VOLUME 1 ISSUE 28 | JULY 5 - JULY 11 | 2017
YOUR FREE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, PERSONAL FINANCE, MUSIC & CLASSIFIEDS NEWSWEEKLY
LIVE & LOCAL Scott Severin
REAL ESTATE How To Sell Your Home
TABLE OF CONTENTS
VOLUME 1 ISSUE 28
2017 LY | JULY 5 - JULY 11 | IFIEDS NEWSWEEK CE, MUSIC & CLASS
TAINMENT, PERSONAL YOUR FREE ARTS, ENTER
FINAN
LIVE & LOCAL Scott Severin
REAL ESTATE
How To Sell Your Home
FOCUS ON THIS WEEK! 4
THE ARTS
6
FAMILY
8
EVENTS
10 ON TEN
26
REAL ESTATE
29
HAPPY HOUR
30
CLASSIFIEDS
Coldwell Banker will be sharing real estate information on a bi-weekly basis relating to the buying and selling of your home.
To advertise email focusonclassifieds@gmail.com or call today.
13 THIS WEEKS FEATURE 17 IRATION
Focus Interviews Iration!
18 HEALTH
Focus on Health Sponsored by Jane’s Health Market
20 NEWS OF THE WEIRD
Weekly News of the Weird By Chuck Shepherd
22 LIVE & LOCAL
Scott Severin- New York Rocker on the Prairie By Andy Roberts
24 FINANCE
Herek Financial will be sharing financial information relating to the markets, investments, financial news and other information with regard to finance. By Mike Herek
Focus is your FREE Arts, Entertainment, Personal Finance, Music & Classifieds Newsweekly. We’ve brought all of these elements together for the first time, all in one weekly format. Our goal is to provide you, the customer, with the best possible publication to suit all of your needs. Focus 7914 W Dodge Rd. # 413 Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 208-6545 focusomaha@gmail.com www.focusomaha.com
EXHIBITS John Buck Cultural Imagery: Sculptures and Wood Block Prints Exhibit through Saturday, July 29 The summer exhibition “KINETIC” by Kaneko will present the works of a number of international, national and regional artists that explores the art and science of movements and the perception of motion. A part of this exhibition will be a major retrospective of world renown artist John Buck’s wood block prints and wood and bronze sculptures, many of which are large and are kinetic. Gallery 72, concurrently and in conjunction with Kaneko will host a significant show of additional selections of fine art wood block prints and sculptures by John Buck. Gallery 72’s relationship with Buck began with the time he spent at the Kansas City Art Institute as a classmate with the owner’s brother Robert Rogers and continues with working with Bud Shark’s Ink., the publisher of Buck’s prints and Zolla/Lieberman Gallery, a dealer of Buck’s sculptures. All works at Gallery 72 will be available for purchase. ----------------------------------------------Where We Land – Opening Reception The Union for Contemporary Art | 6p The Union’s summer exhibition opens with a reception on Friday, June 16 from 6 pm to 9 pm. All three artists will be present to introduce themselves, their work, and inspirations. Light refreshments will be served. Where We Land runs through Aug.12, Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11 a to 6 p, FREE. ----------------------------------------------ART WORKS: A Place for Curiosity Joslyn Museum, 2200 Dodge St, Omaha, Nebraska 68102
fresh ways to experience the visual arts. Nine hands-on activity stations, all with connections to art that you might encounter in Joslyn’s galleries, will pique your curiosity and stimulate creativity! Go, explore, imagine, and play in an artful way. ART WORKS is in the Memorial building, lower level east; open - and is free! - during all public hours. ----------------------------------------------David Brooks: Continuous Service Altered Daily: June 1-Aug. 26 at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S. 12th St. Brooks presents every single part of a used 1976 John Deere 3300 combine harvester laid out in varying degrees of disassembly. Admission: free. Moreinformation online at www.bemiscenter.org ----------------------------------------------Bijoux Parisiens: French Jewelry from the Petit Palais, Paris: June 4-Sept. 10 at Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. This exhibition portrays the intersection of French fashion, art, and history while touching on social and political concerns. Nearly 70 works of jewelry and more than 100 original paintings, fashion prints, and photographs will be on display. Tickets: $10 adults. Free for children (17 and under), college students with ID, and Joslyn members. Moreinformation online at joslyn.org ----------------------------------------------Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: through June 25 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. The classic tale of Belle and the Beast is back with spectacular sets and costumes. Times vary. Tickets: $42 adults, $25 students Thursday-Sunday; $32 adults, $20 students Wednesday. More information online at ticketomaha.com
A 1,500 sq. ft. interactive space where visitors young and old will find fun,
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UNO Art Gallery 6001 Dodge St., Omaha, 68182 ---------------------------------------------Anderson Enterprises White Crane Gallery 15418 W Center Rd, Omaha, 68144 1032 Howard St, Omaha, 68102 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Anderson O’Brien Fine Art Old Market Zombie Art & Glass Gallery 1108 Jackson St., Omaha, 68102 6001 Maple St., Omaha, 68104 ---------------------------------------------Artist Cooperative Gallery MUSEUMS 405 S 11th St, Omaha, 68102 ---------------------------------------------Durham Museum Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts 801 S 10th St., Omaha, 68108 724 S 12th St., Omaha, 68102 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Great Plains Black History Museum Blue Pomegranate Gallery 7400 Dodge St., Omaha 68114 17305 Davenport St, Omaha, 68118 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Joslyn Art Museum Cooper Brown Art 2200 Dodge St., Omaha, 68102 2215 Harney St., Omaha, 68102 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Omaha Children’s Museum Dundee Gallery 500 S 20th St., Omaha, 68102 4916 Underwood Ave, Omaha, 68132 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Gallery 72 Museum, 28210 W Park Hwy, 68003 1806 Vinton St., Omaha, 68108 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Gallery 1516 PERFORMING ARTS 1516 Leavenworth St., Omaha, 68102 ---------------------------------------------Holland Performing Arts Center Garden of the Zodiac 13th & Douglas St., Omaha, NE 68102 1046 Howard St., Omaha, 68102 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Omaha Community Playhouse Hot Shops 6915 Cass St., Omaha, NE 68132 1301 Nicholas St, Omaha, 68102 --Billy McGuigan’s Rock Twist, July12-23 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hugo Art Galleries Orpheum Theater 2718 Pacific St., Omaha, 68105 409 S Sixteenth St., Omaha, NE 68102 -----------------------------------------------B - The Underwater Bubble Show, Joslyn Art Museum October 7 2200 Dodge St., Omaha, 68102 --Finding Neverland, October 10-15 ---------------------------------------------Lewis Art Gallery 8600 Cass St., Omaha, 68114 ---------------------------------------------MANGELSEN Images of Nature 1115 Harney St., Omaha, 68102 ---------------------------------------------Modern Arts Midtown 3615 Dodge St., Omaha, 68131 Old Market Artists Gallery 1034 Howard St., Omaha, 68102 ---------------------------------------------Passageway Gallery 417 S 11th St, Omaha, 68102 ---------------------------------------------Petshop Gallery 2725 N 62nd St., Omaha, 68104 ---------------------------------------------The Little Gallery & Underground Film Forum 5901 Maple St., 68104 ---------------------------------------------The Union for Contemporary Art 2417 Burdette St., Omaha, 68111 ----------------------------------------------
GALLERIES
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The Donovan Johnson Band & the Louis Colaiania Band will be performing live at the SumTur Sunday, July 9th | 1pm – 10pm Amphitheater this Independence Day 2:30 pm: DJ Mickey 3:00 pm: Blue Demon autograph sign- weekend, join the lawn party! Food and beverages for both adults and ing in the La Nueva tent Turner Park Opens For Seating At 5p children will be available at the 3:30 pm: Mariachi Zapata Pre-show Starts At 6:30p concession booth - sandwiches, hot 5:00 pm: Lucha Libre Wrestling Music Starts At 7:30p dogs, popcorn, pop, beer, chips, and 6:45 pm: Los Komberz Free and Open to the Public more! Saturday night, July 8th at 7pm, 8:00 pm: Esencia Latina ----------------------------------------------- sit outside and listen or get on your Warm nights. Cool grooves. feet and dance into the night with the Get ready to wrap yourself in another Saturday, July 8 | 6:30p music of these nationally recognized, Vibes Summer Concert Series season of Jazz on the Green at multi award winning artists! featuring Josh Hoyer Midtown Crossing presented by Village Pointe Shopping Center Omaha Performing Arts. Both performers promise a great time, You determine the pace – laid back or 168th & West Dodge Rd and will be performing for a great Omaha, Nebraska 68118 lively. We’ll supply the place – Turner cause as well! For tickets and more Grab a blanket or a chair and join us Park: beautiful, centrally-located, information visit http://sumtur.org/ this summer for an exciting concert perfect for a jazz lovin’ crowd. viewEvent.php?eventID=235 ----------------------------------------------- series lineup! ----------------------------------------------July 7, 8 & 9 The 2017 Vibes Summer Concert O Comic Con | 12p Series is scheduled on Saturday Mid-America Center evenings from 630-830p, thru Aug 19. Unleash your inner superhero at O Comic Con July 7-9 at the Mid-AmerConcert guests can enjoy a cold ica Center. Celebrate your favorite beverage each week at the Brew Patio films, books and graphic novels at the hosted by Village Pointe restaurants Metro’s own comics and pop culture and Sam Adams. No outside alcohol is expo. permitted. Parking is free and children twelve Vibes at Village Pointe is located in the and under are admitted free with a paid adult. More information online at CHI Health amphitheatre. ----------------------------------------------http://www.ocomiccon.com ----------------------------------------------- Saturday, July 8 | 6:30p Sounds of Summer Concert featuring July 7, 8 & 9 Hi-Fi Hangover Nebraska Hispanic Festival Shadow Lake Towne Center Food. Rides. Music. 