November/December 2016 Omaha Magazine

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016

Nebraska's Place in

T H E MO ST E X PENS IVE PRESI D EN T IA L E LECTIO N of All Time

D Y ING F O R O PIATES in Omaha

BEST OF OMAHA F E S T IVA L

FREE Tickets Inside

1403 N 188 St, Elkhorn

$749,900

Incredible architecture inside and out on this west facing 2 story on an oversized private treed lot. Chef’s kitchen, lg deck overlooking outdoor fireplace, and media room w/ TV projector. 6 BR, 7 BA, 4 car garage.

Jayne Smith • 402.203.5847

15834 Webster St, Omaha

$639,900

The Rensch Group • 402.391.5333

$589,000

Kathy Shunk • 402.206.5773

$625,000

Quality built 6 bed, 5 bath 1 1/2 story in Paradise.

This fantastic open floor plan has a fabulous kitchen upstairs, and a large wet bar/ kitchen downstairs in the walk out basement. Located in a quiet cove and sits on over a 1/2 acre lot.

1008 Dodge St. #301, Omaha

$575,000

Downtown lifestyle in a cozy setting! Fantastic views from the rooftop deck! This corner unit, top floor condo has an open floor plan, hardwood floors, and fabulous kitchen! On-site work out facility and 2 private parking spaces in the heated garage.

Jill Anderson • 402.618.9984

$569,000

Wonderful Ostransky Estates 4 bedroom, 4 bath 2-story with over 4,800 sq ft. Gretna schools. Corner lot with outbuilding, horses permitted.

Matt Rasmussen • 402.657.1969

980 Cty Rd WS-114, Fremont

Kori Krause • 402.679.0007

5 acre estate with professionally landscaped walkout ranch on a cul-de-sac. Beautiful Italian Porcelain tile flooring and Spanish Stone. Trees galore & a creek.

Turkey & other wildlife can be seen/hunted. Horses allowed! Huge workshop w/loft.

22410 Giles Rd., Gretna

$740,000

Magnificent ranch on Bennington Lake. Custom window treatments & plantation blinds stay. Temp controlled wine cellar, cement patio near dock. Custom boat dock to accommodate ski boat, lrg pontoon boat & jet ski. Each w/electric lifts.

BJ Brown • 402.681.7774

Stunning custom built home in popular Barrington Park.

Beautifully remodeled including spectacular gourmet kitchen with all the bells and whistles. Extensive crown molding and detail throughout. Oversized 4 car garage.

Spacious main floor master bedroom suite.

12610 N 189 Circle, Bennington

12121 N 177 Cir., Bennington

5702 S 239 St, Elkhorn

1518 N 190 St, Elkhorn

$699,000

Fabulous 2 Story walk-out on corner lot w/5 bedrooms, 6 baths, 3 fireplaces, split staircase. This home is open with soaring ceilings. Home has 4 car garage, iron fence and backs to common area!

Jayne Smith • 402.203.5847

980 Cty Rd W S-1102, Fremont

$619,500

Paradise! This wonderful lake home has all the space you could want. Sip your morning coffee watching the sun rise over the river! Entertain with the pizza oven and gazebo in back yard.

Kori Krause • 402.679.0007

21916 Logan Circle, Omaha

$575,000

Picturesque view of the Elkhorn River Valley on nearly an acre! S tately 2 s tor y w / bridal s taircase, new gourmet kitchen w / butler ’s pantr y. Each room has exquisite and his torical features. Cons tructed using cas t concrete cons truction.

Mark Wehner II • 402.672.7670

$550,000

Model Home Not For Sale. BlueStone Custom Builders presents the Tuscan 1.5 Story. This stunning open concept home is loaded w / upgrades & features including gourmet kitchen w / custom cabinets, walk in pantry & designer touches, large bedrooms.

Johnathan O’Gorman • 402.595.8857

4710 Lake Forest Dr., Papillion

$530,000

2 story entry with full view of the lake plus sitting sun. wood floors in master, family rm, hearth rm, kit, walk in pantry/w pull out draws & custom features. Large laundry rm. The 2 sided fireplace makes the main level great for entertaining w/ a sunroom.

Marylou Bell • 402.681.6478

V I R T U A L TO U R S A N D M O R E AT NPDODGE.COM

Fun looks good on you.

Omaha Language

Revitalization GO ALL OUT. SCHEDULE YOUR TEST DRIVE TODAY. » HHPremierAutomotive.com/testdrive

PREMIER AUTOMOTIVE

5 Years Without Wrestling or Football at UNO The Big Give

716 N 102nd Street • 402.695.4195

What good is the

“right� treatment if the diagnosis is wrong?

Based on the medical cases reviewed by our physicians, 1 out of 3 diagnoses in the U.S. require correction or refinement. And 75% of the reviewed treatment plans need modification. In fact, medical errors are a leading cause of injury and even death in our country.

Best Doctors is out to change that. We help ensure the right diagnosis and treatment by providing patients with access to world-class medical experts for second opinions, treatment guidance and more. Our services are offered nationwide as an employee benefit by companies like The Home Depot and many other Fortune 500 companies. Find out if your company offers Best Doctors and keep your health care on the right track.

www.bestdoctors.com

Helping patients get the right diagnosis and the right treatment.

Below are a few case studies where Best Doctors made an impact.

Marion was involved in a serious car accident and began experiencing headaches, neck pain and dizziness. Medical test results revealed nothing, yet her condition worsened. A Best Doctors specialist reviewed her case and discovered an undetected brain injury, as well as soft tissue injury and even a possible concussion. The expert provided a step-by-step plan to put Marion on the right course for treatment.

A lump on Simon’s hand was diagnosed as a noncancerous ganglion cyst. Less than two weeks after surgery to remove it, the lump grew back, bigger than before. A Best Doctors specialist reviewed Simon’s case and found Simon was positive for a cancer called fibrous histiocytoma. The specialist recommended further surgery and Simon avoided the consequences of a life-threatening situation.

Alex, a runner and mother of two, lived for years with a malfunctioning heart valve. She always took the necessary precautionary steps with her cardiologist to watch for any changes in symptoms, such as feelings of fatigue, fainting, and shortness of breath. Alex felt healthy, until one race in 2012, which she struggled to complete. Something wasn’t right. She decided to have her case reviewed by a Best Doctors cardiology expert. The expert recommended an immediate valve repair, noting that Alex’s condition had become severe and was endangering her heart. She had the surgery and is on the path to recovery, grateful for the services Best Doctors provided.

www.bestdoctors.com

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 4 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

ROCK ning ar Moment win I had my Rockst -Crissa a $5,200 Jackpot!

STAR MOMENTS

IN JACKPOTS WON TO DATE

Give the gift of

ROCK ‘N‘ Roll

Now-December 31, 2016

BUY A $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE GET $10 FREE SLOT PLAY

Purchase your gift certificates at the Rock Shop today!

Promotional offer valid 1x per guest in November and 1x per guest in December. Cash purchases only.

BEST OF IOWA

OUTSTANDING ATTRACTION

111 3RD STREET

2015

I SIOUX CITY, IA 51101 I HARDROCKCASINOSIOUXCITY.COM

Must be 21 or older to gamble. Jackpots paid as of September 21, 2016. If you or someone you know needs gambling treatment, call 800.BETS.OFF.

16

OPENS Nov. 25 We revisit everyone s favorite exhibits from the past 40 years to bring back the best parts – its the most fun exhibit yet!

NOW OPEN!

GET A BIRD’S EYE VIEW Thirty feet above the forest floor, observe many species of hawks, owls, falcons, and more in a unique outdoor environment at our brand new Raptor Wildlife Refuge at Fontenelle Forest.

Push pause on the texting, clicking, sharing, and streaming, just for a moment, and come out to the forest. Move your feet, breathe in the fresh air, explore.

And watch what happens.

FontenelleForest.org

FF_Omaha_spetember.indd 1

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 6 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

9/15/16 1:48 PM

GET MORE LIKES AT THE DINNER TABLE. Fitness and Nutrition tips, recipes, videos and more!

HEALTHYKOHLSKIDS.COM BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Fuel your life with nutritional food that tastes great!

Perfectly portioned delicious meals made fresh - never frozen. Over 70 different meal options, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.

FUELFITKITCHEN.COM WE’RE GIVING HEALTHY A NEW LOOK!

W. MAPLE 402.505.7550 15687 Spaulding St, Omaha, NE 68116

AKSARBEN 402.934.6309 1110 S 71st St, Omaha, NE 68106

contents 58

THE USUAL SUSPECTS

DYING FOR OPIATES IN OMAHA The Local Faces of a Nationwide Epidemic

12

From the Editor

14

Between the Lines

15

Calendar of Events

161 Obviously Omaha

Weird Holiday Foods

162 History

The Most Expensive Presidential Election of All Time

185 Explore!

188 Instagram 190 Not Funny

Looks Like We Got Us A Failure

ARTS + CULTURE 25

Music The Faint

28

Film Jamie Vesay

30

Performance Kimberly Faith Hickman

34

Visual Aaryon “Bird” Williams

PROFILES

FEATURES

38

64 66

HIGH ON JESUS

44

Sports Niles Paul

48

People Terence Herrick

50

People Willie Barney

52

People Conner Rensch

54

Gen O Sebastian Lane

Estes Park Range Life

MY BATTLE WITH OPIATES

FAMILY FEUD

70

Giving Feature The Compass in the Landscape

Two Omaha Families Win Big

72

Giving Calendar

NOVEMBER

GIVING

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 10 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA HOME

H97

H97 From the Editor

Expanded Content On Your Digital Device

FOOD Kevin Newlin

H101 DIY

Framing Perfect Holiday Memories

H102 Spaces

166 Review

Old Dundee Bar & Grill

168 Dining Feature

Where Dignitaries Waited

131 Page H

Suji’s Korean Grill

H110 At Home

Emily Andersen & Geoff DeOld

172 Dining Guide

H116 Feature

Page H150

SPECIAL SECTIONS

Christmas Caravan of Homes

H126 Neighborhoods Ponca Hills

H130 Harvest

Hunting Fall Oyster Mushrooms

33

Best of Omaha Festival

77

Gift Guide

83

2016 Best Doctors in America

H132 ASID Awards

H131

54 Page

ABOUT THE COVER

H138 Transformations

Omaha Magazine’s annual list of Best Doctors showcases the best medical minds in the community.

Colonial Expansion in Loveland

60PLUS IN OMAHA

Watch videos, and view photo galleries of select editorial from Omaha Magazine.

164 Chef Profile

145

147 Feature

Nebraska Masonic Home

150 Feature

Radio Talking Book Service

152 Active Living

Suzanne Wilke

156 People

Miriam Lopez

0

100

200

300

400

500

473 trees have been reforested due to the printing of this publication.

Learn more at printreleaf.com

158 Nostalgia

Orpheum Theater

1 Download the App

Browse the Apple App Store or shop Google Play for the LayAR app.

2 Look for the icon

You’ll see the ‘ar’ icon on pages with expanded content.

3 Scan the page

168

After loading the LayAR app on your digital device, hold your phone/tablet over the entire page to load content.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 11 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Letter

FROM THE EDITOR EXECUTIVE EDITOR DOUG MEIGS

WITH THE NEBRASKA UNICAMERAL’S APPROVAL OF LB 461 IN THE PAST YEAR, THE START OF 2017 MARKS THE DAWN OF REVAMPED REGULATORY OVERSIGHT TO PREVENT ADDICTS FROM ABUSING PRESCRIPTIONS. N ONE YEAR, more Americans

die from opiate-related drug overdoses than traffic accidents. That’s a nationwide statistic, courtesy of the White House (from when President Obama announced a massive $1.1 billion federal investment in tackling the national opioid/heroin epidemic).

I

The annual death toll from opiate-related drug overdoses in Nebraska is below the national average. But don’t let the statistical comparison fool you into thinking there isn’t a problem. In fact, Omaha is where most of the state’s opiate-related overdoses are concentrated.

In this final issue of 2016, Omaha Magazine presents a two-part examination of the local faces of the nationwide crisis. Contributor Greg Jerrett wrote an Omahafocused exploration of the national opioid/heroin epidemic (page 58). With the Nebraska unicameral’s approval of LB 461 in the past year, the start of 2017 marks the dawn of revamped regulatory oversight to prevent addicts from abusing prescriptions. Sources told Jerrett that residents of West Omaha should be especially attentive to this trend. The second part of the in-depth package comes from a West Omaha youth who has lived out these very concerns, going from “good kid” to recovering addict (page 64).

As this issue went to press, the U.S. presidential election loomed over the horizon. Campaign spending might seem like it’s increasing, but the most expensive election in the nation’s history (adjusted for inflation) actually occurred 120 years ago, and it involved a Democrat from Nebraska—William Jennings Bryan.

Douglas Vincent Wesselmann penned this story (page 162). Readers may know Wesselmann better by his pseudonym, Otis Twelve. The local radio personality and author closes out each issue of Omaha Magazine with his “Not Funny” column (page 190). His latest discloses the greatest mistake ever made by Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller fame.

NOVEMBER

Along with a new president, the coming year brings change to a historic neighborhood bar. Dining reviewer Kaitlin Hartnett breaks down her love of the Old Dundee Bar & Grill (and analyzes the merits of its reuben taco). Affectionately known as “The Old,” the bar is scheduled to close as Film Streams begins renovations of the shuttered Dundee Theatre (page 166). I’m thrilled that the awesome nonprofit will be reopening the theater, and I hope they bring back the beloved tradition of midnight movies. But there is something unsettling about closing a drinking establishment with a history dating back to the days of Prohibition. For more information about the history of Prohibition in Omaha, check out the ongoing exhibition at the Durham Museum noted in our events calendar (page 15).

Our loyal readers will notice that the format of the dining review has changed. We want to thank the Mystery Reviewer, former executive chef of Omaha Steaks Karl Marsh, for his years of knowledge and insight on the restaurant scene in Omaha. Karl recently took the position of vice president of kitchen operations for Eat Fit Go and is unable to write mystery reviews due to the time involved with his new job.

In local music news, The Faint’s latest retrospective album debuts two new songs from the longtime synth-rockers (page 25), while medical student Sebastian Lane carries on the blues tradition of his father, Jimmy D. Lane, and grandfather, Jimmy Rogers (page 54).

Meanwhile, the Best of Omaha Festival is upcoming.

Old and new favorites from around the metro—voted on by the people in the spirit of American democracy—will be announced at the Baxter Arena event on Sunday, Nov. 13. Two free tickets (a $20 value) are included on the front cover flap of the magazine.

See you there!

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 12 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

NOVEMBER // DECEMBER 2016 VOLUME 33 // ISSUE 5 Publisher

TODD LEMKE

EDITORIAL Executive Editor

DOUG MEIGS

Associate Editor

DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN Editorial Assistants

JARED KENNEDY · MICHAEL NICHOLS Interns

MADISON BESCH · LUKE BULLER · LINDSAY WILSON Contributing Writers

LEO ADAM BIGA · TAMSEN BUTLER · ANTHONY FLOTT KAITLIN HARTNETT · GREG JERRETT · JOSIE LOZA LISA LUKECART · ROBERT NELSON · KIM REINER OTIS TWELVE (DOUGLAS VINCENT WESSELMANN) KARA SCHWEISS · ASHLEY WEGNER · SARAH WENGERT

CREATIVE Creative Director

November 25, 2016 – January 1, 2017

BILL SITZMANN Art Director

Come celebrate one of the region’s most cherished traditions, Christmas at Union Station! The holidays are always a magical time at The Durham Museum. From the area’s largest indoor Christmas tree, holiday concerts and Santa himself, you won’t want to miss all of the festive family fun.

KRISTEN HOFFMAN Senior Graphic Designer

RACHEL JOY

Graphic Designer

MATTHEW WIECZOREK Contributing Photography

www.DurhamMuseum.org

KEITH BINDER · SCOTT DRICKEY SARAH LEMKE · LAURIE AND CHARLES PHOTOGRAPHS

ACCOUNTS

Enchantment Reimagined

Publisher’s Assistant & Omaha Home Contributing Editor

SANDY MATSON Vice President

GREG BRUNS Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing

GIL COHEN

Senior Sales Executive & 60Plus in Omaha Contributing Editor

GWEN LEMKE

Branding Specialists

KYLE FISHER · GEORGE IDELMAN MARY HIATT · JOSHUA PETERSON · VICKI VOET Sales Associates

JESSICA CULLINANE · DAWN DENNIS ALICIA SMITH HOLLINS · JUSTIN IDELMAN

OPERATIONS Vice President of Operations

TYLER LEMKE Accountant

HOLLEY GARCIA-CRUZ Distribution Manager

MIKE BREWER

Come Share in the Magic of the Season

Events/Public Relations

ALESHA OLSON

For Advertising & Subscription Information:

402.884.2000

See holiday shopping hours, times to visit Santa and more magical events at RegencyCourtOmaha.com

All versions of Omaha Magazine are published bimonthly

by Omaha Magazine, LTD, P.O. Box 461208, Omaha NE 68046-1208. Telephone: 402-884-2000; fax: 402-884-2001.

Subscription rates: $19.95 for 6 issues (one year), $24.95 for 12 issues (two years). No whole or part of the contents herein may be reproduced without prior written permission of Omaha Magazine, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs.

Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted, however no responsibility will be assumed for such solicitations. Best of Omaha®™ is a registered tradename of Omaha Magazine.

120 Regency Parkway | Omaha NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 13 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Between A LOOK AT THREE OMAHA MAGAZINE TEAM MEMBERS

ALESHA OLSON - Events/Public Relations Alesha Olson is a PR/events extraordinaire with roots on either side of the Missouri River. Olson first joined staff as an intern at Omaha Magazine, and she has played a crucial role in making the upcoming Best of Omaha Festival the best one yet. The festival will take place on Nov. 13 at Baxter Arena. A recent graduate of Iowa State University, Olson has enjoyed applying her classroom knowledge to real-life experiences. In her spare time she enjoys traveling, binge-watching Netflix, and exploring new vegetarian restaurants in the Omaha area.

ASHLEY WEGNER - Writer For more than 15 years, Ashley Wegner has written about people, places, trends, and events in Omaha, first as the arts reporter for the Omaha World-Herald, then in public relations and development for various organizations. These days, she is happy to be back to freelance writing, for both local and national publications, when she’s not hanging out with her husband, Jonathan, or being a mom to her three children, Claire, Maxwell, and Harrison. She’s a violinist and pianist, so articles about music and the arts will always hold a special place in her heart. But as she has entered new stages of life, she has developed passions for writing about several other topics, including food, cooking, eating, exercising, and parenting.

Just like every day, every story is a new adventure.

LUKE BULLER - Editorial Intern Luke Buller was born and raised in Omaha. After high school, he spent the next six years in and out of college while working various jobs: plumbing, bar tending, installing carpet, and waiting on tables—most recently as a server at Fleming’s Steakhouse. As a fall intern at Omaha Magazine, Buller put his studies to use proofreading, copyediting, and compiling event calendars. In December, he graduates from the University of Nebraska-Omaha with a bachelor’s degree in English. An avid fan of movies, sports (football, boxing, and baseball), and music from the `60s through `90s, Buller is still figuring out his post-collegiate plans. He is on the lookout for a career that makes him happy to get out of bed; in the meantime, he’s also open to suggestions for any good television series.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 14 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

JOIN TODAY!

GirlScoutsNebraska.org

7

14

21

C A L E N D A R 8

9

15

16

22

23

students with valid ID, and Joslyn members. (Also exhibiting during this time is Iraqi artist and painter Hayv Kahraman. Regular admission: Free.) 402-342-3300 -joslyn.org

THE KING IS DEAD! THE REGICIDE OF CHARLES I

Through Jan. 8 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. This exhibit shows the rise and fall of England’s King Charles I and his kingdom. Running in conjunction with this exhibit is “War, Wealth, and Stable Repairs.” Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors, $7 children ages 3-12, free to ages 2 and under. 402-444-5071 -durhammuseum.org

of

EVENTS

AMERICAN SPIRITS: THE RISE AND FALL OF PROHIBITION

Through Jan. 29 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Learn all sides of Prohibition’s story. There will be more than 100 artifacts on display. Local exhibits running in conjunction with this are: “Homebrew: A Spirited History of Omaha” and “YMCA of Greater Omaha.” Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors, $7 children ages 3-12, free to ages 2 and under. 402-444-5071 -durhammuseum.org

IMAGINATION: CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF PLAY ART AND MUSEUM EXHIBITS FALL CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW

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

DAVID (SHANNON) GOES TO THE MUSEUM

Through Dec. 31 at Joslyn Art Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Explore paintings and cover art for David Shannon’s many acclaimed books, including the Caldecott Honor Book No, David! Admission: Free. 402-342-3300 -joslyn.org Nov.

18

DIRT MERIDIAN: PHOTOGRAPHS BY ANDREW MOORE

Through Jan. 8 at Joslyn Art Museum, 2200 Dodge St. This special exhibition features images of the 100th meridian from North Dakota to Texas.

Tickets: $10 adults, free to ages 17 and under, college NOVEMBER

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

PASSION & OBSESSION: FROM THE COLLECTION

Nov. 12-May 6 at K ANEKO, 1111 Jones St. “Passion and Obsession” showcases astounding works taken from collections including the Karen and Robert Duncan collection, the Steve Wake collection, the Kathy and Marc LeBaron collection, and the Kaneko collection. Admission: Free. 402-341-3800 -thekaneko.org

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 15 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

CALENDAR

PHILLIP BRANDON W/ TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA

Nov. 17 at Mid-America Center, 1 Arena Way, Council Bluffs. The soul singer and progressive rock group, known for combining a light show and orchestral concert, bring their “Ghost of Christmas Eve” tour to Council Bluffs. 7:30pm. Tickets: $45-$65. 712-323-0536 -caesars.com

BLACK VIOLIN HOLIDAY POINSETTIA SHOW

Nov. 25-Jan. 4 at Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. This holiday tradition at Lauritzen showcases thousands of poinsettias bursting with rich and vibrant color. Event is included with admission to the gardens: $10 adults, $5 children ages 6-12, free to ages 5 and under. 402-346-4002 -lauritzengardens.org

CONCERTS

Nov. 2 at Sokol Auditorium, 2234 S. 13th St. Dirty Heads is a multi-genre band, playing predominately reggae-infused music. 8pm. Tickets: $29 advance, $32 day of show, $84 VIP. 402-346-9802 -sokolunderground.com

Nov. 3 at Baxter Arena, 2425 S. 67th St. This Christian rock group from Mooloolaba, Australia, brings their uplifting music to Baxter Arena.

7:30pm. Tickets: $54-$100. 402-554-6200 -baxterarena.com

recognition at top international piano competitions from Paris to Cleveland. 7:30pm. Tickets: $15 general, $8 students, seniors, military. 402-554-3411 -unomaha.edu

MJ LIVE

Nov. 11 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. This Michael Jackson tribute concert comes to Omaha to perform the King of Pop’s greatest hits. 7:30pm. Tickets: $35-$150. 402-345-0606 -omahaperformingarts.org

MC CHRIS W/ MC LARS AND MEGA RAN

DIRTY HEADS W/ NEW BEAT FUN AND RDGLDGRN (RED, GOLD, GREEN)

NEWSBOYS W/ THE AFTERS AND RYAN STEVENSON

Nov. 18 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St . This violin/viola hiphop duo perform a unique take on classical music. 7pm. Tickets: $20-$38. 402-345-0606 -omahaperformingarts.org

Nov. 12 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. A former animator for Adult Swim, mc chris (who prefers his moniker uncapitalized) raps about nerd life and Star Wars. 8pm. Tickets: $16 advance, $18 day of show. 402-884-5353 -thewaitingroomlounge.com

CHICAGO AND EARTH, WIND & FIRE Nov.

17

Dec.

Nov. 17 at CenturyLink Center, 455 N. 10th St. Two Grammy-winning musical legends come together for their “Heart & Soul Tour.”

7:30pm. Tickets: $43-$143. 402-341-1500 -centurylinkcenteromaha.com

1

Dec. 1 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Australia’s most successful opera singers bring unique renditions of classic Christmas songs.

7:30pm. Tickets: $54-$120. 402-345-0606 -ticketomaha.com

AMANDA SHIRES

Nov. 5 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Shires, a singer-songwriter and violinist, will sing tunes from her newest album, My Piece of Land. 9pm.

Tickets: $15 advance, $17 day of show. 402-884-5353 -waitingroomlounge.com

NONPOINT W/ SIDEWISE, BEFORE I BURN, AND COLDSWEAT

Nov. 9 at Sokol Underground, 2234 S. 13th St. This heavy metal band from Florida is touring to promote its ninth studio album, The Poison Red. 6:30pm.

Tickets: $15 advance, $18 day of show. 402-346-9802 -sokolunderground.com

UNO’S INTERNATIONAL CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS ANTONIO POMPA-BALDI

Nov. 10 at Strauss Performing Arts Center, University of Nebraska at Omaha, 6305 University Drive North. Born and raised in Foggia, Italy, pianist Antonio Pompa-Baldi has won

NOVEMBER

THE TEN TENORS: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 16 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

2 FOR $20

LUNCH BUFFET SPECIAL To thank you for 20 wonderful years, we are offering a 2 for $20 lunch special at the Heritage Buffet every Monday through Thursday, now through December 29.

#celebrate20

2200 RIVER ROAD COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA 712.328.8888 | AMERISTAR.COM Must be at least 21 and a mychoice member. Offer valid Monday through Thursday until December 29, 2016, excluding holidays. Offer not valid for persons on a Disassociated Patrons, Voluntary Exclusion or Self Exclusion List in jurisdictions which Pinnacle Entertainment operates or who have been otherwise excluded from the participating property. Terms subject to change. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-BETS OFF. Š2016 Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved.

OMAHA MAGAZINE

CALENDAR

Performing Arts

CHASE RICE

Dec. 2 at Sokol Auditorium, 2234 S. 13th St. Co-writer for the band Florida Georgia Line’s song “Cruise,” this country musician brings his “Everybody We Know Does” tour to Omaha. 7pm. Tickets: $34.50 advance, $38 day of show. 402-346-9802 -sokolunderground.com

JJ GREY AND MOFRO W/ PARKER MILLSAP

Dec. 2 at The Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. From Southern rock to blues, these Floridians bring their multi-genre performance to The Slowdown. 8pm. Tickets: $25 advance, $28 day of show. 402-345-7569 -theslowdown.com

JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA W/ WYNTON MARSALIS AND CATHERINE RUSSELL

Dec. 2 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Marsalis, a nine-time Grammy winner, returns to Omaha with the world renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. 8pm. Tickets: $51-$127. 402-345-0606 -ticketomaha.com

S AT • D E C 1 0 , 2 0 1 6

V i l l a ge o f B o y s To w n 1 3 7 t h a n d W e s t D o d ge R d

1 - 5 P. M .

QUEENSRYCHE W/ ARMORED SAINT AND MIDNIGHT ETERNAL

Dec. 13 at The Waiting Room, 6212 Maple St. Grammy-nominated Queensryche comes to Omaha to perform their heavy metal and progressive music. 9pm.

Tickets: $25 advance, $30 day of show. 402-884-5353 -thewaitingroomlounge.com

I LOVE THE `90S

Dec. 17 at Baxter Arena, 2425 S. 67th St. Take a trip back to the 1990s with performances by Salt-N-Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Coolio, All-4One, and more. 7pm. Tickets: $45-$125. 402-554-6200 -baxterarena.com

MOUSE ON THE MOVE

Through Nov. 13 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. Ellie and Amelia want to go beyond their mouse-hole. 9:30am Oct. 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30; 10am Oct. 18 and 25. Tickets: $10 for members, $20 for nonmembers. 402-345-4849 -rosetheater.org

THE JUNGLE BOOK

Through Nov. 13 at The Rose Theater, 2001 Farnam St. A new adaptation of the classic book/film, featuring Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, and, of course, Mowgli. Tickets: $10 members, $20 nonmembers. 402-345-4849 -rosetheater.org

MURDER BALLAD

Through Nov. 20 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. This indie-rock musical tells the story of a dramatic love triangle that goes way overboard. 7:30pm. Tickets: $42 adults, $25 students.

TAG members receive a $10 discount. 402-553-0800 -omahaplayhouse.com

LA BOHÉME

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

THE FAB FOUR: THE ULTIMATE TRIBUTE Boystown.org/Christmas 1-800-625-1400

Meet santa claus See live reindeer Decorate Christmas Cookies

Dec. 17 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S . 16th St .

The Fab Four has an amazing attention to detail as they play uncanny, note-for-note, live renditions of Beatles songs. 8pm.

Tickets: $25-$55. 402-345-0606 -omahaperformingarts.org

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS TOUR

Dec. 22 and 23 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. This Omaha holiday tradition features classic Christmas hits and dazzling multimedia effects.

7:30pm. Tickets: $38.25-$78.25. 402-345-0606 -omahaperformingarts.org

IRVING BERLIN’S WHITE CHRISTMAS

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

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

Nov. 18-Dec. 23 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Bring the family for this classic Christmas tradition. 7:30pm-9:30pm, recurring weekly Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Tickets: $38-$42 adults, $25-$29 students. 402-553-0800 -omahaplayhouse.com

Create Christmas Crafts See lrish Dancers

HANDEL’S MESSIAH

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

Tour a Boys Town Family Home NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 18 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Symphony Pops Series Sponsor

Omaha Magazine • Calendar of Events

Holiday Season Sponsor

Accommodations Sponsor Friday Concert Sponsor

Omaha Downtown/Old Market Area

Order your family’s tickets today!

402.345.0606 | OMAHASYMPHONY.ORG

OMAHA MAGAZINE

CALENDAR

PRANCER

Nov. 25-Dec. 18 at The Rose Nov. T hea t e r, 2 0 01 Fa r n a m St. This heartwarming story uses puppetry to make a family-friendly experience. 7pm Nov. 25, Dec. 2, 9, and 16; 2pm Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, and 18.

Tickets: $27 main floor, $22 balcony.

Members receive a $7 discount. 402-345-4849 -rosetheater.org

25

OCT. 14– NOV. 20, 2016

NOV. 18 – DEC. 23, 2016

NOV. 25– DEC. 31, 2016

THE ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS SHOW (ABRIDGED)

Nov. 25-Dec. 19 at Blue Barn Theatre, 1106 S. 10th St. Get ready to laugh with this irreverent, yet heartwarming trip through the holidays. 7:30pm Wednesdays-Saturdays and 6pm Sundays, with 2pm matinees Sundays Dec. 4 and 18, and a 7:30pm performance Dec. 19. Tickets: $30 adults, $25 students and seniors ages 65 and older. 402-345-1576 -bluebarn.org

sponsors:

sponsor:

sponsor:

David & Anne Rismiller

First National Bank orchestra sponsor: KPMG LLP

University of Nebraska Medical Center

media sponsor: CW15

media sponsor: KMTV

media sponsor: Cox

Round Up No. 2, McKenzie County, North Dakota, 2005, inkjet print, 48 x 60 in., Courtesy of the artist. © Andrew Moore

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

Presenting Sponsor:

Contributing Sponsors:

Supporting Sponsor:

Nov. 25-Dec. 31 at Omaha Community Playhouse, 6915 Cass St. Join Billy McGuigan and his brother as they play through a number of Beatles classics for this all-request show. 7:30pm-9:30pm. Tickets: $40. 405-553-0800 -omahaplayhouse.com

BALLET NEBRASKA PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER

Dec. 3 and 4 at Orpheum Theater, 409 S. 16th St. The beloved family favorite returns with a cast of more than 150 professional and student dancers. 2pm and 7:30pm Dec. 3, and 2pm Dec. 4. Tickets: $51-$149. 402-345-0606 -ticketomaha.com

Additional support provided by:

Robert H. Storz Foundation

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL

General Museum admission is free. Dirt Meridian is a ticketed exhibition. Tickets are FREE for Joslyn members. $10 for general public adults; youth ages 17 and younger and college students with ID are free. Special Thursday pricing (4-8 pm): $5 for general public adults.

2200 Dodge St. | Omaha, NE | (402) 342-3300 | joslyn.org NOVEMBER

YESTERDAY AND TODAY: A BEATLES TRIBUTE

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

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 20 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Dec.

10

ROCKBROOK VILLAGE

OMAHA SYMPHONY CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION

HOME-GROWN, LOCALLY OWNED.

Dec. 10-11, 15-18 at Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. Broadway stars sing and dance to Christmas music by the Omaha Symphony.

2pm and 7:30pm Dec. 10; 2pm and 6pm Dec. 11; 7:30 pm Dec. 15; 7:30pm Dec. 16; 2pm and 7:30pm Dec. 17; 2pm and 6pm Dec. 18. Tickets: $19-$79. 402-345-0606 -ticketomaha.com

108th & Center | rockbrookvillage.com

LIGHTWIRE THEATER’S A VERY ELECTRIC THEATER

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

Why Helix is Better Most machines work front-to-back.

Why Helix Is Better The Helix turns tradition on its side— literally.

Withwork lateral (or side-to-side) Most machines front-tomovement, you usetradition more muscles, which back.

The Helix turns on burnWith more fat than during itsmeans side— you literally. lateral a traditional workout—in the same ( or side-to-side) movement, you amount of time. use more muscles, which means you burn more fat than during a THANK traditional workout–YOU in the same OMAHA! amount of time.

A Tasting Room Experience Olive Oil • Balsamic Vinegar Dried Mushroom Sea Salt 10920 Prairie Brook Rd. 402-968-7944

Omaha’s First Brewing Company with Unique Jalapeño and Raspberry Beers.

Thank You Omaha for Voting us the Best Indian Resturant for 10 Years!

Lunch: Thurs. & Fri. - 11am to 2pm Dinner: Sun. - Wed. - 5pm to 9:30pm Thurs. - Sat. - 4:30pm to 10pm

Family and More 2016 AUTUMN FESTIVAL

10922 Elm Street Omaha, NE 68144 402-392 7331 jaipurbrewhouse.com

Nov. 3-6 at Ralston Arena, 7300 Q St. The autumn festival will feature hundreds of the nation’s finest artists and crafters as they display and sell their handcrafted works. 11am-9pm Thursday and Friday, 9am7pm Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday. Tickets: $8 adults, $7 seniors, free to children ages 10 and under. 402-934-9966 -hpifestivals.com

402 COMMUNITY ART PROJECT: THE THANKFUL TREE

Nov. 4 at The 402 Arts Collective, 6051 Maple St. Help create a thankful tree that will be displayed throughout November. Participants will write one thing they are thankful for on an ornament and hang it on the tree. 7pm-8:30pm. Admission: Free. 402-913-1939 -402artscollective.org

* By an independent food analysis.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 21

OMAHA MAGAZINE

CALENDAR

OLD MARKET DISTRICT WALKING FOOD TOUR

Nov. 12, 19, and Dec. 10 at Omaha Culinary Tours, 11th and Howard streets. Enjoy some of Omaha’s best foods as tour guides introduce wellloved and lesser-known eateries in the Old Market. 10:30am-1:30pm.

Tickets: $45. 402-651-0047 Nov. -omahaculinarytours.com

Four Old Market

LUNCH + LEARN: PEOPLE AND PLACE

17

Nov. 17 and Dec. 15 at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, 724 S. 12th St. Pack a lunch and come discuss the ideas and processes behind the artwork currently on view at the Bemis Center.

Open from noon-1pm. Admission: Free. 402-341-7130 -bemiscenter.org

MORMON TRAIL CENTER GINGERBREAD FESTIVAL Unique holiday décor, ornaments, collectibles and gifts for every season.

Chocolates and fudge made in our own kitchen, plus many other sweet temptations.

oTannenbaum.com • 402-345-9627

OldMarketCandy.com • 402-344-8846

Nov. 20-Dec. 31 at Mormon Trail Center, 3215 State St. Dozens of local gingerbread creations on display will bring holiday cheer to visitors young and old. Visitors may also enjoy a free tour of the historic visitor’s center. Admission: Free.

-historicflorence.org

THANKSGIVING LIGHTING CEREMONY AND MAKING SPIRITS BRIGHT HOLIDAY CONCERT

Travel essentials plus downtown’s largest selection of souvenirs and Nebraska-made gifts.

Authentic Italian desserts, coffee, and FlavorBurst TM soft serve ice cream.

OldMarketSundries.com • 402-345-7646

DolciOldMarket.com • 402-345-8198

All located at 10th & Howard

Nov.

24

Nov. 24 at Gene Leahy Mall, 1203 Farnam St., and Holland Performing Arts Center, 1200 Douglas St. The annual ceremonial lighting of the downtown area, which will be lit until January 1, is an experience for the whole family. Follow these festivities with the concert by the Nebraska Wind Symphony.

6pm at Gene Leahy Mall, 7pm at Holland Performing Arts Center. Admission: Free. 402-345-5401 -holidaylightsfestival.org

CHRISTMAS AT UNION STATION

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

SOUNDS OF THE SEASON

Nov. 26-Dec. 24 at Gene Leahy Mall and the Old Market, 1203 Farnam St. Local choral groups, from youth to professional, perform holiday classics every Saturday night at different locations throughout the Old Market area. 7pm-8pm. Admission: Free. 402-345-5401 -holidaylightsfestival.org

Progressive & Inclusive

ETHNIC HOLIDAY FESTIVAL

Dec. 2 at The Durham Museum, 801 S. 10th St. Come see how more than 20 local cultural organizations celebrate the holidays, with live music, ethnic foods, and gifts. 5pm-9pm. Admission: $11 adults, $8 seniors ages 62 and older, $7 children ages 3-12, free to children ages 2 and under. 402-444-5071 -durhammuseum.org

Sundays Worship 8:30 & 10:50 AM Education Hour 9:35 AM

@FUMComaha . fumcomaha.org . 7020 Cass Street NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 22 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

“A HolidAy CArd Come to life!”

- dAily News

November 15-20, 2016

orpheum theater | slosburg Hall

TicketOmaha.com | 402.345.0606 TM and © Paramount Pictures and TM and © The Estate of Irving Berlin. All rights reserved.

OMAHA MAGAZINE

CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE AND NORTH OMAHA LIGHTING CEREMONY SUBSCRIBE TODAY! NOVEMBER /

DECEMBER 2015

Dec. 3 at 24th and Lake streets. This annual event in North Omaha features family fun such as a petting zoo, music, and culminates in a lighting ceremony for decorations that illuminate the six-block surrounding area. Noon to 5pm. Admission: Free. 402-345-5401 -holidaylightsfestival.org

JOSLYN CASTLE UNLOCKED

Dec. 10 at Joslyn Castle, 3902 Davenport St. A limited number of guests will be able to take a tour of all the floors, viewing the personal items and furnishings of George and Sarah Joslyn. A dinner and drinks will be available after the tour.

Doors open at 5pm. Tickets: $65. 402-595-2199 -joslyncastle.com

PENGUINS AND PANCAKES

LAUREN GARRISON Surly Lass, British Sass

Dec. 26-30 at Henry Doorly Zoo, 3701 S. 10th St. The pancake man will provide breakfast and visitors can make crafts and receive visits from African penguins. 8:30am-10am.

Admission: $15 for zoo members, $20 for non-members, free to children ages 2 and under. Price includes zoo admission, breakfast, and a plush penguin toy. 402-733-8400 -omahazoo.com

BOBSLEDDING? IN NEBRASKA? Olympic Gold Medalist Curtis Tomasevicz BEST DOCTORS OMAHA 2015-2016

Don’t miss a single issue of Omaha Magazine

CALENDAR

Rev. John Jenk

ins

FROM OM AH

NOTREto DA A ME

omamag.com/save

NEW YEAR’S EVE FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR

CONAGRA FOODS ICE RINK

10666 Sapp Bros. Drive Omaha, NE 68138 402-896-9140

Dec. 9-Jan. 2 at ConAgra Foods campus, 10th and Harney streets. The annual holiday ice skating rink will be open. All proceeds will be donated to the Food Bank for the Heartland. The opening ceremony is Dec. 9 at 6pm.

