FocusV4I6

Page 1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

10

4

THE ARTS

5

BENSON

6

FAMILY

8

EVENTS

FOCUS ON THIS WEEK!

ON TEN

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

14

LIVE

OPS ALL-CITY MUSIC FESTIVAL

15

HEALTH

UNMC RESEARCHERS

16

REAL ESTATE

18

THIS WEEKS FEATURE

20

LINCOLN

22

SPORTS

MARIJUANA LEGALIZATION RESULTS IN INCREASED DEMAND FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES

24

FINANCE

28

REVIEWS

I HEAR THUD By Tatiana Ballinger

29

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 EURXJKW DOO RI WKHVH HOHPHQWV WRJHWKHU IRU WKH ĆUVW WLPH DOO LQ RQH ZHHNO\ IRUPDW 2XU JRDO LV WR 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

4

Focus Fo occu us | Fe F February eb brru ua a ary ry y1 12 2 - Fe February eb brrua uary uary y1 18 8 |V Volume ollum o ume 4 Is IIssue ssu su ue e6

An-

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 5

NATURE CONNECTSŽ: ART WITH LEGOŽ BRICKS Saturday, January 18, 9am Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., Omaha January 18 through May 10, 9am - 5pm Sean Kenney’s fourth indoor exhibit at Lauritzen Gardens features some fantastic NEW pieces, including a coral reef, a snow leopard, and a disappearing rhino, as well as a couple of old favorites. Compare your wing span to a beautiful PRQDUFK EXWWHUć\ VWDQG WDOO ZLWK D VWULSHG ]HEUD and a horned wildebeest, count the colors on a chameleon, go paw-to-paw with a polar bear and make a splash with a sea turtle. Inspired by nature and built from nearly 800,000 LEGOŽ pieces, this indoor exhibit features 13 displays with larger-than-life sculptures that represent endangered animals and build awareness for the conservation of all living things. Don’t miss the “Play and Let it Stay station,� where visitors of all ages can create, take apart, tinker, build and grow together. This blockbuster exhibit is included with admis-

6

sion, $10+tax for adults, $5+tax for children 3-12 and free for garden members and children under three. www.lakeshorelearning.com science to the test while we create our very eventbrite ticket link on Facebook! https://www.facebook.com/ events/791465688034893/ KIDS EAT FREE ON MONDAYS* Moday’s in February! *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 | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6

equipment as well as a digging and building area. Children will be able to test out a variety of S.T.E.M. careers including engineer, architect, construction worker, vehicle operator, paleontologist, and veterinarian. Engineering challenges and interactive presentations will also take place in the exhibit daily.

Family Services and The Intercultural Senior Center. Hoyt’s work will debut at OCM during WKH ĆQDO ZHHN RI WKH ê$PHULFDQ WR =DQ]LEDU Muslim Cultures Near and Far� exhibit. There are many ways local families can participate in. Workshops are open to the public and are open to all ages.

OUR JOURNEY TO HERE Open through April 2020 Omaha Children’s Museum, 500 S 20th St. Artist Victoria Hoyt will use stories, photos and artifacts from local families as inspiration for a new textile work that will be displayed at Omaha Children’s Museum and other Omaha venues. To collect a wide variety of stories and family histories, OCM and Hoyt will work with the Union for Contemporary Art, Lutheran

Workshops Jan. 30 - Attend a workshop at Omaha ChilGUHQèV 0XVHXP IURP D P WR S P (admission into the museum is necessary). The vision for the workshop is to create a connection between food, natural dye materials, and stories. TBD - Workshop will be announced soon. W H AT ’ S YO U R F O C U S ?

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 7

WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 12 The Happy Hippie Hour with Carrie Jean The Down Under Lounge, 3pm Vinyl Happy Hour, The Green Room, 3pm 'U :HEE 7KH 'RZQ 8QGHU /RXQJH SP

Omaha Home And Garden Expo CHI Health Center, 5pm

3URGXFW 6NLOOV $SSOH :DWFK $SSOH 6WRUH 9LOODJH 3RLQWH SP

Ingested Anniversary Tour, Lookout Lounge, 6p

Mace Hathaway, The Cove Lounge, 5pm

*UDFH 2]RQH /RXQJH SP

Wine Tasting, Vino Mas, 5pm

First Anniversary Concert, Featuring Omaha’s )LQHVW $UWLVWV 7KH -HZHO SP

$OO 1LJKW 7ULR 7KH -HZHOO SP Daddy Mac & The Flak, Bogie’s West, 7pm

Brains & Brews Weekly Trivia Kros Strain Brewing Company, 6pm

5LFK 3DWWRQ 9LQR 0DV SP

Jam Sessions, Vino Mas, 6pm

Trivia at Apple Jacks at the Patch Pioneer Trail Orchard, 7pm

TRAVIS, 4 decades of Soul, R&B, and Funk 7KH -HZHOO SP

7KH 0LWFK -RUGDQ -XNHER[ 6SHFLDO 9RO +DUG The Arena (Improv), The Backline, 7pm Knock Rawks, The B. Bar, 7pm

