The October 2nd Weekly Market Report

Nicole Buntgen, Contributing Writer

We now have an opening date for North Italia’s first Nebraska location: November 19th. The restaurant is under construction in the former Bravo Cucina Italiana space at Village Pointe. North Italia is a national chain under The Cheesecake Factory umbrella of restaurant brands and serves handmade pasta, pizza and other Italian inspired dishes. North Italia has 39 locations in 13 states. The closest existing ones are in Kansas City and Denver.

Brag N Rights in Gretna, formerly known as Wagon Wheel, has reopened under new ownership as Kathy’s Bar & Grill at 115 North McKenna Avenue. The kitchen has not yet opened, though the business teased smash burgers on its menu.

Lovely Brewing plans to open in mid-October at 7628 Main Street in Ralston. The local brewery recently offered a sneak peek during an Oktoberfest event last weekend.

Aroma Pho, a Vietnamese noodle restaurant, is building out a retail bay in the Whispering Ridge shopping center along West Maple Road. The restaurant will be located at 17205 Evans Street in a 2,000 sq. ft. space, according to a building permit for initial build out.

Rebel Rise GF Bistro & Bakery will hold a ribbon cutting Tuesday, October 7th for its shop at 11039 Elm Street in Rockbrook Village. The business sells gluten-free baked goods.

Omaha-based Flagship Restaurant Group has been ranked among the nation’s 200 largest multi-concept groups by Nation’s Restaurant News. The list is based on number of operating units. Flagship operates nearly 50 locations of concepts like Blue Sushi, Clio and Ghost Donkey.

Bob & Willie’s Wonderbowl will close its Blackstone location at 3724 Farnam Street on October 13. Its Regency and Lincoln venues remain open. The space will become Jay’s Games & Beer Garden, a new concept featuring beer, patio games, billiards and big screen TVs.

Wall to Wall Wine & Spirits will close its location at 12977 West Center Road on October 13. The company has not confirmed whether its Papillion or Lincoln stores will also close. The Hy-Vee-owned concept only has a total of four locations – three in Nebraska and one in Iowa.

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

Multiple Projects Coming to Hamilton Street & Military Avenue Area

By Isaiah Ang

The Papio Missouri River Natural Resources District is celebrating the completion of Beltline Trail entrance at 1421 Military Avenue. The trailhead ribbon cutting ceremony took place last week.

The trailhead helps revive the intersection of Hamilton Street & Military Avenue. The Beltline Trail is located along abandoned railroad right-of-way and has been under construction for several years with additional phases still underway.

In the last few months, Grow Omaha has reported several new development projects spurred by the Beltline Trail including a 28-townhome development at 40th & Franklin Street led by Holy Name Housing Corporation, redevelopment of the Johnson Sash and Door building next to the trailhead and a future inCommon Housing Development project north of the trailhead.

Last week there was an announcement regarding the Johnson Sash and Door Building. Ooh De Lally is a non-profit restaurant with a special mission of helping previously incarcerated persons transition to public by providing training and employment. Their current location is in the Dundee Historic District.

Ooh De Lally is expanding its mission at the Johnson Sash and Door Building. The 8 residential units on the second floor will be made available for formerly incarcerated individuals. On the ground floor, they will have employment opportunities in a bakery and coffee shop. Renovation will begin this fall and is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026.

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Isaiah Ang, Contributing Writer

Omaha metro area residents are invited to take an online survey to provide their opinions about the Omaha streetcar’s brand and logo design. The survey, which takes about seven minutes to complete, is open through Tuesday, October 7. The survey is available at OmahaStreetcar.org. The streetcar brand will be unveiled at the end of the year. Responses will remain anonymous.

The Omaha Planning Board approved developer Charlie Sullivan’s Tax Increment Financing application to develop a surface parking lot east of 40th & Pacific Street, a narrow strip abutting the Field Club Trail. The developer has a 50-year ground lease with the University of Nebraska, which owns the property. The $11.1 million project consists of 31 townhome apartment units, ranging from one-to-three bedrooms with attached garages. Unit rents would range from $2,150 to $3,125 per month. Construction is set to begin this fall with a completion date of February 2027.

