November/December 2016 Encounter

ENCOUNTER encounte romaha . com

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

S COT T B L A K E Bombing Omaha w/ Anti-War Art R E D U C I N G F O O D WA S T E Restaurateurs Weigh Their Options G R E G EK L U N D Everclear’s Omaha Transplant YIDDISH OMAHA A Local Linguistic Account of Jewish Diaspora

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Contents

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016

Publisher Todd Lemke Executive Editor Doug Meigs Associate Editor Daisy Hutzell-Rodman Editorial Assistant Michael Nichols Interns Madison Besch • Luke Buller • Lindsay Wilson Contributing Writers Leo Adam Biga • Sena Eicher • Katrina Markel Sean McCarthy • Alec McMullen • Sean Robinson Garrett Sass • Max Sparber • Matt Williams Creative Director Bill Sitzmann Art Director Kristen Hoffman

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L I V I N G : Artist Erin Blayney The Great Reveal

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V I S U A L : Ooh Lá Lá French Artist Villaine Frange

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M U S I C : JAGAJA Two Parts Equal the Whole

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P E R F O R M A N C E : Roni Shelley Perez Sheltering a Passion

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C O V E R : Scott Blake Bombing Omaha w/ Anti-War Art

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F E AT U R E : Reducing Food Waste Restaurateurs Weigh Their Options

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FA S H I O N : Hot Mess under the Sack

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P E O P L E : Ben Petersen Beautifully Practical

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D I N I N G : Flour Road Paved with Dough Via Farina

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H I S T O R Y: Yiddish Omaha A Local Linguistic Account of Jewish Diaspora

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Downtown Omaha Map

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Merchants & Attractions

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Calendar of Events

Senior Graphic Designer Rachel Joy Graphic Designer Matthew Wieczorek

Fashion Editor Nicholas Wasserberger Branding Specialists Greg Bruns • Gil Cohen • Kyle Fisher • Mary Hiatt George Idelman • Gwen Lemke Joshua Peterson • Vicki Voet Assistant to the Publisher Sandy Matson Account Assistants Jessica Cullinane • Alicia Smith Hollins Dawn Dennis Operations Tyler Lemke

Accounting Holley Garcia-Cruz Warehouse Distribution Manager Mike Brewer Events/PR Alesha Olson For Advertising Information: 402.884.2000 omahamagazine.com Owned and Managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD. All versions of Encounter are published bimonthly by Omaha Magazine, LTD P.O. Box 461208, Omaha, NE 68046-1208. Telephone: 402.884.2000; fax: 402.884.2001. No whole or part of the contents herein may be reproduced without prior written permission of Omaha Magazine, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted; however, no responsibility will be assumed for such solicitations.

30 TREES have been reforested due to the printing of this publication.

P E O P L E : Greg Eklund Everclear’s Omaha Transplant

More information at printreleaf.com

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2016  3

LIVING

Artist Erin Blayney

T H E G R E AT R E V E A L by Leo Adam Biga photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Kristen Hoffman

"The Old Market for me is very welcoming, unique, and nourishes a diverse group of people of all ages and backgrounds. It's urban yet has some aspect of a small neighborhood as well." -Erin Blayney

F

OR VISUA L ARTIST Erin Blayney, who grew up in the great outdoors, it's all about light and space. She has plenty of both at her Old Market apartment that doubles as her studio.

Natural light from six large, south-facing windows cascades over her easel and houseplants. "Not only is that perfect for the type of lighting I need to do my best work, it's healthy for my overall well-being," says Blayney. Exposed brickwork, high ceilings, and an open floor plan contribute to a sense of spaciousness. Extra-wide windowsills provide great perches for her collection of succulents. "I love nature and the outdoors," she says. "This apartment allows me to integrate that love into my living quarters, and not feel cramped or experience cabin fever." Her spot above Urban Abbey in the historic Windsor Hotel building puts her right in the thick of things.   >

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LIVING

“Drawing and painting people, mostly gestural, seems to be pretty consistent for me,” she says. “It's capturing the physicality of a person expressed through facial expression or movement. I love capturing the realness of their character, even if it's subtle." Recently, Omaha restaurant mogul Willy Theisen commissioned her portrait of his granddaughter for his new Paragon eatery in Dundee. When approaching a new work, she says, "I never know how it's going to look, so it's a little adventurous. If I stop thinking about what I'm doing and just let it flow, it comes out naturally. That 'diving into it' mindset is what I have to be in for the work to really evolve. It's mysterious." Blayney's work is not all figurative. "Occasionally, I'll do still life," she says, gesturing to an inprogress oyster shell rendered in a swirl of pastels. She is contemplating an oceanic-themed series motivated by her love of the water, marine life, and nature. "I was brought up on water. I swam in the Gulf of Mexico. So that's in my bones."

Erin Blayney confesses that she always wonders how subjects might respond to her completed works.

<  "The Old Market for me is very welcoming, unique, and nourishes a diverse group of people of all ages and backgrounds," she says. "It's urban yet has some aspect of a small neighborhood as well."

A Florida transplant and Art Institute of Chicago graduate, Blayney creates figurative drawings and paintings. She previously worked as an art preparator for California museums. Her mother preceded her to Omaha to be near a sister, and Erin followed. "My mom lives three blocks away from me, so it's wonderful to conveniently meet for coffee or go for a bike ride together,” she says. This self-described "people person" is drawn to the human form. She variously works from live models or photographs.

In Omaha, she has twice worked at Jun Kaneko's studio (most recently in 2006 as a painting assistant). Of the celebrated artist, she says, "We had a good connection. He's very quiet, polite, observant, receptive. He was very trusting of me. Like when I did some mixing of colors, pigments—he trusted my instincts. I'm not a ceramicist, but I felt in my natural element." She feels at home in Omaha, where she says, "The connections I've made are so important." The same for her day job at Alley Poyner Macchietto, where she curates art shows. She admires the local art-culture scene. "I feel the creative community in Omaha is very supportive rather than super competitive. The friends I've made here are very authentic, genuine, and loyal."

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She enjoys what the Bemis and Joslyn offer as well as how "smaller, contemporary, progressive galleries like Project Project and Darger HQ are pushing the envelope. I'm a huge fan of Garden of the Zodiac. 1516 Gallery is just gorgeous.”

Large windows in the historic building bathe the artist’s space in light.

In the spring of 2016, Petshop Gallery in Benson exhibited her portraiture work. She regularly shows in the Bemis Benefit Art Auction and had a piece in the October 28 show (she described the colorful abstract portrait as “a little mysterious looking”). Blayney also contributed to the Old Market Art Project; hers was one of 37 banners selected (from nearly 300 submissions) to be displayed outside the Mercer Building as renovations followed the M’s Pub fire. "It's an abstract painting that took forever,” she says. “There's a lot going on in it. Finally, it just came together. I collaborated with another artist in the process of painting it, and then I finished it." She sees many opportunities for local artists in Omaha, but there is room for improvement, too. "There's definitely room to grow—I’d like to see even more galleries because there's so much talent here,” she says. Going into the fall, several commission projects were "consuming" Blayney’s time. Her projects come from anywhere and everywhere. "Lately, it's been more people coming to me and asking either for a portrait of themselves or of a family member. I can be surprised. I've given my card to someone and then a year later gotten a commission. It's unpredictable."   Encounter

Blayney works with a variety of artistic mediums, and evidence fills her apartment.

Visit erinblayney.com for more information.

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VISUAL

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Ooh Là Là

FRENCH ARTIST VILAINE FRANGE S AY S “ B O N J O U R ” T O O M A H A by Sean Robinson photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Kristen Hoffman

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VISUAL

V

ILAINE FRANGE has planted her roots more than 88,000 Cornhusker football fields from home. But to this native of Besançon, France, the Cornhuskers—and football, for that matter—probably don’t mean a helluva lot. Pardon the Nebraska colloquialism. Nearly 5,000 miles away, Frange has begun to make a name for herself in the Omaha art community as a celebrated illustrator. In 2014, she showcased an exhibit at the Side Door Lounge and has now created work for restaurants like V.Mertz while also designing event invitations. She may have traded wine fields for cornfields, but a fish out of the water she is not.

“You think of France as this beacon of art, but I’ve found the Omaha art community is more receptive and developed than my home city,” Frange says. “My exhibit at the Side Door was a fairytale that just seemed to kind of happen.”

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Every fairytale has a beginning, and for Frange, her once-upon-a-time moment came by chance. Her friends asked her to create a poster for a music festival. She obliged, in part, because she was bored and looking for a new direction in life. Previous attempts to pursue degrees in literature, communications, and linguistics had all come up short. Soon after her first foray into art, though, she began filling her time more regularly with drawing and sketching. “I started later in life and admittedly have no formal training,” Frange says. “This also means I have no blinders.” Before moving to Omaha to live with her Nebraskanative boyfriend in November 2015, she developed her skills as an artist working at Superseñor, a screen-printing collective workshop. For the next seven years, when not creating art for local magazines and music venues, Frange filled her time (and wallet) making extra cash selling wine for cheap.

