Sept/Oct 09 - The Encounter Magazine by Omaha Magazine

Old Market • Downtown • Riverfront

Spice Maven Maria Fernandez OMaha Lit FeStivaL

Garden Girls The

www.oldmarket.com

September/October 2009

of Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center

Omaha magazine • 5921 S. 118th CirCle • Omaha, ne 68137

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At the Old Market’s Front Door 10TH & HOWARD STREETS

Holiday décor you’ll adore! Beyond Christmas, we celebrate the spirit of holidays year-round. Come browse our seasonal décor for Halloween and other holidays throughout the year. • Dept. 56 Village Gold Key Dealer • Christopher Radko • Steinbach Nutcrackers • Heartwood Creek by Jim Shore • Beanpod Soy Candles

Mickey Pumpkin Figurine by Jim Shore, 6” x 7”

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The souvenir and traveler’s store Small in size but large on variety! Find essentials for travelers, Nebraska-made gifts, Heartland apparel, Husker items and souvenirs. We’ve been called “the hotel gift shop, without the hotel prices.”

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Award-winning food & wine list – open late 7 nights a week. Call for reservations.

M’s Pub

422 S. 11th Street

•

342-2550

www.MsPubOmaha.com

Italian & Mediterranean specialties served in“the Old Market’s most beautiful dining room,” complemented with the area’s largest selection of Italian wines.

1108 Howard Street

•

342-2050

www.VivaceOmaha.com

the encounter | september/october 2009 3

Second Chance

Old Market Downtown • Riverfront

Antiques & Collectibles

Bought and sold by the handful, or houseful

�

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Over 30 Years in the Old Market

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september/october 2009

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c ontributinG W riters Tony Endelman Melissa McElroy David Williams Maggie Tunning Jonathan Welsh Judy Horan Leo Adam Biga

A ccount e xecutives Gwen Lemke • Vicki Voet Alicia Smith Hollins • Greg Bruns

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II r e Tow old s uS g u % A 60

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6 Feature : Omaha Press Club ............................................... 8 Downtown Story: 10th Street Renovation ................... 12 Cover Story: Hani in the Garden .................................. 14 Feature: Prouty Place Dos ............................................. 16 Downtown Art: Omaha Lit Festival..............................18 Downtown Faces: Omaha’s Spice Maven ................... 20 Condo Life: River View................................................ 22 Old Market Map........................................................... 24 Calendar .......................................................................27 Downtown Dining: Passionate About Pizza ....................

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On the Cover: (l-r) nancy ryan, liz ryan, hani Kenefick, mary Ferer, mary Connor the encounter | september/october 2009 5

downtown dInIng

“ F ” It’s all about listening to your

customers.

6 september/october 2009 | the encounter

Passionate About Pizza Vivace celebrates 15-Year Anniversary story by David Williams

or the first time in more than three decades of working in restaurants, Ron Samuelson has forced himself to learn to say no. Along with Ann Mellen, Samuelson is a co-owner of both M’s Pub, the venerable Old Market eatery established in 1973, and Vivace, the eclectic Italian bistro located just around the corner. Both businesses have long been known for openly sharing recipes with diners. But no more. At least not when it comes to the new Neapolitan-style pizza introduced at Vivace in celebration of the 15th anniversary of the restaurant.

departments “We’ve been working on this menu change for almost a year,” executive chef Bobby Mekiney said of a lineup that also features a return of their popular “you pick the pasta, sauce and toppings” array of entrees. “Ron’s brain is always racing a million miles an hour,” Mekiney chuckled, “but I’m the guy who has to execute on all that creativity and make it into something workable, something we can actually put on a plate.” While laughing along with Mekiney, the man whose hiring his boss calls “the smartest thing we ever did,” Samuelson added that having the best talent is only part of Vivace’s success. “It’s all about listening to your customers and giving them the maximum number of choices,” Samuelson said. “Price reductions made possible through an ala carte approach, pizza crusts that are never par-baked for later use, and only the best from-scratch pastas” solidify the new backbone of the restaurant enjoying its 16th year on Howard Street. And in the now-you-see-‘em-now-you-don’t world of dining, Vivace’s longevity translates into an exponentially greater age in the “dog-years” measurement that applies to the restaurant arena, so often populated with the fickle, the trendy and, most notably, the short-lived. “Our customers had been telling us that our portions were too large,” said Samuelson, “and we’ve adjusted so diners who, for example, just want a really good bowl of pasta at an affordable price can make it in and out quickly, especially at lunch.” The fare isn’t all that will be new at the restaurant, whose sidewalk tables are separated from the ones at M’s Pub by only perhaps 30 footfalls. A planned remodel will soon gently nudge the floor plan, splash new, lighter hues, and make airy and softer a room that is currently darker and more masculine. But not everyone, it would seem, is happy with change. Supplanted by its shiny, new, feature-rich cousin, the restaurant’s original pasta machine sits forlornly in a dark corner of the labyrinth of prep kitchens, wine cellars and storage spaces that form a subterranean connection between M’s and Vivace. “This has been a passion of mine for a long time,” Samuelson said as he sprinkled snippets of fresh basil on top of one of Mekiney’s crunchy-on-the-outside-chewy-on-the-inside creations. “What is pizza anyway?” he mused. “It’s a great piece of bread topped with fantastic toppings that compliment instead of overwhelm the crust. It’s all about balance – balance of flavor, texture, depth and intensity.” No, Ron Samuelson won’t be giving away pizza secrets anytime soon. On the topic of flour he becomes furtive. He can be terse when it comes to tomatoes. And he’s downright mum on marinara. “I will, however,” he beamed as if proposing a compromise of noble largess, “sell you all the pizza you can carry.”

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the encounter | september/october 2009 7

feAture OPC’s executive Director Steve Villamonte

“ P ” the more

events you have, the

better your

bottom line.

