Howdy, Omaha — it’s Jeremy.
Philly has Will Smith. Nashville has Dolly. Cleveland has LeBron. (My hometown’s claim to fame is Gary Sinise, a.k.a. Lt. Dan from “Forrest Gump.”)
Omaha’s big-name celeb is a 94-year-old billionaire known for investing wisely, living modestly and drinking huge quantities of Cherry Coke.
Warren Buffett is one of one and his approach to philanthropy is no exception. Since 2006, he’s directed most of his giving to an organization named for other billionaires: the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
But last year, Buffett made a seismic announcement: His three children will distribute his immense wealth to charitable causes after his death. The Gates Foundation was effectively written out of the will.
Through a partnership with the Chronicle of Philanthropy, I dug into what this development could mean for Omaha, where Buffett’s daughter Susie is already a grantmaking force.
Read the story here (or click the illustration above).
And if predicting the trajectory of billions in philanthropic spending doesn’t interest you, how about volleyball?
The Creighton Bluejays will face South Dakota tonight and Greg Echlin has a great story about Norah Sis and Kendra Wait. The top-tier players are also nursing students, a time-consuming career path highly unusual for major college athletes. They must soon make the decision: Pro volleyball, or professional nursing?
— Jeremy Turley, Flatwater Free Press
Hey, Omaha art lovers! The 2024 art scene is wrapping up the year with group exhibitions, Mexican photography, graduating senior exhibits and a holiday open house tradition. I can’t wait to celebrate the end of 2024 with many of the best artists our region has to offer.
MoonRise Gallery in Elkhorn is closing after years of exhibiting dozens of local artists, designers and writers. Now with their final exhibition, “Nothing New,” 40 artists exhibit older works created prior to 2024. Come out tonight and celebrate this new exhibit as well as the MoonRise’s contributions to the Omaha creative community.
– When: Opening reception: Thursday, Dec. 5, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Gallery hours: Wednesday-Friday 2-6 p.m., Saturday noon-4 p.m. until Dec. 31
– Where: MoonRise Gallery – 2812 North Main St., Elkhorn
This month, the Garden of the Zodiac graces Omaha with “Drift,” the latest exhibit of Mexican photographer Pedro Massa Geded. “Drift” displays compositions of found objects drawn together by Geded’s instincts to create and capture a moment of ritual. What remains is the image, an artifact of the artist as an oracle, that asks the audience to feel and contemplate the captured moment.
– When: Opening reception: Thursday, Dec. 5, 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday Noon-8 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m.
– Where: The Garden of the Zodiac – 1042 1/2 Howard St., Omaha
UNO BFA Thesis & BASA Senior Exhibitions
Every semester, the University of Nebraska at Omaha Art Gallery features the Bachelor of Fine Arts Thesis and Bachelor of Studio Arts Senior exhibitions. As an alumnus of this program, I am especially excited and proud of this group of graduating seniors. Many of which are already active in and organizing shows within our community.
– When: Opening reception: Friday, Dec. 6, 5-7 p.m. Gallery hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
– Where: UNO Art Gallery, Weber Fine Arts Building – 6001 Dodge St., Omaha
— 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.
Looking for a civics-centric side hustle? Join us for one of three Documenters orientation sessions on Dec. 9, 10, and 17! Checkout our website for information on how to become a documenter! Sign up for an orientation here. Whether you’re a high schooler looking to build your resume or a retiree with some free time, we want to see you there!
Documenters are trained and paid to attend public meetings and record what they see and hear. Our efforts put more eyeballs on government officials and build a more robust public record. At this session you will learn everything you need to know about joining our crew of engaged citizens!
— Leah Wambui Keinama, Nebraska Journalism Trust
The most wonderful time of the year is rapidly approaching, and with it, the deadline to send gifts to my family in Michigan. I’ve made it a tradition to mail back treats that represent the best of the place I’m living, and Omaha has no shortage of options.
Lucky for me, the Holiday Market is taking over Aksarben this weekend. My sister has already sent a request for more jars of creamed honey from It’s All About Bees! and Volcanic Peppers Corny Chipotle sauce, but I’m excited to check out some unfamiliar vendors too! Catch the market from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
— Destiny Herbers, Flatwater Free Press
Local businesses in Omaha and Lincoln are looking forward to hosting NCAA volleyball tournament matches this weekend, KETV reports. The 6-seed Bluejays face South Dakota tonight at Sokol Arena. The 2-seed Huskers play Florida A&M at the Bob Devaney Sports Center tomorrow.
The City of Omaha and Keep Omaha Beautiful are launching a $1.2 million project to plant as many as 500 trees in the next few years. The goal is to cool urban heat islands — areas with little tree cover to regulate temperatures — often found in marginalized communities, Chris Burbach at the World-Herald writes. (You may need a World-Herald subscription to read this story).
The decades-old dream of putting a trail between Omaha and Lincoln took a big step last week. The approval of a 10-mile crushed gravel path through Cass County would connect the existing Mo-Pac Trail with the Lied Bridge that spans the Platte River, Paul Hammel at the Examiner writes.
The Omaha City Council gave approval for a Lincoln developer to renovate Chambers Court, a historic North Omaha apartment building, the World-Herald reports. The building, owned by the Omaha Housing Authority, will continue to be used for affordable housing. (You may need an OWH subscription to read this story.)
The Flatwater Free Press is published by the Nebraska Journalism Trust, a 501(c)(3) public charity