Omaha Magazine - September 2022 - 15th Annual Giving Issue by Omaha Magazine

Bartels OMAHANASHVILLE'SCONNECTION

SEPTEMBER 2022 | U.S. $5.95 AIDING THE UKRAINE • NONPROFIT JOURNALISM • HYDROPONIC FARMING • FLORENCE MILL • 15 TH ANNUAL BIG GIVE

Evan

PHOTO BY DANA DAMEWOOD DANTEPIZZERIA.COM | 402.932.3078 16901 WRIGHT PLAZA #173, OMAHA, NE 68130 FOR MORE INFORMATION & TO BOOK: WOOD-FIRED CATERING

402.290.6296 KAREN JENNINGS 2022 Winner Realtor Agent Best of Omaha Winner 10 YEARS in a Row! STANDING TALL FOR YOU! Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate: TOP TEN NATIONALLY Number of Units Sold Mid Size Team - 2020 Oracle Award for Large Team Producer – 2020 Pinnacle Award for Top Large Team Number of Transactions – 2020 Summit Award for Team Productivity (#7) – 2020

*Note: The hotel edition of Omaha Magazine has a different cover and does not include all of the editorial content included in the magazine’s full city edition. For more information on our city edition, visit OmahaMagazine.com.

NONPROFIT

Gene Leahy Mall reopened July 1 with a plethora of activities, includ ing a free Omaha Symphony concert with Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth and a multimedia presentation. This beloved entity of Omaha is the subject of the Nostalgia article this issue, and writer James Vnuk recounted his memories as well as those of people such as Brian Leahy, son of the mall’s namesake, Mayor Gene Leahy.

The A+C Music article this round is about Nebraska native Evan Bartels, who played in Omaha clubs but has since made his way to Nashville, Tennessee, and a record deal, in a relatively short timeframe.

The Dining Review takes readers to Fremont and The Woodcliff Restaurant. While the reviewer has many reasons for reviewing restaurants in Omaha whether someplace is new to try or an old favorite this restaurant was chosen as being a “W,” the letter of the alphabet next in line for the A-Z Food Tour group.

SEPTEMBER // 3 // 2022 walked to the local grocery store on Nov. 4, 2020, and picked up two editions of the Omaha World-Herald: the previous day’s paper showing the pre-election info, and that day’s paper, showing post-election coverage. The two papers together felt sadly thin, as print newspapers around the country have dwindled due to rising costs.

NONPROFITJOURNALISM,WORK FROM THE EDITOR // LETTER BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN S eptember I SS ue H elp S I

Another Ukraine story is the History article, which is about Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church here in Omaha. This Byzantine Catholic church started in the 1950s with the first wave of Ukrainian immigrants and is going strong today.

A new form of news now fills the void in a variety of ways: nonprofit journalism is largely printed online, funded by donors instead of advertisers, and committed to the type of passionate, driven stories once available in those daily papers. The main story in this month’s issue is about the rise of nonprofit journalism as produced by three entities here in Omaha.

The second feature speaks to a big topic happening worldwide: the Ukraine and what is happening to people who are leaving their homeland. Kelly Lytle has visited the Ukraine and is now helping others by taking them into her home.

There’s a lot of articles that, like the main feature and history article, touch on nonprofits. The September issue also highlights the Big Give. These native advertising pieces provide information about many nonprofits around the area.

On a personal note, this is my last issue of Omaha Magazine. Starting in late July, I am transitioning to nonprofit communications. The past seven years at Omaha Publications have been some of the best of my life, and I leave behind a work family, and publications, unlike any I have experienced in my 20-year career. It has been a pleasure to serve you, the readers, through the stories of this amazing city in which we all live. The new editor will take over this column in October. There are many great stories in this issue. I hope you enjoy them all

FEATURES THE USUAL SUSPECTS 003 From the Editor Nonprofit Journalism, Nonprofit Work–September Issue Helps 006 Between the Lines 008 Calendar of Events 098 Adventure Friends, Food, and Fun in Southern California 100 History Assumption Ukrainian Church 121 Obviously Omaha Omaha Public Library 138 Explore! 143 Instagram 144 Not Funny Things I’m Afraid Of ARTS + CULTURE 014 Music Evan Bartels 018 Theater Thomas Gjere 010 Visual C+C Mini Factory 022 Photography Heather & Jameson Hooten PEOPLE 080 Gen O a’Ron Burns 082 Sports Benson Bunnies Baseball 084 Profile Michael Mierendorf GIVING 102 Giving Profile FitGirl 106 Calendar 092086 HELPING CITIZENS Nonprofit Journalism [Connecting Citizens to the News] AIDING THE UKRAINE One Woman’s Helping Hand 014 QR // 4 // SEPTEMBER 2022 TABLE of CONTENTS QR

DISCOVER VIDEOS AND ONLINE EXTRAS for select content in this issue. LOCATE A QR CODE PRINTED IN THIS ISSUE. Make sure you have internet access. OPEN THE CAMERA APP IN YOUR SMART DEVICE. Newer smartphones/tablets come with capability to scan QR codes. POINT AT THE QR CODE. A link will appear. Click on it. Step Step Step ENJOY YOUR EXPERIENCE. Watch, click, shop, explore! Step 60PLUS IN OMAHA 118 Profile Linda Meigs [“The Mill Lady”] 114 Nostalgia Gene Leahy Mall 116 Active Living Frank Uhlarik DINING 122 Feature Gather - Omaha & Gather Urban Farm 126 Profile Chef Jamil Bah-Traore 129 Review The Woodcliff Restaurant 132 Dining Guide SPECIAL SECTIONS 025 15th Annual Big Give Sponsored Content 122 QR SEPTEMBER 2022 // 5 // read current and previous issues online at omahamagazine.com The Omaha Magazine crew traveled 22 hours and put in 10 hours of production for this month’s cover and accompanying music video. Locations included the “Narrows” of Harpeth River State Park and the historic “Printers Alley” in Downtown Nashville. Our intention was to contrast the bustling urban atmosphere of Nashville with the natural beauty of the rolling hills of rural Tennessee. ABOUT THE COVER SEPTEMBER 2022 U.S. $5.95 AIDING THE UKRAINE NONPROFIT JOURNALISM HYDROPONIC FARMING FLORENCE MILL 15TH ANNUAL BIG GIVE Evan Bartels OMAHANASHVILLE'SCONNECTION

SEPTEMBER 2022 VOLUME 40 // ISSUE 5 EDITORIAL Managing Editor DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN Senior Editor NICK MOORE Associate Editor LINDA PERSIGEHL Associate Editor JULIUS FREDRICK Editorial Intern SOPHIE ROSSITTO Contributing Writers LEO ADAM BIGA · TAMSEN BUTLER · EMILY GETZSCHMAN DWAIN HEBDA · HANNAH HESER · TERRY JENSEN ANDREA KSZYSTYNIAK · SARA LOCKE · JOSEFINA LOZA SEAN McCARTHY · NATALIE MCGOVERN · ANDREW J. NELSON JONATHAN OROZCO · SOPHIE ROSSITTO · KARA SCHWEISS JAMES VNUK · DOUGLAS “OTIS TWELVE” WESSELMANN CREATIVE Creative Director MATT WIECZOREK Senior Graphic Designer DEREK JOY Graphic Designer II MADY BESCH Graphic Designer I RENEÉ LUDWICK Contributing Photographers JUSTIN BARNES · KEITH BINDER · COLIN CONCES SCOTT DRICKEY · JOSHUA FOO · WILLIAM HESS · SARAH LEMKE SALES DEPARTMENT Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing GIL COHEN Branding Specialists DAWN DENNIS · GEORGE IDELMAN Contributing Branding Specialists GREG BRUNS · JILLIAN DUNN · MARY HIATT · TIM McCORMACK Publisher’s Assistant & OmahaHome Contributing Editor SANDY MATSON Senior Sales Coordinator ALICIA HOLLINS Sales Coordinator SANDI M cCORMACK Appointment Setter HEIDI SLAUGHTERY OPERATIONS Business Manager KYLE FISHER Ad Traffic Manager DAVID TROUBA Digital Manager MEGAN BARTHOLOMEW Distribution Manager DAMIAN INGERSOLL EXECUTIVE Executive Publisher TODD LEMKE Associate Publisher BILL SITZMANN For Advertising & Subscription Information : 402.884.2000 Omaha Magazine Vol 40 Issue V, publishes monthly except February, April, August, December, totaling 8 issues by Omaha Magazine, LTD, 5921 S. 118 Circle, Omaha, NE 68137. Periodical postage at Omaha, NE, and additional offices and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Omaha Magazine, 5921 S. 118 Circle, Omaha, NE 68137 A LOOK AT THREE OMAHA MAGAZINE TEAM MEMBERS THE LINESBetween // 6 // SEPTEMBER 2022

PATRICK M c GEE Free lance Writer

JAMES VNUK Free lance Writer

McGee is an attorney and self-taught naturalist born and raised in Omaha. His interests include public service, hiking, fishing (mostly catch-and-release), foraging, and anything that involves exploring the outdoors and getting dirty. He enjoys writing pieces on sustainable living and environmental conservation because he enjoys the priv ilege of working with, and learning from, professionals in niche environmental disciplines, many of whom do not have the audience in which to spread their important messages about sustainability. His pieces have appeared in Omaha Magazine, Omaha Home, B2B , and, formerly, in Encounter

NATALIE M c GOVERN Free lance Writer McGovern is a freelance writer and regularly contributes theater and music reviews to The Reader. Her work has been featured in BroadwayWorld.com, Simply KC, and Ask the Crown . In addition to writing, McGovern is an avid performer and enjoys participating in theater locally and performing acoustic music in the folk duo Ember & Oak. McGovern has a bachelor’s in communication from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and holds the Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing.

. His legal writing is frequently featured in Nebraska’s state and federal courts, where he practices litigation in the publ ic interest.

Outside of a brief experience living and working in China’s “Beer City” of Qingdao, Vnuk has been a lifelong Nebraskan–born in Kearney and educated in Lincoln before settling in Omaha. Today he works full time as an English instructor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, teaching courses in composition, English as a second language, classical literature, and even science fiction. He’s been a contributor to Omaha Magazine since 2015. But, it took time working as a telemarketer, a bookseller, and a financial services representative before getting to today. Current projects include supporting his wife’s nature conservation efforts, editing an upcoming department textbook, essaying on media and culture, and being a guinea pig dad. He also enjoys cooking and tinkering with vintage computers and video game consoles. Vnuk said he’s a prou d union man.

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 7 // Worldwide selection. Local expertise. 7651 Towne Center Parkway Papillion 12977 West Center Ro oad Omaha Scan to Join Wall to Wall Rewards. 3000+ VARIETIESWINE 2000+ SPIRITS 1500+ BEERS SELTZERS&

Starting Sept. 2 at Petshop, 2725 N. 62nd St. Th is exhibit has been guest curated by Whitney Stephens from Chicago and will feature works by regional artist Julie Hess and Denver-based artist Elena Gunderson. 402.813.7530.

» Exhibits « DINOSAUR REVOLUTION Through Sept. 4 at Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Th is exhibit combines learning and play to challenge visitors’ knowledge about dinosaurs, display cutting-edge discoveries, and debunk popular myths. Visitors can engage in reptilian role-play activities, mimic dinosaur behavior, and explore three Mesozoic Missions spanning 150 million years. Admission: $13 adults, $10 seniors (62+) and military/veteran, $7 children (3-12), free for members and children 2 and under. Noon-4 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, closed Mondays. —durhammuseum.org402.444.5071.

CARNE Y ARENA (VIRTUALLY PRESENT, PHYSICALLY INVISIBLE) Through Sept. 10 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St. Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s Academy Award®-winning virtual reality experience explores the human condition of immigrants and refugees. The 20-minute solo experience is based on true accounts. The exhibit blurs lines between subject and bystander as visitors walk in a vast, sand-fi lled space and witness a fragment of a refugee’s personal journey. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $40. 402.341.3800. —thekaneko.org

EN LINEA/IN LINE: DOCUMENTARY PHOTOGRAPHY BY FRANCISCO MATA ROSAS Through Dec. 31 at El Museo Latino, 4701 S. 25th St. Francisco Mata Rosas' photographs that make up this series emerge directly from the world of arched appearances and twisted identities, crossed by the long and sinuous scar of the border. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays. Advanced timed tickets required: $5 general, $4 college students with ID, $3.50 students (K-12) and seniors (55+), free to members and children under 5. 402.731.1137.

—elmuseolatino.org MOON TO MARS Through Jan. 8, 2023 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. Children can learn about the current and future possibilities of space travel in this exhibit, which was designed with help from NASA’s Deep Space Exploration Systems at Johnson Space Center. Admission: Free to members and children under 24 months, $15 children 2-15 and adults, $14 seniors (60+). 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. —ocm.org402.342.6164.

ENDLESS JOURNEY Sept. 2-25 at Artists Cooperative Gallery Omaha, 405 S. 11th St. Th is exhibit will showcase abstract paintings created with cold wax and oil paint by member artist Dottie Seymour, as well as abstract acrylic paintings by member artist Glenda Musilek. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. —artistscoopomaha.com402.342.9617.

MEMORY SERVES: DRAWING OTHERS CLOSE Through Sept. 26 at Weber Fine Arts UNO Art Gallery, 6505 University Drive South. Th is exhibit will display portraits created by UNO art professor Dr. Mark Gilbert, as well as drawings by Gilbert’s late father portraying the end of life. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays or by appointment. Admission: free. 402.554.3857. —unomaha.edu FULL BLOOM Through Sept. 30 at Modern Arts Midtown, 3615 Dodge St. Th is show features new work by Iggy Sumnik, Jennifer Homan, Al HarrisFernandez and over 40 other artists. 11-6 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, by appointment. Admission: free. —modernartsmidtown.com/events402.502.8737.

EVENTS

MAYA DUNIETZ: ROOT OF TWO Through Sept. 18 at Bemis Center, 724 S. 12th St. Th is solo exhibition by Maya Dunietz engages the physicality of sound through a series of installations encompassing the entirety of Bemis Center’s 13,000-square-foot gallery space. The works become an ensemble, connecting with each other through the viewer’s experience. Admission: free. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. —bemiscenter.org402.341.7130.

A N R L D C E A of 21147 22158 23169

// 8 // SEPTEMBER 2022

JULIE HESS, ELENA GUNDERSON, ET AL.

—bffomaha.org EXPRESSIONS IN FIBER ART Sept. 2-25 at HotShops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St. Th is exhibit will feature works by nearly 30 artists in the fiber arts community. Hot Shops will also host a number of workshops throughout the month and an open studio night as part of this event. Admission: free. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. —hotshopsartcenter.org402.342.6452.

F O O D F E AT U R E S C H E F P R O F I L E S R E S TA U R A N T R E V I E W S O M A H A M AGA Z I N E .C O M HUNGRY? hello@omahaeventgroup com 402 819 8792 omahaeventgroup com Omaha Design Center The Downtown Club | Empire Room | Omaha Palazzo Anderson O Brien Fine Art Gallery Five venues, five unique celebration experiences Hosting events for 100 1,000 guests, Omaha Event Group boasts 15 years of experience with over 300 events each year, including Omaha Fashion Week Schedule a consultation with our team of experts today OUR LADY OF CHURCHLOURDES 2100 South 32 nd Ave. Omaha, NE 68105 OUR LADY OF LOURDES ANNUAL FALL FESTIVAL Sunday, September 25th from 12:00 – 9:00 p.m. Live music, beer gardens, silent auction, enchiladas, games, rides, and much more. Don’t miss this traditional Omaha festival –it’s fun for the whole family. SEPTEMBER 2022 // 9 //

Starting Sept. 29 at UNO Weber Fine Arts Building, 6505 University Drive South. Th is satirical play by Larissa FastHorse follows a group of teaching artists who try to create an elementary school pageant that celebrates both Th anksgiving and Native American Heritage Month. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $16 general admission, free for UNO students. —unotheatre.com402.554.7529.

// 10 // SEPTEMBER 2022

BIG DAMN DOOR FESTIVAL Sept. 1-4 at Bluebarn Theatre, 1106 S 10th St. Th is festival features the world premieres of three new theatre works. Bluebarn has supported 12 different artists to help them develop these works over the course of a season. 402.345.1576. —bluebarn.org OMAHA COMEDY FEST Sept. 1-4 at Benson Theatre, The Backline Comedy Theatre, and The Jewell. Th is festival is headlined by comedians Amber Ruffi n and Kevin McDonald. The event will include a variety of shows ranging from stand-up to musical acts, as well as workshops focused on free styling, social media, and —omahacomedyfest.commore.

—artscouncil.nebraska.gov

Tickets: $25 for non-members, free for members (4 tickets each). —rosetheater.org402.345.4849.

Starting Sept. 16 at Fred Simon Gallery, 1004 Farnam St. Th is Omaha-based photographer often captures images of strangers on the street. In 2011, he made a photographic documentary called “Crossroads,” which has since become one of the world’s largest photography projects. Mondays-Thursdays 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Fridays 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., by appointment only. 402.595.2122.

DRESSING THE ABBEY

Starting Sept. 22 at Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Th is costume exhibition showcases fashion from one of the world’s most widely watched television dramas, “Downton Abbey.” Visitors can see original costumes worn by the stars of “Downton Abbey” that depict fashions of the British aristocracy in the early 20th century. Noon-4 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, closed Mondays. Admission: $13 adults, $10 seniors (62+) and military/veteran, $7 children (3-12), free for members and children 2 and under. —durhammuseum.org402.444.5071.

—creighton.edu THE THANKSGIVING PLAY

TRAE CROWDER Sept. 7 at Funny Bone, 71305 Davenport St. Crowder is known for releasing a series of viral “Liberal Redneck” videos, which has garnered over 70 million online views. 7:30 p.m. Ages 21+.

UNO FACULTY ARTIST

Starting Sept. 6 at Creighton University Lied Art Gallery, 2500 California Plaza. Th is exhibit will display works by Overland Park, Kansas, native Jeff Hanson, whose paintings are known for their colorful and textured style. Admission: free. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 402.280.2290.

RODNEY CARRINGTON Sept. 8 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Th is comedian, actor, singer, and writer has performed in shows across the world and has been one of the highest-grossing touring comedians over the past two decades. 7 p.m. Ages 16+.

MASTERCHEF JUNIOR Sept. 20 at Orpheum Theater. 409 S. 16th St. Th is production will bring back contestants from season eight of the hit show, as young chefs go head-to-head in cooking demonstrations and challenges. 7 p.m. Tickets: $24.50-$54.50, $50 VIP add-on. —ticketomaha.com402.345.0606. HODGETWINS Sept. 25 at Funny Bone, 71305 Davenport St. Th is duo found success through posting comedy videos on YouTube. The pair is known for their unfi ltered and edgy entertainment. 7 p.m. Ages 21+. Tickets: $40. —omaha.funnybone.com402.493.8036.

| EVENTS

Starting Sept. 28 at Creighton University Lied Education Center for the Arts, 2500 California Plaza. Th is contemporary musical centers around a suburban family trying to cope with crisis and a mother’s unpredictable and worsening bipolar disorder. 7 p.m. Tickets: $18 general admission, $15 seniors (65+), $5 students. 402.280.1448.

—creighton.edu ATIIM JONES

NEXT TO NORMAL

THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL Through Sept. 18 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. Audiences can join SpongeBob, Patrick, Sandy and the rest of the Krusty Krew through this adventure centered around friendship, overcoming differences, and the end of the world. With Mount Humongous about to erupt, a simple sponge tries to save the day. 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays.

» Stage Performances « THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE Through Sept. 18 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Th is comedy follows an unemployed Elvis impersonator who fi nds a hidden talent after a drag queen convinces him to fi ll in for one of her shows on stage. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $36-$44. —omahaplayhouse.com402.553.0800.

SARAH HESTER ROSS Sept. 14 at Funny Bone, 71305 Davenport St. Ross has combined her comedy talents, singing chops, and piano-playing skills to create one-ofa-kind stage performances. She has also gained over 1.8 million TikTok followers by releasing comedy tunes on the platform. 7:30 p.m. Ages 21+. Tickets: $25. —omaha.funnybone.com402.493.8036.

OMAHA MAGAZINE CALENDAR

JEFF HANSON: CHANGING THE WORLD THROUGH ART PAINTING

Starting Sept. 16 at Gallery 1516, 1516 Leavenworth St. Th is exhibition will display original artwork by faculty members from the UNO art department. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. Admission: free. —gallery1516.org531.375.6643.

Tickets: $25-$40. —omaha.funnybone.com402.493.8036.

Tickets: $49.50$199.50. —ticketomaha.com402.345.0606.

DINNER, DRINKS AND DRAG! Sept. 15 at Funny Bone, 71305 Davenport St. Attendees can experience an evening of LGBTQ+ entertainment as drag performers lip sync and dance to popular songs. 7:30 p.m. Ages 21+. Tickets: $20. —omaha.funnybone.com402.493.8036. SCHOOL OF ROCK Sept. 16-Oct. 16 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Based on the hit movie, this musical follows a middle-aged, wannabe rock star who becomes a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school, where he helps a group of straight-A students start their own rock band. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays. Tickets: $25-$57. —omahaplayhouse.com402.553.0800.

MOTION CITY SOUNDTRACK

DEFNOTES AND ICKY THUMP Sept. 3 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Defnotes is an Iowa-based group that performs tributes to the band Deftones by recreating their unique sounds and the energy of their live shows. Icky Thump is a White Stripes tribute band. 8 p.m. Tickets: $10 advanced/$15 day of show. —theslowdown.com402.345.7569.

RUSSELL DICKERSON WITH BRELAND Sept. 9 at Barnato, 225 N. 170th St., Suite 95. Dickerson is a multiplatinum country artist known for his old-fashioned concerts and spirited songwriting. 7 p.m. Tickets: $25-$100. —barnato.bar402.964.2021.

KEVIN GATES Sept. 6 at Baxter Arena, 2425 S. 67th St. Th is rapper from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has earned multiple gold, platinum, and multiplatinum certifications for his music. He has also earned Top 5 spots on the Billboard Top 200 charts four times and has performed on sold-out headline tours. 8 p.m. Tickets: $41-$265.50. 402.554.6200.

—baxterarena.com

—reverblounge.com GIOVANNIE & THE HIRED GUNS Sept. 8 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Th is band is known for fusing rock ’n’ roll and country genres in their music to create a gritty, energetic sound. 8 p.m. Tickets: $15 advanced/$20 day of show. 402.884.5353.

—chihealthcenteromaha.com402.341.1500.

ASHLEY MCBRYDE Sept. 2 at The Admiral, 2234 S. 13th St. McBryde is a country singer who has incorporated rock ’n’ roll and bluegrass influences into her music. In 2021, McBryde received Grammy and American Country Music award nominations for her music. 8 p.m. Tickets: $29.50 advanced/$35 day of show/$60 premiere balcony. —admiralomaha.com

BAGELS AND SOMETIMES BACH Starting Sept. 4 at Gallery 1516, 1516 Leavenworth St. Th is music series will feature performances by Nebraska musicians each week. Attendees can also enjoy bagels, coffee, and other refreshments. 11:30 a.m. Sundays. Admission: free. —gallery1516.org531.375.6643.

