YOUR
FREE
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 24 | JUNE 12 - JUNE 18 | 2019 ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, HEALTH, PERSONAL FINANCE, & MUSIC NEWSWEEKLY
LIVE
OUTDOORS
LIVE
REAL ESTATE
Matt and Rebekah Rolland Red Wanting Blue
Big Fish, Little Fish
LGBT Pride Month
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOCUS ON THIS WEEK!
JUNE 18 | 2019
YOUR
LY 24 | JUNE 12 MUSIC NEWSWEEK VOLUME 3 ISSUE NAL FINANCE, & MENT, HEALTH, PERSO FREE ARTS, ENTERTAIN
OUTDOORS Fish
LIVE
Rolland Matt and Rebekah
LIVE
Red Wanting Blue
Big Fish, Little
REAL ESTATE nth LGBT Pride Mo
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THE ARTS
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LINCOLN
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BENSON
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OUTDOORS
Big Fish, Little Fish By Jerry Kane Nebraska Game and Parks
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FAMILY 24
FINANCE
U.S.-China Trade War: Who Pays the Price? By Michael Herek Sponsored By Blue Capitol Wealth
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EVENTS 26
REAL ESTATE
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ON TEN
National LGBT Pride Month Report By Eric Cano Sponsored By Meraki Relty Group
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THIS WEEKS FEATURE
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HAPPY HOUR
We gathered up some of the BEST Happy Hour spots in and around the Omaha metro!
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LIVE Red Wanting Blue Headed for Omaha By Andy Roberts 17
LIVE
Matt and Rebekah Rolland By Howard Schwartz
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HEALTH
Men’s Health Week By Focus Omaha
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COUNCIL BLUFFS
Men’s Health Week By Focus Omaha
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
Curator-led Tour | Lui Shtini: Tempos Bemis Center For Contemporary Arts 724 South 12th Street, Omaha, 6p-7p Join Bemis Center’s Chief Curator and Director of Programs Rachel Adams for a lively and informative tour of “Lui Shtini: Tempos”. Lui Shtini’s process translates abstracted thoughts into two-dimensional forms, birthing the intangible. His works in “Tempos”—both drawings and paintings— are shrouded in a layer of mystery, eliciting hints of the underlying subject matter. This is a unique opportunity to discuss the context and overarching theme of the exhibition and gain insight into the curatorial process. -----------------------------------------------------HANNS ZISCHLER 6P-9P, THE GARDEN OF THE ZODIAC, 1042 HOWARD ST. LIGHT LAID ASLEEP/LIGHT AWOKEN Pinhole Color Photographs 2010 - 2018 through August 4th. -----------------------------------------------------SHAWNEQUA LINDER: WE ARE DIFFERENT THE B SIDE OF BENSON THEATRE, 6058 MAPLE STREET, OMAHA , 6p-11p
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SUMMER GROUP ART SHOW, 5:30p THE FRAME SERVICE, 3564 FARNAM Come Join us, First Friday (June 7th) for a Group Art Show, featuring an eclectic mix of woodwork, multimedia, and traditional painting. Participating Local Artists: Gabriel Boylan, Dan Crane, Meghan Stevens, “We Are Different” is on display throughNenad Sudar, JK Thorsen, and Kristae out June at the B Side Gallery, 6058 Maple Zandbergen. Opening event 5:30-8:30. Street. Beer/Wine provided by Beertopia ------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------------------OMA-FLORA // BRANDON BULLARD @ 7P FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 5;30p-9p PETSHOP, 2725-2729 N 62ND ST, OMAHA SKIES OF EASTERN NEBRASKA Petshop invites you to the opening reception OPENING RECEPTION Connect Gallery & for Brandon Bullard’s “Oma-Flora” during Studios, 3901 Leavenworth St BFF Omaha’s First Friday event on Friday, -----------------------------------------------------June 7th from 7-10pm. SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2P | TROLLEY TOUR: LIGHTS, CAMERA, HOME SWEET HOME Oma-flora is an immersive installation of DOUGLAS COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY flora gathered in Omaha. As an artwork, its The tour is 90 minutes long with plenty materiality, organization, and form is aimed at squeezing feelings, thoughts, and conver- of time afterwards to explore our new sations around nature, culture, architecture, Straight Out of Omaha exhibit- featuring the Omaha politics, experience, memory, or time. celebrities you learned about on the tour! Oma-flora will also coincide with the comPurchase your tickets by calling us at pletion of a public art work on the east side 402-455-9990 or buy them online at of 1912 ! ------------------------------------------------------ www.douglascohistory.org “We Are Different” explores the artist’s unique way of painting portraits. Each has its own identity through color, emotion and texture. The color reflects an emotional state, and the texture is the chaos within the subject matter.
Focus | June 12 - June 18 | Volume 3 Issue 24
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 1 TYRANNOSAURS: MEET THE FAMILY DURHAM MUSEUM, 801 S 10TH ST What has 60 razor-sharp teeth, bone-crushing jaws, lived 68 million years ago and will be visiting The Durham Museum next summer? Tyrannosaurus rex… arguably the world’s most popular dinosaur! Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family is the world’s first exhibition showcasing the newly-revised tyrannosaur family tree and shows how this group became the world’s top predators with their massive skulls, powerful jaws and bone-crunching teeth. While the most famous member of this family was the mighty T. rex, tyrannosaurs came in all shapes and sizes. Using cutting-edge technology, this innovative, multimedia experience features more than 10 life-sized dinosaur specimens on display, including one of the oldest tyrannosaurs, Guanlong wucaii. With a dramatic array of fossils and casts of tyrannosaur specimens, Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family provides a snapshot of dinosaur life.
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Focus | June 12 - June 18 | Volume 3 Issue 24
THURSDAY, JUNE 13 | 10A-11A KIDS FUNFARE REGENCY COURT, 120 REGENCY PKWY -----------------------------------------------------THURSDAY, JUNE 13 AT 6:30P – 8:30P VIBES AT VILLAGE POINTE Village Pointe Shopping Center 17305 Davenport St, Omaha Grab a blanket or a chair and join us this summer for an exciting concert series lineup! The 402 takes the stage June 13th with super hits to dance to! The 2019 Vibes Summer Concert Series is on Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., June 6 – August 15. Concert guests can enjoy a cold beverage at the Brew Patio hosted by Bravo! Cucina Italiana, and ice cream by Cold Stone Creamery! Vibes at Village Pointe is located in the Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Amphitheater (between Gunderson’s and Bravo! Cucina Italiana).
