metroMAGAZINE’s DECEMBER 2018 Issue

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Co-founders and PrinCiPals LESLEY BRANDT AND RENEE BLACK

game changers EMPOWERING EXCELLENCE • ConneCting our Community

•

planitomaha

sPiritofomaha.Com

•

deCember 2018

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in this ISSUE

connecting our community

features

10

24

GAMECHANGERS planitomaha • empowering excellence

20

MIKE KELLY •48 the years of a journalist

24

HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME omaha restaurant association

departments/columns

18

VIPS: VERY INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE our series of continuing inspiring profiles

26

connecting to our service

18 10

connecting to our hospitality

OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION omaha giving

27

metroSPIRIT with mary vandenack

28

VW LAW planning matters

29

20

connecting to our empowerment

SWARTZBAUGH, FARBER & ASSOC. todays savings

29

STEPHANIE VONDRAK impact!

connecting to our literacy events

36

SCENE highlights from recent charity & cultural events

58

SAVE THE DATE upcoming events in the coming months

30

connecting to our scholarship

connecting to our philanthropy

4

mmagazine • DeCemBeR 2018

36

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CReDits DeCemBeR 2018 • VoL. 30 no. 6 Press releases and other editorial information may be sent to: P.o. Box 241611, omaHa, ne 68124 or e-mailed to: editor@spiritofomaha.com Publisher/Editor-in-Chief andrea L. “anDee” Hoig

Creative Collaboration elissa Joy

Nov. 16 – Dec. 23

Nov. 23 – Dec. 31

Jan. 18 – Feb. 10

On Sale Now!

On Sale Now!

On Sale Now!

Debra Kaplan Editor/Creative Director Robert P. “RoB” Killmer

omaha Community Foundation Jim scholz

Community Engagement ConneCt@spiritofomaha.com

Special Thanks Printco graphics

Kara schweiss swartzbaugh-Farber & associates VW Law stephanie Vondrak D.D.s. m

6915 Cass St. | (402) 553-0800 OmahaPlayhouse.com

ichael J. Weaver, J.D.

metromagazine 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 endeavor.

OFFICE/SALES

402.932.3522 | sales@spiritofomaha.com MISSION STATEMENT aLH Publications exists to inform, inspire and connect those who give back to the community through volunteerism and philanthropy, recognizing the ongoing efforts of area businesses, organizations and individuals who better our community.

Contents of this magazine are copyrighted by aLH Publications, inc. in their entirety. no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without prior written consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 1990 – 2018 aLH Publications, inc. all rights reserved.

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mmagazine • DeCemBeR 2018

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words FROM MY HEART

mmagazine • LetteR FRom tHe PuBLisHeR

LET THERE BE light!

As we enter the holiday season, and soon the new year, I often reflect on what has transpired over the past year. It’s been a year of challenges and letting go.

In itself, letting go can be a challenge. Oftentimes we hold on to something or someone because by letting go there is a sense of the unknown, which can be a very uncomfortable feeling. But at the same time there is a feeling of comfort and familiarity with keeping a toxic behavior or person in your life.

Let’s take a behavior, for example.Whether it be drinking, smoking, overeating, spending time on social media or in front of a TV for hours, you know what to expect.

Or keeping yourself busy all the time even to the point of saying, “I am so BUSY I can’t breathe!”There may be a short burst of relief or satisfaction because you know this space, which is comfortable, and then it’s oftentimes followed by an unpleasant side effect, which may be uncomfortably comfortable.You are familiar with it. You know how to navigate through it. You may hate it but there is a part of you that loves it; it serves you in some way. It may possibly be an excuse for not showing up fully or committing to your life.

Many of us are addicted to the struggle. Struggling gives us a reason to play small.

We say, “I can’t do that because I am struggling with this or that (fill in the blank)” or “You can’t expect me to show up; look what I am struggling with.”

We struggle with relationships, our health, money, our purpose and so many other things. As long as we are struggling we don’t have to show up, or we think we can’t.

And yes, struggling day in and day out creates more hardship in our lives. Struggling takes a lot of energy to maintain the struggle. Struggle doesn’t allow much, if any, room for space or light in our lives.

anDRea L. Hoig ahoig@spiritofomaha.com

What I love about letting go of something—regardless of what it is—is that each and every time, new space opens up. It is a magical feeling as this space opens up and allows light to pour in. I have let go of a lot this year and I had to be ready for it. There are things that I have “tried” to let go of in the past but for whatever reason I just wasn’t ready. Perhaps the struggle, which I can honestly say I have had in my life for decades, was such a familiar and comfortable place for me to live in, I wasn’t sure how to BE without it. Hmm… During this holiday season I am choosing to let go of even more.

Negative thoughts, limiting beliefs, destructive behaviors … struggle … these things just don’t serve me anyone. Things that I know have been holding me back from living a joy-filled, happy, energetic and INSPIRED life. Space is opening up at record speed and LIGHT is pouring in! How does it get any better than that? It does and it will continue to get better and better! There is an infinite supply of goodness—no, make that GREATNESS—that can continue to flow into your life if you choose it.

I encourage you all to look at what you are holding on to. What is uncomfortably comfortable in your life? Are you ready to let go? Are you ready to BE YOU? Are you ready for more space in your life to just BE and CONTRIBUTE? Are you ready to stand and bask in the LIGHT? If more of us were basking in the LIGHT, imagine what that would create in our lives, in our families’ lives, in our communities and in the world.

This holiday season let’s LET GO and LET THERE BE LIGHT and bring all of that into the new year!

Love and blessings to all of you, my friends!

Here’s to basking in the LIGHT! ~ Andee 7

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S at urday . Februar y 9 . 2 0 1 9 . C HI Healt h C en t er O m ah a

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game CHANGERS

• prEsEnTEd by

the original “

female

EVERY SINGLE WHO WORKS FOR US IS TO BECOME NOT JUST A BETTER , BUT IN AT AND HER OVERALL

empowered leader. planitomaha community life.

”

~ RENEE BLACK, CO-FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL

Event and meeting planning is a demanding business, with early mornings, late nights, and extraordinary details. The women of planitomaha—“the WOW experts”—have worked hard over two decades to earn their reputation for excellence in a competitive market.

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• mmagazinE

game changers

planitomaha ExECuTivE TEam

PRESENTS

ALYCIA ZABROCKI, CAITLIN GRUIS, RENEE BLACK, LESLEY BRANDT AND KATIE SULLIVAN

game changers

• THE ORIGINALS

COnTinuEd

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game CHANGERS

• prEsEnTEd by

the originals NOVEMBER higher-than-average retention rate for young professionals. marked the 20th anniversary of , “probably for 90 percent, this is their first career,” black said. a big milestone for any company but perhaps even “a really big thing that both lesley and i believe in is that more meaningful for a woman-owned small every single female who works for us is empowered to business. the company that began with the become a better leader. not just at planitomaha, but in her efforts of just two people, co-founders and community and in her overall life. so we do a lot of things principals renee black and lesley brandt, now to empower the people that work for us.” creates more than 400 events and meetings per year for clients from coast to coast. the women who work for planitomaha master an array of skills valuable to any organization, from time management and budgeting to interpersonal communications and “that’s an average of 1.1 events per day,” brandt said. “we negotiating, brandt said, and they gain not only confidence, started with an idea. no manual, no license agreement, no but independence with experience. board of directors; planitomaha was built from an idea and a lot of grit.” “everyone on our team has their own book of business,” she “we are still, to this day—and it’s very important that we are still, to this day—an all-female team of 15 event producers,” black said. “lesley and i have been through thick and thin for 20 years.” today’s planitomaha is a full-service meeting and event logistics planning agency with the capacity to serve a broad clientele. more than 40 percent of its business is performed outside of omaha. “while we work with anyone from fortune 500 to small businesses and corporations that have less than 50 employees, we do tend to specialize in companies and organizations in the financial and banking industries,” black said. “from our research with vendors and partnerships, through what we know of this entire midwest corridor— from minneapolis to kansas city and from des moines to denver—we know that our staff is one of largest of just people who are event coordinators and managers; we’re a firm of 15 people who simply do event and meeting logistics. that makes us one of the largest firms of our kind in the midwest. that’s what we do, that’s what we are.”

said. “our people are very fun, we’re ‘type-a,’ we’re outgoing, we’re get-it-done kind of people. there’s a certain personality that thrives in this environment. we hire for personality and train for skill.” the experience of working for planitomaha is rewarding for young professionals, black said, and not just from a vocational perspective. mentoring is a natural function of the team structure. “we like the energy of the young professional and the ability to shape someone’s career for the first time…their skill set, their depth and their breadth of who they are as a person is something we hope they take great pride in because we’re trying to empower them in their professional life as they work for us,” she said. “a lot of them travel coast to coast and get to experience things they would have never dreamed they’d experience.”

Logistics and details

Launching careers

planitomaha’s robust internship program provides college students with a unique opportunity to see the event and meeting planning industry from the inside. interns are exposed to the challenges as much as they are to the fun side of things, black said.

in addition to black and brandt, the company’s executive team includes alycia Zabrocki, caitlin gruis and katie sullivan. most of the event planners for planitomaha are millennials, many who are in their first career or entered the organization as interns, and the company enjoys a

“our internship program shows to anyone who comes in to intern with us really what we do. we’re very active with creighton university, uno (university of nebraska-omaha) and unl (university of nebraska-lincoln),” black said.

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• mmagazinE

sTOry by KARA SCHWEISS | imagEs COurTEsy Of

empowering excellence

“

us

I WOULD PUT AGAINST ANY SEASONED, VETERAN FIRM…OUR CLIENTS NEED AN AND ARMY THEY CAN WE’RE THAT

nationwide

trust army.

”

~ LESLEY BRANDT, CO-FOUNDER AND PRINCIPAL

planit omaha PLANS EVENTS OF ALL SIZES AT FIVE-STAR PROPERTIES LIKE THE BROADMOOR IN COLORADO SPRINGS

PRESENTS

game changers

• THE ORIGINALS

COnTinuEd

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game CHANGERS

• prEsEnTEd by

the originals “we believe that internship works both ways: if they think they want to go into event planning and meeting logistics, a lot of times they find out by doing an internship with us that this is exactly the career path they want…or no, it’s exactly not what they want.” the work is as demanding as it is fulfilling, black explained. “we’re the first ones there and the last ones to leave.” “the glamorous event planner portrayed on television is not at all what the job is. it’s about logistics and details, and you might say you like logistics and details, but when you get into a job at planitomaha we take details to the extreme,” she said. “the event doesn’t happen without the event meeting planners. you might have a 5 a.m. call time and you might not be done that day until that last reception or that last meeting gets out. they’re long days; it’s hard work. you have to be on your game, you have to know how to work with a client and you have to work with vendors. there’s a lot to it.”

CREATING THE WOW FACTOR IN EVENTS IS HAVING A ONCEIN-A-LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY LIKE A PHOTO OP WITH A WOLF!

Trust and pride those high expectations and vigorous attention to detail are why planitomaha has built a reputation for excellence over the years, or as brandt and black have coined it, they’re known as “the wow experts.” “our customer service is second to none. we are all about the client and doing whatever it takes,” black said. “the wow doesn’t necessarily mean something expensive and big on time; wow can simply mean on time, on budget, on point. we put great pride in being good stewards of corporate dollars for our clients, and our clients recognize that.” “i would put us against any seasoned, veteran nationwide firm,” brandt said. “our clients have to trust us to be a good partner and act in their best interest. and you won’t outwork us. our clients need an army they can trust and we’re that army.” the planitomaha professionals pride themselves on looking beyond just a single event for any given client, she added, whether it’s securing an in-demand venue several years in advance for an annual event, or keeping clients abreast of new presentation technology.

planit omaha IS CONSTANTLY WORKING WITH A-LIST AND HIGH-LEVEL KEYNOTE SPEAKERS 14

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planitomaha “it’s definitely a long-term focus we have; it’s not just about what’s right in front of us,” brandt explained. “we can use our team’s experience and the breadth and depth of the nationwide and international experience that we have and bring that to every client. so a lot of ideas we bring to our clients are either new or cutting-edge and/or we’ve experienced them with other clients. we help them build out their event strategies.” the team also stays in touch with industry trends through involvement in top professional groups including meeting planners international heartland chapter, national association of catering executives, american marketing association and public relations society of america.

Supporting the community planitomaha supports the community by promoting omaha resources, even bringing some outside business to omaha, and through its work with area nonprofit clients, black said. “we know some the nonprofits we work with don’t have the budgets and dollars to spend like a lot of our other clients do,” she said. “we’ve put a nonprofit pricing model together. we offer the same exact services at a discounted rate if they meet certain criteria.”

SPORTS FIGURES AND CELEBRITIES ARE OFTEN A FAVORITE GO-TO FOR planitomaha MEETINGS AND EVENTS

perfectly executed details and new ideas help make those fundraisers successful, brandt added. “we have a skill that nonprofits need.” many of the fundamental elements of successful events and meetings—like good food and refreshments and an inviting atmosphere—are essentially the same as when planitomaha started in 1998. presentation technology, however, has evolved extensively. “even for a simple meeting, 20 years ago it was about making a room beautiful through floral and linen and layout,” black said. “nowadays everything is so advanced, it’s about what you’re putting on the screen and what does the production look like ; everything is about the show and what people are doing to engage attendees.

VEGAS IS A MEETING MARKET WHERE YOU CAN FIND

planitomaha MULTIPLE TIMES A CALENDAR YEAR PRESENTS

game changers

• THE ORIGINALS

COnTinuEd

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game CHANGERS

• prEsEnTEd by

the originals where we were 20 years ago is completely different than where we are today; it’s very much about how the information is displayed: was it done in a high- tech fashion? and was everything on the stage well-lit, welldone and well-run? and was my time appreciated? it’s a completely different game today.” even printed invitations and programs, and fax or phone registration have mostly given way to digital counterparts. “everything moves a lot faster,” black said.

Staying ahead but the planitomaha team isn’t content to just keep up. in collaboration with multiple technology partners, they strive to stay on the leading edge.

HARRISON FINANCIAL SERVICES planitomaha DOES ALL TYPE OF CORPORATE EVENTS, FROM 50 TO 5,000

“we want to be the market leader for event planners in regard to event technology, so we are working nonstop with our entire team on how to get ahead of what’s happening and how what’s happening in the tech world can be implemented into the meeting and event industry,” she said. “everyone has seen it done seamlessly and beautifully but also when it’s gone wrong. we’re working with tech vendors to make it better and stronger.” and after 20 years in the business, planitomaha leadership continues to look ahead. “we still think that we’re in a growth mode,” black said. “planitomaha is a dba and everyone knows us as planitomaha, but our actual name is planit, inc. we have the ability to potentially enter into other markets.” no matter what the next planitcity might be, the teambuilding principles that have made planitomaha a success will be carried forward, brandt added. “we maintain excellent customer service and excellent relationships but we’ve listened to our people and invested in them,” she said. “our people are our biggest strength.”

