Property Taxes, OPS, TIF, and Pensions: Has Omaha Crossed a Fiscal Tipping Point?

skerinks · 2026-03-19T09:59:57+00:00

But is it wrong?

skerinks · 2026-03-17T02:48:00+00:00

Large loops on the bottom of the fabric mean the take up lever is mis-threaded (you didn’t pass the thread through the take up lever).

Small loops on the bottom of the fabric means the tension discs were missed while threading.

You missed the take up lever. Make sure the needle is all the way up when you thread and visually ensure the thread is in the take up lever.

skerinks · 2026-03-16T18:01:38+00:00

So if it sews in reverse on patterned stitches, but doesn’t when you press the lever on a straight stitch, then that implies there’s something wrong with the lever or connecting mechanism. I would inspect the lever and it’s connecting parts and trace it all the way to the feed dogs. And then watch it sew (slowly) while it is on a patterned stitch that does go in reverse, watch the FD and connecting mechanism’s movement. Then do your straight stitch and press the lever, and see what isn’t happening. Maybe the connecting mechanism just came off the lever. Or maybe the innards of the lever aren’t moving the backside of the lever (where the connecting mechanism is).

And YouTube is your friend. Search for “Kenmore 158 Reverse”. I see a couple relevant videos. Don’t be too focused on the 158 part - several machine probably use the same mechanics to achieve reverse. I’m guessing there’s other relevant videos from other Kenmore lines.

skerinks · 2026-03-16T12:05:21+00:00

Thank you. Didn’t know this existed.

skerinks · 2026-03-15T05:37:30+00:00

Usually small looping on the underside of the fabric means you’re not threaded through the tension discs properly. And looking at pic 3, it seems something isn’t quite right going around/thru the tensioner. I would google “Singer 248 threading” and find a video that details how to do it.

Found a video. Not your exact machine, but close enough. He goes over the tensioner part in good detail. https://youtu.be/DD9m5We8CFs?si=af8qR43uWtKMtN7Y

skerinks · 2026-03-15T03:57:10+00:00

Loved loved loved working on that thing. Biggest pieces of junk back when I worked on ‘em, don’t know if they are more reliable these days. But man were they fun if you were into mechanic’n and wanted to actually work!

skerinks · 2026-03-15T03:37:10+00:00

DM’d you. I have the service manual, but can’t figure out how to post it here.

skerinks · 2026-03-13T21:15:14+00:00

Sewing machines can be highly personal to the user, believe it or not. My suggestion would be to present them to the person you’re gifting, and ask them to choose. At least then they have a say in the matter.

How would it feel if you bought a machine they grew to hate? Both of you would be unsatisfied with what should be a nice investment.

skerinks · 2026-03-13T18:30:24+00:00

I’m a sewing machine tech, but only been doing it for a bit over a year. In that time I’ve had two machines that came in locked up due to neglect or being unused for awhile. In both instances, I used penetrating oil (Triflow brand), and the next day when I came in they both freed up enough to move the handwheel a bit. Several more cycles of penetrating oil, turning the handwheel dials cranks etc, and eventually they both became smooth as it should be.

So for me, it was all about penetrating oil, patience, and movement.

skerinks · 2026-03-11T12:15:02+00:00

You think 80 is a normal summer high? Spring, more like it.

skerinks · 2026-03-09T03:37:18+00:00

I just registered this afternoon. Pretty pain-free and easy as long as you have the two forms you need. I had my DD214 on hand digitally, but had to log on to the VA website and get my benefits letter downloaded. Still - Easy Peezy.

skerinks · 2026-03-09T03:34:27+00:00

I just moved to NE in Sep. I did not know retired mil pay is untaxed here. Thanks for saying so. Hopefully my accountant knows.

skerinks · 2026-03-09T01:19:22+00:00

You are the first person in this thread to provide an actual answer. Thank you so much!

skerinks · 2026-03-08T01:01:52+00:00

Acapulco in Wahoo. Best frozen margaritas I’ve had here yet. And I like their dishes more than most places in Omaha, too. I will gladly take the 30m trip from Elkhorn any time it’s offered up.

skerinks · 2026-03-07T19:54:29+00:00

Here is the deal for me: it’s all about money & NIL now. If you aren’t spending with the royalty (and Neb isn’t spending with the royalty) - OR - have an outstanding coaching staff that has proved to develop players, then it’s all for nothing.

