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The Young Entrepreneurs Four ambitious professionals
Beyond Fitness
Michelle Reitz shares her story
M A G A Z I N E
sculptomaha.com Omaha’s only center for contemporary vein and cosmetic surgery Sculpt is the area’s leader in minimally invasive procedures. Our well trained physicians offer the latest in facelifts, numerous “Scalpel-less” surgeries, breast augmentation, VenaCure EVLT procedures for varicose veins. We use only the most sophisticated medical devices on the market.
2255 132nd St. Ste. 100 Omaha, NE 68144 (402) 884-6700
EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE. TRUSTED ADVICE.
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MORE THAN $60M CLOSED IN 2012-2013. MORE THAN 270 TRANSACTIONS.
LETTER from the EDITOR
DANIEL MULLER
It is with
heartfelt thanks that I write this letter as we approach the one month anniversary of our Issue One debut. Although its launch was a full year in the making, it was the unveiling that was the true test of how Edge Magazine would be received within our community. The tremendous feedback shared by our readers exceeded any expectation I once had. In the planning stages, our staff worked feverishly on every aspect of the magazine - from the selection of fonts, layout style, content selection, and even the weight and feel of the paper we would use. I must admit, it was fun to build a publication we felt our audience would embrace; and we were hopeful our readers would recognize the depth of our editorial content and human-interest focus. It is your response that has served as our reward and as an indicator that we are, in fact, doing something right. We feel blessed that Edge’s long-
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term success is becoming evident. We will continue to bring you fun, exciting stories and will continue to welcome your suggestions as we move forward in the coming months. This is your magazine, so as we progress, we will keep you, our readers, in mind as we design each issue in the most elegant and captivating manner possible. Thanks again, and I hope you enjoy Issue Two. Jack Shotbolt Editor in Chief
inbox
READERS’ THOUGHTS
REACH US
We want to hear from you. Ideas, suggestions, compliments and critiques, we want them all. P: (402) 250-2529 // F: (402) 892-7048 // Jack@EdgeMagazine.com 19269 Pierce Street Omaha, NE 68130
I just finished reading over your September issue, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was focused on West Omaha. Besides the fact that our family lives on the west edge of Omaha in Elkhorn. I myself am a female business professional running a creative design and branding company from my home studio. It was refreshing for a publication that shares information about other businesses that are so close to home or I should say home office. – Lisa V., Elkhorn I just wanted to send a note and tell you that the new Edge magazine is a wonderful publication. I feel the quality of the magazine itself is wonderful and the articles and the people you highlight from our community, the leaders, the educators, the businesses, and the students. I am proud of this great place we live and share. I feel Edge shows the wonderful people we are and the great place we live. It’s wonderful for families and shows our part of Omaha and how proud we are to be a voice in this great place. Keep up the great work and keep those great magazines coming! - Heather S., Elkhorn
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Indian Creek Omaha’s premier banquet facility. Contact us to transform your personal style & vision into reality.
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Nice magazine done better than anything we have in Omaha, looking forward to next publication. - Doug K., Omaha I just received an issue of “Edge”, it is amazing! I love how it spotlights a variety of topics and people in West Omaha, I found it so informative. - Liz H., Omaha We received the first issue of your magazine, and WOW! Enjoyed it from cover to cover. What a great addition to a great part of town. A job well done! -Dr. Erik and Susan Z.,Elkhorn
theclubatindiancreek.com
(402) 289-0900, Ext. 25
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EDITOR IN CHIEF Jack Shotbolt (402) 250-2529 // Jack@EdgeMagazine.com CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Jennifer Matthes
Gifts for you & your home
Michael Aram Global Views • Uttermost Caspari • Compendium Waste Not Paper Maximal Art by John Wind Alex and Ani My Saint My Hero Elegant Baby • My Blankee Lug • Spartina • Bella Fiore Mon./Tues./.Wed./Sat. 10-6 Thurs./Fri. 10-8 Sun. 12-4 The Shops of Legacy 169th and West Center Road 402-934-8994
onawhim@cox.net onawhimomaha
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Quentin Lueninghoener (402) 517-1228 // quentin@quenluen.com PHOTO STAFF Daniel Muller (402) 943-7151 // daniel@dpmuller.com Abi Smith (402) 651-9334 // lacyabigailsmith@gmail.com ADVERTISING ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Jack Shotbolt (402) 250-2529 // Jack@EdgeMagazine.com Pat Brannon (402) 250-3325 // Pat@EdgeMagazine.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Krystal Overmyer, Chelsea Cawthon, Kara Schweiss TEAM MANAGER Chelsey Rawley // Chelsey@edgemagazine.com CONTACT US P: (402) 250-2529 // F: (402) 892-7048 Jack@EdgeMagazine.com 19269 Pierce Street Omaha, NE 68130 Edge is published monthly. Content copyright © 2013 Edge Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, without permission in writing from the publisher, Jack Shotbolt. Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, Edge assumes no responsibility therefore. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Edge Magazine, 19269 Pierce Street Omaha, NE 68130
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CONTENTS COVER story
OUR home 22
6
MY two cents
OUR health
OUR food
34
50
OUR successors
OUR business
44
58
20
MY concoction
VARSITY corner
48
62
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OUR home
Amazing front elevation of this Falcone Custom
n STUNNING
Silverleaf
BEAUTY estled in Elkhorn’s rolling hills, this custom-built home offers something for everyone in the family it was designed for. An office peeks out off a curved staircase, a surprisingly spacious room for dad to work. In the basement, an exercise room offers mom all the gym essentials. For the kids, a garage with vaulted ceilings leave ample room for a basketball hoop and batting cage. 6|
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But the most enjoyable spaces in this home bring the entire family together. The home was designed to take advantage of a beautiful, wooded view. Large windows bring ample natural light into a great room with a dramatic fireplace feature wall. In the kitchen, a large island seats the whole family for breakfast or dinner – or it doubles as a homework space. Just off the dining area, double patio doors open to a spacious outdoor living space. Part of the deck is covered, creating an outdoor living room complete with a large TV and comfy couches for game day. The space is brilliantly configured for hosting parties – guests have the option of mingling indoors or outdoors, yet oversized doors and windows make it feel like one space. This family-conscious home came to life in the hands of architect Tom Clark of Advanced House Plans. By working with a family’s needs, Clark designed a home that fulfilled their wish list perfectly. In this floor plan, Clark created a home that met the family’s need for an ample outdoor living space while maintaining a sizable lawn. Other custom requests were a master bedroom on the main level, while the kids’ rooms, guest bedrooms
and rec room are upstairs. Shawn Falcone, Allied ASID, of Falcone Homes brought the design to life. Functional features include a washer and dryer both upstairs and on the main floor. More fanciful features include a gleaming, builtin coffee machine in the kitchen. Interior designer Michelle Hybner, Allied ASID, of D3 Interiors sought to complete the space with touches that reflected the owners’ eclectic tastes. Blending both traditional and modern elements was important for the family, who wanted a home that felt contemporary but lived in – not too hard-edged. The color palate throughout the home is a blend of cool blue-grays, warm browns and occasional pops of gem tones. In the great room, a fireplace feature wall with floor-to-ceiling ledge stone is a stunning focal point. Other eye-catching details include creative wall coverings in surprising spots. Hybner used Vahallan Papers, a decorative wall covering shop in Lincoln, to lend a luxurious note to areas like the back of a built-in display space. The warm brownish-gold selected looks part-stone, part-wood, part-metallic. It’s a texture that demands a closer look, as do many of the features in this beautiful home.
