metroMAGAZINE's January 2014 Issue

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mike yanney advocating for omaha’s youth

ent

velopm youth de

t a time one life a

Celebrating Commitment to the Community

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SpiritofOmaha.com

• jan 2014

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• Adam Michael Jewelry • The Blue Barn Theater • The Bookworm • BorsheiMs Fine Jewelry & Gifts • Bright spirit Center • Brix • BunGAlow/8 • Candy wrappers • Christian nobel Furs • CrAVe • Creative hair Design salon & spa • Dante • The Durham Museum • Dundee Gallery • elisa ilana Jewelry • embassy suites omaha la Vista • Five salon • Fontenelle Forest nature Center • Fox hollow Coffee • Greenbelly restaurant • hotel Deco XV • Jaipur restaurant & Brewing Company

• ramada Plaza omaha • Johnny's italian steakhouse • regency Court • K*9 lives rescue • rock Bottom Boutique & Gifts Brewery & restaurant ANDREA L. HOIG • la Casa Pizzaria • roots and wings ahoig@SpiritofOmaha.com • lewis Art Gallery • sAC Federal Credit union jANuARy 2013 • VOL. 26 NO. 1 • liberty Tavern • sCulPT: Contemporary Press releases and other editorial information Cosmetic surgery • The linen Gallery may be sent to: P.O. BOx 241611, OMAHA, NE 68124 • she•la • Malashock's or e-mailed to: Editor@SpiritofOmaha.com • shucks Fish house • The Market Basket Contributors Publisher/Editor-in-Chief Andrea L. Hoig Leo Adam Biga & oyster Bar • nebraska humane society Daniel Flanigan Roger Humphries Editor/Creative Director • spirit world • nothing Bundt Cakes Robert P. Killmer MORNING BLEND’s “Mike & Mary” • springfield Artworks Mulberry Lane • omaha Ballroom P u B L I C A T I O N S Mary Vandenack • statement Kara Schweiss • omaha • studioviews Children's Museum metro MAGAzINE is wholly owned and • omaha Community There•isTaste a senserestaurant of excitement that I always feel as weoperated transition from Winter by the publisher and isto notSpring, affiliated with any other publication, operating solely on subscription and advertising a “knowingness” that the process of rebirth and rejuvenation is about to begin.

As we move revenues and the good will of the agencies and charities we support; Playhouse • T'eez whichto arelet very continuing growth into this new renewed state often times it means itallisoftime go:important let go toofthebehaviors and and quality this publication. Thank you to all who support this endeavor. sena longer serve us, salon relationships that are ofholding us back. Nothing stays the same, • omaha Creative institutehabits thatAnoThomas and though changerestaurant can be scary, with change comes an empty canvas OFFICE/SALES for us to paint the next V Mertz 402.932.3522 • omaha Performing Arts part of• our journey on – an opportunity to explore new ideas. sales@SpiritofOmaha.com • Village Canvas & Cabernet • one Drake Place MISSION STATEMENT I believe that letting go is a natural process of life – aTheprocess must take place in orderthe forongoing missionthat of ALH Publications is to recognize salon & spa • Village needleworks of Omaha-area us to grow and evolve. I encourage others to look efforts at where each maybusinesses, be feelingorganizations stuck. and individuals to better the community through their support of charitable and Sometimes a simpleDental declaration to be “unstuck” gets the process of becoming more free in • opera omaha • Vondrak civic causes. ALH Publications also encourages people’s desire motion, and a simple shift in our mindset allows the flood togates open. back to the community give to something through volunteerism and philanthropy.

• Pandora • wheatfields of this magazine copyrighted

by ALHwith Publications, With the weeks leading up to March 21st, the firstContents day of Spring, it’s myareplan to embrace • Pasta Amore • eatery & change Bakeryand rebirth that is now taking Inc. in their entirety. No part of this publication may be reprolove and grace the placeinina retrieval my life... there is a lot of init... duced, stored system, or transmitted any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording the journey • Personal Threads Boutique • Zin continues! room or otherwise - without the prior consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 1990 – 2014 ALH Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

• Zurlo's Bistro italiano • The Post & nickel MAGAzINE • AuG 2013 metro 4

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from the publisher

NEWhorizon’s “WE MUST BE WILLING TO LET GO OF THE LIFE WE PLANNED SO AS TO HAVE THE LIFE THAT IS WAITING FOR US.” ~ Joseph Campbell A NEW YEAR IS UPON US! And with it brings new possibilities, perhaps a new direction in life and for sure… new horizons. So much has happened to our enterprise over the past few years and I can honestly say we are entering into a new day of unlimited possibilities! andrea l. hoig ahoig@spiritofomaha.com

Anything goes and we are embracing it fully. We are excited and motivated and we are ready to discover all of the new ways that will allow us to best serve the community and the world as a whole!

We are “Excited about Giving Back” and are pleased to announce the newest edition of The Event Book & Giving Guide as well as an new & exciting launch party in mid-January at the Durham Museum, where we will celebrate the winners of The BIG Event 2013, as well as all of the organizations featured in The Event Book & Giving Guide 2014. Email us at Editor@SpiritofOmaha.com for details about this special invitation only presentation!

alh p u b l i c a t i o n s

You’ll find The BIG Event 2013 winners on page 15 of this issue. We offer our congratulations to both the winners and nominees.

Check out our newest columns: “He said, She said” by Mike and Mary from the Omaha Morning Blend, and IMPACT by Stephanie Vondrak, D.D.S. BENNY! Look for NEW and EXCITING surprises all year long!

NEWaddition!

Meet the newest member of our staff! Benny is a rescue kitten we just adopted from Nebraska Humane Society. He was thrown from a car at 144th & Dodge Street in the middle of traffic and managed to survive not only the fall but the oncoming vehicles!

A friend of Andee’s witnessed the incident and pulled over to find him. She discovered him terrified and frazzled, but he’s been nothing but a purr factory since we brought this 12-week-old kitten home. “Welcome to the Tribe, Benny!”

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features / DEPARTMENTS

metroMAGAZINE • The Spirit of Omaha

features

events

BuSINESSES MAKING A difference

8

8

43

the metroSCENE

departments

JOURNEYS

dr. joseph dumba • healing kadi foundation

metroSPIRIT v

communityCONNECTION

20 “HE SAID/SHE SAID” mike & mary from KMTV’s morning blend

16 VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE: dancing with the omaha stars

21

MARY E. VANDENACK making a difference in 2014

13

MULBERRY LANE new year’s advice: aged 700 years

ALL business

22 PLANNING MATTERS with pvw law

e BiG event

23 TODAYS SAVINGS with swartzbaugh farber & associates

16

23 IMPACT! with stephanie vondrak d.d.s.

14

...AND THE WINNERS ARE!

59

SAVE THE DATE

62

120 YEARS

youth deve

lopment

special EDITION

nebraska children’s home society

a special 16 page guide

outtakes:

ANNUAL SUMMIT

62

DANCE FEVER

midlands mentoring partnership

dancing with the omaha stars

46

MAGIC! opera omaha gala

one life at a tim e 51 28

SHOOTING THE COVER WITH ©LAURIE AN D CHARLES 6

metroMAGAzINE • jAN 2014

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S a u.s. doctor based in omaha BRINGS RELIEF TO HIS AFRICAN HOMELAND

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metroMAGAZINE • JAN 2014

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STORY BY LEO ADAM BIGA | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF JULIE CORNELL, KETV

metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

JOURNEYS

CONTINUED

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global VISION

healing kadi FOUNDATION

W

HEN DR. JOSEPH DUMBA LEADS HIS MEDICAL MISSION TRIPS TO SOUTH SUDAN THROUGH HIS OMAHA-BASED VENTURE, HEALING KADI FOUNDATION, IT’S PERSONAL.

Dr. Joseph Dumba, Methodist Physicians Clinic doctor grew up in the same deprived, warravaged area, Kajo Keji County, that his mission teams serve.

His father, siblings and their families still live there.

His parents were subsistence farmers. As the oldest child he worked the fields before school.

He grew up in a mud hut with no electricity or running water.

Despite the struggles his folks paid for his and his siblings’ education.

Life was interrupted when hostilities between government and rebel forces reached deep into southern Sudan.

Dumba fought in the civil war that forced his family into a Uganda refugee camp. He ended up in a Kenya camp. The war still raged.

graduate training Alegent Health hired him in 2004 and then Methodist in 2010. The Omaha church he joined soon after moving here, Covenant Presbyterian, did mission trips to Nicaragua he went on. In 2007 he led his first South Sudan mercy mission through Covenant.

He’d long wanted to aid his countrymen. “I was looking for that opportunity,” he says.

His resolve grew after his mother fell ill and died in the bush. No doctor was around to treat her. He vowed to help prevent such tragedies. He has by providing care to thousands via the Healing Kadi Foundation he formed in 2009. Its South Sudan clinic opened in 2013.

Last spring, KETV reporter Julie Cornell and photojournalist Andrew Ozaki accompanied Dumba for a documentary, Mission to Africa, profiling the foundation’s work serving what Dumba calls “the poorest of the poor.” The film shows the arduous life of residents who line up to receive care at mobile clinics conducted by Dumba’s team in remote villages. Most patients have never been seen by a doctor before.

Women, many widowed from the war and raising children alone, present chronic illnesses from their backbreaking work.

When peace came in 2005 refugees returning home found conditions little improved from when they left.

Dumba’s persistence to make a better life brought him to America in 1990, where he followed his dream to become a physician.

He initially resettled in Tacoma, “I think the documentary really did Wash., where he put himself bring some light to how things are,” through college and medical school. says Dumba. “It’s had tremendous impact, especially in bringing He and his wife, Sabina, a fellow some awareness.”

South Sudan native and advanced practice registered nurse, began a He says donations to Healing Kadi family on the west coast. are up since the doc aired last year.

The couple have three children.

The film doesn’t skirt showing Dumba came to the Midwest for how tough things are. Cornell was his residency. After completing struck by the contrasts of a

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metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

JOURNEYS a u.s. doctor based in omaha BRINGS RELIEF TO HIS AFRICAN HOMELAND country rich in beauty yet beset by suffering and hardship. She says Dumba’s “spirit, calm and sense of purpose” impressed her, adding, “It’s clear that faith guides and directs his life.”

Dumba says everything’s in short supply in South Sudan, even things taken for granted in the States, such as medical syringes and gloves. What’s disposable here is reused there. Nothing’s wasted.

“We’re so far from being able to provide the most comprehensive care but at least we’re there to provide some of the most basic things they don’t have.”

Dumba says the foundation also hopes to construct a patient admitting structure and a hydration station. A longer term goal is building an acute care hospital. Dumba says there isn’t a single intensive care unit in all of South Sudan. The sickest patients must go to hospitals in more developed border nations.

In late March Dumba will lead a seventh mission trip. He and his team. including colleagues from Methodist, will put in grueling hours.

“We work for five days, very intensively, Monday through Friday.

They’re long days. We work from sunrise to sundown until we can’t see anything. Then we go back to The foundation’s set up a where we base and there we find permanent clinic containing patients also needing care, so everything from x-ray machines to sometimes we work until 10 or 11 a surgical room. Thousands of pm. Then we just go to sleep and dollars in medicines are brought wake up and start all over again.” over each trip, much donated by Omaha families and organizations. As the film details, Dumba is In addition to doctors, nurses and pharmacists, the team includes prayer ministry members, mental health professionals, educators, water purification specialists and financial literacy experts.

All the foundation’s work depends upon donated time, expertise, money and supplies. Everyone pays their own way.

“All of us doing this do it on a volunteer basis,” says Dumba.

DR. JOSEPH DUMBA HEALING KADI FOUNDATION

Healing Kadi hopes to build a roof atop its open-air clinic to better shield patients from the elements.

welcomed as a hero and his team accorded great respect.

Expressions of gratitude abound.

Dumba says his greatest satisfaction is “people coming to the clinic and saying, ‘Thank you for being here.’ The clinic is delivering care to thousands who wouldn’t have had any care at all.

They don’t have anywhere else to go.” He knows the missions are making a difference as more and more people come for treatment.

“The last trip we saw about 10,000 patients, averaging about 2,000 a day, and even with that we’re not able to see everybody.”

CONTINUED

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global VISION

healing kadi FOUNDATION Patients are required to pay a small fee or to barter, he says, in order to “empower” the people to be self-sufficient in the future.

He arrives in advance of his team to arrange logistics. As a wellplaced South Sudan native, he’s able to cut through red tape.

As the film depicts, physically touching patients is a big part of the healing delivered. Dr Jim Steier, who’s been on several mission trips, says, “It’s not only the medicine…it’s the people” that stand out.

Dumba says everyone who goes is affected.

“The doctors who go with me come “I know most of the leaders in the country. It makes things a lot easier. back with a different perspective.”

When my team arrives at South Trip veterans return humbled by Sudan airport the appropriate the experience and grateful for authorities have already been what they have. They think twice informed and all the proper before throwing something away paperwork has already been sent or complaining. ahead so that my team can quickly pass through to start work.”

Julie Cornell was impacted, too.

She senses the film she made affects He says his country’s “very slow” viewers the same way. She says she rebuilding can be frustrating. finds “intensely satisfying” the film’s “ability to move people, open “Sometimes I think what did I get their minds and call them to action.” myself into because you think you’re making progress and you hit Dumba appreciates that it paints a standstill. But then God opens a vivid but hopeful picture of his the door and you move forward.” homeland’s struggles and of his foundation’s efforts to address It’s then he’s reminded how far some of the needs.

South Sudan and Healing Kadi have come in a short time. He and TO GET INVOLVED WITH THE Sabina have helped put all but one FOUNDATION’S WORK OR TO of his siblings through college and MAKE A DONATION, all are productive citizens today.

• visit http://healingkadi.org or • email info@healingkadi.org.

He’s also reminded how simple health care can be. m

“It’s like a relief. You don’t have paperwork there, you don’t have computers, all you do is just take care of patients. You talk to the patient, examine the patient, find out what it is, write down the diagnosis and medicine, that’s it.”

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••• lasting IMPRESSION “Sometimes I think what did I get myself into because you think you're making progress and you hit a standstill.

But then God opens the door and you move forward.” ~ DR. JOSEPH DUMBA, HEALING KADI FOUNDATION

MOST CHILDREN SUFFER FROM PARASITES. EVERYONE YOU SEE IN SOUTH SUDAN IS A SURVIVOR OF MALARIA.

