VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 | JANUARY 24 - JANUARY 30 | 2018
YOUR FREE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, PERSONAL FINANCE, MUSIC & CLASSIFIEDS NEWSWEEKLY
LIVE JJ Grey
LOCAL Tanner Lee
DINING
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ARY 30 | 2018 | JANUARY 24 - JANU & CLASSIFIEDS NEWSWEEKLY VOLUME 2 ISSUE 4 FINANCE, MUSIC
TAINMENT, PERSONAL YOUR FREE ARTS, ENTER
FOCUS ON THIS WEEK! 4
LOCAL
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LIVE
Pecan Swamp Funk By Jesse D. Stanek
LIVE JJ Grey
THE ARTS
DINING
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FAMILY
Tanner Lee
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EVENTS
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FINANCE
Foundation One Bank will be sharing financial information relating to the markets, investments, financial news and other information with regard to finance.
10 ON TEN 29
HAPPY HOUR
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CLASSIFIEDS
13 THIS WEEKS FEATURE 15 DINING 16 EARTHWEEK Diary of a Changing World By Steve Newman
18 SPORTS Basketball Highlights By Focus Omaha
20 HEALTH Supplements: Which ones are for you? By Focus Omaha & Sponsored by New Dawn Nutrition
22 LOCAL Tanner Lee By Howard Schwartz
To advertise email focusomaha@gmail.com or call today. 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
from local Omaha designers. Check out our Website for more information! www.rawartists.org/omaha/envision -----------------------------------------------Thursday, January 25 | 7p - 8:15p Talking Heads & Walking Corpses UNO Medieval & Renaissance Studies 6001 Dodge St, Omaha, 68182 “Talking Heads and Walking Corpses: Miraculous Speech and Post-Mortem Ambulation in Medieval Relic Cults” Scott B. Montgomery, Associate Wednesday, January 24 | 7p RUNWAY FASHION SHOW // Professor of Art History, University of Creative Night PHOTOGRAPHY // ACCESSORIES Denver (402) Arts Collective VENDORS and more! -----------------------------------------------6051 Maple St, Omaha, 68104 This is a night for musicians, singers, We will open the night with our pop-up Friday, January 26 | 7p-9p Across Disciplines Opening Reception photographers, designers and so much art gallery, where patrons are more. Just show up and we will get you encouraged to observe and appreciate Process 144 S 39th St LL1, Omaha, 68131 connected. the hard work of their talented local Exhibition will run January 26th ------------------------------------------------ community and are welcome to make through March 23rd- artist, educator Thursday, January 25 | 7p purchases! and magazine publisher, Adam RAW Artists: Omaha presents Finkelston, will be exhibiting works Envision The gallery will remain open all night. from his series Across Disciplines in Sokol Auditorium and Underground There will be on stage performances the gallery at Process. 2234 S 13th St, Omaha, 68108 by some very talented musicians and -----------------------------------------------Support local art and performance! performing artists throughout the Through January 27 Join us for our Envision showcase to night! April Taylor celebrate the Omaha creative There will also be a “living art gallery” Star Deli community! to showcase our featured hair and 6114 Military Ave, Omaha, 68104 Featuring 50+ local artists of all makeup artists! Oil, acrylic, spray paint and charcoal is disciplines, including: what she uses most. While listening VISUAL ART GALLERY // PERFORMWe will close the night with a runway tomusic, April lets her mood flow onto ING ART // HAIR AND MAKEUP // fashion show, featuring clothing lines
the canvas. April Taylor’s work will be on display until January 27th. More on April Taylor at www.facebook.com/aClark402/ Free and open to the public during regular business hours. -----------------------------------------------Through January 27 Steve Schneider The Little Gallery & Benson Underground Film Forum 5901 Maple Street, Omaha, 68104 Steve Schneider worked in the Old Market during the 1980s. The works in this show are part of the Kenny Carter Collection at the little gallery. Each piece is roughly 30” x 22” and is priced at $75. The show runs through Jan. 27. Gallery hours are Tuesday-Friday from 3:00 to 6:00pm, Saturday from 10:00am to 1:00pm + by appointment. Questions? Call 402.681.1901. -----------------------------------------------Through February 19 The Art of the Brick and Nathan Sawaya The Capitol District The Art of the Brick is a global touring exhibition rated by CNN as one of the world’s “Must See Exhibitions.” These are the first art exhibitions to focus exclusively on the use of LEGO®
1019 Howard St. Omaha, NE 68102 402-342-1737
Custom Jewelry Pearls Local Artists Loose Gemstones Watch Batteries Jewelry Repair www.goldsmithsilversmith.com 4
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
bricks as an art medium and artist Nathan Sawaya has taken it to new heights. Hours: Sunday - Thursday 10a - 7p Friday and Saturday 10a - 9p Tickets: $17.50 to $20, available at www.artofthebrickomaha.com -----------------------------------------------Through February 20 Art Exhibit: “Persistence� by Margaret Berry Lauritzen Gardens 100 Bancroft St, Omaha, 68108 Paintings, collages, and photo-based works using the hot wax technique called encaustic. The exhibition explores the theme of persistence in nature through the winter months. Look for the sculptural beauty of bare branches, the brightness of berries and the mesmerizing texture of barks. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily -----------------------------------------------Through February 24 Caroline Kent // Disappearance of the word, Appearance of the world The Union for Contemporary Art 2423 N 24th Street, Omaha, 68110 For more information: www.u-ca.org/exhibition ------------------------------------------------
Through February 28 Art by Bird Williams Opening Great Plains Black History Museum 2221 N 24 St, Omaha, 68110 Exhibit highlights paintings of famous African Americans as painted through the eyes of Aaaron Bird Williams. Exhition runs through Feb. 28 -----------------------------------------------Through April 15, 2018 Forever Forest Omaha Childrens Museum Exploring the realities of forests through play, families will learn about sustainability, selective harvesting, transportation needs, and the every-day products we use that are made from trees. The exhibit includes a tree top climber, a realistic mini replica of a Union Pacific engine, a kid-sized home under construction for children to help build, and so much more! ------------------------------------------------
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4 5
physical activity into their winter routines. Race, spin, slide, and socialize to a healthier lifestyle while having tremendous fun. Here some places to get out and skate and have some family fun.
