metroMAGAZINE's December 2013 Issue by metroMAGAZINE

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E AK N S EP TIO KE DI L E IA VII C E X SP N C S E BE UD RL A C S IN KA

happy holidays

Celebrating Commitment to the Community

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SpiritofOmaha.com

• dec 2013

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features / DepartMents

metroMAGAZINE • The Spirit of Omaha

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features

events

businesses Making a difference

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BREAKING BEAUTIFUL

the metroSCENE

departments

ºbrix

metrospirit v

destination: Metro

DEB BROCKMANN getting what you want is easy

13 “MAIN STREET” REVISITED

maha greater o to t r o p s s your pa

village point • shadow lake towne center

MARY E. VANDENACK ‘tis the season for...

MULBERRY LANE have yourself a simple little christmas

pet & animal enthusiast • DeC

23 TOP holiday gi ideas 18

ak-sar-ben CXVII keepsake

insert

SAVE THE DATE

120 YEARS nebraska children’s home society

outtakes:

SPECIAL EDITION

ak-sar-ben coronation ball 2013 32 page special keepsake memories

DANCE FEVER dancing with the omaha stars

MAGIC! opera omaha gala

SHOOTING THE COVER WITH ©LAURIE AN D CHARLES

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metroMagazine • DeC 2013

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DeCeMber 2013 • VoL. 25 no. 12 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

Contributors

andrea L. hoig

Deb brockmann bree brouwer kyle eustice Daniel Flanigan roger humphries Cheril Lee Mary Vandenack Mulberry Lane kara schweiss

Editor/Creative Director

robert p. killmer

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

402.932.3522 sales@spiritofomaha.com MISSION STATEMENT the mission of aLh publications is to recognize the ongoing efforts of omaha-area businesses, organizations and individuals to better the community through their support of charitable and civic causes. aLh publications also encourages people’s desire to give something back to the community through volunteerism and philanthropy. Contents of this magazine are copyrighted by aLh publications, inc. in their entirety. no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 1990 – 2013 aLh publications, inc. all rights reserved.

• ramada Plaza omaha • Johnny's • Adam Michael Jewelry italian steakhouse • regency Court • The Blue Barn Theater • K*9 lives rescue • The Bookworm • rock Bottom Boutique & Gifts Brewery & restaurant • BorsheiMs anDrea L. hoig • la Casa Pizzaria Fine Jewelry & Gifts • roots and wings ahoig@spiritofomaha.com • lewis Art Gallery • Bright spirit Center • sAC Federal Credit union • liberty Tavern • Brix • sCulPT: Contemporary Cosmetic surgery • BunGAlow/8 • The linen Gallery • she•la • Candy wrappers • Malashock's • Christian nobel Furs • shucks Fish house • The Market Basket & oyster Bar • CrAVe • nebraska humane society • spirit world • Creative hair Design • nothing Bundt Cakes salon & spa • springfield Artworks • omaha pBallroom u b L i C a t i o n s • Dante • statement • omaha • The Durham Museum • studioviews Children's Museum • Dundee Gallery • Taste restaurant omahafeelCommunity There is a sense of excitement that •I always as we transition from Winter to Spring, • elisa ilana Jewelry a “knowingness” that the process of rebirth and rejuvenation is about to begin. Playhouse • T'eezAs -we move into this new renewed state often times it means it is time to let go: let go of behaviors and • embassy omaha Thomas sena salon habits thatsuites no longer serve us, relationships are holding us back. NothingAstays the same, • omahathatCreative institute la Vista and though change can be scary, with change comes an empty canvas for•usV toMertz paint the next restaurant • omaha Performing Arts part of our journey on – an opportunity to explore new ideas. • Five salon • Village Canvas & Cabernet • one Drake Place • Fontenelle I believe thatForest letting go is a natural process of life – a process that must take place in order for salon & spa • Village usnature to growCenter and evolve. I encourage others to look at where each may be feeling stuck.needleworks Sometimes a simple declaration to •beopera “unstuck” gets the process of becoming more freeDental in omaha • Vondrak • Fox hollow motion, and Coffee a simple shift in our mindset allows the flood gates to open. • Pandora • wheatfields • Greenbelly restaurant With the weeks leading up to March 21st, the first day of Spring, it’s my plan to embrace with • Pasta • hotel Deco XVthe change and rebirth love and grace that isAmore now taking place in my life...• eatery there is a&lotBakery of it... the journey continues! • Personal Threads Boutique • Zin room • Jaipur restaurant • Zurlo's Bistro italiano • The• aug Post & nickel & Brewing Company 2013 metroMagazine 7

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businesses making a difference

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STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIGHT ILLUSIONS

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metromagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

DAN MATUSZEK FOUNDER, PRESIDENT AND CEO

when you walk into a brix for the first time, you immediately wonder: is it a retail store? is it a bistro? or is it an event centre? the name of his venture and company logo was inspired by a unit of measurement (degrees brix, symbolically °Bx—the soluble sugar level in a liquid) used in the winemaking industry.

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BRIX

businesses making a difference

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BrIx IS a WINE aND SPIrITS ExPErIENCE, ExPlaINS DaN MaTUSzEK, a ONE-Of-aKIND BlEND ThaT SlOWly MaTUrED IN ThE BaCK Of hIS MIND DUrING hIS MOrE ThaN TWO DECaDES IN ThE WINE INDUSTry.

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The name of his venture and company logo was even inspired by a unit of measurement (Degrees Brix, symbolically °Bx – the soluble sugar level in a liquid) used in the winemaking industry. It’s a wine and spirits experience, explains Dan Matuszek, a one-of-a-kind blend that slowly matured in the back of his mind during his more than two decades in the wine industry.

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“Brix is a three-pronged approach to wine and spirits retailing: a retail space, a gathering and event space, and a dining area,” the founder, president and CEO said. “It’s bistro meets retail environment, all under one roof in one room...It’s really the first of its kind in the United States.”

Taste of success Matuszek opened the first Brix at Village Pointe in 2010 followed by a second location at Midtown Crossing in January 2013, keeping the business “Omaha original” by partnering with area architects and contractors. “Especially in Omaha, ‘local’ matters more than in a lot of places around the country,” said the Wisconsin native, a self-described ‘adopted son of Omaha’ who relocated to Omaha more than 20 years ago with the E. & J. Gallo Winery and met his wife of ten years, Kerry, here. “When people say, ‘Why is Brix in Omaha, Nebraska?’ we always say, ‘Why not in Omaha, Nebraska?’We believe in Omaha and we believe in keeping the money here as much as we can and in supporting the community.” The Matuszeks also integrated local philanthropy into the business model from the beginning. “My wife and I feel that having a business just gives you a stronger and larger platform to do good things and to raise money in the community,” Matuszek said. “We have an enterprise that people are coming into every day. We can take a charity and basically monetize it, using our brand and partnering with our large supplier network that also supports charity events and philanthropy in general.”

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STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY LIGHT ILLUSIONS

Poured into philanthropy So not only is Brix unique as a business, it’s also cultivating a new vintage of fundraising events centered around wine (or spirits, beer or food) sampling for an admission fee. Brix provides the event space, the nonprofits or supporters recruit the volunteers and Brix’s retail and restaurant neighbors can participate as well.

lindsey rai Ehlers, executive director of the ronald McDonald house in Omaha, said her organization has regularly partnered with Brix for sampling events that have been invariably successful.

Nebraska Children’s home first collaborated with Brix two years ago when the venue for their established “homeGrown” fundraiser fell through only weeks before the event, said Ellie Steinbrink, director of client services for Ervin & Smith and a member of a Nebraska Children’s home Society volunteer board that focuses on engaging young professionals.

“It was a tongue-in-cheek juxtaposition of wine and fashion,” Jones said. “It’s quite a fashion show; we put a runway right inside of Brix and we have fun categories like ‘sweet and sassy,’ meaning sweet wine and sassy fashion. We actually walk onto the runway with bottles of wine and talk about them as if it were fashion.”

“Brix has been exceptionally generous...all we have to do is provide some volunteers and it’s not only a great opportunity for us to showcase their product, we showcase us, too,” she said. “We are thrilled to be “It ended up being such a great location,” Steinbrink said. partners with Brix in this capacity. Being an organization “Dan is so passionate about what he does and made that is located in Midtown, Brix is the perfect location for fabulous recommendations. he is meticulous about us because we’re in the neighborhood.” having just the right experience in everything from the store details to how the event goes at his location, and that really has made a huge difference in the success of A lasting finish Brix-hosted fundraisers not only are fun for the patrons, the event. We’re looking forward to partnering with him moving forward.” they’re great for volunteer recruitment, too, food Bank for the heartland Director of Development and Pr Brian “There’s a reason why Dan is successful,” Barks agreed. Barks said. and activities like “12 Days of Brixmas,” a “he’s a really smart guy and he’s not afraid to do series of December sampling events, have become an something different, and he wants to give back.” important revenue source for the organization.

The spring show promoted Village Pointe apparel, accessories and shoe merchants while raising money for a local charity. “We love being inside the Brix venue and every dime raised from the event goes to the Junior league to support their programs,” Jones said.

“What has become increasingly critical to food banking is how important the financial contributions have become. food banks are having to buy more and more food in order to meet demand, and that takes more revenue,” Barks explained.

“Threads and reds, Bright and Whites” is a good example of this type of collaboration, said Kim Jones, marketing director for Village Pointe.

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destination: “MAIN STREET”

STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOS COURTESY OF RED DEVELOPMENT

IN BYGONE DAYS, THE HEART OF COMMUNITY LIFE WAS THE TOWN SQUARE, CIVIC CENTER OR CITY PLAZA, A PUBLIC PLACE THAT – BY ANY NAME – PROVIDED A MARKETPLACE, EATERIES, ENTERTAINMENT, NUMEROUS SERVICES AND GATHERING SPACE. These “Main Street” marketplace and neighborhood gathering centers were integral to the survival and growth of communities and represented the best of what they had to offer their citizens. In today’s era of strip malls and urban sprawl, two dynamic shopping and lifestyle centers – Village Pointe near 168th and West Dodge Road and Shadow Lake Towne Center at Highway 370 and 72nd Street in Papillion – have brought back a little piece of the past to the Omaha metro area, albeit with contemporary architecture, in-demand retailers, outstanding dining options and a host of year-round events and activities. “It harkens back to the times when there was Main Street shopping and shared activities in the heart of the community,” says Kim Jones, marketing director for both properties, which are managed by RED Development. Village Pointe, soon to celebrate its ten-year anniversary and Shadow Lake Towne Center, now in its seventh year, aren’t just about destinations for great shopping, Jones says, “but also where our visitors can experience a sense of community.”

Sioux-City-based jeweler Gunderson’s Jewelers, Oliverdé (which also has stores in Boulder, Colorado, and Lincoln), and Midwestern-grown Chocolaterie Stam and Gordmans; to local businesses like Brix, Morning Noon and Night, Nebraska Brewing Company and Garbo’s Salon. The centers even share a few of the same retailers including Chico’s, LOFT, Bed Bath & Beyond, Old Navy, Pier 1 Imports, Charming Charlie, Best Buy and others.

Village Pointe and Shadow Lake Towne Center have some similar features, but they were uniquely and independently designed and developed to best serve the neighborhoods that surround them with just the right mix of retailers, dining, services and activities. Each shopping center has its own special attractions and distinct ambiance, Jones says.

Both centers host free public activities year-round, like Shadow Lake Towne Center’s summer Sprayground and massive trick-or-treat event, or Village Pointe’s farmers market, or their respective concert series (The Vibes at Village Pointe and Shadow Lake Sounds of Summer), but it’s the holiday season that showcases some of the most eagerly anticipated and bestattended activities. On Thanksgiving Eve, November 27, Shadow Lake Towne Center launches the holidays with a series of events, starting with a concert featuring caroling elves followed by a parade ushering in Santa’s arrival by carriage. Santa then flips the switch to illuminate the large Christmas tree in the roundabout and holiday decor throughout the center, and a fireworks show adds to the festivities.

Both provide an excellent mix of retailers, however, which also draws in shoppers from outside their neighborhoods. Combined, the centers offer what Jones calls “a potpourri of popular stores, restaurants and services,” from major national retailers like JC Penney, Apple, Dick’s Sporting Goods, PetSmart and Victoria’s Secret; to regional stores like

VILLAGE POINTE

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metroMAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ The Spirit of Omaha

It harkens back to the times when there was Main Street shopping and shared activities in the heart of the community.

aha m o r e t a gre o t t r o p s s your pa

while village pointe and shadow lake towne center share some features in common, both were uniquely and independently designed to serve their surrounding neighborhoods, each providing its own special attractions, distinct ambiance, and special sense of community

REVISITED

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aha m o r e t a gre o t t r o p s your pas

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metroMAGAZINE • The Spirit of Omaha

SHADOW LAKE TOWNE CENTER

We hope visitors find that our nostalgic, hometown-like experience gets them into the spirit of the season.

Village Pointe’s annual holiday kickoff featuring a sing-along concert, tree lighting and Santa parade took place on Black Friday, November 29. In the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas there are numerous “Santa activities” to be found at both shopping centers. At Shadow Lake Santa Claus spends quality time with little ones and offers photo packages at his whimsical workshop throughout December and Village Pointe hosts a number of Santa events including Thursday morning story times inside various stores and even a Santa sleigh “landing” on Scheels’ rooftop on December 7. A special holiday movie screening at Marcus Village Pointe Cinema on December 21 costs only $3 and features actors dressed as movie characters to add an interactive element; past movies have included the animated version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “The Polar Express.” Some of the season’s events benefit local nonprofits to “give back to our communities”, Jones says, which reflects the centers’ efforts to promote charitable giving year-round. The Merry Movie event with Santa at Village Pointe is hosted in

partnership with the Omaha Jaycees and benefits children who receive services from the Nebraska Children’s Home, as do “giving trees” in several stores, which allow shoppers to fulfill items from the wish lists of children in need. Other December activities which support nonprofits are a Jingle Bell 5K Fun Run on December 7 at Shadow Lake Towne Center benefiting Papillion-La Vista Health Systems Academy, and both centers host celebrity bell ringers to collect donations on behalf of the Salvation Army. Free carriage rides for patrons on Saturdays, Victorian-era carolers and singing elves also add to a festive atmosphere. “Both Shadow Lake Towne Center and Village Pointe are great family-friendly destinations during the holidays,” says Jones. “We hope visitors find that our nostalgic hometown-like experience gets them into the spirit of the season.” For more information on Village Pointe, including the holiday event schedule, visit villagepointeshopping.com. Information on Shadow Lake Towne Center is available at shadowlakeshopping.com. CONTINUED

metroMAGAZINE • DEC 2013

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destination: “MAIN STREET”

holiday events Shadow Lake hoLiday eventS - 2013 Shadow Lake Towne CenTer hoLiday LighTing Ceremony Enjoy a holiday atmosphere filled with music from The Peppermint Elves (6 p.m.) and the anticipation of Santa’s arrival led by the Papillion-La Vista South Marching Band and a parade of holiday and fairy tale characters. Santa will arrive by Cinderella carriage, take the stage and illuminate the giant tree in the center’s roundabout with a magic “switch”. After the lighting ceremony, mix and mingle with Santa and friends in the center court area until 8p. WHEN: Thanksgiving Eve, Nov. 27 – 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. - The Peppermint Elves 6:30 p.m. - parade and lighting ceremony WHERE: Main Street area of Shadow Lake Towne Center SanTa’S workShop Shadow Lake Towne Center is again hosting its popular Santa’s Workshop. Santa will hear kids’ holiday wishes in his workshop through Christmas Eve. Family photo packages are available for purchase (on flash drive). Santa’s Workshop is located a few doors down from Wheatfields restaurant and the Shadow Lake Management office lobby entrance. November 30 & December 1: 12n to 6 p.m. December 6 - 8: Daily – 12n to 6 p.m. December 11 - 15: Daily – 12n to 6 p.m. December 16 - 20: Daily – 12n to 7p.m. December 21 - 23: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. December 24: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

JingLe BeLL run Grab your running shoes and a festive costume and join the second annual Jingle Bell Run, hosted by Athletes’ Training Center and the Papillion-La Vista Schools’ Health Science Academy. WHEN: 8 a.m. Dec. 7. ADMISSION: Registration is $12 for the Penguin Run (1 mile walk/run) regardless of age. After 11/29/13 registration will be $17. Registration is $25 for the Jingle Bell Run, Mr. & Mrs. Claus Run, and the Reindeer Run. After 11/29/13 registration will be $30. Registrations must be postmarked Nov. 29 or completed online by midnight Nov. 30. MORE INFORMATION: jinglebellfunrun.com. Shadow Lake horSe-and-Carriage rideS Step onto a horse-drawn carriage and ride down Main Street for a truly old-fashioned holiday experience. WHEN: Saturdays, Nov. 30 to Dec. 21. / HOURS: Noon to 4 p.m. WHERE: Between Chico’s and Coldwater Creek ADMISSION: Free

• Shadow Lake Towne Center, 72nd Street and Nebraska Highway 370, Papillion

SaTurday wiTh SanTa: a momaha pLaydaTe Your family is invited to a Momaha.com playdate with the jolly old elf himself. Momaha is the Omaha World-Herald’s online community for moms. Storytime with Santa will begin at 1 p.m. Afterward, visit with Santa with the option of getting family photos (available on a flash drive) for a discounted rate. Each photo package will include at least one family photo and three photos of each child. While waiting to visit Santa, the kids can decorate cookies and make crafts. Mrs. Claus will stop by for storytime at 2 p.m. Parents can register for Shadow Lake Towne Center gift card prizes. WHEN: 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 7. WHERE: Santa’s Workshop INFORMATION: Momaha.com SToryTime wiTh mrS. CLauS Mrs. Claus is coming to town for storytime and bringing along some of her favorite holiday characters. In addition to stories and songs, each storytime will include a craft or activity. WHEN: Wednesdays, 11 a.m. - Dec. 11 and 18. WHERE: Santa’s Workshop, Shadow Lake Towne Center ADMISSION: Free LunCh wiTh SanTa CLauS Kids can chat with Santa over lunch with fun takeaways for all; limited seating with reservations requested (402.537.0046) WHEN: Mon., Dec. 16 – 11 a.m. WHERE: Old Chicago, Shadow Lake Towne Center ADMISSION: Meal purchased by parent.

