Four Score and More

Omaha has scored well on the national scene during the past month. Its handling of the College World Series, followed by the outstanding Olympic Swim Trials, certainly put the Nebraska metropolis in the major headlines on TV, on radio and in the major print media.
I cannot recall any other month in which one city ever received  such high marks for its hospitality. Omaha perennially does a fine job in hosting the annual baseball series, but the swimming trials were certainly a plus! The opening night crowd of more than 12,000 gave roaring support as two American swimmers broke world records in the 400-meter medley race! And that was only the beginning of the record breaking; there were several more new world and national marks established during the next few days.
Larsen Jensen, who set a new record in the 400-meter freestyle, was quoted as saying “Hats off to Omaha. This is the best atmosphere I’ve ever been in as an athlete”.
Things are really moving forward for Omaha. The promise of a new baseball stadium within two years has assured that the College World Series will be based there for the next quarter-century! Omaha can provide space for concerts and sports events of all sizes in its huge Qwest Center. The new Holland Center is perfect for smaller concerts and the Orpheum – that grand old queen – still maintains its reputation as one of the premier theatres in the Midwest. The Henry Doorly Zoo is expected to expand when Rosenblatt Stadium is demolished. If this situation materializes, it would make this institution one of the best in the world. And the Lauritzen Gardens are becoming a mecca for flower and nature lovers and are becoming more popular every year.
Omaha can certainly be very proud and boastful of its efforts. Most of the credit must be directed to the cooperation between the governmental officials and several big corporations, such as Conagra, Union Pacific, Mutual of Omaha and others for this steady progress.
All of these factors make great competition for the city of Lincoln, which also aspires to be the number one city in Nebraska. The Capital City officials now certainly have their work cut out for them, if they want to keep pace! Lincoln’s major claims to fame have to be the University of Nebraska and the state’s government offices. Since the city has apparently lost the State Fair to Grand Island, Lincoln will be really challenged to attract more and larger institutions, organizations, factories and businesses. The University will apparently expand within the next decade into the present State Fairgrounds and build new research facilities. That’s a plus, but only a start. Lincoln’s health facilities are excellent, but the same thing can be said for Omaha.
The Lied Center of Lincoln is trying hard to increase its popularity with numerous concerts and shows, etc., but Omaha still continues to dominate, attracting such well known artists as Bill Cosby, Neil Diamond, the Beach Boys and similar “big names”. But the Lied Center does attract its share of great performers.
So it appears that Omaha will continue to be the entertainment center for the state and Lincoln will remain the educational and governmental center. Each city is important in its own way.
Grand Island has apparently scored a coup by landing the State Fair, starting in 2010. Add that to the popular Husker Harvest Days and the popular Fonner Park and this centrally located Nebraska city will certainly grow in population and stature.
Seward continues to be the 4th of July City, attracting another crowd of more than 25,000 a couple of weeks ago. York is to be complimented for its Fireworks Frenzy, which was another great event and may continue to grow in future years. But can it ever catch Seward?
It has been a very good few weeks for Nebraska!  Let’s hope the nation has taken notice of “The Good Life”. All such publicity can only make us more impressive to outsiders and ultimately more alluring and eventually more prosperous!