Wednesday, January 24 | 6p - 8p The Table As Set Hot Shops Art Center 1301 Nicholas Street, Omaha 68102 The Table As Set is the January exhibit at the Hot Shops Art Center through 28 January. The Table As Set invites the viewer to imagine the conversations around a table, over a shared cup or over supper. It also celebrates the table and its service in art and theater, and in particular, opera. The exhibit is in collaboration with Opera Omaha, celebrating its 2018 season, including the upcoming performance of Falstaff in February. The exhibit features pottery by ceramic artists John Dennison, Dan Toberer, Jim Luyten, and Maddie Healey. Art work is for sale. More information online at http://www. hotshopsartcenter.com/ ----------------------------------------------Saturday, January 27 | 10a - 12p Block Kids Metro Community College South Omaha Campus 2801 Edward Babe Gomez Ave. Block Kids is a building competition created in 1990 to introduce grade school children to the construction industry. It is a national competition, hosted locally by NAWIC Chapters. Omaha has had several regional and national winners over the years. Registration at http://www.nawicomaha.com/block-kids.html. This is a FREE EVENT but space is limited! Register today! ----------------------------------------------Sunday, January 28 | 11a - 3p Nebraska Echoes 11th Annual Chili Feed Fundraiser The Diamond 707 N Frontier Rd., Papillion, 68046 Come join us for chili, hot dogs, bake sale, silent auction, raffles and more. All funds raised are used to help keep softball affordable for families. ----------------------------------------------Sunday, January 28 | 1p - 3p Family Sundays in the Forest: Snow-
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shoe Hike Fontenelle Forest 1111 N Bellevue Blvd., Bellevue Are you hoping for snow this year? Bring your snow shoes and come explore Fontenelle Forest with us. We will practice some basics then head out cross country style. If you don’t have snow shoes you can rent a pair on a first serve basis at the front desk. We have adult and children’s shoes. Weather dependent
UNMC Ice Skating Rink (Open thru Sunday, Feb. 4) 4016 Emile St, Omaha, 68105 Mondays: noon - 8pm Tuesdays & Thursdays: closed Wednesdays: noon - 8pm Fridays & Saturdays : noon - 10pm. Sunday: noon - 8 pm $7 per person, includes skate rental. www.unmc.edu /cfhl/activities-events/ skating.html
NRG Energy Ice Rink (Open thru Sunday, Feb. 14) Capitol District, 10th Street and Capitol Avenue 6 to 10pm Monday thru Thursday; This program is free for members or 6 pm to midnight Friday; 1pm to with daily admission. midnight Saturday; and 1pm to 10pm ----------------------------------------------- Sunday/ $8 per person, includes skate Tuesday, January 30 | 5p - 7p rental www.capitoldistrictomaha.com/ Blue Moon and Total Lunar Eclipse ice-rink Viewing Homestead National Monument of America Heritage Center 8523 West State Highway 4 Beatrice, NE 68310 “First Blue Moon Total Lunar Eclipse in 150 Years Coming This Month” (space.com) The moon will enter the penumbral shadow of the earth at 5:48 a.m. on January 31, 2018 and totality will begin at 6:52 a.m. The best time to view the shadow on the moon will be around during this time. The moon may set during the time it’s in totality. Homestead National Monument has planned viewing events and adjusted building hours at the Heritage Center to allow for viewing of these astronomical events. On Tuesday, January 30, the Homestead Heritage Center will remain open until 7pm. On Wednesday, January 31, the Homestead Heritage Center will open early at 5am. A viewing area will be established on the back patio of the Heritage. More information online at https://www.nps.gov/home/bluemoon-and-total-lunar-eclipse-viewing. htm ----------------------------------------------Ice skating is a perfect way to get children and adults to sneak some
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
The Rooftop Rink (Open thru Sunday, Feb. 25) 3409 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE Thursday - Friday: 4pm – 10pm Saturday - Sunday: 1pm – 10pm $5 per person, includes skate rental httpwww.midtowncrossing.com/4102 INDOOR Ralston Arena 7300 Q St, Ralston, NE 68127 $5 per person, includes skate rental www.ralstonarena.com Grover Ice Rink 6171 Grover St., Omaha, NE 68106 $4-$6 admission: $2 for helmet or stick rental: $2 for skate rental www. groverice.com Moylan Iceplex 12550 W Maple Rd, Omaha, 68164 $6-$8, includes skate rental www. moylaniceplex.com Motto McLean Ice Arena 5015 S 45th St, Omaha, NE 68117 Up to $5, includes skate rental www. parks.cityofomaha.org
EVENTS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 24 Wine Club Wednesdays Cellar 19 Wine & Deli, 1p THURSDAY, JANUARY 25 Trivia Night Caddy Shack Bar & Grill, 7p FRIDAY, JANUARY 26 eNVy Amerisports, 8:30p SATURDAY, JANUARY 27 Jarrod Turner Cellar 19 Wine & Deli, 6p ----------------------------------------------eNVy Amerisports, 8:30p -----------------------------------------------
Red Delicious Whiskey Roadhouse, 9p SUNDAY, JANUARY 28 Crescent Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser The Mile Away Hall & Tavern, 1p ----------------------------------------------Pool Tournaments CUBE Ultra Lounge, 7:30p TUESDAY, JANUARY 30 WIne Tasting Cellar 19 Wine & Deli, 5:30p ----------------------------------------------Winter Leagues Joe’s Karting, 7p ----------------------------------------------Grey’s Anatomy Trivia Lighthouse Cb, 7p
Sunday, January 28 | 1p - 5:30p Crescent Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser A Fundraiser for 13~year old Mason Ogle The Mile Away Hall & Tavern 20270 Old Lincoln Hwy, Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 $8 for adults / free for kids under 5 Silent Auction with lots of baskets 50/50 Raffle Bake Sale Contact Sharon @ (712) 545-3631 or Teresa @ (712) 310-6443 if you’d like to provide something for the auction or call Deb @ (402) 660-6902 if you’d like to donate baked goods. ----------------------------------------------University of Okoboji 2018 Winter Games January 25-28, 2018 Mark your calendars! Broomball. Flag Football. Softball. Bags Tournament. Chili Cook-Off. Chocolate Classic. Polar Plunge. Fireworks. Burning of the Greens. More information online at http://uofowintergames.com/
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4 7
WEDNESDAY JANUARY 24 Webbsday Happy Hour with Brandon Webber The Down Under, 5p ----------------------------------------------Jam Session Vino Mas, 6p ----------------------------------------------Singing for Silence Millard VFW Post 8334, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Pat O & The Show Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Open Mic Night hosted by Alli and I 1867 Bar, 7p ----------------------------------------------Creative Night (402) Arts Collective, 7p ----------------------------------------------Ray’s Piano Party Mr. Toad’s, 7p ----------------------------------------------Bill Sammon Omaha Marriott, 7p ----------------------------------------------Wine Wednesday The B. Bar, 7p ----------------------------------------------New Humans Jambo Cat, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Carolyn Harrell & Michael Adams The Omaha Lounge, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Open Mic with Host Aly Peeler The Down Under, 8p ----------------------------------------------Comedy Open Mic with Dusty Stehl Barley Street, 8:30p ----------------------------------------------Karaoke Forte Music Hall, 9p ----------------------------------------------Club Phillips Trio + Tangerine Beat Pageturners Lounge, 9p
THURSDAY JANUARY 25 Aaron Bressman Jam’s Midtwon, 5:30p