THURSDAY, JUNE 13 AT 7P MLB BASEBALL GAME KANSAS CITY ROYALS V DETROIT TIGERS Come watch the Kansas City Royals take on the Detroit Tigers, Tickets at www. ticketmaster.com -----------------------------------------------------FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 6:30P-8:30P MUSIC & MEMORIES SUMMER CONCERT SHADOW LAKE TOWNE CENTER 7775 OLSON DRIVE, PAPILLION, NE Grab a blanket and chair and join us every Friday from 6:30p.-8:30p. in the Shadow Lake Towne Center Amphitheater for a brand new exciting concert line-up! Jam out this week to far out music from Beatle’s Tribute Band, Come Together, presented by KFAB Radio. Sip on an ice-cold beverage and grab a bite to eat from our food and beverage host, Hy-Vee. No outside alcohol is permitted. Cash only. -----------------------------------------------------FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 7P-8P ROCKBROOK VILLAGE FRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES Rockbrook Village, 2800 S 110th Ct. Local musicians entertain families every Friday night throughout the summer. Depending on the night, you’ll hear rock, jazz, pop, blues, latin... you name it! Bring a lawn chair and enjoy a delightful evening with the whole family.
The PAC Band promotes, encourages, and increases the knowledge, appreciation and practice of the art of instrumental music in the Papillion, Nebraska area. -----------------------------------------------------TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 6P TEMPO OF TWILIGHT, LAURITZEN GARDENS, 600 BANCROFT, OMAHA This outdoor concert series brings a spectacular lineup of local entertainment to the garden for a harmonious blend of music and nature.
treats and beverages will be available. Menu subject to change.
Tuesday evenings through July 23, 6 to 8p These family-friendly outdoor concerts provide a unique atmosphere to enjoy wonderful musical entertainment. Weather permitting, concerts are held outdoors. In case of rain concerts may be moved indoors or cancelled.
www.lauritzengardens.org/Visit/Events_ and_Exhibits/Tempo_of_Twilight/index.asp -------------------------------------------------------SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 9A-1P AKSARBEN VILLAGE FARMER’S MARKET The Omaha Farmers Market in Aksarben Village is open every Sunday from May 5th through October 13th from 9a - 1p on 67th & Center Streets.
Due to the unique nature of the concert series, guests are allowed to bring chairs, food and beverages on Tempo of Twilight nights only. The gift shop is open and the café serves an abbreviated menu. We encourage visitors to carpool when possible as there is limited parking available.
Concerts are free for garden members or are included with paid garden admission. Tuesday, June 18 | Joystick · Featured dinner special: Fried chicken and macaroni and cheese · Featured dessert: S’more bars & Rice Krispie bars · Also featuring: Freshly popped popcorn
Join us every Sunday and shop for fresh produce, herbs, meats, plants, baked goods, jams, jellies, coffee, cheeses, crafts and much more from over 120 local vendors!
Visit www.omahafarmersmarket.org Dinner specials are available at $7 per person -----------------------------------------------------(with bottled drink) and $6.50 per person (with Get Out and Focus On the Family canned drink). Additionally, chicken salad WHAT’S YOUR FOCUS? sandwiches, fruit cups or watermelon, salad www.FocusOmaha.com cups (chef’s choice of: pasta, coleslaw, orzo or potato), cookies, chips, novelty ice cream Online & In Print
Full concert schedule: www.villagepointeshopping.com/vibes-summer-concert-series-schedule/ -----------------------------------------------------FRIDAY, JUNE 14 | 10A-11A CWS OPENING CELEBRATION DAY TD AMERITRADE PARK, 8:30P 1200 MIKE FAHEY ST., OMAHA A daylong celebration of the student-athletes This FREE, family-friendly event is co-sponand the top eight teams in the nation. Watch sored by the Rockbrook Village® Merchants’ Association, the Omaha teams practice and grab autographs! Musicians Union and the Music The CWS Fan Fest is for fans of all ages! Performance Trust Fund, who help fund in Presented by Capital One, Fan Fest is packed whole or in part, the instrumental music for with interactive games, special appearances, these performances, as arranged by Local giveaways and much more. 70-568, American Federation of Musicians. JUNE 2019 LINE-UP Fan Fest is the best way to celebrate CWS in 14: Susie Thorne Band (Jazz Vocals) Omaha. There is so much to see and do, it’s 21: Christy Rossiter (Blues & Rock) open daily. Try your skills and compete for 28: Sebastian Anzaldo w/ Ozone Big Band bragging rights at many hands-on champion(Sinatra Tribute) ship experiences. Snap photos with the cham-----------------------------------------------------pionship trophy, grab official CWS merchanCWS 2019 | ELI YOUNG BAND CONCERT dise and pick up a sample or two from NCAA TD AMERITRADE PARK, 8:30P sponsors. More information online at 1200 MIKE FAHEY ST., OMAHA www.ncaa.com/championships/baseball/d1 The Eli Young Band will perform a free con-----------------------------------------------------cert at the Opening Ceremonies of the 2019 FRIDAY, JUNE 14 | 11A-1A College World Series in Omaha! ImmediHOME RUN PORCH W/ ately following stick around for a fireworks RANDY BURGHARDT finale. www.tdameritradeparkomaha.com HILTON OMAHA, 1001 CASS ST. -----------------------------------------------------11a: Bars Open SUNDAY, JUNE 16 4p-6p: KAT 103.7 Broadcasting Live FATHER’S DAY CONCERT | 7:30P 9p Performance w/ Randy Burghardt Band SUMTUR AMPHITHEATER, 11691 S 108 ------------------------------------------------------
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WEDNESDAY JUNE 12 Happy Hippie Hour with Carrie Jean The Down Under Lounge, 3p ----------------------------------------------All-You-Can-Eat Spaghetti Dinner American Legion Post #1, 4p --------------------------------------------Dr. Webb Music, The Down Under Lounge, 4:20p ----------------------------------------------Keystone Center Show and Shine Keystone Center, 5p ----------------------------------------------Beer, Bingo & Trivia Kros Strain Brewing Co., 6p ----------------------------------------------The Grease Band, Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------11th Annual Omaha’s Largest Pizza Review Reverb Lounge, 6:30p --------------------------------------------11th Annual Omaha’s Largest Pizza Review The Waiting Room, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Falsifier + Friends, Lookout Lounge, 7p --------------------------------------------Ray’s Piano Party, Mr. Toad, 7p ----------------------------------------------Ladies Night, Rednecks, 7p --------------------------------------------Trivia, Stocks n Bonds, 7p ----------------------------------------------Acoustic Open Mic, The New Frontier Bar, 7p ----------------------------------------------Music By Adam Lee, Therapy Bar & Grill, 7p ----------------------------------------------Scott Whitfield & The Big Bad Bones The Omaha Lounge, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Bike Night, American Dream, 8p ----------------------------------------------Twin Sounds, Bar 415, 8p --------------------------------------------Comedy Open Mic Barley Street Tavern, 8p ----------------------------------------------Thursday Night Trivia, Nifty Bar, 8p --------------------------------------------Aly Peelers Open Mic Night The Down Under Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Karaoke w/ Host Adam Flohr Brokedown Palace, 9p ----------------------------------------------- Open Mic, The B. Bar, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Wednesday Night Karaoke with Brixz Brokedown Palace, 10p
THURSDAY JUNE 13 Studebaker John and The Hawks W\ Us and Them, Chrome Lounge, 5p ----------------------------------------------Hi-Fi Hangover, Slowdown, 5p ----------------------------------------------Josh Hoyer, Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Coheed and Cambria , Stir Cove, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Vibes Summer Concert Series w/ The 402 Band Village Pointe, 6:30p
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----------------------------------------------NotUTwo, Vino Mas, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Cadillac Jack Band, American Dream 7p Acid Witch w/ Against The Grain, Ungoliant, Drowning In The Platte & Gongfermour Lookout Lounge, 7p ----------------------------------------------Ladies Night, Rednecks, 7p ----------------------------------------------Acoustic Open Mic, The New Frontier Bar, 7p ----------------------------------------------Tara Vaughan’s SHE ROCKS Omaha Community Playhouse, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Ian Bagg, Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------- Jasmine Bailey & Kevin Erskine & Doom Lagoon, Brokedown Palace, 8p ----------------------------------------------Thursday Night Trivia, Nifty Bar, 8p ----------------------------------------------Cycles w/ Mr. E & the Stringless Kite Reverb Lounge, 8p ----------------------------------------------La Dispute/ Gouge Away / Slow Mass The Waiting Room, 8p ----------------------------------------------Kris Schultz // Andrew Savage, Barley Street, 9p ----------------------------------------------Ladies Night , Copacabana Cocktail Lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------Thirsty Thursday Karaoke, Forte Music Hall, 9p ----------------------------------------------Reggae Party w/ Rhythm Collective Harney Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------KoZee Karaoke, KoZee Lounge. 9p ----------------------------------------------Chris Shelton, Dubliner Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------El Dub, The Down Under Lounge, 9:30p