72nd Street & Hwy 370, Papillion $17 ALL DAY Passes for Grab a blanket or a chair and join FREE Carnival Rides us every Friday from 6:30-8:30pm Kids 5 & under FREE all summer long in the Amphiteatre sponsored by Nebraska Medicine CONCERT LINEUPS: Bellevue for an exciting concert line-up Friday, July 7th | 4pm – 11pm sponsored by 961 Kiss Online. 6:00 pm: Krtel Norteño For the full Sounds of Summer Concert 7:15 pm: Norteñisimo Zierra Azul series line-up please visit 8:30 pm: Montez de Durango www.shadowlakeshopping.com. ----------------------------------------------Saturday, July 8th | 11am – 11pm Saturday July 8 | 7p 4:30 pm: Banda Trancazitos Independence Weekend Concert & 6:00 pm: Los Buchones de Culiacan 7:30 pm: Fashion Show | Quinceañera Lawn Party w/ The Donovan Johnson Band and The Louis Colaiannia Band Giveaway SumTur Amphitheater 8:30 pm: Duke Royal Thursday, July 6 Jazz on the Green Presented by Omaha Performing Arts featuring The Potash Twins
9:00 pm: Banda Machos
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Sunday, July 9 2017 Ragtime to Riches Festival | 1p First Central Congregational United Church of Christ 421 S. 36th St, Omaha, NE 68131 It’s the thirteenth annual festival, and it’s a fundraiser for the Great Plains Ragtime Society. The festival consists of three concerts, a workshop, and an “earlybird” open-piano session...as well as post-concert get-togethers called “afterglows.” This year’s featured performers: Faye Ballard, Nathan Beasley, and Jim Boston. More information online at http://r2rfestival.webs.com/ -----------------------------------------------
Monday, July 10 | 5p Free Outdoor Movie Series In Turner Park Presented By University Of Nebraska At Omaha 3110 Farnam St, Omaha, NE 68131 July 10: Captain America: Civil War (PG-13) July 17: Student Choice Week July 24: Casablanca (PG) July 31: Finding Dory (PG) Turner Park opens for seating at 5 pm. Movie begins at sunset. Grab your blanket, enjoy some popcorn, sit back, relax and have fun all summer long! ----------------------------------------------Majestic Cinema Kid’s Dream Summer Film Series Join us Sundays, Mondays and Wednesdays at 10AM, through August 16 to view your favorite family flicks for just $3.00! Grab the family and head to your nearest participating Marcus Theatres location! Check online for complete movie schedule! http://www.marcustheatres.com/ marcus-specials/family-friendly-films/kids-dream-summer-filmseries-2015-powered-by-americanfamily-insurance ----------------------------------------------Dinosaur Safari Exhibit:
Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St., Omaha Families can explore natural history through hands-on activities with authentic fossils and live reptiles, as well as life-like animatronic dinosaurs. Admission: $12 adults and children (3+), $11 seniors (60+), free for members and children age 2 and under. More information online at www.ocm.org ----------------------------------------------Kids Bowl Free ALL Summer Long Monday thru Friday 12p - 6p West Lanes Bowling, 151 N 72nd Street, Omaha ----------------------------------------------If you would like to see your event listed, email getintofocus@gmail.com -----------------------------------------------
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WEDNESDAY JULY 5 Phinehas Lookout Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Bozak & Morrissey Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Late Night Lear: A Night of Comedy Shakespeare On The Green, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit with the Mountain Goats SumTur Amphitheater, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Scholars Forum: We Burn Daylight Shakespeare On The Green, 8p ----------------------------------------------Dead Rabbits The Waiting Room, 8p ----------------------------------------------Summer Splash Concert Series Club Vibe, 9p ----------------------------------------------Michelle Eva from Soul Tree Harney Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------Noah Sterba Band, Andrew Graham and Swarming Branch O’Leaver’s, 9p
THURSDAY JULY 6 Dire Lion Grille & Chippy Jerry’s Bar, 4p ----------------------------------------------The Potash Twins Turner Park at Midtown Crossing, 5p ----------------------------------------------Lil’ Mike and the Tornados Chrome Lounge, 6p ----------------------------------------------Blue House Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Bike NIght with Banjo Loco Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 7p ----------------------------------------------Bridge To Grace, Seasons After, Gears, & Phoenix Principle Shamrock’s Pub, 7p -----------------------------------------------
You Had To Be There Reverb Lounge, 8p ----------------------------------------------King Lear Shakespeare On The Green, 8p ----------------------------------------------Jason Boland Slowdown, 8p ----------------------------------------------Nerd Roast The Backline, 8p ----------------------------------------------Holy Ghost Men’s Club Barley Street, 9p ----------------------------------------------Ben & Friends Harney Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------Pleiades & the Bear The Down Under Lounge, 9:30p
FRIDAY JULY 7 Festival Hispano De Nebraskas Ralston Arena, 3p ----------------------------------------------Benson First Friday Benson, 5p ----------------------------------------------Jah Vessel Art Show Expo Love’s Jazz & Art Center, 5p ----------------------------------------------Alyssa Siebken Live Blue Chip Ultra Lounge, 5:30p ----------------------------------------------402 Gallery Opening: Nia Karmann (402) Arts Collective, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Sounds Of The Summer with Hi-Fi Hangover Shadow Lake Towne Center, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------HellYeah The Waiting Room, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Wild Ambition The Cottonwood Cove, 7p ----------------------------------------------Rockbrook Fri Night Concert Series featuring Rockbrook Village, 7p -----------------------------------------------
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I Am The Pendragon Shamrock’s Pub, 7p ----------------------------------------------Swampboy Blues Band Soaring Wings Vineyard, 7p ----------------------------------------------Jam Packed-A Group Art Exhibition Star Deli Gallery, 7p ----------------------------------------------Sinners and Saints Horsemen’s Park, 8p ----------------------------------------------The Merry Wives of Winsor Shakespeare On The Green, 8p ----------------------------------------------Awolnation Stir Cove, 8p ----------------------------------------------Harold Hour (Improv) The Backline, 8p ----------------------------------------------Don Bassic And Friends Bar 415, 9p ----------------------------------------------Ultra Violet, Justin Howl, La Te Da Barley St., 9p ----------------------------------------------DJ Travis Howe Blue Chip Ultra Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Aaron Kantor Band Buck’s Bar & Grill, 9p ----------------------------------------------The 9’s Growler USA, 9p ----------------------------------------------eNVy Ozone Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Elevate Dance PArty #12 Reverb Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Maiden Voyage w/ Haus of Chains Slowdown, 9p ----------------------------------------------Achilles Last Band + The Fools Chrome Lounge, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Jump The Tiger, Lodgings, St. Bernard O’Leaver’s Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Singer-Songwriter Rounds The Down Under, 9:30p
