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FLIPPERS, FEATHERS +FUR Get to know three polar animals
VOLUME 12 · ISSUE 1 JANUARY
2021
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ASHLEE COFFEY
CONTENTS
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REAL MOMS + ADVICE
WINTER ANIMALS
5 Editor’s Column 25 On Our Radar 22 Blueberry Banana Bread
6 Animal Conservation 10 Penguins 16 Snowy Owls 20 Polar Bears
January 2021
SPONSORED FEATURES 8 YMCA of Greater Omaha 18 Marian High School
MOMAHA.COM EDITOR ASHLEE COFFEY Wife to Kevin and mom to Sam and Elliott. Follow her on Twitter: @AshleeCoffeyOWH
momaha where moms connect VOLUME 12 ISSUE 1 JANUARY 2021 editor in chief
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A month to just be
anuary ushers in a new year, a fresh start, but I usually struggle to get excited. The holidays are over, it’s cold, snowy and dreary outside, and there’s nothing to do. My mom’s birthday is this month. She told me that, while she used to not really like having a birthday in January, she’s come to appreciate it. I asked her to explain, because how could anyone like January? She said it’s a month to hunker down and relax, to make good food, catch up on movies, craft, do puzzles, read and enjoy a cozy fire. It’s even a great time to get outside to experience the beauty
and quiet of winter. When you think about it like that, January doesn’t seem so bad! Those are all things I love to do. So that’s my attitude going into this first month of the new year. Maybe it’ll set the tone for the rest of 2021. After all, I think I speak for everyone when I say it has to be better! So this month, I hope you get a chance to relax. I hope you can start a new hobby or catch up on your reading or a favorite show. Do something just for you and, instead of complaining about it like I do every year, I hope you can take time to just enjoy the stillness of January.
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CHRIS CHRISTEN chris.christen@owh.com 402-444-1094
creative director + designer KILEY CRUSE cruse@owh.com 402-444-1375
assistant editor MARJIE DUCEY marjie.ducey@owh.com 402-444-1034
momaha.com editor ASHLEE COFFEY ashlee.coffey@owh.com 402-444-1075
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cover photo PEXELS.COM
custom publishing sales coordinator N I C K C AVA L L A R O nick.cavallaro@owh.com 402-444-1202
Momaha Magazine is a monthly publication of the Omaha World-Herald, 1314 Douglas St., Suite 600, Omaha, NE 68102. Momaha is a registered trademark, and all content is copyright 2021 by the Omaha WorldHerald. All rights reserved. The opinions and perspectives published herein are those of the authors and should not be construed as those of Momaha Magazine.
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Little changes,
BIG impact
Recycling, composting and watching what we buy helps our world STORY Marjie Ducey
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January 2021
ADOBESTOCK
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he plastic bag floats across the grass, dipping and swirling in the wind. It skips across Omaha onto Cheryl Morris’ hay field in Iowa, where it finally descends into a creek. Which flows into a river and then an ocean. That single-use plastic bag might not seem like a threat to animals facing extinction across the globe, but it and the millions of others like it are, says Morris, a conservation expert at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. “What we do here impacts other larger habitats and landscapes,’’ she says. Species all over the globe are facing threats from climate change and worsening environmental conditions and an ever-growing human population. Even here in Nebraska, far away from polar bears, lions and elephants, Morris says, we have a role to play in saving them by reducing our impact on the environment. Instead of feeling hopeless when we read about how decreasing ice threatens polar bears in the arctic or losses in habitat harm lions in Africa, small steps can make a difference. “We can do things right at home,’’ Morris says. “Recycling. Composting. Reducing the use of singleuse plastics and paying attention to what we buy.’’
Even something as simple as purchasing a $1 conservation button on the way out of the zoo makes an impact. Seventy-five cents of that profit goes toward research and field work that the zoo finances throughout the world. Memberships also help the zoo approach conservation in three ways. It supports researchers in the field who are directly working to mitigate threats to animals such as elephants, rhinos and cheetahs. The zoo supports 60 projects in Africa, Asia, Madagascar and in the oceans. Zoo staff is also doing research to support sustainable populations in zoos across North America. “Our scientists here are working to figure out the reproductive biology of these species so we can be more successful to ensure our grandchildren and their grandchildren can see rhinos and cheetahs in 200 years,’’ Morris says. And just as she said everyone here in Nebraska can do, the zoo is composting and reducing its electrical and water usage. Every new exhibit is built with sustainability and green practices in mind. Individual contributions to environmental groups also help, especially the ones doing projects that directly impact the animals that people care about. Do some homework, Morris says, and find those researchers. “Then support them directly,’’ Morris says. “They are doing amazing bootson-the-ground work and they need support to do it. Especially in a COVID year.’’ The pandemic has hurt efforts but despite it, work continues. The zoo is still funding the planting of trees in Madagascar and research is continuing from a distance. Morris says despite all the challenges, she still feels hopeful. Sometimes it’s just a matter of educating and talking with other people, she says. A farmer near where she lives in Iowa might then learn how just an additional strip of grass can make a huge difference for monarch butterflies. Students in zoo programs become passionate about conservation and saving animals and some day may become a scientist themselves. “There are things we can all do,’’ she says. “That little thing we do does help the whole planet. All kinds of little things combine to have a big impact.’’
