metroMAGAZINE's November 09 Issue

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november 2009

for the children inform • educate • inspire published by alh publications • proudly serving our community since 1990

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metroMAGAZINE catch the

features / DEPARTMENTS

spirit

of the Omaha community!

17 features

departments

17

cover STORY

10

10

FOR THE CHILDREN

18

nebraska children’s home society celebrates 115 years of caring

13

READY 2 SERVE non-profit & YP profiles

YP Q&A • YOUNG PROFESSIONALS favorite holiday traditions…

30

THEIR STORIES adoption awareness profiles

THE SOUL’S JOURNEY with dixie clark

31

metroHOME

REDEFINING “TREAT” with mary e. vandenack

21

CELEBRATING SMART! holiday décor tips from the pros

events

37

THE metroSCENE

articles | columns

home

24

metro

ADVERTISER SPOTLIGHT watkins concrete block

26

bravo!

KNOWING NON-PROFITS

55

omaha community foundation

28

21 55

PLANNING MATTERS pvw law

29

TODAY’S SAVINGS swartzbaugh-farber & associates, inc.

“MAINSTAGE” howard and rhonda hawks mainstage theatre grand opening

57

KVNO KIDS!

58 62

with dixie clark

SAVE THE DATE HOROSCOPES with sue moon

13 on the

cover

COVER PHOTOGRAPH of Thomas and Evelyn Grace Prem

by Bryce Bridges

6

metroMAGAZINE • NOV 2009

inform • educ ate • insp ire

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from the PUBLISHER

experiences

POWERFUL

November is national adoption awareness month and as many of you may know, I am a birth mother. The agency that I worked with years ago through this very challenging and significant experience in my life was the Nebraska Children’s Home Society. The decision to place a child for adoption is one of the most difficult decisions one could make in their lifetime. It is most often done with tremendous love, compassion and selflessness, mixed with tremendous inner turmoil.

Ultimately, it is both a tender and powerful, life-changing experience for all involved.

I will always remember the care and compassion that was shown to me by the NCHS. This year the NCHS celebrates its 115th Year anniversary, and in honor of this wonderful benchmark we have made this incredible organization the subject of our November cover story.

In addition, we feature adoptive parents and birth mothers who worked with equally dedicated agency’s in our region. In this piece these individuals share their own stories of adoption and how this powerful experience has forever impacted their lives and the lives of those they love. For those of you who have been touched by adoption and for those unfamiliar with the territory, it’s my hope that these stories speak to your heart as they do to mine.

Speaking of powerful experiences… I am extremely pleased to announce the launch of a project we’ve been working on for nearly 5 years– a powerful new website to serve you: www.SpiritofOmaha.com!

This holiday season and all year round anyone in our community can visit The Giving Guide Online and our exhaustive and dynamic array of Calendars and Resource Guides intended to connect charities and individuals like never before! Learn what area NonProfits are needing from you, including detailed Giving and Volunteer Opportunities and a Powerful Database Engine that assists everyone in keeping the philanthropic and cultural community updated 365/24/7!

SpiritofOmaha.com’s Event Planning Section will offer great event planning tips, tools and resources as well as profiles from those in the event planning industry. One could literally spend weeks on this powerful and useful site and never exhaust all the resources and services we’ve built into it for you, so visit SpiritofOmaha.com and let metroMAGAZINE help you plan your next event! Read inspiring stories on our Community Page. View profiles on local businesses that will help inform and educate you to make smart buying decisions on our “buyOMAHAnow!” section. And you’ll just be getting warmed up… you can also find information and profiles on The Arts, Wellness, Food & Spirits, Style & Beauty, Home & Realty and YP Connections.

You’ll continue to find photos from your favorite events for browsing and for purchase as well as even more resources to help plan your social calender by checking out our Specialty Calendars!

We are excited about being available to serve you 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through this powerful new website, further enhancing our ability to…

ANDREA L. HOIG ahoig@mmomaha.com

alh P U B L I C A T I O N S

LAURIE AND CHARLES PHOTOGRAPHS

inform • educate • inspire

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metro

MAGAZINE

lifestyle • culture • philanthropy

NOV 2009 VOL. 21 NO. 11 Press releases and other editorial information may be sent to: P.O. BOX 241611, OMAHA, NE 68124 or e-mailed to: editor@mmomaha.com Publisher Editor-in-Chief

Staff Photographers

Robert P. Killmer

Caroline Hurley Jennifer Parent Linda Shepard Dave Stock Caroline Thompson

Sales Associates

Staff Writers

Stephanie Buckley Deb Skinner

Stephanie Bell John Dechant Molly Garriott Susan Kuhlmann Randy Taft

Andrea L. Hoig Editor/ Creative Director

Administration

Francesca Peterson Layout/Production

Kyle Faucheux Joe Szczepaniak

Distribution

Loni Craft

Interns

Katie Reichert • Shannon Wanna

SpiritofOmaha.com metro MAGAZINE is wholly owned and operated by the publisher and is not affiliated with any other publication, operating solely on subscription and advertising revenues and the good will of the agencies and charities we support; all of which are very important to the continuing growth and quality of this publication. Thank you to all who support this publication.

OFFICE/SALES

402-333-7499 ________________ sales@mmomaha.com MISSION STATEMENT The mission of alh Publications is to recognize the ongoing efforts of Omaha-area businesses, organizations and individuals to better the community through their support of charitable and civic causes. alh Publications also encourages people’s desire to give something back to the community through volunteerism and philanthropy.

Contents of this magazine are copyrighted by ALH Publications, Inc. in their entirety. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher. © Copyright 2009 alh Publications fka Metro Monthly, Inc. All rights reserved.

the future is

now! metroMAGAZINE is seeking highly motivated, goal oriented, positive people to fill the following full & part time positions: • sales • photography • writing • graphic & web design internships available •

metro MAGAZINE

lifestyle • culture • philanthropy

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cover STORY metroMAGAZINE

children by molly garriott

METRO MAGAZINE COVER STORY

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When Nebraska Children’s Home Society, NCHS, was established in 1893, our nation was experiencing a severe economic depression after a period of strong fiscal growth. At this time our country also saw a great influx of immigration, mostly from southern and eastern European countries.

The Nebraska Children’s Home Society, now celebrating its 115th anniversary, was established during turbulent times as a haven for children. It has expanded its services during its lifespan but has remained rooted in its mission of “providing safe and loving care for children of all ages,” says Karen Authier, Executive Director of NCHS.

and necessary. Yet NCHS sought something more.

“Children grow best in families. It wasn’t enough to just put a roof over their heads.” Authier maintains.

NCHS has evolved over the last century, adding programs to fit societal shifts and the subsequent changing needs of children and their families. Yet, Authier notes, NCHS has consistently remained childfocused. NCHS has never charged for adoption. The child is the client at NCHS. Since children are not in the position to offer payment for services, the services are provided to the families at no cost.

Foster, early childhood, teen, and post-adoption programs have been added over time. Recent years have seen a need for what Authier calls “relationship-

“[NCHS] HAS REMAINED ROOTED IN ITS MISSION OF ‘PROVIDING SAFE AND LOVING CARE FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES.’” – KAREN AUTHIER, NCHS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Since its inception, NCHS has been a progressive voice in child care. In 1893, some desperate parents were unable to feed and clothe their children, their young children often relegated to lives in orphanages and poor houses until they were either adopted or reached the age of majority. Other parents turned to NCHS for help. The founders of NCHS had a different perspective from the orphanages and poor houses of the time. Rather than just warehousing children, it held the “belief that children should be placed with families as soon as they came into care,” explains Authier.

Many institutions of the time focused on maintenance issues: providing shelter, filling their tummies with warm food and keeping them clothed. This was good

based programs,” especially for teenagers. Discussion groups allow teenagers a safe venue in which to explore ways to develop healthy relationships and learn how to deal with their sexuality.

Nebraska has the highest percentage of women who work outside the home while raising small children.

NCHS has responded to this population’s needs with early childhood programming. It offers parenting classes and provides day care for low-income families.

Another trend to which NCHS has responded is foster care for medically fragile children. Its clients come from Nebraska as well as other states. Often, children are brought to Nebraska to receive treatment at the continued

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cover STORY metroMAGAZINE

for

continued

children

University of Nebraska Medical Center’s transplant unit. They are wards of the state while they undergo treatment, and NCHS oversees their placement in foster care.

Kim Anderson, NCHS Pregnancy, Parenting, and Adoption Program Director, says there are several misconceptions regarding adoption that NCHS works to clarify. A predominant mistaken belief is that the mother and father who place a child for adoption are doing so for self-serving reasons. “This is not the case,” Anderson has witnessed. “These are parents who are making a thoughtful and purposeful plan for their child.”

Another misconception is that only teenagers make adoption plans. In actuality, most adoption plans are made by those 19 to 27 years of age. Men and women from a variety of backgrounds and representing every race make adoption plans. Anderson also has seen a growing number of parents who are already parenting making adoption plans during unplanned pregnancies.

“They know their limits,” says Anderson.

A support and education program helps parents and prospective parents. “Anyone facing an unplanned pregnancy is going through a crisis,” Anderson states. Caseworkers at NCHS offer guidance, reminding them that they do not have to make up their minds immediately.

“Some may think they have to make a decision before they come to us.

We’re here to help them through the process, to make sure they make wellinformed decisions,” Kathleen Al-Marhoon, Marketing and Public Relations Manager for NCHS adds. Caseworkers educate mothers and fathers on what it means to be a parent. They connect them with resources in their community, helping them make ends meet. If parents do choose to make an adoption plan, caseworkers help them through the grief and inherent sense of loss. Post-adoption services are also available. “We tell our clients that we’re here for forever,” affirms Anderson.

NCHS has handled both open and closed adoptions, though it currently only offers open adoptions. “Open adoptions give a healthy sense of identity and sense of self,” Anderson explains. With closed adoptions, “children spent time wondering who they looked like. There was no mirror in front of them. Secrecy takes a lot of energy.”

During its 115 years of servicing Nebraska children and families, NCHS has impacted over hundreds of thousands of lives. The well-being of the child has and will continue to be its primary focus. In the case of adoption, Anderson reminds us where NCHS’s priorities lay: “Adoption is no longer about finding children for families. It’s about finding families for children.”

m

adoption resources

• Adoption Links Worldwide 5017 Leavenworth St. Omaha, NE 68106 402-556-2367 www.alww.org • Child Saving Institute 115 S. 46th St. Omaha, NE 68132 402-553-6000 www.childsaving.org • Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. 124 S. 24th St., Suite 230 Omaha, NE 68102 402-978-5678 www.lfsneb.org • Nebraska Children's Home Society 4939 S. 118th St. Omaha, NE 68137 402-451-0787 www.nchs.org

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stories

kelly&ross

ADOPTIVE PARENTS

the martinez family

“Every kid deserves to have a family that loves them unconditionally.”

THE MARTINEZ’S

adoption links worldwide Introducing parenthood into a marriage is an adjustment. Period.

To skip the infant, toddler and young child years of development and launch head first into the turbulent teen years takes courage. But that is what Kelly and Ross Martinez did. After ten years of being married without children, the Martinez’s decided to adopt an older child via the foster care system.

“My parents had fostered a child before they had any children of their own,” says Kelly Martinez. She had also worked part-time as a teenager in a day care facility that catered heavily to children who were in the foster care system. “I knew that those kids needed stability in their lives,” she states. So when she and her husband began discussing starting their own family, she presented the option of older child adoption to her husband and he agreed.

Martinez says they chose this avenue to parenthood for a few reasons. First, they were altruistically motivated: “There are already so many kids out there who need homes and loving families, we didn’t feel the need to have our ‘own.’” There were also practical considerations. Her husband was familiar with parenting, having helped raise his younger brother and sister during his teen years. “He wasn’t overly eager to jump back into diapers and 2 AM feedings,” she admits.

Martinez owns that is was quite an adjustment to have a teenager living with them, especially after ten years of being childless. “But it also felt natural,” she says.

The Martinez’s feel the impact of their unconventional route to parenthood when they hear their daughter talk about a future she never thought she’d have. At the close of her 8th grade years, Martinez was talking to her daughter about high school when a strange look shadowed her daughter’s face. She questioned her daughter about what she was feeling, and her daughter responded, “’ It’s weird talking about my future. I didn’t know I had one until I came here.’”

Fostering or adopting an older child may be challenging, the Martinez concede, but to do so is meaningful and life-altering in the life of a child.

Megan and Ray O’Connell had been married for six years, and for many of which they had struggled with infertility issues that left them emotionally taxed. They were unwilling to pursue the financial sacrifice of invetro fertilization given the procedure’s success rate.

“We don’t even buy lottery tickets. The risk was too high,” states Megan O’Connell. “We always thought adoption was wonderful. We just didn’t know if it was for us.”

After giving themselves time to accept that a biological child was not in their future, they began considering adoption as an option. The more they looked into it, their perspective changed. “It became more about helping not just ourselves but about helping others in the process,” O’Connell says. Two families benefit with a single act.