7KH %ULWV 2]RQH /RXQJH SP

Music Bingo, Therapy Bar, 7pm

Magick K, Therapy Bar and Grill, 7pm

Extreme Music Bingo, The New Frontier Bar, 7pm

Trivia, Thunderhead Brewing Downtown, 7pm

Jason Aldean with Morgan Wallen and Riley *UHHQ &+, +HDOWK &HQWHU SP

America’s Pub Quiz LOCAL Beer, Patio, & Kitchen Millard, 7pm Trivia at the Observatory, 7pm Sawyer Jay, Therapy Bar, 7pm Open Mic / Jam at Apple Jacks at the Patch Pioneer Trail Orchard, 7pm 7ULYLD %¦UFKHQ %HHU *DUGHQ SP 7ULYLD &ODQF\èV 3XE SP RUN RIVER NORTH, New Dialogue, The Zooeys, Slowdown, 8pm Open Mic with Host Aly Peeler The Down Under Lounge, 8pm Trivia, Twisted Post Bar, 8pm

-RH /LVW 2PDKD )XQQ\ %RQH SP 7KH 2IĆFH 7ULYLD 7KH &RYH SP

Onesie Pub Crawl Omaha, 12pm Wine Tasting, Vino Mas, 12pm Blue Society of Omaha presents, The Bel Airs The Jewell, 6pm Latin Night, Empire Room, 6pm Charie alley, Vino Mas, 7pm Vince Swaney Band, Harney Street Tavern, 8pm The MudPuddles and The Shineys, Infusion Little Bohemia Beer Hall, 8pm Wicked Fun, Starskys Bar N Grill, 8pm THE RIFFS , Therapy Bar & Grill, 8pm

Trivia, Rathskeller Bier Haus,8pm

DEATHGOD, J. Crum, Kenny Barz, Rosalita, <DGGD 0DQ 6ORZGRZQ SP

Chop Suey (System of A Down Tribute) The Waiting Room, 8pm

$OO 1LJKW 7ULR 7KH -HZHOO SP

Daddy Mac and the Flak! 7KH 1HZ )URQWLHU %DU SP

JUSTIN STONE Ryan Oakes, Vic Sage, Slowdown, 8pm R&B Thursday featuring Sherri MC 7KH 2PDKD /RXQJH SP

Women Who Rock - concert series American Dream, 9pm

Chad Lee and Special Ladies Night Giveaway Copacabana Cocktail Lounge, 9pm

House Party, Bar 415, 9pm

Karaoke, Moe and Curly’s, 9pm

Women’s Open Mic, Pageturners Lounge, 9m

Karaoke hosted by Joe Salzenbrenner Brokedown Palace, 9pm

Karaoke & DJ, Retro Rewind, 9pm &KULV 6KHOWRQ 'XEOLQHU 3XE SP

8

Jazz+Brunch, Culxr House, 11am

White Wolf T-Shirt // N’Eight M Sic // Peter Earl 0LGZHVW 0LQGVSLOO 2PDKD %DUOH\ 6WUHHW 7DYHUQ SP /RRNRXW /RXQJH SP

Comedy Open Mic, Barley Street Tavern, 9pm

%LR %HHUV ,QIXVLRQ %UHZLQJ &R SP

-RH /LVW 2PDKD )XQQ\ %RQH SP

Omaha Home And Garden Expo CHI Health Center, 10am

MC Down Under Presents MC Laughs! The Down Under Lounge, 8pm

Matt Cox Residency, Harney Street Tavern, 9pm

The Hugged & Unplugged HH Acoustic Jam The Down Under Lounge, 4pm

Skilet From Ashes to New Tour, Sokol Auditorium, 7pm

The Shidiots|Old Empires|Cordial Spew| American Pub Quiz, Rathskeller Bier Haus, 8pm Wyldra, Lookout Lounge, 8pm