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 11 //

—waitingroomlounge.com

GARY NUMAN WITH I SPEAK MACHINE Sept. 10 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Since the 1970s, Numan has influenced many artists through his evolving style of dystopian electronic rock music. Numan rose to fame as leader of the band Tubeway Army, who released a gold-selling, chart-topping album called “Replicas” in the U.K in 1979. 8 p.m. Tickets: $30 advanced/$35 day of show. 402.884.5353.

DAN TEDESCO WITH MATT WHIPKEY AND FAREWELL TRANSMISSION Sept. 10 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Th is Iowa-based singer/songwriter is known for his alternative-folk rock musical style. 8 p.m. Tickets: $12 advanced/$17 day of show. 402.884.5707.

—barnato.bar

CRYWANK AND CHASTITY Sept. 8 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Crywank is a music group influenced by American folk punk and anti-folk genres. Chastity is a music project started by Brandon Williams, a songwriter from Ontario who writes about themes such as isolation and resilience. 8 p.m. Tickets: $13 advanced/$15 day of show. 402.884.5707.

—waitingroomlounge.com

COURTNEY MARIE ANDREWS Sept. 1 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Andrews is a singer-songwriter, musician, and poet from Phoenix, Arizona. Her latest album, “Old Flowers,” was nominated for ‘Best Americana Album’ by the Recording Academy’s Grammy Awards. 8 p.m. Tickets: $16. 402.884.5707. —reverblounge.com

MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

Sept. 7 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Th is five-member band has performed their punk-pop music in tours across the U.S. and other countries over the past 20 years. 8 p.m. Tickets: $35 advanced/$40 day of show. 402.345.7569.

—theslowdown.com402.345.7569.

—reverblounge.com

FOREIGNER Sept. 2 at Stir Concert Cove, 1 Harrah’s Blvd., Council Bluffs. Th is rock band has released 10 multi-platinum albums and has continued to perform at shows on sold-out tours. Foreigner will take the stage to play some of their famous hits such as “Juke Box Hero” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.” 8 p.m. Tickets: $49.50-$253. —caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluff712.329.6000. s/shows

OMAHA SAM MORRIL Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at Funny Bone, 71305 Davenport St. Th is stand-up comedian and joke writer appeared regularly on the Comedy Central show, “Th is Week at the Comedy Cellar.” He has also performed stand-up sets on “Conan,” “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” and more. 7:45 and 10:15 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. Saturday. Ages 21+. Tickets: $25. —omaha.funnybone.com402.493.8036.

—theslowdown.com ARTS FISHING CLUB Sept. 8 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Th is five-member, alternative band is led by Wisconsin native Christopher Kessenich, who incorporates his folk/rock-inspired songwriting into the group’s music. 8 p.m. Tickets: $12 advanced/$15 day of show. —theslowdown.com402.345.7569.

SMILE EMPTY SOUL AND TANTRIC Sept. 2 at Barnato, 225 N. 170th St., Suite 95. Hard rock band Smile Empty Soul formed in the late 1990s in Los Angeles and have gone on to release many EPs and albums under various music labels. Rock group Tantric formed in 1998 and are known for combining modern rock with alternative metal and post-grunge sounds. 8 p.m. Ages 21+. Tickets: $20-$300. 402.964.2021.

—barnato.bar SHADOW RIDGE MUSIC FESTIVAL Sept. 9 at Shadow Ridge, 188th and Pacific St. Multiplatinum and Omaha-based band 311 will headline this annual event. Eve 6 and LIT will also perform, and acclaimed actor and standup comedian Steve Rannazzisi will host. 6 p.m. Tickets: $65. —shadowridgecountryclub.com/musicfestival402.333.4020.

POST MALONE WITH RODDY RICCH Sept. 10 at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. Post Malone is a Grammy Award-nominated rapper and singer/songwriter who incorporates emotional lyrics, unique vocals, and hip-hop sounds into his music. Post Malone will take the stage in Omaha to kick off his Twelve Carat Tour. 8 p.m. Tickets: $56-$2,898.

» Concerts « BUCKCHERRY Sept. 1 at Barnato, 225 N. 170th St., Suite 95. Th is band formed in the mid 1990s and quickly became known for their confident, grunge-rock sound. 8 p.m. Ages 21+. Tickets: $65-375. —barnato.bar402.964.2021.

BAND OF HEATHENS WITH DALTON DOMINO Sept. 8 at Barnato, 225 N. 170th St., Suite 95. Band of Heathens is a five-member rock band that has released ten albums in the past two decades and has toured the world multiple times. 8 p.m. Ages 21+. Tickets: $25-$400. 402.964.2021.

OM WITH ZOMBI Sept. 10 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Om is a doom metal band that has explored imaginative and expansive musical possibilities in its songs. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 advanced/$25 day of show.

—reverblounge.com

DEHD Sept. 22 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Alternative rock band Dehd has infused the music from their latest album, “Blue Skies,” with power, synth sounds, and sharp writing. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 advanced/$25 day of show. 402.345.7569.

—waitingroomlounge.com

—reverblounge.com SATCHEL GRANDE Sept. 17 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Th is Omaha-based funk and party band has cultivated a unique sound inspired by the music of George Clinton and Steely Dan. The group’s music also incorporates fiery guitar parts and sing-along lyrics. 8 p.m. Tickets: $8 advanced/$10 day of show. —theslowdown.com402.345.7569.

// 12 // SEPTEMBER 2022

TWO FEET Sept. 25 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Two Feet is a New York-based, alternative musician who is known for his mellow, hazy sound. His music has been influenced by electronic, blues, indie, and R&B genres. 8 p.m. Tickets: $25 early bird/$27.50 advanced/$30 day of show. 402.345.7569.

JEREMY MCCOMB Sept. 17 and 18 at Barnato, 225 N. 170th St., Suite 95. Th is country-rock artist has drawn inspiration from musicians such as Tom Petty and Jim Croce to create his own music featuring thoughtful storytelling and frontier-rock sounds. 8 p.m. Ages 21+. Tickets: $15-$250. 402.964.2021.

MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

WILLIAM ELLIOT WHITMORE WITH THE LOCAL HONEYS Sept. 14 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Whitmore has used his banjo-playing skills and powerful vocals to honor the folk music tradition, while incorporating blues, soul, and punk rock genres into his music. 8 p.m. Tickets: $15 advanced/$18 day of show. 402.884.5707.

—theslowdown.com

HANNAH WICKLUND & THE STEPPIN STONES Sept. 12 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Th is South Carolina native has brought her soulful rock sound to over 2,600 performances. 7 p.m. Tickets: $16 advanced/$18 day of show. —reverblounge.com402.884.5707.

DESCENDENTS WITH H20 AND SURFBORT Sept. 15 at The Admiral, 2234 S. 13th St. Th is punk band started in 1978 in Los Angeles and established themselves as important fi gures in Southern California’s punk movement. 8 p.m. Tickets: $35 advanced/$40 day of show/$75 premier —admiralomaha.combalcony.

—caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluff712.329.6000.s/shows

THE STRUTS Sept. 22 at Stir Concert Cove, 1 Harrah’s Boulevard. Th is rock band has opened for The Rolling Stones, The Who, Guns N’ Roses, and more. They released their most recent album, “Strange Days,” in 2020. 8 p.m. Tickets: $29.50-$149. —caesars.com/harrahs-council-bluff712.329.6000.

OMAHA

—theslowdown.com

—barnato.bar

AMERICAN AQUARIUM Sept. 20 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Th is alt-country band from North Carolina rose to prominence during the late 2000s by combining grit, twang, and straightforward rock ’n' roll sounds. 8 p.m. Tickets: $22 advanced/$25 day of show. —waitingroomlounge.com402.884.5353.

LUDACRIS Sept. 23 at Stir Cove, 1 Harrah’s Blvd., Council Bluffs. Th is rapper gained popularity as part of the Dirty South music movement, and has gone on to fi nd success in the realm of fi lm and television, as well. 8 p.m. Tickets: $49.50-$153.

OFF WITH THEIR HEADS WITH SETH ANDERSON Sept. 16 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Th is Minneapolis-based band formed in 2002 and is known for their melodic, punk rock sound. 9 p.m. Tickets: $12 advanced. 402.884.5707.

—reverblounge.com

DINOSAUR JR. Sept. 25 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Th is rock trio released their fi fth studio album, “Sweep It Into Space,” in 2021. The group’s music features rock riff s, powerful ballads, and driving rhythms. 8 p.m. Tickets: $27 advanced/$30 day of show. 402.884.5353.

SATSANG WITH GRAHAM GOOD Sept. 23 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Alternative band Satsang released their newest album, “All. Right. Now.,” in 2021. Frontman Drew McManus explored a new array of sounds and textures and revisited his Montana roots for this album, while pulling from classic country and modern Americana influences. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20. —waitingroomlounge.com402.884.5353.

LARRY FLEET Sept. 15 at Barnato, 225 N. 170th St., Suite 95. Th is country artist from Tennessee has found success with his expressive vocals and has performed with artists such as Willie Nelson. 8 p.m. Ages 21+. Tickets: $45. 402.964.2021. —barnato.bar

—admiralomaha.com

RICKY MONTGOMERY WITH DELANEY BAILEY Sept. 13 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Montgomery is a Los Angeles native whose indie-pop music contains warm melodies and lyrics listeners can relate to. 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 advanced/$25 day of show. 402.345.7569.

KIP MOORE WITH BOY NAMED BANJO Sept. 16 at The Admiral, 2234 S. 13th St. Th is multiplatinum country singer/songwriter has brought his Southern rock-influenced musical style to sold-out shows around the world. 8 p.m. Tickets: $36 early bird/$40.50 advanced/$46 day of show/$100.50 premier balcony.

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LESS THAN JAKE AND BOWLING FOR SOUP WITH KEEP FLYING Sept. 16 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Skarock band Less Th an Jake has performed at a variety of venues, ranging from music festivals to club shows, over the past two decades. Rock band Bowling for Soup has found success through their cheeky approach to alt-pop and pop-punk music. 7 p.m. Tickets: $30 advanced/$35 day of show. —theslowdown.com402.345.7569.

SUNNY DAY REAL ESTATE WITH THE APPLESEED CAST Sept. 14 at The Admiral, 2234 S. 13th St. Sunny Day Real Estate is a rock band that formed in 1992. Their music is known for its raw emotion and blend of indie rock with emo influences. 8 p.m. Tickets: $32 advanced/$35 day of show/$75 premier —admiralomaha.combalcony.

AGENT ORANGE Sept. 25 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Th is trio from Southern California has been active since the early days of the punk scene on the West Coast. These musical rebels were among the fi rst to blend the frenetic energy of punk with the California surf guitar sound. 8 p.m. Tickets: $18 advanced/$22 day of show. 402.884.5707.

THE CLAUDETTES Sept. 19 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Th is band combines soul, earthy blues, pop, and punk genres to create a unique “garage cabaret” sound. 5 p.m. Tickets: $17 advanced/$22 day of show. —reverblounge.com402.884.5707.

THE MELVINS Sept. 19 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. Th is rock band released their debut EP in 1986 and adopted a style that bridged punk and metal music. 8 p.m. Tickets: $25 advanced/$30 day of show. —waitingroomlounge.com402.884.5353.

—afromaha.com

OMAHA MAGAZINE | EVENTS CALENDAR

» Family & More « PUMPKIN PATCHES Many pumpkins and other in-season fruits and vegetables are ready to be harvested. The following pumpkin patches, orchards, and berry farms plan to welcome visitors for the fall season.

TERENCE BLANCHARD WITH THE E-COLLECTIVE AND TURTLE ISLAND QUARTET Sept. 30 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Blanchard is a trumpeter and composer who has received two Oscar nominations for his work in fi lm scoring. Blanchard has also won six Grammy awards and has been a consistent force for crafting musical statements related to key moments in American culture. 7:30 p.m. Tickets: TBD. —ticketomaha.com402.345.0606.

—theslowdown.com402.345.7569.

BROADWAY BALL Sept. 9 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Th is fundraiser will have a Disney’s Frozen theme and will feature a dinner, cocktails, and special performance to raise money for O-pa’s education programs. Participants will also celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Nebraska High School Theater Academy, a statewide education program. 6 p.m. Admission: $250 per individual reservation. 402.661.8501. o-pa.org ONE COMMUNITY CULTURAL FESTIVAL Sept. 10 at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village. Th is 2nd annual event presented by the Nebraska Chinese Association will feature performing arts, foods, games, and more from cultures across the globe. 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Admission: free. —onecommunityculturalfestival.com402.819.3868.

OUT OF THE DARKNESS OMAHA WALK Sept. 10 at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village. Th is community walk is a fundraiser to raise awareness about metal health and suicide. 1 p.m. —supporting.afsp.org531.389.4481.

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 13 //

Tickets: $30 plus fees. —ditmarsorchard.com712.256.7053.

Event times and details are correct as of presstime, but are subject to change. Omaha Magazine encourages readers to visit venues' websites and/or calling ahead before attending an event or visiting a museum. NOVO AMOR Sept. 26 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Alternative artist Ali John Meredith-Lacey, also known as Novo Amor, sings about longing and hope in his second album, “Cannot Be, Whatsoever.” 8 p.m. Tickets: $25 advanced/$30 day of show.

DREW HOLCOMB & THE NEIGHBORS WITH THE NATIONAL PARKS Sept. 29 at The Waiting Room Lounge, 6212 Maple St. The Americana Act, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, originally formed in Nashville. Holcomb has earned a place in the Americana music landscape by drawing from influences such as Tom Petty and Bob Dylan. Holcomb and his band have toured and performed alongside Willie Nelson, Amos Lee, and more. 8 p.m. Tickets: $25 advanced/$30 day of show. 402.884.5353.

—hutchfestomaha.com

Tickets: $10 for non-members, $5 for dogs, free for members. —lauritzengardens.org402-346-4002.

FIELDS OF FLIGHT Sept. 9 at Ditmar’s Orchard & Vineyard, 19475 225th St., Council Bluffs. Th is event will kick off with live music by the band, Fender Bender. Attendees can watch hot air balloons lift into the sky above the apple orchard. 5:30-9:30 p.m.

HUTCHFEST 2022 Sept. 4 at 11th and Nicholas Sts. Attendees can purchase items from over 150 artisans and vintage dealers, enjoy street-style brunch food, drink gourmet cocktails, play oversized lawn games, listen to live music, and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $5 early bird, $10 general admission (cash only), free for children 12 and under. 402.926.6747.

ROCKBROOK VILLAGE ART FAIR Sept. 10 and 11 at Rockbrook Village, 108th and Center St. Th is 51st annual outdoor event will feature booths showcasing the creativity and talents of artists in the community. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: free. —rockbrookvillageartfair.com402.541.7142.

EARTH AND ICEAGE Sept. 30 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Rock band Earth has developed their sound from drone metal to more stripped-down yet purposeful over the past 30 years. Alternative band Iceage formed in Copenhagen in 2008 and explored new and expansive sounds in their 2021 album, “Seek Shelter.” 8 p.m. Tickets: $22 advanced/$25 day of show. —theslowdown.com402.345.7569.

Skinny Bones Pumpkin Patch (3935 NE-133): Opens Sept. 9 Bellevue Berry Farm and Pumpkin Ranch (11001 S. 48th St.): Opens Sept. 17 Harvest Moon Pumpkin Patch (1410 U.S. 77): Opens Sept. 17 Vala’s Pumpkin Patch (12102 S. 180th St.): Fall festival opens Sept. 23 BFF FIRST FRIDAY Sept. 2 at Military Avenue and 62nd St. Th is monthly street event will include two artist markets, over 50 vendors and community partners, live music, performers, and more. 5-10 p.m. —bff402.813.7530.omaha.org

LEASHES AT LAURITZEN Sept. 5 and 12 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Canines can explore the grounds and enjoy treats and water located at stations throughout the garden. Adults can bring up to two dogs and walk around Lauritzen’s 100 acres and miles of trails with their four-legged friends. 5-8 p.m.

AUTHORITY ZERO Sept. 29 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Th is punk band released their album, “Ollie Ollie Oxen Free,” in 2021 to encourage people to celebrate life and fi nd positivity. The album features energetic drumming and uplifting lyrics. 8 p.m. Tickets: $15 advanced/$18 day of show. —reverblounge.com402.884.5707.

SEPTEMBERFEST Sept. 2-5 at CHI Health Center Omaha, 455 N. 10th St. Th is “Salute to Labor” festival runs through Labor Day weekend and provides musical acts, educational and artistic displays, a carnival, Omaha’s largest parade, a beer garden, and food. Times vary. Admission: $7 per person per day, children 5 and under free. —septemberfestomaha.org402-278-2951.

—waitingroomlounge.com

AFRO FEST OMAHA Sept. 3 at Stinson Park in Aksarben Village. Attendees can listen to live music, buy from vendors selling African or African-inspired products, enjoy arts and crafts, and more. 2-10 p.m. Admission: $10 early bird tickets, $75 VIP tickets, free for children 12 and under. 402.957.4145.

Nashville’sOmahaConnection EVAN BARTELS STORY BY HANNAH HESER // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY DEREK JOY MUSICA+C

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“I LIKE PEOPLEOFASPECTEVERYSHOWTOWHATGOTHROUGHANDIFYOUCANCAPTURETHATINASONG,ITHINKTHAT’STHEPOINT.” Evan Bartels

MOST PEOPLE DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DO AT A YOUNG AGE; ONE EXCEPTION TO THAT RULE IS NEBRASKA NATIVE EVAN BARTELS. HE STARTED PLAYING MUSIC AS A CHILD AND DEVELOPED A PASSION FOR IT.

Bartels and his team are planning to tour across the U.S. this fall and he's working on another project he believes may release in early 2023. “I am working on the new album currently. In the past year, I put out my last fulllength album and released a collection of alternate takes of those,” he said. “I am always working on new music and new projects.” Visit evanbartels.com for more information.

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 17 //

“I’ve always played music for fun. It’s one of those things, you know, ‘why does anybody do anything?’ I started doing it because I loved it,” he admitted. “It’s a funny thing about life if you start something, you’re obviously going to keep doing it. So, I started asking myself, ‘let’s see what happens next’ and kept going.”

Th ree years ago, Bartels packed his belongings and made his way to Nashville to chase a dream. There are several opportunities to play music in Nebraska, but he wanted to branch out into the business side of the music industry. “I lived in Omaha for three years and in Lincoln for six years. Nashville has a similar vibe with a lot of independent artists doing the same thing as me,” Bartels said. “The biggest difference is that there is a lot more in Nashville, in terms of music opportunities in the business world.”

One of those opportunities is called a Writers Round, in which three or four songwriters are invited to play their music on a stage at once. The concept enables the songwriting community to connect, and, can be their tickets to bigger gigs. Bartels was already familiar with the concept when he arrived in Music City, having performed at Whiskey Jam at Winners Bar and Grill in 2018, and continued playing Writers Rounds after moving. In 2019, Intelligent Noise manager Rico Csabai showed up to watch him play at Big Machine Distillery on Broadway. Csabai was impressed with Bartels’ talent and signed him on the spot. “Evan is truly one of the most exceptional talents,” Csabai admitted. “The reason I signed him is that he is of that caliber due to his hard work and creativity. He is also extremely courageous and vulnerable wit h his art.” Bartels writes songs that connect people; if he can relate to the human experience, he’s content with the creation.

“I don’t classify music as a genre. I am a fan of songwriting, regardless of the genre,” he said. “Anything I can relate to the human experience is worth more than the style of the Bartelsgenre.”added, “I prefer something that nobody has seen before. Something you want to see within yourself or within the world. I like to show every aspect of what people go through and if you can capture that in a song, I think that’s the point.”

A+C MUSIC

Bartels keeps Nebraska close to his heart, and makes an effort to return home and play at least two to three ti mes a year. “I play at the Zoo Bar in Lincoln and at Buck's Bar and Grill in Venice,” he said. “Buck’s Bar and Grill is honestly one of the best venues around. They bring in a lot of honky-tonk country bands, rock ’n’ roll [bands], and singer-songwriters. It’s a really special place to play.”

Evan Bartels grew up in a town with a population of 100 people. Tobias, Nebraska, is 60 miles southwest of Lincoln and 41 miles northwest of Beatrice, Nebraska. It has two churches and a bar, but groceries are bought in the nearby towns of Western or Bruning. Th at lack of resources offers a freedom to imagine, to think, and to play music. His website states: “It was here the sentiment behind his work was forged.” His interest began when his father played a folk song called “The Cuckoo." Since then, the artist’s musical inspiration has skyrocketed. Bartels grew up playing the guitar and piano, and, at 14 years old, wrote his fi rst song, “Sinners and Saints.” He knew this was a real cut the minute he f inished it. “I played it the same way every time,” he revealed. In 2017, he released a project, The Devil, God & Me. These 11 songs take listeners on a journey through his struggles with substances in the past. His raspy voice and smooth guitar skills help make the project stand out. “The only thing I’ve been hardcore hooked on has been tobacco,” Bartels told Omaha Magazine at that time. “Everything else I kinda skirted the line and was able to make it out."

18 A+C R “M� parent� tell m� th e� kne� th � momen� i� happened, becaus� � ha� th i� big, dramati � scen� an� big, dramati � exit. Everyon� ap plauded.” Th oma� Gjer�

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The young musicians in the cast include two guitar players, a drummer, a keyboardist, and a bass player.

Gjere himself earned a minor in theater in college, majoring in education with the goal of becoming a teacher. After graduation, however, he ultimately returned to performing.

“I wanted to be an actor as a kid,” he said. “Ever since I saw Home Alone.” Gjere didn’t become the next Macaulay Culkin, but he did start acting in local theater productions—and he was hooked.

DeAwey

“Th is character is almost like running a marathon every night; they’re onstage for pretty much the entire two-hour show and they sing 11 songs and play the guitar live onstage. You need to fi nd that person who can do it all—who understands the comedy of the role, and can play the guitar, and can sing, and act,” Santa explained. “Thomas is that special performer who has all of those skills and is going to be able to successfully bring them to the stage in a new and exciting way. [The role of Dewey Finn is] iconically Jack Black. You don’t want to see someone doing an impression of Jack Black. Thomas is making it his own and putting his own fresh spin on it.”

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 19 //

“The thing that makes Dewey work— because let’s be real, there are a lot of things about him that people might fi nd irritating—and what makes us root for him, is his passion, and his genuine love of the music. For him, it’s rock ‘n’ roll, and he wants people to love it just as much as he does,” Gjere said. “He and I share that particular trait, that genuineness and that joy. I want everyone to have a blast with School of Rock. It’s a great show and it’s so much fun.”

“My parents tell me they knew the moment it happened because I had this big, dramatic scene and big, dramatic exit. Everyone applauded,” Gjere said. “My parents were in the crowd that night and it was, ‘Well, there he goes!’”

As Dewey Finn in the upcoming Omaha Community Playhouse production of School of Rock, Gjere will lead a cast of 30 that includes 14 young performers and musicians. In the 2003 hit fi lm, Jack Black played the character of Finn, who cons his way into substitute teaching at a private school and turns his pupils into a youth rock ensemble, hoping they will win a battle of the bands so he can pocket the prize money.