The gourmet kitchen features a stunning combination of contrasting cabinetry color with modern tile work.
13-PAGE PHOTO PORTFOLIO BY DANIEL MULLER STORY BY EDGE STAFF
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OUR home
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Prime Steak Fine Wine Premium Service
402.445 13665 California S Omaha, Neb 402.445.4380 13665 California Street www.mahoganyprime Omaha, Nebraska
The spiral staircase greets you when entering the home and leads to the upstairs loft, which overlooks the two-story great room.
Prime Steak Private party rooms Fine available Wine for 6Premium to 40 people. Service Private party rooms available for 6 to 40 people.
www.mahoganyprime.com
Voted top 100 Restaurants in America by OpenTable!
Voted top 100 Restaurants
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OUR home
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2! e 1 99 nc
of
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R E A L T O R S T H AT C A R E
“B
DOOLEYGROUP
al
The master bath features warm, yet neutral colors with perfect chrome accents.
A nnu
Blinds Shades Shutters Custom Drapery Interior Design
Om
aha® ” C on
te
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www.dooley-group.com
402.319.9678
ERIN DOOLEY LYNDEL SPURGEON
ROXANNE DOOLEY
KATHY FLYNN
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OUR home
A perfect spot for the big game outside in the enclosed area of the deck.
Music, t o H , s k a e t S Hot Hot Italian... Check out our Halloween Minis, perfect for Office Parties, School Parties and Family Fun!
GIGI’S WEST OMAHA 168th & Dodge at Village Pointe South 16811 Burke St, Ste 115 • Omaha, NE 68118 (402) 991-9010 • Mon-Sat: 10am-7pm; Sun: Closed Visit us at GigisCupcakesUSA.com
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® ! e C oo l P lac
305 N. 170th Street, Omaha | 402.289.9210 | johnnysitaliansteakhouse.com
Tasteful details in the master suite make for a cozy night’s sleep.
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OUR home
The fire pit is the focal point of the backyard living space.
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The great room is beautifully decorated and features the perfect combination of design elements.
WE’RE ALL ABOUT YOU OMAHA | ELKHORN www.premieracademyinc.com
6 weeks to 12 years
We provide the world’s best personal training in a clean and private environment where clients achieve, if not exceed, their lifelong wellness goals.
17660 Wright St. (402) 932-5346
www.fitnesstogether.com/omaha
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OUR home
Dinette area
Beautiful powder bath
Stunning first floor hallway
Dental Implants | Cosmetic | General Dentistry Sleep Apnea/Snoring | Craniofacial Pain | TMJ Disorders
SCHEDULE YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION TODAY (402) 932-0282
Mad Ninja Skills www.moveflatrate.com 402-709-0970
ROBIN KAHN, DDS
PAIGE MILLER, DDS
10365 PACIFIC | ONE PACIFIC PLACE DENTISTRYFORHEALTHOMAHA.COM
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Free moving boxes! $25 in moving boxes with a booked move. EXPIRES 12/31/13
Personal service
Professional results. Car wash | Detailing | Fuel
2511 South 140th Street Mon-Sat., 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sun. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m . 402-697-0650 dolphinscarwash.com
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OUR home
Lower level gym
THE SHOPS OF LEGACY 168th & Center (402) 334-0211 M-F: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sat.: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sun.: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
A MODERN AMERICAN RESTAURANT 3623 N 129th St | 402-991-9088 | salt88.com Sunday - Thursday 11am - 10pm Friday & Saturday 11am - 11pm
HAPPY HOUR DAILY STARTING AT 3 P.M. Large patio overlooking Eagle Run Golf Course 18 |
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Single? Tired of online dating? Not finding quality dates?
OMAHA LOVE Omaha Love is the area’s one-of-a-kind, locally owned
Dating & matchmaking service www.OmahaLove.com info@omahalove.com
402-681-6676 With more than
S100 million I in sales in 2012-13, our talented team of Realtors knows how to
get the job done, but it’s our service that will keep you
coming back. –Mike and Adam Briley www.BrileyHomes.com (402) 614-6922
Adam Briley O C TO B E R 2 0 1 3
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DANIEL MULLER
S
cents T M Y T WO
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BY TINA WURTH S
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ina Wurth of Katina’s Couture knows a thing or two about women’s fashion, having built a distinct brand at her boutique located in the Shops of Legacy. In just seven years, Katina’s has become a leader in introducing trendsetting style to its West Omaha clientele. “When I travel to different markets, I talk to various vendors to get a feel for the quality and try to pair items together with our clients in mind,” says Wurth. This fall brings a new wave of excitement to Katina’s as this year’s hot new styles cater to Nebraska’s trendy buyer. The following are Tina’s Two Cents for fall fashion: 1. Maxi skirts and maxi dresses are so trendy this year and can be carried into fall. Take your summer maxi skirt or maxi dress, throw on a jean jacket with a funky scarf, pair it with some ankle booties and call it a day! 2. Boho chic: Oversized and boxy textured sweaters paired with skinny jeans and boots is the perfect combination. 3. Army green color and camouflage prints are hot and fun for a trendy change! 4. Ankle booties paired with skinny jeans rolled up are a way to show off
this year’s hottest footwear. 5. Oversized scarves with funky prints — always popular for fall and winter on those chilly days. 6. Denim that is dark, clean and skinny. Embellishments on denim are going by the wayside. Fashion forward is clean denim. 7. Cowboy boots with denim (of course), but the new trend is pairing them with hi-low dresses and denim cutoffs. 8. Tops with peek-a-boo arm detailing are super trendy!
