Page Eight
THE OMAHA STAR
LIFE & STYLE/HEALTH & WELLNESS
February 21, 2020
14th Annual Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards The Omaha Entertainment & Arts Awards (OEAA) recognizes some of the most talented artists and entertainers in the Omaha area. Voting for the awards is separated into three genres: Visual Arts, Performing Arts and Live Music. The Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards seeks to enhance our community by planning and producing an annual awards event that uniquely recognizes the performing arts, visual arts and live music of the Omaha area. With all-star talent and red-carpet prestige, the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards is a memorable evening that thanks the artists who keep Omaha culture alive. The Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards was established in 2006. Jan. 4, 2007, marked the inaugural year for the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards. OEAA’S 2020 AWARD WINNERS This year’s ceremony took place at Slowdown, 729 N. 14th St. Jun and Ree Keneko received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Music Outstanding Rock – David Nance Group Outstanding Hard Rock – Through The Stone Outstanding Alternative/Indie – Thick Paint Outstanding Metal – The Clincher Outstanding DJ – Kethro Outstanding Americana/Folk – Aly Peeler Outstanding Country – Clarence Tilton Outstanding R&B – Andrew Bailie Outstanding Soul – Mesonjixx Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap – Scky Rei Outstanding Blues – Sebastian Lane Outstanding Jazz – Curly Martin Outstanding Pop – Jocelyn Outstanding Progressive Rock/Experimental/EDM –
Glow in the Dark Outstanding Punk – No Thanks Outstanding World Music – Esencia Latina Band Outstanding Cover Band – Secret Weapon Album of the Year – “Promised Land,” Evan Bartels Artist of the Year – David Nance Group Outstanding New Artist – DEATHGOD Outstanding Recording Studio – Make Believe Studios Outstanding Live Music Sound Engineer – Dan Brennan Performing Arts Outstanding Director (Play) – Susan Clement-Toberer, “Indecent,” Bluebarn Theatre Outstanding Director (Musical) – Denise Chapman, “The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin,” The Union for Contemporary Art Outstanding Actor (Play) – Jonathan Purcell, “Indecent,” Bluebarn Theatre Outstanding Actor (Musical) – Nadia Williams, “The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin,” The Union for Contemporary Art Outstanding Supporting Actor (Play) – Ezra Colon, “Indecent,” Bluebarn Theatre Outstanding Supporting Actor (Musical) – Brandi Smith, “The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin,” The Union for Contemporary Art Outstanding Performance by a Young Actor – Sasha Dennenberg, “Fun Home,” Omaha Community Playhouse Outstanding Drama – “Indecent,” Bluebarn Theatre Outstanding Comedy – “One Man, Two Guv’nors,” Omaha Community Playhouse Outstanding Premiere of a New, Original, Local Script – “More Than Neighbors,” Denise Chapman, The Union for Contemporary Art Outstanding Musical – “The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin,” The Union for Contemporary Art Outstanding Local Dance Production – “The Wizard of Oz,” American Midwest Ballet, Orpheum Theater Outstanding Local Performance Poet – Felicia Webster Outstanding Comedian – Carlos Tibbs
What is a Life Coach? By Sheila Byars Fields, MBA, CPLC Life guarantees changes and challenges. At times, we all can feel overwhelmed or unsure of our direction. Even when things are going well, there is always an opportunity to go from good to great. It’s easy to allow life to pass us by when we’re so consumed by unfulfilling tasks and timewasters. These are reasons for why a great life coach is so important. We often get set in our ways making it hard to get clarity or see the possibilities for improvement; it can be so discouraging to play it “safe”. The good news is you have the power to make the change! In sports, we typically view a coach as someone who is instrumental in setting the direction, providing instruction and motivating an individual or team to achieve and excel at established goals. A life coach takes a different approach to do the same. Mentors help guide us by giving direction or advise based on that mentor’s knowledge or experiences. Counselors are trained to give guidance and a diagnosis; they are responsible for the direction the client will take. Those roles can be key in anyone’s journey, however, a life coach is different from both. So, what is a life coach? I’m glad you asked. A life coach is someone with whom you have a supportive relationship based on believing. It is client-centered, and goal driven. A life coach believes that you as the client have your own answers and uses trained techniques to help you gain clarity, establish goals, and achieve those goals as they
follow through with action steps. The client benefits as they establish their own agenda, sets goals and stays motivated with support, encouragement, and accountability with the life coach. You should consider a life coach if: • You feel stuck but have a dream for something bigger. • You make commitments but have issues with follow through. • You’re not sure how to begin on an idea that you’re excited about. • You can’t seem to define a clear vision for where you’re headed. • You feel all hope is gone. When selecting a life coach, please consider these questions. The answers could impact a successful coaching experience: 1. Does the coach specialize in what you need? 2. What is the coaches background? Are they certified (which means they’ve been through a formal training program)? 3. Can you relate to each other (faith-based, life experiences, etc.) ? 4. Is the life coach local or are you comfortable with coaching via phone or video chat? 5. Do the coaching fees fit within your budget? I recommend that you consult with one or more life coaches before making a final commitment (coaches usually offer a free consultation) . Choose the best coach for you and one who gives you confidence that they can support you as you achieve. As you shape your future, invest in a life coach to create the blueprint for your success! For more information, contact sbfields@bfieldssolutions.com.
