April 2015
Omaha’s Community Bike Project
2015
SUMMER CAMP GUIDE Kid Coders Burch Kealey and His Home Coding Class
Meet the Dotzlers Being Part of the Solution
THE BEST PLACE FOR KIDS.
Ella, age 6 Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
Visit ChildrensOmaha.org for more information on how we can help your child. For a pediatrician, family physician or pediatric specialist, call 1.800.833.3100.
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Celebrate Día! Children's Day/Book Day, also known as El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Día), is a celebration of children, families, and reading held annually on April 30. Join us in celebrating the importance of literacy for children of all linguistic and cultural backgrounds!
Bilingual Storytime Wed | Apr 22 | 6:30 pm Florence Branch 2920 Bondesson St.
Celebrations of Asian Birthday Traditions
Art Reception
Thurs | Apr 30 | 10 am Millard Branch
2808 Q St.
Story Hour
Fri | Apr 24 | 6:30 pm South Omaha Library
Storytime & Craft Wed | Apr 29 | 4 pm Benson Branch
13214 Westwood Ln.
Thurs | Apr 30 | 10 am Washington Branch 2868 Ames Ave.
6015 Binney St.
For more program details and registration information, visit omahalibrary.org.
on the features
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MANAGING EDITOR
Keeping Kids on Track at the Community Bike Project 28 Kid Coding Burch Kealey teaches the neighbor kids how to write code. 34 2015 Summer Camp Guide
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43 On the Cover: Asher (5) and Mace (3) Elliott.
4 HerFamily • April 2015
PUBLISHER Todd Lemke
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@omahamagazine
Volume 2 • Issue 11
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
@omahamagazine
april 2015
16 Free Ride
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inside
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lifestyle: Play Lab Ignites Big Imaginations health: Meet the Poison Plants of Nebraska meet the family: The Dotzlers: Working to be Part of the Solution diy: Jewelry on Display young hero: Carl Thon takes on the “R” word. activity: Is Your Child Ready for Summer Camp? activity: Disc Golf is Flying High in Omaha mind & body: Choose Your Career Wisely health: The debate rages over having children’s medical records digitized. faces: Dr. Jack Lewis and His 20,000 Free Physicals for Students food: Crispy Potato Slices mom on the rocks: Dang Smart Phones! fitness: The Lunge Pose calendar of events the grandpa chronicles: Catalonia Dreaming
David Williams
Robert Nelson CREATIVE DIRECTOR John Gawley DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY & INTERACTIVE MEDIA Bill Sitzmann SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER & WEB CONTENT MANAGER Kristen Hoffman GRAPHIC DESIGNER Rachel Joy CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Bev Carlson • Anna Hensel • Allison Janda Lisa Lukecart • Claire Martin • Leslie Murrell Kara Schweiss • Andrea Trew CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHY Hudson Gardner ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Gwen Lemke • Greg Bruns • Gil Cohen Kyle Fischer • Angie Hall • George Idelman ASSISTANT TO THE PUBLISHER Sandy Besch Matson ACCOUNT ASSISTANTS Alicia Smith Hollins • Jessica Linhart Dawn Dennis • Jessica Cullinane OPERATIONS Tyler Lemke ACCOUNTING Jim Heitz WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Mike Brewer Printed by Omaha Print For a one-year subscription (12 issues), send $9.95 to P.O. Box 461208, Papillion, NE 68046-1208. www.omahamagazine.com Original contributions become the property of Omaha Publications. Contributions cannot be acknowledged or returned. The information contained within HerFamily is for informational purposes only. It is not intended and should not be used to take the place of seeking professional advice, counsel or assistance. Omaha Publications makes no endorsement of and is not responsible for contributors or advertising herein. If you have concerns or questions related to your health, consult with your physician. HerFamily is protected by copyright and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission of Omaha Publications, 402.884.2000. Owned and managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD
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June 20, 2015 • 1–6p.m. • Free Admission Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park • Council Bluffs, Iowa bestofomaha.com
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HerFamily • April 2015 5
lifestyle
by Allison Janda photography by Bill Sitzmann & Hudson Gardner
Teal Gardner
Play Lab Igniting Big Imaginations
i
Around Omaha
t’s easy to think back to our own childhoods and compare them to the world our children currently live in. Perhaps you feel that your children aren’t as safe or don’t have as much freedom in their creativity. Maybe you’re wishing a fresh summer activity would pop up providing area parents those opportunities Enter Play Lab, a concept dreamed up by Omahan Teal Gardner. It’s a mobile, free, and open play workshop for kids. Gardner herself provides materials that she feels could stimulate a child’s imaginative play. Fabric, ribbon, cardboard, safety vests, and bike tubes are just a few of the items she has amassed. In addition, parents and supporters can donate materials that they feel children might enjoy. “The idea is that giving kids a lot of loose parts and the impetus to go out and make or do what they like will provide a scenario for their play that provokes problem solving and creative thinking,” Gardner says.
6 HerFamily • April 2015
The concept, she admits, is not a new one. Nonetheless, it does seem like she is on to something quite special. Gardner’s first Play Lab was held in an art gallery. It’s an environment that Gardner admits is usually pretty hands-off, especially for kids. After a threeday Play Lab, however, it became evident, she says, that the project was special enough to try again. Without a brick-and-mortar building or staff, Gardner relies on the help of volunteer collaborators and various Omaha venues to keep Play Lab in operation. She says that while they appear most consistently at the Gifford Park Neighborhood Market, Play Lab has also appeared at such places as ARTsarben and The Union for Contemporary Art. In July and August, they will be at the W. Dale Clark Library downtown. Better still, Gardner says that children don’t need a specific environment to trigger their imagination. In fact, it’s easy to create Play Lab in your own home if there isn’t one being provided in your area. Simply supply your children with a “junk” box and allow them to create new worlds. “The attitude that makes Play Lab the most fun is just the willingness to follow an idea through the many transformations that happen within play,” Gardner shares. In fact, it seems that children are able to make just about anything fun—laundry, for instance. One particular memory that Gardner reveals took place on a hot summer day. She filled up a kiddie pool with ice and, as the ice melted, a few children decided to begin washing fabric— one of the many loose parts available that day. An assembly line began and soon every item of fabric had been washed, wrung out and hung to dry. “I just love that story because it illustrates a group of kids choosing to do something together, something that they made up, the success of which was measured by the kids themselves,” Gardner says. omahamagazine.com
“The idea is that giving kids a lot of loose parts and the impetus to go out and make or do what they like will provide a scenario for their play that provokes problem solving and creative thinking.” -Teal Gardner
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HerFamily • April 2015 7
health
by Anna Hensel
They’re Back! Meet the Poison Plants of Nebraska
w
ith the arrival of spring, nature’s diverse flora will soon be on full display. While a trip to Fontenelle Forest can be a chance to show your family beautiful greenery, it also puts kids at risk of exposure to poisonous plants. John Fech has been working in horticulture as an extension educator for the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension since 1987. Fech says that while “a red car is a red car,” it’s not as easy to distinguish poisonous plants from non-poisonous ones until you’ve seen them several times. Ultimately, Fech says, the list of poisonous flora that Nebraskans should look out for comes down to a few usual suspects:
POISON IVY The plant that has given generations of parents a headache— and been the cause of last-minute trips to the drug store for calamine lotion—is still the most common poisonous plant in Nebraska. Fech says that poison ivy is most easily identifiable by its leaflets of three and its oily appearance. It’s a vine plant, so it’s most likely found in a wooded area. Poison ivy is not to be confused with Boston ivy (its leaves have a shiny appearance, instead of an oily one) and Virginia creeper (which has leaflets of five).
POISON SUMAC While not frequently found in the Omaha area, poison sumac populates the southeastern part of the state. Unlike poison ivy, poison sumac is more of a standalone plant. Again, Fech says the best way to identify poison sumac from its relatives is to look at the leaf arrangement. Poison sumac will have one large, main stem with a dozen or so leaves sprouting off from it.