Corral: Musgo Python Boots | $310
Lost April: Black chiffon top with peek-a-boo sleeves | $55
Free People: Oversized sweater knit in muskrat brown | $128
Diosa: Leopard maxi skirt | $48
Rock Revival: Sasha skinny jeans | $168
Level 99: Lily skinny/straight jeans | $118
Belladonna: Vintage Inspired gold cross necklace | $85
Liquid Metal: Silver Mesh bracelet | $98
Virgins, Saints & Angels: Pax Two-Toned Cross Necklace | $269
Escape from Paris: Gold bracelet with clear crystals | $85
Liquid Metal: Mesh ring with crystal nugget | $119
Free People: Paprika Crochet Cuff Thermal | $68
Virgins, Saints & Angels: Black Diamond Nugget Ring with Saints | $315
Virgins, Saints & Angels: Tribal Necklace with black diamond nugget & Saints | $295
The above are a few of Tina’s handpicked trends, each a solid representation of her “can’t miss” suggestions: O C TO B E R 2 0 1 3
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COVER story
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A QUARTET OF WEST OMAHA ENTREPRENEURS SEEK A CITY THAT LOOKS BETTER, LIVES BETTER AND LOVES BETTER
OMAHA’S YOUNG & Talented By KRYSTAL OVERMYER Portraits by DANIEL MULLER maha is the kind of town where a kid from Grand Island who grew up styling mannequins can win a reality TV show and start a salon – all before turning 25. Omaha is a city where a 25-year-old with a talent for love connections can count hundreds of relationships among her business successes. Omaha is the place where a New York dancer can return to start a tribe of yogis – one free-spirited hug at a time. Whatever their industry, Omaha’s young entrepreneurs say there’s something about this city that makes being a young entrepreneur so possible. In fact, this year Omaha cracked the list of top 10 cities for young business founders: According to Forbes, Omaha ranks No. 9 when weighing loan data, cost of living, business activity, education and income. (Conspicuously absent on the list: Silicon Valley.) Young entrepreneurs bring something special to the Omaha market. The quartet of young business owners featured here offer more than a burst of economic activity. Rather, they’re invested in creating a city-wide attitude shift that reflects their own perspectives on how to do business and how to live. They want Omahans to love better (Courtney Hawkins, Omaha Love); reside better (Adam Briley, Briley Homes); look better (Kirby Keomysay, Kontempo.); and live better (Mary Clare Sweet, Lotus House of Yoga). They want to bring tastes of big markets like Phoenix, L.A. or NYC back to Nebraska, and make the Good Life even better.
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MAKEOVER master
S
ome days, Omaha stylist Kirby Keomysay uses shears and a blowdryer to make women look beautiful. Other days, he uses chicken wire, hot glue and Styrofoam. Keomysay, owner of Kontempo salon, has mastered the spectrum of hair styling. He’ll give women a killer blowout during Kontempo’s Happy Hour Fridays. But armed with unconventional styling tools, the Grand Island native can also create fantasy, avant-garde hairpieces that are true works of arts: A tree that towers whimsically 3 feet above a model’s head, or a Lady Gaga-inspired hair
FROM FANTASY HAIR TO EVERYDAY ’DOS, STYLIST KEEPS OMAHA ON THE LEADING EDGE piano topped with a piece of meat in the shape of Nebraska. Keomysay’s fantasy styles earned him the top prize on the Oxygen network’s “Hair Battle Spectacular: Season 2” in 2011. The competition pitted Keomysay against 10 other top stylists from across the country to see who could deliver the biggest, most outlandish fantasy hair for a $100,000 prize. Finally able to wield his glue gun with no qualms about cleaning up the mess later, Keomysay pushed himself to the limits and created pieces like the Gaga piano. The prize money he earned helped build Kontempo, where he and a team of stylists bring modern style to an eager West Omaha
clientele. But it might not have turned out so beautifully. The night before Keomysay’s flight to California, he had serious doubts about his ability. He was in his room, trying to recreate a Season 1 style featuring a coiffed red barn. He couldn’t do it. “I was going to call the casting agent and say I couldn’t make it, because I didn’t think I was good enough,” he said. “I was about to give up. I didn’t know what I was doing.” He went anyway, and the judges recognized his craftsmanship, presentation and drive to do better. While fantasy hair was then a new arena for Keomysay, he had been around salons since he was young. In his teens, he helped his stylist uncle at a Bellevue salon, shampooing or sweeping up hair – or steeling away to the backroom to cut crazy styles on mannequins. At age 15, Keomysay opened his first salon in his parents’ basement. His work began gaining recognition. After graduating from the Capitol School of Hairstyling in 2006, he won a prestigious North American Hairstyling Award in the student category. The “Hair Battle Spectacular” win gave him the confidence (and financing) to make the next move, and Kontempo opened a storefront in 2011. “I thought it was a dream to open a salon at the age of 25,” Keomysay said. “But now that I’ve actually accomplished it, I realize it was just a goal along the way.” Future goals include lifting up the Kirby Keomysay and Kontempo brands
through social media, where you’ll find him tweeting about a new Omaha restaurant or posting a tutorial on how to do a fishtail braid. Around town, one sees Kontempo’s handiwork on display at weddings (the salon styles brides and bridesmaids for more than 50 weddings a year), during Omaha Fashion Week and on-location for special events.
KIRBY KEOMYSAY owner and stylist, Kontempo Age: 26 Opened: 2012 Website: kontempoomaha.com YouTube: youtube.com/KirbyKontempoHair Twitter: @KontempoOmaha
With a finger on the pulse of fashion, food and Omaha’s social scene, Keomysay offers clients not just a haircut. He’s a lifestyle Sherpa who can also cut a wicked ‘do. Despite what outsiders may believe, Keomysay affirms that Omahans are a fashion-forward people with an eclectic mix of styles and sensibilities. He enjoys bringing new ideas and concepts to push Omaha’s style ahead, while also providing a service that makes people feel good. “I like to make people feel beautiful,” Keomysay said. “Nothing is better than to have people walk in and leave the salon feeling 80 times better. That makes me happy to know I’m doing something good.”
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COVER story
MATCHMAKING maven
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WHEN CUPID IS ELUSIVE, OMAHA LOVE’S COURTNEY HAWKINS FINDS LOVE CONNECTIONS
C
ourtney Hawkins knows firsthand how hard the dating game can be. “I met a lot of frogs before I met my fiancé,” she confesses. Meeting the right person and falling in love takes time, Hawkins affirms. It’s tough. So for Hawkins, who honed her skills helping “train-wreck friends with bad boyfriends” get back on track, offering to be cupid’s arrow is one way to make life easier for others. Her company, Omaha Love, is aimed at getting singles exposed to quality candidates that may be The One. At Omaha Love, consultants get to know every member, set up the dates and even offer coaching sessions for rusty daters. Her efforts have brought countless people together. “Taking a single person, watching them evolve and watching the end product – which can be marriage – is a very cool thing,” she said. An Omaha native, Hawkins founded Omaha Love at age 25 after she realized she could run a better dating service than the company she worked for. Despite naysayers, she quit her job amid a historic recession and struck out to build a company that would blow away the competition. Unlike typical online dating services, Omaha Love’s matchmakers meet each client in-person. (No fudging the truth on age and appearance here.) Instead of requiring singles to sift through hundreds of profile pages, Hawkins’ matchmakers do the work – complete with background check. They set up dates for the couples they feel have the best fit. In other words: Less time with frogs. More time with potentials. Contrary to the stereotype, Hawkins says her clients are often incredible catches. They seek a matchmaker not because they’re desperate, but rather because they have limited exposure to the types of people they are seeking to date. “We help people who are at a place where they have everything going and they are outstanding catches, but there’s still that void,” she said. “Life can get a little lonely, even with all the money and
friends in the world.” Hawkins helps the middle-aged divorcee feel ready to date again and the 30-year-old young professional hoping to be married for the first time. She can deliver tough medicine, too – like dialing back unrealistic expectations, or counseling one client to avoid licking ketchup off his arm during a date. The ultimate payoff is watching clients find happiness. Hawkins remembers one wheelchair-bound man in his 70s who came to Omaha Love seeking a soul mate. Hawkins wasn’t sure she could find him a match. Then, she connected him with a 60-year-old beauty. She later became his happy wife.