%DWPDQ 7ULYLD 7KH :DLWLQJ 5RRP SP

THURSDAY FEBRUARY 13

Cody Jinks, Ralston Arena, 7pm

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15

ê7RXFK 2I *UH\ë %URNHGRZQ 3DODFH SP

FRIDAY F EBRUARY 14 Omaha Home And Garden Expo CHI Health Center, 11am

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6

Fishheads, Ozone Lounge, 9pm DJ Tay Westberry & DJ Ivan Alfarez Parliament Pub Downtown, 9pm

Getting Ice From The Fridge / Bear the Bandit / The Dancing Dead, Barley Street Tavern, 9pm Vince Swaney Band, Harney Street Tavern, 9pm Eckophonic, Ozone Lounge, 9pm DJ Sam EC, Parliament Pub Downtown, 9pm

DJ Pink Bunny, Parliament Pub West, 9pm

One2Go at Two Fine Irishmen, 9pm

Elevate, Reverb Lounge, 9pm

Bob Marley Birthday Bash w/ Rhythm Collective & Friends, DJ Stryker, The Bishops, Slowdown, 9pm

Blue House, Whiskey Roadhouse, 9pm

The Rush Tribute Project, The Waiting Room, 9pm DJ K DuB & UFC 247, The Cove, 9pm 'DPLHQ 0F&DUWK\ 'XEOLQHU 3XE SP Daniel And The Deliverance +DUQH\ 6WUHHW 7DYHUQ SP Jerry Pranksters 7KH 'RZQ 8QGHU /RXQJH SP

Slow Stoics w/ Cruz Control The Down Under Lounge, 9pm The 402 Band, Whiskey Roadhouse, 9pm *UXQJH 3RS $PHULFDQ 'UHDP SP

'DPLHQ 0F&DUWK\ 'XEOLQHU 3XE SP -RH /LVW )XQQ\ %RQH SP The Dive Kings ~ Side Piece ~ Faded O’Leaver’s Pub, 10pm

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16 Omaha Home And Garden Expo CHI Health Center, 11am The Abduction from the Seraglio Orpheum Theatre, 2pm Sacred Gospel Singer’s CD Release Judah Kingdom Center, 4pm -XV % 6RXO 5 % 9RFDOLVW 7KH -HZHOO SP Booze Bingo, The Down Under Lounge, 8pm Karaoke, The Down Under Lounge, 10pm

MONDAY FEBRUARY 17 Kickass Movie Monday, The Down Under Lounge, 3pm Ozone Big Band w/Sebastian Anzaldo, Ozone Lounge, 6pm Poker Nights at Big Red, 7pm Open Mic, Barley Street, 9pm Lovefool | CC’s Moonday Cabaret The Down Under Lounge, 9pm

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18 Plan B, Ozone Lounge, 6pm /LQH 'DQFH /HVVRQV DW %RJLHV :HVW SP Open Jam, Barley Street Tavern, 7pm Open Mic, Culxr House, 7pm Fortunes Fool, Lookout Lounge, 7pm Science Cafe, Slowdown, 7pm Live Open Jam, Therapy Bar, 7pm America’s Pub Quiz, The Tavern, 7pm Spencer’s Trivia, Down Under, 8pm 2SHQ 0,F %URNHGRZQ 3DODFH S Open Mic, The New Frontier Bar, 9pm Dylan’s Duets Karaoke The Down Under Lounge, 10pm

what’s your focus? www.FocusOmaha.com

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 9

10

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 11

12

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 13

OPS All-City Music Festival By Focus Omaha

The Omaha Public School’s All-City Music Festival series has been presented nearly without interruptions since 1949 and is reputed to be the oldest continuous running festival of its kind in the country.

*All-City Middle School Orchestra *All-City High School Orchestra *All-City High School Band

The 71st annual festival will include students from 7 high schools, 12 middle schools, and 63 elementary schools. The Saturday evening performance on February 8, 2020, will consist of the: *All-City Middle School Band

*All-City 6th Grade Choir *All-City Middle School Choir *All-City High School Choir

14

The Sunday afternoon performance on February 9, 2020, will consist of the:

Tickets at TicketOmaha.com

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6

Dr. Scarsi, associate professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science in the UNMC College of Pharmacy, said UNMC’s part in the project will be to understand the perspectives of individuals most likely to use or prescribe the new medications.

UNMC researchers part of $32 million international project Goal: to simplify treatment, prevention for HIV, TB, malaria and hepatitis C By UNMC Two University of Nebraska Medical Center faculty members are among a group of researchers collaborating on a $32 million grant to speed up the development of longacting versions of medicines for low- and middle-income countries.

