FocusV3I52 by Focus Omaha

VOLUME 3 ISSUE 52 | december 25 - december 31 | 2019

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ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, HEALTH, PERSONAL FINANCE, & MUSIC NEWSWEEKLY

Billboards Top Ten

REVIEWS Matt Megrue

EVENTS

This Weeks Top Ten

health

Top Health Threats

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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| 2019 BER 25 - DECEMBER 31 VOLUME 3 ISSUE 52 | DECEM PERSONAL FINANCE, & MUSIC NEWSWEEKLY AINMENT, HEALTH,

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Matt Megrue

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Media Giants

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HEALTH

Top Health Threats

ON TEN

SPORTS NU Basketall By Focus Omaha Creighton Basketball To Close Non-Conference Play Saturday By Focus Omaha Go UNO Mavericks! By Focus Omaha 24

FINANCE

Federal Reserve report assesses information presented to prospective borrowers on small business online lender websites By Focus Omaha Sponsored By Blue Capitol Wealth

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Matt Megrue, “We” By Tatiana Ballinger

This week’s top ten events you don’t want to miss! By Focus Omaha

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

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Billboards Top Ten By Focus Omaha

REAL ESTATE

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Existing-Home Sales Descend 1.7% in November By Focus Omaha Sponsored By Eric Cano

Top Health Threats of 2019 By Focus Omaha

COUNCIL BLUFFS

LINCOLN

HAPPY HOUR

We gathered up some of the BEST Happy Hour spots in and around the Omaha metro! Focus is your FREE Arts, Entertainment, Health, Personal Finance, & Music Newsweekly. We’ve brought all of these elements together for the first time, all in one weekly format. Our goal is to provide you, the customer, with the best possible publication to suit all of your needs.

Focus 7914 W Dodge Rd. # 413 Omaha, NE 68114 (402) 208-6545 focusomaha@gmail.com www.focusomaha.com

THROUGH JANUARY, 19, 2020 Paul Anthony Smith Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. Drawing on the art historical traditions of Pointilism and Geometric Abstraction, Paul Anthony Smith creates “picotages,” named for a pattern printing technique that entails pressing textured blocks onto fabric. Trained in ceramics, Smith uses sharp, wooden tools to stipple the surfaces of photographs he has taken in New York City and Jamaica that examine the African and Caribbean diasporas. THROUGH JANUARY, 19, 2020 Word and Image: The Saint John’s Bible Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. Featuring the first handwritten illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine Monastery since the fifteenth century, The Saint John’s Bible incorporates contemporary imagery and events to connect traditional medieval craftsmanship with the twenty-first century. https://www.joslyn.org through february 15, 2020 Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts 724 South 12th St., Omaha Jillian Mayer: TIMESHARE Jillian Mayer’s practice continually explores how technology affects our lives, bodies, and identities through investigating the blurred lines between our physical and online worlds in regard to dependency and value. Recent works by the artist include her prolific group of Slumpies—the artist’s sculptural answer to the shape our bodies take while engaging with hand-held technology. While referencing the history of art and the live model, these playful yet critical sculptures address the way humans are physically altering their bodies due to these technologies. Often paired with humourous promo-videos, these deeply imperfect sculptures are inviting as well as entrenched with contemporary marketing techniques, allowing their reach to stretch between the art gallery and the storefront. In TIMESHARE, Mayer explores how art can function and/or aid during times of disaster or even when the planet becomes uninhabitable. Her work uses the formula of part solutionism part subtle denial mixed with an “everything will be fine” attitude. While the problem might actually be too large to be addressed in any actual sense, the works in this show attempt, with humor and insight. For example, A Sculpture Can Be Used As A Flotation Device In Times Of Emergency is a text work that greets the viewers, and sets the stage for the exhibition. Upon entering further, the viewer will be transported into a contemporary

conservatory, an indoor/outdoor sculpture park of sorts, complete with fountains, architectural resting zones, and greenery. Through a variety of mediums that include video, painting, and sculptural objects, Mayer’s environment can act as a place that offers refuge and solace while also serving as a blueprint for garden designers of the future. TIMESHARE investigates and comments on both art’s objective and the artist’s responsibility. Jillian Mayer is an artist living in Miami. Her works and performances have been premiered at galleries and museums internationally such as MoMA, MoCA:NoMi, BAM, Bass Museum, MoMa PS1, the Contemporary Museum of Montreal and film festivals such as Sundance, SXSW, Rotterdam and New York Film Festival. Mayer is a recent recipient of the Creative Capital Fellowship for 2015, the South Florida Cultural Consortium’s Visual/Media Artists Fellowship 2011 and 2014, Cintas Cuban Foundation Fellowship 2012, and was named one of the “25 New Faces of Independent Film” by Filmmaker Magazine. She is also a fellow of the Sundance New Frontiers Lab Program for 2014 and the Zentrum Paul Klee Fellowship in Bern, Switzerland for 2013 and was recently a Bemis Summer 2019 Artist-in-Residence. jillianmayer.net Gallery Hours: Wednesday – 11 AM–5 PM Thursday – 11 AM–9 PM Friday – 11 AM–5 PM Saturday – 11 AM–5 PM THROUGH MARCH 8, 2020 SOUND THE ALARM: THE MAKING OF THE OMAHA FIRE DEPARTMENT Durham Museum, 801 S 10th St. The Omaha Fire Department traces its roots to 1860 when the city’s first firefighting company was founded. Using documents from the Byron Reed Collection this exhibit chronicles the Omaha Fire Department’s late 19th century beginnings.

www.focusomaha.com WHAT’S YOUR FOCUS OMAHA?

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52

Greenlight Natural CBD By Focus Omaha Owner Chris Potratz is a veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2007. He was an aircraft mechanic on C-130’s and started using CBD himself about a year ago after it was recommended by his counselor to help him deal with anxiety. Once he started shopping around, he realized there were endless choices available and the entire experience of knowing what would work best for his needs from educated shops seemed stressful. So, due to this and other factors he decided to start his own store. Potratz said, “When you come in here, I want there to be a professional feel. We have quality products offered by proven manufacturers.” He also helps his fellow vets by offering a 10% discount for them, and has a gallery with offer-

ings for sale in the back which are also made exclusively by veteran artists. 7016 Maple Street 402-913-7039 Hours of Operation are: Thursday – Saturday 10am-8pm Sunday Closed Monday 10am-8pm Tuesday 10am-6:30pm

www.greenlightnatural.com www.facebook.com/greenlightcbd www.instagram.com/greenlightnatural

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52 5

Wintertainment! Friday,, December 27, 8:30am Hummel Nature Center 3033 Hummel Park Rd., Omaha Three sessions available: December 27th, 30th & 31st, 8:30am - 4:00pm $25/session Current 1st - 7th graders Winter fun at Hummel Day Camp! Cook lunch over the fire, learn archery, wilderness skills, winter nature identification, crafts, compete in the snowbowl and other fun winter games! Space is very limited, one session per camper! Registration starts November 4th at 8:00 am. Family Safari – “Noon Year’s Eve” Monday, December 30, 7 pm to 9 am Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, 3701 S. 10th St., Omaha Spend the night in the Scott Aquarium and then stay and ring in 2020 early (at noon on New Year’s Eve). Event is specially made for everyone who doesn’t want to stay up late to celebrate!. Cost includes include paid admission, overnight stay, special guided tours, evening snack, breakfast, free day at the zoo and a zookeeper talk. Children must be at least 4 years old, and one adult is required to attend with every 10 youth. $45-$48 per person Noon Year’s Eve Tuesday, December 31, 10am to 2 pm The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Children of all ages will enjoy this funpacked party with live music by Dino O’Dell and the T-Rex All-Stars, special crafts and activities. Ring in the noon year in handmade party hats while enjoying the celebratory bubble wrap stomp and the balloon drop at noon in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Great Hall. Included with museum admission