“That little thing we do does help the whole planet. All kinds of little things combine to have a big impact.’’ Cheryl Morris, a conservation expert at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Above: Planting trees in Madagascar as part of the work with the Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership, which is led by Dr. Edward Louis, the Omaha zoo’s director of conservation genetics. At left: A Zoo Academy middle school student helps tag monarchs migrating through Omaha. Tagging helps answer questions about the origins of monarch butterflies and their migration to Mexico. Bottom: Marshall and his mom, Hellary, hangout in their yard at the zoo. Marshall was the first rhinoceros born at Omaha’s zoo and has been one of its most important births. This birth is important because it helps sustain this species in zoos and is a backup to vulnerable wild populations. HENRY DOORLY ZOO & AQUARIUM
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SPONSORED FEATURE YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA
2020 REFLECTION
At metro-area YMCAs, a challenging year fostered personal growth, community strength
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t’s hard to argue that anything good can come from a global pandemic, especially in light of all the hardship and loss we’ve suffered. But, consider this: Could 2020, in all its disaster, have actually provided us with beneficial lessons of strength and fortitude that will make us a better community in 2021? Every New Year, resolutions abound, tackling issues such as health and wellness, relationships, finances and generally changing ourselves and our habits for the better. And it’s no secret that most New Year’s resolutions fail. But this year, after all we’ve been through and accomplished, despite facing incredible challenges and enduring serious hardships and loss, we’re now armed with lessons learned and strength developed from simply finding a way to make it through. So let’s not take that for granted. Rather, let’s embrace it, and take what 2020 gave us to make ourselves and 2021 even better. As we look back, in order to make our resolutions moving forward, here are some lessons learned at the YMCA of Greater Omaha.
Public Schools to distribute fresh fruits and vegetables to families dealing with food insecurity; and when forced to shut local branches down, the Y grew relationships with community members by delivering Y Without Walls, so that everyone could enjoy the benefits of working out virtually, in the safety of their own homes.
FINANCES
HEALTH & WELLNESS When challenges abound and hardship is ubiquitous, having a release, both physical and mental, is of paramount importance. Engaging in a regular routine of exercise, be it cardio, weights, sports, aquatics or anything else, provides the body with needed diversion and beneficial release of endorphins that improve the mind and body’s ability to cope, navigate and persevere. The YMCA of Greater Omaha serves nearly 65,000 members plus 35,000 sports and program participants with the opportunity to lead a healthier lifestyle, providing the tools to successfully endure
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and emerge from such challenging times.
RELATIONSHIPS It takes a village, and the Y strives to strengthen the foundation of community by working side-by-side with community neighbors. This past year, the Y grew its relationships with the likes of CHI to provide daycare to frontline health care workers battling the pandemic; the Y leveraged a relationship with Omaha
Everyone has suffered in some way due to COVID, and the Y provides community members with financial assistance and scholarships so that everyone, regardless of means, can access valuable programs and facilities. The community of Omaha has contributed greatly to the Y through donations and grants so that the Y can continue to offer its facilities, programs and services. With brighter days surely ahead, it’s beneficial to look back upon lessons learned from tougher times. And there’s little doubt, 2020 was certainly that. Here’s to a healthier, safer and better 2021 ahead. For more information on the YMCA of Greater Omaha and the facilities, programs and services they provide to the community, visit www.metroymca.org.
Support for families in Nebraska formed through adoption and guardianship.
888.667.2399 RightTurnNE.org A collaboration between Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska and Nebraska Children’s Home Society.
Join us online or at any of our 10 metro Omaha locations!
RESET YOUR 2021! Join the YMCA of Greater Omaha, and you’re getting so much more than a gym.
We dedicate ourselves to youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Stay connected, get healthier, and have fun with your family by joining our YMCA family today!