This grant will allow us to try and develop long-acting drugs for malaria, hepatitis C and TB. TB prevention is a special interest of mine, and I recently headed a big international study that showed that one month of preventive therapy was as good as the standard 6-month regimen in people with Susan Swindells, M.B.B.S., and Kimberly HIV. If we can make this into an injection that Scarsi, Pharm.D., are part of a consortium with would protect people from TB, it would be a WKH 8QLYHUVLW\ RI /LYHUSRROèV ĆYH \HDU JUDQW huge step forward,â€? Dr. Swindells said. called LONGEVITY. The goal is to develop long-acting formulations of drugs for malaria and tuberculosis prevention, and a cure for hepatitis C. The project will create a center of excellence in long-acting therapeutics with a laboratory dedicated to product development at the University of Liverpool in England.

ê:H ZLOO DFFRPSOLVK WKLV WKURXJK surveying patients and providers in the areas of the world with the highest burden of each infection to understand what type of long-acting product is optimal for diverse settings,� Dr. Scarsi VDLG ê,Q DGGLWLRQ ZH ZLOO RIIHU WKH team both a clinical and pharmacologic perspective on product development and clinical trial design.� She said overall, the consortium is working to pre-emptively address common barriers encountered when developing new therapies, spanning product development, clinical testing, and eventually, wide-spread access to the medication.

Other collaborators are Johns Hopkins University, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Treatment Action Group and Tandem Nano Ltd. UNMC will receive $2.7 million for the project, Dr. Swindells said. The grant is funded by Unitaid, an international organization that invests in innovations to prevent, diagnose and treat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria more quickly, affordably and effectively. ê:H DUH YHU\ H[FLWHG DERXW WKLV JUHDW QHZ opportunity,� said Dr. Swindells, UNMC professor of internal medicine-infectious GLVHDVHV ê/RQJ DFWLQJ PHGLFLQHV KDYH KDG a big impact in several disease states, and recent study results from long-acting HIV treatments are very promising.

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 15

three years or more, each saw increases in the demands for commercial properties. Moreover, some commercial properties near marijuana dispensaries experienced rises in property values. In states where marijuana is legal for both recreational and medical use, more than RQH LQ ĆYH VDZ DQ LQFUHDVH LQ SURSHUW\ YDOXHV near dispensaries – a smaller share saw a decline in values.

Marijuana Legalization Results in Increased Demand for Commercial Properties By Focus Omaha

$ QHZ GHĆQLWLRQ IRU êKRW SURSHUW\Í KDV HPHUJHG within the real estate market. The recent string of state-level marijuana legalization continues to impact commercial property demand and residential housing decisions throughout the United States. 7KHVH ĆQGLQJV DUH DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH ODWHVW VWXG\ from the National Association of RealtorsŽ, 0DULMXDQD DQG 5HDO (VWDWH $ %XGGLQJ ,VVXH which found that in states where prescription and recreational marijuana use is legal, more than a third of those polled said they saw an increase in requests for warehouses or properties used for storage. In those same states, up to one-quarter of members said the GHPDQG IRU VWRUHIURQWV JUHZ ZKLOH RQH ĆIWK said there was a greater demand for land. The NAR report examines how marijuana is grown, harvested, stored, sold and consumed within states where the product is legal. Because each law and the duration of time when which the product has been legal varies by state, the study is summarized by legal for medical use, legal for both medical and recreational use after 2016 and legal for medical and recreational use before 2016. The states where marijuana has been legal for the most amount of time have seen the largest impact on both commercial and residential real estate.

ê$V PRUH VWDWHV OHJDOL]H PDULMXDQD WKH UHDO estate market will progressively have to adjust,� said Dr. Jessica Lautz, vice president of demographics and behavioral insights for NAR. ê)URP SURSHUW\ RZQHUV WR PDQXIDFWXUHUV WR those who simply want to engage for leisure – it all touches real estate in some form.�

Commercial Real Estate

NAR surveyed its membership regarding their interactions with marijuana and the real estate sector in states where the product is SHUPLVVLEOH 7KH VWXG\ ĆQGV WKDW FRPPHUFLDO practitioners are facing an increased demand for land, warehouses and storefronts that are intended for marijuana. ê:KHQ WKH EXVLQHVV RI PDULMXDQD LV GLVFXVVHG some have a tendency to focus on only the buyers and sellers of the product,� said Lautz. ê+RZHYHU WKHVH QXPEHUV VKRZ WKDW PDULMXDQD has been a boon to commercial real estate.� Marijuana as a business has prospered for more than a decade and that growth continues to evolve. In the states where medical and recreational marijuana have been legalized for