Two couples the O’Connell’s knew had gone through adoption: one open and the other closed. They received counsel and training from Child Saving Institute and decided an open adoption was the kind of arrangement that appealed most to them. They began the process in the fall of 2007. They had a home study

METRO MAGAZINE COVER STORY

13

THE O’CONNELLS

megan&ray

ADOPTIVE PARENTS

the o’connell family child saving institute conducted, created a family album, and met with the birth mother of their future child all the while building a nursery for their baby.

O’Connell’s family and friends threw her a baby shower in July. She and her husband took maternity leave in August when the baby was going to be born. But after giving birth, the birth mother decided she wanted to parent her son.

Saddened but not angry, the O’Connell’s returned to work fully anticipating starting the process all over again. But a week later, Child Saving Institute called and informed them that the birth mother would like to place her son for adoption and inquired if they still were interested. The answer was a relieved and resounding “yes.” “I was happy to see the birth mother and meet the baby. She had become part of our life,” says O’Connell.

The O’Connell’s feel that adopting Alexander was more than just about becoming a family or giving a child a “better” life. It impacted a huge circle of people beyond their family unit. In the year that they brought Alexander home, friends of theirs pursued adoption and brought home their child this past September. continued

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stories continued

ADOPTIVE PARENTS

lisa&alan

lutheran family services When Alan and Lisa Schrier got married, they talked about adoption as a possible means to creating a family together.

brookeeggert BIRTH MOTHER

“The plan was to have at least one biological children then adopt another,” says Lisa Schrier. After viewing a program on adoption of toddlers and older children, talk transformed into action.

They had their first child, Alexander, in October 2001.

When Alex was two, they thought it the perfect time to look into adoption. For almost two years, the Schriers explored various adoption opportunities in Nebraska. Originally, they wanted to adopt a toddler, around their son’s age. But this proved more difficult than they thought. Through Lutheran Family Services, they adopted a newborn. The birth mother and the Schriers chose the name of their child together: Gabrielle Kathryn. Little Gabby joined the Schrier family just seven days after her birth.

The Schriers did not actively pursue a second adoption, thinking their family was complete. But when they met a young woman who was thinking of placing her child for adoption, they welcomed the opportunity to add another member to their fold. They referred the birth mother to Lutheran Family Services. Says Schrier: “We felt it was important that she talk to someone about her decision to make an adoption plan for her baby, to ensure that she was comfortable in making that decision.”

The birth mother did make a plan, was induced the next day, and Samuel Dean joined the Schrier family. The whirlwind left the Schriers dizzy with joy. “Not only were we new parents again, but Sam was born on our 16th wedding anniversary. What a gift,” exclaims Schrier.

“Although the stories of how Gabby and Sam came to be part of our family are different, the underlying thread is that two very special women chose us to become the parents of their babies,” acknowledges Schrier. In addition to being blessed with a new child, the Schriers feel that open adoption afforded them an “amazing opportunity to build relationships with extended family members as well.”

How their children came to join their family is immaterial to the Schriers. As Lisa says, “There is no separation in our minds or hearts between our children; biological or adopted, they’re just ours!”

the schrier family

THE SCHRIERS

child saving institute

TRACY LORENSON

tracylorenson BIRTH MOTHER

lutheran family services

When Tracy Lorensen found out she was pregnant at the tender age of 15, she initially intended to raise her child herself with the help of her parents.

She approached Lutheran Family Services in Grand Island for counseling. “I thought, ‘If I am going to be a mom, I want to be a good mom,’” Lorensen recalls. She learned about budgeting for a child and all their inherent expenses like diapers, food and clothing. She carried the “Baby Think About It” doll, meant to give potential young mothers an accurate glimpse of parenthood’s full-time responsibilities.

Around her seventh month of pregnancy, Lorensen began reconsidering her decision to be a single parent.

Physically, she looked pregnant, and her ever-growing belly became a very concrete reminder that she was about to become a mother. Her parents had supported her all through her pregnancy, but they insisted she stay in school after giving birth. School, coupled with her after school job, meant most of her day would be spent away from her child. She wondered, “Where was time for her child?” Having been raised in a two parent home, Lorensen wanted the same stability for her child.

So she decided that placing her child for adoption was what she wanted to do.

Lorensen considers adoption “an amazing gift” for both the birth parents and the adoptive parents. Lorensen was able to give a couple unable to have biological children another chance to parent, and they in turn gave Lorensen her youth back. “I did feel a loss. I grieved,” she admits, but “they gave me my teenage years back. I could be a normal teenager again.”

That was over 10 years ago. Today, Lorensen is married, and she and her husband have a toddler. She keeps in touch with the family who adopted her daughter, Katie, and is happy she was able to share the gift of life with another family. In doing so, she maintains that she did not loose a part of herself but broadened her own family circle.

To be a mother is not simply a matter of being able to create another life. To be a mother means setting aside your needs for those of your children. It means bring more concerned for your child’s well-being than for your own. Brooke Eggert knew this. At 17, a time in one’s life most often associated with self-absorption, Eggert decided to place her son, Michael, for adoption.

She had Michael when she was still in high school and living with her grandparents. Her grandmother babysat while she was in school, though she would come home during lunch period to breast feed her son. “I loved being a mom. The tremendous feelings of pride and love I felt for Michael was beautiful. One night as he and I lay on my bed, I looked into his sweet little face and began to sob. Right then I realized Michael was not just a baby, not just an adorable little doll to feed and dress and show off to my friends. He was a person, with a future, and deserved to have a better life than what I was able to provide… I knew I needed to let go of my selfish desire to be his mother.

From that moment on I understood it wasn’t my job to raise him. It was my job to find the perfect family for him, a family that could give him all the love, stability and opportunities I couldn’t,” Eggert explains.

She found a family for her son through Child Saving Institute. She liked that Don and Christy had children in the Catholic school system who were involved with sports and were encouraged to attend college. The couple wanted an open adoption, alleviating her concern of not knowing if Michael was healthy, happy and loved.

Now, eleven years later, Michael and Eggert continue to share holidays and milestones in each other’s lives.

She is married with children. Michael and his brother even spend the night with each other.

“Placing Michael for adoption was the most difficult thing I have ever done,” admits Eggert, and initially, feelings of guilt accompanied her decision. But time and experience have altered those feelings. As Eggert asserts, “I know now that I didn’t give Michael up…

I gave Michael better.” m

BROOKE EGGERT AND MICHAEL

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Look Who’s Sheltering Shelter Pets!

Save the Date: Italian Leather Sale!

Nov 17 3pm-8pm • Nov 18 10am-6pm Join us at the Marriott Regency Ballroom for a true Italian shopping experience. Peruse leather goods, jewelry and wine brought directly to you from the finest shops in Florence. Best yet--proceeds help homeless animals.

Save the Date: Holiday Open House Dec 5, 2009 10am-2pm • NHS Join us for some Christmas Cheer as you kick into holiday mode. Our holiday open house is a not-tobe-missed event for the pet lover. Canoyer Garden Center will once again be supplying us with beautiful long lasting poinsettias, fresh garlands, and aromatic wreaths to get your home decked for the holidays. Get into the spirit of Christmas as you shop specials in our retail store, enjoy home made goodies, and help the animals. Details at www.nehumanesociety.org.

Fido Frustrating?

Pete, Anna, Paige, and Caroline, with Rigby behind

Dawn and Doug Buchanan

Our NEW training center is up and running with training classes for dogs (and owners!) of all ages and abilities. Give your adult dog a “manners” brush-up,

Cooper Buchanan is the picture of happiness as he races across the yard after a ball. “He lives for the

or start your new puppy off on the right paw! We

ball,” explains Doug, “he’ll keep fetching as long as you keep throwing.” But put the ball away, and

even have easy on-line sign up at www.nehumane-

Cooper turns into a great house dog, content to simply hang out with his family. “People who know the

society.org (Just click the icon that says Take a class.

breed don’t believe it when I tell them he is calmest dog we’ve ever had,” says Dawn, “but it’s true.” The

Or call 444-7800 ext 702 for information.

3 year old border collie found his perfect home with Doug and Dawn early this year. His intelligence and athletic ability convinced Dawn to try her hand at an agility class. “I’m not sure how much he enjoys it -he’d probably like flyball better because it includes a ball!” Still, we figure that anything Cooper does with Dawn and Doug makes him happy, because he knows he’s in his forever home.

www.nehumanesociety.org gives you all the info!

For more information go to “Programs and Events” on the NHS Website at www.nehumanesociety.org, or call 444-7800 ext 273.

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metroMAGAZINE

YPconnections

CONNECTING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS www.ready2serveomaha.org

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION PROFILE

“YP” ORGANIZATION PROFILE

anti-defamationleague plainsstates

nextgenerationomaha contact michael young michael@q3systems.com

contact jessica gall jgall@adl.org The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) is safeguarding our future by investigating, educating and protecting to defend democratic ideals and ensure civil rights for all. For almost 100 years, ADL has been fighting hate. Today, ADL is the nation’s premier human relations and civil rights agency combating racism, anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry.

ADL PLAINS STATES OFFICE Serving Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas – ADL is meeting the challenges of our region through an approach that is both responsive and proactive, behind the scenes and on the frontlines. While we take prompt action in the face of extremism, ADL also works to stop hate before it takes root.

Believing that prejudice is learned and can be unlearned, we offer area schools innovative educational opportunities to help students fight intolerance and foster respect – within and beyond the classroom. Our state-of-the-art programs include No Place for Hate, Prejudice Elimination Workshop, Youth Leadership Mission, Understanding and Addressing Cyberbullying and the Institute for Holocaust Education, a division of ADL Plains States.

ADL welcomes volunteers who want to make a difference in the community through board leadership, committee participation or anti-bias workshop facilitation. Please contact ADL at 402-333-1303 or visit our website at www.regions.adl.org/plains-states for more information.

THE NEXT GENERATION OMAHA is a Non-Profit Organization who wants to instill collaboration throughout the city of Omaha.

No matter where you work, live or play, you can make the difference.

We believe that for YOU to take pride in this city we call ‘HOME’, that you have to take part in the process. NGO works with the city, county, and state organization on many fronts to establish the Next Generation of Omaha. We live here, we love Omaha, and we want to play a role in making our community better. NGO is here to help in any way we can. We strive to work with numerous organizations to engage and give voice on a topic and/or need that would never reach the surface. Let NGO be the ‘soap-box’ that your organization needs. From volunteering to fundraising, NGO wants to help you on your mission. Omaha is a very exciting place with diversity and growth but at the same time it can be discouraging if you cannot find your part in it.

NGO MISSION: Establish the Next Generation of Omaha as Leaders in the Community by Enhancing Initiatives through Collaboration.

Next Generation Omaha holds semi-monthly networking events throughout the city to bring young people who are passionate about being involved in the city of Omaha together. The events are an open forum to share your ideas, get involved, and meet other young professionals in the city. Visit www.ngomaha.org for information about upcoming events or email us at ngo@ngomaha.org.

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL PROFILE

dustydavidson CO-FOUNDER BRIGHTMIX

Dusty Davidson is the co-founder of BrightMix, a web application consultancy located in Midtown Omaha. Along with his business partner, Dusty started BrightMix around the idea that the key to building a successful company is to combine a great culture (no TPS reports!) with really smart, passionate people.

As such, they have built a company where they work on some of the most exciting projects around, in an environment that is both fun and interesting.

Before starting BrightMix, Dusty was hell-bent on getting out of Omaha to pursue opportunities in places traditionally known for being “cool” -- Silicon Valley, Austin, etc. It wasn’t until life forced him to remain in the area that he started to realize that Omaha has an amazing number of exciting and creative enterprises, people and organizations.

The people were out there -- in most cases they were just flying under the radar.

In response to this, he co-founded Silicon Prairie News, a website which highlights and promotes startups and entrepreneurs in the region.

Additionally, he is involved with hosting Big Omaha (www.bigomaha.com) an annual event that draws over 400 of the region’s top creative and entrepreneurial minds in its inaugural year.

As part of his commitment to grow and foster a vibrant ecosystem for startups, entrepreneurs, and creatives, Dusty is currently working with others to build a nonprofit coworking facility and creative incubator. Code-named Jailbreak Omaha (http://jailbreakomaha.com), this organization aims to be a beacon for entrepreneurship in the region. Much like Silicon Prairie News is an online voice and presence for these companies, Jailbreak will serve as definable location where much of the area’s entrepreneurial activity takes place. From the people working out of the facility, to events held there, everything in the space will be geared towards building a strong community of people looking to launch high-growth businesses.

The goal of Jailbreak will be to continue to grow and promote the startup culture in the Midwest. Dusty feels that Omaha is in a unique position for this type of activity.

Through his involvement with SPN and Jailbreak Omaha, he hopes to put the region “on the map” as a hotbed of creative enterprise, encouraging other people to either remain in or choose Omaha as an viable option for launching their ideas.

You can find Dusty on the web at BrightMix.com or on Twitter at @dustyd.

DUSTY DAVIDSON 28 33

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metroMAGAZINE

whatisyourfavoriteholiday

YPconnections

CONNECTING YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

drewdavies

danielholke

OWNER / DESIGN DIRECTOR OXIDE DESIGN CO.

MANAGER OF BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE MUTUAL OF OMAHA

MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION IS A UNIQUE AND CURIOUS ACTIVITY MY TWIN BROTHER AND I STARTED MORE THAN 15 YEARS AGO. Each Christmas when we were growing up, my family would purchase our tree on the Sunday just prior to Christmas.

