FocusV2I42 by Focus Omaha

VOLUME 2 ISSUE 42 | OCTOBER 24 - OCTOBER 30 | 2018

YOUR

FREE ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, PERSONAL FINANCE, & MUSIC

LIVE

NEWSWEEKLY

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Gladys Knight

The Art of Winning

LOCAL

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Rat Pack Jazz

Countryside - History

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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BER 30 | 2018 | OCTOBER 24 - OCTO LY & MUSIC NEWSWEEK VOLUME 2 ISSUE 42 PERSONAL FINANCE, ENT,

FREE ARTS, ENTERTAINM

FOCUS ON THIS WEEK! THE ARTS

LOCAL

Rat Pack Jazz – Swing is Alive By Andy Roberts LIVE

Gladys Knight

LOCAL

Rat Pack Jazz

SPORTS

A Win

FAMILY

EXPERIENCE

Countryside - History

EVENTS

Your Daily Guide

ON TEN

Top Ten Events By Focus Omaha

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

THE SHOPS AT COUNTRYSIDE VILLAGE

SPORTS

The Art of Winning By Focus Omaha

HEALTH

The Future is the Focus for Lead Poisoning Prevention Week & Halloween Safety By Focus Omaha Sponsored by New Dawn Nutrition

LIVE

Live – Motown Legend Gladys Knight at the Holland By Howard Schwartz

FINANCE

Joint Statement by the Secretary of the Treasury And Finance Minister of Mexico

REAL ESTATE

Home Sales Decline Sponsored by Coldwell Banker

29 HAPPY HOUR

Focus is your FREE Arts, Entertainment, Health, Personal Finance, & Music 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.

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Friday, October 26 | 5:30p - 11:59p Benefit Art Auction + Concert Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts 724 S 12th St, Omaha All proceeds support participating artists and raise critical funds for Bemis Center programs. Tickets and additional details: bemiscenter.org/benefit 5:30p Doors Open, Hors d’Oeuvres, and Open Bar 7:45p Silent Auction, Section 1 8:15p Silent Auction, Section 2 8:45p Silent Auction, Section 3 9:15p Silent Auction, Section 4 Concert in partnership with Maha Music Festival, Okada Sculpture & Ceramics Facility (across from Bemis Center) 9:30p Doors Open 10p Destroyer (solo) 11p Azure Ray

Friday, October 26 | 6p - 10p Dr. Skull’s Rock and Skull Guitar Show Baldwin Gallery, 9625 Ida St., Omaha Skull themed art, guitar art, guitar music paper art, light refreshments and door prizes. -----------------------------------------------Friday, October 26 | 6:30p - 9:30p Happy Halloween: Glory of the Dead Valiant Studios, 4383 Nicholas St. In addition to the amazing artwork on display, they will have Halloween themed refreshments, a haunted hallway, monster mash sing-along, photo booth, and more! -----------------------------------------------Friday, October 26 | 7p - 9:30p The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin , The Union for Contemporary Art, 2423 North 24th The Union for Contemporary Art’s Performing Arts Collective presents

Focus | October 24 - October 30 | Volume 2 Issue 42

its first musical production, Kirsten Childs’ “The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin.” More information online at http://www.u-ca.org/ -----------------------------------------------Fall Chrysanthemum Show 9a to 5p daily thru November 16 Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St, Experience a fascinating fabrication of flowers at the garden’s annual fall chrysanthemum show. Bold mums combine with vibrant colors, diverse textures and other exotic design elements- representative of the storied Japanese culture. Presented by Fairacres Lawn Care Standard garden admission rates apply. Members are admitted free. https://www.lauritzengardens.org/ ------------------------------------------------

Selma the March for Freedom 50 Years Later, Great Plains Black History Museum, 2221 N 24 St., Omaha “In March of 1965 the Selma to Montgomery march was part of a series of civil-rights protests in Alabama. On Sunday March 7th, about 600 people started a planned peaceful march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, it was called a demonstration. But, when state troopers met the demonstrators with force at the edge of the city by the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the day became known as “Bloody Sunday.” Unlike “Bloody Sunday” the exhibit will focus on Omaha youth and adults journey down south to participate in the 50th anniversary of the march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge. On display thru December 29 https://www. facebook.com/Greatplainsblackhistorymuseum

Saturday, October 27 Meet The Artist, Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St., 10a - 4p Meet jewelry artist Kelli Sweet of Degrees by Kelli and see her new floral & garden inspired works for Margie’s Garden. -----------------------------------------------Sunday, October 28 Art in the Bag | 2p - 4p Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas An afternoon tea with hors d’oeuvres, sweet delights and live music featuring a silent auction of handcrafted bags, purses and totes as we follow the yellow brick road in support of Beads of Courage

Hospital & Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska and the International Beads of Courage program Adults: $20 Students: $10 -----------------------------------------------Sunday, October 28 | 12p - 6p Shadows and Reflectionsy 405 S 11th St, Omaha, NE An afternoon tea with hors d’oeuvres, sweet delights and live music featuring a silent auction of handcrafted bags, purses and totes as we follow the yellow brick road in support of Beads of Courage -----------------------------------------------Monday, October 29 | 6p - 9p Painting with Poetry: The Life of a Tree, Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha, NE Sponsor a Bead Richard Longwith has had a life-long $5 per bead love of art and poetry. In this workshop Select a lampwork glass bead to pair he will take participants on a journey to with a special written note for a child recipient at Omaha Children’s Hospital discover their own unique talents using acrylic paints to produce art based on and Medical Center OR for $20 you can select a bead to donate and select the poetry he brings to the class. Leave a second bead to take home with you! all your stress behind and join Richard as he leads the class in a gentle, “Bob Enjoy glass bead lampworking Ross-like” way. In this workshop, pardemonstrations, creation Stations to ticipants will see trees with fresh eyes make Beads of Courage jewelry and as Richard teaches the lessons more! necessary to capture their unique essence. All supplies are provided. All proceeds will benefit the Beads lauritzengardens.org of Courage program at Children’s

Focus | October 24 - October 30 | Volume 2 Issue 42

-THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25-

6TH ANNUAL TRICK & TREATS Creighton Pediatric 6p-7:45p Open to families of children with special needs and their siblings.

