metroMAGAZINE’s mQUARTERLY Summer (MAY/JUN/JUL) 2016 Issue

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coming of age OMAHA ‘S GROWING GIVING LANDSCAPE

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

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SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

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MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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in this ISSUE

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

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features

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MORE TO GIVE. Omaha Gives! 2016

VIPS: VERY INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE 5 in a series of 25 inspiring 25th anniversary profiles

JOURNEYS: DR. JAMES HAMMEL beyond borders • children’s hospital & medical center

connecting to our core departments/columns

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GAME CHANGERS • MALORIE MADDOX presented by planitOmaha

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

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SPOTLIGHT ON:

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connecting to our children

omaha home for boys

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SPOTLIGHT ON: NP DODGE: dodge cares

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SPOTLIGHT ON:

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SPOTLIGHT ON:

AKSARBEN Foundation

connecting to our caring

american heart assoc. & american stroke assoc.

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SPOTLIGHT ON: nebraska children’s home society

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metroSPIRIT with mary vandenack

OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

connecting to our calling

omaha giving

150 YEARS OF THE “Y” ymca of greater omaha

VW LAW planning matters

SWARTZBAUGH, FARBER & ASSOC. todays savings

VONDRAK DENTAL

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impact!

WAKING WORDS FROM ROB KILLMER let freedom ring!

events

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SCENE highlights from recent charity & cultural events

SAVE THE DATE upcoming events in the coming quarter

bravo! CELEBRATING THE ARTS

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ALL GROWN UP! omaha children’s museum anniversary celebration

connecting to our charity

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connecting to our charities

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MAY/JUN/JUL 2016 • VOL. 28 NO. 2 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 Kali Baker Mary Drueke-Collins Daniel Flanigan Jocelyn Houston Roger Humphries Elissa Joy Debra Kaplan Anne Meysenburg Wendy Moore MORNING BLEND’s “Mike & Mary” Jim Scholz Kara Schweiss Mary Vandenack Stephanie Vondrak D.D.S.

Editor/Creative Director

Robert P. “ROB” Killmer Community Engagement

Tracy Fisher 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.

OFFICE/SALES

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

Contents of this magazine are copyrighted by ALH Publications, Inc. in their entirety. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior written consent of the publisher. ©Copyright 1990 – 2016 ALH Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

402.932.3522 • CONNECT@SpiritofOmaha.com

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MAKE THE CONNECTION! “We have generations of individuals that have passion, and generations that have need.

When those two meet, great relationships occur. metroMAGAZINE and mQUARTERLY consistently help connect and foster those relationships.” ~ NATE DODGE PRESIDENT, NP DODGE COMPANY

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words FROM MY HEART

In 2016 we are celebrating 25 years of serving those who give back in our community!

mQUARTERLY • LETTER FROM THE PUBLISHER

M.A.D.

And we’ve decided to go a little M.A.D. in the process…

2016 is a milestone for me both personally and professionally. I turn the BIG 50 in July and metroMAGAZINE is celebrating 25 years this year. As with most milestones I tend to do a lot of reflecting. Reflecting on the good, the bad, the challenges I have endured as well as the triumphs. I have learned and grown from all of it! I found myself earlier this year looking for ways to challenge myself during this milestone. I set out to create more meaningful experiences as well as connect with my community in more meaningful ways.

That’s where the inspiration came from in the creation of M.A.D. 25: Making a Difference for 25 years. The challenge that I committed to take on this year is to participate in a minimum of 25 awesome experiences…experiences that would push me out of my comfort zone, experiences that would challenge me physically and also mentally. I wanted to share experiences that I could participate in with my ALHP family and share with others in the community – but they all needed to benefit local charities.

ANDREA L. HOIG ahoig@SpiritofOmaha.com

Something that surprised me as we started participating in these M.A.D. 25 challenges was that there was so much more to each challenge then just the physical side of getting ready and completing the challenge. With each challenge an amazing experience unfolds as we encounter those promoting these events and those in attendance. There are personal stories being told, memories of loved ones being shared and a commitment to creating a better community being realized.

We are inviting the community to RECRUIT US! If you would like for us to consider your event go to www.spiritofomaha.com and look for Eli the Elephant on the left hand side of the home page. I also encourage you to like our metroMAGAZINE Facebook page. We will be posting photos from all of the challenges on our page and also letting you know which ones we are participating in. We hope you will join us!

Here’s my personal invitation to go a little bit M.A.D. with us in 2016!

Check out these photos from several of our M.A.D. 25 experiences thus far this year! ~ Andee

The Polar Plunge benefiting Special Olympics Nebraska WELCOM Trek up the Tower The Shamrock Run 5K benefiting the Madonna School The 19th Annual Sherman-Steichen Memorial 5K-10K Run/Walk benefiting the Sherman-Steichen Scholarship fund for students at Creighton University.

2nd Annual Pinwheels for Prevention benefiting Metropolitan Child Advocacy Coalition’s Child Abuse Prevention Council Out of the Darkness Walk - UNO Campus benefiting American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 5K and Heroes’ Walk - benefiting Donate Life NE

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G IVINGBACK!

GET EXCITEDABOUT

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

FROM THE PUBLISHERS OF

Buy a Bundle... Save a Bundle!

Reserve Your Space Nowin the 2017 edition and take advantage of our discount bundles for non profits.

Email us at CONNECT@SpiritofOmaha.com • The Giving Guide & Event Book 2016 Print Editon • The Giving Guide online at WWW.SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM/THE-EVENT-BOOK/ • Enter, update and search 2016 events 365/24/7 at WWW.SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM/METRO-MAGAZINE/COMMUNITY/CALENDAR/

Distributing Now in support of these great organizations: AKSARBEN Foundation Alzheimer's Association of the Midlands American Cancer Society American Heart Association American Red Cross Heartland Chapter Angels Among Us Assistance League of Omaha Avenue Scholars Ballet Nebraska Boys & Girls Clubs of the Midlands Boys Town Catholic Charities Child Saving Institute, Inc. Children's Hospital & Medical Center Foundation Children's Scholarship Fund of Omaha College Possible Completely KIDS Do SPACE The Durham Museum Film Streams First Responders

Fontenelle Forest Food Bank for the Heartland Gesu Housing, Inc. Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Heart Ministry Center Heartland Family Service Hearts United for Animals Hope Center for Kids Jennie Edmundson Hospital Foundation Joslyn Art Musuem Josyln Castle Justice For Our Neighbors Nebraska Keep Omaha Beautiful,Inc. Kids Can Community Center The Kim Foundation Lauritzen Gardens Lifestyle Innovations for Epilepsy Literacy Center of the Midlands Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska Merrymakers Association Methodist Hospital Foundation

Metro Area Youth Foundation Metro Community College Nebraska Children and Families Foundation Nebraska Children's Home Society Nebraska Foundation for Visually Impaired Children Nebraska Humane Society Nebraska Wildlife Rehab, Inc. Non Profit Association of the Midlands (NAM) Omaha Children's Museum Omaha Community Foundation Omaha Community Playhouse Omaha Conservatory of Music Omaha Home for Boys Omaha Performing Arts Omaha Public Library Foundation Omaha Symphony Association Omaha Zoo Foundation One World Community Health Centers, Inc. Open Door Mission Opera Omaha Outlook Nebraska, Inc.

Partnership 4 Kids Phoenix Academy QLI • Quality Living, Inc. Ronald McDonald House Saving Grace Perishable Food Rescue, Inc. Senior Health Foundation Siena/Francis House Special Olympics Nebraska Susan G. Komen Nebraska Ted E. Bear Hollow The Salvation Army United Way of the Midlands UNO Athletics Visiting Nurses Association Voices for Children in Nebraska Women's Center for Advancement YMCA of Greater Omaha Youth Emergency Services

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community CONNECTIONS

now that omaha community foundation (ocf) has executed three highly successful consecutive “omaha gives!”

24-hour online giving events, it’s become an established annual tradition for participating nonprofits and donors from previous years. at the same time, additional nonprofits continue to join and the event brings in more supporters every year.

it just keeps getting better.

“OMAHA GIVES! has great momentum coming off three years of success,” said todd simon, ocf board chair and omaha steaks senior vice president.

2015 Campaign Stats $8.8 MILLION 47,000 DONATIONS

“What we’ve done is create a community platform everyone can share in.” community engagement is key to the continuing success of the event, and remains its biggest aspiration for its fourth year, ocf president and ceo sara boyd said. “We hope this can be a big, fun celebration for people, but it’s also a very cost-efficient way for nonprofits to engage donors.”

Giving is easy

20,000 DONORS

the fundamentals of the 2016 Omaha Gives!, presented again by american national bank, are the same as in previous years: starting at midnight on Wednesday, may 25, participants visit the website at omahagives24.org, select from a list of registered nonprofits, and make a donation of $10 or more using a credit card, debit card, electronic funds transfer or ocf account. donors can support as many nonprofits as they like.

704 NONPROFITS 3 COUNTIES

hourly drawings (omaha steaks-steaks for good is the returning hourly prize sponsor), participation prizes and a real-time leaderboard stimulate a friendly spirit of competition. With multiple incentives, even the smallest and newest nonprofits can win. but there are new elements this year, too, boyd said, that consider ease and convenience of technology, how the event coordinates with nonprofits’ fundraising strategies and efforts to keep the event fresh.

Real people coming together to make a big impact.

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“feedback is important to us, and we continue to tweak and refine the event. that’s based on real experience, it’s not just a hunch,” she explained. “We’re very receptive to feedback on what works and what doesn’t.”

In with the new so for the first time this year, donors have the option to set up a recurring donation throughout the year. there’s also a suggested nonprofit feature that lets donors know about the giving choices of other supporters, similar to what consumers see on buying sites.

MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION celebrating 25 years in 2016!

omaha gives! 2016

OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

CONTINUED

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community CONNECTIONS

omaha community foundation and

omaha gives!

“it creates a different opportunity to bring visibility to nonprofits that individuals may not have otherwise been exposed to,” boyd said.

2015 Dona on Sources

and one of the most exciting new features is the ability to create personal fundraising campaigns within the system and get the word out via social media and email, boyd added. “We wanted to allow individuals to be more vocal advocates for the causes and organizations they support…We’ve seen this in other communities and it seems to have broadened the engagement in the community.” omahagives24.org serves as a year-round portal to connect with and give to nonprofits. only the donations made from april 1 through may 25 count toward the Omaha Gives! total and incentives, but community members can use the convenient technology already in place to support their selected nonprofits on any date.

The other 364 days mike cassling, ocf board member and ceo of cQuence health, a key supporter of Omaha Gives! since its beginning, said the event’s influence is intended to extend well beyond may 25.

79%

OF ALL DONATIONS WERE UNDER $100

“it’s not just one day, it’s an ongoing process,” he said. “the goal from the beginning is driving awareness, and omaha is such a great giving community. making sure we’re driving awareness to all levels and all age groups is part of why i love Omaha Gives!. if we get more and more people involved and more nonprofits—and more importantly, continue to teach and grow our nonprofits so they can grab these new donors and cultivate them—that’s success.”

Last year’s event generated more than $8.8 million from 20,000-plus donors supporting 704 nonprofits with more than 47,000 donations, boyd said. “We found last year that 46 percent of the gifts were still a first-time gift to one of the participating organizations.” “the best outcome for the community is that the people who donate for the first time during Omaha Gives! will continue to donate throughout the year and that the people in the community will use Omaha Gives! to find new organizations that are worthy of their support,” simon said.

Celebra ng lots and lots of small gi!s.

“it’s not about how many more millions of dollars we can grow year over year, because we’re going to hit a threshold. it’s really driving that personal involvement and the growth of the nonprofits,” cassling said. ocf even supports participating nonprofits with a toolkit.

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• mQUARTERLY

give.

CARL BECK (FAR RIGHT) WITH CAROLYN RUTHERFORD, CHARLES JONES

CARL BECK (FAR RIGHT) WITH CAROLYN RUTHERFORD, CHARLES JONES

CARL BECK (FAR RIGHT) WITH CAROLYN RUTHERFORD, CHARLES JONES

CARL BECK (FAR RIGHT) WITH CAROLYN RUTHERFORD, CHARLES JONES

CARL BECK (FAR RIGHT) WITH CAROLYN RUTHERFORD, CHARLES JONES omaha gives! 2016

OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

CONTINUED

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community CONNECTIONS

omaha community foundation and

omaha gives!

ocf’s toolkit helps nonprofits stimulate participation in Omaha Gives! and retain donor interest for the future, he added. “it’s creating a system and creating an awareness; if they gave you a donation, keep talking to them. keep educating them.”

Number of Donors

18,000

boyd added: “i would say that one of the objectives that we are appreciating more than probably we did at the outset with Omaha Gives! is the role we feel this event can play in strengthening nonprofits’ ability to reach a new pipeline of donors…the goal has always been around creating new donors, first and foremost, much more so than about the total amount of money raised; participation is the heart and soul of this event. i think we’re coming to greater understanding of not only engaging new donors for this event, but how we help the nonprofits translate these into longer-term relationships.”

All giving matters

20,000

seventy-nine percent of last year’s donations were $100 or less, boyd said, so Omaha Gives! supporters are not major philanthropists. and they don’t have to be to make a difference. “all giving matters,” she said. “there is no gift too small, and as a community we can make amazing things happen.”

11,000

“We are so thrilled that Omaha Gives! is planting seeds of philanthropy in the community and we’re thrilled to support a project that’s really helping to advance the capacity of the community,” simon said. boyd agreed that the success of Omaha Gives! has been a positive reflection on the entire community.

2013

2014

2015

2016

A community give-together with more people celebra ng each year.

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“part of it is our community’s culture; there’s a positive orientation to giving that is unique. there are generous people in other communities, but i think the way we socialize in our community revolves a lot more about what we can do for the community than elsewhere. With that as the foundation and Omaha Gives! as the means to unleash more of that potential, we’ve been really blown away by the unprecedented success of this event,” she said. “it’s not our success as the omaha community foundation’s to boast, it’s really the community’s success. Let’s challenge ourselves to continue to demonstrate to the entire country how special omaha is and how powerful it is when we give together.”

MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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give.

For more than 35 years, Food Bank for the Heartland has distributed donated and purchased food to those in need across 93 counties in Nebraska and Western Iowa through a network of schools, pantries, emergency shelters and nonprofit partners.

In partnership with the Omaha Police Department, the Omaha Police Foundation works to ensure that our officers have the training and equipment they need to prevent crime, save lives and make Omaha a safer place in which to live.

“Last year, Omaha Gives! provided the perfect way for the community to show its support for Detective Kerrie Orozco and her family. It was a terrible coincidence, but Detective Orozco happened to be killed in the line of duty on May 20, 2015, Founded in 1975, Siena/Francis House is Nebraska’s largest Omaha Gives! day. The Omaha Police Foundation received more shelter, providing food, shelter and clothing along with than $70,000 from nearly 2,000 individual donors mostly from outreach/case management to homeless families and Omaha, but there were also donations from 35 different states individuals in and around Omaha. and three different continents. The outpouring of support and concern were overwhelming and the Foundation was honored “Omaha Gives! has turned into a very important fundraising to have partnered with Omaha Gives! to provide the perfect event for the Siena/Francis House Homeless Shelter. Not only way to make it easy for people from around the world to help. has this event raised essential funds to support our services to This year, we’re hoping people remember the Omaha’s homeless men, women and children, it has also Omaha Police Foundation when they make their contributions helped us grow the number of unique number of donors to our “Omaha is a very philanthropically-minded city, and Omaha Gives! through Omaha Gives! 2016. The Foundation continues to work shelter. We are so grateful to the Omaha Community exemplifies our giving spirit. The initiative showcases hundreds of hard to provide important resources, equipment, training Foundation for making this annual event happen. and recognition for the men and women of the Omaha local nonprofit organizations doing diverse and important work Police Department. to improve our communities while educating individuals and “Omaha Gives! has elevated the overall status of charitable companies and encouraging them to donate. Omaha Gives! spans giving in our Omaha community. This program has raised the “I feel like the Omaha Community Foundation is an important 24 hours, but the positive impact on the organizations, donors awareness that everyone can be a philanthropist in their own organization that allows people from all over Omaha to support and community at-large resonates much longer.” way, and at the level at which they are comfortable.” a variety of causes. Omaha Gives! is a great way to draw attention to a lot of smaller nonprofit groups that do great work ~ SuSan ogborn, preSident and ceo in our community, but that may not have the ability to reach as ~ Mike Saklar, executive director many people as they can through this special day of giving.”

“Food Bank for the Heartland staff members and supporters love showing their philanthropic spirit during Omaha Gives!

Many share information about the initiative through their social media channels and encourage others to participate. The reach is incredible! Last year, more than 20,000 generous donors contributed $80,604 to the Food Bank during Omaha Gives! With those funds, we provided 241,812 meals to families in need in Nebraska and western Iowa. We are grateful to the Omaha Community Foundation and the many supporters who have made Omaha Gives! an overwhelming success for our community.

~ dr. Jack k. lewiS, preSident NHS provides education, gives sanctuary, encourages adoption and promotes responsible pet ownership. The organization is one of the 10 largest animal shelters in the country, touching the lives of 25,000 animals each year.

QLI is the nation’s leading resource for brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation and the only program of its kind in the country. The organization’s proprietary rehabilitation model combines clinical expertise with an extraordinary focus on culture and education.

The Blue Barn Theatre exists to enhance the cultural life of Omaha, Nebraska, and the surrounding region by producing professionally executed, boundary breaking plays that ignite a passion for the art form. Blue Barn is dedicated to theatre's most important tradition: to provoke thought, emotion, action and change.

“Omaha Gives! gave the Nebraska Humane Society a wider “Omaha Gives! has helped increase awareness about QLI and our audience. The opportunity to showcase our agency to people mission within the Omaha community, while also providing who are philanthropically-minded, but might not know our philanthropic support for the important services we provide. story, is invaluable in our pursuit for support. Because we had “In the three years since it started, Omaha Gives! has helped the such a great response, we believe Omaha Gives! helped to show Each year, Omaha Gives! connects us to new donors in our Blue Barn Theatre significantly expand its donor base and also community and provides an opportunity for us to share our the community the importance of companion animals and build awareness of our professional theater productions. Each story. their positive impact on our lives. year we have received Omaha Gives! support not only from our faithful BlueBarners, but also from many members of the community who are first-time supporters of the organization.

“Omaha Gives! let all nonprofits spotlight their missions, and the “Omaha is filled with so many terrific nonprofit organizations wide variety of services that they offer, to the very people they who are accomplishing meaningful things in our community. rely on for support. The community was able to easily find and Omaha is also filled with generous individuals who deeply care “Omaha Gives! has united the community in a philanthropic goal to support the many wonderful, worthy organizations about supporting the causes that keep our community healthy. learn about agencies they might not know existed. doing great work in our city. It has also helped many smaller Omaha Community Foundation has successfully created an The charities were able to easily explain their purposes and organizations with limited budgets share their story and build opportunity for these generous individuals to come together to support for their work. Omaha’s nonprofit community is very express their needs. Donors were able to easily offer help, and support Omaha’s nonprofit organizations and their causes. OCF fortunate to receive such generous support year after year know that their help was compounded by donations from the helps keep the spirit of giving alive and well in our community.” during Omaha Gives!.

Omaha Community Foundation. Everybody wins!” ~ patricia kearnS, ceo

~ Judy varner, preSident and ceo

omaha gives! 2016

OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

~ SuSan cleMentS, founder

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VIP

VIPS

• VERY inspirational PEOPLE

SILVER ANNIV. MEMBER

PROFESSIONAL HAIRSTYLIST Conner Rensch is loved by her salon clients, not just for her ability to do great hair, but also for her enthusiasm and positive energy. She will tell you it’s because she enjoys seeing a transformation take place. “I’m making people feel good about themselves. My favorite part is the confidence that comes with that; it’s their smile when they walk out, that they’re happy,” she said.

But the most amazing transformation Rensch has ever overseen was her own: a journey that took two intense years, landed her on the cover of People magazine and completely changed her life.

At age 19, Rensch weighed more than 270 pounds. “I’d never been thin. I’d never been healthy,” she said. At a time when she should have been enjoying the fun opening years of her young adulthood, Rensch was tired of being overweight and tired of feeling like people defined her by her weight before they noticed her outgoing personality, her giving spirit, her talents and her many positive qualities.

“I never hated myself. I just was sad, I was lonely, and I just wanted to be treated like a normal person – for people to know me for the inside, not for my physical appearance,” she explained.

She decided to become that mentor for others. “I saw a need for someone to be really vulnerable and raw with their story, so I just starting writing, journaling. It took me about three years to share my story because I wanted to make sure I was ready – mentally, spiritually and physically – to share it. I started My Butterfly Journey to have a place for people to come for inspiration and motivation, because weight loss and self-discovery is a lonely process.” Conner’s website, mybutterflyjourney.com, offers numerous insights.

Healthy, happy and whole The objective of her website was to provide a nurturing and compassionate environment for people struggling with self-doubt, body image and self-love. Rensch eventually began providing coaching services to clients seeking guidance through their own journeys. Helping others was a tremendous motivator, Rensch said.

I started to think, ‘What do I want and what do I want my life to look like?’ I didn’t want to be defined by my weight; I wanted my life to be defined by how I’ve helped others.”

Recognizing that she found others’ success to be inspiring, Rensch said she hoped that sharing her experience could in turn inspire others. In 2013, she decided to try sharing her story in a big way by submitting it to People Before and after magazine for their annual issue featuring weight-loss success She resolved to become healthy, beginning with stories from non-celebrities. consultations with a nutritionist and a trainer to ensure that “Every year, People comes out with the ‘Half Their Size’ issue, her efforts would produce lasting results but also be safe. and for four years I thought about submitting my photos,” she It took two years of dedicated exercise and careful meal “I didn’t want to be defined said. Beginning on her June birthday, she repeatedly emailed planning plus a tremendous effort of will for Rensch to magazine for weeks on end. She laughs now about her by my weight; I wanted my the lose a total of 130 pounds, more than half her peak body dogged persistence, but it paid off. When the issue weight. She’s definitely recognizable in “before” photos: life to be defined by how appeared on newsstands in January 2014, not only was pretty, great hair (of course), lovely smile. But in the Rensch’s story one of the 17 featured, she was selected to I’ve helped others.” “after” photos, she’s all of that and fit, too. Now 26, she’s be one of the two women to appear on the cover. managed to maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle for At this point, “I felt that the inside matched the outside five years and counting. In 2015, she even won the CONNER RENSCH – Healthy, happy and whole.” she said. But, again, her F transformation division of the World Beauty Fitness & message wasn’t just about achieving physical beauty; Rensch Fashion contest. wanted to be frank about the entire process. For instance, a bikini But she’s quick to insist that it’s just the outside she’s changed. photo Rensch released (and which she never expected to go viral) “I’m the same person on the inside, I really am. I’ve just decided to reveals her fit physique complete with stretch marks. She’s done some make healthier life choices because I want to be healthy and I want things public speaking about her experience, and she’s honest about how it started from out of life that [carrying] that weight would have held me back from,” she said. “I just a place where she had not yet found self-acceptance and self-love. wanted to be the most beautiful version of myself from the inside out.”

“Everyone has flaws and everyone has insecurities,” she said. “I’ve tried to keep the An important part of her journey, Rensch said, was recognizing that there was an emotional component at the core of her original physical condition. She also sought emphasis on the emotional side and the spiritual side.” treatment for depression.

Support and inspiration “When you’re obese, there is something going on,” she said. “I’ve taken on a lot of Through her website, the People magazine story, her work with a childhood obesity meditation and prayer and delved deep into what the root causes are.” program at Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, a recent appearance on The Steve Harvey Show and her public speaking engagements, Rensch said she is confident she’s connecting Self-discovery Rensch was born into what she describes as an “affectionate, loving” family, but she with people who need support and inspiration.

