Hey Omaha,
On Monday afternoon, I stood on the shore and watched a boat glide across the water. While I sweated in 95 degree heat, the residents of this Valley neighborhood were taking a spin around the lake in their backyard.
Nearly 20 years ago, this was “blighted” land. Now it is one of many high-end neighborhoods supercharging Valley’s population and economic growth. Tens of millions of dollars in tax breaks, some of the highest amounts in the state despite the city’s humble population, made it happen, propelling Valley to be one of the fastest- growing cities in Nebraska.
But would it have happened otherwise? Did it really need all that money?
Simple questions. Complex answers.
I hope you’ll take a second to read my story.
New sounds from NOMA
When I was a teenager, I fell down the music rabbit hole. I had a guitar and a drum set. My friends and I started a band. My mom let us practice in an unfinished basement room.
I learned about discipline and teamwork that way, as well as how to express yourself and what moves you creatively.
I thought about those days while reading Chris Burbach’s story about North Omaha Music & Arts. Dana Murray, its founder, started the combination jazz space/music academy as a way to connect kids with those same lessons as well as North Omaha’s rich jazz community that led him to a career in music.
I highly recommend Chris’ story. Read the story here (or click the photo above).
NOMA’s also open all week for Native Omaha Days, including concerts tonight and tomorrow. Check out their other events, including the upcoming NOMA-fest, on their website.
— Chris Bowling, Flatwater Free Press
Nebraska has one of the worst infant mortality rates in the country for Black babies, as our colleague Sara Gentzler recently reported. She‘ll host a public discussion about maternal health – what got us here and what could come next – at the Benson Theatre on Aug. 21. Panelists include three sources from that story: Dr. Ann Anderson Berry, medical director of a state group that has long worked to improve care, as well as State Sen. Ashlei Spivey and Kelly Nielsen, who head two efforts to address disparities locally.
RSVP for the free event on our website.
We’re thrilled to present the third annual Flatwater Free Press Festival, an afternoon and evening where we come together to put Nebraska news center stage.
We’re convening local leaders, policymakers, famed journalists, your favorite FFP reporters – and, most crucially, you – for a series of “journalism on stage” conversations and a kickin’ party.
RSVP for the free afternoon event, and buy tickets for the evening portion, on our website.
August brings us so much — biblical street art, photography, eclectic group shows and international artists. Don’t miss everything that the Omaha art scene has to offer!
Most of My Works to Date
This month, BFF Omaha’s Petshop Gallery presents Chicago-based photographer Yuanjun Chen. This exhibition bridges Chen’s life in both the East and the West, showing traditionally printed and framed photographs of his last two years living in Omaha as well as projected works of images from his hometown of Guangzhou, China.
– When: Opening reception: Friday, Aug. 1, 6-10 p.m. On view until Aug. 20.
– Where: Petshop Gallery, 2725 N. 62nd St.
About Beauty
Berlin-based painter Christian Rothmann returns to The Garden of the Zodiac Gallery in the Old Market. Blending abstraction and representation, Rothmann explores the beauty of nature through floral images that are more interpretive than representative. Don’t miss this bold and colorful display in one of Omaha’s oldest galleries.
– When: Opening reception: Thursday, Aug. 7, 6-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Tuesday-Saturday noon-8 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m. until Oct. 5.
– Where: The Garden of the Zodiac, 1402 1/2 Howard St., Omaha
Echoes of Eden
In her latest exhibition at the Joslyn Castle Carriage House, Angelina Gutierrez draws upon stories from the Bible and paints them in her signature unapologetic style that’s reminiscent of graffiti and street art. These powerful mixed-media images honor the emotional and spiritual weight of their source material, all the while challenging traditional iconography.