8 HerFamily • April 2015
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STINGING NETTLES Nebraskans are less likely to come across stinging nettles than poison ivy or sumac, but the plant has spines that can easily break off and spread. The plant’s square stem looks similar to a mint stem, but the mint leaf is smooth while the stinging nettle’s leaf is covered by its trademark spines and hairs. Stinging nettles also have an opposite leaf arrangement, scalloped leaves, and usually grow in pockets up to about three or four feet tall.
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Regardless of the poison, Fech says, there are a couple keys to keeping your family free of nature’s irritants this spring. Search on the Internet for images of any poisonous plants you could come into contact with, and compare them with images of non-poisonous plants. Fech even recommends making a quiz for your kids to take before going on a trip to a wooded area. Always wear a long-sleeved shirt and pants when going to a place where you’ll be surrounded by plants. If you think you came into contact with a poisonous plant, the safest thing to do is to call a doctor, as every person will react differently. “If you’re a sensitive individual, it could take you a couple weeks to recover, and you’re pretty much miserable when you’re going through that,” Fech says. “So the best thing is to prevent it all together.” bestofomaha.com
HerFamily • April 2015 9
meet the family
by Claire Martin photography by Bill Sitzmann
Josh Dotzler, his wife, Jen, and their three children: Joshua, 5, Joseph, 3, and Juliana, 1.
10窶ォerFamily 窶｢ April 2015
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The Dotzlers Being Part of the Solution
hen Josh Dotzler was 2 years old, his father sold everything they owned, including their house and cars, and relocated his family to a rundown building in a crime-ridden neighborhood in North Omaha. The reason: He felt called to God’s mission. “My father said if he ever wrote a book about moving, one of the chapters would be titled Roaches and Rats,” Dotzler, now 29, says. “Because the building was infested with both of those. Dotzler says his father, Ron, a chemical engineer, witnessed more police and more crime in the first three weeks after moving than he’d experienced in his entire life. It was then, he says, that his father knew he was meant to be part of a solution for the Omaha community. It was due to this revelation and mission that the nonprofit organization, Abide, was founded, which Dotzler now runs alongside his father. However, Dotzler admits, his current work is a far cry from the original blueprint for his life. “I grew up in that environment and loved what my parents were doing, but I didn’t want to be a part of it,” Dotzler says. “We experienced neighbors being murdered, our house and cars being shot at, windows broken. There were lots of experiences that we had in North Omaha that caused me to have a sense of fear being in the community. That was part of the reason I didn’t want to move back.”
Dotzler says they had a saying in the area growing up: “Work hard, get an education, and you, too, can move out of the ghetto.” Dotzler’s hope was that his graduation from Creighton in 2009, complete with a degree in public relations and a position on Creighton’s basketball team, would mean his ticket out of North Omaha for good. However, after attending the funeral following the murder of a childhood neighbor, Dotzler had serious cause to reevaluate his life. “It had me thinking,” Dotzler says, “how could my friend’s life have been different if more people were a part of it? That was the catalyst God used to redirect my life. That was when my wife and I came to the conclusion that this is what we’re called to be doing.” Dotzler and his wife, Jen, moved back to North Omaha shortly after that, into a one-bedroom space in the original building his family had refurbished. Their hope was to work with Abide to identify and revitalize 700 pockets of Omaha’s most crime-infested neighborhoods. Already, Abide has a presence in 100 of those areas. When Dotzler was a child, his father moved their family of 16 a second time into a neighborhood that the police had red-lined as the most dangerous in the city. With the aid of several volunteers, the Dotzlers hosted neighborhood clean-ups, home constructions and renovations, and block >
Dotzler says his father, Ron, a chemical engineer, witnessed more police and more crime in those first three weeks after moving than he’d experienced in his entire life. It was then, he says, that his father knew he was meant to be part of a solution for the Omaha community.
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HerFamily • April 2015 11
12窶ォerFamily 窶｢ April 2015
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meet the family continued
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parties in a full revitalization effort. Crime and drug abuse declined; community morale skyrocketed. This success is the prime example Dotzler wishes to follow with his work. “We watched this red-lined community become one of the best neighborhoods in Omaha,” Dotzler says. “Our dream is to see all 700 of these neighborhoods transform in the same way.” The most rewarding part of Dotzler’s job is witnessing the effect Abide has on members of the North Omaha community within their own neighborhoods. “We’ve seen crime decrease, relationships in the community increase,” Dotzler says. “We see freshmen in high school getting ready to drop out; not only do they then graduate, but they go on to college and invest in the program to give back to other people. People in prison have turned their lives around and are now part of the solution.” Currently, Dotzler is the executive pastor of Bridge Church and the father of three—Joshua, 5, Joseph, 3, and Julianna, 1. His family is enthusiastically involved in Abide’s various efforts in the Omaha community, including afternoon tutoring programs, a -Josh Dotzler basketball league, a youth club, and even a recording studio. “Our organizations are really family-centered,” Dotzler says. “We couldn’t do what we’re doing if our family wasn’t a part of it. We live in the community that we work in. For the most part, our lives are really centered around what happens in North Omaha. Dotzler adds that some of his kids’ best relationships are from the programs that Abide provides. Dotzler even coaches one of the program’s 10 basketball teams, which his two sons participate in weekly. As for the future, it’s Dotzler’s hope that Abide will continue to revitalize and expand its efforts until it reaches its end goal: transforming the entirety of Omaha, one neighborhood at a time. “We’re beginning to build the foundation for the future,” Dotzler says. “Our hope is that there won’t be any inner city in Nebraska.”
“We’re beginning to build the foundation for the future.Our hope is that there won’t be any inner city in Nebraska.”
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LEARNING! HerFamily • April 2015 13
diy
by Andrea Trew photography by Bill Sitzmann
Jewelry on Display
14窶ォerFamily 窶｢ April 2015
omahamagazine.com
Molly Maid clean is n
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eing a jewelry designer, I take a lot of pride in showing off my little gems and finding ways to “DIY” wall hangings that draw attention to them in a unique and unexpected way. Too often I’ll forget about a great bracelet or statement piece if they’re tucked away in a jewelry box, so instead why not keep them out and in our line of sight? I’m a huge fan of displaying my glistening treasures on something equally beautiful, yet functional, disguised as easily accessible wall art. This trick presents your jewelry, placing it on display for quick and easy outfit accessorizing, while also doubling as a little bit of glamour for your otherwise plain walls.