SATURDAY JULY 8 Perry’s Place Annual Make-A-Wish Golf Tour Tara Hills Golf Course, 7a ----------------------------------------------Muddy Paws at 5K Superhero Run Turner Park at Midtown Crossing, 8a ----------------------------------------------Infusion to Infusion Bike Ride Infusion Brewing Company, 9a ----------------------------------------------O Comic Con Mid-America Center, 9a ----------------------------------------------Skatefest 2017 Broadway Skatepark, 11a ----------------------------------------------Art Down Under with Aly Peeler, Brikwondo, Lorie Jo Bridges The Down Under, 3p ----------------------------------------------Metal Madness with Turned 2 Dust, Molten, Unwritten Rulz, Benevox, Noesis, Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 6p ----------------------------------------------Live Music with Generations Loess Hills Winery, 6p ----------------------------------------------Music & Coloring Sozo Coffeehouse, 6p ----------------------------------------------Scholars Forum: Disguise in King Lear Shakespeare On The Green, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Blind Beer Tasting Event Spirit World, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Vibes Summer Concert Series Featuring Josh Hoyer Village Pointe, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Matt Hackett Live Burrito Envy & Tequila Bar, 7p ----------------------------------------------Queen + Adam Lambert CenturyLink Center, 7p ----------------------------------------------Saturdays at Stinson Concert Series featuring The Confidentials Stinson Park in Aksarben Village, 7p -----------------------------------------------
Donovan Johnson Band and The Louis Colaiannia Band SumTur Amphitheater, 7p ----------------------------------------------King Lear Shakespeare On The Green, 8p ----------------------------------------------Brit Floyd-The Pink Floyd Tribute Stir Cove, 8p ----------------------------------------------Whose Backline Is It Anyway? The Backline, 8p ----------------------------------------------NotUTwo Therapy Bar & Grill, 8p ----------------------------------------------Grunge Pop American Dream, 9p ----------------------------------------------Gallivant with The Wood Notes & B. Baldwin Trio, The Down Under, 8p ----------------------------------------------Jack Hotel, Kait Berreckman, Michael Wunder, Barley Stret, 9p ----------------------------------------------Jake Worthington Buck’s Bar & Grill, 9p ----------------------------------------------The Bishops Growler USA, 9p ----------------------------------------------Swampboy Blues Band Harney Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------Full Moon Party Hounds Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------The Putz, Sink In, American Arson, Liar Wire, Lookout Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Caught Looking Ozone Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------DJ Animale The Cove, 9p ----------------------------------------------Rukkus Chrome Lounge, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Damien McCarthy Dubliner Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Vegetable Deluxe, Karen Meat, Sires, Sean Pratt & The Sweats O’Leaver’s Pub, 9:30p
SUNDAY JULY 9 O Comic Con Mid-America Center, 9a ----------------------------------------------Habitz Expansion Party Habitz Glass & Goodies, 12p -----------------------------------------------
Lindy In The Park Stinson Park in Aksarben Village, 1p ----------------------------------------------Monthly Pinball Tournament Beercade, 2p ----------------------------------------------Daniel Christian Soaring Wings Vineyard, 2p ----------------------------------------------MWA Pro Wrestling Hog Stop BBQ, 4:30p ----------------------------------------------Shakespeare Park Quiz Shakespeare On The Green, 8p ----------------------------------------------One Night Only: Monterey Pop Film Streams, 7p ----------------------------------------------Alvarez Kings with Taking the Hourglass, Reverb Lounge, 7p ----------------------------------------------The Merry Wives of Winsor Shakespeare On The Green, 8p ----------------------------------------------Matthew Sweet with Tommy Keene The Waiting Room, 8p
MONDAY JULY 10 Monday Night Movies featuring Captain America (PG-13) Turner Park, 5p ----------------------------------------------Coco Montoya Chrome Lounge, 6p ----------------------------------------------George Lopez Live Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Gosh!, Razors, Screaming Plastic The Sydney, 9p
TUESDAY JULY 11 The Fremont TriTones Hotel RL, 7p ----------------------------------------------Open Mic Therapy Bar & Grill, 8p ----------------------------------------------Benson Songwriter Exchange | “Slow Burn” Reverb Lounge, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Rozwell Kid, Vundabar, Great Grandpa Slowdown, 8p ----------------------------------------------Singer Songwriter Night Barley St. Tavern, 8:30p ----------------------------------------------Obtuse, Sgt. Leisure, Deathcow Milk Run, 9p -----------------------------------------------
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1
Thursday July 6
Jason Boland & The Stragglers SLOWDOWN
6
Saturday July 8
Art Down Under
THE DOWN UNDER
2
Friday July 7
Awolnation STIR COVE
7
Saturday July 8
Alvarez Kings REVERB LOUNGE
10 Focus | July 5 - July 11 | Volume 1 Issue 28
3
Friday July 7
Maiden Voyage SLOWDOWN
8
Saturday July 8
The Confidentials
STINSON PARK
4
Saturday July 8
5
Saturday July 8
Queen + Adam Lambert Matthew Sweet CENTURYLINK CENTER THE WAITING ROOM
9
Monday July 10
George Lopez FUNNY BONE
10
Tuesday July 11
Roswell Kid SLOWDOWN
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Hal Daub’s Desire for a Streetcar in for Omaha By Eddie Torrez
Surely everyone knows Hal Daub. The former 2nd District congressman, Omaha mayor, and current University
of Nebraska Regent- a dedicated public servant and a man with ideas who makes things happen. Lots of ideas, often ideas that are dynamic and landscape altering. He was the one of the guiding forces behind what is now the CenturyLink Center and, while mayor, landed a million dollar federal appropriation by the late then-Sen. Jim Exon that provided the funding for the first study of a trolley system for part of Omaha. “Everybody now, I think, wants to call it a streetcar,” Daub said. “I refer to it, of course, as light rail.” You could call Daub “The Godfather of the Omaha Light Rail Concept.” A third study, he pointed out, is underway. If you know Hal Daub, his energy is boundless and his enthusiasm difficult to match when he gets behind something that he thinks will benefit Omaha. At the age of 76, he shows no sign of slowing down. “It’s an idea whose time has come,” Daub said. “I think the idea needs to be put in perspective.” The light rail project and route would not be citywide, but rather a small connecting piece of a large, comprehensive piece of Omaha’s transit system. That, he said, can be found in
more detail at the Metro Area Planning Agency’s MAPA 250 website that is listed at the bottom of this story. The light rail piece would be built from just south of the CenturyLink running south to Farnam, then west to Saddle Creek. “The reason it’s important for the city to do this, in my view,” he said, “is it’s the core of the city . . . and the core is critical.” That core, he pointed out, includes the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Creighton University, Mutual of Omaha and other new projects in Midtown , which in turn are connected to more activity in downtown Omaha and in the still-in-development Capital District “It’s a huge economic connector – it’s a huge economic driver,” he said. The Kansas City light rail project, the Transportation Development District (TDD) has generated more billions of dollars in new investment, Daub said. While Focus was not immediately able to confirm that figure, media reports from more than a year ago placed it at that time at $1.5 billion, so that can be expected to gain steam. Those investments were based on the announcement of TDD and the start of construction. The reason, Daub said, is fairly obvious – public transit
bring increased a dependable mode of transportation to the workforce. “You have the assured reliability that the empty bus, the flat tire . . . will not disrupt transportation,” Daub emphasized. Investors, then, feel comfortable knowing there is transportation. Many young, elderly, and service workers do not have a car, he pointed out. “The economic idea connects to the job issue,” he said. “You have a workforce issue that is critical. “That dependable, fixed, transportation piece, in that one part of the city (the core),” he said, is needed, but not, at this time, in other areas. “It (light rail) helps attract and retain young people in our city,” Daub stated. Another piece of the puzzle of building a dynamic city is how light rail changes a city’s image. “ Can you imagine Omaha without the CenturyLink Center?” he asked. Daub recalls how when he was mayor and working to raise money and secure support for what first was the Qwest Center, some said: “Let’s spend that money on fixing the streets.” He understands that concern, but
