The Reader Dec. 12 - 18, 2013

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ROBERTS ADVERTISING CO. Customer Service Agent – Program Administrator.

Contact todd@robertsadv. com. Go to OmahaJobs. com for more information.

TECH SQUAD INC. Field Computer & Network Technician. Contact Raymond.finn@techsquadusa. com. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

CRETE CARRIER CORPORATION. Senior Financial Analyst.

Contact ecoker@cretecarrier.com. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

MIDLANDS MECHANICAL, INC. Plumber. Contact gronk@ midmechinc.com. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

CLUB MEGA Waitresses, Cooks, DJ (Night Club). Bartenders.

Contact fidel_favela@ yahoo.com. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF THE HEARTLAND. Certified medical assistant (CMA) Bilingual preferred.

Contact Erika.githens@ ppheartland.org. Go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

SNELLING STAFFING SERVICES. Wa re ho u s e / P ro duc t io n , Shipping Coordinator, Shipping & Receiving, Mold Maker, General Laborers, Expense Administrator & Administrative Assistant.

Email office@snelling-staffing.com. Go to OmahaJobs. com for more information.

CORESLAB STRUCTURES General Laborers. Email abecker@coreslab.com or go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

SCOTTS LAWN SERVICE Outside Sales. Email brett. kozishek@scotts.com or go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

CORESLAB STRUCTURES QA Inspector. Email abecker@coreslab.com or go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

GENERAL SERVICE BUREAU Email kdeane@gsbcollect. com or go to OmahaJobs. com for more information.

TIP TOP TUX. Store Manager. Email jennifer.lewis@tttux.com or go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

MINNEAPOLIS-BASED COMPANY Expanding across the nation.

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WE’RE GROWING! McFarland Truck Lines, Inc. We need company/drivers & owner/operators. Great pay & benefits package. Stay in the Midwest and be home on weekends. www.mcfgtl. com. Call Scott 800-5330564 ext. 205 Scott.Wermager@mcfgtl.com (MCN) BE YOUR OWN BOSS. Net Huge Profits.

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Email drnikipearson@yahoo.com or go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

AFLAC. Customer Service Rep. Email rjensen@aflac.com or go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

NELNET. Customer Service. Email jennifer.tobey@nelnet.net or go to OmahaJobs.com for more information.

Embrace Creativity!

Purchase gift certificates at OmahaCreativeInstitute.org

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DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

| THE READER |

omaha jobs

OLIBA MEMBERS Absolutely Fresh & Shucks Fish House

Jaipur Brew House

Patrick’s Market

Advanced Home Health Care & Nursing

Julio’s West

Personal Threads Boutique

Aksarben Cinema

K*9 Lives Rescue Boutique

population-we LLC

BelAir Fashions

Learning HQ

Ralson Arena

Bliss Boutique

Lewis Art Gallery

Rockbrook Camera

Body Basics

M’s Pub

Schloeman’s Lamp Shop

Borsheims

Malbar Vision

Smiling Turtle Art Spot

Callahan Financial Planning

Malibu Gallery

Soul Desires at Urban Abbey

Candy Wrappers

Mama’s Pizza

Spirit World

Comprehensive Financial Services

MetroMagazine

The Bookworm

Curb Appeal Salon & Spa

Nicola’s Italian Wine & Faire

The Laurel Tree

Dundee Bank

Old Market Artists Gallery

The Reader

Dundee Dell

Omaha Glass

Village Needleworks

House of J

Oriental Rug Place

Villians Tattoo

It’s Yours Pottery

Passageway Gallery

Wohlner’s Neighborhood Grocery & Deli

616 N 46 St • $ 425 1 bed, 1 bath, 500 sq. ft.

1015 Turner Blvd • $ 450 1 bed, 1 bath, 700 sq. ft.

5097 Marshall Drive • $ 450 1 bed, 1 bath, 575 sq. ft.

1/2 Deposit Special. 1 bed apt. Ceramic tile Christmas Special 1/2 Deposit & Remainder of 1 bed. Kitchen features large, built-in shelves kitchen. Carpeted bedroom; All new bathroom; Dec Rent for Free! Refinished hardwood, new and ample closet space. Bedroom accommodates a queen sized bed. On-site laundry.

New appliances; Spacious bedroom. vinyl in kitchen, new paint throughout unit.

JOB FAIR PARTICIPANTS AFLAC AIM/CAREERLINK APPLIED UNDERWRITERS BENAISSANCE CAPITOL EXPRESS, INC. CARMAX CARGILL MEAT SOLUTIONS-SCHUYLER, NEBRASKA COMFORT INN & SUITES CUSTOM DIESEL DRIVERS TRAINING CREIGTHON UNIVERSITY-EDUCATION OPPORTUNITY CENTER DEXONE DOANE COLLEGE DTZ (A UGL COMPANY) EDWARDS AUTO GROUP FARMLAND FOODS FIRST DATA RESOURCES GENERAL SERVICE BUREAU GOODWILL INDUSTRIES HARRAH’S & HORSESHOE CASINO HY-VEE INTEGRATED LIFE CHOICES ITT TECHNICAL INSTITUTE JOB SOURCE USA KELLY SERVICES (FEDEX) MCDONALDS METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE MILLARD PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR NELNET OMAHAJOBS.COM PAYPAL PHYSICIANS MUTUAL PAUL DAVIS RESTORATION PRUDENTIAL FINANCIAL SERVICES SCOTTS LAWN SERVICE SHEPPARD’S BUSINESS INTERIORS TIBURON FINANCIAL SERVICES THE READER VA NEBRASKA WESTERN IOWA HEALTH SYSTEM VERIZON WIRELESS WEST CORPORATION WIS INTERNATIONAL WOODHOUSE FORD WRIGHT CAREER COLLEGE

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT CLAYSEAMAN@OMAHAJOBS.COM

6127 Bedford Ave • $ 550 2 bed, 1 bath, 890 sq. ft.

Duplex - 2nd floor/No basement; dishwasher, W/D hookups off the kitchen area, bedrooms are average size. Storage shed available.

4860 S 132 Ave • $ 650 2 bed, 1 bath, 850 sq. ft.

2102 S 45 St • $ 650 2 bed, 1 bath, 800 sq. ft.

Christmas Special 1/2 Deposit & Dec Rent for Free rent, Dec 15-Dec 30 if Full Deposit and Move in by Dec 15, 4 Plex, Updated kitchen, Free, Washer, Dryer and Fridge Negotiable. bath and windows, and included washer/dryer. Ranch - Secluded Street.

809 N 34th St • $ 695 2 bed, 1 bath, 900 sq. ft.

Duplex - Side by side - Spacious.

1 Month Free w/18 Month lease. Washer & Dryer unit for $25/month. Furnishing are in mint condition. Balcony and availabe garage.

5805 Ruggles St • $ 895 3 bed, 1 bath, 864 sq. ft.

3321 Weber St • $ 650 4 bed, 1 bath, 1290 sq. ft.

1015 S 38 Ave • $ 895 2 bed, 1 bath, 925 sq. ft.

1102 Park Ave • $ 795 2 bed, 1 bath, 1600 sq. ft.

2967 Harris St • $ 495 2 bed, 1 bath, 750 sq. ft.

Updated wood floors in all rooms except kitchen/(tiled); Kit - electric range/large; Sewer/Water and hot water paid.

3603 N 60th St • $ 650 2 bed, 1 bath, 846 sq. ft.

Refinished hardwood floors and a Jack & Jill bath, detached garage and walking distance to Benson that features eating and entertainment.

4116 N 56 St • $ 895 3 bed, 2 bath, 1030 sq. ft.

Beautiful woodwork, crown molding and wood Ranch style with an unfinished walkout basefloors. The bedrooms are large; windows and ment and fenced in back yard. Eat in Kitchen.

New windows and high efficiency furnace.

HVAC systems have been updated.

2901 Jefferson St • $ 950 3 bed, 1 bath, 993 sq. ft.

3328 Harrison • $ 950 3 bed, 2 bath, 1350 sq. ft.

3 Bedroom, 1 Bath ranch style home in Attached Garage, walk out basement with finCute Benson raised ranch, carpet throughout. Christmas Special 1/2 Deposit & Remainder ished lower level, 2 bedrooms on the main floor of Dec Rent for Free! Recently renovated with Bellevue, Secluded area with detached garage and modern paint and carpet themes. with full bath and 1 bedroom in the basement. newer kitchens and baths.

2919 Dupont St • $ 995 3 bed, 1.5 bath, 1232 sq. ft.

4715 California St • $ 995 2 bed, 1 bath, 1600 sq. ft.

New plumbing, new electrical; Fully updated 2 Story home in Dundee, garage, washer & with new kitchen and updated bathrooms, dryer Included. new carpet & paint.

4244 N 93rd St • $ 1195 3 bed, 1 bath, 1299 sq. ft.

114 S 50th St • $ 1595 3 bed, 3 bath, 1594 sq. ft.

New kitchen w/ granite countertops & stainless Finished family room in basement with fireplace, fenced back yard with large deck, stain- steel appliances. Large master bedroom w/3 closets, efficient furnace & detached garage. less appliances, washer & dryer included.

omaha jobs

| THE READER |

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

3

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sthma is epidemic. Since the 1980s, incidence of asthma has increased 60 percent.

It is especially high in children. Explanations are as varied and multiple as the suspected causes.

Clearly, humans are doing something differently to spur the increase. We know that asthma is far more common in America’s urban areas than rural, is linked to inflammation and the immune system, affects developed countries much more than underdeveloped, kills about a quarter-million yearly and costs the economy billions. But finding a specific cause has proven elusive. Tokyo has far more pollution than Wellington, New Zealand but the Kiwi asthma rate is much higher.

The Isle of Skye has the world’s highest incidence of asthma yet has virtually no pollution, dust mites and is extremely rural.

Simply put, asthma is the constriction of the bronchial tubes leading to the lungs. Sufferers often describe an asthma attack feels like trying to breathe through a straw. An attack can be fatal. The standard medical intervention for chronic asthma is drugs, drugs and more drugs even though modern medicine admits ignorance of what causes asthma. It is not uncommon for an asthmatic to use several prescriptions. There is virtually no other approach taken by conventional American medicine, even though some of the drugs prescribed for asthma can actually cause an asthma attack. Fortunately, as with all medical conditions, there are alternatives. The Buteyko breathing method is one.

Breathe less to breathe better. Konstantin Buteyko was a medical doctor in Russia in the mid-Twentieth Century. Through happenstance and personal healing, he discovered that the practice of shallow breathing is more natural and beneficial to human wellness than deep breathing.

When we breathe incorrectly and too deeply, a state of chronic hyperventilation as Buteyko identified it, our physiological imbalance leads to a number of physical dysfunctions.

Buteyko first used his shallow-breathing technique on himself and saw immediate benefit. Having been diagnosed with morbid hypertension, he cured himself eventually by retraining his breathing. He turned his attention — and his technique — to patients in the pulmonary ward at the hospital where he practiced.

Buteyko taught his shallow-breathing method to asthma patients in his clinics in Russia and his theories bore out: over-oxygenating the lungs causes carbon dioxide imbalance and starts a cycle known as the Bohr Effect. When the oxygen/carbon dioxide balance in the body swings toward hyperventilation, the pH of the body changes and a lot of things go out of whack.

The immune system becomes more vulnerable, in-

flammation rages, metabolic rate vacillates, blood vessels and bronchia constrict. None of those are good things and they are all associated with a multitude of diseases. However, using his method, Buteyko’s patients endured far fewer asthmatic episodes.

A study funded by the Australian Association of Asthma Foundations found that asthmatics practicing the Buteyko method for only six weeks decreased bronchodilator medicine by 90 percent. Other studies found similar results.

The vicious cycle. O2/CO2 imbalance can lead to acidosis, which triggers hyperventilation. Conversely, hyperventilation can lead to O2/CO2 imbalance. It’s a cycle of imbalance and dysfunction. One or more of the many causes has to be addressed in order to begin a path back to balance. Many behavior and lifestyle choices we make play into the equation.

