Omaha Events Oct 1-7: Tacos and Tequila Festival, Junkstock

It's officially October, and this week brings a fall food festival, a big steakhouse rumor, and a City Council meeting with some real dollar signs attached.

Here's what's inside:

Let's dive in!

Forwarded by a friend? Subscribe here to get your own copy.

🌷 Lauritzen Gardens fundraiser tops $1.2 million
The gardens' 23rd Antiques and Design Show raised more than $1.2 million in four days. Money came from sponsors, luncheon tickets and booth fees. It helps pay for things like irrigation, lighting and plants all year. Next year's show is set for Sept. 23-26.

🧺 Salem Baptist hosts its first free "Marketplace"
With prices climbing, Salem Baptist Church handed out free food, cleaning supplies and hygiene items at its first Salem Marketplace. About 150 volunteers served roughly 800 people, with flu shots and job interviews on site. More events are planned.

🎗️ Hundreds walk at Werner Park for breast cancer awareness
Survivors led the Komen More Than Pink Walk in Papillion. One walker marked 15 years cancer-free, right on the anniversary of her last radiation treatment. Another has walked for 17 years. Both urged yearly screenings and home checks.

💙 Nearly 2,000 turn out for Step Up for Down Syndrome
The Down Syndrome Alliance of the Midlands held its 25th annual walk and family festival at Baxter Arena. Families walked on named teams, played games and celebrated inclusion. Money raised funds scholarships, family support, educational resources and advocacy for metro-area neighbors.

🌙 Warmer nights are a health worry, too
Nebraska's nights are heating up, and that matters. July's average low hit 64.6°F, about 3.7 degrees above the 20th-century average. Warm nights can cut sleep and stress the body, especially for vulnerable people, and they also hurt livestock and corn and soybean yields.

🏛️ Council Sets 2027 Property Tax Request at $256M
The city set next year's property tax request at $256,245,562, based on the certified valuation from August 27. That number funds the 2027 city budget. It doesn't set your individual tax bill, that still depends on your property's value and levy rate, but it's the number this fall's budget hearings will build around.

🎰 Two New Keno Spots Get Council's OK
Council approved new Big Red satellite keno locations at Beer City, 4147 L Street, and San Patricios Cantina & Pub, 3232 L Street. Both fall under the city's existing lottery operator agreement, giving players a couple more nearby spots to try their luck.

🚧 $907K More for Fort Street Rebuild
The city approved another $906,970 for the ongoing Fort Street concrete pavement reconstruction between 108th and 114th Streets, with contractor Spencer Management. It's a change order, meaning extra work and cost added to the original deal, likely from conditions crews found once construction got underway.

🏫 $600K State Partnership for School Zone Repaving
Omaha signed a financial agreement with the Nebraska Department of Transportation worth $600,000 to help fund the 2025 Street Resurfacing project, focused on roads near schools. Expect smoother pavement on several school adjacent streets as the work rolls out.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

Here's the latest on Omaha's restaurant scene - openings, moves, and what's next.

Q: In June 2023, a new statue representing the state of Nebraska was dedicated and unveiled in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol. What author, who spent her formative years in Red Cloud and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1895, is the subject of the statue?

(Answer below.)

Play Word Search! New Nebraska themed game every day.

Play Wordie (Nebraska themed Wordle)! New word each day.

If you enjoy this newsletter, here's the truth: it exists because of readers like you and the local businesses that support it.

Every edition takes hours to create. Every event and story is hand-picked to help Omaha feel more connected. Right now, Omaha Go reaches over 1,000 Omahans who care about their community and actively support local businesses.

If you run a business or know someone who does, here's what advertising with us means:

Interested? Email us at [email protected] or share this with someone who'd be a great fit.

Thank you for being here. We never take it lightly.

*Dates and times can change, so please confirm with the venue before you go.

*Dates and times can change, so please confirm with the venue before you go.

TRIVIA ANSWER

A: Willa Cather