Jan 2010 Her Magazine

CELEBRATING, EMPOWERING, INSPIRING... the Women of Omaha.

Sass

Chefs With

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FOOD

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December/January 2010 • www.heromaha.com

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Can’t be stopped by a tackle, linebacker or cystic fibrosis Some would think it unusual that a girl would play football.

But Victoria Franklin is proof that with or without cystic fibrosis, a girl can hold her ground.

Dr. John Colombo isn’t surprised. He and other pulmonary specialists at the Nebraska Regional CF Center work to give children with cystic fibrosis futures where no dream is out of bounds.* And, as we see it, Nebraska can always use another great quarterback.

*The Nebraska Regional Cystic Fibrosis Center operates in partnership with Children’s Hospital & Medical Center and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. It is accredited by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and is rated among the top CF treatment centers in the country.

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.

December/January 2010, Volume 8 / Issue 6

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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HEALTH Alcohol Risks for Women

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COMMUNITY Goodwill’s New Donation Card

Celebrating, Empowering, Inspiring... the Women of Omaha. published by

omaha magazine, ltd publisher

todd lemke editor

O HOW-TO COVER Fun Holiday Ideas

assistant editor art director/graphic design

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N THE

sandy lemke linda persigehl

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FASHION FAUX PAS Just Because You Can…Doesn’t Mean You Should

A LETTER FROM THE GIRL SCOUTS SPIRIT OF NEBRASKA

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A LETTER FROM YWCA OMAHA

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matt jensen graphic design

john gawley photography by

FOOD Let the Holidays Begin

minorwhite studios (bill sitzmann & scott drickey)

ON TH

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COVER

contributors

suzanne smith arney susan meyers • judy gilliard alicia hollins smith ywca • girl scouts

NOW : CHECK OUT HER MAGAZINE ONLINE. USING FLIPBOOK TECHNOLOGY TO GIVE YOU A WHOLE NEW MAGAZINE READING EXPERIENCE.

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gwen lemke • vick i voet greg bruns • alicia smith corey ross

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for advertising information

(402) 884-2000 Send $9.95 for a one-year subscription (six issues) to P.O. Box 461208, Papillion, NE 68046-1208. www.heromaha.com Comments? Story Ideas?

Send your letter to the editor: letters@heromaha.com Her Magazine is a community magazine. A special community of women. Please enjoy and share your issue of Her. Our advertisers make Her possible. So make sure to thank and support them as often as you can. Do you know a woman role model, mentor, activist, leader, artist, business owner, model, adventurer, survivor, or volunteer?

Let us know and we may share her story with the Her community of women. Her is your magazine; for the women of Metropolitan Omaha.

Chefs with Sass

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BEAUTY

Updo's are a DO!

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ART

Margaret LaBounty: Elemental and Universal

Trendy Boots

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COVER

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Owned and managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD Her Magazine is published bi-monthly by Omaha Magazine, LTD, P.O. Box 461208, Omaha, NE 68046. No whole or part of the contents herein may be reproduced without prior written permission of Omaha Magazine, LTD, excepting individually copyrighted articles and photographs. Unsolicited manuscripts are accepted, however no responsibility will be assumed for such solicitations.

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editor’sletter Dear Readers,

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elcome to our December/January issue! As our cover feature story we’re pleased to present three Chefs with Sass, Avesta Saaty Ilg, Jessica Joyce and Monica Ortiz (see photos below). I so enjoyed interviewing these women. Saaty Ilg is a caterer in the Old Market, Joyce is a Bellevue restaurant chef and Ortiz is a pastry chef. I hope you’ll enjoy reading their stories, and that you’ll get to enjoy their food sometime. Many of you might wonder if the fish on the cover is real. It is! Chef Jessica picked it up from Absolutely Fresh Seafood right before our shoot at Minorwhite Studios. We nicknamed it “Gil.” We at HER Magazine look forward to featuring more women making names for themselves in their careers. Watch for this in coming issues!

Of course, it’s our holiday issue, and we’ve got several features to help get you ready for the festivities. Judy Gilliard brings us tasty recipes for punch and paté for our parties on page 30. A How-To EXTRA! on page 23 has many ideas from the just-out book, The Fun Book for Christmas: New Ways to Have Fun for the Holidays. To get you glamready, turn to page 24 for party updo ideas and tips.

Holiday calendar notes: The women of Mulberry Lane have changed their holiday show format this year. It will be an acoustic show in a more intimate setting

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at 1316 Jones Street in the Old Market. The concert features their signature four-part harmony, both acoustic and acapella, sisterly humor, behind-the-scenes stories, and special guest percussionist Carlos Figueroa. Mulberry Lane’s eight shows start Nov. 28 and end Dec. 19.

Check their website, www.mulberrylane.com for more information.

HER Magazine cover alum and Omaha native Mary Jo Pane is coming in from New York for her trunk show at Borsheims Nov. 27-28.

Pane’s bracelets and necklaces are celebrity favorites, often featured in the pages of national magazines. At her trunk show, Pane will fashion a custom piece just for you, or for a gift. You can see some of Pane’s designs at her website, www.miracleicons.com.

Remember, you can fan us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Happy Holidays everyone!

Sandy Lemke Editor

specialty shopping

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5 www.heromaha.com

Photo courtesy of Jeff Bundy/Omaha World-Herald

Making Spirits Bright Create memories at The Durham Museum this holiday season during Christmas at Union Station. See the region’s largest indoor Christmas tree and take part in one of Omaha’s most cherished traditions!

Tree Lighting Ceremony Friday, November 27, 4-7PM Ethnic Holiday Festival Friday, December 4, 5-9PM The Durham Museum Concert Series Saturday & Sunday, November 28 & 29; December 5 & 6; 12 & 13; 19 & 20 Family Nights with Santa Tuesday, December 1, December 8 and December 15: 6-8PM The Durham Museum will be open on Mondays!

November 30, December 7, December 14 and December 21, 10AM – 5PM Visit www.durhammuseum.org for more information including a full listing performances and Santa’s schedule.