A WOMAN WORKS BAREFOOT IN THE SOIL.

JULIE CORNELL AND A FRIEND

DR. DAN STEIER TREATS A LEPROSY PATIENT

MISSION TEAM 2013

NATIVE FLOWERS DOT THE SOUTH SUDAN COUNTRYSIDE

JOURNEYS

BIGEvent-PROMOS_2W 12/16/13 6:22 PM Page 1

G

GET EXCITEDABOUT

IVINGBACK!

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF

3 Great Ways to Connect with the most important events in the 2014 Charity & Cultural Calendar • The Event Book & Giving Guide 2014 Print Editon • The Giving Guide online at WWW.SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM/THE-EVENT-BOOK/ • Enter, update and search 2014 events 365/24/7 at WWW.SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM/METRO-MAGAZINE/COMMUNITY/CALENDAR/

Distributing Now in support of these great organizations: Alegent Creighton Health Foundation American Red Cross Angels Among Us Bemis Center for Contemporary Art Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands Boy Scouts of America, Mid America Council Boys & Girls Clubs of Omaha Catholic Charities of Omaha Child Saving Institute College Possible Omaha Completely KIDS Cross Training Center The Durham Museum Fashion Institute Midwest Film Streams Fontenelle Forest Food Bank for the Heartland

Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Goodwill of Omaha Heartland Family Service Hearts United for Animals Heat the Streets Run and Walk for Warmth Hope Center for Kids ICAN Inclusive Communities JDRF Heartland Chapter Joslyn Art Musuem KANEKO Kids Can Community Center Knight of Ak-Sar-Ben Foundation Literacy Center of the Midlands Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska Metro Area Youth Foundation, Inc Methodist Hospital Foundation

Midlands Humane Society Midlands Mentoring Partnership Miss Amazing Inc Nebraska Children's Home Socity Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, Inc. Omaha Children's Museum Omaha Community Foundation Omaha Community Playhouse Omaha Creative Institute Omaha Home For Boys Omaha Performing Arts Omaha Symphony Omaha Zoo Foundation One World Community Health Centers, Inc. Open Door Mission Opera Omaha Outlook Nebraska, Inc.

Partnership 4 Kids Quality Living, Inc. Rebuilding Omaha Together St. Vincent DePaul Society The Salvation Army Santa Monica House Siena/Francis House Special Olympics Nebraska Strategic Air & Space Museum Susan G. Komen Nebraska Ted E. Bear Hollow Voices for Children in Nebraska Women's Fund of Omaha Youth Emergency Services

BIGEvent-PROMOS_2W 12/16/13 6:22 PM Page 2

“and the WINNERS are…”

2013

The following events & organizations were selected by thousands of followers who participated in this year’s vote-in. These organizations were elected for events presented between June 1, 2012 & May 31, 2013

BEST EVENT: 1st - 2nd Annual • American Cancer Society Hope in the Heartland Gala BEST EVENT: Pet & Animal • Nebraska Humane Society - Dining with Dogs

!

TIEBEST EVENT: Young Professional • Joslyn's Young Art Patrons EVE: a New Year's Gala • Nebraska Children's Home Society/BRANCH HomeGrown

BEST EVENT: Over 1,000 • Nebraska Children's Home Society Sand in the City

BEST EVENT: Education • Brownell-Talbot School Illumiation: A Time to Shine!

BEST EVENT: Heath & Wellness • Methodist Estabrook Cancer Center & Project Pink'd - 2012 Exposed: Real Women for a Real Cure

BEST EVENT: Food & Wine

BEST EVENT: Theme

• Lutheran Family Services Fandango ALL STARS!

BEST EVENT: Under 500 • The Durham Museum - Sentimental Journey "I'll Be Home for Christmas"

BEST EVENT: Over 500 • Heartland Family Service Carnival of Love Gala

BEST EVENT: Speaker/Guest • The Salvation Army - DJ's Hero Awards Luncheon featuring Emmitt Smith

• vinNEBRASKA Foundation benfitting Ronald McDonald House vinNEBRASKA Wine Event 2013

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community CONNECTIONS

omaha ballroom • berkshire hathaway

DANCING WITH THE damon benning

mary ann borgeson

morning co-host

douglas county commissioner

NRG MEDIA

brittany benson defensive back LEGENDS FOOTBALL LEAGUE WHAT WOULD YOU TRY IF YOU HAD NO FEAR AND WHY? I have zero fear, and I’d like to dive with sharks.

"There are two things in life that you can control, your attitude and your effort." ~ Lou Holtz

WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU AS A MENTOR AND WHY? My father. He’s my best friend.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH THE HARDEST? Self humility is key to leading a happy, humor filled life. Being able to laugh at myself and the crazy things that occur during my day keeps me going and hopefully puts a smile on those around me.

WHAT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO DO FOR SOMEONE ELSE IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY AND TIME? Provide full time tutorial services and family support for those that are less fortunate.

“Yesterday is gone.

Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” ~ Mother Teresa WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU AS A MENTOR AND WHY? Princess Di. She was strong woman.

Princess Di didn't cave under the pressure. She kept her chin held high and stayed determined to be a good mom, good role model, and good human being. Her strength of character and grace has always been awe-inspiring.

She had a heart of gold and was a very kind woman. She gave her heart and soul to help several humanitarian causes around the world. I admire her dedication, hard work and love for her family and for those less fortunate or in need.

WHAT’S THE HARDEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE? When I was a child I made a goal to never curse, smoke, or drink alcohol. [So far so good!]

*read the complete q&a’s 16

metroMAGAZINE • JAN 2014

brooke delano husker volleyball BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOMESERVICES AMBASSADOR REAL ESTATE

“20 years from now people will forget about your accomplishments and awards – but they will never forget about the impact you left on their life.”

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRADE PLACES WITH FOR ONE MONTH AND WHY? I wanted to name someone who is really famous, smart and has a lot of money. But I have been thinking about it for the last couple days, and I wouldn’t trade a month with anyone.

I love my life just the way it is!

for each star

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metroMAGAZINE • The Spirit of Omaha

home services • ambassador real estate

OMAHA stars heidi henry

leia mendoza

owner

OMAHA WORLD HERALD "Shoot for the moon, even if you fall short, you'll land among the stars."

EVOLVE MARKETING

willie garrett director of integrated marketing & creative JOURNAL BROADCAST GROUP WHAT WOULD YOU TRY IF YOU HAD NO FEAR AND WHY? I would honestly try to hold a tarantula. I HATE spiders and that thing is the king of all hairy-uglymean-fang-filled-creepy things of creation.

WHO DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON ALIVE TODAY AND WHY? "I'm" the most important person... because I have to be responsible for my own actions and decisions.

I can't rely on others to survive.You have to make the best choice for you.

Isn't that important?

WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP AND WHY? Famous Singer because I'm in love with music!!

WHAT WOULD YOU TRY IF YOU HAD NO FEAR AND WHY? Try Out for The Voice because I haven't grown up and I want to be a famous singer.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH THE HARDEST? Hands down my best friend Lori!! She's the funniest person I know.

gina melton

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRADE PLACES WITH FOR ONE MONTH AND WHY? My husband.

I think seeing the world through his eyes for a month would help me to be a more understanding wife and less of a pain ;)

morning show co-host KAT 103.7 RADIO STATION "Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I'm possible’." ~ Audrey Hepburn WHAT ONE FEAR WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONQUER AND WHY? Don't laugh, but I'm terrified of escalators. I have been ever since my now 7-year-old-son was 2 and got on the escalator by himself.

I almost fell trying to grab him. I want to ride that big escalator at the Centurylink Center to overcome my fear.

WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU AS A MENTOR AND WHY? My brother, Victor Baez, has been the greatest mentor for me. Even though he is seven years older than me, we have always had a close relationship. He knows my potential and always pushes me to keep dreaming.

at SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM & vote for your favorite!

CONTINUED

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community CONNECTIONS

omaha ballroom • berkshire hathaway

DANCING WITH THE dr. david mercer liver transplant surgeon UNMC

jenny olive heath murray ITHINK FIT

“Chance favors the prepared mind” ~ Louis Pasteur WHICH MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO RELIVE IF YOU COULD? My wedding day, because the weather was great, I got to drink and dance all night with all of my closest friends and family, and I got to have sex with a really hot 25 year old when it was all over.

WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRADE PLACES WITH FOR ONE MONTH AND WHY? I'd love to trade places with Mark Cuban. I think it'd be a great opportunity to learn some valuable insights in operating business's. It would also be a heck of a lot of fun owning an NBA team for a month!

IF YOU GOT A TATTOO WHAT WOULD YOU GET AND WHERE WOULD YOU PUT IT? I'd get the Rock Solid Nutrition logo on my right bicep and the iThinkFit Gym logo on my left!

WHAT DO YOU COMPLAIN ABOUT MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE? No comparison, Husker Football.

Q92 WHAT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO DO FOR SOMEONE ELSE IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY AND TIME? I would have tons of fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Nothing better than saving babies and having a big party!

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH THE HARDEST? When I’m hanging out with my best friend and my sister. Any and all conversations are so funny!

IF YOU WERE CREMATED WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE YOUR ASHES SPREAD AND WHY? I would have my ashes spread across the infield at Busch Stadium so I will always be with my St. Louis Cardinals.

*read the complete q&a’s 18

metroMAGAZINE • JAN 2014

rebecka rae reporter KMTV ACTION 3 NEWS "The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it." ~ Albert Einstein WHAT WOULD YOU TRY IF YOU HAD NO FEAR AND WHY? Wing suit flying. It's like skydiving without a chute. Anyone can jump out of a plane with a parachute, but when you can see the edges if the earth, you better live life on the edge as well.

for each star

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metroMAGAZINE • The Spirit of Omaha

home services • ambassador real estate

OMAHA stars thor tripp

weekend sports anchor

houston alexander

KETV

ryan roberts mma fighter WHAT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO DO FOR SOMEONE ELSE IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY AND TIME? I would like to provide a service similar to Extreme Home Makeover. I would love to do that locally in the Omaha metro to deserving families.

IF YOU DIDN’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MONEY WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH YOUR LIFE? I would love to be a professional hunter, traveling the world hunting dangerous game.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH THE HARDEST? People getting scared is very funny to me, I love watching TV showing it.

MMA fighter

"It's supposed to be hard.

If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The 'hard' makes it great." ~ Tom Hanks, A League of Their Own

marty wolff biggest loser WHICH MOMENT FROM YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO RE-LIVE IF YOU COULD? The moment I met my wife on the Biggest Loser.

WHAT MAKES YOU LAUGH THE HARDEST? Old stories or memories.

Doesn't get much better than talking with old teammates about stories from a certain road trip, or with friends & family about past experiences - most of which include me as the punch line!

WHAT'S THE HARDEST THING YOU'VE EVER DONE? Moving away from everyone I love.

mike caputo former husker

IN WHICH ACTIVITY WOULD YOU LIKE A LESSON FROM AN EXPERT AND WHY? A piano lesson.

People who play the piano amaze me.

WHERE WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO TRAVEL AND WHY? Ireland. I am part Irish.

former husker

leah uko FOX42 NEWS NO Q&A RESPONSES ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FROM THESE STARS.*

at SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM & vote for your favorite! m

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KMTV MORNING BLEND’S

community CONNECTION

mike & mary New Year’s Resolutions: Good Idea or Bad Idea?

~ Mike DiGiacomo bad idea.

good idea. ~ Mary Nelson

Mary Nelson may view New Year's Resolutions as a positive way to improve your life. However, she is misguided. 44 percent of Americans made New Year's resolutions last year. Most of them will fail to meet their goals. Why? Because most of them are just like me!

How can you reach goals that you never set? After all, a resolution is just a goal. The problem is that we tend to pump them so full with expectations, that we’re almost bound to disappoint ourselves, and possibly worse, the people who care about us.

Just because the calendar is turning a new page doesn't mean you are ready to make major life changes. It takes an understanding of yourself, a real plan, and an inner "desire" to change. Most people who create New Year’s resolutions just aren’t ready.

A few years ago, I resolved to lose weight. I didn’t resolve to lose a set number of pounds or inches. I didn’t resolve to do it within a certain amount of time. I just woke up each day with the attitude that I’d chip away at the number. If I ate things I knew I shouldn’t, or didn’t exercise when I knew I should, I’d just try again the next day. This was the first time that I gave myself permission to mess up, but decided this goal was important enough to keep working on it.

Let’s take “spending” for example. Some people may decide they want to spend less time at the department stores at the turn of the new year. But, you really need to figure out why you like to spend, what comfort does spending bring to you, and what things would you have to give up?

Experts will say that our “Why?” has to be bigger than the problem itself. So, instead of focusing on the challenges, remember the motivation – often the people whom we love, and who love us.

After you reach a certain level of understanding, you might decide that you're not ready to stay out of your pocketbook. It all leads to a premature resolution, thus leading to failure.

If you resolve to rob a bank in 2014, I must caution you, I think that’s a really bad idea.

Let’s get real about this folks. The new year should be all about fun and freedom, not failure and fatigue. Don’t set a New Year’s resolution this year. Instead, simply try to live a little better. Instead of “lose 20 pounds”, choose “eat more fresh fruits and veggies”. Don’t just focus on the end result, look for positive actions.

But, if you resolve to eat better, quit smoking, spend more time with your family, learn a new language, get your finances in order – If you resolve to do something that leads to a healthier, happier you – then I think it’s a great idea!

Just make it doable, and allow yourself to be human along the way.

If there is one resolution to consider, to rediscover the difference between wants and needs. May you have all you need and want all you have. Happy New Year!

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MARY E. VANDENACK

“MULBERRY LANE” metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

MAKING A

difference

aged 700 years:

IN 2014

NEW YEAR’S ADVICE

“As you breathe in, cherish yourself. As you breathe out, cherish all Beings.”

“May you always be pleased with freedom, both inside ~and outside Dalai LamaofXIV yourself!”

•

THEshould FOLLOWING NEW YEARS THAT consider ARE everyIDEAS day lostFOR on which we haveRESOLUTION not danced at least once.”

• “We WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BOTH YOU AND THE WORLD WILL BE youPLACE fall in love with yourself, youTIME. begin to feel the positive • A“When BETTER NEXT YEAR AT THIS self-esteem that comes when we don’t deflate ourselves.”