Children can participate in an obstacle course, scavenger hunt and Halloween-themed activities. For more information email pediatrictherapy@creighton.edu or call 402.280.2200. ---------------------------------------------MONSTER BASH Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St., 6p - 9:30p A Night of Halloween fun to advance Brain Cancer Awareness! Activities Include: Costume Contest, Prizes for Adults and Children Children’s Corner, Bounce House, Crafts, Balloons and Face Painting Tween & Adult Carnival Games Photo Op Area Fajita Bar and One Drink Ticket Live Performance by Come Together Band Dancing & Magician Giving Tree, Raffle Prizes & Silent Auction Adults $30; Kids 3-12 $20; Kids under 3 are FREE

-FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26-

TRICK OR TREAT W/ SPIDER-MAN Nebraska Furniture Mart, 5p - 8p Grab the kids, friends & family for a Heroic night of enjoyment! It’s going to be one sweet time! Get your photo taken with Spider-Man, sponsored by Canon. Enjoy games & treats all at the NFM Event Center. ---------------------------------------------SPOOKTACULAR HALLOWEEN Two Rivers State Rec. Area, 5p Meet At Lakeside Campground For A Meet, Greet And Eat! Enjoy face painting and hayrack rides. Park entry permit required ---------------------------------------------HAUNTED TRAILS PARTY Adams Park Comm. Center, 6p - 8p Enjoy a costume contest, haunted trails, food and lots of candy! ---------------------------------------------HALLOWEEN PARTY Luther Memorial Church, 6p Werewolves will Howl The Monsters will Mash It’s Time to Celebrate with a

Halloween Bash Join Luther Memorial for a Halloween Bash with Trick or Treating, costume contest and haunted house!! All are Welcome for some free family friendly Halloween fun! ---------------------------------------------MONSTER MASH BASH Oak View Mall, 6p - 8p Join Oak View Mall and Southwest YMCA for Monster Mash Bash this Friday, from 6p - 9p.

around Gifford Park and finish up and down the streets of the beautiful Bemis Park Neighborhood. Don’t like to run? Then join friends and family on a beautiful walk through the historic Bemis Park Neighborhood. Or, simply come out and enjoy our family fun festival; including carnival games, a bounce house, the wizzer ride and much more! ---------------------------------------------TRICK-OR-TREAT AT THE UNION Pacific Railroad Museum 10a Costumed guests are invited to explore the museum and receive nonFREE Trick-or-Treat bags for the first 500 kids! Use the Food Court entrance food “treats” along the way (while supplies last). to receive a treat bag. Trick-or-Treat, ---------------------------------------------games and crafts ALL NIGHT! There will be a Costume Contest and Dance- BOO BASH | 10:30a - 1p Big Halloween event in Benson! Off Competition in the lower level Trick or Treat up and down Main Younkers wing from 7pm - 8:30pm! Street. Bring a bag for candy. Wear Check out our family photo opportuyour Halloween costume. It’s for all nity - located on the upper level near ages. Benson Center will have free Francesca’s! ---------------------------------------------SPOOKTACULAR TRICK OR TREAT Westroads Mall, 6p - 8p Free Trick-or-Treat bags for the first 500 kids (use the Food Court entrance to receive a treat bag.) Trick-or-Treat, games and crafts all night. Costume Contest & Dance-Off Competition in the lower level near Shoe Department Encore from 7 – 8:30 p. ---------------------------------------------BASEBALLOWEEN BASH | 7:05p Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way Join the Omaha Storm Chasers and the community for the 7th annual Baseballoween Bash! This is a free event featuring movie night on the field, magicians, clowns, other spooktacular games/activities and of course Trick-or-Treating!

-SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27-

CHARLESTON’S COSTUME CLASSIC Zorinsky Lake Park | 8a A 5k run/walk and 1 mile fun run benefiting Food Bank of the Heartland. All race participants will receive an event t-shirt, a timed run to end the running season and some delicious food provided from Charleston’s! ------------------------------------RED KETTLE 5K & FAMILY DAY Salvation Army Renaissance Village, 3612 Cuming St, Omaha | 9a Run or walk the 5K past historic St. Cecilia’s Cathedral and Joslyn Castle,

Focus | October 24 - October 30 | Volume 2 Issue 42

popcorn and juice. A bounce house and games will be in the gym. Everything is festive and free! ---------------------------------------------GREAT PUMPKIN TREE FESTIVAL Village Pointe, 10a Head out to Village Pointe for a full day of Halloween festivities with pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, a concert, and end the night with the lighting of the Giant Pumpkin Tree in Center Court! 10a Pumpkin Carving 2:30p Trick-or-Treating & Games in the Amphitheater 6p | Concert by eNVy 7p | Pumpkin Tree Lighting and Flash Mob Performance Continued on the bottom of page 7 ---------------------------------------------If you would like your event featured here, please email the event and details to getintofocus@gmail.com

EVENTS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 Talbray Floyd “release “ party The Mile Away Hall & Tavern, 7p -----------------------------------------------On The Fritz Amerisports, 8:30p SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 Trick or Treat the Museum Union Pacific Museum, 10a -----------------------------------------------Halloween Dance American Legion, 6p -----------------------------------------------Flashlight Tours Squirrel Cage Jail, 6p -----------------------------------------------IWCC Madrigal Feaste Art Center @ IWCC, 6:30p -----------------------------------------------Halloween Party Hard Luck Saloon, 7p

-SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28-

FALL FESTIVAL 2018 Lanoha Nurseries, 19111 W Center, 10a Food, activies and more! -----------------------------------------------TRICK OR TRUNK 2018 Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St., 1p - 3p Prepare the costumes and go Trick Trunk at the Ralston Arena. A free public and safe for children to collect candy event. -------------------------------------CARVED AT ROCKBROOK VILLAGE Rockbrook Village, 1p An afternoon of Halloween fun for the whole family at Rockbrook Village! -----------------------------------------------HALLOWEEN HOOPLA Shadow Lake Towne Center, 1p - 3p Safe and free trick-or-treating at participating Shadow Lake Towne Center merchants displaying an owl in the front window. -----------------------------------------------SYMPHONY SPOOKTACULAR: OUT OF THIS WORLD HOLLAND CENTER, 2p Celebrate in costume with music from your favorite space adventures, including Star Wars, Star Trek, and more. -----------------------------------------------OLD TOWNE BELLEVUE TRICK-OR-TREAT 4p - 6p Trick-or-Treat the streets of Olde Towne Bellevue.

Halloween Spooltacular 3rd Base Bar, 8p -----------------------------------------------Halloween Party Bertha’s Bar, 8p -----------------------------------------------Live Wire Amerisports, 8:30p SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 Trunk-or-Treat Emanuel Lutheran Church, 2:30p -----------------------------------------------Family Fall Festival East Side Christian Church, 3p -----------------------------------------------Abate Kids Halloween Party Hard Luck Saloon, 3p -----------------------------------------------Trunk or Treat Southside Christian Church, 3p -----------------------------------------------Trunk or Treat Fall Festival New Horizon Presbyterian, 3:30p

TRUNK OR TREAT Chick-fil-A 72nd & Sorensen | 4:30p -----------------------------------------------THE CRAFT & ZOMBIELAND DRIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHT | 5p - 9p Falconwood Park and Hullabaloo Music Group, 905 Allied Rd., Bellevue -----------------------------------------------TRICK-OR-TREAT Regency Mall, 6p -8p -----------------------------------------------ZOMBIE WALK | 6p -9p 56th NW RADIAL - 62ND MAPLE 6p The Omaha Zombie Walk is a growing Omaha Halloween tradition and a night for the undead to officially take over the city. Location of the walk will begin on 56th NW Radial and will run until 62nd Maple. Volunteer Makeup Stations will be spread out throughout Benson. -----------------------------------------------MONSTER MASH DANCE BASH! Omaha Ballroom, 5038 S 153rd St., 7p A fun night of tricks, treats, and drinks! -----------------------------------------------Nightmare on Redick Street 1 0362 Redick Ave. 6:30p-10:30p ”Nightmare on Redick Street’s PumpKILL Patch” is up all month long, and the house is lit up with eerie sounds daily from 6:30p- 10:30p, Sun.Thurs., & 6:30p- 12:00a., Fri. & Sat.