FRIDAY JUNE 14 CWS Opening Celebration Day TD Ameritrade Park, 9a ----------------------------------------------CWS 2019 | Free Fan Fest by Capital One TD Ameritrade Park, 11a ----------------------------------------------Indulge Nights w/ DJ ShifD Champagne Bar @ Empire Room, 5p ----------------------------------------------College World Series Opening Ceremonies TD Ameritrade Park, 5p ----------------------------------------------One2Go, Bogies West, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Dave Stryker Album Release, The Jewell, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Pat O & The Show, Paddy McGown’s, 7p ----------------------------------------------Nebraska Flood Relief Concert w/ Rob Riccardo Stinson Park, 7p ----------------------------------------------Big Canvas Extended Play, The Backline, 7p ----------------------------------------------Roald Dahl’s Matilda, The Rose Theater, 7p ----------------------------------------------Ian Bagg, Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p/9:45p
Focus | June 12 - June 18 | Volume 3 Issue 24
----------------------------------------------Mike Epps & Friends Ralston Arena, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Hope Remains featuring Mikey Dean Smith Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 8p ----------------------------------------------Sweet Tea Trio, Havana Garage, 8p ----------------------------------------------Dad Jokes (Improv) The Backline, 8p ----------------------------------------------CWS 2019 | Eli Young Band Concert TD Ameritrade Park, 8:30p ----------------------------------------------Feel Good Fridays Featuring Tyi Hakeem The Omaha Lounge, 8:30p ----------------------------------------------Geminight (Myth v Citizens), Bar 415, 9p ----------------------------------------------Buggy Lewis & TRG / When We Met / Gongfermour / Vigil & Thieves Barley Street, 9p ----------------------------------------------Cole Rath Live, Beer Can Alley, 9p ----------------------------------------------Sidecar69, Chrome Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Sweet Tea Trio, Havana Garage, 9p ----------------------------------------------String Theory EP Release, Karma, 9p ----------------------------------------------Fat Nap, On The Q Bar, 9p ----------------------------------------------Soul Dawg, Ozone Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Marty Stuart, Scottish Rite Omaha, 7p ----------------------------------------------Satchel Grande, Slowdown, 9p ----------------------------------------------The Throwback Party, The Waiting Room, 9p ----------------------------------------------4 On The Floor, Two Fine Irishmen, 9p ----------------------------------------------The Long Awaited, Wired Pub, 9p ----------------------------------------------Daniel And The Deliverance, Dubliner Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Themotherdudes: Live Band Karaoke Slowdown, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Tim Budig Band w/ Lucy & Charlie The Down Under Lounge, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Rat Boys | Uh Oh | Bed Rest, O’Leaver’s Pub, 10p ----------------------------------------------The Arena (Improv), The Backline, 10p ----------------------------------------------Cult Play/Hot Pink Satan/Gothic Lizard The Sydney, 10p
SATURDAY JUNE 15 Us and Them, The Down Under Lounge, 5p --------------------------------------------Dave Stryker Album Release, The Jewell, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Safe Bet + Friends, Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 7p --------------------------------------------River City Mixed Chorus, Holland Center, 7p --------------------------------------------Baseball Party w/ GHE Experience Paddy McGown’s, 7p ----------------------------------------------The Confidentials Stinson Park in Aksarben Village, 7p --------------------------------------------John Kennedy, Vino Mas, 7p ----------------------------------------------Boogie Bomb Bash, Wired Pub, 7p --------------------------------------------Carrie-oke Entertainment (Karaoke) American Legion Post #1, 7:30p --------------------------------------------Mike Epps & Friends, Ralston Arena, 7:30p --------------------------------------------Ian Bagg, Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p --------------------------------------------Swampboy Blues Band, Havana Garage, 8p
--------------------------------------------Elevate Presents: Mode, O’leaver’s Pub, 8p --------------------------------------------David Venhuizen Album Recording! Reverb Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Kramos w/ Strvylight & Darkst4r The Waiting Room, 8p --------------------------------------------Karaoke & Music, Smitty’s Garage, 8p --------------------------------------------Trivia & Karaoke Night, Stumble Inn, 8p --------------------------------------------- Great Team Hero, Therapy Bar & Grill, 8p --------------------------------------------Hotel Desperado , Surfside, 8p --------------------------------------------- Kramos | Strvylight | Darkst4r The Waiting Room, 8p --------------------------------------------SkreTTa eTc Three , New Frontier Bar, 8:30p --------------------------------------------Intimate Vis: Sammy Marz, Extra Fresh, Come Back Sandy, floppydiscov, Barley Street Tavern, 9p --------------------------------------------Cat Beret//Jc and the Nuns//Tame Suns brothers lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------- Chad Lee, Growler USA, 9p Ro Hempel Band, Harney Street Tavern, 9p --------------------------------------------Trivia Night, Julio’s, 9p ---------------------------------------------Hussies | Cult of Lip | Double G, O’Leaver’s Pub, 9p --------------------------------------------Fishheads, Ozone Lounge, 9p ---------------------------------------------
Lucas Krance, Parliament Pub Old Market, 9p --------------------------------------------DJ E Brown, Parliament Pub West, 9p --------------------------------------------Grunge Pop, American Dream, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------Daniel And The Deliverance, Dubliner Pub, 9:30p
--------------------------------------------Live Band Karaoke, The Down Under, 9:30p --------------------------------------------House Kats, Bar 415, 10p --------------------------------------------DJ Devon Dupree Parliament Pub Old Market, 10p --------------------------------------------Secret Weapon, Slowdown, 10p
SUNDAY JUNE 16 The Circle of Drums, Stinson Park, 1p --------------------------------------------Tara Vaughan’s SHE ROCKS Omaha Community Playhouse, 2p --------------------------------------------6th Annual Juneteenth Youth Arts Festival! Love’s Jazz & Art Center, 3p --------------------------------------------Come Together Band: Beatles Tribute Slowdown, 4p --------------------------------------------Joystick, Surfside, 5p --------------------------------------------Sweet Tea Music on Fathers Day Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, 6p --------------------------------------------Father’s Day Festival, Ralston Arena, 6p --------------------------------------------Mike Epps & Friends, Ralston Arena, 7p --------------------------------------------Papillion Area Concert Band SUMTUR Amphitheater, 7:30p --------------------------------------------Cocktail Pop Up: A Benefit For Planned Parenthood, Reverb Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------FREE Booze Bingo!, The Down Under Lounge, 8p
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DJ Devon Dupree Parliament Pub Old Market, 9p --------------------------------------------Karaoke Sundays, Parliament Pub West, 9p --------------------------------------------Chris Jones, The Old Mattress Factory, 9p
MONDAY JUNE 17 Mad Max: Happy-Hour! 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 18 Lauritzen Gardens Tempo of Twilight Lauritzen Gardens, 6p --------------------------------------------eNVy Acoustic , Lombardo’s Bistro, 6p --------------------------------------------Grace Giebler, Ozone Lounge, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Open Jam, Barley Street Tavern, 7p --------------------------------------------Acoustic Open Mic Night The New Frontier Bar, 7p ----------------------------------------------Paper Holland w/ Bokr Tov & Bach Mai Reverb Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Spencer’s Trivia Dojo The Down Under Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Travis Howe, The Old Mattress Factory, 9p --------------------------------------------Industry Night w/ DJ Sam EC Parliament Pub West, 9p --------------------------------------------Kiwi’s Karaoke Takeover The Down Under Lounge, 10p If you would like to see your event listed in Focus, Email your event nd information to getintofocus@gmail.com What’s Your Focus?