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James Armstrong Chrome Lounge, 6p ----------------------------------------------Matt Wallace Birthday Bash! Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Kevin Killion Vino Mas, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Local Artists “Unplugged” Forte Music Hall, 7p ----------------------------------------------RAW Artists: Omaha presents Envision Sokol Auditorium, 7p ----------------------------------------------Virginia Kathryn The B. Bar, 7p ----------------------------------------------nublvckcity with GT Dyne The Well, 7p ----------------------------------------------Kali Masi, Eyes for Higher, Light Speed Highway, Fear In Truth & Eyes for Higher Lookout Lounge, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Josh Blue Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Tyi Hakeem, Ed Archibald & Michael Adams The Omaha Lounge, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Bazile Mills Growler USA, 8p ----------------------------------------------Bill Sammon Scriptown Brewing Room, 8p ----------------------------------------------Old School Skate Night SkateDaze, 8p ----------------------------------------------Stick Figure with Twiddle, Iya Tera Slowdown, 8p ----------------------------------------------The Jam Bar 415, 9p ----------------------------------------------The Bedrock Barley Street, 9p ----------------------------------------------The Shineys Harney Street Tavern, 9p
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
----------------------------------------------Katie Farewell Show with Superman’s Hero The Down Under Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Chris Shelton Dubliner Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Kickball-Style Jam (Improv) The Backline, 10p
G3 & Sentenza Bar 415, 9p ----------------------------------------------Deviator, Stately Wayne Manor & The Shineys Barley Street, 9p ----------------------------------------------Rewind Chrome Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------RGF, Organ Grinders, Henchmen & TerraDacty FRIDAY JANUARY 26 Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 9p ----------------------------------------------Alexis Arai Clark & Co. Growler USA, 5p Growler USA, 9p ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------Celebration of Life Benefit for Clint Haymakers Quint Harney Street Tavern, 9p Therapy Bar & Grill, 6p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Topspin Hayseed Cowboys On The Q St. Bar, 9p Fraternal Order of Eagles, 7:30p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No Thanks, Screaming Plastic & Death Josh Blue Cow, OutrSpaces, 9p Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Live Wire Kali Indiana Ozone, 9p Bourbon Saloon, 8p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bollywood Night Jitterbugs’ Night Out Rehab Lounge, 9p Fraternal Order of Eagles, 8p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sean Pratt & the Sweats Billy Childs Quartet Reverb Lounge, 9p Holland Performing Arts Center, 8p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Save The Hero Sean Pratt & the Sweats with Mike Skyybox, 9p Schlesinger ----------------------------------------------Reverb Lounge, 8p Dave Simonett (of Trampled by ----------------------------------------------- Turtles) with Andrea von Kampen Shit Show (Standup) Slowdown, 9p The Backline, 8p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Power Hour Super Moon, Gallivant, Jump The Tiger The Backline, 9p & Silence Is Madness ----------------------------------------------Lookout Lounge, 8:30p DJ Animale ----------------------------------------------- The Cove, 9p Tyi Hakeem, Ed Archibald & Michael ----------------------------------------------Adams King Of The Tramps with Easy Riders The Omaha Lounge, 8:30p & Josh Lawler ----------------------------------------------- The Down Under Lounge, 9p Low D, Fallen Reign, Dress Us In Guns ----------------------------------------------American Dream, 9p The Funk Housewith Defunk ----------------------------------------------- The Waiting Room, 9p
Damian McCarthy Dubliner Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------DJ Nilla Wafer Firewater Grille, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Karaoke O’Leaver’s Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Sidecar 69 Two Fine Irishmen, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Josh Blue Omaha Funny Bone, 9:45p ----------------------------------------------Interrogated The Backline, 10p
SATURDAY JANUARY 27 Icing Down Parkinson’s The Ice at the UNMC, 10a ----------------------------------------------Josh Blue Omaha Funny Bone, 7p ----------------------------------------------DJ Lay-C Rehab Lounge, 7p ----------------------------------------------Aubree Sweeney The Backline, 7p ----------------------------------------------35th & Taylor The Session Room, 7p ----------------------------------------------Dustin West Vino Mas, 7p ----------------------------------------------Encore Karaoke American Legion Post 1, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Josh Hoyer and Soul Colossal Chrome Lounge, 8p ----------------------------------------------Will Dougherty Loves Company The Backline, 8p ----------------------------------------------EBN Downunder The Down Under Lounge, 8p ----------------------------------------------“The Jet Squad” Terry Parker, Ed Archibald and Joel Ortiz The Omaha Lounge, 8:30p ----------------------------------------------Kennedy & LJ Bar 415, 9p ----------------------------------------------24 Hour Cardlock, Virgin Mary Pistol Grip & The Fergensens Barley Street, 9p ----------------------------------------------Simplicated Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 9p
Peace, Love, Etc.. Growler USA, 9p ----------------------------------------------Hooted Hallers, Dummy Head Torpedo, White Wolf T-Shirt, Ramparts & Spirit Fox Lookout Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Far gone and out #2 O’Leaver’s Pub, 9p ----------------------------------------------Eckophonic Ozone Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Benson Soul Society Reverb Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------DJ Shif-D The Cove, Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Tenclub with Sabbath’s Disciples The Waiting Room, 9p ----------------------------------------------Deviator, Molten & The Hideous Wired Pub, 9p ----------------------------------------------Damien McCarthy Dubliner Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Riptide Refugees Two Fine Irishmen, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Josh Blue Omaha Funny Bone, 9:45p ----------------------------------------------Double Feature The Backline, 10p
SUNDAY JANUARY 28 Hayseed Cowboys American Legion Post #1, 3p ----------------------------------------------Sunday Funday The Down Under Lounge, 3p ----------------------------------------------Darling Cole Steak & Grapes, 5p ----------------------------------------------Trance Sunday w/ Alexsed Bar 415, 9p
MONDAY JANUARY 29 Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Karaoke Forte Music Hall, 7p ----------------------------------------------continued on page 11
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4 9
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RAW Artists: Omaha Stick Figure with presents Envision Twiddle, Iya Tera SOKOL AUDITORIUM SLOWDOWN
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Tenclub with Sabbath’s Disciples WAITING ROOM
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
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Friday January 26 Monsters of Rock: w/Super Moon, Gallivant, and more! LOOKOUT LOUNGE
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Duck Races AVOCA, NE
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Michelle Eva Becker The Omaha Lounge, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------NMM: 64 Hit Combo The Waiting Room, 8p ----------------------------------------------Metal Monday - Open Jam The Down Under Lounge, 8p ----------------------------------------------Open Mic and Molly’s Molly’s Pub, 9p
TUESDAY JANUARY 30 Opera in Conversation Le Bouillon, 6p ----------------------------------------------Scott Evans Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Deathwish, Born A New, Life Barrier & Deadbeat Lookout Lounge, 7p -----------------------------------------------
Open Mic & Jam Therapy Bar & Grill, 7p ----------------------------------------------BSE Songwriter Exchange Reverb Lounge, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Damorah Alexander & Michael Adams The Omaha Lounge, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Turbo Tuesdays featuring DJ Vic Nasty Bar 415, 9p ----------------------------------------------Karaoke with DJ Farley Forte Music Hall, 9p ----------------------------------------------Karaoke with DJ Nilla Wafer Stoli’s Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Karaoke Night The B. Bar, 9p ----------------------------------------------Open Mic (Standup) The Backline, 9p