CREATING AN EVENT WITH SOPHISTICATION AND THEME HARRISON IS A FAVORITE FINANCIAL CHALLENGE SERVICES

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empowering excellence

This special feature is sponsored by planitomaha. planitomaha is dedicated to honoring women whose influence not only impacts the boardroom but also the community.

“Welcome to DEALING WITH C-SUITE AND HIGH-LEVEL EXECUTIVE EVENTS IS A MAJOR PART OF planitomaha’S BUSINESS

”

one of the largest and most prestigious meeting planning firms in the midwest omaha magazine B2B winners since 2008 national, regional and local meetings and events nationally recognized as a leader in the meetings & event industry supporting our community through our nonprofit work and the boards/organizations we are members of planitomaha has been providing event and meeting management solutions for twenty years. we are a client-centric firm that provides unmatched service and professionalism.

STUNNING LANDSCAPES AND BEAUTIFUL INTERIORS CAN COME TO LIFE AT A planitomaha EVENT

PRESENTS

game changers

• THE ORIGINALS

while proudly located in the midwest, our crazytalented event team works from new york to la and everywhere in the middle.

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VIP

VERY inspirational PEOPLE

INSPIRATIONAL EXAMPLES

THE FRIEND who introduced Holly Hollenbeck to the service organization Rotary International made an inspired match.

As if making a two-fold career of helping people wasn’t enough, Hollenbeck also sought other opportunities to serve the community, like assisting her friend Jenny Johnson in serving a hot meal on Wednesday mornings to the hungry and homeless who gather at 14th and Farnam Streets. And then came Rotary.

“It appealed to me immediately. The motto of Rotary is ‘Service Above Self,’ which I strive to live by every day,” Hollenbeck said. “Once you place service above self, Both feet on the ground I think everything else gets put into perspective.”

“My volunteer work is most important to me, primarily through Suburban Rotary After joining in 2012, Hollenbeck was named 2017-2018 Suburban Rotarian of the of Omaha,” she said. “My favorite project to date was the Suburban Rotary Foot Year in reflection of her work as the club’s community service chair and a board Clinic for the Needy. I saw so many homeless and down-on-their-luck folks each week at Jenny’s Wednesday meal. And so many would walk a long way member, plus many other contributions. “It’s a huge honor,” she said. for the meal, getting there in their only mode of transportation, their shoddy Her work with Rotary is certainly remarkable, but helping others is incorporated footwear,” she said. “So last year I wrote the Rotary District for grant money and put together—with the help of so many devoted Suburban Rotarians—a footinto every aspect of Hollenbeck’s life. “I thrive on it,” she said. care clinic at the Stephen Center.”

That kind of friend The event took place for a second year this fall at Open Door Hollenbeck found her sense of compassion early and close Mission, with Nebraska Methodist College nursing to home. During the years she was growing up, an students performing foot exams and diabetes checks. accident left her older sister disabled, her father had a “Once you place After the exams, Rotarians fitted those in need with near-fatal heart attack, and her mother was new hiking boots, socks and foot care items. diagnosed with breast cancer. service above self,

I think everything “I see recipients of those shoes in line for Jenny’s “Before my mother passed away, she wrote me a meals proudly showing me that they have the letter describing a time when I was a kid that she else gets put into shoes on. I think if it helps to ease their burden, yelled at me because I was home late from school perspective.” provide a bit of comfort, then maybe they feel some one day. I came from little and had lots of chores hope for the future. And maybe, just maybe, it is the as a kid. She was mad I was late. She recounted to nudge to help them to get off the streets or move me that my explanation for being late was that I had HOLLY HOLLENBECK forward in a positive way,” she said. “Every time they tie F to stop and help a friend. Mom said when she their shoes, it lets them know that somebody cares.” questioned what I did to help, I answered, ‘I sat down with her and helped her cry,’” Hollenbeck said. “My mom said this is Hollenbeck has passed her spirit of service on to her children, a 21what she saw in me: ‘You are that kind of friend and I was that Mom.’” year-old daughter who is a senior in college at New York University, and a 16-year old son in high school.

That note from her mother is still taped to Hollenbeck’s bathroom mirror.

Hollenbeck grew up in St. Louis and Kansas City and came to Omaha to attend “I am very proud that both are on the dean’s list, good communicators and are college and law school at Creighton University on scholarship for an accelerated hard-working,” she said. “But most importantly, they are kind.” business law program. She met her now ex-husband in her senior year of law Hollenbeck sees the future not as an empty nest, but full of possibilities. school and chose to stay in the area, which has become home.

“I love Omaha. It’s a great place to raise a family,” she said. “And there is an incredible variety of opportunities to get involved in the community.”

Hollenbeck initially practiced law as a trial attorney doing insurance defense litigation and later worked for CSG Systems International as general counsel.

“I am a member in the National League of American Pen Women, an organization for published authors, and part of the local chapter of some amazing women.

And I am currently writing a novel called Stray Dogs which has more to do with dating and love than with actual canines,” she said. (Her first book, on the topic of revitalizing passion, was internationally published in 2006 and she even appeared on The Today Show and Fox News. “I acted as a reporter asking the question: ‘How does one keep the passion alive in a long-term relationship?’”)

“After staying home with my two children for several years, I re-entered the legal profession choosing a nontraditional attorney role. I now help to run WorkFit, a busy occupational medicine clinic and medical legal consulting practice in Hollenbeck’s professional and volunteer service activity may cover a broad Omaha,” she said. “WorkFit provides medical-legal consulting and the region’s spectrum, but everything has a common element: instilling hope. most experienced occupational medical clinic with services to prevent and treat “I believe hope is the antidote to negativity. Giving hope, for me, is the key to work-related injuries.” helping so many that are jaded and numb in their life. Find what makes you She also runs a side business called The Attitude Authority excited and energetic again! For me, it is in giving back to those that need it (www.AttitudeAuthority.com) that helps workplaces enhance productivity, most,” she said. “I want people to find their passion and to find the gift of hope in giving back.” wellness and safety by improving attitudes.

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photography by DEBRA KAPLAN

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THRIVING IN service

holly hollenbeck

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‘just a guy IN OMAHA’ Mike Kelly made a remarkable career out of telling other people’s stories through his 48 years as a reporter, editor and columnist for the Omaha World-Herald. His advice to young journalists, “Get out in your community to where the stories are,” could also be seen as a reflection of his work as an emcee for various nonprofit fundraisers and community events.

LIKE ANY TYPICAL AMERICAN BOY GROWING UP IN THE 1950S, MIKE KELLY WAS A FAN OF TV WESTERNS. ONE HE PARTICULARLY LIKED, TOMBSTONE TERRITORY, CHRONICLED THE UPS AND DOWNS OF SHERIFF CLAY HOLLISTER’S EFFORTS TO KEEP ORDER IN TOMBSTONE, ARIZONA, “THE TOWN TOO TOUGH TO DIE.” Unlike a typical boy, a detail that caught Kelly’s attention was the narration at the beginning of each episode proclaiming the story to be “an actual account from the pages of my newspaper.”

University of Cincinnati, which is a great school and has a lot of students from out of town, but it was a statesupported school and did not have a journalism major.”

“It’s important to always be polite,” he explains; it’s not just a reflection on his community newspaper, but the right way to be. And for all the times he’s been recognized, there are lessons in humility that make him Kelly was a new graduate in 1970 and hoping to make chuckle. For instance, even after decades at the Omaha his college girlfriend, Barb, his wife. (The couple did World-Herald, Kelly would sometimes receive mail marry the next year and raised their four children in meant for former executive editor Mike Reilly. And he’s Omaha. They now have 10 grandchildren.) She had not even the only Mike Kelly in the field. The Atlantic immediately started a teaching job in Cincinnati; Kelly Media Company’s prestigious Michael Kelly Award for applied for an entry-level position at the Omaha World- journalism? Not him. It’s named for a nationally known Herald. reporter and editor who lost his life while covering the invasion of Iraq. A high-profile newspaper editor “My primary motivation? Getting a job!” he said. “I was noticed Kelly’s nametag at a meeting of American very lucky to get a job fresh out of college and I Society of Newspaper Editors in 2003, where Kelly was presume they must have seen something there, but, receiving an award for column writing. “Instead of honestly, I didn’t know what to do at first.” saying, ‘Hi, how do you do? I’m so and so’ or ‘Congratulations’ or whatever, he just looked at me and The writing Kelly produced in the early days of his says, ‘I knew him.’” career was markedly different from the tight, insightful prose his later readership enjoyed.

As popular as his column proved to be, Kelly’s body of

“A big part of the show was the newspaper called the Tombstone Epitaph. I didn’t know what an epitaph meant, I thought it was like gazette or something, another name for newspaper,” Kelly recalled. So when he was 10 years old and his parents gave him a children’s printing set to play with, “I very proudly made my little family newspaper and used the little stamps for the headline. I took it in to show to my mom and the name of the newspaper was the Kelly Epitaph. “I wasn’t very good at the beginning. I’m not being falsely modest; I really wasn’t,” he said.

She burst out laughing.”

Despite his mother’s amused reaction, the Epitaph hardly marked the end of Kelly’s interest in journalism.

60 years later, Kelly has exited a 48-year journalism career with his official retirement from the Omaha World-Herald on September 28.

The truth about English He’s proud of his broad reporting experience: police beat, courts, county government, City Hall, “a lot of news reporting and feature writing.” In 1981, he became a sports editor and columnist, a role he filled for a decade. At his request, Kelly “came back to the news side” in 1991 and penned an award-winning column three times a week until his last days at the newspaper.

Mere self-awareness wasn’t good enough for Kelly.

Although his patient editors offered guidance and support, he was determined to improve his skills and find his voice as a writer.

work wasn’t devoid of controversy.

“I got booed a couple times in public when I was in sports, because I didn’t toe the Husker line on something,” he said. After writing a column about a Catholic priest who left his vocation to marry late in life and voiced regret about not having a family, “I was publicly rebuked by a past archbishop of Omaha: ‘Mike Kelly is supposed to be a Catholic.’”

“When I realized I didn’t know very much, I started buying every book I could get my hands on about Other people’s stories writing and reporting,” he said. “You can get better As a columnist, he said, Kelly was more comfortable when you apply yourself and work at it, and I was really telling other people’s stories. interested in becoming a good writer.”

One book, The Truth about English by Robert C. Pinckert, “In recent years I think it’s pretty true that I haven’t gotten into hard-hitting opinions,” he said. “I’m not that provided an especially valuable nugget of wisdom. impressed with my opinions, anyway; I’m happy to write the kinds of stories that I have done.” “(Pinckert) said, ‘The master trick that separates pros from amateurs’—he was referring to writing—‘is arranging a sentence for emphasis,’” Kelly said. “If there For the most part, his style was to keep himself out of In contrast, the start of his career was somewhat the copy. tenuous, Kelly said. But it turned out far better than he is a hallmark to my writing style, then that is it.” imagined. “If I could go back to the beginning and look Just a guy in Omaha “I feel strongly about that. There are times, if there is a at it in the reverse and say to my younger self, ‘Okay, good reason to insert yourself, to do it. But otherwise, here’s what your career is going to be,’ he’d say, ‘No way!’ A photo of Kelly ran with his column, so he became accustomed to occasionally getting recognized in public. in columns where you say ‘I said this’ and ‘I did that’— Kelly said. Although his parents had once published a I don’t like the first-person singular.” community newspaper and he grew up in a household He insists he’s “just a guy in Omaha” who doesn’t see himself as a celebrity even on a local level. “If I am, it’s that subscribed to multiple dailies and discussed the There were some notable exceptions. In 2002, because I’ve been around so long. I’ve done a lot of news, Kelly never even attended journalism school. beginning with a column headed “A plea for more different things.” openness on rape,” Kelly told a very personal story.

“There were eight kids and I didn’t want to be any more The first line was, “You don’t have to read between the of a burden than I already was on my parents When he is recognized, Kelly is conscientious about lines and wonder: my daughter was raped.” financially,” he said. “I went to the hometown treating people with courtesy and respect.

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stoRy By KARA SCHWEISS | imaGes CouRtesy of MIKE KELLY

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mike kelly

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“

YOU CAN GET better WHEN YOU apply YOURSELF AND WORK AT IT, AND I WAS really INTERESTED IN becoming A GOOD writer.

“

~ MIKE KELLY

THE YEARS OF A JOURNALIST mike kelly THE YEARS OF A JOURNALIST

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‘just a guy IN OMAHA’

His anguish as a parent was evident as he related hearing the horrific news that his then-24-year-old daughter, Bridget, had been kidnapped and robbed, sexually assaulted, shot three times and left for dead by her attacker. How she resolutely made her way to a nearby house, bleeding from her injuries. How the homeowner, a retired Army veteran named Frank James, gave aid and protection. How rescue personnel and a medical team saved Bridget’s life. Of her tremendous will to live. Of her courage in speaking out and fighting the stigma of rape.

It was not only his daughter’s choice for her father to tell her story, she continues to advocate for survivors 16 years later.

She said, “I didn’t do anything wrong,” Kelly said.

He wrote at the time, “We honor her courage in not only surviving her attack but also in not being ashamed.”

KELLY WITH PRESSMAN LARRY MALMBERG IN 2016.

BotH men staRteD witH tHe omaHa woRlD-HeRalD on June 1, 1970.

“It led to a tsunami of responses from women who were survivors and said, ‘thank you for speaking out about this,’” he said.

The columns about his daughter’s survival were picked up around the country and eventually netted Kelly a national award.

“The great irony is that I wish I’d never written those columns. Because I wish it had never happened,” he said.

He’s continued to share Bridget’s story of survival in years since. There are the low points like how, perhaps triggered by trauma, she developed type 1 diabetes, but far more happy news like the resumption of her career, her wedding, and the birth of two children.

KELLY AT WORK IN THE NEWSROOM IN EARLIER DAYS

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“It was an honor,” Kelly said, to be asked to speak at Frank James’s 2012 memorial service. In 2003, at a JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) event that paid tribute to his daughter, Kelly introduced James—who earned a standing ovation—and presented him with a framed letter from Colin Powell lauding James’s heroism. James was stunned at the unexpected accolade, which had stemmed from something Kelly had spotted during a visit to his home.

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THE YEARS OF A JOURNALIST

Bridget later moved to New York City, where she taught school and became a trained advocate for survivors of rape and domestic violence in hospital emergency rooms. She has been honored for her volunteerism by SAVI (Sexual Assault and Violence Intervention).

