metroMAGAZINE's February 2019 Issue

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e f i l y r a n o i s i av REMEMBERING BOB HOIG • 1932 – 2019

ConneCting our Community

•

Spiritofomaha.Com

•

february 2019

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in this ISSUE

connecting our community

features

9

REMEMBERING BOB HOIG a visionary life

18

AND THE WINNERS ARE: The BIG Event 2019!

19

THE GIVING GUIDE & EVENT BOOK

connecting to our support

2019 nonprofits, providers and exemplary givers

24

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER b4b • Business4Business professional society

30

STRONGER AT THE CORE mindy duff • allcore360

39

LET GOOD GROW omaha community foundation

28 24

39 connecting to our charity

departments/columns

20

GAME CHANGERS • AILEEN WARREN presented by planitomaha

28

20

connecting to our alliances

VIPS: VERY INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE our series of continuing inspiring profiles

34

OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

connecting to our leadership

omaha giving

35

metroSPIRIT with mary vandenack

36

VW LAW planning matters

37

SWARTZBAUGH, FARBER & ASSOC. todays savings

37

STEPHANIE VONDRAK impact!

64

ROB KILLMER waking words

events

43

SCENE highlights from recent charity & cultural events

58

9

connecting to our heritage

SAVE THE DATE upcoming charity & cultural events

connecting to our core

4

mmagazine • FeBRUaRY 2019

30

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WO R L D P R E M I E R E P R O D U CT I O N !

CRedits

T he W izard Of

Oz FeBRUaRY 2019 • VoL. 31 no. 1 Press releases and other editorial information may be sent to: P.o. Box 241611, omaHa, ne 68124 or e-mailed to: editor@spiritofomaha.com Publisher/Editor-in-Chief andrea L. “andee” Hoig

Creative Collaboration elissa Joy debra s. Kaplan

Editor/Creative Director Robert P. “RoB” Killmer

omaha Community Foundation Jim scholz

Community Engagement ConneCt@spiritofomaha.com

Special Thanks Printco graphics

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

May 4 • Orpheum

m ichael J. Weaver, J.d.

amballet.org

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.

“IT’S A

OFFICE/SALES

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

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

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mmagazine • FeBRUaRY 2019

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words FROM MY HEART

mmagazine • LetteR FRom tHe pUBLiSHeR

A LIFE well-lived In the spring of 2017 my dad, Robert G. “Bob” Hoig, suffered a heart attack and a series of strokes from which he nearly died. While I was preparing myself for the impending funeral-to-come I vowed to do a tribute story on him that highlighted all of the amazing things he did. Then—in true Dad form—he made a miraculous comeback. As it all turned out, I had the honor to have dad participate in his own story, which appeared in the August 2017 issue of metroMAGAZINE: highlighting his adventurous spirit, zest for life and passion for journalism and entrepreneurship.

My dad just passed away on January 7, 2019 at the age of 86. I will admit that, even though he was dealing with serious health issues, I thought he would surprise us all and once again make a miraculous “DAD” comeback. I was heartbroken when he didn’t.

This publishers letter and cover story is a tribute to my DAD: not only to what he accomplished in his life but the bond that we shared as father/daughter. My dad and I weren’t always on the same page and often times butted heads, especially when I was younger but I now see that much of our conflict came from the fact that we were so much alike.

During these past few years I got to know my dad in ways that I previously never allowed myself to do. I opened up my heart and let him see me in ways that I hadn’t risked before. Those moments, (and there were hundreds of them) are some of the most incredibly beautiful moments of my life if not the most.

After he moved into assisted living in March of 2018, our daily visits were nothing short of magical. We laughed together, we cried together and we both “lightened UP” around each other and didn’t take life so seriously. We discussed the challenges of running our publishing businesses and how the publishing industry has changed since the good old days when there was no internet, cell phones, email and social media.

In addition to business, we talked about life. All work and no play is not how my dad lived his life. I have always been amazed by all of the things my dad accomplished, from an adventurous standpoint, and all that he enjoyed— especially later in life. Following your passion and just going for it is one of the things that has truly inspired me about my dad…especially after hitting the big “Five-O.” My dad always wanted to travel across Europe—and he did just that by himself for three months in his early 50s. He learned how to ski when he was 60 and— even more impressive—he learned how to fly a plane at 70, bought a plane at 72 and continued to fly into his early 80s…who does that? Not a lot of people. They may wish to experience something, learn something new, achieve or reach a goal but that something is always just “out there,” and life passes them by.

7

andRea L. Hoig ahoig@Spiritofomaha.com

As I approach 52 this year I am dedicating 2019 to my DAD. He lived his life with: • Dedication • Appreciation • Determination (and I will throw in one more D word)…

• DRIVE! Among the things I am committing to doing are 50 5K’s. My dad loved hearing about my races and I often brought him the medals that I received. The last 5K I did before he passed away was on January 5th. He asked me if I won and I told him, “no” but promised him I would win one for him this year. He also loved hearing about my walking meetings which I started doing in June of 2018.

Each and every one of them has been unique. He enjoyed hearing a story or two.

I am committing to doing 100 walking meetings this year in his honor.

Other things I am committed to doing this year in honor of my dad are completing my book, competing in a half-marathon and 1,000 miles in walk/runs.

When all is said and done and our time on this beautiful planet is over I want to be able to look back at my life and say, “WOW! Andee, you did it—just like your Dad: a life well-lived!”

Dad, you inspire me every day to do just that. Thank you. LOVE YOU! Life is good!

~ Andee mmagazine • FeBRUaRY 2019

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life TRIBUTE

bob hoig A VISIONARY LIFE 1932 – 2019

aiming higher.

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life TRIBUTE

bob hoig A VISIONARY LIFE

“

bOb IS A hIStORIAN ANd passionate AbOut hIS cOuNtRY ANd hIS buSINESS. bOb IS A FRIENd, A visionary, A RISk-tAkER ANd A gREAt buSINESSmAN.

“

~ JOHN BOTHOF PREsIdENt, NoRthwEst BANk

AS OwNER ANd publisher OF thE MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL, thE REgIONAL wEEkLY buSINESS NEwSpApER hE FOuNdEd IN 1975, RObERt gREgg “bOb” hOIg hAS bEcOmE A wELL-kNOwN FIguRE IN thE cOmmuNItY whO’S bEEN LAudEd REpEAtEdLY FOR hIS pROFESSIONAL ANd cIVIc AccOmpLIShmENtS. In the last five years alone, hoig was inducted into the greater Omaha chamber of commerce’s business hall of Fame, selected as the Omahan of the Year by the Suburban Rotary club of Omaha, and doubly honored by the Omaha press club as part of the first father-daughter “Faces on the barroom Floor” (with Andee hoig, publisher of metroQUARTERLY) and by being inducted into the organization’s hall of Fame.

As he approaches his 85th birthday in September, hoig can reflect on a remarkable life. but what’s most remarkable now for him is life. After a heart attack, several strokes and a bout with pneumonia earlier this year, his prognosis was grim. his heartbroken family was making hospice arrangements and preparing themselves for the painful task of planning memorial services in the midst of their grief. but hoig surprised everyone. Instead of mourning the end of his life, the family is delighted to be supporting him as he makes an incredible and unexpected recovery. “to me, he’s come back to life,” Andee hoig said. “that he’s still here and doing great is amazing.”

It’s not the first time hoig has amazed the people around him. It’s not even the first time he’s beaten the odds medically. when hoig was two years old and critically ill, his grandparents—who were raising him at the time—were told “flat-out that my chances were one in a thousand,” he said. but “It was a bit of luck having the grandparents I had,” hoig said. “granddad worked for the missouri pacific Railroad.” what sounds like a minor biographical fact was actually an extremely fortunate situation: hoig’s grandfather’s employment meant his grandson could be admitted to a particular hospital that just happened to have a physician on staff with the rare expertise needed to treat him. In short, hoig lost a kidney instead of his life. And he hasn’t slowed down since.

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mMAGAZINE •

FEBRUARY 2019

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stoRY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PhotoGRAPhY coURtEsY oF THE HOIG FAMILY

• mMAGAZINE

Robert Gregg “Bob” Hoig (1932 – 2019) was the father of metroMAGAZINE’s publisher, Andee hoig. the respected journalist, publisher and entrepreneur was the inspiration for his daughter’s career and originated the publication that Andee purchased from him in 1996 and evolved into this magazine.

After his remarkable recovery from a series of serious illnesses in 2017, Andee wanted to pay tribute to her father when he could appreciate the honor and personally contribute to the telling of his story. An in-depth biography covering Bob’s remarkable career, professional and personal accomplishments, and life served as the Fall 2017 metroQUARTERLY cover story.

After a short illness, Bob passed away peacefully with family by his side on January 7, 2019. he is survived by his wife, Martha; sister cindy (ken) Nisley; son oliver (Robin); daughter Andrea “Andee”; son Noel (Andrea) of omaha; stepson Jim (carmen) Pearson; stepdaughter Amy (stuart) chittenden; grandchildren Ivy, Noel, Bailey, Ryan, Braden and Griffin; and former wife Mary Lou.

Bob’s loved ones were grateful for these last months with him, an especially meaningful time for the family.

Following is the article published in the August 2017 issue of metroQUARTERLY.

aiming higher. bob hoig

A VISIONARY LIFE

coNtINUEd

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life TRIBUTE

bob hoig A VISIONARY LIFE ACTIVE AT ANY AGE In fact, his current state of recuperation is a testament to the benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle. hoig said he’s glad he quit smoking cold turkey and gave up alcohol—once hallmarks of a newsman—decades ago. he ignored standard retirement age nearly 20 years ago. he took his first flying lesson when he was 70 years old and bought a cessna 182 two years later. he took up skiing in his 60s and continued well into his 70s. hoig swam daily throughout the 1960s and 1970s as he approached middle age, and even taught himself to play the saxophone in his 40s.

“It was a very fortuitous way to get started in that business, with that newspaper, because in those days, you had to work your way up internally. So I landed on my feet with that,” he said. “Landing such an important newspaper job at that age was wonderful. Other papers in town, they wouldn’t even talk to you.”

EXTRAORDINARY NEWSPAPERMAN Over the next two decades, hoig also wrote for the Miami News, wire service united press International, the Lincoln Journal and the Omaha World-Herald. he also served as managing editor of the Omaha Sun and the Douglas County Gazette.

“Saxophone playing and swimming had a lot in common for me from the standpoint of getting out of yourself and losing yourself in the moment,” he said. hoig also loved playing tennis, a sport he began at age 11 and continued into his early 80s. he played competitively for years, winning in several local championships as well the Senior Olympics in the 1980s. Some of his local tennis opponents included esteemed physician dr. John Sage, television personality dave webber and former u.S. Senator dave karnes. his enthusiasm for tennis took him to the u.S. Open on more than one occasion.

And whenever hoig traveled, he took his tennis racket along in hopes of finding a friendly game of tennis in cities like munich and London—which he always found, hoig recalled, although he admitted that many of his opponents wearied of playing against a man “who traveled with his racket.” hoig’s wanderlust began as a 16-year-old in the early 1950s when he and a friend hitchhiked across the country on Route 66. In 1983 he headed over to Europe and visited every country. the following year he returned with son Noel to attend the winter Olympics in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. he visited Europe 21 more times with current wife martha in the late 1990s and into the 2000s.

during much of his tenure as a writer, hoig served as a crime and corruption reporter. An early highlight was covering a Sheldon, Iowa, banking scandal for upI that was picked up by newspapers all over the country. In 1965, hoig authored a surrender plea carried by upI that induced 22-year-old bank robber/murderer duane Earl pope, a kansan whose crime was committed in big Springs, Nebraska, to turn himself in after a nationwide manhunt. In 1971, hoig was nominated for a pulitzer for an Omaha World-Herald series about loose security procedures for sexual psychopaths at what was then the Nebraska State hospital; it led to changes in state law. he also interviewed a host of legendary figures from world war I-era pilot and later Eastern Airlines chairman capt. Eddie Rickenbacker and Everest climber Sir Edmund hillary to former presidents Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon and gerald Ford. the gregarious hoig became acquainted with some interesting everyday people as well.

“Some people, you meet and they seem really screwy. but you get to know them for a while and you listen to their ideas and they become more familiar. Eventually—you discard the ones who are really screwy, and some, they grow on you,” he said.

“It never occurred to me to place some kind of age restriction on what I could do if I was really interested,” he said. “In fact, it was more like a powerful current, where once I got in the current I was just rafted along.”

PLENTY OF DERRING-DO being pulled into a current is an apt metaphor for the start of his journalism career, too. hoig was only 24 in 1957, hoping to make his way in New York city. On his way to a promising job interview with a major airline, something caught his eye.

“I was walking in the 200 block of East 42nd Street. there was this building, this beautiful building with a big globe in the lobby I caught in my peripheral vision,” he recalled.

hoig’s colleagues ranged from brilliant to barely competent. “You get around enough of these kind of people and you just think, ‘I don’t want to let them call the shots for my life.’” by the mid-’1970s, “I finally, frankly, just became tired of working for other people.”

ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVOR As a reporter, hoig had to be independent and self-driven, qualities that suited a latent entrepreneur.

It was the New York Daily News. hoig had a little college under his belt but no journalism background or even any previous aspirations to be a reporter. At the time, he actually fancied himself to be more of a poet, despite criticism received at age 18 that he recalls to this day: “Your work strikes me as a strange mixture of banking and alchemy.”

“I always thought I would be sort of a warren buffett figure, somebody who would amass different businesses and run them all brilliantly,” he said. “It happened that I didn’t have the proper credentials for that kind of thinking. I was much too anxious to not make mistakes, which is not a good habit for an entrepreneur.

