The March 5th Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

Pollo Feliz will open its first Nebraska location on March 13th at 513 Fort Crook Road North in Bellevue. The Mexican restaurant specializes in traditional marinated charcoal-grilled chicken that’s widely popular in Mexico. Pollo Feliz originated in 1975 in the Mexican state of Sinaloa, and now has more than 1,000 locations throughout Mexico. The brand is much newer in the United States with just a handful of locations.

Taqueria Tijuana officially opened its third location this past Saturday at 307 North 114th Street. The Mexican restaurant operates in a 2,250 sq. ft. space formerly occupied by Which Wich. Taqueria Tijuana’s original restaurant is at 5139 South 24th Street in the South Omaha Main Street Business District. The second location is at 12242 K Plaza in the L Street Marketplace.

Grow Omaha previously reported that a second Yoshitomo location was planned for Downtown Omaha at 1105 Harney Street. This week, a building permit was filed now under the name Sakura Ichiban Co. for interior remodel for the new restaurant concept. – Isaiah Ang

Misolado Crafted Ramen at 7425 Dodge Street, near 72nd and Dodge Streets, has expanded its hours to include lunch service. The Japanese ramen restaurant is now open Wednesday through Sunday beginning at 12 p.m. The restaurant opened earlier this year.

The Toys R Us flagship store at Westroads Mall will soon be home to a Geoffrey’s Café. According to a building permit, Toys R Us will add a service counter on the first floor of their Omaha store. Geoffrey’s Café in the American Dream mall in New Jersey serves drinks, milkshakes, coffee, gelato and ice cream. The Westroads location opened last year before the holiday season and was one of eight flagship locations that opened throughout the United States. – Isaiah Ang

Ware House Comedy Theater will open March 21 at 1419 South 13th Street, Suite 102, in Little Bohemia. Owned by Rachel Ware, the 18+ venue will host comedy shows and offer classes in improv, acting and stand-up, with some classes available for teens. The first show is scheduled for April 2.

The James Beard Foundation named Johnny’s Café of Omaha as a 2026 James Beard America’s Classics award winner. Located at 4702 South 27th Street, Johnny’s is one of six independently owned restaurants with “timeless appeal that reflect local character and serve as enduring anchors in their communities.” Johnny’s represents the Midwest region. Other winning restaurants are in Inglewood, Calif.; Philadelphia; Kingston, N.Y.; Wheeling, W.V.; and Las Vegas.

Take 5 Oil Change plans to build a shop southwest of 120th & L Street. The site was once home to a Famous Dave’s restaurant, which was demolished in 2022. Take 5 will construct a 1,620 sq. ft. building with three service bays. A Scooter’s Coffee building is currently under construction on the same 1.33-acre lot. Based in Charlotte, N.C., Take 5 has an existing shop in Papillion’s Shadow Lake Towne Center.

A Pilates studio plans to open at Miracle Hills Plaza on the northwest corner of 114th & West Dodge Road. According to a building permit for a remodel of existing space, Lawless Pilates will be opening a 2,000 sq. ft. location in Suite 175. Lawless Studio currently has locations in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, S.D.- Isaiah Ang

Buc-ee’s, the Texas-based chain of mega gas stations, filed a federal lawsuit February 18 against Coles IP Holdings LLC, which operates the Mickey’s convenience store chain. The suit alleges trademark infringement and unfair competition, claiming Mickey’s moose logo, red signage and rebranding from “Mickey Mart” to “Mickey’s” could confuse customers. Buc-ee’s is planning its first Nebraska location southeast of Interstate 80 & Highway 31 in Gretna’s Good Life District.

Learn more about Anderson Convenience market at www.Anderson1952.com

Mutual of Omaha Tower Construction Progress Update

Crews have begun installing the steel structure that will support the Mutual of Omaha tower’s architectural crown. That means the region’s tallest building is getting closer to topping-out – the moment when the final piece of structural steel is welded into place.

Lanoha Real Estate is developing the 677-foot-tall, 44-story tower on a city block bounded by 14th, 15th, Douglas and Farnam streets. Though it won’t be completed until the end of this year, it is already the tallest building in a multi-state region. It’s also one of the tallest office buildings currently under construction in the United States.

Pickard Chilton is the lead architect, while JE Dunn is the general contractor. Multiple subcontractors are at work both inside and outside up and down the building’s many floors.

While the skyscraper still has months to go before it opens, progress is clearly evident. The steel superstructure is complete for all the occupiable floors, and most of the exterior glass curtain wall is already in place.

Grow Omaha took a tour of the skyscraper last Thursday to document construction progress and take note of several building features and amenities:

• The 44th floor, the top occupiable level, has a double-height ceiling, which will provide employees with stunning vistas of Omaha and the Missouri River valley. The highest floor will be used for conference/meeting space and the company’s board room.
• The 18th floor will be primarily devoted to employee fitness facilities. This level will feature sound-dampening techniques to absorb sounds and vibrations caused by exercise activities (i.e. dropped weights, workout classes). That will prevent people on other floors from being bothered by exercise noise.
• The 17th and 16th floors will contain numerous employee amenities, such as computer/I.T. help-desk area, company merch store and multiple food-service concepts for employee meals and breaks. The floors also feature video boards and a stunning, grand staircase that connects them.
• The 16th floor leads to outdoor terraces on both the south and north sides of the building. The terraces overlook the Gene Leahy Mall and will have landscaping and seating areas where employees can work outside or take breaks.
• One of the employee “restaurant” options on the 16th floor will be an actual food truck. Workers used the tower crane to hoist the food truck onto the floor and then built the exterior walls around it.
• The primary ground-floor entrance opens to 14th Street just west of the Gene Leahy Mall. When it’s complete, the lobby will be visually impressive with high ceilings and a lot of exterior glass.

