The Reader 11/18/10

Nov. 18 - 24, 2010 VOL.17

holiday lights festival guide inside News 8

Finding Middle Ground

dish 16

Versatile Venture

art 47

‘Ceramix’

Music 52

Games People Play

OMAHA JOBS PG. 4

Weird PG. 62

MOjo PG. 65

FUNNIES PG. 66

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NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

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FULL-TIME

FULL-TIME

FULL-TIME

FULL-TIME

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FULL-TIME

SALES TRAINEE Position will evolve into outside District Sales Representative with considerable earning potential. Relocation likely. Must possess excellent communication skills including the ability to interface with employees, management and customers. Degree preferred.

For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

PHARMACEUTICAL SALES Representatives are responsible for coordinating samples and promotional and educational materials to maximize sales within company, regulatory, and ethical guidelines. For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

O

MILLARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATIONS Janitor, 20 evening hrs/wk. g a s t e i ne r @ m p s o ma h a . org Check out Omahajobs.com for more details.

FULL-TIME

FULL-TIME

FLORIST DISTRIBUTING Flower handler 402330-0700 Ext. 202 mmontanye@fdionline.net

HEARTLAND HEALTH THERAPY Biller/ CSR 402-9264900 jprice@hhtomaha. com

WEST ASSET MANAGEMENT Bilingual Recovery Specialist (Medical ACcount Collectors) 877-264-9989 Westassetmanagement.jobs (job req#424261)

TRICITY AUTO TRANSPORT Truck driver 402.462.9802 tricity@gtmc.net

FRONTLINE SECURITY Officer 402.210.9028

PRIVATE Security Phone:

office@ frontlineomaha.com

For job details Omahajobs.com.

go

to

ZIO’S PIZZERIA Cooks, Servers ziospizza@juno. com Checkout Omahajobs. com for more details.

TANWORLD Manager Bill.tanworld@gmail.com Checkout Omahajobs.com for more details.

ANIMAL CLINIC SUBURBAN Veterinary Technician Omaha, Nebraska

MILLWRIGHT COMPANY: EBM CONSTRUCTION, INC. Skilled Labor 402.371.2945 mandi@ebmconstruction.net

Visit Omahajobs.com more details.

ADVANCED CENTER

for

PROSTHETICS Receptionist

teckmann@betterlimbs. com Check out

Omahajobs.com more details.

for

a n i ma l c l i n i c s u b u @

Check out Omahajobs.com for more details. qwestoffice.net

Freelance Sales Representative

Pioneer Publishing is a fast growing leading local media company with print publications and websites seeking part time Freelance Commissioned Sales Representatives for the Omaha market.

Successful candidates will be creative, ambitious, detailed, outgoing, independent and problem solvers.

Ideal candidate will have background in sales or advertising.

Responsibilities include: customer prospecting, client relationship building, proposal preparation, new customer and existing customer sales.

Compensation includes the most generous commission plan in the Omaha market.

If you have knowledge of print & internet sales, please send resume to work@thereader.com

BLIND DAVE’S F/K/A WHY NOT? PT bartender djrpnc@ msn.com Check out Omahajobs.com for more details.

USA PARKING SYSTEM Valet Attendants jmeyer@ parking.com See OmahaJobs.com for more details.

APPLIED DATA CONSULTANTS INC. kathy.nelson@adc4gis.com Visit Omahajobs.com for job details.

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR We are looking for an energetic senior housing professional to bring a handson approach in leading a sales team to achieve census development goals.

The successful candidate will live in Iowa/Nebraska or be willing to relocate.

For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

M A R K E T I N G COORDINATOR Conduct research for specific project pursuits. CRM Administration to include collecting and managing project and personnel information.

Support sales efforts of Principals and Business Development team.

For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

TRUCK DRIVER Auto Transporter looking for a driver. Class A license required and good driving record.

Wage based on experienced.

For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

PRODUCT MARKETING MANAGER Develop product positioning and messaging that differentiates the products/services in the market. For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

PHARMACEUTICAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Ability to obtain information, resources, and support within BMS to maximize business opportunities and respond to customer needs.

For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

MANAGER Seeking individuals with sales and managerial experience, Microsoft office knowledge, excellent customer service skills. Must be a self starter and be able to initiate, organize and prioritize work. For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

You believe it’s the little things that make a big difference.

WE CAN RELATE. CUSTOMER SERVICE SALES ASSOCIATES >OMAHA CONTACT CENTER Sometimes it’s surprisingly easy to male someone’s day, with a simple gesture, or a few helpful words. It’s a good feeling, right? Now, imagine actually getting paid to do that – everyday. Sounds exciting? We can relate.

• Excellent Benefits • No Telemarketing • Tuition Reimbursement • Opportunities for Career Advancement

• 401k Plan • Paid Vacation and Training • Casual Dress

Make a big impact with your talents, passion and energy at Convergys, a leader in relationship management.

There’s nothing small about the benefits, rewards, respect and challenge you’ll find here, but the impact is great.

Check out our current jobs or apply online at: www.convergys.com/careers EOE

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NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

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classifieds

FULL-TIME

FULL-TIME

SEASONAL DRIVERS If you’ve got the drive, we’ve got the opportunity.

It’s extra cash and a chance to work with an industry leader. You will be supplied with a truck and everything you need to pick up and deliver our customers’ packages. For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

SEASONAL TEAM MEMBERS Deliver fast, fun and friendly service to store guests. Help keep the store brand experience consistent, positive and welcoming. Make a difference by responding quickly and responsively to guest and team member needs. For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

Need dependable staff?

Looking to hire?

FULL-TIME SR. PROCESS ENGINEER Develops, directs or acquires innovative technology to deliver competitive advantages through new processing or products, quality/shelf life improvement, yield improvement, and/or cost reduction. Leads and directs the work of other engineers. For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

FULL-TIME FULL-TIME DIRECTOR OF SALES The ideal candidate must have a proven hospitality sales background, we demonstrated results in meeting individual and departmental sales goals (occupancy, ADR, and revenue).

For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

GOT A JOB BUT NEED MORE MONEY? Struggling with $10,000+ in credit card debt?

Settle Your Debt NOW! Increase your income!Free Consultation & Info 888-458-7488 (AAN CAN)

FULL-TIME FLOWER HANDLER Duties include packing fresh flowers for shipment, processing flowers for storage in our coolers and quality control to ensure the best possible products are delivered to our customers.

For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

ENGLISH/HUMANITIES

Call 402.341.7323 ext.107

Whil

BILINGUAL RECOVERY SPECIALIST Use your co excellent problem-solving skills.

For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

BARTENDER Part time evening bartender needed for small neighborhood bar in Millard.

For more information visit OmahaJobs.com.

Long standing print shop with national customer base is currently in need of an experienced DIE CUT OPERATOR. The successful candidate will have a least 2 years experience. Flexibility and a willingness to do what it takes to produce high quality work with minimum supervision are key traits. Must pass employment drug test. Excellent benefit plan.

Send your resume to: jobs@specialtyfinishing.com or come see us at: 4200 S 121st Plaza. Omaha, NE 68137 Drug Free Workplace

APPLY TODAY: M-F 8:00AM – 5:00

Full-time Shift Manager Trainee openings

Manager experience required

r u o H y t $16e o n D u

FULL-TIME

SPECIALTY FINISHING

The Goodrich Scholarship Program, an academic department of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, has humanities (English) position for a tenure-track assistant professor, beginning 2011/2012 academic year.

The university and Goodrich have a strong commitment to achieving diversity among faculty and staff. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from members of underrepresented groups and strongly encourage women and persons of color to apply for this position. Required: a Ph.D (preferably in the humanities) in hand or at the time of job offer, a master’s in English, and experience teaching college freshman English composition. The nationally recognized state-funded Goodrich Scholarship Program offers its distinctive writing-intensive and integrated interdisciplinary curriculum, which satisfies part of the university’s general education requirements. (See the program’s website http://goodrich.unomaha.edu/). Apply for the position at www.unomaha.edu. Cover letter, curriculum vitae, and list of references must be attached to the electronic application. All applicants must also submit non-electronically each of the following: 1) a cover letter; 2) a curriculum vitae; 3) evidence of teaching experience (enclose summary or transcript of teaching evaluations; 4) philosophy of teaching statement; 5) list of courses taught; and 6) three reference letters.

Review of applications begins 1/17/2011. Contact: Dr. Imafedia Okhamafe, Chair, Goodrich Scholarship Program, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge St., Omaha, NE – 68182. iokhamaf@unomaha.edu

Job Fair

FULL-TIME

We currently have full-time Shift Manager Trainee openings for our greater Omaha area. Candidate must be energetic, self-motivated, career-oriented and hard working. Management and leadership responsibilities include prompt, courteous customer service, accurate cash control, operation of the register system, cleaning and stocking merchandise, managing a store with direct authority over areas such as training, merchandising, store conditions, expense and inventory control.

Requirements include availability to work anytime between 5AM to 10PM, Monday through Sunday and have a high school diploma or GED. Drug screening, reference and background check required. Management experience required.

Benefits include:

Date : Monday, November 29

Time: 12-7 pm

Place: Marriott of Omaha

10220 Regency Circle, Omaha, NE 68114 Must bring resume and job experience

· Hourly rate $16.00 (while on duty) · Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance · Paid Vacation, Holidays, Sick Days · 401K, Retirement Plan and Life-insurance.

Apply in person | Monday, November 29 | 12-7PM Marriott of Omaha | 10220 Regency Circle, Omaha, NE 68114 Please do not call the Hotel …………………………………………………..

Interviews by invitation only will take place the following week.

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THISWEEK P.O. Box 7360 Omaha, NE 68107 Phone 402.341.7323 Fax 402.341.6967 www.thereader.com OUR STAFF

Letters to the Editor: letters@thereader.com

EDITORIAL

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NEWS etc.

6 Top News 8-10 News Hound —=——————————————— HEARTLAND HEALING 14 Biophobia ———————————————— dish 16 Versatile Venture 16 Crumbs: Food News ———————————————— EIGHT DAYS 44-45 This Week’s Top Events ———————————————— Art 47 ‘Ceramix’ 47 Mixed Media: Art News ———————————————— culture 48 Finding Forefathers ———————————————— theater 50 Hello, Dollies 50 Cold Cream: Theater News ————————————————

N O V. 1 8 - 2 4 , 2 0 1 0 V O L . 1 7 no . 3 9

COVER STORY

Reader’s Choice 2010:

Complete Listing of This Year’s Winners Page 18

MUSIC 52 Games People Play 52 Backbeat: Music News

LAZY-I 54 Playing God ———————————————— HOODOO BLUES 55 Music Brings Hope ———————————————— FILM 58 Bzzzoring 58 Cutting Room: Film News 58 Reader Report Card: Film Grades 59 The Business of Being Boned 59 Taste Invaders ———————————————— sports 61 School Ties 61 The Jump: Sporting News ———————————————— NEWS OF THE WEIRD 62 Sexy Seniors ———————————————— MOJO 65 Planet Power Horoscopes ———————————————— FUNNIES 66 Modern World, Red Meat, Dr. Mysterian ————————————————

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Interns

Steven Adams, Mike Bell, Paul Clark, Erin Crnkovich, Kelly Engquist The Reader is published every Thursday by Pioneer Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 7360, Omaha, NE 68107, 402.341.READ, Fax 402.341.6967. The Reader is free in the Omaha, Lincoln, Council Bluffs area. Domestic subscriptions area available for $35 a year. Opinions expressed herein are those of the writer(s) and may not reflect the opinion of The Reader, its management and employees or its advertisers. The Reader accepts unsolicited manuscripts. For more advertising rates contact sales@ thereader.com. To send comments to the editor, contact letters@thereader.com

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Woman TODAY’S OMAHA

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El Perico: elperico@abm-enterprises.com Directorio Latino: dlo@abm-enterprises.com

contents

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Finding Middle Ground Former Senator Chuck Hagel sees a new era in American politics

by Brandon Vogel

A

sk Chuck Hagel where American politics is headed and he’ll tell you to forget all the party rhetoric, all the headlines touting a fierce red-blue divide, and focus on the middle.

It’s a spot the former Nebraska senator knows well. In the waning years of his twoterm Senate career, Hagel was rumored first as a 2008 Republican presidential candidate, then as a potential running mate for President Barack Obama. His reputation is not of crossing the aisle so much as occupying it.

The America he sees today isn’t as polarized as TV talking heads make it seem. chuck hagel “Registered Independents are, and have been the past few years, the plurality of registered voters in America,” Hagel says in an interview following his speech in the Collaborating Commons room in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service building at the University of Nebraska at Omaha on Nov. 11. “What’s that tell you? We’re not going out toward more partisanship in the populace — just the opposite. People are going more inward, toward the center.”

While Republicans rode a powerful anti-incumbent backlash to take control of the House on Nov. 2, the center isn’t where Hagel sees his

party headed. He says the emergence of far-right groups like the Tea Party could make things difficult for the GOP. “It’s the extremes of both parties that control the parties, and now the Republican Party is really controlled by the extreme,” he says. “The next Republican presidential candidate is going to have to run that gauntlet tougher than anyone’s ever had to run it.

“Republicans are fighting Republicans. Conservatives are fighting conservatives. These are going to be tough times over the next two years.”

Seems like the perfect time for a candidate with a proven appeal to both parties: Is that candidate Hagel?

He says he frequently talks with members of the Obama administration, but he’s happy serving as chair of the public policy think tank the Atlantic Corporation. Hagel continues to contribute politically as a member of the president’s Intelligence Advisory Board and the Secretary of Defense’s Policy Board.

“I’m not looking for work. I’m not looking for government work. I’m not looking for a new job,” says the 64-year-old, who looks young and fit in his charcoal suit and bright-blue tie.

His work as an Army sergeant in the Vietnam War brings Hagel to Omaha. In his speech to more than 100 people gathered at UNO for the school’s Veteran’s Day ceremony, he cautioned attendees about the growing disconnect he sees between the armed services and the public.

“We are unfortunately evolving into a country — not unlike Rome and some of the other

Robert Harden, 59, died Nov. 9 after allegedly being beaten to death by Adam Yale, 31, inside the Legend Hotel at 1429 S. 13th St. Both men were tenants at the boarding house. Yale was booked for criminal homicide and use of a weapon to commit a felony. It was one of three homicides this week.

2010 homicides: 32 (There were 30 homicides this time last year)

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UPFRONT

great republics — where you’ve got a warrior class and then the rest of society,” he says. “You just buy the services.”

While American taxpayers foot the bill for defense spending, Hagel says that’s still not enough to keep them engaged with the 1 percent of the populace that does all of the fighting and dying.

He says our all-volunteer service “means, for example, that 99 percent of America is not connected either directly or indirectly to any kind of service.

“If you disconnect society too much from those who serve, then you get kind of a fat, lazy, uninformed public that says, ‘I don’t know about that war in Afghanistan or Iraq or wherever it may be, but the people fighting it? That’s their choice.’”

In 2004, Hagel stood before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and called for reinstating the military draft. He backed off those comments on Veteran’s Day but says mandatory service could’ve shortened the lengthy wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Inheriting those two wars is a major reason Hagel says he’s still bullish on Obama, despite the president’s approval rating falling to its lowest point 10 days before the midterms.

“Everything is relative,” Hagel says. “Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan — Barack Obama was higher than all of them at the same time in their presidency.”

Add it all up — the wars, the recession, the Republican-controlled House — and Hagel sees a country searching for a new “center of gravity.”

“Politics reflects society. It doesn’t lead society, it doesn’t change society,” he says. “Politicians reflect who they represent. If they’re not responding, then there’s going to be something happening.

“We are seeing a new governing coalition being built in this country — that’s what’s going on right now.” ,

Child advocacy groups: Privatization not sustainable

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unding, accountability and data: Those are the three main concerns stakeholders have regarding child welfare privatization in Nebraska, representatives said at a press conference Wednesday at the Lincoln downtown YWCA. The event was hosted by Voices for Children in Nebraska and Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest.

The reform “shows no evidence of succeeding or of being sustainable,” according to a letter addressed to Gov. Dave Heineman and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and signed by more than 800 individuals and organizations, including CASA, Family Advocacy Movement, Foster Care Review Board, Nebraska Appleseed, Voices for Children and the Nebraska chapters of the National Association of Social Workers and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Representatives at the press conference, including Lancaster County Attorney Gary Lacey and Gale JungemannSchultz with the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, pointed to numerous problems with the current system, such as high employee turnover, lack of training and “lip service” and “bullying” from the state government.

Since the state privatized child welfare about a year ago, four of six original contractors have dropped out because of funding issues. On Oct. 15, the state announced it would shed numerous state employee case managers, turning over their duties in the eastern and southeastern service areas to private contractors.

Stakeholders called for the state to halt this transfer until it had formally evaluated the current reform.

“Our concern is that we don’t have good strong evidence to support” the idea that the new plan would be successful, said Sarah Helvey, staff attorney and director of the child welfare program for Nebraska Appleseed, adding that “with the system so volatile, if you eliminate the safety net of the state caseworkers, we have no back-up plan if one of the remaining agencies is unable to continue.”

Voices for Children in Nebraska Executive Director Kathy Bigsby Moore agreed.

“No one ... thought the foster care system was perfect before the reform began,” Moore said. “In fact, we thought some elements of the reform [were excellent]. But we need time” for training, evaluation and pilot programs before any more changes are instituted.

“We can’t afford to experiment on our children,” she said.

— Hilary Stohs-Krause

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“If Ben [Nelson] is the nominee in 2012, whoever his opposing candidate is will be scrutinized like they’ve never been scrutinized before. Ben’s task will be to tear down whoever his opponent is, and he’ll do it. There will not be a nook or a cranny not explored.” — Former Nebraska GOP chair David Kramer to the Associated Press on how Nelson’s decision to run could affect a Republican opponent.

Bellevue University Grant Program Serves Students and Businesses ellevue University is celebrating 15 affordability, and relevant curriculum years of award winning, online learn- necessary to meet that demand.

The One University, Endless ing and community members who want to make a difference in another per- Opportunities program is available online at son’s life are welcome to join in the celebra- www.bellevue.edu/grant. Just access this tion. The University is proud offer the “One website, complete the easy instructions, University, Endless Opportunities” program. insert the recipient’s email address and The One University, Endless Opportunities send the award. In a matter of minutes program offers educational grants to moti- users can send a personalized message vated students who are ready to learn. The along with the grant to their designated program features 1,500 grants worth $500 recipients. Awards are available to U.S. each and members of the community will citizens who are new students to Bellevue Only one certificate award decide who receives the grants by issuing University. them online to recipients of their choosing. per recipient is allowed. Students must Participants can make a real difference in enroll in a minimum of nine credit hours the lives of others as the demand for an to qualify.

The program helps employers and job educated workforce continues to rise.

Among the first to offer degree programs seekers address the increasing demand online, the private, non-profit University for post-secondary education in the U.S. workforce. Businesses was the first accredited “After more than overwhelmingly identify institution to offer an the ability to attract online MBA. Today the 40 years, we have and retain skilled University offers over never lost sight of staff as one of the key 60 degree programs on its award-winning our guiding principle factors to their success. online platform. which is to positively Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate Nationally recognized impact the lives of that over the next five as a leader in adult years over 70 percent learning, the University our students” of new employment attributes its success opportunities will require a post-secondary to its student-focused approach.

“After more than 40 years, we have never education. In order to meet that demand lost sight of our guiding principle which is to the U.S. will need a 10 percent increase in positively impact the lives of our students,” the number of students graduating each said Mary B. Hawkins, Ph.D., president year through 2018.

“Offering a friend, family member of Bellevue University. “I can’t think of a better way to celebrate our success than by or coworker a grant to jumpstart their sharing that ability to change lives with the educational journey truly provides endless opportunities,” continued Dr. Hawkins. community.”

The timing of this program couldn’t be “The best part of this program is that better, given current economic challenges. the community decides who receives the Reports indicate that those with college grants, not the University. Post-secondary degrees will average twice the estimated credentials are essential as businesses vie for lifetime earnings, compared to workers with more highly skilled and educated workers. only a high school diploma. Employers We all know people who could reach their need an educated workforce to remain personal and professional milestones if the competitive and our student-focused, real right opportunity were to come along. That world approach provides the convenience, opportunity is here and now.”

B

Give the Gift of Learning – at Our Expense Bellevue University is issuing 1500 grants of $500 each to local residents.

The University will issue and pay for the grants; however, you will award them at no cost to you.

Real Learning for Real Life Just cut out this grant certificate and present it to a Bellevue University Enrollment Counselor or call 800-756-7920.

Bellevue University Grant ONE UNIVERSITY, ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES

$500 Education Assistance Grant Redeem through an Enrollment Counselor.

To become a student, please call: 800-756-7920.

Currently enrolled Bellevue University students not eligible; must enroll prior to June 30, 2011; commit to 9 credit hours of courses in one year; utilized for tuition and application fee only; not eligible for books or other fees; one grant per new student; must be a U.S. citizen; contextualized corporate programs not included; certain exclusions may apply. Redeem with a Bellevue University Enrollment Counselor. To qualify, the recipient must be a new student to the University.

A non-profit university, Bellevue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools • www.ncahlc.org • 800-621-7440 Bellevue University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability in the educational programs and activities it operates.

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P O L I T i C O | law and order | B usiness and D evelopment

Republicans seeking health care reform could target Nelson

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Sen. Ben Nelson is expected to be one of the primary targets for Republicans seeking piece-by-piece reform of President Barack Obama’s health care bill.

The issue may well affect the only Nebraska Democrat in Congress’ potential 2012 reelection bid.

Nelson enraged Republicans with his decision last December to support the measure. Now the GOP may need him as they move to chip away at the bill. The Republicans will control the House in January, but still lack a majority in the Senate, meaning a full-scale repeal of the law is unlikely. Instead, they’ll try to woo moderate Democrats and those in traditionally red states for help.

Nelson spokesman Jake Thompson told Politico that the senator is willing to listen. “Sen. Nelson would support some changes to the health care law and certain improvements that might be identified down the road,� Thompson says. “But in terms of repealing, that would not be his interest.�

Nelson hinted last week that he plans to seek reelection in 2012. He’ll likely face Nebraska Attorney General John Bruning, who announced Nov. 5 that he would run.

A poll commissioned by the Nebraska Republican Party and released Nov.

9 shows Nelson trailing Bruning by 15 percent. But Republicans represented 56 percent of those polled, while about 48 percent of registered voters in the state are registered Republicans.

Questionable chicken slaughter stopped at Nebraska farm The plan to kill 70,000 unwanted adult hens by feeding them through a grinder at a Carroll, Neb., poultry farm has been stopped, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Dan Paden, senior research associate in PETA’s Cruelty Investigations Department, told The Reader on Nov. 11 that Nebraska State Patrol Troop B area commander Capt. Brad Rice confirmed TWJ Farms no longer planned to grind the chickens as scheduled for Nov. 12.

In a Nov. 4 letter sent to TWJ Farms and the Wayne County Sheriff ’s Department, PETA alleged that the slaughter, based on whistleblower testimony, violated Nebraska’s Livestock Welfare Act as it was not a standard industry practice. Neither the American Veterinary Medical Association nor the United Egg Producers — a cooperative of egg farmers representing 95 percent of the industry — approves grinding as an acceptable form of slaughter for chickens more than one day old.

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Cap sej` kb QJK ]p

Respiratory Care Always being heard

numberscruncher GETTING HUNGRY: Percentage of Nebraska homes that had trouble putting food on the table (food insecurity) between 2007 and 2009: 12.2; Percent increase in food insecurity in Nebraska since 1998: 3.5; Percent increase in Nebraska’s unemployment rate from 1998 to 2009: 2.3, Percent increase in food insecurity and unemployment nationally from 1998 to 2009: 2.2, 4.8 (respectively) Source: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture/U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Wayne County Sheriff ’s Department said in a Nov. 10 release that it was investigating the allegation but had yet to find any violation of Nebraska law at TWJ Farms.

“All we were asking was that industry practice and the law be followed and we believe that has happened,” Paden says.

State law pushes abortion doctor elsewhere Well known late-term abortion provider Dr. LeRoy Carhart announced Nov. 10 he is opening new clinics in Council Bluffs and Maryland and updating an existing facility in Indianapolis as a result of Nebraska’s new Abortion Pain Prevention Act. The new law bans abortions on fetuses older than 20 weeks and is the first law of its kind to use fetal pain as the threshold. Previous Supreme Court decisions used viability of life outside the womb — generally considered to be at 22 to 26 weeks — as the determining factor.

Carhart, who currently operates a clinic in Bellevue, became nationally known after winning two Supreme Court decisions on partial-birth abortions at the state and federal levels. The new clinics are scheduled to open near the end of the year.

Fallen soldier honored in Papillion The Papillion street where Army First Lieutenant Mark Noziska grew up will now carry his name in memory of his service in Afghanistan.

Mayor David Black unveiled the new street sign Nov. 15, commemoratively renaming S. Polk St. as 1st LT Mark Noziska Lane.

Noziska, 24, died in an explosion on Aug. 30, one month after arriving in Afghanistan. Since 2001, 5,710 soldiers have died in Iraq and Afghanistan, including 53 from Nebraska.

Shooting Rounds Angelo Domena, 20, died Nov. 9 after being shot inside the Northside Apartments at 3025 Meredith Ave. Police arrested Nathan Adkins, 24, on suspicion of criminal homicide and a felony weapons charge.

Adrian Lessley, 25, died Nov. 10 after being shot at 3113 Lincoln Blvd. Another shooting victim, Jeromie Wade, 28, was transported to Creighton University Medical Center and is expected to survive. Police have made no arrests.

Hazel Goynes, 54, is expected to survive after being shot Nov. 14 near 63rd and Manderson. Police have made no arrests.

by Charles Dickens Adapted by Charles Jones

Nov. 19– Dec. 23, 2010

— Brandon Vogel

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| THE READER |

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

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Heartland Healing examines various alternative

forms of healing. It is provided as a source of information, not as medical advice. It is not an endorsement of any particular therapy, either by the writer or The Reader.

Access past columns at HeartlandHealing.com

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Biophobia Pandemic with no vaccine

by Michael Braunstein

I

t may be unfair to call biophobia a pandemic.

Like the trumped-up charade known as the 2009 swine flu “pandemic,” it’s not true that most of the world is affected by biophobia, though it impacts far more people than swine flu ever did or will.

You haven’t seen biophobia in the headlines and don’t know what it is? Though not a mainstream media buzzword, its symptoms are everywhere. Meat processing plants, industrial milk production, clothing, sunglasses, shoes, packaging, car seats, carpets, bathrooms, bedrooms, banks and grocery stores — the signs of biophobia are all around us. Humans want to kill things that threaten us and we perceive threat everywhere, regardless of whether the threat is real. Our response to it is irrational, self-destructive and foolish.

The term is self-explanatory, a portmanteau of two common word bits: bio-, meaning “life” and phobia, meaning “irrational fear.” We are afraid of life.

Humans love life dead That observation doesn’t seem reasonable at first blush. How could human beings be afraid of the thing we cling to with our last breath? Ah, that is the irrational part because biophobia is indeed a common human condition and becoming more so.

It’s easy to comprehend when we consider our proclivity toward killing the smaller things around us, like bacteria. We are in the throes of an ongoing war against bacteria on a minute-to-minute basis. The passion and intensity with which we throw

1976

ourselves into battle against these unseen threats is remarkable. Our goal of sterility seems to include the entire planet, but starts with trying to kill every bacterium that has the misfortune of being nearby, even if it means the death of us.

Our war on bacteria is active on all fronts. We have sterilizing wipes at the entryway of grocery stores because we’re afraid the shopping carts may have vicious viral remnants or creepy, crawly bacteria left behind from some other shopper. At the checkout counter, there is a bottle of sterilizing gel. But check out the circular logic here.

Give it some thought and it’s easy to conclude that using the pump-action bottle of gel actually will increase the likelihood of contact with the worst kind of bacterial boogie-man: the antibiotic-resistant strain.

Here’s how that works for the checkout girl I saw using it. After every transaction, she turned to push the plunger on the “sanitizing” gel and rubbed some on her hands, three times in just the time I was there. In between, I saw two other people touching the plunger.

That means that over and over during her shift, legions of bacteria are finding their way to that plunger from dozens of hosts. The irony is that the bacteria that survive on that plunger that is coated time and again with the antibiotic gel are the bacteria that are antibiotic-resistant. And Checkout Charlene is touching that bacteria-laden surface again and again during her shift. And so are shoppers who use it. Nice try, folks.

All the while, exposure to these chemical sterilizers guarantees that bacteria will evolve (as they always do) to resist whatever we throw at them and come back stronger and more likely to cause us trouble in the long term.

Worse, you’ll see these bottles of slimy chemicals at hardware stores, offices, churches, public bath-

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| THE READER |

heartland healing

rooms — everywhere the pandemic of biophobia has persisted.

The most irrational part of the whole thing is that the very species we are killing is essential to our survival.

“Considering how dangerous everything is, nothing is really very frightening.”

— Gertrude Stein Sanitizing gels create their own problems. They’re packed with chemicals that can kill many bacteria and some of those chemicals aren’t good for humans.

Yet the very definition of phobia includes “a persistent, abnormal and irrational fear.” So it follows that we’d smear hazardous chemicals on our skin in a futile attempt to avoid bacteria, the vast majority of which are harmless or even beneficial. Our reactive compulsion to kill every perceived threat goes far beyond the microscopic world. We rationalize a reason to kill just about anything.

Walk through any nice middleclass neighborhood on a spring day and you’ll see folks outside spraying known carcinogens on their grass and around their house. Why? To kill the threatening bugs, spiders and crawly things that might bite us and cause an itch, God forbid. And woe to any six-legged creature who strays from its allowed domain and gets lost in our kitchen. Smashed like a bug. (I can already hear you preparing the West Nile virus rationalization. Try this phrase: Risk versus reward.)

Now, I’m not willing to share dinner with flies, ants, mice, roaches or spiders. And I’m not preaching Jainism. But killing every insect or animal that ventures inside is futile and unnecessary and another symptom of biophobia.

In mass producing an industrial food supply and rationalizing its need by propagandizing that it’s the only way to feed the world (untrue) we create conditions that spawn bacteria. Our solution? Rather than remodel the system that promotes the unhealthy conditions, we try to answer at the back end by sterilizing our food.

Make dead food even deader.

Whether one understands how we’ve made the process of cooking milk before we drink it necessary, common sense will tell you that cooking milk will change its nutritional content. The same goes for meat and vegetables and processed foods. We zap industrial meat with radiation, drench it in ammonia and try other ways to kill harmful bacteria that should never have gotten into the food supply. And still we recall tons of meat every year. Apparently what we are doing is not succeeding.

“Kill, kill, kill for peace. Near or middle or very far East.” — Tuli Kupferberg The Fugs and recently departed American poet Tuli Kupferberg sang those words about the futility of seeking peace by killing. Humans aren’t only on a rampage to kill bacteria, bugs, flora and fauna indiscriminately; we apparently can rationalize killing millions of people in an equally futile attempt to guarantee safety. Well, we’ve been trying that solution since wars were invented. To cop a line from Dr. Phil: How’s that workin’ for ya?