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health STORY BY SUSAN MEYERS

Today, social drinking among women is more acceptable than it was a generation ago. But when girls’ night out becomes a frequent occurrence, there many be an alcohol problem brewing.

Alcohol Addiction Among Women on the Rise Stress, lack of support among reasons for abuse

I

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), nearly 14 million Americans — or 1 in every 13 adults — abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. About 4.6 million are women. Another

“

While men are more likely to drink more and in greater amounts, women have a greater risk of developing problems from alcohol consumption.

— Todd Stull, MD, psychiatrist at The Nebraska Medical Center

”

several million more adults engage in risky drinking that could lead to alcohol problems.

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

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n today’s society, it’s hard not to indulge in an occasional drink or two at social settings. In some ways, it’s as much a part of America as baseball and apple pie.

But for some people, one drink can quickly turn into two, then three and four. Alcohol abuse and addiction is becoming a growing problem in our country and it’s increasing in greater numbers among women.

And the reasons appear to be rooted in our changing society.

Social drinking is more acceptable among women. More women are working and dealing with the challenges of balancing work and family. There are more single mothers. And working single mothers.

Families are more spread apart, resulting in a lack of support systems.

When the stresses get to be overwhelming, some turn to alcohol to mask their problems.

7

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health (continued)

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But when women turn to alcohol to fix their problems, ultimately, it creates many more. And the consequences for women are more severe.

While men are more likely to drink more and in greater amounts, women have a greater risk of developing problems from alcohol consumption. “Alcohol is more toxic in women because women’s bodies work differently in how they process alcohol,” says Todd Stull, MD, psychiatrist at The Nebraska Medical Center who specializes in treating addictions. “They metabolize alcohol slower and the enzymes that break alcohol down are not as active in women. As a result, it takes smaller amounts of alcohol to build up to higher levels more quickly.” Women not only become more impaired by alcohol’s effects, but they are more susceptible to alcohol–related organ damage. Women develop damage at lower levels of consumption over a shorter period of time.

There are many reasons why women turn to alcohol. In addition to using alcohol to deal with stress and personal problems, environmental factors including peer influences and the availability of alcohol in their daily lives can increase your risk. Some women begin abusing alcohol after a death, tragedy or other loss in their life.

Genetics also plays a role. Some women are predisposed to developing alcoholism if one or both of their parents were alcoholics. Although this does not guarantee that a woman will develop alcoholism, says Dr. Stull, it can raise her risk by as much as 75 percent depending on the prevalence of other environmental factors.

Mental health problems, which are more common in women, can trigger alcohol abuse for some. A woman who suffers from depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress syndrome may use alcohol as a medication, but this can actually compound the mental health disorder, says Melva Denholm, a chemical dependency liaison specialist at Alegent Health Psychiatric Associates, which provides outpatient services to individuals with substance use disorders and/or mental health disorders. Alcohol use and abuse is also occurring at a much earlier age among young girls, says Dr. Stull. A combination of ease of access, exposure and the notion that it’s more acceptable today is fueling the trend. The ramifications of alcoholism among adolescents are grim. Adolescents who use alcohol before the age of 15 have a 50 percent chance of developing lifetime alcohol abuse or dependence, says Dr. Stull.

OTHER EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM The health and social effects of alcohol addiction are many and none are good. Alcohol abuse among adolescents can be very damaging as children are still growing and developing, in particular their brains. During adolescence, the brain is experiencing an explosion of new neurons and neuron connections at a very fast rate, says Dr. Stull.

Regular and heavy drinking at this age can cause permanent damage that surface as learning problems, attention and memory deficits, judgment and behavioral problems as well as depression.

In adults, alcoholism can ruin marriages, tear apart families and result in job loss, drunken driving accidents, arrests or other problems with the law.

It can also cause short-term impairment of attention, memory, decision-making and judgment. Long-term problems include impairment of the liver and brain. According to the NIAAA, more than 2 million Americans suffer from alcohol-related liver disease, including alcoholic hepatitis or inflammation of the liver and alcoholic cirrhosis, the scarring of the liver. Both can be deadly if drinking continues. Permanent brain damage can also occur resulting in deterioration of memory and functional abilities, notes Dr. Stull.

Long-term, heavy drinking also increases the risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Alcoholics are at increased risk for developing cancer of the esophagus, mouth and throat, as well as breast, colon and rectal cancers.

Women who drink while they are pregnant may have children with birth defects and lifelong learning and behavioral problems. Alcohol also makes its way into breast milk and can continue to harm the CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

PHOTO BY MINORWHITESTUDIOS.COM

(continued) health

Nebraska Med Center psychiatrist Dr. Todd Stull: Alcohol abuse is more difficult to overcome if a woman’s spouse abuses alcohol or is physically abusive.

It’s that time…

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health (continued)

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baby even after birth. Alcohol affects a woman’s chemical system and hormones and can cause a loss of periods.

CAN ALCOHOLISM BE CURED? Alcoholism is a lifelong disease that involves both a physical and psychological addiction. The only reliable way to stop alcoholism is to stop drinking completely.

A combination of medication and therapy is the most successful approach, say experts. A critical part of successful treatment, says Dr. Stull, is the length of time in treatment and being committed to practicing good habits that replace drinking. Having a good supportive network is also important. Success is more difficult if a woman’s spouse abuses alcohol or is physically abusive.

Before a woman even begins treatment, however, she must want to be helped, says Judi Leibrock, coordinator of the Nebraska Licensee Assistance Program, which provides alcohol and drug assessments and referral services for healthcare professionals. “She needs to be at a point in her disease where she is tired of lying, of being tired and having burned all of her bridges,” she says. One of the barriers to getting women to a treatment program is the stigma attached to women and alcoholism. “The woman is supposed to be the caretaker of the family,” says Leibrock. “She may have neglected her family responsibilities and lost respect from her family. She now has to work through all of that guilt and shame before she can move forward.”