So, what’s next? Before Mutual of Omaha employees can occupy the building, crews will need to finish the highest structural steel components and complete the exterior cladding. Then it will be many months of interior finish – walls, flooring, fixtures and furniture.

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

A roller coaster will debut this summer at Fun-Plex, the amusement park at 7003 Q Street. MAMMOTH will be 2,000 feet long and will rise 70 feet in the air. Fun-Plex says the ride will be the biggest roller coaster ever in Nebraska. In addition to MAMMOTH, Fun-Plex is adding a photo-and-souvenir shop at the base of the roller coaster, a coffee-and-mini-donuts shop, an upgraded go-kart track and extended ride hours on Fridays. The roller coaster will be constructed on a lot formerly occupied by the Big Ohhhh! ride, which closed in 2018.

The first batch of streetcar rail has arrived at 10th & Farnam Street. Dozens of 80-foot rail segments have been delivered via special, 100-foot semi-trucks (the most common trailer length is 53 feet). The rail is being stored in 3-foot piles on oak dunnage, a high-strength material used in rail and heavy-duty industrial storage. A few weeks after delivery, a specialized welding crew will visit Omaha to connect the 80-foot sections into 300- to 400-foot sections in preparation for installation.

Hoppe & Sons development team is moving forward on a redevelopment project at 2211 Douglas Street, which is one block north of the future streetcar route. A former hotel has been razed to make way for a senior housing development. The 4-story apartment building will include 45 income-restricted, two-bedroom, assisted-living units and 25 market-rate units, consisting of 24 one-bedroom and 1 two-bedroom. The Omaha Planning Board approved $1.1 million in Tax Increment Financing to support the $17 million project. Construction is scheduled to begin in August.

We have an update on the 17-story Beam apartment and relocation of the Omaha Children’s museum. The museum announced last year that it was pausing its relocation to 8th & Douglas Street. According to the City of Omaha, both projects are on hold indefinitely. The city plans to reimburse NuStyle Development for the sitework it completed including grading, sewer relocation, road work and design of a city-owned parking garage. The garage is anticipated to be built regardless of either project moving forward.

Completely KIDS will hold a groundbreaking ceremony March 18th for its Henry Davis Center to be constructed at 2448 St. Mary’s Avenue downtown. Part of Completely KIDS $28 million comprehensive campaign, the Henry Davis Center will expand access to early childhood education and mental health services for Omaha children and families. The 2-story building would have eight early childhood classrooms.

Astley Putnam law firm plans to rehabilitate a small commercial building at 2311 Douglas Street. The building is the former home of Cockle Legal Services and will be the future home of the law firm once renovations are completed. Astley Putnam is currently located in the Old Market. The law firm plans to take up the building’s 3,172 square foot first floor and plans to renovate the basement for speculative office space. The Omaha Planning Board approved a $95,000 Tax Increment Financing request to help finance the $1.3 million renovation.

City Sprouts, a local nonprofit charity, is planning to build a utility barn at the southeast corner of 3rd & Jaynes Street, just north of Carter Lake. According to the building permit, the $110,000 barn will span more than 2,000 square feet. It will support the organization’s urban farming programming.

The University of Nebraska Medical Center campus continues to expand. Last year, the City of Omaha vacated Harney Street from 41st Street to the connection at Farnam Street. During that time, it was known that Nebraska Medicine planned to develop a surface parking lot on the southeast corner of 42nd & Farnam Street.

According to a building permit, the project will consist of a 4-story, medical office building with a pedestrian walkway to the existing parking garage to the south. That parking garage will add an elevator lobby to connect to the pedestrian walkway. Under the project name, Farnam Health Center, the project will be dermatology-focused health facility.

Freedom Park, located along Abbott Drive between downtown and the airport, could become a camp ground. Home of the USS Hazard naval ship and prior location of the Anchor Inn, Freedom Park is owned by the City of Omaha and leased to a private entity that maintains its historic military artifacts. This week, the planning board approved a plat and special use permit, allowing a campground in the floodway. Located along the Missouri River, the park has been flooded in the past major flood events, including 2007 when the Anchor Inn was severely damaged.

Current plans include around 100 RV sites and some primitive camping sites as well as mobile restroom and office facilities. The developer has evacuation plans to ensure safety of persons and property in the event of another major flood. There is not a current timeline in place for an opening because of several other considerations of the site, including review and approval by the U.S. Corps of Engineers.

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The Omaha World-Herald will close its downtown Omaha printing plant at 1398 Capitol Avenue at the end of this month, the news outlet announced this week. Known as the Freedom Center, the 321,000 sq. ft. building opened in 2001, and at the time, cost nearly $125 million. The World-Herald’s print edition will be produced at a USA Today facility in Des Moines, Iowa. Lee Enterprises, the World-Herald’s parent company, is listing the Freedom Center for sale.

Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel has released his first letter to shareholders after taking over for Warren Buffett. The Wall Street Journal reported that Abel plans to follow the blueprint that Warren Buffett began mapping out decades ago. Abel also confirmed that the 95-year-old Buffett is in the office five days a week to help advise Abel on matters from underwriting insurance to picking stocks.

Werner Enterprises, Inc. been named to the 2026 Truckload Carriers Association Elite Fleet. This marks the second consecutive year Werner has received this designation, following its recognition in the program’s inaugural year in 2025. Developed in partnership with the University of Denver’s Transportation & Supply Chain Institute, the TCA Elite Fleet certification honors North American for-hire truckload carriers that demonstrate excellence in creating supportive, rewarding and driver-focused work environments.

Pinnacle Bank is warning customers about scammers posing as bank employees, using caller ID spoofing to request personal information or app downloads. The bank urges anyone receiving such calls to hang up and contact their local branch. The Nebraska-based, family-owned bank operates multiple branches and ATMs across Omaha. – Nicole Buntgen

Trader Joe’s has recalled several frozen products due to possible glass contamination. The recall involves items made by Ajinomoto Foods North America including Chicken Fried Rice, Vegetable Fried Rice, Japanese Style Fried Rice and Chicken Shu Mai, expanding a previous February recall. Omaha’s Trader Joe’s is located at 10305 Pacific Street in One Pacific Place. – Nicole Buntgen

AM Best, an independent financial rating agency, assigned Omaha-based WoodmenLife an A+ Superior financial strength rating for the 50th straight year. The rating is based on a comprehensive and qualitative evaluation of WoodmenLife’s balance sheet strength, operating performance, business profile, and enterprise risk management capabilities.

The Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, moved above growth neutral for February to its highest level since March 2025. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral. It increased to 54.7 from 49.6 in January.

AAA’s latest survey of 5,000 U.S. adults shows 39 percent plan to take more vacations in 2026 compared to 2025. Nebraska results show 35 percent plan to take more vacations in 2026. Fifty-five percent expect to take multiple trips this year, and 44 percent are taking two-to-three vacations of three days or more. Iowa results show 33 percent plan to take more vacations in 2026 compared to 2025.

Grow Omaha Business News is brought to you by Thompson, Dreessen & Dorner, Inc. (TD2). Since 1967, TD2 has partnered with municipalities, developers, architects and builders to shape the places where people live, work and connect. TD2 provides comprehensive services in civil, structural and geotechnical engineering as well as land surveying, materials testing and construction observation — all with a focus on client service and community impact. Discover how TD2 is engineering Omaha’s future HERE.

$2,853,337 in federal grant funds awarded to Omaha’s Threshold Continuum of Care from HUD through the Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program (YHDP) are now being dispersed to four projects with the goal of addressing and preventing youth homelessness in the Omaha metro area:

• Family Housing Advisory Services, Inc. – Supportive Services Coaching
• Institute for Community Alliances – HMIS & Data Management
• Together – Rapid Rehousing
• Youth Emergency Services – Joint Transitional Rapid Rehousing
• Threshold CoC – YHDP Planning

Project Intentional, an Omaha nonprofit, which provides resources for women and families, has partnered with local business Storm Bath & Beauty to create a custom, cream-based, scent-free deodorant made with just five clean ingredients and packaged in reusable tins. The product is intentionally fragrance-free and housed in recyclable, reusable packaging to reduce waste and stay aligned with Project Intentional’s sustainability values. The deodorant will officially launch on April 26 during Storm Bath & Beauty’s one-year anniversary celebration from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 14455 W. Center Road. The open-house event will be free to the public.

Hillside Fund, the nonprofit arm of Hillside Solutions, is launching a curbside compost pickup program in April, serving City Council District Three to start and moving into additional neighborhoods based on demand. Interested parties can sign up for the waitlist now. The service will cost $35 a month, but the organization will offer sponsorships for families who may not otherwise be able to participate.

More than 300 families visited Oak View Mall last Sunday for the 22nd Annual Walk and Roll For Disabilities event, which raised $40,000 for the UNMC Munroe-Meyer Institute.

By sponsoring this section, your brand gets in front of nearly 25,000 Grow Omaha newsletter subscribers, who care about our local nonprofits. Our highly engaged nonprofit readers include executive directors, development professionals, philanthropists, community leaders and concerned citizens. For advertising information, contact Karla Steele, Sales Coordinator, at karla@growomaha.com

What Worries Homebuyers Most — And How Sellers Can Put Those Concerns to Rest

By Jill Anderson

Buying a home is one of the biggest financial and emotional decisions people make. While buyers are often excited about the possibilities a new home brings, they also carry a number of concerns as they begin their search.

For sellers, understanding these worries can make a huge difference. By proactively addressing common buyer concerns, sellers can create confidence, build trust and ultimately make their home more attractive in a competitive market.

Here are some of the biggest worries buyers face—and how sellers can help ease them.

1. Hidden Problems with the Home

One of the top fears for buyers is discovering costly issues after they move in. Problems like foundation cracks, roof damage, plumbing issues or outdated electrical systems can turn what seemed like a dream home into a financial headache.

Although it is Nebraska state law for sellers to complete a seller property disclosure report for the sale of all residential real property from 1-4 units (some exemptions apply), sellers can help eliminate this concern by not only disclosing about the property, but by also being proactive. Completing necessary repairs before listing, providing documentation of recent updates, and even offering a pre-listing inspection can reassure buyers that the home has been well maintained. When buyers feel confident about the condition of the home, they’re more comfortable moving forward.