Influences as seemingly disparate as junk food, sleep patterns and medications contribute to the imbalance. For example, processed foods most often contain ingredients that induce inflammation and tip the pH balance of the body toward the acidic. That means the body will crave more oxygen and deeper breaths ensue, completing the hyperventilation cycle. Besides water, raw fruits and vegetables impact breathing the least. Processed, high protein and gluten foods have the greatest adverse effect on breathing.

Proper breathing techniques have been part of healing arts for millennia. Pranayama teaches that proper breathing is at the core of any yoga practice. Meditation leads to slow and gentle breathing. Chinese medicine recognizes the role breath and breathing play in health and physiological balance. Without proper breathing, physical imbalance leads to disease. It’s plain and simple.

Isn’t breathing natural already? You’d think humans know how to breathe correctly, wouldn’t you?

Well, left to our own devices and unaffected by the modern world around us, it might be natural. But our modern world is anything but natural. Industrial man is impacted by a host of stimulants, both mental and physical, that alter our behavioral patterns, including breath. And like the effect of junk food, behaviors can alter our breathing patterns, too.

Of all the behaviors that can alter acid balance and trigger the complex of symptoms and diseases it brings, the most persistent thing we do, about 12 to 16 times a minute, is breathe. Making sure our breathing is correct can then have the greatest impact.

The Buteyko Method teaches that above all, breathing should be through the nostrils and not the mouth. Nasal breathing warms and cleans the air and contributes nitrous oxide, natural relaxant.

Next, lowering the volume of each breath is initiated.

Mental relaxation is a third component. Find out more at breathingcenter.com.

Be well. ,

HEARTLAND HEALING is a New Age polemic describing alternatives to conventional methods

of healing the body, mind and planet. It is provided as information and entertainment, certainly not medical advice. It is not an endorsement of any particular therapy, either by the writer or The Reader. Visit HeartlandHealing.com for more information.

4

DEC. 12 -18 , 2013

| THE READER |

heartland healing

topnews

Right Side of History City Charter Committee defeats amendments targeting Equal Rights ordinance

BY CHERIL LEE

“T

he Charter Committee’s job is to make recommendations to the city council about any proposed changes that they may discern after reviewing the charter and hearing from the citizens of Omaha,” said Stephen Pederson, Charter Committee member.

Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 3, saw the last meeting of the city’s Charter Committee. Approximately every 10 years, the Mayor’s office and the City Council nominate a group of people to the City’s Charter Committee.

Pederson explained the City Charter is like the Constitution of our city.

Approximately 24 hours before the final meeting of the Charter Committee, one of the committee members, Steve Grasz, proposed an amendment to the charter under the auspices of the protection of religious freedoms and liberty.

“Part of the effect of which would have been to allow any Christian person to avoid compliance with the city’s recently passed amendment to the nondiscrimination ordinance protecting members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community here in Omaha,” Pedersen explained.

Additionally, Pedersen said the amendment would have also impacted a woman’s reproductive rights and potentially the type of healthcare that could be provided to her at a hospital or clinic.

“I don’t want to get too positional about it but the context of it was such that based on people who came and spoke in favor of it and opposition to it, they were clearly talking about the amendment to our city’s non-discrimination ordinance,” Pedersen said.

He said both sides were well represented at the meeting on Tuesday afternoon. Both sides had speakers who spoke very passionately and thoughtfully about their support of or opposition to Mr. Grasz’ amendment.

Then Pedersen said there were individuals on each side of the issue who perhaps did not speak as eloquently or as rationally on the amendment.

“And certainly on the side in favor of the amendment, there were folks who – in my view as an individual – were a great example as to why we needed an amendment to our city’s non-discrimination ordinance to protect our LGBT citizens,” he said.

Ultimately, the amendment failed to pass. After taking a vote that same Tuesday night, seven voted in

favor of the amendment, 11 were opposed and there were three abstentions.

Pedersen does feel that Omaha is fairly divided on this issue. He explained it’s an emotional issue for people on both sides and understandably so.

“I don’t think everyone who supports an amendment like that is a bigot or is in any way overtly or intentionally prejudiced or discriminatory and that they believe that their religious rights trump the rights of our LGBT citizens with regard to employment and the other areas of non-discrimination addressed in the amendment to our city ordinance,” said Pedersen.

There is no doubt in Pedersen’s mind that this issue will return, whether it is in the form of a petition drive or in the form of pressure on city council members.

When asked what he thought this vote says about the City of Omaha keeping up with the times, Pedersen responded, “Well, it failed, which to me says we are on the right side of history and civility.”

Pedersen said he thinks the committee’s most significant accomplishments were the things they decided not to approve rather than the amendments that passed.

“Speaking personally, the failure of Mr. Grasz’ amendment is significant. The failure of an amendment to remove civil service protection from the fire chief is significant. (That was a proposed amendment to essentially make the fire chief an employee at-will who serves at the pleasure of the mayor). It’s significant that a proposed amendment to lower the percentage thresholds for petitions and referendums failed,” Pedersen said.

He said the proposed amendment regarding petitions and referendums was also proposed by Grasz but was unsuccessful for the same reasons that the religious freedom amendment did not succeed.

“Despite all of the debate and discussion last night – particularly on Grasz’ amendment – as least as it relates to the committee members and certainly as it relates to the citizens who came and voiced their opinions, there were no minds that were changed last night. The views of the committee members and the views of the citizens who participated in the meeting last night were set in stone well before last night’s debate and discussion,” he said.

A few significant amendments that were approved by the Charter Committee included: ■ Adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the city employment anti-discrimination clause ■ Changing the definition of the Power of the City to give the city more flexibility for government operations ■ Allowing for a biennial budget ,

VISIONS FROM FIVE MINUTES INTO THE FUTURE • DECEMBER 12, 2013 • A new sort of holiday will soon become popular, called a "social media vacation." Weary web users will regularly take a week or two to break from using Facebook, Twitter, and even text messages in favor of solitude or even real-world interactions

with friends, such as writing letters or meeting for coffee. Most people will find the experience will leave them feeling friendlier, more optimistic, and less pressed for time. Nonetheless, almost everybody will return to using social media at the end of the break.

Minutes of the Charter Committee, agendas and the committee roster are available online at cityofomaha.org.

news

| THE READER |

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

5

W

hether preparing and preserving food or discussing neighborhood concerns, bountiful activity goes on at this clubhouse meets social settlement house at 2737 Mary Street in northeast Omaha.

An endeavor at sustainability and community building, it takes its name from the neighborhood, Minne Lusa, it sits smack dab in. Minne Lusa runs east of 30th Street, between Miller Park and Florence, Two women residents of the area, Sharon Olson and Beth Richards, bought and restored an old, run down house there for the express purpose of making it a place of social engagement. It’s an expression of their shared love for people, conversation, canning and community.

The tan, stucco, California Bungalow-style home hosts private canning lessons, public workshops and the every Saturday Morning Brew open house.

Groups hold meetings there. Writers, artists and others use it as a quiet sanctuary for creative inspiration and meditation.

The women fixed up the house with the sweat equity of friends, neighbors and local contractors.

They’ve done it all with their own money and without the aid of a community organization or government program. “And never will as far as I’m concerned,” says Olson, who believes in self-sufficiency.

The cozy home includes a pantry with metal shelving units filled with jars packed to the brim with canned tomatoes, bruschetta, spaghetti sauce, salsa, pickled peaches, sweet and dill pickles, relishes, jams and jellies. The pantry has a hanging scale and pestle and mortar from Olson’s druggist grandfather. More shelving units store the pickling spices, flour and other ingredients used in the canning and baking that goes on there.

When truck loads of corn or bushelfuls of tomatoes come in from community gardens and local farms during the summer folks gather to shuck, peel, chop, boil, spice and can the bounty. It’s a throwback to the canning parties and barn-raisings of yesteryear.

Millard resident Betsy Scott has become a Saturday devotee.

“Instantly I felt welcomed,” she says. “It’s all about the apple turnovers and the fresh biscuits

with the homemade jelly, it’s about ,‘Here, try my tomato jam.’ It brings people together and that’s never a bad thing.”

Scott says the dozens of people who make it to those coffee klatches are attracted like she is to what Olson and Richards embody.

“Their passion for community and for the house itself, their love of canning and their love of people. By the time you leave you feel like you’ve known them forever. I think everyone walks away feeling like they’ve made some new friends. It’s kind of like Cheers but without the beer and without Norm.”

Diane Franson-Krisor grew up in Minne Lusa and she cherishes what the project provides.

“I think it’s wonderful because every neighborhood needs a gathering place and they have really changed this area a lot. I’ve been here 52 years in a house on the corner and growing up was all about neighbors communing. That was the thing to do.

All the mothers got together and the kids played.

And this is bringing it back. It’s like we’re all one little family here.”

“Somebody referred to Beth and Sharon as the porch ladies, and that’s how it was when we were growing up.”

Because it’s neutral ground, elected officials and public servants come to hear concerns from their constituency. It’s a safe house for children and adults escaping trouble at home. When there’s an issue in the neighborhood, residents view Olson and Richards as the go-to resources to contact the authorities.

When there’s something that needs organizing, the “old ladies” at the Minne Lusa House are among the first ones people reach out to to get things done.

The house sometimes hosts arts and crafts shows. It organizes an annual Trick or Treat on Minne Lusa Boulevard during Halloween. It’s currently sponsoring a Christmas decorating contest.

Efforts are underway to get Minne Lusa designated a National Register of Historic Places district.

Olson and Richards support the initiative.

These women of a certain age grew up when tight-knit neighborhoods were the rule, not the exception. Olson, a retired phone company employee, resides in the same Minne Lusa house she was

n Borgata Brewery and Distillery, Omaha’s first craft distillery, is planning their grand opening Friday, Dec. 13, at 4 p.m., 1116 Jackson St. Visit Borgata Brewery and enjoy the labors of true beer love from owner and head brewer Zac Triemert, formerly of Lucky Bucket. For more information,

go to www.borgatabeerandspirits.com. n The health conscious Blue Planet eatery has decided to close its doors Dec. 15. The company has re-focused and is continuing with a new line of retail products. “It was a hard decision, but we know that it was the right decision. Our concept was always about bringing healthier food to the market and now we can bring better food to a lot more people. It’s a continu-

ation of that same mission,” said Tom Smith, owner of Blue Planet Naturals. The retail line is launching with three gluten-free, vegan burgers currently carried at the Hy-Vee on 51st and Center Sts. For more information on their retail products, go to wwww.blueplanetnaturals.com.

— Krista O’Malley

6

DEC. 12-18, 2013

| THE READER |

dish

Crumbs is about indulging in food and celebrating its many forms. Send information about area food and drink businesses to crumbs@thereader.com.

raised in. Richards is a newcomer to Minne Lusa by comparison. She “fell in love with the people” delivering mail there. It’s how she met Olson.

“Our goal always was just bringing the neighborhood together,” says Olson. “People don’t talk to each other the way they used to. When I grew up neighbors spoke to one another. You didn’t have to love them, you didn’t have to break bread with them, but you were nice to them and talked to them. We don’t do that anymore. Well, we do on my block. So the goal was always to bring that back somehow.”

For both women it’s a personal mission. Opened in 2011, the house has become the conduit for interaction the women envisioned “When this house became available it was primary for us to say, ‘Let’s try this and see if it will work,’ and the means to doing that was canning. Canning brought people in,” Olson says, “When you’re canning you have to talk to each other or you won’t have a very good product when you get done.” , Follow what’s happening there at www.facebook.com/minne.house.

Read more of Leo Adam Biga’s work at leoadambiga.wordpress.com.

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| THE READER |

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

7

T

BY TIM MCMAHAN

he state of the Nebraska music scene is reflected in the adjoining list of the Top 20 bands of 2013 along with the 27 others that comprise “the rest.”

