Strictly Business Lincoln September 2016

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CELEBRATING

LINCOLN • SEPTEMBER 2016

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20 YEARS OF HONESTY & INTEGRITY Thank You Lincoln!

• ENTERTAINING CLIENTS • SENIOR LIVING • RESELL REMODELING CLIENT SPOTLIGHTS • MCGILL RESTORATION • NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Sue Ellen Stutzman

Natasha Plooster

Jason Luong

Eric Schnakenberg

Audrie Bates

Tom Garvey

Nesco Resource

Eat Fit Go Lincoln

Switch Up Media

2016 Strictly Business Aqua SystemsSEPTEMBER Cornhusker Bank Immanuel

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FOCUSING ON YOUR BRAND

The First Stage of the Buyer’s Journey: AWARENESS

As we begin to explore the Buyer’s Journey—the active research process a buyer goes through leading up to a purchase—the first stage of the three in the most widely accepted model is AWARENESS. During this initial stage, a person is seeking out any relevant information in order to learn about a topic or solution. So at this point, for those who want to market their businesses effectively, it’s very much about casting a wide net. Yet it is also important to employ a strategy as to how you’ll shape and situate your unique promotional content. It must be readily accessible to those who are skimming many sources to get a feel for what’s best to look into further moving forward as they narrow their focus from a wealth of possibilities to a select few. While exposure is key, keep in mind that the experience you’re providing is most powerful. Of equal importance, it must not only provide general information but also a call to action for those moving into the next stage, CONSIDERATION, where initiating direct contact to find out more specific information is most likely to happen.

Of the three stages in the Buyer’s Journey (Awareness >>> Consideration >>> Decision), the awareness stage is where the most time is generally spent. As such, to those who don’t see the value in promoting your business simply to achieve top-of-mind awareness within your target market and even with those a few degrees of separation from that: I highly advise you to reconsider. While it doesn’t make sense to spread yourself thin trying to appeal to anyone and everyone, it does make sense in most scenarios to target a wider audience than what you’d consider to be your ideal client. The “why” lies in the age-old proverb—the student becomes the teacher. After someone has left their own personal awareness stage, he or she will retain that information to share with others who express that they’ve found themselves in the same position.

In the awareness stage, buyers will be doing several things—first, identifying a need; second, conducting research; and then third, prioritizing criteria. For those identifying a need, you’ll want to deliver informative content that helps buyers begin to understand what you do and more importantly, exactly how you can help them.

Once a person realizes they do in fact have a certain need or “pain point,” it’s time to move on to research. Now he or she is seeking content

CONTENTS NEWS 4 Business 28 Personnel

37 Non-Profit 47 Health

SPOTLIGHTS 20 50 56 57

Star City Six Client Spotlight: McGill Restoration Client Spotlight: Nebraska Department of Labor Foster Care

FEATURE STORIES 59 Entertaining Clients 65 Senior Living 73 Resell Remodeling 4

Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

PAIGE ZUTAVERN Lincoln/Omaha - President 402-730-0096 | Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

in the form of educational materials, which will include fact-based information but also testimonials, recent news and customer reviews, and so on. This is information that should be readily available on your website, linked to your social media and promoted there for further traction, and backlinks should also be provided to reputable sources that corroborate your expertise.

Finally, after a wealth of information has been gathered for analysis and cross-referenced, the person will prioritize the goal or challenge to see if it’s ultimately worthwhile to pursue any further. To be perceived as a priority, it’s critical to highlight benefits and provide compelling content that, as I emphasized at the very beginning, incorporates a call to action to facilitate the transition to the next stage of the Buyer’s Journey. While you fully understand the value of your offerings, never assume that everyone else will instantly recognize it too. Instead, take the opportunity to educate them so that they can see the value through their own unique lens.

To engage and best satisfy the requirements of those in the awareness stage in terms of the content you’re creating and sharing, I encourage you to consider the following questions: • What are the goals or challenges of the buyer? (Also, how have your past clients described their goals or challenges?)

• How are buyers most likely to educate themselves on these goals or challenges?

• Are there common misconceptions about addressing the goals or challenges?

• How do buyers decide whether the goal or challenge should be prioritized?

• What are the consequences if the buyer doesn’t choose to act?

All told, seizing opportunities to consistently promote brand awareness will be the determining factor as to whether your business makes the cut once a prospect is ready to move on to the next stage of the Buyer’s Journey. The famous words of Herbert Spencer say it best: “The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.”

To learn more about how Strictly Business can help you, contact me directly at (402) 466-3330 or visit strictly-business.com/connect. (You can also click on our Staff Letter tab online to view past articles.)

COLUMNS

53 LIBA 54 Downtown Lincoln Association 55 Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

ASK THE EXPERT 26 ComPro 51 J-Tech Solar 52 Sandler Training

Cover photo courtesy of Corey Rourke Photography Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505 P 402.466.3330 • F 402.466.3476 STRICTLY BUSINESS is not responsible for unsolicited material. All rights to submission, including letters, will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to our unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially or creatively, unless otherwise negotiated with the author. Nothing may be printed in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. The publication of any advertisement in STRICTLY BUSINESS is not an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised.

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ABOUT THE COVER

John Henry’s is 20 Years Old and Having “Too Much Fun”!

A song we can all relate to is “Too Much Fun” by Daryle Singletary. We all have probably heard that song and laughed, because in our minds there is no such thing as too much fun!

“Work should be like that too…you should only go to work if you are having fun…..if your job is fun and challenging, then you’ll never work another day of your life,” said John Henry (Jack) Zohner. His friends call him Jack.