Outstanding Comedy Ensemble – LIVE! AT THE BACKLINE Technical Awards Outstanding Lighting Design – Steven Williams, “Indecent,” Bluebarn Theatre Outstanding Props Design – Amy Reiner, “Indecent,” BluebarnTheatre Outstanding Scenic Design – Bill Van Deest, “The Blues of Knowing Why,” Great Plains Theatre Conference at The Union for Contemporary Art Outstanding Costume Design – Jenny Pool, “The Woodsman,” Bluebarn Theatre Outstanding Sound Design – Bill Kirby, “Indecent,” Bluebarn Theatre Outstanding Choreographer – Melanie Walters, “Indecent,” Bluebarn Theatre Outstanding Music Direction – Hal France and Olga Smola, “Indecent,” Bluebarn Theatre Visual Arts Outstanding Visual Artist – Jave Yoshimoto Outstanding Emerging Visual Artist – Barber Outstanding 2-D Artist – Barber Outstanding 3-D Artist – Bart Vargas Outstanding New Media Artist – Reagan D Pufall Outstanding Group Show – “2018 Union for Contemporary Art Fellows Exhibition,” The Union for Contemporary Art, Barber, Pamela Conyers-Hinson, Chikadibia Ebirim, Ashley Laverty, and Dominique Morgan Outstanding Solo Show – “Tempestuous Microcosm,” The Union for Contemporary Art, Jave Yoshimoto Outstanding Two-Person Show – Katie Temple and Todd McCollister, Fred Simon Gallery Outstanding Public Art – “The Ancestor, The Identity, and The Seed,” Reggie LeFlore with assistance from Barber Outstanding Presentation in a Non-Traditional Format – “Sacred Seed Pop-Up,” Taylor Keen in collaboration with Warren Distribution, No More Empty Pots, The Nature Conservancy, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Kaneko, Kinghorn Gardens, MVL Design, and Mayflower Mobile Gallery (MaMO)
Family of the Week The Harris Family
Keith and Latricia Harris are long standing residents of Omaha. Keith is a retired Omaha Police Department Captain. LaTricia is a Senior Manager at Hayes & Associates, LLC, tax preparation service. Their children Kristian and Lauren are busy young people. Kristian is in his second year at University of Nebraska, Lincoln focusing his studies on sales and communication. His hobbies include music, playing the piano and hanging with friends in social situations. He works as a desk assistant and United Airlines lobby agent. Lauren is a junior at Marion High School. Her interests include Social Sciences. She is competitive in athletics at her school and runs track in the 100, 200, 400 and highjump categories. She participates in the Step Club. Her long-term goal is to become a dermatologist. The Harris family are members of Salem Baptist Church and their children are part of The Pastor’s Honor Roll. Thank you Keith, LaTricia, Kristian and Lauren Harris for sharing with The Omaha Star as Family of the week.
