Feb/Mar 09 - Her Magazine

Complimentary, Take and Share In suppOrt Of:

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

health Adopt a Heart-Healthy Lifestyle

the tOP tiPS iSSUe

SPECIAL PREVIEW: 2009 H &G e

• Encourage kids to enjoy art • and MUCH more!

ome

arden

February/March 2009 • www.heromaha.com

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Some know fashion.

We know children.

We know how children grow, why they grow, and when it’s time to make adjustments for growth. So to help more children, we’re expanding areas that attract leading specialists nationwide, and building a larger medical campus. Even our name is growing. All so we can be here tomorrow, with the expertise they need, no matter what’s in fashion.

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.

February/March 2009, Volume 8 / Issue 1

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letter frOm the editOr health Adopt a heart-healthy lifestyle

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

omaha magazine, ltd publisher

todd lemke editor

sandy lemke assistant editor

linda persigehl art director/graphic design

on th

e

COver

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faShiOn faUx PaS TOP TIPS for Fitting Rooms

20

COmmUnity Opportunity for Re-Dress

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BeaUty TOP TIPS from the Experts a letter frOm the girl SCOUtS SPirit Of neBraSka a letter frOm yWCa Omaha

matt jensen

fOOd TOP TIPS: Top Tools

food editor

colleen cleek

28 29 30

photography by

minorwhite studios (bill sitzmann & scott drickey) contributors

on tHe Cover: Donita Logeman, Director of Horticulture at Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center.

suzanne smith arney alicia smith • susan meyers maggie tunning girl scouts ywca account executives

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

Now : check out heR MagaziNe oNliNe. usiNg flipbook techNology to give you a whole New MagaziNe ReadiNg expeRieNce.

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featUre

on th

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COver

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.

Tina Price, American Red Cross

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hOW-tO

Be a Gracious Wedding Guest

26 art

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.

Up Close and Personal with the Show Celebrities the family Behind the fun: the mancusos

february/march 2009

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Owned and managed by Omaha Magazine, LTD

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Rebecca Herskovitz, painter www.heromaha.com

editor’sletter Dear Readers,

W

february/march 2009

elcome to our HOME & GARDEN EXPO 2009 preview and TOP TIPS issue! After a bone-chilling cold winter, we are looking forward to spring and it’s already arrived on our cover!

Pictured on the cover is Donita Logeman, Director of Horticulture at Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center. Logeman is in charge of all horticulture aspects of the 100-acre gardens and greenhouses. On the day of our photo shoot, Logeman and her staff had just completed preparations for Lauritzen Gardens’ Spring Flower Show. This display, which includes the “sights and scents of oleander, gladiola, dahlia, gardenia and magnolia,” runs through May 10. See www.omahabotanicalgardens.org for more information on this show and on Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha’s Botanical Center.

In anticipation of the Home & Garden Expo at the Qwest Center Omaha, we’re including two features related to the show. On page 14, we’re bringing you a sneak preview of the 43rd Annual Home & Garden Expo celebrity lineup. The show runs Thursday, February 19 through Sunday, February 22. An Omaha tradition since 1967, the Show is a great event for families produced by an Omaha family:

4 www.heromaha.com

EDiTOr: SaNDy LEMkE

the Mancusos. On pages 16 and 17, Susan Meyers profiles the Mancuso family, which has been bringing us this and many other premier Omaha events for two generations.

Our feature this issue profiles Tina Price, CEO of the American Red Cross Heartland Chapter.

Price’s story complements our Health feature on healthy lifestyles as part of February’s American Heart Month. The Red Cross works closely with the American Heart Association during February to promote heart health.

Please join me in welcoming our new Food Editor, Chef Colleen Cleek. Cleek owns The Classy Gourmet Culinary Arts Center in Omaha. Cleek’s debut column brings us her TOP TIPS: “Top Ten Tools of the Trade.”

Throughout the rest of the issue you’ll find more TOP TIPS in several departments: How-To, Beauty, Art, and Fashion. I’ve assembled simple advice on several subjects from a range of sources. Hope you enjoy these TOP TIPS!

Sandy Lemke

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health

STOry By SUSaN MEyErS

Practicing a Heart Healthy Lifestyle Make it a life-long, family affair

february/march 2009

H

6

eart disease doesn’t start at age 50, or 40, or even 30. “Heart disease is a problem that accumulates over the course of your lifetime,” says Jeffrey Carstens, MD, cardiologist at Alegent Health. “You develop heart disease based on how you lived your life.”

The beginnings of heart disease has been found in individuals as young as their teens. “Studies done on deceased soldiers in their teens and early 20s from the Korean War showed signs of early development of plaque in the arteries,” says Charles Olson, MD, cardiologist at Nebraska Methodist Hospital. “Today more than ever, we are starting to see adolescents with high cholesterol, obesity and diabetes. All of these things have a direct correlation to heart disease.”

For instance, obesity and lack of exercise are directly related to diabetes. Individuals with diabetes increase their risk for heart attack by 20 times more than the average person.

For parents, that means being a good role model and helping your children begin healthy lifestyle habits early on. “Children who develop

healthy habits growing up are more likely to continue those habits into adulthood,” says Olson. “Family dynamics play a big role in the lifestyle habits your child forms.”

To keep you and your family on the right track, you can begin with the basics: making healthy food choices for yourself and your family and exercising regularly, notes Carstens.

Practice a heart healthy diet A heart healthy diet consists of plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, and red meats in moderation. When choosing fruits and vegetables, fresh is always best, but there’s nothing wrong with using canned or frozen vegetables when you’re short on time. Watch for added sodium in canned vegetables.

Before reaching for boxed and prepackaged foods, which often contain high levels of sugar, sodium and fat, read food labels to make more informed choices. Limit total fat to 30 percent or less of total calories – about 3 grams of fat per 100 calories. Saturated fats, which are continued on page 9

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WO M E N ’ S

H E A LT H

CA R E

Methodist Health System

Making women’s health care a priority into the details and amenities that make a hospital Throughout Methodist Health System—Methodist experience more pleasant,” Korth said.

Hospital, Methodist Physicians Clinic and Jennie Full-size rooms were constructed at Methodist Edmundson Hospital—attention is being paid to replicating the same floor plans, requisite equipment wellness for women in many different ways. One of and décor as the patient rooms in the new hospital. the most palpable examples of this initiative is the Doctors, nurses, staff and patients were then invited construction of an entire hospital and campus to tour the rooms and provide feedback on feasibility, dedicated expressly to women’s care. ergonomics, comfort level—anything and everything Building is currently under way at 192nd & that might affect patient care. Their responses are West Dodge Road for Methodist Women’s Hospital, helping to shape the hospital stays of future patients the first hospital of its kind in the region. The 74 because a positive obstetric and gynecologic experience will often result physicians and three nurse in a positive outcome. midwives, who currently All patient rooms in practice at Methodist the Methodist Women’s Hospital, are already slated Hospital will be private, to move to the new facility. with necessary equipment Heading up the new hospital and apparatus on-hand, is the energetic and highly but out-of-sight. Some focused chief operating rooms, such as those officer, Susan K. Korth, Ph.D. reserved for high-risk The new COO’s Rendering of the new Methodist Women’s Hospital at 192nd & West Dodge Road pregnancy patients, will professional and academic feature accommodations closely resembling studio credentials make her uniquely qualified for the job, apartments. but it is her creative and well-reasoned approach to this A Level IIIA Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) undertaking that is most compelling. will help alleviate the metropolitan area’s shortage “I want to go beyond the confines of ‘what’s been of beds for at-risk babies. In addition to maternity done’ and make ‘what can be’ something tangible,” services, the new women’s hospital will provide a full Korth said. range of gynecological services for women of all ages.