Santa’s Rock N Lights Through December 31 Werner Park, 12356 Ballpark Way, Event runs from 5pm to 9pm Mondays through Thursdays (and some Sundays), and from 5 to 10 pm Fridays through Sundays (not all Sundays) It’s a drive-thru light show featuring nearly a full mile of 1,000 programmable elements and more than 100,000 animated lights dancing to Christmas music. Holiday Lights Festival – New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular Online prices are $24.99 per vehicle up to six people on weekdays and $29.99 per Tuesday, December 31, 7pm vehicle up to six people on weekends and New location near CHI Health Center December 19-24 (additional $5 per and TD Ameritrade Park individual beyond the six) Free parking to view the up-close show will be in Lot A, Lot B and Lot C of the CHI Holiday Poinsettia Show Health Center. Through January 5 (closed Thanksgiving, The New Year’s Eve fireworks display is one of the largest in the region and is the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day); the last signature event of the Holiday Lights Festival. The display is choreographed so that each shell explodes on cue to a unique themed medley of “One-hit Wonders.” Spectators are encouraged to tune in to STAR 104.5 to enjoy the accompanying music while watching the dazzling show. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early. FREE

Bubbly New Year’s Eve Party Tuesday, December 31, 4 to 8 pm (bubble drop will be at around 7:45 pm) Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S. 20th St. Celebrate the New Year without staying out late! The celebration will include a lot of bubbles, and a “midnight” countdown at around 7:45 pm Included with regular museum admission

Santa’s Wonderland Through December 24 Cabela’s, 12703 W, La Vista, Neb. Bring the family for a free 4×6 photo with Santa and free crafts. Giveaways for the first 100 kids to have their photo taken Monday-Thursday beginning at 5 pm. FREE

Holiday Decor at Gen. Crook House Through January 12 Gen. Crook House, 5770 N. 30 St. The house is decorated for the season and festivities are planned with the theme “Books: Keys to Life’s Treasures.” $6, adults; $5, students/seniors/military; Noon Year’s Eve Party Tuesday, December 31, 10:30am -12:30pm $3, children (ages 6-11); and FREE for Omaha Public Library 14850 Laurel Ave. children younger than 6. Celebrate the New Year with a dance party, blow-ups, games and a balloon drop.

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52

Bright Nights is 5 to 8 pm on December 14-23, 26-30 and January 2-5. This indoor flower show is perfect for the holidays, plus the indoor model train is always a hit with kids. Included with admission, which is $10 adults, $5 children 6-12). Members are admitted FREE. Holidays In The Old Market Through January 6 11th and Howard streets Stroll the historic streets in the glow of thousands of twinkling lights. Historic buildings are lit up from top to bottom with lights, greenery, and bows. Christmas at Union Station Through January 5 Family events continued onto the bottom half of page 7.

Family events continued from page 6.

The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. See the largest indoor tree in the region, as well as Holiday Cultural Trees Display. Christmas at Union Station includes several events, and live aperformances as well. Included with museum admission A Log Cabin Christmas Through December 29, Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 2pm The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. The museum’s historic log cabin will be decorated for Christmas, and a docent will be present to show guests the cabin and share pioneer holiday traditions. Included with regular museum admission

Lakeshore’s Free Crafts for KidS Saturday, December 28, 11am Lakeshore Learning, 12005 W. Center Rd. Free Crafts for Kids, Ages 3 and up www.lakeshorelearning.com kids eat free on mondays* Monday, December 30 *one free meal per adult qualifying purchase, subject to change at anytime. Hector’s, 1201 S. 157th St., Omaha, NE 68130 DIGGIN’ DINOS Open through April 11, 2020 Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S 20th St. Diggin’ Dinos will place children in an imagined world where dinosaurs and humans work together to build a dinosaur research facility. The exhibit will include a combination of lifesized animatronic dinosaurs and construction

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52 7

SATURDAY december 28 Dirt Time: An Animal Tracking Family Adventure, Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, 9am

SUNDAY december 29 Nick Jr. Live!, Orpheum Theater, 10am

Kwanzaa 2019 Great Plains Black History Museum, 1pm Penguins and Pancakes Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 9am Omaha Women’s Basketball vs. South Dakota State, Baxter Arena, 2pm Nick Jr. Live!, Orpheum Theater, 10am

WEDNESDAY december 25 MERRY CHRISTMAS The Happy Hippie Hour with Carrie Jean The Down Under Lounge, 3pm Music from Dr. Webb The Down Under Lounge, 4:20pm Open Mic with Host Aly Peeler The Down Under Lounge, 8p Comedy Open Mic Barley Street Tavern, 9pm

THURSDAY december 26 Kwanzaa 2019 Great Plains Black History Museum, 1pm Hugged & Unplugged HH Acoustic Jam The Down Under Lounge, 4pm Blues Society All-Stars featuring Joe Cabral Ozone Lounge, 6pm

FRIDAY december 27 Penguins and Pancakes Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium, 9am Holidays in the Old Market, 11am Kwanzaa 2019 Great Plains Black History Museum, 1pm Josh Powell, The Cove Lounge and Grille, 5pm The Old No. 5s, The B. Bar, 5:30pm Nicholas David Album Release The Jewell, 5:30pm

Kwanzaa 2019 Great Plains Black History Museum, 1pm

University Of Nebraska Omaha Men’s Basketball Vs. SDSU, Baxter Arena, 4:30pm

Nick Jr. Live!, Orpheum Theater, 2pm

Susie Thorne: A Little Holiday Jazz The Jewell, 6:30pm

Tyi Hakeem & Brown Suga at The Jewell The Jewell, 7pm Live Music w/ Ric Jensen at Vino Mas, 7pm Holiday Lites The B Side of Benson Theatre, 7:30pm

ASOG’s Xmas Miracle ft. Steady Wells and The Sunks, The B. Bar, 8pm

Double Down at Therapy Bar and Grill, 7pm

Hwy 6 Rocks Therapy Bar & Grrill, 8pm

John Morgan, Funny Bone, 7:30pm

DJ Travis Howe Parliament Pub Legacy, 9pm

Blue Moon Ghetto, Two Fine Irishmen, 8pm

The Real Zebos w/ Twinsmith, Salt Creek Slowdown, 8pm Booze Bingo, The Down Under Lounge, 8pm

Creighton Bluejays Men’s Basketball vs. Midland University Warriors Men’s Basketball CHI Health Center, 8pm

Sweat Dance 2019, Bourbon Theatre, 7pm

LOUD 5, Lookout Lounge, 8pm

Kris Lager Band The Waiting Room, 7pm

Ivan Alferez Parliament Pub - Old Market, 9pm Karaoke, The Down Under Lounge, 10pm

MONDAY december 30 Kwanzaa 2019 Great Plains Black History Museum, 1pm

Starbound, On The Q, 9pm Live Wire, Ozone Lounge, 9pm

Movie Monday The Down Under Lounge, 3pm

Holiday Old Market Walking Food Tour The Old Market, 6pm

Kramos w/ LundØn & Strvylight The Waiting Room Lounge, 8pm

Sam E.C. , Parliament Pub - Old Market, 9pm

Ozone Big Band, Ozone Lounge, 6pm

Jarron Taylor and The Cross Bearing Nation The Jewell, 7pm

Staffers, Brothers Lounge, 9pm

Jocelyn w/ Radio Jamz, Slowdown, 9pm

Pre New Years Eve Dinner Railcar Modern American Kitchen, 6:30pm

Yesterday And Today: The Interactive Beatles Experience, Omaha Playhouse, 7:30pm

Blue House, Copacabana Cocktail Lounge, 9pm Pink Bunny, The Cove Lounge, 9pm Juguar Jams, Harney Street Tavern, 9pm