I soon got rid of that habit, but then just losing that habit doesn’t guarantee you’re going to find a good one.”

Something else struck the hiring manager. “I had plenty of derring-do about me, chutzpah. I’d try anything,” hoig said. he managed to get himself hired as a copy boy, and soon worked his way into a promotion.

So although he didn’t aspire to be a mogul, he did see an opportune niche in Omaha media. In 1975, hoig launched the Midlands Business Journal. the fledgling publication had some serious detractors.

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mMAGAZINE •

FEBRUARY 2019

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coNtINUEd

• mMAGAZINE

aiming higher.

TIMELINE • WHILE NO TIMELINE OF EVENTS can adequately sum up any person’s life, the following is an attempt to highlight Bob Hoig’s more prominent personal and career accomplishments and achievements:

bob hoig

1932

Born in rural Kansas

1950

Graduates from Colorado Springs High School

1951

Attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

1952

Attends the University of Colorado

1957

Hired as a copy boy for the New York Daily News

1958

Begins working for Lincoln Journal as a police and general assignment reporter

1959

Begins working for Miami Daily News as a general assignment reporter

1959

Marries Mary Lou Cooper

1961

Begins working for United Press International Omaha Bureau

1964

Son Oliver (Ollie) is born

1966

Daughter Andrea (Andee) is born

1968

Named managing editor of the Omaha Sun

1968

Son Noel is born

1969

Begins working for the Omaha World-Herald

1970

Nominated for Pulitzer Prize for law-changing Omaha World-Herald series on lax security procedures for sexual psychopaths at the thenNebraska State Hospital in Lincoln

1972

Named editor of the Douglas County Gazette

1975

Launches Midlands Business Journal

1978

Launches Omaha Mirror (predecessor to Omaha Metro Monthly)

1980

Ceases publication of Omaha Mirror

1981

Receives U.S. Small Business Administration’s Media Advocate Award for the Kansas City District

1990

Launches Omaha Metro Update

1991

Omaha Metro Update becomes Metro Monthly

1992

Marries Martha Pearson

1996

Sells Metro Monthly (now metroMAGAZINE) to daughter Andee Hoig

1996

Begins publishing Lincoln Business Journal

2002

Starts Midlands Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” awards

2002

Midlands Business Journal receives Golden Spike Award from Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce

2004

Named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce

2006

Named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Omaha Kiwanis Club

2012

Inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame

by Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce

2012

Named “Omahan of the Year” by Suburban Rotary Club of Omaha

2012

Honored as “Faces on the Barroom Floor” by the Omaha Press Club as first father-daughter duo (with Andrea “Andee” Hoig, publisher of metroMAGAZINE)

A VISIONARY LIFE

coNtINUEd

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life ACHIEVEMENT

bob hoig A VISIONARY LIFE “‘No chance.’ ‘It’s foolish.’” he recalled. A colleague told him, “within a week you’ll be begging for your job back at the Herald.”

davis recalled her two and a half years at the paper, her “the success of a business is the sum of all the people very first job before leaving to pursue a master’s degree, who have influenced the life of a business, and he as a great learning experience. certainly has been one of those individuals.”

“my response was, ‘Just find a way to help me get some “It was hard work, but it was good work, and he set an Lovgren isn’t alone in characterizing hoig as an advertising and I won’t be back begging for a job from example for a young person just starting out,” she said. important catalyst for business development. cella “he was supremely ethical in everything, and it taught Quinn, president of cella Quinn Investment Services, anybody; I’ll be on my own and successful.’” me the value of hard work. we had to do 10 stories a said, “bob helped small businesses grow by telling us week, two a day—and those weren’t short stories. about each other. we didn’t have to leave our Even the optimists were hesitant to commit.

And we also had to work on Saturday mornings… businesses to network, we could read the Midlands You learned a valuable work ethic when you worked Business Journal and find other compatible companies “people very quickly offer their support but you find for him, and he was right there next to you. It wasn’t with which to exchange ideas and do business.” that there can be quite a time lapse between when it’s supposedly going to come and when it actually does,” as though he was out golfing or something.

Quinn also acknowledged that hoig has been a good hoig said. “Anybody who’s ever started their own “he was very proud of his paper, you could tell he newsman above all. paper can sympathize with that.” had very high expectations for it. Once he began to trust you he didn’t micromanage. but he did review “A good reporter holds a mirror up to society so we can the Midlands Business Journal slowly gained steam every story.” all objectively see ourselves and make changes we and a name for itself. deem merited. whether it was business news or the davis said hoig had a distinctive brand of criticism legal notices in the middle of MBJ, bob managed to do “I did have the good wishes of a guy who billed himself and a “tell it like it is” approach to writing evident when that,” she said. “he did this in a special way because he as a ‘futurist.’ he saw a copy of one of the papers we’d he returned the first draft she submitted to him. believed in the adage attributed to an anonymous set around the lobby of different hotels and one of texas newspaper editor, ‘A news story should be like a them was where he was staying,” hoig said. “And he “It was covered in red ink. I made the changes, and miniskirt on a pretty woman: long enough to cover the said, ‘I saw your paper, and to me, that’s the thing of after looking at what I had written and what the subject but short enough to be interesting.’” the future.’ It caught the eye of somebody who stood suggestions had been, it was a way better article when out in his area, and that further spurred me on.” he made the changes to it,” she said. “he sat me down greater Omaha chamber president and cEO david and said he didn’t want me to be disappointed; he was brown, whose organization has a mission to ensure a with increasing success, hoig learned to take risks. very nurturing even then. And he said, ‘here’s the thriving business community, praised hoig for his thing, kim. A lot of people who read the magazine, genuine enthusiasm and unflagging support. they know what the word ameliorate means, but they “It’s one of the hallmarks of my definition of an entrepreneur, if you’re willing to try things that hold don’t want to have to think that hard.’ I’m like, ‘Okay, I “bob has a real passion for small business, and I think get it. You’re spending a lot of time making it pretty promise and then abandon them quickly without a that was reflected in the path that the MBJ took. there and that’s not what anyone wants.’” lot of tears,” he said. are a lot of different markets it could have covered, but I think he has such a keen interest in seeing small davis still works in the field of communications his many successful ventures include adding the businesses being supported and recognized for the today. her time at the Midlands Business Journal Lincoln Business Journal in 1996 and the annual “40 impact that they have on the community, that he was in the era of manual typewriters, pre-Internet under 40” awards started in 2002 to honor young decided that the Journal should be focused on that type and email, but she said many of the skills she businesspeople. hoig said innovation isn’t always of topic,” he said. “I think bob’s passion shows up in learned there she still uses today. “I learned to act about coming up with something new. how the MBJ is written every week.” like a professional.”

“It’s more a question of being willing to steal something,” that passion is even more evident in person, brown CHAMPION OF SMALL BUSINESS he said. “You know, I was far from the first ‘40 under Linda Lovgren, vice president at Emspace + Lovgren, added, like at the annual “40 under 40” awards.

40’ program in the country.” has also known hoig since the early days of the Midlands Business Journal and said she sees his legacy “he seems to always be in his element at those events THE EARLY DAYS OF MBJ as even larger than being a publisher: local champion because he is surrounded by small-business people. kim davis worked for hoig as a new college graduate And he loves being around folks that have the same of small businesses. when the Midlands Business Journal was still a passion for small business that he does,” he said. “So relatively young venture. whenever I think of bob, I think of this those “bob, through his publication—and personally as well moments I saw him at those awards breakfasts, because he’s such an advocate—has given small “I look back fondly on those years,” she said. smiling from ear to ear because he’s surrounded by businesses visibility they might not otherwise have “bob is remarkable.” had, and a way to build their brand,” she said. people he respected a lot.”

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• mMAGAZINE

aiming higher.

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY hal daub, another notable Omahan who’s “had the pleasure of knowing bob and his wife and family before they started their journalistic enterprise,” remarked on hoig’s extraordinary commitment to the business community.

“I’ve known him because I’ve been active in local affairs, not just political affairs but community affairs as well as business here. I got to know him and I can tell you that—through my experiences with him before I went to congress, while I was privileged to be in the house of Representatives, and while I was privileged to be mayor and now as a member of the board of Regents, and as a practicing lawyer for 50-plus years here in Omaha—bob hoig has been the steadfast champion of Omaha and her small business interests,” he said. “the family have been great citizens of the community. they’ve been charitable and philanthropic and they spend lots of time encouraging people to get together and do good for our community. they’re not only great citizens of Omaha and our state, but they’re very patriotic and really believe in America and free enterprise, and I think that’s what bob teaches, mostly, that free enterprise is the cure for all the ills of life.” daub also said hoig has made the Midlands Business Journal a blend of edifying and interesting.

“If you stop to think about it, every small business is affected or afflicted by city, county, state and federal government and the bureaucracy of regulations and licensing. So when you can pick up the Midlands Business Journal, you get stories of small business, you get all new corporate filings going on in douglas county, and you get some flavor of the philosophical/political things that are going on,” he said. “You’ve got a perfect half an hour to an hour of wonderful learning experience every time the Midlands Business Journal hits your in box.”

“bob is a historian and passionate about his country and his business. bob is a friend, a visionary, a risk-taker and a great businessman. businesses of Omaha and all of Nebraska have a great asset in the MBJ and most importantly, bob hoig,” he said. “bob has had a huge impact on small business with the introduction of the Midlands Business Journal. bob stepped out and, like other small businesses and entrepreneurs, risked his professional reputation and personal finances for what would become the Friday business paper that we all wait to be delivered. If you want to know what is happening in Omaha in business, business expansion, new technology or who is doing what, you read the Midlands Business Journal.”

“

thE success OF A buSINESS IS thE Sum OF ALL thE pEOpLE whO hAVE influenced thE LIFE OF A buSINESS, ANd hE cERtAINLY hAS bEEN ONE OF thOSE individuals.

“

BUSINESSMAN, VISIONARY, FRIEND Like daub, John bothof (president of Northwest bank) said he considers hoig a friend as much as someone to be admired.

~ LINDA LOVGREN vIcE PREsIdENt, EMsPAcE + LovGREN

bob hoig

A VISIONARY LIFE

coNtINUEd

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life TRIBUTE

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• mMAGAZINE

bob hoig A VISIONARY LIFE

“

“

thE JOYS OF FAmILY, ANd thE understanding OF hOw FAmILY cAN rally AROuNd YOu ANd It REALLY means SOmEthINg, NOt JuSt A cliché. thAt’S pRObAbLY thE mOSt significant tRuth OF mY LIFE RIght NOw. ~ BOB HOIG

bothof said his company’s relationship with the Midlands Business Journal has been beneficial.

“that’s the most devastating thing about this…when you have to give up something you just so truly love,” hoig said. “It took me such a small amount of time to build a thousand hours. Flying gets in your system. It gives you a certain push to your life to just know you’ve got the keys in your pocket to simply at any time go to Eppley, cart off the plane and you’re off into the wild blue.”

“the MBJ provides a medium to tell your businesses story. many businesses subscribe to the MBJ and it has been a good method for Northwest bank to open doors to new opportunities,” he explained.

Stepping out of the cockpit is just one hard adjustment forced by age, and as hoig recovers, his plans for the future are still in flux. but he said he’s developed a renewed sense of gratitude for his loved ones.

“Several years ago, we decided to join with bob for the introduction of the ‘40 under 40’ event.

the event recognizes 40 people under 40 years of age on their business or “the joys of family, and the understanding of how family can rally around you and it professional success. we thought it was an excellent opportunity for a new start-up bank to invest in recognizing the future leaders of our community. the “40 under 40” really means something, not just a cliché. that’s probably the most significant truth of my life right now,” he said. event moved our brand to new heights.” he also noted hoig’s boldness. “If the stories of businesses in the MBJ doesn’t take all of your idle time, you have to read bob’s editorials and get a common-sense approach to issues facing business, our country and the political environment, to name a few.” hoig has made friends everywhere he goes. Restauranteur Leo Fascianella of pasta Amore said hoig has been a patron since 1986.

“I’ve known bob since day one when I opened the restaurant. he’s always been an inspiration to me and encouraged me about the business and told me how wonderful I was doing,” Fascianella said. “he’s a beautiful person to talk to and such a nice man. I feel like I’m part of his life, I’ve known him for so long. he’s very encouraging, very supportive of small business in Omaha. he’s such a great person.”

FLYING, FAMILY AND FUTURE Fascianella also mentioned hoig’s love for flying small aircraft, a pastime he’s had to regretfully step away from.

taking stock of his family, hoig said he’s glad to have a friendly relationship with exwife mary Lou, the mother of his children. he’s happy in his current marriage to martha. And he’s especially proud of who his three adult children (Oliver, Andee and Noel) and his two stepchildren: Amy chittenden and Jim pearson. “that’s one of the real satisfactions of life, once you’ve seen the path that you chose is the one that is right, and they’re all in their own separate careers—with some small help from you in choosing the right thing at the right time for them,” he said.

And looking back at his 85 years, hoig said he doesn’t want people to know him as just a publisher. “good father in an odd way. pilot in a good way. Skier in an unusual way,” he said.

A remarkable life. Now aiming even higher.

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2019

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game CHANGERS

• preseNted by

“

I FEEL THERE IS SO WORK TO DO IN THE AND I JUST WANT TO DO MY

much community always part.

”

~ AILEEN WARREN

Even when her children were young and her career involved frequent travel, Aileen Warren found time to be involved in the community. Now assistant vice chancellor and executive director of human resources for UNMC, she still believes in lifting up others and continuing to pay it forward.

