COMMUNITY GARDENS:
TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR FOOD DESTINY BY SARA LOCKE
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Extend your summer with a new Triumph purchase today. Choose a new Modern Classic or Cruiser and have your pick between one of two limited-time offers; either a special financing package for qualified buyers or up to $1,000 in Triumph vouchers to use in-store or online. Please visit your local Triumph dealer for all program details. This offer may be used in combination with the New Rider Training program.
BREEZE CYCLE
5545 CENTER STREET OMAHA, NE 68106 • (402) 991-5500
WWW.BREEZECYCLE.COM
Tribute to WALTER TROUT a
a Special Concert Event to Raise Organ Donor Awareness & to Benefit the Walter Trout Band presented by Playing With Fire, The Blues Society of Omaha, Donate Life Nebraska & The Nebraska Medical Center SUNDAY, AUGUST 31, 2014 River City Star, Miller’s Landing, 151 Freedom Park Road, Omaha Gates at 2 p.m., music 3-10 p.m. or later with an ALL-STAR LATE-NIGHT JAM Performances by The Walter Trout Band fronted by British Blues guitar sensation DANNY BRYANT with special guest, JON TROUT (Walter’s son) Special guests include: Curtis Salgado do Curtis Salga The Cordle/Scott Band, featuring Tim Scott The Brad Cordle Band Brandon Mi ller Nick Schnebelen (of Trampled Under Foot)
Brandon Miller (KC) The Laurie Morvan Band Lou Deluca & the Delta 88s plus BluesEd youth bands with SPECIAL SURPRISE BLUES MUSIC AWARD-WINNING GUESTS Music on three covered stages including the Pavilion Main Stage & two stages on the docked Kon-Tiki-O Party Barge at The River City Star. Tickets are $20. Advance Tickets can be purchased at The 21st Saloon, 96th & L, and online at www.rivercitystar.com
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AUG. 21 - 27, 2014
| THE READER |
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s fast as fad diets come and go, faithful foodies, vegans, carnivores, and even the sometimes hard to understand world of raw consumers can all agree on one thing, and that is we should all be eating more fruits and vegetables. That should be easy enough, right? I mean, who doesn’t love fresh summer watermelon juice dripping off of their elbows, or a tomato so sweet and crisp you just sink your teeth into it like an apple? A quick gander at a weekly circular indicates that an in-season, hydroponically grown, slightly waxy, chemically bathed hybrid tomato is on sale this week…and still incredibly expensive. Red bell peppers are $1.20 each. My favorite recipe for red peppers calls for six! Growing our own is clearly the most cost effective, healthful choice. And did you know that the average sized human burns about 350 calories an hour gardening? So you’re doing even more good for your body than just filling it with delicious nutrients and adorning it in a glorious farmer’s tan. So, no problem! I’ll just hop out to my garden and - wait. I don’t have a garden. You either, huh? So how does one go about acquiring a bit of earth? Renters, apartment dwellers, and ye of pitiable lands rejoice, for Omaha has a rich and thriving Community Garden scene. I spoke with Kurt Goetzinger, founder of Benson community gardens, who told me “Before I purchased the land and started the garden 4 years ago, I had grown a tomato and a pepper. That’s it! I’ve come a long way, and that’s thanks to the community we’ve developed.” And the community thanks him right back. In addition to providing the space, Goetzinger planted a 400 square foot neighborhood garden along the perimeter of the land. The bonus garden boasts beautiful produce that he offers free for passers-by to pick. The only stipulation is that they take only what they need.
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■ DRINK WINE WITH WINE PEOPLE The Boiler Room’s Fourth Annual Guild of Sommeliers Dinner is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28, at 5:30 p.m. This five course meal is hosted by Master Sommeliers Matt Stamp and Jesse Becker. This annual dinner is a fundraiser for the Guild of Sommeliers. Reserve a ticket ($225, not including tax and gratuity) beforehand to make sure you get a spot. www.boilerroomomaha.com ■ THE GOOD FOOD REVOLUTION Sustainable art shows are popping up all over town, all with the mutual goal of bringing attention to the sustainability movement. The pieces displayed are designed to prompt conversation about where our food comes from and what people can do to make sure they are eating real, actual food instead of ersatz, processed junk. Upcoming shows include Branched Oak Farm
Kurt tells me that this is the time to become active with your local garden. It more typically occurs to us in the spring, when seeds adorn the aisles of every grocery store and convenience shop we wander, or in the summer when we wish we had planted and could enjoy the harvest. He explains that each garden has its own set of rules and regulations, pesticide and fertilizer options, and code of conduct. This is the time to find a place with a location you can get to regularly, as you will be in charge of all of your own upkeep. A mess in your plot means weeds in everyone’s plots, meaning nobody wants to barter their squash for your snap peas come harvest. You might find yourself already on a waiting list at your top spot, but take heart. Occasionally, someone will abandon a plot due to a move, injury, or it being more of a time investment than they had anticipated. It is an investment, but the payoff is astronomical. Not only do you find your health improving, but you’re creating friendships, reducing your reliance on factory-farmed, nutritionally-bankrupt frankenfoods, and increasing the property value of everything surrounding your garden. The simple act of planting a garden is a huge quality of life boost for everyone in our city, and one you should be proud of. Once you’ve located a garden you would like to be a part of, contact the organizer for a tour and for information on what the garden might need. Even if you aren’t interested in planting, donations of land, healthy soil, and gardening tools are always welcome. I asked Kurt why, with his then limited knowledge of gardening, would he choose to undertake such a venture. He replied simply “To create something beautiful. Something that only added value to our community.” Let’s all put that on our to-do list. , Benson Community Gardens, 1302 N. 60th St. bensongardens.org. Find one of the other many Omaha-area community gardens by searching online. Sept. 6 and Dixie Quicks Sept. 11. www.lexiconofsustainability.com ■ FIDO LIKES DUNDEE Marks Bistro wants to remind everyone that they not only have a beautiful outdoor patio available while the weather is nice, but also that the patio is a dog-friendly spot. So if you prefer to bring your dog with you everywhere you go, you’re in luck if you also have a hankering for some really good food. www.marksindundee.com ■ Attack of the 50 ft Brunette Attendees at the Great Nebraska Beer Fest Aug. 23 will be among the first to try Nebraska Brewing Company’s newest collaboration with New Holland Brewing. Dubbed “Attack of the 50 Foot Brunette,” this brown ale features notes of vanilla and clove. www.nebraskabrewingco.com — Tamsen Butler Crumbs is about indulging in food and celebrating its many forms. Send information about area food and drink businesses to crumbs@thereader.com.