Jump the Tiger w/Noah’s Ark Was A Spaceship, Daniel & The Deliverance, Dubliner Pub, 9pm Jocko,Sack of Lions, Slowdown, 8pm Charm School Dropouts, Ozone Lounge, 9pm Elf Trivia, The Cove Lounge, 8pm Interrogated, The Backline, 9pm Trivia, Rathskeller Bier Haus,8pm Kait Berreckman, Barley Street Tavern, 9pm Chad Lee and Special Ladies Night Giveaway Copacabana Cocktail Lounge, 9pm Prankster Friday Party at Brokedown Palace in Omaha, Brokedown Palace, 9pm Ricky Szablowski, Harney Street Tavern, 9pm DJ Pink Bunny, Parliament Pub Legacy, 9pm Karaoke, Moe and Curly’s, 9pm Devon Dupree, Parliament Pub - Old Market, 9pm DJ, Retro Rewind, 9pm The Prairie Gators Holiday Party Mr. West and Ivan Alferez The Down Under Lounge, 9:30pm Parliament Pub - Old Market, 9pm Karaoke w/ Tony Butells Chris Shelton, Dubliner Pub, 9:30pm The Sydney, 10pm “Touch Of Grey” Thursdays! Brokedown Palace, 11pm

Mark Joseph Trio at The Jewell, 10:30pm

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52

Ladies Night, Liquid Sunshine Taproom, 7pm Bucky P, DrewRill, Chris.Topher, AllahDAMNiiT, Eddie Branch, Bourbon Theatre9:30 pm LAST Monday Acoustic JAM The Down Under, 8pm Dave Tamkin // fox Barley Street Tavern, 9pm Open Mic, Barley Street, 9pm Trivia Night, Julio’s, 9pm Lucy & Charlie, Harney Street Tavern, 9pm Bob Fields and Swing Time, Thee Jewell, 9pm Criteria with Little Brazil / Lodgings The Waiting Room Lounge, 9pm Peach Truck | The DU The Down Under Lounge, 9:30pm Las Cruxes ~ Mere Shadows ~ Towering Rogue O’Leavers, 10pm Omaha Drum and Bass Presents: Activate Holiday Rotation The Hideaway, 10pm

TUESDAY december 31 Noon Year’s Eve Celebration at The Durham Museum, 10am Noon Year’s Eve Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, 10am Noon Years Eve, Omaha Public Library-Saddlebrook Branch., 10:30am Noon Years Eve Party La Vista Public Library, 11:30am Roscoe Whyte’s Playhouse Reverb Lounge, 12pm

Kwanzaa 2019 Great Plains Black History Museum, 1pm Roaring 20’s New Years Eve Party Red Lion Lounge, 3pm NYE with DJ SAM @Voodoo Bar, 4pm Bubbly New Year’s Eve Omaha Children’s Museum, 4pm

Thomasville NYE Party presented by The Party After, 8pm Trivia, The Down Under Lounge, 8pm Tueday Open MIc Brokedown Palace, 8:30p THE 402 CHRISTMAS BENEFIT CONCERT w/ Ben Shafer, 7:30pm

NYE w/ Bozak & Morrissey & Eckophonic Ozone Lounge, 5pm

Roast of 2019, Barley Street Tavern, 8pm

Roaring 20’s NYE at Kozee Lounge, 5pm

Fast N’ Fresh, The Backline, 8pm

A New Year’s Story, The Laka Aquatic Laka Lono Rum Club, 5pm

New Years Eve Night to Remember Observatory Bar, 8pm

New Year’s Eve Celebration w/ Greg Spevak Orchestra German-American Society, 5pm

NYE Party, Aussie’s Pub, 9pm 90’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball Bourbon Theatre, 9pm

Roaring 2020’s at the Verdict, 5pm NYE at Harney Street Tavern with DJ Lay-C Kids Paint Party Honoring The 6th Principle Of Southpaw NYE bash at Emmet’s Tavern, 9pm Kwanzaa “Kuumba”! Lashin’ Out, 6pm NYE Karaoke, Goldeez, 9pm Janet Staley Trio - New Year’s Eve Gorat’s, 6pm NYE Celebration, Rathskeller Bier Haus, 6pm Stocks n Bonds NYE W/ 3D In Your Face, 6pm

New Year’s Party, The Bar, 9pm New Years Eve Bash with The Shenanigans Two Fine Irishmen, 9pm Mr. Sinister Rocks New Year’s Eve At On The Q, 9pm

Holiday Lights Festival New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular CHI Health Center & TD Ameritrade Park, 7pm

NYE w/ Chad Lee Full Band Copacabana Cocktail Lounge, 9pm

NYE Wine Dinner Corkscrew Wine & Cheese, 7pm

NYE2020 w/Andrew Bailie & Aly Peeler Dubliner Pub, 9pm

Masque’d | New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball Moe and Curly’s Pub, 7pm

New Years Eve at Grant St. Bar, 9pm

New Years Eve Celebration w/ New Years Eve Celebration at The Jewell at The Jewell, 7pm New Years Eve | Black and White Party Rednecks, 7pm

New Years Eve Beer Pong TOURNAMENT South Omaha’s Finest Tequila Garage Bar, 9pm NYE Celebration with Marcus Lewis Big Band with Kadesh Flow and Mitch Towne. The Jewell, 9pm

Z92 & CD 105.9 Rock the Eve Karaoke w/ Zach DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Downtown, 7pm The Down Under Lounge, 10pm Roaring 20’s New Years Eve Celebration Annie’s Irish Pub, 8pm

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52 9

Thursday december 26 10am

friday december 27 8pm

friday december 27 9pm

Christmas at Union Station New Year Masquerade Ball Satchel Grande Capital Cigar Lounge slowdown durham museum 801 S 10th Street, Omaha 5 505 S 16th St., lincoln 729 N 14th St., Omaha

tuesday DECEMBER 31 10am

“NOON YEAR’S EVE” CELEBRATION durham museum 801 S 10th Street, Omaha

tuesday DECEMBER 31 9pm

90’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball

bourbon Theater 1415 O St., Lincoln

tuesday DECEMBER 31 7pm

sailing in soup Comfort Inn & Suites 7007 Grover St., omaha

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52

friday december 27 7:30pm

Afro Excellence Gala 2019

Empire Room 200 South 31st Ave

tuesday DECEMBER 31 7pm

Z92 & CD 105.9 Rock the Eve DoubleTree by Hilton 1616 dodge st., omaha

sunday december 29 7pm Kris Lager Band’s Holiday Jam!

waiting room 6212 Mape St., Omaha

tuesday DECEMBER 31 7pm

Holiday Lights Festival

downtown omaha

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52 11

For all of the party animals looking for a place to have some fun on NYE, here are just a few of the locations you can rock the night away!!

Prime Rib of Beef au Jus & Chantilly Chicken Marsala, Sauteed in Sweet Marsala Wine with Mushrooms and Bordelaise Blackened Tilapia Topped with a Black Bean & Corn Salsa and Lemon Buerre Blanc Dauphine Potatoes & Asparagus CItron Dessert Choice: Cherries Jubilee, Brownie a la Mode, Blackstone Cheesecake

New Year’s Eve Party Tuesday, December 31, 8pm Moe and Curly’s 2946 North 108th St., Omaha, NE We’re ringing in the New Year Moe’s style! Join us for #karaoke, great drink specials, and giveaways all night long! And of course, we will have a #champagne toast at midnight!

its covered! Attendees will enjoy red carpet photos with instant download, food buffet, amazing bar, entertainment from Omaha’s very own DJ JAB, and over the top midnight confetti blast! Get your tickets, and we will do the rest. We have everything set up that you could possibly need to celebrate 2020! Doors open at 9pm and the party goes until 2am