>>> Visit our NEW website • metroymca.org 9
Winter fun in 3-D Turn a snow day into an arctic blast TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse
Igloo Cakes and Penguin Gumdrops • • • •
Boxed white cake mix Mini powdered doughnuts White frosting Black, orange and white small gumdrops
1. Prepare the cake mix according to package directions. Pour the batter into one-cup bowls (we used custard cups). After baking, turnout your “igloo” cakes on a flat surface. 2. Once cooled, frost the upside-down cakes with white icing. 3. Cut a mini powdered doughnut in half to make the doorway of the igloo. Use a toothpick to attach it to the cake and frost. 4. For each gumdrop penguin, you will need two black
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gumdrops, a white gumdrop and an orange gumdrop. 5. For the body, take a black gumdrop and slice off small sections at top and along one side. Next, create the penguin’s breast by slicing off an oval section of white gumdrop and attaching it to the sliced side of the black gumdrop. The gumdrop edges will be tacky enough to stick on their own. 6. For the head, slice off a bit of the bottom of the second black gumdrop and set atop the gumdrop body. Next, cut a wedge from the orange gumdrop for the beak. Eye the gumdrop head and make a small incision where the beak should be; push the orange wedge into place. 7. Ta da! Now you have a little penguin. Source: craftsalamode.com
PENGUIN FLICKS Former Omaha World-Herald movie critic Bob Fischbach recommends these penguin-themed movies
HAPPY FEET
Available to rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV and Redbox “Happy Feet,” the story of a penguin who learns to embrace his innate difference, is hip, funny and highly entertaining with its song-and-dance plot. Stunning animation, a lively score of pop hits help. But story is king. Our impossibly cute and fuzzy newborn hero, Mumble, has a problem. While each emperor penguin’s heart song is its identity, especially for mating, Mumble can’t sing. Hatched feetfirst, he’s a natural tap-dancer, but his dad, Memphis, is embarrassed. “It just ain’t penguin,” he grumbles. Gloria, the chick Mumble is closest to, defends his jiggy jog. Mama, Norma Jean, is supportive, too. But the head of the penguin elders blames Mumble for the falling fish supply and banishes him. What’s nerdy among emperor penguins turns out to be way cool among their smaller Adelie penguin cousins. Mumble’s fancy footwork helps him make fast new friends with a hilarious quintet. Together they cruise chicks and investigate the real reason behind the falling fish population. “Happy Feet” includes fantastic action sequences in which the penguins zoom down icy mountains like snowboarders, dart away from hungry sea lions or killer whales, and perform water ballets that look like something out of “Fantasia.” Capture-motion techniques mean Mumble’s tap steps come courtesy of Savion Glover, and the group choreography is a wowser. But it’s the heartwarming and funny script, combining messages about individuality, family and caring for the environment, that puts “Happy Feet” a step ahead of other animated films.
SURFS UP
Stream on Starz and DirectTV; rent at Amazon Prime, Redbox, Apple TV and others “Surf’s Up” is an animated feature that plays like a documentary, starring emperor penguins. The main character is a youngster who doesn’t quite fit in — he takes to a surfboard like a ... well, like a penguin to water. “Surf’s Up” is a decent family flick with an original approach. It also has fantastic, colorful animation — especially of waves and water. Some fine voice work comes from Shia LaBeouf as the young surfer, Cody, who hero-worships the late great surfer Big Z; Zooey Deschanel as Lani, a lifeguard who becomes Cody’s love interest; and James Woods as the otter Reggie Belafonte, a scumbag surfing promoter. One of my favorite characters, though, was Jeff Bridges as Geek, a reclusive old surfer who has turned his back on the sport but becomes a mentor to Cody after the young surfer really wipes out. The other treat is Jon Heder as Chicken George, a young surfer who befriends Cody and who is so laid back that when cannibalistic penguins throw him into a pot over a fire, he thinks they’re hottubbing — and, hey, cool, they throw vegetables in the pot to ease his case of the munchies. The story-line wave lacks some curl, but the documentary concept and the animation detail make “Surf’s Up” more fun than boogie boards.
PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR
Stream on Fubo, FXNow and DirectTV; rent at Apple TV, Amazon Prime and Redbox They’re an animated, high-tech version of those Keystone Kops from the silentfilm era: hyperactive, acrobatic, unaware of their incompetence and twice as funny because they take themselves so seriously. Those super spy “Penguins of Madagascar,” cameo stars in four other Dreamworks flicks about zoo escapees, have their own movie. And it’s a winner. While kids laugh at the penguins’ silly slapstick, parents and grandparents can appreciate the wit of wordplay that will sail right over the little ones’ heads. Everybody gets something to enjoy. “Penguins of Madagascar” is what Hollywood calls a story of origin, letting us know how the foursome got together in the first place. In short, three of them bonded over not following the crowd and protecting an abandoned penguin egg — the movie’s first big action sequence — which hatches Private. Rico, a demolition expert, likes to swallow things. Almost anything. Kowalski, the tall one, is the “brains” of the outfit, but the bar is set very low. Skipper barks the orders and comes up with harebrained schemes, which mostly involve winging it and ignoring all practical considerations. Private comes to resent his job as cute mascot, wanting to become an important contributor to the team’s success. The main story centers on Dr. Octavius Brine, aka Dave the Octopus (voice of John Malkovich), who lost his starring role at a succession of zoos because penguins always stole his audience. He hates them. He and his army of octopi hatch a diabolical plot to wreak revenge on penguins everywhere.
