September/October 2012 The Encounter Omaha Magazine by Omaha Magazine

Emerging Terrain

Community stylists shaping Omaha’s future

In Memoriam: George Eisenberg Block 16 Inspired Street Food oldmarket.com September/October 2012

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Old Market Downtown • Riverfront

September/October 2012 Come visit Havana Garage, Omaha’s premier cigar lounge located in the historic Old Market.

Editorial Staff Omaha Publications Editor Linda Persigehl

Featuring an extensive selection of rum, single malt scotches, bourbon and premium cigars. On your visit try our Havana Garage signature cocktail, an interesting twist on the classic mojito. Curious how it’s made? Download our iPhone or iPad app and become a certified Havana Garage Cocktail Mixologist.

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18 On the Cover: The Emerging Terrain team

Entertainment: The Blues Reign at Havana Garage....................... 8 Downtown Art: Michael Jones McKean’s Rainbow...................... 10 Downtown Living: The Magnett’s Dunsany Flats Condo.............. 12 Downtown Art: Sculptor Kirk Vaughn-Robinson.......................... 16 Downtown Dining: Block 16....................................................... 18 Downtown Face: The Acoustic Gangster.................................... 20 Cover Story: Emerging Terrain, Community Stylists...................... 22 Advantage Coupons: Special Advertising Section....................... 27

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ODID: Year-Round Downtown...................................................... 33 Downtown History: In Memoriam: George Eisenberg.................. 34 Downtown Face: Creative Steve Gordon..................................... 36 Insurance Matters: Life Insurance............................................... 38 Old Market Map.......................................................................... 39 Merchants & Attractions............................................................ 40 Calendar...................................................................................... 43 readonlinenow.com

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Old Market Downtown • Riverfront

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New Convenient Downtown Location the encounter | september/october 2012

ENTERTAINMENT A Havana Garage regular, saxophonist Matt Wallace.

A cigar, a

drink, great live music you don’t have to shout over ... it’s a social style. -Chaz Kline 8

The Blues Reign at Havana Garage story by Chris Wolfgang | photos by minorwhitestudios.com

HANKS TO THE island atmosphere (think moody Rat Pack, not kitschy Cheeseburger in Paradise), guests at the Havana Garage are swept away to a more sophisticated era when jazz and the blues were kings in the music scene. “A cigar, a drink, great live music you don’t have to shout over…it’s a social style,” said Chaz Kline, owner of Havana Garage, a cigar bar in what he calls the Old Market’s lower east side. “There comes a certain point when you want to graduate to a different level of socializing.” The Garage doesn’t have live music every night, but expect it on Fridays and Saturdays and maybe Thursdays, if you’re lucky. “We’ve talked about curating an open mic night on Sundays, too,” Kline said. Regular performers include trumpet player Darryl White, the OK Sisters, and a couple different bands that Matt Wallace, esteemed local saxophonist, plays in.

september/october 2012 | the encounter omahapublications.com

• Huge selection of loose leaf tea • Accessories and Gifts for Any Occasion • Freshly brewed teas • Fruitea Smoothies • Bubble teas! • Chai

A quality cigar paired with fine live jazz or blues makes for a sophisticated night out.

Crime Sena, for example, is a kind of ‘70s rock band. “You know, what was on the radio in the ‘70s,” Wallace said. “People think they’re getting their last drink, and then we play something they haven’t heard in years. A few songs later they’re still in the back there singing along.” Thomas Sena, founder of T’eez Salon, plays piano in the band, a fact that has forced Wallace to take stock of his ego. “You really think you’re something until you play with him, and all the women are like, ‘Is that Tom Sena?’” Though live performances can be planned out months in advance, Kline will leave a few holes here and there in the calendar to fill in when something extra special comes up. “We haven’t found enough bands in Omaha with that Sancho Panza feel, you know?” he said. “What you’ll find most often is Mexican, a mariachi flavor. We’re looking for something more Cuban, more Caribbean.” There’s usually no cover, but if you show up after 10 or so on a night of live music, you might get charged $5, depending on the band. “We’ll probably still promo a drink though,” Kline said. “This is Omaha. It’s not New Orleans with lots of places like this to choose from. We’re an adjunct to the music scene here. It’s not our whole angle, but it’s definitely the cherry on top of the cake.” If you’re new to the rest of the cake, Kline suggested selecting a mild cigar from the humidor downstairs that has over 300 different facings. “Maybe Romeo y Julieta. Or Monte Cristo,” he said. “Those are some of the oldest names. They’re actually from Cuban seed.” Then, with a signature Havana Garage cocktail in hand (Brazilian rum, ginger beer, mint…think mojito meets Moscow mule), have a seat in either the backyard bodega for a low-key chat or in the bar area to listen to the Latin strains of the Cuban Missile Crisis. If you need a snack to complete the picture, Kline noted with pride that Havana Garage rubs shoulders with some of the oldest restaurants in the Old Market. “People bring over their dinners from Ahmad’s or Twisted Fork or Indian Oven a lot,” he said. “We’ll get you the menus, we’ll phone next door.” That sort of service is de rigueur as far as he’s concerned. “We’re all kind of little ambassadors here on the lower east side. The best compliment is, ‘I can’t believe you exist.’” readonlinenow.com

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the encounter | september/october 2012

DOWNTOWN ART

Michael Jones McKean’s Rainbow:

Mischievous Magic on Display

story by Suzanne Smith Arney | photos by minorwhitestudios.com

It can’t be owned; it can’t even be fixed. It’s very mischievous. -Michael Jones McKean 10

RY TO CATCH a rainbow. Michael Jones McKean pursued this alluring and evanescent image for 10 years before “unveiling” The Rainbow: Certain Principles of Light and Shapes Between Forms at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. An arc of iridescent light shimmered above the Bemis and admiring patrons, over the purr of tires on brick, above surprised Old Market visitors, above the sounds of music and laughter and evening birds. “The spirit of the rainbow is egalitarian,” McKean told me. “It can’t be owned; it can’t even be fixed. It’s very mischievous.” Rainbows are made of sunlight and water drops. As light enters a water drop, its cargo of collective color refracts into a prism of brilliant individual hues. These are reflected and re-refracted, emerging as seven bands of color, from outermost red through orange and yellow, cool green, blue and indigo, to sweet violet. But there’s the first sign of mischief—rainbows shine in a continuum of color, not bands. One color mists into the next, and more or fewer colors may be seen depending on one’s vantage point, vision, and atmospheric conditions. Rainbows are a universally recognized image. They appear in art, mythology and literature, religion, and science throughout time and around the world; they’re eye-catching marketing tools; they’re seen as magic by the child in each of us. For McKean, the intrigue was in trying to understand such a complicated object. In a poetic sense, how does a rainbow, a timeless and iconic image, define our concept of beauty, of the sublime? That process of discovery began by studying rainbows produced by car washes, paint sprayers, and irrigation equipment. Step by incremental step, from these prosaic beginnings, McKean continued his autodidactic ambition. He devised experiments and tested equipment, read, listened, and persevered. He never doubted that he could catch, if not keep, this ephemeral quarry.

september/october 2012 | the encounter omahapublications.com

Bemis Curator Hesse McGraw, left, with McKean

Hesse McGraw, Chief Curator at the Bemis, knew McKean’s work and of his rainbow trials. In 2008, newly hired by the Bemis, he contacted the artist to commission a project. When McKean described his ideas, McGraw wondered, “Is it possible to do this?” The following day, McKean faxed “the blue sketch” and three words: “Anything is possible.” From this nebulous beginning, it was quickly clear that creating a rainbow would be enormously complex. A team was assembled that included, in addition to Bemis staff members, electricians, plumbers, structural engineers, experts in myriad aspects of water—harvesting, containment, dispersion, purification, etc., an atmospheric scientist, film documentarist, and computer wizards. Recirculating rainwater is stored in six 10,500-gallon tanks; one of them near the Bemis entrance. Seen inside, a pump delivers water to nozzles on the roof at the rate of 2,000 gallons per minute. This visibility of the project’s working components celebrates the efforts and collaboration of its many diverse contributors. The Rainbow’s gallery component also includes a display of objects that represent what McKean calls “a small poem on the nature of space and time”: a bristlecone pine (Bristlecones may be the earth’s oldest living organism; this one is watered by the same rainwater that makes up the rainbow.), a meteorite from Argentina’s famed Campo del Cielo, a Micronesian conch shell, and a 19th century handmade quilt. The project’s subtitle, Certain Principles of Light and Shapes Between Forms, expresses McKean’s sense of the rainbow as a bridge. Its arc connects the viewer to a meteorite hurled to earth 5,000 years ago; connects workers and thinkers from disparate fields; connects the forms, the buildings, people, plants, and activities of an urban landscape under its variegated canopy. It connects idea to reality…if rainbows are really real. Try to catch one. readonlinenow.com

Top: The sketch that started it all. Above: The apparatus atop the Bemis in full action.