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metroMAGAZINE • The Spirit of Omaha

holiday calendar of events

holiday events viLLage Pointe hoLiday eventS - 2013 ViLLage poinTe hoLiday LighTing Ceremony The whole family is invited to an evening of holiday festivities starting at the Alegent Creighton Health Amphitheatre (6 p.m.) for a rousing sing-along family concert with The Peppermint Elves, presented in part by Fat Brain Toys. Warm up with hot cider and cookies, compliments of Hilton Garden Inn, Omaha West and there will be jingle bells for all the kids. At 7 p.m., the Arlington High School marching band and holiday characters lead a magical parade down Main Street. Santa will arrive by Cinderella carriage and sparks will fly when he flips a giant switch to light the towering tree. After the lighting ceremony, visit Santa in the Marcus Village Pointe Cinema lobby and enjoy free carriage rides around the center until 10 p.m. WHEN: 6 to 10 p.m. Nov. 29. Concert at 6 p.m. and tree lighting at 7 p.m. WHERE: Village Pointe, 168th Street and West Dodge Road – center court and roundabout on Main Street. ADMISSION: Free

BraVo! CuCina iTaLiana BreakfaST wiTh SanTa Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a delicious hot breakfast and cupcake decorating. WHEN: 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Dec. 14. WHERE: BRAVO! Italiana Cucina restaurant, Village Pointe. ADMISSION: Call 402-289-5500 for children and adult meal pricing. INFORMATION: Space is limited; call 402-289-5500 for reservations. bravoitalian.com/village_pointe

SCheeLS SanTapaLooza Santa will “land” on the Scheels rooftop (northeast side) and families are invited to attend his magical arrival. Afterward, kids are invited inside Scheels for free fun and activities with Santa and friends. WHEN: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 7. WHERE: Scheels, Village Pointe ADMISSION: Free INFORMATION: 402-289-5666 and scheels.com/events or villagepointeshopping.com

SToryTime wiTh SanTa & mrS. CLauS Santa will read a holiday story to kids at various Village Pointe stores. Santa brings special character guests each week. Treats and giveaways for children. WHEN: Thursdays, Dec. 5, (Janie and Jack), Dec. 12 (Premier Bank), and Dec. 19 (DSW Shoes), from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ADMISSION: Free

ViLLage poinTe horSe-and-Carriage rideS Catch a complimentary horse-and-carriage ride down Main Street to take in the sights and sounds of the holiday season at Village Pointe. WHEN: Saturdays, Nov. 30 to Dec. 21. HOURS: 1 to 5 p.m. WHERE: Village Pointe Fireplace (in front of cinema), Main Street at Village Pointe. ADMISSION: Free

SToryTime & CookieS wiTh SanTa Santa and Mrs. Claus will serve up cookies and milk along with a story or two for a special holiday get-together. Best Buy is offering complimentary photos with Santa. WHEN: 2 to 3 p.m. Dec. 14. WHERE: Best Buy at Village Pointe. ADMISSION: Free

merry moVie wiTh SanTa Santa and friends will host a special interactive holiday movie presentation for the whole family. WHEN: 9 a.m. Dec. 21 WHERE: Marcus Village Pointe Cinema, Village Pointe. ADMISSION: $3 per person, benefiting Nebraska Children’s Home. (Tickets on sale starting Dec.13) m

• Village Pointe, 168th Street and West Dodge Road

metroMAGAZINE • DEC 2013

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holiday

metro SHOPPER

paint a new holiday memory

Share time with friends, coworkers and family at Village Canvas and Cabernet, Omaha’s paint and sip art gallery in Aksarben Village. You will enjoy an artist-guided paint session and complimentary glass of wine or beer as you paint a new memory. Great for groups of all sizes; absolutely no artistic talent is required! Gift certificates are also available. Give the gift of creativity!

VILLAGE CANVAS AND CABERNET 6457 Frances St., Suite 180, Omaha | 402-991-4278 www.canvasandcab.com

sparkling stocking stuffers These bangles look great stacked and are perfect for holiday gifting. Dazzling birthstone bangles have just arrived and are perfect for fashionistas and new mommies! Bangles start at $29

ELISA ILANA JEWELRY 13132 Davenport Street, Omaha | 402-926-3479 elisailana.com

making spirits bright An Omaha treasure, Spirit World has curated the best offering of beer, wine and spirits, not to mention the Monterey Chicken Salad from their always scrumptious cafe. For the holiday season only, receive a FREE $10 gift card with each gift card purchase of $100 or more. A thoughtful and generous gift for someone special on your list and a little something for you too.

SPIRIT WORLD 7517 Pacific Street, Omaha | 402-391-8680 www.spiritworldwine.com

give the gift of theatre "Marley was dead, to begin with…" – and what happens to Ebenezer Scrooge's mean, sour, pruned old business partner after that? To escape his own chains, he must first redeem Scrooge. So begins a journey of laughter and terror, redemption and renewal, during which Scrooge's heart, indeed, is opened; but not before Marley discovers his own. SPONSORED BY OMAHA STEAKS

THE BLUEBARN THEATRE 614 South 11th Street Omaha | 402-345-1576 www.bluebarn.org

holiday ornaments from dundee gallery Give the gift of local artwork this holiday season! These beautiful hand blown ornaments are $25. Dundee Gallery has a great selection of handmade ornaments, jewelry, pottery and art - wonderful gift ideas available at all prices for everyone on your list.

DUNDEE GALLERY 4916 Underwood Ave. Omaha, NE | 402-505-8333 www.dundeegallery.com 18

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y gift ideas

metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

classic. innovative. italian. Zurlo’s Bistro Italiano is a culinary treasure known for classic & innovative Italian fare. Live Music…Outdoor Patio…Sunday Brunch. A perfect choice for those appreciating gourmet cuisines with a friendly atmosphere. Leveraging locally-grown foods, the Bistro’s menu changes seasonally to match nearby harvest schedules. Stellar food presentations of Shrimp Lemoncello & Lasagna Enzo make Zurlo’s a popular choice for wedding events, retirement dinners and business celebrations.

ZURLO’S BISTRO ITALIANO 132nd & Maple, Omaha | 402-884-9500 www.zurlos.com

unwrap dessert ‘Tis the Season for family, friends and bundt cake. These luscious cakes are made with the finest, premium ingredients, including fresh eggs, real butter and cream cheese. Perfect for any occasion, the handcrafted recipes and inspired decorations celebrate special moments with a delightful charm and wit. The best cake you will ever taste, share and give!

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES One Pacific Place • 10347 Pacific Street, Omaha | 402-933-9305 nothingbundtcakes.com

your holiday boutique! Roots & Wings is your locally owned women's clothing boutique in the heart of Omaha. Conveniently located in Countryside Village, our boutique features a stunning selection of carefully curated clothing and accessories for hip women of all ages. Roots & Wings is a retailer of TOMS shoes and also showcases a great collection of children's styles. Let the staff of Roots & Wings help you find your perfect holiday gift!

ROOTS & WINGS 8712 Pacific Street, Omaha | 402-504-4700 www. rootsandwingsomaha.com

the gift of fashion Distinctive clothing, sports wear & shoes for Men & Women. Stop in for a great selection that makes Post & Nickel the hot spot for Omaha's best dressed. Hugo Boss, Michael Stars, Toms, Ted Baker, Diesel, G Star, Sam Edelman, Hudson, Bailey 44, 3 Dot, Frye, Hard Tail, Georg Roth, Seven, DKNY, Gran Sasso, John Varvatos, Paige, Joes Jeans, Donald J Pliner, Victorinox, Alternative Apparel, AG & more.

POST & NICKEL 11015 Elm St. | 108th & W. Center Rd. (Rockbrook Village) Omaha 402-333-5206

choices at village pointe

Village Pointe® makes holiday shopping a breeze. Find gifts of style, the latest electronics and dazzling home décor for everyone on your list. Still can’t choose? Give them a personal shopping spree with a Village Pointe gift card redeemable for everything from fashions to fine dining, so it’s guaranteed to please.

Available for purchase at the Management Office (located on the second floor next to Funny Bone Comedy Club) or online at villagepointeshopping.com.

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getting what you want is easy

by deb brockmann

GettinG what we want is easy, but knowinG what you want is elusive. when you know what you want you will be able to receive it. if you don’t know what you want it’s pretty difficult to Get it. sounds loGical, riGht? We can all read this statement, comprehend it fully and nod emphatically in agreement. However, the majority of us do not live by this most black and white truth. people ask me constantly what they “should” be doing. their minds spin with questions such as “what car should i be driving? is this the job for me? school is an option, but would i like that?” i wish i could say that i’m surprised when someone doesn’t know what they want, but i have often been in the same state of “whirlpool brain”. we move about our lives quite unconscious of our truest needs and desires. putting out fires, gossiping with friends and neighbors, and being glued to reality tv drives us far away from our inner worlds. what we must understand is that being quite aware of how we feel in all moments is the only way to clarify our truest desires and passions. Thinking and extracting stimulation from the outside will never bring the clarity of true desire. you know the old question, “if you had a million dollars right now, what would you do?” we jump at the chance to quit our jobs, buy new cars and give to charity, but what is missing is the understanding of what we would do daily. what would the perfect day, week or month really look like? it’s unclear as we move about allowing life to make our choices for us. i believe the majority of the world’s issues would be wiped out if we just made conscious choices about how we want our lives to be on a daily basis. even if the choices we make are “wrong” they are moving us toward figuring out what is that really makes us passionate. we can correct as we go. If you choose not to choose you’ll never get what you want – you’ll get what life gives you. It’s truly that simple. Getting what you want is easy; clarify, act, course correct – repeat. let’s all turn off the tv, put down the ipad, let the laundry pile up for one evening and go within. be quiet with yourself and feel. once you spend some quality time with yourself, your desire and needs will bubble up and become apparent. When you know without a shadow of a doubt what you desire, the opportunities and steps you need to take will appear as if by magic. it is not that life is against you. it’s that you have not made the conscious choices that are required to live the life of your dreams. life can offer up anything that you ask for. not being clear, not asking or acting is the only way that you’ll live a life that you’re bored with, hate or can’t bear any longer. To ponder is human - to choose divine.

metroMagazIne • DeC 2013

The Happiness Chick Deb Brockmann - Intuitive debbrockmann.com

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metroMagazIne • The Spirit of Omaha

a healthy holiday plan

‘tis the for family, friends, kindness, season gratitude and appreciation

by mary e. vandenack

you always be pleased with freedom, both inside and outside of yourself!” • “May this year, i am totally focused on non-material Gifts. as life passes and should consider lost oni realize which we have danced least once.” • “We challenGes appear inevery everyday corner, more andnot more howatprecious you fall of in love youtime begin to feel theand positive • “When every moment life iswith andyourself, how much with family friends matter. self-esteem that comes when we don’t deflate ourselves.” It is so true that you can’t take the material gifts with you and... that the gifts people BECKER HOLSTEINmore FROM GATEWAYS TO HAPPINESS” remember~areBARBARA kindness and encouragement than“FOUR any “thing”. this season, approach the holidays in a manner that leaves you feeling good about yourself and others feeling good about you.

Appreciate your health. if you have your health, appreciate it. Give yourself the gift of eating well and treating yourself well through the holidays. skip the second toast and go get a massage or take a yoga class instead. Get plenty of sleep. do anything and everything to give yourself the gift of health. Care for someone who is struggling with their health. having health issues is a difficult time for the person struggling. it is easy to forget about someone who is homebound or hospitalized. make a list of those you know who have health issues and find time to connect.

by “mulberry lane”

have yourself a simple little christmas?

you’ve done it too. the “i wish i’d thouGht of that… it’s so simple” moment. it’s usually a comment about the invention of the post-it note, the nobake cookie, or anythinG so obvious it could have invented itself. “If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself.” ~Albert Einstein “Truth is often not very complicated. What gets complex is evading the truth.” ~Thomas Sowell Some of the greatest figures of history, inventors, and pop culture influences know the magic of simplicity. “if you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself,” einstein has said. one of our generation’s beloved comics, Jerry seinfeld, had a hit show about “nothing.” but it was about everything at the same time. confucius understood this when he professed, “life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” and he lived two thousand years ago! We live in complex and cumbersome times - where laws are thousands of pages, you need devices to manage your devices, and organizers to organize all your stuff. sixties folk singer pete seeger said, “any darn fool can make something complex; it takes a genius to make something simple.” and if you still believe that when you can juggle 10 things, you have arrived, remind yourself what leonardo da vinci said, “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”

Connect with those who are recovering from loss. if someone you knew lost someone, got divorced, or experienced a major life change, the holidays are tough. connect with those you know who are in transition.

even cooking principles echo this. simple syrup? sugar and water boiled down to their essence - and it becomes the basis of mixed drinks and flavored coffees - and where would life be without these pleasures?

Encourage someone who is struggling. we readily praise those who are succeeding and doing well. we notice them and give them attention. sometimes we turn away from those who are struggling, especially if the struggle manifests in a negative way. those who are struggling are often most in need of a kind word.

if you hear the stories behind hit songs, popular products, and best-selling books, many were simple concepts that nearly wrote or invented themselves. so often we are tempted to believe that the creative process is complex, life is complex, problems are complex. leave it to a tech guru, who showed us what is possible, to make it clear.

Seek to heal a wounded relationship. many of us have someone who was once an important but of our lives but the relationship got wounded. if you would prefer that person be part of your life, reach out and seek to heal. remember that you may get rejection .. today, anyway. open the door. leave the door open. even if that person doesn’t step through today, there might be a day they do. Support a food co-op. Give yourself or others the gift of healthier food. Join a food coop. check out http://www.nebraskafood.org/about.php as one example. the co-op provides access to reasonably price safe food. the co-op has pick up and delivery locations throughout the state including several in omaha. Create a gratitude environment at work. employment creates opportunity. Give the gift of appreciation at work. instead of complaining about a boss or co-worker, make a shift and add positive vibrations to your workplace. Connect with family and friends in ways that are meaningful. Getting together often revolves around eating and drinking. add activities that result in connection. put out the scrabble board, the monopoly game, the chess board, and a deck of cards. consider getting together on a day that doesn’t involve several people trying to get to two or three places in the same day.

the late apple ceo, steve Jobs, said, “we tried to make something much more holistic and simple. the first solutions… are very complex, and most people stop there. but if you keep going… you oftentimes arrive at some very elegant and simple solutions.” So as we enter the holiday season, it’s important to remember the philosophy of simplicity. it’s also hard to ignore one of the greatest teachers in history, Jesus, who boiled God’s 10 commandments down to two - love God and love your neighbor. he understood our innate desire for simplicity. he would have agreed with economist and author, thomas sowell, who said, “…truth is often not very complicated. what gets complex is evading the truth.” when you find yourself scouring pinterest at 2am for a recipe for the cookie exchange, combining kale and quinoa to make a healthier holiday dish, trying to look like a victoria secret model without evidence of muffin-top, money worries, or frown lines at the company holiday party, and you find yourself asking, “why do the holidays have to be so complicated?” remember the simple syrup in your cocktail, your six year old’s wideeyed wonder, and get to the honest truth of what it’s all about. then remember this from einstein, “when the answer is simple, God is answering.” Have yourself a simple little Christmas.

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.

You can hear “The Mulberry Lane Show,” a music, arts, and lifestyle talk show every Saturday morning on The Mighty 1290 KOIL from 10am – noon, brought to you by Elisa Ilana Jewelry. Visit www.facebook.com/mulberrylane. 21

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pet&animal enthusiast

paemagazine.com

Season of

Anticipation happy holidays!

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2. 1.

1. Pup-permint Mocha: This drool-icous mocha is sure to be a hit for any dog. Yummy carob and mint cookies to keep their tails waggin'.

2. Nature's Kitchen: We now carry raw food! Why Raw? It is most similar to a dogs biological diet. Packed full of all the vitamins and minerals a dog needs to live a long and happy life!

3. Snoop: New from Planet Dog the Snoop is a translucent and squishy toy with a deep crevice that conceals the treasure. Filled with treats, dogs will pounce, nudge, nose and nibble to release the hidden reward.

4. GO!: 5.

We now carry GO! dog and cat food. Available in a variety of formulas to have the best food option for your pet. Fit+Free is grrrreat for the weight conscious pet. Sensitivity+Shine is pawfect for pets with food sensitivities. Daily Defence is a great preventative care to keep your pet strong and healthy for life.

5. Holiday toys: Stop in to see all the fun seasonal toys we have to offer. The Hurley from West Paw is pictured and paw-fect for active dogs that like to play fetch.

