Howdy, Omaha — it’s Jeremy.
The assignment to photograph a meeting of Omaha’s longest-running book club came to me as a welcome distraction from an ordinary October day otherwise spent sending emails and reviewing spreadsheets.
The truth is I love talking to older ladies — and I knew the Eclectic Book Review Club would have a few in its membership.
I was a grandma’s boy growing up, frequently stopping by her house after school to watch Jeopardy! and eat chocolate-chip cookies. As a journalist, I’ve come to appreciate even more the thoughtfulness, humor and gumption of gray-haired women with time to talk.
The aforementioned book club started in 1949 as an exclusive gathering of high-society young women — new members could be no older than 50. Over the years, the club became more inclusive, but it has stayed committed to its founding principles of promoting literacy and socialization, correspondent Jonathan Orozco reports in our feature story.
Most members now are retirees — I met former teachers, nurses and businesswomen at the October meeting where the club celebrated its 75th birthday. They shared stories over cupcakes and listened intently as a Nebraska author presented her debut book. My grandma would’ve thought it was grand.
Check out Jonathan’s story here (or click the photo above).
Last week, we published a decidedly less uplifting story by Destiny Herbers and me that highlights our state’s unique death investigation system whereby prosecutors serve as coroners.
The story follows an Omaha family as they search for answers about Pedtro “Pete” Chappell’s death after he was denied an autopsy.
Click here to read our investigation.
On a separate note, we’re writing about Hank Kunneman’s Lord of Hosts Church in Millard. If you have attended or been involved with the church, we would like to hear from you. Please email Destiny at dherbers@flatwaterfreepress.org.
— Jeremy Turley, Flatwater Free Press
Happy February, Art Lovers!
The Omaha art scene goes full swing this month with area alumni shows, the start of the Benson First Friday exhibition season and the area’s annual Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards. And that is just a start of what’s coming up this month in our creative community.
Katharina Arndt: All I Ever Wanted
The Old Market’s premier art gallery starts February off by bringing Berlin and Barcelona-based painter and sculptor Katharina Arndt to our fair city. Arndt is a people watcher, and critiques contemporary consumer society through fast, colorful and simplified representations of the human figure. You don’t want to miss this playful, yet serious show.
– When: Opening reception: Thursday, Feb. 6, 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday noon-8 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m., until April 6.
– Where: Garden of the Zodiac Gallery, 1042 Howard St.
UNO Juried Art Alumni Exhibition
The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s College of Communications, Fine Arts and Media celebrates 51 years of its Art & Art History Department with the 2025 Juried Art Alumni Exhibition. Come see the diverse works created by 54 artists representing the era. (Full disclosure, I am one of the artists.)
– When: Opening reception: Friday, Feb. 7, 5-7 p.m. Gallery hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., until Feb. 21.
– Where: UNO Art Gallery, Weber Fine Arts Building, UNO Campus, 6001 Dodge St.
MCC Art Club presents: Now / Then
The Metro Community College Art Club presents “Now / Then,” an exhibition of current and alumni students. This exhibition represents generations of local area students that graduated from this esteemed program. Being a former instructor at MCC, I can’t wait to support this legacy of arts education in our community.
– When: Opening reception: Friday, Feb. 7, 5:30-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., until Feb. 24.
– Where: Nicholas Street Gallery, Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St.
BFF First Friday
The 2025 Benson First Friday season kicks off with a night filled with visual art, live music, food and community. Come explore almost 40 venues on the Benson strip featuring gallery openings, local vendors, and live music. This month features two area collage artists: Mx. Jae’s o·ver·lap, explores identity and queerness through fashion magazines of the 1960-80s at Petshop Gallery; and I have my first solo exhibition comprised exclusively of collage at BFF Gallery with ACRE 54. I hope to see you in the Benson Creative District Friday night.
– When: Friday, Feb. 7, 5 p.m.-2 a.m. venue hours vary.
– Where: Benson Creative District, Maple Street from 57th to 67th streets
Nineteenth Annual Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards
The 19th Annual Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards is the premier local art & culture event of the year. When else do we see our creative community’s best visual artists, musicians, thespians and culture makers all in one place. This year’s event takes place at the Admiral south of downtown. Get your tickets now to celebrate the arts and culture of our creative region! I’ll see you at this year’s OEAA’s.
