Omaha Events Oct 15-21: Zootacular, Witches Walk, Bright Eyes Concerts

Happy fall! This week Omaha has a movie crew in the Old Market, a Halloween party at the zoo, and plenty of live music to fill your weekend.

Here's what's inside:

Let's dive in!

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♻️ Curbside composting rolls into Florence
Florence neighbors can now join Hillside Solutions' Curbside Composting Club. Weekly pickup starts at $25 a month, and the club already serves over 475 metro homes. Prefer to haul it yourself? Drop-off costs $10 a month, and new members get free soil.

🎬 Hollywood comes to the Old Market
An Omaha-raised director is filming a dark comedy around town, and SNL alum Chris Parnell is in the cast. The crew is shooting at Harold's Coffee, the Old Market and Homy Inn. The film is halfway done, and the team hopes to hit festivals next.

🥕 A farming family says goodbye after 30 years
Ed and Donna Welchert sold their last veggies at the Aksarben Village market, wrapping up a career that began with the market's 1994 opening. Wild weather, from scorching heat to 18 inches of rain, helped make the call. Their booth grew right alongside the community.

🧀 Cheese gets a cleaner makeover
A Wisconsin company spent about a decade creating a natural American cheese that still melts like the classic slice. Shoppers want cleaner labels, but diners like Rudy's Drive-In love that gooey stretch on burgers and chili dogs. It's a Midwest food story with a nostalgic twist.

🏅 Aksarben Foundation honors John Cook
The Aksarben Foundation named retired Husker volleyball coach John Cook its 2026 Most Honored Citizen at its ball in Omaha. The group praised how he built people and pride across 25 seasons, including four national titles.

The commercial real estate playbook is being rewritten—and Brightway Commercial's expertise is where businesses are putting their trust for measurable savings. The company specializes in tenant representation, investment sales, and strategic consulting that protects your bottom line.

Why smart businesses choose Brightway:

🏭 $423K in TIF Help for a Metal Shop Expansion
Puritan Manufacturing got the nod for up to $423,477 in tax increment financing. The plan tears down an old building at 1302 Grace Street and puts up a new one so the metal fabrication business can grow. The TIF money helps cover things like excavation, demolition, design and public improvements.

🧸 New Daycare Cleared in Southwest Omaha
Raychal Hunt received a special use permit to open a general daycare in an R3 residential district at 4847 South 107th Street. Families in the area may soon have one more childcare option close to home.

🚦 Safety Fix Coming to 42nd and Fontenelle
The city signed a program agreement with the Nebraska Department of Transportation to improve the 42nd Street and Fontenelle Boulevard intersection. The goal is to cut down on crashes. Omaha's share is $210,000, paid from the 2022 Transportation Bond.

🚗 $55K for Planning at the 16th and Farnam Garage
Council approved a $55,000 agreement with Walker Consultants for the 16th and Farnam parking garage project downtown.

🛣️ $165K Street Study Gets a Grant Boost
A $165,000 project through the Complete Streets Corridor Study Program was approved. A regional transportation grant covers $132,000 and the city adds $33,000.

🏊 More Security for Levi Carter Park
A summer pool security contract with Lion's Gate Security Solutions grows from $135,000 to $165,000. The change adds security at the Levi Carter Park Activity and Sports Complex.

🏃 Overnight Access at Glenn Cunningham Lake
The lake at 8305 Rainwood Road will be open from 11 p.m. Saturday, October 17 to 5 a.m. Sunday, October 18 so the Greater Omaha Area Trailrunnerz Group can set up equipment and keep watch overnight.

🍳 New Liquor Licenses
Council heard two new applications: a Class I license for Village Inn at 10770 M Street, and a Class D license for Tikal Market III at 5034 South 24th Street. Neighbors sent a letter in opposition on the Tikal Market request.

🤝 Board Appointments
Mayor John Ewing Jr. reappointed Virginia McGill to the Human Rights and Relations Board and named Colleen Mason to the Omaha Municipal Land Bank board for District 6.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

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

Q: Mr. C. Hillegass, an employee at the Nebraska Book Company in 1958, started a series of study guides in his basement with his wife. Often associated with shirking homework assignments, what is the common name associated with these guides?

(Answer below.)

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*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: CliffsNotes