MUSIC

Frange keeps a studio in her Omaha residence and still works with clients in France.

“You think of France as this beacon of art, but I’ve found the Omaha art community is more receptive and developed than my home city” -Vilaine Frange This experience schlepping wine to college tourists inspired her to create a large mural of vino and liquor on the side of a decaying building, knowing it would be destroyed. While her art can be described as simple, yet pretty and pouring with color, she chooses to call it ephemeral—take and discard. For V.Mertz’s summer Tiki & Tacos event, she designed a promotional image, one that’s sure to have disappeared from the viewer’s mind, perhaps even before the event was over. She also just

finished a billboard for a French music venue, more art dressedup as marketing that’s here then gone. For her 2014 exhibition at the Side Door, she created pieces that captured fleeting moments in time as a reminder that even art is not immortal. “I like to make things that aren’t going to last,” Frange says.

Distance, borders, and even the Atlantic Ocean all mean little to Frange. The exhibition, titled “This Is Not A Myth,” was done while she stayed in Omaha for two weeks. Today, most of the works she completes still go back to clients in France. “There’s freedom in art,” Frange says. “I can do it when I want, how I want, where I want.”   Encounter Visit vilainefrange.com for more information. N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6   11

JAGAJA E N C O U N T E R O M A H A . C O M â&#x20AC;&#x192; 12

JAGAJA by Matt Williams photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Kristen Hoffman

T W O PA R T S E Q U A L T H E W H O L E

"W

E’RE LITERALLY LIKE clones,” says Gabriel Burkum, describing what it is like to be in a band with his twin brother, Graham. The 29-year-old, Council Bluffs-born twins are the musical duo behind JAGAJA (pronounced jag-uhh-jaw).

Their sound breaks away from what many expect from the Omaha scene. Dense guitar riffs, played by Graham, cascade over layers of rhythm, melody, and reverb. Then comes Gabriel with the bass line. Mixed with instruments and vocals, the brothers blend modern pop with tinges of psychedelia. Gabriel described it as if early 2000s Flaming Lips were recording in New York with the Strokes. In their terms, they’re happy to be from the Omaha area, but they claim to be an “American band” and try their best to take “all our influences and make them ours.”   >

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MUSIC

From left: Graham Burkum and Gabriel Burkum

songs separately and collaborate later. “Half of the album was written by me, and the other half was written by Graham,” says Gabriel. When it comes to process, Graham says, “Maybe I’ll have a hook, and we’ll build on that… We like hooks.”

<  They started playing together in

a band called Skypiper, their first official band (from 2007 to 2015). “Skypiper was more folky, or adult contemporary,” recalls Gabriel. It began as an acoustic project, but became more elaborate once they hit the studio. When Skypiper called it quits last year, Graham and Gabriel trudged on and formed JAGAJA. They are the only official members of JAGAJA with an ever-changing lineup of drums, synthesizers, and other instruments that they add into the mix. “It has to be just me and Graham,” says Gabriel. Graham plays guitar, Gabriel plays bass, and they share vocal duties. They try to keep JAGAJA small and between the two of them because “we want to make the record we want.”

They have been steadily touring and hope to play an Omaha homecoming show in December. Graham says, “When we play a show, we want it to be an event.” The band self-released their first, self-titled album in June, which is available on streaming services and at many record stores in Omaha. Encounter

“The best part about being in a band with your twin brother is you can (want to) kill them, but like 10 minutes later you’re still twin brothers and can get back to business,” Gabriel says. Their close work relationship is assisted by time apart. The brothers write

Visit jagajamusic.com for more information.

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PERFORMANCE

Roni Shelley Perez S H E LT E R I N G A PA S S I O N by Katrina Markel photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Kristen Hoffman

R

ONI SHELLEY PER EZ wonders whether she should have warned her Catholic parents about a certain scene in the recent Blue Barn Theatre production of Heathers: The Musical.

“I never told my parents about having a fake sex scene. I just let them watch the show,” she says with a laugh. Her parents, Ranilo and Selena Perez, never mentioned that scene to her, but Roni says they liked the play. They weren’t the only ones. Heathers received rave reviews and a lot of local recognition, including award nominations for Perez. It’s an impressive achievement for a 20-year-old who entered college only a few years ago with limited musical theater experience. Perez is now a junior at UNO studying music with a theater minor. She burst onto the Omaha theater scene in 2015 when she played Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Omaha Community Playhouse. That debut earned her the Elaine Jabenis Cameo Award and a nomination for an Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award.

However, performing the lead role of Veronica in Heathers was the watershed moment in her budding career. “I wanted it so bad. So bad. That was definitely a breakthrough role for me,” she says. “I ran here (to UNO) every morning and sang just to get that role down.” Perez says that working in the Blue Barn’s new space on 10th Street was “inspirational” and that she was determined to live up to her artistic surroundings. “Well, the venue was going to be beautiful. I felt like the performance should be, too,” she says. A musician since she started studying guitar at the age of eight, Perez entered college planning to major in music composition or music technology. She was involved in theater at Marian High School, but thought it was a vocation better suited to others. Her parents, who own a physical therapy practice in Omaha, were skeptical about the viability of a music career and suggested actuarial science or engineering as practical occupations.   >

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After her lead role in Heathers: The Musical at Blue Barn Theatre, Roni Shelley Perez is enjoying a breakout year.

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PERFORMANCE

“I never told my parents about having a fake sex scene. I just let them watch the show.” -Roni Shelley Perez <  “Music scared them because they’re immigrants

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from the Philippines that had their mind on an American dream to get money, and now I’m going backwards,” says Perez with self-deprecating humor. A Goodrich scholarship covers her tuition, and being free of student debt will certainly help Perez, who plans to eventually relocate to New York City to pursue a theater career.

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In addition to her tour-de-force performance in Heathers, Perez thinks that her second-place finish in a national singing competition this summer went a long way toward convincing her parents that she is on the right path. She is also not resting on her laurels. After studying at New York University in the summer of 2015, Perez returned to New York City this past summer for an intensive audition workshop with The Open Jar Institute. Upon returning to Omaha, she was rehearsing a play called Love and Information at Do Space, and she is slated to appear in Hand to God! at Shelterbelt Theatre, which runs Nov. 18 through Dec. 11. Oh, and she also has a part-time job.

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Omaha has produced several notable Broadway performers in recent decades. With her buoyant personality, stellar voice, and work ethic, it is not hard to imagine that Perez could be the next. Encounter

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Scott Blake w/ anti-war art

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by alec mcmullen photography by bill sitzmann design by kristen hoffman E N C O U N T E R O M A H A . C O M â&#x20AC;&#x192; 20

COVER

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For all his provocative art, Scott Blake is a kid at heart with a dirt track built into his backyard.

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COTT BLAKE looks giddy as he weaves between traffic on 72nd and Pacific streets. He holds a tattered and discolored “now hiring” sign covered by a piece of cardboard—which he calls his “security blanket”—and his dark, disheveled beard frames a mischievous grin. In place of the ragged employment sign stands a provocative work of street art reminiscent of old-fashioned directional street signs. But instead of pointing viewers to local streets or nearby towns, his sign details distances to Benghazi (5,951 miles), Gaza (6,512 miles), and Guantanamo (1,920 miles) in crisp black letters. A three-dimensional starspangled bomb tops his message like a star on a Christmas tree. Blake is no stranger to unique and controversial art. Born in Florida in 1976, he first received widespread recognition for his Y2K-inspired barcode art, a project that has become increasingly interactive thanks to the emergence of smartphones and barcodereading apps. His barcode portraits range from Jesus to Marilyn Monroe, Bruce Lee, and others.

His 9/11 Flipbook project also garnered national attention, which allowed him to donate proceeds to the Twin Towers Orphan Fund, the Red Cross, and other charities. His work has been featured in publications like Adbusters, FHM, and The New York Times, and has been exhibited as far away as London, Paris, and Vienna. His accolades include several Adobe Design Achievement Awards, and a 2009 Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award for Best New Media Artist. But his controversial and covert signpost project is less likely to earn him any official recognition. The current iteration of the street sign project has been ongoing for about a year. Blake cites two primary sources of inspiration. First, a San Franciscan friend who painted directions to Guantanamo Bay on driftwood. “I get a lot of my ideas from talking with people,” he explains, “but I also go the extra

mile—I take it and do this, that, and the other, and make it specifically about Omaha.” Blake initially utilized wood for his own signposts but soon realized that the ubiquitous “we buy houses for cash” signs lining streets and cluttering medians were “like Omaha driftwood” begging to be repurposed. His second—and more personal—source of inspiration is the iconic signpost from M*A*S*H, the show from the 1970s that features a fictional team of