The Rainbow: Certain Principles of Light and Shapes Between Forms continues through September 15, 2012. Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S. 12th Street, www.bemiscenter.org A free tour of the exhibition and project is available every Thursday at 6pm. www.therainbow.org A live website with current schedule for Rainbow viewing and other events and information.

the encounter | september/october 2012

DOWNTOWN LIVING Sherri Magnett admires her view of Little Italy from her condo’s large deck.

Charlie and Sherri Magnett’s Dunsany Flats Condo

The former Millard couple say the urban abode had them at “deck.”

There’s so much to do. It’s a different lifestyle. -Charlie Magnett 12

story by Judy Horan | photos by minorwhitestudios.com

HARLIE AND SHERRI Magnett were driving through Omaha’s Little Italy neighborhood when they spotted the vintage Dunsany Flats building near 10th and Pierce streets. It was built in 1901 to house railroad workers. They found their dream condo inside. The deck first caught their eye. “The deck sold us on this condo,” said Sherri. A glass wall leads to a spacious deck with a ceiling fan, couch, and chairs. Their deck overlooks a “green” roof where living plants flourish. The colorful roof provides insulation for the garage below, keeping it warm in winter and cool in summer, as well as a pleasant view for condo owners. Charlie and Sherri were so struck by what they saw, the Millard-area homeowners sold their place two years ago,

september/october 2012 | the encounter omahapublications.com

Top: Son Chase spends a good chunk of his time in the Magnetts’ media room. Bottom: The condo’s huge outdoor space acts as a second family room for the foursome, at least until it turns cold.

then bought two Dunsany condos and melded them into an airy 1,900-square-foot home. A brick wall was removed and replaced with sliding oak doors that were the original unit’s front doors. Windows flood the rooms with natural light. The original exposed brick walls and woodwork that were new the day the building opened more than a century ago were retained and restored during renovation. Ornamental iron flower boxes sit just outside the windows of the condos. The media room is wired for sound. Electronics are hidden in a closet to give the room an uncluttered look. Posters from movies popular with family members—which include daughter Page, 19, and son Chase, 22—hang from the walls. Each chose a favorite movie to feature: The Wizard of Oz (Charlie); Silence of the Lambs and Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner (Sherri); Reservoir Dogs and Forrest Gump (Page); and Boondock Saints and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (Chase). Movies made in Nebraska are saluted in posters that line a hallway leading to the bedrooms of Page and Chase: Sideways, Election, Up in the Air, and About Schmidt. Reverend, a fluffy white puppy who lives with the Magnetts, appears not to have a favorite movie. We would have guessed 101 Dalmatians. The couple invested in a system that uses a strip running along the upper wall with wires that hang down to hold the posters, making the hanging job easier. Also on the front hall walls are framed maps that Charlie collects. >> readonlinenow.com

the encounter | september/october 2012

downtown living

The Dunsany Flats condo mixes rustic with modern. Red brick walls, original floors, and salvaged doors lend a historic feel. Contemporary cabinetry and modern decor bring the space into the 21st century. Above, the Magnettsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cat, Macey.

september/october 2012 | the encounter

omahapublications.com

<< Shelving in the hallway was custom-made for them from 100-yearold salvaged wood. They’ve had as many as 50 guests in their double condo. But it’s unlikely the neighbors were annoyed by noise. Acoustical flooring, 12-inch-thick masonry walls, and a sound-proofing system assure privacy and quiet. “You barely hear your own footsteps,” said Charlie. The custom-designed, European-style kitchen was Sherri’s project. Cabinet doors open accordion-style above the Corian counters. “The one thing Charlie wanted in the kitchen was an integrated kitchen sink (sink and countertop are formed together),” she said. “We bought the appliances on eBay,” added Sherri, who relishes a bargain. Bedroom closets feature backlit, glass doors. Lighting makes it easier to find clothing and shines through the glass for a soft light in the bedroom. An attic was added by the Magnetts to supplement the storage space already available. A metal ladder folds down to allow access to the attic, which has doubled as a bedroom when Chase’s friends visit. Before settling into the Little Italy neighborhood, Sherri checked City of Omaha plans and learned the area is targeted for revitalization. The Blue Barn Theatre’s new building is scheduled to go up by 2014 across the street from their condo. There’s a lot going on in walking distance. They can stroll to the Old Market, Durham Museum, and TD Ameritrade Park, where Charlie caught the College World Series. They can watch July 4th fireworks from Downtown Omaha and hear music from Stir Cove across the Missouri River. Charlie now has only a seven-minute walk to Union Pacific headquarters where he is an engineer. Sherri’s commute to Peter Kiewit, where she is an IT worker, also is shorter than from Millard. They wanted to be closer to their jobs and closer to the center of action. “There’s so much to do. It’s a different lifestyle,” said Charlie. “We’ve been talking for five years about doing this.” They found new friends and a lively neighborhood in Little Italy. The couple ride bikes and attend ball games with neighbors. Sherri and a friend won this year’s tournament on the neighborhood bocce court, even though she had never played. “We know everybody by name,” said Sherri. For more information about the condos, go to www.dunsanyflats.com or visit them on Facebook. readonlinenow.com

Cubby’s Old Market Grocery 601 S. 13th St.

Guest Caterers

(lunch served on a rotating schedule)

La Mesa Mexican Restaurant Sgt. Peffer’s Café Italian The Greek Islands Petrow’s Restaurant Mangia Italiano Sina Way Chinese Popeye’s Louisiana Kitchen Chicken Paradise Bakery and Café • Full service convenience center • Unique, hard to find specialty gift items for all seasons • Official NCAA sanctioned University of Nebraska Husker memorabilia, clothing, etc. • Fashion Cleaners next day service • Fresh flowers, specialty floral arrangements, specialty balloons and balloon arrangements for all occasions.

1601 Dodge St., Suite 100

(South lobby of the First National Tower)

402.341.5555 Hours: 6:30a-5p Monday-Friday the encounter | september/october 2012

DOWNTOWN ART

â&#x20AC;&#x153;â&#x20AC;? [M]y sculpting career began when Phantom was here in 2008. -Kirk VaughnRobinson

Kirk Vaughn-Robinson

The former touring Phantom star-turned-artist has found a home of his own in the heartland. story by David Williams | photos by minorwhitestudios.com

september/october 2012 | the encounter omahapublications.com

FTER A LIFETIME in the performing arts that culminated in 12 years on the road with the blockbuster Broadway touring production of The Phantom of the Opera in the roles of Lefevre and the Fire Chief, Kirk VaughnRobinson had come to learn more than a little bit about stagecraft. But few scenes were as amateurishly staged as the one that played out in his hotel room almost every night in the latter years of his musical theatre career. “I had this wobbly collapsible table I bought for $20 at Walgreens, a rickety foldable chair, a simple clamp light, and a lazy susan,” said the Muncie, Ind., native who later grew up on a horse farm in Florida. “It was just all so totally absurd.” Outside of his Broadway gig, the triple threat singer-actordancer had performed with the Cincinnati Opera, Dayton Opera, Sorg & Whitewater Opera companies, and the Cincinnati Pops, all after attending the famed American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. But Kirk Vaughn-Robinson was now learning a new artform. Carting his curious ensemble of new “props” from town to town, he was teaching himself to become a sculptor. “It’s only fitting that I have established my first studio here in Council Bluffs,” Vaughn-Robinson said from the surprisingly spacious 1,100-square-foot space in the Harvester Artspace Lofts that has been his live/work home for over a year, “because my sculpting career began when Phantom was here in 2008. I executed my first work here.” Things moved fast, he said, once he mustered the courage to show his work and the owner of the very first gallery he visited signed the novice sculptor on the spot. Now venturing increasingly into abstract castings, VaughnRobinson is perhaps best known for his exquisitely crafted figurative bronzes of men, horses, mermen and, yes, even dorsal fin-sporting “merhorses.” Exhibiting a visual language of sensual romanticism, he renders classic ideals of beauty in timeless archetypes that speak to themes that are at once natural and organic, theatrical, and dramatic. readonlinenow.com

Vaughn-Robinson said when sculpting, he becomes totally absorbed in the artform. “It’s a spiritual experience for me.”

