Vol. 82 - No. 24 by The Omaha Star

75 CENTS

Omaha Star

The

Proudly Serving Our Community for Over 80 Years

Dedicated to the Service of the People that NO Good Cause Shall Lack a Champion and that Evil Shall Not Go Unopposed

Nebraska’s Only Black Owned Newspaper Vol. 82 - No. 24 Omaha, Nebraska

Friday, November 27, 2020

75 cents

Family of the Week: The Adams Family

Row 1: Marlee, Traeson, Tucker Row 2: Titus II, Maranda, Titus, Tobias

By Terri D. Sanders

The Adams family believes in Omaha. Titus is a native of our city. Maranda is a Texas transplant to Nebraska. Married for thirteen years, this is home. Titus is a retired from the National Football League where he played for the Jets, Patriots, Giants and Browns. Maranda is the Vice President of Blair Freeman Construction, the only 100% Black owned female construction company in the state of Nebraska. Since coming to Nebraska they have been instrumental in several businesses in our community, one of which is THE COOLER. All of the Adams children are active in sports. Titus II, 9 years old, attends Jesuit Academy; Traeson, 8 years old, is a third grader at Nelson Mandela Elementary School; Tucker, 6 years old, is in first grade at Nelson Mandela Elementary School; 4 year old Marlee is in the Pre-K program at Nelson Mandela Early Childhood Development Center; and Tobias joined the family in August 2020. Titus and Maranda are diehard Cornhusker fans. They met while attending the University of Nebraska Lincoln.

The Publisher’s Pen

I am so excited! We have elected a President and the Vice President Elect is a woman of color. While I do not know what she will be doing, my offspring will be in the White House. I was reminded by a friend without me there would be no Symone Sanders and without my mother, Opal McAlister, there would be no me. Legacy is important. Acknowledgement of legacy is vital. Communication/ Entrepreneurship runs in our family. My mother was an entrepreneur. She and my father owned the FIRST Black Beauty Supply in the State of Nebraska—McAlister Beauty Supply. I worked there as a child, running the cash register and filling orders for the local barbers and cosmetologists. I learned a work ethic from my parents. That work ethic I passed on to my children. That work ethic is personified in what Symone is doing now. Keep your eye on the prize of what is happening in our community. The wheels of progress turn slow, but the wheels are moving. With the creation of the 24th Street Business Improvement District (BID) under the leadership of LaVonya Goodwin and the property owners along 24th Street, we are experiencing growth and change. The development of the Carver Savings and Loan building into a financial institution is economic change. There is a vibe blowing through North Omaha, I would advise you to catch the wave. Tuesday, December 1, 2020, is Giving Tuesday. This opportunity to give replaces Omaha Gives that is traditionally held in May. Giving Tuesday is sponsored through SHARE OMAHA. There are a variety of ways to give. You can give monetary donations, giving volunteer time and you can even

Signed copy of “No You Shut Up” By Symone Sanders is on sale in The Omaha Star office

donate items through Amazon (Charity List provided by the noted 501c3). The Mildred D Brown Memorial Study Center is registered to participate in this giving event. What or Who is the Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center (MDBMSC)? David Turnbo Photography I am GLAD you asked. MDBMSC was organized in 2007 to promote the profession of journalism to African American High School students in the metropolitan area. The scope of the organization has grown since that time and has a four-fold purpose: • Junior Journalism (promoting the profession of journalism to students) • Providing higher education scholarships • Sharing the archives of the Omaha Star newspaper • Ownership of the Omaha Star Newspaper (The oldest Black Newspaper in the state of Nebraska – established in 1938) We would appreciate your donation anytime throughout the year. Donations can be sent via PayPal; CashApp ($MDBMSC) or a check, mailed to: PO Box 3393, Omaha, NE 68103. We are growing journalists in our community and we would appreciate your support. Are you a subscriber? Twenty-six weeks of news for $40.00. In 2021 our rates will increase. We look forward to serving you the GOOD news about our community.

Google News Initiative Fellow

Ilana Lewis, University of Nebraska Lincoln is the Google News Initiative Fellow is a part of the Omaha Star Newspaper Staff. An Omaha native, Ilana Lewis, graduated from Omaha Central High School in 2018 and is currently a rising junior at the University of Nebraska Lincoln. She is pursuing a major in Advertising/ Public Relations and a minor in Communication Studies within the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. Ilana enjoys active involvement in the UNL Public Relations Students Society of America and can often be found working out at the Campus Recreation Center. Her fellowship with the Omaha Star began this fall. She writes a variety of articles and has specialized in persons who are

from Omaha in our section Our Community: There are Black People in Nebraska. We are pleased to have her as a writer on Staff. We encourage young people to contact the publisher for writing opportunities with the Omaha Star. Contact information: publisher@ omahastarinc.com, 402-346-4041.

MCC Dean Shedding Light On Organ Donation More than 400 Nebraskans are waiting for an organ donation. It could be a grandfather with diabetes, a teenage cystic fibrosis patient, or a mother of a child whose life has just begun. They’re all hoping for a voice on the other line to tell them it’s their turn. An organ match has been identified that could save their life. If you’re part of a minority population, chances are greater that you or someone in your family is on the list. In Nebraska, African Americans who are 5% of the population make up 12% of those who are waiting for an organ donation. Metro Community College Dean Art Brown knows first-hand what that’s like. He needs a kidney transplant. Art’s father had a kidney transplant, as did his uncle. Now he and his aunt both undergo dialysis treatments to help keep their kidneys functioning. Art began dialysis in May 2019 and has been on the donor list for three years. “I actually made it to the door and saw it open. My doctor called and said they had a donor. I was admitted to the hospital and went through the preop process. Then it was determined that the kidney was not as suitable as they had thought, and the door closed again,” said Art. It can be a stressful wait, but Art has a strong faith which helps put things into perspective. He also makes an effort to share how others can be a blessing to those who are in a situation like his. In partnership with Live On Nebraska, Nebraska’s organ and tissue procurement organization, Art is bringing awareness to the need for more Omaha residents of various racial backgrounds to become registered organ donors. “I’m a registered donor, myself,” said Art. “A single organ and tissue donor can impact dozens of people by checking the box at the DMV or going online to register. You can save eight lives through organ donation, plus benefit 100 people in need of tissue donation.” According to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), transplants can be successful regardless of the race or ethnicity of the donor and recipient. The chance of longer-term survival, however, may be greater if the donor and recipient are closely matched in terms of their shared genetic background. “If you’re looking for an actionable way to serve God and love people today, register as an organ donor. Spending 5 minutes to register could mean adding 5, 10, 20 years to the life of someone like me.” To learn more about organ donation or register as a donor, visit LiveOnNebraska.org/register.