Another challenge for women is the fact that many have both alcoholism and a co-occurring mental health disorder like depression,

Judi Leibrock, coordinator of the Nebraska Licensee Assistance Program: One of the barriers to getting women into a treatment program is the stigma attached to women and alcoholism.

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bi-polar disease, post-traumatic stress disorder or attention deficit disorder. In fact, as many as 75 percent of female alcoholics also have a mental health condition, says Denholm. When a woman seeks treatment for a mental health disorder, the alcohol abuse may be missed completely or vice versa. In order to be successful, both need to be treated equally, says Denholm, or the chances of relapse are much higher for a disease in which the recidivism is already very high.

“Many alcoholics must seek treatment three or four times before they achieve long-term sobriety,” adds Leibrock.

Treatment programs are offered both on an outpatient and an inpatient basis, depending on the severity of the disease. If a woman has had no prior history of alcoholism and is not having withdrawals, then she likely will be recommended for an outpatient program.

Women who need to be detoxified are recommended for an inpatient program, where they can be monitored by a physician and a nurse trained in addictions to receive help with their nutritional needs as well as other medical issues.

“There is not one program or set of criteria that works for every individual,” says Denholm. “Each person needs a program that is individualized to meet their specific needs in order to be successful. Fifteen percent of this illness is chemical dependency and the other 85 percent is reaction to emotions, actions and stresses around them. We look at everything from their strengths to the trauma they have experienced. We try to identify those triggers that cause them to drink and help them find ways to manage those stressor in a more positive way.” H “There is not one program or set of criteria that works for every individual,” said Melva Denholm, a chemical dependency liaison specialist at Alegent Health Psychiatric Associates.

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cover story STORY BY SANDY LEMKE PHOTOS BY MINORWHITESTUDIOS.COM

Chefs With

Sass

These three women are ones to watch in the kitchen!

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ith the popularity of shows like Top Chef, Chopped and Iron Chef America, interest in the food industry is high.

Rachael Ray is one of Hollywood’s top earners. Chefs are being elevated to cult celebrity status through the Food Network on cable television. Food Network even launched its own magazine, which features its chefs in every issue.

What’s great about Omaha is we have our own share of diverse talent in the food industry. Our restaurants are staffed by both bright young talent and seasoned professionals. Helping to feed this pipeline is Metropolitan Community College’s Institute for Culinary Arts. It’s a growing college getting ready to open a new building in the spring.

More information about Metro ICA is on page 16.

Metro ICA Dean Jim Trebbien calls the food industry a favorable career track for women, and getting even more so. As I was interview-

www.heromaha.com

ing for this article, when I told people I was talking to chefs, many would assume I was talking to men. Said Trebbien: “I think there used to be. I think it depends on who is hiring. I always tell the women that they always have to wear the sharpest uniform, show up a few minutes early. Don’t spend any more time in the pantry than anybody else. Restaurants need top people. I think that the people who aren’t open to hiring women are getting to be more and more in the minority every day.”

We are pleased to spotlight three young women working in the Omaha food industry, two of which are Metro ICA graduates. These women work to produce excellence day after day. They set high standards for themselves and it shows in the work they present. Not only are they hardworking, well-trained and talented, these women are genuinely friendly and warm. And stylish! I call them “Chefs With Sass.”

cover story AVESTA SAATY ILG, 36

CATERER FAVORITE GADGET: “My huge potato masher! I hand-mash all my potatoes” FAVORITE OMAHA RESTAURANTS: Flatiron, Spezia, Jams

Avesta Saaty Ilg, a fresh arrival in Omaha, is already making a name for herself in the catering scene. Ilg moved here last July from Columbus, Ohio. Ilg is Kurdish and was born in Iraq. Her parents moved when she was a baby to Iran, then to Columbus. Her parents opposed the Saddam Hussein regime, and fled the country, she said.

Ilg’s exotic beauty is reflected in her food, with tastes from around the globe. Her specialties are Mediterranean and Middle Eastern. She also can do Greek-inspired, Persian, Turkish, and Kurdish (influenced

by Turkish, Eastern European). She attended a culinary program in Europe, so her foods have continental touches as well. “I like to fuse Middle Eastern with Continental flavors. Adding a little dash of Middle Eastern to something French-inspired,” she said. An example of this is a popular appetizer: a Brie mixture topped with a baklavaflavored sauce with nuts and honey on phyllo dough.

Ilg has teamed up with Sandy Aquila’s Omaha Healing Arts Center in the Old Market, where she rents out the party room and caters events. The room seats up to 100 for a sit-down affair, or up to 175 for a cocktail party. “It has exposed-brick walls and wood floors. The whole ceiling is a skylight, so you get energy from the natural light. At night you can see the stars.”

Her innovative ideas put her on the cutting edge of catering companies. Ilg offers vegan and vegetarian meals.

She also offers specialty cocktails. “This is a trend right now. We will interview a bridal couple and we talk about where they have gone on vacation, or it could be their ethnic background. We come up with something special for that day. For instance, Jamaican flavors would be rum with fresh muddled fruit. Then we come up with a fun name, after the couple or their animals or an inside joke they or family would know.”

She likes to share her talents via her blog site and via private cooking classes. “I do teach and show people my recipes.”

You can see her blog at http://checkitoutavesta. blogspot.com

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cover story (continued)

MONICA ORTIZ, 31

PASTRY CHEF FAVORITE GADGET: “My Retro Kitchen Aid” FAVORITE OMAHA RESTAURANTS: Flatiron, The Boiler Room, Le Voltaire

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Monica Ortiz is a true foodie. She loves to travel, and plans her itineraries around the restaurants she wants to visit. “In Chicago, I was lucky enough to taste Gail Gand’s desserts at True Restaurant. I went to New York for Magnolia’s Red Velvet cupcakes. I ate Michele Richard’s food in Washington, D.C., and visited Citizen Cake bakery in San Francisco,” she said.

Ortiz has worked in bakeries since she was 20, including Delice and The Bread Oven. “I just like the smell of bakeries. I walk in and smell the sugar. I remember walking into the Bread Oven at 5 a.m. when they would be pulling out the nice beautiful chocolate croissants. It would give me a sugar high for the day!”