Vaughn-Robinson continues performing in a more localized, scaled-down slate of opera and musical appearances. He recently played the role of Pish-Tush in the Opera Omaha production of The Mikado and was nominated for an Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award for his work in The Sound of Music at The Rose. Vaughn-Robinson won’t rule out the idea of returning to a big touring production, but for now is happy to sculpt away in Council Bluffs as his gallery representation and commission business grows. His two worlds—the stage and the studio—offer a stark contrast in workplace experiences. “Just as being a part of a huge touring company is a decidedly social affair,” he explained, “sculpting is instead very solitary. It is a meditative time for me. My most common experience in all those hotel rooms over the years was that I would be lost in my work and, thinking that maybe a half hour had gone by, I’d suddenly realize that dawn was breaking. It is a spiritual experience for me, and I like to think that this is reflected in my bronzes.” the encounter | september/october 2012

DOWNTOWN DINING Chef-owners Jessica Joyce and Paul Urban

Block 16 MCC Culinary Arts grads’ take on ‘street food’ will please the palate. story by Niz Proskocil | photos by minorwhitestudios.com

Y We cook the food that we like to eat. -Paul Urban 18

OU CAN GET burgers, hot dogs, cheesesteaks, and fries just about anywhere, but at Block 16 those classics come with a tasty twist. Depending on the day, the house-ground burger might be topped with shaved prime rib, horseradish aioli, or a farm-fresh egg. There could be black truffle steak sauce and Taleggio cheese on the Philly sandwich. And though you can get standard fries here, there’s also poutine, a Canadian snack of hot, crispy fries covered in gooey cheese curds and rich, beefy gravy. Block 16 chef-owners Jessica Joyce and Paul Urban have been serving up their own style of street food since November 2010. That’s when the Omaha couple bought New York Chicken & Gyros, a decade-old lunch spot at 1611 Farnam St. They changed the name to Block 16 in January 2012. The duo’s made-from-scratch, farm-to-city street food has earned the eatery a loyal following of downtown office workers and other diners who fill the restaurant at lunchtime. After taking over New York Chicken & Gyros, the pair began putting their own creative, delicious touches on existing menu items, including adjusting seasonings and using ingredients from local farmers and growers when possible. They also added new items.

september/october 2012 | the encounter omahapublications.com

PurveyOr Of ExcEptional tabaccos

402.341.9264 503 S. 11th Street The Old Market/ Omaha Cigarcia.com

Block 16 is located at 1611 Farnam St. Information: 402-342-1220 or block16omaha.com. readonlinenow.com

Boutique

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In addition to standbys like burgers, gyros, and fried chicken (free-range chicken from Plum Creek Farms in Burchard, Neb.), Block 16 offers such fancier fare as salmon tartine. There are also a number of vegan options on the menu as well as an ever-changing selection of daily specials, which have ranged from sweet-and-sour glazed duck sausage to lobster and shrimp grilled cheese. The concept is simple: “We cook the food that we like to eat,” says Urban, a outh Omaha native whose first job was bussing tables at Village Inn. Both chefs are graduates of the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Omaha’s Metropolitan Community College and have worked in the kitchens of casual and fine-dining restaurants in Omaha and Bermuda, among other places. During a renovation project earlier this year, they added new tables and chairs, flooring, and a bar/counter area. Walls got a fresh coat of paint and new artwork designed by Joyce. In June, the restaurant added Friday and Saturday dinner service, and the owners hope to hire extra staff in the future to keep up with the crowds. “You feel the pressure when you’re in the kitchen,” Joyce says, “but then you pop your head into the dining room and see people having a good time. That’s rewarding.” On their day off, the couple enjoys visiting the Sunday farmers market to shop for ingredients and plan the specials for the coming week. “We talk about menu ideas. We’ll get inspired while we’re there,” she says. Both chefs feel fortunate to cook, create, and share their passion for food with others. “It’s one of the very few occupations where the creativity level is endless,” Urban says. “There’s a million things you can do with food.” And they’re proud to be doing it in Omaha. “We’re in a really good time in the culinary scene in Omaha,” Urban says. “Chefs are banding together. I feel like the culinary scene is growing and maturing so fast and getting so much better than where it was five or six years ago.”

Street Level

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512 S. 13th St. • Open Mon - Sat

402.991.2869 • www.BasicTease.com the encounter | september/october 2012

DOWNTOWN FACE Alexander with his life-size cardboard cutout. The fun prop accompanies him to every show.

The Acoustic Gangster Brian Alexander

story by Chris Aponick | photos by minorwhitestudios.com

W I do stuff that brings them back to high school. -Brian Alexander 20

HEN MUSICIAN BRIAN Alexander first arrived in Omaha, he decided on a big approach to introduce himself to the local music scene. Alexander, who also goes by “the Acoustic Gangster,” plastered his image across three billboards in town, adorned with the phrase, “Having your own billboard is pretty gangster.” “I knew I was fresh to the area,” Alexander says. “I wanted to put myself out there and blow up.” Alexander says the gambit was pricey but ultimately worth it. And that’s not the only wild purchase Alexander has made to promote himself. He also has a life-size cardboard cutout of himself that he hauls around to gigs. Alexander says people try to buy it, steal it, drunk girls try to talk to it, and guys have even tried to pick fights with it. Everybody seems to take pictures with it, too. “That’s been one of the most interesting purchases I’ve ever made,” says Alexander, who enjoys being a bit eccentric. But Alexander hasn’t relied solely on having his own cardboard doppleganger and putting his face on billboards to build his audience.

september/october 2012 | the encounter omahapublications.com

He’s also spent time building tight relationships with local bars and clubs where he plays, especially Stiles Pub (1204 Howard St.) and Parliament Pub’s Shops of Legacy and Old Market locations. “I’m really loyal to people that give you chances,” Alexander says. During Alexander’s sets, he relies on a selection of covers that point toward the sort of music that he writes. There’s plenty of ‘90s-era material from acts like The Smashing Pumpkins, Live, Blind Melon, and the Presidents of the United States. Alexander says he seeks to give his audience a little bit of adolescent nostaglia. “I do stuff that brings them back to high school,” he says. Alexander’s music takes those influences and combines them with a modern acoustic pop feel that brings to mind contemporary acts like Jason Mraz, Eric Hutchinson, and G. Love. His latest single, “Lemonade,” brings that light-hearted pop vibe together with a simple beat and acoustic guitar. Omaha may have become Alexander’s musical home, but it was a long journey before he arrived in town. Alexander lived in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., before

attending Penn State University. His first impulse for pursuing a music career was to pack up for Nashville, but soon an Omaha friend that Alexander had met while studying abroad in France convinced him to give Nebraska a try. Before long, Alexander had settled down in Omaha and began playing regular gigs. Then one night at a gig, a fan called him over to the bar to buy him a drink, slung his arm around Alexander’s shoulder, and introduced him as “my man, the Acoustic Gangster, Brian Alexander.” There was no shaking the name, Alexander says. “It kind of stuck in my head the rest of the night,” he recalls. And it helped him with the dilemma of just how to stand out from the crowd of singer-songwriters out there. In looking up the number of Brian Alexanders on Facebook, he encountered hundreds. That number dropped dramatically for the newly minted nickname. “Sure enough, there were no ‘Acoustic Gangsters’ registered anywhere,” Alexander says. Now there’s one who’s eager to make fans any way he can.

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9th to 11th • Dodge to Capitol the encounter | september/october 2012

COVER STORY

Emerging Terrain, Community Stylists

Shaping the way we think about connections to the land

Executive Director Anne Trumble, at center, with urban design fellows Sara Hieb, left, Kayla Meyer, and Nick Rebeck.

september/october 2012 | the encounter omahapublications.com

story by David Williams photos by minorwhitestudios.com

What we build is who we are. -Anne Trumble, Executive Director

F STREETS COULD consult a stylist to “have their colors done,” the hardscrabble stretch of Leavenworth east of Interstate 480 would probably end up being categorized as a “Gray.” A monochromatic palette of ashen hues— pavement, facades, mien, and mood—describes a desolate landscape dominated by automobiles passing through somewhere else; somewhere less gray. Leavenworth’s color wheel was rotated this summer, if only by a few degrees, through the work of “community stylist” Emerging >>

readonlinenow.com

the encounter | september/october 2012

cover story

Left: Executive Director Anne Trumble. Above: a 3-D model in Emerging Terrainâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Leavenworth offices. Below left: A scene from the Stored Potential dinner, Spring 2010; below, design fellows Kayla Meyer and Sara Hieb.

Photos by Bryce Bridges Photographic

september/october 2012 | the encounter

omahapublications.com

A nighttime view of Emerging Terrain’s grain silos art project, Stored Potential.