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HerFamily • April 2015 15
feature Lisa Lukecart by
photography by Bill Sitzmann
Biking is a challenge and there is no temptation to take it easy. Plus, it is cheaper and healthier. 16窶ォerFamily 窶｢ April 2015
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Charles Mitchell, left, and Joseph Pittack at the Community Bike Project bestofomaha.com
harles Mitchell has never driven a car. He doesn’t even have a license. Why not slow life down a bit and experience the outdoors instead? So he bikes. It’s a challenge and there is no temptation to take it easy. Plus, it is cheaper and healthier. Even on the coldest days, Mitchell will put on ski goggles, throw on double layers of everything, and decide which one of his nine bicycles he feels like taking for a ride. “Every time I get on a bike, I get excited,” Mitchell says. Mitchell pedals at least 10 hours a week, sometimes making multiple trips to the grocery store. His longest distance was 170 miles during an endurance challenge, and he used to commute on bike from Lincoln to Omaha for work. Mitchell shares his love of all things bicycles with Omaha children at the Community Bike Project at 535 N. 33rd St., something he has been doing the past year and a half. The Community Bike Project was started when a Creighton nursing student, Emerick Huber, saw people on broken bicycles in the Gifford Park area. The neighborhood was working to overcome a reputation of being the source of too many police reports, and Huber saw the capacity to turn a negative into a positive. The landlords gave Huber’s organization the building space for $1 a year and the bike-op was born. >
HerFamily • April 2015 17
feature continued
<
“Kids look up to Mitchell. He dedicated his time to working here and helping kids get off the streets.” -Bob Greene
18 HerFamily • April 2015
The light blue door, filled with hastily scrawled signatures, is open on a sunny wintery afternoon. To the left—in bright green, orange, and pink—are seven rules including “Be respectful,” “Put things away,” and “Have fun.” Rule No. 5 is interesting: “You must be sober.” “One of the strengths of this place is the diversity,” Mitchell says. “We teach and learn from each other, how to positively deal with everyone who comes in through the shop.” There are youngsters of all ages smiling with bikes in photographs along another wall. They earned their BMX or 10-speed through the Earn-A-Bike program. Rows upon rows of bicycles are just waiting for someone to own in the basement, donated by people who no longer needed one or have just outgrown their bike. Then anyone, adults included, can fix one up and take it home after completing six sessions and a safety class. “The really amazing fact is that all kids that are here want to be here,” Mitchell adds. Chance Williams, 12, built a BMX but has stayed for the past two years as a volunteer. “It just gets me out of the house and it is fun to help out in the community,” Chance says. He recently took part in an obstacle course contest. Chance tied for first place so has earned his right to new pedals or grips. He really wants gloves, though, since they are difficult to get. He is hoping Mitchell may be able to work something out. “I want to be like the one that goes around doing tricks like X Games tricks on BMX’s,” Chance says. Mitchell has already taught him bunny hops and wheelies, always reminding Chance to put on elbow and knee pads. Mitchell was patient during training, but Chance boasts it was pretty easy to learn. “Kids look up to him (Mitchell),” volunteer Bob Greene says. “He dedicated his time to working here and helping kids get off the streets.”
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Chance is also taking part in the youth study hall at the Yates Community Center for homework help. This was started by former volunteers who are now in high school who wanted more decisionmaking in how the shop functioned and looked. “It’s an amazing thing that you wouldn’t think kids would want to instigate themselves,” Mitchell says. Mitchell, who has a master’s degree in fine arts, believes “academia is a cloistered environment.” Students who get suspended or just don’t do well in school can excel in the open shop environment working with their hands. Mitchell pauses to help a group of girls with a coral-colored bicycle, instructing one of them to clean a greasy looking part. “I’d ride this bike,” Mitchell comments while the girls laugh. If someone doesn’t have time to commit to a program, there are inexpensive bikes on sale anywhere from $30 to $300. Or people can come in for help to fix a tire, pedal, or chain during open shop days. Donations are always welcome, but not expected. “My passion for this place is based on the idea that every single bike ride can be a lot of fun,” Mitchell says.
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HerFamily • April 2015 19 12/8/2014 12:35:44 PM
young hero
by Lisa Lukecart photography by Bill Sitzmann
20窶ォerFamily 窶｢ April 2015
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c
Diving into Challenges Papillion-La Vista South’s Carl Thon is taking on the “R” word.
arl Thon’s heart pounded. He felt a little odd, possibly due to the fact his rear was hanging over the edge of a plane 10,000 feet in the air. Let’s hurry up and get this show on the road, he told himself. I gotta do it, can’t back out now. I spent so much money and time. Just enjoy it. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “Ready. Set. Go,” the pro sky diver behind him yelled as they launched from the plane. Carl is not sitting at home dreaming; he is doing. “What don’t I do,” he says with a smile during a recent interview. The list fills pages: Drama run-crew, vicepresident of the National Honor Society, debate captain, treasurer of German Club, cross country, and soccer. Oh, also president of the Knitting Club. That’s right. He made a scarf for his girlfriend at Christmas. “He’s always been the type to push his limits and he likes to have challenges,” his mother, Annie, says. Carl claims he has been truly blessed to have a family who allows him freedom to make his own decisions. That sense of trust has propelled Carl to be active and involved in his school. As treasurer of the student council, Carl recently started the “’R’ Word Campaign.” The stated goal: “Change the ‘R’ word to ‘Respect.’” Why is such a thing needed? Carl explains that he and his classmates still hear students walking down the halls or at lunch saying things like, “You’re being a retard” or “That’s retarded.” It is something he, along with other students at Papillion-La Vista South High School, want to end. “Our school does a fabulous job of interacting students with the special education department,” Carl says. “But not everyone sees that part of our school.” The Student Council made a video that focused on the talents of the special education students. It gives a word of advice: Get to know the children. Darian always has a smile. Brandon is fearless. Noah is a basketball stud. bestofomaha.com
Noah was someone Carl made a connection with—something he hopes other students will do. “One little fish can change the world,” Carl believes. He laughs as he recalls how Noah made more baskets than someone on the basketball team who was practicing nearby. The video was shown to the school at the winter pep assembly. “Carl is a great leader and the reaction of the kids was phenomenal,” Principal Jeff Johnson says. Carl is all about the little things in life that can make an impact. “I try to hold myself to a higher standard,” he says. “You never know when you’ll meet your future wife or boss.” This includes the way he dresses. He’d rather make a good first impression instead of working against a bad one. “Sometimes I sleep in khakis,” Carl jokes. He stands out with his strawberry blonde hair, khaki-colored jeans, and a blue-jean colored dress shirt. Sometimes, he’ll throw on a bow tie when he swing dances on Friday nights, boasting of his abilities to spin girls around quickly. “Appearance is everything,” Carl believes. “You look better, feel better.” He even wears a silver dress watch, something rarely seen on a teenager’s arm these days. Carl hopes his generation does something that makes an impact. People should be willing to serve the public, he says. For example, Carl spent time through his church serving meals to convicts, gaining insight into a different perceptive. “We get so caught up in our own lives, our own environment, we don’t see a global view,” Carl declares. He just applied to the United States Naval Academy, hoping to follow in his father’s military boots. This past summer, he was named mayor of his town at American Legion Cornhusker Boys State. He lost his governor race in the finals, but learned he loved interacting with people. He hopes to make a difference—perhaps in politics one day. How about President? “If it’s in my fate, it’s in my fate,” Carl says.
HerFamily • April 2015 21
activity
by Kara Schweiss
22窶ォerFamily 窶｢ April 2015
omahamagazine.com
t
Camp Time Is your child ready for summer camp?
he benefits of summer camps extend well beyond keeping children busy during summer vacation. Social interaction with a new group of people, focused exploration in a particular area of interest, introduction to fun new activities, and learning to be more independent and self-reliant can greatly enhance a child’s confidence. But summer camp also means immersion into an unfamiliar environment, adjustment to a new group of peers and adults in authority, and time away from family that some children aren’t ready for. Holly J. Roberts, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist and associate professor of pediatrics with the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, says readiness varies from child to child, but there are some indicators that can help guide parents in determining when and if their child would enjoy a day camp or overnight camp experience. “Children younger than 4 are likely to not really be ready for this level of transition from a predictable routine,” she says. However, children between 4 and 7 may be ready for day camp if they’re able to separate from parents fairly easily, and especially if they’re enthusiastic about the camp theme or activities. For this age group, Roberts says, school-based or childcare center-based summer programs provide a great opportunity to sample the day camp experience in a familiar environment. Children over 7 who are accustomed to spending the day in school usually handle traditional day camps just fine. However, overnight camp readiness may take a few more years. “Generally, kids are usually ready for overnight camp around 11, and they begin to be comfortable being away from their parents around that age. Typically, children younger than 7 are not ready for an overnight camp,” Roberts says. “This is not a hard-and-set rule, either, it’s -Holly J. Roberts based on development and the child,” she emphasizes. “Can the child manage their own hygiene, like showering? Do they have full control over toileting? Is the child able to ask for help or state their needs if they need something? One of the best indicators of readiness for a summer sleepover camp is that a child can successfully spend a night or two with a friend or a relative.” Even the most eager child can experience pangs of homesickness, and it won’t surprise a good camp staff, Roberts says. Parents should be familiar with the process the camp has in place to address homesickness, but in the care of experienced and compassionate staffers, children usually don’t pine away for home sweet home very long. “Homesickness is a common thing, and there’s probably going to be a wave of that even in kids that are ready,” Roberts says. Packing some comfort items and a few prepared letters from home (with a positive tone rather than a lament of how much the parent misses the child) can help alleviate pangs. Sometimes it’s the parent who’s not ready to separate, and that can lead to what Roberts calls, somewhat tongue in cheek, “kidsickness.” Finding a quality camp with managers who welcome questions and offer tours, that conducts background checks when hiring staff, and that has strong safety policies in place can help alleviate parental fears. “I think a parent really needs to be ready for this before a child is ready,” Roberts says. “A lot of kids receive their cues from their parents.”