COURTNEY HAWKINS owner and matchmaker, Omaha Love Age: 30 Opened: 2009 Website: omahalove.com Facebook: facebook.com/omaha.love Twitter: @Omaha_Love
“If wine is poetry, then food is love”
harvestcafeomaha.com
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Mon.-Tue. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. Wed.-Sat.
Lakeside Hills Plaza | (402) 933-2535 As seen in September’s edition of EDGE M A G A Z I N E
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REAL ESTATE tycoon
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dam Briley strives daily to be a better leader. He’s read dozens of books on the topic – author John Maxwell is a favorite – and has crisscrossed the country for leadership seminars and conferences. A tattoo on Briley’s right shoulder reminds him to “burn the boats,” a phrase inspired by conquistador Hernan Cortés’ bold move to go all in and eliminate his exit strategy for conquering Mexico. “I love to read, learn and soak it all in,” Briley said of his thirst for leadership expertise. “I apply different things, try different things, test leadership styles and techniques that may work for different people. I’m testing and tuning, figuring out what works. I’m always looking to improve.”
AGGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT FORMS CORNERSTONE OF YOUNG REALTOR’S BUDDING EMPIRE Briley’s perpetual drive has proved a winning strategy for real estate group Briley Homes. Founded in 2008, Briley’s team has grown from one assistant to 10 agents who help people buy and sell homes in Omaha and beyond. The proof is in the numbers: In 2013, The Briley Team ranked No. 148 nationwide on the Wall Street Journal’s top real estate teams by transactions. In Nebraska, the team ranks consistently high when considering residential volume sold. Thanks to its success, Briley Homes will soon celebrate a major milestone with the addition of building company Gramercy Homes. It’s a move Briley hopes will catapult his business forward, giving him more influence at every level of selling a home. “Our systematic team approach is having a great group of people, all committed to providing excellent customer care and always striving to get better at what we do,” Briley said. While his business is young, Briley is no stranger to real estate. Growing up in the Ponca Hills area, he learned a lot from father Mike Briley, a veteran realtor. After high school in Fort Calhoun, Briley figured he would become an electrician. But the lure of making money drew him into real estate. “When I was 20, I wanted to make a lot of money,” Briley said of those initial years. “But two years into it, it wasn’t enough. Something was missing. I was doing it for all the wrong reasons.” “I wanted to do something to create an opportunity. Something deep down said, ‘I want to do something big.’” Instead of focusing on profits, Briley devoured all he could about real estate, how to build a business and how to lead a team. He worked 14-hour days. His mantra: Go above and beyond for every client. Show them what you can do. “I didn’t want to be known as Adam Briley, real estate agent,” Briley said. “I wanted to create an excellent brand and raving fans.” He grooms each team member to succeed, motiving them
ADAM BRILEY owner, Briley Homes of Prudential Ambassador Real Estate Age: 27 Launched: 2008 Website: brileyhomes.com Twitter: @BrileyHomes
to go the extra mile. Community service is wrapped into the business because for Briley, passion for career and community goes hand-in-hand. Now that he is a father, Briley’s razor-sharp focus has expanded to being a better spouse and dad. His late nights are fewer, and he takes pride in dedicating weekends to family. He counts his blessings at work and home and sees a bright future ahead. Regardless of the shape Briley Homes takes, its foundation will stay the same. “We will be constantly focused on serving other people and helping people become successful,” he said.
16901 Wright Plaza (in the Shops of Legacy near Lifetime Fitness) (402) 763-1860 Widest selection of oysters on the half shell in town!
Three convenient Omaha locations! Open seven days a week
1218 S. 119th Street 1911 Leavenworth (one block South of 119th & Pacific) (Downtown Omaha) (402) 827-4376 (402) 614-5544
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COVER story
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HUG evangelist
A
s a little girl, Mary Clare Sweet watched her mother practice yoga with a sense of awe. In the 1980s, yoga wasn’t yet mainstream, and Lincoln yogis like her mother met in basements to practice an ancient art form that felt exotic and special. Watching her mother, Sweet would sometimes feel a brief flash of brilliance that yogis call brand assets present moment awareness.
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brand assets
MARY CLAREadditional SWEET,corkscrew additional assets corkscrew assets OWNER ANDPattern YOGI, Pattern LOTUS HOUSE OF YOGA
These patterns may be utilized inThese backgrounds patternsofmay Corkscrew be utilized materials in backgrounds of Corkscrew materials (both printed and online) to enhance (bothbrand printed feeland andonline) add interest. to enhance brand feel and add interest. Do not modify these patterns in any Do not way,modify shape, these or form. patterns in any way, shape, or form.
Meet for coffee?
How about we meet for a glass of wine at CORKSCREW’S patio instead?
