Jeff Around Town

Storms, like the one that blew through the Omaha metro Wednesday night, can bring people together. Neighbors and strangers, alike, helping each other clearing trees and debris. And also, as Jeff Koterba experienced, sharing a glass of wine and pastry puffs in the dark at a popular coffee shop.

You’ve no doubt heard the expression, “It’s like riding a bike,” when describing an activity that should come second nature. But is it true? Especially when getting back on a bike after several years? Jeff Koterba learned the answer recently when he unexpectedly came into possession of a new bike.

Everyone has a story to tell and recently, Jeff Koterba met a couple who easily has dozens of incredible stories between them. Katie worked for the Smithsonian and The Kennedy Center, and Craig held a music-related position in the Pentagon.

And even though they moved to Omaha from Washington, D.C., only a few years ago, they’re already touching and impacting lives in their adopted hometown. Hear just a few of their stories and how they’ve fallen in love with Omaha.

As a kid growing up in South Omaha, Jeff Koterba loved venturing downtown. Mostly, because he was fascinated with tall buildings. But it was one building, in particular, that has always held a special place in his heart.
Recently, Jeff had a chance not only to chat with an Omahan who has done so much for our community, but to also gaze out across the city.

Attention coffee lovers! What could be better than that first sip of delicious coffee? How about a coffee sauna? What’s a coffee sauna, you ask?

Decades before the first Super Target in America opened in Omaha in the 1990s, there was a different Omaha store where you could not only buy clothing, appliances, and housewares, but you could also pick up your groceries and have prescriptions filled. Recently, Jeff Koterba took his KVNO colleague, Gabriel Escalera, on a trip down memory lane.

The leaning tower of Pisa is world renowned. But how about Omaha’s very own leaning tower of…Peppi? Although it was leaning for only a short while, you’ve most likely seen it standing upright at one time or another. Jeff spoke with those who know Peppi best to give you and Otis Twelve the full story.

Would you travel 4000 miles to Omaha to help build your son a piece of furniture? In the rain? That’s what one father did recently. But, as it turns out, the rainy weather made father and son feel right at home.

What’s the most beautiful thing that could happen when you’re coming in for a landing over Omaha but suddenly your plane is diverted to Des Moines? Listen to this episode of Jeff Around Town to get the full picture.

Have you been wanting to learn a new language? Maybe you even donated to the KVNO fund drive and have free access to Babbel, the language learning app—and now you want to practice speaking with others? Where do you start? Jeff Around Town might be your answer.

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. Instead of just buying flowers, this year Jeff Koterba might also join his mom to wave hands like clouds.

It’s been incredibly windy lately. But if you want to unplug and transport yourself to a distant land, the answer might be closer than you think. All thanks to the wind.

There’s no question that Mozart was one of the greatest composers of all time. But it wasn’t until the other day in Omaha, when running into an old friend, that Jeff learned one possible theory on why Mozart might also have sometimes been a prankster and impulsive.

For Jeff Koterba, this story launched on Easter Monday, 2010, at the Kennedy Space Center. What Jeff hadn’t expected was for the story to come full circle in Omaha just a few days ago—during a touching tribute for an unsung hero.

Jeff Koterba with Dana Murray, accomplished musician and director of North Omaha Music and Arts.

Jeff Koterba speaking with Ted Wheeler on behalf of Alliance Française Omaha at Pottawattamie Arts, Culture & Entertainment.

Jeff Koterba with KVNO listeners Stella Sideris and Sue Sideris. Taken at Fig Cafe.