Text:
“Dundee Day
A Historically Festive Neighborhood
Join the Dundee Merchants Association and Dundee Memorial Park Association for the 30th Annual Dundee Day Street Festival and the “Dundee Night” evening of music, food and fun.
August 19, 2023
8:00 AM-4:00 PM
Street Festival
4:00 PM-12:00 AM
Dundee Night Street Party
For up-to-date information,visit our website at www.DundeeDay.org”
OmahaNebraska.com Interview with Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert
Mayor Jean Stothert with Heartland of America Park in background
Special thank you to the Mayor for taking time for the interview with her busy schedule.
The thing I’m most excited about today is public private partnerships. How it is to work from your side? You said how great it was to work with the City of Omaha and then the different projects that you’ve been working on.
Well, I will say, and I said it in my speech, nearly everything that we do in Omaha really benefits from these partnerships that we have – public private partnerships – that are very unique for Omaha. It’s their financial support, their leadership and their vision that has really helped us move forward and you see it all over Omaha. You see it in the Arena Convention Center, the ballpark, the Luminarium. These three parks now that are known as the Riverfront are an amazing example [of] that the same step forward. We put in about 60 million, and they raised 400 million of private dollars. That is, is uniquely Omaha and you don’t see that in a lot of other cities. So those relationships and those partnerships have enabled the city of Omaha to achieve things that we couldn’t have done on our own.
Thank you. The streetcars are up next…
Well, the Streetcar is, is underway. So, you know, all the approvals that I needed from the Council have been done. It’s in design right now, and we will move forward with it and the great thing about the Streetcar is all these venues that we have downtown. They’re really not all close enough that you could just park your car and walk from one to another, especially if you want to enjoy seeing our Old Market [to] go down dinner, and the Streetcar is just going to connect everything together. You know, it’ll be down there right in front of the Arena Convention Center. It’s going to go through downtown and it’s going to go all the way to Midtown and back and people can hop on the streetcar say at Midtown, come into downtown, go through all the venues down here and get on the streetcar and go back to where they parked their car. So, this is just a way to connect all these things, and for those living downtown. You know, we just opened up the Brickline weeks ago at the Mercantile which is the ConAgra campus development. And so many of the new tenants work at the Med Center. They love it because they’re going to be able to hop on the street car and not use their car to get there. And so all of that is working together. And I think right now we’re seeing the results of a great partnership.
Mogens Bay with Heartland of America Park in the background and Omaha skyline
A special thank you to Mogens Bay for the interview. Pubic Private Partnerships have been a great interest area of mine for some time. It was wonderful to hear his speech earlier and to do the interview.
Please tell me more about the public private partnership.
Well, often, when you need to get stuff done, people have to get together. As you know, the city owned all this land. We didn’t have to acquire any lands. We knew there was a fantastic philanthropic community in Omaha. So public is the city, private is philanthropy and when we get together, good things happen.
You said that it was very special to work with Omaha in this capacity and enumerated some of that in your speech. Can you tell us a little more please?
We worked with the mayor’s office. We worked with the City Council and we worked with MECA, which became our partner from the very beginning. They were going to manage the Park and they were very much involved in getting the Park built and overseeing that. Then, of course, we had lots of contractors and subcontractors. I would say that the City is the public part of the partnership and philanthropy, whether it is foundations or companies or individuals, is the private part.
Coming here to Omaha…what helped you along the journey to work on this project?
Bob Daugherty, who was the founder of Valmont, he’s the one that brought me to Omaha. He was my mentor when it came to getting involved in community stuff – nonprofits – making sure that we make a difference.
He established a very significant foundation on his death and that foundation was investing about $40 million dollars in our community. So, people that have benefited from living here are committed to giving back – Daugherty is a good example of that. That’s how we learn. We learn from Peter Kiewit. We learn from Walter Scott and there are more examples.
This is not just something that happens now, but it happens so that we have more money available now because these foundations are becoming very, very big. The spirit [of] getting together to make things happen in Omaha, no, it’s not new.
What do you recommend for people or companies that want to become more involved?
Get their employees involved with nonprofits with anything that they have a passion for. Don’t just go out and place a board member. No. Some may have a have a passion for economic development. Some have a passion for social services. It doesn’t matter. Just commit some of your time. As a matter of fact, when I look at the current situation and the future of Omaha, our problem is not going to be money. It’s going to be leadership. People stepping up to do things.