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Sublime w/ Rome Coheed and Cambria SUMTUR AMPHITHEATER STIR COVE
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River City Mixed Chorus
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Nebraska Folk & Roots Festival PINEWOOD BOWL
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Mike Epps & Friends RALSTON ARENA
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Kids Bop PINEWOOD BOWL
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College baseball Party SLOWDOWN
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Much-A-Brew SHAKESPEARE ON THE GREEN
Focus | June 12 - June 18 | Volume 3 Issue 24 11
LOUISVILLE
Any questions about Louisville making the Super Regionals were quickly answered. The Super Regional began on Friday with a 14-1 beat down of East Carolina and concluded Saturday with a 12-0 win for the ‘ville. About the only thing that went wrong for the Cardinals was Bobby Miller losing his no-hitter in the ninth inning of the second game.
All The Commodores did after that was have a freshman pitcher Kumar Rocker(allname team) throw a no-hitter at the Blue Devils and then whip ‘em 13-2 to move to 54-11 and earn a trip to Omaha for the fourth time since 2011 and where they took home the hardware in 2014.
the Bulldogs beat Texas Tech early in the season 2-1 and won 2-out-of-three against Auburn, who they’ll be facing on Sunday at 6:30 pm. This will be the second year in a row they’re in the CWS.
season, Junior SS Will Holland has returned to form and is batting .416 over the last month and was just selected as the 12thpick of the fifth round by the Minnesota Twins in the MLB draft.
Players to Watch Red-Shirt LHP pitcher Ethan Small who was picked in the First Round of the MLB draft as No. 28 overall to the Milwaukee Brewers. With a slot value of $2.5 million, the CWS will probably be the last time he pitches on the college level. He’s 10-2 with a 1.77 ERA in a 102 Innings pitched.
MICHIGAN:
2ND in Big 10 regular season and semifinalist on Big 10 tourney, Big Blue went to the Oregon State regional and beat Creighton twice to travel and play at UCLA who was the #1 overall seed going And that was an East Carolina team with into the tournament. Anyone who saw seven MLB draft picks. Michigan pitch in Omaha during the Big 10 tourney would be shocked to learn that the The Cardinals bring a 49-16 mark to Senior CF Jake Mangum who was picked in Wolverines held UCLA to only 9 runs over Omaha for their fifth appearance in the June baseball championships. The first trip Austin Martin is listed as a utility player on the Fourth round, No. 118 overall to the NY three games this weekend. the Vandy roster and hit .410 with 100 hits. Mets. He has a .354 average with 39 RBI’s. was in 2007. Four teammates also topped .300 including Everyone knows Michigan can hit---their JJ Bleday who has 26 homers to go with a AUBURN top 7 hitters all averaged at least .270 in The regularly play eight guys who hit at .350 average. Just one year after Auburn lost to the conference play---but what makes them least .289 topped by outfielder Danny Gators in Game 3 of the Super Regional to a special hitting team is the ability to take Oriente’s .330 average with 48 RBIs and a lot of pitches. They end up with a lot of infielder Tyler Fitzgerald who hits .324 with On the mound Drake Fellows is 12-1 with a Austin Langworthy’s walk-off home run, 4.14 ERAs. His lone loss game in the Super they got their own sweet revenge. walks and few strikeouts almost leading 64 RBIs. Regional opener. Patrick Raby is 10-1 with the nation in the walk to strikeout ratio but an ERA of 2.82 and the win in the title After being shutout in Game 2 at Chapel mixing in very good power as well. If you Miller is 7-1 on the year but Reid Detmers game. Hill 2-0, Auburn defeated North Carolina saw them play in Omaha, their athleticism leads the team’s pitchers with a 12-4 by a touchdown 14-7. The Tigers scored was obvious on the bases which explain records and 2.84 ERA in 17 starts. Vanderbilt will be one tough out and is a a whopping 13 runs in the first inning of their over 2 doubles a game average and The Cards were 21-9 in the ACC and have serious title contender. game three in the Super Regional to enter stealing 27 of 35 base attempts. won six of seven games in NCAA action. the CWS. The Tigers are 38-26 (14-16 They appear to be hot at the right time. MISSISSIPPI STATE Conference) and haven’t made it to the field They have 3 good pitchers but all very How they got here of eight since 1997. different styles. Karl Kaufmann is a guy VANDERBILT With an overall record of 51-13 (20with overpowering fastballs leading to lots Well, that was one way to do it. 10 conference), Mississippi State beat Head Coach Butch Thompson’s only other of strikeouts but because he challenges Vanderbilt returns to the College World Southern University 11-6. Central trip to the CWS was as an Assistant Coach hitters he also gives up a lot of long balls. Series after being shelled by Duke 18-5 in Michigan 7-2, and Miami 5-2. In the Super for Mississippi State in 2013. the first game of the SAT Super Regional. Regionals, they swept Stanford 6-2 and 8-1. Jeff Criswell, on the other hand, is the exact Okay, it was the Nashville Super Regional They’re currently on a five-game winning Player to Watch opposite not striking out many but giving but you should get the point. We hope. streak. If regular season match-ups matter, After falling off in his breakout sophomore up only a few hits and very few doubles,
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This is a club that finished 23-7 in the SEC and obviously knows how to deal with adversity after the bounce-back demonstrated in the Super Regionals. They went 4-0 in the SEC Tournament, 3-0 in the Nashville Regional before having to face an elimination game in the postseason.
