Omaha Magazine November 2024 - The City Issue

Joslyn Art Museum

2200 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 68102 (402) 342-3300 joslyn.org

your museum reimagined

Visit today to explore the stunning new Rhonda & Howard Hawks Pavilion and experience the premiere of the Phillip G. Schrager Collection.

5,000 years of human creativity in art across three buildings. 100 works new to the collection on view. Three outstanding exhibitions. One stunning new building.

Hours: Tue–Sun, 10 am to 4 pm; late until 8 pm on Wed and Thu; closed Mon. Enjoy our expanded Durham Cafe, presented by Clean Slate, and visit The Shop, both open during regular Museum hours.

Free general admission to all, always.

40 Years of Second Chances

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

004 From the Editor Fine Dining, Fine Arts

006 Between the Lines

007 Calendar of Events

028 History Willa Cather

034 Adventure Easton Paul

065 Obviously Omaha Coffee Shops in Omaha

082 Explore!

086 Instagram

088 Not Funny Dates

ARTS + CULTURE

014 Contemporary Art Lakesha Green

016 Music Jimmy Weber

020 Film Timothy Christian

022 Mural Art Joe Diril

PEOPLE

042 Gen O Broc Evitch

044 Sports Brent Rasmussen

054 Profile Noah Diaz

GIVING

046 Profile Brett Berkebile

050 Calendar

Ashley Cherniss & Chef Robert Wilson

Listen to the entire issue here. Open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code.

Looking out from the inside: Korina Roberts goes in-depth at Stephen Center. Story page 30

Photography by Bill Sitzmann Design by Rachel Birdsall

Timothy Christian

Semo Pasta + Wine

THE LINES Between

A LOOK AT THREE OMAHA MAGAZINE CONTRIBUTORS

LUIS DE LA TOBA Digital Manager

Based in Mexico’s Pacific Coast, Luis De la Toba is Omaha Publications’ digital manager. He graduated in 2021 with a marketing degree from Universidad Tecmilenio at Mazatlan. As digital manager, he’s in charge of the magazine’s social media accounts, website, and paid campaigns.

In his free time, he likes to read, write, practice yoga, play the keyboard, go to coffee shops with his friends, and take long walks along his city’s pier and beach, watching the sunsets.

He also loves consuming all forms of media, from music, to TV shows and movies horror being his favorite genre.

KORINA ROBERTS Freelance Writer

Korina Roberts earned her B.A. in communications from Louisiana State University–Shreveport. She left the business world to raise her six children with her husband, Thomas, to whom she has been married for 28 years. Roberts is now pursuing her M.A. in creative nonfiction writing at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she was recently awarded the John J. McKenna Graduate Fellowship. She has been published online in The Linden Review and in "Fine Lines." Roberts is an avid volunteer for Omaha events and enjoys hiking, cycling, reading, traveling, and holding her new grandchild.

MICHELLE SCHRAGE Top Level Revenue Generator

Michelle Schrage considers herself an experiential marketing strategist and a proactive connector of people. Over her 20-year career, she has enjoyed deploying creative marketing strategies, relationship-building, and leading cross-functional teams toward a common goal and vision.

She is passionate about Omaha and bringing people together through events and engagements. In the past decade, she has hosted and created programming for over 100 unique professional networking events–facilitating the connections of over 1,000 business owners, community leaders, and collaborative influencers.

She is fascinated by the unknown and can spend hours talking about the universe, the paranormal, the meaning of life, and the afterlife. She is the proud mother of one son, Robert, and two feline fur babies, Cheddar and Chauncey.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

VOLUME 42 // ISSUE VII

EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief

KIM CARPENTER

Associate Editor & Staff Writer

NATALIE VELOSO

Assignment Editor & Staff Writer

CLAUDIA MOOMEY

Content Creator

BELLA MCATEE

Content Studios Omaha Managing Editor & Interim Editor-in-Chief

DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN

Contributing Writers

TAMSEN BUTLER · GREG ECHLIN · KYLE EUSTICE

BRANDI LONG-FRANK · SARA LOCKE

HOLLY M c ATEE · CHRISTOPHER M cLUCAS · KARA SCHWEISS DOUGLAS “OTIS TWELVE” WESSELMANN

CREATIVE

Creative Director

BIRDSALL

Senior Graphic Designer RENEÉ LUDWICK

Graphic Designer II

ROBINSON

Graphic Designer I

Executive

Executive

STAY IN THE KNOMAHA!

The metro is jam packed with tons to do—art, concerts, theater, festivals—we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive list and highlighted picks!

COMPILED BY NATALIE VELOSO

Concert Art Exhibition

BILLIE EILISH – HIT ME HARD AND SOFT: THE TOUR

CHI Health Center

November 17, 7 P.M.

455 N. 10th St. chihealthcenteromaha.com

Get ready for an unforgettable evening with Billie Eilish as she brings her "Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour" to Omaha. The Grammy-winning artist, renowned for her hauntingly beautiful voice and introspective lyrics, is set to captivate audiences with her latest album. Following the immense success of her previous hits like “Bad Guy” and “When the Party’s Over,” Eilish’s new tour promises to showcase her evolution as an artist. Her latest album, produced by her brother, Finneas O'Connell, delves into deeper emotional territories and experimental sounds. Th is tour marks a significant chapter in Eilish’s career, blending her signature style with a fresh, innovative edge. 402.341.1500

ED RUSCHA: PAPER

The Joslyn Through February 23, 2025 2200 Dodge St. joslyn.org

Discover the world of a celebrated California artist in Ed Ruscha: Paper. Known for his pop art explorations, Ruscha transforms everyday subjects—such as roadside gas stations, consumer products, and commercial logos—into extraordinary art. His fascination with colloquial speech is evident in his use of witty wordplay, puns, and catchphrases, which add a layer of intrigue to his works. The exhibition showcases a diverse range of Ruscha’s creations, including drawings, prints, and photographs. These pieces, part of a recent gift to the museum, span over six decades and feature a variety of media and techniques, from ink and acrylic to pencil, pastel, and even gunpowder. Born in Omaha in 1937 and raised in Oklahoma City, Ruscha's journey from a commercial art student to an important artist in Los Angeles is a testament to his unique experiences. 402.342.3300

MERRY & BRIGHT: HOLIDAY POINSETTIA SHOW

Lauritzen Gardens

November 23–December 31

100 Bancroft St. lauritzengardens.org

See the holiday magic at Lauritzen Gardens’ “Merry & Bright: Holiday Poinsettia Show!” Inside, you'll fi nd thousands of beautiful poinsettia plants fi lling the floral display hall. Highlights include visiting the iconic 20-foot tall poinsettia tree, touring the lush conservatory to see the holiday express, and browsing the gift shop. Another activity is toasting marshmallows at the fi re pits in the Family Chill Zone. It's a cozy place for families to relax, play games, and enjoy the winter weather. S'mores kits are available for purchase at the front desk. The gardens are open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the last daytime entry at 3 p.m., and will be closed Th anksgiving Day and Christmas Day.  402.346.4002

A N R L D C

» Exhibitions «

WICKED PLANTS

rough November 2, at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Showcasing the plants that are poisonous, can paralyze, puncture, intoxicate, eat flesh, or off end in other ways, this exhibit is one for the wicked. Some of these plants are grown in gardens or taken in as houseplants—hidden villains wearing heroes’ capes. Learn about all of the villains of the botanical world and how they cause chaos. 402.346.4002  —lauritzengardens.org

BEYOND COMBAT: WORLD WAR I THROUGH THE LENS OF “DOC” COOK

November 9–January 12, at e Durham Museum, 801 S 10th St. Explore the untold stories of World War I through the captivating photography of R.H. “Doc” Cook, a military engineer who captured life beyond the battlefield. Th is temporary exhibition showcases images from Cook's collection, revealing the vital work of the 313th Engineers, from building bridges to restoring war-torn regions. With a dedicated theater area for viewing additional photographs, this exhibition off ers a unique and immersive experience of World War I history. 402.444.5071 —durhammuseum.org

IN THE GALLERY: WICKED PLANTS BY CARMEN MCCULLOUGH

rough November 12, at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Inspired by the Wicked Plants exhibit at the gardens, Carmen McCullough uses mixed media to depict a perspective on the collection. The exhibit is told through the lens of a curious botanist who logs in a sketchbook, takes field notes, and includes photos and observations all in their research journal about the wicked. Th is storytelling exhibit works alongside the Wicked Plants exhibit to take you on a journey through the mind of a botanist. 402.346.4002  —lauritzengardens.org

RECUERDOS (MEMORIES) – A DAY OF THE DEAD TRIBUTE BY GERARDO “POLLO” DIAZ

rough November 12, at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Th is Day of the Dead tribute invites guests to be taken through a visual celebration of life and remembrance. Th rough the rich stories told and passed down through families, “Recuerdos – A Day of the Dead Tribute” will bring art and the nature of the gardens together. 402.346.4002  —lauritzengardens.org

EVA LEWITT

rough January 20, at e Joslyn, 2200 Dodge St. See the whimsy of sculpting come to life through Eva Lewitt’s work. Her goal is to challenge the function of materials and space. The exhibit, within The Joslyn’s Riley Contemporary Artists Project Gallery, encourages visitors to question their expectation of the space. Lewitt’s work is rooted in play and brings together the abstract styles of minimalism and conceptualism. 402.342.3300

—joslyn.org

CLÉMENT COGITORE: LES INDES

GALANTES

rough February 23, at e Joslyn, 2200 Dodge St. Clément Cogitore combines cinema, photography, and installations to comment on all notions of the sacred. Ritual and memory come together through this fi lm, which brings together a moving Baroque soundtrack and dance to tell a moving story. The choreography is K.R.U.M.P., a dance style that was formed in Los Angeles as early as the 1960s. Les Indes Galantes takes its title and music from a 1735 opera-ballet by French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau. 402.342.3300

—joslyn.org

Concerts

JESSE MCCARTNEY: ALL’S WELL TOUR

November 2, 7:30 p.m., at Orpheum eater, 409 S 16th St. Singer and actor Jesse McCartney is a multifaceted talent known for his catchy pop tunes and diverse fi lm and TV roles. His solo career took off with the release of "Beautiful Soul" in 2004, which landed at number 15 on the Billboard 200. Subsequent albums, including "Right Where You Want Me" and "Departure," solidified his place in the music industry. Balancing music with acting, he has appeared on shows like "Summerland" and "Greek," and voiced characters in "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and "Young Justice." Following his 2020 appearance on "The Masked Singer," he released his fi fth album, "New Stage." 402.661.8501 —ticketomaha.com

JEREMY CAMP: "DEEPER WATERS" TOUR

November 3, 7 & 9 p.m., at Orpheum eater, 409 S 16th St. Experience an uplifting night with Jeremy Camp on his Deeper Waters Tour, joined by special guests Andrew Ripp and Rachael Lampa. Th is tour, spanning 26 cities in September, October, and November, will feature songs from Camp's latest album Deeper Waters alongside fan favorites like “Dead Man Walking” and “Keep Me in the Moment.” Known for his blend of rock-influenced ballads and contemporary Christian music, Camp has released eleven albums, including four RIAA-certifi ed Gold.  402.661.8501 —ticketomaha.com

VITAMIN STRING QUARTET: THE MUSIC OF TAYLOR SWIFT, BRIDGERTON, AND BEYOND

November 6, 7 p.m., at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. Experience a unique musical journey with the Vitamin String Quartet as they bring their innovative arrangements of Taylor Swift’s greatest hits, the sweeping melodies of Bridgerton, and other iconic tunes to Steelhouse Omaha. Known for their exquisite string renditions of popular music, the Vitamin String Quartet combines classical elegance with modern fl air, off ering a fresh twist on beloved songs. Th is performance will seamlessly blend contemporary favorites with timeless sophistication, promising an unforgettable evening of music. 402.345.0606 —steelhouseomaha.com

GANGSTAGRASS

November 8, 7:30 p.m., at Holland Music Club, 1200 Douglas St. Prepare for a genre-blending night with Gangstagrass as they take the stage at Holland Music Club. Renowned for their fusion of bluegrass and hip-hop, Gangstagrass combines banjos, fiddles, beats, and rap to create a sound that has earned them international acclaim. Their shows, celebrated for their dynamism and spontaneity, showcase a seamless blend of improvisation and genre-defying creativity. From SXSW to the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Gangstagrass has captivated audiences worldwide with their innovative and infectious sound. 402.345.0202 —ticketomaha.com

A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS

November 11, 7 p.m., at Holland Center of Performing Arts, 1200 Douglas St.  Experience an early festive showdown this fall by catching a holiday-themed show—it's not just for older folks; it's for everyone!  “A Motown Christmas” will feature world-class, legendary singers from iconic groups like the Temptations, The Contours, and The Miracles. See the members of these legendary groups belt out R&B-renditions of classic Christmas songs and chart-topping hits from the 1960s and 1970s. In true Motown fashion, the performance is also set to showcase captivating costumes and remarkable choreography! 402.345.0202

—ticketomaha.com

MODEST MOUSE

November 12, 7 p.m., at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. Catch the indie rock sensation Modest Mouse as they take the stage at Steelhouse Omaha, joined by special guests Th e Black Heart Procession. With their eclectic sound and thought-provoking lyrics, the band has been a staple in alternative music since their breakthrough album "The Lonesome Crowded West." Known for hits like “Float On” and “Dashboard,” Modest Mouse promises a night of electrifying energy and immersive soundscapes.

402.345.0606

—steelhouseomaha.com

JELLY ROLL: THE BEAUTIFULLY BROKEN TOUR

November 12, 7 p.m., at CHI Health Center, 455 N 10th St. Known for his gritty, soulful blend of country, rap, and rock, Jelly Roll has captivated audiences with hits like “Son of a Sinner” and “Need a Favor.” Th is tour is in support of his latest album, which continues to explore his unique blend of genres and personal storytelling. Joining him on tour are special guests Ernest, Shaboozey, and Allie Colleen, each bringing their own dynamic sound to the evening. With his reputation for high-energy performances and heartfelt lyrics, you won’t want to miss it.

402.341.1500

—chihealthcenteromaha.com

PEACE, LOVE & ROCK-N-ROLL:

A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION

December 7, 7:05 p.m., at Holland Center of Performing Arts, 1200 Douglas St. Kick off the holiday season with musical joy at the River City Mixed Chorus’ annual December show! Peace, Love & Rock-n-Roll marks the fi rst major performance of RCMC’s 41st season, featuring over 150 singers delivering powerful four-part harmonies. The program is packed with toe-tapping hits from legends like Chuck Berry, George Michael, and Elton John, alongside heartwarming renditions by The Carpenters and Pentatonix. Don’t miss this one-night-only event! 402.345.0202

—ticketomaha.com

JOYFUL NOISE: A GOSPEL CHRISTMAS

December 7–8, at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. Experience the magic of the holidays with Joyful Noise: A Gospel Christmas, an Omaha tradition that never fails to warm the heart. Th is festive event features the Grammy Award®-nominated Salem Church Choir, along with beloved local favorites and special guest artists. The concert off ers a blend of holiday classics and fresh arrangements, delivering an uplifting and soulful performance that will leave you ready for the season. Celebrate with gospel and holiday tunes that bring joy to all! 402.345.0606

—steelhouseomaha.com

DAUGHTRY

December 18, 7 p.m., at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. Join rock powerhouse Daughtry as they headline an explosive night at Steelhouse Omaha, joined by special guests Sleep Theory and Devour the Day. Known for their anthemic hits like "It’s Not Over" and "Home," Daughtry continues to captivate audiences with their powerful vocals and energetic performances. Sleep Theory and Devour the Day will kick off the evening with their own compelling rock sound. 402.345.0606

—steelhouseomaha.com

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER

CHRISTMAS BY CHIP DAVIS

December 22–23, at Orpheum eater, 409 S 16th St.  Founded by Omaha native Chip Davis, Mannheim Steamroller is the #1 selling Christmas artist of all time, selling over 31 million albums. Blending classical music with elements of new age and rock, Mannheim Steamroller has become a holiday institution, with dazzling multimedia eff ects that let the spirit of the season come alive. 402.661.8501 —ticketomaha.com

STAGE PERFORMANCES

LESLIE JONES

November 2, 7:30 p.m., at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. Leslie Jones, the dynamic comedian known for her bold humor and electrifying stage presence, is bringing her powerhouse comedy tour to Steelhouse Omaha. With a career spanning from her unforgettable performances on "Saturday Night Live" to her standout roles in hit fi lms like "Ghostbusters" and "Coming 2 America," Jones has established herself as one of the funniest voices in comedy today. Her live show promises an evening of side-splitting laughter, unfi ltered wit, and the kind of energy that only Leslie Jones can deliver. 402.345.0606 —steelhouseomaha.com

"ANGELS IN AMERICA, PART ONE: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES"

rough November 3, at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. "Angels in America," winner of a Pulitzer Prize® and Tony Award®, stands as one of the most powerful American plays of the last century. Set during the 1980s AIDS crisis, it follows six interconnected New Yorkers as they confront life, death, love, and the boundaries between heaven and hell. Described as "a gay fantasia on national themes," the play delves into America's identity through lenses of suff ering, sanctity, and queerness. 402.553.0800 —omahaplayhouse.com

DAVID NIHILL: SHELF HELP TOUR

November 6, 7:30 p.m., at Holland Center of Performing Arts, 1200 Douglas St. Join David Nihill on his Shelf Help Tour for an evening of humor inspired by his global adventures. Born in Dublin and having lived in twelve countries, Nihill weaves his experiences into comedic tales of travel, cultural observations, and the challenges of being a slightly confused immigrant. A winner of the San Francisco Comedy Competition and runner-up in The Moth’s US Grandslam, he’s also a bestselling author and viral sensation with over 400 million views. Catch his unique blend of storytelling and stand-up, featured on TED.com and Sirius XM.  402.345.0202 —ticketomaha.com

THE WEISENHEIMERS

November 9, at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Omaha’s award-winning comedy troupe, The Weisenheimers, returns to the Howard Drew Th eatre for an evening of fast-paced improv. Celebrated with fi ve Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards, this group has been a local favorite for over 25 years. Known for their high-energy shows and sharp, satirical humor, The Weisenheimers create each performance based on audience suggestions, ensuring a unique experience every time. Their versatile, “short-form” improv style makes their shows adaptable, whether for family-friendly fun or a night of irreverent laughter.  402.553.0800 —omahaplayhouse.com