“What’s so exciting about School of Rock onstage is that you actually get to see these kids playing their instruments live. It certainly does pay homage to the movie, and all of those iconic lines and moments that you remember from the movie are going to be inserted into the musical. But it’s presented in a fresh perspective and with updated comedy elements,” Santa said. “We really hope this is going to inspire future Includingmusicians.”theactor/musicians, the youth actors in the cast, ages 10-14, all sing and dance as part of their roles. Although Gjere also performed onstage at a young age, he’s impressed by his young castmates. “They’re so inspired, it blows my mind,” he said. “I can’t wait to see what they do.”

Today he's appearing in an array of roles that have run the gamut. In recent productions at Omaha Community Playhouse, Gjere has portrayed Robert Kincaid in The Bridges of Madison County, Jamie in The Last Five Years, and the bank manager in Once. He has also acted at BlueBarn Theatre, portraying The Duke of Cornwall in King Lear, and Justin in Heroes of the Fourth Turning.

“I wouldn’t necessarily want to be remembered for a particular role. I would rather be more recognized for my dedication and my work ethic,” he said. “I hope to continue performing as I have. I’ve had a lot of really wonderful opportunities and I’m grateful for every one I’ve had the chance to take on. So if that continues the way it has, I’d be pretty happy w ith that.”

Omaha Community Playhouse Artistic Director Stephen Santa, who is directing this season-ending musical, said Gjere is the right fit for the challenging role.

“Th at’s where I’m happiest,” he explained. “Acting forces you to look at things from a new perspective and really examine that different perspective. If you’re paying attention and allowing yourself to be open, it’s going to affect you and it’s going to change how you approach a lot of things."

Thomas Gjere laughed when he described what inspired his interest in acting.

Visit omahaplayhouse.com for more information.

“It’s changed who I am as a person in incredibly positive ways. I’m more confident in who I am, in my abilities,” Gjere said. “I used to be so reserved that I was almost invisible.”

Originally from Dundee, Corbin studied theater in Pittsburgh and London, but eventually settled back in her hometown. Like most creatives in Omaha, Corbin left for reportedly greener pastures and found herself in New York City. “I knew I wanted to do more visually. I was working in high-pressure, intensive theater places on the administrative side. I really wanted to do something creative. I was constantly surrounded by creative things but never engaged in it,” C orbin said. Corbin met Chelsea Cates, an installation artist and graphic designer, around 2007, and the two formed C+C Mini Factory in 2012.

Quinn Metal Corbin, half of the duo of the insta-famous C+C Mini Factory, hates being asked this question: “Do you make everything?” She always gives a succinct response, saying, “we’re not miniaturists —we’re photographers, we're artists. If you take a photo of a person, would you say you made the person?”

Quinn Metal Corbin Duo Quinn Metal Corbin & Chelsea Cates make miniature environments

C + C FactoryMini: S m a l l S c a l e , B ig Impa c t // 20 // SEPTEMBER 2022

Corbin recalled getting a call from an agency asking if they'd be interested in working with a coffee house based in Seattle. The agency did not mention the company’s name, but Corbin knew right away they were representing the coffee giant Starbucks. She said, “They were sort of like, 'we can't tell you who but it's a giant Seattle coffee company…'”

Corbin is now in Omaha and Cates is living on the West Coast, which has made collaborating on their work more challenging.

Th is didn’t stop the group, and they are developing an adaptation of their book at The Rose Theater with the help of Jackie Kappes, the education director and a teaching artist at t he theater.

Visit @ccminifactory on Instagram to learn more.

Around the mid-2010s the group blew up on Instagram. Corbin vividly remembers the moment, saying the group only had around 300 followers one day and 40,000 the next. After Instagram decided to feature the duo, their professional careers took off.

Commission requests came in from brands such as Starbucks, Refi nery 29, Mozilla Firefox, and florist Putnam and Putnam, among many others, for cutesy little scenes by the duo.

Still riding the media high, C+C Mini Factory was nominated in the Best Instagrammer category at the Seventh Annual Shorty Awards in New York City. Th is was no easy feat, since the group was in competition with celebrities such as actress Mindy Kaling, singer Justin Beiber, and fashion designer Kate Spade. Not expecting to win, Corbin and Cates weren't planning on attending the award ceremony at The Times Center. C+C Mini Factory won, and the duo ended up attending in person. After their period of media success, the group began to shop around for a publisher for their next project: a children’s book of their photographs. “We always intended our work to be nostalgic. We didn’t intend the work to be for children, but we wouldn’t be offended by that outcome,” C orbin said.

A Night at the Farm came out in February 2021, a time when so many schools and libraries were closed. In a way, the book existed in a void.

Cates, like most New Yorkers, struggled to fi nd enough studio space for large-scale projects, so Corbin suggested they team up and use Corbin’s miniature collection to make small-scale installations. The objects they use may be small, but Corbin’s massive inventory includes such delightful items as skeletons, menorahs and dreidels, roulette tables and slot machines, and 20th century modernist furniture. They work together, and, at times, independently, to curate interiors, natural landscapes, and even spaced-themed stories, all with miniature animals. Like most artists, Corbin and Cates retained full-time jobs and practiced art on the side.

A+C VISUAL • STORY BY JONATHAN OROZCO

Other C+C Mini Factory ventures include: holiday stationery, such as Valentine’s Day Cards and yearly calendars, and hopefully a television series adaptation mixing the Muppets and Pee-wee Herman.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN • DESIGN BY DEREK JOY

Cates said, “Our moves have forced us to develop ways to carve out dedicated time to work together so I'm excited to be applying for residencies or retreats that will allow us to come together and work intensely on specific projects.”

22 capturing

Joy

Heather & James Hoot ose who attend any omaha fashion Week are likely to see heather and jameson Hooton posted near the runway, cameras flashing to capture every look as the models strut by. the hootons have been the house photographers and videographers for ofW since 2015. it’s one of a bevy of projects and clients the married couple has taken on through their photography business,—hooton images—and their fashion photography business, heather and jameson.

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“I think that Heather's personality and her skills with people is our secret superpower,” Jameson said. “Because there are a lot of people who can take photos, but nobody can interact with people like Heather can.”

“We had no idea what we were doing,” Heather said. “We were just very excitable.”

will turn out great,'” Foreman said. “And if you're looking weird, it's cool in the fashion Foreman’sindustry.”experience was so good, she ended up asking the Hootons to shoot her graduation photos, a back-to-their-roots experience for the photographers.

// 24 // SEPTEMBER 2022 MODEL ANAIALYNNE WILSON OF DEVELOP MODEL MANAGEMENT IN REPOSE AT THE BLACKSTONE PLAZA

They took some free classes and practiced their skills with friends. As the business developed, the couple began to hone in on their individual skill sets: Heather on photography and Jameson on lighting and technical aspects of setting up a shot.

After their wedding in 2010, they continued the practice with modern equipment. Armed with a new digital camera, the couple rang in their marriage by documenting the honeymoon. They would take pictures by their family cabin in the Colorado mountains and then to a nearby town with internet access to edit, upload, and pick up a new photography tip or two online. By the time they returned to Omaha, their friends had seen their posts—and they were interested in having photo shoots of their own: engagement photos, family photos, and more. “And so we were like, 'oh, I guess we do this now,’” Heather said with a laugh. At that time, the Hootons considered themselves hobbyists. They had neither taken a photography class nor experienced any part of the photography business.

In 2015, the pair’s work really took off. They took on Develop Model Management, Inspired Living, and, of course, Omaha Fashion Week as clients, all of which the couple continue to work with today.

For fall 2022 Fashion Week, Heather and Jameson worked with models at the Orpheum Theater, using the venue’s ornate interior and magnificent lighting to frame models dressed head to heel in high fashion. Heather tried to capture a joyful, yet mischievous, tone: a group of young people sneaking into the theater after hours to celebrate. The models used the full space, sprinting up and down the aisles and dancing on the stage.

Hooton Images started as two students in love, documenting their time together on dates by trading shots on an old fi lm camera owned by Heather’s father, instructing each other to pose wherever they landed; spontaneity forever a key ingredient in their relationship and art.

Central to much of the Hootons’ work is attempting to capture joy—a fleeting moment of beauty or the essence of someone’s personality. Whether a fi fth date or a model’s fi rst runway walk, each photo is a celebration of life, captured for eternity. Visit heatherandjameson.com for more information. e it headshots, commercial, fashion, or business campaigns, the Hootons have honed a signature style and approach to their craft. In 2020, Billboard named The Hooton's woodsy portrait of local musician Conor Oberst one of the top 100 Billboard photographs of the year. Hooton images have appeared on book covers and in campaigns for the national retail store, The Buckle. Their art often takes them to unexpected locations and new techniques; a February 2020 Omaha Fashion Week promotional fi lm features models in white flowing gowns, ornate trenches, and embroidered pants, shoveling dirt and posing gracefully on a farm. Models play with a kitten and act deceivingly natural, the background peppered with cows and ba les of hay.

Models who have worked with the couple echo this sentiment. Elisa Foreman, 22, had her fi rst modeling shoot with Heather and Jameson. She was signed to Develop Model Management and right away, began practicing modeling basics with the Hootons; how to move behind the camera in different lighting, mastering certain poses and other essentials. She was 15 years old, and nervous. But the Hootons broke through the tension with their welcoming attitudes and ample feedback. “They really ingrained in my brain, 'don't care about what you look like, everything

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 25 // HELPING FAMILIES PROTECT A LIFETIME OF WORK OUR FIRM HAS ONE MISSION: Our mission is to help families design, share and preserve their family legacy for future generations, through careful legal planning and lifetime relationships. Protect your Family Protect your Assets Leave a Legacy Achieve Peace of Mind WE CAN HELP. ESTATE PLANNING | MEDICAID PLANNING | BUSINESS LAW TRUST ADMINISTRATION & PROBATE 2022 First Place Employer- Less Than 100Employees 2022 First Place Estate Planning 9859 S. 168th Avenue, Omaha, NE 68136 402.235.5625 | info@ldstrategies.com | www.ldstrategies.com 13706 “C” Street 68144 402.933.4007 • barkavenueomaha.com 2022 Winner Dog Day Care Dog Day CareDog D y Care Boarding • Daycare • Grooming Celebrating 22 Years in Business! Digital Advertising Solutions Reach your ideal audience, wherever they are. EMAIL DISPLAYSOCIALMARKETINGMEDIAADVERTISING by contacting our digital manager, Megan Bartholomew, at 402.884.2013 megan@omahapublications.com

// 26 // SEPTEMBER 2022 P R ESENTED BY OMAHA MAGAZINE 15th Annual he people of Omaha are known for their kindness, hospitality, and generosity. Year after year, citizens of the greater Omaha area maintain and support a multitude of nonproﬁt organizations— each with their own compassionate vocation focused on enriching the community, uplifting its members, and alleviating hardship. The following section of sponsored content celebrates 56 of these charitable organizations, encouraging readers to learn about their missions, backgrounds, upcoming events, and of the various means to provide support. 27. FoundationAksarben 28. MidwestAmericanBallet 29. Act of KindnessCommunityRandom(ARCK) 30. Assistance League of Omaha (ALO) 31. Autism PartnershipAction 32. Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands 33. Boys Town 34. Child InstituteSaving(CSI) 35. City of Department&HumanOmahaRightsRelations 36. Collective for Youth 37. WesternFoundationCommunityforIowa 38. Completely KIDS 39. Credit FoundationAdvisors 40. Culxr House 41. Filament Essential Services 42. FamilyHeartlandService 43. LegalImmigrantCenter 44. The FederationJewish of Omaha 45. KANEKO 46. Merrymakers 47. FoundationCommunityMetropolitanCollege 48. NCHS 49. Nebraska (NECC)CollaborativeChildhoodEarly 50. Nebraska Humane Society 51. Nebraska Urban Indian CoalitionHealth(NUIHC) 52. New HomelessVisionsServices 53. Omaha MuseumChildren’s 54. ofConservatoryOmahaMusic 55. Omaha FoundationEquestrian 56. Omaha Home for Boys (OHB) 57. Omaha Public Schools Foundation (OPSF) 58. CommunityOneWorld Health Centers, Inc. 59. Open Door Mission 60. Opera Omaha 61. NebraskaParkinson’s 62. Partnership 4 Kids (P4K) 63. RISE 64. The ArmySalvationofOmaha 65. Scatter Joy Acres 66. Sheltering Tree 67. Siena Francis House 68. Special Olympics of Nebraska 69. Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Omaha 70. Stephen Center 71. Together 72. Tri-Faith Initiative 73. UNO CenterEngagementWeitzBarbaraCommunity(CEC) 74. Whispering Roots 75. YMCA of Greater Omaha 76. All AngelsBalletAmericanOutreachCommunitiesServicesMidwestAmongUs 77. BFF Omaha, Inc. Child MaxInstituteSavingI.Walker 78. New ServicesYouthFoundationNorthStarFoundationCasselEmergency(YES) SPONSORED SECTION T

SPONSORED | SEPTEMBER 2022 // 75 //

HOW YOU CAN HELP The YMCA of Greater Omaha is committed to giving everyone the opportunity to grow. With sports leagues, swim lessons, childcare, fitness programs and more, there’s something for everyone. The Y cannot serve the community without the help of volunteers. Board members, youth sports coaches, and program advocates are all volunteers. Also, as a nonprofit, we rely on donations to provide scholarships and financial assistance for memberships, youth sports, swim lessons, and summer camp. Stop into any location to donate or visit us at metroymca.org/give. ATEM ENT of Greater Omaha’s is to strengthen the of community. Open the your over the (left), then click the link that

MISSION ST

UPCOMING EVENTS YMCA Welcoming Week September 9th-18th, 2022 Healthy Kids Day April 23rd, 2023 11am-2pm WISH LIST • In-person donations • Online donations metroymca.org/givevia: • Volunteers YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA 430 S 20th St. Omaha, NE 402.977.430068102metroymca.orgFOREXPANDED CONTENT:

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MISSION STATEMENT Angels Among Us provides ﬁnancial and emotional support to pediatric cancer families living in or being treated in Nebraska. FEATURED EVENT An Evening Among Angels: High Roller Casino Night “Raising the Odds for Pediatric Cancer Families” DATE October 14, 2022 LOCATION CHI Health Center, Omaha TIME 5:30-9:30 p.m. TICKET PRICING Table Sponsorships are available ranging from $2300-$5500. Individual tickets are $175 per guest. ATTIRE Formal/Cocktail CONTACT INFO Aly Theilen, Assistant Director 3858 Jones St. Suite A Omaha, NE myangelsamongus.org68105 MISSION STATEMENT American Midwest Ballet is your resident professional dance company, bringing work beyond words to audiences at home and on tour: breathtaking performances, inspiring education, and uplifting community engagement. FEATURED EVENT Nutcracker Gala DATE December 2, 2022 LOCATION Orpheum Theater 409 South 16th Street Omaha, Nebraska TIME 6:00 p.m. Cocktails 7:00 p.m. Program 7:30 p.m. Dinner 9:00 p.m. Final Bows TICKET PRICING • Platinum sponsor $25,000 • Gold sponsor $10,000 • Silver sponsor $5,000 • Bronze sponsor $3,000 • Patron ticket $375 ea. • Gala ticket $250 ea. ATTIRE • Black Tie Invited • Valet Parking CONTACT INFO 1001 S. 6th St Council Bluﬀs, IA 51501 info@amballet.orgamballet.org712.890.5590 MISSION STATEMENT To provide wrap-around supportive services for families. FEATURED EVENT 5th Annual All Communities Outreach PumpkinServices Painting Family Engagement Event (Free Pumpkins & Snacks) DATE October 22, 2022 LOCATION First Baptist Church Gymnasium 112 E. 23rd Ave. Bellevue. NE 68005. TIME 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. TICKET PRICING Free Event for Families ATTIRE Casual CONTACT INFO All t.birch@allcommunitiesos.org402.257.1122Bellevue,112OutreachCommunitiesServicesE.MissionAveNE68005 // 76 // SEPTEMBER 2022 | SPONSORED

SPONSORED | SEPTEMBER 2022 // 77 // MISSION STATEMENT Responding to the cry of a child. FEATURED EVENT PurseOnalities Luncheon DATE November 3, 2022 LOCATION Hilton Omaha 1001 Cass St. Omaha, NE 68102 TIME 11am TICKET PRICING Individual tickets starting at $80 Sponsorships are available Visit childsaving.org to purchase tickets or for sponsorship information ATTIRE Business Casual CONTACT INFO Child Saving Institute 4545 Dodge St. Omaha, NE childsaving.org402.553.600068132 MISSION STATEMENT BFF Omaha is dedicated to Building Community Through Arts Engagement. We Advocate for the Arts through Education, Inclusion, Opportunity, and Unique Experiences (AEIOU). FEATURED EVENT First Friday Art Walks DATE Every first Friday of the month, year-round. LOCATION The newly certifi ed Benson Creative District! TIME (variable5pm-2amamong individual venues) TICKET PRICING “Free.99” ATTIRE Casual Fridays, Vibin’ CONTACT INFO BFF Omaha, Inc. 2729 N. 62nd St Omaha, NE 68104 bffinfo@bffomaha.orgomaha.org/support MISSION STATEMENT Find your dream dress for prom, HoCo, or your wedding day! FEATURED EVENT The 14th Annual Ultra Chic Boutique Charity Dress Sale, Benefiting the Nebraska Alzheimer’s Association DATE Feb. 4, 2023 LOCATION Truhlsen Campus Events Center at 619UNMCS42nd St. Omaha, NE 68198 TIME 8am - 4pm TICKET PRICING Reservations Required, Free Entry Dresses: $40-60 (cash only) ATTIRE Comfortable clothes. Tip: Bring the shoes you’ll wear with your dress! CONTACT INFO info@maxiwalker.commaxiwalker.com/ucb

MISSION STATEMENT The New Cassel Foundation supports the people we proudly serve at New Cassel Retirement Center and Franciscan Adult Day Center who are without means for daily living and people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and special needs. FEATURED EVENT Spirit of St. FrancisWurst Party Ever! Honoring Larry and Shirley GoodSpirit of St. Francis Award DATE Oct. 6, 2022 LOCATION New Cassel Retirement Center 900 N. 90th St., Omaha 68114 TIME 5:30pm TICKET PRICING $100 ATTIRE Casual attire—lederhosen and dirndls are always welcome! CONTACT INFO Cindy Petrich 900 N 90th St. Omaha NE dcoleman@newcassel.orgcpetrich@newcassel.org/402.390.5317/402.390.530868114 Spirit of St. Francis MISSION STATEMENT To change young men’s lives through programming that supports, challenges, inspires and instills a life rooted in education, self-discipline and service to the community. FEATURED EVENT 11th Annual Climb Higher Luncheon with keynote speaker Arshay Cooper DATE October 11, 2022 LOCATION CHI Health Center - Omaha, NE TIME 11:30am–1pm TICKET PRICING Single Ticket: $125 Additional ticket & table options available online! ATTIRE Business casual CONTACT INFO NorthStar Foundation 4242 N 49th Ave, Omaha, NE 68104 Jessica northstar360.org/luncheon402.614.6360DevelopmentSchaafCoordinatorx214FOREXPANDEDCONTENT: Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears. MISSION STATEMENT Youth Emergency Services (YES) assists youth whichcritically-neededhomelessnesshomelessnessexperiencingandnear-byprovidingresourcessupportthemintheir desire to be self-suﬃcient. FEATURED EVENT Dance for a Chance: Disco Nights, Presented by Lindsay Corporation DATE October 13, 2022 LOCATION Omaha Design Center TIME 6 p.m. TICKET PRICING $l25/person; $l,000/table Sponsorships available ATTIRE Guests are encouraged to dress in 1970s/Disco attire CONTACT INFO Barb DirectorFarhoof Development 2566 Farnam St., Ste. 301 yesomaha.orgbfarho@yesomaha.org402.345.5187FOREXPANDEDCONTENT: Open the camera on your smart device, hover over the QR code (left), then simply click the link that appears. // 78 // SEPTEMBER 2022 | SPONSORED

Non-surgical hair replacement systems are the newest and best answer! This groundbreaking technology has been created so men and women could have the full head of hair they used to have or always desired. The options of color and style are endless, and the products are simple to use and guaranteed to work. There is no surgery or risk associated with this process. Gone are the days of the comb-over and wearing a hat all the time. This process can provide us with a chance to renew our self-confidence and refresh our expectations of aging and hair loss. Designed by hairstylists, these systems feel and, most importantly, look, like your hair. As a person who began losing his hair at the age of 20, I know what it feels like. I tried medication, treatments, and even surgery three times! None of it Thankfully,worked.I found this option and cannot describe the confidence boost it’s given me. Please don’t hesitate contact me today. hair

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 79 // // SPONSORED PROFILE //

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you Rickywant.Newton, Jr. .. Thinning?N Bald? Want your hair back? 1064 N 204th Ave. Elkhorn, NE 68022 rickynewtonjr.com402.515.4785 SPONSORED | SEPTEMBER 2022 // 79 // MISSION STATEMENT To celebrate the announcement of the 2023 “Best of” winners with an elegant, celebratory cocktail party. FEATURED EVENT A Night of The Best - The 2022 Soirée Hosted by Omaha Magazine DATE October 27, 2022 LOCATION The Leo Ballroom (Formerly Scoular Ballroom) 2027 Dodge St. Omaha, NE 68102 TIME 6-10 p.m. TICKET PRICING $60 Additionaleach ticket & table options available online. Sponsorships available. ATTIRE Chic attire is requested CONTACT INFO Omaha Magazine 5921 S 118th Cir. Omaha, NE localstubs.com/events/soiree2022omahamagazine.com402.884.200068137 OMAHA M AGAZINE’S

is Rollona // 80 // SEPTEMBER 2022 North Omaha teen churnssuccesssweet

Burns a’Ron

At 17 years old, a’Ron recently began his senior year at Central High School, balancing a hefty course load with the duties incumbent upon Nebraska’s youngest restaurateur. “We work with certain OPS and after-school programs, and when they hear that I’m still in school too, still in K-12, they gasp,” a’Ron said. “It really motivates them.” With a slender frame, easy stride, and boyish features, Burns initially appears out of step with the adults pumice-jawed contractors and seesaw-browed health inspectors among them surveying his parlor at 59th and Ames Avenue. This surface impression quickly evaporates. His outstretched hand shoos away any doubt of professionalism with a firm handshake; any concern regarding his business acumen hushed by tact ful speech. The enterprising teen has been studying more than his textbooks. “I was at home every single night, underneath my bed listening to e-books,” a’Ron recalled, “listening to probably the most influential figure of my life: Ray Kroc with McDonald’s, his story, everything about it, just drives me.”

Under Johnson’s guidance, Alexis stacked enough credit to reach for a desk-anchored pen and sign a business loan. Unfortunately, a soured contracting deal brought the company’s momentum to a screeching, heart-breaking stop. “I would just put on, like, gospel music, and I would just make a prayer every single night, ‘God, God please…’ a’Ron reflected, “then one night, my mom couldn’t take it any more…she had to exhaust all her credit cards; no revenue, nothing coming in. That per fect credit score she’d worked for...down the drain…we were done for, f inancially.”