The goal of the Methodist Women’s Hospital is to The new hospital will offer both men and women a provide excellence in personalized, family-centered host of outpatient diagnostics, while the 84th Street care through education and creative practice. Korth campus will continue to provide the core major services and her team intend to deliver on that goal. They’ve of cardiac and cancer care.

Many green spaces have been planned for the campus, including a rooftop living garden. The garden will feature easy access for hospital beds, providing patients on mandatory bed rest a much-needed change of venue.

Dr. Korth and her staff are working tirelessly to implement innovations that will benefit patients and personnel alike. They join colleagues throughout begun by looking at every aspect of care in the new the system in championing wellness for women facility through the eyes of the patient. and making Methodist Health System the leader in “Hospital visits and stays can be stressful for everyone women’s health. in the family, so we’ve put a great deal of thought

“I want to go beyond the confines of ‘what’s been done’ and make ‘what can be’ something tangible.”

For more information, visit www.bestcare.org. ©2009 Methodist Health System

Chief Operating Officer of the new Methodist Women’s Hospital

About Susan K. Korth Susan K. Korth has over 20 years of clinical and medical management experience, including five years at Methodist Hospital as a clinical supervisor in high-risk OB/GYN. Korth earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Administration from the College of St. Francis, a bachelor’s in nursing from the College of St. Mary, a master’s degree in Public Health Administration from the University of Minnesota and a doctorate in Health Care Administration from Pacific Western University.

She joined Methodist from Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, where she worked in quality improvement.

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SPEED is a 6,000 square foot experience that delivers a high-speed plunge into the world of high performance, limit stretching, and barrier smashing motion.

february/march 2009

amilies will have the opportunity to connect with the excitement, pageantry, and importance of presidential elections with the new exhibition, Headed to the White House, developed by the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

Produced by:

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Sponsored By:

This exhibit is made possible through the generosity of The Annenberg Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

SPONSORED BY: Rainbow Connector's Guild, Iowa West Foundation, The Douglas County Board of Commissioners, Dixon Family Foundation, Midwest Airlines, Centris Federal Credit Union SPEED was created by COSI Columbus with support from the National Science Foundation and in cooperation with the Science Museum Exhibit Collaborative.

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health

make exercise a Part of your lifestyle Exercise can provide a whole host of heart healthy benefits. It helps condition your heart to be stronger, helps control weight, lowers blood pressure and cholesterol, and reduces your risk for diabetes and the development of heart disease, says Dr. Carstens.

To get the most heart healthy benefits, adults should exercise a minimum of 30 minutes, four to five days a week, says Carstens. “The more vigorous it is, the better it is for your heart, but any exercise is better than no exercise no matter how you get it done.”

Children, on the other hand, should get approximately an hour of exercise daily. continued on next page

METHODIST CARDIAC & VASCULAR CENTER

PhOTO By MiNOrwhiTESTUDiOS.cOM

found in animal products such as red meat, poultry, butter and whole milk, should be limited to 1 gram per 100 calories. For children, that amounts to about 15 to 20 grams of total saturated fats per day. Trans fatty acids, which can be even more damaging to the arteries than saturated fats, should be avoided as much as possible. These fats are found in many types of fast foods, fried foods like donuts and french fries, and baked goods such as crackers, cookies and cakes.

Sodium, which can increase the risk for high blood pressure, is another ingredient that deserves your attention. Salt intake for the average adult should be about 4 grams a day. “A lot of people in this country are getting 8 to 10 grams of sodium a day, especially if they are eating fast foods, junk food and prepared foods,” says Olson. One thousand milligrams equals one gram. A rule of thumb: 100 mg per serving is in the acceptable range for most people, notes Olson.

Charles Olson, md, cardiologist at nebraska methodist hospital.

We put heart into everything we do.

“Magnet is a national award that recognizes strength and quality in the delivery of patient care. Ours was the first hospital in Nebraska to achieve Magnet status. As a nurse in the Methodist Cardiac & Vascular Center, I know how our efforts to maintain the Magnet designation impact our heart patients.

First and foremost, it assures them of highly skilled and compassionate care.

Our cardiac and vascular surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, nurses and technicians—working together as a team—focus on the best course of treatment for each individual. We are committed to staying current with the latest advancements in cardiac and vascular technology. And every day I’m on the job, I’m involved in making decisions that positively impact the healing process. As a hospital, we consistently rank above the national standards for comprehensive, quality care in heart services. I think we’re able to accomplish that by putting the needs of our patients first—always.”

Susana Nurse-Practitioner

february/march 2009

Tour the comprehensive services of Methodist Cardiac & Vascular Center with our doctors at www.bestcare.org/heart.

©2009 Methodist Hospital, an affiliate of Methodist Health System

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9

PhOTO By MiNOrwhiTESTUDiOS.cOM

health

Jeffrey Carstens, md, cardiologist at alegent health.

Expert women’s healthcare In our neighborhood

Start Screenings early When it comes to children, there are no hard and set rules as to when to begin screening and treating for risk factors of heart disease.

However, if you have any concerns, or if you have a family history of heart disease, Dr. Carstens recommends getting your child’s cholesterol and blood pressure checked in his or her teens. “Family history does not mean if your father or grandfather had a heart attack at age 75,” says Carstens. “It should be a concern, however, if your father or grandfather had a heart attack before the age of 55.”

At the minimum, a person should be tested for blood pressure by age 20, says Olson. “The majority of people start developing signs of hypertension as early as their 20s,” he says. “Normal is considered 120/80 or under. If it is consistently over that number, your risk for developing complications related to heart disease begin to rise. And the longer you’ve had high blood pressure, the more difficult it is to treat.

When you have elevated blood pressure, your blood vessels start to undergo changes – they get thicker and less elastic -- which make it harder to treat.”

In assessing your risk for heart disease, cholesterol also rates up at the top. The optimal level for preventing heart disease in people with a normal heart disease risk is a total cholesterol level lower than 200 mg/dL, LDL level below 100 mg/dL and triglyceride levels below 150 mg/dL. Unlike triglycerides and LDL, higher levels of HDL - the good cholesterol - is a good thing. Men should strive for levels greater than 40 mg/dL and women for levels of 50 mg/dL and above. Levels of 60

The obstetrics and gynecology specialists at Creighton Medical Associates are dedicated to meeting women’s unique healthcare needs at all stages of life. From early teens to pregnancy and mid-life and aging health needs, our physicians provide excellent individual care at two locations: Drs. Kenna and Rice at Twin Creek in Bellevue and Dr. Marshall at Creighton University Medical Center.