R&R Realty Group has broken ground on its fourth warehouse building at R&R Commerce Park South, a Class-A industrial development near 156th & Schram Road in Papillion. The 286,000 sq. ft. building will feature clear heights up to 36 feet, multiple dock and drive-in doors, interior fans and outdoor storage options. Completion is scheduled for September 30, 2026.

“Missing middle” housing projects are in the works in the Blackstone Neighborhood and north Omaha. A developer plans to convert the building at 521 South 38th Avenue into a fourplex apartment building. Each unit is a 1-bedroom apartment. Previously, it was used as office space by UNMC. Near the southwest corner of 25th & Grant Street, BBTB Investment Club plans to build a stacked duplex on a vacant 4,800 sq. ft. lot. Each unit will be approximately 1,600 sq. ft. and have two bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The Sonesta ES Suites at 6990 Dodge Street may be converted into a multifamily apartment complex. The Omaha Planning Department approved a request to rezone the property to TOD-2-MX. The conversion would result in 80 residential units, including 60 efficiency units and 20 two-bedroom units.

The QMetro mixed-use project near the MCC South Campus was revisited by the Omaha Planning Department this week. Originally, the $25 million project consisted of a 5-story, 72-unit apartment building with 18,000 sq. ft. of ground-floor commercial space. Based on issues with required parking, the project is currently a 4-story, 57-unit apartment building, with 15,000 sq. ft. of commercial space. The most recent rendering shows a drive-thru lane for a potential coffee shop.

The Nebraska Department of Transportation announced their proposal to add a new Interstate 80 interchange southeast of Gretna, according to WOWT. As expected, the interchange is slated to be constructed at 192nd Street. Transportation officials say the interchange will help support one of the fastest growing areas of Nebraska. Much still has to happen before construction begins. The next steps are environmental review and early design.

50 Ventures, LLC is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony today to mark the completion of four townhomes at 28th & Pratt Street in north Omaha. This milestone celebrates a public–private partnership focused on neighborhood revitalization and the creation of accessible, family-friendly housing.

Omaha Performing Arts will celebrate the Holland Performing Arts Center’s 20th anniversary this Friday at 8 p.m. The event will feature dance and music performances from local artists. Built on a former Swanson food plant site at 12th & Douglas Street, the 175,000 sq. ft. facility was primarily funded by a $90 million donation from Mary and Richard Holland. In 2022, Omaha Performing Arts announced an expansion of the center with added rehearsal, workshop and classroom space. Named the Tenaska Center for Arts Engagement, the $108 million expansion is expected to open spring 2026.

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Berkshire Hathaway announced today it reached a deal to buy Occidental Petroleum’s petrochemical unit, OxyChem, for $9.7 billion in cash, according to CNBC. The deal marks Omaha-based Berkshire’s largest since 2022, when it paid $11.6 billion for insurer Alleghany. It also comes at a time when the conglomerate is sitting on $344 billion in cash, near a record for the company. Berkshire is already a major investor in Occidental, holding a 28.2 percent stake as of the end of June.

RateGain Travel Technologies plans to purchase Sojern, Inc. for $250 million. San Francisco-based Sojern was founded in Omaha in 2007. Sojern offers an AI-driven marketing and engagement platform for travel and hospitality companies. The firm reported $172.2 million in revenue in 2024. The deal is expected to close within 45 to 90 days of signing, subject to government approval. RateGain is based in Noida, India.

FNBO closed on its acquisition of Country Club Bank of Kansas City on October 1st. Announced in May, the acquisition brings together two privately held, family-led banks with deep regional roots. Omaha-based FNBO, founded in 1857, is one of the nation’s largest privately owned banks with more than 100 branch locations across eight states, including 10 branches currently in Kansas City. Country Club Bank was founded more than 70 years ago. With the acquisition, FNBO now has 30 Kansas City-area locations.

Cameron Ashley Building Products, Inc., has opened an Omaha distribution center at 13661 Giles Road. The facility includes 67,700 sq. ft. of warehouse along with 4,700 sq. ft. of office and mezzanine space. The South Carolina-based company is a wholesale distributor of roofing, insulation, gypsum, siding and other building products. Cameron Ashley has more than 70 distribution centers nationwide.