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Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium penguin exhibit. MARK DAVIS, THE WORLD-HERALD
PENGUIN FUN FACTS STORY Kiley Cruse
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enguins are amazing birds. They are unlike any bird you’ll see in your backyard or at the park. They have adapted to their cold environment in a way that makes them pretty special. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium is home to four penguin species: King, Gentoo, Rockhopper and African (aka Black-Footed penguins). The King, Gentoo and Rockhopper penguins are all on exhibit in the aquarium. The African penguins help zoo staff with programming, but because of the coronavirus pandemic, they’ve been off duty, says Stephanie Huettner, curator of birds. “Like all animals, penguins each have
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unique personalities and associated behaviors. It is extremely enjoyable to be able to share the exhibit space with the birds and watch them interact with each other as well as us,” Huettner says. “Several of the Gentoo penguin chicks that we raised last year have really grown up to be awful teenagers that love antagonizing our divers. Some of our Rockhopper penguin youngsters prefer to hang out in a little gang, and ‘help’ us clean the exhibit in the morning. Our King penguin chick from early 2020 is growing up to be very independent. Each day is an adventure when working with the penguins.”
FUN FACTS
1. Penguins are flightless birds. While other birds have wings for flying, penguins have adapted flippers to help them swim. They run as fast as most men and swim faster than most fish. They can swim about 15 mph, and when they want to go faster, they often porpoise, or leap out of the water as they swim. When they are on land, polar penguins can travel long distances quickly by “tobogganing,” or sliding across the ice on their bellies and pushing forward with their feet. 2. Most penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere. The Galapagos is the only penguin species that ventures north of the
BOOKS WITH PENGUINS FLIP AND FLOP
by Dawn Apperley Flip is the big penguin brother, and Flop is the little one. Flop loves playing with Flip and doing whatever his brother does. When Flip gets bored with their game of Boomba — jumping into snow drifts — and wants to play with someone else, there’s not much Flop can do about it. Sad and bored, he mopes around until baby polar bear Hip comes along, convincing Flop that having a new friend can be a lot of fun, too. Many children will relate to both the feeling of wanting to emulate older siblings and the pleasure that comes with stepping into new territory. Emperor penguins
equator in the wild. In the Southern Hemisphere, January is summer and July is winter. Omaha’s zoo creates a sub-Antarctic world with snow machines and high-intensity lights, including ultraviolet rays. 3. Penguins eat krill, fish, squid and other small animals from the ocean. They spend about half their time in water and the other half on land. 4. The Emperor penguin is the tallest penguin species, reaching 44 inches and weighing 60 to 90 pounds. It can stay underwater for 20 minutes at a time. When on land, penguins often huddle together to keep warm in the cold temperatures of Antarctica. 5. Little Blue penguins are the smallest, averaging about 13 inches tall. 6. A penguin’s black-and-white color scheme is protective camouflage for a creature that spends most of its time swimming on the surface of the water. Predators looking down on a penguin see a dark shape on a dark background. Underwater predators look up and see a light shape on a light background. Penguins have a thick layer of blubber that helps them keep warm, along with feathers that are very tightly packed. They also have a layer of woolly down under their feathers coated with a type of oil that makes them waterproof. 7. Most penguins lay two eggs per year but Emperor penguins lay only
PEXELS.COM
one. After the penguins mate, the mother lays her egg or eggs and soon goes in the ocean to eat. The father keeps the eggs warm, sometimes for weeks or months at a time before the mother returns. He doesn’t leave the nest for fear of putting the chicks in danger of predators. 8. Based upon the current research, there are 18 distinct penguin species. A few of these species have sub-species meaning there are genetic differences, but not different enough to be their own species. Gentoos are an example. 9. About two-thirds of penguin species are listed as threatened, making them one of the most endangered seabirds. Loss of habitat, disease, and infectious diseases spread by tourists are the biggest threats. Commercial fishing in the Southern Ocean is also a significant concern, as it has reduced fish supply by about half in the Antarctic Peninsula. This forces many penguins to compete for food, and puts them in danger of getting accidentally captured by fishing nets. Among the biggest threats to penguin populations is climate change. Warming in the polar regions has melted sea ice, which penguins depend on to find food and build nests. Rapidly changing conditions mean Antarctica could lose most of its penguins to climate change by the end of the century. Source: sciencekids.com; kiddle.co; Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium; nationalgeographic.com
BE BRAVE, LITTLE PENGUIN
by Giles Andreae; illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees Little Penguin PipPip would love to join in with all his friends swimming in the sea, but there’s just one problem . . . he’s scared of water. Can Pip-Pip overcome his fears and finally take the plunge? This irresistible story shows that sometimes all it takes is a little encouragement — and a whole lot of heart — to finally make that leap and be BRAVE! This feel-good rhyming story portrays a positive message of confidence and self-esteem.
