November/December 2015 The Encounter by Omaha Magazine

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2015

DESIGNER BUF REYNOLDS Fashioning an Expanded Horizon

THE BLUE BARN Rustic, Rooted in Omaha A P R I L FA I T H - S L A K E R Algorithms into Allegros JOE BANANAS 10th Street Staple in the Face of Change

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Contents 6

L I V I N G : Bright, But Not New The Obermiller’s Renovated Condo

V I S U A L : Joshua Norton Impressions of Printmaking

M U S I C : The Essential Good Life A Collection of Songs

P E R F O R M A N C E : April Faith-Slaker Turning Numbers into Notes

F E AT U R E : Blue Barn Theatre A Space of Their Own

F E AT U R E : Lucile’s Old Market An Historical Home Retains Its Sunny Past

D I N I N G : Joe Bananas Where Everyone is Welcome

FA S H I O N : Dystopian Dreams

FA C E S : Greg Hansen Old Market Beat Officer Retires

FA C E S : Buf Reynolds Fashion in Omaha and Beyond

H I S T O R Y: The Burlington Building From Train Station to TV Station

Advantage Coupons

Downtown Omaha Map

Merchants & Attractions

Calendar of Events ENCOUNTER 4

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2015 Publisher Todd Lemke Editor David Williams Associate Editor Daisy Hutzell-Rodman Editorial Intern Halle Mason Contributing Writers Chelsea Balzer • Leo Adam Biga • Danielle Herzog • Greg Jerrett Lisa Lukecart • Tom McCauley • Mandy Mowers • Sean Robinson Max Sparber • James Walmsley Creative Director Bill Sitzmann

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Graphic Design Intern Derek Taubert Account Executives Greg Bruns • Gil Cohen • Shelby Deveny • Kyle Fisher Angie Hall • George Idelman • Gwen Lemke Assistant to the Publisher Sandy Besch-Matson

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Accounting Holley Garcia-Cruz Warehouse Distribution Manager Mike Brewer For Advertising Information: 402.884.2000 omahamagazine.com Owned and Managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD. All versions of Encounter are published bimonthly by Omaha Magazine, LTD P.O. Box 461208, Omaha, NE 68046-1208. Telephone: (402) 884-2000; fax (402) 884-2001. No whole or part of the contents herein may be reproduced without prior written permission of Omaha Magazine, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted; however, no responsibility will be assumed for such solicitations.

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Making the Old New Again MOVE OVER MILLENNIALS. ONE OF DOWNTOWN’S TRENDIEST CONDOS BELONGS TO A BABY BOOMER COUPLE. by Sean Robinson photography by Bill Sitzmann

ENCOUNTER 6

LIVING

The floating, translucent “cloud” above the kitchen island is one of the Obermiller’s favorite touches.

HERRI AND JOHN Obermiller decided their new downtown condo reminded them too much of the suburbs.

They should know. The couple moved in 2011 from their five-bedroom, five-bathroom home in the white-picketfence-lined neighborhoods off 180th St. and West Center Road to the eclectic, artsy downtown for a reason, and it wasn’t perfection and modernity.

“It was time to downsize and just get rid of stuff,” Sherri says. “Plus, this gave me an excuse not to do yard work anymore.” The pair looked at five or six buildings before deciding the 902 Dodge Street condos were a natural fit for them. The building is located close enough to walk to yoga classes or sushi restaurants, but far enough from the bustle of the Old Market. “We don’t always like to be in the crowd, but we like to be near it,” Sherri says. “We enjoy being anonymous in a sea of people.”

An available condo on the fifth floor was too small and in need of a facelift, but the Obermillers saw its potential. Their first act as new owners? Asking their neighbor what amount of money it would take for him to move. Their new home instantly doubled in size. To further construct their vision for the space, they enlisted the help of Stephanie Basham, principal designer and owner of Group One Interiors, and Don Stormberg, owner of Stormberg Construction. The couple rented and lived in a unit on the second floor of the building as Basham and Stormberg’s teams worked to renovate the condo to the Obermillers’ standards. “It’s always challenging to work in a space that people are inhabiting during construction,” Basham says. “The Obermillers have a finely tuned sense of contemporary style and an appreciation for urban modernism. And to top that, John and Sherri value attention to detail, which is a dream for a designer.” >

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A bright teal couch livens up the muted color palette in the living room. < From using lime green as an accent color to matching the gray of the exposed concrete ceiling to the condo’s columns, the detailed design was inspired from the Obermillers’ travels to metropolises like New York City. To make the home feel larger, Basham took advantage of the high ceilings and crafted a floating translucent cloud above the kitchen island. The focal point of the home, the cloud creates a sense of separation between the kitchen and adjacent rooms without impeding the view. Local fabricators and installers used frosted acrylic to have the effect of tinted glass without the weight. This fixture is a personal favorite of the Obermillers. “The cloud above and countertop below have the same steel lines, so they mirror one another,” Sherri says. “We strived for symmetry throughout our home.”

A patio off the main room provides a perfect place for homeowner Sherri Obermiller to read in the sun.

Following nearly a year of renovations, only the cherrywood cabinets in the kitchen remain in the now-2,400-square-foot condo. An entire patio was removed; new floors and appliances were installed; iron-welded, artisan-crafted barn doors were mounted; and rooms were ornamented in furniture from as far away as Sweden. The result is a simple, contemporary design that’s entirely unique to the Obermillers. The Obermillers saw not only the potential of their condo but the value of the downtown area as well. While the CenturyLink Center was the major draw north of Dodge Street when the Obermillers first ENCOUNTER 8

moved downtown, the area will soon be home to HDR’s high-rise headquarters and a collection of newly developed apartments, offices, and entertainment space. “We are incredibly excited about this development and what’s next,” John says. Embracing an urban lifestyle is a hot trend, yet the Obermillers aren’t concerned with following or setting trends. Instead, their new home serves as a space for them to reinvigorate their story together. “We can walk to the trails by the pedestrian bridge or quickly go to the restaurants in the Old Market. It’s fun and incredible,” Sherri says. “It feels like we live in a much bigger city than what Omaha really is.” When the Obermillers aren’t watching Nebraska sunsets melt behind the Woodman and First National from their building’s rooftop terrace, they enjoy a different view from their living room window. They look down onto the interstates weaving under and over themselves, roads looping and stretching in different directions. An image the Obermillers agree is beautiful. Just below the roads and between the urban sprawl of Omaha and Council Bluffs lies the river. “We always thought at this point in our life we’d have a condo overlooking Lake Michigan,” John says. “Living happily next to the Missouri River in downtown Omaha? Well, that’s just the next best thing.” Encounter

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Joshua Norton IMPRESSING THE SKILL OF PRINTMAKING by Greg Jerrett photography by Bill Sitzmann

HEN YOU ARE a master serigrapher, making a good impression counts. An affable local artist named Joshua Norton does that. Talking about his work, it’s clear that what he loves is the democratic, even plebeian, nature of printmaking—one of the oldest crafts as well as one of the most useful at injecting art into our everyday lives. Printing, or serigraphy, is so useful it decorates and improves other art forms. Imagine modern music or film without posters, album covers, and T-shirts to connect fans to their favorite artists.

The serigrapher’s art is archaic, dating back more than 5,000 years to Mesopotamia, but according to Norton, printmaking is a thoroughly modern art, one that manages to be as expressive as it practical. “There is high art in printmaking,” Norton says. “Poster art is very big, very popular. Rock art is still very popular. Artists like Stanley Donwood screen print rock posters and album covers for Radiohead.” This native of Lake City, Minnesota—birthplace of water skiing—credits his father and high school art teacher with developing his early interest in printmaking. He moved to Omaha in the summer of 2013 and became facilities coordinator of the Union for Contemporary Art that November. Norton taught printmaking and drawing at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design after earning his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. He obtained his master’s from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The artist’s mission at the Union is creating greater access to resources for art across the socioeconomic spectrum of the Omaha metro. Norton is also the architect of the Union’s print shop, which gives him a chance to spread his love of serigraphy around.

The everyday usefulness of this art form often earns it the derogatory “craft” label. While it is a description that the 38-year-old Norton, facilities coordinator at the Union for Contemporary Art, does not deny, he denounces the sneer that can come with the designation. “ ‘Craft’ is not a dirty word,” says Norton from his Dundee studio. Speaking over a large stack of brightly-colored posters featuring rock stars, country singers, and other creatures of the night, Norton says he counts the German expressionists of Die Brücke (The Bridge) among his influences, but his art is about pop culture.