Focus | October 24 - October 30 | Volume 2 Issue 42

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 24 Happy Hippie Hour with Carrie Jean The Down Under, 3p ----------------------------------------------Music from Dr. Webb The Down Under, 4:20p ----------------------------------------------Elaine Stoner & Chad Stoner and friends, Growler USA, 6p ----------------------------------------------The Grease Band Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Karaoke Marylebone, 7p ----------------------------------------------Ray’s Piano Party Mr. Toad’s, 7p ----------------------------------------------Acoustic Open Mic Night The New Frontier Bar, 7p ----------------------------------------------Wrestlevania The Waiting Room, 7p ----------------------------------------------Omaha’s Clash of the Comics Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Open Mic w/ Aly Peeler The Down Under Lounge, 8p ----------------------------------------------Comedy Open Mic w/ Dusty Stehl Barley Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------Karaoke w/ Host Adam Flohr Brokedown Palace, 9p ----------------------------------------------Brady Wells Solo Harney Street, 9p

THURSDAY OCTOBER 25 4th Annual Adult Pumpkin Carving Party, The Down Under Lounge, 3p ----------------------------------------------Wine Therapy Thursday Beyond Golf Bar + Kitchen, 6p ----------------------------------------------Murray Kinsley & Wicked Grin feat. Justin Shelton, Chrome Lounge, 6p ----------------------------------------------Psychostick Lookout Lounge, 6p ----------------------------------------------11th Annual Monster Mash Ralston Arena, 6p -----------------------------------------------

Matt Wallace Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Live Music w/ Tony LaMar Vino Mas, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Matt Hackett Trio Burrito ENvy, 7p ----------------------------------------------Karaoke The New Frontier Bar, 7p ----------------------------------------------Colter Wall The Waiting Room, 7p ----------------------------------------------John Morgan Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Scott Shinbara-Solo Percussion OutrSpaces, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Trivia, The Sociable Inn, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Mechaniz-Carry The Torch Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 8p ----------------------------------------------Flint Eastwood Slowdown, 8p ----------------------------------------------Open Jam Night American Dream, 9p ----------------------------------------------Midwest Depressed, Nate Mays & The Shineys, Barley Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------Lily DeTaeye The B. Bar, 9p ----------------------------------------------The Lupines, Panther Ray Brother’s Lounge, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Thirsty Thursday Karaoke Forte Music Hall, 9p ----------------------------------------------Haymakers Harney Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------Husies, Lunch Duchess & The Sunks O’Leaver’s, 9p ----------------------------------------------Garrett Speer Beer Can Alley, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Chris Shelton Dubliner Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Silverspere The Down Under Lounge, 10p

Focus | October 24 - October 30 | Volume 2 Issue 42

FRIDAY OCTOBER 26 Paradigm Gardens Harvest Festival 2018, Paradigm Gardens, 11a ----------------------------------------------John Finochiarro Growler USA, 5p ----------------------------------------------Sam Swerczek The Cove, 5p ----------------------------------------------Benefit Art Auction + Concert Bemis Center, 5:30p ----------------------------------------------Harvest Dance Firefighters Union Hall, 6p ----------------------------------------------Squeeze Play American Legion Post #1, 7p ----------------------------------------------70’s Band Bopgie’s West, 7p ----------------------------------------------Rocktober 2018 featuring Midwest Depressed, Garst, Motel Martyr & Midwest Coastal, Dr. Jack’s, 7p ----------------------------------------------Masquerade at the Castle! Joslyn Castle, 7p ----------------------------------------------Karaoke Millard VFW Post 8334, 7p ----------------------------------------------Music By Mike Bertrand Acoustic Therapy Bar & Grill, 7p ----------------------------------------------Hayseed Cowboys Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto HollandCenter, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------John Morgan Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p/9:45p ----------------------------------------------Halloween Privada Bere’s Hall, 8p ----------------------------------------------Mace Hathaway Growler USA, 8p ----------------------------------------------Rock Fest for Kara with Dirt House, Sean Pratt, and Stephen Bartolomei O’Leaver’s Pub, 8p ----------------------------------------------Glow-O-Ween Parliament Pub West, 8p ----------------------------------------------Pineapple Karaoke

Twisted Post Bar, 8p Release the FREAK, Bar 415, 9p ----------------------------------------------Lash LaRue & the Hired Guns, 24 Hour Cardlock & Langdon Kennedy Barley Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------Spooky Bliss with Nbd, Loveland, Darkwood, Hyddin & Ezb Bourbon Saloon, 9p ----------------------------------------------Jason Steady and Bradley Unit Burrito envy, 9p ----------------------------------------------The Party After Harney Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------Trivia Night, Julio’s, 9p ----------------------------------------------Ghouls + Gals Halloween Party Nuri Event Studios, 9p ----------------------------------------------Joystick, Ozone Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Blood in the Water feat. OCEANZ, DJ BLAC, Odinson, RVBY & Don Bassic Reverb Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Divas In Demand The B Side of Benson Theatre, 8p ----------------------------------------------Satchel Grande with The 9’s The Waiting Room, 9p ----------------------------------------------Chance the Arm Dubliner Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Daniel & the Deliverance The Down Under Lounge, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Lemon Fresh Day Two Fine Irishmen, 9:30p

SATURDAY OCTOBER 27 Blazin’ Saddles Chili Cookoff Dillon Brothers, 12p ----------------------------------------------Chi Omega Fall Festival: Rockin’ & Wishin’, Turner Park, 4p ----------------------------------------------GOTV Concert with Edward Sharpe Acoustic: The Waitng Room, 4:30p ----------------------------------------------Family Friendly Halloween Party Blazin’ Pianos, 5p ----------------------------------------------Halloween Party w/ Sinners & Saints Chrome Lounge, 5p