24 | pet & ANIMAL enthusiast

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STORY BY KYLE EUSTICE • PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PETS IN OMAHA

PET & ANIMAL ENTHUSIAST

feature story ••• pets in omaha

pets in omaha Website aims to aid rescue Groups

LEE LEGENHAUSEN, FOUNDER OF PETS IN OMAHA, DECIDED TO LAUNCH A WEBSITE THAT SHOWCASED HIS UNWAVERING PASSION AND LOVE FOR ANIMALS. The deeper Lee Legenhausen has become involved in the pet community, the more defined his mission has become. Legenhausen has linked up with various rescue groups in the area to help find abandoned, abused or neglected animals a home. A visit to www.petsinomaha.com will immediately introduce one to a photo gallery of Omaha pets, multiple resources and information about how to get involved in a variety of pet-oriented services and initiatives.

Beginnings When Omaha resident Lee Legenhausen was 9-years-old, his father took him to a meat packing plant where he was stationed working as a USDA veterinarian. He saw firsthand how things operated behind the scenes. It was something he never forgot.

the curator of the website, Pets in Omaha, which was just launched in September of this year. “It was my vision. I thought of this maybe a couple years ago, not that it’s original,” he says. “I know there are other websites. I was looking for something specifically in Omaha and I thought there would be something. I think I just Googled ‘Pets in Omaha’ and all I got was a groomer here or a Pet Smart store there. It struck me that nobody had done something like this.” A light bulb went off in his head and Pets in Omaha was born. “I’ve just always had love and passion for animals and pets,” he says. “I’ve never had children so I feel about my little guy, Kirby, the way a lot of people feel about kids. The more pet people I talk to, the more I realize most people like their pets more than they like people.”

DEC 2013 VOL. 4 NO. 12 www.PAEMagazine.com CONTACT PET & ANIMAL ENTHUSIAST P.O. BOX 241611 • OMAHA, NE 68124 402-932-3522 ADVERTISING/SALES INQUIRIES sales@SpiritofOmaha.com PRESS RELEASES/GENERAL INQUIRES information@SpiritofOmaha.com Contents of this magazine are copyrighted by Pet & Animal Enthusiast Magazine in their entirety. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without the prior consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 2013 Pet & Animal Enthusiast Magazine. All rights reserved.

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Andrea L. Hoig EDITOR/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Robert P. Killmer

Objectives

Pets in Omaha is a comprehensive and informational online magazine, which aid pet owners in the care of their animals and let people discover the strength of “He worked for the government,” Omaha’s pet community. It has a photo Legenhausen explains. “He went around to gallery where people can upload photos different meat packing plants and would of their pets, a directory for things like inspect the meat. If something didn’t look groomers or pet food stores, an events right coming down the line they would listing, information on rescue dogs, say, ‘hey doc, come here.’ He would either contacts for experts in the field, and more. condemn that meat or let it go through. The official launch was September 8, 2013 at The Nebraska Humane Society and “I went back again when I was 10,” he adds. since then, Legenhausen has subtlety changed his focus. “After two of those visits, I said I didn’t want “It’s been a work in progress,” he explains. to come back. If you can imagine a “We actually started on this in May. My slaughterhouse, there’s just blood vision has changed a little as this has everywhere. It wasn’t fun for me. I had to moved forward; I’m still investigating and walk through the guts and the blood; it talking to folks. was a stinky, stinky place.” “There are these meet and greets every weekend somewhere with these rescue Inspirations groups,” he adds. “These people are really Whether or not that experience had an devoted. They don’t have a lot of money to influence on his current endeavor, it must have made him realize how much passion work with, but they are so selfless. This is what they do and who they are. he harbored for animals. Legenhausen is CONTINUED pet & ANIMAL enthusiast | 25

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DEC 2013 REMEMBER TO LOVE pets in omaha Website aims to aid rescue Groups CONTINUED

feature story ••• pets in omaha “[These agencies] are underfunded and understaffed. That’s what drives me now. I want to get their message out to the people and get these pets some homes.”

lee leGenhausen and kirby

The Future With Legenhausen’s mission carved out a bit more clearly, he’s optimistic about the future of Pets in Omaha. He plans to set up a lost and found for pets on the website, as well as a memorial page. In the spring, he plans to host a large event with several rescue groups in hopes of finding a plethora of pets a new home. “We have a lot to do,” Legenhausen says. “We’re trying to get the message out there. At the end of the day, if we can save a life and get a family to take a pet home then we’re winning.”

SPONSORED BY HEARTS UNITED FOR ANIMALS • WWW.HUA.ORG

twice as nice ••• matching gift HELP HUA DOUBLE THE NUMBER OF LIVES SAVED THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Hearts United for Animals recently received exciting news! A donor has come forward to offer dollar for dollar donation matching for the month of December, up to $100,000! It could not come at a better time of year. Many charities have the vast majority of their total donations arrive between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve. Hearts United for Animals is no exception. The funds raised during this time are critical to sustain animal rescue operations and be able to comfortably house and care for dogs and cats throughout the following year. The opportunity to double the number of lives we can save is an amazing gift. Please consider a contribution during the month of December to make the funds go farther to help the animals. 26 | pet & ANIMAL enthusiast

YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS GO TOWARD:

· Helping to rescue dogs from puppy mills (over 10,000 saved by HUA to date) · Caring for the over 400 dogs and 30 cats at the shelter · Caring for special needs dogs who cannot be adopted due to medical or behavioral issues · Assisting low income families with low cost spay/neuter options · Assisting pets of low income families with emergency medical funding for crisis situations · Providing temporary housing for pets of families in domestic violence situations and pets of the recently homeless · Rescuing dogs from animal control facilities where they would be euthanized due to time and space constraints

Please remember our animal friends this holiday season. Hearts United for Animals is a national nokill shelter and sanctuary dedicated to the relief of suffering. The shelter is located one hour south of Omaha between Auburn and Nebraska City. HUA has won a Smithsonian Award, is a top rated charity with Great Nonprofits and has been designated Best of America by Independent Charities of America. If you have animal loving friends and family, a donation in their honor at the holidays makes a wonderful gift. We will be happy to send them an acknowledgement that you did so. To learn more, donate and to view all of the pets for adoption please visit us online at www.hua.org and www.facebook.com/heartsunitedforanimals. Thank you for caring about the animals who so desperately need our help to save their lives.

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STORY BY BREE BROUWER • PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF PAWS TO ANGELS PET & ANIMAL ENTHUSIAST

moving forward ••• paws to angels LOSING A FAMILY PET CAN BE A HARROWING EXPERIENCE. FOR MANY PET OWNERS, HONORING THE MEMORY OF THEIR BELOVED FRIEND SIMPLY CAN’T BE DONE THE TRADITIONAL WAY. This is where Paws to Angels comes in. Founded in 2010 by Cherie Fry, Paws to Angels is Omaha’s (and indeed all of Nebraska’s) only pet loss and memorial center. The business focuses on providing services such as pet grief support and counseling, personalized funeral or memorial services, and cremations, freezedry preservation, or casket burials, all while keeping “love, respect, and dignity” in mind. The idea for Paws to Angels was born when Fry’s dog Chadz died on New Years Eve 2009. “When our pets die, they’re considered waste. I thought [Chadz] deserved more in finality than to be put in a bag in a freezer and to wait for the truck to come around,” Fry said. “For the 11 ½ years of unconditional love she gave me, I thought she deserved so much better.” Fry said there were no options or support for her during this time, so she decided to start Paws to Angels so other families shouldn’t have to go through the same struggles she did. And lots of Omaha pet parents are glad to have these options available. Paws to Angels also offers grief counseling, loss education classes, and euthanasia support to better help the families deal with the heartbreaking situation. “I honor [the family’s] story,” Fry said. “They want nothing more than to talk about their pets and the lives they’ve shared.” When she sits down with her clients, Fry said she learns about the pets’ behaviors, loves, hates, and interactions, which then helps her offer an experience tailored to the family’s wishes. Fry can also guide families to deciding how to memorialize their pet, “whether it be [with] pieces of art, or maybe they want to do a tribute garden out in the yard, or maybe they’d like a blanket because they liked to curl up in front of the TV and watch movies at night.” The business also provides a viewing room, a chapel, and the largest selection of pet memorial products like urns and

providinG support, services for GrievinG pet oWners caskets in the entire region. One of its key offerings is 24-hour on-call services with immediate, private transportation, in case a pet dies unexpectedly during off-hours or holidays. Additionally, Paws to Angels has partnered with Graceland Park Cemetery on 42nd and Elk and opened a pet ossuary (underground vault for cremated remains) in the human cemetery. With as much as Paws to Angels offers its clients, Fry said the business wasn’t easy to get started. Even though pet loss centers are a global industry, with huge support particularly from Canada and Japan, Paws to Angels had no local information to work with. “When you’re putting together a business plan,” Fry said, “[you need] numbers, demographics, geographics, and these just weren’t out there.” Fry found business consultant Coleen Ellis, co-chair of Pet Loss Professionals Alliance (PLPA), who was the first person to open a pet loss center in the United States in 2004. Ellis helped Fry interview local families and solidify her business plan which helped convince uncertain loan officers that the business was something Omaha residents wanted. Paws to Angels eventually received funding from the Small Business Association, and it’s now the 49th registered pet loss center in the entire United States. As part of the business process, Fry also sought certification through PLPA, and she’s now Nebraska’s only certified pet loss professional, pet loss grief companion, and cremations specialist, uniquely qualified to run Paws to Angels and cater to her clients’ needs. She keeps her certification valid every year by attending classes and conferences, learning burial and cemetery practices, taking tests, and spending time with families who’ve lost a pet. Paws to Angels offers Omaha residents services that no other business can. “The services that I bring are brand new to the whole state,” Fry said. “[Paws to Angels] brings in support, options, and memorialization, and it lets families create their own experience in the way that they want to in a way that’s important to them and how they do their family rituals.” “The core of what I’m about is the human-animal bond,” Fry said. “I’m going to continue to reach out to people, to offer

cherie fry and cleya

support. I’m going to continue to be forward-thinking and to look at what I need to do to bring the services, the support, and the education to pet parents and to the veterinarian community and other pet industries in the community, and be the commitment to pet parents to make sure the loss of their pet is handled in the way that it should be.” For more information about Paws to Angels, visit their website at http://www.pawstoangels.net. pet & ANIMAL enthusiast | 27

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FROM THE PAGES OFREPUBLISHED THREE DOG BAKERY FROM THE COOKBOOK THREE BOG • BYBAKERY DAN DYE COOKBOOK & MARK BECKLOFF*

DEC 2013

••• fleas navidad nibblers

recipe: inGredients

instructions

• 2 tablespoons honey

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees

• 2 3/4 cups water

• In a bowl, mix together honey, water, applesauce, vanilla and egg

• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla • 1 egg • 1/2 cup chopped peanuts • 4 cups whole-wheat flour • 1 tablespoon baking powder • 1 tablespoon cinnamon • 1 tablespoon nutmeg

• In a separate bowl, mix peanuts, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg • Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir, mixing well • Spoon into a greased muffin tin, filling each cup two-thirds full. Bake for 35 minutes. • Store in a sealed container.

*VISIT THREE DOG BAKERY VILLAGE POINT OR MIDTOWN CROSSING AND PICK UP A COPY!

28 | pet & ANIMAL enthusiast

BAKES 16 FESTIVE HOLIDOG MUFFINS TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for the dog eating these off the counter ... as quiet as a mouse. Merry Dogmas!

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BY JAKE THACKER • EXECUTIVE MANAGER & PASTRY CHEF, THREE DOG BAKERY

••• tips to remember during season

howliday AS THE HOWL-IDAYS ARE HERE, THERE ARE IMPORTANT THINGS TO CONSIDER WITH YOUR DOG OR DOGS IN MIND. OF COURSE SPOILING YOUR POOCH ROTTEN IS MOST LIKELY AT THE TOP OF THE LIST, BUT THERE IS A PLETHORA OF OTHER HOLIDAY-RELATED ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ON WE PET OWNERS’ MINDS. HERE, I MENTION ONES I FIND MOST IMPORTANT.

Holiday Stressors Many of the holiday-themed events we host or attend may actually be not so enjoyable for our dogs. One simple way to alleviate your dog’s stress is to make sure you stick to the exercise, feeding and bathroom routines that have already been established year-round. This may mean having to be fashionably late to your neighbors’ holiday parties or hiring a trusted neighbor’s child to let out Fifi and Fido while you’re out being festive. If you, yourself, are hosting the event, it is well-advised to establish a “safe place” for your dogs before guests start arriving. This would include putting their favorite bed or blankets in the room, as well as their favorite toys. An important note, though, is to not put any toys, bones, rawhides or chews that may be choking hazards with an unmonitored dog—even if you’re just two rooms away.

People Food What are the holidays without delicious buffets of food? We’ve all had those holiday parties where we ate too much and left with an upset stomach and an immedate stop at the drug store to get a bottle of antacid tablets. Imagine if a canine indulged in too many canapés.

A doggie dug into a chocolatey dessert. Upset stomaches and sickness are more than guaranteed. If the dog or dogs will be left out during your holiday party or gathering, make sure that all of the guests understand the importance of not giving the tasty yet way-too-rich human foods as treats by falling victim to puppy dog eyes. Also, if friends and family plan to retire around the fireplace after dinner, ask everyone to help get food put away and out of paw’s reach. A special note: bones (especially small, fragile turkey bones) can be very alluring to a dog’s sniffer. These should be taken to the outside garbage as soon as they’re thrown away so that they aren’t ingested. These bones can splinter very easily when chewed and cause internal damage.

Spoil Your Pooch (The Right Way!) At Three Dog Bakery and Spaw, we spend all year getting ready for the holidays. Our bakers are popping out fresh treats from the oven all day everyday from Thanksgiving through December 24. Our fresh-baked cookiebased treats stay good for up to a month at room temperature. So stop in with the kids to make what we call “stocking stuffer” arrangements for family, friend and neighbor dogs. These can be made at any price point and we’ll even wrap them in cello bags with ribbon. Simple, cute and fast! We also make our Holi-dog Beast Feast in December. This three-course meal has included such doggie delectables in the past such as German Shepherd’s Pie, Chinese Crested Crescent Rolls and Silky Terrier Carob Crème Pie. Make sure to stop in one of our three Metro-area locations this holiday season to find anything and everything your dog desires. We’re located at Village Pointe, Midtown Crossing at Turner Park, and now located in The Exchange at Offut AFB!

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pet & ANIMAL enthusiast | 29

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DEC 2013 REMEMBER TO LOVE

STORY BY CHERIL LEE • PHOTOS BY ANDEE HOIG

bright boy

noah

••• noah’s story HEARTS UNITED FOR ANIMALS RESCUES ANIMALS FROM DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES. NOAH IS A DOG WHO WAS RELEASED INTO HUA’S CARE LAST CHRISTMAS WHERE HE FOUND HIS FOREVER HOME. DESPITE HIS BEING ABUSED IN THE PAST, NOAH HAS BEEN A JOYOUS ADDITION TO THE HOUSEHOLD OF JERRY AND DIANA SAMMONS AND CONTINUES TO THRIVE IN THEIR CARE. Hearts United for Animals has been rescuing dogs and cats from unfavorable circumstances for 24 years. Director Lori Hook says the organization originated in Nebraska. Their no-kill shelter and sanctuary is located an hour south of Omaha. But Lori says HUA reaches beyond the boundaries of the state. “We do rescue and outreach in other states. Our primary focus is on the rescue and rehabilitation of puppy mill dogs and other dogs in situations of severe neglect. To date, we have rescued more than 10,000 dogs from puppy mills,” Lori says. Hook says at any one time there are about 400 dogs available for adoption. The animals HUA takes in are often older with various health problems. “They seem to find us. We don’t have to go actively looking. We have numerous requests each day,” explains Lori.

Roots Around Christmas last year, Lori received an email from a statewide networking group about Noah. Somebody posted photos and Noah’s story and said they were looking for a rescue for him to go to so HUA stepped up and took him in. Noah had been held for a court case, as there was speculation he’d been used as bait in Pit Bull fights and was kept at the pound in Fairbury, Nebraska. “He wasn’t doing well at the shelter because it’s a small facility that can’t afford to do a lot. 30 | pet & ANIMAL enthusiast

We were certainly happy to get him veterinary care because had some tumors that needed to be removed. He was just a bag of bones and we were afraid he might not even survive,” Lori says. Lori says people got wrapped up in rooting for Noah because of how bad he looked. When he arrived at the HUA shelter, despite all he had been through, Noah was sweet and couldn’t get enough human interaction.

Homeward Bound The minute they heard he was free to go, Jerry and Diana Sammons adopted Noah. Diana volunteers with HUA and that’s where they had found their other two dogs: Snowy and Squeaky. For Jerry, it was love at first sight. “I just felt like Noah belonged with me. I’m blowing my own horn here but I don’t think anybody else would have taken better care of him than my wife and I. We are both retired and home with him most of the time. I know he’s been beaten up and abused so we don’t make any demands at all for Noah,” says Jerry. The Sammons feel privileged to have Noah. In fact, Jerry built him a ramp so Noah doesn’t have to take the stairs to go outside.

Jerry jokes he likes to think Noah is his guy but when Diana’s around, Noah follows her from room to room. Diana is also the only one who can touch his ears and paws, something Noah doesn’t like because of his past abuse.

