YOUR
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LIVE
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 25 | JUNE 19 - JUNE 25 | 2019 ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, HEALTH, PERSONAL FINANCE, & MUSIC NEWSWEEKLY
Wasted Highway
LIVE
MonkeyFunk
OUTDOORS
Controlling Unwanted Grass
REAL ESTATE Rooftop District
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FOCUS ON THIS WEEK!
JUNE 25 | 2019
YOUR
LY 25 | JUNE 19 MUSIC NEWSWEEK VOLUME 3 ISSUE NAL FINANCE, & ENT, HEALTH, PERSO FREE ARTS, ENTERTAINM
OUTDOORS ss ed Gra
LIVE
Wasted Highway
LIVE
MonkeyFunk
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THE ARTS
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LINCOLN
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BENSON
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OUTDOORS
Controlling Unwant
REAL ESTATE rict Rooftop Dist
Controlling Unwanted Grass By John Felch Nebraska Horticulture Extension
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FAMILY 24
FINANCE
In-Service Withdrawals from 401(k) Plans By Michael Herek Sponsored By Blue Capitol Wealth
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EVENTS 26
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ON TEN
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THIS WEEKS FEATURE | REAL ESTATE | SPORTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Can We Convert Flooded, Destroyed Farmland to Renewable Energy Production? By Kat Carroll, Solar Heat and Electric
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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 Wasted Highway – Not Wasting Their Time By Andy Roberts 17
LOCAL
MonkeyFunk – Bringing it for a Good Time to Flood Relief By Eddie Torrez
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HEALTH
Pool Safety By Focus Omaha
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COUNCIL BLUFFS
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
This pet friendly event is $10 per day or $20 for a full weekend pass. Children 12 & under are free. Early Bird passes are also available for $30, that gets you in Junkstock is the place to be for vintage two hours early Friday with a $5 voucher finds, unique antiques, handmade artisan towards Junkstock gear (also includes food and goods and one of a kind repuradmission for the whole weekend). posed relics. The three-day curated vintage, junk & artisan festival that celebrates African Fashion Week Omaha (AFWO19)! The Living Room, 1111 N 13th St, Omaha all things rusty, dusty & timeless is at the -----------------------------------------------------charming century-old Sycamore Farms. HANNS ZISCHLER 6P-9P, THE GARDEN HOURS: OF THE ZODIAC, 1042 HOWARD ST. Friday 4pm-11pm LIGHT LAID ASLEEP/LIGHT AWOKEN Saturday 2pm-11pm Pinhole Color Photographs 2010 - 2018 Sunday 10am-4pm ------------------------------------------------------ through August 4th. -----------------------------------------------------To register and learn more, please visit: FRIDAY, JUNE 21- SUNDAY, JUNE 23 SHAWNEQUA LINDER: WE ARE DIFFERENT https://thekaneko.org/programs/walkingABSTRACT FOLK with-a-purpose/ SPLIT GALLERY, 2561 LEAVENWORTH ST THE B SIDE OF BENSON THEATRE, 6058 MAPLE STREET, OMAHA , 6p-11p ------------------------------------------------------ Four unique and compelling artists bring “We Are Different” explores the artist’s FRIDAY, JUNE 21 | 4P out their latest artistic works on the night unique way of painting portraits. Each has JUNKSTOCK: UNDERNEATH THE STARS of the summer solstice. These four artists SYCAMORE FARMS, 1150 RIVER RD DR. create paintings and collage that are narra- its own identity through color, emotion and Junkstock: Underneath the Stars is back tive, shape centric, and shamanic. Abstract texture. The color reflects an emotional state, and the texture is the chaos within June 21-23, 2019! Omaha’s original vinwith folk sensibilities. tage festival, Junkstock, features 150+ junk ------------------------------------------------------ the subject matter. “We Are Different” is on display throughout and vintage vendors and artisans from our SATURDAY, JUNE 22 | 6P June at the B Side Gallery, 6058 Maple. own backyard and all over the country, live AFRICAN FASHION WEEK OMAHA -----------------------------------------------------music, food trucks, and a free Kids Village. THE LIVING ROOM, 1111 N 13TH ST THURSDAY, JUNE 20 | ART TALK 7P-8P SATURDAY, JUNE 22 | 12:30P-2P WALKINGG WITH A PURPOSE KANEKO, 1111 JONES ST., OMAHA Join KANEKO and Omaha-based artist Bekah Jerde for a two-day collaborative program, Walk with a Purpose. Beginning June 20th with an artist talk and q&a session, learn in depth about perception, purpose, and her #pedestrianperks project. Following on June 22nd, we invite you to participate in an artist walk, allowing patrons to be apart of and experience Jerde’s creative process firsthand.
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Pet friendly & Children 12 & under are free!
Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25
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. This innovative, multimedia experience features more than 10 life-sized dinosaur specimens on display. With a dramatic array of fossils and casts of tyrannosaur specimens, Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family provides a snapshot of dinosaur life. ------------------------------------------------------
WHAT’S YOUR FOCUS?
Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25 5
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Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25
THURSDAY, JUNE 20 | 2p TYRANNOSAURS AT TWO DURHAM MUSEUM, 801 S 10TH ST. Join museum staff at 2p every day during the run of Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family, to learn everything you need to know about dinosaurs. Each day of the week will have a different topic, complete with trivia and prizes, so you can come back again and again! Registration is not required and regular museum admission applies; guests will join a staff member in the exhibition gallery for this daily program. More Info Online At Durhammuseum.org -----------------------------------------------------THURSDAY, JUNE 20 DINOSAUR EGG HUNT | 3P SOUTHWIND 8120 S. 92ND AVE, LAVISTA, NE The La Vista Recreation Department and Library are looking for young explorers to help us hunt for giant dinosaur eggs... A.K.A. watermelons! When all of the eggs are found, we will haul them back to the picnic shelter, crack them open and enjoy eating a cold slice. Tell your favorite dinosaur joke for a chance to win a prize! http://www. cityoflavista.org -----------------------------------------------------THURSDAY, JUNE 20 | 6p-8p TUNES IN TOWN SQUARE RALSTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 5505 MILLER AVE, RALSTON, NE Tunes in Town Square returns to Downtown Ralston on Thursday, June 20th!
