metroMAGAZINE’s mQUARTERLY FALL (AUG/SEP/OCT) 2017 Issue

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BOB HOIG CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

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SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

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in this ISSUE

connecting our community

features

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AIMING HIGHER. bob hoig

THE ART OF HEALING fred & pamela buffett cancer center • part two

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REIMAGINED. CRAVE restaurant

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PERFECT 10 omaha fashion week celebrates ten years

departments/columns

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VIPS: VERY INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE our series of continuing inspiring profiles

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connecting to our creativity

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connecting to our imagination

GAME CHANGERS • ARIEL ROBLIN presented by planitomaha

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OUT FRONT • UP CLOSE local executives share their giving culture

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SPOTLIGHT ON omaha home for boys

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connecting to our artistry

TOO MANY COOKS IN THE KITCHEN omaha restaurant association

OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

connecting to our stories

omaha giving

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metroSPIRIT with mary vandenack

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VW LAW planning matters

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SWARTZBAUGH, FARBER & ASSOC. todays savings

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STEPHANIE VONDRAK impact!

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WAKING WORDS FROM ROB KILLMER anger management

events

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SCENE highlights from recent charity & cultural events

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SAVE THE DATE

connecting to our aspirations

upcoming events in the coming quarter

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connecting to our collaborators

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CreditS auG/SeP/OCt 2017 • VOl. 29 nO. 3 Press releases and other editorial information may be sent to: P.O. BOx 241611, OmaHa, ne 68124 or e-mailed to: editor@SpiritofOmaha.com Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Creative Collaboration

andrea l. “andee” Hoig

leo adam Biga elissa Joy debra Kaplan Wendy moore Omaha Community Foundation Jim Scholz Kara Schweiss Swartzbaugh-Farber & associates VW law Stephanie Vondrak d.d.S. m ichael J. Weaver, J.d.

Editor/Creative Director

robert P. “rOB” Killmer Community Engagement

tracy Fisher dana Carlton-Flint Special Thanks

Counterparts Printco Graphics

metromaGazine /

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

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words FROM MY HEART

mquarterly • letter frOm tHe PubliSHer

A LOVING tribute

Welcome to our Fall Edition of metroQUARTERLY! This is perhaps one of the most significant issues that we have published. My family and I were taken on the ride of our lives this past spring when my father, Bob Hoig, founder and publisher of the Midlands Business Journal, suffered a heart attack in the early morning hours on March 24th.

The heart attack was followed by a series of events that included several strokes, pneumonia, a week in the ICU, loss of his ability to swallow due to the strokes plus other health-related issues. We finally had to accept the fact that there was no going back.

We had discussions with a palliative doctor at Methodist Hospital and were seriously and genuinely looking at hospice and end-of-life options. It was an incredibly difficult and heartbreaking time for me and my family.

Amidst all of the sadness I decided that I would do a tribute to dad in an upcoming issue. I started making lists of people who I believed would have fond memories of dad and perhaps a good story or two. It was hard to think about this but I wanted to honor my father’s legacy. I found myself wishing I had done so prior to his passing, but was resigned and dedicated to doing so afterward.

April 13th: a day I will never forget. I remember standing in dad’s hospital room and watching his heart rate on the monitor. It was bouncing back and forth from from 30 bpm to 120 bpm back down to 30 bpm and so on. This went on for hours, and I believed it was only a matter of time. My brother Ollie had come back from Tennessee for the third time, thinking this was the last – and as he walked in the room my dad opened his eyes and said, “Hi Ollie!”. My dad, surrounded by his family … started to “wake up.”

andrea l. HOiG ahoig@SpiritofOmaha.com

The next morning he appeared to be in good spirits, groggy, weak, but in a new state!

Over the course of the next few weeks dad continued to improve and it looked like he was not going to be leaving us after all. Hallelujah! As I write this letter the road to recovery is ongoing – not always easy, but I’m so thankful that we are on that road.

Life goes by so quickly. We get so “busy” doing things that seem important, as we pass our loved ones like ships in the night. I feel so blessed to have my dad here, to be able to share his life story (the abbreviated version) in this issue and with his involvement!

I have learned so much about him and his journey and also how, on many levels, I am walking a similar path to his owm. I’m not just refering to the publishing path but the path of adventure, of risk, of trying new things, of being determined no matter what anyone says. I see something in my dad that I have never seen before…I see myself!

And for that I am forever grateful!

ATE! THE D SAVE AGAZINE’S

M metro EVENT The BIG , 2018 18 ry r Janua n Cente a Desig m Omah p 8 – 5pm

For events presented between June 1, 2017 & May 31, 2017 Nominations accepted from August 1 – September 15!

• Go to www.SpiritofOmaha.com/BigEventNOMS

With love to Dad, ~ Andee!

BEST EVENT THEME • BEST EVENT FOOD & WINE BEST WALK / RUN • BEST EVENT UNDER 500 BEST EVENT OVER 500

Voting runs November 1 – December 15th!

Winners in each category will be honored at The BIG Event!

*

The TOP VOTE-GETTING organization will WIN the

COVER PHOTO: MARTHA HOIG

Nomination deadline is SEPTEMBER 15, 2017!

NOTE: Be sure to check out our Letter from the Editor on the last page of every metroMAGAZINE/mQUARTERLY, for timely insights and inspiration from ROB KILLMER 7

• Go to www.SpiritofOmaha.com/BigEventNOMS

mquarterly • auG/SeP/OCt 2017

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life ACHIEVEMENT

bob hoig a Visionary BoB is a historian and passionate aBout his country and his Business. BoB is a friend, a visionary, a risk-taker and a great Businessman. ~ JOHN BOTHOF PRESIDENT, NORTHWEST BANK

as owner and publisher of the MIDLANDS BUSINESS JOURNAL, the regional weekly Business newspaper he founded in 1975, roBert gregg “BoB” hoig has Become a well-known figure in the community who’s Been lauded repeatedly for his professional and ciVic accomplishments. in the last five years alone, hoig was inducted into the greater omaha chamber of commerce’s Business hall of fame, selected as the omahan of the year by the suburban rotary club of omaha, and doubly honored by the omaha press club as part of the first father-daughter “faces on the Barroom floor” (with andee hoig, publisher of metroQUARTERLY) and by being inducted into the organization’s hall of fame. as he approaches his 85th birthday in september, hoig can reflect on a remarkable life. But what’s most remarkable now for him is life. after a heart attack, several strokes and a bout with pneumonia earlier this year, his prognosis was grim. his heartbroken family was making hospice arrangements and preparing themselves for the painful task of planning memorial services in the midst of their grief.

But hoig surprised everyone. instead of mourning the end of his life, the family is delighted to be supporting him as he makes an incredible and unexpected recovery. “to me, he’s come back to life,” andee hoig said. “that he’s still here and doing great is amazing.” it’s not the first time hoig has amazed the people around him. it’s not even the first time he’s beaten the odds medically. when hoig was two years old and critically ill, his grandparents—who were raising him at the time—were told “flat-out that my chances were one in a thousand,” he said.

But “it was a bit of luck having the grandparents i had,” hoig said. “granddad worked for the missouri pacific railroad.” what sounds like a minor biographical fact was actually an extremely fortunate situation: hoig’s grandfather’s employment meant his grandson could be admitted to a particular hospital that just happened to have a physician on staff with the rare expertise needed to treat him. in short, hoig lost a kidney instead of his life. and he hasn’t slowed down since.

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STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE HOIG FAMILY

• mQUARTERLY

bob hoig is known throughout omaha as founder and publisher of the midlands business journal, but he’s also an award-winning journalist, an entrepreneur, a champion of small business, an athlete and a pilot.

bob hoig

A VISIONARY

CONTINUED

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life ACHIEVEMENT

bob hoig a Visionary ACTIVE AT ANY AGE in fact, his current state of recuperation is a testament to the benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle. hoig said he’s glad he quit smoking cold turkey and gave up alcohol—once hallmarks of a newsman—decades ago. he ignored standard retirement age nearly 20 years ago. he took his first flying lesson when he was 70 years old and bought a cessna 182 two years later. he took up skiing in his 60s and continued well into his 70s. hoig swam daily throughout the 1960s and 1970s as he approached middle age, and even taught himself to play the saxophone in his 40s. “saxophone playing and swimming had a lot in common for me from the standpoint of getting out of yourself and losing yourself in the moment,” he said. hoig also loved playing tennis, a sport he began at age 11 and continued into his early 80s. he played competitively for years, winning in several local championships as well the senior olympics in the 1980s. some of his local tennis opponents included esteemed physician dr. John sage, television personality dave webber and former u.s. senator dave karnes. his enthusiasm for tennis took him to the u.s. open on more than one occasion. and whenever hoig traveled, he took his tennis racket along in hopes of finding a friendly game of tennis in cities like munich and london—which he always found, hoig recalled, although he admitted that many of his opponents wearied of playing against a man “who traveled with his racket.”

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

EXTRAORDINARY NEWSPAPERMAN over the next two decades, hoig also wrote for the Miami News, wire service united press international, the Lincoln Journal and the Omaha World-Herald. he also served as managing editor of the Omaha Sun and the Douglas County Gazette. during much of his tenure as a writer, hoig served as a crime and corruption reporter. an early highlight was covering a sheldon, iowa, banking scandal for upi that was picked up by newspapers all over the country. in 1965, hoig authored a surrender plea carried by upi that induced 22-year-old bank robber/murderer duane earl pope, a kansan whose crime was committed in Big springs, nebraska, to turn himself in after a nationwide manhunt. in 1971, hoig was nominated for a pulitzer for an Omaha World-Herald series about loose security procedures for sexual psychopaths at what was then the nebraska state hospital; it led to changes in state law. he also interviewed a host of legendary figures from world war i-era pilot and later eastern airlines chairman capt. eddie rickenbacker and everest climber sir edmund hillary to former presidents lyndon Johnson, richard nixon and gerald ford.

hoig’s wanderlust began as a young twentysomething in the early 1950s when he and the gregarious hoig became acquainted with some interesting everyday people a friend hitchhiked across the country on route 66. in 1983 he headed over to europe and visited every country. the following year he returned with son noel to as well. attend the winter olympics in sarajevo, yugoslavia. he visited europe 21 more times with current wife martha in the late 1990s and into the 2000s. “some people, you meet and they seem really screwy. But you get to know them for a while and you listen to their ideas and they become more familiar. eventually—you “it never occurred to me to place some kind of age restriction on what i could do if i discard the ones who are really screwy, and some, they grow on you,” he said. was really interested,” he said. “in fact, it was more like a powerful current, where once i got in the current i was just rafted along.” hoig’s colleagues ranged from brilliant to barely competent. “you get around enough of these kind of people and you just think, ‘i don’t want to let them call PLENTY OF DERRING-DO the shots for my life.’” By the mid-’1970s, “i finally, frankly, just became tired of Being pulled into a current is an apt metaphor for the start of his journalism career, working for other people.” too. hoig was only 24 in 1957, hoping to make his way in new york city. on his way to a promising job interview with a major airline, something caught his eye.

ENTREPRENEURIAL ENDEAVOR as a reporter, hoig had to be independent and self-driven, qualities that suited a “i was walking in the 200 block of east 42nd street. there was this building, this latent entrepreneur. beautiful building with a big globe in the lobby i caught in my peripheral vision,” he recalled. it was the New York Daily News. hoig had a little college under his belt but no journalism background or even any previous aspirations to be a reporter. at the time, he actually fancied himself to be more of a poet, despite criticism received at age 18 that he recalls to this day: “your work strikes me as a strange mixture of banking and alchemy.”

“i always thought i would be sort of a warren Buffett figure, somebody who would amass different businesses and run them all brilliantly,” he said. “it happened that i didn’t have the proper credentials for that kind of thinking. i was much too anxious to not make mistakes, which is not a good habit for an entrepreneur. i soon got rid of that habit, but then just losing that habit doesn’t guarantee you’re going to find a good one.”

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

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

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aiming higher.

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

bob hoig

1932

Born in rural Kansas

1950

Graduates from Colorado Springs High School

1951

Attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

1952

Attends the University of Colorado

1957

Hired as a copy boy for the New York Daily News

1958

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

1959

Begins working for Miami Daily News as a general assignment reporter

1959

Marries Mary Lou Cooper

1961

Begins working for United Press International Omaha Bureau

1964

Son Oliver (Ollie) is born

1966

Daughter Andrea (Andee) is born

1968

Named managing editor of the Omaha Sun

1968

Son Noel is born

1969

Begins working for the Omaha World-Herald

1970

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

1972

Named editor of the Douglas County Gazette

1975

Launches Midlands Business Journal

1978

Launches Omaha Mirror (predecessor to Omaha Metro Monthly)

1980

Ceases publication of Omaha Mirror

1981

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

1990

Launches Omaha Metro Update

1991

Omaha Metro Update becomes Metro Monthly

1992

Marries Martha Pearson

1996

Sells Metro Monthly (now metroQUARTERLY) to daughter Andee Hoig

1996

Begins publishing Lincoln Business Journal

2002

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

2002

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

2004

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

2006

Named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Omaha Kiwanis Club

2012

Inducted into the Omaha Business Hall of Fame

by Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce

2012

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

2012

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

A VISIONARY

continued

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life ACHIEVEMENT

bob hoig a Visionary “‘no chance.’ ‘it’s foolish.’” he recalled. a colleague told him, “within a week you’ll be begging for your job back at the Herald.”

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

“my response was, ‘Just find a way to help me get some “it was hard work, but it was good work, and he set an lovgren isn’t alone in characterizing hoig as an advertising and i won’t be back begging for a job from example for a young person just starting out,” she said. important catalyst for business development. cella “he was supremely ethical in everything, and it taught Quinn, president of cella Quinn investment services, anybody; i’ll be on my own and successful.’” me the value of hard work. we had to do 10 stories a said, “Bob helped small businesses grow by telling us week, two a day—and those weren’t short stories. about each other. we didn’t have to leave our even the optimists were hesitant to commit. and we also had to work on saturday mornings… businesses to network, we could read the Midlands you learned a valuable work ethic when you worked Business Journal and find other compatible companies “people very quickly offer their support but you find for him, and he was right there next to you. it wasn’t with which to exchange ideas and do business.” that there can be quite a time lapse between when it’s as though he was out golfing or something. supposedly going to come and when it actually does,” Quinn also acknowledged that hoig has been a good hoig said. “anybody who’s ever started their own “he was very proud of his paper, you could tell he newsman above all. paper can sympathize with that.” had very high expectations for it. once he began to trust you he didn’t micromanage. But he did review “a good reporter holds a mirror up to society so we can the Midlands Business Journal slowly gained steam every story.” all objectively see ourselves and make changes we and a name for itself. deem merited. whether it was business news or the davis said hoig had a distinctive brand of criticism legal notices in the middle of MBJ, Bob managed to do “i did have the good wishes of a guy who billed himself and a “tell it like it is” approach to writing evident when that,” she said. “he did this in a special way because he as a ‘futurist.’ he saw a copy of one of the papers we’d he returned the first draft she submitted to him. believed in the adage attributed to an anonymous set around the lobby of different hotels and one of texas newspaper editor, ‘a news story should be like a “it was covered in red ink. i made the changes, and them was where he was staying,” hoig said. “and he miniskirt on a pretty woman: long enough to cover the after looking at what i had written and what the said, ‘i saw your paper, and to me, that’s the thing of subject but short enough to be interesting.’” suggestions had been, it was a way better article when the future.’ it caught the eye of somebody who stood he made the changes to it,” she said. “he sat me down out in his area, and that further spurred me on.” and said he didn’t want me to be disappointed; he was greater omaha president and ceo david Brown, whose organization has a mission to ensure a thriving very nurturing even then. and he said, ‘here’s the with increasing success, hoig learned to take risks. business community, praised hoig for his genuine thing, kim. a lot of people who read the magazine, they know what the word ameliorate means, but they enthusiasm and unflagging support. “it’s one of the hallmarks of my definition of an don’t want to have to think that hard.’ i’m like, ‘okay, i entrepreneur, if you’re willing to try things that hold get it. you’re spending a lot of time making it pretty “Bob has a real passion for small business, and i think promise and then abandon them quickly without a that was reflected in the path that the MBJ took. there and that’s not what anyone wants.’” lot of tears,” he said. are a lot of different markets it could have covered, but davis still works in the field of communications i think he has such a keen interest in seeing small his many successful ventures include adding the today as the vice president of development for the businesses being supported and recognized for the Lincoln Business Journal in 1996 and the annual “40 nebraska humane society. her time at the impact that they have on the community, that he Midlands Business Journal was in the era of manual under 40” awards started in 2002 to honor young decided that the Journal should be focused on that type typewriters, pre-internet and email, but she said businesspeople. hoig said innovation isn’t always of topic,” he said. “i think Bob’s passion shows up in many of the skills she learned there she still uses about coming up with something new. how the MBJ is written every week.” today. “i learned to act like a professional.” “it’s more a question of being willing to steal something,” that passion is even more evident in person, Brown CHAMPION OF SMALL BUSINESS he said. “you know, i was far from the first ‘40 under added, like at the annual “40 under 40” awards. linda lovgren, president and ceo of lovgren 40’ program in the country.” marketing group, has also known hoig since the “he seems to always be in his element at those events early days of the Midlands Business Journal and said THE EARLY DAYS OF MBJ because he is surrounded by small-business people. she sees his legacy as even larger than being a kim davis worked for hoig as a new college graduate and he loves being around folks that have the same publisher: local champion of small businesses. when the Midlands Business Journal was still a passion for small business that he does,” he said. “so relatively young venture. whenever i think of Bob, i think of this those “Bob, through his publication—and personally as well moments i saw him at those awards breakfasts, because he’s such an advocate—has given small smiling from ear to ear because he’s surrounded by “i look back fondly on those years,” she said. businesses visibility they might not otherwise have had, and a way to build their brand,” she said. people he respected a lot.”

“Bob is remarkable.”

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aiming higher.

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY hal daub, another notable omahan who’s “had the pleasure of knowing Bob and his wife and family before they started their journalistic enterprise,” remarked on hoig’s extraordinary commitment to the business community. “i’ve known him because i’ve been active in local affairs, not just political affairs but community affairs as well as business here. i got to know him and i can tell you that—through my experiences with him before i went to congress, while i was privileged to be in the house of representatives, and while i was privileged to be mayor and now as a member of the Board of regents, and as a practicing lawyer for 50-plus years here in omaha—Bob hoig has been the steadfast champion of omaha and her small business interests,” he said. “the family have been great citizens of the community. they’ve been charitable and philanthropic and they spend lots of time encouraging people to get together and do good for our community. they’re not only great citizens of omaha and our state, but they’re very patriotic and really believe in america and free enterprise, and i think that’s what Bob teaches, mostly, that free enterprise is the cure for all the ills of life.” daub also said hoig has made the Midlands Business Journal a blend of edifying and interesting. “if you stop to think about it, every small business is affected or afflicted by city, county, state and federal government and the bureaucracy of regulations and licensing. so when you can pick up the Midlands Business Journal, you get stories of small business, you get all new corporate filings going on in douglas county, and you get some flavor of the philosophical/political things that are going on,” he said. “you’ve got a perfect half an hour to an hour of wonderful learning experience every time the Midlands Business Journal hits your in box.”

BUSINESSMAN, VISIONARY, FRIEND like daub, John Bothof (president of northwest Bank) said he considers hoig a friend as much as someone to be admired.

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

the success of a Business is the sum of all the people who haVe influenced the life of a Business, and he certainly has Been one of those individuals. ~ LINDA LOVGREN PRESIDENT AND CEO, LOVGREN MARKETING GROUP

bob hoig

A VISIONARY

CONTINUED

life ACHIEVEMENT

bob hoig A VISIONARY

“

“

THE JOYS OF FAMILY, AND THE understanding OF HOW FAMILY CAN rally AROUND YOU AND IT REALLY means SOMETHING, NOT JUST A cliché.

THAT’S PROBABLY THE MOST significant TRUTH OF MY LIFE RIGHT NOW. ~ BOB HOIG

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

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

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

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

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

The event recognizes 40 people under 40 years of age on their business or “The joys of family, and the understanding of how family can rally around you and it professional success. We thought it was an excellent opportunity for a new start-up bank to invest in recognizing the future leaders of our community. The “40 Under 40” really means something, not just a cliché. That’s probably the most significant truth of my life right now,” he said. event moved our brand to new heights.”

He also noted Hoig’s boldness. “If the stories of businesses in the MBJ doesn’t take all of your idle time, you have to read Bob’s editorials and get a common-sense approach to issues facing business, our country and the political environment, to name a few.”

Hoig has made friends everywhere he goes. Restauranteur Leo Fascianella of Pasta Amore said Hoig has been a patron since 1986.

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

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

Taking stock of his family, Hoig said he’s glad to have a friendly relationship with exwife Mary Lou, the mother of his children. He’s happy in his current marriage to Martha. And he’s especially proud of who his three adult children (Oliver, Andee and Noel) have become. Bob also has 2 step children: Amy Chittenden and Jim Pearson.

“That’s one of the real satisfactions of life, once you’ve seen the path that you chose is the one that is right, and they’re all in their own separate careers—with some small help from you in choosing the right thing at the right time for them,” he said.

And looking back at his 85 years, Hoig said he doesn’t want people to know him as just a publisher.

“Good father in an odd way. Pilot in a good way. Skiier in an unusual way,” he said.

A remarkable life. Still aiming higher.

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• PART TWO OF TWO

OUR PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO enhance THE PATIENT EXPERIENCE. PATIENTS, VISITORS AND STAFF ALL benefit FROM THIS ENVIRONMENT. ~ KENNETH COWAN, M.D., PH.D. DIRECTOR OF THE FRED & PAMELA BUFFETT CANCER CENTER

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STORY BY KALANI SIMPSON | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF NEBRASKA MEDICINE/UNMC

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in medicine, the never-ending debate continues: is healing an art or a science? in either case, there is one thing the people of the university of nebraska medical center and nebraska medicine know for sure: science tells us that art assists in healing. and so they have introduced the healing arts program at the recently opened fred & pamela buffett cancer center.

part two: nebraska medicine/unmc

THE ART OF HEALING

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fred & pamela buffett CANCER CENTER ART IS A HEALING priority.