Now married to a producer of her ABC News “Prime Time” story, she will be the March 27 speaker in the Omaha Town Hall Lecture Series (omahatownhall.org).

mike kelly

“

HE’S FUNNY AND articulate AND HE JUST knows WHAT TO SAY AND HOW TO SAY IT. HE takes the time AND CARE TO REALLY KNOW THE audience AND THE PERSON OR ORGANIZATION… anything HE DOES, HE PUTS HIS heart and soul INTO IT.

“

“I had seen that he had a snapshot of himself and Colin Powell in Somalia in 1993 when he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” Kelly explained. He then enlisted the assistance of Army veteran and then-Sen. Chuck Hagel to secure the connection to Powell.

• mmaGazine

Tapping the keys • staying on key

~ MELISSA MARVIN, aRtHRitis founDation woman of tHe yeaR, 2017

It was sometime during his career as a newsman when Kelly began to cultivate a secondary role as an emcee for various events by nonprofits and community organizations; Duchesne Academy (where his daughters attended), Christian Urban Education Services, JDRF, Women’s Center for Advancement, and Arthritis Foundation are just a few examples.

he treated partygoers to a vocal selection ranging from “When you introduce someone, always say the name Wilson Pickett to an aria favored by Pavarotti. last.

That’ s the applause point,” he said.

“Another thing: “I love the philanthropy and volunteerism of Omaha. I’m grateful for all the people that contribute to nonprofits I never ‘ask’ for a round of applause, but I can always in so many ways often you don’t hear,” he said.

“When you’re turning 70, you do what you want for your get an audience to applaud. And make it look like birthday,” he said. He noted the cliché that “70 is the you’re having a good time and there’s no place you’d Other print journalists may be more at home behind a rather be than with them that night.” new 50,” but quipped, “70 is the new 69.” keyboard, but Kelly said he’s never been intimidated by the prospect of public speaking.

Of his writing style, Kelly said he likes to create strong There’s more than just a little bit of the entertainer in conclusions. “I don’t like a story to just end. I want it to Kelly. He started performing in skits in an annual “I went to an all-boys high school in Cincinnati, about have an ending,” he explained. As for his career, Omaha Press Club show soon after joining the Omaha 1,700 in the student body. I was the student council however, the ending is a little harder to articulate. “It’s president and had to think on my feet a lot,” he said. “I World-Herald and closed out his career there with cobeen great to work in Omaha, and I am sorry that it’s wasn’t smart enough to realize I should be nervous, retiree Steve Jordon with a resurrection of the “News ending.” back then.”

Brothers” (their version of the Blues Brothers).

Kelly admittedly went through a brief phase of selfconsciousness when he first started emceeing as an adult, hyper-aware that “you could really make a fool of yourself out there.” But he applied many of the same principles of effective writing to public speaking, like sprinkling in humor without compromising dignity, getting names right, and even practicing economy of words.

“I was in the (Press Club) show for years but always trying to be funny, not trying to be a singer like in recent years,” he said.

As much as Kelly’s presence in the Omaha World-Herald will be missed, so will his presence in the city itself.

He’ll be relocating to Ohio, where most of his family lives, but says he will return often to Omaha.

Yes, he sings, too. Kelly began taking professional voice “What I love doing is connecting the community; that’s lessons a few years back and now he performs what a newspaper does,” he said. “How grateful I am to occasionally. For his big 70th birthday bash in October, have spent my adult life in Omaha.” mike kelly THE YEARS OF A JOURNALIST

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community CONNECTIONS

OMAHA HOSPITALITY hall of fame

2018 Hospitality Hall of Fame Honorees The Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame celebrated its 26th anniversary at the Induction Dinner on October 21, 2018. Five hospitality industry leaders were inducted this year, bringing the total to 133.

The purpose of the event each year is to recognize achievement in the restaurant/food service industry among past and present restaurant owners, managers, chefs, event planners, culinarians, educators, purveyors and others who have significantly contributed to the industry. The annual dinner is a fundraiser for culinary and hospitality students. The Hall of Fame dinner is an annual event of the board of the Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame presented by the Omaha Restaurant Association. The event is hosted by the Metropolitan Community College Institute for the Culinary Arts at the Fort Omaha Campus.

2018 HALL OF FAME HONOREES

The menu creation and food preparation were provided by the students, faculty and staff at the institute. Entertainment was provided by Tom Sena and Michael Pujado. Visit the event website at www.omahahospitalityhalloffame.com for more information.

Dwight Becker Dwight Becker began in the restaurant industry at King’s Food Host as a busboy and moved up quickly to dishwasher/carhop, thus setting his career in motion. After graduation he moved to Vail, Colorado, to become an assistant manager at Sonnenalp Hotel and again was quickly promoted to catering sales manager. A job change and a move to Denver led him to his serious study of wine and spirits. His first position in wine and spirits sales was at Paterno Imports and the rest, they might say, is history. Dwight has continuously outperformed sales goals during his tenures at Western Distributing of Colorado, Frito-Lay and Republic National Distributing Company. Dwight has served as a board member and executive board member with the Omaha Restaurant Association for the past 13 years. He received the Omaha Restaurant Association Purveyor of the Year in 2011.

DWIGHT BECKER

Kim Brown During the early ‘80s one could have found young, hard-working college student Kim Brown at Lincoln Poultry. He was busy working his way up from warehouse worker in 1980 to VP in 1985. By early 2000 Kim was president of Lincoln Poultry and a short eight years later president of Lincoln Poultry Sysco. Today that same company is known as Lincoln Sysco, Inc. and Kim Brown remains at the helm as president. Kim has remained an active member of both the Nebraska Restaurant Association and the Omaha Restaurant Association for 25 years. He is a four-time inductee into the Sysco Corporation Wall of Fame. Kim has coached a Level III USA hockey team and has been a pilot for 25 years. He also finds time to serve on multiple boards and mentoring programs.

KIM BROWN

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Hospit al aha m

ity

hospitality

O

OMAHA HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME | OMAHA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION | METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE INSTITUTE FOR THE CULINARY ARTS

Ha

honors

ll o f Fa m e

Greg Cutchall Greg Cutchall began his life in the restaurant industry in 1981 at Kentucky Fried Chicken in Omaha. Greg spent his early career working long and hard as manager, catering manager, marketing director and eventually vice president. By 1986 he had become president/CEO and 20 percent owner of the 12-location franchise. In 1989 Greg began Cutchall Management Company and over the next 25 years he would open over 100 restaurant concepts. Greg also expanded his business to vending and catering contracts across the Omaha metro area; some of those venues include CenturyLink Center, TD Ameritrade Park, and Mid-America Center, to name a few. Currently Greg owns and operates 44 restaurants in five states under eight different brands. He has received numerous industry awards over the years. Greg is the 2018 Chairman of the Multi-Unit Franchise Conference in Las Vegas.

GREG CUTCHALL

Tom Lynch While in college, Omaha Creighton Prep graduate “Tiger” Tom Lynch began his hospitality career at the Playmaker Lounge. Tom became co-owner of the Playmaker Lounge in 1968 with Bob McCormack. In 1976 he opened Tiger Tom’s Pub, which he currently owns with son Ryan. Tom was the first president of United Retail Liquor Association of Nebraska. In 1978 he co-founded the March of Dimes Sno-Ball Tournament, which is a now a national event. At the height of “Beer League” Softball, Tom sponsored 41 teams and has been inducted into Omaha Softball Hall of Fame as well as the Marian High School Hall of Fame. “Tiger” is a tireless supporter of youth sports and has received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He and his wife Mary Lyn recently celebrated 50 years of marriage.

TOM LYNCH

Ann Mellen Ann Mellen’s career in the restaurant industry began when she was a young teenager attending Marian High School. Each day found her at her parent’s restaurant, M’s Pub. College took her to Lincoln, Nebraska, where she started a career in advertising at the Lincoln Journal Star newspaper. She later worked at radio station KESY and Omaha Steaks. In 1980 she returned to her roots, back to Omaha and M’s Pub. In 1985 she purchased the restaurant from her parents. Ann opened the popular Vivace Restaurant in 1993, running it until it was sold in 2013. Tragedy struck M’s Pub on January 9, 2016, when it was destroyed by a gas explosion. Working with various contractors, Ann passionately orchestrated the rebuilding and restoration of M’s Pub to its original state

by November 1, 2017.

ANN MELLEN

2018 hospitality HALL OF FAME HONOREES

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Matt Darling is Vice President of Donor Services at the Omaha Community Foundation

omaha giving

• Omaha COmmunity FOundatiOn

MAKING family GIVING personal Generations coming together around philanthropy can be incredibly impactful. It offers a chance for both sides to learn and teach, to engage in meaningful conversation, and to spend time together away from the hectic nature of everyday life.

In late October, the Omaha Community Foundation (OCF) hosted its third annual Youth in Philanthropy program. This event was an opportunity for some of the youngest members of our donor family to participate in hands-on philanthropy while learning more about giving back to the community.

Nearly 50 parents, grandparents, and their youngsters gathered for a behind-thescenes look at Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore. The program presented a chance not only for the families to learn about housing needs in our community and Habitat’s work to address them, but also for the youth to participate in a grantmaking experience of their own.

Multiple generations ate, conversed and learned from each other. It was a special evening that showed the immense value of bringing our children into the philanthropic process.

The upcoming holidays also offer ample opportunity for families to come together around giving and set aside time to thoughtfully consider what impact they can have both in the coming weeks and throughout the coming year.

Here are some other simple ideas to inspire your family’s charity this giving season: Make family giving a holiday tradition – Many families use the holidays as a chance to give to specific nonprofits or provide gifts to families in need. You can use the OmahaGives.org site year-round as a resource to find new nonprofits as a family to give to, and let your children search by cause (education, animals, etc.). Additionally, several local nonprofits have programs where you can “adopt” a family to purchase gifts for during the holidays; make your children participants by letting them choose the gifts.

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Engage in volunteering or a family service project – Volunteering offers an active way for families to engage in the philanthropic process while making a difference in our community.

Encourage a giving spirit now – Another easy way to incorporate philanthropy into a child’s everyday life is by matt darling encouraging them to start saving their own money to give back. At our Youth in Philanthropy event we use “Moonjars” to help jump-start a conversation about money and philanthropy. These easy giving tools (which are available from OCF) introduce the concepts of saving, spending and sharing.

Give the gift of philanthropy to your children – The Omaha Community Foundation also offers Youth Giving Funds which empower the next generation to begin a philanthropic journey. The funds allow children to make grants from their online accounts to any nonprofits in amounts as low as $25. It can be a simple, yet impactful way to involve your children early on in your family’s charitable legacy.

It can seem intimidating to start a conversation about community need with our children and introduce them to the complex issues that go along with this, yet we know that philanthropy offers unique opportunities to bring families closer together.

Sharing where and how to give can help spur conversations about values, priorities, and how your family can make a difference.

It is always a privilege to work with families to create a meaningful, personalized philanthropic experience for their loved ones of all ages.

To learn more about our Youth Giving Funds or how to engage your family in giving, please reach out to our Donor Services staff at giving@omahafoundation.org or 402-342-3458.

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maRy E. VandEnaCK Mary Vandenack, while a lawyer by profession, has studied extensively in mind/body areas of fitness and wellness. She is Yoga Alliance RYT-200, Power Pilates certified and ACE certified.

TIPS FOR being A peacemaker Demonstrate care for people: Engage in caring and kind conversations Practice radical forgiveness: Knowing that forgiveness is important is one reflecting genuine interest in others. Take time to speakTHERE with strangers. thing; achieving true forgiveness is moreGOOD difficult. The concept of ARE A LOT OFactually QUALITIES THAT MAKE LEADERS. Show kindness in word and action. Remember that itPRACTICING is easy to be kind to MINDFULNESS radical forgivenessCAN is that CULTIVATE of forgiveness at its deepest level.

Sometimes that THESE QUALITIES. those that you like but just as important to be kind to those who are more forgiveness needs to be directed to ourselves. Sometimes it needs to be directed ~ William Shakespeare difficult to be kind to. to another.

Practice respect: Engage in respectful practices with everyone you meet— everyone! This means honoring each person’s right to be who she or he is.

Follow the Golden Rule.

Examine your lifestyle: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” It is easy to be very busy and without time for self-examination...but taking the time to do so is what helps us with self- knowledge. Self-knowledge and awareness provide us the opportunity to make conscious choices about how we engage in life and with others.

Empower others: Be positive and encouraging. Listen. Share ideas. Teach.

Engage. Provide honest and loving feedback. Mentor.

Peacemakers let go of the need to be right: Being happy and engaging in harmonious relationships is more important than being right. Often, we hang on to our ideas, beliefs and perceptions as though our lives depend on them.

The more we insist on being right, the more we are likely to alienate others, especially if our need to be right relates to the best toothpaste brand.

Peacemakers let go of the need to be right and can engage in positive discussions with those who have different viewpoints.

Seek to encourage open-mindedness: Unjust attitudes and structures have been prevalent in recent years. Peacemakers facilitate finding middle ground.

Seek life balance: We all draw energy from different things at different life points. It isn’t about always about spending a certain amount of time at a certain activity but rather about knowing that we need to attend to living in a way that supports our ability to live peacefully.

Soul leave: Schedule time in your calendar for soul leave first…before you put other activities on it. Taking the time to contemplate, meditate and engage in gratitude practices provides food for our soul. Bringing peace to others is facilitated by engaging in a lifestyle that keeps us in touch with our own soul.

Find models and mentors of peace: Consider past peacemakers at the world level or someone you know close to home who is effective at making peace.

Appreciate and encourage diversity: Too often, there is talk about diversity without any real commitment. There are also a lot of excuses as to why diversity can’t be achieved in certain situations. Seek to dispel these notions.

Impart accurate information. Kindly correct inaccurate information.

Actively seek out different viewpoints. Lead by example.

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planning matters

• with Vw law

paid FAMILY AND MEDICAL leave Part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 established a tax credit for employers that provide paid family or medical leave to its employees. The credit is not limited to leaves of absence under the Family and Medical Leave Act, but also applies to employers who are not subject to the FMLA. Payments made to employees on qualifying shortterm disability, whether through an employer program or through an insured short-term disability policy, may also qualify for the tax credit.

What is the credit? Employers can receive a tax credit equal to 12.5 to 25 percent of the paid family leave provided as a benefit to employees. If the employer pays its employees one half of the wages which would have normally been paid to the employee (the minimum required to qualify), the tax credit will be one quarter of that amount, or 12.5 percent. The tax credit increases as the benefit to the employee increases, with the maximum credit being 25 percent, based on the employer paying the employees 100 percent of their usual wages.