POLAR OPPOSITES
by Erik Brooks Alex, a polar bear, and Zina, a penguin, not only live on opposite sides of the world, but they are opposites in every sense of the world. One is messy. One is neat. One likes to get up early. One gets up late. Even the way they travel is different. However, despite their polar opposites, Alex and Zina are best friends and in the end they can “ALWAYS meet in the middle!” A sweet story about embracing differences that talks about opposites, oceans, arctic animals and friendship.
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SNOWY OWL FUN FACTS TEXT Ashlee Coffey
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opularized by the Harry Potter books and movies, snowy owls have beautiful white plumage to match their snowy habitat. If you see a snowy owl, you’ll know which is male and which is female by its coloring and size. Males are whiter than females, which have brown markings. And females are about 20% larger than males.
FUN FACTS
1. Snowy owls live in the Arctic tundra. Thanks in part to the thick feathers needed for insulation, they are the heaviest owl species in North America, typically weighing about 4 pounds. 2. Their wingspan can stretch nearly 5 feet. 3. They can live up to 10 years in the wild. 4. Snowy owls are carnivores and hunt small prey such as lemmings and other small rodents, rabbits, birds and fish. They eat an estimated 1,600 lemmings every year — that’s about 3 to 5 a day. 5. Unlike most owls, they’re active during the day. 6. The snowy owl is also known as the snow owl, arctic owl, great white owl, ghost owl, ermine owl, tundra ghost, white terror of the north, and Scandinavian nightbird. 7. Depictions of snowy owls have been found in cave paintings in Europe dating back 30,000 years. Sources: kids.nationalgeographic.com, pbs.org
ADVENTURES WITH OWLS
THE HARRY POTTER BOOK + MOVIE SERIES
by J.K. Rowling Everyone who attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry can bring a pet to school, including cats, toads, rats and owls. In “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” Hagrid, who is the gamekeeper and
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Keeper of Keys and Grounds at Hogwarts, takes Harry on his first trip to Diagon Alley to buy books and supplies for his first year at the school. There, Hagrid buys Harry a snowy owl that Harry names Hedwig (an important and beloved character throughout the series). She hangs with Harry but also helps deliver his mail and brings him letters, the Daily Prophet (newspaper), treats and other goodies via mail.
OWL BABIES
by Martin Waddell Three baby owls wake one night to find their mother gone. They wonder where she is and
when she will be back, and get scared when things move around them in the dark. The tale helps kids who miss their mom to realize she will always come back.
A SNOWY OWL STORY
by Melissa Kim Based on a true story, “A Snowy Owl Story” tells the tale of a snowy owl who is forced to move to new (and unfamiliar) territory in the United States to find food and shelter. Kids will enjoy the beautiful illustrations and also learn about migration, adaptation and how humans can respectfully interact with nature.
WHOOOO’S WITH US? TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Ashlee Coffey
Crafting with pinecones is an absolute hoot
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tretch the fun of this craft by having your child research pinecones or make up a short story about their snowy pinecone owls.
WHAT YOU NEED • Medium-sized pinecones (dry and free of bugs) • Cotton balls (5-10 per pinecone, depending on size) • Felt in white, yellow and black • Googly eyes (large)
• Hot glue and a glue gun or quick-dry craft glue • Scissors • Gray marker
WHAT YOU DO
1. Tear several cotton balls into little tuffs and stuff them, one by one, between the pinecone seeds until all of the spaces are filled. 2. Using scissors, cut two wing shapes from white felt. We recommend using a cardstock pattern for uniformity. Using the gray marker, draw feather lines, if desired.