Today at 10:00 AM the City of Omaha opened the Heartland of America Park!
The ceremony was brief and meaningful and was followed by a ribbon cutting.
Special thank you to Omaha MECA and Angela Hutchings for this photograph.
Omaha ribbon cutting for Heartland of America Park with honored guests including the Mayor with flag at half mast in the background (This image courtesy of Omaha Meca and Angela Hutchings.)
Please enjoy our OmahaNebraska.com pictures below and come back to see more pictures and interviews.
Omaha FountainWater with fountain two chairs and people taking picturesOmaha fountain in front of Omaha skyline with water in foregroundFarnam Pier Arches above Omaha skyline
”
Omaha Mobile Stage
CHANGE OF LOCATION DUE TO WEATHER
American film, television and Broadway actress and Omaha native to host local talent competition series Finals this Sunday
Stephanie Kurtzuba to host performances from more than 40 winning acts from Omaha Mobile Stage’s 2023 Youth Talent Show series
Press contact:
Kaylea Kuhlman, 402-640-0654, kaylea@livable.org
Omaha, Neb.—On August 20, Stephanie Kurtzuba will host the Omaha Mobile Stage Youth Talent Show Finals Night. This free event begins at 5 p.m. at the Simon Concert Hall at the Omaha Conservatory of Music at 7023 Cass Street in Omaha.
This event was previously scheduled for Gene Leahy Mall and has moved indoors due to the weather.
This event features more than 40 first-place youth acts, representing the winners from each age division from eight prior Show Wagon competitions, which took place throughout the Omaha metro between May 27 and August 10.
Born and raised in Omaha, Stephanie Kurtzuba performed on Omaha’s Goodfellows Show Wagon in her childhood years. As a professional actress in New York City, she is a multi hyphenate artist working as an actress, writer, and producer. Beyond her experience performing on Broadway, on film, and TV, she has also created and produced multiple projects for the big and small screen.
Beginning in 1952 and lasting for 59 years, the City of Omaha Parks Department operated the Good Fellows Show Wagon as a youth talent competition. In its heyday in the 1970s, the Show Wagon drew hundreds of contestants and thousands of audience members from the Omaha area and beyond.
“I have so many fond memories of Show Wagon. It was something I looked forward to every summer,” Kurtzuba said.
“I loved meeting in the different parks around Omaha, sitting on blankets with my family and friends. I remember dancing with my sister on the Show Wagon stage and feeling the stage sway with the rhythm of our music,” she said.
She gives advice to Youth Talent Show participants to enjoy the opportunity to share their talent and passion with their city. She said it is a gift to be a part of a community that supports and nurtures young people’s dreams.
View Images, B-roll, and Videos from the 2023 Youth Talent Show series
Passion Yu posing for a photo with 1st place ribbon from Staenberg Omaha Youth Talent Show on June 11.
Stephanie Kurtzuba has appeared in many movies, including The Irishman, The Wolf of Wall Street, Annie, Bad Education, and most recently, the Bert Kreischer vehicle, The Machine.
She also had roles in TV shows such as the mini-series, Waco, and had recurring roles on Tulsa King, Grey’s Anatomy, Dynasty, Blue Bloods, The Good Wife, and The Leftovers. Her many guest appearances include Station 19, The Good Cop, Bull, Chicago PD, and Elementary.
She has appeared in Broadway shows such as Billy Elliot and The Boy from Oz, Mary Poppins, and Off-Broadway in Our Lady of 121st Street, Bat Boy, and A Mother, and A Daughter and A Gun.
Yes, we all need names so mine is Macadamia Mulrooney, that is my Peanutnutter name.
Is that your favorite nut?
Actually, actually yeah. it really is because basically whenever like I used to have to put macadamia nuts in and also my favorite small energy bars- so it’s a macadamia and white chocolate. But of course, I like all types of nuts. I am a big nut enjoyer.
So how did you get to be are doing this
So oddly enough, like my great grandfather used to own and operate three old Planters, brick and mortar shops back in Memphis, Tennessee. So basically ever since I was a wee lad, we had Planters things everywhere on my dad’s side of the family. You go into every house, see little Mr. Peanuts everywhere.
To give an example, during Christmas and there’s a tradition of hiding a paper in the Christmas tree but we would hide a Mr. Peanut in the Christmas tree for the kids to find and things like that. So basically for my whole life, Mr. Peanut and Planters has been like a part of it like even though my family hasn’t been involved with it since my great grandfather. And so when I told my grandmanwhen I got this job, she was overly ecstatic. Because that was her dad like that was her dad who owned and operated those stores, and one of them is still standing operating.