Deb and Jack Zohner started John Henry’s out of their home in 1996, twenty years ago this month. Happy anniversary!

Prior to that, Jack worked for a corporation that had 200K employees worldwide. Jack feels, “I learned a lot in the corporate world, such as business practices that help and things never to do if you are striving to have a successful and fun company.”

The “Too Much Fun” theme seems to always be found in the background of the culture at John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning.

People consistently comment on how happy and nice the John Henry’s team seems to be. The locally owned and operated company admittedly “hires for attitude and trains for skill.” This is mainly because Jack knows “everything can be done easier and better with a positive attitude.”

It’s heartwarming to see a business start up locally and be highly successful because they concentrate on doing all the right things for all the right reasons. That seems to be the obvious story behind the success of John Henry’s.

The stars seemed to line up as customers told others that John Henry’s did a great job. This resulted in steady growth and survival.

Jack tells, “Starting a company and surviving is tough. John Henry’s went through some really challenging times, which ultimately helped us understand the things that are important in business. Today we are alive and well. The strong support in our community made a difference. We are truly blessed as a company and grateful for the support our 30K customers provide.”

“Alive and well” may be an understatement because John Henry’s has grown to 70 “John Henry’s team players” – named as such because they are an incredible team that works hard together. The proof is in the awards!

John Henry’s has won the Better Business Bureau Ambassador of Integrity twice and the Integrity Award twice! No other company in Lincoln has done that. They also won the Lincoln Journal Star’s People’s Choice Award for plumbing and HVAC every year it was given there and KFOR, which is called Best of Lincoln. They were awarded the Lennox Centurion Award five times; an award that only goes to those in the top 5% in North America. They also consistently receive the Angie’s List Super Service Award for plumbing and HVAC. Jack Zohner feels, “The awards reflect what is in the hearts and souls of the John Henry’s team. It takes hard work and dedication to be recognized. It starts with hiring for attitude and training for skill. I believe we have the best team in the world. They are like family to me!”

The latest award that really hit home is when the John Henry’s team nominated their company as the Best Place to Work. It seems they are indeed having “Too Much Fun” and the sky is the limit!

John Henry’s has a bright future with a solid succession plan to keep things going forever and lead by example as far as goals to strive for in all businesses. Maybe it’s time for all of us to have “Too Much Fun!”

For more information about John Henry’s & how they can help you visit www.jhlincoln.com today!

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BUSINESS NEWS

Sun Valley Lanes Hosts 2016 World Bowling Youth Championships

Pinot’s Palette Celebrates Grand Opening, Hosts Ribbon Cutting

Sun Valley Lanes was proud to recently host the 2016 World Bowling Youth Championships!

Opening ceremonies began on July 24th, with official practice taking place on July 25th followed by the competition from July 26-August 2 which included singles, doubles, team and Masters match play.

Pinot’s Palette is excited to announce the success of their recent Grand O p e n i n g celebration on August 4th. To commemorate the opening of the first location in Lincoln, an official ribbon cutting was held with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce at their studio located at 3900 Yankee Hill Road, Unit 127.

T h i s y e a r ’ s Wo r l d Yo u t h Championships marked the 14th edition of the event (plus the International Youth Championships in 1988), which last was held in Hong Kong in 2014. Other host cities include: Bangkok (2012); Helsinki (2010); Orlando, Florida (2008); Berlin (2006); Tamuning, Guam (2004); Pattaya, Thailand (2002); Santa Domingo, Dominican Republic (2000); Inchon, South Korea (1998); Hong Kong (1996); Monterrey, Mexico (1994); Caracas, Venezuela (1992); Manila, Philippines (1990); Manila, Philippines (1988 – as International Youth Championships).

Sun Valley Lanes is both nationally and internationally recognized as a world-class venue, and along with bringing this prestigious event to Lincoln, has also been chosen to host the 2018 Intercollegiate Singles and Team Championships.

Located at 321 Victory Lane, Sun Valley Lanes is one of the most modern bowling centers in the Midwest. With events like Quartermania, 2-Buck Tuesdays, Xtreme Glow-in-the-Dark bowling events, as well as traditional and short-season leagues, there’s something FUN for everyone! Visit www.sunvalleylanes.com for more information.

Join Blur Parties for Dedicated Nebraska Pre-Game Tailgate at Northwestern Blur Parties, host of the popular tailgate parties on Game Days here in Lincoln, is excited to announce that as in year’s past, they are hitting the road for the first away game to host the annual Dedicated Nebraska Pre-Game Tailgate at Northwestern University!

The game is set for Saturday, September 24th at 6:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted on the Big Ten Network. The tailgate will begin at 2 p.m. and will be held at the Canal Shores Golf Course, 1030 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201, which is two blocks east of Ryan Field directly off the CTA Purple ‘L’ Train (Central Station).

Those in attendance will enjoy an appearance from the NU Spirit Squad along with other surprise guests. There will be football combine challenges, including relay and throwing accuracy, along with classic tailgate games including washers, bag toss, beer pong and flip cup.

Watch football games on HD TV’s or listen to the DJ while enjoying an unlimited Chicago style buffet, beer, Nebraska’s only Sea of Red game day wine, soda and of course, Husker punch!

Tickets are on sale now and there is a limited amount of space available. Visit www.blurparties.com/northwestern for more information, to purchase tickets and to view videos from past 2012 and 2014 Blur Parties Northwestern tailgates. Contact Stacy at (402) 882-2448 or stacy@blurparties.com with questions or to book over the phone.