“So many people have reached out to me and said, ‘Thank you for sharing,’” she said. recalled being bullied by other children for her appearance starting in early childhood Recently, a young woman told her, “You affect more people than you know.” and discovering that food provided some emotional comfort. Her internal struggle for “I realized through this process that there’s a plan in place and the reason this is acceptance and self-love left her feeling alone and misunderstood, leading to further unhealthy overeating followed by shame and other negative emotions. Rensch said she happening to me is that I’m supposed to share and supposed to be open,” she said, always knew she was a good person but at the same time was baffled and discouraged explaining that she’s always been a spiritual person. “It’s definitely been a learning process through this whole thing, but if I can be that person that helps someone else, it’s because by how others seemed to characterize her as an overweight girl before anything else.

“I’d done every diet plan you could possibly imagine and most of them focus on just that’s what I was put on earth to do.”

Helping others is what defines her now, Rensch said, and it’s not just about finding the eating and the exercise,” she said. “That’s great, but I think you need to talk about the a healthier lifestyle and self-acceptance. She’s excited about raising money for the emotional side of why we eat and the emotions behind what voids we’re trying to fill.”

The professionals Rensch consulted were helpful and encouraging, she said, but the Sunshine Kids Foundation by competing in Dancing with the Omaha Stars in June, for one element missing from her journey was a certain kind of kinship as she, like a butterfly, instance. And she recently tried a small experiment in which she spent a day making a point to compliment everyone she interacted with. emerged from her chrysalis.

“If one person can start a trend of supporting each other, one voice can make a difference “A lot of times, at least in my journey, I felt very lonely during it. And I wished that I had somebody to look up to that had gone through something similar,” she explained. in the way people feel,” she said. “Believe in your ‘beautiful.’ Everybody has their ‘beautiful’.”

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STORY BY KARA SCHWEISS | PHOTOGRAPHY BY DEBRA KAPLAN

• mQUARTERLY celebrating 25 years in 2016!

A butterfly JOURNEY

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VIP

VIPS

• VERY inspirational PEOPLE

SILVER ANNIV. MEMBER

PICTURE VAN DEEB as a youth. Surely this highly successful real name when he started working in real estate – on straight commission – there in 1983, estate entrepreneur, motivational speaker, author of four books, former TV and radio talk “Failure was not an option.”

And applying his still-new go-get-‘em approach, Deeb never saw failure. show host, and member of many nonprofit and community boards must have started out “Real estate became my best friend, my career, my hobby and my passion,” he said. a young dynamo, a precocious leader, a “most likely to succeed” born with a silver spoon in “My work was my pleasure. I would rather work than do social activities.” his mouth?

Deeb stayed in Dallas for 10 years, building up a small real estate empire and winning Not even close, Deeb said.

“I grew up nonconforming, rebellious and with my own agenda. I was a goofball, more than 100 regional and national sales awards. With fatherhood impending, in 1993 beyond,” he explained. “My goal was to make everyone around me laugh. And I wasn’t he made the decision to return to Omaha, where he could count on the support of family a good student.” to help him raise his daughter, Courtney.

His unremarkable beginnings are actually the key to Deeb’s relatability as a public He was wooed by the owners of the city’s three largest local real estate companies, speaker; he has been praised for his down-to-earth, no-filter, genuine approach. who tried to convince him there wasn’t enough room in the market for a new firm.

“The message I preach is, ‘You can work for it.’…Everything I preach are experiences Deeb was happy to “prove myself right,” even though he was all but starting over. In just I’ve had. A lot of motivational speakers have not ‘been there and done that,’ but they’re 15 years, he grew DEEB Realty from its basement beginnings to 350 agents and one of really good at getting people motivated. And I respect them,” he said. “But I don’t the biggest independent real estate firms in the country. know too many people who have my background, I don’t know too many People first people who started from nothing and live the American dream.”

The former rebel credits much of his firm’s success to Finding his motivation empowering, “people first” policies and workplace culture.

In light of his indifferent academic performance as a youth, “In real estate, there’s a high turnover rate. It was very Deeb said, even his family didn’t have great expectations for rare for someone to leave my company, because of the way his future. And his upbringing was modest. “If I wanted we treated people. I always made my staff and employees something, I shoveled driveways and mowed yards. If I feel like they worked with me and not for me,” Deeb “ The message I preach is, wanted something, I had to work for it. Nothing was explained, adding that DEEB Realty ultimately became handed to me.” Deeb laughs at the memory of the “$75 a model for other real estate firms.

‘You can work for it.’” car” he drove in high school: a 1965 Mustang with a Another factor that distinguished DEEB Realty partially rusted-out floor. “People were hesitant to be my was commitment to community, from sponsorships of VAN DEEB passenger. They had to put their feet on the dash.”

F youth sports teams to Deeb himself sitting on a rooftop The youngest of five children, Deeb recalled that he in an annual and widely-remembered campaign to raise “was spoiled with love and attention but I wasn’t held by the money for Children’s Miracle Network (benefiting Children’s hand with someone saying, ‘This is what you’re going to be when Hospital & Medical Center). It was during this period that you grow up.’There was no one in my immediate family in business, Deeb began serving on nonprofit and community boards. He also so I didn’t really have any mentors growing up…if I had that kind of began dabbling in motivational speaking, which – surprisingly – did support, I probably would have found myself sooner. But I wouldn’t change a not come naturally. thing. I am extremely grateful I had to earn everything I ever accomplished.”

“I was scared to death of speaking in public when I was younger,” Deeb confessed.

Deeb eventually discovered that he needed to find his own motivation, even if it didn’t But he applied his typical determination to this obstacle and readily overcame his fear. come early or easily. “I always knew that I wanted to be successful but I didn’t know how In 2009, he sold his real estate business and purchased a second home in Scottsdale, and I didn’t know what to do.” In high school, he was an undistinguished athlete who Arizona, intending to divide his free time between leisure activities and motivational would never have predicted he’d find his first taste of success through sports. speaking engagements.

“My closest friends in high school were all-state this and all-state that in all the sports, “I thought I was going to retire and chill,” he said. “That lasted about an hour.” When but I wasn’t a very good athlete,” he said. The movie Rocky (1976) gave him the first spark his non-compete restriction ran out, he started up Big Omaha Realty, although on a of inspiration he needed. “That movie did something to me, and made me realize I can much smaller scale than DEEB. do what he did.”

“I could not break the addiction to real estate,” he said.

Deeb started running and lifting weights while still in high school, not letting even a When not selling real estate, he continues to book engagements locally and all over coach who told him “don’t waste your time trying out for college football; you’re not cut the country as a motivational speaker to various groups, providing inspiration to others. out for it” deter him. To probably everyone’s surprise but his own, the fitter and more bulked- He also serves on the advisory board for the UNO College of Business. up Deeb made the football team at the University of Nebraska-Omaha, ahead of some of “My favorite audience is youth, and then sales and service industry,” he said. “I’ve his all-state high school teammates. always had the mindset that there’s nothing I can’t do. And now I want to spend the rest “This was a turning point,” he said. He had finally found motivation and a lasting new of my life – and I have been – selling real estate in Omaha and helping others accomplish approach to life: “If I want something bad enough, I know I can have it with a good work their dreams and goals. ethic and discipline.”

“I was blessed with two extraordinary talents. One, I know how to build a company.

Two, I know how to bring out the best in people. They are God-given talents and I don’t Failure not an option After attending UNO from 1977 to 1981, Deeb left for a real estate specialty school take them for granted,” Deeb said. “Here’s how I count my blessings: I built a business. I in Dallas, Texas, where he discovered the love of his life (he’s apt to refer to it as an had a radio show, I had a television show. I have a wonderful daughter. I have a grandson. “addiction”), the real estate business. Real estate is all about connections, Deeb said, I’ve written four books. And I’m trying to show people that during our lifetime, whatever but he had none in his new community. So, with only a few hundred dollars to his we want to do we can do if we have discipline, drive and determination.”

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“MULTI-TALENTED Sandy Aquila is a modern-day Renaissance woman.

Omaha Healing Arts Center is not the only healing arts-related business in the area, but its She’s probably best known for being the founder and director of the Omaha Healing Arts combination of services is unique, Aquila said, making it a dynamic space for higher Center (OM Center) in the Old Market, which she created 15 years ago. She’s an accomplished education, holistic healing, performing arts and community that’s achieved lasting success. photographer. She’s a licensed massage therapist who helped advocate for legislation 30 years ago for massage therapy and 12 years ago for acupuncture to ensure professional “People who come in to the OM Center love it and find a meaningful connection here,” she credibility for the fields. She’s presented educational programs about the healing arts in said. “Through my work, I’ve met so many gifted healers and spiritual teachers from all over person for various entities and on a variety of television programs. Her holistic healing practice the world, along with extraordinary performing artists. And they’ve been met by the openhas taken her all over the country and overseas to Europe, India and China. And she’s even hearted people from our community.” worked as the personal massage therapist for Sting (yes, that Sting) and for more than 19 Synchronicity years for Chip Davis of Mannheim Steamroller.

The center also features a rare Tibetan sand painting, kept protected under a glass counter that serves as OM Center’s tea bar. Aquila has sponsored monks from a Tibetan monastery So, what is the thread that ties all these interests and accomplishments together? by hosting their events in Omaha for 25 years. This one-of-a-kind creation was made by one of those groups 15 years ago.

“I’m an ‘OptiMystic’. I’m interested in the pursuit of higher consciousness; the ways in which we connect with and remember our own sense of inner spirit.”

“Months before the tea bar was even finished being constructed, I Aquila explained. “What I’m involved with now has come through an mentioned how great it would be to have the Tibetan monks inner calling. At age 19, I met a teacher from India (Prem Rawat, create a sand painting for the countertop instead of the Zenalso known as Guru Maharaji) who taught meditation and style rock garden I was planning. The bar was built, and the peace education based on the discovery of personal resources very weekend I was ready to install the rock garden, a group such as inner strength, choice and appreciation… of touring Tibetan monks from another monastery called This heart/mind-changing experience took me around the “The magic of life and said they were traveling through Omaha and asked world studying all things holistic and then bringing if I had a place for them to stay,” Aquila said. is to pay attention to educational programs and events to Omaha over the last 30 years. that which calls us.”

This group had heard that Aquila had sponsored other Tibetan monks, she explained. Aquila asked if the “The attraction or pull that we all have toward what we find SANDY AQUILA group’s artists were among them and if they could create F meaningful, or what we’re passionate about, can be described a sand painting under glass for the tea bar. It took about as our spiritual connection to ourselves. It can be our inner spirit three conversations to clarify her request, she said, but “That of guidance, bringing us into our highest potential. What do we weekend it happened. They arrived at eight in the morning, and love to think about, read about, learn? The magic of life is to pay four of them built a seven-foot sand painting and finished at six attention to that which calls us.” that night…that’s synchronicity.”

Aquila, who considers herself spiritual rather than religious, is also involved with Compassion Still discovering Omaha, a nonprofit formed by a diverse group of individuals with a common belief that Aquila said she finds inspiration in “the magic of everyday life.” compassion transcends religious and political affiliations. The core group has been producing events in and around the area for more than 25 years. She also provides support to another “There are so many things that inspire me,” she said. “The healing arts and spirituality in Nebraska nonprofit, Therapeutic Research Institute, which helps connect individuals with many world cultures, teachers of ancient wisdom, how our thoughts influence us, the the latest information on alternative health care strategies. And Aquila is the mother of an synchronicity of life, traveling, photography and the very art of self-discovery.” adult son, but she enjoys “working with the girls,” providing Girl Scouts of Nebraska with photography services for events and projects.

Everyone has challenges on their journey, Aquila added. “I try to work with my own mind, body and spirit to not get caught up in the fears or drama of life, but also consider the big Higher consciousness, higher connections picture. Sometimes the challenge is just to trust in my own divine connection and my inner Aspiring to a higher consciousness may sound like a serious endeavor, but Aquila’s playful guidance,” she said. “I think I’ve changed how I look at challenges now as opportunities to spirit and sense of humor shine through. It’s easy to picture her in an earlier career connected learn; it’s a process.” to music, working and catering at the original Music Box downtown for acts such as the Ramones, Devo and Roxy Music. She started a Facebook page called “Ask Swami Sandillah” Her journey so far has been fascinating, and Aquila said she continues to look forward to that’s full of quips and clever insight along with tongue-in-cheek interaction with questioners. what’s ahead while enjoying life in the moment.

She said she credits electronic communication for accelerating the worldwide “consciousness” movements because of the vast amounts of knowledge accessible to more people globally than ever before. “There’s negative and positive, but the positive is so fascinating. Because of the amount of information available to us on the Web, we are constantly increasing our capacity to learn, and it’s changing and rapidly expanding our consciousness.”

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“Who knows in the big picture where we’re going? In circles! Everywhere you go, there you are. We’re born from that element of divinity, then we forget, and then we spend our lives trying to remember who we are. Life is change, who we are today is the result of what we chose yesterday,” she said. “I’m still discovering. The journey gives me more and more appreciation of how precious this life is.”

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DAVE WINGERT likens his experience with clinical depression to dead; Wingert was about to take the stage for a comedy show when the gunman being in the woods. Not a lively green forest with dappled sunlight and chirping birds opened fire. He recalls a radio listener telling him after he returned to the air, “It was and scampering creatures – a dim, cold, sinister place full of ominous trees, with no good to hear you laugh for the first time.” He chose to be open again later, coming out path in sight and no way out of the darkness. as gay in a conservative market against the advice of colleagues (“Who the hell cares “I was lost and misplaced and felt like I didn’t have anything more to offer, and my what your sexual orientation is?” he said, looking back. “It’s not that big a deal opportunities had dried up,” he said. anymore.”). He’s just not one to worry about being judged, Wingert said. “We all have In late 2014, the radio station that employed him as an on-air talent changed ‘stuff’. Some you can see and some you can’t, but there’s not a person alive who doesn’t formats and his contract was not renewed, but it wasn’t just life circumstances that have some kind of ‘stuff.’” contributed to his growing melancholy. From a father he had never met, Wingert had In fact, Wingert said, talking frankly about his experience with serious depression inherited not only a gift for radio and theater, but apparently also a terrible genetic has actually been cathartic. legacy of depression.

“People say, ‘It’s very brave of you to talk about suicide.’” he said. “Actually, it’s very “Your father went to the hospital the day you were born, went home and killed himself,” easy and it’s part of the healing process. When you open up and are completely Wingert’s mother revealed to him one day while visiting him at college. vulnerable, you can’t be hurt. I really believe that.”

It was a shocking revelation, but Wingert came to understand that Bringing the light treatment options in the late 1940s were limited and depression His message to those in pain: “Be gentle with yourself.” Sharing wasn’t very well understood. Years later, he found through his his story through public speaking and other means, he hopes, own experience that depression is still a complicated may help him bring light to others who are struggling. condition to address, Wingert said, and just as hard to After all, this is a man who’s grown accustomed to people make sense of. “There’s nothing rational about depression.” he’s never met before coming up to him in public and Out of the woods “What I’m proud of telling him he’s their friend, or even their best friend.

For a grim period, Wingert was planning to exit the “It means I’ve connected with them on an emotional is that I did stick around. dark woods in his father’s footsteps. But as much pain level, which I see as either radio or theater’s strong suit. as he was experiencing, he hated knowing that his I’m glad I did.”

That is the most satisfying aspect of my life,” he suicide would bring great pain to the people who loved explained. “There’s hardly an emotion I’ve felt that you him. “They were holding the high watch for me,” he said.

DAVE WINGERT yourself have not felt in one way or another. You know, we F He sought treatment and slowly found his way back are more alike than different. I find that encouraging and into the light. inspirational, that we can help each other.”

“The angels didn’t sing, it wasn’t just one day that it Wingert has received accolades for his work in theater and happened. It was hour by hour, step by step. When I was in the broadcasting – he was inducted into the Nebraska Broadcasters dark place, everything reflected what I was feeling. I don’t know, looking Association Hall of Fame as a Legendary Personality (“Me and Johnny back, when it changed. But it did change gradually,” he said. “The universe has Carson!”) and he’s proud of what he’s accomplished in his career and in the community, your back, but if you’re blocking that, it doesn’t make it in. When I was in depression, but his biggest triumph now is personal.

I was blocking that. With all my negativity and fear and worry and anger and sadness “What I’m proud of is that I did stick around. I’m glad I did,” he said. “And I’m proud and pain, I was blocking all the good the universe was willing to give me.” that I have learned to open up my arms to the universe and say, ‘lay it on, shower me The universe has been good to Wingert before. He’s well-known in the community with as much possible good. Keep it coming, keep it coming.” for a career that’s spanned more than 40 years.

Life just keeps getting better and better, Wingert said. He found his way back into “I’ve always felt this was home. It’s a good fit for me. I feel welcomed here, and radio through the sales side, which opened the door to a new morning show on Boomer that I can make a difference here,” the native New Yorker explained. “I came here in ’75. 1490 (“Songs, schmooze and heart with Wingy in the Morning”). He returned to the Left twice, came back twice. Did mornings on, I’d say, six different radio stations. stage once again in February in a well-received run of Frost/Nixon at the Blue Barn Had two television shows. And did a lot of theater, too.”

Theatre, where he also proudly serves on the board of directors.

Everyone has ‘stuff’ It’s hard to believe the man known for his warm, ebullient personality on the air and onstage could ever have found himself in a dark place. He’s never tried to cultivate a ‘persona,’ Wingert said, instead choosing to be open and authentic, qualities he feels contributed to his many years of success in the local market. He recalled his mother telling him he was “too emotional” growing up (“She didn’t want me to get hurt in a hard world”) but that same sensitivity has been key to his success.

“Those of us who are in touch with our emotions, we can’t be any other way,” he said.

So he’s been as open about his journey in and out of the darkness as he was in 1977 when he was one of 25 people wounded in a shooting at Club 89 that left one patron

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“I am now entering what is turning out to be the best chapter of my life, ever.

Life became more abundant and easy and lighter and fun,” he said. “It’s like when a director says, go more in that direction. Go to the light!”

Reflecting light has become his “raison d'être,” Wingert said.

“That’s my reason, that’s what I’m here to do. ‘Light’ being love or truth or fun or energy. You can look at light any way you want. That’s my great privilege and that’s what inspires me the most,” he explained. “When you go in and you face the darkness and you face the depression or you live it – my God, I have never been so appreciative.

I am savoring every second. And I might have taken it for granted. I’m now in the best place I’ve ever been in, absolutely the best.”

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IT SEEMS THAT Amanda DeBoer was born with a knack for getting “When I sing opera, I sing opera by living composers. So it doesn’t sound like Mozart,” people to collaborate for a common cause. Even in elementary school she was she said. “I have more in common with a contemporary dancer than with an opera organizing her friends into little clubs, and later she would coordinate musical and singer who does standard repertoire.” other performances. “I guess I’m just kind of a starter. I liked to get everyone together Arts evolution and make everyone be friends,” she said.

DeBoer added that she likes the idea of the arts being pushed to evolve. “I think it While away at grad school, the voice major put together her first performing arts shows a great love for these art forms when we respect the traditions but want to carry show in Madison, Wisconsin, featuring a handful of acts. them forward.

That’s the community of people I want to bring together, the people “We thought it would be a fun project to get some of our friends who were who want to carry on the oldest traditional art: rule-breaking.” performers from around the country to meet each other and collaborate on some shows,” Another motivation for creating Omaha Under the Radar circles back to her innate she said. The small event was a success and led to others, but what DeBoer really drive to bring people together. wanted to do was put together a project in her hometown, where she had connections “The underlying non-artistic motivation of my life is finding commonality and being and knew the arts scene. After finishing grad school, “I just decided to move my able to create dialogue between people who may seem like they have contrasting planning energy to Omaha.” viewpoints or experience. In my mentality, that creates a civil society and a That energy ultimately manifested as Omaha Under the Radar, civil community,” DeBoer said. “I’m not in politics or the corporate which debuted in the summer of 2014 and has been sustained world, so I do it through art.” as an annual event that will take place this year from July 6 DeBoer said the festival found an audience early, and that “The underlying… through 9. she believes that’s at least partly because the artists are motivation of my life is

Omaha Under the Radar allowed complete creative freedom. Festivalgoers never finding commonality… quite know what to expect, but that’s part of the appeal.

“Omaha Under the Radar is a contemporary “They are looking for alternative outlets for unique performance festival that brings together artists from between people who experiences. Audiences are interested in being around the country and artists from Omaha and may seem like they have challenged,” she explained, adding that she relates to Nebraska to perform over four days at many venues contrasting viewpoints their perspective. “I’m super-curious and intensely hungry throughout Omaha,” DeBoer explained. “It includes music, for new experiences all the time.” or experience.” dance and theater, and the uniting factor is that all of the works are created by living people – living composers, living Behind the scenes AMANDA DEBOER choreographers and living playwrights – and that’s what F As a professional performing artist herself, DeBoer said she separates it from other events in terms of classical arts.” was determined from the beginning that Omaha Under the Radar DeBoer serves as the festival director, working with just a small team: would not require application fees and that artists would be paid, although Education Director Stacey Barelos, Artistic Advisor Kate Campbell, and Development and neither practice is especially common on the performing arts festival circuit.

Grants Manager Aubrey Byerly. The participating venues for 2016 are Joslyn Art Museum, “We want to be as accessible as possible to encourage diversity,” she said. A pool Kaneko, Bemis Center for Contemporary Art, The Slowdown, Project Project, House of of 250 applicants has to be culled to yield 40 acts, a process that certainly evokes Loom and Milk Run (a new facility), plus the W. Dale Clark (downtown) Library will be some empathy on DeBoer’s part but that has also been enlightening. hosting speaking events. Even in the festival’s first two years, DeBoer said, the venue “I (had already) learned the hard lesson of treating art like a competition and how partners have been supportive and trusting. dark that can be, when you combine your identity as an artist with certain milestones “I love Omaha. It has such a unique mix of personalities and cultural institutions, but of success,” she said. Now, she’s better able to take in stride being turned down for a it didn’t have something focusing on contemporary performing arts specifically. So it part or performance. “I think being on the other side organizing and selecting and was just a great opportunity to add something to the Omaha arts scene, and the venues grading applications and being a person who makes choices like that, that’s sort of in Omaha are so incredible and they all just jumped on board,” she said. “And they gave opened up how I approach things…It’s allowed me to take more risks.” me such a long leash. Well, no leash. It was this bizarre opportunity of everyone being She’s also unfazed by the tremendous behind-the-scenes work that’s needed to on board and being open to something different.” make a multi-day festival flourish, DeBoer said, and her experience in a highly DeBoer travels much of the year as an opera singer – she’s a classically trained competitive and demanding performing arts career has served her well. “I feel really soprano – but the festival she created isn’t at all slanted toward her genre. Omaha Under lucky to get to live in Omaha and have this career…I had some really amazing mentors the Rader showcases performing arts of all kinds. early on who encouraged me to be very sort of single-minded; they were able to take “Several of the acts have sort of an experimental leaning, but it’s really a broad range my manic energy of always wanting to be doing things and focus it in a productive way.” of styles,” she said.

She added: “I hope when I’m at that point in my career, that I’m able to help in the Omaha Under the Radar is all about contemporary works and creators, which is same way…People who are mid- to late-career and have not lost their softness and vulnerability – the things that made them love their career in the beginning – inspire me.” the one common element shared by DeBoer’s career.