AT THE FRED & PAMELA BUFFETT CANCER CENTER, The healing garden, which has heated walkways for WHERE PROVIDERS ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE the cold Nebraska winters, serves as a place where TO HELP PATIENTS BEAT CANCER, IN ADDITION TO patients and their families can visit to escape the WORLD-CLASS CARE AND INNOVATIVE RESEARCH TO realities of cancer and spend time outside enjoying the FIND NEW CURES, THE HEALING ARTS ARE A flowers and pine trees – just as Leslie loved to do.

DIFFERENTIATOR LIKE NO OTHER. “I think of all the moms that this space will benefit and what a blessing it will be,” Mona Faith said.

One former patient, cancer survivor Marcia O’Donovan, said, it was art that “rested her soul” when she was A piece by globally renowned Omaha artist Jun undergoing cancer treatment.

Kaneko is another highlight. Kaneko’s “Search” tower, With this program, there’s a holistic approach to health 82 feet tall, with brilliant, colorful glass that is lit care that is making a difference as patients are healing against the night sky, rises from a roundabout near not just physically, but emotionally as well. In addition the facility’s front door. Kaneko hopes “Search” will to breakthrough “precision medicine” that targets the inspire hope and awe. disease itself, cancer providers are treating the whole person. It only makes sense; a patient healthier in “That feeling of, ‘Wow,’ is, I think, really important for mind, body and spirit is better able to receive and all of us, once in a while, to feel,” he said. respond to treatments, better withstand the cancer and better bounce back.

A safe space

“Healing requires more than just treating the patient medically,” said Kenneth Cowan, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center.

“Our program is designed to enhance the patient experience. Studies have shown that creating an atmosphere of hope and resilience through artwork goes beyond curing a disease and leads to improved patient outcomes. Patients, visitors and staff all benefit from this environment.”

These types of healing touches lessen the need for pain medication and give patients a greater sense of purpose – the kind of sense of purpose some cancer survivors credit as the key to their cure.

As humans, we are wired to believe art can do this.

But even better than this belief, evidence-based medicine has proven it to be true, Dr. Cowan said.

“We have long understood the myriad of ways that cancer changes a person’s life,” said UNMC Chancellor One of the program’s cornerstone works is the Chihuly Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D. “But the arts have proven to be a Sanctuary. Created by internationally acclaimed artist powerful ally in the fight against illness and the toll it Dale Chihuly, its vibrant colors and use of space and light serve as an inspiration for those who need it most. takes on patients, family and friends, as well as those who care for patients with cancer and other serious illnesses. Art can truly heal.”

Omaha philanthropists Walter Scott and his late wife, Suzanne, made the lead gift to make the sanctuary possible. Additional gifts were made by the Gail E. Studies have shown that connecting to the arts can Davis family and Mary Jean and Hugh Williams. reduce pain perception, anxiety, stress, loneliness and depression. Art can positively impact “I really wanted to create a space for people to meditate fatigue levels, offer patients and caregivers a safe and find a moment of peace,” Chihuly said. space, and create a less intimidating atmosphere.

Another healing arts centerpiece is an outdoor, allseason garden – Leslie’s Healing Garden – created And, as Dr. Gold noted, it can similarly affect their with support from Marshall and Mona Faith, longtime supporters of the Omaha community. It is named after champions and caregivers, who, day after day, year one of their daughters, Leslie, who lost her battle with after year, throw themselves into the battle against cancer. Those who work there need art’s healing pediatric cancer at age two and a half approximately touch, too.

60 years ago.

Sanctuary and healing

LESLIE JACKSON CHIHULY AND DALE CHIHULY

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the Soothing the spirit The healing arts welcomes all who walk through the doors of the facility to experience healing in a way that rejuvenates, motivates and facilitates perspective, Dr. Cowan said.

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THE ARTS HAVE PROVEN TO BE A powerful ALLY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST illness AND THE TOLL IT TAKES ON PATIENTS, FAMILY AND friends. ~ JEFFREY P. GOLD, M.D. UNMC CHANCELLOR

“Any cancer center can be a hospital. The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center is a place to heal.”

“A cancer diagnosis is one of the most profound experiences a patient can have,” said Daniel J. DeBehnke, M.D., M.B.A., CEO of Nebraska Medicine.

“Numerous studies show the arts can have an important impact on the healing process. That’s why the healing arts program exists – to provide patients, their families and our staff a compassionate, supportive and inspirational environment.”

In fact, art is everywhere in the facility, including major commissioned pieces by renowned artists Rob Ley, Suzy Taekyung Kim, Matthew Placzek, Mary Zicafoose and Jennifer Steinkamp.

Performing arts – poets or writers-in-residence, musical performances and film fairs – may eventually be included, too, Dr. Cowan said.

The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center’s innovative scientific discoveries and its breakthrough, nextgeneration precision medicine will help patients beat cancer, he explained. But so, too, will the human spirit.

And nothing, Dr. Cowan said, captures, soothes, inspires and strengthens the human spirit the way art does. “In our hearts, we know this. Even better, science tells us that it’s true.”

The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center’s healing arts collection fills open spaces with compassionate and uplifting works of art to bring the calm, inquisitive nature of an art museum into waiting areas, examination rooms and public spaces. This art-filled model encourages onlookers to pause and simply exhale when they need it the most.

KEN COWAN, M.D., PH.D.; DANIEL DEBEHNKE, M.D., M.B.A.; LESLIE JACKSON CHIHULY; DALE CHIHULY; JEFFREY P. GOLD, M.D.; WALTER SCOTT; AMY JENSON; AND MIKE YANNEY

part two: nebraska medicine/unmc

THE ART OF HEALING

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STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOSHUA FOO

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classy and casual • CRAVE REIMAGINED When mother-and-daughter owners and brand ambassadors Jeannine J. Lane and Jacqelle Lane took over CRAVE Omaha restaurant in Midtown Crossing two years ago, they were not experienced restauranteurs. But the two women knew something about feeding the world.

“Our background is in agriculture,” Jacqelle said. “We have corn and soybeans and cattle.

We raise Angus cattle, grass-fed beef. We know how it begins.”

The Lane family (which includes Omaha native Jim, Jeannine’s husband and Jacqelle’s father) has owned 15 farms with operations in both Nebraska and Iowa along with a west central Nebraska cow-calf operation for more than 20 years. Soon premium beef from the Lanes’ own herds—“It’s the best beef around.”—will be on the menu as a specialty item, Jeannine said. But their farm-to-table approach is just one of the many personal touches they’ve brought to CRAVE, from upgrades like fire-pit seating and outdoor large-screen TVs for the patio to implementing a hands-on, communityoriented focus to the operations.

With its hand-blown stained glass, beautiful chandeliers and tasteful artwork, the atmosphere is as elegant as past patrons will remember.

“We want you to celebrate and we want to share those special moments with you,” Jacqelle added. The restaurant definitely has a romantic vibe, making it a notable spot for important personal events from first dates to wedding proposals and receptions.

The Lanes said they also want people to know that although CRAVE is still a destination for special events, the restaurant is welcoming to everyone.

“What people want from a restaurant is ‘friendly,’” Jeannine said. “When people get together with their family or with their friends, we want them to say, ‘That was a great experience; we had a great time.’”

CRAVE draws a diverse crowd that includes casual patrons in shorts and yoga pants and families with children as well as special-occasion diners. The patio is even “puppyfriendly.” CRAVE’s tagline “American Kitchen & Sushi Bar” highlights its top-notch, plentiful sushi offerings, but “we appeal to a variety of palates,” Jacqelle said. “We have a myriad of options on our menus.”

“If one of you wants the ribeye or a hamburger, they can have that and the other one can have sushi,” Jeannine explained.

The scratch kitchen uses the finest ingredients from certified Angus beef steaks to fresh seafood flown in from around the world to seasonal vegetables from area farms.

Even the cocktails are expertly made with handmade purees and premium liquors, the wine list is highly regarded, and craft beers include carefully sourced local and national selections.

“We take a lot of pride in the execution,” Jacqelle said.

Specials include weekday happy hour from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and “reverse” happy hour daily from 9 p.m. to close; half-price sushi Sundays and Mondays from 4 p.m. to close; half-price wine bottles on Wednesdays; and all-day happy hour, bottomless mimosas and a kids-eat-free special on Sundays. CRAVE even offers a loyalty program with online enrollment.

CRAVE opens at 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday, closing at 10 p.m. except for Fridays and Saturdays, when it stays open until 11 p.m. Sunday brunch runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the restaurant is open until 9 p.m. Reservations aren’t required, but “We’re Open Table-supported, so guests can book right online,” Jacqelle said.

The restaurant also offers carryout, delivery (free to Midtown Crossing residents) and full catering options. A large private dining room for business meetings or special events can seat up to 66 people, and the patio can accommodate 100. Guests can even rent out the entire restaurant for large events. The various spaces are versatile, Jeannine said, and suitable for any function from a business meeting to a formal wedding reception. And the restaurant hosts occasional events of its own, like sushi and mixology classes.

Like family Over the last two years, the Lanes have cultivated an outstanding staff, Jeannine said, emphasizing that “we are only as great as the team and the staff, and recruitment and retention is vital.” She praised the leadership of Executive Chef William Thompson and General Manager Tyler McCleary, saying, “We are so proud of the execution, from the hostess to the wait assistant to the servers to the chefs—to everyone—and we are so proud of the team that is with us. The cohesiveness and collaboration of this group, they really are like a family to us; their loyalty is phenomenal.” In turn, “we make sure our staff is very happy. You can’t train someone to smile and be friendly; it has to come from inside. They have to be happy… our staff feel secure, and they feel our presence. They know we are vested enough to care about them as people.”

The restaurant is also fully supportive of the community in general and Midtown Crossing in particular; in fact, the Lanes are residents of the area.

Fresh, vibrant and American Menus are available online for local diners to peruse before their next visit, and the Lanes have included special options like gluten-free, vegetarian and even ‘mocktail’ menus. A few of the restaurant’s signature items include the Bamboo Bite (sushi) Roll, the S’more Brownie, and poke bowls that Jacqelle explained are “a growing trend. It’s very simple but it’s a Hawaiian dish that’s been around for centuries. It’s healthy, delicious and totally unique.” A sampling of other signature items from the abundant menu include Firecracker Shrimp, CRAVE Wings, Lemon Garlic Chicken, Caprese flatbread, Bourbon New York Strip, Pomegranate Molasses Salmon, Mexican sushi and Godzilla sushi.

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“Jacqelle and I are very vested in community and we do believe in Midtown Crossing,” Jeannine said. “We definitely appreciate their efforts to market and bring things in.

We feel very strongly about the local ownership, the commitment we’ve made and the opportunity at Midtown Crossing.”

“We feel very blessed. We are the longest-standing restaurant here; we’re here to stay and we’ve proved that,” Jacqelle added. “We’re adding to and improving the already thriving, vibrant atmosphere of Midtown Crossing.” mQUARTERLY • AUG/SEP/OCT 2017

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JACQELLE LANE AND JEANNINE J. LANE

crave omaha’s beautiful, sophisticated setting is wonderful for special moments and important events, but owners jeannine j. lane and jacqelle lane want the community to know that crave is warm and friendly, too, and just as perfect for casual get-togethers with friends, coworkers or family.

CRAVE CLASSY AND CASUAL

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WHEN PEOPLE GET TOGETHER WITH THEIR family OR WITH THEIR friends, WE WANT THEM TO SAY, ‘THAT WAS A great EXPERIENCE; WE HAD A GREAT TIME.’ ~ JEANNINE J. LANE, OWNER CRAVE OMAHA CRAVE’s informal anchor status is a reflection of the Lanes’ staying power, loyalty and persistence, Jeannine said.

And that goes both ways.

“When we came in, we knew we were taking over a distressed restaurant and we knew we would have to do significant work,” Jacqelle explained. “We’re happy with the results we’ve seen. And we are eager and continuing participants in every event that goes on in the park.

We’re grateful to Molly Skold (vice president of marketing and communications for Midtown Crossing) for bringing in traffic. It’s really benefiting us and other businesses.

It’s great to see all of the cool things happening here… and many of our employees live in the area and are vested in the community, too. We’ve been residents of the Midtown area almost six years and we’ve enjoyed seeing the changes and progress.”

Love of community The Lanes said they also enjoy a great relationship with Minnesota-based CRAVE founder Kam Talebi. (CRAVE is part of the Kaskaid Hospitality Family.) However, as owners the Lanes run the business in an autonomous and independent manner. It was imperative to them personally to make supporting the community a priority right from the start.

“It’s important to give back,” Jeannine said. She has been involved with numerous organizations over the years in and around her hometown of Ogallala and had a special affinity for youth-serving organizations. She wanted to support the Omaha area in a similar way.

“We’re very much local. Some of the organizations we’ve supported include Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Food Bank for the Heartland, and the Buford Foundation,” she said. In addition to the monetary contributions they make to these organizations, the Lanes often give the gift of taste in addition to their time, talent and treasure, like catering fundraising events or providing boxed lunches to youth. “[Giving back] is very important to Jacqelle and me.”

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CRAVE REIMAGINED • CLASSY AND casual

Everyone leaves happy The Lanes credit their success to several simple principles.

“Whatever you do, do it so well that people not only want to come back, they want to bring their friends,” Jeannine said. “That’s my mantra…And we want regulars to say, ‘I always have that dish, it always tastes great and the service is always wonderful.’”

“For our regulars, it’s a place where the servers and staff and bartenders always remember your name. A friendly and welcoming staff is what we’re known for,” Jacqelle said. “It’s a vibrant atmosphere but it’s also a relaxing and enjoyable place in the summer to have a cocktail or enjoy a happy hour during the workweek.”

“We offer great service. We want everyone to leave happy,” Jeannine said.

Second, “We know great food,” Jeannine said. Jacqelle added that they’re not only restaurant enthusiasts, but understand the supply side due to their experience in agriculture. “Because we appreciate great food, it’s really come full cycle for us to get to participate in this industry,” she said.

And perhaps most important of all, the two women make a great team.

“We know each other’s strengths,” Jeannine said. “And we know what people want. Jacqelle and I are extraordinarily social and we build strong relationships; this is a people business. We complement each other. We cross the generation barrier and we collaboratively feed off each other’s strengths, but we can still sing off of the same songsheet all the time.”

It’s certainly clear that Jeannine and Jacqelle Lane are completely in tune.

“Never could I have chosen a more competent, capable partner than Jacqelle,” Jeannine said.

“I was just going to say that about you!” Jacqelle said.

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• VERY inspirational PEOPLE

SILVER ANNIV. MEMBER

STEPHANIE VONDRAK says she became a dentist to help people get healthier in general. She has always been holistic–about more than teeth and gums.

“It’s a focus that transcends traditional dentistry,” she said. “Oral health is important to overall health…that will translate into a healthy body and healthy life. In my practice, I give every patient the opportunity to be as healthy as they wish to be.”

Her practice, Vondrak Dental in Elkhorn, goes beyond what most people expect from their dentist, like cleanings and simple fillings. Dentistry can also mean addressing problems like sleep apnea or head, neck and jaw pain; saliva testing to address specific bacteria causing gum disease; and retainers for youth that guide jaw growth and eliminate the need for extensive orthodontics as teenagers.

“A lot more [is possible through dentistry than most people realize]... my goal is to help people understand what true ‘health’ really means,” Vondrak said. “The absence of pain [and other distress] does not equal health.”

Getting to the root of it The difference between industry standard and Vondrak’s dental practice is evident from the first visit.

“We have a very specific new-patient process both for our health-centered general dental patients and our TMJ (temporomandibular joint pain) pain patients.

By spending over an hour with each individual, I begin understanding their goals and/or their pain situation,” Vondrak explained. ”I think the main difference is taking the time and helping people understand what is possible.”

super driven. If I’m going to work and be away from my family, I want what I do to be impactful. I want to make a difference in people’s lives. I believe I can do that through the practice of dentistry.’” Her husband Nick, also a small-business owner since starting GV Custom Kitchens five years ago, “is very supportive; he understands the demands of having your own business,” she said.

“People are always asking me, ‘Why would you want to be a dentist?’” she said. ”It’s rewarding to me. I was a biology major and I loved science, but I’m also a creative person. It’s a good balance between both of those things. It’s a science and an art, for instance, restoring teeth to look exactly like natural teeth and make it look like nothing ever happened.”

Vondrak also found the inherent challenge of dentistry appealing. “I’m one of these people who likes to know as much as I can. I love to learn and I always want to identify the source of a problem.”

“I always knew I wanted to do more; I knew when I graduated that I didn’t want to do basic work.”

STEPHANIE VONDRAK, DDS F

Brushing up Soon after graduating from the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 2002, Vondrak began deepening her professional knowledge.

“I started my continuing education right away. Since dental school, I have completed around 700 hours,” she said. ”I always knew I wanted to do more; I knew when I graduated that I didn’t want to do basic work.

But there was no clear-cut residency program or school.

My pursuit to learn more has lead me all over the country and I have been fortunate to learn from the best.”

She also emphasizes that diagnosis needs to precede treatment, unusual in a sector where “fix it quick” is a common strategy. “When the A mini-residency in craniofacial pain was especially influential. emphasis is on volume, meaning how many patients can we see and how quick, diagnosis is lost and patients suffer,” she said.

“It was really instrumental in how my practice is now, and it helped me take treating jaw and joint pain to a whole other level,” she said. “Now that’s at least 50 percent A comprehensive written plan follows a thorough examination but it all stems from that first in-depth conversation. Patients are then treated as partners in their care of what I do every day, treating and preventing TMJ pain.” and determine the pace at which treatment proceeds.

Another area of emphasis is treating sleep apnea. “I make sleep appliances for adults that position the lower jaw forward, allowing them to breathe when sleeping. This is a great service that eliminates the need for a CPAP machine.

However, even more exciting is the ability to prevent these problems in kids. I make “As dentists, we have a unique opportunity to really impact people as long as we custom retainers that guide growth patterns of the jaws and face in children. By take the time and are educated enough to do so... It’s really inspiring to see patients helping kids grow in the right direction, they breathe normally, preventing so many progress. Whether it is improved oral hygiene or conquering TMJ pain, it is so much problems like sleep apnea. This type of work is not traditional but is amazing,” she fun to watch kids and adults come back so excited about what they’ve accomplished.” said. ”The results are worth it.”

“Even patients who’ve had complicated dental histories or a dental phobia learn that our only focus is helping them improve their quality of life,” Vondrak said.

Once you’re healthy and you know how to maintain health, you really don’t have to do a lot,” she said. “People don’t have to come in every six months to find out they have a problem. People do not have to wake up every morning in pain. Who would want to go to the dentist if it always cost them time and money, or it was always a painful experience?”

Something to smile about Vondrak said her passion for dentistry helps her find balance between her career and raising a family: Harry, 10; Elizabeth, 9; and David, 3. “I’m kind of stubborn and 26

Through her journey, she has joined a nationwide network of like-minded professionals and has lectured throughout the country to share her expertise with students and other medical personnel.

“I consistently lecture on the importance of excellent communication skills and understanding who the patient is before you treat.” she said. ”Professionally, I love to challenge the idea of what is expected and what is possible. When you challenge others to think beyond what they thought they could do, that’s inspiring.” mQUARTERLY • AUG/SEP/OCT 2017

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• VERY inspirational PEOPLE

SILVER ANNIV. MEMBER

WHEN KRIS COVI graduated from Drake University in Des Moines 22 years ago, he faced an uncommon dilemma.

Covi’s nonprofit board and committee service has also included Child Saving Institute, March of Dimes, Leadership Omaha, Omaha Performing Arts Presenters, and his church. He recently joined the Drake University National Alumni Board, and “I had to make a decision: Do I go on the road to be a comic or do I go to law school?” was also a Nebraska State Racing Commissioner for seven years. His favorite he said. He’d had some recent success doing standup at a local comedy club. “I’d charitable role, however, is as president of the Omaha chapter of Mustaches for already been accepted to law school and it was June after graduation. I was eating Kids International, a fundraising organization in which participants grow mustaches lunch at a Chinese restaurant with my girlfriend—now wife—Jessica, and the for a different local children's charity each May. fortune I got said, ‘You would make a good lawyer.’

“In 2009, our first year, our goal was $2,000 because we wanted to beat the Iowa chapter. We ended up with 30 guys and raised $20,000 and then it just absolutely “Which years later I would accuse her of planting.” got away from us,” he said. “Now, we’re the biggest chapter in the country.”

He laughs about the eerie timing now, but the fortune said what Covi already knew.

He attended law school at the University of Nebraska College of Law, graduating The 2017 campaign raised a record $443,286, bringing the grand total raised to more than $1.7 million. Because Covi is a board member, he and The with distinction, and went on to launch his adult life. “I passed the bar exam, Commodore (“We all name our staches.”) are ineligible for any of landed a job and got married, all in the summer of 1998,” he said. the coveted Stache Bash awards that range from Nastiest Stache to Sweestest Stache, but he nevertheless participates fully.

Setup Today, he’s a successful attorney at McGrath North “I’ve noticed that really “My mustache will come in in about 42 hours. It’s a glorious ‘chevron’ style,” he said. During the M4K Mullin & Kratz. “In hindsight, I made the right choice. good lawyers are all very “growing seasons”, Covi and The Commodore have It was the smart thing to do,” he said. But unfinished argued with facial hair in front of the Nebraska creative…they have these business still beckoned. “About five years ago—call Supreme Court and also have appeared before the it a midlife crisis—I got up and started telling some artistic outlets.

Mine just state legislature. jokes. It was a fun hobby for a while, and then I happens to be making started winning some contests and started having His wife does not love him and The Commodore some success. Next thing I know, I’m traveling around people laugh.” equally.

“Her version of ‘love the sinner, hate the sin’ is and trying to balance the two,” he said. ‘love the cause, hate the mustache.’” But Covi credits KRIS COVI Jessica with making his law career, comedy endeavors and Law and comedy aren’t a complete juxtaposition, he F nonprofit/community activities attainable as she manages explained. “They both stem from the same place, which is the household, works for the Junior League of Omaha, and creativity…At the end of the day, attorneys are problem-solvers. participates in a host of charitable activities of her own like the To do that requires a lot of creativity. (Attorneys) have these artistic AKSARBEN Foundation Women’s Ball Committee. outlets. Mine just happens to be making people laugh.”

Covi’s legal career “has to come first, for obvious reasons,” so he performs at evening “I’m really lucky…It’s given us a lot of freedom to do a lot of things,” he said. When feasible, the couple involve the whole family, which includes 14- and 11-year-old gigs and tours on weekends. daughters Caroline and Elsa and 5-year-old son Finn, and turn comedy tours into “mini-vacations,” Covi said.