One year, when Christmas fell on a Monday, that Sunday morning arrived and we had yet to get a tree.

We went to church as usual, and our parents never mentioned anything DREW DAVIES about a tree. My brother and I were in a panic: without a tree, Christmas would be ruined! So, as the two of us drove home from church, we found the perfect opportunity to save the day: heaped behind an upholstery shop not far from church was a pile of discarded trees with a huge sign that read “FREE TREES.” We found the best of the lot, and proudly brought it home.

Christmas was saved! (Never mind that our parents had been waiting for us at home to go out and get a tree.)

Every year since, on the afternoon of Christmas Eve, my brother and I have gone out in search of a free Christmas tree. And we don’t come home until we save Christmas.

douglasgilbert

36

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON, like many, is definitely my favorite time of year.

As a child our family tradition was to open one special present on Christmas Eve, go to church, then bed, and when we awoke we had a morning filled with presents, music, breakfast, and tons of fun.

When we were old enough we were allowed to secretly place small stocking stuffers into our siblings stockings, which added even more excitement! When my DANIEL wife was a child, her family HOLKE 36 celebrated on Christmas Eve with a big meal, church and then all the gift giving late into the night.

We have combined those traditions, and added to it, giving our children an amazing 2-day Christmas celebration.

On Christmas Eve we have a big meal at my wife’s parent’s house, go to church and look at christmas lights on houses, before returning to exchange presents and eating our homemade, kiddecorated Christmas cookies. We then take our children home and when they awake Christmas morning we sing Happy Birthday to Jesus and they open 3 special gifts, symbolizing the 3 gifts given to Jesus at his birth. We have a special brunch and spend Christmas Day with as many family members as possible. We hope our children appreciate benefiting from two wonderful family traditions!

bethriley

FINANCIAL ADVISOR FIRST NATIONAL BANK

DIRECTOR OF PLANNED GIVING CHILD SAVING INSTITUTE

MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY TRADITION IS CHRISTMAS MORNING AT MY PARENTS HOME IN GRAND ISLAND, NE. Even though my sister and I are grown and moved out of the house, they still want to build the anticipation of the day as if we were still much younger. This includes taking their time making coffee, getting the camera ready and anything else they can think of too prolong the event (this drove us crazy when we were much younger). Now the festivities have grown to include my sister’s husband and my girlfriend who have now been included in the festivities, even getting their own stockings hanging on the fireplace! The morning is complete after all the gifts have been exchanged with my mother baking cinnamon rolls in the shape of a Christmas tree and all of us sitting down to enjoy them.

These are very special memories for our family and a tradition DOUGLAS that we look forward to carrying on.

GILBERT 33 18

BAKING HOLIDAY COOKIES IS A FAVORITE TRADITION IN MY FAMILY Sugar cookies (from one of my mom’s old Junior League cookbooks) with incredible homemade frosting.

My family has done this as long as I can remember and now my four year-old loves being a part of all of the action. It’s a messy, fun family time with carols in the background and lots of laughter. We make: candy canes, snowmen, Christmas trees, Santa Claus, bells, gingerbread men, stars, and ornaments out of bright, BETH vibrant frosting. I’ve been known to deliver the beautiful finished RILEY 33 cookies to CSI donors to thank them for their support, as well! It’s fun to spread the holiday cheer with home baked goods. I think people really appreciate when you take time out of your busy schedule and balancing priorities to do something creative. It’s easy to pick up the phone and order pretty much anything for a meal or dessert in our busy world, but it’s really special when you take time out – particularly during the holidays – to spend time together in the kitchen. metroMAGAZINE • NOV 2009

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tradition? metroMAGAZINE catch the

spirit

of the Omaha community!

brandyolson

SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT THE NEBRASKA MEDICAL CENTER

THANKSGIVING IS ABSOLUTELY MY FAVORITE HOLIDAY. Gathering with friends and family, cooking and laughing all day long, and giving thanks always results in wonderful memories. Since I live downtown, we always spend the evening at the Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony and then take a walk through the Old Market.

Each year is better than the last.

BRANDY OLSON

IN ROCKBROOK VILLAGE

Celebrating

Years!

WITH

_ it’s a Only $10

a $20 value!

2820 S. 110TH COURT • 402.397.4110

28

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home

metroMAGAZINE • NOVEMBER 2009

metro

DESIGNING YOUR SURROUNDINGS TO FIT YOUR LIFE

by molly garriott DEPARTMENT 56 DICKENS’ VILLAGE...

A WATERFORD NATIVITY SET. STOCKINGS GRANDMA KNITTED IN THE 60 S . T HE C HRISTMAS TREE FASHIONED FROM ELBOW MACARONI GLUED TO A STYROFOAM CONE AND SPRAY PAINTED GOLD. THE STERLING MENORAH, AN HEIRLOOM PASSED DOWN FROM YOUR GREAT-GRANDPARENTS...

Chances are you’ve accumulated a veritable treasure trove of holiday decorations over the years. Some items have withstood the test of time and are unpacked every year. Some are so wrapped up in sentiment that despite their tattered appearance (think macaroni topiary), they join newer additions to your holiday décor. Some are family traditions, duly given places of honor on the mantel or dining room table.

But just because you have it or always have used it does not mean you have to keep doing so. Sometimes, change is good. Not at the holidays, you say, where tradition trumps trend? Very true. Annual gatherings, certain recipes, favorite carols, and, yes, Grandma’s stockings are the stuff of which holidays are made. As such, they are held sacred. But you can infuse a fresh look to your holiday décor without casting aside tradition. It’s simple, does not absorb precious time or dent your wallet and will lift your creative spirit.

Deep, saturated colors are popular this year. Julia Russell, ASID, of Julia Russell Designs, says varying colors of green will take the spotlight. “Metallic greens and bright greens seem to stand out with only a small amount of greenery intertwined,” she says. Since green is a 21

neutral, it blends well with most homes’ color schemes.

Blues, from cobalt to sea foams, as well as deep purples are also featuring prominently, Gwen Ahrens, ASID, and Anita Wiechman, ASID, of The Interior Design Firm, have observed. Traditional reds and greens strike a nostalgic chord with homeowners whom Ahrens and Wiechman have noticed are showing traditional, nesting tendencies as a reaction to an uncertain economy.

Metallics– silver, gold, and bronzes in both gleaming and antiqued finishes- continue to show well. They blend with a variety of other colors and decors, toning down a home’s wilder color palette, says Ahrens and Wiechman.

They also serve to add a festive sparkle to another of this season’s trends: decorating with fresh, natural items, says Gail Williams, ASID, of Interior Design Group. Elements of nature, such as acorns, pussy willows, pine cones, vines, seeds balls, and simple greenery are elevated from simple to simply sensational when paired with sparkle.

Metallic balls, frosted finishes, white votives in crystal containers and twinkle lights enhance nature’s beauty in an understated way.

Russell concurs: “I have found that acorns are really hot this year but not your rustic looking acorns. Acorns made from antiqued glass or beading seem to steal the spotlight in an arrangement.” In keeping with the natural theme, she suggests adding seasonal fruits and vegetables in mantel, sideboard or table arrangements as an easy and affordable way to introduce color.

Time constraints often play a role in holiday decorating. Simplify the process by maintaining a theme

metrohome • NOV 2009

continued

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metroMAGAZINE

metro

home

continued

throughout your house. Says Ahrens: “Treat holiday decorating like decorating your home.” Use a consistent color palette so rooms flow. Maintain your focus throughout your home. If you like stars, incorporate them in your wreaths, swags, and tree decorations. Cluster your angel collection on your sideboard and add some fresh greens, white votives and a few silver balls. Do snowmen appeal to you? Spread your collection throughout the house, tying in the various rooms. Ahrens and Wiechman note that using figures not exclusively linked to Christmas or Hanukah, like stars and snowmen, means you can leave a few items up after the holiday season. This has the added bonus of offsetting the forlorn look your house takes on when all the holiday finery has been packed up after New Years.

Breathing holiday cheer into your home should not have to deplete your check book. Williams suggests visiting craft stores for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Hanukah notions. “Adding fresh ribbon and greenery to existing items or ornaments can make thinks look new,” she says. Watch the ads in the Sunday paper for sales; Hobby Lobby often hosts 50% off sales on holiday ribbons, berries, and greens throughout the fall.

Russell likes to troll thrift stores for holiday finds. “These stores usually don’t put items out until just before the season, so keep your eyes open for the displays. The best thing about buying thrift is that if you make a mistake on your purchase or buy too much, you don’t break the bank,” she notes.

“People aren’t buying tons of stuff anymore,” Ahrens has observed. Rather, they are gathering existing items into new arrangements. If you have always used your pinecone candlesticks on your mantel, switch it up this year and cluster them with other candlesticks for a varied display on your piano. Weave tree ornaments into the garland that dresses your staircase for a fresh look. Hang the miniature boxwood wreaths that have formerly graced your windows from the back of your dining room chairs.

Traditional colors are popular, but in darker tones like deeper greens and burgundies.

This trend is a crossover from autumn’s jewel tones, according to Ann Pitschka, Events Consultant with AAA Rents. Metallic finishes are bronzed or antiqued to give a vintage feel.

In regards to entertaining, “people are a little more laid back this year, hosting more casual, openhouse style gatherings.”

Hosts are willing to mix rented items with their own service which is more economical and fits the vintage chic look in which everything isn’t matching.

Corporate gatherings are also more restrained.

Businesses are substituting items that can be reused, like ornamental balls, in centerpieces rather than fresh florals. They are shunning conscious shows of excess and being more respectful of the current economic climate even if the are not feeling the pinch.

If you are just starting out in your first home, remember that you don’t have to buy everything at once. Collect stockings as you have your children. Buy boxes of tree ornaments when they go on sale after Christmas. Concentrate on one room or focal point each year. For the mantel, buy a good quality wreath then play around with ribbons, balls, berries, pine cones and color scheme. Coordinate your garlands and swags to incorporate elements included in the wreath.

Add new Nativity figurines, carolers, glass finials or whatever you collect each year. Gradually building a collection is half the fun.

Your holiday décor, like your home, is a reflection of your personality. It speaks volumes about your interests and what is important to you. So have fun. Be creative. Couple traditional items and family heirlooms with newer trends. The holidays are a perfect time to marry the old with the new. And don’t forget the macaroni topiary you and your best friend made when you were ten. It’s one of a kind. m

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SpiritofOmaha.com • Pine’s woody scent is a hallmark of the

season. Natural pine is difficult to keep fresh indoors, especially over a working fireplace. Consider hanging fresh pine on your front door where it won’t become as parched. When you come home at night, you’ll be greeted by its heavenly scent.

• Scented candles are a treat for the nose and

eyes alike. Mulled wine, spice, cedar, vanilla, holly berry and pine are good choices. Just make sure you use unscented candles at your diner table so the candles’ perfume does not compete with the aroma of your food.

• Nothing beats the smell of freshly baked

cookies. Not a baker? Crack open a tube of frozen cookie dough to fill your kitchen with a homey smell (and satisfy your sugar fix at the same time).

• Warm apple cider on your stove to greet

your children when they come home from school or guests as they arrive at your gatherings. Toss in a few cinnamon sticks.

If you don’t have cider on hand, just simmer the cinnamon sticks in some water for a quintessential seasonal scent.

• Use votives, the more the better. They allow you to turn down overhead lighting to create a relaxing environment, says Russell.

• Choose a festive holiday table cloth or overlay several fabrics, mixing and matching patterns, Russell offers. It gives your table visual interest without the clutter.

• Try this, courtesy of Gail Williams. Fill large glass hurricanes with colored balls, greens, pinecones, or candles.

• Anchor twigs in a vase with red and green M&Ms and hang miniature glass balls from their limbs, suggest Ahern and Wiechman.

• For an interactive as well as attractive centerpiece, Ahern and Wiechman like to stack presents in the middle of the table and have each guest select one for a holiday surprise.

• In lieu of formal place cards, wrap tiny

packages to look like individual presents with each guest’s name on them or nestle place cards into pinecones.

with these and other local area businesses!

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advertiser SPOTLIGHT

watkins concrete block

enduring quality STORY BY MOLLY GARRIOTT PHOTO COURTESY OF WATKINS CONCRETE BLOCK

The secret to a business’s longevity is not complicated and really no secret at all: produce a top-quality product, offer exemplar customer service and evolve with changing times.

Watkins Concrete Block has put these concepts into practice and as a result has been providing Omaha’s commercial and residential builders with building supplies for over 60 years.

Lisa Lackovic, Marketing Manager for Watkins Concrete Block, says that the company originally began in 1946 as a block basement business. “We eventually moved into the commercial market supplying architectural block for large projects. Now much of our marketing efforts are geared toward the backyard due to the increase in homeowners expanding their outdoor living space,” Lackovic explains. Today, Watkins is part of a network of block manufacturers across the state owned by NEBCO, Inc. It produces over 1300 concrete block items, employs 50 employees and maintains a fleet of 30 trucks to transport merchandise.