“NOON YEAR’S EVE” CELEBRATION Tuesday, December 31, 10am-2pm The Durham Museum, 801 S 10th St. Christmas Holiday Kid-friendly Noon Year’s 90’s NYE Masquerade Ball Eve. 3-2-1, Happy New Year! Children of all Z92 & CD 105.9 Rock the Eve Tuesday, December 31, 7pm Tuesday, December 31, 8pm ages will enjoy this fun-packed party with New Years EVe Party Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St., Lincoln live music by Dino O’Dell and the T-Rex All- DoubleTree by Hilton Omaha Downtown, Tuesday, December 31, 9pm 1616 Dodge St. Stars, special crafts and activities. Ring in A Roaring New Years Eve: Slowdown, 729 N 14th St, Omaha the noon year in your handmade party hats ROCK THE EVE at Omaha’s Premier New Party like it’s 1919 Ring in 2020 with a New Year’s Eve celebration while enjoying the celebratory bubble wrap Years Eve Party! 3 Doubletree ISSUE by52 | DECEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 31 | at 2019 stomp and the spectacular balloon drop at noonVOLUME 31, 8pm Slowdown $10 Advance/$20 Day of Show We’ll party at the Hilton Omaha Tuesday, December in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Great FREE Hall. ThePERSONAL Gatsby, 1207 Harney St. $75 VIP/ 21+. Check entry requirements at Downtown. There will be live music from YOUR ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT, HEALTH, FINANCE, & MUSIC NEWSWEEKLY PARTY LIKE IT’S 1919! Come ring in the http://theslowdown.com/All-Ages “Down To Here” and “Wicked Fun” starting NYE Happy Hour Party 20s at The Gatsby! Get ready to dance into a new decade with at 9pm and then all night. Enjoy a champagne Tuesday, December 31, 5pm Glittering Lights, Simmering NightsOmaha’s best New Year’s Eve party! DJs, toast at midnight! Make your reservations Havana Garage, 1008 Howard St, Omaha The Gatsby’s New Year’s Eve party will dancing, and champagne toast at midnight. now! Call 402-636-4906. Get your champagne ready! Snack on appetiz- Package 1 : Room package plus breakfast on capture the energy & excitement of this ers and listen to the sweet sounds of live music New Year’s Day. A limited number of VIP tickets are available once in a lifetime anniversary transition! by the Dapper Kings from 5-8PM and include: Private bar with 1 cent drinks all Includes One nights stay for two, entrance into Sparkling champagne, posh VIP lounges, night long: Premium Wells, Several canned beer and music to dance the decade away... we NYE party for two, two free drink tickets per options, House red and white wine, Champagne. have it all! person, champagne toast at midnight for two, American Dream NYE Hotel Bash Starting at 8 pm, December 31st, 2019- The Balcony access & Appetizer buffet from and breakfast for two on New Years Day Tuesday, December 31, 5pm-8pm Gatsby is bringing in the New Year and this 8-10pmGet ready to dance into a new Package 2 : Room package plus dinner before Ramada Plaza Omaha Hotel & Convention decade with Omaha’s best New Year’s Eve NEW DECADE with a good, old fashioned, the party & breakfast on New Year’s Day. InCenter & CoCo Key Water Resort cludes One nights stay for two, dinner for two party! DJs, dancing, and champagne toast ROARING celebration! 3321 S 72nd St, Omaha at midnight. Party favors / balloon drop with Teachers Petz, on New Years Eve, entrance into NYE party for NYE Celebration at The Jewell grunge Pop, Flippin Whisky, Dinner Buffet, Par- two, two free drink tickets per person, NYE Party feat. DevonDupree champagne toast at midnight for two, and Tuesday, December 31, 9pm ty Favors, Bottle of Champagne & Hotel room Tuesday, December 31, 9pm breakfast for two on New Years Day. The Jewell, 1030 Capitol Ave, Omaha package or a ticket to attend event. Parliament Pub West, 16939 Wright Plz Say “Goodbye 2019” and “Hello 2020” in Holiday Lights Festival – Time for the BIGGEST party of the year! the jazziest way possible by celebrating Roaring 20’s NYE at Kozee Lounge Nye Fireworks Spectacular DJ Devon Dupree will be taking over the New Year’s Eve at The Jewell! Tuesday, December 31, 5pm-2am Tuesday, December 31, 7pm-7:30pm turntables at Parliament West to bring you Kozee Lounge, 5813 N. 60th St., Omaha 455 N 10th St., Omaha the most live NYE action in the city! Music by The Marcus Lewis Big Band with Join us as we ring in 2020 with a roaring celeCapacity Alert, EARLY ARRIVAL SUGGESTED!! The last signature event of the 2019 Kadesh Flow and Mitch Towne. Celebrabration in true 1920s style! ? tions both early and late. Take your pick: *Music kicks off at 9pm Holiday Lights Festival is the New Year’s The Kozee Lounge will be transformed into a *FREE Champaign Toast at Midnight Eve Fireworks Spectacular, sponsored by classic speakeasy. ? Dinner Show: 7:30-9:30pm includes two *Table reservations available (Contact Venue) Wells Fargo. Due to the Gene Leahy Mall Start the new decade off in style - come as you construction, the fireworks spectacular has musical performances, dinner, two glasses are or transform your style into the classiest a new location near CHI Health Center and of champagne, hat and blower. $65/person. A Grateful Decade: of 20s attire, Flapper dresses, stylish sequins, Daniel & the Deliverance NYE TD Ameritrade Park. Free parking to view fancy fedoras, mobsters, suits, etc, (it’s going to the show is in Lot A, B, and C of the CHI Cocktail Show: 9pm - 1am. Includes two Tuesday, December 31, 9pm be fun, no matter the dress).??? musical performances, two glasses of cham- Down Under Lounge, 3530 Leavenworth Health Center (lots open to the public at Prohibition style Drink Specials to be anpagne, hat and blower. $25/person. Don’t miss the end of the decade celebration 6 p.m.). For additional viewing areas, visit nounced soon! ??? holidaylightsfestival.org. The show features Details at https://jewellomaha.com/tc-events/ with us at the Down Under Lounge! new-years-eve-celebration-featuring-the-mar- N’eight M Sic will be opening the night, then a professionally choreographed display of Ring In The New Year W/ Rathskeller fireworks designed by J&M Displays to a cus-lewis-big-band-with-guest-kadesh-flowlaunch into a whole set “Grateful Grass”. (A Tuesday, December 31, 6pm mitch-towne-december-31-2019/ bluegrass tribute to the one and only Grateful themed “One-hit Wonders” musical Rathskeller Bier Haus, 4524 Farnam St. Dead) Tickets are $10 and include party accompaniment. Viewers can tune in as Channel 94.1 and Lexus of Omaha A NYE Celebration at Rathskeller! favors and free Champagne at MIDNIGHT. they watch the show from the warmth of $3 Bud, Bud Light, Busch Light, Ultra, Corona their vehicles. For more details visit holiPresent: To the NYnes daylightsfestival.org & Modelo Tallboys Champange, shot & Tuesday, December 31, 9pm Secret Weapon’s Annual NYE Bash drink specials all night with 30 beers on tap Omaha Design Center, 1502 Cuming St. Tuesday, December 31, 9pm NYE with DJ Lay-C DJ Paul from 8pm to midnight Channel 94.1, Screwball Peanut Butter The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St, Omaha Tuesday, December 31, 8pm Whiskey and Lexus of Omaha are proud to Here we go! The exit/entrance of a Decade! 2019 New Year’s Eve Fireworks Buffet Harney Street Tavern , 1215 Harney St, Present: To the NYnes, Omaha’s All Were going BIG, people! Join us as we bring Tuesday, December 31, 6pm NYE at Harney Street Tavern with DJ Lay-C Inclusive NYE Experience! you a set of classic 80s movie songs like Omaha Press Club, 1620 Dodge St., Omaha Ring in the new year at Harney Street Tavyouve never heard them. UP...A..NOTCH! ern with DJ Lay-C! She’ll be spinning funky Individual tickets, tables, hotel packages, Live Music by Soldiers of Soul It’s going to be a hell of a party! tunes and hits again from 9p well into 2019 and upscale cabanas are all available $65 per person, tax and gratuity included Hors d’oeuvres and we’ll have a free champagne toast at for purchase. CLICK HERE for ticketing New Years Eve 1920’s Theme Party! Continental Cheese & Fruit Display midnight! 9p | $5 | 21+ options. When we say this is an all inclusive Tuesday, December 31, 9pm Buffet OPC Thunderbird Salad w/ Saute *free entry before 9pm event, we mean it…keep your cash in your The New Frontier Bar, 8516 N 30th St. Toppings, Peruvian Clam Chowder wallet and party like the VIP that you are, Come out for the big NYE bash! This year