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recognizes, “We’re always going to have street problems . . . it’s the nature of our geography,” adding that doesn’t mean the city can’t do better on that. Meanwhile, as Omaha debates light rail, or prepares to debate it, light rail and trolley systems are being built around the country. “It creates that image of a modern city,” he said. “It adds a spring in our step.” Daub said he fears the issue, as presented during the recent mayor’s race, may have muddied the waters, but it is time to move forward. He sees that coming along a path that works with the city’s business leadership and community leaders to sell the idea to the public. Neighborhood and town hall meetings are needed, he suggested, adding that was a concept that worked well for him in gaining support the arena-convention center project that resulted in what now is the CenturyLink Center. “We got great input – wonderful ideas,” he said. That proposal, with some changes, went to the public and was approved by vote, after $75 million in private contributions was obtained. Daub, who said he isn’t party to any of Mayor Jean Stothert’s administration’s private discussions (he is busy as a member of the University of Nebraska Board of Regents) said he would suggest a public-private partnership including the establishment of a light-rail district. The Omaha City Charter allows for money from the increase in property values within the district – without an increase in the mill levy – to be earmarked to pay for any bonded
indebtedness from the project, Daub said. An authority, like MECA (the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority - which oversees The CenturyLink Center among other properties), can oversee “the blending” of the public and private funding. “You’re not raising anybody’s taxes,” Daub stated. “It’s a win-win for everybody in that regard.” He suggested a plant has to come from the mayor and city council for a ballot issue. That plan should ask for approval of the construction of a light rail project detailing what it would look like and what it would cost. It is his hope that this could happen at a pace that would see construction begin next year. “I just think it’s exciting,” Daub said. He added, if you think there is a lot of construction underway in Omaha now, wait until you see what happens the day construction starts on the light rail. “It will really pop!” For more information on what a light rail project might bring, go to: http://heartland2050.org/
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1019 Howard St. Omaha, NE 68102 402-342-1737
Custom Jewelry Pearls Local Artists Loose Gemstones Watch Batteries Jewelry Repair www.goldsmithsilversmith.com
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Iration – Rock Meets Reggae at Slowdown By Eddie Torrez Taking a break from the Sounds of Summer 2017 tour that has found them mostly playing as the main support act for Slightly Stoopid, rock-reggae band Iration will stop in Omaha for a Wednesday, July 12, set at Slowdown. In December, the Hawaii-bred, Santa Barbara-based band released Double Up on its own Three Prong Records. They’ve spent the last month on the road. Micah Pueschel, lead vocalist-guitarist, took time recently to talk to Focus about the band’s history, plans, and the Omaha show. “We’ve been together for just about 10 years now,” Pueschel said. The current lineup, he pointed out, has been together about four years. During that time they have placed several releases atop Billboard’s Reggae Albums Chart. A new single,“Fly With Me,” is out, another is on the way, and still another album is in the works. Their music can be purchased on iTunes or other online sites and music retailers like Homer’s. Automatic, one of their older albums, is on vinyl while the others can be found on CD. Plans are for more of their work to be pressed to vinyl. Pueschel, who does the majority of the writing, is joined by Adam Taylor on bass, drummer Joseph Dickens, Cayson Peterson on keyboards-synth, Micah Brown on guitar and vocals, and Drake Peterson on trumpet. The members of Iration moved from Hawaii to California for college, attending school in the Santa Barbara area, and shared a common interest in playing music for fun. “We were just friends. We were friends in high school,” he recalled. Asked to describe their distinct sound, Pueschel said: “We just always say
reggae-rock.” The drums and bass are the foundation with “rock-sounding” guitars. Some of the songs are mixes of rock and reggae, some are straight rock, others straight reggae, while other styles occasionally pop up in Iration’s music. “Mostly it’s reggae and rock ‘n’ roll,” Pueschel said. Why reggae? “I think part of it is the rhythm,” he said. Growing up in Hawaii, Pueschel heard it a lot and “it’s not straightforward . . . You can recognize it but it’s not easy to replicate. “It’s counter-intuitive to most musicians,” he said. And great fun. The name was set in place when Iration got its start as a cover band. Pueschel said it had an origin in reggae terms, but now is simply an interesting sound with no particular connotation to it. Pueschel feels, while not “classically trained,” Iration’s musical strength comes from the band members’ ability to develop their own styles. There’s another part of their secret sauce that plays a big role, as well. “I think the strengths are that we are all friends . . . that we all get along really well,” Pueschel said. “I think that’s an underrated part of a band.” They have been on the road since June 7 and will be on tour the rest of the summer, with gigs moving closer to their California base in the weeks to come. Wednesday will not be Iration’s
introduction to Omaha. Pueschel said the band hasn’t been here for a while, but they have played Omaha several times, performing at Slowdown, Sokol Underground, and the Waiting Room. That doesn’t mean there won’t be some surprises when the reggae-rockers hit the stage. “I think they’ll see a show that is a little more high energy than they expected,” Pueschel said. “We pride ourselves on being able to bring good live show.” Pueschel is looking forward to seeing
more of Omaha and a great night of music. “We’ve always had a great crowd in Omaha,” he said. For more on Iration: www.irationmusic. com For tickets: www.theslowdown.com/
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Iodine: The New/Old Medicine
By Terry... Naturally
THIS STATEMENT HAS NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE OR PREVENT DISEASE. After World War II and the advent of the introduction of new high powered drugs that are used today, iodine was one of the most beneficial and universal medicines used by physicians around the world. Iodine could do everything; heal wounds and disease, destroy bacteria and viruses and all pathogens and improve cellular function. It was the most commonly used medicine in the world. It got pushed aside based on the scientific evidence that the new drugs were more beneficial and more powerful. We are now entering an era a healthy lifestyle. Albert Szent-Györgyi, the discoverer of vitamin C, always used and highly recommended iodine, which
at the time was not fully understood. He stated that iodine did everything and everything good so when you didn’t know what else to give, give iodine. He personally took 1,000 mgs a day of iodine. It is one of the most non-toxic and safest minerals that one could consume for good health. One could consume 100,000 times the RDA with absolutely no side effects. Why have we not been informed by those in authority and toxic.
treating fibrocystic breast disease which includes the cyst, nodules and hardness of the breast with iodine. They have also had significant success in treating breast cancer with high doses of iodine. This is also true for the nodules, cysts and cancer that can be found in the ovaries, uterus and prostate. The recommended dosage for a child is 6.5 mgs of iodine per day which can make a dramatic effect in behavior and brain function.
Some very wise and interested scientists did a meta-analysis of the studies on vitamin D and found that 3,000 to 5,000 IU is a more normal dosage for good health and up to a level of 10,000 units are safe. Scientists now believe that a deficiency of vitamin D can account for 77% of all cancer with 17 different forms of cancer positively responding to vitamin D therapy. Now that’s a far cry from 400 IU per day. We are the most over medicated country in the world and the unhealthiest. The United States consumes over 40% of all drugs manufactured worldwide and yet we are 42nd in world health. That means that 41 other countries are healthier than the United States. That is a sad accomplishment in spite of all the drugs that medical authorities believe will heal this nation. We never advocate healthy food, healthy lifestyle, exercise and nutritional supplements. It’s big Pharma, big profits, big money and a sick country.
A maintenance dosage for an adult would be 12.5 mgs. The sicker the individual, the higher the dosage of iodine is recommended by holistic physicians, therefore, up to 50 mgs per day, and for breast cancer possibly 100 mgs per day. There are virtually no side effects except for a slight moistening of the nasal passages and more frequent sneezing. The majority of the doctors who use iodine therapy believe that there are really no adverse side effects but what one might see as an annoying associated condition is based on the detoxification of three toxins, chlorine, fluoride and bromide.