We usually limit “the rest” to just 15 bands, but when it came time to pull the list together this year, we couldn’t stop — or better yet — couldn’t see a reason to. The sheer number of quality new bands has never been higher, but where are they coming from? Didn’t the Nebraska music scene peak sometime in the mid-2000s?

It was New Yorker writer Malcolm Gladwell who came up with the concept of “the tipping point” — in culture, business and society it’s the moment of critical mass, the boiling point, the cresting of the hill that only builds momentum.

Benson reached its tipping point this year, and now we’re seeing an avalanche of new bars and booze joints opening along one of the city’s oldest corridors. While we’re all busy patting ourselves on the back about this new Barley District’s economic boom, remember how it all began. First there was Mick’s Music & Bar, then there was The Waiting Room in 2007. While Mick’s closed in 2008 (and became another music venue called The Sydney) The Waiting Room flourished.

It wasn’t alone. The same year The Waiting Room opened its doors, so did The Slowdown located in Omaha’s North Downtown district, acknowledged as one of the best music venues in the Midwest (perhaps topped only by The Waiting Room itself ).

Meanwhile, one of the city’s favorite dive-bar hangouts, O’Leaver’s, quietly built a reputation as an adult playground for the city’s finest garage and noise-rock bands as well as a convenient tour stop for young indie bands crossing the country. This year O’Leaver’s gained heightened legitimacy when three members of national indie rock band Cursive bought the joint, along with long-time bartender and musician Chris Machmuller.

Add to those live music venues The Barley Street Tavern, Pageturners, PS Collective, the aforementioned Sydney, The Side Door, House of Loom, newcomer the Sweatshop Gallery, as well as all those Lincoln music venues — the legendary Zoo Bar, Duffy’s, Knickerbockers, The Bourbon Theater and the just-opened Vega, and you’ve got a whole helluva lot of stages to fill.

Talk about your tipping points.

Back in the mid-2000s the local music scene was driven by the national attention shed on Saddle Creek Records bands Bright Eyes, Cursive and The Faint. While members of those bands are still touring, today it’s this proliferation of music venues that provides the scene’s life blood.

The classic model of success insisted bands make a record then hit the road looking for fame, fortune and a record deal (if they didn’t have one already).

The new model still involves making a record (or more likely, a collection of mp3 files), but today more and more bands are content playing around Omaha and Lincoln rather than spending time and money introducing themselves to new audiences outside the state. Getting a record deal has become more of a dream than a necessity.

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DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

Of the 47 bands listed only 15 have played shows outside of Nebraska and only half of those have done extensive touring outside the state. The other 32 seem content gigging weekly, bi-weekly or monthly in this ever-growing Nebraska venue-sphere. Out-of-state music fans are now forced to discover the bulk of Ne-

| THE READER |

cover story

braska talent via the Internet, which can be like finding a diamond digging through a mountain of coal.

Have the majority of local musicians given up on the dream of making a living solely playing music?

Or are they content merely sharing their musical visions with friends, family and acquaintances on

weekends and the occasional week night, while making a living at a non-music-related 9-to-5?

The answer lies with those 47 bands and the rest of the musicians who make up the Nebraska music community, whose numbers will only continue to grow. ,

TOP 20

BY CHRIS APONICK

Desaparecidos

Conor Oberst is back to spewing political vitriol with his punk-minded act Desaparecidos, having taken the act on a few short tours and some festival dates.

Meanwhile, new material keeps cropping up as well, in the form of limited edition vinyl singles. While the orignal incarnation focused on our millenial suburban malaise, Oberst and his cohorts have widened their gaze to America’s seemingly backwards and backwater views against immigration reform, among other issues. Righteous indignation still suits Oberst.

lease these new songs? Will the band release music by themselves? Is Saddle Creek Records back in the picture after The Faint self-released their previous effort, 2008’s Fasciinatiion? And just how will the band’s new music sound after they downsized due to the departure of Joel Petersen?

Tim Kasher

Tim Kasher’s year was highlighted by his second solo album, Adult Film, and capped off by a three show residency with his main act, Cursive, at local venue The Waiting Room Lounge. The Cursive project is slated to result in a live record for the long-running Saddle Creek Records band. Meanwhile, Adult Film is basically Kasher’s songwriting tics played straight

and it ultimately ends up serving as a summary of his strengths. By paring down the production on Adult Film, a songwriting master emerges.

Brad Hoshaw

Brad Hoshaw is that familiar friendly face at the end of a Benson bar, but his songwriting voice tells stories that sometimes lean darker. Murder ballads crop up in set lists next to drinking songs. Hoshaw’s Americana/ folk rock songs place characters in a small-town world, while Hoshaw’s skill places him in the upper echelon of this city’s songwriters. Expect a new album by Hoshaw and his backing band, the Seven Deadlies, in 2014, after Hoshaw successfully raised funds to pay for the album on the Kickstarter crowdfunding website.

Matt Whipkey

Matt Whipkey’s biggest year as an Omaha performer came thanks to a double-length album songwriting endeavor tied to Omaha’s faded icon of an amusement park, Peony Park. The resulting album, Penny Park: Omaha, NE: Summer 1989, filters memories of the park through the fictitious character of Penny Park, a summer girl of every guy’s dreams. Meanwhile, a portion of the songs see Whipkey dropping the guitar for synths and sequencers, giving his Heartland bar rock an appropriately dated spin and casting his songs in a new, welcoming light. continued on page 10 y

Icky Blossoms

Icky Blossoms are currently charting the course for their second album, but their continued progression of live shows continues to prove that Icky Blossoms is evolving into its own addictive dance-rock identity. Formed by the trio of Sarah Bohling, Derek Pressnall and Nik Fackler, Icky Blossoms have tapped into a vibe that brings their own outsider-weirdo art kid vibe straight on to the dancefloor. The grooves are deep even when the band’s sound ventures off to find its next psychedelic pop head trip.

Digital Leather

Shawn Foree spent the last few years presenting what was essentially the leather end of his long-running act Digital Leather. Now Foree has grown the line-up to include two keyboardists, injecting plenty of digital anxiety to his melding of synth-pop and pissedoff garage punk. The result is the Arizona expatriate now boasts Omaha’s best rhythm section coupled with a new creative partnership, as Foree has found new keyboardist Todd Fink to be a new songwriting foil. It’s that new addition that’s finally taking the band from O’Leaver’s favorites to citywide notice.

Universe Contest

Lincoln’s Universe Contest is a spastic indie rock band that has been threatening to break out into a full-scale indie music phenomenon for the last year.

The question is more when will it happen rather than if it will. The band perfects theatricality in their live sets, while still delivering melodic precision.

Modest Mouse is the usual comparison thrown Universe Contest’s way but there’s elements of the last decade’s best, messy indie pop acts in here. If you’re already inclined to liking acts like Tapes N Tapes or the Dismemberment Plan, you’ll find lots to like in Universe Contest.

The Faint

The Faint proved that just regrouping would be enough to cement their status as one of the city’s biggest local draws. Now the band has to take the next big step of releasing new material. The questions are many as the band decides what to do with material that they have recorded during the last year or so.

How will they release these new songs? Who will re-

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| THE READER |

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

9

Shawn Holt & the Teardrops

Travelling Mercies

Shawn Holt pays a fitting tribute to his father Magic Slim, who passed away in February 2013, by taking the helm of the Teardrops this year. The band convened for a studio album, out on blues label Blind Pig Records, that encompasses the stripped-down, raw take on Chicago blues that was Magic Slim’s signature sound. Holt had already proved his acumen as a guitarist and band leader. Holt’s long been his own man, but by teaming up with his father’s own seasoned band, Lil’ Slim pays honor to his father’s iconic legacy.

Kris Lager Band

The Kris Lager Band have become one of Omaha’s most popular bands, thanks to superb musicianship that seems to grab handfuls of multiple genres. The band combines blues and funk-rock together and delivers them with the seasoning of a jam band. Kris Lager leads the band with a feel-good vibe, while his cohorts play with a skillful and energetic verve.

The band’s last studio release, 2012’s Swagadocious, pulled the band’s sound in a more soulful direction.

Meanwhile the band continues to regularly tour, increasing their presence across the Midwest.

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DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

Jeremy Holan leads an Americana folk band that plays as if they’ve packed the gospel revival tent and the Rapture is nigh. The sound is a rough, loose and dirty take on country rock. It’s somewhere between rockabilly, punk rock and country. Holan takes on the preacher role, preaching in snake pits and whiskey roadhouses, while his band sounds somewhere between the Reverend Horton Heat and Hank Williams III. By sounding like scum incapable of holy redemption, Travelling Mercies actually capture the true sound of American country music.

Mynabirds

The Maynabirds boil down to singular creative force of Laura Burhenn. As leader, songwriter and singer of the Mynabirds, her distinctive mix of sultry indiepop, 60s R&B girl group swing and a little political folk-rock venom congeals into a solid ball of sound.

At her best, Burhenn reimagines Dusty Springfield as played by Kathleen Hanna -- just capable of being sonically beautiful as she is of being fierce. Her two Saddle Creek Records albums show her learning just how both sides of her songwriting work.

| THE READER |

cover story

Noah’s Ark Was A Spaceship

Satchel Grande

Luke Polipnick Trio

Conchance

Through several line-up additions and subtractions, Noah’s Ark Was a Spaceship is back to what they should be -- a power trio. Andrew Gustafson, Rick Black and John Svatos fit together pretty well, as their last album You Need You bears out. The band has done an expert job in finding a modern text on their fuzzed-out nods to early ’90s alternative icons like Dinosaur Jr. and the Pixies In fact, there are times when the band’s knack for earworm melodies makes them sound like acts like the Posies or even Teenage Fanclub.

Luke Polipnick has already planted firm roots in Omaha’s indie music scene, thanks to his accomplished guitar playing and his restlessly creative, experimental streak. What makes his acceptance in Omaha’s indie culture all the more surprising is Polipnick is primarly a jazz musician. But it’s his avant garde streak that has earned him fans and brought him to play alongside Omaha musicians like Dereck Higgins. His 2013 release Episodes is a jazz record that has appeal to jazz fans and open-minded indie record buyers alike.

Satchel Grande is a funk-jazz-rock superpower, with a plus-sized line-up and a well-groomed singer in Chris Klemmensen. Satchel Grande knows how to throw a party, having recently split its 11-piece lineup for a battle of the bands showcase where each half played opening sets before convening at the end to put the party rock over the top. The band draws a crowd even when it doesn’t do anything special.

Horns, keys and thick, ass-shaking grooves keep dancefloors filled, as Satchel Grande funks up yacht rock in a bold new image.

Omaha’s hip-hop scene has always seemed to lack the mainstream visibility that indie, hard rock and metal bands have enjoyed in Omaha. That may all change, thanks to Conchance and a host of his friends. Using east Omaha studio Make Believe as the home base, Conchance is bridging the gap between hip-hop and the city’s indie music fans. Conchance both holds his own when it comes to vocal delivery and the lyrics he writes. Conchance is elevating both his own music and the state of hip-hop in the city too.

Simon Joyner

Simon Joyner seems to be on a new creative roll, plugging in with a backing band of emerging Omaha musicians roughly half his age. After working on 2012’s Ghosts with his new troupe, Joyner recorded a split album Shrimper Records’ Dennis Callaci called New Secrets. Joyner still unfolds lyrical layers of slow-burn folk songs but he seems refreshed these days. Joyner is nothing less than a songwriting master in Omaha, though now he is eager to let his youthful band mates twist and turn his songs into newer, noisier shapes.

Emphatic

Emphatic have emerged once again in an updated form, this time with former Fuel vocalist Toryn Green replacing former singer Patrick Wilson.

Founding member and main songwriter Justin McCain leads the creative direction fully now and the band’s 2013 album, Another Life, features McCain and his band mates self-producing their album. The modern hard rock band has moved on from Atlantic Records to major label subsidiary Epochal Artists. Another Life finds Emphatic refining their sound, making their sound perfectly suited for modern rock radio playlists.