LIVE

Becky’s Back

REVIEWS Matt Megrue

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52

FINANCE Media Giants

HEALTH

Top Health Threats

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has a 1920’s costume and style theme! Dress to the nines in 1920’s style or just come in 2020 style and be ready for a great party! Live music by The FREEWOOD BAND! Champagne toast at MIDNIGHT1 Drink Specials! Try our new Peanut butter and Jelly Drink! It’s going to be a blast! New Year’s Eve Tuesday, December 31, 9pm Firewater Grille, 7007 Grover St, Omaha $159 Package includes a Hotel Room, 2 Prime Rib Buffet Dinners and Audiomind! Plus champagne provided for a toast at Midnight! Come eat, party and stay the night! For entrance to the band only (after 9pm) $10 Prime Rib Dinner Buffet: 7-8:30 Audiomind: 9am-1 Hotel Check-In Time: 3pm Hotel Check-Out Time: 1pm NYE bash w/ SOUTHPAW Tuesday, December 31, 9pm Emmett Bar, 2514 Leavenworth St. Time to get fancy! NYE is coming and we’re rolling out a new venue for the new year! Southpaw will be ringing it in with you and your favorite pour in town! Mr. Sinister Rocks New Year’s Eve Tuesday, December 31,9pm On The Q St Bar, 4821 Q St, Omaha Ring in 2020 with your favorite rockin’ tunes from the 80s, 90s and 00s! Mr. Sinister 2019 delivers a new energy with fresh tunes that you wont hear any other local band play, along with your favorite classic rockers, in a high energy stage and light show. NYE w/ Bozak & Morrissey & Eckophonic Tuesday, December 31, 6pm Ozone Lounge, 7220 F St, Omaha It’s the biggest, special event of the year at Ozone Lounge and Anthony’s Steakhouse! We have two amazing parties under one roof to ring in 2020! In the lounge: enjoy music by Eckophonic starting at 9pm! Dinner available by RESERVATION ONLY at 7pm and 8pm. Doors open to the public at 9pm with a $10 cover. In the ballroom: enjoy music by Bozak & Morrissey. This is a ticket-only event! For $60 per person, enjoy a Prime Rib Buffet with guaranteed seating! Of course, no matter where you are, enjoy our complimentary champagne toast at midnight! NYE Happy Hour Party Tuesday, December 31, 5pm Havana Garage, 1008 Howard St, Omaha Get your champagne ready! Snack on appetizers and listen to the sweet sounds of live music by the Dapper Kings from 5-8PM 2019 New Year’s Eve Fireworks Buffet Tuesday, December 31, 6pm Omaha Press Club, 1620 Dodge St #2200 Live Music by Soldiers of Soul $65 per person, tax and gratuity included

a Latkaholic will be here from 10-2 AM. Champagne specials all night! Get a bucket of 6 La Marca Prosecco for $30 or a bucket of J Brut Cuvee for $25. Ring In The New Year With Rathskeller Tuesday, December 31, 6pm Rathskeller Bier Haus , 4524 Farnam, Omaha $3 Bud, Bud Light, Busch Light, Ultra, Corona & Modelo Tallboys Champange, shot & drink specials all night with 30 beers on tap DJ Paul from 8PM to Midnight The Omaha Lounge NYE Party Tuesday, December 31, 6pm The Omaha Lounge, 1505 Farnam St. Live Music by: Sherri MC, Michael Adams & Adam Johnson Reserved Tables / Champagne Toast / Prizes Included with $15.50 cover charge. Drink specials throughout the night! Music by The Marcus Lewis Big Band with Kadesh Flow and Mitch Towne. Celebrations both early and late. Take your pick: Dinner Show: 7:30-9:30pm includes two musical performances, dinner, two glasses of champagne, hat and blower. $65/person. Cocktail Show: 9pm - 1am. Includes two musical performances, two glasses of champagne, hat and blower. $25/person. Details Online at https://jewellomaha.com/tc-events/ new-years-eve-celebration-featuring-the-marcus-lewisbig-band-with-guest-kadesh-flow-mitch-towne-december-31-2019/

A Chronic New Year’s Party & Concert Tuesday, December 31, 9pm Le Ventre, 1226 South 20th Street, Omaha 2nd A Chronic New Year’s Party & Concert This is the 2nd Annual A Chronic New Year’s Party & Concert. New Years Eve Party Tuesday, December 31, 9pm American Legion Post #1, 7811 Davenport St. Come join us for night of food & fun. As the “Squeeze Play Band” celebrates the “New Year!!!” Please RSVP a table ASAP. Cover Charge: $25 per person / $50 a couple 8:00 pm until Midnight. New Years EVe gala Tuesday, December 31, 8pm 9012 Q St., Omaha Celebrate the New Year with your family in the best family setting. There will be tasty african food and an awesome party ambiance New Years Eve 2020 w/Andrew Bailie & Aly Peeler Tuesday, December 31, 9pm Dubliner Pub, 1205 Harney St., Omaha Come celebrate NYE at the Dubliner Pub with Andrew Bailie and Aly Peeler. Cover charge includes a FREE personal bottle of champagne for

NYE at Barchen!slowdown Tuesday, December 31, 6pm Barchen Beer Garden, 6209 Maple St, Omaha Barry Boyce will be playing from 6-10, and DJ

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Top Ten Artists and Songs of 2019 By Focus Omaha

For our last issue of 2019, we thought weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d mix it up a little bit and list the Top songs and artists of 2019, according to Billboard.

Top Ten Hot 100 Songs

Old Town Road Lil Nas X Featuring Billy Ray Cyrus Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse) Post Malone & Swae Lee Without Me Halsey Bad Guy Billie Eilish Wow. Post Malone Happier Marshmello & Bastille Rings Ariana Grande Talk Khalid Sicko Mode Travis Scott Sucker Jonas Brothers

Top 10 Artists of 2019 Post Malone Ariana Grande Billie Eilish

Drake Travis Scott Ed Sheeran Taylor Swift Lil Nas X Halsey

Top 10 Radio Songs of 2019 High Hopes Panic! At The Disco Without Me Halsey Sucker Jonas Brothers Talk Khalid Dancing With A Stranger Sam Smith & Normani Happier Marshmello & Bastille I Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Care Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber Eastside benny blanco, Halsey & Khalid Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse) Post Malone & Swae Lee Wow. Post Malone

Khalid

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Existing-Home Sales Descend 1.7% in November By Focus Omaha

“The new home construction seems to be coming to the market, but we are still not seeing the amount of construction needed to solve the housing shortage,” Yun said. “It is time for builders to be innovative and creative, possibly incorporating more factory-made modules to make houses affordable rather than building homes all on-site.” Properties typically remained on the market for 38 days in November, seasonally up from 36 days in October, but down from the 42 days in November 2018. Forty-five percent of homes sold in November 2019 were on the market for less than a month. First-time buyers were responsible for 32% of sales in November, essentially hovering at the 31% seen in October and 33% in November 2018. NAR’s 2019 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers – released in late 2019 – revealed that the annual share of first-time buyers was 33%.