Biophobia is the fear of life. Killing living things is not going to solve that fear, only make us more afraid. You can start by making peace with a few bacteria.

Be well. ,

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84th Street Café Serving delicious cost-conscious food.

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Crane Coffee Café & Bar tries to revive the coffee shop dinner

Bailey’s Best breakfast in town. “King of Eggs Benedict.”

1 block south of 120th & Pacific • 932-5577 absolutelyfresh.com

by Steve Brewer

W

Attic Bar & Grill Great food and great drinks with live music.

3231 Harney St. • 932.5387 atticbarandgrill.com Blue Planet Natural Grill Healthy People. Healthy Planet.

6307 Center St. • 218.4555 blueplanetnaturalgrill.com Cascio’s Steakhouse Established 1946, 63 years of selling great steaks.

1620 S. 10th St. • 345-8313 casciossteakhouse.com Dundee Dell Omaha’s Finest Neighborhood Restaurant & Pub 5007 Underwood Ave. • 553.9501 dundeedell.com Hector’s Boasting the only Baja-style Mexican cuisine in the city, Hector’s serves fresh food with panache from Baja California and northwest Mexico.

Two Locations: 1201 S. 157th St. • 884.2272 3007 S. 83rd Plz. • 391.2923 hectorsomaha.com La Casa Pizzeria Fine Italian Dining Since 1953. Located on historic Leavenworth street in midtown Omaha, La Casa has the freshest pizza in town.

4432 Leavenworth St. • 556.6464 lacasapizzaria.net La Mesa An authentic Mexican experience, from mouthwatering enchiladas to fabulous fajitas. Top it off with one of La Mesa’s famous margaritas. Voted # 1 Mexican Restaurant seven years in a row.

Locations: 156th and Q • 763.2555 110th & Maple • 496-1101 Ft. Crook Rd. and 370 (Bellevue) • 733.8754 84th and Tara Plaza (Papillion) • 593.0983 Lake Manawa Exit (Council Bluffs) • 712.256.2762 la-mesa.com Matsu Sushi Downtown’s Original Sushi Restaurant 1009 Farnam St. • 346-3988 matsusushi.wordpress.com

Shucks Fish House & Oyster Bar Great Seafood. Great Prices.

Southwest corner of 168th & Center 1218 S 119 St. • 827.4376 absolutelyfresh.com Ted & Wally’s Premium Ice Cream Voted best ice cream in Omaha!

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Good Midwesterners never turn down something free, so we tried the Mixed Berry Cobbler ($5). It featured a great deal of whipped cream on top of strawberries and blueberries, with a minimal pastry crust. The mix of hot berries and cool topping provided a nice contrast, and the serving size would be more than enough for one person.

We paid about $50 for three entrees and two drinks.

Dinner at Crane Cafe focuses on sandwiches, burgers and comfort foods, along with a complete bar.

Many of those items also appear at lunchtime.

Owner Lori Foerster says a Half ’n Half option ($8) is most popular at midday; customers choose two half sizes

hen the world knows you for one thing, it takes a while to change your image.

That’s the goal for Crane Coffee Café & Bar, the new concept from the people who brought you seven Crane Coffee locations around Omaha.

It offers the familiar coffee bar, a full kitchen serving three meals a day, and Crane coffee CAfé & Bar even drinks in the evening.

Crane Café opened in the Paxton Building downtown in August. I visited with my wife and son on a Saturday night in November.

I tried the Wagyu Kobe Burger ($11), featuring a 6 oz. patty topped with onions, tomato and garlic aioli. Wagyu cattle produce beef that is densely marbled, with a smooth texture.

This was one of my favorite burgers in recent years. It’s leaner and less messy than the typical local burger, but with of anything from a list that includes sandwiches, soups, abundant flavor. and entrees.

My wife loves Reubens, so she gravitated toward Breakfast offers traditional morning choices, along the Blackstone Reuben sandwich ($9), with the familiar with a selection of casseroles. corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressFoerster said she opened the café in an attempt ing on rye bread. to diversify.

She liked the crispy bread and thin slices of corned “The coffee business is pretty saturated,” she says. beef, but was more impressed by the Sweet Potato Tater “To make this a long-term venture, we had to expand. We Tots side dish, which comes in a brown sugar and Dijon were going to do limited service, but the more we looked mustard sauce. at this space, we wanted something unique. We wanted We were not offered a children’s menu, so our 9- a new concept.” year-old son had the Lasagna ($11), with pork and ground The L-shaped 30-table space might be too big for chuck layered with pasta and a bright red marinara sauce. Crane’s purposes; blocking off some sections at different The house-made mozzarella cheese was excellent and our times of the day could help create the right atmosphere. son devoured his order quickly.

Foerster said lunch business is strong, with a growWe later learned that Crane does offer a children’s ing following at breakfast. Crane’s relatively new dinner menu, but it worked out well, because our son was forced service remains a work in progress. to order something other than his usual chicken strips.

“Dinner is a little slow right now,” Foerster says.

We experienced a few more service problems. We “When theater is going on (at the Orpheum), we are busy. tried to order the Hot Damn Shrimp appetizer ($9), We are working on some new things for dinner.” which features shrimp in Cajun butter with biscuits. UnHer efforts include a “Two Dinners for $25” special fortunately, our server forgot to place the order. that is being advertised on billboards.

She later apologized profusely, and offered a Crane Café reminds me of a coffee shop in San Franfree dessert. cisco where I once ate dinner. The fare is familiar but well

| THE READER |

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ADAM BRUBAKER

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grubmatters Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19-20, Metropolitan Community College’s Institute for Culinary Arts is hosting a summit for the organization No More Empty Pots, which focuses on promoting sustainable local businesses. The two-day summit is called Blueprint for the Harvest. Seminars are segmented into sections devoted to discussing sustainability in the food system, at home and at work. Tickets are $30 per day. Visit nomoreemptypots.org.

— Lainey Seyler

n Health foodies, lift your reusable shopping bags and unite! Nebraska’s first Trader Joe’s has arrived. As of Nov. 12, Omaha’s new trendy grocery chain is open for business at One Pacific Place (103rd and Pacific).

Gone are the wasted hours at supermarkets pining over ingredient lists and nutritional information in search of allergen-free items or foods rather than chemical cocktails. For those used to the sticker shock that usually accompanies eating well, the real surprise might come at the check out counter.

That’s because Trader Joe’s carries the business model of its parent company, a huge German discountgrocery chain best known in the U.S. for the Aldi stores.

That’s right, the small, florescent lit, pay a quarter to get a cart retailer is Trader Joe’s distant cousin. While the shopping experience in the two stores couldn’t stand in starker contrast, the grocery buying philosophy is the same: work with manufacturers instead of distributors, put everything under the house brand, cut costs and sell cheap.

While the new 13,000 square foot grocery store may not be Aldi cheap, eating well comes at a nice price.

No Trader Joe’s write-up is complete without mention of two-buck chuck (actually $2.99, but oh well) and while the price tag is enticing, heed this advice: spend a dollar or two more. Trader Joe’s has gads of great wine under $10. Red wine aficionados should definitely grab a bottle of the Tato Montepulciano D’Abruzzo.

For first time visitors, Trader Joe’s Captain (store manager), Joe English recommends a visit to the sampling counter. For those who want to make a list before their first visit, try the boxed rice pilaf as a nice side to family dinner, or any of the Trader Joe trailmixes for a light snack.

— Phil Jarrett Comments? Questions? Want more? Check out our Booked blog online at thereader.com. Or email us at booked@thereader.com.

made, with good coffee early in the day and drinks at night.

I am told that Omahans used to eat dinner in coffee shops, but that idea died out late in the 20th century.

I hope Foerster succeeds in bringing back the coffee shop meal. Downtown could use a spot like Crane Coffee. It’s a reliable option for any meal, and it’s perfect for groups before or after an event.

The key will be convincing Omahans that Crane is more than coffee. , Crane Coffee Café and Bar, 1403 Farnam St., is open Mon.-Thurs. 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 6:30 a.m.-11 p.m. and Sun. 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Call 884.0900 or visit cranecoffeeomaha.com.

| THE READER |

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Best Chinese Restaurant Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Three Happiness Readers’ Choice: China Buffet Readers’ Recommend: China Road Readers’ Recommend: Hy-Vee Readers’ Recommend: Rice Bowl

Best Coffeeshop Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Scooter’s Coffeehouse Readers’ Choice: Starbucks Readers’ Recommend: Crane Coffee Readers’ Recommend: Blue Line Coffee Readers’ Recommend: Caffeine Dreams

Best Doughnut Shop

DINING

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Krispy Kreme Readers’ Choice: Pettit’s Pastry Readers’ Choice: Winchell’s Readers’ Recommend: Donut Professor Readers’ Recommend: Donut Stop Readers’ Recommend: LaMar’s Donuts

Best Bakery

Best Greek Restaurant

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Pettit’s Pastry Readers’ Choice: WheatFields Readers’ Recommend: Hy-Vee Readers’ Recommend: Panera Bread Readers’ Recommend: Délice Bakery

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Greek Islands Readers’ Recommend: Jim & Jennie’s Greek Village Readers’ Recommend: Feta’s Readers’ Recommend: Katie’s

Best Sweets Shop Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jones Brothers Cupcakes Every morning, Bill Jones makes about 100 people very happy.

Jones is co-owner of Jones Brothers Cupcakes, winner of Best Sweets Shop in the Readers’ Choice awards.

He and his bakers select one cupcake flavor, and name it the Cupcake of the Day. They announce their choice on Facebook and Twitter, then give away those special cupcakes for to the shop’s social media followers.

“We usually make 96, because of the pan size,” Jones says. “The first 96 people who come in get one. It takes anywhere from one to three hours until they are gone.”

Jones Brothers Cupcakes opened in May in Aksarben Village, and the shop is best known for the 12-15 rotating flavors of its namesake cupcakes. They are offered in “mini” and regular sizes.

Eight flavors are available every day, including traditional favorites such as Chocolate, Cinnamon and Sugar, and Red Velvet.

They are complemented by a rotating menu of 4-7 “daily” flavors such as Cookies and Cream, Carrot Cake, and Wild Thing (buttermilk cupcake with tie-dyed frosting).

The shop has tried many daily flavors in its first year, including several based on customer input.

“Chocolate Mint actually came from a customer suggestion,” Jones says. “We made it a free cupcake of the day, and everybody loved it. Now it’s a Friday special.”

While Jones Brothers has branded itself as a cupcake purveyor, the store also offers a wide range of other sweets, including cakes, tart yogurt, and frosting shots.

Jones said Whoopie Pies and French Macarons are particularly popular. Whoopie Pies resemble small pastry sandwiches, with two cupcake halves surrounding a layer of buttercream.

Macarons are French pastries with a crisp sugar-and-egg outside and a chewy buttercream filling.

“I don’t know anyone else in town that offers macaroons,” Jones says. “They could be the next big trend.”

Lunch is the most popular time of day at Jones Brothers Cupcakes, when lines are sometimes long, but Jones said colder weather seems to be increasing the demand for sweets and warm drinks during the morning and afternoon hours.

In addition, Jones Brothers offers a full lunch and dinner menu from its adjoining Café counter.

“We do a nice job of cupcakes, and I am honored we won this award,” Jones says. “I just want people to know that we offer so much more than cupcakes. People are surprised by everything we offer.”

Best BBQ Restaurant Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Famous Dave’s

Best Coffeeshop

Best Bargain Restaurant

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Scooter’s Coffeehouse

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Taco Bell Readers’ Recommend: Applebee’s

Best Buffet Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: China Buffet Readers’ Choice: Valentino’s Readers’ Choice: Golden Corral Readers’ Choice: Old Country Buffet Readers’ Recommend: Hy-Vee

Best Burger Joint Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Five Guys Burgers and Fries Readers’ Choice: Stella’s Readers’ Recommend: Red Robin Readers’ Recommend: Runza Readers’ Recommend: SmashBurger

Best Café / Diner Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lisa’s Radial Cafe Readers’ Recommend: Petrow’s Readers’ Recommend: Dixie Quicks Readers’ Recommend: 11-Worth Café Readers’ Recommend: The Diner

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After a dozen years of growth based on premium product and service, Scooter’s Coffeehouse is branding itself as the java fix with “amazing people, serving amazing coffee, amazingly fast.” The formula’s earned the franchise several Best Of honors, including the Omaha Chamber of Commerce Emerging Business of the Year award, and now Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O designation.

What started as a single location in Bellevue has become a regional franchise poised to further expand.

Founder Don Eckles opened Scooter’s Java Express/Scooter’s Coffeehouse in 1998. He built the company to 17 locations before entering a purchase agreement with SJE Holdings Inc. The franchising of the business pushed the number of Scooter’s sites to more than 75 in seven states In October, Eckles, president of Boundless Enterprises, an owner-operator of 22 Scooter’s Coffeehouses founded in 2006, purchased the Scooter’s franchise business from SJE. This back-to-the-future, come-full-circle move means Eckles and his partners are in control of future franchise sales and operations as the business moves to strengthen its brand. Boundless also owns Harvest Roasting, the Bellevue company that furnishes Scooter’s with coffee beans and more.

“We’re coming back to our roots with a real focus on those basic principles of our business,” says director of business development Todd Graeve. “Our intent is to expand Scooter’s on a much more dynamic level than we have in the past. We’re looking to build more coffeehouses regionally and, ultimately, nationally.”

He says the new drive-thru coffee kiosk at 168th and Dodge in Omaha is the “designed for speed” model for future Scooter’s stores.

“If we can continue to focus on what we call those ‘amazings’ in the communities we build coffeehouses in and continue to be a part of the community,” he says, “then we feel like we can do well.”

Graeve says Scooter’s community connection is accomplished customer-by-customer.

“It’s really what happens at the drive-up window or at the walk-in counter. We get to know our customers personally. We get to know their names and their favorite drinks, and we really become a part of their every day life. A big part of our business is those relationships we establish.”

He notes the Best of the Big O vote is especially welcome.

“It means a lot to us that it’s coming directly from the community we’re serving coffee to daily.”

— Leo Adam Biga

| THE READER |

cover story

— Steve Brewer

Best Ice Cream Shop Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ted & Wally’s Ice Cream Readers’ Choice: Cold Stone Creamery Readers’ Choice: Dairy Queen Readers’ Recommend: eCreamery Readers’ Recommend: Goodrich

Best Italian Restaurant Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lo Sole Mio Readers’ Choice: Olive Garden Readers’ Recommend: Vincenzo’s Ristorante Readers’ Recommend: Grisanti’s

Best Japanese Restaurant Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hiro Sushi Readers’ Choice: Kobe Steakhouse Readers’ Choice: Blue Sushi Sake Grill Readers’ Choice: Sushi Japan Yakiniku Boy Readers’ Recommend: Genji Japanese Steakhouse

Best Kid-Friendly (not Kid-Focused) Restaurant Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Red Robin Readers’ Recommend: Applebee’s Readers’ Recommend: Fuddruckers

Best Late Night Restaurant Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Taco Bell Readers’ Recommend: Village Inn Readers’ Recommend: Alvarados Readers’ Recommend: Amsterdam Falafel & Kabob

elle lien of daily grub

Best Local-Food-Serving Restaurant Reader Refer: Blue Planet Natural Grill Reader Refer: Daily Grub Reader Refer: Petrow’s

Best Mexican Restaurant Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: La Mesa Readers’ Choice: Hector’s Readers’ Recommend: Romeo’s Readers’ Recommend: Nettie’s Readers’ Recommend: Maria Bonita Readers’ Recommend: Roja

Best New Restaurant Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Daily Grub Readers’ Recommend: Ingredient Readers’ Recommend: Old Market Roja

Best Nouveau Cuisine Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Marks Bistro Readers’ Choice: Blue Sushi Sake Grill Readers’ Choice: M’s Pub Readers’ Recommend: French Café Readers’ Recommend: Jams Readers’ Recommend: The Boiler Room

adam brubaker

Best Pizza Parlor

Best New Restaurant Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Daily Grub A vegan restaurant that sources locally grown food opened last spring on the lonely corner of 20th and Pierce.

Daily Grub was voted Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O New Restaurant, and also got a “Reader Refer” for Best Local-Food-Serving Restaurant, because it offers hearty meals for the socially conscious. But vegan or no, it’s the good food that draws people.

Owner and chef Elle Lien offers a menu that rotates seasonally featuring soups, Korean-influenced sandwiches, Mexican-influenced sopes and heaping bowls of curries and stews. Fruit and vegetables juices are squeezed fresh daily. Lien sells Lincoln’s Cultiva Coffee and peddles San Pellegrino water, gourmet root beer and Mexican sodas.

“People like a mix of something old and something new, something familiar and comfortable and something fresh and out of the ordinary that they find at Daily Grub,” says Lien.

True, Lien’s cuisine is homey and simple while also presenting new flavor combinations. Her sopes play on savory, sweet, sour and spicy by pairing savory and filling beans with sweet pears, spicy ancho sauce and lime juice as an example. But the plate is finger food presented without airs. The soups are creative and reflect the season.

Right now there’s a soup of winter greens and sweet potatoes, Gambian sole with tomatoes and black-eyed peas and fried plantains.

“Initially, I think people came in out of curiosity,” Lien says. “But I like to think they come back because the food and environment exceed their expectations.”

It would be hard to be too fancy in the industrial neighborhood around 20th and Pierce, and Daily Grub slides right in among the brick warehouses and old homes. Lien is doing things differently by not selling meat, but it’s done unpretentiously and approachably in a way that people are eager to embrace.

“We’re a family here. A real ‘mom and pop,’” she says. “And we love what we’re doing, so that people like it is so incredibly rewarding.”

— Lainey Seyler

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Zio’s Pizzeria Readers’ Recommend: Mama’s Pizza Readers’ Recommend: La Casa Pizzaria Readers’ Recommend: Big Fred’s Pizza

Best Retail Deli Counter Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee

Best Retail Meat Counter Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee Readers’ Choice: Fareway Readers’ Recommend: Wohlner’s

Best Retail Produce Selection Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee Readers’ Choice: Whole Foods Market Readers’ Recommend: Baker’s Supermarkets

Best Retail Wine Selection Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee Readers’ Choice: Brix

Best Restaurant Specials Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Applebee’s

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Best Steak House Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Texas Roadhouse Readers’ Choice: Anthony’s Steakhouse Readers’ Recommend: Gorat’s Steakhouse Readers’ Recommend: Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse Readers’ Recommend: Outback Steakhouse

Best Sweets Shop Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jones Bros.

Cupcakes Readers’ Choice: Old Market Candy Shop Readers’ Choice: The Candy Shoppe Readers’ Recommend: Cupcake Island Readers’ Recommend: Sweet Magnolia’s Bake Shop Readers’ Recommend: Eileen’s Colossal Cookies Readers’ Recommend: See’s Candies Readers’ Recommend: Ted & Wally’s Ice Cream

Best Tapas Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: España

Best Tex-Mex Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Julio’s Readers’ Recommend: Stokes Grill & Bar Readers’ Recommend: Roja Readers’ Recommend: La Mesa Readers’ Recommend: Romeo’s

Best Thai Restaurant Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Thai Spice Readers’ Choice: Thai Pepper Readers’ Choice: Taste of Thailand Readers’ Recommend: Thai Kitchen Readers’ Recommend: Bangkok Cuisine Readers’ Recommend: Mt. Fuji Inn/Mai Tai Lounge

Best Vegetarian Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: McFoster’s Natural Kind Café Readers’ Recommend: Daily Grub Readers’ Recommend: Blue Planet Natural Grill

Best Wine Selection (restaurant) Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: La Buvette Readers’ Recommend: M’s Pub

BEST GETTING AROUND Best Airline Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Southwest Airlines

Best Auto Dealer Service Shop Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Woodhouse Readers’ Recommend: Superior Honda Readers’ Recommend: Gregg Young Chevrolet Readers’ Recommend: Performance Toyota

Best Auto Dealership Group Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Woodhouse Readers’ Choice: Performance Auto Group Readers’ Recommend: Lexus of Omaha

Best Auto Detail Shop Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Russel Speeder’s Readers’ Recommend: Cornhusker Auto Wash Readers’ Recommend: Dolphins Readers’ Recommend: Stacy’s Wash & Shine Readers’ Recommend: Woodhouse Readers’ Recommend: Z.I.P.’S Detail Center

Best Auto Parts Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: O’Reilly Auto Parts Readers’ Recommend: AutoZone Readers’ Recommend: NAPA Auto Parts Readers’ Recommend: Advance Auto Parts

Best Auto Repair Shop Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jensen Tire & Auto

Best Bike Shop Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Bike Rack Readers’ Choice: Bike Way Readers’ Choice: Olympia Cycle Readers’ Choice: Greenstreet Cycles Readers’ Recommend: Trek

Best Boat Dealer Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Omaha Marine Center

Best Buy Here/Pay Here Readers’ Refer: Dealin’ DJ’s Readers’ Refer: Fleming Motor Company Readers’ Refer: Midlands Auto Readers’ Refer: Payless Auto Sales Readers’ Refer: Schrier

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Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Russell Speeder’s The waving, grinning, yellow-clad, yellow-haired lanky man in front of the four Omaha locations of Russell Speeder’s Car Wash may be fictional, but nevertheless make passersby smile in real life. And, according to Kris Moore, Site Manager of the 11212 Wright Circle location, this is their main goal — to make the customers happy.

“We have a 150 percent guarantee to our customers,” says Moore, “if we can’t go above and beyond to meet their needs and make them happy, we will give you your money back plus 50 percent. We’re not just a quality wash, we want to make sure the customers leave here with a smile.”

They’ve never had to do that, adds Moore, but the guarantee upholds their strict standards of honest-to-goodness customer service, as does their thorough hiring process. Indeed Russell Speeder’s has such detailed background searches, rigorous reference checks and heavy training processes that they have been compared to that of a government job.

“We’re more people-focused than anything,” says Moore, “From associates to customers, we know where it’s at: it’s the people that make a difference.”

Along with the smiling statue and friendly workers, the washes are also known for their plethora of friendly stuffed animals in and outside of the stores, as well as the animated happy-people robots in the tunnel that spray and dry your car. One might wonder, why go through all this trouble?

Moore says all the pleasantries provide a welcoming connection for children, who can be intimidated or scared by the big loud machines. If the kids are comfortable, the parents will be too, alleges Moore, all totaling out to the enjoyable experience they strive for.

Their method must work; founded in 1963 in Connecticut it opened its first location in Omaha six years ago; Russell Speeder’s expanded to Florida and Ohio, washing over 20 million cars since its beginnings.

russell speeder’s

marlon a. wright

Best Car Wash

Of course, the swiftness must not be disregarded; they specialize in the “three-minute wash” using custom car wash equipment and the “best cleaners available.”

Economic price points are also essential in these times and Russell Speeder’s takes this into account; car washes start at just $5.99 to $10.99 for quickies at the 15505 Spaulding Plaza, 11212 Wright Circle and 404 S. Saddle Creek Rd. locations; and upwards of $100 at the detailing location at 11818 W. Dodge Rd.

Customer comments from russellspeeders.com like: “You’ve got my whole family coming and that includes five vehicles,” and “Unequivocally the best car wash facility I have ever experienced,” back up the business’ working philosophy, which Moore says is ongoing: “We are always looking for ways to improve ourselves for our customers and never settling for status quo.”

— Sally Deskins

Ohm^] Ma^ K^Z]^k l ;^lm G^p K^lmZnkZgm +)*)

DA I LY G R U B good food/fresh juice

1054 S 20 St.

L u n c h T u e s d a y t h r u S a t u r d a y 11 a m t o 2 p m Dinner Friday and Saturday 5:30 to 9pm

www.facebook.com/DailyGrub w w w. d a i l y g r u b o m a h a . c o m COVER STORY

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first national bank

Best Car Audio Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Stereo West Readers’ Choice: Best Buy Readers’ Recommend: Auto Sound & More Readers’ Recommend: Nebraska Furniture Mart

Best Car Wash Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Russell Speeder’s Readers’ Choice: Fantasy’s Readers’ Choice: Dolphins Readers’ Recommend: Cornhusker Auto Wash Readers’ Recommend: Stacy’s Wash & Shine

Best Economy Auto Dealer Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: CarMax

Best Gas Station/Convenience Store Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Quik Trip Readers’ Choice: Bucky’s Readers’ Choice: Hy-Vee Readers’ Recommend: Fantasy’s Readers’ Recommend: Kwik Shop

Best Luxury Auto Dealer Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lexus of Omaha

Best New Auto Dealer

marlon a. wright

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Woodhouse Readers’ Choice: Performance Readers’ Choice: Superior Honda Readers’ Recommend: Stan Olsen

Best Pre-owned Car Dealer Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: CarMax Readers’ Choice: Performance Readers’ Recommend: Lexus of Omaha Readers’ Recommend: Woodhouse

Best Tire Store & Service Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jensen Tire & Auto

Best Transportation / Long-distance Travel Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Amtrak Readers’ Choice: AAA Readers’ Recommend: Southwest Airlines

BEST PROFESSIONAL & HEALTH SERVICES Best Allergist Practice Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Midwest Allergy & Asthma Clinic Readers’ Recommend: Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

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Best Bank Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: First National Bank First National Bank has been in the Omaha area for more than 150 years supporting local causes and events, helping large and small businesses succeed in an ever-changing financial climate, providing everyday banking services to families and individuals and being a major employer in the metro area. Founded in 1857, FNB originally served Omaha and surrounding communities. The bank has grown to be the largest privately owned banking company in the U.S. And while FNB has grown large (36 locations in the Omaha/Lincoln area and 114 ATMs in Omaha alone), its commitment to avoiding a one-size-fits-all approach has allowed it

Best Attorney — Criminal Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: James Martin Davis

Best Attorney — DUI Readers’ Refer: Al Burns Readers’ Refer: William Pfeffer Readers’ Refer: Ernest Addison Readers’ Refer: Glenn Shapiro Readers’ Refer: Greg Pivovar Readers’ Refer: James Blinn

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to foster a community of dedicated and consistently pleased customers. The bank has worked to create an environment that encourages quality customer service; it’s this effort that keeps FNB customers loyal.

“First National has been here for 153 years,” says FNB Director of Public Relations Kevin Langin.

“So really, when people think of Omaha they think of First National Bank. The company is founded on quality service and superior products. We do that by having customer commitment that employees must follow when dealing with customers.”

FNB has made a name for itself by striving to be a good employer. First National of Nebraska, the holding company of which FNB is a subsidiary, employees over 5,000 associates. FNB was voted one of “The 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers” by Working Mother

Readers’ Refer: James Martin Davis Readers’ Refer: Jason Troia Readers’ Refer: Jeremy Jorgenson Readers’ Refer: James Schaefer Readers’ Refer: Joe Howard Readers’ Refer: Knowles Law Firm Readers’ Refer: Mike Fitzpatrick Readers’ Refer: Munger, Reinschmidt & Denne Readers’ Refer: Patrick Dunn Readers’ Refer: Randy Paragas Readers’ Refer: Robb Gage

magazine, a distinction it has managed to maintain for eight straight years, and has also been recognized by Computerworld magazine as among “the best companies to work in IT” and also as one of the top three “Green IT” companies. FNB has also received the Well Workplace Platinum award from The Wellness Councils of America and the Nebraska Governor’s Excellence in Wellness Award.

FNB has given much to the Omaha area, including a new addition to a somewhat lackluster skyline with First National Tower, which at 633 feet is the tallest building between Chicago and Denver. A proud sponsor of our beloved University of Nebraska athletics, FNB is sure to remain a vital part of our local community.

— Jesse D. Stanek

Readers’ Refer: Ronald J. Palagi Readers’ Refer: Tim Mikulicz

Best Attorney — Family (Three-way tie) Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Bruce Brodkey Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Matt Higgins Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Wesley Dodge

Best Attorney - Personal Injury

Cosmetic Surgeon

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ronald J. Palagi Readers’ Choice: Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Joel Schlessinger Readers’ Recommend: Popp Cosmetic Surgery PC Dermatology and cosmetic surgery deserve care

Best Bank

Counseling Clinic

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: First National Bank Readers’ Choice: Wells Fargo Readers’ Choice: US Bank Readers’ Recommend: Bank of the West Readers’ Recommend: Great Western Bank Readers’ Recommend: Security National Bank

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Associated Counseling Professionals Readers’ Recommend: Boys Town Center for Behavioral Health Readers’ Recommend: Great Oaks Counseling

Chiropractic Practice Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Muenster Chiropractic Readers’ Recommend: Marcuzzo Chiropractic

Credit Union Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Centris Federal Credit Union Readers’ Recommend: SAC Federal Credit Union continued on page 24 y

joel schlessinger

Thankyou for voting Metropolitan Community College the Best of the Big O! for Technical or Vocational School.

adam brubaker

402.457.2400 • www.mccneb.edu

Pacific Street Pediatric Clinic 14080 Hospital Road

Cosmetic Surgeon

(139th & Pacific, on the Boys Town campus)

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Joel Schlessinger Dermatology and cosmetic surgery deserve careful thought and methodical preparation. Dr. Joel Schlessinger has been the first name in dermatology and cosmetic surgery for sometime in the Omaha area. His Skin Specialists office, located at 2802 Oak View Dr., is a trustworthy and reliable option for dermatology and cosmetic dermatology needs. Schlessinger has earned a reputation for being one of the best in his field not only in Nebraska, but also on a national level. He has been recognized by a host of national publications, including Glamour and The New York Times, and has been recognized 10 years in a row as the best cosmetic surgeon in town by Omaha Magazine’s Best of Omaha poll.

“I think the difference is that we are operating not only on a local level but also on a national and international scale,” Dr. Schlessinger says. “Our focus has always been on great customer service. But that’s also impacted now by our presence in the national scene through lovelyskin.com. There’s always been an attitude among our staff that they’re part of a large organization with very high standards.”

With over 55 employees, Skin Specialists and their new retail store across the street Lovely Skin (which celebrated its grand opening Nov. 11), offer every imaginable skin care option and product, along with professional and well-thought-out surgical options. Skin Specialists not only offers general dermatology and cosmetic dermatology services, they are also one of the largest clinical research facilities in the country, performing more clinical research than Creighton University and the University of Nebraska combined. They also have an attached world-class day spa, Aesthetica Day Spa where the staff of three specially trained by Dr. Schlessinger full-time estheticians do procedures that not only pamper but also have lasting medical and cosmetic benefits.

— Jesse D. Stanek

402-778-6900

On her way to feeling better by bedtime Same Day Pediatrics offers scheduled same day sick visits for all Omaha children. Staffed by Board Certified pediatricians, Same Day Pediatrics is not an urgent care clinic, but a real pediatric clinic. Call by 4:00 p.m., Monday – Thursday, to schedule your child’s same day sick visit.