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The Pinot’s Palette family is dedicated to providing an upscale experience, with exceptional quality and care during an entertaining yet relaxing, fun and social night out. Featuring a very cool purposebuilt studio, fine wines (and great beers too), a treasure trove of copyrighted paintings to choose from that have been designed by its national network of artists, and of course, lots and lots of paint, the artist instructors at Pinot’s Palette will guide you through the creation process. At the end of the evening, you will take home your very own masterpiece. In addition to a selection of classes to choose from, booking the space for private painting parties and corporate events is also part of Pinot’s Palette’s offerings at the Lincoln studio.

Make sure to visit the website at pinotspalette.com/Lincoln to check out upcoming paintings and schedules—it’s easy to sign-up and join the party!

To find out more about the new Pinot’s Palette studio in Lincoln, call (402) 476-0360 or email lincoln@pinotspalette.com.

Escape Lincoln Brings First Haunted Escape Room to Lincoln This month, the creators of Escape Lincoln will introduce Lincoln’s first haunted escape room. This limited-time attraction will combine the best parts of haunted houses and escape rooms to create a unique 30-minute adventure for you and your group.

Haven’t heard of an escape room? Imagine you’re locked in a room, surrounded by an enigmatic array of puzzles, clues, and brain teasers.

The only thing stopping you from being able to leave is your ability—and the ability of possibly five other people locked in the room with you— to solve the mystery surrounding you. And now you’ll have the added element of spine-tingling terrors closing in on you while you watch the clock tick toward your demise.

The haunted escape room will be open September-October 2016 on weekends—with more availability added as needed—in Lincoln’s downtown Historic Haymarket.

Tickets will cost $30 for a couple, $50 for a group of 3-4, and $60 for a group of 5-6 for a 30-minute hair-raising escape. Interested in a little extra scare-factor for you or a member of your group? For an additional fee, we will create custom clues around any member of your party. This can include names, pets, photos, and other personalized clues—we’ll work with you to get the right details for a special spooky experience.

Visit www.escapelincoln.com/haunted for more details.

Don’t forget to check out the (non-haunted) escape rooms that are open year-round! Current room themes are Asylum Escape, Retro Rush, and Survival Scenario.

BUSINESS NEWS

Sutter Place Interiors Announces New Ownership The longtime owners of Sutter Place Interiors Dean and Sherri Fandrich have officially sold the business to Rick and Marcia Willet of S u t t e r Lincoln. The transaction was completed on July 1st.

P l ac e I n t e r i o r s

WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER!

Now Open

• Surveys • Inspections • Real Estate • Construction • Insurance • Public Safety

Your friendly neighborhood lounge

Professional Drone Services

Call for more info!

402-802-5804 MidwestUAVImaging.com

now serving food!

Stop by today!

2755 Jamie Ln Lincoln, NE 68516 402-805-4506

Sutter Place Interiors, located at 5221 S. 48th Street, remains a locally owned and operated retail store best known for showcasing gorgeous high-end furnishings, lighting, window coverings and accessories. The Willets have been actively involved in the remodeling industry for over two decades as the owners of Willet Construction.

With their main office next door to Sutter Place Interiors, when the business was put on the market the Willets felt it presented an excellent opportunity to add complementary offerings and a showroom. Now able to provide the convenience of a one-stop shop for remodeling projects, the Willets plan to improve the kitchen and bath design center to further enhance the customer experience.

Hair & Fashion

The mission of Sutter Place Interiors will continue—to help clients create a unique home that reflects their lifestyle and taste. Sutter Place Interiors has a talented team of design professionals on staff with the necessary expertise to guide your project through the entire spectrum of design needs, from initial consultation to completion.

Salon & Boutique

More information about Sutter Place Interiors can be found at www. sutterplaceinteriors.com.

Single Tickets on Sale Now for Lied’s 2016/17 Season

In One Location!

Stylz

Walk-Ins Welcome!

1075 N. 33rd St. (On the corner of 33rd & Y)

Appointments Also Available by Text!

402-643-1452

Single tickets for the Lied Center’s 2016/17 season, which kicks off on September 30 with a performance by Broadway superstar Idina Menzel, are on sale now! Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office at 12th and R Streets, by phone at (402) 472-4747, or on the web at LiedCenter.org.

This season, the Glenn Korff Broadway Series includes “Once,” Rodgers + Hammerstein’s “Cinderella,” “Into The Woods,” “Mamma Mia,” “Defying Gravity” Starring Stephen Schwartz, and the first national tour of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical.”

The Lied Center will also showcase a diverse line-up of some of the world’s most popular artists in every art form including Travis Wall’s Shaping Sound, The Capitol Steps, Clint Black, Twyla Tharp, Brian Regan, Mannheim Steamroller, Buddy Guy, and The Midtown Men. The fourth annual Piano Series returns this season with another stellar line-up of the world’s most in-demand classical pianists. The Lied Center’s classical music selections also include Itzhak Perlman, one of the most celebrated violinist in the world, as well as the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra, affectionately known as “America’s Orchestra.”

The Lied Center’s full 16/17 season performance listing can be found online at LiedCenter.org.

The Lied Center and its programs are made possible through the generous 2016/2017 season support of Christina Hixson and the Lied Foundation Trust, Friends of Lied, Ameritas and Union Bank & Trust.

SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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It’s Time To Clean!

BUSINESS NEWS Elite Concrete Now Open Elite Concrete is excited to announce they are officially open for business.

