Omaha Magazine November/December 2025

MAKING IT PERSONAL: STORIES OF BELONGING IN OMAHA

The morning of this summer’s ICE raid at Glenn Valley Foods began like any other. Residents around Omaha clocked in for work. By the end of the day, 76 factory workers had been taken away in a federal crackdown. The dramatic turn of events underscored the fragility that many migrant families live with, where a single knock at the door can change everything.

I had the opportunity to report on a side of Omaha that’s difficult to face and impossible to ignore. Our cover story takes a closer look at the lasting impact of immigration enforcement in Omaha. I spent time reporting on families, workplaces, and businesses impacted by ICE raids, and what I heard underscored how deeply these experiences shape daily life. It’s a challenging story, but one that belongs squarely in any honest portrait of our city.

That theme of our city is carried throughout this issue. It’s about identity and what it means to belong. That doesn’t always mean politics. This “City Issue” wraps up another remarkable year, and with it comes a chance to reflect on the very forces shaping life here in our city.

Benson Creative District director Annie Butler is one such force, playing a key role as a curator of the city’s beloved First Friday events. Her work guiding one of Omaha’s most artistic neighborhoods has set the standard for what creative districts across the state can achieve. You’ll also meet the artists of Urban Sketchers Omaha, who find beauty in everyday corners of our city by sketching on-site each month.

As the year winds down, we also turn our attention to a familiar holiday tradition that continues to light up our lives. We explore the history of Christmas at Union Station, which has welcomed generations of families with the region’s largest indoor tree and endless festive cheer. Some traditions endure, holding a central place in our community even as the city evolves.

Through these pages, you’ll see a city that is complex and resilient, full of stories both difficult and celebratory. Journalism is how we hold a mirror up to that reality showing the challenges, but also the ways our community comes together. Here’s to closing out the year with a deeper appreciation for the place we call home.

Natalie Veloso Associate Editor Omaha Magazine natalie@omahapublications.com

TABLE of CONTENTS

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

001 From the Editor

Making It Personal

004 The Heart of Omaha Magazine

027 Calendar of Events

039 Obviously Omaha

Holiday Lights and Shopping

052 History

Christmas at Union Station

082 Adventure

Crescent Hill at Hitchcock

085 Explore Calendar

088 Not Funny

ENTERTAINMENT

012 A+C Theater

Wayne Hudson

016 A+C Comedy

Rachel Ware

018 A+C Music

Mitch Gettman

022 A+C Visual

Angelina Gutierrez

Annie Butler

062 Chef Profile

Jennifer Coco

064 Tasty Bites

New to Your Neighborhood

068 Feature

Cattle Call 072 Review

Lalibela

076 Dining Guide

Listen to the entire issue here. Open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code. Produced by Radio Talking Book

When immigration agents stormed Glenn Valley Foods this summer, the impact stretched far beyond the fac tory floor. Read more on page 44.

read current and previous issues online at omahamagazine.com

Backlund Plumbing

Henry Doorly Zoo

Catering Creations

Children's Nebraska

Cutchall Management Group FNBO

Kiewit Luminarium

Lauritzen Gardens

M.U.D.

Omaha Performing Arts Society

Primo's Modern Mexican Restaurant

Scott Conference Center

The Dentists

Valmont

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025

VOLUME 43 // ISSUE 6

EDITORIAL

Executive Editor

DOUG MEIGS

Associate Editor & Staff Writer

NATALIE VELOSO

Assignment Editor & Staff Writer

ISAAC NIELSEN

Editorial Interns

NAOMI HEU · LUCY MASON

Contributing Writers

BEAUFIELD BERRY · TAMSEN BUTLER · MARIA CORPUZ

KYLE EUSTICE · DWAIN HEBDA · DAN HOPPEN

SARA LOCKE · LISA LUKECART · HOLLY MCATEE

JOE MIXAN · LINDA PERSIGEHL · KARA SCHWEISS

TIM TRUDELL · OTIS TWELVE · ANDY WILLIAMS CREATIVE

Creative Director

RACHEL BIRDSALL

Senior Graphic Designer RENEÉ LUDWICK

Graphic Designer II

NICKIE ROBINSON

Graphic Designer I JOEY WINTON

Chief Photographer SARAH LEMKE

SALES

Branding & Digital Specialists

GREG BRUNS · GIL COHEN

DAWN DENNIS · FRANCINE FLEGG

SANDY MATSON · TIM McCORMACK

KRISTEN SPRINGER

Digital Advertising Sales Specialist TRAVIS FISHER

Senior Sales Coordinator

ALICIA HOLLINS

Sales Coordinators

JESSICA LINHART · SANDI M cCORMACK

Director of Business & Development

CAROLE SPRUNK

OPERATIONS

Business Manager

KYLE FISHER

Ad Traffic Manager

DAVID TROUBA

Digital Manager

LUIS DE LA TOBA

Distribution Manager

CARSON KRUSE

EXECUTIVE

Publisher

TODD LEMKE

CEO

BILL SITZMANN

For Advertising & Subscription Information : 402.884.2000

The Heart of Omaha Magazine

Omaha Magazine has existed in Omaha since 1890, according to publisher Todd Lemke. Lemke himself entered the Omaha publishing scene in March 1983 with the first issue of City Slicker. That newsprint publication was the precursor to his Omaha Magazine, which launched its first issue in 1989.

Today, Omaha Magazine Ltd. is the parent company of Omaha Publications, which produces other community-focused magazines such as FACES of Omaha, B2B Magazine, Family Guide, and many custom publishing products.

The magazines would not be possible without the people behind them whether that's the people in between the covers or those behind the scenes.

Lemke and his Omaha Publications staff take immense pride in presenting Omahans with the best stories in the city and the company is always looking to improve the products. That sometimes means switching some features and departments to give the denizens of Omaha what they crave.

At its heart, the Omaha Magazine team is one that works hard for its community.

A Guide to Tabletop Gaming in

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Comic and game shops are more than just places to trade in the material commodities of superheroes, magical beings, and science fiction. These storefronts are the foundation of a local tabletop gaming scene.

The old realms of Omaha’s fringe nerd culture have become increasingly inclusive welcoming tabletop gaming enthusiasts from all ages, experience levels, and walks of life. Regular in-store events and interactive spaces foster niche communities dedicated to a diverse range of formats: miniature wargames such as Warhammer, trading card games (e.g., Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, etc.), role-playing games (Dungeons & Dragons), and even traditional board games (Settlers of Catan, Risk, and much more).

Omaha Magazine compiled this guide to the local tabletop gaming community in three sections packed with local lore. There is inevitably some overlap. For example, Legend Comics & Coffee is a comic shop and TCG vendor that could have fit under the heading “Comics and Games,” but we categorized it in the “Cafe-Store” section on account of its developing this type of space locally. Be sure to check venue websites, Discord servers, and social media channels for up-to-date calendars and news about on-site events. Online presence varies by location. Good luck and have fun!

Comics and Games

LOCAL LEGACY SHOPS

The trifecta of Dragon’s Lair, Krypton Comics, and Ground Zero represent the old guard for local Omaha comic shops. They have the deepest roots, and each hosts regular weekly gaming events for niche formats that have helped nurture and grow tabletop gaming culture locally. While newer shops also host popular weekly gaming events and may sell similar merchandise, these are Omaha’s original three muses for local tabletop gaming.

DRAGON’S LAIR COMICS & GAMES

2311 N. 90th St. (Blondo)

402.399.9141

14616 W. Center Rd. (Millard)

402.895.5653

An institution when it comes to nerdom in Nebraska, Dragon’s Lair is the state’s oldest and longest-running shop for comics, games, and collectibles. Starting in November 1975 on Blondo Street, the shop opened only months after the seminal role-playing game D&D began printing, and the shop’s owners have watched the advent of iconic trading card games from the original (Magic: The Gathering) to Disney Lorcana and other newcomers while serving loyal customers with diverse comic pull-file options, modern to vintage comics, graphic novels, action figures, RPGs, board games, and more.

One of the founders, Bob Gellner, started selling comics at a flea market in the Benson neighborhood prior to opening a brick-and-mortar location. The original flagship location suffered a devastating fire in 2014. But like the mythical phoenix, the beloved shop returned (with some subsequent relocations) before settling at its current dual locations. Both locations feature expansive backroom gaming tables and staff with specialized knowledge that run events for Magic, D&D, Warhammer, and more. The Dragon’s Lair game rooms also feature a small library of board games that customers can play, if the table space is not occupied by scheduled tournaments or niche play groups. A new management transition is helping Dragon’s Lair ensure continuity as Bob and Sharon Gellner sell to two longtime managers.

GROUND ZERO HOBBY

Ground Zero is an awesome shop for comics, toys, RPGs, and TCGs, established in 1988 by Tim Barrett and Jerry Epperson on Harlan Drive (before relocating to Fort Crook Road). Barrett said the name “Ground Zero” refers to Offutt Air Force Base the command center for the U.S. nuclear arsenal at Strategic Air Command during the Cold War. There have been several other unaffiliated comic stores around the U.S. with similar “Ground Zero” names, but the local shop seems to be the oldest continuously

operating, making the Omaha metro truly Ground Zero for comics in America.

Comic shops navigated a difficult boom-or-bust cycle in the 1990s across the U.S. At one point, Barrett owned three stores in Kansas City with an Omahabased distribution partner, and he bought out a comic shop in Lincoln, too (all under different local store names). He said TCG sales Magic, notably helped cushion financial downturns in the comic market, but Magic has had its own investment crashes. Barrett eventually sold his comic empire, and most of the stores closed under new management. Current Ground Zero owner Don Bratetic had been a customer since childhood. He bought Ground Zero in 1998, and the two shops remain a community destination for readers, collectors, and folks playing/trading cards with regular gaming events for competitors of all skill levels.

KRYPTON COMICS

2809 S. 125th Ave., Suite 378 402.391.4131

Krypton Comics feels equal parts museum/shrine/ warehouse for comics and collectibles. There are shelves stacked high with action figures, display cases and walls packed with collectible treasures, row upon row of vintage and modern comics, and a popular corner for buying cards. The store’s vast toy selection has distinguished it among local comic shops for decades. Regular TCG tournaments and gaming events (led by Rick Poehling and Erik Peters) bring crowds to expansive backroom tables.

Established in 1993 by Dean Phillips, the shop has moved several times over the years from strip malls off Pacific St. to 84th St., and two subsequent locations within the Westwood Plaza. Krypton is also home to the metro’s longest running visual artist meetup, which began 15 years ago (organized by Fred Gorham).

NEW COMIC SHOPS

Several former local comic spots that once sold gaming goodies have faded into the mist of time. Merchant of Venus was a sci-fi bookshop that also sold comics and Magic near Dundee; Cosmic Comics was located at the site of the Millard Dragon’s Lair; Comic City was a longtime destination in Council Bluffs the list goes on. Luckily, new shops continue to open with fresh ideas and new contributions to Omaha gaming culture. Here are two that opened in 2025.

MOTHERSHIP COMICS AND CARDS

4958 Grover St.

Adam Sagert soft-opened this cozy shop in May 2025. Mothership sells retro and new comics, music (vinyl records and CDs), and TCGs (mostly Pokémon). Sagert said manga is the shop’s expertise. They buy large collections and operate an in-store machine for pressing and cleaning books. Small retail space limits Mothership from hosting gameplay at this time.

ANCIENT TOMB CARDS AND COMICS

10841 Q St., Suite 101 | 531.867.3047

Owner John Ratajski soft-opened in August 2025 after several years of buying and selling online. He has deep ties in the local comic/gaming community, having worked for many years at Ground Zero in Ralston. Ratajski grew up in Omaha and frequented all the local shops. He remembers another comic spot (the beloved La Vista sci-fi bookstore Star Realm) in the same plaza where he now operates. Packed glass display cases and shelves display an enormous personal collection now for sale (including sealed booster boxes cracked for public sale). There are floorto-ceiling wall displays and bins full of comics, and a backroom area features tables for regular game nights and tournaments.

Cafe-Store Combos

Three Omaha cafe-gaming destinations have emerged over the years. Each occupies its own unique niche. Legend was the first to add coffee and baristas to the local comic shop recipe. Spielbound made a unique board game library with memberships, cafe/ bar, and liquor license. More recently, Cafe Monster brewed a unique blend of TCG/ miniature gaming tables, merchandise, and hip vibes.

LEGEND COMICS & COFFEE

6068 Maple St. | 402.391.2377

The award-winning shop has a new location in the historic Benson business district. Legend Comics & Coffee is LGBTQ+ inclusive and has a knowledgeable staff for classic and contemporary comic collectors. A spacious community room can be rented for various events, gaming, and gathering. For example, Sowing Seeds hosts free art creator hangouts there, and the room is also used for movie screenings.

Jason Dasenbrock and Wendy Pivonka first established Legend on Leavenworth Street, downhill from its longtime home in the renovated site of the original Wohlner’s Grocery. Comic cafes did not exist in Omaha when Dasenbrock, Pivonka, and David DeMarco finished renovating the former grocery store in 2011. DeMarco had bought into the ownership team; they used his financial stake to cover renovation expenses. The shop went on to win the 2014 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer Award, recognizing the best comic shop in the world. After a decade in the Wohlner’s building, their lease was up. An unexpected new owner gave them a month to evacuate. Legend moved to a smaller location in 2021 (sans cafe), then moved again in 2024. The Benson location’s ample space allowed them to resurrect the coffee shop, house voluminous comic book archives on-site, and continue popular community events.

SPIELBOUND BOARD GAME CAFE

Spielbound is home to the metro’s most extensive collection of board games (more than 3,700), accessible by day pass or membership. A board game library like this seemed an unlikely fantasy when Kaleb Michaud, Ph.D., began toying with the idea of opening the cafe. He said there was nothing like it in the U.S. at the time Toronto had the only contemporary comparisons in Canada. The professor and epidemiologist of rheumatology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center had used board games to distract from the chronic pain of his lifelong struggle with arthritis. Michaud hosted local gaming nights at his home before establishing Spielbound alongside cofounder Scott O’Dell. Their brick-and-mortar location opened in 2014.

Spielbound is an all-ages space with friendly staff, long opening hours, and convenient amenities food, beer, Italian sodas, smoothies, and snacks. It’s open until 1 a.m. on weekends, and cafe sales support the nonprofit’s mission. According to its website, Spielbound “strives to educate, engage, and create community through board games.” On top of

providing resources to teachers, seniors, and more about the benefits of board game play and design, the nonprofit space regularly sponsors community fundraisers and hosts a full calendar of public “pickup games,” play-test sessions for Spielmasons (local game designers developing their own games), meetups for specific board game or TCG enthusiasts, and trivia nights. The nonprofit also welcomes volunteers.

Started in 2022 by two friends over their shared love of Magic: The Gathering and coffee, Christian Buckley and Patrick Holm created an intentionally inclusive space for card and tabletop gaming. Shop perks include spacious tables (in front-of-house and backroom areas), book shelves and card singles, a library of board games for the public, a wide selection of drinks/foods, and a welcoming atmosphere. There’s even a nature corner where customers can learn community gardening.

Staff are invested in community building, and they hold deep knowledge of card singles in Magic, Pokémon, and other TCGs. They host regular events for card and miniature games, and they also offer a private RPG room for rent. Long hours accommodate creatures of the night and daywalkers alike. The cafe side opens at 7 a.m. (Monday to Saturday) or 10 a.m. (Sunday), with retail closing between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. every night of the week. Cafe Monster’s popularity means it fills up on weekends, so arrive early or plan for a possible wait for gaming tables.

Tabletop Niches

Tabletop games range from traditional board games to roleplaying games, collectible trading card games, and miniature wargaming. Some stores specialize in a gaming niche, and some do it all.

EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE THE GAME SHOPPE

4014 N. 144th St. (Omaha) | 402.991.8699

1406 Harlan Drive (Bellevue) 402.292.4263

When Norman Herrick established The Game Shoppe in Bellevue in 2004, it was the only dedicated game store in the area. Herrick’s vision was a community-focused store built entirely around games and the people who love them. In 2015, the store opened its second location in northwest Omaha. Today, the shop claims to have “the largest board game and RPG selection in the Midwest,” alongside a vast selection of designer board games, miniature wargames, dice and supplies, and TCG favorites like Magic, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, etc. The Game Shoppe’s online calendar features a packed schedule of tournaments, game nights, learn-to-play events, and RPGs led by game masters. Beyond the store walls, The Game Shoppe helps run the game room at the OCon Expo, partners with Extra Life to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and supports charitable organizations like the Omaha Food Bank and others.

THE GEEK ROOM HOBBIES & GAMES

1215 S. 180th St. | 402.933.6080

Co-owner Jason Kopecky remembers the first time he entered a local Millard game store in the ’80s. He was “filled with an overwhelming sense of wonder, kinda like the first time Harry Potter enters Diagon Alley,” he said. “Simply awestruck at discovering a world of magic and potential that I never knew existed.” He and Missie Kopecky conjured that same sense of wonder at The Geek Room. Missie said accessibility motivated their decision to open in 2018, inspired by their long commute times to reach other local shops. “We are the furthest west [out of all the local game shop options]. And we decided to open out here because we both live out here now,” she said. They offer friendly staff and great selection (TCGs, RPGs, tabletop gaming, board games, etc.). They also host popular miniature-painting contests and game demos. Geek Room is open late on weekends until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

WARHAMMER DARK LIGHT STUDIOS

4865 Center St., Suite 5 | 402.812.9669

On any weekend, you will find armies of orks, treefolk, space marines, and a myriad of other fantastical warriors rampaging across the solid custom-built tables that fill Omaha’s newest Warhammer spot. Co-owner Justin Soli and his family handbuilt the tables themselves before Dark Light Studios opened in April 2025. Soli said he was a “commission painter” for nearly a decade, painting Warhammer miniatures and selling them to other players. His passion began by coincidence. He painted an Imperial Knight on a whim, sold it on eBay, and the rest is history. He came to love the hobby so much that he and partner Gemma Mitchell decided to open a shop together. Soli described himself as more of a painter than a player, but he participates in regular game nights. The shop hosts tournaments and leagues and they have all the terrain players might need but opening hours are limited to Thursday through Sunday.

WARHAMMER WESTWOOD PLAZA

Some people love to paint miniatures. Others prefer the competition of tabletop wargaming. Warhammer accommodates either way. Games Workshop is the 100-pound gorilla in the world of miniature wargaming. Based out of the U.K., Games Workshop is best known for fantasy-themed Warhammer and futuristic/space-themed Warhammer 40K formats. While many Omaha-area game and hobby stores sell Warhammer products, this is the only corporate-owned Warhammer store in Omaha (one of roughly 185 across North America and 560 worldwide). The Westwood Plaza shop holds painting and gaming events to introduce Warhammer to new audiences, sell kits and supplies, and foster the Warhammer gaming community.

TRADING CARD GAMES

THE COLLECTIVE’S CORNER

7008 Maple St. | 531.867.4204

The Collective’s Corner brands itself as “Omaha’s one-stop shop for Pokémon sealed and singles.” DJ Devon Dupree established the store on the Benson strip in 2020 around the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Dupree moved shop further west on Maple roughly three years ago. The store buys and sells every day. They also host regular Pokémon tournaments, learn-to-play, and game nights throughout the week. Next to the main showroom, an expansive gathering space features a Pokémon mural by local artist Jared Cook (Coojar), along with a deep selection of Japanese gachapon capsule toy vending machines. Local artists’ Pokémon art is available for sale on the shop walls. The gathering space is also available to rent for birthday parties or other private gatherings.

CARDBOARD COLLECTIBLES

421 E. Broadway (Council Bluffs) 712.796.3069

Kyle Ausdemore began selling Pokémon cards five years ago via his Whatnot channel 24poke7 on the livestreaming marketplace platform. He opens sealed products on camera, sells to audiences worldwide, and does occasional giveaways. Online success gave way to a physical storefront for the family-owned Cardboard Collectibles in Council Bluffs. Kyle opened the shop in May 2024 with his brothers Sean Ausdemore and Jeff Jones. They specialize in Pokémon but also sell other popular TCGs with a growing selection of Magic. A livestream recording studio doubles as an office adjacent to their display cases, but shop space limitation precludes Cardboard Collectibles from hosting on-site gameplay.

ROLE-PLAYING GAMES + BOARD GAMES

DUNGEON CRATE

6404 Maple St. | 402.507.6633

Dungeon Crate is the retail spinoff to what owner Wayne Brekke launched as the world’s first RPG loot box subscription service a decade ago. The business thrived, and it continues to mail out surprise boxes packed with original RPG storylines, miniatures, dice, trinkets, and other fantastical goodies packed and shipped from their Benson store. As Dungeon Crate’s loot box business grew in popularity, Brekke invented the world of Halcyon as an original setting for his stories and other RPG campaign guides authored by local Omaha writers (for example, “They Came from Below,” by former World-Herald music critic Kevin Coffey). After the COVID-19 pandemic, Wayne and wife Laurie (co-owners of Dungeon Crate and Big Ink Writing Services) opened their Benson space to the local community. They are gracious guides to RPG newbies and veterans alike, with four gaming tables featuring all the scenery and supplies a campaign might need to unravel. Dungeon Crate produces ticketed events (such as a recent Hobbitthemed brunch campaign), and they also host a biweekly Youth Brigade (for ages 11-16) and free Dungeon Club sessions led by a game master on Sundays. Newcomers and young visitors can do a scavenger hunt for a prize while exploring the curio

shop. Suits of armor, medieval cosplay attire, mystical tchotchkes, and various RPG supplies are all available for sale. New on the shop’s horizon, Dungeon Crate is planning to launch a local membership program that will give Omaha supporters their monthly loot crates plus discounts on store merch and events.

