The Reader 11/25/10 by Pioneer Publishing

Nov. 25 - De. 1, 2010 VOL.17

News 6

Private Problems

dish 18

Feeding the Soul

art 23

Timelines Marches On

local ‘movers and shakers’ say what they are thankful for this year COVEr story - Page 13

Music 29

Marathon Man

OMAHA JOBS PG. 2

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NEWS etc. 6 Top News 8-9 News Hound —=——————————————— HEARTLAND HEALING 11 Gratitude is an Attitude ——————————————— dish 18 Feeding the Soul 18 Crumbs: Food News ———————————————— EIGHT DAYS 20-21 This Week’s Top Events ———————————————— Art 23 Timelines Marches On 23 Mixed Media: Art News ———————————————— theater 24 Marley Christmas 24 Cold Cream: Theater News ———————————————— MUSIC 29 Marathon Man 29 Backbeat: Music News ————————————————

N O V. 2 5 - d e c . 1 , 2 0 1 0 V O L . 1 7 no . 4 0

COVER STORY

THANK YOU:

What We’re Thankful For This Year Page 13

LAZY-I 30 Still Ungrateful ———————————————— HOODOO BLUES 32 Season of Giving ———————————————— FILM 40 Waiting is the Hardest Part 1 40 Cutting Room: Film News ———————————————— sports 41 Henery the Ace 41 The Jump: Sporting News ———————————————— NEWS OF THE WEIRD 42 Livin’ Large ———————————————— MOJO 46 Planet Power Horoscopes ———————————————— FUNNIES 49 Modern World, Red Meat, Dr. Mysterian ————————————————

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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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Private Problems Foster parents bring concerns to legislature by Fred Knapp, NET News

workers since the reform started has confused children she cares for. “They don’t understand why — I don’t remember you, have I seen you before?’” she says. “It’s just kind of confusing, especially if they’re small and under the age of 7. They don’t understand what’s going on, and it’s hard to explain to them.” She says she’s had five different workers approach her since the transition, and half the time, she doesn’t know who to contact.

harper’sindex Books: 8/24/10 Percentage of Republican congressional candidates endorsed by Sarah Palin who won their primary races: 60 Chance that a viewer of Fox News’s prime-time broadcast is African-American: 1 in 100 Number of Ebonics speakers the DEA requested this year to interpret wiretapped conversations of African-American suspects: 9 Percentage of Americans who say they do not know a Muslim: 62

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

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But Matt Smith, another foster parent, says KVC has been quicker than the state responding to his requests. “We have seen positive improvement and changes by getting help on the foster care side,” he says. JoAnne Parent, formerly a foster child and now a foster parent, questions the philosophy behind privatizing child welfare. “We are not privatizing police, the fire department, but we are pushing the responsibility of the children of the state of Nebraska onto a company,” she says. “A company that, frankly, claims it is not for profit but is certainly conducting itself like it is.” Topher Hansen is the executive director of Center Pointe, an addiction and mental health treatment program in Lincoln. He offers his interpretation of what’s driving privatization: “Lets not mistake this. This is about money.” Hansen says Center Pointe had to end some of its treatment programs for lack of clients once private companies assumed responsibilities. Bruce Baker, a volunteer with the Foster Care Review Board, warns senators not to allow the state’s child welfare infrastructure to disappear “Please get involved in this. Do not be shy and make this thing work,” he says. “You’re, in my opinion, our last best hope.” Lincoln Senator Kathy Campbell responds, “Mr. Baker, I can assure you after conversations with my colleagues here as well as a number of state senators, this will be an issue in the Legislature.” , This story reprinted with permission from netNebraska.org.

Malcolm X Foundation secures indoor center

he Malcolm X Memorial Foundation finally has a permanent indoor facility for its programs. The nonprofit purchased the former Jehovah’s Witnesses Kingdom Hall at 3463 Evans St. — directly adjacent to the Malcolm X birthsite — for use as a visitors center and community resource. The organization will pay $250,000 for the two-story, 6,800 square foot building, which Foundation President Sharif Liwaru says provides adequate space for meetings, classes and events. Liwaru says the building allows the foundation to host year-round programming at the birthsite for the first time. “Our visitors center will be used educationally to carry out the social justice programs Malcolm X supported and worked for and promoted when he was alive,” he says. “So it will be a resource for learning about Malcolm X and for learning about issues happening within the community. Lectures will be a regular feature. We’ll have spoken word poetry, small concerts, workshops. We might have an ongoing series or program on a topic.” Small temporary exhibitions related to Malcolm X may be displayed there. And the space will be available for community meetings and events. Liwaru views the center as an anchor for an ambitious master plan that calls for a multi-million dollar museum and an amphitheater. The birthsite’s recognition originated in 1971 when Foundation founder Rowena Moore acquired the lot where the early childhood home of Malcolm (Little) X stood. Adjoining lots were added. Extensive landscaping has created a contoured park with paved walkways, a plaza featuring the Malcolm X historical marker, a community garden and a parking lot. The building’s purchase was made possible by a $200,000 North Omaha Historical grant that stipulated the foundation raise $50,000 in matching funds, which Liwaru says were secured through numerous small donations. In October, the organization received a $20,000 Omaha Community Foundation grant for capacity building. All of the support, Liwaru says, indicates continued progress for the foundation. He says the visitors center provides the foundation room to grow its programming and gives the site a signature public face. “We are doing well,” he says. “We’re very excited.” — Leo Adam Biga

theysaidit

TEA AND RACE: Date that the Tea Party Bookshop in Salem, Ore., changed its name to Tigress

UPFRONT

courtesy Nebraska Legislature)

s foster parents and others express concerns about the state’s child welfare reform, state senators are promising the Legislature will get involved. Almost 100 people showed up for a meeting in Lincoln Wednes- Sen. Danielle Conrad day, Nov. 17 to talk to Lancaster County senators about the reforms. For the past year, the state has been transferring responsibility for overseeing child welfare cases — responsibilities like finding foster homes, and coordinating services to children — to private contractors. Of the six contractors originally lined up to serve children across Nebraska, four have either dropped out or been terminated. But two remain: Nebraska Families Collaborative in the Omaha area, and KVC Behavioral Health Care in southeast Nebraska, including Lincoln. But people at the meeting, like Sharon Glenn, call the system confusing. Glenn wonders what it took to get her grandchildren out of a bad situation: “Three episodes of little babies with no clothes on walking the streets of Lincoln Nebraska,” she says. “How long does it go on? How many calls do you make?” Foster parent Ruth Applebee says the constant turnover of

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“I am not resigning. I made a pact with the voters to serve four years and I’m going to stay on mission, and we will continue doing that everyday just as we did today, just as we’ll do tomorrow, and just as we’ll do next week.” — Mayor Jim Suttle to Nebraska Watchdog on whether he’d resign in the face of a recall election.

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.”

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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Metropolitan Community College is poised to train the next generation of sustainable energy and renewable technology workers, after receiving a $318,000 grant from the Nebraska Energy Office. The school plans to complete a new solar training lab — heated entirely through solar power — by 2011 at its South Omaha campus. MCC will begin offering degree and certificate programs in solar and sustainable energy technology next year. Michael Shonka, president of Solar Heat and Electric and an MCC instructor, says Nebraska has all the resources necessary to become a sustainable energy leader. The next step is building a workforce capable of harnessing that potential. “If we can educate a workforce about the importance of renewable energy technologies, we can reduce the energy trade deficit in this state,” he says. Nebraska ranks ninth in solar energy potential, according to the National Resource Defense Council.

Buffett wins Medal of Freedom Omaha’s most famous citizen can now add the nation’s highest civilian honor to his already distinguished resume. The White House announced Nov. 16 that Warren Buffett is among 15 honorees who will receive the Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at a ceremony early next year. The award is presented annually for “especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States.”

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The day before the announcement, Buffett, a well-known Obama supporter and adviser, thanked George W. Bush and other government officials for their leadership during the economic meltdown of 2008 in a New York Times op-ed written as a letter to Uncle Sam. “I don’t know precisely how you orchestrated these. But I did have a pretty good seat as events unfolded, and I would like to commend a few of your troops. In the darkest of days, Ben Bernanke, Hank Paulson, Tim Geithner and Sheila Bair grasped the gravity of the situation and acted with courage and dispatch. And though I never voted for George W. Bush, I give him great credit for leading, even as Congress postured and squabbled,” Buffett writes. Buffett was an outspoken proponent of the bailout in 2008, likening the financial crisis to an “economic Pearl Harbor.”

U.S. Citizens file complaint in Omaha immigration sting Two U.S. citizens plan to sue to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency for searching and detaining them in an Omaha parking lot last April. Arquimides Bautista, 20, and Rosalba Artimas, 46, were detained while on a bus trip from Denver to Omaha with 40 colleagues for an Amway business convention. The incident began after ICE agents overheard the group speaking Spanish at a local McDonald’s. Hans Mayer, an ACLU attorney representing Bautista and Artimas, says the agency had no legal basis for demanding proof of citizenship.

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numberscruncher RECALL STATS: Number of signatures the Mayor Suttle Recall Committee needs from registered Douglas County voters to force a recall: 26,643 Number they got, according to spokesman Jeremy Aspen: 37,219 Deadline for Douglas County Election Commission to validate signatures: Dec. 3 Estimated cost of a recall election, according to the commission: $900,000 Mayor Jim Suttleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s approval rating in August: 23 percent Source: Douglas Co. Election Commission/Metropolitan Omaha Property Owners Association

While Bautista and Artimas were both legal U.S. citizens, the agency reports that 36 of 42 passengers on the bus were undocumented immigrants. All 36 were eventually released and ordered to appear before a federal immigration judge.

Omaha man gets life sentence for actressâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; murder Patrick Bauldwin, 46, received a life sentence without parole on Nov. 17 for the Feb. 26, 2006 murder of local actress Passinetta Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald was found strangled and savagely beaten in her home at 41st and Lake more than four years ago. Bauldwin, who was once engaged to Fitzgerald, was arrested in June of 2009. Investigators determined that Bauldwinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blood was present on the clothing Fitzgerald was wearing at the time of her death.

OPPD buys wind power The Omaha Public Power District reached an agreement Nov. 18 to purchase 18 megawatts of energy from a new wind farm near Broken Bow in central Nebraska. The wind farm, built by California-based Edison Mission Group, is scheduled for completion in 2012 and will produce a total of 80 megawatts per year, according to the company.

Public parks get private foundation A new non-profit organization will work to aid the city in maintaining and improving its public parks. The Omaha Parks Foundation, staffed by citizens, will seek private donations to supplement taxpayer funds for the

cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 250 parks. Similar private-public partnerships have been used in New York, Seattle and Vancouver.

Sarpy daycare provider arrested A local daycare owner is out of business and in the custody of the Sarpy County Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department after being charged with felony child abuse last week. Diane Honaker, 50, is accused of shaking a 6-month-old girl after the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospital & Medical Center reported injuries consistent with shaken baby syndrome to local authorities on Nov. 12. Honaker, who operated a daycare service out of her home at 15829 Briar St., was arrested the next day following a Sheriff â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Department investigation. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services issued an emergency order to suspend her child care license. The child is expected to survive.

Livestock Exchange gets new neighbors The look of one of the most storied sites in South Omaha is changing. By 2012 the Livestock Exchange Building will be flanked by two new four-story buildings offering health care services and senior citizen housing. OneWorld Community Health Centers, which currently occupies the first four floors in the Livestock Exchange Building, will operate the care centers. The $15 million project is funded primarily through a federal grant awarded to the state as part of the 2010 healthcare law. â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Brandon Vogel

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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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Gratitude is an Attitude Putting a thanks on Thanksgiving by Michael Braunstein

t’s the little things isn’t it, that make up every day? And we so blithely cruise through with little heed though so many give us immeasurable pleasure. It’s possible that even the thought of being grateful for things can bring even more of the things we like and want into our life. Having a positive outlook and thinking positively are known to be good for us. I’m not talking about some Polyannaish denial of reality. It’s a fact that just changing the way we think about something has benefit to our health. Recognition of the things that make us happy keeps us in that sunny frame of mind and that’s good for overall health. So permit me a bit of self-indulgence in my desire to keep myself happy by reflecting on some things I notice that inspire gratitude in me. There’s no deep, thought-out purpose here other than a real feeling. And it’s important to note that although in some cases I may mention a specific person or example, the gratitude extends to many, many people and places that inspire the same feeling.

Carbon cycle This observation started the ball rolling on the idea for this column. I’m grateful for my neighbor Randall Bradley. Every time I look out from my corner office and notice him bicycling to work I’m grate-

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ful for him and all the countless thousands who mount their two-wheeled eco-saving transportation. They are benefiting all of us. (Now, if they all would just stop for stop signs, keep from blocking traffic and observe the responsibilities that come with the rights of using public roadways, I would be even more grateful.) Give thanks for real farmers. Farmers who remember how to grow food without chemicals or laboratory genetics, farmers who know how to grow crops and raise animals in accord with Nature, not in defiance of Her. I’m grateful for animals. Simple, but after all, they are to me the single most powerful reminder that we are part of Nature not apart from it.

Gobble, gobble Many, many times I tell myself and others how grateful we should be for stores like No Name Nutrition and Whole Foods — and, again, all the others of their ilk. What a joy to be able to find real products that are wholesome and natural and in the case of No Name, people who have been following the path of natural health for decades and have vital information to share. Add to the mix the people at McFoster’s Natural Kind Café, leaders in healthful choices in dining out for going on 20 years. And I don’t forget even the customers who always know more about real food than the average person. I’m happy and grateful that I have a turkey to eat on Thanksgiving that doesn’t need flavoring injections, didn’t come from some indus-

trial complex hundreds of miles away and has a pedigree I can trace. Our friends at Pawnee Pride Meats raise them in pasture and on prairie and there is naught that tastes better. It tastes like a turkey, not a concoction. While I’m at it, let’s be grateful for Jim. He provides our household with pasture-raised buffalo meat from his herd of 80 or so that graze virgin prairie about 90 miles south of Omaha, on his family’s 110-year-old homestead. I’m not being more specific because I’m not willing to share. If you want to know more about his grass-fed buffalo, come visit at Village Pointe Farmers Market. I still love the printed word. We should all be grateful for it. I like the feel of holding my reading material in my hands and reading from reflected light, not generated light (it’s easier on the eyes, too.) So I’m grateful for the people who get my daily newspaper to the door and the folks who put it together and to The Reader, it should go without saying. Those who practice the traditional healing arts are a godsend and gratitude goes out to them. How fortunate we are to be living in a time when society is rediscovering healing modalities like traditional Chinese medicine, herbs, chiropractic, massage therapy, energy work — on and on. When new reports continue to emerge recording the vast numbers of people who die at the hands of conventional medicine, it’s comforting to know there are other places to go to get help with health issues.