“The comedy thing started slowly and I had kind of reached a plateau…Then within a few months I won the Great American Comedy Festival in Norfolk (Nebraska), which is Johnny Carson’s hometown, and a contest at the Omaha Funny Bone, which opened the door for that club,” he said. “Those two things happened almost Punchline at the same time and it kind of reenergized me.”

His family is a rich source of funny material, but Covi’s act always includes commentary on the first thing people notice about him: his towering height.

Comedic Timing “I’m six-foot-eight. I used to bill myself as ‘the tallest comic in Nebraska’ but I Covi won the 2014 Great American Comedy Festival as an amateur and was a finalist recently found out there’s another comic who’s even taller than I am,” he said. “Now in the World Series of Comedy in Las Vegas. He continues to hone his standup at I’m just ‘the second-tallest comic in Nebraska.’” comedy clubs around the country as well as corporate parties and private events.

As an emcee and charity auctioneer, Covi has helped raise over $1,000,000 for area As he continues to help his clients and the community through his law career and charities. charity work, Covi said, his comedy helps people in a different way.

His charity performances extend his existing involvement with nonprofit and “I want to see joy in others,” he said. “When I’m on stage and people are laughing community organizations, including one particularly close to his heart, serving as who’ve spent their whole week working and this is their night out, I’m inspired by a board member for HETRA (Heartland Equine Therapeutic Riding Academy), where the fact that they are for some brief period laughing and experiencing joy.” his oldest daughter has been riding for 12 years.

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“SO THERE’S THIS lawyer, see? WHO…”

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game CHANGERS

• PRESENTED BY

as the president and general manager of ketv, ariel roblin is always mindful of the company’s mission to serve the community and uphold the first amendment. she also believes in the power of storytelling and its role in connecting the community through local television news.

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YOU CAN’T change SOMEONE’S LIFE EXPERIENCE BUT YOU CAN TRY TO understand IT, [AND FIND COMMON GROUND] .… connecting THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER THROUGH storytelling IS SO VERY IMPORTANT. ~ ARIEL ROBLIN

ARIEL ROBLIN PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

PRESENTS

game changers

ARIEL ROBLIN

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game CHANGERS

• PRESENTED BY

connected “PLEASE, NOT omaha...”

ARIEL ROBLIN’S CAREER WORKING FOR TELEVISION STATIONS IN VARIOUS LEADERSHIP POSITIONS LED HER TO FLORIDA, OHIO, CALIFORNIA AND HAWAII, BUT THE PLACE SHE NEVER DREAMED OF LIVING AND WORKING IN “HAS BEEN THE BEST MOVE YET,” SHE SAID. Roblin’s husband Ablan had always been supportive of moving to where the opportunities were, she explained.

But after a bad experience in one particular city while relocating the family dog and a vehicle cross-country, “There was only one place on the planet he said he wouldn’t move to,” Roblin said. “He says, ‘Ariel, I love you and I love going to all these places and everywhere this career has taken us, but just don’t ever, ever ask me to live in Omaha, Nebraska.’ At that time I was sitting in Honolulu with my 4-year-old, looking at the Pacific Ocean, and thought, ‘Okay, no problem.’”

Roblin, from Cleveland, Ohio, said she quickly felt at home in Omaha and particularly appreciated its welcoming atmosphere. She serves on several community and nonprofit boards for organizations like the Greater Omaha Chamber, Better Business Bureau, Crime Stoppers, Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition, and Bluebarn Theatre. She’s also chair-elect for the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and a trustee for the Business Ethics Alliance.

“I really fell into TV, because the production house I thought I was working at became a television station, WAMI, and they launched their independent network in Miami,” she said. When she expressed an interest in programming, “they handed me a bunch of books and said, ‘You know what? You’re now our program director.

You figure it out. It was a great place to learn the business literally from the ground up.’”

Eventually, Roblin became executive producer for a live non-news program and when the station was sold she followed her manager to a station in Dayton, Ohio, where she worked in special projects. When that position was eliminated, the manager offered her a sales job.

“In Omaha there are more things that connect us than divide us, and the things that do divide us inspire the community to break down those barriers,” she said. “And you don’t have to be from Omaha; you just have to want to make it better. If you do that, this community will open “I told him I didn’t want to be one of those ‘sleazy up their arms to you and want you and your ideas.” salespeople,’” Roblin said. “And he said, ‘That’s why I want you to be in sales.’”

In 2010 Roblin was approached about a promising Roblin said communities need local television news opportunity as the general sales manager for a because it’s a medium for storytelling.

It turned out to be a good fit. Having grown up in a family Hearst Television station in the Midwest. restaurant business, Roblin enjoyed working with the “We tackle really hard issues because we see the value of local businesses that made up the majority of her The problem? It was KETV. In Omaha. listening to each other and understanding there are clientele. almost always valid points on both sides of an issue,” The opportunity was so good that Roblin’s husband “I knew what it was to have a good Saturday and how a reluctantly agreed to reconsider, and a scouting trip led to she said. “Sometimes that’s understanding where bad Saturday would affect (the whole family). I was able people come from and understanding what makes up a change of heart. their beliefs. You can’t change someone’s life experience to work with businesses and help them have a good Saturday every Saturday,” she said. “I was always thinking but you can try to understand it, share yours, and find “Immediately we fell in love with Omaha,” she said. of their families and what it would mean if I could help the ground you can begin to walk on together…

“We made the decision to relocate on the plane home.” them grow their business and hire more people…it Connecting the community together through connected with me at a very deep level.”

A warm welcome storytelling is so very important.”

Today Roblin is the station’s president and general Inspiring the audience manager, and the family is happily ensconced in the Learning from the ground up Roblin said that although she was proud of her theater community, with her director/actor/comedian husband Roblin’s respect for the value of storytelling stems from background, she didn’t talk much about it in her early active in Omaha’s performing arts community and her her background in theater, but she didn’t set out to work years in television.

But it eventually it came into play. two now-teenage sons involved in school and other in television. She double-majored in theater and film “I was in a management class and they brought in a group activities from DECA to youth theater. business at the University of Miami, and after graduation coincidently, called the Ariel Group. Their job was to teach a former classmate told her about an entry-level position managers ‘presence,’” she said.

“I really do believe that Omaha is a very special place,” she with his employer, a production company. When Roblin said. “The people here are incredible. I find that my kids The training emphasized the value of storytelling and growing up in Omaha are generous kids who understand called, the production assistant job wasn’t available, but one in music rights and clearance was.

With no relevant creating powerful presentations that connected with the that they have a responsibility to give back in both time experience but a lot of chutzpah, she managed to audience. Roblin said she was reminded of how even and treasure….You do your best to teach those lessons convince the hiring manager to give her the job.

It quickly profound messages will die on the vine if they can’t be as parent but if you’re not living in a community that supports it, it’s hard to do on your own.” delivered effectively. “It really opened my eyes to the opened new doors.

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ARIEL ROBLIN IN OMAHA THERE ARE MORE THINGS THAT connect US THAN DIVIDE US, AND THE THINGS THAT DO DIVIDE US inspire THE COMMUNITY TO BREAK DOWN THOSE barriers. ~ ARIEL ROBLIN

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

“Welcome to value of understanding and honing your skills through the arts… The arts is about connecting with people and delivering messages through different mediums. Similar to good leadership skills, in order to inspire your audience you must be able to connect with them by being ‘in the moment’ and genuine.”

As the president and general manager of KETV, Roblin said she is always mindful of the company’s mission to serve the community and uphold the First Amendment.

greater. In actuality, on any given night the positive stories far outweigh the negative because our news is a reflection of the community and so much of our community is strong, powerful, kind and good. KETV NewsWatch 7 reflects that.”

KETV’s anchor team is celebrating 25 years. Almost a third of the staff has been with the newsroom at least 20 years, and a handful of employees have surpassed the 40-year mark.

“There are two sides of KETV: the news side and the sales and marketing side…but they both have the same mission,” she said. “On the sales and marketing side, I want to make sure I’m providing the best tools and research to our local advertisers because they’re growing our economy. On the news side, we keep our community informed of the latest news in their community and safe when severe weather and breaking news occurs.

“When you’re in an environment like that, you have to do your best every day because you’re surrounded by people that are committed to the mission, and everything you do has an effect on their life’s work. They were a big part of why I chose to make the Burlington train station our new home. They love Omaha and they have a great deal of respect for our history and passion for telling and treasuring Omaha’s stories,” she said. “The thing I love most about my job is to be able to add value to the “I get questioned sometimes about negative news but we community and provide a good environment for the have to tell those stories, too, and make sure people people who work at KETV. As long as I’m able to make a understand there are problems we need to address. difference and do good work and meaningful work, that’s Ignorance robs us of the ability to make our community good. That’s what drives me.”

PRESENTS

game changers

ARIEL ROBLIN

”

one of the largest and most prestigious meeting planning firms in the midwest omaha magazine B2B winners since 2008 national, regional and local meetings and events nationally recognized as a leader in the meetings & event industry supporting our community through our nonprofit work and the boards/organizations we are members of planitomaha has been providing event and meeting management solutions for over 18 years. we are a client-centric firm that provides unmatched service and professionalism. while proudly located in the midwest, our crazy-talented event team works from new york to la and everywhere in the middle.

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measuring MILESTONES

DESIGNER LEAH KETTELSON PHOTO KATHY RAE

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STORY BY LEO ADAM BIGA | PHOTORAPHY COURTESY OF OMAHA FASHION WEEK

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omaha fashion week TENTH ANNIVERSARY omaha fashion week (ofw) celebrates 10 years as a showcase opportunity and talent incubator when the annual fall event unfurls august 21-26 at the omaha design center. ‘”sac has allowed our team to think bigger than we would have otherwise. We would not be where we are today without their support.”

Omaha FashiOn Week (OFW) helped usher in Omaha’s cultural renaissance a decade agO With its embrace OF creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. a synergy OF likeminded startup OrganizatiOns are nOW anchOrs in the city’s vibrant arts-culture scene. OFW’s niche is mentOring yOung designers On hOW tO hOne, display and merchandise their WOrk.

a milestone event

the visionary couple behind OFW, nick and brook hudson, have grown it from a nomadic tented event to a year-round business housed in its own permanent space.

“We’re one of the first fashion weeks in the country to have a dedicated venue,” brook hudson said of the chic design center at 1502 cuming street.

Fashion ecosystem

special guests and live bands will help mark the 10th anniversary milestone in high style. Former Project Runway contestant amanda valentine and Toxic Sadie swimwear designer erin thomas are among the anticipated stars.

Project Runway Junior contestant molly O’brien will show her collection to the music of her boyfriend, Warner bros. recording artist dylan gardner. helping confirm OFW’s place as a major regional fashion week will be an appearance by new york Fashion Week founder and american fashion guru Fern mallis.

hudson said others “sharing this vision” have created a network for nurturing and activating the local fashion industry. the nonprofit Fashion Institute Midwest “her choosing to be at Omaha Fashion Week says a lot about how far we’ve come,” helps designers enhance their craft and expand their brand. it recently opened a brook said of mallis. “she admires what we’re doing with young people and 3,000 square foot work space for designers in the emerging makerhood district. children especially.” the space includes cutting tables, sewing machines, a fabric library, classrooms and a fitting-merchandising salon. “if you look at our competitive advantage nationally,” nick said, “it is definitely our focus to help the youngest of the fashion designers grow. that really piqued together, the activities of Fashion Institute Midwest and OFW constitute “an ecosystem built up around supporting artists, designers and many others – her (mallis’s) interest. We really feel we’ve got one of the strongest programs for models, photographers, stylers and bloggers– over a thousand different people high-school designers in the country. nurturing young talent and working with involved every year,” nick hudson said. “the remarkable thing is that the different universities and schools is very exciting.” community continues to develop and has become really quite robust.” “it’s self-sustaining, too,” brook said. “there are a lot of resources in place to help. there are mentoring aspects, friendships and collaborations that develop. it’s interesting to see how people plug into it and build relationships that allow them to achieve their dreams.”

“We’re just facilitators,” nick added. “the need was there to help take away some of the financial and other barriers. the shows are free for the designers and other creative participants. the audience helps make that possible. this model has been very successful and is being replicated now around the country.” partner sac Federal credit union has helped OFW spread its roots. “they’ve been with us five years as a presenting sponsor, their sponsorship has given us a measure of stability that’s allowed us to free up more of our time and energy to focus on serving the community,” brook said. “We’ve funneled a lot of their support into directly helping designers through the designer prize packages we give away every night during Fashion Week.

the homecoming show on Friday, august 26, will feature iconic work by OFW veteran designers. poignantly, a collection of bridal and evening wear by the late sabrina Jones, who was a beloved local designer, will be included. befitting this anniversary year, the august season is the biggest yet, requiring 700-plus model placements and a production budget exceeding $250.000.

“We’re bringing in so many more headline designers and we have such a big lineup of local emerging and featured designers that we need a lot of models,” brook said. “We’re doing two headline designers from other markets every night. having people like that backstage with our designers is really valuable and presenting their collections really adds to the show.” enhancing the borsheims’ red carpet experience will be the pretty in patina pre-party from 6 to 8 p.m. before each showcase with exclusive retail options, live music, wine tasting and a nail bar.

perfect 10! omaha fashion week

TENTH ANNIVERSARY

CONTINUED

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measuring MILESTONES

omaha fashion week TENTH ANNIVERSARY THE remarkable THING IS THAT THE COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO DEVELOP AND HAS BECOME REALLY QUITE robust.

PRODUCERS BROOK & NICK HUDSON PHOTO G. THOMPSON HIGGINS

THIS MODEL HAS BEEN VERY successful AND IS BEING replicated NOW AROUND THE COUNTRY. ~ NICK HUDSON

sabrina Jones remembered OFW is memorializing sabrina Jones through a public donation campaign in support of her two children. ten percent of proceeds from the homecoming show proceeds will go to the fund. the fashion community’s tight bonds were brought home when OFW held an event in her memory.

SAC MONEY DRESS • DESIGNER KATE WALZ PHOTO KATHY RAE

“so many people came out to remember her legacy,” brook said. “sabrina really touched people’s lives. she taught a lot of our young people how to sew. her teacher’s heart impacted so many.”

Working the runway OFW continues to evolve how it does things.

“We’re always open to change and we’re always open to feedback we get from the audience and from our designers,” brook said. “they lead us where we need to go and what we need to do. it’s not about us, it’s about them.”

Forward-focused as she is, she still marvels at how far Omaha fashion has come. “i do think it’s important we step back and admire the work we as a community have done. there was no playbook. We created it out of nothing. Fashion in Omaha was very fragmented, with designers producing their own little shows in a variety of venues downtown.”

DESIGNER BUF REYNOLDS

DESIGNER FAT OWL FASHION

PHOTO EKAPON

PHOTO HEATHER AND JAMESON

the once disjointed local design scene is now a cohesive community.

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DESIGNER PAULIE GIBSON

perfect 10!

PHOTO HEATHER AND JAMESON

DESIGNER JEFF HANSON

2017 OFW schedule: shOWcases (6-10 p.m. unless otherwise noted): august 21 inspire emerging designer showcase august 22 empOWer emerging designer showcase august 23 vivid Featured designer showcase august 24 essence Featured designer showcase special presentation by dan richters post-show (limited seating available) august 25 the homecoming show • 9:30-11 p.m.

Runway Wrap Up: A Benefit for Nebraska AIDS Project august 26 vip runway Finale

DESIGNER DAN RICHTERS PHOTO DANIEL MULLER

omaha fashion week

august 27 shop the runway sunday • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. presented by Fashion Institute Guild

TENTH ANNIVERSARY

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?• !

giving back

• LEADING THE WAY

OUT FRONT • UP CLOSE WITH...

CHARLES SEDERSTROM, III FINANCE 1 LLC. WE GIVE TO GIVE - NOT TO GET. I’M A BIG BELIEVER IN YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW. WE LOVE GIVING TO COMMUNITY EFFORTS AND WILL CONTINUE BEING A POSITIVE INFLUENCE ON THOSE WE COME ACROSS .

What is your favorite quotation and by whom?

I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED TO NEVER GIVE UP NO MATTER WHAT. WE ALL HAVE BAD DAYS AND DOWN TIMES BUT WE CAN OVERCOME ALL ADVERSITY WHILE STILL TREATING EVERY PERSON FAIRLY AND AS AN EQUAL.

~ CHARLES SEDERSTROM, III

“Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit.” ~ Conrad Hilton

“Bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

What is the one thing that you love most about the Omaha metro?

When you were young what did you most dream of being when you grew up?

There is so much to love about Omaha but I would boil all down to two things; the quality of the people (we are nice!) and the stable economy.

My dad always told me, “Regardless of what you want to be, just be the BEST at what you are.”

So, it was never what I wanted to be but to be the best at whatever, no matter what.

What does your “perfect day” look like?

Every day is my perfect day because every new day is a new opportunity to make a difference.

Who has most inspired you as a mentor and how?

My dad has been my greatest mentor. His success, values and commitment to community service has always inspired me.

If you could give all human beings one virtue which would you choose and why?

The one virtue I wish all would exhibit is balanced honesty. I say balanced honesty because you should never use “absolute honesty” to hurt others nor absolve “balanced honesty” to justify unproved truths, based on opinion.

FOUNDER FINANCE 1 LLC. • NUMALE MEDICAL NUFEMME REJUVENATION CLINIC

What life experience has strengthened you the most?

My greatest life experience is when my mom asked me to move out when I was in high school.

Growing up fast was the best life lesson I could have ever experienced.

For which activity or discipline would you most like to receive a lesson from an expert?

Experts are just that, experts in a specific field of study. Therefore, experts in Law, Medicine or Accounting are always worth receiving a lesson from. That said, many answers are best revealed by looking inward to the “expert” in all of us.

www.finance1.us • 402.502.5441

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OUT FRONT • UP CLOSE WITH...

SHANNON NORMAN FIRST PRIORITY INSURANCE ONE OF OUR CORE VALUES IS TO GIVE MORE; MORE OF OUR TIME, OUR TALENT, MORE MONETARILY TO HELPING VARIOUS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS. SHANNON SERVES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THE KIWANIS CLUB OF OMAHA AND CHAIRS THE ANNUAL GOLF OUTING FUNDRAISER. SHE AND HUSBAND RYAN ALSO SERVE THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION AND ARE AMBASSADORS FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS NEBRASKA. #GIVEMORE .

What is your favorite quotation and by whom?

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” ~ George Eliot What is the one thing that you love most about the Omaha metro?

The Lied Jungle; we are home to America’s largest indoor rainforest. When I have friends, family or colleagues visiting this is at the top of my list to take them to.

What life experience has strengthened you the most?

After losing my grandmother, Betty, to a silent heart attack in 2013 it awakened my life’s mission. From this tragedy, My husband, Ryan and I created B FEARLESS: It has been our goal, to honor my late grandmother, by helping to educate and empower women to take action and protect their hearts through healthy lifestyle choices. Over the past few years, we have spread our mission through speaking engagements to local high schools, middle schools and the Girl Scouts.

Who has most inspired you as a mentor and how?

My parents; they are everything great in this world!

They lead by example and have taught me the importance of faith, family and love. Their sacrifices and hard work remind me each day to never give up and always chase my dreams while staying true to my values.

If you could give all human beings one virtue which would you choose and why?

Selflessness; if everyone consistently put the needs of others before themselves no one would ever be without.

What historical figure would you most like to meet or be mentored by?

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis; she is an eternal style icon. My friends would describe me as an Old Soul and I would have to agree that I am more of a Jackie than a Marilyn. Jackie O’s trademark style and impeccable manners shaped fashion history.

Because of her I never leave the house without my sunglasses, even when it is cloudy. Any chance I can, you will see me in my pearls with gloves and a modern version of a pillbox hat. When I feel good I am able to put my best foot forward with confidence – classic and chic.

What historical time period would you most like to visit?

The Roaring 20’s – It was an era of great change and excitement for America and when we really came into the modern age. We had economic and industrial growth - modern technology was making its way with automobiles. Not to mention the arts, culture, fashion and the Jazz Age - what more could you ask for?

THROUGH EVERY GREAT FAILURE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO FIND GREAT SUCCESS. WHEN WE CHOOSE TO PICK OURSELVES UP, LEARN FROM THE PAST AND PRESS FORWARD WE ARE CHOOSING TO ACCEPT GREATNESS. ~ SHANNON NORMAN INDEPENDENT AGENT FIRST PRIORITY INSURANCE

What does your “perfect day” look like?

Jumping on a plane for an adventure with my husband, Ryan, and our family!

1805 n 169th Plaza, suite B Omaha, ne 68118 • shannOn.nOrman@firstPriOrityinsure.cOm • 402.218.1069

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spotlight on

• OUR YOUTH

writing on the wall

The Proof is in the Numbers

OUTSIDE DR. ANTHONY DANCER’S OFFICE IN THE OMAHA HOME FOR BOYS SCHOOL IS WHAT SOME MAY CONSIDER JUST WRITING ON THE WALL. TO THE YOUNG MEN SEATED IN THE CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE HALL, IT’S MOTIVATION TO STAY FOCUSED ON THEIR STUDIES.

Other recent improvements at the Omaha Home for Boys School have also helped create an exciting and enthusiastic vibe in the halls. Expanding the teaching staff, opening an additional classroom, and implementing offline computer-based curriculum have all helped students gain a stronger focus on their schoolwork.

“Dr. D.”, as he’s known throughout campus, recognizes the young men who’ve earned a school credit by writing their names in colorful marker on his office window. He also keeps a running tally of all credits earned throughout the school year. At the end of each week, every student who earned a school credit is recognized at a lunchtime celebration and awarded a certificate and small incentive prize. Students can work their way up to earning larger incentive prizes, like snack packs and even a new pair of sneakers, for academic achievements and proper behavior.

Dancer is quick to note that it’s a team effort helping students stay motivated. “The teachers, house parents and support services such as recreation and the Youth Employment Program all play a vital role in giving students a well-rounded approach to learning and fostering a positive attitude toward academics,” he said.

It’s apparent that the recognition from “Dr. D.” not only has the students taking their studies more seriously, but the system has also boosted morale.

“If I don’t get the students’ names written on my window promptly, they sure do let me know about it!” Dancer said. “The students are eager to be recognized because for some it’s the first time they’ve been in an environment where they’re receiving positive reinforcement.”