OMAHA PUBLIC LIBRARY

Various branches | 402.444.4800

The Omaha Public Library is another resource for tabletop games. Some library branches have board games that can be played on site. Meanwhile, library card holders can utilize the Discovery Pass program to secure free passes to Spielbound. The library’s permanent collection also provides access to various RPG books for borrowing. Anyone looking to jump into a campaign or simply learn how to play an RPG can find likeminded adventurers through the library’s D&D Club programming.

Librarian Stephanie Poletti developed the program first with a teen group, “Legends and Libraries,” at the Millard Branch in the fall of 2024. D&D Club expanded with an adult-only (ages 19+) group at the Elkhorn Branch in September 2025, and she is organizing another teens-only club at the Abrahams Branch. Game masters are volunteers, and she has a current pool of six (with herself as backup) to lead one-off campaigns, which allows players to come and go without committing to a prolonged weekslong (or yearlong) adventure. The library setting provides a safe place where parents can drop off kids, or discover how to play RPGs outside of local game stores. “At its core, D&D is communal storytelling, and what better place to do storytelling than at the library?” Poletti said. Registration is required at library branch locations.

Check also with other local libraries. The Criss Library at the University of Nebraska-Omaha has a diverse collection of board games and card games. Meanwhile, the Papillion Public Library hosted a D&D world-building workshop in September.

OTHER GATHERING POINTS

These venues are all unique destinations for tabletop gaming in the region, but the list is not exhaustive. Other new channels for finding community await your discovery.

CONVENTIONS: There are intermittent local comic and gaming conventions coming to the Omaha metro throughout the calendar year. Comic Con Nebraska took place in August in Omaha, the OCon Expo was in Council Bluffs during July, and Omaha Pop Expo is coming up in January 2026. Board gaming enthusiasts should also consider the Nov. 7-8 Great Plains Game Festival’s “Harvest” event in Omaha. The annual Great Plains Game Festival will follow this April in Lincoln.

VIRTUAL NETWORKING: Online forums help players connect and plan gaming meetups. Some popular Facebook Groups include the public “Omaha Nebraska D&D” (~3.4K members) and “Omaha RPGs” (~1K members), the private “Omaha magic” (~1.3k members), and “Warhammer Omaha” (nearly 900 members). While some stores host Discord servers, there are also plenty of private gaming groups that use the platform to play D&D and other games online. Various virtual simulators and online play interfaces are also available for board games, TCGs, and RPGs.

BARS AND RESTAURANTS: Local eateries, breweries, cafes, and bars frequently offer small libraries of board games on-site for customers. Some even host informal and/or intermittent programming on their calendars. For example: Hookah 402 (312 S. 72nd St.) is a shisha bar that attracts regular Saturday Magic pods and Sunday D&D groups. Meanwhile, Edge of the Universe (6070 Maple St.) is a Benson art cafe/bar that often hosts D&D events complete with game masters and themed potion drink pairings.

So, gather a party, roll the dice, and shuffle your deck. Let’s play some games!

On With the Show

Wayne Hudson’s Rise in Omaha’s Theater Scene A+C THEATER

ayne Hudson is on the move. Having reached the milestones he set after a devastating car crash in 2023, he’s pausing to reflect and ask: W hat’s next?

Th is moment of artistic limbo comes after recognition at last year's OEAAs for his Willy Wonka performance in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at Th e Rose Th eater and ahead of his current run in Angels in America Part II: P erestroika.

Hudson started his theater career by taking classes and attending summer camp at The Rose Theater. Like many other children, he didn’t think about the cost or the sacrifice that his interest may have put on the family, but that didn’t matter. “Th ankfully, my mom said, ‘If you love it, do it,’” he said. And that’s exactly what he has done.

The Millard North High School theater and show choir programs were an integral and transformative part of Hudson’s acting practice. He credits the passion of his teachers and directors who inspired him to take his acting more seriously, opening his eyes to the fact that Omaha is a space where he can take theater seriously.

Once it was time to transition into college, he remained committed to acting by studying theater at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Omaha, but it was short-lived. While attending classes and preparing for Rent at Omaha Community Playhouse in 2023, Hudson got into a car crash that forced an impossible choice: quit the show or leave school. He chose the stage in place of the classroom. “I felt like I would learn more by actually doing the thing…I thank God for that crash," Hudson said. This forced decision helped him clarify his artistic priorities, crystallizing his commitment to community theater over academic pursuits.

While Omaha may not be the fi rst city that people think of when it comes to a career in the arts, the network of mentors, teachers, and community members that fostered Hudson’s talents have kept him here. “Omaha is the city that raised me,” he said. His dedication to Omaha and the theater community is also strategic. He wants to ensure that if he does eventually leave for a bigger city, there is a stable, loving community for him to return to.

Th is fall, the Omaha Community Playhouse will be presenting Angels in America Part II: Perestroika with Hudson

returning to his role as Belize—a Black, queer nurse who serves as the play’s moral center. Set in 1980s New York, Perestroika is an award-winning play that examines homosexuality and the effect that AIDS had on that community. Hudson prepares for each role with an analytical mindset, diving into research to develop the whole character. For this role as Belize, he researched a bit closer to home, interviewing his Uncle Wayne—a Black, gay fashion designer in the ’80s—and his husband, who lived through the era that the play depicts.

“We talked about what it was like to be gay and Black back then,” Hudson recalled. “I learned so much about him that I didn’t know…I didn’t know that AIDS and HIV disproportionately affected queer people of color,” he said.

Hudson took those stories, put himself to the wayside, and mapped out two different scripts—one with his lines and blocking, and another of the internal and emotional dialogue to truly settle into each of his scenes. The lesson he learned from this character? "People of color who are queer have always been here, and have always been the most outspoken and the fi rst to lead movement s," he said.

In November 2024, a surprise nomination for the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Musical recognized Hudson for his role as Willy Wonka. “I was so gagged and surprised to see my name among the list of nominees,” Hudson said. What meant the most to him was the fact that community members nominate artists, which meant his community had rallied around to support him. But the moment that mattered most was seeing the children waiting for him after the performance to ask for photos and his process for making chocolate.

Balancing artistic fulfi llment with practical needs is a challenge almost every artist faces. The reality of paying rent while building a career in theater is something that Hudson continues to balance with grace. Hudson knows that staying in touch with his passions and creative pursuits helps create a robust li fe for him.

“Boredom, stress, and anxiety stem from a lack of creative or passionate outlet…My advice to people who have lost touch with their passion is to return to what excited them as children,” he said. He’s happy to be playing house just like when he was a kid—these days, on a stage in front of an audience.

Boredom, stress, and anxiety stem from a lack of creative or passionate outlet…my advice to people who have lost touch with their passion is to return to what excited them as children. —Wayne Hudson

No Ma er Laughing It’s

Rachel Ware Builds Omaha’s Comedy Scene

STORY BY NATALIE VELOSO

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN

DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

If Omaha is laughing, Rachel Ware might be responsible. She’s on stage several nights a week—running her fast-paced Power Hour showcase at The Backline, testing new material at local clubs, or jumping into an improv set just for the fun of it. And she’s just as excited handing the mic to someone new as she is taking it herself.

“I love giving newcomers opportunities,” she said. “A lot of people fresh into stand-up only take what open mics will give you. I love seeing other veteran comics, showcasing new comics, and hiring them all.”

It’s a role Ware made for herself in the local comedy scene, splitting her time between making audiences laugh and making other comics stronger. Ware grew up in Omaha and stayed in the metro through college before moving to Southern California in 2016 to chase performance gigs.

When she returned in 2020, she hit the ground running. “I have at least two shows a week, and that’s been the pace for at least the last five years since I got back from LA,” she said. “I found myself single with a cat, and I had the time, so I thought it was a good way to get back into it.”

The “it” for Ware has never been one-dimensional. Improv, stand-up, teaching, voice acting—she does it all. If there’s a punchline to her story, it’s that Ware never planned to pursue comedy as a career, but it was the only thing she was good at. “It was a point in my life where I was like, ‘I have nothing left to lose. I might as well take an improv class,’” she said.

By the mid-2010s, she had become co-owner of The Backline, helping run shows out of its original basement space near 50th and Dodge. “We’d be there from 7 p.m. until sometimes 1 a.m., just being goofy with our friends,” she said.

Those scrappy nights helped grow Omaha’s comedy roots, and today, Ware takes just as much pride in mentoring as she does in headlining. “My biggest thing I hope people walk away with after a class with me is confidence,” she said. “I want them to leave with a thought of, ‘Oh, I feel better about how I perform.’”

Teaching and performing overlap in her monthly shows like Dad Jokes, a long-running improv team that’s been together for a decade, or Power Hour, where she books comics to do their best work in front of a usually sold-out crowd.

Ware prefers to keep her own comedy personal and observational, but always authentic, she said. “I believe a crowd knows when you’re lying. My stand-up is all about my experiences and perspective, but in a way that people want to listen to, whether they completely relate to it or not.”

Stand-up has also put her onstage with heavyweights like Dave Attell and Big Jay Oakerson, but the nerves never completely go away. “My mom always told me that if you weren’t nervous, something was wrong,” Ware said. “It always puts

me in a mindset of humility and appreciation and reminding myself that I also deserve to be here.”

Awards have followed, too—Ware has taken home Outstanding Comedian at the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards multiple times, but she doesn’t treat the accolades lightly. “I am so appreciative of the times I have been recognized and especially appreciative of the times that I have won,” she said. “Last year, I was the only female on the ballot, and I won. It’s very awesome.”

Ware grew up surrounded by performance, thanks in part to her father, Tom Ware, owner of Ware House Productions in Omaha. At age 9, she stumbled into voice acting while hanging around her father’s recording studio. “There was a day where one of the kids was scared to audition. But I had grown up in the studio, so it was my second home. I went in there with them, and I was like, ‘Yeah, I’ll show you how to do it.’ I put on the headphones and started reading the script, and that’s when the producers were like, ‘Oh, she’s great.’”

Th at landed her the role of Angel Cake in ABC’s Strawberry Shortcake, eventually leading to other work in shows like Horseland , Liberty’s Kids, and DinoSquad . Voice work still consistently fi nds its way into her career, though comedy takes up much of her attention. Sometimes, she fi nds that the two overlap with each other.

“I just had a voiceover audition last week where the director specifically said, ‘Go kind of crazy on it, just whatever feels right,’” Ware said. “Th at’s improv, right there.”

Between averaging six shows a month, working a day job, teaching improv, and raising two stepkids with her husband, Ware isn’t slowing down. “I don’t fight the burnout—I just burn out,” she said with a laugh. “It would be a joy to do comedy full-time, but it’s such a rare occurrence. I’m always reaching toward just doing comedy and comedy-adjac ent things.”

The dream of eventually owning her own theater in Omaha or Council Bluff s to provide more comedy to the masses is at the top of Ware’s bucket list, but the idea of leaving the Midwest? Th at’s comedy gold.

“Oh, my God, I will never leave the Midwest. I have no desire to go anywhere else,” she said. “I think Omaha has great roots and so much untapped potential. We’re still growing and learning. I want to be here when the [comedy] Big Bang happens.”

Explore more of Rachel Ware’s comedy journey on Instagram and TikTok @rachelwarecomedy.

For an audio version of this story, open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code.

A/C MUSIC

The Music of

Mitch Gettman

STORY BY HOLLY MCATEE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH LEMKE // DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

‘This

is the Place Where I Grew Up’

Omaha native singer-songwriter Mitch Gettman picked up the guitar at age 11, when his stepdad surprised him with an Esteban acoustic he’d ordered from a late-night infomercial. He’s been playing ever since. Gettman’s music combines the details of everyday life with bigger dreams and aspirations—capturing both the struggle of getting through a day and the endless possibilities waiting on the horizon.

Gettman began by learning songs from bands like U2, Green Day,

Alice in Chains, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and other ’90s alternative artists. He dove headfi rst into discovering new music, quickly becoming a devoted fan. Working his way through Rolling Stone ’s list of the top albums of all time, he went through phases with the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Rolling Stones, and the Velvet Underground. Each discovery revealed new sounds and ideas, convincing him the possibilities were endless.

“Don’t let anyone tell you the music that you love sucks,” Gettman said. “Music is personal.”

Over the years, his own music has expanded and become more colorful. “I’ve gained more influences like Marvin Gaye, John Coltrane, and Miles Davis, so I like to try to reflect those influences into my sound,” Gettman explained. Listening to Gettman’s music, you’ll catch elements of funk, indie rock, folk, and alternative woven together. He’s both a songwriter and a poet, driven by a genuine love for music in all its forms. “Every song is just a tribute to another artist that came before me,” he said.

A/C Music

Gettman has made a name for himself in Omaha’s music scene, releasing five studio albums to date. His latest, Tilde, is what he calls a “Best Of” collection—he also re-recorded the songs live at ARC Studios to give the album new life. His work has earned public recognition, including the Outstanding Rock award at the 19th Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards.

Fellow musician Scott Colanino fi rst met Gettman years ago at Slowdown, and the two have been close friends ever since. Colanino even officiated Mitch’s wedding to his wife, Allyson. Over the years, he’s watched Gettman’s talent flourish and believes an even brighter future lies ahead.

“Mitch is one of a kind,” Colanino said. “We have a lot of local talent in Omaha, but it’s hard for a lot of bands to break out. I think Mitch will be there. His new release is phenomenal quality. When it comes to his sound, it’s unique—he’s inimitable. When you see Mitch perform live, you can see that he’s a great storyteller. You can dance to his music. His live shows are mixed up. He will play keyboard, guitar, accordion, and harmonica. Mitch is just one of those young guys who plays a good song.”

The Mitch Gettman Band can often be found playing at local spots like The B. Bar, Reverb Lounge, and Slowdown. The lineup features Kevin Sullivan on bass, Adam Stoltenberg on drums, and Sam Fleisher on guitar. Gettman describes their live shows as rock-driven and eclectic, with a few funky jazz numbers woven in. “We might do some big, weepy ballads. We might do some crazy off-the-wall, improvisational free jazz-inspired 20-minute-long jam, but it’s a rock show,” Gettman said.

Gettman is in two other local bands, too—he plays the keyboard in a Ween cover band called Powder Blue. He’s also the frontman for a Radiohead tribute band called The Karma Police. “Radiohead is my favorite band of all time, so to be able to sing that music with these guys who are so talented and really bring it is amazing,” he said.

When it comes to songwriting, Gettman admitted that songs have always come easily to him. “I could be sitting there playing my guitar and fi nd the chords I like. Often, they come to me when I’m doing things like taking out the trash,” he said. “A phrase will just hit me. David Lynch talks about ideas being like fishing. You must allow them to come to you, and they will.”

Outside of making and performing music, Gettman and his wife, Allyson, both work at Barrett’s Barleycorn. The couple recently welcomed their son, James, who is on a difficult healing journey at just four months old. James was diagnosed with necrotizing enterocolitis, along with other medical complications that have kept him in Children’s Hospital for an extended stay. The experience has been incredibly hard on the family, but the Barrett’s community has rallied a round them.

Owner Karen Barrett-Jeff rey organized a fundraiser after employees asked how they could help. “Barrett’s is such a tight community and everyone helps each other,” Barrett-Jeff rey said. “The employees were all asking me what they could do, so I put together a GoFundMe to help them out.” The fundraiser has given Mitch and Allyson the gift of spending more time at the hospital with James.

Music has also helped the family through this tough time. Gettman brings his guitar and plays for James, and little James likes to hear h is dad play.

“I feel blessed that I can provide Allyson emotional support,” Gettman said. “We are a great team. Our communication is good, and we rely on each other. We are really trying to stay positive during this time.”

Gettman’s advice for up-and-coming musicians is simple: “Get a looper pedal. Always follow your intuition. If you want to play music and be a songwriter, do it. If you really want it, you must follow that forever until it happens or you die.” Then, with a laugh, he added, “If you don’t want to do it, then let the people that want to do it do it.”

Visit mitchgettman.bandcamp.com for more information and to hear Mitch Gettman’s music.

“When it comes to his sound, it’s unique—he’s inimitable. When you see Mitch perform live, you can see that he’s a great storyteller. You can dance to his music. His live shows are mixed up. He will play keyboard, guitar, accordion, and harmonica.”

- Scott Colanino

A+C VISUAL

STORY

BY

Beaufield Berry

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Bill

Sitzmann

DESIGN BY Nickie

Robinson

Angelina Gutierrez’s Rebirth Through Art

In the corner of her West Omaha garage, between cans of spray paint and canvases flecked with blue and red, Angelina Gutierrez discovered a new life. Ten years ago, she was a hairstylist of 17 years, a mother of two, and—by her own admission—someone who had “drunk the Kool-Aid” for the wrong man. The relationship spiraled into emotional abuse, controlling behavior, and chaos that left her without a job, friends, or confidence.

“I was in a low place. Self-esteem-wise, I just felt like I was nothing,” Gutierrez said. “I had a chalkboard in my kitchen where I used to write little notes to my kids, and one day, I just grabbed chalk and started drawing on it. And it made me feel better and better.”

What began as scribbles for survival became a full-blown artistic practice. Gutierrez cleared out her basement storage room, set up a makeshift studio, and graduated from chalk to acrylic paint. When spray paint entered the mix— “You can’t do that inside,” she laughed—her garage became the beating heart of her second life. The bright colors, especially the blues she burns through fastest, carry the weight of emotions she can’t always name. “Art is what helped me fi nd myself again,” Gutierrez said. “I didn’t realize that over 17 years of doing hair, that was the way I was venting my creativity and voice. So when I quit abruptly I had to fi nd a way to release that. I was just as shocked as anybody to fi nd I had any ability.”

The youngest brags to friends that her mom is an artist. The oldest sometimes wishes for a more conventional 9-to-5, but even she can’t deny the magnetism of her mom’s work. “Her friends come over and they’re just blown away,” Gutierrez said. “Art is the mediator, we all speak the language.”

“I’d love for my art to connect with an urban heartbeat, with hip-hop culture, with places that understand that rawness.”

—Angelina

Gutierrez

Her identity—a blend of Mexican heritage, a Nebraska farm upbringing, and what she calls “plenty of fl avor”—threads through her work, even if subtly. Growing up Latina in a small rural town was an experience that she wouldn’t have traded. Gutierrez is candid about the emotional underpin of her work and the depth of the journey that got her where she is today. For her, art has been a healer. “I think everyone has abstract creativity in them,” she said. “Th e frustration comes from judgment—our own or others’. If you accept however it comes out, it starts healing you. I have complete compassion for humanity and the struggles that really exist. I feel that is communic ated often.”

Gutierrez’s work is bright and chaotic: with splatters and drips and often centered around faces and shapes, it isn’t carefully planned. “Most of the time I don’t know what it’s going to be,” she said. “I flow with it. I’m a bright, happy human who’s gone through real struggle. Everyone has it in them to create, they just have to fi nd it within themselves.”

Music helps drives her process—Otis Redding’s soulful ache, Amy Winehouse’s raw confessions, the industrial pulse of Nine Inch Nails. She paints to a rhythm, the garage door open to the elements and neighbors. She tries to avoid television entirely. Her daughters have watched the transformation up close.

Gutierrez has shown locally—her largest mural looms proudly at Culxr House, and she recently exhibited at Joslyn Castle with guidance from art director John Paul, whom she credits as a key mentor. But her sights are set wider: residences, big-city galleries, maybe Los Angeles or New Mexico. “I’d love for my art to connect with an urban heartbeat, with hip-hop culture, with places that understand that rawness,” she said.

Breaking into Omaha’s arts scene hasn’t been seamless. Gutierrez admitted the community can be tight-lipped, reluctant to share opportunities that might “catapult you past them.” Still, she acknowledged her role in shaping that landscape: “I’m part of the scene now,” Gutierrez said. “I have a responsibility to communicate and help West Omaha, especially, develop more of an ar t presence.”

Th at healing radiates outward. Her garage studio has become a sanctuary not just for her, but for friends, daughters, and curious neighbors. West Omaha’s suburban sprawl hides an unlikely muralist whose dynamic themes and brilliant colors spill well beyond the canvas, reminding us of resilience, risk, and reinvention.

“It would be cool to be all over the world, honestly,” she said when asked about her five-year vision. For anyone needing a sign to pick up a brush or a piece of chalk, let Gutierrez’s story be proof that even in the darkest of days, art can be a lifeline—and a creative license to start anew.

Follow Gutierrez’s work @abstract_angelina on Instagram.

visual arts

2025 NEBRASKA BIENNIAL

Th rough Dec. 14 at Gallery 1516, 1516 Leavenworth St. View work from over 100 of the best artists in Nebraska with paintings, photography, sculpture, and more. 531.375.6643 gallery1516.org

BFF: NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER

Nov. 7 and Dec. 5 throughout Benson Creative District. Explore galleries in Benson on the first Friday of each month. Check out BFF Gallery, Petshop, and local artists exhibiting in businesses across the district. bffomaha.org

BEJEWELED

Nov. 7-23 at Hop Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St. Presented by the Midwest Lampworkers Guild, this exhibition displays handcrafted glass and jewel-inspired art.