Giving Tuesday is December 1, 2020 Donate to: Mildred D. Brown Memorial Study Center

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Page Two

LOCAL NEWS/LIFE & STYLE

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Terri D. Sanders - publisher@omahastarinc.com Business Hours: Monday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Member of the National Newspaper Publishers Association Mildred D. Brown: Founder, July 9, 1938 Dr. Marguerita L. Washington: Publisher, 1989 - 2016 Phyllis Hicks: Publisher/Managing Editor, 2016 - 2019 Terri D. Sanders: Interim Publisher Ebony Hawkins: Administrator Barbara Reeves: Retail Distributor THE OMAHA STAR believes that America can best lead the world away from racial and national antagonism when it accords every man, regardless of race, color or creed, his human and legal rights. Hating no man, fearing no man in the firm belief that all are hurt as long as one is held back.

DISCLAIMER

The United States provides opportunities for free expression of ideas. The Omaha Star has its views, but others may differ. Therefore the Omaha Star ownership reserves the right to publish views and opinions by syndicated and local columnists, professional writers and other writers whose opinions are solely their own. Those views do not necessarily reflect the policies and position of the staff and management of the Omaha Star newspaper. Readers are encouraged to email letters to the editor commenting on current events as well as what they would like to see included in the paper. Those emails should be sent to: publisher@omahastarinc.com and must include the writer’s name, address, email address and telephone number. The ownership has editorial rights and does not guarantee that all submissions will be published. Please be advised that the Omaha Star ownership does not employ staff writers who charge for preparing and submitting articles for the general public. Should you encounter such, please advise Terri D. Sanders at 402346-4041.

November 27, 2020

Thank you LD11

Thank you to the voters of Nebraska’s 11th Legislative District and everyone who supported me throughout this process. This election cycle has been a challenge – with COVID-19, social injustice in our society, and the daily rigors of life. It definitely wasn’t easy, but we got the job done and ran a People-Powered campaign. There is still work to be done, but most importantly, together, we declared it is up to us to lead the change needed in our community. Together, we decided our voices matter. Ignoring us is no longer an option. It’s time to have a real conversation about the issues affecting Legislative District 11. My long-term vision is to have a strong LD11 that is thriving and economically resilient, thus helping to reduce the amount of people who are incarcerated, and most importantly creating a community where our future generations have equitable education opportunities, and full healthcare access. The People’s interests are always my priority, no matter what. I will work directly with my peers in the Legislature and our community to lead the necessary work it takes to change our trajectory. I vow always to have an open mind and find commonalities across the aisle to get things done for all of us. In staying true to our word, the People for Terrell McKinney campaign stayed committed to doing the work and connecting with our community. Throughout the process, it was clear LD11 voters wanted someone in the Unicameral who is an effective collaborator and who is actively engaged in ways that are accessible to them. Our goal was, and is, to empower you to show up alongside me and use our collective voices to vote, advocate, and to be a voice for the People. I call for all leaders and elected officials, from all generations, to sit at the table and work to change our community. The days of accepting crumbs and lip service must end – we demand better. Together, we can begin working to secure a sustainable future for our kids,

which requires trust, reconciliation, and most importantly, leaving egos at home. Career clout is not my goal; this is real life and directly affects the daily well being of the lives of, both, LD 11, and Nebraska, residents. The People want change and it’s on us to listen and serve their needs. Our community deserves strong leadership who listens to their concerns, and establishes goals with the community at the table. I don’t expect this to be easy, but I’m up for the challenge because, if anything, you are only on my side but will continuously hold me accountable. Lastly, to my team, I’m forever grateful for your belief in me and the sacrifices you made to lead this People Powered campaign. To my family, I appreciate your patience and support throughout this process, especially my number one supporter, my daughter Sana’a. See you in the Legislature.

A Promised Land

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In the highly anticipated first volume of his presidential memoir “A Promised Land”, Barack Obama tells the story of his improbable odyssey from young man searching for his identity to leader of the free world, describing in strikingly personal detail both his political education and the landmark moments of the first term of his historic presidency—a time of dramatic transformation and turmoil. Obama takes readers on a compelling journey from his

earliest political aspirations to the pivotal Iowa caucus victory that demonstrated the power of grassroots activism to the watershed night of November 4, 2008, when he was elected 44th president of the United States, becoming the first African American to hold the nation’s highest office. Obama said himself on Twitter, “There’s no greater feeling like finishing a book, and I’m proud of this one. In “A Promised Land”, I try to provide an honest accounting of my presidency, the forces we

grapple as a nation, and how we can heal our divisions and make democracy work for everybody.” Get ready for what will no doubt be one of the most talked about books of the year, and set aside a bit of time to get through it, as it clocks in over 700 pages. This beautifully written and powerful book captures Barack Obama’s conviction that democracy is not a gift from on high but something founded on empathy and common understanding and built together, day by day.

Who’s The New Boss? How To Avoid Succession Planning Mistakes

Many corporations have endured a rough 2020 that included the resignations of top executives at some major brands. Will their replacements be ready? It’s a fair question, especially if the new company leader is promoted from within. Studies show many senior leaders don’t think their companies properly educate and prepare future leaders for succession. If an organization has no pipeline of leaders ready to take over senior leadership positions, then a lack of succession planning can be catastrophic for even the most enduring company, says Jennifer Mackin (www. jennifermackin.com), a leader of two consulting firms and the ForbesBook author of Leaders Deserve Better: A Leadership Development Revolution. “Many companies don’t find the development of leaders significant until they are readying for succession planning, embarking on a new venture, or weathering storms that threaten their viability,” Mackin says. “This reactive approach is risky because development takes time.” Mackin says it’s time for CEOs, senior leaders, and heads of HR to modernize their leadership development because of the ever-evolving business world, which is especially volatile now. “Leaders often weren’t ready to assume higher roles before the pandemic, and now it’s a bigger problem in terms of succession,” Mackin says. “A rapidly-changing time, such as now, is a good reason to focus on succession to ensure the chances of a company’s long-term survival.” Mackin says the common mistakes companies make in their succession plans are: • They start too late. Even when companies realize they will have a void in their leadership roles, they wait too