Steve Jamrozy, owner of the Flatiron Restaurant, originally hired Ortiz as a server.

Flatiron Executive Chef Jennifer Coco noticed Ortiz took a special interest in the desserts. Ortiz said, “Jennifer told me, ‘you’re always eating dessert’ and urged me to enter the pastry program at Metro. I went in 2007 and it took me two years. The Flatiron didn’t have a pastry chef before me.”

It was a good move for both Ortiz and the Flatiron. Omaha World-Herald food critic Nicole Aksamit raved about Ortiz’ Opera Cake in her review. Other specialties Ortiz features on the menu are tortes, fresh fruit tarts, cheesecakes, “anything chocolate,” tiramisu, ganache, napoleons, and mini birthday cakes on request.

Ortiz has started a new venture, Underground Bakery, along with other recent Metro Culinary Arts Institute graduates Becki Strong and Erin Polinko. It caters desserts to Dixie Quicks, Patrick’s Market and private parties. Underground Bakery was chosen to cater the VIP tent at the inaugural Riverfront Wine Festival. “I also love wine,” Ortiz said. “I subscribe to Bon Appetit, Saveur, Gourmet, Food and Wine and Wine Spectator.”

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(continued) cover

story

JESSICA JOYCE, 32

HEAD CHEF FAVORITE GADGET: “My huge knife, I call it Excalibur. It is rumored to have been used by Auguste Escoffier.”

FAVORITE OMAHA RESTAURANTS: Shucks, Tacqueria Tijuana, M’s Pub Jessica Joyce is the head chef at Confluence Bistro in Bellevue. Originally from Sutton West, Ontario, she was drawn to Omaha for its robust culinary atmosphere.

“I knew that Omaha was a test market city and they have more restaurants per capita than any other city in the Midwest. I also I knew the culinary school (Metro) was good and affordable. My brother was living here at the time.” Joyce entered Metro’s culinary program and found a second home. “I was really involved. I was president of Tri Omega, was on the culinary competition team, and did whatever I could to make the best of my time away from home.”

Since leaving school, Joyce has worked at Darwin Bistro and has done food styling for ConAgra, Omaha Steaks and Runza.

“With food styling, taste doesn’t matter. With cooking, it’s completely opposite. When you’re plating, it all comes together.”

Joyce recently won the Comfort Food Classic, a fundraiser for Ted E. Bear Hollow, beating chefs from other established eateries such as Stokes, Brunettes, Dario’s and the 1020. Her Potato Gnocchi recipe was judged based on taste, presentation and originality. She won $500 and bragging rights.

Confluence Bistro is a combination bookstore/conference center/bistro in Bellevue. She took the reins in June of 2009. “Chef Paul Urban helped me out a lot, taught me how to get my inventory ordering in place -- basically what I needed to do and I have been doing it. You have to pick up the slack when you are in charge. You can’t blame anyone else for anything. When you are head chef, it’s your fault when the berries are rotten.

There’s no one else. Kind of daunting.”

Joyce is a big fan of local ingredients cooked simply. “A dish doesn’t need 20 components, you just cook the protein right, cook the food right, keep it natural as possible. I like things that make me feel comfortable and homey.”

Joyce added, “I love this place. I walk out and I am in a bookstore. It has calming music. I love to have a coffee and read the paper.”

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cover story (continued)

16 www.heromaha.com

The general public is invited to dine at the Sage Bistro, staffed by students of the college. Check the website www.mccneb. edu/culinary/bistro for a dining schedule.

FACES • STYLE • HOME • EVENTS • ART • DINING

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Omaha is a unique incubator for budding chefs with both its diverse restaurant industry and the nationally known Metropolitan Community College’s Culinary Arts Program.

“We are getting to be the culinary center of the Midwest,” said Jim Trebbien, Executive Director and Dean of the College.

Associate degrees are offered in the Culinary Arts and Management program.

Students take a wide variety of classes that prepare them for a career in food service.

The college is set for a massive expansion in June 2010 with a $14 million dollar, 35,000-square-foot building. “With the new building it’s going to be amazing. We are going to have seven kitchens,” said Trebbien.

Demand for the program has risen from 38 students in 1991 to 605 last year. “We will roll out professional development classes as soon as we have our new space,” added Trebbien.

Featured chefs Monica Ortiz and Jessica Joyce are graduates of the program. Ortiz felt it helped her with “organization, confidence and my overall skills.” Joyce immersed herself in the program while a student there.

Trebbien said of Ortiz and Joyce, “Soon after starting at the ICA (Institute for the Culinary Arts), it quickly became obvious that both Monica and Jessica came to the ICA with the intention of being very involved in their learning, and it showed in their dedication and commitment to every class and opportunity available, and then, later, in fulfilling their personal career goals. Both of these young women are very representative of many of the women that enroll here at the Institute for the Culinary Arts at MCC.” It’s a good career track for women, and getting better. Said Trebbien, “The food and restaurant industry in Omaha, like many industries, has changed throughout the years as the workforce has changed.

When I came to the college in 1985, probably less than 20% of the students were female. Last year it was 55%. Although the number of female chefs in the area is still well below 55%, the future looks bright for women that wish to become chefs. The reason: people that own and operate restaurants want to hire the best chef they can, regardless of gender.

Knowledge, work ethic, commitment, and, of course, the ability to cook are the keys to success.” H

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community STORY BY ADAM DALLMAN PHOTOGRAPHY BY MINORWHITESTUDIOS.COM

Pull Out the Plastic!

Goodwill card makes donating even easier

d e c e m be r /j a nu ar y 2 01 0

I

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n the weeks leading up to April 15th every year, we are treated to the same sort of humorous images, whether it be the cartoon character literally up to his neck in tax forms and documents, or that one person that decides using napkins and wrappers makes for good record keeping. Goodwill Industries, though, is trying to not make that your reality. Since early August, Goodwill stores located all around the Omaha area, including Council Bluffs and Fremont, have been quietly introducing a new program in their stores, the Goodwill card. Although here, “quietly” only means they have yet to do much outside-the-store publicity. Because inside the store, it’s catching fire.