One of the best indicators of readiness for a summer sleepover camp is that a child can successfully spend a night or two with a friend or a relative.”
bestofomaha.com
HerFamily • April 2015 23
activity
by Kara Schweiss
Disc Drive Fun, free, and family friendly.
a
Disc golf in Omaha is a flying high.
co-worker’s zeal for disc golf
Phoenix nails a difficult shot.
Ryker shows his disc golf form.
24 HerFamily • April 2015
inspired Mandi and Adam Jensen to give the sport a try, and only a year later, they’ve become enthusiasts themselves and even brought sons Maverick and Ryker and daughter Phoenix into the fold. “It really is a good sport for families,” Mandi Jensen says. “We have three kids, and our youngest is 6 and our oldest is 12, so they’re not interested in many of the same things.” But when the family plays disc golf, “we’re all together and we’re all having fun.” All it takes to play disc golf is a flying disc—known by many as a Frisbee, the Wham-O toy company’s registered trademark name—and a visit to one of Omaha’s three disc golf courses; Seymour Smith Park (68th and Harrison streets), Hummel Park (north of the Florence area off John J. Pershing Drive) or Cunningham Park (northwest of 84th and State streets). The rules are simple: Whether playing a 9-hole or 18-hole course, the basic objective is to land the disc in the disc pole hole or “basket” in as few throws as possible. “The disc golf that we have at three locations in our parks in Omaha is a park amenity open to the public. There’s no charge, so you can just walk on and get in at any time,” says Tracy Stratman, recreation manager for the City of Omaha Parks, Recreation and Public Property department.
An ongoing partnership with the Omaha Metro Disc Golf Association (OMDGA) has helped to establish and expand facilities in the community since the mid-1990s, and volunteers from the group continue to support upkeep and invest plenty of sweat equity in maintenance year-round. “From the City side, this is what makes our partnerships work and our parks successful. If somebody comes to us with an idea of an amenity that they want to see in a park, we work very hard with those groups to try and make it a reality,” Stratman says. “The parks are public spaces for the people and so we take our partnerships very seriously, because we can’t do it alone.” The Hummel Park course, which OMDGA helped design, is considered by players to be the most challenging in the area and has even gained national recognition. “Hummel is indeed getting such a solid rep,” says Bill (“Mr. Bill”) Hulbert of the OMDGA, “I’ve played with so many people from out of town that, after one round, are putting it on their list of favorites. It’s got everything: it’s not extremely long, and it has signature holes that you have to put it in a certain place on your first shot or you’re hosed.” The OMDGA has been hosting the disc golf competition for the Cornhusker State Games (now the State Games of America) since 1994 and this August, for the first time, will be hosting the 2015 State Games of America national disc golf events at
omahamagazine.com
Hummel and at least one other course. Hulbert still remembers buying his first disc at the age of 7, saving his 15-cent allowance for four weeks to buy a 49-cent “Pluto Platter.” A founding member of the first Omaha-area disc golf club and a 2013 Nebraska Disc Golf Hall of Fame inductee, Hulbert says he’s enjoyed watching the sport grow locally from a single course and a small following to a thriving activity and community known for its open arms. “The community of disc golf people is really welcoming,” Jensen says. “They’re more friendly than you can imagine.”
“The community of disc golf people is really welcoming. They’re more friendly than you can imagine.” -Mandi Jensen
Martin, Harper, and Michelle Bruckner bestofomaha.com
HerFamily • April 2015 25
mind & body
by Bev Carlson, Lutheran Family Services
Bev Carlson, Lutheran Family Services
26窶ォerFamily 窶｢ April 2015
omahamagazine.com
The Daily Grind Choose Your Career Wisely—And With Your Heart
d
o you like your job? Do you enjoy your work? These are similar questions that can deliver very different answers. And it matters because your mental health depends on it. During my decades of experience in the workplace, there have definitely been some really bad days. The kind of days where I questioned whether I could possibly find the strength to go back and face it again. Days where I felt so helpless, hopeless, trapped, and defeated—I was just…done. But during any time I was not enjoying my job, I never ever stopped loving my work. My career. My calling. The older I get, the more I realize just how special and rare that can be. I’ve always liked what I chose to do, and I’ve never regretted it. With family support and working several part-time positions, I was able to earn my college degree. In college I discovered video and fell in love with broadcasting— then spent two glorious decades working in television newsrooms with wonderful, smart, and clever people. As life changed, I’ve moved on to do new things in new places, but always building on those skills and that passion for doing work that I really enjoy. I’m sharing this because, by some measures, we spend fully one-third of our lives in the workplace. That’s a lot of time to spend doing something you really don’t enjoy. I have friends who chose badly when they were picking an employment path. They loved science but pursued business. They loved art but pursed engineering. They did not follow their own heart. Maybe they followed the money. Maybe it was the safe path on which the jobs were plentiful. All fine if the passion is there, too. Everyone has some occasional job anxiety, but there are few things worse than chronic job stress based in truly hating what you do 40 hours a week or more. bestofomaha.com
Medicinenet.com defines job stress as, “The harmful physical and emotional responses that occur when the requirements of the job do not match the capabilities, resources, or needs of the worker. Job stress can lead to poor health and even injury.” Immediate physical symptoms include headache, chronic insomnia, difficulty concentrating, short temper and an upset stomach. Studies have linked long-term job stress and dissatisfaction to heart disease, musculoskeletal problems, workplace injury, and psychological disorders such as depression. “Many of our clients are seeking coping skills,” says Pegg Siemek-Asche of Lutheran Family Services. “A bad fit or other difficulties in the workplace can make people feel trapped. Because they need their paychecks, they put up with a lot more than they usually would, and that sense that they lack control of their own lives can really be overwhelming.” So, step one is simply being aware of just how much impact your job situation is having on your well-being and personal relationships. While it’s always best if your career starts out as a good fit, simply realizing that you should be doing something different is a great first step in developing a plan to relieve some of the pressure you are feeling. Maybe it’s not just doing the same job at a different company. Can you pursue a different position with your current employer? Can you transfer your skills to a different industry? Can you find the ideas and resources to start your own business? Can you enhance your current skills or education in a way that opens up new possibilities for you? The challenge is learning how to stop the flow of anxious or depressing thoughts long enough to take a deep breath and consider other possibilities. You deserve to have a joyfilled work life.