“At the Union for Contemporary Art, I built the print studio,” Norton says. “During the day, I design

“I’m not influenced directly by the art world. I draw more from posters, movies, graphic art, and comics. Art is not solely the province of high culture. There also isn’t as much high art in high art these days.”

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VISUAL

and print posters for our events while running the co-op and helping other artists with their projects.” Omaha has an accomplished and diverse visual art scene worth nurturing, according to Norton. “It’s a growing scene. It’s not lacking anything...it’s a work in progress. The important thing is that artists are supported in the community. I’m really proud to be living and working in Omaha.” Norton was one of 37 artists featured in Joslyn Art Museum’s “Art Seen: A Juried Exhibition of Artists from Omaha to Lincoln” which closed

Look out! The abominable snowman has arrived in Omaha—and he appears to have swallowed Joshua Norton.

-Joshua Norton last month. Encounter Visit joshuanorton.net to learn more.

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E N C O U N T E R 12

MUSIC

The Essential Good Life A COLLECTION OF SONGS AND SONGWRITING by James Walmsley photography by Bill Sitzmann

S WE CELEBRATE our descent into the great unknown with The Good Life’s recent Saddle Creek release Everybody’s Coming Down, let’s take a few moments of silence to highlight the band’s oeuvre, which has occupied our mixtapes, mix CDs, and mix playlists over the past 15 years.

year—is not in the congestion of sonic embellishments used in past performances, but in its breathability. At its core, this is a collection of campfire songs for which producer Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes) provides the crackling wood, the clicking flashlights, and the zipping tents that give the narrative its irresistible atmosphere.

The Good Life, which was once thought of as the other woman, or Cursive frontman Tim Kasher’s side project, established itself in the early 2000s after the additions of Stefanie Drootin (Big Harp), Ryan Fox, and Roger Lewis. To date, the band has released five full-length studio albums and one EP.

The album itself is about a year (a punny double entendre not lost on the record’s artwork) that recounts a dissolving relationship in 12 tracks, from April to March. Kasher again, like John Fante or Charles Bukowski, both of whom he mentions in the title track, writes about what he knows best: heartache and art-break. For an optimal performance, experience it in its entirety.

T H E P E R F E C T B E G I N N I N G : Despite coming out

nearly two years after Novena on a Nocturn, 2002’s Black Out is the first real Good Life album. It’s where the band’s lineup solidified. And it’s where the band’s sound began to modulate from Cursive B-sides to the woebegone Americana that would eventually become the quartet’s identity. True to its title, Black Out’s 14-track drunk is Kasher’s drinking-to-forget album, spiked with too much autobiographical heartbreak to be disguised as fiction. Throughout the experience, the singer-songwriter finds he’s too intoxicated to navigate the Kübler-Ross stages of grief, as his lyrics skirt acceptance and bargain to no end. The manic-depressive cut “Don’t Make Love So Hard” perhaps most embodies this emotional stumbling (and quite possibly provides the biggest payoff of any Good Life song starting around 3:45). L O V E R S N E E D L A W Y E R S : One’s instantly drawn

to the nostalgia-inducing “Leaving Omaha,” but it’s perhaps the final track, “For the Love of the Song,” that is the hero (or antihero) of this 2004 extended-play prequel to Album of the Year. The six-minute confessional reminds the listener that Kasher is still drunk and that the then-30-year-old still finds art hard.

H E L P W A N T E D N I G H T S : It’s the album that might’ve

made the perfect soundtrack for the screenplay Kasher wrote with the same title. Instead, the band’s 2007 LP is the perfect soundtrack for the “big ideas” Kasher says he neglected in previous narratives. The minimalistic and oft-optimistic songs have an AA meeting air about them, minus the 11th and 12th steps. Just substitute the coffee back to booze. “Heartbroke,” an obvious nod to The Police, is a solid gateway track. T I M ’ S P I C K : In keeping with the spirit of looking back,

I asked Kasher to highlight The Good Life’s catalogue with one song that most defines the band. It’s ironic but perhaps fitting that the self-described cynic chose to stay in the present with “The Troubadour’s Green Room,” from his newest release. After all, that’s kind of what the song, in combination with its co-conspirators, is all about: not taking the present for granted. “It’s also a representation of how completely odd it is to write and perform music as one’s passion while also attempting to balance it as a commodity,” he says. “I feel as though I love and loathe it in equal measure—perhaps that’s the balance?” Encounter

W O LV E S I N S E C O N D - H A N D C L O T H I N G : The

majesty of The Good Life’s 2004 magnum opus Album of the Year—mostly agreed upon as the band’s best album of any

Visit thegoodlifemusic.com to learn more.

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The Allegorical April Faith-Slaker U S I N G D ATA T O M A K E M U S I C by Tom McCauley photography by Amy Lynn

LASSICALLY TRAINED CELLIST April FaithSlaker is a composer and multi-instrumentalist. In fact, one could simply call her multi. She has played locally and internationally with various orchestras, performance groups, and rock bands. Andy Miles of Chicago music and art shop Transistor recently asked her to contribute a composition to their webcast. She’s worked with Omaha’s contemporary performance group Aetherplough since 2010, and by day, she is a lawyer and a data scientist who analyzes research to inform social policy in the legal world. Rather than compartmentalize these seemingly disparate aspects of her personality, Faith-Slaker found a way to bring all of herself to bear on a challenging project: translating social data into music.

“I’d seen someone doing it with weather data,” Faith-Slaker says. “That planted the seed.” The concept of making music from data is not new. Former LCD Soundsystem frontman James Murphy once worked with IBM to translate tennis data into music. But that was tennis.

She didn’t need help from IBM either. She calculated the shape of the music based on her own insights. For instance, according to slides from a presentation she gave at the annual experimental performance festival Omaha Under the Radar, Faith-Slaker calculated pitch and rhythm using 2013-2014 Nebraska gun violence victims’ life expectancies, ages, genders, and date of death. It was a haunting way to visualize a horrific issue. “Right now I’m looking for the next step with the data music project,” Faith-Slaker says. “Some people feel I should present this information back to either the community I got the data from, or to people who can actually do something with it in terms of policy. I’m seeing if there’s any way to push it out in a more meaningful way.”

The result of her data music composition is by turns ominous and dissonant, lyrical and shimmering— giving aesthetic weight to statistical trends in child immigration, gun violence in Nebraska, access to justice, gender inequality, and housing segregation.

With her demonstrable passion for the human side of data— she has advanced degrees in law, research methods, and social policy—Faith-Slaker set her sights higher than racquet sports. “I started poking around the Internet and couldn’t find anyone that had done it with social data, specifically,” she says. “I was curious about what that process would look like.” The result of her data music composition is by turns ominous and dissonant, lyrical and shimmering—giving aesthetic weight to statistical trends in child immigration, gun violence in Nebraska, access to justice, gender inequality, and housing segregation.

The music and presentation slides from the data music project can be experienced at vimeo.com/ datacompositions.

Faith-Slaker’s “non-data” solo music is more rhythmic than algorithmic. For these compositions, she involves an electric cello and a looper pedal, a type of electronic effects box that lets her build a polyphonic composition from a single instrument. She records a snippet of music, loops it in the background, and layers more sounds and passages or subtracts them, all while accompanying herself in real time like someone unbound by the laws of the universe.

The resulting compositions are stunning, exuberant, lyrical, and hypnotically recursive. Encounter Listen to her via her Soundcloud page at soundcloud.com/aprilfs

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PERFORMANCE

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“It’s very exhilarating to know we actually have a full space of our own that we will get to know every nook and cranny and creak in the floor and not have to go anywhere else to create our art.” -Susan Clement-Toberer

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F E AT U R E

Rustic Roots B L U E B A R N T H E AT R E FINDS ITS HOME by Leo Adam Biga photography by Bill Sitzmann

T TOOK TWO-AND-A-HALF years of eager anticipation for the new Blue Barn Theatre to take shape at 10th and Pacific streets, as producing artistic director Susan Clement-Toberer waited impatiently to start creating in the new space. The wait was worth it.

