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VOLUME 3 ISSUE 22 | MAY 29 - JUNE 4 | 2019 ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, HEALTH, PERSONAL FINANCE, & MUSIC NEWSWEEKLY

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Mozart & Mahler

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The Next Great MJ

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HAPPY HOUR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOCUS ON THIS WEEK!

JUNE 4 | 2019

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LY 22 | MAY 29 MUSIC NEWSWEEK VOLUME 3 ISSUE NAL FINANCE, & ENT, HEALTH, PERSO FREE ARTS, ENTERTAINM

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Los Lobos

LIVE

Mozart & Mahler

LOCAL

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THE ARTS

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FAMILY

HAPPY HOUR

The Next Great MJ

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COUNCIL BLUFFS EVENTS

ON TEN

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LIVE

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FINANCE

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REAL ESTATE

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HAPPY HOUR

Mahler and Mozart – Omaha Symphony Brings out the Big Guns By Howard Schwartz

Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households By Michael Herek Sponsored By Blue Capitol Wealth

Existing-Home Sales Inch Back 0.4% in April By Eric Cano

We gathered up some of the BEST Happy Hour spots in and around the Omaha metro!

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THIS WEEKS FEATURE 31

HAPPY HOUR

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REVIEW

Happy Hour Continued!

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SEE WHAT’S NEW IN BENSON

Tyler the Creator, “IGOR” By Tatiana Ballinger & Sick Birds Die Easy By Tatiana Ballinger

Benson meets Old Market first Fridays via free zTrip shuttles & BFF June 7

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THE STREAM

Getting to Know The Wolves of East Los Angeles: Los Lobos By Jesse D. Stanek

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HEALTH

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LOCAL

Mosquitoes Are Back! By Focus Omaha, 2019 Walk To Cure Athritis, By Focus Omaha, & SBtB Presents the 3rd Annual KerrieOn Community Expo By Focus Omaha

The Next Great MJ By Andy Roberts

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.

Focus 7914 W Dodge Rd. # 413 Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 208-6545 focusomaha@gmail.com www.focusomaha.com

THURSDAY, MAY 30 | 5:30p FACE TO FACE BLACK HISTORY DOCUMENTARY LOVE’S JAZZ & ART CENTER Free 90 Minute Community Workshop & Face-To-Face Documentary & Discussion at Love’s Jazz & Arts Center: Facilitator Preston Love Jr. -----------------------------------------------------THURSDAY, MAY 30 ARTIST TALK | 5:30p GINGER’S HANG-UP - CUSTOM FRAMING STUDIO & ART GALLERY Ginger’s Hang Up Custom Framing & Art Gallery has invited four artists to participate in the First Annual Spring Art Show!

Meet the Artists Lisa Worrall, Katrina Methot-Swanson, Judith Anthony-Johnston and Debra Joy Groesser at at Gingers Hang Up at the Artist Talk on Thursday, May 30th 5:30-8 pm.

began more than 65 years ago as a vehicle to exchange ideas to improve techniques in hand-weaving and hand-spinning, and has grown to include and appreciate all aspects in the field of fiber arts. This includes, but is not limited to: spinning, weaving, knitting, crocheting, surface design, dyeing, basketry, felting, fabric art, beading, and paper.

Opening Reception: Saturday, June 1st 6-8p

tating anxiety and depression. And at its worst, mental health takes the lives of icons and leaders we love.

Run of show: June 1st-30th Tuesdays-Saturdays - 11a - 7p Sundays - 11a - 5p

That’s why on June 1, Fashion Speaks Out is happening across the nation—a fashion event that will take deliberate steps to end the silence of mental health.

Revival Buy-Sell-Trade 6007 Maple Street Omaha, NE 68104 402-650-2512 -----------------------------------------------------SATURDAY, JUNE 1 FASHION SPEAKS OUT FUNDRAISER Sat 5p · GRAE CLOTHING, 1150 STERLING RIDGE DR SUITE 101, OMAHA FASHION SPEAKS OUT IS A SOCIAL MOVEMENT THAT’S CHANGING THE CULTURE OF MENTAL HEALTH. ONE VOICE AT A TIME. We’ve been friends for years, so when the The fashion industry knows about the crisis opportunity came for us to do a show toof mental health more than most. Issues of Artist Lisa Worrall is a greeting card designer and owner of Iddy Biddy Boo Design. gether (thank you to Stephanie at Revival!), body image are rampant, causing debiliwe jumped at it.

She is a Nebraska native and self-taught artist. Her unique greeting cards are printWe immediately realized that our different ed images of original art she creates with cut paper inspired by special people, places styles would make finding a cohesive theme challenging. Fortunately, it’s our differencand moments. es in philosophy in both life and art that have always made us so strong together.

Debra Joy Groesser is a professional oil Like our philosophies, our different styles painter and workshop instructor based raw, primal, impressionistic, mercurial, polin Nebraska and is the CEO/President of ished, ambient - come together to create American Impressionist Society. harmony. A shared focus on line, balance, and contrast gives us an appreciation and Judith Anthony Johnston is a painter understanding of each other’s work, and who works with gold and metal leaf, oils, we’re excited to share that with you. charcoals, wax and wire sculpture. She is featuring her portraits in this show.

So come join us for a look into our individKatrina Methot-Swanson is a professional ual perspectives and our shared insight. oil painter based in Omaha, Nebraska. She We’re holding an opening reception on Saturday, June 1st from 6-8p. We’ll have paints realistic work of Omaha’s Old Marrefreshments, so drop by, have a drink, ket and the surrounding area. chat, and check out our different pieces and products. We’ll see you there!

Gingers Hang Up Custom Framing Art Gallery Presented by Heather Tomasello Art, 8455 Frederick Street Tricky Fish Photography, and Revival BuyOmaha, NE 68124 Sell-Trade, “Mutual Understanding” runs 402-391-6440 throughout the month of June in the beautiful, eclectic Benson area. Stop by during Hours any of the available times for some art, Monday - Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm affordably-priced popular clothing brands, Saturday, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm ------------------------------------------------------ and local artisan products!

SATURDAY, JUNE 1 NATURE’S COLORFUL THREADS BY THE OMAHA WEAVERS & SPINNERS GUILD FOCUS OMAHA LAURITZENS GARDENS, 9a WHAT’S YOUR FOCUS? The Omaha Weavers and Spinners Guild

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For Nature’s Colorful Threads, guild members have created pieces, individually or collaboratively, that showcase the various ways that fibers and dyes found in nature can become works of art.

-----------------------------------------------------SATURDAY, JUNE 1 MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING HEATHER AND ANDROMEDA ON “MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING”: REVIVAL BUY-SELL-TRADE, 6007 MAPLE

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

Join us for a night that will change the conversation on mental health.

This won’t be your typical event—because we don’t have an ordinary problem on our hands. Your presence is needed. And so is your voice. We look forward to seeing you there.

Drinks and appetizers will be served.

Location: 1150 Sterling Ridge Drive, Suite 101, Omaha, Nebraska 68144 Ticket Cost: Free Time: 5-8 PM Dress code: Casual

Register for the free event! https://speaksoutworld.salsalabs.org/FashionSpeaksOutGraes/index.html?page=register Donate here or during the event! https://www.fashionspeaksout.com/donate -----------------------------------------------------THROUGH JUNE 15 ALISON O’DANIEL’S HEAVY AIR & LUI SHTINI’S TEMPOS, BEMIS CENTER FOR CONTEMPORARY ARTS, 724 S. 12TH ST. Alison O’Daniel is a visual artist working across the mediums of film, performance, sculpture, and installation. Structured as a call-and-response between these mediums, she creates cinema, performances, sound-dampening textiles, sculptures and large-scale installations that intend to visualize what it means to not have complete access to sound. Through collaborations with composers and musicians as well as the experiences of deaf and hard of hearing friends regarding sound, O’Daniel’s work aims at building a visual, aural, and haptic vocabulary as a means of storytelling. bemiscenter.org ------------------------------------------------------

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22 5

FRIDAY, MAY 31 | 7:30P-10:30P FREE MOVIE INCREDIBLES 2 SUMTUR AMPHITHEATER, 11691 S 108 Free popular movies under the stars all summer long. Gates and concessions open at 7:30 pm with movies starting at dusk.

Movies and dates are subject to change.

See SumTur.org for the latest schedule.