“A lot of people have asked me, ‘Are you for the war or are you against it?’ My number one thing is to get people thinking. I’m just reminding people that, whether they’re for or against the wars, these things are happening.” -Scott Blake doctors stationed in South Korea during the Korean War. The sign in M*A*S*H points to locations like Boston, San Francisco, and Coney Island, places that represent home for the characters, but Blake’s signposts flip this idea on its head. “I’m already home,” Blake says, “so I want to know where the wars are at—I want to remind people where the boogeyman is.” He also notes that many of the locations have American bases and personnel: “In a way, I actually am pointing to a little piece of America.” Blake’s process has become part of his daily routine. He takes his signposts with him when he runs errands, and he makes mental notes when he sees “Omaha driftwood” ripe for pilfering. He prefers outdated or illegally placed signs and avoids those that are political, charitable, or artistic in nature. The collected signs are taken to his home studio where they are painted white, cut into arrows, and labeled before being placed into the back of his car to await installment on one of Omaha’s major thoroughfares. Blake argues that this kind of thought-provoking public art is particularly important when both major presidential candidates treat military intervention as a matter of course. “I consider (our ongoing)

wars to be illegal and unjustified and I’m obviously anti-war,” he explains. “There’s no way I’m going to stop the wars; but at the same time, I’m not going to roll over. You can’t be against something—you can’t subvert something—without talking about it.” Responses to the signposts have been mixed. “Is it weird to think that the bombs are cute?” asks Sarah Johnson, owner of Omaha Bicycle Co. Many locals have expressed confusion over the signposts’ ambiguous nature. An employee of SignIT (a local company that provides the materials for the starspangled bombs) asked, “Is this a Fourth of July sign?” The conversation about Blake’s public art has even extended to the digital world. Reddit user ZOUG posted that the works are “Not much of a statement if no one understands what they are saying.” But Blake isn’t too worried about these reactions: “A lot of people have asked me, ‘Are you for the war or are you against it?’ My number one thing is to get people thinking. I’m just reminding people that, whether they’re for or against the wars, these things are happening.” Blake has considered crafting signposts with directions to Boston, Orlando, San Bernardino, and other American cities affected by domestic terrorism and civil unrest, but for now he’s content with his current project. “I’ll stop when the wars stop.”  Encounter Visit barcodeart.com for more information.

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Purchase your tickets now at

bestofomaha.com/tickets LAST YEAR A RECORD-BREAKING CROWD OF 4,000 people attended Omaha Magazine’s second annual Best of Omaha Festival. This year we are as excited as ever to break those attendance records again and make this the best festival yet. We are also making some new improvements and changes that we know you’ll love. This year’s event will be held at Baxter Arena from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13. We are very excited to announce that we will be teaming up with the Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska for this year’s festival, and 100 percent of the paid door cash revenue will go directly to them. Don’t forget to come early because the first 1,000 attendees in line will receive a swag bag full of goodies valued at over $100 each. As soon as you walk through the door, you will be handed a Best of Omaha results issue to check out all of the winners. After that, make your way through Baxter Arena, stopping by each booth to sample some food, enjoy the entertainment, and even win prizes.

You see the iconic Best of Omaha logo all over town, but there’s nothing common about being a Best of Omaha winner. Did you know that only 3 percent of area businesses earn the distinction of being voted Best of Omaha? And how do they win that honor? Why, through you! The Best of Omaha is your contest, and, just as in years past, almost 30,000 of you cast a tremendous total of over 600,000 individual votes for everything from pizza to plumbing. The festival takes place on a Sunday, so there’s no excuse to watch Husker football; instead you can come out and experience all that Omaha has to offer and also support your local Girl Scouts. The Best of Omaha booths will be occupied by contest winners, which guarantees you’ll have a chance to connect with the city’s elite when it comes to delivering award-worthy products, services, value, and customer satisfaction.

Swag Bag • Over 30 Prize Giveaways ($50 value each) Food & Drink Samples • Support Local Girl Scouts

SUNDAY, NOV. 13 • 1 P.M. TO 5 P.M. • BAXTER ARENA • TICKETS $10 For more details, visit omahamagazine.com/festival

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F E AT U R E

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HE NIGHT OF the Jimmy Buffett concert could not have been more perfect, weatherwise: a calm, near-cloudless 70-degree evening. Packs of Hawaiian-shirted Parrotheads meandered the Old Market’s cobblestone streets in search of 5-o'clock somewhere, food, and drink.

Major shows at CenturyLink are routine for downtown Omaha, but for the city’s restaurants, event schedules are just part of the unscientific guessing game to determine how much food to prepare for the nightly dinner rush. Sometimes the indicators to make more food—a concert, a beautiful night outside, and an upcoming holiday—are the same indicators for restaurateurs to make less. Restaurants deal with this guessing game all the time. Wasted food impacts their bottom line. Any unused food usually means lost revenue. Environmentally, repercussions stretch across the entire cycle of food production.

The United States Department of Agriculture estimated that 133 billion pounds of food went to waste in 2010.

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F O O D W A S T E R E S TA U R AT E U R S W E I G H THEIR OPTIONS by Sean McCarthy photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Kristen Hoffman illustration by Derek Joy

Three restaurant owners gave their estimates on what they threw out each night: Ahmad Nazar, owner of Ahmad’s Persian Cuisine, estimates his restaurant fills a 45-gallon garbage can for a standard dinner service. Clayton Chapman, chef and owner at The Grey Plume, says his restaurant fills an 18-gallon garbage can per night. David Mainelli, co-owner of Julio’s, says his restaurant fills an entire dumpster in a week. The United States Department of Agriculture estimated that 133 billion pounds of food went to waste in 2010. “The statistics are 40 percent of food that’s produced ends up in the landfill,” says Beth Ostdiek Smith, president and founder of Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue. Since its founding in 2013, Saving Grace has delivered more than one million pounds of food to local non-profits. The majority of the food comes from grocery stores, caterers, and convenience stores. “When I started this, I thought that (restaurants) would be our top food donor. That’s not the case,” Smith says. “Our restaurants have learned to manage their food, and it’s more made to order, so there’s not as much waste from restaurants as maybe there once was.” Different restaurants around town tackle the food waste problem with different strategies. At Ahmad’s, Nazar says his 26-plus years of experience have taught him about portion control. “I’ve learned how people want it, especially business people who travel. They don’t want too much food. It’s hard to judge, so I have a portion ready for everyone,” Nazar says. Mainelli says Julio’s kitchen staff tries to minimize waste by boiling the parts of the chicken that do not reach a customer’s plate and making it into a stock. Onion skins are used for barbecue sauces. Still, Mainelli believes his restaurant could do better

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6   25

in managing food waste. For example, cooked rice IS an item that has a short lifespan, as it cannot be reheated for a restaurant-quality dish. “Sometimes, we’ll throw out an entire batch that could serve 50

"The statistics are 40 percent of food that’s produced ends up in the landfill." -Beth Ostdiek Smith people,” he says. The Grey Plume is renowned for being one of the most environmentally friendly restaurants in the nation. In addition to using recycled materials for their drywall and steel framing, Clayton Chapman says the restaurant uses a three-step process to reduce food waste. The first step involves using as much of the ingredient as possible (when carrots get cut up, the remaining carrot pieces get pureed into a base). “Not everything has a second life, but most things do,” Chapman says. The second step includes composting any leftover and eligible ingredients. The final step is to prepare everything to order so that reheating isn’t necessary. Along with internal quality control, Ahmad’s, Julio’s, and The Grey Plume have donated food and resources to charitable organizations like Siena/Francis Homeless Shelter and Youth Emergency Services. In 2012, after recovering from an undiagnosed lymphatic illness that left him bedridden, Mainelli was inspired to start Feedback Omaha, an organization that works with local restaurants and nonprofits to feed those in need. In addition to donating food to the needy, Feedback Omaha organizers also perform a standard restaurant-style dinner service. In July, the organization provided its first service for YES, which featured a taco bar for about 100 kids. In October, Feedback Omaha served about 250 people at the Lydia House with Mama’s Pizza and All Inclusive Catering providing food for the event. The standard for what can be donated is a simple (but inflexible) rule: whatever is cooked, but does not go out to a customer, can be donated. For example, a cooked pizza in a restaurant kitchen is ripe for donating. However, if it goes out into the restaurant dining area, it’s no longer a candidate for donation. “If it’s in the buffet, it cannot be rescued. If it’s in the back, we can still rescue it,” Smith says.  Encounter Visit savinggracefoodrescue.org or facebook.com/ feedbackomaha for more information.

FA S H I O N

Hot Mess under the Sack photography by bill sitzmann

makeup: Chevy Kozisek styling: Nicholas Wasserberger models: Nancy Anaya, Landon Watson, Ashley Glantz

While winter brings long nights and unforgettable memories, nostalgia returns every season for bygone years. Remember sleepovers with sleeping bags? Remember when puffy coats were the rage? Oh, and that crazy night? Remember that time.

Omaha’s appeal is simple for Eklund: “There’s a lot of artists and musicians, but it’s still affordable.” He says Omaha is like Portland 30 years ago: “It wasn’t a big town, but it was super cheap, that’s why all the musicians and artists moved there.”