Oh, where’s that one?
A Memphis, Tennessee.
What’s it called?
It’s called the Peanut Shoppe.
So, you’ve been around Mr. Peanut your whole life. How did you apply and find out about it?
So I found out about this job because I was following all the Mr. Peanut and Planters Instagram accounts. They posted a job application for this. I was like, wow, this is like the perfect thing. You travel across the whole entire country and make people smile. So then the application process. It was basically a resume cover letter and then we had a minute long video. Basically, you know, of us explaining why we would be the perfect Peanutter. And so it was like a personality snapshot to see if we were good for the job. And then we’ve had interviews after that multiple rounds. And then they chose us from them.
Tell me about Peanuts Prep.
Peanut Prep was all the training that goes into basically preparing us to be Peanutters because we’re just young young people beforehand, but now we’re grizzled peanut enjoyers.
[Laughter]
… We became honey roasted after that session. All sweet and ready.
[More Laughter]
Well, since we’re on with the puns, were you shy before?
I was shy before college but not in college…even though my major is completely different from what this job entails. I was involved in student organizations, which also includes being Vice President in the class, So, I’ve been involved with just like a promotions and communications outside of the classroom.
What was your major?
My major was National Security and Foreign Affairs in Russian with a minor in Religion.
Wow. That’s a pretty interesting combination.
Very much so. Now I’m driving a peanut for a year. So you know, life is always full of surprises…
I understand the class there is a new class that will be coming after you. So, what will you be thinking of or looking for opportunities later?
I would love to continue working for both, the Planters brand but also with my major. I would also love to work with. So with this job it gives so many great avenues in Canada it would be really cool to basically continue family legacy with over planter so but also I would love to serve my country.
OmahaNebraska.com Interview with Tania Castro from the Planters Nutmobile at Hy-Vee
Tanya Castro in front of the Planters Nutmobile at Hy-Vee
How long have you been with the Nutmobile?
So, I started with Katie and Mason on June 1st. We met May 31st. June 1st was our first day on the job. We trained for about nine days in Austin, Minnesota. We like to call it “Peanut Prep” and after the nine days we hit the road.
Now I understand the meaning of ”class”. So you are Class 10 (Tenth group to graduate from “Peanut Prep”)...
Yes, Class 10.
What did you do before this? How did you get this job?
So I’m a little different than Mason and Katie. They just graduated from college in May. I actually graduated college in December of 2021. After that, I started working for the government. I worked for a government agency in southern Nevada that did all public transportation, roadway planning… Funny story, one day I was picking up lunch from that job in Las Vegas and the Nutmobile passed me. And I was like, “This is probably the coolest thing I’ve ever seen.” So, I snapped a picture of it. I posted it on my Instagram. My friend responded that it’s the Nutmobile, so I started doing research on it. And I came across their TikTok and Class 9 was doing really well with it. This seems like fun. Luckily, they were accepting applications at the time, so I decided to apply and here I am.
What’s it made of?
The outside is made out of fiberglass and pool noodles. If anybody ever comes across the Nutmobile, you’ll see the ridges. Those are actually pool noodles covered in fiberglass.
Yes, it’s definitely conversation starter.
What’s the engine or the rest of it?
So it’s built on a 2017 Isuzu chassis. That’s the base of it. And then they built the nut on top of it.
And then 2017 … and Class 10…[Five year old Nutmobile vs ten years of Peanutters-What’s missing?]
Yes.
What happened?
Planters used to be owned by Kraft Heinz before this.
When it was owned by Kraft Heinz there were three Nutmobiles on the road. So, there were more Peanutters than three when Hormel adopted the program and we stuck with this one. So, if you ever come across the Nutmobile, this is the only one.
What did you study at school?
I did journalism with a concentration in Marketing, a minor in Business Marketing and the second degree in Spanish.
Wow.
If anybody’s interested in driving the Nutmobile and applications open back up, I say go for it. Honestly, it’s an experience of a lifetime. You’ll get to save this for the rest of your life. You get to drive a giant peanut across the United States and you get to visit so many places in so many communities. There’s definitely a great opportunity.
So all the 48 continental states?
We’re trying to get to 48.
Do you collect anything from all these states?