8 september/october 2009 | the encounter

Join the Club open membership, Lively events Help omaha press club thrive by Tony Endelman

photos by minorwhitestudios.com

erhaps since Pittsburgh’s famed Duquesne first opened in 1873, private city clubs have been a cherished retreat for members of American high society. For most, they evoke images of the rich and powerful; chief executives and financiers discussing stock trends over single malt scotch while donning fine velvet smoking jackets. The Omaha Press Club, however, now in its 54th year, is not nearly so pretentious or exclusive as the private clubs of yesteryear. With membership open to virtually anyone, the OPC has a long-standing tradition of fun for all who join, and is committed to steadfastly fulfill its mission – “to promote excellence in communications and media professions

through fellowship, education and advocacy of freedom of information.” Press clubs in Omaha have had a categorically troubled history, dating back to 1888, and possibly earlier. Started by hard-hitting newspapermen as sanctuaries for playing cards and shooting pool, most of these clubs failed miserably as a result of poor management and falling membership, precipitated by the sharp decline in daily news publications. Founded in 1955, after the advent of broadcast television, OPC is considered Omaha’s first official press club. Unlike its many predecessors, OPC has thrived over the years, thanks to strong community support and a healthy membership. Today, the club boasts 1,000 members, who fall within one of four categories: Working Press/News Media, Communicator, Individual, and Corporate. Not until 1971, however, did Omaha Press Club members find their permanent meeting place, which proudly boasts “the best view in town.” For years after the club’s inception, members congregated in smoky bars and brewpubs, hotel meeting rooms, and any place else that might accommodate them. But as First National neared the final phases of construction on its 22-story headquarters at 16th and Dodge, OPC members set their sights on the building for a Press Club restaurant and private meeting space. Bank president John Davis asserted that a Press Club restaurant could never succeed with media members only. But, with the presumption that people would undoubtedly spend money to hobnob with media celebrities, Davis agreed to give OPC a loan under the condition that it secure 1,000 associate members at dues of $125 a year. Within 90 days, the club obtained enough names, and Davis honored his pledge to provide a loan. The Omaha Press Club restaurant opened its doors on November 17, 1971, to lines of members eager to dine on the top floor of First National Center. During the same year, OPC introduced its signature event, “The Face on the Barroom Floor,” a toast and roast in honor of local newsmakers. “The Face on the Barroom Floor” refers specifically to a caricature drawing of the evening’s honoree, which is placed on the club’s barroom floor and eventually relocated to a more respectable spot on the wall. “The people that are nominated have had a positive impact on Nebraska,” explains OPC’s executive director Steve Villamonte. Omaha Mayor Gene Leahy holds the distinction of being the first Face on the Barroom Floor. “Last year, Larry the Cable Guy was roasted,” remembers Villamonte. “We’ve roasted Todd and Tyler, Dana Altman, and Warren Buffett. One of the most memorable nights was when Dick Cavett post-

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humously roasted Johnny Carson.” In addition to “The Face on the Barroom Floor,” OPC hosts a slew of events throughout the year, including its celebrated Annual Show, a New Year’s Eve Ball, and a quarterly Winemakers’ Dinner. “Our first Winemakers’ Dinner had 13 people and now we’re up to 100,” says Villamonte. “It is such a good value. You get a bottomless glass, and the meal is unbelievable.” And, in February of this year, OPC hosted its first ballroom dance, featuring Sean Clemons of Clemons Dance Studio. “It was so well attended,” describes Villamonte, “that we’re going to do it quarterly also.” Most notable, perhaps, is OPC’s annual Ron Sailors Culinary Scholarship Fundraiser, typically held during the first week of November. “Ron was the very first graduate from the culinary arts apprenticeship program through Metro Community College, and I was his instructor,” explains Villamonte. “He was the head chef at our Annual Show in 2001 and, that same night, he passed away

from a stroke. We’ve raised over $75,000 in Ron’s name.” With all of its events, OPC proves unique, as the number of prosperous city clubs is dwindling across the country. “The economy has kind of pushed us into having to think outside the box and keep prices down,” explains Villamonte. “And, the more events you have, the better your bottom line. We do a lot of wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners. It’s the perfect venue for an event with 100-225 people. You don’t have to be a member. Just pay a rental fee like any other banquet facility.” Villamonte also notes that OPC is one of the top food clubs in Omaha. “We have an amazing chef, and I fully support what he does.” For non-members that are interested in joining, OPC offers its “One Night Stand,” an opportunity to try out the facility. To join the club or for more information, call 345-8587 or visit www.omahapressclub.org.

OPC’s signature event is “The Face on the Barroom Floor,” a toast and roast in honor of local newsmakers.

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Des Moines • Omaha • Kansas City the encounter | september/october 2009 11

downtown story

“ “O ” I think it’s

an excit-

10th street renovation

Attorney bill seidler Jr. helps spearhead neighborhood revival story by Maggie Tunning

ing, dy-

photos by minorwhitestudios.com

namic part

maha is one of those ultimate flyover places,” wrote Kurt Andersen in a 2007 New York Times feature, “an urban Podunk so vaguely situated in coastal Americans’ mental maps that the mere mention of it can actually halt conversation.” But Omaha is gaining more and more geographic significance, as it pours time, talent and resources into preservation and renovation projects — resurfacing old neighborhoods and discovering local treasures that add character and a richness to the city that many never knew it had.

of the city.

12 september/october 2009 | the encounter

departments One area receiving particular attention is south 10th Street. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an exciting, dynamic part of the city,â&#x20AC;? said Bill Seidler Jr., an Omaha attorney who is part of the widespread cityscape revival. Seidler bought a old, brick building on the corner of 10th and Bancroft streets in 2005. A volunteer at Lauritzen Gardens, he frequently drove past the property, which previously housed a grocery store. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It was a self-sustained corner,â&#x20AC;? said Rob Albers, pharmacist and owner of Edâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Rexall across the street. Albers, who has lived in the area for 30 years, said when the grocery store closed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;it was a really sad day for the neighborhood.â&#x20AC;? However, neighbors can once again shop at 10th and Bancroft â&#x20AC;&#x201D; at the farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market Seidler hosts in the parking lot of the property, which he has completely renovated. On weekends in May through October, customers can enjoy a variety of local items ranging from fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs to art and crafts. In addition to the farmersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; market, Seidler hosts a fashion market once a month, when local fashion designers set up shop in the space. He also allows Omaha artists to feature their work in the space â&#x20AC;&#x201D; from formal exhibitions throughout the interior to beautiful murals outside. Seidler prioritizes the arts as he manages the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think arts in a neighborhood adds pride and a sense of place and purpose,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The existence of art in Omaha is a reflection of its civic pride in its past and future. I think the interest in arts and developing them is helping to increase the sense of community and cooperation, which in turn builds a better city.â&#x20AC;? As Seidler helps build the corner of 10th and Bancroft, other members of the community are working on creating a more expansive conservation district to preserve and protect the unique and distinctive 10th Street corridor: from Pacific to even further south of Bancroft. The proposed zoning ordinance will allow the area to become a premier mixed-use pedestrianoriented district, building the history and character of the surrounding neighborhoods. Jason Smith, president of the Deer Park Neighborhood Association, said the revitalization of 10th Street will include fountains, trees and plazas bounded by neighborhood-friendly businesses and residential structures, and economically sustained by streetcar lines that will connect billions of dollars of entertainment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to see a great future,â&#x20AC;? he said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;We, being Omahans, and this being a great amenity for our city.â&#x20AC;? The pride of people like Smith, Seidler and Albers is a most-evident indicator of the success of this project. Like the more wellknown entrepreneurs and musicians who call Omaha home, the community of south 10th Street has the passion and enthusiasm that the Midwest can be proud of. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When visitors come to Omaha, this is what we show them,â&#x20AC;? Seidler said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re showing people what we are.â&#x20AC;?

