The Reader August 2016 by PioneerMedia.Me

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

Serving Up Flexible Jobs Omaha was ranked as the second best “Foodie City” last year by Livability.com. It’s The accolade is deserved no surprise that because Omaha has a thriving food scene. It’s home to and therefore is host to a wide variety of restaurants – some of which enjoy international acclaim. If you want to be part of ’re interested in getting your foot in the door within Omaha’s renowned restaurant scene, flexibility and multi-tasking skills are important. Prepare for some real work. “You have to love what you do because it’s not an easy industry,” said Trudy Brown, a former server and bartender in fine dining. “You have to be flexible in your schedule and able to multi-task. It’s not for those who say, ‘That’s not my job,’ as in clearing tables, running food, greeting customers, taking orders, et cetera.”

Food service is appealsing to many people because of the potentially flexible schedules, which is are great for students who will return to school in the fall. Then there are those folks who simply simply love both food and people. They and find that food service jobs offers the a good way to combine those lovesbest of both worlds. Either way, if you people trying to start a career in the restaurant industrys, need to be prepared ready to work their your way up and to work hard. “You have to love what you do because it’s not an easy industry to traverse,” said Trudy Brown, former server and bartender in fine dining. “You have to be flexible in your schedule and abilities to multi-task. It’s not a job for those who want to say, ‘That’s not my job,’ as in clearing tables, running food, greeting customers, taking orders, et cetera.” Flexibility Keep in mind that rRestaurants are usually open long before and after typical work hours, and usually all during the times in be-

Unleash Your Potential with a Career at Cox Communications!

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At Cox, we connect people to the things they love. Now we’d like to connect with you. Cox Communications is looking for sharp talent to join our team and be the voice of our brand.

Now Hiring For: Call Center Customer Service Representatives (Technical Support) Apply online today! jobs.cox.com

Job Number: 142441 Benefits of working at Cox include:

• • • • • • • •

Free Internet and other Cox discounted services Medical, dental, and vision benefits starting on your first day! Casual, yet energetic and engaging work environment Retirement benefits including 401(K) and Pension Up to 22 days of Paid Time Off during first year, plus 7 Paid Holidays Tuition assistance Commitment to our communities including volunteer opportunities Career advancement opportunities across the Cox family of companies

Cox is an Equal Opportunity Female/Minority/Disabled/Veteran Employer. Learn more at : www.cox.com/coxcareer

AUGUST 2016

| THE READER |

omaha jobs

tween. This can be a huge positivegood for students who want looking for a jobs that works fit with their school schedules., bBut it food service won’t appeal can be a negative if you’re looking forseek a typical nine-to-five position. Restaurant Ffolks who work in restaurants work their way up on the hierarchy in order to score the best shifts. It’s likely that aA newcomer is unto a restaurant joblikely to will not have much pull when it comessuccessfully to demanding certain days or hours off. . It’s important to Bbe upfront in the initial interview if there are days and times when you can’t will not be able to work. Don’t make promises you can’t keep. because demanding something after the fact may prove difficult and may rub your coworkers the wrong way. Want to know what jobs options are out there therefor jobs? Plan to aAttend the August 4 OmahaJobs.com job fair at the Ralston Arena – meet with potential employers and find out about what positions might be right for you.

ProKarma Jobs

Systems Analyst #SA0716

ProKarma, Inc. has mltpl openings for Systems Analyst in Omaha, NE; may also work at unantcptd locatns. Roving pstn-employee’s worksite & residence may chng based on client & busnss demands. No trvl rqurmnt; prfrmng daily job duties doesn’t req trvl. Will translate busnss needs into fnctnl rqurmnts; oversee intgrtn amng applctn systms; prtcpte in applctn slctn; dsgn, test & anlze prcdres, & diagnose codes in clncl coding from claims prcssng applctns. Req’s master’s, or for. equiv, in CIS, IT, CS, Chem, Eng (any) or relt’d science/tech/anlytcl field+ at least 1 yr exp in job offrd or IT/Comp-relt’d pstn. Emplyr also accpt bachelor’s, or foreign equiv, in CIS, IT, CS, Chem, Eng (any) or relt’d science/tech/anlytcl field + at least 5 yr progressive post-bachelor’s exp in job offrd or IT/Comp-relt’d pstn. Req’s prof. exp cndctng SW applctn dvlpmnt prjcts by using MS Visio Use cases, Test cases, SQL Queries, Sequence Diagrams, UML diagrams, UNIX, PCI DSS, SOX, NIST.

TO APPLY, SEND RESUMES TO:

ProKarma, Inc. Attn: Jobs

222 S. 15th St., Ste 505N, Omaha, NE 68102 or email: postings@prokarma.com with Job Ref# in the subject line of the email

ProKarma Jobs

Business Systems Analyst #BSA0616

ProKarma, Inc. has multiple openings for Business Systems Analyst in Omaha, NE; may also work at unantcptd locations. Roving pstn-employee’s worksite & residence may chng based on client & busnss demands. No trvl requirement; prfrmng daily job duties doesn’t req trvl. Will analyze user requrmnts & fnctnl spcfctns & cndct IT Systm requrmnts gthrng & high-lvl dsgn. Rspnsbl for defining solutn, test planning, & crdntng systm rollouts usng comp skill sets, such as: Use cases, Test cases, SQL Queries, Sequence Diagrams, UML diagrams. Req’s master’s, or for. equiv, in CIS, IT, CS, Bsnss Admin, Finance, E-Com, Eng (any), or relt’d tech/anlytcl field + at least 1 yr exp in job offrd or IT/Comp-relt’d pstn. Emplyr also accpt bachelor’s, or for. equiv, in CIS, IT, CS, Bsnss Admin, Finance, E-Com, Eng (any), or relt’d tech/anlytcl field + at least 5 yr progressive post-bachelor’s exp in job offrd or IT/ Comp-relt’d pstn. Req’s prof. exp conducting SW application development projects (including Use cases, Test cases, SQL Queries, Sequence Diagrams, UML diagrams) using Java/J2EE/Tibco, RDBMS/SQL Server/Oracle. Suitbl combo of edu/training/exp acceptable.

ProKarma Jobs

Quality Assurance Analyst #QA0616

ProKarma, Inc. has multiple openings for Quality Assurance Analyst in Omaha, NE; may also work at unantcptd locations. Roving pstn-employee’s worksite & residence may change based on client & busnss demands. No trvl requirement; prfrmng daily job duties doesn’t req trvl. Do dvlpmnt & mdfctn of test plans & scripts (mnual & autmtd) to ensure qulty, rliablty, scalability, & monitoring of exstng/new SW applctns. Req’s master’s, or for. equiv, in CIS, IT, CS, Eng (any), or relt’d tech/anlytcl field + at least 1 yr exp in job offrd or IT/Comp-relt’d pstn. Emplyr also accpt bachelor’s, or for. equiv, in CIS, IT, CS, Eng (any), or relt’d tech/ anlytcl field + at least 5 yr progressive post-bachelor’s exp in job offrd or IT/Computerrelt’d pstn. Req’s prof. exp with: HP Quality Center, Quick Test Pro, Clear Quest, Clear Case, Excel Reporting. Suitable combo of edu/training/exp acceptable.

TO APPLY, SEND RESUMES TO:

222 S. 15th St., Ste 505N, Omaha, NE 68102 or email: postings@prokarma.com

ProKarma, Inc. Attn: Jobs

with Job Ref# in the subject line of the email

ProKarma Jobs

Senior Software Engineer #SESIE0616

ProKarma, Inc. Attn: Jobs

with Job Ref# in the subject line of the email

ProKarma Jobs

Software Engineer #SEJAVA0616

ProKarma, Inc. has multiple openings for Sr Software Engineer in Omaha, NE; may also work at unanticipated locations. Roving pstn-employee’s worksite & residence may change based on businss demands. No travel requirement. Analyze user needs & modify/develop SW using computer skill sets. Develop & direct SW system testing & validation procedures, programming, & documentation. Req’s master’s, or for. equiv, in CIS, IT, CS, Eng (any) or relt’d tech/anlytcl field+ at least 1 yr exp in job offrd or IT/Comp-relt’d pstn. Employer also accept bachelor’s, or foreign equiv, in CIS, IT, CS, Eng (any) or relt’d tech/anlytcl field + at least 5 yr progressive post-bachelor’s exp in job offered or IT/Comp-relt’d pstn. Req’s prof. exp with: Siebel (CRM, EAI, Administration, eScripting, VB COM, configuration), PL/SQL, Oracle 8/9i/10/11, SQL Server, XML, SOAP, UML. Suitable combo of edu/training/exp acceptable.

ProKarma, Inc. has multiple openings for Software Engineer in Omaha, NE; may also work at unantcptd locations. Roving pstn-employee’s worksite & residence may chng based on client & busnss demands. No trvl requirement; prfrmng daily job duties doesn’t req trvl. Will write, update, & maintn cmptr prgrms using cmptr skill sets. Will mdfy SW to correct errors & improve performance & will dvlp & drct SW system testing & vldtn prcdrs, prgramming, & documentation. Req’s a bachelor’s, or for. equiv or equiv based on combo of edu/exp/training, in CIS, IT, CS, Eng (any) or relt’d tech/anlytcl field + at least 2 yrs exp in job offrd or IT/ Comp-relt’d pstn. Req’s prof. exp with: Java, J2EE, JMS, SOA, Web Services, Weblogic/WebSphere/App server/JBoss, Oracle/SQL Server, Maven, HTML. Suitable combo of edu/training/exp acceptable.

TO APPLY, SEND RESUMES TO:

222 S. 15th St., Ste 505N, Omaha, NE 68102 or email: postings@prokarma.com

ProKarma, Inc. Attn: Jobs

with Job Ref# in the subject line of the email

ProKarma, Inc. Attn: Jobs

with Job Ref# in the subject line of the email

omaha jobs

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

OUTDOOR ADVERTISING Tranquility Soccer

Moylan Iceplex

Elmwood Golf Seymour Smith Baseball

SPORT COMPLEX & ARENA ADVERTISING Branding • Political • Event • Nonproﬁt • Now Hiring • Public Awareness

WHAT Community advertising in Omaha’s busiest sport complexes and arenas. WHERE Moylan ice arena, Seymour Smith Park, Tranquility soccer and Elmwood golf. WHEN Constant exposure through May 2017. WHY To take your message further while supporting Omaha’s Parks. HOW MUCH $957 - $3,000 annually MORE

OmahaParksProgram.com | 402.861.0384

AUGUST 2016

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AUGUSGT2016VOLUME23NUMBER17 08 COVER STORY READERS’ CHOICE 41 PICKS COOL THINGS TO DO IN AUGUST 46 CULTURE RISING FASHION STAR 49 GREEN SCENE SOLAR POWER AT CU ICE CREAM PROVIDED BY TED & WALLY’S - TOP WINNER IN THIS YEAR’S READERS’ CHOICE BEST OF THE BIG O POLL

51 HEALING THE BATES METHOD 52 ART NEBRASKA RISING AT BEMIS 56 ART HIDDEN ARCHITECTURAL GEMS 60 EAT NEW EATERIES POPPING UP 64 THEATER FIERY NEW COLLECTIVE 66 CULTURE ROCK’N’ROLL GARDENER

PHOTO BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

70 MUSIC GET WITH NEW GENERATION 72 BACKBEAT BFF FEMME FEST 74 HOODOO SUMMER SOUNDS HEAT UP 76 FILM NEBRASKA’S HOLLYWOOD STARS 80 FILM THE STATE OF CINEMA 84 OVER THE EDGE MAHA, MAHA, MAHA 86 MYSTERIAN DOCTOR IS IN

Publisher John Heaston john@thereader.com Creative Director Eric Stoakes eric@thereader.com Managing Editor David Williams david@thereader.com Assistant Editor Mara Wilson mara@thereader.com Assistant Editor Tara Spencer tara@thereader.com Graphic Designer Katiuska Nuñez katiuska@thereader.com CONTRIBUTING EDITORS heartland healing: Michael Braunstein info@heartlandhealing.com arts/visual: Mike Krainak mixedmedia@thereader.com eat: Sara Locke crumbs@thereader.com film: Ryan Syrek cuttingroom@thereader.com hoodoo: B.J. Huchtemann bjhuchtemann@gmail.com music: James Walmsley backbeat@thereader.com over the edge: Tim McMahan tim.mcmahan@gmail.com theater: William Grennan coldcream@thereader.com SALES & MARKETING Dinah Gomez dinah@thereader.com Kati Falk kati@thereader.com DISTRIBUTION/DIGITAL Clay Seaman clay@thereader.com OPERATIONS AND BUSINESS MANAGER Kerry Olson kerry@thereader.com PHOTOGRAPHY Debra S. Kaplan debra@thereader

MOREINFO:WWW.THEREADER.COM

contents

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

he following pages celebrate your votes in everything from dentists to doughnuts in this, the 19th annual Readers’ Choice contest. More than 10,000 businesses were nominated in polling that ran from Jan. 1 to April 30 before ballots were tabulated in a double-super-secret bunker at the firm of Hancock & Dana. This is your poll. Your voice. Your faves. We are proud to present your selections of the people, places, businesses and institutions that make Omaha such a great place to live, work and play. Thanks for your vote! And now, on to the winners…

AUGUST 2016

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readers’ choice

Best Heating & A/C Company Best Plumbing Company

EYMAN PLUMBING Trust the Big Red Truck!

HEN BOB EYMAN launched Eyman Plumbing in 1957 its primary business was plumbing and drain services. The company now has six divisions and uses such new technology as remote visual inspections and customized climate control systems. Tom Eyman, Bob’s grandson and a member of the family that runs the company six decades later, said he always tells his employees to treat their customers the same way they’d treat their own mothers. “When you treat a customer fairly and go that extra step,” he said, “you often win the customer for life.” Known as the “fix-it” company, Eyman often gets calls to handle the toughest problems. “We have to be flexible. We’ll work nights, Sundays and holidays because when you need us, it can’t always be on our terms.” One of the hottest technology trends in HVAC is the introduction of ductless heating and air systems. You may have noticed these small, indoor devices installed high on walls in homes, restaurants or office buildings. These systems, Eyman said, offer powerful advantages for your home … and your energy budget: FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS Traditional central air conditioning systems force cooled and heated air through ducts. A ductless design instead delivers air directly into various zoned areas of your home. The system is comprised of a small-footprint outdoor unit and one or more indoor units that require nothing more than access to electricity. Ductless cooling and heating offers home and business owners a cost-effective way to replace inefficient window units, space heaters and electric baseboard heaters. Ductless systems can even be fit for buildings that currently use ducted forced-air systems. DUCTLESS SAVES YOU MONEY As utility costs soar, one of the biggest advantages to ductless is found in your wallet. Ductless systems operate on less power and the zoned, room-by-room approach means there is no loss in efficiency. Homeowners may also be eligible for federal, state or local tax credits or utility rebates for the year they are installed.

BREATHE EASY! Your ducts were clean the day they were installed. And that’s about it. Dust and allergens remain even after cleaning. Ductless systems have sophisticated filtration capabilities that drastically reduce dust, bacteria, pollen, allergens and other particulates in the air. QUICK. EASY. NON-INVASIVE Traditional systems, especially in older homes, can take several weeks to install and disrupts your daily life. Ductless systems are far less invasive to install. Ductless systems run on small pipes that require a mere three-inch hole. No tearing down walls. No loss of square footage. No mess. Just clean, fresh air. SHRINK YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT! The small size of a ductless cooling system and its zoning capabilities allows for greater energy efficiency. These systems follow ENERGY STAR guidelines, which means they are far more energy efficient than the minimum standards set forth by the federal government. Improved efficiency saves money, of course, but it also helps reduce your total carbon output. And ductless systems use a refrigerant called R410A, which is known for its zero ozone depletion potential. This means the system will have less impact on the environment throughout its life. Energy efficient. Environmentally friendly. Completely customizable to exact, zoneby-zone temperatures. Consistent, year-round comfort. How’s that for a no-fuss solution for your home? “My grandfather would probably be scratching his head if he could see how technology has changed virtually everything in our homes,” Eyman said, “But I know he’d be proud to see that we’re delivering that new technology with the same family commitment to the community. Science is great, but happy, comfortable customers are even better.”

EYMAN PLUMBING 8506 S 117th St. La Vista, NE 68128 trusteyman.com 402.731.2727

readers’ choice

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AUGUST 2016

Best Restaurant Menu Specials

Heating, Cooling, Plumbing...ahhh...Comfort! Heating, Cooling, Plumbing...ahhh...Comfort! Heating, Cooling, Plumbing...ahhh...Comfort! Heating,Residential Cooling, Plumbing...ahhh...Comfort! and Commercial Heating, Cooling, Plumbing...ahhh...Comfort! Repair | Service | Installation Heating, Cooling, Plumbing...ahhh...Comfort!

DIXIE QUICK’S

2016

Thank you for voting aksarben ARS

Best Heating and Air Conditioning Company!

IXIE QUICK’S, named Best required for weekend brunches, which Restaurant Menu Specials, fea- recently included an asparagus & protures comfort food, southern sciutto omelet, oatmeal & ice cream, traditionals and a medley of Cajun, Tex- and the Cactus Scramble. Mex and Southwest flavors. “We shop for ingredients every day so the food DIXIE QUICK’S we serve is fresh,” Rob Gilmer, co-own- 157 West Broadway er, posted to the restaurant’s website. Council Bluffs, IA 51503 “The menu does vary.” Entrees may dixiequicks.com feature char-broiled pork loin and Tex- 712.256.4140 as chile pepper steak. Reservations are

Best Lasik Center

OMAHA EYE & LASER INSTITUTE FREE Estimates On New Installations!

Available 24/7

402-331-1233 aksarbenARS.com

ON’T LET the word “Institute” in their name fool you. There is nothing stuffy about the vibe at Omaha Eye & Laser Institute. Okay, you’ll see a lot of white and a clipboard or three, but their focus is bringing you the area’s leading professionals in the arena of vision correction.

nology is what distinguished the Omaha Eye & Laser Institute for our readers. The institute specializes in bladeless laser cataract surgery and the laser surgical treatment of other eye diseases, including retinal disorders, glaucoma, cataracts and astigmatism.

OMAHA EYE & LASER INSTITUTE Serving the entire Midwest, 11606 Nicholas St. the Omaha Eye & Laser InOmaha, NE 68154 stitute was named the “Best of Lasik Center for 2016. Its omahaeye.com focus on advanced laser tech- 800.964.0288

AUGUST 2016

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readers’ choice

BEST VINEYARD

WINERY

BEST OF THE BIG O FRIDAY NIGHT MUSIC 7:00-9:30 PM, $5 COVER ACOUSTIC SUNDAYS 2:00-5:00 PM, NO CHARGE

Located just 10 minutes south of Omaha in Springfield, Nebraska Tickets available at the gate or at E-tix.com

402-253-2479 | soaringwingswine.com

readerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choice

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AUGUST 2016

BEST DINING

Best Tire Store & Ser vice

BEST BAKERY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Wheatfields Readers’ Choice: Gerda’s German Restaurant & Bakery Readers’ Choice: Lithuanian Bakery Readers’ Choice: Panera Bread Readers’ Choice: Pettit’s Pastry Readers’ Recommend: Nothing Bundt Cakes

Locally owned and operated for 59 years, Marion Tire Pros has rolled along on one simple axiom: “You have to be honest, and you have to treat your customers with respect,” said Sue Archer, who with husband Joe runs the family-owned business. That’s precisely how Marion Tire Pros has built long-lasting relationships that stretch decades.

BEST BUFFET Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: China Buffet Readers’ Choice: Pizza Ranch Readers’ Choice: Valentino’s Readers’ Choice: Whole Foods Readers’ Recommend: Golden Corral Readers’ Recommend: Grand China Buffett BEST BURGER JOINT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Stella’s Readers’ Choice: Dinker’s Readers’ Choice: Don & Millies Readers’ Choice: Goldberg’s Readers’ Recommend: Danny’s Readers’ Recommend: Louie M’s Burger Lust

INABELLA Beauty Resort lives up to its name. The day spa offers every service you could want, all under one roof. Whether you’re looking for a new hairstyle, a spray tan, or a facial, they can help you look your finest. They also offer manicures, pedicures, and a variety of massage therapies.

BEST CHINESE RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hiro 88 Readers’ Choice: Grand China Buffett Readers’ Choice: Three Happiness Readers’ Recommend: Ming’s Readers’ Recommend: Rice Bowl Readers’ Refer: Crystal Jade

| THE READER |

MARION TIRE PROS 5028 NW Radial Highway Omaha, NE 68104 mariontire.com 402.553.9393

MINABELLA SPA

BEST CATERER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee Readers’ Choice: Abraham Catering Readers’ Choice: Catering Creations Readers’ Choice: Mangia Italiana Readers’ Recommend: A Catered Affair Readers’ Recommend: Eddie’s

AUGUST 2016

Today, Sue and daughter Crystal run the front end of the shop, while Joe – who bought the business from his father and has worked at Marion since he was 17 – works in the back with two additional employees. Together, they place a lot of tires on Omaha-area cars and trucks. “But it all comes down to respect and honesty,” Sue said. That’s just how Marion rolls.

Best Day Spa Best Nail Salon Best Beauty Salon Best Massage Therapy Practice

BEST CAFE/DINER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Petrows Readers’ Choice: Leavenworth Cafe Readers’ Choice: Leo’s Diner Readers’ Choice: Lisa’s Radial Cafe Readers’ Choice: The Diner Readers’ Refer: Harold’s Koffee Shop in Florence

ROM FUN-SIZED wagon tires to massive monster truck tires – and everything in between – Marion Tire Pros annually rolls quite a few rubber spheres off of its lot on the serendipitously named Northwest Radial Highway.

BEST BBQ RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hartland BBQ Readers’ Choice: Famous Dave’s Readers’ Choice: Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q Readers’ Choice: Parker’s Smokehouse Readers’ Recommend: Boyd & Charlies Readers’ Recommend: Dickey’s

BEST COFFEESHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Scooters Readers’ Choice: Crane Coffee Readers’ Choice: Starbucks Readers’ Recommend: Aromas Readers’ Recommend: Caffeine Dreams Readers’ Recommend: Stories Coffeehouse

MARION TIRE PROS

When you walk into the spa, you immediately feel more relaxed. And if you’re looking to deepen that relaxation, you can enjoy a cocktail or a glass of wine while they take care of you. “We offer really truly great services here,” said Ton said. “And as most of our customers realize, they enjoy this relaxing chance to one-stop shop.” Book online at minabellaspa.com.

“Everything we do here requires a lot of detail, focus and great care,” said owner Mina Ton said. The Mina- MINABELLA BEAUTY RESORT bella staff tries to be strong in every 366 N. 114th St. beauty area, including their eyelash Omaha, NE 68154 extensions. This includes Longmi semi-permanent lashes, which are minabellaspa.com now so very popular with online and 402.999.0927 media celebrities right now.

readers’ choice

, S E U N I T N O C S U N O G I T N I I T D O A V R THE T NKS FOR HE BIG O THA ST OF T BE for your team dinners, office lunches, graduation parties, weddings, any party!

Great Food! Great Fun!

www.dannysbaromaha.com

ATM on site

Phone: (402) 554-5821 . 2007 North 72nd Street . Omaha, NE 68134

readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choice

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AUGUST 2016

BEST DOUGHNUT SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Pettit’s Pastry Readers’ Choice: Dunkin Donuts Readers’ Choice: Krispy Kreme Readers’ Recommend: Donut Haven Readers’ Recommend: Donut Stop Readers’ Recommend: Winchells BEST GREEK RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Greek Islands Readers’ Choice: Feta’s Readers’ Choice: Jim & Jennie’s Greek Village Readers’ Choice: King Kong Readers’ Recommend: Katie’s Readers’ Refer: John’s Grecian Delight BEST ICE CREAM SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ted & Wally’s Readers’ Choice: Coldstone Creamery Readers’ Choice: eCreamery Readers’ Refer: Dairy Chef Readers’ Refer: Dolci Old Market Readers’ Refer: The Local Ice Creamery BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lo Sole Mio Ristorante Readers’ Choice: Mangia Italiana Readers’ Choice: Olive Garden Readers’ Choice: Sgt Peffers Readers’ Recommend: Avoli Readers’ Recommend: Nicola’s BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Kobe Steak House Readers’ Choice: Blue Sushi Sake Grill Readers’ Choice: Hiro 88 Readers’ Recommend: Genji Readers’ Refer: Okinawa Readers’ Refer: Tokyo Sushi BEST KID-FRIENDLY (NOT KID-FOCUSED) RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Red Robin Readers’ Choice: Applebee’s Readers’ Choice: Voo Doo Taco Readers’ Choice: Zio’s Readers’ Recommend: Mangia Italiana Readers’ Refer: Chili’s BEST LATE NIGHT RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Abelardo’s Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: DJ’s Dugout Readers’ Choice: Applebee’s Readers’ Choice: Nite Owl Readers’ Recommend: Kona Grill Readers’ Recommend: Lighthouse Pizza BEST LOCAL FOOD-SERVING RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Upstream Brewing Company Readers’ Choice: Blatt Beer & Table Readers’ Choice: Modern Love Readers’ Choice: The Grey Plume Readers’ Choice: Twisted Cork Readers’ Recommend: Mula BEST MEXICAN RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Rivera’s Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Roja Mexican Grill Readers’ Choice: La Mesa

AUGUST 2016

| THE READER |

readers’ choice

Readers’ Choice: Romeos Readers’ Recommend: El Bee’s Readers’ Recommend: Nettie’s BEST NEW RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Flagship Commons Readers’ Choice: Enzo’s in Florence Readers’ Choice: Mouth of the South Readers’ Choice: Ugly Duck Ramen-Pop-UP Readers’ Recommend: Market House Readers’ Refer: Culprit Cafe BEST NOUVEAU CUISINE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Salt 88 Readers’ Choice: The Grey Plume Readers’ Recommend: Saigon Surface Readers’ Refer: Foodies BEST PIZZA PARLOR Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Mama’s Pizza Readers’ Choice: La Casa Pizzeria Readers’ Choice: Zio’s Readers’ Recommend: Dantes Pizzaria Readers’ Recommend: Johnny Sortino’s Readers’ Recommend: Pizza Shoppe Collective BEST RESTAURANT MENU SPECIALS Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Dixie Quicks Readers’ Choice: Johnny’s Café Readers’ Choice: Modern Love Readers’ Choice: Salt 88 Readers’ Choice: Spezia Readers’ Recommend: Stoke’s

VOTED OMAHA’S BEST PIZZA

25 YEARS STRAIGHT HAND STRETCHED NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA

Thank you for choosing UNO

as the Best College or University! We’re proud to make Omaha our campus! CALZONES · PASTA · SALADS HOAGIES · APPETIZERS · DAILY SPECIALS

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330-1444

12997 W. Center Rd.

344-2222

1109 Howard St.

TRY OUR DAILY LUNCH SPECIALS!