The Artist Noah did an art project for HUA’s silent auction in September. Lori and Diana dipped Noah’s paws into child-safe paint, and then he walked across the canvas and made his own art project to raffle off. Lori says it brought in $350 for HUA. Jerry says the process was fun to watch. Noah created two paintings that day. The second one is hanging in the Sammons’ house. Jerry wants everyone to know what kind of hero Noah is, what he’s been through and what he’s overcome. “I’d like to take him onto the field at Husker stadium during halftime because I know once the audience heard Noah’s story, the applause and cheers would be thunderous,” beams Jerry. To view available animals at the shelter, visit HUA.org or facebook.com/HeartsUnitedforAnimals.

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Celebrating Commitment to our Community... alh p u b l i c a t i o n s

inform • educate • SpiritofOmaha.com

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THE GOLDEN ROAD

ANDREA L. HOIG ahoig@SpiritofOmaha.com

alh

table of contents

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

©LAURIE AND CHARLES PHOTOGRAPHS

“GOLDEN!” 3 Honorees

King and Queen Ak-Sar-Ben CXVII

2013 Ak-Sar-Ben Horatio Alger Scholars

2013 Women’s Ball Committee

2013 Court of Honor

Photo Galleries

The Coronation

Pre-Ball Reception

Behind the Scences

Receiving Line

I wish to take this occasion to personally congratulate King Ak-Sar-Ben CXVII, William A. Cutler, and Queen Ak-Sar-Ben CXVII, Carolyn Lea German. These two individuals and their families are fitting examples of dedication to community service and merit acknowledgment as appropriate symbols for all deeds of service by themselves and by others-many of which are privately and personally performed every day in our community. Once again, we wish to express our gratitude to Ann Tjaden, WBC Chairmen and the members of the Women’s Ball Committee for their devotion and assistance in preparing this keepsake edition. Thanks to all of our photographers for their efforts on the night of the coronation, allowing us to once again provide unequalled photo coverage of this event. Many photos you do not see published here in print, you will find on our website at SpiritofOmaha.com among over 1,000 from the evening which can be viewed and purchased. Enjoy!

metro AK-SAR-BEN 2013 • VOL. 25 NO. 13 Press releases and other editorial information may be sent to: P.O. BOX 241611, OMAHA, NE 68124 or e-mailed to: Editor@SpiritofOmaha.com

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. Contents of this magazine are copyrighted by ALH Publications, Inc. in their entirety. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 1990 – 2013 ALH Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

metroMAGAZINE photography by Dan Flanigan, Roger Humphries and Andrea Hoig

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SpiritofOmaha.com

ak-sar-ben coronation ball • 2013

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Crown Royalty Ak-Sar-Ben Honors William A. Cutler as 117th Monarch A DEDICATED BUSINESSMAN, devoted family man and true leader in the Omaha community was honored for his achievements at the Ak-SarBen Coronation and Scholarship Ball on October 19th. A crowd of nearly 2000 attendees witnessed the crowning of Bill Cutler as the 117th King of Ak-Sar-Ben. The event also included the formal introduction of the 2013 Court of Quivira, which once again honored over 200 Heartland families and proudly introduced 50 Horatio Alger Scholarship recipients. Born in Omaha and raised in Council Bluffs, Bill is a 1966 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School. He attended Omaha University, now UNO, and is a 1969 graduate of the Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science. He began his career in the funeral service in 1969. Bill is a partner with Heafey Hoffman Dworak and Cutler Mortuaries in Omaha, NE and Cutler O’Neill Meyer Woodring Funeral Home in Council Bluffs, IA as well as the Walnut Hill, Cedar Lawn, Memorial Park and Ridgewood Cemeteries in Council Bluffs. He has served in leadership roles in numerous community organizations and funding campaigns both in Omaha and Council Bluffs. He currently serves as president of the Nebraska Organ Recovery System Board of Directors, is a member of the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben Board of Governors and serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the College of St. Mary, Westside Foundation, Merrymakers, and is a member of the

KING AK-SAR-BEN CXVII WILLIAM A. CUTLER

Archbishop’s Committee for Development for the Archdiocese of Omaha. He is Past President of the Mercy Housing Midwest Board of Directors and the Council Bluffs YMCA. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Catholic Charities, Catholic Charities Foundation and was a member of the Council Bluffs School Board. He was the United Way Cabinet Chairman, Area 3 in Omaha and Past Chairman of the United Way of the Midlands Drive in Council Bluffs. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for American National Bank, Peoples National Bank and the Council Bluffs State Bank and Trust. He and his wife Susan have been married for 43 years. Success in business is a reward for hard work but the ultimate reward for their commitment to each other is the joy they experience with their three children and 5 grandchildren. The former Susan Eakin was born and raised in Council Bluffs. She is a 1966 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School and a 1970 graduate of the University of Nebraska Lincoln. Following graduation she taught elementary school for the Council Bluffs Public School System. Her community service endeavors have benefitted numerous organizations. Susan currently serves on the board of Directors for the Children’s Hospital and Medical Center Foundation and the Methodist Hospital Foundation. She is also a member of the Nebraska Medical Center Polo for Patients Steering Committee. She is a past member of the Board of Directors for the Omaha Public Library Foundation, Omaha Town Hall, and the Council Bluffs Salvation Army Advisory Board. She was Chairman of the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo Membership Drive, the Ak-Sar-Ben Women’s Ball Committee, the Omaha Symphony Debutante Ball, the Lauritzen Gardens Antique and Garden Show, the Joslyn Art Museum Gala, the Omaha Public Library Stephen Ambrose Speaker Event, and the Heartland Family Service Annual Campaign.

QUEEN AK-SAR-BEN CXVII CAROLYN LEA GERMAN metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION

CONTINUED

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CONTINUED

Although community involvement was an important focus of her volunteer work, Susan also committed herself to her children’s school and sport activities and is Past President of the District 66 Volunteer Council for Westside Community Schools and the Westside Middle School Booster Club. She has served on the following non-profit guild boards: Omaha Community Playhouse, Omaha Symphony, Ak-Sar-Ben Friends, Omaha Performing Arts Leadership Committee and Sacred Heart School Friends of the Heard. In addition, she has worked on fund raising committees for the Arthritis Gala Women of the Year, the Durham Museum Ak-Sar-Ben Gown Exhibit, Project Harmony 10th Anniversary Gala and the Sunrise Scramble A man of vision with the courage and the perservance to pursue it, Bill Cutler is also a Diamond Donor to the Ak-Sar-Ben Scholarship Fund. His legacy will live on in the pursuits of our Heartland youth. Ak-Sar-Ben as a foundation has contributed more than 58 million dollars to our Heartland community. Since the introduction of scholarships in the 1950’s the Foundation has granted over 8 million dollars to scholars.

Ak-Sar-Ben CXVII Honors German Family with Queen Honor THE GERMAN FAMILY was honored for their civic leadership and community service as Carolyn Lea German was crowned the 117th Queen of Ak-Sar-Ben. On October 19, 2013, during the annual Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation and Scholarship Ball honoring more than 200 Nebraska and western Iowa families, a crowd of almost 1900 witnessed the crowning and formal introduction of the 117th Court of Quivira and the announcement of the 50 Horatio Alger Scholars. The new Queen currently attends Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska where she is majoring in English with a Language Arts Endorsement. Upon graduation she is planning to pursue a Masters Degree in Secondary Education. The first half of Carolyn’s college career was spent as a Cornhusker attending the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. While studying at UNL, Carolyn was active in the Pi Beta Phi Sorority, serving as the House delegate for FOCUS- Fellowship of Catholic University Stu dents. She served on its Executive Committee holding the position of Vice President of Housing. Having a strong desire to teach and make a difference in the formation of youth, motivated her involvement in First Book, a philanthropy raising funds for Literacy. A Fifth Generation Nebraskan, Carolyn followed in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother and is a graduate of Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart. Although knowing at an early age she wanted to be a teacher, it was at Duchesne Academy where this vocation was rooted more deeply. She was active in Computers for Africa and travelled to Uganda in support of education in Third world countries. Carolyn has a passion to run and to date

metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION

has completed five half marathons, and just competed the Twin Cities marathon on October 6. Queen Carolyn currently is taking flying lessons as well, an interest she shares with her father. Civic involvement and philanthropy are a common thread woven through the new Queen’s family. Carolyn’s mother, Karen Witt German, graduated from UNL, with a degree in Elementary Education. She is a veteran volunteer and her community support endeavors have benefitted numerous organizations serving as past Chairman of the Omaha Symphony Debutante Ball Committee and past member of the Ak-Sar-Ben Women’s Ball Committee. She has served on committees for Project Harmony, Laurtitzen Gardens, Women’s Center for Advancement and the St. Augustine Indian School Mission. Her many past and present affiliations include the Christ Child Society of Omaha, Bergan Mercy Hospital Board and Candlelight Ball Chairman, Omaha Town Hall and the Teammates Mentoring Program. She has been an active volunteer in her children’s education while at Creighton Prep, Duchesne Academy and Christ the King. Karen currently serves on the Archbishop’s Committee for Development and is currently a member on the development committee at Christ the King Church. Queen Carolyn’s father, Cal German was born and raised the son of a missionary bush pilot in the Philippine Islands. He and Carolyn returned after forty years and together identified the need for affordable and safe housing for youth making the difficult transition from remote tribal life to an urban college environment. This vision led to the funding and construction of two dormitories that now house over fifty students from the tribes he knew. Cal returned to the United States in 1971, living in both Imperial and Grant Nebraska. He attended University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he met his wife Karen. He spent three years in Public accounting at Coopers & Lybrand before purchasing an interest in Distribution Management Systems, Inc. and embarking on his 30-year career in software business. Cal’s civic and professional involvement includes, the Christ Child Society Board of Directors and the Association of Millwork Distributors Board of Directors. He has served on the Finance Committee of Christ the King and is a past Capital Campaign Co-Chairman. He served on the Floor Committee of Ak-Sar-Ben. Queen Carolyn is the youngest of three children all living and working in the Omaha area. All have participated in the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation & Scholarship Ball as pages, princesses, escorts and floor committee members. Carolyn’s fondest memories of Ak-Sar-Ben are as a page. There has always been a realm of mystery surrounding the Coronation and keeping things secret is key. She hopes to use her year as Queen to teach the value in volunteering and the importance in giving back. The Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation and Scholarship Ball has a mission of promoting, recognizing, and celebrating volunteerism, philanthropy and community pride. Since the 1950’s, Ak-Sar-Ben has awarded more than 8 million dollars in scholarships. Since its inception it has given over 58 million dollars to the Heartland community.

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SINCE THE 1940S, Ak-Sar-Ben, an organization of business and community leaders concerned with the growth and prosperity of Nebraska and western Iowa, has been providing scholarships to students in the region who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, academic ability, character and financial need. Thanks in part to its partnership with the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, this year the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben was once more able to financially assist 50 graduating high school seniors with their college education. The Horatio Alger Association grants more than $5 million in college scholarships annually and is the largest need-based scholarship program in the nation. Recipients of these scholarships are often faced with some of life’s harsher realities, such as homelessness, crime and disabling medical problems. The annual Coronation Ball raises money for the Ak-Sar-Ben Youth Scholarship Fund. This year, Ak-Sar-Ben once again partnered with the Horatio Alger Scholarship Program to provide 50 scholarships to deserving students from Nebraska and western Iowa. Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education.

Ak-Sar-Ben CXVII Mr. ian albrecht

THE HORATIO ALGER ASSOCIATION SEEKS TO ASSIST STUDENTS WHO HAVE: • Demonstrated integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity • Strength of character • Financial need • A good academic record • A desire to contribute to society • Commitment to pursue a college education

Shelton High School, Shelton, NE

Miss rachel anderson

Mr. David nevarez

Norfolk Senior High School, Norfolk, NE

Omaha South High School, Omaha, NE

Miss louisa aunkst

Miss brianna nielsen

Cross County High School, Benedict, NE

Mr. bradley baudler Nodaway Valley High School, Fontanelle, IA

Mr. Dakota burgerhoff Bloomfield High School, Bloomfield, NE

Miss Magdalena cazarez

The Association brings the“Horatio Alger Heroes”of today together with those of tomorrow by bestowing the Horatio Alger Award each year and by awarding more than $12 million annually in college scholarships to young people. Horatio Alger Scholars have faced challenges and realize that a college education is the avenue to a better future. The Association also provides its scholarship recipients with financial aid counseling, and internship and job placement assistance. The 50 Nebraska and western Iowa students will receive a $5,000 scholarship. The scholarship is available as a result of the dedicated efforts of the Women’s Ball Committee who have awarded more than $2 million to graduating youth. Because of their need, drive, academic achievement and your generous support, these deserving students have each been awarded a $6,000, four-year scholarship and the opportunity to partner with a mentor. Those wishing to make a donation to the Women’s Ball Committee Scholarship Fund, may do so by contacting the Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben at (402) 554-9600, ext. 106.

metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION

David City High School, Bellwood, NE

Omaha South High School, Omaha, NE

Millard South High School, Omaha, NE

Logan View High School, Hooper, NE

Miss ashley Padgett

Mr. Zachary Doffin

Shelton High School, Shelton, NE

Stanton Community School, Stanton, NE

Misstara Pavelka

Miss elisha Dunn Burke High School, Omaha, NE

Bruning-Davenport Unified High School, Davenport, NE

Miss celine eggerling

Mr. levi Peterson

Plainview High School, Brunswick, NE

Stapleton Public School, Stapleton, NE

Miss Mikayla ellwanger

Miss kloreace Pokorny

Superior High School, Superior, NE

North Loup Scotia High School, Scotia, NE

Miss april Faimon

Miss lianna Prill

Blue Hill Community High School, Lawrence, NE

Holdrege High School, Holdrege, NE

Mr. adoni Faxas

Mr. oliver ramirez-Gutierrez

Battle Creek High School, Meadow Grove, NE

Miss shantell Ferris Papillion-LaVista High School, Papillion, NE

Miss christina Greger Thomas Jefferson High School, Council Bluffs, IA

Omaha South High School, Omaha, NE

Miss emily retchless Johnson County Central High School, Tecumseh, NE

Miss cassandra schachenmeyer Cross County High School, York, NE

Miss aryn smidt

Mr. Derek Grovijohn

West Point Senior High School, West Point, NE

Westpoint High School, West Point, NE

Miss katrina sperl

Miss katie Gubbels

Stanton Community School,Stanton, NE

Laurel-Concord High School, Laurel, NE

Miss cheyenne svenson

Miss kalynn Hamlin

Norfolk Senior High School, Norfolk, NE

Omaha South High School, Omaha, NE

Miss Dominique swanson

Mr. Gavin Harsh

Bloomfield High School, Bloomfield, NE

McCook Senior High School, McCook, NE

Miss JessicaVorhees

Miss anna Hughart Hemingford High School, Crawford, NE

Miss Morgan koenigs Maple Valley-Anthon-Oto High School, Mapleton, IA

Mr. Danny linggonegoro Sheldon Senior High School, Sheldon, IA

Miss kathrine Macintosh

Creston High School, Cromwell, IA

Misstorri osantowski

Mr. Jared clark

Grand Island Senior High School, Grand Island, NE

• 69% female; 31% male • 63% receive federal aid (Free Reduced Lunch, Medicare/Medicaid, Food Stamps) • 76% work; 78% plan to attend colleges in the region • 10% or 5 scholars live without parents and on their own; 28% live in single parent homes • Their educational aspirations are: • 24% Medical (Doctors/Nurses/Medical Research/Pharmacy/PT) • 18% Education (Teachers) • 14% Psychology/Sociology • 10% Business/Computer Science • 6% Undecided • 4% in each of (Veterinary-Ag / Chemistry / Engineering / Arts / Science / Law/Accounting) • The average household income of the scholarship recipients is $15,845

Omaha North High School, Omaha, NE

Miss Jessica o’riley

Mr. Patrick overmyer

Miss Michaela Feldmann

The Face Of The Ak-Sar-Ben Scholar

Miss Johanna Meyer

Sand Hills High School, Dunning, NE

Aurora High School, Phillips, NE

Miss breannaWalker Benson High School, Omaha, NE

Mr. JeffreyWallman Daniel Freeman Public Schools,Filley, NE

Miss breelyWernimont

Garden County High School, Lewellen, NE

Carroll High School, Carroll, IA

Mr. cody Marsh

Mr. anthonyWhite

Papillion-LaVista High School, Papillion, NE

Burke High School, Omaha, NE

Miss shelby Mckay

Miss kelliWoodrum

Garden County High School, Oshkosh, NE

Sioux County High School, Harrison, NE

ak-sar-ben coronation ball • 2013

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Celebration of Civic Pride The Mission of the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball THE MISSION OF THE AK-SAR-BEN CORONATION BALL IS TO PROMOTE, RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE VOLUNTEERISM, PHILANTHROPY AND CIVIC PRIDE. THE WOMEN’S BALL COMMITTEE ENDEAVORS TO FULFILL THIS MISSION BY:

• Modeling the concept of volunteerism. • Recognizing volunteer leadership. • Awarding scholarships to future community leaders. • Celebrating civic pride with a special event. 2013 WOMEN'S BALL COMMITTEE: ANN TJADEN, CHAIRMAN

The committee is comprised of 19 women, each selected on the basis of their volunteer experience and performance. Each woman serves a three-year term, with the chairman returning for a fourth year as advisor. The Women’s Ball Committee plans every aspect and executes each phase of the Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball’s year-long process. Volunteer leadership in the community and region is recognized through the selection of the Court.

Photo courtesy of Dwyer Photography

The Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Quivira is graced by princesses and countesses accompanied by their escorts. And what court would be complete without the merriment of youthful pages and standard bearers. Over 150 families are represented by this lively cast of young people.

