|
• Cover
• News | blog
• Music | blog
• Lazy I
• Film | blog
• Theater | blog
• Art | blog
• Sports
• Lifestyle | blog
• Dish | blog
• Books | blog
• Culture
• 8 Days
• Heartland Healing
• Hoodoo Blues
• MoJoPo
• News of the Weird
• Television
• Letters
|
|
|
Home - Cover Stories
|
Mat Men - |
UNO’s wrestling dynasty built on a tide of
social change
by Leo Adam Biga
As the March 12-13 Division II national wrestling championships get underway at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, it’s good to remember wrestling, not hockey, is the school’s true marquee sport.
Host UNO, the defending national champ, has been a dominant fixture on the D-II wrestling scene for decades. It is expected to finish on top again under Mike Denney, the coach for five of UNO’s six national wrestling titles. The first came 40 years ago amid currents of change. |
|
|
|
Master of Light - |
Oscar nominated director of photography Mauro Fiore on Avatar and
working on Hollywood films out of Omaha
by Leo Adam Biga
As if being director of photography for the highest grossing movie ($2.4 billion and counting) in history were not enough, Nebraska resident Mauro Fiore is Oscar-nominated for his work on Avatar. Since only a third of the 3D, largely computer-generated movie involves live action, he wasn’t expecting recognition. |
|
|
|
One for One - |
TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie will speak at this year’s YPC Summit
by Jill Bruckner Robberts
It’s a big world, and TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie is in step with a bright idea that brings caring closer to home: “One for One,” a sales-and-giving strategy for donating one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair his organization sells, is a venture with solid footing.
Since its inception in 2006, TOMS has given away more than 400,000 pairs of shoes to kids across the globe.
|
|
|
|
Solid Ground - |
Brigitte McQueen aims to make the Bemis Underground the top space for Omaha’s up-and-coming young artistis
by Sarah Baker Hansen
Brigitte McQueen has spent her last six weeks underground.
She’s applied coat after coat of white paint to basement walls that used to be dingy gray. She’s scrubbed floors and knocked down cobwebs and built walls where open space once reigned.
She’s literally crossing things off her list — every time a task is complete, she marks it off a giant sheet of paper that covers the length of a 10-foot table.
As the newly appointed manager and curator of the Bemis Underground, she’s bringing life back into a space that has helped launch the careers of several now-prominent Omaha artists, becoming an important part of the city’s art scene in the past five years.
And McQueen, who earned her curatorial stripes at her own gallery, is doing it her way. |
|
|
|
Year of the Cat - |
Happy Chinese New Year of the Tiger
by MojoPo
I have been saying since I was 12 years old that I’m an Asian stuck in a Viking’s body. I’ve always loved Lao Tzu, Oriental landscape painting, Thanka paintings, Lucy Liu’s eyes, Zen, soy sauce, Buddhism, Bonsai, anything Tibetan, Thailand, Thai food, Taoism, martial arts and the philosophy that holds all such human endeavors together.
Especially growing up in Hawaii and California, it became more of an everyday encounter, filling my need for this growth towards “wholeness” — both for myself and my burgeoning worldview. The birth of my generation has, as part of its life goal, this polarization of East meets West cultural exchange. Those same generational years were the years when China, Indonesia and Thailand, as well as others emerged from under European rule. We began to hear and see Bruce Li (the first contemporary Asian non-politician to be known worldwide) and martial arts, the logo “Made in China,” the I Ching, the proliferation of Oriental restaurants all over the planet and right now, of course, the Chinese New Year, are all said to be examples of these exchanges leading to a feeling of more planetary wholeness in the making. |
|
|
|
Long Live Zinn/ My 15 Minutes of Zinn - |
A close friend reflects on the life and times of the ‘people’s’ historian,
Howard Zinn
by Fred Branfman
I sit here in shock, having just read The Boston Globe headline, “Howard Zinn, historian who challenged status quo, dies at 87.” I knew the day would come. I dreaded it. I flew to Boston last year to spend a day with him just so I wouldn’t read a headline like this without having seen him at least one last time. And now I sit here. Devastated.
Much will and should be written about Zinn’s contributions to the world, how his A People’s History of the United States changed the way we understand America and, like all great histories, shed the light of truth upon our present. |
|
|
|
The Big Show - |
The talents of more than 50 local individuals and/or groups were celebrated and recognized at the Fourth Annual Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards Sunday, Jan. 24, at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs.