Come to us for: • Full obstetric care, including ultrasounds and fetal monitoring • Annual physicals • Treatment of urinary incontinence • Menopause • Chronic pelvic pain • Gynecological procedures, including minimally invasive surgery and endometrial ablations

february/march 2009

Tricare and most insurance plans accepted.

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health

Women need to take action, too Remember, if you’re a woman, you are not immune to heart disease and you can’t forget about your own health in your efforts to take care of your family. Approximately one in five women in this country have some form of cardiovascular disease. The major difference between men and women is that women are more likely to develop symptoms of heart disease after menopause, about 10 years later than men, says Joan Olson, lead cardiac ultrasonographer at The Nebraska Medical Center. Weight control and regular exercise are important preventive strategies women should take to reduce their risk for heart disease.

Large up and down fluctuations in weight are not healthy and may impact blood pressure, cholesterol and lipid levels, notes Olson. She also recommends that women practice both aerobic exercise and weight lifting. “Weight lifting promotes muscle mass, prevents osteoporosis and increases burning of calories,” she says. “A healthy lifestyle is key to reducing your risk of heart disease,” says Olson. “It is never too late to incorporate a healthy diet and exercise program into your life. Heart disease can happen to anyone, so being proactive with a healthy lifestyle is extremely important.” H

PhOTO By MiNOrwhiTESTUDiOS.cOM

mg/dL and higher can actually lower the risk for heart disease.

Keeping your weight in check and exercising can help raise HDL levels and over time, will gradually lower LDL and triglyceride levels.

Significant dietary changes over a 12- to 18-month period can also help lower cholesterol by 10 to 15 percent.

Joan Olson, lead cardiac ultrasonographer at the nebraska medical Center.

Start out right.

Comprehensive Pregnancy Care.

Nothing is more important for the well-being of you and your baby than excellent pregnancy care.

That’s why at the Olson Center for Women’s Health, you’ll see specialists who have trained many of the physicians who deliver babies right here in Nebraska.

Our team of board-certified physicians and midwives are trusted experts in pregnancy care. Collaborating with many on-site specialists, our professionals

utilize the latest technology in ultrasound and fetal monitoring. In addition to Ob/Gyn, our pregnancy care team includes specialists in high-risk pregnancy, diabetes, hypertension, physical therapy, weight management, nutrition, asthma, dermatology, massage therapy, and smoking cessation. No one offers you more comprehensive care than the Olson Center for Women’s Health… all in a beautiful environment designed for your comfort and privacy.

february/march 2009

Start now, by calling 1.888.898.8662 for a FREE Welcome Packet or go to www.OlsonCenter.com.

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feature

story by maggie tunning photo by minorwhitestudios.com

American Red Cross's Tina Price Cool Communicator, even in crisis

february/march 2009

“Do 12

what you love.”

This cliched piece of advice is the secret to a successful career, perfectly exemplified

by Tina Labellarte Price. Price is the CEO of the Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross in Omaha and a model for women who seek a work-life balance.

Price graduated with a degree in journalism from Northern Illinois University at DeKalb, Ill., and began her career working for Omaha Sun Newspapers. She gradually moved into the nonprofit sector, bridging the gap between reporting about people to helping people.

“The ability to communicate is a great asset no matter where you go, “ she said. “The ability to persuade and to convey emotion has certainly served me well.”

Price served as executive director of the Kansas Capital Area Chapter www.heromaha.com

of the American Red Cross in Topeka and has also worked as a member of the American National Red Cross staff, consulting with dozens of American Red Cross chapters in four states.

In Grand Island, Neb., she held positions as executive director for the United Way, the YWCA and the Chamber of Commerce Convention and Visitors Bureau. She worked as planned and major gifts officer for the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer and as community services director for Goodwill Industries. In Topeka, Kan., she was the president of Nonprofit Answer, a company she founded.

Price came to her current position in September 2007 and said she felt a special connection with the Red Cross, not only because of her employment history, but also because the Red Cross has been part of the fabric of her life. Like many, she took CPR classes with the Red Cross.

She also witnessed the immediate response of the organization to the

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Omaha tornadoes on June 3, 1980. A young bride, Price hid in a bathtub and awoke the next morning to Red Cross emergency response vehicles distributing cups of coffee to the community.”

“It was a very big memory for me, “ she said “The Red Cross symbol remains a symbol of hope and help in times of crisis.”

Price led the Red Cross as it responded to another crisis - the Westroads Mall shooting on Dec. 5, 2007. The Red Cross responded immediately upon being requested at the scene and arrived within an hour of the shooting. Sue Richter, presently the Interim CEO of the Twin Cities Red Cross and formerly the Interim CEO of the Heartland Chapter, said she recalls Price’s excellent leadership in the initial stages of her career.

“She was very quickly tested,” Richter said, “and I think she passed with flying colors.”

In addition to coordinating crisis response, Price has led innovation efforts at the Red Cross, notably with the unique course, “CPR Made Simple.” James Meyers, Manager of Training and Education, developed the one-hour course that is nearly as effective as a four-hour certified CPR class.

“For the average citizen, it’s more time than money that prevents people from taking training,” Price said.

CPR Made Simple provides a hands-on approach: less time is spent lecturing and more time is spent practicing the skills needed to save a life. Initiating CPR before the arrival of EMS can result in more lives being saved.

Price is grateful for the dedicated staff and volunteers who assist the Heartland Chapter.

“This is one of the best chapters,” she said. “I’ve been fortunate to come here.”

When she’s not at the Red Cross, Price is working on a Master’s degree in Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Nebraska.

The MFA in Writing Program offers focused instruction for creative writers who are committed to a literary career. The program is composed of four 16-week semesters and five 10-day conference-style residencies at the Lied Lodge & Conference Center in Nebraska City.

The semesters and residencies are integrated to help those who desire to hone their writing and critical thinking in order to participate competitively in the wider domain of contemporary American letters.

Price started the program in 2006 and enjoys writing short stories and non-fiction essays. Often, stories from her experience in direct humanitarian service inform her writing, which she describes as “my passion on the side.”

“Folks need to consider the ways they manage stress and create balance in their lives,” she said, particularly citing the desire of women who want to “do it all and have it all.”

Reducing stress is a key factor in eliminating risks for heart disease.

The Red Cross works closely with the American Heart Association, which promotes February as American Heart Month.

Dedicated to her work, Price recognizes the importance of play: “All that fun stuff helps a lot!” H

NORTH SIDE OF PACIFIC ST AT 178TH ST. 17785 MASON ST. - SUITE 105 OMAHA, NE 68118 402.933.8885 • WWW.NEWUSPA.COM INFO@NEWUSPA.COM

13 www.heromaha.com

home & garden expo

story by sandy lemke

ozzi

rd Charlie Na

Melin

da My ers

Vern Yip

Up Close and Personal with Home and Garden Expo Celebrities

T

he celebrity lineup is stellar at this year’s Home & Garden Expo.