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ak-sar-ben coronation ball • 2013

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FR. THOMAS M. FANGMAN, JR.

MS. PENNELOPE S. PARKER

MR. BRUCE D. RASMUSSEN

MR. MICHAEL H. SIMMONDS metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION

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Court of Honor THE KNIGHTS OF AK-SAR-BEN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE AK-SAR-BEN WOMEN’S BALL COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED THE INDIVIDUALS WHO WILL BE INDUCTED INTO THE 2013 AK-SAR-BEN COURT OF HONOR. THE CEREMONIES WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE ANNUAL AK-SAR-BEN CORONATION AND SCHOLARSHIP BALL SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, OCTOBER 19, AT THE CENTURY LINK CENTER IN OMAHA, NEBRASKA. The Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honor, established in 1988, is one of the Foundation’s most prestigious awards. The recognition is given annually to individuals who have excelled in one of the following categories: Agriculture, Arts, Business and Industry, Community service, Education, Philanthropy, Professions. Public Service, Sports or Youth. The 2013 Court of Honor Inductees are Father Thomas M. Fangman, Jr., Education; Ms. Pennelope S. Parker, Service to Youth; Mr. Bruce D. Rasmussen, Sports; and Mr. Michael H. Simmonds, Business and Industry.

Father Thomas M. Fangman, Jr.

EDUCATION

Father Tom has served the North Omaha community for over 20 years interrupted only by a brief assignment to Sacred Heart Parish in Norfolk from 1996-1998. He currently serves as the Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, the CEO of CUES, and Ex-Officio Board Member of Heart Ministry Center. Fr. Tom was born in Omaha, Nebraska. His family includes his father, Dr. Thomas Fangman, the late Sally Fangman and his stepmother Barbara. While attending Creighton Preparatory High School, he served on the Student Council and several service outreach groups including Operation Others, Awareness Workshop and he tutored at Sacred Heart School. Fangman received his bachelor’s degree in Communications and Personnel Administration from the University of Kansas. He was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, was active in the St. Lawrence Catholic Center and intramural sports. After graduation, he received his Master’s degrees in Divinity and in Counseling at the Kenrick-Glennon Seminary..

The 2013 Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honor Fangman was Assistant Pastor at St. Philip Neri from 1992-1996 and then moved to Norfolk to teach and become the Associate Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish. He came back to Omaha in 1998 as Pastor of Sacred Heart Church and led a $3.3 million capital campaign to renovate the church with its debt free completion in 1999. He served as Executive Director of the Heart Ministry Center from 19982007. Fangman is Executive Director of the Christian Urban Education Service in Omaha, a position he has held since 1998. In 2012, his title changed to CEO with the expansion of the organization. He currently serves as President of All Saints School in Omaha. Fangman has served on many community boards including: Omaha 100 Inc., Creighton Preparatory School Alumni Council, Creighton University President’s Community Advisory Board, Inclusive Communities Development Committee, and All Saints Advisory Committee. He has done work for the Archdiocese of Omaha in various capacities including the Personnel Board, Priests’ Council, Convocation representative, and priest representative on the Domestic Violence Pastoral Project. He has received numerous awards and honors: Golden Apply Award (Teacher of the Year) at Norfolk Catholic High School, the Otto Swanson Spirit of Service Award from Inclusive Communities (previously NCCJ), Stewardship and Development Leadership Award from the Archdiocese of Omaha, Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan Service Award from Creighton University, Father Flanagan Priest Award from Boys Town, and the Neighborhood and Family Development Award from Catholic Charities. Fr. Fangman says, “My proudest achievement is being a part of a mission that truly shapes and impacts the lives of so many young children in our community. My Omaha roots are so important to me. I love our community and it is really important to me to be a part of that.” Fangman’s hobbies include biking, swimming, skiing, reading, and spending time with his family and friends.

CONTINUED

ONGRATULATIONS

ike Simmonds

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CONTINUED

Court of Honor Pennelope S. Parker SERVICE TO YOUTH For the past 22 years, Pennelope (Penny) Parker has served as the Executive Director of Completely Kids, formerly known as Camp Fire USA. Completely KIDS is an organization serving over 2,000 inner city children through out-ofschool programs in low income schools, homeless shelters, and their building at 2566 St. Mary’s Avenue. Parker completed a capital campaign to purchase and renovate their building and led the construction of an outdoor nature explore classroom. Parker was born in Lincoln, Nebraska to the late Walter (Doc) Mannschreck and Lois Mershon Mannschreck. At age ten, after reading a book by Jane Addams, who founded Hull House in Chicago, she decided she wanted to be a social worker. She graduated from Chester High School in Chester, Nebraska and attended Nebraska Wesleyan University on an alumni scholarship, receiving her undergraduate degree from UNL in Social Welfare and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from University of Nebraska at Omaha.Parker began her professional career as a caseworker and then a supervisor for Douglas County Social Services in north Omaha. She worked for Child Saving Institute, where she managed a residential program for young mothers and their children. She also counseled abusive and neglectful parents, worked on one of the first single parent father custody cases in Nebraska and spoke nationally on issues addressing parents of interracial children. She became the first female Child Welfare Administrator at the

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Omaha Office of the Nebraska Department of Social Services, overseeing 93 staff who serviced over 2200 clients involved in foster care, child protective services, and adoption. Parker has received numerous awards: UNO Alumni Association-Citation for Alumni Achievement Award, Nebraska Commission on the status of Women-Women of Distinction Award, NASW-Nebraska Social Worker of the Year, Big Brothers-Big Sisters-Big Sister of the Year and YWCA-Outstanding Woman of Distinction, UNO School of Social Work Heart Award, UNO College of Public Affairs and Community Service Award, Project Harmony 2002 Kids First Award, Domestic Violence Coordinating Council Community Service Award and the Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit of the Year Award in 2012. Parker serves on the UNO Alumni Association Board of Directors. She previously was on the Adoption Links Board of Directors, Member of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce Leadership Omaha Class and as a sustaining member of the Junior League of Omaha was inducted into their Hall of Fame. Parker is married to Steve Parker. She has served as a role model to countless youths throughout the Heartland. In their spare time, Penny and Steve enjoy spending time at Lake Okoboji, reading, cooking, volunteering, and being with friends and family.

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The 2013 Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honor Bruce D. Rasmussen

SPORTS

Bruce Rasmussen has been the Athletic Director at Creighton University since 1994 and is one of the modern pillars in Nebraska sports. During his tenure, Creighton has risen to prominence with its success on-and-off the field, impressive facilities and record-breaking fundraising efforts. Rasmussen accepted the associate athletics director position in 1992 after a 12-year run as the “winningest” coach in Creighton women’s basketball history (196-147), culminating in the program’s historic 1991-92 season. The 1992 Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, Rasmussen led the 1991-92 Bluejay women to a program-record 28 wins (28-4), the WAC regular-season and tournament championships and a first-round NCAA Tournament victory in the program’s first-ever trip to the “Big Dance.” With that 28-4 record in 1991-92, Rasmussen completed his college coaching career with a 196-147 record, good for a .571 winning percentage. After serving as associate athletics director for two years, Rasmussen was named athletics director on Aug.1, 1994. Since Rasmussen assumed the role of athletics director, Creighton has won 29 regular season and 36 conference tournament titles, which have helped lead to 65 postseason appearances. Creighton made the NCAA Tournament in men’s soccer in 20 of the past 21 years. The Creighton softball team has made six NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 11 years. Creighton has also been recognized with the MVC All-Academic Award in seven of the last

nine seasons, including a record 3.37 GPA in the spring of 2012 by studentathletes. Rasmussen helped lead the charge for one of the biggest moves in school history when the school accepted an invitation into the BIG EAST Conference in March of 2013. Building projects continue to change the Creighton campus and development in east Omaha. The Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center and D.J. Sokol Arena opened in 2009. Creighton’s new student recreation center was named the Rasmussen Center in his honor and stands as one of the centerpieces on the Creighton campus. The Championships Center will open in April 2014 and TD Ameritrade Park Omaha, home to Bluejay baseball and the College World Series, opened in 2011. Those projects add to an overhaul in the school’s athletic facilities over the past decade, which has also seen Creighton begin play at two of the finest facilities nationwide, Michael G. Morrison, S.J., Stadium (soccer) and Century Link Center Omaha (men’s basketball). Creighton’s primary annual athletics fundraising events are the Bluejay Bash and the Bluejay Jamboree. Under Rasmussen’s leadership, each of these events continues to raise record-breaking funds for Creighton athletics. Rasmussen’s honors include: Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year (1991, 1992), NACDA Athletic Director of the Year (2004 and 2010), Omaha Sports Hall of Fame (2008) and Mary Lucretia Award for Advancement of Women (2008) and Kick’s for a Cure, Liz’s Legacy Inspiration Award (2013).

CONTINUED

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Court of Honor

CONTINUED

The 2013 Ak-Sar-Ben Court of Honor He is currently serving on the College Worlds Series, Inc. Executive Committee, Abide Network Board, Project Harmony Board, NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee and Omaha FCA Board of Directors. A native of Webster City, Iowa, Rasmussen and his wife, Jill, enjoy sporting events and spending time with their five children, Megan, David, John, Katie and Grace.

Michael H. Simmonds

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

Mike Simmonds is the founder and developer of Simmonds Restaurant Management, Inc Simmonds was born and raised in southern California. He served two years in the Army from 1968-1970 before attending the University of Alabama, Huntsville where he received a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. Simmonds worked in the restaurant industry while in high school. In 1970, he became an assistant manager at the Burger King in Decatur, Alabama. In 1976, Mike opened his first Burger King. He eventually grew his company to operate over 90 restaurants with familiar brands such as Burger King, Taco John’s, and Jimmy John’s. The company has employed over 2,800 people. He has served as the president of the Mid-America Franchise Association and served on the board of the National Franchisee Association. Simmonds has been involved in the Omaha community for many years. He has served on the boards for the Salvation Army, Special Olympics Nebraska, Junior Achievement of the Midlands, Methodist Hospital Foundation, Bellevue University, Sacred Heart School, Boy Scouts, of America, Arthritis Foundation, and Merrymakers. He has received numerous honors and awards and was inducted into the Omaha Chamber’s Business Hall of Fame. He was presented with the Humanitarian Award by Inclusive Communities, the Marge & Chuck Durham Spirit of Nebraska Award by UNMC, Sacred Heart School- Heart Award and the People of Vision Award by Prevent Blindness Nebraska. He has chaired a number of fundraising events in Omaha, including the Salvation Army Tree of Lights Campaign, The Gathering for Sacred Heart School, Creighton Prep Bash, Marian Fest, United Way of the Midlands Annual Campaign, Literacy Council Drive, Leukemia & Lymphoma Diamonds & Decadence, and Team Mates. Simmonds and his wife Lin met in Huntsville, Alabama and were married in 1969. They have 4 children; Kevin, Jennifer, Natalie, and Shawn, and 3 grandchildren. Mike enjoys various entrepreneurial opportunities and is committed to local philanthropy and medical solutions for cancer. In his spare time enjoys traveling, cooking, cars, good scotch and cigars. The Coronation is a fundraising vehicle for the Ak-Sar-Ben Scholarships offered in conjunction with the Horatio Alger Foundation for students in need of financial assistance to attain a college degree. Each dollar provided by Ak-SarBen is matched by the University of Nebraska system, College of Saint Mary, Metropolitan Community College, Bellevue University and Creighton University if scholars choose to attend those schools. At any given time, Ak-SarBen is assisting 250 young people attend college and the program has a high retention rate for the Horatio Alger scholarship programs. For a list of this year’s local scholars log on to: https://www.horatioalger.org/scholarships/2013awards. metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION

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The Coronation

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The Coronation

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JOHN, SOPHIA AND HILLARY DETISCH

LOREN AND DANI BRADFORD

JANE MILLER AND PENNY PARKER

MONICA AND DANNY PATE

DIANE, KATIE, JANYCE, KEVIN AND CHRISTIAN WARNEKE

EVAN IBACH, ANN MARIE BOSSHAMER, EMILY IBACH AND ALEX IBACH CAPTIONS

MOLLY, KATIE AND ERICA MCGILLICK WITH TALIA HEAD

JACK SEARL, COLIN SEARL, MAGGIE NEARY, PAIGE SEARL, KYLE BEAMAN, GREG PUCKELL AND JACKSON DINSDALE

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Pre-Ball Reception

STEVE AND MONICA SAMEK WITH MARK, JUDY AND JILLIAN MORAVEC

WENDY CLARK, MARY AND MIKE REDELFS AND ASHLEY CLARK CAPTIONS

MARK AND DEB SCHORR, ALISON SCHORR AND MELISSACAPTIONS SCHORR

CARA WURTZ, ABBY AHL, JEFF AHL, ANDREW PRUITT, EMILY PERDUE AND ALYSSA GREWCOCK metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION

SHELLI AND TIM MOSSER

SYLVIA, MICHAEL AND DAVE MAENNER

RACHEL WASHINGTON, MAX ANDERSON AND CLAIRE VOLK

ANGIE KENNEY, BRIAN BOSSHAMER & PATTY KENNEY-HILGER

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ANGELA KROS AND BILL CUTLER IV

JOHN AND GAIL DEBOER, AMANDA AND TOM BARTLETT, ALAN GILMORE, DR. JULIA CRONIN-GILMORE

AVERY AND RENEE BLACK

CAPTIONS

JJ, TAGGART AND LESLEY CROUSE

CAPTIONS ROBERT DUNCAN WITH KELLY AND BRITT THEDINGER

LIN SIMMONDS, ANNIE BIRD AND JOAN SQUIRES

KATIE WARNEKE, DIANE WARNEKE, SANDY MASSEY, EMILY IBACH AND THERESA IBACH

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Pre-Ball Reception

BRAD HUSS, WENDY MOORE, JAN HUSS, DIAN AND JIM WARREN, BRADIE BENJAMIN, SARAH MOORE, BROOKE BENJAMIN, MATT JACOB, S. SCOTT MOORE

CAPTIONS

JACOB, SARA AND MATT BOYD CAPTIONS

SCOTT AND KELLI DRAPER, BILL AND BARB FITZGERALD, TATE AND DENISE FITZGERALD metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION

BILL CUTLER IV AND JAMIE WALKER

SAM AND DAVE HOHMAN

SKYLAR AND BUFFY RICCERI

KRISTEN DOBLEMAN AND NOELLE MAPES

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LINDSAY RUMA, ELIZABETH SIMPSON AND SARAH LIVINGSTON

ERICA, MOLLY AND KATIE MCGILLICK WITH EMILY, EVAN, AND ALEC IBACH

JEANNETTE BROWN, NATALIE CANTRAL, WITH TRISH AND MIA PETERSEN

JOE AND MAYOR JEAN STOTHERT

BECKY BISCHOF, MICHAEL PRITCHARD AND JOHN BISCHOF

CAPTIONS

TEDDY, MICKI, ALLISON AND JOE PANE

CAPTIONS

LORI SCOTT, JANELLE ZELENY, AMY WIEGERT AND MARSHA MARRON

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Pre-Ball Reception

ALI MILLER, KATIE KEISER, JENNA LANGEMEIER, HANNA JENKINS AND BRIAN FREY

CAPTIONS

KIRSTEN BRYDEGAARD, GERI MARR AND CINDY BAY CAPTIONS

THE HORD, SHANER AND WHITEFOOT FAMILIES metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION

BRAD AND SUSAN ROHRIG WITH BILL AND BEV KARRER

VIV AND JOHN EWING

WENDI AND SCOTT KROEGER

PETER ZOUCHA, SARAH MAHER, SAM ZOUCHA AND ALLIE BURT

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STACIE AND SHANE OSBORN

SARA AND OWEN LANG, KATIE MCGUIRE, MOLLY AND MIKE ABBOUD

MARY AND TODD JOHNSON

TOM AND ASHLEY BURT

TAMMY AND DREW BLOSSOM WITH JACKIE

AMY, KATIE, MARK AND MASON GROHE

DAVID KORFF, PAULA COOPER, KYLIE KORFF, JEAN KORFF, LISA KORFF, COURTNEY FRAHM, LAURA LUTHER, CAROLINE LUTHER, AND SAM COOPER

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Pre-Ball Reception

SHERI DELAMOTTE, PHIL, ANNE AND LAURA WEAVER

CHRIS AND TERRI EISCHEILD WITH ELLIE

MAX, KATE AND MARTH SLOSBURG

MAGGIE SMITH, LINDSEY STIBBS AND KILEY ECCKER

RACHEL AND REGAN KOLLER WITH ALYSE PETERSEN, NATALIE CANTRAL AND EMMA PETERSON metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION

FRAN AND ANDY PETERSON WITH ASHLEY AND EVAN IBACH

ALEXANDRIA EWING, BRITTANY AND LAUREN ALBIN

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NATHAN, OLIVIA AND MATT MINCHOW

BRIAN ARNOLD WITH MICHAELA CANTRAL

DAVID, MELANIE AND PATRICK HECKER

JEFF AND DIANE BRIGGS WITH JULIE AND STEVE KENNEY

MADISON SCOTT AND ROSA REED-BOULEY

TODD MURPHY AND COLIN BISHOP

COLIN BISHOP, TAMMI BISHOP, TODD MURPHY, STEPHANIE MURPHY, COSTEN BISHOP, BO GRATTON (BACK), BUFFY GRATTON, BARBARA BISHOP, JAN BISHOP AND DANIEL BISHOP

SCOTT CARLSON, MARK CARLSON, KATIE CARLSON, MOLLY MADLICK, TIM CARLSON AND ANNE CARLSON

DR. MARV AND LYNETTE DVORAK, DR. ALLEN AND CAROL DVORAK WITH PAT AND DICK BELL

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Pre-Ball Reception

KATE AND BRAD GRABILL

PETER KORFF AND CLAIRE ECKSTROM

CASSIE BRADFORD, KIM PAPE AND STACEY SCHNAUBER

PATTY, CHRIS, CHRISTOPHER KIRCHER, MADI SHEPARD WITH HOPE KIRCHER

COLE WYCOFF AND BAILEY BARNARD

SHARON MCGILL, GRAHAM GUENETTE, OLIVIA ROBINO, MIKE ROBINO AND GWEN MCGILL

JANEEN MACRINO AND KAREN DAVIS

LISA AND TYLER OWEN, PATTY AND WOODY BRADFORD, BOB OWEN AND GERRY AND BRUCE LAURITZEN metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION

TOM AND JENNIFER ALEXANDER

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CAPTIONS

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Behind the Scenes

CAPTIONS

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CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS 27 ak-sar-ben coronation ball • 2013

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CAPTIONS

– ongratulations –

to our

AVERY RENEE BLACK

BRADY GIRL!

love, MoM anD scott

all our love-MoM, DaD anD tanner CAPTIONS

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to our very special page avery!

