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» OK, I enjoy civic rankings as much as the next person, but this one sounds silly: "Omaha named one of 10 best cities for keeping New Year's resolutions."
How could anyone know our resolutions, let alone how well we keep them?
According to Livability.com, its editors studied more than 500 cities and ranked them by health, population growth, financial strength, recreation, culture and "general happiness."
"Omaha was chosen for being both a great place for business and for raising kids," a press release said. "The city has a positive vibe that will help New Year's resolution-makers stay on track."
It goes on to cite the city's "strong schools and thriving job market." A 2.5 percent job-growth rate and a low unemployment rate makes "Omaha the No. 1 city for finding a new job."
That may be true, but what does that have to do with keeping New Year's resolutions?
» Dancer-actress Micaela Johnson of Omaha was called from the audience to "come on down" in Thursday's airing of "The Price is Right."
The show was taped in Los Angeles in October, and Micaela won a dishwasher, a stove, a refrigerator and other items worth about $6,300.
The 2003 Marian High graduate, who will graduate this spring from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, has been auditioning and working in L.A. Her mother, X-ray technician Anna Johnson of Omaha, suggested they try to get on a show.
They waited in line for hours and were interviewed by the show's producers, who started to move on to the next person. Then Anna added to what Micaela modestly hadn't mentioned: "She's also a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and a Miss Nebraska USA!"
When taping began, the audience was so loud that Micaela didn't hear her name called — her mom excitedly pointed it out on a cue card.
The game was fun, especially with singer Chris Daughtry taking part, but "game show contestant" isn't the line on her résumé she's been hoping to add.
She has a team of agents and recently taped an episode of the popular TV comedy "Modern Family," in which she plays a bride. Micaela, who turned 27 on Jan. 1, is single — and she chuckled at the irony of playing a bride in front of millions of viewers. This year in Omaha she will serve as a bridesmaid for, believe it or not, the 27th time.
She also has written a children's book about a girl cooking with her parents, and has been hired to dance in a show on Oprah Winfrey's OWN network.
» Tom Apke, Creighton University men's basketball coach from 1974 to 1981, said this week that he is impressed with this year's 12-2 Bluejays, including sophomore Doug McDermott.
Two years ago Tom sent a note of congratulations to Doug's father, Greg McDermott, when he was hired as CU head coach. Apke added that the last time a Creighton coach and player shared a last name, things worked out well.
That was a reference to Tom coaching his brother, Rick Apke, now a physician in Denver.
Tom Apke later coached at Colorado and Appalachian State, and for years has lived with wife Eileen in Charlotte, N.C., where he recently retired from the real estate business.
In the era since 1935, he holds the best career winning percentage of any Creighton coach, .670. He had three NCAA tournament appearances in seven seasons.
Tom was in Omaha this week for the Thursday funeral of his mother-in-law, Mary Blazek. Besides Eileen (Tom's wife), she is survived by daughters Barb O'Brien and Theresa Eccker, and sons George Blazek and John Blazek.
» The Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha recently sent the Memphis Zoo three monkeys — a mother, age 22, and two daughters, ages 6 and 7.
To name them, an online vote was held and the winners are Buttercup for the mom and Blossom and Bubbles for the girls.
Those names aren't nearly as good as three suggested but rejected: Naomi, Wynonna and Ashley.
Those, of course, are the names of Memphis' own famous mother and daughters, the Judd family.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1132, michael.kelly@owh.com
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