long to get the succession process started, Mackin says. “They may know people are retiring in two years,” she says, “but they need to start their planning well before then. It takes three to five years to do it right.” • They only consider the CEO role in their succession conversation.Mackin says that when a company does a thorough evaluation of its people, looking not only at their present performance but gauging their future, they might discover they don’t have the right kinds of people in the right roles. “Companies that win think strategically and have a people plan to address those gaps,” she says. “I recommend an overall development plan for the organization’s leaders as a whole and for individuals, and a succession plan for all key roles, not just for the CEO or C-Suite.” • The succession plan and development plan aren’t shared with leaders. Many companies worry that if their plans are known by the individuals slotted for upcoming senior roles, other people, not chosen, will leave. “Having outlined all roles with expectations will help others aspire to gain the knowledge and skills they need, because then they know what is required at the next level,” Mackin says. • Decisions are made subjectively by the top leadership team. “It is tough to create a succession plan without objective data about the future open roles and the employees that could potentially fit those roles with the right development,” Mackin says. “Prepared leaders who are stepping into higher roles have never been more important than they are now,” Mackin says. “They are more adept during unforeseen disruptions and are able to pull their teams together. They can recraft a new, realistic, strategic direction quickly.”

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November 27, 2020

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Page Four THE OMAHA STAR

PRAISE, WORSHIP, DEVOTION, OBITUARIES & INSPIRATION

Being Nice Does Have Its Rewards By Dr. James L. Snyder It was one of those weeks. It seems that every week of mine is “one of those weeks.” Several problems developed with my vehicle, and I had to take it to the garage. Fortunately, when I took it in, it wasn’t as serious as I thought. Of course, I was happy about that, and as I drove my vehicle home, I sang one of my happy songs. The next day, the vehicle had the issue again. I guess he heard me sing that happy song and was going to try to prove me wrong. I should’ve worn a mask while singing so he wouldn’t understand what I was singing. When am I going to learn? Oh well, it’s one of those weeks. I took the vehicle back to the garage, and they solved the problem very quickly, which made me happy. Remembering the last time I brought the vehicle home, I did not sing my happy song, at least out loud. When everything goes wrong, it is tough to be nice. Having a nice attitude takes a lot of work, and I must say it is beyond my pay grade. Then things changed. First off, I got a check from my publisher, which I was not expecting. It was just the beginning of the “nice” attitude in my week. My wife was away for lunch the other day, and so I had to get my lunch. I stopped at Wendy’s and got my lunch, and I have one of those coupons for a free Frosty. I used my coupon, and when I picked up my food, there were two Frostys. “Excuse me,” I said to the waiter, “I only ordered one frosty, but you gave me two.” The person at the window looked at me, smiled, and said, “I just wanted to do something nice for you. Go ahead, keep it.” I smiled back at him and thanked him. As I was thinking about how nice the week was going, I decided to celebrate it by getting an Apple Fritter. I went in, got my Apple Fritter, and took it to the cashier. When I got there, I looked at the cashier and said, “If I mention how nice you look today, could you give me a discount on my Apple Fritter?” I could see quite a bit of strain in the lady at the cash register, and I’m sure she’s had one of those days like I have every once in a while. She looked at me, smiled (probably the first time that day), and said, “That’s the nicest thing anybody has said to me all day. Sure I can give you a discount. In fact, this Apple Fritter is on the house. Go ahead and take it.” Then she smiled as I walked out the door. Driving home, I thought about it and that being nice sometimes has nice results. Nothing could be nicer for me than a free Apple Fritter. I thought about the words of Jesus, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (Luke 6:38). After this little incident, I will take more time practicing to be nice to the people I meet each day. Dr. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, Ocala, FL 34472, where he lives with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. Call him at 352216-3025 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

Omaha Star Philosophy: At the Star we look at ourselves as the documentarians of African-American news in Omaha. We strive to make our readers and our advertisers proud they support a publication that portrays the AfricanAmerican as a multidimensional person capable of excelling in areas other than sports, entertainment and politics.

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s isn’t easy. Reaching us is.

Kids Talk About God

Why Should We Give Thanks To God? By Carey Kinsolving and Friends On Thanksgiving Day, families all over America sit down to dinner at the same time — halftime. “Thanksgiving has two good words,” says Hollie, age 9. “They are ‘thanks’ and ‘giving,’ and that’s what we need to do — thank others and be giving. Those are two things my mom taught me.” Hollie, your mom has taught you well. Gratitude is one of the most important lessons parents can teach their children. “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life,” writes Melody Beattie. “It turns what we have into enough, and more. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” Adrienne, 9, is fortunate to have a father who’s not ashamed to offer thanks to God: “I like when my dad prays before we eat. I don’t know why, but I just do.” Tori, 6, is already following the example of godly parents: “I like Thanksgiving because I get to eat chicken, and my mama is with me, and my daddy is with me. I get to see my cousins. I get to be with God because I say the blessings.” Tori, you might have the wrong bird, but you’ve definitely got the right spirit and company. You have a kindred spirit in Ally, 11: “I like Thanksgiving because it is good to thank God. He gives us so many blessings that we don’t even realize. It’s the least we can do to give him one whole day of thanks, but we should be giving thanks daily.” Robert, 8, goes even further: “I can give thanks when I broke my finger and that it didn’t get cut off. I can give thanks when

my dad got shot four times and that he didn’t die.” Wait a minute! How could anybody find a bright side to a broken finger or gunshot wounds? This kind of worldview sees all circumstances as divine tapestry. Faith in God’s sovereignty and goodness transports the believer into a realm where giving thanks in everything is as normal as breathing. This doesn’t mean that everything we encounter is good, but rather that God’s goodness and power will work it out for his purpose and our benefit. Why, then, do we complain instead of giving thanks? “Pride slays thanksgiving, but an humble mind is the soil out of which thanks naturally grow,” wrote 19th century minister Henry Ward Beecher. “A proud man is seldom a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves.” Kimberly, 8, is an example of someone who is grateful even in the midst of great loss: “My grandmother died of a heart attack, and it was hard to thank the Lord for that. I was very close to my grandmother. I saw her almost every day. But now, she doesn’t have any more pain, and she is in heaven.” Think about this: Even though we sorrow over the loss of loved ones, not even death can make spiritual Christians ungrateful. The Lord Jesus absorbed death’s sting when he offered himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Faith alone in Christ alone guarantees everlasting life. Memorize this truth: “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (I Thessalonians 5:18). Ask this question: Can you give thanks for everything?