CAPTIONS

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Behind the Scenes Congratulations: Pages, Princesses & Escorts

– ongratulations – to ak-sar-ben cxvii page

BRAYDEN KENNETH CHRISTENSEN CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS great job, Master brayDen! love, MoM, DaD anD blaire

– ongratulations – to tHe kappa kappa gaMMa princesses oF

COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS FroM tHe FaMily oF talia HeaD

– ongratulations – HeartlanD escort co-cHairMan

KELLEN DEAN JORGENSEN your FaMily & FrienDs

CAPTIONS

– ongratulations – triple trouble tiMes two!

IBACHS & MCGILLICKS CAPTIONS metroMAGAZINE SPECIAL EDITION

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susan Mcgillick

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Receiving Line

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Congratulations ing William Cutler ueen Carolyn German and families and to Women's Ball Committee chairman Ann Tjaden and the entire Women's Ball Committee for their tireless efforts in making the CVII Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation & Ball another successful event

Official Couterier â&#x20AC;˘ Ak-Sar-Ben Coronation Ball 2013 regency court | Omaha | 402-399-8080

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u o Y r P e i e c S t tâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;

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se 1 fr o m o v e r

Ak-Sar-Ben CXVII images at our Photo Store http://metroscene.zenfolio.com/

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Look Who’s Sheltering Shelter Pets

Calling all Kids… Party Animal Birthdays are Back! You can celebrate your child’s birthday with a tail wagging good time AND help homeless animals! Our Party Animal Birthdays are 90 minutes of nonstop fun with animal themed games and crafts, a scavenger hunt, a behind the scenes tour, the chance to make dog treats and puppy play time! Plus the birthday boy or girl gets a special gift And the opportunity to name a shelter pet. The party room has full kitchen facilities so you can bring 15 of your closest friends, treats, presents, and decorations and we’ll supply the fun. Contact Tracy at 402 444-7800 ext. 2396 for more information.

Paws Forever Legacy Society The animals in our lives give us unconditional love, affection and friendship every day. When you provide for the Nebraska Humane Society in your estate planning, you are helping to save the lives of deserving homeless animals. Some gifts to build your legacy include: • Bequest (specific amounts or residuary percentages in your will) John and Viv Ewing with Cooper

John and Viv Ewing Cooper Ewing hangs out like he’s lived with John and Viv his whole life. “He walked in, checked the place out, then went over to John, stood on his hind legs, gently put his front legs on John’s leg, and asked to be picked up,” laughs Viv, “John has been hooked ever since.” It doesn't hurt that Cooper is an expressive little year-old Maltese, who is friendly, house trained and sits patiently to get his leash put on before going out. “He likes to be held on your shoulder,” says John, “and he’ll hop up on my chest and snuggle in for nap time.” Cooper has been in the Ewing home just about 3 weeks and has settled in without a hitch. He’s even gone to his first Husker game. “He rode like a champ in the car to Minneapolis,” Viv explains, “and he happily wore his husker sweater as he visited the Mall of America inside his dog tote.” Clearly, Cooper has decided that the Ewings are HIS family…and John and Viv completely agree. “We got the idea from a close colleague, Robin, who has a shelter dog. We thought that giving a shelter pet a second chance would be the right thing to do. Needless to say, Cooper has proved that out by being a great dog and a great fit!” John sums it up, “He’s the boy I never had.”

www.nehumanesociety.org gives you all the info!

metroMagazine • DeC 2013

• Charitable Remainder Truse • Beneficiary of a life insurance policy retirement plan, CD, property or bank account If you choose to include NHS in your estate plans we hope you consider joining our Paws Forever Legacy Society. Your legacy will guarantee that animals in our community receive the care they need well into the future. For more information contact the NHS Gift Planning Office at (402) 905-3496 or giftplanning@nehumanesociety.org

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event galleries

scene OMAHA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION & MCC-ICA HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME DINNER

CHILD SAVING INSTITUTE PURSEONALITIES 2013

KENT BELLOWS STUDIO WISHBONE 2013

ANGELS AMONG US AN EVENING AMONG ANGELS

WOMEN’S FUND FALL LUNCHEON

CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER GALA

LEGAL AIDE OF NEBRASKA 50TH ANNIVERSARY

HUSKER GREATS FOUNDATION BIG RED RUNWAY

Purchase photos from these events online or from your smartphone, 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

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eVenT

spotlight

children’s hospital

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BELIEVE IN HAPPY ENDINGS

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF SCHOLZ IMAGES

true believers ALL ABOUT:

MARY LOU BRASEE AND JUDY PRITZA

HASSAN SHALLA, ANA LOPEZ, RODRIGO AND MARY LOPEZ, WITH DAVID AND SARAH LOPEZ 36

T“Believe in Happy Endings” Raises $550,000 for the Carolyn Scott Rainbow House A crowd of about 1,000 contributed more than $550,000 at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center’s annual Gala on Nov. 9 at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Attendees enjoyed silent and live auctions, a raffle, dinner and entertainment by Super Diamond. WOWT’s John Knicely emceed the event. Proceeds from the 2013 Gala will support the Carolyn Scott Rainbow House. For 30 years, this community treasure has provided lodging and support to parents and family members of children receiving services at Children's who live 60 miles or more from Omaha. There's no formal charge to stay at the Rainbow House – just a small suggested donation of $10 per day – and no one is turned away if they are not able to pay. In 2012, the Rainbow House served about 2,000 families from more than 25 states. Honorary chairs were Rodrigo and Mary Lopez. Mary Lou Brasee and Judy Pritza served as the event’s cochairs. Jane Hirz is the current president of Children’s Friends Board. Special guests included Avery Weisdorfer, her parents Anne Dee and Eric, and other family members from Shelton, Neb. Anne Dee shared her family’s experiences at Children’s and the Rainbow House with the Gala crowd. Children’s Friends Board members along with Foundation staff plan the Gala each year, but scores of Children’s employees and community volunteers are crucial to making the evening a success. Hospital employees created 24 beautiful gift baskets for the silent auction this year. “We appreciate the Friends Board leaders, our hardworking Gala committee and all who contributed to the success of the 2013 Gala,” said Roger Lewis, executive director of Children’s Hospital & Medical Center Foundation. “I know the children and families served by the new Rainbow House will be grateful, too.” Live auction items included a week at a Steamboat Springs townhouse, 100 shares of Baby Berkshire stock and a private dinner for 10 combined with a TD Ameritrade Park Stadium tour. The 338 silent auction packages were valued at more than $78,000. metroMAGAZINE • DEC 2013

DIA

MIC WIT

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& medical center | gala

BACK ROW: ANNE DEE AND ERIC WEISDORFER FRONT ROW: KENDALL, PAIGE, AVERY AND REGAN WEISDORFER

DIANE AND JEFF BRIGGS The 2013 Gala’s theme was “Believe in Happy Endings.” Tables were dressed with plum, violet and silver linens, complemented by twinkling votive candles and elegant arrangements that included bells of Ireland, purple and green spider mums, greenery and curly willow. The menu featured a parfait of smokey gazpacho with chili lime shrimp, beef medallions with blue cheese and grain mustard demi-glace, smashed potato cake and fall vegetable bundle. For dessert, guests enjoyed triple chocolate cheesecake with basil whipped cream finished with a deep fried basil leaf and berry garnish. Proudly serving children since 1948, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center (www.ChildrensOmaha.org) is recognized as a 2013-14 Best Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report in cardiology and heart surgery, and gastroenterology and GI surgery. It is the only full-service, pediatric health care center in Nebraska providing expertise in more than 30 pediatric specialty services to children across a five-state region and beyond. Located in Omaha, the 141-bed, non-profit hospital operates the only Level II Pediatric Trauma Center in the region and offers 24-hour, in-house services by pediatric critical care specialists.

MICKY MARVIN AND KATHY BECK WITH CINDY AND PETE HANLEY

ED AND BEVERLY BURCHFIELD WITH RACHEL AND ROB MAGLINGER

metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

ELLEN AND STAVELY WRIGHT WITH KYLE AND MIKE ROBINO

GARY AND CAROL PERKINS

KATHY AND JIM SIMPSON

LAURA CROSBY AND DEBBIE WOOD

CAROL AND ROGER LEWIS

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eVenT

spotlight

women’s fund

metroMagazine

WOMEN’S FUND

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE WOMEN’S FUND

granting service ALL ABOUT: The Women’s Fund of Omaha has awarded grants totaling $133,000 to local nonprofit agencies that serve women and girls in the community. Representatives from 13 agencies selected for Excellence, Community Impact, Changemaker and Little Women grants were on hand to receive their checks at the 13th Annual Fall Luncheon on October 24. Additionally, seven agencies received WomanSpirit awards. With these awards, the total grants given by the Women’s Fund since its inception exceeds $1.5 million. Over the years, more than 100 organizations have benefited from these awards. “We are excited to announce these grants for programs that will make a substantial and sustainable impact on the well-being of women and girls in Omaha,” said Sara Masters, grants committee chair. “These grants support innovative programs for women ages 18 and up in the areas of economic self-sufficiency and domestic violence, as well as sexual literacy programs for young women ages 13 and up – all areas our research has identified as priorities.”

LINDSAY COSIMANO, GAIL GRAEVE, KATRINA BECKER AND STEPHANIE MATTOON

This year’s recipients are: EXCELLENCE AWARDS Two organizations received merit grants for their outstanding work in the community. The $25,000 Excellence in Service to Women Grant went to Women’s Center for Advancement for its Bridges to Opportunity program that moves participants from multi-generational poverty to self-sufficiency and helps clients develop short- and long-term goals. Girls Scouts Spirit of Nebraska received the $20,000 Excellence in Service to Girls Grant for its Girl Scout Leadership Experience that helps girls understand what leadership is and how a leader can use her skills to make a difference in the world.

MICHELLE ZYCH, LARISSA JOHNSON, BETSY MYERS, MAYOR JEAN STOTHERT, GAIL GRAEVE AND KATRINA BECKER 38

COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS Catholic Charities – (Union Pacific award) $9,500 for Immigration Legal Assistance Services that help immigrant women who have been victimized by domestic violence and/or sexual assault navigate away from the cycle of abuse and self-petition for legal status in the United States.

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metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

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FRONT ROW DAVE PANTOS, CAROLINA PADILLA, ERICKA GUINAN, CINDY OELKE, JOSSY ROGERS, AMY RICHARDSON, EMILIANO LERDA AND MAGGIE WOOD SECOND ROW MARY FRASER MEINTS AND KAREN AUTHIER, BACK ROW, ROBERTA WILHELM AND DEB DANCER Family Housing Advisory Services – (Weitz Investment Management award) $10,000 for the Financial Education Program that empowers women to take charge of their finances through a combined strategy of financial education, energy efficiency education and matched savings incentives. Girls Incorporated of Omaha - $7,500 for the Sexpertise program that addresses sexual and reproductive health by providing medically accurate information and reinforces each girl’s vision of a selfsufficient and desirable future. Intercultural Senior Center - $5,500 for the Threads of Life program that teaches basic sewing skills to immigrant and refugee women. Participants also learn micro-business skills and are able to build social support networks. Justice for our Neighbors - Nebraska – (Lozier award) $10,000 for its Legal Services for Battered Immigrant Women program that provides education on their rights, works with community service providers to enhance support for battered immigrant women, and provides clients with free legal services. Legal Aid of Nebraska - $5,000 for the ElderAccessLine® that assists elderly women with legal services and advice related to credit card debt, contractual issues, home loan scams and pay day loans. Nebraska Children’s Home Society – (Methodist Health System award) $10,000 for the Teen Chat program that focuses on STD education, pregnancy prevention and development of a healthy sense of personal well-being. OneWorld Community Health Centers - $7,500 to develop a sexual literacy and reproductive health curriculum and train lay Latina community members to provide community health education and screenings for girls and women ages 13 and older.

LORRAINE CHANG, CHERI DURYEA, LARISSA JOHNSON, DIANE BATTIATO AND JANE RIPS

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland - $5,000 for sex education programs in partnership with Girls Inc. that focus on abstinence and prevention of teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. ADDITIONAL AWARDS Heart Ministry Center received the $5,000 Changemaker Award for its Pathway self-sufficiency program that helps women overcome the challenges of poverty. Women’s Fund donors who contribute $200 or more annually determine the recipient. Youth Emergency Services was awarded the $1,000 Little Women Grant for a program that assists young women in its Transitional Living Program and Maternity Home. Girls enrolled in the Women’s Fund Little Women program select the grant recipient.

BETSY MYERS

WOMANSPIRIT AWARDS $1,500 awards are given annually to honor women whose leadership has had a significant impact of the lives of Omaha-area women and girls. WomenSpirit honorees and the recipient agencies are: • Margre Durham (memorial) – Domestic Violence Council • Mary Heng-Braun – University of Nebraska Foundation, Marian Ivers Community Leadership Award • Marian Ivers (memorial) – Completely Kids • Dianne Seeman Lozier – Domestic Violence Council • Maryanne Stevens – College of Saint Mary Scholarship Fund • Mimi Waldbaum (memorial) – Planned Parenthood of the Heartland • Barbara Weitz – Omaha Girls Rock • Gail Walling Yanney – Women’s Fund of Omaha The Women's Fund of Omaha identifies critical issues, funds innovative solutions and leads dynamic change as it works to improve the lives of Omaha-area women and girls. For more information visit www.omahawomensfund.org

MAKAYLA MCMORRIS AND THOMASINA SKIPPER

MARY FRASIER MEINTS, CINDY HADSELL, DR. JUDITH STERN AND BEVERLY TRAUB

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Photography by Dan Flanigan

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PursePEOPLE child saving institute PURSEONALITIES 2013

On Friday, October 25, 265 philanthropic guests raised $55,000 for children in need in our community at the Child Saving Institute Guild’s "PurseOnalities 2013" Annual Scholarship Luncheon held at Hilton Omaha. This year’s event theme was “Queen for a Day!”—a theme selected specifically to pay tribute to the CAPTIONS Honorary Chairman, witty raconteur and community leader Mary Maxwell. The 2013 Event Chairs were Angela Drew, Lucy Newberry, and Christine Nikunen. Keynote Speaker was Carol Hunter, CEO/Co-Founder of FGI International. The money raised at PurseOnalities supports CSI’s programs for at-risk youth, including the Guild Scholarship Program, which awards $2,500 renewable scholarships to students pursuing higher education who have participated in CSI programs. This year’s scholarship recipients were Mary Leonard and Michael Gregerson. As is tradition, PurseOnalities also offered a funCAPTIONS silent auction featuring a variety of fabulous designer purse packages as well as a raffle for an onyx bracelet donated by Borsheims. KETV Channel 7 was the media sponsor and Newswatch 7 Anchor Melissa Fry served as the emcee.

LUCY NEWBERRY, MARY MAXWELL, ANGIE DREW AND CHRISTINE NIKUNEN

Child Saving Institute, a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit child welfare organization, is dedicated to the prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse, neglect and abandonment. CSI has met the changing needs of metro area children for more than 120 years based on the belief that ALL children should have homes where hope is kindled and dreams can be achieved. KAREN BURMOOD AND STACY LOVELACE JOLLEY

GINA O’CONNELL

JANAE LAMME AND MELANIE HECKER

Subscribe Now & Save 50%! 12 issues. $9.99 Instantly. Text “MMSUB50” to 289669 RENEW TODAY BY TEXT AND GET THIS SAME GREAT RATE!

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Photography by Dan Flanigan

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THE JESSE AND EMSICK FAMILIES

DAVID ROONEY, JEFF SNOW AND GLENN WHEELER

TONY AND CARMEN MESSINEO FAMILY

HospitalityFIRST omaha restaurant association and the institute for the culinary arts at mcc HOSPITALITY HALL OF FAME DINNER

The 20th annual Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame Annual Dinner and Induction Ceremony was held on October 20 at the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College. More than 250 guests attended. KATHY AND DR. JACK LEWIS WITH CAROL AND RICK RUSSELL

JEN AND BRIAN FOX WITH CARLOS AND BROOKE VALENZUELA This year’s inductees are Yano Caniglia of Royal Boy and Mister C’s; Paul Dougherty (deceased) of Dougherty Brokerage Co.; Nicole Jesse of LaCasa Pizzaria; Robert Mancuso of Mid-America Expositions Inc.; Anthony O. Messineo Jr. of Valentino’s Pizza, Premier Catering and Amazing Pizza Machine; and Jeff Snow of Catering Creations. The Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame was created to recognize achievement and significant contributions in the hospitality industry. The Hall of Fame is a collaborative endeavor of the Omaha Restaurant Association and the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College.