Although real estate has seen gains by its connection with marijuana, property owners and the commercial real estate industry KDYH KDG WR PDNH DFFRPPRGDWLRQV WR ĆQH tune the partnership. For example, half of those in states that legalized medical and recreational marijuana before 2016 said they saw addendums added to leases that restrict growing on properties. Additionally, in situations where a tenant was permitted to grow marijuana in their rental property, it was most common for the renter to pay utility costs. In fact, when a tenant regularly smokes marijuana in their rental property, nearly nine out of 10 tenants take on the costs of utilities.

Residential Real Estate

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6

In the states with legal medical marijuana or recently legalized recreational marijuana, threequarters of members had never tried selling a grow house. Among residential members who have sold a grow house, 29% said they had a GLIĆFXOW WLPH GRLQJ VR 7ZHQW\ VHYHQ SHUFHQW of members in recently legalized states had GLIĆFXOW\ VHOOLQJ D JURZ KRXVH FRPSDUHG WR in states that legalized before 2016. Because marijuana is often an all-cash business, HDUQLQJV IURP WKRVH ZKR SURĆW DUH IUHTXHQWO\ FDVK SURFHHGV $ERXW RQH ĆIWK WR D TXDUWHU RI landlords said they were unwilling to accept cash for rent in any instance, while about 10% said they will not take cash from an illegal federal activity for rent. Still, 42% of those in states where medical marijuana is legal answered that they would accept cash payments for rent. Among those renting where marijuana is legal for both prescription and recreational XVH WZR ĆIWKV VDLG WKH\ ZRXOG DFFHSW FDVK IRU rent.

Finally, about half of NAR members in states where medical marijuana is legal said they had no issues leasing a property after it was previously occupied by a tenant who legally Marijuana also has a rapidly growing presence JUHZ PDULMXDQD 7KLUW\ ĆYH SHUFHQW WR within residential real estate, with no signs of those in states where both medical and of decelerating. The demand for housing and recreational marijuana are legal said they had UHVLGHQWLDO SURSHUWLHV KDV DOVR LQWHQVLĆHG DV QR GLIĆFXOW\ OHDVLQJ WKH SURSHUW\ WR D QHZ more states relax marijuana laws. Of the states occupant. That said, the most common problem where marijuana is legal in some form, between among these properties were lingering odors, 9% and 23% of members who were polled there followed by moisture issues. Both matters were said they believe inventory is scarce for multiple more common in areas where recreational reasons, including all-cash purchases from the marijuana has been legal for a longer period of marijuana industry. time. Methodology In addition, while the majority of NAR members said they have not seen any changes in The 2019 Marijuana and Real Estate survey residential property values near dispensaries, between 7% and 12% answered that they have was sent through email in September 2019 to a random sample of 76,000 NAR members who indeed seen an increase in values. Conversely, 8% to 27% said they have observed a decrease practice residential real estate and 76,000 NAR in residential property values near dispensaries. members who practice commercial real estate. The survey received 3,062 responses from residential members and 611 responses from ê5HVLGHQWLDO SUDFWLWLRQHUV DUH JHWWLQJ XVHG WR the new normal of having marijuana legally used commercial members for an overall response rate of 2.4%. within rental properties, while homeowner associations are tasked with setting new rules to address consumption and growth,� said Lautz.

16

The majority of respondents reported that homeowner associations have rules that place certain restrictions on smoking and growing marijuana in homes or common areas. Only DURXQG DQVZHUHG WKDW VSHFLĆF KRPHRZQHU associations do allow growing or smoking in home or common areas.

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 17

FEATURE

Another virus that cried wolf... or pandemic in the making? By Focus Omaha

In the true and tragic Chinese fashion of isolationism, according to various news agencies, one of the heroes and 8 original whistleblowers, Dr. Li Wenliang, who obtained a patient report suggesting SARSlike coronavirus positive signs in December and published information in a group chat saying that there have been seven confirmed FDVHV RI ê6$56 Í DFFRUGLQJ WR RQH RI KLV Weibo posts, has died. On January 3, local SROLFH UHSULPDQGHG KLP IRU VSUHDGLQJ êRQOLQH rumors� and required him to sign a letter of reprimand.

