Connie Watts - Omaha Homes for Sale / Offutt AFB Homes, 402-880-9027

Hops for Harmony, German American Society, Omaha, Nebraska

Hops for Harmony is an annual fundraiser benefiting Project Harmony. The event is organized by the Papillion Area Lions Club along with Pinnacle Bank. It's a really fun evening of beer tasting. Where else can you sample over 100 kinds of beer?

Last year's Hops for Harmony was also held at the German American Society. I attended and had a really fun time. Each vendor has a table with their brews and just like a wine tasting, you'll receive a small cup of any beer you choose. Around the middle of the room are the silent auction items. Don't forget to stop for the food, either! The polish sausages ROCK but there is also enchiladas, ribs and sandwiches.

Hops for Harmony is not just for die hard beer drinkers. I've been trying to expand my selection of beers to darker brews. Trouble is, I dislike coffee and many dark beers have that coffee flavor. This event gave me an opportunity sample many more beers than I otherwise would have been able to from most local Omaha Nebraska pubs.

Mark your calendar for Thursday April 8th and plan on attending. I hope to see you there!

"Project Harmony is a nonprofit agency whose mission is to respond to the abuse of children One Child at a time. Our collaborative, child-focused approach ensures that children are not further victimized by the systems intended to protect them. Professionals from Project Harmony, Child Protective Services, law enforcement and the medical community come together at One Place, so that a child only has to tell of his or her abuse One Time."

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The Neighborhood Center of Omaha is offering local neighborhood associations a FREE post office for association mail. Through Neighborhood Mail, associations have have their mail sent to the Neighborhood Center at no charge. They will even notify you when you have mail to pick up! How cool is that? If your Omaha or Council Bluffs Neighborhood Association is interested in participating, please call the Neighborhood Center at 561-7583.

The Lenten Season is here again and I know Omaha wants to know where the Fish Frys are! Here's what i have so far. Let me know if I've missed any of your favorite places.

Bellevue

St. Matthew Knights of Columbus
12210 S. 36th St.
Time: 5 to 7 p.m.
Price: $8 Adults, $5 children 12 and under, $30 family maximum

Blair, Nebraska

St. Francis Borgia Catholic Church
2005 Davis Drive, Blair
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays through March 26
Adults, $7; children 12 and under, $5

Council Bluffs

Queen of Apostles Catholic Church
34th Street and Fourth Avenue
Council Bluffs, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Adults, $8; children under 10, $3

Papillion, Nebraska

St. Columbkille Church
200 E. Sixth St., Papillion
Time: 5 to 8 p.m.
Price: $7 for age 15 and older, $6 for children 5-15, $2.50 for children under 5, $6 Seniors age 60 and older, $25 for Family

Ralston, Nebraska

St. Gerald Catholic Church’s Knights of Columbus
96th and Q Streets
Hours: 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Price: Adults $8, Seniors $7, Children $5

Ralston American Legion Post 373
74th and Q Streets
Hours: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Price: prices start at $5

Omaha

Antioch Baptist Church
2535 S. 42nd St.
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: $7, $8 and $10. Children under 12 eat for half price

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
30th and Curtis Streets
Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fridays
Cost: $8; senior citizens, $7; children 12 and under, $4

Advertising Clair Memorial United Methodist Church
5544 Ames Ave.
Time: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays
Cost: Suggested donation, $8

Croatian Cultural Society
8711 S. 36th St.
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $8, $4 for children ages 5 to 10

Disabled American Veterans
4515 F St.
Time: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Adult dinners, $5.50 to $8; children's dinners, $4 to $6

Greek Orthodox Church of Greater Omaha
9012 Q St
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $9 or cheese pizza for $4

Holy Name Catholic Church
2901 Fontenelle Blvd.
Time; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $9; children under 12 and senior citizens, $6

Mary Our Queen Catholic Church
3405 S. 118th St.
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $8; senior citizens, $7; and children 5 to 12, $6

Metropolitan Community Church of Omaha
819 S. 22nd St.
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 26 and March 19
Cost: Adults, $7; mini-meal, $4; or $10 for all you can eat

Millard Veterans of Foreign Wars
5083 S. 136th St.
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $10; combo meal, $15

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
2124 S. 32nd Ave.
Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday March 5 and March 19
Price: Adults, $8; senior citizens, $7; children, $4

St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church
2423 Grant St.
Time: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: $9 per meal

St. Columbkille Catholic Church
200 E. Sixth
Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $7; senior citizens & children 5 and older, $6; children under 5, $2.50; family, $25

St. Elizabeth Ann Catholic Church
114th and Fort Streets
Time: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. March 5 and March 19
Cost: Adults, $8; senior citizens, $7; children 4 to 12, $4; family, $27

