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Jeff Around Town

Cartoon Drawing of Jeff Koterba holding a pen and a cup of coffee. That image is in front of a drawing of the Omaha skyline with music notes coming off of it. Above that it reads

A Message From Jeff Koterba:

I truly love my hometown of Omaha. I grew up in South Omaha, and have lived north and south of Dodge Street, from Benson to Dundee, Downtown to West Omaha.

There are so many incredible things happening in our area these days—arts and cultural events, and new developments on nearly every corner, it seems. That’s why, as much as I enjoy traveling, I find equal enjoyment in exploring our bustling metro on both sides of the river. However, it’s the people here that really make Omaha so special.

Being able to connect with strangers and strike up warm conversations wherever I go are just a couple of the myriad reasons I love Omaha. You just never know where I may pop up. Maybe on the riverfront. Maybe in Council Bluffs. Maybe Papillion. Heck, maybe sitting next to you at your favorite coffee shop (I’m obsessed with coffee).

I’ve been known to carry a sketchbook or notebook with me when I’m out for coffee or a walk. As a cartoonist, you have to always be ready to jot down an idea, or to remember an unexpected but wonderful moment. So, if you see a guy with pen in hand, it might be me, and he just might ask how you are.

After all, that’s why I love hosting on KVNO. Yes, it’s about the beautiful and uplifting music, but it’s also about bringing that music and connection to you, dear listener. And now I’ll be sharing even more of my experiences with you on KVNO, as I’ll be sharing my stories on Morning Classics. And with you.

February 10th

Jeff Koterba and Reed Campbell smile at a coffee shop
Reed Campbell is an Omaha-based therapist who loves playing hockey. And when he’s not doing that, he’s making award-winning films with his friends in New York. Indeed, films that have taken him to international film festivals—including the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Hear all about it as Jeff Koterba chats with Reed on this Jeff Around Town.

February 3rd

Jeff and Ed Fisher at a book signing. Ed puckers towards Jeff as Jeff laughs.
When he was just out of high school, Jeff Koterba got his start in broadcasting and cartooning at KYNE-TV, headquartered in the same building where you’ll find KVNO. That was all thanks to Omaha World-Herald cartoonist, Ed Fischer, who recently passed away. On this Jeff Around Town, Jeff remembers his mentor, not only for his humor, but more so, for his humanity.

January 27th

Bruce Arant is old school, in the best way possible. He’s a children’s book author and illustrator, using traditional methods to create his art. He also travels across the region. Not only to teach writing and drawing to grade schoolers, but as a sales representative for a national book distributor, stopping by small-town libraries to share the latest releases. Hear all about Bruce’s literary journeys on this Jeff Around Town.

January 20th

Jeff Koterba kneeling next to Charlie Duckworth and his Australian Shepherd, Zoe. When Charlie Duckworth and his trusty Australian Shepherd, Zoe, aren’t listening to KVNO, Charlie’s tuned in to the sound of trains. Specifically, his model railroad. As a now retired manager for the Union Pacific, Charlie combines his love of art and history—and trains—into over 40 miles of tracks that take you through towns and past farms. Not human-sized miles, of course, as his model railroad is in his basement. Climb aboard for this episode of Jeff Around Town.

January 13

Have you ever slipped on a banana peel? Jeff Koterba has. And so has Melissa Holtmeier, his guest on this Jeff Around Town.
Melissa keeps a busy schedule as a teacher and String Department Chair at the Omaha Conservatory of Music, not to mention her performances with the Mahr String Quartet, Omaha Symphony, and more.
Hear all about her music—and her banana peel incident.

January 5th

Jeff and Anne Marie standing in a bookstore and Anne Marie holds her book.
Anne Marie Kenny is a multi-creative who left Omaha at a young age to sing on the streets of Paris and eventually landed in Prague where she launched a staffing agency just after the Velvet Revolution. These days, she’s back in Omaha with a new memoir and recently shared with Jeff Koterba about what it took to become an entrepreneur in 1990s Europe.
Looking for more episodes? Check the 2025 and 2024 Archive pages for episodes dating back to February 2024!