Make a Difference in the Life of a Child. Choose your own child, the child ~ Barbara Becker “Four Gateways to Happiness” of a friend, the child of someone youHolstein know, or from a child in another country.

Spend the year helping that child learn that it is okay to be true to him or herself. Teach that child to feel validated for living up to his or her own ideals or pursuing his or her own ideas. Love. Encourage. Support.

Regularly Engage in Random Acts of Kindness. Hug your loved ones. Let others know they are valued. Acknowledge others. Write a positive comment card for someone who provided good service or was kind. Leave inspiration in unexpected places. Encourage others at every opportunity. Show up for someone you care about when they aren’t expecting you.

Slow Down. We judge ourselves by how much we can get done and how quickly. The constant dash makes it extremely difficult to achieve relaxation and centering. Notice when you are rushing and ask yourself why you are doing so. Consider what you can take off your plate. Refuse to ever eat in the car or on the run. Walk a little slower and with a lighter step.

Learn How to Read Bar Codes at the Grocery Store. Bar codes identify the country from which something comes. If the first three digits of the bar code are 690, 691, or 692, the product is from China. If the first three digits are 471, the product is from Taiwan. If you want to buy from USA and Canada, look for numbers starting with 00-09.

Make Resolutions That Break Patterns. If you join a gym every January but are never there in February, take a new approach to exercise. Find an activity you enjoy. Engage in it with a friend. Eliminate something in your life so that you have the time to exercise daily. It matters.

Hold Your Political Representatives Accountable. 2014 is another Election Year. Show up at a town hall or other meeting held by those holding or running office. Ask your representatives or those running to become one what they are going to do to end deadlock, polarization, and government shut-downs. Refuse to accept any answers that consist of emotional rhetoric.

Go Deeper in Some Aspect of Your Life. Consider what activities you engage it that make your life meaningful. In 2014, engage in that activity more often and take it to another level.

Make A Difference in at least One Thing About Which you Are Passionate.

Every movement starts with one person somewhere. If you want healthier food in the schools, speak up. If you care about improving the treatment for mental health issues, support change. Whatever your passion, show up for it in some way and make a difference.

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.

JANUARY IS THE TIME TO TAKE INVENTORY OF YOUR LIFE, HIT THE RESET BUTTON, AND MOVE FORWARD. BUT THIS ASSUMES YOU KNOW WHAT’S IN THE INVENTORY, WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE BUTTON, AND YOU FEEL LIKE MOVING FORWARD.

You have to be in the right frame of mind to make changes in your life.

And sometimes, this just doesn’t coincide with New Year’s Day – which leaves you stuck in the abyss between the 2013 confetti and the 2014 new start.

Sound familiar? Here’s a thought…

Don’t let the world dictate your schedule. Just because your co–worker tweeted about CrossFit, or your cousin instagrammed her new body, doesn’t mean this is YOUR path. Just because your whole family made resolutions for the year doesn’t mean YOU have to. You’ll know deep within your heart if it isn’t real, and then it’s easy to give up.

So how should you start the New Year? How about turning to a 13th century Persian poet, Rumi, to figure out your 2014. Rumi, who lived 700 years ago in the Middle East, proves that good ideas transcend time and cultures. He said, “Conventional opinion is the ruin of our souls.” When conventional opinion doesn’t line up with how you feel, it’s tempting to think you’re off base. But he’s giving you permission to follow your own path. Rumi makes it easy when he says, “What you seek is seeking you,” and, “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love.” Notice how he says what you want is already in motion, and how you’re “silently” drawn. In other words, it’s backwards to impose outward resolutions on yourself when it’s more effective to turn inward, and find what’s already there. Maybe that’s the place to start.

Rumi clarifies further, “Don't be satisfied with stories, how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myth.” Don’t look to the headlines, the hashtags, or the hottest stars. Write your own story. And, Rumi would suggest that the story is already inside you: “When you do things from your soul, you feel a river moving in you, a joy.” Yes, that sounds good.

When you start a journey with this idea (no matter if it’s January, May, or December), you can be certain it will be powerful. And with the power of honesty and joy at your back, you’ll bring to life the whole story because it’s been a part of you all along – waiting for you to discover it. “When you feel a peaceful joy, that's when you are near truth,” Rumi says – and surprise! It didn’t come from a half–hearted list of resolutions, and it didn’t come on the first day of 2014. It came from the inner soul that’s uniquely yours, when you ruminated on what you already knew deep inside – and on YOUR own timetable.

So, Happy New Year, whenever it begins for you, and remember, “You are not meant for crawling, you have wings, learn to use them.” Rumi would approve if you tweeted that – and then lived that amazing thought from 700 years ago.

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

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“

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planningMATTERS • with pvw law

tax planning

FOR REAL ESTATE INVESTORS AND PROFESSIONALS CONSIDERING THE NET INVESTMENT INCOME TAX AND ADDITIONAL SELF EMPLOYMENT TAX

What Is the Net Investment Income Tax? The net investment tax (“NII”) is a tax on certain unearned income of individuals, trusts and estates. The tax is 3.8% of the lesser of “net investment income” or the excess of modified adjusted gross income over a threshold amount ($250,000 for married joint filers; $125,000 for married filing separate; $200,000 in other cases).

What is the increased Medicare portion related to active income? There is an increase in the Medicare portion of the social security tax for those with net earnings from self employment or wages in excess of $250,000 for married filing joint, $125,000 for married filing separate, and $200,000 for others. The increased tax is .9% for those subject to the tax.

What unearned income is subject to the tax?

Investment income subject to the tax includes: • Gross income from interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, and rents, unless derived in the ordinary course of a trade or business to which the tax does not apply

mary e. vandenack

• Other gross income derived from a trade or business to which the tax does apply; and • Net gain attributable to disposition of property held in a trade or business to which the tax does not apply.

What trades and businesses are subject to the tax?

The tax applies to a trade or business only if the trade or business is a passive activity of the taxpayer under Internal Revenue Code Section 469 or a trade or business trading in financial instruments or commodities. Non-passive activity income is excluded from the definition of NII. Some examples from regulations regarding real estate Rental Activity with No Participation. In the case of an owner of a single property with respect to which owner was not actively involved on a regular basis, the activity is not a trade or business and is passive income. The income from such activity will be subject to the NII under the “gross income from rents” provision of Section 1411.

Grouping Rules. A participates with respect to one property for more than 500 hours. A participates with respect to a second property only to the extent of 50 hours. A can group the activities for purposes of determining material participation. The activities would not be passive with respect to A. Impact on Real Estate Professionals and Investors: The activities of real estate professionals who materially participate can be recharacterized from “passive” to “non-passive”. The current rules on the NII tax do not resolve the concern of practitioners as to how the activities of real estate professionals will be treated for purposes of the NII. While the non-passive status will remove such activities from the reach of tax under the “passive trade or business” provisions, a non-passive activity may not rise to the level of “trade or business” for purposes of the application of the tax to rents.

Real estate professionals and investors should review how their holdings are structured to determine whether the most tax effective approach under the new rules is being used.

For more information visit www.pvwlaw.com

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waiting HOW TO protect

todaysSaVingS • swartzbaugh-farber & associates, inc.

waiting

impact! • Your dental health in 2014!

THINK OF YOUR ...

teeth

YOUR LIFE’S

work kirk swartzbaugh

stephanie vondrak d.d.s.

MANY NEW YEARS of us unfortunately spend more time at our work than we do at home with our families. If you are a business owner, this likely applies double for you. That being RESOLUTIONS TO CONSIDER FOR 2014… said, it is surprising how many owners do not have a formal succession plan in place to ensure that the inheritors of their business will benefit from their blood, sweat, and tears.

The first step in succession planning is determining who can help step up and take charge when and if key players/owners need to be replaced. In many cases, this is quite clear. Sometimes it is cloudier because of certain skill sets that the existing leadership has.

Thus, I’m seeing more and more cases where a committee/team is required to replace an experienced individual.

The second step is to create a Buy/Sell Agreement. This agreement will lay out the provisions of the sale of the business including naming the sellers, buyers, how the price of the company will be determined, etc. The best way to execute this is to have open dialogue between your attorney, accountant and life insurance practitioner to make sure the entire plan is coordinated properly.

The final step is to figure out how to fund the Buy/Sell Agreement. If all of the prospective owners have plenty of assets/cash to write a check for the value of the company, then your succession planning is complete. Since that is not the case in a majority of the businesses in America, most of us need to get a little more creative.

Most Buy/Sell Agreements include provisions where the company is purchased over a certain number of years after the retirement, death, and/or disability of the existing owners. Thus, if the company is profitable enough, additional liquidity may or may not be required to facilitate the purchase via the company’s existing cash flow.

Since many companies don’t produce enough consistent profit (especially after the loss of a key owner) to facilitate the cash flow to fulfill the Buy/Sell Agreement, additional liquidity/cash will likely be needed. If there isn’t enough consistent profit to rely upon to fund the Buy/Sell directly from the business, what do you think the odds are that a bank will help by extending a line of credit?

If I told you that there were products that could provide you with the liquidity that you expect to need when you need it, would you want to hear more about it? Here’s where ‘life insurance’ comes into play.

In the event of the untimely death of an owner, a life insurance policy could provide the instant liquidity that is required to keep a business going. I’d also like to point out that the proceeds of a life insurance policy are not taxable income to the beneficiary. If you have three or less future owners, they will likely own the policies themselves. If you have more than three owners, the company will likely own the policies.

Fortunately and unfortunately, these plans can become dated. In fact, I have a client whose company has doubled in value since 2010. Thus, the policies that we placed to help fund their Stock Redemption Plan will only get them half way there. In order to prevent this from happening to your business, a business’ succession planning and funding should be reviewed at least every 3-4 years, if not sooner for high growth companies.

Considering the time that we’ve devoted to building our businesses, we need to make sure we devote a little more to ensure our successors will be rewarded for our efforts and so the company can carry on well into the future.

As a dentist, I look forward to every New Year and new opportunity to work with individuals pursing healthier and happier lives. This is why I have chosen to call my column IMPACT. If this sounds unfamiliar, just stick with me for a minute. Think about how caring for your teeth could have a positive impact on your life. What you could do differently? Would these positive changes improve confidence or body image? How about your overall wellbeing? Check out these three resolutions and challenge your perspective on dental health.

Resolution one: The TWO MINUTE commitment: According to the USDA, Americans spend on average 67 minutes per day engaged in eating as his/her primary activity. An additional 63 minutes drinking berverages. Wow! At least 2 hours everyday on average we use our teeth and oral cavity… in return, we can brush, floss and keep our teeth healthy with just 2 minutes of dedication, 2 times a day. Maybe this is a good place to start for 2014.

Resolution two: Smile like you mean it: Philosophers and scientists throughout the ages have studied the positive impact smiling has on overall health. These theorists have postulated that individuals expressing a positive life perspective (smiling) feel less pain, experience less depression and may even live longer. For example, would you be more or less likely to smile if: a) your teeth were recently cleaned and your breath is fresh or b) you have put off your cleanings for weeks, months, years…? Resolve to keep your 6 month dental cleanings, you may not hesitate to Smile like you mean it!

Resolution three: Take A Stand! No matter what your political affiliation, it is impossible to deny that our country is in a health care crisis. We are bombarded daily with media coverage questioning the positive and negative effects this crisis will have on our futures. My suggestion is TAKE A STAND. The only person in control of his/her future is you. When you make the choice to brush, floss, cut down on soda, go in for a check-up, or take a walk, you help improve the possibility of a better, healthier future. By choosing to act verses ignore, you are choosing to TAKE A STAND for your health.

Remember, no one can care more about your overall health and happiness than you !

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.

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MMPInsert-REVISED1.14_- 12/16/13 6:32 PM Page 1

youth development

one life at a time

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mentoring AWARENESS

midlands mentoring partnership

center stage THE MERITS OF mentoring

through the vision and collaboration of its founders to the dedication of its members, advocates, and supportive businesses, midlands mentoring partnership is helping pave the way for individuals and organizations who understand and embody the many merits of mentoring.

We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. ~ RONALD REAGAN

three quotes

BY SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE FROM DIFFERENT WALKS OF LIFE, ALL EXPRESSING SOMETHING ABOUT THE MERITS OF GIVING TO ANOTHER. WHILE THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO AID OTHERS, MENTORING IS A TIMELESS ONE. Traditionally, mentoring involves guiding or encouraging someone less experienced than you to reach their potential. In the process, you grow as a person.

Midlands Mentoring Partnership (MMP) honors mentoring in the metro. Mentoring happens every day around the metro in formal and informal ways. Usually, it’s a caring adult nurturing a youth.

Midlands Mentoring Partnership is a local collective impact organization that provides area mentoring programs with strategies for achieving improved outcomes with at-risk youth and with approaches for reaching ever more young people in need.

Summit at the CenturyLink Center will honor the Mentor of the Year and Advocate of the Year and will present youth mentoring best practices.

joined at the hip Dakotah anD Peggy: Mentor anD Mentee First National Bank of Omaha employee Dakotah Taylor doesn’t mentor for any recognition it brings.

Nevertheless, her work with the young woman she’s matched through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands has netted her MMP’s Mentor of the Year award. Her 16 year-old mentee, Peggy, nominated her in a heartfelt letter. The two have been matched for five-and-a-half years, a period that saw Peggy battle severe addiction and behavioral problems that tested everyone in her life, including Taylor.

Peggy’s letter describes why her “Big” is such an important figure in her life:

“She has showed me unconditional love and I couldn’t ask for anyone better. I’ve told her omaha’sEach 2013 of the year, things I would never tell anyone. The most year mentor MMP recognizes individuals andtess larson with mentees: gabrielle and hawa important thing toibrahim me though is she has never organizations whose jones, mentoringdanaya is making johnson, a difference in the community. The March 19 MMP given up on me. She helped me get off the

2

ground and onto my feet again when I couldn’t do it myself. Not only am I blessed with another friend but she’s a friend I can call my sister and I love her with my complete heart.”

Taylor tears up when the letter is read back to her, saying, “It’s incredible.” About the award, she adds, “I never in my wildest dreams thought I would get something like this. It’s so humbling, it’s so great.”

Peggy says, “Dakotah is really a blessing because I’m a handful. She deserves this.”

Taylor’s gone the distance with Peggy, a junior at alternative Millard Horizon High School, through thick and thin. Peggy became a substance abuser before her teens and eventually dealt illegal drugs. She got caught up in things that put her in danger. She’s been in the juvenile justice court system for six years.