-----------------------------------------------------SATURDAY, JUNE 1 THE CHARITY RUN - 10a MOTORCYCLE POKER RUN DEFIANCE HARLEY-DAVIDSON 11a-1p Juniors Forgot Store The 33rd Annual Charity Run will be held 6-1-19 starting and ending at Defiance Harley Davidson with a Shoot To Thrill an AC/DC Tribute and refreshments. $500 first prize. All the cool kids will be there!

-----------------------------------------------------SATURDAY, JUNE 1 GRAND OPENING OF 727 S 13TH ST. A SACRED SEED POP-UP Nature! Neighbors! Conversation!

Join local nonprofits, businesses, and volun-

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teers to kick off a season of collaboration and community at the corner of 13th and Leavenworth! We’ll have activities for kids, music, and more.

-----------------------------------------------------SATURDAY, JUNE 1 | 3p CASTLEPALOOZA: A FREE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL! The Joslyn Castle is excited to welcome our community to Castlepalooza, a FREE neighborhood festival scheduled for June 1, 2019 on the grounds of the historic estate!

at City of Omaha Parks & Recreation for providing the stage!

Families will enjoy face painting, games, and educational activities from The Rose Theater Omaha, Aqua-Africa, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, and more!

Chicago Dawg House Omaha and Maria Bonita Food Truck will be serving tasty dinner options from their food trucks, and Kona Ice of Omaha will be selling shaved Castlepalooza will feature live music, activ- ice! Scriptown Brewing Company is back ities for families, yoga on the lawn, vendors, with craft beer on tap! food trucks and beverages. We are looking to attract thousands of people to the Joslyn All-ages Yoga on the Lawn will kick-off at Castle estate for a fun evening on our 5pm with Julie McKeone of My Studio Anahistoric grounds. hata Yoga. Bring your own mat and meet on Live music on the Castlepalooza stage will feature BluesEd’s youth jazz group The Redwoods, Colin Roberts, and Southpaw BluegrassBand! Thank you to our partners

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

the southeast corner of the lawn!

Festivities will kick-off at 3pm and conclude at 9pm on Saturday, June 1st. Castlepalooza will be a celebration of over 115 years of

the Joslyn Castle in Omaha.

Castlepalooza is generously sponsored by our friends at Ground Builders. Inc., University of Nebraska Medical Center - UNMC, Quality Brands of Omaha, and Firespring.

Our media partners are Fox 42 KPTM and CW 15 KXVO. All proceeds benefit the Joslyn Castle, a 501(c)3 nonprofit. The Joslyn Castle preserves the legacy of George and Sarah Joslyn through stewardship of their historic home and by offering diverse cultural programming that informs and inspires the community.

-----------------------------------------------------SATURDAY, JUNE 1 & SUNDAY, JUNE 2 6:30p & 11a ST. PIUS X CATHOLIC CHURCH, 6905 BLONDO ST, OMAHA, NE 68104 Family events continued onto the bottom half of page 7.

EVENTS THURSDAY, MAY 30

Classic Car Cruise-In, Quaker Steak, 5p -----------------------------------------------------NotUTwo, McCoys at Thunderbowl, 6:30p

FRIDAY, MAY 31

Domestic Blend, McCoy’s Thunderbowl, 6p -----------------------------------------------------Forgiven Sinner, CrossRoads Church, 7p -----------------------------------------------------Dustin Lynch, Stir Cove, 8p -----------------------------------------------------Chad Lee, Amerisports Bar, 8:30p -----------------------------------------------------Hip-Hop/Rap, CUBE Ultra Loungem 9p

WHAT’S YOUR FOCUS?

SATURDAY, JUNE 1

2019 Perennial Plant Sale Historic General Dodge House, 9a -----------------------------------------------------June Craft, Antique, and Junk Show Mall of the Bluffs, 10a -----------------------------------------------------Charity Golf Dodge Riverside Golf Club, 2p -----------------------------------------------------Grey at Heart : Impetus Harvester Artist Lofts & Gallery, 4p -----------------------------------------------------OMB, Pioneer Trail Orchard, 7p -----------------------------------------------------Tesla/Candlebox, Stir Cove, 8p -----------------------------------------------------Chad Lee, Amerisports Bar, 8:30p -----------------------------------------------------Petty Cash, The Dock Bar & Grill, 9p

WHAT’S YOUR FOCUS?

Family events continued from page 6. and get your tickets now at http://bidpal. net/shfestival2019! www.stpiusxomaha.org St. Pius X parish festival on June 1-2. There are lots of ways to take part. Just come and enjoy either the Saturday night over 21 event and/or the the family festival on Sunday June 2. Lots of new things. One of which is the big ticket raffle. 4 great packages: Side of beef that includes a smoker and a smaller freezer, Patio Furniture and Fire Pit, 2 tickets to Les Miserable, hotel stay, evening dinner, breakfast, drinks in downtown Omaha, and 65” TV with surround sound, xbox and headphones. Our concessions will now offer Valentinos pizza in addition to the regular great burgers, etc. and almost twice as many carnival games for all ages. On Sunday there is a Dodgeball tournament. Finally, we need lots of hands, whether by donating items or volunteering. More information on all of this can be found at www.stpiusxomaha.org or in the narthex of the church.

-----------------------------------------------------SUNDAY, JUNE 2 | 12p SACRED HEART SUMMER FESTIVAL SACRED HEART PARISH Sacred Heart will be blocking off 22nd street from Binney to Wirt to fill the streets with fun filled activities for kids and adults!

Pony rides, face painting, clowns, carnival games, a bounce house and so much more!

Burgers, brats, chicken, chips, sides and more will be provided with a ticket. (Buy beer and mixed drinks tickets separate) Silent auction open May 30.

Come join the Sacred Heart community

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22 7

WEDNESDAY MAY 29 Hippie Happy Hour The Down Under Lounge, 3p --------------------------------------------Dr. Webb Music The Down Under Lounge, 4:20p ----------------------------------------------Mug Club Party with the Barry Boyce Band Huber Haus German Bier Hall, 6p , Ozone Lounge, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Héctor Anchondo Band The Jewell, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Bike Nights w/ 4 On The Floor Therapy Bar and Grill, 7p --------------------------------------------Miss Saigon, Orpheum Theatre, 7:30p --------------------------------------------Sweet Tea Music, The Omaha Lounge, 7:30p --------------------------------------------Bad Habit, American Dream, 8 --------------------------------------------Awakebutstillinbed w/ Pity Party & Living Conditions Reverb Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Chelsea Grin – The Eternal Nightmare Tour The Waiting Room Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Wobble Wednesday w Devon Dupree Karma Nightclub, 9p --------------------------------------------Another Wednesday Night Karaoke Brokedown Palace, 10p --------------------------------------------Omaha Slam Team The Down Under Lounge, 10p

THURSDAY MAY 30 Lil’ Ed and the Blues Imperials Chrome Lounge, 5p --------------------------------------------Steve Lovett Jazz, A Louisiana Kichen, 6p --------------------------------------------Ish & Friends, Ozone Lounge, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Legendary Guitarist - Russell Malone The Jewell, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Skretta Etc. Vino Mas, 6:30p ---------------------------------------------

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The Angry Minnows Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 7p --------------------------------------------Omaha’s Clash of the Comics Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p --------------------------------------------The Camille Metoyer Moten Band Growler USA, 8p --------------------------------------------Langdon Kennedy The Barley Street Tavern, 8p --------------------------------------------Scky Rei, Zay Gaines, Buddi3 Tha Gawd & Conny Franko Slowdown, 8p --------------------------------------------Jules & Joe, Harney Street Tavern, 9p --------------------------------------------College Night w/ DJ Grig Karma Nightclub, 9p --------------------------------------------Chris Shelton, Dubliner Pub, 9:30p --------------------------------------------Diego Danger w/Mississippi Jake The Down Under Lounge, 9:30p --------------------------------------------Dirty Thursday with DFM Bar 415, 10p

FRIDAY MAY 31 Taste of Omaha Lewis & Clark Landing, 11a --------------------------------------------Us & Them The B. Bar, 5p --------------------------------------------Dixieland Jam Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 6p --------------------------------------------Bomb Night, The New Frontier Bar, 6p --------------------------------------------4 On The Floor, Surfside Club, 6p --------------------------------------------Live Wire, Bogie’s West, 6:30p --------------------------------------------The Pump And Dump Show: Parentally Incorrect Tour, Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p --------------------------------------------Mozart & Mahler Holland Center, 7:30p --------------------------------------------Dustin Lynch, Stir Cove, 8p --------------------------------------------Randall King with Jake Worthington The Waiting Room, 8p --------------------------------------------T2D, Broken Skulls, Molten, Stately Wayne Manor, American Dream, 9p