2. Unexpected Maintenance Costs

Even when a home appears to be in good condition, buyers worry about what repairs or replacements might be waiting just around the corner. Major systems like HVAC units, water heaters and roofs can be expensive if they fail soon after purchase.

Sellers can reduce this anxiety by highlighting the age and maintenance history of major systems. If appliances or mechanical systems have been recently replaced, make sure those updates are clearly communicated in the listing. In some cases, offering a home warranty can also give buyers peace of mind during their first year of ownership.

3. Overpaying for the Home

Many buyers worry about paying more than a property is worth, especially in markets where competition can drive prices higher. They want to feel confident that they’re making a smart financial decision.

Sellers can help ease this concern by pricing the home appropriately based on current market conditions and comparable sales. A well-priced home supported by strong market data signals to buyers that the value is justified and fair.

4. The Neighborhood and Future Value

Buyers aren’t just purchasing a home—they’re investing in a location and a community. Questions about school districts, nearby amenities, traffic and future property values often weigh heavily on their minds.

While sellers can’t control every aspect of a neighborhood, they can highlight what makes their area appealing. Information about parks, walking trails, local restaurants and community features can help buyers envision themselves living there and reinforce the long-term value of the location.

5. Whether the Home Is Truly “Move-In Ready”

Today’s buyers are often looking for convenience. Many are concerned about how much work they’ll need to do immediately after closing. Homes that appear outdated, cluttered or poorly maintained can amplify this worry.

Preparing the home for showings is one of the best ways to address this concern. Deep cleaning, decluttering, neutralizing décor and completing small cosmetic updates can dramatically improve how move-in ready a home feels. Simple improvements like fresh paint, updated lighting or tidy landscaping can make a powerful impression.

Putting Buyer Worries to Rest

At the end of the day, buyers want confidence. They want to feel secure in their decision and trust that the home they choose will meet their needs without unexpected surprises.

Sellers who focus on transparency, proper pricing, thoughtful preparation and clear communication can go a long way toward easing buyer concerns. As I always say, it’s a price war and beauty contest for the seller. But by proactively addressing the worries buyers bring to the table, sellers not only make their home more appealing—they also help create a smoother and more successful transaction for everyone involved.

Do you have a real estate question? Let’s talk.

Grow Omaha Residential is developed and sponsored by Jill Anderson, President Residential Sales, NP Dodge Real Estate 402.255.5099 or jill.anderson@npdodge.com.

We’re not just real estate. We’re NP Dodge.

Cole Young, Contributing Writer

The Big East Conference announced its third annual Big East Basketball Legends Recognition Program on Tuesday, where a prominent coach or player from each member university will be honored at the men’s and women’s Big East Tournaments.

Jaylyn Agnew, the 2020 Big East Player of the Year and first WNBA draft pick from Creighton in program history, will be honored during the Big East Tournament Quarterfinals on March 7. Agnew played for the Bluejays from 2015-2020, and returned to serve as an assistant coach under head coach Jim Flanery from 2023-2025.

Ryan Sears led the Bluejays to three NCAA Tournament appearances during his time at Creighton (1997-2001). He was named to the Missouri Valley Conference All-Centennial Team when the MVC celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006-07, recognizing him as one of the conference’s 50 greatest players. Sears will be honored during Creighton’s first game of the Big East Tournament.

Omaha hockey freshman forward Jeremy Loranger was named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Rookie of the Month for February. Loranger led all NCHC freshmen in scoring in February, with seven points on three goals and four assists.

(8) Omaha will travel to Grand Forks, N.D., this weekend for an NCHC Tournament Quarterfinal matchup against (1) North Dakota. Quarterfinal rounds in the NCHC Tournament consist of a best-of-three series between the top four seeds and bottom four seeds. Puck drop will be at 7 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday. A third game will be played, if necessary, on Sunday at 6 p.m. The winner of this weekend’s quarterfinal will advance to the NCHC semifinal on March 14.

The Brooks Wallace Award Watch List was released on Wednesday by the College Baseball Foundation, highlighting the top 100 shortstops in the country. Two local shortstops, Omaha senior Chase Diggins and Creighton senior Ben North, both earned a spot on the list. The award honors the nation’s top shortstop and will be presented by the CBF later this year.

Creighton volleyball will host Nebraska for a spring match at D.J. Sokol Arena on April 17 at 7 p.m. It was announced last week that Creighton will also play Omaha on March 28 at Baxter Arena following LOVB Nebraska’s match against LOVB Atlanta. Both Creighton and Nebraska reached the Elite Eight in last season’s NCAA Tournament and finished the season ranked inside the top 10 of the final AVCA poll. Creighton season ticket holders will receive the first opportunity to purchase tickets, and if any remain, a public sale will begin on Monday, March 9.

Two former Bluejays faced off on Wednesday night, with Ryan Kalkbrenner and the Charlotte Hornets defeating Baylor Scheierman and the Boston Celtics, 118-89. Kalkbrenner played 14 minutes for the Hornets and provided six points, two rebounds and two blocks, while Scheierman put up nine points, four rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes.