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Health Clinic

Dentist Office (Two-way tie)

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Alegent Health Readers’ Choice: Creighton Family Healthcare Readers’ Choice: UNMC and UNMC Physicians clinics Readers’ Recommend: Methodist Physicians Clinic

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Horizon Dental Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Rainbow Dental Center

Dermatology Clinic Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Dr. Joel Schlessinger Readers’ Recommend: Braddock Finnegan Dermatology

Massage Therapy Practice Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Massage Envy Readers’ Choice: Omaha School of Massage continued on page 26 y

Best Dentist Office (Two-way tie) Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Horizon Dental Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Rainbow Dental Center

marlon a. wright

A trip to the dentist doesn’t have to be a dreadful experience. That was Dr. Norman Sheldon’s belief when he opened Horizon Dental in July 1981.

Sheldon, a California native, offers his patients a relaxed atmosphere with state-of-the-art dental technology. The practice also offers patients an added perk while sitting in the dentist’s chair: television. While undergoing an annual cleaning or occasional root canal, patients can comfortably watch their favorite program on a TV embedded in the ceiling above their heads. horizon dental Although the television is a hit with patients, office manager Lisa Lucoff says she knows what prompted Omaha to vote for Horizon Dental.

“The flexible scheduling,” she says. “We accept new patients, we have a 24-hour emergency service and if someone calls that morning, we’ll get them in that day.”

Horizon Dental has two other dentists in the office, Amy Dietrich and Molly McCabe.

Though the practice doesn’t offer sedation dentistry per se, it does offer nitrous oxide and benzodiazepine-derivatives (Valium, etc.) to assist those with dental procedure anxiety.

Horizon Dental is equipped to handle traditional services including restoration and orthodontics. The practice also offers an array of cosmetic dentistry including veneers and teeth bleaching.

“Above all, our ethics and morals keep us growing,” Lucoff says. “That’s important when you’re choosing a dentist. Our office has a high level of integrity and our employees are representative of that integrity.”

For those with a serious case of dentophobia (fear of the dentist) full sedation may need to be considered. Luckily, Rainbow Dental Center offers an entire spectrum of sedation including oral and intravenous option.

Rainbow also offers another great bonus: convenience. With six locations in Omaha and others throughout Bennington, Council Bluffs, Elkhorn and Blair, patients can be sure to find an office close to home.

Although Rainbow employs over 19 dentists and several specialists, only two are responsible for its foundation: Dr. Kenneth Hagan and Terry Lanphier.

Hagan and Lanphier opened the first Rainbow Dental Center office more than 25 years ago. Since then, they’ve been creating what fellow dentist Dr. Katy DiPrima calls “custom smiles.”

“I think over all, our caring and compassion leads people to stay,” DiPrima says. “We offer a wide range of services and flexibility.”

DiPrima says she believes the sedation dental services were also a big factor that led to Omaha voting for Rainbow. Whatever it is that them unique, Omaha thanks them with a big smile.

— Jasmine Maharisi

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adam brubaker

From l to r: Barb Flickbohm, Pam Pilmore, Dr. Sarah Gernhart and patient Andrea Noon at methodist hospital.

OB/GYN Practice Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Methodist Hospital and Physicians Clinic Women’s Center The Methodist Hospital and Physicians Clinic Women’s Center became successful by employing a daring two-part tactic: ask women what they want, and listen to the answers.

“When we first opened the Women’s Center, we did focus groups with the women in Omaha,” says Laurie Beaver, manager of the Physician’s Clinic Women’s Center. “They said they want to be able to stop in one place and get a lot of different services. Women are busy.”

Today, Methodist offers, “whatever a woman needs throughout her entire life span,” Beaver says. Methodist offers the typical preconception, general gynecology, gynecological oncology and mammography one would expect from a top-notch women’s health center. But Methodist has gone the extra mile with behavioral health services, a sexual medicine and wellness center, the only pelvic pain clinic for miles (which opened recently), and even skin renewal services from varicose vein treatment to Botox to spray tans.

“Women trust their OB-GYN physicians,” Beaver says. “When you look out there, there are a lot of med spas in malls and it’s not very regulated. We thought, we have a relationship with these women, they trust us, what better place to get these services.”

The staff across all of the Methodist Women’s Center clinics are highly trained medical professionals.

“On the clinic side, there are a lot of procedures that used to be done in a hospital that are now done in the office,” Beaver says. “All nurses involved in direct patient care are RNs (Registered Nurses) with ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certifications.”

The crowning jewel for the Methodist Women’s Center is the new all-in-one Physicians’ Clinic and Hospital campus on 192nd and Dodge. Prior to the set up there, Women’s Center doctors used to see patients at the HealthWest clinic on 153rd and Dodge, and then have to drive to Methodist Hospital on 84th and Dodge for emergencies or deliveries. The combination of a clinic and a hospital saves doctors’ valuable time.

“I have not had this in private practice,” says Dr. Kristen Hoffman, a Women’s Center physician. “Instead of getting in your car, driving — that can take 20 minutes — changing your clothes, going back to the office, you’re just across campus. It really makes a difference, not only to the patients who are delivering, but also to the office patients.”

The rapid succession of building a new clinic/hospital campus and opening the pelvic pain clinic is not enough for the Women’s Center. Beaver hints that more developments are forthcoming, after research and due diligence have been performed.

“We will continue to grow,” she says. “Depending on what women need and what women want, we will get them an expert in that area.”

Dr. Hoffman may say it best: “We think we’re great.”

— Patricia Sindelar

THE VOTE IS IN!

BEST IN DERMATOLOGY

BEST IN COSMETIC SURGERY

Our sincere thanks to all our patients who have voted for us the past several years.

We never stop working to make your experience with us the best it can possibly be.

Thank you again for voting us Best in Dermatology and Best in Cosmetic Surgery!

SKINCARE 101® SESSIONS | FREE SAMPLES & REWARDS | BEAUTY BAR

OPEN NOW!

Over 7,000 products from 140 manufacturers

2929 Oak View Dr. 402-697-6565

Board-Certified Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon

402-334-SKIN (7546)

2802 Oak View Mall Drive, Omaha

www.LovelySkin.com CustomerCare@ LovelySkin.com

Skin Specialists and Aesthetica Day Spa are under the direction of Joel Schlessinger, M.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon. He is nationally and internationally recognized for his work in general dermatology, cosmetic dermatology and laser surgery.

Copyright © 2010, Skin Specialists, P.C.

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Best Optician

Optical Store (eyewear store; three-way tie)

Readers’ Refer: Elkhorn Ridge Vision Readers’ Refer: Malbar Readers’ Refer: Midwest Eye Care Readers’ Refer: Omaha Primary Eye Care Readers’ Refer: Renee Johnson Readers’ Refer: Stephanie J. Meyers

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: America’s Best Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: EyeMasters Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Malabar Vision Readers’ Recommend: Pearle Vision Readers’ Recommend: LensCrafters Readers’ Recommend: Shopko Readers’ Recommend: Wal-Mart

Best Orthodontist Office Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Dr. Kort Igel Readers’ Recommend: Adams Orthodontics Readers’ Recommend: Dr. Alfred T. Longo

Best Orthodontist Office Dr. Kort Igel is a native of Omaha and a graduate of Creighton University School of Dentistry and the University of Nebraska Medical Center with a Master’s Degree and Certificate in Orthodontics. But enough about his credentials.

Igel has been practicing in the Omaha and Papillion area for more than 20 years and his approach to patient care is simple: understand the needs of your patients. Each patient’s treatment needs are different so Igel ensures quality care by beginning with a complimentary consultation to determine an individualized corrective treatment plan. For Igel, it’s that simple.

He believes each patient can, and should, have a beautiful smile. He feels fortunate because he is able to do what he loves. Achieving a beautiful, healthy smile today is fast and comfortable. Igel uses the latest bracket technology which tranlates to less chair time, reduced discomfort and fewer appointments. Igel provides clear braces yielding superior aesthetics.

“I not only ensure state-of-the-art technology in my practice, but I also take the time to view this practice through the eyes of my patients to determine what they experience when choosing an orthodontist, how they feel when they come dr. kort igel in for treatment and how I can make this ‘journey’ they embark on the best possible experience it can be,” Igel says.

Igel also implemented a Customer Experience program. He learned patients wanted to feel welcome, understood and comfortable. He realized his patients were not there for braces, they were there to have a healthy smile.

Now all decisions are made around those three feelings and the focus on healthy smiles.

Igel believes education and positive encouragement is essential to a patient’s orthodontic success. Ensuring that patients understand that “clean teeth move faster”and “not breaking brackets finishes treatment faster” builds healthy relationships and promotes better compliance.

This has proven to be more successful than telling a patient not to do this and not to do that. Changing the focus of the message created a sense of understanding, comfort, and cooperation.

Igel completed his fourth Patient Experience survey last month and the results yielded an overall satisfaction score of 98 percent, defined as patients who rated service levels as a “4” or “5” on a five-point scale, so his methods are definitely working. Without a doubt the customer experience program accomplished what it set out to do — change the way patients experience the orthodontic journey at an emotional level.

“It’s very inspiring that our patients voiced their appreciation for the experience they received we’re providing through this Best Orthodontist award for the third year in a row. I love what I do. Thank you,” Igel gushes.

— Kyle Eustice

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marlon a. wright

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Dr. Kort Igel

Best Condo Development Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Midtown Crossing

Vanita Lund and Cindy Killinger of Midtown crossing

Best Pawnshop Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Sol’s Jewelry and Loan

Best Pediatric Practice Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Children’s Physicians Readers’ Choice: BoysTown Pediatrics Readers’ Choice: Village Pointe Pediatrics

BEST LIVING & HOME SERVICES Best Apartments — Downtown

adam brubaker

Whether it be young professionals enjoying the nightlife options or empty-nesters sick of yard-work and ready for a more metropolitan living experience, Midtown Crossing Condominiums is a prime option for urban condo living. Located at 200 S. 31st Ave., these condos are integral to the new Midtown Crossing development, augmenting the restaurants, shops and movie theater with top-shelf residences. Midtown Crossing sets itself apart by offering access to a host of city options and by providing sweeping views of Turner Park and the downtown skyline, as well as plenty of green space for those who enjoy outside recreation.

Located an easy driving distance from local hot nightspots like The Old Market, Dundee and Benson, Midtown Crossing offers a variety of one, two and three-bedroom floor plan options ranging from $169,900 to $531,900. The development prides itself on luxury units; amenities include wood floors, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, a controlled access lobby with concierge services, private access climate controlled parking with elevator service to each floor, a 9th floor resident social Club Room with a kitchen, outdoor grilling, a rooftop veranda, pool table and a projection room with three 50” plasma screens, secured storage rooms and optional bicycle storage. Most of the units have balconies with gas grill hookups; fireplaces are available.

The Midtown Crossing development is anchored by the newly renovated Turner Park, featuring more than seven acres of green space and 574 new trees, 3,042 shrubs and over 35,000 flower bulbs for visual appeal. Residents can enjoy the park’s many offerings, including an upscale outdoor market in the warmer months and free concerts, along with ample room for picnics, jogging, and just plain old enjoying the outdoors. Midtown Crossing is one of the first projects in the nation to be nominated for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The distinction was bestowed upon the development in an effort to recognize smart transportation linkage and location, environmental preservation, compact, complete and connected neighborhoods and high-performance green construction and technology.

“I think our uniqueness is unprecedented,” says Molly Skold, PR Director at East Campus Realty, the Mutual of Omaha subsidiary who owns and is developing the facility. “It’s Omaha’s boldest development. And I also think people appreciate bringing something back to midtown. The whole project is unique and captivating as a whole. People really like the idea of living in an urban setting, it’s exciting.”

— Jesse D. Stanek

Best Assisted Living

Best Exterminator Company

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Immanuel Communities

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Orkin Readers’ Choice: Lien Pest Control Readers’ Choice: Terminix Readers’ Choice: Presto-X Readers’ Recommend: Century Certified

Best Carpet / Flooring Store Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Nebraska Furniture Mart Readers’ Recommend: Kelly’s Carpet

Best Furniture Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: PetSmart Readers’ Choice: Petco

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Old Market Lofts Readers’ Recommend: Skinner Macaroni Loft Apartments Readers’ Recommend: The Tip Top

Best Pharmacy

Best Apartments — Midtown

Best Condo Development

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Walgreens Readers’ Choice: Hy-Vee

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Embassy Park Readers’ Recommend: Midtown Crossing

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Midtown Crossing Readers’ Recommend: The Paxton

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Mulhall’s Readers’ Choice: Lanoha Nurseries Readers’ Recommend: Earl May Readers’ Recommend: Lowe’s Readers’ Recommend: Trees, Shrubs and More

Best Veterinary Clinic

Best Apartments — Uptown

Best Electrician

Best Hardware Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ralston Veterinary Clinic Readers’ Recommend: Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital Readers’ Recommend: 24th Street Animal Clinic

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Biltmore

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: AC Electric Readers’ Recommend: Miller Electric Readers’ Recommend: Muth Electric Readers’ Recommend: Roberts Electric

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ace Hardware Readers’ Choice: Lowe’s Readers’ Choice: Menards Readers’ Choice: Westlake Ace Hardware

Best Pet Store

Best Apartments — West Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Breckenridge Readers’ Recommend: Steeplechase

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Nebraska Furniture Mart

Best College or University Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: University of Nebraska at Omaha Readers’ Choice: Creighton University

Best Garden Center / Nursery

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Best Home Builder Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hearthstone Homes Readers’ Recommend: Curt Hofer Construction

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Metropolitan Community College Readers’ Recommend: ITT Technical Institute

Best Home Theater Store

Best Women’s Clothing Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Nebraska Furniture Mart Readers’ Choice: Best Buy

Best House Cleaning Service (Two-way tie) Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Daisy Fresh Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Merry Maids Readers’ Choice: The Maids

Best Interiors Store Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Nebraska Furniture Mart

Best Kitchenware Store Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Bed Bath & Beyond Readers’ Choice: Sur La Table Readers’ Choice: Nebraska Furniture Mart Readers’ Choice: Williams-Sonoma Readers’ Recommend: Category One

We tailor our independent and assisted living to your unique needs and lifestyle. Our residences offer restaurant-style dining, a holistic approach to wellness and truly exceptional service. Call today to schedule a personal visit.

Trinity Village 522 W. Lincoln Street Papillion, NE 68046 (402) 614-5500

Lakeside Village 17475 Frances Street Omaha, NE 68130 (402) 829-9020

Immanuel Village 6803 N. 68th Plaza Omaha, NE 68152 (402) 829-3220

Pacific Springs Village 805 S. 173rd Court Omaha, NE 68118 (402) 691-8434

The Landing at Williamsburg Village 3500 Faulkner Drive Lincoln, NE 68516 (402) 420-9355

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cover story

Best Women’s Shoe Store Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: DSW Readers’ Choice: Von Maur

BEST PERSONAL SERVICES Best Barber Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Great Clips Readers’ Recommend: Sport Clips

Best Beauty Salon

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lanoha Nurseries Readers’ Choice: Trees, Shrubs and More Readers’ Recommend: Jay Moore Landscaping Readers’ Recommend: Mulhall’s Readers’ Recommend: CM’s Custom Lawn & Landscape Readers’ Recommend: Greenlife Gardens

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Garbo’s Salon & Spa

Best Bookstore Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Borders Readers’ Choice: Barnes & Noble Readers’ Choice: The Bookworm Readers’ Recommend: Half Price Book Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Men’s Warehouse Readers’ Recommend: Kohl’s Readers’ Recommend: Von Maur Readers’ Recommend: Parsow’s

Best Cell Phone Provider / Carrier

Best Men’s Shoe Store

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: La Petite Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Tiny Toes

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: DSW Readers’ Choice: Von Maur Readers’ Recommend: Dillards Readers’ Recommend: Famous Footwear Readers’ Recommend: JC Penney Readers’ Recommend: The Post and Nickel Readers’ Recommend: Scheels Readers’ Recommend: Younkers

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Verizon Wireless Readers’ Choice: Sprint Readers’ Recommend: AT&T

Best Day Care (Two-way tie)

Best Day Spa Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Aesthetica Day Spa Readers’ Recommend: Creative Hair Design Readers’ Recommend: Gloss Salon & Day Spa Readers’ Recommend: One Drake Place Readers’ Recommend: Sirens Day Spa & Salon

Best Realty Company

Best Dry Cleaner

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: CBS Home Readers’ Choice: NP Dodge Readers’ Recommend: Deeb Realty

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Fashion Cleaners Readers’ Choice: Max I Walker Readers’ Choice: Nutrend Readers’ Choice: Omaha Lace Cleaners Readers’ Recommend: $1.99 Cleaners Readers’ Recommend: Armstrong Cleaners

Best Storage Facility

www.immanuelcommunities.com Affiliated with the Nebraska Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Von Maur Readers’ Choice: Kohl’s Readers’ Recommend: Ann Taylor Loft Readers’ Recommend: JC Penney Readers’ Recommend: Younkers

Best Landscaper

Best Men’s Clothing Store

Thank you for voting us the Best of the Big O!

Best Tech or Vocational School

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Dino Storage Readers’ Choice: Milt’s Mini Storage

continued on page 30 y

MARLON A. WRIGHT

BURTON PLUMBING

Best Plumbing Company Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Burton Plumbing When I was finally able to talk with Mark Evans, president of Burton Plumbing, I knew I had a 15 minute window at most. Thursday he was on a service call. Friday he was juggling administrative duties with service calls from one of the most popular plumbing companies in Omaha.

“It makes us happy our customers voted for us again,” Evans says about being chosen Best Plumber in Readers’ Choice balloting.

Burton has earned membership in GreenPlumbers USA, an environmentally focused organization consisting of 3,000 plumbers that focus on water conservation. Evans said he flew to Delaware to get certified as a Green Plumber two years ago. As a Green Plumber, Evans says he performs water audits in homes and businesses and recommends environmentally friendly solutions. During a water audit, Evans or a Burton employee will recommend more efficient showerheads and toilets for the interior and outdoor sprinkler systems that turn off when it’s raining.

Burton Plumbing has been in business since 1989. Evans has worked at Burton for 15 years. In 2003, he became owner of the business that currently has 55 employees. Evans estimates 80 percent of Burton’s business comes from residential customers. He estimates his business takes about 1,300 service calls each month. Because Burton did not focus its business on new construction, it managed to grow even during a recession.

“We’ve been blessed,” Evans says.

Burton says establishing trust with customers was essential, especially for those who are leery of calling a plumber. For each service call, Burton Plumbing conducts a follow-up call where the customer is asked to evaluate their experience on a scale of 1-to-10. If the grade is lower than a nine, Burton sends out a Volkswagen bug on a “happy call” to the residence. The person then asks how the company could do better in the future.

— Sean McCarthy

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y continued from page 28

Best Engagement Ring Store Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Borsheim’s

fashion cleaners

Best Farmer’s Market Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Downtown Farmers Market (Omaha Farmers Market) Readers’ Recommend: Village Pointe Farmers Market Readers’ Recommend: Aksarben Village (Omaha Farmers Market)

Best Fitness Center Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: 24 Hour Fitness Readers’ Choice: Life Time Fitness Readers’ Choice: Prairie Life Fitness Center Readers’ Choice: Gold’s Gym Readers’ Recommend: Urban Active Readers’ Recommend: YMCA Readers’ Recommend: Aspen Fitness

Best Fitness Equipment Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Body Basics Readers’ Recommend: Nova Readers’ Recommend: Priority Fitness

Best Florist Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee Readers’ Choice: Piccolo’s Readers’ Recommend: Janousek Flower Shop Readers’ Recommend: Taylor’s Florist Readers’ Recommend: Dundee Florist

Best Grocery Store Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee Readers’ Recommend: Baker’s Supermarkets

Best Health Food / Nutrition Store

Best Jewelry Store Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Borsheim’s

Best Manicure / Pedicure Salon (Three-way tie) Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Legacy Nails Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Moghegan Nail Spa Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: One Drake Place

Best Music Lessons Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Dietz Music Readers’ Recommend: Russo’s Guitar Center

Best Music Store Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Homer’s Music Readers’ Choice: Dietz Music Readers’ Choice: Schmidt Music Readers’ Choice: Russo’s Guitar Center Readers’ Recommend: Best Buy continued on page 38 y

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marlon a. wright

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Whole Foods Market Readers’ Recommend: Hy-Vee Readers’ Recommend: No Name Nutrition

Best Dry Cleaner Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Fashion Cleaners Some things about quality dry cleaning never change, like meticulous craftsmanship and care. Then there are innovations, which the best practitioners adopt to meet changing customer expectations.

When Fashion Cleaners started in the 1940s eco-friendly cleaning was unknown. The same held true when Kermit Engh acquired the company in the 1980s. But as Engh’s evolved his business over time, he’s stayed true to best practices that never go out of style while moving to a Green Clean process. Fashion Cleaners bills itself as Nebraska’s first and only eco-friendly dry cleaner.

Going green was easy after finding a liquid silicone-based cleaning solution that’s safer than the industry standard petrochemical-based solvent, perchlroethylene or perc. Since switching a year ago, Fashion Cleaners hasn’t looked back.

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cover story

“We felt it was a better alternative to cleaning, better for our employees and better for our customers and their clothes and the environment,” says marketing manager Ashley Abboud. “We’re always trying to do better and stay ahead of the times, and that’s what we did.”

In addition to this greater-good approach, Abboud says customer service makes Fashion Cleaners stand apart.

“Our people remember customers’ names.

They’ll personally greet you. They’ll remember what you brought in, what you had done. We’re in the business of making people happy by making sure their clothes look outstanding, and that’s what we do.”

Fashion Cleaners delivers on its promise to provide quality care and service at five metro locations. Whatever site customers choose, says Abboud, they can expect personalized, professional attention to detail for stain removal, garment finishing, inspection and packaging.

Service goes a long way, and another way Fashion Cleaners makes good on it is by offering free delivery to most Omaha metro neighborhoods. The company will pick up and deliver to your home or workplace without charge.

Going the extra mile is why Fashion Cleaners has been named an America’s Best Cleaner several years running and why it’s a Better Business Bureau accredited firm. It’s why producers entrusted the company with cleaning and maintaining the wardrobe of Oscar-winners Martin Landau and Ellen Burstyn on Lovely, Still. Now, add a Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O to the long list of honors.

“We are thrilled with the Reader’s Choice award. We pride ourselves on things like that,” says Abboud. “Our people strive to do a really good job and it makes us all feel better when we’re recognized for a job well done. It just shows we’re on the right track and we’re doing the things to make people happy.”

— Leo Adam Biga

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www.oldmarket.com

Men’s and Women’s fashions in the heart of the Old Market.

Nebraska Clothing Company has everything to keep you in style all year long.

(402)346-6114

The Artists’ Cooperative Gallery is a non-profit, tax-exempt gallery, located in Omaha’s historic Old Market area.

We strive for personal artistic growth and professionalism in presentation. The co-op is an artist run gallery. We offer the unique opportunity for you to actually meet the creator of the art, because the person at the desk is one of the artists. www.artistsco-opgallery.com (402) 342-9617

Great Gift Ideas

Cibola of Omaha invites you to “come discover your treasure”… embrace the best of the Southwest in Jewelry and Indian Art. Feel free to visit their location in Omaha at the Old Market . You’ll find legendary Native American designs along with contemporary Southwest designer jewelry pieces in gold and silver. www.cibolasouthwest.com 402-342-1200

Artists’ Cooperative Gallery connecting local art & worldly wanderers since 1975

405 S. 11th Street in Omaha’s Old Market 402.342.9617

www.artistsco-opgallery.com

Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.Tuesday through Thursday (open until 10 p.m. Thursdays Dec. 2, 9,16 and 23) 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday noon to 6 p.m. Sunday

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gift guide

Tano Handbags make a great gift for the girl that has everything! Nouvelle Eve is known for its high quality, right off the runway fashion, unique jewelry, and original gifts. This store serves not only as a shopping experience for visitors, but as a destination for residents looking for contemporary fashion and timeless art. www.nouvelleeve.com (402) 345-4811

Colorful glass artwork by local artists. “Elegance with a sense of Whimsy”. The White Crane Gallery features works by local and regional artists. Located in the Lower Passageway.

(402) 346-1066

Guests are encouraged to dine within our all seasons patio, next to one of our multiple firepits and waterfalls - all the while sipping down one of our festive margaritas or enjoying a mouthwatering entree. www.rojagrill.com (402) 346-9190

This delightful Old Market Co-op Gallery offers original fine art in different media by local artists. At the Passageway Gallery you will find original works in: Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor, Pastel, Pencil, Scratchboard, Photography, Stained Glass, Sculpture, Pottery, Cast Paper, Copper Sculpture, and more. www.passagewaygallery.com (402) 341-1910

A fun, unique gift shop located in the heart of Omaha’s Old Market District. City Limits has ideas from the practical gift to that crazy, off-thewall gift idea.

(402) 345-3570.

The Old Market’s Original Candy Shop, Since 1977. Every day we sell fresh fudge made with real cream and butter made in our own kitchen. www.oldmarketcandy.com (402) 341-7151

www.oldmarket.com Pamper her this holiday season with a custom spa package from Fringes Salon & Day Spa. Fringes Salon & Spa invites everyone to experience EDGEWORTHY™ — it will make you laugh and sometimes cry.

We’re edgy, yet worthy and will always invite you to go beyond the fringe. www.fringessalon.com (402) 345-0404

The Old Market Artists Gallery (OMA) consists of thirteen professional local area artists. The gallery features a diverse collection of work, including original paintings, photography, collage and folk art, fine woodworking, functional ceramics, sculpture, fused glass and jewelry.

The gallery is located in the lower level of the Passageway across the hall from Trini’s Restaurant. www.oldmarketartists.com (402) 346-6569

With the diversity of materials used and their sculptural shapes, George Nelson’s clocks embody the joie de vivre of the 1950s. To this day, his wall clocks remain a refreshing alternative to the usual timekeepers. www.roomomaha.com (402) 342-7666

Orange silk kurti with intricate beading. Moksha specializes in Indian Jewelry, Marble Art, Paintings, Wooden Icons, Tunics/Kurtis, Designer Bags & Purses, Silk & Pashmina Stoles and Scarves, Handicrafts, Silk & Wool Rugs, Cushion Covers and Incense Sticks and Candles.

Located in the Lower Passageway.

(402) 871-0920

The Casbah is an oasis in Omaha, Nebraska that invites you to take a trip on the Mediterranean basin through its artifacts. The Casbah is located in the Lower Passageway. www.thecasbahomaha. com (402) 504-4777

Soul Desires is a full service bookstore specializing in books for your spiritual journey from the world’s major religious traditions. Soul Desires hospitality provides a quiet environment in which to relax and meet friends while you enjoy a cappuccino, coffee, tea, or soft drink. www.soul-desires.com (402) 898-7600

Largest selection of Jim Shore holiday crafts in Omaha. 25 Years of Celebrating Christmas in the Old Market!! Throughout the year, we carry decorative items that will become traditions for your enjoyment of this most joyous holiday. www.otannenbaum.com (402) 345-9627

Trocadéro is a lifestyle and accessories emporium located in the heart of Omaha’s Old Market historic district. Trocadero’s shelves and tables are filled with an edited array of designer handbags, shoes and jewelry as well as gifts for the home, bridal or baby shower. www.shoptrocadero.com (402) 934-8389

The Souq offers a truly eclectic array of goods.

Contemporary, soft dressing and ethnic inspired clothing, accessories galore, fun and fabulous jewelry, home decor and gift items from the elegant to the absurd.

(402) 342-2972

Hello East. Meet America. Blue Sushi gives traditional sushi an American attitude. Do you like your sashimi, nigiri and maki straight up?

No problem. Want something a little different? We’ll entertain your palate with something unexpected, such as yamagobo or sea salt. Whatever your tastes, get ready for one innovative meal at Blue Sushi. www.bluesushisakegrill.com (402) 408-5566

Great Gift Ideas gift guide

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Great Gift Ideas

Thanks

office co-worker, boss and more! www.jamesarthurvineyards.com (402) 783-5255.

Omaha The Bookworm

Let James Arthur Vineyards put together a beautiful gift basket for any occasion. James Arthur Wine makes a great holiday gift for anyone on your list! www.jamesarthurvineyards.com (402) 783-5255.

Doubleday $25.00

Customize the label on your bottles of James Arthur Vineyard wine. Corporate, wedding, or holiday greetings make James Arthur wine a great holiday gift. www.jamesarthurvineyards. com (402) 7835255.

for choosing

as your favorite reading spot

Pat Conrey

revisits a life of reading through an array of wonderful anecdotes.

Nebraska’s largest winery offers the best selection of your favorite local wine. James Arthur Wine makes a great gift for a party hostess,

Decorate your table this holiday season with unique wine glass decorations from James Arthur Vineyards. www.jamesarthurvineyards.com (402) 783-5255.

The perfect gift for the Husker fan in your life!

Visit James Arthur Vineyards for a large selection of unique gifts. www.jamesarthurvineyards.com (402) 783-5255.

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gift guide

The Fruit Infusion Pitcher creates refreshing natural-fruit drinks. Fill the 2.5 quart pitcher with water, iced tea or other liquids, slice up a handful of lemons, limes, berries or other fruits. Insert the fruit into the infusion rod, which screws tight, and enjoy!

Category One Rockbrook Village 10922 Prairie Brook Rd. 390-9684 www.categoryonegifts.com Made in the USA, Tervis Tumblers are a double-walled insulated tumbler that keeps hot drinks hot and cold drinks cold for hours.

All Tervis Tumblers come with a life-time guarantee and they are dish-washer and microwave safe. Get yours today a Category One Gifts & Gourmet!

Category One Rockbrook Village 10922 Prairie Brook Rd. 390-9684 www.categoryonegifts.com

Holiday Lights Festival Introduces New Events and Five Weeks of Family Fun

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here is great news this year for everyone who loves the Holiday Lights Festival. The event has expanded to include an additional weekend of festive activities, the ConAgra Foods Old Market Holiday Weekend, December 10th through the 12th.

The Holiday Lights Festival, produced by Mayor Jim Suttle and the Downtown Omaha Inc. Foundation, and presented by ConAgra Foods, Action 3 News and Star 104.5, showcases downtown Omaha and celebrates the spirit of the holidays by providing a full season of festive, family-friendly activities.

This year will feature favorites such as the annual Pinnacle Bank Thanksgiving Lighting

2

Ceremony, Mutual of Omaha Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert, Sounds of the Season, Wells Fargo Family Festival, ConAgra Foods Ice Rink, Old Market Holiday Home Tour, and the First National Bank Fireworks. The Festival will also introduce two new events to the line-up.

Costumed characters and holiday performances will recreate a village inspired by author Charles Dickens in the Old Market at Dickens in the Market on Saturday, December 11. Premier Old Market galleries will open their doors to host the Old Market Holiday Gallery Walk on Sunday, December 12.

november 18 - 24, 2010 | THE READER |

holiday lights

The community is encouraged once again, to “Shine the Light on Hunger” now in its fourth year as part of Holiday Lights Festival. Donations of cash and canned goods will be accepted at several events and area businesses for Food Bank for the Heartland. Last year, ConAgra Foods and the community raised more than $150,000 and collected 152,860 pounds of nonperishable food and household items for Food Bank for the Heartland during the “Shine the Light on Hunger” campaign.

“Our community is proud to host one of Omaha’s premier traditions, the Holiday Lights

Festival,” said Mayor Jim Suttle. “Celebrating its 11th year, the festival is a holiday tradition that provides affordable, family friendly entertainment, showcases our city’s thriving downtown, and supports our local food bank.