"FUNNY GIRL"

November 12–17, at Orpheum eater, 409 S 16th St. Step into the dazzling world of "Funny Girl," a musical comedy masterpiece that brings the stage to life with its iconic score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill. Th is sensational Broadway revival has it all. With unforgettable songs like “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People,” the show tells the bittersweet tale of Fanny Brice—a determined girl from the Lower East Side who defied the odds to become one of Broadway’s brightest stars. Directed by Michael Mayer, Funny Girl is a tribute to the magic of theater and the triumph of an enduring legend. 402.661.8501

—ticketomaha.com

"THE NUTCRACKER"

December 13–15, at Orpheum eater, 409 S 16th St. Visual splendor, a timeless tale, and exquisite classical dancing make "The Nutcracker" the world’s favorite holiday ballet. American Midwest Ballet brings this beloved tradition to life with a dazzling production that showcases the versatility and talent of its professional artists, supported by a polished ensemble of student dancers from across the metro. With lavish sets and over 250 stunning costumes, this captivating performance enchants audiences year after year. Due to popular demand, additional performances have been added this season! 402.661.8501

—ticketomaha.com

WANDA SYKES: PLEASE AND THANK YOU TOUR

November 15, 7:30 p.m., at Holland Center of Performing Arts, 1200 Douglas St. Catch Wanda Sykes on her Please & Th ank You Tour, with special guest Keith Robinson, for an evening of sharp wit and comedic brilliance. An Emmy-winning standup comic, writer, actress, and producer, Sykes has been a comedic powerhouse for over 20 years. She’s been named one of Entertainment Weekly’s “25 Funniest People in America” and has earned acclaim for her roles in "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," "Crank Yankers," and "Black-ish." Her standup special, Wanda Sykes: Not Normal, was nominated for multiple Primetime Emmys and a Broadcast Critic Award. 402.345.0202

—ticketomaha.com

JEFF ARCURI: THE FULL BEANS TOUR

November 16, 7 p.m., at Holland Center of Performing Arts, 1200 Douglas St. Get ready to laugh out loud with Jeff Arcuri on his "The Full Beans Tour." Known for his sharp wit and engaging stage presence, Jeff has made a name for himself on Comedy Central's "Roast Battle," "Laughs on Fox," and "Windy City Live." With a strong presence at comedy festivals nationwide and a history of performances at iconic venues like The Laugh Factory and Zanies, Jeff brings a wealth of experience and humor to the stage. 402.345.0202

—ticketomaha.com

"A CHRISTMAS CAROL"

November 22–December 22, at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St.  It just isn’t Christmas without "A Christmas Carol!" Experience Omaha’s favorite holiday tradition as Ebenezer Scrooge takes us on a life-changing journey to discover the true meaning of Christmas. Th is must-see holiday event is for the entire family, fi lled with stunning Victorian costumes, festive music and crisp, wintery sets. 402.553.0800 —omahaplayhouse.com

"PETER PAN"

December 3–8, at Orpheum eater, 409 S 16th St. Join Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, and the Darling children on a timeless adventure in this new adaptation of the beloved musical. Directed by Emmy Award winner Lonny Price, with choreography by Lorin Latarro and an updated script by celebrated playwright Larissa FastHorse, Peter Pan soars to new heights while staying true to its magical roots. Experience the thrill of iconic songs like “I’m Flying,” “I Gotta Crow,” and “Neverland.” Th is enchanting production captures the wonder and excitement that has captivated audiences for nearly 70 years—your entire family will be hooked! 402.661.8501 —ticketomaha.com

NATE JACKSON: SUPER FUNNY WORLD TOUR

December 7, 7 p.m., at e Astro, 8302 City Centre Dr. The Super Funny World Tour stars Nate Jackson, a comedian, actor, and entrepreneur who has risen from comedy contest entries to Hollywood fame. Currently in his third season portraying The Junk Yard Dog (Sylvester Ritter) on NBC’s hit series "Young Rock" alongside Dwayne Johnson, Nate Jackson continues to entertain audiences nationwide. In addition to his live performances, he hosts "The Nate Jackson Radio Show" podcast, where listeners can enjoy even more of his humor. 402.345.7569

—theastrotheater.com

"RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL"

December 18, 6:30 p.m., at Orpheum eater, 409 S 16th St. Experience the timeless holiday classic in a whole new way with "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical." Follow the journey of Rudolph, the endearing reindeer with a glowing red nose, as he embarks on a quest for self-discovery and acceptance. Featuring catchy songs, charming characters, and a sleigh full of puns, this enchanting adaptation brings the joy and spirit of Christmas to the stage, fi lling the theater with laughter and festive cheer. Th is performance is also sensory-inclusive, ensuring everyone can enjoy the magic of Rudolph’s story.

402.661.8501

—ticketomaha.com

FAMILY, FESTIVALS, & MORE

HOLIDAY MARKET 2024

December 7–8, at Aksarben, 67th St. and Mercy Rd. The Aksarben Holiday Market is a free, festive event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Aksarben Village, near the intersection of 67th Street and Mercy Road. While the market's heated tents will keep you cozy, it's a good idea to dress in layers to stay comfortable. Santa will make a special appearance on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., so don't forget to snap a photo! Rain, snow, or shine, the market is open, and everyone is welcome to enjoy the holiday spirit! 402.345.5401

—omahafarmersmarket.com

PHYSICIANS MUTUAL OMAHA SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

December 12–15, at Holland Center of Performing Arts, 1200 Douglas St. Omaha’s biggest holiday performance is back and better than ever! Join Maestro Ernest Richardson, the Omaha Symphony, and an extraordinary cast of Broadway singers and dancers as they fi ll the Holland Center with festive favorites and timeless Christmas classics. The celebration doesn’t stop at the stage—dazzling community partners and stunning holiday decorations throughout the venue make this event the perfect way to embrace the season. Don't miss this spectacular holiday tradition! 402.345.0202 —ticketomaha.com

SANTA RUN

December 14, 10 a.m., at e Blackstone District, 3910 Farnam St. Get ready for the second annual Santa Run in the Blackstone District, hosted by the Omaha Sports Commission. Th is festive event is perfect for participants of all ages and abilities! Runners will don holiday gear provided at registration and tackle a course fi lled with North Pole-inspired obstacles. The course allows flexibility, with participants choosing to complete either one 0.8-mile loop or two for a total of 1.6 miles. After crossing the fi nish line, everyone can warm up with a complimentary mug of hot chocolate and explore the Holiday Market at the nearby Cottonwood Hotel. The fi rst 200 adults (14+) to register will also receive a Santa suit, adding extra cheer to this holly jolly fun run!  —omahasports.org

New Executive Director Lakesha Green Leads The Union for Contemporary Art into the Future

Turning the Page

Lakesha Green has stepped into her role as executive director of The Union for Contemporary Art in Omaha, bringing with her a visionary approach and a wealth of expertise. With over 25 years of experience in the arts and nonprofit sectors, Green is poised to build on the foundation laid by her predecessor, Brigitte McQueen, and lead The Union into an exciting new chapter.

For Green, leading The Union is more than just a career move it’s the realization of a lifelong journey. “This really is my dream job,” she said. “Being at The Union, and all the cultural offerings of this community, feels like everything I’ve always worked toward.” Green sees this role as an opportunity to make a lasting impact in North Omaha, a place she describes as “full of potential.”

Before joining The Union, Green served as the executive director of the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts in Warsaw, Indiana, where she was instrumental in expanding the organization’s community engagement and programming. Her career has been marked by a passion for making art accessible to all, especially underserved populations, and by her ability to secure funding and build capacities for nonprofit organizations.

Green’s transition to Omaha and her new role has been remarkably smooth, a testament to the solid foundation laid by McQueen, The Union’s founder and former executive director. “Brigitte really equipped me to step in and take The Union to the next level from where she left off,” Green reflected. “She did a phenomenal job at putting these teams together. I’ve been in many work environments, and I must say, this is the most beautiful one of them all.”

The Union’s board president, Shavonne Washington-Krauth, credits the synergy between McQueen’s legacy and Green’s forward-thinking vision for the easy shift.

“These are two visionary powerhouses who have developed a high amount of respect for one another in a short period of time,” Washington-Krauth said, emphasizing that while McQueen set a high standard, Green can progress The Union even further.

“My role in advancing The Union’s focus on social justice is maintaining these safe spaces for conversations determining which policies should be implemented where, and how we can help drive things forward,” Green asserted. Her approach is solution-oriented, she explained, with a strong belief in the power of art to address societal challenges.

Through The Union’s programming, Green aims to foster an environment where the community feels empowered to drive the narrative. “When it comes to social impact, I want to be able to see real data and feedback to ensure we’re making informed decisions that will have a lasting effect. Everything we do now will shape our future I want people to know that The Union continues to look forward, and we recognize that it’s a communal effort.”

One of Green’s priorities is to revitalize The Union’s performing arts program, leveraging her own bachelor’s degree in theater arts and master’s in media and performing arts. “We want to keep hearing the public’s ideas for continuing to expand that program, and keep fostering more partnerships within the community and school system,” she shared.

Green is equally dedicated to enhancing The Union’s youth and community engagement efforts. “Investing in our youth is crucial they are the foundation of our future,” she said. “Building strong relationships with young people is especially essential for The Union, because we definitely want this to outlive all of us.” Green plans to launch a series of community forums to collect direct feedback and ideas from those she serves.

Washington-Krauth praised Green’s blend of vision and experience. “Aside from the fact that she’s amazingly personable and visionary, Lakesha has a fantastic understanding and appreciation of The Union’s evolution,” Washington-Krauth said. “She strives to learn about, understand, and immerse herself in the community so that she can be of service to them.

“[Green] sees all the potential The Union has. She’s determined to help everyone grow, to make all aspects of The Union successful, and already has a vision of how to begin to make that happen. That’s the kind of leadership we need now that the torch has been passed.”

Green encourages the community to stay connected with The Union and actively participate in public forums. Her approach is to remain adaptable and open-minded to necessary changes while guiding the development of new programs according to the public’s input.

“The past is incredibly important to learn from and build upon, but it’s taking that knowledge and respect, and blending it with both the present and the future, that allows us to flourish to our full potential,” Washington-Krauth said. “Lakesha will do that.”

As Green establishes herself further in her role, her enthusiasm and dedication to fostering creativity, social justice, and community engagement are clear-cut.

“The Union has a remarkable legacy that I’m honored to build upon,” Green said.

“Omaha is gaining well-deserved recognition, and I’m eager for us to continue to be a driving force in that momentum, our voices together as one. This is just the beginning.”

For more information, visit u-ca.org.

MUSICIAN CONTINUES TO RISE

A+C Music // story Kevin Coffey // photography Bill Sitzmann // design by Joey Winton

hen Jimmy Weber was a boy, he figured out the two things he wanted to do with his life and he discovered them at right about the same time.

These days, you’re likely to see Weber on stage, perhaps filling in on lead guitar for a multitude of bands in Omaha and the surrounding area, or playing his own country songs on stages in Omaha; Sioux Falls and Mitchell, South Dakota; and Nashville. Back then, however, he was simply a boy on a farm near Alexandria, South Dakota.

That 12-year-old kid was fascinated by war movies, and he decided then he wanted to be a soldier and defend his country. At about the same time, his mother came home one day with an electric guitar.

“As soon as I had it in my hands, I fell in love with it,” Weber said.

Playing guitar became a daily ritual, and within a year, he joined a band. A few years later, his dreams came knocking both of them. Together.

The Air Force band was having auditions, and Weber jumped at the chance to play music and serve his country at the same time.

“My dreams merged at that point: To serve in the military and play music,” Weber said.“It was too good to be true.”

Now 58, Weber looks back on the experience with awe. He deployed during the Gulf War in the 1990s, as well as several more times in the Middle East to bring some semblance of home to his fellow troops through the music he played.

“It’s some of the most rewarding work I’ve ever done,” Weber said.

It also brought along a lot of other opportunities. While in the Air Force, he joined another band. Whenever he had time off, he got on stage with his own music or with many notable names, taking leaves to join touring musicians doing USO shows.

“I’ve had tremendous opportunities,” Weber said. It’s made for quite the list of stories, including touring with country star Neal McCoy, singer-songwriter John Denver, and Wayne Newton. Weber even appears in country star Ray Scott’s video for “Those Jeans.”

After 24 years, Weber retired from active duty. He now works for the Air Force as a civilian. Performing for veterans remains a passion, and he works regularly with Warhawk Service Dogs, which provides service animals for veterans, and Guitars for Vets, which gives veterans guitars and lessons.

Weber isn’t stopping his own music either. Though he’s a country singer, he pulled inspiration from an unlikely source: Newton. When Weber toured with Mr. Las Vegas, Newton was aging, but still a fantastic performer.

“Here was a guy in his 60s… He was the greatest entertainer I’ve ever been on stage with,” Weber said. “I thought, ‘I can do this for the rest of my life.’ And that’s our plan right now. We’re having more success today than we’ve ever had.”

Indeed, he’s in a prolific period. His tour schedule is packed, and he’s sitting on three albums of material, which he recorded at long-running Nashville space Hilltop Recording Studio with an all-star cast of musicians. Joining him on the tracks are musicians Mike Rogers, Brent Mason, and Lonnie Wilson, whose names country fans will recognize as side-men for Zac Brown Band, Tim McGraw, George Strait, Faith Hill, Craig Morgan, and John Michael Montgomery, among many others.

“It’s so crazy,” Weber said. “I’m listening to a lot of my heroes on my own record.”

And the dream? That’s still alive, too. It’s just shifted a little as Weber has gotten older. He’s played all over the world with a top-line cast of famous musicians, but there’s one place left to play: The Grand Ole Opry.

Of course, he’s played there once before, invited to sing with Scott, but the true dream is to play there himself.

“My own music. My own band,” Weber said.

Financing the Future of Film To Omaha

Timothy Christian Brings Awareness of Hollywood in Omaha

Timothy Christian always knew he wanted to work in the entertainment industry, even as he was acquiring a degree in finance. Fortunately, he turned that passion for entertainment into a career that uses his finance skills.

He started as an intern for Teddy Riley, the music producer who worked with noted names such as Blackstreet and Boyz II Men. That internship was the start of many connections he has made with the entertainment industry. Christian has since become a producer for movies such as "Z for Zachariah," starring Margot Robbie.

Film production is a job that requires Christian to go all in, to risk it all, to love it all, and to give it his all.

“Most people can’t do that because of family, money, all these reasons people have that get in the way of their dreams. Fortunately for me, I was a bit younger when I started,” Christian said. “I also don’t take ‘no’ for an answer. And you can’t in film. You just can’t. I hear ‘no’ all the time.”

Film production takes years getting enough money to make the film, sending the film off to a cultivated list of festivals, and hoping the right investors see it and want to give money to take the film into the hands of distribution companies.

While Night Fox Entertainment is working in the larger film industry, Christian is mentoring people in the local film community.

Sam Bench, co-owner of Empty Space Studios, has been appreciative of the time Christian has spent helping him learn the ropes. “He’s been helping us out with navigating the film scene around Omaha ever since [2017],” Bench said, continuing that the first script he wrote isn’t going to be produced, but he’s learned that tenacity is key in this profession. “He got us in contact with his company’s screenplay supervisor.

We spent the next, probably, eight months with [the supervisor] as he guided us with screenwriting…Since then, we have written one that is in development with Tim acting as our industry mentor. He hasn’t been directly involved with any financing yet, but we are on his radar.”

Christian is also helping bring productions to Nebraska that will allow even more films to be made locally.

“To a certain extent, you’ve got to bring productions here that don’t mind having to spend a little more,” he said. “So one of the things that we’re doing is lining up productions at a certain budget level so we can do three to five films here in Nebraska, different parts of Nebraska, to hopefully build a blueprint to show what it would look like.”

Christian maintains an office in Los Angeles, but Night Fox’s headquarters are located in Omaha.

“I think Tim provides a great example that you can live in Nebraska and still be working in the film business,” said Ehren Parks, current president of the Nebraska Film Association. “He’s been generous with his time, giving development notes to local filmmakers and giving them insight into how the top-level of the industry really works without having to leave their state.”

Christian was indirectly involved in the film "Snack Shack," which was supported by a $200,000 grant from the state government and filmed entirely in Nebraska. The city of Nebraska City (where the film was primarily shot) also provided $50,000 in funding. The film had a budget of about $4.5 million and got a box office of a little over $455,000. It is now on DVD and streaming on several services.

In mid-August, Christian was in funding mode, as the film "Midnight," partly produced by Night Fox, wrapped production and was headed to places such as the Toronto International Film Festival. The action-thriller film stars Alexandra Shipp, Rosario Dawson, and Milla Jovovich.

His contributions to the film scene in Omaha may be understated, but Christian hopes that by playing a long game he can help bring money into the state through film.

“There’re simple things, like food,” Christian said. “Now you have folks that are purchasing more food. Travel everything from rental cars, hotels then you start to get into equipment, whether it’s sound, whether it’s lighting, all those places, when there’s a film production in town, they see a spike in that. And that helps the economy.”

It’s a positive effect that Christian hopes will blossom in the coming years.

I also don’t take ‘no’ for an answer.

And you can’t in film.

You just can’t. I hear ‘no’ all the time.

–Timothy Christian

& THE WALLS TALK "TURK" MADE IT

U.S. Cities

ust southeast of downtown Austin, Texas, a massive 100-by-24-foot mural brings a burst of color to a neutral retaining wall. The striking abstract composition showcases a musician strumming a guitar, illuminated with bold hues of red, purple, orange, and blue.

What makes this eye-catching artwork even more impressive is the dedication of the artist who brought it to life.

Suspended by climbing rope, Joe Diril found himself scaling the wall like a rock climber to complete one of his most challenging murals yet. With telephone wires crisscrossing above and a crumbling wall surface, using a lift was out of the question, and ladders would only damage the artwork Diril had to tackle the project in an incredibly physically demanding process. It’s not an uncommon day in the life.

From high-rise luxury penthouses in Miami to the building that houses Facebook’s database, Diril’s mural work spans both challenging and prestigious locations, often requiring heavy machinery and specialized equipment.