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Best Bank

Making life better for generations…

it’s the American Way. Helping families achieve the American dream and reach their goals is a big part of what we do. Whether it’s financing a new home or helping save for college, we take great pride in making life better for everyone we serve. It’s the way we’ve been doing business for generations. It’s the American Way.

Omaha I Council Bluffs I Lincoln

AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK

MERICAN NATIONAL BANK is a strong community bank with specialties in Commercial Real Estate, affordable housing, healthcare, transportation, indirect auto lending and consumer lending. But, in addition, supporting the local community is part of the culture. Education programs, donations to local nonprofit organizations and support of community development programs are just a few of the ways American National Bank gives back to the community. Dedicated to the support of low- to moderate-income families and individuals, this bank goes beyond the traditional role of a financial institution.

American National Bank supports the “Step Up” program, an employment, mentoring initiative in an effort to ensure all area children have the chance to receive a quality education. They are Presenting Sponsor of Omaha Gives which supports many of the community non-profit organizations. It’s no wonder American National Bank wins accolades from local organizations and the media. It is a true, active member of the community.

AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK 7921 W. Dodge Rd. Omaha, NE 68114 anbank.com 402.392.4900

anbank.com • 32 locations in Nebraska and Iowa.

readers’ choice

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

BEST RESTAURANT WINE SELECTION Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: La Buvette Readers’ Choice: Salt 88 Readers’ Refer: Brix Readers’ Refer: Corkscrew Readers’ Refer: Nicola’s Readers’ Refer: Nosh

BEST RETAIL WINE SELECTION Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Spirit World Readers’ Choice: Brix Readers’ Recommend: Cost Plus World Market Readers’ Recommend: The Winery Readers’ Recommend: Wine Styles Readers’ Refer: Hy-Vee

BEST RETAIL DELI COUNTER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-vee Readers’ Choice: Frank’s Stoycich Meats Readers’ Recommend: Baker’s Readers’ Refer: Fareway Readers’ Refer: Walmart Readers’ Refer: Whole Foods

BEST RETAIL MEAT COUNTER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Fareway Readers’ Choice: Hy-vee Readers’ Choice: Just Good Meat Readers’ Recommend: Franks Stoycich Meats Readers’ Refer: Absolutely Fresh Readers’ Refer: Baker’s

BEST SWEETS SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jones Bros Cupcakes Readers’ Choice: Hollywood Candy Readers’ Choice: See’s Candy Readers’ Choice: The Old Market Candy Shop Readers’ Recommend: Nothing Bundt Cakes Readers’ Recommend: Stories Coffeehouse

BEST TAPAS/ SMALL PORTIONS Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Espana Readers’ Choice: Mantra

Takoda is Lokota Sioux and means "friend of everyone" and here at Takoda Green Roofing our mission is to provide friendly, quality service at quality prices.

Benson’s Premier Rooﬁng Company FREE ESTIMATES - 402-978-3335 Roofing - Siding - Guttering & Leaf Protection Insurance Claims - Asbestos Roof Removal

www. takodagreenroofing.com 16

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readers’ choice

BEST TEX-MEX Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Fernando’s Readers’ Choice: Cilantro’s Readers’ Choice: Hector’s Readers’ Choice: Julio’s Readers’ Choice: Stoke’s Readers’ Recommend: Taco Johns

BEST THAI RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Mai Thai Readers’ Choice: Salween Thai Readers’ Choice: Taste of Thailand Readers’ Choice: Thai Spice Readers’ Refer: Bangkok Cuisine Readers’ Refer: Thai House Omaha

BEST VALUE RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Cheddar’s Readers’ Choice: El Basha Readers’ Choice: Round the Bend Readers’ Choice: Ruby Tuesday Readers’ Refer: Foodies Readers’ Refer: Sage Bistro

BEST RETAIL PRODUCE SELECTION Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee Readers’ Choice: Baker’s Readers’ Choice: Whole Foods Readers’ Recommend: Natural Grocers Readers’ Refer: Family Fare BEST RETAIL WINE SELECTION Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Spirit World Readers’ Choice: Brix Readers’ Recommend: Cost Plus World Market Readers’ Recommend: The Winery Readers’ Recommend: Wine Styles Readers’ Refer: Hy-Vee

BEST VEGETARIAN Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Modern Love BEST YOGURT SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Orange Leaf Readers’ Choice: Red Mango Readers’ Choice: TCBY Readers’ Recommend: Yo Yo Berry

Best Fitness Center

PLANET FITNESS

O STEP INTO a gym can be intimidating, so when a gym can welcome and help people of all fitness levels, it’s a triumph. Members love Planet Fitness because they get all the help they need to achieve their fitness goals, no matter what their starting point. Clean, bright facilities feature the latest cardio and strength equipment. With five locations in Greater Omaha, members can hop from one location to the next without extra fees. Members also appreciate the training from certified personal trainers included in their memberships. This one-on-one attention is key to how Planet Fitness helps people reach their

fitness goals safely and efficiently. Black Card Members also can access tanning and hydromassage beds, as well as massage chairs. Many members find these the perfect way to relax after workouts. JUDGMENT-FREE ZONE Every member of Planet Fitness is treated with the same respect whether they walk in for the first time or they’re seasoned enthusiasts. This warm welcome is one of the things Planet Fitness is best known for, and explains in part why new members flock to it. Planet Fitness makes premier fitness affordable while it provides sparkling clean facilities staffed with knowledgeable

readers’ choice

fitness professionals.The membership price of $10 a month is extremely low compared to other area fitness centers. Its Black Club members pay a little more – $19.99 a month – for extra perks and access to Planet Fitness facilities nationwide. Gym newbies and veterans alike enjoy the amenities and convenience of multiple locations. It’s the best place in Omaha to get healthy and reach fitness goals for a price that won’t break the bank.

PLANET FITNESS planetfitness.com

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AUGUST 2016

Member FDIC

BEST STEAK HOUSE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Drover Readers’ Choice: Brother Sebastions Readers’ Choice Johnny’s Café Readers’ Recommend: Mahogany Prime Readers’ Recommend: Outback Readers’ Refer: Cascio’s BEST SWEETS SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jones Bros Cupcakes Readers’ Choice: Hollywood Candy Readers’ Choice: See’s Candy Readers’ Choice: The Old Market Candy Shop Readers’ Recommend: Nothing Bundt Cakes Readers’ Recommend: Stories Coffeehouse

Here for all of your firsts. We’re thrilled to be named Best Bank in the Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O awards. Thank you for allowing us to travel this journey with you and celebrate all of the firsts that make up your life. firstnational.com

BEST TAPAS/ SMALL PORTIONS Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Espana Readers’ Choice: Mantra BEST TEX-MEX Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Fernando’s Readers’ Choice: Cilantro’s Readers’ Choice: Hector’s Readers’ Choice: Julio’s Readers’ Choice: Stoke’s Readers’ Recommend: Taco Johns BEST THAI RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Mai Thai Readers’ Choice: Salween Thai Readers’ Choice: Taste of Thailand Readers’ Choice: Thai Spice Readers’ Refer: Bangkok Cuisine Readers’ Refer: Thai House Omaha BEST VALUE RESTAURANT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Cheddar’s Readers’ Choice: El Basha Readers’ Choice: Round the Bend Readers’ Choice: Ruby Tuesday Readers’ Refer: Foodies Readers’ Refer: Sage Bistro BEST VEGETARIAN Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Modern Love BEST YOGURT SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Orange Leaf Readers’ Choice: Red Mango Readers’ Choice: TCBY Readers’ Recommend: Yo Yo Berry

BEST GETTING AROUND BEST AIRLINE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Southwest Readers’ Choice: Delta Readers’ Choice: United Readers’ Refer: American

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c_OMA_BestOfBigO_HereForAll_4.9x10

readers’ choice Approval

DATE / INITIAL

BEST AUTO BODY SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: CARSTAR Readers’ Recommend: Charlie Graham Readers’ Recommend: Great Plains Auto Body Readers’ Recommend: Precision Car Care Readers’ Recommend: Ray’s Readers’ Refer: Intertech Collision

BEST AUTO PARTS Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Advanced Auto Parts Readers’ Choice: Auto Zone Readers’ Choice: O’Reilly Auto Parts Readers’ Refer: You Pull It BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jensen Tires Readers’ Choice: Buchanen’s Readers’ Recommend: Rick’s Auto Repair Readers’ Refer: Auto Solutions Readers’ Refer: Exclusive Acura and Honda Readers’ Refer: K & S Collision Repair

BEST AUTO DEALER SERVICE SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Baxter Readers’ Choice: Woodhouse Readers’ Recommend: Acura of Omaha Readers’ Recommend: Gregg Young Chevrolet Readers’ Recommend: H&H Kia Readers’ Recommend: Superior Honda

BEST BIKE SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Bike Rack Readers’ Choice: Olympia Readers’ Recommend: Greenstreet Cycles Readers’ Recommend: Omaha Bicycle Co. Readers’ Refer: Bike Pedlar Readers’ Refer: Community Bike Project

BEST AUTO DEALERSHIP GROUP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Baxter Readers’ Recommend: Gregg Young Chevrolet Readers’ Recommend: H&H Kia Readers’ Recommend: Jeff Henry Chevrolet Readers’ Recommend: Nissan of Omaha Readers’ Refer: Beardmore

BEST BUY HERE/PAY HERE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Select Auto Readers’ Recommend: DJ’s Readers’ Recommend: Sonny Gerber

BEST AUTO GLASS Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Omaha Glass Pro Readers’ Choice: Safelite Readers’ Refer: Kryger

Best Counseling Clinic

ALLIANCE COUNSELING CENTER

Help When You Need It

IFE CAN GET overwhelming. Whether you’re dealing with positive stress from a job promotion, or the birth of a baby, or with negative stress such as financial problems, or the end of a relationship. It’s a fact of life that sometimes things start to feel like a little too much. This is when a licensed therapist can come alongside you to help smooth everything out. “I love what I do,” said Lorinda Bates, licensed independent mental health practitioner (LIMHP). “I have a passion for helping others. It’s very rewarding to give back.” Bates is a member of the staff at Alliance Counseling Center. Open since 2004, Bates said the Cen-

ter is, “a respected, multi-disciplined mental health practitioners. And June mental health center with more than Schlegelmilch, a licensed clinical so120 years of clinician experience.” cial worker, join the ranks of clinicians Bates believes that positive growth who offer Alliance clients help and enand change is promoted through coun- couragement.“Our clients appreciate seling. Bates works alongside a stel- the guidance we provide,” Bates said, lar roster of other mental health pro- “because all of us are qualified and fessionals, including Dr. Kevin Cahill, eager to help.” Life can get difficult psychologist and founder of Alliance sometimes, but thanks to the professionals at Alliance Counseling, nobody Counseling Center. has to trudge through it alone. Also on the team is Todd Kerr, LIMHP, who is nearing the completion of ALLIANCE COUNSELING CENTER his doctorate work in sports psychol- 11920 Burt St. ogy. Alliance Counseling is expanding Omaha, NE 68514 and adding more diversity to their practice. In August, Pamela Ehlinger alliancecounselingomaha.com arrives. She’ll soon be joined by Jean 402.965.4004 Cully. Both are licensed independent

readers’ choice

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AUGUST 2016

BEST CAR WASH Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Russel Speeders Readers’ Choice: Bucky’s Readers’ Recommend: Cornhusker Auto Wash Readers’ Recommend: Dolphin’s Readers’ Recommend: Fantasy’s Readers’ Recommend: VIP Express Car Wash

BEST PRE-OWNED CAR DEALER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Atchley Ford Readers’ Choice: Baxter Readers’ Choice: Select Auto Readers’ Recommend: Rick’s Auto Repair Readers’ Refer: Acura of Omaha Readers’ Refer: Carmax

BEST GAS STATION/CONVENIENCE STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: QT Readers’ Choice: Bucky’s Readers’ Choice: Casey’s Readers’ Recommend: Fantasy’s Readers’ Recommend: Hy-Vee Readers’ Refer: Kum and Go

BEST TIRE STORE & SERVICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jensen Tires Readers’ Choice: Discount Tire Readers’ Choice: Marion Tires Readers’ Recommend: Tires Plus Readers’ Recommend: Tommy Tires Readers’ Refer: Quality Tire

BEST LUXURY AUTO DEALER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lexus of Omaha Readers’ Choice: Infiniti of Omaha Readers’ Recommend: Mercedes Benz of Omaha Readers’ Refer: Baxter Readers’ Refer: Huber

BEST TOWING SERVICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: AAA Readers’ Choice: 3 BS Readers’ Choice: Arrow Towing Readers’ Refer: Joe’s Towing Readers’ Refer: L&I Towing &Recovery Readers’ Refer: Ralston Automotive

BEST NEW AUTO DEALER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Baxter Readers’ Choice: Gregg Young Chevrolet Readers’ Choice: Woodhouse Readers’ Recommend: Atchley Ford Readers’ Recommend: Todd Archer Hyundai Readers’ Refer: Acura of Omaha

BEST TRANSPORTATION/LONG- DISTANCE TRAVEL (NOT AIRLINES) Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Uber Readers’ Choice: Arrow Stage Lines Readers’ Choice: Lyft

Goracke & Associates, P.C., is a locally owned and operated full-service CPA firm licensed in Nebraska with offices in La Vista. The firm’s mission is to create rewarding experiences and long-lasting friendships by exceeding expectations, so clients can expect a high degree of both personal service and expertise. The firm’s reputation for providing quality service reflects the high standards its associates demand of themselves. Responsive service and specialized staff also differentiate Goracke & Associates from its competition.

OLIBA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT:

Goracke & Associates, P.C.

The firm’s services for individuals, business owners and executives encompass every aspect of financial life, and the staff of Goracke & Associates are experienced in all matters of accounting and taxation, IRS problem resolution, estates and trusts, business formation, financial planning and investment, real estate and business sales, and many other areas. Through hard work, Goracke & Associates has earned the respect of the business and financial communities, illustrating diverse talents, dedication and ability to respond quickly. For more information, or to find out how to receive a free initial consultation to determine how Goracke & Associates can best serve you or your business, visit goracke.com or contact 402-330-1200 or info@goracke.com.

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readers’ choice

BEST LIVING & HOME SERVICES

Best Japanese Restaurant

BEST ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Homeinstead Readers’ Choice: New Cassel Readers’ Refer: Elk Ridge Assisted Living Readers’ Refer: Esprit Readers’ Refer: Hillcrest Health Services Readers’ Refer: QLI

KOBE STEAKHOUSE

HEIR FRIENDLY and knowledgeable waitstaff will help guide you through your own dining adventure. Your meal will be prepared to perfection tableside by your highly skilled personal chef with humor and theatrical flair.

BEST CONCRETE COMPANY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: McGill Restoration Readers’ Choice: A & R Enterprises Readers’ Choice: Custom Concrete Readers’ Refer: American Concrete Readers’ Refer: Artisan Pools and Concrete Readers’ Refer: C & H Constuction

Your teppanyaki experience includes your choice of our hand- KOBE STEAKHOUSE trimmed “Omaha Steaks,” succulent 16801 Burke St. chicken and a variety of the highOmaha, NE 68118 est quality seafood. Every meal is served with Japanese clear soup, kobesteakhouse.us salad, shrimp appetizer, grilled veg- 402.391.1755

BEST ELECTRICIAN Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Powered Up Electric Inc. Readers’ Choice: Burton A/C Heating Plumbing & More Readers’ Choice: Hiller Electric Readers’ Choice: Metro Electric Readers’ Recommend: Marathon Electric Readers’ Recommend: Vacanti Brothers

Best Attorney - DUI Best Attorney - Divorce Best Attorney - Personal Injur y Best Attorney - Criminal Defense

etables and steamed rice. The fried rice option is a MUST! Kobe offers a full bar and large waiting area with a vast selection of handcrafted specialty cocktails, Japanese beers, and sakes; with a daily happy hour. Should definitely try the Mai Tai!

PETERSEN LAW OFFICE

OR OVER 17 years, Omaha attorney Thomas M. Petersen has been defending individuals charged with driving under the influence and other criminal charges. Petersen Law solely focuses on criminal defense helping people charged with DUI and other serious felony and misdemeanor criminal offenses. Petersen strives to provide personal attention and high quality representation to those charged with crimes that may significantly impact their lives and their families’ lives. Phones are answered 24 hours a day for convenience to those arrested and family members trying to get help for someone just arrested. “We are very good at being available and communicating with our

clients. DUI and criminal arrests normally don’t happen 9 to 5 so I make sure someone is always available to help at the critical moments.” DUI law is a highly complex field. Effective DUI attorneys navigate through many complicated legal issues, including the lawfulness of stops, detentions, and arrests, the reliability of field sobriety tests, the accuracy of breath and blood testing methods including retrograde extrapolations and driver license impact. “I think it’s important to focus on one area of law so that my client’s received exceptional results. I don’t take family law, personal injury, incorporations or other types of civil law cases.” Petersen is a member of the National College for DUI Defense,

readers’ choice

an organization that educates lawyers on DUI Defense across the nation. “We go to Harvard once a year and spend a week learning how to defend drunk driving cases by some of the most talented lawyers in the United States.” Petersen is a member of the Nebraska State Bar, Omaha Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and Nebraska Criminal Defense Attorney’s Association.

PETERSEN LAW OFFICE 12020 Shamrock Plaza, Suite 200 Omaha, NE 68154 criminaldefensene.com duiattorneysomaha.com 402.393.8080

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AUGUST 2016

Readers’ Choice: Magnolia Hotel Readers’ Recommend: Element Readers’ Refer: Baymont Readers’ Refer: Embassy Suites La Vista

BEST EXTERMINATOR COMPANY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Elite Termite Readers’ Choice: Lien Pest Control Readers’ Refer: Orkin Readers’ Refer: Plunket Readers’ Refer: Presto X Readers’ Refer: Quality Pest Control BEST FURNITURE STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Nebraska Furniture Mart Readers’ Refer: Big Lots Readers’ Refer: Hutch Readers’ Refer: Interiors Joan & Associates Readers’ Refer: The Vintage Chandelier BEST GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Mulhall’s Readers’ Choice: Loveland Readers’ Recommend: Canoyer Readers’ Refer: Ace Hardware Readers’ Refer: Earl May Readers’ Refer: Indian Creek Nursery

BEST KITCHENWARE STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Bed Bath & Beyond Readers’ Choice: Sur La Table Readers’ Choice: Williams Sonoma BEST LANDSCAPER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Patera Landscaping Readers’ Choice: Cavanaugh Land Escaper Readers’ Recommend: Antiquity Outdoor Supply Readers’ Recommend: Hudson Heartscapes Readers’ Refer: BGM Enterprises Readers’ Refer: Roberts Nursary

BEST HARDWARE STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ace Hardware Readers’ Choice: Home Depot Readers’ Choice: Menards Readers’ Refer: Center Hardware Readers’ Refer: Ideal Hardware Readers’ Refer: Johnson Hardware BEST HEATING & A/C COMPANY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Eyman Plumbing Readers’ Choice: A-1 Heating & Air Readers’ Choice: Aksarben Heating & Air Readers’ Choice: Burton A/C, Heating, Plumbing, & More Readers’ Choice: Micek Heating & Air Readers’ Recommend: Piccolos Heating and Air BEST HOME BUILDER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Home Company Omaha Readers’ Choice: Celebrity Homes Readers’ Choice: Ken Oster Homes Readers’ Refer: Charleston Homes Readers’ Refer: Choice Homes Readers’ Refer: Mercury Builders BEST HOME WINDOW COMPANY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Pella Readers’ Choice: AAA Readers’ Choice: Innovations Siding & Windows Readers’ Recommend: Americas Best Choice Readers’ Refer: A&A Windows & Doors Readers’ Refer: Champion BEST HOTEL Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Marriott Readers’ Choice: Hilton

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BEST INSULATION COMPANY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Builders Supply Insulation Co Readers’ Choice: Sealrite BEST INTERIORS STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Home Goods Readers’ Choice: House of J Readers’ Choice: Pier 1 Readers’ Recommend: Interiors Joan & Associates Readers’ Recommend: The Vintage Chandelier Readers’ Refer: Habitat Restore

BEST GUTTER COMPANY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Pyramid Roofing Readers’ Choice: Crawford Seamless Gutters Readers’ Choice: Omaha Gutter Readers’ Refer: Brinlee Readers’ Refer: Foundation Exteriors Readers’ Refer: Takoda Green

BEST HOUSE CLEANING SERVICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Merry Maids Readers’ Choice: The Maids Readers’ Recommend: Collin Readers’ Refer: Cleaning Ninjas Readers’ Refer: Laura’s Cleaning Services

readers’ choice

BEST LAWN CARE SERVICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Nick’s Lawn Care Readers’ Choice: Executive Lawn & Landscape Readers’ Choice: Paradise Lawns Readers’ Recommend: Heartland Lawns Readers’ Refer: Amore Lawn Readers’ Refer: Forest Green BEST LOCKSMITH Readers’ Choice: Best of the Big O Keymasters Locksmith Readers’ Choice: Bust-A-Lock Readers’ Refer: Luckey Locksmith Readers’ Refer: MetroLock of Omaha Readers’ Refer: Pop-A-Lock BEST PAINTING COMPANY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Extreme Painting Readers’ Choice: ABS Painting Readers’ Recommend: Pearson Painting Readers’ Recommend: RG Paint & Decorating inc Readers’ Refer: Classic Painting Readers’ Refer: John White Painting BEST PLUMBING COMPANY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Eyman Plumbing Readers’ Choice: Aksarben ARS Readers’ Choice: Backlund Plumbing Readers’ Choice: Big Birge Plumbing Readers’ Recommend: Burton A/C Heating Plumbing & More Readers’ Refer: Acorn

Best Luxur y Auto Dealer

HUBER CADILLAC

a Culture of Community Involvement

FEW TIMES a week,the managers at Huber Cadillac meet together for what Bret Huber calls a “roundtable.” “Most of the time we open with, ‘Does anybody have anything?’ and what we mean by that is, ‘is anybody asking for us to help them?’” Sometimes the request for help comes from an employee who asks if Huber can help a church or neighborhood, or maybe a mom who needs a rental car for a couple weeks. TAKING CARE OF OTHERS “We have a lot of employees with a lot of responsibilities,” Huber said. “If you grab your average Huber employee, you’ll see these are people who are active members at a lot of different parishes. They’re diverse, and many of them are family people.” He said it’s culturally engrained at Huber Cadillac to “take care of ourselves and take care of other people. When you’re doing well, you have the responsibility to help others.” Huber is quick to say how incredible his employees are. He said he doesn’t ask employees to support the causes the company sponsors, yet they still do. “We don’t ask them to make a dinner at the Ronald McDonald House or to go to the Humane Society Walk for the Animals,” but they show up nonetheless. PINPOINTED CAUSES Several years ago, the Huber Cadillac folks decided that if they were truly to have an impact on the community, they needed to decide which causes to help. “We said, ‘OK, if we’re truly going to make a difference, how can we? Instead of just giving a hundred little things in a hundred little ways, why don’t we pick a couple and do big things?’” They do big things, indeed. The Ronald McDonald House is one of the main causes Huber Cadillac supports, and it’s one Bret Huber holds dear. “The people there, no matter who’s there, have always been the best. What they do on a selfless, daily basis is incredible,” he said. “Nobody there says, ‘Hey look at me, look at what I did!’ They just quietly go about their business and help. We have a wonderful working relationship.” The Huber showroom has been known to feature a vehicle stuffed with items from employees for the Ronald McDonald House,

whether toiletries or other items. If you pick a vehicle to be stuffed for charity, a spacious Escalade is a good choice. Huber Cadillac sponsors the Hurl the Pearl event at the Stormchasers games. Spectators try to hurl white balls into a moving truck’s cabin to win Stormchasers items or food at McDonald’s. The proceeds from the purchased throws benefit the Ronald McDonald House. The Omaha Fashion Guild is another cause Huber Cadillac supports. This nonprofit organization helps local designers and strives to keep Omaha’s fashion scene vibrant. The showroom at Huber Cadillac was actually home to the second annual Fashion Impact Awards in 2015. They also support the Nebraska Humane Society. Huber said they have a great relationship with the organization. INFATUATED WITH SPORTS Bret Huber said the company’s cumulative love of sports has a big impact on what organizations they help. “We are a group infatuated with sports,” he said. He said that he has a cabinet full of photos of the teams they sponsor from year to year. “That’s something we’ve all really embraced. Many of our employees are former athletes.” “I’m a Westside guy but my son’s going to (Creighton) Prep,” Huber said. Many of his employees came from Prep, too. “For some reason, Prep guys seem to find their way here, so we help out Prep a lot.” EVERYONE’S DUTY “It’s everyone’s duty to help others,” said Huber, who added that the dealership doesn’t necessarily seek to spotlight the help they provide. “We don’t like to go out and toot our horns and say, ‘Hey, we’ve done this and we’ve done that.’” Instead, Huber and his team go quietly about their business to help the community they love.