402.342.6452 hostshopsartcenter.org

DRIPPING EARTH: CANNUPA HANSKA LUGER

Nov. 15-Mar. 8 at Th e Joslyn, 2200 Dodge St. Become immersed in the history of Cannupa Hanska Luger’s Hidatsa clan, the Awa xee (Dripping Dirt), the repairmen of the earth lodge dwellings.

402.342.3300 joslyn.org

TALIB KWELI

Nov. 5 at Th e Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St.

Not just a very successful hip-hop artist, Kweli also founded Javotti Media, which releases music, fi lms, and books, and is defi ned as being intended for “independent thinkers and doers.”

402.884.5353 waitingroomlounge.com

YUNG GRAVY WITH PERTINENCE

Nov. 7 at Th e Admiral, 2234 S. 13th St. From “Oops!” to “Mr. Clean,” Yung Gravy will perform his top songs at The Admiral, with meet and greet passes available for purchase. admiralomaha.com

STRAIGHT NO CHASER

Nov. 14 at Orpheum Th eater, 409 S. 16th St. The 10-man acapella group Straight No Chaser will provide the classic holiday sounds they’ve been bringing to the stage for the past two decades.

402.345.0606

o-pa.org

THE BLACK JACKET SYMPHONY: AC/DC’S ‘BACK IN BLACK’

Nov. 14 at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. Having performed over 40 classic rock albums in the past 13 years, the Black Jacket Symphony perfectly recreates a classic rock album in its entirety on stage. The band will be performing “Back in Black” in full at Steelhouse in Omaha.

CONCERTS

BLUE OCTOBER: WE DIDN’T DIE YOUNG TOUR

Nov. 1 at Th e Astro Th eater, 8302 City Centre Drive. Formed in 1995 and originally from Houston, Texas, this rock band will be stopping in Omaha. 531.283.5212 theastrotheater.com

BAGELS AND SOMETIMES BACH

Every Sunday starting Nov. 2 at Gallery 1516, 1516 Leavenworth St. Starting with featured artists from Opera Omaha, other performances to follow throughout the month will include the UNO Music Department, the Bel Canto Duo, and Ron Cooley and Darryl White. 531.375.6643 www.gallery1516.org

WILLOW AVALON WITH CHRISTIAN HAYES

Nov. 4 at Th e Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. One of country music’s most compelling new voices, Willow Avalon began playing piano in church and released her debut single “Drivin’” in 2021. 402.884.5353 waitingroomlounge.com

RYAN DAVIS AND THE ROADHOUSE BAND

Nov. 5 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Ranging from avant-folk to cheerful, to rock with inklings of country, Davis is all over the map while producing music that feels like the introspection of the mid-South.

402.884.5707 reverblounge.com

402.345.0606

steelhouseomaha.com

A MOTOWN CHRISTMAS

Nov. 15 at Orpheum Th eater, 409 S. 16th St. From The Temptations, The Miracles, The Contours, and more, this event will blend the sounds of Motown with the Christmas spirit.

402.345.0606

o-pa.org

WILLIS

Nov. 19 at Slowdown, 729 N 14th St. Formed in Florence, Alabama, WILLIS is a long standing indierock band with over 350 million streams.

402.345.7569

theslowdown.com

LIVE @ LOW END: BRÌGHDE CHAIMBEUL

Nov. 20 at the Bemis, 724 S. 12th St. Chaimbeul will perform using the Scottish smallpipes, as she has taken them to the global stage to explore Celtic experimentalism.

402.341.7130

info@bemiscenter.org

SPIRITBOX WITH PERIPHERY & HONEY REVENGE!

Nov. 22 at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. Originating from British Columbia, Spiritbox encapsulates the heavy and progressive metal sound. 402.345.0606

steelhouseomaha.com

MAMMOTH WITH MYLES KENNEDY: THE END TOUR

Nov. 29 at Th e Astro Th eater, 8302 City Centre Drive. Th is all-ages show will feature Grammy-nominated Wolfgang Van Halen, who will showcase his multifaceted talent on bass, keys, guitar, and drums.

531.283.5212

theastrotheater.com

HEART WITH SPECIAL GUEST CHEAP TRICK

Dec. 2 at Baxter Arena, 2425 S. 67th St. For the Royal Flush Tour of 2025, two bands who need no introduction will be stopping in Omaha to perform some of their biggest rock-heavy hits.

402.554.6200

www.baxterarena.com

VINCENT ANTONE

Dec. 4 at Th e Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Antone is a multi-instrumentalist who combines dance with all other genres of music.

402.884.5353

waitingroomlounge.com

BLUE VIOLIN CANDLELIGHT CHRISTMAS EXTRAVAGANZA

Dec. 5 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Listen to a fiery performance from Blue Violin, where holiday classics and rock favorites will intertwine for an evening.

402.345.0202

o-pa.org

JOYFUL NOISE: A GOSPEL CHRISTMAS

Dec. 7 at Steelhouse Omaha, 1100 Dodge St. The Salem Church Choir will be performing classic and new holiday music along with local favorites and guest artists.

402.345.0606

steelhouseomaha.com

BÉTON ARMÉ WITH DARK THOUGHTS

Dec. 7 at Reverb Lounge, 6121 Military Ave. Inspired by French punk bands of the ’80s, this band from Montreal conjures the lively, energetic sound of the genre.

402.884.5707 reverblounge.com

OMAHA SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

Dec. 11-14 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Omaha's biggest holiday performance returns with maestro Ernest Richardson and festive Christmas classics.

402.345.0606 omahasymphony.org

RAIN: A BEATLES CHRISTMAS TRIBUTE

Dec. 15 at Orpheum Th eater, 409 S. 16th St. Th is event combines holiday favorites and the classic Beatles hits at the Orpheum.

402.345.0606

o-pa.org

Would you like weekly event recommendations delivered right to your inbox? Open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code (left) to subscribe to Omaha Magazine’s Weekend Entertainment Guide online.

STAGE PERFORMANCES

JEFF DUNHAM: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOUR

Nov. 8 at CHI Health Center, 455 N. 10th St. Comedian Jeff Dunham and his cast of characters will be bringing laughter and pizzazz to Omaha. 402.341.1500 chihealthcenteromaha.com

HEATHER SHAW

Nov. 19 at Funny Bone Comedy Club, 710 N. 114th St. Suite 210. Heather Shaw is known for her uncanny resemblance to Jim Carrey— not just in looks, but in facial expressions and comedy—with her quick wit and sharp takes.

402.493.8036 omaha.funnybone.com

EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (AND THEN SOME!)

Nov. 20-Dec. 20 at BlueBarn Th eater, 1106 S. 10th St. As part of their Season 37, this show will include three actors and a wildly fast mash-up of A Christmas Carol, Th e Grinch, and Die Hard.

402.345.1576 bluebarn.org

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Nov. 21-Dec. 21 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Enjoy this classic written by Charles Dickens as the Omaha Community Playhouse performs it for the 50th year.

402.553.0800 omahaplayhouse.com

HANNAH BERNER: NONE OF MY BUSINESS TOUR

Dec. 4 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. From New York Times best-selling author to comedian, with her relatable comedy and crowd work, Hannah Berner will be taking Omaha head-on.

402.345.0202 o-pa.org

LATE NIGHT CATECHISM

Dec. 5-21 at the Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Th is satirical comedy, which includes audience participation, follows the classroom of a no-nonsense sister.

402.553.0800 omahaplayhouse.com

THE PIGEON GETS A BIG TIME HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

Dec. 5-21 at Th e Rose Th eater, 2001 Farnam St. The classic characters of Mo Willems will come to life for a Christmas special that Omaha kids won’t want to miss.

402.345.4849 rosetheater.org

FAMILY AND MORE

DAY OF THE DEAD FESTIVAL

Nov. 1-2 at Bellevue Berry Farm, 11001 S. 48th St. Join Bellevue Berry Farm over the weekend as they celebrate Day of the Dead.

402.331.5500 bellevueberryfarm.com

SANTA’S REINDEER AT MULHALL’S

Nov. 22 at Mulhall’s, 3615 N. 120th St. A cherished tradition, these reindeer will be at the store for people to visit as they stop in for plants and Christmas trees.

402.496.0700 mulhalls.com

HOLIDAY LIGHTS FESTIVAL

Starting Nov. 29 in Th e Old Market, Harney to Jackson St. and 10th to 13th St. Omaha will be celebrating its 26th season of holiday lights starting in November and going until the new year. Grab a hot chocolate or a sleigh ride and enjoy the lights.

402.346.4445 www.holidaylightsfestival.org

CHRISTMAS AT UNION STATION: TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY

Starting Nov. 29 at Th e Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Starting off with the annual Tree Lighting Festival, festivities will kick off with loads of entertainment, cookie decorating, a scavenger hunt, and even Santa himself.

402.444.5071 durhammuseum.org

THE HISTORY OF KWANZAA

Starting Dec. 3 at Great Plains Black History Museum, 2221 N. 24th St. Th is exhibition honors Dr. Maulana Karenga, the founder of Kwanzaa, and explores the seven guiding principles and symbols of the celebration.

402.932.7077

gpblackhistorymuseum.org

BIODISCOVERY LAB: EXPLORING BIOLUMINESCENCE

Dec. 6 at Kiewit Luminarium, 345 Riverfront Drive. Exploring bioluminescence, the natural ability of organisms to produce light, this interactive workshop will inspire both knowledge and creativity. 402.502.3366 kiewitluminarium.org

THE PRINCESS BRIDE

Dec. 28 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Cary Elwes, who played Wesley in the original movie, will be at the Holland for a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie. 402.345.0202

o-pa.org

ACTIVE LIVING

URBAN SKETCHERS OMAHA DRAWS COMMUNITY

Jean Mason Inspires Artists of All Walks

tatues of jazz singers frozen in time harken back to the rich musical history of North 24th Street. A burst of bright yellow fl owers bloom nearby. It’s a view from the Union for Contemporary Arts that Clarke Anderson captured in his colorful sketchbo ok drawings .

“You want to tell a story with your sketches, and Clarke did that,” said Jean Mason, the founder of Urban Sket chers Omaha.

Mason, who has a studio at North Downtown’s Hot Shops, started the group in March. Members meet on the third Saturday of each month at places around Omaha— the Union, Gene Leahy Mall, and Joslyn Art Museum among them—to sketch in their journals. It’s all part of Mason’s goal of sharing Omaha with ot her artists.

And the neat thing is, participants don’t need to be artists by defi nition.

“We have a couple people who are artists here at Hot Shops, a couple people who are artists at Clover24,” Mason said. “It’s

capturing what the artist sees, Campanario said. Urban sketchers use any kind of media to tell the stor y, he said.

Campanario posted his drawings on Flickr, an online photo app. Soon, others fo llowed suit.

“What I like about Urban Sketchers is that it brings together my passion for art, for making drawings, but also for telling stories through the drawings, which is just a diff erent form,” he said. “I like to see the work from other sketchers, because they give you a unique perspective of their own hometowns and the places where they travel. We can all sit in front of the same picture as a scene, and our drawings will always look diff erent, because they are ma de by hand.”

As part of its manifesto, the global Urban Sketchers movement requires artists to tell a story with their drawings, share them online, and support one another.

In 2010, Urban Sketchers hosted an international symposium in Portland, Oregon,

said. “When you plan to go to the zoo, you check the weather, right? That backstage pass philosophy is where it really becomes very i nteresting.”

After hosting two workshops in May at Gene Leahy Mall, Omaha’s Urban Sketchers kicked off their fi rst monthly meet-up on June 21.

Anderson felt a connection with the crowd of about 20 people attending the event held at Joslyn. People sketching indoors were limited to pencils for their art, while others could use diff erent tools outdoors, with watercolor as the prefe rred medium.

“I like it for the social aspects,” said Anderson, a retired physician who moved back to his hometown of Fremont. “It’s a great way to get out with 20 to 30 diff erent people. It’s only once a month, but we actually look forward to it. From an artist standpoint, I like it because it really forces you to look at details that you otherwise would h ave missed.”

ITS ABOUT EMOTION NOT PERFECTION.

mostly just regular people. We have a lot of young people, which I’m loving. Th at’s part of the reason I do it. I’d like to meet people of all ages, all walks of life, and people with children have b een coming.”

Mason has embraced the Urban Sketchers concept since participating in a weekly program while living on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle. Even better, she sketched with Gabriel Campanario, a graphic journalist with the Seattle Times who created Urban Sketchers in 2007 as an outgrowth of his column. He had no idea the influence he unleashed on Mason and others.

“He started this movement, and it has literally gone global,” she said. “It’s a huge, big thing. And I think the reason is its simplicity and authentic experiences. It’s about your storytelling. Nobody is saying, ‘Did you draw this person perfectly? Are the proportions correct?’ Nobody’s ever saying that. In fact, a lot of urban sketchers will intentionally distort, like the architecture and the buildings, for the feel. It’s about emotion, not perfection.”

Urban Sketchers grew from Campanario’s love of drawing. An urban sketch is a drawing created on-location, indoors or outdoors,

with about 100 people attending. Th e 13th annual conference in Poland last summer attracted 2,000-3,000 people, said Mike Daikubara, vice president of Urban Sketchers’ exec utive board.

Daikubara, who relocated from New York to northwest Arkansas for work this year, quickly became an early Urban Sketcher, embracing the concept of “see the world one drawing at a time.”

“I thought sketching was something you did by yourself in a dark room or in a corner of a coff ee shop or something, but Gabi introduced this aspect that there’s more people like u s,” he said.

Urban Sketchers has become an international marvel, with chapters in more than 500 cities across 70 countries.

Mason hopes to add Omaha as a formal chapter, religiously adhering to the manifesto. A fl edgling chapter must have a solid six months of activity before seeking approval, she said. But planning locations for Omaha sketchers presents unique challenges.

“One of the things I’m finding of Omaha is that it can be a little tricky,” Mason

_Jean Mason

Starting at 10 a.m., artists have two hours to observe the world around them. Th en at noon, they have a “throw-down,” where everyone lays their journal on the ground, a photo is taken, and everyone appreciates each other’s work, sharing diff erent perspective s, she said.

Mason seems to have been destined to unite Omaha-area artists through Urban Sketchers. Her love of art traces back to her childhood. Th e daughter of a West Point Academy-educated Air Force pilot and a carefree hippie mother, Mason was raised to appreciate art, music, trave l, and food.

“My mom had this philosophy that whenever we got someplace, we took the boxes and we stacked them up against the wall, and we used paper plates because we never knew how long we were going to be there,” Mason said. “And there were things to see and things to do, and things to experience.”

Her mother was an artist, often selling paintings to galleries in Colorado and New Mexico during her father’s assignments at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. She recalls dropping off art pieces in Taos, New Mexico.

“I remember just sitting there listening to the artist,” Mason said. “You could smell the oil paint. I knew that meant these were all fresh paintings. These were experiences that were just normal, right? My mom’s friends were all painters. I thought that’s what everybody did. They all paint. I painted. I just always painted. She didn’t really let me use oil paints until I was maybe 8 or so, because they’re dangerous, you know. But we just painted. Th at’s just w hat we did.”

Mason sketched as a teenager, often drawing on her experiences in theater. Th e passion led her to the University of Kansas, where she initially majored in the ater design.

“I soon realized that maybe if you’re going to take out student loans for a degree, it better be something that you can get paid decently enough to pay them back,” she said. “So, I switched over to the school of education. I’m a teacher.”

Because her husband’s sales career took them all over, teaching in public schools was a challenge because of each state’s requirements for teaching certificates, so she taught at Montessori schools, Mason said. She eventually became a graph ic designer.

At the age of 38, while attending an art show in Omaha with friends, Mason realized her calling.

“Th ere was, literally, a point where I was like, ‘Darn it, that’s what I’m meant to do,’” she said. “I was always meant to do that. I just got sidelined. I just got sucked into the machine. I missed it, so I handed off all of my clients to other graphic designers, and I started painting full-time.”

Marketing art challenged her, Mason said.

“I know how to stretch a canvas, and I know how to paint,” she said. “I didn’t know what to do afterwards.”

Taking a chance, she submitted her portfolio to New York City’s Ward-Nasse Gallery, known for “fi nding” new artists. Labeled as an “artist of jazz,” because she focuses on music, she landed her fi rst solo show there. She worked with the gallery—and then others—for several years. In New Orleans, Mason was known as a “blues artist.”

Today, with a studio at Hot Shops, showings in galleries across the country are behind her. Th ey’ve been replaced by exhibits at Omaha churches. She’s found a new calling to help others with her art, including watercolor meditation.

Mason’s three-hour meditation class grew from how she dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic, encompassing 10 steps of meditation, including walking, breathing, and standin g, she said.

“Th ey’re fully immersed,” Mason said. “We’re taking liquid watercolor and giant paint brushes and paper on the table, and we’re fl inging it all over the place. It’s a group eff ort, because, ‘Now you guys with your bucket of blue, you come over here, and those yellow people go over there.’ We fl ing it all over. So that’s a walking meditation. The main thing is that you are learning that the paint does a lot of things.”

Mason, who moved back to Omaha in 2024 after spending more than a decade away in Seattle and Austin, Texas, has evolved from the oil paint she worked with originally. She moved on to acrylic, and now, watercolor.

“I don’t really consider myself a watercolorist at all,” Mason said. “And yet, everything I teach now is watercolors, which is a weird little twist of where I evolved while I was gone in all thes e places.”

Learn more about Urban Sketchers Omaha from its public group o n Facebook.

GEN O Beyond the

MAT

GEN O NebRasKa WresTling Champion

InSpires tHe NexT

Two-time Nebraska state champion. Fargo national champion. Ironman champion. Who’s Number One winner. Cade Ziola has already carved his name into the record books as one of the state’s most decorated wrestlers, but the Skutt Catholic graduate isn’t just chasing his own milestones. He’s also carving out time to teach and shape the next wave of wrestlers who dream of following his path.

Ziola’s journey into the sport at a young age wasn’t inherited. “My family has no wrestling background at all,” he said. “My dad was a Division I baseball player. He wanted his kids to be tough. He took me and my twin brother to wrestling practice when we were 5 years old. The moment I stepped into the wrestling room, I just loved it.”

From that day on, the mat became home. “I wasn’t a great athlete, I wasn’t the fastest or the biggest kid, but what I loved about wrestling was that I get to control my own outcomes,” Ziola said. “Whenever I step on the mat, I still get fi red up. It’s the time of day where I’m not thinking about anything—I’m just going in there and getting my work in.”

By fi fth grade, Ziola was already traveling around the country for competition after joining an out-of-state dual team. Th ree years later, he ditched other sports like baseball and football for good. “Th at’s kind of when my journey changed, I got pretty good, and my development really happened,” he said.

The results showed. At Skutt Catholic, Ziola became a two-time state champ and three-time fi nalist while also taking national stages by storm. His Ironman title in 2023 and Who’s Number One victory in 2024 made him the fi rst Nebraskan ever to win either event.

“The coolest moment in my wrestling career was walking out at Who’s Number One,” Ziola said. “It’s the biggest high school wrestling event, for sure, and only around 20 guys get to wrestle in it. Growing up, I watched that event, but to be honest, I never really believed I could be in it until my junior year in high school. I remember walking out and seeing all these people and getting high-fives, and everything kind of hit me. I got teary-eyed walking out because I was so grateful to see where the sport has taken me. It was a crazy sense of validation.”

Th at validation peaked again in July 2025 at the junior freestyle fi nals in Fargo, North Dakota. Facing medical adversity—throwing up between matches, a fever of 103 degrees, and weighing in 12 pounds under—he still dominated the 215-pound bracket in what he dubbed the toughest matches of his career. “I was picked to win it, and I really wasn’t even having fun,” he recalled. Ziola won every match and wrapped up the tournament (which featured nearly 2,000 wrestlers across all weight divisions) with a 15-4 technical fall win in the fi nal.

After so much success at 190 pounds in 2024, Ziola moved up to 215 pounds for Fargo—a significant jump. Now, Ziola is taking his talents to the next stage: the University of Nebraska, where he’ll spend his fi rst year redshirting while bulking into a true heavyweight. His goal? To represent his home state on one of wrestling’s biggest platforms and eventually contend for an NCAA title. “There’s nothing like being from Nebraska and getting to represent the Huskers,” he said.

But that transition is easier said than done. Ziola said he plans to wrestle at around 255 pounds, a huge jump that requires serious dedication.

“Bulking is hard,” he said. “It’s a lot harder than cutting. But the coaches have sat me down and said, ‘You have to be a professional. You can’t miss a meal. You can’t miss a lift.’ So I set alarms for every two hours to get constant calories in my body.”

GEN O

His teammates help keep him accountable with a simple mantra: “Eat big to get big.” Ziola treats every meal like a match: “It’s what I have to do to get my job done. When I have to push through and eat, I tell myself I have to value eating as much as I value wrestling now, because that’s my job. But I think the best version of myself is going to be around 250, 255 [pounds] for heavyweight,” he said.