• Residential - Housecleaning • Commercial - Janitorial services • Full Spectrum Custom Cleaning - We fit your needs • Flexible Prices - By the room, By the hour, By the sq. foot Call now for more information! (402) 560.1904 | www.HireAMaidNow.com

Owner Jonathan Zuniga is proud to bring years of experience in the concrete industry to his customers, employees, and the community. Elite Concrete is located at 1305 W. Harbour Blvd. and began offering services in Lincoln and the surrounding area in the spring of 2016.

Elite Concrete is your trusted, local concrete supply company that specializes in stamped/colored concrete, patios, driveways, sidewalks, parking lots and much more! Elite Concrete is here to help with any concrete needs, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that clients are satisfied by providing the highest level of service. As a business, Elite Concrete takes great pride in their work, striving to fully understand the clients’ needs and communicating through every step until the job is complete.

Call now for a free estimate! For more information on Elite Concrete, find them on Facebook or contact Jonathan Zuniga at (402) 5604010 or eliteconcrete_llc@hotmail.com.

Three words our clients love to see.

Isn’t it time you start seeing them?

CALL TODAY. 402-817-3929 • ARSOLUTIONSINC.COM

Savor the City Crowns Best of 2016 Three outstanding food service businesses in Lincoln took home trophies during the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce’s annual Savor the City food tasting event.

Savor the City spotlights Lincoln’s Restaurant & Catering Businesses by bringing together two dozen of the best catering companies and restaurants in the Capital City. Audience members get a c hance to sample dishes prepared at each booth and then cast their vote for “Best Presentation”, “Best Taste” and “Best in Show”.

Updated Omaha ElderCare Resource Handbook Released Imagine having the answers to all your senior care questions right in the palm of your hands. It’s possible…thanks to the folks at Care Consultants for the Aging.

On July 28th, the 12th Edition of the Omaha ElderCare Resource Handbook for 20162018 became available to the public in both the book format and online.

Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel - Best Presentation

Venue Restaurant & Lounge, Greta’s Gourmet Catering and the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel took home the top prizes Venue Restaurant & Lounge - Best in Show for 2016.

Savor is just one of many great networking and marketing opportunities associated with a Chamber membership. If you are looking for new and innovative ways to expand your business marketing through sponsorship, advertising or promotion, contact the Chamber Greta’s Gourmet Catering - Best Taste and get involved today!

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The Handbook serves as a valuable resource for information and services offered to seniors in the Omaha and Council Bluffs areas. The Handbook list options divided into five tabbed sections: “Government, Financial & Legal”, “Medical Support”, “Home Health Care & Support Services”, “Living Options”, and “Senior Services”. It also includes an index of services and companies to make the right organization easier to find.

The ElderCare Resource Handbook is updated every 2 years and available for the Omaha and Lincoln areas. It is commonly used by social workers, medical professionals, pastors, human resource professionals, police officers, facilities, and the general public.

You can obtain the Handbook five ways: • Stop by the office at 7701 Pacific Street, Suite 100, Omaha, NE 68114 - $8 • Send a check or money order to have one mailed - $12 • Call (402) 398-1848 with a credit card to have one mailed - $12 • Log on to www.careconsultants.com and click on the “ElderCare Resource Handbook” link to view for free or to have one mailed - $12 • Available for purchase at Kubat Pharmacy, Nebraska Medicine’s CornerStone (University Tower) and Clarkson gift shops, and Think Whole Person pharmacy.

The 9th edition Lincoln ElderCare Resource Handbook for 2015-2017 is also available.

BUSINESS NEWS

A true Wine Bar Experience!

Lincoln Stars Hockey Introduces Brand New Galaxy Club Experience Lincoln Stars Hockey is excited to announce their premier Galaxy Club has been changed to an all-inclusive section! By teaming up with some of the best restaurants in Lincoln, they are able to provide this section with dinner throughout the game, which will also include 2 drink tickets for the private bar. The Galaxy Club offers a great opportunity to reward employees, bring potential customers or just for a great night with friends and family! The Lincoln Stars home opener is set for September 23rd at 7:35 p.m. vs. Tri-City Storm.

Boutique Wines, Beer, Craft Cocktails & Appetizers Stop by today!

2801 Pine Lake Rd Suite H

402-975-8701

Your Lincoln Stars hockey team plays in the United States Hockey League, the top junior league in the United States. Future NHL stars play at the Ice Box every game! The Stars play in the Ice Box, located on the former Nebraska state fairgrounds and adjacent to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. On game days, the Ice Box holds more than 4,500 fans and is known for its iconic light show to start each game. Lincoln Stars games promise to provide fun, affordable family entertainment unmatched in the Lincoln area.

For more information about the Lincoln Stars and to view their upcoming schedule, please visit LincolnStars.com. You may also contact Adam Micheletti at (402) 474-7827 or via email at Adam@ LincolnStars.com.

12 Points Technologies Becomes Bromium Reseller 12 Points Technologies, an Omaha-based IT company that specializes in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics Investigations, is pleased to announce that they have become the first and only Omaha-based reseller of the Bromium product. In addition, they are currently the only reseller worldwide authorized to offer this product to the small to medium business market.

Bromium, the pioneer of next-generation endpoint protection using virtualization, provides the only solution that protects a business from breaches while still enabling users to click on anything without risk of compromise. This groundbreaking technology removes the ‘human error’ that has previously always been the largest factor in breach incidents.

I can sell your home for 3.5% To learn more before you buy or sell your home,

Call Sandra today!

