What the Abilene Reporter-News liked and disliked: 2023 will start with a twang

LIKES

1. Candidates a-aplenty. As soon as Anthony Williams officially announced that he was not running for re-election as mayor (yes, the worst-kept secret in Abilene because the dominoes already were lined up), three candidates announced their intentions. None yet for Place 3. This could be interesting.

2. Willie, Carly and the boys. Pretty exciting that we're on again for Willie Nelson to headline the Outlaws & Legends Music Festival in March. The pandemic twice prevented his performance. Willie will turn 90 just a few weeks after he is here next spring. It will be a treat to see him, perhaps for a final time. The other headliner is Carly Pearce, who we heard here before her career took off.

3. And Lyle, too. It looks as if 2023 will be off to a country music start. The Outlaws lineup was announced and the recent Rodney Crowell show was moved to Feb. 3 at the Paramount Theatre. The next night, it will be Lyle Lovett and his not-so-large acoustic band. These guys are legendary in their own right. What a great start to the music year in Abilene.

4. Cowboys ride again. After a sterling 2021 season but no bid to the NCAA Division III football playoffs, Hardin-Simmons fans may have been less optimistic about this year's 9-1 Cowboys team. But HSU earned its way into the playoff, taking on Trinity on Saturday in San Antonio. On Saturday, Abilene Christian was seeking its eighth win and a bid to the FCS playoffs, its first.

5. Abilene goes nuts. No, it's not a pecan-gathering year. But the holiday season isn't as bright without performances of "The Nutcracker," as we found out in 2020. Congrats to Abilene Ballet Theatre, which is performing the classic Tchaikovsky ballet for the 36th time.

6. Mission, accomplished. Another holiday season tradition is Mission Thanksgiving, Folks donated useful items and cash for 12 hours Friday to help those who need help.

DISLKES

1. Is Pack back after beating Dak? Why is it that when the Dallas Cowboys lose a game, the talk starts? The Cowboys for the first time blew a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter in an overtime loss at Green Bay. With that result, fans were wondering if the Packers, who were 3-6, are back on stride (apparently not after losing at home Thursday to Tennessee) and Dallas, still 6-3 after the loss, is set up for failure. The Cowboys play at 8-1 Minnesota on Sunday.

MOURNING

1. We knew them. Sad news about three University of Virginia football players shot to death while returning from a field trip. There is a tie to Abilene. Lavel Davis Jr. caught a 90-yard touchdown pass and D'Sean Perry returned an interception 84 yards for a TD in Virginia's 55-15 win over Abilene Christian in November 2020. The third victim, Devin Chandler, is not listed in game stats. Our condolences go out to Charlottesville.

HMMM

1. All in the family. On Tuesday, McMurry traveled all the way across town to play Abilene Christian in basketball. Despite ACU now being an NCAA Division I school and McMurry in Division III, the two coaches enjoy playing each fall. Wildcats coach Brette Tanner mentioned that he was willing to play Ambler Avenue neighbor Hardin-Simmons as well. Until then, they'll have to settle for Arion Simmons scoring four of ACU's first eight points Tuesday ...

2. Could be a game-changer. On Friday, Scott Beard announced his intent to file for City Council. If elected, he would join Lynn Beard. Which would be interesting in more ways than one. However, it also could mean the City Council could occasionally meet, not at the mall library, but at Will Hair Park to celebrate facial hair.

3. Let's Go Briley. Saw a car this week with a bumper sticker, still in good shape, supporting Robert Briley for mayor. And, believe it or not, it wasn't his car. Briley ran for mayor 2017.

4. A long line. The world population hit 8 billion last week. All in line for cheap gas in Abilene.

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: What the Abilene Reporter-News liked, disliked: '23 to start with twang