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• PRESENTED BY

MALORIE MADDOX CO-ANCHOR WOWT’S EVENING NEWS

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I LOVE THE station I’M AT AND THE market I’M IN BECAUSE I REALLY THINK THOSE STORIES REALLY MAKE A difference IN PEOPLE’S LIVES. ~ MALORIE MADDOX

malorie maddox, co-anchor of wowt’s evening news, is the consummate broadcast journalism professional, articulate and polished; but nobody gets to the anchor desk by just showing up and reading a script.

PRESENTS game

changers

MALORIE MADDOX

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I’VE NEVER FELT IN COMPETITION WITH others…

MALORIE MADDOX HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED THROUGHOUT HER 17-YEAR CAREER WITH AWARDS FROM ESTEEMED INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, THE NEBRASKA BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION AND THE KANSAS BROADCASTERS ASSOCIATION. But nobody gets to the anchor desk by just showing up and reading a script. Maddox has also produced for “countless” overnight shifts, worked through many holidays and put in a straight 24 or 48 hours on the job on multiple occasions to cover the hardest-hitting and sometimes most heartbreaking stories.

I THINK THE best WAY THAT YOU GET VIEWERS IS TO OFFER THE BEST STORIES THAT ARE locally-centered, BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER THAT NO ONE ELSE DOES.

“I’ve covered every possible type of story,” Maddox said, looking back. “I think you really get out of this business what you put into it…I know I’ve worked as hard as I can from the day I started.”

A recent statement from a colleague – “You are the Industry colleagues have told her it’s unusual in any industry, for the community aspect of it. That was hardest-working anchor I’ve ever worked with.” – was as probably one of the biggest moments of my career; my market for a main anchor to be allowed to pursue those meaningful to Maddox as any of her industry awards, she entire family came in for the award,” she said. “You kinds of stories. said, because she strives to serve as a mentor and role know, to stand on the stage next to Mayor Jean model to newer colleagues. She also makes a point to treat “They want them to do the feature stories and the positive Stothert and other powerful leaders in our community; everyone in the newsroom with respect, she explained. that was a moment. I dedicate countless hours to stories, and they said it’s amazing that my station does helping out the community and I always felt that was (allow an anchor to take on investigative pieces). That’s “I’ve never felt in competition with others; I learned that one of the things I love about WOWT, is they really believe important, but I had never felt that it should be early on,” she said. And she’s never been afraid to dig in. recognized or that it was noticed.” in that kind of journalism. I know that I’m very lucky to have that here,” she said. “I love the station I’m at and the Access and ability “I’ve been a babysitter, a waitress, a Subway sandwich market I’m in because I really think those stories really artist,” the Wellington, Kansas, native said. “I’ve worked make a difference in people’s lives.”

Broadcast journalism has evolved since her earliest days since I was 12 years old.” in the business, Maddox said, but she still hangs on to Making a difference has been a personal objective, too, one artifact. “My coworkers like to poke fun at me, but On your side Maddox said. Since early in her career, she’s contributed I still use yellow legal pads. They’ve never failed me in time and resources to numerous community programs Maddox landed her first journalism jobs while still in 17 years as a journalist,” she said. “I just keep jotting focusing on women and children, from advocating for college at the University of Kansas, interning at KHOU in down notes.”

Houston and KAKE in Wichita, Kansas. (“I always tell young breast cancer awareness to volunteering to help victims people how important it is to have those internships.”) Her of domestic violence. She’s also supported organizations She’s adapted well to advances in technology, however, undercover work at KAKE not only led to her first full-time like Angels Among Us, the American Cancer Society, from automated studio cameras to the tremendous Omaha Children's Museum, QLI, and the American Red job offer, but eventually won her an award for an increase in information media. investigative series. She later worked as a main anchor for Cross, among others. In 2014, she received the Human Rights Award from Church Women United for her role as a “Social media has changed my job every single day,” she KODE in Joplin, Missouri, before landing at WOWT. mentor and social activist, and that same year she was said. “And TV news has become more competitive, but not also honored by the Women’s Center for Advancement “I cut my teeth in this business doing investigative just with other stations. We’re competing to get viewers’ with the Tribute to Women award in recognition for her journalism, so it’s still my true love,” she said. When she attention, period. There’s cable networks, Netflix, work on behalf of women and children. first joined WOWT in 2004, Maddox served as a Hulu…it’s a changed environment.” consumer investigator for Six On Your Side as well as coanchor on Live at Daybreak, and she still takes on But Maddox still believes in the power of local broadcast “The Tribute to Women award was really the first time I investigative stories today. media. was recognized for work outside of just being in my

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• mQUARTERLY celebrating 25 years in 2016!

MALORIE MADDOX

I CUT MY teeth IN THIS BUSINESS DOING investigative JOURNALISM, SO IT’S STILL MY true love.

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

“I think the best way that you get viewers is to offer the example; I feel a responsibility to dress and present best stories that are locally-centered, because that’s what myself a certain way because I see so many (other) we have to offer that no one else does,” she said. “I think professional women who put effort into it,” she said. we give people the behind-the-scenes look at our community. We have the access and ability to be able to “When I leave the house, I know everywhere I go, I’m do that.” representing WOWT.”

Getting the story

Maddox met her husband after relocating to Omaha – It’s not always easy, she said. Last May was one of the Greg is an attorney who grew up watching WOWT – and hardest periods of her career, with the community still the couple has built a nice life here, she said. It’s a mostly reeling from the horrifying details of the Marinero quiet life. murders followed closely by the shooting death of Omaha police officer Kerrie Orozco. “Our community struggled to “My husband is extraordinarily private and we have a fiveget through that,” Maddox said. The year before, Maddox year-old son, so as he got a little bit older I started covered the immediate aftermath of the Pilger tornadoes. separating the personal and the private more, especially “I’ll never forget pulling in and seeing the line of news on social media,” Maddox said. Her son’s classmates vehicles was far wider than the city limits of Pilger.” With recognize her from TV, but he’s largely unimpressed. “I’m infrastructure basics like power down, the team had to be just ‘Mom’ to him.” especially resourceful. And of course this would have to be the assignment when the keys would end up locked Maddox said she’s happy to plan her future here, both inside the news vehicle. personally and professionally.

“Those are the experiences you remember, working so hard with photographers to get those stories on the air,” “I absolutely love where I am. Especially in the last two years, more and more people are contacting me directly Maddox said. and saying, ‘I’ve seen your work, I’ve seen your passion and I want you to share this story.’ To build that takes Female broadcast journalists, especially anchors, are years and years as a news anchor, and I value that. I don’t under a lot of scrutiny, Maddox said, but she’s learned to take it in stride. “I think it’s really important to set an take that for granted.”

PRESENTS game

changers

MALORIE MADDOX

“Welcome to

”

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 non-profit work and the boards/organizations we are members of planitomaha has been providing event and meeting management solutions for over 17 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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global GIVING

dr. james hammel leads an omaha team from children's hospital & medical center on medical mission trips to mexico to repair heart defects in children

THE peninsula MEXICAN STATE OF BAJA SUR CALIFORNIA IS A TOURIST DRAW FOR ITS OCEANFRONT BEACHES AND VISTAS. BUT ISOLATION FROM THE MEXICAN MAINLAND MAKES IT HARD FOR RESIDENTS TO ACCESS SPECIALIZED MEDICAL CARE .

Poor residents lack the means to travel, much less afford treatment. A lack of pediatric heart services results in many congenital defects going unevaluated and undiagnosed. Consequently, many children die before getting an opportunity to be treated.

To bridge that care gap, Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. James Hammel twice a year leads a medical mission trip to the southern city of La Paz in that Mexican state. He and his all- Children’s Hospital & Medical Center team were there in November and they’re back again this April.

Before starting the La Paz trips four years ago, Hammel was a veteran of medical missions to Honduras and Nicaragua. His work in Mexico grew out of a collaborative with a Sioux Falls, SD, health center that received pediatric cancer patients from Big Sur through the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation based on the peninsula. Foundation founder Tom Walsh is from South Dakota. Children sent to Sioux Falls who presented heart problems then came to Omaha for treatment.

When a boy named Mario died before ever making it to a Children’s operating room, Hammel resolved to provide care in Southern Baja in order to circumvent the delays that result in such needless tragedy.

“It was obvious to me he’d been turned away again and again and again,” Hammel says. “His mother was very sweet and she had taken him repeatedly across to the mainland and sort of begged for surgery from one of the centers there. But they just couldn’t get it.

That case firmly cemented my commitment to this charitable foundation and when the opportunity did arise to work down there, that seemed like a lot better option than bringing people up.

“Bringing kids up is very expensive, cumbersome, difficult. It takes a long time and it’s only possible to do in very small numbers. I thought, ‘Well, for the same amount of money we could treat a dozen children there by bringing our team down.’”

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STORY BY LEO ADAM BIGA | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER

• mQUARTERLY

DR. JAMES HAMMEL

beyond borders CONTINUED

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global GIVING

DR. JAMES HAMMEL

beyond borders Hammel leads some 20 medical professionals, most specializing in critical care, on each 10-day trip.

They’ve instituted many firsts there.

“Before we went down for our first trip there was no pediatric cardiologist in that state of Mexico, there was no cardiac surgeon, adult or pediatric. There had never been an open heart operation performed there historically. There was no intensive care unit team either. And there obviously was no familiarity with doing heart surgery, so we were really pioneering something there.”

He brings intensive care doctors, children’s pediatric intensive care nurses, a perfusionist to run the heartlung bypass pump, cardiac anesthesiologists, operating room nurses and a surgical assistant.

Everyone volunteers his or her time. Their care is entirely free to families.

It’s taken awhile to build trust with local leaders but a permanent program is now in the works.

“Little by little the administration of the hospital we’re working in and the government health ministry and the state government began to take an interest in the possibility of making an ongoing program. That’s when my goals took their last maturational step,” Hammel says. “We’ve been back every six months for a total of six missions and we’ve operated on 68 children – some with simple diseases but some with very complicated heart defects.

Mostly they’ve done fine.”

Some children require multiple surgeries.

“My goal is to establish a new cardiac treatment program to be a permanent part of that state’s health care system. In all of Mexico there are about 11 pediatric cardiac surgery programs and eight are located in Mexico City itself, thus the distribution of this resource is really poor and access is really limited. There are probably 18,000 children born in Mexico with heart defects every year and probably only about 3,600 corrective operations and catheter procedures performed. So, nearly 80 percent of the children with heart defects likely die; It’s a really big unmet need in the country.”

His goal is to help the Mexicans “build a viable, selfsustaining program that goes on treating these children when we’re not there and even after we stop coming.” He adds, “We have recruited to the state two pediatric cardiologists, a pediatric intensive care doctor and the first cardiac surgeon in the state.”

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• mQUARTERLY

children’s hospital & medical center

“We have trained a group of pediatric intensive care nurses in special techniques for cardiac intensive care nursing. We trained the operating room staff.”

Before it can be self-sustaining, he says a “critical mass of manpower” is needed. Progress to get there is being made.

“It’s a gradual thing. This last summer the program performed its first open heart operation without us being there. They have performed a larger number of non-open heart cardiac cases, simpler cases, so they’re beginning to get going.”

“We make relationships and connections and friendships with colleagues we wouldn’t necessarily make without that experience.”

Many things Children’s does in Omaha, such as blood conservation and comfort med administration, have come out of what the team’s learned to improvise with in resource-poor La Paz. Norton says the trips put in perspective the gifts she and her mates have to give.

“What we do is a calling, a passion, it’s what we love to do, but it is a job and you don’t always appreciate He expects the program to reach a major milestone and grasp the enormity of what you’re able to do in 2016. until you give it to somebody for free. What we give down there is something nobody in the United States “When we get the program fully accredited by the will ever appreciate the way the people in La Paz do.

Mexican federal government, the hospital system I cannot over-stress the amazing feeling you get can begin to receive some reimbursement for each when you save the life of a child whose family has case they do. It amounts to about $6,000 or $7,000 tried every avenue and lost hope and then you do per case, but we can do it for that. It’s going to take a that for them and they are so grateful. little more investment for needed supplies before we get to that point.

“I can’t imagine not doing this work. I’m in it for the long haul.”

“In the meantime, we go and we do a dozen cases twice a year and that’s wonderful. It’s a great thing Perfusionist Joe Deptula, who’s made multiple for the children we treat and their families, but it’s Central American mission trips with Hammel, says not enough. I would estimate there are about 60 the work is about “being able to give back.” children born in this state of Southern Baja a year with critical heart defects who need an operation, so Shannon Hoy, a Certified Registered Nurse we’re not reaching all of them.”

Anesthetist (CRNA), has made many mission trips herself. She sums up the La Paz mission as “a great He’s created a nonprofit, Abriendo Corazones – Opening Hearts, to coordinate the medical care and experience,” adding, “The trip has evolved and the camaraderie has become much more important and logistics of the trips. It partners with the Los Cabos never more so than last trip when the kids were foundation. Children’s may soon be formally much sicker.” involved.

“Our hospital administration has seen the positive effect this kind of work has on our staff as far as their resourcefulness, their creativity, their career satisfaction. It’s something that really brings us together and that has real tangible benefits in terms of our ability to do our job with excellence. I think Children’s is coming to see this work as a two-way street with great benefit to the people there and to our patients and staff here.”

Dr. Bridget Norton, a Specialist in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine, has been on all but one La Paz mission. She says it’s a “team-building” experience for both her and her fellow professionals who go.

The team can’t forget a patient named Oscar.

“Oscar came to us with a very serious congenital heart defect, which was previously operated on during a different trip,” Hammel says. “Due to his age and heart defects, his heart had sustained a lot of wear and tear and we were unsure how well he would do despite the repair.”

When the team left for home his vitals looked good.

Then a fire in the unit forced a patient evacuation.

His lines were cut and he expired off the meds. News of his death hit the team hard, as he’d twice beat the odds only to lose his life anyway.

CONTINUED

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global GIVING

DR. JAMES HAMMEL

Most operations are scheduled in advance but families often show up unexpectedly with a sick child. The parents of a six-month-old named Derek drove hours to reach La Paz, where the team found the baby so fragile they simply admitted him for observation without a single line or anything started lest the trauma prove too much. The boy’s surgery the next morning went well and today he’s totally repaired and healthy.

The life-and-death surgeries and the intense emotions take their toll.

“You are exhausted and not just physically,” Norton says. “It’s hard work and we work long hours. We do overnights in the hospital. But it’s also emotionally draining. You just have a lot of feelings and emotions you work through.”

Once back home, some decompression is necessary.

Thoughts of La Paz, however, are never far from Children’s team members’ minds. Not only do patients and families leave an imprint, but so do staff.

“We’re like family,” Norton says of her team and the Mexican team they work alongside. Collaboration is vital to the program’s success. “They’ve been amazing and are on-board with the mission. We really couldn’t do anything we do without them – all the support services they provide, the hoops they jump through, taking care of the equipment we leave down there. Any blip that comes up, they handle it.”

Los Cabos Children’s Foundation former executive director Greg Edwards now heads Abriendo Corazones – Opening Hearts with Dr. Hammel. He says building the program has inherently high stakes and complexities because it’s critical care. Since that care is largely delivered by Omaha specialists, much coordination and navigation is required. These specialists not only practice their healing arts in La Paz but impart expertise there. Locals also travel to Omaha for training.

“The support of Dr. Hammel’s team and friendships that exist at Children’s has been essential for this to happen,” Edwards says. “You cannot have a cardiac program without intensive care. Building a pediatric cardiac care program is no small task. It has meant creating relationships with Mexican officials, recruiting qualified staff, turning the surgeries into not only life-saving operations but a training theater for the local Mexican medical staff, creating a pipeline for medical supplies needed for the surgeries and intensive care from Omaha to Baja.

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• mQUARTERLY

children’s hospital & medical center

beyond borders “It really is a huge undertaking.”

Abriendo Corazones accepts donations to support its efforts at strengthening hearts.

Contact Dr. Hammel at 402-955-4360.

For more on the trips, visit http://www.loscaboschildren.org/donate/.

connection!

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KMTV MORNING BLEND’S

SHE SAID

mike & mary

What Omaha-area Summer Activity would you most recommend

he said • she said It was a steamy summer night in the early 1980s. My dad loaded up the Lincoln Continental with a couple of folding chairs, a music stand, and a suitcase containing his old Selmer Paris trumpet. This was a fairly regular weekend night for my family in the summer.

We were off to one of Omaha’s city parks.

Back in those days, the City of Omaha hired bands and musicians to provide free concerts in the park. On this particular evening, my dad was part of Vince Emmanuel’s Concert Band.

Emmanuel’s bands had played local concerts in the Omaha area since the late 1920s.

This was just another one of the thousands of performances.

I remember looking out in the park, seeing lawn chair after lawn chair. Hundreds of people would be scattered throughout the park. They’d enjoy live sounds while their kids ran around the park.

These types of events still happen, they just take on different names, and may look slightly different. Bridge Beats is one of the most popular summer musical events in the city. Every couple of weeks, The City of Omaha organizes these live jams at the base of the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge.

The Omaha Parks and Recreation Department invests a lot of resources into making these concerts energetic and relevant. The lineup includes local favorites and regional successes.

The City of Omaha partners with corporate sponsors to help bring these acts to the stage.

Bridge Beats is a family-friendly event that doesn’t cost visitors a dime to attend!

All summer long, kids, grandparents, family and friends are creating memories in the park.

Neighboring communities in Papillion, La Vista and Bellevue also turn up the music.

While the new sounds of electric guitars and amplified vocals now ring through the parks, I vividly hear the sound of Emmanuel’s Concert Band. The sounds of the snare drum, the shrieking trumpets and the booming tubas are echoing over the grass and into the neighborhoods. That’s my favorite kind of summer!

~ Mike DiGiacamo

The College World Series is my favorite summer activity. Of course! Summer in Omaha takes shape for me in the middle of June because of the CWS. I recommend it to anyone who’ll listen – that includes people who live here, and those who say…

“I want to visit Omaha someday.” I will all but schedule their flight for them, and book their hotel to be here for the tournament!

It was a really special event at Rosenblatt. “People watching” – while enjoying a cone of ice cream from Zesto – was the best.

I’ve also grown to appreciate the benefits of being downtown, especially as more businesses have popped up around the stadium. But I almost feel like, somehow, I’m cheating with that one. It’s such a no-brainer.

So, I’ll give you another…and it’s kind of a two-fer. Friday nights at Shadow Lake Towne Center in Papillion, and Saturday nights (plus one Friday during the wine festival) at Village Pointe in Omaha, you’ll find live music in their respective amphitheaters. The series is called Sounds of Summer at SLTC and Vibes at Village Pointe – if you’d like to look them up.

Organizers do a nice job of bringing a variety of bands to each stage. In the past, they’ve had local favorites like Lemon Fresh Day, High Heel, and eNVy. All of the bands are high energy and family friendly. Each show is free!

I enjoy the casual nature, too. Take a lawn chair or blanket, find a cold drink, and relax! Kids and adults dance. You can take part in games at intermission. Parking isn’t a headache at either place. Stores stay open a little later, so you can do some shopping if need be. And, at the risk of sounding delicate, the concerts start early evening. It’s nice because the sun is still out, but you don’t run the risk of baking. And I can’t help but go back to two words: family and free. How many activities do your kids enjoy as much as you, where you don’t spend a fortune? For calendars of who’s performing – and when – visit http://www.shadowlakeshopping.com/ or http://villagepointeshopping.com/. See you there!

~ Mary Nelson

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spotlight on

• OUR YOUTH

“coach” outspeak front ••up imagine close our youth EVEN THOUGH HE HASN’T CALLED THE SHOTS ON THE BASKETBALL COURT IN YEARS, KEN CARTER IS STILL REFERRED TO AS “COACH” BY MOST EVERYONE – INCLUDING HIS MOM.

down from my life experiences. People always want to know what I think success is, and I think success is a refined study of the obvious. I’ve been to Mississippi, California, Texas, New York and Washington, D.C. since January. I’ve been on the road a lot.

“I love that she still calls me Coach; I guess it kind of stuck with me, especially after the movie was released and became popular,” he said.

q: It took a lot of confidence and courage to lock your athletes out of the gym to focus on academics and honor their contracts. How did you decide to make the decision to do that and how did you handle knowing it wouldn’t be popular?

The movie he’s referring to is Coach Carter, starring Samuel L. Jackson. The film, released in 2005, chronicles Carter’s now famous decision to not only have his undefeated basketball team at Richmond (Calif.) High School – his alma mater – sign contracts but to lock them out of the gym for several games when they let their grades fall.

An unpopular call at the time – neither his players, their parents nor the community understood his decision – Carter stood tall and steadfast.

Now, more than15 years later, most everyone involved understands and thanks him for what he did – and why he did it.

“Every one of my athletes not only graduated high school but went on to college,” he said. “How many high school coaches can say that? We may not have won the state title that year, but my players succeeded at something more important and long-term: life.”

These days, Coach Carter still calls California home but makes time while traveling for speaking and motivational engagements and running the Coach Carter Impact Academy in Marlin, Texas, for young men.

He recently spoke with metroMAGAZINE and Omaha Home for Boys about his life-changing decision to benefit his team, his life since the movie and his keynote address September 15 for the Omaha Home for Boys’ Imagine Our Youth gala.

q: We understand you’ve been traveling quite a bit lately. Tell us about where you’ve been and what you’ve been doing. a: I’ve been doing a lot of public speaking for different organizations – Fortune 500 companies, etc. I like to inspire people, lead them in the right direction. I talk about whatever subject matter they want – pulling

a: I’ve always been one to follow my gut instincts.

I knew they (athletes) weren’t going to make a living playing professional sports. Only one in 185,000 actually does play professional sports – so I wanted them to understand if they went to college and got an education, they stood a much better chance to be productive in life.

Every kid and everybody thought once we started winning games, the kids were going to the pros because they’re winning. Sports have a way of hiding – especially when you’re winning – a lot of problems that people may have.

If a kid has a bad attitude and the team is winning, a lot of people and coaches put up with that attitude because they don’t want to destroy the winning.

A lot of people just look the other way. I knew statistically what was going to happen to these kids. At the time, Richmond was ranked as the most dangerous city in California, and people were 80 times more likely to go to jail than go to college. Eighty times! That means for every one who went to college, 79 go to jail. That’s staggering to think about. I wanted to make sure we at least gave them a good foundation for the future.

q: Your athletes signed a contract, which they didn’t abide by, and that’s what led to the lockout. Why a contract, and what was their reaction when you locked them out of the gym? a: We sign a contract for anything and everything that’s really important in our lives – a car, house, driver’s license, etc. I first had a contract with my son holding him to maintaining a certain grade point average, to do community work, etc. The reward was believing in his future by going out and accomplishing something.

I always had some kind of contract with my athletes in basketball. Once they got into high school, I looked at these kids and knew they were going to be out in the real

38

world with no armor on – nothing in their arsenal. The contract was my way of giving them weapons in their arsenal – to make them accountable, play and live with integrity, become great leaders and play as part of a team.

Funny enough, only one of the first 15 items on the contract is related to basketball. The rest are related to life and school.

When I did it with the team, they all thought I was crazy.

They asked, “Do I get paid for this?”The purpose of the contract was to improve their lives. I wanted them to know if they could win in this gym, they could win in life.

q: Education is obviously very important to you – something you instilled in your athletes. Where does that originate for you? Was education stressed in your home as a youth? a: My mom only had a sixth grade education, and my dad had a second grade education. Growing up in Mississippi, we never had an abundance of anything. I often wondered why certain people had more than others.

I struggled with that because as a family, we were always living in struggle mode. I looked around, and found the answer myself. The people who were educated just lived better.