The winners (see page 16) were competing against nominees selected last year by both the public and a juried panel in each of the arts areas.
The OEA Awards is an annual contest that celebrates the creativity and performances of local musicians, artists, directors, actors and other Omaha-area performers.
|
|
|
|
Art For a Change - |
Key area art events
and exhibits share the spotlight in 2009 A-list
by Michael J. Krainak
January is almost gone, but it’s not too late to make at least one New Year’s resolution that matters. How about “Art! For a change!” Now, there is a mantra that might improve your quality of life.
Looking at 2009, you probably put your time, faith, money and effort into a lot of things; politics, perhaps, maybe the stock market, possibly a new social network. How did it all turn out? Are we any better off because of our gadgets, billion dollar bailouts or reality TV? Is living virtually and vicariously how we interpret “Nebraska … The Good Life”? |
|
|
|
Funk You - |
Legendary George
Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic land the Mothership in the Metro
by Jesse D. Stanek
George Clinton, the brightly feathered and often-freaky force behind the industrial strength funk enterprise known as Parliament Funkadelic, is a busy man. Whether it be dining with the mayor of Tallahassee, Florida (as he was the first time he blew off our scheduled interview), composing one of his sci-fi funk medleys, defending himself against protracted industry related lawsuits, stretching his thespian legs (he has appeared in numerous films, including PCU, House Party and Graffiti Bridge), producing albums or just plain commanding the good Mothership Funk, Clinton is a pop culture icon who continues to not only make relevant albums but still lays claim to one of the most dynamic live shows going.
|
|
|
|
Lord of the Zodiac - |
Greetings cosmic voyagers and voyeurs, welcome to 2010. Well, I guess all the media had to finish up ’09 was Tiger’s soon-to-be-ex (billionaire) wife showing him she can stroke the Wood with one of his own drivers at 2 a.m. on the front lawn. Tiger’s scorecard is up to 13; but since we’re talking golf I figure he’ll be shooting five more holes before this round is complete? It’s the Year of the Tiger, starting Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. Want to shoot a round? Tiger would. When you get tired of media pablum, Google the words “China gold purchase tungsten,” and check out news “they” don’t want you to read about. Take another week off and start your new year next week on the Jan. 14-15 Solar Eclipse New Moon. Trust me. Please check Planet Power’s website for the expanded 6,000-word year-ahead interpretations for each sign. I love each and every one of you and if you have any complaints or questions please write ’em down on a nice new fresh crisp Ben Frankie and send to MOJOPOPlanetPower.com
by MOJOPO |
|
|
|
The Last 10 - |
One city, three questions, 10 people
by Jill Robberts
It was a decade of firsts and lasts: The last time Americans could say all U.S. presidents were Caucasian; the first time this nation elected an African American president and commander-in-chief.
It was the era of the first licensed gay marriage, and the last decade in which personal unions were exclusively between men and women.
It was a decade of sweeping political and global change. < |
|
|
|
Holiday Wishes - |
In our annual holiday tradition, The Reader asked a variety of local movers and shakers: “What’s your wish for the community this year?” Below you’ll find some of their suggestions, ranging from serious to hilarious, on how we can all work towards a happier, healthier community. Wishes are powerful, but even more so are the belief in purpose and action it often takes to realize them. Here’s to making all of our wishes and dreams come true in 2010. Happy holidays, Omaha!
— Sarah Wengert |
|
|
|
Beltway or bust - |
Omaha planners and engineers say a major highway encircling the metro is inevitable
by Ben Hankey
Just as Americans take pride in their automobiles, inhabitants of major American cities take pride in their highways. Highly iconic status goes to the Washington, D.C. Beltway, Atlanta’s Perimeter, and Kansas City’s I-435, thought to be the fourth-longest beltway in the world.
In a sprawling metropolis, suburban commuters rarely find open road on multi-hour drives to work. And although Omaha traffic isn’t as congested as L.A., D.C., or Chicago, engineers and city planners are looking ahead.
|
|
|
|
THE PRICE OF ROCK - |
by Tim McMahon
Ah, the life of a rock star.
Isn’t it just like on MTV? Riding around in a tour bus waiting for your groupies to bring you drugs? Deciding whether you should add that second Jacuzzi to the Olympic-sized pool that you’re building in your back yard?
The reality is starkly different.