Cornhusker Auto Wash & Express Lube started construction this week on a four-bay Express Oil Change facility at 25th & Cornhusker Road in Bellevue. Completion is scheduled for next June. The company was founded in 1986 and has existing locations in Bellevue and Fremont.

Valmont Industries, Inc. will release its third quarter 2025 financial results before the market opens on Tuesday, October 21. Following the release, Avner M. Applbaum, president and CEO, and Thomas Liguori, executive vice president and CFO, will host a webcast and conference call at 8:00 a.m. CDT.

Edward Jones has opened an office in the Legacy View building at 17330 Wright Street.

Platte River Orthodontics will start seeing patients October 17 at 11844 Standing Stone Drive, Suite 120, in Gretna. A ribbon cutting is planned for November 6. The 2,454 sq. ft. space was previously occupied by Nexus Vision. The practice is owned by Dr. Chad Carter.

INSIDE Public Accounting released its annual ranking of the nation’s leading public accounting firms. Omaha-based Lutz has been recognized on the Top 100 list, ranking #71.

For the second time in the past three months, the Creighton University Mid-America Business Conditions Index, a leading economic indicator for the nine-state region stretching from Minnesota to Arkansas, sank below growth neutral. The index, which ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, fell to 49.8 from 50.5 in August.

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Yates Illuminates and Sweet Circle are presenting a Health and Wellness Fair on October 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will offer a few screenings, referrals for more free care, resources and information, raffle prizes, fitness demonstrations, access to the Yates Illuminates clothing closet and entertainment.

Metropolitan Community College hosted the 34th Annual Fort Omaha Intertribal Powwow last Saturday. The free, family-friendly event honored traditional Native American dance, music, artistry, oral history and food of tribes throughout Nebraska and the surrounding region, including the Omaha, Ponca, Santee Sioux and Winnebago.

The Dunham House, an assisted living facility that will provide combat-wounded veterans with care and community, is now accepting applications. The Dunham House plans to open 30 units in 2026. Learn more or apply here: https://dunhamhouse.org/residency-info/

Scatter Joy Acres, a nonprofit which rescues animals and provides animal therapy for the developmentally disabled, seniors and veterans, is kicking off Critter Chats, a series of events showcasing rare animals, this Friday at Gene Leahy Mall. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will be able to interact, touch and learn about Bengal kittens.

Musicians with Hero’s Encore performed at the Holland Center last Saturday for the organization’s Stage I Celebration. Hero’s Encore is a Nebraska-based nonprofit organization dedicated to guiding military veterans, transitioning service members and first responders on a transformative journey from peer to performer, utilizing musical expression as a tool for self-discovery, healing and a renewed sense of purpose. This concert allowed local veterans, first responders, and transitioning service members to share their stories and music.

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A Growing Number of Homeowners Are Choosing Not to Be Locked In

By Jill Anderson

You may have heard the term “back on market” for a listed property but weren’t sure what caused this. A number of risks and contingencies lie between contract signing and closing. Some common reasons include:

Inspection or condition issues

After the home inspection (and perhaps further inspections), serious defects (structural, mold, HVAC, termite, water intrusion, foundational problems, etc.) may lead the buyer to ask for repairs, renegotiate or bail out. Sellers may refuse or diverge.

Appraisal comes in low

If the home’s appraised value is lower than the agreed contract price, the lender may not approve the full financing. The buyer and seller must renegotiate, or the buyer may be forced to back out.

Financing issues / buyer’s credit or income changes

The buyer’s loan approval may fall through — e.g. job loss, credit problems, valuation or documentation issues, lending conditions change.

Contingencies not met

Many contracts include contingencies such as obtaining clear title, resolving liens, securing a satisfactory inspection, satisfying homeowners association (HOA) approvals or selling the buyer’s existing home. If any contingency fails, the deal may collapse.

Title or legal issues

Unexpected liens, ownership disputes, easements, boundary issues or title defects may prevent clean transfer. If they cannot be remedied, the sale may be canceled.

“Cold feet” or buyer/seller change of mind

Sometimes a buyer, or less commonly, the seller decides to withdraw when contract contingencies still allow it. For example, the buyer may feel overwhelmed by costs, change in life circumstances or find a better opportunity.