We’ve got some advance tips and previews just for HER Magazine readers. The celeb schedule: Thursday, Feb. 19: Friday, Feb. 20: Saturday, Feb. 21: Sunday, Feb. 22:

Rib Hillis, Melinda Myers Rib Hillis Vern Yip, Charlie Nardozzi Vern Yip, Charlie Nardozzi

february/march 2009

Rib Hillis Carpenter and Handy Man on the ABC Television’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.”

Hillis on his show, “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”: “This show changes people's lives. It brings so much good and happiness to people who are so deserving. I am humbled and honored to be a part of it.”

Melinda Myers National Garden Expert, Host of “Melinda’s Garden Moments” seen on KPTM, PBS’s “Great Lakes Gardener,” and Author of “Month by Month Gardening in Nebraska.”

Said Myers of her upcoming presentation: “I am looking forward to my appearance at the Omaha Home & Garden Expo. I enjoy meeting new gardeners and sharing ideas I have learned along the way. I want to help gardeners have fun and be successful in their garden.”

Charlie Nardozzi Horticulturist with the National Garden Association, Co-Author of several “Gardening For Dummies” books and former host of PBS’s “Garden Smart”.

Nardozzi encourages gardening as an all-around healthy hobby, 14 with a nod to its thrifty benefits: “With the economy suffering, many www.heromaha.com

people are turning to growing some of their own food in their yards again. By growing not only a vegetable garden, but also fruits and herbs, you can save money, have fresh, safe produce, and get some exercise and fresh air.”

Vern Yip National Designer and Architect, Guest Designer, TLC’s “Trading Spacesand host of HGTV's "Deserving Design.” Vern Yip is enthusiastic about “cheap chic” techniques in decorating.

Top Tips for affordable decorating from Vern Yip: 1) Start with one or two good-quality pieces. Not every item in the room needs to be cheap.

2) Refinish large pieces of furniture like a sofa or dresser, which would be expensive to replace. Use slipcovers to give new life to an old sofa which still has a good structure. Paint is an inexpensive way to refinish an old dresser that has good design elements.

3) Edit a room that has too much in it. Too many items in a room tends to cheapen the overall appearance.

4) Decorate a room with lighting. You change the entire mood of a room with lighting, and it doesn’t have to be expensive.

5) Paint a room to completely transform the atmosphere. Choose a color that contrasts with items in the room. If the artwork is very colorful, for example, then choose a neutral wall color.

6) Use more than one shade of the same color. Paint the ceiling one shade of green and perhaps the walls another. Decorating with paint is one of the best “cheap chic” secrets according to Vern Yip. 7) Create your own art with complementary colors. Buy a canvas and paint at a craft store. Paint with colors you’ve already used in the room or pull from other colors in the room. Create a collage by gluing important photos in frames. H

JANUARY 31 – APRIL 26 From rainforest treasure, to luscious treat, immerse yourself in the natural history and American innovations of the amazing cacao seed in Chocolate: The Exhibition, open January 31 to April 26 at The Durham Museum. This engaging exhibition explores the lure and lore of chocolate and investigates its use as a health remedy, an alleged aphrodisiac and seasoning in recipes from around the world. And to top off your visit, indulge yourself with a delectable delight at our Chocolate Shop, created exclusively for this one-of-a-kind exhibition.

n

OMAHA, NE 68108

n

402.444.5071

n

www.durhammuseum.org

Chocolate is sponsored locally by Mutual of Omaha, the Douglas County Commissioners, Peter Kiewit Foundation, the On Track Guild, and Mary and John Wilson. Chocolate and its national tour were developed by The Field Museum, Chicago.

This project was supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation.

february/march 2009

801 SOUTH 10TH STREET

15 www.heromaha.com

home & garden expo

story by susan meyers photo by minorwhitestudios.com

Brothers Mancuso: from left; Bob Jr., Bob Sr., Joe and Mike.

The Family Behind the Fun: Mid America Expositions' Mancuso Family

A

february/march 2009

s a high school physical education teacher and wrestling coach for the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in the 1950s and early 60s, the scope of Bob Mancuso’s experience in event planning involved preparing for the next P.E. test or wrestling match. But that didn’t stop him from building one of the largest and most successful event production and trade show businesses in the region.

Mancuso’s brother, Charles Mancuso, who was manager of the Omaha Civic Auditorium, Rosenblatt Stadium and Orpheum Theater, convinced Bob that Omaha would be a vibrant market for trade shows and other entertainment events that would be ideal for a facility like the Civic Auditorium.

After prodding by his brother, in 1964, Mancuso teamed up with J.J. "Jake" Isaacson, Ak-Sar-Ben’s former general manager; and Don Romeo, a local talent booking agent, to form Mid-America Expositions, Inc. The event planning and production company launched its first event that same year at the Omaha Civic Auditorium with its first Food and House Wives Fair. The event was held in conjunction with the nationally televised "Queen for A Day" live broadcast, which drew more than 50,000 show-goers.

Charlie Mancuso’s foresight was right on the money. Forty-five years later, the family-owned business has experienced incredible growth and success, creating shows that have been an influential part of Omaha’s early history and have contributed to the growth of down16 town Omaha as a business, cultural, and entertainment venue. In fact, www.heromaha.com

some of these early events are still held today, including the Products Show, Home and Garden Expo, and the Triumph of Agriculture Expo, all of which continue to draw thousands of attendees each year.

“Prior to our first Products Show in 1965, Omaha had never done anything like this before,” says Bob Mancuso. “This was the start in Omaha of a new market and entertainment value that would become extremely popular and successful. The product shows were a way for wholesalers and retailers to meet prospective customers all in one location. The concept caught on quickly and kept growing from 250 exhibitors at some of our first shows to more than 1,000 exhibitors today.”

With the Mancuso brothers at the helm, the Omaha Civic Auditorium soon became a major entertainment and sports venue in Omaha attracting events never seen by the city before such as the Hot Rod and Tractor Pull, Ringling Brothers and Shrine Circuses, Monster Truck Races, Disney on Parade, Harlem Globetrotters, and Sesame Street Live as well as major sporting attractions such as the KC-Omaha Kings NBA Team, “Smokin’ Joe” Frazier vs. Ron Stander World Boxing Championship, Big Eight Women’s Volleyball Championships as well as Japan-USA All-Star Baseball, and Omaha Racers CBA — all of which were produced and/or promoted by Mid-America Expositions.

Word of Mancuso’s successes in Omaha spread. His experience and expertise drew him to nearby cities such as Minneapolis, Denver, Kansas City and Des Moines, where he developed similar shows modeled after Omaha’s events, some of which the company still produces today.

Other local events that have been added to its repertoire through the years include the Lawn, Flower and Patio Show, Outland Trophy Award Banquet, Corporate Cycling Challenge, Omaha Health, Wellness & Fitness Expo, Taste of Omaha Festival and Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival.