What types of leave qualify? Employers who provide paid leave to employees for the following purposes (taken from the FMLA) may qualify for the tax credit:

• Because of the birth of a son or daughter of the employee and in order to care for such son or daughter.

• Because of the placement of a son or daughter with the employee for adoption or foster care.

• In order to care for the spouse, or a son, daughter, or parent, of the employee, if such spouse, son, daughter, or parent has a serious health condition.

matthew dunning

• Because of a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the functions of the position of such employee.

• Because of any qualifying exigency (as the Secretary [of Labor] shall, by regulation, determine) arising out of the fact that the spouse, or a son, daughter, or parent of the employee is on covered active duty (or has been notified of an impending call or order to covered active duty) in the Armed Forces.

What are the policy requirements? To be eligible for the credit, an employer must have a written policy that provides at least two weeks of paid annual leave for full-time employees, and a pro-rata amount of leave for part-time employees. The policy must pay an employee at least half of the wages which would normally be paid, and must cover all qualifying employees; in order to qualify, employees must be employed for more than one year, and cannot be paid more than a certain amount, based on an annual determination published by the IRS. For example, to be a qualifying employee in 2018, the employee could not have earned more than $72,000.

The tax credit is available to employers providing paid family and medical leave to qualifying employees even if the employees are not covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act. Payments made to employees who work for employers with less than fifty employees, or who are part-time, can still qualify for the tax credit.

If qualifying employees are not covered under the FMLA, the employer's policy must include protections against interference with employees’ use of leave under the policy: • [Employer] will not interfere with, restrain, or deny the exercise of, or the attempt to exercise, any right provided under this policy. [Employer] will not discharge, or in any other manner discriminate against, any individual for opposing any practice prohibited by this policy.

IRS Guidance (Notice 2018-71). In addition, the policy may not allow leaves of absence other than those listed above; for example, if a policy allows leaves for a non-serious health condition, or for personal reasons, the policy will not be in compliance with the applicable requirement, and the tax credit will not be available.

What are the deadlines? Time is of the essence. Starting January 1, 2019, in order to qualify for the tax credit, an employer must adopt a qualifying policy and have it in place at the time the leave is taken.

Paid family and medical leave is a benefit that is highly valued by employees, but can be costly. Employers that already provide paid leave, or may provide paid leave in the future, may want to consider taking the opportunity to review current policies to determine if they can qualify for the tax credit.

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• swaRtzbaugh-FaRbER & assOCiatEs, inC.

todays savings

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• yOuR dEntal hEalth

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refresher? jim olson

Ibrought RECENTLY METwith someone who a life insurance policy issued in 1981 to a meeting. He had dutifully paid his premium each year, but he didn’t know exactly what kind of policy he had or what the current death benefit was. I was able to help him work with his insurance company to figure things out, but the experience underlined the importance of periodic policy reviews.

leader scaredy

stephanie vondrak d.d.s.

cat! in the dental profession, Dr. Bob Barkley,AND once said: A PIONEER “Dental health is peculiar. The rich cannot buy it, and the poor cannot have it given to them. I can make people more comfortable, more functional and more attractive. But I cannot make them healthy. I can teach them how to become healthy, but whether they remain that way will be up to them.” ~Dr. Bob Barkley, 1923-1977

Our approach to policy reviews varies based on the type of insurance the client has. Many of our clients have term coverage. A term policy is the simplest form of life insurance and it is a cost-effective way to provide coverage through one’s working years. Term coverage lasts for a stated duration (10-, 15-, 20-, or 30-year policies are the most common) and the premium and death benefit are usually guaranteed for the length of that period.

The goal of term policy reviews should be to ensure that the amount of coverage is still adequate, that the beneficiary designations are up to date, and to go over policy options such as the right to convert the policy to a permanent plan without going through underwriting.

Other clients have permanent coverage. Permanent life insurance policies are designed to provide coverage for the duration of the insured’s life. They feature a cash value account and are more complicated than term policies.

A thorough discussion of the mechanics of permanent policies and the several types of permanent plans that are available is outside the scope of this column. What is important to note is that permanent policies usually have non-guaranteed elements that will be affected by factors such as changes to interest rates and policy expenses. Some permanent policies are directly affected by stock market performance. In addition to covering the same topics mentioned above for term policies, a review of a permanent policy must examine how changes to these non-guaranteed elements are affecting the policy.

For example, many policies are sensitive to changes in interest rates and it is very important to examine how the current interest rate environment is affecting those policies. The long-term outlook for such a policy that was issued in 2003 with the assumption that the insurer would credit an effective annual interest rate of 6.25% to the policy’s cash value may look very different in 2018 if the company is now crediting 4.25% to the same policy. In that situation, the policy owner will likely have to pay a higher premium if the original goals for the policy are to be met.

A review of a permanent policy is usually done by obtaining an “inforce illustration.”

This is a current snapshot of an existing policy and how it is projected to perform under both guaranteed and non-guaranteed assumptions regarding the policy. These illustrations are imperfect and should not be regarded as anything other than an educated guess about future policy performance. That being said, they can be a useful tool in helping to determine if a policy is on track or not.

Dr. Barkley exposed the world to the concepts of preventative dental care. He was an outlier passionate about helping people and changing a paradigm. To fully understand his influence, you will have to think back to his years of practice. Remember that in the 1950s and 1960s, it was not uncommon for an 18-year-old to undergo fullmouth extractions or, as Dr. Barkley would refer to this procedure, “dental suicide.” He was scarred by observing the debilitating effects of full-mouth tooth loss and set out to make a difference.

As an outlier myself, I continually challenge the norms of society to expect more from dentistry, by creating a paradigm in which dentists are viewed as primary care providers; better yet, as primary care participants in their patients’ overall health. The preventative tools available today, like intraoral cameras to photograph health or disease in addition to saliva testing to isolate strains of oral bacteria for more precise periodontal therapy, would no doubt astonish and amaze an icon like Dr. Barkley. Dr. Barkley understood and taught the value of developing the doctor-patient relationship built on trust and mutual goals.

Additionally, Dr. Barkley was a co-author of the philosophy that “co-diagnosis” or “codiscovery” would lead to more successful dental outcomes. Co-diagnosis is the process of helping a patient understand his or her individualized goals and treatment options before completing any dental procedures, thus creating ownership by the patient regarding treatment decisions. The process of co-diagnosis would be the foundation for Dr. Barkley’s practice success and the cornerstone of his teaching career. Wouldn’t it be amazing if codiagnosis was applied and nurtured within the foundation of our medical world?

Dr. Barkley stated, “As my philosophy of dental care matured, my self-image slowly changed from that of ‘healer’ to one of an interested, empathic teacher of health who is also capable of good restorative dentistry.”

In my opinion, Dr. Barkley’s thoughts and actions are more relevant today than ever before. We live in a society financially crippled by results of “disease management” and the absence of true health care. In fact, the CDC estimates that 60 percent of all bankruptcies in the U.S. are due to health care expenses. I am grateful that I was exposed to Dr. Barkley’s concepts just four short years into practice. I have adopted and molded his ideas to create a like-minded philosophy of care. I believe my purpose as a dentist is to teach and inspire as much as it is to restore teeth and eliminate TMJ pain.

So, thank you, Dr. Barkley, for your commitment to health and your perseverance for a better future. I admire your legacy and strive to expand the capabilites of prevention within the field of dentistry for an improved future and the betterment of society.

If you have a policy that you haven’t looked at in a while, I would encourage you to contact your agent or broker and set up a time to review your policy, refresh yourself on how your individual plan works, and check to see if it is meeting the expectations established when the policy was issued.

“The patient’s future health maintenance is strongly influenced when he understands that the dentist fully expects him to fulfill his responsibilities.” ~ Dr. Bob Barkley For more information, please contact your trusted advisor at Swartzbaugh-Farber – ‘Client Centered – Client Advocates™’. This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor or plan provider. Securities Offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc., a Registered Broker Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Swartzbaugh-Farber & Associates, Inc. is independently owned and operated.

Dr. Stephanie Vondrak is board certified by the American Academy of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine to treat patients suffering from sleep apnea with sleep apnea appliances.

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aksarben ball KEEPSAKES

Cindy & Mogens Bay naMed

1stAksarben Citizens of the Year aksarBen Began a new tradition on saturday, oCtoBer 13th, 2018 By Bestowing its new highest honor, Citizens of the year, on Cindy and Mogens Bay. for over 122 years, aksarben has been honoring volunteerism and community service by recognizing individuals and families for their contributions improving the quality of life for our region. this has been and is one of the most important parts of its mission and the list of past recipients is truly the history of leadership in our community. each year the Ball’s most awaited recognition has been the naming of the aksarben king and Queen. in a move designed to assure that all are eligible for aksarben’s highest honor, the organization is introducing the aksarben Citizens of the year. those recognized will be individuals who have shown remarkable dedication to our community and a broad range of causes sustained over many years. approximately 1,500 attended the 2018 aksarben Ball at the Chi health Center omaha, saturday night. the event included the formal introduction of the 122nd royal Court honoring more than 200 nebraska and western iowa families and proudly celebrated the current 200 aksarben | horatio alger scholarship recipients and 100 aksarben Career scholars. But, the big reveal of the night had all focus on the Bays as Citizens of the year and ambassadors for aksarben’s new headlining initiative, workforce development.

Professionally, Bay served several years as manager of the east asiatic Company’s office in Beijing. in 1979, he joined Valmont industries, inc. as regional Vice President, overseeing southeast asia. subsequent postings moved Bay to hong kong and Madrid before bringing him back to the states in 1986 to begin as President and general Manager of Valmont international, at their omaha headquarters.

Valmont, industries, inc. appointed Bay Chairman and Chief executive officer in January 1997 and, in 2017 Bay became executive Chairman. the Bays are no strangers to volunteering their time and talents to various causes important to them. together they chaired the 1999 united way Campaign. they also chaired the united way tocqueville society Campaign (2005/2006) and were named the 2006 united way of the Midlands Citizens of the year.

Cindy has long served on the advisory board of Completely kids.

Mogens has served on Boys town’s national Board for many years, and in 2017, he and Cindy co-chaired the Boys town Centennial gala. they have shown true dedication and made an even greater contribution by adopting a Boys town family. the couple is also committed to their work with the henry doorly zoo and aquarium where Mogens serves as Vice Chairman and, in 1998, Cindy Chaired the membership drive. together in 2003, they chaired zoofari.

Born in dodge, nebraska, Cindy Bay is a graduate of the university of nebraska with a for the last 10 years, Cindy Bay has been CoMaster's degree in guidance Counseling. she honorary Chair and a leading force behind taught school for several years.

Lauritzen gardens’ hugely successful antique and garden show building it into one of the Mogens Bay was born in Vejle, denmark. he area’s most successful annual events. Mogens is a 1973 graduate of the eaC College of serves on the garden’s board where, as a international Business in Copenhagen and a trustee, he was a catalyst in the bold iconic 1984 graduate of harvard Business school’s design of the Marjorie daugherty Conservatory. advanced Management Program.

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Cindy has also served on the boards of the arthritis foundation, Children’s hospital foundation, Cues, Joslyn art Museum, nebraska humanities Council, Quality Living and united way of the Midlands.

Mogens also serves as Vice Chairman of nebraska Medicine and sits on the boards of three philanthropic foundations: the robert B. daugherty foundation, the Peter kiewit foundation and the walter scott family foundation. he also serves on the stratCoM Consultation Committee and the boards of heritage services and the robert B. daugherty global water for food institute. his latest commitment is as cochair of the vast riverfront revitalization Project designed to unify and enhance the spaces on both sides of the Missouri river. theirs is a family that has long been active with aksarben. Mogens is a governor emeritus and in 1998 their daughter, sarah was named queen. sarah and husband, adam yale have three sons Charlie, henry and alexander. alexander was a page in this 2018 aksarben Ball. for more information on the aksarben foundation, its scholarship programs, workforce development programs or to donate, please visit www.aksarben.org About Aksarben Foundation for over a century, aksarben has been synonymous with philanthropy, community and giving back. the aksarben foundation works to connect important initiatives with business leaders to build a more prosperous heartland for everyone. established in 1895, the aksarben foundation represents the premier leaders in nebraska and western iowa. the foundation works as a unified network of leaders to influence change for the betterment of our state by funding scholarships for deserving youth, supporting heartland communities through grant funding, recognizing and celebrating volunteerism, philanthropy and community at the annual aksarben Ball and honoring its agricultural heritage through Pioneer and heritage farm family awards. going forward, the foundation remains committed to these important core initiatives but will expand its leadership network to address one of the most critical issues facing our state – workforce development.

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PRESS RELEASE COURTESY OF WOMEN‘S BALL COMMITTEE

aksarBen BaLL

• mmagazine

2018

supporting scholarship

PHOTO COURTESY OF DWYER PHOTOGRAPHY supporting scholarship AKSARBEN BALL 2018

ContinueD

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aksaRBen Ball keepsakes

AKSARBEN ball

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS

PHOTO COURTESY OF DWYER PHOTOGRAPHY 2018 AKSARBEN WOMEN’S BALL COMMITTEE: CHRISTIE OBERTO, CHAIRMAN, FINANCE & INVESTMENT COMMITTEE; KAREN NELSEN, ADVISOR; KIM BURKHALTER, PRINCESS CHAIRMAN; ANNE JETTER, PRINCESS CHAIRMAN; JULIE LIAKOS, ESCORT CHAIRMAN, AKSARBEN FRIENDS LIAISON; JUDY PRITZA, COURT OF HONOR/ROYAL COURT WELCOME/REGALE CHAIRMAN; SHERI SHONKA, ESCORT CHAIRMAN; JEN ALLOWAY, TREASURER, PUBLICITY CHAIRMAN/ROYAL COURT LUNCHEON CHAIRMAN; JESSICA COVI, SITE/FILES AND LISTS/SOCIAL CHAIRMAN; SARAH MCGOWAN, ROYAL COURT SUPPER/SCHOLARSHIP/PHOTOGRAPHY CHAIRMAN; SHELIA NELSON, ROYAL COURT BRUNCH/GIFTS/COURTESY/TRIBUTE CARDS CHAIRMAN, REGALE ASSISTANT; SAMANTHA WAHL, PRODUCTION CHAIRMAN; BETH WILSON, PAGE CHAIRMAN; ELLIE GRACE, RESERVATIONS CHAIRMAN, HISTORIAN, ROYAL COURT BRUNCH ASSISTANT; SAM HOHMAN, PAGE LUNCHEON/YEARBOOK CHAIRMAN, PRODUCTION ASSISTANT; EMILY JUNG, INVITATIONS CHAIRMAN, HISTORIAN ASSISTANT, WBC CONCIERGE; CAPTIONS LISA KRUMWIEDE, COMMUNITY SUPPORT/PROGRAM CHAIRMAN, CAPTIONS ROYAL COURT SUPPER ASSISTANT; LIBBY STILES, STANDARD BEARER CHAIRMAN, PAGE ASSISTANT, PAGE LUNCHEON ASSISTANT 32

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| supporting scholarship

PhotograPhy by DEBRA S. KAPLAN

Improving Life.