Funded almost entirely by private donations, the spirit of our community is emulated by the thousands of lights that make the festival such a special occasion. I encourage everyone to walk through the lights on the Gene Leahy Mall and attend the many events that will take place downtown and in the Old Market throughout the holiday season.”

Pinnacle Bank Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony T

he Holiday Lights Festival will begin with the Pinnacle Bank Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony on Thanksgiving evening, November 25 in the Gene Leahy Mall at 14th and Farnam. People will gather to hear a variety of musical performances beginning at 5:30 p.m.

At 6 p.m., Mayor Jim Suttle and a group of children representing ConAgra Foods Kids Cafes and Adopt-A-Tree schools will lead the crowd in a countdown to the 2010 lighting display.

Trees throughout the Gene Leahy Mall and neighboring streets will be illuminated with hundreds of thousands of twinkling white lights. The trees along 16th Street from Howard to Dodge Streets and 10th Street from Douglas Street to Abbott Drive will be lit. Many downtown businesses and residences will also feature lighting and holiday decorations. Following the ceremony, the lighting display will be turned on each evening from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. through January 9, 2011.

After the ceremony, the public is invited to shop and dine in the Old Market and attend a free holiday concert at the Holland Performing Arts Center.

Holiday Lights Festival

Calendar of Events THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25

Pinnacle Bank Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony 6 – 6:30 p.m.

Gene Leahy Mall, 14th & Farnam Old Market Shopping and Dining 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Mutual of Omaha Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert 7 p.m.

Holland Performing Arts Center 13th & Douglas

SATURDAYS, NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 18 Sounds of the Season 7 – 8 p.m.

Gene Leahy Mall and the Old Market

Wells Fargo Family Festival Offers Free Activities T

reat yourself to an afternoon of free family fun at the Wells Fargo Family Festival sponsored by Wells Fargo. The Family Festival will be held at six locations on Sunday, December 5 from 12 to 5 p.m. Special holiday activities and programs will be offered at The Durham Museum, Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha Children’s Museum, Omaha Police Department Horse Barn, W. Dale Clark Library and Wells Fargo Bank.

Festival activities will include a showing of the Omaha Children’s Museum’s 2010 holiday version of lightPLAY: A Celebration of Holiday Magic at the Children’s Museum and a tour of “Holidays around the World” at the W. Dale Clark Library.

The Omaha Police Mounted Patrol will showcase horse demonstrations at the Omaha Police Barn, and the Durham Museum will feature Ethnic Holiday Trees decorated by area cultural organizations. Fun holiday exhibits and hands-on activities will be offered for the whole family at each of the participating venues.

Admission to Family Festival locations is free.

A complimentary trolley service will connect all participating locations from 12 to 5 p.m.

Non-perishable foods and household goods for donation to Food Bank for the Heartland will be accepted at each Wells Fargo Family Festival location during the Family Festival.

holiday lights

Saturday, December 5

Wells Fargo Family Festival Noon – 5 p.m.

Downtown Arts and Cultural Institutions

friday, December 10 – friday, December 31

ConAgra Foods Ice Rink Sunday – Thursday: 1 to 10 p.m.

Friday – Saturday: 1 p.m. to Midnight Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve: 1 – 5 p.m.

Closed Christmas Day

Saturday, December 11 Saturday, December 11 Dickens in the Market 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Old Market

Old Market Holiday Home Tour 4 – 7 p.m.

Old Market Residences

Sunday, December 12

Old Market Holiday Gallery Walk 1 – 4 p.m.

Old Market Art Galleries

Friday, December 31

First National Bank Fireworks 7 p.m.

Gene Leahy Mall, 14th & Farnam

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November 18 - 24, 2010

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Festival Expands to Include ConAgra Foods Old Market Holiday Weekend T he Holiday Lights Festival will expand this year to include an additional weekend of festive activities December 10th through the 12th. The weekend will kick off with the opening of the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink on Friday, December 10. On Saturday, December 11 the Old Market will transform into a Charles Dickens-themed village for Dickens in the Market. Following Dickens in the Market, the community will have a unique opportunity to visit residences in downtown Omaha during the Old Market Holiday Home Tour. The Festival will introduce another new event this year, The Old Market Holiday Gallery Walk on Sunday, December 12.

“We are very excited to expand the Holiday Lights Festival this year to include a new weekend of festive events,” said Mayor Jim Suttle. “This weekend is a testament to how this family tradition has grown over the years. I hope the community will come out to experience the Festival’s newest activities.”

The ConAgra Foods Old Market Holiday Weekend will begin with the opening of one of the public’s favorite Festival traditions, skating at the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink. The ice rink will open for its fourth year with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, December 10. The public is

4

encouraged to attend this event. The ice rink will remain open through December 31. Skating hours will be Sunday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to midnight. The rink will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and closed on Christmas Day. A $5 admission fee will include skate rental, as needed. All proceeds from the rink will be donated to Food Bank for the Heartland.

Dickens in the Market will make a triumphant return at this year’s Festival on Saturday, December 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dickens enthusiasts and novices alike will be transfixed by the Old Market’s transformation into a Victorian era-inspired village. The event will open on Howard Street between 11th and 12th Streets with a regal horse-drawn carriage procession featuring Magical Journey Carriages. Performers in period costume provided by Ibsen Costumes will stroll the Market and visit the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink with classic Dickens characters including; Scrooge, Marley and Father Christmas.

Musical performances will take place throughout the day, featuring local favorites such as; the Omaha Tuba Quartet, Jingle Brass Bells, Salvation Army Omaha Citadel, Omaha Academy Choir and

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holiday lights

the SNJ Studio Singers. Vignettes from Dicken’s classic novels will also be performed, creating a wonderful festive atmosphere for shoppers and visitors.

Following Dickens in the Market, the community will have a unique opportunity to visit residences along the Old Market Holiday Home Tour. Among those featured on the tour is the historic Schaaf home. Located on 10th Street, Lucile Schaaf was an Old Market icon for over 30 years, and turned her building into a spectacular display of history and design, featuring unique pieces such as wood floors from the old Long Fellow School and doors from the City National Bank Phones. Not only will the tour feature historical buildings and residences, but also some of the Old Market’s newest and trendiest places to live, including; the newly constructed jLofts and European-influenced SoMa Lofts.

Guests may begin their self-guided tour at any of the featured buildings and view festively decorated residences. Admission is $5 at the first location with proceeds benefitting Food Bank for the Heartland. Because the tour is taking place between 4 and 7 p.m., guests will have the perfect opportunity to enjoy the spectacular downtown lighting display.

The participating developments include: The Cornerstone Apartments 1105 Harney Street The Residences at Old Market Place 1102 Harney Street Bloc 12 Apartments 424 S. 12th Street jLofts on the Market 1125 Jackson Street SoMa Lofts 12th & Leavenworth Street Lucile’s Old Market 510 S. 10th Street

503 1/2 S. 11th Street, #3 Skinner Macaroni Lofts 1323 Jackson Street The ConAgra Foods Old Market Holiday Weekend will culminate with the Old Market Holiday Gallery Walk on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.

Guests will have the opportunity to tour some of the Old Market’s premier art galleries and find unique holiday gifts for friends and family In support of the Old Market Holiday Weekend, ConAgra Foods will offer free parking at its downtown Omaha campus lots at 10th & Farnam Sts., and Five ConAgra Drive on Saturday, December 18 from 10:00 am – 1:00 am, and Sunday, December 19 from 10:00 am – 11:00 pm.

Gallery participants include: Images of Nature Gallery 1115 Harney Street Artist Cooperative Gallery 405 S. 11th Street The Passageway Gallery 417 S. 11th Street Old Market Artists Gallery 1034 Howard Street The White Crane Gallery 1032 Howard Street Omaha ClayWorks 1114 Jones Street #C Anderson O’Brien Fine Art Gallery 1108 Jackson Street The New BLK Gallery 1213 Jones Street 616 Gallery 616 S. 11th Street Goldsmith Silversmith Gallery 1019 Howard Street Perspective Jewelry Design Studio 1209 Harney Street Cibola 509 S. 11th Street

ConAgra Foods Ice Rink

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ConAgra Foods will launch the community-wide, “Shine the Light on Hunger” campaign for the fourth consecutive year as part of its presenting sponsorship of the Holiday Lights Festival. The company will again open the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink on its downtown campus as the centerpiece of the campaign, providing the public with an opportunity to enjoy outdoor skating during the Holiday Lights Festival.

Proceeds from the rink will be donated to Food Bank for the Heartland.

“We are proud to call Omaha our home, and as a sponsor of the Holiday Lights Festival for the past eleven years, we understand how meaningful this event is for the entire community,” said Gary Rodkin, chief executive officer of ConAgra Foods. “It’s clear to us that Omaha is a community that cares and is committed to helping its neediest citizens. By joining us in the Shine the Light on Hunger campaign, the community can continue to make a difference for children and families in need in Nebraska and western Iowa.”

The ice skating rink will be constructed on ConAgra Foods’ campus at 10th and Harney, and will open to the public with an official ribbon cutting on Friday, December 10 at 6 p.m. Members of the public are encouraged to attend. The rink will remain open through December 31, with skating hours, Sunday through Thursday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to midnight.

The rink will be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and closed on Christmas Day. A $5 admission fee will include skate rental, though patrons may bring their own skates.

Proceeds from the ConAgra Foods Ice Rink will go to Food Bank for the Heartland. The ConAgra Foods Foundation will match all rink income, dollar for dollar up to $100,000, and donate all proceeds to Food Bank for the Heartland as a component of the “Shine the Light on Hunger” campaign. Donations of non-perishable food items and household goods will also be collected on-site. For details, visit the “Shine the Light on Hunger” website at www.shinethelightonhunger.

event map and parking guide PL

Davenport Street JOSLYN ART MUSEUM

Capitol Avenue

Dodge Street

PG WELLS FARGO BANK

Douglas Street

HOLLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

OLD MARKET DISTRICT

PG

CONAGRA FOODS ICE RINK

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PL

OMAHA POLICE DEPARTMENT HORSE BARN

Jackson Street

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LEGEND PL = Parking Lot PG = Parking Garage

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PG

CONAGRA FOODS CAMPUS

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PG

PL

OMAHA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

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GENE LEAHY MALL

Harney Street

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Jones Street

holiday lights

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DURHAM MUSEUM

10th St.

11th St.

12th St.

13th St.

14th St.

15th St.

16th St.

17th St.

18th St.

19th St.

20th St.

21st St.

PL 22nd St.

he Mutual of Omaha Making Spirits Bright concert will be presented at the Holland Performing Arts Center located at 13th and Douglas. Beginning at 7 p.m., the free concert will feature the Nebraska Wind Symphony and guest vocalist Camille Metoyer Moten as they fill the Holland Center’s Kiewit Concert Hall with winterthemed songs and sing-a-longs that the whole family will enjoy.

THANKSGIVING LIGHTING CEREMONY & SOUNDS OF THE SEASON

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PG

Howard Street

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W. DALE CLARK LIBRARY LIGHTING/FIREWORKS ELDERLY & IMPAIRED VIEWING 4TH FLOOR

Farnam Street

Mutual of Omaha Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert

PG

8th St.

PG

PG

November 18 - 24, 2010

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First National Bank Fireworks Will Ring In 2011 T

he Holiday Lights Festival’s First National Bank Fireworks will fill the sky with colorful bursts of light on Friday, December 31, at 7 p.m. The official viewing site for the display is at the Gene Leahy Mall, 14th and Farnam. One of the largest New

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Year’s Eve fireworks displays in the region, the show is expected to draw more than 30,000 people to downtown Omaha.

“First National Bank is proud to again sponsor the Holiday Lights fireworks celebration,” said Kevin Langin, Public Relations

november 18 - 24, 2010 | THE READER |

holiday lights

Director, First National Bank. “This event is the perfect opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to our loyal customers and our community.

We are proud to sponsor an event that has become a cherished tradition to so many in the Omaha area.”

Each shell will explode on cue to a unique musical score choreographed by J&M Displays, Inc. Spectators are encouraged to bring radios and tune in to Star 104.5 KSRZ so they may hear the accompanying music as they watch the captivating show.

Featuring a Prime Rib buffet

every Wednesday Evening from 5:30pm to 9:00pm.

Buffet includes all you can eat Prime Rib, carved to order, Baked Potatoes with all the fixings, Garden Fresh Salads, an array of wonderful dessert selections and delicious entrées created by Executive Chef Terry Owen.

All for $18.95 We are more than just coffee!

Join us in celebrating the Holiday Lights Festival

Nowen!

Op

Thursday, November 25th

Located in the Doubletree Hotel 1616 Dodge Street (402) 346-7600

Present this ad to your server for complimentary parking

· Dessert Bar · Hot Apple Cider · Hot Cocoa · Cocktails · Coffee · Wine

Crane Coffee Cafe • 14th & Farnam CraneCoffeeOmaha.com

So Much To See And Do... www.oldmarket.com

12th & Jackson Old Market 341-5827

Ice Cream made the Old-Fashioned way using Rock Salt & Ice

402.342.2885

Best Ice Cream Shop

holiday lights

| THE READER |

bigbrainomaha.com

November 18 - 24, 2010

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THE HOLIDAYS

ARE Gourmet meats and imported cheeses, wines and festive liquors, handmade artisan breads, unique specialty grocery items and candy, meat, cheese, vegetable and fruit trays. Order hors’ devours, smoked salmon, or baked goods. Call Wohlner’s today 551-6875.

Cantina Laredo serves authentic Mexican dishes in a sophisticated atmosphere. They offer daily fish specials, grilled chicken and steaks complimented by signature sauces such as chipotle-wine with Portobello mushrooms or sautéed artichoke hearts and roasted red bell peppers.

402-345-6000. www.cantinalaredo.com

Providing high-level service that makes everyone feel good about themselves and want to come back. Everyone is a special client, not just another person that walks through the door. The salon reflects everything about the Midtown area. It is for everyone from the college student, to the working class, to the executive, to the lucky ones who get to retire in the area. It has the modern flair with the essential classic feel. Anyone and everyone will feel comfortable in the chair.

Our services make a wonderful holiday gift!

Ask about our gift cards.

Call today! 402-933-8988 www.trusalonomaha.com

A vibrant restaurant where the cuisine, atmosphere and energy are second-to-none. Crave delivers on one simple thing: Fresh and innovative cuisine along with an impeccable wine selection brought to life in a chic, casual and vibrant atmosphere. The menu evokes the tastes of the new American palate and a grand sushi bar extends the dining experience appealing to both traditional sushi lovers and adventurous epicureans alike.

402-345-9999 http://ne.craveamerica.com/omaha.php

HERE!

www.midtowncrossing.com

Fashion Cleaner opened its doors to Omaha in the early 1940s and has been Omaha’s favorite dry cleaner ever since. Voted Omaha’s best dry cleaner for five consecutive years, their staff is dedicated to providing you with exceptional customer service, superior cleaning and finishing and meticulous attention to detail. At Fashion Cleaners, they care about the environment and the community. That’s why they use environmentally-friendly practices in all their processes.

- Know a bride that just got married or has her gown in her closet? Give her a gift that she can remember for a lifetime with Wedding Gown Preservation.

- How about a shirt a day for year? You can even sign them up for FREE home delivery!!

402-916-1987 www.fashioncleaners.com

Give the gift of health this year and plan to start 2011 off healthy and fit!

Prairie Life Fitness is about making your life easier and helping you get the results you want! Let us help your family get fit with free swim lessons and fun activities for the kids while providing the personal attention you need to achieve your weightloss goals.

A membership to Prairie Life Fitness is the best gift you can give for the health of you and your family. Don’t wait. Call today!

402-916-5000 www.prairielife.com

Book your Holiday Events Now! Effortless entertaining by LOFT 610!

LOFT 610’s staff of world-class chefs and event specialists are absolutely dedicated to making your Holiday Event unforgettable.

Ask for Jill Steinheider or Ben Ackland to get started 402-885-6800 OmahaCatering@Loft610.com Seated Dinners * On-Site Receptions * Off-Site Catering

gift guide

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Designer Beads & Charms is your own local full-service bead store located at 120th & Blondo in Omaha, Nebraska. We invite you to stop in and design your own custom jewelry piece from our wide variety of genuine gem stones and unique beads. Our friendly and helpful sales staff will be happy to assist you in finding the right beads and materials for your individual project. Located at 1806 N. 120th St., Omaha, NE 68154. (402) 3153400. www.designerbeadsandcharms.com

Roots & Wings is a locally owned specialty boutique for young women who dare to be different. Full of fun fashions you won’t find anywhere else in Omaha, Roots & Wings serves confident women who aren’t afraid to express their individuality. Here’s a few fun gifts sure to please holiday fashionistas. You can’t go wrong with the leopard coat from Tulle Original Clothing, or this comfy sweater from Free People. Even more TOMS shoes (One for One™) make a perfect holiday gift with philanthropy in mind. With every pair you purchase, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Check out these items and more at Roots & Wings at its new location in Countryside Village (8712 Pacific St.).

(402) 504-4700.

Books make wonderful gifts for all ages.Find these titles and more and The Bookworm, located in Cupcakes and cakes make tasty gifts. Here Countryside Village. are some great choices that are available at Jones Bros. Cupcakes, located in Aksarben Dewey Cover Village (2121 S. 67th St., www.jonesLittle Brown $16.99 broscupcakes.com). Enjoy these cupcake Dewey learns what it takes to be flavors: the best library cat of all.

VANILLA - Madagascar bourbon vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream frosting.

EARTH RED VELVET - Classic red velvet cake with Grand Central $27.99 cream cheese frosting.

An intellectual voyage trought time to figure out exactly how and why everthing go so irretrievably messed up.

BLACK & WHITE - Valrhona chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream with godiva white chocolate liqueur CHOCOLATE - French valrhona chocolate cake with callebaut chocolate frosting.

LEMON - Lemon cake with lemon curd infused buttercream CINNAMON & SUGAR - Spiced buttermilk cake with a cinnamon and sugar topping

And don’t forget about hese delicious cakes to choose from: RED VELVET - Classic red velvet cake with layers of cream cheese frosting CELEBRATION - White cake with layers of raspberry and lemon curd topped with amaretto meringue.

come visit our new store at

countryside village & check out our new arrivals

15% OFF

visit our website

Expires 12/31/10 Excludes, All-Clad, Wusthof, Le Creuset and small electrics.

Must have coupon. Not valid with any other offer.

for the latest info of fun fashions you won’t find

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& join us on facebook

anywhere else in omaha!

Omaha’s locally owned & operated gourmet kitchen store.

Stop in today!

New Location

8712 pacific street, 68114. omaha

www.rootsandwingsomaha.com

Rockbrook Village

10922 Prairie Brook Road 390-9684 www.categor yonegifts.com

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gift guide

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Best Tanning

Best Nail Salon (Four-way tie)

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ashley Lynn’s Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Tan World

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Nouveau Nails Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Posh Nails Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Salon Platinum Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Top Q

Best Organic Selection Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Whole Foods Market Readers’ Recommend: Hy-Vee

Best Tattoo Shop Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Big Brain Productions Readers’ Choice: Liquid Courage Tattoo & Piercing Readers’ Choice: Grinn and Barrett Tattoo Readers’ Recommend: Nuclear Ink Custom Tattoo and Piercing Readers’ Recommend: Dr. Jack’s Ink Emporium

Best Thrift Store

Best Pet Grooming Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: PetSmart Readers’ Recommend: Ashley’s Pet Spa Readers’ Recommend: Gentle Doctor

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Goodwill of Omaha Readers’ Recommend: New Life Thrift Store

Best Unique Gifts

Best Sporting Goods Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Scheels Readers’ Choice: Dick’s Sporting Goods Readers’ Recommend: Cabelas

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Afternoon Readers’ Recommend: City Limits Readers’ Recommend: Gadgeteer Readers’ Recommend: Trees, Shrubs & More, Inc.

Best Farmer’s Market Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Downtown Farmers Market (Omaha Farmers Market) Helped at least partly by the growing popularity of the local food movement, the Omaha Farmers Market has grown from having about 20 vendors and a few hundred visitors in 1994 to more than 110 vendors and about 8,000 visitors on an average weekend last summer.

Vic Gutman has been through it all, founding the Omaha Farmers Market in 1994 after nearly 30 years of not having a farmers market downtown. This year, it placed 17 in American Farmland Trust’s America’s Favorite Farmer’s Markets poll of markets with 50 or more vendors.

The Omaha Farmers Market underwent two major changes this year. First, the Downtown Farmers Market expanded to 11th Street, from Jackson to Howard. Then, another Omaha Farmers Market location opened at Aksarben Village on Sundays. Although Gutman says he talked about opening another location for almost eight years, the decision to open at Aksarben Village was made merely five weeks before its opening last May. “We wanted to find the right location and atmosphere,” Gutman says.

The location of a park (Stinson) and a local grocery store (Wohlner’s) were two major factors in selecting Aksarben Village. About 60 vendors were usually on hand for the Sunday market, Gutman said. Though the market closed in October, the Aksarben location will reopen Dec. 4-5. German food, hot-spiced wine and crafts will be sold for the German Christmas market-inspired event.

When the Omaha Farmers Market first opened downtown in 1994, few Old Market stores were open on Saturday morning.

“It was kind of lonely,” Gutman says.

Now, restaurants and art galleries are open. Gutman said he spoke with owners of the Upstream Brewing Company to serve food at its Old Market location during the Farmers Market. This year, chefs from other Old Market restaurants set up booths and gave cooking demonstrations during the summer.

Authors like Michael Pollan have encouraged people to eat locally grown food, citing the practice’s reduced carbon footprint (less of distance for food to travel), improved nutritional quality and economic practice of supporting local growers. In a New York Times op-ed piece, Pollan encouraged the government to enact rules where farmers markets could accept Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards for low-income citizens.

Next year, the Omaha Farmers Market will begin accepting EBT cards, Gutman says.

“We’re very committed to the community,” he says.

This year, the Omaha Farmers Market partnered with Together, Inc. to donate food to the needy. Vendors and patrons were encouraged to donate their produce items. More than 1,300 pounds of food was donated during the drive, which was held Aug. 7-8.

The growing popularity of farmers markets has helped attendance, but Gutman says the reason for the Omaha Farmers Market’s success was that people have an intimate relationship with their food and enjoy eating as a social outlet. Establishing a bond between the buyer and the producer just makes that relationship to food all the more personable, Gutman says.

“They (buyers) have developed a strong bond with the grower,” Gutman says.

— Sean McCarthy

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news of the weird

Best Music Store Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Homer’s Music Homer’s is an Omaha music institution. Besides offering bestsellers alongside more obscure releases you’d never find at any of the big box chains, Homer’s often hosts in-store performances from national artists and it has been employing music geeks gainfully since the early 1970s. As one of two original Old Market businesses founded in 1971 (the other is The French Café), the old market store recently moved a half block west but retains the same overwhelming record store vibe it always offered. With just two locations now, the other is right off Center St. on 132nd St, Homer’s has adapted quite ably to the changing nature of buying music, getting more into new vinyl sales and offering online sales as an Amazon Marketplace Seller (as of this year no online purchases can be made through homersmusic. com but the website is still up).

While it’s always fun to check out the new releases and best sellers display, the main reason to visit Homer’s has to be chatting with the knowledgeable employees about stellar albums sliding under the mainstream radar, special edition releases and surprise must-haves.

“When people choose to buy complete albums, 80 percent of the time they still buy physical copies,” says Homer’s GM/Buyer Mike Fratt. “If they’re going to buy a song they’re more likely to go digital. So, we don’t move a lot of big hits like Taylor Swift. We’re focusing more on catalog, specifically catalog under $10. We’ve also put more effort into focusing on used sales, vinyl and online sales.”

Thirteen years ago Homer’s became part of The Coalition of Independent Record Stores, a vast network homer’s music of independently owned record stores who have teamed together to swing a bigger stick. Record Store Day is one great thing that comes in part from the Coalition, a day where stores like Homer’s sell all sorts of special editions vinyl, 7-inches, CDs and other swag. This year the Record Store Day folks are teaming to offer a Black Friday special wherein several one-off releases and special editions will be available, most notably Metallica’s Live at Grimey’s (Grimey’s is an independent record store in Nashville). And while the record buying business is changing dramatically and Homer’s has felt the affects, closing stores in Lincoln, Bellevue and Des Moines, the two current stores still offer that enjoyable experience of wandering aisles and flipping through stacks and stacks of music to find that treasure you’ve been looking for.

— Jesse D. Stanek

marlon a. wright

y continued from page 30

Best Yoga Studio

Best Beer Selection

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: One Tree Yoga Readers’ Recommend: 8th Avenue Yoga Readers’ Recommend: Omaha Yoga School

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Old Chicago Readers’ Choice: Crescent Moon Readers’ Recommend: Upstream Brewing Company

BEST NIGHTLIFE & PLAY Best Bar with Live Music Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Slowdown Readers’ Choice: The Waiting Room Lounge Readers’ Choice: Ozone Readers’ Recommend: Two Fine Irishmen

Best Bar to Study for the Bar Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Homy Inn Readers’ Recommend: Old Chicago Readers’ Recommend: Prestige Lounge (now Del Mare) Readers’ Recommend: Urban Wine Company

Best Billiards Bar Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Big John’s Readers’ Choice: Upstream Brewing Company Readers’ Choice: Fox & Hound

Best Casino Slots Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ameristar Readers’ Choice: Horseshoe Readers’ Choice: Harrah’s

Best Casino Tablegames Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Horseshoe Readers’ Choice: Ameristar Readers’ Choice: Harrah’s

Best Bar for Conversation Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Homy Inn

Best Dance Club

Best Bar for Hiding Out (Three-way tie)

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Homy Inn

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Max Readers’ Recommend: Flashbacks

Nestled comfortably at 1510 North Saddle Creek Rd., The Homy Inn is just east of that disfiguredoctopus-of-an-intersection midtown drivers have come to love. And much like that horrid roundabout, The Homy is here to stay. And that’s a good thing.

The bar has served generations of families, has long been a great after-work, happy-hour type place, has a varied and distinguished selection of beers and the toastiest warm peanuts (served in a dog dish no less) this side of the Missouri River. Much like the historical newspapers and colorful knick-knacks adorning the bar, The Homy is home to millions of memories, serving as the kind of bar that can accommodate old friends out for a chat, as well as the party-down, fun-time drinkers. The jukebox isn’t half bad, and with Golden Tee and Big Buck Hunter machines and a large TV, there’s always an engaging activity to be had when the chit-chat turns idle.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve tipped back a drink or two in The Homy’s intimate confines. It’s one of those worst kept secrets everybody knows about (and most have a decent story or two set at The Homy). It’s known nationwide for its champagne on tap, available by the pitcher or flute.

Esquire Magazine called The Homy one of The Best 50 Bars in The U.S., and not surprisingly The Homy was the only bar in Nebraska named in Esquire’s prestigious list. The Homy was opened in 1956 by the Finkle family. Current owner Terry Finkle bought out his father to become the new owner in 1985.

“I think what makes The Homy special is the people, the place itself, you know all the vintage stuff,” Finkle says. “It’s definitely one of the most unique places in town and our champagne on tap is now known countrywide. Plus we’ve got affordable prices. There’s just no place like The Homy.”

You can’t argue with that, there truly is no place like The Homy Inn. With the weather taking a chilly edge, the bar offers the perfect cozy night respite.

Hold court at one of the round tables, melt into the wall at one of the comfy booths (decorated in part with old baseball cards featuring some first-rate mustaches) or pony up to the bar and talk politics, sports or whatever the subject of the day might be with The Homy’s devoted regulars.

— Jesse D. Stanek

Best Darts Bar

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Homy Inn Readers’ Recommend: Interlude Lounge Readers’ Recommend: The Dubliner Pub Readers’ Recommend: Elbow Room

Michele Philbert of homy inn

adam brubaker

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Elbow Room Readers’ Recommend: The Arena Sports Bar & Grill Readers’ Recommend: IceHouse Sports Bar

Best Entertainment Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Funny Bone Comedy Club Readers’ Choice: Stir Concert Cove Readers’ Choice: Slowdown

Best Family Entertainment Center Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Family Fun Center Readers’ Choice: Fun-Plex Readers’ Choice: Amazing Pizza Machine Readers’ Choice: Dave and Buster’s

Best Golf / Golf Course Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Tiburon Golf Club Readers’ Recommend: Indian Creek Golf Course Readers’ Recommend: Pacific Springs Golf Course Readers’ Recommend: Champions Run Readers’ Recommend: Happy Hollow Club

Best Bar for an Internet Date (Three-way tie) Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Brazen Head Irish Pub Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Homy Inn Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Stokes Grill & Bar

Best Karaoke Bar Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Mics Karaoke Bar

Best Live Music Venue Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Slowdown Readers’ Choice: Stir Concert Cove Readers’ Choice: Qwest Center Readers’ Recommend: The Waiting Room Lounge

Best Bar for a Stiff Pour Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Green Onion lounge Readers’ Recommend: Homy Inn continued on page 40 y

Best Unique Gifts Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Afternoon The Afternoon opened dangerously near my day job at Midtown Crossing. It’s so easy to stroll over to the gift shop/home décor/furniture/art gallery on a break and come away with a knickknack.

The shop, now with three locations (one at Westroads Mall, one at Midtown Crossing and one at Mall of America in Minnesota), stocks all variety of odds and ends for the home: art, frames, coffeetable books, journals, kitchen the afternoon gadgets, games and some contemporary furniture. The store is locally owned by Marie Clifford.

Her son, Peter Massey is the CEO and his wife, Michelle Massey, is a buyer and manager. The company has a team of buyers, including Michelle Massey, Clifford and the store managers from Westroads and Mall of America, who travel to shows around the country to supply The Afternoon with the unique gifts for which it’s known and for which it has been voted Readers’ Choice Best Unique Gifts.

“Sometimes we go (to shows) and there are large vendors like Umbra, but we like to find the unique small vendors that people here haven’t seen before and that I think our customers have come to expect,” says Michelle Massey. “I love the Christmas and holiday stuff. One of our buyers loves books and cards.”

Clever cards are what I seem to be walking away with of late. I bought a card with a picture of Grecian ladies socking each other that said “Happy Birthday to my Beloved Sister.” The store is a one-stop shop for stocking-stuffer-type items. There’s something for everyone with a good sense of humor in the form of globalwarming mugs that reveal the worlds disappearing coastlines as the mug gets hot; a “WTF” self-inking stamp; ID tags for wine-glass stems featuring labels such as “woozy,” “tipsy” and “bemused.” The Afternoon also has jewelry, Christmas ornaments and trendy but affordable (and comfortable) furniture.

“It’s really fun when you find something at a show that becomes a hot item,” says Massey, who showed me the Buddha Board that Clifford picked out several years ago that only just became popular. The Buddha Board is a plaque displayed on a frame that stands over a pool of water. Artsy folks can draw water paintings on the board that dry and can be repainted.