“Experiences like these bring on impostor syndrome,” he laughed. “I’m just a guy, and here I am, on the side of a building. But there’s nowhere I’d rather be.”

Known as “Turk,” the muralist and mixed media artist behind the brand “Turk Made It” is making waves across the United States. Originally from Ankara, Turkey, Diril moved to the U.S. at age 8 and earned his nickname during his career as a professional dancer.

Diril has long gravitated toward creative pursuits, earning a graphic design degree and even working as a runway model after being scouted at a dance performance. He focused on photography and videography for a decade as CEO of his company, Introvisuals, capturing over 300 weddings and documenting moments for professional boxer Terence Crawford at Madison Square Garden.

Diril’s business thrived just before the COVID-19 pandemic, but ultimately left him feeling unfulfilled. Around this time, he purchased a van with plans to travel across the country. He also set his sights on an even bigger goal: the Camino de Santiago, a six-week pilgrimage across Spain. As COVID-19 disrupted global travel, both aspirations were put on hold, and all of his gigs were canceled.

Joe Diril’s Mural Art Takes Over

STORY

NATALIE VELOSO

PHOTOGRAPHY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN

JOEY WINTON

Diril found himself ready for a new challenge.

With the extra time on his hands, Diril decided to pursue the artistic venture he’d long been eyeing mural art. What began as a personal project to escape the negativity of social media quickly evolved into something more.

Diril completed his first mural in Texas, painting for free on a wall someone was willing to donate. To his surprise, that client paid him for the work and quickly hired him for another building. His talent soon gained attention across the country, causing a snowball effect of mural commissions.

He completed 17 murals in just 15 months and his portfolio has only expanded since. Now spanning almost 40 murals from coast to coast, Diril’s work has caught the eyes of prestigious clients such as Facebook, Trammell Crow Residential, and Mill Creek Residential Trust.

“Since 2020, I’ve had the most abundance I’ve ever had in my life,” he reflected.

In 2022, Diril finally got the chance to complete the Camino de Santiago after years of nonstop commissions. Today, Diril approaches each mural project with a mindset reminiscent of his Camino trek, embodying the same endurance and meticulous planning required for both.

As his project manager, Sue Vickery has been instrumental in helping him connect with clients and tackle the intricacies of large-scale projects.

“By the time he starts installation, he’s already spoken with the client many times and come up with a design they love,” Vickery said.

Whether the design calls for comic book style or abstract elements, Diril ensures each mural reflects the client’s vision. “The only consistency in my art is that it tends to be colorful,” he joked.

It doesn’t matter to Diril if a mural will be displayed in a high-traffic public space or in a private building Vickery said he pours the same detail and care into every piece.

“When it comes to color and composition, I don’t think anyone can top Joe,” she affirmed. “If you look at his portfolio, you’ll see how each of his pieces has helped anchor the aesthetic of every location.”

While Diril’s work frequently takes him to cities such as Dallas, Seattle, and Miami, his studio in Benson is a true home base, allowing him to stay close to friends and family. Working locally offers him something unique.

“The (Omaha Summer Arts Festival) has actually been my only experience with direct feedback and seeing how my art is received, and it’s been very positive,” he shared.

“When I finish a piece, other people might sit there and admire it. Maybe they’ll drive back around,” Diril explained. “Meanwhile, I take a couple of cell phone pictures, drive away, and never think about it again. Sometimes, I’ll look at an art piece I literally just finished and feel like it created itself.”

It’s this mindset that inspires the motto in his social media bio, “attached to nothing, connected to everything.” He remains flexible, focusing on the journey rather than specific outcomes.

Yet, Diril is proud of how far he’s come projects that might’ve once taken him eight days would now take him three. He eagerly embraces new art styles with confidence, even if it’s his first attempt. “My project manager gets frustrated, saying, ‘You’re supposed to practice before the job, not on the job!’” Diril laughed.

“Watching Joe explode as a muralist over the past few years has been a privilege to witness,” Vickery shared. “He never misses a deadline, be it for delivering initial concepts or completing an install.”

Though Diril often shifts focus after mastering a skill, he plans to continue creating murals for the foreseeable future.

“My goal is to go for bigger gigs, but less frequently,” Diril said. “There was a twoyear stretch where I hadn’t even been in my own house for more than 10 days in a row.”

Diril admits he’s been enjoying moments of stillness whenever they find him, expressing a desire for a simpler life and to spend more time with his two cats. When it comes to developing his art, he’s particularly interested in improving his 3-D skills in sculpting and welding.

“Not many people can look at my work and instantly recognize it as mine,” Diril said. “You don’t even know it’s mine unless you look for my signature.”

For him, the joy is in the process.

“Even if I’m never acknowledged as an artist, I’m okay with that,” he said sincerely. “I’m not chasing fame or fortune. As long as I’m doing what excites me, that speaks louder than my name ever could.”

For more information, visit turkmadeit.com.

Happy Holidays!

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Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy 2025!

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One of Nebraska’s most famous citizens was born Wilella Sibert Cather in Gore, Virginia, in 1873. Known worldwide as Willa Cather, she and her family moved to Nebraska when she was 9 years old, hoping to escape the tuberculosis outbreaks in Virginia.

In the small village of Red Cloud, Cather grew up among European immigrants and witnessed fi rsthand the breaking of land on the Great Plains. It was most likely due to this experience in her formative years that she developed a proclivity for portraying frontier life in her writing. At the time, Nebraska was a frontier state, and Cather was inspired by the vast prairies, intense weather, and various cultures she encountered, both Native American and new European, while living in the Midwest. As Cather later wrote, “Most of the basic material a writer works with is acquired before the age of 15.”

After graduating from the University of Nebraska in 1895 with a Bachelor of Arts in English, Cather held various journalism positions in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, before transitioning into teaching. She then wholly devoted her time to writing after the

one’s place in the world. “O Pioneers!” was particularly significant to Cather herself, as she once referenced in an interview for The Bookman Magazine. “I decided not to ‘write’ at all,” Cather said. “Simply to give up to the pleasure of recapturing in memory people and places I’d forgotten.”

A later work titled “One of Ours” (1922) brings Cather’s readers to Nebraska during World War I, this time immersing them in a story that won the 1923 Pulitzer Prize. Her works have also been praised by fellow writers, including Sinclair Lewis and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Cather’s writings became more controversial over the years, some critics complaining that she was “stuck in the past” and didn’t know how to write about contemporary issues. Th is criticism was mostly associated with her last novel, “Sapphira and the Slave Girl” (1940), which follows a bitter white woman, Sapphira, who grows jealous of a young, beautiful slave girl named Nancy. Readers complained that the story lacked a sense of morality and failed to evoke empathy.

Novels of Nebraska

Willa Cather Captured the Midwest with Famous Writings

publication of “April Twilights,” a collection of poetry. Her fi rst novel, “Alexander’s Bridge,” was published in 1912 and follows the character of Bartley Alexander, a bridge engineer who tries to navigate a midlife crisis caused by his extramarital aff air. Though the novel didn’t garner as much attention as her later titles, and even disappointed its author in her later years, it kickstarted her career as a novelist and cemented Cather’s preferred themes within her writing, namely a sense of place or belonging tied to both physical spaces and characters.

Cather’s most notable works are sometimes called the “Prairie Trilogy,” a reference to the settings in three novels—“O Pioneers!” (1913), “The Song of the Lark” (1915), and “My Ántonia” (1918). The fi rst and last of these are set in Nebraska around the turn of the 20th century, and all three follow plots of immigration, relationships, and fi nding

Despite this, Cather’s work remained popular with much of the public and has since been considered some of the most important and engaging American literary content of the 20th century. In December 1945, Cather was diagnosed with breast cancer, and passed away in 1947 of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Now, in the same Red Cloud, Nebraska, where Cather grew up, is the Willa Cather Foundation, which encompasses the Willa Cather Trust and the National Willa Cather Center. A nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Cather’s works and life story, the foundation provides free information on Cather’s life and literature, along with historical sites, resources, news, and events. With trademarks like the Willa Cather Childhood Home Tour, Willa Cather Review, and online shopping for books and gifts, the foundation’s website keeps readers updated with all things related to this iconic America n author.

To learn more, visit willacather.org.

Ko rina Roberts

STEPHEN CENTER

40 YEARS OF SECOND CHANCES

STORY BY KORINA ROBERTS

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL

"MY FIRST DRUG DEALER WAS ONE OF MY DOCTORS."

He probably didn’t even realize it, she explained, swiveling her chair to face me. She Ashley Cherniss, late thirties, long blonde hair, totem-like tattoos, and an infe ctious smile sat across from me in a conference room of Stephen Center Pettigrew Shelter in South Omaha. In the 40 years since its inception, the shelter has served over 43,000 individuals experiencing homelessness. C herniss is the community engagement coordinator.

I first met her while staying at the shelter incognito for an immersion assignment. I’m an active volunteer in the kitchen, but because I work behind the scenes, most residents wouldn’t recognize me. Candy,* a guest service representative, led me through the intake process of drug screening, explaining rules, gathering background information, and heat treating the few belongings I brought in a backpack protection against bed bugs. I didn’t bring money, extra clothes, or toiletries. Sometimes residents are fleeing a situation that doesn’t leave time to gather belonging s. Sometimes they’ve lost everything they have.

There isn’t much room for storage anyway, especially around the holidays when the weather turns colder and the shelter is short on beds. I was relegated to a cot in the women’s dorm, and with more than 36 women trying to adjust to the night with blue overhead nightlights meant to illuminate the pathway toward the shared bathroom, sleep was elusive. Someone was snoring. Someone was crunching on a bag of chi ps. Feet kept shuffling in and out p ast my cot.

At around 5:30 in the morning, I jolted up in bed as a fire alarm began blaring. My eyes slightly swollen, I followed the line of grumbling, cursing women across the street until the alarm, tripped by someone vaping in the male dorm, was silenced. By then, I was awake and tried to rush t o the bathroom before all the stalls were taken.

The bathrooms were the hardest part to endure, the sharing of a space where one's most intimate parts come into contact with surfaces shared by so many others. There was a brown stain on the white wall, a clump of hair at the bottom of the shower, a damp rag left over the edge of a sink where I brushed my teeth. I only had one sister growing up. Imagine 36 all using five showers, five sinks, five toilets. The Stephen Center requires residents to sign up fo r chores. Cleaning the bathroom is o ne of them.

After my chores in the dish room, I attended a class on tenant rights and responsibilities, met with my case worker, and tried to read a book in the women’s day room while others talked, sang, and tried to sneak in a rest before another restless night, but more restful than under a bridge or behind a wall where refuse is held until trash day. That is where Cherniss found herself after nearly 30 surgeries to treat hip dysplasia, after pain meds weren’t enough and heroin addiction set in. She lost everything apartment, job, children. It wasn’t the life sh e’d planned.

Cherniss didn’t start out abusing drugs. She tried not to take them but began to experience restless legs, arthritic-like pain. “A friend told me, ‘It sounds like you’re going through withdrawal,’ so I went home, took a pain med and all those symptoms went away.” She received a Tremadol prescription for when the Percocet wasn’t enough. Tremadol wasn’t considered a narcotic at the time, but now is. Skip forward past friends dolling out extra pills, friends introducing drug dealers, to a time Cherniss dates a drug dealer. Life began to crash. “I couldn’t put up the façade that I was normal, a go od mom. I was using, hoping I wouldn ’t wake up.”

For those like Cherniss looking for a place to map a new journey, the Stephen Center is a safe haven with on-site medical care, rehabilitation, counselors, life training, three square meals, and others who have walked the same drudgery; survivors like shelter chef, Robert Wilson , and Community Engagement Director Beth Ellis.

What I learned is that experiencing homelessness is heartbreaking, but those individuals share a unique bond of place, experience, and memory an understanding of what it means to see a person behind the masks, that the outer image exposed to the world is not the person behind the imperfections: the woman who was a nurse, the man who would be a chef, the girl with untold dreams whose mother dreams to keep her safe for one more night. Can I truly see anyone the way they see each other? Do I hold space for what they might have been, what they still co uld become?

As I walked by the admin office at the end of another kitchen shift, I heard Teri Corcoran, then-interim CEO, and Ellis erupt in laughter before I noticed Cherniss drop to the floor in tears. “I thought you were sick. I asked Beth what was wrong with you,” Corcoran said. “I didn’t have my teeth in yet,” Cherniss responded through blasts of laughter that emanated the hallway. “What in the world?” I asked. Cherniss pulled up her toothless photo from a morning text she had sent, an inside joke lmdo (laughing my dentures out). She shows me exhibit A of a former heroin add ict, the los s of teeth.

But she is not ashamed to share her imperfection, because she is so proud of her recovery and humanity amongst other humans, seeing the smile of one who so long went without smiling as a perfect image of beauty and soulfulness. I found myself shrinking in my own skin because I find it hard to face my imperfections in the mirror each morning the cellulite, small wrinkles, bags beneath my eyes, scars that map my life experiences, and I am ashamed that she knows more about how to live as a stron g woman rising, perhaps, than I can ever u nderstand.

*Name of shelter resident has been changed to protect their dignity and conf identiality.

EASTONPAULSWEEPS INTERNATIONAL GEOGRAPHYCHAMPIONSHIPS Adventure

By

Easton Paul, 13, was the sole Nebraskan to compete in the International Geography Championships this past summer. The eighth-grader traveled out of the country for the first time, competing in Vienna, Hungary, a nd Slovakia.

An attendee of Aspen Creek Middle School, Easton became interested in geography in sixth grade, when a teacher challenged him to identify several world flags around the classroom and he passed with flying colors. Taking immediate interest in becoming a flag expert, Easton did all he could to sharpen his skills through online quizzes and other internet sources. With 195 existing countries in the world today, this was no easy task. Soon his YouTube algorithm was full of historical information about different countries and parts of the globe, such as the fact that Java, a single island in Indonesia, has a greater population than the entire continent of Russia.

“I was on a Quiz Bowl team at school, and the format of that is similar to the Geography Championships,” Easton said of how he got his start in the competition. “Then I took online quizzes from that to qualify for regional competitions.” The top 50% of scores qualify. Easton scored an 88 out of 100. The qualifying competition for the region was held in Grand Island, Nebraska. Easton was not only a qualifier, but placed third in the competition, which put him in the top 25% and qualified him for the international ch ampionships.

“I use a couple online tools and made myself a little study guide, where I’ll go through Canada and say ‘Ok, I have to know every province in Canada,’ and then I’ll go through cities and mountains and stuff like

that,” Easton explained. “And then I just go to the next country. So I’ll go down to the U.S., and then I’ll go down to Mexico and do the same thing.” With questions that have very specific answers, this method of study is necessary for Easton to excel.

On July 10, Easton and his mother, Brandi, flew out of Omaha and heade d to Vienna.

“We had an incredible experience and saw a lot, but he also put a lot of work in…he had one day where he went 11 hours straight in a competition,” Brandi said. “They gave us four tests on what’s called a ‘battery exam,’” Easton recalled. “We’d have to answer 400 questions and they gave us half an hour for each of the packets. So we stayed in there a while.” The questions of such a grueling competition include not only physical placement of cities and structures, but also geopolitical and historical issues involving certain countries or cultures.

Events also included some team competitions. “Since he didn’t really have a team, since he was the only kid from Nebraska, they partnered him with a young man from Iowa and a young man from Colorado for Team Great Plains,” Brandi said. “They did awesome together, they made a fantastic team!” Team Great Plains pulled through to secure second place i n the world.

The Omaha community roared with support for Easton and his international adventure. “He walked around the school like a rock star,” Brandi said with a beaming smile. “Teachers and principals, everyone congratulated him, and even the head

football coach at Gretna East tweeted when we were there, ‘Way to go, Easton, we’re so proud of you!’ A lot of times you don’t see that a huge sports figure recognizing a kid who’s excelling in academics, and that really means a lot.” Chancellor Li at UNO even sent a care package full of T-shirts, bracelets to give out in Vienna, and other UNO swag, knowing Easton is a big fan of Maverick hockey. “We weren’t the only ones so proud to see him waving that Nebraska flag all by himself.”

As for Easton’s future, it’s wide open. College major options are “still on the table,” as he puts it, but his solid academic foundation and prowess is sure to land him in a prosperous position.

Easton’s father, Brian, summed up his son’s passion in one sentence: “Most kids have sports posters on their walls he has world maps.”

To learn more about the International Geography Champions hips, visit geochampi onships.com.

Story

Kim Carpenter and Claudia Moomey

P hotography

Bill Sitzmann

D esign by Joey Winton

FEATURE Golden T

STORY BY KYLE EUSTICE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN

DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL/JOEY WINTON

Omaha's Three Golden Toques: Chefs

Cedric Fichepain, Jim Trebbien, and Le

Fascinella

ecorated chefs Cedric Fichepain, Jim Trebbien, and Leo Fascinella come from vastly different backgrounds, but their passion for cooking and innate talent in the kitchen brought them together. In an act of serendipity, they all wound up in Omaha, where their paths would not only cross, but also lead them to The Honorable Order of the Golden Toque, the highest acclaimed recognition a chef can receive in America. To have three Golden Toque honorees in Omaha is undeniably special, and Fichepain, Trebbien, and Fascinella are only hoping to add more local chefs to the disting uished club.

Originally founded in France, The Golden Toque (or Golden Chef's Hat) is awarded to chefs with at least 20 years of service who’ve achieved significant professional success and contributed to the culinary arts in some way. The designation is limited to 100 lifetime members, who each must be nominated by three active members. Each nominee undergoes a vigorous screening process by the acceptance committee before final approval is granted. It has a strict code of ethics, and at the top of the list is: “use honesty and integrity in the acting and performance of all association dealing.” These are traits all three Omaha che fs possess.

Trebbien, an Iowa native who blossomed as an instructor and dean of Metropolitan Community College’s Institute for the Culinary Arts (one of the nation’s top centers for culinary education), never anticipated he’d be nominated, much less make it in.

“I worked for a chef that was a member of The Golden Toque and I always thought, ‘Oh that’s something I could never do,’” Trebbien said. “But when I got in, I couldn’t believe it. It is quite prestigious and I was jus t tickled.”

Fascinella, whose thick Sicilian accent immediately outs him as an Italian, exudes a genuine warmth when he talks about Omaha and is equally as stunned to be a Golden To que member.