February 1. He died this past Friday. It’s also been stated in media reports that his pregnant wife is also in poor condition. Some Chinese netizens said local authorities owe him an official apology, claiming that LWèV KHDUWEUHDNLQJ QHZV ĂŞ:H ORVW D KHUR ĂŤ D netizen said in a WeChat post, noting that if his warning could have sent an alarm, the outbreak might not have continued to worsen.

pandemic, however medialised this novel illness is. Omaha local Sebastiano Calabro of Millard crawled down the online rabbit hole of the coronavirus phenomenon and speaks to FRQVWDQW YLGHRV EHLQJ UHOHDVHG

people. CNN is reporting the current death toll at over 1,000.

In an interview with Nebraska Medicine’s executive director of emergency management, US News states Nebraska Medical Center is here to support the government’s choices on proceedings if any ĂŞ0D\EH ,èP MXVW EHLQJ ZD\ WRR GUDPDWLF patient becomes symptomatic. It claims but this stuff has me a tad anxious. Maybe WKDW 2PDKD LV LQ D ĂŞUHDG\ VWDWH ĂŤ QRW MXVW IRU According to a KETV Omaha Staff Report because it is on the front page of everything,â€? 2019-nCoV, but for any pandemic hype as, published February 7, 2020, the coronavirus, VD\V &DODEUR ĂŞ9LGHRV DUH EHLQJ FRQVWDQWO\ ĂŞULVN DVVHVVPHQW ĂŤ ZLWK DQ XOWLPDWH SULRULW\ 2019-nCoV, has hit headlines worrying released explaining that the death toll is of containment. He was hospitalized on January 12, after locals and nationals alike. Camp Ashland rising and imagery of makeshift hospitals contracting the coronavirus from his patient, in Nebraska is currently housing American and people lying around, overlaid with zero The Guardian suggests other pathways of and was confirmed to have the virus on evacuees from China in flood-damaged actual information,â€? says the concerned local. quarantine like shutting down schools to buildings from last March’s Midwestern prevent pandemic propaganda in the story floods. We must be in a state of emergency If this virus is as serious as headlines HQWLWOHG ĂŞ0LVLQIRUPDWLRQ RQ WKH FRURQDYLUXV to transport symptomless beings upon their indicate, why is information so hard to might be the most contagious thing about it.â€? arrival to Eppley Airfield to Camp Ashland absorb from reputable sources? Nebraska, a military base. Some people are immune to toxic headlines In San Francisco, a grocery store’s sewage unless a Kardashian says so or have strong But Camp Ashland isn’t the only facility. system is opened up for repair with awful immune systems and genes. Others of On February 5, according to military.com, smells permeating the old building. When us have compromised immune systems, ĂŞ5RXJKO\ HYDFXHHV DUH EHLQJ WDNHQ DVNHG ĂŞ:KDW DERXW FRURQDYLUXV"ĂŤ 0DQDJHU afflictions, or simply frequent public to four other bases -- Travis Air Force Base 5RQDOG %HDKP VD\V ĂŞ:KR &DUHV"ĂŤ facilities. The latter groups should be more and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in concerned for susceptibility, according California; Fort Carson in Colorado; and In America and Omaha, we are fortunate to the Center for Disease Control and Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. enough to trust our public health system as Prevention which confirms 2019-nCoV is the most prestigious research health centers contagious person-to-person and animalThose bases are in addition to March Air in the country. Blindly trusting a government to-person up to about six feet apart. The Reserve Base in California, where nearly 200 -sanctioned quarantine in tackling the newly FHOO LV WUDQVPLWWHG WKURXJK ĂŞUHVSLUDWRU\ evacuees arrived last week.â€? crowned plankton swimming in the ocean of dropletsâ€? according to the CDC press our people is a privilege that many of us take release, therefore likely not airborne, which KMTV published February 8, 2020, for granted. is comparatively a good sign. those who are currently quarantined are asymptomatic and will be detained for China’s Hubei Province reported 81 new Meanwhile, 57 of the 57 quarantined two weeks under surveillance of body deaths from coronavirus on Saturday, patients at Camp Ashland Nebraska are temperature. Barren rooms in Camp Ashland bringing the death toll at that time to at doing well and remain asymptomatic are fleshing out to be as comfortable least 812, according to the World Health according to KETV Omaha updates. as possible for the next two weeks for Organization. The number also managed to extemporary patients. Sacrifices are being place the coronavirus death toll above the WHAT’S YOUR FOCUS? made for the greater good to prevent a SARS epidemic in 2003, which killed 774