As of mid-October, 3,600 people have already signed up and are now using the card. The math on that means roughly 1,800 people have signed up per month, making that around 450 people a week since the program launched. It’s easy to see why so many have already gotten their card. Because shoppers are able to use it both in-store and at the

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donation door, the card lends a new convenience to shopping and donating. “We just thought this would be a great tool for us to make it easier for our donors,” says Randy Parks, Vice President of Retail Operations for Goodwill Omaha.

Without donations, Goodwill would find it hard to operate. With the Goodwill card, there is no more managing the numerous receipts you get for tax purposes each time you visit. Instead, by swiping the card, your donations will be stored and tracked throughout the year on their computers. Come tax time, you can request a printout of all the donations done in the past fiscal year. “If we can make it easier for folks to donate, then we can do more with the donations,” says Parks.

“That’s really what drives our agency and our sales — the donation.”

Although it is still your responsibility to itemize and value your donated items, Goodwill has eliminated the hassle of keeping track of many receipts. Now, it’s just one, done at your convenience.

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But the card doesn’t just work for donating. Goodwill already offers three different discounts to various customers: Senior Citizen, Teacher-Student, and Military.

Before, though, the discount needed to be entered in by the cashier. Now, with your card, the applicable discount can be taken off automatically when you present it at the register. In addition, when signing up, they’ll be asking for your email address so Goodwill can quickly and easily let you know about special sales and events.

Not only is the Goodwill card enhancing the shopping and donating experience, but it is also a program unique to the Omaha area. Goodwill, along with help from their cash-register vendor, developed this program right here in Omaha. Parks says he was told by Goodwill International that they are the first Goodwill agency to even attempt this type of program. And Goodwill Industries is taking notice. Parks has been invited to host an internet seminar to showcase Omaha’s program in hopes that other agencies will follow suit with their own programs.

Parks says it’s “a real positive reflection of our city and our state and...the people...because it just shows that we’re inventive, we’re thinking outside the box, that we’re not afraid to take chances.”

But this goes far beyond just putting Omaha on the national scene. Goodwill’s mission is to “prepare people with employment barriers for work, and to manage diverse operations that create jobs for people with disabilities.” The Goodwill card opens up shopping and donating with the company, which in turn, provides the necessary funds for their real aims. “That’s what it’s all about, really,” says Parks, “Making sure we can have the programs like YouthBuild and work experience...and mak[ing] sure we’re taking care of the community.” And it all works because of the funds from retail, which are generated from the donations from the community. Every part of Goodwill, then, is intricately tied together. With this new Goodwill card that makes shopping and donating more convenient than ever, they are binding everything together that much tighter as they live out their namesake right here in Omaha.

To donate, shop, and get your Goodwill card, visit goodwillomaha.org to find the retail store nearest you. H

19 www.heromaha.com

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fashion faux pas STORY BY SANDY LEMKE

Fashion Faux Pas —

"If the shoe fits... wear it."

W

d e ce m be r / j an u ar y 2 01 0

e’ve all heard that idiom. We just can’t say the same thing about clothing. Once you get past a certain age, you stop growing. This results in a closet full of clothing that is half out of style, but that’s another story for another article.

What I’m talking about today is what I will call “Desperately Seeking Lolita.” It’s the woman of a certain age who wears items designed for hipsters at least 20 years her junior. This is what I would like to say to DSL: Just because you can fit into something, doesn’t mean you should wear it. Women with college-age children shouldn’t wear bedazzled jeans or anything from Betsey Johnson (see below). DSL hasn’t realized that she’s “crossed over.” At what age do we “cross over?” It’s a mystery, but it happens sometime during our childbearing years, some later than others.

I’m 42, and I realized I’ve crossed over when two younger friends of mine urged me to go to Betsey Johnson and buy a tutu, so I could match them when we go out. They just look so cute in them! “And you will too!” said my friend Jamie. So after a few clicks on Betsey Johnson’s website and a few days of waiting, the tutu was all mine. I was so excited to look chic yet playful, like Betsey Johnson herself. I soon realized that the tutu was soon going back to Ms. Johnson and the tutu trio was not to be. I looked silly and nothing close to chic. I had officially crossed over.

Along those same lines, if you’re in your 20s, get out of the juniors section. Twenty-something women can now leave Hollister and go to the boutiques.

Start building a wardrobe with classic pieces that will last more than one season.

Back to Desperately Seeking Lolita. I’ve seen her around town wearing plaid miniskirts up to there, leggings (!) and short shorts.

DSL would look so much more attractive and stylish wearing items that fit and are age-appropriate.

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. Somewhere along the line in a woman’s life, you just can’t wear a tutu anymore. Unless you’re Betsey Johnson. H

21

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fashion

d e c e m be r /j a nu ar y 2 01 0

STORY BY ALICIA HOLLINS SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY BY MINORWHITESTUDIOS.COM

22 www.heromaha.com

SHOPPING INFO: L-R: "See" by Chloe gray rubber lace up rain boots ($198) on Alice Kim. Seychelles tan western style zip boots ($198) on PJ Feinstein. Ulu black rabbit fur boot ($123) on Jared Spence. Joie black double zip over-the-knee boots ($595) on Cygne Cooper Table of Contents: DV by Dolce Vita beige suede buckle back boots ($135) on Lily All available at TrocadĂŠro, 1208 1/2 Howard Street in the Old Market, 934-8389.

How-To!

Fun and Different Ideas for the Holiday Season!

Trendy

Boots

T

Start a tradition where everyone in your family exchanges crazy slippers.

Celebrate the season with a family that celebrates the holiday in a religion different from yours.

Host a hat party on New Year’s Eve. Give prizes in different categories.

Have a fruitcake gift exchange luncheon. Everyone brings the funniest gift they’ve ever received.

P.S. Make sure everyone knows who’s coming!