Focus | June 12 - June 18 | Volume 3 Issue 24
triples, and homers. Their third starter Tommy Henry is somewhere in between these extremes but clearly not capable of dominance like their top 2 pitchers. The way you get to Michigan, and UCLA clearly did not watch any Nebraska film or they would have seen this, is to drive up the starters’ pitch counts and get their bullpen on the field. Blue’s bullpen was average at best. The longer a game is in doubt, the more the other team’s chances go up. While beating UCLA in the super regionals was a real accomplishment it may reflect UCLA’s inability to hit more than anything else. Michigan didn’t score a lot of runs against UCLA, which they’ve been able to do on everyone else, so good pitching will shut them down as teams with good pitching won series against them including Nebraska (3 of 5), Indiana, and Ohio State. This doesn’t include being swept in Lubbock by Texas Tech and beaten badly in all 3 games.
TEXAS TECH
The Red Raiders are back in the CWS again and play in the right bracket to make some serious noise. They were the #8 national seed and held off conference rival Oklahoma State in game 3 of the super regional hitting a 3 run homer late in the game to secure the return trip to Omaha. Few people appreciate how difficult it is to beat a conference rival in a super regional as that rival understands your team better than anyone else would. Tech is not a huge power team but they are similar to Michigan in having a high walk to strikeout ratio and then scoring lots of runs despite the lack of power. With an on-base average in their 9 starters of at least .386, you have to keep them off the bases where they were 69 of 80 in stolen bases in conference play alone. They don’t play “small ball”, they play “fast ball” thus Michigan’s challenge in game one will be to go after Tech’s hitters and try and get them to strike out. The men from Lubbock’s pitching was better this year than in other years. While only being slightly above average on the walk-to-strikeout ratio and on-base percentage, they were among the nation’s best at not giving up more than singles and led the nation in keeping teams from scoring. Though Tech lost to Nebraska 2-1 early in the year the same weekend they lost to Miss St 4-2, Tech beat many good teams including winning series from Wichita State
(a sweep!), Baylor, Oklahoma State (another sweep), Oklahoma and TCU before being knocked out of the Big 12 tourney by West Virginia. THE MATCHUP: Expect that Karl Kaufmann will start for Michigan with Micah Dallas throwing for the Texans. What are we to make of Tech’s two blowouts over Michigan in March including one when Tech’s starter was Micah Dallas who dominated? Or does the Wolverines’ win over UCLA last weekend mean more now? There’s no doubt having your starting pitcher dominate can’t be negative. Was the most impressive thing about the Michigan win over UCLA their bats or their starting pitching? Michigan had beaten UCLA in early March so maybe it wasn’t a huge upset after all; Tommy Henry pitched great in that game and in the super regional clincher too. Both hitting teams’ numbers are similar against conference foes. Kaufmann’s pitching numbers would be considered slightly better but Dallas dominated Michigan. Is there an advantage to either team playing in the Omaha stadium? Michigan was just in Omaha for a whole week in the Big 10 tourney and that experience has to help but Texas Tech was in the CWS last year so this factor is even. There’s no doubt the Big 12 is much better than the Big 10, so Tech’s similar conference record against much better competition should mean a lot. But the game really will come down to Michigan’s bullpen. The sooner Tech can get Kaufmann out of the game, the sooner they can tee off on the relief staff and put the game away. Michigan might also be in the “we are happy to just be here mode” but Tech is trying to wipe out memories of 2018 when they led both Arkansas and Florida before losing both games and being eliminated. Unless Michigan can blow Tech out early, Tech will be the victor.
FLORIDA STATE
Everyone knows this is Mike Martin’s last season but how many are aware the NCAA tournament chair admitted that FSU was the very last team admitted to this year’s tourney? And who would have thought they would go to SEC powers Georgia and LSU and beat each of them twice to make the CWS?
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The Seminole offense is good but not great at the walk-to-strikeout ratio, power, and ability to score runs but they don’t hit for average and have no speed to steal bases. In the ACC, they were close to the bottom in many offensive categories. Thus, don’t expect them to outscore anyone. What makes the NCAA tourney chair’s comments even more curious---but accurate---is that FSU’s pitching has been rotten this year; below NCAA averages in every category but one and almost at the bottom of every pitching category in the ACC. How does pitching that rotten make the CWS?
and Conor Grady) are all very good at their walk-to-strikeout ratio and well above average in keeping guys from scoring even if their power and on-base numbers aren’t great. Parrish, in particular, has one of the best walk-to-strikeout ratios in the country. Van Eyk and Grady are not as good on that measure but are much better at keeping power hitters off balance. Parrish just lines up and tries to throw it by you on every pitch. If FSU is playing a team that doesn’t handle fastballs well, he does well. Van Eyk and Grady have much less punch in their fastballs but don’t give up the moonshots that Parrish does either. Pitching is always about matchups and they got lucky to have played Georgia and LSU.
Better yet, how does such terrible overall pitching go 17-13 in the ACC which is in the They didn’t win a series against a good team same conference as North Carolina which all year. So how are they here? Against ended up one of the top 16 nation seeds? Georgia and LSU the past 2 weekends, they did it in different ways. Against the Dawgs, The answer is their starters are just good they hit the ball well. Against LSU, they enough to win some games even if their pitched well. In both cases, they had the relief staff--much like Michigan’s---will benefit of playing a non-ACC team which blow almost every game if given the chance. they hadn’t played against before which, in the end, is always to the better coached The 3 starters (Drew Parrish, CJ Van Eyk, team’s benefit.
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ARKANSAS
Nebraska fans know all too well the pain of being one play away from winning a national title and having it slip away. NU’s former head coach Dave Van Horn unfortunately now does too having dropped a foul ball to Oregon State in the bottom of the 9th which would have won game 2 and the CWS title only to have OSU come back to win and take game 3. You can bet that The Razorbacks have been thinking about avenging that loss for a whole year. Does the phrase “Unfinished Business” ring a bell? The Hogs were tied for the top in the west with Miss State (which also is coming to Omaha having beaten Stanford in the super regionals). Only Georgia and Vandy had better SEC records and they ended up the #2 and #4 national seeds. Yes, Arkansas is that good. How good are they? In the best conference in the country, Arkansas was 3rd best on offense and 5th best in pitching; basically even with Vandy in both hitting and pitching with the Commodores who are the overall #2 national seed. The Hogs won series from LSU, Tenn, Miss St (sweep!), and Auburn while losing close series early to Vandy and Ole Miss. MATCHUP: On paper, this should be an easy Hog win. There is nothing offensively that FSU should be able to score many runs early and the Hog’s excellent bullpen comes in late in games. So the only question is can FSU pitch well enough to hold the Hog’s dogs at bay? The only chance FSU has is if their pitcher can get hot early and throw a lot of strikeouts. The flip side is the more strikeouts you throw the more likely that the Hog’s power comes into play and then they score runs in bunches. Should be over early.