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story by KARA SCHWEISS | photography by JIM SCHOLZ

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in stride

AILEEN WARREN

PRESENTS

game changers

• AILEEN WARREN

CoNtiNUed

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game CHANGERS

• preseNted by

in stride IN 1996 AILEEN WARREN WAS ENJOYING A FULFILLING CAREER AT FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA WHEN A PROMISING NEW OPPORTUNITY WITH MFS COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY EMERGED. SHE HAD A HARD DECISION TO MAKE. “I was overseeing First National Bank’s management trainee program. I loved working with new college graduates and helping them get acclimated to the business world. For many of them, it was their first job,” she said. “Many of the graduates of that program are now successful VPs and senior leaders at various organizations in the community.”

Warren eventually decided to take a chance on the new position. She wasn’t even settled in yet when some surprising news came along.

“I was there for a week when they announced they were being purchased,” she said.

Instead of panicking, lamenting the unfortunate timing or focusing on regret, Warren was determined to make the best of the situation.

“I thought, ‘What can I gain from this? What can I learn from this?’” she said. “You make lemonade out of lemons.”

She made the decision to keep moving forward, Warren said, and didn’t look back. “It all worked out okay, and I met some wonderful people I still stay in touch with.”

Gaining her stride It’s a lot like running—she’s competed in several halfmarathons and one marathon—where the benefit may not be immediately apparent. “It takes time to develop confidence; over time you gain your stride,” she said. “You’re not going to be perfect and you’re going to make mistakes, but you keep moving and growing and doing what in your heart is the right thing.”

Warren’s forward-thinking mindset worked well for her two decades ago, and even led to bigger things. She stuck with MFS for a year, until they wanted to relocate her to Chicago, which she had to refuse. Warren’s husband, Thomas, was building a law enforcement career—he eventually served four years as Chief of Police with the Omaha Police

Department—so moving was out of the question, but not moving on. Warren ended up landing an organizational development position with First Data Corporation, where she rose through the ranks for more than 17 years and ultimately served as a vice president of human resources.

At First Data, she consulted with senior business leaders, drove talent and performance management, and led several company acquisitions.

The latest stage of her career began four years ago when Warren joined the University of Nebraska Medical Center as assistant vice chancellor and executive director of human resources.

the University of Nebraska Omaha. A believer in continuing professional development, Warren is active in Society of Human Resources Professionals and the Nebraska Association of African American HR Professionals (NAAHRP).

She also has earned a Professional in Human Resources certification and has a certificate in Organizational Development from the Fielding Graduate Institute. Warren was also in Class 10 of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce Leadership Omaha Program and is a graduate of the ICAN Influence Program (2000- 2001).

In 2010, Warren served as the co-chair for the ICAN Leadership Conference which brought together over 2,000 women for a day of growth and development. She has also served as the honorary chair for the Omaha Women’s Fund Luncheon.

“In my role, I provide leadership and strategic direction of all human resources functions at UNMC including employee benefits and wellness, employee relations, organizational Warren certainly believes in community service. Besides her development, staffing, compensation, records work with ICAN and Omaha Women’s Fund, she’s involved management, diversity and HR technology. The budgetary with the Omaha Rotary, the Urban League of Nebraska and operational oversight of the UNMC Center for Healthy Guild, the Boys and Girls Club of the Midlands Executive Living and the Child Development Center also fall under my Scholarship Committee, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the areas of responsibility,” she said. Working in academia, a Omaha Home for Boys. The Warrens support organizations new sector for her, has been challenging but rewarding, such as The Durham Museum, University of Nebraska Warren added. “I’ve learned so much. I’ve gone to college, Foundation, and Partnership for Kids. of course, but as a student you just don’t see the behindthe-scenes,” she said.

“My husband and I have also served as the event chairs for the National Council of Negro Women Annual Luncheon, Her formula for career success is simple, Warren said. the Omaha Home for Boys Imagine our Youth Gala and “Because I enjoy what I do, I have worked hard and built vinNebraska,” she said. “I love my community and feel it is great working relationships. I take great pride in my important to give back to a community that has given so personal and professional brand and what I represent.” much to me and my family. I feel there is so much work to do in the community and I just always want to do my part.

Move forward, pay forward I really enjoy working on things that are making a difference.” For their service to the community, the Now she gets to pay it forward. Warren said she enjoys Warrens were recently inducted into the Aksarben associating with up-and-comers over coffee or casual Foundation’s Court of Honor. conversations through relationships fostered at work and through her many professional and community service At First Data, Warren had the opportunity to be part of activities. several international projects, “an awesome learning experience” that gave her a taste for travel, although she “I still do a lot of informal mentoring,” she said. “I love those was always eager to get back home to her then-young kinds of connections.” children. “If I ever had to do international travel for work again, I’d tag on a couple of days,” she said. “But I love to Warren, an Omaha native and Omaha North High School graduate, earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from travel and have been to almost every major city in the U.S.”

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AILEEN WARREN

“

BECAUSE I enjoy WHAT I DO, I HAVE WORKED HARD AND built GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIPS. I TAKE GREAT pride IN MY PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL brand AND WHAT I represent.

”

~AILEEN WARREN

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

“Welcome to

”

one of the largest and most prestigious meeting planning firms in the midwest omaha magazine B2B winners since 2008

Feet on the ground The Warrens have been married for 33 years and have three adult children: Jessica; Thomas, Jr.; and Alexandra. They now have a four-year-old grandson.

“It’s a lot when you’re not used to being around young kids every day. Thomas and I almost have to tag-team when we’re with Evan,” she said with a laugh. Her amusement is borne of nothing but affection, however. “He’s a ball of energy, so curious and active. We’re blessed.”

The Warrens met in middle school and married in their 20s.

Their three children were born before the couple reached 30 and during a period when both were building their careers.

“They were relatively close in age, and I do look back and wonder how I did that,” Warren recalled. “You just put your feet on the ground and move forward.”

PRESENTS

Even when her family was young, Warren felt obliged as a professional woman to find ways to be involved in the community.

“It’s to ensure our voices and perspectives are heard, to have leadership opportunities, and share our talents,” she said.

As much as she’s done for the community, Warren is still looking ahead, and still moving forward, toward doing even more.

“I have been recently been looking into openings on city and county boards and commissions. I would like to see more women get involved in boards and commissions and behind the scenes,” she said. “As women, we need to support and uplift each other and help each other out. It’s reaching back and reaching across, or even reaching up. It’s just being supportive of each other and relying on each other and trying to make things better.”

game changers

• AILEEN WARREN

national, regional and local meetings and events nationally recognized as a leader in the meetings & event industry supporting our community through our nonprofit work and the boards/organizations we are members of planitomaha has been providing event and meeting management solutions for twenty years. we are a client-centric firm that provides unmatched service and professionalism. while proudly located in the midwest, our crazytalented event team works from new york to la and everywhere in the middle.

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impacting COMMUNITY

B4B PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY Business4Business Professional Society (B4B) was started in 2014 by two busy professionals who wanted to help their peers, nonprofits, and others in the community make meaningful connections. this January, the B4B team celebrated five years of success and launched a new format that will facilitate the organization’s evolution.

“

I THINK B4B HAS DONE SOME amazing THINGS IN five YEARS. B4B CONTINUES MAKING A difference AND CONTINUES TO BE WHAT PEOPLE want and need IT TO BE.

“

~ TRICIA DANIELSEN

BoARd MEMBER ANd dIREctoR oF EvENts

when MICHELLE SCHRAGE AND JAY MIRALLES founded Business4Business Professional society (B4B) in January of 2014, they knew their friends and colleagues would Be Positive and suPPortive aBout their efforts to create a unique organization centered on fostering Powerful connections. it took the word of PeoPle outside their circles to fully convince them it was working.

even with the backing of a board of directors, overseeing B4B activities has been both “a blessing and a curse” for the hands-on, busy founders—schrage’s full-time career is in marketing and business development, miralles is in financial services—who have considered deeming the effort a five-year success and disbanding. “we could easily say it was a good run and we’re ending on a high note,” schrage said.

within the first year, schrage was hearing talk about good however, they can’t escape the reality that there’s still more to experiences with B4B—by people who didn’t know she was accomplish. involved—and seeing positive feedback shared on social media. the “a-ha” moment for miralles came when an attendee at a B4B event “the brand has gotten to a point where it’s bigger than any one or two approached him to ask if he was someone who could introduce him to or five people. and this is telling us that this is something we should Jay miralles. continue… i feel like we do fill a need. there would be a void if we didn’t continue,” schrage explained. “we still feel like we have a “wow, we’ve been doing this for five years,” schrage said. “looking purpose.” back at all the speakers we’ve had and all the nonprofits we’ve been “i feel an obligation to keep giving back,” miralles said. “i still want to able to highlight and the venues we’ve been to and all the work hard at it and i don’t want the connections to stop… i have a connections we made, it really went fast.” passion to connect people and to me it’s not about dues, memberships or money. it’s the profit for/of the community that gets “we were just two people with an idea,” miralles said. “sometimes you start things on a napkin and they never take traction, but the one piece me excited.” that started here is that we weren’t thinking about business first. we “i think B4B has done some amazing things in five years,” said tricia were thinking about how business impacts community. we were not danielsen, a B4B board member and its director of events. “B4B after numbers, we were after impactful connections. it was more about continues making a difference and continues to be what people want who you are as a person and what part of your success you contribute and need it to be.” back to the community. i think that’s why we’ve lasted five years.”

Agile and scrappy Five years, 100-plus activities B4B, which just celebrated the five-year milestone with a January 31 bash at champions run, cultivates personal development, professional growth and civic philanthropy by connecting individuals through a variety of hosted social and networking events. its more than 100 activities in the first five years have ranged from workshops and monthly speakers to nonprofit presentations and behind-thescenes outings at intriguing venues.

B4B has never had a strict structure, tight format, or predictable meeting schedule. schrage said. “our success has sort of been because it’s not so structured.” “agile and scrappy” is how schrage refers to B4B’s setup. B4B so far has presented a variety of events held morning, noon or night to accommodate the various schedules of a wide spectrum of businesspeople in many different industries.

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stoRY BY KARA SCHWEISS | photoGRAphY coURtEsY oF B4B

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bringing people together B4B

BUSINESS4BUSINESS

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impacting COMMUNITY

B4B PROFESSIONAL SOCIETY a hallmark of the organization is being able to respond to opportunities and circumstances. “we have to continue to evolve, to pivot, so it’s still manageable, we still have meaning and we’re still providing a good service for the community,” schrage said. “so what we’re looking to do in 2019 is to have fewer but more impactful events. other than doing two to three events a month, we are going to focus our energy on doing quarterly events. we’re going to scale back in number and focus more energy in enhancing these quarterly events.” schrage said her co-founder miralles now jokes that the “4” in B4B was a prescient reference to four events per year. “we’re going to have four large, involved events people can look forward to,” schrage said. “we’ll still be highlighting great people, great venues, great endeavors and great nonprofits; all those experiences will still be infused into these events but we’ll have more time to put thought into and bring more elements to those events.” one aspect of B4B that will remain the same is its core team of founders schrage and miralles along with danielsen, who came on board early in the first year. danielsen had known schrage through an earlier professional association when she agreed to meet for coffee after the initial B4B launch meeting.

“the hardest thing for nonprofits is getting the word out,” schrage said.

“Part of our dna is bringing great people together. we want to bring driven, excited, involved people together. definitely a part of that is the nonprofit community. the first year it was part of every event we did but what really elevated it was the nonprofit symposium.” it gave several young nonprofits not only a chance to raise their profile in the community, but the opportunity to connect with potential supporters, volunteers and champions. “we wanted to create ambassadors,” schrage said.

Jason and michelle hurt had just formed faith-based nonprofit chariots4hope and were still relatively new to the area at the time of B4B’s 2014 nonprofit symposium. “we are a local nonprofit supporting 40 other nonprofits to help meet the transportation needs of primarily single moms and dads and families in need of reliable transportation and ‘aftercare’ services,” michelle hurt said, adding that reliable transportation is key in creating and sustaining self-sufficiency. “our prayer is that we would be another arm of support to our recipients and show them unconditional love. chariots4hope is beyond the car.”

B4B featured chariots4hope at their event, which led to valuable connections including with two major partners and supporters. fittingly, the inclusion was a leap of faith.

“there is so much out there that i was trying to be selective and say ‘no’ to things that weren’t the best fit so i could say ‘yes’ to the right things,” danielsen said. “i wanted to find out if (B4B) was something i “B4B was such an instrumental vehicle for us because we hadn’t even had our first vehicle blessing,” hurt said. “we are so humbled and could both find value in and add value to.” overwhelmed that this community embraced our mission. i am grateful for the opportunity four years ago and that they believed in us.” schrage was hoping to tap into danielsen’s events experience and secure her assistance in planning a symposium focusing on local nonprofits; that meeting facilitated one of B4B’s most important connections: danielsen’s ongoing association as director of events.

Julie shrader, the founder, president and ceo of rejuvenating women, was also invited to speak at the nonprofit symposium. her organization was founded in 2013 and so in 2014 was, like chariots4hope, young and in need of support and exposure.

“in a very short timeframe, in a couple of months, we put all of our efforts together,” danielsen said. “all of us that are involved or become involved or jump in and out, we bring to the table what our strengths “rejuvenating women helps victims and survivors of human trafficking and sexual exploitation,” shrader said. “we are the only faith-based are and we do what we do really well. we all help each person do organization in the entire state that provides victim services…my what they do well. we don’t try to force a structure. our strengths heart’s desire with rejuvenating women is to provide a program that complement each other.” provides healing.”