She spent time at the Douglas County Youth Center and at Boys Town.

Now the once troubled teen has found stability.

She’s sober, she’s back home, she’s expected to graduate early from high school and she’s

metroMAGAZINE • JAN 2014

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STORY BY LEO ADAM BIGA | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MMP

metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. ~ LEO BUSCAGLIA

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. ~ MAHATMA GANDHI

CHANGING ONE life AT A TIME planning to get an early start on her associate degree in nursing at Metropolitan Community College in preparation for studying to become a registered nurse and ultimately a physician. She knows without question she always has a friend to turn to in the 30-year-old Taylor, who’s married with a pre-school child.

All the way down the line

other. You’ve got to take the good with the bad and you’ve got to keep walking.”

MMP experts say Taylor embodies what it means for mentors to stay the course when matches prove difficult. Just to stay in contact took extra effort when Peggy was not living at home.

Taylor acknowledges she wasn’t always sure what to do when Peggy acted out or relapsed.

“Through everything, even when I was at my worst, Dakotah still was there, writing me, “It’s been hard for me to understand what Peggy giving me hugs, telling me she cared, and that’s has gone through because I didn’t have to face all anybody going through something like that those things. Any time we were together I wants,” says Peggy. “They want someone to just would ask her questions and drill her about, OK, reassure them that everything’s going to be OK. why did you do this? I think I needed to Whether you believe it or not it still gives you somehow put myself in her shoes and some hope and I didn’t have any hope. Dakotah’s understand her thought process. Unfortunately messages were so happy they brought my spirits she did make some bad decisions but she’s up that I can do this, I can get out of this.” rectified those and she’s a strong woman now.”

Everybody felt so hopeless. There were times I reached out to Big Brothers Big Sisters when I didn’t know what to do. But I knew this young woman needed guidance, she needed someone to stick by her side no matter what, even if we didn’t get to see each other. She always knew I was only a phone call away.”

sisters For Taylor, there’s nothing better than seeing how far Peggy’s come.

“She’s in great place now. She looks so great and all grown up. Seeing her smile makes my heart smile.”

She expects great things ahead for her Little.

Taylor wasn’t about to go anywhere when the going got tough.

Taylor also knew she was not alone but part of a team helping Peggy.

“Everything—the moon, the stars, anything she wants. She’s so smart. Her true passion in life is to help other people. Once she puts her mind to something she’s going to do it and now I’ve seen that.”

“There’s those times when it’s somewhat challenging and it could be very easy to walk away, but sisters don’t walk away from each

“Her mom and dad and I had some very hard conversations. We cried on the phone together when they didn’t know how to handle her.

Peggy finally turned the corner when she stopped resisting getting help and surrendered to her Higher Power and to caring adults in her life.

special edition

MIDLANDS MENTORING PARTNERSHIP

CONTINUED

MMPInsert-REVISED1.14_- 12/16/13 6:32 PM Page 4

mentoring AWARENESS

midlands mentoring partnership

Peggy has shared her experience with peers, who often come to her for advice. “I love helping people,” Peggy says. “As long as I help one person it’s going to make a difference in the world.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters Ceo nichole turgeon says Dakotah and Peggy embody what mentoring’s all about.

“They have faced incredible challenges together and Dakotah gave Peggy hope for her future which has allowed her to persevere. I am confident Peggy is on the path to becoming a successful and happy adult and I know Dakotah will be with her every step of the way.”

More than sisters in name, Dakotah and Peggy believe they’ve developed an unbreakable lifelong bond.

“I have no doubt it’s going to be a sisterhood for the rest of our lives. We’re sisters not by blood but by choice,” says Taylor.

passing it on Taylor encourages anyone wanting to make a positive difference in a youth’s life to become a mentor. Just be prepared to make a deep commitment and enduring connection the way Dakotah did with Peggy.

Says Taylor, “Our paths would have never crossed if it wasn’t for Big Brothers Big Sisters. It has changed my life. It’s brought someone into my life I deeply care about. I would do anything for her and she would do anything for me.”

Peggy sees herself following Dakotah’s footsteps. “I probably will end up being a Big myself.” She advocates the benefits of mentoring, saying, “There is a match out there for someone, there is.”

mentor of the year dakotah with mentee peggy

Many employers encourage their employees to serve as mentors. Taylor says her employer, First National, supports her volunteering. Mentees like Peggy are the beneficiaries.

someone to turn to Mutual of oMaha anD Mutual of oMaha founDation: aDvoCate of the year Mutual of Omaha is another employer that supports mentoring in Omaha.

More than 50 Mutual staffers serve as mentors with seven MMP partner organizations. Among its mentors is Mutual of omaha foundation Program Coordinator kim armstrong. Armstrong mentors two young women, including one through Youth Emergency Services (YES), on whose board Armstrong once served. Much like Dakotah’s relationship with Peggy, Armstrong’s been transformed by the experience of working with her mentees.

“At the end of the day, just having someone to turn to is the greatest benefit for them—at least that’s how I see it—and I’m honored to play that role,” Armstrong says of her matches. “Most mentors will say that they benefit more from mentoring than their mentees and I am no different. I have realized unexpected benefits. I feel I have become a better mother, a better employee and a better person.”

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She says each of her mentees has “played a role in opening my eyes to so much, and for that I am eternally grateful.”

Mutual has been a champion of MMP’s efforts since the catalyst organization’s formation in 1999. The insurance giant’s ongoing work as a partner and advocate of Youth Emergency Services and other mentoring providers is being recognized this year at the summit.

going the extra mile MMP executive Director Deborah neary says, “the Advocate of the Year award honors a business or organization committed to helping young people achieve their potential through mentoring.”

Christine Johnson, president and Ceo of the Mutual of omaha foundation, says she encourages mentoring in part because “it helps to build a cohesive, motivated, engaged workforce, which we know is shown to increase employee performance and productivity.” metroMAGAZINE • JAN 2014

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THE MERITS OF mentoring

metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

centerstage

In addition to their involvement with YES Mutual employees serve as board members for various mentoring organizations and encourage fellow employees to mentor. The Mutual of Omaha Foundation provides financial support for mentoring efforts. yeS executive Director Mary fraser Meints says anything that bolsters mentoring is a net gain for participants and for society.

Community outreach is an important part of the Mutual culture, says Dan Neary, Mutual of Omaha chairman of the board and CEO, “Our youth are the future. One day, the community and even our company will be in their hands. So, mentoring is truly an investment in the future and it will provide returns we can’t even imagine.”

“Youth who have a mentor have better attendance at school, a better chance of going on to higher education and better attitudes toward school,” she says–adding, “The leadership role Mutual of Omaha has taken with the mentoring program offered by YES has made a huge impact in helping our youth become more self-sufficient.”

Foundation President Christine Johnson says, “We understand the importance of the quality and length of a mentoring match. We think it’s important to educate our employee volunteers about mentoring and the importance of that commitment. By providing time during the work day to grow their mentoring relationship, we hope we can help them succeed by being a positive and long-standing force in the lives of the children they mentor.

Mutual sponsored a May party for eight college-bound YES youth.

Each graduate received luggage and a laptop.

“It is a great honor for us to receive this recognition from MMP. We value their commitment to our community and have great respect for their work.”

“Our youth were beyond thrilled to have their own laptop. That simple gesture alone will never be forgotten by our youth,” says Meints.

for MMP Summit details and tickets, call 402-715-4175 or visit www.mmpomaha.org.

supporting mentoring In 2013 Mutual employees volunteered beyond YES to support the Kent Bellows Mentoring Program, hosted engineering workshops for Girls Inc. of Omaha and participated in Kids Can Community Center’s Day of Caring.

to inquire about becoming a mentor, call or visit Midlands Mentoring Partnership: mmpomaha.org | 402-715-4175

advocate of the year mutual of omaha and mutual of omaha foundation

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mentoring AWARENESS

youth development summit

keynote

What implications does “How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character” have for parents or anyone spending a significant amount of time with youth? I hope the book will inspire parents, educators, and others who work with children to rethink what I call the cognitive hypothesis: the idea that the one factor that matters most in the success of a child is his or her IQ. The educators and scientists who I wrote about in “How Children Succeed” have identified a very different set of skills that they say are at least as important as IQ, and possibly much more so. The list includes qualities like grit, curiosity, conscientiousness, self-control, and optimism. As a category, these qualities are often referred to as non-cognitive skills or character strengths.This research has a clear message for parents and those working with children: We need to be much more conscious of whether and how the children in our care are developing these character strengths. These strengths are shaped in large part by the environment in which children grow up, which means that we need to work to improve the home and neighborhood environments that children experience every day.

And that need is most acute when it comes to children who are growing up in disadvantage.

What do economists say are the most important character skills that will be required for jobs in the 21st century? Economists have identified two sets of character strengths that are especially important in the 21st-century workplace. One set is interpersonal: being able to communicate effectively, work well in teams, and deal well with cultural differences. The second is more internal: being able to focus on long-term goals, handle setbacks, and persist at difficult tasks.

Why is mentoring an important support or component for the non-cognitive development of youth? We still have a lot to learn about precisely how non-cognitive skills are developed in youth. But one thing we do know is that when young people go through a positive character transformation, it is almost always due, at least in part, to the intervention of an adult – a family member, a teacher, or a mentor who is able to support and motivate and inspire young people to change their habits and patterns, which really means to change their character. Mentoring is an inexact science, and the chemistry between mentors and youth is often unpredictable. But when children are able to find the right mentor at the right time, especially in adolescence, it can give them the stability and connection they need to turn their lives around.

You refer to the “adversity gap” in your book.

How is it that youth living in poverty can have the same skill deficiencies as youth that have been born into privilege? When I talk about the adversity gap, what I mean is this: In the United States these days, there are some children, especially those growing up in poverty, who have way too much adversity in their lives. And then there are other children, often those growing up in affluence, who are so protected from adversity (by their families, their schools, and their culture) that they miss out on the character-building opportunities that experiencing failures and setbacks can provide. Children who grow up in poverty often have difficulty with character strengths like grit and perseverance because they’ve been so beaten down

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New York Times best-selling author, Paul Tough, will be the keynote speaker on March 19, 2014, at the CenturyLink, and will present his research on the factors necessary to make children successful in life.

His latest work, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity & the Hidden Power of Character, spent 12 weeks on the New York Times Best-Sellers list.

Q&A

PAUL tough

summit keynote speaker paul tough

by adversity that they’ve given up hope. Children who grow up in affluence often struggle with grit and perseverance as well – but in their case, the problem is that they’ve never had to meet any real challenges, since their parents and others have shielded them from those challenges. So they’re scared to take on anything they can’t immediately master.

What are Mr. Tough's thoughts on the value of starting this type of character development early in the life course? What are the implications of his thinking for early childhood? The research shows that if we want to intervene in the lives of children in this non-cognitive or character dimension, one of the most fruitful times to do so is in early childhood, when the brain is especially malleable. Researchers have shown that the experiences we have in infancy – how much stress we endure; how close a bond we feel with our parents – have a direct effect on how we function as adults: on everything from our immune system to our short-term memory to our ability to control our impulses. Scientists and advocates have made a powerful case that this research should compel us to take early childhood much more seriously than we do today – not just as parents, but as engaged citizens. Children who grow up in fractured, chaotic, disadvantaged homes are profoundly shaped by the experiences of their earliest years. If we want to help them succeed, we can’t wait until kindergarten to deliver that help; we need to find more robust and comprehensive ways to improve their environments, beginning at birth.

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Share Life!

Release M I N I S T R I E S MENTORING

Touching lives‌ building relationships

Volunteer today!

(402) 455-0808 info@releaseministries.org

Sometimes you need someone who has been there.

402-505-3022 Mentor4GLBTQ@gmail.com Facebook.com/AllyMentoring special edition

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mentoring AWARENESS

youth development summit

focus:youth

A CONVERSATION WITH dr. sam meisels on june 1, 2013, dr. samuel j. meisels became the founding executive director of the buffett early childhood institute, bringing with him a national reputation for early childhood assessment and development. previously, dr. meisels served as a professor and research scientist at the university of michigan and president of erikson institute in chicago, the nation’s leading graduate school for early childhood development. he has long been involved in efforts to improve the learning and developmental outcomes of young children. in this interview with metroMAGAZINE, dr. meisels lays out his vision for the buffett institute and what’s at stake for nebraska’s children and its future.

What is the Buffett Early Childhood Institute and why was it created? The Buffett Early Childhood Institute is a four campus, university-wide, research, training, outreach, and policy institute of the University of Nebraska. Its purpose is to help transform early childhood development and education for at-risk and vulnerable children, birth to age 8, in Nebraska and across the nation. The Institute’s endowment was established by a generous gift from philanthropist Susie Buffett and by funds from the university and other sources.

Why is the Institute part of the University of Nebraska? The Buffett Institute is envisioned as a new model for how public higher education can be engaged in the first years of life. It combines interest in applied research with training, policy development, and outreach to all corners of the state—urban and rural—and all of this focused on birth to eight year old children at risk. In short, the Buffett Early Childhood Institute offers a rare opportunity to use the resources of the university to change the lives of children in need, both within the state of Nebraska and beyond.

Business leaders are increasingly What do you hope to accomplish through the Institute? My vision for the getting on the “early childhood bandwagon.” Why is that?

Buffett Early Childhood Institute is Evidence has been accumulating for decades straightforward and, I believe, easily understandable: Nebraska will become the best about the social capital benefits of early childhood intervention. This is the best time of life in which place in the nation to be a baby. to invest our efforts and resources. Estimates are To bring this vision to reality, we’re going to that every dollar invested in the first five years of focus the initial work of the Institute on two life for children living in poverty returns $7 over sets of activities that we’re calling “Signature time on reduction in special education, decrease in Programs.”The first is the Nebraska juvenile crime, increase in high school graduation, Achievement Gap Challenge and the second is and contributions to wages and taxable income.

Roughly 85% of a person’s neurons are formed in the Early Childhood Workforce Development the first five years of life. This is the time to try to Project. Our goals are to reduce the disparity in opportunity and achievement for children living get it right; efforts at remediation later are not nearly as successful or as efficient. in poverty compared to those coming from more advantaged backgrounds by beginning Why is Paul Tough's research on early and working consistently across the first non-cognitive skills important eight years of life. We also intend to increase the in your work? Paul Tough’s description of quality and quantity of highly qualified “grit” or character development overlaps with professionals who interact with young, at-risk what many of us in early childhood call selfomaha’schildren 2013and mentor of the year,colleges tess larson their families by engaging regulation and autonomy—elements that are with mentees: gabrielle jones, andto hawa ibrahim and university campuses acrossdanaya the state tojohnson, critical early learning and that are formed in strengthen, broaden, and coordinate their the first 8 years of life. Characteristics such as these enable children to respond to direction, programs of preparation.