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the encounter | september/october 2009 13

Cover story

“ T ” she’s a real

Hani in the garden

trouper and

A woman with a passion for gardening helped create Lauritzen Gardens, omaha’s botanical center

game for

by Judy Horan | Photos by minorwhitestudios.com

about anything.

14 september/october 2009 | the encounter

oday, Lauritzen Gardens spreads over a lush 100 acres visited each year by 150,000 people. But more than two decades ago, the garden was just a bold idea of a small group of visionaries, headed by former Omaha World-Herald garden columnist Helena Street. Hani Kenefick was one of those early visionaries. She joined the Omaha Botanical Center board of directors in 1986. The group had passion --- but no land. They went looking for a site and found it on a hilltop overlooking the Missouri River. The land had been used by the City of Omaha as a landfill for compacted trash.

cover story The flower lovers negotiated a longterm lease for the land with the city in 1994 and began their crusade to turn garbage into gardens. “They would bring plants in the trunks of their cars,” says Spencer Crews, executive director of Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center, since 1996. “The garden got started by people like Hani sharing their passion.” Crews remembers a rainy and cold fall day when he, Hani, and several of her daughters planted daffodil bulbs. Those daffodils are still around more than a dozen years later, part of one of the 15 garden areas. In 1997, Hani and Fran Dowd organized a lunch for their friend, Kimball Lauritzen. “I told Kim (l-r) nancy ryan, liz ryan, mary Connor, hani Kenefick, mary Ferer what we were trying to do,” Hani says. “And she offered to help.” Crews recalls that Lauritzen became enthused and passionate about the project and said, “Let’s get this done.” The Omaha Botanical Garden’s 32,000-square-foot visitor and education center and expanded gardens were dedicated in October 2001. They were named in recognition of the Lauritzen family’s generous contribution. Kim Lauritzen, wife of First National Bank Chairman Bruce Lauritzen, died in 2008. The oak-paneled Helen Kenefick Community Room in the new visitors’ center was named for Hani. Helen is her legal name. The dedicated volunteer and long-time board member is now a board member emeritus, but continues to be active. A member of the Loveland Garden Club, Hani maintains a greenhouse at her home.

Hani’s daughters have been generous supporters of the garden and have worked with their mother on many events, says Crews. “They come down and volunteer for planting projects. When we have a mass appeal for volunteers, they come forward.” “Our family has worked on Lauritzen Garden’s Antique and Garden Show every September for five years,” says daughter Mary Ferer. She says she has learned from her mother the importance of volunteering. “She still hasn’t slowed down.” Hani was a widow with four teenagers when she married John Kenefick 35 years ago. Her son, John Ryan, lives in Portland, Maine. Her other daughters, Elizabeth and Nancy Ryan, also live in Omaha, as does her stepdaughter, John Kenefick’s daughter, Mary Connor. Hani has served on numerous nonprofit boards. She is a longtime volunteer at the Henry Doorly Zoo. A donation from Hani and John Kenefick helped make possible the zoo’s Garden of the Senses, which opened in 1998. Dr. Lee Simmons remembers Hani traveling on zoo-sponsored trips, including roughing it in East Africa where the group slept in tents. “She’s a real trouper and game for about anything,” says Simmons, chairman of the Omaha Zoo Foundation. “In Borneo, we were climbing a mountain in the rain, and Hani was right there with us.” Her husband retired in 1986 as vice chairman and CEO of the Union Pacific Corporation. The family traveled frequently in private railroad cars across the country during his time as Union Pacific’s top executive. After his retirement, John and Hani found time to travel the world together. When Kenefick Park, then located near Omaha’s airport, was displaced by riverfront development, two historical Union Pacific locomotives on display there --- the Centennial No. 6900, the largest and most powerful diesel-electric locomotive built, and Big Boy No. 4023, the world’s largest steam locomotive --- were stored on Union Pacific rails near Durham Museum. The giant machines needed a new home. So they were moved to a three-acre site, which is part of 40 acres that had been bought and donated earlier to Lauritzen Gardens by John and Hani Kenefick. When it came time to move two of America’s longest locomotives to their new home near Lauritzen Gardens, people lined both sides of 10th Street to watch. The parade of locomotives made such an amazing sight that the BBC network shot film of the move as part of a documentary, “Mega Moves,” that aired on the Discovery Channel. The park was dedicated in October 2005. Union Pacific underwrote the costs to move the locomotives and to maintain Kenefick Park. There is no admission charge to visit Kenefick Park, which shares the same hours of operation as Lauritzen Gardens. For information, go to omahabotanicalgardens.org or call 402346-4002. Hani still has dreams. “I want to go to Egypt,” says the spry octogenarian. “And I want to see a large greenhouse-conservatory built at Lauritzen Gardens.” the encounter | september/october 2009 15

feAture

“

Business owner John Prouty

there are a lot of misconceptions about south omaha. we’ve found that it... has a

”

very positive energy.

16 september/october 2009 | the encounter

Prouty Place dos

Family business Finds New Home in south omaha by Jonathan Welsh | photos by minorwhitestudios.com

he Prouty name has been associated with downtown Omaha for a very long time. The Prouty family business, Wessco Graphics, a rubber stamp company, has operated out of multiple locations in the downtown area since 1904, and they have owned and sold 12 substantial properties in the heart of the city; two of these later became the Gene Leahy Mall and the Landmark Building. Recently, brothers John and Jim decided to make a bold move to South Omaha for reasons of both business and pleasure. Ultimately, lower taxes and the desire for a new experience have prompted the brothers to renovate an old building at 4825 S. 25th St. for multi-use. This newly completed two-story building, aptly named Prouty Place Dos, contains five different businesses, including Wessco Graphics and a 1,000-square-foot salon operated by Jim’s daughters, Jami and Julie. There is also an art gallery and a welding studio on the first floor, along with Jami’s 3,000-squarefoot condo and John’s 4,000-square-foot condo on the second floor. The modest-sized art gallery holds much of John’s glass and steel work, as well as paintings from other local artists. The spacious top-floor condo doubles as a room for entertaining guests. It is decorated with works of art and other stylish items from the far reaches of the globe. A large bar is the centerpiece of the room, and is surrounded by “rooms without walls”: sections that are partitioned from other areas by the arrangement of the furniture. It’s a true artist’s den.