HerFamily • April 2015 27
feature Kara Schweiss
raspberrypi ~ $cd /home/pi/mcpi/api/p hon 2.7.3 (default, Mar 18 2015 O5:13 C 4.6.3} on linux2 e “help”, “copyright”, “credits” or ense” import Minecraft as Minecraft ceback (most recent call last): e “<stdin>”, line l, in <module> ortError: No module named Minecraft import minecraft as Minecraft mc + minecraft.Minecraft.create() ceback (most recent call last): e “<stdin>”, line l, in <module> by
photography by Bill Sitzmann
Kid Coding
Burch Kealey teaches the neighbor kids how to write code. From Left: Lauren Edwards, Patrick Kealey, Ethan Preheim, Spencer Egbert, and Quentin Egbert
28 HerFamily • April 2015
omahamagazine.com
python 3:23
“I think, from watching Patrick and his friends, that many in our society don’t understand how capable children are.” -Burch Kealey
“a
s an academic researcher, I write a lot of code to organize data for my research,” Burch Kealey, a University of Nebraska-Omaha accounting professor, says. “I’m not a professional programmer but there is a tremendous amount of resources on the Internet for someone to learn this on their own.” It’s not too remarkable that an accounting professor could easily pick up on writing code. What’s amazing is that Kealey is teaching coding to his 10-year-old son, Patrick, and a handful of neighborhood kids. “I had begun thinking of doing this when my son was about 4 or 5, but I didn’t feel like he was ready for it yet,” he says. “None of the materials I found online looked appropriate, and I wanted him to have appropriate material.” A few years later, Kealey discovered a book called Python for Kids: A Playful Introduction to Programming authored by Jason R. Briggs. Serendipitously, a $60 computer called the Raspberry Pi was released around the same time. “It’s about the size of a credit card and it’s a fully functioning computer. You just have to plug your monitor into it,” he explains. Another sign that the time was right to put his concept of coding classes for kids into play: the price of monitors had dropped to as little as $100, making it possible for middle-class parents to afford a basic set of hardware for a weekly class. A year and a half in, the young students are learning increasingly advanced coding along with what Kealey calls “intellectual independence,” problem-solving, collaboration, and other important skills.
bestofomaha.com
Lauren Edwards, Patrick Kealey, Burch Kealey, and Ethan Preheim
“I think, from watching Patrick and his friends, that many in our society don’t understand how capable children are,” Kealey says. “After being around these kids, I have no reservations about their capability. I was worried about their attention span, and that’s the reason we waited a bit to start. But they’re thinking, rational beings.” Judging by the phone calls and emails he’s received, there’s a growing interest in this kind of instruction, he says. “In some ways this is an experiment; I have no plans to open the Sylvan Children’s Computer Programming Centers,” he says, wryly. “I give parents advice who call me and ask me if I would run other classes, but I’m too busy being a dad and my day job keeps me busy enough.” Kealey lets his students help drive class content, which has led to incorporating the wildly popular video game Minecraft along with an assistant. “My son has tried to educate me on how to play Minecraft, but I don’t get it,” Kealey says. “I have a high school student (Ian Maher, a Central High School junior) who’s working with me and actually taking a strong lead in the class right now. This young man ‘gets’ Minecraft, plus he wanted to learn to program.” Kealey emphasizes that the children in the class aren’t hand-picked child prodigies, but typical, intellectually curious kids. “I think most kids can do it, they just need to be introduced to the possibilities it in a way that’s not too deadening,” he says, adding that the children he teaches enjoy breaking new ground. “They’re doing something that nobody else is doing; I can tell that they get a little thrill about it.”
HerFamily • April 2015 29
health
by Anna Hensel
Sensitive Information The debate rages over having a child’s medical records digitized.
30 HerFamily • April 2015
omahamagazine.com
We’ll Give You Something to RAVE About!
a
s spring cleaning season is underway, many households in 2015 are finding one less thing they have to get rid of—paper records. Digitally storing sensitive information, such as medical records, is becoming a popular choice for families, but it also exposes them to the risk of having their Pandora’s box opened if their computer is hacked. As a result, not everyone is down with digital record keeping. The Boy Scouts of America recently requested that troop leaders don’t keep digital copies of scouts’ medical records. According to a statement on the BSA’s website, the BSA is “not ready to address” the risks associated with digitizing records, namely the loss of privacy and data if someone was to steal those records. But this doesn’t necessarily mean that parents shouldn’t keep digital copies of their own children’s records. Most hospitals now have some kind of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) system, and take care to make sure that their patients’ information doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Dr. Dana Zanone, medical director of informatics for all of CHI Health Alegent Creighton Clinics, has seen firsthand how much an efficient, secure, EMR system can have an impact on her patients and their families. “I have one lady that has nine children, and one of her children is disabled. One day when she was in our office we actually signed her up and all of her children, and gave her proxy access so she could keep track of all their medical records and information,” says Dr. Zanone. All CHI Health Clinics use a system called Epic, the largest EMR system in the country. Epic also has a patient portal called MyChart, through which patients can access their medical records on any computer. But easier access for patients also means easier access for hackers, at least in systems that aren’t prepared to handle a large amount of patient information securely. Anthem, the nation’s second-largest health insurance company, announced on Feb. 4 that its systems were hacked, compromising sensitive medical and demographic information for as many as 80 million customers. But Dr. Zanone insists that Epic and most government-certified EMR system are safe from an Anthem-like hack. “We have multiple servers, so your ability to get in and extract that amount of data would be, I would think, almost impossible,” says Dr. Zanone. If parents are still worried, she suggests they ask their doctor if he or she uses a government-certified EMR system. Some clinics will use a system that they created themselves, which often contains fewer firewalls and security precautions. Dr. Zanone also says that any health care providers that require you to submit medical information via text or an unsecure email, or any health care portal that stores your password should be cause for concern. Finally, if you do want to keep a personal copy of your medical records, Dr. Zanone recommends storing it on a hard drive, rather than your computer. “In your healthcare information is a lot of your demographic information, which almost always includes your Social Security number and your insurance information,” says Dr. Zanone. “That can easily be used for identity theft, and you need to be very careful about that.” bestofomaha.com
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HerFamily • April 2015 31
faces
by Lisa Lukecart photography by Bill Sitzmann
End of an Era After 50 years and
20,000 free physicals for students, Dr. Jack Lewis leaves the sidelines at Central High School.