402-499-9607 slarsen@bancwise.com

12 Points Technologies, who has a long-standing tradition of bringing emerging technologies to the Omaha SMB market, was introduced to the product at a conference in London and immediately realized the implications. Because modern anti-virus software is only about 45% effective, they knew that a product that stopped malware from gaining access to a system in the first place was a game-changer.

“We are very excited to be able to offer this unprecedented level of security to small to medium size businesses here in Omaha”, says Trish Cody, co-owner of 12 Points Technologies. “Researching emerging technologies all over the world and working with the vendors to make them immediately accessible here locally is part of our mission at 12 Points.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Bromium product or other Cyber Security products and services 12 Points Technologies offers, please contact Trish Cody at (402) 995-1113 or visit www.12PointsInc.com.

SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS

inMOTION Auto Care’s Show & Shine Event Raises Funds for BackPack Program

Sunbelt Rentals Partners With Gary Sinise Foundation to Support R.I.S.E. Program

inMOTION Auto Care is pleased to announce its 3rd Annual Show & Shine fundraiser was a success! Held on August 13th at inMOTION Auto Care, a grand total of $4,066 was raised, which will all go towards supporting the Food Bank of Lincoln’s BackPack Program.

The day’s festivities included a live DJ, beautiful cars, trophies, and lots of great food and raffle prizes. The grand prize awarded was a $500 gift card for repairs at inMOTION Auto Care! Make sure to save the date for next year’s event – the 4th Annual Show is already set for August 5th, 2017.

The BackPack program provides kids who may not have access to nutritious meals over the weekend a backpack full of food to take home on Fridays throughout the school year. In addition to the annual fundraiser, customers can sponsor a Back Pack for $6.00 at the shop. inMOTION will match each contribution and send a monthly check to the Food Bank of Lincoln specifically earmarked for the BackPack Program.

Located at 84th and O Street, inMOTION Auto Care is locally owned and operated by lifelong Lincoln residents Sherri Stock and Jared McPike. As your one-stop shop for all your automotive mechanical needs, inMOTION Auto Care services all makes and models of vehicles.

To find out more, visit www.inmotionautocare.com or contact Sherri at (402) 486-9880 or sherri@inmotionautocare.com.

Sunbelt Rentals entered into a partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation in 2016 to provide tools and equipment at no cost for contractors and subcontractors building homes as par t of the Foundation’s R.I.S.E. program.

R.I.S.E., which stands for Restoring Independence Supporting Empowerment, provides specially-adapted custom smart homes for America’s most severely wounded heroes and their families.

In addition, Sunbelt worked with two key equipment manufacturers to produce uniquely branded generators and manlifts to further support the cause. A portion of the rental proceeds from these items is given back to the Gary Sinise Foundation and allocated to the R.I.S.E. program.

One of the largest equipment rental companies in North America and backed by a network of more than 550 locations, Sunbelt Rentals successfully services a variety of customers - from those in the commercial, residential, industrial, municipal, and specialized service industries, to weekend do-it-yourselfers. Sunbelt’s extensive fleet exceeds $5.0 billion and includes general construction equipment, industrial tools, pumps and power generation equipment, trench shoring, scaffolding, remediation & restoration equipment, and more.

For more information on Sunbelt Rentals, please visit www.sunbeltrentals. com or call (402) 466-1550.

During Difficult Times. Refocus. Regroup. Relax.

The brand new NICU Rooftop Healing Garden is located on the Bryan East Campus.

Bryan Medical Center's Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) offers experienced staff, physicians and advanced technology.

The garden offers a space for patients, families and health care staff to refocus and regroup.

For many patients, a hospital stay is a short, infrequent visit. However, for some preemie babies and their families a hospital stay can last as long as 3-4 months.

The rooftop garden will allow parents and caregivers to take in a few moments of fresh air and sunshine while being steps away from their critically ill baby.

Call today to see how you can help make a difference!

402.481.8605 | 1600 S. 48th St. | www.bryanhealth.com 10

Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

Thank you to our donors for making the NICU Rooftop Healing Garden a reality for our patients, families and NICU health care team!

- Bryan Foundation

402.467.2585 6900 “O” St., #120

OPEN

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Concordia U n i v e r s i t y, Nebraska and The Cattle National Bank & Trust Co. have announced that Cattle National Bank will be the presenting sponsor for the Christmas at Concordia weekend, December 2-4, 2016. The three-day weekend, which was ranked 30th on Best College Review’s 2015 list of The 45 Best College Holiday Events in America, is highlighted by four worship concerts, the Scholarship Parade of Homes and the Christmas Open House.

Nearly 3,200 attendees will travel from across America to attend the concerts, which will feature the University A Cappella Choir, Symphonic Band, Male Chorus, Handbell Choir, Women’s Chorale and University Brass Ensemble. The schedule on Sunday expands beyond that day’s concert to include the Scholarship Parade of Homes, which raises monies for Seward County residents to pursue their higher education in Seward County, and the Christmas Open House, an opportunity for Concordia to welcome its fellow Seward County residents to campus, and the lighting of the university’s Christmas tree.

This year, tickets for all concerts will be available both in person and online and with Cattle National Bank’s support, are again free to the general public in 2016. The first allotment of tickets will be made available at Cattle National Bank’s main branch in Seward on October 15. The second, larger allotment of tickets will be available online on October 22. Details about both ticket opportunities, and the entire Christmas at Concordia weekend, are available online at christmasatconcordia.net.

Dennis Nun

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Heartland International, Inc.