feature One of the challenges they face in relocating is getting former clients and friends to make the trip south for visits and business. “There are a lot of misconceptions about South Omaha. We’ve found that it is a family-oriented society and has a very positive energy,” remarked John. “Whole families, including grandparents, enjoy activities together around here.” John particularly enjoys the many different eateries and markets in South Omaha offering foods that can’t be found anywhere else in the city. Attending a potluck is always an adventure for Prouty, as he usually picks up a rare food item from the local Asian market to bring. “My friends are always confused when I don’t bring something spicy or Mexican food in particular. It’s a common misconception that South Omaha is mostly populated by people with Mexican heritage,” said John. The nightlife also offers a fresh scene, with many places hosting live music from authentic Mariachi bands. Prouty utilizes the spacious building to

host private gatherings for different nonprofit entities that he’s involved with, and recently hosted the opening reception for the Restore Omaha conference. If there are any purchases from the gallery at one of these functions, he donates a portion of the sales to charity. And business is good in South Omaha due to the needs of the large Hispanic population. The Proutys offer a translation service for the many different nationalities living in the area, and also plan to use extra space in the building for the creation of a Hispanic business mall. The idea behind the mall is that there are many professional people doing business in South Omaha who do not have access to a desk and office space, so why not provide desks for rent? “Most people here do all of their business in cash, which has its advantages and disadvantages, but overall, South Omaha has a lot of opportunities,” said Prouty. The language barrier is not a problem for the Proutys, as English courses are being offered by many

local institutions, and local banks are now teaching classes in basic finance. The Prouty family has adopted a different lifestyle from what they were used to in the Old Market, but it seems to be equally fulfilling and filled with new adventures. In the current troubled economic times, the demographics of South Omaha have allowed them to develop a successful strategy of generating multiple streams of income. The translation service and the business mall are two ideas that could only be possible in a community like South Omaha. And to any possible misconceptions about the people of South Omaha, John Prouty answers, “I have traveled to over 80 different countries in my lifetime, and what I’ve discovered is that we are all basically the same. We all have the same basic wants and needs. The community in South Omaha is no different.” Prouty would like to see more people make the move south as he truly believes they will be pleasantly surprised with what they find.

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the encounter | september/october 2009 17

downtown Art

“ T ” There is a certain amount of mythologizing writers.

18 september/october 2009 | the encounter

omaha Lit festival

timothy schaffert’s goal is to help authors, readers connect by Melissa McElroy | photos by minorwhitestudios.com

he fifth annual Downtown Omaha Lit Fest, Friday, Sept. 18 and Saturday, Sept. 19, will pay tribute to the tawdry paperback novel of the 20th century. Given our hard economic times, the dime-store pulp classics seemed a fitting theme, quipped Timothy Schaffert, a Nebraska writer, UNL professor and founder of the festival. Original artwork inspired by pulp classics will be put on display. Modern writers will pay tribute to Jim Thompson, a former Nebraskan pulp fiction writer whose work has inspired film adaptations, including The Grifters, which earned four Academy Award nominations. And most importantly, literary fans will be able to mingle with nationally known authors, who despite the stereotype, are not all recluses. While the typical literary event is hosted on a college campus, Schaffert said he started

departments the Omaha Lit Fest to take that experience out of the classroom and put it into the community. The downtown venue provides an informal setting for readers to meet writers, and exposes the public to the literary world. “There is a certain amount of mythologizing writers… That they sit alone in a dark room completely disconnected from people,” Schaffert said with a faint smile, then conceded that this is sometimes the case. “While this event is about contemporary writers who are serious about finding readers and connecting with those readers, it is also so readers can discover that most writers are actually quite accessible.” Past festivals have had equally intriguing themes: Depraved Women Writers, Plagiarism & Fraud, and Banned Books. Renowned writers from around the country have participated in the events. Victoria Alexander, Sean Doolittle, Marcus Galloway, D. Lee Hatchett, Harley Jane Kozak, Kim Louise and Chloe Neill, among others, are featured this year. The typical turnout in the past was a couple hundred attendees. “The festival is for rarified tastes. It’s not pitched to the grandstand. It’s a sizeable, devoted audience,” Schaffert said. Downtown Omaha provides the perfect backdrop for the event, according to Schaffert. It is rich with culture and appropriate venues. It also is one of the most pedestrian-friendly parts of Omaha, and provides a unique energy perfect for promoting the arts. To quote Elizabeth Currid, a writer who is referenced on omahalitfest.com, “Creativity — particularly, arts and culture — is a central part of the growth and success of metropolitan areas and needs to be taken more seriously as a part of any city’s economic development scheme.” The final schedule for the festival was still in the works at press time. A tentative schedule is currently listed on the web site: www.omahalitfest.com. Readers are encouraged to check the web site frequently for the most up-to-date information.

Friday, September 18 Pulp & Poetry: tales of romance & adventure at the Joslyn art museum An afternoon tour of Joslyn’s permanent collection, led by poets and fiction writers reading original writing inspired by images of love and Western adventure. twisted lives, tormented loves: Savage art inspired by Jim thompson Original artwork inspired by pulp classics of one-time Nebraskan Jim Thompson. Omaha lit Fest opening night party and rocking charity fundraiser Food, drink and artful interpretation of novels inspired by the work of the nation’s leading writers of urban fic-

The Original Old Market Irish B ar Nightly Specials Live Irish Music Weekends Open 11a.m.

1205 H arney St. 342-5887

dublinerpubomaha.com

tion, at the W. Dale Clark Library. Suggested donations benefit the Urban Speculative Fiction Literary Foundation’s project to improve the lives of Omaha’s at-risk youth through literature.

J.P. COOKE COMPANY

Saturday, September 19 afternoon conversations with writers Contemporary writers discuss the influence of classic pulp fiction (romance, western, noir, horror, sci-fi, etc.) on

provided by The Bookworm bookstore.

RUBBER STAMPS PRE-INKED STAMPS INTERIOR SIGNS DESK NAME PLATES NAME BADGES EMBOSSING SEALS

literary happy hour. an evening at

“OLD MARKET”

their work specifically and the literary culture in general, at the KANEKO. BuyBooksataromasCoffeehouse;sales

nomad lounge, featuring Chicago’s Featherproof books and all its latest literary toys and tantalizing gimmicks.

