Hey there, Omaha — Matt Wynn here.
The Venn diagram of Philadelphia Phillies diehards and folks who live in Nebraska is pretty much two separate circles.
Fans are few and far between. The hats I see are worn more as a fashion statement than an homage. I don’t know of any Philly-centric sports bars.
Maybe that’s why I’ve taken notice of a recent spate of Nebraska-connected boys in the franchise. Cody Asche, a UNL grad, was drafted in 2011. He played OK ball for a few forgettable seasons. It was easy to dream on Creighton grad Darin Ruf’s prodigious minor-league power. He, too, flamed out fast.
So I was careful not to get too excited when Alec Bohm became the team’s top prospect shortly after being drafted. I tried to keep myself in check when he debuted and batted .338.
Over the past two years, though, Bohm has become the Nebraska kid I always wanted to see in candy stripes. He’s a key cog in the offense. The vibiest guy on a team that’s all vibes.
He’s also an All Star — the first Omaha native to achieve that honor in more than 25 years. As freelancer Greg Echlin writes, he’s got a hometown fanbase behind him.
Read Greg’s story to learn more about the best Nebraska baseball product since Alex Gordon. And if you know of a Phillies bar in town, well, let me know and I’ll see you there Saturday!
— Matt Wynn, Nebraska Journalism Trust
As Election Day approaches, we’re pleased to unveil the Flatwater Free Press’ first-ever voter guide. This new resource created by data journalist Libby Seline and Hanscom Park Studio can help you meet the candidates, understand ballot measures and get answers to your questions about voting.
Ten state legislative races in the Omaha area will appear on the ballot this year. Use the voter guide to learn about the candidates’ backgrounds and see where they stand on the issues. The guide also contains information about judges and candidates running for the State Board of Education and the University of Nebraska Board of Regents.
Six statewide measures on the ballot will shape Nebraska’s laws on abortion rights, private school vouchers, paid sick leave and medical marijuana. FFP reporter Sara Gentzler recorded short video overviews to help you understand the measures.
Click here to see the voter guide.
Hello again, Omaha art lovers! October brings explorations of cultural history and heritage, contemporary works from both coasts, an artist-run critique group and a beautiful survey of photography from across the Midwest.
The 2024 Regional Photo Biennial
October starts off with Gallery 1516’s 2024 Regional Photo Biennial. Curated by Keith F. Davis, this exhibition features the works of more than 90 photographers from Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. Don’t miss this opportunity to see some of the best fine art photography the Midwest has to offer.
– When: Opening reception: Friday, Oct. 4, 6-9 p.m. Regular hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m. until Dec. 15.
– Where: Gallery 1516, 1516 Leavenworth St.
FLOOD: Anthony Deon
Tugboat Gallery, a nonprofit artist-run collective in downtown Lincoln, has hosted more than 500 artists from the Midwest and beyond over the past 16 years. This month they feature FLOOD, a solo exhibition of Anthony Deon, a self-taught phenom who captures the spirit of the old masters through his acrylic paintings of timeless archetypes. You will be amazed and moved by Deon’s skill and mastery.
– When: Opening reception: Friday, Oct. 4, 6-9 p.m. Regular hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday noon-5 p.m.
– Where: Tugboat Gallery, 116 N. 14 St., Lincoln
The Second Monday Critique Group
Founded by Omaha artists Todd McCollister and Reagan D. Pufall, the Second Monday Critique Group is a collection of artists that get together once a month to discuss a featured member’s artwork, projects or exhibition. The group meets in all kinds of art spaces from home studios to local galleries. Everyone is always welcome, simply join the group on Facebook to be invited to each month’s event. Full disclosure, I have been a member since the group’s inception, and greatly enjoy the support, insight, wisdom and camaraderie of our local creative community.
– When: Monday, Oct. 14, 7-9 p.m.
– Where: TBA in Facebook group
cock-a-doodle-do: Bailey Connolly
For the last show of their 2024 season, Baader-Meinhof brings Los Angeles-based artist Bailey Connolly to Omaha with their latest exhibition: cock-a-doodle-do. Explore large scale wall drawings along with Connolly’s abstract sculptures that are reminiscent of negative spaces within the human body such as the ear, mouth, nostrils and more. This exhibit beautifully blends contemporary abstraction and representation!
– When: Thursday-Saturday, 1-6 p.m., or by appointment until Dec. 14.
– Where: Baader-Meinhof, 2001 Vinton St.
After The Storm: Identity & Repair
This powerfully curated exhibition features selected works of Holocaust survivor and artist Samuel Bak. Bak tells the story of the Jewish people through paintings, drawings and prints, guided by principles that represent hope, faith, peace and empathy after the devastation of the Holocaust. This is a beautiful exhibition full of iconic symbology that is sure to emotionally touch the viewer’s soul.