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

Mercury Girl, Chrome Lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------Earthbound & Down Single Release Party Harney Street Tavern, 9p --------------------------------------------Avicii Tribute Night Karma Nightclub, 9p --------------------------------------------Pop Theory Ozone Lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------Sleep & Big Business Slowdown, 9p --------------------------------------------There Can Only Be One - Rap Battle Wired Pub, 9p --------------------------------------------Jerry Pranksters Dubliner Pub, 9:30p --------------------------------------------VMPG, The Monolithic, Ghostcat The Down Under Lounge, 9:30p

SATURDAY JUNE 1 Taste of Omaha Lewis & Clark Landing, 11a --------------------------------------------Bikini Car Wash Twin Peaks Restaurants, 12p --------------------------------------------Benson Beer Fest 2019 Benson, 3p --------------------------------------------Blue Sunday The Down Under Lounge, 4p --------------------------------------------Adrian Arriola and Kajaam Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 6p --------------------------------------------The Strange Noize Tour 2019 featuring Stevie Stone & Madchild, Lookout Lounge, 6p --------------------------------------------The Bad Influence, Surfside Club, 6p --------------------------------------------The Power Strangers w/ Grover’s Groove Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 7p --------------------------------------------John Novosad Omaha Funny Bone, 7p --------------------------------------------Omaha Heart Vs Denver, Ralston Arena, 7p --------------------------------------------Karaoke, Starsky’s, 7p --------------------------------------------Joystick, Stinson Park, 7p --------------------------------------------Floodfest 2019 Benefit w/ Tony Geist, Trac

Schacht, Topher Booth & more The Apollon, 7p --------------------------------------------The Coconuts Vino Mas, 7p --------------------------------------------Mozart & Mahler Holland Center, 7:30p --------------------------------------------The Clincher with Tetelestai & Stronghold Reverb Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Music by Adam Lee Therapy Bar & Grill, 8p --------------------------------------------Satchel Grande The Waiting Room, 8p --------------------------------------------Yungbluth and Sloan The New Frontier Bar, 8p --------------------------------------------The Zooeys // Michael Tuosto Barley Street Tavern, 9p --------------------------------------------Gongfermour Pop Dada CD Release Show brothers lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------Quadrocker, Chrome Lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------Eckophonic, Ozone Lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------Joe McCarthy, Havana Garage, 9p --------------------------------------------Kozee Karaoke, Kozee Lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------Reggae night | The B. Bar, 9p --------------------------------------------DJ Animale The Cove Lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------Red Delicious Two Fine Irishmen, 9p --------------------------------------------Dicey Riley Dubliner Pub, 9:30p --------------------------------------------Jaguar James Harney Street Tavern, 9:30p --------------------------------------------The Party After w/Luke Redfield The Down Under, 9:30p --------------------------------------------Jollys ~ No Thanks ~ The Regulation O’Leaver’s, 10p

SUNDAY JUNE 2

Omaha Biathlon Lewis and Clark Landing, 9a --------------------------------------------Taste of Omaha Lewis & Clark Landing, 11a --------------------------------------------The Brickway Open Knolls Golf Course , 12p --------------------------------------------National Cancer Survivor Day Movie Event!

Omaha Funny Bone, 4:30p --------------------------------------------Audio Mind Surfside Club, 5p --------------------------------------------Dave Alvin and Jimmie Dale Gilmore The Guilty Ones The Waiting Room, 5p --------------------------------------------Orca Welles, The Beeves, Solo Safe & Conquistador, Reverb Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Karaoke Sundays Parliament Pub Downtown, 10p

MONDAY JUNE 3

TMNT Double Feature, Dudes!

The Down Under, 3p --------------------------------------------Free Pool Billiards, Big John’s, 6p --------------------------------------------Aly Peeler and Andrew Bailie Monarch Prime & Bar, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Ozone Big Band, Ozone Lounge, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Bar Bingo, Molly’s Pub Ralston, 7p --------------------------------------------Trivia Mafia Monday’s Vis Major Brewing Co, 7p

Michelle Eva Bleu featuring B. Baldwin The Omaha Lounge, 7:30p --------------------------------------------Service Industry NIGHT Addy’s Maple, 9p --------------------------------------------Blue Monday Blues Jam The Down Under, 9p

TUESDAY JUNE 4 Open Jam, Barley Strret Tavern, 7p --------------------------------------------Waking The Cadaver WSG Kraanium, Cognitive, Alukah & Carnographer Lookout Lounge, 7p --------------------------------------------Miss Saigon, Orpheum Theatre, 7:30p --------------------------------------------The Blues w/Héctor Anchondo The Omaha Lounge, 7:30p --------------------------------------------Spencer’s Trivia Dojo The Down Under Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Industry Night w/ DJ Sam EC Parliament Pub West, 9p --------------------------------------------Inter Arma with Thantifaxath Slowdown, 9p --------------------------------------------IPJ’s Nebraska Debut The B. Bar, 9p --------------------------------------------Open Mic (Standup) The Backline, 9p --------------------------------------------Daniel Does Karaoke Vol. 3 The Down Under Lounge, 10p

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22 9

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THURSDAY MAY 30

Scky Rei SLOWDOWN

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SATURDAY JUNE 1

Castlepalooza

JOSLYN CASTLE

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FRIDAY- SUNDAY MAY 31-JUNE 2

Taste Of Omaha OLD MARKET

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SATURDAY JUNE 1

Strength Behind the Blue BAXTER ARENA

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

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FRIDAY MAY 31

Randall King WAITING ROOM

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SATURDAY JUNE 1

Stache Bash SLOWDOWN

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FRIDAY MAY 31

Dustin Lynch STIR COVE

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SATURDAY JUNE 1

Tesla & Candlebox STIR COVE

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FRIDAY MAY 31

Sleep SLOWDOWN

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SUNDAY JUNE 2

Diane Coffee SLOWDOWN

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22 11

Creighton After four regular-season titles, Creighton finally won the Big East Tournament and heads to Corvallis, Oregon, for NCAA Tournament play. The Beavers are the defending national champs and come in as the 16th among the #1 seeds. CU is #2 seed, just missing out on hosting.

It will not be easy, but winning in Ohio wasn’t easy.

It quickly became obvious that the Big East Tournament was not being played in TD Ameritrade Park. Balls started flying out of Prasco Park in Mason, Ohio, as soon as the teams got off the bus.

Trailing 8-4 in the eighth inning, a 58-minute lightning delay set the stage for a 10-9 comeback win over Seton Hall in the opening game of the Big East Tournament last Thursday.

After the lightning delay, the Bluejay bats came to life. The lightning strike hit with one down and the bases empty in Seton Hall’s half of the frame. When play resumed Bluejay junior Mitch Boyer relieved southpaw Ryan Connolly and got the final two outs of the frame. CU’s comeback began right away and after a series of events, junior Parker Upton made it an 8-7 contest with another home run to left-center field.

Seton Hall pushed across an insurance run in the ninth but, trailing 9-7 in the ninth junior Will Robertson opened the inning by lining a double into the right-field corner. A walk, a wild pitch and a two-run single made things even before Will Hanafan bounced a ball off Seton Hall first basemen Matt Toke’s glove allowing the game-winning run to score.

Creighton reliever John Sakowski collected the win (6-0) after allowing an unearned run

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in the ninth.

Wolverines finished conference play with a loss to Nebraska in Omaha but own Friday night’s four-hour slugfest set multiple three games in the tournament and bring a tournament records, ultimately ending in a 41-18 mark to the game. They have a nice 17-13 Creighton win and a spot in the title combination of pitching and power while game. bringing some momentum to the Friday afternoon game. Michigan finished second Trailing 3-0 in the top of the first inning in the Big Ten during the regular season and on Saturday, senior Jack Strunc, who was topped the conference in scoring with 404 named the tournament’s MVP, put the runs and a 3.49 ERA. The Wolverines scored Creighton Baseball team in front for good 36 runs in their last four games. with a grand slam in the bottom of the first.

