NebWrap July 14, 2003 NEBWRAP Zoo Big 3-0, Determined Deshler, Happy Homecoming, Chadron Touched By Jim D. Berryman MissingNebraska.com Editor ZOO BIG 3-0 The Zoo celebrated its 30th anniversary over the weekend, yet there weren’t many animals in sight, except for a leashed dog here and there. Not the animal zoo. This anniversary was for the nightclub that put Lincoln, Nebraska on the blues and jazz map. Yes, the Zoo Bar is 30 years old. Over the weekend, the Zoo crew got together with a few thousand of their friends for an outdoor street party in downtown Lincoln. Some of the acts in the lineup included Chris Duarte, Brave Combo, Billy Bacon And The Forbidden Pigs, Kelly Hunt, The Bel Airs and more. The event has been held before, including last year when it was held on 14th Street right in front of the Zoo bar. This year’s celebration was held a couple blocks south at 14th and N. The Zoo Bar was not exactly my college stomping ground, but I did visit the bar on a number of occasions. An outstanding venue to catch a case of the blues. Intimate and dark, so small you can’t believe your eyes when people take to the impromptu dance floor to boogie after the blues and booze kicks in. Of course the Zoo Bar made national headlines in the 80s when then Nebraska Governor Bob Kerrey visited the bar a few times with actress Debra Winger, who was in Lincoln filming “Terms Of Endearment”. It was the talk of the town. “Entertainment Tonight” was in town. Crazy times. Happy Big 3-0 Zoo Bar! -- DETERMINED DESHLER Residents of Deshler, Nebraska, who were victims of tornadoes in late June, say they will rebuild the numerous businesses and homes destroyed. Federal aid is on the way there and Deshler’s residents are reportedly in good spirits to tackle the tough clean up and rebuilding ahead. On the flip side, tornadoes that swept through Coleridge on June 23 didn’t do enough damage to qualify for federal disaster aid, according to an AP story. Tough news for the people who lost the eight homes and three businesses that were either damaged or destroyed. According to the story, there must be a minimum of 25 homes or businesses damaged or destroyed in order to qualify. -- HAPPY HOMECOMING Despite having many of our men and women in the military remain in harm’s way in Iraq, there are also those that are coming home. Good news in North Platte over the weekend. The 1013 U.S. Army Reserve Quartermaster Company of North Platte and McCook arrived back in Nebraska, greeted by grinning and giddy family and friends. The company had been in Jordan since March 27. We wish them well and thank them for their service. -- MEMORIAL TOUCHES CHADRON Chadron rolled out the red carpet for a replica of the Vietnam War Memorial, which arrived last week. It will be on display through July 16. According to AP, the memorial replica has allowed many local residents in and near the Chadron area to see the memorial and the Nebraskans listed on the memorial for the first time ever. Others who have seen the true Vietnam memorial in Washington D.C. say it is worth the trip to see the replica as well. -- POPPIN’ GOOD We prefer Preferred Popcorn. Special thanks to the folks there who sent some delicious popcorn for us to sample. There were a wide variety of popcorns bursting with flavor. Try the Jalapeno one if you ever order from them. Nebraskans know how to pop some corn. Feedback/Suggest A Topic Previous NebWrap Columns: 07-07-03: Boomin' 4th, Route 6 Kicks, Coyote Ugly, Keep My Number NebWrap 06-23-03: Trojans-Huskers, Poppin' Japan, Hospitality Sweet NebWrap 06-16-03: Stompin' Weekend NebWrap 06-09-03: Give Me A "C" NebWrap