— Lainey Seyler

marlon a. wright

Best Bar for Conversation

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Best Happy Hour Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Blue Sushi Sake Grill

adam brubaker

Going to happy hour at any of Blue Sushi blue sushi Sake Grill’s three metro locations means you’ll probably be waiting for a seat, hovering near the host desk for your chance to sit down. But you’ll stay anyway because you know it’ll be worth it. Blue offers $4.50 sushi rolls, $5.50 martinis, $3 margaritas and reduced-price appetizers, presenting diners with a great deal that’s different than your average beer-battered pub grub.

“I definitely think it’s the energy that comes out of Sake Bombers Lounge (that makes happy hour so popular),” says media relations director Megan Longo. “You walk in and you think you’re in a different city.”

Blue makes some of its most popular sushi rolls available on its daily happy hour menu, including the crunchy blue, crunchy L.A., spicy tekka and California rolls. The rolls are the exact same size and quality for happy hour as they are all the time.

“We also offer our 20-plus signature martinis at happy hour, and those are pretty cool in terms of options,” says Longo. “We infuse our vodkas in-house. We have this great herb-infused vodka that goes in our perfect Bloody Mary. We have a marshmallow vodka and an apple. Each of those are used in our martinis.”

Blue has locations in the Old Market, at 168th and Center and at 144th and Maple, all of which have happy hour Monday-Saturday, 4-6:30 p.m.; Fridays-Saturdays, 10:30 p.m.-midnight and Sundays, noon-8 p.m.

Says Longo, “There’s usually a wait on Sundays in the Old Market by 12:15. It’s out of control.”

Appetizers such as edamame, calamari, ceviche and crab cakes are all part of the happy-hour offerings as well. Blue’s regular menu is extensive, featuring loads of creative sushi rolls, nigiri and sashimi, as well as a fusion-style grill menu. Presentation is everything at Blue; diners can expect the plating to match the hip décor. Anthony Hitchcock, co-owner, wants people to come to Blue for the experience. And it’s there, especially during happy hour.

— Lainey Seyler

Best Tourist Attraction Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Henry Doorly Zoo Readers’ Recommend: Old Market

Best Lounge / Ultra Lounge Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: LiT Readers’ Choice: LIV Lounge Readers’ Recommend: Glo Lounge Readers’ Recommend: Nomad Lounge Readers’ Recommend: Prestige Lounge (now Del Mare)

Best Movie Theater

1905 Harney St., Ste 501 Omaha, Nebraska 68102 Phone: (402) 398-9928 www.completehelp.org

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cover story

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Marcus Theatres at Midtown Crossing Readers’ Choice: AMC Oakview Readers’ Choice: Rave Motion Pictures Readers’ Recommend: Marcus Twin Creek Cinema Readers’ Recommend: Film Streams

Readers’ Recommend: Omaha Summer Arts Festival Readers’ Recommend: Jazz on the Green Readers’ Recommend: Playing with Fire Readers’ Recommend: River Riot Readers’ Recommend: St. Stanislaus Polish Festival

Best Sand Volleyball Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Digz Readers’ Recommend: Spikers Readers’ Recommend: O’Leaver’s

Best Bar for Smokers Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jake’s Cigars & Spirits

Best Bar for Spirits Selection Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Dundee Dell Readers’ Choice: Prestige Lounge (now Del Mare) Readers’ Recommend: Homy Inn Readers’ Recommend: Jake’s Cigars & Spirits Readers’ Recommend: Old Chicago

Best Neighborhood Tavern

Best Sports Bar

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Homy Inn Readers’ Recommend: Dundee Dell

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: DJ’s Dugout Readers’ Choice: Brewsky’s Sports Bar Readers’ Choice: IceHouse Sports Bar Readers’ Recommend: Buffalo Wild Wings Readers’ Recommend: Beer and Loathing in Dundee

Best Outdoor Festival Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: MAHA Music Festival Readers’ Choice: Taste of Omaha

Best Strip Club Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Playhouse Readers’ Choice: Saries Strip Club Readers’ Recommend: 20’s Showgirl Night Club Readers’ Recommend: Mickey’s Razzle Dazzle

Best Theater Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Omaha Community Playhouse Readers’ Choice: Orpheum Theater Readers’ Choice: The Rose Readers’ Recommend: Shelterbelt Theatre

Readers’ Recommend: Blue Barn Theatre (at The Downtown Space)

Best Vineyard / Winery Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Soaring Wings Vineyard Readers’ Recommend: James Arthur Vineyards

Best Wine Shop Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Brix Readers’ Recommend: Hy-Vee continued on page 42 y

marlon a. wrigth

dj’s dugout

Best Sports Bar Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: DJ’s Dugout If DJ’s Dugout has a secret to success it seems to be one that most learn at a very young age: three is the magic number. The top three priorities at DJ’s Dugout? Food, service and entertainment.

In the food department, DJ’s Dugout has a menu that covers a range of game-time food options. This includes appetizers like the Super Bowl Nachos ($8.99), a variety of salads such as the Chef Salad ($7.99) with turkey breast, and an array of sandwiches such as the Brooks BLT ($8.29), which is topped with an egg.

Chad King, General Manager of DJ’s Dugout on 114th and Dodge St., says the menu is always evolving. “We’re constantly working on updating our menu to provide the best meal options in town.”

Service is also important. “You’ve got to have good service,” King says. “We pride ourselves in having the best servers and bartenders in town that take great care of our customers.”

Third is entertainment. Dueling pianos is a live music event that occurs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. “It’s a form of entertainment that is unavailable anywhere else in town,” King says. “We’re very proud of that.”

However, live entertainment cannot interfere with sports. “A lot of times you see sports bars try to increase their offerings and their customer base by becoming more than a sports bar,” King says. “If it’s the NBA Finals and I go into a sports bar and there is live music instead of NBA on, there is a problem.” Their solution?

Separate rooms for music and sports.

The widest range of sporting events is the other entertainment offering that DJ’s Dugout provides. “If it is available, we will get it,” King says, “I think that by being able to offer the channels and games that nobody else in town can is how you really stand out as far as being the best sports bar in town.”

DJ’s Dugout currently has two locations, but a third is set to open near the Qwest Center. We can expect more of the proven formula. “Sometime in the next month, month-and-a-half, we should have that door open,” King says. “We do everything we can to make sure that if you walk into any building that says DJ’s Dugout on the side you know what you’re getting yourself into.” Hopefully for DJ’s Dugout, the third time will continue to be the charm.

— Paul Clark

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LIVE THEATRE

Reasons to experience

LIVE THEATRE

#29 No remote needed. ! l a e R t Ge

#74 No commercials. ! l a e R t Ge

Reasons to experience

Reasons to experience

www.theatreartsguild.com

LIVE THEATRE

#6 Your participation is required.

! l a e R Get

www.theatreartsguild.com

Reasons to experience

www.theatreartsguild.com

LIVE THEATRE

adam brubaker

Reasons to experience

brix Owner Dan Matuszek

Best Wine Shop

#151 No two shows

Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Brix

While Dan Matuszek traveled the country working for E & J Gallo, he was contemplating the wine business he wanted to create at home in Omaha.

“I started thinking about it 15 years ago,” Matuszek says. “I never found the format that I wanted, so I came up with my own.”

Matuszek opened Brix in Village Pointe in January, and it’s been worth the wait.

Brix was named Best Wine Shop in the Reader’s Choice Awards, but it’s actually three businesses under one big roof.

The wine lounge serves food and drink, and an event center hosts gatherings, but most Brix customers first visit its 12,000-square-foot retail liquor store.

Wine, beer and spirits are for sale in the former Wild Oats space, which Matuszek has designed to change customer expectations.

“We have wide aisles, music, nice lighting, and cool shelving,” he says. “I want it to be more like a coffee shop than a traditional liquor store.”

Matuszek and his employees choose the wines they stock by tasting hundreds of brands, studying Wine Spectator ratings, and considering the “uniqueness” factor.

“We look for styles of wine that people might not know about, but are very high quality,” Matuszek says.

“For example, we stock Albarino, which is a white wine from Spain. You won’t find a lot of retailers carrying styles like that.”

The three top sellers at Brix are Cabernet, blended red wines, and Pinot Noir. Matuszek said Omaha is a “Cabernet town,” but blended red wines are his fastest-growing category at the moment. Blended wines contains less than 75% of any particular grape, and are often a mix of two or three.

Brix also offers over 725 beers from 25 countries, and a wide selection of spirits.

Demand for single malt scotch has been the biggest surprise in Brix’s first year of business. Matuszek said strong sales have convinced him to offer over 100 varieties, and to bring in experts from Chicago and Scotland to conduct tastings.

“This is a huge category for us and growing every day,” Matuszek said. “It’s an acquired taste, and it really parallels the growth of the wine industry.”

With its soaring ceilings and deep selection, Brix looks like a chain, but it remains an original.

“People probably ask us 10 times per day if we are a national chain,” says Matuszek. “We are proud to be Omaha born and raised.”

— Steve Brewer

are alike!

! l a e R Get

www.theatreartsguild.com

Reasons to experience

LIVE THEATRE LIVE THEATRE 42

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NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

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#10

INVITES YOU AND A GUEST TO A SPECIAL RUN OF ENGAGEMENT

Log on to thereader.com and register for your chance to win!

One lucky winner will receive a Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince DVD! Own it on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD

WARNER BROS. PICTURES PRESENTS A HEYDAY FILMS PRODUCTION A DAVID YATES FILM “HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1” DANIEL RADCLIFFE RUPERT GRINT EMMA WATSON STARRING HELENA BONHAM CARTER ROBBIE COLTRANE WARWICK DAVIS RALPH FIENNES MICHAEL GAMBON BRENDAN GLEESON RICHARD GRIFFITHS JOHN HURT JASON ISAACS ALAN RICKMAN FIONA SHAW TIMOTHY SPALL IMELDA STAUNTON DAVID THEWLIS JULIE WALTERS MUSIC EXECUTIVE SCREENPLAY BASED ON THE NOVEL

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BY J.K. ROWLING PRODUCED DIRECTED

BY DAVID HEYMAN DAVID BARRON J.K. ROWLING

BY DAVID YATES

Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle.

No purchase necessary. 25 passes will be distributed via a random drawing on Thursday, November 25. 1 winner will receive a Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince DVD. All entries must be received by midnight Wednesday, November 24. This film has been rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality. HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince © 2009 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved.

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| THE READER |

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

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t h e r e ad e r ’ s entertainment pic k s nov . 1 8 - 2 4 , 2 0 1 0

FRIDAY19

days Nov. 19-Dec. 17

Extraordinary Rendition and Surveillance

Bemis Underground, 724 S. 12th St Opening reception Nov. 19, 6-9 p.m.

341.7130, bemiscenter.org

The best art is a political statement at heart. But perhaps nothing is so creepily ominous as a show that watches you as you watch it. As we spiral into a society more based on surveillance, art must react with its own take on scopophilia. Extraordinary Rendition and Surveillance is a two pronged attack — urgent, aware art which is based on the secret arrest and detention process known as extraordinary rendition. It hangs on the walls, while surveillance cameras capture the audiences every moves, capturing them to digital archives. Big brother is here, and artists Tim Guthrie and Doug Hayko (and around a dozen other collaborators) are around to look back.

— John Wenz

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Tomás Kubínek

Nov. 19

The Firm

Side Door Lounge, 3520 Leavenworth St. 9:30 p.m., FREE, 504.3444 facebook.com/sidedoorlounge This is a reunion of the Omaha originals, not the Jimmy Page group that sued the local attorneys who formed this group while in college and beat the Zeppelin guitar master to the name. Put simply, this will be great fun and a chance to check out a new club. Expect some of the best music from the 1960s and ’70s, plus more good stuff from the interim that fits the band’s style. Bill Eustice, who plays and sings bass, jokes that the reunion is required by actuarial tables. In reality, it is a 60th birthday celebration for guitarist/vocalist Dan Crouchley. Those two will be joined by Jim Morrow on guitar and vocals, Gary Foster on drums and John Foley on guitar. Crouchley says practice is going well, but their art doesn’t come without pain. “My fingers wouldn’t go straight after a while,” he laughs. “We’re going to practice a couple (more) times so we don’t completely embarrass ourselves.” Get there early as seating is limited, but the fun is not.

— Andy Roberts

Nov. 19

Dee Dee Bridgewater

Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St. 8 p.m., $19-$50, 345.0606 omahaperformingarts.org The show is called Dee Dee Bridgewater: To Billie with Love — A Celebration of Lady Day. Lady Day is, of course, the legendary Billie Holiday, one of jazz’s most tragic figures who died a half-century ago at the age of 44. Grammy-winner Bridgewater has performed with many jazz greats and jumped musical genres, but there is no greater challenge than taking on the music of the woman who many see as the great

| THE READER |

picks

female jazz icon. The repertoire is expected to include “Lady Sings the Blues,” “All of Me,” and the gospeltinged “God Bless the Child.” It is a return to Omaha for the singer, who was part of Omaha Performing Arts’ first season in 2005.

— Andy Roberts

Nov. 19

Lady Antebellum

Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. 7:30 p.m., $42.50, 345.0606 omahaperformingarts.org Congratulations to country music’s Lady Antebellum who last Wednesday took home Vocal Group of the Year and Single of the Year (“Need You Now”) at the 44th Annual CMA Awards in Nash-

ville. The Band’s first few years in the spotlight have been kind, landing multiple number one singles, two certified platinum albums and, as mentioned, some new brass for the trophy room.

Their smash hit “Need You Now” off of their latest album of the same title is the group’s biggest hit, crossing over to pop radio stations, steadily climbing the top 40 charts and holding on to the number one position on iTunes all genre singles chart.

Lady Antebellum looks to be in the spotlight for awhile after ending Rascal Flatts’ six-year reign as vocal group of the year at last year’s CMA’s. This year they became the first act in CMA Award history to receive the Single of the Year honor for two consecutive years. Will they make it three?

— James Derrick Schott

t h e

r e a d e r ’ s

Nov. 19-20

2nd Annual Food Summit: No More Empty Pots

Metropolitan Community College Institute for the Culinary Arts Sorenson Pkwy and N. 32nd St. Friday Noon-5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-Noon $30 per day (includes meal, materials) 320.5349, nomoreemptypots.org Food as a community organizing principle is emerging in conversations and initiatives. That’s the case with the grassroots organization No More Empty Pots, a self-described conduit for connecting individuals and groups to promote local, sustainable businesses that improve self-sufficiency and regional food security. The advocacy coalition’s second annual food summit is billed as “a working conference to build a regional food system.” The two-day event features speakers, panel discussions, workshops and breakout sessions.

What better spot for a gathering of foodies and food activists than the local culinary arts school?

— Leo Adam Biga

e n t e rta i n m e n t players along the way. The Seattle Times called Kubínek “equal parts old-time clowning and Monty Python-esque silliness,” giving this show appeal to a variety of humors.

— Sarah Wengert

Nov. 20

NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” Tour Omaha Music Hall, 1804 Capitol Ave. 8 p.m., $35-$45, 1.800.745.3000 omahacivic.com/musichall.htm

They may not be the Kings of Comedy, but the Last Comic Standing finalists represent a motley crew of standup artists who, for whatever it’s worth, made the NBC show’s final cut. The

p i c k s

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show’s live tour features 2010 season winner Felipe Esparza, an East L.A. homey who’s just completed two feature films. He’s joined by four others: Tommy Johnagin is a Midwest boy who quit school to become a comic; Roy Wood Jr., originally from Alabama, contributes prank calls and other material to morning shows; Bronx resident Mike DeStefano is a former heroin addict whose performance schedule includes pro bono gigs at prisons and rehab centers; and Myq Kaplan is a New York City comic who won the Big Apple’s Funniest Standup Competition. All have made numerous network and cable television appearances.

— Leo Adam Biga

FELIPE ESPARZA

SATURDAY20

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Voices of Omaha Presents Handel’s Messiah

Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St. 3 p.m., FREE, omahaperformingarts.org Handel’s Messiah is an oratorio that was composed in the summer of 1741. It premiered in Dublin in 1742. I’m no expert when it comes to 18th Century Irish music venues, but it’s safe to say the original performers didn’t benefit from modern sound amplification. In the spirit of bygone days, The Voices of Omaha will perform Messiah sans electricity. According to conductor Edward Hurd, “The marvelous acoustic of the Kiewit Concert Hall was designed for music such as this. No microphones or amplification — just singers and instrumentalists performing in a wonderful space just as did Handel.”

Couple this with the fact that this is Voices of Omaha’s 42nd performance of the piece, and this free show is an excellent way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

— Paul Clark

Nov. 24

Extreme Challenge MMA

Harrah’s Casino, Council Bluffs, 8 p.m., $25-80, 888.512.SHOW harrahscouncilbluffs.com

Nov. 20

Tomás Kubínek

Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St. 8 p.m., $7.50-$65, 345.0606 omahasymphony.org

I guess there’s just something about fighting that makes people want to watch. The acronym “MMA” is one I see mostly relegated to the Facebook interests of hometown friends, but apparently this mixed-martial arts event promises to be some kind of next level to the whole sport. The Extreme Challenge will feature the return of Omaha’s Vito Agosta and a for-all-themarbles bout between lightweight rivals Josh Arocho and Sean “P-Town” Wilson. Bruising is likely. It will also include the final bout and retirement of Big Jim Axtell, a fabled Omaha MMA fighter. With eight fights in the night, there should be plenty of testosterone in the air at Harrah’s Casino.

— John Wenz

I love a good lunatic. Not, of course, the harmful to-society-or-others type, but the whimsically benign nutballs that walk — or say, unicycle — the Earth reminding us to chill out, to quit caring what others think and to have a good laugh.

Tomás Kubínek, “acrobat, storyteller, stilt walker, unicyclist, musician, magician, clown and comic is that special kind of loon. His performance is the first this season in the Omaha Symphony’s Sight & Sounds series. Paired with the Symphony, conducted by Ernest Richardson, Kubínek will delight with his zany wit and silly stage presence, adlibbing and involving the audience and Symphony

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TICKETS

Q w e s t C e n t e r O ma h a B o x O f f i c e • T i c ke t Ma s t e r 1- 800 -745 - 3000 • w w w.t i c ke t ma s t e r.c o m LINE-UP SUBJECT TO CHANGE

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‘Ceramix’ Sumnik’s blend of nature, industry is at New BLK Gallery On and Off the Wall

by Michael J. Krainak

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mixedmedia panes begin to look like part of the show. Even the large floor scuffs in front of the art resemble spotlights that put both the work and viewer on display.

Just how the viewer and art connect in this exhibit concerns Sumnik, but this time around he admits to being more conceptual. “The core idea isn’t to direct a viewer but to stimulate a certain ambiguity,” he says of On and Off the Wall with perhaps a particular emphasis on the latter. Certain socio-environmental themes persist, but like some of the pieces, the issues are more complex and amorphous.

Many pieces, such as the painted ceramic “Jelly Beans,” “Wall Puzzle” and “Wall Paintings” suggest a harmony among industrial design and natural elements. Other objects, especially his “Pipe Wraps” and three large “Totems,” “Pipe Blossoms” and “Cac-

here’s always been some ambiguity in the work of Iggy Sumnik, ceramicist and mixed media artist. A former assistant in the Jun Kaneko Studio in Omaha, Sumnik broke out of the mold in 2008 in a two-man show at RNG Gallery, then soloed in January of 2009 at Jackson Artworks.

In both shows the artist explored the tenuous relationship of the industrial and natural world, or what he described as “the human connection to nature.” Sumnik did pipe blossom group this with a curious amalgam of metal, paint and ceramic that resulted in such signature oddities as “Jelly Beans,” “Chunk Stacks,” “Hearts” and a potpourri of morphed natural and manmade objects that only vaguely resembled their labels, “Gas Pump,” “Hydrant” and “Traffic Light.”

At the time this critic described his more animated, anthropomorphic figurative hybrids as Tim Burton influenced. Now, in his new solo show at the BLK Gallery through Nov. 24, Sumnik hasn’t abandoned his earlier influences or tus” infer the opposite, or at least a duplicity though themes, but the work is beginning to evolve. The first composed of similar matter. clue is in the show’s title, On and Off the Wall, which It’s as if to say that at times nature and humans describes the exhibit’s installation and its overall cannot only co-exist, they must. Other work implies tone and POV. a more downbeat intervention with serious cultural, The New BLK show includes his familiar chunks, environmental and evolutionary consequences. stacks, beans and other totemic objects, and fea- Whatever the tone or interpretation, what unites tures newer “Pipe Blossoms,” “Pipe Wraps,” “Cloud each work is Sumnik’s love of abstract, geometric Forms,” “Sewer Caps” and “Wall Boxes” among oth- design, an organic imagination and use of multiples ers, 84 pieces in all. It’s an overwhelming array per- that reflect nature as well as industry. haps in search of an edit, but the exhibit never feels “I like repetitions because it allows you to imcluttered, thanks to variety and visual motifs. prove each piece in a series, to gauge the progress and The work is indeed on and off the wall, but nev- watch the evolution,” he says. For instance, his seven ertheless a nice fit for the gallery’s industrial, unvar- “Jelly Beans” mimic mass commercial production, nished, urban vibe with its exposed mechanicals, but as each boasts its own surface design, it’s a lesson beams, wall fixtures and scarred floors. The ambi- drawn from nature that manmade products need not ance serves the artist. It doesn’t look or feel polished be stamped out. More to the point are Sumnik’s 17 or slick. It looks lived and worked in. After awhile, individually designed “Sewer Caps” reminding us at least for this show, the columns of bare metal and that no matter how careful the breeding or uniform wood, bare light bulbs and whitewashed window- the bouquet, no two red roses are exactly alike.

Even greater cautionary tales are his totemic figures including the aptly named statuesque “Evolution Totem” which stands guard in the gallery entrance. An imposing sculpture, like his other “Totems,” it’s composed of layers of clay and metal beautifully textured with pipe and wall socket fragments and archaic markings.

These tall iconic totems are signs of the times, both paean to the coexistence of nature and industry and portent of evolutionary catastrophe. At first glance, they look as elegant and organic as the “Stacked Totemic Forms” of local ceramic artist Liz Vercruysse. Look again and they reference an experiment gone awry as in David Cronenberg’s version of the horror film, The Fly. Are Sumnik’s “creatures” a symbol of science and technology working together with Mother Nature or are they mutant hybrids worse than the problems they pretend to solve?

Equally duplicitous are the several “Pipe Wraps” that resemble coiled reptiles, especially #’s 23 and 24 with their ringed and herringboned patterns that mimic a rattler and coral snake. Less ambiguous and more positive is one of the show’s most impressive pieces called simply “Cactus.” It is a formidable looking, pale green saguaro. This one-armed wonder sports a pipe-fitting over a missing “right arm,” an indication of Sumnik’s belief in industrial solutions to benefit the environment.

Then you notice that the cactus has sprung up through its base of asphalt, not unlike all the bobbing and weaving “Pipe Blossoms” growing up through “concrete and blacktop” like weeds through cement. Overall, it not only represents his belief in the resilience of nature in a paved-over society, but how abandoned infrastructure has gone back to nature, which in turn serves as a potential incubator for the next commercial endeavor.

On a lighter note, there are Sumnik’s billowing cloud assemblages, which had viewers at the opening seeing both Buddha and Jabba the Hut in the mix.

It is only natural to see things in cloud formations whether animal, vegetable or missile launchings. It seems we — critics included — have to figure things out before they have merit. A problem occurs in dealing with affairs of art because by adding meaning, we may also be diminishing the work.

art

n Opening this Friday at the Bemis Underground is the brainchild of Omaha artist Tim Guthrie and performance artist Doug Hayko. Extraordinary Rendition includes the work of a dozen other artists (including me; I did some writing for the show) Look for work from Guthrie, Hayko, Jamie Burmeister, Peter Cales, Justin Kemerling, Landi Olsen, Nolan Tredway, Carol Zuegner and the omahaliveartdivision. The exhibition will divide the space into three rooms including a performance space where Hayko will perform during the opening, a surveillance room and a traditional gallery space where Guthrie will show a series of seven portraits on paper. The show aims to educate on extraordinary rendition — it’s used to describe the practice of secretly capturing suspected criminals or terrorists without the knowledge of anyone else, including the governments of the countries in which the individuals reside. The opening is Friday, Nov. 19, 6-9 p.m. Hayko and Guthrie will give a gallery talk in the space Saturday, Nov. 20, at noon. n Four women artists are showing new work at the Artists Cooperative Gallery, in the Old Market at 405 S. 11th St., through Nov. 28. Ceramicist Susan Sutherland Barnes, painter Joan Fetter, weaver Agneta Gaines and printmaker and painter Dona Golden have differing media and techniques, making for a diverse array of work. Barnes uses clay in non-traditional ways, and her hand built forms play with texture and color. Her new work includes ceramic bowls impressed with leave and lace. Fetter’s large-scale, abstract work plays with vibrant color and the work in this series is creatively embellished. Gaines’ woven wall hangings feature reeds, glass or ceramic pieces worked into the fiber and she collaborate with other artists to create these multifaceted works. Finally, Golden’s nature-inspired new paintings find inspiration in animals and people rendered in multi-layered hues of watercolor. n Eighteen artists are part of the latest show at Bancroft Street Market. Opening Friday, Nov. 19, 7-11 p.m., all the work in the show focuses on the ideas of hope and spectacle. All of the work is video, and it’s all experimental: look for thought-provoking work that you won’t see elsewhere.

— Sarah Baker Hansen Mixed Media is a column about art. Get local art updates at weekfiftytwo.com.

Send ideas to mixedmedia@thereader.com.

To Sumnik’s credit, his imaginative blend of nature and industry may seem equivocal and paradoxical, but his art has a life of its own. It welcomes interpretation, simultaneously taking the measure of the viewer while perhaps coming to a similar conclusion. , On and Off the Wall continues through Nov. 24 at the New BLK Gallery, 1213 Jones St. For details, go to thenewblk.com

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Finding Forefathers Festival gives nod to past and offers glimpse of future

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by Leo Adam Biga

he first annual Lincoln Motion Picture Company Film Festival, Nov. 19, is inspired by a historic Nebraska-based business that scholars call the nation’s first African-American film production company.

Brothers Noble and George Johnson founded the company in 1916 in Omaha and later opened a Los Angeles office. They produced five pictures. Their work actually predated that of the great black film pioneer Oscar Micheaux, who had contact with the Johnsons before launching his own film endeavors.

When Omaha television and video production veteran Jim Nelson learned of the Johnsons’ legacy, it hit him like a revelation. As an AfricanAmerican videographer, he’s a rarity in the local industry. From the time the Lincoln company folded in 1921 until recently, black filmmaking largely lay dormant here. Discovering that black Omaha filmmakers made and owned their own images nearly a century ago moved Nelson.

“I thought, damn, I do come from someplace.

It gives me a connection. You always hear about standing on the shoulders of giants; well, now I know whose they are,” says Nelson, who began his career at now defunct Omaha black owned and operated radio station KOWH. The Texas native came to Omaha in the 1960s when his Air Force father transferred to Offutt Air Force Base. Except for leaving Nebraska a few times to try his fortunes elsewhere, the University of Nebraska at Omaha graduate has been based here, yet he somehow never heard about the Johnsons and their Lincoln efforts until a few years ago. He feels the story is not as widely celebrated in these parts as it should be.

“I say to people, ‘Do you know the significance of this?’”

He says he’s sure many in Omaha’s African-American community don’t know this history, which he sees as part of a larger problem of not enough being done to promote achievements by black Nebraskans.

“The idea is there are people who grew up here who made contributions,” he says. “It’s about valuing not only what you have or had but using that value to help you grow,” he says. “People need to feel they are worth something.”

Nelson’s nonprofit Video Kool Skool and Sable Accent Media Experience are training grounds for

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minority youths and adults to learn the skills to tell their stories in images. The programs, along with his for-profit Jim Nelson Media Services, are based at the Omaha Business & Technology Center, 2505 N. 24th St. Nelson hit upon the idea of a showcase for aspiring black filmmakers. Making himself and his facilities available, he worked with newbies on five short films, all featuring aspects of the black experience. The collaborative projects include one Nelson directed, Rockin’ the Deuce Four, an appreciation of the jazz scene that once flourished in and around North 24th Street.

“This is about a community that has not had its story told on any regular basis,” he says. “Now there’s a platform (the festival). I want to catch these new voices when they’re small. They have to be encouraged, they have to be nurtured, they have to know there’s a place where, even on a part time basis, they can pursue it.

“What’s my role? Well this has always been a dream of mine because I never had a mentor. I didn’t get it, I wasn’t supposed to get it, I was supposed to help others get it. I find myself being more a catalyst I guess for those who really want to do it.”

In this “each one, teach one” capacity he worked with three of his adult students from Metro Community College, where he’s an adjunct broadcast media instructor. Their work comprises the festival.

Danye Echtinaw, an Army reservist who served a tour in Iraq, says her film If the Hair Ain’t Tight, Ain’t Nothin’ Right expresses “a very adamant attitude of reaffirmation” about black women and their “crown of glory.” Eris Lamont Mackey, who made an anti-gang film that placed at the NAACP’s national ACT-SO competition, reflects on the importance of families sharing meals and conversations together in Left at the Table. Lisa Washington, who attended Grambling State University, examines African-American icons in The Beginning of a Positive Image.

Nelson doesn’t pretend there’s a budding Spike Lee or Kasi Lemmons in the queue … yet. He views the event and his mentoring as “a spark to ignite others.”

“The participation of minorities in the industry has always been a struggle,” he says. “With today’s technology, the opportunity to make films is there.

There’s a wealth of stories, but we need storytellers.

Just seeing yourself in that position is empowering.

Once you learn to do it, it can’t be taken away. It’s just a matter of getting the tools to do it.” , The fest unreels from 6-8:30 p.m. at Omaha Public Schools’ TAC Building, 3015 Cuming St. Admission is $10.

Call 614.8202 for ticket locations.

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Is PAIN MEDICATION interfering with your life?

We offer a comprehensive, medically assisted program geared to help get your life back on track.

Call (402) 592-5900 for private appointment.

Omaha Treatment Center 11215 John Galt Boulevard Omaha, Nebraska, 68137 www.methadonetreatmentcenter.com

Bring a canned food item for The Food Bank.

Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony Thursday, November 25 6–6:30 pm Gene Leahy Mall, 14th & Farnam

Old Market Shopping and Dining 6:30–8:30 pm

Mutual of Omaha Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert Holland Performing Arts Center 7 pm 13th & Douglas Free Admission!

The Holiday Lights will be illuminated every evening from 5 pm to 1 am through January 9, 2011.

Visit www.holidaylightsfestival.org and our Facebook page!

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Hello, Dollies SNAP!’s Valley of the Dolls is perfect parody

by Warren Francke

T

he SNAP! parody of Valley of the Dolls made me want to laugh all the way to a video store and rent the 1967 movie. Performances by Michal Simpson and Adam Nathan were so outrageously entertaining you knew the original must have set new lows for overwrought soapiness.

Credit a crazy gender-switching cast and at least two off-stage geniuses, director M. Michele Phillips and video designer Mark Cramer, for a show that’s funnier than the former holiday hit at the SNAP!/Shelterbelt theater, Christmas with the Crawfords.