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Deaths & Funerals Dessie M. Steen Ms. Dessie M. Steen, age 80, passed away Monday, November 2, at her residence. Survived by son: Lewis Haywood, Jr.; daughters: Eva L. Haywood, Eva M. (Robert) Lambert, Omaha; brothers, sisters, grandchildren, other relatives. Funeral Service 11 am Tuesday, November 10, Mortuary. Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery Arrangements by Thomas Funeral Home

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Omaha Performing Arts launches Voices AMPLIFIED! A new series on arts and social justice

OMAHA, Neb. (October 1, 2020) – Voices AMPLIFIED! is a multidisciplinary arts and social justice series, organized and led by Omaha Performing Arts, to amplify artists in diverse cultures. Under the direction of Gennean Scott, Vice President of Human Capital and Inclusion and Andy Cassano, Vice President of Programming and Education, Voices AMPLIFIED! will elevate artists and their work in social justice through live music, dance, and spoken word. The new series will include panel discussions by local and national artists and community partners on food, health, #BlackVoicesMatter and more. Voices AMPLIFIED! is led by a committee of ten community members comprised of educators, artists and O-pa employees: Deborah Bunting, Andy Cassano, Raydell Cordell III, Aaron Gregory, Bill Grennan, Dara Hogan, Matt Mason, Jade Rogers, Gennean Scott and Kathy Tyree. “Inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility are core values at Omaha Performing Arts and are woven throughout our efforts. Voices AMPLIFIED! is an extension of that work and a long-term initiative to expand our artistic, community engagement and education programs,” said Gennean Scott, Vice President of Human Capital and Inclusion. During the 2020-2021 season, Voices AMPLIFIED! will partner with performing artists who reflect on Black history and racial equity to amplify Black voices and Black stories and encourage dialogue in the community. While current events have directly shaped the direction of this year’s topic, the community approach to Voices AMPLIFIED! is an ongoing effort at O-pa. The 2020-2021 season events are listed below. For more information, visit our website voiceamplified.org! Locations, registration and additional details will be available later. 2020/2021 Voices AMPLIFIED! Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020 at 4 PM - Panel discussion: Local filmmakers making movies that move We turn our attention to amplify local filmmakers who are using their art to influence social justice issues such as racial, economic and systemic barriers in Omaha. In partnership with Film Streams, artist Sydney Shead will share her film series “The Unwavering Project.” Shead is an Omaha entrepreneur, family advocate and consultant. In her latest film project, she highlights the unwavering resilience and positive community impact from Black men. In the film, men share their childhood experiences

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from family trauma to violence and their triumphs as professionals, artists, business owners, and family men. Join us for a panel discussion with Shead and two of the film participants Shannon Teamer and Kristopher Kuhn. Kuhn is a former NBA hopeful and the founder, owner, and director of Hoop Rank Early Education and Sports Academy. Teamer is the Sydney Shead senior director of Inclusion Programs & Services and director of TRIO Project Achieve at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and author of “Start. Stay With It. Finish Strong.” The panel will discuss what it means to be unwavering, the importance of using film to tell their stories and the challenges and opportunities in the industry. Location: Omaha Performing Arts Facebook and YouTube Channel – free Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 at 4 PM - Worth a Thousand Words: The Photography of Rudy Smith After hearing Martin Luther King, Jr. speak at a convention in Denver, Omaha native Rudy Smith was forever changed. The award-winning photographer Rudy Smith chronicled news events with his camera including Omaha’s race upheavals and the 1968 visit of Robert Rudy Smith Kennedy who was campaigning in North Omaha two weeks before his assassination. Throughout Smith’s photography career, he worked as both the objective observer and the committed activist. During a time of Civil Rights turmoil and reform in America, Smith photographed historical subjects such as protests, marches, and riots. We invite you to tune in for Performing Arts continued on page 6

THE BLACK PRESS AND THE BLACK CHURCH: Both Born Out of Necessity For Self-Expression And Both Black - Owned. Together, The Press And the Pulpit Can Give Us Full Citizenship Immediately

PRAISE & WORSHIP DIRECTORY

November 27, 2020

THE OMAHA STAR

ALLEN CHAPEL A.M.E.

SACRED HEART CATHOLIC CHURCH

Rev. Willie Morris, Pastor 2842 Monroe Street Omaha, NE 68107 Off: (402) 5734-3399 Email: admin@allenchapelomaha.org

Rev. Willie Morris

Sunday School...........................9:00 a.m. Sunday Praise & Worship.....10:00 a.m. Thursday Bible Study..............8:00 p.m. via teleconference, dial-in number 563-999-2090 and access code 576989

Fr. Dave Korth

2207 Wirt Street Omaha, NE 68110 Phone: 402-451-5755

MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH 2019 Burdette Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-342-0018

Fr. Dave Korth

Worship Service .............10:00 a.m. Sunday School .................8:45 a.m. Excluding First Sunday Tuesday Evening Service.........7:00 p.m.

“Where Life is for Everyone”

Page Five

Live Streaming Sunday Service-10:00am on Morning Star Baptist Church-Omaha Facebook Page

SUNDAYS 10:00 AM

Mass Schedule: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday - 8:00 am in Rectory (2218 Binney) Thursday - School Mass 8:10 am in Church Saturday - 5:00 pm Sunday - 8:15 am and 10:30 am

SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH

awcchurch.org 402-341-1866 5417 N. 103rd St. Omaha, NE

MOUNT CALVARY COMMUNITY CHURCH

Drs. Martin & Lynnell Williams Founders & Lead Pastors

“Jesus is the Light of the World” Bishop Kevin Chambers, Senior Pastor (Elect) www.m3comaha.org 5112 Ames Avenue Omaha, NE 68104 (402) 457-4216 Church Phone (402) 453-4084 Pastor’s Office

BETHEL MISSIONARAY BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. Dr. Lorenzo S.L. Fincher Senior Pastor 5318 South 30th Street Omaha, NE 68107 Phone: (402) 731-1840

Bishop Kevin Chambers

Dr. Ralph B. Lassiter, Pastor 2602 N. 24th St. Off: (402) 451-8800 Fax: (402) 451-8522 mtmoriahomaha.net pastorlassiter@gmail.com

Rev. Ralph Lassiter, Sr.

Wednesday Bible-Prayer Service 11:30 a.m. & 6:30 p.m

Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor

Sunday School………………………8:45 a.m. Sunday Worship Experience………...10:00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study….…….…….6:00 p.m.