HUBER CADILLAC 11102 W. Dodge Rd. Omaha, NE 68154 hubercadillac.net 402.403.4939

Huber

cadillac of omaha

readers’ choice

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AUGUST 2016

BEST REALTY COMPANY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Readers’ Choice: CBS Home Readers’ Choice: Certified Property Management Readers’ Choice: Keller Williams Greater Omaha Readers’ Recommend: Nebraska Realty Readers’ Refer: NP Dodge BEST ROOFING COMPANY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Pyramid Roofing Readers’ Choice: Whitecastle Roofing Readers’ Recommend: John Higgins Weatherguard Readers’ Recommend: Nastase Readers’ Recommend: Roof-Tech Readers’ Recommend: Valley Boys Roofing BEST SIDING COMPANY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Innovations Siding & Windows Readers’ Choice: Choice Siding Readers’ Choice: Kimball Siding Readers’ Refer: Home Pride Readers’ Refer: James Hardi Readers’ Refer: John Higgins Weatherguard BEST STORAGE FACILITY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Dino’s Storage Readers’ Choice: Milt’s Mini Storage Readers’ Choice: StorageMart

BEST NIGHTLIFE & PLAY BEST BAR FOR AN INTERNET DATE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jam’s Readers’ Choice: Bud Olson’s Bar Readers’ Choice: Underwood Bar Readers’ Refer: Liv Readers’ Refer: Redeye BEST BAR FOR CONVERSATION Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Brazenhead Readers’ Choice: Goldberg’s in Dundee Readers’ Choice: Mai Tai Lounge Readers’ Recommend: Infusion Brewery Readers’ Recommend: Nite Owl Readers’ Recommend: Stories Coffee House BEST BAR FOR HIDING OUT Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: I Don’t Care Bar Readers’ Choice: Bud Olson’s Bar Readers’ Choice: Saint’s Pub and Patio Readers’ Choice: Tracks Lounge Readers’ Choice: Trap Room Readers’ Refer: MVP BEST BAR FOR SPIRITS SELECTION Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Brix Readers’ Choice: DJ’s Dugout Readers’ Choice: Salt 88 Readers’ Choice: Wicked Rabbit Readers’ Refer: The Library Pub Readers’ Refer: Trap Room

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readers’ choice

Best Attorney - Criminal

2012

2013

2016

2014

2015

JAMES MARTIN DAVIS

NCE AGAIN, and for 8 years in a row, James Martin Davis was voted Omaha’s Best Criminal Lawyer. This larger-thanlife attorney is a highly decorated Vietnam combat veteran and a former U.S. Secret Service special agent. He led an Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption State Task Force, ran for the U.S. Congress and is Nebraska’s most widely known trial lawyer. Davis is one of the American Trial Lawyers’ “Top 100 Lawyers,” is listed in the National Bar Registry of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, is a Great Plains Super Lawyer and was recognized this year as the city’s top criminal lawyer in Omaha’s first edition of “The Faces of Omaha.” HIGH-PROFILE CLIENTS JMD, as he is known by the media and the legal communities, has successfully won myriad high-profile cases. His clients have ranged from TV anchors and reporters to corporate CEOs and bank presidents. Davis has represented local politicians, past and current police chiefs and officers, Cornhusker football players and union presidents, as well as fellow lawyers and courthouse employees. When Boys Town was hit with half a dozen lawsuits, Father Val Peter, its president, picked JMD. “Davis represents the underdog, and we are the underdog.” Davis won each of those lawsuits. PERSONAL INJURY SETTLEMENTS Davis also represents clients in large personal injury cases. For a time, Davis held the record for the largest jury verdict for a wrongful death ever awarded in Nebraska. This past year, he settled a case against the State of Nebraska for $1 million, as well as a student drowning case against the Omaha Public School system for $250,000. He has appeared on numerous national television shows. Davis was featured on “The Today Show,” “Good Morning America,” the CBS morning and evening news, Bill O’Reilly’s “No Spin Zone,” “Inside Edition,” “Current Affairs” and several HBO and Discovery Channel documentaries. PUT IT TO A VOTE Despite his success in civil litigation, Davis’ first love is trying criminal cases before a jury. There, he says, “I am able to protect the Constitution one citizen at a time.” After each courtroom victory, Davis and his staff hold a ritual victory dinner. Everyone lifts their glass as Davis proposes his toast: “Here’s to the two sweetest words in the English language: ‘Not Guilty.’”

JAMES MARTIN DAVIS 1623 Farnam St. Omaha, NE 68102 jamesmartindavis.com 402.341.9900

readers’ choice

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AUGUST 2016

Readers’ Choice: Dueces Readers’ Refer: My Way

BEST BAR FOR STIFFEST POURS Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Green Onion Readers’ Recommend: Barrett’s Readers’ Recommend: Bud Olson’s Bar Readers’ Recommend: I Don’t Care Bar Readers’ Refer: Beer City Readers’ Refer: MVP

BEST DJ SERVICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Dynamic Air DJ’s (Farley) Readers’ Choice: DJNess Readers’ Refer: “Dj Devon, Mr. West” Readers’ Refer: DJ Shorty Readers’ Refer: DJit

BEST BAR WITH LIVE MUSIC Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Waiting Room Readers’ Choice: Dubliner Readers’ Choice: The Slowdown Readers’ Recommend: Chrome Lounge Readers’ Recommend: Ozone Lounge Readers’ Recommend: The Hive

BEST GOLF COURSE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Tiburon Golf Course Readers’ Choice: Indian Creek Nursery Readers’ Recommend: OCC Readers’ Recommend: Shoreline Readers’ Refer: Eagle Run Readers’ Refer: Quarry Oaks

BEST BEER SELECTION Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Crescent Moon Readers’ Choice: Beercade Readers’ Choice: Krug Park Readers’ Choice: Upstream Brewing Company Readers’ Refer: Beertopia Readers’ Refer: Brix

BEST HAPPY HOUR BAR Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Blue Sushi Sake Grill Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Kona Grill Readers’ Recommend: Hiro 88 Readers’ Recommend: Pipeline Readers’ Refer: Brix Readers’ Refer: Salt 88

BEST BIKE TRAIL Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Wabash Readers’ Choice: Fontenelle Readers’ Recommend: Keystone BEST BILLIARDS BAR Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Big John’s Billiards Readers’ Choice: Musette Bar Readers’ Choice: Upstream Brewing Company Readers’ Refer: California Bar Readers’ Refer: Shark Club BEST CASINO FOR SLOTS Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Ameristar Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Harrah’s Readers’ Choice: Horseshoe Best Casino for Tablegames Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Harrah’s Readers’ Choice: Horseshoe Readers’ Recommend: Ameristar

BEST MOVIE THEATER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Majestic Readers’ Choice: Aksarben Theatre Readers’ Choice: AMC Star Council Bluffs Readers’ Recommend: Film Streams Readers’ Recommend: Marcus Midtown Readers’ Recommend: Marcus Twin Creek

BEST COLLEGE BAR Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Billy Froggs Readers’ Choice: Homy Inn Readers’ Refer: Pauli’s Readers’ Refer: Whiskey Tango BEST DANCE CLUB Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Maxx Readers’ Choice: The Hive Readers’ Refer: Loom Readers’ Refer: T’quila Readers’ Refer: Whiskey Tango

BEST NEIGHBORHOOD TAVERN Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Homy Inn Readers’ Choice: Barretts Readers’ Choice: Bud Olson’s Bar Readers’ Choice: Danny’s Readers’ Recommend: I Don’t Care Bar Readers’ Recommend: The Observatory

BEST DARTS BAR Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Elbow Room

AUGUST 2016

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BEST LIVE MUSIC VENUE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Stir Concert Cove Readers’ Choice: The Slowdown Readers’ Recommend: Chrome Lounge Readers’ Recommend: Reverb Lounge Readers’ Recommend: Waiting Room Readers’ Refer: Stinson Park BEST LOUNGE/ ULTRA LOUNGE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Reverb Lounge Readers’ Choice: Houston’s Readers’ Choice: Stoli’s Lounge Readers’ Choice: The Holiday Readers’ Refer: Pauli’s Readers’ Refer: The Library Pub

BEST CIGAR BAR Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jakes Readers’ Choice: Havana Garage Readers’ Recommend: Hearth

BEST KARAOKE BAR Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Rusty Nail Readers’ Choice: Choo Choo’s Readers’ Choice: Firewater Grille Readers’ Recommend: Phoenix Readers’ Recommend: Stoli’s Lounge Readers’ Recommend: Sugars

readers’ choice

Best Orthodontist Office

IGEL ORTHODONTICS

Brilliant Smiles and Cutting-Edge Technology

O BE NAMED Best Orthodontist nine times by The Reader is no small feat. And because they know each patient has unique needs, Igel Orthodontics continues to win accolades. Early Treatment is a huge focus for Dr. Kort Igel, who emphasizes fixing issues early, before they become major problems.

His reward point system is a big hit with kids, who earn reward points as they go through treatment. The popular rewards program is for patients of all ages. Both children and adults get rewarded for positive behaviors such as showing up to appointments on time, having good oral hygiene and following treatment plans. These points translate to gift cards.

“My treatment philosophies focus on early treatment, To make an orthodontic visit fun instead of tedious jaw development and opening the airways to prevent sleep apnea in growing children,” he said. Sleep apnea is something both young patients – and their parents affects more than 18 million Americans, according to – appreciate. When the youngsters feel they have an acthe American Sleep Apnea Association. If left untreat- tive role in their treatment, it’s a win-win for everyone. ed, it can cause high blood pressure, weight gain and A WELCOMING OFFICE AND STAFF headaches. “All orthodontic treatment can and should When they first visit Igel Orthodontics, patients are be based on sustaining the best airway possible, especially in growing children,” Dr. Igel said. It’s not just welcomed and made comfortable. The team is accusabout a straight smile; it’s also about long-term health. tomed to both adolescent and adult patients. No matter what their age, Dr. Igel’s team puts them at ease and readily answers questions. Treatments are designed to CUTTING EDGE TECHNOLOGY “Our practice is set apart from the rest not only be- be fast and effective. cause of outstanding patient care and customer serDr. Igel and his team know patients have little time vice, but also because we invest in some of the most advanced orthodontic technology available,” Practice to spend in treatment. Patients enjoy effective, quick Administrator Linda Lutmer said. Digital imaging, dig- results from the most advanced treatment available. ital scanning and 3D X-rays are part of the treatment. New patients receive a complimentary consultation. Lutmer said the technology provides patients with “the During this free appointment, patients receive a cusbest results every time.” tomized treatment plan specific to their needs. Dr. Igel The right technology can halt conditions before they also takes this time to answer questions. Dr. Igel’s exdevelop, such as the new iCAT 3D X-ray, which accu- pertise, his friendly team and their cutting-edge techrately measures airways. This assures proper treatment nology makes Igel Orthodontics the best option in the to avoid the development of sleep apnea. “We under- Omaha area. Patients who seek the best, award-winstand and recognize that every patient has different ning treatment plans need look no further. needs. Patients have many options when it comes to braces,”said Lutmer. From clear, comfortable ortho- IGEL ORTHODONTICS dontic brackets and Invisalign to accelerated treatment 10801 Pacific St. Ste 200 with AcceleDent aura,® Igel Orthodontics offer correc- Omaha, NE 68154 tive braces that fit a patient’s lifestyle. REWARDING A JOB WELL DONE Dr. Igel has enough experience with young patients to know they respond best to positive reinforcement.

igelorthodontics.com 402.330.1152

readers’ choice

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AUGUST 2016

BEST OUTDOOR FESTIVAL Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Taste of Omaha Readers’ Choice: Aksarben Beerfest Readers’ Choice: Maha Readers’ Refer: Oktoberfest (Crescent Moon) Readers’ Refer: Pride in Aksarben Readers’ Refer: Rockfest BEST PATIO AT A BAR Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: 1912 Readers’ Choice: Blatt Beer & Table Readers’ Choice: O’Leavers Readers’ Recommend: Pipeline Readers’ Recommend: Saint’s Pub and Patio Readers’ Recommend: Salt 88

Thank You for Voting

Planet Fitness

Best Fitness Club in Omaha!

BEST PERFORMING ARTS THEATER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Orpheum Theater Readers’ Choice: Holland Performing Arts Center Readers’ Recommend: Blue Barn Readers’ Refer: Omaha Community Playhouse BEST SAND VOLLEYBALL Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: O’Leavers Readers’ Choice: Spikers Readers’ Recommend: The Mark (formerly Sempecks) Readers’ Refer: Arena Readers’ Refer: Big Red Readers’ Refer: Boondockers BEST SHOPPING DISTRICT/MALL Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Village Pointe Readers’ Choice: Old Market Readers’ Choice: Westroads Readers’ Refer: Aksarben Readers’ Refer: Nebraska Crossing Readers’ Refer: Shadow Lake

Memberships starting at just $10 a month.

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BEST SHUFFLEBOARD BAR Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Big John’s Billiards Readers’ Choice: Musette Bar Readers’ Choice: Piccolo’s Readers’ Refer: Elbow room Readers’ Refer: Full House Readers’ Refer: Hatfields Corner BEST SPORTS BAR Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: DJ’s Dugout Readers’ Choice: Buffalo Wild Wings Readers’ Choice: Tanner’s Readers’ Recommend: Oscars Readers’ Refer: Big Red Readers’ Refer: Saint’s Pub and Patio BEST STAYCATION DESTINATION (WITHIN 8 HOUR DRIVE) Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Kansas City Readers’ Choice: Okoboji Readers’ Choice: The Ozarks Readers’ Refer: Coco Keys Water Resort Readers’ Refer: Mahone State Park Readers’ Refer: Sioux Falls

AUGUST 2016

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readers’ choice

Best Ice Cream Shop

TED & WALLY’S

S OF THIS summer, Omaha’s Ted & Wally’s has hand-crafted and served more than 2,000 different flavors of ice cream. Each is comprised of cream, eggs, sugar and other ingredients. Then it’s tossed together with rock salt and ice in antique mixing machines. And out comes a new, possibly unique, flavor. It’s an old-fashioned process that made Ted & Wally’s ice cream shop one of the area’s most popular sweet tooth cures. Customer loyalty led Ted & Wally’s to branch out this year from its long-time Old Market home. A second shop in Benson at 60th and Maple streets was created. And like the current store at 12th and Jackson streets, as well as Lincoln’s original Ted & Wally’s, the Benson site is housed in a former auto repair shop and gas station. It makes perfect sense to nestle the new Ted & Wally’s in Benson’s thriving local art and music scene. Like the Old Market, the inventive vibe in Benson meshes well with Ted & Wally’s originality. Can you imagine Ted & Wally’s in a West Omaha strip mall? Even if you found an old auto repair shop to house it? BACK TO BENSON “We grew up going to Benson for sidewalk sales and getting pastries at the bakery to take to my grandmother’s,” said Joe Pittack, who owns Ted & Wally’s with his sister, Jeanne Ohira. The brother-sister duo bought Ted & Wally’s from its original owners in 2000 after they had worked at the ice cream shop for several years. “In recent years, I was hanging out at places like the Waiting Room and watched Benson become vibrant again,” Pittack said. “I saw the building and thought it would be a perfect Ted & Wally’s.” Pittack said he planned to contact the owner of Marcus Motors to see if he’d sell. “Before I did, a couple of weeks later, there was a ‘for sale’ sign. It couldn’t have come together any better.” Pittack and Ohira share a family connection to old-fashioned service stations. “Our grandfather worked for a company that built gas stations and supplied them with pump equipment. Our cousin later worked for the EPA to condemn and remove leaking tanks that our grandfather installed,” Pittack said. “And now Jeanne and I have converted two stations into ice cream stores.” NOW SERVING ROUNDERS The new Benson location added a twist when it became home to Localmotive, a popular Omaha food truck business that serves delicious sourdough dumplings stuffed with a variety of made-from-scratch ingredients. “I knew Pat Favara and David Burr, the owners of Localmotive, before they put together the idea for the food truck,” Pittack said. “They came to me with the concept and asked if they could park in our lot on 12th and Jackson. Pittack and Ohira set times for the food truck so it wouldn’t impede other restaurants in the area. “We ran power off our building so they could serve without the fuming rumble of a generator.” Once they bought the Benson building, they offered to lease kitchen space to Favara and Burr. “We could be mutually beneficial to each other throughout the changing seasons,” Pittack said. “We see the concept works when a family walks in from the neighborhood for lunch and has ice cream for dessert.” FRANCHISES? NO THANKS Although the new Benson location, like the ever-popular Old Market shop, may thrive, don’t expect Ted & Wally’s to franchise their business anytime soon. “We have over 2000 flavors, so we’re probably the most un-franchisable ice cream parlor around,” Ohira said, “with no plans on building an ice cream empire.” She proudly points to the process used to create so many flavors. “We’re currently the only Omaha parlor to make ice cream the way we do, completely from scratch with rock salt and ice,” Ohira said. “Our plans are to focus on continuing to improve what

we do and to continue focusing on perfecting our craft.” The likely loss of quality if they franchised concerns Pittack. “The quality of product would diminish due to streamlining,” he said. “We have a very labor-intensive product that takes care in making that would probably not transfer well to a turn-key operation. We also don’t use the stabilizers and preservatives companies use for shipping and storing ice cream.” Their goal is simple, he said. “We want to make a product we can feel good about feeding to our family, friends and ourselves.” FAMILY & COMMUNITY Family – their own and those they serve – is a recurring theme when you talk with the owners of Ted & Wally’s. As is community. “Many of our ingredients are locally sourced. That’s been true since the beginning,” Ohira said. “We’ve always valued buying as much of our ingredients from other local family-owned businesses and farms as possible. She said local sourcing is a longtime practice. “It’s also the culture in which we were raised,” Ohira said. “We grew up getting much of our produce, milk, cheese and eggs from local farms and farmer’s markets.” That sense of family, commitment and quality permeates Ted & Wally’s. “Jeanne and I have a level of trust and comfort that developed through our relationship as siblings,” Pittack said. “We consider our employees to be part of our family. We work for them so they can go to college, have families and take their bands on tour in Europe. “I feel like a caretaker of Ted & Wally’s for our employees and customers, and see it as legacy for Jeanne’s children to possibly carry on.” ALL-TIME FAVORITES With more than 2,000 flavors created in the 16 years they’ve owned Ted & Wally’s, we had to ask: What are your customers’ Top Three all-time favorite flavors? And what are yours? “A UNO business class did a survey for us a while ago and the results were: Vanilla, Dutch Chocolate, Cinnamon, Mint Chip and Strawberry,” Pittack said. “Salty Seahorse & Jullian’s Spotted Pony certainly has a cult following. Uh, Joe, that’s seven customer favorites. So what are Jeanne’s? She provided three: •Gute Goat im Himmel: Cinnamon + Chèvre + Cranberries, “made with the most amazing chèvre from Doe’s n’ Divas goat farm.” •Dark Chocolate Ginger Peanut • Butter Mochi, “we make our mochi from scratch.” But when it was Pittack’s turn, the multitude of possible choices daunted him. “This is a hard question. I try to keep up with the flavors for today and I even forget those,” he said. “I’ve always been kind of a sweet tooth and always liked Cotton Candy with Marshmallow on top.” He recalled one custom-ordered flavor. “We just made one for a wedding called Mindy’s Pub Mix,” he said. “The bride wanted a flavor made with Infusion Breweries Vanilla Bean Blonde with Peanuts and Chocolate Covered Pretzels mixed in. It was an instant hit in Benson.” Pittack also is excited about the quality and variety of the sorbet at Ted & Wally’s. “I just made a watermelon sorbet for Aromas and for downtown and Benson,” he said. “An elderly woman in the Hy-Vee parking lot asked me if I was having a watermelon eating contest because I had a cart with eight watermelons. “It’s so good and refreshing. It tastes like summer memories.”

TED & WALLY’S Old Market - 1120 Jackson St. 402.341.5827 Benson - 6023 Maple St. 402.551.4420 tedandwallys.com

readers’ choice

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

BEST PERSONAL SHOPPING & SERVICES

Readers’ Recommend: Cricket Readers’ Recommend: US Cellular Readers’ Refer: AT&T Readers’ Refer: Boost Mobile

BEST BARBER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Scissor’s & Scotch Readers’ Choice: Southside Barbers Readers’ Choice: SportsClips Readers’ Refer: Ann At Penny’s Salon Readers’ Refer: Beard and Mane Readers’ Refer: Dennison Dahlman

BEST CHILDCARE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Tiny Tots by Tammy Bailey Readers’ Choice: Imagination Station Readers’ Choice: JCC CDC Readers’ Choice: Morning Star Preschool & Child Care Center Readers’ Choice: Rosewood Academy Readers’ Refer: Hamilton Heights Child Development Center

BEST BEAUTY SALON Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Bella Dea Day Spa Readers’ Choice: Minabella Beauty Resort Readers’ Recommend: Avant Salon & Day Spa Readers’ Recommend: Halo Studios Readers’ Recommend: Victor Victoria Readers’ Refer: Skincerely Yours

BEST CHURCH Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lifegate Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Mary Our Queen Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: St. Patrick’s Readers’ Recommend: Calvary Chapel West Omaha Readers’ Recommend: St. Cecelia’s Cathedral Readers’ Recommend: United Trinity Methodist Church

BEST BOOKSTORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Barnes & Noble Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Half Price Books Readers’ Choice: Jackson Street Booksellers Readers’ Refer: Gloria Deo Readers’ Refer: The Bookworm

BEST COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: UNO Readers’ Choice: Creighton University Readers’ Choice: University of Nebraska Medical Center Readers’ Recommend: Metropolitan Community College Readers’ Refer: Bellevue University Readers’ Refer: Buena Vista

BEST CELL PHONE PROVIDER/CARRIER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Verizon Readers’ Choice: Sprint

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readers’ choice

PellaOmaha.com

Visit your local Pella Showroom: OMAHA 9845 SOUTH 142ND STREET

window & door replacement

7/27/2015 1:55:46 PM

Best Window Replacement Company

PELLA WINDOWS & DOORS of Omaha & Lincoln

HEN CUSTOMERS CHOOSE to buy from Pella Windows & Doors of Omaha & Lincoln, they gain access to the experience and service of local professionals who are committed to their satisfaction. Plus, the company stands behind its quality products with some of the best warranties in the business, and Pella has been a leader in technology and product innovation for more than 90 years. The people of Pella Windows & Doors of Omaha & Lincoln are certainly passionate about upholding the company’s outstanding reputation for exceptional customer service and providing residential and commercial clients the right solutions for every project and budget. And they’re equally passionate about the community. Pella Corporation is headquartered right here in the Midwest — in Pella, Iowa — but Pella’s connection to the Omaha area is more than just neighborly. Pella Windows & Doors of Omaha & Lincoln has served eastern Nebraska and southwestern Iowa for more than 40 years and has been under the same ownership for nearly 20 years, so its local roots run deep. “Pella takes an active role in the community,” Pella Windows & Doors of Omaha & Lincoln President/CEO Greg Boulay, a native Omahan, says. “Our employees help through a wide variety of activities and many different fundraisers that benefit nonprofit and community organizations. We’ve participated in the Million Meal March to fight hunger. We’ve entered teams in the Corporate Cycling Challenge that boosts trail development in the area. We’ve provided ongoing support for the Abide Network for several years now as this innovative nonprofit transforms the inner city one neighborhood at a time.

are active, community-minded people who are eager to help,” Boulay says. “It’s a corporate culture of positive action and help for those most in need.” The company also gives back by donating materials and labor for construction and renovation projects that benefit the community, from older single-family homes that are part of neighborhood renewal projects to historically significant facilities like Sacred Heart in North Omaha … and much larger, more complex structures that require an uncommonly high degree of expertise. When the Arbor Day Foundation began renovating the 140-room Lied Lodge and Conference Center in Nebraska City two years ago, Pella Windows & Doors of Omaha & Lincoln was consulted because the facility’s original windows were donated from Pella more than 20 years ago. The company donated 284 windows — including those for a unique 20-foot by 40foot wall of windows behind an enormous stone fireplace — and 16 French doors for the 2015 remodel. Pella experts also worked alongside the professional installer to ensure the large-scale project’s success. The window installation took three and a half months and the remodel wrapped up last August, just in time for the fall apple-picking season at Arbor Day Farm where Lied Lodge is located. The materials and labor Pella donated to the National Arbor Day Foundation during the renewal project was valued at more than $422,000, and the acclaimed facility looks more beautiful than ever as it welcomes thousands of visitors from around the world annually. Pella’s continuing dedication to the development and promotion of energy-efficient products and the education of consumers on conservation issues also fits right in with Arbor Day Farm’s environmental stewardship goals.

For instance, at Christmas we help give gifts for kids in the Abide Network. And at the beginning of the school year each fall, we give them backpacks. When the soup kitchen gets low, we do food drives.” Pella Windows and Doors of Omaha and Lincoln oper- PELLA WINDOWS & DOORS ates according to an employee-created set of beliefs OF OMAHA & LINCOLN and drivers, Boulay explains, and one of the strongest 9845 S. 142nd St. drivers on the list is community involvement and enviOmaha, NE 68138 ronmental responsibility because “it’s the right thing pellaomaha.com to do.” “It’s our culture. It reflects our beliefs. The employees at Pella Windows & Doors of Omaha & Lincoln 402.861.1542

readers’ choice

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

BEST DANCE STUDIO Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: STARS Dance Academy Readers’ Choice: Dance Inspiration Readers’ Choice: Dance Lab Readers’ Recommend: Motion 41 Readers’ Recommend: Pear Tree Performing Arts Readers’ Refer: A Step Ahead BEST DAY SPA Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: LovelySkin Readers’ Choice: Bella Dea Day Spa Readers’ Choice: Faces Readers’ Choice: Minabella Beauty Resort Readers’ Recommend: Avant Salon & Day Spa Readers’ Recommend: Skincerely Yours

BEST MUSIC LESSONS Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Thompson Music Center Readers’ Choice: Jennifer Tritz Vocal Studio Readers’ Recommend: Nick Brophy Readers’ Refer: Dietze Readers’ Refer: Mohegans Readers’ Refer: School of Rock BEST NAIL SALON Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Minabella Beauty Resort Readers’ Choice: Bella Dea Day Spa Readers’ Recommend: Blondo Nails Readers’ Recommend: Legacy Nail Salon Readers’ Recommend: The Nail Shop Readers’ Refer: Martini

BEST FLORIST Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Piccolo’s Readers’ Choice: Hy-vee Readers’ Choice: Janousek Florist Readers’ Recommend: Taylor’s Readers’ Refer: Baker’s Readers’ Refer: Bouquet

BEST NUTRITION STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Whole Foods Readers’ Choice: GNC Readers’ Choice: No Name Nutrition Readers’ Refer: Jane’s Health Market Readers’ Refer: Natural Grocers Readers’ Refer: Walmart

BEST GROCERY STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hy-Vee Readers’ Choice: Baker’s Readers’ Choice: Fareway Readers’ Recommend: Trader Joe’s Readers’ Recommend: Whole Foods Readers’ Refer: Natural Grocery

BEST ORGANIC GROCERY STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Whole Foods Readers’ Choice: Hy-Vee Readers’ Choice: Natural Grocers Readers’ Choice: Trader Joes Readers’ Refer: Baker’s Readers’ Refer: Daddy’s Neighborhood Fresh Market

BEST JEWELRY STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Borsheim’s Readers’ Choice: Helzberg Readers’ Choice: Kays Readers’ Recommend: Goldsmith-Silversmith Readers’ Refer: Greenberg’s Readers’ Refer: Zale’s

BEST PAWN SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Sol’s Readers’ Refer: Good Guy

BEST MARTIAL ARTS STUDIO Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Midwest Martial Arts Readers’ Choice: Omaha Blue Waves Martial Arts Readers’ Choice: San Mai Readers’ Recommend: Legacy Martial Arts Readers’ Recommend: Mick Doyle’s Martial Arts and Kickboxing Readers’ Recommend: Midwest Tae Kwon Do

AUGUST 2016

| THE READER |

BEST MEN’S SHOE STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: DSW Readers’ Refer: Kohl’s Readers’ Refer: Silo Readers’ Refer: Target Readers’ Refer: Von Maur Readers’ Refer: Cole Haan BEST MUSIC EQUIPMENT STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Dietze Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Guitar Center Readers’ Choice: Schmidt

BEST DRY CLEANER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Fashion Cleaners Readers’ Choice: Maple Street Tailors Readers’ Choice: Max I Walker Readers’ Refer: French Lace Laundry BEST FITNESS CENTER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Planet Fitness Readers’ Choice: 24 Hour Fitness Readers’ Choice: Blue Moon Readers’ Choice: Lifetime Readers’ Choice YMCA Readers’ Recommend: Farrell’s

BEST MEN’S CLOTHING STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Jerry Ryan Readers’ Choice: Burlington Coat Factory Readers’ Choice: Walmart Readers’ Refer: Lindley

Readers’ Refer: Silo Readers’ Refer: Uncle Cole’s Closet

readers’ choice

BEST PET GROOMING Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Bark Avenue Readers’ Choice: Wag Readers’ Recommend: Susie’s Readers’ Recommend: The Green Spot Readers’ Recommend: Three Dog Bakery and Spa Readers’ Refer: 24th Street Animal Clinic BEST PET STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: PetSmart Readers’ Choice: The Green Spot Readers’ Recommend: Three Dog Bakery and Spa Readers’ Recommend: Wag Readers’ Refer: Long Dog Fat Cat

Thanks, Omaha!