“Omaha is a great place to be, first of all, and I feel so lucky to be living in this city among some wonderful people,” he said. “I got to meet a lot of beautiful, wonderful people, and I am surprised myself that I got the honor to become a member of The Golden Toque.

“And it’s not just about what we do in cooking. It has a lot to do also for who we talk to, the lives that we could change, and things that we do among the city of Omaha. I love cooking and I’m so glad that I got to do what I love to do i n my life.”

Fascinella moved to Omaha from Sicily to live with an uncle. He began shining shoes at his uncle’s shop before taking a job doing dishes at a restaurant for $1.15 an hour. But even at a young age, he knew he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather, who owned his own restaurant.

“I was hungry,” he remembered. “I needed to make money. I wanted to be self-sufficient. My goal in my life was to never, ever ask anyone for money. I grew up very poor. I never had anything in my home no TV, nothing. When I came here, I was not very happy. I missed the ocean. I missed the smell of the fruits, olives, everything. I was crying at night and wanted to go back home, but I didn’t have any money. After a while, I kind of got used to it. My dream was always to have my own r estaurant.”

He soon began to realize Omaha needed, in his opinion, better pasta and he had just the ri ght recipe.

“I started to love Omaha, and there were so many old steakhouses in town Anthony’s, Ross’ and they were serving this shitty pasta with just shitty stuff,” he said with a smirk. “So I thought to myself, ‘I’m going to open a restaurant and I’m going to call it Pasta Amore.’ Some people said, ‘You’re never going to make it in Omaha, Nebraska, where they only like to eat steak and corn.’ I said, ‘ Watch me.’”

Fascinella was able to build his dream life as the owner and founder of Pasta Amore in Rockbrook Village and, at the same time, help lead Omaha to new culina ry heights.

“I think Leo and Cedric both changed the culture,” Trebbien said. “They were part of the change of the food culture of Omaha. They were part of the group of people that made it what it is today. When The Golden Toque came here in 2009, they were wowed out of their mind. They couldn’t believe what Omaha is and the talent tha t is here.”

Fichepain, the self-described “new kid on the block,” grew up in France but relocated to Omaha in 1997 after meeting his wife. “Only a woman can bring you to Omaha,” he joked. After graduating from The Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College, where Trebbien was one of his instructors, he founded the French fine dining restaurant Le Voltaire in 2001, and later, Le Petit Paris French Bakery in West Omaha, quickly establishing himself among Omaha’s culinary elite. He was the last of the three to be welcomed into The Golden Toque. At 52 years old, he’s the “youngster” of the trio but isn’t any less grateful. Like Trebbien and Fascinella, he’s committed to expanding The Golden Toque circle in Omaha.

“These two gentlemen and another chef nominated me,” he explained. “We’re trying to get Omaha more on the map, you may say. Our goal is to continue to do that. There’s a pool of talented chefs here in Omaha. We have the magic number to nominate who we want.”

While they remained tight-lipped on who they are considering (though they did note they have their eyes on an “amazing guy”), the excitement in their voices was palpable as they talked about the future, especially when they talked about passing the proverbial torch to the next generation.

“It’s very important,” Fichepain said. “Education is everything and not only in cooking, it’s the same thing with regular school. You just have to mentor and teach people the basics of making food. Not everybody should be eating at McDonald’s. At the end of the day, it’s cheaper and healthier to buy some produce and make your own food.”

Fascinella jumps in with an anecdote that paints a vivid picture of how impactful a me ntor can be.

“In a way, I’m not teaching anyone, but I’m mentoring people,” he explained. “I do this by growing my own vegetables. I have a farm I grow all my own food. I remember one time there was a kid, and he was kind of naughty, drinking and tattoos everywhere and all this. He was never settled. One day I go, ‘Okay Jerry, you come with me. I want to show you something.’ I took him to my farm and made him start plantin g tomatoes.

“I said, ‘I’m going to leave you here all day, when you’re done, call me, I’ll come.’ We did that for about a week, and this guy became the most amazing person. He respected me for what I did. He goes, ‘Leo, that was the best lesson in the world.’ That’s what we are all about. If we could change the life of one person, I think that’s what we are here for.”

Perhaps one of the most endearing aspects of The Golden Toque trifecta is the love and appreciation they have for their families, particularly their wives: Desarae Fichepain, Patty Trebbien, and Patricia Fascinella.

“Without our wives, it would have been impossible to do,” Fichepain admitted. “There are lots of long hours in the kitchen and lots of holidays without us b eing home.”

And maybe they don’t realize it, but the close bond they share is also extremely evident when they are in the same room, making it only natural to inquire about their friendship.

“Not every chef gets along, but we happen to get along very well,” Fascinella said. “Even if we have some age differences, it doesn't matter. I think the main goal is to continue this adventure, provide the education, and something for the c ity as well.

“I’ve always lived my life like I was never jealous of anyone. I always thought that if you meet somebody like Cedric or Jim, for me, it’s a great opportunity to not only become a good friend with a nice person, but also, you can learn from ea ch other.”

To learn more, visit h gtchefs.com.

“If we could change the life of one person, I think that’s what we are here for.”

-Leo Fascinella

FROM A READER:

“A quick note to say how amazed I am at how many really interesting, well written articles you manage to pack into every issue.

In general, I like the way you fill full pages with photos, titles, art, or even ads. One of my favorite magazines…has gone to lots of white space, with small type for stories, which offers an anemic sense of content. I believe in filling all the space – even if going to larger typeface. They also print now on an oddly slick paper, which with all the white space conveys a minimalist feel. Los Angeles Magazine has gone to exactly the same format and presentation. L.A. used to be jammed with more info than the pages could hold – but now also seem s on a diet.

Throughout, the changes of color from page to page fill up any empty space and are dramatic visual platforms for the stories. Again, I don’t know how you do it (I wrote a similar letter a couple of years ago after reading every article in t hat issue).”

— Jim

FROM ARTIC LE SUBJECTS:

“I am excited about this and cannot wait to share it with my network, family, and friends. My heart beats fast when I read this and it captures the true essence of who I am. I hope that others will be able to see themselves in it as well. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to share. I consider you all to be family.”

— Rachel

“I wanted to thank you for the article you wrote. In the last few days I have heard from swimmers from as long as 40 years ago who swam for me. It’s been lovely to reconnect. I was reluctant to participate, but I’m so glad I did. You made the process easy and shared my story in such a thoughtful way. It was rea lly a gi ft.”

— Jeanie

“I deeply appreciate this opportunity and am grateful Omaha Magazine elevates the work of nonprofits.”

— Amanda

ENJOY THE HOLIDAYS

2024 First Place Tattoo Parlor

Student Sketches for Future

Broc Evitch

cademy Award-winning actress Jodie Foster dislikes working with Generation Z, finding them “really annoying.” She told The Guardian that some will come in late, saying, “Nah, I’m not feeling it today, I’m gonna come in at 10:30 a.m.”

Papillion native Broc Evitch defies the generation’s “lazy” stereotype, preferring to push the boundaries of hard work by dipping his hands into multiple creative ventures. The Creighton University junior sketches a rare path in pursuing a medical illustration career. The Association of Medical Illustrators reported fewer than 2,000 trained professionals in the world for a job field that combines artistry and medicine to produce textbooks, scientific journals, or exhibits that often help patients comprehend thei r diagnoses.

Evitch, with the muscular shoulders of a powerlifter, gently brushes his pencil across his notebook to portray visuals of surgical procedures at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center when not studying for his Bachelor of Fine Arts with a minor in biology. He sometimes has only seconds to draw an accurate portrayal on paper before the surgeon moves forward.

“Insane! Very brutal…but necessary,” Evitch noted under a drawing of exposed sections of the skull and brain during his first viewing of a craniosynostosis surgery. The artist also connected with the university’s cadaver laboratory, causing him to arrive home smelling of embalming fluids, but with more experience. The possibility of publication could come soon, as he has teamed up with the Creighton University School of Dentistry to illustrate a new neck discovery.

“I feel like I have imposter syndrome in the OR (operating room) with all these professionals, and I’m trying to keep up with my pencil,” Evitch said of his 12 surgerie s thus far.

"The community gave so much to me. I want to give back to them and use what I know."

–Broc Evitch

Evitch does realize only five accredited medical illustration programs exist in the United States, including his dream school at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, but that only makes the possibility of succeeding sweeter. Although no Nebraska school currently lists it as a degree, Creighton University associate professor and adviser Rachel Mindrup set up an interview for Evitch with a medical illustrator at the Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Arizona, so he could ask questions about his potential fut ure career.

“Broc is optimistic, thoughtful, and kind… pretty much everything Creighton stands for,” Mi ndrup said.

Mindrup added other students on campus want to become illustrators, but the field remains tight since only a few students secure a spot in these selective programs. Evitch plans to start a portfolio to send to Johns Hopkins. He created his first art portfolio in middle school.

“Broc was the first kid I ever saw, an eighth grader, who came in with a whole portfolio,” said Creighton Preparatory School art educator Jeremy Caniglia.

Caniglia thought the artwork warranted skipping the basic class and putting the incoming freshman into the intermediate level instead. Evitch won key gold and silver awards along the way. Caniglia saw the talent in his student’s realistic anatomical drawings and pointed him toward the medical illustra tion field.

Evitch’s grandfather Frank, a former forensic artist in Wisconsin, told him, “You’re crazy. Can you pick a more difficult career?” But Frank reminded his grandson nothing stood in the way of reaching his potential.

“He’s humble and driven, but in a good way,” agreed his mother, Darleene, who entered her son into private art classes in gr ade school.

Evitch feels free with charcoal in his hands, seeing “in black and white,” and his work

has already appeared in the AlbrechtKemper Museum of Art in St. Joseph, Missouri. Positive Exposure in New York City showed his portrait on a doctor titled “The Second Victim.”

“I love his storytelling and how he pulls the viewer in. Broc’s an inspiration,” Can iglia said.

Evitch pets his two golden doodles, and his crafted gold bracelet shimmers, a jewelry-making hobby that allows him to “nerd out.” He sits straight in his chair where he used to serve wine, pizza, and cheese from their former business, The Stave, at his family’s home. His father, Chris, walks into the room, a shorter and older version of his son, who first showed him how to powerlift. Evitch’s two older brothers cheer him on from the sidelines.

“It takes a lot of work and he’s all in every day,” Chris said.

Evitch recently took first place at the 2024 America Patriot Open in bench, setting a state record for his age group with 446.4 pounds in his weight class of 264, which qualifies him for a spot at nationals. In addition, he volunteers as a powerlifting coach four times a week at his former hi gh school.

“The community gave so much to me. I want to give back to them and use what I know,” Evitch said.

Evitch loves to stay busy, even entering and winning first place for his large cucumber at the Sarpy County Fair. The next venture could mean opening a local art gallery or acting as a springboard for amateurs to hear from professional Midwest masters. As his junior year heats up, Evitch doesn’t have much time, but insists that he’ll find it. He hands over a black and gold business card with his grandfather’s signature a s the logo.

“I know what I want and I’m chasing what I want,” he said, his blue eyes patient behind hi s glasses.

Story by Lisa Lukecart Photography by Bill Sitzmann Design by Joey Winton

Brent Rasmussen Turns Tragedy into Trophies

From college baseball at the University of Nebraska at Omaha to starting a brief professional career pitching for the Kansas City Royals organization in 1999, Brent Rasmussen wasn’t far removed from reaching potentially the highest level of competition in the spor t he loved.

It all changed in 2002, when a roadside accident cost him the use of his legs.

As a double-amputee from being struck by a vehicle while assisting a motorist in distress, the horrors of that accident still relatively fresh, Rasmussen felt lukewarm at first to the idea of playing wheelchair softball for the Nebraska Barons in Omaha.

Now, Froendt thinks Rasmussen, 47, is the greatest wheelchair softball player ever. Froendt bases that premise on the number of most valuable player awards, all-tournament selections, and batting statistics Rasmussen has compiled throug h the years.

“He has, in his 21 years, exceeded and excelled far beyond anyone who’s ever played the game,” said Froendt. “That’s one testament and one reason the team has had the success it’s had. He’s been the anchor and undoubtedly, unquestionably, the great est player.”

At the International Wheelchair Softball World Series in August 2024, at the First Intersate Bank Sports Complex in Valley,

Rasmussen was the long-sought good outfielder Froendt envisioned.

Gifted with a strong arm, Rasmussen adjusted quickly from a professional baseball pitcher to a top-notch left fielder in wheelchair softball with the Barons.

“It’s interesting. It’s a mix between baseball and softball,” said Rasmussen. “I feel it has the speed of baseball, but the size of softball. It’s a blend of both and totally something different to wat ch as well.”

Especially considering the game is played on a hard surface as opposed to grass. But winning baseball always comes down to hitting and defense, with Rasmussen still holding his own at both.

“I

think it’s been probably one of the best things for me, my mentality of continuing in life and seeing other people have challenges. They’ve made it through.”

So when Barons manager Bruce Froendt read Rasmussen’s story and was compelled to reach out in 2003, Rasmussen was hesitant about responding. Eventually, they connected, and on the first day they chatted, Froendt convinced Rasmussen to check out the team later that day at practice.

It was then that Rasmussen became sold on playing b all again.

“Once I got to know [the Baron players] more personally and knowing that they went through the same stuff that I went through, it was great to have a different kind of team that I’ve never been exposed to or thought I’d ever have,” sai d Rasmussen.

Froendt, the Barons’ manager since 1998, recalled that first day Rasmussen showed up. “He had dress slacks on and a dress shirt. We got him a T-shirt, and he sat down in a chair and tr ied it out.”

–Brent Rasmussen

the Barons finished as the runner-up to the Minnesota Rolling Twins for the third year in a row. But with Rasmussen in left field, the Barons have captured the IWSWS championship 13 times, including the first two years Rasmussen played with them. They also have reached the IWSWS championship game in 19 of Rasmussen’s 21 years with the team.

Playing left in wheelchair softball is regarded as the most difficult position on the field. As great a left fielder as former University of Nebraska standout Alex Gordon was for the Kansas City Royals, he wasn’t expected to throw runners out at first, like left fielders in wheelcha ir softball.

“Most balls [in wheelchair softball] are hit to shortstop and into left field naturally,” said Froendt. “In this game, balls that are hit to the outfield aren’t base hits. They’re often, with a good outfie lder, outs.”

“I’m still playing left field and still throwing the long ball out there,” said Rasmussen. “You’ve got to have a good, accurate arm. That’s how I got out there.”

What keeps him out here is the c amaraderie.

“The Barons have been a big family for 20 years plus,” said Rasmussen, the Ralston High graduate who has been in the mortgage business full-time since the end of his professional baseball career. He earned his degree at UNO in small business management.

“All I’ve known is the mortgage business,” said Rasmussen. “It’s worked out very well for me to be flexible, especially with all the sports t hat I play.”

While also playing wheelchair volleyball and basketball, Rasmussen is inspired by the stories behind each of hi s teammates.

“I think it’s huge,” he said. “I think it’s been probably one of the best things for me, my mentality of continuing in life and seeing other people have challenges. They’ve made it through.”

So has Rasmussen.

TECH SUPPORT TECH SUPPORT AIM FOR A BETTER FUTURE

GIVING PROFILE

STORY BY SARA LOCKE | PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN / ILLUSTRATION BY JOEY WINTON

It’s a pretty standard trope, the elderly relative who can’t log onto the internet, the geriatric parent who thinks you’re a wizard when you reset their router, or the out-of-touch neighbor who simply refuses to switch from a landline to a mobile device. As each generation gives birth to new worlds of tech opportunities, history has us scoff at those being left behind.

While it has never been especially helpful or kind to mock those at a disadvantage, in the newest age of technology, it’s become more than an inconvenience. With nearly 32 million adults in the Unites States considered digitally disadvantaged, and the tech gap widening, a significant portion of our community is at risk of losing work and education opportunities, communication, connection, and a voice that is heard a nd counted.

The team at AIM Institute is dedicated not only to providing access to tech learning to those who seek it, but in identifying and engaging with their underrepresente d neighbors.

Program Manager of Technical Training and Events at AIM Brett Berkebile is by nobody’s measure digitally illiterate. With a degree in marketing and marketing management from UNO, he was a well-educated man on the rise. When he found himself on the fast track to becoming the director of marketing at his former job, he realized how many gaps his education had left.

“As I approached the next level at my job, I realized that I no longer had the skill set my field now required,” Berkebile said. “I could be the hardest worker in the room and still not have the tools to be unique or competitive. I didn’t have the knowledge of web design; I couldn’t build and manage a site for my client. My education had left me without the adaptability to thrive in the field I had a degree in.”

In a climate that is currently distrustful of many tech trends, namely the increased use of AI, Berkebile has a somber and sobering message: “AI isn’t going to replace your job. Humans that adopt and adapt to AI will.”

In 2022, Berkebile’s career in marketing had come to an end, the result of COVID19 layoffs and his former job outsourcing many of the remaining positions. A position was available at AIM for an outreach coordinator, someone to engage with underserved communities and offer AIM’s programs as a means to connect, literally and digitally, with those who ne ed it most.

“I started in that position in April of 2022, and was assigned to North Omaha, tasked with making partner relationships in t hat region.”

But it wasn’t long before AIM’s mission had taken hold and made Berkebile a passionat e advocate.

“Yeah, it’s a job. I get paid for showing up. But stories that I get to hear, and the role we get to play in those stories are the reason I look forward to doing it ,” he said.

“We have high school graduates who don’t know where to go next, we have senior citizens showing up so they can stay on top of communication, we have first generation immigrants and refugees who are looking for a way to contribute and build a better future for themselves. AIM Code School is accredited through the State of Nebraska's Department of Education, so this is a true, tangible education that they can turn into a career. Whether this is their first brush with technology or if they’re supplementing a degree program, everyone is leaving here with a deeper, actionable understanding of current technology.”

Andrew Ochsner, director of operations at AIM, remembers Berkebile’s time as Outreach Coordinator well. “He has professionally moved beyond that position, but personally, he remains very passionate about it. Specifically when discussing marginalized populations, people who have the desire, but not the access or the means to utilize technology,” Ochsner said. “We have community members who don’t have access to the most basic communication technology, and then you have UNO offering a degree in AI prompt writing.