32 HerFamily • April 2015
w
hen Dr. Jack Lewis received the call, it was almost midnight. Elvis Presley needed his ingrown toenail dug out. “I think he just wanted drugs for his sore toe,” Lewis recalls, pounding the table and laughing. Lewis turned him down. Not so surprising, Lewis says, considering he is an internal medical specialist. He doesn’t typically clean out toenails. “Although I did do one today,” he says, smiling at his nurse of 32 years, Betty Wesch. Lewis ,80, is a little reminiscent of a rural doctor, one deeply rooted in the community. He is the chairman for the University of Omaha’s Maverick’s Club. He is the president of the Omaha Police Foundation. He has served on countless boards. “His stamina is amazing,” Wesch says. Memories and accomplishments are scattered along his walls collecting dust. One photo shows a muscular Lewis on a wooden chair doing a seemingly impossible stunt on a ski. There is another of him in an old leather helmet during his time at Stanford as a reserve quarterback. Lewis also quarterbacked at Omaha Central High School. But most people know him as that guy who has haunted the sidelines at Central for the past 50 years. After 500 Friday night football games and 20,000 free physicals, Lewis will hang up his stethoscope this spring. His wife of 55 years, Kathy, says it is time to “back off.” Jay Ball, the head football coach at Central and a former player, considers Lewis a positive force on the sidelines. “He would often allow various players to see him (often free of charge) for athletic-related ailments, Ball says. “Our players and coaches all appreciate and respect the work he has done for CHS. We are definitely going to miss him.” “It’s too cold and hard,” Lewis says. He recalls late nights such as a game omahamagazine.com
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Dr. Jack Lewis with Betty Wesch
against Millard South that went into seven overtimes and kept his wife waiting for hours. And there were some football disasters. Late in the fourth quarter during a rainy game, Lewis thought a Central player had broken his neck. The player could not move. Lewis supported the boy’s legs and arms and duct-taped him to a stretcher with the help of others. Lewis immediately called in a med-chopper. “How am I going to X-ray his neck?” the technician asked at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. “Here, I’ll help,” the player said as he crawled off the table and walked over to his coach. Lewis said the player suffered from hysteria and was scared to death, believing he was really paralyzed. He had to kick the player off the team. “I have control…no one plays without my say so,” Lewis says brusquely. Lewis says most doctors won’t want to take his place; liability on concussions makes it too potentially problematic. His advice to the younger generation is surprising: Don’t be a doctor. “They are not going to make good money,” Lewis believes. “Most are just too far in debt after college and doctors just don’t make nearly as much as they used to due to insurance.” Although he’s retiring from the field, Lewis says he has no plans to retire from his private practice. Although Lewis has started to do some digital work in his practice, he still relies on the old chartand-file method, and his old style of working with patients. “I spend time…and learn a lot by looking in patients’ eyes,” Lewis says. “I’m not the sit around and type kind” of doctor. bestofomaha.com
HerFamily • April 2015 33
Summer Camps 2015
SUMMER AT UNO! Maverick Basketball Camp
Mav Kids Summer Camp
Girls
June 1–July 24 | Grade 1–Age 12
June 1–12 | Grades 1–12 Skill Development I – $120 June 1–4 | 8:30 A.M.–12:00 P.M. | Entering Grades 1–5 Skill Development II – $120 June 1–4 | 1:00 P.M.–5:00 P.M. | Entering Grades 6–8 Team Camp I – $200 June 9 | Junior High & JV Teams Team Camp II – $250 June 10 | Varsity HS Teams Elite Camp – $135 June 11–12 | Entering Grades 9–12 Discount Early Bird Specials Available For more information & register: camps.jumpforward.com/UNOWBB 402.554.2571 | cbarrett-sw@unomaha.edu
Boys
June 15–July 31 | Grades K–8 Camps starting at: $45/single day | $135/week Early Bird Special: $120/week Individual Skills Camps June 15–17 & June 22–24 Offensive Improvement Camps July 22–24 & July 29–31 For more information & register: unobasketballcamps.com | 402.554.2574 UNO athletics camps are open to any and all entrants, limited only by number, age, grade level and/or gender.
Camp Times: 7:30 A.M.–5:30 P.M.
Registration begins: Monday, February 16, 2015 For more information: campusrec.unomaha.edu/mavkids | 402.554.2539
UNO Jazz Camp
Featuring the Jim Widner Big Band
June 14–19 | Grades 7–12 Instrumental Music Students
For more information: unojazzcamp.com 402.554.2297 | petermadsen@unomaha.edu
UNO Volleyball Camp July 7–16 | Grades 1–12 Beginning Individual Camp July 7–8 | Grades 5–8 Advanced Individual Camp July 9–10 | Grades 7–9 Junior Camp July 11 | Grades 1–5 Advanced Specialty Camp July 15–16 | Grades 10–12 For more information & register: unovolleyballcamps.com UNO athletics camps are open to any and all entrants, limited only by number, age, grade level and/or gender.
For more information about all of UNO’s Summer Camps for Kids visit: unomaha.edu/camps 34 HerFamily • April 2015
omahamagazine.com
Summer Camps 2015
Level up your musicianship at
OCMI
Omaha Conservatory of Music’s annual week-long Summer Institute!
July 19-25, 2015
Strengthen your skills in Strings, Piano, Voice, or Guitar. Study with world-class guest-artist musicians.
Something for ALL AGES
Visit omahacm.org/ocmi for more details!
402.932.4978 reception@omahacm.org 3504 S 108th St., Omaha, NE Like Us! facebook.com/omahacm Follow Us! @OmaConservatory!
d r y k a c a B plorers Ex camp You’ll never know what you’ll find! Pre-K; ages 4-5; June 1-5; 9-noon. Discover the wonders of nature in this outdoors camp led by natural resources experts and licensed teachers. Activities could include seed planting, wildlife tracks, frogs and turtles, and casting fishing poles. at Chalo Hills Rec Area. Registration/Contact: www.papionrd.org (educational resources tab) bestofomaha.com
HerFamily • April 2015 35
Summer Camps 2015
For questions contact:
David Martin
fine-lines@cox.net 402-871-3682
June 15-19 8:30-12:00
For more information visit:
Fine Lines
www.finelines.org
Creative Writing Summer Camp #15
Beveridge Middle School 1616 South 120th Street, Omaha
Space is limited. Register Today! Grades 4-12, College, and Adults
2015
JR. GOLF PROGRAMS “Developing Golfers for a Lifetime”
Instructional Leagues • Clinics • Team Golf 10 week program Wednesday’s from 8am-11am Instruction and Golf. Call to reserve your spot NOW!
402.213.4644 thevolleyballacademy.com 36 HerFamily • April 2015
Lessons developed by the PGA of America Designed for beginners & latent golfers Relaxed atmosphere | Open to men & women | Meet new friends Sign Up Today! 402.498.0220 | 1401 N. 120th Street | miraclehillgolf.com
omahamagazine.com
Summer Camps 2015
With over 50 years of Christian camping experience! Camp Rivercrest has modern lodging, trained college aged summer staff, amazing worship and fun activities for all ages like:
Paintball, zipline, high ropes, giant swing, airboat rides and so much more! Located along the forested hills of the Platte river just outside Fremont NE. Register online at www.camprivercrest.org or call 402-628-6465
Summer
OF
Awesomeness JCC Summer
Camp 2015
June 1 - August 7 K - 8th grAde
WeeKly dAy CAmp
includes field trips, overnights, swimming, before & after care and more!
speCiAlty CAmps
in basketball, volleyball, soccer, cheerleading, art, theater and dance.
Open tO the entire Omaha cOmmunity
member & non-member CAmp priCing* to receive more information call megan Berlin at 402-334-6409.
We meet the highest level of standards!
Jewish community center of Omaha 333 S. 132nd St • Omaha 68154
www.jewishomaha.org/jcc/camp tours available daily! Call 402-334-6426
*neW this year! Jcc membership is nOt required for
most K-8th grade camps. Certain restrictions may apply.
Expert Orthopedic Care. For over 65 years, we’ve provided expert orthopedic care for Omaha families. So whether it’s a sports injury, or wear and tear from daily activities, our specialists can provide relief from muscle, bone and joint pain.
Caring for what moves you.
We accept most major medical insurances, including being an in-network Tier 1 BCBSNE provider.
Foot & Ankle • Hand & Wrist • Hip & Knee • Shoulder & Elbow • Sports Medicine
402.399.8550 | www.GIKK.com | bestofomaha.com
An independent, physician-owned practice. HerFamily • April 2015 37
Summer Camps 2015
Christ Child Summer Camp june 1 - aug. 7 ■ ■ ■
For children ages 5-12 Learning, exploring, creating Meals included with tuition
Christ Child Center / 10th & William Call 402-342-4566 ccomaha.org
Duchesne Preschool Offering five one-week sessions
June 15 - July 30
for preschool boys and girls, ages 3-5
If you have questions, please contact Mary Jo Begley, Summer Enrichment Coordinator at 402-810-9969 or visit the summer camp webpage: http://duchesneacademy.org/preschool/ preschool-summer-camps/
201 5
DISCOVER YOUR INNER
archaeologist
This Summer at The Durham Museum! SUMMER CAMPS BEGIN JUNE 1
REGISTER ONLINE TODAY! SummerAtTheDurham.org
38 HerFamily • April 2015
omahamagazine.com
Summer Camps 2015
TM
Doodle Cakes Summer Camp Registration is in high gear!
Four Sessions Available! Cost: $125
(Ask about our $25 off early bird special!)