<< Terrain, the nonprofit research and design collaborative whose goal is to help us see landscapes in entirely new ways. Community stakeholders in the Park East and Columbus Park neighborhoods recently teamed up with Emerging Terrain, the City of Omaha, and Greater Omaha Chamber in launching Trugs: Activating City Streets. Modular, sidewalk-level platforms with built-in seating and plantings were installed in the curb lane in an effort to calm traffic, increase pedestrian activity, spur economic development, and engage the community in discovering that “what we build is who we are.” The Trugs: Leavenworth initiative became the stage for such nonprofits as Project Interfaith and Completely KIDS (formerly Campfire USA, whose nearby center is a major provider of youth services in the neighborhood) to host a summer-long series of community interactions, many typified by an odd combination of “performance art meets folksy front porch rocking chair chat.” “We wanted to get people to slow down and that played a big role in the conception of the project, to make the street friendlier to pedestrians,” said Nick Rebeck, one of Emerging Terrain’s design fellows. Rebeck returned to Omaha after several years elsewhere in community advocacy, public policy, and design study. Holding degrees in both physics and architecture, he has also served as an AmeriCorps volunteer, construction laborer, and federal civil servant. “It’s been interesting to see how people react to the Trug,” he continued. “The vast majority of the people I’ve encountered there are curious, excited. The Trug is a quirky design and it’s been fun to see how their mere presence fosters interactions.” Design fellow Kayla Meyer agreed. “Being able to work in such a capacity right here in Omaha is a great opportunity for anyone in my field,” said the recent graduate of Iowa State University. “But it also means that I get to contribute to the community in a way that provokes creative interactions among individuals and groups, some of whom may have never otherwise had a reason to come together if it weren’t for Emerging Terrain.” >> readonlinenow.com

Photo by Bryce Bridges Photographic

I get to contribute to the community in a way that provokes creative interactions among individuals and groups. -Kayla Meyer, design fellow the encounter | september/october 2012

cover story

Trugs along Leavenworth Street not only improve the aesthetics of the landscape; they also encourage interaction among visitors to the area.

<< “People ask me who we are,” said Anne Trumble, who founded Emerging Terrain in 2007 and now guides a team of three full-time design fellows and an office administrator. “Are you art? Are you landscape architecture?” she continued. “We’re trying to leave that definition open so that we can create projects where people can have their own experiences. We’re trying hard to not be an organization that can be put in any given silo of activity.” Silos, ironically enough, were the source of the group’s major public debut. It was in 2010 that Emerging Terrain collaborated with neighborhood stakeholders and artists in transforming towering eyesores into monumental works of public art. What was once, as Trumble puts it, “white noise” to 76,000 daily commuters, the idle silos at the junction of Interstates 80 and 480 became the community canvas for Stored Potential, the sky-high banners that pay homage to corn and the transportation systems that moved the crop, both being the backbone of earlier economies. The first phase of the project culminated in a community dinner where local growers rubbed elbows with artists, chefs and neighbors along an 800-foot table in the shadow of the silos. The completion of the remaining banners brought a loftier view of the works. Elevate, an equally one-of-a-kind dining experience, brought hundreds of people to the 36th Street interstate overpass for that June event. Emerging Terrain’s current project, Shifting Thresholds: Investigating Relationships of Land, is a dense research and design effort that explores the rich history, current conditions, and future opportunities for the area’s suburban/ rural edge. On second thought, it would be unfair to describe the work of Emerging Terrain as being that of a “community stylist,” for the words connote an attention to mere surface vanity, an obsession with so many applied layers of sometimes shallow, only skin-deep civic cosmetics. In the end, said Trumble, every venture is about something much deeper; an exploration of who we are, how we got here, and where we are going. Emerging Terrain, she explained, aims to “Engage the public on factors shaping the built environment. We create awareness and meaningful experiences in vibrant places and spaces.”

september/october 2012 | the encounter

The Trug is a quirky design and it’s been fun to see how their mere presence fosters interactions. -Nick Rebeck, design fellow omahapublications.com

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omahapublications.com

Omaha DID

ConAgra Foods welcomes baseball and swim fans to their campus and Downtown Omaha. ConAgra was one of many businesses who rolled out the red carpet for the thousands of visitors who enjoyed Downtown Omaha this year.

Year-Round Downtown As the kids head back to school and the leaves turn colors, we can all look back fondly at a great summer in Downtown Omaha. With memories of festivals, farmers markets, concerts, college baseball, and Olympic swimmers still fresh in our minds, you can’t help but be proud of what Downtown Omaha has become. But before you bring out the winter coats and prepare for a season of hibernation, know that the fun in Downtown Omaha isn’t taking a break! We’ve got an ongoing calendar of events that will continue to make Downtown Omaha the place to be on a year-round basis. You need not wait to enjoy our downtown and to create even more great memories. In the coming months, we’ve got ogres (Shrek the Musical) and dancers (Billy Elliot the Musical), figure skaters (US Figure Skating Championships) and a beast (Beauty and the Beast), shopping, galleries, and over a million holiday lights! Downtown Omaha is a year-round destination and an ongoing opportunity to experience our community’s greatest assets. We hope that you take advantage of the coming months to enjoy downtown. You’ve got a lot to look forward to, and next summer will be here before you know it! This column is part of a series detailing the activities and efforts of the Omaha Downtown Improvement District (DID) to further strengthen Downtown Omaha. You can find out more information about the DID on their website www.omahadowntown.org or by becoming a fan on Facebook. Joe Gudenrath Executive Director Omaha Downtown Improvement District readonlinenow.com

the encounter | september/october 2012

DOWNTOWN HISTORY

Eisenberg helps unload a truck of onion sacks, circa 1950.

In Memoriam: George Eisenberg

A man intimate with the Old Market’s origins is gone, but his legacy lives on. story by Leo Adam Biga | photos provided by Nebraska Jewish Historical Society

T He really was something special. -Angela Barry

HE LATE GEORGE Eisenberg, 88, appreciated the historic Old Market the way few people do because of his many relationships to it. His experience encompassed the Market’s life as a wholesale produce center and eventual transformation into an arts-culture destination and trendy neighborhood. He began working in the Old Market as a peddler’s son, manning a fruit stall alongside his father, Ben, and brother, Hymie, in what was then the Omaha City Market. Later, he founded and ran a successful niche business with Hymie supplying national food manufacturers’ thrown-away bits of onions and potatoes. The brothers, known as “the potato and onion kings of the U.S.,” officed in adjoining warehouses their father kept for storage and distribution. Eisenberg held onto the building even after the produce market disbanded and the area fell into decline. As the area transitioned and property rates skyrocketed, he became a well-positioned landlord and active Old Market Business Association and Omaha Downtown Improvement District member. “He went to the meetings and spoke his mind,” son Steve Eisenberg says. More than speak his mind, Eisenberg oversaw the careful renovation of his building and secured many of the lamp posts that adorn the Old Market. The Eisenberg property at 414-418 South 10th Street housed many tenants over the years, and today is home to J.D. Tucker’s and Stadium View sports bars. As the Old Market grew, he became one of its biggest advocates and enjoyed playing the role of unofficial historian. He’s remembered as a gentle lion who proudly shared the district’s past with business owners, visitors, media, and anyone interested in its history. He loved telling stories of what used to be a teeming Old World marketplace where Jewish, Italian, and other ethnic merchants dickered with customers over the price of fruit and vegetables. “Something he really enjoyed doing, especially in his retirement, was going down there and letting people know where the Old Market came from and where it’s going. Up till his last days, he saw such a bright future for the Old Market and was very proud of what all was going on down there” says Steve.

september/october 2012 | the encounter omahapublications.com

Locally Owned and Operated Since 1979

NOW OPEN DOW NTOW N!

1911 Leavenworth St. • (402) 614-5544

1218 S. 119th St. • (402) 827-4376 168th & Center (S.W. Corner) • (402) 763-1860

ALL SHUCKS LOCATIONS ARE OPEN FOR LUNCH & DINNER 7 DAYS A WEEK

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK BREAKFAST ALL DAY LUNCH 11 AM - 2PM 120th & Pacific (402) 932-5577 Eisenberg was half of the fruits and vegetables wholesaler, Eisenberg and Rothstein Co.

“George was just terrific, a real gentleman, also a wonderful character with a great sense of humor and compassion. He was revered as an ‘elder statesman,’” says Old Market Business Association member Angela Barry. “He was very sharp and knowledgeable about the neighborhood’s history. Even in his later years, he lovingly and passionately cared about the business of the Old Market. “He really was something special. When I heard of his passing it was a sad day.” Nouvelle Eve owner Kat Moser will remember Eisenberg for his wise and generous business counsel. Steve Eisenberg will remember his father as “a very hard worker who, even in retirement, kept busy promoting other people’s businesses and the Old Market area itself.” The Eisenberg presence will live on there. “My siblings and I promised him we’re never selling the building,” says Steve. “It’s staying in the family, and we’re going to run it like he did.” With Eisenberg’s passing and his peddler pal, Joe Vitale, preceding him in death a year earlier, the last sources with first-hand knowledge of the Omaha City Market are gone. But they leave behind an Old Market legacy not soon forgotten. Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.wordpress.com.

