The first quarter of this new year has come with trepidation. Many watched the events of Jan. 6 unfold on television with disbelief. In other countries, however, political upheaval is the norm, not the exception.

The Nov. 8 general election in Myanmar retained state counselor Aung San Suu Kyi, and her National League for Democracy party won 395 of 476 available Parliament seats. Suu Kyi came to power through this post, specially created for her in 2015, and has ruled a land that has experienced political turbulence since becoming independent from the British Empire in the 1940s.

We at Omaha Magazine had long planned an article about a local Karen refugee from Myanmar. The story took on greater currency on Feb. 1 when Suu Kyi and other top officials were detained, and the Myanmar military declared a state of emergency, bringing this country to the top of the news feeds. 

The March/April issue also brings a lot of fun Arts & Culture articles. I particularly loved the article about Omahan Chad Ward, a roadie who has raised money for unemployed music-industry professionals like him through his foundation Roadie Relief. Percussionist Dana Murray, of local ensemble Dojo Percussion, talks about playing with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis. 

Arts and culture continues into Sixty-Plus, where our active living article is about Dave Biehl, a retired veterinarian who now creates sculptures, including ones at Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the Omaha Police Department. 

Those who enjoy our food sections will also find a little extra in Sixty-Plus, where we have an article about old-fashioned pies for people to make and eat. Some, such as sour-cream raisin, are found around the Midwest, while others, such as vinegar, are almost obscure these days.

The food section itself spotlights Blue & Fly, a Chinese dining spot popular with Omahans, and an article on Drew Statz, the relatively new executive chef at Dante Pizzeria. The dining feature is about locally owned Le Peep.

The issue also spotlights a couple of people in Omaha doing great business. Nic Bianchi, age 18, started a candle-making company three years ago and has products that can be found in area stores and online. Anchorwoman Serese Cole tells readers the story of her career from young reporter to beloved TV personality. Former UNO basketball player Tola Dada, who was born in Nigeria, tells us of his venture from the ball court to the hallways of Westside Community Schools.

There’s a lot of great articles in this issue.
I hope you enjoy reading them all.

* Note: The hotel edition of Omaha Magazine has a different cover and does not include all of the editorial content included in the magazine’s full city edition. For more information on our city edition, visit OmahaMagazine.com.