Admission: $5, which includes skate rental. 402-345-5401 -holidaylightsfestival.org

31

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

Between Exits 439 & 440 on I-80

NOVEMBER

Dec.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 24 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

POPS A TIME CAPSULE

BY JOSIE LOZA PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY RACHEL JOY

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 25 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

From left: Dapose, Todd Fink, Clark Baechle, Graham Ulicny

“WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR WHAT’S GOING TO HAPPEN NEXT. WE NEVER QUITE GET THE MOMENTUM OF OTHER TRENDS. THAT MIGHT HURT US, BUT WE MAKE MUSIC THAT WE LIKE AND HOPE THAT FANS LIKE.” -Todd Fink

OMAHA MAGAZINE

P ERHAPS

WE’RE SPOILED

in Omaha. While mainstream America suckles on pop-tart music offerings, we’ve grown fat on a steady diet of indie rock.

For goodness sake, independent record label Saddle Creek Records is in our backyard.

Indie rock star Conor Oberst considers Nebraska home. And hometown music legends The Faint continue to release new music for fans to devour.

In fact, the Omaha-based and internationally touring band, The Faint, just released a career retrospective, CAPSULE: 1999-2016, featuring 17 years of hits along with two brand-new tracks. The band currently consists of Clark Baechle, Dapose, Graham Ulicny (in place of long-time keyboard player Jacob Thiele), and Todd Fink.

“The new release is a collection of songs from the time when we started making music until now,” says Fink, the band’s lead singer, in a recent phone interview while on tour.

The new album, CAPSULE: 1999-2016, is filled with heavy, punky, electronic, pulsating, dark dance music of the past. The two new songs are titled “Skylab1979” and “ESP.”

A+C // MUSIC

After a September digital release, the vinyl double LP was scheduled to debut on Oct. 28.

The Faint’s newest album signals a return to a familiar label, Saddle Creek. (That’s right, after briefly breaking away to start their own label, The Faint has returned to Saddle Creek.)

In August, Saddle Creek shared a video for the band’s second new track, “Skylab1979,” which compiles old footage from outer space missions into a static-laden supercut.

While on tour, lead singer Fink shared his thoughts about the recording process, the band’s live shows, and his 17-year career with The Faint.

Although the band was conceived in 1994, and performed under the name “Norman Bailor” with a young Oberst, it grew into something much more. Songs faded. Faces changed (other former members included Matt Bowen and Joel Petersen). But the band’s insatiable desire for perfecting their sounds never wavered.

The Faint was electro-dance-punk before there was such a genre. “We were trying to push something futuristic, trying to find something that felt beyond guitars and traditional (rock) sounds,” Fink says.

NOVEMBER

In 1997, the band was renamed as The Faint. Two years and a lot of experimenting with synthesizers later, The Faint nailed its signature sound—throbbing and moody.

CAPSULE: 1999-2016 takes fans on the band’s musical journey.

“That whole time we were figuring out what we were doing,” Fink says. “We waited. We were waiting to find out who we were as musicians, what our vision for music was going to be.”

Being visionary helped The Faint quickly find their audience. With Blank-Wave Arcade in 1999, the band began to enjoy breakout success, and people took notice.

Throughout the new release of CAPSULE: 1999-2016, The Faint continues to keep their die-hard fans in mind. “We’re always looking for what’s going to happen next,” Fink says. “We never quite get the momentum of other trends. That might hurt us, but we make music that we like and hope that fans like.”

Visit thefaint.com for more information.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 27 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

finds all the

RIGHT SPOTS by

Leo Adam Biga photography by

bill sitzmann

design by

kristen hoffman

OMAHA MAGAZINE

A+C // FILM

finds all

“YOU HAVE TO HAVE THAT ABILITY TO BOB AND WEAVE, CHANGE AND ADAPT TO THE DIRECTOR YOU’RE WORKING WITH. ALEXANDER IS SO SMART ABOUT LIFE, LET ALONE THE INDUSTRY. AT HIS CORE, HE’S A GUY WHO WILL SAY TO YOU, ‘WHAT DO YOU THINK?’ AND HE’S SINCERE– HE WANTS TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.”

RIGHT SPO finds all the

RIGHT SPOTS by

Leo Adam Biga

-Jamie Vesay

HEN IT COMES to

shooting video, Jamie Vesay of Omaha is a handler, facilitator, fixer, procurer, and—as his LinkedIn site puts it—“minutia wrangler” and “chaos killer.” He works on television commercials, music videos, and feature films.

His location scout credits include Alexander Payne’s Nebraska and Downsizing.

W

Whether doing logistics or scouting locations, Vesay says he is “a creative collaborator” helping filmmakers “realize their vision.” He also aspires to make his own films from scripts and stories he’s writing.

The Pottsville, Pennsylvania, native worked odd jobs back East when he got an interview for the special effects (FX) crew on a 1989 Baltimore film shoot. Vesay’s experience as a machinist provided the fabrication skills needed in the FX profession. That first gig came on Barry Levinson’s major studio project, Avalon.

More FX feature jobs followed, as did a move to Los Angeles, before the work dried up and he relocated to Omaha. His talents made him in-demand on shoots. He added location scouting to his repertoire on projects near and far. Payne’s frequent location manager, John Latenser V, got Vesay day work on About Schmidt. But it wasn’t until Nebraska that Vesay worked extensively with Payne.

Latenser couldn’t join the project at the start, so Vesay took the reins.

Vesay broke down the script’s locations.

Having scoured the state for years, he had mental and digital files of countless sites.

Since the story revolved around a road trip by father-son protagonists Woody and David, an excursion was in order. Payne, production photography by designer Dennis Washington, and Vesay bill made sitzmann the Billings, Montana, to eastern Nebraska trek themselves in an SUV. With steering wheel in one hand, 35 millimeter camera in the other, and legal notepad and pen on his lap, Vesay documented possible locations they came upon. Everyone voiced an opinion.

“My goal is to present options to the director,” Vesay says. “Many things we’ll drive by, Alexander will say, ‘OK, slow down, stop the car–I want to look at this.’ Sometimes you let him discover it. Other times you guide him.

As I’m presenting the options, he’s seeing what’s available and saying, ‘Well, maybe it’s that.’ He’s a rare filmmaker willing to change with what’s available and use a location different from his original vision.”

The Nebraska script called for a Wyoming truck stop but Payne didn’t like any. With the SUV’s gas tank nearing empty. Vesay pulled into a combo gas station, bait-tackle shop,

NOVEMBER

and bar that Payne loved. On Downsizing, photography by design by Payne rejected South Omahakristen duplexes for bill sitzmann hoffman one of his old haunts, Dundee.

“You have to have that ability to bob and weave, change and adapt to the director you’re by working with,” he says. “Alexander is so smart Leo about life, let alone the industry. At his core, Adam he’s a guy who will say to you, ‘What do you Biga And he’s sincere–he wants to know think?’ what you think.” design by

kristen hoffman

Vesay found the abandoned farmhouse the family visits in Nebraska. Payne called it “perfect.”

Instinct and experience help Vesay find things. Besides, he says, “I know where they’re hiding.”

A location’s look might be right, but it must also safely accommodate cast and crew.

Access, sight lines, and noise are other considerations.

Choosing locations is just the start. Protocols require filmmakers to secure signed permission from property owners. During production Vesay does owner relations.

Looking to the future, Vesay urges the state to do more to attract film projects that provide steady work to local professionals.

Visit jamievesay.com for more information.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 29 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

ls

Su

st

ai

ni sC ng a PA t h e G h o s t s o f C h r i s t m E R S T, PRESENT & FUTU

BY ASHLEY WEGNER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

o r a

OMAHA MAGAZINE

Kimberly Faith Hickman, the Omaha Community Playhouse’s artistic director, stands in front of a wall on the main stage bearing signatures of past cast and crew members.

A+C // PERFORMANCE

A CHRISTMAS CAROL IS SIMPLY TOO BIG OF AN UNDERTAKING FOR JUST ONE DIRECTOR. THE TRANSITIONS ARE COMPLEX, THE TECHNICAL EFFECTS ARE ADVANCED, AND THE SCENIC ELEMENTS ARE COMPLICATED—ONE DIRECTOR CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE EVERYTHING.

K

KIMBERLY FAITH HICKMAN

isn’t a Christmas Carol rookie.

Before she took the reins as the Omaha Community Playhouse’s artistic director in June, she co-directed the Playhouse’s touring production of the 2015 show, and the year prior shadowed former artistic director Carl Beck and former associate artistic director Susan Baer Collins the last year they directed the touring production.

But the mainstage production? The one that is celebrating its 41st anniversary this year? The version those of us in Omaha know and love as the Playhouse’s time-honored tradition?

No, she hasn’t directed that one yet. But not to worry. Some familiar faces are coming back this year to pass along every little production detail to Hickman and the Playhouse’s associate director, Jeff Horger.

Just as Charles Jones, the Playhouse’s artistic director who created the production, passed along his knowledge of the production to his successors, Beck and Collins will pass along their knowledge to Hickman and Horger; so as A Christmas Carol continues into its fourth decade, nothing will be lost in translation.

“There are so many details Jeff and I just don’t know,” Hickman says. While she was involved with the touring production, the mainstage involves several more actors, as well as more complex design and technical elements. “Jeff and I are using this year as an opportunity to learn from Carl and Susie what those details are.”

For years, A Christmas Carol ’s directing responsibilities have been split up among more than one director. And this year will be no different. Hickman will shadow Beck, who will direct the Scrooge, ghosts, and street scenes.

Horger will shadow Collins, who will direct the party scenes and other various scenes.

And local director Ablan Roblin, who has directed the Cratchit scenes in the past, will take on this role again.

“From a directing standpoint, it’s a very unique approach,” says Beck. “There is no one director who takes on the entire production.”

That’s because A Christmas Carol is simply too big of an undertaking for just one director.

The transitions are complex, the technical effects are advanced, and the scenic elements are complicated—one director cannot be expected to successfully manage everything.

Splitting up the responsibilities helps ensure the original intent of every part of the production, from the music to the characters to the concept itself, will remain intact.

NOVEMBER

For example, the party scenes, which Collins will direct, involve several people, all of whom are responsible for specific movements. But all of the little events within the scene aren’t necessarily in the script, Collins says. So a new director would have no idea how to incorporate everything by just looking at the script.

“You can’t just give someone a bunch of notes for this,” says Collins. “They have to be in the room.”

That’s why Hickman and Horger will be in the room this year. They will be taking notes and documenting every detail each scene requires.

So when members of the Omaha community come to see the Playhouse’s Christmas Carol next year and for years to come, they will see the production Jones originally created back in the 1970s—a production intended to “recreate what you want Christmas to be in your imagination,” says Collins.

“I’m honored to be a part of this tradition,” says Hickman, “I’m honored that Carl and Susie trust us to be part of this tradition, and I’m also looking forward to having the Omaha community be a part of it.”

Visit omahaplayhouse.com for more information.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 32 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

n ov e

A

R

e b m

r

K ET V 7 • BA X

R TE

13

EN

A

•P

, 20

E PS

16

M

I

OMA HA

Thir da

al E u N ’S n A ZI G n A

Purchase your tickets now at

bestofomaha.com/tickets LAST YEAR A RECORD-BREAKING CROWD OF 4,000 people attended Omaha Magazine’s second annual Best of Omaha Festival. This year we are as excited as ever to break those attendance records again and make this the best festival yet. We are also making some new improvements and changes that we know you’ll love.

This year’s event will be held at Baxter Arena from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13. We are very excited to announce that we will be teaming up with the Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska for this year’s festival, and 100 percent of the paid door cash revenue will go directly to them.

Don’t forget to come early because the first 1,000 attendees in line will receive a swag bag full of goodies valued at over $100 each. As soon as you walk through the door, you will be handed a Best of Omaha results issue to check out all of the winners. After that, make your way through Baxter Arena, stopping by each booth to sample some food, enjoy the entertainment, and even win prizes.

You see the iconic Best of Omaha logo all over town, but there’s nothing common about being a Best of Omaha winner. Did you know that only 3 percent of area businesses earn the distinction of being voted Best of Omaha?

And how do they win that honor? Why, through you!

The Best of Omaha is your contest, and, just as in years past, almost 30,000 of you cast a tremendous total of over 600,000 individual votes for everything from pizza to plumbing.

The festival takes place on a Sunday, so there’s no excuse to watch Husker football; instead you can come out and experience all that Omaha has to offer and also support your local Girl Scouts.

The Best of Omaha booths will be occupied by contest winners, which guarantees you’ll have a chance to connect with the city’s elite when it comes to delivering award-worthy products, services, value, and customer satisfaction.

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

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

OMAHA MAGAZINE

A+C // VISUAL

BY GREG JERRETT . PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN . DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 34 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

BALLER ARTIST Aaryon “Bird” Williams

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 35 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

A+C // VISUAL

"KIDS NEED A COMMUNITY THAT SHOWS THEM

THEY CAN BE SUCCESSFUL

AND INVESTS IN THEIR SUCCESS," -Aaryon Williams

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 36 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

ITH AN INTERNATIONAL

basketball career spanning Peru, Denmark, Iceland, and Mexico, most 30-year-olds might be tempted to coast. Not Aaryon “Bird” Williams. The prolific artist and arts supporter is in the legacy construction business.

W

Williams has directed well-known local mural projects, such as the Terence Crawford Mural (inside Miller Park Elementary) and the Love Mural (at 24th and Lake streets behind Love’s Jazz and Art Center). He's a spoken word artist and regular at Verbal Gumbo at House of Loom. His painting “The Butterfly and the Bee,” a tribute to Muhammad Ali pictured in victory over Joe Frazier, was unveiled at Carver Bank, where Williams puts his art management education to use as a program director.

Williams is tall and charming, especially when talking about his passions. He looks equally at ease suited up in the VIP room or paint-splattered in the studio. But when speaking of the past, he looks down as if haunted.

“Born” and “failed” are the two most significant words Williams associates with his old hometown: Gary, Indiana. According to the Department of Justice, Gary is one of six American pilot communities targeted by the federal government for nationally publicized civil rights abuses. A model American ghetto.

Not exactly the land of opportunity for a young black man.

“AFTER MY OLDER SISTER DIED OF LUPUS, I MOVED TO OMAHA ON MY 18TH BIRTHDAY BY GREYHOUND." -Aaryon Williams “I failed there, miserably,” Williams says of his time in Gary. “After my older sister died of lupus, I moved to Omaha on my 18th birthday

by Greyhound. I had no money, no friends, a small group of family members, and a high school GPA of 0.56 as an incoming senior.”

Fortune reversed itself when Williams enrolled at North High School in 2004. There, unlike in Gary, he got the palpable sense that people wanted him to do well, motivating him to do better than an F average.

“I met teachers and administrators who actually wanted to see me succeed. That was important. Kids need a community that shows them they can be successful and invests in their success,” says Williams. “I became the star of our basketball team, one of the leading art students of my class, sang solo for high school a cappella men's group, and

scored a 3.25 GPA my first semester. Turned out, I wasn't as incompetent as I thought.”

combination I used while transitioning from Gary to inspire and encourage myself.”

That formative time changed his life, and working with Omaha youth has been a priority for Williams ever since. He's worked for Girls, Inc., the UNMC Wesley House Leadership Academy, Impact One gang intervention, and Omaha City Sprouts Garden to name a few.

Williams is also founder and director of the FLIYE Arts Youth Development (FAYD) after school mentoring program at Omaha North High where kids have lined up to learn from metro area experts.

“I always had a passion for working with kids and inner-city youth,” says Williams. “I stepped away from basketball in 2010 because I'm about more than how high I can jump."

Williams is founder and director of FLIYE Arts Company, a group providing resources and support to talented young artists. “It's an acronym that stands for ‘Focused, Liberated, Intelligent, Youthful, Extraordinary.’ It's a

NOVEMBER

“FAYD specializes in building better artists and intellectuals through mentoring. We want kids at North—and eventually at other Omaha high schools—to have the chance to meet and learn from people who can help them achieve their goals. Kids need a community support system to be successful, and that's what we give them.”

Visit facebook.com/fliyeartsco for more information.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 37 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

OMAHA MAGAZINE

ADVENTURE

From left: Max, Dakota, Darby, Dawne, and Dan Broadfield.

HE FRONT RANGE looms overhead as Dan

and Dawne Broadfield sip their morning coffee. Towering at a height of 14,259 feet, the snow-capped Longs Peak is the highest point in the adjacent Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado.

Residing at an elevation of nearly 1.5 miles above sea level, the Broadfields live on the forested grounds of Covenant Heights. The year-round Christian camp is located nine miles south of Estes Park, on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park, near the base of Longs Peak.

The parents are career missionaries and together have visited Haiti, Mexico, Canada, England, France, Belgium, and Holland, among others. As assistant director of facilities, Dan helps to maintain the 65-acre Covenant Heights, while Dawne home-schools their three children: 18-year-old Darby, 14-year-old Dakota, and 11-year-old Max. Their days are filled with hiking, fishing, backpacking, paddleboarding, archery, and kayaking. They have unfettered access to high ropes, zip lines, and a climbing wall—perks of living at a wilderness retreat. The same activities draw campers from across the country.

NOVEMBER

If the weather is nice, Dan and Dawne say they might go six to eight hours without seeing their offspring, and that’s fine for both parents and frolicking children alike.

In summer, nighttime unveils an infinite heaven of twinkling stars, with the Milky Way shining down on three hammocks arranged in a triangular formation in the trees. Each hammock cradles a Broadfield child, peacefully sleeping.

Once the weather turns chilly, they gather firewood for campfires. The winter season also brings snow-shoeing, ice hockey, and cross-country skiing.

Wildlife is an integral part of living at the campground, where animals also make their home. Coyotes, moose, and deer frequently wander through Covenant Heights. Herds of elk are common visitors; during the fall rut, the bulls’ high-pitched bugling will echo for miles.

“The other day, an elk walked through the middle of (the triangle of hammocks),” Dawne says. “Our youngest woke up and thought, ‘Uh, oh. This isn’t good.’ But the elk eventually moved along.”

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 41 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

“THE OTHER DAY, AN ELK WALKED THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF (THE TRIANGLE OF HAMMOCKS), OUR YOUNGEST WOKE UP AND THOUGHT, ‘UH, OH. THIS ISN’T GOOD.’ BUT THE ELK EVENTUALLY MOVED ALONG.” -Dawne Broadfield

OMAHA MAGAZINE

ADVENTURE

Max Broadfield plays in his yard.

COVENANT HEIGHTS ARRIVED ON THE SCENE IN THE EARLY 1930S THROUGH THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE COVENANT YOUNG PEOPLES AND SUNDAY SCHOOL CONFERENCE OF COLORADO AND WYOMING. Tents are available for those who would rather not sleep in a hammock.

The free-spirited mother of three does have one rule about sleeping outdoors. Her kids can’t have lipgloss, sunscreen, or other scented items in their pockets. Bears live in the neighborhood, and scented items or food will attract them. Dawne even brings her bird feeders inside at night so as not to attract unwelcome scavengers.

She loves life amongst the animals. In fact, her animal-watching pastime vaguely reminds her of childhood years spent in Omaha. “We went to the Henry Doorly Zoo about every two weeks,” says the one-time Omahan. Dawne’s father served in the Air Force at Offutt Air Force Base for three years, when she was in fifth through eighth grades.

Her adult life unfolded away from Omaha.

Before relocating to Colorado in 2015, Dawne and Dan were living in San Antonio, Texas, where they ran an art gallery and online networking platform for artists called ArtLife.

“Here we are now in Estes Park because we felt like we ran out of space in San Antonio.

We wanted to become more of a starving artists community,” says Dan. “We want to develop an artists community up here. I want to create a safe space for people to come and hone their skills. It’s the idea of not being in their normal circumstances.”

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 42 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

A visitor relaxes in the Broadfields' hammock.

Christian wilderness retreats have a rich history on the Front Range near Covenant Heights. Even before Colorado was a state, missionaries were spreading the gospel across the landscape.

Surrounded by natural abundance, the family feels rich. Not so when it comes to the latest technological amenities. They have a satellite television, the only reliable phone is a landline, and mobile internet service is patchy from camp.

Dawne says “there’s a 20-minute window about twice a day” for internet access. An avid photographer, she posts almost daily on Instagram from her smartphone during those limited windows of online accessibility.

Her photo stream documents their neighbors, mostly the wildlife (@adeltadawne). “We have lots of moose that hang out,” she says. “The elk, the deer, the eagles, and then I sprinkle in family stuff.” If it is necessary to check something online, they head to a coffeeshop or the library in town. Dan and Dawne enjoy their wireless existence. “I kind of like the idea of being disconnected,” Dan says.

Summer encampments for the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) date back to the 1890s. The YMCA summer campsite from 1908 remains the site of the modern-day YMCA of the Rockies. Today, the organization hosts Christian gap-year programs for 18-to-24 year olds “seeking personal and spiritual growth while working in a seasonal job at Snow Mountain Ranch.”

On January 26, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Rocky Mountain National Park into existence, and the nationwide National Park Service came into being the following year (celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016).

Covenant Heights arrived on the scene in the early 1930s through the fellowship of the Covenant Young Peoples and Sunday School Conference of Colorado and Wyoming.

The coalition of Rocky Mountain churches sought to give “a concerted effort to provide inspiration, Christian fellowship, and evangelism for the young people of the churches in Colorado and Wyoming,” according to its website. Covenant Heights’ current permanent campsite became operational in 1948.

NOVEMBER

Separate from the YMCA or Covenant Heights, the nonprofit Wind River Ministries also runs the ongoing Wind River Ranch, a “Christian Family Guest Ranch Resort”complete with dude ranch.

Regardless of one’s spiritual inclination, the sweeping mountain vistas are inspiring throughout the vicinity of Estes Park.

In the wake of Colorado’s legalization of marijuana, residents of Estes Park voted to block the opening of recreational and medicinal dispensaries within the limits of town and Larimer County. It was a strategic move to preserve the region’s wholesome reputation as a family destination. Meanwhile, federal marijuana laws reign supreme over Rocky Mountain National Park and other federally owned lands.

Getting high on Jesus in the Rocky Mountains, however, is always 100 percent legal.

Visit covenantheights.org for more information.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 43 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

NILES PAUL Redskins Tight End Recovers, Gives Back to Omaha STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROBERT NELSON DESIGN BY MATT WIECZOREK

OMAHA MAGAZINE

“

SPORTS

IT WAS UGLY, IT WAS DEPRESSING, AND IT REALLY, REALLY HURT...

I WAS TOLD

I MIGHT BE DONE.

”

BUT HERE WE ARE. -Niles Paul

T

IGHT END NILES Paul cuts hard

right off of his left foot and bursts across the middle of the Washington Redskins’ practice field during a Friday practice in preparation for a Monday night matchup with the Steelers. His clean catch of a coach’s soft toss is an afterthought. It’s that Tron-like right turn and Tesla acceleration that matter. Not only are these skills top-shelf for NFL tight ends, they were unthinkable for Paul just one year ago.

That’s because the Omaha North legend, Cornhusker star, and fan favorite (on the verge of starting for the Redskins at the end of training camp last year) after a breakout 2014 season, suffered a broken and sprained left ankle that his surgeon described as “bad as I have ever seen.”

Just Google the close-up photo of Paul falling to the ground during that 2015 pre-season game against the Browns. His lower left leg is contorted like that of a post-impact crashtest dummy. It was Theismann-esque in its skeletal aberrance.

“It was ugly, it was depressing, and it really, really hurt,” says the impressively-bearded Paul as he sits in front of his locker after practice, cutting the athletic tape from that ankle.

“I was told I might be done. But here we are.

It feels so good to be here. I appreciate it all even more after all that’s happened.”

He’s talking about his almost mystical recovery, driven by obsessive rehab and weightroom work. He arguably benefitted from a youthful tinge of hubris: “I was doing more than my doctors and trainers were telling me to do,” he says. “I know my body. Maybe it wasn’t that smart. But I wanted it so badly, and I feel like I know what my own body can take.”

Now he is stronger than he’s ever been (“I lived in the weight room,” he says) while 10 pounds lighter than he was last year. At a listed 242 pounds (he looks lighter than that), he’s still considerably more yoked than the wiry 210-pound kid that Husker fans knew as a fleet wide receiver. Omaha sports fans knew him as a three-sport superstar at Omaha North and one of the most highly touted athletes in recent Omaha preps history.

NOVEMBER

He talks briefly and in a muted tone about his fairly limited multi-purpose role beginning the season behind star tight ends Jordan Reed and Vernon Davis. “I will do anything needed of me,” he says. But quickly the conversation turns to the Thursday night NFL game he watched the night before: The DenverCarolina game in which former Husker fullback and Gretna hero Andy Janovich ran his first NFL touch in for a touchdown.

Paul beams—he’s straight-up boyish giddy: “Oh, that was awesome!” he says. “Nebraska boy. A Husker fullback! That was so much fun to see.”

Paul has made it big-time, but, as he says, his heart is still in Nebraska, particularly with his alma mater, Omaha North. Paul’s mother passed away when he was 12. He was starting to get in trouble during his adolescent years living in Virginia. His father, who “pushed me hard, maybe too hard sometimes,” moved the family to Omaha. Once he reached high school, North coaches quickly realized they had a diamond in the rough.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 46 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

B

O

HA ’

in e

2B

ag

az

ER

sin

•

ess to Bus

s ine

s

M

ER

IN

Bu

N

a’

W

ah

s

2 012 • W

IN

2016 Winner

BEST FLORIST “Taylor Made” for ALL your floral needs since 1950”

402-733-2322

12310 K Plaza, Ste. 108 www.taylorsflowers24hours.com

Locally Owned Since 1950

“He was strong-minded and hard-headed when he was just starting here,” says North football coach Larry Martin. “But as he grew as a player, he emerged as this phenomenal young man. With all his gifts, he has a tremendously big heart and is so genuine.

Dr. Tim McVaney was nominated as a Top Dentist by his peers Dr. Jay Samuelson

Dr. Jeff Garvey

Dr. Brian Pendley

Dr. J.R. Demman

Dr. Chad Snow

Dr. Amy Ruf

“He gives back in a big way, too,” Martin continues. “Niles has given so much back to North and the kids here. You should see how much he’s loved when he comes back.”

Since going pro in 2011, Paul has purchased the jerseys for Omaha North’s football team, on top of holding camps for players and other youth in North Omaha. In 2014, he began giving players one of the most cost-prohibitive accessories for football families: cleats.

“I played my whole high school career in one pair of cleats,” Paul says as he unwraps the athletic tape from his ankle. “I kept those cleats together with this same kind of tape.”

“I grew up not having much,” he says. “I know what it’s like. If you’re able to give back, you have to give back. I just hope I’m doing some good.”

Visit redskins.com for more information.

ABOVE THE STANDARD OF CARE

of

SELECTED BY THEIR PEERS AS

HILLSBOROUGH 13808 W. Maple Rd. Omaha, NE 68164 402.445.4647

RALSTON SQUARE 5360 S. 72nd Street Omaha, NE 68127 402.733.4441

VILLAGE POINTE 302 N. 168th Circle Omaha, NE 68118 402.505.7474

DUNDEE 119 N. 51st Street Omaha, NE 68132 402.502.5593

WWW.THEDENTISTSOMAHA.COM

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 47 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

“TEETH FOR A LIFETIME” A smile based on confidence and health with guidance from our experienced professionals.

12242 K Plaza Ste. 113 Omaha, NE 68137 Se habla espanol 402.334.8083 OMAHASPECIALTYDENTAL.COM

S

B2 B

to-Busi essne ss sin MA

ne azi ag

Om

N

Bu

M

e’s in

aha Maga z Om

Oma ha ’s

THANK YOU OMAHA!

TEREN “IT IS DISCOURAGING TO SEE HOW MANY POWERFUL AND INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE AND ORGANIZATIONS ARE WILLING TO MISLEAD THE PEOPLE OF OUR COUNTRY FOR WHATEVER AGENDA THEY HAVE.” -Terence Herrick

NCE From Policing to Podcasting

BY ANTHONY FLOTT PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

G

ROWING UP, TERENCE HERRICK

figured he could make a difference in the world with a badge and a gun. Turns out he might do the most good with a microphone and podcast.

A one-time police officer for the City of Bellevue, Herrick is the originator of Police Academy Podcast, which encompasses a website, podcast, YouTube channel, blog, Facebook page, and Twitter account.

At the heart of each post is an in-depth conversation about controversial police issues in the U.S. And there’s been plenty to talk about: the shooting of Keith Scott in Charlotte, North Carolina, Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and of other black men in Minnesota and Louisiana; the shooting of five Dallas police officers; riots and rallies.

It is an atmosphere Herrick calls “dismal.”

“It is discouraging to see how many powerful and influential people and organizations are willing to mislead the people of our country for whatever agenda they have,” Herrick says.

“It is discouraging to see that those people and those groups are willing to literally get people killed to promote their agenda.”

That said, he is “hopeful because I do believe that most people—I think the majority of people out there—realize everything is not what it seems and are looking for the truth.”

They can find the truth, he says, at Police Academy Podcast.

his struggle with Brown in Ferguson, demonstrating hands-on with a .40-caliber Smith and Wesson M&P pistol.

The idea to start the podcast came while Herrick was spending “umpteen hours a day” driving for his job with MSI Consultants, a Colorado company that provides risk mitigation services to lenders for construction projects. Herrick had joined the company in the fall of 2015 with the idea he might one day take it over. He left behind five years with the Bellevue Police Department to do so.

Herrick’s first podcast was posted in April, a five-part series about Ferguson. Herrick will often post raw police footage and then offer play-by-play analysis. He provided such analysis of when police pepper-sprayed an 84-yearold woman in Oklahoma, and he used the same strategy to examine police shootings of Charles Kinsey (the therapist for an autistic man in Miami) and the fatal shooting of Terence Crutcher in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Before long, though, he knew the switch wasn’t working.

“I just realized that I personally cannot go to work every day if what I do isn’t literally changing someone’s life,” says the Gretna native. “That’s just the way I’m wired. To run a business that is about construction and banking risk mitigation isn’t something I can do for the next 30 years. No matter how much money I make, I would never be happy doing that.”

His Police Academy episodes are rant-free.

“Just the facts,” as Sgt. Joe Friday might say, delivered in Herrick’s steady, even-keeled voice. There’s a classroom feel to it, as when he’s giving a detailed explanation for why Officer Darren Wilson's gun didn't fire during

Though podcasts were his initial focus, his YouTube channel now generates more traffic. A show discussing the Chicago Police shooting of Paul O’Neal in July had 19,000-plus views.

He laughs when asked whether his show is pro-police or pro-citizens.

“That should be the question everyone asks when they consume any content: What is the slant of this creator? I do not defend the police. And I try not to support any narrative.

“My goal is…the truth.”

Visit policeacademypodcast.com for more information.

Empowering

WILL

BY DOUG MEIGS PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

VERYBODY SAYS THAT

it takes a village to raise a child, but what happens when the village really needs to be brought back together in order to do that work?” asks Willie Barney, the founder and president of the Empowerment Network.

"E

This holiday season, Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake streets will demonstrate the vision cast by Barney and others. The sixth annual community celebration takes place on the first Saturday of December (Dec. 3) from noon until 5:30 p.m. Twinkling lights will spread Christmas cheer along several blocks from the intersection at the historic heart of North Omaha (sponsored by the Sherwood Foundation).

Free horse-drawn carriage rides will carry passengers throughout the neighborhood.

There will be free coffee and cranberry-flavored tea distributed on the streets; free gloves and toys for kids; arts and craft vendors selling their wares; biblical actors from Mount Moriah Baptist Church joining animals from Scatter Joy Acres farm in a live nativity scene; free entry at Love’s Jazz, The Union for Contemporary Arts, The Omaha Star, Carver Bank, and more. Omaha Economic Development Corporation’s brand new Fair Deal Village Marketplace will also be featured.

“The carriage ride is always packed,” Barney says. “That’s why we’ve had to add at least two of them, and we block off the streets so people can walk up and down and enjoy the atmosphere. The live music is in Dreamland Park, so you can hear live music from some of the best gospel and jazz artists singing outside.”

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 50 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

PEOPLE

North Omaha

LIE BARNEY “THAT’S REALLY OUR VISION: TO LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT YOU CAN COME TO 24TH AND LAKE, THAT THERE ARE BUSINESSES AND RESTAURANTS HERE." -Willie Barney Joyous music up and down the street rekindles 24th and Lake’s former glory as a nightlife district, where the nation’s best jazz musicians once played on a nightly basis. Vendors and restaurants will be serving hot food during Christmas in the Village. Businesses and nonprofits, old and new, will be open to welcome visitors. Last year, Barney says more than 4,000 people attended the event.

“When we were being recruited here, we read about the graduation rate, and about the great business climate, and all the great things that were under development,” he says. “But it was in those first six months to a year (after relocating) when it became apparent that there were some major disparities, and not everyone in this community was participating actively in the opportunities that are here.”

“One of our goals is for Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake to become not just a one-day event,” says Barney. “That’s really our vision: to let people know that you can come to 24th and Lake, that there are businesses and restaurants here. That’s what we are building toward, and we are now starting to see it come to fruition.”

After four years with the World-Herald, he took a job with Salem Baptist Church with hopes of making a difference through North Omaha’s faith community. Two years later, he gathered with a small group to discuss starting the Empowerment Network.

The “village” concept has been an integral part of the Empowerment Network’s philosophy since its inception. In June 2006, Barney met with a small group to discuss building a coalition of community leaders and resident stakeholders. He says their goal was “working together to rebuild the village.”

They initially looked at the whole of North Omaha as one village, but they have since broken the geographical region into 12 village areas. The 24th and Lake area is one village. The area of Prospect Hill (also known as the Highlander neighborhood) is another such village area, where nonprofit developer Seventy5North is building a new mixed-use project. The name “Seventy5North” refers to Highway 75, which divides the Highlander neighborhood from 24th and Lake.

Barney was born in Hollandale, Mississippi, went to college at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, and quickly rose in the ranks of Lee Enterprises from intern to marketing executive. He moved to Omaha with his wife in 2000 for a marketing manager job at the World-Herald.

The Empowerment Network formally launched in April 2007 with the involvement of 400 individuals—local residents, stakeholders, and community leaders. Today, the organization consists of more than 3,000 participants.

Aside from Christmas in the Village, the organization hosts several annual and recurring initiatives, including: •

A Village Community Meeting—on the second Saturday of every month at North High School, starting with free breakfast at 8:45 a.m., followed by speakers, roundtables, and networking.

•

Omaha 360—a gang violence prevention initiative, every Wednesday at the Omaha Home For Boys off 52nd and Ames streets.

•

The African American Leadership Conference—a fall event focused on career advancement, leadership development, networking, and strategic initiatives.

NOVEMBER

•

Step-Up Omaha!—the largest youth employment initiative in the state, where the Empowerment Network works with community partners and businesses to hire 400-500 youths between ages of 14 to 21 for summer jobs.

•

North Omaha Cradle to Career Education Strategy—an initiative focused on improving educational outcomes in North Omaha.

They were also active in helping to draw up the North Omaha Village Revitalization Plan in coordination with the City Council, Planning Board, Nebraska Investment Finance Authority, and the OEDC. It was approved in 2011.

“We worked with Michael Maroney (with the OEDC) and other partners to identify what the community would like to see at 24th and Lake. That was the beginning of the North Omaha Village Revitalization Plan, which became the master plan for the area, which led to Christmas in the village and other major developments,” says Barney, noting that Seventy5North also came out of the meetings.

The plan called for new buildings and new infrastructure investments at 24th and Lake, but Barney and other community leaders didn’t want to wait until construction was completed. “Let’s use what we have,” was the consensus, Barney says. “Why don’t we visually show what we mean when we say arts, culture, entertainment, and business district?

Why don’t we create something that the community can taste, touch, and feel?” Christmas in the Village is part of the realization of the answer.

Visit empoweromaha.com for more information.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 51 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Conner Rensch’s Extreme Weight Loss

BY KARA SCHWEISS PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 52 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

C

ONNER RENSCH GETS

recognized pretty much everywhere—at the salon where she works as a hairstylist, when she’s running errands around town, and even when she is out with friends for the evening.

It all started with a January 2014 “Half Their Size” People magazine cover. Since then, her YouTube video has gone viral; she’s appeared on television shows like Good Morning America, The Steve Harvey Show, and Inside Edition; she’s been the subject of articles in local publications and national websites; and she’s talked about her personal journey with numerous youth and community groups.

“I never set out to be someone people would recognize,” she says. “I set out to inspire and motivate.”

Over a period of two years beginning when she was 19, Rensch lost a total of 130 pounds from her peak weight of more than 270.

PEOPLE

People come up to Rensch now and share their own transformation stories or thank her for inspiring them, she says. So knowing she has given people hope is worth the occasional strange Facebook message from admirers, the razzing from her friends, or even the negative online comments like “She doesn’t need to show that” or "Why is everyone giving her so much praise? It was a problem she created." As Rensch phrases it, “It negates the negative.”

“I always think back to when I was losing weight, I wish I would have had someone to look up to or be able to say, ‘She went through hard times and so can I’…I really wanted to be an example,” Rensch explains. “I would never not want someone to come and tell me their “I NEVER SET OUT TO up story…It always BE SOMEONE PEOPLE comes back to why this. It’s not for WOULD RECOGNIZE,” Ithedidpeople who have SHE SAYS. “I SET been in shape their whole lives but for OUT TO INSPIRE the people who are AND MOTIVATE.” struggling.”

-Conner Rensch

“As many weight loss shows as I watched, there was never really anyone I could relate to, in terms of growing up being bullied and being overweight your whole life and not ever knowing what it was like to be in shape and be healthy,” she says.

Sharing her story meant including the honest details as well as posting the “before” pictures and unenhanced “after” pictures.

“Initially I hesitated because it’s very personal and it comes with a lot of baggage,” she says. “When you share your flaws or insecurities—and I am very public about the way I look now—there is always going to be backlash. Stretch marks are not something that people necessarily want to see or want to share, but the reality of life in general is that everyone has things that they’re embarrassed about.”

NOVEMBER

More than five years into being slim and fit, Rensch says her goals have transitioned from weight loss to staying healthy through good nutrition and an active lifestyle. She hasn’t weighed herself in many months.

Her professional goals have transitioned, too. Her website and her public speaking messaging has become more about transformation than specifically about weight loss. A book is in the works, and she is also looking into signing with an agency to expand her motivational speaking and schedule more corporate speaking engagements.

“If the publicity was all taken away, I’m still me and I’m the exact person I want to be, inside and out,” she says. “The benefit is that I’ve helped others. I’ve never felt a sense of happiness like helping others reach their potential. It’s so powerful.”

Visit mybutterflyjourney.com for more information.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 53 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Scan this page with the LayAR app to hear Sebastian Lane play.

OMAHA MAGAZINE

GEN O

When an opportunity came to be a musical director at Blue Heaven Studios in Salina, Kansas, Jimmy D. moved the family away from the mean streets of Chicago.

at just 2 years old, strummed on the clear nylon strings of a plastic yellow guitar. At age 3, a naked Lane head-banged atop his toy chest, curly black hair whipping around his face as he jammed on his guitar while “Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix played on the stereo.

Eyes scrunched and head down, he mastered his “guitar face.”

Two years later, clutching that same toy guitar, Lane waited until his father lifted him so he could peer into a coffin. He rested the guitar and a note next to his grandfather’s body.

Miss you. Thanks for the guitar.

Lane’s grandfather, Jimmy Rogers, died from colon cancer in 1997. In his career, Rogers had electrified old Chicago blues. His oldstyle boogie beat influenced legends like Eric Clapton, Keith Richards, and Jimmy Page.

Lane remembers him as a larger-than-life figure who laughed, cuddled, and talked to him.

But in that moment, next to the casket, a dualistic passion sparked into Lane’s life— blues and medicine.

He grew up on the South Side of Chicago.

He ran around eating gumbo while blues masters such as Lazy Lester, Buddy Guy, and Muddy Waters visited his father, Jimmy D. Lane, and grandpa.

Lane’s father, Jimmy D. (himself a Blues Hall of Famer), continued Jimmy Rogers’ legacy, picking up the guitar to jam with musical geniuses: Mick Jagger, B.B. King, Van Morrison, and a host of others.

“Music is hard. It can be a long life of struggle,” says Jimmy D. Growing up, Lane knew his father’s struggle.