In the early years, Bob Mancuso’s three boys, Bob, Joe and Mike, were just beginning to get their feet wet, so to speak, in the event planning business. As young boys, they hung out at shows with their father, pushed brooms, emptied trash, parked cars, or rode around the civic in the golf cart that the elder Mancuso used to manage shows in the

In 2006 Mike was appointed president of the company, his father remaining as CEO. Brothers Bob and Joe joined the company in 2006 and 2007, respectively, with both involved in projects, sales, Internet marketing, day-to-day operations and launching new events such as the successful Omaha Health, Wellness & Fitness Expo held in April.

Perhaps one of the biggest changes to the company in the past 10 years was the move to the Qwest Center. “It’s a wonderful facility and has provided us and our exhibitors with new opportunities to provide a more valuable, unique and interactive experience for customers,” says Mike. The convention center provides

“People still want to know who they’re doing business with and they want to see and touch the product. That’s why these shows have been around so long and will continue to be a part of Omaha for many years to come.” more than 200,000 square feet of unobstructed floor space with 33-foot high ceilings and new technology. The move also allowed each of the shows to grow in the new center that were at capacity in the Civic Auditorium.

Mike and his brothers bring new energy and ideas to the family-run business. “Basically, you start with an idea or empty cement floor and you try to rally the industry around it,” he says. “You try to provide a fun and interesting way for people to meet where buyers and sellers can visit and show their products. You can be very creative with each opportunity to be a part of the community. “ One of the more recent events produced

by Mid-America Expositions is the Nebraska Balloon and Wine Festival featuring the unique attraction of hot air balloons and taste of area wineries held at Elk Ridge Village on the Lake. “This festival is the company’s first event in the west Omaha area,” says Mike. The event has grown to two nights with crowd estimates of over 8,000 people.

“We do a tremendous amount of homework and research the industry as well as other markets to determine what will work best in our market,” says Mike. “That’s what helps make our events successful.”

“Trade shows and events provide the opportunity to show the personal side of a business,” adds Mike. “People still want to know who they’re doing business with and they want to see and touch the product. That’s why these shows have been around so long and will continue to be a part of Omaha for many years to come.” H

Garden Walk Sunday, June 14, 2009 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Rain or Shine A benefit for the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s Munroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation

www.mmiguild.com

UNMC’s Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service

Moonlight & Magnolias A Southern gArden exhibit At LAuritzen gArdenS On display through May 10

Enter the charming world of “Gone with the Wind” as the floral display hall is transformed into a spectacular garden.

This indoor floral show is presented in partnership with the Omaha Community Playhouse.

Sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska and Steve Martin and Amy Haddad.

Frankly, my dear … this show is breathtaking.

february/march 2009

three-level auditorium. “My dad would give us various jobs,” says Mike, “but we thought we were just having fun and jacking around for the most part.” All three sons, however, sought jobs outside of the event production business after graduating from college.

Until Mike decided he wanted to start his own business. He brought his idea to his father for his input. “He told me, 'that’s a good idea Mike, but why don’t you come help me for awhile first,'” recalls Mike.

Mike was sent to Denver to manage and promote the Denver Product Show. The Denver show led to helping with several other shows, followed by a few more. In 1989, Mike produced the first fall Garden and Home.

Then in 1998, after several years in the making, Mike finally convinced his father to host the first Taste of Omaha Festival on the riverfront at the Heartland of America Park.

“I had wanted to do this event for a long time,” says Mike. “But my father was very concerned about an outside event that was free to the public. You lose a lot of control when an event is outdoors.”

Taste of Omaha was an immediate success and is now one of the company’s largest shows and among the most attended outdoor festivals in Omaha. The first event was so successful that Mike remembers restaurants complaining to him that they were running out of food mid way through the three-day festival. Mancuso credits the support of sponsors and partners that took a chance on the event that first year. More recently, the event expanded across the boardwalk and into the Lewis and Clark Landing.

The Munroe-Meyer Guild presents the 41st

100 Bancroft Street, Omaha (402) 346-4002 www.lauritzengardens.org

17 www.heromaha.com

STOry By aLicia SMiTh

fashion faux pas

for the

fashionable woman SYMPLI Eileen Fisher Caroline Rose

The

Other

Woman

SIZES 12 & UP

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for Fitting Rooms!

1. Don’t take off your shoes. Much like the gym shower, fitting rooms are hightraffic areas.

2. Place pins in a pincushion -- don’t just throw them on the floor. This is yet another good reason why you should wear shoes.

3. Keep your cell phone calls to a minimum – or, if you are having a conversation, be aware that others can hear your every word.

4. Do re-fold or re-hang the clothing. Be kind to the attendants and help them out -- they still have to put the clothes away.

Fun Acting Birthdays at School of Stars!

5. Do try on accessories. Sometimes, they make or break an outfit.

6. Do make it worth it. Fitting rooms were originally installed to cut down on store returns and persuade women to buy what fits well. They are the best salesperson a store can employ.

8. Don’t fulfill any fitting room fantasy. Fitting rooms are not private.

9. Do tell someone you don’t know if they look nice. This is called “social retailing.”

If I look hot in the fitting room, I will look super-hot when I hit the town…

10. Don’t go into a fitting room and yell, “Hey, we’re out of toilet paper in here.” This joke is old. makeup and Styling: Dee Harrell

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february/march 2009

7. Don’t cut the security tags off or wear stuff out under your clothes. Dressing rooms are a key place where shoplifters try and steal clothing. Contrary to belief, even though you may not be seen out in the open stealing, you can still get arrested and charged. For first-time misdemeanor offenders, the fine is $75 and the theft charge is on your record. Most companies will not hire a person with a theft charge less than seven years old.

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community

STOry By LiNDa PErSigEhL

Jennifer Huberty, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Gowns get a second chance at the dance

february/march 2009

I

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f you’re like me, you’ve got a spare room closet chocked full of formals  bridesmaids dresses from weddings long ago, party wear from dances and New Years past  dresses too pretty to discard yet unlikely to ever be worn again. Kinda sad, really… Well, these gowns just may have a chance to shine yet again.

Max I. Walker Cleaners is on a mission to help find new owners for these gowns, while helping raise funds for those less fortunate.

They’re sponsors of the second annual Ultra Chic Prom Boutique, planned for February 18th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Convention Center. The event offers slightly used gowns “as good as new” to girls in need of prom attire  girls who might not otherwise be able to afford a formal.

Max I. Walker cleans, presses, mends and prepares the gowns to sell at the Ultra Chic boutique — all free of charge. Dresses can be dropped off at any Max I. Walker location. Donations of any formal dresses (except wedding dresses) are accepted.

Proceeds from the boutique benefit Lydia House, a branch of the Open Door Mission, which provides food, shelter, other basic needs, and case management to single women and families working their way back to independence. Money raised at this year’s event is designated to help fund a new Lydia House building project, which will

www.heromaha.com

provide 300 beds for women and children. The building is expected to open November 2009.