Eli Mardock

THE REST

Eli Mardock may have just stumbled upon the best new way to get your music into the ears of the modern listener. He’s licensed songs off his releases to x-art.com, an erotic video site. Those songs have since exploded with thousands of downloads and YouTube views of the PG-rated versions of the videos. The former Eagle Seagull has evolved his layered, atmospheric shoegaze pop since that band dissolved. Mardock plays with his wife Carrie, making his solo records more of a family affair.

Twinsmith Rock Paper Dynamite Places We Slept Snake Island!/Gordon

Yuppies

Yuppies evolved quickly from their lo-fi pop beginnings, increasingly finding a harder edge and an off-kilter, angry, verbose take on wiry, breathless post-punk. Singer Jack Begley’s songwriting in particular grew by leaps and bounds, as he found a songwriting voice somewhere the Fall’s Mark E. Smith and Jim Carroll. While Omaha took Yuppies for granted, New York label Dull Tools snatched the band up and released Yuppies’ self-titled LP earlier this year. Yuppies continue to keep their spirit uncompromised, preferring house shows to the city’s more commercial stages. ,

Solid Goldberg Pro-Magnum Ocqua The Lupines Electric Chamber Music See Through Dresses Pleasure Adapter Underwater Dream Machine New Lungs Killer Blow All Young Girls Are Machine Guns So So Sailors Josh Hoyer & the Shadow Boxers Steve Byam Honey Boy Turner Plack Blague Mean Streets One Eye White The Big Deep John Klemmensen & The Party Max Fischer & James Brown We Be Lions Ellmatiq P-tro Funk Trek Big Mista

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| THE READER |

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

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T H E R E A D E R ’ S E N T E RTA I N M E N T P I C K S D E C . 1 2 - 21 , 2 013

DAYS

TOPTV “Whale Wars”

Friday, 8 p.m. (Animal Planet)

This special picks up the story of the Sea Shepherds, who sail into Antarctica to protect whales from Japanese fishermen. Leader Paul Watson has been called an “eco-terrorist” for his methods of interfering with the Japanese vessels. But viewers who’ve been watching Whale Wars for five seasons may consider him as a principled conservationist who risks everything for the sake of an endangered species. As he asks potential crew members: “Are you ready to risk your life to save a whale?” In the two-hour special, Watson goes underground after skipping bail in Germany.

Then he returns to the high seas for another mission with new boats and crew members.

The problem is that the Japanese have filed a lawsuit against him in the U.S., and a court has imposed strict limits on his activities. If he continues to lead the Sea Shepherds, the entire crew could face prison and financial ruin. Will they stick with him, continuing to risk their lives to save the whales? Personally, I wouldn’t be willing to risk my life. But I am willing to watch an entire two-hour special about the people who are prepared to do so. I hope the whales appreciate that gesture.

— Dean Robbins

12

DEC. 12 -18, 2013

THURSDAY12 Through Jan. 12

MEN AT WORK (AND PLAY)

Sunderland Gallery Cultural Center of St. Cecelia Cathedral 3900 Webster St. Tuesday – Friday, 11 AM – 4 PM, Third Sunday of the month, 10:30 AM – 4 PM www.cathedralartsproject.org/ The new work by sculptor Paul Konchagulianthoughtfully constructs a balance between the sacred and profane in this exhibition of steel sculpture on view through Jan.12, 2014. “I really love what steel does,” Konchagulian said at his opening, “how malleable and flexible it can be. Glenn Zweygardt, my sculpture teacher at Alfred University was an inspiration to keep making work, not get too fussy, and maintain a rhythm of production.

He taught us skills and how to physically make something. He believed art couldn’t be taught, that it was the result of each individual’s particular sensibility.” Konchagulian’s sensibility informs his signature weld of skillful fabrication with good humor. “My welds are never ground,” he said. “I stitch the piece three inches at a time, welding the top and then the bottom to allow the bead to cool.” More of Konchagulian’s sculpture can be seen throughout Omaha at www.publicartomaha.org.

— Mary Day Through Dec. 30

HOLIDAY UNDER GLASS

Joslyn Art Museum 2200 Dodge St. Wednesdays & Fridays, NOON -12:45PM www.joslyn.org Stop by the Joslyn Art Museum and enjoy Holiday Under Glass, a holiday luncheon concert series held in the Museum’s glass atrium. The concerts will feature holiday favorites and classical arrangements performed by area musicians, including high school, university and other music groups. ConAgra Foods Foundation is a sponsor of Holiday Under Glass concert series as part of its Shine the Light on Hunger campaign this holiday season. Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to the museum to donate to Food Bank for the Heartland.

— Krista O’Malley

| THE READER |

picks

Through Dec. 21

THE WITCHING HOUR PRESENTS SINEATERS: MEDIEVAL FORGIVENESS FOR MODERN TIMES The BlueBarn Theater 614 S 11th St. 402.345.1576 www.facebook.com/bbwitchinghour

Celebrating it’s 10th season, The BLUEBARN’s Witching Hour is presenting its latest devised work with Sineaters: Medieval Forgiveness for Modern Times. Set in “a dirty punk bar you’ve probably seen before,” the show goes on a modern exploration of the Medieval practice of Sineating. The holy ritual consisted of placing crusts of bread on recently departed loved ones (the bread was said to absorb the sins of the deceased).

The Sineater (usually a social outcast or outsider) would then come along, eat the bread, and absorb the sins, allowing the dead to proceed to heaven. Now the last Sineater on Earth is gathering humanity for “one last round of whiskey and salvation.” After a lengthy writing process, the show opened last weekend with Witching Hour veteran

Shannon Jackson performing alongside newcomers Matthew Karasek, Mallory Freilich, Jackson Cottrell and Brendan Reilly. It will run through Dec. 21 at 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday nights.

— Bill Grennan

SUNDAY21 Dec. 21

FELIZ NAVIRED

Bancroft Street Market, 10th and Bancroft www.redtheater.org.

RED Theater Omaha will be showcasing its latest one night event Dec. 21 with Feliz NaviRED. Started in Lincoln by Aaron Sawyer, RED Theater explores what it calls “theater’s dangerous questions” by incorporating various artistic techniques in a neo-futurist model.

On the night of the performance, the collective performs 30 original plays in 60 minutes. The end result is a high-energy performance that will surely leave you laughing, crying, offended and nodding in agreement all in one night.

—Bill Grennan

Unfortunately if your income is below the threshold to qualify for subsides on the health insurance exchange, but too much to make you eligible for Medicaid, you are in the Medicaid gap.

Approximately 49,000 Nebraskans are believed to be in this situation.

The Affordable Care Act envisioned that you would receive health coverage through an expansion of Medicaid.

However the Supreme Court ruled that states are not required to expand Medicaid and Nebraska is one of 21 states that hasn’t.

The governor opposed the expansion and enough senators filibustered the measure that it died in the last legislative session.

Look for the Medicaid expansion to be a major item of business for the next Nebraska Unicameral session, starting in January 2014.

Whether you need health coverage or have it already, the health care law offers new rights and protections that make coverage fairer and easier to understand. ==

Rights & Protections

Some rights and protections apply to plans in the Health Insurance Marketplace or other individual insurance, some apply to job-based plans, and some apply to all health coverage.

These rights and protections provide even more choice and control over your health coverage when key parts of the law take effect in 2014.

Go to Healthcare.gov to learn about your rights and protections today and in 2014.

How the health care law protects you l Creates the Health Insurance Marketplace, a new way for individuals, families, and small businesses to get health coverage l Requires insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing health conditions l Helps you understand the coverage you’re getting l Holds insurance companies accountable for rate increases l Makes it illegal for health insurance companies to arbitrarily cancel your health insurance just because you get sick l Protects your choice of doctors l Covers young adults under 26 l Provides free preventive care l Ends lifetime and yearly dollar limits on coverage of essential health benefits l Guarantees your right to appeal

You may be able to lower the total costs of your health insurance coverage by paying lower monthly premiums.

You'll see the amount of savings you’re eligible for when you fill out your Marketplace application at healthcare. gov. Prices shown for insurance plans there will reflect the lower costs.

These lower costs are handled with a tax credit called the Advance Premium Tax Credit. But these tax credits can be applied directly to your monthly premiums, so you get the lower costs immediately.

Get an estimate of your costs and savings

You can get a rough estimate of your potential costs and savings by using the Kaiser Family Foundation calculator at kff.org/interactive/subsidy-calculator.

Savings depends on age, income and family size

The amount you save depends on your age, family size and how much money your family earns.

In general, if your income falls within the following ranges you'll qualify to save money on your premiums in 2014. The lower your income within these ranges, the more you'll save. (The amounts below are based on 2013 numbers and are likely to be slightly higher in 2014.)

$11,490 to $45,960 $15,510 to $62,040 $19,530 to $78,120 $23,550 to $94,200 $27,570 to $110,280 $31,590 to $126,360

for individuals for a family of 2 for a family of 3 for a family of 4 for a family of 5 for a family of 6

SAMPLE SUBSIDY AMOUNTS The charts we’ve assembled are based on subsidy amounts generated from the Kaiser Family Foundation Subsidy Calculator.

ADULTS 27 YEARS OLD

These numbers reflect the zip code 68114, though we did not see any noticeable differences trying different zip codes in the Omaha metro area.

MAG Single Single Income HH HH + 1 Adults 27 kid $10,000 M/G M/G $11,490 $2,427 M/G $15,000 $2,367 M/G $20,000 $1,645 $3,883 $25,000 $938 $3,154 $30,000 $155 $2,483 $35,000 $0 $1,763 $40,000 $0 $971 $45,000 $0 $136 $50,000 $0 $0 $55,000 $0 $0

ALL NUMBERS REFLECT NO TOBACCO USE. AMOUNTS REFLECTING COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN/DEPENDENTS REFLECT NO TOBACCO USE AND 20 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER. SEE MORE CHARTS INSIDE

$80,000 $85,000 $90,000

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY! THE ONLY SUBSIDY AMOUNT THAT COUNTS IS THE ONE GENERATED BY THE OFFICIAL AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WEBSITE! ACTUAL AMOUNTS MAY DIFFER!

$60,000 $65,000 $70,000 $75,000

It’s the Law!

Everyone Is Required to Have Health Insurance by Jan. 1, 2014 If you don’t have coverage in 2014, you’ll have to pay a penalty of $95 per adult, $47.50 per child, or 1% of your income (whichever is higher). The fee increases every year. Some people may qualify for an exemption to this fee. If you enroll by March 31, 2014, you won’t have to pay the fee for any month before your coverage began.

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Dual HH Dual HH Dual HH + 1 kid + 2 kids

M/G M/G M/G M/G M/G M/G $4,933 $6,549 $4,205 $6,449 $3,534 $5,699 $2,814 $5,079 $2,022 $4,362 $1,187 $3,635 $583 $2,837 $108 $2,017 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

$1,249 $774 $299 $0

M/G M/G M/G M/G $8,065 $7,965 $7,193 $6,600 $5,915 $5,200 $4,454

$0 $0 $0

$3,652 $2,842 $1,971 $1,440

HH = Household MG= Medicaid Gap

$965 $490 $15

If Your Employer Offers Health Insurance You are not eligible for subsidies if your job-based coverage is considered affordable and meets a minimum value. Your employer can tell you whether the insurance plan it offers meets then minimum value and should provide you with information to determine if the plan is considered affordable based on your income.

FIND OUT WHY YOU WANT HEALTH INSURANCE INSIDE

HEALTHCARE.GOV IS WORKING WITH JUST A LITTLE PATIENCE It can be a lot to take in, but we have personally enrolled 5 people on the www.healthcare.gov website, with a little help from our insurance broker, who basically kept pointing out to keep clicking the green button. We hit submit a few times on the subsidy application, but got an email each time and when we clicked on the email, took us back into the website with our subsidy amounts confirmed.

When you get to the part where they verify your identity by asking you about past loans and credit cards, don’t be surprised if some of the questions have NO right answers, i.e. None of the Above.