Following a sequence of meetings many spent fine-tuning a’Ron’s self-proposed 10-year expansion plan Roll-N-Sweetz ulti mately received $95,000 via Carver Legacy, which allowed the young Kroc aspirant to pack and wrap his business with essential equipment and renovations. Shortly there after, he cut the ribbon and shared his gift with the public.

“I’ve been choosing my vision, my dream,” a’Ron said, remembering his apprehension and excitement prior to taking the leap, “I think that it started with embracing change.”

While community leaders have rallied around this issue for decades with many noting the 2022 appointment of Veta Jeffery to the Greater Omaha Chamber’s presidency a strong statement on the matter it’s a member of North Omaha’s youth who’s flourished the needle and set to work; his contributions not only layered and enticing, but much like his career, spun f rom scratch. “The difference with rolled ice cream is that it’s homemade, it’s not made in a plant or brought in on a truck,” explained a’Ron Burns, co-founder and COO of Burns Family LLC. As of June 11, 2022, a’Ron added another title proprietor of the country’s debut RollN-Sweetz Rolled Ice Cream shop. “We’re crafting it in front of our customers, for our customers.”

Between plotting the financial trajectory of Kroc’s golden arches, honing his leadership skills at a rolled ice cream shop downtown, and experiencing the full lifecycle of his peak-pandemic e-commerce store, a’Ron felt braced to strike out on his own.

Alexis spared no expense to stoke her son’s flash-fire ambition, not even her 401k. However, during Roll-N-Sweetz’ nascency, a series of snags threatened to tear the dream, and potentially the household, apart. Overcast with doubt, they reached for the phone. Clouds parted with a click when North Omaha financial coach and Budget to Success CEO Nicka Johnson lifted t he receiver. “I know what it’s like to work hard. I know what it’s like to to want to break those barri ers,” Johnson said. “When we had that con versation, and she broke down crying and said, ‘I want to do this for my son, you know, this is really for my son, and I want to support him and his dreams,’ I knew that’s all that mattered. Seeing her determination…I made sure I did whatever I could to support them.”

Entrepreneurship is really just a 10-dollar word for building relationships ideally, profitable ones. Luckily, a’Ron’s had a staunch ally by his side for over 17 years and counting: his loving mother, A lexis Burns.

GEN O

“A few close people really brought my dream into their dream…and we really think this is going to be our next step,” a’Ron said, the patchwork of community effort revealing, at last, the rich tapestry he’d envisioned for years. “When you’re in this space, there’s no roadblocks, you’re with all the people that ca n help you.” “It’s just generational curses being broken,” he said. Visit rollnsweetz.com for more information.

story by Julius Fredrick photography by Bill sitzmann i design by matt wieczorek

-Willie Barney

penly or not, most Omaha natives concede the historic “Gateway to the West” moniker remains a visible, filigreed part of the metro’s urban fabric; North and South Omaha on the fringes, comparatively overlooked for westward development.

“We’re really putting a new, contemporary spin on something from our culture…‘It takes a village,’ Lynnell added, “and we see North Omaha as a corridor for that...if we’re apart from each other, we can’t make the impact we need.”

That’s when Johnson made a call of her own. This time, Empowerment Network Founder and President Willie Barney answered. “At a very young age, he didn’t just work at a place, he learned the operations, he took the time to study, learn research, and then he was able to say, ‘OK, I’m going to put my business plan together,’” Willie said, seated with his wife, Yolanda, and the Rev. Drs. Martin and Lynnell Williams of Ambassadors Worship Center the right angles of North Omaha’s restored fiscal cornerstone, the Carver Legacy Center. “He’s a sharp, brilliant, young man.”

“At a very young age, he didn’t just work at a place, he learned the operations, he took the time to study, learn research, and then he was able to say, ‘OK, I’m going to put my business plan together,’”

Thom Sibbitt (left) and Django Greenblatt-Seay (right) reflecting on the team’s amazing commitment to each other and the Benson community, on and o ff the field

The idea to revive the baseball program came from Dan Kenny, former University of Nebraska at Omaha baseball player who previously coached at North High and is now a physical education teacher at Benson, who earned the blessing of Athletic Director and Assistant Principal Melinda Bailey. Kenny recruited Sibbitt, Benson’s industrial technol ogy teacher, as assistant coach, between their two classes, they started stumping for players from which they got 28 takers, enough for varsity and junior varsity squads.

“Family” is an apt term to describe the Benson Mighty Bunnies and its rag-tag group of recruits who, this year, revived the school’s baseball program after a sevenyear absence three years co-opting with North High’s program and four with no representation at all. The squad, as long on enthusiasm as they were short on formal baseball experience, took its lumps on the field while demonstrating camaraderie and school spirit. Everywhere one looks on the baseball team as with much of the Benson student body one sees underdogs, dream ers, and long-shots. Sibbitt said Benson’s students lead or are near the top of Omaha Public Schools in several demographic cat egories, including percentage of refugees, students receiving free and reduced lunches (96%), and most languages spoken (11). At 1,500 students it’s also the smallest of OPS high schools, on the cusp between Class A and Class B athletic clas sification.

Sibbitt, who was prepared to make do with $1,500 if he could get it, could now equip the entire team with two sets of jerseys, bats, gloves, hats, and cleats plus snacks and meals for t ravel days.

The team went winless but steadily improved through the school season, so much so that after Sibbitt wrangled additional spon sors to get the squad into summer league play, they promptly won their first two games. Benson baseball has a ways to go, but it’s moving in the right direction. The squad’s lone senior, Eh Tha Ku, wrote to thank donors, telling them the experience was “Eveneverything.whenwelose a game…to us, it improves and makes understanding the game a little easier,” he wrote. “I love every moment I spend with the team.”

“Most teams say ‘One, two, three, Titans,’ or ‘One, two, three, win,’” Sibbitt said. “In every sport at Benson it’s ‘One, two, three, family.’ That is the way it is done at Benson. It’s a culture of solidarity and the desire to fight, to compete. It is a shared desire. It’s kind of beautiful, you know?”

Benson Revives More Than Baseball

SEPTEMBER // 83 // 2022

“For Coach Kinney, Ms. Bailey and I, it was emotional,” Sibbitt said. “We knew we were going to be able to let these guys step onto the field with a sens e of pride.” It would be nice to say the gear was the catalyst to a Cinderella run to the state playoffs, but such was not the case. Only a few of the Bunnies had ever played organized baseball. Unlike their competition, many of whom had taken private lessons, Benson’s baseball lessons were very public. As was thei r character. “I went to one game and watched Benson lose to Auburn 45-1, I think,” Greenblatt-Seay said. “But it was amazing how those kids were still finding joy in the positive things that happened. [Auburn] had 20 runs in an inning, it was still, ‘All right, just one more! Just throw a strike!’ Fifteen errors into the game and they’re still saying, ‘The team’s got your back!’”

Visit bensonhighathletics.com for more information.

“For Coach Kinney, Ms. Bailey and I, it was emotional. We knew we were going to be able to let these guys step onto the field with a sense of pride.” -Thom Sibbitt t doesn’t take much to hear the emotion rise in Thom Sibbitt’s voice when speaking about the 2022 Benson baseball team, the words sticking like burrs in his throat. Bunnies

I The Bad News

“Our baseball team easily is the most diverse team I’ve ever seen in the state,” Sibbitt said. “We have Karen [Myanmar] kids, we have African immigrant students. Of course, your traditional Omaha demographics Latino, African American. What we all share is we’re a very low-income to working-class school.”

A problem, however, almost immediately pre sented itself the school’s baseball equipment was unusable, and most players didn’t come from households with extra cash for gloves, cleats, or bats. Sibbitt, a member of two local fast-pitch baseball teams for adults, sent out a call for donations over social media that reached one of his teammates. “One day Thom posted a photo of a few old baseball gloves on Instagram and implored anybody who followed him to help contrib ute to these kids at Benson,” said Django Greenblatt-Seay, creative manager for City+Ventures. “I know a lot of good people who would be excited to support that type of cause if they just knew about it.”

SPORTS // STORY BY DWAIN HEBDA // PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH LEMKE // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

Greenblatt-Seay shared the post and put his money where his mouth was, making a donation to Sibbitt’s Venmo account. Almost immediately people followed suit, quickly raising about $4,000. Word also reached the Seline Family Foundation, which donated an additional $7,500.

SOLAR JUSTPROJECTVILLAGEISTHESTARTOFSHININGTHELIGHT For expanded content, open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code above.

After spending his early years exploring acting roles at Omaha’s Community Playhouse, Mierendorf headed to Trinity University in San Antonio to pursue studies in theater.

When Christopher Reeve was ready to begin work again after a catastrophic accident left the Superman actor permanently paralyzed from the neck down he returned to the call sheet with the Emmy Award-winning film Without Pity, written and directed by Mierendorf. The film sought to amplify the voices of disabled Americans and was a project Reeves was proud to be a part of.

Mierendorf has worked on a number of suc cessful documentaries, including Broken Child, Deadly Memories, and Losing it All . Each addition to his filmography underscores the director’s ability to connect audiences with the journey of his subjects. While filmmaking proved a successful venture for Mierendorf, he desired to buoy his skill to something tangible. Determined to do just that, he utilized his talent and profile to help create equity, stability, and ultimately, a more connected and compassionate community. He worked on the United Way board in New Jersey, and after returning to Omaha to care for his mother, received the Heart and Soul Award from the metro’s Stephen Center.

“I HAD A BACKGROUND IN SOLAR ENERGY. THAT WAS IT, THAT WAS WHAT I HAD TO OFFER, SO I TRIED TO FIND A WAY TO USE IT. WE STARTED AN INDIEGOGO TO RAISE MONEY AND MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT AND INSTALLED 100 SOLAR HOME SYSTEMS IN THE VILLAGE.” —JOE KSELMAN find a way to use it,” Kselman recalled. “We started an IndieGoGo [an online crowdfund ing platform] to raise money, and my wife and I bought and installed 100 solar home systems in t he Removingvillage.”thevillage’s reliance on an unstable grid and outrageous utility bills meant freedom for those first hundred households. For six years, Kselman and his wife continued pas sionately fundraising and lighting the village, one home at a time. The project, the board, and the funding grew, with only one puzzle piece still missing: an effective way to get the word out. That’s when Mierendorf volunteered his award-winning services to t he mission. “I have worked with hundreds of volunteers, but Michael was a game changer. He’s tre mendously talented and just as generous,” Kselman noted of Mierendorf. “His ability to clearly communicate with our cinematog rapher in India, during COVID, mind you, so entirely via shared documents and Zoom calls, really made this film. But the way he could see and capture these people we were trying to help, without ever meeting them, really proves that beyond talented, beyond professional, he’s a passionate and compas sionate human being.”

“My Grandfather fled his home in 1939 when Nazis annexed Austria,” Kselman said. “He could only get to India on his visa.”

PROFILE STORY BY SARA LOCKE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

“After the war, he came to the States and had my mom,” he continued. “I grew up with his incredible stories about India and felt a real connection. When I finally traveled there in 2012, I was amazed by the beauty, but also by just how impoverished the untouchable caste villages Knowingwere.”hewas there for a reason, Kselman analyzed his repertoire for ways to make a sus tainable difference in the place he had grown to love. His eureka moment didn’t involve a single lightbulb flickering to life it involved thousa nds of them. “I had a background in Solar Energy. That was it, that was what I had to offer, so I tried to ichael Mierendorf knows how to turn a moment, a mood, and a mission into a movement, and he’s using this power for good. The Emmy Award-winning filmmaker has spent years illuminating important issues and causes, revealing often overlooked narratives under the limelight now powered by solar.

Beyond the awards, Mierendorf’s stewardship yielded invaluable experience and established him as a leader in his field. His next mission would require all of his skills.

The film in question, Solar Village Project , compresses generations of struggle, years of effort, and boundless hope into a beautifully conducted nine-and-a-half minutes. In just three TikTok videos, viewers can meet the teachers, doctors, and citizens who are find ing a light at the end of a very dark tunnel. They can explore the hospitals and schools given the power to function and discover ways to become part of a sustainable and long-overdue change.

“I think the early theater training was good. It gave me a good sense of storytelling and communication,” Mierendorf said. “I orig inally wanted to be on that side of the lens, but I quickly figured out that acting was too far removed from real life. I didn’t want to perform scripts. I wanted direct contact with the Afterworld.”graduating with a degree in psychol ogy and a minor in TV and film, Mierendorf narrowed his depth of field, finding success as an investigative journalist and documen tarian. He was among the first on the ground covering post-war Vietnam, compassionately covered the AIDS crisis, and chronicled war and famine in Africa with devastating clarity.

A Light Mission

While looking for volunteer opportunities on Taproot (an online job board), Mierendorf made a connection with Joe Kselman. Their backgrounds sparked a mutual interest.

Visit SolarVillageProject.org for more information.

RENDERING MEANINGFUL CHANGE

SEPTEMBER // 85 // 2022

// 86 // SEPTEMBER 2022 story sean mccarthy photography bill sitzmann design matt wieczorek

CitizensHelpingProfitFromInformation New Journalism Format Fills Gaps FEATURE SEPTEMBER 2022 // 87 //

att Wynn and Matthew Hansen were looking for a place to get a sustain able lunch on a warm Friday before Memorial Day, but had to settle for a busy coffeehouse. Hungry stomachs didn’t dull their enthusiasm for talking about how to save the field of journalism. At the Little Bohemia location of Archetype Coffee, they spoke about their nonprofit news organization, Flatwater Free Press, with the fervor of two tech-loving entre preneurs who created a startup set to rev olutionize a n industry. Their optimism is a rarity in an industry that has had little to be cheerful about over the past 20 years. The holdout loyalists of print newspaper have likely bemoaned at the thinning product of papers like the Omaha World-Herald . Those who complain too loudly, should note that Omaha is one city that still has a daily print paper. A Nov. 30, 2021, article in the Washington Post reported that more than 2,200 local newspapers have shuttered since 2005. It’s a grim reality for an industry that, according to a Pew Research report in May, stated total weekday circulation for local papers has fallen 40% since 2015. The report did offer a glimmer of hope, stating that digital circulation increased by 30% in 2020. The numbers, however, have not been enough to prevent mass ive layoffs. Media commentators routinely blame the newspaper industry for getting themselves into this state, claiming most were too slow to respond to the rise of the Internet. Most newspapers waffled between cre ating a paywall (limiting the number of stories a person can read for free), or let ting people read their content for free. A growing number of news organizations, especially new ones, have decided to move away from a for-profit, advertising-based business model, and treat the institute of journalism as a public trust. Three local organizations Flatwater Free Press, the Nebraska Examiner, and NOISE have gone the nonprofit route. Each of these news organizations gives their content away for free. For-profit media out lets that want to run one of their stories need only provide a citation or follow a few simple steps on one of their websites. If people like what they’re reading, they are obviously free to donate.

M Mat thew Hansen, Editor

of Flatwate r Free Press

“‘Get the journalism right every time’... I try to let that be my North Star as we do this stuff.” -Matthew Hansen “We’ll continue to shine a light and give a voice to people who need to be heard,” Davis Flatwatersaid.Free Press and NOISE have part nered to train the next generation of journal ists. In June, the two organizations co-hosted the grand opening of the Omaha Journalism Project, which aims to train students in the field of journalism. One class involves a sixweek program about reporting and social media, and in the fall, a course will be offered on podcasting. Davis hopes to train enough community journalists so that each student could assume their own beat to cover for a news publication. As a reader, it can be difficult to keep track of the news reported by outlets like Flatwater Free Press, the Nebraska Examiner, and NOISE. Fortunately, there’s an organization that broadcasts Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings on Facebook and YouTube. The subscrip tion-based outlet 1st Sky Omaha routinely brings on reporters from Flatwater Free Press, The Reader, and NOISE to talk about the stories they’r e covering.

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The story made national headlines, and local and national media figures came to NOISE’s defense. In July 2021, the governor’s office reversed its decision and approved press credentials to NOISE. Davis praised the outpouring of support, specifically from Nebraska Examiner senior reporter Paul Hammel, but would prefer mainstream outlets devote more time to cover the issues NOISE covers.

“I try to let that be my North Star as we do this stuff,” he said. The majority of donations to Flatwater Free Press come from foundations. According to its 2021 budget, the Nebraska Journalism Trust, the 501(c)(3) charity that publishes Flatwater Free Press, had almost $800,000 in donations from foundations. About $80,000 came from individual contribu tors. Wynn is also the executive director of the Nebraska Journalism Trust. Wynn said fundraising is his primary full-time job but having survived newsrooms for the past 20 years was more of a challenge than fundraising cou ld ever be.

FEATUREhelping citizens

Allen chose to hang around Omaha and help put together a radio station for the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation. In 2016, he helped assemble Mind & Soul, a morn ing radio show focused on North Omaha issues. Along with spoken word artist Michelle Troxclair, longtime TV anchor Michael Scott hosted the morning show. In 2020, following a leadership change at the Malcolm X Memorial Foundation, the morning show ceased op erations

Sitting in the break room of a largely vacant second floor filled with renovated meeting rooms and glass-enclosed offices, NOISE President and Executive Director Myles A. Davis said his organization was focused on community journalism. That, he said, is differ ent from what he dubbed “activist journalism,” which pushes readers toward a certain goal. “We want to give them [NOISE’s readers] all the information they need in order to be engaged,” Davis said. “Their level of engage ment or type of engagement is up to them.”

After winning several awards for his WorldHerald columns, Hansen joined the Buffet Early Childhood Institute as managing editor in While2019.at the World-Herald and USA Today, Wynn took notice at the growing number of nonprofit journalism organizations. Wynn said the movement really took off during the financial crisis of 2008. He was interested in starting a nonprofit journalism organization in Nebraska, but didn’t want to repeat the mistakes of earlier nonprofit startups.

Paul B. Allen IV sits at the bar of the Benson Theatre as a few students from Metropolitan Community College film a day in his life.

“I came in…shorts and flip-flops, “Allen said. “I was like ‘What did I do?’”

Inspired by the talk, Hansen wrote, “Get the journalism right every time” on a sticky note. Shortly after, Hansen’s wife food blogger and former World-Herald food writer Sarah Baker Hansen framed that note for him.

“Fundraising for journalism is the right thing to do,” Wynn said. “It’s right where I want to be.”

Allen is the founder of 1st Sky Omaha and communications director at the Benson Theatre. Before moving to Omaha, Allen lived in California and Hawaii, but came to Omaha in 2010 to spend time with his grandfather who had cancer. Allen remem bered flying into Omaha during a blizzard.

“It’s the future of journalism,” said Wynn, executive director at Flatwater Free Press. Matthew Hansen is the publication’s editor.

The two worked together at the Omaha World-Herald in the early 2010s. They had cubicles close to one another and routinely talked all things journalism. Wynn left the World-Herald in 2016, and in 2018, he became the deputy data editor at USA Today

Wynn and Hansen studied nonprofit news outlets in Wyoming, South Dakota, and Oklahoma for almost a year before forming Flatwater Free Press in a similar vein. During a conversation with Hansen, Jack Marsh, co-founder of the nonprofit South Dakota News Watch, gave him the following advice: “Get the journalism right every time, and essentially everything else flows from that.”

Davis said NOISE began with a $25,000 donation from the Weitz Family Foundation and have also received more than $5,000 in donations from the Sherwood Foundation and the American Journalism Project. As executive director, Davis estimated he spends 80% of his time fundraising. He also esti mated the NOISE staff spend 30% of their time fundraising to continue the organiza tion’s operations and continued growth. In April 2021, Gov. Pete Ricketts’ office denied press credentials to NOISE to cover his press briefings. Taylor Gage, then Ricketts’ director of strategic communications, said NOISE was not a mainstream news organi zation and was “an advocacy organization funded by liberal donors.”

Flatwater Free Press and the Nebraska Examiner are two of the newer nonprofit news outlets in the state. North Omaha Information Support Everyone (NOISE) began in 2018 and covers news issues directly related to North Omaha, operating out of a few offices in the historic Redfield Building at 1901 Howard St.

“One of our goals is to cover what’s under-cov ered or uncovered now,” Folsom said. Hammel, senior reporter at the Nebraska Examiner, has seen the newspaper indus try’s decline during his 30 years at the World-Herald . In a phone interview from his Lincoln home, Hammel said when he joined the World-Herald in 1990, there were about seven full-time reporters that were dedicated to business report ing. There was one reporter who was just focused on the environment, and at least two full-time reporters worked in their Linc oln bureau.

FEATURE helping citizens A

The Nebraska Examiner was the organi zation that broke the story about eight women who accused former gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster of sexual mis conduct. While the majority of the women asked to remain anonymous, Republican State Sen. Julie Slama went on the record, stating she was groped by Herbster during a dinner for the Douglas County Republican Party. Written by Aaron Sanderford, the story was widely believed to be the reason why Herbster–backed by former president llen wanted to continue doing community-based journalism, so he formed 1st Sky Omaha in 2021. He started live broadcast ing a morning news show on Facebook with Troxclair and Mark McGaugh, better known as Buddi3 Da Gawd. 1st Sky Omaha now livestreams on Twitter and YouTube in addition to Facebook. Throughout the May primaries, local candi dates came on to answer questions from the hosts as well as those posted by virtual spec tators. Affectionally dubbed “chat chimers,” listeners react in a real-time setting to the topics of the morning. While heavily focused on the news, Allen said 1st Sky Omaha is primarily a discussion group for the stories uncovered by organizations like NOISE and Flatwater Free Press. “We take the headlines and break down stuff, read between the lines, discuss it, and feature the articles from those groups,” Allen said. To fund the ad-free content on 1st Sky Omaha, Allen has set up a subscription ser vice on PayPal. He’s also applied for grants and teamed with other organizations like the Omaha Institute For Nonprofit Journalism. Allen said he preferred the nonprofit busi ness model, but it’s still in its early stages of development and much could be improved. One of the biggest areas of improvement includes finding more experienced individ uals to navigate the nonprofit landscape in order to secure more funding, Allen said. Finding funds to keep nonprofits afloat is arguably the biggest challenge these news organizations face. Fortunately for the Nebraska Examiner, they have been given the resources to operate a staff of four full-time individuals for three years from States Newsroom, a North Carolina-based nonprofit dedicated to covering state gov ernment issues. All four staffers are former World-Herald stalwarts. Cate Folsom is the editor-in-chief of the Nebraska Examiner. She began her career at the World-Herald in 1979 as a reporter for the Living section, which Folsom pointed out was then called “Women’s News.” In a telephone interview from her Omaha home, Folsom recalled how different technology was in her early reporting life.

“We take the headlines and break down stuff, read between the lines, discuss it, and feature the articles from those groups.”

“It was a hopping place,” Hammel said. “There’d be people working there until 10 o’clock at night on a Friday night to put out not only the Saturday paper, but the Sunday Hammel’spaper.”focus is on state and local gov ernment, which was his primary beat while at the World-Herald . Hammel brings nearly three decades of deep, established sources to The Nebraska Examiner, which helped them scoop most of the established news out lets this past January when Hammel, along with reporters Cindy Gonzalez and Aaron Sanderford, wrote about Mutual of Omaha’s plan to build a new headquarters on the site of the downtown public library. While the Mutual of Omaha story made big headlines, Hammel was just as happy publishing stories that major news outlets are likely to overlook, such as a March 3 story about a large percentage of applicants who were snubbed for grants from the state’s Environmental Trust.