PEOPLE

Greg Eklund

EVERCLEAR’S OMAHA TRANSPLANT by Daisy Hutzell-Rodman photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Kristen Hoffman

I

N A PR EVIOUS life, Greg Eklund was pounding out noisy, angst-filled alt-rock anthems—such as “Santa Monica” and “Father of Mine”—for the Grammy-nominated band Everclear. Eklund is a relatively new resident of Omaha. He moved here in June of 2015 with his two children and wife, Ellie Kevorkian, artistic director of residency programs at the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. He has since enthusiastically embraced the city’s art and culture scene. Meanwhile, his current job involves touring international concert halls as drummer for Le Bonheur, a band fronted by Storm Large, a Portland-based singer with cultlike following. “My friends (back in Portland) are always telling me ‘what’s in Omaha?’” says a barefoot Eklund sitting on his home’s couch talking about the coolness of Omaha. “I tell them, ‘a ton of stuff.’” He says Film Streams is high on his list of favorite Omaha haunts. “To be able to take my son to see Willow in the day and then go back and see a new indie film that night is so cool,” says the part-time stay-at-home dad. Eklund references his list of Omaha highlights against his former home of Portland: “I’m a member of Hi-Fi House, which I’m excited about. Here’s Portland, the hip of the hip, and they don’t have anything like that…oh, and Under the Radar! What Amanda (DeBoer Bartlett) has done with that is incredible.” Omaha’s appeal is simple for Eklund: “There’s a lot of artists and musicians, but it’s still affordable.” He says Omaha is like Portland 30 years ago: “It wasn’t a big town, but it was super cheap; that’s why all the musicians and artists moved there.” He moved to Portland in 1988 after graduating from high school. He enrolled in the University of Oregon, which didn’t go well. After three semesters, he was kicked out for poor academic standing. Eklund knew what he wanted to do, and it wasn’t study. Cue the drumroll.

His drumming career first began when his parents bought him a set for Christmas in 1982. The gift was negotiated. They promised to let him play drums after he took piano lessons for two years. But that initial drum set didn’t come with a cymbal, so he used pizza boxes to keep the beat, mowing lawns until he earned approximately $100 to purchase “the cheapest cymbal I could get.” His passion and talent bloomed throughout high school. His career-military father moved the family from Florida, to London, to the suburbs of Washington, D.C., where Greg attended Lake Braddock Secondary School in Burke, Virginia. The school boasted a top-notch band and symphony program, with music teachers who performed in the military band. The young Eklund managed to secure the last chair in the percussion section. Knowing the competitiveness of the school’s music program, he sought extra lessons to improve. He also knew Garwood Whaley, a Juilliard-educated percussionist who wrote several popular method books. “I just happened to be dating his daughter at the time,” Eklund says. “He took one student a year. Because I was dating his daughter, she prepped me for the audition, and said, ‘don’t tell him you want to play drum set.’ So when he asked, I said I wanted to a symphonic percussionist.” It was listening to records, however, that gave him the chance to play rock ’n’ roll. In 1994, he joined a band that was about to be signed to Capitol Records. With Everclear, Eklund rode the tidal wave of altrock through the 1990s, moving from city to city each night for performances. By 2003, he was ready to slow down. He played guitar and sang vocals for another band, The Oohlas, began raising his kids with Kevorkian, and evolved from a noisy rocker to keeping beat for a symphonic performer. “It feels more mature,” Eklund says of his current place in life. “We play in these gorgeous opera houses and beautiful old theaters. Because of her stature, we are taken care of. And the fact that I’m able to do this now, I’m really fortunate.”  Encounter Visit stormlarge.com for more information.

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6   31

PEOPLE

Ben Petersen

B E A U T I F U L LY P R A C T I C A L by Garrett Sass photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Kristen Hoffman

B

EN PETERSEN HAS always been good with his hands. Growing up on the family farm in Exira, Iowa, Petersen spent a lot of time watching his father work with his hands to create beautiful pieces that also served a purpose. “Dad was always making something,” Petersen says with a smile, “but it had to be practical.”

Petersen, Kyle Petersen (custom furniture lead), Adam Findley (project manager), and Matt Williams (shop assistant) use traditional methods and time-tested joinery to make furniture out of hardwoods like cherry, walnut, and oak. Their designs are intended to be handsome, timeless, and practical.

It’s that commitment to quality that inspires the furniture that Petersen makes today. “I built my first stool when I was 12, and for my birthday, my parents gave me a small workshop of my own. I have been making furniture ever since.”

“Every part of our furniture is functional,” Petersen says. “We take a great deal of pride in the furniture we create for customers and local businesses.” Like the Paul Lounge Chair, named after Petersen’s dad. “Dad had a tough time getting out of a chair I created, so I made him the Paul Lounge Chair. It sits higher and was much easier on Dad’s back.”

That small workshop in Iowa was the start. He now operates a large co-working space for other creatives, builders, and business owners in Omaha’s North Dow ntow n District. Bench—founded by Petersen in 2012—offers hobbyists and professional makers a collaborative environment, equipment, and space to practice their trade.

“Every part of our furniture is functional. We take a great deal of pride in the furniture we create for customers and local businesses.”

Or the Draper Sideboard, named after Don Draper of Mad Men. “It reminds me of furniture from that time period—around the mid-20th century. And because I like Mad Men,” Petersen explains.

-Ben Petersen

Bench feels like a place where the past and present intersect. If you enter through the front door and walk up the narrow stairway, you will notice the exposed brick, the cracks in the concrete floor, and the smell of sawdust. After signing in on an iPad that notifies Petersen of your arrival, you will hear someone walking up an old wooden staircase. You will be greeted by the most impressive beard this side of the Missouri River. The building is also home to Petersen’s TimberSmith Goods. TimberSmith Goods grew out of PhilipDesignLab, a custom furniture company that Petersen had established in 2009. TimberSmith Goods consists of a small team of furniture makers and craftsmen who specialize in Danish-inspired, hand-hewn goods. Much of the wood used in their furniture is locally sourced and milled at the family sawmill in Exira, Iowa.

Petersen and his team’s intense commitment to detail is obvious in each piece. Around town, their work is on display in the form of three gorgeous tables for The Market House Restaurant, and they made cabinets, desks, and credenzas for the KANEKO. But their work doesn’t just stay in Omaha.

TimberSmith’s Etsy page is full of five-star reviews and satisfied customers from all corners of the country who applaud Petersen’s work. Every custom project is an opportunity for Petersen and his team to express their creativity doing something they all love. For Petersen, furniture-making is all he’s ever known. It’s a skill he learned from his dad, who was taught by his dad. At 12, he started with a stool. And now, Petersen has his Bench. “These last couple years have been a whirlwind,” he says with a laugh.  Encounter Visit timbersmithgoods.com and benchomaha.com for more information.

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6   33

DINING

Flour Road Paved with Dough

V I A FA R I N A by Sena Eicher photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Kristen Hoffman

Eleven pizzas on the regular menu range from the $9 pomodoro to the $13 fritti.

W

HEN PAUL KULIK was a 20-year-old line cook, he knew restaurants would play an integral part of his life; little did he know that he would become a renowned part of Omaha’s culinary history, and one if its innovative executive chefs and restaurateurs.

Adding to his repertoire of restaurants in and around the Old Market, the talented owner of Le Bouillon and Boiler Room teamed up with local bar owner and design expert Ethan Bondelid and graced the public with the May opening of Little Italy’s newest pizza and pasta sensation, Via Farina. Inspired by living abroad for a year in France during high school, Kulik fell in love with the food-oriented way of European life, the integrity of each course, and the quality of farm-to-table fare.

E N C O U N T E R O M A H A . C O M   34

“I had to meander a bit to find my passion,” Kulik confesses of his early adulthood. “But I could not imagine food not being a part of my future.” A self-described “Francophile,” Kulik has long been obsessed with everything French, but a trip to Italy was the catalyst for his concept of creating an Italian eatery that even an Italian native would appreciate. All of that, he knew, lay in the craftsmanship of the dough. “The process of making it fresh and of the highest quality is the difference,” says Bondelid, Kulik’s former roommate. “The appeal of pizza and pasta is very broad. It’s family-friendly, and has a sweet spot for all ages,” explains Kulik. “Pricing our menu accordingly, not being overly pretentious, having fun, and bridging the demographic gap so that it is a place for everyone was important to our success.”

Staff can suggest wine or drink pairings from their ample supply.

Via Farina is located next to the Blue Barn Theatre.

The owners received overwhelming support from the opening day of Via Farina, which translates to “Flour Street" in Italian. Thanks to their impressive collaboration—Kulik’s background in all things food-related and Bondelid’s knowledge of beverages and design—the inviting atmosphere blends an industrial sophistication with an inviting ambiance. The centerpiece of the establishment is their open kitchen’s dramatic wood-fired oven, manufactured in Italy and adorned with Egyptian tile, designed to retain heat. The south wall of the restaurant pictures a giant backdrop sketch of a Vespa’s assembly, modern globe pendant lights hang from the ceiling crisscrossed with natural wood beams, there is a backlit bar, and a DJ spins hits from classic vinyl. Out front is a refreshing patio and a trio of cheery yellow Vespas waiting patiently to deliver gastronomic masterpieces to famished locals. The menu features 11 unique pizzas, six pasta dishes, and an authentic selection of Italian appetizers. Patrons can expect to be impressed by the locally sourced meats, cheeses, herbs, and vegetables. The sauces, dough, and pasta are all made inhouse using a unique process. Each menu item also features wine recommendations, chosen with Bondelid’s expertise. “We’ve been very fortunate Via Farina has struck a positive chord with the public,” says Bondelid. Kulik adds, “We want to make sure we continue to accomplish the quality we’ve been providing since our opening. Restaurants are living, breathing things, and you always have to improve and evolve.” Via Farina welcomes guests on Mondays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.  Encounter Visit goviafarina.com for more information.