Individual investors or second-home buyers, who account for many cash sales, purchased Existing-home sales fell in November, taking The median existing-home price for all hous- 16% of homes in November 2019, up from a small step back after October’s gains, ing types in October was $271,300, up 5.4% both 14% in October and from 13% in according to the National Association of from November 2018 ($257,400), as prices November 2018. All-cash sales accounted Realtors®. The Northeast and Midwest both rose in all regions. November’s price increase for 20% of transactions in November, about reported growth last month, while the South marks 93 straight months of year-over-year even with 19% in October and 21% in Noand West saw sales decline. gains. vember 2018. Total existing-home sales1, https://www. Total housing inventory at the end of Novemnar.realtor/existing-home-sales, completber totaled 1.64 million units, down approx- Distressed sales5 – foreclosures and short sales – represented 2% of sales in November, ed transactions that include single-family imately 7.3% from October and 5.7% from homes, townhomes, condominiums, and one year ago (1.74 million). Unsold inventory unchanged from both October 2019 and November 2018. co-ops, decreased 1.7% from October to sits at a 3.7-month supply at the current a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 5.35 sales pace, down from 3.9 months in October Yun cited last week’s NAR Real Estate Foremillion in November. However, sales are and from the 4.0-month figure recorded in cast Summit, in which 14 leading housing and up 2.7% from a year ago (5.21 million in November 2018. Unsold inventory totals financial industry economists predicted that November 2018). Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief have declined for five consecutive months, the U.S. will likely avoid a recession in 2020 economist, said the decline in sales for Noconstraining home sales. while projecting the economy to grow 2% in vember is not a cause for worry. “Sales will the coming year. be choppy when inventory levels are low, but Compared to one year ago, fewer homes the economy is otherwise performing very were sold below $250,000; with a 16% “The consensus was that mortgage rates well with more than 2 million job gains in the decline for homes priced below $100,000 may rise, but only incrementally,” Yun said. past year,” said Yun. and a 4% reduction for homes priced from “I expect to see home price affordability $100,000 to below $250,000. improvements, too. This year we witnessed

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housing costs grow faster than income, but the expectation is for prices to settle at a more reasonable level in the coming year in line with average hourly wage growth of 3% on a year-over-year basis.” Additionally, the majority of economists – 69% – did not anticipate an increase in the federal funds rate, while 31% expect the Federal Open Market Committee will lower the rate next year. The group predicted an average annual 30-year fixed mortgage rate of 3.8% and home prices (existing and new homes) to increase at a slower rate of 3.6%. According to Freddie Mac, the average commitment rate(link is external) for a 30-year, conventional, fixed-rate mortgage increased to 3.70% in November, up from 3.69% in October. The average commitment rate across all of 2018 was 4.54%. “I would encourage would-be buyers to take advantage of historically-low mortgage rates, which make a home purchase more affordable, particularly when home prices are rising,” said NAR President Vince Malta, broker at Malta & Co., Inc., in San Francisco, California. By all accounts, low mortgage rates have propped up buyer interest. SentriLock Foot Traffic Index,6 a measure of home showings, was stable at 47.1 in November compared to October. The Realtors® Buyer Traffic Index compiled from a survey of Realtors® was essentially unchanged at 56 from 55 in October and is up from 44 one year ago. Single-family and Condo/Co-op Sales Single-family home sales sat at a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of 4.79 million in November, down from 4.85 million in October, but up 3.5% from a year ago. The median existing single-family home price was $274,000 in November 2019, up 5.4% from November 2018. Existing condominium and co-op sales were

recorded at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 560,000 units in November, down 5.1% from October and 3.4% lower than a year ago. The median existing condo price was $248,200 in November, which is an increase of 4.5% from a year ago. Regional Breakdown Compared to last month, November sales increased in the Northeast and Midwest regions, while year-over-year sales are up in all regions except the Northeast. Median home prices in all regions increased from one year ago, with the West region showing the strongest price gain. November 2019 existing-home sales in the Northeast grew 1.4% to an annual rate of 700,000, down 1.4% from a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $301,700, up 3.9% from November 2018.

to an annual rate of 1.32 million, up 1.5% from a year ago. The median price in the Midwest was $209,700, a 5.9% jump from last November. Existing-home sales in the South dropped 3.9% to an annual rate of 2.24 million in October, but were up 3.7% from a year ago. The median price in the South was $234,400, a 4.8% increase from this time last year. Existing-home sales in the West declined 3.5% to an annual rate of 1.09 million in November, but are up 4.8% from a year ago. The median price in the West was $410,700, up 7.1% from November 2018.

GET YOUR FOCUS ON!

Existing-home sales increased at the strongest pace in the Midwest at 2.3%

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Top Health Threats of 2019 By Focus Omaha

From an outbreak of mysterious lung-injury deaths to America’s near loss of measles elimination status, the beginning of the end of the U.S. HIV epidemic to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), CDC worked around the clock – and around the globe – to protect Americans from domestic and global health threats in 2019. Here’s a closer look at some of the biggest health issues that CDC tackled this year.

The prescribing and dispensing of the overdose-reversing drug naloxone is a critical part of the public health response to the opioid overdose epidemic. Naloxone saves lives – but only if it’s readily available when an overdose occurs. Despite a huge increase in overall prescribing of naloxone, far too little is being dispensed, including in many rural areas of the country where the need is greatest.

Responding to outbreaks and threats As the drug overdose crisis evolves and Lung Injuries linked to E-Cigarette use, Vaping, (EVALI) CDC continues investigating the outbreak of lung injury associated with the use of e-cigarette, or vaping, products, together with state and local health departments and federal partners, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

As of December 10, CDC reported 52 deaths and 2,409 cases of hospitalized EVALI by all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

becomes more complex, CDC is providing $301 million in new Overdose Data to Action funds to states and jurisdictions to align surveillance data with more targeted prevention efforts better. The funds, which will support the work of 47 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Northern Mariana Islands, and 16 counties and cities, are part of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Antibiotic (AR) and Antimicrobial

In a breakthrough, CDC laboratories detected vitamin E acetate in the lungs of EVALI patients – direct evidence suggesting that this sticky substance is present in many EVALI cases. The investigation into other possible causes continues.

Resistance (AMR) Antibiotic-resistant (AMR) bacteria and fungi cause more than 2.8 million infections and 35,000 deaths in the United States each year, according to a November 13 CDC report. These are sometimes referred to as antimicrobial-resistant germs.

In September, CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to enhance the inter-agency response to the EVALI outbreak. EOC activation allowed the agency to increase its coordinated operational support for the response to meet the outbreak’s evolving challenges. CDC is providing assistance in epidemiology, disease surveillance, pathologic consultation, clinical guidance development, and communication.

On average, every 11 seconds someone in the United States gets an antibiotic-resistant (AR) infection – and every 15 minutes, someone dies. When Clostridioides difficile, a bacterium that is not typically resistant but can cause severe diarrhea resulting in death and is associated with antibiotic use, is added to these, the U.S. toll of all the threats exceeds 3 million infections and 48,000 deaths annually.

Opioids Drug overdoses continue to be a major problem across America. There were over 70,000 U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2017, the most recent year for which final data are available. Over two-thirds involved opioids, including heroin and synthetic opioids (such as illicitly manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogs). There have also been recent increases in overdose deaths involving cocaine (largely due to contamination with opioids) and methamphetamines and other psychostimulants with misuse potential (both with and without opioids).