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4 11
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Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
This Bug Bites By Focus Omaha
Every year we hear about the flu and how it’s going to hit us hard. We’re reminded about the importance of being vaccinated, but for many it’s thought to be something that’s only necessary for the elderly, very young, or those with compromised immune systems. It also generally tends to only spread in certain pockets at any given time. This year’s flu has been different. A little over a week ago, the CDC announced that for the first time in its 13 years of flu monitoring, every part of the continental U.S. showed “widespread” flu activity. In addition, every year there are different strains of the flu that circulate and this year, influenza A- specifically H3N2- is the prevailing cause. In years that have predominant cases of H3 viruses, the country tends to have more serious cases of the flu. Vaccines are also less effective to this particular strain. The H3 virus was also responsible for particularly severe seasons in 2014-15 and 2012-13, according to the CDC. To top it off, H1N1 has also reared its ugly head in some parts of the country, adding even more flu cases. Another problem is that most flu vaccinations are grown in chicken eggs, a process that we’ve been using to develop vaccines since the 40’s. In addition to taking a long time, they have a tendency to mutate. Dr. Mark Rupp, Professor and Chief, Division of Infectious Diseases and the Medical Director, Department of Infection Control & Epidemiology says, “Most of our flu vaccine continues to be raised in chicken eggs. The vaccine preparation is carefully processed and purified, but it continues to contain a small
amount of egg protein. That is why a severe egg allergy is a contraindication to receiving flu vaccine. However, in the last few years an egg free vaccine has been produced using tissue culture or molecular genetics technology (no eggs used) that now allows people with egg allergy to receive the vaccine. The flu shot does not contain live virus and cannot cause flu.” As to whether there’s anyone that shouldn’t get vaccinated he said, “Infants less than 6 months of age don’t respond to the vaccine so there is not much point in vaccinating very young children with the flu vaccine.” There are two on the US market that are not made in eggs, FlucelVax, which is grown in canine kidney cells, and FluBlok, which uses an insect virus called a baculovirus grown in caterpillar cells. Of the two, it’s generally considered that the insect form of the vaccine is more effective. But don’t break out your respirators and gas masks yet, this isn’t the devastating flu pandemic of 1918-19. According to the CDC, the hospitalization rate is still only 22.7 per 100,000 residents. And what about the reports of young, healthy adults dying? While your immune system is fighting the flu, in its weakened state can in very rare cases leave one open to serious bacterial infections like pneumonia or strep, aggravate existing conditions such as heart disease and asthma, or create a so-called cytokine storm, which further complicates things and can turn fatal. Not the norm however, and seniors 65 and older are still being hospitalized more than any other group by a large margin, followed by adults 50-64 and then infants and children aged 0-4. According to the Douglas County Health Department, five adult deaths have oc-
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Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4 13
curred county-wide, all over the age of 65 with no pediatric deaths reported. However, infants and children in Douglas County, coupled with Seniors aged 65 and over factored in 68.77 percent of the total number of flu patients hospitalized in Douglas County. Here are some things that you can do to protect yourself and others from the flu:
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Tips to Avoid the Flu
-Avoid contact with sick people. -Stay home if you get sick and stay there for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone. -Cover your cough. -Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
Every piece of fish that comes through Yoshitomo gets some kind of special treatment. Whether it’s aging, curing, smoking, pickling. Utterback says, “Iím always trying to push my craft to the extreme.” He continued, “We have to be our own teachers here.” He describes all of the fish as “intense” with some fine dining touches. direction, which opened the door for new opportunities.
Yoshitomo By Focus Omaha
This is where fellow co-owner Rob Ruter enters the picture. Utterback and Ruter (the owner of Jerry’s Bar), had gone to Japan together the year before and had a brief discussion about conducting business together. After driving by the closed Subway on 6009 Maple in Benson, he went to Rob and on a lunch and a handshake, Yoshitomo was born. Rob is a longtime lover of sushi so the situation came, as Utterback describes it, “together perfectly.”
Utterback’s goal was to create a unique experience. He says, “All of the sushi bars seemed to offer variations Sushi has always been something of the same fare.” What he sought to that has fascinated him, according bring was a different way of doing to co-owner and sushi chef David “Yoshitomo” Utterback. After jumping things. He likes to think of Yoshitomo as a “lab” for technique. He added, from retail to retail position all over Omaha, he heard about an opening at “The sushi bar that you’re used to Blue Sushi bar on 144th and Maple. He going to in town, we just want to offer something better.” His aim has always was working at Walmart at the time and tells a humorous story about how been to take things to a higher level. he tipped so poorly that the waitress threw his application that he gave her A good example is the aging of fish, which is usually only found at highin the garbage. Then Chef Tom Buder end establishments in larger cities. pulled it out and said to the waitress, “You can’t do that.” He called him a few Although to some this may sound, and days later and the rest is history. So, he the technique is different, it’s just like aging a steak. Utterback says, “People jokes, that his career literally started that talk about having the freshest off in the garbage. fish don’t know anything beyond the basics.” A good analogy would be that He spent close to six years there and you wouldn’t go to a steakhouse that eventually became their corporate said they just slaughtered the cow chef. But, as the Blue machine yesterday. Aging is good. continued to grow, Utterback felt that he wasn’t heading in the same
They also offer an “Omakase” room, which in Japanese means, “I’ll leave it up to you.” This means that you allow the chef to choose for you, which brings a unique experience in itself to Omaha and most of the Midwest. It includes an 18-course Omakase menu served in a private setting. At $100/ person, this is a far better price than the $200-$250 that you would pay in places like NYC. It also falls in line with Utterbackís overall mission which is to create different experiences and give the customers their best fare. He says, “We don’t want to be that place that doesn’t educate the customer. If you’re ordering the same things over and over, then I’ve failed to do my job.” The night that we came to what we affectionately like to refer to as, “Yoshi”, we found that the fare was indeed different from the norm. While you can still find the staples like Unagi, Cali Rolls, Rainbow Rolls, and many of the items that you’re used to seeing at any sushi restaurant, there were other items that were unique, appealing in their presentation, and offered a nice change to the normal “Sushi Express” experience found at many similar establishments. Here are just a few. Chef’s Nigiri Aburi Wagyu- imperial wagyu, uni butter, shoyu Steak at a sushi restaurant? Oh yeah, and it’s just as good as you MIGHT imagine. I could write a whole story just about the history of wagyu alone, but suffice it to say that if you’re a meat lover, make sure to try this!