CAMP INCLUDES: Daily pastry decorating projects, kitchen crafts, etiquette class, proper table setting, games and more! Details can be found online at doodlecakes.com To register call us 402-697-8702 14732 Grover St. | Omaha, NE 68144 402-697-8702 | doodlecakes.com
The Salvation Army
Gene Eppley Camp Summer camp spots still available! Call Jessica at (402) 898-5923 www.geneeppleycamp.org
• • • •
Par 3 and executive courses perfect for the young golfer. Omaha’s Largest Youth Golf League & Youth Instruction. Kid’s Equipment and Apparel. Visit Website for dates & fees.
402.498.9900 | eaglerungolf.com 3435 N. 132nd Street, Omaha
SOAK UP THE FUN!
¾Sports & Fitness Ag e ¾Field Trips 6 -12 y s ears ¾Swimming ¾Explore Nature ¾Movement & Music ¾Reading ¾Arts & Crafts ¾Science & Math
Summer Camp NOW ENROLLING
Space is limited 402.614.2722 2020 N. 72nd Street Visit smartstart-lc.com
Learn to ride! At Po n c a H i l l s Fa r m
2015 Summer Day Camp
SESSION 1 JUNE 8 - JUNE 26 SESSION 2 JULY 6 -JULY 24 Open to girls and boys ages 8 -16. Camp meets Mon, Wed and Fri. Please call Kerry at 402.453.7373 Download your registration at poncahillsfarm.com
Proudly celebrating our 50th year!
bestofomaha.com
HerFamily • April 2015 39
food
sponsored content by Children’s Hospital & Medical Center
Crispy Potato Slices
40 HerFamily • April 2015
omahamagazine.com
Thanks for Voting Us
Best of Omaha™
84th and 1st St, Downtown Papillion 402-331-9136
p
Have Fun this Summer with Lego®!
ut down the bag of chips and pick up these delicious baked potato slices. These crispy potatoes are a delicious, healthy snack or easy side dish. Find more great recipes at HealthyKohlsKids.com. The Healthy Kohl’s Kids program is a partnership between Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and Kohl’s Department Stores to educate children and parents about healthy nutrition and fitness.
» » » »
Scratch (MIT Media Lab Project) Mindstorm Minecraft Java ...and many more!
Visit us online to check out our summer camp schedules!
402.933.0500 | 1215 So. 180th Street | www.tutorinomaha.com
ingredients • • • •
1 1/4 lb red-skinned potatoes 2 Tbsp olive oil 3/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper
preparation 1. Preheat oven to 450°. Lightly coat two rimmed baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray and place in the center rack of the oven to heat up while slicing the potatoes. 2. On a flat surface, with a sharp knife, slice the potatoes about 1/8-inch thick. In a large bowl, toss the potato slices with the oil, salt and pepper. 3. Remove the heated baking sheets from the oven. Arrange the potato slices on the hot baking sheets in a single layer. Roast for about 30 minutes, or until golden and crispy, turning once or twice with a spatula during roasting. Yield: 4 servings Nutrition Facts: Calories: 169 Fat: 7g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 0, Sodium: 450mg, Carbohydrates: 25g, Fiber: 3g, Protein: 2g bestofomaha.com
We are a Davines exclusive salon celebrating our 20th year of making Omaha beautiful.
25% OFF Your First Visit When You Bring This Ad In! 658 N. 114th Street • 402.493.1557 w w w. a s h e a r t h i n g s a l o n . c o m HerFamily • April 2015 41
mom on the rocks
We are the most experienced, full-service, family owned real estate company in America.
by Leslie Murrell
Dang Smart Phones! Oh wait. It’s all my fault.
m
y kids have nicer phones than me. They also have more rules to follow. Quite frankly if it weren’t for the Bluetooth that plays my music and podcasts in the car, I think I could live with a flip phone. “But why, Mom? Why would you even think of something so horrific?” Suddenly the simplicity of not letting my phone be the only thing I see all day sounds delightful. But the kids don’t hear me respond, they’re busy checking texts and Clash of Clans. Whatever that is. My kids are staring at their phones because they’ve been watching me do it for years. How many times has little Bobby asked you a question and you actually uttered the words, “I dunno, honey. Let’s Google it.” Or how many times have you actually told your kid to hold that thought or temper tantrum because you’re reading your high
school science lab partner’s updated status about her dog’s very funny howling? I mean, hold on kid, this dog actually sounds like he’s talking! From the minute we handed the kids a phone, Chris and I established very responsible rules for them. It seems that maybe my kids Googled how to bend said rules. So, I made some more. “Look, if you’re going to find a way around my rules, then I’m just going to make more rules. You cool with that?” And before either can answer, I shove a homemade chocolate peanut butter cookie (I found the recipe on Pinterest) in their faces and text them a bunch of cheery emoticons. And so it seems with every IOS upgrade, we upgrade and refresh our family cell phone rules—for both the kids and adults. But if you can’t beat them, play their game better. I text the kids their chores list.
Leslie Murrell, Mom on the Rocks
npdodge.com 42 HerFamily • April 2015
omahamagazine.com
fitness
by Rachel Joy photography by Bill Sitzmann
Lunge Pose Sanskrit name: Anjaneyasana (an-ja-nay-AHS-anna)
t
he Lunge Pose expands the chest and lungs, and strengthens the gluteus muscles, hip flexors, legs, and the abdomen. This pose improves concentration and balance, and helps relieve indigestion and constipation.
1.
Begin in plank pose by coming to hands and knees, firmly place hands directly under the shoulders and hips directly over knees. Roll the shoulders backwards and down the back. Pull your upper ribs in and engage the core.
2.
Step your right leg back, grounding the toes. Step the left leg back to meet the right. Reach heels back and engage the legs.
3.
Inhale deeply, and as you exhale place your right foot in between your hands (use your right hand to help bring the foot forward if needed) so that your right knee is directly above the ankle. Keep the ball of the back foot engaged.
4.
Square your hips by gently pulling the right hip back and pushing the left hip forward.
5. 6. 7.
Sink into the right hip. Firm the left thigh and push it up towards the sky.
Gaze forward and breathe deeply for 10 slow breaths. Repeat left side.
BEGINNERS TIP: If needed, place back knee on the ground for extra stability.
Rachel Joy, Fitness
bestofomaha.com
HerFamily • April 2015 43
Calendar of Events
Tech City
Golden Dragon Acrobats
Mama Mia!
FOR THE KIDS
FOR THE FAMILY
FOR MOM & DAD
THE RELUCTANT DRAGON
THE OKEE DOKEE BROTHERS
I HATE HAMLET
THROUGH APRIL 4, THE ROSE THEATER—2001 FARNAM
APRIL 2, LIED CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS—301
APRIL 17-MAY 10, OMAHA COMMUNITY
ST. Glaston is a boy who dreams of having
N. 12TH ST, LINCOLN, NE. “Two of family music’s
PLAYHOUSE—6915 CASS ST. Andrew, an aspiring
dangerous and daring dragon encounters like
best songwriters,” the Okee Dokee Brothers
actor, has landed the role of a lifetime as
the brave heroes in his books. When Glaston
perform folk music to inspire children and their
Hamlet. There is just one problem…he hates
boldly offers to seek out a real dragon, he is
parents to get outside and experience nature.
Hamlet. As fate would have it, Andrew’s new
surprised to find a gentle kindred spirit. $18 for
The two-time Parents’ Choice Award winners
Manhattan residence is the former apartment
nonmembers. 402-345-4849.
have garnered praise from the likes of NPR’s
of the brilliant actor John Barrymore, whose
- ROSETHEATER.ORG
All Things Considered and USA Today and are
portrayal of Hamlet was legendary. When
the 2013 Grammy Award recipients for Best
Barrymore’s ghost appears to Andrew, he
FROM FIELD TO FORK
Children’s Album of the Year. 7pm. Starting at
mentors Andrew on all the tricks of the trade.
THROUGH APRIL 30, OMAHA CHILDREN’S
$16. 402-472-4700.
Will Andrew’s debut be a triumph or a tragedy?
