Omaha Events Sept 10-16: Lenny Kravitz, Parker McCollum Concerts

Concert season is in full swing, food trucks are gearing up for a citywide showdown, and the city council just made a big move on affordable housing.

Here's what's inside:

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✈️ Remote-controlled planes soar at Standing Bear Lake for charity
Dozens of pilots flew remote-control planes at Standing Bear Lake on Labor Day for a charity air show benefiting Make-A-Wish Nebraska. The Omahawks R/C Club has raised over $100,000 for the cause across four decades. Expect stunt flyers, giant wingspans, even a flying Batman, plus training nights for future pilots.

🎉 Thousands attend Omaha Labor Day parade downtown
Tens of thousands lined downtown Omaha's streets Monday for the city's annual Labor Day parade, a tradition dating back to the late 1800s. Nearly 100 metro labor unions marched past 10th and Cass, honoring the workers who built Omaha. A permanent riverfront monument, the second-largest labor memorial in the country, also honors that legacy.

🐾 Nebraska Humane Society: Why dogs and cats drink water so messily
Ever wonder why your dog turns water time into a splash zone? Nebraska Humane Society says dogs' and cats' mouths can't suction like ours, so they lap instead, sometimes with up to eight times the force of gravity. Cats are tidier, biting the water column as they pull back. Either way, it's just science, not sloppiness.

🛍️ Rally on the Route block party supports small businesses affected by streetcar construction
Downtown Omaha's 16th Street came alive Saturday as the Streetcar Impact Alliance hosted Rally on the Route, a block party supporting small businesses hit hard by streetcar construction. Neighbors enjoyed live music, food and drinks between Farnam and Harney streets. Organizers hoped the fun would remind Omahans it's easy to come back downtown.

🖨️ Joslyn Castle opens printing press exhibit where visitors can make their own prints
Joslyn Castle just opened a hands-on print shop featuring historic presses, including one dating back to 1851. Visitors can pull their own prints in the carriage house, connecting to founder George Joslyn's newspaper fortune. Organizers want it fully interactive, not roped off, calling the tactile, imperfect results a refreshing break from our screen-filled, AI-saturated world.

🏘️ Council Approves New Affordable Housing Rules for TIF Deals
Habitat for Humanity and other housing groups pushed the council to require affordable units in redevelopment projects that use TIF financing, and after a close 5-2 vote, the new policy passed. Two neighbors spoke against it, but city planners will now update applications and paperwork so future TIF deals build in affordable housing from the start.

🏗️ $7.8M Deal Clears Path for Chance Ridge Development
The council approved a $7.82 million subdivision agreement with 500 Skyline, LLC for Chance Ridge Replat 1, a new development near West Dodge Road and Skyline Drive. The deal covers the infrastructure needed to turn the land into buildable lots, setting up new construction in that part of west Omaha.

🚰 $2.6M More for Big Papillion Creek Sewer Project
The city is paying Jacobs Engineering Group another $2.57 million for extra design work on the Big Papillion Creek Interceptor Sewer Rehabilitation project. It’s part of the ongoing push to shore up aging sewer infrastructure, so expect more planning before construction ramps up.

📋 Also on the Agenda
The council also approved four new liquor licenses (Base Kamp Regency, Nodest Home Plants, Embassy Suites by Hilton, and Tomo Sushi & Ramen), two liquor license manager appointments, a lease for Family Cigar Lounge on city property, a construction change order with Judds Brothers Construction, three task order agreements, a new grant agreement, the reappointment of Matthew Kortright and Joseph Pogge to city boards, plus routine plats and subdivision agreements for the Midwest Maintenance and North Streams developments.

Watch the City Council meeting here.

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

Q: In September 2022, what civil rights activist was named to the Nebraska Hall of Fame? He was assassinated on February 21, 1965.

(Answer below.)

Play Word Search! New Nebraska themed game every day.

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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: Malcolm X