A good show, or a dry spell without gigs, could mean Lane and his younger brother were either wearing new clothes or depending on hand-me-downs.

“My father basically said, ‘I choose you and your brother over being famous,’” Lane says.

“And I’m so grateful for that.”

Jimmy D. never pushed his sons into the business. Lane picked up guitar playing on his own, practicing the same song for hours and hours until he could pick up patterns. He messed around with bars and chords. Jimmy D. showed his son some licks, but Lane’s skills came from a good ear.

Bash, as his friends like to call him, was well into learning the guitar by fifth grade. He won a talent show for “Sweet Child of Mine,” in a Slash rendition on the electric guitar. His tone soon became a mix of upbeat blues and nasty rock.

His fascination with medicine lingered. Ever since his grandfather’s passing, Lane wanted to understand how cancer spread, how it worked, and how it could be cured.

During a job shadow his senior year of high school, Lane saw an interventional cardiologist inject contrast that showed coronary arteries on a live X-ray. “Wow, that’s so cool,” he thought.

Lane decided to major in pre-med at Hastings College. He was the first in his family to attend college, and he wanted to become a cardiothoracic surgeon. School wasn’t easy, and Lane had to work four jobs while studying and playing music on the side. He bartended, worked for a telefund, did shows on weekends, taught guitar lessons, and started a band called Ambur Lane.

After taking his MCATs, Lane stayed in Nebraska and is now a second-year medical student at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Lane says the program is the most difficult and time-consuming thing he’s ever done.

Yet he finds time for community and musical commitments. He’s a mentor for diversity awareness. “It is important to open people’s eyes to at least represent the dynamics of a

NOVEMBER

population,” he says. And he still dedicates an hour or two to music each day, sometimes more. “It’s a struggle to balance your love and passion with playing guitar and medicine,” he says.

There is a complementary duality to his musical and medical passions. His nimble fingers fly over the maple neck of his Fender American Standard Stratocaster, and they move just as rapidly when throwing sutures.

In spring of 2015, Lane worked in Los Angeles with Capitol Records for various artists, which allowed him to interact with creative individuals who “got him.” In medical school, the situation is similar in his conversations with like-minded intellectuals.

“Would I be happy playing music every day?

Hell, yeah. Would I be happy practicing medicine every day? Hell, yeah,” Lane says, brown eyes suddenly wide and serious.

Music gives Lane a chance to de-stress and keeps his mind clear. In addition, Lane believes music, like medicine, heals.

When he finds time, Lane will play with his `90s cover band, 22 Days Short. His biggest love, however, is still the blues. When he is with the Sebastian Lane Band, he can be himself.

Like the old masters in Memphis and Chicago playing in dark corners of hole-in-the wall bars, Lane often showcases his blues at The 21st Saloon at 4727 S. 96th St. “With blues, no rules, you know. It’s authentic. It’s in my DNA. It’s who I truly am,” Lane says.

He hopes someday to play with the big dogs.

Can Lane out-shred the old man?

“He’d like to believe he could,” Jimmy D. says, laughing.

Visit facebook.com/sebastianlanemusic for more information.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 56 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

We were proud to participate in both

2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and

2014 Capital One Bowl Halftime Show!

Participating in the

2016 Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade!

Professional Dance Education For All Ages!

Jazz • Hip-Hop • Lyrical • Tap Ballet • Pointe • Modern Contemporary • Dance Theater

We allow students to develop skills to their optimum potential while challenging them to achieve higher levels of dance education.

Creating Exceptional Smiles

402.493.5671

onpointedancecentre.com 1812 N. 120th Street Omaha, Nebraska 68154 NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 57 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

BY GREG JERRETT PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

Dying For

OPIATES in Omaha

What does the national crisis of opioid and heroin abuse look like in Omaha, Nebraska?

Locals on the frontline of the epidemic share their insights with Omaha Magazine.

OMAHA MAGAZINE

FEATURE

Getting high ON INJECTED HEROIN—or one of the several synthetic equiv-

alents—does not feel like an orgasm or a dozen orgasms. That is a mythical description the average non-user appreciates, so it gets repeated. The truth is more sinister. Whether you spike a vein with melted oxy in a back alley or get your Dilaudid prescribed in-hospital, getting high on injected opiates feels like being 4 years old, falling asleep in your mother’s lap while watching your favorite movie. You feel safe, warm, satisfied, and content to do ACCORDING TO nothing. Your nervous system melts like butter with a warm NEBRASKA’S tingling sensation. Emotional and physical pain dissipate.

VITAL STATISTICS Trauma becomes meaningless.

DEPARTMENT, AT You nod off. Occasionally, you LEAST 54 PEOPLE DIED approach consciousness long to melt into it again.

FROM OVERDOSING ON enough And on it goes over and over.

OPIATES IN THE STATE The first time is always the best, and no matter how long you DURING 2015. chase that first high, you will never see it again.

Anything above and beyond pain relief is experienced as a rush of dopamine to the pleasure center of the brain. Addicts will escalate the amount of opioids they consume until coming across a bad batch mixed with other drugs—such as large-animal tranquilizers—or they stumble onto an unusually pure source, take too much, and overdose. Some users accidentally consume a fatal cocktail of prescriptions with alcohol or other drugs. In recent years, overdoses involving opiates have claimed the lives of several celebrities: the musician Prince, actors Philip Seymour Hoffman, Heath Ledger, Cory Monteith, and the list goes on.

In the state of Nebraska, deaths from opiate overdoses are on the rise. According to Nebraska’s Vital Statistics Department, at least 54 people died from overdosing on opiates in the state during 2015. Nationwide, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported that six out of every 10 drug overdoses involve opiates of some kind. From 1999 to 2014, roughly 165,000 Americans died from opiate-related overdoses, quadrupling the numbers from previous years, according to the Center for Disease Control. The death toll is climbing. The most recent CDC estimates suggest 78 Americans overdose on opiates every day.

THE LOCAL FRONTLINE Russell Janssen is a case manager at the Open Door Mission, located between Carter Lake and the Missouri River. At age 20, he was introduced to heroin and was an intravenous user until the age of 39. Off heroin now for nearly two decades, Janssen spends his days treating people with the very addiction problems he has faced and continues to battle.

“I’ve been clean for 19 and a half years and I'll still have ‘using’ dreams,” Janssen says. “They don't affect me the way they used to. When I first cleaned up, I would wake up in cold NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 59 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Russell Janssen, case manager at Open Door Mission

"WHEN I FIRST CLEANED UP, I WOULD WAKE UP IN COLD SWEATS. I'D TRY TO GO BACK TO SLEEP AND JUST COULDN'T. I STILL WAKE UP TO THIS DAY, BUT NOW I CAN LAY DOWN AND GO BACK TO SLEEP. THE THOUGHT IS ALWAYS THERE, THOUGH, AND NEVER LEAVES US.”

sweats. I'd try to go back to sleep and just couldn't. I still wake up to this day, but now I can lay down and go back to sleep. The thought is always there, though, and never leaves us.”

Heroin addiction is powerful, Janssen says, too powerful for anyone to be completely beyond it, especially if they - Russell Janssen think they are “too smart to get hooked.”

And while most drugs will provide some high with diminishing returns, heroin burns out the brain’s pleasure center and forces users to do more and more in order to “stay even” and barely functional. Serious daily side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, high agitation, muscle cramps and spasms, as well as depression and cravings leading to relapse.

“The problem with heroin is you have to have it just to maintain,” Janssen says. “It's not just about getting high. I’d go through $150 a day just to maintain for the 12 to 14 hours that I was up. If I wanted to get high I had to go above that amount because you gotta have it.”

And “it,” per Janssen, is never the same twice. Prescription opioids are a known quality, but black market drugs are unregulated and full of pitfalls. Drugs are cut with useless fillers NOVEMBER

and other substances to increase profits for dealers: “People die because they're doing so many weird things with it. People died in Cincinnati, Ohio, because they were mixing elephant tranquilizer in with the heroin. And even though heroin addicts know that it's out there—and they know it's killing people—they go looking, thinking ‘I've got to have it just to maintain,’ so they're willing to take that chance.”

Janssen says the access to opioids through prescriptions has changed the face of heroin addiction, making it easier and less stigmatic to start, the biggest mistake anyone can make.

“In the `70s, heroin addicts were the lowest of the low. Even other drug users didn’t want anything to do with heroin users.

That’s changed a lot today because people get prescribed opiates, and they think that if a doctor prescribes it that it can't be harmful for them. But that's a way that people get addicted. We're gonna see a lot more people out (in West Omaha) getting addicted.”

Chris Eynon is an eight-year recovering meth addict, a graduate of the Miracles Treatment Program at the Siena/Francis House, and, for the last two years, its treatment coordinator.

He is seeing an increase in the number of people seeking help for heroin and opioid addiction.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 60 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

“We are certainly seeing an increase in the amount of applicants wanting recovery here (in Omaha),” says Eynon, who has also witnessed the dire circumstances facing East Coast communities. He spent several weeks during March in Cumberland, Maryland, a town of roughly 20,000 where he was helping a friend to start a prayer service for heroin addicts.

“Out on the East Coast, (heroin addiction) is really significant there. Just in the small community of Cumberland, they have been devastated. Last year in their county they experienced 14 deaths due to overdose, and as of this year already they have experienced over 30. Most of them are high school kids, and most of them are heroin overdoses.”

FROM VIETNAM VETS TO MILLENNIALS The current heroin/opioid epidemic is reminiscent of the Vietnam War era when access to plentiful and pure China White heroin combined with the stress of combat, and roughly 15 percent of all enlisted men had fallen into addiction. In 1971, Operation Golden Flow (the unofficial name of widespread military drug testing campaign) was designed by the Department of Defense to “clean up” American GIs before sending them home. While many came home and never used again because the circumstances of their drug use changed drastically, others relapsed at home as black market heroin followed the demand back from Vietnam to the U.S. A New York Times article from May 1986 reported the number of U.S. addicts at roughly 500,000 (with 200,000 in New York alone). That heroin epidemic began subsiding as popularity for crack cocaine took over the streets. Studies from the Golden Flow era laid the groundwork for much of what we know about opioid addiction in 2016.

With the widespread prevalence of opiate prescriptions, a 2011 study by the Department of Veterans Affairs found that today's veterans are at an even greater risk than their earlier counterparts for heroin addiction, as the VA was treating chronic pain with prescriptions for opioids “almost exclusively.” The 2011 study reported that veterans are twice as likely to suffer accidentally fatal opioid overdoses than non-veteran civilians.

Since the 2012 height of the VA’s opioid prescriptions to veterans, the federal department has made an effort to decrease opiate prescriptions in favor of more comprehensive approaches to pain management.

Over the past 10 years, the CDC has observed that heroin use among 18-25 year olds has more than doubled in the general population. According to the CDC, 90 percent of people who try heroin have tried at least one other drug first, and, an astonishing 45 percent of heroin users were addicted to prescription opioid painkillers such as Vicodin, oxycodone, oxycontin, fentanyl, Dilaudid, and morphine before switching to heroin. In 2014, prescription opioids killed more than 28,000 of the 2,000,000 Americans dependent on them.

From 1999 to 2013, the amount of prescription opioids dispensed in the U.S. nearly quadrupled.

A May 2014 report from the National Institute on Drug Abuse explains: “It is estimated that between 26.4 million and 36 million people abuse opioids worldwide with an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States suffering from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers in 2012 and an estimated 467,000 addicted to heroin. The consequences of this abuse have been devastating and are on the rise.”

NOVEMBER

FEATURE

ACROSS SOCIOECONOMIC DIVISIONS While the Midwest currently sees fewer opiate overdoses than the coasts, that danger is growing across all socioeconomic segments of the population.

WITH THE WIDESPREAD PREVALENCE OF OPIATE PRESCRIPTIONS, A 2011 STUDY BY THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION FOUND THAT TODAY'S VETERANS ARE AT AN EVEN GREATER RISK THAN THEIR EARLIER COUNTERPARTS FOR HEROIN ADDICTION.

Janssen, Eynon, and several recovering addicts who spoke with Omaha Magazine on the condition of anonymity agreed that teens, the affluent, insured and educated are at risk—because when experimenting with opioid pills, youths often hold the false assumption that nothing bad can happen with drugs prescribed by a doctor, even if those pills were obtained without permission.

“They might steal them from a medicine cabinet or have their own prescription at some point,” Eynon says, echoing similar points made by the other counselors that middle-class white people with many relatives, each with several doctors, might find themselves practically surrounded by easily obtained and occasionally leftover prescriptions. “In my opinion, we will see a lot of West Omahatype addicts. Prescription medication is usually attained through insurance coverage. In order to have insurance, you would need a job, which falls more into the ‘rich kid’ category.”

Sara B. comes from the less affluent segment of recovering addicts. A fasttalking 32 year old with attention deficit disorder, also a mother of seven, she signed over the rights to her children to her counselor for their protection while she sought help. She is working hard in order to maintain a relationship with her children.

“I started because people around me, family members were doing it,” says Sara, who has been clean now for the better part of a decade. She still has to guard against relapse, maintaining sobriety for her children as well as her health. She is wary of family who are still actively using. “Which is hard because you have to stay away from users when you get clean if you want to stay clean,” she says. “It's too easy to fall back.”

Justin Schwope is a 26-year-old recovering addict with four years of sobriety under Russell Janssen's wing at Open Door. His habit of choice was a speedball, heroin and meth, though other stimulants can be substituted.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 61 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

FEATURE

“I'd been messing with drugs since I was 16 and my grandparents died,” Schwope says.

“I wasn’t able to get clean until I tried kill myself with Lipitor and woke up in Creighton three days later and then transferred to Lasting Hope.”

All sources interviewed by Omaha Magazine agreed that the transition from pure opiates to street junk is the greatest threat to the health and welfare of addicts. When the easy access to opiates runs out, addicts look elsewhere risking everything just to stay even, and even to get that high.

“In Maryland apparently, there was a mass supply of prescription drugs or ‘pill farms’ that were seized and, as a result, (users) turned to heroin, which is cheaper and easily available,” Eynon says. “They have an addiction to feed and, unfortunately, the heroin is not like prescription drugs which are regulated...and the pills are always consistent in strength and dose amounts. When they switch to heroin, they have no idea of the potency or what it might be laced with.”

ARE YOU READY FOR

INCREASED REGULATORY OVERSIGHT Tragic stories of opiate overdoses and abuse have become too commonplace.

WINTER TIME?

After Omaha resident Carrie Howard suffered a severe car accident, she began taking prescription painkillers. The pills led to an addiction that culminated in a fatal overdose in 2009. The legacy of her untimely death made waves through Nebraska’s legislature. Carrie’s mother is former senator Gwen Howard; her sister is Sen. Sara Howard of Omaha.

Koca Chiropractic can get you on the right track to keep your energy up and experience life to the fullest.

The first step is to make health your #1 priority 11420 Blondo St, Ste. 102 402.496.4570 www.YourFamilysChiropractor.com NOVEMBER

The elder Howard championed legislation that created a prescription painkiller monitoring program in 2011. But the program fell short in many respects. Sara Howard continued the family’s fight for improved regulatory oversight of prescribed opiates when she introduced LB 471 to the state’s unicameral.

Upon receiving first-round approval in January 2016, several senators recounted their own families’ close encounters with opiate addiction. Sen. Brett Lindstrom of Omaha revealed that one of his own relatives had suffered from a prescription painkiller addiction,

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 62 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Introducing DIGITAL SMILE DESIGN to the Omaha Area!

Designing the ideal smile through digital scanning, photography and computer programs.

an addiction sustained by shopping around different doctors and pharmacies. When the prescriptions dried up, Lindstrom’s relative turned to heroin.

From one tooth to complete smile makeovers.

The unicameral finally approved LB 471 in February 2016. It comes into effect in the new year. LB 471 will require pharmacies to report when prescriptions are filled, and would allow pharmacists to check records of past prescriptions to avoid abuse. There are two phases to this. Beginning January 1, 2017, all prescriptions of controlled substances will be reported to the prescription drug monitoring program. Beginning January 2018, all prescriptions will be reported.

A few weeks prior to Nebraska approving LB 471, President Barack Obama had announced that $1.1 billion would be made available for expanded opiate-related treatment opportunities across the country. According to a statement from the White House, “More Americans now die every year from drug overdoses than they do in motor vehicle crashes.”

Preview your new smile before any preparation is done!

402.493.4040 . evergreendental.com 1815 North 145th St. Omaha, NE 68154

Already in the previous year, Nebraska received two significant grants to combat statewide opioid-related abuse: one for more than $3 million over four years from the CDC for prescription drug overdose prevention, the other for $500,000 over two years from the Department of Justice.

The funding comes at a pivotal moment.

America is experiencing a perfect storm for an opioid epidemic. War, health care in crisis, addiction, easy access, and low employment are among the many factors forcing opioids into the drug user's spotlight. Once, only the lowest drug users shot junk. Today, if not tomorrow, someone you love might be the next junkie you meet.

To get help for substance abuse problems, call: 1-800-662-HELP. Additional reporting Doug Meigs.

contributed

by

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 63 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

I

OMAHA MAGAZINE

FEATURE

'VE HAD PROBLEMS with a vari-

By my third year of college, I was spendthere just to get cheaper heroin. Aside from ing $50­-$150 per day to support my habit. visiting the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Looking back, I don’t know how I could afford Springs, I didn’t do anything other than shoot it. I had a good job and minimal bills. I knew up heroin the entire time I was there by myself.

I was always a very straight-and-narrow kid when the people I got my drugs from had growing up in West Omaha. I obtained my a prescriptions refilled better When I started the IV drugs pilot’s license when I was 17, and I was very than they did. I always figured I spiraled out of control really I DIDN’T SLEEP active in sports and fitness. I graduated with out a way. Because without the quickly. I went to a different a 4.17 GPA, and maintained a 4.0 in my first opiates, I felt restless; I couldn’t to get on Suboxone, a FOR TWO WEEKS, I clinic year studying at the University of Nebraska sleep; I was simply miserable. It newer drug for opiate addicWAS SO RESTLESS I tion. It made it so I couldn’t at Omaha. got to a point where I needed help. I couldn’t keep going on WANTED TO CUT MY get high on opiates and so I Toward the end of high school, I did the typilike that. After checking into wouldn’t have withdrawals. At cal partying with friends: drinking at friends’ a methadone clinic, I soon LEGS OFF. I COULDN’T first, I even shot that up just houses when their parents were away, maybe admitted to my mom and sister to feel a little high. I hated SIT STILL, I WAS smoking a little marijuana. But I never felt I how bad I had gotten. not being able to feel happy or TIRED, IRRITABLE, excited. I was on Suboxone for had lost control. My father was a functioning alcoholic, so, you could say I was somewhat years. During that time, I DEPRESSED, ETC. two predisposed to the disease of addiction. But converted my opiate addiction what did I know?

The methadone clinic was into an IV cocaine addiction another horrible experience for me in the end. with a side of alcoholism. Thankfully, I was So-called hard drugs caught me the summer The $13 per day I spent bought me another able to stop taking Suboxone, but it was the after high school. First came ecstasy pills. I opiate—meant to wean me off of my addichardest thing I have ever done. I didn’t sleep remember the first time I “rolled,” I was in tion to pills—that got me arguably higher for two weeks, I was so restless I wanted to my basement with a couple friends who were than those prescription opiates I had been cut my legs off. I couldn’t sit still, I was tired, more experienced with drugs. "I hope this taking. Because of the high dosage, I was irritable, depressed, etc. I went into a drinking feeling would never end,” I remember saying. nodding off throughout the day. So, I made a binge, not leaving my apartment for days at My friend looked at me and just shook her decision to quit cold turkey. Relapse followed one point. I almost wished I had never got on head as if feeling sorry for a little kid. The with a new sort of high, and a new low.

Suboxone in the first place, but it served one next day, I felt the worst depression I had purpose: It got me away from all my opiate ever experienced. It scared me. But, I kept After about two weeks, I shot up the pills for connections. taking the pills, chasing that feeling, only the first time. I remember it very clearly: I just for a slightly less satisfying high as my body gave in. I didn’t like life without drugs anyacclimated to the drug. After a summer of more. I told myself being sober wasn’t worth taking ecstasy two to three times a week, the it. I was in the back seat of my friend’s car.

The story of my addiction is not glamorous. depression stuck with me. I couldn’t seem to We were with someone who used an IV, and In fact, there is a lot that I don’t remember have fun without being high. she handed me my own syringe. She told me too clearly. There is a lot that I’d rather forget. it was mine. I actually thought Addiction is not an easy thing to put on a As I went into my first year to myself. “What a kind gestimeline (which they asked me to do during of college, I started trying

BY MY THIRD YEAR ture of her to give me my very both of my treatment center stays). Addicts cocaine and opiates. A lot of my syringe.” Of course I had don’t exactly have a structured lifestyle. It’s a OF COLLEGE, I WAS own acquaintances—I say acquainno idea how to cook down the roller coaster, complicated, and devastating. tances because none of those SPENDING $50­-$150 pill we had to a point where we It’s taken me three years of trying to get to people are in my life now that PER DAY TO SUPPORT could shoot it up. But I paid the point I am at with my sobriety.

I am sober—were doing things close attention when she did it MY HABIT. LOOKING for me, tied me off, and injected Every day the disease of addiction whispers like oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and other prescribed BACK, I DON’T KNOW it into my vein. My heart was in my ear, rationalizing and scheming ways narcotics. These prescriptions racing. I fell in love. in which I could get high or drunk. Isolation HOW I COULD are relatively easy to get your is what it wants, so my defense is fellowship. hands on. There are plenty It didn’t take long for me to The character defects that fed my addiction AFFORD IT. of other drugs that are synbecome an expert. I had a box are still with me— I am an egomaniac with thetic forms of opium and of 100 syringes under my bed low self-esteem who copes by trying to conheroin, too. along with all the cleaning supplies necestrol the world around me—but I work every sary to do it “responsibly.” Within about two day to address these problems. I’ve destroyed Over the next two years my use of opiates months, my arms were beaten black and blue, and rebuilt relationships with my family and grew more and more frequent. At first, I was I had lost about 20 pounds, and I was confriends. I have squashed my loved ones’ hopes able to hide my habit from everyone in my stantly feeling horrible. The only time I felt over and over again, yet my family still stands life. I can’t even remember how many times normal was when I was high. It was getting behind me. Their support is what sustains my I was high in class or in the library working harder to find pills, though. There were days recovery. They know that I could relapse, that on homework. At the time, I felt in control. where I would skip class, drive around for my fight is not over.

When I look back, I realize I was developing eight or more hours with people I didn’t know quite a few character defects: lying, manipulajust to get one pill or a few hits of incredibly Sam requested omission of his last name at tion, cheating, and stealing. Eventually it got overpriced heroin. Then again, there were the advice of his Narcotics Anonymous and to the point where I wouldn’t even do schooltimes when it was easy to find, but never Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor. He participates work without some sort of drug to aid me. when I was dope-sick and desperate. It was regularly in Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics a miserable lifestyle, a nightmare. One time Anonymous meetings. Visit omahaaa.org for I even drove to Denver and spent three days more information. ety of drugs, but my story hit rock bottom with opiate addiction.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 64 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

My Battle With

OPIATES

BY SAM. S.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

From left: the White sisters (Beverly, Sherita, Dorotha, Danita, and Darnisha) in front of Dorotha’s home.

Family

OMAHA MAGAZINE

FEATURE

y Feud Two Omaha Families Win Big

T

BY SARAH WENGERT PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

HERE’S NO GREATER certainty

than that of an armchair game show contestant. Answers flow easily from a cushy couch, with the benefit of comfy pants, snacks, and extra seconds to spare before buzzing in via the customary shout at the TV screen.

Now, name something that might derail the masterful omnipotence of such astute sofa spuds. Survey says…the lights, camera, action, live studio audience, and split-second pressure of actually appearing on Family Feud, as several Omaha families discovered.

“We’ve always watched the show, yelling answers at the TV, feeling like we knew more than the contestants. So when auditions came to Omaha, we jumped right on it,” says Danita Webb, who joined sisters Dorotha Rohlfsen, Darnisha Ladd, Sherita White, and Beverly Tate to compete as the White Family.

The fivesome played mock games for producers at the October 2014 audition, alongside hundreds of local families.

“You would’ve thought there really was $20,000 on the line, because we were jumping up and down, high-fiving each other. It was awesome,” says Webb.

NOVEMBER

One Friday night the following January, Webb and some of her sisters were together when the good news arrived.

“My sister checked her mail and found this blue postcard from Family Feud that said ‘Congratulations!’ and we just went crazy,” says Webb.

The Franklin Family also received that lucky, blue-hued golden ticket to the Feud.

Cydney Franklin—who competed with sister Lindsey Franklin, mother Brigette Law Franklin, father Frederick Franklin, and aunt Patricia Franklin—says her mother urged the family to audition in matching “We Don’t Coast” T-shirts displaying their Omaha pride.

“Our family is really close,” says Franklin. “(Auditioning) was mostly just something to do for fun together that actually turned into us getting on the show.”

Six more Omaha-area families made the cut— the Quaites, Coffiels, Shanks, McIntoshes, Kirshenbaums, and Skaffs. But only the White and Franklin families would return from their Atlanta tapings victorious. The Whites won two games, including one Fast Money round victory, and the Franklins took it all the way to game five, the maximum number of games each family can compete in, with five straight victories landing them

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 67 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

"AT HOME SITTING ON YOUR COUCH IT’S EASY TO THINK OF THE ANSWERS, BUT WHEN YOU’RE UP THERE YOU HAVE TO BE ON YOUR A-GAME AND DON’T HAVE EXTRA TIME TO THINK.” -Danita Webb

From left: The Franklin family team was Patricia Franklin, Lindsey Franklin, Brigitte Law Franklin, Fred Franklin, and Cydney Franklin.

From left: The White family team was Beverly Tate, Sherita White, Danita Webb, Dorotha Rohlfsen, and Darnisha Ladd.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 68 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

FEATURE

on the platform with the grand prize car.

They may have made it look easy, but both women say their victories were hard fought.

“You really earn that money,” says Webb.

“You have to make sure you’re smiling, clapping, thinking of your next answer. There’s so much going on that it can be stressful. At home sitting on your couch it’s easy to think of the answers, but when you’re up there you have to be on your A-game and don’t have extra time to think.”

While it was her family’s fun-loving energy that got them on the show, Franklin says they realized it was serious business when they arrived in the Atlanta studio. Although they went on to win five games, she says they waited a day and a half to be plucked from the audience to compete, then nearly lost their first game.

“It was one of the most intense moments of my life,” says Franklin. “We’d gone through so much to get to that point and then were sure we were going to lose, but at the last second my sister came through with the answer—I don’t know how she did it—and we won. We came back the next morning and just kept winning.”

Both women agree it wasn’t all nail-biting nervousness, thanks to congenial host, Steve Harvey.

“He is a riot,” says Webb. “You’re so nervous at first, but he really helps you let loose and have fun.”

“Steve is hilarious, and each episode is almost like a comedy show,” says Franklin. “He’s also really inspiring. At commercial break he shares these uplifting, inspirational messages about being your best self, fulfilling your dreams, and about himself overcoming his own obstacles and hurdles in life.”

Webb and White say that while the prize money was wonderful, it’s the family bonding around celebrating their accomplishment they cherish most.

“Running out onstage to celebrate winning with my sisters was awesome,” says Webb. “It was especially meaningful to us because we tried out in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and I am a seven-year breast cancer survivor. We all wore pink when we auditioned and then on the show a year later, too. It was amazing to create those memories together and celebrate that great accomplishment.”

“Finishing that fifth game and winning the car was a high point, but honestly, the coolest part is bonding over those memories together,” says Franklin. “We reminisce often about the highs and lows of Family Feud.”

Following two 14-hour studio days, the Franklins finished their third day at about 3 p.m.

“We walked out of the building, and it was the first day we’d left that the sun was still shining. So we were all joking like, ‘Was this a dream? Did this actually happen?’”

For at-home champs aspiring to transition from couch to soundstage, Franklin and Webb suggest folks bring a lively energy, but one that truthfully reflects their family’s authentic personality.

“Make sure that you bring that family togetherness and have an enthusiastic personality,” says Webb. “You definitely have to turn it up if you’re going to be on the show.”

“FINISHING THAT FIFTH GAME AND WINNING THE CAR WAS A HIGH POINT, BUT HONESTLY, THE COOLEST PART IS BONDING OVER THOSE MEMORIES TOGETHER. WE REMINISCE OFTEN ABOUT THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF FAMILY FEUD.” -Cydney Franklin

Visit familyfeud.com for more information.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 69 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

GIVING FEATURE

The Compass in the Landscape

BY DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN AND DOUG MEIGS PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

ITH GROWING LEVELS of

philanthropic donations sloshing around Omaha, it’s important to keep in mind that underserved segments of the community remain. Sometimes these segments of the community are out of sight. Sometimes their needs are unknown, hidden to those who would otherwise offer assistance.

W

W

Folks in charge of the Omaha Community Foundation are paying mind to the hidden needs of the metro area. In fact, Sara Boyd, CEO of the Omaha Community Foundation, unveiled a new initiative to confront the problem this fall.

“The Landscape Project is a data-driven reflection of the Omaha-Council Bluffs area,” says Boyd. “It is an online resource to integrate data in our community about how we are faring on certain issues with community priorities and lived experiences to help us gain greater insight into how we’re doing.”

The Landscape Project relies on existing data—along with direct engagement with specific segments of the population—to gauge where gaps remain in community support.

“The goal of the project is to create shared learning and understanding, for all of us, to see how we’re doing on some of these

priorities,” Boyd says. “Then to potentially have a process or structure in place that allows for greater participation and prioritization on these issues; and then, from there to coordinate or align our efforts.”

While the Landscape Project is like a compass for philanthropy, Omaha Gives is the foundation’s vehicle for driving charitable donations to organizations around the metro. In 2016, the fourth annual Omaha Gives campaign amassed almost $9 million—a new record for the 24-hour funding drive—and generated more than $1 million in new donations from first-time participants. “That, for us, is very meaningful,” says Boyd. “It was not just a celebration of giving, but also to say, ‘can we grow the pie of giving in our community in some way?’”

Boyd says the foundation began developing the Landscape Project concept roughly five years ago while reviewing studies about local urban problems. Several of those studies were one-time only, others were outdated. So, the Omaha Community Foundation partnered with United Way and Iowa West Foundation to do a community assessment.

Moving forward with the Landscape Project, identification of local housing problems illustrates one way the new online resource could help inform philanthropy and public policy alike: “Throughout the country we know there is disparity in home ownership along

NOVEMBER

“THE LANDSCAPE PROJECT IS A DATA-DRIVEN REFLECTION OF THE OMAHA-COUNCIL BLUFFS AREA.” -Sara Boyd many levels. One of those disparities is along different communities and different races.

Blacks own their own homes at significantly lower rates in our community than they do elsewhere in the country.”

Home ownership, she says, is an indicator of wealth-building and asset accumulation. Boyd hopes data from the Landscape Project will help policymakers and nonprofits to cross-reference the experiences of other communities (nationwide) that have battled similar problems, analyze how the problems were alleviated, and bring relevant solutions to Omaha.

The Landscape Project will begin with six areas of focus: health, neighborhoods, safety, transportation, education, and workforce.

“Really, the long-term goal is to strengthen our ability to solve problems as a community and move the needle on important issues,” Boyd says.

Visit ocf.com for more information.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 71 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

GIVING CALENDAR

GIVING

CALENDAR NOVE M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 1 6

Nov. 10

NURSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS BANQUET March of Dimes | Embassy Suites-La Vista marchofdimes.org

The March of Dimes and Omaha Magazine present the Nurse of the Year Awards.

Join us for this special night as we honor some of the most spectacular nurses in the area.

Nov. 3

NONPROFIT SUMMIT OF THE MIDLANDS

Nonprofit Association of the Midlands La Vista Conference Center nonprofit.org

Nov. 3

ADOPTION OPTIONS 2016

Petfinder Pro and Petco Foundation Sheraton Omaha Hotel pro.petfinder.com

Nov. 3

CHRISTMAS CARAVAN 2016 HOMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS Assistance League Omaha Various locations

Nov. 4

BREAKING THE CYCLE LUNCHEON Yes Omaha Scott Conference Center

projectharmony.com

Nov. 4

FANDANGO AND WICKER & WINE

Nov. 5

BIG RED BLOCK PARTY

Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. Hilton Omaha

Junior League of Omaha Scott Conference Center

lfsneb.org

jlomaha.org

Nov. 4

Nov. 5

Literacy Center UNO Scott Conference Center giveliteracy.org

THE LIGHT WITHIN 20TH ANNIVERSARY GALA Project Harmony Holland Performing Arts Center

yesomaha.org

NINTH ANNUAL ADULT SPELLING BEE

Nov. 4

RED KETTLE 5K RUN FOR A REASON The Salvation Army Lake Zorinsky salvationarmyusa.org

alomaha.org

Nov. 5

HONORS ORCHESTRA CONCERT

Omaha Area Youth Orchestra Teacher’s Administrative Center Auditorium oayo.org

Nov. 5

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER GALA Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation CenturyLink Center childrensomaha.org

Nov. 5

SMART ENERGY EXPO

Green Omaha Coalition UNO’s Milo Bail Student Center greenomaha.org

Nov. 6

HONEY SUNDAY

Ollie Webb Center, Inc. Various locations olliewebbinc.org

Nov. 6

RONCALLI CATHOLIC HIGH TEA LUNCHEON

Roncalli Catholic High Roncalli Catholic High School roncallicatholic.org

Nov. 9

A TIME FOR HOPE & HEALING The Kim Foundation Embassy Suites Convention Center thekimfoundation.org

Nov. 10

NURSE OF THE YEAR AWARDS BANQUET March of Dimes Embassy Suites-La Vista marchofdimes.org

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 72 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Nov. 10

TOAST TO GREG MCDERMOTT

Merrymakers Association Embassy Suites-La Vista merrymakers.org

Nov. 10

CREATING FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP DINNER Omaha Christian Academy Embassy Suites-La Vista

omahachristianacademy.org

Nov. 10

MILAGRO DINNER

One World Community Health Centers, Inc. Embassy Suites Old Market oneworldomaha.org

RV Dealer

2016 First Place KETV 7 • Baxter Arena

WE HAVE

YOUR WAY

Nebraska Collaborative Divorce

OF CAMPING

Considering Divorce?

Consider the Collaborative Way. Exclusive Dealer For Jayco, Starcraft, Lance, KZ, DRV, and Newmar

800.756.7344 | 402.292.1455 1120 FORT CROOK ROAD, BELLEVUE, NE 68005 APACHECAMPER.COM LOCATIONS ALSO IN LINCOLN & KEARNEY

Second Saturday

Please join us every second Saturday each month at Swanson Library, 90th and Dodge from 9:30a.m.–10:30a.m.

For more information, please visit us at:

KNOW SOMEONE WHO IS LOSING THEIR EYESIGHT? WE CAN HELP. Outlook Nebraska, Inc. offers: • Employment, training and experiences that allow the visually impaired to realize their personal and career goals.

• Adaptive technology training that helps legally blind individuals use computers and smart devices.

Go to our website to learn more about our programs and to schedule a visit.

WWW.OUTLOOKNEBRASKA.ORG

CollaborativeDivorceNE.com

Our tradition

Expertise. Innovation. Compassion. After 125 years of caring for the Omaha area, these are the symbols of care at Methodist and why generations of families put their trust in us. It’s a tradition that’s made an impact on the health of Omaha today, and what drives us to advance our care and create a healthier tomorrow. bestcare.org/beyond ©2016 Methodist Health System

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 73 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

GIVING CALENDAR

Eighth Annual Rock to Raise, Nov. 19

Big Red Block Party, Nov. 5 Nov. 11

DOORS TO OUR FUTURE

Bethlehem House Embassy Suites-La Vista bethlehemhouseomaha.org

Nov. 11

KANEKO OPEN SPACE SOIRÉE

USE THEM. DON’T LOSE THEM!

Your Flexible Spending Account Benefits may expire December 31, 2016

Vision-related service that qualify Flexible Spending accounts: Eye Exams, Eyewear, Contact Lenses, Sunglasses

E’ S

OM

M AGA Z I HA

N

A

BEAT THE YEAR-END RUSH - SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT TODAY!

Boys & Girls Club of the Midlands Hilton Omaha bgcomaha.org

Nov. 17

“SALUTE TO FAMILIES” NEBRASKA

Nov. 11

heartsandfamilyservice.org

Heartland Family Service Happy Hollow Club

TREE OF LIGHTS KICKOFF

Nov. 18

salvationarmyusa.org

Outlook Nebraska Inc. (ONI) Embassy Suites-La Vista

The Salvation Army American National Bank Nov. 11-12

HOLIDAY HISTORIC HOME TOUR & BOUTIQUE Joslyn Castle Various locations joslyncastle.com

Nov. 13

GO WEST! GALA

Joslyn Art Museum Joslyn’s Witherspoon Concert Hall joslyn.org

NOVEMBER

STOCK MARKET CHAMPIONSHIP 2016

KANEKO KANEKO

thekaneko.org

OVER 900 EYEWEAR STYLES TO CHOOSE FROM

Nov. 16

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 74 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

VISION BEYOND SIGHT BANQUET

outlooknebraska.org

Nov. 18

SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY The Durham Museum The Durham Museum durhammusuem.org

KANEKO Open Space Soirée, Nov. 11 Nov. 19

Dec. 8

The John Atkinson Lung Cancer Foundation St. Nicholas Community Center

Community 360° Kroc Center

EIGHTH ANNUAL ROCK TO RAISE

johwnatkinsonfoundation.org

Nov. 24

JOSLYN CASTLE TURKEY TROT

Joslyn Castle Midtown Crossing joslyncastle.com

CHRISTMAS IN OUR HEARTS CONCERT omahakroc.org

Dec. 11

THE 56TH ANNUAL RUTH SOKOLOF CHRISTMAS PARTY Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children Westroads Mall

Nov. 24

nfvic.org

The Salvation Army Kroc Center

CELEBRITY BELL RINGING

TURKEYFEST

Dec. 17

salvationarmyusa.org

Salvation Army Village Pointe

Dec. 1-20

PROJECT ELF

salarmyomaha.org

Nebraska Children’s Homes Society Nebraska Children’s Homes Society

Dec. 27

Dec. 1-2

omahasymphony.org

nchs.org

OMAHA SYMPHONY GUILD DEBUTANTE BALL Omaha Symphony Embassy Suites-La Vista

ADOPT-A-FAMILY RADIOTHON

The Salvation Army with Star 104.5 Westroads Mall salarmyomaha.org

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 75 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

402-896-3300

FLEX FUNDS

Use them before they are gone

MillardFamilyEyecare.com

America First is an investment manager from the Old School.

We serve discerning clients who value sound advice, clear explanations, and a willingness to say what we can and cannot do for them.

Would you like to be the next one we help? oo Parlor Tatt

America First Investment Advisors, LLC 10050 Regency Circle, Suite 515 Omaha, NE 402.991.3388 www.am1st.com

2016 First Place KETV 7 • Baxter Arena

1022-3987 MaxOmahaMagUCB2017Ad.ai

1

9/19/16

Please join us for a

honoring Creighton Men’s Basketball Coach,

C

M

GREG MCDERMOTT

Y

CM

Benefit for the Merrymakers Association

MY

Thursday, November 10, 2016

CY

6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

CMY

Embassy Suites La Vista Buy tickets at www.merrymakers.org or call 402.697.0205

K

providing professional music to seniors since 1986 artwork by Tom Kerr

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 76 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Stella's Belle

Omaha Magazine is pleased to present its Holiday Gift Guide, supported by local advertisers. Please consider these businesses and their services when shopping for friends, family, and business associates.

Have a smartphone? We can help you shop smart. Use your mobile device to order products directly from the page with our augmented reality app. You can use this same app whenever you see the AR button throughout the magazine. That symbol means we give you expanded content in the form of video and photo galleries for those stories.

Use the instructions to the left to start your AR experience.

- Omaha Magazine staff

A TREASURE TROVE IN CROSSROADS MALL With products ranging from jewelry to medieval and Oriental swords and decorative figurines, Stella’s Belle has unique gift ideas for anyone on your Christmas list with eclectic taste and a discerning eye for exquisite craftsmanship.