Let’s get back to the iodine story. Iodine and L-Tyrosine produce the thyroid hormone thyroxin and are responsible for improving low thyroid. Not only is the thyroid supported by iodine but every cell in the body cannot function without sufficient quantities of iodine on a daily basis. The thyroid needs approximately 5 mgs of iodine per day and the rest of the iodine is used by the cells of the breast, ovaries, uterus and prostate. Many holistic physicians are now
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function of the engine. Just because we have a high or a low agent in the blood is not the full story as to how it’s utilized. For example, vitamin D is necessary to carry calcium from the Iodine is a powerful alkaline substance, gut to the bloodstream. However, with a deficiency of essential fatty acids, the a superior detoxifying agent of the calcium would never reach the cellular harmful chemicals in the body and level. a healing agent that literally cannot be duplicated by modern medicine Thyroid hormones can be ineffective minus any side effects. Iodine is because they are bound to proteins or the choice to improve low thyroid they are not converted to their active function and should be used before form. The best way to tell if a person any other thyroid hormones are has a low thyroid is the way physicians recommended. If thyroid hormones did it years ago. Talk to the patient, are still needed, the dosage will be observe the patients features, take a far less once the thyroid and body is completely saturated with iodine. Low medical history and yes, this will take more than 5 minutes. thyroid is one of the most commonly misdiagnosed disorders in medical Until next week, “Stay Healthy treatment. Blood tests are not the Omaha!” answer to diagnose a low thyroid. Blood tests can indicate what agents are there at the time of the blood draw. However, that tells nothing as to how they will affect the body’s function. It would be similar to checking the gas tank of a car to determine the
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to be quiet. According to the Daily News source, Ferguson told Rifkin, “I wiped out six devils (white people), and you only killed women.” Rifkin allegedly responded, “Yeah, but I had more victims.” Ferguson then allegedly ended the brief incident by punching Rifkin in the mouth. [Syracuse HeraldJournal-New York Daily News-AP, 4-11-94]
By Chuck Shepherd
LEAD STORY -Playing the Hits Weird News is forever, but this is my last “News of the Weird” column, as I am now exhausted after almost 30 years in the racket. In this final edition, I remember a few of my favorites. My deep thanks to Andrews McMeel Syndication and to readers, who started me up and kept me going. Y’all take care of yourselves. -- Chuck Shepherd -- (1995) Chesapeake, Virginia, inmate Robert Lee Brock filed a $5 million lawsuit against Robert Lee Brock -- accusing himself of violating his religious beliefs and his civil rights by getting himself drunk enough that he could not avoid various criminal behaviors. He wrote: “I want to pay myself five million dollars (for this breach of rights), but ask the state to pay it in my behalf since I can’t work and am a ward of the state.” In April, the lawsuit was dismissed. [Austin American-Statesman-AP, 4-8-95] -- (2002) The Lane brothers of New York, Mr. Winner Lane, 44, and Mr. Loser Lane, 41 (their actual birth names), were profiled in a July Newsday report -- made more interesting by the fact that Loser is successful (a police detective in the
South Bronx) and Winner is not (a history of petty crimes). A sister said she believes her parents selected “Winner” because their late father was a big baseball fan and “Loser” just to complete the pairing. [Newsday, 7-22-02] -- (1996) A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for Lamar, Missouri, on Joyce Lehr’s lawsuit against the county for injuries suffered in a 1993 fall in the icy, unplowed parking lot of the local high school. The Carthage Press reported that Lehr claimed damage to nearly everything in her body. According to her petition: “All the bones, organs, muscles, tendons, tissues, nerves, veins, arteries, ligaments ... discs, cartilages, and the joints of her body were fractured, broken, ruptured, punctured, compressed, dislocated, separated, bruised, contused, narrowed, abrased, lacerated, burned, cut, torn, wrenched, swollen, strained, sprained, inflamed, and infected.” [Carthage Press, 1-9-96]
-- (1999) At Last! A Job That Actually Requires Geometry! Commissioners in Florida’s Seminole County and Manatee County passed ordinances regulating public nudity by requiring women to cover at least 25 percent of the area of their breasts and at least 33 percent of the buttocks, with detailed instructions as to the points from which each coverage must be measured. (Refresher for law enforcement: The lateral area of a cone is pi (times) r (times) s where r=radius and s=slant height; for the surface area of a sphere, it’s pi (times) r (squared), and, alas, for a flat surface, it’s length times width.) [Sarasota Herald-Tribune, 4-4-1999]
-- (1998) On the day before Good Friday, reported the Los Angeles Times, Dr. Ernesto A. Moshe Montgomery consecrated the Shrine of the Weeping Shirley MacLaine in a room in the Beta Israel Temple in Los Angeles. Inspired by an image he said he had while riding in the actress’s private jet, Montgomery said a subsequent large photograph -- (2002) From time to time “News of the Weird” reported on the fluctuating of him with MacLaine was “observed shedding tears,” which had inspired value of the late Italian artist Piero prayers and testimony of miraculous Manzoni’s personal feces, which he healings. [Los Angeles Times, 4-10-98] canned in 1961, 30 grams at a time in 90 tins, as art objects (though, -- (2001) A child pornography over the years, 45 have reportedly investigation in Minneapolis turned exploded). Their price to collectors up 1,000 suspect images on the office has varied (low of about $28,000 for computer of a 58-year-old University a tin in 1998 to a high of $75,000 in of Minnesota classics professor -1993). In June 2002, the Tate Gallery named Richard Pervo. [Minneapolis in London excitedly announced it had Star Tribune, 2-13-01] purchased tin number 004 for about $38,000. (The price of 30 grams of -- (1993) In May, Elk River, Minnesota, gold in 2002 was a little over $300.) landlord Todd Plaisted reported [Sydney Morning Herald, 7-1-02] that his tenant Kenneth Lane had fled the area, abandoning his rented -- (1994) The New York Daily News farmhouse and leaving behind at reported in April on a cellblock fight least 400 tons of used carpeting, at between murderers Colin Ferguson least 10,000 plastic windows from and Joel Rifkin at the Nassau County jail. Reportedly, Ferguson (convicted of Northwest Airlines planes, and rooms full of sofas, mattresses and washing six race-related murders on the Long machines, among other things. Lane Island Rail Road in 1993) was using a telephone and told Rifkin (a serial killer told townspeople he ran a “recycling” company, but there was no evidence of serving 203 years for nine murders)
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sales. A deputy sheriff driving by the farmhouse the year before saw Lane burying carpeting with a tractor and said Lane merely muttered, “I don’t know what to say. You got me. I can’t even make up an excuse.” [Minneapolis Star Tribune, 5-17-93] -- (1990) An FBI investigation into interstate trafficking by diaper fetishists resulted in the arrests of five men belonging to an organization called the Diaper Pail Foundation, which has a letterhead and publishes a newsletter and information exchange for members. A Madison, Wisconsin, man, arrested in April for possession of child pornography, was found inside a van taking pictures of a child relieving himself. The man had offered service to the child’s parents as a toilet trainer. [source unavailable, but “Diaper Pail Foundation” is searchable] -- (1992) The Philadelphia Inquirer reported in June on the local “Silent Meeting Club,” consisting of several people who gather at various spots around town and make it a point not to speak to each other. Founder John Hudak said his inspiration was his observation that people often feel obligated to talk when they really have nothing to say, such as at parties, and wondered how nice it would be “to have a group of people where you wouldn’t have to talk.” [Philadelphia Inquirer, 6-2-92] -- (1991) In May, Maxcy Dean Filer, 60, of Compton, California, finally passed the California Bar exam. He graduated from law school in 1966, but had failed the exam in each of his previous 47 tries. [International Herald Tribune, 6-1-91] -- (2004) The New York Times reported in February on a Washington, D.C., man whose love of music led him, in the 1960s, to meticulously hand-make and hand-paint facsimile record album covers of his fantasized music, complete with imagined lyric sheets and liner notes (with some of the “albums” even shrink-wrapped), and, even more incredibly, to handmake cardboard facsimiles of actual grooved discs to put inside them. “Mingering Mike,” whom a reporter and two hobbyists tracked down (but who declined to be identified in print), also made real music, on tapes, using his and friends’ voices to simulate instruments. His 38 imagined “albums”
were discovered at a flea market after Mike defaulted on storage-locker fees, and the hobbyists who found them said they were so exactingly done that a major museum would soon feature them. [New York Times, 2-2-04] -- (1999) From a May police report in The Messenger (Madisonville, Kentucky), concerning two trucks being driven strangely on a rural road: A man would drive one truck 100 yards, stop, walk back to a second truck, drive it 100 yards beyond the first truck, stop, walk back to the first truck, drive it 100 yards beyond the second truck, and so on. According to police, the man’s brother was passed out drunk in one of the trucks, so the man was driving both trucks home (though the success of such a scheme is better imagined if the driving brother has a high blood-alcohol reading, too -- which was the case). [The Messenger, 5-7-99] -- (1988) And, from the very first “News of the Weird” column came good ol’ Hal Warden, the Tennessee 16-year-old who was married at 15 and granted a divorce from his wife, 13. Hal had previously been married at age 12 to a 14-year-old (and fathered children with both), but the first wife divorced Hal because, as she told the judge, “He was acting like a 10-year-old.” [The precise citation is inaccessible, but various marital reports on the Wardens are available, e.g., Associated Press, 2-21-1987] COPYRIGHT 2017 CHUCK SHEPHERD
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Scott SeverinNew York Rocker on the Prairie By Andy Roberts It was a relatively small crowd to start a holiday weekend at a new venue that may or may not make it in the Omaha music scene. Scott Severin, a transplanted New Yorker, took the stage and put his heart and soul into it like he was playing to a packed stadium. That’s just the way he does things. There’s a good reason for that. Scott Severin is lucky to be here.
