Encouragement in my red city.

[haele]

8. My understanding is that the blue dot is a reference to Omaha, NE...

As Nebraska separates and sends it's electoral collage slate by districts; Omaha being the only one to send a Democratic elector and the others being Republican in the last couple presidential elections.
Blue dot signage has become a way of indicating you're a Democrat without announcing the candidate you're voting for. It's a relatively safe way of showing support in seriously red areas.

Haele