Stella's Belle sells collectibles, martial arts equipment, self defense supplies, knives and swords, Austrian crystal and stainless steel jewelry, figurines, perfume oils, and anime.

Crossroads Mall 7400 Dodge St. 402-393-3030 stellasbelle.com

Scan any Gift Guide page with the LayAR app to purchase online.

Stella’s Bar & Grill

Homer’s Music & Gifts

Give Nebraska’s best burger this year for Christmas!

Homer’s continues to build Nebraska and Iowa’s largest selection of new and used music. They stock thousands of CDs from polka to metal, jazz to hip hop. Check out the $7.99 new CDs. Omaha’s best destination for new releases and classic titles.

WORLD FAMOUS HAMBURGERS! 106 Galvin Road Bellevue, NE 68005 402-291-6088 stellasbarandgrill.com

THOUSANDS OF CDS

1210 Howard St. Old Market 402-346-0264 homersmusic.com

Aksarben Cinema

THE BEST IN FILM! Only the best place to watch a movie in Omaha! Locally owned and operated.

2110 S 67th St Omaha, NE 68106 402-502-1914 aksarbencinema.com

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 77 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

21 DAY CHALLENGE FUELFITKITCHEN.COM

What better gift than a gift of health!

TRANSFORM YOUR BODY . CHANGE YOUR LIFE W. MAPLE 402.505.7550 15687 Spaulding St, Omaha, NE 68116

NOVEMBER

AKSARBEN 402.934.6309 1110 S 71st St, Omaha, NE 68106

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 78 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

The Cordial Cherry

GIVE A GIFT THAT IS AS UNIQUE AND BEAUTIFUL AS IT IS DECADENT Our gourmet cordial cherries are made from scratch, hand-sculpted and painted with chocolate by our confectionery artists. These adorable miniature sculptures are completely edible and can be shipped anywhere in the United States. Come watch us create entirely by hand tiny chocolate figurines at The Cordial Cherry located in The Shops of Legacy.

16939 Wright Plaza Suite 143 Omaha, Ne 68130 402-679-3011 thecordialcherry.com

Homer’s Music & Gifts

NEW & USED VINYL

Jump-start your vinyl record collection at Homer’s, Nebraska and Iowa’s largest selection of new and used vinyl.

Your go-to spot for new and used turntables, stereo equipment, cleaners, sleeves, storage crates—everything you need to get your records spinning.

1210 Howard St. Omaha, NE 68102 402-346-0264 homersmusic.com

Todd Smith Fitness

WHY NOT THE BEST? Look your best. Feel your best. Be your best.

For a great gift idea this year, call Todd Smith Fitness.

434 N. 76th St. 402-932-5841 toddsmithfitness.com

Whisk + Measure

SPECIALTY BAKERY & COFFEE

Let us whip up a cake, cupcake or full catering tray for your wedding or holiday event. Offering traditional baking as well as paleo, dairy-free, and vegan options, we are also the only shop in Omaha serving premium Parisi Artisan Coffee from Kansas City. Stop by for a treat or order your goodie tray today.

2505 S. 133rd Plaza Omaha, NE 68144 402-502-0004 whiskandmeasure.com

Gentleman's Choice

FORMAL WEAR

Gentleman's Choice now has Fine Italian Suites available in multiple colors.

Great for holiday gifts, graduation gifts, wedding party gifts, and more.

8014 W. Dodge Road Omaha, NE 68114 402-391-3200 omahatuxedos.com

LovelySkin is your one-stop destination for holiday gifts everyone will adore. The LovelySkin store offers the best in skin care, makeup, hair care, at-home devices and so much more. Our skin care specialists and aestheticians can help you find the perfect products for your loved ones—or even yourself!

Clarisonic Mia FIT for Women Clarisonic Alpha Fit for Men

Give your loved ones softer, smoother skin with this travel-friendly cleansing device.

Alterna Caviar Transformation Kit

Only $175.00 Reg. $219.00

LovelySkin LUXE Brightening Eye Cream Pamper your sweetheart with eyes that look and feel rejuvenated.

Only $72.00 Reg. $90.00

Surprise your special someone this holiday season with silky, strong and radiant hair.

Only $24.00 Reg. $30.00

SkinMedica HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator This holiday season, give your loved one the gift of hydrated, beautiful skin.

Only $142.40 Reg. $178.00

glo minerals Cream Stay Shadow Box Unleash her inner artist with this set off our irresistibly shimmery eyeshadows.

Only $32.00 Reg. $40.00

LovelySkin Retail Store & Spa Express* 2929 Oak View Dr., Ste 100 | Omaha, NE 68144 402-697-6565 | www.LovelySkin.com/Retail Hours of Operation Mon-Thur: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm | Friday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Saturday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm | Sunday: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm *Located across the street from Oak View Mall

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 80 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Take the guesswork out of giving with a LovelySkin gift card!

SAME DAY CROWNS!

Because YOUR time matters....

Always Local, Always Beautiful R 2015 /DECEMBE NOVEMBER

Same Day Crowns in a Single Visit with CEREC Technology!

AL, ALWAYS LOC UL UTIF ALWAYS BEA

FAI RYTALE WO NDE Rdence Regal Resi Villas in Legacy

R D E SI GN EE S M E, E R IC JA SELF-MAD

No Temporary Crowns or Impressions!

T, SELF-TAUGHED UR SELF-ASS

WO LF IN SHE EP’S CLOTHI NG

RDS ASI D AWAYear’s

See This Best Best of the

JANUARY/F EBRUARY 2016

Same Day Crowns

Turning on Tradition its Head in Club Country

New

ALWAYS LOC AL, ALWAYS BEA UTIFUL

Patient Special!

$100 Off

PLA

IN S in a Single Visit with CEREC Technology LIVI NG ON STO RIE S FRO M HO ME

chip davi

Any Treatment or Service

A MOUNTAI

s

NOUS SCALE

PETER CAL

ES Building Relationship Building s, Furnitur e

New Patients Only Offer Expires 12/31/16

17110 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Omaha, NE 68130 www.PremierSmile.com

DES IGN WO

putting the W! in function fun al

Call US Today 402-718-8741 “Call us in the morning, we’ll get you in TODAY...GUARANTEED!”

Thanks Omaha for 30 Years!

Omaha's Most Trusted Destination

to-Busi essne ss sin MA

HA ’

O

S

2B

ne azi ag

B

Bu

M

Oma ha ’s

For Your Family's Sunglasses!

2016 Winner

A+ Rating 20 Consecutive Years

8 Consecutive Years

402.399.9233 | www.sparklingklean.com

Th e go od life awai ts .

Omaha's #1 Selection

CONNECT • PLAY • WORK • HOST • CELEBRATE

of Iconic Eye Wear Brands

OAK HILLS COUNTRY CLUB

18-hole golf course | Six-lane pool | Hard-court tennis courts | 28,000-square-foot clubhouse

16949 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Suite 101 Omaha, NE 68130 | (402) 614-3200 www.legacyeyecare.com

402-895-3636 | oakhillscountryclub.org NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 81 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

The Omaha Home for Boys Saved My Life!

First-Class Daycare, Overnight Lodging and Grooming

· 54 sq ft Suites (no cages ever) with tv and bed · Daycare included in overnight stay · Grooming 7 days a week

Open 7 days a week Omaha’s only all-inclusive resort for dogs!

402-516-8888

16912 Audrey St, Omaha, NE (168th & Harrison) www.thepawspapetresort.com

Jeff, Abbie and Ryken

You Can Help Save More Lives Like Jeff’s!

Contact 402-457-7195 or visit www.omahahomeforboys.org to find out how.

PEDI • MANI • SHELLAC • ARTIFICIAL NAILS WAXING • MASSAGE • SUNLESS SPRAY TANS 402.779.8700 . 3618 N. 165th St. (165 & Maple) . americannailsandspaomaha.com

5 Years in a Row!

Like us on Facebook & check out our website for monthly specials and party packages!

Jeffs1-6pgOmMagAd.indd 1

Dr. John Cook

10/3/16 2:18 PM

Dave Johnson, PA

Kelly Armstrong, APRN

Do you experience chronic pain from: Arthritis, back or neck pain, headaches, herniated disks, fibromyalgia, hip or knee pain?

Don’t let your pain keep you from enjoying life. Discover how to recover!

Dr.Youngblood

Dr. Kevin Balter

Call Midwest Pain Clinics to see how our providers can improve your quality of life.

Midwest Pain Clinics offers a range of treatment options to help manage your daily pains. Our providers have over 50 years combined experience in treating many types of pain.

Midwest Pain Clinics 825 N. 90th Street | Omaha, NE 68114 402-391-PAIN (7246) contact@midwestpainclinics.com NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 82 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Siou Lab

November // December • 2015 | 83 | bestofomaha.com

2016 BEST DOCTORS - OMAHA

T

HE RESULTS ARE in. Omaha

Magazine’s annual list of Best Doctors provides access to the best medical minds in the community. You can be sure you’re getting the right diagnosis, the right treatment, and the right care from the innovative professionals found on the following pages.

Gallup® has audited and certified Best Doctors, Inc.’s database of physicians, and its companion The Best Doctors in America® List, as using the highest industry standards survey methodology and processes. These lists are excerpted from The Best Doctors in America‚ 2015-2016 database, which includes over 40,000 U.S. doctors in more than 40 medical specialties and 400 subspecialties. The Best Doctors in America‚ database is compiled and maintained by Best Doctors, Inc. For more information, visit www.bestdoctors.com or contact Best Doctors by telephone at 800675-1199 or by e-mail at research@bestdoctors.com. Please note that lists of doctors are not available on the Best Doctors Web site.

Best Doctors, Inc. is transforming and improving health care by bringing together the best medical minds in the world to help identify the right diagnosis and treatment.

The company’s innovative, peer-to-peer consultation service offers a new way for physicians to collaborate with other physicians to ensure patients receive the best care.

Headquartered in Boston, MA, the global company seamlessly integrates its services with employers’ other health-related benefits, to serve more than 30 million members in every major region of the world.

More than a traditional second opinion, Best Doctors delivers a comprehensive evaluation of a patient’s medical condition – providing value to both patients and treating physicians. By utilizing Best Doctors, members have access to the brightest minds in medicine to ensure the right diagnosis and treatment plan.

Best Doctors’ team of researchers conducts a biennial poll using the methodology that mimics the informal peer-to-peer process doctors themselves use to identify the right specialists for their patients. Using a polling method and balloting software, that Gallup® has audited and certified, they gather the insight and experience of tens of thousands of leading specialists all over the country, while confirming their credentials and specific areas of expertise.

The result is the Best Doctors in America® List, which includes the nation’s most respected specialists and outstanding primary care physicians in the nation. These are the doctors that other doctors recognize as the best in their fields. They cannot pay a fee and are not paid to be listed and cannot nominate or vote for themselves.

It is a list which is truly unbiased and respected by the medical profession and patients alike as the source of top quality medical information.

Congratulations

Best Doctors, Inc., has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list, but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate, and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person or other party for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.

Copyright 2016, Best Doctors, Inc. Used under license, all rights reserved. This list, or any parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without written permission from Best Doctors, Inc. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without the permission of Best Doctors, Inc. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.

BEST DOCTORS, THE BEST DOCTORS IN AMERICA, and the Star-in-Cross Logo are trademarks of Best Doctors, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries, and are used under license.

NOVEMBER

Best Doctors in America

to our physicians on their recognition as

Boys Town Ear, Nose & Throat Institute

Boys Town Allergy, Asthma, Immunology & Pediatric Pulmonology

Kevin R. Murphy, M.D.

D. Richard Kang, M.D.

Boys Town Pediatrics

Mark J. Domet, M.D.

Charles J. Sprague, M.D.

Jane M. Emanuel, M.D.

®

Boys Town Internal Medicine

Robert J. Schwab, M.D.

Boys Town Pediatric Gastroenterology

Jon A. Vanderhoof, M.D.

boystownhospital.org

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 84 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

BOYS TOWN

National Research Hospital

®

ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY JAINE BROWNELL

Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic 16945 Frances St Omaha, NE 68130 402-397-7400

LINDA FORD

The Asthma & Allergy Center

3503 Samson Way, Ste 108 Bellevue, NE 68123 402-592-2055

RUSSELL J. HOPP

CHI Health Clinic Allergy & Immunology 601 N 30th St, Ste 6820 Omaha, NE 68131 402-280-4580

KEVIN R. MURPHY

Boys Town Allergy, Asthma, Immunology & Pediatric Pulmonology Boys Town Medical Campus Pacific Street Clinic 14080 Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 402-778-6930

JEFFREY S. NELSON

Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic 16945 Frances St Omaha, NE 68130 402-397-7400

THOMAS C. NILSSON

Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic 16945 Frances St Omaha, NE 68130 402-397-7400

JILL ADAIR POOLE

Nebraska Medicine Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

JAMES M. TRACY

Allergy, Asthma and Immunology Associates

2808 S 80th Ave, Ste 210 Omaha, NE 68124 402-391-1800

MARK C. WILSON

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Pulmonary Medicine Clinic 8200 Dodge St, 2nd Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-6404

ANESTHESIOLOGY MARK L. D’AGOSTINO Methodist Hospital Department of Anesthesiology 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-4000

CYNTHIA ANN FERRIS

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Department of Anesthesiology 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5800

BARBARA J. HURLBERT Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Department of Anesthesiology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4081

KENT HUTTON

Methodist Hospital Department of Anesthesiology 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-8888

JOHN C. PETERSON

Methodist Hospital Department of Anesthesiology 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-8888

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE VENKATA M. ALLA

CHI Health Clinic Cardiology 3006 Webster St Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0717

MICHAEL G. DEL CORE CHI Health Clinic Cardiology 3006 Webster St Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0717

ARTHUR R. EASLEY

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Cardiovascular Center Durham Outpatient Center, Ste 2310 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8888

DENNIS J. ESTERBROOKS

CHI Health Clinic Cardiology 3006 Webster St Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0717

SYED MAQDOOM MOHIUDDIN

CHI Health Clinic Cardiology 3006 Webster St Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0717

ARYAN N. V. MOOSS

CHI Health Clinic Cardiology 3006 Webster St Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0717

THOMAS R. PORTER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Cardiovascular Center Durham Outpatient Center, Ste 2310 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8888

MICHAEL D. WHITE

CHI Health Clinic Cardiology 3006 Webster St Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0717

MARK P. WOODRUFF

CHI Health Clinic Cardiology

CHARLES A. TERNENT Colon and Rectal Surgery

9850 Nicholas St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114 402-343-1122

ALAN G. THORSON

Colon and Rectal Surgery

9850 Nicholas St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114 402-343-1122

CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE KRISTINA L. BAILEY

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

BERNARD TIMOTHY BAXTER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Vascular Surgery Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 2nd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7300

DANIEL W. JOHNSON

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Department of Anesthesiology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4081

STEVEN JAY LISCO

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

3006 Webster St Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0717

Department of Anesthesiology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4081

COLON AND RECTAL SURGERY

LEE MORROW

JENNIFER BEATY

Colon and Rectal Surgery

9850 Nicholas St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114 402-343-1122

MANIAMPARAMPIL SHASHIDHARAN| Colon and Rectal Surgery

9850 Nicholas St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114 402-343-1122

NOVEMBER

CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary Medicine 601 N 30th St, Ste 3820 Omaha, NE 68131 402-449-4486

AMOL N. PATIL

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

CRAIG ARNOLD PIQUETTE

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

DEBRA J. ROMBERGER Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

JOSEPH H. SISSON

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

SUSANNA GERTRUDE VON ESSEN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

TAMMY OLESKEVICH WICHMAN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

DERMATOLOGY MARY TRICIA FINNEGAN

JILL S. NELSON

Dermatology Specialists of Omaha 909 N 96th St Omaha, NE 68114 402-330-4555

EMERGENCY MEDICINE TIMOTHY J. LARSEN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4020

ROBERT MUELLEMAN Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4020

MICHAEL WADMAN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Emergency Medicine 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-6948

RICHARD A. WALKER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Department of Emergency Medicine 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4020

ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM ROBERT J. ANDERSON CHI Health Clinic Endocrinology 5002 Underwood Ave Omaha, NE 68132 402-717-0785

7911 W Center Rd

CLAIRE BAKER

KRISTIE DENISE HAYES

7831 Chicago Ct Omaha, NE 68114 402-561-2740

Omaha, NE 68124 402-390-0333

Methodist Physicians Clinic Regency

Department of Dermatology 10060 Regency Cir, 3rd Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-1315

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 85 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Diabetes and Endocrine Associates

BRIAN BOERNER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Diabetes Center Specialty Services Pavilion, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8700

CYRUS VICTOR DESOUZA

SARAH B. KONIGSBERG

Omaha Division - VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System

Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism 4101 Woolworth Ave Omaha, NE 68105 402-346-8800

ANDJELA T. DRINCIC

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Diabetes Center Specialty Services Pavilion, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68131 402-559-8700

WHITNEY SEARS GOLDNER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Diabetes Center Specialty Services Pavilion, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8700

Diabetes and Endocrine Associates 7831 Chicago Ct Omaha, NE 68114 402-561-2740

AMY S. NEUMEISTER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Diabetes Center Specialty Services Pavilion, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8700

JENNIFER L. LARSEN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Diabetes Center Specialty Services Pavilion, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8700

ROBERT R. RECKER

CHI Health Clinic Endocrinology

Osteoporosis Research Center 601 N 30th St, Ste 4820 Omaha, NE 68131 402-280-4470

LYNN R. MACK

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

VIJAY SHIVASWAMY

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Diabetes Center Specialty Services Pavilion, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8700‑

Diabetes Center Specialty Services Pavilion, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8700

TIMOTHY O. WAHL

FAMILY MEDICINE GREG J. BABBE

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Family Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 3rd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7200

JAMES DOUGLAS DUNNING

CHI Health Clinic MDVIP

Lakeside Family Medicine Medical Office Bldg 1, Ste 300 16909 Lakeside Hills Ct Omaha, NE 68130 402-717-8338

WILLIAM P. FITZGIBBONS

MARK D. GOODMAN

CHI Health Clinic Family Medicine 1319 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68102 402-717-0420

DAVID HARNISCH

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Family Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 3rd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7200

JEFFREY HARRISON

Nebraska Medicine Bellevue

Family Medicine Clinic 2510 Bellevue Medical Dr, Ste 200 Bellevue, NE 68123 402-595-2275

Skyline Medical Center

1908 N 203rd St, Ste 2 Elkhorn, NE 68022 402-289-4031

KIMBERLY JEAN JARZYNKA

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Family Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 3rd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7200

RALPH JOHN KRAMPER Primary Care Physicians

12728 Augusta Ave Omaha, NE 68144 402-330-1410

MONTY S. MATHEWS

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Family Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 3rd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7200

Diabetes and Endocrine Associates 7831 Chicago Ct Omaha, NE 68114 402-561-2740

Orthopedic Spine Surgeons: Timothy A. Burd, M.D. Jonathan E. Fuller, M.D. J. Brian Gill, M.D., M.B.A. Christopher M. Graves, M.D. Michael C. Longley, M.D. John W. McClellan III, M.D. Eric D. Phillips, M.D. H. Randal Woodward, M.D. Interventional Pain Physicians: Liane E. Donovan, M.D. Phillip E. Essay, M.D. John R. Massey, M.D. Physiatrists: Scott A. Haughawout, D.O. Jeremiah P. Ladd, M.D.

Do You Want to Get Back to Living?

The Most Comprehensive Spine and Pain Care in the Region Spine Surgery + Interventional Pain Care Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation + Physical Therapy + Imaging – MRI/CT/X-ray + Orthotics/Bracing +

+

Omaha: 13616 California St., Suite 100 Omaha, NE 68154 Other Clinics Across Nebraska: + Columbus + Lincoln + Fremont + Seward + Grand Island + York + Lexington

To schedule an appointment, please call: 402.496.0404 Visit us at NebraskaSpineandPain.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO DR. ERIC PHILLIPS FOR BEING RECOGNIZED AS A BEST DOCTOR FOR ORTHOPEDIC SPINE SURGERY NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 86 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

DEBRA E. MOSTEK

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Home Instead Center for Successful Aging 730 S 38th Ave Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-9600

PAUL M. PAULMAN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Family Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 3rd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7200

MICHAEL A. SITORIUS Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Family Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 3rd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7200

JOHN LLOYD SMITH

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Family Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 3rd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7200

CHARLES H. STONER Omaha Family Physicians

17841 Pierce Plaza Omaha, NE 68130 402-991-7000

DOUGLAS H. WHEATLEY Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Family Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 3rd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7200

GASTROENTEROLOGY MICHAEL JONES

Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates

8901 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-397-7057

CHI Health Clinic Gastroenterology Medical Office Bldg 1, Ste 320 7710 Mercy Rd Omaha, NE 68124 402-449-4692

INFECTIOUS DISEASE

BRENDA KELLER

Department of Internal Medicine 10060 Regency Cir, 3rd Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-1580

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

WILLIAM L. LYONS

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

THOMAS R. MCGINN Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Family Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 3rd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7200

JOHN CHARLES MITCHELL II

Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates

JANE F. POTTER

8901 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-397-7057

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Home Instead Center for Successful Aging 730 S 38th Ave Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-9600

SANDEEP MUKHERJEE CHI Health Clinic Gastroenterology

601 N 30th St, Ste 5730 Omaha, NE 68131 402-449-4692

REBECCA L. REILLY

Methodist Hospital

Geriatric Evaluation and Management Clinic 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-3152

EDWIN CONRAD SCHAFER II

Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates

8901 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-397-7057

SUSAN G. SCHOLER

Think Whole Person Healthcare 7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68106 402-506-9115

MICHAEL SCHAFER Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates

HAND SURGERY

8901 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-397-7057 Renee L. Young

RICHARD MURPHY

Omaha Orthopedic Clinic and Sports Medicine 11704 W Center Rd, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68144 402-691-0500

Home Instead Center for Successful Aging 730 S 38th Ave Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-9600

TIMOTHY RAYMOND MALLOY

8901 Indian Hills Dr, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-397-7057

Omaha Orthopedic Clinic and Sports Medicine PC has been a Practice of Excellence Since 1934.

We have assembled a team of talented surgeons.

Dr. Richard Murphy, Dr. Michael Morrison, Dr. Peter Cimino, Dr. Jason Mickels, and Dr. Michael Coffey all working together committed to providing our patients with the highest quality orthopedic healthcare.

Our surgeons specialize in Sports Medicine, Hand and Upper Extremity, Microsurgery, Total Joint Replacement, Arthroscopic Surgery, Trauma and Fracture Care.

JEFFREY TIEDEMAN GIKK Ortho Specialists

17030 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68130 402-399-8550

HEPATOLOGY MARK E. MAILLIARD

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

TIMOTHY M. MCCASHLAND

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

SANDEEP MUKHERJEE CHI Health Clinic Gastroenterology

601 N 30th St, Ste 5730 Omaha, NE 68131 402-449-4692

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

JOHN A. (JACK) MCCARTHY GIKK Ortho Specialists

17030 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68130 402-399-8550

NOVEMBER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Omaha Orthopedic Clinic Center & Sports Medicine, P.C

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

Internal Medicine Clinic

p. 402.691.0500

f. 402.691.1586 Omaha Division - VA www.omahaorthopedic.com Durham Outpatient Center, Nebraska Western 5th Fl Iowa Health Care LOCATIONS: 4400 Emile St System • 11704 W. Center Rd, Suite #200, Omaha, NE

• 401 E. Gold Coast Rd, Suite #230, Papillion, NE Omaha, NE 68198 Shenandoah, Gold Clinic - Division ofCorning and Missouri Valley, IA 402-559-8650 Infectious Disease 4101 Woolworth Ave Omaha, NE 68105 LAUREL C. PREHEIM 402-346-8800 CHI Health Clinic -

Infectious Disease

BRADLEY EDWARD BRITIGAN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

DANIEL F. SCHAFER

RENEE L. YOUNG

ANDRE KALIL

MARVIN J. BITTNER

Methodist Physicians Clinic Regency

TIMOTHY M. MCCASHLAND

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Omaha Orthopedic Clinic & Sports medicine, PC is proud to have Dr. Richard P. Murphy selected as one of the “Best Doctors” in America 2016 in the category of hand surgery.

GERIATRIC MEDICINE

BOB KIZER

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

DIANA F. FLORESCU

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8650

ALISON GAIL FREIFELD Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8650

GARY L. GORBY

Omaha Division VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System Gold Clinic - Division of Infectious Disease 4101 Woolworth Ave Omaha, NE 68105 402-346-8800

ANGELA HEWLETT

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8650

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 87 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

601 N 30th St, Ste 5800 Omaha, NE 68131 402-981-8251

MARK E. RUPP

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

SUSAN SWINDELLS

Nebraska Medicine Specialty Care Center Division of Infectious Diseases 804 S 52nd St Omaha, NE 68106 402-559-2666

TREVOR C. VAN SCHOONEVELD

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8650

RENUGA VIVEKANANDAN CHI Health Clinic Infectious Disease

601 N 30th St, Ste 5800 Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0759

INTERNAL MEDICINE STEVEN T. BAILEY

Methodist Physicians Clinic HealthWest Department of Internal Medicine 16120 W Dodge Frontage Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-354-0550

JOEL BESSMER

105 S 90th St, Ste 201 Omaha, NE 68114 402-779-8400

TERENCE MICHAEL COONEY

Methodist Physicians Clinic Indian Hills Department of Internal Medicine 8901 W Dodge Rd, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-8600

MICHAEL H. DAVIDIAN CHI Health Clinic Internal Medicine 5002 Underwood Ave Omaha, NE 68132 402-717-0785

MICHAEL DOMALAKES

Methodist Physicians Clinic Regency

Department of Internal Medicine 10060 Regency Cir, 3rd Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-1378

BRUCE L. HOUGHTON

CHI Health Clinic Internal Medicine

601 N 30th St, Ste 5800 Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0800

ANNA MAIO

MARK E. OBERLIES

CHAD READE

ROBERT J. SCHWAB

601 N 30th St, Ste 5800 Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0800

17030 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Ste 102 Omaha, NE 68130 402-758-5800

Department of Internal Medicine 16120 W Dodge Frontage Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-354-0550

Boys Town Medical Campus Pacific Street Clinic 14080 Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 402-392-7600

CHI Health Clinic Internal Medicine

Internal Medicine Physicians

KATHERINE I. MCLEESE Think Whole Person Healthcare

MARK D. OMAR

Methodist Physicians Clinic HealthWest

7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68106 402-506-9107

Department of Internal Medicine 16120 W Dodge Frontage Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-354-0550

J. SCOTT NEUMEISTER Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

DAVID V. O’DELL

RICHARD K. OSTERHOLM

Think Whole Person Healthcare 7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68106 402-506-9111

JENNIFER PARKER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

Nebraska Medicine Fontenelle Clinic Division of General Internal Medicine 5050 Ames Ave Omaha, NE 68104 402-595-2280

Methodist Physicians Clinic HealthWest

Boys Town Internal Medicine

ROBERT L. RECKER

LYNN SCOTT

7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68106 402-506-9112

Department of Internal Medicine 10060 Regency Cir, 3rd Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-1378

Think Whole Person Healthcare

HENRY SAKOWSKI

CHI Health Clinic Internal Medicine

601 N 30th St, Ste 5800 Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0800

SUSAN G. SCHOLER

Think Whole Person Healthcare 7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68106 402-506-9115

Methodist Physicians Clinic Regency

JOSEPH F. SHEHAN

WILLIAM A. SHIFFERMILLER

Methodist Physicians Clinic HealthWest Department of Internal Medicine 16120 W Dodge Frontage Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-354-0550

DAVID P. STEARNES

Methodist Physicians Clinic HealthWest Department of Internal Medicine 16120 W Dodge Frontage Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-354-0550

Think Whole Person Healthcare

THOMAS GERALD TAPE

MATTHEW ALEXANDER SHEHAN

Division of General Internal Medicine 139 S 40th St Omaha, NE 68131 402-595-3939

7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68106 402-506-9118

Think Whole Person Healthcare

Nebraska Medicine Midtown Clinic

7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68124 402-506-9116

CONGRATULATIONS

“2016 BEST DOCTORS IN AMERICA®” MEDICAL ONCOLOGY AND HEMATOLOGY

Margaret Block, M.D.

Robert M. Langdon, Jr., M.D.

Henry Lynch Cancer Center-Bergan (402) 393-3110 Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center (402) 354-8124

NOVEMBER

Ralph J. Hauke, M.D.

Nebraska Cancer Specialists is honored to have these physicians on their staff delivering the highest quality of cancer care to their patients.

Stefano R. Tarantolo, M.D.

Midwest Cancer Center Papillion (402) 593-3141 Midwest Cancer Center Legacy (402) 334-4773

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 88 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

nebraskacancer.com

EDWARD J. TAYLOR

Methodist Physicians Clinic Indian Hills Department of Internal Medicine 8901 W Dodge Rd, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-8600

CHAD W. VOKOUN

Nebraska Medicine Midtown Clinic Division of General Internal Medicine 139 S 40th St Omaha, NE 68131 402-595-3939

JOHN ARNOLD WOODRUFF

Think Whole Person Healthcare 7100 W Center Rd Omaha, NE 68106 402-506-9122

STEVEN H. ZUBER

Methodist Physicians Primary Care Medical Office Bldg, Ste 3200 717 N 190th Plaza Elkhorn, NE 68022 402-815-1980

INTERNAL MEDICINE/ HOSPITAL MEDICINE ERIC C. RICE

CHI Health Bergan Mercy Division of Hospital Medicine 7500 Mercy Rd Omaha, NE 68124 402-398-5822

MEDICAL GENETICS

APAR KISHOR P. GANTI

JULIA A. BRIDGE

Division of Hematology and Oncology Lied Transplant Center Bldg, 3rd Fl 4310 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5600

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Pathology and Microbiology Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4186

BRUCE A. BUEHLER Division of Genetic Medicine 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-8800

MEDICAL ONCOLOGY AND HEMATOLOGY JAMES O. ARMITAGE

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Division of Hematology and Oncology Lied Transplant Center Bldg, 3rd Fl 4310 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5600

PHILIP J. BIERMAN

Department of Internal Medicine 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-2360

Nebraska Medicine Midtown Clinic Division of General Internal Medicine 139 S 40th St Omaha, NE 68131 402-595-3939

RALPH JOSEPH HAUKE Nebraska Cancer Specialists

Midwest Cancer Center – Legacy 17201 Wright St, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68130 402-955-2990

MARGARET ANNE KESSINGER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Division of Hematology and Oncology Lied Transplant Center Bldg, 3rd Fl 4310 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5600

MARGARET BLOCK

Nebraska Cancer Specialists

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center 8303 Dodge St, Ste 250 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-8214

6901 N 72nd St, Ste 2244 Omaha, NE 68122 402-572-3535

8005 Farnam Dr, Ste 305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-398-9243

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Midwest Cancer Center – Legacy 17201 Wright St, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68130 402-334-4773

JULIE M. VOSE

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Division of Hematology and Oncology Lied Transplant Center Bldg, 3rd Fl 4310 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5600

NEPHROLOGY KHALID BASHIR

CHI Health Clinic Nephrology

ROBERT W. DUNLAY ROBERT M. LANGDON, JR.

ABRAHAM PHILIP MATHEWS

Hematology and Oncology Consultants 6901 N 72nd St, Ste 2244 Omaha, NE 68122 402-572-3535

ELIZABETH C. REED

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Division of Hematology and Oncology Lied Transplant Center Bldg, 3rd Fl 4310 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5600

NOVEMBER

Midwest Neurosurgery and Spine Specialists

DANIEL L. SURDELL

Medical Office Bldg 2, Ste 500 7710 Mercy Rd Omaha, NE 68124 402-343-8650

Nebraska Cancer Specialists Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center 8303 Dodge St, Ste 250 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-8214

Methodist Hospital

DOUGLAS J. LONG

Hematology and Oncology Consultants

Nebraska Cancer Specialists

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Division of Hematology and Oncology Lied Transplant Center Bldg, 3rd Fl 4310 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5600

INAGANTI MASTAN SHAH

STEFANO R. TARANTOLO

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

KENDRA E. SWANSON

CHAD W. VOKOUN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

CHI Health Clinic Nephrology

601 N 30th St, Ste 6843 Omaha, NE 68131 402-343-8650

RICHARD J. LUND

Omaha Nephrology 8901 W Dodge Rd, Ste 250 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-2070

NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY

Neurological Sciences Clinic Clarkson Doctors Bldg North, Ste 650 4242 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8600

WILLIAM E. THORELL

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Neurological Sciences Clinic Clarkson Doctors Bldg North, Ste 650 4242 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8600

NEUROLOGY JOHN M. BERTONI

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Neurological Sciences Clinic Clarkson Doctors Bldg North, Ste 650 4242 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8600

KAREN BREMER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Neurological Sciences Clinic Clarkson Doctors Bldg North, Ste 650 4242 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8600

PAMELA MARIE SANTAMARIA

Neurology Consultants of Nebraska North Tower Doctors Bldg, Ste 655 4242 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68131 402-552-2650

SANJAY P. SINGH

CHI Health Clinic Neurology

601 N 30th St, Ste 5300 Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0070

OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY CRAIG ALAN BASSETT

Methodist Physicians Clinic Women’s Center Medical Office Bldg, Ste 1100 717 N 192nd Plaza Omaha, NE 68002 402-815-1700

PAIGE BERRYMAN

Methodist Physicians Clinic

601 N 30th St, Ste 5300 Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0070

Women’s Center Medical Office Bldg, Ste 2200 717 N 190th Plaza Omaha, NE 68022 402-815-1700

PIERRE B. FAYAD

ROBERT G. BONEBRAKE

CHI Health Clinic Neurology

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Neurological Sciences Clinic Clarkson Doctors Bldg North, Ste 650 4242 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8600

KENNETH A. FOLLETT

HARRIS A. FRANKEL

Neurological Sciences Clinic Clarkson Doctors Bldg North, Ste 650 4242 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8600

Neurological Sciences Clinic Clarkson Doctors Bldg North, Ste 650 4242 Farnam St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8600

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

DANIEL LYNN MURMAN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 89 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Methodist Perinatal Center Medical Office Bldg, Ste 2400 717 N 190th Plaza Omaha, NE 68022 402-815-1970

DAVID CROTZER

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center

Midwest GYN Oncology 8303 Dodge St, Ste 300 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5250

LANETTE M. GUTHMANN Methodist Physicians Clinic Women’s Center Medical Office Bldg, Ste 1200 717 N 190th Plaza Omaha, NE 68022 402-815-1700

CAROLEE JONES

Methodist Physicians Clinic Women’s Center Medical Office Bldg, Ste 2200 717 N 190th Plaza Omaha, NE 68022 402-815-1700

THOMAS E. MARTIN

Methodist Physicians Clinic Women’s Center Medical Office Bldg, Ste 1500 717 N 190th Plaza Omaha, NE 68022 402-354-1700

NANCY B. MATHEWS

Methodist Physicians Clinic Women’s Center Medical Office Bldg, Ste 1300 717 N 190th Plaza Omaha, NE 68022 402-815-1700

Midwest GYN Oncology 8303 Dodge St, Ste 300 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5250

7205 W Center Rd, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68124 402-397-6600

Omaha ObGyn Associates

KENT H. SIEMERS

Women’s Center Medical Office Bldg, Ste 1300 717 N 190th Plaza Omaha, NE 68022 402-815-1993

Mid-City OB-GYN

RAYMOND L. SCHULTE 4239 Farnam St, Ste 734 Omaha, NE 68131 402-552-2700

PETER C. MORRIS

LONNY JOE LEGINO

Nebraska Medicine - Olson Center for Women’s Heatth

Division of Gynecologic Oncology Durham Outpatient Center, 4th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4500

MICHELLE S. KNOLLA

Methodist Physicians Clinic

KERRY J. RODABAUGH

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center

Mid-City OB-GYN 7205 W Center Rd, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68124 402-397-6600

ANN MEISSNER SJULIN Mid-City OB-GYN 7205 W Center Rd, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68124 402-397-6600

ANDREW ROBERTSON

Methodist Perinatal Center Medical Office Bldg, Ste 2400 717 N 190th Plaza Omaha, NE 68022 402-815-1700

CARL V. SMITH

Nebraska Medicine - Olson Center for Women’s Health

Division of Maternal and Fetal Medicine Durham Outpatient Center, 4th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-6150

TIFANY SOMER-SHELY

Methodist Physicians Clinic Women’s Center Medical Office Bldg, Ste 1100 717 N 190th Plaza Omaha, NE 68022 402-815-1991

SUSAN A. WESTCOTT

Methodist Physicians Clinic Women’s Center Medical Office Bldg, Ste 1100 717 N 190th Plaza Omaha, NE 68022 402-815-1700

OPHTHALMOLOGY DIANA V. DO

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Stanlry M. Truhlsen Eye Institute 3902 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-2020

JAMES GIGANTELLI

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute 3902 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-2020

QUAN DONG NGUYEN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute 3902 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-2020

PETER J. WHITTED

Midwest Eye Care 4353 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68131 402-552-2020

ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY

RICHARD H. LEGGE

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Stanley M. Truhlsen Eye Institute 3902 Leavenworth St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-2020

DAVID E. BROWN OrthoWest

Oakview Medical Bldg, Ste 212 2725 S 144th St Omaha, NE 68144 402-637-0800

Recognized as Omaha’s Choice for Best Orthopaedic Clinic!

Whatever your injury - in sports, work or everday life - take advantage of the specialized care at OrthoWest to get you back to your best! Check out our website for the OrthoWest location nearest you.

OrthoWest congratulates this year’s “Best Doctors” for the quality care they provide to all their patients.

Join the conversation by “liking” us on Facebook, and check us out online for a list of locations!