There were nearly twice as many annual deaths from AR infections as CDC originally reported in 2013. The update comes from previously unavailable data sources. Since then, prevention efforts have reduced deaths from AR infections by 18% overall and by nearly 30% in hospitals. Without continued vigilance, this progress may be challenged by the increasing burden of some infections. Foodborne Outbreaks Throughout 2019, CDC investigated and resolved more than 75 outbreaks related to food or animal contact. Notable Salmonella outbreaks were linked to ground beef, raw

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52

turkey, pre-cut melons, and papayas. E. coli outbreaks were linked to flour, ground bison, and romaine lettuce. Additionally, there was the largest ever outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to backyard chickens, and an outbreak of drug-resistant Salmonella infections linked to pig-ear dog treats. Pregnancy-Related Deaths A recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) documented persistent racial and ethnic disparities in pregnancy-related deaths. American Indian, Alaska Native, and black women were two to three times as likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause as were white women. According to a 2019 CDC Vital Signs report, 3 in 5 pregnancy-related deaths could have been prevented. Overall, heart disease and stroke cause more than 1 in 3 pregnancy-related deaths—other leading causes include infections and severe bleeding. The leading causes of death differ by time period throughout pregnancy and after delivery.

diagnosis, treatment, and outbreak response by coordinating the highly successful programs, resources, and infrastructure of many HHS agencies and offices. Ending the HIV Epidemic aims to achieve maximum impact by first focusing efforts on 48 counties and 7 states; Washington, D.C.; and San Juan, Puerto Rico – where half of HIV diagnoses occur annually – as well as on seven states with a substantial rural HIV burden. In 2019, HHS, through CDC, awarded $16.5 million to state and local health departments to begin building the foundation for Ending the HIV Epidemic and setting the United States on a path for success. Measles This year, there were more U.S. measles cases than in any of the last 25 years. As of December 5, CDC reported 1,276 cases of measles in 31 states for 2019. This is the largest number of cases reported in the U.S. since 1992 (963 cases).

Ensuring quality care for mothers throughout The U.S. maintained its measles elimination pregnancy and the postpartum period can status of nearly 20 years after a nearly yearreduce preventable maternal deaths. long outbreak in New York City and New York State ended in the fall. The high number Disease Control and Elimination of cases in 2019 was primarily the result of HIV Progress in HIV prevention has stalled. Gaps a few large outbreaks – one in Washington State and two large outbreaks in New York in HIV testing, treatment, and prevention hinder efforts to stop new infections. Accord- that started in late 2018, all of them among ing to a 2019 Vital Signs report, about 8 in 10 close, tight-knit communities. Despite high nationwide coverage with the measles, new HIV infections in the U.S. in 2016 came mumps, and rubella vaccine, there are still from people not in HIV care. Data also suggest that fewer than 25% of the more than 1 communities where low vaccination rates leave people vulnerable to these dangerous diseases. million Americans who could benefit from a daily HIV-prevention pill are using it. In February, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) proposed the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. The plan aims to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030. CDC will play a key role in the proposed initiative, which will leverage critical scientific advances in HIV prevention,

Immunization and Vaccination According to a 2019 CDC Vital Signs report, nearly two-thirds of pregnant women in the United States have not received the two vaccines recommended during pregnancy for influenza and whooping cough (pertussis). Low rates of vaccination during pregnancy leave expecting moms and babies unprotected and at high risk for hospitalization and even death.

continued from page 18 To date, influenza activity for the 20192020 season in the United States remains low. Receiving a seasonal influenza vaccine each year remains the best way to prevent seasonal flu. CDC recommends annual influenza vaccination for everyone 6 months and older with any licensed, influenza vaccine that is appropriate for the recipient’s age and health status. In addition to keeping you from getting sick with flu, the vaccine has other benefits including being life-saving for children, protecting pregnant women and their babies, and reducing the risk of a heart attack in people with heart disease. A recent study published in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report revealed that an estimated 92% of cancers caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) could be prevented by the HPV vaccine. CDC recommends that all preteens get the multi-dose HPV vaccine when they are 11 or 12 years old – before they are ever exposed to the virus. However, according to the 2018 National Immunization Survey Teen, only 51% of all teens received all recommended doses of the HPV vaccine.

and prevent further spread of Ebola, CDC continues to work with the U.S. embassy in DRC to rapidly respond to “hotspots” where the security situation is permissible. CDC also continues to closely coordinate with partners across the Department of Health and Human Services on continuing efforts to fight this outbreak. In June, CDC activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to support the coordinated inter-agency response to the outbreak in eastern DRC. As of December 13, 2019, CDC staff have conducted 573 deployments to the DRC, neighboring countries, and WHO headquarters. CDC has permanent staff in the three high-risk countries bordering the outbreak (South Sudan, Rwanda, Uganda), including staff in DRC. DRC has more than 300 graduates of CDC’s Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program who are playing a central role in this public health response.

Domestic Preparedness and Global Health Security

Ebola As the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continues, the number of Ebola cases has reached 3,313 and more than 2,204 deaths. To rapidly identify cases

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Go UNO Mavericks! By Focus Omaha

NU Basketball The Huskers were surprised at home by North -Nebraska put at least four players in double figures for the ninth time this season, as Mack Dakota on Saturday 75-74. It was the first time UND had beaten the Huskers since 1933. (19), Kavas (12), Dachon Burke Jr. (10) and Haanif Cheatham (10) all finished in double figures. -North Dakota snapped Nebraska’s threegame home win streak and improves to 3-2 vs. -Ivan Ouedraogo finished with nine rebounds, Nebraska the third time this season he has grabbed nine or more caroms. - Matej Kavas set season highs in both points (12) and 3-pointers (four), hitting 4-of-5 from beyond the arc in 17 minutes. Kavas’ previous Nebraska will try to bounce back on Sunday evening against Texas A&M Corpus-Christi. high was 12 against Creighton. Tipoff is at 1 p.m. and will be carried nationally on BTN. -Cam Mack’s 19-point effort was his highest since scoring 24 against South Dakota State A limited number of tickets are still available on Nov. 15. at huskers.com/tickets.

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52

The Mavericks beat the Montana Grizzlies 8782 on Saturday. KJ Robinson led the team with 24 points and F Matt Pile added 13 points and 16 rebounds. The Mavs will face SD State at home on Sunday, 12/29 at 1 p.m.

WHAT’S YOUR FOCUS omaha? www.focusomaha.com

Creighton Basketball To Close Non-Conference Play Saturday By Focus Omaha

The Bluejays have been playing well and are sure to be in the Top 25 this week after going on a sixgame winning streak and defeating an offensively challenged ASU team that had just been clobbered by Saint Mary’s. Creighton will be additionally rewarded by a nationally televised game in their last nonconference match-up on Saturday, 12/28 at 5 p.m. Did you know that local area high school students can attend Creighton men’s basketball home games during winter break at no charge? It’s true. Tickets for the Dec. 28 (Midland), Jan. 1 (Marquette) and Jan. 7 (Villanova) games are still available for students, subject to availability, by presenting an active school ID on gameday. Tickets will be redeemed at the top of the escalators at the main west entrance of CHI Health Center Omaha starting 90 minutes prior to tip off. For more information, call the CU Ticket Office at (402) 280-JAYS.

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Federal Reserve report assesses information presented to prospective borrowers on small business online lender websites By Focus Omaha

The Federal Reserve Board on Thursday released Uncertain Terms: What Small Business Borrowers Find When Browsing Online Lender Websites, a report that examines the information that prospective small business borrowers encounter when researching and comparing credit products offered by online lenders.

The report’s findings build on prior work, including two rounds of focus groups with small business owners who reported challenges with the lack of standardization in product descriptions and with understanding product terms and costs.

In addition, the report finds that a number of websites require prospective borrowers to furnish information about themselves and Nonbank online lenders are becoming more their businesses in order to obtain details mainstream alternative providers of financing to small businesses. In 2018, nearly one- about product costs and terms. Lenders’ polthird of small business owners seeking credit icies permit any data provided by the small reported having applied at a nonbank online business owner to be used by the lender lender. The industry’s growing reach has the and other third parties to contact busipotential to expand access to credit for small ness owners, often leading to bothersome sales calls. Moreover, online lenders make firms, but also raises concerns about how product costs and features are disclosed. The frequent use of trackers to monitor visitors report’s analysis of a sampling of online con- on their websites. Even when visitors do not tent finds significant variation in the amount share identifying information with the lender, embedded trackers may collect data on how of upfront information provided, especially on costs. On some sites, descriptions feature they navigate the website as well as other sites visited. little or no information about the actual products or about rates, fees, and repayment The report is available at: https://www. federalreserve.gov/publications/files/ terms. Lenders that offer term loans are what-small-business-borrowers-find-whenlikely to show costs as an annual rate, while browsing-online-lender-websites.pdf. For others convey costs using terminology that additional information on small business may be unfamiliar to prospective borrowand entrepreneurship visit: https://www. ers. Details on interest rates, if shown, are federalreserve.gov/consumerscommunities/ most often found in footnotes, fine print, or small-business-and-entrepreneurship.htm. frequently asked questions.