1311 HOWARD OMAHA, NE 68102 (402) 342-7175 FAX: 402-342-9426 the encounter | september/october 2009 19

downtown fACes

“

I always use the expression it’s the restaurant that added spice to omaha.

”

20 september/october 2009 | the encounter

omaha’s spice Maven maria Fernandez

by Leo Adam Biga | photography by minorwhitestudios.com

ndian Oven owner Maria Fernandez never thought of being a restaurateur until Nicholas Bonham Carter, a member of the Old Market’s founding Mercer family, planted the idea. Maria and her late husband, John Fernandez, hailed from Bombay. The seeming incongruity of their Spanish surname is explained by Bombay’s colonial Portuguese past. John was a psychiatrist. Maria trained as a teacher but opted to be a homemaker. The recent émigrés had just started a family here, and the notion of an eatery featuring their native food was appealing. Besides, they were fine dining connoisseurs. “I think we’d always been passionate about food,” she said. Bored by Omaha’s lack of culinary variety, their sophisticated palates craved more flavorful, adventurous, continental, refined choices. Except neither Maria nor John could cook. Forget about business experience. Nothing more came of the idea until Maria mentioned it to an Indian couple who were in the restaurant biz in New York, and with that couple as partners, Maria and John put up the money for her brother-in-law, Alan Fernandez, to launch the Indian Oven. The restaurant opened in 1984 at 1010 Howard Street, and remains there today, 25 years later. Alan oversaw it the first dozen years. “He literally took it from a shell to a hot spot in Omaha,” said Maria. The Mercers and their friends frequenting the Indian Oven those early years helped it survive, Maria said. Before moving away, Alan “groomed” Maria until she could perform every job there. “It’s essential,” she said of learning to wait tables, dish wash or cook over the tandoor. “This way,” she said, “if somebody tries to hold me hostage, like chefs often do, I don my apron

departments

Ethnic & Contemporary Clothing Exotic Jewelry & Gifts 1018 Howard St. 342-2972 www.souqltd.com

Enjoy Outdoor Dining on our Patio! Vincenzo’s Italian Ristorante

Lunch – M-Sat Dinner – 7 Nights Old Market • 1207 Harney 342-4010 1818 N 144th • 498-3889

Old Market • Downtown • Riverfront

Downtown

OL OLD MA MARK RKET ET

Love’s Jazz & Arts Center Mister Toad’s Rooftop Parties

Nomad’s

Nick

www.oldmarket.com

Hudson July/August 2009

OMAHA MAGAZINE • 5921 S. 118TH CIRCLE • OMAHA, NE 68137

and say, ‘OK, goodbye.’ You learn to be tough, kind, everything. You’re a mother to some, a friend to others, but you’ve always got to be in charge.” It’s been her baby since 1996. “This is like my fourth child,” said Maria, whose three grown children worked there through high school and still help out in a pinch. “I’m convinced if I hadn’t had the Indian Oven, I’d be a whole different person,” she said. “It has so enriched my life.” The Indian Oven’s fusion menu has made it an anchor in the Market, whose number of fine dining spots has increased. She’s sure the Indian Oven’s played a role in making Omaha cuisine more interesting. “I always use the expression it’s the restaurant that added spice to Omaha,” she said, “and I mean that in more ways than one. I think it added to the cultural mix. It added a whole diversified dimension to the city’s life. Along with it down the road came so many other ethnic restaurants.” It also introduced diners to the wonders of turmeric, coriander, cardamom, curry, cumin, cinnamon, saffron, tamarind, fennel — alone or in combination. Maria, who moved with John to Council Bluffs around the time the eatery opened, enjoys how the metro’s become more cosmopolitan. “I see how much it has changed and I think it has changed for the better.” In addition to the Indian Oven, her creative expressions have included serving the Bluffs Arts Council, the Omaha Symphony, the J. Doe Project and decorating her Prairie Style home. She and John collected sculptures by Littleton Alston and, after her husband’s death, she commissioned the artist to create a piece, “Convergence,” in his memory. The work stands in the courtyard of Children’s Square USA, whose programs she supports. July 19 marked the Indian Oven’s 25th anniversary. Maria and friends celebrated with a restaurant bash. The place is still her passion, but one day she’d like to combine her interests in food, art and travel in some way. The Spice Maven’s Diaries perhaps?

Pick up a free copy of the Old Market Encounter at your nearest Old Market business. w ww omahapublications www.omahapublications.com i com

the encounter | september/october 2009 21

Condo LIfe

“

oh, my gosh! we’re never going back to a house. this is an amazing lifestyle.

”

22 september/october 2009 | the encounter

river view Striking views come with a Riverfront Place condo by Judy Horan | photography by minorwhitestudios.com

very condo in the 15-story Riverfront Place has a view of the Missouri River. Anna Sortino has taken steps to make sure her family doesn’t miss that spectacular view from their condo. Their dining table is elevated so the family can overlook the river and the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge while eating. Two chairs that face the television set in the living area were custom-designed to swivel so they’re never more than a turn away from the view. “I eat breakfast on the patio every morning overlooking the river. Mike (her husband) and I have wine there in the evening,” she says. “We watch boaters and jet skiers go by. There’s always something going on.” Every day, the Sortinos either walk or ride their bicycles across the bridge. “We see wild turkey, deer. It’s so beautiful.” She, Mike and their three children moved from a large home in Papillion to Riverfront Place in June. “Oh, my gosh! We’re never going back to a house. This is an amazing lifestyle,” she says. “We just love the convenience of it all.” The Sortinos bought two 2,000-square-foot condos across from each other so there’s plenty of room for family fun. The second condo overlooks the city’s new ballpark and Qwest Center. The Sortinos also own a condo on the floor below, which is for sale. And they

departments

the Sortinos enjoy daily bicycle rides across the pedestrian bridge.

With two condos, there’s plenty of room for family fun.

bought a condo in a planned second Riverfront Place tower that will be going up soon. Half of the units in the second tower are already sold, according to Ben Proctor, sales and marketing manager. He says owners like the amenities of condo living — heated underground parking, a well-equipped fitness center and security with video surveillance. For private functions, all owners have access to the ground-floor Riverfront Room that has its own catering kitchen. Prices for the Riverfront Place condos range from the mid$200,000s for a 930-square-foot unit up to $2 million for the 6,000-square-foot penthouse. Sortino values the concierge service provided to owners. While she and her family were out of town, their condo’s hot water heater broke. “The concierge had it fixed and the condo cleaned up before we got back,” she says. “They collect our mail and water our plants.”