FRIDAY, JUNE 21 | 8:45p- 10p MOVIES IN THE PARK: WILLY WONKA & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, BAYLISS PARK, 100 PEARL ST, COUNCIL BLUFFS Bring your family and friends to enjoy a free six-week series of family-friendly summer fun. Enjoy concerts and films along with the Bayliss fountain, interactive water feature, touchable art, and Veterans’ Memorial Wall. -----------------------------------------------------FRIDAY, JUNE 21 | 6:30p- 8:30 MUSIC AND MEMORIES - CHAD LEE The 2019 Vibes Summer Concert Series SHADOW LAKE TOWNE CENTER is on Thursday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 72ND STREET & HWY 370, PAPILLION p.m., June 6 – August 15. Grab a blanket and chair and join us every Concert guests can enjoy a cold beverage at Friday from 6:30 P.M.-8:30 P.M. in the Shadow Lake Towne Center Amphitheater for a the Brew Patio hosted by Johnny’s Italian brand new exciting concert line-up! Bring Steakhouse! your boots and hang out with Nashville *No outside alcohol is permitted. Recording Artist, Chad Lee, presented by KAT 103 Omaha’s Country Radio Station. Vibes at Village Pointe is located in the Enjoy an ice-cold beverage from our beverChildren’s Hospital & Medical Center age host Wine Cellar 510 a bite to eat from Amphitheater (between Gunderson’s and our food host, Hy-Vee. No outside alcohol is Bravo! Cucina Italiana). permitted. Cash only. -----------------------------------------------------Full concert schedule: http://www.villageSATURDAY, JUNE 22 | 11a pointeshopping.com/vibes-summer-conJUNIOR JAMScert-series-schedule/ ------------------------------------------------------ OMAHA STREET PERCUSSION SHADOW LAKE TOWNE CENTER FRIDAY, JUNE 21 | 10a-2p 72ND STREET & HWY 370, PAPILLION FOSSIL FRIDAYS Bring the kiddos and some friends and head DURHAM MUSEUM, 801 S 10TH ST over the see the Omaha Street Percussion. • 10a–2p: Crafts, Giveaways and Raffle Kids will love their high energy percus(while supplies last) sion and how they use everyday items to • 10:30a: Guided Exhibit Tour • 11:30a and 1:30p: Dino-Themed Game led by Museum Staff
create the perfect jam session. Bring your swimsuits and hang out after the show and play in our splashpad, sponsored by Lanoha Nurseries. -----------------------------------------------------SATURDAY, JUNE 22 SATURDAYS AT STINSON CONCERT FISHHEADS 30TH REUNION STINSON PARK, 2285 S 67TH ST You will be entertained by the most talented bands in Omaha and the best part its FREE! There will be food and drink vendors, face painting, balloon artists, bubbles, and the kids will play in the fountain and on the playground equipment. For the concerts you may bring chairs, blankets, an umbrella, and coolers. Please bring koozies for your cans and plastic cups for other drinks as no glass is allowed. Please do not bring tents, canopies or stake anything into the ground. Please have fun and enjoy your time in Stinson Park ! Aksarben Village … where there is always something fun going on! -----------------------------------------------------SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 9A-1P AKSARBEN VILLAGE FARMER’S MARKET The Omaha Farmers Market in Aksarben Village is open every Sunday through Oct 13th from 9a - 1p on 67th & Center Streets. Visit www.omahafarmersmarket.org ------------------------------------------------------
Get Out and Focus On the Family WHAT’S YOUR FOCUS? www.FocusOmaha.com
Gather the entire family for Fossil Fridays! Join us for crafts, games, guided tours, giveaways and more. Each Friday will have new activities so you can enjoy all 9 dates as well as collect all 9 dinosaur cutouts throughout the summer. Registration is not required and regular museum admission applies. -----------------------------------------------------June’s Tunes in Town Square will feature FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 7P-8P Ground Zero Band Papillion headlining ROCKBROOK VILLAGE 6pm - 8pm while food trucks will be offerFRIDAY NIGHT CONCERT SERIES ing a variety of tasty treats for purchase. Rockbrook Village, 2800 S 110th Ct. Local musicians entertain families every The shops and boutiques in town will also Friday night throughout the summer. be extending their hours so you can explore Depending on the night, you’ll hear rock, the Downtown Ralston area and see what jazz, pop, blues, latin... you name it! Bring new things there are to discover! a lawn chair and enjoy a delightful evening with the whole family. Come out and join us at the Independence Square gazebo for an evening of fun for the This FREE, family-friendly event is co-sponwhole family! sored by the Rockbrook Village® ------------------------------------------------------ Merchants’ Association, the Omaha THURSDAY, JUNE 20 | 6:30p-8:30p Musicians Union and the Music VIBES SUMMER CONCERT SERIES FEAPerformance Trust Fund, who help fund in TURING ONE2GO whole or in part, the instrumental music for VILLAGE POINTE SHOPPING CENTER these performances, as arranged by Local 17305 DAVENPORT ST, OMAHA, NE 70-568, American Federation of Musicians. Grab a blanket or a chair and join us this JUNE 2019 LINE-UP summer for an exciting concert series line- 21: Christy Rossiter (Blues & Rock) up! One2Go takes the stage June 20th with 28: Sebastian Anzaldo w/ Ozone Big Band a variety of pop, rock, and country! (Sinatra Tribute)
Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25 7
----------------------------------------------Ladies Night , Copacabana Cocktail Lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------Thirsty Thursday Karaoke, Forte Music Hall, 9p ----------------------------------------------Mississippi Jake, Harney Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------KoZee Karaoke, KoZee Lounge. 9p ----------------------------------------------Kryoman Live, The Old Mattress Factor, 9p ----------------------------------------------Chris Shelton, Dubliner Pub, 9:30p ----------------------------------------------DJ Sam EC, Parliament Pub Downtown, 10p
WEDNESDAY JUNE 19 Euro Moto Omaha Bike Night Reverb Lounge, 3p ----------------------------------------------Happy Hippie Hour with Carrie Jean The Down Under Lounge, 3p ----------------------------------------------Dr. Webb Music, The Down Under Lounge, 4:20p ----------------------------------------------Car Show and Shine, Keystone Center, 5p ----------------------------------------------Beer, Bingo & Trivia, Kros Strain Brewing Co., 6p ----------------------------------------------Paa Kow, Reverb Lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------Much-A-Brew, Nebraka Shakespeare, 6p ----------------------------------------------CWS 2019 | Kids Day, TD Ameritrade Park, 6p ----------------------------------------------Bill Chrastil, Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Silver Moon Band at Hangout’s Bike Night American Dream / Hangout, 7p ----------------------------------------------Chernobyl The Secret, The Othello Syndrome, Pharis , Yoga For Cats Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 7p ----------------------------------------------Ray’s Piano Party, Mr. Toad, 7p ----------------------------------------------Mike Tamburo Live in Omaha, Om