Watkins works with architects, engineers and general contractors and masons in commercial markets. In the last 20 years, the company has expanded their product lines in the residential sector with stone, brick and landscape products. But it is in the hardscape market that Watkins has experienced the most growth in the last few years. “We consider ourselves the hardscape headquarters. We have a hardscape specialist who has added value to our company because he was a contractor for 12 years before he joined our team. He has walked in their shoes and really understands their business,” says Lackovic.

O

When Watkins first began production after World War II, they only manufactured 8 inch standard, grey concrete blocks.

Now, Watkins offers clay face brick, manufactured stone, natural stone and glass block. “Many local consumers do not realize we make many of our concrete products we sell right here on site. Our production facility is state of the art and can produce quality concrete materials that are attractive,” Lackovic comments.

Watkins is always seeking updated looks for its customers. It explores methods of blending colors to create a more natural look and experiments with oversized units. It varies the use of aggregate, the small pebblelike rocks that are part of concrete mix, to create different styles. Watkins has also replicated the look of limestone, affording customers a more affordable alternative to natural stone and eliminating the need to ship product in from other states.

In 2005, Watkins introduced its Ultimate Backyard Challenge. Inspired by ABC’s Extreme Makeover, the Ultimate Backyard Challenge allows contractors to introduce the latest trends in hardscape design to their clients for reduced, incentive pricing.

“Nationally people are staying home more and making their backyards their vacation destinations. They are spending money on existing homes instead of moving up,” Lackovic has observed.

“We think homebuilders will start offering backyard outdoor rooms as part of their upgrade packages. It is becoming a standard to have a fire pit or water feature.

Homeowners have come to expect it,” Lackovic states.

Outdoor kitchens are features homeowners are anxious to build.

“Everybody grills in their backyard,” Lackovic says, and they enhance the 24

experience by installing countertops, mini refrigerators, even wine stewards around the grill. Responding to this trend, Watkins carries pizza ovens and ready made fireplaces. “We have lighted water features and grill islands. Contractors just need to set it in place and voila! Instant Ultimate Backyard!” enthuses Lackovic.

Homeowners as well as professional architects and contractors benefit from Watkins’ experience. Far from the warehouse feel of national home improvement chains, Watkins hosts customer appreciation grill outs and box lunches. The designer showroom is open to the public Monday through Friday and displays all their products.

It is a local business, owned by a Nebraska family, which manufactures its product in house rather than ship it in from China. It is invested in the community that helps support it. Buying from Watkins is buying local.

metroMAGAZINE • NOV 2009

m

watkins concrete block

address: 14306 Giles Road Omaha, NE 68138 web: watkinsconcreteblock.com phone: (402) 896-8611

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knowing NONPROFITS • omaha community foundation Patrick McNamara, Ph.D., Director of Philanthropic Services

strengthening omaha’snonprofitsector

omaha’s nonprofit sector is essential to the Good Life that we tout here in Nebraska. We enjoy great music and arts thanks to many nonprofit organizations.

We have our children and seniors in care facilities which are often nonprofit. We rely on social services, community programs and educational nonprofits to enrich our lives. And the needs are growing in Omaha for these organizations and many more types of nonprofits, while the funding for these organizations dwindles. So, how do we ensure that the elements of the Good Life supported by nonprofits will continue?

many nonprofit leaders

have appropriately raised alarms in these tight economic times as the people they serve need more and the people who donate give less. From a philanthropic perspective, we see these times as containing both problems and opportunities for the nonprofits. The problems are obvious. The opportunities come as nonprofits question whether their programs correctly align with their mission; when they identify efficiencies such as merging back office operations or marketing with other nonprofits; or how to find the right people to serve on their boards and staffs.

Along those lines, the Omaha Community Foundation is launching a

nonprofit capacity building initiative.

If a nonprofit operates effectively and has a strong set programs, staff, and board, they are better positioned to serve our communities. We want to give nonprofits the opportunity to improve their overall operations, so that they have more flexibility to respond to those in need. Strengthening nonprofits strengthens our whole community.

our program will include

individual assessments of a pre-selected group of nonprofits that reflect Omaha’s nonprofit community to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Areas such as leadership, mission, administration, accounting, communications, and programs will be evaluated. Any identified needs will be addressed by consulting teams with specific expertise in these arenas. We want to work with staff and boards to find out what they need to make their nonprofit more effective. We also want to see if any common themes emerge across the nonprofit sector.

a great nonprofit sector

is built on the basis that many nonprofits that have a good board which hires good staff that runs good programs. The hope of the Omaha Community Foundation is that as this Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative – and many other efforts in our region – begins to help selected nonprofits to build that strong foundation and, ultimately, our whole community benefits and moves us closer to truly living the Good Life.

For more information about the Nonprofit Capacity Building Initiative, please visit www.omahafoundation.org or contact us at (402) 342-3458.

On behalf of the children we serve, Project Harmony thanks YOU! At the inaugural Speaking of Children in 2008, John Walsh, the TV host of America’s Most Wanted whose son Adam Walsh was abducted and murdered, delivered the keynote speech. Earlier that day, while touring Project Harmony with the Omaha World Herald’s Mike Kelly, Walsh stated,

“Every community should have a Project Harmony.

This is a model for the nation.

You do your work with grace and dignity.”

The “YOU” Mr. Walsh is speaking about is this community. Project Harmony is a model because YOU have joined in the efforts to respond to children who have been abused.

Your involvement and support allowed Project Harmony to respond to 2,278 children in 2008. The majority of the children served were under the age of six; 64% of the children who came to Project Harmony were evaluated for alleged sexual abuse. The astonishing number of children evaluated at Project Harmony for allegations of abuse or neglect is but a reflection of the depth and breadth of child abuse in every community.

This community chooses to confront each instance of abuse with grace and dignity for the child – and the means to prosecute the offender whenever warranted.

Project Harmony’s Medical Director, Dr. Suzanne Haney is a Board certified pediatrician whose fellowship training in child abuse assessment has allowed the agency to broaden the range of abuse evaluated through our program to include serious injuries, life-threatening neglect and abuse that has resulted in a child’s death.

ProjectHarmony-01109-3.indd 40

The Triage Center at Project Harmony is fully staffed in partnership with Child Saving Institute. This child-friendly space includes caring professionals who provide refuge for children who have just been removed from their homes for abuse or neglect. Warm and inviting, our Triage Center minimizes trauma for the children during the difficult process of protective placement.

Project Harmony’s Education and Training Institute established in 2007 under the leadership of Debra Anderson, MSW, PhD is continuing its work to improve the response to child abuse reporting and investigations. To date, more than 10,000 individuals attended training at Project Harmony or in their local communities in Nebraska and Iowa.

All of this, and more, would not be possible without YOUR involvement. Thank you for making Project Harmony, our community-based Child Protection Center “a model for the nation.”

Please visit www.projectharmony.com to • View the 2008 Project Harmony Annual Report • Find valuable information about keeping your own child safe • Learn more about training and volunteer opportunities, and • Get involved as a donor, in-kind contributor or Service League member.

7110 F Street Omaha, NE 68117 402.595.1326. www.projectharmony.com

11/2/09 11:46:30 AM

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year-end tax thoughts: estate planning

planningMATTERS • with pvw law by mary e. vandenack

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain but death and taxes.”

In fact, however...

–Benjamin Franklin

as of the date of this article, in the area of estate planning and the federal estate tax for 2010, uncertainty reigns supreme.

Under the present estate tax regime, the federal government imposes an estate tax on your taxable estate up to the highest marginal tax rate of 45%.

While the amount that can be transferred without being subjected to the federal estate tax is $3.5 million in 2009, there is much uncertainty about whether the exemption will remain that high in the future. In addition, other aspects of the current system are likely to change. However, despite the uncertainty, there are a few tools that should be considered for use prior to the end of 2009 in order to reduce the size of your estate.

use present interest annual gift tax exclusions The annual gift tax exclusion is an amount that may be given each year by a donor to donee without estate or gift tax. Each donor has a $13,000.00 annual exclusion from gift tax liability. That is, you may give up to $13,000 to a child, a niece, nephew or other donee without paying any estate or gift tax. In addition, the annual exclusion is $26,000 per donee for a married couple. While a gift of cash, a bond, or a publicly traded stock can be used to make a gift, a gift of a family partnership or limited liability company offers the opportunity for leveraged use of the annual exclusion.

medical and educational expenses If you are paying certain medical expenses and educational expenses for a donee and pay such amounts directly to the institution or provider, payment of such expenses is not treated as a taxable gift. As a result, it is possible to make a $13,000 gift to a donee and, in addition, pay certain medical and educational expenses on their behalf, also free from the federal gift tax.

consider use of lifetime gift tax exemption Above, I referred to the $3.5 million exemption from federal estate taxes. The federal government allows you to make up to $1 million of such transfer during your life. The advantage of doing so is that you transfer future appreciation to your heirs currently. The long term growth on the asset transferred will escape estate tax. In addition, current law allows donors to apply various discounts to assets owned by LLCs, partnerships and certain other closely-held businesses. For example, you might own an LLC with real estate worth $5,000,000. Because the LLC interests that you transfer to your desired recipients lack marketability and may represent minority interests, you can discount the value of the interests transferred. That is, an entity with assets worth $5,000,000 isn’t itself worth $5,000,000 if there is no market for the LLC interests or there is an inability to control distributions and other decisions of the LLC. 2009 is a good year to consider using discounts to the extent a donor has appropriate assets. Serious consideration is being given by Congress to legislatively eliminating the discounts.

In general, if a donor is comfortable with his or her overall asset base, 2009 is a good year to consider gifting assets to heirs at a time when such assets may be worth less than a year or so ago.

PVWLaw will be posting any ideas for year-end tax planning or last minute legislative changes on its website and blogs.

Check out www.pvwlaw.com as we close in on an important year for year-end strategic tax planning.

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todaysSAVNGS • swartzbaugh-farber & associates, inc.

29

financial

wellness with kirk swartzbaugh

after

the recent economic tsunami, there has been an increasing need for companies and individuals to revisit their financial wellness. As a part of this “new norm,” companies and individuals have had to shore up their financial situations and rely on less leverage due to banks tightening up their standards.

For companies, many have had to disclose much more financial data than they have in the past to obtain credit. As a result, many firms have also had to learn to live off of less available credit so they need to run their companies more efficiently to keep enough cash on hand to flow their businesses.

Another by-product of the tighter credit market is that it has also led many firms to revisit their succession plans. In the past, many firms planned to rely on obtaining credit to fund their succession plans. Now many companies are turning to life insurance and disability buy-out policies to ensure that they truly have the liquidity to fund their succession plans.

Companies are also looking for ways to help their employees with their individual financial wellness. Financial insecurity can take quite a toll on an employee’s productivity and, believe it or not, their health.

The educational programs can include the following: • Books that explain the principles of financial wellness • Series of educational emails • Online training series and budgeting tools All of the resources are designed to teach individuals to eliminate debt and thrive financially.

Not only are there educational programs to help all employees, many companies are targeting their executives as well. Just because someone makes a lot of money doesn’t mean they know how to manage money. One would be amazed at the number of executives who don’t have a clue as to what insurance coverage they have and/or don’t have. Some are very knowledgeable as to what to do with their investments; however, many are not well versed in that area either.

I’ve worked with many individuals that don’t even have the simplest of planning done, not even a will. It is definitely not an intellect issue. Just like many entrepreneurs, most executives are just so tied up in what they do for their companies that they don’t take much time, if any, out of their busy lives for their personal planning. Thus, employers are now trying to make financial planning services available to their executives. Some corporations are even starting to pick up part of the expense of financial wellness planning to ensure that their executives get around to their own financial planning.

In summary, it doesn’t matter what ones title is or how much they earn. The majority of people are just breaking even at different levels so most can benefit from additional financial education and advice.

For more information, please contact your trusted advisor at Swartzbaugh-Farber – “Client Centered – Client Advocates™.”

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through M Holding Securities, Inc., a Registered Broker/Dealer and Investment Advisor, member FINRA/SIPC. Swartzbaugh-Farber & Associates, Inc. is independently owned and operated.

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spirit

metro

metroMAGAZINE

the soul’s journey • with dixie clark

theartof letting go

each

of our lives has its own unique rhythm.

There is an ebb and flow, and a time for stillness that continues to repeat itself throughout our lifetime. The art of letting go is about honoring this rhythm. About knowing when to hold in stillness, and when to move forward, even if the way isn’t clear. Letting go is really about opening up to receiving. It is living in this moment, honoring who you are. It is a process of trust.

When seen from the soul’s perspective, there is beauty and grace in the life story we play out. There is absolute perfection in each step of the way in what comes forward for us to handle.

Our soul works in cooperation with Spirit to bring exactly what we need in perfect timing. And since our soul holds the blueprint for our destiny in this lifetime, it brings forward the people and situations that are necessary for our evolution.

When our soul has learned enough from a person or situation, it is ready to move on. It has absolute Trust in the way the journey unfolds.

The other parts of us, however, are not always on board with letting go and moving on. When we first receive that inner stirring or outer message that things are changing, we often go into a place of fear and resistance.

Questions arise such as “What will happen to me? • How will I survive? • How can I live without him/her?”