Because of these risks, the path from “under contract” to “closed sale” is not guaranteed.

How Common Is It for Deals to Fall Through?

Estimating the frequency of failed real estate contracts can be difficult, because data is not uniformly reported in the MLS’s. However, some national data and industry estimates provide a guideline:

• Bankrate notes that in the fourth quarter of 2022, about 5 percent of contracts were terminated (i.e. did not close).
• Some industry trade commentary puts the typical failure or “bump out” rate between 5 and 15 percent, depending on market conditions, according to Accounting Insights.

Thus, a “back on market” re-listing due to a failed contract is not rare — but it is still a minority of all listings. In stable markets, failure rates tend to cluster at the lower end (3–7%). Being equipped with the right info when you are selling what is likely your highest asset makes sense. If you’d like to discuss things further, I’d love to talk with you.

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

Players accumulate points through team win points (set and match outcomes), individual statistical performance (kills, digs, serves), and MVP votes from players and fans. Each week, the top four scorers become captains and draft new teams, and at season’s end the athlete with the highest total is crowned champion. According to the league, it developed the scoring system “to highlight the individual performance of an athlete within the context of overall team performance.”

Nine total players from LOVB Nebraska and the Omaha Supernovas will compete in Athletes Unlimited. LOVB Nebraska is represented by three players: Gabby Blossom, Emily Thater and Jaali Winters. Six Supernovas will take part in the event: Sydney Hilley, Brooke Nuneviller, Elise Goetzinger, Morgan Hentz, Reagan Cooper and Sarah Wilhite Parsons.

Omaha Hockey and WoodmenLife are again partnering to show appreciation for military personnel at the Mavericks’ annual Military Appreciation Game against Air Force in an exhibition on Friday, Oct. 3, at Baxter Arena.

The Mavericks will wear specialty camouflage jerseys purchased by WoodmenLife and auctioned off online. The auction opened for bidding today, Thursday, Oct. 2, at 9 a.m. and closes on Friday, Oct. 3, at 11:30 p.m. The proceeds from the auction will be donated to the UNO Office of Military and Veteran Services. Visit OMavs.com/Auctions to bid.

Creighton Volleyball will host its 18th Annual Pink Out match on Sunday, Oct. 19th, and use the competition as an opportunity to benefit the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Nebraska. This year’s auction features the opportunity to bid on each player’s match-worn pink jersey and an accompanying customizable warm-up top worn by the player pre-match, honoring a loved one who is, or formerly, battled cancer.

This year’s auction begins in a staggered format today, Thursday, Oct. 2nd at 6:30 p.m. and will remain open for 10 days. The auction will begin to close in a similar, 15-minute interval, staggered format at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12th. To bid on items beginning tomorrow evening, visit gocreighton.com/pinkoutauction.

Creighton Volleyball moved up two spots in the latest American Volleyball Coaches Association poll this week, coming in at No. 14 following two sweeps over Xavier and Butler. According to Assistant Athletic Director Rob Anderson, Creighton is one of 12 schools (along with Baylor, Florida, Kentucky, Louisville, Nebraska, Penn State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Stanford, Texas and Wisconsin) to have been ranked each of the last 68 polls. The streak began on Sept. 6, 2021, and is a program record.

To go along with their improved ranking, the Bluejays took home two weekly Big East honors. Annalea Maeder was named Big East Setter of the Week and Kiara Reinhardt earned Big East Defensive Player of the Week. Tonight, Creighton travels to Milwaukee to face Marquette at 6 p.m. The game will be nationally broadcast on Fox Sports 1.

Omaha men’s soccer forward Theo Klein was named the Summit League Offensive Peak Performer of the Week. Klein opened scoring in Omaha’s 2-0 win over St. Thomas on Saturday. It was his third goal of the season, tying Maguire Perkins for the team lead. Omaha will go for its second Summit League win in as many tries this Saturday as it travels to Kansas City to face UMKC. That match will kick off at 7 p.m.

Creighton men’s soccer goalkeeper Matthew Hudson was named Big East Freshman of the Week after posting his fifth shutout in the last six matches in a 2-0 victory over DePaul. It is Hudson’s second time earning the distinction this season. Tomorrow, the Bluejays head to Storrs, Conn. to take on the UConn Huskies at 6 p.m.