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pay attention, communicate effectively with peers and adults, cope with stress, and feel motivated to learn.

Children who display these qualities typically have success in the classroom. They’re at lower risk of disrupting the school environment, becoming ostracized by their peers, falling behind in academic skills, or experiencing problems that can lead to academic failure and school drop-out. These qualities are critical building blocks of future life success and their foundation can be found in the early years.

Why is it so important for a university system and the larger Nebraska community to dedicate itself to the education and wellbeing of our youngest children?

It’s easy to say that young children are our nation's future. It’s much more difficult to act on that belief and do everything in our power to safeguard the lives of every child we encounter.

By creating the Buffett Early Childhood Institute, the University of Nebraska is engaged on a unique course. No other public university in the nation has committed itself to young children at risk and their families as has this one. It’s something for all of us to be proud of and to help bring to fulfillment. As these children grow into maturity they will become the students of the future at the University of Nebraska and elsewhere. It’s our job to prepare them to participate fully in the challenges awaiting us in the coming decades.

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metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

AS AN educator

finding success for a beginning teacher, navigating the world of a new school environment can be difficult. the experience brings up a myriad of questions and concerns for new educators—from how to inspire students to adapting to unique student needs. how does a new educator address these issues, and how do they find success?

At the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), the College of Education’s partnership with the Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium (MOEC) is doing just that. MOEC brings together K-12 educators from school districts across the metropolitan Omaha/Council Bluffs area to share ideas and work together to improve educator quality. The resulting synergy makes MOEC a powerful tool for improving education.

One of MOEC’s signature programs is Career Advancement and Development for Recruits and Experienced Teachers (CADRE). The CADRE Project is a nationally recognized program tailored to provide newly certified elementary, secondary and special education teachers with multi-level support as they experience the diverse challenges of entry into the education profession.

Still serving as fully licensed teachers in classrooms throughout the MOEC districts, CADRE participants have the opportunity to earn a master’s degree through a purposeful sequence of course work that aligns with the stages of teacher development. This parallel learning and teaching experience immerses the CADRE teachers in instructional support, best practice research, and ongoing reflection.

Dr. richard Christie, executive Director of MoeC, elaborates on the collaboration, “Educator quality is a major priority for MOEC—the CADRE program significantly contributes to achieving that goal and directly improves metro schools through these participants.”

The success of the CADRE experience is visible through MOEC’s collaboration with UNO’s graduate studies, district-provided mentors, and a cohort of first-year teachers. While each of these components is important, the intense mentoring support provided is a key factor in achieving a positive impact. The districtprovided “master teacher mentors” work as CADRE associates and are involved in classroom support roles ranging from induction to instructional coaching. In addition, the CADRE associates serve in district-designated roles and

support university-related work.

How exactly can a child benefit from having an educator as a CADRE participant?

Char riewer, CADRE coordinator, expands on their development, “National research has indicated that teachers who are mentored receive higher ratings from their principal, develop better lesson planning skills, conduct more productive classroom discussion and remain in the classroom longer. These benefits are especially prevalent when compared to an educator who has not received similar training.”

Together they work to positively impact the CADRE teacher’s learning environment and instruction, further improving student achievement. The CADRE associate also models and facilitates reflective practice, responsible citizenship and a dedication to the practice of teaching, which in turn, helps the CADRE teacher embody the qualities of teachers who positively make a difference in the lives of students. The result of this project is a strong, focused community of educators that ensures professional excellence in the classrooms of today and in the future.

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Metropolitan Omaha Educational Consortium (MOEC) Partners Current MOEC membership includes 12 school districts and two educational services units: Bellevue Public Schools, Bennington Public Schools, Council Bluffs Community School District, Douglas County West Community Schools, Educational Service Unit #3, Educational Service Unit #19, Elkhorn Public Schools, Gretna Public Schools, Millard Public Schools, Omaha Public Schools, Papillion-La Vista Public Schools, Ralston Public Schools, Springfield Platteview Community Schools, and Westside Community Schools.

About the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) UNO is Nebraska’s metropolitan university.

The core values of the institution place students at the center of all the university does; call for the campus to strive for academic excellence; and promote community engagement that transforms and improves urban, regional, national and global life.

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mentoring AWARENESS

mentoring directory

One-tO-One MentOring places one adult in a relationship with one youth 100 Black Men of omaha ally Mentoring Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands girls inc. of omaha hope Center for kids kids Can Community Center release Ministries teamMates Mentoring youth emergency Services

teaM MentOring involves several mentors working with small groups of mentees, with the mentor-to-mentee ratio of no more than 1:4. the same group of mentors must be matched with the same group of mentees 100 Black Men of omaha

MENTORING types

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grOup MentOring involves a mentor-to-mentee ratio of no higher than 1:4, with the same one mentor being matched with the same mentees

peer MentOring places one high school youth in a structured mentoring relationship with another high school youth ollie webb Just friends

kent Bellows’ Mentoring Program at Joslyn Partnership 4 kids

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metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

midlands mentoring partnership

100 Black M

Faith based mentoring programs have a strong faith element that is incorporated into program activities hope Center for kids release Ministries

MENTORING focus

COMMunity-based mentors and mentees meet out in the community at a time of their own choosing 100 Black Men of omaha ally Mentoring Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands girls inc. of omaha ollie webb Just friends release Ministries youth emergency Services

speCial pOpulatiOns mentoring programs focus on serving youth with certain interests or characteristics 100 Black Men of omaha – african american, male youth ally Mentoring – glBtQ youth girls inc. of omaha – refugee youth, youth living in foster care kent Bellows’ Mentoring Program at Joslyn – art focused ollie webb Just friends – Disabled youth youth emergency Services – homeless youth and/or teen parents

site-based mentors and mentees meet at a specific site, usually at a set time each week hope Center for kids kent Bellows’ Mentoring Program at Joslyn kids Can Community Center Partnership 4 kids teamMates Mentoring

MENTORING locations

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midlands mentoring partnership

mentoring AWARENESS

why mentor?

Why Mentoring? Mentoring is a resultsoriented strategy that improves the lives of young people. Midlands Mentoring Partnership (MMP) is dedicated to increasing the number Mentoring is important because when a child andadult quality matchescares in the Omaha knows that an in mentoring their life really and wants the best for them, they on strive to be community with a focus the long-term the best theyprocess can be.ofStudies collectiveshow socialthat change to improve children who are mentored have better grades, at-riskpotential youth. to stay in schoolopportunities and have afor higher go on to college. ~ ESTHER G. MEJIA, E CREATIVE We can't really make families stay together.

We can't legislate that every child has a father…but we can provide a mentor.

And the data is very powerful in that regard in terms of kids that just do so much better academically and in so many other ways. ~ DR. TOM OSBORNE, TEAMMATES It's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done in my life, and I mentor children myself.

It really touches your heart when you start seeing them really wanting to get advice, counsel and also cry to you about things that aren’t going right for them. I think everybody should be a mentor. ~ MICHAEL YANNEY, PHILANTHROPIST It’s important for kids to have mentors they can look up to as role models for what they can aspire to in life. This includes seeing someone who looks like them achieve success.

After all, you can’t be what you can’t see. ~ MICHELLE ZYCH, WOMEN’S FUND OF OMAHA Mentoring is an investment in the future. It fosters relationships, builds self-esteem and identifies talents. Mentoring partnerships also keep employees and students engaged in their development, with an eye on improving the future. An emphasis on mentoring benefits OPPD and the communities we serve. ~ TIM BURKE, OPPD If we can help these kids grow up to be productive and responsible citizens, our community will be a better place. Thousands of kids are still waiting for a mentor, though.

We still have a lot of work to do. ~ BRUCE GREWCOCK, KIEWIT

Why Do Businesses Invest In Mentoring?

Company Benefits Development of a larger, more highly skilled future workforce Enhanced public relations and corporate social responsibility Strengthened employee base and recruiting edge Alignment between company’s values and resource allocation

Why Do Businesses Invest In Mentoring? (cont’d.) economic Benefit of Mentoring (cont’d.)

More than $84,000 is spent per year for one youth staying in prison. Mentoring research shows that a mentee can be matched (including mentor recruitment , training, background checks, monitoring, etc.) for $1,500—and mentors are proven to help prevent a youth from repeating behaviors that land them in a correctional center.

• • • •

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employee Benefits Improved job satisfaction & loyalty, stronger company impact on employees’ connection to the community National studies have found that employees who mentor return to work happier and feel more productive, are more loyal and have increased pride in their company Employees accept more challenges at work and at home Employees learn leadership skills through being a mentor

Be a Changemaker! top 10 ways you can make a difference!

Mentor a child: Make a difference in a child's life, as well as your own. Mentoring offers benefits like improving self-esteem, keeping kids in school, and preventing risky behaviors.

• • • •

•

• attend the annual

Mentor Summit: On Wednesday, March 19th at CenturyLink—or just attend the awards luncheon that day!

• thank a Mentor and send a Thank You note Community Benefit Strengthened academic and life achievement of local youth Increased support available to the local schools and youth-serving organizations

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economic Benefit of Mentoring A recent study shows that for every dollar spent on mentoring, the social return on investment is $18. The study shows that the mentees will earn on average $315,000 more than those in a control group over their lifetime.

Mentees were “also significantly more likely to give generously to charitable causes and volunteer their time to community work.

They also achieved more positive life outcomes in the categories of life skills and personal well-being.”

Focusing on the tax dollars alone that are spent on incarcerating youth—More than $65,000 is spent each year to support one youth staying in the Douglas County Youth Detention Center. .

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•

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to someone that has mentored you and made a difference in your life!

• Sponsor programs: Whether you donate as an individual or your company supports mentoring, your donations will make a difference!

• “like” MMP on facebook and help

promote our activities with your friends.

• follow“MentorOmaha” or “MentorNebraska” on Twitter.

• attend a Mentor orientation on

March 27th at 5:15 or April 3rd at Noon, at the MMP Office.

• volunteer at the Mentor Summit with

registration, lunch seating, selling books, setup, etc.

• take the survey:“Find the right program for you” at mmpomaha.org/mentoringprograms/find-your-program.

• visit www.mmpomaha.org to learn more!

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the 5 CONDITIONS OF

metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

collective impact Peter Buffett, in a recent discussion of philanthropy, was quoted in the New York Times as saying, “Money should be spent trying out concepts that shatter current structures and systems that have turned much of the world into one vast market.”

As Mr. Buffett suggests, in our community’s effort to improve educational outcomes for Omaha children raised in poverty, attention must be paid to strategies that bring about systemic change. The Collective Impact model is a strategy that includes businesses, policymakers, nonprofits, and education systems working together. Midlands Mentoring Partnership is in a unique position to initiate systemic change through its network of organizations looking to make a powerful impact on youth, together.

why Mentoring? In what charitable work could you invest the equivalent of $1 today and expect a social return on investment down the road of approximately $18? According to study results published recently by the Boston Consulting Group in Canada, the answer is mentoring programs. The mentees in the study were forecast to make significantly more income, pay more taxes, give more charitably and develop life skills and “personal well being” at levels unmatched by peers who did not have mentors in childhood.

why ColleCtive iMPaCt? According to the father of “collective impact”, Stanford University researcher John Kania, “the expectation that collaboration can occur without a supporting infrastructure is one of the most frequent reasons why it fails.” Collective Impact is more than a routine cross-sector collaboration. Its key characteristics include: a common agenda, agreed upon measurement system, centralized infrastructure, mutually reinforced activities and ongoing communication among participants.

how is Collective impact more than simple collaboration?

Collective Impact is a commitment of a group of actors to a common agenda for solving a social problem, and is deemed to be a much more structured form of collaboration.

Collective Impact work hinges on the idea that in order to create systemic change, organizations must coordinate their efforts and work together around a clearly defined goal.

The Collective Impact approach encourages organizations to no longer work in isolation, but work together to create solutions for the social problems that plague society. In order to be considered a Collective Impact organization, five conditions must be met. They include: a common, shared agenda, an agreed upon data measurement system, a centralized infrastructure to see the big picture and coordinate activities, mutually reinforcing activities, and ongoing communication.

how did this catalytic effort get started?

MMP’s innovative Collective Impact work is a direct result of the visionary efforts of Mike & Gail Yanney, Tom & Nancy Osborne, William & Ruth Scott, Richard Holland, Mike Fahey, and all of the Building Bright Futures board members and advisory board members. However, among this large group of philanthropists and visionaries, MiChael yanney stands out as one the leading forerunners for city-wide mentoring advocacy efforts. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Yanney determined mentoring was the best way for business leaders to become invested in the future of Omaha youth. He and others teamed together with the Chamber of Commerce, United Way of the Midlands and the National Mentoring Partnership to create and support high quality mentoring activities in Omaha.

These early efforts led the way for the incorporation of “Yanney’s Kids” in 1986 (now known as Partnership 4 Kids),

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TeamMates Mentoring program in 1991, and the incorporation of MMP in 1999. Over the years, Mr. Yanney partnered with Tom Osborne and with many local and national policy makers to advocate for the needs of our young people.

Ten years after MMP was founded, in 2009, Building Bright futures (BBf) board members provided funding for the first paid staff member to be hired. This support came as a part of BBF’s overall “cradle to career” strategy to improve graduation rates and increase positive outcomes for youth in Omaha.

Today, MMP continues its partnership with TeamMates Mentoring, Partnership 4 Kids, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands, and with numerous other mentoring partners, to strengthen the mentoring movement in Omaha.

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SHARING AND GROWING TOGETHER.

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metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

midlands mentoring partnership

about MMP mission: because mentoring is a results-oriented strategy that improves the lives of young people, midlands mentoring partnership (mmp) is dedicated to increasing the number and quality of mentoring matches in our community. MMP is focused on the long-term process of collective social change to improve opportunities for at-risk youth.