Or resistance takes the form of denial, of dishonesty with self or others, of hanging on to something even when the joy is gone or it depletes our energy. So, we resist the flow of life out of our fears, and the belief that “I am safe only when I am in control, or when things stay the same as they are.”

And the result is living in the shadows, not fully alive, yearning for something more.

Letting go can mean physically leaving a person or situation, or just shifting your perception. It can mean changing a lifestyle or to give up the need to be right. It can mean just surrendering to what is. Letting go does not mean to ignore responsibilities or to become disconnected or apathetic.

It means releasing any thought, action, emotion or belief that keeps you from being fully present in this moment, loving yourself unconditionally. It means opening up to the Divine presence that resides within, and trusting that there is a plan for you.

dixie clark, ms, mss, lpc www.morningstarcenter.com

Physical: Resentment, resistance to change, hanging on to the past can show up in physical aches and pains or ailments. What are you holding on to? What are you leaving incomplete? Are there foods or other substances that do not support your physical health? Is your body a metaphor for past resentments and hurts? What “shoulds” are on your to do list?

Emotional: Are there emotions or reactions that you’re holding on to that no longer serve you? Are there relationships or situations that are not fulfilling but you resist changing? What are the people and patterns that are draining your energy? Do you keep yourself from acting on inspirations out of a fear of failure or what other people might think?

Mental: Are your thoughts of yourself loving and supportive? Do your beliefs allow you to expand and be open to abundance? Do you hold on to beliefs that keep you small? Are you spending time on your priorities in life? What patterns regarding money, relationships, and your place in the world are holding you back?

Spiritual: Are you resisting any connection to something greater than you? Does your ego hold on to its “rightness” out of a fear of surrender? Do you have a limited definition of God? Are you able to see yourself as part of the Divine?

We each need to find our own ways of letting go of what no longer serves us.

Here are some simple suggestions: • Do a brief meditation/prayer throughout the day. Take a few deep breaths…Let go of any thoughts of the past or of the future. Just be fully present in this moment.

• When you have identified something that you’re resisting, simply ask yourself, “What would it be like if I let this go?”

• Spend quiet time each day listening to the inner guidance you are receiving.

• Find a message you can continue to repeat to yourself such as,“I am safe to trust and let go.”

If you are ready to practice the art of letting go, you may choose to do the following process on a regular basis:

• Look at your life through the eyes of your Soul

Look at your life from different levels.

• Know that everything is happening for a reason

What are you holding on to, and where can you let go? Do this in the privacy of your own mind. Take your time, and be honest with yourself.

to see where you are holding on.

• Have your prayers include “Give me the courage and clarity to let go of what no longer serves me.” and that you are completely protected.

This is one of my favorite quotes that I find helpful: “Faith… When you come to the end of all the light that you know and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen… there will be something solid for you to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.”

– Author unknown Dixie Clark, MS, MSS, LPC is Director and co-founder of Morning Star Center, a holistic wellness center. A licensed counselor and ordained minister, she holds a masters degree in both counseling and spiritual science. With over 26 years experience in mind/body therapies, she combines psychology and spirituality to help people release emotional blocks, heal past trauma and change limiting beliefs.

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31

rethinkingtheterm “treat”

by mary e. vandenack

treats

are the small joys in life.

When I was in my early thirties, I was an avid runner. I loved everything about running. I loved to run in the heat, the cold, the rain, and the wind. It didn’t matter. Once I started to run, the many challenges of the rest of my life seemed to slide off with the sweat from my run.

I loved the turn of winter into spring. Spring meant running returned outdoors. Being on the 180th Street end of Zorinsky Lake in the early hours of the morning is an amazing experience. Before dark, you are likely to be greeted by wildlife right on the path.

To help motivate me to improve my running, I participated in many of the races around town. There is a great group of people that show up regularly for the various races. I will always remember one experience that occurred during my brief “morph” into triathlons. In one race, I passed a woman in my heat on the last leg of a race to take the lead. She cheered for me as I passed her. I will never forget that moment. That was often the spirit one found early on Saturday and Sunday mornings at the various racing events.

When I was training, I had one somewhat bizarre post-workout tradition.

I would stop at a Kwik Shop and buy myself a “treat”. I once mentioned my tradition to a friend who looked at me and said “Isn’t the ability to run seven miles at that pace without stopping ‘the real treat’? Food isn’t a treat!”

practicinggratitudeindailylife “Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude.”

– Denis Waitley door. I never park in handicapped parking spots, not even for “just a minute” or “because there are so many empty.”

Every time I teach a spin class, walk up the steps in my house, go for a hike, or play golf, I am grateful because I can.

I keep a gratitude journal. When I’m feeling off, I look at it and I try to add things. They are simple things. I am grateful that I can hear the music my son plays, even though I sometimes don’t care for the type of music. I am grateful for the ability to pick up my son’s socks from the hallway floor. He is still around. I am grateful to be able to see the stormy weather moving my way. I am grateful to be able to read the newspaper, even though it often bears bad news. I am grateful I can pick up a pen to write. I am grateful that I have a voice I can use to talk to my friends. I have so many treats in my life. m

“Gratefulness is the key to a happy life that we hold in our hands, because if we are not grateful, then no matter how much we have we will not be happy – because we will always want to have something else or something more.”

– Brother David Stendl-Rast That statement stuck in my head. Shortly after that, I gave up my post workout “treats” and instead kept a journal of the number of miles I ran, cycled and swam. I noted each as “Today’s Treats.”

About 18 months after that comment was made to me, I had a cycling accident on the Fourth of July. I broke my leg in three places and it was rebuilt with plates, screws, and pins.

It took me nine months of rehabilitation to reach the point where I could barely break into a jog. Doing so was painful but I was determined. I wanted to race again.

One year after the date of my accident, I ran again in a race. I participated in the Fourth of July Fun Run in Ralston, a long time tradition of family and friends. On that day, I ran an excruciatingly slow twelve minute mile but it was the proudest mile I ever ran. I was determined to finish. I did.

What had once been easy had become a challenge. For three years, I tried to return to racing. I struggled with constant injuries of some sort related to the change to my body. With great sadness, I gave up my running career and moved on to other forms of athletics.

Giving up running was one of my life’s great losses. I still miss it, especially in the spring. I am so grateful that before that moment came, someone had pointed out that my ability to run was the treat and that it should not be taken for granted.

It is so easy to take so many of life’s gifts for granted. Being on crutches helped me realize how far it can be from the parking lot to the door of a mall, how steep and narrow a set of stairs can be, and how quickly doors close in our face as we try to get through them. Ever since, I often choose to park at the end of a lot as a way to express my personal gratitude that I can walk in.

If I see someone on crutches or in a wheelchair, I wait for them and hold the

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Stuart and Amy Chittenden with Brook Matthews, and Nick Hudson

night

Andy Hoig with Dave Wingert

2009

a toremember

scene

the

metro

Melissa and Matt Shapiro ge on next page

continued covera

EXCITING • PHILANTHROPIC • INSPIRING • FUN

Photos by metroMA GAZINE, Linda Shep ard, and Dave Stoc k

ty ge of chari ra e v o c to o and ph metro area e Highlights th in ts n eve and social

Carla Patton and Kathy Wells with Lindsey Anderson and Lori Anderson

Karin Waggoner , Paul and Robin Bryant with Dr Chris Stanosheck and Amanda Mueller

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Jody Baines and Kelly Pollack

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metroMAGAZINE • NOV 2009

Pam Wiese, Karin Nilsson, with Terri Lewis and Kay Farrell

11/2/09 1:39:19 PM

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS 2009

BEST EVENT: 1ST OR 2ND ANNUAL CHILDREN’S RESPITE CARE CENTER Smokey Joe’s Cafe BEST EVENT: THEME OMAHA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM For the Kids Benefit BEST EVENT: FOOD & WINE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES vinNEBRASKA BEST EVENT: MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT CATHOLIC CHARTIES IrishFEST

Bob and Sharon Swartzbaugh

Brenda Christensen and Mike Morris

BEST EVENT: SPECIAL GUEST/SPEAKER GIRL’S INC. Lunch for the Girls BEST EVENT: EDUCATION MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL MarianFEST

Cathy Bonnesen and Amy Chisholm

BEST EVENT: HEALTH JUVENILE DIABETES RESEARCH FOUNDATION An Arabian Night Journey to a Cure

Jeff and Jennifer Snow

BEST EVENT: FASHION SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE NEBRASKA CoutURE in the Market BEST EVENT: ART NEBRASKA CHILDREN’S HOME SOCIETY Sand in the City BEST EVENT: AUTHOR NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY FRIENDS FOREVER Lunch with Katz and Dogs

Casey Logan and Rachel Jacobson

Kathleen Al-Marhoon, Nebraska Children’s Home Society

BEST EVENT: UNDER 500 IN ATTENDANCE FONTENELLE NATURE ASSOCIATION Feather Our Nest BEST EVENT: OVER 500 IN ATTENDANCE HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF OMAHA FRIENDS Micro Brew HaHa BEST EVENT: OVER 1,000 IN ATTENDANCE VISITING NURSE ASSOCIATION Art & Soup

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Bradie Benjamin

Roberta Wilhelm Girls, Inc.

11/2/09 1:39:27 PM

Terri Fitzgerald accepts for the Children’s Respite Care Center

Betty Cernech accepts for the Visiting Nurses Association

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Jeanette Charles and Rosemary Lebeda

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remember

metroMAGAZINE THE BIG EVENT 2009

on

Sally Stalnaker and Dawn Bashara

Chuck Maxwell with Chip James and S. Scott Moore

atonight

Lou and Louise Cimino with Dr. Thomas Dobleman

Heather Mead-Garrett and Sally Hoesly

Tuesday, September 22nd, metroMAGAZINE and ALH Publications presented the 3rd annual edition of The Big Event Awards Celebration. During the evening 65 nominated events held from June 2008 to May 2008 were recognized and celebrated. A pre-awards reception was hosted at NOMAD on 11th & Jones Streets and catered by Brandeis Catering. An entertaining awards presentation followed, reminiscent of The Academy Awards, where winners were selected from 13 different categories.

Publisher Andrea Hoig was joined by local radio personality and special guest emcee Dave Wingert. Winners gave acceptance speeches thanking those involved while sharing about the mission of each organization. A champagne and dessert reception in the ConAgra Foods Lobby provided a sweet and bubbly ending to an evening which genuinely sparkled.

“This evening is intended to recognize and honor all or our community charity events as well as the people behind each of the them,” said Ms. Hoig. “Our goal is to put a spotlight on the efforts of the event chairmen, committee members, volunteers and those providing event services who each year design and coordinate the undertakings which benefit so many worthy organizations dedicated to serving others in our region.”

New this year was the “Joy of Giving” Award which was given to Dr. Christopher Stanosheck for his exemplary charitable work in the community. Dr. Stanosheck personifies the spirit of going above and beyond in service to others. Preparations are underway for next year’s edition of The Big Event. A call for nominees will be made March 1st and nominees will be announced in July of 2010. Photos from The Big Event 2008 can be viewed online at www.SpiritofOmaha.com.

11/2/09 1:39:33 PM

Avdra and Patrick Cavanaugh with Dan and Becky Dougherty

Melanie Ziegler and Taber Terry and Pamela Ziegler

halfway there

▼

Photos by Dave Stock

PROJECT HARMONY HALFWAY TO ST PATRICK’S DAY

Amanda Preston and Elise Devaux

Kevin Thompson and Amanda Chantiam

the

Project Harmony Service League hosted its sixth annual “Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day” Celebration! at the Omaha Firefighters’ Union Hall on September 25th. More than 550 tickets were sold for the event. The casual party started with Irish music and continued with dancing to On The Fritz.

Attendees dined on corned beef and brats provided

by Omaha Steaks and prepared by Matt’s Grill and Catering along with the traditional cabbage and potatoes. More than $60,000 was raised to help victims of child abuse. The celebration’s Pot O’Gold Sponsors included the Nebraska Furniture Mart/Blumkin Family and Henry Davis. The Rainbow Sponsors were AmeriCal, Creative Press and Design and New York Life.

Bob, Diana, Brian and Jenny Doyle with Debbie Stalnaker

The event was co-chaired by three couples: Jennifer and Burke Harr, Jamie and Joe Johns, and Becca and Rory Sudbeck.

Project Harmony exists to protect and support children, collaborate with professionals and engage the community to end child abuse and neglect.

Tim Langan, Sean and Kortney Cuddigan and Liz Langan Jill Reel M.D. and Jeff Burianek

For more information visit www.projectharmony. com or call 402.595.1326.

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metroMAGAZINE • NOV 2009

11/2/09 1:39:39 PM

Ray and Robyn Koch with Patrick Davis and Norma Kelly Bob Dodder and Mary Vondra with Irene Dodder and Joy Johnson

Kathy English with Marty and Jane Beerman Nikki and Taylor Walker

Rich and Shelly Howdle

Photos by Dave St ock

â–ź

Patti Eldrige and Tracy Scott

Geneva and Terry Patterson

justlike mommadeit

TED E. BEAR HOLLOW COMFORT FOOD CLASSIC

on

October 4th, more than 300 tasters selected Chef Jessica Joyce from Confluence Bistro as having the best version of a gourmet potato in the third annual Comfort Food Classic. The contest, which featured six local chefs, was expected to raise nearly $50,000 for Ted E. Bear Hollow, a center for grieving children and teens.