Even while chasing huge goals, Ziola makes space for giving back. He runs camps that sometimes draw over 100 kids—and keeps them focused by honing in on one skill at a time. “Each camp I do, I like to focus on one skill set,” he said. “One camp is an ankle pick camp, one camp is leg attack defense, one is hand fighting camp. A lot of times in other camps, they throw 500 moves at you, but for me, I try to make it a system.”

For Ziola, coaching is deeper than just technique. “I love to get to play a role in someone’s journey,” he said. “I try to be the best version of myself for those kids, and I want to try to be someone they can look up to.”

While his advice is mostly practical, like teaching his legendary ankle pick to the next generation, he also helps young wrestlers remember why they’re on the mat in the fi rst place. “If I tell the kids one thing wrestling-wise, I say, ‘Hey, this is a really hard sport, so make it fun.’ At Nebraska, we play games, everyone’s joking around, we’re listening to Katy Perry,” Ziola said. “The second thing is that pressure is a privilege. Everyone that steps on the mat should be really grateful to feel that pressure when getting the opportunity to wrestle, because there are so many people who don’t have that opportunity.”

As Ziola begins his Husker career, his eyes remain fi rmly on the prize: an NCAA championship. “Since I stepped on the mat, my goal has been to win the NCAA championship,” he said. “Th at’s the coolest wrestling thing you can achieve in the United States, so that’s been kind of the goal for everybody.” After that? Maybe the Olympics, maybe MMA. In any case, “I just want to do something in wrestling,” he said.

The mat may be his current stage, but Ziola is just getting started. With a future at Nebraska ahead and a growing coalition of young wrestlers looking up to him, he isn’t just chasing greatness. He’s shaping it.

Brighter Buys: Where Omaha Holiday Nights Meet Shopping Bags

STORY BY NATALIE VELOSO | DESIGN BY RACHEL BIRDSALL

OBVIOUSLY OMAHA

oliday errands feel much lighter when your stops can deliver both the gifts and the glitter. A stretch of shops becomes more inviting if it’s strung with twinkling bulbs, and plazas take on a new life when market vendors pop up with warm drinks and handmade treats. Six key Omaha destinations offer that perfect crossover. Holiday lights might not shorten your gift list, but they make the process a whole lot brighter.

The Old Market

Between Farnam and Jackson from 10th to 13th streets, Omaha, NE 68102 | oldmarket.com

No corner of Omaha feels more like December than the Old Market. Brick streets begin to glisten under strands of overhead lights as boutiques and galleries lean into festive window displays. Carriage rides and family-packed restaurants keep the area buzzing, but it’s the mix of one-of-a-kind stores and holiday décor that makes shopping here feel special—and a nearly 70-foot-tall holiday tree at Gene Leahy Mall is the highlight photo-op of the season.

The RiverFront

From Gene Leahy Mall to Heartland of America Park and the Missouri River, Omaha, NE 68102 theriverfrontomaha.com

The RiverFront is one of Omaha’s most photogenic gathering places year-round, but the holidays add another layer of magic. As ice skating returns to the rink, strings of lights stretch across the plaza and food truck vendors stay busy keeping visitors fueled. After shopping downtown, the park is a natural extension. It’s an easy stop to walk, snack, and soak in more winter scenery before heading home.

Aksarben Village: Lights & Omaha Holiday Market

S. 67th St. & Mercy Road, Omaha, NE 68106 omahafarmersmarket.com/holiday-market

Midtown Crossing & Turner Park

3110 Farnam St., Omaha, NE 68131 midtowncrossing.com

Turner Park at Midtown Crossing flips the switch each year with a massive light display that blankets trees across the green space and all its surroundings. The entire area is designed to be a built-in night out with restaurants and shops circling the park. It’s easy to browse, eat, and wander the illuminated paths without ever moving your car.

Outdoor Malls – Village Pointe & Shadow Lake

• Village Pointe Shopping Center (West Omaha) 17305 Davenport St., Omaha, NE 68118 reddevelopment.com/village-pointe

• Shadow Lake Towne Center (Papillion) 7775 Olson Drive, Papillion, NE 68046 shadowlaketownecenter.com

Two major outdoor shopping centers in the metro area go all-in on holiday décor. Both Village Pointe and Shadow Lake Towne Center line their streets with lights as they host their annual tree-lighting ceremonies, decorating the sidewalks with oversized ornaments and other glowing displays. Beyond the big-box stores, both centers are also home to small boutiques and weekly pop-up events. It’s practical holiday shopping, made even better by the glow of lights at every turn.

Werner Park –Santa’s Rock ‘N’ Lights

12356 Ballpark Way, Papillion, NE 68046 santasrocknlights.com/omaha

Werner Park trades fastballs for a glowing light show each holiday season with Santa’s Rock ‘N’ Lights, a drive-through spectacle of synchronized lights spread across more than a mile. The convenience of staying in your vehicle allows visitors to take their time weaving through tunnels and animated light displays. Shopping isn’t the main draw here, but just minutes away, Shadow Lake Towne Center keeps its hours extended to offer an easy pairing: check off a few gifts, then roll straight into the show. 1 2 3 4 5 6

Every winter, Aksarben strings lights from rooftop to rooftop, giving its walkable streets a glow that pairs well with the annual Omaha Holiday Market. This December, vendor stalls will once again brim with handmade goods, baked treats, gifts, and other local specialties. Enhanced by live music from the plaza stage and open space to stroll through, it’s one of the city’s most complete holiday stops—browse, linger, and leave with both a gift bag and a little holiday spirit.

SUSAN BARON: THE NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN

usan Baron doesn’t necessarily consider herself a historian, but if she’s asked about Douglas County history, she’ll respond with detailed, thought-provoking insights. A prolifi c writer and history buff, Baron recently accepted the role of sheriff for the Omaha Corral of Westerners International.

Baron and her Omaha posse frequently gather to discuss Western history, often hosting expert speakers or partnering with local historical societies. Th e organization exists to promote Western heritage and scholarship. With a strict “no stuff ed shirts allowed” policy, the Westerners group often manages to be both educational and social. It’s an organization Baron is proud to be associated with and is ea ger to lead.

Born in Milwaukee, Baron made her way to Omaha by train as a recent high school graduate. She attended Omaha University (now the University of Nebraska-Omaha) while living with her aunt and uncle. It was at Omaha University that she met her husband. Th ough she took a break from her studies to start a family, she did return to school to complete her journalism degree. “I fi nally graduated from UNO after 13 years and three babies,” she said w ith a laugh.

In her spare time, Baron likes knitting, crochet, embroidery, and is a voracious reader. Over the years, Baron tried her hand at a variety of careers. “My resume looks like an old New York phonebook,” she joked, explaining that she spent time in insurance, sales, and management. She was a realtor for some time, too. But it was when the Douglas County Historical Society asked her to write an article about the Satellite Hotel on 60th and L streets that she found herself “falling down a rabbit hole” of historica l intrigue.

Th e land which the hotel now sits on has direct ties to early Mormon settlers. While researching, Baron discovered the daily journal entries of Patty Sessions, a Mormon settler and midwife. Baron explained that it was unusual to get a woman’s perspective on the Mormon experience during their migration, and for Baron, it was a historica l gold mine.

Baron dove into the journals with vigor and soon found herself retracing the paths Sessions took. “I was out in Iowa and drove around every rock road following Patty Sessions’ diary, because being in the place gives you a sense you can’t get reading the book,” said Baron.

And though Baron is now one of the foremost authorities on Sessions, she continues to humbly decline the designation of “expert.” She has a love/hate relationship with the internet and the many so-called, self-proclaimed “experts” online and instead chooses to conduct historical research the good, old-fashioned way: by pouring through historical documents and retracing the steps of important historic al figures.

Baron does understand the power of the internet, however, and acknowledges that her Westerners corral will need to get more active online if they’re going to grow. “Like any organization, we’re going to have to grow our membership and get involved in social media or we’re going to die a slow, painful death,” she said.

Baron said that some of her fascination with history is because, at age 79, she has lived a lot of that history. And while she wasn’t around yet to witness the Mormon migration through Omaha, she does remember Watergate and the Civil Rights Movement.

A map from 1854 hangs on her downstairs wall. “It’s my pride and joy,” she said, pointing out that there’s no Grand Island, Kearney, nor North Platte. “I had a young person tell me there’s no history around here, and I said, ‘Are you kidding me? You can’t turn around without it hitting you.’”

Her plans as sheriff include creating a higher profi le in the community for the Westerners. She hopes that through scholarships, partnerships, and a greater online reach, the membership of the organization will grow.

It’s no surprise the Omaha corral board of the Westerners gave Baron a vote of confidence upon her placement as sheriff. She’s a well-educated woman with a passion for history, unafraid to look someone in the eye and directly ask them for help within the or ganization.

Or, in other words, she has the confi dence and swagger of a sheriff.

The impact of the Westerners International organization spans the globe, with around 60 corrals in the United States and a handful overseas. The impact of Sheriff Baron has yet to be fully realized, but chances are good that she’ll add to the history of this fun group, and perhaps even increase the size of the Omaha posse exponentially.

Visit facebook.com/omah awesterners for more information.

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Counseling

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Peggy Deaver, LIMHP, CPC

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Beth Farrell, LCSW, LIMHP

Dumayi Gutierrez, PhD, LMHP

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Psychotherapy

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Mary Loftis, LMHP, CPC

Kim Mueller, LIMHP, CPC

Nicole Obrecht, LIMHP

Kara Schneider, BA

Marty Stoltenberg, APRN-BC

Kristi Tackett-Newburg, PhD, LIMHP

Greg Tvrdik, LIMHP, CPC

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Michele Yanney-Wehbi, LIMHP, CPC

Medication Management * EMDR Therapy

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Targeted for Feature

Local Lives Disrupted by Immigration Raids

Story by Natalie Veloso | Photography by Sarah Lemke

Design By Rachel Birdsall

A Note from the Publisher: Omaha Magazine’ s intention is not to take sides or make a political statement, but to share local human-interest stories. In the most recent presidential election, Donald Trump ran on a promise of stricter national immigration enforcement. Although he did not win Omaha’s electoral vote, he did win the state and country—and he has delivered on his promise locally. On June 10, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted an operation at Omaha’s Glenn Valley Foods, during which nearly 100 employees were detained. Many detainees have been linked to cases of identity theft against U.S. citizens. Omaha Magazine ’s reporting does not pass judgment on the raid itself, but acknowledges its profound impact on the community. This story seeks to humanize the experience of our neighbors who lived through it. We invite readers to approach this article with an open mind and to continue thoughtful discussion on the subject.

wo workers stayed home that morning. They had seen rumors on Facebook, whispers about a possible immigration raid, and decided not to take the chance. Inside the Glenn Valley Foods meatpacking plant near 68th and J streets, more than 130 employees filed in at 7 a.m. as they usually did, pulling on their gloves and protective gear before moving into place along the production lines.

Juan Vargas Barragán, a supervisor, had been on the floor long before most employees arrived. He had already checked every machine and piece of equipment to ensure production could begin on time. Manufacturing lines hummed at full speed, the plant operating through one of its most productive months in years. Staff breaks cycled in smooth 15-minute intervals: the 9:15 a.m. crowd had returned, and the next was just beginning to file out.

The first sign of trouble came quietly. Those heading toward the break room suddenly turned back with tense faces. They said nothing.

Agents in tactical gear moved quickly through the corridors moments later, their presence unmistakable. They blocked every door with nightsticks in hand, many of their faces concealed by bandanas. Panic rippled across the factory floor as some workers bolted for the freezers, shoving themselves inside the cold storage in a desperate attempt to hide. Others froze in place, some climbing pallets or pressing themselves into corners, unsure where to turn. The exits outside had already been sealed.

In the middle of the floor, Vargas tried to reach a coworker on his radio. No response. Only then did it register these were immigration agents. For a brief second, the thought of running crossed his mind. Why complicate it with more danger? he thought. Let what’s going to happen, happen .

Officers herded dozens of employees into the break room, lining them up in rows to be tagged and processed. Phones buzzed and rang as people frantically reached out to their loved ones, voices breaking as they explained what was happening. Some cried openly. Others sat in stunned silence, tears streaking their faces as their thoughts raced toward children left at school or daycare with no one to pick them up. A shaky Facebook livestream broadcasted the events in real time to the outside world.

Vargas pulled out his phone and called home. “Immigration is here,” he told his wife in Spanish, urgency in his voice. He handed his son the car keys, his wallet, and his cards. “Start looking for a lawyer,” he told them. “Do what you have to do.”

In the Hands of the System

The Glenn Valley Foods raid on June 10 was the largest worksite immigration enforcement operation in the city’s history, also marking the largest in Nebraska under the Trump administration.

Nearly 100 employees were detained, 74 of whom remained in ICE custody the following morning, though the company itself had fully complied with E-Verify requirements and was cleared of any violations. Many employees were held for days without formal charges, and some signed self-deportation orders without the chance to consult a lawyer.

With some individuals still detained at the Lincoln County Jail in North Platte months later, the presence of immigration authorities in the city lingers over Omaha families and businesses. Community organizations and legal aid clinics report a steady increase in requests for support.

“It’s difficult to explain the complexities of the immigration system to our clients, but that’s my job,” said Anne Wurth, associate legal director for the Center for Immigrant and Refugee Advancement.

CIRA has provided legal assistance to those detained, deploying attorneys to the detention center and offering pro bono representation in immigration cases, also helping to secure bond relief. Their social work team works directly with affected families, addressing a range of needs from emotional support to navigating resources.

“So much of what’s happening is based on decisions made by the president and his administration, and often there’s very little legal recourse,” Wurth said. “It’s hard to help clients understand why these things are happening because the system doesn’t make sense in so many ways.”

Operations like Glenn Valley are repeatedly framed by federal and state officials as measures to protect public safety, she added. In an Aug. 19 press release, the Department of Homeland Security announced a new partnership with the state of Nebraska to expand ICE detention capacity at the Work Ethic Camp in McCook, a facility ICE has dubbed the “Cornhusker Clink.”

The release noted that the 280-bed facility is part of a broader network of state partnerships designed to secure additional detention space for ICE detainees, funded under legislation that fully supports the 287(g) program.

“Thanks to Governor Pillen for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country,” Secretary Kristi Noem said in the press release. Governor Jim Pillen echoed the sentiment, emphasizing his pride in Nebraska’s role in housing what he called “criminal illegal aliens roaming our country’s communities today.”

Guy Weinstein, an attorney with Roth Weinstein who took on Vargas’ case, said the narrative circulating in political statements and media coverage misrepresents the people caught in these raids. “The public might have the assumption that if these people are caught up in a raid, they must have other issues and a criminal history,” he said. “Many of these individuals have zero criminal history and are just people trying to support their families. When the administration says, ‘We’re going to get rid of all the bad people,’ that rhetoric is harmful.”

For Vargas’ family, the stakes were immediate and personal. His daughter, Melissa Vargas Flores, 24, recalled the panic and confusion as the family tried to track him. “The moment I received the call that immigration was there, I immediately left work. I was watching the Facebook Live the whole way, making sure they were still there,” she said. “I went to the plant, hoping that maybe he would come out and I could see him again.”

She and her brother, 22, spent hours trying to learn where their father was, but officials offered little information. “They didn’t tell us if they were going to stay there, if he could call us and tell us how he was, or how his health was,” Melissa said. The following days were consumed by repeated calls, visits with lawyers, and attempts to track their father’s location.

Vargas and the other detained employees were initially taken to the ICE field office in Omaha near Eppley Airfield. The office, Wurth noted, “is not equipped to have overnight guests. It doesn’t have beds, it doesn’t have changes of clothes. It doesn’t have showers.” For two days, detainees endured cramped, uncomfortable conditions as officers processed them, with little access to legal counsel. “I think anyone can understand how that would be quite frustrating for an individual to sit through,” Wurth said.

From Omaha, detainees were transported by bus to the Lincoln County Detention Center in North Platte, a four-hour drive northwest. Vargas described the transfer as disorienting and tense, with agents following the bus in cars. Once at North Platte, he spent long days confined with other detainees. Of the original group of detained employees, 63 were sent to North Platte, and several eventually agreed to self-deport. Some, like Vargas, were able to post bond as their attorneys worked to prevent forced removal.

“The longest days of my life were spent there. Time stands still,” Vargas said. “They turn on the light at 6 a.m., they open the doors at 6:10, and there’s nothing you can do. I looked at the clock, and I looked at it, and I looked at it again. And it didn’t move.”

His wife, Leodora Flores, navigated a frantic search for legal support, calling multiple offices amid the uncertainty of not knowing where her husband had been taken. “We weren’t able to talk to him again until he was moved to North Platte,” she said.

Leodora sought legal help through an overbooked lawyer and was eventually referred to Weinstein’s office. “It’s hard to explain the fear,” she said. “People who haven’t experienced it won’t understand.”

Weinstein said Vargas was fortunate to secure a bond, allowing him to remain in the community while pursuing legal relief through removal proceedings. “When you’re released on bond, your case could be pending for a number of years,” Weinstein explained. While the legal process offered a path forward, the emotional strain on the Vargas family remained intense.

“I just want my parents to be able to live safely,” Melissa said.

The Weight of Separation

For many in Omaha’s immigrant neighborhoods, an unexpected knock at the door or an unfamiliar car outside can trigger waves of anxiety. A phone call might set hearts racing, a reminder that enforcement could arrive without warning. The threat alone reshapes daily routines: parents weighing whether it’s safe to drive their children to school, families hesitating before seeking medical care, kids carrying the heavy question of whether both parents will still be home at the end of the day.

Monica Meier, director of social work for CIRA, said her team began meeting directly with families affected by the

Glenn Valley raid in mid-July, about a month after the operation. By then, the initial shock had hardened into daily crises.

“We met with 41 families in a week and a half between five of us social workers. Our first task was helping those families pay August rent and paying any bills that were late,” Meier said. Without that support, many faced shutoff notices and eviction. “It’s really hard for somebody to talk about anything rational or logical when they don’t feel like their basic needs are being met.”

From there, CIRA’s social workers were able to focus on therapy services, financial education, and navigating the difficult conversations every family dreads: what happens if a parent is deported, who will care for the children, and how they’ll survive if income disappears. Some parents turned to temporary delegation of power so trusted relatives could make school and medical decisions for their children in their absence.

The weight of family trauma falls heavily on children, who tend to experience fear and anxiety in recurring waves, Meier said. “You don’t know when the next time you’re going to see your dad is. And then you start thinking, ‘This happened to my dad, what if it happens to my mom?’” She added that the trauma is not only individual, but communal. “This is a trauma that Omaha has experienced. We don’t yet know what the result of that trauma is going to look like—it might really show itself on a grand scale five or 10 years down the line.”

The mental toll isn’t limited to certain individuals, Meier continued. “Everyone on our social work team is either an immigrant or a child of an immigrant,” she said. “That’s our superpower, but it also has a shadow side.” Several CIRA social workers carry their own family deportation stories, and the sheer weight of what they hear daily pushed some close to burnout, Meier said.

As support networks work with families to the best of their ability, the broader community still feels the strain. Douglas County Commissioner Roger Garcia observed that reports of ICE’s presence in courthouses, probation offices, and local stores leave residents on edge. “That ongoing presence creates fear and uncertainty in Omaha, not knowing if or when there will be another large-scale raid or continued smaller actions,” he said. “The wound is still so fresh.”

Garcia noted that while local officials have no control over federal enforcement, churches and nonprofits often mobilize quickly, with CIRA and the ACLU of Nebraska leading the way on many legal services. But he emphasized that the confusion in those moments is real. “In the midst of an immigration raid, there’s a lot of misinformation alongside accurate information, and we’re all trying to sort through it in the heat of the moment,” he said.

CIRA’s team takes on another equally urgent task: making sure families understand their constitutional rights. Wurth explained that their “Know Your Rights” trainings are designed to educate individuals, but also to equip community leaders who can pass it on. “We provide training for the trainer,” she said. “That way, more people in the community have this knowledge, and they can reach even more people.”

At the core of those sessions is a reminder that immigration status does not erase constitutional protections. “The Constitution protects all persons in the United States,” Wurth said. “We’re just making sure that the government understands those rights as well, and that we will hold them to account.” For families navigating the uncertainty of raids and enforcement, knowing those rights is one of the few tools they can hold onto.

Even so, the most ordinary spaces carry the risk of disruption.

On June 1, just days before the Glenn Valley raid, brunch diners at Early Bird in West Omaha watched as federal agents in tactical gear tackled a man to the floor inside the restaurant. The viral video of the arrest circulated widely online.

Officials later confirmed the man, 26-year-old Romeo Edilzar Yaxcal-Tiul, was not the original target of their operation, but fit the physical description of his brother, a Guatemalan national with a final order of removal. YaxcalTiul, a former Early Bird employee, was indicted on charges of using false documents and resisting arrest. Though he has since entered a plea agreement, the images of him being cuffed and escorted out of the restaurant, paired with news of Glenn Valley only days later, left immigrant communities across the metro with the unnerving sense that nowhere, neither job sites nor neighborhood brunch spots, was off-limits.

That sense of instability deepened again on Aug. 12, when agents raided the New Victorian Inn and Suites in southwest Omaha, dismantling what they described as a human trafficking ring.

While 27 victims were rescued, the sweep also led to the detention of 14 other undocumented immigrants living in the hotel. Among them was Eudis Enrique CuéllarMartínez, a Venezuelan laborer who had alerted police to conditions inside and provided details that bolstered the investigation.