Owners don’t have to wait for the cable guy. The concierge takes care of that too. Proctor says owners who travel appreciate having the airport only four minutes away. “You can lock and leave,” he says. “When they’re ready to return, they call the concierge a day ahead and ask them to restock the groceries.” Now that they’re near so many restaurants, the Sortinos eat most of their meals out. They walk everywhere --- to the Old Market, Qwest Center, Holland Center. To basketball and hockey games, concerts. “One day, I realized I hadn’t had my car out of the garage for five days,” says Sortino, who is president of Reruns R Fun, a nonprofit children’s consignment store. Mike is an entrepreneur involved in commercial real estate. “You’ve heard location, location, location,” Proctor says. “That’s what the Riverfront Place tower provides.” the encounter | september/october 2009 23

10TH To 14TH STreeTS BeTween LeavenworTH & Farnam, omaHa 1

www.OldMarket.com 7

24 september/october 2009 | the encounter

Merchants Attractions Old MArket / dOwntOwn / riverfrOnt

Antiques

Antiques & Fine Art...(16th St). ......... 341.9942 Fairmont Antique Mall...H4 .............. 345.1778 Joe’s Collectibles...H5 ..................... 612.1543 Retro Recycle...E5 ............................ 341.1969 Second Chance...G5 ........................ 346.4930

Book stores

Jackson Street Booksellers...H5 .....341.2664 New Realities Books & Gifts...E7 ..... 342.1863 Soul Desires Books & Coffee...G7 ...898.7600

Clothing & ACCessories

Lotus ...F4 .........................................346.8080 Namaste...E7 .................................... 341.7069 Nebraska Clothing Co...E8............... 346.6114 Nouvelle Eve...E6 .............................. 345.4811 Overland Outfitters...E8 ................... 345.2900 Retro Recycle ...E5 ........................... 341.1969 The Souq Ltd...E7 ............................. 342.2972 Trocadéro...E4 ..................................934.8389

Downtown hotels

Courtyard by Marriott...(10th & Douglas) ....... 346.2200 DoubleTree Hotel...(16th & Dodge)...346.7600 Embassy Suites Hotel...F9 ...............346.9000 Hilton Convention Center Hotel .......998.3400 Hilton Garden Inn...(10th & Dodge) .. 341.4400 Redick Plaza Hotel...(15th & Harney) .............. 342.1500 Magnolia Hotel...(16th & Howard) ... 342.2222

home Furnishings

Crawdad’s...E5 ................................. 341.3930 Habitat .............................................. 342.0044 Julia Russell ...(11th & Douglas) ....... 891.0691 Kraft DC ...(16th & Leavenworth)......342.2790 Room...E7 ......................................... 342.7666 Zongkers Custom Woods ................ 344.7784

gAlleries

1301 Gallery...(13th & Nicholas) .......342.6452 Artists’ Cooperative Gallery...D7 ..... 342.9617 Bemis Ctr. for Contemporary Arts...K4 .......... 341.7130 Fred Simon Gallery...A8 ................... 595.2122 Garden Of The Zodiac...E7 .............. 341.1877 Hot Shops...13th & Nicholas ............342.6452 Images of Nature...D5 ......................341.8460 Jackson Artworks...G6 ..................... 341.1832 Julia Russell ...(11th & Douglas) ....... 891.0691 Omaha ClayWorks...H5 ....................346.0560 Passageway Gallery...E7 .................. 341.1910 Sirens at the Loft...F6 .......................933.3333 White Crane Gallery...E7 .................. 345.1066

heAlth serviCes

Acupuncture Libba Harmon, LAc .......................... 214.6265 Massage Therapy Sandy Aquila LMT...E3 .....................345.5078 Lisa Christensen LMT...E3 ............... 850.6651 Barb Rost LMT (19th & Douglas)...... 345.7500 Medical Dr. John Bartholet, DC...E3 .............. 342.2216 Downtown Chiropractic (2111 Douglas) ......... 345.7500 Derek Fender, DDS...D4 ...................342.3901

Dr. Mark Goodman, MD...L1 ............280.5500 Dr. Stephen Peterson MD...L1..........280.5500 Dr. James Polerecky DDS (19th & Farnam) .... 341.7576 Dr. Ritch Miller DC (2111 Douglas) ... 345.7500 Heartland Pathology (310 S. 16th) ... 346.0195 Omaha Dental Spa (11th & Howard) 505.4424 Physical Therapy East & West Physical Therapy...E3 ..345.5078 Psychotherapy, EMDR, Hypnotherapy Jannette Davis, MS, CST .................341.2230 Cynthia Duggin, MSW, LCSW ..........345.5078 Bobby Escolas, CMHT (Hypnotherapist) ...... 990.2979 Jeff Stormberg, PhD (Psychotherapist)......... 393.0642 Tim Swisher, MHR, LMHP, LADC ....341.2230 Pharmacy Depot Drug (1416 Dodge) .................544.DRUG

museums & AttrACtions

Omaha Children’s Museum...(500 S. 20th) .......... 342.6164 The Durham...J9 ...............................444.5071 Joslyn Art Museum...(24th & Dodge) .............. 342.3300 Lauritzen Gardens...(100 Bancroft)..346.4002 Henry Doorly Zoo...(3701 So 10th St) ............. 733.8401 Qwest Center Omaha (10th & Capitol)............ 341.1500

olD mArket ProPerties

902 Dodge Condos ......................... 884.6200 Brandeis Building .............................934.1224 Farnam 1600 Building ......................342.1616 Grubb/Ellis Pacific Realty ................345.5866 Harney Street Appartments .............934.7510 Old Market Lofts...J7 ........................345.8000 Riverfront Place ................................397.4837 Shamrock Development/Paxton Building ...... 934.7711 Skinner Macaroni Apartments...H1 .346.2346 The Cornerstone.............................. 346.0510 The Greenhouse Apts...A9 ...............342.3100 TipTop Building...(16th & Cuming)....345.8000