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Matt Megrue, “We” By Tatiana Ballinger

A national sensation from South Carolina Matt Megrue is dropping a new album called, “The Mourner’s Manual” on February 7, 2020 from King City Records. “We,” is the opening track for the latest release from self-proclaimed heartcore, alternative country singer-songwriter Matt Megrue. A unique interpretation of southern rock with shaky vocals dropped December 1, 2019. Focus on some new indie rock from the East Coast. In remembrance of the late Micah Jolly who left us on the national holiday two years ago after moving to Austin, Texas, from The Richmond of San Francisco, fellow Orbison peasant and alternative country singer-songwriter like Matt Megrue, Jolly, not ironically, uploaded a slew of unofficial country songs by word-of-mouth five years before his death. The old singer for Red Light Circuit shared his pain with the internet five years before his body was found, drank to death, the day after a routine Fourth of July.

ditional love. “It Girl,” was released for the band in 2008 with a professional yet DIY music video constantly streaming in his honor. Focus on a fallen angel whose legacy lives on in new crossover folk from the south that might be missing something. We would never know what it would be since Micah took his secrets with him to leave us hollow. A space for him nonetheless should he choose to remain. Jolly worked for Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas, traveling the midwest and visiting his home in San Francisco the year before he disappeared. Focus on poetic rock and roll from Micah Jolly solo and in Red Light Circuit, and ethereal folk from Matt Megrue this week as we head into the new year, honoring those who have passed and looking forward again.

Micah Jolly released “City Limits & State Borders” in 2005 where he asked for endless chances and uncon-

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52

BARRETT’S BARLEYCORN 4322 Leavenworth St. M-F 4P-6P $2.25 Domestic Bottles $3.00 Well Drinks BROKEDOWN PALACE 8805 Maple St. Happy Hour 12P-6P $4 28 oz Domestic Frozen Mugs $5 28 oz Nebraska Brewing Cardinal Pale Ale Frozen Mug CADDYSHACK 2076 N 117th Ave & 7007 S 181st St M-F 2P-6P $1 Off Beer, Wine & Wells TUES- HAPPY HOUR All Day COHEN & KELLY’S LOUNGE 13075 W Center Rd M-F 4:30P - 6:30P Drink Specials Deja Vu Lounge 1021 South 178th St. Everyday Noon - 6pm $2.50 Draws, $3.50 Wells $2.50 Domestic Bottles

DUBLINER PUB 1205 Harney St. Nightly Drink Specials & Happy Hour 1P - 7P Everyday !! $1.00 off Pints and Bottles HECTOR’S BAJA STYLE MEXICAN COUSINE 1201 S. 157th St Reverse HH M-Thurs-8P-Close Available only in the bar $1 off All Margaritas and Beers $2 Tacos Beef or Chicken Half-priced Select Appetizers JULIO’S 123rd & Center M-F 3P – 6P & FRI & SAT AFTER 9M $1 off all Tap Beer, $3 House Margaritas, $8 Pitchers of Bud Light & Miller Light, $2 Tacos & $8 Nachos KOZEE LOUNGE 5813 N 60th St. Daily Drink Specials!

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LEAVENWORTH BAR 4556 Leavenworth St. M-F 12P-7P LOOKOUT LOUNGE 320 S 72nd St. EVERY DAY 4-7, MIDNIGHT - 2 AM $2 PBR, $2.50 Domestic Bottles, $3 Wells, $3 Fireball NOSH WINE LOUNGE 1006 Dodge St. Everyday 4P- 6P Reverse HH 10P -12A $3 Domestic Beers and Wells, $2 off Glasses of Wine, $4 House Wine PADDY’S McGOWN’S PUB & GRILL 4503 Center St. Happy Hour Specials from 3-6pm PARLIAMENT PUB DOWNTOWN 1212 Harney Street T-SUN 3p-7p Drink Specials PARLIAMENT PUB WEST 16939 Wright Plaza M-F 3-7pm All Day Sunday! $2 Domestic Pints, $5 Vodka Red Bulls, $5 Shots & Bombs, 1/2 price Martini’s & Wines PITCH PIZZERIA 5021 Underwood Ave./ 17808 Burke M-F 3P-6P $5 off any appetizer $5 off any pizza

Focus | December 25 - December 31 | Volume 3 Issue 52

PUB134 3015 N 90th St Happy Hour ALL DAY-EVERYDAY OMAHA TAP HOUSE 1401 Farnam St. & 579 N 155th Plz M-F 3P - 6P & ALL DAY SUNDAY $1 Off All TapBeers $4 Svedka, $4 Windsor, $4 Sauza Silver, $4 Cruzan Rum RAILCAR MODERN AMERICAN KITCHEN 1814 N 144th St. M-F 3:30-6:30P $4 Well Drinks, $3 Off Signature Cocktails Rathskeller Bier Garden 4524 Farnam St. M-SAT 3P to 6P | 10P-Close Sunday – All Day BOSO .25– Buy one second one for $.25 RETRO REWIND 15475 Ruggles St #108, Omaha EVERY THURS, FRI & SAT 7p-9p SCRIPTOWN 3922 Farnam M-F 4P - 6P $1 Off Beers & $1 Off Well Drinks SMITTY’S GARAGE 7610 Dodge St. Everyday 3P - 6P & 9P - close $2.50 Domestics THURSDAYS $1 OFF Local Beer Draws The Casual Pint 8718 Countryside Plaza M, W, TH 4P-6P TUES All Day $1 Off All Draft Beers. Friday – 1/2 Price Growler Refills Sunday – Ladies Day. $1 Off All Pints

Westend Cocktails and Appetizers 1529 S 203rd St Suite 1 M-F 3p-6P and all day Sunday $1 off all craft/import beers, $3.75 domestic bottles, $4.75 wells, $7.50 signature martinis, $2 off all other house cocktails. $8, $6, and $4 select appetizers! Wilson & Washburn 1407 Harney St. m-f 2p- 6P Reverse HH 10p-2A M-W and all day Sunday Regular menu available everyday from 11am-12am / Yoshitomo 6009 Maple St. T-F from 4-6P Reverse HH Friday & Sat 10p-11 P and all day Sunday. Includes several food and drink specials Zio’s Pizzeria 1109 Howard Street 7834 Dodge Street 12997 West Center Road 18110 Wright St. Lunch Specials: Every Weekday 11A-4P Every day 4-6 PM $3 imported/craft beer $3 margaritas, $3 glass of wine 50% off domestic bottled beer and 50% off tap beer. Zipline Beer Lounge 3808 S 203rd Plaza

THE DOWN UNDER 3530 Leavenworth St. MON-SAT 3P-7P SUNDAY-All Day THERAPY BAR & GRILL 5059 S 108th St Monday-Friday 3-6pm $.50 cents off Bottles, Drafts, & Wells THE SOCIABLE INN 4917 S 136TH ST M-F 2P-7P $2.50 Pints, $2.50 Domestic Bottles

TIGER TOM’S 7103 Military Ave M-F 4P-6P $12 Domestic Buckets Timber Wood Fire Bistro 8702 Pacific St – Countryside Village M-F Patio Only 11A-7P M-SAT 2P- 6:30P & SUN 2P-10P $2 Off Local and Craft Drafts, $2.50 Tier 1 Import and Domestics, $3 Tier 2 Import and Domestics, $3 Off Signature Cocktails, $4 Well Drinks, $2 Off Glass of Wine, $1 Off Tap Wine. & Select Gourmet Food UNDERWOOD BAR 4918 Underwood Ave M-F 4:30-6P $2 Bud and Bud Light

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