TERI, ELNORA, AMY, PAM AND BECKY DOUGHERTY

This annual event recognizes industry professionals while providing an opportunity for students, faculty and staff at the Institute for the Culinary Arts at MCC to design, prepare and present the meal. Event proceeds are for the education of students at the Institute for the Culinary Arts at MCC.

DAN PREUSSER, KAELEEN DOUGHERTY, CHAD PREUSS AND ERIC HANKE

The Hall of Fame is a collaborative endeavor of the Omaha Restaurant Association and the Institute for the Culinary Arts at MCC. A committee is comprised of representatives from the restaurant and hospitality industries. Businesses are supportive of the event and provide “loaned executives” to serve on the committee. More information is available through the Omaha Restaurant Association, 402-493-4739 and dineoutoften@cox.net.

LINDSAY MADEJ, BETSY SCHRACK AND MELANIE SCHRACK

DENNY AND DEE GRAVES 42

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Photography courtesy of The Kent Bellows studio

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WishingWELL kent bellows studio WISHBONE 2013

PHYLLIS BELLOWS, OTIS 12, ANNETTE AND PAUL SMITH

RYAN ELDER

Special Guests: Otis 12 and Dave Wingert Surprise Guest: Phyllis Bellows (Kent Bellowsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Mother) When It Happened: October 17th, 2013 Where It Happened: The Joslyn Castle Why/How It Happened: Benefit for The Kent Bellows Studio & Center for Visual Arts Catered by: John Ford Mission: To serve young people in our region, helping them discover their creative voice by providing mentorship with professional artists. Honorary Chairs: Dr. Charles and Julie Burt Sponsors/Hosts: Dave Wingert Attendance: 149 Funds Raised: $41,000 (gross) About your organization: Founded in 2007, The Kent Bellows Studio & Center for Visual Arts (www.kentbellows.org) serves young people in our community, helping them discover their creative voice by providing mentorship with professional artists. Our mentoring programs for high school-age artists harmonize the freedom to create with the guidance of professional mentors to deliver hands-on art experiences that inspire well-being, creative thinking and action. For more information visit www.kentbellows.org

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Photography by Dan Flanigan

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Angels InDISGUISE angels among us AN EVENING AMONG ANGELS

RENEE AND JEREMY VOKT

ANGIE KUBICEK AND MALORIE MADDOX

“The 2013 An Evening Among Angels was the most successful fundraiser to date. CAPTIONS We are so grateful to have the community supporting our families.” ~ Angie Kubicek, AAU Chairman of the Board

Angels Among Us is a local non-profit that financially assists families with a child battling cancer.

SHELLEY SIEMERS, CATHY BONNESEN, ELLEN WRIGHT, JANE POHLMAN AND DEBBIE HALLOCK

KEN KEEGAN, LISA ROBERGE, MARK JENSE AND CAMILLE JENSEN

An Evening Among Angels is Angel Among Us's annual fundraiser. The proceeds earned at the event provide Angels Among Us the funds needed to support families inCAPTIONS the coming year. An Evening Among Angels was on November 1st, at the Embassy Suites in the Old Market. Over 300 people were in attendance and over $115,000 was raised. The Chairman of Angels Among Us is Angie Kubicek. The Honorary Chairs were Jeremy and Renee Vokt. The Chairs of the event were: Angie Kubicek, Ashley Homan, Steve Sorensen, Kyle Johnson, Shari Holl, Amy Robbins, and Mark "Butch" Burgers.

MIKE HAHN, JERALEE HAHN AND TODD KUBICEK

HEATHER SANDSTROM AND JULIE FELTZ

Angels Among Us helps families of children battling cancer by attempting to reduce the amount of stress in their lives so that they can focus more of their CAPTIONSon their children. attention Angels Among Us assists families that are from Nebraska or being treated in Nebraska. The organization pays bills directly ranging from mortgage payments to medical bills to utility bills. We attempt to accomplish this by not only providing financial assistance, but by also fostering a sense of community and providing needed resources/information.

TONY SCHROPP, SHARI HOLL AND HANNAH HOLL

CHRIS SAUB

For more information visit http://myangelsamongus.org or call Executive CAPTIONS Director, Shari Holl at 402 932 0515.

ANGELS AMONG US would like to thank our Honorary Chairs, Jeremy and Renee Vokt and the Gala Committee for AN EVENING AMONG ANGELS that raised over $115,000! WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS THAT HELPED MAKE THIS EVENT POSSIBLE:

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsors Mike and Lin Simmonds Patron Sponsors Renaissance Financial, Gregg Young Chevrolet, Fraser Stryker, Great Western Bank, Feltz WealthPlan, Bravadas, Enterprise Bank, Aksarban Cinema, Kiewit, The Cizek Group with Janis Johnson, The Nebraska Medical Center, Parker Family Foundation, World Shoring

In Kind Chip Thompson Design, CAPTIONSKona Grill, Harrah's Casino, Werner Enterprises CAPTIONS

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Photography courtesy of legal aid of nebraska

LegalEAGLES legal aid of nebraska 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Special Guests: Keynote speaker Morris Dees Other Guests: Chief Justice Michael Heavican, Jim Sandman, Judge Vernon Daniels, Susie Buffett When It Happened: October 4th Where It Happened: Embassy Suites La Vista Hotel and Conference Center KRISTIN GIRTEN, DAVE PANTOS AND MORRIS DEES

LILIANA SHANNON, ERIN PLANALP, ANN MANGIAMELI, DAVE PANTOS AND KERRY RODABAUGH

Why It Happened: In celebration of Legal Aid of Nebraska’s 50th anniversary Your Mission: To provide dignity, hope, selfsufficiency and justice through quality civil legal aid for those who have nowhere else to turn. Presenting Sponsor: Lozier Foundation Attendance: 360 tickets reserved oFunds Raised: $51,000 (net) About your organization: Legal Aid of Nebraska is the only private non-profit law firm in Nebraska. Our program is statewide, operating out of eight offices. The fundamental goal of legal aid services is simple—to provide free legal representation to underprivileged citizens and to cultivate self-sufficiency among their clients.

ELISE EMANUEL-MOORE, CHRISTINE STOLARSKYJ, MORRIS DEES AND ELAINE D’AMATO

MATTHEW DUNNING, MICHAEL HEAVICAN AND DAVID PIESTER

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For more information: legalaidofnebraska.com

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Photography courtesy of roncalli Catholic

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HERBAL High roncalli catholic 13TH ANNUAL HIGH TEA

More than 400 guests and volunteers participated in the 13th Annual High Tea on November 3rd. As a result, more than $20,000 was raised to support the students of Roncalli Catholic. According to Roncalli Catholic president, Jeff Dempsey, record attendance was driven by several factors. "There is a great sense of optimism here at Roncalli Catholic as we prepare to celebrate our 50th year. This, along with Brother Armand being here and our great High Tea tradition, helped increase attendance and led to the overall success of the event." AUTUMN JONES-EVANS, MALIA SHIRLEY AND KEVIN FELDHAUS

A long-standing Roncalli Catholic tradition, High Tea raises funds for students while inspiring creativity and fun for participants. Each year, the school’s Rummel Gymnasium is transformed into a giant tea room, with the table decorations as varied as the hostesses and volunteers who decorate them. From the beach to the campsite, and from traditional elegance to board games, this year’s themes showed that this event truly has something for everyone. The traditional high tea luncheon was catered by Pleasure Your Palate and Roncalli Catholic alumnus Ted Thomsen (1976) and featured Cranberry Garlic Herb Chicken Salad. Roncalli Raspberry Bars and more than 70 students volunteered to set-up, serve guests and clean-up following the event. Save the date and plan to attend the 14h Annual High Tea on Sunday, November 2, 2014!

RACHEL NORRIS, JANICE FRIEDRICHSEN, BARB NORRIS, AND ANNA NORRIS

Browse & Buy from 1,000 photos from Ak-Sar-Ben CXVII! http://metroscene.zenfolio.com/recent.html

Our Photo Store has hosted almost 20,000 visitors purchasing from nearly 30,000 event photos!

MAGAZINE

Promote Your Event!

Go to: www.spiritofomaha.com/Metro-Magazine/Community/Calendar/ 46

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HigherCALLING outward bound omaha CliMB HigHer lunCHeon

More than $90,000 was raised at Outward Bound Omaha’s Third Annual Climb Higher Luncheon held on Tuesday, October 29 at the Scott Conference Center. Nearly 500 people attended to hear famed climber and experiential educator, Dr. Jasper Hunt give a thought-provoking keynote titled, “Character in Crisis.” Dr. Hunt wrote Ethical Issues in Experiential Education, one of the most prominent books detailing how to integrate ethical frameworks into experiential education. Event co-chairs were Kristin & Chuck Lewis and Erin & Michael Murnan. Longtime Outward Bound Omaha supporter, Robert Dalrymple, RBG Executive and Executive Vice President of Bank of the West, was honored with the inaugural Paddle Forward Award. “Bob was an early investor in Outward Bound Omaha. His support has helped us to engage others in bringing great opportunities to Omaha youth,” noted Scott Hazelrigg, Chairman of the Outward Bound Omaha Board of Directors. The award is given in recognition for outstanding contributions to Outward Bound Omaha that allow the organization to continue to provide experiential educational opportunities that teach leadership

ROBERT DALRYMPLE, ERIN MURNAN, KRISTIN LEWIS, DR. JASPER HUNT AND SCOTT HAZELRIGG skills, character development and instill the importance of service to others in some of Omaha’s most underserved areas. The Pinnacle sponsor was Bank of the West. Summit sponsors included Jelecos and the Dr. C.C. & Mabel L. Criss Memorial Foundation. Navigator sponsors included Scheels, The Scoular Foundation and Valmont. In addition, more than 60 additional sponsors generously supported the organization through Expeditioner sponsorships and in-kind support.

Making a Difference!

Subscribe online!

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MAGAZINE

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Photography by Dan Flanigan

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NeverFORGET husker greats foundation BIG RED RUNWAY

Special guests: Former athletes, Eric, Crouch, Johnny Rodgers, Joel Makovica, Van Brownson, Dave Hoppen, Mayor of Bellevue, Rita Sanders When it Happened: Sunday, October 20 CAPTIONS Where it Happened: Regency Court

CAROL WANG, JENNIFER VIK, ANGIE PODOLL AND KELLY NOGG

TROY WATCHORN, DIANE HEYNE, ERIC CROUCH AND JOEL MAKOVICKA

Why it Happened: For the benefit of the Husker Greats Foundation Catered by: Attitude on Food, Sgt Peffer's Italian Cafe, Babcock Wineries of California Event Mission: Honoring female athletes from the University of Nebraska; informing the public about Husker Greats Foundation JOHNNY RODGERS AND REINA WALLS

SHERRY HOLMES, SHARI HOLMES, TAMMI CISLER, JEN HOLMES AND NICOLE HOLMES

CAPTIONS

EMILY RINDONE, TAYLOR PACHE AND LOUREN ARCHER

BECKY GARLOCK, STACI GEIS, SONIA SPANHEIMER, BRIANNA GEIS AND KATHY ANDERSEN

APRIL KARSTENS AND TERESA ELLIOTT

MIKE SKRADIS, DEBBIE WARD, FATIMA BASITH, MONIKA JOHANNSEN, JASMINE PITTACK AND RUTH DEWHURST

Sponsors: Christian Nobel Furs, Metro Magazine, Sandi CAPTIONS Downing Real Estate, Karen JenningsCBS, Debra Dodge/Leader One Attendance: 175 Organization Mission: To help former collegiate athletes, both men and women, who lettered in their respective sports in a college of university in the state of Nebraska, that are in need of financial support for medical and emergency needs For more information: visit www.Huskergreatsfoundation.org

ANDEE HOIG AND JERRY MURTAUGH

DIANE HEYNE AND JOHN LUND

FRAN TENBENSEEL BENNE, SUSAN SWENSON, JESSICA PERIAGO, HEATHER RAY, KAREN JENNINGS, DOMINIQUE KELLEY, MAGGIE THORNE AND THERESA GOSNELL 48

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Photography courtesy of The savtaion army

GivingTREE salvation army TREE OF LIGHTS

The Salvation Army turned the switch on the Tree of Lights on November 8, marking the beginning of its holiday campaign. Salvation Army officials and campaign leaders were present for the ceremony at the Tree of Lights located on the northeast corner of 90th & Dodge Street. Honorary Chairman Paul Hogan announced the fund-raising goal. Ebenezer Scrooge and Jacob Marley from the cast of Omaha Community Playhouse’s “A Christmas Carol” flipped the switch to illuminate the 75’ tree and a special Omaha Salvation Army 125th Anniversary display. An estimated 500 people attended the ceremony. This year, the Tree of Lights goal is $3,000,000. Proceeds are used to support more than 20 social service programs. Every dollar donated to the campaign stays in the community. More than $3 million was raised last year. Hundreds of bell ringers are now accepting donations at more than 230 kettle sites in the metropolitan area through December 24. Volunteers are needed.

SANTA CLAUS AND MAYOR JEAN STOTHERT

Call 402-898-6000 or register online at ringomaha.org.

MAJOR PAULA FLEEMAN WITH JACOB MARLEY AND EBENEZER SCROOGE

CAPTIONS

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Photography courtesy of The salvation army

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KettleK the salvation army 5K RED KETTLE RUN/WALK

The Salvation Army 5K Red Kettle Run/Walk was held on October 12 at Zorinsky Lake Park at 9 a.m. The purpose of the run was to help stock Salvation Army food pantry shelves during a time of overwhelming need in Omaha. To participate, runners either donated ten nonperishable food items or $10 to help with the cost of purchasing canned goods. TIM HARRISON AND ALLIE BAXTER

An estimated 735 runners attended the event and collected 35,312 food items to help with the efforts. Red Kettle Run founder Allie Baxter facilitated the fourth-year race alongside her family and The Salvation Army Volunteer Department. Baxter, now a freshman at Northwestern University, created and organized the charity as a sophomore at Millard North High School and continues to be directly involved. “The purpose of the event was to replenish Salvation Army food pantries in Omaha,” said Salvation Army Metro Area Volunteer Director Kay Kriss Weinstein. “In 2012, The Salvation Army filled 8,980 food pantry orders, an average of 700 a day at its two locations.”

TRAIL AT ZORINSKY LAKE

RED KETTLE RUN FOUNDER ALLIE BAXTER, ANNE BAXTER, NICK BAXTER, KATE BAXTER AND LIBBY BAXTER

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For more information visit www.givesalavtionarmy.org.

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Photography by Andrea Hoig

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Endless POSSIBILITIES mosaic CENTENNIAL GALA

TIMOTHY SHRIVER, JUDY TAMISIEA, LINDA TIMMONS, RAMONA HAMANN AND DERYL HAMANN

MICHAEL SISKIN, SCOTT DUNBAR, ROBIN DUNBAR, GARY ANDERSON AND LINDA ANDERSON

FRONT: ROBERT FRANCO, BILL CARLISLE, DOLORES CARLISLE, TRAVIS JUSTICE AND GREG SCHWALB BACK: JEFF SMITH, MIKE CARLISLE, EDETH CARLISLE, ASHLEY CARLISLE AND BOB CARLISLE

MAX MILLER, SHARON MILLER, RAMONA EDWARDS AND DAN FRIEDLAND

KRISTI HOVIE, ALLISSA ELLIS, TRISH ELLIS, ROB ELLIS AND LEAH WURTH

LARRY NOVICKI, JAN NOVICKI, DONNA CARLSON AND KENT CARLSON

MEAGAN, LINDA, RANDY AND CHRIS TIMMONS

JEAN O'BRIEN, DAVE MCCUE AND CHARLOTTA MCBAIN

CAPTIONS

CAPTIONS 52

Mosaic capped off its year-long centennial celebration titled: A Century of Service, A Legacy of Love with a gala on October, 24, 2013 at 6 p.m. at the Mutual of Omaha Dome. More than 600 donors, friends, CAPTIONS staff, families and people in service joined volunteers, Honorary Chairs Deryl and Ramona Hamann and Gala Chair Judy Tamisiea to celebrate Mosaic's first 100 years. The event began with an opening reception followed by a formal program and meal. WOWT Channel 6 anchor John Knicely served as the Master of Ceremonies and guided guests as they heard inspiring messages about the rich history of this rural Nebraskaborn nonprofit and the endless possibilities with their global partners. Mr. Timothy P. Shriver Ph.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Special Olympics delivered an inspiration message highlighting his work to transform Special Olympics into a movement that focuses on CAPTIONS acceptance, inclusion and respect for people with intellectual disabilities in all corners of the globe. “If you think about a nonprofit spending 100 years serving the most vulnerable of society, in times when no one else cared, you have to think there were some angels involved,” said Shriver. Representatives from Mosaic Centennial Presenting Sponsor PHH Leasing, Mosaic Centennial Gala Sponsors American National Bank and MCL Construction and additional sponsors attended the event. Some additional notable guests included Joe and Marlene Ricketts, Susan Buffett and Senator Bob Krist. Mosaic president and chief executive officer Linda CAPTIONSshared her vision for Mosaic's second century Timmons and thanked those who have made the extraordinary mission what it is today. She stated, “Mosaic's vision for the future is that people will have a meaningful life in a caring community. With the support of our partners, I believe we can see that for the people we serve.” Mosaic was formed July 1, 2003, by the consolidation of two Nebraska-born Lutheran ministries dedicated to the needs of people with disabilities. Bethphage began in 1913 in Axtell, Neb., and Martin Luther Homes began in 1925 in Sterling, Neb. Today, a life of possibilities is provided to more than 3,700 people with disabilities in 10 states. To discover the possibilities at Mosaic, CAPTIONS visit www.mosaicinfo.org.