Mom and dad wanted to make sure all nine of their kids had an education and attended college. This goes back to that refined study of the obvious. The odds are much better for a successful life if you get an education. It opens up connections, relationships, etc.

q: What was it like to have a movie made about you – and have Samuel L. Jackson portray you? How did the movie come about, and how was it to work with such a great actor like Samuel L. Jackson? a: When the producer called me, I hung up on him twice because I thought it was one of my friends playing a joke on me. We were just shocked years later when people were still interested in this story. And when it was on the front page of all the newspapers because of what the kids had done, the phone started ringing again.

One thing led to another – People magazine, all of these other places called for stories. When the producer called a third time – I had caller ID on my phone and it said it was from Hollywood, California – I knew it was legit. He [later] told me if I had hung up on him again, he wasn’t going to call back.

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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STORY BY MIKE WATKINS | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF OMAHA HOME FOR BOYS

• mQUARTERLY celebrating 25 years in 2016!

OMAHA HOME FOR BOYS Mr. Samuel Jackson was the first and only choice. He didn’t stumble on one single line. He is the ultimate professional.

It was weird being on set every day of shooting and seeing someone else playing me. Samuel L. became me. When I first met him, I started to see him becoming me right away.

It was amazing.

q: Do you still keep in touch with your former athletes? I know all of them graduated high school – have most of them enjoyed successful lives (to your knowledge) as a result of your “tough love” actions? a: Every night it seems I talk to at least one of them.

I had a conference call fairly recently and there were 15 of us at one time on a party line. I met them when they were 14 and now they’re 30, but their attitudes are still the same.

The funny thing is, after all these years, I still have some people come up to me and say “Coach, we could have won the state championship.” I’ll respond by asking them “Do you know who won that year? I don’t.” I could honestly care less about the state championship. These kids won in life.

q: You’re speaking in September at the gala for the Omaha Home for Boys. What kind of message do you anticipate delivering to the audience? a: My message will be that average is not good enough. Period. What you see is what you get. Accountability, integrity, being a great follower before you can be a great leader. It’s all part of the contract we have with life, and I might just have everyone in the audience sign a contract to honor things in their own lives. How cool would that be?

Visit www.coachcarter.com to learn more about Coach Carter.

Visit www.omahahomeforboys.org to buy event tickets and/or inquire about sponsorships.

~ KEN “COACH” CARTER IS THE KEYNOTE SPEAKER FOR THE OMAHA HOME FOR BOYS’ IMAGINE OUR YOUTH GALA IN SEPTEMBER

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spotlight on

• NP DODGE | DODGE CARES

pay to the order...

NP DODGE • DODGE CARES

DODGE CARES, INC. announces 2016 contributions to the metro area region Dodge Cares, Inc. announced more than $75,000 contributed to nonprofit organizations in Omaha, Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa.

agencies that work to make Omaha and its surrounding areas an even better place to live, work and raise a family.

“On behalf of Dodge Cares, its agents and Board of Directors, I say thank you! We are grateful to the nonprofit organizations in our region that do the hard work every day to make sure that the housing needs of our community and its people are met. We are thrilled to be able to support those important efforts. We applaud each and every one of them for continuing to make Omaha a better place to live,” said Mary Robson Rensch, President of Dodge Cares.

Dodge Cares, Inc. contributions are for the following organizations: Council Bluffs Housing Trust Fund, Inc., Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County, Heart Ministry, Joseph's Coat / Washington County Food Pantry, Mohm's Place, Open Door Mission / Lydia House, Siena/Francis House, Stephen Center, Together Inc., Wounded Warriors Family Support, Inc., and Youth Emergency Services, Inc.

Dodge Cares, Inc., a 501(c)(3) exempt charitable organization founded in 2002 by agents of the NP Dodge Company, collects and distributes tax-deductible contributions from NP Dodge sales associates, employees and the general public. The company’s continuous support of the community stems from the belief in people and nonprofit 40

For more information about Dodge Cares, Inc. and its work in the region, you may contact Mary Robson Rensch at (402) 951-5008. mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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spotlight on

• mQUARTERLY

• AKSARBEN CAREER SCHOLARSHIPS

celebrating 25 years in 2016!

AKSARBEN Foundation • avenue scholars PUT YOUTH ON THE PATH TO QUALITY CAREERS THE internship PROGRAM OF BLUE CROSS AND AVENUE SCHOLARS HAS BEEN phenomenal.

THE STUDENTS…CONSISTENTLY outperform OUR EXPECTATIONS. ~ STEVE MARTIN CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NEBRASKA GOVERNOR, KNIGHTS OF AKSARBEN

ISN’Tit amazing what’s possible when area leaders in business, education and philanthropy work together toward a common goal?

That’s the whole idea behind the AKSARBEN/Horatio Alger Career Scholarships. Each year the AKSARBEN Foundation, in partnership with the Horatio Alger Association, Avenue Scholars Foundation and Metropolitan Community College (MCC), recognize up to 300 Douglas and Sarpy County students from low-income families with an up to two-year community college scholarship to pursue careers in high-demand, high-skill occupations. The goal is to expand the program in the future to include more students throughout Nebraska and western Iowa, helping them make a seamless transition from high school to career training and into a meaningful career in the community.

The first class of AKSARBEN/Horatio Alger Career Scholarship recipients represented 20 area public schools and began coursework at MCC last fall. All scholarship recipients participate in Avenue Scholars. Founded in 2008 by leading philanthropists, Avenue Scholars is designed to help ensure careers for students of hope and need through education and supportive relationships.

“The AKSARBEN/Horatio Alger Career Scholarship provides young people in need the financial support that we haven’t had in Avenue Scholars,” said Dr. Ken Bird, Avenue Scholars Foundation President and CEO. The most popular career paths for scholarship recipients so far include health care, criminal justice, culinary arts, nursing, early childhood education and automotive technologies.

In addition to funding scholarships, AKSARBEN Foundation establishes partnerships with local businesses to identify employment opportunities and create a pool of jobs for students once they are career-ready.

“The businesses led by Knights of AKSARBEN Governors and Councillors are stepping up to the plate,” said Jon Burt, AKSARBEN Foundation President. “This commitment is vital, and we are dedicated in turn to provide high quality employees to our partnering businesses.”

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Is your business ready to reap the benefits of partnership? Hosting career exploration events, creating jobs, internships or mentorships, brings highly motivated, ready-to-work young adults in your workplace while giving them a crucial career building opportunity. The benefits are numerous: • Cost-Effective Talent Development: Build your pipeline and solve the talent shortage with qualified and motivated workers.

• Fill Critical Skills Gaps:Welders, electricians, IT specialists, certified nursing assistants and other high-skill occupations represent over half of the jobs in the Heartland today. Getting the next generation ready to assume these positions is critical to the success and long-term prosperity of your business.

• Solid Values and Support: Along with job-related skills, Avenue Scholars Foundation instills in their students a strong work ethic, cooperation and other life skills necessary to hit the ground running as a contributing member of your workforce.

• Greater Diversity: Connect to a talent pool with a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives that reflect Omaha’s diverse population.

• Stronger Community Impact: Help contribute to Omaha’s economy. Boost your company’s visibility within our community.

Participating students are qualified to fill a variety of positions within your business, from internships to seasonal or full-time employees. We will work with you to fill specific gaps in your workforce with highly motivated, ready-to-work young adults.

Funding an AKSARBEN/Horatio Alger Career Scholarship is a great way to launch your partnership with this organization.

The AKSARBEN/Horatio Alger Career Scholarships are one more way AKSARBEN Foundation is Giving Back to the community and Moving Forward Heartland prosperity.

To learn more about about supporting the AKSARBEN/Horatio Alger Career Scholarship program, visit aksarben.org or call 402 554-9600 ext. 101. To learn more about the benefits of partnership, visit avescholars.org or call 402 991-5633. mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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spotlight on

• AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION & AMERICAN STROKE ASSOCIATION

walk your way TO HEART health

BY ELLEN THOMSEN MS, RD, LMNT • CHI HEALTH

WE ALL KNOWbeing physically active is important to prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke, the nation’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers, as well as other chronic illnesses like diabetes.

But what if you hate running? Or cringe at the thought of a spinning or Zumba class? No problem.

Being active can even be as simple as walking 30 minutes a day, five times a week, as recommended by the American Heart Association. I know time is hard to come by so the good news is that you will experience the benefits even if you divide your time into two or three segments of 10-15 minutes per day.

Your children and your pets will benefit from walking, too! My family uses walking time as a time to reflect on the day and catch up with each other.

Think you’re too busy to walk, though? For every hour of brisk walking, your life expectancy can improve two hours. That’s more time for things like backyard barbecues, graduation parties and weddings. More time to live life.

Walking daily is one of the simplest changes you can make to effectively improve your heart health while also reducing your cholesterol and blood pressure. It is lowcost, too – you can do it around your neighborhood or even at the Oak View or Westroads Malls with the CHI Health Heart and Sole Walking Program.

Schedule a walking time on your calendar – or set an alarm on your phone – so you are more accountable.

Walking can be part of a regular life for everyone. That’s why at CHI Health, we’re proud to sponsor National Walking Day opportunities across Nebraska and participate in the Omaha-Council Bluffs Heart Walk on May 7.

Do not be discouraged if in the beginning you can only walk for a few minutes. I have many patients who started at five minutes but now walk 30 minutes or more without stopping.

Ready to step toward better health?

Grab your comfortable and supportive shoes because you can start today.

Here’s some tips to begin your walking routine: • Begin with short distances. Start with a stroll that feels comfortable, like 510 minutes, and gradually increase your time or distance each week by 10-20 percent. Add a few minutes each time you lace up until you’re logging 150 minutes a week.

GET MOVING: May 7 Omaha-Council Bluffs Heart Walk locally sponsored by Physicians Mutual OmahaHeartWalk.com

June 4 Omaha Power to end Stroke Walk locally sponsored by nebraska Medicine www.heart.org/Omaha

year-rOund Heart and Sole Walking Program from CHI Health http://www.chihealth.com/heart-and-sole-walking-program/

• Focus on posture. Keep your head lifted, stomach pulled in and shoulders relaxed. Swing your arms naturally. Avoid carrying hand weights since they put extra stress on your elbows and shoulders. Don’t overstride. Select a comfortable, natural step length. If you want to move faster, pull your back leg through more quickly.

• Breathe deeply. If you can’t talk or catch your breath while walking, slow down. At first, forget about walking speed. Just get out there and walk for a set time, then focus on speed and distance as you progress.

• end with stretching.The end of your walk is an ideal time to stretch since your body is warmed up. Stretch your hamstrings and calves as well as your chest, shoulders and back. Hold each stretch for 15 to 30 seconds. Stretching will help you prevent injury. remember to be safe while walking, especially if walking outside alone.

Stick to sidewalks and walking paths, rather than walking in the street or through alleys and parking lots. Keep your attention on your surroundings, not a cell phone, and turn the volume down on your headphones.

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Wear light colors or reflective clothing that helps keep you visible. Carry a flashlight or glow stick if you walk when visibility is low.

If you experience pain when walking, stop and check with your doctor to find out the cause, and how to adjust your walking program. The solution may be as simple as better shoes but there could be a larger problem.

Now get started.

Ready, set, go!

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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spotlight on

• mQUARTERLY

• NEBRASKA CHILDREN’S HOME SCOIETY

celebrating 25 years in 2016!

sand in the city® NEBRASKA CHILDREN’S HOME SOCIETY IMAGINE 400 tons of sand in the middle of Omaha.

Imagine 20 corporate teams competing to build the best 15 ton sculpture. Imagine a weekend of family fun, food and entertainment.

Now, imagine thousands of children receiving safe and loving care.

This is the vision behind Nebraska Children’s Home Society’s Sand in the City©.

Everyone in the community is invited to join NCHS at a new location this year, as this entertaining and important community connection takes place at Baxter Arena.

In 2016, NCHS’s Sand in the City© will be celebrating its 13th year. This free event can truly be said to be unique. Teams will compete on Friday to build huge, amazing sand sculptures. The community votes for their favorite design during the Family Fun Days on Saturday and Sunday, but children are more likely to vote for building their own sand castle on the gigantic sand pile. The best part of all of this sun, sand and fun is that all proceeds benefit the children and families NCHS serves across the state of Nebraska.

Since 1893, Nebraska Children’s Home Society has been providing safe and loving care for children of all ages, helping women and teens facing unplanned pregnancies.

The mission of NCHS includes a dedication to 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.

NCHS is committed to the belief that a child’s needs come first and that all children deserve safe and loving care. NCHS assists and supports parents across the state of Nebraska in overcoming barriers to nurture their children’s growth and development.

The entire community is invited to become a part of this mission.

Contact NCHS at 402-451-0787. Learn more at www.nchs.org.

Nebraska Children’s Home Society’s Sand in the City© NEW LOCATION THIS YEAR: Baxter Arena, UNO June 10: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., SAND SCULPTING COMPETITION June 11: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., FAMILY FUN DAYS June 12: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., FAMILY FUN DAYS

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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.

mindful eating: SUMMER fresh SUMMER FRESH FOODS CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHANGE ~ Thích Nhất Hạnh

I love many things about spring but one of my favorite things is the return of farmers markets and the fresh locally grown food that comes with that.

Omaha has developed a plentiful supply of farmers markets throughout the city and nearby towns. You can google “Omaha farmers markets” and find a plentiful supply.

With fresher food available, it’s easier to make some changes.

This article contains some tips on moving to healthier eating and incorporating mindfulness practices into the process.

Replace pRocessed fake foods with healthier natural foods.

Skip the cans and juices. Go for the fresh version. That’s a lot easier in the spring and summer. Choose from natural foods whenever possible. If you do buy juice, watch for high fructose corn syrup that sometimes replaces or exceeds the real juice. Processed foods often contain a lot of sodium, sugar and fat. When you do buy a processed item, read the label carefully to see what you are getting. Choose “clean” packaged foods.

Try a food meditation one day where you experience the same food item in different forms. Perhaps drink some fruit juice and experience the process mindfully. Later, try a canned version of the fruit. Then, try a fresh variation.

Notice how you experience each food. Be aware of how you feel after eating each variation.

TRy New foods I was at a party recently where the hosts had gathered together an array of flavorful and healthy snacks. While I was joyfully enjoying the variety, I heard two others discussing their desire for some standard chips and dips.

Changing up what foods you eat and how you serve them can help make eating healthy enjoyable. If you enjoy cooking, practice making healthy foods taste fabulous.

Trying new foods can help support mindfulness related to eating. If you simply eat the same old stuff in the same old way, it can be difficult to become really aware of your relationship with food in a mindful way. Similarly to trying variations of a fruit, you might try something you eat regularly but cooking it in a different way or serving it with a different combination.

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MINdful eaTINg pRacTIces Reserve time for food. Turn off television. Don’t eat in the car (or if you have no choice, pull over and experience the food).

If you are eating with others, be present for each other as you prepare to eat.

Notice each other. Notice the food that you are about to eat.

Acknowledge both.

If you are eating alone, acknowledge yourself. Take a few breaths before beginning to eat.

As you eat, use all of your available senses in relation to the food you eat and the process of eating. Take your time eating and be aware of each step in the process. Notice as you slice or place on a utensil. Chew slowly so that you fully experience the process. Be aware as you swallow. Notice the sensations and experience of the food as it moves from your plate into your digestive process.

Serve modest portions of food. Slow down the process of eating so you can be fully aware. Avoid overeating. Before taking a second helping, allow your body time to begin to process what you have eaten. It may take some time before you experience fullness.

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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omaha giving

• OMAHA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

BUILDING giving WITH YOUR A new kind OF philanthropy The good keeps growing! Omaha Gives, the metro area’s newest form of philanthropy grew 40 percent in its third year to reach $8.8 million. Over 20,000 people supported 704 nonprofits with over 47,000 donations – in one day! That kind of growth is outpacing other giving days, and we couldn’t be prouder to be a part of it.

Philanthropy can take many forms. The word itself evokes different feelings for different people. It can symbolize generosity and community well-being to some. At times, it can feel more formal than giving, but it doesn’t have to be. Generally speaking, it’s the love of humankind. Omaha Gives is a digital platform that empowers a community of givers to support nonprofits – a form of philanthropy that uses technology to benefit the community.

The traditional definition of philanthropy typically involves the gift of time, treasure, and talent to organizations working to make the community better. More recently, many also add “voice” and “network” to the definition of philanthropy. Using one’s voice to educate and advocate for what you care about most. And sharing that passion through your trusted networks via traditional methods like fundraising events or more modern channels like social media is a new way of engaging in philanthropy.

Omaha Gives provides an avenue for anyone to share their “voice” and use their “network” to advocate for their favorite causes. Families, individuals, kids – all are welcome to give during the event and we encourage each donor to shout loud and tell their friends about where they give. A $10 donation plus your voice and network can have a powerful effect on a nonprofit.

Over 46 percent of donations during Omaha Gives were first time donations to a nonprofit. That means that people are finding new causes to support during the event.

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Post event survey responses tell us that those people are learning about these new causes from their friends – either in person or via social media. These first-time gifts resulted in $885,000 in new giving for nonprofits – or about 10 percent of the overall amount raised.

Beyond giving to new organizations, donors are giving kali baker to more organizations and they’re giving higher amounts. The average number of nonprofits supported per donor has increased each year as well as the average gift per donor which has increased from $132 to $166 over the course of the event.

It’s also a great investment for our nonprofit friends working hard to make the community better. Omaha Gives helps many of them raise funds at a lower cost than traditional fundraising methods. The average cost to raise $1 through traditional fundraising methods like events or direct mail ranges from $.50 to $1.50. The average cost to raise $1 for nonprofits participating in Omaha Gives is $0.40. Supporting them through this event helps them keep overall fundraising costs lower.

There are so many reasons to give during this event, but the most important reason is because of how much you love the community. Every year, donors tell us how proud they are to be a part of the fifth largest giving day in the nation. We are too! But it couldn’t happen without the 704 nonprofits that do so much for our community. Come out strong to support your favorite nonprofits, learn about new ones, and then tell all your friends about them!

For more information about Omaha Gives, visit www.omahagives24.org or call the Omaha Community Foundation at (402) 342-3458.

Kali Baker is Vice President of Community Relations at the Omaha Community Foundation

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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serving all

• YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA

BUILDING giving WITH YOUR FINDING YOUR firsts AT THE YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA The YMCA of Greater Omaha’s roots in the Omaha metropolitan area are woven into the fabric of the community. Founded in 1866 by a Union Pacific employee, the Y first began its impact on the Omaha area as a place to serve young Christian men working on the transcontinental railroad. Since then, the YMCA of Greater Omaha has grown to be a leader in providing first experiences to families, individuals and youth for 150 years. With 10 locations in the Omaha area, spanning four counties in two states, the YMCA of Greater Omaha works to strengthen communities by offering programs and services in three focus areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.

For 150 years, we’ve strived to understand our community needs, providing services and programs that cater specifically to the issues our children, families and neighborhoods face. Through crucial partnerships with over 150 not-for-profit agencies, schools and organizations we continue to work hard to reach as many people as possible to make a lasting difference. Additionally, the Y is open to all people regardless of their ability to pay for programs and services, and as a result we provide over $1,000,000 of financial assistance each year. By investing in our kids, our health and our neighbors, the YMCA of Greater Omaha ensures that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to thrive—thereby strengthening our community.

Part of the Y’s strong history in the Omaha community are our summer day camps.

With Camp Sheldon opening as early as the 1920s, we’ve supported the community’s children during out-of-school for a significant part of our history.

Today, the YMCA of Greater Omaha offers a variety of themed day camp options for every type of child from preschooler through teen, offering half-day camps for our littlest campers, day camps, specialty and premier camps for school-aged children, and teen discovery and counselors-in-training camps for teens. With our array of camps available, every child can experience something for the first time through YMCA of Greater Omaha Summer Day Camp; a first friendship, first time horseback riding, first time away from home, a first field trip.

You may personally find yourself reminiscing on your childhood at the Y; your first goal on a YMCA youth sports team, your first swim lesson, or your first friend at the YMCA summer day camp. Many adults begin their journey to a healthier lifestyle at our Y locations, achieving many personal accomplishments with the help of our health and wellness facilities and staff. Our medically-based wellness programs, LIVESTRONG at the YMCA program, provide many cancer survivors with their first sense of recovery. Our kindergarten-readiness program Ready in Five, gives international refugee children the tools they need to succeed in the education system, oftentimes preparing their parents for the American education system for the first time.

Whatever your YMCA first may be, we hope you can help commemorate our 150th year in the Omaha community by experiencing a first…again. Come take a tour of any of our nine facilities and see what the Y can offer for you today. You may be surprised by the scope of what we offer for all community members.

YMCA of Greater Omaha | 430 S. 20th Street Omaha, NE 68102 | 402-341-1600 • www.metroymca.org

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planning matters

• WITH HVW LAW

KEEPING YOUR

estate planning UP TO DATE

Once you have made an investment of time and money into your estate plan, keeping it up to date is extremely important. Many go through the process of discussing and finalizing documents and coordinating assets and then set their estate plan aside with the thought “Well, we took care of that.”

Financial Situation. Has there been a significant change in your financial situation? Have you inherited money, won the lottery, received a largerthan-expected bonus, had investments do extremely well or go sour?

Like many other things in life, a good estate plan needs maintenance. Regardless of size and type of assets, an annual review is important. The purpose of this issue’s article is to provide a checklist for review considerations.

Move. Have you moved into a new state? There are certain states that have community property rules that might result in a different approach to your estate plan. Additionally, some states have more or less favorable rules related to asset protection, death taxes, directed trusts, special needs trusts and other estate planning issues.

Life Changes. Has there been a significant change in your family situation?

Has anyone died, gotten divorced, become disabled, retired, started a new career?

Have you, or someone in your family, had a baby or adopted a child? Has any member of your family had a child with artificial reproduction or had sperm or eggs frozen?

mary e. vandenack

Asset Titling and Beneficiary Designations. Many go through the process of verifying asset titling and beneficiary designations when they do their original plan.

It is important to review, verify and update as appropriate.

Power of Attorney for Financial Decisions.

Who is your primary agent? Who is secondary?

Are they still able to act? Have they moved or been through a life change? Have you reviewed the powers that your agent has to act to ensure they are sufficient to handle any issues that arise but that protect you from anyone making undesirable changes to your plans or using assets other than for your welfare during your life?

Health Care Directives. Do you have a power of attorney or other directive for your health care? Who is the agent? Have there been any changes? Have you talked with your agent about what you want if a health issue, particularly an emergency, arises? Have you completed a letter of intents and purposes regarding your desires if you are terminally ill or in a persistent vegetative state?

Guardianship for your children. If you have minor children or an adult disabled child, have you established a guardian? Has there been any change that requires you to reconsider?

Business Succession. If you are a business owner, do you have a succession plan?

Philanthropic Goals. Have you made a pledge to charity? Is that considered in your estate plan? If you have a foundation, are you reviewing its processes and required filings annually?

Asset Protection. Does your estate plan incorporate asset protection to protect you, a spouse if you have one and your beneficiaries from divorces or pursuing creditors?

For more information visit www.vanwil.com.

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todays savings

impact!

• SWARTZBAUGH-FARBER & ASSOCIATES, INC.

IT’S my turn IT’S my turn

uncle sam!

mary drueke-collins

IT IS LIKELY

you have just finished filing your income taxes and don’t want to think about the subject for a few months, especially if you had to write Uncle Sam a check! However, now is a great time to consider how some employer sponsored benefit accounts can help reduce your tax liability. Not all employers offer these types of programs, but if your employer does, you should consider the benefits.