Vanessa Collier - BSO Halloween Party!, Chrome Lounge, 5:30p ----------------------------------------------KoZee Halloween Party KoZee Lounge, 6p ----------------------------------------------Halloween Costume Party The Omaha Lounge, 6p ----------------------------------------------Monster Mash Dance Bash! Omaha Ballroom, 7p ----------------------------------------------Creep Show w/ NoCoast, Jyo TheZombie X Replenish, Scott.i.e, Yung Steez & Fresh The Gwad Finest Tequila Garage, 7p ----------------------------------------------John Morgan Omaha Funny Bone, 7p/9:30p ----------------------------------------------Annalibera w/ Elizabeth Moen The Sydney, 7p ----------------------------------------------Carrie-oke Entertainment (Karaoke) American Legion Post #1, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto Holland Center, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Halloween Bash w/ Silence is Madness, Gallivant, Boneyard, Forte Music, 8p ----------------------------------------------Scary-Oke Maloney’s Irish Pub, 8p ----------------------------------------------Sailor’s Grave Tattoo’s Spooktacular Halloween Party with DJ Skatedad Reverb Lounge, 8p ----------------------------------------------Karaoke & Music, Smitty’s Garage, 8p ----------------------------------------------Halloween w/ Skuddur & Motel Martyr, Barley Street, 9p ----------------------------------------------Halloween Party w/ Sinners & Saints Chrome Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Trick or Treat feat. Boss Mode, Sozen, TrvpSTrvpSquad, BASSIC-STYLS &, RVGER, Bourbon Saloon, 9p ----------------------------------------------DJ Nick Bliss, Burrito Envy, 9p ----------------------------------------------Pinheads Halloween Bash Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 9p ----------------------------------------------Scary-Oke Halloween Party Goldeez, 9p ----------------------------------------------KGOR Deadman’s Party Hilton Omaha, 9p ----------------------------------------------Bathtub Maria, Growler USA, 9p ----------------------------------------------Rhythm Collective Harney Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------Halloween Costume & Dance Party O’Leaver’s Pub, 9p ----------------------------------------------On The Q Annual Halloween Party On The Q St Bar, 9

----------------------------------------------Peace, Love, Etc. Ozone Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------DJ Bumblebeats featuring Dj Wuazat! Rehab Nightclub, 9p ----------------------------------------------Colony House & The New Respects Slowdown, 9p ----------------------------------------------Halloween Party w/ DJ Animale The Cove, 9p ----------------------------------------------Secret Weapon’s Halloween Bash Waiting Room, 9p ----------------------------------------------Chance the Arm Dubliner Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Halloween with Strange Pleasures The Down Under Lounge, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Halloween w/ Hi-Fi Hangover Two Fine Irishmen, 9:30p

SUNDAY OCTOBER 28 Fall Festival 2018 Lanoha Nurseries, 10a ----------------------------------------------HayseedCowboys Fraternal Order of Eagles #38, 1p ----------------------------------------------Carved Rockbrook Village, 1p ----------------------------------------------Still Here American Legion Post #1, 3p ----------------------------------------------GOTV Concert with Edward Sharpe Acoustic,The Waiting Room, 5:30p ----------------------------------------------Gaming Guild The Down Under Lounge, 5p ----------------------------------------------Ian Sweet ~ Young Jesus ~ Thick Paint O’Leaver’s, 6p ----------------------------------------------ORGONE Slowdown, 7p ----------------------------------------------Kiwi’s Karaoke The Down Under Lounge, 10p

MONDAY OCTOBER 29 October Movie Monday Vol. 5 The Down Under, 3p ----------------------------------------------Gooch and His Big Las Vegas Band Ozone Lounge, 6p ----------------------------------------------Aly Peeler and Andrew Bailie Monarch Prime & Bar, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Early Karaoke, Forte Music Hall, 7p ----------------------------------------------Ballroom Dance: Country Two Step MCC Continuing Education, 7:30p continued on page 11

Focus | October 24 - October 30 | Volume 2 Issue 42

Thursday October 25

Colter Wall WAITING ROOM

Saturday October 27

Omaha Zombie Walk BENSON

Thursday-Sunday October 25-28 #

Thursday October 25

John Morgan Flint Eastwood OMAHA FUNNY BONE SLOWDOWN

Saturday October 27

Halloween with Strange Pleasures THE DOWN UNDER

Saturday October 27

KGOR Deadman’s Party

HILTON OMAHA

Focus | October 24 - October 30 | Volume 2 Issue 42

Friday October 26

Friday/Saturday October 26/27

Masquerade SatchelGrande w/ The 9’s at the Castle! THE WAITING ROOM JOSLYN CASTLE

Sunday October 28

ORGONE

SLOWDOWN

Tuesday October 30

Andy Grammer w/ Leroy Sanchez, John Splithoff SLOWDOWN

Karaoke, Burrito Envy, 8p ----------------------------------------------Open Mic, Barley Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------DJ Howie’s Karaoke, Grant St. Bar, 9p ----------------------------------------------Open Mic and Molly’s, Molly’s Pub, 9p

TUESDAY OCTOBER 30

Andy Grammar, Leroy Sanchez, John Splithoff, Slowdown, 8p ----------------------------------------------Turbo Tuesdays Bar 415, 9p ----------------------------------------------N8’s Killer Karaoke The Down Under Lounge, 10p

Montclair Monster Mash Montclair Community Center, 5:30p ----------------------------------------------Open Mic & Jam Therapy Bar & Grill, 6p ----------------------------------------------Grace Geibler Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Scott Voorhees Growler USA, 7p ----------------------------------------------Silent on Fifth Street Lookout Lounge, 7p ----------------------------------------------Cult Classic Halloween Reverb Lounge, 7p ----------------------------------------------House of Horror Movie Trivia The Down Under, 7:45p ----------------------------------------------Open Mic Jam Brokedown Palace, 8p -----------------------------------------------

Focus | October 24 - October 30 | Volume 2 Issue 42

UNO Paranormal Society Celebrates the Season (and the unknown) with the 2018 Summit By Howard Schwartz If you want to know more about those things that go bump in the night, you have friends in the UNO Paranormal Society. But beware. Not because there are lots of scary things out there – that is a possibility – but these folks are not here to scare you. They meet Saturdays at noon on campus and this Friday the Society hosts the 2018 Paranormal Conference in the CPACS Building on campus. It starts at 6 p.m. so no reason to be afraid of the dark. Admission fees vary but are modest. The members are skeptical, and seek scientific, or simpler, explanations for what’s going on around us. There is a lot to learn and they will be the first to admit it – but what fun they have in their investigations. From the UNO campus to the Haunted Squirrel Cage Jail in Council Bluffs to the Villisca Axe Murder House, they test for paranormal phenomenon.

Photo credit to John Russo. Taken on the second floor of the Squirrel Cage jail in Council Bluffs, IA. 2-23-13 The original photo, enhanced photo with contrast, and zoomed in on the hand shown.

Lisa Reda is a paranormal investigator who sells auto parts online to afford her passion of investigating the paranormal. She said the group formed from a faculty member who used to see things and has evolved to connect with neighborhood groups. “When it started it was kind of staff and students,” Reda recalled. Now it’s a community group that tries to find natural explanations for odd things. At least ten community groups by some counts with the UNO organization sponsored by faculty member Dave Pares “It’s based on scientific explanations,” she said of their investigations, as the look into things they can’t explain. The first efforts are aimed at finding natural explanations. Do they find things that can’t be explained? “All the time.” Those include weird smells and cold spots. Which is why those interested in such things will want to attend this year’s summit. Last year’s event featured audio and video from the famous Villisca Axe Murder House. That’s the site of a still-open case from June 1912 in which eight people, including six members of the Josiah Moore family, were bludgeoned to death with an axe handle.