CAPTIONS

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Photo courtesy of outlook nebraska, inc.

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Positive OUTLOOK

outlook nebraska, inc. CeleBraTe THe CaPaBiliTies oF THe BlinD

Outlook Nebraska, Inc. (ONI), a nonprofit organization providing employment and other opportunities for people who are blind and visually impaired, recently held its 2013 Banquet to Celebrate the Capabilities of the Blind. It took place at the LaVista Embassy Suites Convention Center. The evening highlighted the accomplishments of ONI, its associates and others that value the impact ONI is able to make on the lives of the blind. The event included a special segment highlighting the very successful first-ever Camp Abilities Nebraska. Camp Abilities Nebraska, a week-long sports camp developed to help blind children grow their self-confidence and independence, was co-sponsored by Outlook Nebraska, Inc. and Boys Town National Research Hospital. Event guests included ONI ambassador Carol Russell and Karen Sokolof Javitch, president of the Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children. Matt Evans, chairperson of the ONI Board of Directors, was also present with board members Mike Anderson, Merv Riepe and Jay McMartin. "ONI is thankful to everyone who participated in this year's banquet,” said Evans. “It was truly a celebration of the many individual and collective achievements of the ONI associates. I am so very proud of both ONI and celebrating what we've done together was an honor."

ONI ASSOCIATE JAMES HARVEY WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE 2013 BLIND ASSOCIATE OF THE YEAR UMB Bank was the Diamond sponsor for the evening. According to John Wick, Director of Fund Development, 10 new sponsors supported this year’s banquet. Over 200 guests attended the event. “This year’s banquet was a great success,” said Wick. “I want to thank all of our sponsors and everyone who made the evening possible. This helps us set the stage for our future.”

This year’s recipient of the 2013 Blind Associate of the Year award was James Harvey. “I am greatful and blessed to receive this honor,” said Harvey. “I will continue to work hard to support the mission and what this award stands for.”

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Photography courtesy of TeamMates

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TeamSPIRIT teammates TAILGATE GALA

MARY MAXWELL, NDAMUKONG SUH, WARREN BUFFETT, WILL SHIELDS AND TOM OSBORNE

The annual TeamMates Tailgate Gala was held on November 1st at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in LaVista, NE. The Gala serves as the largest fundraising event for TeamMates Mentoring Program and funds nearly 1/3 of the program which was founded in 1991 by Dr. Tom & Nancy Osborne. The event kicked-off at 6 PM with a social hour and silent auction. Featured auction items included a high-end trading desk by Woodtronics autographed by Warren Buffett, a state-of-the-art off road vehicle donated by Kawasaki, and tickets to sit with Tom and Nancy Osborne at the upcoming Nebraska/Iowa showdown at Memorial Stadium. The program, interview style, featured emcee Mary Maxwell and special guests Warren Buffett, Ndamukong Suh, former Husker and Detroit Lions stand-out, Will Shields, former Husker and Kansas City Chiefs player, and Tom Osborne. The highlight of the evening was 3 testimonies given by TeamMates mentor/mentee match Phil McBride and Keon Brown and TeamMates parent Janine Stearns. The evening concluded at 9 PM with smiles on everyone’s faces. With 1,220 in attendance, the evening raised approximately $573,000 to support over 6,500 youth being served by the TeamMates Mentoring Program .

KEON BROWN AND PHIL MCBRIDE

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event GALLERIES

Photography by Dan Flanigan

FirstFRIENDS phoenix academy SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON

“As a proud parent of two Phoenix Academy alums, I know firsthand the positive impact this school can have... making immeasurable differences in the lives of children!” ~ Sara Woods, Phoenix Academy Board President

MRS. LAURA BUSH AND PHOENIX ACADEMY STUDENTS LOU ANN WEBER, DEL WEBER AND MRS. LAURA BUSH About 650 sponsors and guests attended the 2nd annual Phoenix Academy Luncheon at the CenturyLink on October 22. Former First Lady Laura Bush was the keynote speaker in support of scholarships for the students who attend Phoenix Academy. The luncheon was presented by Charles M. “Mike” Harper, Dianne and Allan Lozier and Ponca Hills Farm. Dignitaries in attendance included Nebraska First Lady Sally Ganem, Omaha Mayor Jean Stothert, and Bellevue Mayor Rita Sanders, among others. Gorgeous red rose centerpieces in gold flared vases were provided by Blooms in Rockbrook. Steak salad catered by Levy Catering was the entrée, and mini cupcakes from Jones Bros. Cupcakes were served for dessert. Elizabeth Liebermann, former Phoenix Academy student, opened the program by singing the National Anthem. Following lunch, Phoenix Academy Executive Director Nancy Liebermann talked about Phoenix and its mission and shared the success stories of several former Phoenix alumni. Mrs. Bush then took the stage for the keynote address. Following her speech, she was asked questions by several current Phoenix students. Two awards were also presented during the Luncheon: The MACTIER/CLARK Literacy Award was presented to Del Weber for his drive to advance proficiency in literacy and education. To achieve an education, every child must first develop reading skills; reading proficiency is the foundation for all forms of educational literacy. The HOLLAND Literacy Advocate Award was presented to John Gottschalk for his effort to spread awareness about little-known shortcomings in the U.S. educational system and his resolve to combat such trends. This award is given for advocacy work that creates and increases awareness, resources, and dedication to advancing literacy and education. A record $280,000 was raised and all proceeds will be used to provide scholarships to students whose families cannot pay full tuition for the specialized assistance offered by Phoenix Academy. For more information on Phoenix Academy, visit http://phoenixacademyomaha.org. 57

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save the

December

December 5

HoliDay ligHts Festival

HoliDay Patron Party anD giFt BoUtiqUe Joslyn Castle

Downtown Omaha | Through January 5th The Holiday Lights Festival is produced by Mayor Jean Stothert and the Downtown Omaha Inc. Foundation, and showcases Downtown Omaha and celebrates the spirit of the holidays by providing a full season of festive, family-friendly activities. The six-week Holiday Lights Festival is packed with exciting activities to offer a little something for everyone each weekend. And, of course, more than 40 blocks of twinkling lights will illuminate Downtown Omaha and add that extra sparkle to each Festival event. The Holiday Lights Festival will once again feature the campaign to “Shine the Light on Hunger,” encouraging the entire community to help fight hunger in the local area by dropping off non-perishable food and household items at the ice skating rink as well as at other locations throughout the festival. FREE More information: www.holidaylightsfestival.org

3902 Davenport St. | Omaha | 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm The Joslyn Castle Holiday Patron Party and Gift Boutique will take place at the Joslyn Castle on December 5th from 5-8pm. You will get to see the Castle festively decorated for the holidays while enjoying appetizers, wine, and beer. Meet the owners of the Storz Mansion and Barmettler house and be the first to visit the Gift Boutique on the second and third floors of the Castle. (The price of the ticket includes tour admission to all three historic homes on the tour, which takes place on the 6th and 7th of December - The Storz Mansion, Joslyn Castle, and Barmettler House). $75 More information: 402-595-2199 | http://www.joslyncastle.com

December 6

December

HoliDay HistoriC Home toUr

CHristmas at Union station

Joslyn Castle, Storz Mansion, Barmettler House | Omaha | 11:00 am – 7:00 pm Enjoy three amazing historic homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. Tour the famous Storz Mansion, the elegant, sophisticated Gold Coast Barmettler House, and the spectacular, historic Joslyn Castle. Enjoy special tastings at each home and a Holiday Gift Boutique on the second and third floors of the Castle.Shop wonderful, unique gift items from Voila, The Afternoon, Togs, Chef^2 and many others! Tickets for the tour are $20. Purchase tickets online at www.joslyncastle.com or by calling 402-595-2199. Tour tickets will also be available at the door on the days of the tour. All proceeds will benefit the Joslyn Castle.

Durham Museum | 801 South 10th Street |Through January 5th Oh, what fun! The Durham Museum invites you to join in the festivities during Christmas at Union Station. The Tree Lighting Ceremony is the first of many celebrations that are part of a tradition dating back to the 1930s. Back when Union Station bustled with holiday travelers, Union Pacific would decorate and display a large evergreen from the Pacific Northwest. The custom returned in the 1970s when Union Station became a museum. Today, this cherished tradition continues with the region’s largest indoor Christmas tree and an exceptional line-up of family-friendly events. For more information visit: www.durhammuseum.org

December 6

December miraCle on Farnam Midtown Crossing | 33rd & Farnam |Through January 1st Miracle on Farnam is back for a second year. The season-long celebration will feature 21 dazzling window displays this year, an increase of seven over its 2012 inaugural. Once again, each storefront masterpiece will be a showcase of artistry and imagination. The most miraculous display, determined by a public vote, will earn a $3000 donation courtesy of the Baer Foundation, a philanthropic endeavor that generously supports various charities, including Nebraska arts and educational agencies. FREE For more information or to vote visit www.miracleonfarnam.com

“Home” For tHe HoliDays oPen “Home” Omaha Home for Boys Omaha Home for Boys | 4343 N. 52nd Street | 3:00 – 6:00 pm Kick-off the 2013 holiday season by joining staff and youth at the Omaha Home for Boys for “Home” for the Holidays, an Open “Home” holiday celebration. Start at our Youth and Family Services building at 3 p.m. with snacks and activities followed by holiday cottage tours from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. At 5:45, join us as we gather in Cottage Circle for the lighting of our campus tree and a message from our president. We hope you can join us! Free to the public.

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date December 6

1st annUal Ugly CHristmas sweater resCUe rUn K*9 Lives Rescue Boutique, Nebraska Dachshund Rescue and Omaha Wags To Riches K*9 Lives Rescue Boutique | 120th and Center, Suite #610 in the Bel Air Plaza | 5:30 pm Mark your calendars for the 1st Annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Rescue Run. Pick your Ugly Sweater, enjoy wine/appetizers. We will take the Party Bus to nearby businesses for cocktails, Christmas caroling and customer entertainment. Cost is $35.00 More information: www.facebook.com/K9LivesRescueBoutique

December 7 Freezin For a reason The University of Nebraska Medical Center UNMC Ice Rink | 42nd Street between Emile & Dewey | Omaha | 10:00 am – 2:00 pm The University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha will present Freezin’ for a Bring your family and friends and support a family that stays at the Ronald McDonald House. The $7.50 per person contribution helps support a one-night stay for a family at the Ronald McDonald House. A free will donation is suggested for children 4 and under. All proceeds go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

December 7 nigHt oF a tHoUsanD stars Nebraska AIDS Project Mastercraft Building | 9 pm Please join honorary chairs P.J. and Annie Morgan as we celebrate the 21st annual Night of a Thousand Stars, the gala event that has helped raise more than $3,000,000 since its inception. More than 800 supporters of Nebraska AIDS Project will gather to celebrate the efforts and successes of NAP and raise money to continue the education, support and advocacy. This event promises to be an evening filled with excitement, entertainment, and even creativity, as many local artists have joined our cause by contributing unique artwork to be featured in a silent auction. Price: $60 General Admission $175 VIP (includes complimentary cocktails and appetizers) More information: www.nap.org

December 7 CHristmas in tHe village Empowerment Network 24th Street (between Burdette and Ohio) | Omaha | 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm Christmas in the Village at 24th and Lake is a community holiday celebration presented by the Empowerment Network, OEDC, North Omaha Arts Alliance, Love’s Jazz and Arts Center, and City of Omaha in partnership with over 50 organizations, businesses, ministries and groups. The event draws over 1,000 visitors and is a part of the on-going North Omaha Village Zone Revitalization and the rebirth of arts, culture, and entertainment district at 24th and Lake. The North Omaha Village Zone Revitalization’s goal is connecting a rich history with a thriving and sustainable future. The event is free! More information: 402-502-5153 | www.empoweromaha.com

December 7 Casa HoliDay Party 2412 St. Marys Ave. | Omaha | 12:00 – 2:00 pm Come celebrate with all CASA Kids at the CASA Holiday party. Pizza and gifts will be available for all current CASA children. CASA Volunteers should be communicating with their supervisors to get in any special gift requests. This is a great time for siblings to visit each other and relax in a fun environment. More information: 402-932-5683 | www.casaomaha.org

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save the date December 12th - 15th

December 27, 28 and 29

PHysiCians mUtUal omaHa symPHony CHristmas sPeCtaCUlar

PengUins anD PanCakes Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium®

Holland Center |1200 Douglas Street Broadway singers and dancers join local favorites to celebrate the magic of snow, the warmth of winter romance, the twinkle in Santa Claus's eyes, and the glory of Christmas. A magnificent gift for the whole family. For tickets visit: www.ticketomaha.com

December 12 –14 sUBstitUte santa Drive Child Saving Institute 4545 Dodge St. | Omaha | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Give back this holiday season by bringing unwrapped gifts, toys, electronics or gift cards to the agency. Staff carefully shops, wraps for each child served by an agency program, whether it be a child in the shelter, childcare, foster family or adoption. A wonderful opportunity to give a child a gift who may otherwise not receive any gifts. More information: 402-504-3664 | www.childsaving.org

December 14 teD e. Bear Hollow HoliDay oPen HoUse 7811 Farnam Drive | Omaha | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Join Ted E. Bear Hollow and Mr. and Mrs. Claus for a Holiday Open House. Stop in for respite, for some goodies and for some great company at the Ted E. Bear Hollow headquarters. FREE More information: 402-502-2773 | www.tedebearhollow.org

December 14 120tH anniversary CeleBration & awarDs BanqUet Nebraska Children’s Home Society Omaha Marriott | 10220 Regency Circle | Omaha | 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm Please join us for a spectacular evening to celebrate Nebraska Children’s Home Society’s 120 years of serving children and families in Nebraska. The spirit of the evening will be that of gratitude and recognition of our supporters who have enabled us to continue our mission of providing safe and loving care to children of all ages. Music by Kat Jarvis. Make your reservations today at www.nchs.org. $100 per person More information: 402-451-0787 | www.nchs.org

December 27

3701 S. 10th St | Omaha Join Omaha’s Zoo and Aquarium for a formal affair – Penguins and Pancakes – on December 27 to December 29, 2013 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. (no formal-wear required). Enjoy pancakes, crafts and animal visits from the African penguins. Reservations are required and includes a pancake breakfast, plush penguin toy and admission to the Zoo. Tickets are non-refundable. Event is rain or shine. All children must be accompanied by a paid adult.

December 31 First nigHt oF Play at tHe omaHa CHilDren’s mUseUm OCM |500 S. 20th Street |6 to 8:30 p.m. Ring in the New Year at Omaha Children's Museum. This special evening is perfect for the whole family and leaves time for parents to celebrate afterward! The event includes pizza dinner, goodie bag from Oriental Trading Company, face painters, balloon artists, dance party, and concert by Dino O'Dell! “Midnight” at OCM is at 8 pm, complete with a countdown to the New Year and a giant bubble wrap stomp. Tickets $14 nonmembers - $10 members

December 31 noon year’s eve Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium® | 3701 S. 10th St | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 5-4-3-2-1! Party with the animals and celebrate New Year's Eve at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. Have a wild time with activities, entertainment and an early countdown to 2014 complete with a beach ball drop. Enjoy this fun family event without having to stay up until midnight!

December 31 HoliDay ligHts Festival - new year’s eve Fireworks! Mayor Jean Stothert and Downtown Omaha Inc. Foundation Downtown Omaha | 10 to 15 st between Farnam and Capitol | 7:00 pm – 7:30 pm Produced by J&M Displays, each shell is choreographed to open on cue to an “Awesome 80s” musical score. Spectators can tune in to Star 104.5 to hear the live music broadcast. Visit www.HolidayLightsFestival.org for complete details about Holiday Lights Festival events. Free

DeBUtante Ball Omaha Symphony Embassy Suites Conference Center | La Vista

FINDIT ALL!

FROM THE PUBLISHER OF

Distributing January 2014

ged the acknowled

HO HO’S W Businesses

ties & of Area Chari

Find the most important events in the 2014 Charity & Cultural Calendar in The Event Book & Giving Guide 2014 • To ORDER COPIES go to

WWW.SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM Enter, update and search 2014 events 365/24/7 at www.spiritofomaha.com/Metro-Magazine/Community/Calendar/ 61

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outtakes

with Laurie and Charles Kay

SHOOTING THE COVER

PHOTOGRAPHY by ©Laurie And Charles MODEL: Nicole K. - Develop Model Management BUNGALOW/8 Hairdressing: Hair styling by Eric Burden and Lexi LankaMakeup styling by Stephanie Shely WARDROBE: Gunderson’s Jewelers, Village Pointe: Handmade necklace by Premier and handmade diamond earrings made by Gunderson’s. She•La: Navy blue stretch satin dress is by Talbot Runhof

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alh p u b l i C a t i O n S

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

PrEsOrtEd staNdard U.s. POstagE

Paid Omaha, NE PErmit NO. 2013