Omaha baseball fell to Nebraska, 8-5, on Tuesday. Omaha took an early lead on a two-run home run from Tyler Bishop in the top of the first inning, but Nebraska responded instantly with six runs in the bottom of the frame. From there, Nebraska led for the remainder of the game. Omaha will travel to Minneapolis to compete in the Gopher Tournament from March 6 to 8. Play will begin Friday against Southern Illinois at 3 p.m.

Creighton baseball will begin its home season this weekend when it hosts Gonzaga for a three-game series, with the first game on Friday at 6 p.m. at Charles Schwab Field Omaha. Creighton is 3-6 on the young season, and will look to gain momentum this weekend before heading to Baton Rouge, La., to face the defending national champion, No. 2 LSU. That game is set for Tuesday, March 10 at 6:30 p.m.

LOVB Nebraska ended a five-match losing skid, defeating LOVB Houston on the road last week in a reverse sweep. Nebraska rallied behind a season-high 87 points and 73 kills, with a combined 42 points and 36 kills coming from Jordan Larson and Anne Buijs. Buijs, who posted a season-high 21 points, was named Offensive Player of the Week by the league on Monday.

LOVB Nebraska’s next match will be at the Heartland Events Center in Grand Island, Neb., where they will host LOVB Salt Lake in the first regular season pro volleyball match in the state played outside of Omaha. First serve will be Saturday, March 7, at 7 p.m.

The Omaha Supernovas are on a five-match losing streak following losses last week to the Atlanta Vibe and Indy Ignite despite strong performances by Emily Londot, who recorded a combined 35 points in the two losses. Londot has recorded double-digit kills in six of the Supernovas’ last eight matches. Omaha will enjoy an extended break to prepare for Saturday’s match against the Grand Rapids Rise. Saturday’s match will begin at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on the Roku Sports Channel.

Omaha softball outfielder Marra Cramer was named the Summit League Peak Performer of the Week, announced Tuesday. Cramer finished last weekend’s Wooo Pig Classic with eight hits and 11 RBI.

Omaha will play its first games in the state of Nebraska this weekend when it faces in-state rival Nebraska. Omaha and Nebraska will play at 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

Creighton softball infielder Keegan Mayhue was named Big East Freshman of the Week, the league announced Monday, for her performance at the Colorado Classic last weekend. Mayhue started all five games for the Bluejays, and posted a .313 batting average and nine RBI. Creighton will open Big East play this weekend with a three-game series at Seton Hall beginning on Friday at 1 p.m.

Creighton men’s basketball defeated Butler on Wednesday night, 76-59, to finish the regular season 15-16 overall and 9-11 in Big East play, and keep its hopes alive for the final bye in the quarterfinals at the Big East Tournament next week. Creighton will wait for results from the remaining conference games to decide who and when it will play at the Big East Tournament, which runs from March 11-14 at Madison Square Garden in New York. The Big East will announce the bracket for the event on Saturday night.

Omaha women’s basketball defeated North Dakota in the first game of the Summit League Tournament on Wednesday, 49-39. (8) Omaha rode a game-high 17 points from Ali Stephens to defeat (9) North Dakota to advance to the quarterfinals against (1) North Dakota State on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.

The Mavericks have endured a subpar season in Jamie Carey’s first year as head coach, entering Wednesday’s game at 5-26 overall. However, there are real opportunities for growth and reasons for Carey and the Mavericks to be hopeful for the future. This season, freshman Avril Smith was named to the Summit League All-Freshman Team and the All-Defensive Team. Freshman Regan Juenemann was also named to the All-Freshman Team.

Creighton women’s basketball will face Marquette on Saturday, March 7, at 1:30 p.m. in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament. (5) Creighton split the season series with (4) Marquette, winning the most recent matchup on Feb. 8 at home. Saturday’s game can be viewed on Peacock or NBC Sports Network.

Omaha men’s basketball guards Paul Djobet and Ja’Sean Glover earned All-Summit League honors, the conference announced Tuesday. Djobet, a junior who joined the Mavericks this season after two seasons at Miami (Fla.), was named to the First Team All-Summit and All-Newcomer Teams. Ja’Sean Glover earned a spot on the All-Defensive Team for the second season in a row.

(5) Omaha will face (4) South Dakota on Friday at 6 p.m. in the Summit League Tournament Quarterfinals. The winner of Friday’s game will face the winner of (1) North Dakota State and (8) Oral Roberts on Saturday at 7 p.m. Both games will be broadcast locally on KZOT 1180 AM. Saturday’s semifinal game and Sunday’s championship game will be nationally televised on CBS Sports Network.

Upcoming Events

• Creighton softball at Seton Hall | March 6 – March 8 | 1 p.m. Friday
• Omaha baseball vs. Southern Illinois | Friday, March 6 | 3 p.m.
• Creighton baseball vs. Gonzaga | March 6 – March 8 | 6 p.m. Friday
• Omaha men’s basketball vs. South Dakota | Friday, March 6 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha hockey at North Dakota | Friday, March 6 | 7 p.m.
• Creighton women’s basketball vs. Marquette | Saturday, March 7 | 1:30 p.m.
• Omaha softball at Nebraska | Saturday, March 7 | 2 p.m.
• Omaha baseball vs. Northwestern | Saturday, March 7 | 3 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas at Grand Rapids | Saturday, March 7 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha hockey at North Dakota | Saturday, March 7 | 6 p.m.
• LOVB Nebraska vs. LOVB Salt Lake | Saturday, March 7 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha softball at Nebraska | Sunday, March 8 | 2 p.m.
• Omaha baseball vs. Minnesota | Sunday, March 8 | 6 p.m.
• Creighton softball at Kansas City | Tuesday, March 10 | 2 & 4 p.m.
• Omaha Supernovas at Columbus | Tuesday, March 10 | 6 p.m.
• Creighton baseball at #2 LSU | Tuesday, March 10 | 6:30 p.m.