“We have to look at how historically, tech advances leave people behind if they lose access,” Ochsner continued. “We see that divide widening between people who have always had the privilege of freely exploring digital learning, and those without access to stable wifi. But the landscape is changing quickly, and what Brett and his cohorts are doing with the different services AIM offers is so important. They aren’t satisfied with keeping the community current, they are teaching individuals how to advance and thrive.”

“At the end of the day, we want our funders, members, community organizations, students we want the community to understand that everyone has and deserves a seat at the tech table,” Berkebile concluded. “We want to grow a community diverse in thought, and to encourage every voice to be heard.”

To learn more about the programs offered by AIM, how to connect, and how to enroll, visit aimin stitute.org.

“We want to grow a community diverse in thought, and to encourage every voice to be heard.”

—Brett Berkebile

GIVING CALENDAR

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024

COMPILED BY ISABELLA MCATEE

line will have LaMar’s Donut’s waiting for the runners as an extra win. Runners will also get commemorative run swag to show that they ran for Make A Wish and took a trot on their Thanksgiving morning.

Nov. 1-Dec. 31

WINTER COAT DRIVE

Benefits: Calistus Foundation

Location: 3706 S 132nd St, Omaha, NE 68144  — calistusfoundation.org

Nov. 5

VOLUNTEER CLUB

Benefits: Open Door Mission

Location: Garland Thompson Men’s Center Chapel   — opendoormission.org

Nov. 6-7

CHRISTMAS CARAVAN PREVIEW

Benefits: Assistance League of Omaha

Location: Champions Run —alomaha.org

Nov. 7

COMING TOGETHER

Benefits: TogetherOmaha

Location: Zenia Omaha —togetheromaha.org

Nov. 8

November 28

OMAHA TURKEY TROT 2024

Benefits: Make-A-Wish Foundation

Location: Downtown Omaha nebraskaruns.com/omahaturkeytrot5K

The 2024 Omaha Turkey Trot 5k brings together the metro community for the "biggest run of the year" and a nationwide tradition. Benefitting Make-A-Wish Nebraska, the Omaha Turkey Trot runners will be running for wish kids and get to help be a part of granting a child’s wish. Make A Wish Nebraska works on granting wishes for Nebraskan children with life-threatening medical conditions. Take a run past Charles Schwab Field, The Capitol District, and through The Old Market. This year the Trot finish

PURSEONALITIES 2024

Benefits: Child Saving Institute

Location: The Embassy Suites La Vista 12520 Westport Parkway   — childsaving.org

Nov. 8

VISION BEYOND SIGHT GALA

Benefits: Outlook Enrichment

Location: Mariott Downtown   — outlooken.org

Nov. 9

BENSON BARSTOOL OPEN 2024

Benefits: United Cerebal Palsy of Nebraska

Location: Downtown Benson  — ucpnebraska.org

Nov. 10

25TH ANNUAL LAUREATE’S FEAST GALA

Benefits: Neihardt Foundation

Location: Gallery 1516 on Leavenworth   — neihardtcenter.org

Nov. 14

TREE OF LIGHTS KICKOFF

Benefits: The Salvation Army of Omaha

Location: 90th and Dodge Streets —http://salarmyomaha.org

Nov. 14

LIVE @ LOW END PAMELA Z

Benefits: Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts

Location: Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts   — bemiscenter.org

Nov. 14

LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR CELEBRATION

Benefits: Open Door Mission

Location: King of Kings Church  — opendoormission.org

Nov. 15

AMERICA RECYCLES DAY

Benefits: Keep Omaha Beautiful

Location: Keep Omaha Beautiful — keepomahabeautiful.org

Nov. 15

SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY GALA

Benefiting: The Durham Museum

Location: The Durham Museum —durhammuseum.org

Nov. 16

CHILDREN’S NEBRASKA BELIEVE GALA 2024

Benefits: Children’s Nebraska’s NICU

Location: CHI Health Center Omaha   — childrensnebraska.org

Nov. 18

NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS

Benefits: Nebraska Aids Project

Location: Omaha Mariott

Downtown Ballroom  — nap.org/event/ night-of-a-thousand-stars-3

Nov. 22

THE NUTCRACKER GALA

Benefits: American Midwest Ballet

Location: Hoff Family Arts & Culture Center —amballet.org

Nov. 19

YOUTH OF THE YEAR

Benefits: Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands

Location: Scott Conference Center   — bgcomaha.org

Nov. 23-30

FEZTIVAL OF TREES

Benefits: Tangier Shrine

Location: Tangier Shrine   — tangiershrine.com

Nov. 25

THANKSGIVING BANQUET

Benefits: The Hope Center for Kids

Location: The Hope Center for Kids   — hopecenterforkids.com/#faith

Nov. 27

TURKEYFEST

Benefits: The Salvation Army

Location: The Kroc Center   — centralusa.salvationarmy.org/omaha

Nov. 27

BLUE COLLAR BOXING

Benefits: United Way of the Midlands and Nebraska Center for Workforce

Location: Baxter Arena —unitedwaymidlands.org

Nov. 30

SWEETS WITH SANTA

Benefits: Foster Love

Location: TBA —https://fosterlove402.org

Dec. 3

VOLUNTEER CLUB

Benefits: Open Door Mission

Location: Garland Thompson Men’s Center Chapel   — opendoormission.org

Dec. 3

GIVING TUESDAY

Benefits: Dozens of local nonprofits

Location: online —shareomaha.org

COUNSELING CONNECTIONS & ASSOCIATES

OUR TOP PROVIDERS

Salina Anderson, APRN

Geraldine Alexis, LIMHP, PLADC

Julie Bierman, LCSW, LMHP

Chantel Bruha, LIMHP, LADC

Korrie Conners, LMHP, CSAT

Kirby Davis, LMHP

Peggy Deaver, LIMHP, CPC

Davin Dickerson, APRN

Beth Farrell, LCSW, LIMHP

Dumayi Gutierrez, PhD, LMHP

Lucy Hancock, MA

Charlene Hills, LCSW, LIMHP

KG Langdon, APRN

Mary Loftis, LMHP, CPC

Kim Mueller, LIMHP, CPC

Nicole Obrecht, LIMHP

Kara Schneider, BA

Marty Stoltenberg, APRN-BC

Kristi Tackett-Newburg, PhD, LIMHP

Greg Tvrdik, LIMHP, CPC

Sarah Wenzl, LMHP, CPC

Michele Yanney-Wehbi, LIMHP, CPC

Dr. Kristi Tackett-Newburg Founder/Owner

Jaime Arredondo

Now throuh January 7, 2025

Dec. 3

ONLINE CAMPAIGN FOR GIVING TUESDAY

Benefits: Keep Omaha Beautiful Location: Keep Omaha Beautiful — keepomahabeautiful.org

Dec. 4

BIG GIVE LUNCHEON

Benefiting: Mid-America Council Boy Scouts of America

Location: CHI Health Center —mac-bsa.org

Dec. 5

WHINE FEST

Benefits: Nebraska Humane Society Location: TBA —nehumanesociety.org

Dec. 7

JINGLE BELL RUN NEBRASKA

Benefits: Arthritis Foundation

Location: Papillion Landing   — events.arthritis.org/index. cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive. event&eventID=1710

Dec. 9

GINGERBREAD HOUSE DECORATING COMPETITION

Benefits: Great Adventure Ministries

Location: Soho Coffeehouse — greatadventureministries.com

Dec. 14

SANTA RUN

Benefits: Omaha Sports Commission

Location: The Blackstone District   — visitomaha.com/event/santa-run/42722

Dec. 14

CHRISTMAS STORE

Benefits: Abide Omaha and the community Location: Abide Omaha 3223 N 45th St  — abideomaha.org

Dec. 14

CHRISTMAS FOR FOSTER FAMILIES

Benefits: Release Omaha. Location: Release Omaha   — releaseinc.org

Dec. 17-19

YOUTH SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA

Benefits: The Hope Center for Kids

Location: The Hope Center for Kids   — hopecenterforkids.com/#faith

Dec. 24

CHRISTMAS EVE BANQUET

Benefits: Open Door Mission

Location: Open Door Mission — opendoormission.org

THE CAT IN THE HAT Alive Curiosity Keeps

Theater multipotentialite Noah Diaz’s stature is impressive. Standing well over six feet tall with a wide, exuberant smile and eyes that express a joy for life, one meeting him can tell this is a man doing big things.

STORY BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN

Their instinct is right. Diaz is making a name for himself as a playwright, having already made a name for himself as an actor and director.

Theater is a career he started early, originally being a part of a school production in fourth grade. He jumped in with both feet, and, by the time he graduated high school, had performed in dozens of plays, from the title role in the children’s play “The Cat in the Hat” at the Rose to new shows at smaller loc al theaters.

“The first time I saw him was in ‘Speech and Debate,’” said local playwright Ellen Struve. “He was so wide-open as an actor and s o talented.”

Diaz came to know Struve as a friend and mentor, and Struve came to know Diaz as a friend herself.

“We went out to lunch together. And even as a 16-year-old, Noah was full of curiosity,” Struve

said. “We became sort of compatriots through reading [plays], because we wanted to talk about idea s in plays.”

By the time Diaz graduated from UNO in 2017, he had over 80 credits to his name in local theater and had won several Omaha Entertainment and Arts and Theater Arts Guild awards. He earned a degree in special education, never thinking he could be in theater and make a living. By his sophomore year at UNO, however, theater was calling him back into its fold, this time as a writer.

Following his passion has turned out to be the best th ing for him.

“I think he has a depth of talent,” said Struve. “He had explored a lot of opportunity here, and I was excited to see him expand his opportunities … I think he was just ready for a larger ex perience.”

DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

NOAH DIAZ PROFILE

“Noah’s work came to the fore as something that was inventive, with a fresh theatrical sense.”

-Tarell Alvin McCraney

Struve encouraged Diaz to apply to graduate schools for theater arts, and so he did. In true form, however, he didn’t just apply to a couple of schools he applied to 14 of them. He was accepted to five, and the choice of which one to accept was easy Diaz packed his belongings and traveled to New Haven, Connecticut, to become one of three playwrighting students and nine total incoming graduate students within the David Geffen School of Dr ama at Yale.

His natural curiosity and overall interest in learning about and teaching the craft helped him get into the program. It didn’t hurt that he was being taught by playwrights whom he admired, including Tarell Alvin McCraney, a Tony-Award nominated playwright who also won the 2017 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for “Moonlight.”

“Noah’s work came to the fore as something that was inventive, with a fresh theatrical sense,” McCraney said. “There was a sense of joy in his work. So even before knowing who the person attached to the work was, we were excited to engag e with him.”

The gregarious Diaz absorbed all that the program had to offer, making friends with his fellow students and writing play after play throughout his three-year program. He won six playwriting awards from The Kennedy Center, including the Jean Kennedy Smith Award for an outstanding student-written script that explores living with a disability, and a Latinx Playwriting Award for his thesis-project play, “You Will Get Sick.”

“Noah was a favorite amongst his peers and fellow collaborators, and throughout the program, you could just see people becoming understanding of his voice, enamored by his voice, and wanting to support it,” Mc Craney said.

The three years at Yale were intense, with a volume of work expected that playwrights

would be lucky to have time to generate outside of an academic environment.

Those three years enabled Diaz to write plays performed on stages at the Geffen School and in other locations.

“You Will Get Sick” is on the docket to close the 2024-2025 season at Steppenwolf Theater Co. in Chicago, being performed June 5 through July 13 next year. It’s a show that McCraney said is one of hi s favorites.

“It’s an incredible play that he worked on while in school,” McCraney said. “I just don’t think we talk about getting sick very well. And I think this play seeks to wrestle with why.”

Diaz’s second-year play “Rock, Egg, Spoon,” was performed at the Langston Hughes Festival of New Plays while Diaz was a student and is now on the docket at Available Light Theatre in Columbus, Ohio for their 2024-2 025 season.

The play takes place in 1804 and is noted on Available Light Theatre’s website as being a “modern American epic about privilege, sadness and giving credit where credit is due.” The play also touches on deafness, a theme dear to D iaz’s heart.

One of the biggest skills he learned was time management, one Diaz finds useful now as a full-time playwright and creative juggling multiple projects at once. The modern era of remote work has enabled Diaz to write for the screen as well a s the stage.

The jump to writing for television came because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He graduated from Yale that spring, and was able to stay at home on the East Coast while taking meetings on the West Coast and working in writer’s rooms in Hollywood. Eventually he started spending time in Los Angeles to get some of these projects completed. He’s written episodes of Hulu’s "Nine Perfect Strangers” and “Up Here,” as well as

“Joe vs. Carole” for Peacock. He’s developed projects for several places, including a pilot for a series that was to be produced by Eva Longoria’s UnBeliEVAble Entertainment.

“I met with them, and it all happened very quickly. They sent me the original, which was an international series,” said Diaz, continuing that a deal was set up within a matter of days, but they didn’t end up moving forward wit h the pilot.

That hasn’t hindered his workload. At the time of his interview with Omaha Magazine, Diaz was balancing five projects, a rewrite of a play titled “All the Men Who’ve Frightened Me,” a draft of a new play that he was developing for a workshop, a rewrite of a pilot, and a pitch for a feature film that’s in d evelopment.

Then there’s the fifth project a picture book that he had gotten notes on and w as revising.

“Yeah, it was kind of a passion project,” Diaz said nonchalantly. “It’s something I’d always wanted to do, and then had an idea for, for the longest time. But what kind of got it off the ground was the actor strikes in Hollywood. Once those started, I wasn’t permitted to work on any of those projects [already in play]. And I didn’t have many theater projects on my slate that I needed to focus on, so I had a rare moment of free time.”

His curiosity yet again landed him an opportunity. He reached out to one of the theater agents he works with, whom he knew also worked with books, and before he knew it, he had a meeting about having a picture book published.

While he’s taken several creative paths on his career as a writer, he said he’s not so much interested in building a career as he is building a life. He thinks quite a bit about the artistic cost of creation, noting that his biggest cost at the moment is fear, a good kind of fear that makes him continue to be curious, engaging, and questioning.

“I think that’s a way that I will be able to continue finding new ways to innovate for myself and finding new ways into my work so it doesn’t feel the same all the time,” Diaz said.

Visit noahdiaz.me for more information.

n an early fall day at The Dynasty Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym on 3109 N. 120th St.; Omaha, Nebraska, Marty Anderson sat on the mat with students and peers as he demonstrated transition techniques while in the guard position a man in his element who had the attention of everyone. His students left, saying thanks with smiles on their faces. They didn’t bow, or anything stereotypical one might expect when stepping in or out of a dojo. The mat was a space of equality and his students respected that Anderson cultivated that space for them. He doesn’t even wear his black belt in the hopes of creating no hierarchy in the space.

“You have battles. You got to win them and hopefully some day, somebody behind you carries on the battles and helps you,” Anderson said. “The knowledge that sits in my head will go in a box or become ashes. Sharing that knowledge, I can have peace of mind behind me. If you have more ability than others, that’s a heavy weight on your shoulders, and that weight gets lifted when you can teach people what you d o and know.”

Anderson sat still. His injuries and age have been great lessons to him. He’s trimmed the fat in all movements in his life, Jiu-Jitsu and personal. He’s come to a more strategic state of mind when practicing and teaching, doing away with wasted and unnecessary movements.

“I hear people say, ‘I’m too old’ or ‘I have injuries.’ They give themselves excuses,” Anderson said. “I’ve had both shoulders done, both knees, bulged discs. I’ve had ten surgeries. I’m limited, but I know my limitations. I still have fun. A body in motion stays in motion.”

In the midst of a shoulder injury, Anderson started to wonder if he could continue to defend himself. The pain from reaching out with a punch hurt too much. He demonstrated with his body how limited his motion is, but that lack of motion led to the creation of several techniques and inventive ways to grapple and an invention of his Bare K nuckle Bags.

“I’ve been making my own punching bags since 2004. These weren’t regular punching bags, they served a purpose,” he explained. “My son came to me and told me that I didn’t know what I had. I refined the idea and got a patent. We’re still working on different bags for different drills and practices. If you’re doing Jiu-Jitsu, you’re really defending. You’re not learning how to win or beat people up, you’re learning how to be safe.”

The quiet of the gym was relaxing. The state of it reflected Anderson and Casey Cline, a student and the social media manager for the gym. The gym is still and calm until it comes time for grappling drills. Warriors are always ready so they don’t have to get ready. I asked Anderson what he wanted to see more of in the Omaha fighting community.

“We need more gyms working together than against each other,” he answered. “No one grows from that. There are a few gyms that are doing free open mats, cross training everybody teaches differently.

Just because I think I’m a good teacher doesn’t mean everybody is going to understand what I said. If they go to another gym and grapple with someone else, that pe rson grows.”

He remarked about his greatest opponent: himself. Unable to get out of his own way mentally. He can see the pitfalls and traps with ease now, but that doesn’t mean they’re easi er to avoid.

“I’m my worst opponent. I don’t care how big or small a threat is. I know I can stay safe and calm. It’s up to me to make a fight out of it or try to get out of it. For as long as I’ve been doing this, only I can beat me. Even if you hurt somebody because they were wrong, there’s more to it than that situation. There’s no sense in people getting hurt over ego s,” he said.

Cline was overjoyed and spoke about how great and empowered taking JiuJitsu lessons h as made her.

“I started with Marty last September,” she said. “There was a gal at church who did Krav Maga and she did a self defense seminar at the church. The next day, I was calling around looking for a gym that would work with my schedule and I found Steiner Academy of Martial Arts. Then, I became Marty’s student after a camp. Marty is good at taking a person and learning what they’re good at.”

Anderson wanted his students and potential students to know that in order to practice the sport, career, and hobby, you must see yourself in the other person. You need to think from their perspective. See their strengths to imbue them with their strengths.

“If you look beyond the tip of your nose, you’ll learn a lot,” he said. “If you don’t, you are limited, and that’s where conflicts happen. Before you judge somebody, understand what made them like that. I’m not trying to make you, ‘the best me.’ I’m trying to make you the best you.”

STORY BY CHRISTOPHER M c LUCAS // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

Lennon

at Rosenblatt

Remembering an Icon

Theyear 1980 saw the demise of a legendary musician who has been a household name since the ’60s: John Lennon.