“It’s like the moment when you get a joke,” Sweet explains. “You get it! And then it’s gone. It’s that moment of spark. Every human being can access present moment awareness, at any place in their lifetime.” Rockbrook Village Thirty-year-old Sweet is owner of three 10924 Prairie Brook Rd Lotus House of Yoga studios in Omaha Omaha, NE 68144 and a newly-opened Lincoln studio. Lotus is Sweet’s metaphorical hug to Omabanner icon banner icon www.corkscrewwineandcheese.com ha. Her first location opened inicon 2010 The “banner” may be used for The visual “banner” interest icon throughout may be used Corkscrew for visual interest throughout Corkscrew materials (both printed and online) materials where appropriate. (both printed and online) where appropriate. and offered classes steeped in Vinyasa This icon may be adjusted length-wise This icon frommay the be native adjusted Illustrator length-wise file from the native Illustrator file (preserving the angle of the edge (preserving “points” andthe “curves”). angle ofIfthe height edge “points” and “curves”). If height adjustment is necessary, it also must adjustment be done ishorizontally necessary, itand also vertically must be done horizontally and vertically proportinally to preserve the edgeproportinally “points” and to “curves” preserve the edge “points” and “curves”
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COVER story
OMAHA’S YOUNG flow yoga, meditation and breathing that fosters a sense of being centered. Yoga aligns the energy to make that feeling happen. “We want to raise our vibration to match our optimal potential,” she said. Sweet didn’t always see yoga as a career. Dance and ballet dominated her life since age 3, and in her 20s she left home for New York to teach and choreograph. Through it all, she was falling in love with yoga. “It helped me battle a lot of the demons that go with the dance world – like body image and grueling schedules,” she said. “Yoga became my place for solitude, where I could go and return back to my center.” When she returned to Omaha, she found a city with a strong yoga community, but it was concentrated in the east part of town. At 26, she sat down with her uncle and crafted a plan to open her own studio. “I went into it with the
&
mission of sharing more love,” she said. “I wanted people in Omaha to feel the excitement, the joy and the centering I have loved my whole life.” In Lotus’ physical space and classes, Sweet sought to marry an ancient art form with modern energy. Music playlists are funky, incorporating soul, hiphop, folk and pop. Classes are physically challenging but also impart a deep sense of center. The studio is a place people can connect with instantly, Sweet said. “It feels like going to your best friend’s house to hang out for awhile.” Demand prompted Lotus’ quick expansion. As word spreads, Sweet can envision her business growing much like its namesake flower. “That’s how I see Lotus – looking for more sunlight and expanding into more places,” Sweet said. “I want to share the energy that we have here with as many people as I can in the Heartland.”
talented
MARY CLARE SWEET owner and yogi, Lotus House of Yoga Age: 30 Opened: 2006 Website: lotushouseofyoga.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ LotusHouseofYoga Twitter: @Lotushouseyoga Instagram: lotushouseofyoga
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OUR health
a
Ironman competitor Michelle Reitz, refuses to let stroke define her By K RYSTA L OV ERMY E R
year ago, then-39year-old Michelle Reitz was in her athletic prime. A working mother of twins, Reitz counted dozens of half- and full marathons, triathlons and an Ironman among her accomplishments. She ate unprocessed, healthy foods. She had enviably low cholesterol and blood pressure. But one day, she realized she was falling with regular frequency during her runs – something highly unusual for a runner. At times, she would suddenly feel nauseous. Something was off, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
Michelle Reitz and her twins, Connor and Lauren. DANIEL MULLER
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stroke S U RVIVIN G
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OUR health IN 2013
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JENNIFER MORGAN
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Reitz congratulating her 10-year-old twins, Lauren and Connor.
LEARN THE WARNING SIGNS OF STROKE Use “FAST” to remember the warning signs of stroke. Act FAST and call 911 immediately at any sign of a stroke. FACE Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is their speech slurred or strange? TIME If you observe any of these signs, call 911 immediately. Beyond FAST – other symptoms you should know
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• Sudden numbness or weakness of the leg • Sudden confusion or trouble understanding • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination • Sudden severe headache with no known cause S O U R C E : T H E N AT I O N A L S T R O K E A S S O C I AT I O N
“For me to fall consistently, something was up,” Reitz said. “It should have been a red flag, but it wasn’t.” Weeks later, she was working at home. She had the strange sensation of feeling like her voice sounded far away, almost muffled. When she met up with her training partner, he immediately noticed it. “What’s wrong with your mouth?” he said. “You’re slurring your words.” As soon as he said that, she knew it was a stroke. Whisked to an emergency room, hospital tests confirmed that at age 39, Reitz was now a stroke survivor. Doctors speculated her recent bouts of poor coordination may have been a result of an earlier transient ischemic attack (TIA), a phenomenon that produces similar symptoms to a stroke but lasts briefly. The attack may have been a precursor to the actual stroke. The news was shocking. Reitz was healthy and had no risk factors for stroke. How could this have happened, especially when she was not even 40? “I never would have believed it if someone told me I would have a stroke,” she said. “If it could happen to me, it could happen to anybody.” STROKE ON THE RISE xperts say the prevalence of stroke is rising among younger women. A 2012 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study showed an alarming rise among younger adults in the number of acute ischemic strokes, the most common kind of stroke in which blood supply to part of the brain is cut off due to a blockage. From 1995 to 2008, the number of women ages 15-34 hospitalized for this type of stroke rose about 23 percent. For women ages 35-44, stroke hospitalizations jumped 29 percent. A second study found that strokes among 20-to 44-year-old Caucasians (who are generally at lesser risk than African Americans) has more than doubled since 1993. Complicating the situation for younger women is misdiagnosis. A study conducted by the Wayne State University-Detroit Medical Center Stroke Program revealed that younger adults showing signs of suffering a stroke are sometimes misdiagnosed in hospital emergency rooms, preventing them from receiving early treatment that can prevent serious damage. Effectively, the younger a woman
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OUR health
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ROAD TO RECOVERY year after that fateful emergency room trip, Reitz appears to be the same athletic, beautiful and energetic person she was before. But Reitz says each day brings its challenges. Her brain fatigues quickly, and she has scaled back her business technology consulting work to give her more time to rest. Her speech is much improved, but she still finds herself grasping for words. She tells her kids phrases like, “Go put the milk in the car door,” – the type of word-finding difficulty typical after a stroke. For Reitz, recovery has been long and often without medical support. Perhaps because of her age, her doctors didn’t make her aware of all the physical and speech therapy options that might have sped up her recovery and eased some of her frustrations. Without experiencing the more severe physical effects of stroke, it was as if people were telling her she didn’t need to worry about her new limitations. But at 40, Reitz wanted to be more than merely functional. “I want to get back to where I was,” she said. Before the stroke, Reitz qualified and competed in elite USA Triathlon competitions and the Half Ironman World Championships. After the stroke, Reitz knows her abilities have changed,
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is, the longer it likely takes to receive a stroke diagnosis – and the longer it takes for her to receive the time-sensitive treatment that mitigates stroke’s effects. “Part of the problem is that the emergency room staff may not be thinking ‘stroke’ when the patient is younger,” said Dr. Seemant Chaturvedi, director of the stroke program. In Reitz’ case, emergency room doctors diagnosed the stroke after performing an MRI. Unfortunately for Reitz, too much time had already passed that day to mitigate the stroke’s effects. Interestingly, Reitz said she still dealt with doctors’ disbelief that she could have a stroke – even after it was diagnosed. Stroke risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, tobacco use, alcohol use, physical inactivity and obesity. Reitz had none of those risk factors. Her unusual stroke is something she and her team of doctors are still trying to wrap their heads around and figure out why.
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Connor Reitz racing on his bike.
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OUR health
Reitz training for the cycling portion of the triathlon.
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Lauren Reitz racing in an IronKids race.