History of the Halls The Omaha Home for Boys School opened in August 2014 with six students and has grown to include all of the Home’s Residential Care youth. Certified teachers oversee the day-to-day teaching responsibilities of the Rule 18 high school that serves 32 students daily.

Students are held accountable for attendance, participation, homework and tests – all the same expectations of a community school classroom – with a major focus on recovery and accrual of school credits. The school’s goals are to develop character traits and provide educational programming that leads to academic success, graduation, employment or higher education.

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Thanks to the significant changes taking place at the school, the young men studying within its halls are knocking it out of the park. During the 2016-2017 school year, they earned 368 total credits. That’s more than double the 174 total credits earned the previous school year.

On average, students are progressing more than one grade level in math during their time in the Omaha Home for Boys School while reading improvements are even more impressive with an average increase of more than three grade levels.

As in any high school, a culmination of the year’s academic activities took place last spring when four young men gave heartfelt graduation addresses during the commencement ceremony. Aside from their crisp diplomas and pride of accomplishment in their beaming faces, they all made one common statement in their speeches: “I would not be where I am today without Omaha Home for Boys.”

About Omaha Home for Boys The Omaha Home for Boys provides care and support for at-risk youth ages 14-24 as part of its mission to Support and Strengthen Youth, Young Adults and Families. The Omaha Home for Boys is committed to providing services that equip and inspire young men and women to lead independent and productive lives through three core programs: Inspiration Hill Residential Care, Jacobs’ Place Transitional Living and Branching Out Independent Living. As the Home approaches its 100th anniversary in 2020, the organization will continue to adapt to meet the needs of youth, young adults and families throughout the community.

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STORY BY RAEANN KNOELL | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF OMAHA HOME FOR BOYS

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OMAHA HOME FOR BOYS • imagine our youth

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too many cooks

IN THE KITCHEN

TOO MANY COOKS IN THE CHEF VICTOR M. CABRIALES • ANTHONY’S STEAKHOUSE Chef Cabriales began his career at the age of 16, training in full-service hotels, hospitals, restaurants and country club kitchens. Cabriales joined the United Stated army as a Combat Medic and Air Defense Artillery. After his years of service, he studied at Culinary Schools but values his training under his father most. He has been the Executive Chef at Anthony’s since 2013. He enjoys creating traditional dishes with a modern flare. Chef Cabriales loves sharing his knowledge in training new chefs in Omaha. He is married to Sara and is passionate about his involvement with the Omaha Restaurant Association, Food Bank for the Heartland, Open Door Mission, Ted E. bear hollow and Visiting Nurse Association.

7220 F Street • 402-331-7575

CHEF DARIO SCHICKE • AVOLI OSTERIA Dario Schicke is the owner and chef of Avoli Osteria and Dario’s Brasserie. Dario grew up in Sarajevo, Bosnia, in a restaurant family. He met his wife Amy in Munich and they found their way to NYC where they bought a deli in Greenwich Village. That is where Dario found his passion for beer and desire to learn to cook.

Dario graduated from the French Culinary Institute in NYC. After 9/11 they decided to sell the deli and move to Omaha. Dario worked at the French Café and the Market Basket before opening Dario’s Brasserie which celebrated its 10th year in business. Avoli Osteria has been open for 4 years. Both restaurants were voted “Best Restaurant in Omaha” by the Omaha World Herald. Dario was also a James Beard semifinalist for “Best Chef: Midwest”.

5013 Underwood Ave. • 402-933-7400

CHEF SHAWN PHIFER • DELLA COSTA Shawn Phifer made his way up the ranks in Chicago, Los Angeles and Omaha. His training began in Chicago with such chef luminaries as Jean Banchet, Roland Liccioni, Rick Bayliss and the late Charlie Trotter. His career took him to Los Angeles then Shawn returned to Omaha in 2001 to bring his culinary experience back home. He worked as Sous Chef at The French Café and Executive Chef at Vivace until opening his own catering company, dogSpot in 2004. Shawn has reunited with longtime friend, Ron Samuelson, and nephews Justin and Aaron Halbert to open Della Costa Mediterranean Grill in May. He couldn’t be more excited to bring the flavors of one of the most influential culinary regions to Omaha.

220 S 31st Ave • 402-614-5100

CHEF JENNIFER COCO • J.COCO Jennifer is a three-time James Beard nominee, and in the years since she has opened her own restaurant, j.coco has been named Best New Restaurant of 2012 and Jennifer was names in the Winners Circle of Best Chefs in Omaha. When asked where her inspirations lie, Jennifer will tell you that is comes in large part from the people she works with. She keeps her culinary style fresh by drawing on the experience and diversity of the people she works with in her kitchen. Experience and instinct are more important than any class you can take or book you can read. Prior to opening j.coco, Jennifer was Head Chef at V. Mertz and Flatiron Café. She was the Omaha Restaurant Association’s 2016 Restaurateur of the Year.

5203 Leavenworth Street • 402-884-2626

CHEF CEDRIC FICHEPAIN • LE VOLTAIRE | LE PETIT PARIS FRENCH BAKERY Le Voltaire opened in 2001. After more than 15 years in Omaha, “the little corner of France in West Omaha” has become one of the finest dining establishments in town. The restaurant features French classic cuisine in a romantic south-of France atmosphere. The menu covers all the regions in France, as well as numerous recipes of his grandmothers. The restaurant offers the most extensive French wine list in Nebraska. Le Voltaire received the Wine Spectator Award for its outstanding varieties of French wine ten years in a row. A beautiful private room with a direct view of the wine cellar opened in 2004. He and his wife opened Le Petit Paris French Bakery next to Le Voltaire in 2013 and a second location in Papillion in 2015. Also in 2015, Cedric was inducted into the Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame.

Le Voltaire: 569 N 155th Plaza • 402-934-9374 | Le Petit Paris French Bakery: 567 N 155th Plaza • 402-934-7676 & 120 Olson Drive • 402-934-0131

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KITCHEN ABOUT TOO MANY COOKS IN THE KITCHEN • OMAHA RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen is a Benefit for Hunger Relief and Culinary Scholarships. Since 1944, the Omaha Restaurant Association has continued the mission of promoting the food service industry in the Omaha metro area. Not only do they support educational programs, they have awarded over $400,000 in culinary scholarships. This event, among others, helps to further their mission and support the Food Bank for the Heartland. This SOLD OUT event was held on April 30th at the Hilton Omaha. Sixteen ORA member chefs donated their time and talents as well as their product to prepare a five-to-six course meal with wine pairings for ten guests. Neither the chef nor the guests know who will be matched with whom until the cocktail hour. Each group of ten chooses a representative to select one of the 16 amuse-bouches to taste and on the bottom of the spoon is the name of a chef and their restaurant.

The chef then greets their group of ten and wines and dines them for the rest of the evening. Almost all of the chefs go beyond their generosity and auction themselves off to prepare meals in people’s homes, in private rooms of their restaurants or on a limo progressive dinner experience. This year the auction brought in $22,700.

CHEF KIMBLER HARROLD • LIBERTY TAVERN AT HILTON OMAHA Kimbler started at Westin Hotel Omaha while attending Roncalli High School and was working in the cafeteria. Drawing and photography were interests until Kimbler discovered his culinary talents. With Double Tree, Magnolia and Sheraton Hotels and Lee Perrin Catering Co. he held positions including: Lead Cook, Sous Chef and Pastry Chef. Now Chef de Cuisine at the Hilton Omaha’s Liberty Tavern. Kimbler is active with the American Culinary Federation, ProStart, Nebraska Restaurant Association, Tri Omega Fraternity, Avenue Scholars and City Sprouts. An Institute for the Culinary Arts graduate, he received special recognition from the National Association of Catering Executives, US Food Fanatics Awards, Boykin Hospitality and Hilton Worldwide. Kimbler gives back, teaching necessary skills in culinary, and continues commitments with Greater Beth-El Temple, Roncalli High School and community.

1001 Cass Street • 402-998-4321

TEAM PITCH • PITCH PIZZERIA The PITCH chef team includes a large number of talented and creative individuals with one common focus: To cook with passion and heart, creating the ultimate culinary experience using the best quality, local and organic ingredients when possible. What is unique about PITCH is they have an incredibly balanced, well rounded chef team. They aren’t the kind of place that has one “celebrity” chef, they have a group of chefs that take great pride in making everything from scratch. They value consistency while pushing each other to innovate. Their chef team is all about good vibes and excellence: they walk the talk. Flavors from Oaxaca to Denmark, Italy to California, and everything in between; are influenced with the Seafood, Hand-Cut Filets, House-made Pastas, Pizzas and delicious Veggie options available every day at PITCH. 5021 Underwood Ave. • 402-590-2625 | 17808 Burke Street • 402-289-4096

CHEF JARED CLARKE RAILCAR MODERN AMERICAN KITCHEN | TIMBER WOOD FIRE BISTRO Chef Jared has worked in the industry for 19 years starting in Lincoln as Sous Chef at Rococo Theatre and Executive Chef at Misty’s Steakhouse. While working he earned degrees from Southeast Community College, American Culinary Federation and UNL. At Lettuce Entertain You, in Chicago, he honed his skills with American, French and Asian techniques. Next he joins upcoming NRA’s Concept of the Year, Cooper Hawk Winery and Restaurant, where he became R & D Chef, developing wine dinners and menus, and worked with the Celiac Foundation to develop dining options for allergen-sensitive diners. After six years he moved back to Nebraska as Executive Chef at Blue Sushi then Blue Agave before developing Railcar Modern American Kitchen in 2013. Named Restaurateur of the Year 2015, he recently opened Timber Wood Fire Bistro.

Railcar Modern American Kitchen: 1814 N 144th Street • 402-493-4743 | Timber Wood Fire Bistro: 8702 Pacific Street • 402-964-2227

CHEF OYSTEIN SOLBERG SAGE STUDENT BISTRO @ THE INSTITUTE FOR THE CULINARY ARTS Oystein Solberg is originally from Steinkjer, Norway. He apprenticed and worked at several restaurants in Oslo, Stavanger, and Kristiansand and Trondheim – all in Norway – until he moved to Paris to be the embassy chef to the Norwegian Ambassador to France. It was in Paris where the connection to Omaha was sparked through the courtship with his Omaha-native bride. Upon moving to Omaha, he worked at Delice European bakery and V. Mertz. He currently teaches at the Institute for the Culinary Arts at Metropolitan Community College where he teaches CHRM 2130 Fine Dining – the course responsible for menu development and cookery for evening service at Sage Student Bistro.

5370 N 30th Street • 531-622-2400

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too many cooks

IN THE KITCHEN

TOO MANY COOKS IN THE CHEF TIM GALLIGHER • SODEXO @ BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF NE Chef Tim Galligher’s culinary career began at the age of 13 when he worked bussing tables at Trovato’s Restaurant. He then worked at other various restaurants until he was 18 when he headed off to study photography and worked as a press photographer. Tim studied at the ICA @ MCC where he completed a Chefs Apprentice Program. He worked his way up until he became the Executive Chef at the Doubletree Downtown hotel in 2007. In 2010, Chef Galligher helped design and build Aura Restaurant in Lincoln before joining Sodexo USA. Tim participates in many charity events around the region that benefit the Food Bank for the Heartland and raises money for culinary scholarships. In 2016, Tim was the winner of United Fresh for using fresh produce for business and industry in 2016.

CHEF GLENN WHEELER • SPENCER’S FOR STEAKS AND CHOPS Glenn has been a part of the Omaha restaurant scene since 1994, working in some of Omaha’s best restaurants like Maxine’s, Omaha Prime and Passport restaurants, the groundbreaking Bomba Dia restaurant and Glenn’s namesake Wheeler’s. In 2004 he helped open Liberty Tavern in the Hilton Omaha and stayed on for five years. He has been Executive Chef of Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops since 2010 and supports many local farmers such as Plumcreek, Bluff Valley, Truebridge, Shadowbrook and Wenninghoff Farms. Wheeler is active in many charitable organizations. He is two time “Taste of Elegance” winner for the Nebraska Pork Producers. He won Best Chefs of America 2013, 2014 and 2015. Glenn was awarded Restaurateur of the Year 2014 and inducted into the Omaha Hospitality Hall of Fame in 2015.

102 S 10th Street • 402-280-8888

CHEF MATTHEW MOSER • STIRNELLA Chef Matthew Moser was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating in 2005 from Western Culinary Institute in Portland, Oregon, Chef Moser moved back to Omaha where he worked at The French Café. There, he refined his traditional French techniques. Chef Moser accepted a position at V Mertz where he acquired a passion for farm-to-table ingredients. In 2009, Matthew joined Flagship Restaurant Group as Executive Chef at blue Sushi Saki Grill the Executive Chef at Plank Seafood Provisions. In 2012, Chef Moser decided to open up a concept of his own in Omaha’s Old Market called The Market House. In 2015, an unfortunate explosion caused the restaurant to catch fire and Chef Moser spent the next year working on his newest concept, Stirnella, which opened this February.

The restaurant menu and atmosphere reflect Chef Moser’s passion for his Nebraska roots.

3814 Farnam Street • 402-932-0444

CHEF JIMMY MASTERS • STOKE’S GRILL & BAR From Kansas City, Missouri, Chef Jimmy Masters grew up eating lots of KC BBQ, which grew his love for cooking for others. Jimmy has worked in all facets of the restaurant industry; however, he believes his culinary career began when he worked at Bristol Seafood Grill in the Power and Light District of Kansas City. He served as their Sous Chef for eight years which prepared him for his next position as the Executive Chef at Stoke’s Grill & Bar in Omaha’s Old Market. Stoke’s has challenged Jimmy to serve a dynamic menu and specials to match the rich culture of the Old Market. Outside of work, Jimmy is a diehard KC Royals and Chiefs fan. Jimmy’s newest hobby is smoking meats in his charcoal smoker.

1122 Howard Street 402-408-9000 & 13615 California Street • 402-498-0804

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• mQUARTERLY

KITCHEN CHEF BRIAN EVERMAN • SYSCO LINCOLN, INC. Brian is a native of Lincoln, Nebraska, where he currently serves as the Corporate Chef for Lincoln Sysco. Brian has worked as a culinary professional for 20 years. He has spent many years living and traveling abroad, after receiving his BA in fine arts, with minors in French and Classical studies in 1986. His interests and wanderlust took him first to Thailand, where he spent two years in refugee services and on to Taiwan for an additional five years working as a language teacher and culinary instructor. Through his interest in travel and international cuisines, Brian also spent time in other countries, such as India, Nepal, UK, France, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Hong Kong, Macao, and more, fulfilling his desire to learn local cooking techniques.

CHEF LANE ROSENBERRY • SYSCO LINCOLN, INC. Lane Rosenberry was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. He attended Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. While in school Lane worked at Riccotti’s (a local sandwich shop). After culinary school Lane joined the Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs. He came back to Lincoln to work at Wilderness Ridge where he quickly rose from the banquet cook to Sous Chef before taking a job in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. As Executive Sous Chef at the Frill on Ocean Avenue, Lane was exposed to many new ideas, the freshest produce and great wine. Lane returned to Lincoln in 2005 to become Chef de Cuisine at Wilderness Ridge and then was promoted to Executive Chef where he held the position for three years before coming to work with Sysco as Corporate Chef.

CHEF ARON MACKEVICIUS • TWISTED FORK GRILL & SALOON Aron started his 17 year career early with his family business working with his father and grandmother at the Lithuanian Bakery in South Omaha, making the breads, pastries and the famous Napoleonas Torte. While in college Aron met a chef that took him under his wing and taught him more of the culinary arts.

Working in a hotel to start his career, he excelled and moved on to several local restaurants to explore his cuisine. Early in his career, Aron worked at Wheatfields, Upstream, M’s Pub and Vincenzo’s. It wasn’t until his opening of 7M Grill that Aron found his cuisine, comfort fusion. Currently Executive Chef of Twisted Fork Grill & Saloon, he looks forward to bringing his cuisine to a redeveloped menu in the Old Market. His daughter Taylor is a student at the ICA @ MCC following in her father’s footsteps.

1014 Howard Street • 402-932-9600

CHEF MICHAEL RHOADES • US FOODS Michael Rhoades has an Associate degree in Culinary Arts from El Centro school of Culinary Arts. A Certified Culinarian of the American Culinary Federation (ACF). Michael Executive Chef experience with the Holiday Inn Convention Center, Doubletree Hotel, Buca di Beppo, Donia Restaurant, Champions Country Club and Flatiron Café. Michael also enjoys giving back and does that in many ways, primarily through his participation in many local fund raisers and through mentoring and teaching. He has been an Adjunct faculty member at Metro Community College in the Culinary Arts Department where he is committed to “molding the young minds of future chefs.” He joined the team at US Foods in August as a Food Fanatic Chef.

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Sara Boyd is President & CEO at the Omaha Community Foundation

omaha giving

• OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

THE changing FACE OF women’s PHILANTHROPY Throughout the past four decades, we’ve seen the role of women shift in nearly every facet of society. Across the spectrum, from politics and religion, to the boardroom, and everything in between, women are taking on greater leadership roles and while at it, transforming the picture of giving. Just consider these recent statistics that help illustrate this shift: • More women are working: now making up 53 percent of the American workforce.

• More women are owning businesses: nearly one-third of business owners are female.

• Women are holding more of the country’s wealth: 45 percent of millionaires are now women! Some have estimated that by 2030, as much as two-thirds of all the wealth in the United States will be controlled by women.

Not surprisingly as the role of women in American industry and economy shifts, so has women’s role in philanthropy. It’s an exciting transformation—one that’s still underway alongside the other longer-standing movements— that changes how we think and act when it comes to giving decisions, and which will have a lasting effect on organizations throughout the country, as well as right here in our own community.

How is women’s philanthropy different?

First, we know that women are more likely to give. At all levels of income and wealth, women give more—and are more likely to give—than their male counterparts. Women’s motivations in their personal philanthropy are different as well. Women are less interested in the tax implications of charitable giving, and more concerned about the impact their gifts will have, now and into the future.

Additionally, women are generally driven by their empathy to a greater degree than men, which translates to their giving patterns. They are motivated by personal experiences and

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inspired by stories. Further, their inclination to volunteer can often translate into a deep relationship with a particular organization as they can see firsthand the influence their time and gifts have on a cause. They appreciate the relationships that can form as a result of female-driven philanthropy. Women are more inclined to give in the moment—and women like to talk sara boyd more about their giving.

These trends and others have led to a rise of women’s giving circles and women’s funds, both of which capitalize on the collective power of women’s giving and help amplify the impact of women’s philanthropy.

Understanding these motivations for giving is important as we think about the future of female-led philanthropy in our own community. And everyone involved in the philanthropic sector—from financial advisors to nonprofit development officers—will need to be aware of these ongoing shifts in giving and respond accordingly.

At the Omaha Community Foundation, we see the rise of women’s philanthropy in our own programs. Looking at the profiles of donors who gave during Omaha Gives! in 2017 revealed that nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of Omaha Gives! donors were female. And across the metro, women are coming together to make a difference in our community. One only needs to look at the explosion of women’s giving circles and female-led grant programs to confirm that women are taking an active role in learning about our community’s most pressing needs and rallying their intellectual, social, and financial capital to make meaningful change right here at home. Moreover, it is remarkable to see that the majority of women’s networking groups and social organizations are integrating philanthropic components into their operations, reaffirming their members’ commitment to collectively giving back.

If you are interested in learning more about women’s philanthropy in our community, or accessing resources to support your personal giving or giving circle efforts, please contact us at (402) 342-3458 or giving@omahafoundation.org.

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

peaceful, safe and caring RELATIONSHIPS

“LOVE AND COMPASSION ARE NECESSITIES, NOT LUXURIES. WITHOUT THEM, HUMANITY CANNOT SURVIVE.”

~ His Holiness The Dalai Lama

I’ve written a few times over the years about unconditional love and acceptance. Experiencing unconditional love and acceptance, in any of its various forms, has always been life-changing for me. Having been blessed to experience the incredible impact on my life when that was provided to me, I’ve long sought to provide the same. Doing so is certainly not an easy path and a path on which we will not achieve perfection. I have learned to seek self-awareness over perfection. If I am self-aware, I am able to avoid intentionally hurting others and can take conscious actions to participate in peaceful, open, safe, loving relationships – and avoid those that are not.

LEARN TO REALLY LISTEN. How do we ever know who someone is if we don’t listen intently and carefully? If we listen, others will tell us who they are. We can then decide whether and how the relationship makes sense for us rather than embarking on a journey into a relationship that doesn’t work and later saying, “I thought you were someone else”…when the real issue is that we never took the time to listen and learn who the person is. As you listen, learn to appreciate differences. Seeing things differently from another is not a disagreement.

Caring about someone despite differing perspectives is part of true acceptance.

In writing on this topic, I am not focusing on romantic relationships, but rather on any type of relationship. Our lives are filled with many types of relationships. They all matter. Exactly how a particular thought applies does vary based on the type of relationship. I am not a relationship expert professionally, but rather writing from the heart of personal experience.

BE LOYAL. When I suggest being loyal, I am referring to being respectful of those with whom you are in relationships. If they struggle with a challenge, provide a save rather than criticism.

Keep confidences – absolutely. Be positive, supportive, reliable and trustworthy. Be there when the chips are down.

LET GO OF EXPECTATIONS. We often look to others to fill our internal needs. If we instead draw on our own internal resources for attention, love and self-acceptance, we are less likely to impose expectations on others and more likely to have relationships that are based on the simple desire to experience the other person. When you are connected to the good within yourself, it is easier to bring that into relationships. Take responsibility for your own happiness.

HAVE BOUNDARIES. Healthy boundaries matter in all relationships. It is possible to take good care of yourself and care about another at the same time. This does take self-awareness. And it does take communication. Good relationships involve sharing information about boundaries.

SEE OTHERS FOR WHO THEY ARE. Seeing others for who they are rather than for who you would like them to be is one of the best gifts you can give another. Accepting them for who they are, and where they are at a given moment, rather than trying to change them or change the situation is even more important. Embrace ordinariness. Seeing and caring about the ordinariness of another is part of the magic of relationships that work.

OWN WHO YOU ARE. Have you ever felt like you needed to embellish who you are to be accepted by someone else? Return to self-love and self-acceptance. When you do that, you will find yourself surrounded by others who accept you as you are. The relationships that we will cherish always are those where we can be our authentic self.