“Don’t touch my junk.” I’m grateful for John Tyner, the refusenik who passed on both radioactive scanning and security groping required for flying from San Diego to South Dakota. If not stemming a tide, he at least called attention to the wave of Big Brother intrusions foisted on our citizenry in the name of “security.” Plus, he coined what must be the memorable phrase of 2010, on a par with “pants on the ground” — “Don’t touch my junk.” Thank you, Ted Turner, for the TCM channel. I mean, hey, no commercials? Black and white films and celluloid heirlooms on basic cable? Ted, you’re a hero. How did Barbarella ever let you go? I’m grateful to live in Omaha and Nebraska in general. Real people live here. Sure, there are real people everywhere. We know that. There is just something so unassuming about the folks in small towns in the Midwest and that sensibility doesn’t ever get too far off-base even in the metropolitan areas. It’s even cute to watch people in Omaha pretend to be jetsetters. What a hoot. I love technology and am grateful for it. It’s so entertaining and such a reminder of the transitory nature of life. I mean, do you remember the Zune? Or Zip drives? MySpace? VCRs, cassettes? Ha! The deepest gratitude is kept close to the heart, for the person and people closest. The friends and family who are the perfect reflection of thoughts and the lessons we are here to learn. With gratitude in mind, there is no room for anger or sorrow. It’s a reasonable choice for Thanksgiving. Be well. ,

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coverstory In collecting sentiments for this year’s “Giving Thanks” cover story, I noticed a trend. People are passionately, deep-down-in-their-souls grateful for many things — from community and family to Ted & Wally’s and Crossroads Mall — all the time, all year long … they just forget. They forget to pause and grasp their own gratitude, to express thanks to personal saviors and others who bring joy. They need a reminder. We all do. There’s a toddler I know named William. He’s in a bit of a repeating stage and one of his current favorites is a simple, yet important query: “Are you happy?” I love it when he asks me, because otherwise I forget to consider it. We don’t all have a William, but we should all ask this every day. And when you can answer yes, don’t forget to show thanks to the people that got you there. The Reader staff wants to thank you, for reading and for being members of such a vibrant community that we’ve always had something to write about these past 16 years. So, THANKS. You make us happy. — Sarah Wengert, Managing Editor

ART/DESIGN/ FILM “I am thankful for the many volunteers, supporters, professional artist mentors, students, parents, board members and staff that help us honor the legacy of Kent Bellows. It is their spark and passion that motivates me on a day-to-day basis. (I am also thankful for the waffles at the Daily Grub.)” — Anne Meysenburg, Executive Director, Kent Bellows Studio & Center for Visual Arts “I am thankful beyond words and/or human expression to whoever was responsible for the

AMAZING and possibly unrepeatable weather [of] October 3, for the grain elevator dinner.” — Anne Trumble, Director/Landscape Architect, Emerging Terrain “Moving to Omaha and leading the Joslyn Art Museum.” — Jack Becker, Ph.D., Executive Director & CEO, Joslyn Art Museum “My family, friends and the artists that give me support and inspiration with my business.” — Jean Imray, owner Dundee Gallery “I’m thankful for a new intern to lighten my load, a husband that will sleep in another room when he is snoring, Red Bull, a mother with great style that lets me raid her closet, a dog who only chews up things I don’t care about, being my own boss so that I can sleep in whenever I want, box wine really stepping it up and being able to do something I love everyday and people not thinking that I’m a complete moron.” — Jessica McKay, owner Birdhouse Interior Design Consulting

“When I think of what I am thankful for this year, my frenetic mind jumps to a million obvious answers — the birth of my first child, the successful launch of our first dress line and the founding of CAMP, Omaha’s first creative co-working space. The times spent laughing in midtown bars with friends and sharing heaping stacks of pancakes during late-night meetings. But the running thread that unites all of these happy memories for which I am so thankful is the support and growth of the Omaha community. XO.” — Megan Hunt, designer, Princess Lasertron

“There’s so much to be grateful for, it’s hard to express in words. This year, a tragic event reawakened so many of us to the fact that we are so fortunate to be a part of this terrific community of unique, wonderful individuals. We lost a brilliant soul, close friend and important arts supporter, Jessica Latham, the owner of Bellwether Boutique. I, along with many others, miss her terribly. But I’m thankful for her inspirational memory.” — Rachel Jacobson, Founder/Director Film Streams

“I am thankful for the group of people that have had the faith, patience, and guts to jump into this new business venture of ours, The New BLK. Maybe even more so, I am beyond thankful to all the family members, friends and people of Omaha that have gone above and beyond to support us. You don’t have to and if you didn’t, it be a much harder journey.” — Shane Bainbridge, Creative/Principal, The New BLK

DINING “There’s so much to be thankful for this year. I love my job! That’s a pretty overwhelming thing. Every day the Grub is open is another day I’m grateful to be a part of this incredible, creative, supportive community and for the friends and family who made even conceiving of this crazy endeavor seem maybe not so crazy after all.” — Elle Lien, owner/chef Daily Grub continued on page 14 y

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“That my family is healthy and I have been able to survive in the food business during the worst recession/depression in my lifetime.” — Greg Lindberg, owner Absolutely Fresh/ Shucks

MUSIC “Our teachers: both mine and the ones I have met here in Omaha who inspire us all with dedication and curiosity — and those teachers whose lessons and examples resonate with me long after my classes have ended.” — Garnett Bruce, Artistic Adviser/Principal Stage Director, Opera Omaha

within walking distance of my place and therefore reduce my carbon footprint, you support my artistic endeavors and socializing shenanigans and sometimes both simultaneously. Very little brings me more satisfaction than bragging to far-faraway friends and family about my city’s punk rock ice cream shop. I don’t think I’ve ever directly expressed my gratitude, and now I hope you and I can be even better buddies. Thanks for your enthusiasm and cookie dough.” — Katie F-S, wordsmith/slam poet

“This year, I am thankful for the kindness of strangers. The publication of my first book yielded several opportunities to meet other local and regional writers. We shared stories, voiced struggles, laughed over cocktails and good food. Perhaps most importantly, we realized the power of the printed word is just as important as the human hands behind the copy.” — Wendy Townley, author, Nerdy Thirty

“This year I am most thankful that my mom is kicking cancer’s ass. I’m thankful for time spent working on the old car with my dad. I am thankful for the wonderful life that I’m fortunate enough to have, surrounded by amazing people and music. I’m thankful that we have found a way to use the gifts we’ve been given to help make someone else’s life a little happier.” — Larry Dunn AKA Lash LaRue, musician/ founder of the Lash LaRue Toy Drive For Pine Ridge

A poem by Matt and Ben: “We are thankful for Crossroads, ‘The Detroit of Malls,’ thankful for Suttle and the hilarious recall. We are thankful for elbows that allow us to hug, thankful for Benson even though we got mugged. We are thankful for Silent Letters, though annoying and useless, and thankful for inspirational women like Justin Bieber and Susan Eustice. We are thankful for pat-downs by the TSA, last time we went through I think we got laid. Most of all we are thankful for cotton; shirts, pants, undies and hats. Without cotton we’d be naked and nobody wants to see that.” — Brothers Matt and Ben Tompkins, Twister 93.3

“There are a ridiculous amount of things that I am thankful for, even if I’m just considering since last Thanksgiving. If I had to boil it down though, there are just too many people, too many things to consider. So, while it is a blanket sentiment, it touches everything were I to make a list. Music is what I am thankful for, not only for what I get to do with Scott, Travis and Kaitlyn on a regular basis, but alongside what I share in common with everyone I love.” — Rebecca Lowry, All Young Girls Are Machine Guns “Three biggies: in this order: God’s relentless and abundant grace, the Wilkins Girls: SheriLee, Nicole and Erica, Ping’s new G-15 golf clubs (haven’t bought them yet — but I did get the OK from the wife!!).” — Thomas Wilkins, Music Director, Omaha Symphony

LITERARY “Dear Ted & Wally’s, Thank you for exemplifying almost everything I adore about Omaha: you’re a small local independent business (so you make voting with my dollars extra fun), you’re

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

ible doctors at Creighton that put me back together. The nurses that put up with me, the many well-wishers that visited, sent notes of encouragement or reached out to my family. I am thankful to the makers of the helmet that prevented me from basically … well being dead on that July 23rd morning and so thankful to the incredible support my company, Clear Channel, provided me while I was recovering. Of course, I cannot forget to be thankful to the rehab staff at Immanuel Hospital, Alegent and others that worked me hard to get back to somewhat normal. Well, as normal as guy like me can be! Most importantly, I am thankful to my incredible wife, kids and the rest of my friends and family. Their strength provided me with the strength to recover after getting hit on my motorcycle and to keep going on. This is a year I will never forget and it’s taught me to never take anything for granted … ” — Crash Davis, 96.1 The Brew/1110 KFAB

I have to admit that I’m thankful to see my novel, The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia in print at last — after five or six years of being thankful for working on it every day! — but most of all, I’m thankful for my beautiful grandson David, born August 25 to my daughter Liz and her husband Van. I think it was Simone de Beauvoir who said that women had to choose between the baby and the book. Not in 2010, Simone — for which I also give thanks.” — Mary Helen Stefaniak, novelist/associate professor of English, Creighton University

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MEDIA “I’m thankful for another amazing year with my family. Time seems to travel more quickly each year, but I feel that I’ve managed to spend time and take opportunities to reflect on the important things in my life such as my family and friends more so this year than in the past.” — Jeff Slobotski, Founder, Lead Evangelist & Promoter, Silicon Prairie News “ … I am so very thankful this year that I will never forget! Thankful to the paramedics that picked me up off the street, the incred-

POLITICS/ CIVICS/ SPORTS “I am thankful for my family, friends, colleagues and God’s grace.” — Trev Alberts, Director of Athletics, UNO “I am grateful that there are so many people in Omaha who refuse to become jaded, cynical or selfish. Whether it is forcing the state to correct the child welfare mess, or initiating green continued on page 16 y

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programs, or confronting the ugliness of bigotry, there are amazing people working to make things better in Omaha. We should all be grateful for these wonderful advocates who refuse to allow partisan carnival barkers to hawk simplistic solutions to complex problems.” — Timothy Butz, Asst. Director Fair Housing Center of Nebraska-Iowa

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“Thankful for a city (Omaha) that comes together in time of need.” — Garry Gernandt, City Council President

“James Watt, Reagan’s anti-environmental Secretary of the Interior, said we needn’t protect the Earth since it’s due for destruction anyway in the Second Coming. He resigned amid controversy, was later indicted for influence-peddling, and in 2002 praised Bush’s anti-environmental policies. This month Republican Congressman John Shimkus, in an Energy Committee hearing, dis- missed

“I am thankful that I was elected to the Omaha City Council in April! It is a real honor to represent my fellow citizens in District 7.” — Thomas Mulligan, City Councilmember, District 7 “My amazing trip to Thailand and India. Seeing other cultures in foreign countries gives amazing perspectives on both the positive and negative aspects of our own society. It also helps us realize that nothing is cast in stone,

and that we can make sensible changes whenever we see the need.” — Elaine Wells, Founder, Black White Dialogues

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ery landowner, citizen and advocate who spoke up and who has pushed back on this awful idea for our state.” — Jane Kleeb, Editor, BOLD Nebraska

“Family.” — Franklin Thompson, City Councilmember, District 6 “I am thankful that Nebraskans were able to slow down the TransCanada pipeline from being built through the Sandhills and Ogallala Aquifer. The tar sands pipeline is bad for our land and water, two of our most precious resources. Without our land and water, we would not have much to be thankful for. So I am thankful for ev-

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“I am thankful for the constant reminder by my two little girls (ages 8 and 5) about what’s most important in life.” — Pete Festersen, City Councilmember, District 1 “The holiday season provides the opportunity to pause and consider the blessings of the past year, despite the challenges it brought our state and nation. I am thankful for family and friends, as well as the opportunity to represent Nebraska in the U.S. Senate. As many Nebraskans have persevered through tough times this past year, I was often reminded of the incredible generosity and compassion Nebraskans demonstrate in communities across the state. Nebraska is a uniquely special place and I am incredibly grateful to call it home.” — Sen. Mike Johanns

all the science of climate change by quoting Genesis: Jehovah promised Noah he’d never destroy the world again, so we needn’t worry. The environmental crisis escalates, but what are facts and reason, evidence and logic in the face of cultists relying on stone-age folklore? Shimkus is not unique: “To the Koch network [of billionaires], ‘freedom’ means freedom from taxes and government regulation,” the New York Times reported in October, in breaking the news of the upcoming secret meeting of these wealthy libertarians, planning their well-financed war “for freedom,” that is, against regulation and what they call “climate change alarmism.” Midterm victory by such Tea Party Republicans means two years of trying to repair Bushevik damage will now be replaced by two years of the GOP pushing to implement the Koch agenda and impeach the President. So Congress will get nothing useful done until 2012 when Americans, once again only learning the hard way, can correct their mistake. I’m thankful we’ll get the chance.” — Jim Bechtel, founder of REASON ,

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Bailey’s Best breakfast in town. “King of Eggs Benedict.” 1 block south of 120th & Pacific • 932-5577 absolutelyfresh.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

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Volunteer assignment reflects public and personal needs

Attic Bar & Grill Great food and great drinks with live music. 3231 Harney St. • 932.5387 atticbarandgrill.com

Ted & Wally’s Premium Ice Cream Voted best ice cream in Omaha! 1120 Jackson St. • 341.5827

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by Lainey Seyler

got a great assignment from this noble publication to write a first-hand story about how rewarding it is to volunteer in some of Omaha’s food pantries and soup kitchens around the holidays. There’s much to be gained from volunteering. You can meet new people, give your time to something not focused on the self and you can change the world just a little. But even in a few short volunteering sessions, I learned it’s not as simple as that. I should have known better. Right after college, I worked in Thailand teaching English in what was supposed to be my change-theworld experience. What I ended up discovering was that it wasn’t so much the world that needed changing, as it was me who needed transformation. What I wanted from a few volunteer experiences was a human connection. I wanted to understand what it might be like to not be able to afford food, and to appreciate how lucky I have been. I thought maybe someone like a homeless person or an addict could show me. Places like the Siena Francis House and the Omaha Food Bank and other such organizations across the city do fantastic work providing a basic necessity to people who find themselves on a rough run with life. And they (unlike me) do it without judging. “Are there people who scam the system? Absolutely,” says Omaha Food Bank Director of Development and Public Relations Bryan Barks. “That’s not for us to police. There are a vast majority of people who do need our food. People think ‘Why don’t they just get a job?’ — but some people can’t.” “We did a mobile food pantry at All Saints Episcopal Church (on 90th and Blondo),” Barks continues. “I talked to more than 20 people who showed up and about three-fourths of them had been downsized and just needed food to get through the month. We’re not here to sustain people from cradle to grave but to provide temporary assistance.”