Midlands Mentoring Partnership is a unique city-wide “collective impact” organization that seeks to increase the number and quality of mentoring programs in the Omaha Metro and support training opportunities for mentoring efforts in the state of Nebraska. In Douglas and Sarpy Counties alone, MMP has 12 mentoring agencies that are full members and more than 40 mentoring programs that attend training sessions. MMP creates a forum for mentoring professionals across the community to collaborate, share and leverage resources, and work together in the areas of research and service. The resulting synergy of ideas and resources makes MMP a powerful mechanism for creating systemic change that will more efficiently improve outcomes for youth and increase the number of high risk youth being served. what services are provided by a mentoring partnership? There are 25 mentoring partnerships like MMP across the country and are all public/private initiatives that support direct-service mentoring programs and generate solutions to the challenges of bringing mentoring to scale. the valuable services provided

by Midlands Mentoring Partnership are: Creation of required background check policy standards.

Leverage background check purchases for volume discount for all partner agencies.

Free training for all members on best practices and new research in order to ensure quality and safety.

Support for new mentoring programs.

Support for existing mentoring programs to help them reach new needs/audiences.

Data collection to determine gaps in service and to measure impact of programs.

• • • • • •

Assessment tools and peer • Quality review process.

Evaluation process to ensure • Developmental changes result from evaluation results.

Annual Mentoring Summit is a cost • The saving way to increase collaboration between

•

youth providers, raise mentoring standards, improve communication between nonprofits, and focus on the common agenda. It also provides an avenue for engaging the business community and policy makers in the mission of mentoring.

With the Annual Recruitment Campaign MMP was able to leverage marketing dollars towards our common goal. In August 2013, $71,000 of in-kind advertising and support was raised to support recruitment efforts by our 12 members.

what are some examples of the ways that MMP is making a difference?

Girls Inc. of Omaha: went from 30 mentors to 150 mentors in 2 years.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands: expanded support and mentoring opportunities for foster care youth and juvenile justice youth.

TeamMates: expanded college support activities for all mentored youth and expanded mentoring activities at Blackburn.

Kids Can: started a new mentoring program and is now utilizing best practices.

Kent Bellows Studio of Joslyn: is now utilizing all of the mentoring best practices.

Ally Mentoring: a new mentoring program for GLBTQ youth was incubated.

100 Black Men of Omaha: recruited 17 new mentors in one month—doubling the size of their mentoring program.

Partnership 4 Kids: increased mentoring meetings from 2 to 3 times per month for middle school students.

• • • • • • • •

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metroMAGAZINE • JAN 2014

Board of Directors AShleY ROBINSON, J.D. Board President • Baird holm llP JUlIe hefflINGeR Board Vice President • Community Volunteer JOSh BARTee Board Treasurer • enterprise Bank GeRAlD BYeRS Board Secretary • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska KAThY ClARK Board Member • fBG Services JOhN ewING Board Member • Douglas County Treasurer KeNNY MCMORRIS Board Member – Charles Drew health Center RICK SPellMAN Board Member • UNMC DANIel PADIllA Past President • first National Bank

Staff DeBORAh NeARY • executive Director whITNeY MASTIN • Director of Operations JUlIA KROlIKOwSKI • Program Coordinator

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Celebrating

to our Community...

alh p u b l i c a t i o n s

inform • educate •

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Look Who’s Sheltering Shelter Pets

Summer Camp Sign-up is Underway If your child or grandchild loves animals, don’t let them miss Camp Kindness. Children get a behind-the-scenes look at shelter life, plus visits from all sorts of furry, finned and feathered friends.

Last year our campers worked with shelter staff, learned how easily dogs adapt to challenges, met some exotic wildlife, and found out why birds of prey and wildlife don’t make good pets. Visitors included dog trainers whose agility, carting, and herding dogs strutted their stuff. The kids picked kennel buddies, made dog treats and ran with mini horses! Our day camps run June and July in week long, half day sessions. For more information and easy online signup go to www.nehumanesociety.org/campkindness.

Black Tie and Tails April 26 Ramada Plaza

Front: Bob, Robyn with Jackie, and Ally Freeman | Back: Susan, Lauren, and Geoff Silverstein

Bob and Robyn Freeman Jackie Freeman is as comfortable as they come…and he’s only been in his home a short time.

This young maltese mix is jaunty, social, and loves attention. “We’ve got a whole routine, “says Robyn, “He’s home with me a lot and so we do two walks a day. We’ve also been working on some simple obedience commands and training.” Bob has been the lone male in the Freeman household for many years, so naming this “first boy” took some thinking. “I’m a baseball fan and we liked the name Jack… and then we hit on Jackie, Robyn’s son, so that sealed the deal!” Jackie basks in the adoration of the entire family and seems to know that he hit a home run with the Freemans. “He’s still learning and he’s young so he makes some mistakes,” explains Robyn, “but he’s so adorable that it just doesn’t matter!”

www.nehumanesociety.org gives you all the info!

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Save the date for Black Tie and Tails, the Nebraska Humane Society’s biggest biennial event to benefit homeless animals. The Nebraska Humane Society’s Friends Forever Guild puts on this gala and it’s truly the most heartwarming in town. This year’s theme “Forever Home” showcases success stories of truly amazing animals. The evening starts with a patron party and a chance to win a diamond in your champagne! Then it’s on to the silent auction, dinner, oral auction and even an “after party” for those who don’t want the night to end. The entire evening is doggone fun with plenty of opportunities to see, and help our four legged friends.

For information go to www.nehumanesociety.org or call Gordon at 402-905 3483.

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event galleries • VIEW & PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THESE EVENTS now! AT SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

LUTHERAN FAMILY SERVICES WICKER AND WINE

LITERACY CENTER ADULT SPELLING BEE

DURHAM MUSEUM SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY

OPERA OMAHA GUILD 2013 ROYAL COTILLION BALL

FILMSTREAMS FEATURE V

ONEWORLD ANNUAL MILAGRO DINNER

MERRYMAKERS 23RD ANNUAL ROAST

MOSAIC CENTENNIAL GALA

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

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

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

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event GALLERIES

Photography by roger Humphries

ONEfocus

OneWorld ANNUAL MILAGRO DINNER

GINA DIRENZO-COFFEY WITH SENATOR JEREMY NORDQUIST AND PAT CONNELL

ANDREA SKOLKIN, ANDREW KLOECKNER AND RICHARD MONTANEZ

BRENT BLUME, BRANDON TERWEY, ROBERT O’BRUIEN AND AUDWIN BROWN

J.R. AND STEPH GOULD WITH SENATOR SARA HOWARD

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AT SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

ROSEMARY MIRANDA, DIANA BRUGUERA, EUNISES CASILLAS, EMILY SUTTON AND LIZETTE ORIHVELA

KRISTINE AND CRAIG MCVEA

SCHYLER THOMAS, JULIA VERGAMINI, SHELLY BADJIE, LESIE WALKER AND HOLLY ALDRIDGE

MARGUERITE LEBENS, SUSAN LEBENS, MIGUEL AND KATIE SAGRERO, MICHELLE LEBENS, JEFF LEBENS AND BARB KINGSTEN

OneWorld Community Health Centers celebrated the many miracles, or “milagros,” that occurred over the past year at the annual Milagro Dinner and Auction on Thursday, November 14. More than 350 people came to the Historic Livestock Exchange campus to hear the stories of patients whose lives have been impacted by OneWorld. Members of the medical community were honored, and the crowd was inspired by the story of keynote speaker Richard Montanez, a Frito-Lay executive who came up with the idea of the “flamin’ hot” flavor of snacks when he was a janitor at the company. Over $111,000 was raised to support programs and services for patients who are medically underserved.

Honored for their service to the community were Dr. Charles Filipi, a Professor of Surgery at Creighton University School of Medicine.; Dr Jonathan Fuller, an Orthopedic Surgeon; the late Dr. Daniel Dietrich, who was OneWorld’s first volunteer Medical Director.

Methodist Hospital was recognized for the support and care they give OneWorld patients and improving access to healthcare for everyone in the community.

Long known for providing quality affordable health care; individuals are welcome at OneWorld with or without insurance, including Kids Connection, Medicaid and Medicare. OneWorld operates seven clinical locations in Omaha; including the clinic at the Historic Livestock Exchange Campus in South Omaha, OneWorld West on 120th and I Streets, Cass Family Medicine in Plattsmouth, Crossroads Recovery and Health at Community Alliance, a mobile dental clinic and four school-based health centers at Bryan High School, Indian Hill, Spring Lake and Liberty elementary schools.

Established in 1970, OneWorld Community Health Centers, in partnership with the community, provides culturally respectful, quality health care with special attention to the underserved. OneWorld is a federally qualified health center (FQHC) and provides comprehensive primary health care, dental, mental health/substance abuse services, and affordable medications. Monies raised: $111,000. pmonsky@oneworldomaha.org For more information, visit us at www.oneworldomaha.org.

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Photography courtesy of Film Streams and Chris Machian

FORWARD

feature Film Streams

FEATURE V, IN SUPPORT OF FILM STREAMS’ RUTH SOKOLOF THEATER Alexander Payne, Bruce Dern & Will Forte In conversation with Kurt Andersen On Sunday, November 24, the director of the new film NEBRASKA, Alexander Payne, and its stars Bruce Dern, Will Forte, and June Squibb joined public radio host Kurt Andersen onstage at the Holland Performing Arts Center for a discussion about film, creativity, life, and art. Squibb was a surprise guest. Over 1,600 attended the event, raising a record $300,000 for the nonprofit cinema. Payne, a Film Streams founding board member, invited the Feature V guests.

KURT ANDERSEN, JUNE SQUIBB, BRUCE DERN, WILL FORTE AND ALEXANDER PAYNE

Surprise Guest: June Squibb When It Happened: Sunday, November 24, 2013 JIM AND RUTH KEENE

PAUL AND ANNETTE SMITH

Where: Holland Performing Arts Center Why: To support Film Streams’ Ruth Sokolof Theater, Omaha’s nonprofit cinema.

Mission: To enhance the cultural environment of Omaha through the presentation and discussion of film as an art form.

Attendance: More than 1,600 Funds Raised: More than $300,000 (gross) MAGGIE AND BOB MUNDY

Presenters: Rachel Jacobson, Executive Director Kaite Weitz, PhD; Board Chair

KATIE WEITZ AND JUDY PHILLIPS

Honorary Chairs: Susan & Mike Lebens Film Streams is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the cultural environment of the Omaha-Council Bluffs area through the presentation and discussion of film as an art form. In July 2007, we opened the Ruth Sokolof Theater, our two-screen cinema located within the Saddle Creek Records complex in North Downtown Omaha.

More information: www.filmstreams.org

KATIE AND DAN KRESHA AND JODY AND ROGER DURAND

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DENNIS AND JESSICA PATE

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BEE-wise

Photography by Dan Flanigan

Literacy Center

ADULT SPELLING BEE A frolic through the dictionary gave the community a fun way to get involved in helping adults learn to read. The sixth annual Adult Spelling Bee, held November 15 at the Scott Conference Center, raised more than $20,000 for the Literacy Center.

Enthusiasm for words and spelling comes from the knowledge that words make life better, which is the motto of the Literacy Center, says Executive Director Kirsten Case.

KIRSTEN CASE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH ANDREA HOIG, SPELLING BEE JUDGE

STEPHANIE HANSEN AND REX AND DEBORAH FISHER

“The Center helps hardworking people acquire the practical skills to make them more active and contributing members of our community,” Case says.

“From reading a food label, to writing a check, to reading their mail, the Center does more than help people learn to read books. We help people lead better lives.”

THE READING DIVAS

Twelve community and corporate teams of three adults each, tested their word-knowledge and spell-ability.

While the competition was friendly, it was also fierce as the logophiles vied for trophies including: • • • •

STUDENT SPEAKER DEB SALCEDO AND FAMILY

Best of Hive – Omaha Public Library Runner-up Best of Hive – Omaha World Herald Best Costume – The Reading Divas Best Team Spirit – Exoteric Book Club

The audience of over 150 included closet bibliophiles and philomaths, who took part in an audience spelling quiz.

THE QUEEN BEES

JUDGES: ELLEN SCOTT - BOOKWORM, ANDREA HOIG - METROMAGAZINE, JOHN HEASTON - THE READER AND RULE MASTER

Expert speller Emma Johanningsmeier, a semi finalist in the 2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee, was on hand to offer expert advice to the contestants.

Listening to every vowel and consonant was the panel of judges: Andrea Hoig – metroMagazine, John Heaston – The Reader and Ellen Scott – The Bookworm.

They were joined by our expert pronouncer Robert Dornsife from Creighton University and emcee Alex Hoffman, First News anchor KETV. Honorary chairs for the Spelling Bee were Chris and Sharlon Rodgers.

For more information about the Literacy Center: www.giveliteracy.org, 402.342.7323.

• VIEW & PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THESE EVENTS now!

AT SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

JENNIE TULLOS, ROB HEINEMAN AND COURTNEY MORAN

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KAREN SUNDELL, JENNI TOBBEN AND CAITLIN FOXLEY

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Photography by Dan Flanigan & lutheran Family services

FINEwine

Lutheran Family Services WICKER AND WINE

CHRIS HIGGENBOTTOM, BRUCE RASMUSSEN AND JENNIFER HENSLEY

STACY AND TODD ARCHER WITH RUTH HENRICHS

Negatives cycles of poverty and violence can be broken – one family, one child at a time. That was the message heard at the 2013 Wicker and Wine basket auction on November 7. Over 300 people attended the Lutheran Family Services’ event at the Mid-America Center, enjoying heavy appetizers and both live and silent auctions.

The $65,500 raised will stay in Council Bluffs and help sustain vital programming at the Pottawattamie County Center for Healthy Families®, where prevention programs including mental health therapies, treatment of sexually abused children, pregnancy and adoption counseling and parenting classes give parents the tools they need to create safer, healthier families.

DARREN AND JENN OSTER WITH RUTH HENRICHS

TOMMIE OWENS, TAMESHIA HARRIS AND JAMALIA PARKER

Over 300 guests enjoyed shopping dozens of baskets during the silent auction and bidding on great prizes, like Husker-Hawkeye tickets, during the live auction.

Honorary Chairs Todd and Stacy Archer gave a moving appeal for support for the Center, pointing out that: “This is the future of our community. For all of our children.”

As CEO and President Ruth Henrichs said, “Remember those smiles. Remember those children… these are our future businessmen and women, our future teachers, parents, leaders—but in order to be successful, they have to be able to look back on safe and healthy childhoods.”