3. For the eyes, cut small circles from the yellow felt. The circles should be a little larger in diameter than your googly eyes. Ours are about dime-size. Glue the googly eyes to the felt. 4. Next, cut a beak from the black felt. Again, consider using a cardstock template. 5. Attach the felt pieces to your pinecone (not the cotton) with either hot glue or craft glue. 6. Tie (or hot glue) a loop of string at the top of each owl for hanging, if desired. These also look cute perched on a mantel or bookshelf. Inspired by frugalfun4boys.com
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SPONSORED FEATURE MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL
At Marian, career paths have clear start in school curriculum STORY Maddie Genoways, junior at Marian High School
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hen little kids dream about their future, they dream big: astronaut, musician, doctor, maybe even president. Their ambitions are inspiring, yet as they grow, they may be guided down a more practical job path. However, Marian is encouraging students to embrace passion and purpose in preparation for a fulfilling future. In fact, Marian has been encouraging young women to become “confident, independent thinking leaders” for years, especially in male-dominated fields like STEM and politics. Take 2001 alumna Sarah Shay Gudeman, for example. After leaving Marian, Gudeman attended Iowa State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Gudeman now works at Morrissey Engineering Inc. as a mechanical engineer and sustainability manager. “When I started in the industry, there were far too few females in engineering. That’s changing now, but there’s still a huge demand for engineering of all types in general,” Gudeman said. Gudeman encourages girls interested in STEM to take additional math and science classes and to “investigate different types of engineering and start making connections or following people at companies that would be of interest.” Gudeman may be seeing a few Marian girls in engineering soon, as Marian has doubled down in its goal to balance the gender gap in STEM fields. “Despite being in the minority, women have a very important role in STEM and I am excited to be a part of it,” senior Grace Ellis said. She plans to study civil engineering in college. Morgan Watters graduated from Marian in 2008 and now works as a political operative at Colorado Rising in Denver. Watters’ typical day involves working with many candidates, organizations and other consultants to organize political campaigns. “I love that I get to do work that truly, tangibly matters. I get to be a part of making our communities more equitable and bring real representation to all people,” Watters said. Watters isn’t alone in her passion for politics. Marian senior Callie Cavanaugh plans to study political science in college and dreams of becoming a U.S. senator. “I’ve volunteered on political campaigns before,” Cavanaugh said. “I understand that the political process is a difficult one, so I plan to spend time working and interning for politicians I align with, running for smaller offices, and working for organizations and nonprofits that promote the issues most important to me.” Some girls are still unsure of what they want to do with their lives, but they’re not alone. After leaving Marian in 2014, Lauren Koperski Phipps didn’t find her dream career until she graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a degree in computer science, which she uses in her work as an application developer.
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MARIAN HIGH SCHOOL
Junior Jada Williams has a passion for computer science and software development.
“One thing that was challenging was convincing others that I wanted to and could be a programmer. Some people encouraged me to avoid programming because it’s notoriously a male-dominated field and that I could be better suited for other positions,” Phipps said. “To overcome this, I worked doubly hard and found incredible supporters at school: the teachers who believed in me.” Since the time that Phipps graduated, Marian has added STEMfocused classes, such as computer science and programming. Students like junior Jada Williams are benefiting from such classes, which feed her passion for computer science and software development. “I’m interested in computer science because I think that the field is so vast... It’s constantly changing with new information and designs, and I think that’s amazing,” she said. Marian students are optimistic about the future. “I feel like Marian is encouraging us to use our voices to make change in society,” said senior Emma Gunn, who has plans to study law and eventually become a judge. Alumnae share this advice with current students: “It’s OK to not know what’s coming. You’ll know what you want when you see it, and when you do, go for it without hesitation,” Phipps said. “Sometimes the moments of imperfection are the bravest of all.”
EXPLORE MARIAN’S
VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE! See why Marian is a National Blue Ribbon School! Spend some time exploring Marian today with a student tour guide that hits all the spots you’ll want to see! bit.ly/MarianVirtualOH2020
7400 MILITARY AVENUE OMAHA, NE 68134 MARIANHIGHSCHOOL.NET
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POLAR BEAR FUN FACTS
STORY Jessica Thompson
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hat do the phrases “reflective coat,” “largest land carnivore in the world” and “endangered species” have in common? They all have to do with polar bears! Their Latin name, Ursus maritimus, means sea bear. The Arctic Circle-dwelling mammals may look like bears of a different color, but their traits and habitat set them apart from their land relatives.
FUN FACTS
1. Polar bears live in the Arctic, along coastal waters at the very top of the planet. They were added to the United States’ Endangered Species Act
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in 2008. Their habitat is threatened by disappearing polar sea ice, which polar bears use for traveling, hunting and resting. 2. Polar bears are the largest bears on the planet. Adult males can weigh around 1,500 pounds; females weigh about half that amount. They can run as fast as 25 mph. They measure about 8 feet tall when standing. Mothers give birth after a 6-8 month pregnancy, and usually deliver 1-3 cubs. 3. Polar bears are marine mammals and carnivores. This means they rely heavily on the ocean and bodies of water for their food: meat. Polar bears eat mainly seals,
and use their strong sense of smell to hunt for them. A seal’s high fat content provides polar bears with energy between hunts. 4. Polar bears are strong swimmers, sometimes as fast as 6 mph, or as far as 100 miles at a time. Their 12-inch-wide paws (the size of a dinner plate) are slightly webbed to help them paddle. 5. Polar bears look like they have white fur, but it is actually transparent, or seethrough, and appears white because it reflects sunlight. Underneath their fur is a 4-inch layer of fat, or blubber, to keep them warm in the freezing Arctic environment. Sources: kids.nationalgeographic.com; worldwildlife.org; wwf.org.uk; worldwildlife.org
Bearing the cold Take the Arctic plunge and see how blubber works TEXT + PHOTOGRAPHY Jessica Thompson
BOOKS WITH BEARS POLAR BEAR, POLAR BEAR, WHAT DO YOU HEAR?
by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle What will you hear when you read this book to a preschool child? Lots of noise! Children will chant the rhythmic words. They’ll make the sounds the animals make. And they’ll pretend to be the zoo animals featured in the book — look at the last page! The illustrations are unique and eyecatching, the colors are bright and the story is sure to hold your youngster’s attention.