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When I volunteered on a Thursday night at the Siena Francis House, 17th and Nicholas, I looked out from the kitchen where I was serving fruit salad into the dining room and saw people who looked down on their luck; but I also saw people who had nicer cell phones than I. Now I know that Siena Francis has a drug and alcohol rehab program, which helps people who may be quite affluent. And additionally, who am I to judge how someone spends his or her money? All the same, it struck me as strange. The interaction with the guests in the Siena Francis dining room was limited, another thing I was hoping wouldn’t happen, but could understand. Siena Francis serves four dinners to 80-some patrons every night. Its guests are in and out in less than 30 minutes. There’s no time for chitchat when people need food. The volunteers I worked with were pleasant. They included a group from a local Methodist church which sends volunteers every week, a few kids from Boys Town, a graduate from Siena Francis’ rehab program and a Creighton student fulfilling his volunteer hours for a scholarship. The Siena Francis House has a great bank of volunteers from which to pool resources. Youth groups, companies and students completing community service hours make up the majority of its volunteers. In fact, Siena Francis is so booked with volunteers I had to pull my journalist card to even get in the schedule between now and Christmas, and that was several weeks ago. The Omaha Food Bank, 68th and J, also gets companies doing team-building exercises, students, youth groups and, when I was there, begrudging 18-yearolds finishing community service as part of a misdemeanor sentencing. When I asked why they chose to volunteer at the Food Bank, the response was “I didn’t choose it. They chose it for me,” as if “the man” had come down hard on these teens sorting green beans from creamed corn in a warehouse. In the warehouse packed with food, I couldn’t see the face of the people I was serving by sorting canned food into proper piles. I knew what I was doing was to help the Omaha Food Bank offset more than $200,000 in its budget by volunteering my time. I know people are having a rough go in this economy. The Omaha Food Bank provides food lainey seyler

Anthony’s Steakhouse/The Ozone Club For more than 38 years, Anthony’s has been known for its steaks, using premium black angus beef aged on premises. Anthony’s is dedicated to bringing customers a truly special dining event every visit. 7220 F St. • 331.7575 anthonyssteakhouse.com

Shucks Fish House & Oyster Bar Great Seafood. Great Prices. Southwest corner of 168th & Center 1218 S 119 St. • 827.4376 absolutelyfresh.com

Whether you overdid it at Thanksgiving or you’ve had enough of Aunt Carol, a digestif might be just what you’re looking for. Thought to aid digestion (not to mention making your aunt’s questions about why you’re still not married more tolerable), digestifs like grappa, brandy, sherry, limoncello, ouzo, tequila and even whiskey are purported to help your body ease things along and help you prepare for the traditional Thanksgiving Nap. — Kyle Tonniges

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crumbs n Tommy Colina’s Kitchen opened near 35th and Farnam and by all accounts has been chockablock full of Kiewit employees at lunch. The restaurant, owned by Jon Dye and Grant Ludlin (of Shucks Fish House and Oyster Bar), is serving breakfast and lunch weekdays with plans to start a weekend brunch in the near future. The owners’ children, Tommy, Melina and Colin are the eatery’s namesake. Visit tommycolinas. com or call 502.9027 for more information. n Nothing Bundt Cakes, which opened last week at One Pacific Place, serves just what it says: bundt cakes and only bundt cakes. The restaurant/bakery is a small chain out of Las Vegas, Nev., with locations across the Southwest and now in Omaha. It sells cakes in miniature, tiered, 8-inch and 10-inch rounds in nine flavors with decorative flair. Visit nothingbundtcakes.com or call 933.9305 for more information. — Lainey Seyler n Ever wondered how a $44 pie tastes? David Chang, the man behind the justifiably awesome Momofuku restaurants in NYC is there to help. Chang and his partner Christina Tosi at Momofuku Milk are making some of their creations available around the country. Just go to momofukustore.com to order one of their famous “Crack Pies” (toasted oat crust, gooey butter filling) or Cinnamon Bun pies for the holidays and they’ll overnight them to you. Might be just the gift for the foodie on your list. — Kyle Tonniges Comments? Questions? Want more? Check out our Booked blog online at thereader.com. Or email us at booked@thereader.com.

to soup kitchens, schools and day cares across the state and in Eastern Iowa to children, the unemployed and the homeless. More than half of the clients served by the Food Bank are forced to choose between paying utility bills and buying food, more than one-third have to choose between food and paying medical bills or their rent. So there I was, just as begrudging as the “forced labor” of the 18-year-olds about not getting what I’d expected out of my volunteer experience. It wasn’t that much fun. I didn’t feel warm and fuzzy inside at all, but that’s not to say I didn’t do some good in the long run, even with my bad attitude. Life doesn’t just hand you a happy ending like a movie, not when you’re changing the world and especially not when you’re changing yourself. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it. , Learn more about these organizations at sienafrancis.org and omahafoodbank.org.

| THE READER |

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

th e r e ad e r ’ s entertainment picks nov. 2 5 - dec . 1 , 2 0 1 0

WENDESDAY24

days Nov. 25

Holland Center, 1200 Douglas St. 7 p.m. FREE, 345.0606 omahaperformingarts.org

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

Every Time I Die w/ Trap Them, Howl, Gaza and Baiowolf

Sokol Underground, 2234 S. 13th St. 7:30pm, $15, onepercentproductions.com Buffalo, New York should be known for three things: a crappy football team, zesty wild wings, and Every Time I Die. Formed by brothers Keith and Jordan Buckley in 1998, this rock outfit plays southern metalcore riffs that won’t put you to sleep. It’s a style that settles somewhere between wife beater-friendly party punk and Hot Topic-approved hardcore. They’ve shared the stage with the likes of Atreyu, Dillinger Escape Plan and oh yeah, Steve-O. Their fifth LP New Junk Aesthetic has been out for a year, so you should probably already have it. — Jarrett Fontaine

Nov. 26-28

A first-come, first-served event worth taking a chance on is this free holiday concert performed by the Nebraska Wind Symphony and featuring silky smooth vocalist Camille Metoyer Moten of Omaha. The community ensemble of 85 musicians will join Moten, a seasoned artist who is equally comfortable singing jazz, Broadway or holiday standards, in a polished night of entertainment. Expect some sing-a-longs. Timing is everything with this event, which is part of the city’s Holiday Lights Festival. If you plan taking in the lighting ceremony and the concert, then it’s best you allot time for getting from the lighting spectacular to the concert, which immediately follows the flipthe-switch ceremony that turns downtown into a giant Xmas display. Seating is limited at the show. — Leo Adam Biga

Nov. 24

FRIDAY26

Making Spirits Bright

EVERY TIME I DIE

Joslyn Free Admission Weekend

Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Sun. Noon-4 p.m. FREE (closed Thanksgiving Day) 342.3300, joslyn.org The local fine arts museum is doing a community service thing by offering free admission over the Thanksgiving weekend. The timing is good because Joslyn has a major temporary exhibition up, Beyond Realism: The Works of Kent Bellows, which should be more widely seen. The work of the late Omaha realist is mind-blowing stuff. Other temporary exhibits of note are: Seasons of Joy, a showing of Currier & Ives holiday prints from the ConAgra Foods Collection; and Golden Kite, Golden Dreams, a display of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators award-winning images. Then there are the permanent collection staples, ranging from Old World to Old West to contemporary works. Bask in the building’s Art Deco design. The fountain court and atrium offer sublime vistas. The sculpture garden helps set it all off in magnificent relief. — Leo Adam Biga

| THE READER |

picks

Nov. 26-Dec. 19

Peter Pan — The Musical The Rose, 2001 Farnam St. Fri. 7 p.m., Sat.-Sun. 2 p.m. $16, 345.4849, rosetheater.org

“All children, except one, grow up.” These words begin James M. Barrie’s classic play, Peter Pan. The timeless tale filled with pirate battles and fairy magic tells the story of the boy who never grew up and his adventures in Neverland. The Rose’s production will include the original flying wizardry seen in the 1950s productions with Jean Arthur and Mary Martin, as well as a live 12-piece orchestra providing an enchanting musical experience from exotic drumbeats and songs to the whimsical sounds of the beloved fairy Tinkerbell. A former Rose Theater performer, Samantha Shatley, returns from New York in the titular role, as well as a cast of 57 talented actors. A show filled with the wonder and magic of youth, Peter Pan is an enduring story that appeals to all ages. Accept the invitation of Barrie’s Peter Pan himself: “So come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever, in Never-Never-Land!” — Adam Payson

SATURDAY27 Nov. 27

Jeff Koterba Inklings signing The Bookworm, 8702 Pacific St. 1 p.m., FREE, 392.2877 bookwormomaha.com

As the weather turns and the chill arrives, it’s time to start cultivating a winter reading list. Nothing gets you through the cold months of winter better than a couple of good books. Jeff Koterba, best known as the award-winning Omaha World Herald cartoonist, recently released Inklings: A Memoir, a creative, engaging and endearing memoir that captures Koterba’s childhood and eccentric upbringing in delightful fashion. And while Koterba’s childhood had its share of angry shouting and petty discouragements, there is a profound sense of optimism to the book which helps carry the reader through to the end. Koterba will sign copies of the new trade paper edition of Inklings, with its fresh, new cover design, at The Bookworm. — Jesse D. Stanek

the reader’s entertainment picks Nov. 27

Get Gifty

Ten studios throughout Benson 10 a.m.-6 p.m., FREE, 558.1150 info@illuminataglass.com This double threat Benson studio tour/holiday gift grab gives art appreciators and gift-givers the chance to feed two birds with one seed. Wander the Maple Street main strip, from Adventure in Art at the east end to JD Gerber Photography at the west, enjoying the stunning sights of Benson’s studio scene and work from artists such as Wanda Ewing, Julie Conway, Andrew Hershey, Jason Gerber, Kristi Pederson, Justin Beller, Ying Zhu, Caleb Coppock, Amy Mather, Liz Moldenhauer and many more. Participating spaces in between those two poles include Pizza Shoppe Collective, Justin Beller Studio, Benson Grind, Studio Illuminata, Andy Colley Woodworking, Silver of Oz, Ying Zhu

Studio and Blue Pomegranate Gallery. Whether looking to purchase handcrafted, local art for the holidays or to merely peruse, the more than 40 artists involved have plenty of creative wares in store. Artist Julie Conway initiated the event in 2009 at Studio Illuminata, and after a great success this year’s event is much larger in scale. What’s more, as if supporting local artists and giving unique gifts wasn’t awesome enough, 5 percent of proceeds will be donated to Youth Emergency Services. — Sarah Wengert

TUESDAY30 Nov. 30

Taqwacore: The Birth of Islam Punk

Film Streams, 1340 Mike Fahey St. 7 p.m., $9/$7 seniors, students, teachers

nov . 2 5 - d e c . 1 , 2 0 1 0

and military/$4.50 members 933.0259, filmstreams.org

Through Dec. 31

Jesse Michaels, lead singer of the punk band Operation Ivy once said, “Music is an indirect force for change because it provides an anchor against human tragedy.” Truer words have never been spoken as an embodiment of the punk rock genre — a musical movement constantly lifting the veil on the suffering human condition. The documentary Taqwacore: The Birth of Islam Punk explores this concept amongst the unlikely, yet fitting youth in the Islamic community. The story follows three Muslim bands on their first tour, starting in the states and ending in Pakistan, encompassing an emotional growth for not only the bands, but also the director himself. A panel discussion — courtesy of this collaboration from Film Stream and Project Interfaith — follows the screening of this story that’s been dubbed one of best rock-docs of 2009. — Chalis Bristol

Anderson O’Brien Fine Art 8724 Pacific St. and 1108 Jackson St. Opening reception at Old Market location Dec. 3, 6-9 p.m. FREE; Countryside Village: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Old Market: Mon.-Wed. 11 a.m.-8 p.m., Thurs.-Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun. 12- 5 p.m., 390.0717 (Countryside Village), 884.0911 (Old Market), aobfineart.com

Small Works/Small Gifts Exhibition

“They’re small, but they are just as wonderful as the large pieces,” says Katie Van Norman, Anderson O’Brien Fine Art Countryside Village manager. Van Norman is referring to the exhibit running similarly at both Anderson O’Brien loca-

TAQWACORE

tions, Small Works/Small Gifts, featuring new, large work from more than 20 area artists, complimented by smaller, more affordable pieces by the same. The Countryside Village location is showcasing textured oil paintings of Sharon Booma, sensory abstract paintings of Susan Puelz, intimate mixed medias of Signe Stuart to name a few. The Old Market location features rich geometric paintings of Steve Joy, imaginative color woodcuts of Karen Kunc, minimalist prints of Thomas Prinz, who will be exhibiting solo in January, and many more. Many of the artists have work at both locations but no piece is the same, and all of the large works are new, never previously exhibited. Other medium to be displayed includes ceramics, jewelry and photography. — Sally Deskins

picks

| THE READER |

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

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

402.342.2885

12th & Jackson Old Market 341-5827

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

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1 , 2010

Best Ice Cream Shop

| THE READER |

old market

bigbrainomaha.com

l i f e s t

y l e ,

a r t ,

t h e a t e r ,

culture

b o o k s ,

f a s h i o n

Timeline Marches On

Bellows Center now open while retrospective hangs at Joslyn by Sarah Baker Hansen

nne Meysenberg folds four sheets of paper at a time, and methodically stuffs them into envelopes. People at the midtown Omaha bar where she works periodically give her a curious look. One man asks her if kent bellows she’s operating a satellite post office. But Meysenberg, director of the Kent Bellows Studio and Center for the Visual Arts, is, as she puts it, “multitasking.” She stuffs hundreds endof-year donor appeal letters into envelopes, even though regular working hours are long gone. It’s something she does a lot of these days. 2010 was a big and busy year for Meysenberg and the Bellows Center. The foundation moved its operations this fall — a program that lets artistic high schools students create under the guidance of mentors drawn from Omaha’s creative class — from donated space in the Bemis Underground to the studio space once occupied by its namesake, the photorealist and Omaha native, Kent Bellows. The Joslyn Art Museum also opened the first major retrospective of Bellows’ work — a sweeping show that begins with his earliest works done around age 21 and closes with the final piece he made before his death in 2005. More than 70

works are in the show, including some this writer had never seen, though heard much about. The new location coupled with the major exhibition has pushed the center’s agenda to a new level, Meysenberg says. Many of its initial goals — creating a successful program for students, working with mentors, renovating the Leavenworth street studio — have been met. The future is wide open. *** Beyond Realism: The Works of Kent Bellows 1970-2005 is a sweeping look at a life’s work. More than 20 of Bellow’s riveting self portraits are exhibited together, along with commissioned portraits, a section of meticulously rendered nature drawings and his ever-present renderings of friends and family. The end of the show delves into the three completed pieces that were part of Bellows’ “Seven Deadly Sins” series that remained unfinished at the time of his death. The show is an excellent introduction to Bellows for those unfamiliar with him. For those who have seen his work, it’s a hit list of his most memorable pieces; some, like “Sarah Sleeping,” will long remain in this writer’s mind. Easily one of the best images in the show, “Sarah Sleeping” is a color portrait of Bellows’ stepdaughter, Sarah, reclining between white sheets. Her body is horizontal near the top of the piece, and the meticulously created sheets, done through the difficult media of pastel — are simply amazing.