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readers’ choice

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

BEST SPORTING GOODS Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Scheel’s Readers’ Choice: Cabela’s Readers’ Choice: Dick’s Readers’ Refer: Canfield’s Readers’ Refer: Peak Performance Readers’ Refer: Play it Again Sports

Readers’ Choice: New Life Thrift Readers’ Choice: Thrift World Readers’ Refer: Hand Me Up Readers’ Refer: Salvation Army BEST WEDDING VENUE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lauritzen Gardens Readers’ Choice: Paxton Ballroom Readers’ Choice: Soaring Wings Readers’ Recommend: Bella Terre Readers’ Refer: Holland Performing Arts Center Readers’ Refer: Joslyn Castle

BEST STORE FOR ENGAGEMENT RINGS Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Borsheims Readers’ Choice: Goldsmith-Silversmith Readers’ Choice: Kay’s Readers’ Choice: Zale’s Readers’ Refer: GC Gems Readers’ Refer: Greenberg’s

BEST WOMEN’S CLOTHING STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Von Maur Readers’ Recommend: Hello Holiday Readers’ Recommend: Katina’s Readers’ Recommend: Maurice’s Readers’ Recommend: The Limited Readers’ Refer: A Girl’s Best Friend

BEST STORE FOR UNIQUE GIFTS Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Afternoon Readers’ Choice: City Limits Readers’ Choice: Tannenbaum Christmas Shop Readers’ Recommend: Next Millenium Readers’ Recommend: On A Whim Readers’ Recommend: World Market

BEST WOMEN’S SHOE STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: DSW Readers’ Choice: Dillard’s Readers’ Choice: Von Maur

BEST TATTOO SHOP Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Big Brain Readers’ Choice: Black Squirrel Tattoo Readers’ Choice: Grinn and Barrett Readers’ Choice: Liquid Courage Readers’ Choice: Villains Tattoo Readers’ Refer: American Tattoo

BEST YOGA STUDIO Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lotus House of Yoga Readers’ Choice: Omaha Power Yoga Readers’ Choice: One Tree Yoga Readers’ Recommend: Karma Yoga Readers’ Recommend: One Fit Readers’ Recommend: YogaMed

BEST THRIFT STORE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Goodwill

AUGUST 2016

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readers’ choice

JUST BECAUSE WE CAN

BLOCK PARTY performing outside

SATCHEL GRANDE Midwest Dilemma AZP

Matt Cox Band Brad Hoshaw

5 cover BFF artists market Food trucks Good times 62nd and Maple 21

FRIDAY SEPT. 2 readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choice

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AUGUST 2016

BEST PROFESSIONAL & HEALTH SERVICES

BEST COSMETIC SURGERY PRACTICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Skin Specialists Readers’ Choice: Dr. Finkle Readers’ Refer: Aesthetic Surgical Images

BEST ATTORNEY- CRIMINAL DEFENSE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: James Martin Davis Readers’ Choice: Petersen Law Readers’ Recommend: Sara Mooney Readers’ Recommend: Steve Delaney Readers’ Refer: Knowles Law Firm Readers’ Refer: Welch Law

BEST COUNSELING CLINIC Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Associated Counseling Professionals Readers’ Choice: Alliance Readers’ Choice: Omaha Integrative Care Readers’ Choice: Reliable Rock Readers’ Refer: Boystown Center for Behavior Health Readers’ Refer: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

BEST ATTORNEY- DIVORCE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Koenig|Dunne Divorce Law Readers’ Choice: McGill Law Readers’ Choice: Pat Campagna Readers’ Choice: Petersen Law Readers’ Refer: Elizabeth Borchers Readers’ Refer: Matt Saathoff

BEST CREDIT UNION Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Centris Federal Credit Union Readers’ Choice: Metro Federal Credit Union Readers’ Choice: Mutual 1st Federal Readers’ Choice: SAC Federal Credit Union Readers’ Refer: Aliant Readers’ Refer: Bakers Federal Credit Union

BEST ATTORNEY- DUI Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Petersen Law Readers’ Choice: Jason Troia Readers’ Choice: Kevin Ryan Readers’ Recommend: Knowles Law Firm Readers’ Refer: John Velasquez Readers’ Refer: Matt Saathoff

BEST DENTIST OFFICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Tooth Doc - Dr. Marty Matz Readers’ Choice: Premier Dental Readers’ Recommend: Ohana Smiles Readers’ Recommend: Summit Dental Readers’ Refer: Grant Dental Readers’ Refer: Rich Fitzgerald

BEST ATTORNEY- PERSONAL INJURY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Knowles Law Firm Readers’ Choice: Lathrop Readers’ Choice: Petersen Law Readers’ Refer: Dave Christensen Readers’ Refer: Matt Saathoff Readers’ Refer: McGill Law

BEST DERMATOLOGY CLINIC Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Skin Specialists Readers’ Choice: Midwest Dermatology Readers’ Refer: Advanced Dermatology of the Midlands Readers’ Refer: Center of Dermatology Readers’ Refer: Fontenelle

BEST BANK Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: First National Bank Readers’ Choice: US Bank Readers’ Recommend: American National Bank Readers’ Recommend: Pinnacle Readers’ Refer: Bank Of the West Readers’ Refer: Great Western Bank BEST CHIROPRACTIC PRACTICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Godfrey Natural Chiropractic Readers’ Recommend: Core Chiropractic Readers’ Recommend: Hauser Chiropractic Readers’ Recommend: Omaha Chiropractic Associates Readers’ Recommend: Schmitt Chiropractic Readers’ Refer: Body in Motion Chiropractic Clinic, PC BEST COSMETIC DENTIST Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: The Tooth Doc - Dr. Marty Matz Readers’ Choice: Premier Dental Readers’ Recommend: Dr. Hubble Reichert Readers’ Recommend: Greder Dental Readers’ Recommend: Sheehan Readers’ Refer: Anding Dental BEST COSMETIC PRACTICE – NONINVASIVE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Skin Specialists Readers’ Choice: Premier Dental Readers’ Refer: The Tooth Doc - Dr. Marty Matz

AUGUST 2016

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readers’ choice

BEST FINANCIAL ADVISOR OFFICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Edward Jones Readers’ Choice: Callahan Financial Planning Readers’ Recommend: Northwestern Mutual Readers’ Recommend: Terry Headley Financial Readers’ Recommend: Vintage Financial Group Readers’ Refer: Bridge’s Investment BEST HEALTH CLINIC Readers’ Choice: Boystown Readers’ Choice: CHI Health Clinic Readers’ Choice: Methodist Physicians Clinic Readers’ Refer: Nebraska Medicine Readers’ Refer: Olsen Center for Women’s Health at UNMC Readers’ Refer: Think Whole Person Health Care BEST HOSPITAL Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: University of Nebraska Medicine Readers’ Choice: Methodist Hospital Readers’ Choice: Methodist Women’s Hospital Readers’ Recommend: Bergan Mercy Readers’ Recommend: CHI Health Readers’ Recommend: Lakeside BEST INSURANCE AGENCY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: State Farm Readers’ Recommend: All State Readers’ Recommend: Farmers Readers’ Recommend: InSource Readers’ Refer: AAA Insurance Readers’ Refer: Eagle Strategies

6056 Maple Street www.pizzashoppecollective.com THANK YOU, OMAHA! WE ARE HONORED TO SERVE YOU FOR THE LAST 21 YEARS. COME SEE US IN THE HEART OF BENSON! readersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; choice

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AUGUST 2016

BEST LASIK CENTER Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Omaha Eye and Laser Readers’ Choice: Kugler Readers’ Refer: LasikPlus Vision Center BEST LONG TERM CARE FACILITY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Hillcrest Health Services Readers’ Recommend: Brookstone Readers’ Refer: Brighton Gardens Readers’ Refer: Montclair BEST MASSAGE THERAPY PRACTICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Bella Dea Day Spa Readers’ Choice: Creative Hair Design Readers’ Choice: The Healing Place Readers’ Recommend: Oasis Readers’ Refer: Avant Salon & Day Spa Readers’ Refer: Bellissimo

MELVIN BRAY Better: Waking Up to Who We Could Be

BEST OB/GYN PRACTICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Olsen Center for Women’s Health at UNMC Readers’ Choice: Associate in Women’s Health - Dr Gema Simmons Readers’ Choice: MidCity OBGYN Readers’ Refer: Dr. Gina Harper Harrison Readers’ Refer: Dr. Heather Taggart Readers’ Refer: Omaha OBGYN

Thursday, August 25 7 PM What if the world we have—with its racism, sexism, heterosexism and other hatreds—is exactly the world people of faith stories into existence with the hostile faith stories we tell? What if we could change the world by telling better stories? In his forthcoming book, Better, Bray explores what it means for people of faith to join in seeking sustainable, cooperative and courageous answers to the problems of our time.

BEST OPTICAL STORE (EYEWEAR STORE) Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Lenscrafters Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Malbar Vision Center Readers’ Choice: For Your Eyes Only Readers’ Recommend: Target Readers’ Recommend: Tiburon Family Eyecare Readers’ Refer: Advanced Family Eyecare

PRECIOUS DAVIS Who Do You Say That I Am? Performance Artist. Diversity Educator. First transgender bride on Say Yes to the Dress. White House Emerging Black LGBTQ Leader Thursday 7 PM September 15 Countryside Community Church –8787 Pacific Street (The Christian Partner of the TriFaith Initiative) $10/$5 students. Group discounts available 402-391-0350 kellyk@countrysideucc.org www.centerforfaithstudies.org Click on CFS events for links to register

AUGUST 2016

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readers’ choice

BEST OPTICIAN Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Invisions Optical Readers’ Choice: Eyecare West - Dr. Heidi Lichtenberg Readers’ Recommend: For Your Eyes Only Readers’ Recommend: Tiburon Family Eyecare Readers’ Refer: Arkfeld Readers’ Refer: Bellevue Eye Care BEST ORTHODONTIST OFFICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Igel Orthodontics Readers’ Choice: AllClear Orthodontics Readers’ Choice: Premier Dental Readers’ Refer: Braces Omaha - Dr. Clarke Stevens Readers’ Refer: Dr. Longo Readers’ Refer: Dr. McIntyre BEST PEDIATRIC PRACTICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Children’s Physicians Readers’ Choice: Boystown Readers’ Choice: Village Pointe Pediatrics Readers’ Recommend: Dr. Whitcomb Readers’ Refer: Childrens Clinic BEST PHARMACY Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Walgreen’s Readers’ Choice: Hy-Vee Readers’ Recommend: Elmwood Pharmacy Readers’ Recommend: Kohll’s Drug Readers’ Refer: HyVee Readers’ Refer: Kmart 50th & L BEST PHYSICAL THERAPY/OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY PRACTICE Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Makovicka Readers’ Choice: Bellevue Physical Therapy Associates Readers’ Choice: Excel Readers’ Refer: Essentials Family Chiropractic Readers’ Refer: Specialized Physical Therapy Readers’ Refer: Think Whole Person Health Care BEST VETERINARY CLINIC Readers’ Choice Best of the Big O: Mobile Animal Clinic Readers’ Recommend: 24th Street Animal Clinic Readers’ Recommend: American Animal Hospital Readers’ Recommend: Benson Animal Clinic Readers’ Recommend: Best Care Animal Hospital Readers’ Recommend: Northwest Animal Hospital

The EAB: What You Can Do to Help

ou’ve been warned about it coming for months, and the news isn’t good. Unfortunately, it’s here. In April, the presence of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) was confirmed in a South Omaha park. It’s estimated that the metallic green Asian beetle, accidentally introduced into the United States, will kill more than 66,000 ash trees in Omaha’s residential sector, cityowned right of way and maintained park areas during the next decade. Diana Failla, president of the Midtown Neighborhood Alliance and founder of the Urban Bird & Nature Alliance, said this low estimate doesn’t include ash trees located on school, church and hospital properties, other green spaces and forests. The neighborhood advocate, who’s also a certified arborist and master gardener, has been advising neighborhood groups on the issue for more than a year. “Trees provide a host of benefits,” Failla said. “Studies show that patients with a view of trees through their windows heal faster with less complications. Neighborhoods devoid of trees have greater incidences of violence than their green counterparts. A tree-lined street will slow traffic.” In terms of economic benefits, healthy trees can raise the property value of a home by up to $10,000, Failla said. Conversely, property values can decrease by up to $22,000 in neighborhoods with a large and dense canopy of ash trees that will die from EAB. The City of Omaha has developed an EAB response plan that includes a team of new city employees dedicated exclusively ash tree removal. What can neighborhood groups do to augment the city’s EAB efforts? Failla suggests the following: l Help identify the ash trees in your neighborhood, including those on school and church properties. “Wrapping ash trees with a green ribbon designed to raise awareness of the EAB issue is a great neighborhood project and creates a powerful visual image of the potential tree loss our city is facing,” Failla said.

trees throughout Omaha during the past two years. This fall, the group will be wrapping trees in North and South Omaha where some of the city’s oldest ash trees are located. The wrapping will be followed by a trolley tour so neighbors, elected leaders and other decision makers can get a sense of the magnitude of the loss. For those who want to talk with an EAB expert in person, ONE Omaha will host a free EAB information session Saturday, Aug. 20, from 10:00am to 12:30pm at the Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center on the University of Nebraska at Omaha campus. The session will be facilitated by Failla and Graham Herbst, a community forester specialist with the Nebraska Forest Service.

Diana Failla, founder of the Urban Bird & Nature Alliance, encourages groups to wrap ash trees in their neighborhoods. The alliance has wrapped more than 1,500 trees throughout Omaha during the past two years and will concentrate on wrapping trees in North and South Omaha this fall.

l Invite an EAB expert to your next neighborhood association meeting so your group can make informed decisions. If you live in an area that’s not

The Urban Bird & Nature Alliance, a nonprofit that works to conserve and restore nature in Omaha’s urban environment, has wrapped more than 1,500

represented by an association, contact ONE Omaha at julie.smith@oneomaha. org to help you start one. l Advocate at the city and state level for funding to address the removal, disposal and replacement of ash trees. l Collaborate with those around you. “School grounds are particularly vulnerable if there are dangerous and brittle ash trees present,” she said. “Neighborhoods should collaborate with their local schools and churches to pool their efforts regarding the removal and replacement of trees.” l Plant, plant, plant. “We need to start planting new trees in the understory of our existing ash trees so the new ones become established before the ash trees die,” Failla said.

ONE Omaha, a public-private initiative founded in 2015, is dedicated to actively facilitating the development of neighborhoods in the City of Omaha through communication, education and advocacy. Nebraskans for Civic Reform serves as its fiscal agent. For more info, visit www.oneomaha.org

For more information about the EAB, visit www.eabne.info. For more information about the city’s EAB response plan, visit http://mayors-office.cityofomaha. org/city-news/241-emerald-ash-borerthreatens-thousands-of-trees. For more information about the Urban Bird & Nature Alliance, visit www.theurbanbirdandnaturealliance.com.

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AUGUST 2016

Aksarben

Village

THE MAKERY a local crafting studio 120th and Center - Omaha

AUGUST 2016

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www.themakeryomaha.com

EXHIBIT Aug. 6, 7 and Aug.13,14

HOMAGE

Bancroft Street Market 10th and Bancroft noon to 4 p.m. bancroftstreetmarket.com Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no surprise to see that artist, instructor, and writer Eddith Buis has amassed as many friends as she has. As a 39-year veteran art teacher for Omaha Public Schools and Metropolitan Community College and a longtime artist, Buis has become well known for her work across multiple mediums. You may have come across her earlier concrete or clay sculptures or one of the figures of the J. Doe Public Art project she initiated back in 2001. More recently she may have been spotted drawing at Omaha theatre and dance events to improve her skills as a draftswoman and to record moments for these artists. These drawings became the inspiration for her linocut print work and the watercolors on display in her latest solo exhibition, Homage, at the Bancroft Street Market Gallery. Appropriately named, this exhibition pays tribute to the many friends Buis has met along her journey and honors these subjects in their respective artistic fields. Omaha painter Kristin Pluhacek and photographer Monte Kruse are just two of the more than 50 featured in the exhibit. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Melinda Kozel

EDDITH BUIS PHOTOGRAPHED BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

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AUGUST 2016

Friday, Aug. 5 NEW GENERATION MUSIC FESTIVAL Stinson Park 2285 S. 67th St. 3 p.m., $18.55 facebook.com/NGMFestival The first ever New Generation Music Festival will happen in Omaha this August and will feature a wide range of music and musicians. Whether you like folk, metal or rap (or all three), your thirst for good, local music will be quenched at this show. The featured performers are mostly local upcoming artists, including our own contributor TKO. Local vendors and businesses will also be at the festival and a full bar will be available, not to mention giveaways and family activities. If you’re looking for a show that will give you more bang for your buck, this show is an absolute must. — Tara Spencer

Saturday-Sunday, Aug. 6-7 PUPS ON THE PATIO Spin! Neapolitan Pizza 248 Olson Drive 11 a.m.-4 p.m., $32.64 SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza is hosting their second annual Pups on the Patio. This event is a way to honor your loyal best friend and to give back to a local rescue. Muddy Paws is a foster-based rescue in the Omaha Metro area. You and your dog will enjoy plenty of treats during your reservation on the patio. It is all about spoiling your loveable furry friend, they will have a pizza cookie, puppy beer, and a doggy bag full of treats. Humans will receive a drink voucher and happy hour pricing on the menu. In addition, a groomer will be clipping dog’s nails for free. SPIN! wants participants to remember, each ticket is for one dog only. — Mara Wilson Through Friday, Aug. 12 JANE BOOTH: SHEDDING LIGHT Anderson O’Brien Fine Art 1108 Jackson St. aobfineart.com

‘ELOQUENCE IN STONE,’ BY SORA KIMBERLAIN

AUGUST 2016

You might need your shades to view the vivid bright paintings of Kansas artist Jane Booth, now on view at Anderson O’Brien Fine Art. Her preference for saturated color poured and stained into unprimed canvases results in abstract compositions with the feel of largescale watercolors. The addition of gold pigment in several works gives them additional pop under the intensity of gallery lighting. A set of minimally worked paintings in inky shades of grisaille, white and gold provide a contrast to the density of other vibrantly colored canvases. Booth claims both the formal qualities of abstract expressionism and the sweep of the plains landscape as her inspirations. In the context of Omaha’s seasonal hothouse, it is not difficult to see them radiating the heat of the summer sun. — Janet L. Farber

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VOLBEAT

KATIE TEMPLE

Through Aug. 26 ELOQUENCE IN STONE Modern Arts Midtown 36th and Dodge streets Opens Friday, Aug. 5, 6-8 p.m. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. modernartsmidtown.com Sora Kimberlain’s sculptures are not only inspired by the human form, but their creation is attached to a very personal history. Each piece of stone is carefully selected from the quarry of its origin and then studied to determine the form inside that’s destined to come out. Her newest solo exhibition, Eloquence in Stone: Pulling the Energy from the Inside Out, To Reflect the Voice of the Stone, represents the lives she has created from stone over the past five years. The anthropomorphic personality of each piece is described by amorphic lines and shapes; and upon circling the piece, each vantage point delivers a unique form. The abstract quality highlights the peculiarities of the stone and reveals the story of its life. — Melinda Kozel

Saturday, Aug. 27 PLAYING WITH FIRE SERIES Midtown Crossing Turner Park 3110 Farnam St. 4:30 p.m., free (accepting donations) playingwithfireomaha.net

talent beyond his years, based off his unique vocals and skill with the guitar. He first played at a bar in Lincoln at the age of 13 and has learned from some of the best musicians in this area. The Levi William band, which won the 2012 Nebraska Blues Challenge and traveled to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge, is comprised of Brian Farr and Josh Topolski. Headlining the concert is The Playing with Fire (PwF) series is Walter Trout, a man who battled liver failback for round two, with Steve Hill, Levi ure and survived a lifesaving transplant William, BluesEd band The Redwoods, in Omaha at the University 2014. Trout and headliner Walter Trout. This conrequested PwF to produce this particular cert is in support of Donate Life Neconcert series to support organ donor braska, an organization that motivates awareness. As far as Trout’s talent, he has Nebraskans to sign up on the Nebraska had multiple nominations and awards, Donor Registry and provides hope WALTER TROUT including the 2016 Blues Music Award for to those on the waiting list for a lifeRock Blues Album: Battle Scars and Song saving organ transplant. Steve Hill is an extraordinary, multiple award-winning, one-man band. Hill performs of the Year for “Gonna Live Again.” The artists will still on stage by singing and playing guitar, with a drumstick be rocking after the show at the AfterBurn JAM, hosted attached to the head of it so he can strike percussions by BluesED at Cantina Laredo. Enjoy the last few beautiwithin reach, while his feet play other instruments such ful nights of summer and attend this concert for a great as the bass and snare drum. Levi William is said to have cause. — Mara Wilson

Friday, Aug.19 89.7 RIVER RIOT Westfair Amphitheater 22984 US-6, Council Bluffs 11 a.m., $10, 897theriver.com

KEVIN SECONDS

If you attended 89.7’s Rockfest this year and you still want more, you have the chance to continue your rock session. The rocking lineup includes: Volbeat, Killswitch Engage, Sick Puppies, Hatebreed, Sevendust, Walls of Jericho, Holy White Hounds, Crobot, Westfield Massacre, and Bloodcow. Tickets are $10, but the price will be going up Aug. 1 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster. New this year is the VIP Ticket. $160 gets you a River Riot 3D collector’s ticket, VIP parking, VIP entrance with early entry, private restrooms, private bar, a steak dinner, three drink tickets, a preferred viewing area, and a limited edition River Riot T-Shirt. 89.7 reminds all participants to double check with their friends to see who they can carpool with to this event to help alleviate traffic. Carpool, carpool, and oh, yeah…carpool! Say your farewells to summer concerts and gorgeous days and nights spent outside with this all-day concert event. — Mara Wilson Wednesday, Aug. 24 KEVIN SECONDS & STEVE SOTO Brothers Lounge 3812 Farnam St. 9 p.m., brothersloungeomaha.com Posers, conformists and sell-outs beware! Kevin Seconds (7 Seconds) and Steve Soto (Adolescents) are coming to up da punx this month at the Blackstone district’s favorite little dive. Wielding a pair of acoustic axes, the legendary punkers will be sharing the Brothers Lounge stage with their respective styles of rogue folk: Seconds in support of his 2014 solo release Off Stockton and Soto in support of his 2016 solo release Songs About Girls and Earthquakes. If you’re really lucky, Seconds might convert a few hardcore oldies to acoustic slow jams. Just don’t buy the straightedge a drink. — James Walmsley

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AUGUST 2016

Friday, Sept. 2 BENSON’S FIRST FRIDAY FEMME FEST Benson Neighborhood 62nd and Maple streets 6:30 p.m., $10 waitingroomlounge.com All my favorite “fs” (mostly), in one title. Benson’s second celebration of local women in music isn’t until September, but you’d better start planning now because deciding which acts to go see will be tough. Plus, with eight venues participating this year, you’ll have more than enough to choose from. Best of all, if you’re disappointed because you aren’t 21 and you’re worried you’ll miss out, don’t be. You are welcome to go see the all-ages shows at The Waiting Room and The Pizza Shoppe Collective. Celebrate the women who help make our music scene thrive while you have the chance to see them all in one night. — Tara Spencer

‘MONKEY PAW’ BY KIM DARLING

Friday, Aug. 26 REMEMBERING TOM RUDLOFF The River Inn Resort 72898 648 A Ave. The Antiquarium Bookstore 309 Water St., Brownville 5 p.m., Free

A WORK BY STEPHEN CORNELIUS ROBERTS

Through Sunday, Aug. 28 SENSE OF HOME Michael Phipps Gallery W. Dale Clark Library 215 S. 15th St. omahalibrary.org

Through Sept. 18 STEPHEN CORNELIUS ROBERTS Garden of the Zodiac Gallery 1042 Howard St. Opens Thursday, Aug. 4, 7- 9 p.m. Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: noon-8 p.m. Sunday: noon -6 p.m. movinggallery.net

The Michael Phipps Gallery in downtown’s W. Dale Clark Library is currently featuring Sense of Home, the solo exhibition of Katie Temple. Curated by Alex Priest, the exhibition combines multiple iterations and drawings of places Temple has lived, ultimately searching for the moment a place becomes a home. Through archetypes of dormitories, apartment complexes, townhouses, and houses she explores how moving from place to place affects her sense of being and belonging. For Temple, “the meaning of home is a way of organizing and understanding the space within ourselves—we create meaningful, authentic connections to the places we live.” Temple grew up on a farm in rural Ohio. She received her BFA in Three-Dimensional studies from Bowling Green State University, Ohio in 2010 and relocated to Montana to achieve her MFA in Ceramics from Montana State University. During her time in Montana, Katie taught in the Foundations and Ceramics Department for three years. Her work has been featured in various national exhibitions, including being selected for the National Council on Education for the Ceramics Arts sponsored exhibition “NCECA National Juried Student Exhibition” in Seattle, Washington in 2012. In 2015, she moved to Omaha and now teaches art to at-risk youth in North and South Omaha. — Michael J. Krainak

The Moving Gallery is pleased to announce a significant exhibition of realist portraits and nudes by Stephen Cornelius Roberts. The Figure: Paintings, Drawings and Studies is the Roberts’ first solo exhibition in Omaha in two decades. Known for his exceptionally detailed portraits, Roberts paints in a combination of oil and acrylic or draws using pastel and Conté crayon to capture his rigid representation of truth in the individuals posed in the studio or presented in a narrative context. His audience is captivated by the skill of the artist and the intensity of the model’s conduct. Regarding his nude subjects, there is this same intensity, but in the distinct beauty of the human physique. Roberts, an Omaha native born in 1952, received his BFA from UNO and became a full-time artist in 1979. Since 1990 Roberts has been represented by the Allan Stone Gallery in New York City. This show emphasizes new works in addition to pieces that have not been in public viewing for many years. — Mara Wilson

AUGUST 2016

Darger HQ will host a warm welcome for some cool commentators with the opening of its latest artistic pairing, pas gentil, featuring the work of Kim Darling and Jean-François Leboeuf. As indicated by the show’s title pas gentil — French for ‘not nice’ — it promises a bit of a pointed critique of Nebraska’s allegedly high and oft-promoted friendliness quotient, as well as calling out broader political and social issues. Darling, aka Kim Reid Kuhn, is well known to local audiences for her wryly humorous critiques of political, gender, religious and social norms embedded in a rangy assortment of adapted icons that appear in paintings, sculpture and other media. Leboeuf, a Montreal-based multimedia artist, draws on the culture of punk and junk and favors an outsider’s view of what might be considered mainstream. His meticulousness of his large-scale drawings stands in contrast to the unpolished characters that inhabit them. The exhibition reception on Aug. 13, begins at 6:00 p.m. with a talk by both artists, followed by a collaborative performance at 8:00 p.m. — Janet L. Farber Through Thursday, Oct. 29 ANACRONÍAS/ANACHRONISMS 1984 – 2015 El Museo Latino, 4701 S. 25th St., elmuseolatino.org

Friends and family of Tom Rudloff will honor his remarkable life in a casual gathering in two locations in Brownville; the River Inn Resort — where Tom worked as host — and The Antiquarium Bookstore and Bill Farmer Gallery, his business, home, bookstore, abbey, ashram , wunderkammer and art center that was a refuge for so many over the decades. Expect a celebration of radical egalitarianism, inclusiveness and that special spirit of wonder and discovery that made Tom Rudloff ’s Antiquarium a singularly welcoming space before his passing on May 29. Email Jme Cavanaugh at cavanaughlawfirm@aol.com to learn more. — David Williams

Through October 9 PAS GENTIL Darger HQ, 1804 Vinton Street Opens Saturday, Aug. 13, dargerhq.org

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El Museo Latino continues its run of Anacronías/Anachronisms 1984 – 2015, the contemporary photography exhibition by Ygnacio Rivero. Anachronisms are things belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists. A selection of 30 black and white and color photographs taken by Rivero between 1984 and 2015 will be presented in this exhibit. This exhibit is examining the passage of time as Rivero remembers the images from the past and looks at them in a new way. El Museo Latino, the only Latino art and history museum in Nebraska, is open year-round and presents permanent work and temporary exhibitions. The museum also holds educational programs and new for 2016 on Third Thursdays. This is an evening which will feature exhibition openings, special programs, music, food, drinks, and will have a different theme each month. Rivero’s exhibition will feature one such art opening and gallery talk. — Mara Wilson

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HEALTHY KIDS

CARNIVAL

Saturday, August 6, 2016

 

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Boys Town National Research Hospital 139th and Pacific Street



Bring your kids to an afternoon of jumping, moving and grooving with fun games and hands-on activities about health and nutrition.