Creating ambassadors one differentiator B4B has in comparison to other networking organizations is a special focus on bringing light to local nonprofits.

the symposium and other B4B events have helped shrader build lasting relationships for rejuvenating women, she said.

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CAPTIONS: PRECEDING PAGE: B4B BoARd MEMBER tRIcIA dANIElsEN (RIGht) posEs wIth BEth ostdIEk sMIth, pREsIdENt ANd FoUNdER oF sAvING GRAcE pERIshABlE Food REscUE. sAvING GRAcE wAs thE FEAtUREd NoNpRoFIt At thE ApRIl 2018 B4B EvENt. 1: JAY MIRAllEs 2: MIchEllE schRAGE 3: RoN sAMUElsoN, owNER oF sAMFAM, llc 4: NANcY wIllIAMs, co-FoUNdER & pREsIdENt/cEo oF No MoRE EMptY pots 5: dEllA costA EvENt

“i wonder where we would be today (without B4B), because i have made so many incredible connections who have helped build rejuvenating women,” she said. “it’s amazing, the people who will contact us after an event and ask us about what we’re doing.”

1

2

3

4

it’s not always about making immediate connections, shrader added. sometimes it’s finding someone who serves as more of a catalyst. “if i meet someone and they really love what we’re doing but it’s not their calling or passion to have us as their charity, maybe they have a friend or a neighbor or they know someone for whom it is.”

Focus on the people schrage said hearing about the good results of B4B connections is what keeps the team going. “it’s gratifying to hear people say they connected at a B4B event,” she said. “we have to continue to bring people together. the more we bring people together the more comes from that.” “i have a coffee mug that says ‘you just can’t make this up,” miralles said. “i love watching these relationships develop. we make connections and step out of the way. we’re not after numbers or referrals, we’re after impactful connections. i can’t write a big check for you, but i connect to the right people who can give you time, who can give you resources, or perhaps just open a door for you.” “there are many great networking or professional organizations out there and many are very successful. But what makes B4B different and what has continued to make it successful is that we are really, truly about the people,” danielsen said. “if we focus on the people, the rest all comes. we’ve stayed true to that. it’s about the professionals, not the professions.”

5 B4B

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VIP

VERY inspirational PEOPLE

INSPIRATIONAL EXAMPLES

TRISH SCHMOLDT’S daughter Harper is five years old, but Schmoldt still calls her a “baby” from time to time, a slip-up which makes her laugh a little. “Well, she is my baby,” Schmoldt said. Husband Andy and Harper’s brothers—ages 16, 9 and 7—are also very protective of the youngest family member. And it’s not just because Harper is the last of four children and the only girl; Harper’s very existence is precious. She was born with a congenital heart defect called pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum (PA/IVS).

it,” Schmoldt said. “It’s been her last planned surgery, although she might need some additional surgeries to repair things. And if her left ventricle—which is her only working ventricle—starts to fail, her only option is a heart transplant.

So that’s where we’re at right now.”

Hope for tomorrow Harper doesn’t remember the Thanksgiving spent in the hospital or the pain or the tubes and wires, her mother said, and for that she’s grateful. Oldest brother “She’s taught us to be here in the moment and to appreciate everything we have,” Malique does remember those details and understands their significance, but Schmoldt said. “She is a gift who has given us so many things, and our faith Trish and Andy Schmoldt chose to largely shield brothers Braylon and Kyler from their sister’s hospital experience because of their young age. But they have some has grown tremendously.” awareness and a lot of compassion, Schmoldt said. They hold their sister’s hand After three uneventful pregnancies, Schmoldt was monitored closely as she during before-school walking club and “they know she has a special heart.” carried Harper, but only because she was over 35 years old. Perinatologist “They are genuinely concerned for her and love her like there’s no Dr. Todd Lovgren saw something concerning on a sonogram in tomorrow,” she said.

December 2012.

“I think his exact words were, ‘Your daughter’s heart is not normal.’ He couldn’t necessarily diagnose her at that time; I was 16 weeks along,” Schmoldt said.

A 16-week fetus is only about four and a half inches long, with a heart smaller than a grape.

“One of my questions was, ‘She’s so tiny, how can you tell her heart’s not normal?’ and his response was that he’s seen so many hearts and this one just wasn’t right,” Schmoldt recalled. “So we knew early on we were dealing with some congenital heart defect, we just didn’t know what it was.”

Fortunately, there is hope for a tomorrow.

“[Harper has] taught us to be here in the moment and to appreciate everything we have.”

“Harper is doing really well. She occasionally turns blue because her oxygen level isn’t at 99 or 100 percent, but as long as her oxygen level is at 95 percent or above, that’s good for Fontan kiddos,” Schmoldt said. “She’s as healthy as she can be and is able to do what she wants. We’ve chosen to keep her out of sports, but she’s able to do dance, and she just started kindergarten in the fall.”

TRISH SCHMOLDT F

Teams of experts The pregnancy progressed, and an in-utero diagnosis of PA/IVS was made pending neonatal confirmation. The Schmoldts met frequently with their medical team.

“We worked with Dr. Lovgren and my OB on a birth plan,” Schmoldt said. “We could talk about all these great plans and have them in place, but until she arrived, we didn’t know what we were dealing with 100 percent.”

Her teachers and other caregivers have been trained to watch for a bluish tinge to her lips or labored breathing and other signs indicating stress. “We try to normalize her life as much as possible, but if she is out of our care everyone is fully aware of her heart condition,” Schmoldt said.

Harper has some memory of her last surgery two years ago, mostly about a bad-tasting medicine and searching for stickers hidden around the hallways of her hospital floor (an incentive to encourage activity after surgery). She takes most things in stride, her mother said.

“This is her life. She doesn’t know any different,” Schmoldt explained. “She also Harper was born on a Monday. By Wednesday she went in to the cardiac has a big scar on her chest. We want her love it and embrace and not be catheterization lab for confirmatory testing. When she was only nine days old, ashamed of it…But I don’t know that she comprehends everything that comes a BT (Blalock–Thomas–Taussig) shunt was placed near her heart. It would be with that. It’s going to get more challenging as she gets older and more aware.” the first of many medical procedures.

The Schmoldts have advocated for awareness and funding related to congenital “We were in the NICU and then the PICU at Children’s Hospital, and then we were heart defects like Harper’s, and they’ve even mentored another family whose moved up to the fifth floor. We spent 24 days at the hospital,” Schmoldt said. son had the same diagnosis. Harper has been named the 2019 Heart Princess for the American Heart Association’s Omaha Heart and Stroke Ball this month Once home, the couple gave baby Harper shots twice a day and took her to weekly and the Schmoldts are the event’s Heart Family. doctor visits, including a Children’s Hospital & Medical Center cardiac team led

by Dr. Robert Spicer. Within a year, her first of three surgeries had taken place. “Harper is one tough girl. We’re very thankful for that because that drive and determination has been part of her survival. But no kid should have to go through “In October 2016 she had what’s called the Fontan surgery. All three of these what our daughter has gone through,” Schmoldt said. “It’s nothing my daughter surgeries, it’s a process of rerouting her entire blood flow. So by the time she did or I did but what God gave us. We need to raise dollars because we want had her Fontan surgery done, it just allowed her blood to have more oxygen in other kids to live as long as possible and to live as normal a life as possible.”

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photography by DEBRA S. KAPLAN

• mmagazine

PURE hearted

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impacting COMMUNITY

mindy duff • ADVOCATING WELLNESS

“

MINDY IS A VERY ATHLETIC AND motivated INDIVIDUAL. SHE HAD A back injury …BUT BECAUSE SHE HAD THAT BACKGROUND, SHE KNOWS HOW critical HER CORE IS TO HER health AND WELL-BEING. ~ SCOTT BERTRAND

“

INvENtoR, AllCoRE360

WITH HER super-fit physique and high-energy demeanor, mindy duff epitomizes fitness and wellness. she began working out in high school, and what started as a commitment escalated over the years to become a lifestyle as duff became a wellness advocate and even advised others as a fitness instructor. “i’ve always been into fitness,” duff said. “i think working out is the best anti-aging activity you can do.” you’d never guess it in the presence of the ebullient duff today, but just a little over five years ago, she was experiencing constant, debilitating pain from lower back injury she despaired would never resolve. “i had tried everything you could possibly do. i did physical therapy, chiropractic, active release, active release with taping, acupuncture, massages, meditation, decompression therapy, and steroid shots,” she said. the pain had emerged years earlier and eventually not only were her fitness activities curtailed, so were her day-to-day activities. a minimally invasive fusion at laser spine institute in 2014 gave duff her life back. “i had a phenomenal result. i knew right away when i woke up that everything was different in my body,” she said. “it was life-changing for me.”

Life-changing solutions

users are secured in a seated position while the device rotates to train the body’s core muscles isometrically and three-dimensionally. bertrand said he knew immediately upon meeting duff that she was the right person to introduce allcore360 to the area. “mindy is a very athletic and motivated individual. she had a back injury, like mine, and knows that is hard to go through…but because she had that background, she knows how critical her core is to her health and well-being,” he said. “she understood what we are trying to accomplish.” behind duff’s enthusiasm for her role in bringing allcore to omaha is also a compassionate nature, bertrand added. “i could tell she wanted to help people,” he said. “i’m grateful she decided to help us in our efforts. it’s about making an impact.” “i feel like this came into my life at the right time. it dropped in out of the blue but it’s something i love: helping people with fitness and rehab,” duff said. “i feel fortunate that i am a part of this company because the more people are using allcore360 and changing their bodies and their lives, that’s what will make me happy. that’s really what it’s all about.” chris insinger was seeking a low-impact means of strengthening her core without aggravating existing problems with her neck and lower back. she’s also had to be cautious with her workouts after a hip replacement. with a “might as well try it” mindset, insinger started using the allcore360 last fall but soon ramped up to three times a week under duff’s supervision.

now duff wants to share the experience of finding a life-changing solution. through a contact associated with laser spine institute, she became a marketing consultant and distributor last year for vertically align/allcore360, which features a core-focused fitness device duff calls “revolutionary.”

“i am doing well…it’s improved my pain a lot,” she said. “i’ve tried a ton of different methods, but nothing has ever worked for me as well as this has.”

allcore360 was invented by scott bertrand to assist him in his own post-injury recovery, but he soon recognized the benefits for anyone from therapy patients to athletes wanting to build a stronger core.

insinger said her posture is better and she’s hopeful that her nowstronger core will protect her spine from further deterioration. “i’m recommending it.”

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stoRY BY KARA SCHWEISS | pHotoGRApHY CoURtEsY oF MINDY DUFF

• mMAGAZINE

Long-time health advocate Mindy Duff is introducing a new core-focused fitness device she calls “revolutionary,” the AllCore360, to the omaha area. Her motivation is to help people of all fitness levels improve their balance, strength and stability.

stronger at thecore MINDY DUFF, SUE MEYER, SARAH ZATECHKA, LORI FALTER AND KAREN COSTELLO

mindy duff

ADVOCATING WELLNESS

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impacting COMMUNITY

mindy duff • ADVOCATING WELLNESS stronger at the core clients from qli, an omaha-based, nationally known post-hospital

Active lifestyle

center for brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation, have used the

duff’s commitment to fitness and wellness helps her sustain an active

allcore360 unit duff brought to omaha. it’s currently located at

lifestyle. in addition to her role with vertically align/allcore360, she

legacy pilates, yoga & more in the shops of legacy shopping center near 168th and west center road.

runs a wine and spirits tasting agency called hcpw, and since 2014 has been a member of the fashion institute guild, which supports

“it’s not only for therapy patients; everybody needs a strong core,” duff said. “it rotates your body 360 degrees without depending on your

omaha fashion week and fashion institute midwest and cultivates the local fashion design scene.

extremities, which gives your core muscles an opportunity to engage and strengthen. that’s why people who aren’t mobile can also use it.”

duff’s physician husband wally is an ear, nose and throat specialist.

An ounce of prevention

he’s also the author of the hamlin park irregulars mystery/thriller

clients see improvement in core strength with just three 10-minute

novel series and was featured in the spring 2018 edition of

workouts per week. the no-impact sessions don’t even require clients

metroMAGAZINE (see spiritofomaha.com). it seems right that fitness

to change into workout clothes, although they will feel the effort, she

first brought the duffs together; they met when mindy was teaching

added. “it engages core muscle from chin to pelvic floor. it works 50-

a spinning class and wally was one of the participants. now their

plus core muscles, and there’s nothing else that can do that.” duff is particularly conscientious about safety. “i make sure everyone is in alignment and i watch them very closely.”

combined family keeps them both busy. duff’s stepdaughter (a former Wall Street Journal reporter) and son-in-law in california make pinot and chardonnay, which connects to her business. her stepson and daughter-in-law are working on their second independent film.

she’s not just an advocate of allcore360; duff uses the device herself. she’s determined to maintain a strong core to protect her back, she said, and that applies even to people who haven’t suffered past injury like her. “when your core muscles are strengthened equally, it helps align your

her daughter and son-in-law in denver work in the gas and oil industry and in business development, respectively, and are parents to a 2-year-old (“my little magic man!” duff said).

anyone who’s interested in allcore360 can visit allcore360.com to find

spine properly, helping to eliminate back pain. proper alignment is so

out more details and even watch videos of clients using the device,

important to prevent other joint injuries.”

duff said. to schedule an appointment, call (402) 250-2144.

“a strong core protects the body…like a suit of armor,” bertrand said. “we’ve become a culture, from a health standpoint, that we’re

“i can’t wait to see what the future holds for all the people using it on a

fixing broken things. it’s so much better to prevent ourselves from

consistent basis,” duff said. “for other people who are just starting, to

getting broken.”

see their progress is just phenomenal.”