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mixedmedia Also astounding are a series of landscape studies that focus on an open field, a stream and the trunk of an old tree. These drawings are so finely detailed it’s hard to imagine the time and steadiness of hand that must have been required. Texture is front and center here, but so is realism. The viewer can feel the air, sense the space and see each finely drawn blade of grass and patch of moss. It’s rather incredible. Small touches that still tie Bellows and his work to the center are visible in the Joslyn show; most notably, Bellows’ army green winter coat with a fur-trimmed hood. It’s visible in a number of the paintings, including one of the earliest pieces, a portrait of his studio. It can also be seen in one of the later pieces, a self-portrait where the artist has an angry visage. The coat hangs in the foyer of the newly renovated studio, on a hook near the door. *** Meysenberg says student artists now working in the space seem to realize where they’re working, and what it means. “Weston (Thompson, the studio’s education manager) said the students seem more serious in this space,” Meysenberg says. “I do notice they’re quieter than usual.” The Leavenworth street studio — which Bellows called the “Mahler Studio” after one of his favorite composers — is now home base to the education programs, but also to art openings for mentors and students, as well as community events, conversations and lectures. Meysenberg says the studio started with a clear plan, and now that many of those initial goals have been met, they’re in a particularly exciting moment. She says defining new goals and discovering what new communities the center can serve is in the future. “We’re excited to find our new role,” she says. One of the biggest assets the new space has, Meysenberg says, is people who want to be involved, whether through donating, mentoring or volunteering in other ways. Bellows was a mentor to many young artists. “A lot of the artists who looked to him as a mentor thought they were the only one,” Meysenberg

art

n Happy Thanksgiving! Because it’s officially the holiday season, this week’s column is devoted to all things holiday, beginning with the Durham Museum’s annual tree lighting ceremony. The ceremony runs 4-7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26. Vocalist and local KIOS radio personality Michael Lyon will perform, and visitors can decorate cookies, create holiday gifts and share their list with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Durham’s annual holiday trees exhibit also opens Nov. 26, exploring worldwide holiday traditions. The show, through Jan. 2, includes a selection of holiday trees decorated with diverse holiday customs. n Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 studio locations in Benson will be part of one big holiday art show. Get Gifty includes work from more than 40 artists including Wanda Ewing, Julie Conway, Andrew Hershey and Jason Gerber, among many others. The event runs 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Galleries include Studio Illuminata, Adventure in Art, Pizza Shoppe Collective, Justin Beller Studio, Silver of Oz, Ying Zhu Studio, Blue Pomegranate Gallery, and JD Gerber Photography. A portion of all the art sold during the event will go to support Omaha Youth Emergency Services, which offers a safe place for at-risk young people in the Omaha area. n Friday, Dec. 3, the Artists Cooperative Gallery opens its annual holiday show. This year’s theme is “quarters only” and the members of the space will show work that fits into that theme, but with their own personal interpretation. The artists will play host to two openings during the show’s run: Friday, Dec. 3, 5:30-8:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 5, 1:30-4:30 p.m. n Hot Shops Open House is slated for Saturday, Dec. 4, noon-8 p.m., and Sunday, Dec. 5, noon-5 p.m., at 1301 Nicholas St. Hot Shops artists and galleries will be open for business. Studio visits, art displays, live music and a huge variety of work, including the ever-popular blown glass holiday ornaments, make the weekend one not to miss. n A final note this week: Joslyn Art Museum has free admission all weekend: Friday Nov. 26, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 28, noon-4 p.m. All permanent collection and special exhibition galleries will be open, as will the museum shop, café and sculpture gardens. — Sarah Baker Hansen Mixed Media is a column about art. Get local art updates at weekfiftytwo.com. Send ideas to mixedmedia@thereader.com.

says. “There were a lot, though. We want to continue that timeline. Continue that tradition.” , Beyond Realism: The Works of Kent Bellows 19702005 continues at the Joslyn through Jan. 16, 2011. A closing event is Thursday, Jan. 13, at 6:30 p.m., with a gallery discussion, live music and a reception, free with regular museum admission. Learn more about the KBS volunteer programs, internships, workshops, tours and how to be a donor at kentbellows.org.

| THE READER |

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

theater p r o f i l e s ,

r e v i e w s ,

p r e v i e w s ,

o p e n i n g s

Marley Christmas Jacob Marleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Carol boasts brilliant script, cast at Blue Barn by Warren Francke

T 01&/ 4"563%":4 05)&3 )0634 #: "110*/5.&/5 #*3%)064&*/5&3*034 $0.

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

hree Scrooges and a couple of Jacob Marleys sat around the edge of the stage and the front row as the Blue Barn cast got ready to rehearse a fascinating play that could just as well be called Marley Meets the Bogle. But the title is Jacob Marleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Carol, a darker and delightfully droll story that opens by reminding us, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Marley was dead, to begin with.â&#x20AC;? For emphasis, author Tom Mula borrows from Oz and tells us that, like the Wicked Witch, he was â&#x20AC;&#x153;really most sincerely dead.â&#x20AC;? Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s lively enough, though, to demand, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Where the devil am I?â&#x20AC;? And then all hell breaks loose in the most imaginative way as Marley learns he can only get a â&#x20AC;&#x153;transferâ&#x20AC;? from this dark place if he redeems his old partner, Ebenezer Scrooge. In case youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re confused about the presence of so many Scrooges and Marleys, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a quick rundown: Nils Haaland, who usually tours as Scrooge for the Omaha Community Playhouse, is taking this tour off to play Marley for the Blue Barn. Nearby, another former touring Scrooge, Kevin Lawler, is directing this Marley-centered play, and his Scrooge is Doug Blackburn, who has played Marley on the main stage at the Playhouse, but now occupies one of the front row seats in the Downtown Space. Perched above him on the edge of the stage is the Bogle. You may not know him as Alan Brincks, a newcomer from Nebraska Wesleyan who performed last summer in the Nebraska Shakespeare Festival. But you wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t forget him as the Bogle, â&#x20AC;&#x153;a malicious little hell-spriteâ&#x20AC;? who, â&#x20AC;&#x153;though funny,â&#x20AC;? the playwright promises, â&#x20AC;&#x153;is no Tinkerbell. Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also mean and bitchy and powerful when he needs to be.â&#x20AC;? As for Marley, Mula says, he â&#x20AC;&#x153;needs to be pretty awful at the topâ&#x20AC;? so that his change means something. The author calls Scrooge â&#x20AC;&#x153;a mon-

| THE READER |

theater

ster,â&#x20AC;? and admits that the Record Keeper (Scott Working) is â&#x20AC;&#x153;a little scary sometimes.â&#x20AC;? Having seen the play at the Stages of Omaha a few years ago and having just read the script, I can safely promise that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a sheer delight that allows the audience to imagine Marley and the Bogle perched atop the dome of St. Paulâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cathedral and looking down on the London Night. We hear that: â&#x20AC;&#x153;All around Marley beings of nightmares floated by on the currents of air like exotic sea creatures. Marley felt like he was imprisoned in some hellish aquarium.â&#x20AC;? In short, Lawler has handed a brilliant script, a mix of dialogue and narrative, to a cast of four that he refers to as â&#x20AC;&#x153;on top of their game,â&#x20AC;? and claims he just enjoys â&#x20AC;&#x153;watching what these guys come up with.â&#x20AC;? For Haaland, the recent years of touring as Scrooge in the traditional version, â&#x20AC;&#x153;helps and it hurts. It helps that you know that world pretty well, but there are traps,â&#x20AC;? mainly the temptation to go to parody, â&#x20AC;&#x153;but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not that at all.â&#x20AC;? Blackburn, after rattling Marleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chains at the Playhouse Scrooge, says thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no danger of confusing that Scrooge, â&#x20AC;&#x153;which is meant to be family fare,â&#x20AC;? with his mean miser. As an old college jock, Blackburn likens the scriptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s way of transporting us with words to Vin Scully calling a Dodgers baseball game and putting us out there under the blue sky. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t require much more than a bare stage and few props, Lawler explained. The scenic design is by Martin Scott Machitto, lighting by Bill Van Deest and costumes by Jenny Pool. A press release bills Jacob Marleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Carol as â&#x20AC;&#x153;an irreverent, funny and deeply moving story.â&#x20AC;? In this case, it lives up to the hype. After debuting at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, it was performed annually on National Public Radio and proved just as effective whether performed by four actors, as in the Blue Barn treatment, or recited by Mula alone. , Jacob Marleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Carol runs Nov. 26Dec. 18, Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m. and Sun. 6 p.m. by the Blue Barn, at 614 S. 11th St. Tickets are $25, $20 for students, seniors, TAG members and groups of 10 or more. Call 345.1576 or visit bluebarn.org.

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coldcream n You may have seen the cast of Noises Off perform the play Nothing On, but the University of Nebraska at Omaha version is the first time in my many viewings that itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth watching the action at intermission. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when the crew turns the two-story set by student Charles V. Fisher completely around. The bedroom farce features nine doors for nine actors. Prop master Darin Kuehler equips it with plates of sardines, bouquets of flowers, bottles of booze and one big red ax to go with the fallen trousers and lacy undies. Director D. Scott Glasser and company take this weekend off, then return Dec. 1-4. The three-act comedy includes two intermissions, each with the massive transformation. n Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be surprised if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re passing through the lobby of UNOâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Weber Fine Arts Building and hear someone whisper, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Psst,â&#x20AC;? and beckon you to follow him to the elevator. That would be Andrew McGreevy luring you up to the third floor where his SkullDuggery Theatre performs The Vertical Hour. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy: go to the elevator, push â&#x20AC;&#x153;Mâ&#x20AC;? (donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask why the third floor is the mezzanine), walk the long, bright corridor to the far end, enter Room 333 and find a chair in the classroom converted to theater. Director Cindy Melby Phaneuf used her faculty status to provide space for the homeless theater. Whatever else the play has to recommend it, the chance to see the talented Paul Boesing play a womanizing elder arguing about the Iraq war is well worth an elevator ride. n I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think Omaha Performing Arts could get me excited about a musical 10 months before its arrival. Sure, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d looked forward to seeing Jersey Boys since watching former Omahan John Lloyd Young win a Tony for playing Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons. But I can usually keep my distance from reviews and wait to see for myself. What happened last week, when the show was promoted at the Holland Center, was that three cast members rekindled the fire felt when first reading about reaction to â&#x20AC;&#x153;Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Take My Eyes Off of You.â&#x20AC;? Intellectually, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make much sense to get that excited about the four blue collar boys making it big. Emotionally, however, you can understand why grown men get tears in their eyes, so weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re waiting to well up next September. Meanwhile, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got the greatest heart-warming gift in local theater history, A Christmas Carol, back for its 35th year at the Omaha Community Playhouse, where Young got his start. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Warren Francke Cold Cream looks at theater in the metro area. Email information to coldcream@thereader.com.

by Charles Dickens Adapted by Charles Jones

Nov. 19– Dec. 23, 2010

GIBSON ~ EMG ~ DIMARZIO ~ ZILDIAN CRATE ~ EPIPHONE RED BEAR ~ HAMER

50% OFF

Shure 58

with stand

ONLY $99

www.RainbowMusicOmaha.com

| THE READER |

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1 , 2010

art

OpeningS

BURKHOLDER PROJECT, 719 P St., Lincoln, 477.3305, burkholderproject.com. CELEBRATE THE SEASON: Group show. NEW WORK: Max Miller. Both shows open Dec. 1-23, reception Dec. 3, 7 p.m. CHADRON STATE COLLEGE, 1000 Main St., Chadron, NE, 800.242.3766, csc.edu. SENIOR THESIS SHOW: Group show, opens Nov. 29-Dec. 10. DURHAM WESTERN HERITAGE MUSEUM, 801 S. 10th St., 444.5071, durhammuseum.org. ETHNIC HOLIDAY TREES EXHIBIT: Opens Nov. 26-Jan. 2. ELDER GALLERY, 51st and Huntington, Nebraska Wesleyan University, nebrwesleyan.edu. BRIDGE 2010B: Juried exhibit featuring work by Nebraska high school students, opens Nov. 29-Dec. 17, reception Dec. 6, 2 p.m. GET GIFTY IN BENSON, Studio Illuminata, Adventure in Art, Pizza Shoppe Collective, Justin Beller Studio, Silver of Oz, Ying Zhu Studio, Blue Pomegranate Gallery, JD Gerber Photgraphy. GET GIFTY!: Group show, opens Nov. 27. GOVERNOR’S RESIDENCE EXHIBITION, 1425 H St., Lincoln, nebraskaartscouncil.org. NEW WORK: Sue Thelen, opens Dec. 1-Jan. 3. JOSLYN ART MUSEUM, 2200 Dodge St., 342.3300, joslyn.org. FREE ADMISSION: Nov. 26-28. LAURITZEN GARDENS, 100 Bancroft St., 346.4002, omahabotanicalgardens.org. HOLIDAY POINSETTIA SHOW: Opens Nov. 26-Jan. 9.

ONGOING

THE 815, 815 O. St., Suite 1, Lincoln, 261.4905, the815.org. NEW WORK: Toni Murrell, through Nov. 9 MUSES STUDIO, 2713 N 48th St., Lincoln. NEW WORK: Dr. Barbara Tracy, through Nov. 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. BEMIS UNDERGROUND, 724 S. 12th St., 341.7130, bemiscenter.org. EXTRAORDINARY RENDITION: Group show, through Dec. 17. BENSON GRIND, 6107 Maple St., octopusesgarden.org. METAPHYSICAL DESOLATION: Chris Rubarth, through Nov. BLUE POMEGRANATE GALLERY, 6570 Maple St., 502.9901, bluepom.com. ORNAMENTAL: Holiday ornaments, through Nov. 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. 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 AND THE CENTENNIAL OF THE MEXICAN REVOLUTION: Through Nov. FRED SIMON GALLERY, Burlington Building, 1004 Farnam St., nebraskaartscouncil.org. NAC IAF VISUAL ARTS SHOW: Group show, through Feb. 25. 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. GRAND MANSE GALLERY, 129 N. 10th St., Lincoln, grandmanse.com. FROM A DISTANCE: Through Nov. 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.

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

HEART OF GOLD JEWELERS, 2634 N. 48th St., Lincoln, heartofgoldjewelers.blogspot.com, 325.0465. NEW WORK: Michael Brehm, through Nov. HILLMER ART GALLERY, College of St. Mary, 7000 Mercy Rd., 399.2400, csm.edu. UNO PRINT COLLECTION: Group show, through Dec. 18. 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. IMAGES OF NATURE, 1115 Harney St., 341.8460. NEW WORK: Thomas D. Mangelsen, through Nov. IMAGEWERKS COLLECTIVE, 5723 S. 137th St, 880.6294. BESO DE LA MUERTE: Group show, through Nov. INTERNATIONAL QUILT STUDY CENTER AND 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. KIMMEL HARDING NELSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 801 3rd Corso, Nebraska City, 874.9600, khncenterforthearts.org. INTO THE ASHES: Marlene Mueller, through Dec. 16. 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. MORRILL HALL, 307 Morrill Hall, Lincoln 472.3779, museum. unl.edu. WILDLIFE AND NATURE AMATEUR PHOTO EXHIBIT: Through Dec. 1. 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. 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. NORFOLK ARTS CENTER, 305 N. 5th St., Norfolk, 371.7199, norfolkartscenter.org. NEW WORK: Inna Kulagina, through Dec. NOYES GALLERY, 119 S. 9th St., Lincoln, 486.3866, noyesartgallery.com. NEW WORK: Group show, through Nov. OLD MARKET ARTISTS, 1034 Howard St., Lower Level of Old Market Passageway, oldmarketartists.com. NEW DESIGNS: Meridith Merwald-Gofta, through Nov. 30. OLSON-LARSEN GALLERY, 203 5th St., Des Moines, IA, 515.277.6734, olsonlarsen.com. NEW WORK: Sharon Booma, through Nov. 27. 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.

| THE READER | art/theater listings

check event listings online! 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. SALT CREEK POTTERS WORKSHOP, 2722 N. 48th St., Lincoln, saltcreekpotters.com, 467-3113. NEW WORK: Ili Lefler and Janet Chung, 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. SILVER OF OZ, 6115 Maple St., 558.1307, silverofoz.com. NEW WORK: Lynne Mosiman & Steve Kirkvold, through Nov. SPATIVM, Parrish Prjoect, 1416 O St., Lincoln. ($4.00 CAMERA EDITION): New work by RAWS., through Nov. STRATEGIC AIR & SPACE MUSEUM, 28210 W. Park Highway, Ashland, 944.3100, strategicairandspace.com. ANAKIN SKYWALKER’S PODRACE: Through Jan. 2. THE SECRET LIFE OF HOWARD HUGHES: Through Jan. 2. 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 COOPER GALLERY, 14th & U, Lincoln. A TURNING POINT; NAVAJO WEAVING IN THE LATE 20TH CENTURY: Explores changing artistic perceptions held by weavers, collectors and others, through Nov. 30. UNL HILLESTAD TEXTILES GALLERY, 35th and Holdrege, 2nd Floor, Home Economics Bldg., Lincoln. textilegallery.unl.edu. “I’VE BEEN HERE BEFORE, I REMEMBER THAT TREE”: Katie Taylor Frisch, through Nov. 19. 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. 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

JACOB MARLEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL, Blue Barn at The Downtown Space, 614 S. 11th St., 345.1576, bluebarn. org. Opens Nov. 26-Dec. 18, Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m., Sun., 6 p.m., $25, $20/students & seniors. PETER PAN, Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St., 345.4849, rosetheater.org. Opens Nov. 26-Dec. 19, Thu.-Fri., 7 p.m., Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m., $16. Based on the classic story.

ongoing

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St., 553.0800, omahaplayhouse.com. Through 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 Dec. 1-4, 7:30 p.m., $16, $14/seniors, $10/students.