wards and got into basic 50s rock and roll, some country, and then forward into the New York Dolls. That move gained him an entry into New York City’s punk scene. Like so many others inspired by the creativity and energy of the period, Severin formed a band. The Mental Notes were his punk band: “But there were so many great rock ‘n’ roll bands in New York City at that time.” They were a little younger Not just be here in Nebraska, but to be than scene leaders like the Ramones, alive at this time. Talking Heads, Television, and Blondie. Severin doesn’t want to go into great “I was in the scene – I was a hanger-on . detail, but you remember the day. It . . but I was there.” was Sept. 11, 2001, and only a schedul- ing mix-up kept him from being on the The Mental Notes didn’t last long. “We 84th floor when the second plane hit were just not quite that interesting,” the second of the Twin Towers. he admits. That began 20 years of little involvement with music, the first 10 “By rights I should have died that day,” due to “the cold” before he started he now says. “I was one of those dazed busking. . . . zombies you saw walking around on lower Manhattan that day.” Busking brought back the endorphin rush of performing, but it came withWhen the smoke cleared, “literally and out making a commitment. He then figuratively,” he figured he was on bor- met singer-songwriter Townes Van rowed time, A couple years passed, but Zandt, whom Severin calls a “seminal Severin shed some of his bad habits influence” on him personally, profesand began planning to make a record sionally and artistically. which was recorded in upper New York State in 2003 and 2004. Initially, Severin didn’t like the folk singer, but came to see the greatness At that point, Severin had been away of his artistry despite Van Zandt being from playing music for about two de“a mess” in his personal life. cades, an absence he says was caused, in the beginning by what he refers to “He and I became very good friends,” as, “A really bad and Van Zandt often stayed with him. cold.” In time, Severin’s songwriting began to He recalls begincome together. ning to play music, “In fits and starts.” “That was the first spark,” he recalled. It began as a teenaged guitar player “The second was 9/11.” who learned Beatles and Stones That tragic day set Severin in motion songs plus music on that first album, Unknown Rider, from folk artists that he recorded in upstate New York. like Tom Paxton. It was produced and engineered by The first concert Steve Burgh, a noted session guitarist Severin attended and producer who played for and with was the Jefferson Paul Anka, Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, Airplane in Cenand Bob Dylan. Burgh also played the tral Park where acoustic guitar part on Billy Joel’s “Just the opener was the Way You Are.” folk songwriter Eric Anderson, Severin and Burgh had been friends who later became since the late 1970’s when they played a roommate. pinball together in the East Village. The album was one of Burgh’s last projFrom those songs ects, as he died less than a year after he moved backcompleting the sessions.
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One day after completing Unknown Rider, Severin woke up to find the electronics company that employed him had gone out of business. He was unsure of what to do and with no one, including his parents, returning his calls, “I was looking at some very, very, very poor options.” He managed to contact his high school friend Jeff Dworkin who had moved to Omaha in pursuit of his college girlfriend. Dworkin invited him to escape to Omaha for a couple weeks. It seemed counter-intuitive, but Severin did it. “Within 48 hours I was on the bus,” he recalled. At first he felt like he was in the witness protection program, ironically living not far from where Henry Hill of Goodfellas fame had done exactly that. Soon, however, he met a woman who would become the mother of his daughter and was on his way to fatherhood. It once again was time to play music, and the next step was to find a music store and get a guitar. Severin met Omaha rocker Matt Whipkey at Dietz Music Store, and, as Severin recalls, all Whipkey needed to know was that he had seen Springsteen’s 1978 tour at least six times and also had seen The Clash at least a dozen times. A friendship was born. At that point Severin had “an epiphany.” He learned there was a music scene in Omaha, a girl who liked him, and an album (the New York recording) on a hard drive. “I decided to stay a while,” he summarized. By 2010 he had recorded another album, Birdhouse Obligatto, which was done largely in Omaha with his band, The Milton Burlesque, and some assistance from New York keyboardist Joe Delia, who also played with the New York Dolls’ David Johansen. It was recorded and engineered by Joel Peterson of The Faint with mixing and mastering handled by Tom Ware at Warehouse Studio. In 2010 he hit a wall, after the album, when the divorce came and with it a custody battle. The Milton Burlesque
did its last show on Sept, 11, 2010. These days Severin hangs his hat in Lincoln while making frequent visits to Omaha. Lincoln makes it easier to share the custody of his 11-year-old daughter. He is hoping to release a new album in the fall, but continues to work on the business model. Having recorded two albums, Severin is aware of the economic challenges that come with self-financing such projects. He has interest from a Lincoln label, but as a single father he needs to find balance because he daughter depends on him. There were unforeseen consequences to the first two records he pointed out; the first led to his move to Nebraska and the second broke up his marriage. That sort of trauma must be avoided in the future. “The world is going to get along just fine without another record from Scott Severin,” he stated. “It’s okay if I lose my shirt, I just can’t lose my shirt, pants and socks.” The work has started on some demos at his home studio. How best to market the album remains a major question as the single father is not able to do a tour with “a bunch of smelly guys” in a van and hit the road. The album likely will be recorded with a band that would be available for some shows, while he would perform solo acoustic dates to help with the promotion. “Unfortunately that’s the only way I know of to break even,” Severin said. “I need to find a way for it to make sense financially.” The tentative title is The Witches of Council Bluffs. Until then, the man who defines eclectic – he’s been a folkie, a punk rocker, street performer, and more will continue to perform solo shows, host evenings with musical friends, and write. He always is writing “One can’t talk about their own writing with about sounding a little pretentious,” he said. Confessionals are not
part of the plan and he doesn’t create songs out of whole cloth. “You need three things to be a great writer,” he noted: Observation, imagination, and experience. “The couplets don’t come quite so actively as they did in my twenties,” he said. Mostly, these days, he does his writing at night after his daughter has gone to bed. “Sometimes I write songs, sometimes I write segments of songs,” Severin stated. It was this process that necessitated the home studio so his thoughts would not be lost. “We’ll get another record out of me,” he said. “Absolutely.” For more on Scott Severin: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ Scott-Severin-Musician-SingerSongwriter-121297527893234/ You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=3Ly7358pmmk&list=PLGPp8Q71mFV8GWQ3einiORN9nB8m13_EK Upcoming Dates: July 14 in Lincoln at Night Owl – a full night, possibly with some friends. July 21 in Omaha at the Down Under Lounge where Severin has been establishing a monthly Lincoln invasion night.
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Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage or Invest? By Mike Herek
mortgage and investing your extra cash isn’t easy, because each option has advantages and disadvantages. But you can start by weighing what you’ll gain financially by choosing one option against what you’ll give up. In economic terms, this is known as evaluating the opportunity cost. Here’s an example. Let’s assume that you have a $300,000 balance and 20 years remaining on your 30-year mortgage, and you’re paying 6.25% interest. If you were to put an extra $400 toward your mortgage each month, you would save approximately $62,000 in interest, and pay off your loan almost 6 years early.
the 28% tax bracket and were able to deduct mortgage interest on your federal income tax return (the aftertax cost might be even lower if you were also able to deduct mortgage interest on your state income tax return). Could you receive a higher after-tax rate of return if you invested your money instead of prepaying your mortgage? Keep in mind that the rate of return you’ll receive is directly related to the investments you choose. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, and there can be no assurance that any investment strategy will be successful. Investments with the potential for higher returns may expose you to more risk, so take this into account when making your decision.
By making extra payments and saving all of that interest, you’ll clearly be gaining a lot of financial ground. But before you opt to prepay your mortgage, you still must consider what Other points to consider you might be giving up by doing so--the opportunity to potentially profit even While evaluating the opportunity cost more from investing. is important, you’ll also need to weigh many other factors. The following Owning a home outright is a dream To determine if you would come out list of questions may help you decide that many Americans share. Having a ahead if you invested your extra cash, which option is best for you. mortgage can be a huge burden, and start by looking at the after-tax rate of paying it off may be the first item on return you can expect from prepaying · What’s your mortgage interest rate? your financial to-do list. But competing your mortgage. This is generally less The lower the rate on your mortgage, with the desire to own your home than the interest rate you’re paying the greater the potential to receive a free and clear is your need to invest on your mortgage, once you consider better return through investing. for retirement, your child’s college any tax deduction you receive for education, or some other goal. Putting mortgage interest. Once you’ve · Does your mortgage have a extra cash toward one of these goals calculated that figure, compare it to prepayment penalty? Most mortgages may mean sacrificing another. So how the after-tax return you could receive don’t, but check before making extra do you choose? by investing your extra cash. payments. Evaluating the opportunity cost Deciding between prepaying your
For example, the after-tax cost of a 6.25% mortgage would be approximately 4.5% if you were in
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· How long do you plan to stay in your home? The main benefit of prepaying your mortgage is the amount of
interest you save over the long term; if you plan to move soon, there’s less value in putting more money toward your mortgage. · Will you have the discipline to invest your extra cash rather than spend it? If not, you might be better off making extra mortgage payments. · Do you have an emergency account to cover unexpected expenses? It doesn’t make sense to make extra mortgage payments now if you’ll be forced to borrow money at a higher interest rate later. And keep in mind that if your financial circumstances change--if you lose your job or suffer a disability, for example--you may have more trouble borrowing against your home equity. · How comfortable are you with debt? If you worry endlessly about it, give the emotional benefits of paying off your mortgage extra consideration. · Are you saddled with high balances on credit cards or personal loans? If so, it’s often better to pay off those debts first. The interest rate on consumer debt isn’t tax deductible, and is often far higher than either your mortgage interest rate or the rate of return you’re likely to receive on your investments. · Are you currently paying mortgage insurance? If you are, putting extra toward your mortgage until you’ve gained at least 20% equity in your home may make sense. · How will prepaying your mortgage affect your overall tax situation? For
example, prepaying your mortgage (thus reducing your mortgage interest) could affect your ability to itemize deductions (this is especially true in the early years of your mortgage, when you’re likely to be paying more in interest).
by investing. Alternatively, if paying off your mortgage before reaching a financial goal will make you feel much more secure, factor that into your decision.