Despite his cooperation, ICE classified him as a “collateral arrest,” and he now faces deportation. Advocates point to his case as a stark example of how the system discourages whistleblowers from stepping forward, even in cases of abuse and exploitation.

The tension lingers, Garcia said, fueled both by policy decisions and by the language used to justify them. “In the legislature, some lean into tough-on-immigration rhetoric, while others recognize the reality: immigrants are vital to our workforce and economy, and are contributing in agriculture, hospitality, education, and healthcare services,” he said. “We need that workforce—we know that we do.”

Protecting Rights Amid Enforcement

For immigrants caught in the crosshairs of enforcement, the ACLU of Nebraska has become a key line of defense against policies they say undermine due process. The organization has filed lawsuits against ICE practices that have blocked bond or extended detention without individualized review, arguing that courts must retain authority over decisions meant to protect immigrants’ rights.

The Glenn Valley raid soon tested those legal protections. Among those detained was Maria Reynosa Jacinto, a single mother who had lived and worked in Omaha for two decades. In July, an immigration judge granted her bond at $9,000—but when the Prairielands Freedom Fund tried to pay it, ICE blocked the release with an automatic stay, effectively overriding the court’s order and keeping her in jail. The ACLU sued, arguing that the practice violated due process by stripping courts of their authority. A federal judge agreed, ordering Reynosa Jacinto’s release after more than two months in custody.

Weinstein noted that timing can make all the difference, having proved crucial in Vargas’ case. “Fortunately, Juan was released on bond literally one day before immigration started doing those automatic stays,” he explained. “He was incredibly lucky that he was able to get out on bond when he did. It was really just a matter of timing, down to the exact day his immigration court hearing was scheduled.”

Wurth said that in recent months, she’s encountered cases in which immigrants who entered the United States on parole programs, which legally allow for the temporary entry or stay of certain individuals for humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit, have suddenly found themselves at risk. “Even those who were, what some people would refer to as, ‘doing it the right way,’ are now facing sudden revocations of their work permits and status,” she said, adding that these abrupt changes leave families scrambling for legal guidance.

“They received a work permit through that application and were still within the authorized period,” Wurth explained. “Yet, this administration has pulled the rug out from underneath them, giving many just seven days to self deport. They’re being told that within one week, they need to leave the United States.”

Though immigration enforcement is ultimately federal, Wurth said state leaders still hold meaningful influence. She explained that rejecting contracts like 287(g) agreements—which deputize local officers as immigration agents—and declining new detention deals, such as the McCook facility, would signal support for Nebraska’s immigrant communities.

“The only thing those two things will do is create more animus toward immigrants in Nebraska communities,” she said, noting the risk of increased profiling. “We’re living in a world in which an individual who looks Hispanic, according to whichever officer encounters them, can be profiled about what their documentation status is. That is contrary to the Constitution.”

Wurth stressed that decisive action from Nebraska’s leaders could make a real difference. “Our state leaders have an opportunity to not sign these agreements. They’re not in line with Nebraska values, and they’re not aligned with a healthy vision of the future.”

The Price of Disruption

The economic toll has spread across the city in the wake of continued raids, disrupting businesses and sending a ripple of labor shortages through neighborhoods that rely heavily on immigrant workers. Financial losses following the events at Glenn Valley were immediate and undeniable, said Itzel Lopez, chief executive officer of the Latino Economic Development Council.

“Even for those who were able to continue opening their doors for business, they’re still struggling with maintaining their income at a rate that matches their previous years,” Lopez said.

The losses were especially sharp in South Omaha, where many businesses, still recovering from the pandemic, faced a sizable disruption in cash flow that threatened their survival. “It takes time to return to steady sales when you take a hit like that, so we are still seeing mass business closures take place across the South Omaha business district,” Lopez explained.

Ongoing events are part of a pattern that has played out across Nebraska for decades. In December 2006, ICE agents arrested 273 workers at a Grand Island meatpacking plant, sending shockwaves through the town and leaving families and local businesses reeling. Similar raids have since disrupted other communities across the state. In August 2018, 133 people were detained in O’Neill, deeply affecting the agricultural sector and the town’s social fabric.

For generations of immigrants, the pattern is familiar, and the tension between local economic needs and federal enforcement is stark. Garcia noted that essential state resources are being redirected toward housing ICE detainees, even as local facilities face overcrowding. “I believe those resources should be prioritized for Nebraska’s needs, not federal immigration enforcement,” he said.

As Nebraska braces for expansions like the Cornhusker Clink detention center, the ripple effects of enforcement actions remain tangible, he explained: economic instability and the persistent anxiety of families living under the shadow of raids are inevitable.

Lopez echoed the sentiment, pointing to the essential contributions of immigrant workers and the risk of losing them if fear persists. “It’s rather hysterical to think that Nebraska can thrive without

WE ARE THE INVISIBLE WORKFORCE...DOING THE JOBS NO ONE ELSE WANTS TO DO. SO I ASK OMAHA TO SEE US AS PEOPLE, NOT JUST AS THE UNSEEN PROVIDERS BEHIND THE SCENES.

—ITZEL LOPEZ

immigrant labor and the blue collar jobs and D3 jobs—the dirty, demanding, dangerous jobs that most people wouldn’t choose themselves,” she said, reflecting on the economic stakes in personal terms.

“We are the invisible workforce. I mean that with respect, but also with truth—we don’t have a choice in that invisibility,” she said. “So I ask Omaha to see us as people, not just as the unseen providers behind the scenes, doing the jobs no one else wants to do. Because these ‘invisible’ workers are the ones providing for you.”

A Future Uncertain

At 52, Vargas has now spent more of his life in Nebraska than in Mexico. He first arrived in California three decades ago, settling in Omaha at 22, where he and his wife built the life they had long envisioned with the stability they never knew growing up.

“If I were to return to Mexico, I don’t know what I would return to,” Vargas said. “Our life is here.”

As Vargas watched his 22-yearold son leave to join the U.S. Army this October, the same age he was when he first settled in Omaha, he faced the moment with pride and wistfulness. “They have to make their own lives,” he said, grateful for the opportunities his children have amid his own uncertain future.

Leodora admits she didn’t want to see her son leave for Army training in Oklahoma, but his decision was made long before the raids changed everything. “He had already done his interviews and exams,” she said, pausing in thought. “It’s hard to see him go.”

For the family, the weight of an uncertain future lingers. Daily life is bound to the slow churn of immigration proceedings, with Weinstein noting that Vargas’ case is set for a preliminary master calendar hearing in January. “He’s going to have to let the court know what his plans are moving forward. That’s where it’ll be determined what forms of relief he’s eligible for,” Weinstein explained.

There are options on the table. “Juan does have two children who are adults and U.S. citizens, and one of them is going to petition for him,” Weinstein added. Vargas is fortunate to have pathways that may not be available to all, including a potential “parole in place” program for parents of military children. “We have hope,” Weinstein said. “Still, until it affects you or a person you love, you really don’t have a way of understanding this kind of unease.”

Although ICE reported 100 identity theft victims tied to Glenn Valley employees using false identities or Social Security numbers, Weinstein said Vargas was not among those employees.

“Even though I was arrested, I’ve always worked under my own name,” Vargas said. “I’ve always paid my taxes, every single year.”

That honest commitment to supporting his family is something Melissa values more deeply than ever. “My parents have always worked hard, doing everything they could for my brother and I,” she said. “Until a few months ago, my dad would occasionally take a Friday off, and we’d meet up for breakfast no matter how busy we were with other things.”

Small moments like that, she said, feel more precious now.

“The thing is, we love this country even when we feel undervalued,” Vargas said, his thoughts turning to the generations of other immigrant hands who built the Omaha neighborhoods that surround him now. Decades of his own labor are part of it. “Everything around us, we built it together. We’re not native here, but neither were they.”

He let that realization hang in the quiet of the moment.

“The truth is, we’re all the same.”

orty feet of sparkle are on display in one of Nebraska’s great architectural treasures, celebrating the most magical time of year: Omaha’s Union Station Chr istmas tree.

Each November, hundreds of families kick off the holiday season by attending the tree-lighting ceremony hosted by the Durham Museum in downtown Omaha. Folks fi le into the historic art deco building near 10th and Leavenworth, formerly a train depot, on the Friday of Th anksgiving weekend to witness the illumin ating event.

It’s a time-honored tradition which began in 1975 and celebrates its 50th birthday this year. Th rough the years, other festive displays and events in the days that follow have been added, including a holiday cultural festival, family nights with Santa (with an indoor snowfall), and a concert series, which run into the new year. Still, the dazzling, towering tree remains the cornerstone of the museum’s c elebration.

“We are known as Omaha’s home for the holidays because of the 40-foot tree and the tradition associated with that,” said Dawn Myron, the museum’s senior marketing and brand manager. “It takes a village to help us do this, and we have a lot of partners.”

Th e tradition continued until 1962, and the station closed in 1971. It was revived, however, in November 1975 just weeks after the depot found new life, reopening as the Western Heritage Museum. Preservationist Itey Crummer conceived the idea of bringing back the tree and ran an appeal in the Omaha World-Herald seeking a giant evergreen donation from readers. Th e Bendekovic family, residing near 12th and Pacifi c streets, donated their 35-year-old tree, and a tradition was reborn. Today, a bronze sculpture of a young girl holding a gift sits in Scott Great Hall and pays tribute to Itey for her c ontribution.

“In 1975, it took 20 people—some were just bystanders—to bring the tree indoors. It was 20 feet in diameter and brought in through a 6-foot-wide door. It was quite the endeavor! We’ve fi ne-tuned the process since then,” Myron said.

The tree has been acquired locally ever since, and Union Pacific continues to aid in delivering the donation. Myron said any variety of evergreen is acceptable—Douglas fi r, blue spruce, and Scotch pine are all accepted— provided the tree meets the 40-foot minimum threshold, has a single, straight trunk, and is aesthetically appealing.

rose, which is the pattern you’ll see on our terrazzo fl oor. Th e center can be changed out to celebrate diff erent milestones. Th is year, it’s going to give a nod to our 50th anniversary. We’ll also have some gold accents this year.”

Homeowner Janice Teegarden donated the Durham’s Christmas tree in 2022. Th e 42-foot blue spruce, purchased from a clearance lot at Shopko for $5 in 1987, was harvested from her front yard near 132nd and West Center Road. “We have videos and pictures of the day the tree was cut down. Someone put the video on TikTok and [it] ended up on the Jimmy Kimmel show. It really warmed my heart and I felt so honored ,” she said.

James Dias spent years as a volunteer decorating the Durham Museum tree in the early 2000s. “The manager of [Mangelsen’s] fl oral department at the time is a good friend,” he said. So, he agreed to help out, and one year turned into eight. Dias has fond memories of the work—checking lights, organizing ornaments and riding lifts to hang the higher ones, and simply being a part of a great Omah a tradition.

Christmas at Union Station

A CHERISHED TREE TRADITION TURNS 50

Among them: major sponsors Conagra Brands Foundation and FNBO; and supporting sponsors Union Pacifi c, OPPD, Mangelsen’s, and Douglas County. DH Pace & Norm’s Door Service, Terry Hughes Tree Service, the Omaha Police Department, and Duke Aerial also donate time and resources.

Th e Christmas tree at Union Station actually predates its status as a museum, making its debut nearly 100 years ago. In the 1930s during the Great Depression, Union Pacifi c Railroad began bringing an evergreen by train from the Pacifi c Northwest and delivering it to Omaha Union Station for decoration and display for the enjoyment of thousands of passengers during the holidays. Th e building’s grand main-fl oor waiting room, with its ornate 60-foot ceiling, cathedral-style stained-glass windows, marble columns, terrazzo fl oor, and crystal and bronze chandeliers paired beautifully with the decorated tree and succeeded in raising travelers’ spirits during an especially challenging time.

Once inside, the tree is secured in place with a cable system, essentially hanging it from the ceiling; then decorating commences—a process that takes several days. A team from Mangelsen’s and Union Pacifi c complet es the task.

Myron said décor on the tree, which consists of approximately 250 beach-ball sized ornaments and 1,000 feet of lights (provided by OPPD), has changed through the years to reflect trends as well as honor state ce lebrations.

“It’s been decorated with silver tinsel, gold garland, icicle ornaments, and the lights at one time were multi-colored, whereas today, they are white [LEDs],” she explained. “Today’s ornaments tend to be more classic… candy canes, star and snowfl ake motifs… In 2017, we adorned the tree with goldenrod accents [the state fl ower] and a new tree topper to celebrate Nebraska’s 150th birthday. Th e traditional fi ve-point star was changed to an art deco-inspired compass

Myron is excited for this year’s 50th golden celebration. In addition to its regular calendar of events, the museum will feature a spectacular new attraction on its trackside in the lower level. “We’re going to have Santa’s skating rink [indoors], that will be a lot of fun for families,” she said. Th ey’ll also be selling a commemorative 50th anniversary Christmas tree ornament in it s gift shop.

Th e tree-lighting ceremony will kick off the 50th anniversary of Christmas at Union Station on Friday, Nov. 28, from 4-8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to bring nonperishable items to contribute to the Food Bank for the Heartland’s Shine the Light on Hunger campaign.

Visit durhammuseum.org for information on Durham Museum’s hol iday events.

For expanded content, open the camera on your smart device and hover over the QR code.

nnie Butler wears many hats as director of the Benson Creative District, but two missions fuel everything she does: sparking community engagement through art and marrying the neighborhood’s grassroots arts scene with economic development.

Both joined forces recently when Butler brokered a deal to transform a Benson backlot while creating opportunities for budding high school artists.

When Athletic Brewing Company granted the Creative District funds to renovate the lot behind the Petshop art studio and gallery by adding gardens, seating, and shade structures, Butler bypassed contractors. She tapped into long-standing relationships at Benson High School and recruited six student interns from the magnet school’s Design and Construct ion Academy.

Th ese students from Nebraska’s most diverse high school—representing more than 20 native languages— didn’t just meet expectations. Th ey crushed the project, crafting Adirondack chairs, modular benchand-planter combinations, umbrella stands, and a kids’ mud kitchen.

Butler’s real victory with the project? Deepening bonds between two neighborhood powerhouses and recommending one of the participating students for an Omaha young leader adv isory board.

“A lot of times, I feel like the only thing holding someone back from opportunity is not knowing the right people,” Butler said. “When you can make those kinds of connections, you can reach the opportunities. We want to facilitate more connections like that.”

From Street Art to Off icial Status

Th is community-fi rst approach has powered Butler’s organization since long before earning offi cial Creative District designation from the Nebraska Arts Council in 2021. Th e real story started years earlier with a scrappy monthly event that transformed Benson’s streets.

In June 2012, longtime bartenders Alex Jochim and JD Hardy launched “Benson First Friday” (BFF)—an art walk along Benson’s Maple Street strip. With zero traditional galleries in the neighborhood, those early BFFs brought art directly to people: galleries popped up in bars and restaurants, craft shops materialized on sidewalks, fashion shows spilled into the streets, muralists painted live, and DJs provided soundtracks.

“I think even Alex and JD would say they didn’t think about what would happen after that; it was just about getting that fi rst one going,” said Butler, who volunteered for the inaugural BFF as manager of Parlour 1887 salon after experiencing a First Friday in Kansas City. “So we were introducing people to an art gallery who didn’t think they wanted to go to an art gallery by having it in a restaurant or a bar or on the street.”

Benson stalwarts—Jake’s Cigars, Benson Brewery, Ted and Wally’s—jumped aboard early, helping founders and volunteers bootstrap the arts scene mostly out-of-pocket. By 2015, BFF had evolved into a nonprofit producing public art projects, regional outreach, gallery operations, youth programming, and merchandise.

Funding remained tight, forcing the crew to get creative with community impact projects: a pink fake phone booth stocked with tools to spark activist calls to politicians, and MAMO—an art gallery housed in a semi-trailer that can roll into remote areas starved for cult ural events.

“Th ere was very little economic activity happening in this neighborhood before we started First Friday, but we weren’t thinking about it like, ‘Ooh, we’re going to drive so many people to the neighborhood and all these businesses are going to pop up,’” Butler explained. “When you’re an artist, a creative, you’re not thinking about the economic implications. But it did draw people and boost the economic vitality of the nei ghborhood.”

Th e numbers prove it. Since 2011—the year before First Fridays began—commercial property values within the district have increased an average of 223%. Benson businesses report the monthly events increase sales by 10 to 30% on those Friday nights, and bring an average of 4,000 visitors per art walk. “We’re still amazed by the numbers,” Butler said.

Perfect Platfor m for Growth

Benson inspired the Arts Council’s Creative District Program, which harnesses the arts as an economic engine to support communities, drive innovation, and unite neighborhoods around creativity. But after navigating an extensive application process—SWOT analysis, comprehensive workbook, community forums—the Benson Creative District designation was Nebraska’s second to be offi cially certifi ed after Ashland’s Flora District.

“We really were a model because of what we had been doing for years without the designation,” Butler said. “We were trying to fi gure out the gaps in development in the neighborhood. What do people want to see? And we started to think more broadly about our neighborhood—not only about what art people want, but thinking about a bigg er picture.”

Enter Butler with perfect timing. She’d closed her salon after a decade, had a son, and stayed connected to BFF as board member, then president, then advocacy chair. At 29, she’d just earned a sociology degree when Jochim called about the Creative District designation and an open direct or position.

“Th is is about community engagement and art? Th at’s a perfect fit for me,” Butler said. “Th at’s literally all I’ve been doing—not because I consider myself an artist, I don’t have that creative brain in that way. But to get the things done we want done in a creative district, you need to have relationships with people, and I have 13 years of history under my belt. We’ve already established our relationship and our trust.”

Despite the seamless fit, Butler struggled to believe a passion project could become a paycheck.

“I know everything about BFF, and I know how we got here. I saw us when we had nothing,” said Butler, noting the Creative District’s current staff of three full-time and 34 part-time employees. “So I think it was a shock to my system that this was even a possibility—not because I couldn’t see myself in that position. I just couldn’t believe the position ev en existed.”

She continued, “I couldn’t imagine that 10 years later, I’m a full-time employee doing something that was this fun for me. It was in my neighborhood. It’s the way that I met people and built my community. What could be better?”

Creative Solutions to R eal Problems

Butler and company got busy dreaming bigger and envisioning how art and creativity could tackle community challenges: trash collection (“Can we paint trash cans and gamify it to make it more exciting to throw away your trash?”), traffi c fl ow on Maple (“It’s basically a highway as fast as people drive through here.”), and bicycling infrastructure (“Once bike lanes are in, do they have to be regular green paint? Could we hire an artist to do it?”).

When the City of Omaha recently installed traffi c bollards on every Maple Street corner, the Creative District spotted opportunity. “Can the bollards become public art?” Butler said. “Totally makes se nse, right?”

But most entities don’t approach infrastructure with artistic vision, so the Creative District focuses energy on eff orts they can control: weekly “Green Team” cleanups followed by art workshops, fairy gardens where residents add recycled treasures, and public art in stallations.

“Like the Green Team cleanups, people just saw us out there and they were like, ‘What are you doing? We want to do that, too,’” Butler said. “A lot of what we do spreads by word of mouth, like going back to pre-social media days. We still have that mentality of staying hyper-local and doing things with input from our staff, our volunteers, and our neighbors.”

Model f or the State

Th e Benson Creative District’s success has ignited a movement. Omaha now boasts Castle & Cathedral and Dundee creative districts, while more than 30 Nebraska communities from Norfolk to Red Cloud, Fall City to Sidney have launche d their own.

Butler and her BFF colleagues meet monthly with a Nebraska Creative District cohort, and regularly advise newcomers who received the same $10,000 startup grant. But Butler emphasizes how little that initial funding accomplishes without strong community partnerships like those cultivated in Benson. She often guides visiting creative district leaders through Benson First Friday, showcasing the art of t he possible.

“We try to help them see that this designation puts you in a position to collaborate with others in your community,” Butler said, highlighting Benson’s arm-in-arm

spirit. “And we show them simple ways they can get started in their community. Something like First Friday is a good jumping-off point, or like this offi ce with artwork in the window. You’re all working toward this shared goal of boosting the economic vitality of your community utilizing the arts. Th at’s a great star ting point.”

Future Connections

Building on current momentum, Butler and company are crafting a future rich with creative connections—like the newly launched landscaping company that didn’t just design and build garden beds on their property, but created an innovative dye garden using plants that produce natural dyes. Th e group is developing a neighborhood website and newsletter designed by artists, exploring wayfi nding signage painted by artists, a public art database, and a brochure guiding visitors through walking tours of district art and creativity.

“I feel like my job is really to be a liaison and try to fi gure out what everyone is doing, and how I can connect the right people and the right organizations for who’s doing what,” Butler said, “so that we’re not all working in silos, and we can work more effi ciently and eff ectively. We’re working on basic stuff in the way we’ve always done it, which is just a little bit weirder than everyone else, but is very much who we are.”

Visit bffom aha.org for more information.

STORY BY Sara Locke PHOTOGRAPHY BY Bill Sitzmann

DESIGN BY Nickie Robinson

FromHoliday Carols

to a Nationwide Movement

After all my years working with the elderly, this truly transformed me. I felt like I was walking out of there a new and improved—not just caregiver—but person.