Christmas morning, feast on a French breakfast in bed. Enjoy café au lait, warm croissants, and freshsqueezed juice.

Make peppermint bark:

15 to 20 red-and-white peppermint candies 11-oz bag of white chocolate chips red or green food coloring Unwrap the mints and seal them inside a freezer bag. Crunch the mints by gently hitting them with a hammer. Remove larger pieces of candy from the bag and set aside. Pour the white chocolate chips in a bowl and microwave on 70 percent power for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir frequently until the chips are melted and smooth. Add the crushed mints from the bag. To create holiday color, slowly mix in drops of food coloring until you like the color.

Line the cookie sheet with waxed paper and spread out the chocolate. Decorate with the larger mint pieces. Refrigerate for about an hour. Break the hardened chocolate into pieces. Wrap the candy in cellophane for a sweet holiday gift.

d e ce m be r / j an u ar y 2 01 0

rends are born in New York City. It takes three years before those same trends reach Omaha. However, with Uggs only gaining in popularity, we may be five years behind. For winter 2009, the trend that is officially dead is Uggs and jean skirts, no more ever again!

With skinny pants and leggings making a comeback, the 2000’s twist pairs them with high boots. The runways in New York, have begun modifying the first round of high boots. No longer do they fall right under the knee, but over the knee. These boots walk a fine line between fashion and fashion faux pas. For Omaha style, the best investment to make is to buy a pair of high boots, making sure you can fold them down to under the knee. (Nine West and Michael Kors have great pairs). This takes care of two years of trends, while saving money next year.

From Western to Equestrian (try Prada) to buckles, there is a boot for every style and shape. Boots with no heel are fashionable and a welcome change from the stilettos of the past. “And then you have the bootie, which are all over. Worn with skirts, leggings or skinny jeans. Very cute and you can’t go wrong,” said Suzanne Cvetas from Nouvelle Eve. How do you make high boots work in Omaha? First, wear a pair of skinny jeans or leggings to try them on. You will see how they really look and what you like. Second, buy what feels comfortable.

Start with booties, you’ll want over the knee boots in no time.

Third, if you have larger calves this is no longer an issue. Many companies are now including elastic at the tops of boots to stretch to fit. Meanwhile, a few companies, including Naturalizer cater to this market.

I also believe this will be the year we see more wellies or rain boots. “Rain boots don't have to be childlike, colorful or decorated with flowers on them. On rainy days when we're feeling so blah, it's nice to be able to wear a cute sweater dress and leggings and look polished but be practical and functional at the same time,” said Alice Kim, owner of Trocadéro and a chic pair of See by Chloe rain boots.

I have a feeling it will be a snowy winter. Wearing these boots, we are all going to love having dry feet and pant legs while looking super cute. H

Make a snow woman. Give her all of the attributes you wish you had. Drape her with a pine swag bra.

Excerpted from The Fun Book for Christmas: New Ways to Have Fun for the Holidays by Melina Gerosa Bellows ($9.99, Andrews McMeel Publishing).

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beauty STORY BY SANDY LEMKE PHOTOGRAPHY BY MINORWHITESTUDIOS.COM

Kelly Styling Jennifer “I am giving Jen a very sleek, sophisticated look with a bit of a modern edge to it. A great look for going out. A lot of bobby pins! I used a smoothing balm by Enjoy, and a lot of shine spray, also by Enjoy. We blew it out straight and then put in a loose curl, and then we started pinning. It’s an elegant off-to-the-side chignon. Very pretty!”

Updo's are a DO! Choose to be elegant for your holiday parties.

d e c e m be r /j a nu ar y 2 01 0

F

or holiday parties, updo’s are a definite DO! They instantly add Hollywood glam to your style. For many party dresses, updo’s add that extra something special to your look. Updo’s put the focus on your face, your earrings, and the nape of your neck. Salon Gallerie stylist Collette Meinke advises going with the following updo looks: “A lot of elegance very flowy, soft, subtle — or the total opposite, more trendy, edgy, It all depends on what you are wearing.”

24 www.heromaha.com

UpDO’s — Advice from Salon Gallerie stylist Kelly Verzani Smith: Talk to your stylist before the big day. Sometimes a stylist will advise using extensions. “Extensions are a great way to add depth and texture to an updo,” said Verzani Smith.

Mark off 45 minutes to one hour for your style.

Arrive with “second-day” hair. Advises Verzani Smith, “Updo’s always work better when there is a little more product in the hair.”

Wear something you can remove without mussing your ‘do, such as a button-down shirt. H

Collette Styling Janet “With Janet, we set it with a soft, rolling curl technique with a curling iron, which keeps it a more romantic look. I am using J. Beverly Hills Hold Me Light working spray.”

GREEN

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EXTRA GLAM TIP:

Models: Jennifer Peters Janet Malsam Stylists: Collette Meinke Kelly Verzani Smith

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Add extra lush to your lashes with a false pair, or try Lash Flirt from Rimmel London. Intense black color deposit from supple elasto-bristles – two shorter sides for “lash loading” and two longer sides for separation and lift. $7.25 at mass marketers.

25 www.heromaha.com

art

Margaret LaBounty: Elemental and Universal Somewhere between the twilight and dawn, tide pulls, singing, the rhythm of the earth, stories to be learned, listen.

d e c e m be r /j a nu ar y 2 01 0

M

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argaret LaBounty has been listening. Like artists throughout time, she is attuned to the unique cadence of a place; her work is her response to its call, her interpretation of its message. LaBounty has lived in the West, where Native history is written on rocks, and in Hawaii, with its ancient tides and spirits. In Council Bluffs, she says, sky dominates the landscape and people, like oaks, are quiet and sturdy.

LaBounty’s work reflects these geographic and cultural influences—absorbed, synthesized, and processed by her own spirit and skill. Her work respects the four ancient elements: earth, air, fire, water, and the collective universal consciousness. Tribal Rhythms, 2007, a sculptural ensemble, includes a 44” masked figure surrounded by four small effigies. The main figure is made of stacked, stoneware blocks,

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surmounted by a shaped head. Facial features and arms are done in low relief; subtle color comes from natural soils and oxides; texture is imprinted with stones and wood. The figures are adorned with handmade clay beads and Hawaiian shells. A related painting, Ancient Rhythms, reimagines the main figure in blue with silver foil.