BE WILLING TO BE VULNERABLE. Vulnerability is emotional exposure. When we choose vulnerability, it means we are risking feeling hurt. Most of us want to feel in control. Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable is the antithesis of feeling in control. However, being willing to be vulnerable is being authentic, being real, and living in a manner that takes relationships to a deeper, more trusting, and more meaningful place.

FORGIVE. Forgive and let go. Forgive others. Forgive yourself. I have often written about loving kindness. Practice loving kindness with respect to all relationships.

BE WILLING TO RECEIVE ACCEPTANCE WHEN IT IS OFFERED. Great relationships involve both self-love and caring for another. If self-love and self-acceptance are missing, you may be unable to accept unconditional love when it is offered. Remain persistently focused on cultivating self-love, self-acceptance and self-awareness. Self-love in this sense is not narcissism, but rather a path to finding a peaceful, loving relationship with oneself so that one is able to engage in that type of relationship with others.

LEARN TO BE REALLY ALIVE – Even When it Hurts. A good friend, to whom this article is dedicated, recently said to me, “You are so alive.” I assume that means I am willing to feel the depth of great pain, the joy of amazing moments, to be fully present in relationships, to notice the little things, and to experience life and people on good days and bad days and to do my best each day to be the best that I can be in spite of the many challenges on the path of life.

Several years ago, a friend who became ill at an early age—and died a few years later—gave me a book that still sits in the center of my credenza, that has one of my favorite quotes: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass…It’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

ENVISION YOUR FUTURE: PREVENT DISEASE DISCOVER HEALTH! YOU DESERVE A BEAUTIFUL, HEALTHY SMILE! Dr. Stephanie Vondrak • Dr. Ashley Rainbolt Vondrak Dental (402) 289-2313 info@drvondrak.com

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planning matters

• WITH VW LAW

protecting YOUR secrets At the heart and soul of every successful business is an idea and a need in the market.

As that idea evolves, it grows into a brand, an operation, and a method of doing business.

Although the success of any business relies on a strategic combination of activities, protecting each idea is important for long-term success. Most have a basic understanding of trademarks, patents and copyrights. These tools are indispensable to protect a brand, an invention, and original works of authorship. However, another tool is the trade secret, and it is considerably less understood.

Successful business ideas naturally find market followers to capitalize on the concept, and if that idea is unable to obtain copyright or patent protection, the remaining tool is the trade secret. A trade secret will not qualify for protection under other forms of intellectual property

law, but is often critical to the success of a business.

Famous trade secrets include the recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken and the formula for Coca-Cola. A trade secret must be used in business and provide economic advantage to the owner, and by definition, must be kept alex rainville secret. This means the business must guard the secret and limit disclosures. The business should require, before any disclosure, that the individual sign an agreement that protects the secret. The idea is protected because competitors are simply unable to legally obtain the secret.

Historically, when a trade secret was “misappropriated,” each state had a separate rule, either under the common law or statute, to protect the secret. As the varying laws between the states became problematic for expanding commerce, states adopted the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA) in the 1980s. Today, most states have adopted the UTSA, including Nebraska, effective July 9, 1988. Under the UTSA, a business may seek an injunction to prevent disclosure of the secret, obtain monetary damages, or seek some combination of remedies for the harm caused by the misappropriated secret. A trade secret is misappropriated if disclosed through improper means, including theft, bribery, misrepresentation, and espionage.

Beyond state law, federal law protects trade secrets through the Economic Espionage Act (EEA) of 1996 and the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) of 2016. The EEA criminalizes, in certain circumstances, the misappropriation of a trade secret. Violation of this law could result in imprisonment of up to 15 years and fines up to $500,000 per offense. The DTSA provides the owner of a trade secret a federal, private, civil cause of action for a misappropriated trade secret. Unique to the DTSA, a business may seek an ex parte seizure of property to stop the misappropriation of a trade secret.

Overall, federal law has taken steps to strengthen the protection trade secrets receive, but a business will need to take steps to ensure their rights to the secret are preserved.

Trade secrets, in conjunction with copyrights, trademarks and patents, are important tools that should be utilized to protect the intellectual property that carry significant value for your business.

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T I T T T T

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todays savings

• SWARTZBAUGH-FARBER & ASSOCIATES, INC.

WORTH A

pound of cure!

mary drueke-collins

MODERN MEDICINES

have resulted in longer, more productive lives for many of us. Prescription drugs soothe sore muscles after a strenuous workout or manage the conditions of a chronic disease. Unfortunately, this use of prescription drugs comes with a hefty price tag.

Americans are spending more money on prescriptions drugs than ever before and the United States as a nation spends more per capita on prescription drugs than any other country. With the cost of some drugs exceeding thousands of dollars for a 30-day supply, this can translate into financial hardship for many Americans.

Learning to navigate your prescription drug coverage can help you save money and time. Here are a few tricks that might help you get the best value out of your prescription drug plan: • Learn how your drug plan determines your cost of the drug. Common cost-sharing methods include a flat-dollar copay, coinsurance, copay and coinsurance, a separate deductible that applies only to certain tiers of drugs, or a combined medical and prescription drug deductible (common in health savings account-eligible high deductible health plans.)

• Understand how many tiers, or levels of coverage, are on your prescription plan. You may see anywhere from two to six tiers. Generally, the lower the tier, the lower the cost of the medicine, resulting in a lower cost for you. Most health plans provide a formulary or list of drugs (often called a prescription drug list or PDL) that tells you the tier for each drug. If you change health plans, be sure to look up your drugs on the PDL of your new health plan.

• Use generic drugs whenever possible. Generic drugs are typically much less expensive than brand name drugs, and your cost is typically lower.

• Understand if the drug prescribed has special limits or requires prior authorization before it is covered. Some higher cost brand drugs covered by the insurance plan may be subject to special requirements. For example, you may be restricted by the number of pills you can receive during a 30-day period (Quantity Limits); you might need to get prior authorization from the insurance company; or you may have to try other lower cost drugs treating the same condition before you can get the drug your doctor has prescribed (Step Therapy).

• Know when to use mail order. Some prescription plans require you to use the mail order delivery method for high cost, specialty drugs or common monthly drugs. Some prescription plans offer fewer copayments for a 90-day supply through mail order than through a retail pharmacy. Conversely, some drugs may not be covered if you do not use a certain mail order delivery provider.

• Use in-network pharmacies. Prescription drug plans may offer lower patient cost sharing if you use certain pharmacies. Make sure you know if your plan requires you to use a certain network of pharmacies.

• Many manufacturers provide copay assistance programs that help with patient out-ofpocket costs for brand drugs. Information on these programs is typically available on the website of the actual drug.

• Shop around for the best price. Use online tools like GoodRx.com and OneRx.com to shop around for the lowest costs. Not all pharmacies charge the same amount for same drug.

Taking just a little time to understand your prescription coverage and shopping for the best prices can allow you to get the care you need without breaking the bank.

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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impact!

• YOUR DENTAL HEALTH

CHOOSING ENVISION YOUR hope INSTEAD scaredy cat!

OF fear!

AND

stephanie vondrak d.d.s.

THE MOST IMPORTANT room in my office does not have a dental chair. It is small but comfortable with just enough room for three chairs and a little, round table. Bookshelves line the back wall and memories of my continuing education pursuits hang on the walls. In this room, I sit with my patient’s day after day. I listen and I learn. This space is where the journey begins. It is my way of discovering how I can help. This is my consultation room.

I have sat with hundreds of people: moms, dads, grandparents, kids…with anyone needing my time and attention. I ask questions and I listen carefully. Everyone has a story.

Some come to my practice with simple goals like establishing routine dental cleanings.

Others have traveled hundreds of miles in severe pain hoping I have the answers to their TMJ problems.

As I write this column, I cannot help but smile thinking about how many wonderful people I have met and the relationships I have made. I am grateful for each and every one of them, but one memory and one beautiful face stands out. I keep remembering Donna.

Donna came to me over eight years ago frightened and in desperate need of dental help.

She had severe decay and was facing the reality of losing her teeth.

Her fears had kept her from going to the dentist for many years; the pain resulting from avoiding the care she needed was something she had learned to live with. I met with Donna in this little room at least three times before she ever consented to sit in my dental chair. When she spoke, her right hand would instinctively cover her mouth because she was so embarrassed about the way her teeth affected her appearance, yet for years her fears about dentistry had overriden her pain and embarrassment.

It took a little over a year. Lots of visits, crowns and implants. Lots of time and trust and (believe it or not) lots of laughs. It took a lot of time but she found something to replace her fears and misgivings…she found hope, and—along with it—dedication. Together, we teamed up with Donna to restore her hope and we also empowered her. Through that empowerment Donnna regained her smile. These days, Donna no longer covers her mouth when she talks. Indeed, we add an extra 20 minutes of time to her tooth cleaning appointments just for talking and catching up! What a great journey it has been.

Our friend Donna is now facing another difficult challenge in her life, so it’s my hope she reads this column and is reminded of how much she has meant to me and all of us at Vondrak Dental. We will always be grateful for having had the opportunity to make the journey with Donna. There are others like her, fearful of sitting in the dentistry chair and reluctant to make such a journey. But all journeys begin with a first step, especially journeys of hope, and some of them begin in my little consultation room. *Editor’s Note: See our VIP profile on Dr. Vondrak in this issue of mQUARTERLY Dr. Stephanie Vondrak is board certified by the American Academy of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine to treat patients suffering from sleep apnea with sleep apnea appliances.

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event galleries

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ALH Publications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or integrity of the information provided.

We encourage readers to check with event organizers regarding any of the event information included.

look for the LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE EVENT BOOK 2017!

OMAHA POLICE FOUNDATION OFFICER OF THE YEAR AWARDS LUNCHEON

CREIGHTON PREP HAVANA BASH 2017

OMAHA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM FOR THE KIDS BENEFIT

BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE MIDLANDS ON THE ROAD TO THE BIG EASY

BROWNELL TALBOT SCHOOL GALA 2017: AN EVENING IN THE GARDEN

CHILD SAVING INSTITUTE CABARET

NEBRASKA CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY SAND IN THE CITY®

METHODIST VOLUNTEERS IN PARTNERSHIP GRAND SLAM

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event galleries

photos courtesy of omaha police foundation

BEST OF THE Blue Omaha Police Foundation Officer of the Year Awards Luncheon When: April 20

MAYOR JEAN STOTHERT, CHIEF TODD SCHMADERER, 2016 OFFICER OF THE YEAR ROBBIE GOERING-JENSEN AND INTERIM PRESIDENT N.P. ‘SANDY’ DODGE, JR.

Where: Scott Conference Center Why: An important part of the mission of the Omaha Police Foundation is to support and recognize the hard work and outstanding accomplishments of the officers who prevent crime, save lives and make Omaha a safer place to live and work.

Attendance: 390 Amount Raised: $449,675

BRIAN MASTRE

CHIEF TODD SCHMADERER AND OFFICER JOHN DLOUHY

OFFICER SCOTT BERAN, SERGEANT TINA JENNUM, LIEUTENANT CATHERINE MILONE AND OFFICER TERRI WASMUND

Mission: The Omaha Police Foundation promotes and strengthens the Omaha Police Department by providing financial support and creating community partnerships to ensure it has highly qualified officers who have the training, equipment and technology needed to prevent crime, save lives and make Omaha a safer community.

MOGENS BAY

CHIEF TODD SCHMADERER, AMANDA LUSTGRAAF AND BOB MAHER

MAYOR JEAN STOTHERT, LIEUTENANT KENNETH KANGER, AND CHIEF TODD SCHMADERER

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About: Established in 1999, a 16-member Board of Directors supervises the activities of the Omaha Police Foundation.

The Board is responsible for determining the allocation of funds donated to the Omaha Police Foundation. Over the past 18 years, the Foundation has raised nearly $5 million in grants, donations and in-kind contributions to support a variety of initiatives including the purchase of vital equipment, officer recruitment and training programs, community relations and officer recognition. Recent accomplishments (over the past year) include the purchase of a new Mobile Crime Lab for $200,000; One hundred and fifteen (115) body worn cameras at a cost of more than $700,000 and, with the support and leadership of Luncheon Chair Mogens Bay, the Foundation was able to finalize funding for a new Mobile Command and Communications Center at a cost of more than $800,000.

For more Information: Elizabeth Balazs 402.345.5401 Ext. 102 | www.omahapolicefoundation.org

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photos courtesy of creighton prep

OLD CUBAN

Experience Creighton Prep Havana BASH 2017 When: April 22 Where: The Heider Center at Creighton Prep

KATHLEEN PALLESEN, AMY KNIGHT, KAREN VAN DYKE, TRICIA OLSEN, STACI MUELLER, TODD JOHNSON, TOM NEITZKE, SJ, DAWN NEUJAHR AND ANN TJADEN

Why: BASH plays a very important role in Prep’s ongoing commitment to deliver educational excellence to 1,000 young men. The monies raised during BASH are a key component in our ability to keep tuition affordable for everyone as well as to provide more than $2 million in financial assistance annually to approximately 45 percent of our students.

Amount Raised: over $865,000 Mission: The mission of Creighton Prep is to form men of faith, scholarship, leadership and service in the Catholic and Jesuit tradition.

Attendance: 659 Executive Committee: Cindy & Scott Heider ‘81 – underwriting Todd Johnson ‘84 – raffle Staci Mueller – auction acquisition Dawn Neujahr – decorations Tricia Olsen – live auction Kathleen Pallesen – catalog Ann Tjaden – logistics Karen Van Dyke – patron party For more Information: PrepBASH.com | 402.393.1190

All information in this section is presented as submitted and updated by our nonprofit partners and contributors.

ALH Publications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or integrity of the information provided.

We encourage readers to check with event organizers regarding any of the event information included.

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event galleries

photos courtesy of omaha children’s museum

FRONT

Runners Omaha Children’s Museum For the Kids Benefit When: May 6 Where: Omaha Children’s Museum

ELLIE GRACE, DEIDRE OCHSNER, CAROLYN SUTTON, SHANNON LERDA AND GINA MCDEVITT

Why: The proceeds from the For the Kids Benefit go to support the programs and exhibits at Omaha Children’s Museum.

Honory Chairs: John and Debbie Birge Sponsors: RDG Planning & Design Caterer: Catering Creations Multi Media: Dog & Pony

RUSS AND KELLY COLLINS

MARK AND DAWN CHRONISTER

Attendance: 567 Amount Raised: $292,160 Mission: The mission of Omaha Children’s Museum is to engage the imagination and create excitement about learning.

KRIS AND DAVE KARNES WITH LINDY HOYER

About: Omaha Children’s Museum is the most visited museum in the state of Nebraska serving over 316,000 visitors annually. It is Omaha’s primary participatory museum and provides a variety of hands-on exhibits, workshops, programs, presentations and special events that put children in touch with their ever-changing world.

AIMEE AND TRENT DEMULLING

For more Information: www.ocm.org | 402.342.6164

NICKI AND BRODY DEREN

JOHN AND DEBBIE BIRGE WITH LINDY HOYER

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photos courtesy of Boys & girls clubs

BIG EASY

Big Fun Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands On the Road to the Big Easy When: May 12 BACK ROW: ANDE HAWKINS JOHNSON, EMILY ANDERSON, ASHLEY GLOYSTEIN, IVAN GILREATH, MELISSA CARLBERGAND GRACE SPOMER FRONT ROW: DEIDRE OCHSNER, JESSIE FEINSTEIN

BACK ROW: FRED SCHOTT AND IVAN GILREATH FRONT ROW: DONNA SCHOTT, RITA GILREATH, CINDY HEIDER AND SCOTT HEIDER

Where: Omaha Design Center Why: A summer party to celebrate 55 years of the amazing work being done at the Boys & Girls Clubs Band: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Honorary Chairs: Cindy and Scott Heider and Donna and Fred Schott Emcee: Melissa Fry, Anchor KETV Newswatch 7 Auctioneer: S. Scott Moore

ANNETTE AND PAUL SMITH

KIM HAWKINS, ANDE HAWKINS JOHNSON AND KAREN HAWKINS

Attendance: 500 Amount Raised: More than $640,000 Mission: To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us the most, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, healthy and caring members of society.

TIM WILSON AND KATIE WEITZ

About: The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands (BGCM) is one of the largest youth-serving agencies in the Omaha metropolitan area. Out-of-school programs at BGCM are led by professional, positive role models that make a lifelong impact in the lives of those we serve. In 2016, BGCM served an average of 1,935 youth ages 5-18 each day. With eleven service sites located at legacy clubs or co-located within area schools, we are transforming our community by providing youth with impactful, fun, and educational opportunities in a safe environment. At the Club, a member can discover a hidden talent, get help with their homework, discuss important issues with their peers in leadership groups, contribute to a community service project, receive a warm and nutritious meal, and engage with caring adults.

SARAH LOPE AND MARY LOPE

BACK ROW: ANDE HAWKINS JOHNSON, LORI OTTOSON, JENNA GABRIAL-GALLAGHER, CINDY VACCARO, JENNY DOYLE, KATY SPRATTE, PATRICE OTT, TERESA MILNER, TAMMI BISHOP AND ROBYN KORTAN MIDDLE ROW: DEIDRE OCHSNER, SARAH LOPE AND CATHERINE CANO FRONT ROW: AMY BROWN, TRACI COPPLE AND JESSIE FEINSTEIN

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For more Information: 402.342.1600 | www.bgcomaha.org

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photos courtesy of Brownell talbot School

SMELLING THE Roses

Brownell Talbot School An Evening in the Garden When: May 12

JAMES LANDEN, JR., DINY LANDEN, JAMES LANDEN AND WILSON LANDEN

Where: Brownell Talbot School

ASHIMA AND NIKHIL MEHTA WITH TERRI AND JOHN FOLEY Why: Gala is Brownell Talbot’s premier fundraising event, which supports our students, faculty, and school throughout the year.

Honorary Chairs: Diny and Jim Landen Attendance: 410 Amount Raised: $594,000

PAIGE FESTERSON, JILL BYDALEK AND NATALIA ATCHLEY

DEAN HOLLIS, JAN VRANA, CHIP JAMES AND CHIP VRANA

Mission: Brownell Talbot is a safe, caring community dedicated to academic excellence and to preparing students for success in college and in life. Through experiences in academics, activities, and the arts, students learn passionately, think critically, act responsibly, and lead with integrity.

About: Brownell Talbot is Nebraska’s only private, preschool through grade 12, independent, coeducational day school.

For more Information: 402.556.3772 | brownell.edu

NEELY KOUNTZE, MARY KERR, TOM KERR AND MARY KOUNTZE

RUDY AND SUZANNE KOTULA WITH FRANK KUBAT AND EDWIN LESLIE

BRAD AND LAURA CROSBY WITH JACKI AND TREVOR HENERY

FATIMA AND FARHAN KHAN WITH STEPHEN AND ANNIKA GEORGE

JON WHITE, COREY BURKLEY, WILL SUTTON AND JD HASKELL

ALI SUMMERS, AMY WIECHMANN, KATIE SEWELL AND KRISTI GIBBS

PIRZADA SATTAR, FATIMA BASITH, ERIC BURDEN AND MICHAEL SKRADIS

JOHN AND JAN CHRISTENSEN WITH W. DAVID SCOTT

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photos courtesy of child Saving institute

ANNIVERSARY

Soirée

Child Saving Institute Cabaret When: May 13

BRENT AND KAREN BURMOOD

BARB MILLER, JULIE HRUBAN AND LORI ANN SCHIELLS

Where: Hilton Omaha Why: To support the programs and services CSI offers to metro Omaha kids and families.

Special Guests: Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts and wife Susanne Shore; Douglas County Treasurer John Ewing and wife Viv Ewing

REV. JOSHUA SAWYER, JASON BRUCE, LEXI SAWYER AND LISA BRUCE

DAVID AND MELANIE HECKER WITH LAURA AND DICK WORICK

Sponsors: Susan & George Haddix; Ed & Kelley Prosser; Gov. Pete Ricketts & Ms. Susanne Shore; Dean & Lisa Hollis; Wanda & Mike Gottschalk; Cox Communications; Lindsay Corporation; Gavilon, Kiewit, Erickson Sederstrom; C&A Industries; The Olson Foundation; Union Pacific; Robert Hancock & Co.; Valmont; Julie & Jim Anderson; Carmen & John Gottschalk; Cindy & Scott Heider; Steph & Jack Koraleski; and Margie & Jim Timmerman Honorary Chairs: Kelley and Ed Prosser Event Chairs: Lauren and Mosah Goodman Event Co-Chairs: Emily and Tasso Sideris Attendance: 534

MOSAH AND LAUREN GOODMAN WITH KELLEY AND ED PROSSER

JOHN AND VIV EWING

Amount Raised: $556,211 Mission: “Responding to the Cry of a Child” About: Child Saving Institute is celebrating its 125th year of helping kids who have experienced the trauma of abuse and neglect find hope and healing. The agency has remained nimble, adapting to society’s changing needs through the years. Today, we offer 15 programs and services for kids and families in the greater Omaha area.

PAT AND ADRIENNE FAY WITH BRAD AND LYNN PERRY

SHAWN AND SARAH DUNSMORE, GOV PETE RICKETTS, SUSANNE SHORE, MOSAH GOODMAN AND PEG HARRIOTT

For more Information: 402.553.6000 | childsaving.org

KELLIE MINGUS AND SUSANNE SHORE

BEVERLY AND DENNIS HILL WITH TAMMY AND PAUL OLSON

KELLEY AND ED PROSSER WITH THEIR KIDS

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event galleries

photo by Debra S. Kaplan

Perfect “Ps” Completely KIDS Pinot, Pigs & Poets When: June 1 BACK ROW: MIKE ROBINO, JACK MCDONNELL, JIM LANDEN, STEVE ANDERSON, MIKE MACKINTOSH, STEVE TURNER, JOE POGGE, GAYLE CARSTENS, JOHN DEARDORFF, PHIL MCDONNELL, SID DINSDALE, MIKE JUNG AND SHELLEY HOMA FRONT ROW: KYLE ROBINO, TERRI MCDONNELL, JANE POHLMAN, DREW ANTONIO, MARIAN ANDERSON, MAUREEN TURNER, MARY JO LANGDON, NOLA SCHETTLER, JODY CARSTENS, KATIE MCDONNELL, DAWN DINSDALE, ERIN POGGE, JODIE MACKINTOSH, KIM MANNING, DINY LANDEN AND REGAN MACKINTOSH

Where: Happy Hollow Club Why: Proceeds from Pinot, Pigs & Poets will support the weekend and after-school food programs at Completely KIDS. Completely KIDS combats childhood hunger through its Weekend Food Program, which ensures that kids won’t go hungry through the weekend by providing backpacks filled with nutritious, child-friendly food each Friday. Completely KIDS also provides a well-balanced meal at each of its schoolbased programs. In 2016, Completely KIDS distributed 21,920 bags of weekend food and served 201,094 hot meals.