Center, 7p ----------------------------------------------Ladies Night, Rednecks, 7p --------------------------------------------Trivia, Stocks n Bonds, 7p ----------------------------------------------Acoustic Open Mic Night The New Frontier Bar, 7p ----------------------------------------------PWP WrestleRama, The Waiting Room, 7p --------------------------------------------The Breaking Even Tour The Omaha Lounge, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------DJ Bumblebeats, Bar 415, 8p --------------------------------------------Comedy Open Mic, Barley Street Tavern, 8p ----------------------------------------------Thursday Night Trivia, Nifty Bar, 8p --------------------------------------------Omaha Slam Team Send-Off The Down Under Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Karaoke w/ Host Adam Flohr Brokedown Palace, 9p ----------------------------------------------- Paa Kow, Reverb Lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------James Kennedy, The Old Mattress Factory, 9p ----------------------------------------------Wednesday Night Karaoke with Brixz Brokedown Palace, 10p ----------------------------------------------Kiwi’s Karaoke Takeover The Down Under Lounge, 10p
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THURSDAY JUNE 20 Mike Zito W\ The Redwoods, Chrome Lounge, 5p ----------------------------------------------Tunes In Town Square , Downtown Ralston, 6p ----------------------------------------------All’s Well That Ends Well Shakespeare On The Green, 6p ----------------------------------------------Chamber Night Out: Omaha Stormchasers Werner Park, 6p ----------------------------------------------Chad Lee Live, WestEnd, 6p ----------------------------------------------Tinsley Ellis , Zoo Bar, 6p ----------------------------------------------Josh Powell , Ozone Lounge, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Tenor Madness!, The Jewell, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Vibes Summer Concert Series w/ One2Go Village Pointe, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------NotUTwo, Vino Mas, 6:30p ----------------------------------------------Bike Night w/ Swampboy Blues Band Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 7p ----------------------------------------------The Sub-Vectors , Laka Lono Rum Club, 7p ----------------------------------------------Grade 2, Cordial Spew, Tiananmen Squares & Buggy Lewis & The Rabbit Grenades Lookout Lounge, 7p ----------------------------------------------Ladies Night, Rednecks, 7p ----------------------------------------------Weekend Primer with Wayward The B Side of Benson Theatre, 7p ----------------------------------------------Jeff Ruby, The Well, 7p ----------------------------------------------Tara Vaughan’s SHE ROCKS Omaha Community Playhouse, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Nick Hoff, Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p ----------------------------------------------Open Stage/ Jam Night American Dream,/Hangout, 8p ----------------------------------------------- Thursday Night Trivia, Nifty Bar, 8p ----------------------------------------------The Dead Horses with Steady Wells Reverb Lounge, 8p ----------------------------------------------3rd Annual Rock Out to Read Benefit Show with Salt Creek, Glen Hollow & Field Club The Waiting Room, 8p ----------------------------------------------Durrrrty Thursday w/ JVC, Bar 415, 9p ----------------------------------------------Amarugia Ridge Runners w/ Electricradbolt Barley Street Tavern, 9p ----------------------------------------------Living Conditions, Nequient & Tijuana Taxi brother’s lounge, 9p
Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25
----------------------------------------------Molten and Diary of Ozz, Chrome Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Room With A View , Harney Street, 9p ----------------------------------------------Andrew Bailie Trio, Havana Garage, 9p ----------------------------------------------String Theory EP Release, Karma, 9p ----------------------------------------------Fat Nap, On The Q Bar, 9p ----------------------------------------------Groove Puppet, Ozone Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Elevate presents: M25, Reverb Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------Satchel Grande, Slowdown, 9p FRIDAY JUNE 21 ----------------------------------------------DJ Skribble, The Old Mattress Factory, 9p ----------------------------------------------Junkstock: Underneath the Stars, Sycamore Farms, 4p Connor Dowling, Dubliner Pub, 9:30p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Indulge Nights w/ DJ ShifD Blue Moon Ghetto, Slowdown, 9:30p Champagne Bar @ Empire Room, 5p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Prairie Gators, The Down Under Lounge, 9:30p Heather Newman Band w\ Far & Wide ----------------------------------------------The B. Bar, 9p And How ~ Summer Like The Season ~ Magu ~ Ben ----------------------------------------------Eisenberger, O’Leaver’s Pub, 10p Jared William Gottberg, The Cove Lounge, 5p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DJ Ivan Alferez , Parliamnet Pub Downtown, 10p Skuddur , Surfside, 6p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------DJ Lucas Krance, Parliament Pub West, 10p Fridays are Bomb Night!, The New Frontier Bar, 6p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Arena (Improv), The Backline, 10p Not My Weekend, HAPPY. + Friends Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 7p ----------------------------------------------SATURDAY JUNE 22 Jitterbugs Night Out LIVE: Spencer Banister Jazztet Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 38, 7p Inaugural Back Alley Blues Festival ----------------------------------------------Love’s Jazz & Art Center, 2p Tony and Walt , Infusion Brewery SW, 7p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Junkstock: Underneath the Stars Armed For Apocalypse w/ Special Guests Sycamore Farms, 2p The Clincher Die To Exist, Lookout Lounge, 7p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Sweet 98.5, DJ Crabrangucci , Slowdown, 4p Christy Rossiter , Rockbrook Village, 7p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Zydeco Festival, Midtown Crossing, 5p ReCaptured: A Tribute To Journey, Stinson Park, 7p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Flippin Whiskey, Surfside, 6p Big Canvas Extended Play, The Backline, 7p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Blue Felix w/ Flux Amuck, Lookout Lounge, 7p Jumpin Kate , Therapy Bar, 7p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The Classless, Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 7p Acoustic Open Mic, Apollon Art Space, 7:30p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fishheads 30th Reunion Hillsong United Stinson Park in Aksarben Village, 7p The People Tour, Baxter Arena, 7:30p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ken Siter, Vino Mas, 7p Nick Hoff, Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p/9:45p --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Carrie-oke Entertainment (Karaoke) Hope Remains featuring