Lisa Walker Sekundiak, vice president of the family-owned and operated cleaners chain, said she was looking for a way to give back to the community. She met with students from area high school marketing clubs, who helped her come up with a blueprint for the boutique program, launched in early 2008.

“I specifically was looking for a way to give back to women, and the Lydia House is one of only a few shelters that specifically helps women and children.”

Sekundiak said like many women, she herself has hung on to many formals “way too long,’ and knew the dresses were “out there” for donations. “I know a lot of colleagues in the cleaning industry that sponsor similar events across the county. And public interest in this type of event is really huge.”

More than 300 dresses were donated last year, raising $2,000 for Lydia House while helping hundreds of girls fulfill their fashion needs for prom. Sekundiak is optimistic that increased media coverage and public awareness will spur even greater participation this year.

Planners are have set a goal of 500 dress donations for the 2009 event, selling for $20 each.

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february/march 2009

As an added draw, the boutique will feature prom-related vendors, including limo services and tanning salons, as well as a drawing for a $500 getaway package. Each dress donation qualifies for one free raffle ticket. High school students from Millard West, Millard North, Marion and other schools are volunteering their time and marketing efforts to help promote and run the boutique.

Candace Gregory, director of the Open Door Mission and Lydia House, is greatful for the contributions  both time and money  made through the program.

“Max I. Walker has been a family friendly business with integrity in the community for years,” she said. “Their family wanting to give back is a wonderful opportunity to bless women and children at the Lydia House.

“I can really relate with Lisa as a wife, mother and business woman, juggling and balancing the plates of life but still wanting to make a difference in others’ lives.”

The donation program also provides many valuable teaching moments, Gregory said. “This is a great opportunity for business women whom volunteer their time for this event to make a difference. It’s fun to be a positive role model for all the youth and ladies that come in to try on a dress or donate a dress.”

Sekundiak said so many of the dresses that have been donated have a story that go with them….an interesting history that she hopes to somehow pass along to the new owner.

She‘s playing with the idea of including a dress bio with the gowns, in hopes of keeping those stories alive.

If knowing you’re helping fulfill some young girl’s dream of going to prom decked out in style isn’t enough motivation to go through that closet, remember the good works of Lydia House you’ll be funding, making a difference in the lives of Heartland mothers. And as an added bonus: Think of the extra closet space you’ll gain!

For more complete details, stop at any Max I. Walker store or visit www.ultrachicprom.com H

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21 www.heromaha.com

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Being the gracious guest

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hat’s the most exciting piece of mail to receive? A wedding invitation! The anticipation starts the moment you see that “Love” stamp – you know from the oversized, hefty envelope that a festive celebration is forthcoming.

It’s an honor to be included on any guest list, especially a wedding guest list. So what can you do to make sure your behavior befits the occasion? A few tips will put you in the bride’s good graces for many years to come.

Wedding Planner Angela Brant advises wedding guests to “RSVP immediately. ‘Guests who don’t RSVP’ is the No. 1 complaint from brides. Also, if your children aren’t mentioned on the inner envelope, that means they are not invited to the wedding.”

Emily Post’s Wedding Etiquette has a simple two-step response to a wedding invitation. “RSVP…Send a gift.”

Now, you’ve responded and sent a gift. What to wear? At one time, it was inappropriate to wear black to a wedding. It implied the wearer wished bad luck on the bride and groom. Depending on the time, black may be fine: “Black is okay now for any wedding after 6 p.m.,” advised Brant.

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Gentleman’s Choice Locations: We also posed a few questions to Anne Williams, of a. williams events in Dundee: HER: Should you bring your gift to the wedding reception, or have it mailed to the bride’s home?

AW: For convenience to the bride, gifts should be sent to the return address on the invitation envelope, or per the specific instructions on the bride’s gift registry. However, if a guest does bring a present to the wedding, there is normally a nice table or area at the reception reserved for gifts.

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HER: If you are invited to a wedding shower, do you still have to buy a wedding gift?

AW: The short answer is “yes”. However, if budget is a challenge, consider a well thought out, yet inexpensive gift (or perhaps something fun and unexpected) for the shower. Be creative!

HER: What is an appropriate monetary amount to give as a wedding gift?

AW: I would recommend purchasing a gift from the registry that is close to the amount that would have been given as cash. Cash could be appropriate for close family members, per conversations they’ve had with the bride and groom.

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february/march 2009

HER: What about a second wedding? Are gifts in order?

AW: For a second wedding, a guest should check with the family or a member of the bridal party for guidance as to whether a gift would be appropriate. Oftentimes with second weddings, when the bride and groom have an already “feathered nest,” they instead request that donations be made to a charity or a cause close to their hearts in lieu of gifts. H

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february/march 2009

Beauty Tips

24

1. Don’t smoke! Quit now or don’t start. It ages your skin by robbing your cells of precious life-giving oxygen.

2. Apply powder all over your eye to prevent eyeliner from rubbing off onto your eyelid.

3. If you get deodorant marks on your clothes, reach for Miss Oops Rescue Sponges. In a pinch, you can also use the foam from a coat hanger or shoe -- just be careful of the type of fabric you use it on. Miss Oops Rescue Sponges are available at Kajoma’s Fashion Boutique in Papillion.

4. Celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann suggests keeping your nail polish in the refrigerator to help it last longer. The cold keeps polish from thickening.

5. Have a hair cut and color that you love. A haircut is the perfect final touch to any outfit.

6. Keep skin hydrated at all times. I (Prpa) have a body lotion and face lotion that I use every single day. Over the years, it has truly made a difference in the way my skin looks and feels.

7. Keep it simple. Beauty is natural and wearing pounds of makeup is never the answer. Find a great foundation and powder, followed www.heromaha.com

cOMPiLED By SaNDy LEMkE aND NicOLETTE PrPa, OwNEr Of ShE SkiN aND ShE BOUTiqUE www.ShOPShEBOUTiqUE.cOM

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beauty

by a bronzer and a light blush. Put on a little mascara (a little eyeliner if you prefer) and call it a day!

8. Take care of your body. A lot of women feel like they will take care of their body later in life when they really start to see the downside of aging. However, I have learned that if you start the process early, you might not have a lot of work to do later in life! Work out on a regular basis (Prpa prefers yoga); find a way to keep the stress to a minimum and eat healthy (we all are allowed to cheat sometimes).

9. Choose a signature perfume. It’s always good to change up the smell once in awhile, but don’t overdo it.

10. If you feel pasty and want some color, go spray tanning or get airbrushed. There are plenty of ways to maintain a spray tan and also prevent an overdone look by following all the correct procedures. Exfoliate before, lotion your skin, and use all their recommendations for maintaining a healthy glow. If you must fake bake, minimize it to once a month. Tanning is very harmful for your skin and can cause premature aging along with some other very serious side effects. H

Founded exclusively for girls, Marian High School believes that every girl deserves the opportunity to discover her true potential, develop self-confidence and receive a superior values-based education. Marian is committed to preparing young women for college and beyond.