—Joy Rich

“ “

The National Association of Long-Term Care Volunteers

As we learn more about how brains process, we better understand just how much music and memory go hand in hand. In fact, entire fields of study have been designed around creating events, environments, and individualized playlists for patients experiencing memory loss, whether through injury or illnesses like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

But that was hardly common knowledge when Paul Falkowski was getting his bachelor’s degree in music performance. He couldn’t have guessed that his love of music would result in a movement that would change countless lives for the better.

After becoming the default choir leader at his Episcopal church in Bellevue, Falkowski went along with someone’s spontaneous act of kindness. “It was around Christmas and a member of the choir suggested we sing carols at a local nursing home,” he recalled. “I called one and they said it would be great to have us, so after church one Sunday we went and sang.”

Falkowski was moved by how engaged the residents were, and was inspired to turn this small gesture into a commitment.

“The next rehearsal I said, ‘Listen, we need to do that more than once a year. We started doing it once a month,’” he said. “Two years later, I was taking my saxophone and [visiting] 170 nursing homes. Omaha was fi rst—I think 25, 30 nursing homes. Then I got a letter from a town up near Spirit Lake in Iowa saying they heard what I was doing, and could I come up and play there? It was a hundred miles, and I had small children at the time, but said I could do it just once.”

Falkowski ate those words after seeing how much it meant to the patients and staff, and as soon as he came home (in time for dinner!) he made a new resolution.

“I took a pencil with a string and made a circle around Omaha,” he said. “I identified the nursing homes in that radius and started scheduling. While I was making my visits, I started talking to the staff about what people would benefit most from and the answer was almost always the same: one-on- one visits.”

While nursing homes are notoriously understaff ed, nurses, CNAs, and program directors are all much better equipped to do their jobs well when volunteers are present to keep residents’ spirits up. But in the scheme of things, where does “companionship” really rank in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Critically high.

“The very sad statistic is that a person not receiving visitors is

twice as likely to die within the same time frame as someone who is receiving visitors,” Falkowski said. “Loneliness is deadly. It’s not just psychological, it’s physical. The anxiety causes the body to att ack itself.”

Falkowski took this information as a call to arms and used his facilitation skills to design and organize a training program for companion volunteers.

“We’re trying to raise the bar on the nursing home volunteer,” he said. “We’ve developed a very stringent onboarding process, and I took heat for that. It looks like I’m pushing volunteers away—but I’m looking for people who can make a real time commitment. Two to four hours a week for 13 weeks a quarter.”

Nothing about the training or the requirements is arbitrary. Falkowski earned a master’s then a doctorate in gerontology, and in his work, he has learned that it takes six weeks for the volunteer, the patients, and the staff to become acclimated and build trust. Even when working within memory care, where the patient may not remember their volunteer, that time is needed to learn and understand the resident’s routine and unique needs.

One volunteer who made it through the interview process, background checks, and training program is Joy Rich.

“When I met Paul, I was working for the Creighton department of psychiatry. I was unmarried with no kids and found that I was watching a lot of TV to fi ll my time,” Rich recalled. “I called Paul and explained my experiences working with the elderly, and he said I would still need the training. Th irty minutes into that training, I realized I absolutely DID need it. I still consider it the most important instruction I’ve ever received.”

“Paul is such an incredible educator,” she said. “He had us do team work and individual work, and created a very safe space to talk and work on our mindset. It was so humanistic. It truly dug down into your soul and helped you address your preconceived views and biases in such a meaningful way. After all my years working with the elderly, this truly transformed me. I felt like I was walking out of there a new and improved—not just caregiver— but person.”

The depth of care provided by NALTCV-trained volunteers is creating a safer, more enriching life for those living in long term care.

To learn more, get involved, and earn your spot on the volunteer companion list, visit naltcv.org.

GIVING CALENDAR

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025

COMPILED

BY

LUCY MASON

Nov. 1

SCARE AWAY CANCER HAUNTED HUSTLE

Benefits: Scare Away Cancer

Location: Lake Cunningham runsignup.com

Nov. 6

2025 CHRISTMAS CARAVAN TOUR OF HOMES

Benefits: Assistance League Omaha

Location: Homes around Omaha assistanceleague.org

Nov. 6

TRIVIA NIGHT

Benefits: Ataxia Connection

Location: St. Robert Bellarmine ataxiaconnection.org

Nov. 8

2ND ANNUAL SURREALIST COSTUME BALL

Benefits: The Church / Art House

Location: The Church / Art House thechurcharthouse.love

Nov. 15

FOOD 4 THOUGHT

Benefits: Clients of Nebraska AIDS Project

Location: The Max imperialcourtofnebraska.org

Nov. 15

GALA 2025

Benefits: Children’s Nebraska

Location: CHI Health Center childrensnebraska.org

Nov. 16

2ND ANNUAL CHLOE’S TOYS FOR CHILDREN’S FRIENDSGIVING

Benefits: IBEW Local 22

Location: IBEW Local 22 ibew22.org

Nov. 18

#GIVINGTUESDAY402

Benefits: Your Choice of Local Nonprofits shareomaha.org

FEATURED EVENT

Nov. 14

THE FUR BALL AND ART AUCTION

Benefits: BFF Gallery

Location: BFF Gallery and Mercer Masonic Lodge

The Benson First Friday Ball and Auction returns on Nov. 14 to bring art, music, and community together in a grand celebratory night. In the heart of Benson, this event features live performances, a curated auction of artwork made from local artists, and a festive ball where all are welcomed to dance. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the yearly Benson First Friday programs in order to sustain monthly art walks and creative opportunities that come to fruition for artists and the community. From fur coats and a drag show to one-of-a-kind art, all are welcome to join the community at BFF Gallery for a night of funky fun.

Nov. 20

SALUTE TO FAMILIES 2025

Benefits: Heartland Family Service

Location: TBD heartlandfamilyservice.org

Nov. 20

GIVING IS GROOVY

Benefits: Together Food Housing Advocacy

Location: Steelhouse Omaha togetheromaha.org

Nov. 20

HOPE FOR THE HUNGRY RADIOTHON

Benefits: Open Door Mission Location: Tune into 1110 KFAB opendoormission.org

Nov. 20

TRIMMING CLAWS FOR A CAUSE

Benefits: Muddy Paws Second Chance Rescue Location: The Green Spot at Aksarben Village greenspotomaha.com

Nov. 22

NIGHT OF A THOUSAND STARS

Benefits: Nebraska AIDS Project Location: Omaha Design Center nightout.com

Nov. 22

GRATITUDE GALA 2025

Benefits: MAC Foundation Location: Metropolitan Community College Institute for the Culinary Arts fundmac.org

Nov. 22-29

FEZTIVAL OF TREES

Benefits: Tangier Shrine Location: Tangier Shrine tangiershrine.com

Nov. 25

CONNECTION RECOVERY SUPPORT GROUP

Benefits: Community Location: Christ Community Church naminebraska.org

Nov. 27

FEAST AND FEATHERS

Benefits: Food Bank for The Heartland Location: Lake Cunningham feastandfeathers.com

Nov. 27

OMAHA TURKEY TROT

Benefits: Make-A-Wish

Location: Charles Schwab Field nebraskaruns.com

Dec. 2

GIVING TUESDAY CLOTHING DONATION

Benefits: Humble & Kind Location: Humble & Kind Office humbleandkindne.org

Dec. 2-31

GIVING TUESDAY

Benefits: Keep Omaha Beautiful Location: KOB keepomahabeautiful.org

Dec. 3

2025 SCOUTING CHARACTER LUNCHEON

Benefits: Mid-America Council Location: CHI Ballroom mac-bsa.org

Dec. 4

HOOPS FOR HOPE

Benefits: Catholic Charities of Omaha Location: Hilton Downtown Omaha ccomaha.org

Dec. 5-6

SOAP FOR HOPE

Benefits: Restoring Dignity Location: Yates Illuminates Building rdomaha.org

Dec. 6

2025 NEBRASKA JINGLE BELL RUN

Benefits: Arthritis Foundation Location: Papillion Landing arthritis.org

Dec. 8

ABIDE CHRISTMAS STORE 2025

Benefits: Abide

Location: 3223 N. 45th St. abide.vomo.org

Dec. 8-11

KIDS CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

Benefits: The Hope Center for Kids

Location: At Nonprofit’s Location hopecenterforkids.org

Dec. 13

MAKING MEMORIES: SENSORY SANTA

Benefits: Autism Action Partnership

Location: Omaha Children’s Museum autismaction.org

Dec. 13

CHANNEL 94.1’S DIAPER DRIVE

Benefits: Open Door Mission

Location: Linden Market Hy-Vee opendoormission.org

Dec. 13

TOYZ-4-TOTZ

Benefits: ICON Foundation

Location: The Max imperialcourtofnebraska.org

Dec. 13

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA DAY

Benefits: Omaha National Cemetery and Wreaths Across America

Location: Omaha National Cemetery wreathsacrossamerica.org

Dec. 18

A FESTIVAL OF CHRISTMAS BRASS

Benefits: Educational and community outreach programs

Location: St. Cecilia Cathedral omahasymphony.org

Dec. 20

2025 OMAHA SYMPHONY DEBUTANTE BALL

Benefits: Educational and community outreach programs

Location: Holland Center omahasymphony.org

Dec. 20

CANDY CANE COURSE

Benefits: Toys for Tots

Location: Inner Rail in Aksarben Village runsignup.com

Dec. 31

OMAHA ALCATHON

Benefits: Omaha Metro Intergroup

Location: Westside Community Center omahaaa.org

Coco

C kingContinues

STORY

BY

Lisa Lukecart

PHOTOGRAPHY BY Sarah

Lemke

DESIGN BY Nickie Robinson

CHEF JENNIFER COCO FINDS RENEWAL AT THE LINDEN HOUSE

able 16 wants to talk to you,” a server said.

Chef Jennifer Coco, nine months pregnant, sat on a pickle bucket during a busy shift at the Flatiron Cafe. She waddled into the restaurant, not recognizing the slicked-back gray-haired customer who asked for the veal.

“We’re out of veal. I can’t do it for you tonight, sir,” Coco explained.

“Damn it. I come to Nebraska, and I can’t even get a veal chop,” he said.

“No, that’s not what you’re having. You’re going to have the New York strip, and you’re going to love it.”

And he did. The chef would later learn that three-time Academy Award-winning actor Jack Nicholson stopped in for dinner during the filming of About Schmidt

In another instance, comedian Carol Burnett tapped her coffee cup, explaining she wanted white wine in it instead.

“She can’t be drinking,” her companion claimed.

“She’s the boss. I am not telling her no,” Coco said. Burnett would later ask her to cook a private dinner before her show.

Gulf singer Jimmy Buffett once devoured three plates of mussels while dining with billionaire Warren Buffett and his family. Afterward, Jimmy visited Coco in the kitchen, telling her, “Your mussels are outstanding. Th is was the best experience. Th ank you so much.”

“Jesus Christ, I thought you were Larry David,” she said.

“I get that all the time,” he told Coco.

The heyday of those celebrity visits evaporated like steam rising from a ghostly pot. Coco laughs at the memories, telling stories at her new location, The Linden House. A political science graduate from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Coco traded law school dreams for a chef’s knife, sharpening her skills at Spanna, V. Mertz, and the Flatiron Cafe before launching her own restaurant, J.Coco, in 2012. The Flatiron Cafe has since shut down, a victim of the COVID-19 pandemic. In December 2021, after 10 years, J.Coco would follow, closing its doors on New Year’s Eve.

“It was devastating,” Coco recalled. Her voice trembled as her brown eyes held back unshed tears. “I was broken.”

The four-time James Beard nominee returned to her roots when she joined Block 16, making sandwiches much like she had at age 15 in the all-female kitchen of The Bak ing Company.

“I was able to re-fi nd why I love cooking and keep going,” Coco said.

Block 16 owners Paul and Jessica Urban consider Coco a mentor in the culinary industry, someone who paved the way for women and novices in Omaha. Coco, after all, was the first Nebraskan and first female James Bea rd nominee.

“Jennifer has always been a legend,” Paul said. “She was like the Wizard of Oz. You never saw her, but you heard about her. And you would see her in culinary school, and we’d all be in awe, like ‘Oh my God, that’s Chef Jenny Coco.’”

“We have known her for decades. It was like going to work with your buddies and cooking, which we all love doing,” Jessica added.

Paul describes Coco’s kitchen style as “controlled chaos,” pots and pans flying, followed by a perfect plate emerging. After a stint at Block 16, the Champions Club, and Catering Creations, an opportunity arose at Paul Braunschweiler’s Brushi, ironically located in the same place Spanna used to be. It felt like a full-circle moment, blending past and future fl avors. Larry and Rene Militti purchased the property last year, and their niece Coco witnessed the rebirth as The Linden House.

“I consider Jennifer’s cooking a Michelin-starred restaurant, and it is needed in Omaha,” Larry said.

Guests can still sample the briny mussels, which won Jimmy’s praise, smothered in garlic, tomato, butter, and white wine sauce, paired with grilled bread at The Linden House. Even though it doesn’t appear on the menu, guests can also order her famous Sake and miso marinated sea bass, seared to a light caramel and fi nished in the oven.

Coco wears hot pink chef shoes, and a blue baseball hat covers her blonde hair. The 55-yearold veteran cook, though, prefers an all-black look “like Johnny Cash.” But she will soon put on her white chef’s coat to prepare European American-style cuisine for customers, such as Bolognese, paella, and lamb. She plans to move the menu beyond the previous owner’s European influences and steer it toward new American with inventive twists and contemporary i ngredients.

“Omaha is very lucky to have Jennifer Coco,” Je ssica said.

“And everyone needs to eat at The Linden House,” Paul added.

The scars tell a story in the chef’s arthritic hands, less cut-up compared to when she fi rst started. Th e sacrifi ces drift down the years in missed birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries with her husband and two daughters. She recounts how her youngest would wait up, holding her teddy bear at the top of the stairs. Modest and confident, the chef has now learned to step back w hen needed.

“We’re hanging ourselves out there all the time, and we get criticized all the time, and it’s hard. It breaks your soul,” Coco explained. “But you need to come back to work every day and star t all over.”

And tomorrow, Coco will once again pick up her knife at The Linden House, off ering not just food, but resilience on a plate.

Visit lindenhouseomaha.com for more information.

TracksLounge:4-piecebroastedsignaturechicken,friedpickles,buffalochickenwrap,andtriplecrownbone-inwings

Story by Dwain Hebda // Photography by Sarah Lemke Design by Rachel Birdsall

M New to Your Neighborhood Classic Eats Find Fresh Audiences Across Omaha

any people who have claimed a favorite spot are often loathe to share it. Even in the unfailingly polite culture for which Omaha is known, there’s something of a territorial streak that emerges when it comes to favorite eateries and watering holes. Sure, we are happy to recommend them to visitors, but we still want it known, however subtly, that this place is “ours.”

Of course, for the proprietors of such places it’s the more the merrier, and that leads many to stretch their wings and bring old favorites into new spaces, thus helping more people enjoy the food and service.

We’ve detailed a few such establishments below that are following this formula to great acclaim.

Tasty Pizza

The name says it all. An independently owned pizza parlor known for its artisan pies that run the gamut of traditional to wildly creative, Tasty Pizza uses only the freshest ingredients and makes every pie from scratch. What binds the many varieties together is the incomparable crust, a delectable masterpiece developed by professional-baker-turned-pizza-pro, founder Mary Joseph. After trying her hand at sweets via Tasty Bakery, which opened in 2012 and also served soup, sandwiches and, yes, pizza, Joseph switched permanently to the savory pizza, and the rest is history.

Regulars swear by the margherita version, ranked the city’s best in many diner and media polls, as well as the traditional favorites sporting pepperoni, hamburger (with or without sliced mushrooms), and two versions of sausage. Or, for something completely different, sample the bacon gouda, the pesto with artichokes and chicken, or a Hawaiian so good it just might settle the debate over the appropriateness of pineapple on pizza. But let’s face it, there’s no wrong choices on the menu, a fact backed by reams of awards and legions of fans.

1418 S. 60th St. (Omaha) NEW LOCATION:

1653 Washington St. (Blair) tastypizzaomaha.com

Tracks Lounge

Is there anything better than a neighborhood bar, especially the kind that has enjoyed several decades to get properly broken in?

Of course there isn’t, which is what has made Tracks Lounge a staple of the Aksarben/Elmwood neighborhood for 60 years. However, when you earn your spurs on the claim of serving the world’s best fried chicken, it’s pretty easy to get people excited about a new location opening, which is exactly what the beloved establishment did this summer.

Now, a whole new generation of fans can try their famous yardbird as a dinner, the way they’ve been doing it since 1965, or sample some of the best wings in Omaha while catching the big game. You can also get the clucker in a regular sandwich or, as generations of Tracks Lounge patrons will tell you to do, experience the highly recommended house-favorite buffalo chicken wrap with your choice of sauce and dressing. For the contrarians among us, the burgers are pretty killer, too. Pro tip: while easy to miss within the appetizers lineup, the Wisconsin white cheese curds or macaroni and cheese bites (available in two varieties) are criminally underrated munchies.

1506 S. 60th St. | NEW LOCATION: 181st & Q  trackslounge.com

Mercy Thai

One of the biggest stereotypes of Omaha dining is that the city is strictly a meat-and-potatoes kind of town. And while there is certainly nothing wrong with the city’s traditional steak scene, it doesn’t begin to scratch the surface of food and cultural diversity that exists throughout the city’s various neighborhoods. Thai food is particularly well-represented locally, with many different options to try both on the Nebraska and Iowa sides of the river. Omaha’s Mercy Thai, not to be confused with an unaffiliated restaurant of the same name in Council Bluffs, is one sterling example of the excellent international fare that can be found in the city. Now that the celebrated restaurant has expanded into a second location, its fresh, delicious fare is even more accessible.

Recommended dishes include the flavorful and fragrant drunken noodles, available with various solo or combination proteins, as well as the reliable pad thai and pad ped selections. All entrees are approachable thanks to Mercy Thai lightening up on the heat, favoring first-timers, but every dish can be prepared to spice levels to suit any veteran palate. This almost ensures newbies and seasoned Thai fans alike will find something to their liking on the extensive menu.

4741 S. 96th St. | NEW LOCATION: 7622 Dodge St. mercythairestaurant.com

Dumpling Empire

Another restaurant showcasing the city’s culinary diversity is the relatively new Dumpling Empire. Known for their dumplings, the restaurant also gets high marks for its traditional Chinese noodle dishes, thus appealing to a wide variety of diner tastes. The restaurant, which opened in 2024, was celebrated for its unique make-it-in-frontof-you preparation stations where artisan chefs make noodles and dumplings in an open kitchen that shows the culinary skills the delicacies require. The restaurant also distinguished itself by bringing xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings, to the local market. As complicated to make as they are easy to enjoy, the dish illustrates the high level of care and workmanship the restaurant stresses in its food and presentation. The pan-fried pork buns and steamed beef buns are diner favorites, while the pork belly bun is a hidden menu treasure. On the noodle side, there are equally fantastic selections, including the recommended chili oil noodles served with bok choi and chili peppers and the stir-fry lo mein combining wok-seared beef, shrimp, and vegetables. If there’s anything to rival the food, it’s the attentive and helpful staff who are happy to guide the uninitiated to their next as-yet-undiscovered favorite.

5413 S. 72nd St. NEW LOCATION: 15825 W. Maple Rd. dumpling-empire.menu-world.com

Wild Chicken Grill

There’s a lot to be said for doing the simple things consistently well, especially in the restaurant game. That’s the modus operandi by which Wild Chicken Grill has operated and what has enabled it to grow into a second location earlier this spring. The fare at Wild Chicken Grill won’t confuse anyone—burgers of both the chicken and beef varieties, breakfast items, sandwiches, wraps, and wings—but the family-owned establishment has solidified itself as a go-to for satisfying, casual fare thanks to top-quality ingredients prepared with skill. The line of chicken burgers are available in six varieties from the straight-ahead to the dressed up. Regulars rave about the blackened version with chipotle mayo and pepperjack cheese, as well as the similarly dressed namesake Wild Chicken and the Wild Chicken Nashville, a spicy number topped with coleslaw. Burgers run the usual gamut (chili burger, bacon cheeseburger, etc.) but the lineup also offers some creative touches, such as the eye-opener-ona-bun breakfast version, a turkey burger, a guac burger, and the Wild Burger dressed out like its chicken cousin.

3604 Twin Creek Dr., Suite 104 (Bellevue)

NEW LOCATION:

8220 Giles Road (La Vista) wildchickengrillne.com

Mercy Thai: drunken noodleswithchicken

Ital Vital Living

Focusing on healthy juices and smoothies, Ital Vital offers a refreshing alternative for diners looking for healthier mealtime options. Founded by Imani Murray in 2019, the store offers a variety of juice drinks, smoothies, and smoothie bowls. Murray got into the food business after exploring various food combinations in step with her vegan lifestyle and documenting the recipes she developed on YouTube as she went. This led followers to inquire about where they could buy the items, after which she began operating a pop-up restaurant at various events. She’d eventually spend a year in a public kitchen while testing out a menu on her roommates prior to opening her first Ital Vital Living location in 2021.