PuBs & tAverns

Bar 415...E3 .......................................346.7455 Barry O’s ...E8 ..................................341.8032 Billy Frogg’s Grille & Bar...E5 ...........341.4427 Bullpen...G6 ...................................... 502.5150 Dubliner Pub...D4 .............................342.5887 J.D. Tucker’s Bar...E8 .......................934.5190 Julio’s...F2 .........................................345.6921 Irie...D7 ..............................................504.4901 La Buvette Wine & Grocery...F7.......344.8627 M’s Pub...E6 ......................................342.2550 Mr. Toad’s...E8 ..................................345.4488 Myth Lounge...F6..............................884.6985 Nomad Lounge...(J8) ........................884-1231 O’Connor’s Irish Pub...F3 .................934.9790 Old Market Tavern...F8 .....................341.0191 The Stadium Club Sports Bar & Grill...E8....... 359.1290 T Henery’s Pub...C6 .........................345.3651 The Underground...F7 ......................341.3547 Upstream Brewing Co...G6 .............344.0200 Urban Wine Company...J7 ...............934.0005 Waters Edge Lounge @ Embassy Suites...F9 ..... 346.9000

the encounter | september/october 2009 25

Merchants Attractions Old MArket / dOwntOwn / riverfrOnt

restAurAnts

801 Chophouse at the Paxton...B1..341.1222 Farrells Bar...(902 Dodge) ................884.9947 Ahmad’s...E8.....................................341.9616 Billy Frogg’s Grille & Bar...E5 ...........341.4427 Delice European Bakery...E4 ...........342.2276 Falling Water Grille @ Embassy Suites...F9 ........ 346.9000 Famous Dave’s...D6 .........................614.9333 Flatiron Café...(17th & Howard) ........344.3040 House of Lee...F4 .............................991.9330 Indian Oven...E7 ...............................342.4856 Joe Banana’s ....................................346.7227 Julio’s...F3 .........................................345.6921 La Buvette Wine & Grocery...F7.......344.8627 Liberty Tavern (10th & Davenport) ...998.4321 Little King...H21 ................................344.2264 Lucky’s 10-0-One (10th & Pacific) ...991.1001 M’s Pub...E6 ......................................342.2550 Matsu Sushi...B8 ..............................346.3988 Michael’s at the Market...C6 ............346.1205 Nicola’s...G3 .....................................345.8466 O Dining...A8..................................... 502.7888 Old Chicago...D6 ..............................341.1616 Omaha Prime...E7.............................341.7040 Passport Restaurant...H6 ................344.3200 Rick’s Cafe Boatyard........................345.4545 Sam & Louie’s Pizza...H6 .................884.5757 Spaghetti Works...F6 ........................422.0770 Stokes Bar & Grill...(E5) ................... 408-9000 Subway...E4 ......................................341.8814 Sullivan’s Steakhouse (222 S. 15th St.) .......... 342.4432 The Diner...D5 ...................................341.9870 The French Café...F7 ........................341.3547 Trini’s...E7..........................................346.8400 Twisted Fork...E7 ..............................932.9600 Upstream Brewing Co....G6 .............344.0200 V. Mertz...E7......................................345.8980 Vincenzo’s Ristorante...D4 ...............342.4010 Vivace...E6 ........................................342.2050 Zio’s Pizzeria...F4 .............................344.2222

sPeCiAlty FooDs & CoFFee

13th Street Coffee C0....G3 ..............345.2883 Aromas...I8........................................614.7009 Bickford Bakery...I8 .......................... 934.7450 Cubby’s Old Market Grocery...H3 ...341.2900 Delice European Bakery...E4 ...........342.2276 Hollywood Candy...F3 ......................884.7688 La Buvette Wine & Grocery...F7.......344.8627 Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream...H21 .......933.5280 MJ Java...B3 & F7 .............................342.5282 Old Market Candy Shop...F8 ...........344.8846 Old Market Eea House...G3 .............934.8538 Patrick’s Market...(E1).......................884-1600 Soul Desires Books & Coffee...G7 ...898.7600 Ted & Wally’s Ice Cream...G5 ........... 341.5827

sPeCiAlty shoPs

Ashley Collectibles...E3....................934.3100 Big Brain Productions...H5 ..............342.2885 Chameleon...E7 ................................342.4444 Cibola of Omaha...F7 (509 S 11th) ...342.1200 City Limits...E3..................................345.3570 Cornerstone Gem & Bead Co....G3 . 346.4367 Drastic Plastic...F4 ........................... 346.8843 DSR Power Sports...E3 ....................991.1383 Etc. Gifts...F7 ....................................342.2846

26 september/october 2009 | the encounter

Garden Flowers...F7 ......................... 614.5661 Garden Of The Zodiac...E7 .............. 341.1877 Goldsmith Silversmith...F7 ...............342.1737 Homer’s Records...E5 ......................346.0264 Iron Decor & More...G5 ....................346.6123 Jay Welter Cigars...(18th & Jackson)345.1965 Kessler’s...H5 (1125 Jackson) ..........715.5888 Mairzy Doatz...F6.............................. 934.4815 Namaste...E7 .................................... 341.7069 New Realities Books & Gifts...E7 ..... 342.1863 Old Market Habitat Floral...E6 ......... 342.0044 Old Market Sundries...F8 ................. 345.8198 OM Gifts & Imports...E3 ................... 345.5078 Overland Outfitters...F8 ................... 345.2972 Perspective Jewelry...D4.................. 934.4416 Red Square...E7................................ 342.8878 SG Roi Tobacconist...F7 .................. 341.9264 Souq Ltd...E7 .................................... 342.2972 Tannenbaum Christmas Shop...F8 .. 345.9627 Trocadéro...E4 ................................. 934-8389

serviCes

At the Loft Spa...F6...........................505.4100 Michael Boyle, Attorney...E7 ............359.1000 Centris Federal Credit Union...C3 ...334.2000 Commercial Optical...G3 .................. 344.0219 Dietz United Methodist Church ....... 346.9115 Don Fiedler Law Offices...F7 ........... 346.6263 First National Bank...(F5) ..................885-2574 Fringes Salon & Spa...G8 ................. 345.0404 Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce...D2 346.5000 Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau...B8 .... 444.4660 Hair Market Salon...E7 ..................... 345.3692 J P Cooke Rubber Stamps...F2 ....... 342.7175 Klein Law Offices...H3 ...................... 391.1871 Magical Journeys Carriage Service...E7 ........ 453.6745 Movers Not Shakers ......................... 614.9770 Old Market Car Wash...J2 ................ 393.2819 Old Market Encounter ......................884.2000 Old Market Mini Storage .................. 342.0022 Old Market Web Site .....www.oldmarket.com Omaha Healing Arts Center...E4 ......345.5078 Omaha Public Library...(15th & Farnam) ......... 444.4800 Omaha Yoga School...E7 .................346.7813 Pinnacle Bank...(10th & Douglas) ..... 346.9180 Security National Bank...(11th & Howard) .......... 344.7300 Sirens...F6 ......................................... 933.9333 Stinson, Morrison, Hecker LLP...C3 342.1700 Urbane Salon & Spa...B8 .................934.2909 Susie’s Baskets...D4......................... 341.4650 Sutera Law Offices...E6.................... 342.3100 Visions Framing Studio...K4 .............342.0020

theAtres & entertAinment

Blue Barn Theater...G6 ..................... 345.1576 FilmStreams...(14th & Webster) ........ 933-0259 Holland Performing Arts Center...(12th & Douglas) .............................................345.0606 Omaha Symphony...(16th & Howard).............. 342.3836 Opera Omaha...(17th & Farnam)....... 346.4398 Orpheum Theater...(16th & Farnam).345.0606 The Rose...(20th & Farnam) .............. 345.4849