Union Omaha extended its win streak to two games on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory over Portland Hearts of Pine. The Owls have not lost since August 16 and have lost just two games dating back to August 2, exactly two months ago. In that span, they have seven wins, two losses and three draws. Union Omaha now sits at sixth place in league standings at 11-10-5 with four games remaining until the USL League One Playoffs, where the top eight teams will compete for a championship. This Sunday, the Owls will host FC Naples at 4 p.m.

Upcoming Games

• #14 Creighton Volleyball at Marquette | Thursday, Oct. 2 | 6 p.m.
• Omaha Volleyball vs. North Dakota | Thursday, Oct. 2 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha women’s soccer vs. Oral Roberts | Thursday, Oct. 2 | 7 p.m.
• Creighton men’s soccer at Connecticut | Friday, Oct. 3 | 6 p.m.
• Athletes Unlimited Volleyball | Friday, Oct. 3 | 5:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
• #14 Creighton Volleyball at DePaul | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 1 p.m.
• Omaha Volleyball vs. North Dakota State | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 5 p.m.
• Creighton women’s soccer at Connecticut | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 5:30 p.m.
• Omaha men’s soccer at UMKC | Saturday, Oct. 4 | 7 p.m.
• Omaha women’s soccer at St. Thomas | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 1 p.m.
• Union Omaha vs. FC Naples | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 4 p.m.
• Athletes Unlimited Volleyball | Sunday, Oct. 5 | 5:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
• Athletes Unlimited Volleyball | Monday, Oct. 6 | 5:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.
• Creighton men’s soccer at Missouri State | Wednesday, Oct. 8 | 6 p.m.

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KANEKO has announced the KANEKO Soirée, an event that transcends the typical fundraiser. “This is where creativity collides with community, where bold artistic vision pushes boundaries and where visionaries like you drive meaningful change.” Expect lively music, visual art, silent auction, curated food and drink, and an evening shared in celebration of the impact of creativity in our community.

The Union for Contemporary Art is holding Glow Up at The Union on Friday, October 3rd, at 6:00 p.m. The event celebrates a new chapter for The Union. Food, refreshments, games, and of course, lots of music to keep you partying. Tickets are $10 or purchase an exclusive VIP pass for $50 for extra special perks and a goody bag.

Blackstone Farnam Fest is back for another year on October 11. The event will take place at Blackstone Alley, the revamped event space behind Scriptown Brewing, near 39th & Farnam Street. Farnam Fest will include live music, a vendor market, food trucks and an outdoor bar. Gates will open at 11am and music will begin at 12pm. Admission is free.

The Omaha Community Playhouse will present the Pulitzer Prize winning drama, Angels In America – Part Two: Perestroika, opening Friday, October 10 and running through November 9 in the Howard Drew Theatre. The powerful conclusion to Tony Kushner’s groundbreaking theatrical masterpiece, Perestroika follows the critically acclaimed Part One: Millennium Approaches presented by the Omaha Community Playhouse last season (2024/25). Perestroika continues the journey through the lives of a group of interconnected New Yorkers navigating politics, religion, sexuality, and the AIDS crisis during the 1980s.

Omaha Performing Arts has added two new events to the performance calendar:

Film Streams Feature IX with Special Guest Spike Lee comes to the Holland Center on Sunday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $62.50 and are on sale now through ticketomaha.com

D.L. Hughley comes to the Holland Center on Wednesday, Nov. 26 at 8 p.m. Tickets start at $66 and go on sale Friday, Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. through ticketomaha.com

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Legendary college football coach Nick Saban won seven national championships and is universally considered to be one of the greatest coaches of all time. Saban says there are “five enemies of greatness:” 1. Entitlement; 2. Lack of discipline; 3. Circumstances over vision; 4. Self-pity; and 5. Complacency. If you allow any of these enemies to invade your company or organization, you’re likely to lose your competitive edge and fail to achieve your full potential.