NOISES OFF, University of Nebraska Omaha Theatre, Weber Fine Arts Building, 6001 Dodge St., 554.2796. Opens Dec. 1-4, 7:30 p.m., $5/previews, $15, $10/seniors, $5/ 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 25

PARK TEEN CENTER UNDERGROUND OPEN MIKE COFFEEHOUSE NIGHT, Park School, 855 S. 8th St., Lincoln, 7-8:30 p.m., 441.9471, $1. Open mic/slam poetry/acoustic music for Grades 8-12. (last Thurs. each month)

fridAY 26

J. MEDICINE HAT, Funny Bone, Village Pointe, 17305 Davenport St., funnnyboneomaha.com, 493.8036, 7:30 p.m., 9:45 p.m.

saturday 27

JEFFREY KOTERBA, The Bookworm, 87th and Pacific, 392.2877, bookwormomaha.com, 1 p.m. Author of Inklings. X POETRY COMMUNITY OPEN MIC, Washington Library, 2868 Ames Ave., 659.8353, 4 p.m., FREE, ywright08@yahoo.com, productoftha88@yahoo.com, open mic and featured readers. (2nd and 4th Sat.) J. MEDICINE HAT, Funny Bone, Village Pointe, 17305 Davenport St., funnnyboneomaha.com, 493.8036, 7 p.m, 9:30 p.m.

sunday 28

POETRY NIGHT, 357 Club, 2404 Ames Ave., 6 p.m., poetry, prose, real-to-life, skits and interpretive dance. (Every Sun.) J. MEDICINE HAT, Funny Bone, Village Pointe, 17305 Davenport St., funnnyboneomaha.com, 493.8036, 7 p.m.

monday 29

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 Greg Kosmicki and Rich Wyatt.. (every Mon.)

tuesday 30

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 1

ACOUSTIC OPEN MIC FOR MUSICIANS & POETS, Meadowlark Coffee & Espresso, 1624 S. St., Lincoln, 8 p.m., 477.2007. Hosted by Spencer. (every Wed.) LUNCH AT THE LIBRARY, Bennett Martin Public Library, 136 South 14th St., Lincoln, 12:10 p.m. Featuring LCL’s Youth Services Supervisor Vicki Wood. MIDWEST POETRY VIBE, KENO Kings/Royal Crown Lounge, 6553 Ames Ave., 9 p.m., poetry, R&B, Neosoul music, live performances, concert DVD and food and drink. (Every Wed.) PEOPLE’S FILM FESTIVAL: RACE EPISODE 3: THE HOUSE WE LIVE IN, McFoster’s Natural Kind Cafe, 38th and Farnam, 7 p.m., FREE. Focuses on the ways our institutions and polices advantage some groups at the expense of others. (every Wed.) POET SHOW IT, 1122 D St., Lincoln, 8 p.m. Local writers come and read. (1st & 3rd Wed.) WHAT ARE YOU READING?, The Bookworm, 87th and Pacific, 1 p.m., 392.2877, bookwormomaha.com. Chat about favorite reads. (1st Wednesday.)

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

Give a memorable gift that lasts 12 months Memberships just $35-$50

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)

❆ Peaceful hikes ❆ Forest adventures ❆ Programs for all ages

Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, Bellevue, NE Facility and trails Open daily 8am-5pm Neale Woods, Omaha Facility open seasonally, trails open year round www.fontenelleforest.org 402.731.3140

www.joslyn.org | (402) 342-3300 2200 Dodge St. | Omaha, NE

| THE READER |

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1 , 2010

2234 South 13th Street Omaha, NE 68108 346 - 9802 www.sokolundground.com

WED 11/24/2010

SAT 11/27/2010

THU 12/2/2010

FRI 12/3/2010

SAT 12/4/2010

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THU 12/9/2010

6*' 4+8'4Âµ5 .1%#. ('#56 ('#674+0) '/2*#6+% ]#7&+614+7/_ 9 5*#/#0Âµ5 *#48'56 #46+..'4; (709 4'))#',70-+','9 #0'74;5/ *16 (41/ (#4 5744'#. 6*' /% /% )4+0)1 4+&'45 1( 6*' #21%#.;25' %*#5' %1; 9 $#%-5'#6 )11&$;' 2.7) +0 56'4'1 2#+06 6*' %1#56.+0' 5705'65 61 52'#- 1( 5'8'0 %#4 2+.'72 9 691 6+/'5 )10' 9#-+0) 6*' 0'+)*$145 ;'#45 ]#7&+614+7/_ 9 '/2*#6+% #.6'40#6+8' 24'55 24'5'065 6*' %*4+56/#5 2#)'#06 ]#7&+614+7/_ ('#674+0) (#/+.; (14%' (+8' #0& (14'8'4 6*' 5+%-'56 -+&5 9 52'%+#. )7'565 5'%10&*#0& 5'4'0#&' +0641&7%+0) 5*14.+0'5 '0& ,'((4'' 56#4 9 &'8 #0& +6 $1;5

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NOV. 25 - DEC. 1 , 2010

| THE READER |

p r o f i l e s ,

m u s i c

n e w s ,

l a z y - i ,

music h o o d o o

Marathon Man Mark Mallman is in it for the long haul by Tim McMahan

becomes part of history. We forget that (David) Bowie was considered a flash-in-the-pan, gay, cross-dressing shock artist, and now you look back and say, ‘What a great album.’ I don’t concern myself if a writer or fan thinks it’s just shock. They don’t see the future and the past. I’m the only one that knows the real story, so it’s up to me to deliver it.” And deliver it he has over eight albums since 1998, hitting a stride with 2002’s The Red Bedroom, an album that caught the ear of major labels with its gorgeous piano-

he first time I saw singer-songwriter Mark Mallman was at a pizza place that no longer exists. October 2005. The sign outside Sammy Sortino’s on S. 72nd St. read, “Welcome Piano Man Mark Mallman.” As I stepped inside I mark mallman was overcome by a waft of sour pepperoni and an ocean of nomming families pushing mozzarella-covered glop into their drooling maws. The guy at the door told me Mark Mallberg was in the next room. You mean Mallman, right? “It’s Mallberg,” he said rather annoyed, never looking away from an overhead TV blaring a Yankee’s post-season game. Maybe two other people were the in the room adjacent to the main dining hall that occasionally burst into cheers whenever something bad happened to the Yankees. On the makeshift stage, playing behind a pair of shoebox-sized amps on tripods, was crazy-haired Mallman, doing what he’d done all the years leading up to that moment — pouring his heart out onto his keyboard, singing his songs as best he could, as if he were playing to a smoky, crowded First Avenue crowd driven pop songs, like the yearning rock anthems “Love in his hometown instead of rows of empty tables in a Look at You,” and “Who’s Gonna Save You Now?” The poorly lit “party room.” labels thought Mallman could be their next David Gray. Mallberg, er, Mallman remembered that night “It was a point in my career in the early 2000s when clearly. He even remembered the lousy pizza that they I had a great management team,” Mallman says. “I had paid him with. “I had an agent at the time that was just developed a huge fan base in the Twin Cities and I was trying to make shit work,” he says, from his Minnesota talking to the managers at the biggest labels. Going the home on a day off. “When you go to a movie and only major-label route is taking a risk. But I don’t think you’re one person is in the theater, the movie’s still the same, risking anything by following exactly what you hear in right? It’s part of my thing to work the crowd no matter your head. You can look back and say, ‘Well, they didn’t what. Respect the stage.” get it and I’m eating Taco Bell tonight,’ but it’s better He showed that respect earlier this month perform- than telling people, ‘You don’t want to listen to that reing a 78-hour-long song called “Marathon 3,” at St. cord, I was rapping on it.’“ Paul’s Turf Club. He ran nine miles every other day and To be clear, Mallman says he didn’t say “no” to a changed his diet to prepare for the endurance test that major label deal. “My dad would have kicked my ass,” some viewed as a gimmick, but that Mallman describes he says. “When it came time to do a showcase for them, I as more of an art piece or happening. gave them the show that was in my heart, which was wild “I’m not comparing myself to Warhol, but at the be- and drew from Jim Morrison and Johnny Lydon, but not ginning I’m sure people wondered why he was making David Gray or Elton John.” an 8-hour film of a building in New York,” Mallman says, Instead of a major, Mallman signed with respected referencing Warhol’s 1964 film Empire. “Anything that’s indie label Badman Records, whose roster includes new or different is overlooked or categorized, but it still Mark Kozelek, My Morning Jacket, and Rebecca Gates.

m o r e

backbeat Badman released Mallman’s last three albums, including 2009’s Invincible Criminal. “Now you can go online and download my discography and you’ve got my whole story, and it isn’t tainted,” he says. But if MTV’s “Cribs” decides to do a piece on Mallman’s lifestyle, they’ll find him living in a rented basement in a converted church. “Maybe if I lived a bit more extravagantly I would have to worry about the f***ed-up music industry, but I’ve never been rich and famous,” he says. “I could totally live in a house and have a wife and a family and whatever; I could have all that stuff and continue being a musician, but I don’t want a yard to take care of. Instead of spending money on a mortgage, I would rather spend it on food and drinks and traveling and recording.” And maybe because he has nothing to lose, Mallman sees the Internet as the music industry’s great liberator rather than its destroyer. “It’s worth all the sacrifice,” he says. “In the ’90s with the major labels, everyone was afraid to take a risk. Even the indies were following the formula. It was like a state of martial law. It was the biggest SS regime of music industry people force-feeding the world. When people talk about grunge and Nirvana, that was the worst. Now bands do whatever they want, from Gogol Bordello to Animal Collective. Without the Internet, you wouldn’t have this crazy music that’s coming out now.” But what about all the bands that are giving up because they think they can’t make a living playing music? “I tell them to pack it up,” Mallman says. “You should quit because it’s less competition and more people for me. Some bands were in it because they wanted the golden lottery ticket. We’re weeding out the people that were in it for the wrong reason.” One thing’s for sure: Mallman will never give up. Next on his plate is putting together the “Marathon 3” documentary and live album. His other band, Ruby Isle, just released a full-length reinvention of Guns N’ Roses’ Appetite for Destruction on Kindercore Records. “‘Marathon 3’ opened me to the idea that the music industry, the music landscape, that music itself is changing rapidly and it makes me interested in abandoning traditional ideas and looking for a new way to do things that are sometimes cheeky and bathed in sugar-coated irony.” , Mark Mallman plays w/ The Whipkey Three Sunday, Nov. 28, at the Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. The 9 p.m. show is $8. Visit onepercentproductions.com.

music

n NPR Music regularly posts online missives of themed playlists. As a list-lover and NPR fanatic I am always all ears. A recent example is “Get Out Your Hoodie: Songs For Fall,” with tracks from Galaxie 500, Los Amparito, The Foreign Exchange, Burial, American Football and Bill Evans Trio. Other occasions have included poolside party, end of summer, weddings, “heavy-metal keggers” and even “nights spent sitting at home alone while eating room-temperature Spaghetti-Os and sobbing.” In that tradition and in the spirit of Thanksgiving, follows my “Get Out Your Gratitude: Songs For Thanksgiving.” First is William DeVaughn’s “Be Thankful for What You Got.” Not only has it made for many a mean sample, its message is to truly appreciate life even “though you may not drive a great big Cadillac.” Sneaking onto the list as a bit of guilty pleasure is Dido’s “Thank You.” Sure it’s been horrifically overplayed, but I dig Dido’s sweet coo and its statement on that loved one who makes a shitty day evaporate just by being there. Led Zeppelin’s “Thank You” makes the list with an affectionate declaration of gratitude against a typical, charging Zeppelin rock-symphony backdrop. I’m adding Hank Williams Jr.’s “Family Tradition” for its fun take on just that, Louis Armstrong “What A Wonderful World” for that important reminder, Sly and the Family Stone’s “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” for noting “Many men are missin’ much / Hatin’ what they do” and reminding not to be one of them, and Aretha Franklin’s “I Say a Little Prayer for You” with its classic, winsome gratitude for good love. Finally, Arlo Guthrie’s “Alice’s Restaurant” with its obvious Thanksgiving tie, but mainly because my good friend and old roommate Jen’s mom would call every year at the crack of Thanksgiving Day and sing the entire, behemoth song (it’s 18+ minutes long) to our answering machine. Oh, and “Box of Rain” by Grateful Dead. Truthfully, I’ve just whipped this list together under the weight of an early deadline bearing down like an angry Sumo wrestler, and I probably didn’t give it the consideration it deserved. I could’ve more carefully considered it. I could’ve taken pains to make it “cool.” But I went with my gut, a practice I’m thankfully improving at. n Battle of the Grandes, Nov. 26, 9 p.m. at the Waiting Room, is a Thanksgiving tradition for which local, all-star funk squad Satchel Grande divides into two bands to perform before reuniting for the main event. n Quick reminder: Visit Homer’s on Black Friday, Nov. 26, for exclusive, limited edition recordings from the people behind Record Store Day. — Sarah Wengert Backbeat takes you behind the scenes of the local music scene. Send tips, comments and questions to backbeat@thereader.com.

| THE READER |

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

music lazy-i

Lazy-i is a weekly column by long-time Reader senior contributing writer Tim McMahan focused on the Omaha music scene. Check out Timâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

Still Ungrateful â&#x20AC;Ś after all these years by Tim McMahan Â

ith this issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deadline pressing heavily on my shoulders a full week before the paper will hit the stands (thanks to a lousy print schedule), I was left pondering a topic for this week. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when I stumbled upon something I wrote in 2005. It was a time just after the Omaha music scene hit its peak and was beginning the slide down the other side of the mountain. We were all still cocky. Omaha wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t going to be a flash in the pan like Seattle and Athens and Chapel Hill. We were going to reinvent how the music industry would operate. We would always be at the center of the indie music world. And here we are now. Anyway, back then I wrote the following column that the staff hated, probably because (well, definitely because) it made fun of the newspaperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s annual holiday cover story. Five years later, The Reader is still doing that same cover story. So, hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a look back at a column that continues to fit this issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s theme, and is as relevant today as it was then. The only things missing from the list are good cell phone reception and Wi-Fi at the apartment youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re crashing at for the night. Touring will never change. And no matter what anyone says or thinks, Omaha still is at the heart of the indie music world. To me, anyway â&#x20AC;Ś Column 52, Nov. 23, 2005 Be Thankful for Nothing: Omahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s music scene has no one to thank but itself. About two weeks ago, the editorial staff at The Reader approached me and the other writers to lend a hand on this issueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cover story based on the question: â&#x20AC;&#x153;What are you thankful for?â&#x20AC;? I was given a list of local musicians and important figures from the music scene, which I was assigned to call or email asking them what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thankful for during this holiday season. My reaction: This has got to be the lamest idea Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve ever heard. Look, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not going to pick up the phone and call Simon Joyner or Marc Leibowitz or Tim Kasher and waste their time, by first asking what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re thankful for and second, explaining why The Reader thinks their comments are relevant to anyone outside their immediate family, close friends or whatever deity they worship. Beyond the basics â&#x20AC;&#x201D; their health, and the health of their friends and family â&#x20AC;&#x201D; what could they possibly say that would be interesting? What curveball could they throw that would be â&#x20AC;&#x153;good readingâ&#x20AC;? to the guy or gal sitting at Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leaverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s or Blue Line or your local convenience store or any other place where The Reader