GET YOUR FOCUS ON! www.focusomaha.com
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Red Wanting Blue Headed for Omaha By Andy Roberts
Their home is the road. Red Wanting Blue, a band with Ohio roots that now is 11 albums and 23 years into their career, are rocking their way to Omaha on July 12 for a show at The Waiting Room. “I don’t look at it as a choice,” band leader Scott Terry stated. “It’s something you want to do and you do it.” Terry sings and plays guitar with Erick Hall on lead and lap steel guitar. Mark McCullough plays bass and synths while Dean Anshutz is the drummer and Greg Rahm is a utility guy on keys and guitar. The name grew out of thoughts shared by the band on its goals. “Using primary colors (strong) and going after something you’re really not designed to be but doing it anyway,” Terry explained. Their sound combines rock, Americana, and folk. “I refer to us as a heartland rock ‘n’ roll band,” Terry said. The band leader claims not playing the big venues on the coasts brings its own special pleasures.
“We’ve been playing bars in the middle of American for over two decades,” Terry stated. “Towns like Kearney are very familiar to us,” he added, pointing out former Kearney Mayor Stan Clouse even gave them a key to the city. “The country is very big in the middle,” Terry observed, and he doesn’t mind the travel. “They lose a lot,” he said, of bands that don’t play in the Midwest. What Terry finds interesting is how bands that are limited in where they can go do with their opportunities can now get exposure through global access to multiple sources for new sounds while remaining close to their roots. In March, Red Wanting Blue unveiled the video for new single, “I’ve Got a Feeling it Hurts.” The song is a duet with former tourmate, Liz Brasher. It was filmed in the Nabisco Sisters mansion, built in1855 and possibly haunted, on Staten Island, New York. That’s a far cry from the road that will bring them back to Omaha, a city they know so well. “Omaha is a great town. A great place,” Terry emphasized. “Really like Benson.” And he recalled: “We’ve been tempted to pull over to the King Kong burger a time or two.” Sometimes the road doesn’t allow for that, so Terry and Red Wanting Blue will stay the course. Being on the road for 20 years might wear on some folks, but Terry doesn’t see it that way. “Our band started as a bunch of kids who weren’t (the) guys to get the great gig,” he recalled. “You deal with what’s been placed out in front of you.” Bands need to know what it takes to make things work. It’s like a family, Terry said, and they’ll figure it out. “I don’t know what else I’d be doing with myself.”.
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For more information on Red Wanting Blue: www.redwantingblue.com www.facebook.com/redwantingblue twitter.com/redwantingblue www.youtube.com/redwantingblue www.instagram.com/redwantingblue/
online & in print focusomaha.com
Matt and Rebekah Rolland By Howard Schwartz
Arizona in the fall. These days, Americana can cover a big slice of music. Matt and Rebekah Rolland have narrowed their focus, somewhat. “For us, we identify with the songwriting aspect of Americana music,” she said. They grew up playing traditional folk and bluegrass songs and learned by listening to some of the legends. John Prine and Townes Van Zandt are among their contemporary favorites as are Justin Townes Earle and Iron and Wine. “Our music definitely builds on that tradition,” she said. “We identify with that songwriting component.” The Rollands also find a depth and honesty in their chosen musical form. Bluegrass and fiddles brought them together and that same music brings Matt and Rebekah Rolland to Nebraska on June 19 and June 22. The husband and wife musical team will be supporting her solo project released last year, Seed & Silo, an album of original tunes written during her artist-inresidence with the National Parks Service at the Homestead National Monument in Beatrice during 2016. PopMatters named it one of the year’s 20 best. The Rollands, Arizona natives, grew up playing national contest fiddle music and for a while they played in the family band, Run Boy Run. Their sound has evolved from its purest roots. “We are more in the Americana vein now,” Rebekah Rolland said. “We have been playing professionally the last seven years.” This year the due has been playing mostly in Arizona while recording a new album. During the summer they will tour in Nebraska, Missouri and Kansas. “We’ll head up to Colorado for the rest of the summer,” she said, and then cut back to
“A real sense of time and place . . . We identify with trying to carry on that music while adding to the narrative.” Being an Americana-folk artist in a time when many (including your writer) feel shallow pop confections have too much of the spotlight can be a challenge. “It varies a little bit from state to state,” Rebekah Rolland said. The faction often is strong even when it is small, and she knows it exists in Lincoln and Omaha. Festivals, she stated, are keeping the overall scene strong. Intimate listening rooms are their favorite settings where they can really engage and have discussions with the people who come to the shows. It is a great way to build an audience. In Nebraska they will play Homestead National Monument for the third time and the festival for the first on June 22. On June 19 they are set for a show at Crescent Moon Coffee House in Lincoln. “We just love, love going back there,” she said. “They’re really, really warm audiences . . . We love the Midwest.” For more on Tom and Rebekah Rolland: https://www.rebekahrolland.com/ http://runboyrunband.com/
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Men’s Health Week National Men’s Health Week is observed each year leading up to Father’s Day. This week is a reminder for men to take steps to be healthier, but they don’t have to do it alone! Whether it’s your husband, partner, dad, brother, son, or friend you can help support the health and safety of the men in your life.
Set an Example with Healthy Habits
You can support the men in your life by having healthy habits yourself and by making healthy choices. · Eat healthy and include a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Fruits and vegetables have many vitamins and minerals that may help protect you from chronic diseases. Limit foods and drinks high in calories, sugar, salt, fat, and alcohol. · Regular physical activity has many benefits. It can help control your weight, reduce your risk of heart disease and some cancers, and can improve your mental health and mood. Find fun ways to be active together. Adults need 2½ hours of physical activity each week. · Set an example by choosing not to smoke and encourage the men in your life to quit smoking. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. You lower your risk for different types of cancer, and don’t expose others to secondhand smoke—which causes health problems. Call your state’s tobacco quitline (for English speakers, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW [1-800-784-8669]; for Spanish speakers, call 1-855-DÉJELO-YA [1-855-335-3569])
· Help the men in your life recognize and reduce stress. Physical or emotional tension are often signs of stress. They can be reactions to a situation that causes you to feel threatened or anxious. Learn ways to manage stress including finding support, eating healthy, exercising regularly, and avoiding drugs and alcohol.
Remind Men to Get Regular Checkups Encourage men to see a doctor or health professional for regular checkups and to learn about their family health history.
Men can prepare for doctor’s visits. Certain diseases and conditions may not have symptoms, so checkups help identify issues early or before they can become a problem. It’s important for men (and women) to understand their family health history, which is a written or graphic record of the diseases and health conditions present in your family. It is helpful to talk with family members about health history, write this information down, and update it from time to time.