Street campus in December of 1955 the night of a dance. The UNO Paranormal Society points to voices and images that provide clues to her death. They will share some of those at the Summit. “It’s still a cold case,” Debolt stated. The investigation was reopened in 1989, according to the Society. The group suspects a long-time criminal who died in prison in 1988 was responsible for her death. By day Michael Beacom works for an Internet auction company but outside the job he operates Great Plains Paranormal Investigations. He emphasizes the groups look to prove or debunk a situation. “The first thing is you need to look for the normal explanation,” Beacom stressed. For example, a bump in the night could be caused by the HVAC system. Some noises in old houses can be caused by a shift in the floor boards or even pets.

But not always, and there are “some very strange things going on.” Finding out what those “things” are can eliminate a person’s fears. “You’ve got to be sure you eliminated the normal, first,” Beacom emphasized, before you look to other causes. Sometimes there are noises and if they are recorded people can know what they Using infrared video recorders and heard. There are shadows and moveSB-7 microphones, they collect sounds ments not always easily explained. that often debunk the most unusual sounds as something natural. Often the But not always. sounds can be explained as the white noise between bands of radio signals. Television shows and movies have But not always. created dramatic explanations but often it’s “fairly benign” once the case Sometimes it can be an issue of an old is solved, Beacom pointed out. Other building settling or a problem with the times: “We don’t know.” wiring. But not always. The group are here to study what’s real. Old buildings and the occasional cem“Our world works on physics and these etery often can draw interest but “lots things are real,” Beacom said. Just what of private residences” offer a reason they are is not always easily deterfor investigation. Everywhere there are mined. Electromagnetic fields often are sounds and visuals that cannot easily be part of these mysterious circumstances explained. and that can be determined. Beyond that, or what causes that field, may not “I will tell you once you have that expe- be so easy to understand. rience (confrontation and confirmation of a paranormal event) . . . it changes Pares, the UNO group’s faculty sponsor, your DNA and you will believe forever,” said it’s his job to be skeptical. “We try Reda said. “There’s no doubt in my mind to collect evidence.” it’s 100 percent real.” He pointed out the UNO group sticks Ashley Debolt, a school teacher and is to the campus but the community orinterested in the killing of Carolyn Nev- ganizations can investigate elsewhere. ins, a student who died on the Dodge Pares admits it can be boring to view

Focus | October 24 - October 30 | Volume 2 Issue 42

hours of video or listen to hours of audio for a couple seconds of something moving across the screen or some barely audible sound. A science teacher, Pares, said, “They are real . . . they are real with material things.” That’s why they have been known to scratch members and pull hair. This group, he pointed out, wants to document that things exist and how they work. “How does the physics allow this?” That is one of the questions you can ask at Friday’s UNO Paranormal Summit. There will be presentations and drawings and it promises to be fun. A June 1 trip to Villisca for an overnight stay at the axe murder house is one prize at Friday’s event. That may, or may not, be fun. For more on the UNO Paranormal Society and the Summit: www.facebook.com/ events/186500468917624/ www.facebook.com/ groups/994584863902068/ www.unoparanormalsociety.com/projects-and.../caroline-nevins-investagation

Photo credit to Lupe Buckingham. Taken from Missouri State Penitentiary. Person was not there when photo was taken. Apparition appeared in photo.

MOTTOS, SLOGANS AND…. SNAPCRAP By Focus Omaha Nebraska ranks last among states that people want to visit, according to at least one study, and if you’re one of those people who thought the new Nebraska slogan minus the imagery may serve to deter people more than attract them to the state, you’re far from alone. But there are worse things that could be happening. Below are some mottos, slogans, and apps. that make you stop and think, “It could be worse.” In 2016, “Rhode Island: Cooler and Warmer” which was satirized as “Dumb and Dumber.” To top it off, the $5 million-dollar campaign also included a video, according to a New York Times story, showing all the fun things to do in the state. Those included a scene shot, not in Rhode Island, but in Iceland. The website also purportedly featured restaurants in Massachusetts. Sega came up with a brain trust of an idea when it rolled out the slogan, “The more you play with it, the harder it gets.” While this may be true about

many things, it’s probably not the imagery you want for a game that’s played (largely), pun intended by young men. Or maybe it is. The Chicago Homicide unit came up with the great slogan: “Our day starts when yours ends.” While this may also be true, I don’t want to be on the “back end” of this deal. When the English women’s World Cup team made the quarterfinals in 2015, they came up with a banner that stated, “Come on our Girls”, as they prepared to face Canada, who in an even funnier note, had home field advantage. You could be unfortunate enough to live in Hooker, Oklahoma, with the motto, “It’s a location, not a vocation.” Enough said there. How about Weed, California, where the motto is, “Weed like to welcome you.” Back to state slogans. The worst ever may be up for grabs in Washington“SayWa”. OK, I’m not sure what they’re trying to say but this seems very confusing. Finally, my personal favorite. In San Francisco you can now apparently request sidewalk poop cleanings in a snap. Launched in the beginning of October, Snapcrap is now available in iOS and Android.

It uses your phone’s GPS to locate the offensive matter and even allows you to track the ticket you create to make sure the poop problem has been resolved.

to take a street crap, to your day. Until next time….

In August they established a “Poop Patrol” which is made up of five public works employees who patrol the streets and steam clean offensive areas. They receive around 1,300 monthly requests to clean up both human and animal waste. Not sure I want to live in a city with that severe a public crapping issue. The good news is, as long as we lord over this lovely planet, there will never be a shortage of foolish things that can bring a chuckle, or apparently maybe even a laugh hard enough to cause one

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every door, and air-conditioning in all 18 retail bays (coolly unprecedented at the time), the 30,000-square-foot building at 87th and Pacific Streets took 18 months to complete, cost $250,000, and was inaugurated over four days in August: the 26th-29th to be exact.

CountrysideHistory By Focus Omaha 1953. A gallon of gas goes for 20 cents, polio gets a vaccine, Shane hits the big screen, Eisenhower wins the White House, Michigan takes the College World Series at Omaha’s Rosenblatt Stadium, Sir Edmund Hilary and Tenzing Norgay top Mount Everest, James Bond is born, and Countryside Village–Nebraska’s first planned shopping center–opens for business.

Festivities included a live telecast on the first night, dancing to Slim Everhart’s full orchestra on another, square dancing on yet another. Over 25,000 guests kicked up their heels, made merry, enjoyed gifts and special bargains in shops that bridged need and desire at multiple price points, and generally witnessed the vision of Larry Myers. Countryside’s trailblazing founder, he saw the future and built a Village predicated on convenience, quality and service–a winning trifecta buttressed by many stores and services in close proximity. The synchronicity of shops and services paired with quality and convenience was so successful that a matching second building was added in 1955. In today’s world of super-sized stores and mega-malls, Countryside Village stands out as a counterpoint. Cozy and familiar, confident but humble, easy and convenient, and above all unique.