Oregon State (36-18-1) meets Cincinnati The back and forth continued in the Xavier (30-29), the regional’s No. 4 seed. OSU is sixth as Connor Grammes blasted a two-run hosting a regional for the third straight home run to left, cutting Creighton’s lead year. The Beavers placed third in the Pac-12 to 9-8. After a walk put the tying run on behind league-champion UCLA (47-8, 24-5) base, junior reliever Ben Dotzler struck out and Stanford (41-11, 22-7), but had won just Major. With one out in the frame, Creighton five of their final 13 games. They have three head coach Ed Servais turned to junior John national titles with 2006 and 2007 plus last Sakowski, the Bluejay hurler got out of the year. inning unscathed to keep Creighton in front 9-8.

Cincinnati qualified by beating Connecticut 22-5 in the American Athletic Conference Sakowski worked around two Xavier base Tournament on Sunday. It’s the club’s first runners in the seventh and retired the trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1974.

Musketeers in order in the eighth. The ninth was edgy as the Musketeers got a Omaha leadoff walk and a one-out single to put The Mavericks made history, getting into runners at corners. With nine-hole hitter the NCAA Baseball Tournament for the first Natalie Monastra at the plate, Xavier put time since becoming a member of Division on a squeeze bunt. Sakowski hopped off One. In doing that, they also vanquished an the mound and chased down Xavier’s Ryan old rival, Oral Roberts, which had claimed Altenberger as he tried to score. The final 19 of the previous 21 tournament titles. out came on the next pitch with a groundThat sends them off to Los Angeles as the out to first base.

No. 4 regional seed where they play UCLA (47-8, 24-5), the Pac-12 champions and The win pushed Creighton to 38-11 on the top regional seed and No. 1 overall seed. season as the Bluejays advance to the NCAA The game is set for Friday night and should Championships for the first time since 2012 be right on schedule since it never rains in as the automatic qualifier for the Big East Southern California.

Tournament.

Top-seeded Omaha baseball secured a It’s off to Oregon State for the regionals.

15-9 win over No. 4 Western Illinois on Michigan is on deck for the Jays. The the opening day of The Summit League

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

Championship Wednesday afternoon at J.L. Johnson Stadium and Omaha advanced in the winner’s bracket.

Payton Kinney continued his stellar season as he improved to 10-1 on the season with six shutout innings on four strikeouts, three hits and two walks allowed. WIU’s Javin Drake fell to 7-6 on the season with four strikeouts, 11 runs (10 earned), four walks and nine hits allowed.

At the plate, a quartet of Mavericks notched two-hit performances.

On Friday the Mavs advanced to the club’s first Summit League title game in program history as they gutted out a semifinal win over No. 3 Oral Roberts, 3-2. With an Oral Roberts runner on third with two outs, Omaha was able to hold on and close the game on a 6-3 putout. On the mound, Joey Machado tossed 7.0 innings and improved to 6-2 on the season.

Saturday meant two more games with ORU with the league title and NCAA bid in the balance.

Omaha fell into an early 3-0 hole on just one Oral Roberts hit in the bottom of the first.

The Golden Eagles scored on an Omaha infield error with no outs for the 1-0 lead.

The next two runs came on a groundout-RBI and a sacrifice fly-RBI. Later in the bottom of the third, Oral Roberts plated a single-RBI up the middle for the fourth run. The Mavericks were able to get out of the bases-loaded jam with a groundout. Omaha saw some momentum in the top of the fifth with the bases loaded and just one out but left all three stranded. The ORU lead increased to 6-0 after a single to right field plated a runner in the bottom of the fifth and that was pretty much the story.

It was then one game for the bid and the Mavericks got some early momentum with a leadoff single but left three men stranded.

An inning later Omaha bounced back and struck first on a solo homer by Braden Rogers. An RBI-triple by Keil Krumwiede that scored Max Gamm soon followed and made it 2-0 Omaha.

note Bluejays) they turned around and beat then #3 ranked Texas Tech 2-1.

After Payton Kinney retired 13 consecutive batters in the top of the sixth, the Mavericks again got their bats going with the help of Rogers. The senior from Oklahoma smacked his second homer of the game for a 4-0 lead.

The season has been somewhat perplexing in that regard. Just when you think the Huskers are firing on all cylinders, they seem to sputter. Much of this is due to the overall youth of the team (although they’re going to need to find some consistent young pitching) and bodes well for them as they move forward. The quality of their pre-conference schedule along with a grueling Big Ten conference tournament will hopefully have them prepared for an interesting Regional.

With one out and runners on first and second in the eighth, Grant Suponchick came in relief for Kinney and got the next two outs for the Mavericks on a strikeout and a groundout. Cal Hehnke entered in the final inning and was able to get the last three outs.

Speaking of the Big Ten tournament, the Huskers overcame weather delays, almost being ten run ruled themselves by Michigan after taking it to Iowa and coming back to defeat Michigan in their second game before finally falling in the final to Ohio State.

Kinney fanned 10 batters with just one hit and three walks allowed through 7.1 shutout innings. Rogers notched two homers for three RBI in four at-bats as Omaha (31-21-1) claimed the tourney title reversing the tables from the earlier game with a 4-0 shutout win.

Baylor (34-17) and Loyola Marymount (3223) are the other teams in the UCLA regional at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The Bears dropped 2 of 3 to Nebraska earlier in the season and are making their third straight appearance in the tournament.

They say there’s No Place Like Nebraska and when it comes to the Huskers and baseball, the saying is correct. In 2014, attendance reached 62,044, shattering the old tournament record of 12,219. This year, mainly due to weather-related 9 am start times the tournament had a total of 47,790 fans including the final which drew 17,503 and was the second highest single-game attendance for any game in college baseball this year next to Georgia vs. Georgia Tech on 4/23 which drew 18,861 fans.

Loyola Marymount – best known for its basketball teams of a quarter century ago – is led by Trevin Esquerra, a .325 hitter with 141 total bases and 16 homers who plays infield and outfield. The Lions finished a three-game sweep through the West Coast Conference Tournament with a pair of wins over Saint Mary’s.

On to the Regionals, the Huskers drew a #3 seed and will travel to the Oklahoma City Regional where they will face #2 UConn on Friday at noon. The 36-23 Huskies were stunned in the final of the AAC tournament where they were clobbered 22-5 by the Cincinnati Bearcats who are 30-29. The win earned the Bearcats their first NCAA Tournament bid since 1974. The NU vs.

UConn game will be televised on ESPN3.

Nebraska Nebraska 31-22 (15-9 Big Ten) had an interesting beginning to the season. After losing a four-game series to then #7 ranked Oregon State in not so pretty fashion (take

GET YOUR FOCUS ON! www.focusomaha.com Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22 13

inevitable success is to fulfill your potential.

Another morning, new each time. A distinct, heavy feeling suppressing drive. You lock your car with the horn against an organ and the faintest litany of encouragement as you soar unapologetically above concrete paths and plotted land. Explore the depths of this new album featuring many notable collaborators and endorsements throughout. The album closes with a modern image of the singer on stage in camp. Deep percussive thoughts and honest questions to the vibrating high notes.

Tyler the Creator, “IGOR”

Gas yourself in the morning. Tell yourself in the mirror that you have the world, as “A BOY IS A GUN,” demonstrates one may. IGOR reminds of the 1960s with background singers against truth-bearing falsetto, triplets on the rudiment. Fuzzier rapping over the same concerned synthesizer has an advanced sound for lovers of mixed media and the 1990s.

Once reunited with yourself after this journey through the mind, accept that your love is gone, as “GONE GONE/ THANK YOU.” Come back to yourself, even if you feel that you are not relevant. The best way to get there is enshrined on record, “wasted potential... crushes your spirit.” Emotional workouts are important but not always feel-good. A path to

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The stereotypical American Traveler is eager to learn how to acquire unwavering skills to live by because they have no sense of self.

However unfortunate that state is, is there no merit in flight?

You are a villager now, accepted into a new region. No one knows your past and no one cares either unless you are in the high-ups. As kin, we must respect the path of others and allow for less pretense in life as we leave our mark on the world. If we have the means and drive to travel to uncharted lands with our hollow wings and eat around with our dulled beaks, we should, with care. Our lives are not as expectant as advertised in the media. There is not a cure for a cure’s side effect.

“Sick Birds Die Easy,” is well-behaved propaganda. It explores the myth of stereotypes while adopting the acts of Americans. The answers posed in the film to have been found cross-culturally speak to the contemporary uproar of Imperialism. Calling all herbalists, sustainablists, and skeptics, “Sick Birds Die Easy” will captivate its viewers in one way or another.