Although LaBounty works in several media, including creative writing (introductory text), her primary expression is ceramic sculpture. A Forest within a Forest, a series of 20 totems from 1½ to 8 feet tall, has been installed at Stone Quarry Hill Art Park in Cazenovia, New York, where LaBounty was a visiting artist in July. Her studio, RockSpeaks, showcases a range of expressions in clay. Festival Dancers are dynamic, individual figures that embody earth’s music; Medicine Spheres are round rattles that fit in your hands, making you the dancer. Song’s paired torsos are marked and painted, conflating primal “canvases” of cave walls and human bodies. (One torso shown, above.)

LaBounty is nourished by the colors and sensations of nature, and enjoys walking through Council Bluffs’ century-old neighborhoods.

She is excited about the city’s revitalization, and support of the arts.

COLUMN BY SUZANNE SMITH ARNEY PHOTOGRAPHY BY MINORWHITESTUDIOS.COM

Service comes first at Otis. To us, that means developing new products that meet our customers’ needs and challenges; providing reliable maintenance; and modernizing systems to keep pace with a building’s changing face and function. In all areas of service, Otis is committed to inspiring total customer confidence.

One of the most ambitious projects underway is Harvester Artspace Lofts, a live/work space for artists and their families. LaBounty was one of four artists commissioned to create a piece from an 18 inch² steel plate. Her response, Eclipse Iowa, is based on the ancient concept of cosmic death and rebirth. Now this artist, whose work has shown in Paris, Monte Carlo, Cancun, Florence, and throughout the U.S., has made her mark on Council Bluffs. H www.rockspeaks.com

SECONDS, ANYONE?

Second Fridays: November 13 and December 11, 6-9pm. 109 Pearl Street, Council Bluffs. www.secondfridays. wordpress.com.

Give me a call, and let me give you a quote. Let me earn your trust and business.

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Tori Lemke, Sr. Account Representative tori.lemke@otis.com (402) 733-4525, ext. 14

Breaking the cycle of hopelessness for Omaha’s inner-city youth through faith, education, employment and collaboration.

The Hope Center is an outstanding organization that lets kids be kids while preparing them for a lifetime of success!

Every day, Hope Center youth participate in study time, social skills education, employment training, and receive a hot, nutritious meal.

While the Hope Center was an after-school, drop-in center 10 years ago, it has since evolved into a structured program which partners with families to provide support to youth who might otherwise be unsupervised and without academic and employment encouragement.

Last year, the Hope Center had 92 percent of participating seniors graduate high school (the state average high school graduation rate for African American students is 45 percent). Additionally, the Hope Center saw 69 percent of those graduates go on to college!

Thank You for everyone who supported the 2nd Annual Expressions of Hope Gala! The event raised over $300,000 to support Hope Center’s core programs which focus on faith, education, employment and Kids Café 2200 N. 20th Street • Omaha, NE 68110 (402) 341-HOPE ext. 1003 • www.hopecenterforkids.com

d e ce m be r / j an u ar y 2 01 0

Margaret LaBounty is one of the organizers serving up Second Fridays every month in Council Bluffs. Starting point is the historic One Market Building, home to Frame Gallery, Gypsy Gallery, Harvest Studio, and RockSpeaks Studio. The building, at 109 Pearl Street, faces Bayliss Park.

There’s a tasty menu of art (20+ artists), music, and wine, with trolley transportation to various stops. Collect stamps from at least eight venues and be eligible for a drawing. It’s all free! In December, Second Fridays will celebrate their first anniversary with special events, and Bayliss Park will be festive with holiday lights.

Our technicians are trained to service all makes of elevators.

27 www.heromaha.com

message from

Theresa Cassaday, Chief Communication Officer

Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska

New "Pathways" to Participation

View job postings and apply online.

www.oppd.com

Staying in touch with the needs of today’s girls keeps Girl Scouts relevant.

d e c e m be r /j a nu ar y 2 01 0

I

28 www.heromaha.com

n today’s fast-paced society, girls juggle many commitments and time is the one commodity that it seems there just isn’t enough of. Girl Scouts recognizes that this is often the case and we are opening the door to many more girls through a new system of participation known as Pathways.

Girl Scout Pathways are all about flexibility.

They allow girls to experience Girl Scouting in the way that best suits their interests and schedule. Whereas in the past, girls would join a troop and get involved in regular meetings, field trips and activities, Pathways allow girls and our adult volunteers to participate in the same activities either individually or in a traditional troop and as frequently or infrequently as they choose.

Through Pathways, Girl Scout events are available to any girl who wants to explore new topics and learn more about the world around her. And because these programs are developed by Girl Scouts, girls will benefit from the leadership skills and increased self-

Girl Scout Pathways

esteem that comes with participation in Girl Scouting.

Here are a few examples of upcoming program events: Knitting at River View Lodge, Camp Maha is the perfect way to spend a cold, snowy day. On December 5, girls will learn the art of knitting while cozying up to a fire and sipping hot chocolate.

Wonders of Water Workshop, WOW! In this two-session workshop beginning on February 6, girls grades 2-3 will discover how everyone on Earth shares water and why we need to protect this precious resource.

The Beat of Diversity on Saturday, February 20, families will be invited to travel the globe using their eyes and especially their ears. Local musicians will play traditional tunes at this Girl Scout celebration concert event. H For more information about these programs and other Girl Scout events, call 558.8189 x210 or visit www.girlscoutsnebraska.org.

EVERY ISSUE, HER MAGAZINE BRINGS YOU AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE GIRL SCOUTS – SPIRIT OF NEBRASKA. YOU CAN HELP, GET INVOLVED!

message from

Natalia J. Peart, PhD Chief Executive Officer

YWCA Omaha

The Empower Clinic

I

YWCA — UNMC Working Together for Women and we’re grateful so many took the time to participate in this program. We do hope to create more of these opportunities for community collaboration in the future.”