This welcome addition to the booming 10th Street corridor gives her a new playground in which to produce stage magic. Blue Barn is part of a mixed-use project on the site, which also houses the Boxcar 10 condos and restaurant on the south side, and public green space to the west that the theater opens onto. The theater’s distinctive design by Omaha architect Jeff Day of Min|Day, with input from international theater space consultant Joshua Dachs, is a whimsical play on the Blue Barn name and purpose. Weathered steel and slatted wood evoke the barn motif. A vertical wall of rebar suggests a curtain. Splashes of blue appear throughout. Great pains were taken to express the organic qualities that distinguish the way the company makes theater, including the use of salvaged materials and hand-made fixtures by area artists. Elements from the old 11th and Jackson space were integrated. The house was kept small to preserve intimacy with audiences. “Rehearsing our opening play I had a moment where I was transported back to our old space and it felt like I was home. We worked long and

hard to create a space that felt familiar from our old digs but also inspiring in new ways, and I think we have done that,” Clement-Toberer says. “For awhile during the building process I was a little freaked out that it was too big, but it’s not. Once the walls and the reclaimed wood slats got put up and our comfy chairs from the old space were installed, I clearly saw this new building— with the expanded lobby and adjoining back garden—offers incredible new spaces for us. “But they still feel like the Blue Barn. I feel like the building is a body that warmly embraces our work.” Occupying a permanent, dedicated space is a giant leap forward for a theater that rented and repurposed venues for more than 27 years, and even went homeless for a time. “It’s very exhilarating to know we actually have a full space of our own that we will get to know every nook and cranny and creak in the floor and not have to go anywhere else to create our art.” Amenities include larger dressings rooms, and, for the first time, backstage restrooms the actors won’t share with patrons. There are also enhanced lighting and sound systems, more expansive wing and storage areas, and a much higher ceiling for flying props and lights. Clement-Toberer says, “I became adept at creating around limitations. Now my head’s spinning with the possibilities. We don’t have to have any confinement in how we >

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< create anymore and that’s the biggest transformation—what we’re able to do on our stage. “If we want a scene to take place outdoors we can open the back doors of the house out onto the porch yard. We can let the actors and audience feel the wind blowing and see the moon. That to me is a gift.”

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The potential configurations excite the director in her. “I can see us…putting in a long table that runs from the indoor space all the way outdoors and having a beautiful dinner with the show happening around on the green space. I can see seating on the fixed stage and the performance being on the porch yard.” Indeed, she regards the building and its signature indoor-outdoor flex space as “a set design malleable enough to allow the Blue Barn to grow into it and find different ways of utilizing it. Hopefully we have created a palette and a place that will continue to inspire us as artists as well as our audiences in the different forms we can create and in the different feelings we bring about through the stories we tell.” Blue Barn hasn’t come to all this without struggle. The building’s a testament to resilience and community support built over time. “We’re very lucky and full of gratitude that people in Omaha believed in us enough to help us grow ourselves in all the right ways,” she says. Through it all, Blue Barn stayed true to itself. “Our voice is a little more grown-up but it’s still speaking the same language we were 27 years ago. It is kind of like having our child grow up, and we still get to play hard and fierce.” The new theater also strengthens Blue Barn’s position as a regional professional theater now that it meets equity standards. Clement-Toberer credits Omaha philanthropist Nancy Mammel—who donated the land to Blue Barn and developed the adjoining Boxcar project—“as the real visionary for knowing 10th Street deserved a revitalization.”

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This 2015-2016 season Clement-Toberer’s making sure to “savor every moment.” Encounter Visit bluebarn.org to learn more.

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F E AT U R E

Lucile’s Old Market S U N R I S E , S U N S E T, AND A LOT OF HISTORY by Danielle Herzog photography by Bill Sitzmann

ANY WALK RIGHT by the iron gate while strolling to the restaurants and shops of the Old Market, never knowing the secret treasures found beyond its locked entrance. No flashy sign, no hours of operation, simply the number “510” and two large griffin statues perfectly guarding the entrance to one of Omaha’s hidden gems—Lucile’s Old Market.

A trove of treasures is definitely the best way to describe this unique event space, once owned by Lucile Schaaf, known in Omaha as the “Orange Lady.” An eclectic woman who studied architecture at Scripps College in California, she filled her home with salvaged furniture and architectural elements from all over Nebraska and neighboring

spirit of Lucile, and her love of pumpkin, carrot, and mango hues, alive in the house. Enter through doors to a different place in time. The doors on the dining room ceiling—taken from Murphy beds at the historic Morris Hotel. The office doors—used as wall panels—from the City National Bank. Entrances that still read the names of the executive officers who once opened them daily. It’s a visual history of Omaha. The endless list of unique finds astounds. Crown molding in the entrance foyer from the original Cornhusker Hotel, panel walls and marble from the City National Bank board rooms now lining the beautiful dining room, ceilings covered with the walls from telephone booths original to the Cit y National; and those griffins, recovered from the original First National Bank Building and now greeting guests upon entering the building.

It’s a space that takes an event to a new level. One where every nook, every corner has a story. A story that shows the beauty of Omaha history. states. This visionary saw the potential not only in her home, but also in the budding new downtown area developing during the 1960s.

Crisp tables await their dressings at Lucile’s Old Market.

Her love of the citrus fruit’s color can still be seen in the home today. The space was bought four years ago by Brian and Jennifer Kobs, a couple who are partners in businesses that include Abraham Catering, 1316 Jones, and various other event venues. The Kobs first met Lucile near the end of her life when Abraham Catering became her exclusive caterer for private events. A casual conversation about letting Brian know if she ever wanted to sell the building led to a purchase agreement years later. Lucile passed away in 2009 at 91 years old but it was the relationship with her granddaughter, Amy Waskel, that allowed Brian and Jennifer to keep the

Lucile’s Old Market rents to private parties, wedding couples, and corporations for a cost of $800 -$1,300 (depending on day of the week) and includes the use of the impressively large and beautifully manicured outdoor courtyard—a rarity in the Old Market. The event space seats up to 100, though the ideal size, according to Kobs, is 50. It’s a space that takes an event to a new level. One where every nook, every corner, has a story. A story that shows the beauty of Omaha history. Encounter Visit lucilesoldmarket.com to learn more.

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Joe Banana’s W H AT ’ S B E H I N D T H AT Y E L L O W S A X O P H O N E P L AY E R ? by Mandy Mowers photography by Bill Sitzmann

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SECTION

“It’s hard, after 21 years, to keep your focus,” Connie says. Their previous menu was “crazy huge.” The scaled-down menu includes Friday night specials from Monastero family recipes, such as a double-crust pizza called gouda-roonie. Saturday evening specials include items like pigtails, meatballs, and homemade sausage. Connie must love to cook in order to show up to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the week. It’s clear from the way she talks about her customers that they are another reason. “We have a lot of regulars, and we’ve had a lot of regulars for years,” she says fondly. “But then we also have newer customers, like some who’ve moved into the area. Super great people.” Connie attributes so many return patrons to the diverse crowd. “Anybody can come in here and feel welcome,” she says. “I think that’s what the big draw is. Everybody just feels like they belong here.” One of her regulars is Kelly Swotek. He patronized the bar Joe and Connie previously owned, then followed the Monasteros to Joe Banana’s. Part of his loyalty is knowing Joe and Connie, and their friends, and their friends’ friends…

ECENT RENOVATIONS ALONG 10th Street draw people’s attention past the Old Market to the newly-constructed Blue Barn Theater and updates to the Burlington Building, yet one small restaurant has quietly welcomed people to this area for 21 years.

Located at 10th and Pacific, Joe Banana’s red awnings and logo bearing a saxophone-playing, curved, sunshine-colored fruit welcome visitors crossing the bridge from the Old Market. The banana represents Joe Monastero, who owns the food and spirits establishment with his wife, Connie. The couple come from culinary backgrounds. Connie learned about the food business from her father, who did a lot of catering and owned a restaurant at which Connie waitressed in high school. Joe’s family is Sicilian. His mom taught Connie lots of family recipes, which make a strong appearance in the new menu, the restaurant’s contribution to all the revamping going on around them.

The food helps, too. “I’m partial to the chicken,” Swotek says. “She has a beautiful Malibu chicken sandwich. I had one last night.” He also raved over tenderloins so big he and his wife split them. “Phenomenal.” Even Swotek’s family has gotten involved in the restaurant/ bar. “All my kids have worked here,” he says. “In fact, my son is bartending right now. And my daughter will waitress and bartend tomorrow night.” Card clubs meet here regularly. A poster advertises a fundraising event called “Cancer Can Kick My Pancre-Ass,” held on Joe’s patio with live music. A chorus of “Bye, Kevin!” is heard as a customer leaves, reminiscent of the fictional “Norm!” Connie and Joe are fond of the Little Italy niche. They’ve gotten along well with their neighbors, and they’re excited for new ones. Connie welcomes the development, even if it poses obstacles like the water being turned off certain mornings. After 21 years, she knows change. “It’s all good.” Encounter Visit letseat.at/joebananas to learn more.

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 23

FA S H I O N

dystopian dreams photography by Bill Sitzmann

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Last Ride OPD OFFICER GREG HANSEN RETIRES by Lisa Lukecart phoography by Bill Sitzmann

E N C O U N T E R 28

FA C E S

MAHA POLICE DEPARTMENT Officer Greg Hansen has seen the worst humanity offers.