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| THE READER |

music - lazy i 10/26/10 4:19:26 PM

is stacked? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Dude, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m thankful for my sweet, sweet Electro-lux Flying V with duo pick-ups and flaming starburst finish.â&#x20AC;? Right on. Look, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m sure the story, which is tucked somewhere inside these pages, is absolutely riveting. And upon reflection, the local music scene and its participants do have a lot to be thankful for. But once you get past thanking the obvious â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the venues, the labels, the promoters, the recent national attention, and, of course, their natural talent â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not much left to be thankful for. Our music scene was built on hard work. Not luck, not fortune, not the good will of some omnipotent rock god. The bands that have made a name for themselves did it by busting their asses in the studio, in the clubs, on the road. Beyond that, I can only imagine what they could be thankful for:Â A good van A better mechanic Cheap(er) gas Free booze at gigs A quiet place to throw up after all that free booze Getting away with it Getting caught by the right people The decision to not press charges Staying together, because it makes sense Breaking up, because it makes sense Just getting rid of the fly in the ointment Thinking through every possible consequence before saying no to a groupie Those times when you said yes Catching the flu on off nights Being able to fake it when it catches you on a show night Staying away from the wrong drugs Surviving those time(s) when you werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t smart enough to avoid them Making that one last phone call Sending that one last email Making and sending one more after that Listening to the right people Ignoring the wrong ones Not giving a shit either way Being clever enough to come up with the right riffs, the right fills, the right lyrics â&#x20AC;&#x201D; at the right times. And most importantly, doing things the right way when tempted time and time and time again to do it the easy way. This is getting preachy. And trite. And itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just the kind of thing I wanted to avoid by not participating in that article in the first place. What do the fans and musicians and everyone involved in the Omaha music scene have to be thankful for? That there is an Omaha music scene at all. And who can they thank? Themselves. ,

| THE READER |

NOV. 25 - DEC. 1 , 2010

WWW.KVNO.ORG

music

Chicago Symphony Orchestra â&#x20AC;˘ Mondays 8 PM Live at the Concertgebouw â&#x20AC;˘ Tuesdays 8 PM Modern Classics â&#x20AC;˘ Fridays 6pm Midnight Special â&#x20AC;˘ Fridays Midnight Classical Guitar Alive â&#x20AC;˘ Sundays 10 AM Composer Spotlight â&#x20AC;˘ Sundays 11 AM Going Beyond Words â&#x20AC;˘ Sundays Noon From The Top â&#x20AC;˘ Sundays 5 PM New York Philharmonic â&#x20AC;˘ Sundays 6 PM

hoodoo

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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.

Season of Giving

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1 NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010 32V2_47077.1_4.9x7.47_4c_Ad.indd

Hoodoo is a weekly column focusing on blues, roots,

| THE READER |

11/3/10 9:18 AM music - hoodoo

B.J. Huchtemann

f itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hard sometimes to find reasons for thanks amid the commercial hub-bub, non-stop to-do lists and expectations that dominate our lives, try making some time to just breathe and focus on what you really enjoy. Remember that when you give of your true self, the biggest recipient is often you. Since 2003, Lash LaRue has focused on delivering holiday toys to the children of the Pine Ridge Reservation. LaRue is a veteran Omaha roots musician, guitar repair wiz and occasional guitar teacher. LaRueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pursuit of Lakota spiritual traditions led to his involvement in helping the medicine man, David Swallow Jr., bring Christmas to the reservationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children. Lakota spiritual practices include an emphasis on giving back to the community. LaRue began with a single acoustic toy collection show. Since that night when he gathered with a few friends at the now defunct Mickâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Benson the effort has grown. And grown. And grown. Every year there seems to be at least one new element that increases the efforts to bring light and hope to a community where December looms cold and dark. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m surrounded by wonderful friends and amazing music and we get to use our talents to help others,â&#x20AC;? LaRue says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t do it for anything other than the joy of doing it, but even so, the blessings come back ten-fold. At least I know it has for me.â&#x20AC;? However you spend your holiday time, LaRueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Toy Drive illustrates that just one personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desire to do some good can become really powerful with the help of a few friends. The synergy of a group of people working together, and having fun doing it, can reap rewards that nobody saw coming. Each year the Toy Drive gives toys to even more kids who truly would have nothing on Christmas. They live a dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drive from Omaha and live in one of the most impoverished regions in the country. In the past few years there has been enough extra money to donate funds to heat the clinic and to contribute to an emergency heat fund to help heat the homes of the elderly during the bitter reservation winter. The involvement of Rick Galushaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s P.S. Blues on 89.7 The River yielded more contributions and the creation of a local college scholarship opportunity for Native American students. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a CD of amazing original music by local artists who donate their time and talent. This year, the Zoo Bar is involved with a new event that is stacking up to be a night of music, fun and toy collecting to appeal to Lincoln music fans of various genres.

So whatever youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re passionate about, pull a few friends together and do something, give somewhere, make something happen. You might be surprised at the results you can create and the joy you get from giving.

Toy Drive Kick Off The Toy Drive events begin with the CD listening party and official release Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 7 p.m. at The Waiting Room. This is a free, all-ages event with CDs for sale. Jim Homan from Screen Door Studio donated recording, mixing and mastering time for the disc. It features fine original tunes from 15 local artists. Thursday, Dec. 2, the acoustic show that started it all is scheduled for Slowdown with Matt Cox, Korey Anderson, Kyle Harvey and Dustin Clayton. Concert events continue Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the Thursday show is $10 or a new, unwrapped toy. See more on the full schedule of events in next weekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s column. Check lashlaruetoydrive.com for all the details.

Thanksgiving Eve Food Bank Show Thanksgiving Eve, Wednesday, Nov. 24, after 9 p.m. there is a special show at Bensonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barley Street Tavern to collect canned goods for the Omaha Food Bank. No glass items or perishable goods, please. Canned â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; 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.

Hot Notes The New Lift Lounge celebrates Thanksgiving Eve Wednesday, Nov. 24, at 5 p.m. Internationally-recognized Lincoln transplant Magic Slim serves up his gritty Chicago blues. Slim will be backed by his son Shawn Holtâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Slim Blues Band. At 7 p.m., Hector Anchondo returns to play Omaha with the blues band heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been putting together in Chicago. Thanksgiving night, Nov. 25, the Lilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Slim Blues Band is at the Zoo after 9 p.m. The Zoo also offers hometown favorites the Kris Lager Band Friday, Nov. 26, after 9 p.m. Cass Brostad has been turning ears and hearts lately with her impassioned songwriting and performances. Sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s moving to Texas and holding a farewell show Friday, Nov. 26, at Barley Street Tavern. The date will feature her bands Traveling Mercies and the Family Gram and also be the EP release for Cass Fifty & the Family Gram. ,

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

| THE READER |

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

Great Gift Ideas

Thanks

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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.

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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.

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

Nebraskaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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.

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

| THE READER |

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

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

Books make wonderful gifts for all ages.Find these titles and more and The Bookworm, located in Countryside Village. Dewey Cover Little Brown $16.99 Dewey learns what it takes to be the best library cat of all.

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. Cupcakes and cakes make tasty gifts. Here are some great choices that are available at Jones Bros. Cupcakes, located in Aksarben Village (2121 S. 67th St., www.jonesbroscupcakes.com). Enjoy these cupcake flavors: VANILLA - Madagascar bourbon vanilla cake with vanilla buttercream frosting. RED VELVET - Classic red velvet cake with cream cheese frosting.

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

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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.

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gift guide

| THE READER |

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

www.oldmarket.com

Give your loved ones the gift of pampering this holiday season. From gift baskets to spa packages, Sirens at the Loft offers a unique salon & spa experience right in the heart of the Old Market. www.sirensatl.com (402) 933-9333

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

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

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

| THE READER |

gift guide

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

Handmade Cornhusk Dolls from local Dundee artist make great gifts for the Husker fan in your life. Old Market Sundries offers Heartland Apparel, Nebraska-made Gifts, and Husker Items. www. oldmarketsundries.com (402) 345-8198

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 Who wouldn’t want a gift certificate to Zio’s for Christmas?? Omaha’s original Handstretched New York Style Pizza. Serving Omaha and the surrounding area for 25 years and now with 3 locations Midtown, Downtown & West Omaha. Recipient of more than 25 best pizza awards!! www.ziospizzeria.com (402)3442222

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

Unearth Exhilaration! At Urbane Salon and Day Spa we carry the full Aveda line of products for all your hair, body and skin care needs. Our Holiday Gift Sets are pre-arranged for easy holiday shopping. Try our “Unearth Exhilaration” set featuring Aveda’s full size Rosemary Mint Shampoo, Conditioner and Rosemary Mint Body Lotion. Gift sets can also be customized to create your own special gift. 1007 Farman on The Mall (402) 934-2909 $35 set

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 A gift basket of product and gift card for a color and cut is the perfect gift for anyone on your list! 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 Happy Holiday’s - Give the gift of HEALTH $50 value 1/2 price personal training session with world champion LAURA BINETTI. 24 Hour co-ed fitness center, training, thousands of locations. Anytime Fitness 1027 Jones Street Old Market Lofts www.anytimefitness.com (402) 991.2333

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

| THE READER |

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

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 25 READER RECOMMENDS 112 NORTH DUCK, (blues/rock) 8 p.m., Beer & Loathing In Dundee, FREE. DUB LOUNGE W/ BENTONE, (DJ) 9 p.m., Bourbon. OPEN JAM, 9 p.m., Chrome Lounge. SHITHOOK, (karaoke) 9 p.m., Duffy’s, FREE. COWBOY UP BAND, (country) 9 p.m., The Grove, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT W/ THE NEBRASKA WIND SYMPHONY, CAMILLE METOYER MOTEN, (classical) 7 p.m., Holland Center. SWAMPJAM, (blues) 8 p.m., Pour House, FREE. JR HOSS, (acoustic) 9 p.m., Two Fine Irishmen, FREE. PIANO HAPPY HOUR, 5 p.m., Zoo Bar, FREE. LIL SLIM BLUES BAND, 9:30 p.m., Zoo Bar, $5.

7FMWFU $SVTI

FRIDAY 26

$SB[Z $IFTUFS

GREG K, (DJ) 9 p.m., 415, $5. AVARICIOUS, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Arena, FREE. THANKSGIVING WEEKEND OLD SCHOOL DANCE, (DJ) 10 p.m., Arthur’s, $5.

)PSTFTIPF *EPM

READER RECOMMENDS CASS FIFTY AND THE FAMILY GRAM, (rock) 9 p.m., Barley St. Tavern, $5. MUZIK AMBIENCE BY JACQUES, (piano) 4-7 p.m., Big Mama’s Kitchen. FUNK & SOUL W/ OL’ MOANIN CORPSE, (DJ) 9 p.m., Bourbon, FREE. ACOUSTIC GROOVE, (rock) 9 p.m., Brazen Head. THE CONFIDENTIALS, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Brewsky’s Park Drive, FREE. HER FLYAWAY MANNER, RON WAX, (rock) 9 p.m., Brother’s Lounge, $5. JR HOSS, (acoustic) 5 p.m., Cunninghams, FREE. BAKERSFIELD, (country/rock) 7 p.m., Eagles 38. HADLEY HEAVIN, (flamenco) 6:30 p.m., Espana, FREE. JITTERBUGS’ NIGHT OUT, (jazz/dixieland) 9 p.m., Eagles Lodge, $10. YABBA, (reggae) 9 p.m., Firewater Grille, FREE. GRAND THEFT GIRLFRIEND, (cover) 9 p.m., The Grove. MIKEL LANDER, MERIDITH MOORE, (acoustic) 6 p.m., Heartland Cafe, $7. TIM KOEHN, (blues) 6 p.m., Jazz Louisiana Kitchen. TOPPER GO!, BANDIT SOUND, GRENADES AND HAM, (rock) 9 p.m., Knickerbockers. PURE VINYL, 9 p.m., LiT Lounge. PERSONICS, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Loose Moose, FREE. ROUGH CUT, (cover) 8:30 p.m., Ozone, FREE. THE JAZZ EXPLOSION, (jazz) 9 p.m., Pizza Shoppe Collective, $5. THE SLANGS, (cover) 9 p.m., red9, $5. CHRISTIAN WILHOFT, (rock/pop) 9 p.m., Side Door Lounge, FREE.

)FBETUSPOH 3PDL .BmB )PSTFTIPF *EPM $ISPNF 6OJPO .PPO +VJDF 'PSL JO UIF 3PBE )PSTFTIPF *EPM

READER RECOMMENDS LITTLE BRAZIL, NOAH’S ARK WAS A SPACESHIP, THE STAY AWAKE, HER FLYAWAY MANNER, (indie/rock) 9 p.m., Slowdown, $7. LEMON FRESH DAY, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Two Fine Irishmen, FREE.

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

READER RECOMMENDS SATCHEL GRANDE FEATURING THE ANNUAL BATTLE OF THE GRANDES, (funk) 9 p.m., Waiting Room, $7. VELVET CRUSH, (cover) 9 p.m., Whiskey Roadhouse, FREE. KRIS LAGER BAND, (blues/rock) 9 p.m., Zoo Bar, $6.

| THE READER |

music listings

SATURDAY 27

THE MIKEL & MEREDITH DUO, (blues) 9 p.m., 1020, FREE. AARON LEE & ROB BEATZ, (DJ) 9 p.m., 415, $5. AVARICIOUS, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Arena, FREE. THE FERGESENS, (rock) 9 p.m., Barley St. Tavern, $5. SANDY CREEK PITCHERS, (bluegrass) 9 p.m., Bourbon, $5, $7/under 21. ACOUSTIC GROOVE, (rock) 9 p.m., Brazen Head. VAN WAILIN, (cover) 9 p.m., Chrome, FREE. HADLEY HEAVIN, (flamenco) 6:30 p.m., Espana, FREE. WICKED FUN, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Gator O’Malley’s, FREE. NASHVILLE REJECT, (cover) 9 p.m., The Grove, FREE. KAJAM, (jazz) 7 p.m., Jazz Louisiana Kitchen. SOUNDBITE, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Kennedy’s, FREE. FEARSIGHT, APPROACHING NOTHING, (rock/metal) 6 p.m., Knickerbockers. BETSY WELLS, MY BROTHER, (singer-songwriter) 9 p.m., Knickerbockers. PERSONICS, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Loose Moose, FREE. THE SHANGRI LA LA LA’S, (blues) 9 p.m., McKenna’s, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS GIRL DRINK DRUNK, KING SHIT AND THE GOLDEN BOYS, (rock) 9:30 p.m., O’Leaver’s, $5. ROUGH CUT, (cover) 8:30 p.m., Ozone, FREE. BARNEY LIVE IN CONCERT, (children) 11 a.m., 2 p.m., Pershing Center, $16-$51. DONOVAN JOHNSON, (singer-songwriter) 7:30 p.m., Pizza Shoppe Collective, $8. HI-FI HANGOVER, THE SLANGS, (cover) 9 p.m., red9, $5. VERNON JOHN, (singer-songwriter) 9 p.m., Side Door Lounge, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS THE BERG SANS NIPPLE, CON DIOS, BEAR COUNTRY, CONDUITS, NOAH STERBA & THE COCKTAILS, (rock) 9 p.m., Slowdown, $7. ARTILLERY FUNK, REGGAEJUNKIEJEW, ANEURYSM, HOT FROM FAR, SURREAL THE MC, MC GRINGO, RIDERS OF THE APOCALYPSE, (rock/hip-hop) 4:30 p.m., Sokol Underground, $7. LEMON FRESH DAY, (cover) 9:30 p.m., Two Fine Irishmen, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS THE ENVY CORPS, CASHES RIVERS, MITCH GETTMAN, (indie/rock) 9 p.m., Waiting Room, $8. CRAZY CHESTER, (cover) 9 p.m., Whiskey Roadhouse, FREE. YABBA GRIFFITHS, TRAXX, (reggae) 9 p.m., Zoo Bar, $8.