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Cattle National Bank Announced as Christmas at Concordia Sponsor

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BUSINESS NEWS

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Governor Pete Ricketts recently congratulated Morio USA Corporation on the grand opening of their new 11,436 sq. ft. facility in Lincoln. He joined Senior Advisor Mataichi Sakai of the parent company Morio Denki in Japan; Mike Ohashi, President, Morio USA Corporation; and Courtney Dentlinger, Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development at a ceremony celebrating the expansion in August.

Morio USA is a manufacturer of electronic sign displays and moving message board panels used in lobbies, trains, boats, construction sites, and other high traffic areas. This $3 million facility, which employs 18 people, unites Morio USA’s manufacturing and warehousing of products in one centralized location.

Morio Denki first established a presence in Lincoln in August 2013 and began operations in separate office and warehouse buildings in January 2014. The company outsourced production of its products to another Japanese company, Daitron, also located here. While most of the manufacturing in its new facility will initially be done by Daitron employees, over time, Morio Denki workers will take over full production.

Morio USA Corporation’s main customer is Kawasaki, which is Lincoln’s and the state’s first Japanese investment. Kawasaki, which first came to Nebraska in 1974, remains the state’s largest Japanese investment.

Kawasaki will begin producing Metro North and Long Island Railroad M-9 rail cars in March 2017 with a base contract for 92 cars and a potential option to add 584 cars—a project valued at $1.8 billion with the need for approximately 200 additional production workers. The cars will operate between Manhattan and Long Island.

Following his tour of Morio USA Corporation, the Governor extended an invitation to Nebraskans to join him and a delegation of business, economic development, and government leaders who will be attending the 2016 Midwest U.S. Japan Association (MWJA) Annual Conference.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Midwest U.S.-Japan: Gateway for the Future,” and it will be held in St. Louis, MO, September 11-13, 2016.

SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS

Cowboy Chicken Seeking Partners for Cash for a Cause Charity Events Cowboy Chicken, a fast-casual restaurant at 2801 Pine Lake Road, wants to give back to the Lincoln community. The restaurant is seeking organizations to partner with for its Cash for a Cause fundraising events held weekly at the restaurant.

Cowboy Chicken will donate 15 percent of the evening’s revenue to the selected organizations. Previous Cash for a Cause recipients have included sport teams, school clubs, non-profit organizations and churches.

How to Participate: Interested groups should stop by the restaurant and speak with Joe Armstrong. Groups are scheduled in advance on a first-come, first-served basis. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week.

Cowboy Chicken is a fast-casual restaurant chain specializing in real wood fire rotisserie chicken. The Lincoln location, at 2801 Pine Lake Road, was the first restaurant opened outside of the franchise’s home state of Texas. Restaurateurs Joe Armstrong, Brian Eichelberger and Randy Mutchie, opened the restaurant in November of 2015.

Cowboy Chicken offers in-store dining, delivery, take out and catering.

For more information, please visit cowboychicken.com or call (402) 420-0153.

Surveys Identify Omaha Area Job Opportunities Two new reports prepared by Dr. Eric Thompson of the University o f N eb ra s k a ’s Bureau of Business Research provide insight into career opportunities in the Omaha area, and the hiring needs of Omaha businesses. The “Survey of Omaha Businesses about Skill and Training Requirements” and “Omaha Area Skills Gap Report” were commissioned by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and the Nebraska Department of Labor.

Sarah Moylan, the Greater Omaha Chamber’s Senior Director – Talent, said the studies underscore the importance of the Chamber’s new tech talent strategy and long-standing efforts to connect business and education. “Ensuring our employers have the talent they need to thrive is a priority for us and our community partners,” she said. “We appreciate the effort that went into conducting this comprehensive study. By aligning skill sets and open positions, we’re boosting both our employers and those entering or hoping to advance in their careers.”

“Results show that Omaha’s labor pool provides most employers with a quality workforce that largely matches the skills that local employers need,” said Courtney Dentlinger, Director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development. “But there are opportunities for additional workers to enter the market, particularly those with skills in IT, mathematics, construction, and production manufacturing.”

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Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

The Omaha reports, as well as previously published reports for Lincoln, can be obtained at neworks.nebraska.gov. Under Labor Market Information, click Publications. Then go to Nebraska Labor Availability Studies.

BUSINESS NEWS

Dove Shannon Debuts New Concept: HEX Salon & Spa Introducing HEX Salon & Spa! Formerly LUXX Salon & Spa, HEX is owned and operated by Dove Shannon. With the recent rebranding, guests will enjoy the same exceptional services and product offerings but with a racy and spellbinding ambiance that’s unique and ultra-chic.

Dove brings over 17 years of experience of serving her diverse, loyal clientele in the Lincoln community. Along with her talented team of professionals, HEX Salon & Spa offers a full menu of services, high quality product lines, and is still conveniently located at 2300 Winthrop Rd. For more information about HEX Salon & Spa or to schedule an appointment, please call (402) 488-2228. Make sure to connect with HEX Salon & Spa on Facebook and Instagram!

Live Horse Racing Returns to Lincoln Live horse racing returns to Lincoln Race Course on Thursday, September 8th! This year’s event features two Super Sprint Thoroughbred races beginning at 4:30 p.m. Race 2 is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The day features a free commemorative gift for the first 300 people.

Enjoy prize drawings, free t-shirt toss, and instant-winner vouchers, as well as great food and drink specials throughout the day from the Winners Circle Sports Bar & Grille. Party with a local Lincoln favorite, the AM/FM Band, between and after the races and cheer on your favorite mascot during the 1st Annual “Mascot Foot Race.”

There is simulcast racing, keno, and pickle cards, every day of the week at Lincoln Race Course, located at 7055 S. 1st Street in Lincoln.