Ticket sales and money raised in the silent and oral auctions will help Ted E. Bear Hollow provide day camps, support groups and other services for grieving children and their families. Founded in 2001, the center has helped nearly 5,000 metro-area families by giving them support, understanding and the skills to communicate and cope after the death of a loved one.

Ashley Sum and Jeremy Wilhelm

metroMAG-EventsSpreads-1109-JOE.37 37

Mary and Larry West

For more information visit tedebearhollow.org or call 402. 502.2773.

11/2/09 1:39:48 PM

Larry Courtnage, Diana Waggoner and Kathy Wolf-Courtnage

Ed Burchfield, Terry McClain, and Lennie Adams Thompson Photos by Caroline

â–ź

Terry and Linda McClain Joni and Bruce Rasmussen

louder thanwords

LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES FAITH IN ACTION DINNER

the

Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska held its annual Faith in Action dinner Tuesday, September 15. More then 200 guests were present as Terry and Linda McClain of Fremont, Larry Courtnage and Kathy Wolf-Courtnage, The Kim Foundation, and Bruce and Joni Rasmussen received awards for dedicating their time to the community and for support of Lutheran Family Services.

Mogens Bay

Vicki Courtnage with Pam Berger and Dawn Wolf

Lutheran Family Services is a faith-based, statewide human care agency, which impacts over 35,000 individuals, serving from 30 offices in 18 cities in the areas of behavioral health, children services and community services.

For more information visit www.lfsneb.org, call 402.342.7038

Ruth Henrichs with Bill and Leona Kernen

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metroMAGAZINE • NOV 2009

11/2/09 1:12:43 PM

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11/2/09 1:12:50 PM

Jeff & Susie Zindel with Roger & Nina Roumpf, Event Decorations Co-Chair Jim Arts, Board President; Tammy Evans, Marketing & Development Director; Michelle Fogle, Gala Event Chair; and Ty Schenzel, Executive Director

Photos by Carissa Martin Photography and metroMAGAZINE

▼

hope beyondwords

HOPE CENTER FOR KIDS “EXPRESSIONS OF HOPE” GALA

Dr. Robin Khan and Stacy Simon

Michelle Fogle, Gala Event Chair and Brigit Elliott, Event Decorations Co-Chair

2 youth from the Hope Center before their dance performance

Debbie Orduna and Tammy Evans

on

October 9th the Hope Center for Kids Guild held its annual “Expressions of Hope” Gala at the Hilton in downtown Omaha. More than $300,000 was raised with 600 guests in attendance. Broadway performer and Omaha native, Q. (Quiana) Smith performed two songs while Hope Center youth danced center-stage.

Guests were invited to continue their support through oral auction items such as dinner with Hope Center’s executive director, Ty Schenzel.

The event’s theme, “Expressions of Hope” was taken from the Hope Center’s youth 2009 summer art project.

The artwork, which was showcased at the Gala, was meant to highlight how the process of simple collaboration can produce inspiration and monumental results. “We cannot do this alone and the Omaha community showed that they want to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth,” said Tammy Evans, Hope Center’s Marketing & Development Director. This year’s event chair, Michelle Fogle, said “What an amazing night! The Hope Center for Kids Guild deserves special thanks for all of their hard work.”

For more information on the Hope Center for Kids, visit www.hopecenterforkids.com or call 402-341-4673.

Hope Ctr TY AD-1109 10/29/09 2:56 PM Page 1

T

HANK YOU! To ALL who helped make the 2009 Expressions of Hope Gala a success!

Broadway Performer & Omaha native, Q. Smith performed solo with the Hope Center youth dancers

EVENT CHAIR: MICHELLE FOGLE • BOARD PRESIDENT: JIM ARTS LIVE MUSIC BY CHAD STONER & HISTORY “The mission of Hope Center for Kids it to break the cycle of hopelessness by providing tangible hope for Omaha’s inner-city youth and children through faith, education, employment and collaboration.”

metroMAG-EventsSpreads-1109-JOE.40 40

11/2/09 1:12:56 PM

therough

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diamondin ALEGENT FOUNDATION LAKESIDE HOSPITAL JEWELS OF AUTUMN GALA

on

September 19th, Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital Cancer Center celebrated the Fourth Annual Jewels of Autumn benefiting the Family Oasis in Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital.

Nearly 300 attendees raised more than $141,000 for the Family Oasis by participating in silent and live auctions. Former Husker quarterback and 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch served as emcee for the event. Jewels of Autumn was co-chaired by Nicole Panneton and Diana Foster with event sponsorship by Nebraska Cancer Specialists, Howard & Ronda Hawks and Alegent Health Clinic.

Marshall and Charlotte Dann

Alegent Health is the largest not-for-profit, faith-based healthcare system in Nebraska and southwestern Iowa.

At Alegent Health, patients and their families find a continuum of care, from women’s and children’s services, primary care, wellness counseling, and senior care to cardiovascular services, orthopaedics, oncology, physical rehabilitation and behavioral health.

Dave and Lesley Andersen with Cindy Alloway

Pam and Scott Bradley

Mark Germer

For more information visit www.alegent.com

Adrian and Paula Dressen Photos by Dave Stock

metroMAG-EventsSpreads-1109-JOE.41 41

Dr. Fred Hosler with Pat and Mel Masek

11/2/09 1:13:07 PM

sovery

THE KENT BELLOWS STUDIO “REFRESH”

on

▼

refreshing

September 10th the Kent Bellows Studio & Center for Visual Arts held “Refresh,” an auction of works by the Friends of Kent Bellows.

The event, which was held in the historic Joslyn Castle, raised $20,000 for the Center. The body of work included regionally, nationally, and internationally-acclaimed artists, all with connections to Omaha and Kent Bellows. The event was emceed by Dave Wingert, and Otis XII served as auctioneer. Heidi Joy performed for guests at the end of the evening.

Bob Peters and Beth Bowen with Barbara Peters and Phyllis Anderson

Cherron Arens and Heidi Joy with Andrew Bailie

Don Leu and Sharon Tavbert with Dave Wingert and Deb Wesselmann

Otis Twelve and Kim Carlson

At The Kent Bellows Studio & Center for Visual Arts, students take classroom techniques to the next level.

They develop their own intensive course of study, setting personal goals and overcoming creative obstacles.

The Center’s mission is to strive to ignite the creative spark in individuals, encouraging them to reach their highest potential through self-expression in the visual arts.

For more information visit www.kentbellows.org or call Anne Meysenburg at 402.707.3979.

Shannon and Samantha Daehling with Edna and Fatima Flores

Kate Bradley and Eddith Buis with Connie Farmer Photos by Dave Stock

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11/2/09 1:13:18 PM

Brian Brownrigg and Penny Parker with honorary chaimen Judy and Bob Baes

redover! all

â–ź

Co-Chairs Elizabeth Boyer and Kate Betsworth Lizzy Rasmussen and Michelle Zych

CAMP FIRE USA BIG RED TAILGATE

camp

Shelley Siemers and Doug Grewcock with Jody Carstens Candance Daly, and Honorary Chair Bob Bates Photos by Linda Shepard

Fire USA fans came from near and far to celebrate the Big Red Tailgate on September 18th to benefit the kids that rely on the agency to help them become caring confident youth and future leaders. Serving as Honorary Chairs were Judy and Bob Bates. Event Chairs Kate Betsworth and Elizabeth Boyer assembled the team responsible for organizing the event, which raised more than $147,000 for Camp Fire USA’s operations. Highlights of the event included former Huskers welcoming Camp Fire kids for a halftime performance of the Nebraska Fight Song.

For more information visit www.campfireomaha.org.

metroMAG-EventsSpreads-1109-JOE.43 43

11/2/09 1:14:10 PM

alittle

conversation Gary, Mark, and Karen Javitch

Eve and Fred Simon

Debra Winger, U.S. Senator Ben Nelson and Diane Nelson

Lyn Wallin Ziegenbein, Drew & Elisa Davies Photos courtesy of Film Streams

metroMAG-EventsSpreads-1109-JOE.44 44

Debra Winger & Alexander Payne

▼

Event Chairpersons Annette & Paul Smith with Rachel Jacobson and Special Guest Debra Winger

FILM STREAMS FEATURE 2009

film

Streams hosted its second annual fundraiser, Feature 2009, in support of the Ruth Sokolof Theater on September 13th. The celebration drew 750 attendees to the Holland Performing Arts Center for a conversation between Academy Award-winning director and Film Streams Board Member Alexander Payne and the evening’s special guest, three-time Oscar-nominated actress Debra Winger. The event raised 15% of the non-profit cinema’s annual operating budget.

Annette & Paul Smith served as event chairs for the event which consisted of an elegant private reception, an entertaining conversation between Debra and Alexander, following a festive post-party with cocktails, h’or dourves and DJing by Clark & Jacob.

Film Streams is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural environment of the OmahaCouncil Bluffs area through the presentation and discussion of film as an art form since July 2007.

The two-screen cinema located within the Saddle Creek Records complex in downtown Omaha is designed to serve both the passionate cineaste and casual filmgoer.

For more information call 402.933.0259 or visit www.filmstreams.org

11/2/09 1:14:21 PM

Adrienne Fay and Karen Benson with Susan Jacques with Nancy Hornstein

Ellen Wright with Sandy Parker, Cindy Bay, Charles Faudree and Cindy Leiferman

Charles Faudree with Charlene and Spencer Crews Photos by Dave Stock

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alittle Mary Seina and Charles Faudreee with Cindy Bay

Diane Briggs and Candace Hughes with Charity Koltes and Rebecca Samuelson

Ric Klaas, Kerry McManus and Fella

Haley and Jamie Walker

freshair

LAURITZEN GARDENS ANTIQUE & GARDEN SHOW PATRON PARTY

the

annual Antique and Garden Show, hosted

by Lauritzen Garden on September 25 through September 27, provided a wide variety of educational seminars while displaying antiques from all over the world and Omaha’s botanical gardens. The event was attended by over 125 guests including chairmen Ellen Wright, Cindy Leiferman and Sandy Parker and honorary chairmen Mary Seina and Cindy Bay. The event raised proceeds to benefit the Lauritzen Botanical Gardens. The show featured speakers Susan Jacques, Borsheims president and CEO, Charles Faudree, and P. Allen Smith.

“The Antique and Garden Show continues to grow in importance to Lauritzen Gardens. As our largest fundraising event of the year, it would not be possible without the outstanding commitment and dedication of well over 100 committee members and volunteers who contribute thousands of hours through the year-long planning process,” said Spencer Crews, Executive Director of Lauritzen Gardens.

Bob and Sharon Swartzbaugh

metroMAG-EventsSpreads-1109-JOE.45 45

Nicole Frazier and Jen Toland with Brian Mohr and Rachel Boshart

For more information call 402.346.4002 or visit www.lauritzengardens.org.

11/2/09 1:14:36 PM

â–ź

Jen Freese and Marc Smith

Mary Ann and Dave Pederson, Pat and Jim Manion, with Fred and Bonnie Youngblood

homebrew forhope

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BREW HA HA

the

3rd Annual Brew HaHa benefiting Habitat for Humanity of Omaha was attended by 600 guests on September 17th at the Lewis and Clark Landing. The event raised nearly $20,000 for Habitat for Humanity. The relaxed evening at the Lewis and Clark Landing featured food and beer tasting from 12 local microbreweries and more than 25 restaurants and food vendors as well as a silent auction. Brew HaHa is led by the Friends of Habitat Board. General Chairman of Brew HaHa was Kristie Stienike assisted by Vice-Chair Sarah Kahler. Honorary co-chairs were Tate & Denise Fitzgerald and Scott & Kelli Draper.

Viv Ewing, Carla Patton, and Amanda Jedlicka with Winsley Durand and John Ewing

Jon and Amy Blumenthal Honorary Co-Chairpersons Tate and Denise Fitzgerald, Chairperson Kristie Stienike,Vice Chairperson Sarah Kahler, and Honorary Chairpersons Kelli and Scott Draper

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Photos by Dave Stock

Since 1984, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha has built and renovated homes in an effort to eliminate poverty housing and make suitable housing a matter of conscience and action in the community.

For more information visit www.habitatomaha.org.

11/2/09 1:14:47 PM

kind

â–ź

one of a

ARTHRITIS FOUNDATION WOMAN OF THE YEAR GALA

Diny Landen with Gala Chairman Cathy Bonnessen

Kim Skutt Davis with Diane Alderson

the

Arthritis Foundation, Nebraska Chapter honored Diny Landen as the 36th Woman of the Year at the Hilton Grand Central Ballroom on September 17th. 300 guests attended the Gala for cocktails, an oral auction and dinner. The event raised more than $230,000 to benefit the Nebraska Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Cathy Bonnesen served as event chair.

The Nebraska Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation exists to improve lives through the leadership in the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases as well as fund research, programs, and services to educate and increase awareness in the state of Nebraska for over 50 years.

Cindy Bay and Mary Jessen

Diny Landen with Melanie Morrissey Clark and Lisa Mellen

For more information visit www.arthritis.org or call 402.330.6130.

