches on a stick. Fried chocolate chip cookie dough on a stick. Pecan-smoked pork chops on a stick. Shrimp on a stick.

                I feel like I’m stuck in a scene from “Forrest Gump.”

                Not satisfied? You could try peanut butter and jelly, deep fried butter, or fried bananas, all – you guessed it – on a stick.

                Craving chocolate? I saw chocolate-covered Twinkies, chocolate caramel corn with nuts, Hostess-brand Ho-Hos, and rice krispie treats. Yup. All of these delectables were served on a stick.

                One vendor sold chocolate-covered bacon.  Interestingly, this may be the healthiest choice on the fairgrounds. The bacon is baked instead of fried.

                Why are Nebraskans – and their peers from other parts of the country – fascinated with fair food?

                In a world consumed by foodie catchphrases like “Bam” and “Yum-O,” in a society that embraces a bit of unusual cuisine creativity, the artery-clogging, chocolate-dripping allure of fair food draws crowds.

                The Nebraska State Fair isn’t the only expo in the country to offer interesting edibles. Just when you thought there weren’t enough food-on-a-stick options, inventive entrepreneurs developed interesting, new options.

                 In Minnesota, fairgoers could try camel meat, spaghetti and meatballs or s’mores on a stick. And in Texas, the fair’s food vendors like to compete in a game of one-upsmanship. They’ve perfected beer-battered salsa balls, deep-fried beer, chocolate covered jalapeños, and deep-fried Coca-Cola.

                The long lines at the food vendors indicate that the public is willing to indulge their appetites, and maybe, their curiosity. The self-imposed food coma comes at a cost: calories and high dollars.

                I’ll admit I’m guilty of searching out one vendor. When the fair moved to Grand Island, Scott and I wandered the grounds until we found them. But in my defense, visiting this particular booth is a family tradition. When the fair was in Lincoln, my dad’s favorite spot was the stand serving vanilla ice cream dipped in chocolate and rolled in chopped peanuts. And yes, it’s served on a stick.            

                What does all this skewered food say about society’s skewered outlook about food choices? Is it okay to overindulge in a beer-battered-deep-fried-dipped-in-chocolate anything during a visit to this statewide get-together? Where are the healthy options?

                Or is this a balancing act? You’ll walk off the calories perusing fair exhibits.

                The food-on-a-stick craze brings out the best of ingenuity. What’s next? Gouged goulash? Speared spinach?

                If you live to eat, you’re destined to find a treat on a stick that celebrates Nebraska’s good life when you chow down on fair fare.

Nebraska has jellyfish? According to posts at NebraskalandMagazine.com, YES!

And no, they aren’t located in the state’s two aquariums.

They’re known as Craspedacusta sowerbii.  Small, freshwater jellyfish – especially Hydra – hide among mayfly larvae, midge larvae, and other “things” floating in the water.  Freshwater medusa jellyfish have been found in several water spots across Nebraska.

In 2003, 11-year-old Alex Fegley of Grand Island discovered the first jellyfish in the State of Nebraska, ranging from dime- to quarter-size. She talks about her findings on NPR. Great interview!

            If you walked into the house I grew up in, undoubtedly you e heard music. Either the radio blared, a 45 or 33 spun on the record player, or an 8-track or cassette tape played.

            Music added another note to our family bond. Dad sang along with the radio every morning while we readied ourselves for school. Mom taught us childhood ditties. My sister and I argued over which record we’d listen to first . . . until our parents bought a second record player.

            It’s not surprising, then, that our family anticipated the Grammy Awards, presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Although the awards were established in 1958, the awards show wasn’t telecast live until 1971 on ABC. Before then, the 1959 show became an episode in the NBC Sunday Showcase series, which featured plays, variety shows and original made-for-TV dramas.

            Originally, both Los Angeles and New York hosted award ceremonies, with winners accepting the gold-plated, gilded gramophone statuette at one of the sites.  

            What’s the Nebraska connection? Ten musicians, artists, or producers with Nebraska ties have either won or been nominated for the award.

            The first Nebraska recipient hailed from Hebron. Kenneth L. Darby, a composer, and singer, won in 1959. Incidentally, Darby also won three Oscars for best score of a musical movie and best musical adaptation for his work on “The King and I,” “Porgy and Bess,” and “Camelot.”

            Hastings native Neal Hefti, a jazz trumpeter and composer, won the Grammy in 1966 as the composer for “Basie” and for his score for the “Batman” TV show. Hefti was also nominated as an artist on “Jazz Pops,” for the movie score from “Harlow,” and the TV score from “The Odd Couple.”

            Screen star Henry Fonda won a Grammy in 1977 in the Best Spoken Word category for “Great American Documents.”

            That same year, the Eagles won four awards, including Record of the Year for “Hotel California.” Scottsbluff-born Randy Meisner was a founding member of the group.

            In 1979, Paul H. Williams hit Grammy gold twice for “The Muppet Movie” soundtrack. He was also nominated for his work on “The Muppet Christmas Carol” in 1992.

            Bandleader Glenn Miller lived in North Platte. Three of his songs have been included in the Grammy Hall of Fame: “In the Mood,” “Moonlight Serenade,” and “Chattanooga Choo Choo.”

            Mannheim Steamroller’s Chip Davis, who lives in Omaha, was nominated in 1985 and won “Best New Age Recording” in 1990.

            Jazz artist Karrin Allyson lived in Omaha. She’s received three Grammy nominations during the last 15 years.

            Born in Lincoln, James Valentine heads pop group Maroon 5 as a guitarist. He’s nabbed two Grammys: 2005 Best New Artist and Best Group Pop Performance in 2006.

            Omaha’s Zachary Nipper isn’t a musician, but the graphic artist designed the cover for the Bright Eyes album “Cassadega” and won the Best Recording Package in 2008.

            While outsiders may not consider Nebraska a music hotbed, our claim to Grammy fame proves we have talented musicians in the middle of the heartland.