Grain Belt sign

THUMBS UP: There’s no doubt that purchasing the Grain Belt label was a good move for the August Schell Brewing Co. Since acquiring the famous state beer in 2002, Schell’s has seen Grain Belt become a bigger part of its business, especially with the advent of the very popular Grain Belt Nordeast beer.

So it’s only right that Schell’s do something for the iconic Grain Belt sign on Nicollet Island in Minneapolis. Schell’s announced this week its intention to purchase the sign and the land it is on with an eye to restoring and lighting it up again, then presenting it to the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota.

It will restore to Minneapolis one of its landmark signs, and serve as a great boost for the Grain Belt brand as well. A win-win.

Keystone XL

THUMBS UP: Congress is acting quickly to get the Keystone XL?pipeline approval passed during its lame duck session. The House passed it easily on Friday, with solid bi-partisan support, and the Senate is due to vote on it in the next few days.

This is a project that has met all the regulatory and environmental impact burdens but has been held up because the Obama administration doesn’t like it. Now that the mid-term election has made it certain the project will pass when Republicans take over the Senate, a lot of Democrats are jumping on the bandwagon.

This is a project that will bring Canadian petroleum through the United States to the refineries in the Gulf Coast. It will create jobs and revenue for the U.S. and deserves to be approved.

Icy, dangerous roads

THUMBS DOWN: The area got a sad reminder on Monday that winter driving conditions require a lot more care and attention.

The first winter storm of the season, featuring freezing rain topped with snow, made local roads icy, and led to the death of a Springfield woman, Mridusha Allen, on Highway 68 near Courtland. Allen lost control on the icy roads and spun into the path of an oncoming semi.

We urge people to please, please drive carefully on winter roads. Slow down, brake sooner, leave extra room between you and the car ahead.

Lights-out bowling

THUMBS UP: We have to wonder what they are putting in the water at Concordia Lanes these days. There have been some extra big scores notched there this week.

On Monday, Taylor Davis set a new city record for a three-game series with a score of 826. That included two 279 games – games where he bowled a strike in each frame but one, when he got nine and picked up the spare.

Then on Thursday two bowlers, Cory Schnurrer and Paul Holm, each bowled perfect 300 games during their league play. Schnurrer beat out two other bowlers, Tim Reinke and Mike Thunander who were each one pin away from perfection with 279s, for league high game.

That’s some unusually fine bowling. Congratulations to all.