OFFERING FRESH SEAFOOD DAILY AND WEEKLY SPECIALS 1218 SO. 119TH ST. • (402) 827-4376

We’re creating something fresh. www.absolutelyfresh.com

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the encounter | september/october 2012

DOWNTOWN FACE

Steve Gordon

Lives the Life and Career of an Independent Creative

As an artist, you want that creative outlet to do something a bit more outside the box. -Steve Gordon 36

story by Leo Adam Biga | photos by minorwhitestudios.com

ESIGNER STEVE GORDON’S urbanized sense for what’s in-vogue permeates his lifestyle and RDQLUS Creative signature work. He indulges a love for hip hop, sneakers, and bikes. He provides brand development, identity design, and creative direction services for corporate clients, big and small, near and far. Growing up in the North Omaha projects, Gordon displayed an inquisitive mind and aptitude for art. Attending Omaha Creighton Prep exposed him to a larger world. “I was encouraged to explore, and I think exploration is a major part of creativity and innovation,” he says. “All of that comes from the wide-open spaces of being able to reach and grasp at straws, get some things wrong. After I bought into that, so many things opened up. At Prep, I fell in love with architecture. It still drives a lot of the work I do. My work is a lot more structured than the free-form work of some other designers. Mine is very vertical and Art Deco influenced.” His design endeavors shared time with his passions for music and competitive athletics. He “fell in love” with music as a kid and went on to success as a DJ, producer, and remixer. His skill as a triple jumper earned him scholarship offers from top colleges and universities. After two years as a Cornhusker in Lincoln, he transferred to the University of South Dakota, where he won multiple national titles. He was ranked among the world’s best. His pursuit of an Olympic berth and a music career took him around the world. Back home, he worked corporate gigs before launching RDQLUS Creative in 2005. “As an artist, you want that creative outlet to do something a bit more outside the box, something you’re passionate about,” he says of going the indie route.

september/october 2012 | the encounter omahapublications.com

Gordon with the athletic shoes he designed for NIKE. The designer incorporated his fun, creative sense of fashion.

The sneaker aficionado recently combined two of his passions when NIKEiD invited him to design shoes and to document the process online. “I didn’t want to just put some pretty colors on a shoe, I wanted there to be some story, some branding. I’m very much into fashion, style, aesthetics, and athletics, and so I wanted to design a shoe that spoke to all of those things. “Guys like myself, though we dress in denims and sneakers rather than wing-tips and a tie, we’re no less in tune with wanting to look sharp and present ourselves well.” He’s authored two books on freelance design for Rockport Publishers, whose Rock, Paper, Ink blog features his column, “Indie.” He also does public speaking gigs about design. He’s a big tweeter, too. “I love communicating with people.” “At times I wonder how I keep everything up in the air. All of the things I’m involved in, I really have a true belief they feed each other. Someone asked me once, ‘What is it you do for a living?’ and I said, ‘I hope my answer is always, I live for a living.’ What I do to sustain that, well, that’s a different story.” This one-man shop embodies the independent creative class spirit of engaging community. “Design and creativity are not about art,” he says, “but communication. We’re visual problem solvers.” He says “the really fervent” way he worked to better himself as an athlete “is a lot of like how I still approach life in general,” adding, “If I could work so hard at something that was a game and that gave me fulfillment and made a lasting legacy for myself, then how can I not enjoy life that same way?” Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.wordpress.com readonlinenow.com

the encounter | september/october 2012

Insurance Matters

Second Chance Antiques & Collectibles

Bought and sold by the handful, or houseful

Furniture Architectural Items China Glassware Toys & Dolls Books Huge Selection of Vintage Clothing & Jewelry on our Lower Level

Over 30 Years in the Old Market

1116 Jackson St. 346-4930

Life Insurance Life Insurance. Do you have it? Or does the thought of planning for death leave you feeling unsettled or even overwhelmed? Maybe you think life insurance is a way to pay final burial expenses, pay off a mortgage, or send kids to college in the event of a loved one’s untimely death. Rarely do we think about the more obscure risks, such as the contribution of stay-at-home moms or the tax liabilities involved with leaving inheritance. There are so many variables in life, and maybe you are willing to roll the dice often! Look at it this way…the statistics* say the following: For every 100 people age 25, the following will be true when they reach age 65: • 13 percent will be dead Of the remaining still alive at age 65: • 10 percent barely get by each month • 65 percent depend on others (SSI, family, friends, etc.) • Only 12 percent will be financially independant Which category do you want to fall into? Without planning, the choice is often made for single parents, children, and young people just beginning their adult lives before they have a chance to decide for themselves. Can you imagine how your current or future family will survive if something happens to you? Premiums do tend to rise with age, so schedule a free consultation with your insurance adviser today…while you still have the opportunity to make the best choice for yourself and your family.

Mon-Thurs 10am-6pm / Fri-Sat 11am-9pm / Sun 12-6pm

PREMIUM HOMEMADE ICE CREAM For over 25 year’s we’ve been using only the highest quality ingredients in our premium ice cream. Each artisan batch is crafted the old fashioned way with rock salt and ice.

Find Us On Facebook

The Old Market • 1120 Jackson Street • (402) 341-5827 • tedandwallys.com

*Statistics and other information available online at LifeHappens.org Ken Kramer Farm Bureau Financial Services Representative

september/october 2012 | the encounter

omahapublications.com

N. 16th St

S. 16th St

Leavenworth St

Jones St

Jackson St

Howard St

Harney St

Farnam St

Douglas St

Dodge St

N. 15th St

S. 15th St

Capitol Ave

Farnam St

Douglas St

Jones St

Jackson St

Harney St

S. 13th St

N. 14th St

S. 15th St

N. 13th St S. 13th St S. 13th St S. 13th St

Omaha Chamber Of Commerce

S. 12th St

S. 14th St

N. 12th St S. 12th St S. 12th St

N. 11th St S. 11th St S. 11th St 11

S. 11th St S. 11th St

Harney St

Howard St

Building, 1914-1915

Leavenworth St

1892-1893 H9 Omaha Fire House, 1903-1904 H10 Windsor Hotel, 1885-1887 H11 Omaha Bemis Bag Company, 1887-1902 H12 Anheuser-Busch Beer Depot, 1887 H13 Union Pacific Passenger Terminal, 1931

H8 Morse Coe Building,

H7 Hotel Howard, 1909

1886-1887

H6 Eisenberg Building,

1879

H5 Burlington Building,

1880-1881

H4 Millard Block,

Building, 1880

H3 Baum Iron Company

1885-1889

H2 J.P. Cooke Buildings,

13, Durham Heritage Museum

Jones St

Historical Tour

H1 Skinner Macaroni

Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau

Farnam St

Capitol Ave

10 Jackson St

Dodge St

G N. 10th St N. 10th St S. 10th St S. 10th St S. 10th St

N. 10th St S. 10th St

N. 9th St S. 9th St

S. 7th St

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the encounter | september/october 2012

Health Services M

Pubs, Taverns & Lounges

Restaurants

Historical Tour

Art Gallery Walk

Parking

Park

The Capitol District

The Old Market District

The Old Market District Interstate On-Ramp/Off-Ramp Railroad Walking Path/Trail

Downtown Omaha Map

NORTH/SOUTH NUMBERS 10-19 (NUMBERS 1-9 ON PAGE 42)

Merchants Attractions OLD MARKET / DOWNTOWN / RIVERFRONT

ANTIQUES

Antique Annex...F16............................ 402.932.3229 Fairmont Antique Mall...E17.................402.345.9746 Flying Worm Vintage...E16...................402.594.7061 The Imaginarium...D16.........................402.594.7061 Joe’s Collectibles...F16......................... 402.612.1543 J & S Antiques...D16........................... 402.306.6231 Second Chance Antiques...F16........... 402.346.4930

ART

Anderson O’Brien Fine Art...F16...........402.884.0911 Artists’ Cooperative Gallery...G15..........402.342.9617 Bemis Ctr. for Contemporary Arts...E18.402.341.7130 FAME....................................................402.341-3930 Farrah Grant Photography...G16...........402.312.8262 Gallery 616...F17...................................402.214.3061 Garden Of The Zodiac...G15.................. 402.341.1877 Hot Shops Art Center...D2....................402.342.6452 Images of Nature Gallery...G14............. 402.341.8460 KANEKO...F17...................................... 402.341.3800 Love’s Jazz & Arts Center...(24th & Lake)..................... 402.502.5291 Old Market Artists Gallery...G15...........402.346.6569 Omaha ClayWorks...F17......................402.346.0560 Passageway Gallery...G15..................... 402.341.1910 Sirens at the Loft...F16.........................402.933.9333 White Crane Gallery...G15.....................402.345.1066