The typical local rock band that’s trying to break through with its own music generally struggles to get by. Touring means finding a van to squirrel away all your equipment (and all your band members) to drive across country (at 12 mpg, if you’re lucky) to play a rock club that will pay less money than what it’ll take to fill your gas tank. Maybe you can sell some extra T-shirts to cover your bar tab, but you’ll never have enough to pay for a hotel.
|
|
|
|
HARD WIRED - |
Jeff Slobotski stirs
Omaha’s creative pot
by Jill Bruckner Robberts
If enthusiasm is the runway for innovation, Omaha’s Jeff Slobotski is poised for flight. Recently named one of Midlands Business Journal’s 2009 Top 40 under 40, and one of the Omaha Jaycees’ Ten Outstanding Young Omahans of 2008, Slobotski seems hardwired for success and committed to creativity.
“I’ve always been interested by innovative, new ideas, companies and products,” Slobotski said, adding this “probably peaked about two-and-a-half-to-three years ago when I was traveling pretty regularly for my previous employer.” |
|
|
|
UNO AND ALL THE WINNERS OF OUR ANNUAL READERS' POLL - |
Campus Champs
by Jill Bruckner Robberts
More than 100 years in the making, the University of Nebraska at Omaha graduated top in its class as Omaha’s Best College/University in the 2009 Readers’ Choice Awards.
The century-old institution has watched Omaha grow from a bustling, riverside prairie town to a Midwest metropolitan oasis.
“UNO is set apart by its mission,” said John Christensen, Ph.D. and UNO chancellor.
“We are stewards of place. Inherent in that is a relationship between this university and Omaha itself,” he said. “Community engagement becomes quite a priority. Omaha is a growing, vibrant community and we are a growing and vibrant institution.”
...Readers' '09 Choice, BEST of the Big O! |
|
|
|
Project Censored: The Top 15 Censored Stories of 2009 - |
Project Censored, founded by Carl Jensen in 1976, is a media research program cooperating with numerous independent media groups in the U.S. Its principle objective is training Sonoma State University students in media research, First Amendment issues and the advocacy for, and protection of, free press rights in the United States. In three decades Project Censored has trained over 1,500 students in investigative research. Through a partnership of faculty, students, and the community, Project Censored conducts research on important national news stories that are underreported, ignored, misrepresented or censored by corporate media. Each year, it publishes a ranking of the top 25 most censored, nationally important news stories in a yearbook, Censored: Media Democracy in Action, which is released in September. Read these full reports and more at projectcensored.com.
|
|
|
|
HOOPS-A-GO-GO - |
Jays kick off regular
season hungry to make it back to the big dance
by Jason Krivanek
Listening to Creighton Coach Dana Altman assess the 2009 edition of his basketball squad is a lot like listening to him talk about his squad last year, or the year before that, or just about any team in any year that has laced up the sneakers for the Jays since moving to the Qwest Center in 2003.
“It looks like we’ll be able to score, but we need to become a much better defensive team,” said Altman, entering his 16th year at the helm. “We’ve got to become a much more physical team on the boards, and we have a lot of work to do before the season starts.”
|
|
|
|
Isn't it Lovely? - |
Nik Fackler’s Lovely, Still with Ellen Burstyn and Martin Landau opens in one-week engagement alongside Marcus’ Midtown Cinema
by Leo Adam Biga
After what must have seemed an eternity, Omaha’s resident ‘Film Dude’ writer-director Nik Fackler, will see his first feature theatrically screened in his hometown. An advance one-week Omaha engagement of his Lovely, Still opens the new Marcus Midtown Cinema, Nov. 6-12.
It’s at least as impressive a feature debut as Alexander Payne’s Citizen Ruth but its box office legs won’t be known until its 2010 national release. |
|
|
|
Zombie Fever - |
WHY EVERYONE'S GOING CRAZY ABOUT THE WALKING DEAD AND MORE HALLOWEEN HIJINKS
Omaha Zombie Walk
is at the heart of a
renewed interest in
the living dead
by Chris Aponick
If Steve Jacobs is right, the zombie hordes that again took over the Benson neighborhood last week will only grow.
Jacobs, better known in Omaha’s punk/metal community as “Tuco,” is the organizer of the Omaha Zombie Walk, which celebrated its second year by winding slowly, hungrily around the Benson business district. Other zombie walks have cropped up across the country over the past decade, he said.
|
|
|
<< Previous 1 2 Next >>
|
|
|