The Empower Clinic was chosen from 20 projects at UNMC to be funded. Board members were then recruited from inter– discipline professionals (medical students, physician assistants, physical therapists, pharmacy students, and dietitians) to advise and assist the students with the project. The Empower Clinic provides simple healthcare screening to women and educates them on various aspects of healthcare and lifestyle on a bi-monthly basis. Staffed by healthcare professionals and students who volunteer their time to work on this very important project, the program provides educational sessions for women on: when to go to the doctor; over the counter medications; exercise at home; eating healthy on a budget; and child safety and immunizations. Healthcare screenings include: blood pressure checks, body mass index checks, nutritional and exercise assessment, medication reviews, immunizations and general well-being. At this time, when risk factors are found, participants are offered medical referrals as needed and ongoing healthy lifestyle counseling and intervention support at free clinics in the area, including Sharing Clinic and One World.

The eventual goal is to have a student-run clinic located at the YWCA Omaha or within walking distance of the agency so clients can receive one-stop services in a safe and caring environment.

Thanks to the service-learning program at UNMC, women now have assistance and a place to go when identifying possible health risks, and can feel empowered as they gain knowledge of their personal health. Free transportation to the clinic is available for clients through Hauptman, O’Brien, Wolf & Lathrop, P.C. H

EVERY ISSUE, HER MAGAZINE BRINGS YOU AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM Y WCA OMAHA. YOU CAN HELP, GET INVOLVED!

at Harbor Farm Chick Market 17821 Pierce Plaza, Omaha, NE 68130 178th & Pacific Street www.forboysonlynogirlsallowed.com

d e ce m be r / j an u ar y 2 01 0

n Nebraska, heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 causes of death among women, who account for 50.5 percent of the state’s total population.

Fourteen percent of those women (age 18 years and above) are in fair to poor health (Center for Disease Control and Prevention).

For many women, taking the time to be screened for major risk factors such as heart disease and stroke, obesity, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and diabetes is a low priority. For women who face additional challenges, such as family violence, economic instability, unemployment and homelessness, adequate health care is even less of a priority and often goes unaddressed.

With this in mind, the YWCA Omaha and University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) have joined forces to provide education and healthcare screenings to empower women through knowledge of their personal health. This partnership grew from a servicelearning project for the Class of 2011 medical students. More than 140 students from the Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy and Public Health completed part one of UNMC’s inaugural Service Learning Program (SLP).

The program lets students: see first-hand the healthcare needs of Omaha’s underserved communities; design multidisciplinary strategies to meet these needs; and become involved with community service. As part of the program, the students were divided into 21 groups, with each being assigned an underserved area of the city in which to work.

Over a three-month period, the student groups designed service-learning projects to address the most pressing healthcare needs of their assigned areas.

We were encouraged by the student and community reactions to the program,” said Ruth Margalit, M.D., assistant professor in the College of Public Health and a member of UNMC’s SLP committee. “We realize UNMC students have many demands on their time,

T is i my fh avors store ite !

29 www.heromaha.com

COLUMN BY JUDY GILLIARD

BEST OF OMAHA™

2010 THE RESULTS

ARE IN! CHECK THE UPCOMING

JAN/FEB ISSUE OF

OMAHA MAGAZINE!

Let the

Holidays Begin

I

t’s that time of year when friends and family get together to celebrate the joys of the season…Why not pop the cork of some bubbly, mix up some fabulous holiday beverages and make it feel as special as it is?

Offer guests some Christmas Punch served in a large punch bowl, dollop a few fresh raspberries on top of flutes of Champagne Ruby, or serve the classic Kir Royale. For a sparkling wine, go with Prosecco from Italy, or Cava from Spain…more affable than champagne and you’re not compromising in quality.

Set out some baskets of crackers and a cheese plate with dried fruit and nuts and you’re set! H Christmas Punch • 2 cups champagne • 1 cup pomegranate juice • 1 cup seltzer • 1/2 cup citrus vodka • Lemon twists for garnish Combine champagne, pomegranate juice, seltzer and vodka in a large bowl or pitcher.

Serve over ice with a twist of lemon.

Yield: Serves 4.

Kir Royale • 1/4 ounce creme de cassis • 5 ounces champagne or sparkling wine • 1 twist of lemon Pour the liqueur into a champagne flute.

Fill the glass with champagne or sparkling wine. Garnish with a lemon twist. Serves 6.

Champagne Ruby • 10 ounces high-quality champagne • 6 ounces raspberry juice • 2 ounces lime juice • ice • fresh raspberries

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Add all ingredients to shaker filled with ice and shake well. Add to chilled champagne glass and garnish with fresh raspberries.

CHICKEN-LIVER PATE This is almost like a pate I used to make that was very high in fat. With a few modifications to reduce some of the fat and cholesterol, (you would never know) it still tastes great. Serve with water crackers or melba toast.

4 green onions, including tops, chopped 2 T butter 1 ½ lbs. chicken livers ½ t salt 2 t dry mustard ½ t ground nutmeg ½ t ground cloves 16 oz. light cream cheese ¼ cup cognac

d e c e m be r /j a nu ar y 2 01 0

In a large skillet, melt butter. Add onions and sauté until tender. Add chicken livers, salt, mustard, nutmeg, and cloves. Cover and cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until livers are well cooked. Place in food processor with steel blade and process until smooth.

While processor is running, add cream cheese; then add cognac. Pour the mixture onto a pate tureen or a soufflé dish. Chill for 12 to 24 hours before serving. Serves 16.

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Cheddar cheese spread with Spanish olives 8 oz. dry curd cottage cheese (or hoop cheese) 4 oz. shredded cheddar cheese 6 Spanish olives (stuffed with pimentos) 1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper Put cheeses and pepper in food processor and process with steel blade until smooth.

Drop olives in processor while it is running. Process until olives are just chopped. Place in an airtight container and refrigerate. Serves 6

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ia c e p S

l

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