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and she is also cautious about pushing herself too hard. But for this Pennsylvania native, giving up fitness – and the social support network she has found in the racing community – is not an option. “I don’t want [stroke] to define me,” she said. One difference: Today, all her running buddies and training partners are aware of the signs and symptoms of stroke. Helping people understand how to interpret symptoms is critical for Reitz, who realizes a future stroke is possible. But she also knows that the more she can spread the word about stroke, the more others will be aware of stroke in their own lives and among their loved ones. THE RACE AHEAD his November, Reitz will travel with a group of Nebraskans to Tempe, Ariz., to tackle her second Ironman. She will complete three long-distance races: a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride and a 26.2-mile marathon run – all in succession without a break. Her 10-yearold twins will be there to cheer her on. “My kids and my faith in God are my inspiration,” she said. “He gave me this body and the opportunity and ability to do this. It’s a challenge, and it’s beautiful.”
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OUR successors
Jansens The
F O U R G E N E R AT I O N S O F FA R M I N G
By C H E L SEA CAWTH ON & K A RA S CH WE IS S
You
could say dirt runs in Rich Jansen’s blood. A third-generation farmer with nearly 8,000 acres of land spanning six counties, this Gretna native is no stranger to a little elbow grease, cultivating the soil that produces corn, soybeans and wheat—the family’s livelihood. “I’m going to die with my boots on,” he said. Rich, now in his 60s, grew up going to trade shows, the machinery towering over him. “I always dreamt about being a big farmer,” he said. Six decades later, he and wife Mary Ann, along with son Jim and Jim’s wife, Nichole, run a well-oiled operation. “We started out with nothing, absolutely nothing. Together, with what Jim’s got, we own right at 24 farms,” he said.
Left to right: Jim, Lexie, Nichole, Kaleb, Rich, and Mary Ann Jansen.
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DANIEL MULLER
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OUR successors
DANIEL MULLER
Appropriately, he met Mary Ann, formerly Petersen, at a tractor pull in the summer of ’69. “It was Papillion Days; I was 20,” she said. Not even a year later, they wed. The date? Aug. 15, 1970: Papillion Days. “He was in a tractor pull that day, too,” she said. The newlyweds lived on Rich’s father’s land, eventually buying it with precious stock—livestock, that is. “Our down payment was our cattle—the cows and calves we had,” Mary Ann said, who is no stranger to life on the ranch, growing up in Springfield, Neb., the daughter of farmers. By 1979, years past the prenuptial tractor pull and four children later, the heartland duo served on the Sarpy County Fair Board of Directors, passing their heart for service on to their children. The Jansen kids, born between 1972 and 1978, grew up not only helping on the farm, but also pitching in at the fair. Today, Jim and Nichole (who also met at a fair) are active volunteers with the Sarpy County Fair, Jim serving his second term on the board under his father’s leadership as president. In fact, Rich is a well-known leader in Sarpy County. He served on the county’s Board of Commissioners as the District 5 representative from 2007 to 2010. Before that, he spent 12 years as a director on the Papio-Missouri Natural Resource District Board and seven years in the National Guard. And he’s still a director on the Gretna Rural Fire Board. “My goal is that if you can get people to work together, you can accomplish a lot,” he said. “I’m the type of person
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who’s always been very proactive, and I always think of the future.” Despite his accolades, Rich remains humble. His tendency to look ahead is just the natural mindset of a successful farmer, he said. And he takes the business of farming seriously. His approach: hands-on learning and keeping up-todate, new practices and technological advances. “Things have changed so dramatically that you have to stay up on the technology,” he said. “Just running a tractor or combine today, the technology in them is astronomical,” Jim said. Adding an anecdotal comparison, Rich said, “Like my grandpa, the first time he drove a car, he drove it into the barn and hollered ‘whoa!’ and then [drove] right through the wall.” His ability to adapt has paid off in other areas, too. He helped the family carry through what Mary Ann calls “the bad ‘80s,” when local farmers were struggling. The Jansens turned flooded riverside land into a profitable sand and gravel pit, and the family learned a new, albeit temporary, business. “It was tough there for two or three years, and then finally we got diversified and did something besides farming and started the gravel pit business,” Rich said. “Within two years, one of the bigger companies in the country bought us out; apparently we got somebody’s attention…we went from zero to 100 miles an hour there.” Thirty years later, diversification is still part of the Jansen strategy. The family owns Platte Valley Equipment as part of the farm operation. Jim serves as a seedsman for Channel Seed Brand and has been a distributor since 2009. Mary Ann has been involved in Nebraska Agri-Women (an affiliate of a national advocacy organization) since 1978 and serves as the group’s president. Nichole works in human resources for Alegent Creighton Health in Omaha, a position that provides insurance benefits for her family. It’s not all business, though. Rich remains easygoing, enjoying rural life. Describing his neighbors near his family’s land outside Tecumseh, he said, “The people there are so laid back, it takes them an hour and a half to watch ‘60 Minutes.’” He wouldn’t have it any other way, emphasizing his Sarpy county residence, although his family is scattered across city lines. The original Gretna farm property is the site of Rich and Mary Ann’s current
home, and Jim and Nichole (a Platteview High alumna) live fairly close, with 10-year-old daughter, Lexie, and 7-year-old son, Kaleb. Rich is a member of American Legion Post #143 (Springfield), and the Jansens attend Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Springfield. The four siblings are all married with children—read, 11 grandchildren to spoil—but only Jim is still involved with the family farming operation. The oldest Jansen daughter, Amy LaFontaine, works as a CNA in a care facility and lives in the Gretna area. Jim’s twin sister, Jenny Stander, works in real estate as a paralegal and is married to a farmer whose land is outside of Greenwood. Chris, the youngest, has a career in electronics and also lives in the Gretna area. “It’s like the best of both worlds,” Nichole said. “We have the privacy of being out there by ourselves, but yet we’re two minutes from the interstate and two minutes from Shadow Lake and three minutes from the outlet mall.” “You should ask Kaleb about that,” Jim said with a grin, hinting at the thin line between country and city life. His wife started laughing, knowing what
was coming next. “Every morning before he goes and gets on the bus, we’ll walk outside, and he’ll be out there peeing on the lawn!” Indeed, country life has its benefits. Jim, the family’s fourth-generation famer, plans to continue farming, “hopefully taking over,” he said. His dad quickly added, “He’ll be there someday.” Yet, Rich has no intention of retiring any time soon. “It keeps your mind going, staying active,” he said. The fruits of the Jansens’ labor have paid off. “The last three or four years have been pretty good,” Rich said. “The new [crop] genetics have really taken off...the way they are utilizing our products today—food sources, ethanol—it’s really improved the prices on our crops. I think it’s been a great asset, things like that, that makes a better market for us.” Will there be a fifth generation of Jansen farmers? “Kaleb thinks that’s in his long-term goals, too,” Nichole said. “He’s interested, and Grandpa and Dad are persuading him, as well.” Until then, Rich is content living life on a dirt road, near his family and the work he loves. “If it wasn’t for my family, we wouldn’t be where we are today,” he said.