Attendance: More than 350

MICHELE GREWCOCK, DAWN DINSDALE AND DEB GREWCOCK

Amount Raised: $315,000 Mission: To educate and empower kids and families to create a safe, healthy, successful and connected community.

WILL COSTELLO AND CHEF TIM NICHOLSON

About: In supporting our mission, we assist more than 2,000 youth in preschool through middle school, and their families, via school and homeless shelter partnerships. Our headquarters, 2566 St. Mary’s Ave., are at the heart of the community we serve. As we strive to break the cycle of poverty, we work in an expanded way with both kids and their families to address critical needs and help them overcome barriers that are preventing them from achieving success. Research shows that growing up in poverty can have a significant impact on a child’s cognitive development, emotional well-being and physical health, thus impacting their ability to be successful. Completely KIDS has consistently seen the impacts of poverty in the lives of the families it works with and has developed program components to specifically address the areas of safety, health, success and connectedness to each other and one’s community.

For more Information: 402.397.5809 | https://completelykids.org/

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photos by Debra S. Kaplan

BASES

Loaded

Volunteers In Partnership/ Methodist Hospital Foundation Grand Slam When: June 2

ANDI KAFKA, LAURA STEVENSON AND SANDY PASSER

DENNIS AND CATHY BLACKMAN WITH LAURA AND RANDY STEVENSON

Where: Werner Park Why: Outdoor fundraiser to support the construction of a new outdoor dining area for Methodist Hospital. Natural light and elements of nature are beneficial to the healing process and for restoring spirits. This outdoor space will provide a much needed and appealing respite area for patients, their families, and staff.

Honorary Chairs: Cathy and Dennis Blackman Attendance: 230

DR. RYAN AND JENNY HAMLIN, CATHY AND DENNIS BLACKMAN WITH BECCA AND TOM LIPARI

Amount Raised: $121,000 Mission: To improve the quality of life by supporting excellence in healthcare and healthcare education provided by Methodist Health System. The Volunteers In Partnership are a support group of Methodist Health System who partner with the Foundation and support Nebraska Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women’s Hospital through volunteer service and special event fundraising.

STEVE AND BRENDA GOESER

SCOTT AND BARBIE BYRD

About: With more than 2,000 full-time employees and over 400 physicians on active staff, Methodist Hospital has a tradition of providing quality health care to the region in cardiovascular surgery, neurosurgery, women’s services, cancer care, gastroenterology, orthopedics, and comprehensive diagnostic services.

For more Information: 402.354.4522

KATHY WILSON WITH DR. DAN AND BARBARA BOHI

SHARON MCARDLE AND TERI TIPTON

DRS. JOHN AND ANNA PARK

DR. CHARLES AND KAREN OLSON 63

BRIAN AND SAMANTHA KOLM

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event galleries

Photos courtesy of CHI Health Foundation

ON THE

Green

CHI Health Foundation CHI Health Golf Outing – Swing For Health When: June 5 Where: Players Club at Deer Creek

LEO A DALY

ALTUS Why: This was a fundraiser to enhance patient care services and technology at five CHI Health hospitals in the Omaha and Council Bluffs area.

Attendance: 42 Foursomes - 168 golfers Amount Raised: $105,000

MILLER ELECTRIC

AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK

Mission: The Mission of CHI Health Foundation is to nurture the healing ministry of the Church, supported by education and research, Fidelity to the Gospel urges us to emphasize human dignity and social justice as we create healthier communities.

About: The CHI Health Foundation is a 501(c)(3) formed to raise awareness and manage and distribute funds to support the mission of CHI Health. We bring together the needs of our patients with the generosity of our employees, individuals, corporations, foundations, physicians and volunteers. Fostering relationships in our in our community is critical as they result in caring constituents making financial gifts to transform the lives of those in need.

HILAND DAIRY

NEBRASKA SPINE HOSPITAL

BROWNS MEDICAL IMAGING

MERCY MEDICAL STAFF

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For more Information: 402.343.4550 | www.chihealth.com/foundation

OMAHA STEAKS

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Photos courtesy of NCHS

DreamSCAPES Nebraska Children’s Home Society

14th Annual Sand in the City® When: June 9-11 Where: Baxter Arena Why: The money raised from Sand in the City® will help fund programs of the Nebraska Children’s Home Society including pregnancy, parenting, adoption and post-adoption services; foster care; teen parent services; community outreach; and early childhood programming.

Sand in the City® is an annual event.

Organize a team and join us for next year’s event.

Sponsors: Kiewit, Travel & Transport, Metro Magazine, Gavilon, Fox 42, KXVO CW 15, Fat Brain Toys, Hardee's, Heimes Corp., Two Rivers Sand and Gravel, Hardees, Ideal Pure Water Event Planner: planitomaha Attendance: 15,000 Amount Raised: $80,000 Mission: To provide safe and loving care to children of all ages.

About: We help women and teens facing unplanned pregnancies; strive to build, strengthen and support adoptive, biological and foster families; provide early intervention programs; offer teen pregnancy prevention education; and ensure that children begin school ready to learn.

For more Information: 402.451.0787 | www.nchs.org

All information in this section is presented as submitted and updated by our nonprofit partners and contributors.

ALH Publications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or integrity of the information provided.

We encourage readers to check with event organizers regarding any of the event information included.

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event galleries

Photos courtesy of Nebraska Humane Society

CANINE Feast Nebraska Humane Society Dining with Dogs When: April 22 Where: Omaha Design Center Why: The Friends Forever Guild presents “Dining with Dogs” to raise funding to provide rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming for animals at the Nebraska Humane Society.

Attendance: 450 Amount Raised: We met our goal!

Mission: The Nebraska Humane Society protects and enriches the lives of animals in our community.

About: NHS offers rescue, rehabilitation and rehoming for animals in the metro area. We provide education, give sanctuary , encourage adoptions and promote responsible pet ownership.

For more Information: 402.444.7800 | www.nehumanesociety.org

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Photos courtesy of omaha Symphony

IN Harmony Omaha Symphony 2017 Omaha Symphony Gala When: April 22 Where: Holland Performing Arts Center Why: The Omaha Symphony Gala raises funds to support the symphony’s community engagement activities, including education programs that serve nearly 30,000 children each year.

Guest Artist: Smokey Robinson Attendance: 275 Amount Raised: $200,000 Mission: To enrich people’s lives through the exhilarating experience of live orchestral music.

For more Information: 402.342.3836 | omahasymphony.org

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event galleries

Photos courtesy of Boys town

GOING FOR

Gold Boys Town

50th Annual Booster Banquet When: May 2 Where: Embassy Suites Windsor Ballroom–La Vista

JOSH TEMPLE AND DOMINIQUE DAWES

DR. JOE STOTHERT, DOMINIQUE DAWES AND MAYOR JEAN STOTHERT

Why: The funds raised make sure each Boys Town student-athlete has the proper equipment, uniform and other necessities.

Special Guest: Olympic Gold Medalist, Dominique Dawes, was the featured speaker at this year’s Boys Town Booster Banquet. She is the only American gymnast to medal at three different Olympic Games in the team competition and the first African-American gymnast to win an Olympic Gold medal.

Amount Raised: $87,500 About: Boys Town has been saving children and healing families around the United States for the past 100 years.

BOYS TOWN “VOICES” CHOIR

FR. STEVEN BOES, DOMINICK BARRETT, LAURA FISHER AND DOMINIQUE DAWES

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For more Information: www.boystown.org

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Photos courtesy of rebuilding together

RESTORATION

Celebration Rebuilding Together Omaha Rebuilding Day 2017

TRANSCANADA, 3M AND NEBRASKA REALTY

HAYNEEDLE TEAM

Rebuilding Together partnered with teams of volunteers to serve homeowners with projects that included kitchen renovations, house painting, and landscaping. These homeowners are low income seniors from around the metro who were in need of critical repairs to their home. A huge thank you to the teams that helped make this year’s Rebuilding Day 2017 a success!

Volunteer Teams: Suburban Rotary, Dundee Bank, People Mortgage, TransCanada, 3M, Nebraska Realty, Hope Presbyterian Church, Cinnamon Stix, TSYS, HUD, Hayneedle, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Nebraska Methodist Health Systems, Wells Fargo and Service One For more Information: rebuildingtogetheromaha.org | 402.965.9201

WELLS FARGO

BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS REAL ESTATE

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event galleries

Photos courtesy of avenue Scholars Foundation

SCHOLARLY

Pathways Avenue Scholars Foundation 2017 Celebration Luncheon When: May 3 Where: Baxter Arena Why: To celebrate the incoming class of Avenue Scholars and thank those who have made special contributions to our program.

Attendance: 400 Mission: The mission of Avenue Scholars Foundation is to ensure careers for committed students of hope and need through education/training and supportive relationships.

About: The Avenue Scholars program is designed to prepare students to be well-qualified employees for Omaha’s workforce. We support students of need from the junior year of high school, through post-secondary education and training, and into careers.

For more information: www.avenuescholarsfoundation.org | 402.916.9777

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Photos courtesy of Habitat for Humanity

Her

HUMANITY

Habitat for Humanity of Omaha Women’s Power Luncheon When: May 4 Where: Omaha Hilton

2017 WOMEN’S POWER LUNCH COMMITTEE

Why: The annual Women’s Power Luncheon is the perfect “kick-off” to Habitat Omaha’s 2017 Women Build. It provides a venue for powerful Habitat Omaha advocates, both women and men, to rally around the mission of the Women Build: to recruit, educate and inspire women to build and advocate for safe, stable and affordable houses in our community.

Attendance: 525 Amount Raised: More than $180,000 Mission: “Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build homes, communities and hope.”

For more Information: 402.884.5957 | habitatomaha.org

NANCY PRIDAL

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Photos courtesy of Joslyn art Museum

ARTISTIC

Affair

Joslyn Art Museum Joslyn Art Museum Association Gala When: June 3 Where: Joslyn Art Museum

RYAN AND BRADY GIBSON

MARK AND MARY LOU BRASEE, DAVID AND MELANIE HECKER WITH DEBBIE AND BRIAN WOOD

Why: To support Joslyn Art Museum’s education programs.

Attendance: 409 Amount Raised: $387,575 Honorary Chairs: Ellen and Stavely Wright Mission: Joslyn Art Museum collects, preserves, and interprets the visual arts of the highest quality, fostering appreciation and enjoyment of art for the benefit of a diverse audience.

For more Information: www.joslyn.org

ELLEN AND STAVELY WRIGHT

GERRY AND BRUCE LAURITZEN

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Photos courtesy of ollie Webb Center, Inc.

TOASTING

Progress Ollie Webb Center, Inc. Ollie’s Dream Gala 2017 When: June 3 Where: Hilton Downtown

G.R. SMITH

Why: Ollie’s Dream raises funds to support programming that helps people with developmental disabilities gain social and life skills, along with offering support to family members.

CANDIDA AND EDDIE KRASKA

Attendance: 300 Amount Raised: $60,000 Mission: To enrich the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through support, programs and advocacy About: One of the highlights of the evening was to see the video games developed by some of the clients as part of a program that the Art of Imagination offered.

JEREMY AND SARAH SAMPLE

AMANDA CLARK AND AIMEE ADDISON

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For more Information: 402.346.5220 | www.olliewebbinc.org

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Photos courtesy of the Salvation army

event galleries

SOUL

Survivors The Salvation Army D.J.’s Hero Awards Luncheon When: May 9 Where: CenturyLink Center BACK ROW: MAJOR GREG THOMPSON, PAH BWAI AND MICHAELA DEHART, MAJOR LEE ANN THOMPSON, PAULA AND JAMES BLACKLEDGE AND TYLER PAUL FRONT ROW: MASHAYA DIERKING, TAYLER KLASSEN, NYABEEL CHUT, TANNER STALSBERG AND FAYTH JACKSON

Why: To award eight deserving high school seniors $10,000 academic scholarships and to raise funds for Salvation Army Youth Development programs.

Attendance: 1,100 Amount Raised: $503,000 Mission: The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

JEWEL

MAJORS GREG AND LEE ANN THOMPSON WITH JEWEL AND PEGGY AND DAVID SOKOL

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For more Information: 402.898.5908 | www.salarmyomaha.org

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Photos courtesy of CSF

TAKING

Chances

Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha CHANCE Luncheon When: June 7 Where: CenturyLink Center

NANCY AND MIKE MCCARTHY WITH HIS EMINENCE BLASE CARDINAL CUPICH AND RISING STAR STUDENTS AND STUDENT GREETERS FROM STS. PETER AND PAUL SCHOOL.

Why: The CHANCE Luncheon is the annual fundraiser celebrating the work of Children’s Scholarship Fund.

Attendance: 700 people Funds Raised: Over $310,000 About: CSF provides tuition assistance scholarships so children from low-income families can access the private or parochial K-8 education of their choice. CSF is destination neutral and has no religious affiliationchildren attend approximately 80 different schools across Omaha and northeast Nebraska.

MR. TERRY KROEGER, HIS EMINENCE BLASE CARDINAL CUPICH AND MR. MICKEY ANDERSON

HIS EMINENCE BLASE CARDINAL CUPICH, RISING STAR AWARDEES AND INSPIRING ALUMNI

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For more Information: www.csfomaha.org

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photos courtesy of american red cross

event galleries

REACHING

Higher

American Red Cross Centennial Gala

BRENDA CHRISTENSEN, JILL ORTON AND SUSIE ZINDEL

CLARK LAURITZEN, JILL ORTON AND EMILY LAURITZEN

The Omaha/Council Bluffs Metro Chapter of the American Red Cross celebrated a century of service to Nebraska with a Gala evening at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha on Saturday, June 10th. Over four hundred guests, including Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, took part in the evening event celebrating the accomplishments of the Red Cross in the metro area over the past one-hundred years. The event also served as an opportunity for the Red Cross to thank those who contributed to a Centennial statewide fundraising campaign goal of one million dollars. To date, more than $919,000 has been raised toward the goal with over $15,000 coming in on the night of the Gala.

Highlight of the evening was an appearance by Country music artist and songwriter Phil Vassar and his band who delighted the crowd with a repertoire from several of his albums.

For more Information: 402.343.7700 | www.redcross.org/neia

PHIL VASSAR

MARCIA SHANAHAN, THOMAS ANDREOLI AND DENISE MCNITT

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photos courtesy of Wca

VISION AND

Strength Women’s Center for Advancement Tribute to Women When: June 13 Where: Hilton Omaha

Why: 30th Annual luncheon honoring outstanding women in our community Attendance: 610 Amount Raised: $170,000 Mission: To help women and their children stay safe and grow strong About: The leading experts in assisting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and stalking in Omaha.

For more Information: 402.345.6555 | wcaomaha.org

AMY RICHARDSON

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photos courtesy of Fontenelle Forest

event galleries

A NEW Leaf

Fontenelle Forest

Feather Our Nest 2017 When: April 29 Where: Omaha Design Center

MERICA WHITEHALL

DR. ANNE HUBBARD AND BETSY FINCH

Why: All proceeds help support educational programming, land stewardship & conservation, and raptor recovery & rehabilitation.

Special Guests: Dr. Ann M. Hubbard Attendance: 350+ Amount Raised: $215,000 Mission: To provide a place where people can experience and enjoy the quiet wild of nature. We inspire current and future generations to care for the natural world.

About: The region’s premier nature center and a national leader in environmental stewardship and education.

For more Information: 402.731.3140 | FontenelleForest.org

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photos courtesy of Debra s. Kaplan

TIES THAT

Bind

Susan G. Komen Great Plains Pink Ribbon Affair When: April 22 Where: Hilton Omaha

KC AND STEPHEN ZUBROD

STEVE AND COURTENAY SWANSTROM

Why: Raise funds to provide breast health education, free and low-cost breast cancer screenings, treatment services and cutting-edge breast cancer research.

Attendance: 225 Amount Raised: $125,000 Mission: Save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.

About: Susan G. Komen Great Plains provides lifesaving breast health services in Nebraska and South Dakota. It has funded more than $8 million in local programs and more than $2.4 million in breast cancer research to date.

EARNEST AND JOYCE BEAUGARD

STEVE SWANSTROM, KIRK KELLNER AND MICKEY ANDERSON

For more Information: 402.502.2979 | www.komengreatplains.org

YOUR ACTIONS MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE FIGHT AGAINST BREAST CANCER.

SUNDAY, OCT. 8, 2017 Baxter Arena, 67th & Center Register at komengreatplains.org

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The information in this section appears as supplied to us by the organizations presented. ALH Publications, Inc. accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or integrity of any of the information provided. Please double-check for updated details with event organizers.

community CALENDAR

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

featured

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

Order your copy of The Giving Guide & Event Book 2017 today at mQUARTERLY’s SpiritofOmaha.com.

August 21 – August 26 • 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

VENTS

OMAHA fASHION wEEk-10 YEAR ANNIvERSARY Omaha Fashion Week

August 4 – August 6 • 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

August 6 • 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM

SPIRIT Of COURAGE The Jennie Edmundson Foundation

DOGGIE DIP Nebraska Humane Society

Mid-America Center | Council Bluffs, IA Spirit of Courage is an annual event presented by the Jennie Edmundson Foundation and Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.

The weekend begins with a Celebrity Kick-off event; golf tournament on Saturday morning followed by our Spirit of Courage Gala, Auctions and program recognizing our Honorees. Benefits patients who are under-insured. The goal is to raise $100,000. $80 per person http://jehfoundation.org

Lee Valley Pool | 10605 Charles | Omaha The Nebraska Humane Society partners with the city of Omaha to keep certain pools open late on the last day of the year so people can swim with their pooches! If your pooch is a water dog, you won't want to miss the doggie dips! Best of all as you bond with your dog, you help those in the shelter too! $5 for 1 dog and two humans/extra humans are $1 apiece 402-905-3483 | www.nehumanesociety.org

August 4 • 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

August 12 • 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM

RIvER BASH N BREw Visiting Nurse Association

SUMMER BASH fOR CHILDHOOD CANCER Metro Area Youth Foundation, Inc.

Lewis & Clark Landing | 345 Riverfront Dr. | Omaha Mix vintage carnival entertainment and delicious ice cold local craft brews, add in incredible local bands, and you have River Bash n' Brew: A NIGHT OF FANTASTICAL ENTERTAINMENT. A snake charmer/belly dancer; tarot card reader; psychic mediums; a juggling mime; caricature artists; and internationally recognized fire dancers! This 21 and over event will benefit VNA's services to thousands of vulnerable children and families in the communities we serve. 402-930-4170 | www.thevnacares.org

Embassy Suites Conference Center - La Vista A plated dinner will be served with Jack Swanda emceeing the event. Our popular dessert auction will again be featured, a highlight of the dinner. A live auction will complete the evening with all net event proceeds directly benefiting the children with cancer and their families. $100 per ticket 402-510-4083 | http://SummerBashforCCC.org

August 4 • 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

JOSLYN CASTLE UNLOCkED Joslyn Castle

DANCE fOR A CHANCE Youth Emergency Services Omaha Design Center | 1502 Cuming St. | Omaha Dance for a Chance is an annual fundraiser for Youth Emergency Services that pairs local community leaders with dance instructors who perform in front of a panel of celebrity judges and an audience of YES supporters for their chance at the mirror ball trophy. This year's event will be another exciting night of dancing and food and will include a silent auction, heavy appetizers, and drinks. All proceeds from the event go directly to support homeless youth in our community. $85 402-345-5187 | www.yesomaha.org/dance

August 4 • 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM NEw AMERICAN ARTS fESTIvAL Lutheran Family Services & Benson First Friday Benson | Omaha The New Americans Art Festival, a collaboration of Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) and Benson First Friday (BFF), is a celebration of new American arts and culture, featuring art and performances from both new Americans and local Omaha artists. In its fourth year, the festival has quickly become a must-see event of the summer, featuring exciting food, music, art, handmade goods, and entertainment from around the world. The festival provides artists with an opportunity to share their craft with the community, and offers patrons a view into the wealth of diverse cultures that call Omaha home. The event creates advocacy and awareness for the contributions of refugees and immigrants in our community. Free Workshops, Live music, dance, artisan market (New American and Benson Vendors), Gallery Exhibits, Food Trucks and more! FREE http://bensonfirstfriday.com/news-events/new-american-artsfestival.html

August 12 • December 9 • 5:00 PM – 5:00 PM Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street | Omaha A limited number of guests at each Unlocked event get to see behind all closed doors including access to the basement and third floor. Also provides a wonderful opportunity to learn more about George and Sarah Joslyn, their many philanthropic contributions to Omaha and the way they lived and entertained within the Castle when it was simply their home. Doors open at 5 p.m. each evening.

Dinner served at 6:15 p.m. with the tour starting at 7 p.m. $65 402-595-2199 | www.joslyncastle.com/events

August 13 • 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM DOGGIE DIP Nebraska Humane Society Gallagher Pool Omaha | 2936 N 52nd Street | Omaha Nebraska Humane Society partners with the City of Omaha to keep certain pools open on the last day of the season, so people can swim with their pooches. If your big splash dog loves water–this is a not-to-miss way to cool down! $5 for 1 dog and two humans/extra humans are $1 apiece 402-905-3483 | www.nehumanesociety.org

Omaha Design Center | 1502 Cuming Street | Omaha Omaha Fashion Week is thrilled to celebrate ten years in 2017! Since our first show, we've grown into the nation's fifth largest fashion event, supporting more independent fashion designers than any other organization in the region. Omaha Fashion Week is a glamorous red carpet event for a good cause. We nurture the youngest of fashion designers by providing mentoring, educational opportunities and a professional platform to showcase their work. $40-80 402-880-8035 | www.omahafashionweek.com

August 26 • 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM AN EvENING AMONG ANGELS Angels Among Us Hilton Hotel, Downtown | 1001 Cass Street | Omaha An Evening Among Angels Gala is a dinner and auction event that raises funds for families battling pediatric cancer living in or being treated in Nebraska. $100 per person; $1250 Patron Table; * Sponsorships Available 402-934-0999 | www.myangelsamongus.org

August 31 • 5:30 PM REJUvENATING wOMEN kEY TO fREEDOM BANQUET Rejuvenating Women Embassy Suites Conference Center – La Vista An evening of networking and joy raising funds to support Rejuvenating Women’s Restored Wings Home, a long term home of restoration for survivors of human trafficking.