If you are covered by a health insurance plan that is a Health Savings Account (HSA) eligible High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), putting money in an HSA account is a great first step. HSA’s let you use tax-free money to pay for current and save for future medical expenses. Most employers allow you to contribute to the HSA pre-tax right out of your paycheck. As an added bonus, some employers may contribute to the HSA on your behalf! The money placed into the HSA is pre-tax and is withdrawn taxfree, as long as the funds are used for qualified medical expenses. HSAs roll over from year to year, so there is no ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ risk and it remains with you if you leave your employer. The funds can be used for your medical, dental and vision expenses, as well as those of your dependents. There are many benefits to the HSA, but there are also limitations you should understand, such as annual maximum contribution limits and penalties for withdrawing money for reasons other than medical expenses.

If you are not eligible to contribute to an HSA, you may still be able to use pre-tax dollars for your out-of-pocket medical expenses if your employer offers a Medical Flexible Spending Account (FSA). A medical FSA allows an employee to set aside pretax money to pay for qualified medical expenses, including dental and vision services.

A medical FSA does not have to be pre-funded, that money is available to you at the beginning of the plan year even if you haven’t yet ‘contributed’ it to your account. One significant disadvantage of an FSA is the ‘use-it-or-lose-it’ provision; meaning if the funds are not used by the end of the plan year, that money is forfeited, unless your employer allows for an optional rollover. For example, if you fill prescriptions every month, at least consider putting the amount of those copayments into the FSA. If you have dependents that are utilizing day care, you may want to take advantage of the Dependent Care FSA. The Dependent Care FSA allows you to use pre-tax dollars for day care expenses. The annual amount that can be reimbursed is capped each year at $5,000 per household. Unlike the Medical FSA, individuals can only be reimbursed up to the amount that has been contributed to the account. This account does not roll over from year to year, so you will want to use all of the funds by the end of the plan year.

As with anything associated with the tax codes, specific rules are associated with each of these accounts. There are many benefits to them, but there are limitations that you also need to consider. It is best to check with your human resources department, employee benefits advisor or tax advisor to see if you are qualified to participate. If so, next time this year Uncle Sam could be sending you a check!

• YOUR DENTAL HEALTH

STOP tmj pain

stephanie vondrak d.d.s.

THE TENDENCYto overachieve i.e. to multitask seems to be the American way. Work commitments, kid’s activities, housework…the list of tension triggering obligations go on and on. So, waking up with headaches, stiff shoulders, and/or sore facial muscles is to be expected, right? No. According to NIDCR (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research), Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) is the second most commonly occurring musculoskeletal condition resulting in pain and disability. Common TMJD symptoms include: headaches, shoulder aches, sore facial muscles, popping/clicking in the jaw joints, ear pain, ringing in the ears, restricted jaw opening, and interrupted sleep patterns.

The cause of Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD) is multifactorial and controversial among specialists. As a dentist, my training sites previous trauma such as whiplash from a car accident, sports injury or a childhood fall as the most common initial instigator of a TMJ problem. This initial insult to the Temporomandibular Joint system creates an instability that when aggravated becomes painful later in life. For example, a second traumatic event, a teenage growth spurt, clenching and/or grinding teeth (bruxism) in sleep, or stress induced bruxism all are potential triggers for TMJ and/or related muscle pain. Likewise, sleeping disorders such as Sleep Apnea are also linked to TMJ problems and pain.

My mission: provide treatment solutions for long-lasting relief!

Credentialed by the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, I believe in diagnosis before treatment. Sounds simple, however, due to the complexity of TMJ dysfunction it is not uncommon that a new patient referred to my office has already seen five or more doctors without answers as to why they are in pain or how to get better. Through years of experience and education, I have designed my practice around the concept of specific diagnosis and individualized treatment planning. This focus has been instrumental in helping those searching for answers find relief. For example, every new patient receives at least one consultation, a written review of findings outlining their diagnosis and treatment options, as well as personalized guidance on insurance, treatment fees and payment plans.

Treatment options include splint therapy, physical therapy modalities like ultrasound and E-stim, Botox, heat therapy, home exercises and nutritional counseling. Splint therapy utilizes a custom appliance (splint) made in-house by Dr. Vondrak that allows muscles to relax and stabilization of the TMJ. With stability in the joints, relaxation occurs and pain subsides. Additionally, our one-on-one care and health-centered approach facilitates healing, decreases anxieties, and reduces stress throughout the body.

Life is too short to experience chronic discomfort and pain. So take a deep breath or a long walk and find comfort knowing, solutions exist for a better more comfortable future. To do lists aside, controlling TMJ pain can happen with diagnosis, treatment planning and thoughtful individualized care.

Stats taken from www.wellsplere.com July 1, 2009: article.

*Look for our ad in this issue of mQUARTERLY

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

Dr. Stephanie Vondrak has been treating TMJ and head and neck pain in her private practice for over 10 years. She has completed Residency and earned Fellowship status with the American Academy of Crainofacial Pain. She is also Board Certified by the American Academy of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics 49

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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event galleries

look for the LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE EVENT BOOK 2015!

FOODBANK FOR THE HEARTLAND CELEBRITY CHEF FEATURING ANNE BURRELL

AMERICAN HEART ASSOC. & AMERICAN STROKE ASSOC. OMAHA HEART & STROKE BALL

SUSAN G. KOMEN® NEBRASKA PINK RIBBON AFFAIR

OMAHA SYMPHONY GUILD TABLE ART

MAKE-A-WISH NEBRASKA BLUE JEAN BALL

HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE CARNIVAL OF LOVE

OMAHA FASHION WEEK SPRING RUNWAY SHOW

OPERA OMAHA SEMELE GALA 2016

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

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

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

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

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FEATURED EVENT

spotlight

omaha symphony guild

PATRON PARTY RECEPTION

PHOTOS COURTESY OF OMAHA SYMPHONY GUILD ADDITIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDEE HOIG

beautiful settings

ESSENTIALS: When: April 5 and April 6th Where: The Patron Party happened at Cindy and Mogens Bay’s home.

The luncheon was at Baxter Arena.

Why: This event raises money to support the Omaha Symphony’s education and community engagement programs.

Special Guests: Karen Dixon, Sandy Parker, Amy Scott and Lori Scott were the honorary chairs.

Sponsors: Borsheims

MELISSA MARVIN, SUSAN NEMER HADDIX, CHRIS LEFEVER, SHAWNA FORSBERG AND SHELLEY HOMA

Caterer: SAVOR Attendance: More than 400 Amount Raised: $110,000 Mission: The Omaha Symphony Guild is a not-for-profit organization of volunteers, dedicated to promoting the growth and development of the Omaha Symphony Orchestra for the pleasure and education of residents of the Greater Omaha Community and the states of Nebraska and Iowa.

About: Omaha Symphony Guild provides volunteers for music education activities and organizes two fundraisers each year: Table Art and Debutante Ball.

For more Information: www.omahasymphony.org/ guilds/omaha-symphony-guild/overview/

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LIVIA COWAN, JAMES JOHNSON AND NANCY AYOUB

MELISSA MARVIN, GAIL YANNEY, DR. ANNE HERMAN, SUE MORRIS, SHAWNA FORSBERG AND ANGIE ANDERSON QUINN

JULIE MCALPINE AND KAREN GORACKE

ROSEMARY AND DR. FRED OHLE

LORI SCOTT, SUSAN MORRIS AND MELISSA MARVIN

MARK MASER AND FAMILY TABLE

ANNE THORNE WEAVER

MELISSA MARVIN AND JANEL SUNDERLAND

TABLE DESIGNED BY AARON CARLSON DESIGN INC. WITH KATHY DESSONVILLE FROM THE LINEN GALLERY

AMY SCOTT AND MELISSA MARVIN

SHARON MARVIN GRIFFIN, DR. FRED OHLES WITH CHERYL AND CHARLIE GOODRICH

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DINNER &

Drama!

Opera Omaha Semele 2016 Gala When: Saturday, March 12

ANDY HOLLAND, DICK HOLLAND AND MARIAN LEARY

JUN AND REE KANEKO WITH EVE SIMON AND RICHARD AND SHEILA ORTEGA

Where: Paxton & Vierling Steel Co. Why: To honor the late Fred Simon, to preview the upcoming production of Semele and to raise funds for Opera Omaha Gala Chairs: Richard D. Holland and Marian Leary Special Guests: the entire Simon family as we honored the late Fred Simon Caterer: Abraham Catering & Paul Kulik

BARBARA AND WALLY WEITZ

WALTER SCOTT WITH CINDY AND MOGENS C. BAY

Director: James Darrah Designer: Julia Noulin-Merat Attendance: 400 Mission: To provide quality opera entertainment through a community-wide organization. To provide an operatic showcase for the promising vocal talent in the region.

TODD AND BETIANA SIMON

PETE FESTERSEN, TYLER OWEN, ANDY RUBACK AND ADRIAN FAY

About: Opera Omaha, the only professional opera company in Nebraska, began in 1958. Opera Omaha produces a season of original mainstage productions, presented at the historic Orpheum Theater, and smaller productions and musical events throughout the community. Opera Omaha is internationally known for its productions of eight world premieres and four American premieres of classical masterpieces, and is highly regarded regionally for an extensive education and outreach program that annually reaches thousands from elementary school through adulthood.

For more Information: 402.346.4398 | www.operaomaha.org

THOMAS AND AILEEN WARREN

BETSYE PARAGAS WITH MAY AND HAL DAUB AND LINDA ANDERSON

SUSAN AND JIM TRACY

AHNA WEEKS, EMILY SCOTTO AND TORI OSTENSO 54

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TIE A

Ribbon

Susan G. Komen® Nebraska Pink Ribbon Affair When: April 9 Where: Hilton Omaha

KIRK AND TERESA KELLNER

LINDA GILL, DANITA WEBB, INDIRA ENGEL, CARROLL DISCHNER AND ASHLI BREHM

Why: To provide education, breast cancer screening and breast cancer treatment support for Nebraskans Honorary Chairs: Kirk and Teresa Kellner Attendance: 200 Amount Raised: $140K Mission: To end breast cancer, forever For more Information: 402.502.2979 | www.komennebraska.org

SVEN SANDNES AND GUEST, BRENDA AND BOB QUARTOROLI, NICHOLAS PACHECO, AMANDA QUARTOROLI WITH ROB AND DANELL MANDERFELD

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event galleries

ROB DENNING, MARY ALLISON, MINDY DUFF, DEANNE BRINK AND WALLY DUFF

GERARD AND ERIN DALY WITH MOLLY AND GREG CUTCHALL

STARTING UP

Spring

Omaha Fashion Week Spring Show

Omaha Design Center Omaha Fashion Week is celebrating nine years in 2016!

Growing into the nation’s fifth largest fashion event, supporting more independent fashion designers than any other organization in the region. Nurturing the youngest of fashion designers by providing mentoring, educational opportunities and a platform to showcase their work.

NICK AND BROOK HUDSON

JEFF, GRACE AND KATHY NEARY

BILL ALFORD AND LYNETTE FARHART

For more Information: omahafashionweek.com

GAIL DEBOER, SUZANNE STICKNEY AND ANDEE HOIG

JAMESON AND HEATHER HOOTON

DANA HOWERTER, NICK HUFF AND CORA COPPOCK

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HEART TO

Heart

American Heart Association & America Stroke Association Omaha Heart and Stroke Ball When: February 6

GARY AND CAROL PERKINS

MALORIE MADDOX AND JOHN KNICELY

Where: Embassy Suites in La Vista Why: Proceeds fund the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association, which spent over $2 million in research in Nebraska last year while also providing critical educational tools and information to save and improve lives. The American Heart Association is working toward improving the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent, and reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent, all by the year 2020.

BRANDON CHESTNUTT, JACQELLE LANE, KARIE MILFORD AND TONY TERP

SARA AND JUSTIN KOHLL WITH MONIKA JOHANNSEN

Attendance: 800 Amount Raised: $550,00 (estimated through Feb. 6) Mission: The mission of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association is “Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.”

LIBBY BEKINS, ELLIE SIMON, LORI HOGAN, KIMBALL BREY AND ELLIE HELLMAN

ADAM KOTULA WITH SUZANNE AND DR. RUDY KOTULA

About: The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 5 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke.

For more Information: www.omahaheartball.org

TONI NICHOLS, ANDEE HOIG AND WENDY MOORE

ROLLAND JOHANNSEN AND ASHLEY GORHAM

GARY AND

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HEARTLAND

Heroism American Red Cross

Heroes in the Heartland Luncheon The Nebraska/SW Iowa Region of the American Red Cross kicked off Red Cross Month with the 16th Annual Heroes in the Heartland awards luncheon at the Embassy Suites-La Vista. This year’s event featured heartwarming stories of heroism and dedication the Omaha metro.

SERESE COLE, JILL ORTON, DIANE DUREN AND DREW COLLIER

“Recognizing these incredible people and sharing their stories was such an honor,” says Mick McKinley, Board Co-Chair, of the American Red Cross serving the Omaha Council Bluffs Metro. “We would like to thank everyone who assisted in putting the event together, all of our corporate and individual sponsors who supported and attended the event, and especially our 2016 Heroes in the Heartland for their outstanding work in the community,” adds Steve Fisher, Board Co-Chair of the American Red Cross serving the Omaha Council Bluffs Metro.

For more Information: redcross.org/neia

MICK MCKINLEY, JILL ORTON, SCOTT KNUDSEN, JOBI DREFS, BRANDON VALLE, MICAH PETERSON, FATHER ANDY ALEXANDER, ERIN SERETTA, TIM SERETTA AND STEVE FISHER

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HEARTLAND

Circus

Heartland Family Service ‘Carnival of Love’ Gala

JOHN JEANETTA, JENNY OLIVE, DONNA DOSTAL AND SHERI SHONKA

ANN KUTILEK, DANNA BARNHART AND NATALIE PETERSEN

About 540 guests took a stroll down the boardwalk for the Heartland Family Service “Carnival of Love” Gala at the Embassy Suites on Saturday, Feb. 13, helping to raise a record $264,000 to serve the most vulnerable children and families in our community. The previous record of $257,000 was set in 2013.

Guests were transported to an ocean-side boardwalk carnival at the annual casual-attire event with “wooden” plank signs pointing the way to libations, appetizers of popcorn, mini-corn dogs and funnel cake fries, and several midway-style games — Wine Toss, Jump-Shot Basketball, and Hole-in-One Putt-Putt Challenge.

MARY LOU BRASEE, KARLA CASSELS AND MELANIE HECKER

SUZANNE AND DR. RUDY KOTULA

As Heartland Family Service’s largest fundraiser of the year, the “Carnival of Love” Gala helps create the path to a better tomorrow for the over 40,000 individuals the agency serves each year from more than 15 locations in east central Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Among the more than 50 programs that will receive financial support from the “Carnival of Love” are the Safe Haven domestic violence/sexual assault emergency and transitional shelter, Youth Links crisis center for teens in the juvenile justice system and the Ready in 5 kindergarten preparedness program for refugee children.

For more Information: 402.553.3000 | HeartlandFamilyService.org

DAN AND CHRIS DENNELL WITH DAVE AND KRISTI EPPERSON

KEVIN COOK AND LENA FOYE

NIKKI ROGGE, ANNA KOTULA, MADELINE VOVK AND JANAN MANIVANNAN

KATI CANIGLIA, AMY COX, CANDI BABUTZKE AND JENNY OLIVE

CHRIS OLSON WITH JOHN AND CONNIE KINNEAR

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Photos courtesy of Completely KIDS

WRITER’S

Words

Completely KIDS Author Luncheon Philadelphia pediatrician and professor Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg enlightened a crowd of more than 400 Completely KIDS supporters at Hilton Omaha on March 2 with a presentation designed for parents and child advocates to help kids achieve success.

DR. KENNETH GINSBURG

LYN WALLIN ZIEGENBEIN AND NIKKI BOULAY

Dr. Ginsburg unpacked tools for the audience from his book, Raising Kids to Thrive: Balancing Love With Expectations and Protection With Trust, which was co-authored by his twin teenage daughters and based on input from hundreds of teens. The book outlines his “Lighthouse Parenting Strategy,” a tactic for parents to become a stable beacon and build a mutually rewarding relationship with their children.

The Author Luncheon, sponsored by the Completely KIDS Guild and presented by Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, raised $70,000 to support Completely KIDS after-school and family programs that empower youth and families living in poverty.

BACK ROW: DOUG GLASS, DR. RICHARD AZIZKHAN AND DR. KENNETH GINSBURG FRONT ROW: SARAH MCGOWAN, GERALYN AZIZKHAN, CATHERINE MAHONEY AND JENNIFER PETERSON

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For more Information: 402.397.5809 | completelykids.org

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SWEET

Solution

JDRF Heartland Chapter JDRF Promise Gala – Going Platinum for a Cure When: Saturday, February 27

SUSAN AND BILL PEEL

JEANIE AND RON CARSON

Where: CenturyLink Center Omaha Why: The proceeds of the event will be used to fund lifechanging research to cure, prevent and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications.

JOAN AND TIM FLEMING

LAURA AND JEREMY BAUM, M.D.

Special Guests: Three families were featured in our evening’s Fund A Cure Program: the Bonness, Irvine, and Tomek families. Fund A Cure provides the opportunity to make a 100% tax-deductible gift directly to JDRF research. The video featured the adult children paying tribute to their parents.

The speakers discussed their diagnosis, their parents’ support, and lastly, how JDRF has supported them and their parents throughout the years – giving them hope for the future.

Attendance: 1,025 Amount Raised: $1.4 Million for type 1 diabetes research Mission: JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Vision: A world without type 1 diabetes. Mission: Accelerating life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications.

JDRF HEARTLAND CHAPTER, OMAHA-COUNCIL BLUFFS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SANDY AND MIKE SIELER WITH MICHELE AND BRIAN ASCHOFF

For more Information: 402.397.2873 | jdrf.org/omaha

VALERIE AND KEN WEST

BRIAN AND PAIGE RITTER WITH ANN AND MIKE WELNIAK

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FEEDING

Frenzy

Food Bank for the Heartland Celebrity Chef featuring Anne Burrell When: March 3 Where: Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center

STEPHEN CIESIELSKI, ANNE BURRELL AND SUSAN OGBORN

CHRIS KIRCHER, ANNE BURRELL AND PATTY KIRCHER

Why: In its 14th year, Celebrity Chef has become an important tradition for Food Bank for the Heartland.

The event celebrates food and its meaning in our lives by bringing together supporters in the community to showcase the talents of a notable chef while raising awareness and funding for the Food Bank.

Special Guests: Food Network star Anne Burrell Attendance: 880 Amount Raised: $285,000 (With this money, the Food Bank can provide 855,000 meals.)

Mission: Food Bank for the Heartland provides emergency and supplemental food to people in need in Nebraska and western Iowa

SHELLEY SIEMERS, CINDY HANSEN AND JAYNE TIMMERMAN

For more Information: 402.331.1213 | FoodBankHeartland.org

RKD ALPHA DOG TABLE

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Wishful

THINKING

Make-A-Wish Nebraska Blue Jean Ball When: Saturday, April 2

VIOLET SPATARO AND MARY NELSON

CHARLIE RAY, VIOLET SPATARO, ABIGAIL HARVEY AND DORAN ROBIN

Where: Mutual of Omaha Dome Why: Proceeds from the event will go towards helping grant wishes to Nebraska children battling life-threatening medical conditions.

Special Guests: Honorary Chairs of the Blue Jean Ball were Dan & Michele Martin. The Blue Jean Ball Event Chair was Maureen Holstein

BRIAN & LISA KETCHAM WITH ROB & RACHEL MAGLINGER, BRIGETTE YOUNG AND MAUREEN HOLSTEIN

Sponsors: Title Sponsor: Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company Dinner Sponsor: Valmont, Wish Sponsor: Cornerstone Staffing, Entertainment Sponsors: First National Bank & Jani-King of Omaha, Raffle Sponsor: Pinnacle Bank Wish Angels: AIMC, LLC, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, Cushman & Wakefield/The Lund Company, Great Western Bank, HM Insurance Group, Lamp, Rynearson & Associates, Omaha Gun Club, Omaha World-Herald, Republic National Distributing Company, SilverStone Group, Tenaska and Trusted Choice Attendance: 530

WISH KID CHARLIE AND FAMILY

Amount Raised: $264,000 Mission: To grant the wishes of children battling life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.

About: Make-A-Wish Nebraska grants the wishes of children battling life-threatening medical conditions across the state of Nebraska. We grant between 110 - 115 wishes each year.

For More Information: 402.333.8999 | www.nebraska.wish.org

EMCEE VIOLET ANNOUNCING TO WISH KID ABIGAIL HARVEY THAT HER WISH TO GO TO WALT DISNEY WORLD HAS BEEN GRANTED.

CAPTIONS

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PRACTICALLY

Perfect Perfect Pour

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation

EMILY AND L.J. MCELVRAY

ALYSIA RADICIA, KATIE TRIPLETT, SARAH MACDISSI AND KRISTIN LOWREY

On February 27, nearly 300 partygoers descended on a pop-up speakeasy in Omaha’s Blackstone District.

The Pella – a old church converted to a stylish event space – was the place to be for a prohibition themed night of jazz, booze and schmoozing.

10 of the state’s finest bartenders mixed up their most unique concoctions using Ty-Ku as an ingredient.

Guests floated from station to station, tasting the spirited sips and voting on their favorites. At the end of the evening, the event had raised more than $24,000 to support Nebraska Children’s statewide prevention work.

And it’s all thanks to this magnificent, dedicated bunch from the Omaha Friends of Nebraska Children.

Nebraska Children and Families Foundation supports children, young adults and families at risk with the overall goal of giving our state’s most vulnerable kids what they need to reach their full potential.

For More Information: 402.660.9241 | khickman@nebraskachildren.org

PERFECT POUR COMMITTEE

WE WILL HELP YOU PROMOTE YOUR EVENT! register your event FREE on

SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM’S COMMUNITY CALENDAR and update or revise it

365/24/7 use our

“BEFORE OUR EVENT” and “AFTER OUR EVENT” links at SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM to support your mission & message prior to & following your event promote your event in our

weeklyCONNECTOR and reach out weekly to over

9,000+ opted-in subscribers CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY

people. parties. passion. purpose.

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LEARNING THEIR

CUES CUES

The Gathering When: Saturday, April 9th

SUSIE AND IRV BLUMKIN

NIKKI BOULAY AND DAVE CRIPE

Where: Embassy Suites-LaVista

GOVENOR PETE RICKETTS AND SUSANNE SHORE WITH MARCIA AND JIM JONES

Why: CUES delivers financial support and operational guidance to three of North Omaha’s inner-city schoolsSacred Heart, All Saints and Holy Name. The money raised at the dinner will support the academic programs and tuition support at the schools. The theme for the evening was “Turning the Page of Hope” and the students inspired all who attended with their many talents.

Special Guests: Governor Pete Ricketts and First Lady Susanne Shore, Senator Ben Nelson,

GARY AND LAURIE JOHNSON WITH DANA AND JOE SULLIVAN

Attendance: 905 Mission: CUES supported schools provide quality education and pertinent programming for children with the hopes of transforming lives and building hope for a sustainable and successful future.

For more Information: 402.650.8579 | www.cuesschools.org

NICHOLAS DAVIS, KEVIN CLARKE AND COLE DAVIS

MIKE AND NANCY ROOT WITH BILL HONKE AND MOLLY MAGUIRE

SUSIE SULLIVAN, BRYAN THOMAS, FR. TOM FANGMAN, JIM GRAY, GREG TVRDIK AND MALACHY SULLIVAN

KAYLA CELELLO AND NATHALIE HATHAWAY

2016

VINCE AND ALLISON BOULAY WITH BRANDON ROSS AND JOSH BJORKMAN

THANK YOU to Honorary Chairs IRV AND SUSIE BLUMKIN

and Event Co-chairs Laura Mitch & Colleen Johnson Craig and Kerry Kelley Rick and Sue Thaden Gary and Molly Witt CAPTIONS

for a successful evening.