LITTLE POLAR BEAR
by Hans de Beer It’s a big day for the little polar bear Lars. His father takes him hunting for the very first time, and that night he is so tired from all his lessons that he falls fast asleep. He sleeps so soundly that he doesn’t hear the ice crack, doesn’t feel himself slowly drift away from his father and the North Pole — he doesn’t realize that his adventures have just begun.
POLAR BEARS PAST BEDTIME
POLAR BEAR BLUBBER GLOVE • • • • •
Large mixing bowl Ice Two 1-quart plastic zip-top bags Crisco shortening Duct tape
1. Put the ice into the bowl and fill with cold water. Submerge your hand into the water to feel the cold! That’s what the Arctic Ocean is like.
2. Fill a plastic baggie with Crisco. Next, insert the other baggie inside that bag and spread the Crisco to coat the inner baggie. A rolling pin may help. 3. Put your hand inside the baggies, and tape shut around your wrist. 4. Stick your hand in the ice water again. Does it feel as cold as it did before? The Crisco is working like a polar bear’s blubber, to keep it warm in the arctic ocean. Source: blog.learningresources.com
by Mary Pope Osborne In the 12th book of the series, the Magic Tree House transports Jack and Annie to the freezing Arctic. There, they must solve the final riddle to become master librarians. But it’s not going to be easy — especially when they have cracking ice, a seal hunter and a prodigious polar bear to deal with. Will they be able to solve the riddle before they get iced themselves?
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TEXT, STYLING + PHOTOGRAPHY Kiley Cruse
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January 2021
B
QUICK ‘N’ BERRY GOOD
anana bread is a favorite at our house. The usual request is to add mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chips. Looking for a slightly healthier option for breakfast, I happened upon Blueberry Banana Bread. A generous amount of fresh blueberries, along with yogurt for added moisture, make this a go-to quick bread recipe. Tossing the blueberries in a little flour before adding them to the batter keeps them from sinking to the bottom of your loaf. You can also make this recipe with frozen blueberries but don’t thaw them. They’re likely to turn the batter purple as they melt into the mix. This recipe is easily customized. For fun, experiment with lemon zest, orange zest or sliced almonds to find your new favorite.
Indoor Swimming Lessons Year Round! A great gift and great fun!
Swim Lessons register noW for once-A-Week sWiM lessons
Ages 6 Mos. & older.
BLUEBERRY BANANA BREAD • 2 cups all purpose flour + 1 tablespoon to coat the blueberries • ¾ teaspoon baking soda • ½ teaspoon kosher salt • 1 cup sugar • ¼ cup butter, softened • 1 cup mashed ripe bananas • 2 eggs • 1/ 3 cup vanilla or plain yogurt • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract • 1½ cups fresh blueberries plus more for the top of the bread (can substitute frozen) • Cooking spray
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. 2. In a medium bowl, combine the 2 cups flour, baking soda and salt. 3. Place sugar and butter in a large bowl, beat with a mixer at medium speed until mixture is fluffy and well-blended (about 1 minute). 4. Add mashed banana, eggs, yogurt and vanilla; beat until blended. Add flour mixture; beat at low speed just until moist. 5. Place the blueberries in a bowl with 1 tablespoon flour and toss to coat. 6. Gently fold blueberries into the batter. Spoon batter into an 8½-by-4½-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray. Press additional blueberries into the top of the batter for decoration. 7. Bake for 60-70 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Remove pan from oven and place on wire rack for about 10 minutes. When bread is cool, remove from pan.
Morning, Afternoon, evening & sAt. Morning
402-932-2030 LittleWavesFamilySwimSchool.com 23
Wherever School is, We’re Here for You Mathnasium’s program is effective in reversing the widespread math learning loss children of all grade levels experience due to the pandemic. With live, face-to-face instruction either online or in our center, we’ll catch them up . and keep their math skills strong for this year and beyond. Call us today for $50 OFF your child’s assessment.