 

GRAND PRIZE

Youth Bike and Bike Gear! Additional prizes every hour!

FREE!

Carnival includes: • Bounce Houses • Obstacle Course • Basketball Station • Fitness Demonstrations • Face Painting • Healthy Snacks • Giveaways at Every Booth!

L THE HITS

#1 FOR AL

OMAHA’S #1 FOR NEW COUNTRY

BOYS TOWN

National Research Hospital

FREE WORKSHOP ®

GET FOUND ON GOOGLE SEARCH AND MAPS

Want to get found on Google Search and Maps? This presentation introduces Google My Business, a free tool to manage your business information across Google. It’s the easiest way to help your business be found online.

AUG. 23, 11 A.M.

Pizza West, 12301 W. Maple Road

BoysTownHospital.org

RSVP

gybo.com/ne/omaha/upcoming-events | THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

CULTURE

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;younggun:

Sixteen-yearold Elkhorn resident Ciara Fortun, a junior at Concordia High School, has been fascinated with style since early childhood.

AUGUST 2016

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culture

risingstar T

he private doodles Ciara Fortun used to make have evolved into working sketches for collections she now produces for Omaha Fashion Week shows. After debuting at OFW with a formal women’s wear show in March, she’s unveiling a new collection of dresses inspired by her Filipino heritage in August. The 16-year-old Elkhorn resident and junior at Concordia High School has been fascinated with style since early childhood. But it wasn’t until attending her first Fashion Week in 2015 that she realized living in flyover country was no barrier to doing something in fashion. She attended Omaha Fashion Camp and got inspired by industry professionals working as designers, models, creative directors, stylists and photographers. That led her to sketch out a collection. The designs variously drew on Audrey Hepburn, The Golden Age of Hollywood and Art Deco. Fortun’s tastes run to refined and vintage in apparel and music. She often listens to classic jazz while working. Regarding her personal sense of style, she said, “It evolves all the time. I may look completely different day to day. Today, I’m wearing overalls, but tomorrow I may be wearing heels and a pencil skirt. I’m kind of minimalistic with everything. I don’t like a bunch of patterns. It’s pretty clean, pretty simple,” she said from her second-story home workroom. The space is filled with sketches, magazine spreads, inspirational words, a tailor’s dummy draped by a tape measure, a sewing machine, clumps of fabric and a wardrobe rack filled with her handiwork. She waited until “the last day” to submit her designs and then only after her parents’ gentle prodding. Upon being selected to interview she faced a panel of five adults who critiqued her work and asked about aesthetics and aspirations. It was intimidating. She said she learned “you have to really know what your personal style is before you can make something because then you know what your foundation is with fashion.”

Teen Designer Ciara Fortun Mines Her Filipino Heritage in Omaha Fashion Week Collection STORY BY LEO ADAM BIGA

She waited two excruciating weeks before getting word she made the cut as an invited OFW designer. And that’s when reality set. She had to create a wearable, runway-ready collection in four months. The family project involved her parents and younger sister, but Ciara and her father Luis Fortun did most of it together. Though neither has formal training, they have genetics on their side. Ciara’s paternal grandmother is from the Philippines, where she sewed. An aunt was a master seamstress and a great-grandfather a master tailor. Ciara’s

steeped in stories about her ancestral homeland. Between calling on ancestral skills, watching YouTube how-to videos and “Project Runway” episodes and sounding out OFW staff, this father-daughter combo figured things out through “lots of trial and error,” Ciara said. A GoFundMe campaign helped with buying materials. She agonized getting every last detail right, but her dad reminded her, “They’re not looking for perfection, they’re looking for confidence.” Ciara said the finished dresses ended up “a lot different than what we had on paper. We did a lot of tweaking.” “On the fly,” added Luis.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

“I was unsure about a lot of stuff,” Ciara said, “but then we just went for it. By rack check I was terrified. I was like, ‘What if they don’t like any of the stuff and the changes I made?’ But they were really good about that. They care more about what you feel was the right choice than what will sell. It turned out well,” During the process, OFW consultants made suggestions and Luis said, “We took most of the suggestions but some we didn’t, and they were actually very complimentary about that, saying it shows Ciara’s okay standing by her own decisions. I was very proud of her.” Dealing with adults has taught Ciara the importance “of being able to hold a conversation” and articulate her vision. “It’s caused me to step out of my comfort zone to share what my heart is,” she said. “It’s great to be pushed to share what you love. It all has a risk factor, but you just have to stick to what you know and love. It’s been a really good growing experience, especially in a supportive setting.” “Watching her grow through the whole process has been very encouraging — just taking responsibility for all the things,” said her father. Getting the collection done in time came down to the wire and meant pulling some all-nighters. The Fortuns were pleasantly surprised by how accessible OFW staff were in answering questions and providing assistance. “You can go talk to them if you need help with something,” Ciara said. “The thing about Omaha Fashion Week is that everyone there is really supportive of the younger generation. They want to bring you through this and show you different steps of making a collection and a brand.” She’s found big sisters and kindred spirits in designers Buf Reynolds and Sabrina Jones. “They’re really inspiring. I see them as mentors and people I can look up to.” As a father pressed into duty as a dressmaking production director, Luis Futon appreciates the help OFW provides. continued on page 48y

culture

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the iconic classical ballet

S wa n L ak e OCTOBER 22, 2016 ORPHEUM THEATER TICKETOMAHA.COM 402-345-0606

“They do a really good job of framing out major milestones you have to reach in terms of salon, music, model call, rack check. They just don’t say, okay, we’ll see you in four months. They give you guidance. It’s very structured. They kind of walk you through the whole thing and give a lot of pointers and insight.” Ciara’s fall collection featured highly structured, muted dresses using neoprene. Her work was well received by patrons and judges at the Omaha Design Center. Her models walked to “Forever Mine” by Andra Day and “New York New York” by DJ Cam Quartet. By winning her night in March, she earned a $500 prize. In true entrepreneurial spirit, she plowed it right back into buying fabric. She’s discovered what all fashion designers here learn — you must look outside Nebraska for the best fabric and pay a premium for it. Her new collection, for spring-summer, is lighter, brighter and more flowing in its col-

ored satins. Besides the accent on color, another nod to her Filipino lineage is the incorporation of capiz shells. She may study art in college to keep her creative options open. “I’m still trying to figure out things.” If she pursues a fashion career, it helps that OFW has her back. “It’s a really good community we’ve found. If we lived in New York, it wouldn’t be that way. It’s really cool being part of this unique group that get me.” Fortun, who creates under her Noelle Designs label, is among 27 designers showing during the Aug. 22-27 Fashion Week. Her collection hits the runway Aug. 23. ,

For schedule and tickets, visit omahafashionweek.com. Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.com.

Bicycle Friendly Destinations Bike racks and fist bumps

The concept is simple: people who bicycle love those who support them. Whether you offer a discount to those who ride in, provide showers for your employees, or just give a smile and a fist bump when someone rides in, we want to tell everyone about you! Businesses, employers, and property managers are partnering with Omaha Bikes to get more folks out riding and we love them for it.

Does this sound like your somewhere you know?

If you want to be added to our list, email us at bfd@omahabikes.org with why you are bike friendly and we’ll get in touch with the next steps.

What do you get out of it?

Aside from bicyclists flocking to your door, you’ll get a sticker for your window/ door with your score, listed on our website, and free promotion of your destination via our email newsletter, social media, and/or space in our monthly ad in The Reader!

bfd@omahabikes.org

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AUGUST 2016

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culture

omahabikes.org\perks

LIGHTINGTHEWAY

‘sunworshippers:

greenscene

Andrew Baruth of Creighton (front) with a few of his students show off some of their solor panel projects.

BY CHERIL LEE

DEBRA S. KAPLAN

n 2010, Creighton University contracted out to have four individual solar arrays installed around campus. Dr. Andrew Baruth, assistant professor of physics at Creighton University, explained the arrays came about thanks to the direct efforts of Dr. Michael Cherney, now an emeritus professor at Creighton. “In conversation, he learned of money that was available through the U.S. Department of Energy as part of a stimulus package that could potentially go to fund something like this,” said Baruth. Cherney wrote a grant to the Department of Energy to fund all the renewable energy projects on campus, which ended up being a $1.14 million stimulus package that came to Creighton. “And he did that in tandem with OPPD, who also funded another $250,000 that went to a few wind turbines on campus, installation of a geothermal unit and some of the photovoltaic systems,” Baruth said. Dean Mueller, retired division manager-Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship for OPPD, said they wanted to be involved with the university and also wanted to gain some real-world experience with solar. “This was the early days of the technology so stepping up to help with their efforts allowed them to help us as well, Mueller said. “This really was a win-win.” The array that’s on top of Creighton’s Kiewit Fitness Center (next to the student union) has panels that were integrated right into the roof so you don’t really notice it’s there. That particular system produces 20.5 kilowatts (kw). “The roof on the fitness center didn’t need to be changed to accommodate the solar panels. These panels are made of a flexible laminate so you roll it out and it has an adhesive on the back. We have a flat roof, so we could basically peel and stick the panels on,” explained Baruth. There are 143 laminate panels on Kiewit and each one is about 23 square feet. The main solar array is located just south of Cuming Street next to Highway 75 and is a 420-panel, 85 kw array. At the time it was installed in 2010 it was the biggest array in Nebraska but has been overtaken since. Creighton also has two tracking solar arrays, one by the Lied Fine Arts Building and

Today’s Technology, Tomorrow’s Leaders

one that is adjacent to the Cuming Street array. Each one has 16 panels. Baruth said these are both smaller units, generating about 3.4 kw apiece. He said the panels in these two arrays can pivot to actively track the sun throughout the day. There were some challenges Creighton faced when having the arrays installed. One big one was that the Cuming Street array was to be located in an area that had parking spaces for faculty and staff. No one wanted to lose too much parking but Baruth said the design process structured the pole-mounted array so that the university only had to give up two spots. “The pylons that hold up the array are sufficiently small that it sits at the corner of four parking spaces and there’s still adequate parking around them,” he said. “The tradeoff is now we have a lot of covered parking. The panels sit between 12-15 feet off the ground, so you can park right under them. They provide nice shade on a sunny day and keep snow and rain off when the weather’s bad. So it is actually a win-win in that regard,” he said. The two tracker panel arrays are groundmounted and have the flexibility to be mounted anywhere as long as there is solar access.

green scene

The array by the Lied Center is located in some green space and has been integrated with the aesthetic of the building. Baruth said there are some wind turbines located there as well. All the systems are grid-tied, so when one isn’t generating enough energy to offset use in the building, OPPD kicks in with electricity. The solar arrays represent about 2-4% of Creighton’s energy portfolio on any given day. Basically that means their total bill for OPPD is offset by that 2-4% each month. The total output of all of Creighton’s arrays is 120 kw, which produces approximately 220 megawatt hours of energy, enough to power about 40 homes per day. The money Creighton received for the solar arrays dovetailed nicely with a stimulus package into an additional $1.2 million grant for curriculum development. “We wanted to develop a program built around these renewable energy infrastructure items, so the birth of our energy technology program started in the fall of 2011,” said Baruth. Part of that program has students interacting with renewable energy items across campus to include upkeep, power washing and mainte-

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nance. Students are trained to use the scissor lift to access the panels at the Cuming Street array (the one primarily used for student engagement). “From a teaching standpoint, the most interesting thing is how we process that energy. So adjacent to that array we have a small shed we call ‘the dog house’ where all the powerconditioning equipment sits. That’s where students will interact the most with the array because that tends to be where the issues happen [if there are any],” he said. Every fall the week before class starts, Baruth takes about 15 students and runs a retreat. And as part of that, the students spend two days doing maintenance on the solar array. But the students don’t just work with Creighton’s solar panels. A big focus in the energy technology program is design work. Students design systems and create models to see how well they will function at a particular location given the climate and other factors. Then they run a cost analysis. Creighton students have already worked with the Siena Francis House, the Micah House, a few local parochial schools and internationally as well. They are currently helping with a hospital in Nigeria.

AUGUST 2016

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green scene

“These projects are well monitored and student-driven. In general, the faculty decide who we are going to work with and put out calls to nonprofits to see if there’s any interest in seeing what it would cost for them to go solar. Once we identify entities we are going to work with, the students take it all and we watch and make sure things make sense,” he said. Baruth said the goal of the program is to empower students to take away the mystery surrounding renewable energy. He said they’re trying to get rid of the notion that it’s overly difficulty or not cost-effective to use renewables. He said the world looks like it’s going to need leaders in this field. Students in the energy technology program will obtain a degree in sustainable energy science. “We are trying to get that client engagement piece as much as possible,” said Baruth. “We are trying to train those leaders — people who know and understand the science, but who are also trying to get at the nuts and bolts of the economics of the situation and what the public perception is.” , Visit Creighton.edu/ccas/energytechnologyprogramfor additional information.

heartlandhealing HEARTLAND HEALING is a metaphysically-based polemic describing alternatives to conventional methods of healing the body, mind and planet by MICHAEL BRAUNSTEIN. It is provided as information and entertainment, certainly not medical advice. Important to remember and pass on to others: for a weekly dose of Heartland Healing, visit HeartlandHealing.com. .

thebatesmethod L

et’s get one thing straight: We are constantly being deceived. Oh, I don’t mean everyone is a pathological liar or that it’s done intentionally. It’s just that people — especially those in media — are sloppy with words and language. That’s the case with the Vision Council of America. That organization claims that 75 percent of adults use some sort of “vision correction.” Now I don’t have an issue with the number they cite. I’m sure they can validate that by whatever means they use. But they’re talking about how many people wear glasses or contact lenses for vision correction. The truth is that glasses don’t correct your vision. Take ‘em off and see if your vision is any better. In my experience, it’s worse. Relying on chips of glass, however finely ground and lensed, in order to see things, takes the condition of a person’s vision completely out of the loop. When I experimented using reading glasses, I became dependent on them. When I stopped using them, my eyes got better.

Take the Bates

Aldous Huxley was a visionary writer. His Brave New World is a classic vision of a suspect future. Despite his insight as a writer, Huxley was nearly blind by age sixteen. In his book, The Art of Seeing, Huxley wrote “At sixteen I had to depend on Braille for my reading and a guide for my walking. Thanks to [the Bates Method,] I am now wearing no glasses, reading, and all without strain. My vision is about twice as good as it used to be when I wore spectacles, and before I had learned the art of seeing.” The man Huxley thanked was Dr. William H. Bates, an ophthalmologist trained at Cornell University. Bates developed what is known and published as The Bates Method for Better Eyesight Without Glasses, first published as Perfect Sight Without Glasses in 1920. The book is now in the public domain. Bates’ logic is a classic observation of the allopathic medical approach popularized by Western medicine: That is treating symptoms rather than healing. In the case of eyeglasses, it was clear to Bates. Corrective lenses adjust refraction of light but do nothing to heal or correct eye problems. In fact, corrective lenses, in Bates’ opinion and the opinion of many others, actually harmed and interfered with the ability of the eye to correct vision. If you’re lucky enough to be over the age of thirty, you may have experienced a change in your eyesight. It’s common that even by then, the eyes begin to age. The eyes are controlled by muscles in many different ways. These muscles can lose tone just like any other muscle in the body. Vision problems can result.

Seeing Better Naturally BY MICHAEL BRAUNSTEIN

I had a football coach who often said, “Don’t practice mistakes.” I remember that. Glasses are designed to adjust a refractive error of a certain degree. In order for a person to see clearly through glasses or contacts, the eyes actually must return to the error in the first place. Glasses don’t work unless the eye is seeing wrongly first. Bates realized that errors of focus are not constant. The eye changes. The moment one puts on eyeglasses, though, the eye has to automatically adjust to an incorrect position, an unnatural position of focus to accommodate to the glass lens. So, if you woke up in the morning and your eyes worked properly at the moment you arose, you’d be making your eye muscles put your eyes out of focus the minute you put your glasses on! At the least, you would be reinforcing something undesirable: poor eye focus. Bates reasoned that much like a cardiovascular system can improve with regular exercise, eyesight can also. He developed his method and published it in book form. It’s designed as a self-help system so the intervention of a specialist isn’t even required. Note: By no means will Bate’s method solve all eyesight problems. But it has been shown to help correct some focus problems. Some of Bates’ early suggestions are quite controversial (sun-staring) but the modern rewrites of his books have filtered out much of the controversial.

Seeing with Feeling

Bates believed that most vision problems are the result of two primary factors: mental strain and misuse of the muscles that shape the eye for focus. The sets of muscles that control focus and eye movement are referred to as the extrinsic muscles of the eye. Like any muscle, they are affected by stress, tension and fatigue. They can also be trained by misuse and retrained by simple exercises. Good sight is the result of a relaxed state of mind and body. The first key in the Bates Method is learning to relax the muscle. Bates believed that correct seeing is a natural ability and should be done with equally natural ease. It is a mental attitude that serves to relax at first. In Bates’ words, “The eye with normal sight never tries to see.” Bates’ book is available on Amazon.com and is a simple way to improve eyesight. Of course, a glasses salesman will come up with reasons why you should buy a new set of eyes. You decide. Be well. ,

heartland healing

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christopherprinz:

art

(Inset) Prinz’ jagged, metallic throwaways are among the most accomplished pieces in the Bemis exhibit.

AUGUST 2016

hatever else one takes away from Nebraska Rising, a current exhibition of 11 area artists at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, two things are remarkably clear. One, the region is not lacking in a diverse group of artists who, at whatever stage of their career, fly under the radar or out of the limelight. Those artists include: Heron Basset, Mary Elizabeth/Mesonjixx, Phil Hawkins, Roberta Leaverton, Joey Lynch, Liana Owad, Kristae Peterson, Christopher Prinz, Craig Roper, Barbara Simcoe and Michael Villarreal. And two, it’s encouraging for both local artists and viewers to see Bemis Center commit to the above going forward as confirmed by Exhibition Manager Alex Priest, a member of Nebraska Rising’s curatorial team. “With our new Curator-in-Residence Program,” Priest said, “Bemis will continue to take a thoughtful, relevant approach to supporting area artists and playing a crucial role in the local arts community.” The application deadline for this new position is Aug. 29, and the new curator will hit the ground running Jan. 1, 2017, responsible in the coming year for three exhibitions and programs that include both local and national artists. Meanwhile, along with Bemis’ impressive second edition of its Time & Space exhibit subtitled Futures, also on view in Project Space I, 3 and video room, it’s more than “Nebraska Nice” to see significant contemporary art of any kind installed in this venue, especially when the majority of the 2D and 3D works in Rising stand on their own creatively and professionally regardless of or in support of any concept or point of view. A simple but thoughtful walk-through of the Bemis’ space, on the first floor at least, will verify one’s appreciation of original art properly organized and installed. Perhaps someday that sort of experience will be extended to its former Underground which, in the past, further extended the center’s mission of incubation and experimentation, especially with local and regional artists. That said, Nebraska Rising lives up to its show statement that “this exhibition points to a distinctly Nebraska terrain that is vibrant and contemplative.” Curator Priest (also a Reader contributor) interprets the exhibit’s title as “two intersect-

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art

Exhibit Benefits Area Art Landscape in Flux BY MICHAEL J. KRAINAK

ing concepts” that compare the state’s nuanced terrain to the subtleties within the careers and styles of the chosen 11, each elevated to a higher plateau in this exhibition. “There is as much complexity in Nebraska’s human landscape as natural landscape,” he said. “Through examining both the people and places of Nebraska, contemplative and vibrant vignettes rise to the surface.” Nebraska Rising germinated as a sort of perk, a juried exhibition that rewards 11 artists who participated in last year’s Bemis Benefit and Art Auction. Artists that lived within 100

miles of the city were chosen form a pool by Nicole Caruth, a former Bemis artistic director, Ellina Kevorkian, artistic director, residency programs and Priest, who conducted studio visits with the eleven to collaborate on work chosen. As such one can argue that Bemis is doing “the right thing” rewarding artists helping artists, a claim rightfully made by a former director Mark Masuoka on behalf of the annual auction fundraiser that benefits the venue’s vaunted residency program. One can also point out that this exhibit then primes the pump for the next auction this October by keeping such in the minds of its various publics as well as participating artists who will carry the weight. Whether another Nebraska Rising or its ilk comes with the package remains to be seen. But it’s a nice carrot, as it were. And for the most part, this is a worthy exhibition that meets most of its goals as discussed. Can one also infer from its title that it not only raises the bar for a few under-appreciated, overlooked or seldom seen artists, it gives the local art scene a bit of a bump by suggesting

that this group has something new and interesting to offer? If so, then who in this group can we really anticipate to rival the household names in this area who get most of the attention at galleries and art centers of all sorts and often on too regular a basis? And finally, who are the movers and shakers in this exhibit, the rising stars in the firmament or, in this case, on the landscape? If “landscape” is its unifying motif, then Nebraska Rising must admit to casting a wide net in media, style and tone. Photography, sculpture (much of it the real highlight of this exhibit), painting, mixed media, video, assemblage and performance, all compete for attention, in this well-organized installation. Much in this exhibit lives up to its coda, its assertion that its landscape is not only “naturalistic but also physical, domestic or self-created.” Then there is the landscape of the exhibit itself. “I was looking at content connections and aesthetic tendencies that lead viewers from one object to the next,” Priest said, “while maintaining a cohesive and contemplative whole.” Some “connections and aesthetic tendencies” work better than others, and a few artists are more successful individually than by comparison or juxtaposition. Two such examples are the works of multi-media artist Barb Simcoe and painter Kristae Peterson. In spite of occupying a center-stage sightline on the far north wall of Project Space 2, Peterson’s abstract triptych, “My Nebraska Spirit I, II, III,” recedes even further, out-maneuvered by the vibrant Simcoe photography stage-right and especially the dynamic wall sculpture of Hawkins rounding the corner stage-left. Peterson makes a brave attempt with these large works in a newer vein, but her repetitive, painterly noodling or riffing pales in comparison to the above juxtapositions as well as with her more familiar colorful palette ... and thus get lost in this landscape. As for Simcoe’s photo installation, the issue is one of numbers. Her signature photomontages have served her well for over a decade, and it’s a pleasure to see them again, but nine singular examples constitute a virtual solo exhibit, less so a participation in a group show. A triptych of her own would have sufficed to re-introduce or initiate the viewer to her layered continued on page 54 y

joeylynch:

Lynchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s multi-layered prints, paintings and posters have always had a counter-culture appeal to them, embedded as they are with pop, mythical and political figures.

art

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BarbaraSimcoe: The artist’s layered vision of classical and religious myth, memory and contemporary culture from a deeply personal and feminist point of view.