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CoNtINUEd

“

IT’S SOMETHING I love: HELPING PEOPLE WITH fitness AND REHAB… THE MORE PEOPLE ARE USING allcore360 AND changing THEIR BODIES AND THEIR lives, THAT’S WHAT WILL MAKE ME happy. THAT’S REALLY WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT.

MINDY DUFF AND BLAKE WHITNEY

“

~ MINDY DUFF

“

I’VE always BEEN INTO FITNESS. I THINK working out IS THE BEST anti-aging ACTIVITY YOU CAN DO.

“

~ MINDY DUFF

JOSH BRINK

mindy duff

ADVOCATING WELLNESS

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Kali Baker is Vice President of Community Investment

omaha giving

• Omaha COmmunity FOundatiOn

AN engaged COMMUNITY IS A vibrant COMMUNITY The Omaha Community Foundation is continuing our journey to understand the community, both its strengths and its biggest challenges. This process led us to add two additional areas of focus to TheLandscapeOmaha.org last fall: Civic Engagement and Arts & Culture.

Arts and culture For a region of this size, our community has an engaged arts and cultural scene that offers world-class museums, music and art. However, not all members of the community can access these opportunities.

Through our engagement and listening work with residents, we heard that many arts and cultural events and programs are out of reach for some, either due to cost or location.

Expanding arts and cultural experiences to meet people where they are, ensuring that they represent a multitude of cultures and experiences, and thinking about more public art opportunities are all critical to maximizing the entire community’s participation in the arts.

Arts and culture is not only an economic driver in our community, but it can be an important means for creating public dialogue, spurring creativity and connections, and attracting both residents and tourists alike. But fostering a creative community that supports the arts—especially creative professionals—is essential to ensuring that our cultural opportunities are on par with similar sized cities. Our community offers fewer creative professional positions than other cities such as Lincoln, Des Moines or Kansas City.

Financial support for the arts is another critical component to a thriving arts scene. The local philanthropic community provides most of the funding for local arts and culture nonprofits, while government support for arts and culture programs is much lower than in other states.

The arts help preserve culture and heritage for future generations within a community.

And when the arts are accessible and reflect all people and cultures in a community, they

can be a gateway for improved educational and social outcomes, as well as a primary ingredient in creating healthy, connected neighborhoods.

Civic engagement The Omaha-Council Bluffs area is known for its philanthropy and friendliness, but digging into the data kali baker shows a more complex picture that can tell a different story.

Only a small percentage of individuals in our community report that they are working collaboratively with neighbors to solve problems.

And while our community is incredibly philanthropically inclined—half of residents give annually to a nonprofit—we are less politically engaged, with voting rates hovering between 30 to 40 percent for local and state elections.

While the region’s voter participation rates are higher than the national average, there are hundreds of thousands of people not exercising their right to vote in elections, and there are many more residents who may not have access to the voting process.

Also, our elected leadership does not reflect the makeup of our population; while women comprise nearly 50 percent of the region’s population and people of color make up 12 percent of the state population, their respective representation in government is roughly half of that.

We are committed to exploring our community, talking to our friends and neighbors, and digging into the data because we believe that we must truly understand our community to best understand how to invest in its future.

To learn more, visit TheLandscapeOmaha.org, where you can read more about Civic Engagement and Arts & Culture in the Omaha-Council Bluffs area.

Save the date for

Our community’s 7th annual giving day

MAY 22

Get ready to give and rally support for your favorite local nonpro ts!

Presented by

Powered by

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

MODERN mindfulness VS

digital detox

THERE AREoffAallLOT QUALITIES THAT MAKE LEADERS. First, as you read this, please be aware that I am not opposed to turning YouOF decide to walk down the hall to step outsideGOOD to catch your breath and CAN CULTIVATE THESE QUALITIES. someone asks, “Did you get my email?” of the devices now and then. I think doing so can bePRACTICING a very good thing. TheMINDFULNESS challenge that I have with those who focus on “digital detox” is that practicing ~ William Shakespeare If you have to find a way to have a “digital detox” and shut off all your devices mindfulness —being mindful, or fully present in the here and now—was a to practice mindfulness, you would be at the start of a very long and mindless challenge for many long before digital devices existed. Thus, I simply suggest week.

So, don’t tell yourself that the only way to be calm is to shut everything avoiding blaming digital devices for a lack of mindfulness as well as avoiding off. Instead, practice modern mindfulness: Find space between the devices. any belief that simply turning them off for an hour will result in a mentally peaceful state.

Consider the fact that “technology” means the application of scientific Mindfulness is generally considered to mean “being fully aware in the present moment.” Some writers and speakers modify this definition by adding “nonjudgmental acceptance.” I avoid suggesting that you must be nonjudgmental to be mindful. In some cases, being present in the current moment may well involve realizing just how ticked off you are that your loved one just died, or that you were diagnosed with a frightening disease, or that someone you care about just lost a job. If you think that you are supposed to deal with a life crisis with nonjudgmental acceptance to be mindful, you will think that you are failing at mindfulness when you realize how angry you are about a current crisis situation. I have concluded in favor of using mindfulness to simply refer to being fully present in the current moment to experience whatever might be going on. Acceptance might be the result of practicing mindfulness over time but it is unrealistic to expect yourself to be accepting of every life challenge immediately.

Technology can add a challenge to mindfulness. Consider a scenario where you have had a busy Monday morning at the office and are trying to catch your breath. The landline phone on your desk rings. Your cell phone rings at the same time eight texts come in. You also get numerous notifications on your phone and on your desktop computer. Emails are popping in at a mad pace.

knowledge for practical purposes. Make technology part of the solution rather than the enemy.

When you have several forms of communication coming in all at once, practice body awareness and notice where you are. Take a deep breath. Simply note all the forms of communication. Consciously press your foot into the floor. Breathe again. Notice your breath. Notice the devices. It’s okay. It’s not all that different from noticing a car that is driving by if you are sitting outside somewhere practicing mindfulness.

Most of all, whether your devices are on or off, learn to practice focus.

Lack of mindfulness is distraction. You can turn off all your devices and still be distracted. I see this often when I ask a group to turn off their devices and be still for three minutes. Most of the room becomes distracted and agitated by the end of the second minute. That is the nature of the mind. Just as you can become distracted or focused without devices, it is possible to leave your devices on and remain focused…and mindful.

Just breathe…and notice your breath. Practice that anytime, anywhere—in your office, in a grocery store line, while waiting to get your car washed, while waiting at a doctor’s appointment. Breathe. Notice. Breathe again. Notice again.

It really doesn’t matter if your phone rings.

ENVISION YOUR FUTURE: PREVENT DISEASE DISCOVER HEALTH! YOU DESERVE A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE!

Dr. Stephanie Vondrak • Dr. Ashley Rainbolt Vondrak Dental (402) 289-2313 info@drvondrak.com

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planning matters

• WITH VW LAW

invest IN AN opportunity zone Invest in a disadvantaged community and save big on taxes —a new program makes it possible to do both.

investments in business property. “Opportunity Funds” can be set up for the purpose of making such investments.

When assets such as real estate or stock go up in value, taxpayers may be reluctant to enter into a transaction that will result in a capital gain, and, as a result, face the prospect of a hefty tax bill. When such gains are realized, taxpayers often seek a means to defer or reduce the tax consequences.

To facilitate investment in such zones, the new program provides an impressive package of tax advantages to taxpayers facing the prospect of a significant capital gain. The four major advantages are:

As a result of changes made in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, there is a new method to both defer and sometimes even eliminate capital gain taxes.

Flexibility: Historically, the most common means to defer capital gains taxation is known as the “like-kind exchange” under Section 1031 of the tax code. Such an exchange offers little flexibility since all of the proceeds of a sale must be “rolled over” into a “likekind” asset; in other words, when real estate is sold, real estate must be purchased. The Opportunity Zone program eliminates the “like-kind” restriction and permits the portion of sale proceeds not constituting gain to be retained and used however the taxpayer sees fit.

Some of the non-gain proceeds could be set aside to pay the tax when the deferral expires, thus allowing a greater investment in the Opportunity Fund.

In addition, the program is intended as a “win-win”: a means to bring about business investment in economically disadvantaged areas. In conjunction with states and local communities, the federal government has designated over 8,000 “opportunity zones” that meet certain criteria as economically distressed areas that could benefit from targeted

james pieper

Deferral: The capital gains tax on the original gain (the disposition of the appreciated asset by the taxpayer) will be immediately deferred upon investment in an Opportunity Fund. Such deferral will last until at least December 31, 2026. This deferral is comparable to the Section 1031 deferral, except with the additional flexibility.

Reduction: In addition to the deferral, when the taxpayer’s investment in the Opportunity Fund is held for at least five years, the tax on the original gain will be reduced up to 15 percent compared to a comparable investment.

Elimination: Finally, and potentially most significantly, a taxpayer can eliminate the entire capital gain tax on appreciated property within the Opportunity Fund if the investment is held for a minimum of 10 years. If you hit the jackpot and invest in the next Google through an Opportunity Fund, you may not pay any tax on the gain from that investment.

The flexibility of the program allows it to be used by massive hedge funds or just an individual who wants to invest in real estate or a business located in one of the zones. Do not fear the term “fund,” because almost any form of business can file with the Internal Revenue Service to be treated as a “fund”—even an entity with a single owner owning a single property.

Vandenack Weaver LLC attorneys can help you navigate Opportunity Zone investment options and ensure your structure meets IRS requirements for the maximum tax advantages. Do not snooze, however: investments must be completed by December 31, 2019, in order to gain the largest possible tax break.

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• swaRtzbaugh-FaRbER & assOCiatEs, inC.

todays savings

impact!

therapeutic ENVISION

NEW year NEW you mary drueke-collins, fsa

we make health-related resolutions OFTENTIMES this time of year and for good reason: everything is new and it feels like a fresh start. Any decision to improve your health status is a good one no matter what time of year it is. One of the biggest challenges in changing any habit is sticking to it. The “stickiness” of your New Year’s resolution can be influenced by many factors.

Tell other people what your plan is and how they can help you stick to it. Vary your new routine; find several ways to accomplish your goals, and rotate them so you don’t get bored.

Working toward a new you can be exciting, and the benefits go far beyond your mirror.

When you improve your health status you can also improve your outlook on life. A positive attitude will go a long way not only in helping you meet your goals, but also in life.

The first step to becoming a HEALTHIER YOU is to confront the fact that something needs to be done and that you may need to make some changes. As with many vices, a person needs to figure out why they are going to do what they are about to do. Above all, give yourself permission to make the changes.

As you work on building your new habits this year, take advantage of the many community and web-based resources that are available. Become aware of the overwhelming statistics on the costs of obesity-related diseases like diabetes, and chronic health problems like high blood pressure and heart disease.

Sometimes employer pressure can be helpful. Employers are becoming very engaged in getting their employees healthier in order to increase productivity and lower health insurance costs. However, in most successful cases, the basis behind wanting to improve one’s situation is for oneself and/or his or her family. Each person simply needs to discover his or her own reason.

Then you could create a “stop doing” list. In most cases, little things could make a huge difference in the long run. For instance: • Instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs; this easy little workout doesn’t require any additional time to be worked into your day.

• Instead of snacking on unhealthy foods, snack on healthier foods. Don’t deprive yourself; just snack smarter.

botox: FOR TMJ YOUR & HEADACHE PAIN scaredy

stephanie vondrak d.d.s.

AND fromcat! daily headaches, TMJ or facial IF YOU SUFFER pain, you are likely thinking, “I have heard about Botox for pain, but how does it really

work?” You may even catch yourself rubbing your temples or stretching your neck side to side wondering, “Could this be the answer I am looking for?”

In 2008, the Journal of Craniomandibular Practice reported that the average TMJ/facial pain patient is in pain for four years before finding help. Unfortunately, in my experience this report is all too true!

As a dentist credentialed with the American Academy of Craniofacial pain, I have seen firsthand how Botox/Xeomin treatments are effective for decreasing pain, minimizing muscle fatigue and helping patients feel better. How do these treatments work? Botox and Xeomin are medications, made of the same active ingredient, designed to relax muscles by preventing muscle contraction. If a muscle cannot contract, it won’t hurt. These injections are known as off-label therapeutic Botox/Xeomin injections.

First, a comprehensive exam and medical history are completed. Sore muscles and “knots” (trigger points) in muscles are then easily identified and diagnosed. The site of the injection and amount of medicine needed to treat the affected muscle is determined based on your specific symptoms. The injections are then given quickly and efficiently with minimal discomfort. As previously stated, the medication begins working to prevent contraction of the hyperactive sore muscle, hence symptom relief.

As for the esthetic benefit, the decreased muscle contraction also prevents skin from collapsing in-between muscles (wrinkles). This creates the beautiful, smooth, youthful appearance Botox/Xeomin is known for. For example, injections across the forehead eliminate headaches and at the same time smooth the fine lines we see from raising our eyebrows.

Treatable Symptoms with Xeomin/Botox: • Headaches • Fatigue or pain in facial muscles • Unable to open wide without facial pain • Previous diagnosis of TMJ problems • Pain from teeth clenching or grinding Treatable Symptoms with Xeomin/Botox: • Headaches • Fatigue or pain in facial muscles • Unable to open wide without facial pain • Previous diagnosis of TMJ problems • Pain from teeth clenching or grinding

• Instead of going to the soda pop machine, grab a glass of water. Not only is it healthier; it is also much less expensive.

Eating healthier alternatives at meal time and increasing exercise help as well. The key is to get into a groove so when you do make unhealthy food choices or miss a workout, you’ll miss the good feelings you get when you take better care of yourself.