Coronavirus Q&A: What You Need to Know - Part 2 What should I do if I had close contact with someone who has the novel coronavirus? If you are not ill but had contact with a person confirmed to have novel coronavirus infection, notify your doctor, who will work with public health staff to determine whether you can be cared for at home. If it is determined that you can be isolated at home, you will be monitored by staff from your local or state health department. While being monitored: • Restrict your activities outside the home • Separate yourself from other people in the home as much as possible • Call ahead before visiting your doctor • Wear a face mask • Cover your coughs and sneezes • Wash your hands • Avoid sharing household items • Monitor your symptoms Is it safe to travel to China or other countries where novel coronavirus cases have occurred? The situation is evolving. Stay up to date with the CDC’s travel health notices related to this outbreak. At the present time, only essential travel to China is recommended. What if I recently traveled to China and got sick? If you were in China and feel sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing within 14 days after you left, you should: • Seek medical care right away. Before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room, call ahead and tell them about your recent travel and your symptoms • Avoid contact with others • Do not travel while sick
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing • Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds to avoid spreading the virus to others. (Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available) Can I get novel coronavirus from packages or products shipped from China? In general, because of poor survivability of coronaviruses on surfaces, there is very low risk of spread from products or packaging that are shipped over a period of days or weeks at ambient temperatures. Currently there is no evidence to support transmission of novel coronavirus associated with imported goods, and there have not been any cases of novel coronavirus in the United States associated with imported goods. What about animals or animal products imported from China? The CDC does not have any evidence to suggest that animals or animal products imported from China pose a risk for spreading novel coronavirus in the United States. This is an evolving situation; information will be updated as it becomes available. When did the first case of novel coronavirus occur in the United States? The first U.S. case was announced Jan. 21, 2020, in Washington state. How is Nebraska tracking the novel coronavirus? State and local health departments are monitoring and tracking the situation in Nebraska. Am I at increased risk now that Americans are returning to the United
States from the epicenter? The risk remains low. Americans returning from high risk areas will be screened and monitored for a period of time to ensure that they do not exhibit symptoms of the virus. What happens if a case is reported in Nebraska, or someone being monitored in Nebraska shows signs of the virus? State and local health authorities would determine if the patient can be monitored at home (for mild disease,) or if they need to go to a hospital for evaluation and medical treatment. What is public health doing to protect Nebraskans? Public health services are closely monitoring the situation and are active in the evaluation and tracking of potential cases. They are working to establish diagnostic testing at the state level. Contingency plans are in place in the event cases occur in Nebraska. The novel coronavirus is dominating news cycles and social media. How worried should I be? This situation is evolving and all persons are encouraged to keep track of events via reliable news sources – the CDC or WHO, for example. Unfortunately, a lot of misinformation can be spread, causing unneeded anxiety. All persons should be taking steps to prevent the spread of common respiratory viruses – such as the flu – which will also help to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus. Can the virus spread before symptoms present? There is some concern that novel coronavirus can be spread prior to development of symptoms, but this has not been confirmed. Other viruses, like influenza, can
sometimes be transmitted for 24 to 48 hours before symptoms develop. However, in general, symptomatic persons are a much more important source of transmission. If I have cold or flu-like symptoms, when do I worry that it might be more than the cold or flu? At the present time, unless you have traveled to China or have been in close contact with someone who has traveled to China, your risk is low. You should take care of yourself by getting plenty of rest, drink fluids, take acetaminophen or ibuprofen for aches, pains or fever, and avoid going out in the public. (Stay home from work or school.) If you develop signs of more serious illness – difficulty breathing, for example – you should promptly seek medical attention. Why is there so much attention on the coronavirus when influenza kills thousands every year? New diseases, because of some degree of ambiguity, always generate more concern. We don’t pay as much attention to illnesses such as influenza – even though it results in 25,000 to 50,000 deaths per year in the U.S – because we know what to expect and have become used to the yearly influenza epidemics. Could we see cases in this region unrelated to the arrival of rescued Americans? It is possible that the novel coronavirus will spread within the United States. However, actions are being taken to screen for cases, develop more readily accessible tests, isolate and quarantine sick persons, and to develop new medications and vaccines. There is reason to be optimistic.