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The East Omaha Swing Bridge

By Patrick Wyman

The historic East Omaha Bridge is among the most unique bridges in the country. Built in 1893 by the Omaha Bridge and Terminal Railway Company, it connected Omaha and Council Bluffs for rail service.

Constructed of wrought iron, it was originally a single swing bridge, with the Iowa side rotating open to allow barge traffic to pass while the Nebraska side remained fixed.

In 1904, a second swing span constructed of steel was added on the Nebraska side after the Missouri River’s navigation channel shifted approximately 300 feet from beneath the Iowa span to the Nebraska span. When completed, it became the largest swing bridge in the world, featuring two back-to-back swing spans measuring 520 feet each.

While reconstruction of the bridge was underway, the Iowa Central Missouri Railroad had obtained rights to it in 1899 and considered opening it to pedestrian and street traffic before ultimately deciding against the idea.

At 1,625 feet in length, it remained the longest swing bridge in the world until 1915. The bridge continued in service for decades, even as the construction of Gavins Point Dam, continued channelization of the river, and the building of levees left much of the Iowa swing span over land, rendering the double-swing design unnecessary.

The eastern span on the Iowa side was severely damaged by fire in the 1970s, leaving it unable to rotate. As a result, it was left in an open position to accommodate river traffic while the Nebraska span remained closed. When trains approached, a cable attached to a bulldozer was used to pull the span closed.

The Illinois Central Missouri River Bridge remained operational until 1980, when it was taken out of service. It was retained as a backup in the event of issues with the Union Pacific Missouri River Bridge.

After Canadian National Railway purchased the Illinois Central Railroad in 1998, the bridge remained unused and continued to deteriorate, even though the tracks stayed in place. It has been suggested that the bridge could be returned to service following extensive repairs.

Considered an obstruction to navigation, the U.S. Coast Guard has in recent years called for its removal. For now, the distinctive bridge with its back-to-back swing spans remains a reminder of a time when East Omaha was its own village, long before it was consumed by the expansion of Eppley Airfield.

Since 1917, Bankers Trust has been a leading financial institution for commercial and consumer banking services. Headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, with $7.5 billion in assets, Bankers Trust is the state’s largest privately held community bank. Bankers Trust has operated a loan production office in Omaha since 2008 and opened its first full-service branch in 2025. Visit Bankers Trust at the corner of 192nd and Dodge to see how we can make a difference for all your personal and commercial banking needs.

Holland Performing Arts Center will feature Margre Durham’s Concert for Youth performing with Omaha Symphony from March 4 through 6. This interactive concert invites hundreds of elementary students to participate in immersive and engaging musical performances and educational opportunities. Through the Link Up curriculum, students will sing, play and move along with the orchestra, building musical skills while exploring music and movements of Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Music will be presented in both English and Spanish, with an opportunity to explore Portuguese. For more information, visit their website.

Opera Omaha will perform at the Joslyn Castle Carriage House for an opening reception celebrating the exhibition “Ancient, Mythic, Heroic” on March 6 from 5 to 8 p.m. Presented alongside the opera “Hercules”, the exhibit explores the power of myth and storytelling through images and sculpture. Some works focus on physical strength or symbolic power. The exhibit will be shown from March 6 through March 16. For more information, visit their website.

Omaha’s ANCHONDO will perform the Sublime Tribute Show featuring Amy by Aly on April 11 at 8 p.m. at the Slowdown venue at 729 North 14th Street. Back by popular demand, ANCHONDO will play a special performance in tribute to Sublime, the legendary California rockers from the late 80s to the mid 90s, with covered hits such as “What I Got”, “Santeria” and “Doin’ Time”. Amy by Aly will be featured as a guest, who plays tribute to Amy Winehouse. Formed in 2001, ANCHONDO is led by Hector Anchondo, and won first place for solo/duo performance at the 35th Annual International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tenn. For tickets and more information, visit here.

Great Plains Theater Commons (GPTC) has announced playwrights participating in the New Play Festival’s 2026 PlayLab program which will occur May 24 through 30. Playwrights were chosen from a pool of more than 750 anonymous submissions. Each one will work on their projects with a creative team, including a director, designer, dramaturg and cast composed of local and national talent. Each lab will culminate in a free staged reading, after which the playwrights will receive feedback from other top national playwrights, dramaturgs, designers and public audiences. All public events at the Festival are free and open to the public. The 2026 New Play Festival Final Selection Panel was composed of Dr. Martine Kei Green-Rogers, Dr. Samuel Yates and Alex Vermillion.