Have you heard the term, “workslop?” According to BetterUp, workslop is “AI generated work content that masquerades as good work but lacks the substance to meaningfully advance a given task.” It creates the illusion of progress – slick slides, lengthy reports, overly tightened summaries or code without context. Rather than saving time, it leaves colleagues to do the real thinking and clean-up.

Though many employers say they are ditching degree requirements to recruit more diverse talent, many of them are not actually doing it, according to Fortune, which recently interviewed Goodwill CEO Steve Preston. “I think when somebody comes out with a four-year degree from college, there’s a certain sense that that person has a foundation that will be valuable in the workplace, and there’s a suspicion that if somebody hasn’t done that, they may be lacking some core skills,” Preston said, while pointing to critical thinking, team building and communications as potential skills built from school projects and essays.

Career growth can sometimes feel fake and performative. According to HR Dive, 65 percent of U.S. workers experience “ghost growth,” the illusion of advancement but no meaningful changes in pay, promotion or authority. Two-thirds of workers believe their employers engage in “growth theater.”

Restless Office Workers – Sixty-two percent of white-collar workers said they’d swap their career for a blue-collar “trade” job if it meant more employment stability and better pay, according to Fortune.

Business Travel – According to Steve Glenn, chairman of Lincoln-based Executive Travel, here are the top 10 things travelers leave behind in a hotel room: 1. chargers and cords; 2. clothing; 3. toiletries; 4. jewelry and watches; 5. glasses and sunglasses; 6. books and magazines; 7. medication; 8. keys; 9. laptops and tablets; 10. AirPods and other small tech gadgets.

SALES

Be selective when prospecting. You want a lot of good prospects, but having a huge pipeline is not necessarily a good thing. Sales author Anthony Iannarino says, “a gargantuan pipeline is like a giant buffet you could never finish. It looks impressive, but most of it ends up wasted.” High-quality prospects beat a bloated pipeline every time.

Here’s a hard truth most salespeople never hear: The most dangerous thing you can do is think like an employee. So says Jeb Blount, Jr., writing for SalesGravy. The highest-earning sales reps think like owners. They take responsibility for their number, their mindset and their mission. They don’t wait for leads to be handed to them or settle for “good enough.”

WISDOM

“Action expresses priorities.” – Mahatma Gandhi

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Did you know the Visit Omaha sales team secured 198 conventions, events and motorcoach tours for future years, generating over $140 million for our local economy?

Did you know that Omaha-based Union Pacific Railroad operates around the clock on more than 32,000 miles of track in 23 states transporting an average of 8 million carloads annually? The railroad’s nationwide traffic is managed at the Harriman Center, which is located just east of the Old Market.

Did you know Dillard’s is taking over the former Younker’s store at Westroads Mall and building a 2-story, 32,000 sq. ft. addition and that Toys R Us is taking over the former Forever 21 space on Westroads’ lower level?

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8th Annual Chili Crawl happening October 4th: Whether you’re looking for classic or spicy; the 8th Annual Chili Crawl is sure to treat your tastebuds! Your favorite Midtown Crossing restaurants will each be offering their own signature chili recipe, available for purchase as a $4 sampler. Visit as many restaurants as possible, in any order you’d like, and cast your vote for the best chili in midtown. And look for drink pairings (prices vary) to put out the fire along the way!

Woofstock: Halloween in the Bark happening October 5th: Woofstock brings pets, their humans and the community together for a fun-filled fall day in Turner Park. Enjoy the Pup-Up Dog Park, local pet-themed vendors, outdoor yard games and a special “Pet and Play” with local rescues. Don’t miss the dog costume parade at noon, plus delicious food and drinks on the Turner Park patio—where pups are welcome too! Complete the day with “Pawsport” BINGO for prizes and plenty of tail-wagging fun.

Tempo of Twilight Concert featuring Omaha Broadway Bar happening October 7th: Enjoy an unforgettable concert by Omaha Broadway Bar, a group of local singers who perform Broadway, pop and other crowd favorites. Founded in 2024, they bring high-energy, interactive shows to venues across Omaha, from bars and brunches to museums and family events. With a rotating cast, every show is unique, joyful and proudly rooted in Omaha’s vibrant talent. On concert nights, guests are allowed to bring chairs or blankets, picnics and non-alcoholic beverages.