Mikey Dean Smith American Legion Post #1, 7:30p Dr. Jack’s Drinkery, 8p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Nick Hoff, Omaha Funny Bone, 7:30p Sweet Tea Trio, Havana Garage, 8p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Swampboy Blues Band, Havana Garage, 8p The Great American Metal BBQ 2019 --------------------------------------------Your Last Chance / The Tale Untold / Sovereignty / Elevate Presents: Mode, O’leaver’s Pub, 8p Dreams In Peril / Lucida Dark --------------------------------------------The Waiting Room, 8p David Venhuizen Recording, Reverb Lounge, 8p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Feel Good Fridays Featuring Tyi Hakeem Karaoke & Music, Smitty’s Garage, 8p The Omaha Lounge, 8:30p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Trivia & Karaoke Night, Stumble Inn, 8p Satellite Junction / SkreTTa eTc / Dive Kings --------------------------------------------- American Dream/ The Hangout, 9p Hotel Desperado , Surfside, 8p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pun Crock II: Barley Stew, Barley Street, 9p Mikey Dean LIVE Acoustic , Therapy Bar, 8p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Nick Lynch, Beer Can Alley, 9p Kramos | Strvylight | Darkst4r, Waiting Room, 8p ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Brother East Brother West, Burrito Envy, 9p Satellite Junction, Soul Ghost & SkreTTa eTc
American Dream / Hangout , 9p ----------------------------------------------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 --------------------------------------------Live Wire, Ozone Lounge, 9p --------------------------------------------The Wood Notes Album Release, Rever Lounge, 9p ----------------------------------------------No Shelter: Rage Tribute & Gallivant: Muse Tribute, Slowdown, 9p ----------------------------------------------DJ Travis Howe, Parliamnet Pub Downtown, 10p ----------------------------------------------DJ Lucas Krance, Parliament Pub West, 10p --------------------------------------------Summer KICK OFF Bash, 18+ Wired Pub, 10p --------------------------------------------Daniel & The Deliverance, Dubliner Pub, 9:30p --------------------------------------------Live Band Karaoke,The Down Under, 9:30p --------------------------------------------House Kats, Bar 415, 10p --------------------------------------------DJ Devon Dupree, Parliament Old Market, 10p --------------------------------------------Gallivant: Muse tribute & No Shelter: Rage tribute, Slowdown, 10p
SUNDAY JUNE 23 Junkstock: Underneath the Stars Sycamore Farms, 10a ----------------------------------------------Oldies Music Bingo, Moe & Curly’s Pub, 1p --------------------------------------------Throttle Up Live! South Omaha Eagles Club #154, 1p --------------------------------------------Tara Vaughan’s SHE ROCKS Omaha Community Playhouse, 2p --------------------------------------------Still Here, American Legion Post #1, 3p --------------------------------------------Live Music w Andrew Bailie J.Gilbert’s Wood-Fired Steaks, 5p --------------------------------------------Fishheads LIVE, Surfside, 5p --------------------------------------------Hallow Point, MurderHouse, Pharis official & Scared Of The Dark, Dr. Jack’s Drinkerry, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Zamora Live - SMO Tour, Ralston Arena, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Cade Foehner Live, The Well, 7p --------------------------------------------FREE Booze Bingo, The Down Under Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Vic Nasty, Bar 415, 9p --------------------------------------------Live Wire, Ozone Louge, 9p --------------------------------------------DJ Lucas Krance, Parliament Old Market, 9p --------------------------------------------Karaoke Sundays, Parliament Pub West, 9p --------------------------------------------Bollywood In Benson, The Waiting Room, 10p
MONDAY JUNE 24 Terminator Double Feature HH The Down Under, 3p --------------------------------------------Free Pool Billiards, Big John’s, 6p --------------------------------------------Aly Peeler & Andrew Bailie Monarch Prime & Bar, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Ozone Big Band: Subby Anzaldo, 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 25 Tempo of Twilight, Lauritzen Gardens, 6p --------------------------------------------Billy Troy, Ozone Lounge, 6:30p --------------------------------------------Open Jam, Barley Street Tavern, 7p --------------------------------------------Train/Goo Goo Dolls, Stir Cove, 7p ----------------------------------------------Acoustic Open Mic Night The New Frontier Bar, 7p ----------------------------------------------Open Mic & Jam, Therapy Bar, 7p --------------------------------------------The Blues w/Héctor Anchondo The Omaha Lounge, 7:30p -------------------------------------------Trivia, The Down Under Lounge, 8p --------------------------------------------Helms Alee,The End in Red & Jump The Tiger, O’Leaver’s Pub, 9p --------------------------------------------Juice Brothers, The Old Mattress Factory, 9p --------------------------------------------Industry Night, Parliament Pub West, 9p --------------------------------------------Karaoke, The Down Under Lounge, 10p
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3rd annual Rock Out to Read WAITING ROOM
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Saturdays at Stinson Park w/ The Fishheads STINSON PARK
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Living Proof Live Blue Moon Ghetto PINNACLE BANK ARENA SLOWDOWN
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Glow in the Dark Bollywood Partyv BENSON
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Jerry Pranksters DOWN UNDER
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Hillsong United BAXTER ARENA
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Folk Uke WAITIG ROOM
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Train/Goo Goo Dolls HARRAH’S STIR COVE
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What Is The Rooftop District? By Eric Cano
The Rooftop District is an innovation community that consists of 3 acres of land from 31st and Leavenworth to 33rd and Leavenworth in Omaha, NE. It’s built for the continuous flow of people, ideas and activity. It’s a community of creative space – marketspace, co-working space, entertainment, generous green space and event space – that connects thinkers and doers and ignites innovation. With easy access to miles of trails connecting adjacent parks, neighborhoods and cultural districts, the Rooftop District offers a new environment for driving global impact in health, technology, manufacturing, and education. The Rooftop District is based on 3 core values that are imperative to the success of the active innovators that will reside and work. Collaborate 3 acres of re-purposed urban real estate where established companies and start-ups collide, share knowledge, and develop innovative and impactful ideas and solutions. Culture An active, vibrant community that attracts curious and creative people – from neighboring communities to the entire Midwest – to live, play, and innovate.