This year’s selected playwrights and projects include:

• Aster Aguilar, TRANSITION (or The Electrolysis Play)
• Claire Crowley, The Scouts of America Don’t Sell Cookies, B*tch
• Brynne Frauenhoffer, Disillusioned
• Chandler Hubbard, Headless Nebraska
• Kandace James, This is How You Capture the Light
• Alexis Elisa Macedo, Untitled Superhero Play
• Daria Miyeko Marinelli, Beautiful Blessed Child
• Eric Schabla, Escape Velocity
• Megan Tabaque, The Rink at the End of the World
• Sharifa Yazmeen, Bone by Bone

The Lied Center For Performing Arts in Lincoln will present Meredith Willson’s The Music Man on March 5 through 8. This six-time, Tony Award-winning comedy musical follows a fast-talking salesman trying to con the people of River City, but ends up falling for a beautiful librarian and transforms into a respectable citizen. The show is produced by Omaha-native Debbie Denenberg, who’s produced many shows such as The Woods, Guys and Dolls and The Who’s Tommy. Tickets on sale now. For more information, visit here.

Would your business like to reach thousands of readers, who are interested in Omaha’s Arts & Culture scene? Then sponsor this section! To find out how, contact Grow Omaha’s sales coordinator, Karla Steele at karla@growomaha.com.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Self-deprecation is a leadership and interpersonal communication tool. In a recent study, researchers ran experiments involving 3,000 participants who read about other people’s embarrassing mishaps, like dramatically knocking over a glass in a restaurant or enthusiastically waving at the wrong person. They were then told or shown photos that gave them a sense of how the person who made the faux pas reacted. In some cases, the individual appeared flustered and self-conscious; in others, they reacted with humor and laughed at themselves. Participants then rated that person on traits such as warmth, competence, morality and authenticity.

According to Time, those who laughed at their own minor blunders were judged more positively than those who appeared visibly embarrassed.

The Wall Street Journal asked its readers, “What corporate jargon do you hate the most? Tell us the word or phrase and why it’s your pet peeve.” Ready for the responses? Here’s what you should avoid: “bandwith,” “change agent,” “circle back,” “decision tree,” “decisioning,” “deep dive,” “growth mindset,” “hard stop” and “hit the ground running.”

In an attempt to come across as more authentic to customers, some company CEOs are engaging directly with customers (at least from time to time), according to MarketWatch. Tom Curtis, president of Burger King’s U.S. and Canada operations, recently announced that he’s inviting customers to reach out to him and offer feedback. He’s even posted a phone number — (305) 874-0520 — for all to give him a ring.

The typical American works 1,796 hours a year — significantly more than workers in Japan, United Kingdom and Germany, according to The Hustle. Some U.S. cities grind more than others, according to WalletHub’s analysis of the 116 largest cities, which looked at everything from the average workweek length to the amounts of unused PTO. Cheyenne, Wyo. ranks as the hardest working in America, with residents averaging 40.7 hours per week.

SALES

In the 1930s, Professor Alan Monroe of Purdue University married the art of presentation with the psychology of persuasion.

The result of his scholarly work became known as Monroe’s Motivated Sequence, a concept that is still pertinent for today’s sales pros. The concept was originally intended to help orators structure persuasive speeches, but it’s equally applicable for sales pitches.

Monroe’s Motivated Sequence advises presenters to build their case using five distinct steps completed in exact order.

First comes the attention-getter in which you introduce a problem by jolting the audience with something bold and unexpected—a story, quote, disturbing statistic or a big “bet-you-didn’t-know” statement.

Step two is the need. This is where you prove the problem is significant and worthy of the listener’s attention. You also want to cast the need as something that won’t be solved without the right approach by the right person or organization.

Monroe’s third step is known as satisfaction. Here you prove that you have the solution to the previously mentioned problem.

In step four, visualization, you paint a picture of how wonderful life will look in the future if they accept and implement your solution. You also portray how terrible things will be if they ignore your recommendations.

Finally, in step five, you tell the listener what action they should take. This is the big finish, where you powerfully and motivationally tell them to go do it!

Many salespersons mistakenly start with step three, the solution, without making the case strongly enough that a solution is necessary in the first place. Structure your persuasive pitch in such a way that makes the targeted listener more acquiescent to what you are pitching. Make them yearn for your solution intensely before you tell them about it.

Your pitches and sales presentations must follow a logical format that feels right to the listener and syncs with their sense of order. The approach needs to build a persuasive case efficiently and effectively. Persuasive presentations must conform to human nature, which has remained static for ages. If you use human nature in your favor, the presentation is more likely to be successful. If you fight human nature, you’re engaging in futility.

WISDOM

“It was once said that love is giving someone the ability to destroy you, but trusting them not to.” – Unknown

Building Omaha is a partnership between the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) & the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). Together, we provide the highest level of trained electricians for residential, low-voltage, or commercial construction projects. Visit buildingomaha.org to learn more. Earn while you learn and apply for our Apprenticeship Program by clicking HERE!

Did you know an historic building at 1201 Nicholas Street in North Downtown will be converted into the Millwork Hotel? Scheduled to open in 2027, the hotel will have 144 guest rooms.

Did you know Boys Town became an official village of the state of Nebraska in 1936, electing its own government and operating its own post office?

Did you know the National Counterterrorism, Innovation, Technology and Education Center is based at the University of Nebraska at Omaha?

This section is sponsored by Lockbox Storage, an affiliate of Omaha-based McGregor Interests Inc. We provide storage solutions for all of your storage needs. Our facilities have full-time managers and bright lighting to provide superior security for your belongings. In addition to space for rent, we also provide packing supplies, protection plans and locks along with complimentary handcarts and dollies. Visit LockBox Storage and let us help you with all your storage needs.