Today, the company is well-established in the community, having already outgrown its original location and now branching into a second store, thanks to fan favorites like the OG açaí smoothie bowl, bursting with fruit, nuts, and dark chocolate, and the Green Hulk Smash, combining fruit, almond milk, super green powder, and granola. Also popular is the company’s line of six cold-pressed juices, which currently include grape, beet, key lime, pineapple orange, red berry, and carrot formulas.

2323 N. 24th St. | NEW LOCATION: 7639 Cass St. italvitalliving.com

Cattle Call A Place for Everyone

STORY BY KYLE EUSTICE // PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARAH LEMKE // DESIGN BY RENEE LUDWICK

Dining Feature

Co-owner Rocky Shrestha Shares the Heart of Nepalese Tradition

C

attle Call co-owner Rocky Shrestha will be the fi rst to admit the restaurant’s name can be a bit a misleading. To the uninitiated, it conjures up images of Angus beef or fl atiron steaks, but on the vibrant menu, guests will fi nd its signature Nepalese momos, aloo chops, tostadas (a chickpea vegan option is also available), chai panna cotta, and charcuterie. Granted, there are short ribs, duck breast, and pork belly dishes for the meat lovers, but it’s not nearly as one-dimensional as the name might suggest. Located on 16th and Farnam streets, Cattle Call lives in the old Culprit Cafe building, one block from the Orpheum Theater, which factored into the name.

“We wanted to do something that paid respect to the theater district,” Shrestha said. “When we originally opened the place, we wanted to be a neighborhood place. We wanted to name it something that meant everybody was welcome. While I was searching, I found out that in the theater world, ‘cattle call’ means open audition. We thought, ‘Oh that would be an excellent idea because that just means everyone is welcome.’”

Shrestha and co-owner Sagar Gurung, who also own Aksarben’s Saff ron Urban Indian Kitchen and the Kathmandu Momo Station inside Aksarben’s food hall, learned very quickly it might not have been the best name choice for a restaurant in Nebraska, the second-largest cattle-producing state in the United States.

“Hindsight is always 20/20,” Shrestha said with a chuckle. “Somebody left us a review saying we don’t have enough beef for a restaurant called Cattle Call.”

But for those not asking “where’s the beef?” Cattle Call’s dishes are a pleasant surprise. Much like Saff ron and Kathmandu, the rich, complex fl avors of its Nepalese-influenced menu defi ne C attle Call.

Shrestha, who moved to the U.S. from Nepal when he was just 19 years old, explained the way momo centers on community. The ritual of making and eating them together around a table became a way to connect. Gurung, a native of Chitwan, Nepal, who grew up mostly in India, is credited for the restaurant’s concept.

“Sagar started off and did a lot of the groundwork on getting it set up,” Shrestha said. “Momos are a very quintessential Nepalese food. It is what our culture revolves around. They’re on every street corner, every family has their own recipe and every household makes them.

“As we moved to America, we would get our friends together and momos became the centerpiece. Everybody would sit around the table and make them. One of us would be dedicated to cooking them, and we would just chat for hours and eat. It’s a very integral part of our culture, and Sagar wanted to share that.”

It was that desire that became the natural driving force behind the restaurant.

“Opening an ethnic food restaurant is a difficult project,” Shrestha admitted. “It’s easy to sell things people are familiar with, but we had to spend hours standing outside and giving away momos for free. But it was the idea of sharing something that was so important to us growing up and so important to our culture.”

The aromatic sauces that accompany a momo are nearly as

important as the momo itself. At Cattle Call, options include a spicy sherpa sauce, sweet chili, and a mango habanero.

“Momos always come with a sauce,” he added. “My mom has a different sauce recipe. My sister has a different one. They’re a ll unique.”

Chef Abraham Vidaurre has been able to recreate Gurung’s original momo recipe with precision. The former sous chef, who took over for chef de cuisine Dominic Gurciullo in March 2025, has embraced the challenge of running the kitchen with the passion of any great leader.

“We call him Abe,” Shrestha said. “He’s a young chef, very talented. Th at’s one of the best parts about owning a restaurant. I get to see these young chefs be very creative with something as simple, essential, and basic as food. The things that they can do is simply amazing. It just blows me away.”

The restaurant prides itself on staying open late, especially for other service industry workers who are just getting off work and looking for someth ing to eat.

“When we were opening Cattle Call, one of the things that we identified was there’s not a lot of places that are open late anymore in Omaha,” Shrestha said. “Maybe one or two places. So we wanted to be open late and to be a place where other industry people could come and hang out and have a place to go to after they were done with work. It’s tough for industry people because by the time they’re done, almost everything is closed.”

Cattle Call is open Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m., with the kitchen serving until midnight and the bar open until 1 a.m. On Sundays, the restaurant is open from 4 to 10 p.m. and happy hour runs daily from 4 to 6

“For me personally, I think sharing food is up there and one of the most human, social things you can do.”

p.m., with a reverse happy hour available from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. every day. Those looking for entertainment will be treated to live music every Friday and Saturday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Needless to say, it’s blossoming into a weekend hot spot, too. Whether it’s Latin music from DJ C-Record, the Latin, pop, and fl amenco fusion of Dos Mundos, or the interactive live jazz sounds of Skye & the Band, the live music element only adds to the restaura nt’s fl air.

But it’s unlikely to see Shrestha showing off his dance skills. He confesses he’s a little “antisocial,” but working in the restaurant industry has encouraged him to shed his cocoon.

“Sometimes I joke that I get tired of hearing my own voice,” he said. “One of the things is hospitality, it’s a big part of what we are. Personally, it’s been beneficial because it’s gotten me out of my shell and it’s gotten me to interact with people and be comfortable in that zone. But there’s just something about sharing food. For me personally, I think sharing food is up there as one of the most human, social things you can do.”

Shrestha likes to jump in the kitchen regularly. As he puts it, “I get a lot of joy from the community that a kitchen is, especially for somebody who used to be very antisocial. The kitchen is such a welcoming place, and the pride that my chef and my kitchen team puts into the food is amazing.”

-Rocky SHrestha

He continued, “I help out in the kitchen as well because I want to be a part of it and learning it is phenomenal and exciting. But to see that translated into the customer enjoying it and the joy that brings is amazing. Just the idea that we’re able to offer people a place where they can come and spend some time together with their friends and loved ones and share a good meal itself is phenomenal. It’s a very gratifying feeling.”

Visit cattlecallomaha.com for more information.

V e getarian combination platter

DINING REVIEW

hen you come to Lalibela, you can leave your utensils and misconceptions about African cuisine at the door. Th is restaurant will not only serve you a great meal, but it’ll help you experience and better understand Ethiopian food and culture.

And you don’t even need a fork to take thi s adventure.

Meals at Lalibela are served on injera , a spongey, porous fl atbread that has a mild, slightly tangy fl avor on its own. But its main role isn’t for taste; injera is an eating device. Meats, stews, and vegetables are served atop this giant fl atbread, and diners rip off pieces and scoop up bites. It’s a communal style of dining that not only brings people together and creates community, but also allows you to experience something unique in e ach handful.

Injera is what makes Lalibela one of the most unique eating experiences in the city. Rather than ordering appetizers and individual entrees, your family or group typically shares one enormous platter of uniquely spiced food. Injera is more than food in this culture—it’s an essential part of the Ethiopian food landscape and takes days to make. Th e countless air holes along its surface dutifully soak up every last ounce of sauce and stew served atop it, injecting blasts of fl avor int o each bite.

Lalibela’s menu only contains a handful of dishes, and the best way to experience them is with one of the platters: either combination or vegetarian. Th e former is loaded with three diff erent proteins, three preparations of lentils, greens, and ayib, a mild Ethiopian cheese.

Th e center of the platter is doro wot , which features a juicy chicken drumstick enrobed in a thick, deeply savory and richly spicy red pepper stew. It’s accompanied by derek tibs , pan-fried beef cubes with a crunchy exterior and a smoky taste. Served without sauce, they eat a bit dry, but that’s not a problem with the beef tibs. Th ese succulent bites of beef are served in a hearty stewlike sauce that brings a warming heat and sa vory fl avor.

But the surprising star of the platter are the lentils. Each preparation of these stewed beans has its own unique fl avor, ranging from the more peppery green to the sweeter red and yellow.

Platters with singular meats are available too, and the yebeg tibs is a cohesive symphony of fl avor. Tender lamb is served in a buttery stew that delivers sweet, savory, earthy, and spicy notes all at once, and the injera soaks up all the rich goodness of the thick sauce.

Th e cubes of beef in the gored-gored are cut larger than any of Lalibela’s other off erings, and they become a bit tougher and more chewy. But the fl avor is on par with the other dishes, as awaze (a paste of hot peppers, ginger, and other spices) adds a subtle heat that creeps up as you shovel more of the dish into your mouth.

Any meal here should be accompanied with a cup of Ethiopian spiced tea, which warms from the inside out. Brewed with cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg, it’s on the sweet side, and the aroma brings a comforting waft t o the table.

Th e portion sizes and prices seem very disproportionate. Th e plates and platters range between $20 and $30, and they feature enough food to feed a small army. Stuff ed as you’ll soon fi nd yourself, good luck stopping eating; the unique fl avors bring your hands to the bread for bite after bite as if coerced by gravity.

But as great as the food at Lalibela is, the experience is what really defi nes eating here. You have no choice but to become closer with your fellow diners as you reach around one another to enjoy varied bites, and you’re forced to put your phone aside unless you want it covered in stew and sauce. Ethiopian cuisine is all about creating community, and bonds are forged and strengthened as you enj oy the food.

If you’re intimidated by trying something new, Lalibela guides you into this new experience. Its menu has a glossary that describes various terms, and the front-ofhouse staff is very knowledgeable and happy to explain the various dishes. Th ere are also packets on each table that detail Ethiopian culture, spices, and the process of making injera, if you want to dive deeper.

The fi rst time you pull up to Lalibela, housed in a former pizza restaurant off Cass Street and Saddle Creek Road, you have no idea the adventure you’re about to encounter. Dining here isn’t just a meal. It’s an experience that takes you across the world.

Visit lalibela-ethiopian-restaurant.restaurants-world.com for more information.

LALIBELA 4422 CASS ST. OMAHA, NE 68131

5 STARS POSSIBLE

- Sponsored ContentDINING GUIDE Omaha

AMERICAN

CHARLESTON’S - $$$

144th and Dodge streets - 402.651.0689

76th and Dodge streets - 402.991.0055

Charleston’s is a casual, upbeat restaurant with a menu filled with dishes prepared from scratch daily. We focus on providing our guests with excellent prices and selecting the highest quality ingredients. Whether you are new to Charleston’s or a long-standing guest, we look forward to seei ng you soon!

charlestons.c om/locations

D J’S DUGOUT SP ORTS BAR - $

Seven Metro Are a Locations:

Bellevue - 10308 S. 23rd St. - 402.292.9096

Miracle Hills - 777 N. 114th St. - 402.498.8855

Downtown - 1003 Capitol Ave. - 402.763.9974

Aksarben - 2102 S. 67th St. - 402.933.3533

Millard - 17666 Welch Plaza - 402.933.8844

Elkhorn - 19020 Evans St. - 402.315.1985

Plattsmouth - 2405 Oak Hill Rd. - 402.298.4166

Voted Omaha’s #1 Sports Bar, DJ’s Dugout is locally and Vietnam Veteran owned. DJ’s Dugout features delicious burgers, wings, wraps, salads, sandwiches and an impressive drink menu. Plus, DJ’s has huge media walls full of HD TVs and projector screens. Catch all the action at DJ’s seven Omaha-area locations. Dig In... At The Dugout! —djsdugout.com

JAMS MODERN AMERICAN- $$

7814 Dodge St. - 402.399.8300

1101 Harney St. in the OldMarket - 402.614.9333

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69th & Pacific - 402.933.2776

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156th St. & W. Dodge Rd. - 402.408.1728 120th and Blondo St. - 402.991.8222

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VOTED OMAHA'S #1 SPORTS BAR!

LISA’S RADIAL CAFE - $ 817 N. 40th St. - 402-551-2176

American. Cafe. Diner. Vegetarian-friendly. Gluten-free options. This old-school diner serves hearty portions of American comfort classics for breakfast and lunch. Family-owned and operated. This business is a must if you’re in the area. People rave about our chicken-fried steak, stuffed French toast, coffee, and friendly staff. Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7 a.m.-2 p.m

PACIFIC EATING HOUSE - $$ 1130 Sterling Ridge Dr. - 531.999.3777

We have developed our menu inspired by all that touches the Pacific Ocean. Starting with fresh fish flown from Honolulu, locally sourced steaks and natural chicken with an Asian flare and pairing our dishes with tiki libations and Pacific coast wines. —pacificeatinghouse.com

PINE & BLACK BISTRO - $$ 248 Olson Dr., Papillion - 531.999.3777

We opened in March of 2023 to bring a family owned bistro to the community, serving local steaks and fresh seafood. We offer a wide variety of Pacific Northwest wines, local beers, and craft cocktails. Pinot Noir translates to Pine & Black, our name originates from our love of wine.

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SAND POINT - $$$

655 North 114th Street, Omaha - 531-466-1008

Sand Point ‘New England Fare’ brings their favorite and unique dishes from New England to the Omaha food community. Freshest seafood, from seared crab cakes, lobster arancini, whole belly clams, New England clam chowder, lobster bisque to charcuterie boards and Angus beef tips and steak burgers, to be topped off with Boston cream pie, blueberry pie or Lemon canna cotta. Full bar to include, specialty cocktails, extensive wine lists, as well as beer and non-alcoholic drinks.

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7610 Dodge St. - 402-614-4949

Tasty burgers, ice-cold beer, fresh-cut fries, scrumptious tacos, mouthwatering appetizers and more. What else could you want? Besides the delicious food, each location also offers a full bar with an extensive craft beer list and a one-of-a-kind environment with arcade games and plenty of TV’s. Download our new rewards app, Smitty’s Garage, in the app store to start earnin g free grub! eatatt hegarage.com

-

Since 1936, we’ve been making our world-famous Stella’s hamburgers the same way. The family secrets have been handed down to each owner, ensuring that your burger is the same as the one you fell in love with the first time you tried Stella’s. And if it’s your first time, we know you’ll be back! Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., closed Sunday. —stellasbarandgrill.com

T ED AND WALLY’S - $ 1120 Jackson

Come experience the true taste of homemade ice cream in the Old Market. Since 1986, we’ve created gourmet ice cream flavors in small batches using rock salt and ice. We offer your favorites, plus unique flavors like margarita, green tea, Guinness, and French toast. Special orders available. Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Fri.- Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday. Noon-10 p.m. —tedandwallys.com

VARSITY SPORTS CAFE - $$

Ralston - 9735 Q St. - 402.339.1944

Bellevue - 3504 Samson Way - 402.932.1944

Millard - 14529 F St. - 402.505.6660

Ralston, Bellevue and Millard. We are truly grateful to have been welcomed into each of these communities and welcome you in for good food, a cold drink and a comfy seat to enjoy the sport of your choosing! Determined to bring only the freshest ingredients, homemade dough and our specialty sauces to the table, we have worked hard to perfect our craft for you. Our goal is to bring the best food service to the area and show the best sports events that you want to see. Pick up and Delivery availalble. Please check website for hours of operation. —varsityromancoinpizza.com

ITALIAN

LA CASA PIZZARIA - $$ 45th and Leavenworth St. - 402.556.6464

La Casa Pizzaria has been serving Omaha its legendary Neapolitan-style pizza and pasta for 60 years. We offer dine-in, carry-out, party facilities, catering, and now pizza shipments to the 48 contiguous states. Open Tuesday-Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 4:30 p.m. —lacasapizzaria.ne

PASTA AMORE - $$ 11027 Prairie Brook Rd. - 402.391.2585

Pastas are made fresh daily, including tortellini, fettuccine, and capellini. Daily specials and menu items include a variety of fresh seafood and regional Italian dishes, such as linguini amore and calamari steak, penne Florentine, gnocchi, spaghetti puttanesca, and osso buco. Filet mignon is also offered for those who appreciate nationally renowned Nebraska beef. To complement your dining experience, the restaurant offers a full bar and extensive wine list. Be sure to leave room for homemade desserts, like the tiramisu and cannoli. Monday-Thursday 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday 10 p.m. Reservations recommended. pa staamore.com

PITCH - $$

5021 Underwood Ave. - 402.590.2625 West: 17808 Burke Street. - 402.289.4096

An OpenTable’s Diners’ Choice for 2014 HotSpot Restaurant in America. Keeping up with the traditional way the first pizzas in Italy were made, our pizzas are cooked in a coal-fired oven. The menu also features seafood, hand-cut steak, housemade pastas, and burgers full of flavor. Our goal is to provide you with local, housemade, and imported ingredients. We offer a happy hour menu through the -. Our bar provides an array of in-house concoctions as well as your traditional libations. Our wine selection is wellthought-out and most impressive. You will enjoy Pitch. Monday & Tuesday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Wednesday-Friday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-11 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. pitch pizzeria.com

S PEZIA - $$$

3125 S. 72nd St. - 402.391.2950

Choose Spezia for lunch or dinner, where you’ll find a casual elegance that’s perfect for business guests, get-togethers, or any special occasion. Exceptional food, wine, and service, with a delectable menu: fresh seafood, certified Angus steaks, innovative pasta, risotto, gnocchi, cioppino, lamb, entrée salads, Mediterranean chicken, flatbreads, and fresh salmon daily. Enjoy a full bar, Italian and California wines, Anniversary/Lovers’ Booth (call to reserve), private dining rooms, and wood-fired grill. Open Monday-Sunday. Cocktail hour 4-6 p.m., when all cocktails, glasses of wine, and beers are half price. Evening reservations recommended. —speziarestaurant.com

Featuring Sonoran-style cooking made fresh daily. Catering and party rooms also available. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.- 11 p.m., Sunday 4-9 p.m. —fernandosomaha.com

Enjoy awesome appetizers, excellent enchilada’s, fabulous fajitas, seafood specialties, mouthwatering margaritas and much more at La Mesa! Come see why La Mesa has been voted Best of Omaha’s 20 Years in a Row! FridaySaturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday-Sunday 11 a.m.-9 p.m. —lamesaomaha.co m

HECTOR’S RESTAURANT - $$ 1201 S. 157th St. - 402.884.2272

Hector’s Restaurant has been serving fresh, authentic Baja-style Mexican cuisine in Omaha since 1997. Known for flavorful dishes made daily—from salsa and guacamole to beans and rice—Hector’s also offers a wide selection of margaritas, domestic, and imported beers. Guests can enjoy a familyfriendly atmosphere, perfect for casual dinners, celebrations, or events. As the only Baja-style Mexican restaurant in the region, Hector’s stands out for its fresh ingredients, lively vibe, and dedication to superior service. —hectorsomaha.com

MARGARITA’S MEXICAN RE STAURANT - $ 4915 S. 72nd St. - 402.393.7515

Margarita’s is a business with more than seven years in the food world. We offer authentic Mexican food where you can enjoy a nice moment with your family. margaritasmenu.com

PRIM O’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT - $$

5914 Center St., Omaha,

Family owned and operated since 2010, Primo’s Modern Mexican utilizes the freshest ingredients to bring both authentic Mexican and Southwest-style dishes to life with flare and unrivaled flavor. With recipes passed down over four generations, a family-friendly atmosphere, and plates to satisfy cravings at every hour—with breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus offering a variety of Mexican staples—Primo’s Mexican Restaurant is proud to serve the people of Omaha and Council Bluffs

GREEK ISLANDS - $

3821

Greek cuisine with specials every day at reasonable prices. We are well-known for our gyro sandwiches and salads. We cater and can accommodate a party for 65 guests. Carry-out and delivery available. Monday-Thursday 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Friday-Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. —greekislandsomaha.com

SAGE STUDENT BISTRO INSTITUTE FOR THE CULINARY ARTS - $

5730 N. 30th St.

Fort Omaha Campus, Building 22

At the Metropolitan Community College Sage Student Bistro, culinary and hospitality students learn hustle, fundamentals, community service and stewardship — all from scratch. Explore dishes from around the world during lunch, or celebrate the contributions of American culinary sages at dinner. For reservations, visit: —mccneb.edu/Bistro

STEAKHOUSES

CASCIO’S - $$

1620 S. 10th St. - 402-345-8313

Cascio’s is Omaha’s No. 1 steakhouse. We have been serving Omaha for 69 years. We feature steaks, chops, seafood, and Italian specialties. We have seven private party rooms, seating for up to 400 people, and plenty of parking.

—casciossteakhouse.com

THE DROVE R RESTAURANT & LOUNGE - $$$

2121 S. 73rd St. - 402-391-7440

Famous for the original Whiskey Steak. Truly a one-of-a-kind Midwestern experience. Excellent food, wine, service, and value. Rare...and very well done.

LUNCH: Monday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m.,

DINNER: Monday-Friday 5 p.m.-10 p.m., Saturday 4:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m.,

LOUNGE: Monday-Friday Cocktails only 2 p.m.-5 p.m. —droverrestaurant.com

TWISTED CORK BISTRO - $$

10370 Pacific St. - 531.999.3777

We arrived in Nebraska from Washington intent on purchasing from farmers, ranchers & fishmongers who share our commitment for wholesome, sustainable fare. Our recipes use the Earth’s bounty the way it is intended ~ Wild and Natural ~ We compliment our dishes, pairing them with exquisite Pacific Northwest wines.