The Old Market’s favorite spot for lunch & dinner.

He witnessed the aftermath of the Von Maur shootings. He has taken down drug addicts so high they were impervious to pain. He has seen people die in countless ways.

“The cruelty one can do to another is pretty nasty,” Hansen, 55, says. He doesn’t feel old and jaded, yet a hint of cynicism hangs off the shoulders of his faded blue uniform. After 30 years, two months, and two weeks (not that he’s counting), Hansen put aside his weapon and retired in September. Hansen drove his police cruiser, rode his mountain bike, or walked the Riverfront patrol (16th Street to the river from Leavenworth to Cuming streets). Or he hopped on a two-wheeled, battery-operated Segway, good for sneaking up on criminals.

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

He amassed a huge black book filled with his usual offenders. Hansen usually checked the warrants before heading out to the streets. Panhandling, drinking, and disorderly conduct were the norm. “Someone once described an officer’s day as 7 hours and 58 minutes of boredom, and two minutes of sheer terror,” Hansen says.

M’s Pub

Some calls made the hair on the back of his neck stand up, yet he never fired his 40-caliber pistol. He was bitten twice and lost a knuckle taking down a brutal felon. A rapist beat a woman so badly her head no longer looked round, yet she managed to escape. When Hansen arrived at her apartment, the rapist was still there, passed out and naked save for one sock. There was blood in the carpet, on the walls—even on the ceiling. He slapped one cuff on the perp when the guy woke up in a fighting mood. Hansen knocked him out, breaking his hand in the process. Hansen believes gang violence and drug dealing is worse than in previous years. “Gangs are smart. It seems like whenever we arrested one crack dealer, another would just...boom!...right in their place,” he says. And yet, the job had its funny moments. When Hansen worked nights down at the Old Market, he saw his share of nightlife entertainment. “It was not unusual to get a call on a Sunday morning about a car being stolen,” he says, laughing. “And it’s a block or two away. They don’t remember where they parked it because they were drunk the night before.” He once pulled over a bunch of teenagers. When the driver rolled down the window, a familiar, earthy smell drifted out. When Hansen asked whose pot was in the center console, no one took credit. “This is only a $100 fine,” he said. “Dude…you’re getting ripped off,” one boy said, “I only paid $40 bucks for that.” Encounter N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 29

422 S. 11th Street

•

342-2550

www.MsPubOmaha.com

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Designer Buf Reynolds FA S H I O N I N G A N E X PA N D E D H O R I Z O N by Chelsea Balzer photography by Bill Sitzmann

E N C O U N T E R â&#x20AC;&#x192; 30

FA C E S

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ER WORK IS simultaneously bold and classic. At times she comes across as a formidable force; other times she’s as approachable as an old friend, signing her emails “Luf, Buf.” Buf Reynolds is equal parts daring and down-to-earth. She is friendly Midwestern charm meets big-city vision.

Reynolds has become a fixture of Omaha’s design scene in recent years, helping grow Omaha Fashion Week as one of its most prominent designers and as a key part of its organizational team. Her summer 2015 collection was arguably her best yet, showcasing models swathed in fabric printed with NASA images, carrying plasma globes, hair wet and delicate.

downtownchiroomaha.com 402.345.7500 • 2111 Douglas Street

“They looked like they were just birthed from the universe,” she gushes. It’s clear she enjoys pushing the envelope. The collection’s spacey aesthetic drew upon the idea of micro and macrocosms, inspiring a sense of reflection about our place in the natural world. When asked how she hopes people might respond to the theme, she becomes contemplative: “You know, we’re limited as to what we can do, so you’ve got to be decent to other humans.”

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Though her work certainly speaks to philosophical themes, Reynolds does not over-intellectualize what she does. Her excitement about fashion appears rooted in a simple, unpretentious joy. She respects the creative process as one of unpredictability, but pairs this spontaneity with a well-honed craft that allows her to produce elegant, wearable pieces. Her most recent line is a testament to this as it synthesizes an ‘out-there’ concept with timeless and accessible beauty. She is quick to speak on her perspective of the state of the arts in Omaha: “It’s a challenge.” She points out that while Omaha’s cost of living allows artists more flexibility, it limits their opportunities to make a living from their crafts alone. Still, she is hopeful. She says the design scene is evolving, attributing much of the positive change to groups like Fashion Institute Midwest and Omaha Fashion Week who invest heavily in new artists, offering them the community and resources they need to get started. “It’s really inspiring to have those people around. It’s come a long way.”

The Ultimate Membership 25-yard lap pool Sauna, hot tub, & steam room Masters swim & adult swim lessons Group exercise classes Yoga classes

Indoor track Personal training Weight & cardio equipment Complimentary oﬀ-street parking Complimentary towel service

Looking to the future, she again displays zeal when talking Omaha Fashion Week plans. The next set of runway shows will be held March 15 and 20, 2016. As for her own personal plans, she says she’s becoming open to a few things she didn’t previously consider: shows outside of Omaha, production, and hiring a team of seamstresses. “It’s a high that you don’t really get anywhere else. I wanna do more.” While it’s true that we’re all limited in our reach, it seems clear that Reynolds’ reach is only growing, and we can expect her to continue expanding Omaha’s horizons for some time to come. Encounter

Discover Your Ultimate Fit Today!

See pages 24-26 for some of her designs and visit bufreynolds.com to learn more. N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 31

402.342.2582

20th and Douglas pinnacleﬁtnessclub.com

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THE BURLINGTON BUILDING A RESTRAINED, ELEGANT STRUCTURE WILL GLITTER ONCE MORE

by Max Sparber photography provided by Douglas County Historical Society

HE FOURTH OF July 1898 was quite a day for Omaha. The Trans-Mississippi Exposition opened its doors about a month earlier, and it would continue until November. Omaha’s own World’s Fair drew 2.6 million people to the city while attempting to tell the story of the taming of the American west. The legendary event attracted presidents and criminals alike: William McKinley traveled from Washington, D.C., while the iconic Everleigh Sisters set up a brothel across from the festival, allowing them to raise enough money to relocate to Chicago, where they became the city’s most notorious madams.

This July 4 was special, and not simply because it was Independence Day—although the town celebrated with patriotic events, such as a large parade featuring a menagerie of wild animals, including a float with a seated lion at the front and a snake charmer at the rear; and a Devil’s Dance concession, featuring a marcher dressed as “His Satanic Majesty,” chased by a group of angels.

The day also marked the opening of one of Omaha’s grandest buildings, one that has been empty until very recently: The Burlington Train Station at 1001 South 10th St. The building boasts one of Omaha’s best-known architects: Thomas Kimball, who also conceptualized St. Cecilia Cathedral, the Omaha Public Library building on Harney, and the Burlington Headquarters Building that stands at one corner of the Gene Leahy Mall.

Union Station opened in 1931 opposite the Burlington, and, as a result, the older building underwent extensive remodeling, making the structure both simpler and bolder. Workers removed 24 columns. (They reappeared in Lincoln standing between Memorial Stadium and the Coliseum, where they can be seen to this day.) Gilded medallions bordered the walls while massive lanterns, each weighing one ton, hung inside the building.

The station was built for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, whose passengers bestowed on it an impressively brief nickname: The Q. In Nebraska, the rail line carried mail and farm equipment as well as transporting passengers and freight. The Burlington Station awed its visitors, featuring an enormous lobby and a circular staircase descending to the tracks, where a canopy protected soon-to-be passengers.

The Burlington continued on for decades, much of it marked by a long, slow decline as passengers abandoned rail travel. In 1971, riders were moved to a nearby Amtrak station—small and functional, decidedly lacking in the ambition and grandeur of the nearby glamour-huts.

While the original building exhibited a restrained, elegant Italianate style borrowing from the design vocabulary of the Renaissance, the Burlington later found itself in competition with a flashier building: The Union Station, a ziggurat immediately declared a masterpiece of the then-fashionable Art Deco style. E N C O U N T E R 32

Union Station reveled in a second life in 1973, when the Durham Museum (then the Western Heritage Museum) took control, but the Burlington labored on for decades, finding occasional use for one-off events (it housed several plays and seasonal haunted houses) along with infrequent and doomed redevelopment plans.