– When: Opening reception: Friday, Aug. 8, 5-8 p.m. By appointment until Aug. 24. Contact John Paul: jpaul@joslyncastle.com
– Where: Joslyn Castle & Gardens, Carriage House, 3902 Davenport St., Omaha
The $100 Art Sale
This is one of my most favorite Omaha art events/shows/fundraisers at one of my favorite art venues, Project Project. Artists from Omaha and beyond donate works to keep one of the Midwest’s best underground galleries and performance spaces open. Come see one of the most eclectic shows of the year and walk away with an original artwork for only $100.
– When: Friday, Aug. 8, 6-10 p.m.
– Where: Project Project, 1818 Vinton St., Omaha
MIXIN’ IT UP! / Art Fluid Open Studios Night!
The theme of the 4th annual MIXIN’ IT UP! exhibition organized by Shawnequa Linder and her crew in studio #315 is Disco-Ver Art: A Summer Blend of Groove and Art! This exhibition features the visual arts, live music, fashion and coincides with the Hot Shops Art Center’s Art Fluid Open Studios night! Free to the public, snacks will be provided, along with a cash bar by Kros Strain Brewing.
– When: Opening reception Friday, August 8, 5:30-8 p.m. Gallery hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6:00 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
– Where: Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St., Omaha
Suspended in Time: Still Lives and Magic Realism
For the first time ever, the Samuel Bak Museum features Bak’s works in conversation with other artists. See still lifes created by Ori Gersht, Stephen Namara and Fidencio Fifield-Perez, along with Bak’s work. These images ponder the ephemerality of human existence through historical and contemporary objects and narratives. In our turbulent times, do not miss this exhibition.
– When: Aug. 20-Dec. 5, Wednesday, noon–4 p.m. Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
– Where: The Samuel Bak Museum, 2289 S. 67th 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.
Last week, the Sarpy County Board of Equalization finalized 2025 property valuations after hearing multiple resident protests and approving changes to a handful of assessments. County commissioners honored nine employees with merit awards and approved development plans for a new subdivision near 192nd Street and Cornish Road. The Board of Corrections reported a jail population of 266 and celebrated a second GED graduate through a partnership with Creighton University. 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
Next Wednesday, Aug. 6, I’ll be seeing Wave to Earth at Steelhouse Omaha. They’re a South Korean indie-rock band with a mellow, dreamy sound that’s perfect for late-night playlists.
It’s not every day an international act like this lands in Omaha. The local music scene has been growing, especially with South Korean acts making their way to Omaha. Earlier this year, Ampers&One and 82MAJOR both added tour stops here. Something that would have felt pretty unlikely not too long ago.
If you’re looking for a way to spend your Wednesday night, definitely come out to see Wave to Earth as tickets are still available!
— Yubia Ramirez, Nebraska Journalism Trust
A man and two girls were killed in a Fremont biofuel plant explosion Wednesday, KETV reports. Someone who identified himself as the girl’s stepfather told WOWT that the man worked at the plant. The girls were 12 and 8, he said.
Omaha Mayor John Ewing said the downtown sinkhole that swallowed the front tires of a garbage truck in January won’t be fixed for at least three to six months, KETV reports. Ewing, who criticized the sinkhole response of his predecessor Jean Stothert, said property owners of the adjacent buildings need to do some repairs before city crews come in.
Union Pacific announced this week it intends to buy another railroad company for a record $85 billion, which would create the first coast-to-coast operation, Reuters reports. The deal will reshape commerce but also require regulatory scrutiny, which may be relatively smoother under the Trump administration according to a soybean industry executive.
Glenn Valley Foods is struggling to hire and rebuild after ICE detained half its workforce during a highly publicized June raid, the New York Times reported. Reporter Eli Saslow gained intimate access to the meatpacking plant and to families impacted by the raid. The narrative piece follows Glenn Valley leaders as they scramble to get the business back on track.
(You may need a subscription to read this story)
Residents of Central Park Towers in downtown Omaha told KMTV they’re concerned for their safety as living conditions in the building deteriorate. Tenants said bed bug infestations, mold problems and AC outages are among the issues with the building.
The Flatwater Free Press is published by the Nebraska Journalism Trust, a 501(c)(3) public charity