Pinnacle Bank would like to welcome you downtown. Visit us in the historical Riley Building at 1016 Douglas On The Mall, 402.346.9180 or online at pinnbank.com

t h e

w a y

b a n k i n g

s h o u l d

Downtown and Council Bluffs 09_POG14_DOWNTOWN.indd 1

OnGOinG eventS THROUGH 9/30: exhibit ex-Votos and retablos (miracles on the Border). El Museo Latino. The exhibition presents a selection of works from the project “Miracles on the Border” conducted by Sociologist Douglas Massey and Anthropologist Jorge Duran which takes a look at migration. Ex-Votos are small traditional folk paintings on metal, created as a thank you for a miracle granted or for a favor received. 4701 S. 25 St. www. elmuseolatino.org. 7311137. THROUGH 10/3: Bancroft Street Farmers market. Bancroft Street Market. Recurring weekly on Saturdays. Sat/8-1 Free. 10th & Bancroft. www.bancrof tstreetmarket.com. 651-2327. THROUGH 10/3: Bancroft to Bayliss Bicycle loop. Bancroft Street Market. Recurring weekly on Saturdays. Join artists on a bicycle ride on historic 10th Street in Omaha, across the Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge to Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs and back. Participants must be adults or children accompanied by parents. Must have own bicycle and helmet. Ride lasts approximately 2 hours. Sat/10 a.m. Free. 10th & Bancroft. www. bancrof tstreetmarket. com. 651-2327. THROUGH 10/10: Omaha Farmers’ market. Old Market. The Omaha Farmers’ Market features more than 100 vendors’ homegrown and homemade

b e

Member FDIC

September/October Calendar of Events 3/31/09 10:27:28 AM

products every Saturday. 11th & Jackson. www.omahafarmersmarket.org. THROUGH 11/15: Omaha on ice. The Durham Museum. The story of ice hockey in Omaha, beginning in 1939. Many historical artifacts will be on display, most loaned from private collectors across Omaha. 801 S. 10 St. www.durhammuseum.org. 444-5071. SePtemBer eVentS 9/1: river City historical tour: magic City. The Durham Museum. Tour South Omaha and the stockyards by trolley. 6 p.m. $15. 801 S. 10 St. www.durhammuseum.org. 444-5071. 9/3 - 9/7: Septemberfest - Salute to labor. Qwest Center Omaha Lot D. Three free concerts, Gigantic Midway, three car shows, vendor booths, kiddie kingdom, Labor Day Parade, Competitions, Boxing, Big O Poker, Mega Ride tickets for all rides all five days. Food booths, clowns, walkarounds, jugglers, magicians, continuous entertainment. ThursFri/5pm-1am; Sat,Sun&Mon/ noon-1am $3; kids under 5 free. 455 N. 10 St. www. septemberfestomaha.com. 346-4800. 9/5: art Opening: Sheila Downey/Jerry Jacoby/ nicki Byram luth and margie Schimenti. Artists’ Cooperative Gallery Ltd. New works of Sheila Downey, Jerry Jacoby, Nicki Byram Luth and Margie Schimenti. Food and Drinks & Live Music. 7-10 p.m. 405 S. 11 St. www. artistsco-opgallery.com. 342-9617.

riedel Crystal CeO maximilian riedel. 9/5 - 11/15: the art and artistry of ak-Sar-Ben. The Durham Museum. The exhibition will include coronation dresses, some complete with the original designers’ sketches, brochures, dance cards, photographs, a restored video and other items. 801 S. 10 St. www.durhammuseum. org. 444-5071. 9/6: river City historical tour: millionaires and mansions. The Durham Museum. Tour Midtown Omaha. Dinner at the Durham Museum. $15/Tour & Dinner $45. 801 S. 10 St. w w w. d u r h a m m u s e u m . org. 444-5071. 9/6: Peter Frampton. Stir Concert Cove. Peter Frampton is a Grammy

award-winning rock musician. Doors 6:30, Show 8:00 $34.50. www.stircove.com. 9/11: rodney Carrington. Stir Concert Cove. Rodney Carrington is stand-up comedian and comic musician that has recorded six major-label albums of stand-up comedy and country music. His hits include “More of a Man” and “Don’t Look Now.” Doors 6:30, Show 8:00 $56.50. www.stircove.com. 9/12: “guns & hoses” Omaha Police and Firefighters Boxing event. Mid-America Center. Guns and Hoses Boxing is a large-scale fundraising effort in support of the various charities of the local Police and Fire Depart-

ments. Doors open at 6, first bout at 7:05 p.m. $100, $90, $80 and $15, plus applicable fees. 1 Arena Way. www.midamericacenter. com. 712-323-0536. 9/12: Opera Omaha’s night for american Song. Opera Omaha. The season opens with a once-ina-lifetime opportunity. Broadway and television star Ron Raines and legendary music director Don Pippin bring us an evening of great American Songs. An intimate concert experience- a voice, a piano, and some of the greatest Broadway tunes ever written. 7:30 p.m. $45. www. operaomaha.org. 3467372.

9/12: Playing with Fire Concert Series. Lewis & Clark Landing. Blues music Concert at Lewis & Clark Landing Park. Free will donations accepted at the gate, with a portion going to The Food Bank. Featuring Bettye LaVette and Eddie Cotton, Jr. Sat/4:30-10 p.m. Free will donations accepted. 515 N. Riverfront Dr. www.playingwithfireomaha.net. 9/12: river City historical tour: From expositions to Jazz musicians: exploring north Omaha’s heritage. The Durham Museum. Tour North Omaha by trolley. 9:30 a.m. $15. 801 S. 10 St. w w w. d u r h a m m u s e u m . org. 444-5071.

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