It’s what you’ve done for countless people in our community. For decades, you have led with passion and integrity through your business and civic leadership. Your positive impact can be seen and felt in every corner of our city—and beyond. Thank you!

Cindy & Mogens Bay Aksarben Foundation 2018 Citizens of the Year

©2018 Valmont Industries, Inc. CAV 053

supporting scholarship AKSARBEN BALL 2018

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supporting scholarship AKSARBEN BALL 2018

PhotograPhy by DEBRA S. KAPLAN

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event galleries

look for the LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE EVENT BOOK 2018!

NEBRASKA HUMANE SOCIETY MARGRE DURHAM WALK FOR THE ANIMALS

OPEN DOOR MISSION LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR GALA

SUSAN G. KOMEN GREAT PLAINS 25TH ANNUAL NEBRASKA RACE FOR THE CURE

OMAHA EQUESTRIAN FOUNDATION BLUEGRASS BARN BASH

SUSAN G. KOMEN GREAT PLAINS 25TH ANNUAL NEBRASKA RACE FOR THE CURE

ANGELS AMONG US NO PLACE LIKE HOME GALA

LAURITZEN GARDENS ANTIQUES SHOW

AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION GO RED FOR WOMEN EXPO

great fall 2018 Purchase photos from these events online or from your smartphone, charitable events! and metroMAGAZINE will donate 10% back to that organization.

Join us in giving back! Enter the code “GIVE10” on the checkout page of your shopping cart.

• please remember to trade with our advertisers, whose support helps make our promotion of these important events possible 37

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event galleries

Photos courtesy of Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

FOR THE

Children

Children’s Hospital & Medical Center “Imagine” Gala

PIRZADA SATTAR, M.D. AND FATIMA BASITH WITH SUELLEN AND BILL WILLETT

The 2018 Children’s Hospital & Medical Center’s “Imagine” Gala was a record-breaking event, raising more than $1 million to further innovation and expansion at Children’s.

Funds raised will support the construction of the Hubbard Center for Children, a transformational expansion project that will help Children’s accommodate growing demand for services through the construction of a 9-floor clinical facility addition.

COLESUN, DEBBIE AND BRIAN WOOD

JAMES AND PAULA BLACKLEDGE

A sellout crowd of more than 1,500 people attended the Nov. 3 Gala at CHI Health Center Center Omaha where they enjoyed silent and live auctions, a raffle, dinner and entertainment by critically-acclaimed singer-songwriter Mat Kearney.

Honorary chairs were Paula and James Blackledge.

Fatima Basith and Suellen Willett served as the Gala’s cochairs. Debbie Wood is the current president of the Friends Board, which plans the Gala along with Children’s Foundation staff.

HASSAN SHALLA, ANA LOPEZ SHALLA, MARY AND RODRIGO LOPEZ

KELLY NOGG AND JESSIE FORREST

KYLE AND MIKE ROBINO

“We certainly celebrated a year of firsts at the 2018 Gala. It was our first time honoring a patient family that included a father and son, Josh and Oscar Powell, who are both treated at Children’s for congenital heart disease. And, thanks to our sellout crowd, the leadership and generosity of our chairs and the Friends Board, and the support of so many community sponsors and volunteers, we raised more than $1 million – a new record!” said Beth Greiner, Executive Director of the Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation. “We are overwhelmed by this tremendous support for the health of our region’s children, which will allow Children’s to continue to provide the highest level of care well into the future.”

The 2019 Children’s Gala is scheduled for November 9 at CHI Health Center Omaha.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS AND SUPPORTERS PRESENTING

PLATINUM

PREMIER

SIGNATURE

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Photos by Debra S. Kaplan

25 YEARS OF

Impact

Susan G. Komen Great Plains 25th Annual Nebraska Race for the Cure When: Sunday, October 7, 2018 Where: Baxter Arena, Omaha, NE PREMIER SPONSOR UNION PACIFIC

UNION PACIFIC TEAM

Why: Fundraising event to support local breast health programs and national research to find the cures for breast cancer.

Special Guests: Honorary Race Chair Gail DeBoer, Race Chair Paula Renner Sponsors: Premier Sponsors included: Union Pacific, WOWT, and Star 104.5 Attendance: 6,000 Amount Raised: $565,000

MARLA HOUSTON, HONORARY CHAIR GAIL DEBOER AND RACE CHAIR PAULA RENNER

Mission: Save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

About: Nearly 6,000 supporters came together on Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018 at Baxter Arena in Omaha to celebrate breast cancer survivors, honor those lost to the disease and raise critical funds for the local community as part of the 25th annual Nebraska Race for the Cure. The event is a large fundraiser for Susan G. Komen Great Plains, an Omahabased nonprofit that supports local breast health programs and national breast cancer research. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the U.S. An estimated 24 Nebraskans are diagnosed with breast cancer each week in Nebraska and four individuals die of the disease each week. Funds from the Race are granted to community partners to provide breast health education and services such as free or low-cost mammograms, short-term financial assistance during treatment, and other types of support for uninsured and underinsured women and men in Nebraska. Since its first Race in 1994, Susan G. Komen Great Plains has invested more than $9 million in community programs and contributed $3 million to national research.

For more information: www.komengreatplains.org | 402-502-2979

THANKS TO OUR PREMIER SPONSORS:

Harnessing the power of our community for 25 years to do more together than we could ever do alone.

SID AND DAWN DINSDALE 39

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Photos courtesy of American Heart Association

event galleries

Survivor STORIES American Heart Association Go Red for Women Expo Locally presented by Nebraska Methodist Health System When: Presented locally by Nebraska Methodist Health System with media sponsors KMTV 3 News Now and metroMAGAZINE, the 2018 Omaha Go Red For Women Expo on Sept. 25 was attended by 600 people. Hosted by Jennifer Griswold and Meteorologist Jennifer Zeppelin, the event helped raise more than $290,000 for the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association’s lifesaving mission. The featured survivor was Sarah Weiss, a 12-year-old girl who suffered a stroke last year. The event also featured a touching Survivor Show with women affected by heart disease and stroke.

EMCEE JENNIFER GRISWOLD

Where: Embassy Suites Conference Center – La Vista Why: Heart disease is the number one killer of women, causing 1 in 3 women's death each year. The Omaha Go Red for Women Expo is an event that will include a silent auction, health expo, survivor story, and healthy dinner, along with information about how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association’s national movement, created by women, for women, dedicated to uncovering the truth about women and heart disease: heart disease can kill you or a woman you love. The national Go Red For Women campaign is sponsored by Macy’s and CVS Health.

Special Guests: Honorary Chair, Jane Miller; Circle of Red Chair, Diane Nelson; Survivor, Sarah Weiss Sponsors: Nebraska Methodist Health System, and media sponsors KMTV 3 News Now and metroMAGAZINE Attendance: 600-plus Amount Raised: More than $290,000

SURVIVOR SHOW

Mission: To be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – the two leading causes of death in the world. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based American Heart Association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association.

For more information: www.heart.org/omaha

SURVIVOR SARAH WEISS

BRING A BALL 40

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Photos courtesy of Lauritzen Gardens

OLDIES BUT

Goodies

Lauritzen Gardens

Lauritzen Gardens Antiques Show When: September 20-23, 2018 BRADY GIBSON, MATT STAMP AND KRISTA ANDERSON

MARY JOHNSON, CINDY BAY, MARY SEINA AND MIMI POST

ASHLEY MCMAHON, STEVEN STOLMAN, ELLIE GRACE AND JENNIFER BUDA

CATHERINE MAHONEY, LAURA DOLL, MILES REDD AND DANIELLE BUNZ

Where: Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha Why: The Lauritzen Gardens Antique Show is an experience, a one-of-a-kind cultural event- for people to fulfill their unique vision. We do this by bringing together high-quality antiques exhibitors, renowned designers, and educational opportunities for our patrons to enhance their homes and lives. And we do it all to benefit and cultivate the beauty that is Lauritzen Gardens.

Special Guests: Featured speakers were Miles Redd, Steven Stolman and Master Sommelier Matt Stamp.

Dignitaries in attendance included Governor Pete Ricketts and First Lady Susanne Shore, and Congressman Don Bacon Caterer: Abraham Catering Event Planner: Honorary chairmen were Cindy Bay and Mary Seina, General Chairmen were Mary Johnson and Mimi Post, supported by Event Consultant Denise Bartels and a team of dedicated volunteers MultiMedia: GranStan/AAA Rentals/All Seasons Tent & Event

BRUCE AND GERRY LAURITZEN

EMILY AND CLARK LAURITZEN Attendance: Nearly 4,000 guests attended the four-day event Amount Raised: More than $955,000 For more information: 402-346-4002, ext. 205 | omahaantiqueshow.org

LINDA ANDERSEN WITH TONY AND MARY SEINA

BRUCE AND STACY SIMON WITH CINDY BAY AND MOGENS BAY

The 2019 Lauritzen Gardens Antiques Show will be held September 19 through 22 and will be chaired

by Fatima Basith and Debbie Wood.

MARY JOHNSON, MATT BROWN, HANS MAASDAM, TERRENCE DOUGHERTY, BRAD MARR, MATT STAMP, JULIE KENNEY AND MIMI POST 41

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Photos courtesy of Angels Among Us

ANGEL Alert

Angels Among Us

No Place Like Home Gala When: September 21, 2018

HONORARY CHAIRS AND CO-EVENT SPONSORS CRAIG & JANE POHLMAN

Why: Fundraising event to raise funds for pediatric cancer families from our community

EVENT CO-SPONSOR DAVID SPENCE

Special Guests: We were joined by four of our cancer families some of whom shared their cancer stories. Mrs. Nebraska Anna Peters attended and welcomed guests.

Sponsors: Jane and Craig Pohlman, Honorary Chairs and Co-Event Sponsors and David Spence and the David Spence Cancer Foundation, Co-Event Sponsor DAVID & SANDY PARKER WITH DARLENE & RANDY MUELLER

Caterer: A Vue on State and Catering Creations EMCEE JEFF PACKER AND WIFE KELSEY PACKER Event Planner: planitomaha Attendance: 400 Amount Raised: $215,000 Mission: Angels Among Us provides financial and emotional support to families living-in or being treated in the state of Nebraska for pediatric cancer.

AMBER AND PETER SALTZGAVER WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SUSAN NELSON

ANGIE POHLMAN WITH LINDSEY RAI & JJ KORTAN

About: Angels Among Us was founded in 2006 to provide financial assistance to families whose children are battling pediatric cancer. In our over 12 year history, we have assisted nearly 400 families with over $1.5 million. This year alone, Angels Among Us will assist 90 families with the support they need to remain financially stable during their cancer journey.

For more information: 402-934-0999 | www.myangelsamongus.org

ASHLEY AND GREGG YOUNG

JULIE AND CASANOVA BROOKS WITH TED ANDBETSY RAMM

AUCTION 42

AUCTIONEER CHARLIE MOON WITH BELLA

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Photos courtesy of Omaha Equestrian Foundation

CLEARING THE

Hurdles

Omaha Equestrian Foundation “Bluegrass Barn Bash” When: Thursday, September 20 OMAHA EQUESTRIAN FOUNDATION STAFF: DUSTIN BODE, LISA ROSKENS, KIRSTEN HALL, SARA WEISS, SARAH GENSLER AND MIKE WEST

SENATOR BEN NELSON AND WIFE DIANE NELSON

Where: Far Hills Farm in Ponca Hills area outside of Omaha Why: Inaugural fundraiser event and silent auction for Omaha Equestrian Foundation to raise funds for student field trips to 2019 International Omaha and the Educational Expo, and raise funds for “Salute to Military, Veterans & First Responders Night” at International Omaha

TYLER AND MELISSA LAFLIN

MISSY FLADLAND, CAROL COPELAND AND KIP FLADLAND

Special Guests: Former U.S. Senator Ben Nelson, Radio/TV Personality Tom Becka, Radio Personality Jim Rose, TV Personality Tim Clark, Michael & Gail Yanney, Bill & Lisa Roskens, Former Husker Johnny Rodgers, Nebraska State Senator Burke Harr Caterer: Abraham Catering Event Planner: Omaha Equestrian Foundation Attendance: 300

ROSS STEBBINS, JOHN LEE HOICH AND DOMINIC VACCARO

ROBYN EDEN, DAVID KEFFELER AND REBECCA FELLMAN

TOM AND MAUREEN HOY WITH JOHNNY RODGERS

SENATOR BEN NELSON AND TOM BECKA

INDOOR ARENA AT FAR HILLS FARM IN PONCA HILLS 43

Mission: Omaha Equestrian Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that strives to raise the level of horse sport in the Midwest, create positive economic impact in the area, and provide one-of-a-kind educational experiences.

About: Omaha Equestrian Foundation hosts International Omaha, the Midwest’s largest horse event and equestrian competition, each spring which features the Olympic sports of Jumping and Dressage. International Omaha is April 4-7, 2019 at CHI Health Center Omaha arena and convention center. Omaha Equestrian Foundation hosted Omaha’s first-ever world championship, the 2017 FEI World Cup™ which brought athletes and fans from all across the world to Omaha. The Bluegrass Barn Bash fundraiser supports the core of the organization’s Mission. In 2018, over 3,200 Omaha area children participated in Omaha Equestrian Foundation’s free field trip program to International Omaha and the Educational Expo where they learned about horses and equine industry careers. Also in 2018, thousands of military members, veterans, first responders, and their families received free tickets to International Omaha and “Salute to Service” night where Omaha Equestrian Foundation honored those who have served during the event’s Opening Ceremonies.

For more information about 2019 International Omaha, go online to internationalomaha.com or call KEYNOTE SPEAKER J.R. MARTINEZ 402-930-3079.

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Photos courtesy of The Kim Foundation

SPIRITS

Courageous

The Kim Foundation

A Time for Hope & Healing

PATRICK J. KENNEDY

LARRY COURTNAGE AND GOV. PETE RICKETTS

JULIA HEBENSTREIT, LT. DENISE RIEDER, CHAPLAIN JEFF KAISER, CAPTAIN COLENE HINCHEY AND CAPTAIN CHRIS CULLER WITH DEPUTY CHIEF MICHELE BANG

Mental health advocates, community leaders, elected officials, educators, and community members came together in record numbers to listen, learn, and support the work of The Kim Foundation. Former Congressman Patrick J. Kennedy, one of the world’s leading advocates and innovators on the prevention and treatment of mental illness, addiction, and other brain diseases, delivered a passionate and powerful keynote address about mental health, his service in Congress, landmark mental health legislation, and his personal journey through addiction.

Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts offered remarks and presented a signed proclamation designating October 16, 2018 as Strengthening Our Community’s Mental Health Day. The Kim Foundation recognized five area law enforcement officials with the “Spirit of Courage” Award. The National Anthem was sung by 11 year-old Winston Schneider.

When: October 16, 2018 Where: Embassy Suites La Vista

TOM AND JENNIFER PANSING

ANDY HOLLAND, CYNDY PEACOCK, WENDY TOWNLEY AND DEB LOVE

Why: It’s estimated that mental illness affects 1 in 5 adults in America. Ninety percent of people who die by suicide have an underlying mental health condition. On average, suicide takes a life every 13 minutes. Through “A Time for Hope and Healing”, The Kim Foundation brings the community together to educate, reduce stigma, and build awareness and support surrounding mental health and suicide prevention.

Special Guests: Patrick J. Kennedy, Gov. Pete Ricketts Sponsors: C&A Industries, Inc., Northwestern Mutual – Harrison Financial Services, Heider Family Foundation, Nebraska Medicine, Bryan Health, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, CHI Health, Omaha Public Schools Foundation, Schwarz & Associates LLC, SilverStone Group Caterer: Embassy Suites La Vista Attendance: Nearly 800

GARY SADLEMYER, MARY JANE TRUEMPER AND CONGRESSMAN DON BACON

FOUNDATION STAFF MEMBERS LORI ATKINSON, KAILEY KOCOUREK, JULIA HEBENSTREIT, JANAE SHILLITO

Mission: To serve as a supportive resource and compassionate voice for lives touched by mental illness and suicide.

For more information: Julia Hebenstreit 402-891-6997 | www.thekimfoundation.org

MARK WOLF, KATHY COURTNAGE, PATRICK KENNEDY, TIFFANI WOLF, VICKI WITKOVSKI, CRAIG WOLF AND LARRY COURTNAGE 44

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Photos courtesy of Nebraska Humane Society

RAIN OR Shine

Nebraska Humane Society

Margre Durham Walk for the Animals When: September 30, 2018 Where: Nebraska Humane Society, Omaha Why: This is the biggest dog friendly event in Omaha! It’s geared to harness the power of pet lovers to raise money to support homeless animals at the Nebraska Humane Society. Despite drizzling rain, enthusiasm was high. More than 800 people and 61 teams walked, ran the 5K, and raised money to support homeless animals at NHS. Little dogs showed up in slickers and parkas, while the big guys seemed to enjoy the cooler temperatures. Their humans took photos, bid on auction items, enjoyed beer and barbecue and visited with sponsors on the packed NHS meadow. We were pleasantly surprised at the turnout, but realized that our Walk participants are truly dedicated – Heck what’s a little rain?

Attendance: Nearly 4,000 guests attended the four-day event Amount Raised: More than $955,000 For more information: www.nehumanesociety.org | 402-444-7800

20 YEARS OF a national and regional powerhouse in meetings & events | planitomaha.com

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event galleries

Photos Photos courtesycourtesy of Ronald of Nebraska McDonaldHumane House Charities Society

STARS Shine

Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha, Inc. Wings and Wheels

DAVID SPENCE

BROCK NIELSON, RONALD MCDONALD AND MICHELLE SCHRAGE

ROBYN KORTAN, RONALD MCDONALD AND JONNA HOLLAND

HONORARY CO-CHAIRS DRS. HARRIS & JAN FRANKEL, DR. DAVID MERCER, AND DR. BRENDAN CONNEALY

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When: September 7, 2018 Where: Signature Flight Support, Omaha Why: At Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha, our families are the stars of the show. When they’re under the spotlight, we take on a supporting role, providing them with a home away from home.

For these fighters, there are no special effects, and no stunt doubles. Our House is a place where they can rest and refuel, as their children undergo extensive medical treatment. Thanks to our guests, our mission is anything but impossible.

Special Guests: Honorary Co-Chairs: Drs. Jan and Harris Frankel Sponsors: Title Sponsor: Nebraska Medicine, Premier Sponsor: The David Spence Cancer Foundation, VIP Sponsor: Option Care, Wings Sponsor: Hustad Companies, Inc., Wheels Sponsors: AOI, Baird Holm, Methodist Health System, Security National Bank; Media Sponsors: AM590 ESPN, CD105.9; Venue Sponsor: Signature Flight Support Attendance: 315 Amount Raised: $135,000 For more information: 402-346-9377 | www.rmhcomaha.org

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Photos courtesy of QLI and Debra S. Kaplan

BEST. FAIR.

Ever.

QLI An Evening at the Fair

HONORARY CHAIRS ROGER AND KAREN THOMPSON

DAWN AND TODD FELDMAN

KIM HOOGEVEEN

PATRICIA KEARNS AND RACHAEL JOHNSON

When: Friday, September 14, 2018 Where: Baxter Arena, Omaha Why: Every two years, QLI holds An Evening at the Fair to raise funds for their unique Life Path Services Program.

Special Guests: Honorary Chairs: Karen & Rodger Thompson, Event Chairs: Mindy & Barry Major, Sonia & Mike Spanheimer Sponsors: Purple Ribbon Sponsors: Lori & David Scott Foundation, KMTV, Scripps Radio. Blue Ribbon Sponsors: Fusion Medical, Kiewit, Community Pharmacy, Terri & Jack McDonnell, Pinnacle Bank, Security National, Vetter Senior Living, Scott Data Center, Valmont, Rotella’s Italian Bakery Caterer: Savor, Omaha Multimedia: Music by the Hector Anchondo Band, Special Appearance by the UNO Marching Band Attendance: 1,150 Amount Raised: $327,000 For more information: www.TeamQLI.com | 402-573-3700

Savor the experience Voted Best of Omaha eight Years in a Row

402.558.3202 cateringcreations.com 47

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Photos courtesy of CaSa for Douglas County

CASA’S 20!

CASA for Douglas County Unsung Heroes

PAST & PRESENT CASA BOARD MEMBERS

CASA STAFF

WENDY MOORE

EVENT HONOREES

When: September 13, 2018 Where: Kaneko, Omaha Why: The event celebrated 20 years of lifting up the lives and voices of children in foster care. CASA also honored seven individuals who embody the core values of the organization, and who have been instrumental in the growth and development of CASA over the last 20 years.

Special Guests: CASA Volunteers; 7 honorees including Judge Douglas F. Johnson (Separate Juvenile Court of Douglas County) and Nancy Wilson-Hintz (founding Executive Director of CASA for Douglas County); Executive Directors and representatives of various nonprofit organizations Caterer: A Catered Affair Multimedia: Dog & Pony Productions; AAA Rents & Event Services Attendance: 350 Amount Raised: $73,000 Mission: Training, empowering and inspiring volunteer advocates to improve the lives of abused and neglected children.

For more information: www.casaomaha.org | 402-932-5683 PARA DESCR : OPTIONAL PARAGRAPH DESCRIPTION: If you wish please add your post event press release information or paragraph styled description of the above information. (This is not a required field.) email: acayetano@casaomaha.org PAID INFO REQUEST: GUARANTEED HALF SUBMIT: SUBMIT ipaddress: 68.227.89.125

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Photos courtesy of Open Door Mission

HOPE FOR THE

Hungry

Open Door Mission Love Your Neighbor Gala

When: Thursday, September 27, 2018 Where: Embassy Suites Conference Center – La Vista Why: To share how God’s simple command to love your neighbor is not as hard as it may appear. We celebrated what God has been doing in the lives of hungry and homeless men, women, and children, and provided an opportunity for attendees to help continue that work.

Sponsors: Nebraska Spine & Pain Center (J. Brian Gill, MD), Vetter Foundation, PenFed Credit Union, Northwestern Mutual (Paul Ludacka, Wealth Management Advisor), Ag Processing Inc., Love Church, PITCH, Wolfe Electric, Pinnacle Bank, Conductix Wampfler Attendance: 800 Amount Raised: Over $230,000 For more information: 402-422-1111 | www.opendoormission.org

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Photos courtesy of Collective for Youth and Debra S. Kaplan

ENLightEND Collective for Youth Lights On Afterschool

When: Saturday, October 6, 2018 Where: UNO Sapp Field House

PAST & PRESENT CASA BOARD MEMBERS

CASA STAFF

Why: Lights On Afterschool is an annual event that takes place in hundreds of locations throughout the country. These events highlight the importance of high quality afterschool programs and the youth who attend them.

Special Guests: OPS Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Logan, Senator Don Bacon Attendance: 1500+ Mission: Collective for Youth’s mission is to advocate for, facilitate resources, and provide quality training for out of school time program providers. To accomplish this, we partner with more than 60 providers to oversee out of school time activities for over 7,000 elementaryand middle school-aged students in 30 Omaha Public Schools each year.

WENDY MOORE

SENATOR DON BACON

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For more information: 402-932-2025 | www.collectiveforyouth.org

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Photos courtesy of The Hope Center for Kids

20 YEARS OF

Hope

The Hope Center for Kids The Hope Gala: 20th Birthday Celebration

When: Friday, October 5, 2018 Where: CHI Health Center Omaha MIKE AND ROBBIE FRANK

JEANNE AND BRIAN CARNABY, BRENDA AND KYLAN BLOCK, DIANE BATTIATO, SUZIE STROHN, LARRY MILLER AND SHARON BARANOWSKI

Why: Milestones throughout Hope history were commemorated, as The Hope Center looked forward to the next 20 years. The 11th Annual Hope Gala highlighted the transformational work The Hope Center for Kids does in Omaha and Fremont and helps fund the nonprofit’s year-round programs that impact 3,000 children, youth and family members.

Special Guests: Honorary Chairs: Emily Lanphier, Annie Schenzel, Tyler Schenzel, and Turner Schenzel Attendance: 800 Amount Raised: $352,000 Mission: The Hope Center for Kids strives to faithfully inspire hope in the lives of youth and children through education, employability, collaboration and faith.

SEAN AND MEGHAN O’CONNELL

JUANITA, PASTOR EDWARD KING III AND PASTOR EDWARD KING JR. AND JERRY WEEKLY

For more information: 402-341-4673 or www.hopecenterforkids.com

Come see our renovated space!

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Employee Benefits Executive Benefits ▪ Wealth Management Business Succession and Estate Planning Financial Plaza, Suite 418 9140 West Dodge Road Omaha, NE 68114 402.397.5800 www.swartzbaugh.com Our Employees and Our National Alliances – They’re What Set Us Apart.

6450 Pine Street 402.778.6313 scottcenter.com

Securities and Investment Advisory Services offered through M Holdings 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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Photos Photoscourtesy courtesyofofnebraska autism action Humane Partnership Society

UNMasked Autism Action Partnership Vintage Affaire X: Unmasking Autism When: October 6, 2018 Where: Embassy Suites La Vista

MELANIE HECKER, CARLA OCHSNER & CINDY GAIL HANLEY WERNER-ROBERTSON, SCOTT ROBERTSON, C.L. WERNER AND RACHEL WERNER

Why: AAP’s Vintage Affaire Gala is an annual fundraising event that helps support programs for individuals with autism and their families across the state of Nebraska.

Special Guests: C.L. and Rachel Werner, Mogens and Cindy Bay, Hal and Mary Daub,Gail Werner-Robertson and Scott Robertson, Doug and Karen Keeler Event Planner: planitomaha Attendance: 225 Amount Raised: $400,000 Mission: To improve the quality of life of persons of the Autism Spectrum and their families through education, advocacy, and support, thereby enabling them to be an integral part of the community.

E

ZELJKA KORADE, GAIL WERNER-ROBERTSON, SCOTT ROBERTSON AND KAROLY MIRNICS

MASKED ATTENDEES

For more information: 402-763-8830 | www.autismaction.org

Taking Clean To The Next Level • Water Damage:

Everything from a major flood to backed up pipes.

• Mold Remediation Services:

Your indoor air quality and your respiratory health are at stake.

We’ll get you on your way back to normal and you’ll be extremely satisfied. Serving the Omaha area since 2004.

The sooner we get there, the better. Call Extremely Clean 24/7.

Extremely Clean | www.ExtremelyClean.Com | 402.932.3257 52

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Photos courtesy of Rejuvenating Women

TAKING Flight Rejuvenating Women 4th Annual Restored Wings “Home” Banquet

When: Thursday, September 13, 2018 Where: Embassy Suites Hotel & Conference Center La Vista

MIKE AND ROBBIE FRANK

ALLIE KNOUSE, ATTORNEY GENERAL DOUG PETERSON AND OMAHA MAYOR JEAN STOTHERT

Why: Raising funds to provide hope and restoration to victims and survivors of human trafficking Special Guests: Governor Pete Ricketts, Attorney General Doug Peterson, Assistant Attorney General Glenn Parks, Dr. Joe & Mayor Jean Stothert, Senator Bruce & Jan Bostelman, Master of Ceremonies Julie Cornell, Honorary Chairs Sid & Dawn Dinsdale, Keynote Speaker Jerome Elam Attendance: 600 Amount Raised: $101,000 Mission: “Providing hope and restoration to victims and survivors of human trafficking.”

About: Rejuvenating Women’s Vision: Empowerment of all survivors of human trafficking to lead healthy, independent lives.

JULIE SHRADER WITH SID AND DAWN DINSDALE

KEYNOTE SPEAKER JEROME ELAM, ALLIE KNOUSE, JULIE SHRADER AND GOVERNOR PETE RICKETTS

For more information: (800) 402-0601 | www.rejuvenatingwomen.com

Find Your Angle with WE CHANGE THE WAY PEOPLE MOVE. ONE ROTATION AT A TIME. AllCore360’s no impact, isometric, balanced, and coordinated technique will change the way you move — regardless of athleticism or ability — one rotation at a time.