(402) 637-0800 | www.orthowest.com

BestDoctors_2016.indd 1

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 90 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

9/9/16 2:08 PM

RUSSELL B. SMITH

SEAN V. MCGARRY

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

CHARLES BURT OrthoWest

Oakview Medical Bldg, Ste 110 2725 S 144th St Omaha, NE 68144 402-637-0400

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8000

ERIC DONALD PHILLIPS Nebraska Spine + Pain Center 13616 California St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68154 402-496-0404

Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Clinic 8303 Dodge St, Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5048

BRITT A. THEDINGER Ear Specialists of Omaha

9202 W Dodge Rd, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-933-3277

PATHOLOGY SCOTT T. MCMULLEN

JULIA A. BRIDGE

GIKK Ortho Specialists

TIMOTHY C. FITZGIBBONS

GIKK Ortho Specialists

17030 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68130 402-399-8550

KEVIN L. GARVIN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8000

17030 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68130 402-399-8550

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Oakview Medical Bldg, Ste 110 2725 S 144th St Omaha, NE 68144 402-637-0400

Bergan Mercy Professional Bldg, Ste 224 7710 Mercy Rd Omaha, NE 68124 402-399-8550

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8000

OTOLARYNGOLOGY ANN LOUISE EDMUNDS

Oakview Medical Bldg, Ste 212 2725 S 144th St Omaha, NE 68144 402-637-0800

KIRK S. HUTTON OrthoWest

Oakview Medical Bldg, Ste 212 2725 S 144th St Omaha, NE 68144 402-637-0800

17030 Lakeside Hills Plaza, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68130 402-399-8550

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

JANE EMANUEL

CHRISTINE P. HANS

Downtown Clinic 555 N 30th St Omaha, NE 68131 402-498-6540

DANIEL D. LYDIATT

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Clinic 8303 Dodge St, Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5048

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center GIKK Ortho Specialists

TIMOTHY GREINER

17410 Burke St, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68118 402-758-5330

Omaha Ear Nose and Throat

WILLIAM M. LYDIATT ERIK OTTERBERG

Department of Pathology and Microbiology Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4186

Department of Pathology and Microbiology Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4186

Boys Town Ear, Nose and Throat Institute

OrthoWest

OrthoWest

GIKK Ortho Specialists

MATTHEW A. MORMINO

RANDALL D. NEUMANN

MARK E. GOEBEL

SAMUEL P. PHILLIPS

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Clinic 8303 Dodge St, Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5048

OLEG N. MILITSAKH

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Clinic 8303 Dodge St, Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5048

NOVEMBER

Methodist Hospital Pathology Center 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-4540

STEVEN H. HINRICHS Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Pathology and Microbiology Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4186

SHANE K. KOHL

Methodist Hospital Pathology Center 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-4540

AUDREY LAZENBY

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Pathology and Microbiology Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4186

SUBODH M. LELE

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Pathology and Microbiology Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4186

RODNEY D. MCCOMB

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Pathology and Microbiology Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4186

SAMUEL PIRRUCCELLO Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Pathology and Microbiology Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4186

STANLEY J. RADIO

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Pathology and Microbiology Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4186

PHYLLIS I. WARKENTIN Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-6781

WILLIAM W. WEST

Physicians Laboratory Services 4840 F St Omaha, NE 68117 402-731-4145

JAMES L. WISECARVER Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Pathology and Microbiology Durham Outpatient Center 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4186

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 91 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY JAINE BROWNELL

Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic 16945 Frances St Omaha, NE 68130 402-397-7400

RUSSELL J. HOPP

CHI Health Clinic - Allergy & Immunology

601 N 30th St, Ste 6820 Omaha, NE 68131 402-280-4580

PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIOLOGY DENISE MARIE DRVOL Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Department of Anesthesiology 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4385

JANE KUGLER

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Department of Anesthesiology 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4385

RACHEL A. SPITZNAGEL

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Department of Anesthesiology 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4385

PEDIATRIC CARDIAC SURGERY KIM F. DUNCAN

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery 8200 Dodge St, 4th Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4360

JAMES MARTIN HAMMEL

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery 8200 Dodge St, 4th Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4360

PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY DAVID A. DANFORD

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Heart Center 8200 Dodge St, 1st Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4339

JEFFREY W. DELANEY Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Heart Center 8200 Dodge St, 1st Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4339

CHRISTOPHER C. ERICKSON

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Heart Center 8200 Dodge St, 1st Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4339

SCOTT FLETCHER

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Heart Center 8200 Dodge St, 1st Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4339

CARL H. GUMBINER

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Heart Center 8200 Dodge St, 1st Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4339

JOHN DALE KUGLER

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

ROBERT L. SPICER

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation 412 S Saddle Creek Rd Omaha, NE 68131 402-559-6418

ANN HASKINS OLNEY

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation 412 S Saddle Creek Rd Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-6418

PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE

PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE

DAVID M. TOLO

MOHAN R. MYSORE

Urgent Care Center 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-8300

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Division of Critical Care Medicine 8200 Dodge St, 2nd Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4200

RUBEN E. QUIROS

H. DELE DAVIES

RICHARD E. LUTZ

Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Clinic 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68198 402-955-5700

KEVIN P. CORLEY

HOWARD W. NEEDELMAN

PEDIATRIC CLINICAL GENETICS

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Dermatology Specialists of Omaha 909 N 96th St Omaha, NE 68114 402-330-4555

PEDIATRIC DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS

Heart Center 8200 Dodge St, 1st Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4339

PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE

PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY

Jill S. Nelson

Heart Center 8200 Dodge St, 1st Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4339

PEDIATRIC GENERAL HEPATOLOGY

PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY

Diabetes and Endocrinology Clinic 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-3871

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation 412 S Saddle Creek Rd Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8638

PEDIATRIC

GASTROENTEROLOGY RUBEN E. QUIROS

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Clinic 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68198 402-955-5700

JON A. VANDERHOOF Boys Town Gastroenterology

Boys Town Medical Campus - Pacific Street Clinic 14080 Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 402-778-6820

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGYONCOLOGY DON W. COULTER

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-3950

BRUCE GORDON

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Specialty Pediatric Center Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases 84th St and W Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4005

SHIRLEY F. DELAIR

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Infectious Diseases Clinic 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4005

STEPHEN K. OBARO

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Infectious Diseases Clinic 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4005

KARI A. SIMONSEN

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Lied Transplant Center Bldg, 3rd Fl 4310 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7257

Infectious Diseases Clinic 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4005

PHYLLIS I. WARKENTIN

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Departments of Pathology and Pediatrics 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-6781

Caring for what moves you.

Expert Orthopedic Care GIKK Ortho Specialists has been providing expert, personalized muscle, bone and joint care to patients for over 65 years. To get relief from pain and regain mobility, trust the orthopedic specialists at GIKK to help you get back to the healthy and active lifestyle you deserve.

JESSICA N. SNOWDEN Infectious Diseases Clinic 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4005

R. Michael Gross, MD Timothy C. Fitzgibbons, MD C. Michael Kelly, MD Jack A. McCarthy, MD T. Kevin O’Malley, MD Jeffrey J. Tiedeman, MD Scott T. McMullen, MD Erik T. Otterberg, MD David J. Inda, MD Samuel P. Phillips, MD Charles E. Rosipal, MD Kathleen M. Grier, MD Kimberly A. Turman, MD Daniel L. Gaffney, MD Brett W. Fischer, MD David C. Buck, MD Nicholas J. Wegner, MD

Foot & Ankle | Hand & Wrist | Hip & Knee | Shoulder & Elbow | Sports Medicine

West Omaha

•

Central Omaha

•

Bellevue

•

402.399.8550 • www.GIKK.com NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 92 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Fremont

PEDIATRIC NEUROLOGICAL SURGERY LESLIE HELLBUSCH

Omaha Division - VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System Division of Neurosurgery 4101 Woolworth Ave Omaha, NE 68105 402-995-4068

MARK J. PUCCIONI

Midwest Neurosurgery and Spine Specialists 8005 Farnam Dr, Ste 305 Omaha, NE 68114 402-398-9243

BRIAN HASLEY

MARK C. WILSON

LYNNE D. WILLETT

Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery 8200 Dodge St, 4th Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-6300

Pulmonary Medicine Clinic 8200 Dodge St, 2nd Fl| Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-6404

Division of Neonatology 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-6140

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery 8200 Dodge St, 4th Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-6300

PATRICIA SEIVERT

ENT, Allergy and Audiology Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 2nd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5208

PEDIATRIC OPHTHALMOLOGY DONNY WON SUH

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Eye Clinic 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5440

ROBERT TROIA

Pediatric Ophthalmology Associates

515 N 98th St Omaha, NE 68114 402-399-9400

SEBASTIAN TROIA Pediatric Ophthalmology Associates

515 N 98th St Omaha, NE 68114 402-399-9400

PEDIATRIC ORTHOPAEDIC SURGERY PAUL ESPOSITO

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Department of Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery 8200 Dodge St, 4th Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-6300

ADAM L. REINHARDT

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

PEDIATRIC OTOLARYNGOLOGY DWIGHT JONES

Durham Outpatient Center, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-955-8125

PEDIATRIC RHEUMATOLOGY

SUSAN A. SCHERL

PEDIATRIC NUTRITION Children’s Physicians - UNMC

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

D. RICHARD KANG

Boys Town Ear, Nose and Throat Institute Downtown Clinic 555 N 30th St Omaha, NE 68131 402-498-6540

RYAN K. SEWELL

ENT Specialists

720 N 129th St Omaha, NE 68154 402-397-0670

PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY JOHN L. COLOMBO

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Pulmonary Medicine Clinic 8200 Dodge St, 2nd Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5570

JEFFREY S. NELSON

Midwest Allergy and Asthma Clinic 16945 Frances St Omaha, NE 68130 402-397-7400

PAUL H. SAMMUT

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Pulmonary Medicine Clinic 8200 Dodge St, 2nd Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-6404

Rheumatology Clinic 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4070

PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST/CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRY SHASHI K. BHATIA

CHI Health Clinic Psychiatric Associates 3528 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-5550

CHRISTOPHER J. KRATOCHVIL

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Psychiatry Poynter Hall Bldg, 3rd Fl 42nd and Dewey St Omaha, NE 68198 402-552-6007

JAMIE SNYDER

CHI Health Clinic Psychiatric Associates 3528 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-5550

PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST/ NEONATALPERINATAL MEDICINE ANN L. ANDERSONBERRY

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Division of Neonatology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-6750

JOHN WESLEY SPARKS Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Division of Neonatology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-6400

NOVEMBER

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

ZAHI E. ZEIDAN

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Division of Neonatology 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-6140

PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST/ NEUROLOGY, GENERAL PAUL D. LARSEN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Pediatric Neurology Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-9539

PEDIATRIC SPECIALIST/ PEDIATRIC METABOLIC DISEASES WILLIAM BRADLEY RIZZO

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Metabolic Management Clinic 8200 W Dodge St Omaha, NE 68198 402-955-4199

PEDIATRIC SURGERY ROBERT A. CUSICK

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Division of Pediatric Surgery 8200 Dodge St, 4th Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-7400

STEPHEN C. RAYNOR

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Division of Pediatric Surgery 8200 Dodge St, 4th Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-7400

PEDIATRICS/ GENERAL JOHN ANDRESEN

Dundee Pediatrics 5018 Underwood Ave, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68132 402-991-5678

KATHERINE ANGLIM

Children’s Physicians - Eagle Run 13808 W Maple Rd, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68164 402-955-3000

ALKA DESAI

KENT KRONBERG

Children’s Physicians - Eagle Run 13808 W Maple Rd, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68164 402-955-3000

GARY STEPHEN LERNER

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Children’s Developmental Clinic 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4160

ERIN A. LOUCKS

Children’s Physicians - Eagle Run

Children’s Physicians - Dundee

MARK J. DOMET

MARY JANE FITZGIBBONS MIKULS

13808 W Maple Rd, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68164 402-955-3000

Boys Town Pediatrics Boys Town Medical Campus - Pacific Street Clinic 14080 Hospital Rd Boys Town, NE 68010 402-778-6900

DAVID FINKEN

Children’s Physicians - UNMC Durham Outpatient Center, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-955-8125

FRANCIS J. HARRISON

Children’s Physicians - Val Verde 9801 Giles Rd, Ste 1 La Vista, NE 68128 402-955-8400

DAVID KAUFMAN

Children’s Physicians - Eagle Run 13808 W Maple Rd, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68164 402-955-3000

JILLYN KRATOCHVIL

Children’s Physicians - Dundee 4825 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68132 402-955-7676

KARI A. KRENZER

Children’s Physicians - West Village Point 110 N 175th St, Ste 1000 Omaha, NE 68118 402-955-5437

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 93 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

4825 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68132 402-955-7676

Children’s Physicians - West Village Point 110 N 175th St, Ste 1000 Omaha, NE 68118 402-955-5437

JOHN C. MOORE

Children’s Physicians - West Village Point 110 N 175th St, Ste 1000 Omaha, NE 68118 402-955-5437

MICHAEL J. MOORE

Children’s Physicians - Dundee 4825 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68132 402-955-7676

LAURA NIELSEN

Children’s Physicians - West Village Point 110 N 175th St, Ste 1000 Omaha, NE 68118 402-955-5437

JENNIFER PARKER

Nebraska Medicine Fontenelle Clinic Division of General Internal Medicine 5050 Ames Ave Omaha, NE 68104 402-595-2280

SHERYL L. PITNER

Children’s Physicians - UNMC Durham Outpatient Center, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-955-8125

CHANDRIKA RIZAL

Children’s Physicians - Mission Village 16909 Q St Omaha, NE 68135 402-955-7575

PATRICIA SEIVERT

Children’s Physicians - UNMC Durham Outpatient Center, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-955-8125

GREGORY C. SEVERSON Methodist Physicians Clinic HealthWest Department of Pediatrics 16120 W Dodge Frontage Rd Omaha, NE 68118 402-354-0620

CHARLES J. SPRAGUE

Boys Town Pediatrics

Lakeside Clinic 16929 Frances St, Ste 101 Omaha, NE 68130 402-758-5125

BETSY STEPHENSON

Children’s Physicians - Mission Village

JOHN N. WALBURN

Children’s Physicians - UNMC Durham Outpatient Center, 1st Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-955-8125

ELIZABETH A. WALENZ

Methodist Physicians Clinic Regency Department of Pediatrics 10060 Regency Cir, 2nd Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-1325

ROBERT D. WOODFORD Methodist Physicians Clinic Regency Department of Pediatrics 10060 Regency Cir, 2nd Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-1325

PEDIATRICS/ HOSPITAL MEDICINE JOSEPH T. SNOW

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

16909 Q St Omaha, NE 68135 402-955-7575

Hospitalist Service 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5400

JOSEPH STRALEY

SHEILAH J. SNYDER

13808 W Maple Rd, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68164 402-955-3000

Hospitalist Service 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5400

Children’s Physicians - Eagle Run

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

SHARON R. STOOLMAN Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Hospitalist Service 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5400

CASSANDRA SUSMAN Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Hospitalist Service 8200 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-5400

PLASTIC SURGERY STEVEN M. DENENBERG 7640 Pacific St

Omaha, NE 68114 402-391-7640

JOHN J. EDNEY

Aesthetic Surgical Images 8900 W Dodge Rd Omaha, NE 68114 402-390-0100

RONALD R. HOLLINS

JASON J. MILLER

ARUN SHARMA

Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery

CHI Health Clinic

Psychiatric Associates Medical Office Bldg 3, Ste 203 7101 Newport Ave Omaha, NE 68152 402-572-2916

17617 Burke St Omaha, NE 68118 402-596-4000

PSYCHIATRY

ASHISH SHARMA

SHASHI K. BHATIA

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

CHI Health Clinic Psychiatric Associates 3528 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-5550

Department of Psychiatry Poynter Hall Bldg, 5th Fl 42nd and Dewey St Omaha, NE 68198 402-552-6007

MARK H. FLEISHER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Psychiatry 510 S 42nd St Omaha, NE 68198 402-552-6007

PAULAJO MALIN

Psychiatric Associates 3528 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-5550

WILLIAM A. MARCIL

PERRY JOHNSON

Lasting Hope Assessment Center 415 S 25th Ave Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-5300

Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery 17617 Burke St Omaha, NE 68118 402-596-4000

KRISTINA L. BAILEY

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

CHI Health Clinic

Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery 17617 Burke St Omaha, NE 68118 402-596-4000

PULMONARY MEDICINE

Lasting Hope Recovery

SRIRAM RAMASWAMY

Omaha Division - VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System

GUILLERMO HUERTA

Methodist Physicians Clinic Westroads Office Park Pulmonary Medicine Specialists 1120 N 103rd Plaza, Ste 102 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-0120

Mental Health Clinic 4101 Woolworth Ave, Rm 116A Omaha, NE 68105 402-995-4344

LEE MORROW

CHI Health Clinic Pulmonary Medicine 601 N 30th St, Ste 3820 Omaha, NE 68131 402-449-4486

PETER JAMES MURPHY Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

CRAIG ARNOLD PIQUETTE

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

JILL ADAIR POOLE

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

STEPHEN I. RENNARD Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

Omaha Orthopedic Clinic & Sports medicine, PC is proud to have Dr. Richard P. Murphy selected as one of the “Best Doctors” in America 2016 in the category of hand surgery.

Omaha Orthopedic Clinic and Sports Medicine PC has been a Practice of Excellence Since 1934.

We have assembled a team of talented surgeons.

Dr. Richard Murphy, Dr. Michael Morrison, Dr. Peter Cimino, Dr. Jason Mickels, and Dr. Michael Coffey all working together committed to providing our patients with the highest quality orthopedic healthcare.

Our surgeons specialize in Sports Medicine, Hand and Upper Extremity, Microsurgery, Total Joint Replacement, Arthroscopic Surgery, Trauma and Fracture Care.

NOVEMBER

Omaha Orthopedic Clinic & Sports Medicine, P.C p. 402.691.0500 f. 402.691.1586 www.omahaorthopedic.com

LOCATIONS: • 11704 W. Center Rd, Suite #200, Omaha, NE • 401 E. Gold Coast Rd, Suite #230, Papillion, NE Shenandoah, Corning and Missouri Valley, IA

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 94 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

DEBRA J. ROMBERGER Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

JOSEPH H. SISSON

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

AUSTIN B. THOMPSON Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

SUSANNA GERTRUDE VON ESSEN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

TAMMY OLESKEVICH WICHMAN

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center|

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

RADIATION ONCOLOGY CHARLES A. ENKE

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Radiation Oncology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-552-3844

WEINING (KEN) ZHEN

RICHARD A. KUTILEK

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Methodist Hospital

Department of Radiology 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-4344

Department of Radiation Oncology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-552-3844

KEVIN L. NELSON

Methodist Hospital

RADIOLOGY JOSEPH C. ANDERSON

Nebraska Medicine NebraskaMedicalCenter Department of Radiology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-1010

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Radiology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-1010

MATTHEW L. WHITE

Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital Oakview Medical Bldg, Ste 118 2725 S 144th St Omaha, NE 68144 402-609-1800

MATT J. DEVRIES

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Radiology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-1010

SUZANNE H. HRUZA CHI Health Immanuel

Radiology Consultants of the Midwest 6901 N 72nd St Omaha, NE 68122 402-572-2324

MARK D. KEIPER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Department of Radiology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-1010

EDIBALDO SILVA-LOPEZ

Department of Surgery Lied Transplant Center Bldg, 2nd Fl 4310 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-5000

Comprehensive Breast Clinic Division of Surgical Oncology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68105 402-559-9196

JAMES R. O’DELL

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Radiology Consultants of the Midwest 6901 N 72nd St Omaha, NE 68122 402-717-2222

ALAN N. LANGNAS

JOSEPH M. STAVAS

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Division of Neuroradiology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-1010

RHEUMATOLOGY DEBORAH K. DOUD Rheumatology Consultants

Oakview Medical Bldg, Ste 240 2727 S 144th St Omaha, NE 68144 402-609-1200

ALAN R. ERICKSON

Nebraska Medicine Brentwood Village

Division of Rheumatology 8021 S 84th St La Vista, NE 68128 402-595-1227

JOHN HURLEY

CHI Health Clinic Rheumatology

601 N 30th St, Ste 5700 Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0750

NOVEMBER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68106 402-559-4015

WILLIAM R. PALMER Westroads Rheumatology Associates

10170 Nicholas St Omaha, NE 68114 402-391-3800

SURGERY GARY J. ANTHONE

Methodist Physicians Clinic

Bariatric Surgery Program 8111 Dodge St, Ste 220 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-1320

BERNARD TIMOTHY BAXTER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Vascular Surgery Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 2nd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7300

SAMUEL CEMAJ

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Division of Trauma and Critical Care Surgery Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4017

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center Breast Care Center 8303 Dodge St, Ste 302 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-3090

ROBERT H. LINDAU III

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

JAMES A. REILLY

601 N 30th St, Ste 3700 Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-4900

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

CRAIG W. WALKER

CHI Health Immanuel

CHI Health Clinic General Surgery

Department of Radiology 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-4344

NICK NELSON

601 N 30th St, Ste 3601 Omaha, NE 68131 402-449-4847

BRUCE BARON

Internal Medicine Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4015

ROBERT J. FITZGIBBONS, JR.

TED MIKULS

CHI Health Clinic Radiology

Department of Radiology 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-1010

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Methodist Hospital

KIMBERLY ANN APKER

DEREK BURDENY

Department of Radiology 8303 Dodge St Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-4344

LYNELL W. KLASSEN

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Clinic 8303 Dodge St, Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5048

JON S. THOMPSON

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

General Surgery Clinic Durham Outpatient Center 5th Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4075

SURGICAL ONCOLOGY CHANDRAKANTH ARE

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Division of Surgical Oncology Lied Transplant Center Bldg, 3rd Fl 4310 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198

GEORGE W. DITTRICK

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center

Surgical Oncology Clinic 8303 Dodge St, Ste 200 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5150

ROBERT H. LINDAU III

Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Clinic 8303 Dodge St, Ste 304 Omaha, NE 68114 402-354-5048

BRIAN W. LOGGIE

CHI Health Clinic Surgical Oncology

601 N 30th St, Ste 2803 Omaha, NE 68131 402-717-0090

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 95 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Nebraska Medicine - Olson Center for Women’s Health

ALAN G. THORSON

Colon and Rectal Surgery

9850 Nicholas St, Ste 100 Omaha, NE 68114 402-343-1122

THORACIC SURGERY JAMES MARTIN HAMMEL

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery 8200 Dodge St, 4th Fl Omaha, NE 68114 402-955-4360

RUDY PAUL LACKNER Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Durham Outpatient Center, 2nd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-4389

MICHAEL J. MOULTON Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center Cardiovascular Center Durham Outpatient Center, Ste 2310 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-8888

VASCULAR SURGERY BERNARD TIMOTHY BAXTER

Nebraska Medicine - Nebraska Medical Center

Vascular Surgery Clinic Durham Outpatient Center, 2nd Fl 4400 Emile St Omaha, NE 68198 402-559-7300

from the Editor

Sandy Matson Contributing Editor, OmahaHome

E

very year as the holidays get closer, I start to think about traditions, and we all have them in some sense. Maybe it’s a certain dish or hot drink that we share.

One of my very favorite Christmas memories happens to be that bag of fresh fruit and peanuts we received as we left our little country church in Miller, Iowa, with music playing in the background. I can still hear the choir’s rendition of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.”

On Christmas, my mother always impressed me with tiny, fun gifts: a box of lifesavers, or these fuzzy little bootie socks. I looked forward to them each year so much that I decided I would give socks as small gifts to my children while they were growing up.

Even as adults, they know they are going to get some socks or slippers.

But over time these traditions change to reflect the changes in our own lives.

As much as we celebrate the holidays, the passing of another year also holds individual significance for everyone. For me it was getting to “road trip” with my father to Missouri.

It had been over 40 years since I had the pleasure of spending a short weekend with both of my parents, something I feel so many take for granted. For me, it will remain one of the most significant memories of family togetherness, even if it was for a short time.

MARY BETH HARROLD

Papillion Flower Patch Joins the Christmas Caravan of homes

From our Omaha Home to your home, we hope any gift—large or small—has a joyous and memorable impact.

Cheers!

EMILY ANDERSEN & GEOFF DEOLD Balancing Life and Work at 1717 Vinton St.

GOLD STANDARD

The 2016 ASID Awards

Sandy OmahaHome

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.”—Helen Keller

November/December 2016

EDITORIAL

MCKINNIS

ROOFING

SIDING

WINDOWS

Executive Editor DOUG MEIGS Associate Editor DAISY HUTZELL-RODMAN

GUTTERS

402.513.6620 www.mckinnisroofing.com

Contributing Editor SANDY MATSON

13315 B Street, Omaha, NE 68144

164 S 1st St Blair, NE 68008

Editorial Assistant MICHAEL NICHOLS Interns MADISON BESCH LUKE BULLER LINDSAY WILSON Events/PR ALESHA OLSON Contributing Writers JENNIFER LITTON • CLAIRE MARTIN PATRICK MCGEE • ALEX PRIEST ASHLEY WEGNER • JENN CARROLL WHITE, ASID

CREATIVE Creative Director BILL SITZMANN Art Director KRISTEN HOFFMAN

Molly Maid clean is now green!

Molly Maid THE cleanLINEN is now green!

GALLERY Trust Molly Maid to clean your so thoroughly, people Molly Maidhome clean is now green! are guaranteed toVisit notice! our new location

8723 Countryside Plaza Omaha NE 68114 www.LinensandDown.com | 402.399.5242 Molly Maid clean is now

Trust Molly Maid to clean your home so thoroughly, people are guaranteed to notice!

Trust Molly Maid to clean your home so thoroughly, people are guaranteed to notice!

5 5

5

Senior Graphic Designer RACHEL JOY Graphic Designer MATTHEW WIECZOREK

green!

For a to Cleaning Plan designed around why Trust Mollyis Maid clean your MollyitReasons Maid clean now green! home so thoroughly, people makes sense. your home and your lifestyle your Local For a Cleaning Plan designedCall around are guaranteed to notice!

Reasons why it makes sense. your home and your lifestyle For fora my Cleaning PlanCall designed around why Reasons Molly Maid’s private label cleaning It’s healthier family, the products your Local Trust Molly Maid clean your are environmentally safe,to are all natural cleaners and disinyour home it makes 1 productssense. home so thoroughly, people and your lifestyle

1

Molly Maid’s private label cleaning products are environmentally safe, biodegradable and non-toxic.

5

2

1 2 3

4 5

Call your Local

biodegradable and non-toxic. fectants, I don’t worry about fumes, are guaranteed to notice!

Molly Maid’s private label cleaning residue build up. healthier for my family, the or products environmentally safe, products areIt’s are and all natural cleaners and disinbiodegradable non-toxic.

2

5

DAISY@OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

MOLLY MAID OF CENTRAL OMAHA/COUNCIL BLUFFS Plan designed around For a Cleaning Reasons why it makes sense. your home and your lifestyle 402.932.MAID (6243)

fectants, I don’t worry my about I’m doing partfumes, to help the environment.

Even the smallest contributions can make Molly Maid’s “Small Efforts. Big Results.” residue or build up. a big difference over time. brochure provide additional informaI’m doing my part to help the environment. tion creating MOLLY a more MAID greenOF friendly Even the smallest can makeabout Mollycontributions Maid’s “Small Efforts.

Big Results.”

CENTRAL OMAHA/COUNCIL BLUFFS a big difference over time. home. brochure provide additional informaMolly Maid’s private label cleaning

3

4

4

A clean you can A clean youfamily, can 402.932.MAID (6243) trust!

Local It’s healthier Call for myyour the products

For a Cleaning Plan(6243) designed around Reasons why 402.932.MAID it makes sense. your home and your lifestyle

1

tion about creating a more green friendly products are environmentally safe, Molly Maid’s “Small Efforts. Big Results.”

MOLLYnotice MAID OF CENTRAL OMAHA/COUNCIL BLUFFS People always how clean and home. biodegradable and non-toxic. brochure provide additional informafresh my home is, now I’m proud to

5

tion about creating more notice green friendly People a always how clean and Mollytell Maid’s private labelacleaning them it’s also Molly Maid Green home. fresh my home is, products now I’m are proud to environmentally safe,

5

2 you trust!

A clean can . trust!

2 Each franchise independently . owned and operated cathy.tichy@mollymaid.com I’m doing my part to help the environment. cathy.tichy@mollymaid.com 3 Even . the smallest contributions can make Each franchise independently owned and operated a big difference over time.

3cathy.tichy@mollymaid.com 1

Home!

are all natural cleaners and disinbiodegradable and non-toxic. tell them it’s also a Molly Maid Green People always notice how clean and fectants, I don’t worry about fumes, Home!

It’s to healthier for my family, the products fresh my home is, now I’m proud Each franchise independently residue or build up.owned and operated all natural cleaners and disintell them it’s also a Molly Maid are Green Home!

/ H98 /

fectants, I don’t worry about fumes, residue or build up.

I’m doing my part to help the environment.

Even the smallest contributions can make a big difference over time.

OmahaHome November/December 2016 Molly Maid’s “Small Efforts. Big Results.”

4

4

Molly Maid’s “Small Efforts. Big Results.” brochure provide additional information about creating a more green friendly

1

5

Call your Local

Reasons why it makes sense.

Molly Maid’s private label cleaning products are environmentally safe, biodegradable and non-toxic.

MOLLY MAID OF CENTRAL OMAHA/COUNCIL BLUFFS It’s healthier for my family, the products

MOLLY MAIDprovide OF CENTRAL OMAHA/COUNCIL brochure additional informa- BLUFFS tion about creating a more green friendly home.

Comments?

SEND YOUR THOUGHTS TO: Molly Maid clean is now green!

Trust Molly Maid to clean your home so thoroughly, people are guaranteed to notice!

I’m doing my part to help the environment. fectants, I don’t worry about fumes, Even the smallest contributions can make It’s healthier for my family, the products residue or build up. are all natural cleaners and disin- a big difference over time.

3

Contributing Photographers KEITH BINDER COLIN CONCES SCOTT DRICKEY SARAH LEMKE PAUL PISKORSKI, AMOURA PRODUCTIONS

402.932.MAID (6243)

2 402.932.MAID (6243) are all natural cleaners and disinfectants, I don’t worry about fumes,

OMAHA HOME MAGAZINE APPEARS AS ITS OWN MAGAZINE AND AS A SECTION WITHIN OMAHA MAGAZINE. TO VIEW THE FULL VERSION OF OMAHA MAGAZINE, OR TO SUBSCRIBE, GO TO OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM/SUBSCRIBE

For a Cleaning Plan designed around your home and your lifestyle Call your Local

LewisArt Gallery PREPARE TO BE INSPIRED!

2016 First Place

2B

O

HA ’

S

B

ess-to-Busine sin ss MA ne azi ag

Oma ha ’s

Bu

M

il Art Ga Reta lle st ry Be

2016 Winner

KETV 7 • Baxter Arena

You’ll Love What You See. Personal Service, Professional Results

Carwash and Detail Center

• Dolphins detailing, just like new • Full service gas, at self-service prices • Touchless carwash, hand dry finish

Full Service Car Care . 2511 South 140th Street . 402-697-0650 . dolphinscarwash.com Locally owned with 26 years of service in the Omaha community

8600 CASS ST • 402.391.7733 MON-FRI 9AM-6PM • SAT 9AM-3PM LEWISARTGALLERY.COM

402-333-5722 • sw-fence.com

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H99 /

From Design to Installation

Rainbow

ARTISTIC GLASS & DESIGN 3709 S 138 Street · 402-330-7676 www.rainbowartisticglass.com

2B

O

HA ’

S

B

to-Busi essne ss sin MA

ne azi ag

apconstructomaha.com

Bu

M

402.740.0800

Oma ha ’s

• Residential Roofing • Roof Maintenance & Repair • Licensed, Bonded, Insured & Locally Owned in Papillion, NE

201 6 Wi n ner

Better Doors... at Better Prices Thank you Omaha for voting us Best Garage Doors

Insurance Claims Welcome

Since 1963

402.331.8920 · www.normsdoor.com

/ H100 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

Did that last storm do a number on your roof? No need for you to worry. If your roof sustained fire, snow or hail damage, the repairs can be costly.

We are your wind and hail damage experts and accept insurance claims so you won’t have to pay for the repair work yourself.

DIY story by Sandy Matson / photography by bill sitzmann

Holiday, HoliDIY FRAMING PERFECT

O

HOLIDAY MEMORIES

RNATE PICTURE FR AMES can be used for more than

framing photos or prints; however, that wasn’t my original intention when I found the perfect frame at a thrift store last year. It contained a hideous old photo, but I just loved the frame and decided it was going to “frame” my coffee table’s holiday décor.

Instructions:

Place items inside the picture frame or arrange as a vignette.

Consider different heights and textures for added interest, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. This DIY project doesn’t have to be just for the holidays. It can be adapted for any season.

Items used on the front of Omaha Home • Ornate picture frame

I went through most of my decorations looking for items to highlight until I was at the bottom of the Christmas box. I created two versions: one is pictured on this page, the other is pictured on the front of Omaha Home.

• Christmas greenery

Even without the picture frame, holiday ornaments can be used to create vignettes—small ornamental designs to fill a space—for tables and nooks around the house. Include any of your favorite decorations.

• Mercury glass décor candle holders, several styles and sizes.

These are my favorite; they work all year long.

OmahaHome

• Christmas bulbs • Glass candle holders (place décor of different heights in the center)

Items used on the current page:

• Christmas greenery (different types) • Christmas ornaments • String of white lights • Christmas bulbs

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H101 /

Spaces story by Jennifer Litton photography by bill sitzmann / design by matt wieczorek

The dining room of the General Crook House would have been one of several entertaining rooms, which are now available to be rented for special functions.

/ H102 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

WHERE DIGNITARIES WAITED ENTERING THE

GENERAL CROOK HOUSE MUSEUM

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H103 /

Spaces

O

U T OF THE Douglas County

Historical Society’s collection of 6 million artifacts and records, the biggest showcase is the General Crook House Museum. The Italianate-style brick home was built in 1878. Now located on Metropolitan Community College’s Fort Omaha campus, the museum is named for its first occupant, Gen. George Crook.

Just inside the museum’s front doors is the reception room, which displays fine objects like Battenberg lace, embossed leather tables, and dried flowers under glass. There are scenic oil paintings depicting simpler times and curious antiques, such as Bohemian ruby glass vases and candlesticks dripping with crystals. >

The reception room boasted all the latest musical technology of its day. / H104 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

B

O

HA ’

2016 Winner

S

2B

ne azi ag

Oma ha ’s

to-Busi essne ss sin MA

M

Bu

Call Us For All Your

Holiday LIGHTing needs 402.516.4498

midwestlightscaping.com

402.968.4915

completecustomhomes.com tom@completecustomhomes.com

/CompleteCustomHomes

Thanks for voting us Best of Omaha

TM

THE SELECTION YOU NEED. Endless amazing interior designs to help bring life to your home!

SIDING

DOORS

WINDOWS

GARAGE DOORS

THE EXPERIENCE YOU DESERVE.

Christmas Open House: November 4: 9 to 5 & November 5: 9 to 2 217 N. Jefferson St. Papillion NE 402.331.9136 • papillionflowerpatch.com / H106 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

402.733.6440 • omahadoor.com

SpAces

< "The reception room would have been a place that servants would have greeted guests," says Kathy Aultz, director of the Douglas County Historical Society.

“We really strive to make people feel like you’re welcome in this house. We’ve done all this work to restore it and preserve it for you to enjoy and see a piece of history of Douglas County.”

Aultz says the reception room is an intimate space where the general’s wife, Mary Crook, might have enjoyed tea or entertained friends. Today, the reception room holds weddings, baby showers, anniversary parties, and is also a popular spot for holiday photo sessions. In recent years, the greatgreat grandson of Charles Dickens, Gerald Dickens of Oxford, England, greeted fans in the reception room after performing adaptations of his ancestor's classics.

-Kathy Aultz

Artifacts fill the museum. Plaster carvings instead of wood carvings in some places (and labor from troops) allowed the general to reduce initial construction costs from an estimated $10,000 to $7,716.

A silver-plated tray that rests off the entrance hints at the popular Victorian ritual of using calling cards, where guests would leave their cards to see if the lady or the general were accepting visitors. >

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H107 /

Out of the Douglas County Historical Societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s collection of 6 million artifacts and records, the biggest showcase is the General Crook House Museum.

The reception room / H108 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

Spaces

Quality, Dependable Trash & Rec ycling Ser vice SALES • SERVICE • RENTALS For Over 60 Years

Locally Owned & Operated

COMMERCIAL

• Waste Disposal • Rear Load Containers • Front Load Containers • Recycling

abestrash.com | 8123 Christensen Lane

to-Busi essne ss sin MA

2B

O

HA ’

S

B

Bu

ne azi ag

Oma ha ’s

402.571.4926 M

< History indicates that the height of a woman’s card pile might be interpreted as a clue to her social standing. One can just imagine Mary Crook’s calling card pile overflowing, as dignitaries such as President Ulysses S. Grant and President Rutherford B. Hayes visited.

Gen. Oliver Otis Howard, the founder of Howard University, was also a guest.

Abe’s Trash Service, Inc.

2016 Winner

Aultz says she loves to sit on the Rococcostyle velvet-upholstered loveseat and soak it all in. “The furniture is different than what I am used to. Look at the design. Look at the quality craftsmanship and how it was built.

Notice how small the furniture is and how low to the ground it is when you’re sitting on it. That’s because people were just so much smaller then.”

Some pieces in the room are original: the fireplace, the flooring, and the cherry woodwork with maple trim. The room’s focal points are the Regina music box that plays metal disks and the rosewood Steinway square concert grand piano that was brought up the Missouri River by steamboat.

Aultz welcomes volunteers who want to serve as greeters. “We really strive to make people feel like you’re welcome in this house. We’ve done all this work to restore it and preserve it for you to enjoy and see a piece of history of Douglas County.” OmahaHome Visit douglascohistory.org/visit.html for more information.

CONSTRUC TION & CLEAN-UP • Roll-Off Containers • C&D Landfill • C&D Recycling • Green Build Services

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! NOVEMBER /

SAVE

Aultz spearheads the maintenance of the house. She recently ordered new carpet for the stairs from Europe. “We want it to be loomed the exact width that they would have used during the time, and we can’t get the correct width here.”

The Douglas County Historical Society also studied wallpaper authentic to that period from the John Sautter Farmhouse in Papillion. “We used that pattern to have new wallpaper reproduced that would have been paper not only authentic to the period, but also authentic to this area of the country,” she says.

RESIDENTIAL

• Dependable Weekly Trash Service • Trash Carts & Recycling Bins • Weekly Recycling • Weekly Yard Waste

COMPAC TORS

• Stationary Compactors • Self-Contained Compactors • Cardboard Compactors • Recycling • Compactor Maintenance Performed

75%

Don’t miss a single issue of Omaha Magazine

DECEMBER 2015

LAUREN GARRISON Surly Lass, British Sass BOBSLEDDIN G? IN NEBRASKA? Olympic Gold Medalist Curtis Tomas evicz BEST DOCTORS OMAHA 20152016

Rev. John Je

nk

FROM OM ins AH

A NOTREto D AME

omamag.com/save

MAIDS

“Omaha’s Complete House Cleaning Resource”

• Weekly, Biweekly, Monthly • Special One Time Cleanings

& MORE...

• Steam Cleaning Carpets • Upholstery • Tile & Grout • Wood Floor Rejuvenator • “House For Sale” Cleaning Specialist

Winner of Best of Omaha for 7 Years in a Row!

Same day and weekend availability!

See additional discounts and pricing info at

maidsandmore.com 402.572.6243

Stephanie & Jim Lovely We started Maids & More here locally to offer you a professional, affordable service from people you can trust

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H109 /

At Home story by Alex Priest / photography by Bill Sitzmann / design by Rachel Joy

/ H110 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

Previously based in New York City, the husband-wife architectural duo has found inspiration in Omaha.

November/December 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ omahamagazine.com

/ H111 /

At Home Cycling is part of the couple's eco-friendly lifestyle.

A courtyard affords plenty of room for plants and a grill.

E

MILY A NDERSEN A ND Geoff DeOld’s two-

story storefront/residence on Vinton Street is an ongoing study in public and private space.

The husband and wife duo of DeOld Andersen Architecture began their courtship in Nebraska while studying architecture at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. They completed their postgraduate degrees in 2001 and moved to New York City that same year—a week before September 11.

While living in New York, they each worked at architecture firms, and in 2010, they began developing their own architectural practice. Their theoretical interests focused on ideas of suburbia, big box stores as civic centers, and the concept of “Walmart as a city.” New York City, while full of inspiration, was not an ideal location to study these topics. >

/ H112 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

Emily Andersen and Geoff DeOld live above their office.

November/December 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ omahamagazine.com

/ H113 /

At Home Their bookshelf offers a glimpse at the couple's shared theoretical passions.

/ H114 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

< “New York is a highly constructed place, a place where every block has been theorized and studied,” says DeOld. In 2012, Andersen and DeOld began working with Emerging Terrain and its founder, Anne Trumble, on projects in Omaha. Seeing the progressive and critical dialogues fostered by Emerging Terrain made the idea of leaving New York an easier decision. For them, rogue conversations about urban relations could take place in Omaha. Additionally, Omaha provided a lower cost of living, making it possible to own a domestic space with a private outdoor area complete with a dog.

Willa the dog acts as the architectural firm's doorbell (when she's not sleeping).

Their nearly complete live-work space mixes ephemerality with distinct design features, a continuing investigation into their notions of hybrid domestic-work tranquility.

After deciding to relocate to Omaha in 2012, Andersen and DeOld began sharing a rented office space with Emerging Terrain on Vinton Street. One day, Trumble took her design fellows on a research trip, and the couple was able to be alone in the space in its totality. They thought, “This could be a great apartment!”

As it happened, their intuition became reality.

The architects now fully occupy both floors of the storefront, their live-work architecture studio and private apartment with an exterior courtyard at 1717 Vinton St. Willa, their spunky dog, acts as a doorbell, announcing visitors and clients. She is usually perched at the large bay windows on Vinton Street, sitting in the crisp northwest light.

This same light blankets a curated selection of furniture and cascades upward to the original tin ceiling tiles. Andersen acknowledges, “The best thing (about the storefront) is the light.”

A stairway divides their home and work lives.

Immediately inside the voluminous white studio, large flat tables are stacked with the latest architecture periodicals and design paraphernalia. A well-stocked bookcase of architecture monographs separates this front entry space from the open office behind.