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art

Rebecca Herskovitz: Art provides a connecting link

I

february/march 2009

n the midst of a welter of student work in progress, bulletin boards covered with photos and announcements, tables and mismatched chairs, are two watercolor landscapes on easels. They seem quiet, cool, but a closer look reveals tension in the skies’ moiled blues and purples and the fragments of white showing through. One painting is of telephone poles, their vertical rigidity echoed by implacable drips across the paper’s surface.

The other is of an abandoned grain elevator as stark as its pinnacle. Both are painted with a light hand. They are familiar scenes, but nonspecific, and have in common a sense of isolation, an emotion recognized by every viewer. The artist, Rebecca Herskovitz, says, “By investigating our shared experiences with 26 loneliness and alienation, I hope these works www.heromaha.com

can provide a connecting link, leading to even a small realization of a collective existence.”

In addition to this cognizance, Herskovitz hopes viewers will take the time to develop an awareness of the variation within a limited color palette and subject. “Even a twoinch frame,” she says, holding up her hands to demonstrate, “should have something to fix your attention.” It is then we can discover three blue pigments in myriad translations depending on layering and dilution. The medium also allows the original pencil drawing to be seen (at least partially) as evidence of the painting’s impetus. “Watercolor works for me,” she says, “because I don’t have complete control…it’s more of a relationship with the paint as I’m using it.”

Herskovitz also stresses her primary inter-

est in the human form, pointing out several sheets with full or partial figures. “My interest is in people, even if they’re not present,” she says. This focus determines not only the subject matter of her artwork but also her career choice. She is Educational Coordinator at The Kent Bellows Studio and Center for Visual Arts. According to the website, www. kentbellows.com, the Studio “seeks to connect and partner with the Omaha arts community as well as to provide both the space and nurturing to ignite the creative spark in our city’s young artists. It is our honor and privilege to live out Kent Bellows’ incredible legacy of artistic creativity and mentorship.”

(Bellows was an Omaha artist recognized for his Realist drawings and paintings. He was 56 when he died in 2005.)

cOLUMN By SUzaNNE SMiTh arNEy PhOTOgraPhy By MiNOrwhiTESTUDiOS.cOM

10 Ways to nurture Creative kids

St a

r Ou e w Ye a rt t h e N

t R igh t

1) You don’t have to know art history to visit a museum with your child. Look, share opinions, and listen. How can you relate the work to your child’s life?

2) Have your child choose 2 or 3 selections and then compare them to coax critical thinking.

3) Encourage art-making at home: sculpt bread dough, paint book covers or a garden bench.

4) Buy one of the playful food books by Joost Elffers and Saxton Freymann.

5) Take advantage of open studios to see artists at work.

6) Find art—on postage stamps, building designs, fabric patterns, advertising.

7) Highlight family art and artists, such as quilts, pottery, woodworking.

8) Indulge your own creative side to model creative expression (as well as remember how to play!).

9) Support your school’s art program—learn, help, donate!

10) Give your kid a can of shaving cream and get out of the way!

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Herskovitz was raised in Massachusetts, but was living in San Francisco, teaching and exhibiting, when she applied for the position with the newly-formed Bellows Studio. Here, she has developed a program pairing metro-area high school students with artist/mentors. From 47 applicants, 19 were chosen for the initial semester (Fall ’08). “I feel really proud of having our first exhibition [December 2008], when three months ago this didn’t even exist,” she says. Herskovitz has always felt drawn to community issues as much as to art. She has volunteered in shelters, done community organizing, and taught at-risk youth. She earned a BA in Studio Art with concentrations in Sociology and Urban Development, and an MA in teaching.

Teens, she believes, can often feel marginalized, or at least misunderstood. “Finding an identity is challenging and can be lonely,” she says. “The positive part is that art can provide an opportunity to be expressive, to explore beauty and pain in a positive way.” Working with professional artists validates the students’ efforts and teaches critical thinking; sharing questions and discoveries in such an environment can be empowering. Executive Director Anne Meysenburg says, “While I would call Rebecca a teacher, she does not teach a class. Each student has a name; and she reaches out to each one on an individual basis. She is fluid in her style and tailors her approach to the needs and learning style of each young person in the program. This method paves the way for the students to reach within themselves to fulfill their highest creative potential.”

Validation is the greatest gift Herskovitz received from her nonartist parents. “When I was nine, they bought me seeds of various colored flowers and told me I could plan the garden. They valued my decision-making. My mom left me alone with art materials. She didn’t direct me, correct me, or tell me not to get dirty.” She believes parents can encourage their children at any age to appreciate art and the creative process. Taking them to galleries and museums is good, and so is playing with everyday materials. “It’s about using our brain in a holistic way,” says Herskovitz. “There are multiple ways to say Yes! to creativity.” H

27

message from

Theresa Cassaday, Chief Communication Officer Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska

Making the World a Better Place...

One Cookie at a Time

february/march 2009

B

y the time you are reading this article, the Girl Scouts will have already come to your door asking you to buy cookies. Hopefully, you said yes (more than once) and now as you sit down with a sleeve of Thin Mints and milk or a box of Caramel deLites and cup of coffee, keep this in mind: that small donation you made by purchasing Girl Scout Cookies translates into a positive, life-changing experience for girls, funding for local troops and a lasting investment in our community.

The Girl Scout Cookie sale is multifaceted: There is the financial literacy component, where girls learn about business, marketing, networking, ethical decision making, handling money and keeping commitments. The girls and Girl Scout troops benefit from revenue generated by the sale, which allows them to participate in programs, activities, field trips, camping or possibly a trip they will take together to a place they have never been. You, of course, enjoy delicious and heartwarming cookies. And the community benefits because the remainder of the proceeds stay with the local council which in turn supports the program development and volunteer training we offer, maintains our camp properties and five statewide service centers and allows us to provide a leadership experience for ALL girls through financial assistance and reduced fees.

Everywhere you go, Girl Scouts are doing something to change the world. Whether making blankets for hospitals, cleaning up a park, collecting cans for a food drive, donating hours at an animal shelter, or teaching seniors in a retirement home the nuances of their new Wii-- Girl Scouts have a

28

relentless drive to better their communities and enhance the lives of everyone around them. This is what Girl Scouting teaches and, fortunately, it is inherent in the heart of every girl‌ and that is why it works.

Evidence of the impact that the esteembuilding Girl Scout experience has had on women can be seen long after their days as a young Girl Scout are behind them. Whether they become a doctor, lawyer, scientist,

teacher, mother, Girl Scout leader or judge, they all share a common influence: the lessons they learned and experiences they had in Girl Scouting helped shape their character and confidence.