For further information, contact Christy Harris at Lincoln Race Course at (402) 473-4200 or via email at charris@lincolnracing.com.

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HIP OffiCenters Announces Lease Special HIP OffiCenters is excited to announce they currently have a three office “POD” available for lease. The POD space available is comprised of three individual offices that are connected to a common entry way. They are located in the same building and on the same floor as HIP Executive Office Suite just across the hall, but have their own entrance for additional privacy and convenience.

Clients leasing the three office POD will still have access to all of the complimentary amenities offered, including use of the reception area and receptionist services, paid utilities, free parking, and janitorial services, among many other perks.

To add to the excitement they are currently offering a 15% off special for the three office POD during the month of September! All are encouraged to call or stop in for a tour today!

HIP OffiCenters is a full-service company offering the tools needed to help a business grow and be successful, beginning with an ideal office environment that’s a productive, inviting and professional space to conduct business. To find out more about HIP OffiCenters Executive Office Suites in Lincoln, including space available, amenities included for tenants, and additional services offered, please call Tanya Behrends at (402) 466-3932, email office@hiprealty.com, or visit www.HIPrealty.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS Papio Roofing Opens, Launches New Website Jeremy Eickhoff and his partners are pleased to announce that they have opened Papio Roofing. Papio Roofing, which services Omaha, Lincoln and surrounding communities, offers quality, competitively-priced roofing, siding, window and gutter services for homes and commercial buildings. Jeremy and his team have decades of combined service in the construction industry and are excited to provide high quality service through their new independently-owned company. Operating out of Papillion, Nebraska, Jeremy and his team know the local industry, are heavily involved in the local community and have a solid reputation that you can trust.

Papio Roofing offers new roofs and roof repairs, various types of siding including vinyl and steel, window replacements and gutter replacements. They have experience in both home projects as well as large commercial and are happy to provide free estimates for any project within their scope of expertise. To learn more about their services, please visit their new website designed by local online marketing company eSpark Media. Their site can be found at www.PapioRoofing. com or you can reach Jeremy by calling (402) 429-3183.

McKinney’s to Participate in 27th Annual Dine Out to Help Out on September 14th McKinney’s Irish P u b, l o c a t e d in the Historic Haymarket, is proud to support the Food Bank of Lincoln’s upcoming Dine Out to Help Out fundraiser. Dine at McKinney’s on Wednesday, September 14th and you’ll help feed the hungry in our community. Every participating restaurant will donate 10% of its proceeds earned to the Food Bank of Lincoln so that those in need can enjoy nutritious meals too.

Open daily for lunch at 11 a.m., with kitchen hours from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., McKinney’s menu features specialty dishes based on traditional Irish fare such as Shepard’s Pie, Corned Beef and Cabbage, Bangers and Mash, and many more. Make sure to check out the live music, pint nights, all of your favorite sports games, and plenty of other special events at McKinney’s Irish Pub throughout the year too! For more information, please call (402) 477-0021. You can also visit www.mckinneyspublincoln.com or find them on Facebook!

T.O. Haas Receives OSHA Safety Recognition The Nebraska Department of Labor officially welcomed two T.O. Haas Tire locations to the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Award Program (SHARP). SHARP is regulated by OSHA and recognizes small employers who operate an exemplary safety and health management system. The two stores receiving the award are located at 640 West O Street and 8300 Dawson Creek Bay in Lincoln.

The award is a major achievement for the company because currently there are only nine employers in the state of Nebraska who participate in the SHARP program and T.O. Haas Tire holds the largest number of awards with a total of 14 SHARP certified locations in the state of Nebraska and 4 more in Kansas and Iowa.

Through SHARP, safety has become a key feature of the company’s culture and is demonstrated by regularly scheduled safety meetings and inspections where workers have an opportunity to voice their safety and health concerns and receive assurance that real action will be taken to resolve issues brought to the table.

T.O. Haas Tire operates a chain of 25 retail tire and automotive service facilities in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. The firm is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more information about the company, go to www.tohaastire.com.

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SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

15

BUSINESS NEWS

Jonathan Larsen of Larsen & Larsen Auction Co. Attends Benefit Auctioneers Summit Jonathan Larsen of Larsen & Larsen Auction Co. was recently in San Diego, CA attending the Benefit Auctioneers Summit with several of the other top benefit auctioneers around the country. He had the opportunity to speak about the latest techniques on how to increase event revenue, engage donors, and discuss what the new trends are. The event was held August 28-29 and incorporated 3 days of learning and teaching as well as a private benefit auction where auctioneers were able to demonstrate their techniques.

Larsen is considered to be one of the top benefit auctioneers in the country and has recently been asked to head up the committee for the first-ever marketing summit and next year’s benefit auctioneer summit.

He is a certified Benefit Auctioneer Specialist, which is a designation that only 1% of all auctioneers have earned, along with having extensive experience in event planning and management.

Larsen & Larsen Auction Co. specializes in fundraising auctions and offers premier consulting for non-profit organizations. The firm works with groups to take their fundraisers to the next level by increasing their revenue so they can maximize their mission of saving and impacting lives. Those interested in learning more about Larsen & Larsen Auction Co. can visit larsenauctioneering.com or are welcome to contact Jonathan Larsen at (605) 376-7102 or Jonathan@larsenauctioneering.com.

Ribbon Cutting Marks Latsch’s 100th Anniversary Latsch’s Office Products is pleased to announce their 100th Anniversary of doing business in Lincoln. A ribbon cutting with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce was held at Haymarket Park on August 9th to celebrate the milestone for this long-standing Lincoln business.