· Have you saved enough for retirement? If you haven’t, consider contributing the maximum allowable each year to tax-advantaged retirement accounts before prepaying your mortgage. This is especially important if you are receiving a generous employer match. For example, if you save 6% of your income, an employer match of 50% of what you contribute (i.e., 3% of your income) could potentially add thousands of extra dollars to your retirement account each year. Prepaying your mortgage may not be the savviest financial move if it means forgoing that match or shortchanging your retirement fund.
If you need to invest for an important goal, but you also want the satisfaction of paying down your mortgage, there’s no reason you can’t do both. It’s as simple as allocating part of your available cash
· How much time do you have before you reach retirement or until your children go off to college? The longer your timeframe, the more time you must potentially grow your money
The middle ground
toward one goal, and putting the rest toward the other. Even small adjustments can make a difference. For example, you could potentially shave years off your mortgage by consistently making biweekly, instead of monthly, mortgage payments, or by putting any year-end bonuses or tax refunds toward your mortgage principal. And remember, no matter what you decide now, you can always reprioritize your goals later to keep up with changes to your circumstances, market conditions, and interest rates.
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Five Tips on How to Sell Your Home in a Competitive Market By Focus Omaha What does it take to sell a home in a competitive market – a fresh coat of paint or a kitchen overhaul? Lowering the asking price or offering incentives? From cosmetic to strategic, smart sellers can take advantage of a few
simple tips to get the most out of their properties. Here are five suggestions on how to help secure a “sold” sign: Price Point is Paramount When getting ready to put a home on the market, determining the right listing price is the most important element in the process. After you have carefully chosen an agent, the trust you’ve established will immediately come into play. Have those tough discussions with your agent about where to price your home. Make certain you understand how the agent has arrived at the price, including how previous sales and current homes on the market make an impact. If necessary, jump in the car with your agent and see some of the homes on the market in the area, and get some
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Appeal to Your Audience Work with your agent on how to get your home to stand out. Providing incentives is a great way to draw in potential home buyers, and monetary bonuses don’t just have to come from negotiation of the listing price. Sellers can also choose to contribute to closing costs, or conduct prehome inspections, which can comfort potential home buyers in knowing that the property is in top shape.
updates and upkeep you should make to get the home ready for showings. Some of this is fairly easy and the front door is particularly important. This is where a buyer will first step up to a home – and likely wait for a moment providing time to look around. Do this ahead of time - stand directly in the front door and look up and around at the home from all angles – cobwebs that have not been noticed in years could be the first thing greeting a potential home buyer. It’s important for this area to give a great first impression.
Leave a Great First Impression Everyone talks about curb appeal and how a first impression is truly lasting. Remember, your agent is your trusted advisor. They will know the necessary
Everything is in the Visual Don’t underestimate the power of visuals in marketing your home. The National Association of Realtors found that more than 90 percent of home
firsthand knowledge of the local market.
buyers begin their search online. Your agent may push hard for you to have the home prepared for vivid pictures and video of the property that can be posted on websites such as Coldwell Banker. Hit the Right Note with all Five Senses When a buyer comes to look at a home they want the full experience. To help a home stand out, your agent may ask you to focus on appealing to all five senses. Small and inexpensive upgrades to the home such as getting the walls painted, de- cluttering and making minor improvements to the outdoor landscape. In terms of “touch,” remember that buyers aren’t just going to look – they’ll be turning on your faucets and opening closets, so make sure closets are clean and organized. When it comes to making a home smell good, many agents prefer the smell of baked goods rather than fresh flowers or air fresheners which can be overwhelming. All of this is being done to allow the buyer to properly visualize living in the home.
Nick Abboud How to Make Your Home Stand Out During an Open House Home staging is one of the most important aspects of the selling process and many homeowners put in a great deal of effort to make sure their house is set up nicely. There are several tips that real estate agents provide to sellers to make their homes appealing to buyers, but some sellers may want to go the extra mile to make sure their property stands out among other homes that may be for sale in the area.
Balance Accessories and Furniture A home’s décor will paint buyers a picture of how their home may look and all of the different ways they can decorate a room, so it’s important to balance the accessories and furniture. For example, a room filled solely with modern dark couches and sofas, glass tables and sharp-edged furniture can make it feel cold and intimidating. On the other side, a living room that is full of cushy furniture, plush rugs and oversized accessories can appear too soft and heavy. Industry professionals recommend balancing out these styles to make a house appear modern, but still complete with subtle touches of character. The same is true when it comes to choosing color patterns for furniture and accessories. For example, homeowners who have dark couches may want to add a splash of color to the room in the way of a bright vase, picture frames, flowers or other accent pieces. According to U.S. News and World Report, when it comes to actually decorating, homeowners should abide by the rule of three. This refers to placing no more or no less than three items on a table or small furnishing, which can make the areas look either too crowded or too bare. On side tables, for example, consider staging a book, a lamp, and a candle to add some color and balance. Make Sure the House is Immaculate The importance of displaying a clean home cannot be stressed enough, but there are certain areas that home sellers sometimes miss. For example, individuals may wash down floors, counters and walls, but forget to dust bookshelves, ceiling fans, figurines or plants. While the rest of the home may be spotless, the dusty areas that have been forgotten may stick out more prominently. It may take a bit of time to organize your closet but making sure all clothes are hung and folded properly is important and can make a closet look larger as it won’t be cluttered. Just remember that the three things that will sell your home are: Price , Location, Condition. If you have any additional questions on what you can do to get your home ready for the market, please feel free to call our office. We are happy to
come out and share our expertise with you in regards to what may need to be done to get you top dollar for your home.
that brings with it ample opportunity to check all the items off your wish list. While you may encounter slightly higher buyer competition in these months, the abundance of available properties will allow you to narrow down your targets areas. A few wellplanned open houses can also help you realize where you can compromise in your wish list so that you are ready to act when the right property comes available.
3 Reasons Your Real Estate Search is Better in the Summer It’s no secret that spring and summer are hot when it comes to real estate, and it is often seen as a seller’s market. However, there are some great reasons the summer season can help buyers in their real estate search. Here As summer brings with it easier are the top-three benefits of buying a working conditions, buyers will also home in the summer. discover an increase in odd-jobs and maintenance upgrades sellers 1. Weather are making to their property before With plants and shrubs in full bloom, buyers are not only able to get a sense selling, which may otherwise have gone undone. It may not be a huge of potential property maintenance money saver, but a new coat of paint or requirements; they can gain a lot of a freshly landscaped yard can be one information from the neighborhood less thing to worry about when settling itself. A quick tour will tell how well into a new space. properties in the area are maintained — something that is important when 3. Bargaining Power it comes to resale value. Just be Even with the abundance of homes sure to check any home carefully for that hit the market each spring, signs of moisture that wouldn’t be summer buyers, especially those who present in the dry months and that can offer a quick closing, can capitalize could indicate issues over the fall and on the need for sellers with kids to winter — or better yet, ensure that move and get their families settled a qualified home inspector reviews before school starts. This provides a the property before finalizing. Fair degree of bargaining power for buyers. weather also tends to bring people Additionally, sellers who have been outdoors, so summer offers valuable trying to sell in a saturated market may opportunities to speak to others who feel they’ve missed the boat on gaining live in the neighborhood and gain a sale as summer rounds the bend. This their input on the area. You may even find out one or two local benefits that offers a chance for motivated buyers to knock a little bit off the asking price you otherwise wouldn’t have known. while still ending up with the home With many people off work and kids that fits their needs. out of school, you should also be able to determine the demographic of the Though summer brings with it a hectic area fairly easily — this can be great pace, buyers who aren’t intimidated if you have kids and are looking for by a little viewing competition and opportunities for them to be social in can commit relatively quickly will find the neighborhood. that there is a benefit to beginning their real estate search in the summer 2. Selection and Condition months. The real estate market tends to become saturated with listings in the spring and summer months, something
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BARRETT’S BARLEYCORN 4322 Leavenworth St. M-F 4P-6P $2.25 Domestic Bottles $3.00 Well Drinks BUSHWOOD LOUNGE 711 N 14th St. $1 Off Everything 3p-7p REverse Happy Hour Monday-Thursday 8p-2a CADDYSHACK 2076 N 117th Ave & 7007 S 181st St M-F 2P-6P $1 Off Beer, Wine & Wells TUES- HAPPY HOUR All Day DANNY’S BAR & GRILL 2007 N 72nd St. M-F 3P - 6P $3.00 16 oz. Tall Boys & 1/2 Price Appetizers Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials
LOOKOUT LOUNGE 320 S 72nd St. EVERY DAY 4-7, MIDNIGHT - 2 AM $2 PBR, $2.50 Domestic Bottles , $3 Wells, $3 Fireball
PITCH PIZZERIA 5021 Underwood Ave. 17808 Burke St. M-F 3P-6P $5 off any appetizer $5 off any pizza
MARLEYBONE TAVERN 3710 Leavenworth St. M-F 4:30-6:30P MEATLOAF MONDAY- 6-9P 50¢ Wings WEDNESDAY & FRIDAY Prime Rib Special THURSDAY-New York Strip, Fajita, and Taco Night
OMAHA TAP HOUSE 1401 Farnam St. & 579 N 155th Plz M-F 3P - 6P & ALL DAY SUNDAY $1 Off All TapBeers $4 Svedka, $4 Windsor, $4 Sauza Silver, $4 Cruzan Rum
NOSH WINE LOUNGE 1006 Dodge St. Everyday 4P- 6P Reverse HH 10p -12a $3 domestic beers and wells, $2 off Glasses of Wine, $4 House Wine
RAILCAR MODERN AMERICAN KITCHEN 1814 N 144th St. M-F 3:30-6:30P $4 Well Drinks, $3 Off Signature Cocktails
CHARLESTON’S 13851 FNB Pkwy & 7540 Dodge St. M-F 3P-6P 1/2 price apps, $5 Wine and Margs, $1 off all drinks JAZZ, A LOUISIANA KITCHEN 1421 Farnam St $2.99 - $10.99 select appetizers $1.50 domestic drinks; $2 well drinks; $3.75 rum drinks, margaritas
O’CONNORS IRISH PUB 1217 Howard St. M-TH- 4P-6P & FRI 2P-7P $1.00 off all Draft, Premium, and Domestic Wells
JERRY’S BAR 6301 Military Ave Happy Hour Prices ALL Day!