– When: Wednesday, Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, noon-4 p.m. until Dec. 22
– Where: The Samuel Bak Museum, 2289 S. 67th St.
Jaime Arredondo: Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of Quiché through Illustration
Through 65 ink on aluminum paintings, New York-based artist and educator Jaime Arredondo tells the Mayan world creation myth through his latest exhibition Popol Vuh: The Sacred Book of Quiché through Illustration. This amazing collection took 10 years to complete and beautifully explores Arredondo’s Mesoamerican heritage. Don’t miss this cultural event at El Museo Latino!
– When: Wednesday-Friday 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-2 p.m. until Jan. 7
– Where: El Museo Latino, 4701 S. 25 St.
— 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.
It’s finally October. For some people, that means pumpkin spice lattes and haunted houses. For me, it means my toothless heroes will strap blades to their feet and take to the ice. It’s Mavericks hockey season.
The first time I watched a fan chuck an entire fish onto the ice, and a man in a tiny Zamboni ride out to scoop that fish up with a big net, I was hooked. I’ve been counting down the weeks until the puck drops.
On Saturday, I get to introduce my mom to that tradition at UNO’s exhibition game against Wisconsin. She’ll probably think the fish is gross, but I hope she’ll love the atmosphere of Baxter Arena as much as I do.
— Destiny Herbers, Flatwater Free Press
Each year, Omaha Public Library encourages the community to vote for and read one book as a way to promote literacy and inspire discussion. Join OPL in reading the 2024 selection, “The War Begins in Paris” by local author Theodore Wheeler, and engage further by participating in a program and discussing the book with friends, family and neighbors.
https://omahalibrary.org/omaha-reads
The Environmental Protection Agency established the Omaha Lead Superfund Site in 1999 after decades of emissions contaminated soil in east Omaha. The site became one of the biggest residential lead cleanup efforts in U.S. history, addressing soil contamination on more than 40,000 properties.
The Flatwater Free Press is testing the effectiveness of these cleanup efforts, and we need your help. If you live east of 52nd Street in Omaha and want to know where your lead levels stand, we’ve got a testing kit with your name on it. Pick one up from any of the following library branches: A.V. Sorensen, Washington, Downtown, Florence, South or Willa Cather.
Just fill the tube up with soil from your yard, complete a short form, return the kit the library and we’ll test the lead levels free of charge. If you picked up a kit, please return it to your local library!
Check the status of your property by visiting the EPA’s Omaha Lead Superfund Site website.
If you have any questions, contact Leah Wambui Keinama at the Nebraska Journalism Trust.
An Omaha police officer fatally shot Steven Phipps after he reportedly ran from a traffic stop in North Omaha, according to the Associated Press. Police say the 22-year-old Black man was carrying a gun that was briefly pointed at Officer Noah Zendejas, who fired eight shots at Phipps. State Sen. Terrell McKinney said the city needs “some real changes in law enforcement” after Phipps became the second Black man fatally shot by police in as many months.
A competitor of Mutual of Omaha’s mortgage division has accused the industry giant of dishonest marketing practices in a federal lawsuit, National Mortgage News reported. The complaint alleges that Mutual runs a series of websites disguised as unbiased review platforms and populates them with fake reviews to prop up its reverse mortgage services.
Three people died Friday after a drunk woman crashed her car into another driver in downtown Omaha on Friday, a criminal complaint alleges. Rachel Bickerstaff, 33, was driving more than 100 mph when she collided with a car driven by Michael Sales, a 70-year-old Council Bluffs man. Sales and two young children in Bickerstaff’s car died at the scene, The World-Herald reported. Bickerstaff, who survived, has been charged with three counts of motor vehicle homicide. (You may need a subscription to read this story.)
Former OPS teacher Angela Wolfe took a plea deal after prosecutors alleged she stole $76,000 from a nonprofit that promotes high school journalism, WOWT reported. The ex-treasurer of the Nebraska High School Press Association used the nonprofit’s funds to cover groceries, veterinarian bills and streaming service subscriptions, according to court documents.
Another candidate has joined the race for mayor of Omaha. This will be nonprofit executive Jasmine Harris’ second campaign for the city’s top elected office, the Nebraska Examiner reports.
The first Ebola patient treated at UNMC’s biocontainment unit returned to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of his recovery, The World-Herald reported. Richard Sacra, a Massachusetts doctor, was working in Liberia when he contracted the disease. He credited the Omaha medical team with saving his life. (You may need a subscription to read this story.)
Our friend Sarah Baker Hansen wrote a visually engaging listicle about the 38 best restaurants in Omaha for online publication Eater. See if your favorite spot impressed the city’s premier food writer!
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