Phillips manages to maintain a style that elevates parody to its own burlesque caricature of frenetic pill-popping. Cramer took his video work, which added fun to such shows as The Secret of the Old Queen, and raised it to another level from start to a finish full of out-take credits.

Simpson may go on to play some serious roles, but he’ll be lucky to top his inspired silliness as Neely O’Hara (Patty Duke in the movie) in her rise to stardom and fall from “dolls,” the uppers and downers she kept quaffing by the mouthful. Whether awkwardly curling up stoned on a love seat or his rock-bottom pleading, “Where is everybody?” after driving everyone away, he’s hilarious.

And his work weds best with Cramer’s video creativity when we see Neely singing in garish makeup on a cystic fibrosis telethon hosted

by Joey Bishop.

Contrasting with Simpson’s delicious scenery-chewing is the moon-faced Nathan’s demure Anne Wells. He’s either an appropriately bad actor or a master of understatement, maintaining a flat serenity even when a dildo falls from her purse.

He also combines with Cramer when Anne is cast in an ad campaign as “The Gillian Girl,” who Cramer shoots in both coy close-ups and perched atop a rocky peak.

But it’s far from a two-man (as women) show.

Female-impersonating pro Steven Knox in the

| THE READER |

theater

Sharon Tate role, presents Jennifer North as the classic femme fatale drag queen, and Ron Osborn doesn’t fall far from his many turns as Joan Crawford when he dons his own Susan Hayward creations as Helen Lawson, a tough broad who sings in deep whiskey-and-cigarette tones.

Two favorites among the women playing men were the always-appealing Chelsea Long as lounge-singer Tony, Jennifer’s love, and Thomas Lowe who shined in several roles, but especially as Tony’s sister. Long’s Tony breaks up the audience in another of Cramer’s video highlights when he snaps out of his sanatorium stupor to sing a lively and off-key, “Come Live with Me,” duet with Neely before dropping back to drooling.

Osborn fashioned his own costumes, but Nancy Ross made many other outfits that added to the fun, and Echelle Childers worked on some memorable wigs, including Helen’s topper that Neely dunks in the toilet. Childers also played the fickle agent, Lyon Burke, who first breaks Anne’s heart, then offers to marry her only to hear her softly admit, “I don’t feel a thing.”

Rhonda Hall’s name shows up as props honcho on almost every theater around, and here she gets credit from director Phillips for collecting a motley array of items, including plenty of those brown plastic pill bottles. Whether she or Childers or Knox himself came up with Jennifer’s big blonde wig, it certainly matches the perfectly piled-on excess of everything else in the show.

The small opening-night audience may mean most playgoers have either forgotten or never heard of the Jacqueline Susann book or movie.

You don’t need the slightest awareness of it to enjoy what this cast is sending up through the roof.

Speaking of the author, Phillips notes that she walked out on the movie, and adds, proudly, “If Ms. Susann were watching” this parody, “she’d stomp out of the theatre again in a heartbeat.”

Most of us, on the other hand, will stay until the final spoofing credit. , Valley of the Dolls runs Nov. 11-Dec. 12, Thurs.Sat. 8 p.m. (except Thanksgiving Day), Sun. 6 p.m. (except Dec. 12, at 2 p.m.) by SNAP! Productions at SNAP!/Shelterbelt Theatre, 3225 California St. Tickets are $20. Call 341.2757 or visit snapproductions.org.

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coldcream The burst of new theater openings was confronted last Friday with the first bad weather after an October and early November stretch that gave no excuse for missing even a minute of good stage artistry. Which is a prelude to confession: Chanticleer was holding two tickets for To Kill a Mockingbird, with talented Ron Hines as Atticus Finch, and I was ready to drive to the far side of Council Bluffs when I decided to let Max the Maniac (our normal predatory Airedale mix) out once before cooping him up for the evening.

The patio was already covered with more than an inch of the snow that wasn’t supposed to arrive before midnight. And we’d just been talking about how many trees still were weighted with leaves, making them prone to dropping branches and causing power failures. Not to mention that Cox Cable will be happy to hear that the heavy white stuff was cutting us off from the DIRECTV satellites.

So we missed that great dramatic moment when Atticus enters the courtroom to fight for justice, and we didn’t get even a peek at Boo Radley.

Like Steel Magnolias coming later this season to the Omaha Community Playhouse, it’s one of those stories that always stirs emotions.

So I stayed home and, sans television reception, listened to Mavericks hockey on the radio and shoveled snow that would have melted the next day.

A phone call later from Bonnie Gill reported that a nice crowd made it to the community theater on Franklin Avenue, hopefully without any fender-benders on the way home.

Ms. Gill filled in as director during the last week of rehearsals when husband Mark Manhart, the dentist devoted to drama, was under the weather.

(No, not the snow, the personal kind.) Both Mark and Bonnie have time for other theaters after their long run with the Grande Olde Players ended, and she’ll direct Life with Father for Chanticleer later in the season.

■ When the weather was still nice last Thursday, Bette Swanson was reading The Reader in the Brazen Head before attending A Thousand Clowns at the Playhouse. We’d seen this pillar of the Bellevue Little Theatre the week before at the opening of its The Philadelphia Story.

I didn’t spy on what she was eating, but I had the Clontarf Club with coleslaw before heading for SNAP! Productions opening of Valley of the Dolls.

Love that club sandwich with slaw, but you can read elsewhere on this page that I loved that ridiculous parody even more.

— Warren Francke Cold Cream looks at theater in the metro area. Email information to coldcream@thereader.com.

art

OpeningS

THE ART MILL, 156th and Maple, 932.7846, omahaartmill.com.

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: Opens Nov. 20, 10 a.m.

BANCROFT STREET MARKET, 2702 S. 10th St., 680.6737, bancroftstreetmarket.com. REAR WINDOW 2.0: Video installations, opens Nov. 19, 7 p.m.

BEMIS CENTER, 724 S. 12th St., 341.7130, bemiscenter.org.

EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION: Group show, opens Nov. 19Dec. 17, reception Nov. 19, 6 p.m.

HARRAH’S GRAND BALLROOM, #1 Harrah’s Blvd., bluffsfestivaloftrees.org. SEVENTH ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF TREES: Opens Nov. 19-21, $6.

JOSLYN ART MUSEUM, 2200 Dodge St., 342.3300, joslyn.org.

DRAWING REALITY: A lecture with Paul Otero, opens Nov. 18, 6 p.m.

LOUISVILLE ART GALLERY, 230 Main St., Louisville, 234.2867, louisvilleartgallery.com. BLING IN THE HOLIDAYS: Group show, opens Nov. 20, 9 a.m.

MID-AMERICA CENTER, Council Bluffs, 1 Arena Way, Council Bluffs, IA, 51501, 712.323.0536, antiquespectacular.com. ANTIQUE SPECTACULAR: Opens Nov. 19-21.

MORRILL HALL, 307 Morrill Hall, Lincoln 472.3779, museum. unl.edu. NAVAJO WEAVING DEMONSTRATION: Mary Zicafoose, opens Nov. 20, 11 a.m.

ONGOING

ANDERSON O’BRIEN FINE ART COUNTRYSIDE VILLAGE, 8724 Pacific St., 390.0717, aobfineart.com. NEW WORKS EXHIBITION: Group show featuring regional artists, through Dec. 31.

ANDERSON O’BRIEN FINE ART OLD MARKET, 1108 Jackson St., 884.0911, aobfineart.com. NEW WORKS EXHIBITION: Group show featuring regional artists, through Dec. 31.

BENSON GRIND, 6107 Maple St., octopusesgarden.org. METAPHYSICAL DESOLATION: Chris Rubarth, through Nov. BURKHOLDER PROJECT, 719 P St., Lincoln, 477.3305, burkholderproject.com. 6 BY 6: Group show. OUT OF THE BLUE (SKETCHBOOK): Leroy von Glan. VISTAS: Karl Marxhausen.

IMAGINING PLAY: Linda Benton. All shows through Nov. 24.

CREIGHTON LIED ART GALLERY, 2500 California St., 280.2392, finearts.creighton.edu. RINSE + REPEAT: Sarah Stormberg & Beth Cavender, through Nov. 23.

DRIFT STATION GALLERY AND PARALLAX SPACE, 1745 N St., Lincoln. INSTRUCTIONS FOR INITIAL CONDITIONS: Group show, through Nov. DURHAM WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM, 801 S. 10th St., 444.5071, durhammuseum.org. 100 YARDS OF GLORY: Omaha’s football history, through Jan. 2, 2011. DIG IT! THE SECRETS OF SOIL: Through Dec. 26.

EISENTRAGER-HOWARD GALLERY, Richards Hall, Stadium Drive and T, Lincoln, 472.5025, unl.edu/art/facilities_eisentragerhoward.shtml. EX LIBRIS HOKES ARCHIVES: Beauvais Lyons, reception Nov. 9, 5 p.m. OUR PRINTED WORLD/COLLECTION AND RESPONSES: Group show. Both shows through Dec. 3.

EL MUSEO LATINO, 4701 S. 25th St., elmuseolatino.org. BICENTENNIAL OF THE IDEPENDENCE OF MEXICO & THE CENTENNIAL OF THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION: Through Nov. 30.

DAY OF THE DEAD: Prints of Carlos Cortez, through Nov. 20.

ELDER GALLERY, 51st and Huntington, Nebraska Wesleyan University, nebrwesleyan.edu. AMERICAN TAPESTRY BIENNIAL: Through Nov. 15.

GALLERY 616, 616 S. 11th St, 301.9713. SUSTENANCE: Mary Day, through Dec. 4.

GALLERY 9, 124 S 9th St., Lincoln, 477.2822, gallerynine.com.

BALLYHOO AND BALDERDASH: Robert Esquivel & Meghan Stratman, through Nov. 28.

GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCE EXHIBITION, 1425 H St., Lincoln, nebraskaartscouncil.org. NEW WORK: Trish Place, through Nov. 29.

GREAT PLAINS ART MUSEUM, 1155 Q St., Hewit Plc., Lincoln, 472.0599, unl.edu/plains/gallery/gallery.shtml. PLAINS ARTISTS JURIED EXHIBIT: Through Nov. 28.

HAYDON CENTER, 335 N. 8th St., Lincoln, 475.5421, haydonartcenter.org. SMALL TREASURES: Juried artist member exhibition, through Dec. 24.

HOT SHOPS ARTS CENTER, 1301 Nicholas St., 342.6452, hotshopsartcenter.com. WEAPONS OF CHOICE: Tom, Cat and Carole DeBuse. SCHMITZ PACK: Group show. Both shows through Nov. 28.

INTERNATIONAL QUILT STUDY CENTER & MUSEUM, 1523 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, 472.7232, quiltstudy.org. CHILDHOOD TREASURES: Doll quilts from the Ghormley Collection, through Dec. 12. MARSEILLE: WHITE CORDED QUILTING: Through May 8.

JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER, 333 S. 132nd St., 572.8486, jccomaha.org. NEW WORK: Scott Blake, through Nov. 30.

JOSLYN ART MUSEUM, 2200 Dodge St., 342.3300, joslyn.org.

BEYOND REALISM: THE WORKS OF KENT BELLOWS 19702005: Through Jan. 16. SEASONS OF JOY: Currier and Ives Holiday Prints from the ConAgra Collection, through Jan. 23.

GOLDEN KITE, GOLDEN DREAMS: The SCBWI Awards, through Jan. 16.

KANEKO, 1111 Jones St., 341.3800, thekaneko.org. FREE. FOLDED SQUARE ALPHABETS & NUMERICALS: Sculpture exhibit by Fletcher Benton, through Feb. KENT BELLOWS STUDIO, 3303 Leavenworth St., 505.7161, kentbellows.org. MENTOR EXHIBITION: Through Dec. 4.

KRUGER COLLECTION, UNL Architecture Hall, 10th and R, Lincoln, 472.3560, krugercollection.unl.edu. THINK GREEN: Interior/green design and miniatures, through Mar. 18, 2011.

LA CASA’S PIZZARIA, 4432 Leaveworth St., omahaartistsinc. com. 2010 FALL ART SHOW: Group show, through Jan. 3.

THE LICHEN, 2810 N. 48th St., Lincoln, thelichen.com. FORCED RESULTS: Samuel B. Rapien, through Dec. 24.

LUX CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 48th and Baldwin, Lincoln, 434.2787, luxcenter.org.SECRETS FROM THE STOCKYARD: Pottery by Bernadette Curran, through Nov. 27. VIS-A-VIS: Group show, through Mar. 1.

MODERN ARTS MIDWEST, 800 P St., Lincoln, 477.2828, modernartsmidwest.com. OBSERVED AND PRESENTED: Edwin Carter Weitz, through Nov. 27.

MUSEUM OF NEBRASKA ART (MONA), 2401 Central Ave., Kearney, 308.865.8559, monet.unk.edu/mona. POSTMASTER INTERACTIVE GALLERY: Group show, through Jan. 10, 2011.

NEBRASKA’S HERITAGE: Group show, through Nov. 14. THE ANIMAL KINGDOM: Through Jun. 5, 2011. MCKENNEY AND HALL’S HISTORY OF THE INDIAN TRIBES OF NORTH AMERICA: Lithographs, through Dec. 5. SATURDAY EVENING POST: Holiday images, through Jan. 10. NEBRASKA NOW: Renee A. Ledesma, oepns Through Jan. 2.

THE NEW BLK, 1213 Jones St., 403.5619, thenewblk.com. ON & OFF THE WALL: New work by Iggy Sumnik, through Nov. 24.

OLD MARKET ARTISTS, 1034 Howard St., Lower Level of Old Market Passageway, oldmarketartists.com. NEW DESIGNS: Meridith Merwald-Gofta, through Nov. 30.

OMAHA’S CHILDREN’S MUSEUM, 500 S. 20th St., 342.6163. ocm.org. BIG BACKYARD: Through Apr. 10.

PASSAGEWAY GALLERY, 417 South 11th St, passagewaygallery.com. METALS & MAGIC TEETERING ON THE EDGE: Randy Patzer & Margie Shanahan, through Nov. 30.

PIZZA SHOPPE COLLECTIVE, 6056 Maple St., 556.9090, pscollective.com. NEW WORK: Rachel Scholer, through Nov. POLYESTER GALLERY, 1618 Harney St., 345.0231, polyestergallery.com. IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK: Jeremy Parker.

ARCHITECTURE IN GENERAL IS PRETENTIOUS: New work

by Jeremy Parker. STATIC RESOLUTION: BETWEEN THE ACTUAL: Video installation by Matt Orand & Matt Walker. All shows through May 31.

PROJECT ROOM, 1416 O St., Suite #8, Lincoln, 617.8365, projectroom.us. NEW WORK: Colin Smith, through Nov. SCREEN INK, 416 S. 16th St., Lincoln, screenink.com. NEW WORK: Sara Kovanda, through Nov. SHELDON ART GALLERY, 12th and R, UNL, Lincoln, sheldonartgallery.org. BETTER HALF, BETTER TWELFTH: Women artists in the collection, through Apr. 1, 2011. ORLAN & MIND OVER MATTER: Through Jan. 30. NEW MATERIAL WORD: RETHREADING TECHNOLOGY: Through Jan. 2.

SPATIVM, Parrish Prjoect, 1416 O St., Lincoln. ($4.00 CAMERA EDITION): New work by RAWS., through Nov. TUGBOAT GALLERY, 14th and O, 2nd floor, Lincoln, tugboatgallery.com. OFF THE BUS: Don Robson, Sandra Williams, David Gracie and students, through Nov. 27.

UNL ROTUNDA GALLERY, UNL Union, 1400 R St., Lincoln.

ARTIST-TEACHER, TEACHER-ARTIST: Through Nov. 24.

UNO ART GALLERY, Weber Fine Arts Bldg., 6001 Dodge St., 554.2796. BFA THESIS AND BA IN STUDIO ARTS: Group show, through Dec. 17.

UNO CRISS GALLERY, 6001 Dodge St., 554.2640, library.unomaha.edu. A SENATOR’S WALLS: Photographs and artifacts from the offices of Senator Chuck Hagel, through Dec. 19.

check event listings online!

W. DALE CLARK LIBRARY, 215 S. 15th St., 444.4800. STUDENT WORK: Through Nov. WESTERN HISTORIC TRAILS CENTER, 3434 Richard Downing Ave., Council Bluffs, 515.281.3858, iowahistory.org. OVER HERE, OVER THERE: Iowa and WWI, through Fall 2010. ART IN DAILY LIFE: The art of Native Americans, through Jan. 2011.

WORKSPACE GALLERY, Sawmill Building, 440 N. 8th St., Lincoln, sites.google.com/site/workspacegallery. EARTH CUTS: Jonathon Wells, through Jan. 5.

theater opening

A CHRISTMAS CAROL,Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St., 553.0800, omahaplayhouse.com. Opens Nov. 19-Dec. 23, Wed.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m., 6:30 p.m., $35, $24/students.

THE MISANTHROPE, University Theatre, Temple Bldg., 12th and R, Lincoln, 472.4747, unl.edu/theatrearts.

Opens Nov. 18-20, Dec. 1-4, 7:30 p.m., $16, $14/seniors, $10/students.

ONE-ACT PLAY FESTIVAL, Studio Theatre, 2710 N. 48th St., 465.2384. Opens Nov. 18-21, Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m., FREE.

ongoing

A THOUSAND CLOWNS, Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St., 553.0800, omahaplayhouse.com. Through Nov. 21, Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m., $35, $21/ students. A humorous non-conformist bachelor is left to raise his nephew.

HOLES, Lincoln Community Playhouse, 2500 S. 56th St., Lincoln, 489.7529, lincolnplayhouse.com. Through Nov. 21, Thu.-Fri., 7 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m., $10.

MAN OF LA MANCHA, IWCC Arts Center, Black Box Theatre, 2700 College Rd., Council Bluffs, iwcc.edu. Through Nov. 20, Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m., $5, $3/seniors and students.

NOISES OFF, University of Nebraska Omaha Theatre, Weber Fine Arts Building, 6001 Dodge St., 554.2796. Previews Nov. 17-18, opens Nov. 19-20, Dec. 1-4, 7:30 p.m., $5/previews, $15, $10/seniors, $5/students.

THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, Bellevue Little Theatre, 203 West Mission Ave., 291.1554, bellevuelittletheatre.com.

Through Nov. 21, three weekend run, $15, $13/seniors, $7.50/students.

SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN, TADA Theatre, 701 P St., Lincoln, 402.438.8232, tadatheatre.info. Through Dec. 12, Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m., $18, $15/matinee.

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, Chanticleer Theatre, 830 Franklin Ave, Council Bluffs, chanticleertheater.com/index.php. Through Nov. 28, Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 2 p.m., $17, $14/seniors, $9/students.

VALLEY OF THE DOLLS, SNAP! Productions, 3225 California St., 341.2757, snapproductions.com. Through Dec. 12, Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m., Sun., 6 p.m., $20.

THE VERTICAL HOUR, Skullduggery Productions, Del Weber Fine Arts Theatre Building, Room 333, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge St. Through Nov. 28, Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 6 p.m., $15, $5/students.

poetry/comedy thursday 18

AS THE WORM TURNS, The Bookworm, 87th and Pacific, 6:30 p.m., 392.2877, bookwormomaha.com. Space is limited, so call to reserve your place. (3rd Thursday.)

FLASH FICTION SLAM, 1st Floor, Weber Fine Arts Building, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge St., 6:30 p.m., $5 entry fee.

art/theater listings

HARVEST OF WORDS, Cathedral Arts Cultural Center, 701 N. 40th St., poetsbuddy@gmail.com, 7:30 p.m. Benefit for the Cathedral Arts Project.

PINK FLOYD LECTURE, Strauss Performing Arts Center, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge St., unomaha.edu, 6:15 p.m., $12. Lecture by Tomm Roland.

PLAINS POETRY FIESTA, Ley Theater, Brandenburg Hall, Wayne State College, 1111 Main St., Wayne, NE, 9:30 a.m.

PROVOKE, Benson Grind, 6107 Maple St., 7-9 p.m. Hosted by Jack Hubbell, (1st & 3rd Thurs.)

REYNOLDS SERIES, University of Nebraska at Kearney, FA Recital Hall, unk.edu, 8 p.m. Featuring poet Natasha Trethewey.

B.T., Funny Bone, Village Pointe, 17305 Davenport St., funnnyboneomaha.com, 493.8036, 7:30 p.m.

RON WHITE, Rococo Theatre, 128 N. 13th St., Lincoln, 476.6540, rococotheatre.com, 7:30 p.m., $45.75.

fridAY 19

A CAVE CANEM POETRY WORKSHOP ON POETICS, Wayne Public Library, 410 N. Pearl St. # A, Wayne, NE, 10 a.m.

FUNNY BONE FRIDAY, O’Donnell Auditorium, 50th & Huntington Ave., Lincoln, 365.2412, 9 p.m., $5. With Dan Cummins.

NO NAME READING SERIES, SUR tango bar et cafe, 1228 P St., Lincoln, 4 p.m., 472.0666, FREE, featuring Adian Koesters and Michelle Menting. (every other Fri.) B.T., Funny Bone, Village Pointe, 17305 Davenport St., funnnyboneomaha.com, 493.8036, 7:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m.

saturday 20

LAST COMIC STANDING, Omaha Music Hall, 1804 Capitol Ave., 444.3353, 8 p.m., $35-$45.

PALISADES ELEMENTARY PTA HOLIDAY BOUTIQUE, 16820 Chutney Drive, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

B.T., Funny Bone, Village Pointe, 17305 Davenport St., funnnyboneomaha.com, 493.8036, 7 p.m, 9:30 p.m.

sunday 21

JOHN H. AMES READING SERIES, Jane Pope Geske Heritage Room of Nebraska Authors, Bennett Martin Public Library, 136 South 14th St., Lincoln, 2 p.m. Featuring Joseph Wydeven.

POETRY NIGHT, 357 Club, 2404 Ames Ave., 6 p.m., Poetry and prose (Every Sun.) SUNDAY SCIENTIST, Morrill Hall, 14th & Vine St., Lincoln, unl. edu, 1:30 p.m. “Ancient People and Their Killer Beans.”

B.T., Funny Bone, Village Pointe, 17305 Davenport St., funnnyboneomaha.com, 493.8036, 7 p.m.

monday 22

COMEDY NIGHT AND SLAM POETRY, MBSC Mav Lounge, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6001 Dodge St., 7 p.m. Featuring Dan Dummins, Kevin Shea and David Jarvis.

DUFFY’S COMEDY WORKSHOP, 1412 O St., Lincoln, 474.3543, duffyslincoln.com, 9 p.m. Comedy workshop (every Mon.) POETRY AT THE MOON, Crescent Moon Coffee, SE Corner of 8th & P St., Lower Level, Lincoln, crescentmoon@inebraska. com, 7 p.m. Open mic and Sarah Fairchild. (every Mon.) THE WORLD WAR II HISTORY BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP, The Bookworm, 87th and Pacific, 22 p.m., 392.2877, bookwormomaha.com. Discussing WWII History. (4th Monday.)

tuesday 23

SHOOT YOUR MOUTH OFF, The Hideout, 320 S. 72nd St., 9 p.m. sign-up, 9:30 start, 504.4434, myspace.com/shootyourmouthoff, spoken word, comedy, and music (every Tues.)

Wednesday 24

ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC FOR MUSICIANS & POETS, Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso, 1624 S. St., Lincoln, 8 p.m., 477.2007. Hosted by Spencer. (every Wed.) FANCY PARTY COMEDY, Duffy’s, 1412 O St., Lincoln, 474.3543, duffyslincoln.com, 9 p.m.

MIDWEST POETRY VIBE, KENO Kings/Royal Crown Lounge, 6553 Ames Ave., 9 p.m., poetry, R&B, and Neosoul music. (Every Wed.) THE NEBRASKA AUTHORS READING CLUB, The Bookworm, 87th and Pacific, 6:30 p.m., 392.2877, bookwormomaha.com. (4th Wednesday.)

PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL: HOMELAND: FOUR PORTRAITS OF NATIVE ACTION, McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Farnam, 7 p.m., FREE. Profiles the struggles of Native American leaders. (every Wed.)

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Games People Play Tim Kasher rolls the dice … on love

by Tim McMahan Will we ever know the real story behind the songs that make up Tim Kasher’s debut solo album, The Game of Monogamy?

Probably not. “Some friends and family — people who really know me well — try to guess which songs are accounts of my life, and they’re always wrong,” Kasher says, on the road in Dallas. “To me, that’s great. That means I’m getting better as a writer.”

Jess Ewald

Tim Kasher

But where, exactly, did Kasher’s cynical view of long-term companionship come from? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that in the fall of 2009 the singer/songwriter frontman of successful indie bands Cursive and The Good Life seemed to be a happy fiancé, only to become unattached a few months later. Kasher, who once acknowledged seminal Cursive album Domestica was about his failed marriage, won’t talk about that recent engagement, nor say if it supplied meaning for this record.

“To me, the album is like (The Good Life’s 2004 release) Album of the Year, where I was chronicling the bulk of my experiences over a year,” Kasher says.

“I kind of did the same thing with this record. There are specific references to my own life; I can’t deny that, but there’s so much other stuff, too. The story as a whole is a fictional account. That’s what you do as a writer — you base it on your own experiences, and then fictionalize it.”

Kasher began writing songs for The Game of Monogamy two years ago when Saddle Creek Records labelmates Azure Ray invited him to play solo at some of their reunion dates, back when he still lived in Santa Monica, California. “I thought it was a good opportunity to start writing my own record, which I always planned on doing,” he says. “I did do that once, back in 1999, but that became a band (The Good Life). This is me starting over.”

In late 2009, Kasher moved from Santa Monica to Whitefish, Montana, after his pal, Stefan Marolachakis of the band The End of the World, told him what a great time he had recording up there. Kasher compared the area of northwestern Montana to the bucolic land seen in the 1992 Robert Redford-directed film A River Runs Through It. “I wrote about half the record in those four months in Whitefish,” he says. “I was really lucky.”

Maybe splitting the songwriting between Santa Monica and Montana explains why the music on

I, too, tried to pry the real meaning behind bitter-worded songs like “Cold Love” (The sheltered life of a couple / Is like living in a bubble), “No Fireworks,” (I thought love was supposed to spill from our hearts / I can’t feel it, no fireworks, no twinkling stars), and “There Must Be Something I’ve Lost,” (When I was young I believed in love / But hey, I also believed in God), which aren’t so much about monogamy as much as the agony of living in monogamy.

“That’s why calling it The Game of Monogamy is so crucial,” Kasher says. “I don’t feel the record is about monogamy. I still yearn for that concept, which is why I call it a game. I also think we could sit here with a panel and they’d all agree that it is a game.

It’s not easy, and isn’t it also a pain in the ass?”

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backbeat The Game of Monogamy comes in two distinct flavors. Acoustic heartbreakers like “Strays” and “The Prodigal Husband” and epic closer “Monogamy” are balanced by some of the best pop songs Kasher has written, including the brass and electronic-handclap driven “I’m Afraid I’m Gonna Die Here,” and simple, swinging “Cold Love,” both of which would be radio hits in another universe.

Kasher can’t help but feel good about those perfect pop gems. “I wouldn’t say ‘proud,’ I’d say I was pleased, for lack of a better word, with writing ‘Cold Love,’” he says. “It seems like a ridiculous concept that as a musician and songwriter you spend so much time trying to make things so complicated, and spend so much of your life trying to find ways to simplify things. I get more comfort from trying to hit those pop peaks. I love pop music, and those songs are just me being more willing to see them through.”

Backed by a solid band that includes Patrick Newbury on keyboards and trumpet, Dylan Ryan on drums and Lewis Patzner on cello and brass, Kasher had no expectations for this, his first solo tour. “No one knew what to expect, so we all prepared for the worst,” he says. “We never had any false assumptions that people were going to show up because they knew my name.”

But, thankfully, they have. “After 10 years of fairly consistent touring, here I am touring more than I’ve ever toured,” Kasher says. “I thought I’d slow down at some point, but touring is such a huge part of staying afloat.”

So are his other projects. Kasher says he’s working on new Cursive material and another solo record. He’s even written a couple more screenplays despite being unable to get his first screenplay, Help Wanted Nights, produced. “The long and short of it is that it didn’t work out, but I’m still feverishly trying to crack into the (film) industry,” he says.

With all those projects, the only thing he’s missing is writing the Great American Novel. Kasher just laughs. “If everything went incredibly well, that would be the third chapter of my life.” , Tim Kasher plays w/ Darren Hanlon and Conduits, Friday, Nov. 19, at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. The $10 show starts at 9 p.m. Visit onepercentproductions.com

n The folks behind Record Store Day have put together exclusive releases for indie shops such as Homer’s for Black Friday, Nov. 26. Artists include The Black Keys, Iron & Wine, Dr. Dog, MGMT, U2, Drive By Truckers, Gaslight Anthem, Tom Petty, and several more. Most have pressings under 3,000 and, according to Homer’s GM/Buyer, Mike Fratt, they expect one-to-five copies of each exclusive title per location, dependant upon allocation. There are no holds, no pre-orders on any of the elite merchandise. Visit recordstoreday.com or your nearest Homer’s for more information. n UNO’s computer and electronic music outfit, Ensemble A.M.I. (Artificial Music Initiative) will perform Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon in it’s entirety Thursday, Nov. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Strauss Center on UNO’s campus. The group specializes in “live, interactive computer music as well as any musical art that is mediated by technology.” Bassist Luke Sawtelle will conduct with technical direction from keyboardist Paul Morrison. The show will include full rock band instrumentation with background vocals, multiple guitar and keyboard parts, saxophone, drums and several “laptop players.” A pre-show lecture on the music of Pink Floyd

by Tomm Roland begins at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $12.

Call 554.3947 for more details. n Also Nov. 18 is Omaha Rocks: A Benefit for the Homeless at Slowdown at 7 p.m., featuring Platte River Rain, The Siena Francis House Singers, The Todd Campbell Project, The Bishops and The Jacuzzi Brothers. Plus, there will be artwork by Jerry Neil and Chris Leet. The $10 donation/cover will go towards move-in kits for area service providers to help the homeless throughout the long, cold, fast-approaching winter months. Visit theslowdown.com. n If the pre-holiday vibe has you feeling charitable, another good cause is giving teenagers a place to see live music by helping Lincoln’s burgeoning all-ages venue, Mad Ave, get up and running. The club’s October opening was postponed after some confusion over necessary building maintenance, and its proprietors are scrambling for funds to upgrade parts of the building (one example: an extra bathroom is needed for them to legally operate). According to Brock Stephens the group is planning two benefit shows (one in Omaha, one in Lincoln) for mid-December and accepting donations via a PayPal account at matt.vicars@hotmail. com. “We are also looking for any contractors, plumbers and electricians willing to help us with this matter. Our goal is to be open by January 2011,” says Stephens. Stay tuned for more on the benefits and overall progress.

— Sarah Wengert Backbeat takes you behind the scenes of the local music scene.

Send tips, comments and questions to backbeat@thereader.com.

with D.M.C.

Tickets available at whiskeyroadhouse.com or by phone at 1.888.512.SHOW.