Each workstation, for the couple and their intern architects, is decorated with an iMac, a tornado of tracing paper, physical architectural models, and their subsequent renderings and construction documents. The fervor of design-in-the-making is palpable. At the rear, more windows fill the functional office with warm southern light and views into an in-process patioscape.

There is an aspect of sustainability that they enjoy living above their office—the morning and evening commute is literally a flight of stairs. A cerulean stairwell ascends into their private apartment above the storefront’s 12-foot ceiling. The hike establishes mental and spatial distance between work and home.

“Once we go upstairs for the evening, we usually do not go back down,” says DeOld. Upon entering the 1,200-square-foot apartment, a sense of the couple’s studied aesthetic is at the forefront. Remnants of their lives punctuate the space. There’s a silver metallic curtain in an ultra-simplistic kitchen and an almost haphazard collection of modernist furniture. Space-defining arches give the apartment “a weird personality we would have never added,” says Andersen.

Populating the airy apartment is a long blonde wood table adjacent to a glossy white fireplace, which splits the kitchen from the living room.

A set of graphic prints pulls the eye into the living room, where a complementary mustard-colored chair and merlot-colored sofa face a wraparound bookshelf. It is also from the living room that the angular nature of Vinton Street is most apparent. Two windows bounce northwestern light onto the wooden floors. As with the studio below, Andersen explains, “Watching the light daily and yearly is one of the joys of the apartment.”

Renovations have been ongoing throughout the entire structure, with Andersen and DeOld first focusing on the envelope of the building, then the workspace below, and now concentrating on the apartment and exterior courtyard.

At first, much of the apartment did not work.

But after rapid construction and precise wall removal, the once-segmented apartment has been opened into one clean volume for public entertaining areas and compact private spaces.

“We can’t live in a typical house,” say Andersen and DeOld. Their nearly complete live-work space mixes ephemerality with distinct design features, a continuing investigation into their notions of hybrid domesticwork tranquility. OmahaHome Visit d-aarch.com for more information.

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H115 /

Feature

FOR 15 YEARS, THE OWNER OF PAPILLION FLOWER PATCH HAS PARTICIPATED IN THE CHRISTMAS CARAVAN OF HOMES FUNDRAISER FOR THE ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF OMAHA. story by Claire Martin photography by bill sitzmann design by Rachel Joy

/ H116 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

A winter woodland theme permeates throughout the interior dĂŠcor.

feature

“My decorations are very simple and not overly done,” Harrold explains. “I’m not a bright-color decorator, so the style is more subdued. I just like the closeness and the warmth of looking out at wintertime, and feeling cozy, and getting the thought of, ‘I love my house.’”

-Mary Beth Harrold

/ H118 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

Pinecones offer an easy seasonal accent that lasts all winter.

F

OR M ARY BETH Harrold, “decking the halls” means

“I had a love for beautiful home décor,” Harrold says of her conception for the business. “I had to learn with experience, and buy books, and get support. After that, I competed in contests and learned more to become a designer that traveled the United States.”

Harrold started her company, Papillion Flower Patch, 40 years ago with a dream and minimal experience. She currently manages the store with the help of her daughter, Stephanie Crandall.

The most wonderful time of the year also happens to be Harrold’s busiest decorating season. >

something a tad more extravagant than outfitting a fir tree with antique Santa-themed artifacts. A long-time Papillion resident, Harrold has spent the last four decades doing what she loves: decorating homes.

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H119 /

Feature

< For the past 15 years, Harrold’s holiday home decorating style has been featured on the Christmas Caravan Tour of Homes, a fundraiser on the first Thursday of November (Nov. 3 this year) to benefit the Assistance League of Omaha. Preparation for the grand tour, Harrold explains, involves spending a full week prepping houses with fellow decorators and florists.

“It’s a lot of work because we have to build a shop in the basement from scratch,” Harrold says of the week-long frenzy. “Then we sell (products) from there.”

The Christmas Caravan gives attendees the opportunity to browse high-end homes decorated by local florists and interior designers, as well as purchase products from the vendors. >

/ H120 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

Like pinecones, snowmen offer a traditional touch of holiday decorating that can be displayed throughout the winter.

November/December 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ omahamagazine.com

/ H121 /

Feature

< Each house includes a boutique where attendees can purchase featured decorations. Twenty percent of revenue is donated to the Assistance League, with proceeds directly benefiting programs such as Operation School Bell (which has provided clothing to more than 58,000 Omaha children in need).

“We put up our decorations the first week of November and they last long after Christmas,” she says. “So, I decorate in more warm, earthy, wintery tones so it lasts through the season.”

Harrold prefers to design homes with winter in mind, as opposed to the Christmas holiday, so decorations can be used all season long.

“We put up our decorations the first week of November and they last long after Christmas,” she says. “So, I decorate in more warm, earthy, wintery tones so it lasts through the season.”

Harrold’s home on the Christmas Caravan tour demonstrates her philosophy of seasonal décor. Natural elements like pinecones, birch branches, holly berries, and sprigs of pine provide an ambiance of warm wintery tones despite the chill. Glowing candles halo Harrold’s stone figurine nativity set; the color palette of browns, earthy greens, and pale blues set each scene. The main piece on the dining room table features white branches, small cardinals, and a dusting of faux snow. >

Pinecones provide a subtle thematic unity from the living area to the bathroom. / H122 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

WE PAD THE FURNITURE NOT THE PRICE!

Residential/Apartment Moves • Assisted Living/Estates • Pianos/Antiques/Safes • Office Relocation/Industrial Moves • Self Storage/PODS/Loading/Unloading • Moving Statewide in Iowa & Nebraska •

Quality Moving Professionals • Serving the Metro Area For Over 45 Years FREE ESTIMATES • Competitive Rates • Insured & Licensed

BEST OF OMAHA WINNER 2006-2016

402.291.2490 jimsmovinginc.com

Omaha, NE

Thank You Omaha!

402.575.0102 bigbirgeplumbing.com Representing Buyers and Sellers

Since 1973

Duane Sullivan

Broker Associate Office: 402.934.1590 Cell: 402.681.9040 duane.sullivan@cbshome.com Mon-Thu 10-6 • Fri-Sat 10- 5 Sun 12-4

12965 W. Center Rd. | 402.778.0650 House-of-J

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H123 /

Feature

to-Busi essne ss sin MA

O

HA ’

S

2B

ne azi ag

B

Bu

M

Oma ha ’s

THANK YOU OMAHA for Voting Us Best Residential & Commercial Lawn Care

2016 Winner

402-556-0595

www.forestgreenlawncare.com

US ON

KAREN JENNINGS STANDING TALL FOR YOU! Jennings Team – Top Producing CBSHOME Team – 2013, 2014 and 2015 Top Individual Producer for CBSHOME 2009-2012 402.290.6296 | karen.jennings@cbshome.com

/ H124 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

@OmahaMagazine

Feature

“Family is always the best part.

I love the warmth and joy, and the feeling of happiness and love, that come with the holidy time.”

< A collection of birch branches wrapped with clear lights, small logs, and large pinecones preface the main staircase—a greeting to anyone wandering in through the front door. Every room of the house, including the master bathroom, contains a subtle touch of Harrold’s woodsy holiday flair. And yes, there is the occasional, familiar snowman.

“Cozy” is the word that would best describe the atmosphere of Harrold’s Christmas Caravan home, but it seems oddly over-simplistic for the attention to detail and artistic eye that clearly drove the decorating process.

The consistency of design carries through even the most minimal of elements— towel racks, windows, bedroom shelves.

Harrold has decorated what she estimates to be hundreds of homes over the years, tailored specifically to her customers’ aesthetic tastes and desires.

“For the Christmas season, the glitz and glamor is gone,” she says of time’s passing decoration trends. “Now, (people prefer) the more natural, simple home look.”

The most rewarding part of the job, she says, is her relationship with customers. Harrold spends weeks leading up to the holiday season consulting with clients who often return each year for her decorating services.

“It’s fun to try to please a lot of different types of people and try out a bunch of different tastes,” Harrold says.

After all the good tidings and decking of halls, perhaps Harrold can enjoy a well-deserved day off on Christmas Day with her family.

Afterwards, the preparations for next season will begin.

“Family is always the best part,” Harrold says with a smile. “I love the warmth and joy, and the feeling of happiness and love, that come with the holiday time.” OmahaHome Visit alomaha.org for more information about the Christmas Caravan Tour of Homes.

What about decorating her own home?

“My decorations are very simple and not overly done,” Harrold explains. “I’m not a bright-color decorator, so the style is more subdued. I just like the closeness and the warmth of looking out at wintertime, and feeling cozy, and getting the thought of, ‘I love my house.’”

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H125 /

Neighborhoods

PONCA HILLS

A REFUGE FOR COMMUNITY AND WILDLIFE story by Ashley Wegner photography by Bill Sitzmann design by Rachel Joy

/ H126 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

The entryway to a property in Ponca Hills off of Ponca Road evokes the essence of the neighborhood.

November/December 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ omahamagazine.com

/ H127 /

Neighborhoods

The Ponca Hills Fire Department (which hosts an annual barbecue) is situated along Ponca Road.

I

T’S A RUR A L neighborhood with a

small-town feel, full of rolling hills, large trees, wildlife, and huge plots of land.

This same area is just minutes from downtown Omaha, which gives residents a short drive to performances, restaurants, and everything else the city has to offer. Residents of the old neighborhood would call Ponca Hills the best of all possible worlds for its convenience.

“It’s just beautiful,” says Sara McClure, who moved to the area from Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her husband, Dave, 11 years ago. “The drive home, no matter what time of year, is spectacular. And the wildlife and the proximity to the rest of Omaha is amazing.”

Parameters of Ponca Hills are flexible depending on whom you talk to. McClure says the neighborhood extends west to 72nd Street, east to the Missouri River, north to Fort Calhoun, and south to Interstate 680; however, the heart of the Ponca Hills seems to be east of Highway 75 to the river, and just north of the Douglas County line.

The history of how the area got its name is equally ambiguous. The name “Ponca Hills” sounds like it was named after something, says Clare Duda, a Douglas County

/ H128 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

Commissioner and third-generation Ponca Hills resident. But that’s not the case, he says.

“Somebody just picked the name. I don’t know who, when, or why, but it wasn’t because the Ponca Indians were here,” Duda says. “It would be more correct to call it the Otoe Hills because the Otoe Indians were here as well as the Omaha Indians.”

While the area’s historical connection to the Ponca tribe is uncertain, the hills remain packed with history from local families. Duda says at least some Ponca Hills residents are descendants of the area’s original homesteaders. The Dudas have kept farms or land in the area for several generations. Other families have no specific tie to the land other than they could not imagine living anywhere else.

Ages and demographics of the Ponca Hills’ approximately 1,000 residents are all over the map. Duda, who has served as an active member of the area’s volunteer fire department for the past 40 years, says he still sees a great number of young families, many who move to the area to be closer to older generations. Meanwhile, a fair number of residents are older or retired folks who have lived in Ponca Hills their entire lives—and have no intention of moving.

Why is Ponca Hills such a draw? Why do families not only decide to move there, but end up staying for the rest of their lives? And what motivates their children to follow in their footsteps, deciding to build their lives in the same area as their parents and grandparents?

The main attractions are the sense of community among residents, the beauty of the land, and the wildlife.

Neighbors get together for several community gatherings throughout the year, including the Ponca Hills Volunteer Fire Department’s annual barbecue, which draws approximately 2,000 people, including residents and their friends.

“It does raise money for the fire department, but really in my mind, the better reason for having it is that it is a community celebration,” Duda says. “The whole community is together.”

Other events throughout the year include the Ponca Hills Preservation Association’s annual chili feed, a steak cookout at Ponca Hills Farm stables, and smaller events like dinners and potlucks.

“My wife and I travel a lot on the motorcycle,” Duda says.

“We can go across the country and will see more wildlife on the three miles near our home than we will on our entire trip.”

“My wife and I travel a lot on the motorcycle,” Duda says. “We can go across the country and will see more wildlife on the three miles near our home than we will on our entire trip.”

While events bring everyone together, what really keeps people in Ponca Hills is the relationships developed through shared commitment to helping one another. When a neighbor is sick, you bring him a meal. When a neighbor gets stuck in the snow, you help pull him out. It’s just what you do.

“We’re a very caring community,” Duda says.

“The people are the best asset we’ve got, but

the natural environment we’ve been blessed with is right up there, too.”

Deer, foxes, raccoons, possums, skunks, groundhogs, and coyotes, along with turkeys, geese, and many other birds inhabit the area. This is in addition to other animals that neighbors keep on their land, including dogs, cats, chickens, horses, and goats.

For an animal and nature lover like McClure, living in the midst of it all, while still being able to drive to her job in downtown Omaha in less than 20 minutes, is a dream come true.

The extra land is more work. And the older homes mean more to repair and more to update, McClure says. “But the benefit of being so close to Omaha, yet so far from the city, is really worth it.” OmahaHome Visit poncahills.org for more information.

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H129 /

Harvest story by Patrick McGee / photography by Doug Meigs / design by Rachel Joy

HUNTING FALL OYSTER MUSHROOMS

F

ALL IS THE season when local woodland wanderers

stock cellars with oyster mushrooms. These fungi are no secret to Nebraska mushroom hunters. The white-to-tan fan-shaped, or oyster-shell shaped, mushrooms sprout from the sides of trees and logs. Given the right conditions, they will even pop through snowmelt. A single find is often bountiful; a good haul of oyster mushrooms can exceed 20 pounds. They can be dried, pickled, or canned. They pair well with nearly every dish. Oyster mushrooms make an extra-special stuffing for your Thanksgiving guests.

Chris Wright is a mycologist with special interest in oyster mushrooms. Wright has a Ph.D. in plant, soil, and microbial sciences and is the executive director of Midwest American Mycological Information. He researches how oyster mushrooms break down biopollutants.

Wright also regularly finds and eats wild oyster mushrooms.

He points out three species of these mushrooms in the Midwest region: Pleurotus ostreatus (the predominant species), Pleurotus populinus (characterized by a white to pink fan), and Pleurotus pulmonarius (the so-called lung-shaped oyster). They are not difficult to identify. Wright says decurrent gills (those running down the stalk) are a distinguishing characteristic of oyster mushrooms. The fungi also have a white to lilac spore print on paper. Wright says it is difficult to mistake something poisonous for oyster mushrooms; however, there is one poisonous look-alike that mushroom hunters should be aware of—Pleurocyubella porrigens.

When asked where to find oyster mushrooms, Wright says, “Look in the woods or on your supermarket shelf.” He also says oyster mushrooms are saprotrophic—they recycle nutrients locked up in woody matter, i.e., “They are a wood rot fungus.”

Oyster mushrooms can be found on ash, aspen, cottonwood, and poplar trees. They will push through the bark of trees after a cold rain. They can sometimes be found in public parks and in neighborhoods, especially on freshly cut trees. Sustainable harvesting requires removal of only the fruiting body and allowing some mushrooms to remain for reproduction.

/ H130 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

Patrick McGee approaches a mushroom-laden tree.

Wild or domestic, they’ve become a popular commodity.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, from 2015 to 2016, the nation’s oyster mushroom production measured roughly 3,749 tons. In 2016, the total value of oyster mushroom sales surpassed $36 million. Whether you buy them or find them, Wright says they all smell “mushroomy.”

“It is a mild smell. Not a strong odor,” he says. “They will pick up the flavor of what’s cooking—garlic, etc.”

He says they have a relatively soft texture and are a nice complement to stir fry or steak. Wright thinks that wild oyster mushrooms differ from commercial mushrooms.

Wild oyster mushrooms grow in a great variety of hues, like a fall bouquet. They smell like rainfall—a trait that cannot be substituted. They are biochemically unique and may play a role in cleaning our planet. Native to the Great Plains, they are delicious and easy to find during this time of year. OmahaHome Visit midwestmycology.org/Mushrooms/Species%20listed/ Pleurotus%20species.html for more information.

Disclaimer: Some varieties of wild mushrooms are poisonous, even deadly. If you choose to harvest or eat wild mushrooms, do so at your own risk.

Wild oyster mushrooms grow in a great variety of hues, like a fall bouquet.

They smell like rainfallâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a trait that cannot be substituted.

Scan this page with the LayAR app to watch the harvest.

Close up: a local oyster mushroom, aka Pleurotus ostreatus November/December 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ omahamagazine.com

/ H131 /

Asid Awards

GOLD STANDARD

T

2016 ASID WINNERS

HE NEBR ASK A /IOWA CH A PTER of the American

Society of Interior Designers' mission is to communicate the impact of interior design to enhance the human experience as it relates to designed spaces. With that in mind, every year ASID hosts an event called “impactFULL” where ASID interior design members are given the opportunity to submit their best projects of the year.

A panel of judges carefully assesses each project and considers how effectively the interior designer accomplished the goals in categories such as aesthetics, functionality, space planning, and sustainability.

Interior designers are awarded gold, silver, or bronze designations in both residential and commercial categories.

— Courtney Otte, communications director of the Nebraska-Iowa chapter of ASID

Visit asid-neia.org to learn more.

/ H132 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

impactFULL Winner Stacie Muhle, Allied ASID Artistico Thomas Grady Photography

Bespoken finishes infuse rustic charm into the modern basement, forming the perfect union of domestic utility and alluring elegance. A presentation of sentimental objects stands in harmonious contrast with time-worn salvaged materials and the interplay of light and shadow.

November/December 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ omahamagazine.com

/ H133 /

Asid Awards Gwen Ahrens, ASID Interior Design Firm Photography by Gwen Ahrens

A remodeled open main floor is now connected to the backyard through the kitchen and a convertible sun room.

Adequate circulation space and custom finishes allow daily functions and entertaining to be performed with ease. Most importantly, a master bedroom addition gives the homeowners the ability to age in place.

Jerome Bergmeier, Allied ASID Interiors Joan & Associates Photography by Tom Kessler Photograhy

Inspired by their travels to the Palm Springs area, a love of the artist Shag, and a desire to simply have a house that would make the homeowner happy when she walked inside, this major renovation achieved a clean, fresh, midcentury modern look and emulated the feeling that a Shag painting evokesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a Palm Springs ambience.

Jenny Colson, Allied ASID Interiors Joan & Associates Photography by Tom Kessler Photograhy

A collection of warm tones was selected for the upholstery fabrics and carpet, while the wall color and accent colors trend toward cool and contemporary. A mixture of putty, stone, charcoal, thundercloud, seal gray, slate, and citron perfectly answers the challenge.

/ H134 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

Marian Holden, ASID Designer’s Touch Photography by Amoura Productions

This design reflects the homeowner’s clean, classic, taste with a contemporary twist. Soft, gray neutral tones were used to contrast with the dark, rich wood floors. Deeper color was strategically placed to accentuate architecture. Bright white cabinets and trim create a crisp contrast, and natural stone finishes add texture.

Lisa McCoid, ASID Alexis Trout, Allied ASID D3 Interiors Photography by Amoura Productions

This design brings in bursts of color through the furniture, artwork, accessories, and the use of textured wall coverings.

The bright red sofas and lime green accents provide a major focal point. Contrasting darker gray trim and doors added a clean, crisp look; using taupe and gray for the main walls brings in warmth.

Shawn Falcone, Allied ASID Michele Hybner, Allied ASID Falcone Hybner Design Photography by Amoura Productions

This new construction home features edgy curb appeal.

Some of the design features include rustic wood ceiling beams, original cable railing design, rift oak cabinetry, large scale concrete gray porcelain floor tile, and open shelving on a reclaimed Old Chicago style brick wall.

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H135 /

Asid Awards Julie Odermatt, ASID Alexis Trout, Allied ASID Rachel Costello, Allied ASID D3 Interiors Photography by Tom Kessler Photograhy

The Street of Dreams design needed to appeal to a wide audience. The design features a mix of light and dark tones.

Highlights include a large island with a waterfall edge, a linear fireplace surrounded by oversized tile, and a linear floor drain in the master shower. Great design gave continuity to the space.

Kristine Patton, ASID Interiors Joan & Associates Photography by Tom Kessler Photograhy

The project mandated attention to detail, requiring a renovation that would incorporate modern amenities while still involving every architectural and design detail from yesteryear. A thoughtful use of appropriate hardware, leaded glass, and glazing keeps the historic look alive and allows the addition to blend seamlessly with the rest of the home.

Beth Settles, Allied ASID Interiors Joan & Associates Photography courtesy of Virgin Islands Property and Yacht Magazine

The goal was to create a Balinese-styled high end vacation home. The design incorporates colors and fabrics that evoke a resort feel. An oceanic color palette, access to the pool and the ocean, and seamless outdoor eating and lounging areas create a tropical paradise.

/ H136 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

Alexis Trout, Allied ASID D3 Interiors Photography by Amoura Productions

This kitchen design achieves a modern clean look without becoming stark and cold. The white perimeter cabinets brighten the space while the dark gray island becomes the focal point in the center of the room.

A glass tile backsplash, colorful art, accessories, and textures were added to keep the space fun and vibrant.

Colby Washburn, ASID Interiors Joan & Associates Photography by Tom Kessler Photograhy

The design of this new construction home incorporated a multitude of stain and paint finishes, as well as combinations of textures, patterns, and colors to create an environment that would appear acquired and approachable. Intricate detailing in every space was incorporated to achieve a high-end custom home style.

Omaha Magazine also wishes to congratulate the following ASID Winners: Silver: Stacie Muhle, Allied ASID Artistico Lisa McCoid, ASID Julie Odermatt, ASID Rachel Costello, Allied ASID Alexis Trout, Allied ASID D3 Interiors Marilyn S. Hansen, FASID The Designers

Marian Holden, ASID Designer’s Touch, Inc. Shawn Falcone, Allied ASID Michele Hybner, Allied ASID Falcone Hybner Design, Inc. Sallie Elliott, Allied ASID Inspired Interiors Deb Munro, ASID Pam Stanek, ASID Liz Lempka, Allied ASID The Interior Design Firm

Joan Sorensen Ronan, ASID Jerome Bergmeier, Allied ASID Diane Gernstein, Allied ASID Kristine Patton, Allied ASID Interiors Joan and Associates Bronze: Marian Holden, ASID Designer’s Touch, Inc.

OmahaHome

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H137 /

Transformations story by Jenn Carroll White, ASID photography by Paul Piskorski, Amoura productions design by Rachel Joy

COLONIAL EXPANSION IN LOVELAND

/ H138 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

MEET THE DESIGNER

Jenn Carroll White, ASID JCW Interiors Transformations is a regular feature of Omaha Home that spotlights a recent project by a local ASID interior designer. Text and photos are provided by the designer.

November/December 2016 â&#x20AC;˘ omahamagazine.com

/ H139 /

A clawfoot tub completes the bathroom.

/ H140 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

Transformations

The multifunctional family room was previously known as "the big empty room."

O

N THE EDGE of the Loveland neighborhood stood

a modest colonial house. When it was built in 1940, the home had a mere 1,320 square feet. When the Ahlers family bought the home in 2009, they made big plans to overhaul the colonial beauty.

The Ahlers underwent a 2,600-square-foot addition to make space for their growing family. They enlisted my help with the renovations.

In the Ahlers' home, it was important to keep the charm of the original colonial style while subtly incorporating modern amenities. I began the four-year renovation process with one goal in mind: “Make the spaces usable, livable, comfortable, and beautiful to the unique needs of the family using this home.” Striving to keep the home’s original design in line with the new addition resulted in some uniquely shaped spaces that were unlike modern counterparts of contemporary construction. My expertise in space planning and construction would bring sense and structure to furnishing otherwise awkward spaces. As a result, I custom-designed many of the furniture pieces exclusively for these rooms.

One of these challenging spaces was affectionately nicknamed the “big empty room.” In the beginning, there was literally

nothing in the space other than two dog beds and a child’s trike with plenty of room to ride. Our goal for the space was to create an area where the family could read books together, watch a movie, work from home, or gather with friends and family. I got to work designing the multi-functional space—beginning with wall-to-wall bookshelves nodding to the colonial feel of a traditional home library. The bookshelves were painted dark gray to keep the look updated. Natural grass cloth wallpaper softens the walls, bringing texture and warmth, while bold patterns mix with a contemporary color palette of navy and tangerine to keep the room fresh and modern. The custom draperies diffuse the bright afternoon light, and the wool carpet tiles (perfect for pets) bring cohesiveness to the room.

The various furniture groupings allow for many different activities to take place in this versatile space, and now their young son enjoys reading in the room and saves the trike riding for outdoors.

In the master bedroom, the look is traditional with a fresh color palette. Neutral linen fabrics with a soft damask pattern adorn the bed, while custom draperies in a bright grass-green color, along with black-and-white accents, liven the neutral color palette. I created a small seating area for watching morning cartoons and designed a custom kennel table for the unique use of the space for the family. Finally, what traditional master >

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H141 /

Transformations

There is a cohesiveness in this house that is anchored by the familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deep-rooted East Coast ties, flair for subtle modernity, and interest in creating family tradition.

/ H142 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

From left: the nursery and kitchen after renovations, and the room Omaha formerly known as “the big Magazine March/April empty room” before renovation 2016 Issue

Color 1/2 Page Vertical 5'' x 7.458'' Deadline 1.25.2016 Contact - Alicia Smith Hollins

DesigneD | groWn | installeD | unmatCheD

< bedroom would be complete without an en suite bathroom boasting a custom claw-footed bathtub, crystal chandelier, classic black-andwhite plaid wallpaper, and puddling green linen drapes?

The kitchen plays center field with honed marble countertops, custom white cabinetry, and an intimate fireplace. A challenge in the kitchen was where to share meals. The narrow footprint was another area where I customized the space for the needs of the family. The light in the morning is truly fantastic in this room.

To capture that light and inspire family meals, I designed a narrow dining table stained in a deep black hue, which could take a beating and accommodate the dinette area. The result is a family-style area with room for eight.

There is a cohesiveness in this house that is anchored by the family’s deep-rooted East Coast ties, flair for subtle modernity, and interest in creating family tradition. This house reflects those qualities for this family, and I couldn’t be happier to help create this way of living for them. OmahaHome Visit asid-neia.org for more information.

192 & West Center | lanohanurser ies.com

November/December 2016 • omahamagazine.com

/ H143 /

Fashion Cleaners’

Specializing in

in peecpia laliczeing FSir s!lace erp ove akier MF

FREE Pick-up &

Add a fireplace to any room!

Fireplace Refacing | Custom Mantels

Delivery Service Makes Your Life Easier!

!

ers v o e k a M

Fireplace Refacing Custom Mantels Add a Fireplace to ANY ROOM in Your Home

709 N. 132 St. • claxtonfireplace.com 709 N. 132nd St. (next to Lindley Clothing)

Call foraaFREE FREE Estimate!

Estimate! 402-491-0800 Call for 402-491-0800

www.claxtonfireplace.com Allied Member ASID

To Find Out More

CALL

402.342.3491

or go online: fashioncleaners.com

THERE’S A Y IN EVERY FAMILY!

YMCA of Greater Omaha Membership Benefits: • Group Exercise • Water Exercise • Active Older Adult Programs • • Get Started Program • Childwatch • Parent’s Night Out •

/ H144 /

OmahaHome November/December 2016

9

LOCATIONS

JOIN ONE, JOIN ALL!

YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA www.metroymca.org

n ov e

A

R

e b m

r

K ET V 7 • BA X

R TE

13

EN

A

•P

, 20

E PS

16

M

I

OMA HA

Thir da

al E u N ’S n A ZI G n A

Purchase your tickets now at

bestofomaha.com/tickets LAST YEAR A RECORD-BREAKING CROWD OF 4,000 people attended Omaha Magazine’s second annual Best of Omaha Festival. This year we are as excited as ever to break those attendance records again and make this the best festival yet. We are also making some new improvements and changes that we know you’ll love.

This year’s event will be held at Baxter Arena from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13. We are very excited to announce that we will be teaming up with the Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska for this year’s festival, and 100 percent of the paid door cash revenue will go directly to them.

Don’t forget to come early because the first 1,000 attendees in line will receive a swag bag full of goodies valued at over $100 each. As soon as you walk through the door, you will be handed a Best of Omaha results issue to check out all of the winners. After that, make your way through Baxter Arena, stopping by each booth to sample some food, enjoy the entertainment, and even win prizes.

You see the iconic Best of Omaha logo all over town, but there’s nothing common about being a Best of Omaha winner. Did you know that only 3 percent of area businesses earn the distinction of being voted Best of Omaha?

And how do they win that honor? Why, through you!

The Best of Omaha is your contest, and, just as in years past, almost 30,000 of you cast a tremendous total of over 600,000 individual votes for everything from pizza to plumbing.

The festival takes place on a Sunday, so there’s no excuse to watch Husker football; instead you can come out and experience all that Omaha has to offer and also support your local Girl Scouts.

The Best of Omaha booths will be occupied by contest winners, which guarantees you’ll have a chance to connect with the city’s elite when it comes to delivering award-worthy products, services, value, and customer satisfaction.

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

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

SHOP THE LOOK: Pella® 450 Series wood double-hung windows.

COMFORT of a new view.

With replacement windows and doors from Pella, you can give your home a makeover in as little as a day. Pella products are not only great-looking — they’re energy-efficient and durable.

And they block out unwanted noise, so you get more comfort too. Don’t wait to replace your drafty old windows and doors. Find out what your local Pella Window and Door Showroom can do to enhance your view. Call today for your free in-home consultation.

ows and Doo ind rs W

LINCOLN: 6891 A STREET, SUITE 118, CLOCKTOWER CENTER OMAHA: 9845 SOUTH 142ND STREET 4 02- 493 -1350 • 8 55 - 414 - 55 32

2016 First Place KETV 7 • Baxter Arena

PELLAOMAHA.COM/HOMEMAG

© 2016 Pella Corporation

Gwen Lemke Contributing Editor, 60PLUS In Omaha

T

HE WONDERFUL HOLIDAY times

are here. All year, I look forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the time spent with the company of family— children and grandchildren, and their significant others.

Earlier holidays were spent with extended family members. But as the family grew and got older, that hasn’t always been easy.

Suddenly the once-tiny grandchildren are all grown up and living in different towns.

For my parents, it was a balancing act to stay connected during the holidays. They would spend Thanksgiving with my sister, Barbara, in Kansas City. Then, they would have Christmas with us in Omaha.

Now, I hear from my adult and teenage grandchildren living away from Omaha that they plan to visit for the holidays (even though some are traveling long distances). It’s great to have them excited about it.

I’ve been fortunate to be surrounded by family for the holiday seasons. But we will miss those who cannot join. We will especially miss the family’s patriarch, my husband Raymond. He always enjoyed the holidays so much. Our joyous gatherings will carry forward his legacy.

Wishing you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas!

Gwen

MARIA BONITA'S MATRIARCH Miriam Lopez

RADIO TALKING BOOK SERVICE Narrating the Written Word for the Visually Impaired

THE CASTLE IN PLATTSMOUTH Nebraska Masonic Home NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 146 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

BY KARA SCHWEISS / PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN / DESIGN BY RACHEL JOY

THE CASTLE IN PLATTSMOUTH

The Nebraska Masonic Home is located at 1300 Avenue D in Plattsmouth.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 147 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

T

HE BUILDING KNOWN as“The Castle” is hard

to miss while driving through Plattsmouth on Webster Boulevard. Its imposing grey stone structure boasts Elizabethan towers and arched doorways fit for a Scottish king. For its 100 or so residents, however, The Nebraska Masonic Home is a warm and caring place to spend their retirement years.

“This is their home,” executive director Mary Stockton says. “And the Masonic Home is like a home to me after working here 12 years.”

As a continuing care retirement community, the facility provides a range of options that can change with the needs of residents: independent apartment living, assisted living, nursing care, and special care for residents with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Residents enjoy a range of activities and outings as well as amenities and services from housekeeping to state-of-the-art dining facilities.

But not just anyone can take up residence at the Nebraska Masonic Home. It has exclusively served eligible members of Masonic organizations—like Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Shriners International—and their eligible female relatives (wives, widows, mothers, daughters, sisters, NOVEMBER

FEATURE

grandmothers, and granddaughters) since 1903. It is the only Masonic retirement facility in the state.

“Masons support their brothers, and Masons take care of their families,” Stockton says. “Masons, on the whole, are a very generous, caring group of gentlemen.

They are the most philanthropic that I’ve ever seen…

Whatever they can do to help, they’re there.”

That generosity manifests through The Nebraska Masonic Home Foundation, which provides support for both the facility and individual residents who require financial assistance; the facility does not participate in government funding through Medicare and Medicaid.

Employee turnover is unusually low compared to the norm for retirement communities and nursing homes, Stockton says, and the staff includes employees at all levels who have reached 10, 15, or 20-year anniversaries. Some have been on the job even longer.

Marilyn McLaughlin, a CNA/CMA, will reach 30 years with the Nebraska Masonic Home next spring.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 148 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Female relatives of Masons also stay at the Nebraska Masonic Home.

OMAHA MAGAZINE

The Alzheimer's/ Dementia Special Care Unit

“The staff and residents are nice, considerate, and respectful. You feel as soon as you walk in that you just want to be here and help,” McLaughlin says, adding that a manageable workload allows direct care staff like herself to provide quality care. “I couldn’t go and work anywhere else after working here.”

Chris Abbott, the facility’s administrative assistant and admissions coordinator, joined the Nebraska Masonic Home 26 years ago and says she had a positive impression immediately.

FEATURE

“MASONS, ON THE WHOLE, ARE A VERY GENEROUS, CARING GROUP OF GENTLEMEN. THEY ARE THE MOST PHILANTHROPIC THAT I’VE EVER SEEN… WHATEVER THEY CAN DO TO HELP, THEY’RE THERE.” -Mary Stockton

“I had never been in a nursing home, and I was just amazed when I walked in the door. I could smell good food cooking. The people were wonderful, the residents were well-dressed and clean…26 years later I’m still at it and I’m not going anywhere,” Abbott says. “Residents get care not like anyplace else; it’s a place where people are made to feel wanted. We care about residents, and we care about their families.”

Stockton agrees: “It really is a privilege to know and care for them.”

Visit thenebraskamasonichome.org for more information.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 149 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

BY KARA SCHWEISS PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY RACHEL JOY

Radio Talking Book Service Station Manager Paul Stebbins

Scan this page with the LayAR app for a tour of the RTBS studio.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 150 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

FEATURE

RADIO TALKING BOOK SERVICE

P

Narration for the Visually Impaired

a smooth, pleasant voice with articulate delivery. As the station manager for the nonprofit Radio Talking Book Service, his knowledge of the technical side of radio production and programming is impressive.

AUL STEBBINS HAS

His extensive background in broadcasting and engineering is obvious by his professional demeanor. Not so apparent is what he shares with listeners: “I’ve been a user of services like ours for over 40 years. I’ve been blind since birth.”

Stebbins, now in his mid-60s, was born 14 weeks premature at a time when hospitals used excessively high levels of oxygen in incubators. The practice saved lives but was a risk factor for retinal damage in babies and contributed to Stebbins’ permanent vision loss.

Stebbins, a Chicago native, credits his parents with fostering his independence. His mother introduced him to a career in radio in 1961 when she founded a station “from the ground up,” an endeavor which lasted for a decade.

“For a blind person, radio was such a natural medium because it’s all sound-oriented; it’s all audio,” Stebbins says. Although he was a natural on the air, he was more interested in the technical side of things. So, after attending technical college, he worked for stations in various markets including Denver and San Francisco. He even did a brief stint in television.

“I worked for a year in game shows…I wanted to do news and sports,” he says, wryly. “I even did Wheel of Fortune for a while, and that was

fun. In fact, the director said he didn’t know for three days that I was blind.”

In 2007, a contact in Albuquerque told him about a position open at the well-regarded RTBS, one of the oldest services of its kind in the country. It only took one visit and a near-immediate offer to convince Stebbins to relocate to Nebraska, and now he is on hand to celebrate the station’s 42nd year.

RTBS uses radio as the main platform for its two primary services, The Radio Talking Book Network and Listening Link. Visually impaired listeners in Nebraska and southwest Iowa are entitled to a special receiver that allows them to access programming, which is also available online. It’s difficult to estimate listenership, Stebbins says, because RTBS has placed receivers in facilities like retirement centers where multiple users have access. The organization’s leaders know they are not reaching everyone who could benefit from the service and continually look for ways to increase awareness.

“We try to bring a variety of things, and our programming runs the gamut. It’s not like a usual radio station,” Stebbins explains. “We really try to enhance the lives of our listeners.

We like to inform and entertain.”

Traditional radio stations generally focus on news-talk or music programming, so RTBN provides other material that wouldn’t typically be accessible to visually impaired individuals. Its human-voiced programming includes daily current events content from larger Nebraska community newspapers and magazines (including this one), grocery and retail ads, special interest shows from

"IT’S VALUABLE TO ME BECAUSE I CAN’T READ THE NEWSPAPER, AND IT’S NICE TO KNOW WHAT’S GOING ON IN THE WORLD. I THINK MY RADIO STAYS ON 24/7."

-Naomi Marion health and sports to cooking and gardening, and entertainment including nostalgic dramas from the golden age of radio, and audio from movies with special narration describing visual elements. RTBN also carries some National Public Radio programs like Morning Edition and Weekend Edition and exchanges programs with other reading services throughout the country.

RTBS’s Listening Link program provides educational content for post-secondary students.

Many volunteer opportunities are available at RTBS, volunteer coordinator Sybil Mahan says, and close to 100 volunteers provide reading services. Potential readers have to go through an audition process because “It is a talent to read out loud,” she explains. Some RTBS readers do professional voice talent gigs and have in-home studio space, but to maintain high audio quality, most readers report to the RTBS studios in the organization’s offices at 7101 Newport Ave. near CHI Health Immanuel Medical Center.

Volunteers tend to stick around, Mahan adds.

“We have had people here for 26 to 30 years and that’s pretty wonderful to have.”

“It’s a good service and people here are just so good to work with,” Stebbins says.

RTBN strives to meet the needs of listeners who not only share the common trait of visual impairment but represent all ages and countless interests, Stebbins says. So, they broadcast a wide variety of programs with very little replay 24 hours a day. Because RTBN doesn’t use ratings research services like Nielsen Audio (formerly Arbitron), direct listener feedback helps shape content decisions.

Naomi Marion, a listener and RTBS board member, began listening to RTBN after losing her vision eight years ago.

“It’s valuable to me because I can’t read the newspaper, and it’s nice to know what’s going on in the world,” she says. “I think my radio stays on 24/7."

Visit rtbs.org or call 402-572-3003 or 800729-7826 for more information.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 151 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

ACTIVE LIVING

Suzanne Wilke The Road Less Traveled

BY LUKE BULLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 152 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

S

UZANNE WILKE PULLS up to her

dog grooming store and exits her white Pathfinder with an exuberant wave and a giant smile on her face. She walks indoors and is immediately greeted with a barrage of barking dogs and friendly smiles. She picks up a chair and suggests we talk outside. “It’s too nice to be inside.” As we make our way to the storefront, we are greeted by multiple friends and customers picking up or dropping off their furry loved ones. Wilke greets everyone with the same friendly demeanor.

Wilke, who turns 60 in December, is a cancer survivor and owner of Bark Avenue Omaha, a grooming and daycare center for dogs. Her business is expanding, servicing 60-100 dogs per day. She is a rare breed whose ethics come from hard work and determination. Not satisfied with a mundane routine, she keeps herself active. “I hope to always keep that mentality, to stay busy enough where I don’t really have to worry about staying young,” Wilke says.

Her passion for dog grooming started at a young age. When she was 14, she started helping out at her aunt’s grooming shop. “There is just an art to it,” she exclaims. “My brain clicked, and it just came naturally to me.”

So it would only make sense that from then on Wilke would follow her love for dogs and eventually begin her own business.

A year after a stroke, Suzanne Wilke enjoys four-wheeling as a hobby.

NOVEMBER

Though Wilke’s love for grooming only increased over the years, by age 23, in 1979, she took an apprenticeship with a plumber’s union as the only female apprentice. Wilke’s father, who was also a plumber, let her know that he wanted his daughter to have a career.

“I was focusing on grooming, but my dad was always saying, ‘you need a career,’ and I didn’t want to do anything that confined me." >

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 153 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

We bring assisted living to the comfort of home.