I do! I collect magnets. So, growing up, my grandma always had her magnets on her fridge. My uncle traveled a lot when he was younger, so he would bring her magnets back. Everywhere that I go, I buy a magnet.
That’s really cool.
Thank you.
Yeah, so I do magnets. Katie does stickers and Mason is trying to do hats. So, we’re trying to see how many hats he can collect on the road.
We were talking about it earlier today and he has about 20 so far. We’ll see how many he ends up with.
I think about a couple times a week, how crazy it is that if I didn’t leave work that day to get lunch…so I am very grateful.
OmahaNebraska.com Interview with Katie Chesebro from the Planters Nutmobile at Hollywood Candy in the Old Market
Katie Chesebro in front of the Planters Nutmobile at Hy-Vee
They call me Cashew Katie.
That’s a good one.
Yeah, love it.
What’s your favorite nut?
I love the honey roasted peanuts. They’re probably my favorite, but if you have not tried [them] our dill pickle cashews are delicious. They’re so yummy. So, I like it a lot. We have some trail mixes out there. We have new cashew flavor coming out. So, lots of delicious exciting things, for sure.
What brings you to Omaha?
So I guess a little background of the automobile… Me, Tanya and Mason, we travel the United States from June to June. We’re class 10 of the Planters Peanutters. We hopefully will travel 48 out of 50 states. And so, Nebraska, we were looking at where to stop in Nebraska and Omaha seems pretty attractive to us. We stopped here and Hormel (owns Planters) has a plant here too. We were at Papillion Foods a couple days ago. Check out there, and yeah, now we’re just hanging out in Omaha. So, I guess the people [and the] big city life brought us here.
We really enjoy Omaha and glad we are here too. How did you come to work at the Nutmobile and what did you do before?
Good question! So, I actually went to school at the University of Wisconsin, Madison before this, and I was kind of hitting a point senior year where everyone was asking me what I’m doing next year, and I honestly had no idea. And so, an ad came across my Facebook. My mom was friends with someone who works at Hormel in promoting this job opportunity. And I just got so excited. So that became my Plan A and my dream job that I really wanted to strive for. So, applications opened in January. From there I submit a cover letter, resume, a minute long video of why I would be better, which was my favorite part of the application, and a basic application. And from there I went through an interview process and here we are.
What did you say that made you the perfect Peanutter?
So in college, I had the opportunity to put on a couple of bigger campus events as well as I worked at a radio station and was on the road with them quite a bit, talking to people going to various events, connecting with people getting people to smile, which is exactly what the job is, as well. I actually worked at a car dealership for five years throughout college. And so, I think the driving experience really helped me to handle such a big vehicle. 26 feet long and 11 and a half tall. It’s a pretty big vehicle which I think oddly enough of my experience lined up and I was excited about it, which I think made me the perfect candidate to be the next Peanutter.
That’s pretty cool.
It’s nutty for sure…
Gotta have a lot of puns.
Oh, yeah. My favorite I think is every time people leave, I always say ,“Cashew you later.” Oh, yeah, you know, and so it takes a minute for people to get it sometimes, but when they do I get lots of smiles.
We go we try to go to sporting events, minor league baseball games and stuff like that because what more of perfect a combo is peanuts in sports, you know? They’re a good snack. They’re healthy. So I love that kind of stuff.
Maybe gaming and programming competitions, because snacks are really big… What is in your Nutmobile?
Inside the Nutmobile we have six seats. The seats are embroidered with Mr. Peanut on them and a lot of people describe them as like they’re plane seats, but pretty comfy, so we have six of those on the inside. We also have a timeline of Mr. Peanut on the ceiling, so that’s pretty cool. Starts at 1919 when Mr. Peanut first arrived on packaging today with all the different Mr. Peanuts which is pretty fun. I think there’s like 20 on the ceiling.
Wow.
Obviously, cupholders. We have a TV. We call it our peanut bar with what’s underneath the TV as well as we have a cashew closet in the back and that’s where Mr. Peanut sleeps. He stays back there. Yeah, we get to travel with the one and only Mr. P. But that’s about a third of the vehicle. His bedroom.
Why did you pick here? Did you talk to Hollywood [Candy] ahead?
It’s, I mean when we’re in new cities, we just kind of asked people for recommendations. Honesty, the last class came here and they were like you have to check out candy store. It’s pretty cool…We love seeing cool things. And also, if you stop, you’re going [to] stop and eat candy too. I think we’re trying to help out the local businesses as well.