AUGUST 2016

y continued from page 52 vision of classical and religious myth, memory and contemporary culture from a deeply personal and feminist point of view. Nine standalone works simply overwhelm, but take a good look at Simcoe’s “The Truth Too Old to Tell” and “Pantheon” in order to appreciate not only their ethereal beauty but their tone of longing, meditation and symbolic portent. A more successful photographic install looms across the gallery with the dioramic collage of Roberta Leaverton titled “Operation Iraqi Freedom,” whose impact is larger than the sum of its parts. This quite personal, evocative narrative of her deployment in the above was assembled from her journal and a collection of archival material. Though in miniature, these wartime scenarios are not amateurish compositions or stagings, the production values are solid and professional, cleverly placing the viewer in each frame at eye or action-level. The apparent patriotic point-of-view and tone is more complex, however, than one might first imagine. The viewer can’t help but be conflicted as these scenes, while conjuring up patriotism, honor and

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duty, rightly so, may remind some of days playing with toy soldiers in a sort of puppet animation when war and ground combat was only a virtual reality, an innocent game then, perhaps a political game now. The diorama also more than suggests a larger role for women in the military as well as in global leadership in all fields. In sharp contrast to this socio-political scenario, we have the more universal performance and video collaboration of Mary Elizabeth/Mesonjixx and videographer Kelsey Lee. Together, and again with a more feminine point of view, they have created a quite personal and fetching video of a couple’s discord, “Save Her Sheep with Jacoby.” Though their crosscutting “dialogue” is shot with him in color and her in black and white, his rants, ramblings and ravings are diminished in sharp relief to the nuanced shades of gray that punctuate the quiet resolution of her awakening to a brand new day and beginning. As with Leaverton’s work, the images linger longer. So do the screen prints of Joey Lynch as Bemis welcomes back one of the more provocative artists in this area in this medium. Lynch’s multi-layered prints, paintings and posters have always had a counter-culture appeal to them, embedded as they are with pop, mythical and political figures, often appropriated from the media. Then, as with these works in this exhibition, especially “Another Haymarket” and “Assumed Chaos,” he will measure many of them with iconic objects of mass production, destruction and consumption in categories that include modes of communication, entertainment, weaponry and transportation and, at times, text. Nothing seems to be beyond Lynch’s expressive reach and grasp. As successful as the 2D work in Nebraska Rising is, the exhibit truly comes into its own with the 3D entries ... all of them. Whether on the wall, floor or ceiling, they dominate the space they occupy and, in a few cases, redefine it. The most unassuming pieces belong to Craig Roper who is, like Simcoe, a mid-career artist who hasn’t lost his touch or perspective. Particularly his “bundles,” a set of mixed media composed of found materials based on his travels in this region. Roper considers himself an unconventional landscape artist, particularly of the Great Plains. Looking at his strung-up, layered groupings of domestic and industrial materials gathered up like so much detritus, this critic is reminded of something the late Jesuit artist Leland Lubbers once said: “I can tell more about a culture and its people by walking through a garbage dump than on their city streets.” But the most imposing sculptural work here is owned by the remaining five artists who are early in their careers or just emerging. Center stage in the gallery is given to Liane Owad and Heron Bassett, who contrast nicely with their aesthetic.

Owad’s “Un (familiar)” is an all-beige whirligig composed of foam cast from repurposed domestic forms, in this case vintage light fixtures, of all things. Which would explain then why they resemble a revolving, part-ceiling-fan-part-chandelier when activated by a viewer. The aptly named kinetic sculpture is therefore Nebraska (re)sourceful. While Owad’s piece expands its space, Bassett’s “Center” anchors it appropriately between its four pillars. His solid take on a Rubik’s Cube, already solved, is exactly the sum of its individual parts and layers made of wood, brick, concrete and more. While she is all about appropriation and innovation, he is about materialism in the from of structure and architecture. Another interesting contrast in form and materials is offered on the south wall that extends the exhibit into the main hallway. Michael Villarreal’s monochromatic white wall sculptures, resembling window frames, virtually blend or melt into the equally white brick background. Described as “faded memories and object associations,” these are windows into his soul, especially the portentous “When I Was in Vietnam.” Not only are the blinds shut, they are imploding deep within the unconscious. This is some sublime, scary stuff that nightmares are made of. Hovering above Villarreal are the nickel and brass fragments of Prinz’s imagination objectively titled “Ceiling” and “Wall,” as if thrown there by this accomplished industrial designer just to see if they would stick. These jagged, metallic throwaways are among the most accomplished pieces in this exhibit, scrap metal art that suggest those fleeting moments of inspiration, here one moment and gone the next. One caveat: Prinz’s “Ceiling” would benefit from a better spotlight on it and a bit of distance from the surface … as with “Wall” … which would create a similar complementary depth and shadow. Perhaps nothing here surpasses the corner installation of Hawkins for original design and visual impact. His 3D geometric construct of undulating building blocks and pyramids made of painted cardboard doesn’t merely occupy space, it transforms it. What’s more, the icy silver grid, whose surface both reflects and creates light into a prismatic palette, transforms the viewing experience as well. Since the installation is curved, the optical illusion of depth perception increases as one gets closer. As you approach the corner at ground zero, you virtually enter a third dimension, so encompassing is this sensual encounter. Hawkins calls his cosmic environment “Flux,” a fitting metaphor for the entire exhibit, perhaps. It is said that the only constant is change. Nebraska Rising suggests, contrary to another adage, that the area’s creative landscape will not stay the same. ,

RU WAY WR P U

A condom fashion show Part of omaha fashion week benefiting Nebraska AIDS Project

OMAHA DESIGN CENTER

08 26 16 Doors:10pm Show: 10:30pm Ends: 2am

TICKETS STUDENT GA RESERVED VIP

$15 $20 $35 $50

tickets on sale now at www.nap.org 402.552.9260 | info@nap.org | 250 s. 77th st. omaha 68114 | THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

NRG ENERGY CENTER

art

HiddeninPlainSight

AUGUST 2016

hough Omaha is not known nationally for its architecture or built environment, new construction on both fronts appear to be booming, especially within the I480 corridor. Consider such recent developments as The Corvina, Hyatt Place, The Highline 2100, L14 Flat Apartments, The Even Hotel, Gavilon, and Avanti Townhomes. Yet, in spite of this boom some critics have taken to eomahaforums.com to blatantly question, “Why do developers in the Omaha area love to build such bland, boring buildings? All of this high-density development had so much potential. Too bad we love to waste it.” Perhaps now is an opportune time for a rigorous discourse about Omaha’s architecture and a re-evaluation of the built environment before all the vacant lots are filled, historically registered buildings are leveled and more building permits get filed with the city.

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Six Gems Challenge Current Architectural Design in Omaha BY ALEX PRIEST | PHOTOS BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

One might begin with a renewed appreciation for certain examples of exceptional architecture, often hidden in plain sight, which collectively challenge these newer building tendencies and aesthetics. The following six structures are worthy of a second (or first) look. They sit in staunch opposition to the mix-and-match material design happening in and near Omaha’s cultural districts. Through an opinionated evaluation of each building, observations about focused material use and pragmatic design coalesce into precedents for architecture in Omaha.

NRG Energy Center

2152 Howard St. Atop the Howard Street hill near the downtown YMCA a cloud factory is hard at work. Pumping ephemeral vapor into the sky since 1968, the NRG Energy Center Omaha is a

perforated concrete envelope juxtaposing brutalist tendencies with an effervescent mist. It is a simple mineral-grey, seven-story structure with a complex interior and use. According to the Omaha World-Herald, “[NRG Energy Center Omaha’s] downtown Omaha heating and cooling network works like this: Boilers turn water into steam, which is pumped at 400 degrees through pipelines to customers’ buildings. There, heat from the steam flows through the buildings’ ductwork. The steam condenses back to water and returns to the Energy Systems plant at 180 degrees, to be boiled again. For cooling, the plant chills water to 39 degrees and pumps it to the buildings, where heat exchangers send cool air through the ductwork. The water temperature rises to 54 degrees as it returns to the plant for re-chilling.” continued on page 58 y

Connecting communities through art… Saturday, September 17th 10am-5pm Sunday, September 18th 12noon-4pm

Gathering P laces in… • Malvern • Macedonia

• Creston • Corning • Shenandoah • Red Oak • Council Bluffs • Winterset • And other communtities

For more information see

FB/SWIARTTOUR | www.swiarttour.

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

sits in corollary solace to the rest of the micro-domestic spaces. According to church records, in 1959 the convent was “one of five buildings in the state honored by the Nebraska Architects Association. The awards committee chairman noted its ‘forcefulness of design and its unique, yet functional quality. He admired the unusual window placement, dictated by usage of the occupants, and the brick wall of the chapel with its wood lattice design of crosses and small, low-placed, varicolored plastic windows.’” The Saint Peter Cathedral Convent is a secret oasis. Now 58 years later, the nunnery stands as a prime example of restrained architecture in Omaha. OPPD POWERHOUSE SUBSATION 901

Omaha Public Power District Powerhouse Substation 901

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Billowing 24/7, it is hard to ignore this building’s similarities to another misty pavilion by starchitects Diller Scofidio. Their temporary Blur Building was situated near the base of Lake Neuchatel in Yverdon-les-Bains, Switzerland for the Swiss EXPO 2002. Scofidio explains that the Blur Building was “an architecture of atmosphere. Water was not only site and primary material of the building; it is also a culinary pleasure. The public could drink the building.” Architecture-speak aside, both cloudlike buildings move beyond their infrastructure and exoskeletons, being informed by their environments and contexts. As the seasons pass, the building’s silhoutte shrinks and swells, sometimes extending hundreds of feet in the air as the man-made fog condenses into the atmosphere with poetic material restraint.

CITY LOTS

Saint Peter Cathedral Convent

705 S. 28th St. Nearly hidden amongst a complex of ecclesiastical structures, the Saint Peter Cathedral Convent is a rectilinear-gridded building taking cues from Case Study homes of the 1950’s and compact modern masterpieces. Stout in form, this two-story building is now the home to the Seraphic Sisters of Omaha. Form follows function in that the assumed austere lifestyle of the nuns is reflected in a consolidated material palette of taupe bricks and unfinished concrete structural support. However, unique detailing punctuates the east and west façades with a hopscotch window pattern and a sea of vert. Completed in 1958, the fireproof building has the capacity to house 11 nuns and includes a sewing room, “two huge parlors,” and chapel. At the end of a long interior promenade hallway, the chapel is the most awe-inspiring room in the convent. With a stair-cased ceiling and tiny primary colored stained glass windows, the compact space

AUGUST 2016

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505 Marcy St. Color can make or break an architectural project. Take the Hyatt Place in downtown Omaha, whose peculiar beige and brown combination could make even the least design-oriented individual cringe. The OPPD Powerhouse on the other hand, is a group of small industrial steel structures painted a vibrant aqua. The all-over color unifies the structures. Coincidentally, according to a source at the city, there does not appear to be any building codes or direct reasoning behind the color choice. Elevated on eight thin pillars, the two-story window-less structures are the approximate size of either a shipping container or semi-truck trailer. The composite of buildings take cues from other modernist buildings and theories — literally breaking down a box into its most simplistic forms. Reminiscent of Bernard Tschumi’s Parc de la Villette follies (although not the iconic red), the abstract group of buildings sits in almost complete contrast to its surroundings. The site is raw and post-apocalyptic. Next to a CrossFit gym, a dirt road, a patch of untamed wilderness, and other SAINT PETER CATHEDRAL CONVENT

former industrial buildings, these aqua spaceships are dramatically ready for a Stanley Kubrick film. The powerhouse’s shape — while rigid and industrial — continues to be secretive and unclear. In serene opposition to fit in, this space should be a case study for the role of color in architecture in Omaha.

City Lots

1520 Howard St. It is unsurprising that Omaha’s car-centric driving obsession would result in at least a few exceptional parking structures. South of the Orpheum Theater is a tiramisu delight owned by Webster Real Estate. Two stacked sponge cake layers create a gridded, Tetris-like form not unlike the Saint Peter Cathedral Convent. Amazingly paired down and verging on hyperaustere, the City Lots parking garage consumes the Southwest corner of 16th and Howard. Abstracting the obnoxiously postmodern OPPD headquarters across the street, the structure is constructed solely of cast concrete. Looking east, there is an exquisite push and pull of 40 equally shaped voids/fills. There is only truth in the building; truth in form, truth in weight, truth in materiality. With an ornately Baroque theater next door, this simple parking garage gives Omaha’s auto-addiction its fix with a no-nonsense approach to design and an economy of structural satisfaction.

Northwestern Bell Building

1906 Douglas St. Can you see a building with no windows? The Northwestern Bell building located at the corner of 20th and Douglas is certainly pushing that proposition. The monolith is intentionally crazy-severe. Designed to securely house the company’s main Omaha switching sytsem in a stormproof edifice, from street level to the sky there is nothing but a buffet of brick curtain walls. Striated in presumably Illuminati binary code, thin stacks of dark burgundy bricks stripe the otherwise sandy-red building,

which pushes sixteen-stories into the Omaha skyline. Until the Woodman Tower was finalized in 1969, the Northwestern Bell building was the tallest building in Omaha, antenna included. Residing somewhere between postmodern and dystopian, this bi-colored structure purposefully does not give much away, yet through its singular material focus provides an architectural respite between the Old Market brickscapes and Blackstone mishmash. Ignoring context, the building allows its function to supersede with a characteristically omnipresent pattern. Even with a new CenturyLink logo perched at the top, the Northwestern Bell Building proves that dual color and simplistic, yet overall, patterns and forms do not explicitly need to result in material confusion.

NORTHWESTERN BELL BUILDING

art

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City - Omaha Branch 2201 Farnam St.

Marooned on a double city block is a blue stone fortress built in 1986. The 113,000-square-foot Omaha Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City is a bunker plunked amongst a strategic sloping site. In 1986 it was hailed by then-Mayor Boyle as “an important [architectural] asset for the city,” and it was recognized by the Omaha Women’s Chamber of Commerce as one of ten projects that make Omaha a more beautiful city. Designed by Omaha’s HDR, Wayne D. Angell, a then-member of the Federal Reserve Board, called the building “symbolic of the Federal Reserve’s important responsibilities in the financial and business life of the nation and the region in monetary policy, bank supervision and the provision of financial services to depository institutions, the federal government and the public.” A singular material choice blankets everything with an extreme, albeit hefty, minimalist ethos. While massive, the Federal Reserve Bank is also “not there.” It is a chunky architectural ghost, one that is easy to walk or drive by without notice. In conclusion, this is not a conclusion. Architecture is not a passive ingredient to the cityscape of Omaha, and it should not be treated as such. Haphazard approaches to design only re-enforce contemporary anxieties about space and policymaking. Omaha deserves a more thoughrtfully considered built environment. Yet, with Pokémon Go Trainers now traversing Omaha re-discovering their built environment, a renewed appreciation and expectation for the architecture should be right around the corner. Omaha has a lot to appreciate architecturally. Sometimes it is simply hidden in plain sight. ,

FEDERAL RESERVE BANK OF KANSAS CITY - OMAHA BRANCH

art

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

PARAGON IN NEW DUNDEE

eat

newtables

AUGUST 2016

A Fresh Crop of Eateries Vie for Your Appetite BY SARA LOCKE | PHOTOS BY DEBRA S. KAPLAN

n a food-centric city like Omaha, doors are always opening and closing. Coffee shops, ice cream parlors and pizza places are always looking to add their names to the best of the best, and casual dining spots elevate their craft to compete with the most gourmet games in town. The Reader has taken a look at some of the most promising recently opened [and soon-to-open] menus in the area to create a new-to-do list for your summer.

his golden hand upon Dundee to open Pitch Coal Fired Pizza, which he owned from 2008 to 2012. Paragon, his newest local venture, occupies the space formerly home to Grandpa C’s Market at 50th and Underwood in Dundee. The kitchen received a touch of elegance with the hiring of former M’s Pub chef John Rea. Set to open any day, Paragon’s “upscale comfort food” is high on my priority list.

Paragon Dundee

Dandelion

5018 Underwood Ave.

1301 Harney St.

Willy Theisen may be Omaha-famous for founding Godfather’s in 1973, but the man has a sophisticated side that goes far beyond the ubiquitous taco pizza. Having formerly stood at the helm of Green Burrito and Famous Dave’s, Theisen upped his pizza game when he laid

Nick Bartholomew is a man who never rests, always seeking ways to better the community and bring the best to Omaha. The owner of OverEasy and Market House, which is currently under re-reconstruction after this winter’s M’s Pub fire, Bartholomew has a talent

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and drive for putting the right people in the right places. His latest innovation is the pop-up stand “Dandelion.” Bartholomew is enlisting Omaha’s freshest, most original minds to man the pop-up stand in the Greater Omaha Chamber Courtyard at 13th and Harney. The weekly lunch features a revolving door of chefs; each eager to offer a sample of what could be — test-driving concepts before committing to brick and mortar establishments. Creativity is king, and the stand has already been home to chef Tim Maides. The brilliant mind behind TREAM [Tacos Rule Everything Around Me] and Benson Soap Mill, Maides has mastered the art of the pop-up, and his turn at Dandelion may be just the inspiration he needed to plant some roots. [That’s a hint, Tim. The world wants tacos!] Bartholomew continued on page 62 y

Visiting Nurse Association presents:

River Bash ‘n Brew

A NIGHT OF FANTASTICAL ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, August 26, 2016, 6 – 11 p.m. Stir Concert Cove, Harrah’s Casino Council Bluffs, Iowa • • • •

Unlimited craft beer • tastings Lemon Fresh Day • D*Funk Fire dancers •

Belly dancer/snake charmer Psychic & tarot card readers Caricature artists

TICKETS: $28 | VIP TICKETS: $63

Visit www.theVNAcares.org or Ticketmaster to purchase your tickets This event raises funds for VNA’s services for vulnerable mothers, children and families.

Everyday Heroes Oct. 9, 2016

Baxter Arena & Aksarben Village 67th & Center

honor one. save one. be one.

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

NICK BARTHOLOMEW OF DANDELION IN DUNDEE

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is always looking for more talent to man the stand, and all creative culinary artists are welcome to share the love.

Boho Rice Coming Soon to Little Bohemia

In addition to his sustenance stand, Bartholomew also has set his eyes on Little Bohemia. The tiny taste of Czech country between south 10th and 14th streets has been the center of much attention

as efforts have been made to revitalize the area. When it was announced earlier this year that the heart of the neighborhood, The Bohemian Cafe, would be closing after 92 years, it became easy to deem the effort as futile. However, in addition to the rumors of a queue of possible buyers hoping to keep the cafe alive, other efforts in the area will serve to keep the neighborhood’s pulse strong and steady. Currently in negotiations, Bartholomew is planning to open Boho Rice, Little Bohemia’s future fried rice shack. A tasting menu test-run of the concept combined both traditional Asian entrees and modern munchies to satisfy your kimchi cravings. Bibimbap, which literally translates to “mixed rice” is served with seasoned sautéed vegetables and is gently spiced with chili pepper paste. The lotus root and beets two ways [hot and cold] is almost too beautiful to sink your teeth into, but the freshness of the vegetables and the texture adventure makes the dish worth destroying. The menu’s playful side includes kimchi and porkbelly pancakes, mochi ice cream, and red bean and matcha popsicles. A drink menu offers a white grape drink served with whole grapes, and a sweet Korean rice drink called Sikhye. True to Bartholomew’s style, the restaurant will cater to vegetarians as well as carnivores, and plans to offer very late night hours with a walk-up window.

Via Farina 1108 S. 10th St.

If you find yourself on the brink of divorce over the question “Where do you want to eat tonight?” skip the attorney and instead look up Paul Kulik. It hardly matters which of his establishments you choose, you will be in for an amazing meal in an exceptional environment. There will be no stories of rude staff, under- or over-cooked fish, or broken sauces. Kulik holds his team to the same standard he holds himself to, which is quite astronomical. When Kulik announced he was getting behind a pizza and pasta place, Omaha knew it wasn’t getting yet another greasy guilty pleasure. Via Farina, which opened in May, boasts a pizza dough made through a painstaking three-day process of rising, tossing, rolling and more rising. The delicate pastas are made in-house, and the ingredients are very selectively sourced. Kulik’s years of developing relationships with local growers and suppliers is evident in the quality of ingredients used in each dish. Also evident is his keen eye for talent. Sous chef Kye Adkisson is no stranger to the high-end kitchen. A resume that includes Spencers for Steaks and Chops, The Boiler Room, and Le Bouillon is an excellent start to a culinary career. Chef De Cuisine Piero Cotrina is thriving in the high pres-

PAUL KULIK (LEFT) AND PIERO COTRINA OF VIA FARINA

KYE ADKISSON OF VIA FARINA IN THE RENOVATED 10TH STREET DISTRICT

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ROSE AND KYLE ANDERSON OF BAELA ROSE IN DUNDEE

sure environment. Born in Peru, the genuinely likable Cotrina marvels at the magic that is made in Via Farina’s kitchen, stating humbly “It’s just flour and water, and it makes something so amazing!” The ingredients are only that, and something amazing is what happens when Kulik, Adkisson, and Cotrina step behind a concept. The men have taken the fresh, fun and flavorful menu to incredible heights, and are hoping to take it on the road. A test fleet of Vespas have been employed to deliver the delicious dishes to nearby noshers in need of something wholesome.

Baela Rose 4919 Underwood Ave.

A charming young couple sit across from me during the break in their restaurant’s hours. The little window between lunch and dinner service is when chef/owner Kyle Anderson and his team clean and prep for the next meal. A sweet little toddler named Baela usually runs around the empty dining room causing the havoc that only tiny little hands can get into, and her mother Rose Anderson, general manager and co-owner, smiles patiently, the

peaceful reminder that sometimes, you’ve just got to get into stuff. That’s what Kyle, formerly of V. Mertz, and Rose were doing when they closed their California eatery “Slow” and moved back to Dundee. The high ceilings and gorgeous décor lend an ambiance that is cemented by the menu. I ask, slightly overwhelmed not by the size, but by the quality of the menu items, what each of the two owners would recommend. It’s quickly obvious that they face the same dilemma, as they simply start excitedly reading the menu to me. “The crispy pig ears, definitely. Oh, the nuts and pork!” Rose offers, harmonized by Kyle’s insistence that the duck or the Wagyu tartar are always incredible. We were still fighting with ourselves about what one should order if they were to come only once when I asked the couple about their passion for local sourcing. Kyle was almost dismissive about it, as he feels that the onus should be on places that refuse to ethically and sustainably source their food. There should be restaurants, and “non-sustainably sourced” restaurants, he said. Not the other way around. ,

FRIDAY

AUG 5th 6-9 PM First Friday is a free event celebrating local creativity in Omaha's most historic neighborhood.

Ride Ollie The Trolley No Charge!

Visit galleries to explore fresh perspectives and meet the artists. For event information, go to FirstFridayOldMarket.com or email: mmgmetalsmith@cox.net

eat

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

DEBRA S. KAPLAN

‘fiFIREDUP: Madeline

theater

Radcliff-Reilly heads up a new theatre collective that strives for playwright involvement, quick productions and family balance.

AUGUST 2016

ACuriousFire I

n the underpaid (and often never paid) world of Omaha theater, an artist’s most valuable resource is their time. How we spend that time is often a struggle between the two things most precious to us: our art and our family. Madeline Radcliff-Reilly of the newly-formed FireBelly Rep theater knows this all too well. As a young child, her parents Judy and the late Cliff Radcliff — both graduates of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln theater program — put their artistic aspirations on hold to provide for her and her brother. “When I was little, I would look through these books that had all of their production photos and newspaper clippings,” RadcliffReilly said. “They would highlight their names and make these little collage pages. I didn’t see either of my parents act until I was 16, so that was my only connection to what they used to do. I loved it. I would sit there for hours and look at them.” Now she has a family of her own with her husband, fellow playwright and FireBelly Rep member Brendan JD Reilly and his son, Brendan, or ‘Brau Brau’. Life is split between work, family and creative passion. It’s a difficult, delicate but rewarding balance as any artist who’s a parent will tell you. But Maddie and Brendan didn’t want to completely abandon their creative aspi-

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theater

Radcliff Reilly’s New Play is the First for a New Theater Collective — FireBelly Rep BY BILL GRENNAN

rations. They thought that there must be a way to strike a better balance between life and art. That’s when she ran into local playwright and mother, Beaufield Berry, at this summer’s Great Plains Theatre Conference. Berry sparked the conversation and the three of them, along with fellow founding member, writer and father Jeremy Johnson, started FireBelly Rep, a playwright-driven theater. “Every time the Great Plains Theatre Conference happens we say, ‘We should do this!,’” she said. “This year we all just got to a place where we didn’t want to let the opportunity slip by. We didn’t want to get too old or too set in our ways before we gave it a shot. It all kind of worked out in this snowball kind of way.” Radcliff-Reilly describes FireBelly as “lowcommitment theater dedicated to the playwright’s vision.” The rehearsal process is just as brief as the run in many cases. A couple of weeks of rehearsal, a week of performances and it’s off to the next project, all the while making sure everyone has time for life in between. Allowing everyone the chance to be with their family while actively creating art was key for the group. “When I was growing up I had two incredibly talented parents that never got on the stage because they didn’t want to sacrifice that time,” she said. “I don’t want to

sacrifice that time either. I don’t think any of us do. But trying to meet those two worlds is challenging. With Brau Brau, we don’t have him every day but Jeremy and Beau do have their kids every day. It’s a matter of understanding that things can happen. Sometimes your kid needs you and that can be okay without negatively affecting the production you are putting forth. That’s why we are all weaving in and out of the roles necessary to put on a show that works.” That inaugural show is Radcliff-Reilly’s existential comedy, The Curious Disappearance of Mulder, the Cat, to be performed at the PS Collective from August 12-14. The show revolves around four people whose lives intersect during the search for the aforementioned cat. It’s a script that RadcliffReilly worked on and off for eight years after being assigned to write it by Scott Working in a playwriting class at Metropolitan Community College. “He asked us to write something that was absurdist,” she said. “The only things I had written up to that point were very realistic, so it was a stretch for me. That’s where the idea came from and it’s changed drastically since then. I think it took eight years because it was something that wasn’t naturally coming out of me at first. I had to find my way to the story in front of me.”

Radliff-Reilly said she’s always been a writer, but writing plays is something that brings her back to why she helped start FireBelly in the first place: family and theater. “Once my parents got back into theater, I got into it. I’ve been writing since 4th grade so it just made sense to merge those two things together,” she said. Along with the focus of quick and flexible theatrical productions, the main focus of FireBelly is to serve the words of the playwright in the best way possible. While there is already a space for local writers in Omaha in the Shelterbelt Theatre (which has produced many FireBelly members’ work), the collective of writers thought they could take the involvement of the playwright even further. “It came out of past experiences that all of us had with saying, ‘This is my vision and it wasn’t achieved in the way I thought it was going to be.’ Working together, we want it to be that you walk in the door and you walk into the writer’s mind from start to finish,” she said. “That’s important to us because I think that there can be a disconnect sometimes where you miss the messages. We’re pretty passionate about the messages. One of our mottos is that we are a ‘House of Yes.’

We want people to come in with their crazy idea and we don’t want to hear how it can’t be done. We want to say, ‘Yes, we’re going to do that.’ It’s been working well so far.” Radcliff-Reilly said that working with likeminded artists in a company of their own has re-invigorated her love for theater, almost as much as the love for her family. “The first play I wrote was cathartic for me,” she said. “It was after my dad passed away. The release that it gave me, to take this story that was mine, change it and then give it back to the world was an incredible feeling for me. That’s what I feel I do every time I write. I think that everyone has stories inside of them that everyone should hear. But honestly, even if no one ever hears it, it’s still something I’m giving to the world. Some of it is for my psychological care for myself, but a lot of it is that I’m interested in people. I’m interested in how they work. I’m interested in creating those relationships and putting them up on stage.”