Remember, only qualified dentists with advanced training in the anatomy of the TMJ joints and treatment of head and neck pain can offer these services. If you are interested in more information or have questions concerning your headaches, TMJ and/or head and neck pain, please contact Dr. Vondrak at (402) 289-2313.

About the Author: Dr. Stephanie Vondrak has been treating TMJ and head and neck pain in her private practice for over 10 years. She has completed residency and earned Fellowship status with the American Academy of Crainofacial Pain. She is also board certified by the American Academy of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics.

Another key is to find the exercise that you enjoy whether it is weights, running, walking, rock climbing, boxing or Pilates, to name a few. It can help to keep things fresh by alternating between activities and/or finding an exercise partner.

So go ahead and make your “stop doing” lists, discover your reasons, and find your groove so you can see that picture of a HEALTHIER YOU in 2019.

For more information, please contact your trusted advisor at Swartzbaugh-Farber – ‘Client Centered – Client Advocates™’. This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney, tax advisor or plan provider. Securities Offered through M Holdings Securities, Inc., a Registered Broker Dealer, Member FINRA/SIPC. Swartzbaugh-Farber & Associates, Inc. is independently owned and operated.

• yOuR dEntal hEalth

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

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OOD GROWS HERE COMMUNITY MEANS SO MUCH TO US

by Sara Boyd, President & CEO, Omaha Community Foundation

C

OMMUNITY MEANS SO MUCH TO US; it’s who we are and why we exist.

And we’re in this together, with partners across the region. Our role is to serve as a connector; working with donors and nonprofits who love our community, believe in its future, and want to be a part of making it better.

We see charitable gifts as investments in the future of Omaha. No matter what the giving level, our donors see the potential in Omaha and southwest Iowa and want their generosity to go towards the collective impact that’s making our community thrive.

At the Foundation, we simplify the charitable giving process by handling your paperwork and serving as a personal giving resource, offering knowledge and a deep understanding of local nonprofits. We make it easy, providing as much or as little guidance as our donors need to reach their charitable goals. We research local issues and share that knowledge so our donors can give with confidence. And we keep track of the financial details—offering comprehensive account management—so our donors can focus on growing more good in the community.

We also help donors receive the greatest tax benefit from their gifts, whether that involves donating property or appreciated stock, or simply making a deposit to a Foundation account whenever it makes the most sense financially. This flexibility and convenience allows our donors to be more thoughtful about their giving. They can make a donation to their account and qualify for the tax benefits, then decide later where to give and what to accomplish with the funds.

Through our work we inspire a culture of giving so that—together—we can grow a stronger, brighter region for all. We invest in programs like Omaha Gives! and The Landscape to understand local needs, and build community in a whole new way.

By sharing resources, expanding knowledge, and growing investments, we are moving the needle and leaving a powerful legacy of positive change.

The Omaha Community Foundation has been active in the philanthropic community since 1982, and our family of donors has invested more than $1.6 billion in Omaha and southwest Iowa, supporting more than 3,000 local nonprofits.

To learn more about how we can help you grow more good in our community, visit omahafoundation.org or call us at (402) 342-3458.

OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION • 3555 Farnam St., Ste. 222 • Omaha, NE 68131 Phone (402) 342-3458 • www.omahafoundation.org • President & CEO: Sara Boyd • Board Chair: Constance M. Ryan

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MAHA GIVES!

O

MAHA GIVES! continues to be a day of inspiration, impact and celebration of this region’s nonprofit community. In 2018, we celebrated six years of giving together during the metro area’s charitable holiday powered by the Omaha Community Foundation. Together, we have now raised more than $42 million since Omaha Gives! began in 2013 from a cumulative 250,000-plus donations.

On May 23, the spirit of the day was alive throughout the city. Whether you celebrated from one of the many events nonprofits held, through social media, or with friends and family, this community demonstrated that our collective generosity continues to grow.

A record 960 participating nonprofits shared their stories of impact and rallied donors across the region in support of their work. A total 48,279 donations—another new record—were given during the celebration. In total, the 24-hour online giving day, presented by American National Bank, raised $7.4 million from 18,548 donors.

The event continues to create new opportunities for nonprofit organizations to gain support. Almost one-third of donations are first-time gifts to a nonprofit and this event reinforces that giving together makes a big impact, as 75% of the total donations were $100 or less—that’s a lot of little gifts adding up!

While we can count the day’s impact in numbers, we know that the intangible impact of Omaha Gives! —the results that aren’t quantifiable—are often the most profound. It’s the long-term connections made between a seasoned donor and a new organization, or a friendship sparked by an introduction at one of the many Omaha Gives! events that take place every year.

And most importantly, we know the impact of the funds raised by nonprofits carries significant weight into the weeks, months and years to come. These organizations are using their funds to address our region’s greatest needs and challenges every day.

Whether your donation is supporting education, youth, health or the arts, it’s affecting the programs and services that are strengthening our community from the ground up.

This May, we’re excited for even more inspiration and generosity when we celebrate the seventh year of Omaha Gives! on Wednesday, May 22, 2019. Until then, we invite you to visit OmahaGives.org today, where you can support your favorite nonprofits—or discover new ones to love—all year long!

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T

HE LANDSCAPE

UNDERSTANDING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH LOCAL DATA AND LISTENING.

T

are affecting residents in our community.

HE LANDSCAPE IS A COMMUNITY-DRIVEN RESEARCH project led by the Omaha Community Foundation that incorporates publicly available data, policy review, and insight gathered from direct engagement with residents in Douglas, Sarpy and Pottawattamie Counties. Founded on the following principles, The Landscape is committed to:

After engaging with more than 1,600 individuals, key themes emerged around opportunities where our community has room for improvement as well as existing strengths and assets.

• Resident Engagement: To ensure that people most affected by the issues have a voice in determining priorities and designing solutions.

• Equity and Opportunity: To address systemic inequities that prevent people from accessing opportunities that allow them to thrive.

While our community has tremendous resources available to some residents, the results of our listening campaign released last spring told us that not all residents have access to the support networks, vibrant arts and cultural offerings, beautiful parks, and strong neighborhood schools in our community.

• Investment: To provide a framework for donors and other partners to understand the community, and make informed decisions to guide their philanthropic investments.

Another resounding theme that emerged from the listening was that everyone has a strong desire to connect more with the community: connect with neighbors, meet new people, and create lasting relationships.

Ultimately, The Landscape is an approach for knowing the community—both its assets and opportunities—and for understanding how to invest in its future. It focuses on eight areas of community life: Health, Safety, Workforce, Neighborhoods, Transportation, Education, and our newest sections launched in 2018: Arts and Culture and Civic Engagement.

Now, we’re taking what we’ve learned from this resident engagement and research and offering it to donors and the wider community to help drive decisions about where we can invest when making philanthropic decisions.

And it provides data and insight, so donors can be informed in their giving. Our region has great resources, so ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to create a healthy, safe, vibrant life for themselves and their families is critical to build a stronger community.

The Landscape is an ongoing journey of listening and learning. If you want to understand more about an issue that matters to you or learn how The Landscape can inform your philanthropic giving, contact us at (402) 342-3458 or giving@omahafoundation.org.

Throughout the fall of 2017, the Foundation embarked on a listening campaign to delve even deeper into learning how the issues outlined on TheLandscapeOmaha.org

OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION • 3555 Farnam St., Ste. 222 • Omaha, NE 68131 Phone (402) 342-3458 • www.omahafoundation.org • President & CEO: Sara Boyd • Board Chair: Constance M. Ryan

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look for the LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE EVENT BOOK 2019!

OMAHA SYMPHONY DEBUTANTE BALL

GRIEF’S JOURNEY 12TH ANNUAL COMFORT FOOD CLASSIC

AIM INSTITUTE AIM TECH CELEBRATION

HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE SALUTE TO FAMILIES

CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS BLUEJAY JAMBOREE

NONPROFIT ASSOC. OF THE MIDLANDS NONPROFIT SUMMIT OF THE MIDLANDS

CHILD SAVING INSTITUTE PURSEONALITIES

THE DURHAM MUSEUM SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

great 2018•2019 Purchase photos from these events online or from your smartphone, charitable events! and metroMAGAZINE will donate 10% back to that organization.

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

• please remember to trade with our advertisers, whose support helps make our promotion of these important events possible 43

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featured eVeNt

spotlight

omaha symphony

FEATURED EVENT SPOTLIGHT Photos courtesy of dwyer PhotograPhy aNd debutaNte ball committee

looking good

ESSENTIALS: 2018 Omaha Symphony Debutante Ball was held on December 27th at the Embassy Suites, La Vista.

Over 525 people attended the Ball. Funds raised will help the Symphony’s educational programs.

Amount Raised: Over $ 200,000 Mission: The goal and purpose of the Debutante Ball is to provide funding for the Omaha Symphony’s Educational Programs. The way this is accomplished is by honoring families for their volunteerism and/or involvement to the Omaha Symphony and Omaha & Council Bluffs communities.

2018 OMAHA SYMPHONY DEBUTANTES

2018 Deb (left to right, front to back): Maggie Prosser, Madison Vosik, Tatum Morris, Anna Harris, Madeleine Williams, Taylor O’Malley and Ann Sullivan, Emme English, Maeve Cavanaugh, Ruby Kenney, Katie Gundersen, Madeleine Jacobitz, Grace Volk, Lauren Greiner, Megan Doehner and Anna Drelicharz, Katie Harris, Elizabeth Stienike, Kathryn Stevens, Olivia Leathers, Jane Glazer, Libby Bekins, Hannah Johns, Mady Swanstrom and Ellie Hansen, Kat Langenfeld, Samantha Hasebroock, Hayley Hartman, Katelyn Gonzales, Andrea Burke, Liv Putnam, Brooke Chambers, Kathleen Kirshenbaum and Samantha Matz, Lillian Hoy, Cassidy Jorgensen, Nicole Campbell, Madelynn Wiedenfeld, Lily Heim, Emma Roth and Eleanor Hellman 2018 Stags (left to right, front to back): Sean Wells, Kyle Judge, Alec Gravelle, Nicholas Dogger, Brian Leiferman, Christopher Pritza and Grant Shepherd, Joshua Harris, Zephyr Desa, Gavin Grabill, RJ Moffatt, Ethan Graves, Matthew Krumwiede, Dillon Hancock, Jake Wilson and Max Quint, John Vovk, Jack Mowat, Peter Dunbar, Graham Laughlin, Callaghan Foley, Colin LaFave, Daniel Buser and Hudson Hohman, Will Grisham, Cole Lyons, Isaiah Mueller, Alex Nelson, Jake Bunz, Colin Wilson, Brian O’Flanagan and Charles Doll For more Information: omahasymphony.org/guilds

2018 OMAHA SYMPHONY STAGS 44

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| debutante ball

CURT GREINER, BETH GREINER AND PRESTON GREINER

FRONT ROW: SUSAN HEIM, ANNE MEDLOCK, CATHERINE MAHONEY, JULIE LYONS, STACY WILSON AND JENNIFER PETERSON MIDDLE ROW: CHRISTINE NIKUNEN, TONEE GAY, NANCY FALK AND MICHELE ZADALIS BACK ROW: B GRATTON, FATIMA BASITH, KATE BROWNRIGG, KATE GRABILL AND STACIE SPIES-MATZ

TY AND SOLE WELLS

JULIE MOWAT, DENISE FITZGERALD AND CHRISTINE STEVENS

TERRI LAUGHLIN, LISA GRAVELLE AND JULIE DUNBAR

TONEE GAY, JULIE LYONS AND CATHERINE MAHONEY

BRIAN LEIFERMAN AND GAVIN GRABILL

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featured eVeNt

spotlight

omaha symphony

EMILY DOLL AND LAURA DOLL

ELEANOR HANSEN, SAMANTHA MATZ AND JANE GLAZER

DR. VALMONT DESA, TEHSEEN DESA, ZEPHRY DESA, DANIELLE DESA, BRIANNA DESA AND RYLAN DESA

JENNIFER BOOMGAARDEN AND MELANIE THORNTON

MR. AND MRS. CHRISTOPHER ROTH AND FAMILY

JANE HASEBROOCK, RAYMOND HASEBROOCK, SAMANTHA HASEBROOCK AND MARK HASEBROOCK

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| debutante ball

MR. AND MRS. JEFFREY WILSON AND FAMILY

THE FOLEY FAMILY

THE MORRIS-CHRISTENSEN FAMILY

STACY WILSON AND CARLY WILSON

ANNE MEDLOCK, JENNIFER PETERSON, SUSAN HEIM, JULIE LYONS AND STACY WILSON

TAYLOR O’MALLEY, ANDREA BURKE, KATHRYN STEVENS AND MADY SWANSTROM

MR. AND MRS. BRAD GRABILL AND FAMILY

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spotlight

MADELEINE JACOBITZ AND HER FATHER ANDY JACOBITZ

omaha symphony

MADISON, LILY AND OWEN HOY

CHRISTINE NIKUNEN, NICK DOGGER AND LUCY NEWBERRY

MR. AND MRS. JAY B. MATZ AND FAMILY 48

SHANNON HOY, SARA DONALDSON AND LINDA DONALDSON

THE JORGENSEN FAMILY

ALEX NELSON, JENNY NELSON AND DR. SCOTT NELSON

metroMAGAZINE • february 2019

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event galleries

Photos & captions courtesy of The Durham Museum

THEN & Now The Durham Museum Sentimental Journey: With Honor When: November 16, 2018 Where: The Durham Museum

HONORARY CHAIRS ANN AND KEN STINSON

UNITED STATES STRATEGIC COMMAND JOINT COLOR GUARD WITH SENIOR MASTER SERGEANT JIMMY WEBER

Why: This year’s theme celebrated Union Station then and now, while paying homage to the rich military heritage that is integral to the fabric of our community.