Rising to fame along with Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, Lennon was a guitarist for The Beatles, arguably the most iconic band in the history of rock music. Though the band’s early days included other musicians, these are the four who eventually claimed stardom. As rhythm guitarist, he also served as one of the lead vocalists and songwriters for the Beatles alongside Paul McCartney. The pair is statistically the most successful songwriting partnership in history.

Lennon eventually left the Beatles to pursue a solo career, which was also very successful. With numerous awards and recognitions for both the Beatles and solo work (and some with his wife, Yoko Ono), Lennon was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice in 1988 as a member of the Beatles and in 1994 as a solo artist. Rolling Stone even ranked him as the fifth greatest singer of all time.

Lennon was what some would call a “hippie,” known for advocating peace and anti-war efforts, and even embracing the “skiffle” craze as a teenager. His songs became anthems for the anti-war movement in the 1960s, the most notable being “All You Ne ed is Love.”

On December 8, 1980, Lennon was shot and killed at his home in New York City. He was 40 years old. Though young for being world-renowned, Lennon’s musical and philosophical influence reached across the world it’s no surprise that this news weighed heavily on the Omaha community, a city in which music was and is still so important. The popular radio station 92.3 FM (Z-92), known for playing

rock music, immediately organized a memorial service for the legendar y musician.

This service, held on December 14, 1980, was hosted by Rosenblatt Stadium, a bygone baseball field that was once a sports hub in Nebraska. The Rosenblatt itself is a source of nostalgia for many Nebraskans, being the former site of the College World Series, one of the events for which Omaha is known. The stadium was built in 1947 as the Omaha Municipal Stadium and hosted the Omaha Cardinals for the 1949 baseball season. It was renamed in 1964 for Omaha mayor Johnny Rosenblatt, who helped bring the College World Series to Omaha. It was the largest minor league baseball stadium in the United States until its closing in 2010, when it was replaced by TD Ameritrade Park (now Charles Sc hwab Field).

Held on a Sunday, the doors to the stadium opened at 11:30 a.m. Bob Linden, the then-program director at Z-92, gave a short tribute, then the musical program began, showcasing “just some of the music that has touched us all and will be an inspiration for generations to come.” The service then transitioned into a vigil, described as “Ten minutes of silent introspection and reflection devoted to the memory of the beloved John Lennon.” The program concluded with Lennon’s iconic songs “Imagine” and “The End,” very fitting for a memor ial service.

Lennon’s ideals were clearly reflected by the people of Omaha on this day, including the organizers of the event, who described it as a “time of sharing and caring.”

“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make.” John Lennon, Paul McCartney

STORY BY CLAUDIA MOOMEY // DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION BY RENEE LUDWICK

“And in the end, the love you take is equal to the lov e you make.”

- John Lennon, Paul McCartney

Terry Capturing Nebraska’s

Koopman Timeless Beauty

Those who’ve been down to the Hot Shops Art Center have probably seen the beautiful Nebraska landscape photographs from Terry Koopman. What isn’t well-known is that he didn’t start out as a photographer.

Koopman graduated from Bryan High School and attended the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO), where he received a real estate and land economics degree. Real estate rates were high at the time, so he began working in construction. At that time, photography was just a hobby. He then went to work at Leo A Daly, where he would run film at Behr Photo Lab. During his stops at Behr, the owner began to let him use the equipment to develop film, a skill Koopman beg an to enjoy.

Soon, Koopman opened a small photo and processing studio called Photographics Imaging, which was located on 40th and Farnam streets, in the space that is now Noli’s Pizza. Koopman had Photographics

at that location for 35 years. The lab was where many photographers and design firms trusted their film to b e processed.

When Koopman first began his career, he was doing more developing than his own photography. Developing another photographer’s work helped him discover more about how to create great photography. “They depended on me to make a good print from their photos. They gave me the base, and I would make different contrasts with dodging and burning to create a great print. The negative is just the start. It was so different back then. They knew what they had taken a picture of, but with analog, they didn’t know what it would look like until I made the print,” s aid Koopman.

“History is fleeting. I like to take picture s of places before th ey are gone.” -T erry Koopman

60+ PROFILE // STORY BY HOLLY MCATEE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH LEMKE // DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

60+ PROFILE

Local photographer Geoff Johnson has worked with Koopman for many years. “Terry used to do a lot of my photo processing when traditional dark room processing was needed. His skill for printing black-and-white is unmatched. Terry printed my first fine art show called ‘Behind the Door.’ It was incredibly personal to me. There were 10 large format prints, 40x60, that were shot digitally, and he executed the high-quality exhibition prints for the fine art show. He did a great job. Terry also does excellent landscape photography. I think his knowledge of printing makes him a great photographer. He knows how to capture a great image,” s aid Johnson.

Twelve years ago, Koopman moved into Hot Shops because the photography world had become more digital. He kept some clients. He added a film darkroom, and he teaches classes on how to process film the old way. Kids are enjoying making silver prints in the dark room again.

When Koopman first moved down to Hot Shops, he shared the space with Dorothy Tuma. They had a lot of wall space, so he started taking photos to hang on the walls. “I fell in love with the process of taking them and printing them. I remember the first time someone came in and wanted to buy my photo, I was shocked. I have now gotten a reputation of being a photographer. I’ve had a show at the Governor’s Mansion and at the Fred Simon Gallery. I have pieces in the Nebraska Arts Council Permanent Collection,” s aid Koopman.

It’s the element of collaboration that makes Hot Shops the perfect place for Koopman to work. “It’s like an incubator,” he said. “If you are in a slump, there’s always someone around to inspire you. With the open houses, there is always the ability to have your work shown. The shows bring in a lot of people to see your work. Hot Shops has a great reputation and it’s a great place to be part of.”

Koopman’s photography features Nebraska landscapes and rural areas. His work is influenced by Ansel Adams, most of it black and white. According to Koopman, blackand-white photography has more emotion. If you take a photo and remove the color, it creates more depth. When you look at a black-and-white photo, you look at it longer.

“I’ve lived in Nebraska all my life. I love small towns. I don’t know if I was subliminally influenced by old photographers who would take pictures of migrant farm workers. There’s something about rural Nebraska that inspires me. Every small town has an opera house. Even if they aren’t open, they are still standing,” s aid Koopman.

Koopman’s favorite photo is called ‘Hay Bales.’ It was taken outside of Chadron, Nebraska. In the photo, the clouds are

moving, and he set the motion of the light dancing on the ground. It’s a beautiful image.

Koopman likes to catch rural images because he knows that eventually, they will be gone. “I like to drive around and see a scene, and I know from doing so much printing that I can see a good image. I do very little manipulation. I want it to look natura l,” he said.

“Nature photography is quiet. It doesn’t ask you to make it look thinner. All you can hear is the wind. It’s so peaceful. There is something about being out in nature. It brings you back to earth a little bit,” said Koopman.

“I don’t know if I developed my style or if it developed me. I feel more comfortable when I’m out in the landscape. That’s where I feel at peace. I couldn’t be a city photographer with all the noise and chaos,” s aid Koopman.

When capturing intense movement in his photography, Koopman uses a slow shutter speed and just keeps taking shots, trying to catch it as the light is dancing. He shoots in color and converts it to black-and-white. “I know that when I convert it to black-andwhite, it will change. It’s a mental game. Ansel Adams used to call it your ‘mind’s eye.’ You are seeing it in 3D, but your mind is interpreting how it will look in 2D,” said Koopman.

What advice would Koopman give to aspiring photographers? “Take lots of pictures. Everyone has a camera with them. If you see something, take a picture. You don’t have to have fancy equipment. You just need to slow down and take a picture. That moment in time will never come back. You will never see the same sky twice. It’s always changing,” advi sed Koopman.

Koopman’s latest subject has been small town football fields. He played football in high school and finds small town football fields enchanting, because the entire town supports the football team. He’s shot 30 small town football fields so far. He likes traveling and seeing parts of the state.

“I’m at an age when all my friends are retiring. My friends keep asking me when I’m going to retire. If I were retired, this is what I would want to do. I get to do what I want,” s aid Koopman.

“I truly believe that God put this here for a reason and I’m just lucky enough to be here at this moment to capture it. If you aren’t there, these clouds are still going to be dancing all over the hay bales, but no one would be here to see it. It’s like the old tree falling in the woods,” s aid Koopman.

At Koopman’s shows, people recognize the Nebraska places he has photographed it creates camaraderie and awe when they see the places they have both been to. “It’s a great state that we live in,” s aid Koopman.

Looking ahead, Koopman would like to go out west to photograph more of Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. Monument Valley and old abandoned towns are on his bucket list to photograph.

When asked about his legacy, Koopman said, “I would like my legacy to be two-fold. One, that someone looking at a photo of mine will stop and ponder at how beautiful the simple life around us is, be it a cloudy sky or a simple field of hay bales. Secondly, I would like to be remembered as someone who was able to take a faded, tattered memory and restore it to its original form to preserve that memory forever.”

“History is fleeting. I like to take pictures of places before they are gone,”

For more information about Terry Koopman’s photography, visit terry ko opman.com

For information on photo processing services, visit photographicsattheh ot shops.com

“I feel more comfortable when I’m out in the landscape. That’s where I feel at peace. I couldn’t be a city photographer with all the noise and chaos.” -T erry Koopman

SIX STANDOUT INDEPENDENT COFFEE SHOPS IN OMAHA

ip your way through Omaha’s best-kept secrets in coffee. Local cafés are where you’ll find a truly distinctive approach to each cup, reflecting a dedication to quality and individuality. These independently-owned coffee shops are more than just places to grab a quick caffeine fix—many double as community hubs and creative spaces. Whether you’re seeking a cozy corner to work, a spot to catch up with friends, or a taste of something unique, these six independent coffee shops go beyond the standard brew.

ZEN COFFEE

Downtown: 2504 Farnam St., Omaha, NE 68131 | West Omaha: 2505 S 133rd Plaza, Omaha, NE 68144 zencoffeecompany.com

Zen Coffee Company is a family-owned, green-certified specialty coffee shop. With a passion for quality, each cup features meticulously roasted beans from Dapper & Wise. Owners Abby and Ryan McLeay, Omaha natives, are dedicated to enriching their community, channeling a portion of profits back into local needs. Their commitment extends to a social calendar of community events, making Zen Coffee not just a place to get your daily caffeine, but a cornerstone of Omaha’s coffee culture.

COFFEE ALLEY - CALLEJÓN DEL CAFE

7310 Harrison St., Omaha, NE 68127 facebook.com/coffeealley.callejon

Coffee Alley is a hidden gem in Ralston, uniquely blending Mexican culture with traditional coffee offerings. Founded by high school friends Rosio Granados and Yasmin Payan-Vega, this Latina-owned café fills a distinctive niche in Omaha’s coffee scene. Featuring Mexican-inspired brews and pastries like churros and empanadas, it’s Nebraska’s first of its kind. The café also supports local vendors, predominantly women of color, further enriching its colorful community spirit.

EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE CAFE

6070 Maple St., Omaha, NE 68104 | edge-of-the-universe.com

Edge of the Universe in Benson is a dynamic, themed café that refreshes its concept every few months. Patrons enjoy an everevolving menu of coffees, lattes, cocktails, gourmet hot chocolates, charcuterie boards, and much more, all served in a stylish setting that reflects the latest theme. Each new theme showcases a local artist and supports a different nonprofit. With a focus on inclusivity, Edge of the Universe also offers gluten-free and vegan options, making it a welcoming spot for coffee lovers of all ages and preferences.

13TH STREET COFFEE & TEA

519 S. 13th St., Omaha, NE 68102 | 13thstreetcoffeeandtea.com

13th Street Coffee & Tea in Omaha’s historic Old Market proudly holds the title of the oldest coffee shop in downtown Omaha, established in 1991. This airy café offers an extensive menu featuring espresso beverages, real fruit smoothies, gelato, and locally made pastries. With 30 tea options and monthly barista-created specialty drinks, there’s always something new to try. The café also supports local artists, displaying their work on a revolving art wall—history and creativity meet over a cup of coffee at this cherished spot.

HARDY COFFEE CO.

Downtown: 1031 Jones St., Omaha, NE 68102 Benson: 6051 Maple St., Omaha, NE 68104 | Highlander: 2112 N 30th St., Omaha, NE 68111 Chalco: 14450 Meadows Blvd #5, Omaha, NE 68138 hardycoffee.com

Hardy Coffee Co., with four brick-and-mortar locations, is more than just a coffee shop—it’s also a small-batch coffee roaster and bakery deeply rooted in Omaha. Founded by Autumn (Hardy) Pruitt and her husband, Luke, in 2010, Hardy Coffee began as a bakery and expanded in 2015 to roast their own coffee. Open daily, all Hardy locations are a hotspot for excellent coffee and baked goods, whether for business meetings, study sessions, or simple moments of connection.

ARCHETYPE COFFEE

Blackstone: 3926 Farnam St., Omaha, NE 68131 | Little Bohemia: 1419 S 13th St #101, Omaha, NE 68108 | Millwork Commons: 1229 Millwork Ave, Omaha, NE 68102 drinkarchetype.com

Archetype Coffee, a café and roastery with three Omaha locations, is renowned for its small-batch roasted coffee and expertly crafted drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, and in-house brewed chai. Owned by Isaiah Sheese, who placed fourth in the World Coffee Championship and won the 2023 U.S. Barista Championship, Archetype delivers top-notch quality without any pretentiousness. Friendly and knowledgeable baristas, including Sheese, welcome everyone to enjoy their ideal coffee experience, complemented by various sweet and savory baked goods. 1 3 5 2 4 6

IF A Place in History Devon Mundt Delivers Exceptional Cocktails

you’re trying to give someone an experience, don’t go reaching for prem ade stuff.”

This is the philosophy of Devon Mundt, owner and head bartender at Anna’s Place, a speakeasy located near 19th and Dodge streets, inside Hotel Indigo. At Anna’s Place, it’s all about the experience. “We treat this place like you’re in my living room,” Mundt quipped. It indeed feels like a living room, a small space with seating for 30. The bar is dark and intimate, featuring artwork from Omaha artist Watie White depicting burlesque models, and other decor like a neon sign that reads “Call me.”

Known for craft cocktails and madefrom-scratch ingredients, Anna’s Place is unique among the numerous speakeasies and watering holes througho ut the city.

“This space is very much about celebrating feminism,” Mundt explained. Anna Wilson, for whom the joint is named, was a brothel madam in the latter half of the 1800s. Though not accepted by the “respectable” women of society at the time, Wilson reportedly took good care of the women working for her, even covering wedding expenses when they got married. Her career proved a lucrative one, her net worth being upward of a million dollars (over $33 million today) by the end of her life. With no family of her own, Wilson bequeathed her 25-room mansion to the city of Omaha upon her de ath in 1911.

“Anna’s our person,” said Mundt. “She’s a huge name in the area. Omaha would not be what it is today without her.” This is why he and business partner Jill Cockson, who is based in Kansas City, built their new speakeasy on the idea of s uch a woman.

STORY

KIM CARPENTER

“We believe that sex work is work and we believe in bodily autonomy,” Mundt continued. “She had a body, she made a choice what to do with it, and then she found herself with a platform where she could do good for the community, and she chose to do that.” The bar prides itself on not only stellar customer service and craft cocktails, but also as being a safe space for women.“It’s a small space and it’s very intentional that the angle of the bar faces into a 90 degree angle the way it does the bartender can see everything that’s going on in the room,” said Mundt. “If somebody was uninvited to a group, either we’ll move them back or ask them to leave, period…No one customer should ruin the experience of anybody else in the room. That’s just how a bar sho uld be run.”

Menu items nod to historical figures and range in flavors and ingredients. “Every one of the Old Fashioneds is named after a different sex worker,” said Mundt. “They were also philanthropists in their own markets. A great example is the Lou Graham when Seattle burnt down, she actually helped fund the rebuilding of the city.” The menu of “Exonerated Cocktails” is shown the same love in both naming and creating a perfect, sophisticated mocktail. “All [the Exonerated] drinks were named after people who were accused of being sex workers but weren’t,” said Mundt. “After they got out of prison they couldn’t get a job, so they actually went out and became sex worker rights advocates…so they’re accused of being cocktails, but there’s no alcohol.”

Mundt also claims that the definition of a “craft cocktail” has changed over the past few years. “Everybody has been claiming that they do ‘craft’ things, but at best they’re just using fresh citrus, so it’s kind of diluted the strength of the word,” he

explained. To combat this, Mundt has deleted the term from his professional vocabulary and instead makes sure customers know that everything is mad e in-house.

“I firmly believe in making everything inhouse. It’s just better, and then that we have full control over exactly what everything tastes like,” said Mundt. “I don’t have a soda gun. If you want a cola, I make you a cola. That’s how t his works.”

The menus also include information about the local farmers and businesses from whom Mundt sources the ingredients. “For example, I don’t carry cranberry juice because cranberries aren’t grown in Nebraska,” he explained. “But I’ve got a farmer on speed dial who I can text and he’ll show up with a five gallon bucket of aronia for me. So that’s how I give back to the community, that’s how I support local.” Those local ingredients all mix together in Mundt’s “science lab” to create housemade sodas, syrups, juices, an d the like.

Anna’s Place is also known for their pop-up series called “A Cocktail Thing.” These cocktail tasting parties are reservation-only and include a fixed menu of four new cocktails that the establishment will provide for a limited time. This November, the tasting will feature a menu inspired by Krampusnacht, followed by “Twelve Days of Cryptids” in December.

Exciting new flavors are on the horizon for Anna’s Place, and Mundt and his staff show no signs of slowing down. The labor of love that is this local bar’s drinks is an experience to remember and one to re turn for.

For more information and to book a reservation for A Cocktail T hing, visit annaspla ceomaha.com.

BY

AND CLAUDIA MOOMEY // PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH LEMKE // DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL

OMAHA PRIME IS A ABOVE

Superior Service & Prime Cuts in the Old Market

DINING REVIEW

When Omaha Prime opened its doors in 1995, it introduced something entirely new to Omaha’s dining scene a locally-owned New York-style chophouse unlike anything else in the city. Housed on the top floor of the historic Old Market Passageway, this upscale steakhouse quickly set itself apart from other fine dining spots around town. Nearly 30 years later, Omaha Prime remains a standout.