MT. NEBO MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH “The Church Where Fellowship is Real”

Pastor Terry L. Arvie 5501 N. 50th Street Ph: 402-451-4245 Fx: 402-451-2130 office@mtneboomaha.org www.mtneboomaha.org

Services on Sundays at 8:30 am & 10:50 am 7020 Cass Street, Omaha, NE 68132 402.556.6262 www.fumcomaha.org First United Methodist Church is a welcoming and inclusive community, inspired to grow with and in God.

8:30 am Early Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 - 10:15 am Sunday Morning Breakfast 10:15 - 11:15 am Sunday School 11:30 am Sunday Morning Worship 6:30 pm Wednesday Bible Study 8:00 pm Friday Night Service Noon day prayer Thursday - Saturday

Pastor Kenneth A. Allen

Sunday Morning Worship ...................................9:00 a.m. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting .....................7:00 p.m. Wednesday Night Church School ......................7:30 p.m. Youth/Children Ministry Focus (Wed.) ............7:30 p.m.

Rev. Kent H. Little, Lead Pastor

Pastor Barbara Mitchell

2215 Grant Street Omaha, NE 68110 Ph: 402-346-1502 Fax: 402-344-2720

Pastor Terry L. Arvie

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Pastor Barbara Mitchell 2404 Fort Street, Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-1800 Church 402-455-3390 Fax

ZION BAPTIST CHURCH Rev. Kenneth A. Allen, Pastor

“Come Get Your Hilltop Experience” Rev. Portia A. Cavitt, Pastor 5544 Ames Avenue, Omaha, NE 68104 Telephone: 402-451-8322 • Website: www.cmumc.net Email: clairumc@cumc.omhcoxmail.com

Weekly Services Sunday Morning Worship Service .....................8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Children’s Church (2nd & 4th Sunday) ................8:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. Life Development (Sunday School) .........................................10:15 a.m. Wednesday Word and Worship (WWW) ................................ 6:30 p.m.

MT. MORIAH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH

Sunday School .............................................. 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship ..........................................10:45 a.m. Overcomers in Christ......................Sunday 7:00 p.m.

CLAIR MEMORIAL UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

SUNDAY Sunday Morning Worship……………10:00 A.M. Sunday School……………………….. 9:00 A.M. WEDNESDAY 11:00 A.M. ~ Hour of Power Bible Study Wednesday is Family Night! 6:00 P.M. ~ Prayer & Praise Service 6:30 P.M. ~ Feast & Fellowship (Light Meal) 7:15 P.M. ~ Discipleship Academy (Classes for ages 5 & up)

PLEASANT GREEN BAPTIST CHURCH

Rev. Michael Chamberlain

THE WORSHIP CENTER

“Where CHRIST is Preeminent and the Word Prevails!”

North 24th Street Church of God “Presenting the Never-Changing GOD to an ever-changing World!”

Pastor Brian Page 5555 Larimore Avenue Church: 402-346-8427 www.pleasantgreenomaha.org

Dr. Stan Rone - Senior Pastor 2021 N. 24th Street • Omaha, NE 68110 (402) 341-4297

Pastor Brian Page

Wednesday: Prayer Power Hour ......................................12:00 p.m Thursday: Youth For Christ ............................................6:00 p.m Prayer & Bible Study ....................................6:30 p.m Sunday: Sunday School.................................................9:00 a.m. Morning Worship..........................................10:15 a.m. Charles Galloway - President, Rev John Deang - Pastor, Dr John Beasley - Elder

HOPE LUTHERAN CHURCH

Televised Broadcast Sunday @ 10pm on KPAO Cox Communication channel 22 & Century Link channel 89

Missouri Synod 2721 N. 30th Street 402-453-1583 Sunday School................................10:00 a.m. Church Service...............................11:00 a.m. YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

ST. BENEDICT THE MOOR CATHOLIC CHURCH 2423 Grant St. Omaha, NE 68111 Ph: 402-348-0631 • Fax 402-342-4451 Sunday Mass: 9:00 a.m. Reconciliation: Sunday after Mass or by appointment

JOY OF LIFE MINISTRIES COGIC

Pastors Eric and Cynthia Butler

Rev. Vitalis Anyanike

6401 N. 56th Street Omaha, NE 68104 Ph: 402-399-9628 E-Mail: Jolpastor@aol.com Sunday School..........................9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship......................10:30 a.m. Sunday Evening Worship.......6:00 p.m. Wednesday Night ....................7:00 p.m. Bible Study and Youth Ministries

HOLY NAME CATHOLIC CHURCH

Pastor Eric Butler and Co-Pastor Cynthia Butler

Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus

TABERNACLE OF FAITH CHURCH

Sunday School .............................................. 9:30 a.m. Worship Services .............................................. 10:45 a.m. Wednesday Prayer Services ..........................................6:30 p.m. Wednesday Bible Study.....................7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Biblically Based, Family Oriented, Dynamic Fellowship

3131 Lake Street Omaha, NE 68111 402-455-1000 www.salembc.org

Services: Sunday School .................................................... 9:30 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship Experience ......... 11:00 a.m. Word On Wednesday (WOW) ........................ 7:00 p.m.

“Large enough to serve you, Small enough to know you”

Rev. Dr. Lorenzo S.L. Fincher Senior Pastor

Serving God and One Another in the Spirit of Excellence Rev. Dr. Selwyn Q. Bachus Senior Pastor

2901 Fontenelle Blvd. 68104 Ph: 402-451-6622 • Fax 402-457-6901 Mass Schedule: Mon. - Fri. 8:30 a.m., Sat. 8:30 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. Sun. 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. & Noon (Spanish) Reconciliation: Sat. 4:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. or by appointment Pastor: Rev. Vitalis Anyanike

Dr. Stan Rone Senior Pastor

Sunday Kingdom Academy 9:00 a.m. Worship Celebration 10:15 a.m. Tuesday Prayer Hour 7:00 a.m. & 12:00 noon Wednesday Power Hour (Prayer/Bible Study) 6:30 p.m. Youth and Children 6:30 p.m. www.theworshipcenter24cog.org

Page Six THE OMAHA STAR

YOUTH NEWS/HEALTH/LIFE & STYLE November 27, 2020 Four Serious Seasons and COVID-19 Response