PERRY’S PLACE 9652 Mockingbird Dr. Monday – Friday 4P – 7P $2.50 Domestic Pints, $6.50 Pitchers $2.75 Domestic Bottles & $3.50 Wells
SHARK CLUB 2808 S 72ND ST. M-F 4P - 7P 1/2 off appetizers $2 well drinks; $1.75 domestic bottled beers
PARLIAMENT OLD MARKET 1212 Harney St. MANIC MONDAYS with D.J. Travis $2 draws, $3.50 wells, $4.50 calls THURSDAY-LADIES NIGHT $2 Domestic Drafts, $4 Calls & $5 Specialty Drinks
THE SOCIABLE INN 4917 S 136TH ST M-F 2P-7P $2.50 Pints, $7.00 Pitchers, $2.50 Domestic Bottles,$2.50 Busch Lt Tall Boys & $3.25 Wells
LEAVENWORTH BAR 4556 Leavenworth St. M-F 12P-7P $2.25 Domestic Draft Beers $2.25 Well Drinks
PARLIAMENT WEST 16939 Wright Plz EVERYDAY 3P - 7P 1/2 Price Martini’s, $2 Domestic Pints, $1 Off Other Drinks
THERAPY BAR & GRILL 5059 S 108th St Monday-Friday 3-6pm $.50 cents off Bottles, Drafts, & Wells TIGER TOM’S 7103 Military Ave M-F 5P-7P $12 Domestic Buckets UNDERWOOD BAR 4918 Underwood Ave M-F 4:30-6P $2 Bud and Bud Light
RUSTY NAIL PUB 14210 Pierce Plz TIL 7PM MON - SAT & ALL DAY SUN $1.00 off all Alcholic Drinks
OMAHA TAP HOUSE 1830 N 72nd St. M-F 3-6P & ALL DAY SUNDAY All Tap Beers $1.00 Off, $4.00 Glasses of Wine, $4.00 Captain Morgan $4.00 Windsor, $4.00 Smirnoff
JULIO’S 123rd & Center M-F 3P – 6P & FRI & SAT AFTER 9M $1 off all Tap Beer, $3 House Margaritas, $5 Pitchers of Bud Light & Miller Light
SMITTY’S GARAGE 3309 Oak View Drive EVERYDAY 3P-6P $2 Domestic Longnecks
SAINTS PUB MIDTOWN & ROANOKE M-F 2P-6P REVERSE: 10P to Close (drinks only) AND ALL Day Sunday SCRIPTOWN 3922 Farnam M-F 4P - 6P $1 Off Beers & $1 Off Well Drinks
THE HOMY INN 1510 N Saddle Creek Rd. M-F 4P-7P 50¢ off Wells, $1.00 off all pitchers and Domestic Bottles
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AUCTIONS Saturday, July 8 | 10a AUTO AUCTION Preview Vehicle’s Friday, July 7 | 5pm - 7pm and Saturday 8am - 9:30am Hammerdown Auctions 8552 Crown Point Ave., Omaha, 68134 More information online at http://www. hammerdownauctions-omaha.com/ Friday, July 14 | 9a Omaha Public Schools Surplus Annual Auction OPS holds an annual auction during the summer to sell surplus items. Items to be sold include: vans, industrial equipment, keyboards, nutrition appliances and more. 4031 N. 30th. Street, Omaha, NE 68111 Saturday, July 15 | 10:30a Trailers, Honda Gold Wing, Construction Equipment, Lawn & Garden Equipment, Landscaping, Plumbing & Electrical Equipment, Power Tools, Hand Tools, Heaters, Shop Equipment, Material Handling, Carpentry Equipment and More Online Bidding Via Proxibid Available 6205 N 89th ircle, Omaha, NE 68134 http://WWW.THEAUCTIONMILL.COM
EMPLOYMENT
MECHANIC TECHNICIAN Powertrain Professionals is looking for a talented and passionate individual to take on the role as Mechanic Technician. Powertrain Professionals is a small shop specializing in transmission repair and drivetrain. As a Mechanic Technician you will be responsible for... - Removing and installing transmissions and drivetrains - Using power and hand tools to repair and replace worn parts including brake pads, wheel bearings, sensors, and CV axels - Identifying problems using computerized diagnostic equipment Please call 402.731.5075 and ask for Jeff if interested in learning more about this opportunity. LINE COOKS, DISHWASHERS Addy’s Sports Bar and Grill’s new location in Elkhorn (1515 South 204th, 68022) is hiring line cooks and dishwashers. Paying top dollar. Experience preferred but will train the right person. Come be part of a fun and welcoming environment in one of the busiest sports bars in the city. Stop in to fill out an application any day of the week between 1pm and 4 pm for on the spot interviews and immediate hiring. Any questions call 402-991-2337 and ask for a manager. COCKTAIL WAITRESS/BARTENDER E’Z Place is looking for a Cocktail Waitress/ Bartender to work Saturday’s 2:30 pm-close. Appearance is a must, along with an outgoing personality...need to be personable and have great communication!
WAITRESS/SERVER Looking to add another waitress, Busy neighborhood Bar and Grill, family owned. Must have experience serving food and cocktails, busy shifts and special events. Also able to get extra shifts as fill in bartender. Dependable transportation a must. Keno certified a plus. Keystone Tavern & Grill 7821 Military Ave Omaha
No experience necessary! This is a great neighborhood bar and grill Lyft matches drivers with passengers who CASHIER/CLOTHING SORTER with a wonderful clientel! request rides through the Lyft smartphone Apply in person Monday through Friday app. Signing up to be a Lyft driver is the 9am to 5pm only Please apply in person Monday-Wednesday perfect opportunity for you to set your anytime after 3:30 pm! If you have own schedule and be your own boss while Thrift America Omaha questions or would like to set up another earning extra money. 1901 N. 73 St., 73rd and Blondo time to apply you may call or text Apply to drive today and start offsetting the Work Tuesdays 430pm to 815pm, Renee’ 402-657-9419 costs of your car, covering this month’s bills, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays 9am to 5pm... or funding your dreams! Sundays 10am to 5pm E’Z Place Why Drive With Lyft? Must be able to lift 20lbs and you will 15761 West Dodge Road • Keep Your Tips be on your feet all day in a fast paced Omaha, NE 68118 • Express Pay environment. (Southwest corner of 156th/Dodge, turn by • Get Paid Weekly the BP Gas Station) • Flexible Schedule
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VEHICLES
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