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BENEFITING

Bookworms Omaha Public Library Fdtn.

A Novel Affaire When: Saturday, April 2 Where: Benson Branch, Omaha

ROCHELLE MULLEN AND ANNE BRANIGAN

LAURA MARLANE AND PAUL RICHARDS

Why: A fundraiser to benefit Omaha Public Library programs and services Special Guests: Author Tobias Wolff Attendance: 150 Amount Raised: $20,000 Mission: To raise funds and advocate for Omaha Public Library About: Since 1985, the Omaha Public Library Foundation has raised more than $10 million in private support for Omaha Public Library programs and services.

TOBIAS WOLFF

MAGGIE BROWN AND MARY AND RODRIGO LOPEZ

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For more Information: 402.444.4589 | omahalibraryfoundation.org

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POSITIVE

Reflections

Midlands Community Foundation 2016 Reflection Ball When: January 16, 2016

DR. KEVIN RILEY, FRANK HARWOOD, DR. RICHARD HASTY, DR. ANDY RIKLI AND BRETT RICHARDS

KARLA RUPIPER, DR. HARLAN AND CHERIE METSCHKE AND DR. RICK AND KYLE BLACK WITH TONEE GAY

FRONT ROW: CARRIE KRIST, JAN DAVIS, MARTHA SOPINSKI, KEN SUMMERFIELD, MARY GAWECKI AND DIANE KNICKY BACK ROW: PATTIE ISKE, BRENDA CARLSON, LEANNE SOTAK, JACKIE DAVIS, KRIS ZEY, DONNA WILCOX AND JILL GOVIER

Where: Embassy Suites, LaVista Why: The Reflection Ball is held annually to honor individual(s) who have contributed significantly to Sarpy and Cass counties and the mission of MCF and to raise funds for projects and programs benefiting Sarpy and Cass counties.

Net proceeds from the event will be donated to the MCF Education Fund, a designated fund established at Midlands Community Foundation. Donations to the fund will be distributed to various schools, school foundations and other non-profit organizations serving the needs of Sarpy and Cass counties in the area of education, including but not limited to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math); literacy; arts; leadership; peer and counseling support; backpack and clothing programs.

Attendance: 400 Amount Raised: Nearly $100,000

JULIE AND BRETT RICHARDS, RICHARD AND MELISSA HASTY WITH JAMIE AND FRANK HARWOOD

SENATOR JIM AND RUTH SMITH WITH RENEE AND MAYOR DAVID BLACK

Mission: The mission of Midlands Community Foundation is to benefit the diverse needs of the Sarpy and Cass county communities by providing financial support, involvement and service.

For more Information: 402.991.8027 | www.midlandscommunity.org

TERA THOMAS WITH NEAL AND PAULA WACHHOLTZ

MIKE LOYD, TERRY CALEK, LEE POLIKOV AND ERIN LOYD

CAPTIONS

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MADE FOR

Marian

Marian High School MarianFEST 2016 When: February 5 FRONT ROW: CORI JOHNSON, ELLIE ROMMELFANGER, LAURA TATTEN, MALLORY GROTE, JENNA GROTE AND MARY KATE GARRIOTT BACK ROW: CHRIS AND JILLYN KRATOCHVIL, ROB AND LISA JOHNSON, DAN AND MARY ROMMELFANGER, CHRIS AND KAREN TATTEN, GARY AND SHELLY GROTE, JIM AND MOLLY GARRIOTT WITH MARY HIGGINS

Where: Baxter Arena, Omaha Why: FEST, which stands for Funding Education in the Servite Tradition, is Marian’s largest fundraising event of the year.

All proceeds benefit scholarships and tuition assistance for Marian students, as well as Marian’s operating budget.

Caterer: Savor Multi Media: MacRae Productions (sound & lighting), Alpha Rentals-Videos Inc. (video),

KRISTA AND MICKEY ANDERSON

CHLOE DOLAN, GOVERNOR PETE RICKETTS, SUSANNE SHORE, MADDIE VOSIK AND HALEY KEENAN

Attendance: 630 Amount Raised: Nearly $450,000 Mission: The mission of Marian High School is to commit all its resources to the college preparatory education of young women, teaching them to be leaders and lifelong learners in a society where their talents and faith will give hope to the world.

STEPHANIE PATSALAS, ANJNA VALENZUELA, BRIDGET OMALLEY-TYNAN, KATIE RUSH-MENDLICK AND ANITA RAMACHANDRAN

SEAN AND ANGIE QUINN WITH SUE MICKEY

About: Marian is unique among Omaha high schools because it empowers girls to be confident, independent, thinking leaders. Founded by the Servants of Mary, Marian is a Catholic, all-girl college preparatory school twice recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Marian is Nebraska’s only Class A girls’ high school and welcomes students of all cultural, economic and spiritual backgrounds.

For more Information: 402.571.2618 | www.marianhighschool.net

SUSIE SULLIVAN AND MARY HIGGINS

STEFANIE AND CHRIS WEIDENFELD, ERIC MUELLER, KURT GROTE WITH ANGIE AND TREV ALBERTS

HANNAH WENTE, KATHLEEN SCHUELE, ELIZABETH KISH, LIZ DUDLEY, MAGGIE KERSENBROCK AND MAGGIE MCGLURE 70

JULIA HEBENSTREITH, MARY CAROLLO, KIM NEPPL AND ANNE MONAHAN

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MAKING

Memories

Alzheimer’s Association Nebraska Chapter Growing Hope Gala When: Saturday, March 19th Where: Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha

JOHN EWING, AHMAN GREEN AND VIV EWING

PAUL HANSON, AHMAN GREEN AND KALI TRIPP

Why: To remember and honor those affected

by Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

Special Guests: Ahman Green was the evenings speaker.

Attendance: 175 Amount Raised: $83,000 Mission: To eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

For more Information: 402.502.4301 | alz.org/nebraska

MIKE HUGHBANKS AND FAMILY WITH AHMAN GREEN

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VENTURING

Ahead

Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska artVenture When: Saturday, April 2

TIM BARRY AND DAN TOBERER

KERMIT AND CAROLINE ENGH WITH FRAN MARSHALL AND MARK GOODALL

Where: UNO’s Mammel Hall Why: Annual fundraising event for Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska Special Guests: Gail and John DeBoer, Maggie and Lannie Hallowell Sponsors: SAC Federal Credit Union, Union Pacific, Lozier, Pinnacle Bank Caterer: Catering Creations

TERRY AND MARY BETH KOOPMAN WITH FRED VAKILI, SHEILA CHRIST, PAULA WALLACE AND ANDEE HOIG

Multi Media: Macrae Event Productions Attendance: 400 Amount Raised: $150,000 (gross) Mission: Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.

SENATOR SARA HOWARD AND DOUG SCHRODER

LAURIE MCALOON, DIANE MATTERN AND LOIS FRIEDMAN

About: Girl Scouts began on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, Georgia. Our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, believed all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally and spiritually with the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments into community service.

For more than 100 years, Girl Scouts has stayed true to the principles established by Juliette--that girls develop their character and self-worth from values we instill, lessons we teach and time we invest.

For more Information: 402.559.8189 | www.girlscoutsnebraska.org

LANNIE AND MAGGIE HALLOWELL, STEVE ZEY, LYNNE RUTH AND GAIL DEBOER

MARY DREHER, JENNAY VACEK AND SARAH JANK

ADELE RUSSELL AND ANNE MCKNIGHT 72

ANDREA EISCH, AUDREY ZUERLEIN-JOHNSON AND CYNTHE JOHNSON

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Photos courtesy of Business4Business

THE Bs HAVE IT! Business4Business Professional Society Spring Kick Off Event When: April 1 Where: Midtown Crossing Penthouse Club Room

DEMOINE ADAMS AND MICHELLE SCHRAGE

GRANT GOTSCHALL, DEMOINE ADAMS AND SEBASTIAN HOLMES

Why: Quarterly networking event to bring business professionals and community leaders together.

Sponsor: metroMAGAZINE Caterer: Crave Restaurant, Sam & Louie’s, Hog Wild Bar-B-Que Attendance: 120 Mission: To facilitate powerful connections among business and community leaders.

For more Information: 402.490.4192 | www.b4bsociety.com

JAY MIRALLES, ANDEE HOIG, TRACY FISHER AND JENNIFER SOMMER

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event galleries

Photography by Roger Humphries

FELLOWSHIP OF

The Rose Rose Theater Guild

Rosie: 2016: Rosie Rocks the Golden Age of Theater When: February 20

JEN ALLOWAY, CARRIE SITTON, MATT GUTSCHICK, ADDIE HOLLINGSWORTH AND MARY O’CONNELL

ASHLEY MCMAHON, ANGELA CUTLER, ERICA BRYANT AND JENNIFER BUDA

Where: Hilton Omaha Why: All proceeds benefit the Rose Theater’s community programs. Programs include: school field trips, professionally instructed drama and dance workshops, and unique after-school classes that bring disadvantaged youth to the theater. No child or family desiring access to productions and classes is ever turned away at The Rose. Additionally, The Rose offers programs specifically reaching children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Down syndrome.

EMILY TABOR, MATT GUTSCHICK AND COLLEEN BATCHELER

MARIA MINDERMAN, MICHELLE SMITHBERG, TERRI EISCHEID AND KAREN GRANGER

Attendance: 422 Amount Raised: $222,438 Mission: The mission of the Rose Theater is to enrich the lives of young people through live theater, dance and arts education.

About: The Omaha Theater Company is the third largest professional children’s theater in the nation, with its programs reaching over 700,000 people each year in Omaha and on National Tour.

JENNIFER KOOM, JESSICA FEILMEIER AND ASHLEY GLOYSTEIN

TIM JAVORSKY

HEATHER VANOURNEY, CHALEY CHANDLER AND JEN ALLOWAY

BACK ROW: JERRY BRABEC, CLAIR BOOTON, OLIVIA HESS, CARRIE SITTON, SUE BOOTON, ABBY COTA AND SORCHA HAY FRONT ROW: SOPHIE WILLIAMS, AUDREY PERSAND AND HANNAH-KATE KINNEY

For more Information: 402.345.4849 | www.rosetheater.org

LOURI SULLIVAN AND ANDEE SCIOLI

CAPTIONS

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May-SCENE-516_EVENTS 4/14/16 8:29 PM Page 76

event galleries

Photography by Dan Flanigan

Soup’s ON! Visiting Nurse Association Art & Soup When: February 21 Where: Embassy Suites LaVista Conference Center

DR. JAN AND DR. HARRIS FRANKEL

MAGGIE AND JAMES SUMMERFELT

Why: Proceeds benefit VNA’s shelter nurse program, providing care to nearly 50 percent of Omaha and Council Bluffs’s homeless men, women, and children each year.

Event Planner: planitOmaha Attendance: 1,000+ Amount Raised: $142,000

NIKOLE ROACH, CARYN HOHNHOLT AND TRACY YANDELL

SHELBY ROHLFF, PATTY WILDERMAN AND LARAMY OVERTON

SUE AND JOE NUSS WITH BRYN AND FRANK VENUTO

MARK MCMILLAN AND DIANNE BOOS

Mission: Delivering community-based care that provides peace of mind, quality of life, and independence.

About: Celebrating 120 years of service, VNA (Visiting Nurse Association) is leading the way in the delivery of in-home and community health care services. VNA’s team of more than 400 expert health professionals and caregivers are dedicated to providing the highest quality in-home care to the residents of Omaha and Council Bluffs—regardless of their ability to pay—along with a wide range of services for and in the community. Backed by a tradition of nursing, VNA offers a complete line of home care services, including Companion Care, Skilled Home Care, IV Therapy, Home Health Technology, and Hospice and Palliative Care.

Next year Art & Soup will be held on February 26, 2017.

For more Information: 402.342.5566 | TheVNACares.org

ARTIST ANGIE SIMONSEN AND JENDA SIMONSEN

ARTIST CURT NORMAN, SUSAN NORMAN AND MEGAN SNIDER

ARTIST JUDITH AND BOB WELK WITH BOYD LITTRELL

JOANIE KUSH, LIZ WINKLER AND MARK WINKLER 76

JIM WIGGS AND MICHELLE MORALES

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Photos courtesy of Special Olympics Nebraska

PRETTY MUCH

Chillin’

Special Olympics Nebraska Omaha Polar Plunge When: February 13 Where: Lake Cunningham, Omaha

MARIAN TEAM

METROMAG’S M.A.D. 25 TEAM AND THE CORE BANK TEAM

Why: The Polar Plunge is an event to benefit Special Olympics Nebraska.

Attendance: 486 Plungers and 300 spectators Amount Raised: $110,000 Mission: To provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for all children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, prepare for entry into school and community programs, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in the sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

MADONNA SCHOOL TEAM

For More Information: www.sone.org

US BANK TEAM

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event galleries

Photography by Dan Flanigan

IRISH EYES ARE

Smiling Catholic Charities Irish Fest When: Saturday, March 19

Where: Embassy Suites/La Vista Conference Center

ALICE AND MARK JAKSICH, TRISH AND JOHN KUEHL WITH KARI AND DAN KINSELLA

Why: All proceeds will be used to support Catholic Charities programs and services. Catholic Charities ministers to the greatest and most fundamental needs of our community.

Since 1926, Catholic Charities has had a rich tradition of serving and advocating for more than 100,000 voiceless, hungry, addicted, abused and forgotten individuals and families annually throughout the area.

Special Guests: Archbishop George J. Lucas, John Knicely (emceed)

SANDRA AND STEVE DAVIDSON

SHIRLEY AND DAN NEARY Attendance: 500 Amount Raised: over $375,000 Mission: Mindful of the presence of God in our midst, we serve, empower and advocate for individuals and families in need.

AMY AND JEFF SCHMID

JOHN J GRIFFITH WITH MAYOR JEAN AND DR. JOE STOTHERT

About: Catholic Charities ministers to the greatest and most fundamental needs of our community. Since 1926, Catholic Charities has had a rich tradition of serving and advocating for more than 100,000 voiceless, hungry, addicted, abused and forgotten individuals and families annually throughout the area. For more information about Catholic Charities programs, visit ccomaha.org For more Information: 402.554.0520 | www.ccomaha.org

JENNIFER AND RYAN SEWELL, TRACI AND TIM HARRISON WITH FARHAN AND FATIMA KHAN

DAN AND SHEILA BLEYHL WITH THERESA AND DR. MYLES GART

DAN KINSELLA. AND JOHN KUEHL

DOREEN AND JOHN GRIFFITH 78

COREY AND SARAH DICKMEYER WITH LARISSA AND RICH JOHNSON mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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Photography by Dan Flanigan

VIN VINVin!

Partnership 4Kids vinNEBRASKA When: April 1 - 2

Where: Happy Hollow Country Club and Ramada Plaza Omaha Hotel and Convention Center

NANCY AND FRED CLINE

DENNIS HEIN, DEB DENBECK AND MIKE LAPOINT

Why: vinNEBRASKA brings together a celebration of premier wines & world class vintners, with the opportunity to support the mission of Partnership 4 Kids in mentoring kids for college today and careers tomorrow.

Special Guests: Mike LaPoint from WOWT was the Emcee, Fred and Nancy Cline from Cline Family Cellars were the Honorary Winery

WHITNEY AND ALAN HAYES WITH TRENT AND JACKIE LARSON

Multi Media: Dog and Pony Productions and United Rent-All

MARY BETH AND STEVE WADE Attendance: 250 on April 1, 2016 and 700 on April 2, 2016 Amount Raised: $290,000 Mission: To mentor kids for college today and careers tomorrow.

REID JOHNSON AND STEPHANIE HEITMANN

MEAGAN DUNKER, SARAH KYLER AND CAITLIN ELLIS

About: Partnership 4 Kids is a goal setting and group mentoring program that builds hope for underserved students and helps them create a foundation for success from kindergarten to careers. The agency has been serving the youth of Omaha for over 25 years and currently reaches more than 5,300 at-risk students. With the support of 330 community volunteer mentors, Partnership 4 Kids is empowering kids to succeed through goal-setting proficiency, school engagement, career exploration and pursuit of post-secondary education.

For more Information: 402.930.3000 | www.p4k.org

KEITH MORRIS WITH NANCY AND FRED CLINE, DEB DENBECK AND DENNIS HEIN

MINDY DUFF AND JEFF TAYLOR

FRANCK KAKOU, GREG MILLER, KEITH MORRIS, TOM SCHMITZ, MIRO TCHOLAKOV, BOB KNEBEL, DAVE ZINNI, SUE TAMBURELLI, NICK FREY, MICHELLE GAROUFALIS, FRED AND NANCY CLINE, JOHN GRASSE, STU SMITH, KEVIN O’BRIEN, JASON AUXIER, EVAN FIELD, GARY WHITE AND JOHN CISSELL 79

DEBBIE AND TAYLOR WILSON, FRED AND NANCY CLINE, MATT NORMAN AND LESLIE SPETHMAN, BRYAN AND CRISTA LATHAM, SARAH AND BLAKE RICHARDS

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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FEATURED EVENT

spotlight

metroMAGAZINE/mQUARTERLY

ANNUAL AWARDS & CELEBRATION

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAN FLANIGAN, ROGER HUMPHRIES AND HERB THOMPSON

honoring the givers

ESSENTIALS: Honored guests once again gathered together on January 21st at The Durham Museum to launch The Giving Guide & Event Book 2016 and to celebrate all of the charitable fundraising events held during 2015-16 by honoring the winners of The BIG Event 2016 Awards & Celebration!

THE $10,000 BIG CONNECTION WINNER QLI’S “AN EVENING AT THE FAIR” PAIGE RITTER, PATRICIA KEARNS, JEN KAROLSKI, RICCI MILLER AND TAYLOR KERSCHKE

Event Partners Attitude on Food Catering Creations Dog & Pony Productions, Inc. Elissa Joy Design Events in Bloom Hap Abraham Catering Mike Klug Paramount Parking Step//Group Event Marketing Sweet D's Teacakes The Durham Museum Motion Content House United Rent-All The Giving Guide & Event Book Corporate Sponsors NP Dodge Real Estate RDG Planning Design C&A Industries, INC. KB Building Services Mutual of OmahaBank Northwestern Mutual Harrison Financial Services COX The Giving Guide & Event Book Featured Non Profit AKSARBEN Foundation $10,000 BIG CONNECTION WINNER for 2016 QLI (An Evening at the Fair) Publisher's Choice Award Children's Hospital & Medical Center (Wine, Women & Shoes)

NP DODGE: NATE DODGE, MIKE STORY, MARY ROBSON RENSCH, JILL ANDERSON, MARY SINDELAR, JODEE DRAKE-SOTO, MARI REEDER-RENSCH, JEFF RENSCH WITH COKIE AND MIKE RIEDMANN 80

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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mQUARTERLY

| The BIG Event 2016

CHARISSA HANSEN AND STEPHANIE JEANNETTE (HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE)

JAMES SUMMERFELT, CARYN HOHNHOLT AND RILLA EATON (VISITING NURSES ASSOCIATION)

JEN MULLER, TRACY FISHER, ANTHONY HUGHES, ASHLEY STARK AND JODI STARK (ALH PUBLICATIONS, INC. TEAM)

KAREN DANEU, DAWN GONZALES AND DEB KEITH (SUSAN G. KOMEN NEBRASKA)

TOM COOPER, ANDEE HOIG AND GINNY DIGNOTI

JULIA HEBENSTREIT, JILL HAMILTON, LORI ATKINSON AND TERESA LAUVER (THE KIM FOUNDATION)

RACHEL RICHARDS AND THE STEP//GROUP EVENTS TEAM

JACQELLE LANE, MONIKA JOHANNSEN AND NICK HUFF

SHELLY GROTE, RITA GOMEZ SANDERS AND SALLY EASTMAN KAHRE (OMAHA CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL & MEDICAL CENTER)

AARON DODD AND JASON MOORE - ATTITUDE ON FOOD

BIGEVENT-mSCENE-FE-2016_EVENTS 4/16/16 9:38 PM Page 82

FEATURED EVENT

spotlight

metroMAGAZINE/mQUARTERLY

SUBTITLE OR TITLE DUPE GOES HERE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WHO PHOTOGRAPHED THIS EVENT?

header here

JEN CROSS, SARAH SKARKA, MIKE HOUSTON, AMY JACKSON AND NATE GIESELMAN

ALYSSA HARTER, LESLIE FISCHER, KITTY BURTON AND KRISTI UNICK

BETSYE PARAGAS, JESSICA BLACKMAN AND BEVERLY GORMAN

GETTING EXCITED: Over 200 invited guests gathered together on January 22nd at The Durham Museum to christen The Event Book & Giving Guide 2014 and to celebrate all of the charitable fundraising events held during 2013 by honoring the winners of The BIG Event 2013 sponsored by metroMAGAZINE & ALH Publications, Inc. The BIG Event is held annually to recognize all of the efforts of those who work tirelessly to raise funds for the many charitable organizations and causes who work so diligently to make a positive difference in the lives of those in our community. The purpose of The BIG Event is to raise awareness and appreciation for all of the work that is done to support non profit, charities and cultural enterprises during the preceding year.

MIKE AND GAIL YANNEY WITH ANDEE HOIG

“The whole idea for The BIG Event has always been focused on drawing attention to all the work done by everyAND organization MINDY WALLY DUFFthroughout the year, not just the organizations who are nominated and voted as winners,” said Andrea “Andee” Hoig, President, Founder and Publisher of ALH Publications, Inc. and metroMAGAZINE. “All of the winning organizations really embraced this as a way to celebrate everyone’s achievements during the year. Our impression was that everyone in attendance felt a genuine love and admiration for each others’ efforts.

It was one evening where all organizations represented seemed like one big family. We felt that the intimate surroundings and casual atmosphere and program helped make that happen, but it was really the energy and warmth of those attending that set the tone,” added Rob Killmer, ALHP Vice-President.

KEVIN GRUBB, SUSAN MECLINA, CHERYL MURRAY AND JOANNE HULL 82

ST

MARY JOHNSON, MIKE HOMA AND MARI RENSCH

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| The BIG Event 2016

STEPHANIE AND TODD MURPHY WITH AMEE ZETZMAN AND JEFF KAVICH

JILL SLUPE, JOHN WEHRLE WITH CAROL RUSSELL

NANCY SCHMAILZL, MELISSA MARVIN AND CHERYL “WILD” GOODRICH

SCOTT MOORE, MARY JOHNSON AND WENDY MOORE

PAM WIESE AND GORDON KRENTZ

RITA SANDERS, RICK SANDERS WITH ANGIE AND DON BACON

MIKE HOMA, TRACY FISHER, NICK HUFF, JUDI HUFF AND SHELLEY HOMA

STEPHANIE AND ERIC TIRITILLI

VAN DEEB WITH PAULA AND MARK KRESL

HEARTLAND FAMILY SERVICE

TERI CORCORAN, KAY FRIESEN AND DEB DENBECK

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celebrating THE ARTS celebrating 25 years in 2016!

STORY BY LEO ADAM BIGA | PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF OMAHA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

all grown up! omaha children’s museum GROWING AT 40 • STAYING FUN THIS SUMMER, OMAHA CHILDREN’S MUSEUM JOINS SELECT LOCAL ATTRACTIONS BOASTING 40 YEARS IN OPERATION. With 300,000 annual visitors and 10,000 memberships, OCM is enjoying its greatest growth phase now. Founder Karen Levin suggests why OCM is proving so popular.