Performing Arts continued from page 4

a live exhibit of his selected work, along with panelists who will talk about the importance of Smith’s work and how he made a national difference. More information about registration for this event coming soon. Location: Omaha Performing Arts Facebook and YouTube Channel – free Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 at 5 PM - Dinner and discussion: food, health and the arts Food is rooted in Black culture and it’s also at the heart of health issues that challenge our society. Inspired by noted author and cook, Michael Twitty, we’ll be preparing dinner for you. You’ll be able to eat and join our discussion on Black culinary arts, culture and health with guests from the Nebraska School of Medicine. More information about registration for this event coming soon. Location: TBD Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 at 12 PM - Lunch and learn: The food and music of the Gullah Culture Ranky Tanky is a Grammy-Award winning musical ensemble based in Charleston, South Carolina. The group specializes in jazz-influenced arrangements of traditional Gullah music, a culture that originated among descendants of enslaved Africans in the Lowcountry region. We invite you to engage with Ranky Tanky over a lunch and learn about the Gullah culture, music and history. More information about registration for this event coming soon. Location: TBD Performance: Friday, Feb. 5, 2021 at 7:30 PM Ranky Tanky - Holland Center Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 5:30 PM - Live discussion: Alicia Olatuja Jazz singer Alicia Olatuja will give an in-depth insight on her upcoming performance, “Intuition: Songs From the Minds of Women,” a musical commentary for the times, as Black women reassert their rights, gain more political clout and speak out against harassment, abuse and exploitation in all walks of life. More information about registration for this event coming soon. Location: TBD Performance: Thursday, March 11, 2021 at 7:30 PM - Alicia Olatuja Intuition: Songs From The Minds of Women - Holland Center Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 5:30 PM - Live discussion: The Black voice in dance The Philadelphia Dance Company (PHILADANCO) has a legacy of breaking barriers and building bridges across cultural divides. Founded in 1970 by Joan Myers Brown, PHILADANCO is known for using the language of dance to explore Black history, social justice and civil rights. Dancers and choreographers associated with PHILADANCO will talk about the influence of dance in social justice and the arts, as well as fighting Black stereotypes in dance as an art form and as an artist. More information about registration for this event coming soon. Location: TBD Performance: Thursday, April 19, 2021 at 7:30 PM PHILADANCO - Orpheum Theater Friday, June 25, 2021 at 7:30 PM - “Let America Be America Again” Titled after the Langston Hughes’ poem, The Voices AMPLIFIED! finale event will feature local literary, musical, dance and visual arts talent focused around racial equity, social justice, and the arts, with an emphasis on both the Black Lives Matter movement and past reflections throughout history. Location: Holland Performing Arts Center

Halloween, marked the beginning of the fall 2020 holiday season and while the voting started on November 4, 2020, the election season is not over. The COVID-19 season continues and the flu season is also upon us. The four seasons will have a significant impact on all of us so we must continue to support and learn how to protect each other. COVID-19 Season Please continue to wash your hand and sanitize as often as you can. Practice social distancing, wear a mask and get tested to help protect your fellow man, women, and children. If you think you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or have been in contact with someone who had tested positive, call your healthcare provider. If you do not have a provider, you can call the Douglas County Health Department help line at (402) 444- 3400. Cooperate if you are contacted by a Contact Tracer Representative from the health department. Flu Season With covid-19 still prevalent, you’ll want to lower your risk of contracting serious illness. The flu season begins in October and is expected to last until April of next year. Getting a flu shot is a good strategy to stay well. You should not get a flu shot, if you have a life-threatening allergy to ingredients in the vaccine. Children under 6 years old should not get a flu shot. Consult with your medical provider to help with this decision. Holiday Season The next holiday is Thanksgiving, followed by Christmas and New-year Eve celebrations. These events usually mean coming in contact with large crowds as people travel to visit friends and loved ones. Even without the COVID19 pandemic, this season causes the incidents off illness to climb each year. Many have decided to forgo such activities this year. It will require a great deal of discipline,

Dr. Richard Brown

sacrifice, and possibly depression to adjust to staying home in isolation. Election Season We cannot ignore the stress and anxiety of the current election process in which we find ourselves. The environment is filled with misinformation about voting fraud and the coronavirus pandemic. Some of which is significantly harmful to the population as a whole. We strongly encourage you to follow the advice of the scientists who have training in epidemiology and infectious diseases, as well as reputable physicians and public health representatives. Ways to Avoid Germs Shoes - It is wise to leave shoes outside as they carry all kinds of bacteria and germs into your house, on to the floor and carpets. Many cultures outside of the U.S. have practiced this custom for many years. Some people in America with fully carpeted homes, insists on this practice with their families and guests who visit. Purses - Without thinking about it, many individuals place their purses on the floor of restaurants, bathrooms, and places where they work. Purses are then set down on desks, kitchen counters, and places where they live. These surfaces can be contaminated by may substances that can make us ill. Cell phones and computer keyboards are also sources of infection and should be sanitized often. Tooth brushes. Many families have a bouquet of toothbrushes in the rinsing cup located in the bathroom. Please know that the flu virus, strep bacterial, staph, E. coli and COVID-19, can all live on toothbrushes. So, if someone in the house is sick, you don’t want toothbrushes touching. “The virus is real. Its only mission is to kill” REACH: Racial and ethical approaches to community health (REACH) is a periodic column featuring articles that focus on reducing health disparities in the African American community. It will include topics submitted by Creighton University Health Sciences Multicultural and Community Affairs (HS-MACA) department and is supported by the COVID -19 agreement with Douglas County Health Department.

The First Thanksgivings Were Parades and Riots As we celebrate Thanksgiving remembering all of the things we’re thankful for and the family traditions; we thought this historical account of the holiday is noteworthy. This article was taken from Smithsonian.com. We decided to share it with you. Turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, family… Thanksgiving is a cluster of family traditions. But Dr. Richard Brown once upon a time, for some Americans, it was more like a carnival. Modern Thanksgiving dates back to the Civil War, when Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation setting the specific day for Thanksgiving in November. However Thanksgiving celebrations stretch back much further than that in American history. One of the things that modern Thanksgiving erased, according to historian Elizabeth Pleck, was its previous rowdy associations, which were pretty much the opposite of what the holiday is now. For poor people, she writes, the holiday was a “masculine escape from family, a day of rule breaking and spontaneous mirth.” It wasn’t all fun and games either: “Drunken men and boys, often masked, paraded from house to house and demanded to be treated, she writes. “Boys misbehaved

and men committed physical assaults on Thanksgiving as well as on Christmas.” From this culture of “misrule” came the Fantastics. This group of pranksters, often dressed as women, paraded through the streets. “The Fantastics paraded through rural and urban areas of eastern and central Pennsylvania and New York City on Thanksgiving, New Year’s Eve and Battalion Day, Washington’s Birthday and the fourth of July,” she writes. And unlike the loose groups of boys and men who middle and upper-class people feared, “Fantastics parades were regarded as good fun. “These were real processions, with some men on horseback and men in cars and men in drag,” Pleck told the Washington Post’s Peter Carlson. “They would march through New York and they would end up in the park, where there would be a rowdy, drunken picnic.” Slowly the middle and upper class people, who had influence with the police and the press, became afraid of any kind of street rowdiness and the subsequent crackdown stopped the parades. But the legacy of the “Fantastics lived on in the tamed trick or treat spirit of Halloween and in occasional parades in some places. Today we think of the Thanksgiving parade as an orderly affair, but in the 19th century, historian Josh Brown told Carlson, “the notion was to participate.” In this unprecedented time, we at EverGreen Capital Management want to encourage you to have the safest holiday while enjoying the blessing that you have.