MATT REILLY, JERRY AND DELANA RAUTERKUS, HEATHER VEIK AND BILL FOLEY

JIM SIEDLECKI AND JACKI OCHOA

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KATHY ANDERSON, HEATHER WEDDLE AND ROBIN MATTHES

RUTH HENRICHS, JIM OLMSTED AND DENISE STANGE

CAPTIONS

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ANTHONY ANDERSON, SARAH ANDERSON AND KENNY ROCKER

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Photography by andrea Hoig

event GALLERIES

ENDLESS

possibilities Mosaic

CENTENNIAL GALA

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

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

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

MAX MILLER, SHARON MILLER, RAMONA EDWARDS AND DAN FRIEDLAND

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

LARRY NOVICKI, JAN NOVICKI, DONNA CARLSON AND KENT CARLSON

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MEAGAN, LINDA, RANDY AND CHRIS TIMMONS

JEAN O'BRIEN, DAVE MCCUE AND CHARLOTTA MCBAIN

CAPTIONS

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Mosaic capped off its year-long centennial celebration titled: A Century of Service, A Legacy of Love with a gala on October, 24, 2013 at 6 p.m. at the Mutual of Omaha Dome. More than 600 donors, friends, volunteers, staff, families and people in service joined Honorary Chairs Deryl and Ramona Hamann and Gala Chair Judy Tamisiea to celebrate Mosaic's first 100 years.

The event began with an opening reception followed by a formal program and meal. WOWT Channel 6 anchor John Knicely served as the Master of Ceremonies and guided guests as they heard inspiring messages about the rich history of this rural Nebraskaborn nonprofit and the endless possibilities with their global partners.

Mr. Timothy P. Shriver Ph.D., chairman and chief executive officer of Special Olympics delivered an inspirational message highlighting his work to transform Special Olympics into a movement that focuses on acceptance, inclusion and respect for people with intellectual disabilities in all corners of the globe.

“If you think about a nonprofit spending 100 years serving the most vulnerable of society, in times when no one else cared, you have to think there were some angels involved,” said Shriver.

Representatives from Mosaic Centennial Presenting Sponsor PHH Leasing, Mosaic Centennial Gala Sponsors American National Bank and MCL Construction and additional sponsors attended the event. Some additional notable guests included Joe and Marlene Ricketts, Susan Buffett and Senator Bob Krist.

Mosaic president and chief executive officer Linda Timmons shared her vision for Mosaic's second century and thanked those who have made the extraordinary mission what it is today. She stated, “Mosaic's vision for the future is that people will have a meaningful life in a caring community. With the support of our partners, I believe we can see that for the people we serve.”

Mosaic was formed July 1, 2003, by the consolidation of two Nebraska-born Lutheran ministries dedicated to the needs of people with disabilities.

Bethphage began in 1913 in Axtell, Neb., and Martin Luther Homes began in 1925 in Sterling, Neb. Today, a life of possibilities is provided to more than 3,700 people with disabilities in 10 states.

To discover the possibilities at Mosaic, visit www.mosaicinfo.org.

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Photography by Tom Kerr

MERRYfather

Merrymakers

23RD ANNUAL ROAST

MARY MAXWELL

FR. TOM FANGMAN

“Father Tom: it’s what’s for dinner in the Heartland” was the theme of the 23rd Annual Merrymakers Roast on Thursday, November 14th at the Embassy Suites La Vista Conference Center.

Father Tom Fangman, Pastor of Sacred Heart Church was this years’ honoree. Mary Maxwell served as the Emcee of the evening with roasters Jeff Sauvageau, Mike Moylin and Jeff Rensch lobbing stories about Father Tom in goodhearted and spirited fashion.

The Merrymakers provides professional music for seniors in 110 facilities in Nebraska, Omaha/Council Bluffs, and Central Iowa. Last year the Merrymakers musicians gave 1310 performances to an often overlooked segment of our population-our seniors. Long-time Merrymakers entertainer, “Mr. Memories” Joe Taylor, performed for just under 300 guests during the cocktail hour. Joe was also chosen Entertainer of the Year 2013.

MERRYMAKERS BOARD

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Patti Craig, Executive Director said this year’s roast raised over $220,000 for Merrymakers.

Merrymakers improves the quality of life for seniors by encouraging active participation, increasing social interaction, and sparking memories through professional entertainment.

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Photography by Dan Flanigan

event GALLERIES

JIL, AARON AND ASHLEY FISHER

LISA, DAISY AND TYLER OWEN

STEPHANIE, AVERY AND MATT MILLARD

YOUNGroyals

Opera Omaha Guild

2013 ROYAL COTILLION BALL ESSENTIALS: • Graduation dinner and dance • Saturday, Nov 16 at the Hilton Omaha • Over 750 people attended this year’s Graduation dinner and dance, Lynn Scott Orchestra provided musical entertainment TROY, ASHLEY AND CHRISTIN HONEYMAN WITH MADDIE SINGH AND LAURA SINGH

• Cotillion is Opera Omaha Guild’s largest fundraiser generating thousands of dollars each year for the Company to continue to bring quality productions to Omaha.

SARAH RUTTLE, KRISTIE STIENIKE AND LISA HAGSTROM

• Cotillion classes happen each fall and are open to all area 6th graders and teach social and dining etiquette through ballroom dancing and social interactions.

• Head Instructor – Mr. Bob Vandenbosch EVENT ORGANIZERS: • Opera Omaha Guild President - Lisa Hagstrom • Past President - Jillian Tuck • VIEW & PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THESE EVENTS now!

AT SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

For more information contact Opera Omaha at 402-346-4398

CLARA NEARY, CLARE KRAMPER, AMY NEARY, MIKI KRAMPER, REGINA BOULAY AND J.J. BOULAY

DAVID, VIRGINIA AND JOHNNA ALLEN WITH ELLA, ANDREA AND ERIC PAULSON

Go to: www.spiritofomaha.com/Metro-Magazine/Community/Calendar/ 50

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Photography by Dan Flanigan

KEN AND JULIE BARTHOLOMEW WITH GREG AND LORI SCHILLING

GEORGE LITTLE, MAYOR JEAN STOTHERT WITH RKACHEA AND BRUCE CARPENTER

GETTING

sentimental Durham Museum SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY November 23, 2013

JO PETERSON AND ERIC BUNDERSON WITH JULIE AND JENNIFER HAMANN

ED AND BEV BURCHFIELD WITH NEERV AND VICK BANSAL

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BOB SCHULZE AND BEV MOHR

THOMAS AND AILEEN WARREN

TRACEY AND BLAINE EAKINS, SHELLY AND MIKE HOMA WITH TREV ALBERTS

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event GALLERIES

Photography by Roger Humphries

TAKINGstock!

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands

STOCK MARKET CHAMPIONSHIP When It Happened: November 21, 2013 Where It Happened: Scoular Ballroom Why/How It Happened: During this real-life stock market simulation, approximately 40, fourperson teams from the Metro’s business community bought, sold and traded fictional stock from local and national companies as they competed for the title of “Stock Market Champion.” The excitement generated during this fast-paced, heart-thumping trading extravaganza was palpable…fun…and all for a very good cause.

More than 120 Boys & Girls Club teens participated in a student version of the event on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at the University of Nebraska at Omaha Milo Bail Student Center, and the top three teams advanced to the event on November 21. In the weeks leading up to the event, teens learned about the Stock Market, Wall Street and how to play the Stock Market Championship. Besides having fun, students gained a basic working knowledge of finance and investments to equip them with the tools to be successful later in life. The top student team received an $8,000 scholarship award from the Nebraska Educational Savings Trust to be split equally among the four team members.

ELIJAH CLAUSSEN, DEDEO VIDALES, JEREMY GINDULUS AND DIEGO LORZANO

GRANT DAVIS, DAN LANGERGAN, JOHN GILBREATH AND BEN TIGGELAAR

CHRISTIAN GUTIEUREZ, MEMOURI DALES, CHRISTIAN OLVERA AND JORGE AVON

SCOTTY CLARKE, TAYLOR BOWER, TYLER BOWER AND BAILEY BRAMMER

Catered by: Catering Creations Mission: To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, healthy and caring citizens.

Sponsors: TD Ameritrade, Tenaska, First National Bank, Nebraska Educational Savings Trust, Schnackel Engineers, SilverStone Group, Century Link, HM Insurance Group, Omaha Steaks. UNO College of Business Administration.

Kiewit, PML Construction, Inc., Omaha World Herald, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Cox, Kuehl Capital Corporation, Lund Ross Constructors (listed in order of importance)

JON MCCORMICK, JOHN MADSEN, JEFF PATTERSON AND ROGER JIANG

ALLIE COLLINS, BROOKE HERBIG, CHRIS HUMPHRIES, ABDOUL TRAORE AND ELENDA ZEHNDER

Attendance: 225 people Funds Raised: over $128,000 (gross) For more information: Ashley Winans (402) 342-1600, awinans@bgcomaha.org.

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FRONT ROW: JONNA HOLLAND, KAREN HEGGE AND LINDA ZIMMERMAN BACK ROW: JEN JEPSON, CANDY GOLDEN, IVAN GILREATH, TERESA MILNER AND ASHLEY WINANS 52

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Photography by Dan Flanigan

PATRON’S

pleasure

Omaha Creative Institute PATRON PARTY Special Guests: Lori Elliott-Bartle and Bill Hoover (Play Me, I’m Yours artists); Jim Boston (ragtime pianist); singers from Resonance; Carol Gendler; Andy Holland; Mike and Barb Kelly; Suzanne Wise DR. DEBRA REILLY-CULVER AND MIKE BYDALEK WITH SUSIE AND STEWART SMOLER

MIKE AND BARB KELLY, ANDY HOLLAND, BOB CULVER AND SARA MCCLURE

When It Happened: Tuesday, Nov. 12 Where It Happened: The home of Bob Culver and Dr. Debra Reilly-Culver Why/How It Happened: Omaha Creative Institute hosts its Patron Party annually to raise operating funds. The proceeds help OCI continue offering public workshops, presenting community art projects, and hosting team building events. The event celebrated Play Me, I’m Yours — a public art project presented

by OCI for two weeks at the end of summer from Village Pointe to Bayliss Park in Council Bluffs.

Play Me, I’m Yours involved 10 arts nonprofits that each identified a visual artist to design and decorate a piano.

DR. MEREDITH FULLER, JIM LUYTEN AND CAROL GENDLER

LORI ELLIOTT-BARTLE, SUSAN THOMAS, JOHN ROGERS AND MARY ZICAFOOSE

Catered by: Catering Creations Your Mission: Omaha Creative Institute provides expansive, hands-on arts access and connects artists to regional residents and visitors.

Attendance: 80 attendees Funds Raised: More than $20,000 About Omaha Creative Institute: (OCI) strives to make arts easily accessible in the metro. It coordinates team building events for groups of all sizes; offers public two-hour workshops from ukulele to blacksmithing to watercolor, etc.; produces large community-wide events; and participates in area festivals, parades, and more.

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DAVID AND DENISE LEVY WITH SUSAN THOMAS AND MARY TALEN

For more information: omahacreativeinstitute.org or 402.917.8452 MATT AND JESS MOORE WITH ALI AND HANNAH MIRMIRAN

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from metroMagazine’s SpiritofOmaha.com photo store!

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event GALLERIES

BARBARA LEU , JEAN LAHTI AND FAITH LOUIS

SUSAN KNAPP AND VANITA LUND WITH HONORARY CHAIR-DOG “PATCHES” CONINE

JUDY VARNER, KRIS KARNES AND KARLA CASSELS

FURRYfury

Nebraska Humane Society 2013 PURSES 4 PAWS

DANIELLE BUNZ, DAWN GONZALES AND KERRY ECKLEBE

Friends Forever, the hard working support guild of the Shelter, presented this event for the 6th time on Thursday November 21st from 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm. The proceeds from this event benefit the thousands of homeless animals at the Nebraska Humane Society. Regency Court was the perfect location to display the various purses, scarves and accessories up for bid during the silent auction.

Over 125 attendees were welcomed with a musical treat by the talented (Friends Forever member) Lynn Scott as she played the grand piano. Guests sipped on wine and cosmos and tasted delicious food from both Bonefish Grille and Fleming’s. To finish the evening Paradise Bakery provided a selection of desserts.

ANDY WILSON WITH NICK MURIEDAS

Co-Chairs were Susan Knapp and Vanita Lund.

Highlight of the Night: Introducing our Honorary Chair-Dog, “Patches” Conine to the guests. Patches is an alumni of the Shelter.

VANITA LUND, JOHN LUND AND ALYCIA SCHUTZ

“What a great way to support the Nebraska Humane Society, visit with friends, get some holiday shopping finished, taste amazing food and all in two hours!!”

FAITH LOUIS AND SUE CONINE WITH “PATCHES”

“I love that Patches, the Honorary Chair Dog attended. It reminds me of why I came and why I want to support the Nebraska Humane Society.”

“Regency Court is amazing! What a great place to have an event! I’m glad they support the Nebraska Humane Society!”

“The Nebraska Humane Society protects, saves and enriches the lives of animals in the communities we serve.”

For more information contact Gordon Krentz, (402) 905-3483, gkrentz@nehumanesociety.org • VIEW & PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THESE EVENTS now!

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MELINDA CHRISTENSEN, JULIA CASSON, DANI SCHRAM AND MANDY LACKAS

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Photography by Dan Flanigan

PARTYpeople

Junior League of Omaha BIG RED BLOCK PARTY

The Junior League of Omaha held its fourth annual Big Red Block Party on Nov. 9 at the Scott Conference Center. Former Husker and NFL veteran, Steven Warren, and his wife Heidi were honorary chairmen for the event.

LAUREN NOWAK, LINDSEY SNYDER, KATIE TRIPLETT, JENNIFER BUDA, STEVEN WARREN, ANDI HALLGREN, CATHERINE MCALLISTER, KATE SCHAFER, MELISSA RUSH AND NICOLE EVERINGHAM

Preliminary figures estimate over $25,000 was raised to support the league’s three projects: A Book of My Own, Project Hope Pack and Career Development Series. As of this morning donations are still coming into the headquarters office.

At the sold out event, 350 area philanthropists, former Nebraska players and Husker fans watched Nebraska beat Michigan while they enjoyed a gourmet tailgate buffet, silent auction, photo booth, dessert buffet and great raffle prizes. Local prominent attorney, Kristopher Kovi emceed the event and announced the winner of the most coveted of all the raffle prizes-- a blank Adidas football on which the winner, Ray Grace, received signatures from all the former Husker greats at the party.