Know the Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Every 40 seconds someone in the U.S. has a heart attack. Know the signs of a heart attack and if you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack call 911 immediately. Major signs of a heart attack include: · Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back · Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint · Chest pain or discomfort · Pain or discomfort in arms or shoulder · Shortness of breath Encourage Men to Seek Help for Depression Depression is one of the leading causes of disease or injury worldwide for both men and women. Learn to recognize the signs and how to help the men in your life.
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CDC.gov
· Signs of depression include persistent sadness, grumpiness, feelings of hopelessness, tiredness and decreased energy, and thoughts of suicide. · Those that suffer from depression or anxiety should seek help as early as possible. If you or someone you care about is in crisis, please seek help immediately.
· Call 911 · Visit a nearby emergency department or your health care provider’s office
· Call the toll-free, 24-hour hotline of the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255); TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY (4889) to talk to a trained counselor
THURSDAY, JUNE 13
Classic Car Cruise-In, Quaker Steak, 5p Beer Garden; CD 105 Live/DJ, Food Specials -----------------------------------------------------Pam & The Pearls, Bayliss Park, 6:30p -----------------------------------------------------Coheed and Cambria Harrah’s Stir Cove, 6:30p -----------------------------------------------------Sounds Fishy! Dave & Jeff Jr from Music Bingo at 3rd base The Fishheads McCoys @ Thunderbowl, 6:30p -----------------------------------------------------Music Bingo, 3rd Base Bar & Grill, 8p -----------------------------------------------------Movies In The Park featurig Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse *COMIC NIGHT* Bayliss Park, 8:30p -----------------------------------------------------Desiree aka Ms Curvy B-Day Bash CUBE Ultra Lounge, 9p
Forgiven Sinner, CrossRoads Church, 7p -----------------------------------------------------New Age Exoticus, CUBE Ultra Lounge, 10p
SATURDAY, JUNE 15
Block Party, Broadway United Methodist , 11a -----------------------------------------------------Innocent Fun Acoustic Duo McCoy’s Thunderbowl, 6:30p -----------------------------------------------------Mr. Sinister at Zachary Patrick Mendoza Benefit, Elks Lodge 531, 7p -----------------------------------------------------Shadow Ridge, Pioneer Trail Orchard, 7p -----------------------------------------------------Gerardo Ortiz, Mid-America Center, 9p -----------------------------------------------------Live Wire, Whiskey Roadhouse, 9p
FRIDAY, JUNE 14
Bike Night: Bikers Against Child Abuse w/ DJ Jen, Karaoke, Raffle, Food & Fun!, Kikkers, 5p -----------------------------------------------------Domestic Blend, McCoy’s Thunderbowl, 6p
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Big Fish, Little Fish
By Jerry Kane Nebraska Game and Parks
Shoreline access at some of the state’s urban fisheries, such as Lake Halleck in Papillion, is excellent. Some, like Omaha’s Zorinsky Lake and Lincoln’s Bowling Lake, offer accessible fishing decks. Urban fisheries are the perfect place to take fishing someone new or someone who has not been fishing in a while. When you do, snap a photo and enter to win prizes in the Take ’em Fishing challenge. Visit outdoornebraska.gov/ takeemfishing for details. Go to OutdoorNebraska.org to buy a fishing permit and to find urban fisheries across the state
Caught at Louisville State Recreation Area last week
Big fish in small waters. That’s what anglers can catch this month in urban ponds and lakes across the state. Greg Wagner, public information officer with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, says smaller fisheries often are overlooked, especially around Omaha. “Don’t forget that big fish do live in small waters,” he said. “Metro area anglers shouldn’t overlook what’s in their own backyard. Some of these fisheries are underutilized.” June is a month when the water warms, making the fish more active and willing to bite. Later in the summer, small aquatic creatures will be abundant in the water and compete with an angler’s bait. Nebraska’s urban fisheries typically are stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. Each of those species can be caught on simple equipment with a simple bait. “This is nightcrawler time,” Wagner said. “You just can’t go wrong with a worm, especially with a small bobber.”
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U.S.-China Trade War: Who Pays the Price? By Michael Harek On May 13, 2019, escalating trade tensions between the United States and China sparked a worldwide stock sell-off that wiped out more than $1 trillion in global equity values.1 The markets recovered over the next three days, but tensions between the economic giants continued to drive volatility with no resolution in sight.2 Investors sometimes overreact to short-term events, but the conflict with China has been simmering for decades, and an extended trade war could have long-term economic consequences.
imbalance, even as China has grown into a global economic powerhouse. Among the most contentious issues are currency manipulation, excessive restrictions on U.S. companies, forced technology transfers, and theft of intellectual property.
THE TARIFFS
In early 2018, the Trump administration began imposing global tariffs on imported steel, aluminum, solar panels, and washing machines. While these tariffs were intended to stimulate U.S. manufacturing by protecting domestic THE ISSUES production, the primary focus soon turned to China was the largest U.S. trading partner in China. Between July and September 2018, 2018, with $737 billion in goods and services the United States imposed a 25% levy on $50 exchanged between the two nations, account- billion of Chinese goods and a 10% tax on an ing for 13% of all U.S. trade. The fundamental additional $200 billion of goods, which was set issue is the imbalance in this relationship; the to rise to 25% on January 1, 2019, unless Chigoods and services trade deficit of $379 billion na took steps to level the playing field. China represented more than 60% of the total U.S. retaliated by placing tariffs of 5% to 25% on trade deficit. The United States maintains a $110 billion of U.S. goods, covering almost all surplus in services (primarily travel spending U.S. exports to China.5-6 by Chinese citizens and software), so the In December 2018, both nations agreed to critical concern is the deficit in goods, which a truce, and President Trump extended the totaled $419 billion in 2018 — an increase of deadline to raise tariffs. When negotiations 11.6% over the previous year.3-4 broke down in early May 2019, the U.S. raised For years, U.S. officials have accused China of the 10% tariffs to 25% effective May 10, and using unfair trade practices to maintain this the president threatened to levy tariffs on
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the additional costs. An academic study of the the remaining $300 billion of Chinese goods. China retaliated by raising tariffs on more than 2018 tariffs found that Chinese exporters generally did not lower their prices, so part of the half of U.S. goods already being taxed.7 increased cost was absorbed by the importers, cutting into their profit margins, and the rest CARRYING THE COSTS U.S. importers of Chinese goods must pay the was passed on to U.S. consumers in the form of higher prices. The net cost to the U.S. economy actual tax, but the question is who absorbs was estimated to be $1.4 billion per month.8
A separate study found that prices for nine categories of goods most affected by the tariffs increased by an average of 3% from early 2018 to early 2019, while the prices of other goods (excluding volatile food and energy) declined by 2%. This study also found that some U.S. manufacturers used the tariffs as an opportunity to raise prices, which is the fundamental purpose of protective tariffs — to allow domestic producers to set prices without being undercut by imports.9
product growth by 0.3% — enough to slow the current pace but not enough to shift the economy into reverse.14
The new 25% tariffs do not apply to Chinese goods that were already in transit as of May 10, so the effects may not reach U.S. consumers until later this summer. Based on the 2018 tariffs — only 10% on most imported goods — the increase to 25% will likely raise prices significantly on a wide range of consumer goods from laptops and mobile phones to clothing, furniture, sporting goods, luggage, and fish. Higher tariffs on supplies such as circuit boards, computer chips, and auto parts will likely be passed on to consumers as well.10 A Federal Reserve study estimated that the tariffs will cost the average household $831 per year.11
All investments are subject to market volatility and loss of principal. Investments, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Investing internationally carries additional risks such as differences in financial reporting, currency exchange risk, and economic and political risk unique to the specific country. This may result in greater share price volatility.