Designed in the long-and-low Frank Lloyd Wright Prairie style emphasizing strong-and-sturdy horizontal lines, constructed in steel and cement block with a façade of Texas white Countryside Village: Omaha’s stone, and boasting storefronts on all Original Small Town in the City. four sides, ten-foot deep sidewalks, a sheltering overhang, free parking at

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30 Craft Beers on Tap Delicious Food Happy Hour M-TH 4-6 The Casual Pint Countryside Village

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The Art of Winning By Focus Omaha Head coach Scott Frost spoke for many in Husker Nation on Monday. “It’s long overdue. This feels great. This is what it’s supposed to feel like,” he said, hitting the nail on the head with those sentiments. You could feel all of Husker land breathe a huge sigh of relief as Nebraska finally came out on the right (or left) end of the winning column. Watching and afterward listening to freshman QB Adrian Martinez should make a fan not only be excited for the rest of the season but also what’s in store for the future. When asked how the victory felt, Martinez said, “It’s definitely a nice feeling. A lot different than losing. Night and day. I’m thankful that we pulled this one out. It feels good, the hard work paid off there. But, we just need to stay level-headed here, put things in perspective. We haven’t arrived yet. As good as this feels, we need to feel more of this going forward.” If anyone had doubted this staff’s ability to coach guys up, they need to look no further than senior running back Devine Ozigbo. He not only was a backup at the beginning of the season, but last year he lacked that breakaway ability. No way anyone saw that one. When asked about players who are stepping up, Frost pointed to the senior from Texas. “I thought Stanley (Morgan) stepped up all day, Mo (Washington) has grown up every day. Devine (Ozigbo) was in a three-way battle at running back. He wasn’t a starter at the beginning of the season. He has been a really good player and workhorse for us. He is a Sunday guy. I think our strength and conditioning staff has helped him. He is a step

reach 150 career receptions. He is now 25 catches from Kenny Bell’s school record of 181 career catches. . Morgan’s 67-yard touchdown reception to seal Nebraska’s win midway through the fourth quarter was the 18th of his career and moved him into a tie for fourth on Nebraska’s career touchdown receptions list. . Freshman quarterback Adrian Martinez accounted for 401 yards of faster and he has been making big plays total offense in today’s game, including 276 passing yards and a career-high for us. He has become a leader.” 125 yards on the ground. It marked Martinez’s fourth game with at least A few Post-Game Takeaways: 300 yards of total offense this season, Nebraska finished the game with 659 giving him four of the six 300-yard yards of total offense, including 398 total offense games by freshmen in yards before halftime. The 398 yards school history. in the first half were the most by the . Martinez completed 25-of-29 passes Huskers in an opening half since the for 276 yards and three touchdowns Huskers gained 446 yards of offense in the game. He completed his first in the 2014 opener against Florida 11 passes of the game and passed for Atlantic. better than 250 yards for the fourth . The Minnesota game marked the straight game. He is the first Husker fourth consecutive game Nebraska quarterback to pass for 250 yards in has topped 475 yards, marking the four consecutive games since Tommy first-time NU has pulled off that feat since the final three games of 2007 and Armstrong Jr. reached the mark in four straight games to open the 2015 the season opener in 2008. Nebraska season. has topped 475 yards in five of seven . With his 125 rushing yards, Martigames this season, including four 500nez increased his season total to 415 yard outings. . Senior running back Devine Ozigbo and passed Tommie Frazier for the rushed 12 times for 152 yards, including his two longest runs of the season in the first quarter, a 40-yard TD run on the opening drive and a career-long 59yard touchdown run to give Nebraska a 14-0 advantage. The 59-yard run was the longest by a Husker since Terrell Newby had a 63-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter against Illinois in 2016. . Ozigbo carried three times for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter alone and had seven carries for 139 yards in the first half. . Ozigbo topped 150 yards for the third time in the past four games, including his previous career-high of 170 yards vs. Purdue and 159 at Northwestern. In conference games, Ozigbo is averaging 8.3 yards per carry with six rushing touchdowns. . Nebraska senior receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. caught a career-high 10 passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns (35, 67) on Saturday. Morgan bettered his previous high of eight receptions done on two previous occasions (at Illinois, 2017; at Wisconsin, 2018). It was the sixth 100-yard receiving game of his career. That ranks fourth in Nebraska history. . With his 10 receptions, Morgan increased his career receptions total to 156 making him the fourth Husker to

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most rushing yards by a true freshman quarterback. Frazier ran for 399 yards in 1992. This weekend, Bethune-Cookman will head to Lincoln with a 4-4 record and is coming off a 35-10 loss to North Carolina A&T on Saturday. The Wildcats opened the season with a 1-3 record but have since won three of four games. BCU features a productive offensive attack and is averaging better than 32 points per game. The Wildcats have scored at least 28 points in six of the past seven games. This will mark the first time since 2014 that Nebraska has faced an FCS opponent and the Huskers are 11-0 all-time against them. This also marks the first time Nebraska has played a MEAC opponent or an HBCU (one of the historically black colleges and universities). Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. and will air on BTN. It can also be heard on the IMG Husker Sports Network.

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Offers inspections for lead, which may include sampling for lead dust, and education in homes where a child under the age of 7 years old has a venous blood lead level of 5.0 µg/dL to 9.4 µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter). Provides case monitoring when a child under the age of 7 years old has a venous blood lead level ≥9.5 µg/dL (micrograms per deciliter). In those cases, the Douglas County Health Department visits the home, conducts lead education for the family, and performs a lead risk assessment and environmental inspection. DCHD also coordinates follow-up with the Lead Risk Assessor, clinic, family, property owner, and the person assigned to monitor blood lead levels. DCHD also operates the Interior Lead Dust Project with services are exclusively available to homes that • have previously had the soil on their By Focus Omaha property removed and replaced with Childhood lead poisoning is considered clean soil (“remediated” for lead) by the EPA and/or the City of Omaha. the most preventable environmental For those homes, DCHD will provide disease among young children, but it • education, dust wipe sampling (for lead is estimated half a million children in dust) and a free HEPA vacuum. Eligible the United States have a blood lead level above 5 micrograms per deciliter. homes are located within the Lead Superfund Area. To find out if your That’s the reference level at which home is eligible, go to www.dogis.org/ the Centers for Disease Control and • Prevention (CDC), recommends public dchdleaddust. health actions begin. In addition, on Tuesday, October 23, Making people more aware of that and DCHD will provide education during a lunch and learn at the W. Dale Clark making “Lead-Free Kids for a Healthy Library in downtown Omaha at 215 Future” is the purpose of National South 15th Street from 11:30 a.m. until Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, 1:30 p.m. No reservation is needed. October 21-27. It only takes a simple Until next week, Stay Healthy Omaha!! • blood test to prevent permanent damage that lasts a lifetime, and the Douglas County Health Department is dedicated to eliminating this threat. • By Focus Omaha Through a cooperative program with the EPA, DCHD’s Childhood Make sure your Halloween is not only Lead Poisoning Prevention Program fun but safe with these tips from the provides the following services at no Nebraska Department of Health and • charge: Human Services.

The Future is the Focus for Lead Poisoning Prevention Week

Halloween Safety

Offers inspections and education in Pre-1978 homes where children under the age of 7 years reside, regardless of blood lead level.

•

and walkways, and consider using glow sticks instead of candles.