Debbie and Lew Trowbridge, with Sandy and Paul Epstein and Jane and Tom Rogers Photos courtesy of Arthritis Founda tion

metroMAG-EventsSpreads-1109-JOE.47 47

11/2/09 1:14:57 PM

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11/2/09 1:15:57 PM

Julia Russell

Delores and Al Maser

Kristy Burnett, Doris Buell and Ric Klaas Photos by metromAGAZINe and Dave Stock

t

house & ahalf!

Bob and Kris Patton

Nano, Leslie and Doug Little

ASID & JoSLYN CAStLe trUSt DeSIGNer ShoWhoUSe 2009

the

ASID & Joslyn Castle Trust celebrated the 2009 Designer Showhouse at the historic Brandeis Mansion. Over 12,700 attendees from September 18th through October 4th toured 25 professionally designed spaces and experienced complete restoration of the 9,500-square-foot Gold Coast home. The $120,000 raised from the event will benefit restoration and preservation of the notable Joslyn Castle. Kris Patton served as Showhouse design chair.

“The success of this year’s Designer Showhouse makes possible further restoration of the Joslyn Castle property. The proceeds will be used to preserve the Joslyn Castle buildings and grounds and to develop programming suitable for this historic home,” said Nano Little, Joslyn Castle Trust executive director.

Marilyn Hansen and Mark Maser

Mike Klug and Mary Maxwell

Diane Luxford

Mary and Chuck Maxwell

Homeowners Al and Delores Maser and their son Mark will move into the home by years end.

Attendees had a chance to meet the Masers throughout the Showhouse run and hear their personal stories about the transformation process.

For more information call 402.614.0056.

metroMAG-EventsSpreads-1109-JOE.49 49

Terese McGrath and Julie Homan with Larry Thompson and Holly Holdenried

Delores and Al Maser

11/2/09 1:16:13 PM

kidsof

summer

UtA hALee GIrLS vILLAGe & CooPer vILLAGe vIvA! vILLAGe SUmmer ArtS SoIree

Mary Ann Seamands, Guild President, addresses ttendees on stage

on

August 28th over 100 guests attended the poolside cocktail party celebrating the VIVA! Village Summer Arts Soiree. The event was held at the home of Bruce Billesbach, who donated the food, drinks, and valet parking. The event raised over $10,000, which will go to benefit the Arts Programs at Uta Halee/Cooper Village.

Mary Ann Seamands and Polly Goecke

Honorary Chairs were Richard and Rosemary Frandeen. Uta Halee/Cooper Village (UH/CV) C.E.O. and President, Denis McCarville, spoke about the important role of the arts for residents of UH/CV. Other event highlights included a live dramatic performance by UH/CV and a silent auction.

Uta Halee Girls Village and Cooper Village provide genderspecific psychiatric residential and co-ed day programming for youth ages 12 to 18 whose mental health, behavioral or substance use issues require treatment in a safe and structured environment. The Village provides support and offers hope to adolescent youth through psychiatric care, education, therapeutic recreation and vocational training.

Jennifer Hamann, UH Board Chairman, addresses attendees on stage S-E-L-F Quilt

Photos courtesy of Uta halee

For more information visit www.utahalee-cooper.org or call 402.457.1333.

Photos courtesy of Dave Stock

charm

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downhome

KNIGhtS oF AK-SAr-beN FoUNDAtIoN PUrPLe rIbboN AUCtIoN

on

September 27th, the Ak-Sar-Ben Buyers Club Purple Ribbon was held at the Qwest Center and served as the Grand Finale of Ak-Sar-Ben’s 4-H Livestock Exposition. The live and silent auctions raised more than $178,000 to benefit 4-H youths with scholarships and stipends to further their involvement in agriculture and fund post secondary education.

The Honorary Chairs of the event were Gale & Judy Wickersham. The 2009 Ak-Sar-Ben Buyers Club Committee Chairman was Mr. Ken Pohlman. During the event, the 2009 Hero’s Award presentation was made to Dr. John Davis of Omaha. Davis.

Maggie Kuhlmann and Emily Bendlin

Darwin and Carole Jespersen

Abbey McDonald and Hunter Kingsbury with Emily Schmidt and Chase Stoebner

Shayla Reed and April Romeo with Colton Thoreson and Kerry Schmid

Ak-Sar-Ben’s River City Roundup is an annual celebration of the region’s heritage that benefits and educates families and youth. It includes three core events: the Justin Boots Championships of the Wrangler Million Dollar Tour, the Ak-Sar-Ben 4-H Livestock Exposition, and the Douglas County Fair.

For more info visit www.rivercityroundup.org.

Matt Gunderson with Gale and Judy Wickersham 50

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metromAGAZINe • Nov 2009

Judy and John Bromm

11/2/09 1:16:27 PM

Jennifer Hicks and Sally Stalnaker and Mary Kay Young

Shelley Siemers with Co-Chairpersons Karen German and Stacey Falk

Monique Jetter and Lisa McCue

Chairperson Ann Tjaden and Assoc. Chairperson Ann Marie Abboud

Photos by Dave Stock

agrande

debut

omAhA SYmPhoNY DebUtANte bALL mother’S CoFFee

the

members of the Omaha Symphony Debutante Ball committee greeted the mothers of the 2009 Debutantes and Stags at the annual Mother’s Coffee on Tuesday, September 22. The coffee and style show was held at the Omaha Country Club.

This is the 44th year for the Omaha Symphony Debutante Ball. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center on Sunday, December 27. Ball participants have been selected in recognition of their family’s support of the Symphony and other community organizations in the greater Omaha / Council Bluffs area. Ann Tjaden is the 2009 Ball Chairman. Associate Chairman is Ann Marie Abboud. Karen German and Stacey Falk were the chairmen of the Tuesday coffee. The event began with a fashion show, with models featuring Ball fashions to commentary provided by Mary Lou Scherer and Lisa Haeffner.

For more information call Joani Mullin at 402.397.1504 or visit www.omahasymphony.org.

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Mary Virginia Corkle and Jean Cramer with Lisa Scherer

athing ofbeauty

Zach Daub, Sue Meyers and Patra Pakieser with Merrilee Miller

omAhA SYmPhoNY GUILD mUSIC & mASterPIeCeS GALA

the

Bethany and Andy Colley with Co-chairman Lori Anderson

Donna Foley and Mary Pat Cheshier and Pamela Cleary with Ann Williamson

annual Omaha Symphony Guild’s fall fundraiser, Music & Masterpieces, was held September 3 and 17. Over 200 supporters joined Omaha’s artists and musicians. The event was held at Rockbrook Village’s outdoor pavilion with interactive demonstrations and silent and live art auctions. Over $35,000 was raised to benefit the Omaha Symphony education programs.

The chairmen of the event were Kathleen Langdon and Lori Anderson.

“Music and Masterpieces is just one example of the Guild’s boundless dedication and commitment to our education programs. We could not be more grateful for their enthusiasm and support that allow the Omaha Symphony’s education programs to serve more than 35,000 students each season,” said Jennifer Boomgaarden, VP of Education & Community Partnerships.

Travis Apel and Jennifer Petak with Michael Godek

Corey Keith and Lindsey Anderson

The Omaha Symphony Guild holds annual fundraiser events to support the educational and outreach programs of the Omaha Symphony. The education programs reaches more than 35,000 preK to 12th grade students each year in Nebraska and Iowa keeping music in their lives.

For more information, visit www.omahasymphonyguild.org.

Photos by Linda Shepard

Photos by Jennifer Parent

ZtA FoUNDAtIoN PINK & CrYStAL bALL

the

t

hopeaforfuture

Meghan Deharty and Amy Ruf with Mary Valentine

Steve Venditti, Sarah Scott and Abby Rainke with Mike Venditti

third annual Pink and Crystal Ball benefitting the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation was held at Happy Hollow Club on September 19th. Over $10,000 was raised at the event with nearly 100 guests including chairmen were Heather May and Lisa Hagstrom.

The ZTA Foundation helps to further breast cancer education and awareness. The annual Pink & Crystal Ball is a celebration and remembrance of those who have been affected by breast cancer.

Kayla Heldt, Amy Thompson and Beth Garrett with Brandi Lynch

Howard and Judy Shinkle with Mark and Therese Wehner

The proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation. The ZTA Foundation is committed to its efforts to further breast cancer education and awareness. The ZTA Foundation has donated millions of dollars to the informing and education. As one of the leading causes of death in women, breast cancer affects us all.

For more information, Call 402-980-3653 or visit www.PinkandCrystalBall.com.

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Bob Murray and Linda Frey with Innesa Sharp, Karen Bertelsen and Gunnar Mossblad

Linda Frey with Lisa Hagstrom

11/2/09 1:16:57 PM

philanthropyday

t national November 17th

This year’s National Philanthropy Day luncheon event to celebrate philanthropy in Nebraska will be held on Tuesday, November 17th from Noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel in downtown Omaha (1616 Dodge Street). Registration cost for the lunch and program is $35 per person.

National Philanthropy Day provides an opportunity to recognize and honor individuals, corporations and foundations who are philanthropically actively enriching their communities. It is a day to reflect on the gift of giving and the dreams made a reality through the generosity of all who share their treasure with others. Celebrated first in 1985, National Philanthropy Day creates an awareness of the countless daily contributions that individuals and organizations make to the missions of nonprofit organizations throughout the world.

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Those being honored at this year’s event are: • Outstanding Philanthropists: Mike and Lin Simmonds • Outstanding Corporation: Valmont Industries • Outstanding Foundation: Weitz Family Foundation • Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser: William Fitzgerald • Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy: Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Lt. Governor Rich Sheehy will deliver the National Philanthropy Day Proclamation and scholarships to attend the 2010 International Convention of the Association for Fundraising Professionals in Baltimore, Maryland will be presented to several Nebraska fundraisers.

Registration information is available by contacting Anita Crisp at 402.323.8844 or acrisp9@gmail.com.

11/2/09 1:17:01 PM

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bravo!

MAGAZINE

celebrating the arts

omaha • lincoln • council bluffs

THE HOWARD AND RHONDA HAWKS MAINSTAGE THEATRE

grandopening.

PHOTOS BY METRO MAGAZINE

“MainStage”

omaha community playhouse announces their endowment campaign with the unveiling of

“The Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre” GORDON KRENTZ AND SUSIE BEAR-COLLINS

On Wednesday, September 23rd over 400 invited guests gathered at the Omaha Community Playhouse for an evening of exciting announcements and entertainment.

The Omaha Community Playhouse Foundation announced the beginning

NE

KATHY HIRSCH, ROB BAKER AND CHRISTINA ROHLING

of the public phase of an Endowment Campaign to “preserve the tradition and secure the future” of Playhouse programs and productions. Campaign Chairman, John Gottschalk, announced that over $3,100,000 has already been committed towards a total $6,000,000 campaign goal. Reaching this goal will ensure the current level of Playhouse programming.

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RHONDA AND HOWARD HAWKS WITH GERRY MORROW AND BRUCE LAURITZEN

JIM MANCUSO AND BETSYE PARAGAS

• CARLENE AND MARC PETERSEN NOLA AND DAVE SCHETTLER •

KATHY LEWIS AND DOUG PERRY WITH NANCY ROBERTS

ANNE RISMILLER AND CHAIRPERSON GINGER O’NEIL WITH JAN FALK AND ANNE WEAVER In conjunction with Omaha Community Playhouse’s endowment campaign announcement, the Playhouse unveiled the newly renovated Howard and Rhonda Hawks Mainstage Theatre.

• CARL BECK AND LUCILLE GIBILISCO Made possible through a generous gift ALENA AND NICK FURLONG • from these longtime Playhouse supporters, some of the renovation highlights include: new, more comfortable theatre seats, beautiful mahogany wood floor and new carpeting, increased handicapped accessibility, new stage curtain and light coves, and a new and greatly improved sound system.

LARRY SWEDLUND AND TIM SCHMAD WITH NESSIE SWEDLUND

The Hawks are serving on the Honorary Committee for the Endowment Campaign along with Bruce Lauritzen, Carl Mammel, Ken and Ann Stinson and Stanley and Dorothy Truhlsen. Joining Campaign Chairs John and Carmen Gottschalk are Dennis and Ginger O’Neal, who are serving as Vice Chairs. All guests in attendance were treated to a showing of “The Playhouse Anthem Video” as well as a Preview Performance of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

The Omaha Community Playhouse invites supporters to join in the Endowment Campaign to ensure that the quality educational and entertainment opportunities the Playhouse provides are available for future generations.

If you would like more information about how you can participate in “preserving the tradition and securing the future” of the Playhouse contact Alena Furlong, Development Director, at 553-4890 ext. 127 or afurlong@omahaplayhouse.com.

BOB BATT WITH RICK AND CONNIE SPELLMAN AND JANICE BATT

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KVNO’s award-winning Classical Kids program is made possible with support from the Soener Foundation, in honor of Mary Soener.

Each month, KVNO honors the gift of the arts in our youth by recognizing an outstanding student musician, or “Classical Kid.” A panel of local music educators and KVNO staff members choose a youth whose musical efforts exemplify the value and richness of the arts in a young person’s life.