“The appeal of pizza and pasta is very broad. It’s family-friendly, and has a sweet spot for all ages. Pricing our menu accordingly, not being overly pretentious, having fun, and bridging the demographic gap so that it is a place for everyone was important to our success.” -Paul Kulik

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6   35

The Vespa is the mascot of Via Farina.

HISTORY

Boris Thomashefsky brought his Yiddish theater to Omaha in 1909.

Yiddish Omaha

A LOCAL LINGUISTIC ACCOUNT OF JEWISH DIASPORA by Max Sparber photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Kristen Hoffman

In 1911, the World-Herald listed three Omaha synagogues in which the primary language spoken was Yiddish, all downtown, two of them new. In the story, a local rabbi estimated there were 1,000 Yiddish speakers in the city.

O

MAHA IS A city of many languages, in a country of many languages. Each language tells its own story. Take Yiddish, for example. The language comes from the same linguistic source as modern German, called High German. Yiddish, however, developed into its own language in the ninth century. Following Jewish migrations eastward, the language picked up many Slavic words and grammatical forms while borrowing a number of words from Hebrew. Yiddish became the common language of the Jews of Eastern Europe; as they migrated to America, they brought the language with them.

There have been Jews in Omaha since at least 1856. But it is likely many of those migrating from Germany spoke German, rather than Yiddish. We know that a large number of Jews from Ukraine came to Omaha after they were expelled from the city of Kiev in 1886. The first mention of their language appears in local newspapers in October 1879, when The Bee ran an article about a performance of In Gay New York that appeared at Boyd’s Theater downtown and featured a “novel Yiddish specialty.” This makes sense, as Yiddish culture has a rich theatrical tradition. The Purim shpiel, an outrageous comedic improvisational play based on the biblical book of Esther, is often performed in synagogues as part of festivities related to the Purim holiday. Notices like the one in The Bee continued to appear, such as one from June of 1899, when the World-Herald ran an ad for the vaudeville Trocadero Theater of 14th Street downtown. The Trocadero at that time featured a performance by Julius Rose, who offered Yiddish ragtime songs and dances. E N C O U N T E R O M A H A . C O M   36

The film Hester Street featured Yiddish language and was directed by a woman from Omaha.

These performers were likely creating “dialect comedy,” productions staged mostly in thickly accented English, but it does indicate that the character and language of the Eastern European Jews was starting to get some stage time. Indeed, Ca rl R eiter, m a n ager of the Orpheum, wou ld occasionally appear o n s t a g e performing “Yiddish” stories.

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TWO LOCATIONS IN OMAHA Old Market

1118 Howard St 402.932.3933

Tower Plaza

345 N 78th Street 402.393.7070

www.theteasmith.com

Local use of Yiddish as a daily language emerged in a 1903 World-Herald story titled “Looking to Nebraska as a Haven of Refuge.” The story detailed the plight of Russian Jews, who were then experiencing anti-Semitic violence, and their need to find American cities that could accept them as refugees. Soon after, we find evidence of the first theatrical told entirely in Yiddish. In June 1904, a performance of Alexander, Crown Prince of Jerusalem took place at the Krug Theater, formerly the Trocadero; the theater would be home to similar events for years to come. That same year, the World-Herald reported a new police officer in the downtown “Market District” would be expected to understand a variety of languages, including Yiddish. By 1906, local Zionist meetings in English and Yiddish were reported at 17th and Farnam streets. The year 1909 brought a Yiddish giant to Omaha: Boris Thomashefsky, one of the biggest stars in Yiddish theater, who was responsible for the first professional Yiddish theater production in America. Thomashefsky appeared at the Burwood Theater, where film star Harold Lloyd made his debut. He was followed by another legend of Yiddish theater: Jacob Adler, whose daughter Stella taught method acting to Omaha’s Marlon Brando. Brando himself used to read Yiddish newspapers in New York.

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Come see Dr. Laura Meredith and Dr. Paul Kite

402.345.7500

2111 Douglas Street

In 1911, the World-Herald listed three Omaha synagogues in which the primary language spoken was Yiddish, all downtown, two of them new. In the story, a local rabbi estimated there were 1,000 Yiddish speakers in the city. In a follow-up story, the paper opined within a generation or two, Yiddish would be a dead language. Omahan Joan Micklin Silver wrote and directed the largely Yiddish 1975 film Hester Street. Today, a vibrant Yiddish-speaking community remains in the U.S., but the language usage has dwindled. Even so, studies have shown a growing interest in the language, especially among a younger generation of Jews.  Encounter Max Sparber is a research specialist at the Douglas County Historical Society. He publishes a blog about Yiddish culture at brityiddish.com. N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6   37

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

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Merchants Attractions

OLD MARKET · DOWNTOWN · RIVERFRONT Plank Seafood Provisions [E-15].............402-507-4480 OLD MARKET Roja Old Market [E-14]............................402-346-9190 A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T Spaghetti Works [F-15]...........................402-422-0770 Stokes Bar & Grill [E-15]......................... 402-408-9000 ART GALLERIES & MUSEUMS The Diner [E-14]......................................402-341-9870 Bemis Center for Trini’s Mexican Restaurant Contemporary Arts [E-18]........................402-341-7130 [F-15 in The Passageway]...................... 402-346-8400 Joslyn Art Museum [2200 Dodge St.]....402-342-3300 Twisted Fork Grill & Bar [F-15]................402-932-9600 KANEKO [F-17].......................................402-341-3800 Upstream Brewing Company [F-16]...... 402-344-0200 Omaha Children’s Museum [500 S. 20th St.] ....................................402-342-6164 F A S T- C A S U A L D I N I N G The Durham Museum PepperJax Grill [D-15]..............................402-315-1196 [801 S. 10th St.].................................... 402-444-5071 Wheatfields Express [E-15].....................402-991-0917 T H E AT E R & P E R F O R M I N G A R T S

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

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

Cubby’s Old Market [D-16].....................402-341-2900 La Buvette Wine & Grocery [F-15]......... 402-344-8627

NIGHTLIFE BARS

Bar 415 [D-15]........................................402-346-7455 Barry O’s Old Market Tavern [G-15]........402-341-8032 Billy Frogg’s Grill & Bar [E-15].................402-341-4427 Eat the Worm [E-15]................................402-614-4240 Havana Garage Cigar Bar [G-15].............402-614-3800 J D Tucker’s [G-15].................................402-934-5190 Mr. Toad’s Pub [G-15]............................ 402-345-4488 Parliament Pub [E-14].............................402-934-3301 DINING The Hive [E-14]....................................... 402-504-4929 The Stadium Club BAKERIES & SWEET SHOPS Sports Bar & Grill [G-15].........................402-359-1290 Bliss Bakery [F-17]..................................402-934-7450 The Tavern [G-16]................................... 402-341-0191 Cupcake Omaha [F-15].......................... 402-346-6808 Dolci Old Market [G-15]..........................402-345-8198 C R A F T C O C K TA I L S / Hollywood Candy [E-16]..........................402-346-9746 M I C R O B R E W E R I E S Juice Stop [E-15].....................................402-715-4326 Brickway Brewery & Distillery [E-15].......402-933-2613 Old Market Candy Shop [G-15].............. 402-344-8846 The Berry & Rye [F-15]........................... 402-613-1333 Ted & Wally’s Ice Cream [E-16]...............402-341-5827 The Boiler Room [F-17]........................... 402-916-9274 Wheatfields Express [E-15].....................402-991-0917 Upstream Brewing Company [F-16]...... 402-344-0200 COFFEE & TEA

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

LOUNGES

Bricks & Mortar Bar & Bistro [F-17]....... 402-934-0005 Omaha Lounge [C-14].............................402-709-6815 Sake Bombers @ Blue [E-15]................ 402-408-5566 Waters Edge Lounge at Embassy Suites [G-15]....................... 402-346-9000 PUBS

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

Courtyard by Marriott [G-11]...................402-346-2200 DoubleTree Hotel [A-11]..........................402-346-7600 Embassy Suites Old Market [555 S. 10 St.]....................................... 402-346-9000 Fairfield Inn and Suites [1501 Nicholas St.]...................................402-280-1516 Hampton Inn [1212 Cuming St.] ............ 402-345-5500 Hilton Garden Inn [G-11] .........................402-341-4400 Hilton Omaha [10th & Cass St.]............. 402-998-3400 Holiday Inn [1420 Cuming St.] ............... 402-341-0124 Homewood Suites [1314 Cuming St.].....402-345-5100 Hotel DECO XV [B-14, 15th & Harney]....402-991-4981 Hyatt Place [E-16]...................................402-513-5500 Magnolia Hotel Omaha [A-15].................402-341-2500 Residence Inn by Marriott [B-12]............402-342-4770