HISTORY

The neighborhood is at the start of a revival, and, so, too, is the Burlington. Hearst Television purchased the building in 2013, and the structure is now home to KETV (Channel 7). The idea of placing a television station next to a railroad track is rather extraordinary, and it may be impossible to muffle the sounds of the passing trains. Then why mute them? Omaha is a rail town, and it seems somehow appropriate to get our news with the whistles and rumble of trains calling out in the background. Encounter

BURLINGTON TIMELINE 1 8 7 0 : The Chicago, Burlington and Quincy

Railroad first enters Omaha. 1 8 9 0 : A temporary station is erected at 1001 S. 10th Street.

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1 8 9 8 : The temporary station is replaced with the

current Burlington Station, designed by Omaha architect Thomas R. Kimball. 1 9 0 8 : The Chicago Record declares the Burlington

Station to be “The handsomest railway station ever seen.” 1 9 2 9 -1 9 3 0 : The station is extensively remodeled

to compete with the new Art Deco Union Station, which would open in 1931. 1 9 5 4 : The station is remodeled again to add a

parking plaza. 1 9 7 1 : Passenger service is moved to Amtrak, which

will build its own station in 1974 and cease passenger operations at the Burlington. 1 9 8 5 : The building is gutted by an architectural

salvager, who removes all interior fittings. 2 0 0 4 : The building is purchased by investors plan-

ning to transform the space into private residences. A downturn in the economy halts these plans. 2 0 1 3 : Hearst Television announces a plan to

renovate the building for use as the broadcast facility for KETV.

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 33

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Downtown Omaha Map N O R T H / S O U T H N U M B E R S 1 0 - 1 9 ( N U M B E R S 1 - 9 O N PA G E 4 1 )

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Omaha Chamber Of Commerce

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Historical Tour Union Station, 1931 Windsor Hotel, 1885-1887 H3 Omaha Fire House, 1903-1904 H4 Omaha Bemis Bag Company, 1887-1902 H5 Anheuser-Busch Beer Depot, 1887 H6 Skinner Macaroni Building, 1914-1915 H7 Aquila Court, 1923 H8 J.P. Cook Buildings, 1885-1889 H9 The Overland Hotel, 1903-1904 H10 Morse Coe Building, 1892-1893 H11 Hotel Howard, 1909 H12 Millard Block, 1880-1881 H13 Baum Iron Company Building, 1880 H14 Poppleton Block, 1880 H15 Burlington Building, 1879 H1

Harney St

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Roads Interstate On-Ramp/Off-Ramp Railroad Walking Path/Trail Walking Tour

The Old Market District

Park Parking

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Restaurants

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Pubs, Taverns & Lounges Health Services S. 6th St

Marcy Plaza

Historical Tour

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Art Gallery Walk

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E N C O U N T E R â&#x20AC;&#x192; 40

Merchants Attractions

OLD MARKET · DOWNTOWN · RIVERFRONT Rock Bottom Brewery [F-14]...................402-614-9333 OLD MARKET Roja Old Market [E-14]............................402-346-9190 A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T Spaghetti Works [F-15]...........................402-422-0770 Stokes Bar & Grill [E-15]......................... 402-408-9000 ART GALLERIES & MUSEUMS The Diner [E-14]......................................402-341-9870 Bemis Center for Trini’s Mexican Restaurant Contemporary Arts [E-18]........................402-341-7130 [F-15 in The Passageway]...................... 402-346-8400 Joslyn Art Museum [2200 Dodge St.]....402-342-3300 Twisted Fork Grill & Bar [F-15]................402-932-9600 KANEKO [F-17].......................................402-341-3800 Upstream Brewing Company [F-16]....... 402-344-0200 Omaha Children’s Museum [500 S. 20th St.] ....................................402-342-6164 F A S T- C A S U A L D I N I N G The Durham Museum PepperJax Grill [D-15]..............................402-315-1196 [801 S. 10th St.]..................................... 402-444-5071 Wheatfields Express [E-15].....................402-991-0917 T H E AT E R & P E R F O R M I N G A R T S

Blue Barn Theatre 614 S. 11th St.]..........402-345-1576 Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre [1002 Dodge St.].....................................402-502-4910 Holland Performing Arts Center [1200 Douglas St.]................................. 402-345-0606 OM Center [13th & Howard St]................402-345-5078 Omaha Symphony [1605 Howard St.]....402-342-3560 Opera Omaha [1850 Farnam St.]........... 402-346-4398 Orpheum Theater [409 S. 16th St.]....... 402-345-0606 The Rose Theater [2001 Farnam St.].... 402-345-4849 Ticket Omaha [13th & Douglas St.]........ 402-345-0606

BANKING | LEGAL | BUSINESS SERVICES American National Bank [C-14]............ 402-457-1070 Bozell [G-18]........................................... 402-965-4300 Clark Creative Advertising [D-16]........... 402-345-5800 Cullan & Cullan [F-14].............................. 402-397-7600 First National Bank [E-15]........................402-341-0500 J. P. Cooke Rubber Stamp Co. [D-15]..... 402-342-7175 Klein Law Office [E-16].............................402-391-1871 Market Media [E-14]............................... 402-346-4000 Security National Bank [F-15].................402-344-7300 Stinson Leonard Street [D-14]................. 402-342-1700 Sutera & Sutera Law Office [F-15]..........402-342-3100

DINING BAKERIES & SWEET SHOPS

Bliss Bakery [F-17]..................................402-934-7450 Cupcake Omaha [F-15].......................... 402-346-6808 Dolci Old Market [G-15]...........................402-345-8198 Hollywood Candy [E-16]..........................402-346-9746 Juice Stop [E-15].....................................402-715-4326 Old Market Candy Shop [G-15].............. 402-344-8846 Ted & Wally’s Ice Cream [E-16]...............402-341-5827 Wheatfields Express [E-15].....................402-991-0917 COFFEE & TEA

13th Street Coffee Co. [D-16].................402-345-2883 Aromas Coffeehouse [F-17]....................402-614-7009 Beansmith [E-14]..................................... 402-614-1805 OM Center [D-15]....................................402-345-5078 Scooter’s [E-15].......................................402-991-9868 The Tea Smith [E-15]...............................402-932-3933 Urban Abbey/Soul Desires [G-16]...........402-898-7600 CASUAL DINING

Ahmad’s Persian Cuisine [G-15]............. 402-341-9616 Blue Sushi Sake Grill [E-15].................... 402-408-5566 Bricks & Mortar Bar & Bistro [F-17]....... 402-934-0005 Falling Water Grille [G-15] ...................... 402-346-9000 Himalaya’s [G-15]................................... 402-884-5977 J’s On Jackson [F-16]..............................402-991-1188 Jackson Street Tavern [E-16]..................402-991-5637 Julio’s Old Market [D-15]....................... 402-345-6921 M’s Pub [F-15].........................................402-342-2550 Matsu Sushi [G-13]................................ 402-346-3988 Michael’s Cantina at the Market [F-14]...402-346-1205 Nicola’s Italian Wine & Faire [D-16]........ 402-345-8466 Old Chicago [F-14]...................................402-341-1616 Omaha Tap House [C-13]........................402-932-5131 Plank Seafood Provisions [E-15].............402-507-4480

Zio’s Pizzeria [F-15].................................402-344-2222 FINE DINING

801 Chophouse at the Paxton [C-13]......402-341-1222 Le Bouillon [F-15]....................................402-502-6816 Omaha Prime [F-15]................................ 402-341-7040 The Boiler Room [F-17]........................... 402-916-9274 V. Mertz [F-15 in The Passageway]........ 402-345-8980

The Hair Market Salon [F-15]................. 402-345-3692 The Nail Shop [H-12].............................. 402-595-8805 Urbane Salon & Day Spa [G-13]..............402-934-2909 Victor Victoria Salon & Spa [F-15]......... 402-933-9333 Wonder Foot Spa [E-14]..........................402-618-7595 TAT T O O PA R L O R S

Big Brain Productions [E-17]...................402-342-2885 WELLNESS

Alegent Creighton Clinic [C-18]...............402-280-5500 Anytime Fitness [F-17]............................402-991-2333 Commercial Optical Co. [D-16]...............402-344-0219 Natural Therapy [D-18]............................402-995-9874 Old Market Massage [D-15]................... 402-850-6651 OM Center [D-15]....................................402-345-5078 Omaha Dental Spa [F-15]........................402-505-4424 Omaha Yoga School [F-15].....................402-346-7813 Wonder Foot Spa [E-14]..........................402-618-7595

Unique décor, ornaments and collectibles for every season.