On a weekday evening, my dining companion and I were welcomed by a cozy bar and dining area through the 11th Street entrance, where a striking staircase ascended to the expansive second floor. The two-story layout hosts the formal dining area and full bar on the upper level, providing scenic views of the street below and the Passageway from above.

Exposed brick, warm lighting, and elegantly set tables evoke a charm in the dining room that has attracted numerous visitors over the years, including the likes of Warren Buffett and Alex Rodriguez. Inside, the deep-toned ceilings and walls establish an atmosphere of intimate luxury, complemented by the back lounge, which offers a more private setting ideal for larger groups. We opted for a table on the terrace, where plants and string lights framed our view of the skylights and the Passagew ay below us.

As our server guided us through the menu, she offered recommendations and clarified that sides are intended for sharing, while salads are more personal-sized. The cocktail menu boasted a solid

selection, but we stuck to the wine list, settling on a Cabernet Sauvignon. It didn’t disappoint, offering a full-bodied flavor that paired beautifully with what was to come.

Another unique touch was the servers’ use of rolling carts to present different cuts of meat to guests, allowing diners to actually see their options. Whether you’re after a classic steak or something more unique, Omaha Prime’s menu has a chop or steak to satisfy.

The classic Filet mignon is offered in both 8-ounce and 11-ounce cuts, and the New York strip in 14-ounce and 20-ounce sizes. For those seeking something more substantial, the Porterhouse, a robust 24-ounce cut, and the T-bone, a hefty 20-ounces, are standout choices. The bone-in ribeye, a 25-ounce cut, is the priciest on the menu and can certainly feed several. Additionally, lamb chops are available in both 4-bone and 6-bone servings, and the veal chop with port sauce rounds out the menu for those craving something a bit different.

Asparagus,8ozFiletMignon,OmahaPrimeSalad, andWaffleFries.

8oz Filet Mignon

A complimentary basket of rolls served with whipped butter was the first thing brought out to us a simple touch, but a comforting one. We shared a side of asparagus that was charbroiled to a delightful smoky finish. Though some may find the flavor strong, we thoroughly enjoyed it. The lightly seasoned waffle fries, perhaps a less traditional side for a white-tablecloth type of place, were impossibl e to resist.

We also shared an Omaha Prime salad, with crisp greens and a tangy dressing that was a refreshing prelude to the main course. Our server went the extra mile by having our single salad order split into two plates without us having to ask a thoughtful touch that exemplifies the excellent service we received throughout the night. Even split, the single serving was more than enough for both of us.

When it came to ordering my steak, I was slightly hesitant. I enjoy my filet mignon well-done, but our server explained that, due to the open flame grill, achieving a well-done steak without charring couldn’t be guaranteed. Though this gave me a

moment of concern, I decided to take the plunge anyway, only to be pleasantly surprised. The 8-ounce filet arrived perfectly cooked flavorful, still tender, and without any overwhelming char. The restaurant’s ability to strike that balance showed their mastery of the grill and attention to customer preferences.

As much as we enjoyed our meal, there were a few tempting options we didn’t get to sample. Our server raved about their French onion soup as “the best in town,” so we’ll definitely be back for it. Although we skipped dessert this time, we noticed an enticing key lime pie and New York cheesecake on the menu. Other standout dishes worth returning for include the shrimp cocktail, lobster mac-and-cheese, and chic ken piccata.

The slow and steady pace of our meal gave us plenty of time to savor each course, a hallmark of fine dining, as the restaurant manager made rounds to personally greet and thank each table.

It’s worth noting that during our meal, we overheard two separate terrace tables mention they were from out of town and had been specifically recommended to dine at Omaha Prime a detail my guest and I agreed spoke volumes about the restaurant’s reputation. While they’ve garnered numerous accolades and out-of-town visitors, perhaps the most telling sign of success is the loyal clientele who return time and again, some for over 20 years.

We left with a clear understanding of why Omaha Prime has remained an Old Market staple for nearly three decades. As long as their commitment to quality and hospitality remains as strong as it is, this steakhouse is sure to remain a beloved destination for locals and visit ors alike.

For more information, to view the menu, and to make reservat ions, visit omah a-prime.com.

Omaha Prime Salad

SEMO PASTA + WINE

Story Tamsen Butler // Photography Sarah Lemke // Design Renee Ludwick

An important thing to know about Semo Pasta & Wine in Fremont is how to pronounce it. “It’s Semo, like memo,” explained Chef Drew Statz. Another important thing to know about Semo is that everyone who works there—from the dishwasher to the general manager—is paid the same rate. “Everyone should be able to pay their bills, and we believe every position is as important as any other,” added Statz. Unsurprisingly, Semo has an impressively low staff turnover rate.

“Everyone works hard, so they should be paid fairly,” said Statz. The small but mighty staff of four people in the kitchen and around six in the front of house is a tight-knit group. “The majority of our kitchen staff have been here since day one,” said Statz, adding that they’ve never had to fire anyone from their team. In an industry riddled with high turnover rates, Semo manages to stand out as a fair employer that pours into employees and encourages them in their career growth.

What about the food? Semo serves anywhere from five to seven different pastas a night, according to Statz. What they serve nightly is largely dictated by what ingredients are available. As a smaller eatery, they don’t qualify to work with one of the large food distribution companies, but instead rely on small, local farms that deliver produce to the restaurant. They supplement those ingredients with frequent trips to local farmers markets. Without a walk-in cooler, the Semo team must curate dishes that utilize what they have in stock.

A typical food delivery week for Semo includes a Wednesday delivery from one local farm, a Friday delivery from another local farm, and trips to farmers markets on Thursdays and Saturdays. Statz said that the relationships they have with local farmers is of the utmost importance. Cultivating relationships with the farmers, getting to know them as people, and seeing their farms while learning their farming practices is vital. “We’re not going to buy from someone who is spraying Roundup all around their place just like we wouldn’t add preservatives to our food here. It’s finding people who share those same core values as us and then getting to know them, getting to know their wife’s name, their kids, and then through that we start talking about produce,” he said.

Operating at the whims of seasonal produce can create some interesting opportunities. Last summer, a farmer delivered some Jerusalem artichokes to Semo. Also called sunchokes, they’re a “little sweet sugary cross between a potato and ginger, but they taste like chocolate and hazelnut,” explained Statz. So, when one of the other farmers who supply produce to Semo happened to stop in for a meal while Semo had sunchokes on the menu, Statz prepared a sunchoke dish for the farmer. Upon trying the dish, the farmer exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, what is this? I’ve never seen or heard of this!” Statz said that the farmer then bought some sunchoke seeds, planted them, and then eventually brought some sunchokes to Semo. “It was a cool thing to educate our farmers on things that are out there that they hadn’t heard of,” said Statz.

“We want to use our platform to take care of people, and we wouldn’t be here without any of them, staff and guests alike.” –Drew Statz

Semo proves that a small restaurant in Fremont can have a happy team that’s fairly paid, serving innovative foods that are responsibly grown and locally sourced. The question remains, however, as to why Drew and his wife, Michelle, chose Fremont instead of opening a space closer to the foodie hub of the downtown area.

Michelle, a co-owner, explained that she and Drew decided upon Fremont because “it’s close enough to Omaha that people will still make the 20-40 minute drive to dine at Semo, but far enough away we don’t feel like we’re lost in the sea of Omaha restaurants.” She also said that their proximity to Omaha helped with word-of-mouth for the restaurant while also allowing them to “stand out enough from other Omaha and surrounding restaurants by our level of hospitality, our strong natural wine progra Statz told the story of how, when they first opened, they tried to put more “approachable” starters on the menu, yet customers leaned more toward starters with adventurous slants, like blood sausage and truffle pasta. “They really dictated what we’ve turned into and how we’re going to grow in the future,” he said.

When Drew and Michelle talk about their future and the future of Semo, one of the things on their list is to continue to build out their beverage offerings at the restaurant. A recent inventory revealed that they have 156 wine offerings. While neither Drew nor Michelle holds the official title of “sommelier,” they both know what they like and what pairs well with their food.

“For me, when you taste wine, it’s an immediate yes or no if it’s delicious and if it is we add it to the list. I don’t think that requires someone who took a 12-week course and traveled to Budapest. If something is delicious and we like it, and they follow the same growing practices that our local farms do, then we’d love to carry it,” he said.

Though they’re currently raising two young children together, an Italy trip is absolutely at the top of their to-do list for the future. They’d like to explore all of Europe and experience the cuisine. “I would argue that even with the pasta [at Semo], there’s as much French influence on the menu,” said Statz.

Michelle also envisions a future for Semo that includes bolstering the hospitality abilities of their team. “I think Drew does a great job of edifying every employee who works at Semo by showing those employees what it means to be hospitable by considering the guests’ experience to make it memorable and unique,” she said. She added that she hopes the hospitality and friendliness guests experience at Semo filters into their everyday lives as they, themselves, treat others more hospitably and in a friendly way.

Goat Cheese Agnolottiwithgardenherbs

She further predicts that Semo will be around for at least another decade. “I’ve seen restaurants close after 10 or 15 years and feel sad. But now after having a restaurant, I see [reaching a decade] as an incredible milestone that I hope the restaurant achieves someday.”

A first visit to Semo will reveal an eclectic, ever-changing menu and a staff that’s eager to please. Michelle suggested trying the octopus appetizer with cucumber, Calabrian hot sauce, and lemon. She also praised “the ever-changing beet appetizer.” One of her favorite Semo desserts is rhubarb, caramelized white chocolate, and foie gras.

No matter what’s ordered, guests can be sure that they’re appreciated. “That’s the reason we opened the restaurant,” said Statz. “It’s for

our guests and for our team. It’s all for them. We want to use our platform to take care of people and we wouldn’t be here without any of them, staff and guests alike.”

To learn more, visit semofremont.com.

DINING GUIDE

AMERICAN

DJ’S DUGOUT SPORTS BAR - $

Seven Metro Area Locations:

Bellevue - 10308 S. 23rd St. - 402.292.9096

Miracle Hills - 777 N. 114th St. - 402.498.8855

Downtown - 1003 Capitol Ave. - 402.763.9974

Aksarben - 2102 S. 67th St. - 402.933.3533

Millard - 17666 Welch Plaza - 402.933.8844

Elkhorn - 19020 Evans St. - 402.315.1985

Plattsmouth - 2405 Oak Hill Rd. - 402.298.4166

Voted Omaha’s #1 Sports Bar, DJ’s Dugout is locally and Vietnam Veteran owned. DJ’s Dugout features delicious burgers, wings, wraps, salads, sandwiches and an impressive drink menu. Plus, DJ’s has huge media walls full of HD TVs and projector screens. Catch all the action at DJ’s seven Omaha-area locations. Dig In... At The Dugout! —djsdugout.com

JAMS MODERN AMERICAN- $$

7814 Dodge St. - 402.399.8300

17070 Wright Plz, Ste. 100 - 402.810.9600 1101 Harney St. in the OldMarket - 402.614.9333

Jams is an Omaha restaurant legacy, an “American Grill” that offers a melting pot of different styles and varieties. The dishes are made with high-quality ingredients that pair well with award-winning wines or creative cocktails. —jamseats.com

DINING

$=$

LE PEEP - $

69th & Pacific - 402.933.2776

177th and Center St. - 402.934.9914

156th St. & W. Dodge Rd. - 402.408.1728 120th and Blondo St. - 402.991.8222

Le Peep puts a wholesome perspective on your favorite neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot. Fresh. Simple. Elegant. Inviting. We put the emphasis on people, both patrons and staff. We focus on providing each of our guests the fresh food and friendly service that they have come to expect. Open daily 6:30 a.m.-2 p.m. —lepeepomaha.co m

PACIFIC EATING HOUSE - $$ 1130 Sterling Ridge Dr. - 531.999.3777

We have developed our menu inspired by all that touches the Pacific Ocean. Starting with fresh fish flown from Honolulu, locally sourced steaks and natural chicken with an Asian flare and pairing our dishes with tiki libations and Pacific coast wines. —pacificeatinghouse.com

PINE & BLACK BISTRO - $$ 248 Olson Dr., Papillion - 531.999.3777

We opened in March of 2023 to bring a family owned bistro to the community, serving local steaks and fresh seafood. We offer a wide variety of Pacific Northwest wines, local beers, and craft cocktails. Pinot Noir translates to Pine & Black, our name originates from our love of wine. —pineandblackbistro.com

SAND POINT - $$$ 655 North 114th Street Omaha, NE 68154 —531-466-1008

Sand Point ‘New England Fare’ brings their favorite and unique dishes from New England to the Omaha food community. Freshest seafood, from seared crab cakes, lobster arancini, whole belly clams, New England clam chowder, lobster bisque to charcuterie boards and Angus beef tips and steak burgers, to be topped off with Boston cream pie, blueberry pie or Lemon canna cotta. Full bar to include, specialty cocktails, extensive wine lists, as well as beer and non-alcoholic drinks.

–sandpointomaha.com

STELLA’S - $ 106 S. Galvin Road, Bellevue - 402.291.6088

Since 1936, we’ve been making our world-famous Stella’s hamburgers the same way. The family secrets have been handed down to each owner, ensuring that your burger is the same as the one you fell in love with the first time you tried Stella’s. And if it’s your first time, we know you’ll be back! Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., closed Sunday. — stellasbarandgrill.com

T ED AND WALLY’S - $ 1120 Jackson St. - 402.341.5827

Come experience the true taste of homemade ice cream in the Old Market. Since 1986, we’ve created gourmet ice cream flavors in small batches using rock salt and ice. We offer your favorites, plus unique flavors like margarita, green tea, Guinness, and French toast. Special orders available. Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.- Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday. Noon-10 p.m. —tedandwallys.com

Ralston, Bellevue and Millard. We are truly grateful to have been welcomed into each of these communities and welcome you in for good food, a cold drink and a comfy seat to enjoy the sport of your choosing! Determined to bring only the freshest ingredients, homemade dough and our specialty sauces to the table, we have worked hard to perfect our craft for you. Our goal is to bring the best food service to the area and show the best sports events that you want to see. Pick up and Delivery availalble. Please check website for hours of operation. —varsityromancoinpizza.com

DINING GUIDE

ITALIAN

S PEZIA - $$$

3125 S. 72nd St. - 402.391.2950

Choose Spezia for lunch or dinner, where you’ll find a casual elegance that’s perfect for business guests, get-togethers, or any special occasion. Exceptional food, wine, and service, with a delectable menu: fresh seafood, certified Angus steaks, innovative pasta, risotto, gnocchi, cioppino, lamb, entrée salads, Mediterranean chicken, flatbreads, and fresh salmon daily. Enjoy a full bar, Italian and California wines, Anniversary/Lovers’ Booth (call to reserve), private dining rooms, and wood-fired grill. Open Monday-Sunday. Cocktail hour 4-6 p.m., when all cocktails, glasses of wine, and beers are half price. Evening reservations recommended. —speziarestaurant.com

MEXICAN

FERNANDO’S - $

7555 Pacific St.

- 402.339.8006.

380 N. 114th St.

- 402.330.5707

Featuring Sonoran-style cooking made fresh daily. Catering and party rooms also available. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 11 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m. —fernandosomaha.com

LA MESA - $$

158th St. and W. Maple Rd.

- 402.557.6130

156th and Q streets

- 402.763.2555

110th St. and W. Maple Rd. - 402.496.1101

Fort Crook Rd. and Hwy 370

- 402.733.8754

84th St. and Tara Plaza

- 402.593.0983

Lake Manawa Exit

- 712.256.2762

Enjoy awesome appetizers, excellent enchilada’s, fabulous fajitas, seafood specialties, mouthwatering margaritas and much more at La Mesa! Come see why La Mesa has been voted Best of Omaha’s 20 Years in a Row! Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. —lamesaomaha.co m

THINGS RELATED, BUT DIFFERENT. NATIONS, NORTH AND SOUTH. WE ARE AMERICAN-GROWN WITH MEXICAN ROOTS, PROUDLY CHICANO. FLAVORS, TRADITIONAL AND NEW. WE EVOLVE MEXICAN FAMILY RECIPES WITH OUR OWN MODERN TWIST. CITIES, EAST AND WEST. WITH ROOTS IN COUNCIL BLUFFS AND OMAHA, OUR MEMORIES AND DEDICATION TO THIS COMMUNITY SPAN THE MIGHTY MO. OUR STORY IS A STORY OF COUSINS. OR AS OUR ANCESTORS SAY, PRIMOS. WHERE FAMILY, FLAVOR AND COMMUNITY COME TO THE TABLE.

PRIMO’S OMAHA OFFERS THE LARGEST OUTDOOR HEATED PATIO IN OMAHA OUR STORY

PRIMO’S OMAHA 5914 Center Street | Omaha, NE 68106 402-322-8141

PRIMO’S COUNCIL BLUFFS 930 5th Ave. | Council Bluffs, IA 51501 712-256-5200

Both locations are open for BREAKFAST AT 7 A.M.

