Well... week one is officially in the books. And I genuinely just want to say thank you. The amount of support, messages, feedback, and kind words I’ve gotten over the past week has been kind of crazy to see.

One thing I want to do with Omaha Circle is bring you along for the process of actually building it. The core of what you’re reading will always stay the same, but you’ll probably notice me trying new sections, moving things around, and testing different ideas along the way. I want to figure out what you actually enjoy reading, what you skip, and what makes you excited to open this every Wednesday.

So, some things might look a little different this week. I’m figuring it out as I go, and you’re kind of figuring it out with me. I think that’s part of the fun.

I hope your week has been treating you well, now lets get into it!

Fall is officially here. The autumn equinox hit yesterday at 7:05 p.m., although the high ragweed pollen apparently didn’t get the memo. We’re also up to 5.16 inches of rain this September, compared with the normal 2.96 inches, so yeah... it’s been a wet one.

And for the new folks, the Omaha Weather Betrayal Count is still sitting at 1. This is a very scientific number that goes up whenever I feel personally betrayed by Omaha’s weather. That first point came from the distasteful heat wave a couple weeks ago. So far, Omaha has behaved itself since. In other words, I have been enjoying the rain.

I’m opening a limited number of spots for Founding Partners, which will come with early-partner pricing as a thank you for supporting Omaha Circle early on. If your interested in working together, I’d love to hear from you!

This week: Sarahya And Her Big Day

Walking into Falconwood Park for Sarahya’s Creative Con, I honestly did not know where to look first. There was a DJ, people everywhere, bracelet making, canvas painting, cookie decorating, crocheting, cosplay, food trucks, and somehow even more going on around every corner. It felt less like a birthday party and more like this whole little world had been built for one day. And in the middle of it all was Sarahya, smiling, moving around, talking to people, and looking like she was having the time of her life.

All of that made the story behind the day hit a little harder. Sarahya was born premature at just 3 pounds, 4 ounces and was diagnosed shortly after birth with a rare metabolic disease called Methylmalonic Acidemia, or MMA. Her early childhood came with a lot of hospital stays and some incredibly serious moments. Her mom, Sonja, told me there was once a time when she was not sure she would ever get to see Sarahya turn 16.

But she did.

And Sarahya did not spend her Sweet 16 planning a normal birthday party. She planned Sarahya’s Creative Con, a completely free event built around creativity, inclusion, and giving back. When I asked her what made her want to do something like this, she smiled and said she wanted something like Comic-Con. That answer made me smile right back.

The idea also fits perfectly with something Sarahya had already been doing for years. At 13, she started Printed With Purpose, using 3D printers to make fidgets for people who could use a little comfort during difficult moments. It started with kids in hospitals, something she understands personally, and later expanded to veterans and seniors in nursing homes. She has now donated more than 1,000 fidgets.

At Creative Con, that same spirit was everywhere. Guests could make something, keep it, or choose to donate it. Businesses, artists, makers, volunteers, and complete strangers all stepped in to help make the day happen. The venue was donated. Supplies were donated. People showed up simply because they wanted to help bring Sarahya’s idea to life.

I ended up spending a surprising amount of time at the crochet station, learning something I never really pictured myself doing. I played Duck Hunt for the first time on an old gaming system, which was a ton of fun. Cinderella was walking around. The cookies were amazing. Everywhere I looked, someone was making something, laughing, helping, or just enjoying being there.

What stuck with me most, though, was Sarahya herself. She was bubbly, full of energy, and almost always smiling. Knowing what it took for her and her family to reach this birthday made seeing her big day in person feel pretty special.

Creative Con was technically Sarahya’s Sweet 16. But after being there, it felt like a lot more than that. It was a celebration of how far she has come, what she has already given back, and what can happen when a whole community decides to show up for one person’s idea. ❤️

Azteca is one of those places that has just kind of always been there for me. I’ve been going with my family since I was a young lad, and it still hits the same every single time.

You’ll know you’re at the right place when you see the ginormous train caboose sitting out front, which is very hard to miss. Once you’re inside, my recommendation is easy: get the Sopa de Tortilla. I’ve had it more times than I can count, and it is seriously to die for. Come for the giant caboose, stay for the soup.

Location: 9429 S. 142nd Street.

This one’s pretty simple: if you take a cool picture around Omaha, I might just put it in here. I’ll start off:

7:00 PM | Jefferson Starship
Jefferson Starship hits The Astro with three other classic-rock bands. More info

7:30 PM | Come From Away
The hit Broadway musical takes the stage at Omaha Community Playhouse. More info

7:30 PM | Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me!
NPR’s comedy quiz show records live at Orpheum Theater. More info

10:00 AM | Art in the Park
Try urban sketching outside the Kiewit Luminarium. Supplies are included and it’s free. More info

5:00 PM | Heartwood Beats & Bites
Shop local vendors, grab some food and catch DJ Bliss at Heartwood Park. More info

7:30 PM | Falletta Conducts Gershwin & Strauss
The Omaha Symphony opens its season with Gershwin, Strauss and pianist Joyce Yang. More info

8:00 PM | Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse brings its tour to The Astro with Robber Robber More info

10:00 AM | Heartwood Kids Club Finale Party
Heartwood wraps up its Kids Club season with a free morning of family activities. More info

10:00 AM | Over the Moon
Film Streams screens Over the Moon at the Dundee Theater for its Forever Young series. More info

7:00 PM | Mike Semrad & The Riverhawks
Heartwood closes its Summer Sounds season with a free outdoor concert. More info

4:00 PM | Welcome Fest
Live performances, international food and a global bazaar come together for this free community festival. More info

5:30 PM | Falconwood Movies: 9 to 5
Catch 9 to 5 outside at Falconwood Park for a special Sunday-night screening. (This is the place that let Sarahya host Creative Con) More info

8:00 PM | Juanes
Juanes brings his 2026 North American tour to Steelhouse Omaha. More info

And that’s a wrap on week two. If you made it all the way down here, thank you for spending a little bit of your Wednesday with me.

If something in this issue made you smile, taught you something, or reminded you why Omaha is pretty cool, send it to someone you think would enjoy it too.

See you next Wednesday 😎