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Connect A hub where people and companies connect to nearby universities, medical centers, entrepreneurs and local industry leaders. The Rooftop District will be selective with what type of businesses will be a part of this growing ecosystem. Here is a list of the businesses that will be preferred: 1. Technology/ Software Companies 2. Venue Space 3. Event Space 4. Non-Franchised Eateries 5. Destination Entertainment Spaces 6. Coworking Space Omaha Impact Over the last two decades, Omaha has been expanding west. The Rooftop District will take the real estate that Omaha already has and improve that existing area. This will cause two major impactful scenarios to happen. Number one, the Rooftop District will increase the property value of the area. It will also increase property taxes overall and will help develop other areas to ‘beautify’ the city. The second thing that will happen is that there will be fewer costs to the city. As Omaha expands westward there are more
Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25
needs for government services such as police, fire and rescue, sanitation departments, and postal services. The westward expansion will keep taking more tax dollars for sustainability. In turn, this will leave a shortage in the budget for improving the areas of Omaha that need upkeep and improvements. The beauty of the Rooftop District is that it will not be at the cities expense. The project will bring in millions of dollars of investment to develop the area. As the areas improve, people will migrate. Community is something that Omaha has a shortage of due to the lack of density across the city. With people so spread out, it’s hard to congregate and form the community-like ecosystem that drives for city-wide success. city redevelopment 2018T126 Leavenworth Street (31st Street to 39th Street) Council District: 3 Estimated Construction Year: 2020 Change from previous CIP: New Project This project improves the safety of all people moving through the Leavenworth Street corridor from 31st Street and St. Marys Avenue to 39th Street and continues implementation
of the first phase of the BIke Omaha network (aka the “20-Mile Loop”). The project includes resurfacing of the street with a four-to-three vehicle lane reconfiguration and the addition of bicycle lanes in both directions. The fourto-three conversion is a proven safety and efficiency improvement which is supported by a traffic study conducted in connection with Live Well Omaha. The project will support safe and comfortable active transportation through the provision of bicycle facilities and by reducing the barrier impact of Leavenworth Street to pedestrian travel, a concern voiced by area neighborhood associations. The project is also expected to boost economic development along the corridor. The Transportation Element of the Master Plan specifically identifies this stretch of Leavenworth Street as a candidate for a four-to-three conversion and supports bicycle transportation. The MAPA Regional Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan call for bicycle lanes on this stretch of Leavenworth, and the project is included in the Midtown Vision 2050. continued on page 13
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Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25
CWS Update By Dr. K
SATURDAY BRACKET UPDATE:
Texas Tech’s win over Arkansas on Monday gives the Red Raiders an excellent chance to come back and win this bracket against [Michigan or Florida State] on Wednesday. Tech playing Michigan would be a rematch of Saturday’s game with Tommy Henry starting on the hill for Big Blue with either Bryce Bonnin or Erikson Lanning starting for Texas Tech. Henry would be the same type of smoke thrower that Karl Kaufmann was in game 1. Advantage Michigan. But Tech will have a better idea of how Michigan will pitch to each batter so that should allow Tech’s power game to get untracked. Holding tech to only 3 runs in the first game was a real feat. Big Blue won’t be so lucky this time around. Rematches always favor the better team and Tech moves on but it may be a much higher score than in the first game. Tech would fare very well against FSU’s #3 starter Shane Drohan who gives up a lot of walks with few strikeouts but with the redeeming value of not giving up a ton of home runs. Though Tech wants to play Gorilla-ball, they can play small ball if need be. Put enough guys on base and good things will happen for Tech.
With either Bryce Bonnin or Erikson Lanning starting for Texas Tech, they should have similar success as did Arkansas in holding FSU to only one run. It will not take a lot of runs for Tech to win this game but they might score in bunches.
SUNDAY BRACKET UPDATE:
By the time this goes to press either Vandy or Miss State will have won the winner’s bracket game. Assuming that Louisville blows out Auburn and eliminates the Tigers, that will set up a game against Miss State or a rematch with Vandy.
well but they wear out pitchers with their patience. Plumlee gives up a lot of walks. Similarly, Miss State has a real chance to get guys on base against either Luke Smith or Bobby Miller. This game should come down to whose bullpen is better and if that’s how it unfolds, then Louisville has a slight advantage. Could be a high scoring game. If Miss State would beat Vandy and throw the Commodores into the losers bracket rematch with Louisville, Vandy is much
better with their #3 pitcher whether that turns out to be Drake Fellows or Kumar Rocker; the latter would be a great matchup because his style is similar to Mason Hickman who held Louisville to only one run on Saturday. Because this is a weekly, you can get our daily updates by going to CWS TODAY courtesy of Fantasy-Sports-Metrics.com which covers football, basketball, baseball, and horse racing year round.
Louisville’s best chance of beating Vandy was with Reid Detmers so if they couldn’t get it done then, they will have a hard time winning using their number 3 pitcher in either Luke Smith or Bobby Miller. Each has a bit different style with Miller the power pitcher and Smith living on control. But a Louisville-Miss State matchup would be a high scoring affair because Peyton Plumlee would be pitching for the Bulldogs and is a bad matchup against Cardinal hitters. The Cards live and die on getting baserunners off walks especially. They hit
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Wasted Highway –
Not Wasting Their Time By Andy Roberts
There’s a little twang but a lot of rootsy good feeling music in the sound of Wasted Highway. This Omaha-Lincoln-based roots outfit mixes several basic American genres into a sound that is uniquely them, stirring in their own personalities to a mix that includes Cross Canadian Ragweed, The Turnpike Troubadours and the outlaw honky-tonk style of Merle Haggard with a helping of folk-rock from the likes of Tom Petty and Neil Young. Wasted Highway is Jason Mayer and Mark Allison on vocals, guitar, banjo, and harmonica; Wilson Greenblatt-Seay on vocals, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, and harmonica; Ian Wenzel on drums and vocals, with bassist Yuriy Fomin. The lineup allows the members to trade lead vocal and instrumental duties. Despite their current base in the state’s two biggest cities, several members have small town roots. Mayer defines Wasted Highway’s sound as: “Americana, red dirt . . . roots rock. “We like to call ourselves ‘beer-rock country.’” The band formed in late 2017 from members who have more than six decades of combined playing experience and several of them have been nominated for an Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award. Wasted Highway has enjoyed
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early success playing for sold out crowds and opening for national acts like Cody Canada and the Departed and Brett Hendrix. Their first and self-titled EP was released in April and is available online. Mayer said Allison introduced him to the Americana sound. “It just really hit home,” he said. “The country on the radio is too mainstream. This was more real.” Making sure the band and its fans have a good time is part of their mission, Mayer said, adding their ability to “Have fun” is one of the things they do best. “Having fun is contagious. When we play a show everybody has fun, too.” The band’s gigging scheduled has focused on weekends with the idea of playing most of them. “We try to play most Saturdays at least,” Mayer stated. Wasted Highway has frequently performed at Molly’s Pub, with other gigs at Doctor Jack’s, The Chrome Lounge and the Benson hot spots. “We like to play a lot of small towns, too,” Mayer said. “They appreciate our music.”
Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25
The members all continue to have day jobs but there also is a goal for Wasted Highway. They hope to open for some major acts and build their following. “The idea is to make some money at it,” Mayer said. “At least (become) a regional band.” For more on Wasted Highway: www.wastedhighway.com www.facebook.com/wastedhighway www.instagram.com/wastedhighway www. twitter.com/ wastedhighway
MonkeyFunk – Bringing it for a Good Time to Flood Relief By Eddie Torrez
which had been billed as the world’s tallest Irish-Cajun-punk-swing-swing-ska-blues band. The name came out of that need for a funk band and Erickson has written a few songs about monkeys, a creature he actually likes. “It wasn’t a hard thing,” he said. The sound today is: “World Music - all style . . . More of a ska thing.” He then added, “We’ve got four hours of original music.” Joining Erickson, who sings, in MonkeyFunk are John Scherle on guitar, Dan Burger on drums, percussionist Steve Jordon, Robert Adler on guitar, keyboardist Mark Fettin, and DaVal Johnson on bass. Expect spontaneity at a MonkeyFunk show and nearly anything can happen. The music, “Makes people want to get up and dance,” Erickson stressed. “A lot of our songs have meaning and a message but we want to get them up to dance before we proselytize to them.” MonkeyFunk can be seen on July 27 during the Rebuilding After the Flood benefit concert presented by Focus at Riverwest Park in Elkhorn.
No one is really sure what they are or who may be playing on a given night, but MonkeyFunk will bring a good time and a great attitude. Plus, the players are always top-flight and it all starts with Nils Anders Erickson of Rainbow Recording Studios. Some have said MonkeyFunk came oozing out from the depths of The Peppermint Cave, Geno’s Hideaway, and the High Baby lounge in Council Bluffs. That may be true as the players have a long history in this area. For more (but not much more) on MonkeyFunk Erickson, who is a veteran of many bands, https://www.facebook.com/ said MonkeyFunk evolved from an honor he MonkeyFunk-1458254047778869 received. “When I was inducted into the Black Music Hall of Fame, I thought that I should probably put together a funky ska band,” Erickson said. That’s a long story but involves his work and friendships with many of the area’s premier musicians. “It’s probably one of the biggest honors I’ve ever had in my life,” added Erickson, who also is in the Nebraska Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame. For Erickson it’s an almost natural evolution from the recently retired Paddy O’Furniture
GET YOUR FOCUS ON! www.focusomaha.com Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25 17
Pool Safety Is Serious Business The pool season is here and the months to come are expected to test everyone’s ability to cope with the heat. Many folks use backyard pools to keep cool, but that comes with serious safety responsibilities. Remember the rule: If you want to keep cool, put a fence around the pool.
the products they use in their pools. Wearing the proper personal protective equipment is a key and a pool operator should never work alone. Operators need to take annual pool chemical safety training and check water chemistry and clarity every two hours when a pool is in use.
In-ground pools and any pool greater than 24 inches tall has to be permitted before it is installed. Backyard, above-ground swimming pools greater than 24 inches in depth must have a fence or wall around the pool. Inground pools are required to have a five-footseven-inch fence, while above-ground pools need a 48-inch high fence.
Swimmers should shower before and after they swim and take regular bathroom breaks. If small children are in the pool their diapers should be checked hourly. Everyone needs to shower once the pool visit is over.
Both types of pools need a self-closing latch at least 45 inches above the ground. A 48inch high pool may qualify as a barrier if the access ladder is enclosed by a fence of the same height. There are above-ground pools that can be purchased at local retailers, and many of these are subject to the ordinance. The most common violations is that the pools are installed without a proper permit or required fences. The chemicals used to treat some pools present another danger. For their own safety, pool owners and operators need to read the labels on
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Additional details on the regulations can be found in the home menu of the Douglas County Health Department website at www. douglascountyhealth.com. “We should remember pool injuries are preventable,” Health Director Dr. Adi Pour said. “That prevention begins with education.”
Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25
THURSDAY, JUNE 20
Bikes On The Block, 100 Block, 5p -----------------------------------------------------Classic Car Cruise-In, Quaker Steak, 5p Beer Garden; CD 105 Live/DJ, Food Specials -----------------------------------------------------Kaylyn Sahs & Band, Bayliss Park, 6:30p -----------------------------------------------------Amy Ellsworth Music & Duelling Piano’s McCoys @ Thunderbowl, 6:30p -----------------------------------------------------Music Bingo, 3rd Base Bar & Grill, 8p -----------------------------------------------------Desiree aka Ms Curvy B-Day Bash CUBE Ultra Lounge, 9p
FRIDAY, JUNE 21
Jurassic Quest , Mid-America Center, 3p -----------------------------------------------------Bike Night: Bikers Against Child Abuse w/ DJ Jen, Karaoke, Raffle, Food & Fun!, Kikkers, 5p -----------------------------------------------------Taxi Driver, McCoy’s Thunderbowl, 6p -----------------------------------------------------Family Game Night, Green Meadows Pool, 7p -----------------------------------------------------Movies In The Park featurig Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory Bayliss Park, 8:30p
SATURDAY, JUNE 22
Block Party, Broadway United Methodist , 11a -----------------------------------------------------Paul Lund Fundraiser & Memorial Ride Kikkers, 11a -----------------------------------------------------Jurassic Quest , Mid-America Center, 3p -----------------------------------------------------Pat O, McCoy’s Thunderbowl, 6:30p -----------------------------------------------------Sack of Lions & Pony Creek Whiskey Roadhouse, 9p
GET YOUR FOCUS ON! www.focusomaha.com ONLINE or in PRINT DOWNLOAD the App Today!
Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25 19
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Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25 21
Controlling Unwanted Grass
By John Felch Nebraska Horticulture Extension seedings or through spreading. The rhizomes pictured here show this undesirable capacity to move into locations where it’s not wanted. It’s great if it spreads laterally in the lawn, just not into an ornamental bed.
Grass is usually a good thing; in lawns that is. However, if you’ve got grass anywhere else – a veggie garden, a flower bed, in groundcovers – then it’s a weed. Grass can get to the unwanted location through bird transfer, through misapplied
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So, what do you do? Basically, there are 2 options. 1. You can pull it out. If the soil is moist from recent rainfall, this works pretty well. Get a foam kneeling pad and a bucket and grab each grass plant near the soil line and gently tug. Normally, this results in about 70-80% control, as some growing points are left in the soil. Option 2 is to apply a product containing Fluazifop-P-Butyl. This active ingredient, available in a variety of trade names will not harm the flowers, groundcovers or other desirable plants, but will kill Kentucky bluegrass, crabgrass, barnyard grass, goosegrass, and sandbur. Of course, if it is applied to a lawn, it will leave a big dead spot, so care must be taken during application. As such it’s important to read and follow all label directions.
Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25
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In-Service Withdrawals from 401(k) Plans By Michael Herek You may be familiar with the rules for putting money into a 401(k) plan. But are you familiar with the rules for taking your money out? Federal law limits the withdrawal options that a 401(k) plan can offer. But a 401(k) plan may offer fewer withdrawal options than the law allows, and may even provide that you can’t take any money out at all until you leave employment. However, many 401(k) plans are more flexible.
Withdrawing your own contributions
First, consider a plan loan
. You attain age 59½ . You become disabled . The distribution is a “qualified reservist
Many 401(k) plans allow you to borrow money from your own account. A loan may be attractive if you don’t qualify for a withdrawal, you don’t want to incur the taxes and penalties that may apply to a withdrawal, or you don’t want to permanently deplete your retirement assets.
If you’ve made after-tax (non-Roth) contributions, your 401(k) plan can let you withdraw those dollars (and any investment earnings on them) for any reason, at any time. However, you can withdraw your pre-tax and Roth contributions (that is, your “elective deferrals”) and earnings on them only for one of the following reasons (and in some cases, only if your plan allows):
distribution” . You incur a hardship (i.e., a “hardship withdrawal”) Hardship withdrawals are allowed only if you have an immediate and heavy financial need, In general, you can borrow up to one half of and only up to the amount necessary to meet your vested account balance (including your that need. In most plans, you must require the contributions, your employer’s contributions, money to: and earnings), but not more than $50,000. . Purchase your principal residence, or repair You can borrow the funds for up to five years your principal residence damaged by an unex(longer if the loan is to purchase your principal pected event (e.g., a hurricane) residence). In most cases you repay the loan . Prevent eviction or foreclosure through payroll deduction, with principal and . Pay medical bills for yourself, your spouse, interest flowing back into your account. But children, dependents, or primary beneficiary keep in mind that when you borrow, the unpaid . Pay certain funeral expenses for you, your principal of your loan is no longer in your spouse, children, dependents, or primary 401(k) account working for you.
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Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25
beneficiary . Pay certain education expenses for yourself, your spouse, children, dependents, or primary beneficiary . Pay income tax and/or penalties due on the hardship withdrawal itself . Pay or reimburse for expenses or losses (including loss of income) incurred due to a federally declared disaster, assuming your principal residence or place of employment is located in the disaster area*
ny matching and profit-sharing contributions if: . You become disabled . You incur a hardship (your employer has some discretion in how hardship is defined for this purpose, and what types of contributions may be available for withdrawal*) . You attain a specified age (for example, 59½) . You participate in the plan for at least five years, or . The employer contribution has been in the account for a specified period of time
Keep in mind that hardship withdrawals can’t Taxation be rolled over. So think carefully before making Your own pre-tax contributions, company cona hardship withdrawal. tributions, and investment earnings are subject to income tax when you withdraw them from Withdrawing employer contributions the plan. If you’ve made any after-tax contribuSome plans may allow you to withdraw at least tions, they’ll be nontaxable when withdrawn. some vested employer contributions before you terminate employment. “Vested” means Each withdrawal you make is deemed to carry that you own the contributions and they can’t out a pro-rata portion of taxable and any nonbe forfeited for any reason. In general, a 401(k) taxable dollars. plan can allow you to withdraw vested compa-
Your Roth contributions, and investment earnings on them, are taxed separately: if your distribution is “qualified,” then your withdrawal will be entirely free from federal income taxes. If your withdrawal is “nonqualified,” then each withdrawal will be deemed to carry out a pro-rata amount of your nontaxable Roth contributions and taxable investment earnings. A distribution is qualified if you satisfy a five-year holding period, and your distribution is made either after you’ve reached age 59½, or after you’ve become disabled. The five-year period begins on the first day of the first calendar year you make your first Roth 401(k) contribution to the plan. The taxable portion of your distribution may be subject to a 10% premature distribution tax, in addition to any income tax due, unless an exception applies. Exceptions to the penalty include distributions after age 59½, distributions on account of disability, qualified reservist distributions, and distributions to pay medical expenses.
a rollover will affect the taxation of future distributions from the IRA or plan. For example, if you roll over a nonqualified distribution from a Roth 401(k) account to a Roth IRA, the Roth IRA five-year holding period will apply when determining if any future distributions from the IRA are tax-free qualified distributions. That is, you won’t get credit for the time those dollars resided in the 401(k) plan.
Be informed
You should become familiar with the terms of your employer’s 401(k) plan to understand your particular withdrawal rights. A good place to start is the plan’s summary plan description (SPD). Your employer will give you a copy of the SPD within 90 days after you join the plan.
ROLLOVERS AND CONVERSIONS Rollover of non-Roth funds
If your in-service withdrawal qualifies as an “eligible rollover distribution” (and most, except hardship withdrawals and required minimum distributions after age 70½, do), you can roll over all or part of the withdrawal tax free to a traditional IRA or to another employer’s plan that accepts rollovers. In this case, your plan administrator will give you a “402(f) notice” explaining the rollover rules, the withholding rules, and other related tax issues. (Your plan administrator will withhold 20% of the taxable portion of your eligible rollover distribution for federal income tax purposes if you don’t directly roll the funds over to another plan or IRA.) You can also roll over (“convert”) an eligible rollover distribution of non-Roth funds to a Roth IRA. And some 401(k) plans even allow you to make an “in-plan conversion” — that is, you can request an in-service withdrawal of non-Roth funds, and have those dollars transferred into a Roth account within the same 401(k) plan. In either case, you’ll pay income tax on the amount you convert (less any nontaxable after-tax contributions you’ve made).