– When: Sunday, Feb. 16, 6:30 p.m.-end of ceremony.
– Where: The Admiral, 2234 S. 13th St.
Braided Waters: Prints and Artist Books by Karen Kunc
For all of February, Nebraska cultural treasure and printmaker, Karen Kunc graces the Lied Art Gallery at Creighton University with a collection of her signature reductive woodcut prints and art books. For decades Karen Kunc has practiced and taught printmaking at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Now in retirement she runs Constellation Studios, an international residency program and printmaking studio in our capitol city. Come see a selection of the masterworks she has completed over the last decade!
– When: Gallery hours: Monday-Friday 8a.m.-8p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., until March 2
– Where: Lied Art Gallery, Lied Education Center for the Arts, Creighton University, at the corner of Cass and 24th Street
— Bart Vargas is a visual artist, educator and advocate based in Omaha, Nebraska. He publishes a weekly list of local arts, culture and entertainment events on social media, and operates an international studio with his wife Bekah Jerde.
At a Jan. 28 Omaha City Council meeting, Mayor Jean Stothert’s proposal to extend the Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) for public safety leaders faced pushback from the Omaha firefighters’ union, which argued it unfairly excludes rank-and-file members. The proposal won council approval this week.
The council also rejected a proposed kennel ordinance over zoning concerns and approved five liquor licenses, including one for Rathskeller Bier Haus. Creighton University’s plan to upgrade its athletic field moved forward without opposition. Read the full summary here and the full meeting notes on the Documenters website.
Want to help inform your community and create better journalism while getting paid? Become a Documenter today.
— Leah Wambui Keinama, Nebraska Journalism Trust
This Saturday, I’m diving into the world of vampires and werewolves with a Twilight series marathon at Twin Creek Cinema. It’s an 11-hour commitment, but I’m excited to experience the saga on the big screen for the first time!
My Twilight journey started back in 2008 when, as a first grader, I accidentally rented the first movie through Dish’s On Demand service. My parents were less than thrilled when they realized what I’d picked out and it cost me a grounding (worth it). Years later, I can’t wait to revisit the sparkly vampires, frightening CGI and love triangles with a whole new perspective and a big bag of popcorn.
If you’re interested in running this cinematic marathon with me, you can find tickets here.
— Yubia Ramirez, Nebraska Journalism Trust
Officials in Douglas and Sarpy counties are talking with federal officials about using local jails to detain immigrants arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the World-Herald’s Chris Burbach reported. Douglas County used to have an agreement to hold ICE detainees, but it ended a few years ago for nonpolitical business reasons, a jail official said. The county boards would have to approve any new deals with the agency. (You may need a World-Herald subscription to read this story.)
Amid pressure from city officials, City View Apartments passed a fire alarm inspection just in time to avoid the consequences of an order to vacate the 211-unit property, the World-Herald reported. The downtown Omaha complex, home to many low-income residents, is still plagued by dozens of code violations, ranging from faulty plumbing to exposed mold. (You may need a World-Herald subscription to read this story.)
Ron Henandez, the founder of a veteran-focused nonprofit, is trying to raise money to keep his home while fighting pancreatic cancer, KETV’s Aaron Hegarty reported. The organization that owns his Papillion home has offered to let him keep it if he can come up with $47,000, but it’s easier said than done on a fixed income.
Omaha native Amber Ruffin will headline the annual White House Correspondents’ dinner in April, KETV reported. The comedian and writer for Late Night with Seth Meyers attended Benson High School before making it big.
Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert holds a massive financial edge over her three challengers in this year’s election, the World-Herald reported. Stothert, running for her fourth term, has about $600,000 in campaign funds — three times the amount of her closest competitor Mike McDonnell. (You may need a World-Herald subscription to read this story.)
After 50 years in TV news, WOWT anchor John Knicely announced he will retire next month. The UNL journalism grad has spent the last four decades with the station, where he starred in featured segments “John at Work” and “Knicely Done.”
The Flatwater Free Press is published by the Nebraska Journalism Trust, a 501(c)(3) public charity