ATTRACTIONS & ENTERTAINMENT

621 Pacific St, Omaha • 402-345-3438

Blue Barn Theatre...F17.......................402.345.1576 Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre...F17............402.502.4910 CenturyLink Center Omaha...H7.......... 402.341.1500 The Durham Museum...H19.................402.444.5071 Film Streams...D4................................ 402.933.0259 Henry Doorly Zoo...(3701 S. 10th St.).402.733.8401 Holland Performing Arts Center...E12.402.345.0606 Joslyn Art Museum...(2200 Dodge St.)......................... 402.342.3300 KANEKO...F17......................................402.341.3800 Lauritzen Gardens...(100 Bancroft St.).402.346.4002 Love’s Jazz & Arts Center...(24th & Lake)...................... 402.502.5291 MJ Carriage Service...(11th & Howard).402.453.6745 Ollie the Trolley......................................402.597.3596 Omaha Children’s Museum...(500 S. 20th St.)............. 402.342.6164 Omaha Symphony...A16...................... 402.342.3560 Opera Omaha...(1850 Farnam St.)......402.346.7372 Orpheum Theater...B15....................... 402.345.0606 The Rose Theater...(2001 Farnam St.).402.345.4849 TD Ameritrade Park Omaha...E3..........402.546.1800 Ticket Omaha...(www.ticketomaha.org)........................ 402.345.0606

BARS, LOUNGES & PUBS

Bar 415...E15.......................................402.346.7455 BarryO’s...G15......................................402.341.8032 Billy Frogg’s Grill & Bar...F15................402.341.4427 Blue Sushi Sake Grill...E15.................. 402.408.5566 Capitol Lounge & Supper Club...G11... 402.934.5999 Denim & Diamonds...F14.....................402.504.4901 DJ’s Dugout Sports Bar/Blazin’ Pianos...G11................ 402.763.9974 The Dubliner Pub...E15........................ 402.342.5887 Eat the Worm...E16..............................402.614.4240 Embassy Suites Old Market...H16....... 402.346.9000 Farrell’s Bar & 9th St. Deli...H11...........402.884.8818 Havana Garage Cigar Bar...G15............402.614.3800 House of Loom...(1012 S. 10th St.).... 402.505.5494 J.D.Tucker’s...G15................................402.934.5190 Jackson St.Tavern...F14.......................402.991.5637 Julio’s Old Market...D16...................... 402.345.6921 La Buvette Wine & Grocery...G16........ 402.344.8627 M’s Pub...F15...................................... 402.342.2550 Mr.Toad’s...G15................................... 402.345.4488 Myth Lounge...F16.............................. 402.884.6985 Nosh Wine Lounge...G11...................... 402.614.2121 O Dining & Lounge...G14......................402.502.7888

september/october 2012 | the encounter

O’Connor’s Irish Pub...E16...................402.934.9790 Old Chicago...F15..................................402.341.1616 Old Market Tavern...G16....................... 402.341.0191 Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill...E6....402.346.9116 Rock Bottom Brewery...F15.................402.614.9333 Roja Old Market...E14...........................402.346.9190 Sake Bombers @ Blue...E15............... 402.408.5566 The Stadium Club Sports Bar & Grill...G15..................... 402.359.1290 The Slowdown...D4..............................402.345.7569 Stiles Pub...E15....................................402.991.9911 Stokes Bar & Grill...F15....................... 402.408.9000 T Henery’s Pub...F14........................... 402.345.3651 Twisted Fork Grill & Bar...G15.............. 402.932.9600 The Underground...G16........................402.341.3547 Union Pizzeria & Sports Bar...C2........ 402.932.2929 Upstream Brewing Company...F16..... 402.344.0200 Urban Wine Company...G18................ 402.934.0005 Waters Edge Lounge @ Embassy Suites...H16............. 402.346.9000 The Zin Room...B14..............................402.991.0660

Rock Bottom Brewery...F15..................402.614.9333 Roja Old Market...E14........................... 402.346.9190 Shuck’s Fish House...(19th & Leavenworth)................. 402.614.5544 Spaghetti Works...F16.......................... 402.422.0770 Spencer’s @ Hilton Garden Inn...G12...402.280.8888 The Stadium Club Sports Bar & Grill...G15.................... 402.359.1290 Stokes Bar & Grill…F15.......................402.408.9000 Subway...E15.. 402.341.8814 Sullivan’s Steakhouse...B13................. 402.342.0077 Trini’s Mexican Restaurant...G15..........402.346.8400 Twisted Fork Grill & Bar...G15...............402.932.9600 Union Pizzeria & Sports Bar...C2......... 402.932.2929 Upstream Brewing Company...F16......402.344.0200 V.Mertz...G15.......................................402.345.8980 Vincenzo’s Ristorante...E15...................402.342.4010 Vivace...F15..........................................402.342.2050 Wheatfields Express...F15.....................402.991.0917 The Zin Room...B14.............................. 402.991.0660 Zio’s Pizzeria...F16................................402.344.2222

BOOKSTORES

FLOWERS

Jackson St. Booksellers...F17..............402.341.2664 Soul Desires...G16 ...............................402.898.7600

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

All About Me Boutique...G15................402.505.6000 American Apparel...D4.........................402.346.3000 Basic Tease...D16................................. 402.991.2869 Curbside Clothing...G16 Drastic Plastic...E16.............................402.346.8843 Flying Worm Vintage...E16................... 402.594.7061 The Lotus...E16....................................402.346.8080 Nebraska Clothing Co...G15 .................402.346.6114 Nouvelle Eve...F15.................................402.345.4811 Old Market Sundries...G16................... 402.345.8198 Overland Outfitters...G16.....................402.345.2900 Reserve Goodwill in the Market...E16...402.342.4102 Second Chance Antiques...F16............402.346.4930 Souq, Ltd...G15.................................... 402.342.2972 Trocadero...E15....................................402.934.8389 Urban Outfitters...D4.............................402.280.1936

DINING

801 Chophouse at the Paxton...C14.... 402.341.1222 Ahmad’s Persian Cuisine...G15............402.341.9616 Billy Frogg’s Grill & Bar...F15................402.341.4427 Blue Sushi Sake Grill...E15.................. 402.408.5566 The Boiler Room...F17..........................402.916.9274 Capitol Lounge & Supper Club...G11... 402.934.5999 Denim & Diamonds...F14.....................402.504.4901 The Diner...F15.....................................402.341.9870 DJ’s Dugout Sports Bar/Blazin’ Pianos...G11................ 402.763.9974 Eat the Worm...E16..............................402.614.4240 Falling Water Grille @ Embassy Suites...H16................. 402.346.9000 Farrell’s Bar & 9th St. Deli...H11...........402.884.8818 The Flatiron Cafe...(17th & Howard).... 402.344.3040 Hiro 88...D16....................................... 402.933-5168 House of Lee & California Bowl...E16 ..402.991.9330 Indian Oven...G15................................ 402.342.4856 Jackson St. Tavern...F17......................402.991.5637 Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen...C14.......... 402.342.3662 Joe Banana’s (1022 S.10th St.)...........402.346.7227 Julio’s Old Market...D16.........................402.345.692 Liberty Tavern...G7.............................. 402.998.4321 M’s Pub...F15...................................... 402.342.2550 Matsu Sushi...G14............................... 402.346.3988 Michael’s at the Market...F14...............402.346.1205 Nicola’s Italian Wine & Faire...E16....... 402.345.8466 O Dining & Lounge...G14......................402.502.7888 O’Connors Irish Pub...E16....................402.934.9790 Old Chicago...F15 .................................402.341.1616 Omaha Prime...G15..............................402.341.7040 Passport Restaurant...F17 .................. 402.344.3200 PepperJax Grill...D16.............................402.315.1196 Rick’s Cafe Boatyard...K7.................... 402.345.4545

Garden Flowers...G16...........................402.614.5661 Old Market Habitat...G15..................... 402.342.0044 The Paisley Poppy...B14.......................402.991.6970