In June 2012, Folsom became the WorldHerald ’s metro editor. In 2018, she was inducted into the Omaha Press Club Hall of Fame. In 2019, she retired from the World-Herald , and for a few months, she went to hot air balloon festivals with her husband, John Folsom. The retirement didn’t last long. She was approached by Paul Hammel in 2021, just as he was leav ing the World-Herald , ending his tenure which beg an in 1990. Hammel had learned about States Newsroom from the Iowa Capital Dispatch and their ability to attract veteran reporters from the Des Moines Register. As of July 2022, States Newsroom has 28 state nonprofit news organizations across the country, the Iowa Capital Dispatch among them and Nebraska the 26th newsroom to fall under the orga nization’s umbrella of news outlets. Folsom said she was intrigued by States Newsroom’s nonprofit business model and their dedica tion to policy-based new s coverage.

// 90 // SEPTEMBER 2022

In 1986, Folsom was assigned to the Washington bureau. When it came time to file her story, she had to write her copy on a TRS-80, which Folsom said was rou tinely known as a “trash 80” by fellow reporters. The device was smaller than a laptop of today, and Folsom could only see seven lines of text. When she was done with her story, she had to go to a phone booth at the press gallery, place the headset into the TRS-80, and send the story over the “Thingsphone.aredifferent today,” Folsom quipped.

“We’re a feisty little news organization that tries to cover things that aren’t being covered any more,” H ammel said. This past May, Flatwater Free Press wrote about Vinebrook Homes, an Ohio-based company that had purchased more than 250 homes in the Omaha metro area since October 2019. Virtually unknown three years ago, the organization is now one of the biggest landlords in the state. The story started with Matt Wynn just wanting to know about every piece of property that had been sold in Douglas County over the past few years. “It’s data reporting 101,” Wynn said.

-Paul B. Allen IV

Matt Wynn, Executive Director of Flatwate r Free Press

Donald Trump–lost the election to Jim Pillen, who was actively supported by fellow Republican, Gov. Pete Ricketts. During the night of the May primary, Hammel was present at Herbster’s campaign event. People he’d known and covered for years made little effort to mask their anger toward the Nebrask a Examiner. “They came up and said, ‘You guys killed our guy…unfairly,’” Hammel said. “They saw it as part of some grand conspiracy that had been cooked up by the Ricketts people; we saw it as not a very well-kept secret.”

In a phone interview from its headquar ters in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, States Newsroom Deputy Director Andrea Verykoukis said her organization gen erally has a “hands off” editorial policy among its 28 news organizations. The only time Verykoukis envisioned States Newsroom involving themselves in the day-to-day operations of publications like the Nebraska Examiner is if they begin straying away from reporting primarily on state government issues. Other than that, she trusts the loc al experts. “Cate knows what Nebraskans need to read about their state government,” Verykoukis said. “Our whole goal is to have readers be able to access high-quality, nonpartisan news about their state government, because we believe that state government touches most people’s daily lives the most of any level, and that’s where the coverage was going away the most.”

Visit flatwaterfreepress.org, noiseomaha.com, 1stskyomaha.com, or nebraskaexaminer.com for more information.

One Woman’s Helping Hand

Nearly six years later, midnight was approaching in Ukraine, and Russian tanks were maneuvering in forested darkness by the dacha (Russian for lake house or summer cottage) where Shchoholeva hid just outside the city. Russians were firing huge cannons. It was so loud. Shchoholeva stared crying. She reached for her mobile phone and tapped out a message to Lytle: “I think I am going to die tonight .” // STORY BY ANDREW J. NELSON Photography by Bill Sitzmann // Design by Matt Wieczorek

theAidingUkraine

I FEATURE

SEPTEMBER // 93 // 2022

t was an otherwise uneventful early March afternoon in Omaha. Kelly Lytle was in her living room texting with a friend in Eas tern Europe. That’s unexceptional, as things go. Lytle, then 49, had spent much of her adult life immersed in the region, helping its people, particularly orphans, and has many cont acts there.

The friend she’s texting is Iryna Shchoholeva, 22, who is like a daughter to Lytle. Shchoholeva is Ukrainian, and the Russians were moving into her city. In 2016, Shchoholeva had spent the summer with Lytle and Lytle’s family in Omaha. She did many of the things 16-yearolds in Omaha do: eat soft-serve ice cream at Runza, go to the zoo, shop at Westroads Mall for clothes.

aid Lytle: “I’m 7 thousand miles away. And I have absolutely nothing, not one thing, I can do–not one but pray, and message her all through that night, to be with her that way, and to tell her…‘you are as much my daughter as if I had given birth to you. And I love you. And I will always love you. And we will be toget her again.’”

“We were watching her city...We were watching on this little TV with her, the overthrow of this communist government that had tortured her family and caused them to be refugees.”

Lytle lived in Eastern Europe, made mul tiple trips to Ukraine to assist children in orphanages there, and adopted three boys from Ukraine who are now adults in the Omaha area. But getting Shchoholeva to the United States and safety would present challenges she had never dealt with before. Lytle grew up in Bradenton, on Florida’s west coast. As a child, she, her mother, and her siblings escaped her abusive, drun k en father. At age 16, Lytle got a job in a bridal shop. She met a seamstress there, a refugee f rom Romania. They became friends (and remain so). Lytle was with the woman and her family in their little apartment as she watched the overthrow of Romania’s communist gov ernment in 1989. “We were watching her city…We were watching on this little TV with her, the overthrow of this communist government that had tortured her family and caused them to be refugees,” Lytle said. “So that probably had a huge impact on me.”

Eastern Europe, however, never left Lytle. Becoming a freelance writer and communi cations consultant in Omaha, her efficiency left her with some time on her hands. She approached John Jeanetta, who was the U.S. coordinator for a partnership between the cities of Omaha and Artemivsk (now named Bakhmut) in easte rn Ukraine.

Chernihiv, population nearly 300,000, is on the main highway from Belarus to Kiev, key to the Russian advance in the early days of the war. At the dacha, the days were quiet but the nights terrifying. “It was the worst. They did a lot of shoot ing at night,” Shchoholeva said, sitting in a Starbuck’s in Omaha in June, with Lytle translating Shchoholeva’s Russian into English. “Everyone slept very badly because you never knew when the next bombs would come.”

FEATURE // AIDING THE UKRAINE S

-Kelly Lytle

Shchoholeva, like Lytle’s sons, grew up with her brother in an orphanage. Born in a village near the city of Chernihiv, in northern Ukraine. Her mother was dead. Her father was missing and presumed (and, later confi rmed) dead. She entered Lytle’s life through a program where orphans could spend the summer in the United States or Western Europe. She initially stayed with a family in Texas but when that didn’t work out, a friend of Lytle’s asked if Shchoholeva could stay with the family. “Of course.” “She stayed with us over the summer and just became part of the family,” Lytle said. “She’s marvelous.” They remained close after Shchoholeva returned to Ukraine. Shchoholeva went to college, earning the Ukrainian equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in business. She got a job with the Puma c orporation

Lytle “had a transformative impact on those systems over there,” Je anetta said. It was the orphanages where Lytle felt most connected, having been a vulnerable chi ld herself. “What I saw was that the need in Ukraine was…as great or greater than it had been for Romania in the 1990s, especially for vul nerable kids,” Lytle said. “And that really is my soft spot, f or orphans.”

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 95 //

Lytle started Operation Ukraine, a volun teer organization working with orphanages. She adopted three boys, at ages 8, 9, and 16. They are now 22, 23, and 30.

The night she texted Lytle might not even have been the worst. Once, a neighboring dacha was hit by a shell, causing its collapse. Once the shelling stopped, Shchoholeva and her friends ran out, removed wreckage and freed the family trapped on the ground floor. Th ey Shchoholevasurvived.andher friends knew they had to leave. Stuffing themselves in an old Hyundai, it took three attempts before they finally made it to Lviv, near the Polish border. What should have been a seven-hour drive took three-and- a-half days. Shchoholeva split up with her friends, crossed into Poland on a bus, and stayed in an Airbnb efficiency apartment Lytle rented for her in Krakow

In May 2005, she traveled with Jeanetta to Artemivsk, visiting a trio of orphanages and a children’s hospital. It was the first of many trips. “Kelly toured all those different places…and figured out what they needed besides cloth ing and vitamins and cribs,” Je anetta said. The hospital needed an industrial-sized washer, water heaters, and mattresses not made of straw. She talked to donors.

In November, Lytle made her most recent trip to Ukraine, visiting the city of Bakhmut and also Shchoholeva. They talked of her possibly studying English at University of Nebraska at Omaha to help her get into graduate Shchoholevaschool.didn’t believe war would come. Life was so normal in Chernihiv. How could there be war? On the night of Feb. 23, she went out with friends, going to bed at 4 a.m. An air-raid siren blared one hour later. She called Lytle, who told her to grab doc uments, clothes, and food. Shchoholeva stayed with a family friend at a dacha 15 minutes fr om the city.

Lytle attended the University of South Florida in nearby Tampa, studying interna tional development with a focus on Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. After graduation, she lived in Budapest and worked for an organization analyzing aid coming into Eastern Europe, interviewing recipients. Lytle’s mother moved to Omaha. Lytle returned to Florida for graduate school, aspiring to move to New York City. But in 2001, her mother was diagnosed with lung cancer. “I always like to say I took a sharp left on the map,” she said. “I ended up staying in Omaha.”

Shchoholeva loved learning English at UNO, making new friends from all ove r the Lytleworld.isinthe process of bringing a 37-yearold woman and her 13-year-old daughter to Omaha. She knows the family from her travels to Bakhmut, the eastern Ukrainian city Omaha has partnered with – the woman is the oldest sister of Lytle’s oldest son. The mother is getting a passport, a slow process with so many Ukrainians trying to get them. The woman’s husband is not able to leave because of the war. Lytle says: “Their city is being destroyed. They won’t be able to go back.”

// 96 // SEPTEMBER

“We had a good long cry,” Lytle said. “And we didn’t know what the plan was.” She could not leave Shchoholeva alone, not at the edge of a war zone. “I couldn’t just lose her to the chaos of war,” Lytle said. “And that was a real p ossibility.”

The next step was a train to Warsaw. The Krakow station was glutted with people flee ing Ukraine. “I’ve never been standing in a sea of new war refugees,” Lytle said. “It was just masses of people with one backpack or one plastic bag of stuff…it’s all these single moms and young people and all these families without their men except for their gr andparents.” Word was the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw was overwhelmed. So Lytle and Shchoholeva flew from Warsaw to Riga, Latvia, and got an expedited appointment at the U.S. Embassy there. Shchoholeva received a tourist visa and arrived at Eppley Airfi eld April 2. She is now in an accelerated English pro gram at UNO and living with Lytle and her famil y in Omaha. As Lytle’s 50th birthday loomed this summer, she asked friends and loved ones to donate to a Ukrainian cause rather than buy a gift. Or, if not that, a cause import ant to “It’sthem.niceto have people respect you for being a good person. But that’s not why [I] do it,” she said. “I get such joy and such fulfillment from having been able to help people…I hope I can have as many more [birthdays] as possible so I can keep doing this.” That passion, Jeanetta said, has allowed Lytle to mitigate an otherwise dreary exis tence for children in Ukrainian orphanages. “The lives that Kelly has impacted through basically her volunteer work in Ukraine over the past 20 years, I couldn’t even begin to calculate the number of people who have benefited,” he said. “She has truly transformed the lives of the people she has touched. ShchoholevaDeeply.”saidshe would like to return to Ukraine. Her brother is there. She doesn’t know when that will be or what will be waiting for her when the t ime comes.

From left: Iryna Shchoholeva and Kelly Lytle 2022 ytle booked herself a Omaha-Chicago-Munich-Krakow.flight,ShemetShchoholevaattheAirbnb.

FEATURE // AIDING THE UKRAINE L

Update: Iryna Shchoholeva has returned to Ukraine, leaving Omaha on July 25. The reason can be summed up in one word: homesickness. “She got back to Chernihiv and she’s staying with a friend and her sister who live in a very small apartment,” Lytle said. “I think she is glad to be back with her friends. She sent me a lot of pictures of the destruction in Chernihiv. I think that was eye opening for her…The biggest challenge now is to find work of some sort.” That could be tough. The Ukrainian National Bank estimates the unemploy ment rate there to be 35%, according to the Kyiv Post. Rents are sky-high in safer cities because that is where everyone wants to be. “It’s rough. Life is a struggle, that’s for sure,” Lytle said. “The war has totally destroyed the economy...Food availability in cities is getting tighter and tighter, and with winter coming there is a lot of fear as to what this is going to be like.”

“ It was just masses of people with one backpack or one plastic bag of stuff...It’s all these single moms and young people and all these families without their men except for grandparents.their”KellyLytle

ADVENTURE | STORY BY

DIEFRIENDS,FOOD,ANDFUNINSOUTHERNCALIFORNIADESIGNBYMATTWIECZOREKLAUGHING DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN

// 98 // SEPTEMBER 2022

The evening of Thursday, May 5, Wade strode into the house from his part-time job with purpose. “You ready?” he asked as he grabbed the packed carry-on. We flew out of Omaha to L.A., arriving at a respectable-enough hour to spend time with our friends and gracious hosts, Heather and her significant other, Scottie R ubens Solis. We awoke ready for anything the next morning. Wade asked several times during the vacation’s planning stage what I wanted to do in L.A. My response was always, “This is your trip, I don’t care. The worst-case scenario is we spend three days with Scottie and Heather.” Wade had never visited the West Coast and wanted to see the ocean. Our friends drove us to Santa Monica Pier as it opened for the day, and, in the rela tive quiet of the late morning, we walked the pier and viewed the Pacific Ocean. We ate lunch at Del Frisco’s Grille looking out at the pier and water, then visited the new Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The exhibits included characters such as R2D2, and a 1942 model of Bugs Bunny. Looking at the figure of the cartoon char acter, I realized it was older than my par ents. Another area showed costumes rang ing from “Dorothy’s” ruby slippers to the gold Gustav Klimt-inspired robe from Bram Stoker’s Dracula . Oscar statues from the 1920s to the 2000s gleamed behind glass cases, and, from the fourth-floor balcony, we could view the landscape sign reading “HOLLYWOOD.”Thetriptothemuseum ended in time to arrive promptly at Die Laughing Film Festival, held in a two-stage performing arts theater called The Complex. We attended a meet-and-greet of the other screenwriters and watched a couple of short films before returning to Heather and Scottie’s house for the night. The event was different from our noted festival experience of Omaha Film Festival, which features more than 100 films, and, prepandemic, several after parties for networking and socializing. Die Laughing Film Festival featured one stage that screened films and one stage on which readings were performed. There were no movie snacks to munch on during shows, and no drinks with fellow filmmakers and writers afterward, but it was still lots of fun. We ate breakfast with our hosts Saturday before driving around L.A. en route to the festival. I made one request for this trip: to see The Viper Room, the nightclub frequented by 1990s A-listers and site of River Phoenix’s 1993 tragic death the night before he was to shoot his scenes for Interview with the Vampire Heather drove us down Highland Avenue past the Hollywood Bowl and Hollywood High School, around past Universal Studios, and down Sunset Boulevard, where we saw the famous clubs: Whiskey a Go-Go, Laugh Factory, The Rainbow Room, and The Viper Saturday’sRoom.festival ran from 2-10 p.m., and the screenplay portion consisted of eight readings held in two rounds of four. This was the first time Wade heard his written words performed, and I could hear the joy in his voice as he thanked the actors. Awards were presented at the end of the festival, and, to our surprise, Wade’s screenplay won one of about five screenplay awards; his was for Be st Dialogue. We flew back to Omaha Sunday following a few hours of conversation and laughter with our friends. Although short, our time in L.A. allowed us to live the life we love: full of friends, good food, and film. Visit dielaughingfilmfestival.com for more information.

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 99 // Jeremy “Wade” Rodman said one Satur day in mid-April. I stood in the shower, water running over me, as I heard these words. Thinking the house was on fire, I dried off enough to not drip through the house and ran into the bedroom, franti cally pulling on pants, shirt, shoes. “You don’t need shoes, we’re just going to the basement. You have to see this, though,” Wade said, holding out my lime-green bath robe. Thoroughly confused, I wrapped the brightly colored material around my body and raced downstairs behind my normally calm-as-a-y ogi husband. “Look!” Wade exclaimed, pointing to the computer screen. There, on his page on the website filmfreeway.com, was the word “Accepted” on the icon for “Die Laughing Fil m Festival.” My husband, who normally works in location sound and cannot spell the word “ambulance,” used the slower pace of 2020 to write a screenplay. It was based on the story of himself and his 20-something punk/goth/grunge friends, engaging in all the shenanigans 20-somethings did in the 1990s. He then quietly submitted the screenplay to a couple of small film festivals. One of those featured comedic-horror and horror films, and Wade’s screenplay about a road trip with a Weekend at Bernie’s twist fit Neitherperfectly.ofus had ever visited Los Angeles. Our friend Heather Jack had lived there since the 1990s, and often asked when I was coming to see her. That mid-April Saturday, my phone rang as Wade produced sound for a film in Lincoln. “Oh. My. God,” Heather said by way of greeting. “You’re coming to L.A.” Wade rarely posts on, and Heather rarely views, social media, but fates aligned that day. “We’re coming to L.A.,” I confirmed.

“DAISY, COME QUICKLY,

THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME WADE HEARD HIS WRITTEN WORDS PERFORMED, AND I COULD HEAR THE JOY IN HIS VOICE AS HE THANKED THE ACTORS.

South Omaha Church Supports Immigrant Community

STORY BY LEO ADAM BIGA // PHOTO PROVIDED // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK efore Russia’s invasion of Ukraine made headlines, Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church in Omaha served its small, tight-knit community with lit tle fanfare. That’s changed as sympathizers and media give attention to this tiny, but mighty, parish at 16th and Martha Streets. Since the start of hostilities, Assumption has welcomed visitors from near and far wishing to show solidarity with the Ukrainian community. Banners, notes, and other expressions of support now decorate the building a nd grounds. Ukraine We Trust

// 100 // SEPTEMBER 2022 In

Those orginal stalwarts of the faith ini tially met for services at the old St. Joseph Hospital chapel. In 1953, the congregation raised enough money to purchase its current building, a former Greek Orthodox Church. Renovations and additions followed and the first Mass was held there in 1954.

“People opening up their hearts and willing to support total strangers is wonderful,” David Woloszyn said. “I give many tours of this church. It’s an honor to show people our heritage, our tradition.”

“It’s beautiful, it’s gorgeous,” sa id Woloszyn.

Ukrainian emigrés settled in South Omaha beginning in 1949. Packing house jobs employed many, their lives centered around work, family, and church.

“It’s hard to think what the Ukrainian community would have been without the church because this was the central organizing thing that kept people together,” said Dr. Alex Stolarsky, who endured the war with his parents before his family came to America. “It’s where you turned to for resources. The church is the thing that kept the Ukrainian language, customs together. Without the church we would have “Church,”scattered.”Ukraine native Yula Schamel said, “is embedded in our DNA. There is a Ukrainian saying: ‘You can kill my body, but you cannot kill my spirit.’” Assumption was founded in 1951 by 55 immigrant Ukrainian families, and among those original parishioners was Lechnowsk y’s father. “The people that founded this church had just been through a traumatic experience in Europe. Most had been forced from their homes to work as slave laborers in Germany. After the war they lived in displaced persons camps. The ones who came here were the survivors,” he explained. “These immigrants said, ‘if nothing else, we will preserve a piece of Ukraine here in the United States.’ My parents’ generation raised us with the thought that someday there would be a free Ukraine. They wanted us to be prepared for that, so they taught us the Ukrainian language and culture.”

Other than the domed golden cupola asso ciated with orthodox churches, little on the outside suggests Assumption’s Byzantine rite tradition. Inside, the sanctuary is replete with icons. Though most Roman Catholics are unfamiliar with its rite, a small contingent do worship there drawn by a traditional liturgy largely untouched by Vatican II. “The whole liturgy is call-and-response. It’s all sung by the priest and the congre gation,” Lechnowsky said. “With the con gregation’s and choir’s harmonic overtones echoing in the church, it’s almost like the angels are singing along with you. It’s just an incredible e xperience.”

“That outpouring has been really great,” said lifelong parishioner Orest Lechnowsky.

“For me, it’s the community, it’s a part of who I am,” he said. “It’s a grounding in tradition, also a link to the culture. It’s a lot of different things. I would be a differ ent person [without it], no doubt about it.”

“Going through a shared experience, espe cially a traumatic experience, brings people together in a way that makes a lifelong bond,” Lechnowsky said. “The crisis makes you realize what you have as a commu nity and what it is we’re trying to preserve and work towards. The link between the diaspora community here in the U.S. and Ukraine has never been stronger. That link which was broken for a long time is restored. There’s constant back and forth about what’s needed there and how we can provide it.”

Lechnowsky is joined by his two sons at street rallies in their traditional brocaded shirts, vigorously waving the Ukrainian flag. Ukrainian nationalism whether in the sanctuary, the streets, or on social media he said, “expresses what it means to be Ukrainian.” The prayers and petitions for victory and peace, he adds, lift up “the value of freedom being so important that we’re willing to put our lives on the line.”

-David Woloszyn

The church is now a hub of activism. Proceeds from fundraisers support the defense of an independent Ukraine. The seemingly innoccuous purchase of cabbage rolls and pierogi may ultimately arm mil itary drones and supply battle field vests.

Fraternal organizations were birthed there and classes for children flourished. Lechnowsky can’t imagine life without the church.

Like Lechnowsky, Woloszyn acknowledges that younger generations “stand on the shoulders of giants.” The faithful endured ruthless suppression and persecution, some even becom ing martyrs.

Woloszyn finds church to be the source of his own personal salvation and tran sformation. “What it brings for me is life,” said Woloszyn, who got caught up in the snare of gangs, drugs, and guns as a young man. “God brought me back to life and it started here at this church volunteering, cutting the grass, cleaning the gutters, shoveling the snow. From there it grew into doing the work of the church, teaching children catechism and studying to b e a deacon.”

The public is invited to attend Mass Sundays at 9:30 a.m. and to engage with its passionate community during the social hour tha t follows. Visit @omachurchua on facebook for more information.

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 101 // history

Assumption’s faithful are bound by two wars decades apart. Some of Schamel’s friends in her homeland stayed to fight. Some died. She can’t imagine anything, even herself, bei ng the same.

C heri Dickmeyer watched her teen age daughters struggle with body image and insecurities, especially as they consumed social media content that presented perfect or unrealistic image s of Dickmeyer,people.asingle mother, was con cerned that the rise in social media usage over the past 10 years had put more pres sure on young girls to make their bodies look like the filtered, airbrushed images they saw on their screens.

“I’m a firm believer that you need to focus on both the physical and mental at the same time to get the best results,” Dickmeyer said.

