HELLO EVERYONE!
Hey there, Omaha!š
We're just two weeks from Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 27th) and the holiday season is kicking into high gear. Did you catch the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree rolling through Gene Leahy Mall this week? That 74-foot Sitka Spruce from Alaska stopped right here in our city on its journey to Washington, D.C.. And with all the lights, shows, and festive fun firing up around town, there's no shortage of reasons to get out and enjoy what's happening in our community.ā
This week we're covering stories that show the heart of Omahaāfrom neighbors helping neighbors rebuild after disaster to big changes coming to our neighborhoods. Plus, we've got your lineup of concerts, holiday events, and restaurant openings to keep you busy through the week.
Here's what's inside:
š³ Elkhorn Gets 200 New Trees ā Volunteers help rebuild after the devastating 2024 tornado
š§± Little Bohemia's Big Transformation ā $8.2 million development approved despite parking concerns
š½ļø Restaurant Roundup ā New openings from Fifth House to J. Gorat's Deli & Market
šµ This Week's Concerts ā Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Pentatonix, Trey Anastasio Band & more
š Holiday Events ā Zoolightful, Bright Nights, and holiday boutiques starting this week
š§ Nebraska Trivia ā Test your knowledge about the Platte River's original name
Let's dive in!
NEWS
š³ Elkhorn Community Gets 200 New Trees After Devastating Tornado
keepomahabeautiful.org
What Happened
Volunteers handed out 200 young trees to people in Elkhorn, Nebraska on Saturday. This is all part of fixing up the area after a really bad EF-4 tornado ripped through back in 2024 on Arbor Day.
Why It Matters
The tornado didn't just wreck homes, it destroyed thousands of trees too. Here's why replanting matters:
Trees give us clean air
They provide shade for the neighborhood
They create homes for local animals
They make the community look better
Volunteer DJ Krayneski said the neighborhood looks totally empty without the trees. He thinks it's awesome to help get them growing again.
Looking Ahead
The young trees are like a fresh start for everyone who lives there. Krayneski pointed out something cool: when these trees grow big over the years, people will remember the volunteers who helped plant them.
Key next steps:
Another tree giveaway planned for spring
Focus stays on families hit hardest by the tornado
Read more hereā¦
CITY COUNCIL - WHAT THEY DECIDED THIS WEEK
š§± Little Bohemia Getting a Major MakeoverāBut Not Everyone's Happy
omahaguide.com
A huge development project just got approved for Little Bohemia, and it's going to change the neighborhood in a big way.āā
What's Happening?
Developer Tom McLeay and his company Clarity Development are moving forward with three connected projects near 12th-14th and William Streets. Here's what's coming:ā
The Big Picture:
155 new apartments (all market-rate)
33,000 square feet of commercial space for shops and restaurants
Historic building renovations (including the Zlata Husa building)
$8.2 million in city tax financing to make it happen
Three Projects in One:
Old Town Village - Converting old industrial buildings into mixed-use space
Zlata Husa Plat - Saving a historic building from further decay
Greco Plat - Additional development that needed special approval
Why People Are Fighting About It
Not everyone's excited. Seven residents showed up to the city council meeting to speak against it.āā
Their main worry? Parking.
Dave Hempel, who's run his business there for 50 years, says parking is already a nightmare. He wants the city to do a parking study before anything gets built.ā
"Older folks who've lived here for generations can't even park in front of their own homes anymore," Hempel told the council.ā
What the Developer Says
McLeay thinks the neighborhood has been falling apart for decades, and this project will finally turn things around.ā
He dismissed parking concerns as just "perception" and said one parking spot can serve multiple people throughout the dayāyou don't need massive parking lots everywhere.ā
The Bottom Line
The city council approved everything 7-0 on November 4th. Construction timelines haven't been announced yet, but this is one of the biggest redevelopment projects Little Bohemia has seen in years.ā
Love it or hate it, the neighborhood around 12th and William is about to look very different.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Whatās Cooking In Omahaās Restaurant Scene š½ļø
Omahaās food scene is staying busy, with new openings, expansions, and ownership changes from Aksarben Village to North Downtown. Hereās a quick rundown of whatās new and whatās next.
Fifth House opened on October 31 in the former Get Real Sandwiches space at 3901 Farnam Street in Blackstone District. The start-up vegan restaurant, with the tagline "the vegan joint of your dreams," is from the owners of Modern Love, which closed in December 2024.
