No: 8
Date: 2/1/1974
Name: Omaha Mayor Ed Zorinsky
In 1974, the Omaha Press Club Show saluted the then-mayor of Omaha with "Ed Zorinsky: Superstar" at the Peony Park Ballroom. The Face was unveiled at the Press Club after the show. It was at the ballroom that Zorinsky would die in 1987 after a heart attack he had following a performance where he sang in the show. A scholarship was established by the OPC board in his name one month following his death. He appeared in four Omaha Press Club Shows, each time spoofing himself. In the Face drawing, he is riding a horse and is dressed like the fictional character Zorro, carrying a sword, a play on his name "Z." He's carrying a woman, labeled "City Charter," because opponents were accusing him that year of "raping" the City Charter. In the background is an oddly-dressed policeman. Zorinsky had proposed a new design for uniforms that was not adopted. Shown is Bob Cunningham with a "Z" carved in his chest. He lost to the mayor in an election. The city-county building is perilously perched on top of a mound, a reminder of the time the earth caved away around the building. Zorinsky was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1976 and 1982.