You will see a genuine side of a young American looking for freedom through travel. May be referred to negatively as “escapist.” Having little ties to the physical world is a blessing just as someone with an aversion to travel.

By Tatiana Ballinger This album was released May 16, 2019 to Columbia Records. IGOR is an account of a day in the life of liminal Summer as said in Rolling Stone, May 20, 2019. Forty minutes of music will show you how to cultivate your confidence but in the softest and nicest way possible.

Some people respond better to a thoughtful approach; some prefer “blunt” honesty and getting straight-to-the-point. Creamy flutes next to polarized synthesizer at the start, the gallivanting narrative wakes up in the middle of an epiphany. Distorted vocalized intention for the day flocks over toxic thoughts. IGOR is not for someone with a short temper, however, it could also be the perfect medicine to get a glimpse of the light as stated in the opening tracks.

with awkward informal interviews revealing the backstories of the starring cast. It is lead by a tactful and poetically written narrative, so as to not oppose the ridicularity one encounters on a soul search. The film is not painless.

Samuel Adam Martin, “Sick Birds Die Easy”

By Tatiana Ballinger Good low budget satire emerges on Amazon Prime with an original soundtrack by Omaha native Samuel Adam Martin. This movie explores “eurotourism” as Samuel states. The filmmakers try to prove what we, as individuals would be without politics or capitalism.

Humanity is the sick bird relentlessly holding on, as our cultures die easily in the downfalls of society. Is the American tourist entitled to knowledge on cultures? Any other person?

The stereotypical American is based on a militant zeal of immortality and skeptical nature of outside cultures. The film captures this sheltered perspective in a very unassuming way

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

Getting to Know The Wolves of East Los Angeles: Los Lobos

By Jesse D. Stanek

The same neighborhood buddies who started Los Lobos in 1973 are still in Los Lobos. After bonding over a mutual affinity for obscure acts like Ry Cooder and the South-of-theborder AM radio fare their grandmothers listened to, David Hidalgo, Louie Perez, Cesar Rosas and Conrad Lozano are still the lifeblood of the band, adding keyboardist/ producer Steve Berlin in 1977. Interviewing Berlin a decade or so back, he quipped “they still call me the new guy.” Mix in a devoted understanding of rock and roll from Buddy Holly to Black Sabbath and you’re starting to get an idea of just how great Los Lobos is. I first fell in love with the band around the time it broke through to international stardom with some solid covers on the “La Bamba Original Soundtrack” in the late 80s. Early Lobos is straight-forward rock and roll tinged with some Mexican nuances, some romping accordion runs and Hidalgo’s angelic vocals.

The band morphed into something entirely different over the past 45-plus years, a daring and inventive collaborative more-than-willing to play and conceive outside of its established comfort zone, a band whose one-offs and adventurous spirit makes for some of the most rewarding listening experiences available. In short, Los Lobos is the shit.

“River of Fools” and “Tears of God” show a different side to the hard-rocking bards of the barrio, a softer, gentler band emerges, flames from a candle shifting slightly from the breeze of the open window, an inherent understanding of just what pulls the human heart-strings. Their cover of the Grateful Dead’s “Bertha” is so powerful and in-yourface that Dead bassist Phil Lesh said after Garcia’s passing he wouldn’t play the song anymore, Los Lobos owned it. Lobos toured with the Dead a handful of times and Garcia referred to them as his “favorite rock and roll band.” Its place in the lexicon of California rock bands is every bit as secure as the Dead’s and Jane’s Addiction’s. “Angels with Dirty Faces” and “Saint Behind the Glass” showcase the peculiar production and left-ofcenter flavors the band would later explore.

Hidalgo is one of the few vocalists who can successfully cover Marvin Gaye and the band’s take on “What’s Going On” is every bit as passionately urgent as the original.

1992’s “Kiko” is an “All-Time Top 10” album for me, the highest distinction I can bequeath on a record. I first fell in love with this one on a cross-country U-Haul drive, a beat-up boombox jacked on Duracells sitting on the bench beside me my only source of music.

Didn’t realize those trucks didn’t have radios.

“Just Another Band From East L.A.: A ColI had four or five cassettes from the library, lection” is a great place to start. Originally couldn’t tell you what any of the other tapes released as a double album in 1993, the colwere but I sure remember “Kiko.” Not a dud lection serves as a great introduction to the on the album, all the songs mix-tape worthy, band and has all the “La Bamba” stuff you’ll no need to skip ahead. “Kiko” is in and of want (“La Bamba” and “Come On, Let’s Go”).

The first half of the set features a smattering itself a great mixtape (if you were born in the 90s or later, a mixtape was like a playlist of originals off of the seminal studio albums “Will the Wolf Survive,” “The Neighborhood,” that you had to put actual thought and “By the Light of the Moon” and “Kiko,” excel- effort into). This is the album where Lobos first showcased its sonic ambitions, spare lently mixed in with the Spanish-language roots-folk-rock of their childhoods. “Will the and gorgeous, the album had textures and layers beyond anything done to that point.

Wolf Survive” is everything about rock and The guitars crystal clear and clean, sharp roll that makes you want to pump your fist and cutting. I remember trying to sleep for in the air: rollicking guitars, an imminently hummable melody, beastly drums with a tight a few before the sun came up, off to the side of the highway at the monument for Custer’s bass in the back-pocket and Hidalgo’s voice Last Stand. I don’t know if you’ve ever tying it all together beautifully. “One Time One Night” finds the band firing on all fronts, experienced the unique luxury of attempting slumber on the front bench of a U-Haul rental creating something beautifully unique yet but it’s a tight fit with little room for wiggle so part of some sub-conscious life-force it seems to have always been around, a song so or error. “When the Circus Comes” crooning me to sleep, rewinding a few times before memorable and brilliant you’ll swear you’ve heard it a handful of times on your first listen. letting the side play out and finally sleeping.

Exotic and simple, beautifully strummed with majestic and sparse drumming, the ache in Hidalgo’s voice alone well-worth the price of admission. “Reva’s House” and “Two Janes” giving a nod to the straight-forward Lobos rock-emsock-em, punch-em-knock-em rock and roll the band is known for. Say that three times really fast. “Kiko and the Lavender Moon” is sexy and mysterious, offbeat and lilting, an accordion crying and carrying the tune’s gypsy melody the whole way through.

When the band released “Colossal Head” shortly after “Kiko” in 1996 they were already in their second decade of making records. Unlike most of the band’s brethren, Lobos continued to get more inventive and daring, always staying true to the rootsrock sensibilities it defined itself with but playing around with distortion and feedback, utilizing loops and odd-time signatures, creating something completely different out of old parts. “Colossal Head” was pretty much panned by the critics but as with many brilliant albums, it has since received many a favorable second look. The album was ahead of its time and the mood is infectious, the perfect soundtrack for keeping the energy level up after a night of great live music. The whole band gets producer credits on the record but it’s Berlin stretching his creative vision that makes “Colossal” stand out. Berlin has produced albums by bands including REM, The Replacements, John Lee Hooker, Faith No More, Deer Tick, String Cheese Incident and The Beat Farmers. Yeah, Steve Berlin is hot-shit in the studio.

“Disconnected in New York City (Live)” is a great download for capturing the top-shelf musicianship of Los Lobos. These guys have been playing together for more than 45 years and you can tell, they play off each other with instinct and a deep-rooted understanding.

The set-up for this recording is all acoustic which is unique for Lobos, a treat in more ways than one. The bare-bones feel gives you a sense of just how outrageous these songs and the required playing are, all over the map

and precise, acoustic serves Lobos well. The setlist features quite a few tunes not in the standard Los Lobos live playbook: “Chuco’s Cumbia,” “Tears of God,” “Oh Yeah” from 1999’s critically underrated “This Time,” “Tin Can Trust” and “Malaque” among the highlights. No matter where you dive into the Lobos world, you’re going to uncover a boatload of great original music. Because the band has managed to stay together and relevant, one can only assume the band has another couple masterpieces under its sombrero.

Records to Stream/Download: Los Lobos: “Just Another Band from East L.A.: A Collection Los Lobos: “Kiko” Los Lobos: Colossal Head” Los Lobos: “Disconnected in New York City (Live)” Focus On The Stream/Getting to Know is a weekly column by contributing writer Jesse Stanek. Each week the column will introduce (or in the case of many artists reintroduce) the reader to a different band or artist and tell you why they’re worth checking out. The column will recommend albums by the artist/band to stream or download.