That was in 2015, and at the time Dickmeyer provided marketing consult ing services to some gyms in Omaha, and ran a health and wellness publication, Complete Transformation Magazine, which is no longer in print. Dickmeyer said she realized her magazine highlighted trans formations of people who had improved their physical health, but it did not place enough emphasis on ment al wellness.

GIVING PROFILE STORY SOPHIE ROSSITTO PHOTOGRAPHY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN MATT WIECZOREK Empowering // 102 // SEPTEMBER 2022 NonprofitResidentOmahaStartsHealthy Fitness Girls Through

“I thought, ‘Oh, my gosh, that’s adding even more anxiety and comparison issues to these girls,’” Dickmeyer recalled. She realized people in society would keep spreading the same messages about body image unless they committed to helping young people understand that being strong and healthy is more important than their outward appearance.

“It just really covered all the topics that we thought were really important as she got older in elemen tary school,” Aa ronson said.

FitGirl isn’t just fitness, that’s just one small piece. It’s really about helping them mentally take ownership of their feelings and their health, and giving them tools.

Together, they spread the word about the camp on social media, sent press releases to local news outlets, and created a website to promote the event.

Dickmeyer reached out to local organiza tions and fitness and mental health experts for help.

Visit fitgirlinc.com for more information.

Dickmeyer said that although FitGirl received funding from multiple organizations, she and her daughters made many sacrifices to support their family financially during this time. They gave up family vacations while Dickmeyer focused on growing the nonprofit, mainly marketing FitGirl through social media and wo rd of mouth.

Attendance at FitGirl summer camps increased over the five-year period; about 200 girls attended in 2019, at a cost of around $300 per campe r each Dickmeyerweek.

said she thinks many people have been drawn to FitGirl because its programs address struggles most women and girls can relate to, whether they were bullied in middle school or worried about what others thou ght of them.

S GIVING PROFILE SEPTEMBER 2022 // 105 //

Jodi Aaronson, whose daughter, Adelyn, has par ticipated in FitGirl events for the past three years, said she signed her child up because of the orga nization’s emphasis on taking care of oneself and building healthy relationships, along w ith fitness.

Each summer, the camps have offered a variety of outdoor activities such as kayaking, hiking, and yoga for girls ages 10 to 14. Mary Morris, who has served as a FitGirl camp counselor for five years, said the camps have included lessons in which Dickmeyer and the counselors discuss topics related to mental wellness wit h the girls. “FitGirl isn’t just fitness, that’s just one small piece,” said Dickmeyer, who is certified as a yoga instruc tor and social-emotional learning facilitator. “It’s really about helping them mentally take owner ship of their feelings and their health, and giving them Morristools.”saidthat during past camps at Platte River State Park, Dickmeyer and the camp counsel ors helped girls gain confidence by climbing a six-story observation tower. Although some girls struggled to confront their fear of heights, Morris said the counselors motivated nearly all the camp ers to re ach the top. Besides running camps, Dickmeyer said FitGirl volunteers run multiple after-school programs in Omaha and Fremont, and they offer 12-week classe s for girls. Morris, who played collegiate golf at the College of St. Mary, said she discovered the nonprofit as a freshman looking to get involved in the com munity. Morris said she joined FitGirl because it seemed like an athletic organization. However, she discovered that what set the nonprofit apart was its ability to help campers develop confidence and buil d character. Morris said Dickmeyer has done a great job of cul tivating her camps around her goal of he lping girls. “She loves teaching these kids how to be empow ered, and she wants them to just have fun at the end of the day as well,” Mo rris said.

he organized a camp for July that year to teach girls about topics such as physical and mental wellness, nutrition, and social media usage.

Dickmeyer said about 65 people signed up, and multiple news stations covered the weeklong, out door camp. Afterward, Dickmeyer received calls from people encouraging her to continue the event’s success. She began taking steps to create a nonprofit, which included filing for incorporation to establish the organization and filing an IRS form to gain tax-exempt status. In December 2015, Dickmeyer registered FitGirl as a nonprofit and put aside mar keting for five years to focus on her organization.

—Cheri Dickmeyer “

GIVING CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 2022 Sept. 1-Oct. 31 AUTUMN SMASH 2022 Benefiting: Metro Area Youth Foundation Location: online —metroareayouthfoundation.org Sept. 1 LUNCH FOR THE GIRLS Benefiting: Girls Inc. Location: CHI Health Center —girlsincomaha.org Sept. 1 NINTH ANNUAL SWING FOR HEALTH GOLF OUTING Benefiting: CHI Foundation Location: Iron Horse Golf Club —chihealth.com Sept. 1 SAC FOUNDATION GOLF OUTING Benefiting: SAC Foundation Location: Tiburon Golf Club —sacfoundation.net Sept. 6 FREE MATCH MAKER LUNCHEON Benefiting: Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands Location: Scott Conference Center —bbbsomaha.org Sept. 8 EIGHTH ANNUAL RESTORED WINGS GALA Benefiting: Rejuvenating Women Location: Embassy Suites LaVista —rejuvenatingwomen.org Sept. 9 10TH ANNUAL KVC KIDS CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT Benefiting: KVC Nebraska Location: Ashland Golf Club —nebraska.kvc.org Sept. 9 SIXTH ANNUAL 9/11 LUNCHEON OF HONOR Benefiting: First Responders Foundation Location: Marriott Downtown —firstrespondersfoundation.org Sept. 9 22ND ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC Benefiting: Connections Area Agency on Aging Location: Dodge Riverside Golf Club —connectionsaaa.org Sept. 9 21ST ANNUAL SPORTING CLAYS TOURNAMENT Benefiting: Boy Scouts, Mid-America Council Location: Werner Lodge —mac-bsa.org Sept. 9 26TH ANNUAL JAILHOUSE SCRAMBLE Benefiting: UNO School of Criminology and Criminal Justice Student Scholarships Location: Tiburon Golf Course —unomaha.edu Sept. 9 BROADWAY BALL Benefiting: Omaha Performing Arts education programs Location: Holland Performing Arts Center —o-pa.org Sept. 01 Brew Haha BENEFITING: HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF OMAHA Location: Sterling Ridge Retail, 1150 Sterling Ridge Drive Brew Haha brings together food, drinks, and music for an evening of fun with a side of philanthropy. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy tastings from area breweries and restaurants at this 16th annual event. habitatomaha.org Sept. 08 Sept. 09 FEATURED EVENT // 106 // SEPTEMBER 2022

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Sept. 11

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FOURTH

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MEMORIES PAST, MEMORIES MADE “IT WAS NOTHING BUT ‘BUMVILLE’. LOTS OF CHEAP FLOPS, CHILI JOINTS, AND PAWN SHOPS.” -R YAN ROENFELD

However, I think back to my initial experiences, and realize what a new place can mean. David Hayden, a lifelong Omaha resident, recalled a relationship to the mall similar to my own: “Even though I was a teenager when the mall went up, it felt like it had always been there.” David spoke fondly of his own T

When the then-Central Park Mall was built in 1973, the land it sits on was in steep decline. As local historian and host of the monthly Wicked Omaha tour, Ryan Roenfeld, said via social media: “It was nothing but ‘Bumville.’ Lots of cheap flops, chili joints, and pawn shops.” Famed American photographer John Vachon even derogatorily referred to the area as “one of the ‘hobo’ centers of the West.”

Patti Hayden, David’s wife and fellow lifelong Omaha native, also waxed poetic about her favorite recollections. “I would play piano for Mercy High at their Christmas concerts, and I remember one year David came down with this van, and we took all of the nuns downtown to walk the mall and enjoy the lights,” Patti said. They were amused by the cheerful, somewhat silly image the memory painted a stark contrast to John Vachon’s earlier characterization of the space. “The decision to redefine those spaces made the city what it is today,” Dav id affirmed.

As the space transitions, the Gene Leahy Mall will retain its name, but as a part of an expanded “At the Riverfront” space, including Heartland of America Park. The space is changing, but the spirit and mission carries on. As Brian said,“Regardless of what it looks like, the vision remains. The plan accomplished its goal. If my dad was here today to see the changes, I think he’d be tickled to death .”

Before the former mayor passed in 2000, Brian and his family had taken him to see Omaha’s Millennium Lights Celebration, later known as the Holiday Lights Festival. “He wasn’t doing so great, and he was in a wheelchair at the time, but we took him up to the top floor of the library to see the li ghts go up.”

60+ NOSTALGIA // STORY BY JAMES VNUK // PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED // DESIGN BY RENEE' LUDWICK

When Mayor Eugene Leahy, along with city planner Alden Aust, set plans into motion to bring people “back to the river” in the late 1960s, revitalizing the area and its reputation were top priorities.

he he first time I saw the Gene Leahy Mall, I was an adult visiting Omaha with my then-college girlfriend. We decided to tour the mall late one freezing evening the weekend before Christmas, having just enjoyed a romantic Italian dinner in the Old Market. I vividly recall standing on the footbridge, enjoying the view of the central park plaza under a moonlit sky reflecting softly off the lagoon, holiday lights glowing all around us. I grew up in Western Nebraska, and even then, I knew I had uncovered a fresh understanding one that would be reinforced and revisited time and again over the intervening 15 years. Omaha was a real city, with life, with culture, and all the things I had imagined only happening som ewhere else. I would learn much later that what seemed to me a timeless fixture of the city had been a relatively recent development.

SEPTEMBER 2022 60 PLUS // 115 // memories visiting the mall and working downtown since the 1980s: “I remember going down there to watch fireworks for the [U.S.] Bicentennial celebration. You had a bunch of people out on the green on towels and blankets, and since the lagoon was at a lower altitude, once the fireworks went off this huge cloud of smoke and debris fell right on everyone. Everyone had to keep moving backward a little more, and then a l ittle more.”

The “Central Park” Mall and Plaza was envisioned to provide an experience comparable to the San Antonio River Walk or Hudson River Waterfront to Omaha: a romantic, urbane, and cosmopolitan public space. Yet, change is difficult. Brian Leahy, the mayor’s son, spoke about the concerns redeveloping the area initially drew. “My father loved local history, and had a hard time dealing with the knowledge they’d be taking down these old buildings.”

Brian cited how he’s frequently brought his own family to the Mall to celebrate milestones and important events. Chief among them, when the area was christened “Gene Leahy Mall” in 1992. “My dad was a Korean War vet, so at the dedication ceremony they brought out the Color Guard and some of his war buddies spoke. He was so proud of it, and I remember he tried [so] hard not to get emotional, but he was. He had told the crowd ‘God, I’m so happy.’”

“We had been here [CrossFit Omaha] seven or eight years when I was diagnosed in August of 2018,” Uhlarik said. Doctors supported his continuing workouts while undergoing treatment. “It sure helped me get through cancer by being healthy to begin with, and continuing to a level I could.”

“And Frank, at his age, literally passed me. I had no juice; I could not go any faster, and was so mad about that. But I was like, ‘wow, that is incredible’” Tovar said. She admires Uhlarik’s commitment. “I actually want to be like Frank when I grow up,” she said.

The Uhlariks have been members of CrossFit Omaha for about 12 years. Head Coach and Director of Fitness Programs Stacie Tovar was a member before becom ing co-owner of the facility in 2016. She remembers being impressed with Uhlarik’s dedication and energy from the start. “Every time we ran, it was inevitable you had to run a hill at some point in the run.”

Paula agrees, once telling: Frank “’You know I love you all the time, but I like you better when you work out.’ He’s like an Energizer Bunny.” Both believe CrossFit has strength ened their relationship. There are partner workouts, and the couple often teams up on the workout of the day. “Just as long as she doesn’t critique my form,” Uhlarik joked.

The CrossFit community does more than work out. The Uhlariks enjoy the many social events that are an important part of the lifestyle. Every month, there are several opportunities to get together before or after CrossFit events. Frank Uhlarik got the news no one wants to hear back in 2018. Diagnosed with stagethree colon cancer, his treatment required surgery, followed by chemotherapy. His doctors were optimistic, due to Uhlarik’s passion for fitness. His physical constitution and commitment to nutrition gave him a fighting chance. For Uhlarik, fitness came naturally. As a boy, he camped and fished. In high school, he was on the wrestling team at Omaha Bryan, going on to wrestle for the Colorado School of Mines, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in geological engineering in 1984. Although Uhlarik’s career as Sustainability and Compliance Administrator for the City of Lincoln keeps him busy, spending time with his active family is a priority. Along with boating and fishing at their cabin in the Ozarks, Uhlarik and his wife, Paula, enjoy traveling. Favorite destinations include Washington State and Montana. This spring, they visited Hawaii for the first time. Staying active is a big focus in the Uhlarik’s marriage. They belonged to several gyms, health clubs, and kept workout equipment at home, though ultimately grew restless. Even working with personal trainers couldn’t keep them engaged for long. "We’ve always been active, and our kids were all active in sports and continue to this day. “But in 2009 or 2010 we kind of hit a dead zone, more or less. We were thinking, ‘Gosh, what’s something else we can do?’” Uhlarik explained. It was Paula Uhlarik who first discovered CrossFit. “My wife’s kind of the ring leadershe got us into it. She had an interest in the weight training portion. I like the aerobic work. I’m built for running. I’m not a heavy lifter,” Uhlarik said. They quickly discovered CrossFit classes combined gymnastics, weightlifting, and endurance training to create challenging workouts. The CrossFit lifestyle incorporates healthy nutrition and effective exercise to promote overa ll fitness. Intrigued, they attended a complimentary session.“They brought us through a workout and I about died. I think it was tough for Frank, too. But we decided to go that way, and we’ve been there ever since,” Paula said. It’s the variety of CrossFit that appeals to the Uhlariks. “There’s some things we can all do well, and some things we struggle with, but that’s the beauty of it. ‘Cause every day you can come in and look at the workout and adapt it to however you can achieve the results you’re seeking,” Frank said. CrossFit

“Healthy eating, fitness, social, all those ele ments stack up to help you fend off whatever comes your way, the best that you can,” he Forexplained.Uhlarik, that means he can now devote time and energy to what really matters. He considers his family his greatest success. “A successful marriage and three healthy, by all accounts happy, children and son-in-laws and six beautiful grandchildren…there’s really nothing else that really compares,” Uhlarik said. Visit bigomahafitn ess.com for more in formation.

60+ ACTIVE LIVING // STORY BY TERRY JENSEN // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY RENEE' LUDWICK

workouts change daily, with members attending as often as they like. The Uhlariks try to workout four days a week. When trav eling, they visit another CrossFit location so they don’t miss too many days. They’ve visited facilities in Montana, Alabama, and Colorado, though like the instructors and environment at CrossFit Omaha best.

“There were even a few occasions where I would come in with my pump, my chemo pump, and move as best as I could. I can tell you, that was challenging at times,” Uhlarik said. The CrossFit community also offered support.“Outside of wrestling in high school or college–the community, the connec tion, and the camaraderie–since then, I really haven’t encountered anything...like CrossFit,” Uhlarik said. Three years later, Uhlarik is still committed.“I actually get up in the morning and think, ‘I get to go to CrossFit today!’”

Uhlarik Ultimately,said.CrossFit helped Uhlarik find balance. “It’s state-of-mind, it’s healthy eating, it’s the fitness component, and the “Allcommunity.fourofthose, they vary by person. It kind of goes back to that anxiety issue. My wife can see it: if a couple of days, three, four, maybe a week for whatever reason I don’t get in the gym, she’ll say, ‘You need to go to the gym, Frank’ and it’s not because I’m necessarily unfit, it’s because she can see it in my behavior. That’s pretty revealing to me,” Uhlarik said.

Finding a way to channel his energy hasn’t always been easy for Uhlarik.“I’m naturally anxious, I have anxiety. I’ve done medication in the past and I just didn’t care for that. But my best medication is here in the gym. “Being able to calm my mind and focus, and recognize that getting this thing done or that thing done, really...doesn’t matter,”

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“One of the ones I did for the first time this year is called a ‘Beer and Burpees’ event, where you’re required to chug a beer and do a series of burpees, which is a drop to the floor, jump up, clap your hands and go do it again. It’s quite the event, and people dress up in team costumes and whatnot. It’s a lot of fun,” Uhlarik said. By the time he received his cancer diagnosis, CrossFit was a way of life for Uhlarik.

He believes the strengths he found through CrossFit helped him survive his cancer. “Not only the fitness aspects–the aerobic and the strength training–but in this environment we’ve learned a lot about dietary issues that we wouldn’t have otherwise come across.”

"It’s state-of-mind, it’s healthy eating, it’s the fitness component, and the community. All four of those, they var y by pe rson." -F rank Uhlarik The Perfect Fit Frank Uhlarik’s Crossfit Journey

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PROFILE60+

A call to the Nebraska State Historical Society got the ball rolling to put it on the National Register of Historic Places. She soon had the Nebraska State Historic Site and Save America’s Treasures Project on board. Meigs found herself operating a 501c museum nonprofit

STORY BY NATALIE MCGOVERN // PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN // DESIGN BY RENEE' LUDWICK

Florence Mill Is a Havenfor &ArtsHealing SerendipityProjectThe

inda Meigs may be known as "The Mill Lady," around Omaha, but there’s more to this artist and preservationist than what meets the eye. She has a penchant for old things, including historic, abandoned buildings. What started as a passion project with the restoration of an 1846 mill built by Mormon leader Brigham Young became a journey loaded with American history, culture, and an intrig uing story. Meigs visited England in 1997, taking in its history, beauty, and architecture. During the trip, she mused how Americans travel overseas to experience arts and culture while locally built heritage often falls to the wrecking ball. After returning to Nebraska, she read an Omaha WorldHerald article titled “History for Sale.” The ruins of the old Florence Mill faced likely d emolition. L Then, on Valentine’s Day of 1998, she received a loaf of bread and a proposition from her husband, John Meigs, who worked in the local construction industry. As an architect, he was involved in the early restoration of the Orpheum and Union Station (now Durham Museum). The bread contained a purchase agreement offer on the Florence Mill. If she wanted it, he would stand with her. She accepted, and the rest w as history.

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a fun way.” During summer, Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., animals ranging from mules to goats and alpacas can be found at the event. The market attracts tourists and locals who appreciates the bucolic thin gs in life.

‟ I saw this preservation project as adding cultural potential to Omaha, the state and beyond” -Linda Meigs

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Kucera has known Meigs for years and can attest to her close involvement in the Florence community as a steward of the historical landmark. Meigs’ work speaks for itself through many accolades and awards. Her figurative and landscape art exhibits have been featured nationally, regionally, a nd Lindalocally. Meigs’ legacy has many stories to tell, whether that be lost tales of the Mill or that of her own journey. Her projects expand beyond paintings, with years spent collecting recycled water bottles for a sculptural waterfall and meticulously hand-painted corn glassware. Of the many mediums she works with, Meigs includes various styles of art, including figurative, landscape, conventional, and even conceptual pieces. Her 2009 piece “Many Waters,” was instrumental to her growth and healing. The Mill in and of itself continues to serve as a sanctuary. “It feels very sacred” Meigs acknowledged about the building, its history etched in rustic wooden supports. A day spent picking thistles in the nearby brush affirms the ethereal healing energy the mill generates, surrounded by the tranquility of nature. The Florence Mill may be Meigs’ art and history installation, but it continues to serve as a profoundly historic beacon of Nebraska's settlement history. Visit theflorence mill.com for more information.

The Florence Mill’s seasonal events keep the memory of the Mill and the history of Winter Quarters alive. The annual Omaha North Hills Pottery Tour, featuring 22 nationally acclaimed clay artists, takes place the first weekend in October. The run completes a two-day excursion with the Mill serving as the “southern anchor” of the Tour. Sandy Kucera, who owns Too Far North Winery in Fort Calhoun, spoke to Meigs’ ingenuity and affinity for the project. “She’s a pioneer on the caretaking of the mill,” she said. Meigs restored the site and it now stands as a national landmark in the heart of Florence in North Omaha. "Things happen around here. Serendipity happens here,” she said nonchalantly. The Mill apparently took on a life of its own, as the connections to the past and future forge stronger with each event. A chance meeting with a journeyman from Utah trekking the Mormon Trail led her to host the 175th celebration of the Mormon Trail (and the Mill's 175th birthday) this past May, complete with a chuckwagon dinner, epic journey tales, and traditional folk music. Meigs eventually discovered her own connection to the mill, and its relation to the Florence community. The neighborhood, formerly a city, sits atop streets of Winter Quarters, where the Mormons first settled. North Omaha is steeped in rich Mormon Trail history, and the Mill is a historic remnant of that di stant past.

The venue also serves as hub for a farmers market, complete with an animal educational experience for children to “teach them about animal husbandry in

60+ PRFOILE In their first summer of digging out debris and cleaning, 1,000 visitors showed up unexpectedly to see the Mormon timbers that stand inside the mill. It was not even supposed to be open to the public. Meigs decided the ruin must be turned into a space of historical preservation, particularly for Nebraska’s Pioneer Trail roots. "I saw this preservation project as adding cultural potential to Omaha, the state and beyond,” she said. The mill was then a condemned building cemented with decades of “dried pigeon excrement over the wood,” trash, animal decay, and fermented grain from years of being boarded up.

The Mill connects intersecting parts of Meigs’ life. Her interests include art, writing and illustrating a children’s book on Nebraska, preserving historic buildings, and collaborating on projects or community events. It’s also a haven for healing. John passed away about eight years ago, and a son in 2004. Art has been a creative outlet for her, and a place of solace to find deep er meaning.

GET A FREE PASS

OPL’s W. Dale Clark Library in Downtown Omaha has a large collection of government documents dating back to the 1800s, as well as 7,000 microfilms and microfiches featuring local newspaper articles, periodicals, and history and census records. It also houses a dedicated genealogy room and a Nebraska Reference Collection that are useful for finding one’s roots.

DOWNLOAD FREE TUNES

Students in need of academic assistance can connect with live, online tutors to help them with their studies from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily on tutor.com. They can also take practice tests for the ACT and SAT, high school AP exams, and find online study guides on a variety of subjects any time of day.

VIEW FOREIGN FILMS

FIND HOMEWORK HELP

OPL added Kanopy, a streaming video service, to its offerings in April 2022. Members can stream international and independent films, documentaries, and other educational video entertainment from Kanopy’s wide variety of titles. Each patron is allowed 10 credits per month to spend as they wish.

STUDY GENEALOGY

OPL’s Common Soil Seed Library features a collection of openpollinated and heirloom seeds that members can take and plant in their home gardens. There are also DVDs on gardening avail able for checkout, and online gardening classes offered through local branches.

hese days, public libraries offer a plethora of resources that go well beyond books. Omaha Public Library members can access items and services that enlighten, entertain, or offer assistance in all sorts of endeavors, from gardening to learning an instrument. This list can help readers learn how to get more out of their loc al branch.

BEYOND BOOKS // OBVIOUSLY OMAHA // STORY BY LINDA PERSIGEHL AND EMILY GETZSCHMAN DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK SIX RESOURCES AT YOUR OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY T SEPTEMBER 2022 // 121 // 2 3 4 5 6

GROW A GARDEN

OPL offers unlimited music streaming through Freegal Music, which gives access to 15 million-plus songs from 200 genres, in cluding Sony Music’s catalog of artists. Members can also down load four songs every week for free. New music is added daily.