SUNDAY 28

DJ DARK KNYTE, (DJ) 9 p.m., 415, FREE. ’80S NIGHT W/ OL’ MOANIN’ CORPSE, (DJ) 8 p.m., Bricktop, FREE. MOOSE KNUCKLE, TEMPO, VIBENHAI, (rock/reggae/jam) 9 p.m., Duffy’s, FREE. HOLIDAY HARMONY, (clarinet) 2 p.m., Lauritzen Garden. SWAMPBOY BLUES BAND, 3 p.m., Millard VFW, FREE. THE MATT COX BAND, (folk/blues) 9 p.m., Pizza Shoppe Collective, FREE. MIDWEST POSSE, (R&B) 6:30 p.m., Side Door Lounge, FREE. TIM KOEHN, (acoustic) 2 p.m., Soaring Wings, FREE. AMERICAN GUILD OF ORGANISTS, (sacred) 3 p.m., St. Vincent de Paul Church, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS MARK MALLMAN, THE WHIPKEY TREE, (singer songwriter/rock) 9 p.m., Waiting Room, $8.

MONDAY 29

SOUP AND SONG W/ KYLE & ANDY, (variety singer-song writer) 8 p.m., Barley St. Tavern, FREE. NWU JAZZ ENSEMBLE, (jazz) 7:30 p.m., Brewsky’s Jazz Underground, $5, $4/students. NWU PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE, (classical) 6:30 p.m., Emerson Recital Hall, FREE. WIND ENSEMBLE, (classical) 7:30 p.m., Emerson Recital Hall, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS BIG BAND MONDYS FEAT. MIKE GURGIULLO AND HIS LAS VEGAS LAB BAND, (jazz) 6:30 p.m., Ozone, FREE. PIANO HAPPY HOUR, 5 p.m., Zoo Bar, FREE. Z-JAM OPEN STAGE, 9 p.m., Zoo Bar, $3.

TUESDAY 30

MATT “SHARKY” SANFORD, (piano) 6:30 p.m., Del Mare, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS $PENCELOVE, (DJ) 10 p.m., Duffy’s. HALSTED, TOMY AND THE HIGHPILOTS, SHERIDAN BREAKDOWN, (rock) 9 p.m., Knickerbockers. TIM KOEHN ACOUSTIC JAM, (acoustic/blues) 7 p.m., Louis, FREE. BRASS ENSEMBLE, (classical) 7:30 p.m., O’Donnell Auditorium, FREE. CHRIS SAUB, (acoustic) 8 p.m., The Phoenix, FREE. JAZZOCRACY, (jazz) 6 p.m., Zoo Bar, FREE. TROUBADOUR TUESDAY W/ BILLY ELTISTE, CHANTY STOVALL, MIKE GOOD, MONTE PECK, (singer-song writer) 9:30 p.m., Zoo Bar, $4.

Wednesday 1

STRAIGHT LINE STITCH, (rock/metal) 8 p.m., Bourbon, $8. THE TURFMEN, (celtic) 7 p.m., Brazen Head, FREE. DB REDUCTION, (cover/acoustic) 9 p.m., Cruisers, FREE. CLIMATES, IF ONLY HE HAD THE POWER, FUSCHSIA MINUTIAE, (rock/pop) 9 p.m., Duffy’s. TIM JAVORSKY, (jazz) 6 p.m., Jazz Louisiana Kitchen. JAZZ ENSEMBLE CONCERT, (jazz) 7:30 p.m., O’Donnell Auditorium, FREE. BILL WAKEFIELD, (oldies) 6:30 p.m., Ozone, FREE. TONY LAMAR, (acoustic) 9 p.m., Two Fine Irishmen, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS CHRISTMAS FOR PINE RIDGE: VOL. III CD RELEASE AND LISTENING PARTY, (various) 7 p.m., Waiting Room, FREE. TRAMPLED UNDER FOOT, (blues) 6 p.m., Zoo Bar, $10. MOUSTACHE, SOUP OF THE DAMNED, NO JUMPING FOR JIM, (punk) 9:30 p.m., Zoo Bar, $4.

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.,

Cage Fight After Party with DJ Shif-D

554.5834, barleystreet.com

ENVY CORPS

730.5695

SPOtlIGHt SHOW

w/ Cashes Rivers & Mitch Gettman

Sin

Downtown Blues, 1512 Howard St., 345.0180 474.3453, myspace.com/duffystavern

The Envy Corps are an indie-rock quartet from Ames, Iowa. The band is known for their atmospheric-meets-pop sound, attracting comparisons to Radiohead, Doves, New Order and Modest Mouse. The band was formed in October 2001 by Luke Pool, who met David Yoshimura at Iowa State University in early 2002 and quickly added him to the lineup as second guitarist.

saTuRday, 11/27/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St., Lincoln,

Duffyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tavern, 1412 O St., Lincoln,

UPCOMING SHOWS

AND

Cursed by Moonlight AND

The Styles

The Hideout, 302 S. 72nd St. Knickerbockerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, 901 O St., Lincoln, 476.6865, knickerbockers.net LIV Lounge, 2279 S. 67thÂ St., 884.5410, livlounge.com Louis Bar and Grill, 5702 NW Radial Hwy.,

Midwest Dilemma

551.5993

FRiday, 11/26/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

SATCHEL GRANDE

sunday, 11/28/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

MARK MALLMAN

Wednesday, 12/01/10 7:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

w/ The Whipkey Three

CD RELEASE AND LISTENING PARTY

ThuRsday, 12/02/10 8:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

FRiday, 12/03/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

saTuRday, 12/04/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

w/ Animals As Leaders & The End In Red

w/ Glover, Shoe Dog & Rise From Ruin

McKennaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Blues, Booze & BBQ, 7425 Pacific

Christmas for Pine Ridge

St., 393.7427, mckennasbbq.com New Lift Lounge, 4737 S. 96th St., 339.7170 Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Leaverâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pub, 1322 S. Saddle Creek Rd.,

DJ Ryan Swan

Gunshot Itch

556.1238, myspace.com/oleaverspub Ozone Lounge at Anthonyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

DREDG

VINYL HAZE

8TH ANNUAL LASH LARUE TOY DRIVE

w/ Noahâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ark Was a Spaceship, Vago & More

Side Door, 3530 Leavenworth St., 504.3444. Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St., 345.7569, theslow-

Pink Floyd

down.com Sokol Hall, 2234 S. 13th St., 346.9802, sokolundergound.com The Sydney, 5918 Maple St., 932.9262,

AND

Metallica Tribute Bands FREE SHOW

FRiday, 12/05/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

thesydneybenson.com

GORILLA PRODUCTIONS

Stir, 1 Harrahs Blvd., Council Bluffs, harrahs. com Venue 162, 162 W. Broadway, Council Bluffs, 712.256.7768, myspace.com/venue162

DOORS AT 7PM

| SHOWS AT 9PM

waitingroomlounge.com Whiskey Roadhouse, Horseshoe Casino, 2701 32nd Ave., Council Bluffs, whiskeyroadZoo Bar, 136 N.14th St., Lincoln, zoobar.com

FANCY PARTY COMEDY

$5 CASH COVER ON ALL SHOWS

Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St., 884.5353,

house.com

saTuRday, 12/08/10 9:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

=MRON_VO KXN K\^S]^] ]_LTOM^ ^Y MRKXQO 7_]^ LO Y\ YVNO\ ^Y QKWLVO 5XYa AROX >Y =^YZ ,OPY\O CY_ =^K\^ Â&#x17D; 1KWLVSXQ :\YLVOW) -KVV Ă " Ă ,/>=900 3X 3YaK Y\ Ă " Ă Ă ! Â&#x160; 2K\\KRu] 6SMOX]O -YWZKXc 66-

12/14/10 HOMELESS FOR THE HOLIDAYS 12/15/10 EMMET OTTERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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

Monday, 12/09/10 8:00PM @ The WaiTing RooM

BRAD HOSHAW & THE SEVEN DEADLIES

12/31/10 SECRET WEApON NEW YEARS! 1/01/10 COWBOY MOUTH 1/08/10 BROkEN CROWN 1/29/10 REBELUTION 2/12/10 BEST COAST 2/13/10 UMpHREYâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S MCGEE 2/19/10 DEERHOOF 2/24/10 TApES â&#x20AC;&#x2122;N TApES 4/30/10 MOGWAI

More Information and Tickets Available at

WWW.ONEPERCENTPRODUCTIONS.COM music listings

| THE READER |

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

Deanlovestv “Bridalplasty” (Sunday, 8 p.m., E!). This reality competition features brides seeking a dream body for their wed-

ding day. “Bridalplasty” allows them to assemble it piece by piece, with help from celeb plastic surgeon Terry Dubrow. Each week’s winner will be granted one plastic surgery off her “wish list.” The winner of the entire competition gets a total plastic surgery makeover, along with a wedding where she can reveal her new look to the man she’s about to marry. Do you, Larry, take this mannequin to be your lawfully wedded wife … ? — Dean Robbins

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Waiting is the Hardest Part 1 Hallows are more dull than Deathly by Ryan Syrek

narrowly dodged that Hogwart’s-bound train. By the time JK Rowling’s bespectacled wand slinger rose to prominence stateside in 1999, I was of legal age to get Harry Pott-ed and would only have considered following the literary series if namedropping Dumbledore magically manifested female phone numbers. And yet, with a childhood peppered by a Star Wars obsession and a current downstairs closet choked with oodles of “Spider-man” comics, I can safely say that I “get it.” I get the costumed audience members; I get the giddy screaming/laughing/moaning at the on-screen appearance of celebrated minor characters; I get the rabid excitement of a fan base who passed through adolescence and into adulthood via that aforementioned train. I’m just not really part of it. Warner Bros is right in that the culmination of a decade-long movie-screen onslaught — the seventh and final, two-part film, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — is the “movie event of a generation.” But the cinematic series has always operated on the assumption that every last viewer can quote chapter and verse from the novels, able to sort on-screen subplots and supporting cast members through near-photographic recall of Rowling’s staggeringly enormous tomes. For the mild enthusiast, say someone neither young enough to have read the books during formative years nor old enough to have shared them with a child, Deathly Hallows Part 1 is easily the worst installment so far.

Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater 14th & Mike Fahey Street (formerly Webster Street) More info & showtimes 402.933.0259 · filmstreams.org

Breathe Potter-ites, I still liked it. It just isn’t the thoroughly well-composed, character-based experience of its predecessor, The Half-Blood Prince. That film managed to delicately offset a lack of real forward momentum, the perpetual Achilles heel of the cinematic series, with surprisingly sensational acting and emotional revelations. Deathly Hallows is all moping and stationary running, all delicate place-setting for the final half of the final film in which, presumably, something finally happens. As if Solomon ran a studio, Deathly Hallows was split in twain because “there was just too much to cover” in one go-round. Except, I’m pretty sure I can cover everything that happens in one sentence: Harry (Daniel Radcliffe), Hermione (Emma Watson) and Ron (Rupert Grint) run from people chasing them then pause long enough to flirt and fight. Wash, rinse, repeat. Okay, technically, more happens. As always, the film opens with nary a brief flashback to important previous events, so get to shuffling through the mental rolodex you’ve set aside for seven movies worth of characters and events. Dumbledore is dead — sorry, but if you’re reading this you either already know that or don’t care, and besides, that happened in the last movie, remember? But with the help of Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane) and a host of others, Harry and his friends escape from the still-noseless Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) and his evil wizard posse, although casualties and wounds are suffered. Then the good guys hold a wedding for two characters I would swear have never appeared previously in any of the film versions. When the ill-timed wedding is attacked as should have been expected, Harry, Hermione and Ron escape and resume hunting down horcruxes, which are trinkets that, when destroyed, permit the killing of Voldemort. Rowling went with horcrux presumably because Macguffin was already taken. The rest of the

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

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movie has the characters show up somewhere looking for something, only to be discovered and be forced to run back to almost exactly where they started. Oh, and in between there’s a CGI-animated sequence in which Hermione and Harry make out … nekked. Don’t worry, there’s tasteful smoke wisps covering the naughtiest bits, but the evolution to more adult material is officially complete. Thrice-returning director David Yates fizzles exactly where he succeeded the last time out. Half-Blood Prince was a bubbling cauldron of minor moments, as the director coaxed Radcliffe and Watson in particular to impressive quiet character beats. This time out, it’s not quiet moments so much as tone-deaf moping, as there are no less than three scenes of pure, dialoguefree pouting. Either screenwriter Steve Kloves chose to trim important subplots or Deathly Hallows was split into two parts not because of story concerns but, gasp, because of financial reasons! Thankfully, aside from the wonky opening motorcycle chase, the visuals remain breathtaking and spectacular. In fact, the animated sequence that accompanies Hermione’s reading of the origins of “The Deathly Hallows” was so wicked-sweet, I would have blissfully watched an entire film in that style. What Deathly Hallows Part 1 confirms is that it’s time. It’s time for minor and major Potter-lovers to let go; time for the epic-concluding battles we’ve been tantalized with since the turn of the new millennium. Although this may be the most unnecessary, easily trim-able installment yet, it has hopefully cleared the brush for the emergence of a spectacle sure to delight fans across the enthusiasm spectrum. Bring me the head of Voldemort! I’m ready. ,

GRADE: B-

n I can’t do justice in printed words to the recent kerfuffle about the time traveler found in a Charlie Chaplin movie, but that’s why God invented Google, so get to typin’. Presumably, the Charlie Chaplin retrospective, which runs from now until Dec. 16, at Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater (filmstreams.org), has nothing to do with this unexplained phenomenon … even though The Circus is the film in which the time traveler appears and is one of the films being screened in the series … interesting, huh? At each of the screenings, you can sign up to win a pair of tickets to the Omaha Symphony’s Jan. 29, performance at the Holland Performing Arts Center, at which the orchestra will play the accompaniment to Chaplin’s The Gold Rush. If it turns out someone at Film Streams is the secret time traveler who was just promoting this event by warping space and time: best marketing ever. n Head’s up, this next thing isn’t funny. Angelina Jolie’s directorial debut had to abandon shooting in Bosnia because rumors circulated that the plot involves a rape victim falling in love with her rapist. First off: Eww. Second: The film came under assault from women’s organizations understandably upset about the supposed story given the unspeakable travesties of the 1992-1995 war. Third, and most interesting: Jolie responded with a non-denial denial, stating “there are many twists in the plot that address the sensitive nature of the relationship between the main characters.” Shooting has relocated to Budapest. Here’s hoping whatever they’re doing there isn’t as bad as it sounds like it could be. n This week, MTV released the first trailer for their TV show based on the movie Teen Wolf. This gives new life to my campaign to resurrect Teen Witch. — 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 thereader.com/film/C19 and on Twitter (twitter.com/thereaderfilm).

This Week The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest First-Run (R) Directed by Daniel Alfredson Now Showing!

“A rousing, grueling, almost operatically scaled finale to the [Girl with the Dragon tattoo] series.” —Salon.com

Facebook & Twitter: /filmstreams

a n d

| THE READER |

Inside Job First-Run (PG-13)

Directed by Charles Ferguson Held over through Thursday, December 2 “A masterpiece of investigative moviemaking.” —Boston Globe

Great Directors: Chaplin

The Gold Rush 1925 Modern Times 1936

Friday, November 25 - Thursday, December 2

film

One night only!

Taqwacore: The Birth of Punk Islam 2009 Tuesday, November 30, 7pm Presented with Project Interfaith. Following the film will be a panel discussion on diversity within Muslim communities and the complexities of identity. More info and advance tickets at filmstreams.org.