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MY concoction
Mahogany bartender Elizabeth Vicary will make you their signature Ginger Mule, a play on the traditional vodka drink, as a martini or in a copper mug.
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1
5
What you need: 2 Gingers Whiskey, ginger beer, lime garnish and, of course, a copper cup.
Pour a two-count of 2 Gingers Whiskey over ice in the copper cup.
2
Top off with ginger beer.
3
steps
to the perfect cocktail THE BAR: Mahogany THE BARTENDER: Elizabeth Vicary THE DRINK: Ginger Mule
4
5
Squeeze some lime juice.
Make sure to use a copper mug for an extra snap in the drink. O C TO B E R 2 0 1 3
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OUR food
j
ohn Horvatinovich’s first restaurant logo involved a guy riding a taco. Horvatinovich, executive chef of the hip and modern Salt in Eagle Run, was a taco-obsessed Michigan kid when he first imagined owning a restaurant (he dubbed it Ándale Tacos).
J O H N H O R VAT I N O V I C H , O W N E R ABI SMITH
Seasoned to PERFECTION By KRYSTAL OVERMYER
WHY ‘SALT’?
Horvatinovich was inspired by the richness of a basic ingredient. “It’s powerful, masculine yet feminine, one of the earliest forms of currency and key to food preservation,” he said. The name reflects his philosophy of doing the basics better. 50 |
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Opened in May, Salt is a far cry from the taco joint of his youth. Tucked in the Eagle Run Square shopping area, Salt greets customers with clean lines, cool Mediterranean colors and funky acrylic chairs. A 50-seat patio offers a pop of turquoise and a view of Eagle Run Golf Course. With its crisp ambience and modern American menu, Salt seeks to be a restaurant unlike any other in Omaha and particularly in West Omaha, where many restaurants are chains. “We’re not trying to change the composition of food — I don’t have Bunsen burners or beakers,” Horvatinovich said. “But we are trying to say, ‘Hey, think about dining a little bit differently.’ Our restaurant is for people who are not the same cookie-cutter diners.” Salt was brought to life by Horvatinovich and co-owner Milton Yin, who also owns and operates Hiro 88. Previously, Horvatinovich worked with Yin at Hiro 88, where he started as a server, learned the art of slinging sushi and eventually became general manager. A partnership grew between Milton and wife Norma, and John and wife Jennifer, ultimately leading to Salt. “They saw something in the two of us and in the concept, and they put it on the line,” John Horvatinovich said. “They’re like our Asian parents.” Throughout his career at other restaurants, Horvatinovich honed his own dishes. The Salt menu represents the chef’s 20 years of industry experience distilled in an eclectic menu. Salt’s wasabi gouda mashed potatoes, for
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OUR food
PL ANK-FIRED SCOT TISH SALMON
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
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OUR food
S I X - L AY E R C H O C O L AT E C A K E
S WA I TA C O S ABI SMITH
Mount Michael Benedictine is the Midwest’s leading college prep school for young men.
Open House, Sunday, November 17th 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information contact Mr. Eric Crawford, Director of Admissions 22520 Mount Michael Road, Elkhorn, NE 402-253-0946 | ecrawford@mountmichael.org
Mount Michael Benedictine School is a Catholic college preparatory residential/ day school for young men committed to academic excellence. The school’s mission is to integrate a life of spirituality, scholarship, and the formation of Christian Community by following the charism of the Gospels and the Rule of St. Benedict.
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WINE SELECTION ABI SMITH
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OUR food camelotcleanersomaha.com
LOCATIONS 8590 Frederick St. 12131 Pacific St. 655 N. 132nd St. 619 N. 114th St. 2514 S. 140th St. 17726 West Center
402-393-5257 402-333-1430 402-492-8076 402-493-7880 402-330-1987 402-330-3250
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3623 N. 129th St. 402-991-9088 salt88.com Monday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Happy Hour: Daily 3-6:30 p.m., Sunday all day
example, first took shape seven years ago. The swai tacos, a nod to his childhood taco dreams, are a dish he and his wife frequently served to their children. Italian, Croatian, Mediterranean and Asian flavors have found their way onto the menu. Among the half-dozen pizza offerings, not one has the same sauce. It’s these varied offerings that Horvatinovich hopes will draw people to Salt. Unlike chain restaurants, Salt is able to quickly tweak menu offerings and atmosphere based on customer feedback. Newly installed acoustical soundboards to enhance conversation are one such improvement. Horvatinovich’s desire to engage also comes through with Salt’s signature dessert, cotton candy. The whimsical confection inspires diners to “get their hands dirty and dive in,” Horvatinovich said. From start to finish, Salt seeks to give diners a reprieve from the day-today grind, and a nostalgic stick of cotton candy adds the final positive note. 56 |
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Lee Andersen MingWang Alex Evening Karen Miller Spanner Fenini St Joval Silk Threads Libre Transparante Adrianna Papell St Clair specializing in sizes 12 & up
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OUR business
IThinkFit’s unusual equipment and circuit-style classes amp up exercise
IThinkFit Gym offers
11,000 square feet of space to work up a sweat, but rows of treadmills, elliptical machines and conventional gym equipment are strikingly absent. Instead, women push a hundred-pound sled across the room. Men flip tractor tires. High school athletes do squats while balancing atop an unstable Bosu ball. IThinkFit’s regulars seem to share a common trait, co-owner Sean Harley says: “They like getting their butts kicked.” Since 2008, Harley and co-owner Heath Murray have delivered challenging workouts through boot camp-style classes and one-on-one training at their facility, located near West Center Road and Bob Boozer Drive. Together, they offer skilled personal training to athletes from middle school through college, fitness competitors and body builders.