(800) 402-0601 | www.rejuvenatingwomen.com

August 31 HOLY SMOkES Heart Ministry Center All details for this event are yet to be announced.

Check organization website!

September 7 • 5:30 PM – 10:30 PM ENvISION 2017: fOOD TRUCk wORLD TOUR Justice For Our Neighbors-NE The Slowdown | 729 N 14 Street | Omaha JFON-NE’s third annual Food Truck World Tour is a fundraiser to support immigration legal services that will assist immigrants to escape violence, abuse and persecution. Enjoy ethnic food from local food trucks, special desserts and excellent music. The Patron Party attracts supporters and includes benefits, while a public After Party with a popular band entertains music lovers. $75 Patron Party; $15 After Party (Music only) 402-898-1349 | http://jfon-ne.org

September 7

August 14

SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL BENEfIT First Responders Foundation

QLI ANNUAL GOLf CHALLENGE Quality Living, Inc. The Players Club at Deer Creek | Omaha Join QLI for a unique day on the links. The QLI Golf Challenge is a blending of traditional golf and challenge golf. Guaranteed to be like no other golf tournament, this event fills up quickly. Save the date if you want in on the fun - or heck, contact us now to reserve your foursome!

402-573-3700 | www.teamQLI.com 80

Omaha Design Center | Omaha The First Responders Foundation invites you to attend our 4th Annual 9/11 Memorial Benefit. Join us for a fun night of great food, complimentary beer and wine, amazing auction items and live music. Dress is country casual. $75 402-672-6331 http://https://firstrespondersomaha.org/event/ 4th-annual-911-memorial-benefit/

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

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

Order your copy of The Giving Guide & Event Book 2017 today at mQUARTERLY’s SpiritofOmaha.com.

• mquarterly LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GIVING GUIDE 2017!

September 8

September 15 – 17 • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

September 23 • 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

wINGS AND wHEELS GALA Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha

LAURITzEN GARDENS ANTIQUE & GARDEN SHOw Lauritzen Gardens

CELEBRATING 125 YEARS Of fAITH IN ACTION® Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc.

Signature Flight Support | 3636 Wilbur Plz | Omaha Wings & Wheels is an evening of viewing classic and luxury cars alongside private planes held in a prestigious, private airplane hangar. Enjoy fantastic food, good wine and great music while raising money to support extraordinary families residing at the Ronald McDonald House. The night includes an exciting live auction, raffle prizes and live music. Please join us!

402-346-9377 | www.rmhcomaha.org

Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street | Omaha The show offers a one-of-a-kind collector’s experience not found elsewhere in the region. Plus educational experiences, an appraisal clinic and lectures by renowned designers, authors and tastemakers.

The show benefits Lauritzen Gardens. $10 general admission 402-346-4002 | www.lauritzengardens.org

Embassy Suites Conference Center - La Vista This year's event celebrates LFS' founding in 1892 as two orphanages in Omaha and Fremont. Over the last 125 years, LFS has grown to strengthen families, heal those afflicted by trauma and welcome newcomers fleeing persecution from all over the world. $50 402-978-5626 | www.LFSneb.org

September 17 • 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

September 24 • 10:30 AM

BACONfEST OMAHA 2017 Omaha Kroc Center

2017 wALk TO END ALzHEIMER'S Alzheimer's Association

September 9 • 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM vINTAGE AffAIRE IX Autism Action Partnership Embassy Suites Conference Center – La Vista Annual Gala Fundraiser for programs, services and awareness related to autism spectrum disorders. Also, an awards ceremony for the annual Help is Hope Award, given in 2016 to Senator Colby Coash. $200 402-763-8830 | www.autismaction.org

September 10 • 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM TASTE Of fLORENCE Senior Health Foundation Florence Home Healthcare - Outside | 7915 N 30th St. | Omaha Taste of Florence is a food festival featuring restaurants from the Florence neighborhood and northeast Omaha. Sponsored by Senior Health Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit that serves seniors in the Omaha area. Highlights include food tastings from over 20 restaurants, live music by Come Together (Beatles Tribute Band), kids games and activities, beer garden, and a special pumpkin carving contest; Chefs vs. Surgeons. Last year over 1100 people from all over the city attended the first Taste of Florence. $15 Adult $7.50 Under 12 402-827-6051 | http://seniorhealthfoundation.org

Omaha Kroc Center | 2825 Y Street | Omaha A celebration of bacon in all its tasty forms and a fundraiser for Omaha Kroc Center scholarship! BaconFest Omaha includes bacon tastings, chef competitions, bounce house and many activities for children.$25 402-905-3500 | www.omahakroc.org/baconfest.html

September 22 • 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM kANEkO OPEN SPACE SOIRéE KANEKO KANEKO | 1111 Jones St. | Omaha Be the first to experience the upcoming KANEKO exhibition and enjoy a special night with Omaha’s creative innovators under one roof. The organization’s annual fundraising event.

402- 341-3800 | www.thekaneko.org

Midtown Crossing - Turner Park | 3220 Farnam Street | Omaha Held annually in more than 600 communities nationwide, the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s® is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.

FREE 402-502-4301 | http://alz.org/walk

September 24 • 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM wALk fOR THE ANIMALS Nebraska Humane Society NHS Meadow | 8929 Fort Street | Omaha The Margre Durham Walk for the Animals is tail-er made for the whole family. Dog demonstrations, rescue groups, concessions, and a beer garden make the afternoon enjoyable while you bid on silent auction items, enjoy the adoptable dog showcase and get cool giveaways from our sponsors. Or come early and run our 5K which invites Fido to run along with you. $35 /$45 Run 402-905-3483

September 10 • 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM OUT Of THE DARkNESS COMMUNITY wALk American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Lewis and Clark Landing | 515 N Riverfront Drive | Omaha Our mission is to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide. Out of The Darkness Walks are held in hundreds of cities across the country and give people the courage to open up about their own struggle or loss, and the platform to change our culture’s approach to mental health. AFSP's signature fundraising event.

The Omaha Walk is one of the largest walks in the Metro area.

FREE 402-341-5128 | www.afsp.org/nebraska

September 11 • 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM SEPTEMBER 11 MINUTE Of SILENCE First Responders Foundation Memorial Park | Omaha Sept 11, 2001…the day that should never be forgotten. In 2014, Mayor Jean Stothert proclaimed 9:11am on September 11th to be the official annual Minute of Silence for the City of Omaha. We will remember and honor the first responders and citizens that died on September 11, 2001 and show appreciation for our local first responders. FREE 402-672-6331 http://https://firstrespondersomaha.org/event/4th-annual911-minute-of-silence 81

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The information in this section appears as supplied to us by the organizations presented. ALH Publications, Inc. accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or integrity of any of the information provided. Please double-check for updated details with event organizers.

community CALENDAR

save the date

September 28 • 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

September 30 • 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

october 8

Love Your NeIgHbor AucTIoN & DINNer Open Door Mission

JeweLS oF AuTumN CHI Health Foundation

Embassy Suites Conference Center – La Vista Every year Open Door Mission looks forward with great anticipation to our Annual Auction and Dinner. This night of fun and celebration helps generate needed funds for the continued work of Open Door Mission and its 37+ programs that serve the hungry, homeless, and poverty stricken. 5:00pm - Silent Auction 6:30pm - Dinner & Live Auction FREE 402-829-1505 | www.opendoormission.org

CHI Health Lakeside Hospital | Omaha In support of Breast Health Center of Excellence at CHI Health Lakeside. CHI Health Lakeside is a technologically advanced hospital providing comprehensive care, including Cancer, Women’s Health, Neonatal Intensive Care, Stroke, Orthopedics and General Surgery.

Complete information is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com CALENDAR PAGE or this organization’s website. $125 402-343-4555 | www.MyCHIHealth.com/Foundation

comForT FooD cLASSIc - cHeF comPeTITIoN beNeFITINg grIevINg FAmILIeS Grief's Journey

September 28 – october 1 AKSArbeN STocK SHow & roDeo AKSARBEN Foundation CenturyLink Center | 455 N 10th St. | Omaha TBD | www.aksarbenstockshow.com

September 28 comPLeTeLY KIDS FALL eveNT Completely KIDS Founders One Nine | 1915 Jackson St. | Omaha Check back for details about a brand new fall event celebrating Ten Years in the Neighborhood.

Sponsored by the Completely KIDS Guild.

402-397-5809 | http://completelykids.org/

September 29 • 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM ImAgINe our YouTH gALA Omaha Home for Boys Embassy Suites Conference Center – La Vista The 2017 Imagine Our Youth Gala is a night dedicated to bringing together those who share in our mission to support and strengthen the youth, young adults and families served by the Omaha Home for Boys. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a VIP reception, followed by social hour and silent auction at 6:15 and dinner at 7:15. The culmination of the evening will come when keynote speaker, Ice-T, delivers his inspiring message as an influential spokesman for America's youth. $125 Individiual tickets; $200 VIP; $75 Young professional (40 and under) 402-457-7014

September 30 FIrST reSPoNDerS FouNDATIoN AcTIoN DAY First Responders Foundation Omaha Public Safety Training Center | Omaha Action Day is a joint venture between the First Responders Foundation and the Omaha Police Department and is a day filled with action and learning for kids! There are many exciting demos during the day including blowing up pumpkins, rescuing submerged vehicles, robots in action and much more! Plus it’s all free (and you are fed as well)! Complete information is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com CALENDAR PAGE or this organization’s website. FREE! http://https://firstrespondersomaha.org/event/action-day-3/

make the connection!

Visit our COMMUNITY CALENDAR at SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

September 30 NebrASKA ATAxIA eNgAgemeNT PArTY Nebraska Ataxia Engage with us as we celebrate our successes, educate the community about living with ataxia, raise money for our support programs, and connect with friends and community partners who fully engage in our mission. On this big night, we propose that you go one step further as we make it official and get engaged. $150 VIP, $50 general admission; full table & corporate pricing available 402-979-6331 | www.nebraskaataxia.org

october 8 2017 rAce For THe cure Susan G. Komen Great Plains Baxter Arena & Aksarben Village | Omaha Join us for the 24th annual Race for the Cure at Baxter Arena and Aksarben Village. Certified 5k and 1-mile runs/walk through Elmwood Park; various activities for all ages and activity levels. Don’t miss our breast cancer survivor parade that starts our Race. Net proceeds fund community-based health programs in Nebraska. For more information, visit www.komengreatplains.org or check us out on Facebook or Twitter!

402-502-2979 | www.komengreatplains.org

october 10 • 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

october 1 – october 31

cHANgemAKerS 2017 Nebraska Children and Families Foundation

orPHeum THeATer'S 90TH bIrTHDAY ceLebrATIoN Omaha Performing Arts Orpheum Theater | 409 S 16th St. | Omaha Join us in celebrating the historic Orpheum Theater's 90th Birthday in 2017. Reception and cocktail party planned for October 2017.

Watch omahaperformingarts.org for details and information 402-345-0202 | www.omahaperformingarts.org

october 5 • 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM rebuILDINg TogeTHer LuNcHeoN wITH JeNNI PuLoS The Omaha Design Center | 1502 Cuming Street | Omaha Come see Jenni Pulos, live and in person at the Omaha Design Center (1502 Cuming St) at Noon on Thursday, October 5, 2017. Join Rebuilding Together as we welcome her to our community as part of the second annual Rebuilding Together fundraising luncheon.

Complete information is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com CALENDAR PAGE or this organization’s website. $100 402-926-1199 http://https://httprebuildingtogetheromahaorg.ticketleap.com | 2017rebuilding-together-annual-luncheon/

october 6 • 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM HoPS & grAPeS FALL FeSTIvAL, A SPecIAL beNeFIT For PArTNerSHIP 4 KIDS Partnership 4 Kids Founders One-Nine (tentatively) | 1915 Jackson St. | Omaha A feast for the senses, this casual evening event will feature craft beer and wine tasting, live music, games, raffle, auction and much more! All proceeds will benefit Partnership 4 Kids, a group mentoring program which provides 5,400 of Omaha's low-income students with the continued support and opportunities they need to succeed from kindergarten to careers! $55 per individual 402-557-6381 | www.p4k.org 82

Exact Date, Time, and Location TBD | Omaha No one should have to walk their grief journey alone, and together, hope heals! Join us for fantastic food and a great evening of fun and laughter – all to support life-changing free grief support! $90 all inclusive; sponsor opps available

Embassy Suites Conference Center – La Vista This year’s keynote will be Wes Moore, Army combat veteran, social entrepreneur, and author. His first book, The Other Wes Moore, became a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller and is a story that conveys the importance of individual decisions alongside community support. The Changemakers luncheon will also feature recognition of a few Nebraskans who have made a tremendous impact as advocates for children. $75 402-965-1711 | www.nebraskachildren.org

october 13 • 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM HomegrowN BRANCH, Nebraska Children’s Home Society Location TBD BRANCH presents HOMEGROWN, a benefit for the Nebraska Children’s Home Society. The evening includes a new photography exhibit featuring children and families who have been served by NCHS, wine, beer tasting and cuisine. Tickets are available for $30 at www.homegrownomaha.org or can be purchased at the door for $35. All proceeds will benefit children and families served by NCHS. Nebraska Children’s Home Society provides safe and loving care to children of all ages statewide. Complete information is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com CALENDAR PAGE or this organization’s website. $30 or $35 at the door www.nchs.org

october 13 • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PINK ouT couNcIL bLuFFS The Jennie Edmundson Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Foundation 100 Block | WeSt. Broadway | Council Bluffs, IA On October 13, 2017 the Mayor will proclaim this day Pink Out Council Bluffs. Throughout the month of October there will be many events and activities for the communities we serve to bring awareness to women and men relating to the important of mammograms and early detection. All proceeds from the events benefit the Methodist Jennie Edmundson Breast Health Center.

Pink Out day Free to the public - some activities do charge. http://jehfoundation.org

mquarterly • auG/SeP/OCt 2017

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

coNNecT with over 100 nonprofits and learn more about their mission and how you can help! order your copy of The giving guide & event book 2017 today at mQuArTerLY’s Spiritofomaha.com.

• mquarterly LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GIVING GUIDE 2017!

october 14, 2017 – January 21, 2018 LeT’S go To TowN For boYS TowN! 100 YeArS oF SAvINg cHILDreN, HeALINg FAmILIeS The Durham Museum 801 S 10th Street | Omaha Let’s Go to Town for Boys Town! 100 years of Saving Children, Healing Families October 14, 2017 – January 21, 2018 Founded on December 12th, 1917 in Omaha, by Irish immigrant Father Edward Flanagan, Boys Town is today a worldwide leader in the childcare field. This exhibition will explore the organization’s history from its inauspicious beginnings in a rundown mansion at 25th and Dodge streets with only five young boys, through the 1930s with a major motion picture production featuring its history, to today providing assistance to over two million children and families each year.

Through images, documents and artifacts from the Boys Town Hall of History collection and archives, visitors will trace the development of this Omaha fixture over the last 100 years. $11 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Children (3-12) 402-444-5071

october 19 • 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM 44TH womAN oF THe YeAr gALA Arthritis Foundation Nebraska Omaha Marriott | 10220 Regency Circle | Omaha On Thursday, October 19, 2017 the Arthritis Foundation will honor Melissa Marvin as their 44th Woman of the Year in Omaha, Nebraska. The Woman of the Year event helps support the Arthritis Foundation and its mission to cure arthritis and make it easier for people living with the disease to achieve everyday victories.

Melissa's passion and concern for others are synonymous with philanthropy in the Omaha community. She continues to positively impact countless non-profit organizations throughout the midlands.The Arthritis Foundation is privileged to honor Melissa Marvin as the 2017 Woman of the Year. $250 Dinner and Patron party, $150 Dinner 402-201-2864 | www.arthritis.org/nebraska

october 20 • 6:00 PM THe HoPe gALA Hope Center for Kids Century Link Center | Omaha The 2017 Hope Gala will be a memorable evening, celebrating the life stories of youth and children at The Hope Center for Kids.

402- 341-4673 | www.hopecenterforkids.com

october 21 • 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM QuArTer mANIA Open Door Mission Garland Thompson Men's Center - on the ODM campus 2705 N 20th St. East | Omaha DOORS OPEN AT 9 AM Tours of this amazing facility will be available immediately following the event. If you haven't been, you don't want to miss it. It's a great time of fun and lots of products you love for just quarters! A $5 Entrance Fee gives you one number paddle .

You have the opportunity to bid on and win thousands of dollars of NEW Pampered Chef products! No item is more than 4 quarters! As each item is introduced, you will bid 1-4 quarters (depending on its value). $1 a ticket - $5 = 7 tickets, $10 = 15 tickets, $20 = 40 tickets. (Cookware set, knife block set, & many more raffle items valued from $200 - $500 in value!) Complete information is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com CALENDAR PAGE or this organization’s website.

402-829-1505 | www.opendoormission.org/news-and-events/ 83

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The information in this section appears as supplied to us by the organizations presented. ALH Publications, Inc. accepts no responsibility for the accuracy or integrity of any of the information provided. Please double-check for updated details with event organizers.

community CALENDAR

save the date

october 21 – october 22

November 1 • 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

November 9 – November 11

KIDS AND cLAYS SPorTINg cLAYS TourNAmeNT Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha

cHrISTmAS cArAvAN PrevIew PArTY gALA Assistance League® of Omaha

Oak Creek Sporting Club | 2890 W Rd. | Brainard, NE Bring four of your friends to Oak Creek Sporting Club to help support Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha at this year's Kids and Clays Sporting Clays Tournament! $750 per team of 5 402-346-9377 | www.rmhcomaha.org

Champions Run | 13800 Eagle Run Drive | Omaha A preview party will kick off the 2017 Christmas Caravan on Wednesday evening with a tour of homes decorated for the holidays by local florists from 4-6 p.m., followed by social time and silent auction at 6:00, and dinner at 7:30. $100 402-210-5571 | www.alomaha.org

JoSLYN cASTLe HISTorIc Home Tour & bouTIQue Joslyn Castle

october 22 • 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM LADLe oF Love Open Door Mission Garland Thompson Men’s Center | Omaha Warm you hearts and fill your stomachs with 30 soups, breads, and desserts - all made from local chefs. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Children 10 and under are free. Vote for your favorite “soup of the day.”View artwork by Open Door Mission’s homeless guests. Enjoy live Cajun style music by Omaha’s Prairie Gators.

Proceeds benefit the Open Door Mission. Get your tickets here: www.opendoormission.org/news-and-events/ $10 402-829-1505 | www.opendoormission.org

october 27 • 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM beNeFIT ArT AucTIoN Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts 724 S 12th Street | Omaha The Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts is pleased to again unite local and national artists with our beloved community of art enthusiasts and patrons. Local and national artists will be represented in this year’s silent and live auctions in an effort to raise critical resources for the organization. All proceeds will be reinvested into the Bemis Center's artist-centric programs that advance the work of today's artists year-round. $100 402-341-7130 | http://bemiscenter.org/benefit

october 28 • 12:00 AM AKSArbeN coroNATIoN & ScHoLArSHIP bALL AKSARBEN Foundation Baxter Arena | 2425 S 67th | Omaha

october 28 • 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

November 2 • 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM cHrISTmAS cArAvAN 2017 Assistance League® of Omaha Four homes in Omaha | Omaha This popular event benefits ALO's philanthropic programs including Operation School Bell®, annually clothing over 3,500 Omaha-area students in need through a partnership with JCPenney's Westroads location. In addition to this service, Caravan proceeds also support other year-long programs such as Operation Bear Hug, Operation Teen Parent, ACT/PSAT Review Sessions, Assault Survivor Kits®, and Operation Recovery. Complete information is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com CALENDAR PAGE or this organization’s website. $16 in advance, $20 at the door 402-210-5571 | http://alomaha.org

November 3 • 6:00 PM – 9:15 PM rALLY For KIDS Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, Inc. Hilton Omaha | 1001 Cass Street | Omaha Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska's Rally for Kids event is a sports-themed fundraiser for the Pottawattamie County Center for Healthy Families® in Council Bluffs, Iowa and LFS Children Services programs throughout Nebraska. Together we create and restore safe and happy childhoods! $100 402-201-9588 | www.LFSneb.org

November 3 AmerIcAN reD croSS, ceLebrATINg A ceNTurY oF voLuNTeerS American Red Cross American Red Cross will celebrating a century of volunteers.

FREE 402-343-7714 | www.redcross.org/neia

omAHA'S greAT PumPKIN Lutheran Family Services

November 3 • 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

For the ninth year a great pumpkin tree will “rise” in Omaha! This community event raises awareness for the children and teenagers in Nebraska’s foster care system, hundreds of whom are eligible and waiting to be adopted. The event is organized by the Forever Families Guild, which provides volunteer support to children programs at Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska. The event is free and open to the public. Each year thousands attend the event and learn more about the growing need for foster and adoptive parents.

Family-friendly costumes are encouraged. FREE

TBD | Omaha November is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month Join us for a luncheon that highlights an issue that homeless youth face every day in our community. Together we can break the cycle of homelessness! $65 402-345-5187 | www.yesomaha.org/luncheon

breAKINg THe cYcLe LuNcHeoN Youth Emergency Services

November 5 • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM HoNeY SuNDAY Ollie Webb Center, Inc.

make the connection!

Follow us on FACEBOOK!

Throughout Omaha | Omaha Help make the lives of people with developmental disabilities sweeter with a little bit of honey. On the first Sunday of every November, people know that a knock on the door will bring them their honey bottles. Don’t miss out on an easy way to help our community by stocking up on a household staple $6 per bottle 402-346-5220 | http://olliewebbinc.org 84

Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street | Omaha Join us for the annual Joslyn Castle Historic Home Tour & Boutique November 10 and 11. This year's tour will take you inside a truly special mix of properties. Stay tuned for all the details! During the tour, the Joslyn Castle is transformed into a one-of-a-kind boutique featuring many well-known and unique vendors. Get a jump on your holiday gift shopping as you will definitely find something for everyone on your list! Proceeds from the Historic Home Tour & Boutique benefit the Joslyn Castle and the Castle Guild. Tour tickets are $20 per person. A patron party kicks off the festivities on November 9 from 5 to 8 p.m. $20 - $75 402-595-2199 | www.joslyncastle.com/events

November 10 vISIoN beYoND SIgHT Outlook Nebraska, Inc. Details to be announced.