OLD MARKET LODGING

oTannenbaum.com • 402-345-9627

DOWNTOWN HOTELS

FA S T F O O D

Courtyard by Marriott [G-11]...................402-346-2200 Little King [E-15]......................................402-344-2264 DoubleTree Hotel [A-11]...........................402-346-7600 Subway [D-15]......................................... 402-341-8814 Embassy Suites Old Market [555 S. 10 St.]........................................ 402-346-9000 S P E C I A LT Y F O O D Fairfield Inn and Suites Cubby’s Old Market [D-16]......................402-341-2900 [1501 Nicholas St.]...................................402-280-1516 La Buvette Wine & Grocery [F-15]......... 402-344-8627 Hampton Inn [1212 Cuming St.] ............ 402-345-5500 Hilton Garden Inn [G-11] .........................402-341-4400 NIGHTLIFE Hilton Omaha [10th & Cass St.].............. 402-998-3400 BARS Holiday Inn [1420 Cuming St.] ................ 402-341-0124 Bar 415 [D-15]........................................402-346-7455 Homewood Suites [1314 Cuming St.].....402-345-5100 Barry O’s Old Market Tavern [G-15]........402-341-8032 Hotel DECO XV [B-14, 15th & Harney]....402-991-4981 Billy Frogg’s Grill & Bar [E-15].................402-341-4427 Hyatt Place [E-16]....................................402-513-5500 Eat the Worm [E-15]................................402-614-4240 Magnolia Hotel Omaha [A-15].................402-341-2500 Havana Garage Cigar Bar [G-15].............402-614-3800 Residence Inn by Marriott [B-12].............402-342-4770 J D Tucker’s [G-15]..................................402-934-5190 MOVING & STORAGE Mr. Toad’s Pub [G-15]............................ 402-345-4488 Parliament Pub [E-14].............................402-934-3301 The Storage Loft [E-18]...........................402-807-2537 The Hive [E-14]....................................... 402-504-4929 U-Haul [D-18]......................................... 402-346-9322 Urban Storage [D-18]..............................402-342-4449 The Stadium Club Sports Bar & Grill [G-15]..........................402-359-1290 PRAISE & WORHIP The Tavern [G-16].................................... 402-341-0191 The Market Church [D-17]..........TheMarketChurch.com C R A F T C O C K TA I L S / Urban Abbey Worship Service [G-16]......402-898-7600 MICROBREWERIES

R E A L E S TAT E

Brickway Brewery & Distillery [E-15].......402-933-2613 Rock Bottom Brewery [F-14]...................402-614-9333 R E A LT O R S The Berry & Rye [F-15]............................ 402-613-1333 America First Companies [G-13].............402-444-1630 The Boiler Room [F-17]........................... 402-916-9274 Berkshire Hathaway Real Estate Upstream Brewing Company [F-16]....... 402-344-0200 [13th & California]................................... 402-493-4663 Blackthorne Real Estate Development... 402-884-6200 LOUNGES Bluestone Development [B-17].............. 402-505-9999 Bricks & Mortar Bar & Bistro [F-17]....... 402-934-0005 Grubb & Ellis/Pacific Realty.................... 402-345-5866 Omaha Lounge [C-14].............................402-709-6815 Investors Realty, Inc................................ 402-330-8000 Sake Bombers @ Blue [E-15]................ 402-408-5566 Mercer Management Co. [F-15]............. 402-346-4445 Waters Edge Lounge NP Dodge Condo Sales...........................402-255-5099 at Embassy Suites [G-15]....................... 402-346-9000 NuStyle Development Corporation...........712-647-2041 Old Market Life [D-16].............................402-305-8106 PUBS Sandi Downing Real Estate [E-15]........... 402-502-7477 Dubliner Pub [E-14].................................402-342-5887 Shamrock Development, Inc. [D-13].......402-934-7711 O’Connors Irish Pub [D-15].....................402-934-9790 Omaha Tap House [C-13]........................402-932-5131 S H O P P I N G Stiles Pub [E-15]......................................402-991-9911 ANTIQUES T. Henery’s Pub [F-14].............................402-345-3651 Antique Annex [E-16]..............................402-932-3229 WINE Fairmont Antiques & Mercantile [E-16]402-346-9746 Bricks & Mortar Bar & Bistro [F-17]....... 402-934-0005 Flying Worm Vintage [E-16].....................402-932-3229 La Buvette Wine & Grocery [F-15]......... 402-344-8627 Joe’s Collectibles (E-16 Alley].................. 402-612-1543 Nosh Restaurant & Wine Lounge[G-11].. 402-614-2121

H E A LT H & B E A U T Y S A L O N S & S PA S

Four Old Market

Reserve Goodwill [D-15]..........................402-342-4102 Second Chance Antiques [C-14]............ 402-346-4930 The Imaginarium [D-15]..........................402-594-7061

Curb Appeal Salon & Spa [G-16]............ 402-345-0404 A R T G A L L E R I E S RARE [D-15]............................................402-706-9673 Anderson O’Brien Fine Art [F-16]............402-884-0911

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 41

Fresh chocolates and fudge made in our own kitchen. OldMarketCandy.com • 402-344-8846

Travel essentials plus souvenirs and Nebraska-made gifts. OldMarketSundries.com • 402-345-7646

Authentic Italian desserts, coffee, and FlavorBurst TMice cream. DolciOldMarket.com • 402-345-8198

All located at 10th & Howard

Izard St

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E N C O U N T E R â&#x20AC;&#x192; 42 N. 10 St

Lodging

Pubs, Taverns & Lounges

Restaurants

Parking

Roads Interstate On-Ramp/Off-Ramp Railroad Walking Path/Trail

Downtown Omaha Map

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midtown crossing & blackstone district Map

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N O R T H / S O U T H N U M B E R S 1 - 9 ( N U M B E R S 1 0 - 1 9 O N PA G E 3 9 )

Restaurants Pubs, Taverns & Lounges

Parking

Artists’ Cooperative Gallery [F-14].................. 402-342-9617 Susie’s Baskets [D-13].................................... 402-341-4650 Goodnights Pizza Bar & Patio [D-4].................402-502-2151 Farrah Grant Photography [F-15].................... 402-312-8262 Tannenbaum Christmas Shop [G-15]..............402-345-9627 Heritage Food & Wine [B-13]..........................402-991-0660 Hiro 88 [D-16, 13th & Jackson]...................... 402-933-5168 ART GALLERIES [CONT’D] HOME FURNISHING & DECOR Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen [B-13].....................402-342-3662 Garden of the Zodiac Iron Decor and More [E-16].............................402-346-6123 King Fong Cafe [B-14]..................................... 402-341-3433 [F-15 in The Passageway)................................402-341-1877 Niche [F-15].....................................................402-344-4399 Liberty Tavern [G-6]........................................402-998-4321 Mangelsen-Images of Nature Urban By Design [D-15]...................................970-214-7608 Mula [CC-22]................................................... 402-315-9051 Nosh Wine Lounge [G-11]................................402-614-2121 Gallery [E-14]................................................... 402-341-8460 Omaha Press Club [A-11]................................402-345-8008 Old Market Artists Gallery [F-15].....................402-346-6569 J E W E L R Y Omaha Clayworks [D-16]................................402-346-0560 Cibola of Omaha [F-15]....................................402-342-1200 Orsi’s Italian Bakery & Pizzeria [7th & Pacific].402-345-3438 Passageway Gallery Cornerstone Gem & Bead Co. [D-16]..............402-346-4367 Siagon Surface [C-14].....................................402-614-4496 [F-15 in The Passageway]................................ 402-341-1910 Goldsmith/Silversmith [F-15]...........................402-342-1737 Storz Trophy Room [K-8]................................. 402-502-1643 Visions Custom Framing Perspective Jewelry Design Studio [E-14].......402-934-4416 Wilson & Washburn [C-14]..............................402-991-6950 [E-18 @ Bemis Center]...................................402-342-0020 COFFEE & TEA SMOKE SHOP White Crane Gallery [F-15 inThe Passageway]................................ 402-345-1066 Havana Garage Cigar Bar [G-15].....................402-614-3800 Archetype Coffee [CC-22]............................... 402-934-1489 Hooka Ran’s [E-15]..........................................402-934-3100 Blue Line Coffee [D-4].....................................402-932-4463 BOOKS SG Roi Tobacconist [F-15]............................... 402-341-9264 FA S T F O O D Jackson Street Booksellers [E-16].................. 402-341-2664 Soul Desires/Urban Abbey [G-16]...................402-898-7600 Zesto Ice Cream [5-E].....................................402-932-4420 NEARBY

BARS

Crescent Moon [HH-22].................................. 402-345-1708 Farnam House Brewing Company [HH-22]....402-401-6086 Nite Owl [CC-22]............................................. 402-991-6767 Oasis Hookah Bar and TaZa Nightclub [B-13].402-502-9893 Scriptown [CC-22]..........................................402-991-0506 Storz Trophy Room [K-8]................................. 402-502-1643 Sullivan’s Bar [CC-22].....................................402-933-7004 MUSIC • DANCE