Gyro Kings opened its second location on November 3 at 2211 Capehart Road in the former Sina Way space in Bellevue. The Mediterranean-European fusion restaurant's original location at 632 North Saddle Creek Road opened in October 2023.
J. Gorat's Deli & Market will take over the former Burger Detour building at 1220 South 203rd Street, just southeast of 204th & Pacific Street. Hiring is underway and opening is expected soon. The concept brings together a classic deli with a local market of delicious, fun, and eclectic items. It's the perfect stop to grab some curated items to prepare your meal at home or stay and enjoy one of their fresh, flavorful meals.
Vino Mas will open a second location in the Shops of Legacy at 2835 South 170th Plaza in the former Cellar 44 space. Opening is planned for mid-November. Vino Mas is a boutique wine shop with a current location at 14450 Eagle Run Drive. In addition to a wide range of retail wines, Vino Mas has a wine bar and hosts a weekly music series and various wine tasting events.
La Chime plans to open by the end of this year at 33rd & L Street. The locally owned ice cream shop will operate in a 1,600 sq. ft. space in Stockyards Plaza next to DaVita Dialysis. The local franchisees are the same people who own Isla del Mar.
Colette's Mercato, a concept from the owners of Dirty Birds, will open at 500 South 18th Street downtown. The scratch sandwich shop will specialize in Italian sandwiches, retail wine and beer, plus house-made bread and cured meats. Anticipated opening is spring 2026.
FUN
Nebraska Trivia
Q: In 1714, Etienne de Bourgmont traveled from the Missouri River to a river he called the RiviĆØre Nebraskier, after the Native American word for "flat water." By what name is this river known today?
(Answer below.)
CONCERTS
Upcoming musical performances in OMA/LNK
- 11/13, Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Mid-America Center
- 11/14, The Black Jacket Symphony Presents AC/DC's 'Back In Black', Steelhouse Omaha
- 11/15, Pentatonix, CHI Health Center Omaha
- 11/17, Trey Anastasio Band, The Astro Theater
- 11/20, Riley Green, with Drake White and Hannah McFarland, Pinnacle Bank Arena, Lincoln
- 11/22, Spiritbox: Tsunami Sea North American Tour Part II, Steelhouse Omaha
- 11/25, Machine Gun Kelly, CHI Health Center
- 12/1, A Live Conversation with Chevy Chase, Holland Performing Arts Center
- 12/2, Heart, Baxter Arena
- 12/4, Dustin Lynch and Scotty McCreery, Liberty First Credit Union Arena
- 12/5, Blue Violin, Scott Hall at the Holland Center for Performing Arts
EVENTS
Upcoming non-musical events in Omaha
- 11/14, Omaha Holiday Boutique, Shop, sip and celebrate with hundreds of vendors showcasing gifts and gourmet foods., CHI Health Center Omaha.
- 11/15, Julemarked at Vennelyst Park, Browse handcrafted gifts and treats at festive Danish Christmas market in historic Florence., Danish Vennelyst Park Pavilion.
- 11/19, Zoolightful Holiday Event, Zoolightful turns the Zoo into a glowing wonderland of handcrafted lanterns and color., Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.
- 11/20, Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And then Some!), Three actors race through every holiday classic in one fast funny chaotic mashup., BLUEBARN Theatre.
- 11/21, A Christmas Carol: 50th Anniversary Year, Celebrate 50 years of beloved holiday tradition with Victorian costumes and magical scenery., Omaha Community Playhouse.
- 11/22, Bright Nights at Lauritzen Gardens, Explore illuminated indoor gardens from a 20-foot poinsettia tree to tropical paradise., Lauritzen Gardens.
- 11/22, Falconwood Frosty Nights, Wander through 80 acres featuring 20 festive market cabins and live reindeer., Falconwood Park.
- 11/22, Merry & Bright: Holiday Poinsettia Show, Hundreds of poinsettias fill the hall with a magnificent 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree., Lauritzen Gardens.
- 11/22, The Nutcracker, American Midwest Ballet presents visual splendor and brilliant classical dancing for families., American Midwest Ballet.
- 11/26, Minis at the Museum: Holidays Around the World, Little learners explore global holiday traditions with hands-on activity and craft ornament., The Durham Museum.
TRIVIA ANSWER
A: Platte River