Omaha Magazine

12/03/2025

Open Range vice president Laurel Oetken is helping reshape Omaha’s startup landscape, using her early-stage expertise and deep business connections to push the nonprofit toward rapid growth. In less than a year, Open Range has partnered with global accelerator Techstars, drawn nearly 100 applicants for its first pre-accelerator cohort, and begun building bridges between Fortune 500 leaders and emerging founders. As Oetken works to scale support for dozens of new companies across Nebraska, she’s also carving out space for more young women in tech—making her one of the most influential new voices in the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Illustration by Nickie Robinson.

Read our full story here: https://www.omahamagazine.com/business/powering-startups-open-range-laurel-oatken-lead-the-way/

12/03/2025

Urban Sketchers Omaha, founded by Jean Mason, is a group where members meet to sketch in their journals. It’s all part of Mason’s goal of sharing Omaha with other artists.

And the neat thing is, participants don’t need to be artists by definition.

Urban Sketchers has become an international marvel, with chapters in more than 500 cities across 70 countries.

Mason hopes to add Omaha as a formal chapter, religiously adhering to the manifesto.

Learn more about Urban Sketchers Omaha from its public group on Facebook.

Read the full article here: https://www.omahamagazine.com/60/jean-masons-urban-sketchers-find-beauty-in-every-street-scene/

12/02/2025

While most people seek decorating inspiration by browsing department and home décor stores, Janice Lang channels her inner interior decorator with trips to local thrift stores.

The key is to find what you like and build from there, Lang said. She's a Downton Abbey fan and enjoys furniture from the early 1900s.

"I love that era, the historical value and just such unique items," she said.

Read the full article here: https://www.omahamagazine.com/living/thrifted-treasures-omaha-homeowners-make-pre-loved-finds-shine/

12/02/2025

The biggest surprise in the Mayor's office? The public's excitement for Omaha doing great things! Leadership is committed to taking practical steps to capitalize on this energy and sustain the momentum of positive change.

12/01/2025

Looking to give back to the Omaha community this Giving Tuesday? Take a peek at our Big Give 2025 issue for a list of local nonprofit organizations. With the holidays fully in swing, it is the perfect time for the giving season.

https://www.omahamagazine.com/giving/big-give-2025-your-guide-to-making-a-difference-right-here-at-home/

12/01/2025

Fresh from the farm… straight into the hands of Omaha’s 2026 Best Chef.

These carrots arrived from Long Walk Farm in Council Bluffs this morning. Soil still clinging, colors vibrant, flavor unmatched. And Executive Chef Will Birge at Mealbox wouldn’t have it any other way.

Every week, MEALBOX partners with local growers and ranchers to source the freshest ingredients and turn them into scratch-made meals delivered across the Omaha metro. It’s our full-circle commitment: feeding our community while supporting the people who grow the food we all depend on.

But this is about more than fresh produce.
It’s about solving a problem almost every family and professional feels:
not enough time, not enough energy, and not enough convenient food options you can actually feel good about.

MEALBOX bridges that gap — bringing chef-crafted, farm-fresh meals right to your doorstep. No prep. No stress. No guilt. Just real nourishment made from real ingredients grown by real local people.

This is what “convenient food” should look like.
MEALBOX isn’t just a meal delivery service — it’s Omaha’s farm-to-fridge movement.
And Chef Will is the heart behind it.

12/01/2025

Developing a comprehensive immigration plan is critical! 🇺🇸 A stable economy relies on a documented workforce willing to fill jobs. The plan must offer a pathway to permanency so workers can live, pay taxes, and contribute to the community.

11/30/2025

As the days get chillier, Omaha’s tabletop gaming community offers a warm welcome. Local comic and game shops are inclusive communities for all ages, hosting events for everything from Dungeons & Dragons campaigns to Warhammer battles. Our guide spotlights the best places to play, including legacy shops like Dragon’s Lair (nearly 50 years running since 1975). No matter your experience level, there’s a seat at the table to get your game on.

Read our full story here: https://www.omahamagazine.com/magazine/goblins-knights-and-dice-a-guide-to-tabletop-gaming-in-omaha/

11/29/2025

Omaha Magazine’s intention is not to take sides or make a political statement, but to share local human-interest stories. In the most recent presidential election, Donald Trump ran on a promise of stricter national immigration enforcement. Although he did not win Omaha’s electoral vote, he did win the state and country—and he has delivered on his promise locally. On June 10, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement conducted an operation at Omaha’s Glenn Valley Foods, during which nearly 100 employees were detained. Many detainees have been linked to cases of identity theft against U.S. citizens. Omaha Magazine’s reporting does not pass judgment on the raid itself, but acknowledges its profound impact on the community. This story seeks to humanize the experience of our neighbors who lived through it. We invite readers to approach this article with an open mind and to continue thoughtful discussion on the subject:

A Note from the Publisher: Omaha Magazine’s intention is not to take sides or make a political statement, but to

11/28/2025

As we learn more about how brains process, we better understand just how much music and memory go hand in hand.

But that was hardly common knowledge when Paul Falkowski was getting his bachelor’s degree in music performance. He couldn’t have guessed that his love of music would result in a movement that would change countless lives for the better.

Read the full article here: https://www.omahamagazine.com/magazine/singing-giving-caring-long-term-care-volunteers-spread-joy/

11/28/2025

Craving something different this weekend? We’d consider trying Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant in Omaha—where communal dining meets cultural immersion. Instead of separate plates, you’ll gather around a shared platter of vibrant stews, smoky beef tibs and tangy injera flatbread, all served with a story worth sharing. Dive in, ditch the fork and discover why Lalibela isn’t just a meal—it’s an experience worth savoring.

Read our full story here: https://www.omahamagazine.com/fooddrink/around-the-table-at-lalibela-ethiopian-cuisine-in-omaha/

11/27/2025

Domestic violence—including verbal abuse and physical injury—has no place in Omaha. The goal is to create peaceful family environments by empowering people to seek help and leave safely.