Bonzai Pizza!!

Tired of the bland old pizza joints, the same waiter and the boring décor. Then you should try Bonzai. Located at 107 North Walnut Street Grand Island, NE. They have some cool, unique décor that give it a beach bar type of feel to it. It has bar signs, fake plastic sharks and netting hanging from the ceiling.
With more neon bar signs covering the walls, a pinball machine, a cool old white van and umbrella tables this place seemed like a great place to bring friends and family to have a good time. On some of the tables there is a centerpiece that sits higher off the table and gets in the way of being able to see people on the other side of the table. It also seemed a little to dark in there. Then we got in there we were free to pick where we wanted to sit.

The service was friendly and quick. She made sure we had plenty to drink and everything we needed for our meal. We did notice that she didn’t wear a Bonizai shirt or have a name tag which made it hard to know if she worked there or not.

We ordered two different personal pan pizzas and one sandwich with french fries. We also ordered pop, water and tea. They came out with plenty of ice and cold. All the food came out hot and smelling good.

The cost of a decent size personal pan pizza and a drink came to under $8.00. The cost of a sandwich and french fries was under $10.00. The prices seem to be pretty reasonable. We didn’t order any appetizers or adult beverages.

With great food, good serve and a laid back atmosphere we all said we would go back to Bonzai and eat there again. We would bring our family and friends there to eat and hang out. Despite the dark lighting and not being able to tell the staff from the costumers the experience was a good one.

La Cabana  located along the strip in downtown Grand Island offers some of the best Mexican food north of the border with some of the best service and hospitality around.

As they always say "looks can be deceiving" this restaurant is tucked away in a plaza featuring a liquor store, and a handful of other restaurants that may lead you to second guess your visit but don't be fooled! As you walk in La Cabana you get a little taste of Mexico with the bar and walls carefully decorated with ceramic tiles and the Hispanic wait staff awaiting to seat you as soon as you walk through the door. The dining area offers wide open floor plan with plenty of space between tables and even offers two separate "party rooms" just off the main dining area perfect for any group big or small.

 

The food is made to order and service is amazing. During my visit my glass was never empty and the food was delivered faster than getting a value meal at any drive thru restaurant. The food is great and as authentic as you are going to get without taking the trip to South America and also fairly priced with each dish averaging the price of a value meal at your local drive thru.

 

Spice up your evenings on the weekend with a live band and a hospitable atmosphere that will keep you coming back time and time again. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and get some amazing food, service, and have a good time without breaking the bank.



By Nick and Callie

Temple

 

Over many years people have watched countless movies in their lifetime and this was going to be no different for me. I was told that I was going to have to watch a movie and do a review on it. Being kind of thrilled about the assignment we started a three day class journey on watching a semi documented drama about the life of an amazing woman with autism, Temple Grandin.

                Like most parents, Eustacia Grandin wanted to have and raise a normal child. Howeve, when she realized that her daughter was not talking or acting like other children at the age of 4 she decided to take her to see a therapist. There Eustacia was told that here daughter was autistic and that she should be committed into a psychiatric ward. Some parents would have given in but, Eustacia refused and worker with her daughter to be as normal as possible. Temple Grandin was a woman who viewed the world differently than most. She connected pictures with her mind when conversations were spoken. She didn't understand people and never liked to be touched. Eventually Temple found her true comfort in helping animals and eventually people who were autistic just like her.

                The overall presentation of the movie was very different. It draws you in and tries to let you see the world in some parts through Temple’s eyes. One really good example was when a piece of paper that indicated where Temple’s room was had fallen off her door. When Temple went to go to her room saw the images of horror that Temple was feeling when she was lost. Not only did we see it through an emotional stand point but we also saw just how greatly her mind worked when it came to either fixing things or when she would actually put pictures together in her mind that were just sayings or jokes that she didn’t understand.  From the mother’s point of view we see someone who is fighting and continuing to support Temple even when she doesn’t believe in herself. It is something that an audience can truly connect with emotionally.

                Claire Danes who played Temple Grandin did a marvelous job at her role. It can be really difficult for actors to get into such a unique role and it’s even more pressure when you know you will be portraying someone that may one day see what you have done. All the other actors made the film truly believable and I thought they did a magnificent job.

                Overall the movie was an amazing piece of work that really got you to look at what others can see the world as and may help some people realize that shouldn’t judge someone who seems different. I would recommend it to people because not only is it an inspiring movie but it even had its bits of comedy in it as well.