AUG. 9

FireBelly Rep’s production of The Curious Disappearance of Mulder, the Cat runs August 12-14 at 7 p.m. at the PS Collective, 6056 Maple Street. Visit firebellyrep.com for more information. ,

AUG. 19 – SEPT. 18, 2016 sponsors:

media sponsor:

Cindy and Scott Heider

AUG. 23

SEPT. 16 – OCT. 16, 2016 sponsors:

media sponsor:

6915 CASS STREET | (402) 553-0800 | OMAHAPLAYHOUSE.COM

theater

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

MorePrairieLessPizzazz ‘fidualdude:

culture

Michael Dappen is a self-taught gardener who began his studies by amassing a voluminous library of all things botanical. He soon even sought a job at the neighborhood nursery to soak up additional skills and knowledge.

AUGUST 2016

| THE READER |

culture

B Y DAV I D W I L L I A M S

“That’s all gardening is. That’s all graphic design is. Putting things together in interesting ways.” Dapose’s decidedly understated creative style in “putting things together in interesting ways” does not involve an overabundance of planning. He does not maintain detailed schematic drawings to keep track of what’s planted where and instead prefers a more naturalistic approach. Human intervention in this garden is minimal, and he most often prefers to let plants reseed themselves at will.

lately in improvised music … noise music … experimental music. It’s a new exploration of sound that parallels what I do in the garden. It’s like planting a seed — usually just a single, solitary sound or noise starts everything off — and then seeing what happens from there. Yes, I initiate it. I start the process. But it’s the waiting that matters. Waiting for that next sound to follow when I’m making music. Waiting for that seed to sprout when I’m in the garden.” The result is a five-senses space of variegated greenery that leans more to “prairie” and less to “pizzazz.” Birds, bees and squirrels that feast in the garden provide a soundtrack for butterflies performing an aerial ballet above sweet-scented plantings that offer an array of tasty snacks in a garden that begs to be touched. The tactile merged with the aromatic when Dapose had me sweep my hands across the tendrils of a certain plant to see if I could guess its name. One whiff of my fingers gave me the answer. Of course! A popcorn plant! At each stop in the garden tour Dapose urged me to touch, to smell, to taste. But what about when the band is touring? What happens when The Faint takes the First Avenue stage in Minneapolis this September to kick off a national tour that culminates back in Omaha with a gig at Sokol Auditorium on Halloween? “The garden is very low-maintence. Rainwater will still collect here when I’m gone,” he said in gesturing to a large barrel. “Some plants may struggle. Others may die altogether.” That, too, he explained, is all part of letting Mother Nature guide his densely packed lushness with minimal interference from some guy with a guitar. As our meandering walk through the garden neared an end, Dapose proceeded to demonstrate how he tames bumblebees. That’s right. He tames bumblebees. Ever so deftly, he inched up to a stout bumblebee resting atop a vibrant bloom and, with thumb and forefinger, gave its gossamer wings and fuzzy, yellow-black-yellow torso a gentle massage. Hey, maybe this guy has superpowers after all. ,

DEBRA S. KAPLAN

e may not have superpowers, but Dapose shares at least one characteristic with any number of comic book heroes — that of maintaining dual identities. By day he is simply Michael Dappen, the mild-mannered guy slinging mulch at Indian Creek Nursery or maybe toiling away in some pastoral site as a landscaper under the guise of The Natural Gardener. The Natural Gardener? Okay, let’s make that three identities. But under the cloak of darkness he becomes something entirely “other.” He morphs (Shazam!) into Dapose, guitarist for the synthfueled band, The Faint. All three identities collide in a backyard garden that juxtaposes zen against zinnias and Zildijans. Dapose is something of an accidental gardener. He has no formal training, but became interested after moving about 10 years ago into the Dundee home near Elmwood Park he shares with Erinn Tighe. “It’s just a standard city lot,” Dapose said, “but here I was thinking how we owned all this property now, but didn’t know what to do with it. To me it just seemed like … work … just something to mow. Now we think of the garden as additional living space, an extension of home.” The self-taught gardener began his studies by amassing a voluminous library of all things botanical. He soon even sought a job at the neighborhood nursery to soak up additional skills and knowledge. But don’t look for Dapose’s garden to be featured anytime soon on the annual Monroe-Meyer Guild Garden Walk. As opposed to more formal spaces, ones whose sole purpose is to be a thing of beauty, this rock‘n’roll gardener’s philosophy is planted firmly in the tenets of permaculture, a system of agricultural and social design principles centered on stimulating or directly utilizing the patterns and features found in natural ecosystems. “I love the idea of putting things together,” said the man who studied graphic design and helps with the band’s cover art (here we go again, add one more secret identity to the list).

Dapose’s Garden of Earthly Delights

“I just try to put plants where I think they’d be happiest,” he said while harvesting a handful of seeds from a plant before casually strewing them in another, seemingly mismatched, incongruous area of the garden. “I love the aesthetic of plants just doing what they are supposed to do. I don’t try to force anything into its place.” Is there a correlation between Michael Dappen, the gardener, and Dapose, the rocker? Do their character’s universes ever intersect? And if so, is there a cataclysmic rip in the spacetime continuum? “The vibe of the garden follows the same creative process as composing music,” Dapose explained. “I’ve become much more interested

DEBRA S. KAPLAN

culture

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

SPONSORED CONTENT The Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards names its Summer Showcase winner.

THE WALL OF SOUND BY TAMSEN BUTLER

NCE IN A GREAT WHILE all the stars align to bring together a music group that truly showcases talent and heart. Defying all naysayers who might speculate that too many cards are stacked against them – “too young,” ‘inexperienced,” “What could some kids possibly know about the blues?” – Dilemma marched onto the Omaha music scene without taking a glance backward and easily gathered fans along the way. Formed in 2012 within the BluesEd performance program, “Dilemma has been a changing group since its original creation five years ago,” said guitarist John Staples. “In the BluesEd program, Dilemma has also been recognized as an experimental, but powerful machine.” “BluesEd is a non-profit youth artist development program sponsored by the Blues Society of Omaha,” said Chris Shouse, co-director of BluesEd. Since 2001, BluesEd has provided young musicians with mentoring from professional musicians along with performance opportunities. It’s an innovative program that can boast having brought together Dilemma and fostered their impressive talent. Thirteen students have been Dilemma members since its inception. This will be the final year for Dilemma with their last performance scheduled for Aug.13 at the Dubliner in the Old Market. The band line-up currently stands at: NEIL OSBORN: Bass, guitar, keys – 2016 JOHN STAPLES: Guitar, Bass, Vocals – 2016 LOGAN HAWKINS: Guitar, Bass – 2015-2016 ERIN MITCHELL: Vocals – 2013-2016 ERIK SHOUSE: Drums – 2012-2016 Co-director of BluesEd Kevin Shouse revealed that the band, originally known as “Blues Dilemma,” always seemed to have something special going on within them that predicted eventual success. He said the band “became known early in the program for its raw, high energy. The members came to the program with varied levels of

AUGUST 2016

| THE READER |

stage and musical experience but they all had a desire to improve, perform, and deliver. Which they always did.” It’s certainly true that Dilemma quickly earned a reputation for commanding whatever stage they took. Added Kevin, “The line-up of Dilemma has always been lean and mean. Two guitars, bass, one or two vocals, and drums. This year a keyboard has been added only because four of the five members play multiple instruments. Dilemma has never had a dedicated keyboardists, brass or wind instruments. This ‘stripped down’ band has resulted in a more raw, heavy guitar band. All band members have always been able to deliver the extreme power when it needed to be. All of this power and sincerity in performances has led to what we call the Dilemma Wall of Sound.” The Wall of Sound was impossible to deny the night of this year’s OEAA Summer Showcase. Chris remembered it as “a super-hot day and Dilemma was playing at a nonair-conditioned venue, Sound Check Rehearsal Studio, in Benson.The door to the venue was left open and a large crowd gathered outside and inside to watch and listen to Dilemma. The vibe was electric and the band really excelled that night. Every member was ‘on’ that night and gave the best performance yet of the season. Clearly, others agreed and voted for Dilemma to win a spot, out of 70 competitors at the OEAA’s, at the New Generation Music Festival in August at Stinson Park.” Chris said that this particular performance was the performance when vocalist Anna Jane Abbott “really broke out of her shell.” Normally reserved and a little shy, Anna Jane’s performance was powerful and helped mark her 18th birthday, which was the next day. Anna Jane unexpectedly and tragically passed away the evening of July 2 after a severe asthma attack struck. The band and BluesEd staff were shocked, understandably.“Dilemma went to see Anna in the hospital twice while she was in ICU,” said

Chris. “The second time they sang ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ to her in the hallway outside her room.” This was Anna Jane’s signature song as a vocalist according to Chris. “We did not know Anna Jane had asthma,” said Chris. “We never heard her wheeze or struggle to catch her breath even. She had the asthma attack late on Tuesday evening, June 28. The first thing her mom said to us when we arrived to the hospital the morning after her attack, June 29, was ‘If you know anyone who has asthma, tell them to take it seriously.’” The tragic loss of their friend and fellow bandmate shook Dilemma’s members but also compelled them to push themselves creatively in her honor. “This year, we decided to take an alternative/progressive switch in our music, and it was really influenced by the passing of Anna,” said John Staples. “We have fundamentally changed our group from a strictly-cover band, to a cool mix of original music and powerful covers.” “After the passing of Anna Jane, the band has placed an emphasis on original music,” confirmed Kevin. “It is my personal opinion that Anna’s passing caused the band to step back and discuss what’s important to them at this point as a band. The members will tell you that they’ve always talked about doing originals, but just never got around to it – which I suppose is like a lot of things in life. Anna’s passing was a wake-up call such that it derailed the band’s status quo contentment to continue and learn and sharpen new and existing Blues material.” BluesEd will honor Anna’s memory by offering an Anna Jane Abbott memorial scholarship. “She was a great friend to us all, and she really wanted to make music, and that’s what we’re doing now,” said John.

REMAINING PERFORMANCES FOR DILEMMA: FRIDAY, AUG. 5: Stinson Park New Generation Music Festival SUNDAY, AUG. 7: Waiting Room BluesEd Season Finale SATURDAY, AUG. 13: Dubliner, Old Market In the Market for

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AUGUST 2016

DEBRA S. KAPLAN

MUSIC GenerationWhyNot?

‘fibridgebuilders:

“People don’t know about the talent Omaha offers,” said New Generation organizer Mark Patrick (pictured above at right with co-organizer Marccey Yates.. “There are people who really love music, who want to discover more artists, so why not go to a nice place like Stinson Park, this beautiful park right in the heart of the city, and see the amazing talent that we have to offer.”

AUGUST 2016

mateur festival organizers Mark Patrick, Marcey Yates and Jamison Denton-Carter could’ve called their new musical endeavor “A HAM.” Besides, when the New Generation Music Festival premieres at Aksarben’s Stinson Park — just two weeks before MAHA — it’ll be apparent that the promoters are doing things a bit backwards. The festival, which eventually aims to “bridge the gap between coasts,” will begin its assent Aug. 5 by forgoing a national presence and betting on a 20-act, all-local bill comprised of a “new wave of indie artists,” some of them mostly-unknowns. It’s a risk the New Generation team is willing to take, especially if it means they’ll be able to unearth some of

| THE READER |

music

The New Generation Music Festival BY MIKALA HARDEN

Omaha’s hidden gems and give them a platform fit for a national headliner. “People don’t know about the talent Omaha offers,” Patrick explained. “There are people who really love music, who want to discover more artists, so why not go to a nice place like Stinson Park, this beautiful park right in the heart of the city, and see the amazing talent that we have to offer.” Patrick is a rapper and poet and Yates is a rapper and producer. Together they belong to the Raleigh Science Project, a hip-hop collective that exists to bring like-minded artists together to pool resources and help each other flourish. They teamed up with DentonCarter, a DJ and producer, to breathe life into their shared vision.

“You have artists that are so good, but they just don’t get a chance to be seen,” said Yates, who hopes the festival will serve as a tipping point for local acts. The New Generation lineup is being headlined by Screaming for Silence, a popular hard rock band — to the tune of almost 23,000 Facebook “likes” — that Patrick and Yates said they chose in part because the band’s name kept surfacing, and in part because of the band’s established fan base. As Patrick noted, “It just felt right.” The organizers said they had an idea of what they wanted the rest of the lineup to look like, and it grew to include both new and established local talent and diverse genres ranging from rock to hip hop to indie pop.

and just about anyone else they could learn something from. “People have been throwing us gems and giving us good advice,” said Yates. “The things we weren’t thinking about they would bring up to school us on them.” “People have really been willing to help,” agreed Patrick. “They want to see it work.” But will thousands flock to a festival without a national headliner? The promoters said they believe in Omaha’s music fans and are pursuing unique promotional ideas, tapping into every resource and rallying every artist to push the show to draw a crowd. A representative from hard rockers Through the Stone said the band has been implementing social media promotion as well as word of mouth. “We are looking forward to continuing the hype machine until the festival,” he commented. J. Crum, a rapper who will be performing with his live band, has been selling tickets at every show leading up to the festival. “The guys who put this on put a lot on the line to make this happen for us and I want it to pay off for everyone,” he said. Whether Omaha is actually ready for the music of the New Generation will be answered this month. Until then, the promoters said that with how everything has fallen into place thus far, the festival seems fated to exist. “It feels like it’s meant to be,” Patrick said. “We’re supposed to be here at this time doing this.” , The inaugural New Generation Music Festival launches Saturday, August 5, at Stinson Park, 2285 S. 67th St. Tickets are $20; park opens at 3 p.m. For more information, go to facebook.com/NGMFestival.

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Staying true to the organic roots of the festival, the promoters said they hope to foster a collaborative environment between acts. Rather than have the typical teardown hiatus after each set, some of the performances will be choreographed into seamless transitions. “We’ll have equipment in place where we won’t have to be interchanging a lot,” Yates said. “Bands can pretty much just sit and plug in and play.” Festivalgoers can expect plenty of other entertainment to accompany the music, including live painting, break-dancers, hula-hooping, yoga instruction and local crafts. The organizers also secured a dome with LED screens that will house various performers and light up the park with another form of energy and intensity. Although they are optimistic, the organizers said they are fully aware that the failure of other festivals around Omaha is fresh on the minds of potential detractors; some may already be eyeing the festival with scrutiny. Patrick and Yates are careful to point out that as music lovers themselves, their intentions are to “support local” and put together something cool for the city. “We don’t feel like promoters, we’re artists first,” Patrick said. “This is just a vision we had and went for it.” The promoters said they researched where other festivals had gone wrong and intend to create a positive atmosphere that will have people walking away in anticipation of what next year will bring. Though they said they are determined not to bite off more than they can chew, sticking with what is feasible for the first year’s budget. “Things went pretty smooth at Stinson,” said Patrick. “They gave us a lot of direction — they told us not to go too big the first year.” They also did a lot of networking and met with other festival organizers, stage managers

music

Omaha Weekly Reader 08-01-16.indd 1

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

6/23/16 3:26 PM

BFFFemmeFest

JOSHUA FU

JAMES WALMSLEY is The Reader’s contributing music editor and a longtime touring musician. The Michigander-turnedNebraskan came to Omaha by accident on an aimless road trip. He lives in Benson with his wife and daughter and runs a vegan restaurant (another accident) in his spare time. .

AUGUST 2016

t’s enough to make #alllivesmatter and #heteropride social justice warriors Joe Papillion and Jill Gretna scratch their heads and, with their usual comment-section heroics, advocate once more for something that is clearly not needed: another music festival featuring men #bffmenfest. Rebecca Lowry shrugs off the hypothetical Chick-fil-A posturing. The BFF Femme Fest founder is immune to the backlash her budding festival — which comprises acts that must involve at least one female musician — has received. Besides, she has an ulterior motive: “Everybody who’s been a part of it just knows: It’s not about women being oppressed, it’s about celebrating [women musicians] and having a fucking great time,” Lowry, 35, said from her overheating car at an Omaha gas station. “And if they don’t want to acknowledge that, if they’re too stuck in their ways, whatever. Let them be that way. It’s not for me to change them.” After we got off the phone, I couldn’t help but wonder how a meninist readership would react to Lowry’s don’t-mind-us-just-some-women-having-fun approach. After all, the All Young Girls Are Machine Guns front-woman and Omaha Girls Rock volunteer is a major player in a new infrastructure that is empowering females through music. And, well, female empowerment is a zero-sum affair within the meninist movement. Not wanting these dudes and dude apologists to feel completely powerless, I rolled up my sleeves and took it upon myself to make sure the cultural majority was at the very least being represented at Lowry’s seemingly exclusive festival. In other words, I counted all the musicians involved. But before revealing my surprising results, I should disclose the potential flaws in my data-collecting process. Mainly, when I didn’t have full photographic evidence, which was extremely rare, I binarily categorized genders based on musician names alone. I also omitted backing band members unless they were included in the act’s title. For example, I counted The Hottman Sisters as two women. Bands with names that didn’t single out songwriters were counted in full. I didn’t include a scheduled Omaha Girls Rock performance due to its TBD status and wasn’t able to locate one band/ performer: KMK. I blame the Kottonmouth Kings. Of the 58 acts scheduled to perform with the BFF Femme Fest in eight Benson venues on the first Friday in September, I counted 74 female musicians and 95 male musicians. Compare those results to MAHA, which has a name that derives from Omaha and seems to mean “all of Omaha.” I counted five female musicians and 28 male musicians (Passion Pit and Grimes counted as one musician each). I also analyzed the more racially diverse New Generation Music Festival, which has six female musicians to 38 male musicians. The new generation, it seems, is as malecentric as the old one. To reiterate, BFF Femme Fest, which was designed to celebrate women, features more male musicians than female musicians but is easily the most gender

| THE READER |

backbeat

Annual Music Festival Continues to Grow BY JAMES WALMSLEY

diverse of the three summer music festivals I counted. That’s right, even Omaha’s feminist music festival is somewhat of a sausage fest. Crisis averted. “It’s really awesome that we have these super inclusive families and that we take the time out to appreciate all the people we work with that never question our ideas, that never give us bullshit for being women with big ideas,” Lowry said in our earlier conversation about the male musicians invited to play Femme Fest. “And at the same time, I think it encourages everyone who is a musician to be more open-minded, to go with the flow, to realize that this should be a common occurrence.” , The BFF Femme Fest will be staged Sept. 2 at eight participating Benson venues. Tickets are $10, showtime is 6:30 p.m. For more information, go to facebook.com/bfffemmefest.

OCTOBER 3 ON SALE NOW | | THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

hoodoo

wonderful Andy T–Nick Nixon Band plays Thursday, Aug 18, and old-school Chicago blues is on tap from a master when Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater takes the stage Thursday, Aug. 25. Thursday shows are 6-9 p.m. and Saturday shows 8-11 p.m.

ALEX RICE FOR CGFILM.TV

Zoo Bar Blues Some highlights from the Zoo Bar’s August schedule include Too Slim & The Taildraggers Thursday, Aug. 4, Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method Wednesday, Aug. 10, The Bel Airs Friday, Aug. 12 (9 p.m.), Guitar Shorty Tuesday, Aug. 18, Brandon Santini Wednesday, Aug. 17, and Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater Wednesday, Aug. 24. All shows are 6-9 p.m. unless otherwise noted. Watch zoobar. com for late-breaking additions to the calendar.

Trout returns to Omaha to rock Playing With Fire’s outdoor stage Saturday, Aug. 27.

SUMMERFIRE

CHIP DUDEN

HOODOO focuses on blues, roots, Americana and occasional other music styles with an emphasis on live music performances. Hoodoo columnist B.J. Huchtemann is a senior contributing writer and veteran music journalist who received the Blues Foundation’s 2015 Keeping the Blues Alive Award for Journalism. Follow her blog at hoodoorootsblues.blogspot.com and on www.thereader.com.

he second of two free summer Playing With Fire shows is slated for Saturday, Aug. 27, at Turner Park in Midtown Crossing. Walter Trout returns to perform with his band in his second appearance in Omaha since he received a life-saving liver transplant at the Lied Transplant Center at Nebraska Medicine in May, 2014. His latest disc Alive in Amsterdam, was released June 17. In May 2016, Trout was recognized with two Blues Music Awards for Rock Blues Album and Song of the Year. See waltertrout.com. The veteran, critically acclaimed blues-rock guitarist is playing at the top of his game, even better than before he was taken ill. The show will support Donate Life Nebraska’s educational efforts about the need for organ donors. According to Donate Life Nebraska there are approximately 123,000 people in the U.S. waiting for an organ with a new person being added every 10 minutes. One organ donor can save or heal the lives of up to 50 people. Find out more at donatelifenebraska.com. Also featured is Montreal guitarist and entertainer Steve Hill. Hill’s recent accolades for his rave-up oneman-band show include winning a 2016 and 2015 Maple Blues Award for Electric Act of the Year, Entertainer of the Year and Guitarist of the Year, 2015 Recording/Producer of the year and a 2015 Juno Award (Canada’s Grammy Award) for Blues Album of the Year. See stevehillmusic.com.

AUGUST 2016

| THE READER |

Walter Trout Headlines August’s Playing With Fire Concert BY B.J. HUCHTEMANN

Local guitar star and his trio the Levi William Band plus BluesEd youth performance band The Redwoods are the early bands. Turner Park opens for seating at 3:30 p.m. and music starts at 4:30 p.m. See playingwithfireomaha.net. In the Market for Blues The second annual In the Market for Blues event happens Saturday, Aug. 13, 3 p.m. at Harney Street Tavern, The Hive and Dubliner Pub. Organized by Hector Anchondo and E3 Music Management, performers include K.C.-area artists Amanda Fish, KALO and Coyote Bill. Smokestack Lightning from Arizona is also scheduled. Local bands playing include Brad Cordle, Tim Budig Band, Drew Jude & The Cool Tones, Steve Lovett Blues Band, Nita & the Pipe Smokin’ Charlies, The Workingman’s Band, Voodoo Vinyl and Dilemma. See facebook.com/InTheMarketForBlues. Blues at The 21st Saloon August blues highlights at The 21st Saloon include the guitar power of Chris Duarte Group Thursday, Aug. 4, the twangin’ roots-blues of Too Slim & The Taildraggers Saturday, Aug. 6, and the innovative, powerhouse guitar style of Jeff Jensen Band Thursday, Aug. 11. Pacific Northwest favorites Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method plug in Saturday, Aug. 13. The

hoodoo

DRY LIGHTNING RECORDS

guitargreat: Walter

Hot Notes The Sunday Roadhouse concert series brings the great Texas troubadour Hayes Carll to town for a Friday, Aug. 5, 9 p.m. show at The Waiting Room. Carll is on tour in support of his very fine release Lovers & Leavers. See hayescarll.com. The series has several more shows in the wings, including the return of Sarah Borges & The Broken Singles featuring Eric “Roscoe” Ambel Sunday, Aug. 21, 5 p.m. at The Waiting Room. See sundayroadhouse.com. The Waiting Room also presents legendary surf guitar innovator Dick Dale Tuesday, Aug. 9, 9 p.m. The River City Star has organized their own blues cruise event with Canadian Juno Award nominee, the J.W. Jones band Sunday, Aug. 21, 4 p.m. See jw-jones.com and rivercitystar.com. ,

fi FIERYFEMM: Sarah Borges plugs in for a Sunday Roadhouse at The Waiting Room Sunday, Aug. 21.

AUGUST SHOWS AUG 4-7

RYAN HAMILTON

AUG 11-14

TIM GAITHER

Ryan is endearing comedy lovers, and his future is bright. Named one of Rolling Stone’s Five Comics to Watch with standout appearances on Conan, The Late Late show, Last Comic Standing, Comedy Central, and Showtime, he’s establishing himself as one of the nation’s favorite stand-ups. Tim Gaither has no specific audience, he is hilarious to all ages & is a heckler’s nightmare. Great material, quick wit, & a wide range of original characters & stories, all spun together with Midwestern charm make his show a must see. More comfortable on a stage than in his own living room, he makes audience feel like he is in theirs.

AUG 18, 20-21 APRIL MACIE

April Macie travels the world collecting stories & experiences, which she then translates into humorous, relatable tales in front of audiences worldwide. With her irreverent brand of overtly sexual humor she attempts to break down troubling double-standards & lend her voice to women everywhere. April hopes to change the world by empowering women, “One dick joke at a time.”

AUG 19

FRANK CALIENDO SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT

Frank is a comedian & impressionist, best known for his work on the tv series “MADtv” & as the in-house prognosticator for Fox NFL Sunday. Frank became particularly aware of his abilities to impersonate. First was a garbage can, and then a pole, and even a small garden weasel. However, after transitioning through sixteen straight hours of anthropomorphic activity, Frank stumbled upon his best and foremost impression. His ability to re-create the daily activity of paramecium was simply uncanny.

AUG 25-28

RICH VOS

Raised in New Jersey, Rich Vos is a no-holds-barred performer who destroys in comedy clubs around the country. A comedian’s comedian, he can be heard regularly on Opie and Jimmy and as a guest on the most popular podcasts including WTF with Marc Maron and Rogan. As a comedy writer, he’s come up with the best lines for the Comedy Central Roasts and was a writer this year on the Oscars for the second time.

SEPT 1-4

CHRIS PORTER

MONDAY, AUGUST 1 Gooch and his Las Vegas Big Band

THURSDAY, AUGUST 11 “Pete Fucinaro Send Off” w/ The Hegg Brothers

MONDAY, AUGUST 22 Gooch and his Las Vegas Big Band

TUESDAY, AUGUST 2 Spontaneous Combustion

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12 D*Funk

TUESDAY, AUGUST 23 Billy Troy

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3 Bill Chrastil

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 Soul Dawg

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 24 Bozak & Morrissey

THURSDAY, AUGUST 4 Daddy Mac & The Flack

MONDAY, AUGUST 15 Gooch and His Las Vegas Big Band

THURSDAY, AUGUST 25 Bob Fields & Swing Time

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5 Taxi Driver SATURDAY, AUGUST 6 Charm School Dropouts MONDAY, AUGUST 8 Gooch and his Las Vegas Big Band TUESDAY, AUGUST 9 Billy Troy WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10 Daybreak

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16 Scott Evans WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17 The Grease Band THURSDAY, AUGUST 18 The Brian England Groove Prescription FRIDAY, AUGUST 19 Hot 2 Trott SATURDAY, AUGUST 20 The Six

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26 Hi-Fi Hangover SATURDAY, AUGUST 27 Rough Cut MONDAY, AUGUST 29 Gooch and his Las Vegas Big Band TUESDAY, AUGUST 30 Steve Dunning WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 31 The Persuaders

Mark Cordes is an inventive comedian and humorist. He has been hailed by critics as a “One Man Laugh Factory”. Having toured and worked with stars David Sanborn, Kenny G, Ray Charles, Harry Connick Jr, Little River Band, and dozens of others, it is evident that his humor and versatility is in great demand. Mark is a master jokesmith - sophisticated, clever, and clean, with impeccable timing, comfortable charm, and innovative, intelligent material.