DONNY PISTILLO OCTOBER 2009

October’s Classical Kid is 12-year-old Donny Pistillo, a student at St. Wenceslas School. A pianist, he was thrilled to earn a superior rating for all 10 songs he performed from memory at the National Guild of Piano competition. Donny also plays the accordion, bells and the recorder. He loves to play basketball as a point guard and attend Nebraska football games.

Donny enjoys listening to KVNO so he can listen to some of the pieces he plays and identify the instruments. KVNO thanks the Soener Foundation, honoring Mary Belle Soener for their support of Classical Kids.

VARUN NORONHA NOVEMBER 2009

Hitchcock Elementary School student Varun Noronha is the November Classical Kid. A 10-year-old who plays the piano, he says when he began playing, “it was practice, practice, practice until the contest day”. It paid off when the results were announced and prepared him for future competitions. In his spare time, Varun loves playing basketball, soccer and playing with his dog. He loves listening to KVNO on the way to his piano lessons. KVNO is grateful to the Soener Foundation, honoring Mary Soener for their ongoing support of Classical Kids.

GRACE YOHANNES DECEMBER 2009

Grace Yohannes is December’s Classical Kid. She is a 10 year-old student at Brownell-Talbot School and plays the piano. Grace has enjoyed performing in several performances, including the role of a crow in “The Wizard of Oz”. In addition to her musical and dramatic roles, she loves gymnastics and swimming. Grace enjoys listing to KVNO because it relaxes her and she really enjoys the music. Classical Kids is made possible by the Soener Foundation in honor of Mary Soener.

For more information, contact Anne Hellbusch at 559-5866, or by email at ahellbusch@mail.unomaha.edu, or visit www.kvno.org.

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savethe November 12 PAINT THE TOWN ORANGE 2009 A benefit for YWCA Omaha This event features keynote speaker Liz Fun, author of “Supergirls Speak Out”, who will provide insight about what we can do to help young women lead healthier, happier lives. A boutique will be available throughout the evening as well. Ladies ages10 and older are welcome!

Scott Conference Center – Omaha – 6:00 P.M. For more information call 345-6555.

SALUTE TO FAMILIES – IOWA A benefit for Heartland Family Services Join Heartland Family Service in honoring families who represent the abundance of strong family life in our community. At this event four Southwest Iowa families are honored in the categories of Leadership, Community Service, Challenged & Successful, and Commitment to Family.

Mid-America Center – Council Bluffs – 6:00 P.M. For more information call 552-7426.

STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE A benefit for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands This event is an electric ride through the ticker tape of the stock-exchange floor! It is the most high-tech and chaotic event offered to non-profits, and is the only fundraiser that doubles as an educator for students, who will gain more insight and understanding regarding the fluctuations of the Market by participating.

Scoular Building – Omaha – 6:00 P.M. For more information call 342-1600.

ROAST HONORING MS. SUSAN JACQUES A benefit for Merrymakers The honoree for this 19th Annual Roast is Ms. Susan Jacques, President and CEO of Borsheims. Guests at the event will enjoy cocktails, entertainment, dinner, roast program, and oral auction, all in support of the music, laughter, and so much more that Merrymakers brings to more than 40,000 seniors in our community each year.

Embassy Suites – La Vista – 6:00 P.M. For more information visit www.merrymakers.org or call 697-0205.

November 12-14 ART WITH HEART A benefit for Children’s Respite Care Center Join CRCC and esteemed regional artisans for an intimate fine art and gift experience. Featured media ranges widely from ceramics to mosaic, metal sculpture to painting, from glass to jewelry and so much more. Be the first to peruse the artistic talents while enjoying a selection of signature gourmet foods and refreshments during the evening Preview Event including live musical entertainment.

Rockbrook Village – Omaha For more information call 895-4000.

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date November 14 BEMIS CENTER ART AUCTION A benefit for the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts Join the Bemis Center in celebrating this 11th Annual Art Auction and Exhibitions. Their most significant fundraiser, the project features the greatest number of local, national and international artists, and is a celebration of, and critical opportunity to support exceptional talent.

Bemis Art Center – Omaha – 5:30 P.M. For more information call 341-7130 or visit www.bemiscenter.org.

2009 REFLECTION BALL A Midlands Community Foundation event benefitting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands The annual Reflection Ball, in its 28th year, generates much needed financial support for the programs and services of non-profit organizations within Sarpy and Cass counties. The recipient for this year’s proceeds is Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, celebrating 50 years of changing how children grow up in our community.

Embassy Suites – La Vista – 6:00 P.M. For more information call 991-8027.

BLUEJAY JAMBOREE A benefit for Creighton University Athletics This dinner and auction event is the Creighton University athletic department’s largest annual fundraiser, and is open to all Creighton alums, fans and friends. Hundreds of silent auction items will be up for bid, and more than 40 oral auction items will be available after dinner.

Joseph J. Vinardi Athletic Center at Creighton University – Omaha For more information call 280-2984.

November 17 NATIONAL PHILANTHROPY DAY LUNCHEON Hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals National Philanthropy Day provides an opportunity to recognize and honor individuals and corporation who are philanthropically active enriching their communities. Celebrated first in 1985, it is a day to reflect on the gift of giving and the dreams made a reality through the generosity of all who share their treasure with others.

Doubletree Hotel – Omaha – 12:00 P.M. For more information call 323-8841.

inform • educate • inspire

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savethedate

inform • educate • inspire

November 19

November 20

November 20

SALUTE TO FAMILIES – NEBRASKA A benefit for Heartland Family Services Join Heartland Family Service in honoring families who represent the abundance of strong family life in our community. At this event four Nebraska families are honored in the categories of Leadership, Community Service, Challenged & Successful, and Commitment to Family.

Happy Hollow Club – Omaha – 6:00 P.M. For more information call 552-7426.

SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY:

LAUGH WITH THE ANGELS! A benefit for Angels Among Us Enjoy a dinner with silent and live auctions and entertainment from the fantastic comedy act, The Weisenheimers. The mission of Angels Among Us is to financially assist families with a child battling cancer living in or being treated in Nebraska.

The Georgetowne Club – Omaha – 5:30 P.M. For more information call 934-0999 x21 or visit www.myangelsamongus.org.

MIRACLE ON 10TH STREET A benefit for The Durham Museum Come celebrate the holidays at Omaha’s own miracle on 10th street, The Durham Museum. Guests of this wonderful annual event will enjoy cocktails, a Miracle on 10th Street program with Mary Maxwell, festive dining and wassailing.

The Durham Museum – Omaha – 6:00 P.M. For more information call 444-5071.

November 21 50TH CANDLELIGHT BALL A benefit for Bergan Mercy Auxiliary This event includes a silent auction with unique items, gourmet dinner, and dancing to the sounds of Robert Glaser and Urban Delight. In recognition of the 50th Anniversary of the Candlelight Ball, all of the Bergan Mercy Physicians will be honored during the Candlelight Award Ceremony.

Embassy Suites – La Vista – 6:00 P.M. For more information call 398-6199.

FESTIVAL OF TREES 2009 GALA A benefit for the Bluffs Arts Council Have cocktails amidst the holiday trees while Michael Walker sings the songs you love, and look for the perfect “thank you” gift or holiday present for your dear friends … it is the perfect shopping experience! Also enjoy a delicious dinner and an oral auction with unique items for special people.

Harrah’s Convention Center – Council Bluffs For more information visit www.bluffsfestivaloftrees.org.

CABERNET COMPETITION A benefit for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Nebraska Chapter will host the second annual Cabernet Competition presented by the Omaha Wine Company. Participants will enjoy meeting winemakers, tasting and judging wines at a dozen stations while sampling fantastic foods.

Omaha Country Club – Omaha – 6:30 P.M. For more information call 505-4000 x104 or visit nen.nationalmssociety.org.

December 1 HOLIDAZZLE A benefit for Nebraska Children’s Home Society Bring your girlfriends for an evening with Omaha’s top professionals as they share inspiring ideas for adding some dazzle to your home décor, florals, food, fashion, gift wrapping, wine selection, and more.

Guests will enjoy festive hors d’oeuvres, desserts, cash bar, silent auction, a special holiday wardrobe seminar and cooking demonstration.

Happy Hollow Country Club – Omaha – 6:30 P.M. For more information call 451-0787. m

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hold ontoyour... astrology!

vibrations • with sue moon

it’s transformation time...

Mid month we have a triple shot of Scorpio energy. What that means generally, is something needs to change. The areas of change will be profound because Scorpio does not have a light touch. The Sun (vital life force), Mercury (mind) and the New Moon (plant those seeds) are joining together briefly… we will all have extra help to transform some part of ourselves that needs to evolve. Of course, you may think it isn’t time to change and forego that… in which case you may be troubled/haunted, pick up a flu virus or just get depressed. Positive action and moving forward can eliminate all of that! Saturn moved into Libra on October 30th and will bring the spotlight on relationships– all of them– until 2012. Saturn will make a hard aspect to Pluto, so expect some rumblings from deep inside everyone’s emotions/psyches, this moves through much of 2010. But there is still plenty of energy for having fun in November while Mars remains in party boy Leo and lovely Venus in gracious Libra.

www.morningstarcenter.com www.suemoon.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ aries leo sagittarius nov 22 - dec 21

MAr 21 - Apr 19

This should be a really fun month for all you Arians.

Not that you won’t need to do a little soul searching once in a while, but not while you are out partying this month! Enjoy and be careful, Saturn will make you watch how you behave in all of your relationships, especially those deeply committed ones.

taurus

Jul 23 - AuG 22

Strong, vital and engaging all month long with the added force of Mars. The early Full Moon in Taurus sits on your mid heaven highlighting career or a parent, should be good! Those relationships continue to be unpredictable and home may be a little intense around mid month. Your mind is deepening and becoming more beautiful with time.

AuG 23 - sep 22

Apr 20 - MAY 20

The month begins with a lovely Full Moon in your sign and you should indulge yourself in a massage or spa day. The month is active in your home, you may want to redecorate, or move to a larger space. Looks like your relationships will be very intense this month, counseling is always good. Pay attention at work, someone is watching.

MAY 21 - Jun 20

gemini

You have a gifted mind and this month everyone will notice that! If you haven’t had a vacation in a while start planning a really unique one now. With so much happening in your work/health sector, might be a good idea to have a check up and present a plan at work, it will be insightful and a possible raise may come with it.

virgo

dec 22 - JAn 19

As Saturn comes into your money house, it would serve you well to develop a budget. Saturn will help you if you act responsibly and you will have added mental activity this month to help with that.

The New Moon on the 16th right next to lovely Venus says you may have a “fruitful” dialogue with someone dear to you. sep 23 - ocT 22

libra

Energetic Mars is in your talents/money house all month, a good time to earn more and develop one of your gifts. Saturn (responsibility) is just moving into your home, look around and see if this is how and where you wish to live. A lot of emphasis on creativity and children this month, if you don’t have any children, go play like one. The New Moon on the 16th will give you a gift but you have to ask.

capricorn

The entire zodiac is envying Saturn’s entrance into your Career! Move in the direction that you wish it to go and it will happen! You have till 2012. Many friends highlight this month for you and early on it could be a little emotional. The changes you have made in the past years are bearing fruit now.

JAn 20 - feb 18

The big news starts with the Full Moon on the 2nd in your house of death & rebirth. You’ve been changing a lot lately and this full moon shines a positive light into some deeper understandings for you. You are now entering a period of deep introspection that will last for years. A shot of energy with friends or some dream you would like to manifest is possible now!

Jun 21 - Jul 22

cancer

You are undergoing some pretty drastic personality changes as the planets demand that you pay attention to what you are projecting out into the world.

An opportunity to settle an old debt may present this month. Keep using your mind to communicate who you are, some pretty fierce opposition, just stay the course and you will do well. The early Full Moon on the 2nd can bring a needed boost to your career. Now is the time to stick to that new health regime, you need to take better care of your body.

ocT 23 - nov 21

scorpio

aquarius

You have been jittery and almost as “electric” as your ruling planet Uranus. Your personality has been sparkling and then short circuited so often you wonder who you are.

Relax a little and focus more on your long view... where do you want to be and who? Now is the time that your philosophies could be broadening. During the New Moon on the 16th meditate on what you want in your career and make a wish or plant a seed. feb 19 - MAr 20

You are a strong personality anyway, and this month you are dripping with charm. At times your playfulness will seem unusual and quirky. Career gets a surge of energy from Mars, but the home front continues to undergo deep change. Lilith, the Dark Moon unleashes a few shadows hiding in your closets; let them out into the Light for healing.

pisces

Beginning now you will see much change and some people may leave your life and others come back in.

Your health is strong this month and a good use of that would be to change the diet to a healthier one for you. You have been dealing with some of your old shadows and that will continue a while longer. You have the potential to completely reinvent yourself if you wish. Make a wish...

Sue Moon has been a student of astrology since 1972 and is an experienced journeyman and practitioner in a number of life enhancement disciplines.

She is locally based at Morning Star Center, 7561 Main St. Ste. 420, Ralston, NE 68127 • 402.884.0621 • info@morningstarcenter.com 62

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alh P U B L I C A T I O N S

inform • educate • inspire P.O. Box 241611 • Omaha, NE 68124

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