SHIFTING SUPPLY CHAINS
Many U.S. manufacturers and importers are looking for suppliers in other countries and/or moving production out of China. Over the long term, this should reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese products, but the “Made in China” label is so pervasive in the U.S. market that it will be a slow process. Consumers may not notice the difference in products made in Cambodia or Mexico rather than China, but the longterm effect on consumer prices remains to be seen.12
Market volatility is likely to continue as long as investors react to moves on either side of the conflict. However, many other factors also influence the markets, and it would be wise to focus on your long-term investment goals without overreacting to short-term market swings.
1) Bloomberg, May 13, 2019 2) Yahoo! Finance, May 22, 2019 3) Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, 2019 4) U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 5) Reuters, May 8, 2019 6) BBC News, May 14, 2019 7) CNN Business, May 13, 2019 8-9) The Wall Street Journal, May 15, 2019 10, 13-14) The Wall Street Journal, May 10, 2019 11) Federal Reserve Bank of New York, May 23, 2019 12) The Wall Street Journal, May 9, 2019
The Chinese market is far less dependent on U.S. goods, which gives China less of an edge in levying tariffs but also causes less disruption for Chinese consumers. Agricultural products are a major U.S. export to China, and the Chinese have already shifted to other suppliers, drying up an important market for American farmers. The Trump administration has authorized subsidies to affected farmers, but uncertainty about potential markets has disrupted farming operations.13 While U.S. consumers and businesses may bear the brunt of the tariffs in the short term, the United States is better positioned to outlast China in an extended trade war. Despite headwinds from trade concerns, the U.S. economy remains strong. One estimate suggests that the 25% tariffs may reduce gross domestic
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LGBT Pride Month Report By Eric Cano
June is national LGBT Pride Month, and in recognition, the National Association of Realtors® has released its first-ever Profile of Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Buyers and Sellers. The report, which utilizes four years of data from NAR’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, analyses the differences between LGB and other buyers and sellers. The report found that all groups — those identifying LGB and heterosexual — were most likely to purchase real estate because of a desire to own their own home1. “The American Dream of homeownership traverses across the spectrum of our society — including sexual orientation — and Realtors® always have and will continue to advocate so that anyone who wants to, and is capable of purchasing a home, is able to do so,” said NAR President John Smaby, a second-generation Realtor® from Edina, Minnesota and broker at Edina Realty. “Realtors® have always embraced the significance of the protections secured by the Fair Housing Act, and have encouraged efforts to extend them by amending our Code of Ethics in 2009 to prohibit discriminations based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”
Home Buyer/Seller Characteristics
Bisexual home buyers were the most likely to indicate they were first-time homebuyers (58%), followed by lesbian and gay buyers (36%) and heterosexuals (32%). Bisexuals were also the youngest buyers, median age of 36 years old, and had the lowest median income of $62,400. In comparison, lesbian and gay buyers were the oldest buyers at 45 years old. Heterosexual buyers reported a median age of 44 and a median income of $91,200, similar to $92,900 for lesbian and gay buyers.
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In addition to being the most likely to identify as first-time home buyers, bisexual sellers were the most likely to identify as first-time home sellers at 50%. Lesbian/gay and heterosexual first-time sellers each registered at 36%. “The number of home buyers and sellers who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual has remained steady at 4% since we first included the question in our HBS survey in 2015,” said Dr. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. “Given that Millennials now make up 37% of home buyers2 and attitudes regarding sexual orientation continue to shift even among Generation Z, we expect to see this percentage increase in future surveys as younger generations are more likely to self-identify as LGB.” Bisexual home buyers were less likely to identify as white/Caucasian than lesbian/gay or heterosexual buyers (77%, compared to 88% and 85%, respectively), and were nearly twice as likely to identify as Hispanic than both groups (13% compared to 7%). Fourteen percent of bisexual buyers were born outside of the U.S., versus 7% of lesbian and gay buyers. Eight percent of bisexual buyers reported speaking a primary household language other than English, more than lesbian and gay buyers (4%) and heterosexual buyers (2%). More than one-third of bisexual buyers identified as single females (38%), while a quarter of lesbian and gay buyers identified as single men (25%). Lesbian and gay buyers were also the group most likely to identify as an unmarried couple at 22%, compared to 15% of bisexual buyers and 7% of heterosexual buyers. Heterosexual buyers were the most likely to identify as a married couple (66%), followed by lesbian and gay buyers (38%) and bisexual buyers (34%). continued on page 27
Focus | June 12 - June 18 | Volume 3 Issue 24
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Lesbian and gay buyers were most likely to purchase in an urban area or a city center (28%), while bisexual buyers were most likely to buy a home in a small town (22%). All sexual orientations were equally likely to purchase in a resort or recreation area, 2%.
While heterosexual buyers were the most likely to have children in their households (38%), bisexual buyers were nearly three times as likely to have children in their households compared to lesbian and gay buyers (29% to 11%).
Characteristics of Homes Purchased
Bisexual buyers purchased the smallest and oldest homes, with a median square footage of 1,840 square feet and median year built of 1966. Lesbian and gay buyers followed with a median square footage of 1,900 and a median year built of 1974, while heterosexual buyers purchased the largest and newest homes (2,060 median square feet, 1985 median year).
Bisexual buyers were most likely to have made at least one compromise in their home purchase, most likely on the price (28%), style of home (23%) or distance from their jobs (23%). Lesbian and gay buyers were the least likely to have compromised on convenience to schools (7%). The data used for the report is an aggregation of data from responses from 2015 through 2018 NAR Profile of Home Buyer and Sellers, totaling 22,521 responses. Four percent of all respondents identified as lesbian, gay or bisexual (3% and 1%, respectively), making for a total sample size of 918 LGB buyers and sellers. 1Lesbian/Gay 34%, Bisexual 43%, Heterosexual
29% 2The 2018 edition of NAR’s Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
Bisexual buyers were the most likely to purchase a detached single-family home (86%), while lesbian and gay buyers were the least likely (79%). Heterosexual buyers were the most likely to purchase a multi-generational home at 13%, compared to 10% of LGB buyers.
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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 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
Focus | June 12 - June 18 | Volume 3 Issue 24 29
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
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Focus | June 12 - June 18 | Volume 3 Issue 24
Focus | June 12 - June 18 | Volume 3 Issue 24 31