“It’s a very different breed. It’s where people come to play. There’s no expectations, there’s no right or wrong. Interactive learning, sharing and socialization is the theme. What you put into the experience you get out of it.

It’s a very multifaceted experience.”

The two women most closely identified with the institution, Levin and current Executive Director Lindy Hoyer, never expected to run a children’s organization.

Levin was bound for a social work career when she visited the Boston Children’s Museum in 1973. Her “visceral response” led her to work there. That experience inspired her to pursue a children’s museum in Omaha after moving here in 1975.

“It changed my life. It ended up defining my life.

It became my passion. It is still my passion.”

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CONTINUED

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celebrating THE ARTS

CONTINUED

In sharing that passion, Levin cultivated folks who caught her vision and together they opened OCM as a mobile museum in 1976. Levin says the late Evie Zysman, a social worker and early childhood education advocate, led her to key supporters, including Jane Ford. The late Susan Thompson Buffett gave seed money and recommended attorney David Karnes, who legally incorporated OCM and became an ardent supporter with his late wife Liz. Their garage served as its storage unit and their ‘74 Oldsmobile station wagon carted exhibits and supplies.

“I also did much of the corporate fundraising as we got started,” recalls Karnes.

“We needed to introduce the OCM story and dream to all that would listen and it was a story many loved to hear and eventually supported.”

He and other early board members Susan Lebens, Jim Leuschen and John Birge were raising families and they bonded over developing a stimulating environment for their kids as well as kids community-wide.

Karnes was drawn to supporting a place where children could explore, touch, dress up, play in unstructured ways and be “in charge.”

The Karnes brought their four daughters, all of whom he says “have a warm spot in their hearts for the museum and know how much it meant to me and Liz and how hard we worked to make it a success.”

Those daughters live elsewhere now but “when they return with my grandkids,” he says, “they love to visit OCM.”

John Birge, now a principal architect with RDG, has fond memories of taking his then-young children to the museum, and now that his kids are parents themselves he enjoys taking his grandchildren there.

“It’s just like deja vu watching my four grandchildren working their way through that whole building and listening to them talk about all the experiences and what they like doing there,” Birge says. “It’s one generation later, but it’s the same idea.”

Board chairman Trent Demulling says, “It is the one place I go with my kids [where] I’m never looking at my cell phone because it’s so fun to watch them play. They’re always looking back to see what you’re observing and looking for validation of what they’re doing or of what they’ve built.”

Veteran board member Sandy Parker says, “OCM was the place my boys could explore, get messy, imitate, imagine, inquire, play and just be kids. The boys and I used the museum a lot when they were young.

Birge says the museum’s been “a catalyst for bringing young professionals into community leadership roles,” adding, “We were all together helping build this idea of a museum and we all went on to be very successful in doing cool things in Omaha in nontraditional ways.”

He says everybody involved wanted the museum to be world-class.

“We were a bunch of people who said, ‘We can do this.’ We kept getting great leadership in terms of board members as well as paid staff who were going to make it the biggest and best thing it could be.”

He’s proud OCM’s intertwined in “the fabric of the community.”

His daughter Alexis Boulos carries on family tradition as a volunteer (with the Guild) and engaged parent.

OCM’s old enough now that multiple generations enjoy it.

Now remarried, Karnes is a parent again and he says his two youngest daughters “love the museum and visit often” with him and wife Kristine.

As a new grandparent, Susan Lebens is thrilled to be “back” at the museum.

I became president of the Guild in the early ‘90s, went on the Governing Board after that and have been on the board ever since. I’ve chaired the For the Kids Benefit and assisted in a couple of capital campaigns. Back in the day when there wasn’t much money, Guild members would volunteer their time helping make and paint exhibits. We brought our kids. We all became friends – the moms and the kids.”

“I not only enjoyed the museum as a child, I watched my parents volunteer their time and talents and now it’s so rewarding to give back myself and to watch my kids develop their creativity there.”

Dad and daughter marvel at how robust OCM is today. None of it could have happened without its founder. “Karen Levin was relentless in pushing that vision and she was not going to let go,” Birge says.

Monies that secured OCM’s initial footing came from the Dayton Hudson Foundation, whose grant helped pay for the first programs and exhibits. A CETA (Comprehensive Employment and Training Act) grant paid for staff.

OCM went from itinerant displays in shopping malls, libraries, schools and at events to renting a small, makeshift space in the Omaha-Douglas County “connector” building. Then it moved to larger, repurposed digs at 18th and St. Mary’s before occupying its present site, 500 South 20th Street, in the old McFadden Ford auto dealership.

A decade after the museum formed, Lindy Hoyer was a recent college graduate looking to apply her theater degree to a stage career when she took a job at OCM. Hired as a secretary, her skills proved better suited to facilitating play with kids in the exhibits area.

“My whole life I’ve been drawn to children and when I got the chance to see children engage and interact at the museum, I just knew this is my passion,” says Hoyer, who found OCM a great place to grow herself professionally. “This organization was so young and fledgling that there were lots of new things to do and take charge of.”

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• mQUARTERLY

omaha children’s museum GROWING AT 40 • STAYING FUN After eight years she left for the Lincoln (NE) Children’s Museum before returning in 2002. She found OCM in a state of physical fatigue.

He and Hoyer say everything’s on the table – from expanding the present facility to finding a larger existing structure to building anew.

“We had to make really tough decisions. Even though the audience grows up and “I think management, the board and community leaders really grows out and there’s a new audience coming in every eight years, you have to need to think about what is Omaha willing to invest in the keep the exhibits fresh. So often children’s museums get exhibits built and then Omaha Children’s Museum,” Demulling says, “and what are the resources to replenish those over time never get accumulated and so things the things we can get done in order to serve more people to get worn down, broken, and over time that shows. The place was suffering give them an even better experience.” desperately from that when I started back in 2002. We did some things to replenish, but we were starting to get there again.”

Until a plan is finalized, OCM will continue stimulating children’s tactile senses and imagination in the same digs it’s Since making upgrades, targeting early childhood audiences and working occupied since 1989. Meanwhile, OCM celebrates 40 years of with community partners to build exhibits, OCM’s enjoyed an unbroken investing in minds and bodies. rise in attendance. The first of the community themed and sponsored exhibits, Construction Zone, in partnership with Kiewit, was a huge hit.

“It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Omaha Children’s Museum,” Next came The Big Backyard and a slew of permanent displays by First says Hoyer. “The next step isn’t determined yet, but I know as long National Bank, Walker Tire & Auto, Hy Vee, Omaha Steaks and as we stay true to our mission to engage the imagination and spark Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. excitement for learning, it’s going to be the right one. Whatever happens next will benefit generations to come.”

Community and traveling exhibits plus educational programs make OCM a thriving, financially stable destination place with huge Visit www.ocm.org. buy-in.

“It’s nice to be running a nonprofit organization in a community where we can be bold and daring within the context of a strategy and a mission and work that backs that up,” Hoyer says. “We understand our audience and we listen to them and we take what they say seriously.”

Levin admires how far OCM’s come.

“We built a very strong foundation and then it just kind of blossomed. I think the community has always embraced the museum. Everyone owns it.

Parents seek it out. It belongs to Omaha.”

She credits the leadership of Hoyer, the board and a staff that is “engaged, active, smart” for creating such a strong operation.

But OCM has challenges. Its landlocked downtown home is woefully short on office, storage and parking space. It also faces millions of dollars in deferred maintenance. Meanwhile, more visitors pour in.

Board chair Trent Demulling says for a recent master planning process, “we evaluated what the museum could be and we did not constrain ourselves in dreaming big.”

He adds, “Now we have to align that with reality in terms of what funding is available.”

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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/

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 EVENTS

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 2016 today at mQUARTERLY’s SpiritofOmaha.com.

May 7 – OCTOBER 15

8:00 AM – 12:30 PM

OMAHA FARMERS MARKET

The Boys Town Booster Banquet is an annual fundraiser to honor Boys Town's athletes and their awards and achievements. A notable sports athlete will be the keynote speaker. The speaker in 2014 was Drew Brees, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints. $100 a ticket

Old Market | 11th & Jackson Streets | Omaha Join us every weekend and shop for produce, herbs, meat, plants, baked goods, jams, jellies, coffee, cheeses, crafts and much more! We accept SNAP benefits! Stop by our onsite information booths for more information. The Omaha Farmers Market is sponsored by WOWT Channel 6, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, Q98-Five, University of Nebraska Omaha, Aksarben Village, Security National Bank, Tsys Merchant Solutions, Old Omaha Association, Spinal Balance Health Center and Whole Foods Market.

FREE www.omahafarmersmarket.org

MAY 5

MAY 10

MAY 3

5:30 PM – 9:00 PM

BOYS TOWN

BOOSTER BANQUET

5:30 PM – 10:00 PM

MAN & WOMAN OF THE YEAR GRAND FINALE GALA The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Nebraska Chapter The Hilton Omaha 1001 Cass Street | Omaha Man & Woman of the Year is a campaign of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) which hosts 10-12 candidates who fundraise for a period of 10 weeks to raise the most funds to benefit LLS in honor of our Boy & Girl of the Year. The event culminates with a high profile community celebration including silent and live auctions, food, cocktails, live music, and presentation. The Man & Woman of the Year are announced, Boy & Girl of the Year share their personal stories of triumph over blood cancer, and all candidates are thanked publicly for their dedication to the mission of LLS. $100-$250 (402) 344-2242 | www.mwoy.org/ne

MAY 7 2016 OMAHA HEART WALK American Heart Association And American Stroke Association Miller's Landing 151 Freedom Park Road | Omaha The American Heart Association is the largest voluntary health organization dedicated to defeating heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Our mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke — the nation’s No.1 and No.5 killers. At the 2016 Omaha-Council Bluffs Heart Walk, we will take steps toward lives free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Free (402) 810-6870 | www.heart.org/omaha/

MAY 7

8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MUSCLE WALK Muscular Dystrophy Association of Omaha Werner Park | 12356 Ballpark Way | Papillion The most inspiring event of its kind, MDA Muscle Walk brings communities together — families, partners, volunteers, sponsors and donors, YOU — to fight back against muscle disease. Through MDA Muscle Walk, you can join forces with others to raise critical dollars that will make a real difference in the lives of people fighting life-threatening muscle disease in your community and across the nation. Funds raised through the Muscle Walk program build on decades of MDA research progress, helping push science to its limits in the search for treatments and cures. The dollars we raise also support MDA’s life-enhancing programs, including state-of-the-art clinics, support groups and MDA summer camp — where kids with muscle disease can enjoy “the best week of the year.” MDA progress in muscle disease research and care moves far more quickly with your help than without it. No Cost to Register (402) 390-2914

MAY 7

5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

FOR THE KIDS BENEFIT Omaha Children's Museum 500 South 20th Street | Omaha For the Kids Benefit is Omaha Children's Museum's largest annual fundraiser. This years theme is the Kentucky Derby. Patrons can gather for the annual pre-party to watch the race before kicking off the night’s festivities. $150 402-342-6164 | www.ocm.org

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

GREATER OMAHA BUSINESS EXCELLENCE AWARDS Greater Omaha Chamber Embassy Suites Omaha - La Vista Conference Ctr. A celebration of the Business Excellence Award winners whose contributions elevate our community and make it a better place for everyone to do business, work and live. We will also recognize Milestone companies who are celebrating an anniversary of 25,50,75,100 and 150 years in business. $40 per ticket (402) 978-7907 | www.omahachamber.org

MAY 14

6pm – 9:30pm

CABARET 2016 Child Saving Institute Embassy Suites Conference Center – LaVista You won’t want to miss this casual and entertaining event featuring funny and family-friendly stand-up comedian Ryan Hamilton! The evening includes cocktails, dinner, and great comedy all for a great cause!

All proceeds go toward CSI’s services for the prevention, intervention and healing of child abuse and neglect. Ticket Prices: $175 (402) 504-3664 | www.childsaving.org

MAY 14

5:30pm cocktails | 6:30pm dinner | 8pm concert

OMAHA SYMPHONY GALA WITH FRANKIE VALLI Omaha Symphony Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas Street | Omaha Join Thomas Wilkins and your Omaha Symphony for our glittering 95th anniversary gala concert with Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Valli, with his signature three-octave range, led the group to the top of the charts in the ‘60s and ‘70s, selling more than 100 million records. With hits like “Sherry,”“Big Girls Don’t Cry,”“Walk Like a Man,” and “December ’63 (Oh, What a Night),” these Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members will join with the orchestra for an electrifying evening of entertainment. The Omaha Symphony Gala is one of Omaha’s most anticipated social events, celebrating the symphony’s role as a vital contributor to our community’s cultural and educational landscape. Funds raised support the symphony’s education programs, which serve nearly 30,000 children annually. Gala honoree Walter Scott, Jr. will receive the Dick and Mary Holland Leadership Award. Chairs for the 2016 Gala are Gail and Michael Yanney. Ticket Prices: $500 for Gala dinner and concert | $25-$85 for concert only (402) 661-8587 | www.omahasymphony.org

MAY 19 SUNSHINE KIDS FUNDRAISER EVENT BHHS Ambassador Real Estate Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador RE 331 Village Pointe Pkwy | Omaha The Sunshine Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to children with cancer and is committed to providing positive group activities and emotional support for young cancer patients. The Sunshine Kids provides a variety of programs and events, free of charge, for kids who are receiving cancer treatments in hospitals across North America. We are a proud sponsor of the foundation and are having our next big fundraising event May 19th, 2016. This family fun event features live music, silent auctions, amazing food, and a guaranteed good time! Donations accepted (402) 880-7629 | www.BHHSamb.com 88

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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 2016 today at mQUARTERLY’s SpiritofOmaha.com.

• VIEW & PURCHASE PHOTOS OF THESE AND OTHER EVENTS 365/24/7 AT SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

MAY 21

• mQUARTERLY look for the LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GIVING GUIDE 2016!

JUNE 3

12:00 PM – 2:30 PM

6:30 pm cocktails and exhibition viewing | 7:30 pm dinner

K9 BARK AND WALK FOR BRAIN CANCER Leap-For-A-Cure

JOSLYN ART MUSEUM ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GALA Joslyn Art Museum

Chalco Hills | Omaha Annual event to raise Brain Cancer Awareness and to support Leap-For-A-Cure efforts. All money raised remains in Omaha benefiting Brain Cancer Programs. Registration begins 11:30 with vendors, canine rescue groups, activities, and food. 1 - 5 mile walk begins 1:00. Raffle items and photography available.

LFAC donation admits walkers; $25 LFAC donation earns SPaw Bag. LFAC donation (402) 333-9370 | www.LeapForACure.org

Joslyn Art Museum | 2200 Dodge Street | Omaha In support of Joslyn’s education programs, the 2016 gala celebrates the exhibition Sheila Hicks: Threads of Time. Guests will have the opportunity to preview the exhibition that spans nearly sixty years of the artist’s prolific career. The exhibition will also present a selection of her intimate minimes, or “miniatures,” all created in response to specific places or memories.

Ticket Prices: $250 per person – table pricing available (402) 933-8220 | www.joslyn.org

MAY 23

JUNE 4

CHILDREN'S CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC Children's Hospital & Medical Center Foundation

ON THE ROAD TO MOTOWN Boys & Girls Clubs Of The Midlands

Champions Run | 13800 Eagle Run Drive | Omaha Golfers will take flight on Monday, May 23, at Champions Run for the Children’s Charity Classic. Now in its 26th year, this event has raised more than $1.12 million to benefit the programs and services Children's Hospital & Medical Center provides for Heartland families. Cost Varies (402) 955-6851 | http://childrensclassic.com

Baxter Arena Motown Concert presenting The Temptations Review featuring David Edwards To view sponsorship opportunities and table/ticket prices visit www.bgcomaha.org (402) 342-1600 | www.bgcomaha.org | www.bgcswiowa.org

JUNE 7

JUNE 2

CHANCE LUNCHEON Children’s Scholarship Fund Of Omaha

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

PINOT, PIGS & POETS Completely KIDS Happy Hollow Club | 1701 S. 105th St. | Omaha The 7th Annual Pinot, Pigs & Poets will feature outstanding pinot noir wines and savory pork dishes from renowned Omaha chefs. Tasting begins at 6 p.m., with the first hour reserved for patron reservations.

Those with regular guest reservations will be admitted at 7 p.m. Prior to the event, a panel of judges will blind taste each wine in a vintner competition, with winners being announced during the evening.

Guests will enjoy sipping exquisite wines from more than 30 wineries, including some of the event’s past vintner competition winners. The Taste of Elegance chef competition, sponsored by the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, is also held earlier in the day and announced at the event. The evening also includes slam poetry by poets from the Nebraska Writers Collective. Tickets: Patron, $250; Individual, $125; Ages 21-30, $75 402-397-5809 | http://pinotandpigs.org/

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5:30 PM

11:30am - 1:00 PM

CenturyLink Center Omaha Drawing countless attendees each year, the CHANCE Luncheon celebrates the work of Children’s Scholarship Fund of Omaha (CSF), features a keynote speaker, and presents Rising Star awards. Rising Star awards are given to current CSF students who demonstrate leadership qualities, overcome obstacles, or foster community within their schools. Proceeds provide funding for much needed scholarships.

Ticket Prices: $75 Individual; Sponsorships also available (402) 819-4990 | www.csfomaha.org

JUNE 10 – 12 June 10: 10am – 4pm, Sand Sculpting Competition June 11: 10am - 8pm, Family Fun Days | June 12: 11am - 5 pm, Family Fun Days

NEBRASKA CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY'S

SAND IN THE CITY©!

Baxter Arena parking lot | 2425 S 67th Street | Omaha Kick off your summer at the 13th annual NCHS’s Sand in the City! Join us at our NEW location and see Baxter Arena transformed into a beach by more than 400 tons of sand. Watch corporate teams compete to build their best 15-ton sand sculpture. Bring the family to view the amazing sculptures, vote for your favorite, eat great food, and enjoy local entertainment. Play in the interactive Kid Zone, gigantic sand box, bounce houses, face painting and more. Free, Suggested donation per family to NCHS www.sandinthecityomaha.com

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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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/

community CALENDAR

save the date

featured EVENTS JUNE 17

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

STRIKE A CHORD EVENT Heartland Family Service Mid-America Center | One Arena Way | Council Bluffs The Heartland Family Service Strike A Chord event is our premier Iowa fundraiser in which all support raised directly impact our Southwest Iowa programs and services. Join us on Friday, June 17, 2016 at the Mid-America Center at 6:00pm for dinner & delights, a silent and live auction, raffle prizes, and live entertainment! This is a casual event so be sure to wear your jeans! $80.00 for an individual ticket.

JULY 6 – AUGUST 31

3:30 PM – 5:30 PM

OMAHA FARMERS MARKET Charles Drew Health Center | 30th & Grant Streets | Omaha This market is a produce-only market. You can shop for produce such as herbs, tomatoes, green peppers, onions, sweet corn, watermelon, etc. This Market accepts SNAP benefits and offers the SNAP match program the entire market. Bring your EBT card to the Charles Drew Market and when you purchase SNAP tokens, we’ll match you $5! We accept: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Women, Infants and Children checks (WIC) and Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (FMNP). Stop by our onsite information booths for more information. The Omaha Farmers Market (Charles Drew) is sponsored

by WOWT Channel 6, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska, Q98-Five and the Sherwood Foundation. FREE www.omahafarmersmarket.org

JULY 15

7:00: PM

ALES FOR TAILS Nebraska Humane Society www.nehumanesociety.org How about a night of craft beer, dancing and live music? Throw in some great raffle prizes. Now add in that it benefits homeless animals. We don't know how a Friday night could get much better! That's the idea behind Ales for Tails. It's just a party to help the animals. Simple but effective and oh so fun! This year we're revamping the time, the place and the atmosphere.

402-905-3483 | www.nehumanesociety.org

make the connection!

Visit our COMMUNITY CALENDAR at SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

JULY 18

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM

GIRLS INC. LUNCH FOR THE GIRLS CenturyLink Center Omaha Sold Out. Recipient of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize and youngest-ever Nobel Laureate, Malala Yousefzai, better known worldwide as simply “Malala,” will be featured speaker at the 16th annual Lunch for the Girls, an annual benefit for Girls Incorporated of Omaha. The luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 18 at the CenturyLink Center Omaha, 455 North 10th Street. $100/person 402-345-5401x105 | www.girlsinc.org

JULY 22

6:00 PM – 11:00 PM

HOPE IN THE HEARTLAND Amercian Cancer Society Baxter Arena | 65th and Center | Omaha Hope in the Heartland is an event unlike any other. We captured the history of Aksarben as our event features video horse racing like days gone by. We also offer memorials and honorariums for those battling cancer, food from local vendors, libations, live and silent auctions and much more!Please join us as we work to create a world with more birthdays. Ticket Prices: $150 each – table and sponsorship opportunities are available (402) 398-0764 | www.hopeintheheartlandomaha.org

JULY 25

8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

SWING 4 KIDS GOLF BENEFIT Partnership 4 Kids Field Club of Omaha | 3615 Woolworth Ave | Omaha Enjoy a great day of golf for a good cause. Swing 4 Kids 18 hole scramble includes complimentary beverages, hole contests, team prizes & more! All proceeds benefit local goal setting and mentoring program, Partnership 4 Kids is helping omaha students succeed from kindergarten to careers. Morning and afternoon tee times available. $150 per golfer/$600 per foursome 402-557-6381 | www.p4k.org

JULY 28 SONG AND SUDS Merrymakers Association Song and Suds is a fun, casual hors d'oeuvre tasting event with karaoke! Bring your friends to support a great charity while having fun taking turns at the mike. $250 host couples, $500 corporate, $75 ticket, $30 under 40 402-697-0205 | www.merrymakers.org

EXPERIENCE MATTERS. OVER 10 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE in eliminating pain and symptoms associated with Temporomandibular joint disorder: FACIAL MUSCLE PAIN • JAW JOINT PAIN POPPING AND CLICKING • HEADACHES

CONTACT US TODAY • BE FREE OF YOUR PAIN

• Fellowship, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain • Member, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine • Diplomate, American Board of Craniofacial Dental Sleep Medicine

HEALTH CENTERED DENTISTRY• 402.289.2313 Dr. Stephanie Vondrak • Dr. Ashley Rainbolt • DrVondrak.com

DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE. 90

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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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 2016 today at mQUARTERLY’s SpiritofOmaha.com.

• VIEW & PURCHASE PHOTOS OF THESE AND OTHER EVENTS 365/24/7 AT SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

JULY 29

• mQUARTERLY look for the LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GIVING GUIDE 2016!

AUGUST 21

6:00 PM

1pm - 5pm

DANCE FOR A CHANCE Youth Emergency Services

BACONFEST OMAHA The Salvation Army

Omar Bakery Events Center | 4383 Nicholas Street | Omaha Dance for a Chance is an annual fundraiser for Youth Emergency Services that pairs local celebrities with dance instructors who then perform in front of a panel of celebrity judges and an audience of YES supporters for their chance at the mirror ball trophy. All proceeds from the event go directly to YES youth and programs. $75 402-345-5187 | www.yesomaha.org

Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center | 2825 Y St. | Omaha Join us for BaconFest Omaha, a fundraiser for the Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center.This day of food, family, and fun features a Kids’ Corral with tons of carnival games and activities, vendor booths, a chef competition, live music from area bands…and lots and lots of BACON! Funds raised at the event will go to the Kroc Scholarship Fund to help keep Kroc Center memberships and programs affordable for the community. Ticket Prices: $25 General Admission, $5 Youth (ages 5-17)and free to children ages 4 and under (402) 898-7700 | www.SalArmyOmaha.org

AUGUST 6

10:00pm – 12:00pm

ANNUAL NEBRASKA WALK FOR EPILEPSY Lifestyle Innovations For Epilepsy, Inc.