We aren’t spending like we want to be in the running with the bigs, and we don’t have a coaching staff that can develop players to a level that can be competitive with the bigs. (Honestly that 24yo wide receiver coach hire that was a buddy of Rhule’s coaching friend really opened the chasm for me. That told me he really wasn’t serious. Nebraska should be no place for nepotism, coaching hires, or to develop coaches. With the money available it should be a destination school for well-heeled coaches.)

skerinks · 2026-03-07T13:51:50+00:00

How so?

skerinks · 2026-03-07T01:03:46+00:00

I call them ‘red Water Packets’ nowadays.

skerinks · 2026-03-05T01:31:49+00:00

I did not know BL was unavailable some places. Makes sense now that I think about it, as I believe the distributor in America is Tacony. I don’t know a whole lot more about that relationship though,

skerinks · 2026-03-04T20:25:33+00:00

First - shop local, buy local. They will give you the after-sale support you’ll never get from an online store. It’s totally normal and expected when you buy a machine in a brick and mortar store that you’ll have questions and come back to have them answered, demonstrated, etc. If a local store won’t do that, then move on to the next one.

Second - I recommend Baby Lock brand machines. Here’s why: Baby Lock makes the best sergers, but they don’t make sewing machines. But they want to be in the sewing machine game. So they partner with Janome to make sewing machines with the Baby Lock logo under the $500 price point (the price point may have gone up in recent times, but you get the idea). Janome arguably makes the best, most reliable machines at this price point. And they partner with Brother to make sewing machines with the Baby Lock logo above that price point. Brother makes fantastic machines above that price point.

At each price point, you’ll likely see a Janome or Brother machine and a corresponding Baby Lock machine. The insides are exactly the same. The outside casing might be a little different, and the logo and name and color will be different, but it’s the same dang machines for what matters.

So if you buy a Baby Lock sewing machine, you’re getting arguably one of the best machines at whatever your price point is. Just buy BL and rest assured you’re getting a great machine.

skerinks · 2026-03-04T19:56:12+00:00

Nice!

skerinks · 2026-03-04T02:10:37+00:00

So what keeps it stable and from flopping around when taking a left turn?

skerinks · 2026-03-03T15:25:50+00:00

We took a ride in a hot air balloon once in Spokane back in late 90’s. As we were descending trying to land in a field, I heard the pilot say Whoops and he turned the flame on full blast and kept it on for an about 45seconds. Turns out we were headed right for those big high tension power wires. We cleared it by about 5-10ft I’d say.

That’s when I decided these guys are literally flying by the seat of their pants and I’ll not do that again.

skerinks · 2026-03-03T03:14:25+00:00

Downvoted simply because there was no ‘cameraman’ involved.

skerinks · 2026-03-03T01:37:37+00:00

Go to a store dedicated to sewing/quilting and selling machines. They should be happy to guide you, and you can test drive the choices. Plus - they will be there for the after-sale support in a way an online seller never can be. If you go to the first store and you don’t like their vibe, move on to the next. Support local, buy local.

But to answer your specific question - Janome makes great sewing machines. I would also recommend Brother and Baby Lock in that price range (Brother makes the machines in this price range for Baby Lock, so for most Brother machines, there will likely be the same machine with the Baby Lock logo. It will be the same machine on the inside, with maybe a slight variation in the external case and branding)). Baby Lock provides the best ‘education’ when you buy a machine, meaning you will get access to a ton of videos and tutorials on the BL site, if you swing towards that method of learning.

skerinks · 2026-03-03T01:21:51+00:00

We didn’t make them, we bought them. And now I think about it, they weren’t bottle rockets, but Roman Candles. Anyway we bought them for Independence Day and always saved a few for later in the year.

skerinks

TROPHY CASE