For adults without children, the process took less than 20 minutes. If you project that your 2014 income matches your 2012 tax, you won’t need to provide additional income information, www. healthcare.gov will automatically look it up. Here’s some tips from www.healthcare.gov to help you enroll through the marketplace:

Before you begin

When you apply for coverage, following a few tips can improve your online experience. l Use the best browser for your computer’s operating system. l Make sure your browser is set up to accept cookies. l You may not be able to complete an online application with a mobile device, like a smartphone or tablet. Try a laptop or desktop computer instead.

When to use HealthCare.gov

l Your parents who live with you, but file their own tax return and are not your dependents l Other relatives who file their own tax return and are not your dependents l To learn about who qualifies as a dependent, refer to IRS Publication 501.

For best results during open enrollment, try to use HealthCare. gov mornings, evenings, and weekends. The middle of the day is the busiest time for the site, which can sometimes mean slowdowns or waiting times. Scheduled maintenance is sometimes performed overnight making parts of the system unavailable.

You can check the banner at the top of www.healthcare.gov or the HealthCare.gov Twitter accountanytime for alerts about the status of the Marketplace application.

Estimating your income

Info to Have Ready When Applying

For each of the following sources, estimate what your income will be in 2014: l Wages l Salaries l Tips l Net income from any self-employment or business (generally the amount of money you take in from your business minus your business expenses) l Unemployment compensation l Social Security payments, including disability payments--but not Supplemental Security Income (SSI) l Alimony l Other items to include when estimating your 2014 income are: retirement income, investment income, pension income, rental income, and other taxable income such as prizes, awards, and gambling winnings.

When filling out your application, DO include: l Yourself l Your spouse l Your children who live with you, even if they make enough money to file a tax return themselves l Your unmarried partner who needs health coverage l Anyone you include on your tax return as a dependent, even if l they don’t live with you l Anyone else under 21 who you take care of and lives with you

DON’T include:

l Your unmarried partner who doesn’t need health coverage and is not your dependent l Your unmarried partner’s children, if they are not your dependents

When you apply for lower costs in the Marketplace, you’ll need to estimate your income for 2014. You can start by adding up the following items for: l You and your spouse, if you are married and will file a joint tax return l Any dependents who make enough money to be required to file a tax return

DON’T include the following:

l Child support l Gifts l Supplemental Security Income (SSI) l Veterans’ disability payments l Workers’ compensation l Proceeds from loans (like student loans, home equity loans, or bank loans) For more information on reporting your income, see IRS Publication 525.

Modified adjusted gross income and household income

When you fill out the Marketplace application, your estimated household income will be calculated using the information you provide. Your household income determines your eligibility for lower costs on Marketplace coverage.

Your household income is your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) (joint MAGI if you’re married), plus the MAGI of your dependents who make enough money to have to file a tax return.

MAGI is generally your adjusted gross income plus any taxexempt Social Security benefits (except for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), which is not counted), tax-exempt interest, and tax-exempt foreign income.

You don’t have to figure out your household income or MAGI yourself when you fill out your application. It will be done for you with the income information you include on the application.

FIVE WAYS TO APPLY 1. Apply with a paper application You can fill out a paper application and mail it in. To get a paper application, download the application form at http://marketplace.cms.gov/getofficialresources/publications-and-articles/ marketplace-application-for-family.pdf

2. Apply online in 4 steps at www.healthcare.gov WHEN YOU APPLY ONLINE, FOLLOW A 4-STEP PROCESS: 1. Set up an account. First you’ll provide some basic information. Then choose a user name, password, and security questions for added protection. [and then you will confirm your account to log back in and proceed] 2. Fill out the online application.

You’ll provide information about you and your family, like income, household members, current health coverage information, and more. This will help the Marketplace find options that meet your needs. Important: If your household files more than one tax return, call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800318-2596 (TTY: 1-855-889-4325) before you start an application. This is a very important step. Please don’t skip it. Representatives can provide directions to make sure your application is processed correctly.

3. Compare your options. You’ll be able to see all the options you qual-

ify for, including private insurance plans and free and low-cost coverage through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

The Marketplace will tell you if you qualify for lower costs on your monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs on private insurance. You’ll see details on costs and benefits to help you choose a plan that’s right for you.

4. Enroll. After you choose a plan, you can enroll online and decide how you pay your premiums to your insurance company. You must pay your premium by the date the insurer provides before your coverage can begin. Coverage can begin as soon as January 1, 2014.

clients or in the community attending outreach events.

ENCAP Office - Douglas: 2406 Fowler Avenue, Omaha, 453-5656 ENCAP Office - Sarpy: 1908 Hancock, Bellevue, 292-2961

3. Apply by phone

Please check the Omaha Public Library calendar to pre-register for the sessions:www.omahapubliclibrary.org/

$35,000 $40,000 $45,000 $50,000 $55,000 $60,000 $65,000 $70,000 $75,000 $80,000 $85,000 $90,000 $94,000

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

$3,497 $2,827 $2,107 $1,314

$480 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

$4,892 $4,221 $3,051 $2,709 $1,874 $1,271

$796 $321 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

FLORENCE BRANCH LIBRARY: Every Wednesday, from 9am-11am BENSON BRANCH LIBRARY: Every Wednesday, from 3pm-5pm

If you would like help enrolling in the Healthcare Marketplace, please bring your projected income for 2014, current health insurance policy numbers, and social security number(s) for you and your dependents.

4. Find in-person help from Navigators, ENCAP and the Library

5. Talk to your Insurance Agent

The Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership (ENCAP) has Navigators at the Douglas and Sarpy County locations with office hours of 8am-5pm daily. It is best to call for an appointment so your wait time is reasonable as they may be assisting other

MAG Single Single Dual HH Dual HH Income HH HH + 1 + 1 kid Adults kid 32 $10,000 M/G M/G M/G M/G $15,000 $2,710 M/G M/G M/G $20,000 $1,989 $4,226 $5,621 $7,236 $1,281 $499

ENCAP and the Omaha Public Library have partnered to present information about the Affordable Care Act and health care enrollment assistance to individuals who are uninsured or have insurance that is unaffordable, according to the following schedule:

Call 1-800-318-2596, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (TTY: 1-855-889-4325).

A customer service representative will work with you to complete the application and enrollment process.

ADULTS 32 YEARS OLD

$25,000 $30,000

Why You Want Health Insurance

$7,136 $6,387 $5,766 $5,049 $4,322 $3,524

$2,705 $1,936 $1,461 $986 $511 $0 $0 $0 $0

If your insurance agent has a health certification, they can take care of everything for you. If they don’t, they likely are working with another agent that does.

ADULTS 37 YEARS OLD Dual HH + 2 kids M/G M/G M/G

$8,752 $8,652 $7,880 $7,287 $6,602 $5,887

$5,141 $4,339 $3,529 $2,658 $2,127 $1,652 $1,177 $702 $322

MAG Single Single Dual HH Dual HH Income HH HH + 1 + 1 kid Adults kid 37 $10,000 M/G M/G M/G M/G $15,000 $2,839 M/G M/G M/G $20,000 $2,117 $4,348 $5,877 $7,487 $25,000 $30,000

$1,410 $627

$3,620 $2,949

$5,148 $4,478

$7,387 $6,637

$50,000 $55,000

$0 $0

$0 $0

$1,527 $1,052

$3,775 $2,955

$35,000 $40,000 $45,000

$60,000 $65,000 $70,000 $75,000 $80,000 $85,000 $90,000 $94,000

$0 $0 $0

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

$2,229 $1,437 $602

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

$3,758 $2,965 $2,131

$577 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

$6,017 $5,300 $4,573

$2,187 $1,712 $1,237

$762 $0 $0 $0 $0

$1,200 Average Cost of Emergency Room Visit $16,000 Average Cost Surgical Treatment of a Broken Arm $8,000 - $14,000 Average Cost of Child Delivery with Some Complications $7,000 Average Cost of Mental Health Treatment $8,500 - $50,000 Average Cost of Substance Abuse Treatment Regardless of your sex and how healthy you feel, your only one accident away from requiring medical care, either inpatient or outpatient.

Medical expenses can destroy your finances without health insurance.

The most common medical procedures for adult men involve sports related injuries. For women, it’s childbirth.

A recent study by the National Institute of Health found that the average cost of an ER visit is more than $1,200. Some of the most common sports injuries may require various types of physical therapy. According to Metro Health, the costs for most types of physical therapy range from $113 to nearly $160 per visit.

The most common procedure for women is the normal delivery of a child without complications at a cost of nearly $6,800. The next three most common are delivery by C-section without and with complications and a normal vaginal delivery with complications. The prices for these procedures average from nearly $8,000 to more than $14,000.

The treatment of mental health problems costs more than $7,000 per admission to a medical facility. The treatment for substance abuse ranges in price from more than $8,500 to nearly $50,000.

ADULTS 42 YEARS OLD Dual HH + 2 kids M/G M/G M/G

MAG Single Single Income HH HH + 1 Adults kid 42 $10,000 M/G M/G $15,000 $3,059 M/G

$8,997 $8,897

$20,000 $25,000 $30,000

$2,338 $1,630 $848

$4,569 $3,840 $3,170

$6,131 $5,386

$45,000 $50,000 $55,000

$0 $0 $0

$823 $219 $0

$8,124 $7,532 $6,846

$35,000 $40,000

$4,584 $3,774 $2,903

$60,000 $65,000

$2,372 $1,897 $1,422

$947 $567

$70,000 $75,000 $80,000 $85,000 $90,000 $94,000

$34 $0

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

$2,450 $1,657

$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Dual HH Dual HH Dual HH + 1 kid + 2 kids M/G M/G

$6,318 $5,590 $4,919 $4,199 $3,407 $2,572 $1,968 $1,493

$1,018 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

M/G M/G

$8,565 $7,973

THIS INFORMATION IS FOR REFERENCE PURPOSES ONLY! THE ONLY SUBSIDY AMOUNT THAT COUNTS IS THE ONE GENERATED BY THE OFFICIAL AFFORDABLE CARE ACT WEBSITE! ACTUAL AMOUNTS MAY DIFFER!

$5,025 $4,215

These numbers reflect the zip code 68114, though we did not see any noticeable differences trying different zip codes in the Omaha metro area.

M/G M/G

$7,928 M/G $7,828 $9,438 $7,078 $9,338 $6,458 $5,741 $5,014 $4,216 $3,396 $2,628 $2,153

$1,678 $1,203 $0 $0 $0 $0

The charts we’ve assembled are based on subsidy amounts generated from the Kaiser Family Foundation Subsidy Calculator.

$7,287 $6,572 $5,827

$3,344 $2,813 $2,338 $1,863 $1,388 $1,008

ALL NUMBERS REFLECT NO TOBACCO USE. AMOUNTS REFLECTING COVERAGE FOR CHILDREN/DEPENDENTS REFLECT NO TOBACCO USE AND 20 YEARS OF AGE OR YOUNGER.

“Is there a deadline for buyinghealth insurance?”

Most Americans are required to have health insurance in 2014 or face a penalty.

We’ll help you navigate the new health care law and make smart choices for you and your family.

Call or visit us online at the Blue Store.

It’s time to find what you need. We’ve got your back.

888.926.2583 nebraskablue.com

16

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

| THE READER |

ENTERTAINMEN

LEGACY The Emily Fisher Landau Collection NOW THROUGH JANUARY 5, 2014 Framing the Flame: Art That Ignites

Thursday, Dec. 19 @ 6 pm Marissa Vigneault, Weston Thomson, and Ying Zhu will each speak for ten minutes about a work that “lights their fire” from the exhibition, shedding light on how art inspires, engages, and impacts their own work in the Omaha arts community.

T

preSenting SponSor:

Major SponSorS: Annette and Paul Smith, Douglas County; Contributing SponSor: Eve and Fred Simon; Supporting SponSorS: Joan Gibson and Don Wurster, Kathy and Marc LeBaron, Lincoln Financial Foundation, Inc.; Additional support provided by KPMG LLP, Nebraska Arts Council and Nebraska Cultural Endowment. iMage: James Rosenquist (b.