AUGUST 22 – 27

Midtown Crossing The Annual Walk for Epilepsy is an amazing opportunity to promote epilepsy awareness in Nebraska, provide information on available programs and services, and raise funds for Lifestyle Innovations for Epilepsy. Funds raised from this event are put towards the development of non-medical related epilepsy resources to increase the quality of life for individuals with epilepsy and their parents/caregivers. Ticket Prices: $20 per ticket (402) 557-8708 | www.EpilepsyLIFE.org

AUGUST 6

6:00 PM – 10:00 PM

SPIRIT OF COURAGE - CELEBRITY WEEKEND Jennie Edmundson Foundation Mid-America Center | Council Bluffs Spirit of Courage is an annual event raising money for Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital Cancer Center. The goal is to raise $125,000.00 for the Charitable Patient Care Fund which helps local patients who need assistance in paying for medications, treatments or transportation to the hospital. The weekend includes a Golf Tournament, Dinner Gala, Silent & Oral Auction. Celebrity guests from Hollywood,sports, music and our local area are on hand to help us with this event. 4 Cancer Survivors are Honored during the evenings program. $80.00 for Dinner 712-396-6086 | http://jehfoundation.org

AUGUST 20

5:30 PM

6:00 PM

OMAHA FASHION WEEK - FALL OFW presented by SAC Federal Credit Union Omaha Design Center | 1502 Cuming Street | Omaha Omaha Fashion Week is celebrating nine years in 2016! During that time, we've grown into the nation's fifth largest fashion event, supporting more independent fashion designers that 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 and buy their work. Join us for our AUGUST 2016 season in the beautiful new venue the Omaha Design Center at 15th & Cuming Streets in Downtown Omaha. We look forward to seeing you alongside the runway! Reserved seats from $40, VIP seats from $70+ 402-934-4303 | www.omahafashionweek.com

AUGUST 27

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

LITERACY CENTER 2016 SUMMER STUDENT CELEBRATION Literacy Center UNO Mammel Hall | 6708 Pine Street | Omaha Join us at our Summer Student Celebration to honor the hard work of our students as they strive to reach their educational goals. This event will also include the graduation of students who have completed their GED. FREE 402-342-7323 | http://www.giveliteracy.org

AUGUST 30

SUMMER BASH FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER Metro Area Youth Foundation, Inc. Ramada Plaza | 72nd and Grover An evening of auctions, raffles and socializing to benefit families with a child who has cancer. A plated dinner will be served and Jack Swanda will emcee. Dinner is followed by a dessert auction. A short program will highlight the impact the funds raised will make. The night will finish with a live auction. All proceeds directly benefit children with cancer and their families. Ticket Prices: $75 per person (402) 740-5158 | www.summerbashforccc.org

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OMAHA GO RED FOR WOMEN EXPO American Heart Association And American Stroke Association Embassy Suites Conference Center La Vista | 12520 Westport Pkwy | La Vista Go Red For Women is the American Heart Association's national movement to end heart disease and stroke in women. Attended by an estimated 750 individuals from Omaha's business, medical and social communities, the evening begins with a health expo and an electronic silent auction. The night continues with dinner, keynote address and an inspiring survivor story. $250 individual www.heart.org/omaha/

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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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/

community CALENDAR

DON’T MISS these: MAY 1 COACHES VS. CANCER HOOPS FOR HOPE American Cancer Society www.hopeintheheartlandomaha.org

MAY 1

12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

MAY DAY OMAHA 2016 - 10TH ANNUAL EVENT On The Edge Enterprises, Inc. | Omaha Please Join us for May Day. Open House and Tour of Concrete Earth-Sheltered Home and Earth-Sheltered (Community) Garden and On The Edge Enterprises, Inc. Food and Fun for all ages. Art and Vendors on Display and More. Tours Available all day. • Free Parking & On Bus Route • Free Admission 402-779-7801 x103 | http://https://www.facebook.com/MayDayEventOmaha

MAY 3

11:15: AM

GUILD SPRING LUNCHEON FEATURING EDDIE ZARATSIAN Lauritzen Gardens Guild Lauritzen Gardens | 100 Bancroft Street | Omaha With his global perspective and attention to detail, Eddie Zaratsian has built an A-list portfolio through collaborations with Chanel, Neiman Marcus, Kate Spade, Valentino, and OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network, as well as a long list of celebrity clientele. Great for any floral enthusiast or designer, an art lover or anyone who enjoys flowers and design, don't miss the Lauritzen Gardens Guild's annual kickoff to spring.

(402-) 346-4002 | www.lauritzengardens.org

MAY 3

11:30: AM – 1:30: PM

MEMORIES FOR KIDS FIRST ANNUAL SPRING LUNCHEON Field Club Of Omaha | 3615 Woolworth Avenue | Omaha Memories for Kids First Annual Spring Luncheon. May 3, 2016 Field Club of Omaha New event to raise funds to support Memories for kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing lifelong memories for children who have a parent with terminal cancer. $50-75

MAY 6

6:00 PM

GALA 2016 Brownell-Talbot School 400 N Happy Hollow Blvd | Omaha $100 per person 402-556-3772 | www.brownell.edu

MAY 7

8:00 PM – 11:00 PM

COMEDY FOR KIDS WITH KYLE KINANE (NOT INTENDED FOR CHILDREN) Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance Omaha Design Center | 1502 Cuming St | Omaha Omaha Healthy Kids Alliance is celebrating our 10 year anniversary event of creating lead-safe and Healthy Homes for children in Omaha. The event will feature a comedy performance by Comedy Central's Kyle Kinane. $40 includes admission, one free drink and fun snacks 402-934-9700 | www.omahahealthykids.org

MAY 7 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MUSCLE WALK Muscular Dystrophy Association of Omaha Werner Park | 12356 Ballpark Way | Papillion Through MDA Muscle Walk, you can join forces with others to raise critical dollars that will make a real difference in the lives of people fighting life-threatening muscle disease in your community and across the nation. Funds raised through the Muscle Walk program build on decades of MDA research progress, helping push science to its limits in the search for treatments and cures. No Cost to Register 402-390-2914 | http://https://secure2.convio.net/mda/site/SPageServer?pagename=mw_front_2015

save the date MAY 10

5:30 PM – 8:30 PM

YOUTH FRONTIERS ANNUAL EVENT Holland Performing Arts Center | 1200 Douglas St. | Omaha Youth Frontiers will gather more than 250 Omaha education, business and civic leaders to raise funds for Nebraska retreats and to celebrate Youth Frontiers’ impact with original music, powerful stories of change and our tell-tale playfulness. Tickets: $75; Individual tables: $600; Sponsorships available

MAY 14

7:00 AM – 1:00 PM

WEAR YELLOW RIDE, FUN RUN & WALK Wear Yellow Nebraska Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum | 28210 W Park Hwy | Ashland This event aims to raise funds and awareness for Wear Yellow Nebraska which is a local grassroots organization fighting against cancer through advocacy, awareness and fundraising. We want to inspire others in the community to take action in our fight. $30/35/40 402-965-1699 | www.wearyellownebraska.org

MAY 21

10:30 AM – 1:00 PM

THE INFUSION! Nebraska Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation Ralston Arena | 7300 Q Street | Ralston This is a whimsical adult event that's about to become a favorite! Similar to a traditional lunch or dinner gala, The INFUSION! will open with a silent auction and include a buffet-style seated brunch with a brief program. Flagship sponsor, Liv Lounge of Omaha, challenges venues across the state to bring their best Bloody Mary blends and let YOU be the judge! Winner takes the bragging rights -- and we keep the tips! $40 402-202-5401 | www.nebraskanhf.org

JUNE 11

3:00 PM – 10:30: PM

THE BALD & THE BRAVE CHALLENGE Jennie Edmundson Foundation 100 Block | 100th West Broadway | Council Bluffs This annual event is put on by the local Fire, Police, City Employees and City Works Departments of Council Bluffs, IA. It is a fun family event where each department challenges each other through fund raising with 'Brave the Shave', Team Game Competition, raffles and much more. Your entire family will have lots of fun and can even participate in some of the events. FREE - Some Team Fees 712-396-6086 | http://jehfoundation.org

JUNE 12

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

MUNROE-MEYER GUILD GARDEN WALK Papillion/LaVista gardens Self guided garden walk of 7 private gardens in the Papillion area. Experience gardens with waterfalls, greenhouses and garden art. Vendors available with unique garden art for sale. Fundraiser for the Munroe-Meyer Institute. $15(available May 1st) and $20 day of walk 402-203-7270 | www.unmc.edu/mmi/about/mmiguild.html

JUNE 18

5:30: AM – 3:00: PM

AMERICAN DIABETES ASSOCIATION TOUR DE CURE American Diabetes Association Stinson Park - Aksarben Village | 2285 S 67th Street | Omaha The Tour de Cure is more than just a cycling event, it’s a day packed with excitement and energy where riders of all levels join forces in the fight to Stop Diabetes® and raise critical funds for diabetes research, education and advocacy in support of the American Diabetes Association. So join us as we celebrate 25 years riding strong! $200 402-571-1101 | http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/TourAdmin?pg=entry&fr_id=11085

JUNE 24

11:15 AM – 1:00 PM

PATHWAYS AWARD LUNCHEON Concord Mediation Center Field Club of Omaha | 3615 Woolworth Avenue | Omaha This year, we will honor Sharon and the late Dick McNeil, founders of the Stephen Center and Ellen Fabian Brokofsky, Probation Administrator, and the Administrative Office of Probation for the State of Nebraska. $55, table sponsorships available 402-3451131 | www.concordmediationcenter.com 92

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

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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 2016 today at mQUARTERLY’s SpiritofOmaha.com.

• VIEW & PURCHASE PHOTOS OF THESE AND OTHER EVENTS 365/24/7 AT SPIRITOFOMAHA.COM

JULY 25

• mQUARTERLY look for the LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE GIVING GUIDE 2016!

JUNE 3

4:30: PM – 8:00: PM

8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

DESTINO DINNER 2016 Latino Center of the Midlands

5TH ANNUAL JACK YOUNG MEMORIAL ROUND TO REMEMBER GOLF TOURNAMENT Jack Young Memorial Foundation

Historic Livestock Exchange Building | 4920 S. 30th Street | Omaha Destino (destiny) is the Latino Center of the Midlands’ annual fundraising event. Destino offers an opportunity for guests to enjoy a networking reception, dinner and program. The funds raised from Destino Dinner enable the Center to continue extending new and expanded services to those in need.

Pricing To Be Announced 402-733-2720 | www.latinocenterofthemidlands.org

AUGUST TBA

Council Bluff Country Club | 4500 Piute St. | Council Bluffs 712-314-0705 | www.jackyoungmemorial.org/

JUNE 9

8:00: AM

10:30 registration; 12:00 shotgun start

LITTLE BRITCHES HORSE SHOW HETRA

ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT Outlook Nebraska, Inc.

HETRA Facility | 10130 S 222nd Street | Gretna Children 12 and under from across Nebraska and Iowa participate in a variety of show classes throughout the day, with several special needs classes available in the morning. It’s an incredible opportunity for all young riders in our community! All proceeds from this horse show will support the HETRA Student Sponsorship Fund, enabling individuals with disabilities to participate in HETRA’s equine assisted activities and therapies year round. 402-359-8830 | www.hetra.org

Indian Creek Golf Course (402-) 614-3331, Ext. 221 | www.outlooknebraska.org

golf OUTINGS:

JUNE 10 12:00: PM – 5:00: PM

2016 OMAHA/SW IOWA BENEFIT GOLF EVENT League of Human Dignity Bent Tree Golf Club | 23579 Hwy 6 | Council Bluffs 402-595-1256 | www.leagueofhumandignity.com

JUNE 13 12:00: PM

MAY 1

THE HOPE GOLF CLASSIC The Hope Center for Kids

SAFE HAVEN GOLF TOURNAMENT Heartland Family Service www.HeartlandFamilyService.org | www.facebook.com/HeartlandFamilyService | @HeartlandFam on Twitter

Champions Run Golf Course | 13800 Eagle Run Dr. | Omaha 402-.341.4673x1028 | www.hopecenterforkids.com

JUNE 13

MAY 2

LEXUS CHAMPIONS FOR MARIAN GOLF TOURNAMENT

YES GOLF OUTING Youth Emergency Services

Indian Creek Golf Course | 20100 West Maple Road | Omaha 402.571.2618 x1167 | www.marianhighschool.net

www.yesomaha.org

JUNE 14

MAY 6

11:00: AM – 6:00: PM

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

PROJECT HARMONY GOLF TOURNAMENT Project Harmony

SWINGING FOR SMILES GOLF OUTING FAMILY Inc.

Indian Creek Golf Course | Elkhorn 402-5951326 | www.projectharmony.com

Shoreline Golf Course | 210 Locust Street | Carter Lake 712-256-9566 Ext 208 | http://FAMILYIA.org

JUNE 16 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM

MAY 16 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

17TH ANNUAL RELEASE MINISTRIES BILL ELLETT MEMORIAL GOLF CLASSIC Release Ministries

ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC Ronald McDonald House Charities in Omaha

Iron Horse Golf Course | 900 Club House Drive | Ashland 402-455-0808 | www.releaseministries.org

The Players Club at Deer Creek | 12101 Deer Creek Drive | Omaha 402-346-9377 | http://rmhcomaha.org

JUNE 17

MAY 23

BUSINESS ON THE GREEN GOLF OUTING Greater Omaha Chamber

7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

CHILDREN'S CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC Children's Hospital & Medical Center Foundation

Tiburon Golf Club | 10302 S 168th Street | Omaha 402-978-7907 | www.omahachamber.org

Champions Run | 13800 Eagle Run Drive | Omaha 402-955-6851 | http://childrensclassic.com

JUNE 20 11:30: AM

MAY 26

GOLF TOURNAMENT First Responders Foundation

ANGELS AMONG US GOLF EVENT Angels Among Us

Oak Hills Country Club | 12325 Golfing Green Drive | Omaha (402-) 672-6331 | firstrespondersomaha.org

www.myangelsamongus.org 93

mQUARTERLY • MAY/JUN/JUL 2016

CONTINUED

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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/

community CALENDAR

save the date JULY 11

12:00: PM – 6:00: PM

23RD ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC Keep Omaha Beautiful, Inc.

golf OUTINGS: continued

The Players Club | 12101 Deer Creek Drive | Omaha 402-444-7774 | www.keepomahabeautiful.org

JULY 18 11:00: AM – 6:30: PM

DRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE GOLF FEST Mercy High School The Players Club at Deer Creek | 12101 Deer Creek Dr. | Omaha 402-553-9424 | http://mercyhigh.org

JULY 25 8:00: AM – 6:00: PM

SWING 4 KIDS GOLF BENEFIT PARTNERSHIP 4 KIDS Field Club of Omaha | 3615 Woolworth Ave | Omaha 402-557-6381 | www.p4k.org

JULY 25 11:30: AM – 8:00: AM

HELP BUILD A HOUSE GOLF EVENT Gesu Housing, Inc. Champions Run | 13800 Eagle Run Drive | Omaha 402-614-4776 | www.gesuhousing.com

AUGUST 1 11:00: AM

RONCALLI CATHOLIC SWING WITH PRIDE GOLF OUTING Roncalli Catholic High School The Players Club at Deer Creek | 12101 Deer Creek Drive | Omaha 402-571-7670 | http://roncallicatholic.org

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MAGAZINE

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waking WORDS

mQUARTERLY • LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

ROB KILLMER

freedom As we anticipate another Independence Day, I am going to ask you to revisit some events with me. But there’s more here than a mere walk through history, so please stay engaged until we come to the end of it together. This is about more than facts, it’s a look at our identity and our inspiration.

We are all familiar with the stories (yet are we, really?) of the flight from religious and political oppression and persecution that was made by intrepid bands of pilgrims who accepted the inevitable travels and travails of leaving behind the graves of their ancestors in search of the opportunity to worship according to the dictates – not of the powerful – but of their conscience. We know something about how many did not survive the journey, how they suffered through privation and eventually went on to form their own regional governments and states (many of them governed by their religious beliefs), and ultimately enjoyed newfound prosperity in a land rich in resources and opportunities.

We also know how – as it inevitably does – such prosperity attracted predators and profiteers, bent on laying claim to the riches these pilgrims settled over. It wasn’t long before great nations of the world, and great conglomerate commercial enterprises (see for example The British East-India Trading Company) established trade (and armies) in these plentiful lands, laying claim to their wealth, resulting in an ongoing conflict over territory and natural resources. These interlopers had few scruples about those inhabiting what they intended to exploit, thus human rights were consistently violated.

We are also reasonably familiar (yet, are we?) with the inexorable tides that caused these pilgrims to become rebels, to rid themselves of those attempting to invent new forms of tyranny. We are quick to honor the defiance and resolve displayed in their pursuit of political and religious self-expression and self-determination, and applaud the ingenuity utilized to turn the tables on their oppressors.

We historically take pride in knowing that – against insurmountable odds, and vast armies and resources applied against them by these greater nations and competing interests – they resorted to a heretofore unknown form of “guerilla”warfare. We understand that there was no way they could compete if they waged war by the accepted “rules of engagement”of their time, so they devised ingenious new methods for the conduct of warfare. They evaded detection, operated in small semiindependent cells, and avoided traditional armed confrontation as much as possible, for in doing so, they would have consigned themselves to defeat.

We revel in the knowledge that in so doing – they outlasted these greater, expansionist nations and conglomerates, and we revere the sacrifices they made and the price they paid – the human price.

For we understand, you see, that the only way they could survive was to change the way warfare was conducted, and change it they did. They took the fight to their opponents. They determined that – by whatever means necessary and available to them – they would make their oppressors feel the same “terror”they experienced, and for this, they were given a new label: “terrorists.”

Yes, here’s where the needlegoes off the record…now you see that I am not referring to our Puritan pilgrim ancestors; to those we revere as patriots, but to those we currently revile and demonize – to Sunni, or Shiite pilgrims and their“savage”descendants. Clearly, I’m attempting to draw some sort of connection between our“sacred”struggle for freedom and theirs. Before you shut me down, or disengage, I’m going to ask you to see this exercise through. Having come this far, come a little farther with me.

Indeed, we do not honor their struggle; we do not sympathize with either their disadvantages or their defiance and resourcefulness; we despise it all. And, yes, you are entitled to at least some of your indignation. (It seems almost abominable, doesn’t it) to compare our struggle for freedom with “jihad”?

Our motivations on the surface would seem completely different and our methods certainly less barbaric. But as with all things human – it may be only a matter of degrees – a question of perspective.

Yes, I abhor their barbarism, but today I’m much more concerned with who we are than who they are.

I’m urging you to step back and examine this in its most basic human terms.

Does a Muslim mother cry less for her slain child than our “patriot” mothers did? Does a Muslim pilgrim feel less justified in his anger and revenge – his defiance, his “crusade” – than we did (or do)? Is a vastly outgunned Islamic guerilla force obligated to play by its enemies’ rules, knowing they have no hope of survival if they do? Does the stench of profiteering and the rape of one’s homeland fill the nostrils less when the conglomerate is Halliburton instead of The East-India Company? Does the brutality of the slaughter of millions of innocents feel any less depraved or barbaric when it is Muslim innocents being slaughtered? Apparently, for us, it must.

We honor and eulogize our American revolutionaries who hid behind cover and mowed down uniformed soldiers in formation (deemed cowardly and barbaric at that time) under a flag that stated “Don’t Tread on Me!” Yet when the roles are reversed, for those who do likewise (remember, we once viewed Native American resistors as “savages”) we label them terrorists, and…evil.

Embedded in these presumptions is a resounding human tragedy.We are allowing ourselves to be sucked into a reactive frame of mind, and in so doing, we lose sight of the greater responsibility to one another as human beings.

In doing so, we are losing something “sacred” about our lineage as Americans. Our forefathers weren’t merely fighting for their security and commerce, they were also engaged in a struggle intended to uplift all mankind! They sacrificed, not only for themselves, but for a standard of human ROBERT P. KILLMER dignity and rights, while those that opposed them Editor@SpiritofOmaha.com did so merely to preserve their own self-interests.

The American Revolution now extends to the globe, and how we manage it is critical! The pursuit of genuine, lasting, precious freedom for all continues.

The tables of history are turning on us.This moment in history is ours for the taking, yet we’re letting it slip through our fingers! Instead of the British aristocracy, we’ve got a new global one, and –just as British society once was –we are seduced into patently condemning those who resist our presumptions and intrusions. We are at risk, as they were, of being blinded to the more compelling humanissues at stake.

We must refuse to be duped into this kind of acceptance, or we risk becoming the same as those who embraced (or at least acquiesced) to this ongoing pattern in human events – a pattern that is itself at “the root of all evil”. This generation has a chance – indeed, an obligation – to resist this pattern! We can do much better than this – and mustn’t settle for such scraps from the table of Liberty!

We are at risk of allowing the alteration of our National DNA. We’re becoming just another“great” nation bent on preserving its interests at any cost. That is not who we were or where we came from.

Our forefathers resisted those imperatives because they were dedicated to a higher one…“Let Freedom Ring! Don’t take my word for it, hearken to those of Abraham Lincoln:“ With Malice toward None, Charity for All. …among ourselves, and with all nations.” We can try harder, we can do better, as they taught us!

We are beguiled into accepting the premise that we bear little responsibility for the wave of events that led up to and followed 9-11, but 9-11 didn’t happen in a vacuum, and it didn’t start with Osama binLaden; it was the fruit of decades of short-sighted Western policy in the Middle East (a shortsightedness never more on display than when Iraq was invaded and then so ineptly occupied!) Bust on me about Saddam Hussein some other time; or about the hundreds of ills we must legitimately resist for the cause of liberty (note that I chose the word “ills”over “evils”). I get all of it. But in our reactiveness, we’re helping create something much worse. This is not who we are…we must choose to respond!

We are being compelled to embrace an ongoing struggle that is Orwellian in its implications – a conflict that by its very nature will go on for generations as we cling to our presumptions. For what makes an adversary? What turns a potential friend into a dedicated enemy? It’s not the politics, it’s the human toll. When a society fails to act from its higher principles and opts for mere self-interest, the human beings trodden upon in the process will react! It’s as fundamental as human nature. Is the military bombing of a Muslim community less terrorizing to those victims than a suicide bombing in Paris? A drone assassination is less barbaric than a beheading? It doesn’t matter, you see? For the humans involved – it’s all barbaric, and the victimized will lash back! We all will create and resist our“Great Satan”.

Can you imagine the difference in how we would be perceived, if all of the zillions that have been expended on eradicating these people had been spent instead on assistance? If we had chosen to sit down and communicate with these“evildoers”about their essential human needs (and if they are anything so far removed from ours?) We’ve proven we’ll spend any amount to kill them – what if we spared no expense in aiding them? As Americans we can aspire to such virtues…and much more!

Please spare me the whole“The United States doesn’t negotiate with terrorists.”Of course we do… we’ve been negotiating with them for decades. Bombing someone senseless is a form of“negotiating” with them! (And suicide street bombing is a form of“negotiating”back.) To an undeniable degree, when considering our historic policies in the region, we are reaping what we have sown. We can sow better!

I challenge a new generation of Americans to cultivate the kind of dignity, humanity and foresight that our current generation seems all too willing to discard. Change the rules...again – it’s what we do!

Call me a bleeding heart if you must, but lately we could stand to bleed more. It’s time we stopped focusing on what and who is The Evil and (as Jesus Christ commanded) “Overcome Evil with Good.”

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