Some of Omaha’s best venues offer free admission to OPL members through the Partnership Pass Program. Members can show their OPL card and check out a day pass for Fontenelle Forest, Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha Children’s Museum, The Durham Museum, or Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (available at limited times). Or, they can also check out a pass for Heartland Bike Share. Quantities are limited.

Scaling Hydroponic Growth DINING FEATURE // STORY BY JULIUS FREDRICK Aspirations Gather in Omaha KoreanmarinatedPrimestriploin withbone marrow fried rice, swee t s oy, cucumber pineapple salad, roastedblackseaweed,andsesameseeds. // 122 // SEPTEMBER 2022

“All we were doing was having a couple of beers around the campfire,” Swain, founder and coowner of Gather Restaurant Group, recalled. “And the idea bloomed when talking to Penny, who’s into hydroponics,…and I thought, ‘why don’t we try this?’ ‘Let me try this,’ and we jumped off, you know? I always say an idea is only as good as its execution, and oh yeah, this one came to fruition.”

“It’s this small, niche market in Omaha, and it’s kind of a dream job for me,” she said. “It all just kind of fell into place.” Helzer certainly has her work cut out for her. Like any fragile ecosystem, the Gather Urban Farm requires careful oversight and a steady flow of data, especially with yield percentages to consider. Foregoing ground water or even soil for that matter the farm’s state-of-the-art irrigation system is central to the environment; water funneled into reservoirs of spun rock, in preparation of a calibrated and precisely scheduled rain dance

Having spent seven years fielding two suc cessful farm-to-table eateries in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, including the debut Gather res taurant, Gather in Jackson, Graeme selected Omaha as the site of his grandest experiment yet. He pictured a hybridized, self-sufficient establishment one part full-service restau rant, one part cutting-edge vertical farm and found its bones in the historic 11th and Howard Streets building shared by M’s Pub. “When we took over, this building was com pletely barren. For five years, nothing,” Swain said. “Plus it got flooded after the fire, so we came in and thought, ‘well, let’s beautify this space,’ so we added every wall element other than the authentic brick, which we love, and we made this beautiful farm in the basement.

We took advantage of an old building that had no life in it and we’ve, literally, put life into it.”

“I actually did my internship here,” said farm manager Julie Helzer, a student of MCC’s Horticulture, Land Systems, and Management program. “When I first started going to school, I didn’t know they were going to have this in the basement, it’s been a great learning experience.”

our years ago, ensconced by firs, poplars, and pines, time passed easily for Graeme Swain and his long-time friend and col league, Penny McBride. As dusk settled over Idaho’s vast woodlands, Swain stoked a camp fire. Its glow signaled a break from daytime distractions, and their focus narrowed to a single, flickering point. As in ages past, people gathered around the light and spoke openly; thoughts and ideas forming on tongues of flame, popping and sizzling, before coiling off However,overhead.well after the others dissipated, one concept in particular remained smoldering between them. Small, but dense with possibility, Swain deter mined that night to nurture that concept a choice, that years later, would take The Old Market’s already dynamic culinary scene in an unexpected direction: vertical.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH LEMKE // DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK F

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Pan-seared miso salmon with Sea Island p eas , Yuzu vinaigrette, sour cherries, pineapple, Fresno peppers, and Gather Urban Far m grown bok choy and mustard greens.

Though briefly stunned by pandemic whiplash, Swain’s patience and dedication was rewarded when Gather in Omaha, and the adjoining Gather Urban Farm, opened to the public on May 1, 2021. For those who’ve peered through the farm-facing window downstairs, it’s clear there’s nothing supercilious about Swain’s boast. Just as he’d said, life in this Old Market catacomb, had indeed, found a way. Stepping over vine-thick electrical cords, past clusters of lumen-swarmed LEDs, and toward the steady hum of more than 60 hydroponic towers each draped in vibrant greens, from fluttering parsley to sprigs of rosemary the future appears startlingly, stunningly, present. A break in the techno-foliage reveals a young woman, shears in hand.

Beck’s leadership style is likely influenced by his humble industry beginnings. “I’ve been in the industry, you know, since I was 16 or 17, started out bussing tables and stuff like that,” he recalled. “And then I started culinary school around 2011 at Metro here in town, and I took a job at 7M Grill as like, a prep cook, and that’s where I met Graeme, and I’ve worked my way up from there.”

An eye-catching nod to the much larger “vertical” hydroponic farming downstairs, glows and grows softly in the kitchen.

DINING FEATURE // GATHER OMAHA

“There’s 63 towers in here, each five feet tall, with 100 ports on each one,” Swain said. “The farm produces 1,000 ounces of produce a month, so probably right now, about two and a half turns per tower, watering every 45 minutes, and they [water] it for five minutes. We get our water through the City of Omaha, but it goes through reverse-osmosis, and so it neutralizes the pH from all three water sources…just pure water there, the minerals, the light, everything needed to grow life from seed to harvest.”

“If we laid this farm out on a grid, it would cover acres and acres, and here we have 2,500 square feet of space a small footprint,” he added. While the advances of horizontal farming have been cultivated from the outset of the Neolithic Revolution (about 12,000 years), the technologies and techniques involved in vertical farming are rapidly evolving demanding a strong focus on R&D to stay current. Luckily for Swain, a trusted business associate, confidante, and now acting COO of the Gather Restaurant Group, aims an inquir ing eye toward internal breakthroughs and emerging industry trends.

“I brought in one of colleagues that I worked with, Johnny Gonzalez, an extraordinary guy that I worked with in Costa Rica, and had been at the Pentagon for 10 years doing analyt ics,” Swain said. “He’s lent himself really well to just the analyzing of ‘how does this work?’ ‘How do we maximize our yields?’ ‘How do we have a better panel of produce?’ It’s extraor dinary, the software that we built just for this. You know, you’re stepping out onto a ledge… it’s a lot of trial and error.” Whatever mistakes have been made, tangible progress has Swain seeing green. “We’ve even quantified the lettuce,” he con tinued, “and that lettuce serves 953 salads a month, right? It’s a huge bounty.”

“Love visiting Jackson Hole, but I wanted to come back home and open this.”

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“This arugula right here will blow your socks off." Visit gather-omaha.com for more information.

“Oh man… I really dig our elk bolognese, it’s like a two-day sauce,” he confessed, “but I really enjoy our handmade pork buns as well, we take a lot of time making those, with a crispy natural pork belly, kimchi, and pickled Fresno peppers…whenever somebody comes in that I know, they ask me the same thing and I’m like, ‘this is good, this is good, and this is good,’ and that’s pretty rare to be able to say, especially with a menu diverse as ours. I take pride in that.”

Swain couldn’t agree more.

Though 7M’s closing brought Becker’s time there to an end, he and Swain stayed in con tact. This later proved a boon for both parties when Swain reached out in 2020 in need of a chef. Becker started at Gather in Jackson, before being asked to return to Omaha. “He had told me ‘If you love Jackson Hole you can stay, but we’d love for you to come back to Omaha and open the restaurant there,’ so that’s what I chose to do,” Becker explained.

A steeled kitchen veteran and a proven leader, Becker is permitted a degree of freedom in Gather’s menu selections, though he typically employs a more democratic approach. “So we’ll run a special and kind of tweak it here or there as we fit,” Becker explained, “and then if it does really well, we’ll do surveys with everybody that eats it and ask them what they liked about it? What they didn’t like? And, you know, we’ll take all that and kind of decide, is this menu ready?”

“Our food travels five feet, right? Five feet. [The produce] gets cut from there and then put on your plate,” he said. “Everything has some thing from the farm, in our food, in our cock tails, you’re getting 100% of the nutrients.”

For Becker, one frequent question trumps even cross-state leaps and dinner-time rushes in terms of difficulty: “What should I order?”

“We have a lot of interaction with the farm,” Becker said of himself and his kitchen staff, “I’m down there every day, talking to them about what we’ve got and like using, the quality of it, and was down there yesterday ordering some new seeds and some new stuff we want to try.”

Though it’s easy to fall spell to the novelty of Gather in Omaha’s roots, it’s above-ground where the miracles engineered below are given space to bloom. For those struggling to see the forest for the trees, it’s important to step back and appreciate the symbiosis at play between the farm, and Executive Chef Alex Becker’s domain, the restaurant.

He pictured a hybridized, self-sufficient establishment—one part full-service restaurant, one part cutting-edge vertical farm—and found its bones in the historic 11th and Howard streets building shared by M’s Pub. Jons’NaturalsPorkshankover carrotpurée and red rice & lentils, served with t e quila jalapeño jam, and tortilla. SEPTEMBER 2022 // 125 //

hisCookingworld A WORLD AWAY FROM HOME For expanded content, open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code above.

The House of Bah held his first Afro-fusion year-end gala in 2015. He was frequently featured at the former House of Loom, a lounge, dance club, and event venue hybrid located at the entrance of Li ttle Italy. His vision to shed new and diverse light over the richness of African culinary heritage has led him to found nonprofit Eat ’N’ Talk Africa. The organization educates the metro area about African culture while providing healthy and innovative food–centered on a fusion of emergent African cuisines and modern techniques.

erhaps it was a boyhood dream to become a chef: someday, summoning spices and flavors; plating with purpose; preparing the finest in foo d offerings.

JAMIL BAH-TRAORE CONNECTS TO HIS ROOTS

It was an idea he'd peppered in conversations for far too long. It was time to make a move, Jamil Bah-Traore thought. Anyone who knows Bah-Traore knows he can throw down in the kitchen. He earned his title as a kid helping his mother, Sahadat, in the kitchen of their Togolese home feeding his la rge family.

“HIS BLOOD IS WHAT GUIDES MY HANDS. I REALIZE NOW THAT HIS SPIRIT IS WHY I CANNOT GIVE UP COOKING NO MATTER HOW MANY DEGREES AND MANAGERIAL ROLES I TOOK TO STAY AWAY FROM THE CRAFT.” —CHEF BAH-TRAORE p

“Chef Jamil Bah is passionate about the promotion of the African Culinary Heritage. This is evident is his menu offer ings of amazing and succulent Afro-fusion dishes. House of Bah is definitely worth a try if you haven’t already,” said Fidele Mienso, a Midlands African Chamber Board member who continually uses the House of Bah catering services for Cham ber Bah-Traoreevents. opened his eyes to realize that he wasn’t dreaming anymore. He’s hosted fine dining popups at the Switch, Blackstone, Flat Iron, Millwork Commons and competed and won a $10,000 pitch competition hosted by the Midlands African Chamber. He sits on the board of directors for City Sprouts and the African Restaurant A ssociation.

Bah-Traore worked nights as a taxi driver and attended classes at Metro Community College’s Institute of Culinary Arts during the day. The then-young family did what they could to make certain Bah-Traore was seeing his dream to completion.

Born of Malí descent, Bah-Traore was raised in the African country of Togo. At a young age, the sweet and savory smells from his mother’s kitchen inspired Bah-Traore to learn the culinary art. In his 40-some years, he moved to the United States, earned a business degree, and worked several bluecollar and office jobs. Yet, his interest in food hadn’t diminished. Making his boyhood dream a reality meant defying stereotypes, advocating for equal representation, fusing gastronomic innova tion and tradition, and cooking up a culi nary education that brought awareness to the merriment of food and culture. “If you know your roots, you’ll understand life better,” Bah-Traore said during an hourlong interview at Okra African Grill, near 72nd and Jones streets. He often frequents African restaurants in his effort to show solidarity a nd support. Knowing oneself is a sentiment that his wife, Aicha, echoed when Bah-Traore contemplated applying for Metropolitan Community College’s Institute for the Culinary Ar ts in 2012. Bah-Traore comes from a seasoned lineage of professional chefs. It’s in his blood. It’s a tradition that his great-grandfather passed down to all his sons, and his grandfather Adamou Akpo shared with this mother who, taught Great-grandfatherhim. Idriss Akpo was the Chief of the Kotokoli in Lomé, Togo. He was born in the Akpo Royal family in Kadamabara in Central Togo. He was a young man when he went to study German and distinguish him self. As an adult, he worked as a chauffeur, aid, and cook. After the French took over at the end of World War I, Bah-Traore said his great-grandfather worked at Chemin de Fer du Togo (the national railway) and remained as a cook for French c olonialists. Under his great-grandfather’s influence, all his sons learned to cook in what was a heavily patriarch al society. “The promise was made to teach all his male descendants the art of cooking,” Bah-Traore said. “His blood is what guides my hands.

I realize now that his spirit is why I cannot give up cooking no matter how many degrees and managerial roles I took to stay away from the craft.”

“Omaha is a foodie town. The city is open and welcoming. We need to give African heritage its place. We must teach the next generation,” Bah-Traore said. That summer day, his eldest son sat next to him at the Okra African Grill restau rant, nodding in agreement. Bah-Traore’s legacy continues. Visit houseofbah.com for more information.

"Chef Jamil is an incredible chef. Not only because his meals are so delicious and unique, but because he is incredibly generous with his knowledge about ingre dients, dishes, and cultural cuisine. His food is tasty, fresh, local, and spirited," said Luper Akough, a local entrepreneur who has attended his pop -up events.

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It's clear that Bah-Traore is on track to make the world a better place through his boy hood passion. He continues to push his way past the Eurocentric traditions absorbed by many in culinary school. He is reflect ing Africa and its diaspora in his kitchen, using techniques from Malia and Togo at the House of Bah, his catering company which features upscale Afri can cuisine.

CHEF PROFILE | STORY josefina loza | PHOTOGRAPHY bill sitzmann | DESIGN matt wieczorek

DINING STORY____________REVIEW tamsen butler PHOTOGRAPHY bill sitzmann DESIGN matt wieczorek Walleyesandwichwithpickledredonionsevokestheflavors ofthe lakeside setting.

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The Great A-Z Food Tour Group Visits theRestaurantWoodcliff

he Great A-Z Food Tour group began as a way for a group of friends to stay connected while support ing local restaurants as COVID-19 began to wane. Most of the members already knew each other through various sports teams their children were on together those youngsters are all adults now. Other members came along when they were invited by an exist ing member. They call themselves an “everexpanding” group, led by Karen Sykora, who reluctantly admits to leading the group while also claim ing that the group leads itself. When she pulls out her red notebook and starts asking the group to decide what their next restaurant will be, one of the members leans over to me and whispers, “She’s not the leader she’s the instigator .”

Amazing Onion Rings,

I joined the Great A-Z Food Tour group on their “W” trip. This expe dition took us out to The Woodcliff Restaurant in Fremont, a lodge-type restaurant nestled within a lake-side community. We went on a Thursday night, which is Woodcliff’s “Burger and Beer” night. On the way to The Woodcliff Restaurant, the other group mem bers told me stories of their culinary adventures. It’s nearly an hour drive to there, so there was ample time to get a feel for how this group operates. There seem to be a few rules by which this g roup abides: They follow the A-Z protocol of visiting restaurants in alpha bet icalTheorder.restaurant must be locally owned and within driving dis tance, but they’re willing to cross state lines for a fun experience. An “unspoken rule” they told me about is the restaurant must serve alcohol. And though they chuckled at the idea of speak ing this “unspoken” rule, they all agreed it was important

All in all, the Great A-Z Food Tour group gave The Woodcliff Restaurant a big thumbs up. As they gathered the wait staff and the chef for photos after the meal (a group tra dition), the members gushed to Chef Sam Trahan about the quality o f the food. I’m inclined to agree that Trahan is a tal ented chef who obviously cares about his craft, and who isn’t adverse to coming out after the meal to mingle w ith patrons.

Blueberr y cheesec a ke w i t h a Cap’ n Cr unch cr ust was a whimsical crowd pleasing dessert

ykora estimated the group has around 17 members, though this number fluctu ates. Not everyone makes it to every dining experience, and she said there are typically around 10-12 people each time they go. The night we went to The Woodcliff, there were 11 diners in attendance. Nearly every appetizer on the menu was ordered and passed around the table. Of particular interest was the order of onion rings. Sara Zivney is the group’s resident onion ring expert, tasting them everywhere they go. When the onion rings arrived at the table, the plate was passed to Zivney, who surveyed the pile before taking a bite, then happily announced to the group that the rings were tasty. After that proclama tion, everyone else grabbed a handful for themselves.

I tried the Crab Rangoons, which weren’t bad, but the Portobello Mushroom Fries were a savory treat. The Jalapeño Popper Dip, served with corn tortilla chips, was a favorite of the group; and those who ordered the Woodcliff Wedge salad enjoyed the taste and Nearlypresentation.everyonein the group ordered the special for the entree: a burger featuring jalapeño peppers that isn’t always on the menu. While some people in the group thought the jalapeños were too much and

Visit thewoodcliffrestaurant.com for more information.

DINING ____________REVIEW S

After my time with this fun group, they visited Yummy Crab for “Y” and have plans to visit Zaika Indian Cuisine to finish up the alphabet and then they start ba ck at “A.”

pulled them off the burger, others heeded the waitress’ advice that the chef would not want anyone ordering the jalapeño burger without the chilis and kept them on to retain the integrity of t he sandwich.

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One member who ordered the ribeye steak raved about the flavor. I ordered the walleye sandwich, solely because we were seated in a room overlooking the lake, and order ing fish seemed appropriate. The sandwich was good, the fish filet not too greasy, the pickled red onions adding a unique flavor to an often banal dish. I was pleased with my meal, though it’s not one I would willingly drive nearly an hour to repeat.

The desserts really got the members excited; we ordered one of everything and passed it around so everyone could indulge. The star was the berry cheesecake, which fea tured a Cap’n Crunch crust and looked like something from a child’s daydream. Everyone who sampled it raved about the taste, one member declaring: “It tastes fresh, l ike summer.”

The Great A-Z Food Tour members admit that their idea isn’t unique. “There are plenty of food groups doing the same thing as us,” one member said. “But they don’t have matching t-shirts like we do!”

FOOD SERVICE AMBIANCE OVERALL THE WOODCLIF F RESTAURANT5STARSPOSSIBLE The Woody Burger, a menu staple, with portobello mushroom fries, seasoned sour cream, and the infamous onion rings. The thewithwassandwichgood,thefishfiletnottoogreasyandpickledredonionsaddingauniqueflavortotherestofthesandwich.

// 132 // SEPTEMBER 2022 - Sponsored ContentAMERICAN BARREL & VINE- $$ 1311 South 203rd St., Omaha, NE 68130 - 402.504.1777 Barrel and Vine’s restaurant is an elevated food experience that is made from scratch daily with love in our kitchen. Our menu combines a mixture of Chef driven creative dishes, crave-able comfort meals and premium Nebraska steaks. Barrel & Vine also doubles as a live music venue and offers a rooftop bar, outdoor patio with firepits, and dozens of high end bourbons, scotch, and over 100 wine selections. Come check out an experience that is like nothing else in Nebraska. Open 7 days a week. —bvomaha.com DJ’S DUGOUT SPORTS BAR - $ Seven Metro Area Locations: Bellevue - 10308 S. 23rd St.Miracle402.292.9096Hills - 777 N. 114th St.Downtown402.498.8855-1003 Capitol Ave.Aksarben402.763.9974-2102 S. 67th St.Millard402.933.3533-17666 Welch PlazaElkhorn402.933.8844-19020 Evans St.Plattsmouth402.315.1985- 2405 Oak Hill Rd. - 402.298.4166 Voted Omaha’s #1 Sports Bar, DJ’s Dugout is locally and Vietnam Veteran owned. DJ’s Dugout features delicious burgers, wings, wraps, salads, sandwiches and an impressive drink menu. Plus, DJ’s has huge media walls full of HD TVs and projector screens. Catch all the action at DJ’s seven Omaha-area Diglocations.In...At The —djsdugout.comDugout! JAMS- $$ 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 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 DINING GUIDE Omaha DINING GUIDE LEGEND $=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+ 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 —tedandwallys.comp.m. 7 OMAHA METRO AREA LOCATIONS | DJSDUGOUT.COM | 2022 1s Place2022 1 t Place SPORTS BAR 2022 W NNER2022 W NNER WINGS WATCH FOOTBALL HERE!

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 133 // VARSITY SPORTS CAFE - $$ Ralston - 9735 Q St. - 402.339.1944 Bellevue - 3504 Samson WayMillard402.932.1944-14529 F St. - 402.505.6660 Ralston, Bellevue, Millard and Dundee. We are truly grateful to have been welcomed into each of these communities and welcome you in for good food, a cold drink and a comfy seat to enjoy the sport of your choosing! Determined to bring only the freshest ingredients, homemade dough and our spe cialty sauces to the table, we have worked hard to perfect our craft for you. Our goal is to bring the best food service to the area and show the best sports events that you want to see. Pick up and Delivery availalble. Please check website for hours of —varsityromancoinpizza.comoperation. ITALIAN PASTA AMORE - $$ 11027 Prairie Brook Rd. - 402.391.2585 Pastas are made fresh daily, including tortellini, fettuccine, and capellini. Daily specials and menu items include a variety of fresh seafood and regional Italian dishes, such as linguini amore and calamari steak, penne Florentine, gnocchi, spaghetti puttanesca, and osso buco. Filet mignon is also offered for those who appreciate nationally renowned Nebraska beef. To complement your dining experience, the restaurant offers a full bar and extensive wine list. Be sure to leave room for homemade desserts, like the tiramisu and cannoli. Monday-Thursday 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 10 p.m. Reservations —pastaamore.corecommended.m DINING GUIDE Omaha BESTcustomersthankstoourforvotingustheBURGERINOMAHA “ServingWorldFamousHamburgersSince1936” 106 GALVIN RD., BELLEVUE, NE • 402-291-6088 • OPEN MONDAY - SATURDAY, 11 AM - 9 PM 2022 First Place Hamburger DINING GUIDE LEGEND $=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+ Catering . Private Party Rooms . Walk-Ins Welcome 3125 South 72 nd Street (Easy access off I-80, take 72 nd Street Exit) 402.391.2950 . Call today to make your reservation Take Out & Patio Dining Available! Saucy.aGetLittle SPEZIA SPECIALTIES WOOD FIRE STEAKS & SEAFOOD INNOVATIVEFRESHPASTA—RISOTTO—GNOCCHISALMONDAILY Open 7 Days a Week for Lunch & Dinner 2022 Winner Italian Dining 2022 Winner Happy Hour 2022 Winner Appetizers SPECIAL FALL DINING FEATURES

2022 Winner Mexican Dining 2022 Winner Chimichanga Nacho Typical Family Restaurant! www.romeosOMAHA.com 4 METRO LOCATIONS! Place Celebrating over 100 Years of Baking CIABATTArotellasbakery.comExcellence! 3578 Farnam St • www.beercornerusa.com402-345-1708 Try Omaha’s Favorite Reuben! 2022 First Place Reuben Sandwich Omaha’s largest selection of craft beers. COME FOR THE FLIGHTS... S t a y f o r t h e V i b e s Farnam Hill 25th+ Farnam 402 452 3085 Tiffany Plaza 132nd + Center 531 213 2724 *New* Drive Thru Coming this Fall to One Pacific Place!