So when you dunk those Shortbreads and munch down on the Peanut Butter Patties, do so with pride. You have bolstered a future leader and helped foster a lasting impression in the world around you. H

EvEry iSSUE, hEr MagaziNE BriNgS yOU aN iMPOrTaNT MESSagE frOM ThE girL ScOUTS – SPiriT Of NEBraSka. yOU caN hELP, gET iNvOLvED! www.heromaha.com

message from

Natalia J. Peart, PhD, Chief Executive Officer YWCA Omaha

Beauty at Any Cost

M

ost women in the United States participate in a daily beauty pageant—whether they like it or not. Engulfed by a popular culture saturated with images of idealized, air-brushed and unattainable female physical beauty, women and girls cannot escape feeling judged on the basis of their physical appearance. As a result, many women feel chronically insecure, overweight and inadequate, as these beauty images apply to an ever-shrinking pool of women. Moreover, the diet, cosmetic and fashion industries are often too willing to exploit these narrow beauty standards so women and girls will become cradle-to-grave consumers of beauty products, cosmetic surgery and diet programs.

The issue is not new, but the extent to which it is invading the lives of younger girls, and the lengths to which women will go to achieve an unattainable look, is an increasing problem. From new levels of spending on cosmetic alternation to health risks and to a “mean girls” culture, the lifelong burden of an unattainable beauty and body image is taking a terrible toll in all areas of women’s lives, from their economic well-being to health to interpersonal relationships.

health implications The health implications that impact women on the never-ending treadmill of unrealistic beauty attainment are substantial. Through chronic and unhealthy dieting, using smoking as a weight-loss aide, taking unnecessary risks during cosmetic surgical procedures, and absorbing unsafe chemicals through cosmetics, women are placing themselves in precarious health situations to maintain some semblance of their idealized physical selves. Women and girls are at risk for lifelong health problems—and the problems start at an early age. interpersonal relationships Media portrayals of women—through advertising and characters who are thin, airbrushed and perfect—contribute to norms that reinforce this unattainable image of beauty. According to Maggie Vlazny, a mental health professional, “Self-esteem is a core identity issue, essential to personal validation and our ability to experience joy.

Once achieved, it comes from the inside out.

But it is assaulted or stunted from the outside in. A woman with low self-esteem does not feel good about herself because she has absorbed negative messages about women from the culture and/or relationships.” Consequently, women find themselves in turmoil in a culture that promotes objectification at an early age and competition that often turns to bullying based on physical attributes and social status.

In the coming months, YWCA will kick off a campaign entitled “Beauty at any Cost.”

The goal is to focus attention on the cultural burden of aesthetic compliance placed on women—particularly young women—first

addressed by our colleagues at the Women’s Fund of Greater Omaha in their report: Girls in Real Life G.I.R.L. Report. The YWCA and five other community agencies—the Women’s Fund, Camp Fire USA, Girls Inc., Girl Scouts Great Plains Council, and Voices for Children in Nebraska—collaborated on the production of the G.I.R.L. Report. Continuing on from the collective agencies’ “I AM ENOUGH” campaign created to promote confidence and empowerment in young girls, we hope to heighten awareness and dialogue about this ongoing concern. Please join us in this important discussion. H * Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) is a groundbreaking trauma treatment program. Clients who attend the phasebased skills class are survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault who are having difficulty coping with issues in their daily lives.

Get Involved!

Beauty by the numbers • Over half of teenage girls use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, vomiting and taking laxatives.

• In 2007 the top five surgical cosmetic procedures for women in the U.S. (by numbers of procedures performed) were: breast augmentation, lipoplasty, eyelid surgery, abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and breast reduction. Together, expenditures for these procedures totaled $5.3 billion.

• In the U.S., nearly 10 million women suffer from an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. More than 80% of women are reported to be dissatisfied with their appearance.

• Research links sexualization of women, young girls and teens—focusing solely on one’s physical and sexual attributes—with three of the most common mental health problems of girls and women: eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression.

EvEry iSSUE, hEr MagaziNE BriNgS yOU aN iMPOrTaNT MESSagE frOM y wca OMaha. yOU caN hELP, gET iNvOLvED!

february/march 2009

economic Costs Not only are women in the United States spending much of their money on cosmetic products—a total of $7 billion spent per year on cosmetics—but they are now taking increasingly drastic measures to alter their appearances through surgical means. Money spent on cosmetic surgery and non-surgical aesthetic procedures is increasing significantly among all women, including young women. And the economic implications even reach into the workplace, where research shows that women who don’t adhere

to particular standards of beauty feel the impact professionally and financially.

29 www.heromaha.com

cOLUMN By cOLLEEN cLEEk

W

Trade

elcome to the New Year; welcome to the new Her Food Editor!

My name is Colleen Cleek, Chef/ Owner of The CLASSY GOURMET Culinary Arts Center in Omaha, Nebraska. It has been my pleasure and privilege to serve the people of Omaha for the past seven years. May 2009 bring a refreshing awakening of wonderful tastes, aromas, and pleas-

ing palates as you try new exotic ingredients and rejoice in the comforts of the old traditions. Food can transport us, heal us, and teach us, so when asked to do a top ten list it seemed only natural to choose the tools of my trade. Tools that impact food in the most important way, tools to make cooking or creating a meal fun, fast, and fabulous, and make the kitchen a place I long to return to. H

1. 8-inch Chef Knife - Every home chef needs a good knife. First question to ask is, “What tasks will it perform?” Look for a good fit for your hand, balance and cost for your skill level.

2. Microplane - Grater/Zester - Handy tool designed after a wood crafters rasp, brought to the kitchen to shave, zest and grate. It is very sharp -- watch your nails and knuckles!

3. Salt Cellar - Gray Celtic, Hawaiian, Kosher, Cracked Pepper Blend- Just plain functional and cute. A conversation piece and a wonderful way to infuse natural minerals from the earth into your diet.

4. Reduction Pan - No matter what pan set you already have, it’s a good bet it doesn’t include a reduction pan. It’s designed to intensify and concentrate the heat and create a large, rolling air surface that evaporates liquids faster, intensifying the flavors so even the novice can impress.

5. Instant-Read Meat Thermometer - No more guesswork. The high cost of food, especially meats, has made a meat thermometer more important than ever. We are choosing lesser quality cuts to save money, so when you do invest in a fillet, you want it to be done to perfection.

6. Folding Baker’s Rack- Gain more space in the kitchen with a folding baker’s rack. Stable and secure with lots of options, then folds and lays flat until next use.

7. Immersion Blender - Soup, sauces, purees and even milkshakes whip up quick and easy with less to clean with a mighty immersion blender. A chef must!

february/march 2009

8. Heat-Resistant Fish Spatula - Sometimes the best tools are the simple ones. This baby does it all — nonstick, fish to cookies. Won’t melt or scratch. Can’t ask for more for under $7.

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9. Stove-Top Smoker - Once you crank up the heat on the smoker you’ll become addicted.

We smoke everything from peppers to bananas, salmon to tomatoes.

10. Viking 7-qt. Stand Mixer - With 1000 watts of power, this is every cook’s dream machine. You need to take this one for a test spin, and then roll her into your appliance garage. I especially love the red one. www.heromaha.com

MiNOrwhiTESTUD

TOOLS OF THE

iOS.cOM

Chef/Owner, the Classy Gourmet, cook@theclassygourmet.com

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