Sean Harley, left, andHeath Murray, owners of IThinkFit Gym. DANIEL MULLER
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By KRYSTAL OVERM Y ER
Fitness
buffs
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OUR business They also serve a large, all-ages population of regular people who seek a workout with proven results. “A lot of people are bored of the corporate gym,” Murray said “It’s monotonous.” At iThinkFit, the equipment itself provides variety and challenge. Trainers switch up routines and incorporate new equipment frequently to avoid gym-going boredom. A 10-week, $1,000 grand prize contest has been a popular addition to the iThinkFit menu and serves as a motivator for new and seasoned members. While the term “boot camp” may scare off some, the owners emphasize that their group classes offer something for everyone. The popular Fit Camp class puts members at their own stations, so they can work at their own pace and level. “Whether you’re in great shape or you haven’t worked out in years, you can work out in that class,” Harley said. Murray, originally from Neligh, and Harley, from Schuyler, met at Midland University in Fremont where they played football together. They parted ways after graduation. Murray landed in Omaha and built a client base as a personal trainer. Meanwhile, Harley moved to California and launched a fitness modeling career. His sculpted physique landed him on the cover of multiple fitness magaElite Cheer zines, and he scored roles on “The Young 2410 South 140th Circle and the Restless” and “Passions.” BodyOmaha, NE building.com tapped Harley as its first 402.537.0855 2009 spokes-model in 2009. elitecheer.com But eventually, Harley sought to build a more impactful career. Back in Omaha, What makes your company an Omaha favorite and a great he and Murray began discussing a busiNebraska’s value to your customers? ness concept unique for 2007 – an online lite Cheer has been in business sincelargest 1993– we are a family personal training website. IThinkFit.com based company that trains kids to become moremost than they ever and allowed Harley and Murray to take their imagined. Our program instills family values into our athletes every day recognized knowledge of fitness, body building and mentality. Perseverance, accountability, confidence, and discipline are nutrition to a world-wide audience. Later, competitve just a few major characteristics we teach. Teaching kids, long term goals the business plan grew to include a bricksquads without instant gratification, but earning skills cheer through hard work and and-mortar facility, and iThinkFit Gym dedication instills a confidence unimaginable inas today’s society. seen on opened in 2008 with nine classes offered Why do customers trust and rely on your business? ESPN weekly. lite Cheer prides itself on being not only the best in our area, Today, Harley and Murray’s once-fledgbut also an industry leader. Both owners are state directors within the ling gym offers more than 30 classes national safety organization and also requested toOver travel across 100the country each week to a varied clientele. Their and internationally to teach athletes as well as other coaches the in’s and national success encouraged them to expand their out’s of our industry. Our program believes in customer satisfaction that cheerleading offerings with a line of supplements. Not maintains client dignity and integrity. The majority of our clients commit long term because of the benefits of our trainingtitles program. satisfied with what was on the market, since the duo created Rock Solid Nutrition, 1996 and a offering fitness buffs high-quality suprecognized plements in tasty flavors like Cinnabun, program Cake Batter and Rocky Road. The prod402-537-0855 Ages 3-18 champion uct is sold in retail stores in Canada and CALL TO LEARN MORE! the Midwest, and the online store ships to
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customers all over the world. To the credit of the duo’s charisma and cred (Harley is the only International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness Pro Men’s Physique competitor in Nebraska), iThinkFit’s success has grown largely without advertising. “We’re growing from the grassroots level and relying on word of mouth,” Murray said. IThinkFit allows Harley and Murray to do what they love. Both trainers commented on how meaningful it is to work with an athlete from middle school until college, watch a client achieve her goals, or witness dramatic differences in someone’s health outlook. “I find it a lot more rewarding knowing you are changing people’s lives and truly helping,” Harley said. “You’re giving them knowledge they can carry with them the rest of their life.”
ITHINKFIT GYM 2424 S. 156th Circle 402-333-4348 www.ithinkfitgym.com
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VARSITY corner
PERFECT FORM
Will Gottsch | Age 15 Elkhorn High School Although Elkhorn High School gets plenty of attention for their pipeline of great athletes, there’s one accomplished competitor who might not be on the radar of some — but should be. Elkhorn sophomore Will Gottsch jumped onto the high school diving scene as a freshman for the Antlers, lettering his first year with the team. Success on the boards didn’t begin in high school, however, as he’s been training hard and competing in the sport for several years. Following in his grandfather’s footsteps as a competitive diver, Gottsch has been competing in the sport since the age of 9 and started competing at the national level at the age of 11. Over the last five years, Gottsch has notched top 5 finishes in both the 1-meter and 3-meter boards at USA Diving Regionals, and has become known as a fierce competitor on the national scene. At the age of 12, his dedication began to payoff, when he took 3rd and 8th place in the 3-meter and 1-meter events, respectively, at the 2010 AAU Diving National Championships in Coral Springs, Florida. Gottsch earned a top 10 finish in platform there, as well. This year, Gottsch has made the jump most expected, placing 3rd in the 3-meter and 4th in the 1-meter at the USA Diving Regionals in Arvada, Colorado. He also added a top 20 finish in the platform at the USA Diving Nationals in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Success doesn’t come without strong commitment. The family travels to the Devaney Center in Lincoln four to five times each week to train with respected Coach Kris Hoffman of the Nebraska Diving Club. With big time aspirations and amazing dedication, it’s clear we’ll be hearing more about Will Gottsch in the future. Gottsch has a twin sister Anna, who is also a sophomore at Elkhorn High and is a setter for the Antlers volleyball squad. His older sister Sydney attends Kansas State University. Will is the son of Bill and Carrie Gottsch of Elkhorn. – Jack Shotbolt DANIEL MULLER
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QUEEN OF
DIAMONDS
Kristen Van Hoosen | Age 16 | Millard West Millard West’s Kristen Van Hoosen is no stranger to the diamond, having played organized softball since kindergarten. The Junior standout is coming up big this fall for the Wildcats as they march toward State yet again. Coach Don Brummer’s squad is keeping its tradition of success with Van Hoosen leading the bullpen as one of their strongest pitchers and swinging a hot bat. In their September 3rd game against Benson, payback was most certainly on the minds of the team, as the Bunnies had shocked Millard West in last year’s State Tournament, knocking them out early. Van Hoosen delivered the blows by blasting two home runs and knocking in six RBIs to lead her team to a 12-7 win. “She has always been a very good batter,” Brummer said following the win. “She’s just a great athlete. As we’re in the storming and conforming stage with our lineup, having Kristen step up is helping us get better.” Van Hoosen lettered for West her freshman and sophomore seasons, and was named Honorable Mention All-State and Honorable Mention Metro Conference in 2012. She also keeps her summers packed playing for TEAM Nebraska, one of the area’s strongest programs. She was recently named 16U Top Gun All American of the USSSA Top Gun Invitational in Kansas City. Her team finished 2nd out of 46 teams at the USSSA National - Class 16A Tournament, also held in K.C. Off the field, Van Hoosen is an outstanding student with a 3.7 GPA. She enjoys fishing, playing her guitar and hanging out with her Golden Retriever Chloee. She has two siblings: an older sister Courtney who is a freshman at UNL and an eight year old sister Katelyn. Kristen is the daughter of Lee and Alice Van Hoosen. – Jack Shotbolt DANIEL MULLER
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OUR little secret
J A C K S H O T B O LT
West Omaha resident John Bednar has managed to escape from the daily grind by golfing regularly at Oak Hills Country Club where he has been a member for the past 37 years. “I’ve always loved the small town feel and friendly vibe the course offers,” says Bednar, who now shares his special place with his wife Dixie after meeting nine years ago. “It’s something we have in common, and when we’re on the course together, we don’t have to think about anything else,” explains Dixie, who shares John’s passion for the sport. The two enjoy the many events the course offers. John plays in the weekly men’s league, and they enjoy the couple’s events and Friday night mixers. John serves as Senior Vice President with Northwest Bank in Omaha, and Dixie Westerlin-Bednar is a realtor with the Metro Pros at Prudential Ambassador Real Estate.
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