Rollover of Roth funds
If you withdraw funds from your Roth 401(k) account, those dollars can only be rolled over to a Roth IRA, or to another Roth 401(k)/403(b)/457(b) plan that accepts rollovers. But be sure to understand how
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Can We Convert Flooded, Destroyed Farmland to Renewable Energy Production? By Kat Carroll, Solar Heat and Electric It’s been a hard year for farmers in the Midwest. Between a trade war with China that has reduced soy and corn prices, multiple years of falling income, and the millions of acres of cropland ravaged by floods this year, the outlook is dim for many farmers in the Midwest. Many fields are still covered in sand and debris, stripped of topsoil and in need of at least a year’s worth of repairs. Much of the planting season for corn and wheat were missed due to the timing and extent of the floods, making this year even harder than expected. 2019 seems to be continuing last year’s worrisome trend of forcing farmers to decide whether or not to keep their farms. What’s more shock to the Nebraska economy reverberates further than the initial $1 billion caused by flood losses one in four jobs in Nebraska is tied to agriculture or animal husbandry[1]. It’s a difficult time for people who have invested their lives in the agricultural sector.
solar and wind, the financial benefits give us a glaring green light forward. Nebraska could follow Illinois[4]on its path to solar independence by encouraging farmers to host solar panels on land that’s currently unusable. The profits and certainty make up for the risk of change. Solar arrays can provide up to three times the annual revenue of a field planted with corn or soy, and wind turbines allow farmers to increase the amount of money they invest in their farmland and equipment. As retiring farmers try to decide whether to sell off their assets, converting parts of their acreage into wind turbine land or leased solar can provide income certainty when shifting weather conditions make crop growth so uncertain.
As severe weather events become more common and more dangerous, that certainty is valuable, and the ability to take advantage of unfarmable land provides helpful, steady revenue. The structure and size of that Unfortunately, this problem isn’t going away income is important. In many cases, farmers soon. The entire Midwest is projected to aren’t building or designing that system with become significantly wetter in the next two their own money- they’re leasing acres to decades[2]. That means floods like this are more than likely to happen again. For a region solar companies for 20- or 25-year terms, for between $21,000 to $42,000 per acre, so reliant on agriculture, that’s dangerous. depending on the local solar market and Changes in precipitation and risk of flooding land availability[5]. That’s 250,000 kilowatts affect the length of planting and growing per acre, enough to cover energy usage for season and definitively change crop output. There’s no end in sight to the troubles caused a thousand Nebraskans and make a small by the intensification of precipitation, glacier payment towards cleaning up our state’s carbon footprint. melt, and changing waterways within this region of the US. And the good news continues- it might not What’s the next move for Nebraskan farmers even be necessary to stop growing feed who are being threatened by these changes? or forage in solar farm areas. ‘Agrivoltaic’ systems offer a way to integrate solar arrays They could consider taking the example of with cropland or forage land. It makes Illinois farmer James McCune by returning their unused seed to the dealers and throwing particular sense for beef and dairy farmers. If the panels are raised enough and positioned a party[3]. Or, they could look further afield. correctly, farmers can harvest up to ninety It’s time for mid-size family farmers who are percent of the volume of expected forage[6]. struggling to maintain their agricultural land If those grasses are native to the area and to start working on the next crop: solar and carefully maintained, they become the wind. The benefits are easy to see in terms perfect space for endangered pollinators. of environmental protection- and once you check out the price tags on leasing land for
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Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25
The opportunities are vast, but they aren’t endless. If we’re unable to curb the amount of carbon dioxide we emit into the air, we will be held accountable by both international pressure and changing climate conditions. Investing in solar and wind technology is not only climate-friendly, but it’s also a reasonable way of consistently maintaining income for farmers struggling with flood conditions and a changing economy. It’s also the best step forward for supporting our state’s energy-intensive industrial economy. Adding up all these factors, it becomes clear: it’s time to move forward with solar and wind. [1] https://www.france24.com/en/20190512-amid-trade-war-floodscompound-nebraska-farmers-woes [2] https://www.wired.com/story/for-the-midwest-epic-flooding-isthe-face-of-climate-change/ [3] https://www.cnbc.com/2019/06/16/midwest-floods-llinoisfarmers-give-up-on-planting-and-throw-party.html
[4] https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/ economy/the-next-money-crop-for-farmers-solarpanels/2019/02/22/2cf99e8c-3601-11e9-854a7a14d7fec96a_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=. d1ee88c2b358 [5] https://www.landmarkdividend.com/solar-farm-land-lease-rates/ [6] https://civileats.com/2019/01/22/agrivoltaics-solar-panels-onfarms-could-be-a-win-win/
HUNNY, “Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes.” By Tatiana Ballinger
The full-length debut by Los Angeles group HUNNY will be released July 17, 2019 to the once local, now globally recognized punk label Epitaph Records. In the words of acquaintances of HUNNY members, “They are actually doing it.”
Wish HUNNY luck on their success and bring them to Omaha!
HUNNY offers streaming material that spans their search for accessible niche. Their musicality is bound to be lost in the perfected pop vocals sounding similar to the contrived irony that usually orbits the genre of pop punk. However, true fans of the genre (and pop music in general) will resonate with the work so far released which cites ethereal 80’s cuts and springy 90’s passage. Focus readers will thank me for preserving the mystery of the instant classics they are about to discover on their own. Please welcome the new symbol of tight, diligent rock sans loose psychedelic ballad. HUNNY has intentionally extricated deceit from their lyrics, writing transparently from a full heart. HUNNY was all smiles, mostly to each other on June 10, 2019, at the Ready Room in St. Louis, Missouri as the second act on the bill beginning their twenty-something minute set starting around 8PM to an almost-full, all-ages house. Each member strutted chic hair standing out from the crowd of beanies and Carhart in 80 degree weather. The crowd responded in a silent mumble after being asked if they were “still with us,” during an unreleased track. Very little dancing from the cold crowd and one tired Omaha traveler in hidden South East Forest Park.
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Focus | June 19 - June 25 | Volume 3 Issue 25
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
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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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