Sponsors: Debby Durham, Riverton Management Resources, LLC, Ann and Ken Stinson, Valmont Industries, Heritage Services, Tenaska, Union Pacific Caterer: Abraham Catering Multimedia: CTI, J&S Audio Visual, MacRae Attendance: 332

GENERAL JOHN HYTEN, COMMANDER OF U.S. STRATEGIC COMMAND, WITH WIFE LAURA

DAVID AND SUE MORRIS

Amount Raised: $240,000 Mission: Provide relevant educational and entertaining opportunities within the region that exceed customer expectations, while preserving our community’s vibrant cultural history.

About: Beautiful architecture blends with memories of a time gone by at The Durham Museum. Making its home in one of Omaha’s most unique treasures, Union Station, The Durham Museum offers a fascinating look at the history of our region and offers a broad-range of traveling exhibits covering subjects ranging from history and culture, to science, industry and more through our affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution and strong ties with the Library of Congress, National Archives and the Field Museum.

GUESTS PURCHASED WOODEN STARS FOR THIS FLAG IN HONOR OF SOMEONE WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY

For more information: 402-444-5071 | www.durhammuseum.org

CHRISTMAS AT UNION STATION 50-FOOT-TALL BLUE SPRUCE

ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE EVENING INCLUDED A LIVE USO SHOW HOSTED BY “BOB HOPE” 50

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Photos & captions courtesy of Heartland Family Service

HEARTY Salute Heartland Family Service Salute to Families Recognition Program When: Thursday, November 15, 2018 Where: Happy Hollow Club

YOUNG FAMILY

JOHN KNICELY

Why: The Salute to Families program began in 1982 when Heartland Family Service recognized one family in the community. This has grown to today's practice of honoring four families and one family advocate. Each spring, people across the Omaha metro area nominate families and/or individuals they feel exemplify strong family life and commitment to our community.

Sponsors: Pinnacle Bank, Dianne & John A. Scott, Sheri & Bob Shonka, Amy & Jay Vankat

WILLIAMS FAMILY

Caterer: Happy Hollow Club Event Planner: Nicole Tromler Schomers Attendance: 233 Mission: The mission of Heartland Family Service is to strengthen individuals and families in our community through counseling, education, and support services.

NELSON FAMILY

About: Founded in 1875, Heartland Family Service currently serves more than 52,000 individuals of all ages each year from more than 15 locations in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Our more than 50 programs provide critical human services to the individuals and families who ultimately shape the future of our community through the following program areas: Child & Family WellBeing, Counseling & Prevention, and Housing, Safety, & Financial Stability.

For more information: 402-552-7400 | HeartlandFamilyService.org VANKAT FAMILY

PINNACLE BANK TABLE

COMBS FAMILY

2019 SALUTE TO FAMILIES STEERING COMMITTEE 51

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Photos Photos&&captions captionscourtesy courtesyofofCreighton NebraskaUniversity Humane

SUPPORTING

Jays A’s

Creighton University Athletics Bluejay Jamboree

CREIGHTON MEN’S SOCCER

POKER TABLE LIVE AUCTION ITEM

CREIGHTON WOMEN’S SOCCER SELLING RAFFLE TICKETS

CREIGHTON DANCE TEAM

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When: October 19, 2018 Where: Hilton Omaha Special Guests: Co-Chairpersons: Janie and Harry Hoch, Jr. Attendance: Over 500 Amount Raised: Over $300,000 Increasing student-athlete scholarships has been a top priority for Creighton Athletics and your support has made a difference. The Bluejay Jamboree has helped significantly increase scholarship support for Creighton’s student-athletes. In the past four years, Creighton Athletics has been able to provide the equivalent of seven additional athletic scholarships due to the generosity of our supporters and events like the Jamboree. We still have much to accomplish as we currently award 102 scholarships, considerably below the 142 the NCAA allows for our varsity programs. Your continued loyalty and support of the Bluejay Jamboree allows us to continue to recruit, retain and graduate student-athletes who will become lifelong leaders.

For more information: Athletic Events 402-280-GIVE

metroMAGAZINE • FEBRUARY 2019

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Photos & captions courtesy of Grief’s Journey

TAILGATE

du Jour Grief’s Journey

12th Annual Comfort Food Classic

When: Sunday, October 14, 2018 Where: Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Omaha HONORARY CHAIRS ROGER AND KAREN THOMPSON

DAWN AND TODD FELDMAN

Why: Restaurant competition benefiting Grief’s Journey Sponsors: Valmont, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, Hiley Hunt Wealth Management, Jon & Denise Meyers, Nebraska MEdicine, Physicians Mututal, Security National Bank, SKAR Advertising, ACCESSbank, Heafey Hoffman Dworak Cutler Mortuaries Caterer: B’s Bones and Sauce, Farnam Brewing Company, Hy-Vee 180 & Pacific, Omaha Tap House, Take’Em Catering Attendance: 300 Amount Raised: $86,000

KIM HOOGEVEEN

PATRICIA KEARNS AND RACHAEL JOHNSON

For more information: 402-502-2773

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

402.558.3202 cateringcreations.com 53

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Photos Photos && captions captions courtesy courtesy of of Child Nebraska SavingHumane Institute

DIGGING Deep Child Saving Institute PurseOnalities

MELANIE HECKER, CARLA OCHSNER & CINDY HANLEY

EVENT CHAIRS: EMILY DUGGER, MICAYLA LEE, STACEY PATTERSON & CARISSA SCHRAGER

HONORARY CHAIR SUSAN HADDIX AND SPEAKER LAURA SCHROFF

PEG HARRIOTT, WANDA GOTTSCHALK AND ADDIE HOLLINGSWORTH

When: Thursday, October 18, 2018 Where: Hilton Omaha Why: Child Saving Institute Guild event benefiting the kids and families served by Child Saving Institute Special Guests: Honorary Chair Susan Haddix and speaker Laura Schroff, author of An Invisible Thread Sponsors: Susan & George Haddix, Patterson Family, Dell EMC, Borsheims, Oriental Trading Company, Buildertrend & Cynthia Lee Caterer: Hilton Omaha Attendance: 300 Amount Raised: Over $130,000 About: Child Saving Institute provides a safe haven and healing for thousands of innocent young victims of family crisis, neglect, and abuse. We offer the vital services necessary to make at-risk children safe and fractured families whole. Our mission is “responding to the cry of a child,” but our vision guides us as we work to give the children we serve safe, happy childhoods: that all children have homes where hope is kindled and dreams can be achieved. This is our work, and they are ALL our children.

For more information: 402-553-600 www.childsaving.org

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

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Photos & captions courtesy of AIM Institute

TALENTED

Tech-ies!

AIM Institute

AIM Tech Celebration

When: November 15, 2018 Where: Founders One Nine HONORARY CHAIRS ROGER AND KAREN THOMPSON

DAWN AND TODD FELDMAN

Why: Not-for-profit AIM Institute’s Tech Celebration celebrated the accomplishments of individuals and businesses in the field of technology. The annual event brings the tech community together for an evening of networking, inspiration and celebration. AIM’s Tech Celebration is one more way that AIM grows, connects, and inspires the tech talent community. 2018 Tech Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor, Cox Business; TierPoint, Midwest Cloud Computing, Managed.com, Valmont Industries, OPPD, FNTS, Choice Solutions, Metropolitan Community College, Deliveron Attendance: 300 Amount Raised: $85,000 with a goal of $100,000

KIM HOOGEVEEN

PATRICIA KEARNS AND RACHAEL JOHNSON

For more information: 402-345-5025 | aiminstitute.org

PARA DESCR : OPTIONAL PARAGRAPH DESCRIPTION: If you wish please add your post event press release information or paragraph styled description of the above information. (This is not a required field.)

email: info@aiminstitute.org

PAID INFO REQUEST: GUARANTEED HALF

SUBMIT: SUBMIT

ipaddress: 68.96.28.98ipaddress: 68.96.28.98

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Photos & captions Photos courtesy & of captions Nonprofit courtesy Association of Nebraska of the Midlands Humane

CLIMBING

Higher

Nonprofit Association of the Midlands Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands When: November 1st, 2018 Where: La Vista Conference center AKAYA WINDWOOD

NAM STAFF MEMBERS

Why: All day nonprofit professional development and networking Special Guests: Akaya Windwood Attendance: 400+ About: To achieve our mission for our growing base of nonprofit organizations, NAM is committed to the following goals: Enhance public recognition of the importance and role of the nonprofit sector to the people of Nebraska. Provide access to high quality assistance and information on effective nonprofit management and practices. Advocate on issues that affect the capacity of all nonprofits to address their communities’ needs. Foster communication and cooperation among nonprofits. Our Values Integrity Innovation Accountability For more information: 402-557-5800 | nonprofiitam.org

www.onedrakeplacesalon.com

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Our Mission:

To help nonpro ts ful ll theirs.

SHARE Omaha offers the giving public opportunities to connect with nonpro ts by donating, volunteering and shopping wish lists.

SUPPORT

SERVE

SHOP

Together, we can change the giving culture of the metro area.

SHAREomaha.org

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community CALENDAR

save the date learn more details about any of these events by searching our extensive Community Calendar at mmagazine’s website: http://www.Spiritofomaha.com/metro-magazine/Community/Calendar/

ConneCt with over 100 nonprofits and learn more about their mission and how you can help! order your copy of the giving guide & event Book 2019 today at mmagazine’s Spiritofomaha.com.

featured

Employee Benefits Executive Benefits ▪ Wealth Management Business Succession and Estate Planning

VENTS

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

February 1 – February 28

Financial Plaza, Suite 418 9140 West Dodge Road Omaha, NE 68114 402.397.5800 www.swartzbaugh.com

Virtual BaBy Shower Open Door Mission Virtual 402-829-1503 • www.opendoormission.org/

February 2

Our Employees and Our National Alliances – They’re What Set Us Apart.

9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

12th annual ultra ChiC Boutique DreSS Sale, BeneFiting the alzheimer'S aSSoCiation neBraSka Chapter Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter A View on State – 13467 State St., Omaha Free to enter – 402-558-3677 • www.maxiwalker.com/ultra-chic-boutique/

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

February 8 6:00 PM

“CarniVal oF loVe” gala Heartland Family Service Hilton Omaha – 1001 Cass St., Omaha $150 individual ticket $1,500 Table of 10 • HeartandFamilyService.org

Make your event a delicious success.

February 8 5:30 PM

DoDgeBall American Heart Association’s

Leave all the event planning details to us so you can enjoy spending time with your guests.

University of Nebraska-Omaha H&K Building – 6323 Maverick Plz, Omaha • $20

· Premiere space for up to 500 · Central location with free parking · Exceptional catering that will impress · Professional, experienced sta · In-house audio/visual services audi

February 8

Your details are our specialty.

Omaha Marriott Downtown – 222 N 10th St., Omaha $150 per person • www.marianhighschool.net/

5:30 PM – 10:30 PM

marianFeSt 2018: the Big ShinDig Omaha Marian High School

February 9 6450 Pine Street 402.778.6313 scottcenter.com

5:00 PM – VIP Patron Party hosted by Aetna 6:00 PM – Cocktail Reception and Mini-Live Auctions – 7:30 PM – Dinner, Live Auction and Pulse Party"

New Look, New Facilities, Same Great Service

2018 omaha heart & Stroke Ball with preSenting SponSor renaiSSanCe FinanCial American Heart Association CHI Health Center Omaha $300 per ticket • heart.org/OmahaHeartBall

February 9 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

omaha heart & Stroke Ball American Heart Association CHI Health Center Omaha – 455 North 10th Street , Omaha $300, per ticket 58

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Jan. 18 – Feb. 10 On Sale Now!

featured

LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GIVING GUIDE 2019!

February 16

March 1–24 On Sale Now!

VENTS

7:00 AM – 12:00 PM

trek up the tower WELLCOM First National Bank Tower – 1601 Dodge St., Omaha $60 – 402-934-5795 • http://TrekUptheTower.org

February 23 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM

JDrF promiSe gala - inVeSt in a Cure JDRF Omaha-Council Bluffs Chapter CHI Health Center Omaha – 455 N 10th St., Omaha Individual tickets are $225. Tables are offered from $2,500 $15,000. – 402-397-2873 • https://jdrf-omaha.ejoinme.org https://jdrf–omaha.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/InvestInACure/Hom e/tabid/1002698/Default.aspx?_ga=2.49691557.201214840 4.1546874129-1987722588.1545244136

February 24

Feb. 15 –March 17 On Sale Now!

April 12 – May 5 On Sale Feb. 19!

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

art & Soup Visiting Nurse Association Embassy Suites, La Vista – 12520 Westport Pkwy., La Vista General admission $50 now, $55 at the door or Patron Party $100 – 402-930-4170 • http://vnatoday.org/artandsoup

February 25 – march 2

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

6:00 PM – 9:30 PM

omaha FaShion week Omaha Fashion Week Omaha Design Center – 1502 Cuming St., Omaha $45-$85 • www.omahafashionweek.com

February 28 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

rally For kiDS Lutheran Family Services Embassy Suites Downtown/Old Market $100 • www.LFSneb.org | www.LFSneb.org/RFK2019

march 2 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM

CruiSe away to the emeralD iSle Stephen Center, Inc. Champions Run – 13800 Eagle Run Dr., Omaha $150 – 402-715-5442 • www.stephencenter.org/events

march 2 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM

unCorkeD at Fleming'S to BeneFit angelS among uS Angels Among Us Fleming's Prime Steakhouse – 140 Regency Parkway, Omaha $50 per person – 402-934-0999 • www.myangelsamongus.org

march 7 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM

heroeS in the heartlanD American Red Cross Hilton Omaha $75 • www.redcross.org 59

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community CALENDAR

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

march 9 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

perFeCt pour 2019 Friends of Nebraska Children Scoular Ballroom – 2027 Dodge St., Omaha $75 for general ticket/$150 for VIP ticket – 402-476-9401 • www.perfectpour.org

march 9 – march 29 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

taBle art 2019, omaha Symphony guilD Champions Run – 13800 Eagle Run Dr., Omaha $75 • www.omahasymphony.org/guilds/

march 13 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

CrCC’S SilVer riBBon eVent CRCC Children’s Respite Care Center Marriott Regency Patron tickets – $100 Young professional – $75 • www.crccomaha.org

march 14 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM

Smart girl SoCiety’S game night!