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22 15

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Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

Benson meets Old Market first Fridays via free zTrip shuttles BFF, the non-profit that created Benson’s booming first Fridays, is teaming up with zTrip, the new Omaha taxi company. During June 7th and July 5th first Fridays, BFF and zTrip partner to connect Benson and Old Market via FREE transportation provided by zTrip. For BFF, this partnership is a step in the right direction towards a more unified Omaha first Friday and arts scene and a growing community!

Vans will be located at both Ted & Wally’s locations from 6 - 9 p.m. To claim their free ride, event-goers simply show their Benson first Friday event map, either digitally or printed, to the zTrip representatives who will be stationed outside each Ted & Wally’s.

Printed maps can be found at all participating Benson galleries, businesses, and the Summer Street Series and Artist Market, a free event held at BFF’s Maple Street and

Military Avenue street closure. Digital maps can be found at http://bffomaha.org/map.

Passengers are highly encouraged to tip the driver!

CALLS FOR ARTISTS!!!

Please view website for submission fields for: - Interactive Artists - Artist Market Vendors - Live Artists - Performers - Community Organizations - Food Vendors Artist Market Vendor BFF’s monthly Artist Market runs May-September and is FREE TO VEND - because we love you.

Sign up ONLINE to reserve your space! http://www.bffomaha.org/summer.html All SSS events are located on Military Ave and Maple St. - and occur 5pm-10pm on the first Friday of each month May-September.

Once you reserve your space, you will be contacted within the month with further event details. www.bffomaha.org

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22 17

Mosquitoes Are Back!

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), mosquito-borne illnesses affect 100 million people per year around the globe. With mosquitoes making their return for the summer, some possibly carrying West Nile virus, it is important to fight the bite.

The Douglas County Health Department (DCHD) is using mosquito larvicide in potential breeding sites or stagnant waterways to prevent the spread of West Nile virus and reducing mosquito populations.

Using CDC funding, DCHD will trap mosquitoes every other week beginning March 28, 2019, to survey their populations and variety in Douglas County. Trapped mosquitoes are counted and tested for Zika, West Nile virus and Chikungunya at the Nebraska state public health lab.

birds and test them for West Nile virus including crows, black-billed magpies, and blue jays. After testing confirms a positive West Nile bird in Douglas County, the collection will stop. Birds must appear to have died within the last 24 hours and must not be decomposed. Please call the Douglas County Health Department at 402-444-7481 to report this information.

2019 Nebraska Walk to Cure Arthritis

Here’s how you can help protect yourself from mosquito bites: • You can apply a mosquito repellent that includes DEET, and the CDC also has approved picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus.

Saturday, June 1, 2019 • When using sunscreen the CDC Werner Park, 8am recommends applying sunscreen before repellant and avoid using combined ONE Can Make a Difference products.

• Wear loose, long-sleeved shirts, plus Arthritis is tough, but we are even tougher – “The West Nile virus is established in Douglas pants, shoes, and socks when outdoors.

County and we can expect more cases,” Health • Avoid outdoor activity around dawn and Director Dr. Adi Pour stated. “With flooding dusk when mosquitoes are most active. we saw this spring it will be important for • Remove standing water or report it to the everyone to pay attention to standing water.

Health Department for treatment.

That could mean more breeding sites than in past years and that is a concern.”

While some viruses can be spread to people who are bitten by mosquitoes, only a small Various Culex mosquito species can carry the percentage of mosquitoes carry a virus. virus that causes West Nile disease. Those mosquitoes are most active around dusk and Since its arrival in Nebraska, the number of dawn. Certain varieties of the Aedes mosquito West Nile virus cases in Douglas County has can carry the Zika virus and DCHD traps ranged from a record number of 71 human for them as well. Aedes mosquitos are more cases in 2018 to a low of three cases in 2009 active during the daytime hours. and 2015. Nebraska reported a nation-high 245 West Nile human cases last year with 11 After June 1, 2019, DCHD will collect dead deaths including one in Douglas County.

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Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

especially when we all come together for the largest arthritis gathering in the world!

The Arthritis Foundation’s Walk to Cure Arthritis is where we become ONE, rising up to fight this life-altering disease even harder.

Where we join hand in hand to celebrate arthritis warriors and raise crucial funds for innovative research, resources and a cure.

One in every four Americans has arthritis, making it the nation’s leading cause of disability. Two-thirds of those affected are

under age 65, including 300,000 children.

Arthritis is painful, debilitating and diminishes quality of life. But every day we’re making more headway through scientific discoveries that bring us closer to a cure.

Whether you’re an arthritis warrior yourself or care about someone who is, sign up and WALK to CURE Arthritis.

For help or more information about Walk to Cure Arthritis - Nebraska, contact Sally Stalnaker at sstalnaker@arthritis.org, or call 402-262-0144. walktocurearthritis.org/nebraska

Event Information

Walk to Cure Arthritis is the Arthritis Foundation’s nationwide signature event that unites communities across the country to put an end to arthritis. We aren’t just helping the millions of people with arthritis to live better; we’re charting the course to a cure.

SBtB Presents the 3rd Annual KerrieOn Community Expo Saturday, June 1, 2019 Baxter Arena, 4pm

The 3rd Annual KerrieOn Community Expo will feature a wide variety of crafters and vendors, a water drive, a Red Cross blood drive, raffle prizes, AND MORE!!!

-$2 ADMISSION -Get a FREE raffle ticket for each case of water you donate!

-Get a FREE raffle ticket for donating blood!

Join us June 1 at Baxter Arena and help support Strength Behind the Blue and Kerrie’s Causes!

Event Location Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way Papillion, NE 68046 Event Schedule 8:00 - 9:30 a.m. - Check-in 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Walk Begins - 1 mile, 3 mile 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Awards & Prizes Dogs are welcome and must be on a leash.

Strollers welcome.

All indivdiauls entering the Walk must be preregsitered or register that day, unless you are a sponsor hosting a booth or an assigned volunteer.

For help or more information about Walk to Cure Arthritis - Nebraska, contact Sally Stalnaker at sstalnaker@arthritis.org, or call 402-262-0144.

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22 19

The Next Great MJ

By Andy Roberts

For those who think there was only one, M.J., get ready for The Next Great MJ.

This one doesn’t moonwalk or dunk – MJ, no periods, is the stage name of a local musician whose identity you may decipher, but not with our help.

“I just kind of had some friends that called me MJ,” he said, then joked, “I’m going to be the next great MJ.”

All true respect to Misters Jordan and Jackson.

Born in Lincoln, MJ lived there until he was 12 before moving to Millard and then Ashland where he graduated from high school. While in Ashland most of his time was spent in Omaha.

“That’s kind of where I started my music career,” MJ recalled. With a desire to play drums he instead went with a guitar simply because things pretty much

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worked out that way as a buddy gave him an old one that was sitting around.

“I just picked up a guitar and started banging on it when I was 14,” he stated.

MJ taught himself and picked up a few lessons along the way, focusing mostly on rock and punk rock. “I found I just had a knack for picking up melodies.”

“I was in love with Omaha’s music scene back then because it was so good,” MJ said of the mid-to-late 90s.

These days his focus is on guitar – he’s a solo artist at the moment - but he plays all the instruments on his recordings.

“My main instrument is distortion guitar.

I really just like to make heavier sounding music.”

He plans to have his next release – on SoundCloud – feature more of a country vibe. That’s shouldn’t come as a surprise for a guy who’s always loved He focused more on singing than playing in the music and samples early days and now has some regrets over the a wide range of sounds over the time lost on guitar but knows he also learned years, starting in some lessons on structuring songs. middle school.

He performed in some Omaha and Lincoln bands and opened for a few national acts.

Switchback and Livid were a couple of his bands and The Red Burros. MJ recently Recently left Dress Us in Guns where he played bass.

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

“I was in kind of a weird music limbo when I was in eighth grade,” MJ explained. Everything from George Jones to MC Hammer and The Grass Roots went into his ears. Then Nirvana came along.

“It just hit me that I could do that, too,” MJ stated. “It really inspired me to be a musician.”

Kurt Cobain remains at the top of his influences as does Tool. MJ remembers hearing a noncommercial tape and catching a club show where he was one of their few fans.