COMING SOON: SEPT 12-13 T.J. MILLER SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT

Star of HBO’s Silicon Valley & blockbuster films including Deadpool & How to Train Your Dragon, today announced his new standup tour, The Meticulously Ridiculous Tour, which will kick off this summer.

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

FILM

brightlights

AUGUST 2016

Five Native Omahans Who Went from the Midwest to Motion Pictures B Y R YA N S Y R E K

othing against our beloved, potholed streets, but who wouldn’t trade Dodge in for Hollywood Boulevard? Who wouldn’t trade Old Market cobblestones for red carpets? Who wouldn’t trade corn for ... confetti? Look, you get the point: dreams of big-screen glory are not relegated to coastal citizens. As we celebrate the best of the Big O, it seems only appropriate to also celebrate a few native sons and daughters who shed the skin of Middle America to shine their stars. And while that sounds like a euphemism, it isn’t. Oh, and a few quick notes: I didn’t include Alexander Payne here because including him felt exceedingly cursory. And I’m a rebel, Dottie. Also, this is by no means a comprehensive list. I’ve ixnayed names as big as Fonda and as small as a voice actress from Frozen. Instead, I opted for a group that will be familiar to most but surprising to some. And I provided my favorite film for each. Nick Nolte Briefly known most for what remains the single greatest mugshot of all time, Nolte’s career

| THE READER |

‘STARsTRUCK:

From left: Nick Nolte, Jaime King, Marlon Brando, Gabrielle Union and Mike Hill.

film

has spanned more than 40 years. He’s had multiple Academy Award nominations, including one for Best Actor for Prince of Tides. He lost to Anthony Hopkin’s liver-eating cannibal from Silence of the Lambs, which probably left a bad taste in his mouth. Nolte’s gravel voice and piercing eyes have been deployed to great effect, mostly when not opposite Julia Roberts. A dominating fixture in the ‘80s and ‘90s, he’s still churning out quality roles, as his 2011 nod for Best Supporting Actor for Warrior suggests. Plus, he seems to have gotten his hair back under control. Points for that. Favorite Nolte movie: Tropic Thunder Look, it’s easy to choose one of the roles that Nolte got massive acclaim for. But comedy is inherently more difficult than drama (come at me, bruh), and his performance as the grizzled Four Leaf Tayback in this uproarious satire was, bar none, one of my favorite things he’s ever done. For the record, I almost went with his crazy, alcoholic, abusive father role in Ang Lee’s Hulk, but that movie featured a gamma radiationenhanced poodle in it. Nolte did not play said poodle or it would have been my pick here.

Jaime King Jaime King, who went by James King for a bit (because binary gender norms for names are bullshit), is a former supermodel turned actress. Although she’s been doing more TV work lately, notably Hart of Dixie and voice work for the awesome Star Wars: The Clone Wars animated series, she started off the early 2000s on the silver screen. The ill-fated Bulletproof Monk somehow failed to capture the public’s imagination, despite the presence of both Chow Yun-Fat and a character named Mr. Funktastic. But King has forged a long, successful career that involves surviving Michael Bay and multiple appearances standing in the vicinity of Josh Hartnett’s permanent squint. Favorite King movie: Sin City Not the second one. God help you if you intentionally watch Sin City: A Dame to Kill For. But the first flick was a watershed moment for all-CGI sets, which is either a triumph or a tragedy, depending on how you feel about computers taking over the world. The first Sin City is a glorious, noir-draped, violent master-

‘cutting’room

n Proof that good people can have bad opinions: George Takei referred to the decision by Simon Pegg and others to reveal Sulu as gay in the Star Trek: Beyond as “unfortunate.” “Huhbuhwha?” you may be thinking, knowing Takei is a vocal proponent of inclusivity. His flawed stance is that they should have made a different character gay, specifically a new one, because creator Gene Roddenberry designed Sulu as heterosexual. The biggest problem with this logic is that any new character would be defined solely by that one characteristic. It would be “the gay Star Trek character,” which doesn’t so much strike a blow for equality as limply tokenize the demographic. To make an integral, important character gay is to see inclusion as a “primary directive.” So set phasers to “stunned” by Takei’s take. I know you saw that coming. n My view of Javier Bardem has never allowed me to see the sultry, swag-tastic version of him others see. Maybe it’s his hairstyle in No Country for Old Men haunting my thoughts, or perhaps his disfigured villain from Skyfall. At any rate, news that he’s playing Frankenstein’s monster in a new reboot of that series makes perfect sense to me. He seems like a lumbering monstrosity to begin with, but I mean that in the nicest possible way. This is the latest in Universal’s attempt to create a “shared universe” of their monster franchises, an idea so categorically awful it almost had to happen. n Amblin Entertainment has long been associated with Steven Spielberg’s brand of sci-fi. So it’s welcome news that the motion picture shingle is once more entering the alien invasion fray with an upcoming flick titled The Fall. Does it sound generic? Yes. Would I be interested if any other name besides Amblin was associated with this? No. Does the thought of an Amblin alien movie fill my body with near pre-pubescent joy? Yes. Will I ever stop asking myself rhetorical questions? No. n In one of the strangest comparisons, Bryan Cranston name-checked Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy while talking about the upcoming Mighty Morphing Power Rangers movie. He plays a talking head. So, “the guy who plays the talking head” suggests that a movie in which there is a giant, floating, talking head is comparable to the grounded, gritty, street-level realism of a Batman movie. For the record, this only serves to make me further excited for the Power Rangers movie. It already has Elizabeth Banks as the over-the-top villainess. I don’t think it’s going to be good by any means, but dear Lord does it have the potential to be incredibly watchable trash. — 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 Movieha!, a weekly half-hour movie podcast (movieha.libsyn.com/rss), catch him on the radio on CD 105.9 (cd1059. com) on Fridays at around 7:30 a.m. and on KVNO 90.7 (kvno.org) at 8:30 a.m. on Fridays and follow him on Twitter (twitter.com/thereaderfilm).

piece of antiheroes, blood and smut. And yes, that was a compliment. Marlon Brando I almost didn’t include Brando because he falls in the same uber-revered category as Payne. But then I wouldn’t get to talk about how he phoned in his role as Superman’s dad so profoundly that he (allegedly) taped his lines at one point to a baby’s diaper. I’m not condemning him for that, I’m legitimately impressed. If one of the greatest thespians from our city is going to be known for one thing, I want it to be reading dialogue from a baby’s bottom. The truth is, Brando is a legend for good reason. From his young, heartthrob days to his jowly, mumbling last hurrahs, his work is as timeless as it is vibrant. Also, he read lines from a diaper. Favorite Brando movie: Apocalypse Now I have been (and will be) cheeky about some of these “favorite movie” selections. But when you can choose Apocalypse Now for something, you should probably choose Apocalypse Now. I still mumble “the horror, the horror” from time to time in reaction to things

(mostly the 2016 presidential campaign), and the film is so good that a movie about the movie (Hearts of Darkness) is almost as good as the movie itself. Gabrielle Union Prolific and talented, Union’s IMDB page makes other performers seem downright lazy. Popping between TV and film, she’ll next be seen in The Birth of a Nation, the Nat Turner movie that’s garnering major Oscar buzz. Plus, she once appeared on the TV show Friends, an achievement unto itself given that show’s near-science-fiction depiction of New York City as almost purely Caucasian. Hollywood is content to relegate beautiful women to “doting wives” and subordinate roles, but Union has defied expectations. She was the lead in the TV series “Being Mary Jane,” is in the upcoming Sleepless with Jaime Foxx and graduated with honors from UCLA. That gets a standing O from the Big O. Favorite Union movie: Bring It On Okay, first off, Bring It On holds up. It does! It’s whip-smart, hilarious and even has a nice satirical bite in the way it critiques the white

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continued on page 78y

film

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

y continued from page 77

Surprise! I have thrown a wildcard into this mix! This man is not a star appearing in movies! He’s a maestro that carves them. Hill is a masterful editor who has worked with director Ron Howard through all of Opie’s major triumphs. He won an Oscar for Apollo 13 and was nominated for three others. It’s a personal pet peeve of mine that editors don’t get more hype, as their work is absolutely integral to sculpting a quality movie out of the colossal block of stone that is raw film footage. Hill, with Howard, has done it all, from brawling (Cinderella Man) to whimsical all-ages fare (How the Grinch Stole Christmas) to terse, real-life docudrama (Frost/Nixon). He also once let a dear friend touch his Oscar. So he rules. Favorite Hill movie: Apollo 13 is great, but Ransom is all-time to me. Back when we were able to see Mel Gibson as something other than a collection of skin loosely hanging on a skeleton of pure hate, this action-thriller was a staple rewatch for me. I couldn’t turn the channel if I caught Gibson barking “Give me back my son!” on cable. Really, from an editing standpoint, any of Hill’s films are exemplary. I just prefer movies where Gary Sinese gets shot. I don’t know why.

AUGUST 2016

| THE READER |

film

Other Awesome People (Speed Round) Like Steve Harvey starting the clock for the bonus round when it’s time to play the Feud, let’s breeze through three other notables and my favorite films they’ve done. Adam Devine — Like you even have to ask: Pitch Perfect. He doesn’t exactly have a robust filmography yet, but he’s a star on the rise and has the best strategy I’ve seen so far: Stay as close to Anna Kendrick as possible. John Beasley — Mostly known for TV and stage work, Beasley appeared in The Sum of All Fears, which is low-key one of the better espionage movies out there. It’s not a showcase of Beasley’s vast talents (again, that’s more TV and theater), but it is one of the only movies where the bad guys actually succeed at first. Swoosie Kurtz — First off, what a spectacular name. Second, I adored her on TV’s short-lived Pushing Daises, which was taken off the air because I’m not allowed to have nice things. To pick a movie, I’d go with Citizen Ruth, which means Payne did find his way into this write-up after all. Still my favorite of Payne’s movies, this abortion comedy (a genre that I believe contains this film and Obvious Child and that’s it) remains both relevant and brilliant. ,

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| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

bigscreensbiggerselection Omaha Cinema Culture Provides Diverse Screen Landscape

FILM

AUGUST 2016

f there is an Omaha Cinema Culture, it cuts across consumer, exhibitor, artist and aspirational experiences. Being far from traditional film centers poses certain barriers, but rich offerings and showplaces exist. Natives pursue and some achieve screen careers. It’s been this way since the industry’s start. In addition to many name actors, Nebraska has produced studio heads (Darryl Zanuck), network execs (Lew Hunter), filmmakers (Joan Micklin Silver) and producers (Monty Ross). Alexander Payne is the only native A-list talent who brings work here. He cut his teeth in local art houses, then studied film at UCLA before embarking on his acclaimed writer-director journey that’s seen five of his seven features shot in part or entirely here. Omaha filmmaker and educator Mark Hoeger said Payne’s insistence on setting and shooting movies here is what distinguishes him from his Nebraska counterparts. Fellow filmmaker Nik Fackler (Lovely, Still) said, “I wouldn’t have been inspired to make my own films if it wasn’t for filmmakers like Alexander Payne, Mike Hill and Dana Altman. It fuels the fire of excitement for young filmmakers. I was an extra in Election and, after being on set for a day, I realized I wanted to be a director.

| THE READER |

film

Hoeger said, “In an industry more akin to the lottery, seeing those winners is essential to keeping the dream alive.” Nebraska Film Officer Laurie Richards said Payne’s in-state shoots, whether Nebraska in 2012 or Downsizing in 2016, have an impact. “Locals get hired, locations used, hotel rooms booked, cars and trucks rented, foodentertainment providers procured.” Then there are branding opportunities for the state, the city and the various other towns and locations utilized. Other natives with industry clout, such as creator-executive producer of The Blacklist, Jon Bokenkamp, or Gabrielle Union, Marg Helgenberger and Andrew Rannells could conceivably bring projects here. Former Nerbaska state senator Colby Coash, who acts in local movies, said, “Hollywood is full of Nebraskans looking for opportunities to return to their home state to share their art.” Matt Sobel did return to make Take Me to the River. Erich Hover did the same with It Snows All the Time. Nebraska Cinema Project principals Kevin McMahon and Randy Goodwin are Hollywood veterans hoping features they’re developing build a sustainable in-state film industry.

BY LEO ADAM BIGA

Chad Bishoff is bi-coastal and Omahabased Syncretic Entertainment is producing a TV pilot to be set and shot in Omaha. Film-TV actor John Beasley of Omaha found financing to greenlight a $20 million feature, The Magician, with a top-pedigree team he’s producing on local sports legend, Marlin Briscoe. Coash said, “Payne, Beasley and others are great role models for Nebraska artists.” Payne also enriches the cinema culture by curating a series at Film Streams and bringing major figures (Laura Dern, Debra Winger, Steven Soderbergh, Jane Fonda, David O. Russell, Bruce Dern) for its Feature Event. Film Streams is an established cultural center in its North Downtown Ruth Sokolof Theater digs. As the metro’s first and only fully dedicated art cinema, it’s the hub and “home base for the hard core community of cinephiles,” Hoeger said. With the city’s last remaining neighborhood cinema, the Dundee Theater, now under its management, Film Streams’ educationalcommunity programming will extend to midtown. Reader film critic Ryan Syrek said Film Streams’ impact “can’t really be overstated,” adding, “It’s night and day. Before, smaller films simply never came to Omaha. We can

now enjoy the movies shown on the coasts. Their repertory series do an excellent job filling in cinematic gaps.” Syrek said the Dundee satellite location opening late 2017-early 2018 is “a big deal because right now you have to go downtown to see art-house movies.” Having that venue again after it closed is a boon to cinema lovers, he said. Any must-see movies Film Streams misses usually make it to the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center in Lincoln. Other viewing options include the Henry Doorly Zoo’s Lozier IMAX Theatre and a plethora of outdoor screenings metro-wide. Bruce Crawford revives classic films twice a year with the old ballyhoo. Marcus Midtown, AkSar-Ben and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema feature enhanced amenities. Historic theaters in Kearney and Scottsbluff have been preserved. Omaha’s loss of the historic Cinerama Indian Hills to “progress” in 2001 was a blow that the arrival of Film Streams in 2007 helped soften. Rachel Jacobson left Omaha only to fall so hard in love with sharing cinema art and history she returned to found and run Film Streams. Filling the seats is a constant challenge, “You need to create a special experience for people to choose to leave their home,” she said. She doesn’t do it with frills, but with relevant, inventive, niche programs that engage ideas. “I really love people who are frequent attendees but did not consider themselves movie-lovers before we came along. I’m also impressed by people who have been inspired by the content they’ve seen on screen. Urban farmers who learned about global food issues watching Food, Inc. or folks working with refugees inspired by a documentary we showed. It’s amazing how much impact creating a community around film can have beyond the arts and culture scene.” As a nod to and outlet for a burgeoning Nebraska New Wave, the Omaha Film Festival added a local feature showcase similar to what Film Streams offers. Mark Hoeger said, “What I love about the Omaha Film Festival is what it does to highlight local films, which also means you see some stuff that’s not very good. But it’s just really fun to see what local people are coming up with, and some of it’s really quite nice.” Local filmmakers also have exhibit opportunities at the White Light City and Prairie Lights festivals in Fremont and Grand Island, respectively. Eastern Nebraska Film Office director Stacy Heatherly said “festivals not only offer local filmmakers a platform to screen their films, they offer collective support.”

A one-off theater showing is easier than before, Hoeger said, because in today’s digitized environment a filmmaker can have a high quality image projected from a disc or flash drive. Fackler appreciates the access cineplex managers provide in “helping fan the flames of ‘film as art’ exposure.” He added, “I like that they support filmmakers and create relationships with them.” Just don’t expect seeing Mike Hill, longtime co-editor of Ron Howard’s films, at any area theater. “I very rarely go to movies anymore,” Hill said. “I get my entertainment from Netflix and TV. I guess that is my cinema culture now. Breaking Bad, Fargo, House of Cards, Peaky Blinders, True Detective, Game of Thrones, Ray Donovan are cinematic entertainments vastly superior to most theatrical releases. So there is obviously a lot of talent out there. It’s just a different delivery system.” Hoeger said the followings some new media content amass, paired with the means of production being affordable and accessible, reflects a decentralized, democratized production-distribution shift. He predicts the music model that finds even major artists posting work online “is going to happen in film.” The Holy Grail big-budget movie is “a product increasingly on the way out” as the norm, he said. He expects more micro-projects to come out of local/regional markets like Omaha. “I can see down the road where community film production is just as normal a thing as community theater production. What was cost-prohibitive even 10 years ago is not anymore, and we have enough people with the right skill set to do that.” World class mentors are as near as Oscarwinning Omaha residents Payne, Hill and cinematographer Mauro Fiore. Others with serious credits reside or maintain close ties here. The old model still works. One with new legs is L.A. and Omaha-based Night Fox Entertainment. CEO Timothy Christian and local partners find investors for Indiewood features the company helps finance and co-produce. New projects like East Texas Hot Links (Samuel L. Jackson is executive producing) may take Night Fox more on the lead production end. Filming here is possible, but lack of incentives makes it tough. Hoeger has worked with the Nebraska Film Association and others to muster support for state tax incentives as Hollywood bait. Those efforts stalled but a new path has gained traction. “We’re working with the Department of Economic Development to come up with a plan continued on page 82y

film

| THE READER |

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that stays away from any parochial view of attracting ‘real’ moves to Nebraska. Instead, we want to find ways that encourage and support true local productions ... everything from commercials to Web series to documentaries to narrative films. The emphasis is on encouraging young creative minds to stay and work here.” He said Gov. Pete Ricketts recognizes filmTV-web production as an economic engine. There is consensus now, Hoeger said, that content producers are entrepreneurs whose value-add this brain-drained, resourcestrapped state cannot afford losing. Fremont has implemented its own incentives package for film production. Richards said statewide incentives remain elusive minus “a concerted effort by all islands of filmmaking across the state.” Coash said, “Gaining tax incentives has been a challenge – not because they don’t work or aren’t valuable, but because they aren’t prioritized like incentives for agriculture and manufacturing. Lawmakers are starting to see film as a more viable industry that has real impact on economic development and jobs. The trend seems to be more of a focus on regional support where a film may have a tourism value.”

AUGUST 2016

| THE READER |

film

While aspiring filmmakers enjoy a robust Omaha Cinema Culture for seeing films and crewing on them, formal education lags. Jacobson said Film Streams fills some gaps and looks to do more at the Dundee site. “We are growing our film education programs all around film history and criticism and media literacy. Now open almost a decade, the thing I’m most proud of is meeting young adults who grew up attending our free student night and education programs who are now pursuing filmmaking. I love hearing someone was inspired to work in film when they saw their first Kubrick film on the big screen at the Ruth Sokolof Theater.” She added, “I’d like to see other organizations develop filmmaking programs. There is a film studies minor at Creighton and film production classes at Metro. UNO is working on a film studies minor. It would be great for one of the major universities to establish a BA in film or even an MFA program for visual arts. We have far to go in film production ed.” There’s no ideal cinema culture outside New York or L.A. Natives take what they can from home. Some leave, some stay and others return to realize cinema dreams right here in Omaha. ,

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| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

AHMAHA

overtheedge

AUGUST 2016

The Annual Music Festival Continues to Grow

h, Maha! That’s my “slogan suggestion” for the 8th annual Maha Music Festival, being held at Aksarben Village Aug. 20, which features headliner Passion Pit, along with electronic popster Grimes, hip-hop phenom Vince Staples, returning Nebraskan Matthew Sweet and my favorite act of the line-up, Car Seat Headrest, a band that’s about to explode beyond the tiny, crippled indie music world (You heard it first hear on KTIM). Plus seven more starstudded acts and an entire park filled with fun, family-friendly festival mayhem. Ah, Maha! But instead of that genius catch-phrase, the Maha braintrust went with “Maha Moves” as this year’s marketing tag line. That’s not bad, either. In fact, the festival’s entire marketing platform was based around the idea that this year’s line-up is guaranteed to get your booty shaking — a very rare thing for Omaha indie music fans. Lauren Schomburg, the festival’s executive director (a brand new position for the non-profit) said the “Maha Moves” catch-phrase was dreamed up by the marketing team at local ad agency The New BLK long before any bands had been booked. “It was even before we began pursuing Ryan Adams for the festival,” Schomburg said, “not exactly someone who comes to mind when you think of that tag line.” In the end it didn’t matter since they couldn’t land Ryan Adams, anyway. Instead, they landed Passion Pit, whose music is structurally designed to make your body move, or at least wag your head to their hypnotic beat. Over coffee on the patio outside of Aroma’s in downtown Omaha during last month’s scorching heat wave, Schomburg explained the challenges involved in booking this year’s Maha Festival. “It was hard,” she said. “Every year it’s a different kind of hard, but this year we were really struggling to find artists that fit the Maha mold who were available in our price range. It took us longer than usual.” To understand the challenges, you have to understand all the barriers and how the whole thing falls into place. Although everyone on the 10-member Maha Music Festival Board of Directors has input on the line-up, Schomburg said this year’s primary deciders were board members Aaron Shaddy and Bill Sweet, who worked hand-in-hand with Omaha super-promoter One Percent Productions (specifically, One Percent’s Marc Leibowitz). Schomburg said the team starts with a wish list then compares fees with the festival’s entertainment budget, as well as the bands’ availability. Early summer is high season for music festivals, which is one reason Maha moved its date back to late August a few years ago. “Lollapalooza (which was held the last week of July in Chicago) was really the last big U.S. festival,” Schomburg said. “By August, bands begin transitioning to the European festival circuit. We don’t think we’re getting outbid by other festivals, though our budget is still our biggest hindrance.” In the end, it’s Leibowitz who ultimately juggles all the factors for the Maha team and helps them settle on a final line-up. “Marc has worked with us for years,” Schomburg said. “He cares and believes in Maha.” Many offers were sent out, and many were rejected for a myriad of reasons. In the end, the mirrors aligned for Passion Pit, a so-called “indietronica” act from Cambridge, Massachusetts, led by singer/songwriter Michael Angelakos, whose debut LP, Manners, was a hit for Frenchkiss and Columbia Records back in 2009. It was followed by Gossamer in 2012 with the hit “Take a Walk,” which expanded

| THE READER |

over the edge

BY TIM MCMAHAN

their fan base when the song was used by Taco Bell to introduce the Doritos Locos taco. Their last album, Kindred, was released by Columbia in 2015. “When we plan Maha, we take the overall experience into account,” Schomburg said. “We felt Passion Pit puts on a great live show, they’ve been heard on the radio in the past; we felt they would provide the best experience.” Some have wondered why Grimes, a red-hot Canadian synthpop project led by Claire Elise Boucher, wasn’t named as headliner since their 2015 album, Art Angels (4AD Records), was on just about every music publication’s year-end “best of” list. Another question about this year’s line-up: Why only three local bands (four if you count Matthew Sweet)? In years past, Maha had as many as eight locals (back in 2012). “When Maha started, Omaha didn’t have the network of venues it has today,” Schomburg said. “Most shows were at Sokol, and Slowdown and The Waiting Room were just getting started. There were fewer festivals back then, and we made it more of a priority to raise the visibility of the local music scene.” Now there are more venues and more festivals and events. And there’s Hear Nebraska, a non-profit whose mission includes providing exposure for Nebraska music. “Hear Nebraska has been a game-changer,” Schomburg said. “We understand locals want to play Maha, and we believe in local artists, but we need to balance between what we are and what the community needs.” And what the Maha Board wants. When the Mount Rushmore of the Maha Music Festival— local businessmen Tre Brashear, Mike App and Tyler Owen — began the festival way back in 2009, it was easy to combine their visions, Schomburg said. “Now we have a lot more people at the table, which is why we developed the Community Village.” Composed of a variety of area nonprofits, Maha’s Community Village provides alternative entertainment and hands-on activities from other area non-profits. It’s a real mish-mash of fun stuff, kind of like a science fair for local outreach organizations. Schomburg said the Community Village adopted a “platform” this year centered around mental health. “We’re partnering with Nebraska Medicine, the Kim Foundation, Community Alliance and other mental health organizations to raise awareness about mental health issues,” she said. “Suicide is the No. 2 cause of death among 18 to 34 year olds” — an age demographic at the core of Maha’s audience. It’s these kinds of thoughtful additions that make Maha more than just a rock concert Schomburg said, and why last year the organization hired an executive director (and a part-time associate in Joel Henriksen). “By having someone handle the day to day, the organization can begin planning strategically for the next two to three years,” she said. “That allows us to grow Maha in a smart manner rather than taking it a year at a time.” The Maha Music Festival is Saturday, Aug. 20, at Aksarben Village. The Lineup: Passion Pit, Grimes, Vince Staples, The Joy Formidable, Matthew Sweet, Jay Farrar Trio, Diarrhea Planet, Car Seat Headrest, Diet Cig, See Through Dresses, Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal and CJ Mills. Tickets are $55. The festival runs from noon to midnight. For more information, go to mahamusicfestival.com. , Over The Edge is a monthly column by Reader senior contributing writer Tim McMahan focused on culture, society, music, the media and the arts. Email Tim at tim.mcmahan@gmail.com

over the edge

| THE READER |

AUGUST 2016

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Our digital future will be a lot of the same. The most important task of the future will be one of curation. As a result of an increasingly digitized world, we will inevitably find ourselves living within a online bubble. We will be friends with people who look like us and share our views. We will read sites that support our worldview. The world will grow smaller and less interesting and challenging, unless we directly address it. For those who wish to avoid this, there will be technology to help. Programs will analyze your music collection and let you know, for instance, that you listen to

| THE READER |

mysterian

music made by men five times more often than music made by women. These programs will also offer suggestions to assist you: Female musicians who make the sort of music you like. There will be programs that monitor your social media and suggest new friends who are outside the usual group you would know. They will monitor your reading habits, the food you eat, and the places you get news from, and will offer statistics and suggestions. You will be able to decide if you want the suggestions to really challenge you -- your taste in classical music might be countered with suggestions of Tibetan folk music -- or if you just want to expand your horizons a little. Many will find, to their disappointment, that even the slightest challenge is very hard for them to incorporate into their life, and people with even slightly different opinions will be irritating beyond endurance. Many will delete these programs and go back to their digital bubbles, happier in a smaller world.

Our Future Peace It is time to end war. Believe it or not, we are entering a time of unprecedented peace. There will be an international exhaustion with violence that will lead to constant and vigilant focus on diplomacy and disarmament, and we will develop an economic interdependence that will make war unthinkable. It is our future. Dr. Mysterian has seen it. Now all that we must do is remain unafraid. For more predictions by Dr. Mysterian visit www.thereader.

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