1933), House of Fire II, 1982, oil on canvas, Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; promised gift of Emily Fisher Landau P.2010.241a-c., Art ©James Rosenquist / Licensed by VAGA, New York, photograph

by Tim Nighswander/Imaging4Art

Open Tuesday through Sunday FREE Admission

Free admission. Cash bar opens @ 5 pm.

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

| THE READER |

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

17

Celebrate the Holiday Lights Festival & help Shine the Light on Hunger.

Please bring a canned food item for Food Bank for the Heartland

conagra Foods ice rink

RECIPIENT OF 35

BEST PIZZA AWARDS!

HAND STRETCHED NEW YORK STYLE PIZZA

Friday, December 13-Sunday, January 5 • ConAgra Foods Campus, 10th & Harney Sunday–Thursday 1–10 pm

Friday–Saturday 1 pm–Midnight

Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve 1–5 pm

Christmas & New Year’s Day Closed

$5 admission includes skate rental. Benefits Food Bank for the Heartland. Kids under 5 skate free.

Skate in a winter wonderland.

Mayor Jean Stothert & Downtown Omaha Inc. Foundation CALZONES · PASTA · SALADS · LUNCH SPECIALS APPETIZERS · BEER · WINE · MARGARITAS

ME DIA SP O NS O R S

EV E NT SP ONS OR S

391-1881

7834 Dodge St.

330-1444

12997 W. Center

344-2222

1109 Howard St. ZIOSPIZZERIA.COM

18

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

| THE READER |

SHINING STAR SP ONS OR S Suzanne and Walter Scott Foundation

WWW.HOLIDAYLIGHTSFESTIVAL.ORG

Your Friendly Neighborhood Bar.

chip goes here

SG ROI Tobacconist

We offer the finest selection of premium cigars, tobaccos, humidors, gifts, products and accessories for the distinguished smoker.

DRINK SPECIALS t DARTS POOL t SHUFFLEBOARD BEER PONG

If we don’t have it, you don’t need it.

IN THE OLD MARKET

4721 NW Radial Hwy Omaha t (402) 933-9300

503 S. 11TH ST. (402) 341-9264

| THE READER |

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

19

livemusiccalendar

SEND CALENDAR INFORMATION — including addresses, dates, times, costs and phone numbers — to The Reader’s calendar editor. Mail to or drop off information at P.O. Box 7360 Omaha, NE 68107; email to listings@thereader.com; fax to (402) 341.6967. Deadline is 5 p.m. the Thursday prior to issue date.

THURSDAY 12

DURTY THURSDAY - E BROWN, 9 pm, Bar 415, Free.

MARK IRVIN W/ MICHAEL WUNDER AND JOHN LARSEN, 9 pm,

Barley Street Tavern, $5.

CHURCH OF MISERY, 6 pm, Bourbon Theater, $10: ADV /

$12: DOS. NEW MOON SONGWRITERS NIGHT, (Folk/Singer-Songwriter)

7 pm, Crescent Moon Coffee, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS SUGAR FOOT STOMP | LIVE JAZZ PARTY, 9 pm, House Of

Loom, $5.

A SOLO WITH TIM JAVORSKY, 7 pm, Jazz, A Louisiana

Kitchen, Free.

MC TEACH, TREV TAILOR, 9 pm, Knickerbockers, Contact

House of Loom for cover charge.

READER RECOMMENDS IN THE GRUV, (Jazz) 6:30 pm, OzoNE Lounge at Anthony’s

Steakhouse, Free.

PECHA KUCHA, 8 pm, Slowdown, Free.

ACOUSTIC MUSIC THURSDAYS, 8 pm, Two Fine Irishmen,

Contact Two Fine Irishmen for cover charge.

READER RECOMMENDS CURSIVE W/ CRITERIA & DAVID BAZAN, 9 pm, Waiting Room,

$12 / $30 3 Night Pass.

CHARLIE BURTON, 6 pm, Zoo Bar, $5.

READER RECOMMENDS THUNDERSANDWICH W/ POWERFUL SCIECNE AND THE CRAYONS, 9 pm, Zoo Bar, $5.

FRIDAY 13

TAXI DRIVER, (Cover Band) 9 pm, Arena Bar & Grill, Free.

LUCAS KRANCE & TALIBANG, 9 pm, Bar 415, Contact the

venue for cover charge.

THE WILLARDS BAND, (Rock) 9 pm, Sullivan’s, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS W/ J CRON, MIXED MARTIAL

AUDIO, SIDEWAYS 8 AND THE BUFFOONERY COMPANY,

9 pm, The Hideout, $5 THE RONNYS W/ VAGO AND TWO SHAKES, 9 pm, Barley Street

Tavern, $5.

READER RECOMMENDS THE LONELY BISCUITS, 9 pm, Bourbon Theater, $10: ADV /

$15: DOS. NEBRASKA GREASE & POWER WITH PATRICK NICHOLS, (Rock)

9 pm, Duggan’s Pub, $4.

CHRIS SHELTON, (Rock) 8 pm, Firewater Grille, Contact the

venue for cover charge.

KARAOKE THEATRE, 8:30 pm, House Of Loom, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS TOYS FOR TOTS TOYDRIVE W/PICKLED BEATS & AUDIBLY NUTRITIOUS, (Jazz) 9 pm, House Of Loom, Bring toys

for free admission and/or $5 door donation.

READER RECOMMENDS SWAMPBOY BLUES BAND PERFORMS LIVE!, (Blues) 7 pm,

Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen, Free.

NARCOTIC SELF, DEADECHOES, CYNGE, 9 pm, Knicker bockers, Free.

CHARLIE GLASGOW & RICK SPURGIN, (Blues) 8 pm,

McKenna’s Booze, Blues & BBQ, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS PRO-MAGNUM/OLD BONES/RELENTLESS APPROACH/ BOREALIS, 9 pm, O’Leaver’s Pub, $5.

HI-FI HANGOVER, (Cover Band) 6:30 pm, OzoNE Lounge

at Anthony’s Steakhouse, Free.

TIJUANA GIGOLOS, 5 pm, Zoo Bar, Contact House of

Loom for cover charge.

20

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

| THE READER |

music listings

READER RECOMMENDS IN THE ATTACK W/ EMPYREAN DIVIDE, DIVE, SHIDIOTS, & FARMDOG, 9 pm, Shamrock’s Pub & Grill, Contact

House of Loom for cover charge.

JOHN STONE, 8 pm, Slowdown, Free.

CACTUS HILL, 9 pm, Two Fine Irishmen, Contact House of

Loom for cover charge.

READER RECOMMENDS RAD KADILLAC PRESENTS: JINGLE BELL DROP, 9 pm, Waiting

Room, $7.

SATURDAY 14

THE FOOLS, 9 pm, Arena Bar & Grill, Free.

AARON LEE & PLAN9 & JASON GREENIE, 8 pm, Bar 415,

Contact the venue for cover charge.

READER RECOMMENDS FREAKABOUT W/ BAD ANIMAL AND GUILTY IS THE BEAR, 9 pm,

Barley Street Tavern, $5.

CHASE RICE, 8 pm, Bourbon Theater, $10: ADV / $12: DOS. KARAOKE, 8 pm, Firewater Grille, Contact Firewater Grille

for cover charges.

READER RECOMMENDS THE HONEYBOY TURNER BAND, (Blues) 9 pm, Havana

Garage, Free.

THE CHRONIC ALBUM 21ST ANNI W/DJ SHOR-T & SKYSCRAPER,

(Hip-Hop/Rap) 9 pm, House Of Loom, Free.

LIVE MUSIC BY THE HIGHTOPS, 7 pm, Jazz, A Louisiana

Kitchen, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS KILLIGANS 34TH ANNUAL “WRECK THE HALLS” HOLIDAY

SWEATER/MATT TALBOT KITCHEN DONATION SHOW,

9 pm, Knickerbockers, Contact House of Loom for

cover charge.

ECKOPHONIC, (Cover Band) 8 pm, Loose Moose, Contact

House of Loom for cover charge.

CLOCKSTOPPERS, (Blues) 8 pm, McKenna’s Booze, Blues

& BBQ, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS THE DONEOFITS W/ UNDERWATER DREAM MACHINE & THE LOVE TECHNICIANS, 9:30 pm, O’Leaver’s Pub, $5.

FINEST HOUR, 6:30 pm, OzoNE Lounge at Anthony’s

Steakhouse, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS JULES AND JOE, 8 pm, Pizza Shoppe Collective, $7.

D*FUNK, 9 pm, Red9, Contact House of Loom for cover charge.

DOC THROTTLE, 9 pm, Shamrock’s Pub & Grill, Contact

Venue for cover charge.

READER RECOMMENDS OMAHYPE’S 4TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY ROCK-N-SHOP, 6 pm,

Slowdown, $5.

IVING BACK CHRISTMAS: WITH GROOVE PUPPET, 9 pm, Two

Fine Irishmen, Contact House of Loom for cover charge.

READER RECOMMENDS MIDWEST ELITE CONCERTS PRESENTS: NOW THAT’S WHAT I

CALL A METAL CHRISTMAS, 8 pm, Waiting Room, $8.

EARL AND THEM, 6 pm, Zoo Bar, $8.

READER RECOMMENDS THE WIND UP, 9 pm, Zoo Bar, $5.

SUNDAY 15

SALSA SUNDAY W/ LATIN MADNESS, 7 pm, House Of Loom, $5.

O’LEAVER’S OPEN MIC NIGHT, 9 pm, O’Leaver’s Pub, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS ACADEMY OF ROCK, 11 am, Red9, Contact House of Loom

for cover charge.

RICK SPURGIN, 2 pm, Soaring Wings Vineyard, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS EMMET OTTER AND CHARLIE BROWN!, 8 pm, Waiting Room, Free.

GENERAL BASTARD W/ SGT. SEAMAN & HIS TRAGIC HAND,

PHANTOM AIRSHIPS, (Metal) 8 pm, Duffy’s Tavern, $5.

MONDAY 16

OPEN MIC & SONGWRITER SHOWCASE, (Folk/Singer-Song writer) 9 pm, Barley Street Tavern, FREE. FIRST CUT W/ DJ DRDIGGS, (DJ/Electronic) 9 pm, House Of

Loom, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS BIG BAND MONDAY FEATURING GOOCH AND HIS LAS VEGAS

LAB BAND, (Jazz) 6:30 pm, OzoNE Lounge at

Anthony’s Steakhouse, FREE. OPEN MIC NIGHT, 8 pm, Red9, Free.

WAITING ROOM MUSIC QUIZ, 8 pm, Waiting Room, FREE.

READER RECOMMENDS PIANO HOUR W/ EMILY BASS, 5 pm, Zoo Bar, contact the

Zoo Bar for cover charge.

ZOO BAR HOUSE BAND, 7 pm, Zoo Bar, $3.

TUESDAY 17

VIC NASTY, 9 pm, Bar 415, Contact Bar 415 for cover charges.

READER RECOMMENDS THE MUNSENS, 9 pm, Knickerbockers, Contact House of

Loom for cover charge.

BURKUM BOYS W/ THE CACTUS BLOSSOMS, 9:30 pm,

O’Leaver’s Pub, $5.

SCOTT EVANS & FRIENDS, 6:30 pm, OzoNE Lounge at

Anthony’s Steakhouse, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS ELI YOUNG BAND - DRUNK LAST NIGHT TOUR, 7 pm, Sokol

Hall & Auditorium, $30.

MUSHROOMHEAD W/ ONE EYED DOLL, UNSAID FATE, & IONIA,

(Metal) 8 pm, Waiting Room, $18 ADV / $20 DOS. JAZZOCRACY, (Jazz) 6 pm, Zoo Bar, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS A HAGGARD MESS CHRISTMAS W/ HAGGARD MESS, BOLZEN

BEER BAND AND TBA, 9 pm, Zoo Bar, $5.

WEDNESDAY 18

KRONEN, 8 pm, Bar 415, Contact the venue for cover charge.