HEALTH & FITNESS

Acupunture Omaha Healing Arts Center...E15........................... 402.345.5078 David Bole L.Ac............................. 402.345.5078 Ellen Zinn L.Ac.............................. 402.345.5078 Elizabeth Harmon - Acupuncture...402.991.5753 Ayurvedic Healing (both at Omaha Healing Arts Center) Dr.Rajesh Kotecha...E15............... 402.345.5078 Joyce Librunner, LMT...E15...........402.740.0366 Dental Derek Fender, DDS...E15.............. 402.342.3901 James Polerecky, DDS...C15.........402.341.7576 Omaha Dental Spa (at the Loft)...F16...................... 402.505.4424 Fitness Anytime Fitness...F18....................402.991.2333 Kempo Karate...(19th & Farnam).. 402.905.6865 Omaha Yoga School...G15.............402.346.7813 Massage Therapy Old Market Massage...E15............402.850.6651 Omaha Healing Arts Center...E15...... 402.345.5078 Rachel Andress, LMT................... 402.345.5078 Sandy Aquila, LMT........................ 402.345.5078 Julia Beutler, LMT......................... 402.345.5078 Lisa Christensen, LMT...................402.850.6651 Kirstin Kluver, LMT........................ 402.345.5078 Joyce Linbrunner, LMT..................402.740.0366 Tara Thompson, LMT....................402.706.7398 Medical Commercial Optical Co...E16.........402.344.0219 Creighton Family Healthcare...D19.402.280.5500 Downtown Chiropractic...(21st & Douglas)............. 402.345.7500 Ritch Miller, DC............................. 402.345.7500 Heartland Pathology...A14.............402.346.0195 Physical Therapy Bobby Escolas, CMHT (Hypnotherapist).................. 402.990.2979 Jannette J. Davis, MS, CST...G13.402.341.2230 Cynthia Duggin, MSW, LCSW...E15........................ 402.345.5078 East & West Physical Therapy...E15........................ 402.345.5078 Chanell Jaramillo, MTP, CMH, HHP...E15.............. .. 402.689.0905 Jeff Stormberg, PhD...C14........... 402.393.0642 Tim Swisher, MHR, LMHP, LADC...G13.................. 402.341.2230 Pharmacy Depot Drug...C11.........402.544.DRUG

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N. 16 St

Davenport St

Chicago St

Cass St

California St

Mike Fahey St

Burt St

Cuming St

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Mike Fahey St

TD Ameritrade Park Omaha

Cass St

Lodging

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The Old Market District Interstate On-Ramp/Off-Ramp Railroad Walking Path/Trail

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Midtown Crossing Map

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N. 12 St N. 12 St N. 12 St

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N. 10 St N. 10 St

N. 13 St N. 13 St N. 13 St N. 13 St

N. 34 St S. 34 St

N. 33 St

S. 33 St

N. 32 Ave

Nicholas St

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NORTH/SOUTH NUMBERS 1-9 (NUMBERS 10-19 ON PAGE 40) Turner Blvd

Downtown Omaha Map

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the encounter | september/october 2012

CenturyLink Center Omaha

Merchants Attractions OLD MARKET / DOWNTOWN / RIVERFRONT

HOME FURNISHINGS

Habitat Restore...(24th & Leavenworth)..............402.342.0044 Iron Decor & More...F16......................................402.346.6123 Julia Russell...F12................................................402.891.0691 Niche...G15..........................................................402.344.4399 Room...G15.........................................................402.342.7666 Zongkers Custom Woods...(S. 3rd St.)...............402.344.7784

HOTELS

Courtyard by Marriott...H12 ...............................402.346.2200 DoubleTree Hotel...B/C10....................................402.346.7600 Embassy Suites Old Market...H16.......................402.346.9000 Fairfield Inn and Suites...C2.................................402.280.1516 Hampton Inn...E2.................................................402.345.5500 Hilton Garden Inn...C2 ........................................402.341.4400 Hilton Omaha...G7 ..............................................402.998.3400 Holiday Inn...E2.....................................................402.341.0124 Homewood Suites...D2 .......................................402.345.5100 Hotel DECO XV...B14........................................... 402.991.4981 Magnolia Hotel Omaha...A16 .............................402.342.2222

MIDTOWN CROSSING

The Afternoon...W23...........................................402.933.3809 Arian’s Barber Shop...W23..................................402.505.8767 Blanc Burgers + Bottles...V23.............................402.502.3686 Callahan Financial Planning...V23.......................402.341.2000 Cantina Laredo...W21.........................................402.345.6000 Coldstone Creamery/Rocky Mountain Chocolate...X22.............. 402.359.1719 CRAVE...W22......................................................402.345.9999 Definitive Vision...W23.........................................402.502.7323 Delice European Bakery...W23............................402.505.9500 Element by Westin...X21.....................................402.614.8080 Fashion Cleaners...X22........................................402.916.1987 Glo Lounge...X23................................................402.342.4505 The Grey Plume...W22........................................402.763.4447 Ingredient...X23...................................................402.715.4444 Marcus Midtown Cinema...X23..........................402.345.0102 Pana 88...............................................................402.934.7262 Parmida Home Concepts....................................402.504.9267 Portovino Ristorante...W22.................................402.885.6800 Prairie Life Fitness...W22....................................402.916.5000 Republic of Couture...W22..................................402.933.7555 Three Dog Bakery...X23...................................... 402.715.4500 Tru Salon & Spa...X22.........................................402.933.8988 Wohlner’s Neighborhood Grocery and Deli...X21.402.551.6875 Verizon Wireless by Z Wireless...X23...................402.991.1180

MUSIC SHOPS

Antiquarium Records...D15................................402.345.0294 Homer’s Records...E15.......................................402.346.0264 Drastic Plastic...E16...........................................402.346.8843

OLD MARKET PROPERTIES

Cibola of Omaha Contemporary and traditional Southwestern Jewelry-home decor Featured Southwestern artists include Lilly Barrack-GL Miller-Calvin Begay and our Silversmith Jim Robinson

Silversmith on Premise Expert repair work Come in let Jim design and create your dream Old Market 509 S 11th St Omaha, NE 402-342-1200

Cibola Old Town 7236 1st Ave Scottsdale, AZ 480-990-1700

september/october 2012 | the encounter

902 Dodge Condos...G11................................... 402.215.7118 Brandeis Building...A13......................................402.345.6564 Farnam 1600 Building...(1905 Harney St.).........402.342.1616 Grubb/Ellis Pacific Realty...F15..........................402.345.5866 Harney Street Apartments...G18.........................402.934.7510 Old Market Lofts...K3......................................... 402.346.1000 Riverfront Place...C14..........................................402.397.4837 Shamrock Development/Paxton Building...C14..402.934.7711 Skinner Macaroni Apartments...D17..................402.346.2346 The Cornerstone Apartments...F15.................... 402.346.0510 The Greenhouse Apts...H13............................... 402.341.3200 TipTop Building...C2............................................402.345.8000

SPECIALTY FOODS & COFFEE

13th Street Coffee Co...E16.............................. 402.345.2883 Aromas Coffeehouse...G18................................402.614.7009 Bliss Bakery...G18...............................................402.934.7450 Blue Line Coffee...D3.........................................402.932.0294 Cubby’s Old Markey Grocery...E17..................... 402.341.2900 Hollywood Candy...D16...................................... 402.346.9746 La Buvette Wine & Grocery...G16.......................402.344.8627 Nosh Wine Lounge...G11.....................................402.614.2121 Old Market Candy Shop...G16............................402.344.8846 Patrick’s Market...C15.........................................402.884.1600 Red Mango...D4................................................. 402.933.8815 Scooter’s Coffeehouse...F16.............................. 402.991.9868

Soul Desires...G16 ............................................. 402.898.7600 The Tea Smith...F15...........................................402.932.3933 Ted & Wally’s Ice Cream...F16.............................402.341.5827 Urban Wine Company...G18...............................402.934.0005 Wheatfields Express...F15...................................402.991.0917

SPECIALTY SHOPS

Ashley’s Collectibles...E15..................................402.934.3100 Basic Tease...E16...............................................402.991.2869 Cibola of Omaha...G16.......................................402.342.1200 City Limits...F16................................................. 402.345.3570 Cornerstone Gem & Bead Co...E16................... 402.346.4367 DSR Power Sports...E15..................................... 402.991.1383 Goldsmith/Silversmith...G16..............................402.342.1737 Green St. Cycles...D4........................................ 402.505.8002 Havana Garage Cigar Bar...G15..........................402.614.3800 Iron Decor & More...F16.....................................402.346.6123 J.P. Cooke Rubber Stamp Co...D16...................402.342.7175 Jay Welter Cigars...(18th & Jackson).................402.345.1965 Kessler’s...F17....................................................402.715.5888 The Lotus...D16..................................................402.347.8080 Machu Picchu Imports...D16 Nebraska at the Market...E19............................ 402.346.3975 Old Market Sundries...G16.................................402.345.8198 OM Gifts & Imports...E15.................................. 402.345.5078 Overland Outfitters...G16..................................402.345.2900 Perspective Jewelry...E15..................................402.934.4416 Red Square...G15.............................................. 402.342.8878 Reserve Goodwill in the Market...E16................402.342.4102 SG Roi Tobacconist...G16...................................402.341.9264 Simply Fabulous...E17........................................402.812.2193 Studio 13...(1736 S. 13th St.).............................402.934.1111 The Summit...(1601 Dodge St.).........................402.341.5555 Susie’s Baskets...E13.........................................402.341.4650 Takechi’s Jewelry...(17th & Harney)...................402.341.3044 Tannenbaum Christmas Shop...G16................. 402.934.8389 Visions Custom Framing Studio...E17............... 402.342.0020