Tasting Plates Hamachos- Spicy yellowtail, avo mayo, pickled chili, rice chicharrones. To sum it up, nachos with a twist. This is a perfect example of the creativity and unique flavors that you will find at Yoshi. A great combination of heat and flavor. Serpico- scallop, chive oil, poppy, sriracha buttermilk. Great presentation. If you like sampling different flavors, this won’t disappoint. Rolls Rolls are tough because there are so many variations of the same flavors. But there is one roll that we liked over and above all of the others. Stinger- Crab salad, tempura shrimp, serrano, cream cheese, honey wasabi, eel sauce. If you like rolls, then don’t forget to try this one. The flavors blend together perfectly! We came on a Sunday night during football expecting that there wouldn’t be much of a crowd but were pleasantly surprised. Yoshitomo is catching on and even though there was a decent crowd, the wait times were more than manageable and the atmosphere is pleasant and friendly. With all this talk about the high-end fare, one might think that the menu items are expensive, but even the prices are fair, with the most expensive item on the menu not rising above $13. If you get the chance, make sure to sit at the sushi bar and talk to Sushi Chef David. He has some lots of interesting stories and a great sense of humor. To the staff and owners of Yoshitomo (David, Rob, Jay, Matthew, and the rest of the bunch), I just want to say in Japanese, “Konochouside Ganbare!” or in English, “Keep it up!”
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4 15
Diary of a Changing World
-60° Oimyakon, Siberia
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By Steve Newman
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Disappearing Arctic sea ice is allowing waves along the Siberian Shelf (left) to stir up ancient coastal sediment. Image: NASA threatened more by extreme weather in a changing climate than by weapons Arctic Churnings of mass destruction, according to a Dramatic climate change in global survey by the World Economic the Arctic during the past few Forum. years is threatening to have significant impacts on the region’s coastal It was released just prior to the food webs and animal populations, foundation’s annual meeting of global a new study by the Woods Hole leaders in Davos, Switzerland. Oceanographic Institution reveals. The survey of nearly 1,000 Researchers found that the record international experts and decision melt of sea ice has increased wave makers reveals that in terms of action on the shallow Arctic coastal likelihood and impact, extreme shelves, which is likely stirring up weather around the world is listed as nutrients, carbon and other chemicals the top concern. stored in the coastal sediment. The survey points to how catastrophic The scientists made the conclusion hurricane damage and wildfires last after finding levels of radium-228 in year demonstrate that environmental the middle of the Arctic Ocean had events can result in devastation doubled over the past decade. of crucial infrastructure and food supplies. Researchers believe the naturally occurring isotope was also stirred up Tropical Cyclones by the increased coastal wave action Cyclone Berguitta became and carried across the polar region by the strongest storm to lash ocean currents. the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius since 2002.
Berguitta +43° Twee Riviere South Africa
Earthquakes
A powerful temblor in southern Peru left at least two people dead and wrecked nearly 200 adobe homes.
Joyce
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Warming Demographics
One of the world’s largest sea turtle colonies is becoming almost entirely female due to a warming climate. Scientists from the United • Earth movements were also felt in States and Australia write in the central Portugal, the Greek capital of journal Current Biology that sand Athens, eastern Afghanistan, southern temperatures determine the gender of Myanmar, northern Taiwan and turtle hatchlings. around Christchurch, New Zealand.
Climate Survival
The continued existence of the human species is now
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• Tropical storm-force Cyclone Joyce drenched northwestern Australia.
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
A new study finds that green sea turtle colonies in the northern Great Barrier Reef are hatching almost exclusively females. Photo: Michael Jensen/NOAA Fisheries
And since warmer temperatures result in more females, virtually no male turtles are hatching on the hotter nesting beaches of Australia’s northern Great Barrier Reef. This is the first direct evidence that global warming is altering the gender of sea turtle offspring. Sea turtles are among the most ancient species roaming the world’s oceans, and they have adjusted to shifting climates through the ages. But the modern climate may be changing more quickly than turtles can adjust to it.
Collateral Damage
Wildlife in more than 70 percent of Africa’s nature preserves was decimated by the ravages of war between 1946 and 2010, causing populations to enter what a new report describes as a “downward spiral.”
of Princeton University point to the deaths of 90 percent of the large herbivores in Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park during that country’s decades-long struggle for liberation from Portugal and subsequent civil war. The decline in wildlife across Africa has also been compounded by poaching for ivory, hides and other animal parts, often sold on the black market to purchase weapons.
Eruption
Long streams of lava flowing down the slopes of Mayon volcano in the Philippines prompted more than 34,000 people to flee the eruption. Plumes of ash also fell on several nearby villages, threatening to contaminate crops and water supplies.
Writing in the journal Nature, Joshua Daskin and Robert Pringle
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Basketball Highlights By Focus Staff Nebraska Cornhuskers
The Huskers showed a glimpse of what can happen when they put it all together, as they redeemed the home court pounding they took last year by dishing out a dose of their own against #23 Michigan 72-52 at Pinnacle Bank Arena last Thursday night. The crowd was on fire and, after the game, Michigan Head Coach John Beilein was asked if this had an impact. He said, “Every arena is really difficult. People in Nebraska should be really proud of what they have here right now. It’s a really good team and they appear to be really good kids. They have a heck of a team. I saw Greg McDermott, Creighton, earlier this year and he said ‘watch out, Nebraska is really good’ and he was right.” Undoubtedly, sophomore 6-foot-8 forward Isaiah Roby had his best game of the year, although he still reminds me of a former Center and now Australian-Serbian professional basketball player that was with the Huskers from 2004 -2008 in Aleks Maric, who I used to call “Hands of Stone.” Roby needs to continue to work on his butter fingers to become the complete player that everyone expects him to be. Even so, he still had 14 points, three rebounds, three
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assists, two blocks and a steal, while creating fits for the opposing defense. Michigan big man Mo Wagner was held to just two points for the night. Head Coach Tim Miles said, “I was just very proud of the guys tonight. (Assistant Coach) Kenya Hunter put together a great defensive game plan, spent a lot of time, he and I, even in the offseason, how are we going to beat these guys that spread the floor so well? I thought Kenya made some adjustments, some of the switches and some of that, and our guys bought in. They were very focused, very competitive with energy, and did a great job. I’m really proud of our guys.”
received the news that center Martin Krampelj was out for the season with a torn ACL.It’s an injury he knows well, having rehabbed for one twice before, but it remains a major blow to the squad as he had been one of the Big East’s most improved players. The injury came during CU’s 80-63 win over then 19th-ranked Seton Hall, the team’s seventh win over a Top 25 team in the last two seasons. The Bluejays will continue to figure out how to win with a new rotation in the post.
Omaha Mavericks
A thrilling double overtime win for the On Monday night, the Huskers faced Mavericks over Denver was followed Ohio State on the road and had what by a Saturday night loss to South has become a typical slugfest for the two teams. The Huskers struggled offensively in the first half and just couldn’t seem to get on track. Ohio State is leading the Big Ten in offensive field goal percentage and Nebraska managed to hold them to 36% in the first half and holding the Buckeyes to their lowest first-half point total of the year at 24 points. It was anyone’s game until the final three minutes when Ohio State pulled away to secure the victory 64-59. On a high note, James Palmer Jr. finished with a career-high 34-point effort, which set a Value City Arena record.