Unique décor, ornaments and collectibles for every season. oTannenbaum.com • 402-345-9627

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

MOVING & STORAGE The Storage Loft [E-18]...........................402-807-2537 U-Haul [D-18]......................................... 402-346-9322 Urban Storage [D-18]..............................402-342-4449

PRAISE & WORHIP The Market Church [D-17]..........TheMarketChurch.com Urban Abbey Worship Service [G-16].....402-898-7600

R E A L E S TAT E R E A LT O R S

America First Companies [G-13].............402-444-1630 Berkshire Hathaway Real Estate [13th & California].................................. 402-493-4663 Blackthorne Real Estate Development... 402-884-6200 Bluestone Development [B-17].............. 402-505-9999 Grubb & Ellis/Pacific Realty.................... 402-345-5866 Investors Realty, Inc................................ 402-330-8000 Mercer Management Co. [F-15]............ 402-346-4445 NP Dodge Condo Sales...........................402-255-5099 NuStyle Development Corporation...........712-647-2041 Old Market Life [D-16]............................402-305-8106 Sandi Downing Real Estate [E-15].......... 402-502-7477 Shamrock Development, Inc. [D-13].......402-934-7711

Dubliner Pub [E-14].................................402-342-5887 O’Connors Irish Pub [D-15].....................402-934-9790 Ahmad’s Persian Cuisine [G-15]............. 402-341-9616 Omaha Tap House [C-13]........................402-932-5131 S H O P P I N G Blue Sushi Sake Grill [E-15].................... 402-408-5566 Stiles Pub [E-15]......................................402-991-9911 Bricks & Mortar Bar & Bistro [F-17]....... 402-934-0005 T. Henery’s Pub [F-14]............................402-345-3651 A N T I Q U E S Falling Water Grille [G-15] ..................... 402-346-9000 Antique Annex [E-16]..............................402-932-3229 Himalaya’s [G-15]................................... 402-884-5977 W I N E Fairmont Antiques & Mercantile [E-16]402-346-9746 J’s On Jackson [F-16]..............................402-991-1188 Bricks & Mortar Bar & Bistro [F-17]....... 402-934-0005 Flying Worm Vintage [E-16]....................402-932-3229 Jackson Street Tavern [E-16]..................402-991-5637 La Buvette Wine & Grocery [F-15]......... 402-344-8627 Joe’s Collectibles (E-16 Alley]................. 402-612-1543 Jams Bar & Grill [F-14]......................... 402-399-8300 Nosh Restaurant & Wine Lounge[G-11].. 402-614-2121 Julio’s Old Market [D-15]....................... 402-345-6921 Reserve Goodwill [D-15].........................402-342-4102 M’s Pub [F-15]........................................402-342-2550 H E A LT H & B E A U T Y Second Chance Antiques [C-14]............ 402-346-4930 Matsu Sushi [G-13]................................ 402-346-3988 The Imaginarium [D-15]..........................402-594-7061 S A L O N S & S PA S Michael’s Cantina at the Market [F-14]...402-346-1205 Nicola’s Italian Wine & Faire [D-16]........ 402-345-8466 Curb Appeal Salon & Spa [G-16]........... 402-345-0404 A R T G A L L E R I E S Old Chicago [F-14]...................................402-341-1616 RARE [D-15]............................................402-706-9673 Anderson O’Brien Fine Art [F-16]...........402-884-0911 Omaha Tap House [C-13]........................402-932-5131 The Hair Market Salon [F-15]................. 402-345-3692 Artists’ Cooperative Gallery [F-14]..........402-342-9617 CASUAL DINING

Four Old Market

TAT T O O PA R L O R S

Alegent Creighton Clinic [C-18]...............402-280-5500 Anytime Fitness [F-17]............................402-991-2333 Commercial Optical Co. [D-16]...............402-344-0219 Natural Therapy [D-18]...........................402-995-9874 Zio’s Pizzeria [F-15].................................402-344-2222 Old Market Massage [D-15]................... 402-850-6651 OM Center [D-15]....................................402-345-5078 FINE DINING Omaha Dental Spa [F-15].......................402-505-4424 801 Chophouse at the Paxton [C-13]......402-341-1222 Omaha Yoga School [F-15].....................402-346-7813 Le Bouillon [F-15]....................................402-502-6816 Wonder Foot Spa [E-14]..........................402-618-7595 Omaha Prime [F-15]................................ 402-341-7040 The Boiler Room [F-17]........................... 402-916-9274 O L D M A R K E T L O D G I N G V. Mertz [F-15 in The Passageway]........ 402-345-8980 D O W N T O W N H O T E L S

Blue Barn Theatre [1106 S. 10th St.]......402-345-1576 Brigit Saint Brigit Theatre [1002 Dodge St.].....................................402-502-4910 Holland Performing Arts Center [1200 Douglas St.]................................. 402-345-0606 OM Center [13th & Howard St]...............402-345-5078 Omaha Symphony [1605 Howard St.]....402-342-3560 Opera Omaha [1850 Farnam St.].......... 402-346-4398 F A S T F O O D Orpheum Theater [409 S. 16th St.]....... 402-345-0606 Little King [E-15]......................................402-344-2264 The Rose Theater [2001 Farnam St.].... 402-345-4849 Subway [D-15]........................................ 402-341-8814 Ticket Omaha [13th & Douglas St.]........ 402-345-0606

BANKING | LEGAL | BUSINESS SERVICES

The Nail Shop [H-12].............................. 402-595-8805 Urbane Salon & Day Spa [G-13]..............402-934-2909 Victor Victoria Salon & Spa [F-15]......... 402-933-9333 Wonder Foot Spa [E-14]..........................402-618-7595

N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6   39

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

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

All located at 10th & Howard

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

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

Restaurants Pubs, Taverns & Lounges

Parking

Farrah Grant Photography [F-15].................... 402-312-8262 The Tea Smith [E-15]......................................402-932-3933 Farnam House Brewing Company [HH-22]....402-401-6086 Goodnights Pizza Bar & Patio [D-4].................402-502-2151 ART GALLERIES [CONT’D] HOME FURNISHING & DECOR Heritage Food & Wine [B-13]..........................402-991-0660 Garden of the Zodiac Iron Decor and More [E-16].............................402-346-6123 Hiro 88 [D-16, 13th & Jackson]...................... 402-933-5168 [F-15 in The Passageway)................................402-341-1877 Niche [F-15]....................................................402-344-4399 Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen [B-13]....................402-342-3662 Mangelsen-Images of Nature Urban By Design [D-15]...................................970-214-7608 King Fong Cafe [B-14]..................................... 402-341-3433 Liberty Tavern [G-6]........................................402-998-4321 Gallery [E-14].................................................. 402-341-8460 Mula [CC-22].................................................. 402-315-9051 Old Market Artists Gallery [F-15].....................402-346-6569 J E W E L R Y Omaha Clayworks [D-16]................................402-346-0560 Cibola of Omaha [F-15]....................................402-342-1200 Nosh Wine Lounge [G-11]................................402-614-2121 Passageway Gallery Cornerstone Gem & Bead Co. [D-16].............402-346-4367 Omaha Press Club [A-11]................................402-345-8008 [F-15 in The Passageway]................................ 402-341-1910 Goldsmith/Silversmith [F-15]...........................402-342-1737 Orsi’s Italian Bakery & Pizzeria [7th & Pacific].402-345-3438 Visions Custom Framing Perspective Jewelry Design Studio [E-14]......402-934-4416 Siagon Surface [C-14].....................................402-614-4496 Wilson & Washburn [C-14]..............................402-991-6950 [E-18 @ Bemis Center]...................................402-342-0020 SMOKE SHOP White Crane Gallery COFFEE & TEA [F-15 inThe Passageway]................................ 402-345-1066 Havana Garage Cigar Bar [G-15].....................402-614-3800 Hooka Ran’s [E-15].........................................402-934-3100 Archetype Coffee [CC-22].............................. 402-934-1489 BOOKS SG Roi Tobacconist [F-15]............................... 402-341-9264 Blue Line Coffee [D-4]....................................402-932-4463 Jackson Street Booksellers [E-16].................. 402-341-2664 FA S T F O O D Soul Desires/Urban Abbey [G-16]..................402-898-7600 NEARBY Zesto Ice Cream [5-E].....................................402-932-4420 CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

All About Me Boutique [F-15]..........................402-505-6000 Curbside Clothing [F-15] Drastic Plastic [E-15].......................................402-346-8843 Flying Worm Vintage [E-16]............................402-932-3229 McLovin [G-15]...............................................402-915-4002 Overland Outfitters [G-15]...............................402-345-2900 Reserve Goodwill [D-15]................................. 402-342-4102 Simply Fabulous [E-16]....................................402-812-2193 Silo [E-16]........................................................308-395-8987 Souq, Ltd. [F-15 in The Passageway]............. 402-342-2972 The Lotus [E-15]..............................................402-346-8080 Wallflower Artisan Collective (1402 S. 13 St.).402-677-9438 MUSIC STORES