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| THE READER |

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

53

Chicago Symphony Orchestra • Mondays 8 PM Live at the Concertgebouw • Tuesdays 8 PM Modern Classics • Fridays 6pm Midnight Special • Fridays Midnight Chamber Music at Lincoln Center • Saturdays 7 AM Classical Guitar Alive • Sundays 10 AM Composer Spotlight • Sundays 11 AM Going Beyond Words • Sundays Noon From The Top • Sundays 5 PM New York Philharmonic • Sundays 6 PM Pittsburg Symphony Orchestra • Sundays 8pm

Trim: 4.9" x 7.47" Live: 4.625" x 7.22 VO: ~ x ~ Desc.: Omaha Reader 4.9” x 7.47” Ad Final Mats: PDF File

Bleed: none Artist: Michelle Rev: 1

WWW.KVNO.ORG

music lazy-i

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&

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| THE READER |

11/3/10 9:18 AM MUSIC - LAZY I

contributing writer Tim McMahan focused on the Omaha music scene. Check out Tim’s daily music news updates at his website, lazy-i.com, or email him at lazy-i@ thereader.com.

PROFILES, MUSIC NEWS, LAZY-I, HOODOO & MORE ... PROFILES, MUSIC NEWS, LAZY-I, HOODOO & MORE

Playing God Pandora’s Tim Westergren on the future of music

P

December 12 • 8pm

Lazy-i is a weekly column by long-time Reader senior

by Tim McMahan

andora founder Tim Westergren stood alone on the empty oak stage floor of the packed Durham Western Heritage Museum auditorium, holding a microphone, looking like Peter Krause from “Six Feet Under,” and calmly told the audience of music fans, musicians, business people and tech-geeks what the future of the music industry looks like.

If he’s right, we’re in for a long, boring ride.

Krause was in town last Tuesday night conducting one of his “town hall meetings,” where he goes among the masses like a wizened messiah and proffers the magic of Pandora. He answers questions about the technology and why it’s so important.

Westergren believes Pandora and Internet radio will ultimately rescue the dying music industry. It will do this by offering listeners only the music they want to hear, and nothing else. Pandora is web-streaming radio powered by the “Music Genome Project” — a complicated algorithm where users enter a song or artist that they enjoy, and the service responds by playing selections that are musically similar. “Instant personalized radio,” is how Westergren describes it.

He spent the first half-hour talking about Pandora’s origin, about how he maxed out dozens of credit cards and almost went broke, but how the project eventually broke through. He talked about how the broadcast music industry has become irrelevant, how it no longer speaks to us, and how music has become sonic wallpaper.

“What Pandora has done is reconnect people with music,” Westergren said. “That’s why it’s growing.”

But it can’t keep growing unless there are musicians supplying the grist for this electronic mill. Westergren said future rock stars will be “kind of a middle class of musicians that are really talented, that are willing to work hard and travel, but that don’t have a home anymore” with traditional record labels. And that’s OK because Pandora makes great big record labels unnecessary. Here’s why: “We (Pandora) know essentially the songs and music people like, and where they live in the United States,” Westergren said. “One vision of the future is that a musician will come to Pandora, log into his information, and literally see a map of the U.S. with his audience plotted out.”

From there, the musician can route his tour, and go to every location where listeners have “thumbed up” (akin to approving) his music in Pandora. Fans who have “opted in” will receive an email two weeks before that musician hits their town, or might learn about the concert while listening to Pandora.

“That’s when you can start being serious about this musician’s middle class,” Westergren said. “Musicians will be able to make a living instead of living on Ramen.”

“Through our service, there will come a time when the day your song gets added to Pandora, you’ll be able to quit your job,” he added. “Because that song goes out and is played for literally millions of people who like your kind of music, who can connect directly with you, who know when you’re coming to town, can buy your CD and join your fan list. It’s this magic kind of eBay, connecting music fans with music more efficiently.”

Westergren said they’ve surveyed listeners and that about 40 percent bought more music after they started listening to Pandora, while only 2 percent bought less. “We’re one of the top affiliates of sales to iTunes and Amazon,” he said.

But more than music sales, Pandora does something that broadcast radio never did — it pays musicians.

“When you’re a musician and your song is played on an AM/FM station, the composer is paid a very small amount of money, but the performers get no compensation,” Westergren said. “With Internet radio, we actually pay a very large royalty to the performers. If you took all broadcast radio today and slapped it onto Internet radio it would be billions of dollars of new revenue for the music industry just from radio royalties (that musicians) are not getting right now. That’s the biggest tectonic shift that’s happening for artists.”

Yeah, but doesn’t that make you an artistic dictator? someone asked.

“I like to think of us as being an empowerer of artists,” Westergren said. “We have a team of musicians that determine what should go into Pandora, and it’s based on quality. At that point, we are playing God and are deciding what should go in and what shouldn’t. But I’m OK with that. Pandora is providing opportunity. These are musicians that wouldn’t get heard anywhere else.”

It all sounds so perfect. Maybe it is … except for one little thing: If all you ever listen to is music that you think you like or that sounds like music that you think you like, how will you ever discover something new, something different, something that could change your life?

What fun is that? I mean, I like Bruce Springsteen as much as the next guy, but Bruce Springsteen Radio? The only thing worse than listening to non-stop Springsteen would be listening to bands that supposedly “sound” like Springsteen.

Not only does that deify homogeneity, it’s downright boring.

Even more depressing: If everyone listens only to what Pandora thinks they want to hear, how would we find the next Beatles? We take them for granted as if they’ve always existed, but I’ve been told by people old enough to remember that when the Beatles first arrived, they sounded like nothing anyone had heard before. They certainly wouldn’t have fit onto Beach Boys Radio or Bobby Vinton Radio or Chubby Checker Radio. Or maybe the ones playing God wouldn’t have let them in at all. ,

music hoodoo

Hoodoo is a weekly column focusing on blues, roots, Americana and occasional other music styles with an emphasis on live music performances. Hoodoo columnist B.J. Huchtemann is a Reader senior contributing writer and veteran music journalist who has covered the local music scene for nearly 20 years.

Music Brings Hope

D

by B.J. Huchtemann

espite the holidays heading our way, there are still lots of live music events. Many of them let you give back to your community during this holiday season. Slowdown hosts Omaha Rocks: a Benefit for the Homeless, Thursday, Nov. 18, featuring Platte River Rain, The Bishops, The Jacuzzi Brothers and The Todd Campbell Project. Your $10 donation at the door helps buy household goods for recently homeless persons who are moving into new home settings.

See slowdown.com for details.

Mark your calendar for next Wednesday, Nov. 24, when Matt ha Food Bank after 9 p.m.

Admission is a donation of canned goods. (No glass items). Canned in Benson features solo performances by Nick Carl, Matt Whipkey, Ben Seiff, Kyle Harvey, Cass Brostad, Alex Diimig, Korey Anderson, Rebecca Lowry, Justin Lamoureux, Brad Hoshaw, Sarah Benck and Matt Cox. See mattcoxmusic.net for details.

Toy Drive Coming Up Lash LaRue’s annual Toy Drive for Pine Ridge Reservation children kicks off Wednesday, Dec. 1, with a CD release listening party at The Waiting Room at 7 p.m. Copies of the third annual Christmas for Pine Ridge CD will be for sale.

The disc features original music from over 15 local artists and was recorded live at The Waiting Room. Jim Homan of Screen Door Studio donated recording and production time for the disc. See lashlaruetoydrive.com for other Toy Drive events, which this year include an acoustic show at Slowdown Thursday, Dec. 2, and a multi-band Zoo Bar Sunday, Dec. 5.

Brad Cordle’s New Band Long-time Omaha musician Brad Cordle is back in Omaha full time. He debuts his new Omaha band Thursday, Nov. 18, at The New Lift Lounge at 7 p.m.

Band members are Craig Balderston (bass/ vocals), Dave Steen (guitar/vocals), Johnny Gomez Jr. (Hammond B3/keys) and Bill Bolmeier (drums). The band will play soul, blues and funk, including both choice covers and originals by Cordle and Steen. Veteran Lincoln musician Steen is a nationally recognized songwriter whose work has been covered by notable blues artists. Longtime fans of the Omaha blues scene will remember Cordle’s many years fronting the highly popular band The Jailbreakers. Cordle recently returned

to Omaha after spending recent years as a working musician in Las Vegas. John Crews and Bucky McCann open with an acoustic set at 5 p.m.

2234 South 13th Street Omaha, NE 68108 346 - 9802 www.sokolundground.com

sAT 11/20/2010

Zoo Bar Music The Zoo Bar hosts a showcase of young bands participating in the Academy of Rock, Lincoln’s youth performance program, Thursday, Nov. 18, 6-9 p.m.

All ages will be admitted for this show. See academyofrock.org for more information on this program.

If you have extra time in your holiday schedule, remember that the Zoo offers an open jam every Monday after 9 p.m. Hosting musicians include co-owner Jeff Boehmer, Josh Hoyer, Levi William, Logan Penington and Kris Lager when he is in town. Also check out The Jazzocracy, a showcase of some of Lincoln’s best jazz musicians. The band plays free Tuesdays, 6-9 p.m.

The Zoo’s also been hosting special shows by the Quinn Gospel Choir with Nick Semrad on keys. Check out great gospel on the soulful stage of the Zoo Bar when the next show is scheduled Sunday, Nov. 21, at 3 p.m.

Thanksgiving night, Nov. 25, the Lil’ Slim Blues Band takes the stage at the Zoo after 9 p.m.

Shake your extra Thanksgiving calories away at the Zoo Friday night, Nov. 26, with the Kris Lager Band.

sAT 11/20/2010

Tue 11/23/2010

wed 11/24/2010

wed 11/24/2010

Lift Lounge Music Since Thursday is Thanksgiving Day, The New Lift Lounge offers a special Thanksgiving Eve doubleheader Wednesday, Nov. 24, beginning at 5 p.m.

Everybody’s favorite Lincoln bluesman and national award winner, Magic Slim, serves his Chicago blues at 5 p.m. Slim will be backed by his son Shawn Holt and his son’s band, the Lil’ Slim Blues Band. At 7 p.m., Hector Anchondo returns to Omaha with the blues band he’s been putting together in Chicago. This should be a steamy night of old-school Chicago blues and fiery guitar chops.

Hot Notes Brad Hoshaw returns from a several-week tour to play a solo homecoming show at Pizza Shoppe Collective Thursday, Nov. 18, after 8 p.m. Pat Gehrman from Five Story Fall opens the show with a solo set.

Kris Lager Band and The Cards gig at Barley Street Tavern Friday, Nov. 19, after 9 p.m.

Up and coming blues-rockers Matt Gagne & The Blues Experience play Shamrock’s, 5338 N. 103rd St., Saturday, Nov. 20. ,

sAT 11/27/2010

Thu 12/2/2010

TITS for TATAS PreSenTS: XV {AudITorIum} w/ Scru fAce JeAn, meAn SwAg & AZP AgAInST The ArTIfIcIAl cd releASe PArTy w/ AgAInST The ArTIfIcIAl, dIrTfedd, IndeX cASe, SIdewISe & cold STeel oceAno w/ mychIldren myBrIde, chelSeA grIn, ATTIlA, In The mIdST of lIonS, monSTerS, SuPerIor & enSlAVed SAnITy eVery TIme I dIe w/ TrAP Them & howl emPhATIc {AudITorIum} w/ ShAmAnS hArVeST ArTIllery funK w/ reggAeJunKIeJew, AneurySm, hoT from fAr, SurreAl The mc, mc grIngo & rIderS of The APocAlyPSe chASe coy w/ BAcKSeAT goodBye, Plug In STereo, PAInT The coASTlIne & SunSeTS To SPeAK of

AdvAnce TickeTs noT AvAilAble AT venue music

| THE READER |

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

55

live music calendar

SEND CALENDAR INFORMATION — including addresses, dates, times, costs and phone numbers — to The Reader’s calendar editor. Mail to or drop off information at P.O. Box 7360 Omaha, NE 68107; email to listings@thereader.com; fax to (402) 341.6967.

Deadline is 5 p.m. the Thursday prior to issue date.

thursday 18

DOWNTOWN SOUND, (DJ) 9 p.m., 415, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS SPANISH GUITAR CONCERT, 6 p.m., Bancroft St. Market,

$5.

MOMORO ONO, (piano) 6 p.m., Creighton Lied Center.

OPEN JAM, 9 p.m., Chrome Lounge.

CHRIS SAUB, (acoustic) 8:30 p.m., Cunningham’s, FREE. WIN LANDER, (island) 9 p.m., Firewater Grille, FREE. NASHVILLE REJECT, (cover) 9 p.m., The Grove, FREE. SPIKE NELSON DUET, (jazz) 6 p.m., Jazz Louisiana Kitchen.

UNDERDAWGZ, E-NUTT, (hip-hop) 9 p.m., Knickerbockers.

GARY FARMER AND THE TROUBLE MAKERS, (rock) 7

p.m., Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom, FREE. SUSIE THORNE & JAZZ BAND, (jazz) 9 p.m., Myth, FREE. JOHN CREWS & BUCKY MCCANN, (blues) 5 p.m., New Lift.

BRAD CORDLE’S LATEST BLUES BAND, (blues) 7 p.m.,

New Lift Lounge, $7.

R-STYLE, (jazz) 6:30 p.m., Ozone, FREE. BRAD HOSHAW, PAT GEHRMAN, (singer-songwriter) 8

p.m., Pizza Shoppe Collective, $5.

SWAMPJAM, (blues) 8 p.m., Pour House, FREE. DAVE POLSON ORCHESTRA, (jazz) 8 p.m. Side Door, FREE. OMAHA ROCKS: A BENEFIT FOR THE HOMELESS W/ THE SIENA FRANCIS HOUSE SINGERS, THE TODD CAMPBELL

PROJECT, THE JACUZZI BROTHERS, THE BISHOPS,

(rock/singer-songwriter) 7 p.m., Slowdown, $10.

READER RECOMMENDS ENSEMBLE A.M.I., (electronic Dark Side of the Moon) 7

p.m., Strauss Performing Arts Center, $12.

JR HOSS, (acoustic) 9 p.m., Two Fine Irishmen, FREE. THE PERSUADERS, (cover) 8 p.m., Whiskey Roadhouse,

FREE. ACADEMY OF ROCK, 6 p.m., Zoo Bar, $5.

MIDLAND BAND, SFS, (jam/rock) 9:30 p.m., Zoo Bar, $5.

CHRIS SAUB, (acoustic) 5 p.m., Zurlo’s Bistro Italiano.

FRIDAY 19

RICK SPURGIN, (acoustic) 9 p.m., 1020, FREE. ALEXSED & HUTSADY, (DJ) 9 p.m., 415, $5.

KATE TRUKA, LANNY FULLER, STERLING HITCH, (singer-

songwriter) 8 p.m., 815, $5.

CHESHIRE GRIN, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Arena, FREE. KRIS LAGER BAND, THE CARDS, (blues/rock) 9 p.m.,

Barley St. Tavern, $6.

MILES FROM DUBLIN, (celtic) 9 p.m., Brazen Head.

BLUE HOUSE, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Brewsky’s Park Drive.

BAND CAMP, (cover) 9 p.m., Chrome, FREE. PAUL SCOTT HOAGBIN TRIO, (blues) 7 p.m., Crane Coffee

60th & Center, FREE. JR HOSS, (acoustic) 5 p.m., Cunninghams, FREE. JITTERBUGS’ NIGHT OUT, (jazz/dixieland) 9 p.m., Eagles

Lodge, $10.

4 STRINGS OF SWING, (latin/jazz) 6:30 p.m., Espana, FREE. 5 MAN TRIO, (cover) 9 p.m., Firewater Grille, FREE. K-9 SUITE, (cover) 9 p.m., The Grove, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS DEE DEE BRIDGEWATER: TO BILLIE WITH LOVE, A

CELEBRATION OF LADY DAY, (jazz) 8 p.m., Holland

Center, $19.

STREET RAILWAY COMPANY DIXIELAND QUARTET, (jazz)

7 p.m., Jazz Louisiana Kitchen.

SONS OF VOORHEES, CHRONIC CARNAGE, RISING FOE,

(rock/metal) 6 p.m., Knickerbockers.

ESCAPE THE FIRE, NAT RUNGE BAND, CRUSH THE

CLOWN, MOTHER OF ALL, THE FAVORS, (rock/metal)

9 p.m., Knickerbockers.

56

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

| THE READER |

music listings

PURE VINYL, 9 p.m., LiT Lounge.

CHRIS SAUB BAND, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Loose Moose, FREE. 112 NORTH DUCK, (blues) 9 p.m., McKenna’s, FREE. LADY ANTEBELLUM, DAVID NAIL, (country) 7:30 p.m.,

Orpheum Theater, $42.50.

THE CONFIDENTIALS, (cover) 8:30 p.m., Ozone, FREE. FUNDRAISER FOR THE SIENA FRANCIS HOUSE W/ THE

BETSY WELLS BAND, (rock) 8 p.m., Pizza Shoppe.

LEMON FRESH DAY, (cover) 9 p.m., red9, $5.

THE FIRM, (rock) 9:30 p.m., The Side Door, FREE. MOTHER PILE, SUPER INVADER, SOFTWARE, LOCKJAW,

(rock/metal) 9 p.m., Slowdown, $8.

AGAINST THE ARTIFICIAL, SIDEWISE, INDEX CASE, COLD

STEEL, (rock/metal) 8 p.m., Sokol Underground, $8.

SIGNUM A.D., SHERIDAN BREAKDOWN, VITOSUS, (punk/

rock) 9 p.m., Stir Live, $5.

QUARTUS, (cover) 9 p.m., Tropics.

THE LABELS, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Two Fine Irishmen, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS TIM KASHER, CONDUITS, DARREN HANLON, (indie/rock)

9 p.m., Waiting Room, $10.

DRUNKEN INTENTIONS, (cover) 9 p.m., Whiskey

Roadhouse, FREE. THE HEARTMURMURS, (blues) 5 p.m., Zoo Bar, $4.

THE COWBOY DAVE BAND, (country) 9 p.m., Zoo Bar, $6.

SATURDAY 20

CHRIS MASSARIS, DJ QC, (DJ) 9 p.m., 415, $5.

CHESHIRE GRIN, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Arena, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS LANDING ON THE MOON, (rock) 9 p.m., Barley St., $5.

MODUS VIVENDI, ESCAPE THE FIRE, ARTILLERY FUNK,

(rock/funk) 8 p.m., Bones, $5.

HLN6 W/ WOOKIEFOOT, STARKEY, SIRENT, MOUTH+ANDY

MARKER, SPECTRE+JANSTENT, RC DUB, BLUE

MARTIAN TRIBE, SPENCE+KOBRAKYLE,

THE WEEPING FIGS, DJESSE, LUCKY LUDO, NIJ,

BRENT CRAMPTON+JASON HORACECK,

ULTIMATE DOWNHILL MACHINES, CAM O’BRIEN,

MORE, (DJ/electronic) 7 p.m., Bourbon, $25/

all access, $15/single day access.

SHOOT TO THRILL, (cover) 9 p.m., Chrome, FREE. MILES FROM DUBLIN, (celtic) 9 p.m., Brazen Head.

4 STRINGS OF SWING, (latin/jazz) 6:30 p.m., Espana, FREE. SHURTHING, (cover) 9 p.m., The Grove, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS TOMAS KUBINEK, (symphony) 8 p.m., Holland Center, $15-

$65.

SWAMPBOY BLUES BAND, (blues) 7 p.m., Jazz Louisiana

Kitchen.

CYNGE, UNDER SHALLOW GROUND, IDLE MINDS, (metal)

9 p.m., Knickerbockers.

CHRIS SAUB BAND, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Loose Moose, FREE. SOUL DAWG, (cover) 8:30 p.m., Ozone, FREE. TERMINAL HARMONY, (acapella) 7 p.m., Papillion-LaVista

High School, $15.

D FUNK, (cover) 9 p.m., red9, $5.

BAD COUNTRY, SARAH EYTALIS, (country/bluegrass) 7

p.m., Side Door, FREE. ALACARTOONA, (cabaret) 5 p.m., Slowdown, $5.

LIFE OF A SCARECROW, FERAL HANDS, FLESH EATING

SKIN DISEASE, I TITAN, DIRE GNOSIS, (metal/noise)

9 p.m., Slowdown, $8.

XV, SCRU FACE JEAN, MEAN SWAG, AZP, (hip-hop) 7:30

p.m., Sokol Auditorium, $16.

AGAINST THE ARTIFICIAL, DIRTFEDD, INDEX CASE,

SIDEWISE, COLD STEEL, (rock/metal) 7 p.m., Sokol

Underground, $8.

THE LABELS, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Two Fine Irishmen, FREE. POMEROY, (punk/rock) 9 p.m., Waiting Room, $13.

LEGACY, (cover) 9 p.m., Whiskey Roadhouse, FREE.

SUNDAY 21

SUNDAY GOLD W/ GREG K, (DJ) 9 p.m., 415, FREE. HLN6 W/ WOOKIEFOOT, STARKEY, SIRENT, MOUTH+ANDY

MARKER, SPECTRE+JANSTENT, RC DUB, BLUE

MARTIAN TRIBE, SPENCE+KOBRAKYLE,

THE WEEPING FIGS, DJESSE, LUCKY LUDO, NIJ,

BRENT CRAMPTON+JASON HORACECK,

ULTIMATE DOWNHILL MACHINES, CAM O’BRIEN,

MORE, (DJ/electronic) 7 p.m., Bourbon, $25/

all access, $15/single day access. ’80S NIGHT W/ OL’ MOANIN’ CORPSE, COURTNEY NOIR,

(DJ) 8 p.m., Bricktop, FREE. TONY DESARE, (vocal) 2:30 p.m., Brownville Concert Hall,

$15, $10/students.

PROFESSOR PLUM, AMY SCHMIDT, BRAD HOSHAW &

THE SEVEN DEADLIES, ORION WALSH, (folk/rock) 9

p.m., Duffy’s.

READER RECOMMENDS HANDEL’S MESSIAH, (classical) 3 p.m., Holland Center,

FREE. TELL ME A STORY W/ ROGER MYERS, (violin) 3 p.m.,

Jewish Community Center, FREE. THE MATT COX BAND, (folk/blues) 9 p.m., Pizza Shoppe

Collective, FREE. MIDWEST POSSE, (soul) 6:30 p.m., Side Door, FREE. STEPHEN MONROE, (acoustic) 2 p.m., Soaring Wings.

QUINN GOSPEL CHOIR, (gospel) 3 p.m., Zoo Bar.

MONDAY 22

SOUP AND SONG W/ KYLE & ANDY, (variety singer-song-

writer) 8 p.m., Barley St. Tavern, FREE. BIG BAND MONDYS FEAT. MIKE GURGIULLO AND HIS LAS

VEGAS LAB BAND, (jazz) 6:30 p.m., Ozone, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS MAC LETHAL, F. STOKES, (hip-hop) 9 p.m., Waiting Room,

$10.

PIANO HAPPY HOUR, 5 p.m., Zoo Bar, FREE. Z-JAM OPEN STAGE, 9 p.m., Zoo Bar, $3.

TUESDAY 23

VIC NASTY, (DJ) 9 p.m., 415, FREE. MARK “SHARKY” SANFORD, (piano) 6:30 p.m., Del Mare,

FREE. ABBA MANIA, (pop) 8 p.m., IWCC Art Center, $36.50.

SMALL TOWN FIRE, (rock) 9 p.m., Knickerbockers.

TIM KOEHN ACOUSTIC JAM, (acoustic/blues) 7 p.m.,

Louis, FREE. CHRIS SAUB, (acoustic) 8 p.m., The Phoenix, FREE. JENNIFER JOHNSON, (vocal) 7:30 p.m., Strauss

Performing Arts Center, $35, $20/students.

READER RECOMMENDS MARGOT & THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO’S, JOOKABOX,

BURNT ONES, (rock) 9 p.m., Waiting Room, $10.

JAZZOCRACY, (jazz) 6 p.m., Zoo Bar, FREE. ONE-EYED TOM AND FRIENDS W/ TIM BUDIG, (blues) 9:30

p.m., Zoo Bar, $5.

Wednesday 24

RYAN REDDING AND FRIENDS, (rock) 9 p.m., 1020, FREE. JAMS BEFORE YAMS, (DJ) 9 p.m., 415, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS A NIGHT IN THE ROUND BENEFIT FOR OMAHA FOOD

BANK W/ MATT COX, REBECCA LOWRY, KYLE

HARVEY, KOREY ANDERSON, BENN SIEFF, CASS

BROSTAD, NICK CARL, (singer-songwriter) 9:30 p.m.,

Barley St. Tavern THE TURFMEN, (celtic) 7 p.m., Brazen Head, FREE. CHESHIRE GRIN, (cover) 9 p.m., Chrome, FREE. LEMON FRESH DAY, (cover) 10 p.m., Del Mare, FREE. MOON JUICE BAND, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Gator O’Malley’s,

FREE. D*FUNK, (cover) 9 p.m., The Grove, $5.

FILTY FRESH AND THE SCUMBAGS, SUBJECT TO

AUTHORITY, (rock) 9 p.m., Knickerbockers.

HECTOR ANCHONDO’S CHICAGO BLUES BAND, (blues)

5:30 p.m., New Lift Lounge.

0

ROUGH CUT, (cover) 9 p.m., Old Mattree Factory, FREE. THE LABELS, (cover) 9 p.m., Ozone, FREE. STEPHEN MONROE, (blues) 7 p.m., The Penthouse Lounge.

THE SLANGS, (cover) 9 p.m., red9.

OPEN MIC, 9 p.m., Sean O’Casey’s, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS EVERY TIME I DIE, TRAP THEM, HOWL, GAZA, BAIO WOLF, (metal) 7:30 p.m., Sokol Underground, $15.

PERSONICS, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Two Fine Irishmen, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS SONG REMAINS THE SAME, SURFER ROSA, (tribute) 9

p.m., Waiting Room, $7.

TOASTED PONIES, (blues) 6 p.m., Zoo Bar, $5.

THE ALLENDALES, (blues) 9:30 p.m., Zoo Bar, $5.

VENUES Ameristar Casino, 2200 River Rd., Council Bluffs, ameristar.com Arena Bar & Grill, 3809 N. 90th St., 571.2310, arenaomaha.com BarFly, 707 N. 114th St., 504.4811 Barley Street Tavern, 2735 N. 62nd St., 554.5834, barleystreet.com Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St., Lincoln, 730.5695 Downtown Blues, 1512 Howard St., 345.0180 Duffy’s Tavern, 1412 O St., Lincoln, 474.3453, myspace.com/duffystavern The Hideout, 302 S. 72nd St. Knickerbocker’s, 901 O St., Lincoln, 476.6865, knickerbockers.net LIV Lounge, 2279 S. 67th St., 884.5410, livlounge.com Louis Bar and Grill, 5702 NW Radial Hwy., 551.5993 McKenna’s Blues, Booze & BBQ, 7425 Pacific St., 393.7427, mckennasbbq.com New Lift Lounge, 4737 S. 96th St., 339.7170 O’Leaver’s Pub, 1322 S. Saddle Creek Rd., 556.1238, myspace.com/oleaverspub Ozone Lounge at Anthony’s Steakhouse, 72nd and F, 331.7575, ozoneclubomaha.com.

Pizza Shoppe Collective, 6056 Maple St., 556.9090, pscollective.com Qwest, 455 N. 10th St., qwestcenteromaha.com Side Door, 3530 Leavenworth St., 504.3444.

Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St., 345.7569, theslowdown.com Sokol Hall, 2234 S. 13th St., 346.9802, sokolundergound.com The Sydney, 5918 Maple St., 932.9262, thesydneybenson.com Stir, 1 Harrahs Blvd., Council Bluffs, harrahs. com Venue 162, 162 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs, 712.256.7768, myspace.com/venue162 Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St., 884.5353, waitingroomlounge.com Whiskey Roadhouse, Horseshoe Casino, 2701 32nd Ave., Council Bluffs, whiskeyroadhouse.com Zoo Bar, 136 N.14th St., Lincoln, zoobar.com

3IGNUM ! $

!.$

3HERIDAN "REAKDOWN !.$

6ITOSUS

UPCOMING SHOWS

Tim Kasher’s vision is as keen as ever, unapologetically honest, unflinching, and self-reflective. His latest record marks the first time Kasher has written, recorded, and produced an album under his own name. Venturing independent, he fully took on the writing process and the result is more of an arranged record than his past releases.

FRiday, 11/19/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

TIM KASHER

4ELEVISED 5&# &IGHTS ThuRsday, 11/18/10 8:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

saTuRday, 11/20/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

Monday, 11/22/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

w/ Boondox & Axe Murder Boyz

w/ We Be Lions

w/ F. Stokes & Conchance

Tuesday, 11/23/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

Wednesday, 11/24/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

Wednesday, 11/24/10 7:30PM @ sokol undeRgRound

w/ Surfer Rosa

w/ Trap Them, Howl, Gaza & Baiowolf

HED PE

#AGE &IGHT !FTER 0ARTY WITH $* 3HIF $

-IDWEST $ILEMMA

POMEROY

MAC LETHAL

MARGOT & THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO’S

SONG REMAINS THE SAME

FRiday, 11/26/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

saTuRday, 11/27/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

sunday, 11/28/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

w/ Cashes Rivers & Mitch Gettman

w/ The Whipkey Three

w/ Jookabox & Burnt Ones

SPOtlIGHt SHOW

w/ Darren Hanlon & Conduits

EVERY TIME I DIE

$* 2YAN 3WAN

SATCHEL GRANDE

#!3( #/6%2 /. !,, 3(/73

\

$//23 !4 0- 3(/73 !4 0-

=MRON_VO KXN K\^S]^] ]_LTOM^ ^Y MRKXQO 7_]^ LO Y\ YVNO\ ^Y QKWLVO 5XYa AROX >Y =^YZ ,OPY\O CY_ =^K\^ Ž 1KWLVSXQ :\YLVOW) -KVV à " à ,/>=900 3X 3YaK Y\ à " à à ! Š 2K\\KRu] 6SMOX]O -YWZKXc 66-

THE ENVY CORPS

12/01/10 Toy Drive LisTening ParTy 12/02/10 DreDg 12/03/10 vinyL HaZe 12/04/10 LasH Larue Toy Drive 12/05/10 goriLLa ProDucTions 12/08/10 fancy ParTy comeDy 12/09/10 BraD HosHaw & THe seven DeaDLies 12/10/10 funk Trek 12/11/10 HoT BuTTereD rum acousTic Trio 12/13/10 Bryan greenBerg

MARK MALLMAN

12/14/10 HomeLess for THe HoLiDays 12/15/10 emmeT oTTer’s Jug-BanD cHrisTmas 12/16/10 somasPHere 12/17/10 THe naDas 12/18/10 cLever 12/20/10 saTurn moTH 12/21/10 wasTeoiD 12/23/10 sLowDown virginia 12/25/10 BanJo Loco 12/31/10 secreT weaPon new years!