READER RECOMMENDS CRASH & BURN BLUES JAM, (Blues) 6 pm, Barley Street

Tavern, Free .

DICEY RILEYS, 7 pm, Brazen Head Irish Pub, Free.

RAY MICHAEL, (Country) 9 pm, Firewater Grille, Contact

the venue for cover charge.

READER RECOMMENDS SHAUN JOHNSON BIG BAND, 7:30 pm, Holland Performing

Arts Center, $27 ADV / $32 DOS. HENDRICK’S DELIGHTFULLY PECULIAR COCKTAIL ACADEMY,

6:30 pm, House Of Loom, Free.

CRATE & CRAFT CLUB | JAZZ VINYL W/ANDREW MONSON,

(Jazz) 8 pm, House Of Loom, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS WARPED WAX W/TURNTABLIST CMB, (DJ/Electronic) 8 pm,

House Of Loom, Free.

SCOTTIE MILLER BAND, (Blues) 8 pm, McKenna’s Booze,

Blues & BBQ, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS 40SINNERS, (Blues) 7 pm, McKenna’s Booze, Blues &

BBQ, Free.

THE BRITS, 6:30 pm, OzoNE Lounge at Anthony’s Steak

house, Free.

READER RECOMMENDS MIDWEST DILEMMA W/ BRAD HOSHAW, LANDON HEDGES,

9 pm, Slowdown, $7.

NIKKI HILL, 6 pm, Zoo Bar, $10 ADV / $12 DOS. DJ RELIC, (DJ/Electronic) 9 pm, Zoo Bar, Free.

BY B.J. HUCHTEMANN

Nikkie, Scottie & Jon Dee

I

n the last couple of years, vocalist Nikki Hill has been called “the Southern Fireball,” “the new soul sensation,” an “amazing R&B shouter” and even “the new Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Her high-octane presence and the high-powered guitar licks of her husband Matt Hill have been sizzling across stages in the U.S. and Europe. Hill ferociously channels Stax soul and primal, early rock ‘n’ soul vibes. Check out nikkihill. com and see why there is such buzz about this band.

Nikki Hill plays Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Wednesday, Dec. 18, and The 21st Saloon Thursday, Dec. 19. Both shows are 6-9 p.m.

Scottie Miller: Minneapolis piano man Scottie Miller is at McKenna’s for a special show Wednesday, Dec. 18, 8 p.m. for one 90-minute set. 40SINNERS opens at 7 p.m. There is a $5 cover. Miller hits Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Thursday, Dec. 19, 6-9 p.m. Miller’s “day job” is playing keyboards in multiple-Grammy-nominee Ruthie Foster’s band. Fronting his own band, Miller makes soulful and sensational music that is rooted in New Orleans’ piano blues with jazz and Americana influences. His fine, original songs and beautiful vocals are supported by his extremely talented musicians including Joe Cruz on guitar and mandolin. Blues Revue

hoodoo

magazine said Miller’s music “sounds like Dr. John meets The Band at Bruce Springsteen’s house.”

Jon Dee Graham: Hoodoo favorite Jon Dee Graham returns to Lincoln’s Zoo Bar Monday, Dec. 16, 7 p.m.

Touring with Austin-based singer-songwriter Mike June, Graham and June will perform short acoustic sets and then Graham will sit in with the Zoo Bar house band. Graham’s previous visits performing with some of Lincoln’s finest musicians have yielded some pretty electrifying sets. Graham is a three-time inductee into the Austin Music Hall of Fame. His original songs are filled with hope, power and the poetry of everyday life.

See jondeegraham.com.

Hot Notes: The 21st Saloon presents the Ori Naftaly Band from Israel Thursday, Dec. 12, 6-9 p.m. Naftaly’s band was a semi-finalist in last year’s International Blues Challenge and is the 2013 winner of the Israeli Blues Challenge. The band’s latest CD, Happy for Good, spent three consecutive weeks in the Top 5 of the International Blues Radio Airplay Charts. For more on the band visit orinaftaly.com.

Earl and Them is back. The band, featuring Jason Davis, Earl Cate of the Cate Brothers and Terry Cagle, nephew of Levon Helm, on drums, are back at the Zoo Bar Friday, Dec. 13, 9 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 14, 6 p.m. ,

CIGARETTES © SFNTC 4 2013

HOODOO is a weekly column focusing on blues, roots, Americana and occasional other music styles with an emphasis on live music performances. Hoodoo columnist B.J. Huchtemann is a Reader senior contributing writer and veteran music journalist who has covered the local music scene for nearly 20 years. Follow her blog at hoodoorootsblues.blogspot.com.

For more information on our organic growing programs, visit www.sfntc.com

hoodoo blues Omaha Weekly Reader 12-12-13.indd 1

| THE READER |

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

21

11/13/13 9:21 AM

ANDREW COHN & DAVY ROTHBART

n I’m not saying I’m an NPR nerd, but when I heard that a contributor to “This American Life” will be at Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater, I swooned like an antebellum southern belle. Medora, a movie I have wanted to see for a while about a small town basketball team, will screen Thursday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m., with a Q&A with director Davy Rothbart, who will get at least one question about whether Ira Glass is really as charming and brilliant in real life as I want him to be.

For tickets, hit up filmstreams.org. And while you’re there, find the link to vote for the 2014 “Members Select” repertory movie that the theater will show early next year. I’m not telling you what to vote for, only that if you don’t vote for The Princess Bride you did it wrong. n Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has just signed on to do San Andreas, an action film about a major earthquake in California. The cause of the earthquake? The Rock finally gets so big he explodes. n You have to love the Coen Brothers. You do; it’s an obscure law passed a few years ago. While promoting Inside Llewyn Davis, the pair threw out some ideas they’re toying with for the next movie in their insanely eclectic careers. They mentioned possibly something about an opera singer or something set in ancient Rome.

N

othing sets the box office ablaze quite like the quiet emotional journey of an 80-year-old Irish woman and a disgraced, pompous British journalist exploring murky ancestry across two continents! Philomena is kind of a tough sell. It’s not a feel-good holiday picture or a tour-de-force acting showcase destined to be christened with Oscar kisses. All the movie has to offer is the fact that it’s really, really good.

The peerless Dame Judi Dench plays the title character, a lovingly sweet and jarringly frank Irish woman who is looking for her son. After “dropping her knickers” back when she was barely a teenager, she was sent to a convent to have her shame baby. As if the Catholic Church needed a bigger diversity of institutional sins against children, the nuns proceeded to sell said baby to Americans while keeping Philomena as virtual slave labor. When the recently fired Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) stumbles upon the story, he deploys journalistic skills that had been gathering dust to get at the truth, which somehow involves President Reagan and the AIDS epidemic…

And that truth is the truth, which is to say Philomena is based on the real account of Sixsmith’s investigation. Yes, this means that evil nuns in Ireland actually sold babies. But this isn’t about kicking mud into the eye of the church. Instead, the film plays like an intellectual exploration of the active role we play in accepting events in our past and the function of faith.

The script by Coogan and Jeff Pope not only cleverly tackles heady thematic components but it plays out almost like a murder mystery, a heritage-based whodunit. Director Stephen Frears keeps things tight, allowing Coogan and Dench just enough space to deliver the resonance the film needs.

And really, hats off to Coogan. Not only did the oddly-toothed funnyman help write the darn thing, he stands toe-to-toe with one of the greatest living performers and doesn’t flinch. For her part, Dench crafts a complex character that cannot be dismissed with some adjective affixed to the words “old lady.” She is inspirational and irritating, kind and shrewd, daffy and insightful. Dench is given the span of one line of dialogue to sell the film’s take-home message, and she makes it look like it wasn’t even a challenge.

Two notes of interest: first, the MPAA originally gave Philomena an R rating. The stars had to crusade to get it reduced, which is mind-boggling, considering the only offense was a handful of F-bombs (at least two of which were technically Irish slang). That’s just a reminder that a heartfelt film about emotional absolution was considered inappropriate for 13-year-olds but Wolverine can skewer ninjas ad nauseam. Second, Philomena is an example of a “based on a true story” flick that absolutely thrives. Why? Because it’s not about trying to replicate events but trying to infuse those events with new meaning.

Philomena is a delightful surprise, a finely crafted yarn told by skilled storytellers all around. It may not be found across “best of 2013” lists, but that’s not on the movie, it’s on the writers. , GRADE: A

n Not satisfied with being disliked on the basketball court, Lebron James is ready to add actual critics to his list of critics. He just signed on to star in Ballers, in which he will presumably play a baller. Kevin Hart, who loves basketball, is co-writing and co-starring. I’m just going to go out on a limb and guess there’s going to be a few jokes about height involved.

—Ryan Syrek Cutting Room provides breaking local and national movie news … complete with added sarcasm. Send any relevant information to film@thereader.com. Check out Ryan on Movieha!, a weekly halfhour movie podcast (movieha.libsyn.com/rss), catch him on the radio on CD 105.9 (cd1059.com) on Fridays around 7:30 a.m. and on KVNO 90.7 (kvno.org) at 8:30 a.m. on Fridays and follow him on Twitter (twitter.com/thereaderfilm).

22

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

REPORTCARD

COEN BROTHERS

12 Years a Slave

A+ Brutal, horrifying and difficult to watch. As it should be.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire A The best sci-fi sequel since Empire Strikes Back.

Captain Phillips

C A fake-feeling real-life story that’s fine but unnecessary.

Nebraska

BAnother nice, quiet, muted film from the master of such content.

| THE READER |

film

READER RECOMMENDS

Frozen

AEither a throwback to the modern-classic Disney period or the start of a new one.

ON DVD

Despicable Me 2

B An important reminder that supervillains need nookie too.

Fast and Furious 6

B+ Do you like awesome? Because this has lots of awesome.

overtheedge

COLUMN BY TIM MCMAHAN

THIRD QUARTER REVIEWS: THE TWITTER EDITION

N

o, this isn’t my year-end list of favorite albums; this is me catching up on the third quarter album reviews (halfway through the fourth quarter). Due to the sheer number under consideration — and in this 140-character Twitter age — each gets only one sentence because isn’t something that someone’s poured their heart into for months (or years) worth only one sentence of criticism?

Well, it’s better than nothing.

Hospital Ships, Destruction In Yr Soul (Graveface) — Death Cab meets Arcade Fire, too often tries for epic, too often falls flat.

Destruction Unit, Deep Trip (Sacred Bones) — Just plain burn-your-face-off garage rock for the damned (and damned good).

Lloyd Cole, Standards (Tapete) — Don’t call it a comeback, it’s the best thing he’s released since Music in a Foreign Language, and could be a hit if he ever tours the U.S. Twinsmith, self titled — Blessed by the Creek, a sort of Vampire Weekend / Beach House mash-up, might be too cute for its own good.

Eli Mardock, Everything Happens for the First Time (Paper Garden) — Portrait of a man coming to grips with his past, eyes firmly set on his future, surrounded by his friends (and enemies).

Under Water Dream Machine, Can You See Behind the Moon? — Omaha’s hidden mad genius will finally be discovered long after he’s dead.

Speedy Ortiz, Major Arcana (Carpark) — Frontwoman Sadie Dupuis is cooler than Liz Phair because she’ll never sell out (right?).

Eros and Eschaton, Home Address for Civil War (Bar/ None) — As much as I like Adam Hawkins, it’s Katy Sleeveless’ grinding, noisy, shoe gaze that I truly love.

Crocodiles, Crimes of Passion (Zoo Music) — This

Film Streams at the Ruth Sokolof Theater 14th & Mike Fahey Street (formerly Webster Street) More info & showtimes 402.933.0259 · filmstreams.org Facebook & Twitter: @filmstreams

hazy garage is always a pleasant surprise when it comes up on shuffle, but never enough to revisit in its entirety.

Jake Bellows, New Ocean (Saddle Creek) — The most realized record of his career, and that includes all those sleepy Neva albums.

Guilty Is the Bear, Pride Theater — As pure a pop album as you’ll find ‘round here, surprised more people aren’t talking about it.