A R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T ART GALLERIES & MUSEUMS

FA S T C A S U A L

BARS

California Bar [LL-20]......................................402-449-9138 Crescent Moon [HH-22].................................. 402-345-1708 Farnam House Brewing Company [HH-22]....402-401-6086 Nite Owl [CC-22]............................................. 402-991-6767 Oasis Hookah Bar and TaZa Nightclub [B-13].402-502-9893 Scriptown [CC-22]..........................................402-991-0506 Sullivan’s Bar [CC-22].....................................402-933-7004 MUSIC • DANCE

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

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

SHOPPING CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES

Block 16 [A-13]................................................402-342-1220 Kleveland Clothing [CC-22]..............................402-401-6147 Hot Shops Art Center [D-1].............................402-342-6452 Kitchen Table [B-13]........................................ 402-933-2810 Lids Locker Room [E-5]..................................402-334-0183 Modern Arts Midtown [GG-210].....................402-502-8737 Panda House Downtown [A-13].......................402-348-1818 Urban Outfitters [D-3]......................................402-280-1936 Table Grace [17th & Farnam]...........................402-708-7815 M O V I E T H E AT E R G I F T & S P E C I A LT Y S H O P S

Film Streams [D-4]..........................................402-933-0259 F I N E D I N I N G

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

Z O O • B O TA N I C A L C E N T E R

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

HOME FURNISHING & DECOR

Patrick’s Market [B-15]................................... 402-884-1600 Habitat ReStore [24th & Leavenworth]........... 402-934-1033 Peanut Butter Johnny’s (Food Truck) [CC-22].402-206-7459

Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center Drastic Plastic [E-15].......................................402-346-8843 [100 Bancroft St.]............................................402-346-4002 SPORTS BAR Homer’s Music & Gifts [E-15]..........................402-346-0264 Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium/IMAX Theater [3701 S. 10th St.]...........................................402-733-8400 Burger Theory [B-2]........................................402-933-6959 FLOWERS DJ’s Dugout Sports Bar/ BANKING Old Market Habitat [F-15]...............................402-342-0044 Blazin’ Pianos [G-10]........................................402-763-9974 Pinnacle Bank [10th & Douglas]......................402-346-9180 Old Mattress Factory Bar & Grill [D-6] ........... 402-346-9116 G I F T & S P E C I A LT Y S T O R E S The Dugout [D-2]............................................402-934-5252 BOARD GAME CAFE Ashley’s Collectibles [E-15, L. Level]...............402-934-3100 Spielbound [LL-24]. . ........................................402-763-8444 NIGHTLIFE City Limits [F-15].............................................402-345-3570 Le Wonderment [F-15]....................................402-206-9928 D I N I N G LOUNGE Old Market Sundries [G-15]............................402-345-7646 Brothers Lounge [FF-22]................................402-558-4096 OM Center [D-15]............................................402-345-5078 C A S U A L D I N I N G The Omaha Lounge [B-13]............................. 402-709-6815 Souq, Ltd. ]F-15 in The Passageway]............. 402-342-2972 Local Beer, Patio & Kitchen[H-11]................... 402-315-4301 Susie’s Baskets [D-13].................................... 402-341-4650 Blatt Beer & Table [E-5].................................. 402-718-8822 Tannenbaum Christmas Shop [G-15]..............402-345-9627 Capitol Lounge & Supper Club [G-10].............402-934-5999 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6   41

JEWELRY

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

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

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

T HE

W AY

B A N K I N G

S H O U L D

BE

MEMBER FDIC

november/decembER calendar of Events

15_POG73_RILEY_ENCOUNTER_AD.indd 1

12/10/15 12:50 PM

SPONSORED BY PINNACLE BANK ART AND MUSEUM EXHIBITS Fall Chrysanthemum Show Through Nov. 18 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St.  Experience colorful flowers presented with elements of Japanese design and culture. This event is included with admission to the gardens: $10 adults, $5 children ages 6-12, free to ages 5 and under. 402-346-4002 -lauritzengardens.org

David (Shannon) Goes to the Museum Through Dec. 31 at Joslyn Art Museum, 801 S. 10th St.  Explore paintings and cover art for David Shannon’s many acclaimed books, including the Caldecott Honor Book No, David! Admission: Free. 402-342-3300 -joslyn.org Dirt Meridian: Photographs by Andrew Moore Through Jan. 8 at Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St.  This special exhibition features images of the 100th meridian from North Dakota to Texas. Tickets: $10 adults, free to ages 17 and under, college students with valid ID, and Joslyn members. (Also exhibiting during this time is Iraqi artist and painter Hayv Kahraman. Regular admission: Free.) 402-342-3300 -joslyn.org

The King is Dead! The Regicide of Charles I Through Jan. 8 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.  This exhibit shows the rise and fall of England’s King Charles I and his kingdom. Running in conjunction with this exhibit is “War, Wealth, and Stable Repairs.” Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors, $7 children ages 3-12, free to ages 2 and under. 402-444-5071 -durhammuseum.org American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition Through Jan. 29 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.  Learn all sides of Prohibition’s story. There will be more than 100 artifacts on display. Local exhibits running in conjunction with this are: “Homebrew: A Spirited History of Omaha” and “YMCA of Greater Omaha.” Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors, $7 children ages 3-12, free to ages 2 and under. 402-444-5071 -durhammuseum.org

Imagination: Celebrating 40 Years of Play Through April 16 at Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S 20th St.  Come celebrate 40 years of fun while the museum highlights some of its most popular exhibits throughout the years. Admission: $12 adults and children, $11 seniors, free to members and children ages 2 and under. 402-342-6164 -ocm.org

Passion & Obsession: From The Collection Nov. 12-May 6 at KANEKO, 1111 Jones St.  “Passion and Obsession” showcases astounding works taken from collections including the Karen and Robert Duncan collection, the Steve Wake collection, the Kathy and Marc LeBaron collection, and the Kaneko collection. Admission: Free. 402-341-3800 -thekaneko.org Holiday Poinsettia Show Nov. 25-Jan. 4 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St.  This holiday tradition at Lauritzen showcases thousands of poinsettias bursting with rich and vibrant color. Event is included with admission to the gardens: $10 adults, $5 children ages 6-12, free to ages 5 and under. 402-346-4002 -lauritzengardens.org Concerts Dirty Heads w/ New Beat Fun and RDGLDGRN (Red, Gold, Green) Nov. 2 at Sokol Auditorium, 2234 S. 13th St. Dirty Heads is a multi-genre band, playing predominately reggae-infused music. 8pm. Tickets: $29 advance, $32 day of show, $84 VIP. 402-346-9802 -sokolunderground.com Nonpoint w/ Sidewise, Before I Burn, and Coldsweat Nov. 9 at Sokol Underground, 2234 S. 13th St.  This heavy metal band from Florida is touring to promote its ninth studio album, The Poison Red. 6:30pm. Tickets: $15 advance, $18 day of show. 402-346-9802 -sokolunderground.com UNO’s International Concert Series presents Antonio Pompa-Baldi Nov. 10 at Strauss Performing Arts Center, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6305 University Drive North.  Born and raised in Foggia, Italy, pianist Antonio Pompa-Baldi has won recognition at top international piano competitions from Paris

E N C O U N T E R O M A H A . C O M   42

to Cleveland. 7:30pm. Tickets: $15 general, $8 students, seniors, military. 402-554-3411 -unomaha.edu MJ Live Nov. 11 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.  This Michael Jackson tribute concert comes to Omaha to perform the King of Pop’s greatest hits. 7:30pm. Tickets: $35-$150. 402-345-0606 -omahaperformingarts.org Chicago and Earth, Wind & Fire Nov. 17 at CenturyLink Center, 455 N. 10th St.  Two Grammy-winning musical legends come together for their “Heart & Soul Tour.” 7:30pm. Tickets: $43-$143. 402-341-1500 -centurylinkcenteromaha.com Black Violin Nov. 18 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. This violin/viola hip-hop duo perform a unique take on classical music. 7pm. Tickets: $20-$38. 402-345-0606 -omahaperformingarts.org

The Ten Tenors: Home for the Holidays Dec. 1 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.  Australia’s most successful opera singers bring unique renditions of classic Christmas songs. 7:30pm. Tickets: $ 54-$120. 402-345-0606 -ticketomaha.com

Always Local, Always Beautiful Each issue also features human interest pieces, including architect/designer/builder profiles, hot products, maintenance columns, room spotlights, landscaping columns, neighborhood profiles, home transformations, home happenings, mortgage columns, new business stories, green design features, and much, much more.