Mathnasium Papillion (844) 984-MATH (6284) – Mathnasium.com/Papillion 304 Olson Drive, Ste. 113, Papillion, NE 68046
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January 2021
ON OUR RADAR MOMAHA STAFF
THINGS TO TRY THIS MONTH BREATHE EASY, BABY STAY FRESH ALL DAY
TEACHER’S HELPER Plum Paper’s spiralbound planner is a teacher’s dream. That’s because it’s personalized for you, by you, to reflect the grade level and subjects you teach. Hello, parents? If you’re struggling with distance learning, this tool can help bring order to your day. Our 7-by-9-inch sample featured a monogramed cover and monthly, weekly and daily planning sheets (for elementary, junior high, high school or college learning); checklists for grading and attendance tracking, and more. Choose from three sizes. Ours was mid-priced at $36; plumpaper.com
Looking for a deodorant that won’t clog up your sweat glands or require you to reapply several times a day? SmartyPits deodorant contains plant-based powders that keep you dry, as well as prebiotics to help nourish the good bacteria living in your armpits. Fragrances — which are phthalatefree, paraben-free, propylene glycolfree and cruelty-free — include coconut mango, lavendar rose, eucalyptus spearmint, orange bergamot, ocean breeze and more. $11.99, smartypits.com and amazon.com
Angelcare’s AC337 Baby Breathing Monitor is equipped with movement detection technology and a breathing sensor pad. The pad is designed to stay under the mattress, which can be tweaked as your baby grows. It can even be used without the movement detection for those early toddler years. $189.99, angelcarebaby.com
TIME TO BLOOM It’s January, so of course our thoughts are turning to summer and gardening. This luscious coffee table book, “The Garden: Elements and Styles” by Toby Musgrave, whisks you around the globe, looking at elements and styles of gardens from Australia to the U.S. Learn how to discover your own style and the history of garden design. $44.44, amazon.com
BIG PROTECTION, TINY DEVICE Firewalla is a compact, simple device that plugs into your router and protects your home from a variety of network and internet threats. Parents out there can rest easy that baby monitors, smart speakers and other devices will be safe from external access. Parental controls and forced safe searching keep kids away from unsafe websites. Firewalla Red, $109; or Firewalla Blue, $179; firewalla.com
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Not a New Year’s resolutions kind of person? Try setting smaller goals STORY Jenni DeWitt
S
etting goals and New Year’s resolutions can be great for some people. But if you are like me, you need to think much smaller than an entire year. This is particularly true if you are in a hard season of life, such as raising little kids or if you have just suffered a devastating loss or illness in your family. During these times in life, there is often still a desire to keep progressing and moving forward — especially at the start of a new year. But sometimes just the thought of trying to make progress when simply surviving is a struggle can seem like an impossible task. Jenni DeWitt In those times, I have found the best thing to do is think small. 1. What is something you would like to change or accomplish by the end of this year? If a year is too big, think about just the next month. 2. Now work backward. What would be the very first thing you would need to do in order to make that happen? For example, if you would like to start getting up early to exercise but are too exhausted to get out of bed in the morning, what’s the very first thing that needs to happen? You need to get more sleep. 3. Think about what is stopping you from doing that first step or what needs to change so it can happen. What is keeping you from getting more sleep? If you are a night owl like me, maybe you are getting sucked into a good book, Facebook or Pinterest when you should be going to bed at night. 4. What could you do differently to change this one thing? You could set an alarm to help you remember to turn off your phone at 10 p.m. each night. 5. Perfect! Now you have your first small promise to yourself: “I promise I will turn off my cell phone when my alarm goes off at 10 p.m. tonight.” 6. Keep that promise to yourself. It might not be easy, but it will be a small step in the right direction. Remember: you can do it. When 10 p.m. rolls around, turn off your cell phone. 7. Repeat. By keeping this one small promise to yourself, your brain will start to learn you can be trusted. Every day, make one small promise to yourself and then keep your promise. Follow the path toward your goal, keeping one small promise to yourself every step of the way. Maybe the next
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January 2021
small promise you make to yourself is to figure out what you hope to achieve from working out each morning whether it’s to feel better, lose weight, or get stronger. Then you might move on to researching what type of exercise you might want to do to reach this goal, or when you need to get up so you have enough time to exercise. Each one of these small steps is a promise you can keep to yourself. Little by little, you will start to notice you are making progress — even in the hardest times of your life. *** Jenni DeWitt is married and has two sons, the youngest of whom battled childhood leukemia — and won. Jenni writes weekly for Momaha.com. She is the author of “Forty Days” and “Why Won’t God Talk to Me?”
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When children are your everything, Anything can be. At Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, science and heart lead us to even greater pediatric breakthroughs. We provide the very best in pediatric specialty care, advance pediatric research, educate tomorrow’s experts and advocate for children, families and entire communities – to improve the future of medicine, and the life of every child. To find a physician for your child, call 1.800.833.3100 or visit ChildrensOmaha.org.
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