Capitol Lounge & Supper Club [G-11].............402-934-5999 Slowdown [C-4]...............................................402-345-7569 The Max [C-16]................................................402-346-4110 Whiskey Tango [B-13]..................................... 402-934-4874 WINE

Corkscrew Wine & Cheese [CC-22]................ 402-933-3150 Nosh Wine Lounge [G-11]................................402-614-2121

SHOPPING

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T

All About Me Boutique [F-15]..........................402-505-6000 Curbside Clothing [F-15] Drastic Plastic [E-15].......................................402-346-8843 Flying Worm Vintage [E-16].............................402-932-3229 McLovin [G-15]................................................402-915-4002 Nouvelle Eve [F-15].........................................402-345-4811 Overland Outfitters [G-15]...............................402-345-2900 Reserve Goodwill [D-15].................................. 402-342-4102 Simply Fabulous [E-16]....................................402-812-2193 Souq, Ltd. [F-15 in The Passageway].............. 402-342-2972 The Lotus [E-15]..............................................402-346-8080 Wallflower Artisan Collective (1402 S. 13 St.).402-677-9438

Block 16 [A-13].................................................402-342-1220 Kleveland Clothing [CC-22]..............................402-401-6147 ART GALLERIES & MUSEUMS Kitchen Table [B-13]........................................ 402-933-2810 Lids Locker Room [E-5]...................................402-334-0183 Hot Shops Art Center [D-1].............................402-342-6452 Panda House Downtown [A-13].......................402-348-1818 Urban Outfitters [D-3]......................................402-280-1936 Modern Arts Midtown [GG-210].....................402-502-8737 Table Grace [17th & Farnam]...........................402-708-7815

FA S T C A S U A L

G I F T & S P E C I A LT Y S H O P S

M O V I E T H E AT E R

Greenstreet Cycles [D-4].................................402-505-8002 Inclosed Studio [D-4]...................................... 402-321-3442 Spencer’s for Steaks & Chops [G-11]..............402-280-8888 The Shop Around The Corner SPORTS Sullivan’s Steakhouse [B-13]...........................402-342-0077 [E-15 The Imaginarium]...................................402-609-8046 CenturyLink Center Omaha [H/I-5/6]..............402-341-1500 The Flatiron Cafe [17th & Howard]..................402-344-3040 HOME FURNISHING & DECOR TD Ameritrade Park Omaha [E/F-3/4]............ 402-546-1800 Film Streams [D-4]..........................................402-933-0259 F I N E D I N I N G

Z O O • B O TA N I C A L C E N T E R

S P E C I A LT Y F O O D

Patrick’s Market [B-15]................................... 402-884-1600 Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center SPORTS BAR [100 Bancroft St.]. . ..........................................402-346-4002 Drastic Plastic [E-15].......................................402-346-8843 Homer’s Music & Gifts [E-15]..........................402-346-0264 Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium/IMAX Theater Burger Theory [B-2]........................................402-933-6959 [3701 S. 10th St.]............................................402-733-8400 DJ’s Dugout Sports Bar/ FLOWERS Blazin’ Pianos [G-10]........................................402-763-9974 BANKING Old Market Habitat [F-15]................................402-342-0044 Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill [D-6] ........... 402-346-9116 Pinnacle Bank [10th & Douglas]......................402-346-9180 The Dugout [D-2]............................................402-934-5252 MUSIC STORES

G I F T & S P E C I A LT Y S T O R E S

Ashley’s Collectibles [E-15, L. Level]...............402-934-3100 City Limits [F-15].............................................402-345-3570 Le Wonderment [F-15]....................................402-206-9928 Old Market Sundries [G-15].............................402-345-7646 OM Center [D-15]............................................402-345-5078 Souq, Ltd. ]F-15 in The Passageway].............. 402-342-2972

CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

DINING

NIGHTLIFE

CASUAL DINING

LOUNGE

Local Beer, Patio & Kitchen[H-11]................... 402-315-4301 Brothers Lounge [FF-22].................................402-558-4096 Blatt Beer & Table [E-5]................................... 402-718-8822 The Omaha Lounge [B-13].............................. 402-709-6815 Capitol Lounge & Supper Club [G-10].............402-934-5999 Farnam House Brewing Company [HH-22]....402-401-6086

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Habitat ReStore [24th & Leavenworth]............ 402-934-1033 JEWELRY

Takechi’s Jewelry [17th & Harney].................. 402-341-3044 MUSIC STORE

Saddle Creek Shop [D-4, 721 N. 14th St.]......402-384-8248

VISIT US IN THE HISTORICAL RILEY BUILDING AT 10th & DOUGLAS ON THE MALL 402.346.9180 OR ONLINE AT pinnbank.com

T HE

W AY

B A N K I N G

S H O U L D

MEMBER FDIC

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november/december calendar of Events SPONSORED BY PINNACLE BANK Bemis Center’s 17th Annual Art Auction Nov. 21, Bemis Center for Contemporar y A r t—724 S. 12 th St. Eat. Drink. Buy art. 402-341-7130 - bemiscenter.org

ART AND MUSEUM EXHIBITS Design in Motion Through Jan. 2, Kaneko—1111 Jones St. In this show, the vehicles will be displayed and celebrated as works of art while also exploring the designers and design process behind their creation. 402-341-3800. -thekaneko.org Wildlife Photographer of the Year Through Jan. 3, 2016, Durham Museum—801 S. 10th St. View entries from the annual Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, co-owned by the Natural History Museum and BBC Worldwide. This exhibit offers a unique peek into the drama and splendor of the natural world, accompanied by captions that reveal the story behind how the photograph was taken. 402-444-5071 - durhammuseum.org Union Station: Built to Last Through Jan. 3, 2016, Durham Museum—801 S. 10th St. For 40 years the Durham Museum has celebrated, and kept alive, Omaha’s history. In celebration of its anniversary, this exhibit explores Durham’s home—Union Station—and what makes it so special. 402-444-5071 - durhammuseum.org

My Friend Eric Rohmann Through Jan. 3, 2016, Joslyn Art Museum—2200 Dodge St. Paintings, drawings, and prints from 12 picture books—including Eric Rohmann’s Caldecott Medal winner “My Friend Rabbit” and Caldecott Honor book “Time Flies”—comprise this Mind’s Eye Gallery exhibition. 402-342-3300 - joslyn.org Brad Kahlhamer Nov. 14-April 17, 2016, Joslyn Art Museum—2200 Dodge St. Kahlhamer is an artist influenced by a variety of sources, including Native American traditions, graffiti, comic books, and much more. A Riley CAP Gallery exhibition. 402-342-3300 -joslyn.org Go West! Art of the American Frontier from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West Nov. 15-April 17, 2016, Joslyn Art Museum—2200 Dodge St. Explore the exploration and excitement of the western frontier in this exhibit, featuring more than 90 paintings, sculptures, and American Indian artifacts dating from the 1830s to the 1920s. 402-342-3300 - joslyn.org

Nolan Tredway Nov. 30-Jan. 8, 2016, Fred Simon Galley—1004 Farnam St. The Lincolnbased painter brings his work to the Fred Simon Gallery. Tredway is currently the co-director of Tugboat Gallery in addition to running his own studio/gallery. He is a winner of the Ida M. Vreeland Award and a Nebraska Arts Council Individual Fellowship Award. 402-595-2122 - artscouncil.nebraska.gov FAMILY EVENTS Holiday Lights Festival: Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony Nov. 26, Gene Leahy Pedestrian Mall— 1302 Farnam on the Mall. An Omaha tradition—eat a big meal, then wander downtown to Gene Leahy Mall. Mayor Jean Stothert will take the lead as hundreds of thousands of lights twinkle for the first time in 2015. Watch as downtown dazzles! 402-345-5401 - holidaylightsfestival.org Santa’s Magic Nov. 27-Dec. 23, Omaha Children’s Museum—500 S. 20th St. Children can share their holiday wishes with the Big Man himself. Meet Snow Queen and sing holiday songs to make it snow! (Snow days not guaranteed.) 402-342-6164 - ocm.org