Creighton Bluejays
Creighton (15-5, 4-3 Big East) lost 8571 at Providence on Saturday, but that was not the biggest loss of the week. That came days earlier after the team
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
Dakota by an 85-71 score. Omaha is now 7-15 (2-4 Summit League) on the season as they continue to recover from that brutal road warrior start. Junior Zack Jackson led UNO with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals. The junior from Wichita has been in double figures sixteen straight games. The Mavericks have been able to do some healing at home, but it is back on the road this week.Thursday night they have a date with North Dakota State in Fargo, just the place you want to visit in late January.
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Supplements: Which ones are for you? By Focus Omaha Everybody has a different body type, so it stands to reason that with different activity levels, etc., there’s no universal diet plan that works well for every one person. So, it’s important to make sure each plan is catered to the individual. It stands to reason that supplementation works the same way. Not every individual needs the same types of supplements. With the increase of online marketing, which is fine for convenience, there will always be a need for individual nutrition stores to educate us and tell us when and how to take supplements and what’s best for us and our goals. Maybe you’re Lactose intolerant and you need to know the best product that suits your needs, etc. Information that you can’t get online.
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When you’re just getting started, some people will try to load you up with a bunch of stuff you don’t need. It’s important, in addition to a new diet and exercise program, to not get overwhelmed with too many things you don’t need. Yet. Start slowly, acclimate your body to the changes, and continue to build from there. Supplements in conjunction with dieting and exercise are extremely important, but work your way into it. Most importantly, don’t forget to ask questions. There are no foolish questions when it comes to what to do for your body. Marketing ads like late night infomercials further tend to add to the confusion, especially those that imply super athletes are taking them and getting amazing results. Make sure that if you do have any questions to stop into your local health nutrition retailer and until next week, Stay healthy Omaha!
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4 21
Tanner Lee
The variety of skills he learned are expected to pay off, including an understanding of how royalties and licensing work. Tanner Lee drops back and - - - plugs in “If you can reach into your bag and have all these different things,” Lee his amp. said, it’s a real advantage. “That just opens up more doors.” No, this is not that Tanner Lee, the Husker quarterback from last fall. The doors are starting to open as Lee, who also learned to play bass while “Actually, I played a little baseball working on his songs and playing with in college,” he admitted. The Omaha-based musical Tanner Lee tried out Tye Greye whom he met at an open mic night. In addition to bass and guitar, he at UNO, then went to Northern Iowa got “pretty good” at the piano, which Community College before transhelped his music theory understandferring to UNL where there were no ing.”Learning that hardcore, they really walk-on tryouts. drilled that into you at school.” “Baseball was almost a year-round thing back then,” he said, from working He also does a little percussion work, out to playing legion ball. “It was good. including some drums. I just didn’t really see a future in it after “I always have a mental drummer in the first year of college.” my head,” Lee stated. “I’m not a good drummer, but I’m all right.” Born in Iowa, Lee’s family made a stop in Kansas City before moving to It should not be a huge surprise that the Omaha area where he attended Lee turned toward music. His father is Springfield-Platteview High School a luthier - a person who crafts guitars. and graduated in 2002. Even with his relatively late start, Lee It was during those college years has not been in too much of a rush to that he began to develop his musical hit the stage. The last six months Lee talents. has been trying to perform at open mic nights or small acoustic shows “I started when I was 20, 21 playing guitar,” he said. Now 33, he has played after really “wood-shedding it” while in school, he said. Tanner Lee and the in multiple bands and as a solo act. Tuxedo Tees previously played around Three years ago he began studying the Omaha area. music online via Winter Park, Flori da-based Full Sail University. The key now is his songwriting, and “I really wish I knew it was around ear- there is no one source of inspiration. lier,” he lamented. The school is mainly “Lots of different things,” Lee said. an entertainment college, Lee said, teaching music production, video game “Sometimes I start with a melody.” design and film production among It can begin with a guitar riff and then other skills. work into chords. “It varies sometimes . . . Most of the time I just hear some“For my degree, I would do a lot of thing.” things for video game music,” he recalled, while also learning how to score While the sources can be many, there films. “It was really cool to learn that is one key element he consistently side of things.”
By Howard Schwartz
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Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
seeks. “The main thing is the melody,” Lee emphasized. “If a lot of things can’t fit into it, I just trash it.” When things don’t come in the first 30 minutes, he is likely to move on to something else. If it does, the project can go on for hours. He acknowledges that since his training with Full Sail University: “It’s more than fun.” For those who want to hear Lee now, he has an EP on Bandcamp that he put out in April of 2013 with five or six songs. These days he is working hard to get something together for the summer. “The biggest thing I have been working on is getting together my engineering side,” Lee explained, and that could be outsourced. The result of his work could be an EP or a single, and he is looking to start the releases in May. “I’m leaning toward singles,” he said, adding he hopes to have five to seven songs out by the year’s end.