402-614-3331 x 221 | www.outlooknebraska.org

November 10 • 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM Tree oF LIgHTS KIcKoFF The Salvation Army American National Bank | 7921 W Dodge Rd. | Omaha The Salvation Army will kick off its annual Tree of Lights Campaign with the lighting of the Tree of Lights that stands each Christmas season on the corner of 90th and Dodge. FREE 402-898-5909 | http://salarmyomaha.org

November 11 • 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM cHILDreN'S HoSPITAL & meDIcAL ceNTer gALA Children's Hospital & Medical Center Foundation CenturyLink Center Omaha | 455 N 10th Street | Omaha You are invited to join the Friends of Children's Hospital & Medical Center for an evening of hope and entertainment! The annual Gala is Children's signature fundraising event, featuring dinner, live and silent auctions, a raffle and live music. Proceeds from the 2017 Gala will support Children’s Changing Lives Together Capital Campaign. $185 402-955-6851 | http://ChildrensFoundationOmaha.org

November 14 • 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM HoPe For HuNgrY rADIoTHoN Open Door Mission Open Door Mission’s HOPE Line: 402-898-HOPE (4673) | Omaha Tune in to KFAB NewsRadio 1110 and call in to the Open Door Mission's Hope Line at 402-898-HOPE (4673) to make a donation to provide Hope for the Hungry. Donors make it possible for Open Door Mission’s campus to offer 816 safe shelter beds to homeless men, women and children, serve over 2,000 hot, nutritious meals, and provide preventive measures to more than 275 people living in poverty each day. DONATION 402-829-1505 | www.opendoormission.org/ All information in this section is presented exactly as submitted and updated online by our nonprofit partners and contributors.

ALH Publications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or integrity of the information provided. We encourage readers to check with event sponsors for up-to-date event information.

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

coNNecT with over 100 nonprofits and learn more about their mission and how you can help! order your copy of The giving guide & event book 2017 today at mQuArTerLY’s Spiritofomaha.com.

• mquarterly LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GIVING GUIDE 2017!

November 15 • 6:00 PM JASoN AwArDS Children's Square U.S.A. Mid-America Center | One Arena Way | Council Bluffs, IA The Jason Awards event is held annually to recognize individuals, couples, organizations and businesses that exemplify the mission of Children’s Square U.S.A. Award recipients demonstrate an extraordinary degree of Caring, Contribution and Commitment to children, families, communities and related causes.

Their lives and work exemplify the Vision, Courage and Will needed to embrace opportunities and challenges in life. Seventy individuals, couples, businesses and organizations have been recognized over the years. $100 per seat 712-322-3700 | www.childrenssquare.org

November 17 • 6:00 PM SeNTImeNTAL JourNeY The Durham Museum The Durham Museum | 801 S 10th Street | Omaha The Durham Museum invites you to join us for Sentimental Journey, an annual gala celebrating our region’s rich history and heritage, and of course the community that makes it possible. The evening includes dinner, exclusive entertainment and a special preview lighting of Omaha’s largest indoor Christmas tree. Your participation advances the museum’s work to bring history a little closer by providing much-needed support to The Durham’s educational programs and first-class exhibitions. $175 and up 402-444-5071 | www.durhammuseum.org

November 18 • 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM cumc & bergAN gALA CHI Health Foundation Century Link Center | 455 N 10th Street | Omaha The Creighton University Medical Center-Bergan Mercy Gala is a celebration of the coming together of two strong tertiary care hospitals presenting a blend of the best of a community hospital delivery system with the best of an academic learning environment to form an Academic Health System serving Nebraska and southwest Iowa. $125 402-343-4438 | www.MyCHIHealth.com/Foundation

November 23, 2017 – January 1, 2018 HoLIDAY LIgHTS FeSTIvAL Downtown Omaha Downtown Omaha The Holiday Lights Festival showcases Downtown Omaha and celebrates the spirit of the holidays by providing a full season of festive, family-friendly activities. More than 40 blocks of dazzling lights will illuminate Downtown Omaha and add that extra shine to each Festival event. The 2017 Holiday Lights Festival is scheduled to feature great traditions including: Thanksgiving Lighting Ceremony Making Spirits Bright Holiday Concert Sounds of the Season ConAgra Foods Ice Skating Rink Wells Fargo Family Festival New Year’s Eve Fireworks Spectacular Visit our website for complete details. FREE/$5 for Ice Rink 402-345-5401 | www.holidaylightsfestival.org

November 23 • 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM JoSLYN cASTLe TurKeY TroT Joslyn Castle Turner Park at Midtown Crossing | 33rd and Dodge | Omaha Get your trot on! Join us Thanksgiving morning for the annual Joslyn Castle Turkey Trot. Held at Midtown Crossing enjoy a 5K Run /Walk prior to enjoying your holiday meal! Proceeds benefit the ongoing restoration and preservation of the Joslyn Castle. $30 - $40 402-595-2199 | www.joslyncastle.com/events

November 24, 2017 – January 3, 2018 • 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM HoLIDAY PoINSeTTIA SHow Lauritzen Gardens Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street | Omaha Thousands of poinsettias bursting with rich, vibrant color fill the floral display hall in a glowing tribute to the holidays during the spectacular holiday poinsettia show. In the center of it all, a magnificent and majestic 20-foot-tall poinsettia tree stands tall. Surrounded by a cascade of twinkling white lights, glittering ornaments and the whir and whistle of model garden trains, this show evokes the warmest greetings of goodwill and cheer. More than 5000 poinsettias in 26 different varieties were grown for the 2017 display. Complete information is available at metroMAGAZINE’s SpiritofOmaha.com CALENDAR PAGE or this organization’s website. $5-10, free for garden members and children under 6 402- 346-4002 | www.lauritzengardens.org 85

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community CALENDAR

save the date

December 2 • 6:00 PM

August 17 • 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

September 28 • 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

cHrISTmAS eNcHANTmeNT Children's Square U.S.A.

cHAmPIoNSHIP LuNcHeoN Nebraska Families Collaborative

NIgHT IN THe NeIgHborHooD: ceLebrATINg 10 YeArS

Celebrate the Holiday Season and support the children of Children's Square U.S.A.! Join us at Christmas Enchantment for music, hors doeuvres, and general merriment while browsing the holiday décor and gifts for sale. Christmas Enchantment helps fund the Spiritual Life Program at Children's Square U.S.A., providing holistic mental health options in the care given the children.

Free (but we hope you will purchase some items) 712-322-3700 | www.childrenssquare.org

Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street | Omaha $75/ticket 402-492-2503

Founders One Nine | 1915 Jackson St. | Omaha $75; Young Professional (21 to 35), $50 402-397-5809 | http://completelykids.org

December 9 • 5:00 PM – 5:00 PM JoSLYN cASTLe uNLocKeD Joslyn Castle Joslyn Castle | 3902 Davenport Street | Omaha Come experience Joslyn Castle Unlocked! This fun evening includes dinner and an all access tour of the historic Joslyn Castle. A limited number of guests at each Unlocked event get to see behind all closed doors including access to the basement and third floor. Cost is $65 per person. Joslyn Castle Unlocked also provides a wonderful opportunity to learn more about George and Sarah Joslyn, their many philanthropic contributions to Omaha and the way they lived and entertained within the Castle when it was simply their home.

Dates for 2017 include: January 28, April 29, August 12, and December 9. Doors open at 5 p.m. each evening. Dinner served at 6:15 p.m. with the tour starting at 7 p.m. $65 402-595-2199 | www.joslyncastle.com/events

December 27 • 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM omAHA SYmPHoNY DebuTANTe bALL Debutante Ball Committee Embassy Suites Conference Center – La Vista For over 50 years the Omaha Symphony Debutante Ball has been a treasured Omaha tradition. It creates an unforgettable experience for the participants and their families while raising funds for the Symphony's nationally recognized education and engagement programs. In addition, the Debutante Ball provides an opportunity to recognize families for their dedication to volunteerism in the Omaha metro area.

402-850-0428

DON’T MISS these August 5 • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM LeT'S NoT be STILL! omAHA Star Legacy Foundation Miller's Landing Park | 151 Freedom Park Rd. | Omaha $25 adult/$20 kids ages 4-12/Diaper Dash $5 402-672-3613 | http://https://secure.qgiv.com/event/921707/

August 6 • 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM 2017 grAND ISLAND commuNITY wALK ALS in the Heartland

August 19 • 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM NIgHT AT THe muSeum Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum

September 30 • 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum | 28210 W Park Highway | Ashland, NE $6-$12 402-944-3100 | www.SACMuseum.org

IowA weSTerN'S bLAcK TIe HArveST For ScHoLArSHIPS Iowa Western

August 25 • 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Iowa Western - Kanesville Arena | 2700 College Rd. | Council Bluffs, IA $100.00 402-680-5143 | www.iwcc.edu

ALS IN THe HeArTLAND'S 2017 wINe & beer eveNT ALS in the Heartland

october 5 • 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Omaha • 402-592-2374 | www.alsintheheartland.org

August 26 • 8:30 AM – 10:00 AM ruNDee 2017 5K or 1 mILe brIeF ruN/wALK Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance

SPIrIT oF ST FrANcIS DINNer The New Cassel Foundation Scott Conference Center | 6450 Pine Street | Omaha $100/person with sponsorship opportunities available 402-390-5317 | www.newcassel.org

5006 Underwood Ave. | Omaha $10-$30

october 7 – January 7, 2018

August 26 • 10:00 AM

zoom INTo NANo The Durham Museum

muDzILLA muD ruN Mt. Crescent Ski Area | 17026 Snowhill Ln. | Honey Creek, IA $65 - Early registration rates available 712-545-3850 http://https://mudzilla-run-mud-run-2017.eventbrite.com/

801 S 10th Street | Omaha $11 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Children (3-12) 402-444-5071

August 26 • 1:00 PM mINI me FAmILY muD ruN

AuTumN FeSTIvAL, AN ArTS AND crAFTS AFFAIr Huffman Productions

Mt. Crescent Ski Area | 17026 Snowhill Ln. | Honey Creek, IA $45 - Early registration rates available 712-545-3850 http://https://minime-family-mud-run-2017.eventbrite.com/

Ralston Arena | 7300 Q Street | Omaha Adults $8, Seniors $7, Children Under 10 are Free.

402-331-2889 | www.hpifestivals.com

September 7 • 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

November 11 • 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

brew HAHA: A beNeFIT For HAbITAT For HumANITY oF omAHA Habitat for Humanity of Omaha Stinson Park at Aksarben Village | 2285 S 67th St. | Omaha $50 in advance (General Admission); $100 (Patron Party) 402-884-5957 | http://habitatomaha.org/brewhaha/

September 10 • 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM TANgIer SHrINe SPAgHeTTI FeeD 2017 Tangier Shrine Center Tangier Shrine Center | 2823 S 84 Street | Omaha $10 per person 402-392-0404

September 11 • 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM PATrIoT DAY ProgrAm & LuNcH Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum

Suck's Lake | 1707 Oklahoma Avenue W | Grand Island, NE 402-592-2374 | www.alsintheheartland.org

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum | 28210 W Park Highway | Ashland, NE FREE for military and first responders others pay admission and lunch is free 402-944-3100 | www.SACMuseum.org

August 13 • 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

September 21 • 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

vINTAge wHeeLS AT THe ForT Douglas County Historical Society

HALFwAY To ST. PATrIcK'S DAY Project Harmony

Historic Fort Omaha | 5730 S 30th Street | Omaha FREE 402-455-9990 | www.DouglasCoHistory.org

Anthony's Steak House | 7220 F St. | Omaha $75 402-595-1326 | www.projectharmony.com 86

November 2 – November 5 • 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

veTerANS DAY ProgrAm & LuNcH Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum 28210 W Park Highway | Ashland, NE FREE for Veterans, Admission: $12 adult, $11 Senior Lunch is Free 402-944-3100 | www.SACMuseum.org

November 24 – January 7, 2018 brIDgeS: SHArINg our PAST To eNrIcH THe FuTure The Durham Museum 801 S 10th Street | Omaha $11 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Children (3-12) 402-444-5071

November 24 – January 7, 2018 eTHNIc HoLIDAY TreeS exHIbIT The Durham Museum 801 S 10th Street | Omaha $11 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Children (3-12) 402-444-5071 All information in this section is presented exactly as submitted and updated online by our nonprofit partners and contributors.

ALH Publications, Inc. assumes no responsibility for the accuracy or integrity of the information provided. We encourage readers to check with event sponsors for up-to-date event information.

mquarterly • auG/SeP/OCt 2017

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• mquarterly LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GIVING GUIDE 2017!

801 S 10th Street | Omaha $11 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Children (3-12) 402-444-5071

November 24 – February 25, 2018 PUSHING BOUNDARIES: HDR AT 100 The Durham Museum 801 S 10th Street | Omaha $11 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Children (3-12) 402-444-5071

November 24 • 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY The Durham Museum 801 S 10th Street | Omaha $11 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Children (3-12) 402-444-5071

December 1 • 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM ETHNIC HOLIDAY FESTIVAL The Durham Museum

December 2 – December 19 • 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM

bravo!

FAMILY NIGHTS WITH SANTA The Durham Museum

SUPPORTING THE

801 S 10th Street | Omaha $11 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Children (3-12) 402-444-5071

ARTS

December 2 • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

OMAHA PERFORMING ARTS STAGE PARTY Omaha Performing Arts

August 1 – August 31

SANTA GOES TO SPACE Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum

$ TBD 402-661-8454 | www.omahaperformingarts.org

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum | 28210 W Park Highway | Ashland, NE $6-$12 general admission 402-944-3100 | www.SACMuseum.org

August 1 • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

December 30 • 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

801 S 10th Street | Omaha $11 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Children (3-12) 402-444-5071

NOON YEAR’S EVE The Durham Museum

December 2 – December 19

801 S 10th Street | Omaha $11 Adults, $8 Seniors, $7 Children (3-12) 402-444-5071

HOLIDAY CONCERT SERIES The Durham Museum

R

TEMPO OF TWILIGHT OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES Lauritzen Gardens Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street | Omaha $7 per person (with bottled drink) and $6.50 per person (with canned drink). We encourage visitors to carpool when possible as there is limited parking available. $5-$10, free for garden members and children under 6 402-346-4002 | www.lauritzengardens.org

August 5 HETRA'S LITTLE BRITCHES HORSE SHOW

ESERVE YOUR SPACE NOW! New Non Profit and Business Bundles available for The Giving Guide & Event Book 2018 fROM ThE PUbLIShERS Of metroMAGAZINE/mQUARTERLY

RESERVE YOUR SPACE IN TIME TO bE fEATURED ALONGSIDE

AREA DIffERENCE-MAkERS IN ThE REGION’S MOST

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COMPREhENSIVE GUIDE TO GIVING bACk

DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY

TO PROMOTE YOUR ORGANIZATION’S GIVING AGENDA!

RESERVE YOUR SPACE TODAY: 87

EMAIL US at CONNECT@SPIRITOfOMAhA.COM

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waking WORDS

mquarterly • letter from the editor

rob Killmer

anger MANAGEMENT Let’s talk politics. But before we tread that minefield, let’s have an understanding that We are being continuously led to believe that liberals or conservatives are the problem; I’m not here to pick on any one candidate or public official, or to demonize or legitimize any socialists or capitalists are the problem, Trump political party or institution. I’m here to view the landscape with you and discuss how it affects us collectively and individually, and to share whatever insights and observations have proved valuable supporters are all closet fascists, Sanders supporters are all closet communists, and one or useful to me in terms of my own personal journey. That’s what this column is always about: side or the other, occupied by all of us to one sharing those things which have been “awakening” for me, with the intention that it may prove of degree or another, is what’s wrong with use and service for others. But in the space available here I cannot mince words, so let’s get to it.

America. We are being continuously hypnotized Like it or not, we’ve now embarked on a new era of “Anger in America.” Fostered and fueled to accept that huge sections of our populace are by a competing cadre of commercial, social and political elitists, we’ve now been successfully marginalized and divided into designated “camps” and set in vehement, often violent, opposition the problem! I simply refuse to believe it!

I’ll tell you what I do believe: I believe to one another. What now passes for a “free press” has been stripped down after decades of robert P. Killmer that, by and large, vastly outnumbering and irresponsible “deregulation” in the communications sector, into a system of competing editor@Spiritofomaha.com outweighing what is being reported about us, propaganda machines, operated by a set of competing corporate “media owners” (once intended Americans are a great and good people! by our Founding Fathers to be the sole purview of the public) – who manipulate information to We don’t have a monopoly on these attributes but we’ve been granted an environment where assist them in moving us all around like chess pawns decked out in the colors of CNN, FOX NEWS, TRUMP, SANDERS, “whatever,” in order to advance their own narrower self-interests. they have been encouraged to thrive. Now that environment is being usurped by those who Through these devices and machines, these “elites” are no longer providing facts for us to examine wish to create an atmosphere where we cease believing in one another! Well, I refuse! I still believe in my fellow “average” Americans! on their own merits, based on our capacity to gauge those merits; they are continuously telling us I believe that if you assembled us all in one room, liberals and conservatives alike (or what to think, how to feel, and how to respond, who our enemies are, what constitutes their pick any other issues or agendas that supposedly divide us so deeply) and got us all talking to one definition of importance and what we should not “worry our pretty little heads over.” And they are another, that we’d soon discover that we share exceedingly more in common than not. I believe doing it with the aide of an election system that has been so co-opted by campaign finance we’d rediscover the essential decency and morality of the vast majority of people in that room. deregulation (and other forms of chaos) that it now allows the highest-bidding PACs to disseminate I believe that those who are being told we should hate and fear one another’s beliefs and agendas any kind of misleading information they choose into the most local of campaigns, funded by those would discover that we are essentially in harmony over the things that matter most, and we’d who don’t even live in the same state, in order to expand their ever-increasing national influence. be shaking hands, even embracing one another over the commonalities we share. True, there Republicans, Democrats, liberals, conservatives, one lobby and industry or another – everyone has a would be disagreements and even violence in some cases, but in general, I believe we would see seat at the trough, de-fanging and disassembling the precious checks and balances our Founding ourselves reflected in those we have been told to demonize. I believe we would be reminded of Fathers worked so diligently to put in place. (Somewhere the good ol’ boys from Tammany Hall the Grace bestowed on all of us, embedded within most of us, that has had a lot to do with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tammany_Hall] are rolling in their graves wishing they could “Making America Great” in the first place and will remain essential in any efforts to make us reincarnate and participate in this new age of cronyism and corruption.) And just as in their day, there “Greater!” I believe that we are still, now, a “great” nation because each “average” American is a is one constituency that has no representation in this slog-fest: the “average” American. fundamentally decent human being trying to figure out how to do the right things!

Yet who are we talking about when we use that term? This would seem to beg a complicated I’ll tell you what I don’t believe: I don’t believe this swill being fed to us by those who have exploration, but I will offer a simple answer. The “average” American is not necessarily aligned entrenched and entitled themselves. I don’t believe in those who are feeding it to us, whether they be with any one of these competing interests, cannot be categorized as either wealthy or media moguls, politicians, lobbyists, bureaucrats, technocrats or corporate lackeys; whether their impoverished, liberal or conservative, pro-life, pro-choice, pro-Trump, pro-Sanders, etc. supposed social agendas (in truth they are more anti-social) are liberal or conservative, socialist or The “average” American is anyone who is not among the top one or two percent of the capitalist, “pro-management” or “pro-labor,” etc., etc., etc., “ad infinitum, ad nauseum.” wealthiest or most influential in the nation; is anyone who does not have the resources to I don’t believe it would take long before those of us assembled together would say to each “peddle” outcomes in Washington, D.C.; is anyone who doesn’t directly benefit from the virulent other, “Wait a minute! You’re not the problem.” And we’d collectively turn our attention to this forms of corruption eroding our institutions, is anyone who hasn’t been issued a “stake” in this entire class of entitled elitists who are posing and plotting (whether intentionally, conspiratorially, game being played by those who have attained—either through financial or political influence or just as collateral damage) to encourage the dissolution of our Republic and we would (often both)—the power to dictate how we view one another. (I use that term very collectively declare, “You guys, on the other hand... You need to GO!” intentionally, because—while using the language of Liberty, and claiming to be our “Active,” not “Activated!” It’s appropriate that we should be angry. Anger is a mobilizing champions in the “fight against Tyranny,” these dictators, liberal and conservative, are already energy and emotion. It gets us moving, and at this time in our history, it’s not only reasonable and foisting a form of tyranny over the “average” American.) commendable, but essential that we do get moving! A generation of great “average” Americans And the “average” American is (justifiably) angry about it. That’s one reason Donald Trump is now have had their leverage usurped and undercut by people who—while perhaps achievers—are POTUS. So many “average” Americans are so enflamed and incensed that they rallied around a not particularly admirable. It’s vital that we re-empower the “average” American. But it’s critical “personification” of dissent. We all (whether we voted for him or not the verdict is now in, and we all that in our anger, we do not vent either our rage or our wrath at one another, but direct deliberate, own it now) feel disempowered because a cabal of elite politicians, bankers, corporate interests, focused, appropriate anger and accountability at those who are succeeding in corrupting—not lobbyists and special-interests groups on every side of the debate have systematically and only our precious liberties and institutions, but in actually corrupting how we view ourselves! relentlessly embedded themselves for decades, like ticks–unchecked–festering and poisoning the Anesthetized to corruption. Even our jargon has become corrupted over time. We call our institutions established to preserve “the blessings of liberty, to ourselves and our posterity.” public servants “The Government” and by doing so we grant them an authority that was never We should be angry! It’s about time! Something was needed to shake us out of our intended, and make them seem more impenetrable and empowered than they really are. WE are lethargy and apathy! But directing our justifiable (even righteous) anger at our fellow Americans the government in this land! WE have the power, privilege and obligation to hold our public is not the answer, it will not produce positive results. Instead, it will accomplish precisely what servants and special interests accountable! We must manage our anger, becoming a more active these entitled elitists are hoping to achieve: to keep the focus off of what they are doing (and generation of “average” Americans, and we must utterly repudiate and dismiss the propaganda failing to do) allowing them to further entrench and enrich themselves, and keep up the that would pit us against one another. This is a time to unify, not to divide, and to hold accountable, SPIN-SPIN-SPIN. And the SPIN is intended to keep us looking at each other rather than at them! with judicious anger, all public servants and private interests that would seek to divide us.

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