More Information and Tickets Available at

WWW.ONEPERCENTPRODUCTIONS.COM music listings

| THE READER |

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

57

Deanlovestv (Sunday, 9 p.m., PBS). This is one of the best Beatle dramatizations ever. The need to sort through the sheer number of epochal events in John Lennon’s life from 1964 to 1971 would sink most biopics, but this one handles the exposition elegantly. Beatlemania, the Maharishi debacle, the tumultuous affair with Yoko Ono, the band’s breakup and other key incidents pass across the screen, but they don’t interfere with the primary drama: Lennon’s internal struggle as a man and an artist. — Dean Robbins Masterpiece Contemporary’s “Lennon Naked”

r e v i e w s ,

p r e v i e w s ,

s c o r e c a r d ,

f i l m

film n e w s

Bzzzoring

by Ben Coffman

he first movie in Stieg Larsson’s “Millennium Trilogy” was a mystery thriller with great characters, good action and shadowy

reportcard FILM

READER RATING

Conviction

C

Odd that a movie called Conviction inspires little..

Due Date

C-

Nothing new is born in this, other than the creation of a Galifianakis-overexposure countdown clock.

The Last Airbender (ON DVD)

C-

The worst thing to happen to the spoken word since the invention of “dude.”

Megamind

B-

Even in animated form, Will Ferrell walks the line of familiar fun and been-there-done-that.

READER RECOMMENDS

Never Let Me Go

A

Does watching a movie about how depressing it is that life is so short count as irony?.

Red

B

AARP-sponsored carnage, with added Malkovich.

Waiting for Superman

A

You’ll learn more by watching this documentary on public education than most students do by attending public schools.

Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater 14th & Mike Fahey Street (formerly Webster Street) More info & showtimes 402.933.0259 · filmstreams.org

undertones. The second was an action flick that screenwriter Ulf Ryberg (best known for penning a abandoned character building in favor of sex and bunch of Swedish mini-series) is too busy unknotviolence — and plenty of it. And the final film, The ting overly braided plotlines, all while under a tight Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest (released an im- deadline. Director Daniel Alfredson (who also possibly short few months after the middle film), directed the second film in the trilogy) was going has abandoned character building, sex and vio- for Michael Clayton and wound up with a two and lence in favor of talking, injury rehabilitation and a-half hour version of “Stockholm Law.” courtroom drama.

To put it in Thanksgiving terms, Hornet’s Nest The film begins with a recap of the closing is insanely bloated, near overflowing with turduckmoments of The Girl Who Played With Fire, as goth en and a little sleepy. At the Millennium family repixie Lisbeth Salander union, it’s definitely the (Noomi Rapace) is heli- the girl who kicked the hornet’s nest black sheep, but just like coptered to the hospital, creepy Uncle Gus, it’s still because there’s nothing coming to Thanksgiving more cyberpunk than dinner to regale you with shaving your head to fapredictable but boring stories. cilitate bullet removal.

There’s nothing Also returning is co-main wrong with the cinemacharacter and journalist tography or the look of Mikael Blomkvist (Michael Nyquist), who is the film — all of which helping Lisbeth, despite is adequate. But Hornet’s not having shared a scene with her for nearly three Nest is an outright betrayal of its characters. If you’ve invested the time to see the first two movies on-screen hours.

What follows is a monotonous snoozer, a (nearly six hours), no bad review will dissuade you film in which the bad guys are best described as from finishing the series.

One speck of hope for fans is that David The League of Extraordinarily Old Gentlemen. In stark contrast to the action-packed second film, Fincher (Se7en, Fight Club) has signed to direct the throughout Hornet’s Nest, the pedestrians barely American version of The Girl With the Dragon Tatbreak into a run and everyone driving a car politely too. Maybe he’ll be the Billy Bob Thornton to our Halle Berry and make us, once again, feel good. , obeys the speed limit.

The puzzles, riddles and crime solving are, GRADE: D of course, two movies gone at this point. Instead,

New this Week The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest First-Run (R) Directed by Daniel Alfredson Starts Friday, November 19

“A rousing, grueling, almost operatically scaled finale to the [Girl with the Dragon tattoo] series.” —Salon.com

Facebook & Twitter: /filmstreams

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NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

m o r e

cuttingroom

Hornet’s Nest abuzz with lots of talking

T

a n d

| THE READER |

film

n Although it gets difficult to defend the weekend after a new Adam Sandler movie or Twilight entry is upchucked upon the masses, film is art. Late local artist Kent Bellows had my back, and the Joslyn Art Museum can prove it. Thursday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 pm, the museum will host “Kent Bellows and the Influence of Film,” a lecture by Molly S. Hutton.

The lecture is free with museum admission, and you’ll hear Hutton discuss how Bellows borrowed from “Bergman, Hitchcock and Fincher, with a little Disney and Godzilla thrown in.” See, the big green guy isn’t just a skyscraper chomper, he’s also a muse. Hit up kentbellows.org for more info on a lecture that further supports cinema as art, no matter what Kevin James and Vince Vaughn do to it. n I loved Easy A and I don’t care who knows it. The estrogen-heavy, teen-set flick was maybe the most fun I had at a movie this year — no matter how much my wife giggles when I mention my adoration of the film. You know what, honey? My year just got better, because Emma Stone and director Will Gluck are re-teaming for a movie that has no title or plot yet. Shooting next summer, I’m already excited for it … and preparing to defend myself against my wife’s inevitable taunts. n Not that I feel the need to reiterate my masculinity, but has everyone heard that Natalie Portman is writing BYO, a sex comedy that she’s going to star in with Anne Hathaway? So if you’re keeping track at home, this creation knocks the discovery of fire down to Number 2 on the list of most significant inventions.

— Ryan Syrek Cutting Room provides breaking local and national movie news … complete with added sarcasm. Send any relevant information to film@thereader.com. Check out Ryan on the radio on CD 105.9 (Fridays at around 7:30 a.m.), on his blog at cuttingroomfloor.thereader.com and on Twitter (twitter.com/thereaderfilm).

Coming Soon Inside Job First-Run (PG-13)

Directed by Charles Ferguson Through Thursdsay, November 25

“A masterpiece of investigative moviemaking.” —Boston Globe

Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam 2009 One night only! Tuesday, November 30, 7pm Presented with Project Interfaith.

Carlos First-Run

Great Directors: Chaplin

Directed by Olivier Assayas December 10 - December 16

Friday, November 19 - Thursday, November 25

Black Swan First-Run (R) Directed by Darren Aronofsky Starts Friday, December 17

City Lights 1931 Limelight 1952

film

MONEY MAKERS

THE STUNNING FINALE!

COURTESY BOXOFFICEMOJO.COM

“INDISPUTABLY TERRIFIC. NOOMI RAPACE IS HOT STUFF.”

TOP FIVE HIGHEST-GROSSING MOVIES OF THE WEEKEND (nov. 12-14) 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Megamind

Unstoppable

Due Date Skyline Morning Glory

$29,120,461

$22,688,457 $15,419,042 $11,692,415 $9,203,266

Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE

“THE FINEST FILM IN THE TRILOGY.”

The Business of Being Boned How we got Inside Job-bed

by Ryan Syrek

N

ot angry enough at how poor you are?

Enjoying your unemployment too much?

Having a great time with foreclosure?

Check out director Charles Ferguson’s Inside Job for 120 minutes that will turn the most mild-mannered, tax-paying Bruce Banner into a Wall Street–smashing Hulk. Not a green Hulk, though, because there’s no green left.

Writers Chad Beck and Adam Bolt and Ferguson have crafted a graceful, elegant PowerPoint lecture, an economic crash-course detailing the course of the crash. The film is so dense that projectors may buckle while unspooling it, but this dogged thoroughness doesn’t let a single obtuse term slide past viewers. Want to finally understand what the Sam Hell a deriva-

tive is? Ferguson and company have the graphics to show you in graphic detail the tools that were used to sodomize our entire system.

This trigger of accurate, well-explained evidence fires a bullet of blinding rage. Matt Damon’s comforting, dulcet narration doesn’t soften the blow, nor does it make the information accumulation any easier … especially when the soundtrack alternates between notes borrowed from a melodramatic tragedy and those taken from a horror-thriller.

Trying to completely explain a global financial apocalypse decades in the offing inside a few hours proves exhausting. Bullet points, however, are easy. Everybody involved knew they were doing bad things, lots of them did blow and banged hookers while slapping at your 401K like a whack-a-mole, and the government passed laws to make all of these things easier. The end.

Millions of Americans feel as though they get it, convinced that nightly news sound bites

Richard Corliss, TIME

are sufficient explanation. They’re wrong. The economic collapse happened precisely because people don’t understand these financial shenanigans. But it’s our money, our lives and our jobs that suffer for this willful ignorance.

Dressed up with well-edited visual gloss and appropriately indignant one-on-one interviews, Ferguson’s documentary will wrinkle your brain and piss you off. Yup, watching Inside Job is no damn fun. It is, however, damn crucial. Why? Because nothing has changed, nothing is fixed yet, because nobody who did what they did has really paid the price for any of it yet … because it could easily happen again.

An educated public is a Wall Street thief ’s kryptonite. So set aside a few hours and get ready to do some heavy mental lifting. Or don’t, and be forced to keep trusting the people who are telling you that they have everything under control. Your call. ,

STIEG LARSSON’S

Read the Alfred A. Knopf Book

www.millenniumfilmtrilogy.com

STARTS FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH FILM STREAMS AT THE RUTH SOKOLOF THEATER 1340 Webster Street, Omaha (402) 933-0259

Visit www.millenniumfilmtrilogy.com to enter the Visit Stieg Larsson’s Sweden Sweepstakes!

THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE NOW AVAILABLE on DVD, Blu-ray and VOD

2.25” X 5.35" THUR 11/18 OMAHA THE READER

GRADE: B+

Taste Invaders Skyline is your average below-average blockbuster

H

by Justin Senkbile

ere you have it, dear readers: Skyline is the worst film I’ve seen in 2010.

Directed by a pair of special-effects gurus who call themselves The Brothers Strause (siblings Colin and Greg), the movie is more or less what you’d expect from guys who’ve worked their way up the ladder making computer explosions and a handful of Nickelback videos. From its evasive publicity campaign, one expects Skyline to be something like a remake of 1996’s Independence Day. But it’s so much less than that.

It’d be rude to run you through the details, so we’ll keep this brief. Skyline is about an alien invasion.

That may be a played out storyline, but how on earth do you make it boring? Skyline does it primarily by putting every ounce of talent and energy into effects and by delivering some shockingly feeble characters.

It stars Eric Balfour as the long-faced Jarrod, and Scottie Thompsen as Elaine, his girlfriend, which is literally the most eloquent way to describe her. The guy from “Scrubs” (Donald Faison) plays Jarrod’s old friend Terry. He lives with a woman named Candice (Brittany Daniel). Terry could best be described as Skyline’s token black character, while Candice is much like Elaine, only moodier and with a different hair color. The shining light of the cast is David Zayas as Oliver. Not because he’s particularly good (in fact, he’s particularly bad) but because he’s a “Dexter” cast member and, as such, is a pleasantly familiar face.

The only good thing one could possibly say about this movie is that it’s visually

impressive, which is actually arguable. And besides, isn’t that just the polite thing for a movie made by owners of a special effects company? Everything else, dialogue, acting, editing and especially the above-mentioned characters are amazingly bad and not in a fun, Roger Corman kind of way.

This is the Sistine Chapel of lousy, moneygrubbing movies.

To paraphrase critic-turned-filmmaker François Truffaut, criticizing a film amounts to criticizing a man. It’s a notion that, like it or not, becomes clear when trying to apply even the smallest amount of mental weight to Skyline. The Strause boys and writers Joshua Cordes and Liam O’Donnell don’t deserve all the blame — just almost all the blame. After all, this big, dumb, loud movie could only have been made by people who consider its audience equally offensive. ,

GRADE: F film

| THE READER |

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

59

60

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

| THE READER |

sports A R E A

C O L L E G E

A T H L E T I C

T E A M

N E W S

A N D

P R O F I L E S

A N D

O T H E R

S P O R T I N G

I N F O R M A T I O N

by Mike Babcock

T

he longest play Kansas managed came with about six minutes remaining in the third quarter of its 20-3 loss against Nebraska, when running back James Sims gained 23 yards over left end.

The gain was nullified by a holding penalty on the Jayhawks. Nebraska defensive coordinator Carl Pelini referred to the play afterward. Kansas had lined up in the Wildcat formation, in a way “very different than anything we’d seen,” he said.

“But we adjusted and hit it for a 2-yard gain the next time.”

That wasn’t the only instance of the Huskers’ defense adjusting, just the most dramatic. The Jayhawks ran from different formations and different personnel groupings. They did all sorts of offensive things they hadn’t done previously, “things (that) to the naked eye may not be obvious, but it requires our guys to adjust, to fit things very differently, coverage-wise and run-wise,” said Pelini.

Mecham went into the game having completed 17 consecutive passes, dating to the second quarter of the previous game, a dramatic, come-from-behind, 52-45 victory against Colorado.

QB Quinn Mecham completed his first two passes against the Huskers and then only one more,

finishing 3-of-13 for 15 yards and the Dennard interception. He was sacked six times.

“I’m very impressed (with the sacks). But also I knew we could do that,” said Nebraska defensive tackle Jared Crick, who was credited with two of the sacks.

The junior from Cozad leads the team with 6.5 sacks for the season and has 16 for his career, tying Jared Tomich and Kenny Walker for 10th on the Huskers’ all-time list.

The key to the sacks was stopping Kansas on first and second down, leaving the Jayhawks with third-and-long situations. “We’re a scary group come third-and-long,” Crick said.

At its best, Nebraska’s defense is a scary group in most any situation. Kansas finished with a meager 87 yards of total offense. The Jayhawks picked up only five first downs, and one of those was a result of a holding penalty. “We were spot-on today,” said Pelini.

Statistically speaking, Nebraska’s defense hadn’t turned in such an effort since 2000, when the Blackshirts held Baylor to 84 yards on 56 plays, in a 59-0 victory.

The Husker offense was clicking that day as well.

Not so this time, not consistently anyhow, which is why, according to Coach Bo Pelini, the first-team offense was still on the field at the end. “I didn’t like how we played at times offensively in the game,” he said. “I didn’t like our execution.

OPEninG niGhT Sunday november 21st 3:05 PM vs. Kansas City Comets uPCOMinG GaMES:

Sunday november 28th vs. Baltimore Blast 3:05pm ThurSday december 2nd vs. Milwaukee Wave 7:05pm Friday december 10th vs. Chicago riot 7:05pm aLL hOME GaMES PLayEd aT ThE OMaha CiViC audiTOriuM 20Th & CaPiTOL

T H E

J U M P

thejump

School Ties Huskers best Jayhawks

W I T H

“That just gave us more reps to keep working and getting better.”

He was asked if it might have had something to do with BCS style points.

“I could care less about the BCS,” Bo Pelini said. “I could care less about anything else. It’s about getting your football team better, and at that point, I wasn’t very happy about how we played offensively. So we’re going to keep playing and get the reps we need to get.”

Some fans might have wondered why, with the outcome long since decided, Pelini hadn’t sent in the reserves, especially considering former Husker player and assistant Turner Gill was returning to Memorial Stadium for the first (and last in the immediate future) time as Kansas head coach.

As it turned out, because of Nebraska’s offensive inconsistency, the final score wasn’t as lopsided as it easily could have been given the play of the defense. That the defense would turn in such a performance was probably appropriate. One of the considerations in hiring Bo Pelini instead of Gill, who also was a candidate for the job after Bill Callahan was fired, was the defensive background, Nebraska Athletic Director Tom Osborne said.

Had offense been the problem, Gill might have been the frontrunner. But the Husker defense was seriously deficient. And the Pelini brothers have rectified that, as the Kansas game showed. ,

■ You win some, you lose some and let’s just say Omaha’s had better weekends than the one just past. First there was the Creighton women’s soccer team, rallying Friday from a goal down to take a 2-1 lead on Minnesota in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Gophers out-shot the Bluejays 15-2 in the second half on their way to a 4-2 victory. Still a nice year for Coach Bruce Erickson, whose team set a school record with 15 wins. Then the top-seeded Creighton men lost to host team Bradley in the first round of the Missouri Valley Conference tournament, the Jays second loss to the Braves in less than a week. Creighton took a 2-1 lead into the half in this one as well, then conceded a pair of second half goals in an ugly game. Bradley was whistled for 26 fouls while Creighton outshot the Braves, 20-9. The Bluejays received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. They face New Mexico Thursday at 7 p.m. at Morrison Stadium. And finally there was the 41-3 drubbing Sacramento put on the Omaha Nighthawks late last Saturday night. It was the Nighthawks’ third straight loss, ending the team’s hopes of appearing in the UFL Championship game at Rosenblatt Stadium Nov. 27. Instead, Omaha will see Las Vegas take on somebody in the title game.

■ One team that didn’t lose was the UNO hockey team. The 6th-ranked Mavs beat St. Cloud State at home Friday, then rallied from two goals down Saturday to take a 4-3 lead over the Huskies before conceding a late goal to end up with a 4-4 tie.

What was expected to be a novel first season in the WCHA has turned into one with legitimate expectations. The Mavs are the only team without a conference loss and will welcome North Dakota, Coach Dean Blais’ former squad, to the Qwest Center this weekend. Inside College Hockey ranks the Mavs fourth in their most recent power poll, two spots ahead of UND. With the Nighthawks now eliminated from the UFL title game, you might not see a hotter ticket in Omaha this winter.

— Brandon Vogel

CREIGHTON Welcome to Our House!

MEN’S BASKETBALL

VOLLEYBALL

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

u Saturday, Nov. 20 @ 7 p.m.

Creighton vs. Southern Illinois

u Friday, Nov. 26 @ 7:05 p.m.

Creighton vs. Kennesaw State

u Saturday, Nov. 20 @ 2:05 p.m.

Creighton vs. Wyoming

u Friday, Nov. 19 @ 7 p.m.

Creighton vs. Evansville

Men’s basketball home games played at Qwest Center Omaha (10th & Cass St.) Volleyball & women’s basketball home games played at the Ryan Athletic Center/D.J. Sokol Arena (19th & Webster St.)

Tickets: 280-JAYS

sports

WWW.GOCREIGHTON.COM

| THE READER |

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

61

news

of the

t h e w o r l d g o n e f r e a k y w i t h i l l u s t r a t i o n s

weird b y c h u c k b y t o m

s h e p h e r d b r i s c o e

Sexy Seniors A bout 20 percent of Japan’s adult-video market is now “elder porn” with each production featuring one or more studly seniors and Shigeo Tokuda, 76, among the most popular. He told Toronto’s Globe and Mail in October that he still “performs” physically “without Viagra,” in at least one role a month opposite much younger women. His wife and adult daughter learned only two years ago, by accident, of his late-onset career (which began at age 60 when a filmmaker hired him for his “pervert’s face”). Tokuda figures the “elder porn” genre will grow with Japan’s increasing senior population.

Cultural Diversity

In Afghanistan, as in many less-developed countries, boy babies are much preferred to girls for economic reasons and social status, but some thus-unlucky Afghan parents developed a workaround for “excess” girls: simply designate one a boy. All references to her are male, she dresses as a boy, plays “boy” games and does “boy” chores, at least until puberty, when many parents of the “bocha posh” convert her back. In some tribal areas, according to a September New York Times dispatch, superstition holds that creation of a bocha posh even enhances prospects of the next child’s being a boy.

— Although India has forbidden discrimination against lower-caste “Dalits” (so-called

62

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

| THE READER |

news of the weird

“untouchables”), rampant oppression still exists, especially in rural areas. In October, police were investigating reports that a higher-caste woman disowned her dog after it was touched by an “untouchable” woman. A village council in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh state had reportedly awarded the higher-caste woman the equivalent of $340 compensation after she witnessed the dog being given food scraps by the Dalit woman.

Latest Religious Messages

If Only They Had Been Less Religious: (1) Ten people were killed in an October stampede when a scuffle broke out at a Hindu temple in the Indian state of Bihar where 40,000 had taken their goats to be sacrificed for prosperity. (2) In July in Montcalm County, Mich., four teenagers attending a Bible church camp were killed when lightning struck an umbrella they were huddling under on a field.

— Cheerful, articulate Catholic Opus Dei official Sarah Cassidy, 43, granting a long interview to London’s Daily Mail in September about her joy of life, waxed eloquent about bringing herself pain for two hours every night as reminders of God’s love. Complained another Opus Dei “numerary,” our “materialistic, hedonistic society” understands pain “if you go jogging and pounding the streets … just because continued on page 46 y

Vitals

Jake’s Cigars and Spirits

6206 Maple St. Omaha, NE 68104 (402) 934-9633 Signature Drink: The Marty Seasonal Highlight: Mustache Competition

J

ake’s Cigar’s and Spirits in Benson is a favorite hang-out for neighborhood locals, and a destination worth traveling to. Owners, John Larkin and Alex Roskelley, started Jake’s in Lincoln, which has been open for 12 years. The two friends, originally from Salt Lake City, expanded upon their success in Lincoln to open Jake’s in Benson.

Jake’s is a 3-in-1 combination of elements, including a spirits and smoke shop, a small cigar bar, and a larger smoke free bar. The atmosphere at Jake’s is hip, yet unpretentious, with upscale and classic décor. The lighting is warm and inviting, and reveals a beautiful tin ceiling above. Everything from the bar and back, to the tables, were hand crafted

by John Larkin and Alex Roskelley; which is a testament to the personal investment that each of them have made to Jake’s. Every detail was considered in the creation of the bar, including comfortable seat and bar height, purse hooks, and a bar back that allows patrons to easily see their extensive liquor selection.

Jake’s is known for having a fantastic craft beer selection. The beers on tap are frequently rotated, keeping the menu fresh and innovative. The bar is also known for their specialty, infusion Bloody Mary’s. The clientele at Jake’s is mix of people from many different walks of life, and has a very loyal crowd of regulars. They offer a supreme

drink selection at reasonable prices. Other appealing elements at Jake’s include the heated outdoor smoking area, bike racks, and a beer garden.

Jake’s hosts a number of popular events throughout the year. They throw two big block parties in the warmer months each year, and always see a great turnout for those.

On December 5th of this year, Jake’s will be holding their annual Mustache Competition.

The contest preparation was kicked-off with ‘No Shave November’, offering drink specials to patrons growing their facial hair in preparation for the contest. Jake’s is a fun place to relax and have a good time, and has a lot to offer in Benson.

| THE READER |

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

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giving thanks

FREE Admission Joslyn Art Museum appreciates the support of the community and invites everyone to visit for free over Thanksgiving weekend. novEmbER 26–28

news of the weird y continued from page 44

you want to be thinner” (or endure Botox injections or cram your toes painfully into tiny shoes) but somehow they don’t understand when Cassidy wraps the spiked “cilice” tightly around her leg every night for God.

Chutzpah!

Image: Jacob van Es, Still Life, 1630, oil on wood panel.

FREE Admission: Friday, November 26: 10 am–4 pm; Saturday, November 27: 10 am–4 pm; Sunday, November 28: 12–4 pm (Joslyn Art Museum will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 25) www.joslyn.org | (402) 342-3300 | 2200 Dodge St. | Omaha, NE

In June, the Mexican government filed a brief in Arizona challenging the constitutionality of that state’s proposed law that required police to check the immigration status of detainees, which, according to its Foreign Ministry, “violates inalienable human rights.” However, a May USA Today dispatch from Tultitlan, Mexico, noted that Mexico has a similar law (“Article 67” of its immigration code) and that police allegedly harass immigrants from Honduras and other Central American countries. Said one pro-immigration activist, “There (the U.S.), they’ll deport you. In Mexico, they’ll probably let you go, but they’ll beat you up and steal everything you’ve got first.” (Bills to overturn Article 67 have been pending in the Mexican legislature for months.)

Questionable Judgments Awkward: (1) The charity Brain Injury New Zealand, organizing a community benefit in the town of Rotorua, decided in October to stage — of all things — a “zombie walk,” inviting townspeople to shuffle around in support. The TV station TVNZ reported numerous complaints alleging BINZ’s insensitivity. (2) The city government in Seoul, South Korea, warned in October that the local delicacy “octopus head” contains toxic amounts of cadmium and recommended a twohead-per-week maximum. Fishermen and restau-

C O N T I N U E D

rateurs, as well as those who eat octopus head for its supposed libido-enhancement, protested.

— For months, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has been indifferent to humanitarian appeals on behalf of sisters Jamie and Gladys Scott, who were convicted in 1993 of luring two men to a robbery (total take, $11; no injuries) but who were each mysteriously sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. (The actual robbers got two years.) Beyond the questionable sentence is Jamie’s extremely poor health (double kidney failure). Gov. Barbour’s unyielding position is to direct the appeals to the state’s parole board. In 2008, bypassing the parole board, Gov. Barbour independently pardoned four vicious murderers who were serving life sentences, even though none had particularly claimed unfair conviction. The four had participated in a prison-sponsored odd-jobs program, helping out around the governor’s mansion.

More Redneck Chronicles (1) In October in Seminole, Fla., near Tampa, two men, ages 36 and 52, sitting on a porch, drew the attention of two passersby, who made derisive comments and eventually beat up the porch-sitters, who were in costumes as beer bottles. (2) In Portage, Ind., in July, Michael Perez, 36, and brother Eric, 28, got into a fistfight, then ran outside, jumped into their respective pickup trucks and commenced to ram each other. Multiple charges were filed against both after Eric accidentally crashed into a mobile home. , COPYRIGHT 2010 CHUCK SHEPHERD. Visit Chuck Shepherd daily at NewsoftheWeird.blogspot.com or NewsoftheWeird.com. Send Weird News to WeirdNewsTips@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, FL 33679. Illustrations by Tom Briscoe (smallworldcomics.com).

Happy Hour

Mon thru Fri 2-7 try our WorLD FAMouS Bloody Marys 4556 Leavenworth st. • 402-551-4850 64

NOV. 18 - 24 , 2010

| THE READER |

news of the weird

planetpower W E E K L Y

L

H O R O S C O P E S

ast half-week before Scorpio’s demise. That’s what Thanksgiving is all about. Peace and Love to the recently departed and a Happy Thanksgiving to those remaining. Jupiter and Venus just moved direct. Sounds like lots (Jupiter) of loving (Venus) and good times! The Full Moon is in Venus-ruled Taurus at 11:27 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, the last day of Scorpio. See ya in Sag! — MOJOPOPlanetPower.com h SCORPIO (10.23-11.22)Last week you talked with your MENTOR (Pluto) about what you’ve accomplished so far this lifetime (North Node) and what you could but haven’t — yet. Good luck! Your next “meeting,” concerning such matters, is Christmas Day (3 degrees Capricorn). This weekend it’s your partners (of all kinds) that have a word or two to say you.

Sunday before noon is the Full Moon in your opposite sign, Taurus. Their power will wax as yours wanes. Maybe you could/ should listen for a change? Yeah, I didn’t think so. It’s hard being a know-it-all, all the time? AUM … You’ve got POWER. Now seek the LOVE and WISDOM and become invincible, impeccable and everlasting. The beauty of Astrology implies reincarnation. In your appointed time, take your anointed place and join us in forever … AUM. i SAGITTARIUS (11.23-12.21) Boom! At last you’re off and running. What you’ve held onto since Leo the Lion (July 23) is dying to get out of the cage! True, you experienced a false start then. Take care of all details (any flaws discovered in your original plan during the interim) and stick ’er into gear to be up-and-running by Valentine’s Day 2011, for the resolving/answering/polarizing Full Moon in Leo mid February. j CAPRICORN (12.22-1.20) How happy can you get? Love’s in the air (Saturn in Libra) and sex raises its ugly purple head in your underwear (Scorpio). The Full Moon Sunday in Taurus excites your theoretical 9th House and you’re off and traveling, at least in your mind. With Pluto and the North Node in early Capricorn, December Capricorns feel under the gun. January Goats can just coast. Next week you’ll be prone to a mistake or misunderstanding with your brothers and sisters/your everyday world. Keep a low profile and your mouth shut for a month and you’ll have less to apologize for? Just try it? k AQUARIUS (1.21-2.19) Please read Sagittarius.

Save it and reread Dec. 5, when you start to make your move forward. I’ll remind you in three short weeks. Your karma’s intertwined until you find what next spring May bring. Stay warm and dry with them until then, and then, kiss ’em goodbye with the first robin. Keep you eye on the brightest “star,” Jupiter, in the night sky. When it twinkles, it’s speaking to you. Let it speak through you. In the Aquarian Age Tarot, you are The SPEAKER.

B Y

M O J O P O

l PISCES (2.20-3.20) In April 2011 you’ll be in a own world of your own artistic making, your Shangri-La. It’ll be your Happy Birthday present from the Universe. You must be doing something right? What kind of future are you fabricating? Create and attain dreams and you realize what others can only dream of. We need your movies, songs, novels, poetry, vision, wisdom, dance, and sense of romance. a ARIES (3.21-4.20) It’s hard to keep it in your pants when racing towards romance? Mars is in nefarious Sagittarius until it enters Capricorn with the Moon the Islamic New Year’s, Dec. 7. Expect some movement in your fame and fortune. Until then, educate yourself and travel (theorize). b TAURUS (4.21-5.20) Your trip into “Love’s Past” ends in December. Until then, remember fully. Feel the pain fully (“Fooly?” How does the MOJO know?) Experience the reality, the necessity of a “broken heart” in the context of being a feeling human being. Stand naked, toe-to-toe with your raw pain. Realize and taste the “Blues.” Let it mature of its own accord and balance with the joy of being alive and in love again.

What supersedes love? Completion. You must be a complete, understanding human before you/we can move on. c GEMINI (5.21-6.21) Feel free (Mercury in Sagittarius) until December (Mercury in Capricorn) then shift to “important bee’s wax.” Don’t take anything for “granite” until then. I’m Sirius! Compose. The key to your creativity is the insanity that foots your bill, catches your fancy and scratches that magique little itch that makes us all bitch! You’re gonna be rich!

Sign here, in December! d CANCER (6.22-7.22) Another weekend for you and your little love-bug? You just can’t wait to get your little “feelers” into some rock ‘n’ reelers? The Full Moon (Sunday before noon) is in Taurus of “chorus” and since Taurus rules the throat you’ll sing, dance and make romance if given the chance. Take it Turkey, don’t fake it.

It’s the time of year to warm the fires through your desires. You have to stay warm somehow? Try my Grand Marnegg Nog? e LEO (7.23-8.22) Finish work on your pad before the holidays. You must be getting ready to get busy? Sunday before noon is the Full Moon in Taurus, your theoretical 10th House of fame and fortune. Hang with the Water until Sunday and shift to Fire Moonday when the Sun travels into Sagittarius. Start now to gear up for Nov. 26/27 when the Moon visits Leo. f VIRGO (8.23-9.22) Lots to think about at home.

It’s deep, sexy, oh so hexy. Develop the Magique of your decor and draw lovers by the score. Who could ask for more? Your Mayan prophecy is just around the corner. g LIBRA (9.23-10.22) One more last fling until you find THE ONE for you to cling. Your ruler Venus went direct at the end of Libra, until December. ,

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