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In order to be included in The Omaha Star, all articles and event calendar announcements must be typed in a Word document, using Times New Roman font, 10 pt, and must be received no later than two weeks in advance of the event. Articles must be e-mailed to: publisher@omahastarinc.com by 3:00 p.m. on Monday. Any submissions that are received the same week as the current publication will not be included in the current week’s edition. The distribution day for The Omaha Star are Fridays on a bi-weekly schedule.

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DECEMBER

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HEALTH/CLASS/YOUTH NEWS

Becoming More Aware of Yourself By Sheila Fields, MBA CPLC Sometimes situations seem so easy to figure out for others. Life scenarios can be almost predictable. Wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it be great to figure out what triggers or motivates us in advance of a major decision or even a misstep? Self-Awareness is the key ability that is needed to do just that. Human nature tends to lead us to focus outward and on others while never realizing our own gaps and opportunities to improve. We have all been there, right? It is quite possible that our instincts and learned behaviors may be limiting us from being aware of the real issue â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ourselves. Having self-awareness can have a significant impact on our lives personally and professionally as it is a basic component of emotional intelligence. Self-awareness is our ability to be conscious of our own feelings, behaviors, and motives. It is when we are focused on assessing ourselves more than others. When we monitor ourselves, it improves our chances of success in any of our endeavors. Most people â&#x20AC;&#x201C; to include myself - sincerely believe they are self-aware. Unfortunately, studies show that only 15% of all people are truly self-aware! The good news is we can all become more self-aware with practice. By doing so we can stay aware of our emotions, know what our

strengths and weaknesses are and remain confident in any situation. You may have noticed someone with a lack of self-awareness or realize that you lack self-awareness if you ever observe: â&#x20AC;˘ Someone who justifies their bad behavior â&#x20AC;˘ Typically has an excuse for everything â&#x20AC;˘ Can be triggered or display extreme emotional outburst. â&#x20AC;˘ Tends to add unrelated information when answering questions or being part of a discussion. Do not worry if you see yourself in any of the examples above. You can learn how to look within for signs that show a lack of self-awareness and use techniques to increase your self-awareness and make major life improvements. At the end of the day, self-awareness is something that we all can continue to develop as we move through life. That is that good news. There are several ways to recognize selfawareness in your life: â&#x20AC;˘ You can identify your emotions and what you are feeling in a situation â&#x20AC;˘ You can recognize your primary defensive coping mechanisms â&#x20AC;˘ You can define your own beliefs without being influenced by others â&#x20AC;˘ You know what gives you joy and

Ginger is not just spicy, sweet and delicious, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also tremendously good for you. And the holiday season is the perfect time to pack a punch with it in everything from the cookie tray to the cocktails. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why and how to include this efficacious superfood in your holiday festivities. â&#x20AC;˘ Be good to yourself: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and flu season, a nutritious immunity-boosting diet can help you take good care of your health. With its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, ginger boasts a wide range of health benefits, making it a great ingredient to include in your winter culinary repertoire. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more, ginger can help counteract some of the effects of an indulgent holiday season,

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as it promotes digestive health and calms nausea. â&#x20AC;˘ Embrace its versatility: Ginger goes far beyond such holiday classics like gingerbread houses. With a little creativity, it can be incorporated into every course of your holiday meal, adding a rare depth of flavor few other ingredients can match. Reedâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Crystallized Ginger makes it easier than ever to add that burst of spicy sweetness to seasonal recipes with its diced, readyto-eat baby ginger root. So, consider wowing your family! Whip up a batch of ginger-carrot soup, prepare a ginger-based salad dressing, top your roast with a ginger-gravy or simply garnish your favorite cocktail. (StatePoint)

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NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 3, at 4:00 PM CST VIA ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/96086577441?pwd=QnpVQVY4Nnh2bDMyekpEME0yb0lLZz09 Meeting ID: 960 8657 7441 Passcode: v5ZTLE The Nebraska Housing Developers Association will hold a public hearing or meeting as applicable concerning an application to the Department of Economic Development for a Nebraska Affordable Housing Program Grant for a HOME, CDGB-DR, or National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) award. This grant is available for local affordable housing activities. Nebraska Housing Developers Association is requesting up to $500,000 that could include HOME, CDGB-DR of HTF for the construction of 16 Units of affordable rental housing (12 affordable units & 4 market rate) at 51st & Spaulding St of which all funds requested shall benefit 16 low- and moderate-income individuals. The total project cost is projected around $4,200,500. The other funds will include $2,900,000 in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), $700,000 Loan, $100,500 in owner proceeds. No persons will be displaced as part of this activity. The grant application will available for public inspection at the office of Nebraska Housing Developers Association at 3883 Normal Blvd Suite #102 Lincoln, Ne 68506. All interested parties are invited to attend this public hearing at which time you will have an opportunity to be heard regarding the grant application. Written testimony will also be accepted at the public hearing scheduled for December 3, 2020 at 4:00 PM. Written comments addressed to Matthew Cavanaugh to matthew@housingdevelopers.org or at the office of the Nebraska Housing Developers Association as stated above, will be accepted if received on or before December 3, 2020. Individuals requiring physical or sensory accommodations including interpreter service, Braille, large print, or recorded materials, please contact Matthew Cavanaugh at matthew@housingdevelopers.org or, 402-435-0315, or Nebraska Housing Developers Association at 3883 Normal Blvd Suite #102 Lincoln, Ne 68506 prior to November 30th 2020.