18

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 19

20 2 0

Focus Fo ocus ccu us | Fe February eb brru ua ary y1 12 2 - Fe F February eb brru ua ary ary y1 18 8 |V Volume olum ol ume 4 Is Issue ssu sue 6

Focus F Fo ocus cus | F cu February eb e b bru rru ruar ua arry 12 12 - F February eb e bru ruar ary 1 18 8 |V Vo Volume olu lum me e 4 IIssue ssssu ue e6 2 21 1

Creighton Bluejays By Focus Omaha

The Jays remain ranked despite a mid-week Creighton had four players score in doubleĆJXUHV OHG E\ IURP 7\ 6KRQ $OH[DQGHU road loss at Providence last week. DQG E\ 'DPLHQ -HIIHUVRQ %DOORFN ĆQLVKHG The Creighton Bluejays (18-6, 7-Big East) put with 12, while Christian Bishop contributed VL[ PHQ LQ GRXEOH ĆJXUHV RQ 6DWXUGD\ DV WKH\ 13 points. The backboards proved key as PC sprinted past St. John’s 94-82 while a crowd of owned a 40 -28 rebound advantage. 18,122 fans looked on at CHI Health Center The Bluejays return to action on Wednesday Omaha. at league leader and No. 10 Seton Hall. As of That moved the team into a tie for second place 0RQGD\ ĆYH RI WKH %LJ (DVWèV WHQ WHDPV ZHUH in the league standings with Villanova and nationally ranked. Marquette. Marcus Zegarowski had 23 points to lead Creighton against the Red Storm while Denzel Mahoney came off the bench for 18. That also was enough to keep them in the ratings when they were announced on Monday. CU is No. 21 in the USA Today/Coaches Poll and stayed in the AP rankings at No. 23. That mid-week loss at Providence included an ugly second half as A.J. Reeves scored 19 of his game-high 22 points after intermission to help the Friars rally for a 73-56 win and a season split of their series. Early on Creighton appeared to have broken the game open with an 11-0 run that featured nine points from Mitch Ballock to make it 199. Following a timeout, the host Friars settled down and scored the next eight points to close within 19-17. The Bluejays would hold off PC DIWHU WKH ĆUVW DQG WDNH D OHDG LQWR intermission.

22

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6

Omaha Mavericks By Focus Omaha

The Omaha men’s basketball team celebrated KJ Robinson reaching 1,000 points for his career on Saturday afternoon but fell 81-64 on the road at South Dakota State. The Mavericks are now 12-13 and 5-5 in the Summit League, while the league-leading Jackrabbits improved to 18-8 (9-2) and extend their home win streak to 21 games.

On Wednesday the Mavs concluded a homestand with what then was a second straight loss, falling 86-78 to North Dakota State. Robinson led the Mavericks with 20 points. 0DUORQ 5XIĆQ IROORZHG ZLWK SRLQWV RII WKH bench and Matt Pile added 15 points with a team-best six rebounds.

Robinson led Omaha with 20 points. Matt Pile recorded his ninth double-double of the The Mavericks will stay on the road for a season, scoring 10 points and bringing down Wednesday game in Tulsa at Oral Roberts. UHERXQGV 0DUORQ 5XIĆQ ĆQLVKHG ZLWK points.

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 23

US Labor Report for 2019 By Focus Omaha

Nonfarm business sector productivity grew 1.7 percent in 2019, as output increased 2.7 percent and hours worked increased 1.0 percent. The 1.7-percent increase in nonfarm business labor productivity is the largest annual increase since 2010, when it increased 3.4 percent. The 1.0-percent increase in hours worked is the smallest increase in the annual series since 2010 (-0.1 percent). The average annual rate of nonfarm business sector productivity growth from 2007 to 2019--corresponding to the current business cycle--is 1.3 percent, which is below the long-term rate from 1947 to 2019 of 2.1 percent.

Who’s Up? Disney already has over 28M US subscribers for its new streaming service, Disney+ — for &(2 %RE ,JHU 7KH ODXQFK H[FHHGHG êHYHQ our greatest expectations.” It took Netflix 5 years to reach 28M subs (it now has 167M globally), but the ghost of Walt only needed a few months. That’s thanks to a combo of a much-loved brand, nostalgic content, and free year for Verizon subscribers.

