Free-for-All Friday

First things first. Kudos to my trophy wife, Lois, who celebrates a milestone birthday today. I think we'll celebrate by going to Applebee's for appetizers & drinks this evening. Tomorrow our daughters & 3 grandchildren will join us for supper @ Franklin's. [A favorite restaurant in Norfolk] Sunday evening we'll join good friends for supper @ the Sand Bar. [ditto]

Temp Challenge

When I got up this morning, my crack team of temperature analysts pointed out that it was -8. That was even colder than yesterday, when Norfolk finished #1 in the Leckband Temp Challenge. I smelled a 2nd consecutive championship, so I undertook a comprehensive temp challenge. The result? The Northern Tier Consortium, meteorologically speaking, "blew us away." Even though the best Norfolk could muster was a 4th place finish, my personal ethical standards require me to publish the results. Here goes.

Ratings based on accuweather @ 7:52a.

#1, Ventura, IA, -8/wc -41 [ouch!]
#2, Eagan, MN, -9/-29 [wind chill means the difference between #1 & #2
#3, Garrison, IA, -3/-36 [wind chill means the difference between #3 & #4
#4, Norfolk, NE, -7/-16 
#5, Lincoln, NE, -1/-10
#6, BALMIEST LECKBAND, Beatrice, NE, 1/-10

Criminal Minds

"Police called after bingo brawl erupts at nursing home" [Drudge Report, 2/8]

Political Potpourri

"University may ban Valentines under sexual-harassment policy" [National Review Online, 2/8]