TONY VELAND, MARK BRUNGARDT, STEVEN WARREN, TONY BUDA, RAY GRACE AND JAMMAL LORD

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event GALLERIES

NEWview

Photography by Dan Flanigan

Fashion Institute Guild “UNVEILING” Special Guest: Designer Boris Powell - Chicago When It Happened: November 20, 2013 Where It Happened: Capitol District – 1001 Dodge Street

GUILD BOARD MEMBERS TRACIE JERKOVICH, JUDY DAVIS, BROOK HUDSON, LISA PETERS, SAM HOHMAN, TRISHA NEWELL, ALYSSA DILTS, CHRIS CHRISTEN, MEGHANN SCHENSE, LISA KRUMWIEDE AND WENDY CHAPMAN

Why/How It Happened: Introduction of the new Fashion Institute Guild in support of the Fashion Institute of the Midwest featuring FIM supported designers and Design Parliament represented designers Speakers included the following: • Sam Hohman – President of Fashion Institute Guild • Nick and Brook Hudson – Founders of Omaha Fashion Week • Wendy Chapman – Chairman of Fashion Institute Midwest • Alyssa Dilts – Event Chair • Denise Fitzgerald – Community Volunteer • Kate Walz – Fashion Designer; showed her collection at NYFW 2013 • Dan Richters – Fashion Designer; winner of the 2013 Oxide Design Co. Fashion Cup

JILL YECHOUT, DR. MELISSA DAHIR AND JOHN DAHIR

MATTHEW FEERHUSON WITH NICK AND BROOK HUDSON AND JASON MELTON

The evening generated over $10,000 in funding and forty new members for the guild Mission: Nurturing aspiring designer talent by developing the Midwest fashion ecosystem Sponsors/Hosts: Design Parliament, Develop Model Management, LIV Lounge, The Grey Plume, Wheatfields, Fernando’s, Ponzu

DAN RICHTERS, BUF REYNOLDS AND KATE WALZ

ALEC LARSEN, HANNAH OLSON AND RICK CAREY

Attendance: 125 Funds Raised: $10,000 (gross) For more information: Contact info@fashioninstituteguild.org

• VIEW & PURCHASE ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THESE EVENTS now!

AT SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

BORRIS POWELL AND ALI BABE

JULIA RUSSELL, MARIAN KAISER AND CHERYL WILD

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DAVID SCOTT AND MARGIE TREMBLEY

COREY ALLEY, JUDY DAVIS AND KELLY ROBICHEAU

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Photography courtesy of UnO alumni

CENTENNIAL

mavs!

UNO Alumni Association 100TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION

LEE AND JULIE DENKER WITH GARRETT AND KRISTA ANDERSON

NEBRASKA FIRST LADY SALLY GANEM

Hundreds of guests helped the UNO Alumni Association celebrate its 100-year anniversary, gathering Friday, Nov. 8, on the UNO campus.

UNO graduate Billy McGuigan headlined the event with his popular “Rock Legends” show.

The fun was held in the the East Gym of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) building. Guests included former UNO Chancellors Ron Roskens and Del Weber, current Chancellor John Christensen, NU Regent Bob Whitehouse, Nebraska First Lady Sally Ganem, various UNO administrators, faculty and staff, and, of course, numerous alumni.

Co-chairmen: Andy Rikli, Papillion La-Vista Schools superintendent; Garrett Anderson, Anderson Printing. Rikli is current chairman and Anderson past chairman of the UNO Alumni Association board of directors.

For event information and other details, contact Elizabeth Kraemer at 402-554-4802 or email ekraemer@unoalumni.org. http://unoalumni.org

BILLY MCGUIGAN ROCK LEGENDS SHOW

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save the date January 11

January 30

Mid-AMericA council AwArds reception Boy Scouts of America, Mid-America Council

girls nite out Girls, Inc.

Truhlsen Campus Events Center (UNMC) | Omaha | 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm Come join us in honoring volunteers who have helped provide unparalleled experiences for more youth.

This will be an enjoyable evening of recognition and a gathering of the Scouting family. Reception at 5:30 p.m. | Dinner at 6:00 p.m. $25 Early bird until Dec 21.$35 from Dec 22-Jan 5. $40 at the door.

More information: 402-896-6662 | www.scoutingevent.com?CouncilAwardsReception

metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

Mutual of Omaha Dome The Girls, Inc. girlFRIENDS guild hosts this girl party every year at the end of January, featuring boutique shopping, cocktails, dinner and a comedienne. This year comedienne, writer and sassy pants Kelly MacFarland is coming to Omaha. For tickets go to: ww.girlsincomaha.org.

January 18

February 7

MidlAnds coMMunity FoundAtion 2014 reFlection BAll

Joslyn Art MuseuM AssociAtion AnnuAl gAlA Joslyn Art Museum Association

Embassy Suites | LaVista | 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm The Reflection Ball is a fund-raising event for the communities of Sarpy and Cass counties. At the event, Dr. Chuck and Donna Wilcox will receive the 2014 Reflection Award for their leadership in philanthropy and long-time volunteer service and support of Midlands Community Foundation. Proceeds from the event will benefit Angels among Us, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to financially assist families with a child battling cancer so parents can focus on their child's recovery. Honorary chairs are Dr. Guy and Toni Schropp. $125 per person.

More information: 402-991-8027 | http://www.midlandscommunity.org

January 25 dAncing with the oMAhA stArs Sunshine Kids CenturyLink Center | Omaha | 5:30 pm The 5th annual Dancing with the Omaha Stars sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices will be benefiting The Sunshine Kids Foundation which is a nonprofit organization that helps plan events for kids affected by cancer. Enjoy dinner, silent auction and watch local celebrities dance for the mirror ball trophy. Purchase your tickets at: http://dancingwiththeomahastars.com/purchase_tickets.

January 25 BourBon & BeeF Child Saving Institute

Joslyn Art Museum | Omaha | 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm In support of Joslyn Art Museum’s education programs, this year’s gala celebrates the exhibition Poseidon and the Sea: Myth, Cult, and Daily Life, organized by the Tampa Museum of Art. Gala guests will be the first to view Mediterranean antiquities including pottery; sculpture in terracotta, marble, and previous metal; and extraordinary examples of ancient glass, mosaics, carved gems, and coins. The evening includes cocktails in the Scott Pavilion gallery spaces and dining in the ConAgra Foods Atrium.

Honorary chairmen are Beverly and Harold Maurer, M.D. Event chairmen are Phyllis Choat and Karen Nelsen. $175 Individual ($350 Patron, $500 Benefactor) More information: 402-661-3821 | www.joslyn.org

February 8 FiestA 2014 Mercy High School | Omaha | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm This annual event includes a dinner, silent and live auction, and a $10,000 raffle. All proceeds support negotiated tuition which guarantees that no girl is denied a Mercy education regardless of her family’s finances. $100 More information: 402-553-9424 | www.mercyhigh.org

February 9

Brix at Village Pointe | Omaha | 7:00 to 10 pm The Child Saving Institute Guild invites you for an evening of lively libations with their premier "Spirits of the World" fundraiser, this year featuring "Bourbon & Beef." The event includes tastings of 10 premium oak-barrel-aged bourbons and samplings of a variety of exotic meats including elk, wild boar, moose, and Wagyu beef. All proceeds benefit CSI's programs for the prevention, intervention and treatment of abuse and neglect of children in our community.

For tickets or more information visit: www.childsaving.org.

tAylor MAde rescue rAlly Nebraska Humane Society 8929 Fort Street | Omaha | 10:00 am – 1:00 pm Dog and Cat rescue groups from around the Metro come to NHS to showcase their adoptable pets and give you information about their organizations. Learn more about specific breeds and look for new family members! Free More information: 402-905-3432 | www.nehumanesociety.org

FINDIT ALL!

FROM THE PUBLISHER OF

Distributing January 2014

ged the acknowled

HO HO’S W Businesses

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ties & of Area Chari

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

WWW.SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM Enter, update and search 2014 events 365/24/7 at www.spiritofomaha.com/Metro-Magazine/Community/Calendar/ 59

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February 15 cArnivAl oF love Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center 12520 Westport Pkwy | La Vista | 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm The Heartland Family Service “Carnival of Love” Gala is a fun filled evening featuring cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, carnival games, dinner and both silent and oral auctions. The proceeds benefit families and individuals in the Omaha metropolitan area. For more information contact Charissa Hauge 402-552-7424 or CHauge@HeartlandFamilyService.org. $125.00

February 15 rockin’ rosie - rosie rocks the roAring 20’s The Hilton Downtown | Omaha | 6:00 pm – 11:45 pm Theme: Rosie Rocks the Roaring ‘20s. Rockin’ Rosie is the Rose Guild’s annual fundraising event for The Rose Theater. Each year “Rosie” rocks a different theme, and attendees let out their inner performer by dressing up and cutting loose. The event offers dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions, fun, and fabulous fundraising. The event is known for its light-hearted spirit and is a fun way to get out and have a good time in support of family-oriented performing arts in Omaha. Honorary Chairs: The Blumkin Family. Tickets: $125 standard / $150 patron More information: www.rosetheater.org/rose-theater-guild/rockin-rosie/

February 15 cupid’s undie run The Children’s Tumor Foundation Midtown Crossing | Omaha | Noon Cupid’s Undie Run is a mile(ish) run in your bedroom-best on Valentine’s weekend. No, we’re not crazy, we’re just crazy serious about raising money for The Children’s Tumor Foundation. We raised over $1.3 Million in donations last year, so come join the fun and help us double it for 2014! Festivities start 2 hours before the run on Saturday, February 15th 2014, then we run/dance around the streets and come back for post-race festivities and awards.

Register today at www.cupidsundierun.com.

February 20 Murder Mystery dinner Joslyn Castle Trust Joslyn Castle | Omaha | 6:30 pm – 6:30 pm Although the plot of the play is never revealed in advance, we do know there is a Titanic connection this year. Mark your calendars for another amazing show, “For Killing Out Loud.”Tickets to the Murder Mystery make great Holiday Gifts for your colleagues, friends and families! $75 More information: 402-595-2199 | www.joslyncastle.com

February 21 FAndAngo Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska Location: TBA The primary fundraiser for the many childrens programs of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS).

These include programs for children in foster care, children who have been sexually abused, or those struggling with behavior issues. On any given day, LFS has open case files on over 2,000 children statewide. Many programs, especially those focused on early intervention and prevention, rely on community support to continue. This fun and casual event has a sports theme and includes both a live and silent auction. $100 More information: 402-978-5646 | www.lfsneb.org 60

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metroMagazine • The Spirit of Omaha

February 22 – 23

February 28-March 1

i love My dog eXpo Domesti-PUPS

restore oMAhA conFerence Restoration Exchange Omaha

Lancaster Event Center | Lincoln | 9:00 am – 4:00 pm Southeast Nebraska’s premier dog lover’s event is back for another year of dog-friendly, family-oriented fun. With entertainment, games, and training demonstrations, and, of course, plenty of shopping, the expo attracts thousands of dog lovers of all ages and interests. There will be a variety of vendors including manufacturers, veterinarians, boarding and grooming facilities, rescue groups, retailers and

Metropolitan Community College – South Campus Restore Omaha is a conference featuring expert presentations, hands-on workshops and helpful exhibits for people who live (or have an interest in) in older homes and buildings. Featured speaker for 2014 - Gordon Bock, editor of Old House Journal. $40 includes lunch and ending Restoration jam reception.

For more information visit: www.restoreomaha.org

more. All proceeds from thethis FUN-Raiser benefit Domesti-PUPS, an all-volunteer service organization that provides assistance dogs for persons with disabilities, pet therapy programs,

March 1

classroom dogs and educational programs. $6 pp / Children under 12 FREE More information:

heAt the streets run & wAlk For wArMth

402-465-4201 | www.ilovemydogexpo.com

Midtown Crossing This annual fundraising event supports the Omaha-area energy assistance programs administered by The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross. Sponsored by Omaha Public Power District, Metropolitan Utilities District, Black Hills Energy, Midtown Crossing and its restaurants’ Feed the Need program, this wintertime 5K run and 1-mile walk through Midtown raises funds and the awareness that many area low income, elderly, disabled individuals and families need help paying utility bills during emergencies. Times: 8:00am: Registration opens | 9:00am: Runners start 5K run | 9:30am: Walkers start 1 mile walk | 10:15am: Awards Presentation at Midtown Theatre. Ticket Prices: $35 for runners, $25 for walkers, children 12 and under free. Attire: Cold weather walking and running gear.

More information: Paula Presents! Paula Steenson • (402) 346-3950 • ppresents@aol.com www.heartlandwalkforwarmth.org

February 22 17th AnnuAl proMise gAlA JDRF Embassy Suites | LaVista | 6:00 pm Help create a world without type 1 diabetes. Support JDRF's Promise Gala on February 22nd. This year's event, "That's Amore! Love & Passion for a Cure," is chaired by Jill and Louis Rotella. The theme brings together their Italian heritage and incorporates a family feel. The evening includes fine dining, fine wines, an excellent silent, super-silent and live auction, and entertainment! $200 For tickets call 402-397-2873

March 1

February 23

irish Fest Catholic Charities

Art & soup Visiting Nurse Association Embassy Suites | LaVista | 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm Taste incredible soups and desserts created by local chefs. Buy original artwork from area artists who donate 50% of their proceeds back to VNA for Homeless Shelters. Bid on silent auction items. Enjoy live entertainment. $50 – $100 More information: 402-930-4170 | www.thevnacares.org

CenturyLink Center Omaha Every year Catholic Charities holds Irish Fest, our premier fundraiser. This year’s theme is “Blazin’ Shamrocks”. The evening includes silent and live auctions, cocktails and gourmet dinner followed by entertainment by and rocking to The Blazin’ Pianos. Seeing your friends and having fun is the best part of the event! Time: 5:30pm; for Ticket Prices: visit www.ccomaha.org More information: Emily Cunningham Kozlik • (402) 829-9260• Emilyk@ccomaha.org www.ccomaha.org

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outtakes

with Laurie and Charles Kay

SHOOTING THE COVER

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

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

PrEsOrtEd staNdard U.s. POstagE

Paid Omaha, NE PErmit NO. 2013