Tim Kasher, Adult Film (Saddle Creek) — Our hero struggles with love (again) and mortality

(again) with a newfound sense of tune craft.

No Blood Orphan, Top Shelf & Lost Tricks (Ant) — Frontman Mike Saklar’s voice has the lost quality of a guy walking alone in an empty field, singing to himself.

Yuppies, self-titled (Dull Tools) — At times too weird for its own good, examine it too closely and it’ll blow up in your face (in a good way).

This week!

Nebraska First-Run (R)

Dir. Alexander Payne.

Now showing!

“A career-crowning performance

by Bruce Dern and a thoroughly impressive dramatic turn by ‘SNL’/‘30 Rock’ alum Will Forte.” – Scott Foundas, Variety “Alexander Payne has become one of those figures who isn’t just a film director — he’s a genre.”

– Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

The Growlers, Gilded Pleasures (Everloving) — Midnight garage rock with a West Coast lilt = cool.

Lee Renaldo and the Dust, Last Night on Earth (Matador) — My favorite Sonic Youth spinoff (so far).

Quasi, Mole City (Kill Rock Stars) — Take out the quirky noise-track filler throw-aways and you’ve got the best Sam Coomes record since

Featuring “Birds.”

Heaven’s Gate, Transmuting (Inflated) — Another shoe gaze garage record. Yawn.

Crystal Antlers, Nothing Is Real (Innovative Leisure) — Headed in a thousand directions, manages to go nowhere.

Mood Rings, VPI Harmony (Mexican Summer) — So hazy and dreamy it can’t see the songs in front of its nose, and neither can I. David Dondero, This Guitar — Conor says he got his voice from him, now it sounds like he’s beginning to get his music from Conor.

Let the Fire Burn First-Run

Dir. Jason Osder.

Through Thursday, December 19!

“Let the Fire Burn is a time machine.

It shows there are truths out there waiting to be found—that footage already shot can make history in all its terrible finality breathe.” – David Edelstein, New York Magazine

Coming Soon Summertime 1955 Inside Llewyn Davis First-Run (R) It’s a Wonderful Life 1946 (PG)

Various Artists, Purple Snow: Forecasting the Minneapolis Sound (Numero Group) — Not so much where Prince came from as where disco-funk went.

Arcade Fire, Reflektor (Merge) — Much ado about nothing, though I bet it’ll grow on me, just like The Suburbs did.

Matt Whipkey, Penny Park — Ambitious locally produced double album is more than just a walk in the park.

Paul McCartney, New (Hear Music) — Always a John guy, this is the last album I ever thought I’d recommend (but here I am).

London Grammar, If You Wait (Columbia) — Wispy, lonely, pretty, a personal fave I wish I could find on vinyl.

CHVCHES, The Bones of What You Believe (Glassnote) — Synth-beat rock betrays an ’80s vibe despite modern disguise, a little goes a long way.

Holy Ghost!, Dynamics (DFA) — If we can’t have LCD Soundsystem, at least we have this.

Neko Case, The Worst Things Get, The Harder I Fight (Anti-) — Gorgeous frontier harmonies forever, but listen too closely and it’ll depress the hell out of you.

Nine Inch Nails, Hesitation Marks (Columbia) — After this, I’m now convinced Reznor will never recapture what he had in the ’90s.

Belle and Sebastian, The Third Eye Centre (Matador) — Biggest disappointment of 2013.

FUZZ, self titled (In the Red) — Ty Segall strikes again, but if I had to choose I’d still take Slaughterhouse (or the latest by Thee Oh Sees). , Over The Edge is a weekly column by Reader senior contributing writer Tim McMahan focused on culture, society, the media and the arts. Email Tim at tim.mcmahan@gmail.com.

Alexander Payne Presents Come and See 1985 Elem Klimov.

December 13, 15 & 17 Alexander says: “A harrowing look at war through the eyes of a young boy, it is not only the most powerful war film I’ve ever seen but also one of the most brilliant uses of subjective story-telling. Unforgettable.”

over the edge

| THE READER |

Forever Young Admission just $2.50 for kids 12 and under!

The Freshman 1925

Dir. Fred C. Newmeyer & Sam Taylor.

December 12, 14, 15, 19 Silent legend and Nebraska native Harold Lloyd at his hilarious best!

The Met: Live Verdi’s Falstaff December 14 (Live) & 18 (Encore) Prelude Talk by Opera Omaha conductor Hal France before live broadcast

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

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newsoftheweird

T H E WO R L D G O N E F R E A K Y B Y C H U C K S H E P H E R D W I T H I L LU S T R AT I O N S B Y T O M B R I S C O E

Something in the Air

I

s the signature smell of Texas A&M University more “Italian lemon, bergamot and iced pineapple” (that open into “a body of vivid florals, raw nutmeg and cinnamon”) or more “bat feces” and “chilifest stink”? The two commentaries were contrasted in a November Wall Street Journal report on the introduction of Masik Collegiate Fragrances’ Texas A&M cologne (one of 17 Masik college clients) at around $40 for a 1.7-ounce bottle. Louisiana State University’s scent conjures up, insisted one grad, the campus’s oak trees, but so far has pulled in only $5,500 for the school. (To a football rival of LSU, the school’s classic smell is less oak tree than “corn dog.”) The apparent gold standard of fan fragrance is New York Yankees cologne, which earned the team nearly $10 million in 2012.

Recurring Themes Among America’s most prolific “fathers” (in this case, perhaps better considered “egg-fertilizers”) are Nathaniel Smith, age 39, who claimed on TV’s “Divorce Court” in September that he is the father of 27, and the late Samuel Whitney, whose grown stepdaughter Lexie Woods learned that he claimed 54 before he died in July at age 87. Smith (known in Dayton, Ohio, as “Hustle Simmons”) insisted that he is a fine father (doesn’t smoke or drink, keeps contact with most of the kids, has “only” 21 child-support orders out), and besides, he told WHIO-TV, “I know of people who have even more than me.” (Among Whitney’s belongings, said Woods, were a “pile” of birth certificates and a stash of maximum-strength Viagra. “He was a likable man, a ladies’ man.”)

Latest Collateral Damage: (1) In October, a 28-year-old man, reeling from a domestic argument in Port Richey, Fla., put a gun to his head and, against his girlfriend’s pleas, fired. As a neighbor across the street stood on her porch, the suicide bullet left the victim’s head and made three wounds on the neighbor’s leg,

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DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

| THE READER |

weird news

sending her to the hospital. (2) About a week later, on the Norwegian island of Vesteroy, a moose hunter missed his target but hit an obscured cottage in the distance, wounding a man in his 70s as he answered nature’s call. He was airlifted to Ullevaal University Hospital in Oslo.

In November, barely two weeks after a small plane carrying 10 skydivers left no survivors when it crashed on the way to an exhibition near Brussels, Belgium, nine skydivers were able to dive for safety when two planes headed for a tandem jump collided near Superior, Wis. News stories did not address how experienced skydivers escaped one plane but not the other.

Animal Sacrifice -- in America: In September, Orthodox Jewish communities once again staged traditional kaparot, in which chickens are killed in a prescribed way for the purpose of “transferring” a believer’s latest sins over to the chicken (whose death banishes the sins). (In many such ceremonies, the chickens are donated for food, but protesters in Los Angeles criticized rogue practitioners who simply tossed carcasses into the trash.) In November, MiamiDade County animal services found a severely injured chicken with a family’s 4-by-6 photograph protruding from its chest, having been haphazardly “implanted,” along with a note containing several hand-written names, apparently a casualty of local Santeria services.

Some Americans still believe that stock market sales are typically made human-to-human, but the vast majority of buys and sells now are made automatically by computers, running pattern-detecting programs designed to execute millions of trades, in some cases, less than one second before rival computer programs attempt the same trades. In September, a Federal Reserve Board crisis involved, at most, seven milliseconds’ time. The Fed releases market-crucial news typically at exactly 2 p.m. Washington, D.C., time, tightly controlled, transmitted by designated news agents via fiber optic cable. On Sept. 18, somehow, traders in Chicago reportedly beat traders elsewhere to deal an estimated $600 million worth of assets -- when theoretically, ac-

COPYRIGHT 2013 CHUCK SHEPHERD. Visit Chuck Shepherd daily at NewsoftheWeird. blogspot.com or NewsoftheWeird.com. Send Weird News to WeirdNewsTips@yahoo.com or P.O. Box 18737, Tampa, FL 33679. Illustrations by Tom Briscoe (smallworldcomics.com).

cess to the Fed’s news should have been random. (In other words, the drive to shave milliseconds off the “speed of light” has become quite profitable.)

Toilets are always a favorite protest symbol, most recently employed by David Labbe, disputing a zoning decision by officials in Augusta, Maine, preventing the sale of his house to Dunkin’ Donuts (for, he said, three times what he paid), and he has begun lining his property with discarded toilets. Augusta-native Labbe says he has given up on his city and his neighbors (who fear traffic problems if a Dunkin Donuts opens). (On the same day, coincidentally, toilets made news in Los Angeles, where YoYo Li was about to open the city’s first toilet-themed restaurant, patterned after several in Taiwan in which diners squat at tables and eat off commode-shaped serving vessels.)

In November, Michael Brown, 19, became the most recent person with poor decision-making skills forced to report to a police station (this, in College Station, Texas) in the middle of the night to ask that officers please remove the handcuffs he had been playing around with. (Following the officers’ mandatory records check, it was learned that Brown had an arrest warrant for criminal mischief, and following a mandatory search, that he also had two ounces of marijuana in his pocket.)

Can’t Possibly Be True: Twice again, in November, men wrongfully convicted of major, chilling crimes, who were finally freed after serving long sentences, claimed upon release that they were -- somehow -- not bitter. Ryan Ferguson was released in Missouri after serving almost 10 years for a murder he surely knew nothing about (convicted because a prosecutor withheld exculpatory evidence). Derrick Deacon was freed in New York after nearly 25 years -- served because the eyewitness (who finally recanted) had identified Deacon out of fear of retaliation by the Jamaican gang member she actually saw.

It was Linda Ducharme’s turn in the spotlight in November as one of a seemingly increasing number of people who commit to bethrothing themselves to

inanimate objects (“objectophiles,” “mechaphiles”).

The Gibsonton, Fla., woman’s spouse is a Ferris wheel called the Sky Diva, and their relationship was chronicled on the Logo TV channel’s show “What!?” (Most famously, Erika La Tour Eiffel of San Francisco staged her 2008 wedding to the Eiffel Tower.)

Many men have fallen for underage-sex stings (tricked by NBC’s “To Catch a Predator” or by law enforcement nationwide), but perhaps Cliff Oshman, 64, of Daytona Beach is the first to have brought his wife and young daughter along to meet the girl he was seducing. Oshman was arrested in October, and as usual, the “victim” did not exist except as the persona of an undercover cop.

Dwarfs formerly could volunteer to be playfully treated in American nightclubs, but such venues now appear limited to Europe. (1) A club in the German coastal town of Cuxhaven might be in trouble following a September incident in which a 42-year-old dwarf accidentally fell off of a podium before engaging in the club’s contest, “Lilliputian Action,” in which customers chase an elusive dwarf. (2) London’s Hippodrome Casino has reportedly run a series of ads seeking dwarfs (maximum height: 4 feet, 9 inches) for a special crew of bouncers and door guards to be unveiled in December.

Update A formal investigation into the strange death of British intelligence code-breaker Gareth Williams concluded in November with a police judgment that the death was an accident, despite the body's having been discovered inside a zippered and padlocked garment bag in an otherwise unused bathtub in his London apartment. An earlier inquest into the 2010 death had unsatisfactorily failed to rule out foul play, setting up the police examination, but two facts stood out, according to the officer in charge: The key to the padlock was found within easy reach of the bag, and, according to experts, even though no usable fingerprints or DNA was found in the apartment, it had not been "deep-cleaned" (as might be expected in a death with intel-op implications). ,

weird news

| THE READER |

DEC. 12 - 18, 2013

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