Page Seven

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tis the Season for Ginger

Sheila Fields continued on page 8

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on December 3, at 5:00 PM CST VIA ZOOM LINK: https://zoom.us/j/97374901502?pwd=ZVdiRmlYUDcrcmdpNHk0dEc0WGJIdz09 Meeting ID: 973 7490 1502 Passcode: p39Yra The Nebraska Housing Developers Association will hold a public hearing or meeting as applicable concerning an application to the Department of Economic Development for a Nebraska Affordable Housing Program Grant for a HOME, CDGB-DR, or National Housing Trust Fund (HTF) award. This grant is available for local affordable housing activities. Nebraska Housing Developers Association is requesting up to $850,000 that could include HOME, CDGB-DR of HTF for the construction of 59 Units of affordable rental housing (47 affordable units & 12 market rate) at 41st & Hamilton St of which all funds requested shall benefit 59 low- and moderate-income individuals. The total project cost is projected around $11,200,500. The other funds will include $6,500,000 in Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), $3,000,000 Loan, $850,0000 in owner proceeds. No persons will be displaced as part of this activity. The grant application will available for public inspection at the office of Nebraska Housing Developers Association at 3883 Normal Blvd Suite #102 Lincoln, Ne 68506. All interested parties are invited to attend this public hearing at which time you will have an opportunity to be heard regarding the grant application. Written testimony will also be accepted at the public hearing scheduled for December 3, 2020 at 4:00 PM. Written comments addressed to Matthew Cavanaugh to matthew@housingdevelopers.org or at the office of the Nebraska Housing Developers Association as stated above, will be accepted if received on or before December 3, 2020. Individuals requiring physical or sensory accommodations including interpreter service, Braille, large print, or recorded materials, please contact Matthew Cavanaugh at matthew@housingdevelopers.org or, 402-435-0315, or Nebraska Housing Developers Association at 3883 Normal Blvd Suite #102 Lincoln, Ne 68506 prior to November 30th 2020.

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YOUTH/EDUCATION NEWS COVID-19 Can’t Stop Music-Making at Mandela

Page Eight THE OMAHA STAR

The coronavirus has impacted a lot of activities at Mandela, but like everything else, the team figured out a virtual option. Families were able to enjoy their scholar’s first violin concert of the year by tuning in live on Facebook. The videos are available at: https://www.facebook.com/ NelsonMandelaElementary. The scholars worked extremely hard to prepare for the concerts, and they were so excited to share their music with their families and the community. Scholars at Mandela play violin through the program String Sprouts, offered by the Omaha Conservatory of Music. Created by executive director Ruth Meints in 2013, Violin String Sprouts offers free violin classes to children ages 3-8 in underserved areas in the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area. Fifth grade scholars who completed their Sprouts curriculum last year were given the option to participate in orchestra or vocal music this year. The String Sprouts curriculum was created specifically for kids. It uses unique compositions that are meant to keep kids excited to learn while also practicing basic music drills. There are play-along orchestrations, accompaniments, and videos to help with practice as well as variations that were created specifically for practice during the school day. Jessica Davis, an Omaha Conservatory of Music Artist-Faculty member, is the String Sprouts teacher at Nelson Mandela Elementary.

Sheila Fields continued from page 7

make that a priority • You can honestly recognize your strengths and shortcomings • You can know what you need and offer in your relationships Here are a few techniques to improve selfawareness: • Ask yourself ‘What’ instead of ‘Why’ (e.g. What am I feeling? What are my responses? What caused my reactions?). ‘Why’ allows you to potentially blame others instead of evaluating yourself. • Pay attention to patterns or events and evaluate what causes situations in your life. • Make a habit of taking time to reflect; this means taking time to evaluate your day or an activity. This could be done by simply taking a ten-minute break to step away and assess yourself. • Rely on friends or trusted relationships to bounce things off and allow them to ask

questions and provide honest feedback. • Write down your goals, journal and write your observations as if you the outsider looking in. Reading it back to yourself may help you notice patterns and improve self-awareness. Improving self-awareness can happen in small ways. It really depends on how much you want to improve. The key is to remember is that being more self-aware will increase your confidence as you notice your own emotions and how they may affect any situation that you find yourself in. I would suggest higherawareness.com or skillsyouneed.com if you are interested in completing a self-awareness assessment. Being more self-aware takes practice. Developing good habits toward selfawareness can improve your ability to make a positive impact personally and professionally.

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November 27, 2020

OPS Director of Research Scott SchmidtBonne and UNMC Assistant Professor and Chemistry Coordinator Kevin McGuire prepare COVID19 test kits at Marrs Middle School.

Omaha Public Schools Expands Health and Safety Efforts A first-of-its-kind collaboration to limit the spread of COVID-19 is underway at Omaha Public Schools, leading the way for proactive testing and research in schools both locally and nationally. The pilot program, called PROactive TEsting for Community Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 or PROTECTS, began in mid-November at Marrs Middle School, Norris Middle School and Bryan High School in partnership with University of Nebraska Medical Center, Nebraska Medicine, University of Nebraska– Lincoln, and OneWorld Community Health Center. Testing is required for staff and optional for students who are learning in person, and there is no cost to students or staff for the tests. “It’s incredible. There’s no other district in the country doing something at this scale,” Dr. John Crowe, director of strategy and innovation at Omaha Public Schools, said. “It’s an unprecedented collaboration for the safety of our students and staff.” After a successful pilot, the district plans to expand the program through a partnership with Charles Drew Health Center, bringing OPS PROTECTS to McMillan Middle School, King Science & Technology and Northwest High in January before continuing further across the entire district. “Omaha Public Schools has taken multiple measures to keep students and staff safe for an in-person learning environment. That includes the use of facial coverings, enhanced hygiene

and physical distancing that we know improve safety and mitigate the risk of transmission of COVID-19,” Dr. Jana Broadhurst, director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit Clinical Laboratory at Nebraska Medicine, said. The testing program gives the district another tool to combat COVID-19 while providing UNMC with anonymous data to further its research of the virus. Clinically trained volunteers administer a non-invasive saliva test to students and staff with results turned around in 24 hours. “It’s another level of safety. It gives us the opportunity to say – are we seeing clusters? Are there large pockets where this is happening? Or, is it something a little bit smaller that we can address with those individuals instead of having to shut down a wing of a school, or a classroom, or a grade or the whole school,” Crowe said. Beyond individual testing, the program also tests wastewater, surface and air samples for a better understanding of how the virus impacts schools. “The information that we’ll get will allow individuals to take individual actions to prevent the spread of COVID19 throughout the OPS community,” Dr. John Lowe, executive director of education, Global Center for Health Security, at UNMC said. “It will also help us fine-tune the safety protocols in schools to maintain that in-person education as long and as safe as possible.”

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