Unit labor costs in the nonfarm business sector increased 2.0 percent in 2019, reflecting increases of 3.8 percent in hourly compensation and 1.7 percent in productivity. Real hourly compensation, which takes into account changes in consumer prices, increased 1.9 percent in 2019. In the manufacturing sector, the annual average changes in labor productivity, output, and hours worked were all 0.0 percent in 2019. The average annual rate of manufacturing productivity growth from 2007 to 2019 is 0.4 percent, well below the long-term rate from 1987 to 2019 of 2.5 percent. Unit labor costs increased 3.8 percent in 2019.

WHAT’S YOUR FOCUS? www.focusomaha.com

24

Who’s Down? Not living the high life... Aurora Cannabis. The Canadian pot company’s stock fell 13% after the founder/CEO Terry Booth announced he was leaving plus 500 employees were laid off.

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6

:KHQ ZHHG ZDV ĆUVW OHJDOL]HG in Canada (and some US states), producers went into frenzy mode building production facilities. But demand’s been lower than expected, so

overproduction has dropped pot prices. Aurora shares are down 80% since March and other pot producers have fallen over 50% on average in a year.

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 25

26

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 27

I Hear Thud By Tatiana Ballinger

Omaha rock band, I Hear Thud was founded over four years ago by Lucas Smith. It is a doom duo sounding like progressive rock band Lightning Bolt. Some may be familiar with Lucas from originally starting Battling Giants. His current project is some sort of DIY baby with sounds like Coachella bands Death From Above 1979 and The Black Keys. Tracks from WKHVH GLJQLĆHG 2PDKD WDOHQWV DUH DYDLODEOH to stream on SoundCloud for now in hopes of vinyl release for collectors’, and live in Omaha for the Burger Revolution on March 7, 2020. %ODFN 6DEEDWK IDQV ZLOO HQMR\ %LOO\ ĂŞ7KH 3ULHVWĂŤ Coats sensical drum clamors in this free doom metal per se and vice versa. Noise bands with little to no vocals complete the vision of ĂŞ%RQĆUH ĂŤ WKH WUDFN VWUHDPLQJ DW LKHDUWKXQGHU bandcamp.com. Fall into the metallic psycheGHOLD RI 6PLWKèV FRPPLWWHG JXLWDU ULIIV ćHVK RXW soft cymbals like post-Portishead Brits, Beak and softer nostalgic 1970s Neu! Basic structures of these Euro-progressive mentions are in the leisurely lengths of I Hear Thud songs. A dancey aspect surfaces in their ćRZLQJ PHORG\ ĂŞ0HG /HH ĂŤ )DPLOLDU JXLWDU WRQHV DQG UHQGHUHG SKRQH YRLFH LQ ĂŞ9DFDQcy, Pardon Meâ€? is without growling but with slangy vibrato that accompanies operatic male vocals seen from the Dead Kennedys or Cold War Kids. Focus on I Hear Thud for original Omaha doom.

WHAT’S W HAT’S Y YOUR OU R F FOCUS? OCUS? www.focusomaha.com w

28 2 8

Focus | F F February b 12 - F February b 18 | V Volume 4 Issue 6

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

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 0 ) 3 3 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!

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

THE CASUAL PINT 8718 Countryside Plaza M, W, TH 4P-6P TUES All Day $1 Off All Draft Beers. )ULGD\ å 3ULFH *URZOHU 5HĆOOV Sunday – Ladies Day. $1 Off All Pints 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 3DFLĆF 6W å &RXQWU\VLGH 9LOODJH PARLIAMENT PUB WEST M-F Patio Only 11A-7P 16939 Wright Plaza 0 6$7 3 3 681 3 3 M-F 3-7PM ALL DAY SUNDAY! $2 Off Local and Craft Drafts, $2 Domestic Pints, $5 Vodka Red Bulls, $5 $2.50 Tier 1 Import and Domestics, Shots & Bombs, 1/2 price Martini’s & Wines $3 Tier 2 Import and Domestics, $3 Off Signature Cocktails, PITCH PIZZERIA $4 Well Drinks, $2 Off Glass of Wine, 5021 Underwood Ave./ 17808 Burke $1 Off Tap Wine. & Select Gourmet Food M-F 3P-6P $5 off any appetizer $5 off any pizza

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. 0 ) 3 $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– 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

UNDERWOOD BAR 4918 Underwood Ave 0 ) 3 %XG DQG %XG /LJKW 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. /XQFK 6SHFLDOV (YHU\ :HHNGD\ $ 3 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.

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 29

30

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6

Focus | February 12 - February 18 | Volume 4 Issue 6 31

Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.