PRIMO’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT - $$ 5914 Center St., Omaha, NE - 402.322.8141

930 5th Ave., Council Bluffs, IA - 712.256.5200

Family owned and operated since 2010, Primo’s Modern Mexican utilizes the freshest ingredients to bring both authentic Mexican and Southwest-style dishes to life with flare and unrivaled flavor. With recipes passed down over four generations, a familyfriendly atmosphere, and plates to satisfy cravings at every hour—with breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus offering a variety of Mexican staples—Primo’s Mexican Restaurant is proud to serve the people of Omaha and Council Bluffs no matter the occasion. —primosmodernmexican.com

SPECIAL DINING

GREEK ISLANDS - $ 3821 Center St. - 402.346.1528

Greek cuisine with specials every day at reasonable prices. We are well-known for our gyro sandwiches and salads. We cater and can accommodate a party for 65 guests. Carry-out and delivery available. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. —greekislandsomaha.com

ZEN COFFEE COMPANY - $ West - 132nd and Center Downtown - 25th and Farnam One Pacific Place - Drive Thru Kiosk next to Trader Joes

Zen features over 50 popular drink options including Butter Beer, Honey Bee, Lavender Lady and Sunshine Daydream. Choose from hot or iced lattes, blenders, fruit smoothies and teas! Grab a flight or double cup to try the seasonal features! Delicious pastries and toasts made in house daily. —zencoffeecompany.com

DINING GUIDE

STEAKHOUSES

CASCIO’S - $$

1620 S. 10th St. - 402-345-8313

Cascio’s is Omaha’s No. 1 steakhouse. We have been serving Omaha for 69 years. We feature steaks, chops, seafood, and Italian specialties. We have seven private party rooms, seating for up to 400 people, and plenty of parking. —casciossteakhouse.com

THE DROVER RESTAURANT & LOUNGE - $$$

2121 S. 73rd St. - 402-391-7440

Famous for the original Whiskey Steak. Truly a oneof-a-kind Midwestern experience. Excellent food, wine, service, and value. Rare...and very well done. LUNCH: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., DINNER: Monday-Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m., LOUNGE: Monday-Friday Cocktails only 2 p.m.-5 p.m. —droverrestaurant.com

TWISTED CORK BISTRO - $$

10370 Pacific St. - 531.999.3777

We arrived in Nebraska from Washington intent on purchasing from farmers, ranchers & fishmongers who share our commitment for wholesome, sustainable fare. Our recipes use the Earth’s bounty the way it is intended ~ Wild and Natural ~ We compliment our dishes, pairing them with exquisite Pacific Northwest wines. –twistedcorkbistro.com

explore.

COMPILED BY Claudia Moomey and Isabella McAtee

NEBRASKA

CURRY CLASH 2023 November 2 at Lancaster County Event Center The Asian Community and Cultural Center is holding its ninth annual Curry Clash. Attendees can enjoy a wide variety of curry-inspired tastes from Lincoln chefs. There will be smidgin for everyone from savory to sweet, mild to four-alarm spacey. Attendees will be able to vote for their favorite taste and support the work of empowering New Americans in Lincoln. 402.441.6545

LANCE

LIPINSKY & THE LOVERS IN “SHAKE BABY SHAKE” November 3—5 at Brownville Concert Hall in Brownville Shake Baby Shake is an explosive retrospective stage show of the golden age of Rock and Roll. Lance Lipinsky and his authentic show band The Lovers will be performing the hits of major artists of the 1950s and 60s such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Elvis and Chuck Berry. 402.825.3331 —brownvilleconcertseries.com

ANNUAL FROST FROLIC HOLIDAY

MARKET November 4 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds in Fairbury Over 100 booths attract shoppers each year to this Holiday Market show. The annual frost frolic is

sponsored by Homeless No More Cat Rescue and Adoption Center and is the biggest vendor show for holiday shopping in Southeast Nebraska and North Central Kansas. 402.300.1139 —frostfrolic.org

ZOO LIGHTS

November 24— December 30 at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo in Lincoln Kids and adults alike can get in the holiday spirit with Zoo Lights powered by LES. The Zoo will be transformed into on of the largest lights displays in the midwest. This experience will include a 40 ft. Christmas tree, over 30 lit animal silhouettes, holiday train rides, a tree canopy light walk, a 60 foot light tunnel and more. 402.475.6741 —lincolnzoo.org

A GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO LOVE

AND MURDER

November 30— December 3 and December 7—9 at Northeast Community College in Norfolk A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder is a murderous romp filled with unforgettable music, non-stop laughs and a scene stealing role for one actor playing all eight of the doomed heirs who meet their ends in the most side-splitting ways. 402.258.3782 —nctheatre.org

IOWA

ENCANTO: THE SING-ALONG FILM CONCERT November 2 at North Iowa Area Community College The magic of Disney’s Encanto will come to life as you are able to watch the film while the Grammy Award Winning soundtrack is played by the live band, Banda de la Casita. Have the whole family singing, dancing, and laughing along to their favorite moments of the movie with songs written by world renowned and award winning songwriter and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda. 641.422.4188 —niacc.edu

NATIONAL FARM TOY SHOW November 3—5 in Dyersville The National Farm Toy Show welcomes over 300 vendors and 8,000 attendees to the community of Dyersville every November. Held at the National Farm Toy Museum, Dyersville Beckman High School, Commercial Club Park and other locations in town this show is a can’t miss for farmers and toy fans alike. 563.875.2727 —nationalfarmtoymuseum.com

TANNENBAUM FOREST November 24—December 17 at Festhalle Barn in Amana Visitors can step into the barn and see over 60 unique Christmas trees, each decorated

DAYTRIPS IN NEBRASKA, IOWA, KANSAS, MISSOURI, AND SOUTH DAKOTA

by a different business, organization, group or family. The forest is free to visit, but a free will donation to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital is encouraged. 319.622.7622 —amanacolonies.com

CHRISTKINDLMARKET

DES

MOINES November 30—December 3 at Principal Park in Des Moines

The Christkindlmarket is a great way to learn about European culture with this 700 year old tradition. The market will feature authentic food, artisanal products representing various European cultures and entertainment for adults and children. 515.250.6366 —christkindlmarketdsm.com

THE PEPPERMINT TRAIL December 14 on The Avenues of Ingersoll and Grand Over 50 local Iowa businesses, shops, and restaurants will come together to create a peppermint themed holiday market for the entire family. Meet withe Santa, decorate your very own gingerbread house, listen to carolers from Roosevelt High School, and even take a holiday trolley ride. While you’re there, also swing by Bauder’s for a peppermint ice cream bar. These joys and more will be found along The Peppermint Trail. 563.495.0357 —theavenuesdsm.com

CHEVY CHASE LIVE WITH SCREENING NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION December 15 at the Bridge View Center in Ottumwa Following screening of the classic Christmas favorite, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, get the chance of a live Q&A with star Chevy Chase and his wife Jayni as they recount working on the film. Guests can ask Chase anything from his SNL career to his work on the movie Caddyshack. Grab an ugly sweater and watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation alongside Chevy Chase himself. 641.684.7000 —bridgeviewcenter.com

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER

CHRISTMAS BY CHIP DAVIS

December 21 at Des Moines Civic Center The Mannheim Steamroller sound is undeniably unique and Grammy Award Winner Chip Davis

will bring it to Iowa this Christmas. In celebration of the 35 year anniversary of the album, a multimedia effects show will bring it back to life like never before. Don’t miss a chance to experience the magical album live. 515.246.2300 —desmoinesperformingarts.org

KANSAS

JURASSIC QUEST November 1-3 at the Overland Park Convention Center Bring the entire family on a dinosaur adventure featuring ultra-realistic life-size animatronic dinosaurs.With over 80 animatronics you can find all of your favorites form Pterodactyl to Tyrannosaurus. There will even be T-rex and Triceratops fossil digs for young paleontologists to discover hidden bones. After your paleontologist has made discoveries, take a break and bounce around in the”Dino Bounce” inflatable fun and get some face paint. 913.439.5382

—opconventioncenter.com

CELEBRATION OF CRANES FES -

TIVAL November 2 at 125 W Cooper Ave Sterling, KS Watch as the Sandhill Cranes and the Whooping Cranes migrate through central Kansas. Take a minute to appreciate the beauty of natural migration as you learn about how Quivira National Wildlife Refuge’s inland salt marsh provides a crucial point for the birds on their journey. All while you can hear from guest scholars on advocacy, conservation, and education. 785.537.4385 —travelks.com

’TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE.. BY

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL

November 27-December 1 at the Kansas City Music Hall This exciting Cirque Du Soleil show is inspired by and themed around the Clement Clark Moore poem “A Visit from Saint Nicolas”, the holiday classic. The acrobatic extravaganza will feature the fun that Cirque Du Soleil is known for while reinventing Christmas characters for the audience. Bring the entire family for a show that will embody holiday magic. 816.513.5000 —cirquedusoleil.com

HALLMARK CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE November 29-December 22 at Crown Center Take a walk through a Hallmark Christmas movie as the Crown Center is transformed into a Hallmark Movie town square with all of the charm. This free, open to the public, and immersive experience is perfect for those with the Christmas spirit. Grab whoever you watch all of those Hallmark Christmas Movies with and step into the real thing. 816.274.8444

—crowncenter.com

SAINT LUCIA FESTIVAL December 9 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Lindsborg Lindsborg’s traditional Swedish festival is a celebration of cultural and the holiday season. It will feature Swedish folk dancing performances, a service honoring Saint Lucia, and many other activities throughout the downtown area. 888.227.2227

—visitlindsborg.com

IRELAND WITH MICHAEL LONDRA LIVE! December 15 at Stiefel Theatre in Salina Londra interlaces songs and stories of Ireland to a backdrop of spectacular footage filmed for his PBS travel series. He creates an immersive journey around the Emerald Isle, including Irish dancers and Fiddles and Pipes. The audience will be drawn across the Atlantic Ocean to Ireland in this unique live show. 785.827.1998 —stiefeltheatre.org

WHAT WE COLLECT Through December 30 at Mid-America AllIndian Museum in Wichita The human desire to collect objects is ling recognized in historical and cultural studies. What makes people collect things and why? This exhibit highlights different objects donated to the museum by collectors, families and individuals. 316.350.3340 —theindianmuseum.org

MISSOURI

HEROES AND VILLAINS November 5 at Kauffman Performing Arts Center in Kansas City The Kansas City Symphony is putting on an epic superhero showdown as the “good guys” take on villains in a fun musical battle. This concert overflows with tales of caped crusaders and well-known music. 816.471.0400 —kcsymphony.org

MARK TWAIN’S ANNUAL BIRTHDAY

BASH November 25 at Mark Twain Museum in Hannibal Mark Twain would be celebrating his 189th birthday this year. This party includes crafts like decorating party hat and wooden ornaments, beaded necklaces and old-fashioned games with a twist like “Pin the ‘Stache on Twain” and “Musical Mustaches.” 573.221.9010 —marktwainmuseum.org

DOWNTOWN LIVING WINDOWS

December 1 in downtown Jefferson City A Jefferson City tradition for more than 20 years, Living Windows takes place downtown where storefronts and windows come alive with dancers, singers, and holiday themes. Attendees can enjoy refreshments. Listen to carolers and watch performances sharing the holiday spirt. It is the perfect opportunity to stroll the streets and experience holiday cheer. 573.632.2820 —visitjeffersoncity.com/events

SOUTH DAKOTA

DAKOTA ANGLER ICE INSTITUTE

November 10—12 at Sioux Falls Arena & Convention Center in Sioux Falls

The Dakota Angler Ice Institute was started in 2008 to give ice fisherman an opportunity to see the latest and greatest in the ice fishing industry. It has grown to be the second largest ice fishing show in the nation where attendees can make new discoveries to improve their ice fishing game. 605.336932 —dakotaanglericeinstitute.com

FRONTIER CHRISTMAS December 9 at Fort Sisseton Historic State Park in Lake City Guest of the park are invited to celebrate the season in classic frontier fashion with Christmas crafts, homemade bread, hands-on activities, sleigh rides, caroling and many other traditional holiday traditions. 605.448.5474 —gfs.sd.gov/events

YEF inspires the vision of entrepreneurship in youth, develops self-reliance among youth, through business and imagination and provides the values and skills necessary for them to be successful.

YEF introduces students to the benefits of entrepreneurship by providing programs that encourage and motivate them to create and launch small businesses. Students are taught skills that instill confidence, increase their understanding of business ownership and allow them to think outside the box. They are exposed to opportunities they didn’t realize were available such as careers in the trades where they can get licensed as a CDL driver or cosmetologist. Students learn how to create and manage budgets, design logos and websites, construct and launch marketing ideas, and much more!

Story

Ode to Otis or Doug, or Whatever His Name IS

Thanks for the Memories, and for Continuing to Write

had a few notable wins in my life: I fathered three sons I like, I married above my station, I convinced both the Virginia and West Virginia departments of transportation to install caution signs where the Appalachian Trail crosses Highway 9 in Northern Virginia, and, as I remember it, I cajoled Doug Wesselmann into writing the back-ofthe-book column you’ll get to experience on the next page.

You’re welcome, Omaha.

Long ago, I edited this magazine. Before that, I wrote a column for the Omaha World-Herald ; before that, columns and news in Phoenix; before that, other newspaper stuff; before that, UNL, which felt big-time after four awkward high-school years in Falls City, a town of now-4000 souls tucked in the southeast corner of the state 90 miles from the unfathomably massive city of Omaha.

Before that, there was Otis Twelve. He was on my big brother’s radio in the 74 Colt. He was on my big sister’s all-in-one Realistic stereo console in the basement. He was on the transistor radio stashed in the double-pouch newspaper delivery bag from which I hurled big-ass WorldHeralds that could dent screen doors if I missed, which I didn’t, because I wanted the Christmas tips to buy the massive Pioneer SX-780 stereo system down at Jack’s Appliances so I could blast the heavy music, and Otis Twelve, coming from Z-92 in Omaha.

Thing is, you didn’t need 12-inch woofers to feel the bass in Otis Twelve’s voice. The transistor radio is buried in 40 pounds of newspaper and I’m zooming around

on my Takara dirt bike at speeds no longer legal, and his voice is reaching me just fine. I remember that. Everything else on that radio sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher trapped in a well, but Otis Twelve boomed, resonated, communicated clearly, made me think, made me laugh, made the morning grind feel like having coffee with a cool old friend.

Flash forward about 30 years to 2014. I met up with the man behind the voice at a Scooter’s near his home, which I had visited a few months earlier while working on what is still my favorite profile piece from my Omaha days. Todd Lemke had given the go-ahead to the idea of him writing the back-of-the-book column. (That’s prime real estate in a lifestyle magazine. You want to leave readers with a high note—some laughs, some thoughts, some vivid images, some weird wonderful sentences that stick around in your skull). I was hell-bent on getting a few of my favorite voices into the magazine. This man, whether writing as Doug Wesselmann, or on the radio as Otis Twelve, was one, or actually several, of my favorite voices.

Oh, that voice. It’s one of a kind. Early on I just figured Doug had two names because he was a crazy hippie. (He was in a minstrel show for Christ’s sake!) The Otis Twelve thing—it’s his persona. Nom de plume. Whatever. You’re different in front of the public. You’re a character to be played. I get that. I did that, on a much smaller scale. I get wanting to have the public and private separated.

But, that voice, is the key to understanding what makes this guy so special and so essential to this place. Doug Wesselmann literally has an amazing literal voice in his literal mouth. It’s what draws you in. It’s

this big bass or baritone that seems to envelope you, wraps you up in a buffalo blanket with some cocoa or bourbon or whatever, soothes you, convinces you, entertains you—all of it. It’s a damn national treasure. It has staying power. I can still hear it thundering from the newspapers.

In October, he retired that particular voice—the literal one that rose the boats at KEZO and UNO radio and all the other places Otis Twelve enlightened that particular media form.

The good news: He has more voices. Eleven years ago, I didn’t know he wrote. Ten years ago, I read one of his books. Holy crap. There’s the voice behind the voice. Doug is smarter than you, me, and everyone else we know. I write a lot, he writes a lot better. That’s why I was a little starstruck hanging with the guy. That’s why I felt so lucky when he agreed to join us and make this a better publication, which he says he will continue to do.

I now live in Northern Virginia. Every couple months, Omaha Magazine arrives in the mail. Every time, my wife, Denise, unwraps the plastic and thumbs her way to the back page. Then she sits at the dinner table and giggles, and guffaws, and occasionally she tosses across the table the nicest compliment one can hear.

“He writes a lot like you.”

Correction: “I write something like him. On my best days.”

Read that piece, which I overwrote because I was trying to impress the subject, right here: omahamagazine.com/uncategorized/ otis-xii/

by Robert Nelson // Design by Rachel Birdsall

DATES

As a child, the first date I learned was my birthday: December 27, 1949. The second date I retained in my then-very-small head that was nearly as significant was Jesus’ birthday: December 25, 0 (Zero).

I know…I know…he wasn’t born in the year “0” (Zero)–because the folks who were printing calendars in those days had not received any memo, or otherwise official notice of the significance of the Nazarene’s nativity, thus they had not anticipated changing from “-1” to “0” even though the math seems to clearly demand it. It’s very likely that when Jesus was born, no year was specified, because everyone was still trying to learn how Roman numerals worked. After all, it took me XIV years to master the darn things.

It should be noted that the Chinese say Jesus was born in the year 2698. And the Hebrew calendar set the event in the year 3760. Neither place his birthday in December, because the ancient dynasties of the Middle Kingdom, the Tribes of Israel, and even my furry ancestors running through the woods of Thuringia, had yet developed such a month, nor the holiday traditions of mass marketing, including the custom of putting huge red ribbons on Mercedes cars, that now surround the celebration.

So anyway, those are the first most important years in my mental ranking of years: 1949 and 0 (Zero). The near occurrence of my birthday to Jesus’ was, of course, a psychic trauma due to the fact that most folks figured one, solitary, single gift should cover both anniversaries and I should just be a good little kid and accept it without complaint. Did little kid Jesus wonder why he always got Frankincense or myrrh instead of Legos, or a slot car racing set? They were certainly holding me up to a standard I could not meet. I am still bitter after all these years.

The next date I remember engraving on my psyche was 1066. I was trying to boost my C-minus to a C-plus in Brother Herman’s world history class when the Bayeux Tapestry came up in class. It’s probably the most famous bit of sewing that most folks have never heard of. The most important thing about the tapestry is that it is very, very long. In fact, though it is only 20 inches tall, it stretches from the home team’s goal line all the way to the opponent’s 25-yard line. This is surprising because football was not invented for another 800 years. The second most important thing is that the embroidery tells the tale of Halley’s Comet appearing in the sky and a Norman from Normandy named William becoming a conqueror by conquering the Anglos and the Saxons at the Battle of Hastings which was not actually held in Hastings but instead happened nearby at an appropriately named place named Battle. This shows just how literal things were back in long-ago Sussex. This battle, if you haven’t guessed yet, happened in 1066.

Thus, the Normans took over England and the Anlgo-Saxon language merged with French and Old Norse, and Latin, because the Normans were Vikings originally and brought along guys who dressed like bishops because they were bishops…that’s how things go. And all the tongues tangled up and liked it. Eventually, everyone started speaking English, which worked out well for William Shakespeare—not to be confused with William the Conqueror.

And it worked out well for me, too, all these 958 years later, because I would have had a lot of trouble expressing the true depth of my bitterness about those Christmas/birthday gifts in French.

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