–twistedcorkbistro.com

MAHOGANY PRIME

STEAKHOUSE - $$$$

225 N. 145th St. - 402.445.4380

In a town known for its great steaks, Mahogany stands above the rest. Conveniently located in the new Heartwood Preserve Center at 145th and Dodge, our Omaha location provides an intimate and classic fine dining atmosphere. Voted Best in Omaha.

DINNER: Monday - Saturday | 5pm - 10pm & Sunday | 5pm - 9pm. –mahoganyprimesteakhouse.com

Large Menu - Party Room - Catering - Salsa Bar

Our new location is ready to host your private holiday gathering. With four exclusive dining rooms that can seat up to 36 guests, we offer personalized menus and impeccable service for any occasion. Book your event today!

THANKS FOR YOUR VOTES 2532 South 24 St. 68108 402-341-7261 | stoysich.com

Happy Holidays!

As we celebrate this holiday season, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to all our patients. Thank you for trusting us with your eye care needs and for voting us the Best of Omaha for 16 incredible years!

Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful holiday season and a happy, healthy 2026! As 2025 comes to a close, we want to remind you that you can use your HSA dollars in our optical shop! We have over 800 frames in stock, featuring designer brands like Etnia Barcelona, Kate Spade, Prada, State, iGreen, and Tom Ford. Don’t forget to use your funds before they expire—visit us soon and treat yourself to a new pair of stylish glasses!

STORY BY K ara Schweiss

BY Bill Sitzmann

BY Nickie Robinson

Crescent Hill at Hitchcock Provides Wintertime Skiing and Year-round Fun

When Crescent Ski Hills opened in 1961 near Honey Creek, Iowa, snow skiers in the area welcomed the chance to hit the slopes without a long drive to get there. It was later dubbed Mount Crescent Ski Area (despite Iowa not having any real mountains), operating over 60 winters before Pottawattamie County purchased it for $3.5 million in 2021 with support from the Iowa West Foundation. The 106-acre property in the ecologically significant Loess Hills is now Crescent Hill at Hitchcock and part of Hitchcock Nature Center, a 1,500-acre natu re preserve.

“We’ve been exploring the feasibility of turning Crescent Hill at Hitchcock into something bigger, something four-season, something that will attract people to this area,” said Jeff Franco, Pottawattamie Conservation executive director. “In 2025, we completed the master plan for Crescent Hill with the help of the SE Group, a nationally recognized ski area consulting fi rm. Th at master plan painted a potential future for Crescent Hill that looked very different than how most people viewed Mt. Crescent Ski Area in the past.”

Skiing is still very much part of Crescent Hill, Franco said, but the new branding suggests year-round activity. It also emphasizes the ski area’s association with Hitchcock Nature Center, run by the county’s conservation department, and a renewed focus that includes minimizing impact on the land while still improving the customer experience.

“Different areas of our park offer our citizens and guests different ways to engage with, learn about, and experience the globally unique landform and the ecosystems that are protected by Hitchcock, all of which—figuratively—sit right in our backyard,” Franco said. “What’s unique about Crescent Hill at Hitchcock is that it offers the only opportunity to downhill ski and snowboard in the region, so in many people’s minds, it sets itself apart in that way.”

Dundee Ski Club’s Corbin Redli agreed that Crescent Hill is of utmost importance to local outdoor winter sports enthusiasts.

“It provides a platform to learn how to ski and also encourages families to get outside in the cold months of the year. Th rough these

unique experiences, kids grow an appreciation for the outdoors and share in memories that last a lifetime,” he said. “It’s an important part of our Omaha community and we are lucky to have it within a short driving distance.”

“One change that our regular customers may notice is that we’ll be working to open our more challenging terrain earlier in the season than ever before, offering all our customers—but especially our more advanced skiers and snowboarders—a greater range of difficulty.”

–Jeff

Franco

The ski area’s exact opening date is weather-dependent (updates are posted on Crescent Hill’s website and social media), but the 20252026 ski season is expected to kick off by mid-December.

“For those who haven’t been back skiing or snowboarding in several years, hopefully they fi nd that a lot has changed since their last visit,” Franco said. “Many of our longtime customers have told us they can’t believe how many things have changed for the better in the last three years under Pottawattamie County’s management: improved online services, better food, shorter wait times in lines, better snow quality, more acres of terrain open and open earlier in the season, to

name a few…One change that our regular customers may notice is that we’ll be working to open our more challenging terrain earlier in the season than ever before, offering all our customers—but especially our more advanced skiers and snowboarders—a greater range of difficulty.”

There’s something for everyone, Franco said, and families a re welcome.

“Until we begin developing plans laid out in the master plan, Crescent Hill will still largely be known for its winter recreation—downhill skiing and snowboarding, and sledding a few times per month for those that don’t ski or snowboard. No other sledding experience in the region compares to what we offer at Crescent Hill: lift ride up and a quarter-mile of downhill sledding,” Franco said. “There’s a great winter-time social atmosphere out there as well, where folks can enjoy an après-ski vibe at the lodge with adult drinks, great food, fire pits, and seating inside with windows that look over the ski area.”

More improvements are yet to come, he added, including improved accessibility to the site’s facilities. In a few years, Franco expects full four-season offerings to be in place.

“During the warmer months, Hitchcock Nature Center’s hiking trails pass through the area, allowing guests to experience the slopes without snow, immersing hikers in some of Iowa’s last remnants of native, undisturbed prairie. In addition, the warmer months also offer opportunities for outdoor educational and social events as well, like our Night Sky Event held on Aug.15 this year, where guests enjoyed an evening of music, food and drinks, [and] watching the sun set behind the hills before revealing the Perseid meteor showers,” he said. “As we move forward, we’ll be looking to offer more of these events, getting people used to the idea that Crescent Hill isn’t just about wintert ime fun.”

Visit explorecrescenthill.com for more information.

come and

explore.

LET’S PLAN A ROAD

TRIP!

COMPILED BY Naomi Heu

DAYTRIPS IN NEBRASKA, IOWA, KANSAS, MISSOURI, AND SOUTH DAKOTA

NEBRASKA

ZOO LIGHTS November-December at Lincoln Children’s Zoo, Lincoln. Walk through one of the largest energy-efficient light shows in the Midwest powered by Lincoln Electronic Systems at the Lincoln Zoo. Learn about how to to save energy during the holidays, and view spectacular light displays including a gingerbread house, a 60-foot light tunnel, over 30 animal silhouettes, a 40-foot Christmas tree, and more. lincolnzoo.org

RILEY GREEN: DAMN COUNTRY MUSIC TOUR Nov. 20 at Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln. Country singer-songwriter Riley Green brings his music to Lincoln with his Damn Country Music Tour. Named Academy of Country Music’s New Male Artist of the Year in 2020, he has only grown in popularity among country music fans. He will be joined by special guests Jamey Johnson, Drake White, and Hannah McFarland. pinnaclebankarena.com

TOTALLY RAD VINTAGE FEST Nov. 23 at Sandhills Global Event Center – Currency Pavilion, Lincoln. Step back into time at the Totally Rad Vintage Fest, and look through clothing and accessories from the ’80s, ’90s, and Y2K eras. The fest also includes a vintage arcade and a museum full of antiques for a fabulous, far-out experience. sandhillsglobaleventcenter.org

LIGHT OF THE WORLD PAGEANT Nov. 29, Dec. 7 and 14 in Minden. In Nebraska’s Christmas City, attend the Light of the World Pageant where over 12,000 light bulbs are lit up along the Kearney County Courthouse and square. Local residents partake in the lightings, which are a source of pride for the community. All three performances are open to the public and free admission. mindennebraska.org

CHRISTMAS AT THE CODY’S December at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, North Platte. Visit the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park to see the Cody Mansion for a festive Christmas experience. “Buffalo Bill” Cody and his wife Louisa often hosted in their mansion during the holidays. Enjoy a tour of the house and grounds, hot cider, tasty treats, horse-drawn carriage rides, and carolers. Parking passes for the park can be purchased online or on-site. outdoornebraska.gov

YO-YO MA Dec. 4 at Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln. Listen to the beautiful strings of Yo-Yo Ma, the French-American cellist, at the Lied Center for a special one-night-only show. Discover through the performance how his reflections on music have shaped his thoughts about art, human nature, and our search for meaning. liedcenter.org

ROCA MERRY FARM Dec. 5, 6, 12, and 13 at Roca Berry Farm, Roca. Roca Berry Farm is transformed into a holiday wonderland with attractions such as a holiday shopping market, live reindeer and carolers, treats, and meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus. Other activities include mini putt-putt, carnival rides, a mega slide sled ride, and a giant rocking horse. rocaberryfarm.com

LOVE THE LOCALS HOLIDAY MARKET Dec. 5-6 at Canoyer Garden Center, Lincoln. The Holiday Market hosted by Love the Locals displays works of over 70 creators and makers of Lincoln. Stop by the Canoyer Garden Center to buy the perfect gifts and crafts for your holiday shopping. lovethelocalsnebraska.com

CHRISTMAS PAST & PRESENT Dec. 6, 7, 12, and 13 at Stuhr Museum, Grand Island. Discover what Christmas looked like in the 1890s by visiting the historic Railroad Town. Tour businesses like the blacksmith, planing mill, and tinsmith, where you can purchase items like a “tinsicle” or a small toy train. Then, head inside to experience present-day Christmas. stuhrmuseum.org

WAX BUFFALO’S WINTER MARKET Dec. 7 at 727 O St., Lincoln. Hosted by Wax Buffalo, this winter market is a fun, festive, German-inspired festival full of local artisans, food, beverages, and more, located in the historic Haymarket. waxbuffalo.com

IOWA

MASON CITY CLASSIC PRO BULL RIDING AND BARREL RACING Nov. 1 at North Iowa Events Center, Mason City. Visit Mason City for a night of excitement and action watching the top bull riders from the Midwest face off the toughest bulls. A family-friendly event with free admission for kids under four, visitors can get pumped for a thrilling and heart-racing event. northiowaeventscenter.org

WEIHNACHTSFEST Nov. 28 on Main Street in Manning . Join the small charming town of Manning in their annual Christmas celebration. The night begins with a lighted parade down Main Street. Meet Santa at the Market Place, and enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, marshmallow roasting, hot apple cider, crafts, and more. manningia.com

WINTERSET FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Nov. 28 at Winterset Courthouse Square, Winterset. Experience the holiday joy at the Winterset Festival of Lights. Enjoy refreshments, lighted window displays, horse-drawn carriage rides, a lighted parade, and a Christmas tree lighting. At 8 p.m., watch the holiday classic Elf at the Iowa Theater. exploremadisoncounty.com

GLENWOOD HOLIDAY FESTIVAL Dec. 5-6 at Glenwood Town Square, Glenwood. The Glenwood Holiday Festival is a weekend full of joy and fun to kick off the month of December. Enjoy activities such as a lighting ceremony, meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts, refreshments, local shopping, and more.

HOLLY & IVY DESIGN CONTEST Dec. 6-7 at Salisbury House & Gardens, Des Moines. Visit the 100-year-old Salisbury Estate, where each room will be decorated by the top interior designers, florists, event designers, home stagers, and creative individuals in central Iowa. While you are there, enjoy live piano, a holiday photo op, and Santa’s Sweet Shoppe for a sweet treat. salisburyhouse.org

WINTER SOLSTICE MARKET Dec. 12-13 at Winterset Livery, Winterset. Named “Best Indoor Holiday Market in Iowa” by Food & Wine and one of the “Best Christmas Markets and Craft Fairs in the Midwest” by Midwest Living , this market is a holiday shopping must. Shop from 40 local artisans with handcrafted goods, including food, jewelry, decor, artwork, and more. exploremadisoncounty.com

HADESTOWN Dec. 16 at Orpheum Theatre, Sioux City. Watch the winning musical of eight 2019 Tony Awards, Hadestown A tale that combines the two stories of Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and Persephone, this performance explores themes of love, hope, and doubt for an experience you will never forget. orpheumlive.com

HOLIDAY BRASS Dec. 20-21 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Des Moines. Listen to the Des Moines Symphony brass section play holiday classics. Other featured instruments include Westminster Presbyterian’s Dobson pipe organ, timpani, and percussion. dmsymphony.org

MISSOURI

TRADING MOON NATIVE AMERICAN ARTS FESTIVAL Nov. 1 at University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg. Attend the annual Trading Moon Powwow, an intertribal gathering during the annual Trading Moon Native American Arts Festival. Activities include traditional performances of dancers and the host drum group. Vendors will be selling arts, crafts, and food. All are welcome, whether they are of Native American heritage or not. ucmo.edu

DÍA DE LOS MUERTOS FESTIVAL Nov. 2 at Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City . Celebrate Día de los Muertos with the Kansas City community, and appreciate Latin American cultures with activities, entertainment, and a traditional menu. View an altar installation created by multiple different collaborators. All are welcome to leave a tribute on the altar to loved ones who have passed away. nelson-atkins.org

POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN RIDE Nov. 14-Dec. 30 at St. Louis Union Station, St. Louis. Experience the holiday classic book and film The Polar Express in real life at the St. Louis Union Station. Go on the journey to the North Pole, and meet Santa Claus and his elves to find the real meaning of Christmas. Families are encouraged to wear holiday pajamas like the characters in the story for a full experience. stlpolarexpressride.com

HOLIDAY FARE WINE TRAIL Nov. 15-16 at Hermann Wine Trail, Hermann. Taste some of Missouri’s finest wine, and take a tour through Hermann’s wineries and vineyards. The tasting menu includes items like ginger sugar cookies and Synergy, eggnog bourbon muffins and General Fremont, and cranberry-glazed turkey meatballs and Crimson Cabernet. hermannwinetrail.com

GARDEN GLOW Nov. 15-Jan. 3 at Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis. The Missouri Botanical Garden is transformed during the holidays into a bright, glowing spectacle with over two million lights decorating the grounds. New features this year include never-before-seen installations and animations, interactive features, photo opportunities, and adultsonly hours with a special drink menu. missouribotanicalgarden.org

HALLMARK CHRISTMAS EXPERIENCE Nov. 28-Dec. 21 at Crown Center, Kansas City. Right outside of Hallmark’s headquarters, become immersed in the Hallmark Christmas Experience at Crown Center. Enjoy light shows, food and beverages, holiday vendors, and more. Get the chance to meet and interact with your favorite Hallmark stars by elevating your ticket status. experiencehallmarkchristmas.com

THE NUTCRACKER Nov. 29-Dec. 24 at Kauffman Center for Performing Arts, Kansas City. Watch the elegant dancers of the Kansas City Ballet perform the holiday classic, The Nutcracker. Follow the story of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince as they partake on a journey of magic and wonder through the beautiful art of ballet. kcballet.org

PBR PENDLETON WHISKEY VELOCITY TOUR Dec. 6-7 at Enterprise Center, St. Louis. Watch the best bull riders take on the toughest bulls in this thrilling PBR show at the Enterprise Center. Attend for a night full of action and excitement that will be sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. enterprisecenter.com

KANSAS

CHILI AND SOUP FESTIVAL Nov. 1 at Downtown Hutchinson Ave. C to 3rd Ave., Hutchinson. Hosted by the Downtown Kiwanis Club, the Chili and Soup Festival is a perfect way to spend the day tasting delicious chili and soup. Attendees have the chance to vote for the best soup and chili.

TIME TRAVELERS VINTAGE EXPO Nov. 8 at Century II Performing Arts Center, Wichita. The Time Travelers Vintage Expo is the largest traveling vintage market in the United States. Visiting over 17 cities, this expo brings the most trendy and fabulous vintage clothing, decor, and more to vintage lovers across the country. century2.com

WICHITA FLEA MARKET Nov. 15-16 and Dec. 20-21 at Century II Performing Arts Center, Wichita. Wichita’s monthly flea market displays goods from over 200 local and regional vendors. These items include antiques, collectables, comics, art, crafts, jewelry, and more. Run by a local Wichita family, this market is full of hidden treasures. century2.com

ZOO LIGHTS Nov. 21-Dec. 31 at Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center, Topeka. Experience the holidays around the world as Zoo Lights at the Topeka Zoo features seven regions decked out in lights and dazzle. Each area is inspired by the traditions of unique cultures that gives for a magical and merry experience. topekazoo.org

FORT SCOTT CHRISTMAS ON THE BRICKS Dec. 4-7 in Fort Scott. Visit the historic small town of Fort Scott as it is transformed into Christmas on the Bricks, an annual tradition for the local community. Enjoy the Christmas parade, tree lighting, carolers, and local vendors. At the Fort Scott National Historic site, take a candlelight tour to go back in time, and explore the town’s past. fortscott.com

MIRACLE ON KANSAS AVENUE PARADE Dec. 6 on Kansas Ave., Topeka. The 30th annual Miracle on Kansas Avenue Parade is a community favorite full of over 200 festive floats, a marching band, Santa and Mrs. Claus, and more. Downtown shops decorate their storefronts to compete in the window decorating contest. visttopeka.com

SOUTH DAKOTA

THE BLACK MARKET Nov. 1-2 and Dec. 6-7 at W.H. Lyons Fairgrounds - Expo Building, Sioux Falls. Formerly known at Benson’s Flea Market, the Black Market sets up during the first weekend of every month with over 90 exhibitors displaying a multitude of items. Full of antiques, collectibles, crafts, and more, this market is sure to provide an exciting and nostalgic experience for all. blackincevents.com

BIG WHISKEY FESTIVAL Nov. 8 on Deadwood Main St., Deadwood. Visit Deadwood to select from over 30 different whiskeys, including Rye, Scotch, Irish, Bourbon, Japanese, and Canadian at several participating locations on Deadwood Main Street. Tickets will give participants samples. deadwood.com

WO MOTORSPORTS INDOOR ARENACROSS SERIES Nov. 8 and Dec. 13 at Central States Fairgrounds, Rapid City. Watch the exciting and thrilling off-road motorsport events at the Central Sates Fairgrounds. Experience races, freestyle stunts, and bar-to-bar Arenacross battles surrounded by a high-energy crowd. womotorsports.com

U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS: CURLING Nov. 11-16 at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls. Watch the nation’s best curling teams go head-to-head in the Olympic Team Trials in Sioux Falls to compete for the spot to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games Milan-Cortina 2026. usacurling.org

DISNEY ON ICE: FROZEN AND ENCANTO Nov. 21-23 at Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls. Experience the magic of Disney on Ice through the music and dancing of Elsa and Mirabel. Travel to the quaint town of Arendelle, and hang out with Olaf, Kristoff, and Sven. Then head to the majestic mountains of Colombia where the Madrigal family’s Casita resides. Learn about celebrating what makes all of us unique in our own ways. dennysanfordpremiercenter.com

NEVER LOOK A GIFTED CHILD IN THE MOUTH

Is your child gifted?

Here’s some advice. Do not praise them. Do not encourage them or reward them in any way. Instead, get them a job at Mutual of Omaha. I offer the following example as a cautionary tale that proves my contention.

American composer Charles Ives graduated from Yale with a D-plus GPA. After college, he sensibly took a position with a large insurance firm and prospered as a businessman, finding time to write music on the side between the creative exercise of assembling actuarial tables. He was not particularly pleased that most of his musical works went unperformed, but he was well regarded in the home office, never missed a “team building” weekend, and his finances were such that he could go on composing, whether people were interested in his work or not.

Then without warning, though no one noticed anyway, he ceased composing in 1927 and retired from the insurance business on New Year’s Day of 1930. Ironically, at that same time, finally, some of his works began to be publicly performed, thanks to the advocacy of such admirers as the great common man, Aaron Copland, and Hitchcock protégé, Bernard Herrmann, prior to his famous shower scene music, who featured Ives’ music on a CBS radio broadcast in 1945. Then in 1946, audiences got their first taste of his “String Quartet No. 2” and his “Symphony No. 3, The Camp Meeting,” both of which he had completed more than 30 years before.

In 1945, he was elected to the National Institute of Arts and Letters; in 1946, the New York Music Critics’ Circle gave a special citation to his “Symphony No. 3;” and when he won the Pulitzer Prize in 1947 for that third symphony (written in 1908), he tartly remarked that “prizes are for boys,” and gave the prize money away.

Despite the long wait for the respect and recognition as a composer that finally arrived at his door, he did not reconsider his decision made in 1927 to never compose another single note.

This, of course, proves that praise and positive feedback is not always a motivator for artists, because they are very odd people who secretly populate insurance company offices worldwide.

Spare your gifted child the bother and psychologically damaging years of frustration a life in the arts will inflict on them. They will be happier and they will live longer—even if they do have a D+ average.

If you don’t believe me, check the actuarial tables.

The gift of glow starts here

This holiday, give more than just a present—give confidence, radiance and a healthy glow. LovelySkin Store & Spa offers dermatologist-approved treasures that turn daily routines into luxurious rituals. From breakthrough serums to indulgent treatments, our exclusive holiday collections deliver gifts that keep on giving. Curated by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Joel Schlessinger, every product meets the highest standards in beauty innovation, meaning you can give with confidence. Visit us in-store to discover personalized recommendations and experience our products firsthand. The perfect gift deserves the perfect touch.