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 135 // S PEZIA - $$$ 3125 S. 72nd St. - 402.391.2950 Choose Spezia for lunch or dinner, where you’ll find a casual elegance that’s perfect for business guests, get-togethers, or any special occasion. Exceptional food, wine, and service, with a delectable menu: fresh seafood, certified Angus steaks, innovative pasta, risotto, gnocchi, cioppino, lamb, entrée salads, Mediterranean chicken, flatbreads, and fresh salmon daily. Enjoy a full bar, Italian and California wines, Anniversary/ Lovers’ Booth (call to reserve), private dining rooms, and woodfired grill. Open Monday-Sunday. Cocktail hour 4-6 p.m., when all cocktails, glasses of wine, and beers are half price. Evening reservations —speziarestaurant.comrecommended. MEXICAN FERNANDO’S - $ 7555 Pacific St.380402.339.8006.N.114thSt.-402.330.5707 Featuring Sonoran-style cooking made fresh daily. Catering and party rooms also Monday-Thursdayavailable.11a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.11 p.m., Sunday 4-9 —fernandosomaha.cop.m.m F O O D F E AT U R E S C H E F P R O F I L E S R E S TA U R A N T R E V I E W S O M A H A M AGA Z I N E .C O M HUNGRY? DINING GUIDE LEGEND $=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+ DINING GUIDE Omaha 2022 First Place Sunday Brunch 2022 W nner WaitSta & Service Thanks for Voting Us #1 BREAKFAST 14 YEARS in a Row! Drive-Thru Open (Center St. Only) Open Daily 6:30am-2:00pm Serving Breakfast & Lunch All Day! 156th & Dodge • 408-1728 177th & Center • 934-9914 120th & Blondo • 991-8222 69th & Pacific • 933-2776 LEPEEPOMAHA.COM | @LEPEEPOMAHA 2022 First Place Breakfast

// 136 // SEPTEMBER 2022 LA MESA - $$ 158th St. and W. Maple Rd.110th156th402.557.6130andQstreets-402.763.2555St.andW.Maple Rd.Fort402.496.1101CrookRd. and Hwy 37084th402.733.8754St.andTara PlazaLake402.593.0983Manawa 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 Omaha’s#1Mexican Restaurant 19 Years in a Monday-SaturdayRow! 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-9 lamesaomaha.cop.m.m R OMEO’S MEXICAN FOOD AND PIZZA - $ 90th and Blondo streets146th402.391.8870St.andW. Center Rd.Galvin96th402.330.4160andLstreets-402.331.5656andAvery roads29th402.292.2028andFarnam steets - 402.346.1110 Romeo’s is your friendly, family Mexican food and pizza restaurant. We take real pride in serving our guests generous portions of the freshest, most flavorful dishes made with the finest ingredients available. Zesty seasonings and the freshest ingredients combine to ensure the ultimate in flavor. Our savory taco meat is prepared every morning at each location. Make sure to try our chimichangas; they’re the best in —romeosomaha.comtown. DINING GUIDE Omaha SPECIAL DINING CRESCENT MOON ALE HOUSE - $ 3578 Farnam St. - 402.345.1708 Founded in 1996, we’ve grown into Beer Corner USA with the additions of The Huber Haus German Beer Hall, Max and Joe’s Belgian Beer Tavern, and Beertopia—Omaha’s Ultimate Beer Store. With more than 60 beers on tap and Omaha’s best Reuben sandwich, we are a Midtown beer-lover’s destination. Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Kitchen —beercornerusa.comidnight.p.m.,Monday-Wednesdayhours:11a.m.-1Thursday-Saturday11a.m.-ClosedSunday.m 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.co m ZEN COFFEE COMPANY - $ West - 132nd and Center Downtown - 25th and Farnam One Pacific Place - Opening this Fall! 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 —zencoffeecompany.comdaily. DINING GUIDE LEGEND $=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+ 3825 N. 30 TH ST., OMAHA, NE MODERN COCKTAILS MIXED WITH AMERICA’S MUSIC @JOHNNYTSBARANDBLUES HAPPY HOUR: 3-6PM Tues-Fri, All Day Sunday $1 OFF All Tacos and Tortas - $6 Salsa Trio $3.5 Mexican Beers, $6 Margaritas $7 T&T (Tecate + Tequila Shot) 735 N 14th St. Omaha, NE 68102 402.933.4222 | hookandlime.com

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 137 // STEAKHOUSES CASCIO’S - $$ 1620 S. 10th St. - 402-345-8313 Fascio’s is Omaha’s No. 1 steakhouse. We have been serving Omaha for 69 years. We feature steaks, chops, seafood, and Italian specialties. We have seven private party rooms, seating for up to 400 people, and plenty of parking. —casciossteakhouse.co m T HE DROVER RESTAURANT & LOUNGE - $$$ 2121 S. 73rd St. - 402-391-7440 Famous for the original Whiskey Steak. Truly a one-of-a-kind Midwestern experience. Excellent food, wine, service, and value. Rare...and very well done. Open Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Dinner nightly at 5 —droverrestaurant.comp.m. DINING GUIDE Omaha Family Owned Since 1983 CATERING / PARTY ROOM AVAILABLE HOMEMADE, FRESH FOOD, ALWAYS. 3821 Center St. / GreekIslandsOmaha.com402.346.1528 2022 First Place Greek Dining Home of the Whiskey Steak 2022 First Place Steakhouse @The Drover Restaurant & Lounge | Gift Cards Available 2121 S. 73 St. | (402) 391-7440 | DroverRestaurant.com Open Monday - Friday 11am - 2pm | Dinner nightly from 5pm DINING GUIDE LEGEND $=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$=$30+

NEBRASKA FLATWATER SHAKESPEARE PRESENTS JULIUS CAESAR , Sept. 1-12 at Swan Theater at Wyuka Stables in Lincoln .

NEBRASKA UNWRAPPED: SELECTIONS FROM THE COLLECTION, Sept. 1 through Dec. 31 at Nebraska History Museum in Lincoln. History Nebraska presents nearly 150 archeological and historic artifacts for public intrigue and education, some dating pre-statehood. According their website, the contents of the collection “… reveal our challenges and accomplishments, our heritages, and cultures. They help chart the paths taken and forsaken by the unique and distinctive peoples of Nebraska.” Adult tickets are $5, youth tickets (age 5-18) are $3, and kids under 5 get in free.

—discovernwnebraska.com/crawford-308.432.3006.rock-swap/

—noyesartgallery.com 40TH ANNUAL OLD TRUSTY ANTIQUE AND COLLECTORS SHOW, Sept. 10 in Clay Center. This two-day event exhibits antique tractors, engines, cars, and trucks, revealing a bygone age of industry and engineering gear-heads and history-buffs are certain to appreciate. The event also includes exhibitions on oldtime craftsmanship, such ascandlemaking, weaving, and blacksmithing. The Bobby Lane Orchestra performs Saturday night at 7 p.m., while Navy veteran and Nashville artist Justin Kane strums up excitement Sunday, 11 a.m. with his masterful fret work and melodious voice. Passes are $7 per day for adults, $1 for children over 5. 402.762.3685.

ART IN THE GARDEN, Sept. 10 at Sunken Gardens in Lincoln. Noyes Art Gallery hosts artists, musicians, and food vendors among the winding trails, dreamy colors, and enchanting scents of the Sunken Gardens for a sensual artcollecting experience. 402.475.1061.

—lincolnzencenter.org

NORTHWEST NEBRASKA ROCK SWAP, Sept. 2-5 at City Park in Crawford. Rock, fossil, mineral, and gem aficionados gather in Crawford City Park to buy, sell, and trade their unique geological treasures. At 8 a.m. each day, guided field trips to the nearby Agate Gravel Beds are undertaken with intrepid stone enthusiasts invited to meet at the information booth prior. Guest speakers at 2 p.m. and a rock auction 7 p.m. take place Saturday.

—flatwatershakespearecompany.org402.413.1586

—plattsmouthharvestfestival.com

—lincoln.ne.gov/City/Departments/Parks-402.441.7847.and-Recreation/Calendar-and-Events/Movies-2022

—oldtrusty.org BEGINNER’S MEDITATION CLASS, Sept. 12 at Lincoln Zen Center in Lincoln. The Lincoln Zen Center invites those new to meditation to pause, center, and take a deep breath in this free, guided session. Instruction begins at 5:30 p.m., no reservations required.

PLATTSMOUTH HARVEST FESTIVAL, Sept. 8-11 in Plattsmouth. Celebrating its 91st year—and once heralded as a corn festival in the 1930s— this four-day festival evolved into a multifaceted harvest extravaganza that now includes carnival rides, talent show, a craft fair Saturday, music and entertainment, contests, and a ‘Grand Parade’ along Plattsmouth’s historic Main Street.

LET’S PLAN A ROAD TRIP! and DAYTRIPS IN NEBRASKA, IOWA, KANSAS, MISSOURI, AND SOUTH DAKOTA

—history.nebraska.gov/visit/nebraska-402.471.4782unwrapped-selections-collections

// 138 // SEPTEMBER 2022 explore.

come

2-5SEPT. SEPT.01

The Flatwater Shakespeare Co. performs a “less-cut” rendition of one of history’s most infamous betrayals—and one of the Bard’s greatest tragedies—with Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. Audiences will be transported to ancient Rome and watch with a keen sense of dramatic irony as Julius Caesar’s grip on power is carefully conspired against, fought over, and relinquished in harrowing, poignant fashion.

MOVIES IN THE PARK, Sept. 9 at Antelope Park in Lincoln. Biographical sports drama American Underdog (2021) screens under the stars in Antelope Park, just in time for football season. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for this movie, which begins between 8:45-9 p.m..

SEPT.16 // 140 // SEPTEMBER 2022 Gems • Minerals • Fossils • Jewelry Great things for the whole family,

scripteddaunted

and EXPLORE CALENDAR

APPLEJACK HARVEST FESTIVAL, Sept. 16-18 in Nebraska City. Between 60,000 and 80,000 people converge in this town’s of around 7,000 residents to get to the core of their apple cravings. The festival website touts, “Apple pie, apple cider, apple cider donuts, candy apples, caramel apples, apple fritters, apple salad…pretty much anything you can image made from apples is available at the AppleJack Festival”. The event also includes activities such as extreme bull ridding, water barrel fights, a parade, and a downtown flea market.

—pinewoodbowltheater.com and Mom too! Conveniently located just off the interstate | 402-397-9606

—nebraskacity.com/festival/apple-402.873.6654.jack-festival/

8487 Frederick St. | CustomGemsOmaha.com

CODY JOHNSON WITH SPECIAL GUEST RANDY HOUSER, Sept. 16 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. Known for his electrifying stage presence and forecasted by MusicRow as potentially being “the future of real country music,” Nashville sensation and Platinum recording artist Cody Johnson hits the stage at Pinnacle Bank Arena with special guest Randy Houser. Hits like “Til’ I Can’t” will be performed alongside new entries from Johnson’s freshly released, critically acclaimed Human: The Double Album .

—pinnaclebankarena.com402.904.4444.

—lukebryan.com INCUBUS, Sept. 23 at Pinewood Bowl Theater in Lincoln. Forming in 1991, Calabasas, California, alternative rock outfit Incubus has sold more than 23 million albums, containing generational classics like “Wish You Were Here,” “Nice to Know You,” “Dig,” and many more. The all-ages show is outdoors between the pines, rain or shine; tickets are available via TicketMaster and at the Pinnacle Bank Arena ticket office Tuesdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

LUKE BRYAN, Sept. 22 at Stock Hay and Grain in Murdock. True to the Farm Tour 2022 ethos, country music superstar and American Idol judge Luke Bryan arrives in small town Nebraska—and with Murdock’s population of 236 citizens, that’s no understatement. Bryan is set to raise the roof at the Stock Hay and Grain farm, fulfilling a promise to attendees that his highly celebrated, multi-national brand of country stardom is home-grown and remains rooted in rural Americana.

SEPTEMBER 2022 // 141 //

NORFOLK OKTOBERFEST FAMILY FESTIVAL, Sept. 23-24 in Norfolk. Having reached a decade of consecutive annual celebrations, this two-day festival continues to bring families together in celebration of German heritage with live music, traditional German cuisine, inflatables, a Husker tailgate, activities and competitions, and of course, a beer garden stocked with a wide variety of German brews. —norfolkareachamber.com

JERRY SEINFELD LIVE, Sept. 23 at Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln. World-beloved Seinfeld actor and co-creator Jerry Seinfeld brings his brand of snarky, high-brow comedy to Lied Center for Performing Arts, heralding a night of outrageous humor and gut-busting —liedcenter.org/event/jerry-seinfeld-livelaughter.

IOWA IOWA CITY SUMMER BASH, Sept. 3 on the Pedestrian Mall in Iowa City. To celebrate the first Iowa Hawkeyes football game of the year, this free, all-ages event promises 10 hours of music—with performances by Damn Juhl, DJ Amru, Ketamonster, and more—brought to attendees in “turbosound” by iowa|techno at the Ped Mall Weather Dance Fountain Stage. The bash runs from 1noon-10 p.m. for a full day of outdoor grooving. —allevents.in/iowa R.E.O SPEEDWAGON AND STYX, Sept. 4 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. For the first time in four years, ’70s rock sensations REO Speedwagon and Styx join forces in their co-headlining “Live & UnZoomed” tour to deliver hard rock guitar riffs, enthralling synth percussions, and signature power ballads with special guest Loverboy at Wells Fargo Arena.

SEPT.24

—branchedoakobservatory.com/eventsattendees.

SEPT.3

2022 FALL STARBQ Sept. 24 at the Branched Oak Conservatory in Lincoln. Lincoln’s annual StarBQ returns to the Branched Oak Conservatory for the eighth time, bringing together area stargazers EXPLORE CALENDAR for a night of celestial wonder and lipsmackin’ barbecue. Children’s activities and educational opportunities are held throughout the evening, until darkness settles to reveal the stars. Through the observatories numerous telescopes, and through those of amateur astronomers, planets, nebulas, and even galaxies will fill the lenses— and the imaginations—of

—iowaeventscenter.com DAY OUT WITH THOMAS, Sept. 11 at the Scenic Valley Railroad and Museum in Boone. Beloved children’s book and cartoon character Thomas the Tank Engine makes a stop at the Scenic Valley Railroad and Museum in Boone, picking up passengers for a fun and educational ride on the historic tracks of this designated heritage railroad. Tickets are $17 on Friday, and $20 on Saturday and Sunday, with interested parents encouraged to buy them ahead of time. Food is not included with price of admission, though numerous food vendors pepper the —bsvrr.com/wp/events/day-out-site.with-thomas

FIREWATER MUSIC FESTIVAL, Sept. 29 through Oct. 1 at Wildwood Outdoor Education Center in Kansas City. In the second rendition of their self-curated event, country rock outfit Whisky Myers invites attendees to enjoy three days of live music, forest camping, and a menagerie of local food vendors. Myers’ curated list of performers includes favorites such as the Old 97s, the Red Southall Band, and Nikki Lane.

—kcirishfest.com/

SOUTH DAKOTA I LOVE THE ’90S TOUR, Sept. 9 at the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center in Sioux Falls. Those feeling nostalgic for the rose-colored, buttery-smooth rhymes of the ’90s will find the I Love the ’90s tour is certain to hit that sweet spot, with per formances by Coolio, plus Rob Base, Montell Jordan, and the ever-ubiq uitous music stylings of Vanilla —dennysanfordpremiercenter.com/Ice.events/2022/i-love-the-90s

WORLD FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL 2022, Sept. 16-18 at Western Gateway Park in Des Moines. Taking place at downtown Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park, this three-day festival celebrates all things cosmopolitan, having grown from around two dozen vendors in 2005 to being able to support 90,000 unique visitors today. Produced by the Greater Des Moines Partnership, the festival promises “international cuisine, live music and performing arts, cooking demonstrations, interactive programs, wine and craft beers and much —dsmpartnership.com/worldfoodmore.”andmusicfestival/about-the-festival

—firewatermusicfestival.com/ MISSOURI 20TH ANNUAL KANSAS CITY IRISH FEST, Sept. 2-4 at Crown Center Square in Kansas City. Over Labor Day weekend, Kansas City celebrates its 20th annual Irish Fest, offering attendees “the chance to see some of the top Irish entertainment in the world.” The festival includes a medley of Irish musical and dance performers, tradi tional food and drink vendors, Irish whiskey tastings, an educational Irish genealogy showcase, children’s activities, and more.

COLLECT-A-CON FEATURING VANILLA ICE, Sept. 17-18 at Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City. “Yo VIP, let’s kick it” the opening lyric of Vanilla Ice’s megahit “Ice Ice Baby” is an invitation by the ’90s hip-hop sensation to join him at the Kansas City Convention during Collect-aCon—billed as “the nation’s largest trading card, anime, and pop culture convention”— for a nostalgic, unforgettable performance.

GABRIEL “FLUFFY” IGLESIAS, Sept. 11 at Kansas State Fair Grandstand in Hutchinson. Few possess a larger stage presence than beloved comedian Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, who masterfully combines relatable, day-to-day experiences with outrageous, over-the-top humor. Known for coining the term “fluffy” to describe his large-and-in-charge proportions, Iglesias invites audiences to laugh with him, at him, and most importantly, at themselves, bringing levity and joy to Hutchinson’s Kansas State Fair beginning 7:30 p.m. —visithutch.com

SIOUX FALLS GERMANFEST, Sept. 10 at Fawick Park in Sioux Falls. The Sister Cities of Sioux Falls presents Ger manfest, a free one-day fundraising event honoring Sioux Falls sister city, Potsdam, Germany, with Bavarian hats and lederhosen abound, plus traditional music and entertainment from 2-10 p.m., a Dachshund Dog Race commencing at 4:30 p.m., a Kinder “Children” area, a wide range of traditional food, and German beer tents organized by Beal —siouxfallssistercities.com/eventDistributing.

// 142 // SEPTEMBER 2022 29SEPT.+ 16-18SEPT. EXPLORE CALENDAR

SHAWN MENDES WITH TATE MCRAE, Sept. 26 at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City. Although the Omaha performance was can celed, fans have a chance to see multi-plat inum singer/songwriter, and generational heartthrob Shawn Mendes deliver his silky, wide-ranging vocals to cherished hits like “Señorita,” “Treat You Better,” and “Wonder” at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center. The show includes special guest Tate —t-mobilecenter.com/events/detail/McRae.shawn-mendes

DANCEFESTOPIAKANSAS2022, Sept. 6-11 at Emerald City in Lacygne. This explosive, six-day music and camping festival promises attendees a frenetic, heart-pounding blitz of performances by over 150 EDM artists, including genre legends like Seven Lions and deadmau5. Ranked “a Top-5 festival for new festival goers” by EDM.com, this event offers an incredible experience for rave-sceneveterans and curious newcomers alike. Campsites are available in the adjoining Emerald Forest, encouraging intrepid attendees to lose themselves in the various nooks and crannies of natural wonder. —dancefestopia.com

EVENT TIMES AND DETAILS MAY CHANGE. Visit omahamagazine.com for complete listings. Check with venue or event organizer to confirm.

—louisburgcidermill.com/ciderfest

—collectaconusa.com/kc

HARVEST MOON SONG AND DANCE FEST 2022, Sept. 25 at Dan Nagle Walnut Grove Pioneer Village in Longe Grove. For the low price of $6 ($3 for children), festival attendees are entreated to jig, reel, and hoedown to 1800s folk music and early 20th century traditional, ragtime, and jazz; plus some midcentury country tunes by ensemble “Fifth of Country.” Lawn chairs are welcome at this rain or shine event, with local food vendors serving up cool drinks and hot plates. —scottcountyiowa.gov

44TH ANNUAL CIDERFEST Sept. 24-25 at Louisburg Cider Mill in Louisburg. This free-admission event extols all things apple cider, with tours of the mill in action—from washing to press— allowing attendees a window into the process behind the festival’s crisp, delicious treats before taking a bite (or sip!). Bluegrass and country classic musical performances intermingle with the scent of fresh apples and warm cider, the perfect atmosphere for attendees to enjoy hot or cold ciders, cider doughnuts, caramel apples, and the Louisburg Cider Mill’s home-made Lost Trail Root Beer. Kids will enjoy hayrack rides, corn mazes, and homemade toys for sale.

SEPTEMBER // 143 // 2022 @oma_spotter_paige @omabri @buckchristensen @huskertiara HASHTAG #OMAHAMAGAZINE ON INSTAGRAM TO BE FEATURED BELOW instagram.com/omahamagazine facebook.com/omahamagazine twitter.com/omahamagazine @alderimages @lolasblest @nickdavis_99 @urbanshutterphotographic @rochford_mw GIVE US FOLLOWA

2. Wo rk Meetings. That pretty much covers it, though it should be noted that Things That Mildly Irritate Me is a much longer list. Next time.

1. Vampires: The Un-Dead have been a major fear of mine since my sister, who was supposed to be babysitting me, schlepped me along on a “secret” date she had with a very creepy jock-type named Dolan - he later got kicked out of a service academy for being “unacceptably obtuse.” Anyway, my parents were off to a fundraiser for Jack Kennedy hosted by Sargent Shriver’s first cousin and were likely to be out late, so sis had the opportunity to abscond undetected with her tiny, innocent, brother (me) and perhaps talk Dolan out of his class ring. The theater we went to was showing a British Hammer flick, Horror of Dracula starring Christopher Lee. There the true trauma to my nascent persona occurred… the Technicolor images on the screen were seared onto my young brain. Rivers of Ehler’s red food coloring mixed with methyl paraben and clear corn syrup running down pale necks and pooling on fake stone floors, blindingly over-whitened fangs tearing flesh, acres of heaving décolletage bound up in a British schoolboy’s concept of lingerie appropriate for graveyards and tombs, clashing harmonics created by a very small string orchestra and a composer who is more famous for being Benjamin Britten’s page turner at recitals, and long passages of tedious exposition worked up by a gin-soaked screenwriter, who I have since discovered ended up penning scripts for BJ and the Bear, – it was all horrifying on a metaphysical level. For years I could not sleep without a strand of garlic on my bedroom doorknob, a cross on my headboard, and an autographed copy of The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structures for Writers by Christopher Vogler on my nightstand. As I grew older I eventually realized how irrational it all was. For instance, how was that crucifix going to help me if the vampire was Jewish, Unitarian, or a 23rd Degree Mason? But, despite the dawn of reason in my developing brain, I frequently found myself absent mindedly whittling wood into sharp stakes that could easily be driven through vampiric hearts well into my Fifties, and I still have a collection of wooden mallets that could be used to hammer the spikes home. Other effects on my life include the fact that I have never purchased a red velvet lined cape, or a pre-paid cemetery plot, bought property in the Carpathians, or trusted a woman dressed up like a gypsy… so far. Oh, and I still have dreams about Gary Ol dman’s hair.

Otis Twelve hosts the radio program Morning Classics with Otis Twelve on 90.7 KVNO, weekday mornings from 6-10 a.m. Visit kvno.org for more information.

THINGS I AM AFRAID OF NOT FUNNY // COLUMN BY OTIS TWELVE // PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL SITZMANN

T SEPTEMBER // 144 // 2022

hey say you should face your fears. That’s how true personal growth is achieved, or so I am told. And I read once on a List of Things You Can Do that a good way to do that is to make a list. So her e is a list.

A List of Things I a m afraid of:

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