Smart Girl Society The Living Room – 1111 N 13th St., Omaha, La Vista $45 single $80 couple • www.smartgirlsociety.org

march 14 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

game on!

Smart Girl Society The Living Room – 1111 North 13th St., Omaha, Nebraska 68102, Omaha Single - $45 Duo - $80 – 402-505-3993 • www.smartgirlsociety.org/upcoming-events

march 23 6:00 PM – VIP Preview Party – 7:00 PM – Main Auction

artVenture Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska UNO’s Mammel Hall – 6708 Pine St., Omaha VIP Preview Party – $125 Main Auction – $40 or Doubles Discount for $60 – 402-779-8230 • GirlScoutsNebraska.org

march 29 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM

2019 Spring BeneFit: Spotlight on eDuCation Omaha Community Playhouse Omaha Community Playhouse – 6915 Cass St., Omaha $150 Patron $200 VIP • www.omahaplayhouse.com

march 30 – april 14 2019 one FeStiVal Opera Omaha Centered around downtown Omaha. Events will take place in a variety of traditional and non-traditional settings including the Orpheum Theater, Joslyn Art Museum, and Archetype Coffee in Blackstone. www.operaomaha.org | www.ONEfestival.org 60

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E

LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GIVING GUIDE 2019!

march 30 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM

relay For liFe oF Creighton uniVerSity American Cancer Society

Taking Clean To The Next Level

Creighton University's Kiewit Fitness Center – 2500 California Plz., Omaha Free – 402-415-5751 • http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLCY19NOR?fr_id=90923&pg=entry&_ga=2.

59886568.434920369.1544629534-973438449.1544629534

• Water Damage:

Everything from a major flood to backed up pipes.

• Mold Remediation Services:

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

march 30

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

5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

the gathering - CueS SChool SyStem CUES School System CHI Health Center Omaha – 455 N 10th St., Omaha $125 per person

march 30 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

VinneBraSka wine eVent 2019 Omaha Public Schools Foundation Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Omaha – 3321 S 72nd St., Omaha $135 – 531.299.0250 • www.opsfpossible.org

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

april 1

Extremely Clean | www.ExtremelyClean.Com | 402.932.3257

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

BatS oVer omaha 10th annual Bat releaSe Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, Inc. Joslyn Art Museum – 22nd & Dodge St., Omaha, La Vista Free and family-friendly • www.nebraskawildliferehab.org

april 5 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Cinderella's Rentals Has Dresses at a fraction of the Price!

wine women & ShoeS Children's Hospital & Medical Center Omaha Design Center – 1502 Cuming St., Omaha $120+ – 402.955.6852 • http://WineWomenandShoes.com/Omaha

Open for appointments: Wed: 2-6, Thurs: 2-6 Fri: 2-6 Sat: 10-2

april 6 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

pink riBBon aFFair Susan G. Komen Great Plains Hilton Omaha – 1001 Cass Street , Omaha $125 Individual / $200 Patron – 402-502-2979 • www.komengreatplains.org

april 10 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Completely kiDS author lunCheon

To book your appointment go to: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/1V3ZZYE67VEWY

Hilton Omaha – 1001 Cass St., Omaha Patron, $100; Individual, $75 – 402-397-5809 • http://completelykids.org

Dress Rentals for Prom, Homecoming,Weddings, Balls, Gala & More. Plus Sizes 16-28

april 13 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM

omaha Symphony gala Featuring wayne BraDy Omaha Symphony

7631Main St. Ralston, NE 68127

Holland Performing Arts Center – 1200 Douglas St., Omaha $5,000 table sponsor $500 gala dinner and concert $39-$99 concert only – 402-661-8575 • www.omahasymphony.org 61

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continUed

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

community CALENDAR

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

save the date

ConneCt with over 100 nonprofits and learn more about their mission and how you can help! order your copy of the giving guide & event Book 2019 today at mmagazine’s Spiritofomaha.com.

april 18

april 27

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Can Do lunCheon Kids Can

Dining with DogS Nebraska Humane Society

Omaha Marriott Downtown at the Capitol District – 222 N 10th St., Omaha $75 – 402-733-6988 • www.kidscanomaha.org

Baxter Subaru – 17130 Burt Street , Omaha $100 Ticket $150 Patron Ticket – 402-905-3483 • www.nehumanesociety.org

april 19

april 28 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

7:30 AM – 4:30 PM

laDle oF loVe FeStiVal Open Door Mission

2019 Dementia Care ConFerenCe Alzheimer's Association

Garland Thompson Men's Center – 2705 N 20th St. E, Omaha Cost TBA – 4028291503 • www.opendoormission.org/

Embassy Suites Conference Center – 12520 Westport Pkwy., La Vista Cost variable – 402-502-4301 • https://alz.org/nebraska

april 30

april 19

5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

2019 BooSter Banquet Boys Town

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

riValz: BlonDeS VS. BrunetteS Flag FootBall game Alzheimer's Association

Embassy Suites Conference Center – La Vista $100 (sponsorship opportunities available) • www.boystown.org

Omaha Sports Complex – 14706 Giles Rd., Omaha Cost varies – 4022607911 • http://act.alz.org/site/TR/BvB/NE-Nebraska?pg=entry&fr_id=12015

april 30 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

52nD annual BoyS town BooSter Banquet Boys Town

april 24 11:30 AM

Embassy Suites – 12520 Westport Pkwy., La Vista $100 Per Ticket, $1000 per Table (10 seats)

FuSion 2019: a BlenD oF Fun & philanthropy Nebraska Medicine Guild

may 2

Omaha Design Center $75 per person • Sponsorship opportunities available

5:30 PM

go green! gala Cross Training Center

april 26

TBD find out at www.crosstc.com $100 per person $1,000 per table • www.crosstc.com

6:30 PM

methoDiSt hoSpital BarneFit Methodist Hospital Foundation

may 4

The Barn at the Ackerhurst Dairy Farm $150 per person $250 per person for Patron reservation • MethodistHospitalFoundation.org

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

april 26

$150 per person • www.ocm.org

For the kiDS BeneFit, omaha ChilDren’S muSeum Omaha Children’s Museum

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

may 4

gunS n hoSeS Boxing Challenge First Responders Foundation

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM

ameriCan miDweSt Ballet preSentS the wizarD oF oz American Midwest Ballet

Baxter Arena – 2425 S 67th St., Omaha $20 GA – 4029176452 • http://gunsnhosesomaha.com/

Orpheum Theater – 409 S 16 St , Omaha Tickets start at $27 – 402.345.0606 • https://ticketomaha.com/Productions/the-wizard-of-oz

april 27 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

may 7

“SearCh For the Cure” SCaVenger hunt Lolo’s Angels, Inc.

11:45 AM

D.J.’S hero awarDS lunCheon The Salvation Army

Film Streams Dundee $50 per person/Teams are of 4-6 people • lolosangels.org

CHI Health Center – Omaha $150 Individual $1,500 Table Sponsorship • salarmyomaha.org

april 27 6:00 PM – Silent Auction – 7:30 PM – Dinner and Program

may 10

Blue Jean Ball: lightS, Camera, wiSheS Make-A-Wish® Nebraska

Dueling pianoS Nebraska Children’s Home Society

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Hilton Downtown 1001 Cass St. $150 per person $1,500 corporate table • www.nebraska.wish.org

Empire Room – 200 S 31st Ave., Ste. 4107 Omaha, La Vista $75 • www.nchs.org 62

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waking WORDS

mmagazine • letter From the editor

rob Killmer LANGUAGES IN harmony We grow up in a certain part of the world where a certain language is spoken, and even within that language, certain dialects are common to the specific region we are born. We instinctively, intuitively and intellectually absorb the language we are born into, and it becomes an integral part of how we think, act and communicate.

All language is a shared set of symbols we inherit from birth, and we utilize these symbols in an attempt to interpret our perceptions of reality and communicate these interpretations and perceptions to others.

The “language barrier” is one of the things that keep people most separated and ignorant from, and about, one another. Imagine how difficult life on this earth would be without the ability—devised with human effort down though history—to “translate” and “understand” other languages from other regions, and to apply ourselves to comprehending even the nuances of differentiation between dialects within the same language?

As we understand and interpret these other languages, we come to realize that they are merely attempting to communicate effectively—from within their cultural framework—about the same things we’re attempting to communicate from within ours; and as we further examine that communication we discover that yes, there are some very dynamic differences between their perceptions of reality and ours—but we also discover the breadth and depth of commonalities between languages.

What people are saying to each other in their regional frame of reference, using their unique set of symbols and perceptions, in many ways hugely resonates with and resembles what we are saying in ours. Additionally, the more effort we exert to study these other languages, the greater our capacity to comprehend those things that initially seem so different, or so discordant with our language, and opportunities for new translations and understandings emerge!

into this life with, such attitudes are absurd and ridiculous.)

Incidentally, a bigot is not always someone who is wicked, or malicious or pigheaded. There are many “gardenvariety” bigots who are none of these things. No, a bigot is someone who never looks beyond the “language” he was born into and initially indoctrinated by. robert P. Killmer A bigot never leaves the orientation editor@Spiritofomaha.com of his “family.” He never examines life beyond the limited set of boundaries and understandings he was born into. Bigotry isn’t usually intentional (and often when it is, the intentions are natural and reasonable.) KKK devotees are given very “good-sounding” reasons for believing what they believe. Some militant members of “The Resistance” truly believe their perceived form of anarchy is a better way.

This does not excuse those who are merely attracted to any opportunity for violence, a different matter entirely. But every “language” has its “children of darkness.” It doesn’t invalidate all that is natural and healthy about growing up and coming to terms with life in a given part of the world, influenced by an inherited, organic culture.

But to be truly and genuinely liberated, we cannot remain bigoted: cocooned in the ignorance that we also inherit in each region. If we are to evolve as a species, if we are to transcend as individual Souls, if we are to be good stewards of our world and the relationships we encounter in it, mustn’t we be willing to embrace the same kinds of challenges and harmonies with other philosophies that we do with other languages?

Without prejudice or visceral opposition merely because it is based in a different region of the world, or a different set of symbols for interpreting that world? Why wouldn’t we embrace that philosophical discovery with the same grace and flexibility that we do with other “language” barriers? The answer seems obvious.

We develop—not only a respect and comprehension of other languages—but over time an actual comfort and appreciation of them. We can benefit from the additional perspectives, sounds, vibes and symbols that they add to our own. We can appraise and value the unique beauty they express, and—as a result—new layers of richness, aided by education and enlightenment, are added to our lives!

Yet there is a “conundrum” attached to what would otherwise seem simple: How do we embrace the more limiting aspects of certain philosophies* Imagine if humankind still carried around the same perceptions about other (languages—symbols and stories attempting to express an understanding of Truth) languages from other civilizations that we cling to about other inherited philosophies that reserve for themselves sole ownership of Truth and Understanding, without and beliefs? Philosophies and beliefs are languages: shared symbology. imprisoning ourselves in a cocoon of (unintentional, perhaps yet still inherently dangerous) bigotry and ignorance that is needlessly limiting?

Our philosophies, faiths and morals are also largely based on where and when we were born, and what we were born into. Virtually everything above that applies to *(Including those we inherited in our own “family” and “region” and “dialect.”) languages also applies to how we inculcate our philosophical beliefs from birth.

We absorb the “language” of beliefs from the family and cultural groups we are This is an ongoing—and extremely challenging—conundrum for our species brought up and indoctrinated in, and in many cultures, most of that indoctrination— (that resonates back to “9-11” and beyond!) but one which I feel this insight about religious, social, moral and more—is done with the highest of intentions. “language” speaks to. I don’t have a “silver-bullet” answer to the conundrum above.

What do you have to say about it, and about this premise overall?

What needless and counterproductive challenges would we face (and have at times in history, and in much of the world, still do!) if we hold fast, clinging to an idea that I can only say this much: my entire life journey and “calling” seems to be very much there is only one true language? That only the symbols, sounds and concepts oriented along a path that has required me to learn how to “translate” and “relate” to generated by German, for example, were valid and all others were inferior, or worse philosophies and practices that seem—on the surface—to be very different (often yet, perverse and wicked? What sort of conflicts would arise (and often in history very threatening) compared to my inherited one, yet as I am exposed to them—rich have arisen) merely because of a “sound barrier”—an inability to “interpret” and commonalities and virtues are affirmed by all or most…a harmony that has “translate” a different way of symbolizing universal truths, insights and principles? permitted me to connect more deeply with others, with myself and with “The Divine.”

We don’t think that something is perverse or invalid merely because it’s French or Polish. (Too many bigots among us still do, admittedly, but for those among us who’ve received an education permitting us to see outside of the ignorance we came

That harmony of “language” is now a core pillar and passion within my life journey. ~ RPK 64

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