MAY/JUNE 2015

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RESTAURANT AND WINE LOUNGE

OPEN AT 11AM DAILY ... HAPPY HOUR 4 PM - 6 PM ... Late Night Happy Hour Fri. & Sat. 10 PM-12 AM se Happy Ho ver ur Re

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N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6   43

november/decemBER calendar of Events SPONSORED BY PINNACLE BANK

Chase Rice Dec. 2 at Sokol Auditorium, 2234 S. 13th St.  Co-writer for the band Florida Georgia Line’s song “Cruise,” this country musician brings his "Everybody We Know Does" tour to Omaha. 7pm. Tickets: $34.50 advance, $38 day of show. 402-346-9802 -sokolunderground.com JJ Grey and Mofro w/ Parker Millsap Dec. 2 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St.  From Southern rock to blues, these Floridians bring their multi-genre performance to The Slowdown. 8pm. Tickets: $25 advance, $28 day of show. 402-345-7569 -theslowdown.com Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra w/ Wynton Marsalis and Catherine Russell Dec. 2 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Marsalis, a nine-time Grammy winner, returns to Omaha with the world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. 8pm. Tickets: $ 51- $127. 402-345-0606 -ticketomaha.com The Fab Four: The Ultimate Tribute Dec. 17 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.  The Fab Four has an amazing attention to detail as they play uncanny, notefor-note, live renditions of Beatles songs. 8pm. Tickets: $25-$55. 402-345-0606 -omahaperformingarts.org Mannheim Steamroller Christmas Tour Dec. 22 and 23 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.  This Omaha holiday tradition features classic Christmas hits and dazzling multimedia effects. 7:30pm. Tickets: $38.25-$78.25. 402-345-0606 -omahaperformingarts.org Performing Arts Mouse on the Move Through Nov. 13 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St.  Ellie and Amelia want to go beyond their mouse-hole. 9:30am Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30; 10am Oct. 18 and 25. Tickets: $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers. 402-345-4849 -rosetheater.org The Jungle Book Through Nov. 13 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St.  This is a new adaptation of the classic book/film, featuring beloved characters Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, and, of course, Mowgli. 7pm Oct. 28, Nov. 4, and Nov. 11; 2pm and 5pm Oct. 29, Nov. 5, and Nov. 12; 2pm Oct. 30 and Nov. 13. Tickets: $10 members, $20 nonmembers. 402-345-4849 -rosetheater.org

La Bohéme Nov. 4 and 6 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. Giacomo Puccini’s beloved opera is a timeless story of love, friendship, and unwavering dreams. 7:30pm. Tickets: $19- $ 99. 402-345-0606 -ticketomaha.com

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical Dec. 10 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. The TV classic comes to the main stage this holiday season. 2pm and 8pm. Tickets: $21-$56. 402-661-8501 -ticketomaha.com

Irving Berlin’s White Christmas Nov. 15-20 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.  Experience a timeless holiday classic, filled with singing, dancing, and lots of snow. 7:30pm Nov. 15-17; 8pm Nov. 18; 2pm and 8pm Nov. 19; 1:30pm and 7:30pm Nov. 20. Tickets: $35-$100. 402-345-0606 -ticketomaha.com

Omaha Symphony Christmas Celebration Dec. 10-11, 15-18 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.  Broadway stars sing and dance to Christmas music by the Omaha Symphony. 2pm and 7:30pm Dec. 10; 2pm and 6pm Dec. 11; 7:30 pm Dec. 15; 7:30pm Dec. 16; 2pm and 7:30pm Dec. 17; 2pm and 6pm Dec. 18. Tickets: $19-$79. 402-345-0606 -ticketomaha.com

Handel’s Messiah Nov. 20 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.  Voices of Omaha presents its 48th annual performance of this classic with a chorus of more than 200 singers along with soloists and a 23-piece orchestra. 3pm. Admission: Free. 402-345-0606 -voicesofomaha.org

Lightwire Theater’s A Very Electric Theater Dec. 15 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St.  Known for their electroluminescent artistry and poignant storytelling, Lightwave Theater presents the story of a young bird named Max and his journey to the North Pole. 7pm. Tickets: $15-$35. 402-345-0606 -omahaperformingarts.org

Prancer Nov. 25-Dec. 18 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St.  This heartwarming story uses puppetry to make a family-friendly experience. 7pm Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 9, and 16; 2pm Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18. Tickets: $27 main floor, $22 balcony. Members receive a $7 discount. 402-345-4849 -rosetheater.org The Ultimate Christmas Show (Abridged) Nov. 25-Dec. 19 at Blue Barn Theatre, 1106 S. 10th St.  Get ready to laugh with this irreverent, yet heartwarming trip through the holidays. 7:30pm Wednesdays-Saturdays and 6pm Sundays, with 2pm matinees Sundays Dec. 4 and 18, and a 7:30pm performance Dec. 19. Tickets: $30 adults, $25 students and seniors ages 65 and older. 402-345-1576 -bluebarn.org Ballet Nebraska Presents: The Nutcracker Dec. 3 and 4 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. The beloved family favorite returns with a cast of more than 150 professional and student dancers. 2pm and 7:30pm Dec. 3, and 2pm Dec. 4. Tickets: $ 51- $149. 402-661-8501 -ticketomaha.com

Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony and Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert Nov. 24 at Gene Leahy Mall, 1203 Farnam St., and Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St.  The annual ceremonial lighting of the downtown area, which will be lit until January 1, is an experience for the whole family. Follow these festivities with the concert by the Nebraska Wind Symphony. 6pm at Gene Leahy Mall, 7pm at Holland Performing Arts Center. Admission: Free. 402-345-5401 -holidaylightsfestival.org

Christmas at Union Station Nov. 25-Jan. 2 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.  Celebrate the holidays by viewing one of the largest indoor Christmas trees in the region and participating in many other family-friendly activities. The tree-lighting ceremony begins at approximately 7pm on Nov. 25. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors ages 62 and older, $7 children ages 3-12, free to members and children under age 2. 402-444-5071 -durhammuseum.org

Family and More Old Market District Walking Food Tour Nov. 12, Nov. 19, and Dec. 10 at Omaha Culinary Tours, 11th and Howard streets.  Enjoy some of Omaha’s best foods as tour guides introduce well-loved and lesserknown eateries in the Old Market. 10:30am1:30pm. Tickets: $45. 402-651-0047 -omahaculinarytours.com

Sounds of the Season Nov. 26-Dec. 24 at Gene Leahy Mall and the Old Market, 1203 Farnam St.  Local choral groups, from youth to professional, perform holiday classics every Saturday night at different locations throughout the Old Market area. 7pm8pm. Admission: Free. 402-345-5401 -holidaylightsfestival.org

Lunch + Learn: People and Place Nov. 17 and Dec. 15 at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S. 12th St.  Pack a lunch and come discuss the ideas and processes behind the artwork currently on view at the Bemis Center. Open from noon-1pm. Admission: Free. 402-341-7130 -bemiscenter.org

Ethnic Holiday Festival Dec. 2 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St.  Come see how more than 20 local cultural organizations celebrate the holidays, with live music, ethnic foods, and gifts. 5pm9pm. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors ages 62 and older, $7 children ages 3-12, free to children ages 2 and under. 402-444-5071 -durhammuseum.org

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SECTION

november/december calendar of Events SPONSORED BY PINNACLE BANK

• Monday Ladies Night • Sunday Fun Day Wells Fargo Family Festival Dec. 4 at various downtown locations.  A variety of festivities are available at participating venues such as Wells Fargo Bank, Omaha Children’s Museum, Omaha Police Station, and The Durham Museum. A free trolley service is available to shuttle people to each location. Noon5pm. Admission: Free. 402-345-5401 -holidaylightsfestival.org

Joslyn Castle Unlocked Dec. 10 at Joslyn Castle, 3902 Davenport St.  A limited number of guests will be able to take a tour of all the floors, viewing the personal items and furnishings of George and Sarah Joslyn. A dinner and drinks will be available after the tour. Doors open at 5pm. Tickets: $65. 402-595-2199 -joslyncastle.com Penguins and Pancakes Dec. 26-30 at Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 S. 10th St.  The pancake man will provide breakfast and visitors can make crafts and receive visits from African penguins. 8:30am10am. Admission: $15 for zoo members, $20 for non-members, free to children ages 2 and under. Price includes zoo admission, breakfast, and a plush penguin toy. 402-733-8400 -omahazoo.com

Conagra Foods Ice Rink Dec. 9-Jan. 2 at ConAgra Foods campus, 10th and Harney streets. The annual holiday ice skating rink will be open. All proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank for the Heartland. The opening ceremony is Dec. 9 at 6pm. Hours are: 1pm-10pm Sun.-Thu., and 1pm-midnight Fri. and Sat., The rink will be open 1pm-5pm Christmas and New Year’s eves, and closed on Christmas and New Year’s days. Admission: $5, which includes skate rental. 402-345-5401 -holidaylightsfestival.org

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New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular Dec. 31 at Gene Leahy Mall, 1203 Farnam St.  Come celebrate New Year’s Eve with a spectacular fireworks show. 7pm. Admission: Free. 402-345-5401 -holidaylightsfestival.org

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