E N C O U N T E R 44

Lauritzen Gardens Holiday Poinsettia Show Nov. 27-Jan. 3, 2016, Lauritzen Gardens—100 Bancroft St. Explore a holiday tribute filled with vibrant poinsettias. A 20-foot tall poinsettia tree stands at the center of it all. 402-346-4002 - lauritzengardens.org Christmas at Union Station November 28-January 4, 2016, Durham Museum—801 S. 10th St. Celebrate the joy of the holidays at Union Station with the region’s largest indoor Christmas tree and many family-friendly events. 402-444-5071 - durhammuseum.org Sounds of the Season Nov. 29-Dec. 27 (Saturdays), Gene Leahy Pedestrian Mall & the Old Market—1302 Farnam on the Mall. Local music groups from youth to professionals perform treasured holiday songs to put Omahans and vistors alike in the mood for the season of giving. 402-345-5401 - holidaylightsfestival.org Wells Fargo Family Festival Dec. 7, various places. Listen to holiday music and participate in family-friendly holiday activities. A free trolley service will shuttle people to the participating venues—Wells Fargo Bank, Omaha Children’s Museum, Omaha Police Mounted Patrol Barn, the Durham Museum, W. Dale Clark Library, and Joslyn Art Museum. 402-345-5401 - holidarylightsfestival.org

seco nd OMA H

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An Evening with Lucero Nov. 11, The Slowdown—729 N. 14th St. American country-punk rock band Lucero brings its unique musical stylings to Omaha for one night. $20 Adv./$22 DOS. 9 pm. 402-345-7469 - theslowdown.com

ConAgra Foods Ice Rink Dec. 12-Jan. 4, 2016, ConAgra Foods Campus—10th & Harney Sts. This benefit for Food Bank for the Heartland is affordable fun for the whole family. 402-345-5401 - holidaylightsfestival.org

EXPERIENCE

FOOD, PRIZES, FUN, GAMES, ENTERTAINMENT & SWAG TICKETS $10 $5

Receive a 50% discount off the regular $10 price by ordering your ticket today at omamag.com/halfoff

THE FIRST 1,000 THROUGH THE DOOR RECEIVE

a Swag Bag Valued at More Than $100

THE SECOND ANNUAL Omaha Magazine BEST OF OMAHA FESTIVAL! Baxter Arena | Nov. 21, 2015 | 11 am-4 pm | Omamag.com/Festival

NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championship

Holiday Lights Festival: Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert

Dec. 17, CenturyLink Center—455 N. 10th St. The best college athletes will compete in the 2015 NCAA Division I Women’s Volleyball Championships. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to see the nation’s top teams fight for the National Championship title. 402-341-1500 - centurylinkcenteromaha.com

Nov. 26, Holland Performing Arts Center—1200 Douglas St. Get into the holiday spirit with this annual concert, performing after the annual lighting ceremony. Free. 7 pm. 402-345-0222 -omahaperformingarts.org

Holiday Lights Festival: New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular Dec. 31, Gene Leahy Pedestrian Mall—1302 Farnam on the Mall. Kick off the new year right! Head down to witness a dazzling fireworks display. 402-345-5401 - holidaylightsfestival.org Concerts Pure Bathing Culture Nov. 9, Reverb Lounge—6121 Military Av. Portland-based American indie pop band Pure Bathing Culture brings their unique sound to Reverb Lounge. The band dates back to 1999, when Sarah Versprille and Daniel Hindman befriended one another on the first day of freshman orientation at William Patterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. $10 Adv./ $12 DOS. 9 pm. 402-884-5707 - reverblounge.com

Omaha Symphony: Star Trek Nov. 28, Holland Performing Arts Center—1200 Douglas St. The full symphony orchestra will play Michael Giacchino’s score, while J.J. Abrams 2009 film starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto plays in its entirety. Experience Star Trek in an entirely new way. Starting at $19. 7:30 pm. 402-342-3836 - omahaperformingarts.org A Celtic Tenors Christmas Dec. 2, Holland Performing Arts Center—1200 Douglas St. Join the Celtic Tenors in the Kiewit Concert Hall as they ring in the Christmas season, with traditional Christmas tunes, lyrical Celtic music, and thrilling operatic classics. Starting at $20. 7:30 pm. 402-345-0222 - omahaperformingarts.org

1415 Harney Street Telephone: 402.341.7576 www.cityviewdentalomaha.com

The Convenient Downtown Dentist

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 5 45

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

november/december calendar of Events SPONSORED BY PINNACLE BANK

The Orig inal Old Market Irish Bar Nightly Specials Live Irish Music Weekends Open 12 p.m.

1205 Harney St. 342-5887

dublinerpubomaha.com

. Locally Owned Since 1970 . . .

Featuring Omaha’s Most Popular Patio The Old Market’s Longest Jazz Gig Live Music Every Sunday 9pm and Wednesday 7pm-10pm Never a Cover Charge 402.345.4488

10th and Howard St. MrToadsPub.com

Dirty Dancing Nov. 17-22 at the Orpheum Theater Cyrus Chestnut Trio: A Jazzy Christmas Dec. 2, Holland Performing Ar ts Center—1200 Douglas St. Vince Guaraldi’s iconic tunes from A Charlie Brown Christmas will come to life through this jazz trio. $25. 7:30 pm. 402-345-0222 - omahaperformingarts.org

Rat Pack Nov. 14, Orpheum Theater—409 S. 16th St. Experience a tribute to a group of talented stars of the 1960s. “Joey Bishop,” “Dean Martin,” “Sammy Davis, Jr.,” and “Frank Sinatra” will come alive. Starting at $35. 8 pm. 402-661-8501 -omahaperformingarts.org

Ballet Nebraska Presents: The Nutcracker Dec. 5-6, Orpheum Theater—409 S. 16th St. Celebrate the holiday season with a trip to the ballet. It is one of the only shows where candy canes dance. Tickets from $25. Times vary. 402-541-6946 -balletnebraska.org

Digitour Slaybells Dec. 22, Sokol Auditorium—2234 S. 13th St. Experience the world’s first all-ages social media tour and music festival featuring popular Youtube and Vine stars. $25. 6:30 pm. 402-346-9802 - sokolunderground.com

Dirty Dancing Nov. 17-22, Orpheum Theater—409 S. 16th St. Experience the electric music, passionate romance, and rhythmic movement of the classic story Dirty Dancing in a whole new way. You’ll have the time of your life. Starting at $30. Times vary. 402-661-8501 - omahaperformingarts.org

The Wizard of Oz Dec. 8-13 at Orpheum Theater—409 S. 16th St. Explore the wonderful world of Oz as Dorothy leads you down the yellow brick road, accompanied by Scarecrow, Tin Man, Lion and, of course, Toto. Tickets from $25. Times vary. 402-661-8501 - omahaperformingarts.org

PERFORMING ARTS Shaping Sound: Dance Reimagined Nov. 5, Orpheum Theater—409 S. 16th St. America’s hottest new dance show, Shaping Sound: Dance Reimagined, performs with a focus on contemporary dance and choreographic artistry. Starting at $33. 7:30 pm. 402-661-8501 - omahaperformingarts.org

Handel’s Messiah Nov. 22, Holland Performing Arts Center—1200 Douglas St. Voices of Omaha is proud to present its 47th annual performance of Handel’s Messiah with a chorus of 235 singers, soloists, and orchestra. Free. 3 pm. 402-345-0222 - omahaperformingarts.org

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis Dec. 22-23, Orpheum Theater—409 S. 16th St. Mannheim Steamroller’s sound is a blend of classical and rock and roll. The Omahabased band has sold more than 28 million albums in the U.S. alone. Come celebrate the holiday season. Tickets from $38. 7:30pm 402-661-8501 - omahaperformingarts.org

Don Williams Nov. 9, Holland Performing Arts Center—1200 Douglas St. American country singer/songwriter Don Williams, a 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame, is sure to take people’s breath away. Starting at $39. 7:30 pm. 402-345-0222 - omahaperformingarts.org

Little Nelly’s Naughty Noël Nov. 27-Dec. 20, The Blue Barn Theatre—1106 S. 10th St. Written by Tim Siragusa with songs by Jill Anderson, Little Nelly’s Naughty Noël is a perversion of all we hold dear at the most wonderful time of the year. The play takes a rather wild, unexpected trip through Nebraska of old. Tickets $30. Times vary. 402-345-1576 - bluebarn.org

E N C O U N T E R 46

Not Exactly PUB GRUB.

Eat, Drink, Relax.

Sophisticated American cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Classy, but unpretentious. Creative, but approachable. Open 7 days a week, live music. Lunch, Dinner, Sunday brunch. Fresh Daily Specials. Open 11AM Monday - Saturday Sunday Brunch 10AM - 2PM, Full Menu After 2PM Happy Hour 4PM - 6PM Monday - Friday Reservations accepted 1125 Jackson St. | Old Market, Omaha, NE | 402.991.5637 | JacksonStreetTavern.com