Try AllCore360! today at Legacy Pilates Yoga & More in The Shops of Legacy Visit us at allcore360.com or call 402-250-2144

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Photos courtesy of KaneKO

WIDE Open

KANEKO

Open Space Soirée Special Guests: Rmax Goodwin Sponsors: Presented by Premier Bank; Carey & Brian Hamilton, Beardmore Subaru; Lund-Ross Construction; HDR, Inc. Candy & Tom Henning; Heritage Services; Jim & Karen Linder, Lindseed Capital, LLC; Mammel Family Foundation; Zach Rawling; Polina & Bob Schlott; Mogens & Cindy Bay, Valmont Industries; Mary Lou & Mark Brasee, Fraser Stryker PC, LLC; Fred Hunzeker; Lockwood Development; Project Advocates; Silverstone Group; Streck, Inc.; Union Bank & Trust; Tom & Lisa Smith; Ellerbrock-Norris Insurance; Brian & Patty Bassett; Monica Bosiljevac & Patrick Morris; Tim & Marcia Kerrigan; Cassie & Taylor Kohl; Marc & Kathy LeBaron; Mike & Susan Lebens; Owen Industries; Cobalt Credit Union; Charles and Lynn Schusterman Foundation; Mary Fugle & John Brandstetter; Bulu; Anne & James Constantino; Harrison Financial Services; Home Instead Senior Care; Jackson Dinsdale Endowment - Hastings College; Lynette & Paul Krieger; Stephanie & Jack Koraleski; Jay Rich & Doug Boyd; Security National Bank; Shirley & Michael Sorrell; Monte & Duane Thompson; Zaiss & Company

Caterer: Catering Creations Multimedia: United Attendance: 479 For more information: info@thekaneko.org 402.341.3800 thekaneko.org

event galleries

Photos courtesy of assistance League Of Omaha

SEASON OF

Caring

Assistance League Of Omaha Christmas Caravan and Gala

When: November 7-8, 2018

CARING HANDS AWARD RECIPIENT LELAND OLSON

CRYSTAL BELL AWARD RECIPIENT MIKE LENZ

Where: Within the Omaha community and Champion’s Run Club House Why: To raise funds to support the philanthropic programs Event Planner: Cheryl Shetlar, Caravan Chairman Attendance: 300 Mission: Assistance League volunteers transforming the lives of children and adults through community programs.

For more information: 402-496-1846 | alomaha.org 3569 Leavenworth St. • Omaha, NE 68105

PRESIDENT-ELECT LINDA PRIMM AND PRESIDENT SARA LORENTZEN 54

To volunteer or to donate contact: The Assistance League Office • (402) 342-4288

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Photos courtesy of Immigrant Legal Center and Debra S. Kaplan

RECORD Tour!

Immigrant Legal Center 2018 Food Truck World Tour

When: Wednesday, September 26, 2018 Where: Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology (CAET) building at Metro Community College’s Fort Omaha MIKE AND ROBBIE FRANK

CRAIG AND DENISE POWELL WITH EMILY AND CRAIG MOODY

Why: To help provide free immigration legal services to vulnerable immigrants.

Special Guests: NA Sponsors: Thanks to our World Traveler sponsors including Susan & Mike Lebens, Annette & Paul Smith, Betiana & Todd Simon/Omaha Steaks and Polina & Bob Schlott/Warren Distribution.

The food trucks: MARIA Bonita Mexican Cuisine, Chaima African Cuisine, Dante Pizzeria Napoletana, El Arepon Venezuela Food, and Omaha Steaks.

Event Planner: Vic Gutman & Associates Attendance: 510 Amount Raised: $200,000

ANNETTE AND PAUL SMITH

TODD AND BETIANA SIMON WITH SHANNON AND EMILIANO LERDA Photos courtesy of Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation

For more information: Dawn Bashara, 402-898-1349

HEARTLAND

Champs!

Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation Night of Champions Gala

DR. RENEE YOUNG RECEIVING MEDICAL CHAMPION AWARD

NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE

COMMUNITY CHAMPION JIM EWOLDT WITH DAUGHTER KAELA THOMPSON

EMCEE ROB MCCARTNEY OF KETV AND WIFE SHERRY 55

When: Saturday, October 13, 2018 Where: Omaha Marriott Downtown at Capitol District Why: This special evening honors professionals and volunteers in our community while raising critical funds for the Foundation’s mission: To cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis and improve the quality of life of children and adults living with these diseases.

Sponsors: McNeil Company, Kiewit, Midwest Gastrointestinal Associates, Owen Industries, Carson Wealth, AbbVie, Gunderson’s, RG & Associates, Lutz Financial, Davis Erection, Whiting-Turner, Janssen, Takeda and HyVee. Event Planner: Deb Zandt & Committee Attendance: 350 Amount Raised: $210,000 Mission: To cure Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these diseases.

For more information: 402-505-9901 http://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org/chapters/iowanebraska/

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Photos Photos courtesycourtesy of nebraska of TheHumane Salvation Society army

BEGINNING

Bellringers

The Salvation Army Tree of Lights Kickoff When: November 8, 2018 Where: American National Bank Why: The kickoff signals the start of the Red Kettle Drive SANTA HAS A CHRISTMAS DANCE WITH A YOUNG MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE

MARK KRZEMEIN WITH MAJORS LEE ANN AND GREG THOMPSON AND JANE THORSON

Special Guests: Kirk Kellner, Tree of Lights Chair and Region President Wells Fargo; John Koutoc, Executive Chair, American National Bank; Santa & Mrs. Claus Sponsors: American National Bank, Brite Ideas Decorating; the law firm of Baylor and Evnen; Ironworkers Local 21; City of Omaha Caterer: Paradise Bakery & Cafe; Chick-fil-A Multimedia: AV Concepts Attendance: 300 Mission: The Salvation Army’s mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination

SALVATION ARMY TREE OF LIGHTS

event galleries

SALVATION ARMY DIVISIONAL SECRETARY, MAJOR JEFF STRICKLER, STUDIES HIS NOTES PRIOR TO EVENT

Photos courtesy of nebraska Children and Families Foundation

For more information: 402-898-7700 | www.salarmyomaha.org

GOOD DAY FOR

Children

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Changemakers

EMCEE JEREMY MASKEL

FIRST LADY SUSANNE SHORE

October 23 was a day of laughter, empathy, and inspiration as nearly 500 people gathered at the Embassy Suites in La Vista to reflect on the progress made in the past year for vulnerable children and families in Nebraska.

Returning emcee Jeremy Maskel and Nebraska Children’s President and CEO Mary Jo Pankoke were among the dignitaries present, which included keynote speaker Ashley Rhodes-Courter, who delivered a powerful message full of grace and humor: “Imagine how my story might have been different if my mother had been given even a fraction of the support and resources that were given to my abusive foster parents.”

She highlighted the need for preventive care and for people to stand up and step in before it’s too late.

Nebraska’s First Lady Susanne Shore also took the stage.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION JIM EWOLDT MARY JO PANKOKE, SENATOR BOB KERREY, JESSIE RASMUSSEN AND SARA WOODS WITH DAUGHTER KAELA THOMPSON 56

To all who attended this amazing event, we say THANK YOU for helping us celebrate positive change for children and families!

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Photos courtesy of Outlook nebraska

SHARING

“In•Sight” Outlook Nebraska Vision Beyond Sight Banquet

BIG TEN NETWORK ANALYST VERA JONES

JAMES HARVEY RECEIVES HIS AWARD FROM CEO ERIC STUECKRATH AND BOARD CHAIR MIKE ANDERSON

BRIAN GRAMS RECEIVES HIS AWARD FROM CEO ERIC STUECKRATH AND BOARD CHAIR MIKE ANDERSON

DESSERT-IN-THE-DARK Photos courtesy of Omaha Outward Bound School

When: November 2, 2018 Where: Embassy Suites La Vista Conference Center Why: The annual program and dinner is Outlook Nebraska’s largest fundraising event of the year. The program recognizes Outlook’s Peter J. Salmon Award Nominee and the nonprofit’s Associates of the Year. The event’s proceeds benefit Outlook’s enrichment programs.

Special Guests: Vera Jones, keynote speaker; Peter J. Salmon Award Nominee and Outlook Associate of the Year Brian Grams; Outlook Associate of the Year James Harvey Event Planner: planitomaha Attendance: 400 Amount Raised: $52,000 for Outlook’s enrichment programs with $19,000 coming through the direct appeal for technology training Mission: Outlook Nebraska’s mission is to positively impact everyone who is blind or visually impaired, For more information: 402.614.3331 | outlookne.org

HIGHER

Education

Omaha Outward Bound School 8th Annual Climb Higher Event When: October 18, 2018 Where: Metropolitan Community College’s Center for Advanced and Emerging Technology DAVID AND LORI SCOTT

HONORARY CHAIR SHARON MARVIN GRIFFIN, CONRAD ANKER, AND EVENT CHAIR MELISSA MARVIN

Why: The goal of the Omaha Outward Bound School is to cultivate untapped potential in students who may be overlooked in a traditional educational setting. Those attending the 8th Annual Climb Higher Event made life-changing experiences affordable to Omaha’s most underserved student population.

Special Guests: Keynote Speaker: Conrad Anker Caterer: Abraham Catering Multimedia: Dog & Pony Productions Inc./AAA Rents & Event Services Attendance: 700 Amount Raised: Over $195,000 Mission: To change lives through challenge & discovery.

DENISE AND SCOTT HAZELRIGG, ANDE BILYEU, CONRAD ANKER AND STEPHANIE ADAIR

MOGENS AND CINDY BAY WITH BILL AND DEANNE FAIRFIELD 57

For more information: (402) 614-6360 | www.outwardboundomaha.org

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community CALENDAR

save the date Learn more details about any of these events by searching our extensive Community Calendar at mMAGAZINE’s website: http://www.SpiritofOmaha.com/Metro-Magazine/Community/Calendar/

CONNECT with over 100 nonprofits and learn more about their mission and how you can help!

Order your copy of The Giving Guide & Event Book 2018 today at mMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com.

featured

VENTS

Complete information for the following events is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com CALENDAR PAGE or each organization’s website.

December 8 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM

2018 NEBrASkA JINGLE BELL ruN Arthritis Foundation Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, Ashland Be part of the longest-running, holiday-themed 5 and 10K race series anywhere – and fight with us to conquer arthritis! The Arthritis Foundation’s original Jingle Bell Run is a fun way to get decked out and be festive, while racing to raise funds and awareness to cure America’s #1 cause of disability. Put on your favorite holiday costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. ’Tis the season to live it up and be jolly for a reason! Bring a team of friends, family and co-workers to run or walk, spread smiles and good cheer … and be a Champion of Yes! 100 percent of your registration fee and fundraising efforts go to this great cause. $15 to $40 | 402-262-0144 | www.jbr.org/nebraska

December 8 5:00 AM - 9:00 AM

JOSLyN CASTLE uNLOCkED Joslyn Castle

editor’s NOTE:

Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street, Omaha Come experience Joslyn Castle Unlocked! A limited number of guests will get to go behind the scenes of the Castle – including touring all of the floors (including the basement)! In addition, personal items and furnishings of George and Sarah Joslyn will be on display. Curious about how they decorated and what rooms were when they lived in the home? Not to worry, there will be historic photos and architectural drawings on display as well. Cap off this lovely evening with a delicious dinner and drinks from a cash bar. Doors will open at 5 p.m. The evening begins at 6 p.m. and should wrap up by 9 p.m.

We have never opened the Castle like this for the public before. This is your chance to see Joslyn Castle Unlocked! This extra special Joslyn Castle Unlocked features the Castle in it's Christmas finery. Guests will be dazzled with the holiday decor, while enjoying carolers and Christmas treats in addition to our Unlocked displays. $85 | 402-595-2199 | www.joslyncastle.com

Please make note of this information received from the Omaha Home for Boys: “In the Finding the Light article published in the August 2018 issue of metroMAGAZINE the Omaha Home for Boys’ Marketing Department approved this article without verifying that a formal interview took place. It is not the Home’s best practice to ever publish an article without an interview and approval from the person. The article contained inaccuracies and was misleading. The Omaha Home for Boys sincerely apologizes and is regretful that proper steps were not followed prior to the article’s publication. Due to this error the Home has rewritten procedures related to interviews, publications and pictures to ensure all proper authorizations and reviews of the information are conducted. Again, the Home sincerely apologizes for any negative feelings related to the publication of this article and is committed to following procedures that will ensure accurate reporting and professionalism to all parties involved.”

December 20 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

LuNCh fOr ThE GIrLS, fEATurING DONNA BrAZILE AND SyMONE SANDErS CHI Health Center Omaha CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N. 10th Street, Omaha Donna Brazile, veteran political strategist, syndicated columnist, television political commentator, and author of the new book For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Politics, will be the featured guest at Girls Inc.’s eighteenth annual Lunch for the Girls, held on Thursday, December 20 at the CHI Health Center Omaha. Sharing the stage with Brazile will be political strategist and CNN commentator Symone Sanders. Sanders is an Omaha native and is an alumna of the local Girls Inc. program.

Reservations for Lunch for the Girls are available now and all proceeds will support the educational, cultural and recreational opportunities for girls ages 5-18 at Girls Incorporated of Omaha, a non-profit organization that inspires girls to be Strong, Smart, and Bold. $100-200 | 402-457-4676 girlsincomaha.org/events/lunch-for-the-girls/

~ Omaha Home for Boys

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featured

LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GIVING GUIDE 2018!

february 8

VENTS

“IT’S A

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

hEArTLAND fAMILy SErvICE CArNIvAL Of LOvE GALA Heartland Family Service

MOST

Hilton Omaha | 1001 Cass Street, Omaha Join Heartland Family Service (HFS) and the HFS Friends Guild at the 2019 Carnival of Love Gala! This year's event celebrates Peace, Love, and Understanding. Your support makes a tremendous difference in the lives of thousands of children and families in our area. Please consider rocking your favorite pair of groovy bell bottoms, and join us for an evening that has a lasting impact in our community!

Tickets: $150 each, Table of 10: $1,500 | 402-552-7424 | HearlandFamilyService.org

ROMANTIC STORY”

february 8 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM

THE ELIXIR OF LOVE

MArIANfEST 2018: ThE BIG ShINDIG Omaha Marian High School

(L’ELISIR D’AMORE)

Omaha Marriott Downtown | 222 N 10th Street, Omaha Join us for our 37th annual MarianFEST: The Big shinDIG where we'll celebrate constructing the next generation of leaders. Report to our new work site – the Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District – and enjoy an evening of socializing and mobile bidding to help fund scholarships, need-based financial aid and Marian's operating budget. We have loads of silent and live auction packages that are under construction already. $150 per person | www.marianhighschool.net/

Donize FEBRUARY 15 & 17, 2019 | ORPHEUM THEATER OPERAOMAHA.ORG | 402.346.7372 | TICKETOMAHA.COM | 402.345.0606

March 30 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

ThE GAThErING - CuES SChOOL SySTEM CUES CHI Health Center Omaha | 455 N 10th Street, Omaha The 39th Annual Gathering fundraiser, benefits all three CUES-supported schools: Sacred Heart, All Saints, and Holy Name.