SERVICES

Banking & Finance American National Bank...C14......................402.457.1070 First National Bank...F16.............................402.885.2574 Pinnacle Bank...G12....................................402.346.9180 Security National Bank...G16...................... 402.344.7300 Commercial Alliance Group...G18................................... 402.344.7700 Clark Creative Advertising...D16.................402.345.5800 J.P. Cooke Rubber Stamp Co...D16.............402.342.7175 Market Media.............................................. 402.346.4000 Vic Gutman & Associates............................ 402.345.5401 Information Downtown Omaha, Inc.................................402.341.3700 Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce...D15..................... 402.346.5000 The Encounter Magazine.............................402.884.2000 Old Market Business Association...(www.oldmarket.com) Omaha Convention & Visitors Bureau...G14.402.444.4660 Omaha Downtown Improvement District......402.916.1796 Omaha Public Library...C13.........................402.444.4800 Legal Boyle & Associates, PC...F16....................... 402.706.7810 Cullan & Cullan...F15.................................... 402.397.7600 Don Fiedler Law Offices...C14......................402.346.6263 Klein Law Offices...H16.................................402.391.1871 Stinson, Morrison, Hecker LLP...E14.............402.342.1700 Sutera & Sutera Law Office...F15.................402.342.3100 Other Big Brain Productions...F17..........................402.342.2885 Movers Not Shakers...H13............................ 402.614.9770 Old Market Mini Storage...(501 Pacific St.)..402.342.0022 Salon & Spa At the Loft Spa...F16..................................... 402.505.4100 Fringes of the Old Market Hair Salon...G16..402.345.0404 The Hair Market Salon...G14.........................402.345.3692 The Nail Shop...(9th & Douglas)...................402.595.8805 Rain Salon...(1006 S. 10th St.)......................402.991.9974 RARE...E15...................................................402.706.9673 Sirens Salon & Day Spa...F16.......................402.933.9333 Urbane Salon & Day Spa...D15.....................402.934.2909

omahapublications.com

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

B E MEMBER FDIC

Downtown and Council Bluffs ONGOING EVENTS Through 9/2: Mindbender Mansion. Durham Museum.

An immersive exhibition full of brainteasers and interactive challenges guaranteed to test the brainpower and problem-solving skills of even the most experienced puzzlers. Recurring daily. $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 children 3-12, free for children 2 & under. 801 S. 10th St. Tu/10am-8pm; WSat/10am-5pm; Sun/1-5pm. For more information, visit www.durhammuseum.org or call 402-4445071.

Through 9/4: Tempo of Twilight Concert Series. Lauritzen

Gardens. From all-time favorite cover songs to artistic originals, talented local bands will create a memorable musical experience for visitors of all ages. Purchase delicious and affordable meals from the café or bring your own snacks and beverages. Bring blankets or chairs to relax in the garden. Recurring every other Tuesday. $6 adults, $3 children 6-12, free for members and children 6 & under. 100 Bancroft St. 6pm. For more information, visit www.lauritzengardens.org or call 402-346-4002.

Through 9/9: Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Omaha Children’s

Museum. Follow the Yellow Brick Road to 10,000 square feet of Oz fun. The Emerald City comes alive with Scarecrow, the Tin Man, the Cowardly Lion, Dorothy, and Toto, too. Recurring daily except Monday. $8 adults and kids, $7 seniors, free for members and children 2 & under. 500 S. 20th St. Tu-F/10am4pm; Sat/9am-5pm; Sun/1-5pm. For more information, visit www. readonlinenow.com

September/October Calendar of Events

ocm.org or call 402-342-6164.

Through 9/16: Contested Terrain: Painting the Modern Landscape. Joslyn Art Museum.

Exhibit that features the work of seven artists, each offering a variety of responses to the challenge of representing a natural world that has been largely overshadowed by human intervention. $8 adults, $6 seniors 62+ and college students, $5 ages 5-17, free for children 4 & under. 2200 Dodge St. T, W, F-Sat/10am-4pm; Th/10am8pm; Sun/12-4pm. For more information, visit www.joslyn.org or call 402-342-2200.

Through 9/16: The Great West Illustrated: Celebrating 150 Years of the Union Pacific Railroad. Joslyn Art Museum. Exhibi-

tion featuring images by Andrew J. Russell, one of the 19th Century’s finest American landscape photographers. The pictures, all from the Union Pacific Historical Collection, document the construction of the transcontinental railroad in the 1860s. $8 adults, $6 seniors 62+ and college students, $5 ages 5-17, free for children 4 & under. 2200 Dodge St. T, W, F-Sat/10am4pm; Th/10am-8pm; Sun/12-4pm. For more information, visit www. joslyn.org or call 402-342-2200.

Through 10/13: The Deuce – North 24th Walking Tour.

Dreamland Park. A guided walking tour highlighting the arts, music, architecture, history, and local businesses in the community. Recurring weekly on Saturday at 11am. Donations accepted. 24th & Lake sts. For more information, visit www.north24thomahatour. com or call 402-709-2586.

Through 10/13: Veinticuatro – South 24th Walking Tour. A

guided walking tour highlighting the arts, architecture, ethnic culture, history, and local businesses in the community. Recurring weekly on Saturday at 11am. Donations accepted. NW Corner of 24th & N sts. For more information, visit www.south24thomahatour. com or 402-709-2586.

Through 10/14: Omaha Farmers Market. Old Market and

Aksarben Village. Farmers Market offering the best selection of fresh produce and meats, as well as a wide variety of unique specialty items: gourmet foods, organic fruits and vegetables, dairy products, cut flowers and bedding plants, handmade crafts, and more. Recurring every Saturday and Sunday. Free admission. Old Market: 11th & Jackson sts; Aksarben Village: 67th & Center sts. Sat/8am-12pm, Sun/9am-1pm. For more information, visit www. omahafarmersmarket.org or call 402-345-5401.

SEPTEMBER 9/2-5: Septemberfest – Salute to Labor. Heartland of America Park. A

huge downtown festival, Septemberfest offers Labor Day fun for the entire family. Come to the gigantic midway-carnival, a Labor Day parade, live concerts, and much more! Enjoy a card game of Texas Hold’Em, watch the barbeque and rib eye steak cook-off challenge, or stop by one of the many vendors and food booths. Recurring daily. $4 general admission, free for children 5 & under. 8th & Douglas sts. 12pm-12am. For more information, visit www.

septemberfestomaha.com or call 402-346-4800.

9/4: Millionaires and Mansions North Gold Coast Trolley Tour.

Durham Museum. Come explore the history of some of Omaha’s most prized estates. This tour will have you exploring neighborhoods North of Dodge Street in mid-town Omaha. You’ll have the chance to learn about the Mercer Mansion, Joslyn Castle, the Louis Nash Residence, and much more. Ride on the city’s first curved street to see some of the finest residences in the original “West Omaha.” Tickets are $20. 801 S. 10th St. 6pm. For more information, visit www.durhammuseum.org or call 402-444-5071.

9/5-30: BARE: naked truth. Art-

ists’ Cooperative Gallery Ltd. New paintings and sculptures alike are on display for your viewing pleasure at BARE: naked truth. Sculptor Travis Apel and painters Lori Elliott-Bartle and Dar Vande Voort will display original works for your viewing pleasure in the gallery. Recurring Tuesdays through Sundays. Free admission. 405 S. 11th St. T-Th/11am-5pm; F-Sat/11am10pm; Sun/12-6pm. For more information, visit www.artistsco-opgallery.com or call 402-342-9617.

9/7-23: Diary of a Worm, a Spider, and a Fly. The Rose Theater.

Children and the family alike will love this tale of growing up and finding a place in the world. Told through the voices of a worry worm, smart and sassy spider, and a fun fly, the show involves music and entertainment for the whole family. This show is best for children ages four and older. Recurring Friday through Sunday. Tick-

the encounter | september/october 2012