The Next Great MJ is looking to find some bandmates but may figure out a way to present his music on his own. He is looking for gigs and expects to add a new song by the weekend to SoundCloud where his excellent “Born To Lose” is available.

For more on The Next Great MJ: https://www.facebook.com/thenextgreatmj http://Soundcloud.com/thenextgreatmj

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22 21

Mahler and Mozart–

Dani Meier, the symphony’s vice president of artistic administration and an orchestra musician in the bass section, said the Mahler work was something they have wanted to do for a long time.

“It’s technically a symphony . . . the breadth of the piece is expansive,” Meier stated. “We wanted to start off with something that would warm the audience up on one hand and show a contrast,” she said. Meier pointed out one is among Mahler’s concluding works while the other is an early Mozart work.

The Omaha Symphony

closes the MasterWorks Mahler was a composer obsessed with death, series this weekend or, at least the concept of mortality and with Mozart and its implications in life which had an impact Mahler. There are no on nearly all his major works. Seven of his appropriate analogies 13 siblings died in infancy and yet another for other genres. The brother committed suicide at age 21. Mahler’s program includes daughter died of scarlet fever at age four in Mahler’s Das Lied von 1907. A few days later the composer learned der Erde and Mozart’s he was suffering from a heart ailment that Symphony No. 25 and would end his own life four years later. is offered Friday and Saturday at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Music Director Thomas Wilkins will conduct the performances with Michelle DeYoung, mezzo soprano, and Issachah Savage, tenor, making their Omaha debuts in the Mahler piece.

Omaha Symphony Brings out the Big Guns

By Howard Schwartz

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Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

He began composing settings of a group of eighth and ninth century Chinese poems.

Eventually he would call the work “Das Lied von der Erde,” or “The Song of the Earth.” The poems seemed to mirror Mahler’s sorrow, depicting the cycle of life and death amidst the glory of nature.

As he continued to work on it, the piece developed beyond a collection of songs and Mahler linked the poems through musical interludes which created a symphony of voices in the process.

His superstitious dread of not living to complete his work (as Beethoven and Bruckner had done) prevented Mahler from naming “Das Lied von der Erde” his Ninth Symphony.

Mozart’s Symphony No. 25 in G Minor is the young composer’s first symphonic work cast in a minor key, after writing two dozen

symphonies by the age of 17. Meier said Mozart was most likely influenced by hearing Haydn in the early 1770s.

“Mozart was one of the composers that kicked it (the symphony) into high gear. Without Mozart you can’t have Mahler,” Meier offered.

She suggested that some concert goers will at least have some familiarity with the Mozart work.

“If people have seen the film Amadeus they will know the Mozart,” she stated.

The Omaha Symphony has become a home to performances of Mahler over the years, she acknowledged. That’s not by accident.

“For Maestro Wilkins, Mahler is a chance to bring some of . . . Mahler to Omaha,” she said.

“He (Mahler) really did not know how to scale down.”

For those not familiar with the Mahler work: “They’re not going to forget it.”

Meier added, “This last concert is a really emotional experience . . . If you’re up for really being vulnerable and appreciating how beautiful music can get without being romantic, this concert is for you.”

Check with Ticket Omaha for your seats.

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22 23

Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households

“As this report shows, we continue to see the growing U.S. economy supporting most American families,” said Federal Reserve Board Governor Michelle W. Bowman. “At the same time, the survey does find differences across communities, with just over half of those living

By Michael Harek in rural areas describing their local economy The Federal Reserve Board’s latest Report with a bachelor’s degree or higher, 87 percent as good or excellent compared to two-thirds of those living in cities. Across the country, on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Housewere doing at least okay, compared with 64 many families continue to experience financial holds found that most measures of economic percent of those with a high school degree or well-being and financial resilience in 2018 less. Of those who live in middle- and upper-in- distress and struggle to save for retirement were similar to, or slightly better than, those come neighborhoods, 8 in 10 reported overall and unexpected expenses.” in 2017. satisfaction with their community, compared The Board’s SHED data look at how individuals to 6 in 10 of those living in low- and moderare managing their finances and making deciOverall, the financial experiences reported ate-income neighborhoods. sions vital to their financial lives and futures. by the 11,000 adults surveyed in 2018 were Among the report’s other key findings: largely positive, and many families have The report draws from the Board’s sixth experienced substantial gains since the survey annual Survey of Household Economics and began in 2013, in line with the nation’s ongoing Decisionmaking (SHED), which was conducted Changes in family income from month to economic expansion. When asked about their in October and November 2018 and examined month remained a source of financial strain for overall economic well-being, 75 percent of U.S. the financial lives of U.S. adults and their fami- some individuals. Three in 10 adults had family adults said they were “doing okay” or “living lies. Respondents described their experiences income that varied from month to month. One in 10 struggled to pay their bills at some point comfortably”—up 12 percentage points from on a wide range of topics including income, 2013. The survey also asked how they would employment, dealing with expenses, banking pay for a hypothetical unexpected expense and credit, housing, education, and retirement. of $400. Sixty-one percent said they would The responses were weighted to be nationally pay the expense with cash, savings, or a credit representative of adults, aged 18 and over, in card paid off at the next statement; 27 percent the United States. would borrow or sell something, and 12 percent would not be able to cover it. In 2013, A new topic in this year’s report—aimed at unonly half of adults said they would pay with derstanding the experiences of bank customcash or its equivalent. ers—was the ability of adults to access funds in their bank accounts. Thirteen percent of those Despite the improved finances of many adults, with a bank account had at least one problem the survey continued to detect areas of finan- accessing funds in their account in the prior cial distress as well as persistent differences year. Problems with a bank website or mobile by race, education level, and, in some cases, app (7 percent) and delays in when funds were geography. Nearly 8 in 10 whites reported available to use (6 percent) were the most doing at least okay financially, compared to common problems cited. Those with volatile two-thirds of blacks and Hispanics. A similar income and low savings were more likely to difference exists by education: among those experience these problems.

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Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

in the prior year because of monthly changes in income. Financial support from family or friends to make ends meet was also common, particularly among young adults.

Most adults are working as much as they want to, an indicator of full employment; however, some remained unemployed or underemployed. One in 10 adults were not working and want to work, though many were not actively looking for work. Four percent of adults in the SHED were not working, wanted to work, and had applied for a job in the prior 12 months, similar to the official unemployment rate of 3.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018. Two in 10 were working but said they wanted to work more. Blacks, Hispanics, and those with less education are less likely to be satisfied with how much they were working.

Two-thirds of graduates with a bachelor’s degree or more believed that their educational continued on page 25

investment had paid off financially, but only 3 in 10 of those who started but did not complete a degree shared this view.

on their loan payments, versus 8 percent who attended public institutions and 5 percent who attended private not-for-profit institutions.

More than half of young adults who attended college took on some debt to pay for their education. Most borrowers were current on their payments or have successfully paid off their loans. More than one-fifth of borrowers who went to private for-profit schools were behind

Many adults were struggling to save for retirement. Thirty-six percent of non-retired respondents thought their retirement saving was on track, but one-quarter had no retirement savings or pension whatsoever. Even among those who had some savings, people commonly lacked financial knowledge and were uncomfortable making investment decisions.

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22 25

Existing-Home Sales Inch Back 0.4% in April

By Eric Cano

Existing-home sales saw a minor decline in April, continuing March’s drop in sales, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Two of the four major U.S. regions saw a slight dip in sales, while the West saw growth and the Midwest essentially bore no changes last month.

Total existing-home sales1, https://www. nar.realtor/existing-home-sales, completed transactions that include single-family homes, townhomes, condominiums, and co-ops, fell 0.4% from March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.19 million in April.

Total sales are down 4.4% from a year ago (5.43 million in April 2018).

Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist, said he is not overly concerned about the 0.4% dip in sales and expects moderate growth very soon. “First, we are seeing historically low mortgage rates combined with a pent-up demand to buy, so buyers will look to take advantage of these conditions,” he said.

“Also, job creation is improving, causing wage growth to align with home price growth, which helps affordability and will help spur more home sales.”

The median existing-home price for all housing types in April was $267,300, up 3.6% from April 2018 ($257,900). April’s price increase marks the 86th straight month of year-over-year gains.

Total housing inventory3 at the end of April increased to 1.83 million, up from 1.67 million existing homes available for sale in March and a 1.7% increase from 1.80

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million a year ago. Unsold inventory is at a 4.2-month supply at the current sales pace, up from 3.8 months in March and up from 4.0 months in April 2018.