Please join us on March 30, 2019 at the CHI Health Center at 5:30 P.M. Cost $125 per person. Corporate sponsorship available. $125 per person

April 10 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

NOV. 18 IOWA WESTERN ARTS CENTER

COMpLETELy kIDS AuThOr LuNChEON Completely KIDS Hilton Omaha | 1001 Cass Street, Omaha The Completely KIDS Author Luncheon has been one of our main fundraisers for 16 years. Its purpose is to shine a spotlight on issues impacting kids and families, aligning directly with our mission, while giving back to the greater community through topics that are timely and relevant. The 2019 author will be announced soon!

Past authors include Dr. Michele Borba, Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, Dr. Robyn Silverman, Rosalind Wiseman, Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, Dr. Michael Osit and more. Proceeds from the event help kids and families living in poverty in Omaha by empowering them with skills to create a safe, healthy, successful and connected community.

Patron, $100; Individual, $75 | 402-397-5809 completelykids.org

DEC. 8 & 9 ORPHEUM

amballet.org Premier Benefactor:

Season Sponsor:

Fred and Eve Simon Charitable Foundation 59

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Major Support: Cindy & Scott Heider

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community CALENDAR

Learn more details about any of these events by searching our extensive Community Calendar at mMAGAZINE’s website: http://www.SpiritofOmaha.com/Metro-Magazine/Community/Calendar/

April 26 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM

GuNS N hOSES BOxING ChALLENGE First Responders Foundation Baxter Arena | 2425 S 67th Street, Omaha It's red vs. blue, police vs. fire: who will take home the gold? Guns N Hoses is Omaha's most exciting sporting event where police officers and firefighters duke it out in the ring and brawl for it all.

This high-energy, entertaining event returns to Baxter Arena on Friday, April 26, 2019 and there will be blood, sweat, and cheers.

And by joining in on the fun, you're a hero to our men and women on the front lines as all proceeds are donated back to support first responder programs and public safety. It's why thousands flock to the arena every year, and it's why the fighters fight!

TBD | 402-917-6452 | gunsnhosesomaha.com/

May 10 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM

BrOwNELL TALBOT GALA Brownell Talbot School Brownell Talbot School | 400 N Happy Hollow Blvd, Omaha Gala is Brownell Talbot's premier fundraising event, which supports our students, faculty, and school throughout the year.

BT's campus will be transformed into a beautiful space for a night of cocktails, dinner, and silent and live auctions. Members and friends of the BT community are invited to attend this event. 2019 Honorary Chair: Susan Dennis 2019 Co-Chairs: Chloe & Dan Firestone and Valerie & Casey Garrigan $150 | 402-556-3772 brownell.edu

May 16 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM

pINOT, pIGS & pOETS Completely KIDS Pinot, Pigs & Poets will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2019! The event will include attendee favorites of fine pinot noir wines and delectable pork dishes, as well as slam poetry by the Nebraska Writers Collective. Pinot, Pigs & Poets is a collaborative effort with the Nebraska Pork Producers Association. Pinot, Pigs & Poets was founded in 2010 as an effort to combat childhood hunger by directly benefiting the Completely KIDS℠ weekend and after-school food programs.

Patron, $300; Individual, $150 402-397-5809 | pinotandpigs.org

September 8 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

fIGhT fOr AIr COrpOrATE Cup American Lung Association Aksarben Village Registration opens March 1st for the 39th Annual Fight For Air Corporate Cup! This one-of-a-kind run/walk is a cornerstone Omaha running event and one of the oldest running events in Omaha. Beginner or seasoned runner, this event is a great way to challenge yourself physically while raising money to help people affected by forms of lung disease. We guarantee finishers will have a newfound respect for healthy lungs! This year, you can help us reach our goal of raising $350,000 to support research and lung health programs right here in Nebraska. $25-65 60

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Connect@SpiritofOmaha.com

recruit us TO MAKE YOUR walk/run ONE OF OUR

M.A.D. 25 EVENTS Sundays through December 23

DON’T MISS

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | 6:30 PM

these:

A ChrISTMAS CArOL The Omaha Community Playhouse The Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street, Omaha www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/

December 7 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Through December 24

frANNET yEAr-END CELEBrATION & fuNDrAISEr Chariots4Hope

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

hOLIDAy pOINSETTIA ShOw Lauritzen Gardens

Hot Shops Art Center | 1301 Nicholas Street, Omaha Free | 402-415-3651 | www.frannet.com/microsites/bmartin/?fnLT=Direct&fnLS=frannet.com&fnLC=

Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha $5-10, free for garden members and children under 6 | 402-346-4002 www.lauritzengardens.org

January 1 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Saturdays through December 22

LIfE TIME COMMITMENT DAy 5k Life Time Omaha

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

hOLIDAy LIGhTS fESTIvAL - SOuNDS Of ThE SEASON Holiday Lights Festival

Life Time Omaha | 17007 Elm St. , Omaha | www.commitmentday.com/

bravo!

Gene Leahy Mall and the Old Market Free | 402-345-5401 | www.holidaylightsfestival.org

SUPPORTING THE ARTS

Saturdays through December 22 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM

hOLIDAy CONCErT SErIES The Durham Museum

Through January 27 OMAhA IN ThE ANThrOpOCENE The Durham Museum

The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha Regular museum admission applies; free for museum members | 402-444-5071 durhammuseum.org/

The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha Adults: $11 Seniors (62+): $8 Children: (age-based) 402-444-5071 | durhammuseum.org/

Sundays through December 23 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Through January 27 fIGhTING fOr ThE GOOD LIfE: NEBrASkANS MEMOrIES Of wOrLD wAr I The Durham Museum The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha Adults: $11 Seniors (62+): $8 Children: (age-based) 402-444-5071 | durhammuseum.org/

hOLIDAy CONCErT SErIES The Durham Museum The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha Regular museum admission applies; free for museum members | 402-444-5071 durhammuseum.org/

December 1 - December 2

Through January 6

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

ThOMAS D. MANGELSEN: A LIfE IN ThE wILD The Durham Museum

phySICIANS MuTuAL & wOwT hOLIDAy MArkET Physicians Mutual

The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha Adults: $11 Seniors (62+): $8 Children: (age-based) 402-444-5071 | durhammuseum.org/

Aksarben Village | 67th & Center, Omaha FREE | www.physiciansmutual.com

Through January 6

2:00 PM - 6:00 PM

December 1

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

SMALL Guy prOMOTIONS hOLIDAy fAIr Small Guy Promotions, LLC

GAME ON: ThE hISTOry AND SCIENCE Of GAMING Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum | 28210 West Park Highway, Ashland Free with museum admission

Hope Skate | 2200 N 20th Street, Omaha Free admission | 402-630-9371 www.smallguypromo.com/small-guy-promotions-holiday-fair-3/

Through December 23

December 1

7:00 PM - 9:00 PM | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

A ChrISTMAS CArOL The Omaha Community Playhouse

SANTA GOES TO SpACE Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum

The Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street, Omaha www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum | 28210 West Park Highway, Ashland $12/adult, $6/child | 402-944-3100 | sacmuseum.org/ 61

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ContinueD

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the information in this section appears as supplied to us by the organizations presented. alH publications, inc. accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or integrity of any of the information provided. please double-check for updated details with event organizers.

community CALENDAR

learn more details about any of these events by searching our extensive community calendar at mmaGaZine’s website: http://www.Spiritofomaha.com/metro-magazine/community/calendar/

save the date

connect with over 100 nonprofits and learn more about their mission and how you can help! order your copy of the Giving Guide & event Book 2018 today at mmaGaZine’s Spiritofomaha.com.

December 1

December 26 - December 31

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Santa GoeS to Space Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum

HoliDay poinSettia SHow Lauritzen Gardens

Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum | 28210 West Park Highway, Ashland Free with museum admission | https://sacmuseum.org/event/santa-goes-to-space/

Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha $5-10, free for garden members and children under 6 | 402-346-4002 | www.lauritzengardens.org

December 2 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

December 31

HoliDay liGHtS FeStival - Ketv Family FeStival Downtown Omaha

7:00 PM

HoliDay liGHtS FeStival - new year’S eve FireworKS Spectacular Downtown Omaha - Gene Leahy Mall

Downtown Omaha Free | 402-345-5401 | www.holidaylightsfestival.org

Downtown Omaha - Gene Leahy Mall | 14 & Farnam, Omaha Free | 402-345-5401 | www.holidaylightsfestival.org

December 4 - December 18

December 31

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

HoliDay concert SerieS The Durham Museum

noon year'S eve The Durham Museum

The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha Regular museum admission applies; free for museum members | 402-444-5071 durhammuseum.org/

The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha Regular museum admission applies; free for museum members | 402-444-5071 durhammuseum.org/

December 4 - December 18

January 2 - January 6

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Family niGHtS witH Santa The Durham Museum

HoliDay poinSettia SHow Lauritzen Gardens

The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha Regular museum admission applies; free for museum members | 402-444-5071 durhammuseum.org/

Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha $5-10, free for garden members and children under 6 | 402-346-4002 www.lauritzengardens.org

December 5 - December 9

January 9

3:00 PM - 11:00 PM

6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

curlinG worlD cup

werner outlanD tropHy awarD Dinner Greater Omaha Sports Committee

Ralston Arena | 7300 Q Street, Ralston $5-25

Doubletree Hotel Downtown | 1616 Dodge Street, Omaha Sponsor levels, Tables, and Tickets | 402-346-8003 | www.showofficeonline.com

December 8 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM

January 18 - February 10

3rD annual Hometown cHriStmaS Downtown Ashland

7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

tHe curiouS inciDent oF tHe DoG in tHe niGHt-time The Omaha Community Playhouse

Downtown Ashland FREE

The Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street, Omaha www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/

December 8 - December 9 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

January 20 - February 10

HoliDay HappeninG anD a viSit From Santa Lauritzen Gardens

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

tHe curiouS inciDent oF tHe DoG in tHe niGHt-time The Omaha Community Playhouse

Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street, Omaha $5-10, free for garden members and children under 6. $3 activity fee | 402-346-4002 | www.lauritzengardens.org

The Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street, Omaha www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/

December 15

February 7 - February 10

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

2018 city oF omaHa carol concert Nebraska Brass Band

omaHa Home & GarDen expo Mid-America Expo

KROC Center | 2825 Y Street, Omaha Free Tickets & $10 VIP Tickets | 402-704-6322 | www.nebraskabrassband.com/tickets

CHI Health Center Omaha | 1616 Dodge Street, Omaha Cost varies | 402-676-0802 | www.showofficeonline.com 62

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SCOuT MErIT BADGE: TExTILES The Durham Museum

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february 17 - March 17 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Of MICE AND MEN The Omaha Community Playhouse The Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street, Omaha www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/

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february 23 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

SCOuT MErIT BADGE: INDIAN LOrE The Durham Museum

The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha $13/members, $15/non-member, and $5/chaperone | 402444-5071 durhammuseum.org/

february 23 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

SCOuT MErIT BADGE: COIN COLLECTING The Durham Museum The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha $8/members and $10/nonmembers ($5 per chaperone) | 402-444-5071 durhammuseum.org/

february 27 - March 28

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TrIuMph Of AG - fArM & rANCh MAChINEry ShOw Mid-America Expo CHI Health Center Omaha | 10th and Capitol Ave, Omaha Free Admission | 402-346-8003 | www.omahafarmandranch.com

March 1 - March 24 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

ThE BrIDGES Of MADISON COuNTy The Omaha Community Playhouse The Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street, Omaha www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/

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March 2 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

NIGhT Of NOSTALGIA Nebraska Brass Band St. Thomas Lutheran Church | 17007 Q Street, Omaha $10 | 402-704-6322 | www.nebraskabrassband.com/tickets

GO TO: WWW.SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

Click the subscribe link just under the METRO MAGAZINE tab at SpiritofOmaha.com and select NEW SUBSCRIPTION Or mail your check for $39.95 to: ALH Publications, INC. / PO Box 241611/ Omaha,ContinueD NE 68124 63 magazine • DeCemBeR 2018 m

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Dylan is happy, safe, and adores his human. His holidays will be bright thanks March 16 who care.

SCOuT MErIT BADGE: rAILrOADING to people like you, May 31 - June 2 www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Durham Museum The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th ST, Omaha $8/member, $10/non-member, and $5/chaperone. Troop leaders are admitted at no | 402-4445071 durhammuseum.org/

11:00 AM - 8:00 PM

TASTE Of OMAhA To our staff, volunteers, donors and adopters: Thank Mid-America Expo you for opening your hearts and homes to give April 6 - April 7 animals second chances. We are humbly grateful.

OMAhA SENIOr LIvING ExpO Heartland of America Park | 8th and Farnam, Omaha

10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Free Admission | 402-346-8003 | www.showofficeonline.com

Senior Living Expo UNO Baxter Arena | 67th and Center Aksarben Village, Omaha Cost varies – see web site for details. | 402-346-8003 | www.showofficeonline.com

May 31 - June 30

Happy Holidays!

7:30 PM - 10:00 PM

April 12 - May 5

rAGTIME

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM | 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

ONE MAN, TwO GuvNOrS The Omaha Community Playhouse

The Omaha Community Playhouse

The Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street, Omaha www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/

The Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street, Omaha www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/

April 20 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

June 2 - June 30

SCOuT MErIT BADGE: INDIAN LOrE The Durham Museum

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha $13/members, $15/non-member, and $5/chaperone | 402-444-5071 durhammuseum.org/

rAGTIME The Omaha Community Playhouse

April 20 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street, Omaha

SCOuT MErIT BADGE: COIN COLLECTING The Durham Museum

www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/

The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street, Omaha $8/members and $10/non-members ($5 per chaperone) | 402-444-5071 durhammuseum.org/

August 9 - August 10 5:00 PM - 11:00 PM

May 3 - May 26 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

NEBrASkA BALLOON & wINE fESTIvAL

MEN ON BOATS The Omaha Community Playhouse

Mid-America Expo

The Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street, Omaha www.omahaplayhouse.com/tickets/

Leo Royal Park in Gretna | 204 and Cornhusker, Omaha Cost varies. | 402-346-8003 | www.showofficeonline.com

May 5 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

August 18

2019 OMAhA fESTIvAL Of MuSIC Nebraska Brass Band

8:00 AM - 6:00 PM

St. Andrew's United Methodist Church | 15050 W Maple Road, Omaha Free Tickets & $10 VIP Tickets | 402-704-6322 | www.nebraskabrassband.com/tickets

COrpOrATE CyCLING ChALLENGE

May 5 - May 26

Greater Omaha Sports Committee

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Men on Boats

Heartland of America Park | 8th and Farnam Street, Omaha

ThE OMAhA COMMuNITy pLAyhOuSE The Omaha Community Playhouse | 6915 Cass Street, Omaha

Regsitration varies | 402-346-8003 | www.corporatecycling.com 64

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