Maintain clear vision – wear well- Stay safe and have fun! fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and For more Halloween safety tips, go to: falls. http://www.cdc.gov/family/halloween/ https://www.safekids.org/tip/ Be seen – use reflective tape on halloween-safety-tips costumes and bags. Carry glow https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/100. sticks or flashlights to be more pdf visible to drivers and others. Trick or treat together – older kids who are going trick-ortreating with friends should stick to a predetermined route, while young children should go with a trusted adult. Never enter a stranger’s home. Be present – put electronic devices down. Keep heads up. And walk, don’t run, across the street. Save your treats – parents should examine candy and treats to make sure they are sealed and show no signs of tampering. Use extra caution – when driving, slow down and watch for people walking on roadways, medians and curbs.

Wear flame-resistant costumes - Don’t walk near lit candles or luminaries. Keep jack-o’-lanterns with candles away from doorsteps Watch out for zombies.

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Beware of werewolves. Steer clear of vampires.

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Motown Legend Gladys Knight at the Holland

Say Goodbye).” Then there was the tale of her early days at Motown when she and The Pips were still one of the label’s new groups. Berry Gordy had just left to start the L.A. operation and Norman Whitfield told her he’d find the group a song. By Howard Schwartz She had the audience in the palm of her The result was “I Heard it Through the hand from the start. Grapevine.” The massive hit was taken to even greater heights the following Georgia-born Motown legend Gladys year by “Big Brother Marvin” Gaye, Knight - “The Empress of Soul” - spread somewhat to her chagrin. a message of “Love” at the Holland Performing Arts Center on Saturday Of course, she closed with “Midnight night. Backed by six instrumentalists Train to Georgia.” and three backing singers, the 74-year- old demonstrated she can still cast a There was no need for an encore for spell. this show a half century in the making. Simply remarkable! Early in the hour-plus set she hit her stride with “Best Thing That Ever For more on Omaha Performing Arts Happened to Me.” A key line in the including upcoming shows: song is “I guess you could say I’ve been https://omahaperformingarts.org/ lucky.” Those in the packed house certainly were. Knight is a performing veteran who still looks and sounds amazing. She was as comfortable on stage as most of us are in our living room. She told stories of her life and career, including a tip from Ella Fitzgerald, before launching into “If I Was Your Woman.” Her band may not have been the Funk Brothers, but they played at a high level and were flawless in their work. At one point she dropped in a shortened version of Sam Smith’s “Stay with Me, calling him an “Amazing, amazing artist.” Later she spoke of watching Forrest Gump only to find her song “My Imagination” used in the soundtrack. The hits were there, with her take on “The Way We Were,” and “Neither One of Us (Wants to Be the First to

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November 1-4 AN ARTS & CRAFTS AFFAIR 7300 Q Street | Omaha, NE | RalstonArena.com

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Rat Pack Jazz – Swing is Alive

bass, Dennis Strawn on sax, flute and clarinet, with drummer Carlos Figueroa. “They’re all really good players,” Cooley By Andy Roberts said, and good folks to be around. It may not be anything new, but it still is Or, as Adams said, when asked the best something fresh and extraordinary. thing about working with the group: “I think it’s working with some really Adams & Cooley bring Rat Pack Jazz great players . . . They’re all top shelf to life on a regular basis by, as they say, kind of players.” “Playing music from the Golden Era of song.” That includes such legendary It was not hard to assemble the artists as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, ensemble, Adams recalled. Tony Bennett and Nat “King” Cole. “Anytime you ask a player if they want Believe me, this is the cool stuff. to work with Ron Cooley the answer is ‘yes,” he said. “It all just kind of fell into Vocalist Johnny Adams and guitarist place without any effort.” Ron Cooley have worked together musically for many years and grew The duo once did a country act up in the same Omaha neighborhood. and Cooley played with Mannheim Adams’ dad was Cooley’s first Steamroller – he retired from that music teacher. Their chemistry and following the last tour – but has been professionalism stand out, especially a force on the local scene going back when they’re working with a group of to the Les Smith Soul Band. That was, pros like in this outfit. shall we say, a few decades ago. The rest of the Pack is Dan Cerveny on Adams & Cooley did a CD in the 90s keyboards, Andy Hall on upright called “Heartland” with the sound and feel that implies, but it was inevitable that something with more of a jazz feel would evolve and over the past eight to ten years it has.

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Cooley loves the “creativity” Rat Pack Jazz provides. It’s an audience that allows him to do some interpretation of standards where a rock crowd often wants a note for note reproduction. The melodies and songs are familiar, but the top-notch players have a chance to stretch out. Everybody gets a chance to solo in the classics that date from the late 1940s into the early 1960s. “I try to keep them all in the swing venue . . . we’re just trying to keep it swinging,” Adams said. “The majority of the time we’ll go with the best-known ones.” The age of the material hasn’t been a liability in building an audience. “The one thing that I’ve found . . . we’ve been able to reach a wide spectrum of age groups,” Adams stated. “Swing music kind of translates to everybody . . . It’s just good stuff.” Rat Pack Jazz has numerous local clubs they work with but are looking to expand into other the surrounding states. “We’re working on getting a regional footprint,” Adams said. “That’s kind of the plan.”

For more on Adams and Cooley – Rat Pack Jazz www.adamsandcooley.com/gallery www.facebook.com/adams.cooley

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competitive devaluations and to foster the transparency of economic data for exchange rate markets. When the USMCA enters into force, a special consultation mechanism will be initiated to review currency and related economic policies. NORTH AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Joint Statement by the Secretary of the Treasury And Finance Minister of Mexico U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin and Mexican Finance Minister Jose Antonio Gonzalez Anaya issued the following statement which encapsulates initiatives and work streams underway between Treasury and the Mexican Finance Ministry, including an update to the framework for financial support between Treasury, the Government of Mexico, and the Banco de Mexico: They continued to discuss areas of further cooperation on financial and economic issues. The close coordination between the ministries, Treasury and Hacienda, is reflective of the mutual benefits derived from continued economic growth and financial stability in our two economies.

Agreement (NAFTA). It was decided to amend the ESA to increase the potential size of the Treasury’s swap line with Mexico, from the existing $3 billion to $9 billion, reflecting the tremendous growth in trade and financial flows that have occurred between our economies over the last 24 years. This facility will continue to be complemented by a swap line of $3 billion with the Federal Reserve. MACROECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL SECTOR ENGAGEMENT Our two governments signed the U.S.Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and its subsequent approval by both legislatures. The Financial Services Chapter includes commitments to liberalize financial services markets and facilitate a level playing field for U.S., Mexican, and Canadian financial services providers, including the firstever prohibition on local data storage and processing requirements and expanded cross-border commitments. The chapter also includes an InvestorState Dispute Settlement mechanism between the United States and Mexico, specific to the financial services sector.