“We see that the inventory totals have steadily improved, and will provide more choices for those looking to buy a home,” Yun said. He notes that sellers have to realize that price growth has moderated. “When placing their home on the market, home sellers need to be very realistic and aware of the current conditions.”

Properties remained on the market for an average of 24 days in April, down from 36 days in March and down from 26 days a year ago. Fifty-three percent of homes sold in April were on the market for less than a month.

Yun says that college student debt continues to hinder millennial homebuyers. “Given the record high job openings in the construction sector, some may want to take a gap year to work there and save, and thereby lessen the student debt burden.”

Realtor.com®’s Market Hotness Index, measuring time-on-the-market data and listing views per property, revealed that the hottest metro areas in April were Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Mass.; Lafayette-West Lafayette, Ind.; Spokane-Spokane Valley, Wash.; Columbus, Ohio; and Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, Calif.

Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

continued on page 27

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According to Freddie Mac, for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage decreased to 4.14% in April from 4.27% in March. The average commitment rate across all of 2018 was 4.54%.

“I think the market had a bit of a slow start in the Fall, but Realtors® all over the country have been telling me that April was a nice rebound. We’re hopeful and expect that this will continue heading into the summer,” said NAR President John Smaby, a second-generation Realtor® from Edina, Minnesota, and broker at Edina Realty. “Homes over the last month sold quickly, which is not only a winwin for buyers and sellers, but it’s also great for the real estate industry.”

Existing condominium and co-op sales were recorded at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 570,000 units in April, up 5.6% from the prior month and down 8.1% from a year ago. The median existing condo price was $251,000 in April, which is up 3.4% from a year ago.

Regional Breakdown

April existing-home sales numbers in the Northeast decreased 4.5% to an annual rate of 640,000, 4.5% below a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $277,700, up 0.9% from April 2018.

In the Midwest, existing-home sales saw relatively no percentage change from the month prior, as the annual rate remained First-time buyers were responsible for 32% 1.17 million, which is 7.9% below April 2018 of sales in April, down from 33% reported levels. The median price in the Midwest was last month and one year ago. NAR’s 2018 $210,500, an increase of 5.5% from a year Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers—released ago. in late 20184—revealed that the annual share of first-time buyers was 33%.

Existing-home sales in the South modestly dropped 0.4% to an annual rate of 2.27 milAll-cash sales accounted for 20% of transac- lion in April, down 1.7% from a year ago. The tions in April, down from March and a year median price in the South was $236,800, up ago (21% in both cases). Individual investors, 4.4% from a year ago. who account for many cash sales, purchased 16% of homes in April, down from March’s Existing-home sales in the West grew 1.8% 18%, but up from a year ago (14%). to an annual rate of 1.11 million in April, 5.9% below a year ago. The median price in Distressed sales5—foreclosures and short the West was $395,100, up 1.3% from April sales—represented 3% of sales in April, equal 2018. to 3% in March and down from 4% in April 2018. One percent of April 2019 sales were short sales.

Single-family and Condo/Co-op Sales

Single-family home sales sat at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.62 million in April, down from 4.67 million in March and down 4.0% from 4.81 million a year ago. The median existing single-family home price was $269,300 in April, up 3.7% from April 2018.

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Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

BARRETT’S BARLEYCORN 4322 Leavenworth St. M-F 4P-6P $2.25 Domestic Bottles $3.00 Well Drinks BROKEDOWN PALACE 8805 Maple St. Happy Hour 12P-6P $4 28 oz Domestic Frozen Mugs $5 28 oz Nebraska Brewing Cardinal Pale Ale Frozen Mug

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 PADDY’S McGOWN’S PUB & GRILL 4503 Center St. Happy Hour Specials from 3-6pm

CADDYSHACK 2076 N 117th Ave & 7007 S 181st St M-F 2P-6P $1 Off Beer, Wine & Wells TUES- HAPPY HOUR All Day

PITCH PIZZERIA 5021 Underwood Ave. 17808 Burke M-F 3P-6P $5 off any appetizer $5 off any pizza

COHEN & KELLY’S LOUNGE 13075 W Center Rd M-F 4:30P - 6:30P Drink Specials

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

DUBLINER PUB 1205 Harney St. Nightly Drink Specials & Happy Hour 1P - 7P Everyday !! $1.00 off Pints and Bottles GETAWAY LOUNGE 4745 S 96th St M-F 2P - 6P $2 Busch Lite Bottles $2.25 Busch Lite Tall Boys $3 Fireballs $3 Apple Pie Shots JERRY’S BAR 6301 Military Ave Happy Hour Prices ALL Day EVERYDAY! 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 MALONEY’S IRISH PUB 1830 N 72nd St. M-F 3P-7P $1.00 off any beer

RAILCAR MODERN AMERICAN KITCHEN 1814 N 144th St. M-F 3:30-6:30P $4 Well Drinks $3 Off Signature Cocktails

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 4P-6P $12 Domestic Buckets TIMBER WOOD FIRE BISTRO 8702 Pacific St – Countryside Village M-F Patio Only 11A-7P M-SAT 2P- 6:30P & SUN 2P-10P $2 Off Local and Craft Drafts, $2.50 Tier 1 Import and Domestics, $3 Tier 2 Import and Domestics, $3 Off Signature Cocktails, $4 Well Drinks, $2 Off Glass of Wine, $1 Off Tap Wine. & Select Gourmet Food

RATHSKELLER BIER GARDEN 4524 Farnam St. Monday to Saturday – 3P to 6P | 10P-Close Sunday – All Day BOSO – Buy one second one for $.25 SCRIPTOWN 3922 Farnam M-F 4P - 6P $1 Off Beers & $1 Off Well Drinks SMITTY’S GARAGE 7610 Dodge St. Everyday 3P - 6P & 9P - CLOSE $2.50 Domestics THURSDAYS $1 OFF Local Beer Draws THE BULL & THE BEAR LOUNGE 11341 Davenport St M, T, W 2P - 6P SUN 12P - 2A THE CASUAL PINT 8718 Countryside Plaza M, W, TH 4P-6P TUES All Day $1 Off All Draft Beers.

Friday – 1/2 Price Growler Refills Sunday – Ladies Day. $1 Off All Pints for Ladies from 1P–8P THE DOWN UNDER 3530 Leavenworth St. MON-SAT 3P-7P SUNDAY-All Day

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Focus | May 29 - June 4 | Volume 3 Issue 22

ADDY’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL Monday-Saturday from 4-7 PM and Reverse HH every night 10 PM- 2 AM. Daily specials including wings for $0.60 on Mondays, $1 Tacos on Tuesday, Half Off Apps on Wednesdays (from 4-10 PM), and more.

LE BOUILLON Tuesday- Saturday 3-6 PM and includes $1.25 oysters, several food specials, and $5 drink specials.

BOB’S MVP Monday-Thursday from 4-7 PM and includes $2 well drinks and Busch Light Bottles. Fridays from 4-7 PM include $5 pitchers of beers.

SHEVY’S SPORTS BAR & GRILL Monday-Friday from 3-7 PM and includes discounts on Domestic buckets, bottles, draws, and well drinks.

MARKET BASKET Tuesday-Saturday from 3-7 PM and includes several discounted food items, $6 BENSON BREWERY select wines, and $6 select cocktails. Also, Monday-Thursday from 3-6 PM and half off half price bottles of wine on Tuesday and beers and appetizers.

Saturday.

CALIFORNIA TACO From 4-5 PM every day several items are 30% off (except closed on Sunday).

FARNAM HOUSE BREWING COMPANY Monday- Friday from 4-6 PM and Reverse HH on Friday-Saturday from 10 PM- 12 AM. Includes $2 off beer and $1 off wine, mixed drinks, and bar snacks.

SPIN PIZZA Monday-Thursday 2-5:30 PM and includes $3 beers on taps or mixed drinks, $4 glasses of wine, $5 mini pizzas, $3 rosemary flatbread trio, or $5 glass of any 3 sangrias.

THE CASUAL PINT Monday-Thursday from 4-6 PM (all day on Tuesday) and includes $1 off draft beers.

ISLAND BAR Every day from 1-7 PM and includes $1.75 PBR Cans, $3 Busch Light bottles, and $3 Domestic bottles. Also daily specials- see website for details.

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