As has been the case in what is becoming his career, expect the unexpected. “It’s kind of a different approach than most people,” he acknowledged, noting again that he’s in his thirties and only now ramping it up. In the future, as he begins to release his singles, Lee is looking to play lots of shows and maybe hit the road to Kansas City and places in Iowa. But, he wants to get something out there to sell while he’s touring so he develops some word-of-mouth following. “In my heart, that’s what really destines a band,” Lee said. “Then they can really pull shows wherever they go.” You don’t have to wait for the releases, though. Lee is set to perform at Reverb Lounge for Mark Patrickís The New Wave: The Trilogy on Wednesday, February 7. Lee is set to open the stage at 8:30. For more on Tanner Lee, visit: Bandcamp: tannerlee.bandcamp.com
THURSDAY, february 1 // 7pm
W/ SPECIAL GUEST
CAMERON SCOTT LOGSDON
Kaylyn Sahs February 22 7pm free concert
ralstonarena.com | 7300 Q St
MARCH 15 | 7PM Free to the public
ralstonarena.com | 7300 Q St
WEDNESDAY MARCH 28 All Ages Show | 7Pm Doors
8Pm Show $10 Tickets at Ralstonarena.com 7300 Q St
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Pecan Swamp Funk By Jesse D. Stanek
JJ Grey has been doing his country funk thing for well over a decade now, bridging the stretch of 4-lane between Nashville’s rich country heritage and Memphis’ deep Stax soul. Falling on the musical spectrum somewhere between Jerry Reed’s everyman crooning and picking and Otis Redding’s soulful wail. Grey and his band Mofro have managed to find an uninhabited spot in the great American music cannon and have made it sound like home — A North Florida pecan farm home just outside the swamps. Grey’s studio efforts do an excellent job of creating a mood. The mood is down and dirty, warm and comfortable, funky and tight. His cuts don’t wok best on playlists or as radio singles, they shine brightest when taken in succession, one after another, when the record as a whole is allowed to set and reinforce the mood, the
pecan swamp funk mood sounding like something hiding in the nether reaches of your parents forgotten vinyl but playing like a new favorite hiding just outside your sonic comfort zone. 2017’s studio effort Ol’ Glory finds Grey and Mofro digging in their musical heels, channeling Reed and Redding from the Muscle Shoals studios of northern Alabama and mixing in the perfect amount of Grey’s poignant and uniquely observational lyrics with the band’s blistering bombastic grooves — music made for a sunny backyard outing with family and friends, an afternoon on the boat scooting around the lake or even drifting down the highway with the windows down and the bass adjusted to just pinch above it’s normal setting. Cuts like “Turn Loose” and “Tic Tac Toe” are ripe with the band’s signature sound but also manage to incorporate more of a sonic sophistication than many of the band’s earlier efforts. “Home In The Sky” is destined to become a live favorite. “Since the first record came out I’m not exactly sure what has changed for me as an artist,” Grey recently offered
from his North Florida pecan farm. “My definition of an artist is that they get in there and work on the craft, tirelessly. I have so little to do personally with whats involved in my head. Really I’m just trying to remember it. As a band we’ve gone through lots of changes personally. It’s like you turn every mole hill into a mountain when your writing and recording and then you just abandon it all. But it’s always been very good for us.” My first exposure to Grey and Mofro came with 2007’s tragically underrated Country Ghetto, a sprawling and ambitious effort threading a path in the sand with no prior prints to follow or show the way. The record is distinctly southern in it’s geographic sound, you hear shades of Greg Allman’s badass swagger in the vocals, the horn section could all be the direct descendants of The Fame Studio’s house band, and that bass drives home every reservation you might have about a blue eyed soul singer from Florida leaning on a storied tradition of warmth, musical honesty, and toe-tapping infectiousas-all-Hell grooves. Grey’s efforts always strive for a balance, the fine line between what’t time tested and
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Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
borrowed and what’s uniquely Mofro funk. “I think on the the new record we found that balance in a way,” Grey said. “You know man, it’s a journey not a destination. It’s like exercising or working out, you push yourself and push yourself to be what you want to be. But you don’t ever really get to a point where you say ‘ok I’m there, I’m done. I’m where I want to be.’ For me there’s always something else you have to do. I have this tendency to always think that my most recent record is more balanced. Then I listen to older cuts and I’m like ‘damn those were really good cuts, that’s what I was going for.’ But of course you occasionally get your ass kicked looking back like that.” “You know when I started this things I was really young and standoffish towards making music. I kind of did things one tortuous inch at a time. It’s like a cold pool, you just have to jump right in. There’s no decision to make, I had to do it. It’s like ‘why do salmon swim all the way back home?’ They just have some sort of a feeling. They just think “I have to go this way.’ That’s kind of how I got into making music.”
When Grey isn’t touring or working away in the studio, he can be found wandering the pecan farm that has been in his family since 1960. A hobby and calling he finds both nostalgic and calming. “At some point people down here in the South just started cultivating pecans. My grandparents bought this farm in 1960 and the trees were mature even back then. The most I have to do is drop fertilizer on them in January and then again in June. Farming pecans is a lot like fishing, you just have to be patient. I’m not patient. Like when I’m cooking, I’m the guy who lifts the lid on the pot every five minutes. If I was a true farmer I’d probably dig up the seed just to see if it sprouted. But really I don’t have to do much, just get out of the way.”
Just getting out of the way and letting his world-weary muse speak seems to be working on the musical front as well for Grey and Mofro. This is a unique band in today’s sonic landscape, they bring the sounds of yesteryear clearly into the I-tunes age but somehow manage to keep the sweat stains showing, offering up nuggets you can’t keep clean and wouldn’t want to anyway. JJ Grey and Mofro Play Slowdown on January 31. Doors open at 7pm and show starts at 8pm. The Commonheart opens and tickets are $25 in advance and $28 day of show.
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Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: Impact on Businesses By Michael Herek The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, a $1.5 trillion tax cut package, was signed into law on December 22, 2017. The centerpiece of the legislation is a permanent reduction of the corporate income tax rate. The corporate rate change and some of the other major provisions that affect businesses and business income are summarized below. Provisions take effect in tax year 2018 unless otherwise stated. Corporate tax rates Instead of the previous graduated corporate tax structure with four rate brackets (15%, 25%, 34%, and 35%), the new legislation establishes a single flat corporate rate of 21%. The Act reduces the dividendsreceived deduction (corporations are allowed a deduction for dividends received from other domestic corporations) from 70% to 50%. If the corporation owns 20% or more of the company paying the dividend, the percentage is now 65%, down from 80%. The Act permanently repeals the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT).
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Pass-through business income deduction Individuals who receive business income from pass-through entities (e.g., sole proprietors, partners) generally report that business income on their individual income tax returns, paying tax at individual rates. For tax years 2018 through 2025, a new deduction is available equal to 20% of qualified business income from partnerships, S corporations, and sole proprietorships. For those with taxable incomes exceeding certain thresholds, the deduction may be limited or phased out altogether, depending on two broad factors: The deduction is generally limited to the greater of 50% of the W-2 wages reported by the business, or 25% of the W-2 wages plus 2.5% of the value of qualifying depreciable property held and used by the business to produce income. The deduction is not allowed for certain businesses that involve the performance of services in fields including health, law, accounting, actuarial science, performing arts, consulting, athletics, and financial services. For those with taxable incomes not exceeding $157,500 ($315,000 if married filing jointly), neither of the two factors above will apply (i.e., the full deduction amount can be claimed). Those with taxable incomes between $157,500 and $207,500 (between $315,000 and $415,000 if married
Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
filing jointly) may be able to claim a partial deduction.
year additional (“bonus”) depreciation rules. Bonus depreciation is extended to cover qualified property placed in “Bonus” depreciation service before January 1, 2027. For The cost of tangible property used qualified property that’s both acquired in a trade or business, or held for and placed in service after September the production of income, generally 27, 2017, 100% of the adjusted basis must be recovered over time through of the property can be deducted in annual depreciation deductions. For the year the property is first placed most qualified property acquired and in service. The first-year 100% bonus placed in service before 2020, special depreciation percentage amount is rules allowed an up-front additional reduced by 20% each year starting “bonus” amount to be deducted. For in 2023 (i.e., the first-year bonus property placed in service in 2017, percentage amount will be 80% in the additional first-year depreciation 2023, 60% in 2024, 40% in 2025, and amount was 50% of the adjusted basis 20% in 2026) until bonus depreciation of the property (40% for property is eliminated altogether beginning in placed in service in 2018, 30% if placed 2027. in service in 2019). For qualified property acquired before The Act extends and expands firstSeptember 28, 2017, prior bonus
depreciation limits apply — if placed in service in 2017, a 50% limit applies; the limit drops to 40% if the property is placed in service in 2018, and to 30% if placed in service in 2019. Note that the timelines and percentages are slightly different for certain aircraft and property with longer production periods. Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 179 expensing Small businesses may elect under IRC Section 179 to expense the cost of qualified property, rather than recover such costs through depreciation deductions. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act increases the maximum amount that can be expensed in 2018 from $520,000 to $1,000,000, and the threshold at which the maximum deduction begins to phase out from $2,070,000 to $2,500,000. Both the $1,000,000 and $2,500,000 amounts will be increased to reflect inflation in years after 2018. The new law also expands the range of property eligible for expensing. Foreign income Under pre-existing corporate tax rules, U.S. companies were taxed on worldwide profits, with a credit available for foreign taxes paid. If a U.S. corporation earned profit through a foreign subsidiary, however, no U.S. tax was typically due until the earnings were returned to the United States, generally in the form of dividends paid. This system contributed to some domestic corporations moving production overseas, and may have led some multinational companies to keep profits outside the United States.