• • •

Balanced Care Method TM Disease Specific Care Cognitive Therapeutics Method TM

Call Today! 402-763-9140

|

HomeCareAssistanceOmaha.com

OmahaBV&ElkhornBM_Ad - Omaha 60+ Mag_111612_60+ Omaha Magazine Ad - BSV & BSM 3/11/2014 3:54 PM Page 1

QUALITY LIFE | QUALITY CARE | EXCELLENT TEAMS | QUALITY REPUTATION | STEWARDSHIP

Home Care by Seniors for Seniors

Visit our website to find out more about us!

There’s a huge difference in the kind of home care you can receive from someone who really understands what your life is like as a senior. The concerns you have. The need for independence. Someone who like you, has a little living under his or her belt.

When Experience Counts...

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Our loving, caring, compassionate seniors are there to help. We offer all the services you need to stay in your own home, living independently.

Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy Care after total joint replacement Stroke recovery Strengthening after cancer treatment Care after surgery Recovery from a fall or extended illness

• • • • •

...Experience our State-of-the-Art Facilities

4330 South 144th Street Omaha, NE 68137 (402) 614-4000 ww.BrookestoneVillage.com

Companionship Transportation Mobility Assistance Personal Grooming and Dressing Overnight Stays (24-hour care) . . . and more!

For the help you want at a price you can afford Call us today. ®

600 Brookestone Meadows Plaza Elkhorn, NE 68022 | (402) 289-2696 ww.BrookestoneMeadows.com

Proud Members of the Vetter Health Services Family NOVEMBER

402-331-3073 www.seniorcaregreateromaha.com ©2016 Each office is independently owned and operated. Prices and services may vary. E.O.E. All trademarks are registered trademarks of Corporate Mutual Resources Incorporated.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 154 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

ACTIVE LIVING

< After a few years of her apprenticeship, Wilke was no stranger to physical labor and eventually left the plumber’s union to begin a more promising job as a Union Pacific Railroad freight welder.

12 Months Same as CASH! REMODELING . UPDATES . MOBILITY NEEDS

A Division of Kohll’s Pharmacy & Homecare

“I was the only woman to do that.”

She smiles and explains some of her duties.

“I welded hopper cars and did physical labor down in the shops of the Union Pacific Railroad.” Wilke continued to work at Union Pacific until 1988.

www.KohllsModSquad.com - 402.408.1990

127th & Q - Nation’s Largest Mobility Showroom!

As Wilke began to figure out what career she wanted to pursue, she did not abandon her true passion, grooming dogs on weekends.

She never lost her clientele regardless of what she was doing. “I still have clients that I had 35 years ago. Because they still have dogs.”

Unfortunately, in 1991, Wilke was diagnosed with leiomyosarcoma, a rare malignant tumor.

Wilke battled her way to make a full recovery only a year later. With a rare cancer, treatment was never easy. “They really didn’t know what to do for me.” However, she knew that there was something more. “I’ve always sat back and tried to understand what my purpose was. There’s got to be a purpose for me to be here.” After recovery, Wilke continued to work part time grooming dogs, but in 2000 she decided to open Bark Avenue.

Douglas County Health Center Nursing Facility “Our Commitment to Our Community” 4102 Woolworth Ave, Omaha, NE 68105 402.444.7000 • dchc.douglascounty-ne.gov

As time progressed, Wilke maintained a healthy lifestyle both mentally and physically. She was in a position to do what she loved and make a living at it. However, in November 2015, Wilke suffered from a stroke that affected her speech and ability to walk.

“It took me from November until the end of March to feel like I could get everything the way I needed it.” Much like other situations in her life, Wilke took this head on and conquered it. She shows no signs of health problems only a year after her stroke.

Today, she still grooms dogs on a daily basis and exercises every day. “There are all kinds of things we do in our lives that we feel passionate about,” says Wilke, who also enjoys camping, riding motorcycles, and four-wheeling.

Michelle Vilak, a good friend of Wilke and manager of Bark Avenue, says, “(She’s) the hardest working woman I have ever met. She’s inspirational and my best friend.” After spending an afternoon with Wilke, truer words could not have been said.

Visit barkavenueomaha.com for more information.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 155 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

The head chef of Maria Bonita Mexican Cuisine

THE MATRIARCH BEHIND THE SCENES

Miriam Lopez NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 156 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

PEOPLE

BY LEO ADAM BIGA PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY RACHEL JOY

T

HE BRIGHT FLAVORS and colors of Hidalgo,

Mexico, pop at family-owned and operated Maria Bonita Mexican Cuisine. Matriarch and head chef Miriam Lopez authentically re-creates the food she recalls from her native land.

Tropical floral motifs by Omaha artist Mike GirÓn decorate the 5132 L St. restaurant, as well as the family's two food trucks.

"The colors not only inspire us and make us remember where we come from but also transmit some of our culture and the way we envision life, which is colorful and positive," eldest daughter Itzel Lopez says. "Our culture is really within us."

She and her two sisters help mom continue a proud legacy of strong, accomplished Latinas.

Miriam and husband Miguel opened the eatery in 2011 at 20th Street and Missouri Avenue. Business boomed before Miguel fell ill.

"He was our backbone," Itzel says. "For us, family's always been more important than business, so we said, 'Let's take a break and get our dad where he needs to be.'"

Maria Bonita closed; however, the customers refused to leave. Itzel says, "Our customers really didn't let us go, but the only way we could continue what we'd started was to go on wheels. So, we acquired our first food truck right in 2011, and in 2014 we acquired our second food truck."

A new brick and mortar was sought to serve sit-down diners and to prep-host catering gigs. Thus, the former Sizzler site became the new Maria Bonita in 2015.

"Same food, same concept, just bigger," says Itzel.

They opened it with help from the Nebraska Enterprise Fund. With Miguel recuperating in Mexico, Miriam wants it to be like coming to the Lopez casa for "a home-cooked family meal," adding, "The kitchen is the home of the home."

"These are dishes my mom will cook at home," Itzel says. "Everything my mom does she makes with love.

Mom wants to see tables full of families enjoying a good dinner. That's something we grew up with.

Every Sunday after church we come and enjoy our own food here."

"THE COLORS NOT ONLY INSPIRE US AND MAKE US REMEMBER WHERE WE COME FROM BUT ALSO TRANSMIT SOME OF OUR CULTURE AND THE WAY WE ENVISION LIFE, WHICH IS COLORFUL AND POSITIVE. OUR CULTURE IS REALLY WITHIN US." -Itzel Lopez Miriam says she doesn't use "complicated recipes, processes, and ingredients," adding, "This is very different—this is simple food the way I remember when I was a kid. My memories are all about food—about my mom all the time cooking for everybody."

She inherited her mom's cooking talent, and her folks paid for culinary training. She worked as a line cook in Mexico and America. "All the time I was learning—I learned a lot." Even though the hours are long, she finds joy. "All the time people ask me, why you work so hard?

But I don't feel like I'm working. It's special—that's the difference. They think it's for the money, but it's not for the money. It's passion. I love this. It's my dream."

Miriam's college-educated daughters have jobs and lives of their own, and she wants them to be successful.

"It's my faith for them. Happiness is everything."

"We move by faith in our family," says Itzel. "We're just hard working women. All we have to do is just follow that."

Itzel says she admires her mother's "consistency and perseverance" and how "she molds the family to the same mission."

“We’re a good team, each with different roles and strengths, all of us guided by Mom and her passion for food."

Mother and daughter are "proud" their family of "Mexican transplants and language learners" has come so far here.

A rotating traditional Mexican buffet is served daily from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Visit mariabonitaonline.com for more information.

The Orpheum combines French, Italian, Czek, Greek, and other architectural influences.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 158 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

O

NOSTALGIA

Reviving the Orpheum Theater’s Many Architectural Styles

BY KIM REINER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY RACHEL JOY

MAHA’S ORPHEUM THEATER was designed

to impress. Those vaulted, gilt ceilings. The 1920s Czech crystal chandeliers and gold leaf and ivory finishes. Its similarities to the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles are intentional. The Orpheum’s architects were inspired by the French Renaissance.

But, the French weren’t the sole inspiration.

The architectural styles found within the Orpheum Theater are as eclectic as the performances on stage. Designed to be a vaudeville house in 1927 by the firm Rapp and Rapp, lush Louis XIV influences mingle and complement other styles, particularly Italian. Look up as you enter the Orpheum by the ticket booth and inside the second set of entry doors. The French grandeur blends with urns and grapes typical of Italian architecture on the ceilings.

“What the audience sees is Rapp and Rapp’s interpretations,” says Ed Hurd, who has spent several years researching the history behind the theater. He calls them interpretations because burgundy draperies and some chandeliers inside aren’t typical of French Renaissance design.

“Omaha’s really lucky this place didn’t meet the wrecking ball,” says Hurd.

In 1971, the theater had fallen into disrepair—nets under the ceiling kept plaster from falling on the audience. The following year, the building was purchased and donated to the City of Omaha and renovations began. The lobby space grew and a permanent concession area was added. While the city still owns the building, Omaha Performing Arts assumed management in 2002 and began its own extensive renovations.

While heavy duty work has been done backstage and on-stage, plenty has been improved in the front of house.

That’s where James Bond comes in. Not THAT James Bond.

The James Bond of Custom Artistic Finishes in Omaha, who has been touching up the Orpheum’s interior for years. He was hired to restore and accurately reflect what the building was like, says Squires. The fact that no one notices his touch-ups reflects the quality of his craftsmanship.

“OMAHA’S REALLY LUCKY THIS PLACE DIDN’T MEET THE WRECKING BALL.” -Ed Hurd

Other architectural elements sneak in elsewhere, such as a 1920s Greek Romanesque feel in the Exhibition Lobby and English-looking flowers and symmetrical design found on the ceiling by the ticket booth.

Hurd, as the performance rental director for Omaha Performing Arts, the nonprofit that manages the theater, started digging into the story of the Orpheum in order to better sell the venue to touring artists. The strategy has worked.

“Without exception, the artists are amazed by the quality of this theater and the beauty,” says Joan Squires, president of Omaha Performing Arts.

Most of the elements found in the theater’s lobbies and its concert hall are original to the building, including the furniture, wrought iron grill work, draperies, marble, plaster sculpture, and the terra-cotta drinking fountains.

It wasn’t always so well maintained.

NOVEMBER

Bond is a former artistic apprentice to Salvatore Nespolo, the lead foreman on the original Orpheum renovation in the 1970s. He meticulously applied gold leafing, or gilding, throughout the bottom floor of the Orpheum, restoring the luster once tarnished by smoke damage. The extensive retexturing and color matching on the Lauritzen Lobby ceiling is another example.

“I’m very proud of every bit of the work I’ve done here,” says Bond.

Through the hard work of Bond and others, the ornate theater’s appearance has been restored to the level it deserves.

“What saved this building is the love people have for it,” says Hurd.

// DECEMBER • 2016 / 159 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

SECTION

with

Travel and Transport

ROYAL SUITE CLASS Luxury that’s anything but boring

For a cruise experience offering luxury that’s anything but boring, embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise in the Royal Suite Class. In the Royal Suite Class, you’ll have the added luxury of complimentary services and amenities, the most spacious suites on board, and your own Royal Genie concierge who will craft personal adventures to provide memories and activities that fit your wildest vacation expectations! Choose which class fits your cruising style: Star Class for the VIP experience, Sky Class for the adventurous explorers, or Sea Class for those just looking to relax and recharge between activities! Whichever you choose, your Royal Genie concierge will ensure that your time aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise is an unforgettable one!

CORPORATE TRAVEL | EVENTS | LOYALTY | VACATIONS travelandtransport.com/vacations Located at 72nd & Mercy | 402.399.4555 NOVEMBER // DECEMBER • 2016 / 160 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OBVIOUSLY OMAHA Where to Find Weird Holiday Favorites

BY GREG JERRETT

MOST HOLIDAY FOODS fall under the heading of “comfort food.” Turkey, ham, or roast

beast. Green bean casserole, stuffing, dressing, mounds of mash pitilessly drowned in a deluge of homemade gravy. But if Americans know how to do anything well, it is coming up with something unique for the holiday table. Some dishes are a rite of passage, if we're being honest.

Who really enjoys cranberry sauce, fruitcake, or gingerbread outside of the holiday season?

While candy canes are the candy corn and circus peanuts of Christmas, some foods are stunts: When America gets bored, turkeys get “turducken-ed” or fried; pies and cakes are baked with cakes and/or pies inside; riddles are wrapped in mysteries, stuffed in enigmas, covered in brown sugar, and baked. Here are five beloved, unusual holiday foods available in the Omaha metro.

01. HERINGSSALAT

Heringssalat (herring salad). What could be more Christmassy than a dish from the land of ice, snow, midnight sun, flowing hot springs, and Sinterklaas? From Westphalia to Ragnarok, proud Nordics enjoy this traditional End Times dish at many family occasions, but especially on New Year's Eve to remind themselves that no matter how bad life gets, one can always stop eating heringssalat. For the basic version, fold together pickled herring chunks, bread and butter pickles, apples, and onion. Mix in mayonnaise at the last minute to “keep it fresh.”

Advanced optional mix-ins include cream, sour cream, beets, capers, mustard, potatoes, eggs, or leftover meat. A good pickled herring is worth its weight in gelt; try Absolutely Fresh Seafood (1218 S. 119th St.) or Omaha’s go-to ziel für Deutsch küche, Gerda’s (5180 Leavenworth St.).

a Mars Bar without the chocolate or popularity. Orange, honey, vanilla, almonds, and/or pistachios make it distinct. Candy-making is an intense business, and results vary. If you’d like to buy locally try around. Orsi’s Italian Bakery (621 Pacific St.) orders several cases for the holidays.

02

04. TURKISH DELIGHT

The Ottoman Empire was not famous for producing great Christmas dishes.

Rahat loukoum, aka Turkish delight, is the exception. This 250-year-old recipe of gelled starch and sugar is flavored with rosewater, cinnamon, bergamot, or fruit. Dusted with powdered sugar, nobility used to gift rahat loukoum in a handkerchief. Nerds love Turkish delight because the White Witch fed it to Edward in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. On paper, it sounds disgusting. In reality, people either love it or despise it. Especially during the holidays, it’s available in Omaha at the Mediterranean & European Grocery (8601 Blondo St.) and Green Land Market (4087 S. 84th St.). Call ahead to check availability. Enjoy!

02. FROG EYE SALAD

Frog eye salad is very popular in Utah, where alcohol is not, and no celebration would be complete without several versions of this classic—including the one like grandma’s and the one your health-conscious cousin makes that no one ever eats, but she keeps making anyway. The base is orzo pasta (or any pasta resembling frog’s eyes), whipped cream, pineapple juice, and mandarin oranges.

Maraschino cherries may be added.

Ask for Mike in the deli at Wohlner’s (3253 Dodge St.), hand him a recipe for your favorite variant, and he’ll make a salad Joseph Smith would love.

01

03

04

05. MENUDO

03. TORRONE

After the Feast of Seven Fishes, blood sugar levels can drop. Enter the Sicilian nougat. Torrone is like

NOVEMBER

Menudo is a Mexican tripe soup made with cow's feet, onions, garlic, guajillo, and cumin. A popular hangover cure year-round, it's popular when all is quiet—except for your pounding head—on New Year's Day. Sip the broth or enjoy the chunks of slowly simmered cow stomach and your headache will become an afterthought in a hurry. Delicious! Try it at Victor’s (3223 Q St.) on Saturdays only, and at El Aguila (1837 Vinton St.) every day. Most authentic Mexican restaurants sell their own, so check around and call ahead for large quantities.

// DECEMBER

• 2016

/

161

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

05

THE MOST EXPENSIVE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF ALL TIME William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska

BY DOUGLAS VINCENT WESSELMANN PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

OMAHA MAGAZINE

M

ONEY AND POLITICS are as

American as baseball, apple pie, and corruption.

Of course, baseball was based on the British game of rounders that began in the Tudor era. The first apple pie recipe was published by the Romans.

And corruption, well there is some reference to it in Hammurabi’s Code from 1754 B.C. Yes, it turns out history holds more than a few surprises.

America, it turns out, is not as exceptional as one might suppose.

As for money and politics, ask anyone when the most expensive presidential race in history was, and they are likely to think it was Obama vs. Romney in 2012 when the two sides laid out more than $2.6 billion.

Some would suspect that, in this post-Citizen’s United era—with unlimited corporate money flowing every which way—the latest Clinton vs. Trump campaign would be the new record. They are mistaken.

In 2012, total campaign spending amounted to just over .01 percent of GDP. Now, that’s a lot when you’re taking about our huge economy. But as a percentage, it is dwarfed by an election that saw spending hit a level five times higher. In 1896, that election featured a future secretary of state, a populist, a fundamentalist orator, a pacifist, an anti-evolutionist, a campaigner for women’s suffrage, an early proponent of the minimum wage, and William McKinley.

HISTORY

cleaner—two years before the first gasoline-powered suction device for the home was introduced—to suck up wagonloads of money from J.P. Morgan, the Vanderbilts, Carnegies, and Rockefellers. McKinley had a huge war chest totaling as much as $5 million.

The Republican nominee stayed on his front porch and doled out the funds as needed along with an occasional stale pronouncement.

Meanwhile, the Boy Orator of the Platte (critics loved to point out that the Platte was a mile wide and six inches deep at the mouth) invented the whistle-stop campaign, speaking to countless crowds big and small across the nation. It was the first modern campaign, though hopelessly outspent. As you might have guessed, Bryan was beaten, and soundly, by almost a hundred electoral votes.

William Jennings Bryan stayed in the American spotlight for the rest of his life: as the Democratic nominee again in 1900 and 1908, as Woodrow Wilson’s secretary of state, and famously as the prosecutor in the Scopes Monkey Trial so memorably portrayed in Inherit the Wind.

It is a history rarely remembered, even here in Nebraska. You could look it up. A Democrat from Nebraska carried his home state, but lost the most expensive presidential election of all time.

Douglas Vincent Wesselmann is better known to Omaha as Otis Twelve, the talk-show host who writes the backpage column for Omaha Magazine.

Yes, McKinley was outnumbered—outnumbered by one man, the multifaceted Boy Orator of the Platte, Nebraska’s own William Jennings Bryan. Only 36 years old at the time he secured the Democratic nomination, Bryan, the former congressman out of Lincoln, was the youngest man ever to head a national ticket.

The reform-minded man from the Heartland had electrified the Democratic National Convention with his “Cross of Gold” speech (“You shall not crucify this country on a cross of gold!”) decrying the East Coast establishment’s reliance on the gold standard that limited the money supply to currency backed by actual gold reserves. Bryan was a “bi-metalist” who proposed that the amount of money in circulation should be bolstered by backing it with both gold and silver.

Bryan’s proposal would have been inflationary, but that was a good thing—good for farmers and workers and dealers in commodities, that is. Bankers and financiers, however, hate inflation. It lessens the value of their loans and bonds, allowing them to be paid off with money worth less than at the time the cash was laid out.

There were other issues of course, but the money supply was the crunch point. And the Karl Rove of the era, Mark Hanna, used it like a vacuum NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

• 2016

/ 163

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

A DEMOCRAT FROM NEBRASKA CARRIED HIS HOME STATE, BUT LOST THE MOST EXPENSIVE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF ALL TIME.

OMAHA MAGAZINE

FOOD // CHEF PROFILE

MAKER OF CHEFS FEEDER OF CHILDREN

I

Kevin Newlin

BY TAMSEN BUTLER PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

IN A CULTURE where top chefs enjoy

celebrity status, Omaha Salvation Army Kroc Center executive chef Kevin Newlin manages to stay humble and grounded. In fact, Newlin was confused as to why anyone would want to write a profile about him.

Don’t be fooled by his modesty. Newlin has trained some of Omaha’s top chefs during his tenure at Metropolitan Community College, and he is doing crucially important culinary work for the community. His Kroc Center programs have introduced countless kids to fresh foods that they might not otherwise eat.

“Sometimes kids will see blueberries or cucumbers or mushrooms, and they seriously will not know what it is because they’ve never seen it fresh before,” says Newlin. One of his favorite tricks is to first give kids cucumber slices, and then a couple days later give them pickles and explain the correlation. “To see the looks on their faces when they realize the pickle used to be a cucumber is fascinating, and it’s really something that drives me in my career where I am right now,” he says.

The summer feeding program offered by the Kroc Center (funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture) has grown exponentially. “We

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

• 2016

/

164 /

served just under 10,000 fresh, hot meals from May 23 to Aug. 12,” says Newlin. He’s responsible for rallying the food donations that help make this program possible, and he also plans and prepares the meals. “The kids get fresh food every day. We try to use fresh food as much as possible, but we’re restricted by budget.”

In September, Newlin was responsible for coordinating the celebrated Omaha chefs who participated in the fourth annual Kroc Center’s BaconFest, a local scholarship fundraiser.

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

His attraction to the Kroc “SOMETIMES Center was KIDS WILL SEE largely due to his desire to BLUEBERRIES OR spend more CUCUMBERS OR time with his children.

MUSHROOMS, AND “I’ve been THEY SERIOUSLY WILL here since the beginning,” NOT KNOW WHAT IT says Newlin, IS BECAUSE THEY’VE noting that before he NEVER SEEN IT accepted the FRESH BEFORE." role at the Kroc Center -Kevin Newlin he was chief of operations at Metropolitan Community College’s Culinary Arts Program. His love for teaching compelled him to retain his position as an adjunct professor with MCC until last year.

“I miss it because I miss the teaching aspect,” he says, adding that he also misses working with some of the people there.

His love for food is the reason why he also works at The Grey Plume three nights a week.

“Cook ing, for me, is a lifelong process,” he says. “COOKING FOR “ N o b o d y ME IS A LIFELONG knows it all and you’re PROCESS. NOBODY never done KNOWS IT ALL AND learning, and if you think YOU’RE NEVER DONE you are, then LEARNING, AND IF you probably don’t have YOU THINK YOU ARE, food in your THEN YOU PROBABLY soul.”

DON’T HAVE FOOD IN

Newlin says YOUR SOUL.” he noticed that his role -Kevin Newlin at the Kroc Center has changed his own perspective when it comes to helping the community. “Since I came here, I notice that my willingness to help people has increased. I’ve always volunteered, but it’s more now.” Whether he’s conducting a cooking class for kids or running the Kroc Center Program designed to help people learn the skills necessary to obtain a Douglas County food handlers card, Newlin is busy helping others.

“I love to feed people,” says Newlin with a shrug, trying to sum up everything he does in simple terms. He isn’t looking for praise.

He simply wants to share his love for food with others.

Visit omahakroc.org for more information.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

• 2016

/ 165

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

BY KAITLIN HARTNETT PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

OMAHA MAGAZINE

W

FOOD // REVIEW

HEN I FIRST started

coming into the cavernous Old Dundee Bar & Grill, the eatery and I were both much smaller.

The eastern portion— the part accessible from the back entrance off of Capital Avenue—was called Main Street Movies, a movie rental place walled-off from the bar area.

My dad used to walk my sister and me there to rent VHS tapes, any movie we wanted for $2.50. I remember the smell of popcorn from the Dundee Theatre at the top of the ramp in the southeast corner, the `70s-style pattern in the worn carpet. I remember the smell of fried fish coming from the Dundee Dell.

Established in 1934, the year after Prohibition, the Dundee Dell went through various owners. A former owner of the Dundee Dell, Pat Goebel, relocated the bar to Underwood Avenue in 2000. So, the bar that next occupied the old Dodge Street location needed a different name. The new name held onto nostalgia for the space. Affectionately known as “The Old” or “ODBG,” it has been owned

by Bellevue native Joe Goodman since 2009.

Goodman says that the old bar and the building surrounding it—including the shuttered Dundee Theatre, a bridal store, Merle Norman Cosmetics, and an antiques store—were built in the 1920s and operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition.

Goodman’s ODBG is known for its specials, expert staff, and reasonable food prices, as well as its deep-fried flour tacos, including the Reuben taco (which isn’t listed on the menu). It’s made of a deep-fried flour shell, Swiss cheese, corned beef, Thousand Island dressing, and of course, sauerkraut. They’re huge, so I only eat one. For the Wednesday night special, the price of the beef tacos drops to $2. The others stay at the usual $2.25.

I’ve never eaten a Reuben—I normally hate sauerkraut. But the combination of the meat, cheese, dressing, and crunchy taco shell was delicious. The taco’s crunchiness and tangy dressing distracted me from the sauerkraut. I would consider ordering it again, and this is the only restaurant where I’ve heard of reuben tacos for sale. Other items that Goodman

will cook-to-order, but are not listed on the menu, include a Cuban sandwich and crab rangoons. While these favorites are not necessarily secret, in general, only Old Dundee regulars request them.

Goodman, and the staff who worked at The Old prior to his ownership, transformed it from a struggling bar into a thriving neighborhood watering hole. The space has been renovated while retaining its speakeasy roots: a massive brick fireplace defines the southern wall, topped by a massive black-andwhite painting of two guys having a drink.

Goodman replaced the battered green carpet that covered the floor and the bar with wooden floors, new carpet, and a newly cut and painted original cement floor in the gaming area (complete with pool tables and darts). He also installed a gleaming wooden bar flanked with carved lions.

“I think it’s the staff that keeps bringing people back,” Goodman says. “They make people feel welcome and encourage them to have a good time.”

You’ll want to visit the Old Dundee soon: The bar’s lease will not be renewed. It will leave the building by the end of January 2017 to make way for Film Streams’ redevelopment of the Dundee Theatre next door. While Goodman says that the bar will remain open for New Year’s, he’s not sure when he’ll shut down for good.

YOU’LL WANT TO VISIT THE OLD DUNDEE SOON: THE BAR’S LEASE WILL NOT BE RENEWED. IT WILL LEAVE THE BUILDING BY THE END OF JANUARY 2017 TO MAKE WAY FOR FILM STREAMS’ REDEVELOPMENT OF THE DUNDEE THEATRE NEXT DOOR.

“When we close depends on inventory, but we’re having fun,” Goodman says.

So while you can, come to the Old Dundee for the tacos, and stay for its vintage, comfortable vibe.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

• 2016

/ 167

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

THE OLD DUNDEE BAR & GRILL 4964 DODGE ST. 402-558-0801 FOOD SERVICE AMBIANCE PRICE OVERALL

$ 5 STARS POSSIBLE

MIDWESTERN umami Suji's Korean Grill Imports Unique Cuisinie

BY SARAH WENGERT PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN DESIGN BY KRISTEN HOFFMAN

Above left: a selection of banchan Above right: bibimbap Opposite page: Suji Park

OMAHA MAGAZINE

I

FOOD // FEATURE

IF YOU HAVE heard anything about

inspiration officer” of Suji’s Korean Cuisine, her line of prepackaged Korean meats, sauces, and bibimbap bowls sold at retailers like Whole Foods and Target.

It’s an accurate assessment of the initial Suji’s that opened near 72nd and Pacific streets in July 2016, but the comparison becomes less apt as the eatery evolves in response to diner feedback.

Park originally came to Nebraska to partner with University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Innovation Campus, which lent cutting-edge preservation techniques to the development of her prepackaged foods. The international restaurateur of 12 years then chose Omaha to launch her first stateside eatery.

Suji’s Korean Grill, it is probably that the restaurant is “Chipotle for Korean food,” an analogy trumpeted from many a Yelp review and word-ofmouth recommendation.

“I found customers want to see more authentic Korean food and bolder flavors, so we’ve upgraded our menu to meet that demand,” says Suji Park, proprietor of Suji’s Korean Grill. Park is also the founder and “chief

Park’s something of a culinary babel fish, translating Asian dishes for Americans, and American cuisine like brunch and New

York-style deli fare for an Asian market in her Seoul and Tokyo restaurants. Now, the woman who brought the brunch boom to Korea is working to mainstream Korean cuisine for Americans—and she’s excited to see strong demand for authenticity.

Park says meeting that demand means moving Suji’s from a strict fast-casual concept to a hybrid style, where customers still order at the counter but food is freshly prepared in 10 minutes or less. The extra prep time allows for more menu variation, including the addition of dup-bap dishes—hearty meat and vegetables served “over rice”—like beef and pork bulgogi, and dak jjim, a savory, almost

NOW, THE WOMAN WHO BROUGHT THE BRUNCH BOOM TO KOREA IS WORKING TO MAINSTREAM KOREAN CUISINE FOR AMERICANS—AND SHE’S EXCITED TO SEE STRONG DEMAND FOR AUTHENTICITY.

Korean street tacos

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

• 2016

/

170 /

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

stewy, spicy braised chicken thigh with potato, carrot, and onion.

Park also added japchae, a well-executed traditional Korean noodle dish of thin, stir-fried sweet potato noodles tossed with carrots, onions, scallions, and a choice of marinated beef, chicken, or plump shiitakes. Available as a side or entree, it's unique and versatile enough to appeal to vegetarians and omnivores alike.

9443UBCB2BAd_fnl.pdf

1

12/1/14

5:08 PM

Another standout dish is the kimchi bacon rice: sautéed rice mixed with the sour bite of kimchi and the salty splendor of uncured, antibiotic-free bacon with an important texture assist from crisp cucumber, spring greens, and scallions. A perfectly cooked soft-fried egg and sesame seeds top the dish, which in total presents like the food equivalent of an expertly struck multipart harmony, the many flavors and texture elements uniting for one tasty whole.

Suji’s offers several flavorful sauces and kimchi varieties that further elevate these dishes, so diners would be wise to add them according to taste—in my case liberally, as I found such additions often lent an important layer of flavor.

Many elements will not change, including original menu items like bibimbap bowls and Korean street tacos, Suji’s inviting communal seating, and Park’s overarching commitment to all-natural ingredients. In her restaurants and prepackaged foods, Park insists on no MSG, binders, artificial colorings, flavors, or preservatives, and a gluten-conscious approach.

“We’ll never change our all-natural mission or authenticity,” says Park. “We want people to fully experience Korean meals, so we’re also introducing banchan, small dishes, like tapas, with a main dish.”

STOP BY FOR THE HOLIDAYS WINE THERAPY THURSDAYS

$10 BOTTLES OF WINE ALL DAY LONG

SUNDAY BRUNCH 10AM-2PM

BLOODIES & BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS /beyondgolf for more information Walking Distance to CenturyLink Center & TD Ameritrade Park

402.916.4PAR (4727)

402.346.9116 | 501 N. 13th Street | theMattOmaha.com /the old mattress factory omaha

@Matt_factory

120th & Giles | beyondgolfomaha.com

Park’s mother, Younja Kim, is visiting from Korea for several months to help develop a variety of rotating homemade banchan and kimchi. Suji’s will also host educational sessions, inviting Omahans to learn how to make varieties of kimchi.

COME TO THE BEST OF OMAHA FESTIVAL

“I'm excited to show people what Korean food is about,” she says. “I’m in the food industry because I love people, and food brings people together.”

Sunday, Nov. 13 (1Pm-5Pm) Baxter Arena

Free Food & Drinks

Visit sujiskoreangrill.com for more information.

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

• 2016

/ 171

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

DINING

AMERICAN DJ’S DUGOUT - $

636 N 114th St. (402-498-8855) 1003 Capitol Ave. (402-763-9974) 10308 S 23rd St. (402-292-9096) 2102 S 67th St. (402-933-3533) 180th & Q St. (402-292-9096) Hwy 75 & Oak Hill Rd. (402-298-4166) Catch all of the action at four Omaha locations. Featuring burgers, sandwiches, wraps, salads, appetizers, and an impressive drink menu along with HD TVs and projectors. Home to Blazin’ Pianos, Omaha’s only dueling piano concept. djsdugout.com

FLATIRON CAFE - $$

402-344-3040 1722 St. Mary's Ave. Our classics endure for a reason...The Flatiron Cafe staff has been serving well prepared contemporary cuisine, in one of Omaha's most beautiful dining rooms, since 1995. We are committed to old school hospitality, taking care to honor your most special or casual occasions, with all the attention and style that our talented staff can provide.

Robustly delicious food, in the historic Hotel Flatiron, close to our exceptional downtown theaters, hotels, and commerce. Tuesday through Saturday evenings from 5pm- reservations suggested at opentable. com or 402-344-3040. theflatironcafe.com.

JAMS- $$

7814 Dodge St.(402-399-8300) 1101 Harney St. in the Old Market (402-614-9333) Jams is an Omaha restaurant legacy. An American Grill that offers a melting pot of different styles and varieties of food dishes made with high-quality ingredients that pair well with award-winning wines or creative cocktails.

Get a Little Saucy.

LE PEEP - $

177th & Center St. (402-934-9914) 156th & W. Dodge Rd. (402-408-1728) 120th & Blondo St. (402-991-8222) Le Peep puts a wholesome perspective on your favorite neighborhood breakfast and lunch spot. Fresh. Simple. Elegant. Inviting. We put the emphasis on people, both patrons and staff. We focus on providing each of our guests the fresh food and friendly service that they have come to expect. Open daily 6:30am-2pm

LOUIE’S WINE DIVE - $ MC, V

402-884-8966 16820 Wright Plz. Creative gourmet comfort food, and a funky, fun atmosphere. Great wines, many of which come from small vineyards, at a great value.

Gourmet comfort food is made fresh, using eco-friendly and local ingredients whenever possible. Mon. 4-10pm, Tue.-Thu. 11am-10pm, Fri./Sat. 11am-11pm, and 10am-8 pm.

SPEZIA SPECIALTIES FRESH SEAFOOD • ANGUS BEEF

MILLARD ROADHOUSE - $ MC, V

INNOVATIVE PASTA • RISOTTO

402-891-9292 13325 Millard Ave. The all-American neighborhood grill Millard Roadhouse is perfect for the whole family, with huge portions, great service and even better food.

From roasted chicken to fried green tomatoes, there's something for every taste, and trust us, you're not going to leave hungry. Also serving Sunday brunch and the best happy hour in the area. Mon.-Wed. 11-9pm, Thu.-Sat. 11am-10pm, Sun. 10am-9pm.

GNOCCHI • FRESH SALMON DAILY

SATURDAY NOW OPENLUNCH 7 DAYS A[11am–4 WEEKpm]

$10

Give Spezia Gift Cards for the Holidays!

OFF ANY TICKET OVER $25 NO CASH CASH VALUE. VALUE.EXPIRES EXPIRES12/31/2011 12/31/16 NO

COCKTAILHOUR HOUR COCKTAIL

MONDAY – SATURDAY EVERY DAY FROM 4-6PM 4 – 6 PM ALL COCKTAILS, GLASS WINE ALL COCK TAILS, GL ASS WINE AND BEERS ARE HALF PRICE AND BEERS ARE HALF PRICE DINING GUIDE LEGEND

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$+$30+

CALL FOR RESERVATIONS • 402-391-2950 CENTRAL LOCATION • 3125 SOUTH 72ND STREET • EASY ACCESS OFF I-80 • 72ND STREET EXIT

NOVEMBER // DECEMBER • 2016

/

172

/

MC=Master Card • V=Visa AE=American Express • DC=Discover Card

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

DINING

OMAHA MAGAZINE

SECTION

COME MINGLE WITH A DELICIOUS DISH Food on the money. Drinks on the rocks.

Join us for a quick lunch, an intimate dinner or just a drink at the bar. Better yet, invite your friends and family for a private dining event. At Sullivan’s, the stage is always set for an experience full of flavor.

GET $75 IN BONUS CARDS*

FOR EVERY $500 IN GIFT CARDS PURCHASED, OR $10 FOR EVERY $100.

©2016 Sullivan’s Steakhouse

222 South 15th Street | Omaha, NE 402.342.0077 | SullivansSteakhouse.com Bonus Cards Card valid December 26, 2016 to March 31, 2016 (excluding New Year’s Eve, 12/31/16). Not valid with any other offer.

Excludes/ tax and gratuity./Card BESTOFOMAHA.COM redeemable for food and beverages only. Not redeemable for cash and will not be replaced if lost or stolen.

NOVEMBER // DECEMBER • 2016 173

OMAHA MAGAZINE

Located “just a wink from the link”,

we have everything you might desire for lunch & dinner, a night out or in planning your next event.

DINING

LO-LO’S CHICKEN & WAFFLES - $

402-991-9400 7051 Ames Ave. What came first? The chicken or the waffle? Lo-Lo’s Chicken and Waffles has the juiciest, most flavorful fried chicken and the fluffiest, melt-in- your-mouth waffles, which has created an underground soul food revolution–one that’s slowly spreading downright deliciousness across the country.

STELLA’S - $ MC, V, AE, DC

402-291-6088 106 S Galvin Rd., Bellevue Since 1936, we’ve been making our Stella’s world-famous hamburgers the same way. The family secrets have been handed down to each owner to ensure that your burger is the same one you fell in love with the first time you ever tried Stella’s. And if it’s your first time, we know you’ll be back! Mon.–Sat. 11am–9pm., Sun. closed. stellasbarandgrill.com

UPSTREAM BREWING COMPANY - $$

514 S. 11th St. (402-344-0200) 17070 Wright Plz. (402-778-0100) Upstream features an extensive menu of new American pub fare including appetizers, thin-crust pizzas, superb steaks featuring Omaha Steaks, fresh fish, pasta, salads, sandwiches, and a great children’s menu. Fresh, handcrafted beer and root beer on tap. Extensive wine list. Call ahead for group reservations or to be placed on our waiting list. Visit our classic, upscale poolroom located on the second level.

VARSITY SPORTS CAFE & ROMAN COIN PIZZA - $$

501 N. 13th Street | 402.346.9116 theMattOmaha.com /the old mattress factory omaha

@Matt_factory

4900 Dodge St., Omaha, NE 68132 (402-934-9439) 9735 Q St., Omaha, NE 68127 (402-339-1944) 14529 F St., Omaha, NE 68137 (402-505-6660) 3504 Samson Way Bellevue, NE 68123 (402-932-1944) VSC & RCP has been in business for over 20 years with four metro locations—in your neighborhood. From our made-from-scratch dough and signature marinara sauce, to our quality toppings and real cheese, we have perfected the hand-tossed pizza! We have state-of-the-art satellite service so you can watch all the games on our HD televisions. Sun.Thu. 11am-1pm, Fri. & Sat. 11am-2am. varsityromancoinpizza.com.

ICE CREAM TED AND WALLY’S - $ MC, V

402-341-5827 1120 Jackson St. Come experience the true taste of homemade ice cream in the Old Market. Since 1986, we’ve created gourmet ice cream flavors in small batches using rock salt and ice. We offer your favorites plus unique flavors like margarita, green tea, Guinness, and French toast. Special orders available.

ITALIAN

78th & Dodge

11th & Harney

DON CARMELO'S PIZZERIA - $

402-933-3190 10821 Prairie Brook Rd. Omaha's first and finest New York-style pizza, stromboli, calzones, oven-toasted hoagies, Philly cheesesteaks, pasta, salads, beer, and wine. We also feature take-out and delivery and can cater your special event, large or small. Tue.-Thu., 11am-9pm Fri. & Sat., 11am-10pm, Sun., Noon-8pm.

LA CASA PIZZARIA - $$ MC, V

402-556-6464 45th & Leavenworth St. La Casa Pizzaria has been serving Omaha it’s legendary Neapolitanstyle pizza and pasta for 60 years now. We offer dine in, carry-out, party facilities, catering and now pizza shipments to the 48 contiguous states. Open Tues.- Sat. at 11am and Sun. at 4:30pm lacasapizzaria.net

&

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$+$30+ MC=Master Card • V=Visa AE=American Express • DC=Discover Card

NOVEMBER // DECEMBER • 2016

/

174

/

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

OMAHA MAGAZINE

DINING

SECTION

Thank you Omaha for voting us Best Family Restaurant!

“Serving The Best Chicken in Town Since 1997”

13325 Millard Ave. • 402-891-9292 www.millardroadhouse.com Omaha’s Only

Authentic German Restaurant

Locally Owned Since 1976

THE ORIGINAL

Whiskey Steak Thanks for Voting Us

#1 BREAKFAST 8 YEARS

Call us for

Holiday Dessert Trays, & authentic German stollen.

in a Row!

German Strudel, Sauerkraut, and Schnitzel, and Beer.