MUSEUM—500 S. 20TH ST. A down-to-earth exhibit
- LIEDCENTER.ORG
Find out in this fast-paced, fencing-packed and
that teaches kids and their families all about
funny play. 402-553-0800. – OMAHAPLAYHOUSE.COM
about all the products produced Nebraska. $9,
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC LIVE’S PINK BOOTS AND A MACHETE
free admission for kids under 24 months of age.
APRIL 7, HOLLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER—1200
402-930-2352
DOUGLAS ST. Mireya Mayor is a respected
OMAHA SYMPHONY GALA FEATURING MARTIN SHORT
-OCM.ORG
primatologist, audacious explorer, and Emmy
APRIL 18, HOLLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTER—1200
Award-nominated wildlife correspondent for
DOUGLAS ST. Comedy legend Martin Short joins
TECH CITY
the National Geographic Channel. She’ll share
the Omaha Symphony for an evening of music
THROUGH MAY 10. STRATEGIC AIR & SPACE MUSEUM—
stories, images, and film clips of her adventures,
and hilarity. His career includes star turns on
ASHLAND, NE. This travelling engineering exhibit
offering a behind-the-scenes look at the
Saturday Night Live, the cult classic The Three
is a great way to inspire learning and interest
hardships and danger of life in the field. 7:30pm.
Amigos, and a guest role on the hit show
in careers that focus on science, technology,
$9 and up. 402-345-0606.
How I Met Your Mother. 7:30pm. $22 and up.
engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The
-TICKETOMAHA.COM
402-345-0606.
the role of agriculture in their daily lives and
Tech City exhibit is designed with interactive
-TICKETOMAHA.COM
learning that will appeal to visitors of all ages.
GOLDEN DRAGON ACROBATS
9am - 5pm. Free with regular admission. $12
APRIL 29, ORPHEUM THEATER—409 S. 16TH
MAMMA MIA!
adult, $6 youth, children under 3 are free.
ST. Golden Dragon Acrobats are a premiere
APRIL 24-26, ORPHEUM THEATER—409 S. 16TH
402-944-3100.
Chinese acrobatic touring company. Enjoy
ST. Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good show
- SASMUSEUM.COM
award-winning acrobatics, traditional
that has audiences coming back again and
dance, spectacular costumes, ancient and
again to relive the thrill. This smash-hit musical
CHARLOTTE’S WEB
contemporary music, and theatrical techniques
combines ABBA’s greatest hits, including
APRIL 24-MAY 10, THE ROSE THEATER—2001 FARNAM
in a spellbinding show. 7pm. $14 and up.
“Dancing Queen,” with an enchanting tale of
ST. Wilbur the pig doesn’t appear to have a
402-345-0606.
love, laughter and friendship. Fri. and Sat. 8pm,
very bright future when Fern begs her father
- TICKETOMAHA.COM
Sun. 1:30pm. $35 and up. 402-345-0606.
not to dispose of the runt of the litter. Revisit
- TICKETOMAHA.COM
the timeless magic of a story that’s touched the hearts of generations of families with its universal themes of friendship and sacrifice. $18 for nonmembers. 402-345-4849. - ROSETHEATER.ORG
44 HerFamily • April 2015
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402.558.3500 402-502-8757 402.502.5511 Corner of 50th & South Saddlecreek
Southwest corner of 144th & Industrial Rd
Southwest corner of 120th & Maple
402.933.9400 Corner of Washington & Lincoln in Papillion
www.dingmans.com
“We’d Rather Be The Best Than Apologize for Anything Less.”
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HerFamily • April 2015 45
the grandpa chronicles by David Williams
Catalonia Dreaming
b
Campfires, S’mores, and Ghost Stories
arcelona didn’t get any snow this past winter. The soccer-crazed (make that fútbol-crazed) Spanish city that hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics is on roughly the same latitude as Omaha, but its seaside position on the Mediterranean means that its climate is a far cry from the hot-cold rollercoaster ride that is life here on the prairie. Barcelona’s record low temperature came on Dec. 27, 1962, when the mercury dipped to a downright balmy 18 degrees. 18! By contrast—and based on 30-year averages obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Climactic Data Center for the months of December, January and February—the Weather Channel last year ranked Omaha the 5th coldest major U.S. city. Which means that I am more than anxious for the new season and all its promise of increased outdoor activity, especially camping with my grandkids, Barrett (4) and Easton (5). I wrote last summer about my first wilderness trek (all the way to the very deepest, darkest corner of my back yard) with Easton, an ill-fated adventure that had me carrying the sleeping child back inside in the wee hours of the morning. He survived the night like a champ, but I tossed and turned due to a noisy, beery party on a neighboring deck. The boys have since been on a series of one-nighters with their parents, Eric and Lauren, in a fixer-upper camper owned by and nicely reworked by Boompa, the boys’ pet name for their other grandpa, Brian.
46 HerFamily • April 2015
But I have yet to be able to go camping with my grandsons. The plan this year is a pretty simple one. I’ll be watching the weather for the first weekend that isn’t too very chilly in the hopes that I can wrangle an invitation to tag along for a campout at an area park. Summit Lake State Recreational Area, located only an hour away and two miles west of the hamlet of Tekemah, is one of the usual suspects. Now, Summit Lake is no garden spot. It’s a manmade lake in a rather sparsely forested setting with meager hiking opportunities surrounded by cornfields. I remember camping there about 30 years ago when the trees in the campsite were freshly planted. My reaction was a limp “meh.” I’ve camped there a couple times over the last two summers and my reaction is still a tepid “meh, but now with more mature, if sparsely planted trees.” But none of that matters. What matters is that I’ll be out in nature with my grandkids and their parents. Time, to me, both stands still and seems eternal when camping. And now I’ll be able to experience it in entirely new ways with the grandkids. There’ll be a smoky fire. There’ll be some smoky red meat above that fire. And there’ll be s’mores oozing with gooey goodness before the boys settle into their sleeping bags for the night after a not-too scary ghost story or two. The Catalonian capital of Barcelona may have better climes, but I’ll take Summit Lake with Barrett and Easton any day.
omahamagazine.com
SPRING INTO FUN AT THE YMCA Sign up for Spring Swim Lessons at the Y Session Dates: April 12-May 30 Whether you are new to the water or want to enhance your skills, we have a program for everyone! • Lessons for all ages - from 6 months (with parent) to adult • Private, Semi-private and group class sizes • Ask about swim team options!
HE ILY! T R FO LE FAM N FU WHO PRESENTED BY
Healthy Kids Day® April 26 - 11:00 am-2:00 pm Stinson Park - Aksarben Village
• Check out other spring programs: fitness classes, youth spring sports, martial arts, dance/tumbling and more!
YMCA OF GREATER OMAHA . www.metroymca.org
This is Jack. Eleven years from now he’ll attempt suicide for the first time.
Raising kids is hard. It’s OK to ask for advice. 888-866-8660 nebraskafamilyhelpline.ne.gov A sERvIcE Of ThE nEbRAsKA dEPARTmEnT Of hEAlTh & humAn sERvIcEs 1206-3400 HelplineHerFamilyJackAd7.625x4.917.indd 1
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PROvIdEd by bOys TOwn® 10/30/14 3:06 PM
HerFamily • April 2015 47
Omaha Magazine 5921 S. 118th Cir. Omaha, NE 68137
We were proud to participate in both the RegisterDay nowParade for summer 2011 Macy’s Thanksgiving and and fall classes! 2014 Capital One Bowl Halftime Show! Award Winning Competition Team
Register now for summer and fall classes!
Professional Dance Education For All Ages! Jazz • Hip-Hop • Lyrical • Tap • Ballet • Pointe • Modern • Contemporary • Dance Theater We allow students to develop skills to their optimum potential while challenging them to achieve higher levels of dance education.
402.493.5671 • onpointedancecentre.com 1812 N. 120th Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68154