outside the United States in foreign subsidiaries, through a one-time “deemed repatriation” of the accumulated foreign earnings. U.S. shareholders owning at least 10% of a specified foreign corporation*may be subject to a one-time tax on their share of accumulated untaxed deferred foreign income; deferred income that represents cash will be taxed at an effective rate of 15.5%, other earnings at an effective rate of 8%; the resulting tax can be paid in installments. The tax applies for the foreign corporation’s last tax year that begins before 2018. The one-time tax is also not limited to C corporations; it can apply to all U.S. shareholders, including individuals (special rules apply to S corporations and REITs). After paying the one-time deemed repatriation payment, foreign earnings can be brought back to the United States without paying any additional tax. *Includes controlled foreign corporations (CFCs) and non-CFC foreign corporations (other than passive foreign investment companies, or PFICs) if there is at least one 10% shareholder that is a U.S. corporation.
The new law fundamentally changes the way multinational companies are taxed, making a shift from worldwide taxation of income to a more territorial approach. Under the new rules, qualifying dividends from foreign subsidiaries are effectively exempted from U.S. tax. This is accomplished by allowing domestic C corporations that own 10% or more of a foreign corporation to claim a 100% deduction for dividends received from that foreign corporation, to the extent the dividends are considered to represent foreign earnings. The new law also forces corporations to pay U.S. tax on prior-year foreign earnings that have accumulated
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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 CHARLESTON’S 13851 FNB Pkwy & 7540 Dodge St. M-F 3P-6P 1/2 price apps, $5 Wine and Margs, $1 off all drinks JAIPUR BREWING CO. 10922 Elm St., Omaha, NE 68144 THURS, FRI, SAT 4P - 6P $3.45 16oz Hand Crafted Beers, Jalapeno Ale, Wheat, IPA, Raspberry Wheat. $5.95 House Wines by the Glass. $23 Bottle House Wines. $4.95 House Liquors. $5.95 Cocktails. Happy Hour Appetizers and Breads from $1.25 – $4.75 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
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
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
KOZEE LOUNGE 5813 N 60th St. Daily Drink Specials!
PARLIAMENT WEST 16939 Wright Plz EVERYDAY 3P - 7P 1/2 Price Martini’s, $2 Domestic Pints, $1 Off Other Drinks
LEAVENWORTH BAR 4556 Leavenworth St. M-F 12P-7P LOOKOUT LOUNGE 320 S 72nd St. EVERY DAY 4-7, MIDNIGHT - 2 AM $2 PBR, $2.50 Domestic Bottles , $3 Wells, $3 Fireball MARYLEBONE 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 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 MALONEY’S IRISH PUB 1830 N 72nd St. M-F 3P-7P $1.00 off any beer
JERRY’S BAR 6301 Military Ave Happy Hour Prices ALL Day!
O’CONNORS IRISH PUB 1217 Howard St. M-TH- 4P-6P & FRI 2P-7P $1.00 off all Draft, Premium, and Domestic Wells
JERZES 501 Olson Dr, Papillion, NE 68046 Daily Specials!
PADDY’S McGOWN’S PUB & GRILL 4503 Center St. Happy Hour Specials from 3-6pm
PERRY’S PLACE 9652 Mockingbird Dr. Monday – Friday 4P – 7P $2.50 Domestic Pints, $6.50 Pitchers $2.75 Domestic Bottles & $3.50 Wells
THERAPY BAR & GRILL 5059 S 108th St Monday-Friday 3-6pm $.50 cents off Bottles, Drafts, & Wells THE SOCIABLE INN 4917 S 136TH ST M-F 2P-7P $2.50 Pints, $2.50 Domestic Bottles 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
PITCH PIZZERIA 5021 Underwood Ave./ 17808 Burke M-F 3P-6P $5 off any appetizer $5 off any pizza PLANK SEAFOOD & PROVISIONS 1205 Howard St. Monday-Saturday 3-6:30 pm & Sunday Noon-8 pm 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 RAILCAR MODERN AMERICAN KITCHEN 1814 N 144th St. M-F 3:30-6:30P $4 Well Drinks $3 Off Signature Cocktails SCRIPTOWN 3922 Farnam M-F 4P - 6P $1 Off Beers & $1 Off Well Drinks THE DOWN UNDER 3530 Leavenworth St. MON-TUES 4P-7P WED-FRI 3P-7P SUNDAY-ALLDAY
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area cleaning. MUST have reliable, insured transportation & valid drivers license. We have an A rating with the FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23 BBB and are steadily growing. Ideal TOPPS TENTS & RENTS candidates would be honest, hard LIQUIDATION AUCTION working, & wanting to become a part Tops Tents & Rentals (formerly of a growing business. We offer paid Fundways-Tops), Omaha’s Oldest holidays, competitive wages, daytime and Arguably Largest Party Rental hours and no weekends! Please call us Company is Out of Business. to fill out an application! (402) 210This Will be a Large 2 Ring 2 Day 2220 Auction. Catalogs and Information are -----------------------------------------------Beiing Developed. More Information COCKTAIL WAITRESS to Follow. Check online at http://www. Must have weekend availability and auctionsolutionsinc.com/ be 19+ to apply. We are a high volume -----------------------------------------------concert venue/night club so there is plenty of opportunities to see some EMPLOYMENT awesome shows, have some fun and make good money. Please call, text or Brooms 2 Brushes is looking for email to set up a time to apply. qualified candidates for vacant Bourbon Saloon apartment cleaning, and for common 14th & Farnam
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Focus | January 24 - January 30 | Volume 2 Issue 4
402-813-6944 -----------------------------------------------PART-TIME EXPERIENCED EVENING BARTENDER / WAITRESS Dannys Bar & Grill 72nd & Blondo -----------------------------------------------PART-TIME BARTENDER Wired Pub & Grill 5338 N 103rd St, Omaha, 68134 Looking for a Bartender for 2 nights a week. Bartenders need to be outgoing, trustworthy, and multitask; previous bar tending experience preferred, but not required. We specialize in live music on the weekends (both originals and cover music - ranging from Blues Hard Rock). Apply in person, between 2p -7p Monday - Thursday ------------------------------------------------
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