Free Elevator Coworking Day recurring every Thursday: Swap your usual setup for Free Coworking Thursday at Elevator, open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Settle in with high-speed fiber internet, grab free coffee and take advantage of meeting-room access when you need it. You’ll be working alongside founders, freelancers and remote pros, so it’s easy to get focused and meet a few people along the way. Come try out modern coworking for the day. Please RSVP.

Jeopardy! Bar League recurring weekly on Tuesdays through March 31st: Geeks Who Drink is partnering with Sony Pictures Television and bringing America’s Favorite Quiz Show out of the studio and straight to your local bar. No more shouting at your TV: with Jeopardy! Bar League you get a thrilling, team-based experience with real clues from the Jeopardy! writers’ room, all on your phone. Gather your smartest (or most entertaining) friends, form your team and head to Brewsky’s Food & Spirits North for Jeopardy! Bar League every Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Wine Class: Explore the Balkans happening March 10th: Macedonia is a fascinating deep dive into one of Europe’s most underrated and historically rich wine areas. Expect a mix of indigenous grape varieties, diverse terroirs and a strong cultural story shaped by Mediterranean, Alpine and Central European influences. Snacks will be served during the five-wine tasting tour. Make sure to RSVP.

Ethicspace happening March 12th: Hosted by the Business Ethics Alliance, this immersive half-day experience brings together leaders and professionals to explore how we can tell our business stories with integrity, authenticity and impact. Featuring Jason Bevan, Creativity/Innovation & Storytelling Keynote Speaker, former Creative Head at Warner Bros. Pictures and Co-Founder Content Creator Studios.

This section is sponsored by Eagle Mortgage, a locally owned, full-service mortgage company helping you with Conventional, VA, FHA and USDA loans in both Nebraska and Iowa. Learn how Eagle Mortgage helps people afford the home of their dreams by clicking HERE!

The Sarpy County Chamber of Commerce announced that Annisa Visty has returned to the organization as vice president of operations. With 13 years of chamber experience, Visty will oversee internal operations, staff alignment and organizational systems.

The Greater Omaha Chamber is a catalyst and connector, advocating for businesses small and large. Learn, share and grow with more than 12,000 professionals from 3,000 member businesses across Greater Omaha. Click HERE to see our latest events.

Remember the story of Goldilocks and the Three bears? It’s about a little girl out wandering about in the woods. She breaks into a bear’s house and samples a variety of items until she finds the one best suited to her tastes. All of this begs the question: How does a bear get a mortgage? And what’s a little girl doing out wandering in the woods by herself?

All of which is a really clever segue into my financial lesson for the week.

There are 7,573 index funds available to the investing public based on 3,476 different indexes. A market index is designed to give investors some sense of the overall state of the market. Ninety-nine percent of the underlying indexes used to create these funds don’t fit these criteria. They are designed by a profit-seeking miscreant hidden deep in the bowels of a Wall Street marketing department. Their mission is to outsmart Mr. Market, an objective which the historical data shows to be at best an elusive objective.

They do however, provide comfortable returns for the Wall Street marketing department where they were conceived. Only three, the Dow, The S&P 500 and the Nasdaq are true, objective, broad-based indexes, which are not manipulated in order to improve their returns.

Investing is not a one-size-fits-all proposition, and this is where the parallel to Goldilocks’ “just right” conundrum comes into play. Each individual investor brings to the table a different level of assets, a different stage in their life journey and a different objective and temperament. So how to determine which one is “just right” for you?

All three of the real indexes tend to move in sync; the difference being in the magnitude of the movement. Using the Goldilocks analogy, the Dow would be a little bit on the cold side. It lags the market going up and likewise lags the market going down. Thus, it is best suited for those who are conservative and have a big chunk of risk aversion.

The NASDAQ falls into Goldilocks too-hot category. While all the stocks of the Nasdaq are in the S&P 500, because it is tilted toward fast-moving tech companies, the index tends to move up further and more rapidly than the other two. But when the market drops, it declines further and more rapidly.

And now we come to Goldilocks “Just right” selection, which for many is the S&P 500. It is the benchmark by which the broad market is measured. It is diverse enough to have significant downside protection, yet broad enough to enjoy the fruits of the ginormous American economic engine.

Grow Omaha’s Wall Street section is now available for sponsorship. Nearly 25,000 people subscribe to this newsletter, and as a group, they are influential, affluent and highly educated. That makes this section particularly popular! For advertising information, contact Karla Steele, Sales Coordinator, at karla@growomaha.com

Quantum Fiber in Omaha, Nebraska, is super-fast, reliable internet. We did away with data caps, bundles, and pricing gimmicks because you don’t want them. Instead, you get game-changing customer service, transparent pricing, and a powerful app for freedom, simplicity, and control over your internet. Quantum Fiber is what internet service looks like when it’s built for the world of you.

The Grow Omaha radio show broadcasts live every Saturday morning at 9:00, but now you can watch videos of each episode instead of just listening.

Grow Omaha’s brand-new website features video footage shot inside the radio studio during each week’s show!

Videos include News of the Week, Lightning Round, guest interviews, and “Grow Omaha Uncut,” a behind-the-scenes look at what happens during commercial breaks.

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