St. Gerald Catholic Church
9602 Q St.
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $8; senior citizens, $7; children under 10, $5; family, $25. Carry-out ($8)

St. James Catholic Church
4720 N. 90th St.
Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Feb. 26, March 12 and March 26
Cost: Adults, $8.50; senior citizens (60 and older), $7.50; children 4 to 12, $5; children 3 and under, free; and five-serving family pack, $28

St. John Vianney Catholic Church
5801 Oak Hills Drive
Time: 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $8; seniors citizens, $6; children 12 and under, $4

St. Pius X Catholic Church
69th and Blondo Streets
Time: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Adults, $7; children, $5; and family, $30

St. Stephen the Martyr Catholic Church
16701 S St.
Time: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
cost: Meals cost $3 to $8, Children under 3 free

St. Thomas More Catholic Church
48th and Grover Streets
Time: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26, March 12 and March 26 (three Fridays only)
Cost: $3.50 to $8

St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church
15353 Pacific St
Time: 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Suggested donation of $7

Sons of Italy
1238 S. 10th St.
Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: #3.50, $6.50 or $7 depending on what you order

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3421
3434 McKinley St.
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Cost: Donation: $7.50

Flickr Image Credit: f10n4

If you've traveled anywhere in Omaha, you've probably tried unsuccessfully to avoid the potholes. It's impossible to drive anywhere in Omaha without hitting more. I've never seen anything like it.

Potholes are near and dear to my heart because last year, my darling husband, managed to hit not 1..... not 2..... but THREE potholes - all in the same month. Each pothole blew out a tire and cost us $500 each time to replace. Yes, you heard it right, potholes cost us $1,500 last year. Since then, I cringe every time my husband drives somewhere.

The potholes are CONSIDERABLY worse this year so I either need to:

1) not let my husband out of the house

2) get his eyes checked since he obviously can't see where he's going, or

3) find out why there is a pothole problem and will the city reimburse us for car damage

I'm not able to bubble wrap my husband at home so that's out. He did finally (a year later) agree to go to an eye doctor appointment, which I'm sure will help but isn't the problem. We are left with eduction options and what recourse consumers have. Without further adieu, here is our Top 5 Reasons for Omaha's Pothole Problems:

The Top 5 Reasons for Omaha's Pothole Problem

1. The city's gas tax revenue changed July 1, 2009.

2. The new law changed the gas tax from a fixed rate to one based on the percentage of the wholesale gas price.

3. Gas prices dropped, reducing city revenues even further.

3. Record snowfall.

4. A vicious snow / freeze / melt cycle is creating more craters than crews can keep up with.

5. The pothole budget is in the negative

Great, we're educated now. I understand the city has spent $3 million since December 1st, much of it going toward pothole repair. I also know the city budget is $1.6 million to the NEGATIVE. And while I empathize with the budget constraints, it's still the city's responsibility to provide safe & accessible roads.

Did you know that a pothole actually totaled a person's car right here in Omaha?

Now, the question everyone has been waiting for: Will Omaha reimburse for pothole damage to my car? The definitive answer is: MAYBE. Omaha's position is they are NOT responsible unless they KNEW about it. Let me give you a moment to think about that.

Does the city live in on-campus dorms and don't have to drive to and from work each day? How could they NOT know about it? Better yet, read what this author offers on this point.

Here are the two numbers to put on SPEED DIAL since the city doesn't know there is a pothole problem. Let's make a deal, you call in the potholes you encounter daily and I'll call in mine. Together, we should be able to get all Omaha potholes reported so hopefully when everyone's claims are submitted, we'll all be reimbursed. To report potholes in your area, call:

City Works 444-4919

Mayor's Hot Line 444-5555

Report pothole damage to the Omaha City Clerk's Office (8-5 Monday through Friday)

Douglas County Civic Center

1819 Farnam Street

Omaha, NE 68183

You will need to send the city:

• a written report of your damage
• the address where it happened
• date and time of the accident
• repair damage estimates
• receipt copies if damage has already been repaired
• an explanation of how the pothole damage occurred
• a photograph of the pothole is also recommended

REMEMBER: In order to be considered for reimbursement, Omaha must have received a complaint on that specific pothole before your accident occurred.

As of February 16, 2010 - 41 claims have been received and NONE have been paid.

Similar articles:

1. Crews Stay Busy Filling Potholes

2. City Crews Take On Potholes (VIDEO)

3. Omaha Crews Set Pothole Priority (VIDEO)

4. Potholes Plague Older Streets

5. Bellevue Crews Begin Pothole Repair

6. Potholes

7. Pothole Totals Car

8. Pothole Driving Tips

9. Pothole Q&A

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