The currency chapter reflects the conviction that market-determined EXCHANGE STABILIZATION exchange rates are fundamental for AGREEMENT smooth macroeconomic adjustment, A Memorandum of Understanding and that the parties to the USMCA was signed memorializing the share the objective of pursuing policies decision to update the Exchange that strengthen underlying economic Stabilization Agreement (ESA) – which fundamentals, foster growth and is a framework for a financial support transparency which reinforce the facility between our two governments. conditions for macroeconomic and exchange rate stability to help avoid We continue to value the very close unsustainable external imbalances. economic and financial cooperation The parties commit to refrain from that exists between our countries to help promote macroeconomic growth and stability, including on exchange rates. The United States and Mexico have had a standing framework for financial support since 1941. The ESA was last updated 24 years ago, in the context of the North American Free Trade

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The United States and Mexico are strongly committed to supporting growth and development on our shared border. We are confident that, in carrying out its mission, the North American Development Bank (NADB) can do more to advance the economic well-being of the people of the United States and Mexico.

OTHER AREAS OF COOPERATION We are proactively exploring how Treasury’s Office of Technical Assistance can support Mexico to build upon Hacienda’s already impressive technical capacities to strengthen Mexico’s priorities for economic and financial sector policy reforms. Treasury and Hacienda look forward to enhanced regulatory cooperation on financial sector developments, and to continuing joint efforts to combat money laundering and corruption, and to disrupting the illicit financial activity of drug trafficking organizations.

Also, Treasury and Hacienda have had a strong dialogue on helping to meet our mutual objectives for prosperity Our governments are committed to in the Northern Triangle of Central strengthening the Bank’s ability to America – in particular, we maintain improve infrastructure and create active coordination between our economic opportunities for the benefit ministries and multilateral institutions of the border communities, improving to support pro-growth economic the quality of life along both sides of reforms to increase median incomes our shared border. We will continue to and generate employment in this analyze the best strategic and financial region. mechanisms to improve NADB’s ability to fulfill these ambitions.

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Existing-Home Sales Decline Across the Country in September

The median existing-home price for all housing types in September was $258,100, up 4.2 percent from September 2017 ($247,600). September’s price increase marks the Existing-home sales declined in 79th straight month of year-over-year September after a month of stagnation gains. in August, according to the National Association of Realtors®. All four Total housing inventory at the end major regions saw no gain in sales of September decreased from 1.91 activity last month. million in August to 1.88 million existing homes available for sale, and is Total existing-home sales, which are up from 1.86 million a year ago. Unsold completed transactions that include inventory is at a 4.4-month supply at single-family homes, townhomes, the current sales pace, up from 4.3 last condominiums and co-ops, fell 3.4 month and 4.2 months a year ago. percent from August to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.15 million in Properties typically stayed on the September. Sales are now down 4.1 market for 32 days in September, percent from a year ago (5.37 million up from 29 days in August but down in September 2017). from 34 days a year ago. Forty-seven percent of homes sold in September Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, were on the market for less than a says rising interest rates have month. led to a decline in sales across all regions of the country. “This is the “There is a clear shift in the market lowest existing home sales level with another month of rising inventory since November 2015,” he said. “A on a year over year basis, though decade’s high mortgage rates are seasonal factors are leading to a third preventing consumers from making straight month of declining inventory,” quick decisions on home purchases. said Yun. “Homes will take a bit longer All the while, affordable home listings to sell compared to the super-heated remain low, continuing to spur fast pace seen earlier this year.” underperforming sales activity across the country. Realtor.com®’s Market Hotness Index, measuring time-on-the-market data and listings views per property, revealed that the hottest metro areas in September were Midland, Texas; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Odessa, Texas; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Mass.; and Columbus, Ohio.

but consistent job gains could allow more Americans to enter the market with a steady and measurable rise in inventory,” says Yun.

a year ago. The median existing singlefamily home price was $260,500 in September, up 4.6 percent from September 2017.

First-time buyers were responsible for 32 percent of sales in September, up from last month (31 percent) and a year ago (29 percent). NAR’s 2017 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers – released in late 20174 – revealed that the annual share of first-time buyers was 34 percent.

Existing condominium and co-op sales were recorded at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 570,000 units in September, down 3.4 percent from last month and 5.0 percent from a year ago. The median existing condo price was $239,200 in September, which is up 1.5 percent from a year ago.

“Despite small month over month increases, the share of first-time buyers in the market continues to underwhelm because there are simply not enough listings in their price range,” said NAR President Elizabeth Mendenhall, a sixth-generation Realtor® from Columbia, Missouri and CEO of RE/MAX Boone Realty. “Entrylevel homes remain highly sought after, as prospective buyers are advised to contact a Realtor® as early in the buying process as possible in order to ensure buyers can act fast on listings that catch their eye.”

Regional Breakdown September existing-home sales in the Northeast decreased 2.9 percent to an annual rate of 680,000, 5.6 percent below a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $286,200, which is up 4.1 percent from September 2017.

All-cash sales accounted for 21 percent of transactions in September, up from August and a year ago (both 20 percent). Individual investors, who account for many cash sales, purchased 13 percent of homes in September, unchanged from August and down from 15 percent a year ago.

Existing-home sales in the South decreased 5.4 percent to an annual rate of 2.11 million in September, down from 2.12 million a year ago. The median price in the South was $223,900, up 3.0 percent from a year ago.

Distressed sales – foreclosures and short sales – were 3 percent of sales in September (the lowest since NAR began tracking in October 2008), According to Freddie Mac, the average unchanged from last month and down commitment rate(link is external) for from 4 percent a year ago. Two percent a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate of September sales were foreclosures mortgage increased to 4.63 percent and 1 percent were short sales. in September from 4.55 percent in August. The average commitment rate Single-family and Condo/Co-op Sales for all of 2017 was 3.99 percent. Single-family home sales were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.58 “Rising interests rates coupled with million in September, down from 4.74 increasing home prices are keeping million in August, and are 4.0 percent first-time buyers out of the market, below the 4.77 million sales pace from

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In the Midwest, existing-home sales remained the same as last month at an annual rate of 1.28 million in September, but are still down 1.5 percent from a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $200,200, up 1.9 percent from last year.

Existing-home sales in the West fell 3.6 percent to an annual rate of 1.08 million in September, 12.2 percent below a year ago. The median price in the West was $388,500, up 4.1 percent from September 2017. The National Association of Realtors® is America’s largest trade association, representing 1.3 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

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BARRETT’S BARLEYCORN 4322 Leavenworth St. M-F 4P-6P $2.25 Domestic Bottles $3.00 Well Drinks BROKEDOWN PALCE 8805 Maple St. Happy Hour 12P-6P $4 28 oz Domestic Frozen Mugs $5 28 oz Nebraska Brewing Cardinal Pale Ale Frozen Mug CADDYSHACK 2076 N 117th Ave & 7007 S 181st St M-F 2P-6P $1 Off Beer, Wine & Wells TUES- HAPPY HOUR All Day JERRY’S BAR 6301 Military Ave Happy Hour Prices ALL Day! JERZES 501 Olson Dr, Papillion, NE 68046 Daily Specials! JULIO’S 123rd & Center M-F 3P – 6P & FRI & SAT AFTER 9M $1 off all Tap Beer, $3 House Margaritas, $8 Pitchers of Bud Light & Miller Light, $2 Tacos & $8 Nachos KOZEE LOUNGE 5813 N 60th St. Daily Drink Specials! 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 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

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