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by Mike Babcock onsider the opening stanza of Robert Frost’s The Road Not Taken:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, And sorry I could not travel both And be one traveler, long I stood And looked down one as far as I could To where it bent in the undergrowth;

At the risk of being a bit too philosophical, Alex Henery once contemplated divergent roads, though unlike Frost’s narrator, he didn’t take the road less traveled. Nevertheless, the one he chose has certainly made all the difference in his athletic career. It has not made a difference in his personality, however. He’s still the same Alex who chose walking on to the Nebraska football team over accepting a soccer scholarship from Creighton. His success as a place-kicker, and the last two seasons as a punter, hasn’t changed him. “You hope people will remember you more for your character and who you are, rather than what you did,” Henery says. “You want to be remembered for the person you are than for something you do. That means more to you and will stick with you.” Husker fans will remember him more for what he’s done, of course. It’s almost impossible to know those

who are viewed from a distance, on a football field, in a large stadium. They’ll remember him because there has never been a better kicker to wear Husker gear. He already has kicked more field goals in a season and a career than any other. And as his senior season winds down, he has put himself in position to break as many as five NCAA career placekicking records. In addition, it’s fitting that Henery’s final home game is against Colorado the day after Thanksgiving. Two years ago against the Buffaloes, on the day after Thanksgiving, Henery became a celebrity, kicking a school-record 57yard field goal with 1:43 remaining. Had he done nothing more, he would still be remembered. People would approach him at the grocery store or on the street and ask him for an autograph, maybe. In any case, Ndamukong Suh would follow, less than a minute later, with an interception return for a touchdown, which made the final score 40-31, Nebraska. But had Henery not kicked the 57-yarder, his fourth field goal of the game, the Huskers almost surely would have lost. Without his record kick, Bo Pelini’s first team would have finished the regular season with a 7-5 record. And there’s a significant difference between 7-5 and 8-4. The Huskers earned a Gator Bowl bid, beat Clemson (Henery again kicked four field goals), and the Pelini era was off to a strong start. “I learned a lot about his fortitude after that,” Pelini said of the 57-yarder during his weekly news conference on the Tuesday before the Missouri game.

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Henery the Ace NU kicker Alex Henery is happy with the path he chose

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Two years later, as Nebraska prepared for the pivotal game in the Big 12’s North Division race, the subject came up. “What I really learned about him was that in a situation like that, he has the same ho-hum attitude that he always has,” says Pelini. “He’s really calm. He has a really good knack for directing his focus and being calm and going out there and approaching every situation the same way. “There’s really not a lot of people who can do that.” Henery explains it in terms of character. “A lot of people don’t have the mental stability to do that, and they’ll have their highs and lows,” he says. “I try to keep myself constant.” He was that way when he arrived at Nebraska, expecting to be a punter, not a place-kicker. “I feel that’s kind of important, (that) your friends know who you are, your family knows who you are, you’re not high one day and low the other day,” Henery says. He’ll complete his degree in construction management in December, and then have an opportunity to continue kicking in the NFL, a realistic career option now, but not something he considered when he decided to take the road he did. Had he gone the other direction, well, he doesn’t think much about that. He’s not inclined to wonder “What if?” But suppose he had gone to Creighton to play soccer? “I think it would have been fun,” he said. “I was pretty good friends with the coaches there and knew a bunch of the guys there. But I’m kind of happy how things worked out here.” ,

What’s in a name? In Omaha — at the moment — a lot of angst. At least that seemed to be the tenor of the Internet alarms that started ringing Nov. 15 as the Omaha Royals announced that the team was now the Omaha Storm Chasers. It started locally on Twitter but ballooned to include a mocking post on Deadspin and a suggestion from ESPN’s Rob Neyer that perhaps the team could’ve been better served by combining all of our regional influences into one super-name: the BenevolentRailBombingHuskerStorms. Did Omaha embarrass itself with the change? I don’t think so and none of the 300 or so people in attendance at the big unveiling seemed to, either. They happily noshed on hot dogs, cheered the announcement and then started buying new merchandise. The bottom line in re-branding is literally the bottom line and this group — the season ticket holders and die-hard baseball fans willing to trek to La Vista for a Monday evening event — is the one the organization needed to win over. Storm Chasers wasn’t my first choice. In fact, I’m not even sure I like it, but I do think it works. My only hope for the Royals renaming was that the team would get a regionally relevant nickname. While my admitted rural Americana bias had me favoring Cattlemen or Sodbusters, Storm Chasers still checks that box but if anything it’s not odd enough. The best thing about minor league baseball is that these teams, most occupying cities and burgs far smaller than Omaha, have a chance to carve out their own local identity far from the corporate reaches of their parent clubs. The Casper (Wyo.) Rockies can put a glow in the dark baseball-cum-skull logo on their hats and become the Casper Ghosts. The Orlando Rays can move to Montgomery and become the Biscuits. Storm Chasers is more forceful than that. It’s not as silly as the Savannah Sand Gnats or as laughable as the Lansing Lugnuts. The name is missing that knowing wink so prevalent down on the farm; but based on the response so far, I’m not sure Omaha was in the market for that either. The change was fortuitous on at least one front, however. Omaha’s new wind-blown ‘SC’ logo — one of four new cap designs — fits pretty nicely in Sarpy County. Consider that a conspiracy theory if you will. — Brandon Vogel The Jump takes you behind the local headlines. Email jump@thereader.com and look for daily updates at twitter.com/brandonlvogel.

CREIGHTON Welcome to Our House!

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urreal Estate: Sixty-two percent of the 12 million people of Mumbai, India, live in slums, but the city is also home to Mukesh Ambani’s 27-story private residence (37,000 square feet, 600 employees serving a family of five), reported to cost about $1 billion. According to an October New York Times dispatch, there are “terraces upon terraces,” “fourstory hanging gardens,” “airborne swimming pools,” and a room where “artificial weather” can be created. Ambani and his brother inherited their father’s textile-exporting juggernaut but notoriously spend much of their time in intra-family feuding. A local domestic worker told the Times, after noting that both she and Ambani are “human being(s),” that she has difficulty understanding why the Ambanis have so much while she struggles on the equivalent of $90 a month.

Can’t Possibly Be True

Stacey Herald, 36, of Dry Ridge, Ky., is 28 inches tall, with a rare condition called Osteogenisis Imperfecta, which causes brittle bones and underdeveloped organs — provoking doctors’ warnings that childbirth could cause the fetus to crush Stacey’s lungs and heart (and produce a baby susceptible for life to broken legs and arms). However, to the delight of husband Wil, 27 (and 69 inches tall), Stacey recently gave birth to baby No. 3 and promised more. The middle child, 2, without OI, is already a foot taller than Stacey, but the other two are afflict-

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

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news of the weird

ed, with the recent one (according to a July ABC News report) 5 inches long at birth, weighing 2 pounds, 10 ounces. — Prolific: (1) In October, police arrested a man arriving at the Madras, India, airport from Sri Lanka, bringing precious stones into the country in his stomach. After employing laxatives, police recovered 2,080 diamonds. (2) William Wright, 54, was arrested in St. Petersburg, Fla., in October and charged with using a hidden camera in a ladies’ room to photograph a young girl. Charges are still pending from 2009 when police said Wright had taken “upskirt” photos of more than 2,300 women. — Safari World, the well-known and controversial zoo on the outskirts of Bangkok, has previously stupefied the world (and News of the Weird readers) by training orangutans to play basketball, ride motorbikes and kickbox (while outfitted in martial-arts trunks). In a photo essay in November, London’s Daily Mail showcased the park’s most recent success — training elephants to tightrope-walk (where they prance on a reinforced cable for 15 meters and then, displaying astonishing balance, turn around on the wire).

Last Words

(1) Ms. Rajini Narayan’s lawyer told the court in Adelaide, Australia, in September that she killed her husband by accident after intending only to torch his penis for alleged infidelities. continued on page 44 y

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c o n t i n u e d

y continued from page 42

Unclear on the Concept

The lawyer said she might have lost control of the gasoline she was holding when her husband said, “No, you won’t (burn me), you fat, dumb bitch.” (2) In May, when a fox terrier answered a call of nature in the yard of notoriously lawnfastidious Charles Clements, 69, in Chicago, Clements confronted the dog’s 23-year-old owner. That led to mutual bravado, which continued even after Clements pulled a gun. The dog-walker was killed immediately after shouting (according to witnesses), “Next time you pull out a pistol, why don’t you use it.”

Acting on a citizen complaint, officials in Plymouth, England, ruled in October that Army cadets (age 12-18), who practice precision drills with their rifles, could not handle them during the public parade on Britain’s Remembrance Day (Veterans Day). Officials said they did not want to be “glamorizing” guns. — In June, the roller coaster at the Funtown Splashtown in Saco, Maine, unexpectedly came to a halt, stranding riders for all of 15 minutes. A reportedly “furious” Eric and Tiffany Dillingham said later that their 8-year-old daughter was so frightened that she had to be taken to a hospital and had nightmares constantly since then. (Since the purpose of a roller coaster is to induce fright, it was not known whether the girl would also have required a hospital visit if the ride had been working perfectly.)

Inexplicable

Convicted sex offender David Parkhurst, 27, was arrested in October in Palm Bay, Fla., and charged with sexual contact with a 15-yearold girl. According to police, when they asked her about any “physical characteristics” of Parkhurst’s body so that they could substantiate her story, she said only that he had a “Superman-shaped shield” implant on his genitals (which was later verified). — DNA evidence has exonerated 261 convicted criminals (including 17 on death row), but more interesting, according to professor Brandon Garrett of the University of Virginia Law School, more than 40 such exonerations have been of criminals who falsely confessed to “their” crimes. “I beat myself up a lot,” Eddie Lowery told The New York Times in September. Lowery falsely admitted raping a 75-year-old woman and served a 10-year sentence before being cleared. “I thought I was the only dummy who did that.” Lowery’s (nearly logical) explanation was typical: Weary from high-pressure police interrogation, he gave up and told them what they wanted to hear, figuring to get a lawyer to straighten everything out — except that, by that time, the police had his confession on video, preserved for the jury.

More Things to Worry About

Clownmania: (1) Performers in New York’s traveling Bindlestiff Family Cirkus protested in October against political campaign language referring to Washington, D.C., as a “circus.” Said Kinko the Clown, “Before you call anyone in Washington a clown, consider how hard a clown works.” (2) “Tiririca” (“Grumpy”), a professional clown, was elected by resounding vote to the Brazilian Congress from Sao Paulo in October under the slogan “It Can’t Get Any Worse.” (3) In June, Britain’s traveling John Lawson’s Circus announced a series of counseling sessions for people who avoid circuses for fear of clowns. “Coulrophobia” is reportedly Britain’s third-leading phobia, after spiders and needles. , 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).

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NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

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appy Thanksgiving. Time for Peace and Love to take over our psychology whenever possible for this next love-filled month of seasonal festivities. You never know who or what will show up? Peace and Love Shall Conquer All. There are no mistakes. — MOJOPOPlanetPower.com i SAGITTARIUS (11.23-12.21) Your yearlong dream is just about due for completion. All systems are go on the dream, or so it shall seem. First, let the cream rise to the top. Then it’s time for the dream to stop, as a prelude to action or a deal to be initiated around Jan. 19 (Full Moon in Cancer) through Jan. 22 (as Jupiter enters Aries). Write those dates down. Expect the unexpected to help you Dec. 5-6, during the New Moon in Sagittarius. Your colors turn from mystique purple to electric light blue. With your third eye you’ll see what I mean, for you are The Prophet. Tell us, through your art, what you see and thus reveal the sparkling path. j CAPRICORN (12.221.20) Ride slowly. You are on the fulcrum of creation. You cannot take without giving; you cannot give without taking. Balance will be the key for thee. This be the truth from Michael P. This is a beautiful world when you’re in love. You must love yourself before you can truly love another and/or accept their love. You are now The Lover, with two short years to prove it. Your ruler, Saturn, in Libra requests you create beauty that lasts. Christmas babies have their future/lives flashing before them. k AQUARIUS (1.21-2.19) Please read the start of Sagittarius, as you’ll prove the spark of their gregariousness. On second thought, read the whole thing — except you are The Awakener. But, first you must awaken from your dream Dec. 5-6 and make it happen. If not to you, through you. l PISCES (2.20-3.20) Please read Sagittarius — only you are The Medium. All things happen to you and through you. You are the ultimate sign, one last step from the Divine. Ever wonder how you keep getting what you wish for and/or need? a ARIES (3.21-4.20) You are The Pioneer, the explorer. You like to hear it first? “Me first!” Sound familiar? With your ruler Mars in nervous, gregarious Sagittarius you’re happy, carefree, wannabe unapologetic, athletic and energetic. Study Mayan to prepare for next week (Dec. 3-4) when some of you shall break the silence and hear the past speak. Let’s watch APOCALYPTO followed by The FOUNTAIN this week to help prepare the proper mindset. b TAURUS (4.21-5.20) Finish up whatever (art, love, relationship/partnership “blues,” self-help projects) you’ve initiated since the second week in September (11 long, drooling, crybaby weeks ago)

NOV. 25 - dec. 1 , 2010

| THE READER |

planet power

b y

mo j opo

by Jan. 7. Six more weeks of Hell as you continue to look at yourself through the eyes of others. Seek the root of your affliction. Let it die and then regenerate amongst the ashes. Be The Phoenix. New philosophy time? How about a vacation to discern your new destination? Break it down. Happy … Thanks … Giving. There’re three clues there. c GEMINI (5.21-6.21) Party this week and then get serious the next as your ruler Mercury enters pragmatic Capricorn. Study the Maya around Nov. 28, when Mercury is conjunct the Hunab Ku, the God of the Maya and the center of our Milky Way Galaxy @ 26 degrees Sagittarius. Then get ready for a Spiritual “guiding” around Jan. 3-4 (Mercury conjunct the North Node of this lifetime’s karma) and (maybe) some (economic) regeneration around Jan. 8. More on that next week when once again we speak. You are The Thinker. d CANCER (6.22-7.22) Gobble-gobble. The Moon is in Cancer and food is the answer all day this Thanksgiving Day. What can I say? Maybe it’s not food you seek? How does the MOJO know? Gobble-gobble! You are What You Eat. e LEO (7.23-8.22) Alright, you sexxxy dogs! It’s your weekend! Take care of the “ground work” Friday and bed ’em early Saturday night (by 9 p.m.) so Neptune, the Lord of your Dreams, can inspire you with revelations after you inspire each other, you sexxxy dogs. How does the MOJO know? Enter it into your dream diary. Enjoy life, love and each other. Just be thankful for what you’ve got. You are The Monarch. f VIRGO (8.23-9.22) Please read Gemini. The Moon moves into Virgo this Sunday until Tuesday, Nov. 30, at dawn. I’d suggest you sleep late and avoid some unsettling aspects. Take care of any final details for your winter psychological survival. Use Thanksgiving to communicate with your brothers and sisters (Sun culminating in your theoretical 3rd House). They may prove a clue? You’re The Perfectionist. g LIBRA (9.23-10.22) Please read Taurus, but apply it to your economy. As always with thee, art and beauty be the key. Don’t forget you are The Beauty. h SCORPIO (10.23-11.22) What a trip! You made it. Now, just stay home and count the shekels as the Sun moves into your theoretical 2nd House of economy, finance and most important of all, values. How far would you go for what? We’re about to find out. Situate your self into a Win/ Win and then give the wheel a spin/spin. “When Death is nothing, nothing is nothing. Finally we are free.” — channeled from my departed Mom. You are The Immortal. ,

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