Full bakery, fresh bread, donuts, and cakes!

10 min from downtown Omaha

5180 Leavenworth

402-553-6774

www.gerdasgermanrestaurant.com

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 11am-2pm Cocktail Hour: 3pm-5pm Dinner nightly from 5pm Reservations Accepted Gift Cards Available

177th & Center • 934-9914 156th & Dodge • 408-1728 120th & Blondo • 991-8222 Voted Best of Omaha 4 years in a row

2121 South 73rd Street.

402-391-7440 | DroverRestaurant.com NOVEMBER // DECEMBER • 2016

/

175

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Drive-Thru Open (Center St. Only) Open Daily 6:30am-2:00pm Serving Breakfast & Lunch All Day!

OMAHA MAGAZINE

Serving Nebraska's Great Steaks and American Classics!

DINING

LO SOLE MIO RISTORANTE ITALIANO - $$

402-345-5656 3001 S. 32nd Ave. Located in the middle of a neighborhood, surrounded by charming homes. Everyone is greeted with homemade bread, a bowl of fresh tomatoes and basil, a bowl of oven-roasted garlic cloves, specialseasoned olive oil, and at night, a jug of Chianti! The menu includes a large variety of pasta, chicken, veal, seafood, and even a delicious New York steak. Traditional dishes such as lasagna, tortellini, and eggplant parmigiana are also available. Lunch also offers panini, salads, and one of the best pizzas in town. Patio seating, full bar, and a great wine list complete the atmosphere. No reservations, except for private rooms.

Homemade Ice cream and PIes • 5914 center • Petrows.com • 402.551.0552

OMAHA’S ORIGINAL STEAKHOUSE

• Proudly serving visitor & locals for 90 years.

• Featured on CNN.com Best Meat Cities in America • Serving hand cut steaks, aged on premise and slow roasted prime rib with pride.

402-731-4774 www.johnnyscafe.com 27th & ‘L’ St., Kennedy Frwy, ‘L’ St. Exit 8 Minutes from Downtown Omaha.

PASTA AMORE - $$ MC, V, AE

402-391-2585 11027 Prairie Brook Rd. Pastas are made fresh daily, including tortellini, fettuccine, and capellini. Daily specials and menu items include a variety of fresh seafood and regional Italian dishes, such as linguini amore and calamari steak, penne Florentine, gnocchi, spaghetti puttanesca, and ossobuco. Filet mignon is also offered for those who appreciate nationally renowned Nebraska beef. To complement your dining experience, the restaurant offers a full bar and extensive wine list. Be sure to leave room for homemade desserts, like the tiramisu and cannoli. Lunch: 11am-2pm Dinner: 4:30pm Reservations recommended.

PITCH - $$ MC, V, AE, DC Best Of Omaha 10 Years Running

WHERE WHERE GOOD GOOD FOOD FOOD AND AND GOOD GOOD SERVICE SERVICE NEVER NEVER GO GO OUT OUT OF OF STYLE. STYLE.

402- 590-2625 5021 Underwood Ave. OpenTable Diners' Choice 2014 HotSpot Restaurants in America.

Keeping up with the traditional way the first pizzas in Italy were made, our pizzas are cooked in a coal-fired oven. The menu also features seafood, hand-cut steak, housemade pastas, and a burger full of flavor! Our goal is to provide you with local, housemade, and imported ingredients. We offer a Happy Hour menu through the week.

And, our bar provides an array of in-house concoctions as well as your traditional libation! Our wine selection is well-thought and most impressive! You will enjoy Pitch! Mon. 3pm-10pm Tue.-Thu. 11am-10pm, Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm, Sun. 3-10pm. pitchpizzeria.com.

SPEZIA - $$$ MC, V

402-391-2950 3125 S. 72nd St. Choose Spezia for lunch or dinner, where you'll find a casual elegance that's perfect for business guests, get-togethers, or any special occasion. Exceptional food, wine, and service, with a delectable menu: fresh seafood, Certified Angus steaks, innovative pasta, risotto, gnocchi, cioppino, lamb, entrée salads, Mediterranean chicken, flatbreads, and fresh salmon daily. Enjoy a full bar, Italian and California wines, Anniversary Lovers Booth (call to reserve), private dining rooms, and wood-fired grill. Open Mon.-Sun. Cocktail hour: 4-6pm, when all cocktails, glass wine, and beers are half price. Evening reservations recommended.

Stella’s Bar and Grill

“Serving World Famous Hamburgers since 1936” 106 Galvin Rd • Bellevue, NE • 402-291-6088 • Open Monday-Saturday, 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

5203 Leavenworth st.

Omaha, NE 68106

ZIO’S PIZZERIA - $$ MC, V

7834 Dodge St. (402-391-1881) 12997 W. Center Rd. (402-330-1444) 1109 Howard St. (402-344-2222) Delivery, dine in, and carry out. Serving New York style pizza by the slice or whole pies, calzones, hoagies, pastas, salads, and garlic breads. Our pies are hand-stretched and baked in old-world ovens. We offer 35 of the freshest toppings; taste the freshest pizza at Zio’s! Family dining, open seven days a week. Lunch specials and beer and wine available.

Lunch Mon-Fri 11-2 Dinner Mon-Sat 5-10

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$+$30+ MC=Master Card • V=Visa AE=American Express • DC=Discover Card

www.jcocoomaha.com NOVEMBER // DECEMBER • 2016

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

/

176

/

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

OMAHA MAGAZINE

DINING

SECTION

SERVING LUNCH DAILY 402.884.8966 16920 Wright Plz. Omaha, NE louieswinedive.com Serving the Metro Area for More Than 20 Years!

Sports Bar

2016 Winner

KETV 7 â&#x20AC;¢ Baxter Arena

WE DELIVER

DUNDEE LOCATION 402.934.9439 4900 Dodge Street Omaha, NE 68132

.

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE

RALSTON LOCATION 402.339.1944 9735 Q Street Omaha, NE 68127

MILLARD LOCATION BELLEVUE LOCATION 402.505.6660 402.932.1944 14529 F Street 3504 Samson Way Omaha, NE 68137 Bellevue, NE 68123

WWW.VARSITYROMANCOINPIZZA.COM

EST. 1993 6 OMAHA AREA LOCATIONS!

Farm Fresh Foods You Love To Eat

Downtown - 10th & Capitol - 402-763-9974 Aksarben Village - 67th & Center - 402-933-3533 Miracle Hills - 114th & Dodge - 402-498-8855 Millard - 180th & Q - 402-933-8844 Bellevue - 23rd & Cornhusker - 402-292-9096 Plattsmouth - Hwy 75 & Oak Hill Rd. - 402-298-4166

DJSDUGOUT.COM

SUBSCRIBE SUBSCRIBETODAY! TODAY! Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss a single issue of Omaha Magazine 3461 S 84th St, Omaha, NE 68124

omamag.com/save

402.393.0640 . farmhousecafe.com

NOVEMBER // DECEMBER â&#x20AC;¢ 2016

/

177

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Sports Bar

2016 First Place KETV 7 â&#x20AC;¢ Baxter Arena

OMAHA MAGAZINE

DINING

MEXICAN FERNANDO’S - $ MC, V, AE

e as o S d r a C I t i s G if t

7555 Pacific St. (402-339-8006) 380 N. 114th St. (402-330-5707) Featuring Sonoran-style cooking made fresh daily. Catering and party rooms also available. Mon.-Thu., 11am-10pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-11pm; Sun., 4-9pm.

n

LA MESA - $$ MC, V

158th & W. Maple Rd. 156th & Q Sts.(402-763-2555) 110th St. & W. Maple Rd.(402-496-1101) Ft. Crook Rd. & Hwy 370 in Bellevue (402-733-8754) 84th St. & Tara Plaza in Papillion (402-593-0983) Lake Manawa Exit in Council Bluffs (712-256-2762) Enjoy awesome enchiladas, fabulous fajitas, seafood specialties, mouth-watering margaritas, and more at La Mesa! Come see why La Mesa has been voted Omaha’s #1 Mexican restaurant 13 years in a row!

Sun.-Thu. 11am-10pm, Fri. & Sat. 11am-10:30pm lamesaomaha.com

MARGARITA'S MEXICAN RESTAURANT - $

2505 S. 132nd St. (402-991-3555) 4915 S. 72nd St. (402-393-7515) Margarita's is a business with more than seven years in the food world.

We offer authentic food at two nice locations in Omaha where you can enjoy a nice moment with your family.

SEAFOOD CHARLIE’S ON THE LAKE - $$

402-894-9411 4150 . 144th St. Charlie’s is the only fresh-fish-daily seafood restaurant in Omaha.

Features a relaxed yet contemporary atmosphere that is fun for all ages. Besides fresh seafood, Charlie’s is the home of the James Bond-style martini (shaken, not stirred) in over 20 varieties in addition to over 60 wines. Mon.-Thu., 11am-10pm; Fri. 11am-11pm Sat., 4:30pm-11pm.

SPECIAL DINING CRESCENT MOON ALE HOUSE - $

Named top 100 hottest restaurants in america - 3 years in a row catering / personalized wine dinners available

402-345-1708 3578 Farnam St. Founded in 1996, we’ve grown into Beer Corner USA with the additions of The Huber Haus German Beer Hall, Max and Joe’s Belgian Beer Tavern, and Beertopia, Omaha’s Ultimate Beer Store. With more than 60 beers on tap and Omaha’s best reuben sandwich, we are a midtown beer lover’s destination. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 11am-2am. Kitchen hours: Mon.-Wed., 11am-1pm; Thu.-Sat. 11am-midnight. Closed Sun. beercornerusa.com.

FETA'S GYRO & CATERING - $$

743 N. 114th St. (402-504-4976) 119 S. 40th St. (402 558 5623) Fast casual restaurant serving Greek and American foods. Featuring homemade baklava! The 119 S. 40th location has a drive-thru for your convenience.

open at: 10am saturday and sunday

PASTA AMORE

lunch Mon-Fri: 11AM-2PM Dinner Mon-Sat: 4:30PM-Close Thank You Omaha for 30 Years of Patronage!

Rockbrook Village

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$+$30+

www.pastaamore.com Like Us on Facebook NOVEMBER // DECEMBER • 2016

/

178

/

402-553-6774 5180 Leavenworth St. Omaha’s only authentic German restaurant, a little piece of Germany in Omaha. Gerda herself makes homemade spaetzle, schnitzels, and rouladen Fresh-made soups, red cabbage, sauerkraut, and dumplings are a few other treats. Stay for a dessert of Black Forest cake or grab fresh bakery for breakfast on your way out. Check hours at gerdasgermanrestaurant.com.

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

(108th & Center)

402.391.2585

GERDA’S GERMAN RESTAURANT & BAKERY - $

MC=Master Card • V=Visa AE=American Express • DC=Discover Card

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

OMAHA MAGAZINE

DINING

SECTION

THANK YOU OMAHA FOR VOTING US BEST PIZZA 24 STRAIGHT YEARS!

Best Greek

Hand-stretched New York style pizza

Family Owned Since 1983

Catering ~ Party Room Available Homemade, Fresh Food ~ Always 3821 Center St. 402/346-1528

GreekIslandsOmaha.com

CALZONES · PASTA · SALADS · LUNCH SPECIALS APPETIZERS · BEER · WINE · MARGARITAS

391-1881

7834 Dodge St.

Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Irish Pub )PXBSE 4U t 0NBIB /& t PDPOOPSTPNBIB DPN

330-1444

12997 W. Center Rd.

344-2222

1109 Howard St. (Old Market)

HAPPY HOUR EVERY DAY FROM 4PM-6PM ZIOSPIZZERIA.COM

Family Owned & Operated Authentic Italian Cuisine Party Rooms Available Carry Out Available

Serving Lunch & Dinner

Mon-Sat

3001 S. 32nd Ave â&#x20AC;¢ Omaha, NE 402-345-5656

Gift Cards â&#x20AC;¢ Party Rooms â&#x20AC;¢ Seasonal Brews

NEW HOURS MON-THUR 11AM-10PM FRI-SAT 11AM-11:30PM HAPPY HOUR DAILY 3:30PM-6:30PM REVERSE HAPPY HOUR FRI & SAT 9:30PM-11:00PM CLOSED SUNDAY

Old Market

Out West

11 TH & JACKSON 402.344.0200

171 ST & WEST CENTER 402.778.0100

MODERN AMERICAN WITH A MEDITERRANEAN TWIST

3623 N. 129 ST. OMAHA, NE 68164 402.991.9088 | SALT88.COM

upstreambrewing.com NOVEMBER // DECEMBER â&#x20AC;¢ 2016

/

179

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

DINING

GREEK ISLANDS - $

402-346-1528 3821 Center St. Greek cuisine with specials every day at reasonable prices. Well known for our gyro sandwiches and salads. We cater and can accommodate a party for 65 guests. Carryout and delivery available. Mon.-Thu., 11am-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-10pm; Sun., 11am-8pm.

HORSEMEN’S PARK- $

Old Market

Now Open in Benson

1120 Jackson Street • 402.341.5827 6023 Maple Street • 402.551.4420 9 Years In A Row

tedandwallys.com

n Sandwi ube ch Re

2016 First Place KETV 7 • Baxter Arena

Try Omaha’s Favorite Reuben!

402-731-2900 6303 Q St. One-dollar pints, $1.75 domestic bottles, and $2 well drinks for our happy hour Mon.-Wed., 5pm-8pm. Tuesdays are 25-cent wings from 3-8pm, Wednesdays are Steak Night after 5pm, Thursdays are 75-cent tacos and $1.75 margaritas after 5pm, and Fridays are Prime Rib Dinner after 5pm Daily specials seven days a week. Open at 10am horsemenspark.com

JAIPUR INDIAN RESTAURANT AND BREWERY - $$$

402-392-7331 10922 Elm St. A casual restaurant in a relaxed atmosphere. Dinner entrees include fresh vegetables, grilled Colorado lamb sirloin, sushi-grade ahi, tandoori marinated grilled salmon, and tandoori grilled beef tenderloin to name a few. A wide selection of wines and liquor, as well as on-site brewed beer. Lunch: Thu. and Fri., 11am-2pm Dinner: Sun.-Thu., 5pm-9:30pm; Fri and Sat., 5pm-10:30pm.

J.COCO - $$$ Sonoran Style Cooking Made Fresh Daily.

Catering and Party Rooms Also Available.

7555 Pacific St. 399–8006 380 N.114 St. 330–5707 Omaha, Nebraska

Omaha’s largest selection of craft beers.

3578 Farnam St • 402-345-1708 www.beercornerusa.com

402-884-2626 5203 Leavenworth St. The building that once housed a beloved neighborhood grocery has a new future. Built as a grocery back in 1925, it is now home to J. Coco. Our seasonal menus, rooted in tradition, showcase our natural ingredients.

Local, organic, and sustainable when available. We feature craft bar tending, housemade desserts and pastas. We celebrate traditional…

With a modern twist. Lunch (Mon.-Fri. 11am-2pm) - Dinner (Mon.Sat. 5pm-close) jcocoomaha.com

MARRAKECH GOURMET - $$

Bringing Italy to Omaha Since 1919

NEW LOCATION! NOW OPEN! 40th & Dodge • 402.558.5623 (Drive thru at this location) 114th & Dodge • 402.504.4976

Fresh, Greek, Fast!

Eat In - Catering

M-Th & Sa: 11a-8:30p Fri: 11a-9p fetasgyros.com

402-502-0739 504 N 33rd St Sit back and prepare for an authentic Moroccan dining experience.

Choose from a savory array of traditional entrees such as chicken, lamb, and vegetarian dishes, influenced by a variety of Mediterranean flavors. We invite you to relax and enjoy an evening of fine food and extraordinary hospitality. Visit today! Sun.-Sat. 11am-10pm. marrakechgourmetomaha.com

NOSH RESTAURANT AND WINE LOUNGE - $$

402-614-2121 1006 Dodge St. Located in downtown Omaha blocks away from the CenturyLink Center Omaha, Holland Performing Arts, and the Old Market—Nosh is the perfect place to gather and celebrate good times. Guests are sure to enjoy our comfortable relaxing atmosphere, diverse wine list, impressive cocktails and food that will please any palate. noshwine.com

O’CONNOR’S IRISH PUB - $

402-934-9790 1217 Howard St. Comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. Great before and after games. We offer pub style food—burgers, reubens, daily specials, and homemade soups—as well as all the traditional Irish favorite libations: Guinness, Harp, and Irish whiskey. Grill hours: Mon.-Thu., 11am-10pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-10pm.

Take a Taste of Italy Home Today!

Tues-Thurs: 8:30am-8pm Friday: 8:30am-8:30pm Saturday: 7:30am-8pm Sunday: 7:30am-6pm

402.345.3438 621 Pacific St, Omaha NE orsibakery.com

A Fusion of Moroccan and Mediterranean Flavors

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

402.502.0739 504 N 33rd St. Omaha, NE marrakechgourmetomaha.com

NOVEMBER // DECEMBER • 2016

/

180

/

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$+$30+ MC=Master Card • V=Visa AE=American Express • DC=Discover Card

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

DINING

OMAHA MAGAZINE

SECTION

Your Local All Star Line-up.

Bread, Rolls, Hoagies, Buns & Gluten-Free!

// DECEMBER 2016 / Tradition...Since 181 / BESTOFOMAHA.COM1921 TheNOVEMBER Strength of aâ&#x20AC;¢ Family

OMAHA MAGAZINE

DINING

SALT 88 - $$ SAN FRANCISCO WORLD

SAN FRANCISCO WORLD

SPIRITS

COMPETITION

GOLD ME DA L

SAN FRANCISCO WORLD

SPIRITS

SAN FRANCISCO WORLD

SPIRITS

SPIRITS

COMPETITION

COMPETITION

DOUBLE GOLD ME DA L

COMPETITION

DOUBLE GOLD ME DA L

S I LV E R ME DA L

A New tr adition Built on strong family values and service to country

TRAVEL DESIGN LOUNGE - $$

402-548-3280 16950 Wright Plaza Suite 151 Travel Design Lounge is a full service travel agency combined with a full bar and coffee shop. Come in anytime to enjoy drinks with friends over happy hour or let us guide you in planning the vacation of a lifetime.

“Get Tripsy” and be inspired to travel!

free tastings 12251 Cary Cir.

402-991-9088 3623 N. 129th St. Brought to you by the owners of Hiro 88, Salt is a New American adventure in cuisine. It's a restaurant supported by a friendly staff, savory appetizers, and, most importantly, free cotton candy at the end of your meal. Guests are sure to notice that not only is the food unique, but its ambiance feels modern and inviting, making your meal not just delicious, but memorable. salt88.com.

. La Vista 68128 . 402.690.3490 . soldiervalleyspirits.com A short drive from downtown Om aha

STEAKHOUSES 801 CHOPHOUSE - $$$$

402-341-1222 1403 Farnam St. Designed with a 1920s-era New York chophouse in mind, 801 is the epitome of elegance. You will not forget the crisp white tablecloth, fine-dining experience. From our USDA prime-grade beef and jet-fresh seafood from all over the world, we are truly the best Omaha has to offer. Open seven nights a week.

BROTHER SEBASTIAN'S - $$$

402-330-0300 1350 S 119th St Relax in the cozy old world comfort of an early California monastery with friendly “monks” that pamper you in subdued, romantic surroundings, and savor the fresh, full flavors of U.S.D.A. Choice Nebraska Angus Beef seared over an open flame. Brother Sebastian’s Steak House and Winery is locally owned and has been recognized as one of Omaha’s best restaurants for a delicious, romantic dining experience. Join us with your party of two or fifty and we’ll help make your special occasion enjoyable and memorable.

Reservations accepted. Lunch: Mon.-Fri. 11am-2pm. Dinner: Mon-Thu. 5-9pm, Fri.-Sat. 5-10pm, Sun. 4-9pm.

CASCIO'S - $$

STEAKS • CHOPS • SEAFOOD ITALIAN SPECIALTIES

402-345-8313 1620 S. 10th St. Cascio's is Omaha's No. 1 steakhouse. We have been serving Omaha for 69 years. We feature steaks, chops, seafood and Italian specialties. We have seven private party rooms, seating for up to 400 people and plenty of parking.

7 private party rooms Seating up to 400 Lots of parking

THE DROVER RESTAURANT & LOUNGE - $$$ 1620 S. 10th Street

402-345-8313

www.casciossteakhouse.com

402-391-7440 2121 S. 73rd St. Famous for the original Whiskey Steak. Truly a one of a kind Midwestern experience. Excellent food, wine, service and value. Rare...and very well done. Lunch: Mon.–Fri. 11am– 2pm Cocktail Hour: 3-6pm Dinner: Nightly at 5pm. Reservations accepted.

JOHNNY'S CAFÉ - $$$ MC, V, AE

402-731-4774 4702 S. 27th St. Years of quality dining and hospitality make Johnny's Café a restaurant to remember. We serve only the finest beef the Midwest has to offer. Aged steaks and prime rib are the specialties, with homemade bread and pies to complete a meal. An excellent wine list adds to the enjoyment at one of Omaha's original restaurants. Hours: Mon.-Sat., 11am-2pm and 5pm-9:30pm.

Always a Large Selection of Fresh Fish

DINING GUIDE LEGEND

$=$1-10 • $$=$10-20 • $$$=$20-30 • $$$$+$30+

4150 SOUTH 144TH STREET • OMAHA • 894-9411 NOVEMBER // DECEMBER • 2016

/

182

/

MC=Master Card • V=Visa AE=American Express • DC=Discover Card

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Upcoming Events Omahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest upscale lounge is open & ready to show you the world!

Travel Design Lounge is a shift in the approach to travel design. This innovative new establishment will give you the ability to research & book travel while enjoying specialty coffees, craft beers, wines, spirits

Join us for this upcoming informative and educational event to learn more about Tahiti, the South Pacific and Hawaii with Pleasant Holidays!

11.8

Tahiti/South Pacific & Hawaii

Event starts at 6PM

& appetizers from around the globe, in a welcoming environment.

Planning an event or meeting?

This beautiful space featuring an incredible outdoor patio, can also be rented for your next meeting or event. Contact us today for more information on space rental.

The Shops of Legacy 16950 Wright Plaza #151

402.548.3280 traveldesignlounge.com

For inquiries and questions please contact a travel advisor. Space is limited, RSVP to TDLEvents@TravelDesignLounge.com

SARPY COUNTY B E L L E V U E | G R E T N A | L A V I S TA | PA P I L L I O N | S P R I N G F I E L D | O F F U T T A F B

plore, Come ex discover & unwind.

Located just a few minutes south of Omaha, Sarpy County awaits with a wonderful mix of fun things to see and do. Tour a museum or gallery. Dine in an elegant restaurant. Spend a day at a family fun center. From great hotels, brewpubs and wineries to malls, specialty shops, and theatres, Sarpy County is the perfect destination for your next getaway!

402-332-5771 â&#x20AC;˘ GOSARPY.COM

STATE OF NEBRASKA

ALAN JACKSON: KEEPIN’ IT COUNTRY TOUR.

Nov. 4. Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln, NE. The country superstar’s 25th anniversary tour will be a celebration of the singer’s career and feature all the hits fans love. 844-854-1450 -pinnaclebank.arenalincoln.com

best Christmas lights along with a reading of the classic Christmas book, Polar Express. The trolley departs at 6pm. Reservations are suggested. 402-873-8733.

-arbordayfarm.org

GATEWAY FARM EXPO.

Nov. 16-17. Buffalo County Fairgrounds, Kearney, NE. Over 30 exhibits will showcase the latest technology and product innovations, including a free barbecue lunch. Eight speakers will present the latest innovations in their fields of expertise. 877-720-4885 -gatewayfarmexpo.org

22ND ANNUAL HISTORICAL CHRISTMAS DINNER AND LIGHT UP THE FORT. Dec. 3. Fort Robinson

State Park, Crawford, NE. Guests will take in the first lighting of the decorations on the historic buildings and enjoy a historical Christmas dinner. 308-665-2900 -outdoornebraska.gov

JOHN MELLENCAMP’S PL AIN SPOKEN TOUR. Nov. 1. Lied Center for Performing Arts,

Lincoln, NE. The Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will perform songs from his acclaimed 2015 album as well as fan favorites. 402-472-4747 -liedcenter.org

THE PRICE IS RIGHT LIVE!

Nov. 2. Heartland Events Center, Grand Island, NE. “Come on down” to the hit interactive stage show and play all the most popular games from the longest running game show on television. 308-382-4515 -heartlandeventscenter.com

CHRISTMAS PAST AND PRESENT.

VETERAN’S DAY AT SAC MUSEUM.

Nov. 11. Strategic Air and Space Museum, Ashland, NE. The museum will honor veterans with a program including a keynote speaker, a panel of subject matter experts, and a lunch. Veterans are encouraged to attend the event in uniform. 402-944-3100 -sacmuseum.org

HOLIDAY TROLLEY TOUR OF LIGHTS.

Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23, 30. Lied Lodge and Conference Center, Nebraska City, NE. The Arbor Day Farm trolley offers one-hour tours of Nebraska City’s

Dec.

5

Dec. 3.

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer, Grand Island, NE. The museum’s signature event includes a lamplit tour of Railroad Town, cooking, crafts, live music, and holiday fun for the whole family. 308- 385-5316 -stuhrmuseum.org

RHAPSODY IN BLACK. Dec 5. Lied Center for Performing Arts, Lincoln, NE. This thoughtprovoking production shares the personal journey of actor/writer Leland Gantt as he grows to understand and navigate racism in America. 402-472-4747 -liedcenter.org

DAD AND KIDS need some time out

while mom is shopping for the holidays?

Visit Schramm Park State Recreation Area, the historic site of the state’s first fish hatchery. Outside the family can walk the trails, birdwatch, and feed the trout. It is Nebraska, so if it’s too cold, head inside to the Aksarben Aquarium.

The aquarium is open year-round and admission is free. It is home to a variety of native fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

BEN FOLDS AND A PIANO. Nov. 2. Rococo Theatre, Lincoln, NE. The multi-platinum singer-songwriter will delight audiences with a high energy solo performance reminiscent of his earlier tours. 402-476-6540 -rococotheatre.com NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

• 2016

/ 185

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

EXPLORE

LORIE LINE: A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY TOUR. Dec. 5. Rococo Theatre, Lin-

coln, NE. One of the most intimate shows in Line’s touring career, this concert will feature classic Christmas songs and a visit from Santa himself. 402-476-6540 -rococotheater.com

NEBRASKA POWER FARMING SHOW.

Dec. 6-8.

Lancaster Event Center, Lincoln, NE. With more than 2,000 booths and 850 businesses represented, this is the second largest indoor farm show in the country.

The show will feature company specials and the promotion of new products and equipment. 402-441-6545 -nebraskapowershow.com

CHRISTMAS AT THE CODY’S.

Dec. 16-19. Buffalo Bill Ranch State Park, North Platte, NE. Buffalo Bill’s mansion will be filled with 20 Christmas trees.

Guests can enjoy cookies, hot cider, and a visit with Santa.

There will also be horse-drawn carriage rides, caroling, and a warm welcome from Buffalo Bill. 308-532-4729 -visitnorthplatte.com

DES MOINES AMOS LEE.

Nov. 1. Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines, IA. This singer-songwriter’s musical style covers folk, rock, and soul. 515-244-0507 -hoytsherman.org

BLUE OCTOBER.

Nov. 13. Hoyt Sherman Place, Des Moines, IA. The chart-topping, platinum-selling rock group from Texas will celebrate their newest album by bringing their "Home" tour to the Midwest. 515-244-0507 -hoytsherman.org

Nov.

21

CBE HALL OF FAME CLASSIC.

Sprint Center, Nov. 21-22. Kansas City, MO. Top college basketball teams will compete for the College Basketball Experience’s championship title. 888-929-6540 -sprintcenter.com

BILL ENGVALL.

A VIVID AUTUMN: BEETHOVEN AND BRAHMS.

DISNEY ON ICE PRESENTS : PASSPORT TO ADVENTURE. Nov. 23-27. Wells Fargo

KENNY ROGERS.

Nov. 18. Prairie Meadows Casino Racetrack & Hotel, Altoona, IA. Enjoy a night of laughs with the “Blue Collar Comedy Tour” comedian. 515-967-1000 -prariemeadows.com

Arena, Des Moines, IA. Favorite Disney characters will lead audiences on a journey through each of their magical worlds. 515-564-8300 -iowaeventscenter.com

Nov. 18-20. Kauffman Center forming Arts, Kansas City, City Symphony presents a night melodies with timeless appeal.

-kcsymphony.org

for the PerMO. Kansas of memorable 816-471-0400

Nov. 25. Silverstein Eye Centers Arena, Independence, MO. The country legend will be stopping in Independence on his “Christmas & Hits Tour.” 816-442-6100 -silversteineyecentersarena.com

KANSAS CITY AMY SCHUMER.

Nov. 3. Sprint Center, Kansas City, MO. Actress, comedian, writer, director, and producer Amy Schumer brings her hilariously bold comedy routine to the Midwest on one of the final stops of her world tour. 888-929-7849 -sprintcenter.com

THE NAKED AND FAMOUS. WARNER BROS. PRESENTS: BUGS BUNNY AT THE SYMPHONY II. Nov. 5. Des Moines Civic Center, Des Moines, IA. Experience classic Looney Toons brought to life with soundtracks performed on stage by the Des Moines Symphony. 515-246-2300 -dmsymphony.org

WWI CONCERT AND EXHIBIT.

Nov.

Nov. 4. Arvest Bank Theater at the Midland, Kansas City, MO. The indie electronic musical group comes to Kansas City with the release of their latest album, Simple Forms. 816-283-9900 -midlandkc.com

10

Nov. 10. Salisbury House, Des Moines, IA. A program of music inspired by or written during World War I, as well as an exhibition of artifacts, will honor veterans and the upcoming centennial of the U.S.’ involvement in the war. 515-274-1777 -salisburyhouse.org

H A N NIB A L B U R E S S . Nov. 10 .

Arvest Bank Theater at the Midland, Kansas City, MO. Enjoy a night of side-splitting laughter from the Emmy and WGA Award-nominated comedian. 816-283-9900 -midlandkc.com

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

• 2016

/

186 /

CHRISTMAS AT THE SQUARE.

Dec. 3. Coleman Hawkins Park/ Felix Street Square, St. Joseph, MO. Get into the holiday spirit with carriage rides, music, caroling, and shopping in downtown St. Joseph. 800-785-0360 -stjomo.com

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Funded in part by the Otoe County Visitors Committee.

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET, THE MUSICAL.

Making Spirits

Dec. 9-11. Missouri Theater, St Joseph, MO. Bring the family to see this heartwarming Christmas tradition brought to life in a magical musical performance. 573-882-3781 -stjomo.com

SIOUX CITY MOSCOW BALLET’S GREAT RUSSIAN NUTCRACKER. Dec. 5. The Sioux City Orpheum,

T

his holiday season, build lasting memories with one-of-a-kind activities found at Arbor Day Farm. From trolley tours to mansion tours, spend the season in historic Nebraska City, Nebraska.

Sioux City, IA. A company of nearly 40 classical ballet dancers and a 60-foot Christmas tree bring tidings of holiday cheer and hope for world peace from Russia. 712-244-5000 -orpheumlive.com

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER— THE MUSICAL. Dec. 11. The Sioux City Orpheum,

Complete details online at arbordayfarm.org/calendar

Sioux City, IA. The classic holiday adventure takes the stage with heartwarming music and lovable characters bringing holiday spirit to the whole family. 712-244-5000 -orpheumlive.com

SIOUX CITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: ESPAÑA! FEATURING SHARON ISBIN. Nov. 12. The Sioux

City Orpheum, Sioux City, IA. An evening of the romantic melodies and rhythms of Spain. 712-244-5000 -orpheumlive.com

800-546-5433 | Nebraska City, Nebraska

SIOUX FALLS PARADE OF LIGHTS.

Nov.

25

Nov. 25.

Phillips Avenue in Sioux Falls, SD. Lighted holiday floats and music will parade through downtown Sioux Falls to bring in the holiday season.

-visitsiouxfalls.com

Get ready for the holidays!

If you can squeeze it, we can freeze it NO SURGERY | NO DOWNTIME | FDA CLEARED

ALICIA OLATUJA.

Nov. 18. Sioux Falls Orpheum Theater, Sioux Falls, SD. Fresh off of her stunning JazzFest 2015 performance, the gospel, soul, jazz, and classical music extraordinaire will return to Sioux Falls. 605-367-4616 -visitsiouxfalls.com

Eliminate stubborn fat that’s resistant to diet and exercise

25% OFF

TWILIGHT FLIGHTS.

Dec. 2-17.

Strawbale Winery, Renner, SD. Experience a helicopter ride to see the holiday lights of Sioux Falls and Winter Wonderland at Falls Park from above. Tickets include wines, appetizers, flight, and dessert. 605-543-5071 -strawbalewinery.com

Contact Lisa today to set up your

Free Consultation

See a Slimmer You!

(402) 699-4719

Graduate of the advanced CoolSculpting training at Cool-U CoolSculpting University

Prestige Medical Rejuvenation Center Darin Jackson, MD Medical Director

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

17650 Wright Street #5 • Omaha, Nebraska 68130 • (402) 334-5433 PrestigeRejuvenation.com • WestOmahaCoolsculpting.com

• 2016

/ 187

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

Lisa Hayes CoolSculpting Technician

OMAHA MAGAZINE

INSTAGRAM

#OMAMAG SHARE YOUR PHOTOS OF OMAHA AND BE FEATURED HERE.

@boipinoy

@sarahcaseyphoto

@benjamindlim

@sarahcaseyphoto

@bartyandlalo

@18nine

@heyjillianchristine

@sherry_591

@lkermizis

instagram.com/omahamagazine

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

â&#x20AC;¢ 2016

/

188 /

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

The end of bottled water. ilovemycooler.net

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

â&#x20AC;¢ 2016

/ 189

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

OMAHA MAGAZINE

NOT FUNNY

LOOKS LIKE WE GOT US A FAILURE

BY OTIS TWELVE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BILL SITZMANN

W

E ALL KNOW the old quote. “If

at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”

This kind of persistence is considered a virtue, especially when one is engaged in a noble pursuit like trying to cure the common cold, discovering America, or attempting to rig a bird feeder so that the squirrels can’t loot it, boldly, right in front of you, day after day, no matter what you do…but I digress.

“It is fine to celebrate success, but it is more important to heed the lessons of failure.”

Yeah, Bill Gates said that. Of course, there’s another old maxim: “That’s easy for you to say.” Bill Gates is the richest guy in the world, or close enough that it doesn’t make much difference. I mean how many diamond-encrusted, squirrel-proof bird feeders can one man use, right? Failure’s sting can be numbed more than a little bit by just one $55 billion success.

“They all laughed at Alexander Graham Bell. They all laughed at Steve Jobs. They all laughed at Jeremy Geomorphia…”

And yet we have telephones, or at least we used to have them. Anyway, now we have “smartphones,” and nobody’s laughing anymore. Jeremy Geomorphia?

Well, they were right to laugh at him. Turned out nobody needed his innovative, non-slip collars for their pet boa constrictors.

People laughed at Chip Davis, too. But that’s exactly what he wanted them to do.

When the kid out of Ohio came to Omaha to work for an advertising agency, he brought the funny. He and Bill Fries put together the “Old Home Filler-Up an’ Keep on A-Truckin’ Cafe” campaign for Old Home Bread. It was a huge success. That success naturally led to Davis and Bill (under the pseudonym C.W. McCall) catching the CB radio wave and surfing it all the way to a number one hit song, “Convoy.”

Within two years, Davis was riding the wave even higher. No less a Hollywood icon than Sam Peckinpah was bringing Rubber Duck, Pig Pen, and Sodbuster to life on the silver screen in a big-budget movie starring

NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

• 2016

/

190 /

Kris Kristofferson and Ali McGraw. The 1978 flick remains a cult classic to this day, and…interesting fact: Convoy was the biggest grossing box office success of the legendary director’s career.

Davis wasn’t finished succeeding. About the same time "Convoy" was taking the pop music world by storm, he started a little thing called Mannheim Steamroller.

FYI, the moniker comes from “Mannheim Roller,” a crescendo passage having a melodic line over an ostinato bass line originating in the Mannheim school of composition in the 18th century. Add a little Christmas in the `80s and the rest is, as they say, history—or just plain success.

Success. Success. Success. So what’s missing? Ah yes, failure. Where’s the failure? What huge mistake taught Davis a valuable lesson? What misstep gave Davis the chance to appreciate all of his success?

In a word, his biggest failure was me.

Disco was running big in the `70s. Really big. Davis decided to paddle towards that ocean swell. Thus he produced the dance club classic, “I am the Boogie Man,” a disco anthem for the ages. The lead vocalist?

Me. But this time the muse had misled Davis. Almost simultaneously, Steve Dahl held “Disco Demolition Night” in 1979 at Comiskey Park in Chicago and nearly destroyed the venerable stadium when a riot broke out. Disco was dead.

There was an apocryphal story that thousands of unsold vinyl copies of “Boogie Man” were unceremoniously dumped in Davis’ driveway in the dead of a cold Nebraska night. It was the biggest disaster of his long career.

And I was to blame.

If it is true as Sophocles said, “There is no success without failure,” then I must finally take credit where credit is due.

Chip, you’re welcome.

Otis XII hosts the radio program, Early Morning Classics with Otis XII, on 90.7 KVNO, weekday mornings from 5 a.m. to 6:30 a.m. Visit kvno.org for more information.

OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

1st place

11 YEARS in a row!

Omaha Boarding, Daycare & Grooming 13706 C St. Omaha, NE 68144

402.933.4007

402.558.3500 402-502-8757 402.502.5511 Corner of 50th & South Saddlecreek

Southwest corner of 144th & Industrial Rd

Southwest corner of 120th & Maple

402.933.9400

www.dingmans.com

“We’d Rather Be The Best Than Apologize for Anything Less.”

BOLD . ELEGANT . ALLURING

Professional Jewely Design, Creation and Repair 402.935.4367 . 3412 South 144 St. Omaha NE 68144 NOVEMBER

// DECEMBER

BarkAvenueOmaha.com

Corner of Washington & Lincoln in Papillion

• 2016

/ 191

/

BESTOFOMAHA.COM

We are now partnering with

Dharma Dog Training!

SECTION

© 2016 The Container Store Inc. All rights reserved. 33382 10/16

OMAHA MAGAZINE

Experience our Gift Wrap Wonderland

®

THE WORLD’S MOST CELEBRATED COLLECTION OF GIFT WRAPS, RIBBONS, TOTES AND STOCKING STUFFERS!

NOW OPEN! 10000 CALIFORNIA ST. (WESTROADS MALL) 531-355-5010 LOCATIONS NATIONWIDE 800-733-3532 NOVEMBER // DECEMBER •CONTAINERSTORE.COM 2016 / 192 / OMAHAMAGAZINE.COM

Clean, Affordable Natural Gas Comfort in your home.

Did you know?

• You can dry two loads of laundry with a gas dryer vs. one load with an electric dryer.

• Your clothes have fewer wrinkles with no static cling.

• Your dryer’s operating costs are 73 percent lower annually.

We offer a $300 rebate with the purchase of a new natural gas dryer! Visit our website to download the rebate. mudomaha.com

Smooth that lasts!

Address cellulite and enjoy long-term results up to two years... and longer! $500 off any Cellfina treatment Mention Omaha Magazine to redeem this offer!

Achieve a smoother, slimmer contour that lasts!

Cellfina is the first cellulite treatment to provide long-lasting results. Minimize cellulite with a one-time, minimally invasive treatment.

......................................................

Board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Joel Schlessinger, has the experience and expertise to help find the best treatment for you.

Best of Omaha Winner 2016 Six Different Categories ......................................................

Stop by or call for a consultation.

402-334-7546 | 2802 Oak View Drive www.LovelySkin.com/Cosmetics

Skin Specialists and LovelySkin Spa are under the direction of Joel Schlessinger, M.D., Board-Certified Dermatologist and Cosmetic Surgeon. Copyright Š 2016, Skin Specialists, P.C. *Limited time offer. One per person. Call today to schedule a consultation or visit LovelySkin.com/Cosmetics for more information.