EVERYWHERE: Event Marketing Summit happening October 10th: This summit brings together professionals from regional and national event organizations, bar crawl brands, concert promoters, sports teams, field marketing departments and more to share what’s working, what’s next and how to build smarter, faster and further-reaching event-marketing programs. Whether you’re managing dozens of store openings, hundreds of concerts or coordinating marketing for a national brand activation tour, this event is built for you!

Hubble Telescope: New Views of the Universe Exhibit recurring daily through December 14th: This traveling exhibit invites visitors to explore the science, discoveries and engineering behind NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Through vivid imagery, authentic artifacts and hands-on activities, guests will discover how Hubble has transformed our understanding of the cosmos. From swirling storms on distant planets to galaxies billions of light-years away, the exhibit offers an interactive journey through space science perfect for all ages.

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NP Dodge Real Estate has welcomed new residential sales associates including Brenden Geer, Gopi Jayabalan, Mackenzi Fritcher and William Tran.

WoodmenLife promoted John Sharp to senior vice president & general counsel, secretary. Sharp, who joined WoodmenLife in 2021 as vice president & deputy general counsel, will now lead the organization’s legal and compliance division.

Mutual of Omaha has appointed Delphine Soucie vice president of brokerage sales. Before joining Mutual, she held leadership positions at MassMutual, AXA/Equitable and The Hartford, focusing on distribution and product management. Soucie earned her bachelor’s degree from Siena University and her master’s degree from Babson College.

Security National Bank has promoted Rikki Soria to assistant vice president and branch manager of its 71st & Redick Avenue branch office.

The Nebraska Land Title Association has named Sam Cooper, vice president of TitleCore National, as its 2025 Title Person of the Year.

American Banker has recognized Mihaela Kobjerowski, executive vice president and Chief Credit Officer at FNBO, on its list of “The Most Powerful Women in Banking’s Women to Watch.” Kobjerowski is a first-generation American who came to the United States in 1996 through an academic exchange program. Before her career in banking, she taught at the University of Nebraska’s sister university in Romania.

Steve Goeser, president & CEO of Methodist Health System, is retiring December 31, after 21 years with the health system. He will be succeeded by Josie Abboud, executive vice president.

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.

If you’re like me and have big numbers on your odometer, you remember one of the great songs from the 1960s: “The Age of Aquarius” by the Mamas and Papas. The song is about the planets coming into alignment to create a new technological revolution.

The song is a perfect segue into my incredibly insightful comments on where I think Mr. Market’s planets are starting to align. Several weeks ago, I reported on the activity of a large, but relatively obscure player in the AI world, Oracle. They announced a joint venture with Open AI to build a $500 billion data center.

For those of you who have been on the planet Melmac for the last few weeks, Open AI is a small, privately held company that has become the focal point of Wall Street’s AI feeding frenzy.

Spoiler alert, I have no idea where AI fits into my world. But the important thing is, where does it fit into Mr. Market’s world? By taking a quick look at the composition of the two major indexes, it doesn’t take too long to figure out where this thing might be headed.

Second spoiler alert. There is a major distinction between “prediction” and an “observation.” A prediction says this WILL happen. An observation says I see these things happening and they MAY be headed in this direction. What follows is an observation.

Both the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ are weighted by market cap. As a company’s fortunes come and go, so does their influence on the indexes. The companies that produce the S&P and Nasdaq adjust each company’s weighting on an irregular basis. At any one point in time, a company’s market cap may not properly reflect a company’s success or lack thereof. But in the long run, rapidly growing companies will rule the day

The current discloser on the indexes’ weighting reveals that the top 10 of both the S&P 500 and the NASDAQ 500 are almost identical and the top eight are at the center of the AI universe. They are Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Meta, both Googles and Broadcom. Where the two indexes part company is in their respective weightings. In terms of the Nasdaq, the top eight companies constitute 54 percent of the market’s movement. Whereas, in the case of the S&P 500, that number is significantly smaller at 29 percent.

What’s going to happen after the next go-around of market-cap adjustments? It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that if my extremely astute observations are correct, the next few quarters will be positive for Nvidia and the AI train. And to paraphrase Pogo, “As AI goes, so goes Mr. Market.”

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