Latsch’s Inc. has been providing a full line of office products to businesses in Lincoln and the surrounding area since 1916. Throughout time they have continually adapted to change with their business model and today, provide quality office products at competitive prices, promptly delivering to your door most often next day. By being part of a large buying group in the country, they are able to aggressively compete with the big box stores. Latsch’s strives to be the single source vendor of choice for office supplies, breakroom supplies, business furniture, cleaning supplies, ad specialty products, printing and computer supplies. With professionally trained representatives and experienced customer service personnel, they have earned trusted relationships over the years to help you with all your purchasing needs.

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Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

Latsch’s was founded in Lincoln by brothers Jerome and Robert Latsch, originally in downtown Lincoln at 1124 ‘O’ Street. As these brothers were great supporters of the community, that still remains a priority. Latsch’s is proud to be part of this community by supporting local organizations such as Matt Talbot, CenterPointe, Tabitha, and Junior Achievement to name just a few. And, each year in August, Latsch’s is a proud sponsor of Stuff the Bus, which provides hundreds of Lincoln students with needed back- to-school supplies. For more information, please visit www.latschs. com or contact Mike Decker at (402) 323-7201 or miked@latschs.com.

BUSINESS NEWS

Firespring Acquires Nonprofit-Focused Crowdfunding Platform Deposit a Gift Firespring (www. firespring.com) has acquired Deposit a Gift, a crowdfunding platform focused on helping small- and medium-sized nonprofit organizations plan and execute successful crowdfunding campaigns.

Firespring Founder and CEO Jay Wilkinson says the acquisition positions Firespring as a leading provider of crowdfunding services for those organizations.

“Nonprofit groups are exploring crowdfunding as a source of revenue, but many don’t know how to go about it,” Wilkinson said.

“Deposit a Gift provides our clients with easy access and expert assistance in crowdfunding. It’s a perfect fit with our mission to help nonprofits make the most of their limited resources.”

Deposit a Gift is different from other nonprofit and individual fundraising platforms because it offers hands-on support and coaching, lets users customize the look and feel of their campaign, and offers integrated ticket sales. Founder Dana Ostomel started the business in 2010 and will serve on the Firespring management team, providing vision and thought leadership to the nonprofit sector.

For more information about Deposit a Gift, visit depositagift.com.

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Midwest Business & Industrial Expo Returns to Lincoln The 20th Biennial Nebraska Products Show for Business & Industry, to be held on October 27 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln, NE is set to be one of the largest and most diversified Expos in the Midwest. The event will be both a marketplace and technical center, where suppliers and vendors will be able to display their products, materials, and services for area users and buyers.

If you are interested in showcasing your company and exhibiting at the Nebraska Products Show, contact Bob Mancuso, Jr. with Mid-America Expositions, Inc. at (402) 346-8003 or bmancuso@ showofficeonline.com.

Executive Travel Sets Industry Standard With Perfect Quality Score Executive Travel (executivetravel. com) recently announced that it has achieved a “best-in-class” Net Promoter Score (NPS®) of 100 percent during July and an average score of 88% NPS for the second quarter. The customer satisfaction mark is a company record and greatly exceeds industry giants such as JetBlue (68%), Delta (33%), TripAdvisor (46%) and Southwest Airlines (62%). The Net Promoter Score is based on customers’ direct feedback and measures their likelihood to recommend a business’s products or services in their respective marketplace.

“Our focus on customer service has always been our primary differentiator and that commitment has been validated with our latest NPS. It shows how our employees are all-in and go the extra mile to ensure the best possible experience for our customers,” said Executive Travel COO Paul Glenn. “The travel industry is continually changing, and the only way to continue to grow is to provide a service that is easy to use and provides the best customer service to its users. I am proud of the employees here at Executive Travel, and am excited for where our future is headed. With customer satisfaction leading the industry, the potential for the future of our company has never been greater.”

SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

17

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BUSINESS NEWS

Russ’s Market Celebrates Newly Remodeled Store With Grand Reopening Ribbon Cutting Russ’s Market celebrated an expansion and renovation of its East Pa r k P l a z a s t o r e, located at 66th and O Street, with a grand r e o p e n i n g r i bb o n cut t i ng. The st ore nearly doubled in size after taking over space next door which had previously housed a drugstore. Construction was completed in phases, allowing the store to remain open.

Pat Raybould, president of B&R Stores, says the changes are significant enough to call for a celebration. “This Russ’s Market really is a new store. It has a modern, bright look and very welcoming atmosphere,” said Raybould. “The best part is that we’re able to offer customers more fresh items, specialty foods and services.”

The 66th and O Street location has added a drive-thru pharmacy, an expanded spirits section with a separate entrance, and a sit-down cafe that’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The deli and meat departments also feature more prepared items for quick meals at home. New fuel pumps make it easier for customers to redeem fuel discounts earned by using their Russ’s Community Rewards card.

One lucky customer received a 32-inch flat screen television during the ribbon cutting ceremony. Other prizes will be given away throughout the coming weeks, including a two-year lease on a 2016 Chevy Trax crossover SUV.

Don Miltner Jr. Farmers Insurance Agency Celebrates Grand Opening in New Location Don Miltner J r. F a r m e r s Insurance Agency welcomed the Lincoln community to join in celebrating the grand opening of their new office, located at 5540 South Street, Suite 208, on Friday, July 15th.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce kicked off the open house, and the event concluded with a ribbon-cutting event in conjunction with the Lincoln Independent Business Association, with a reception afterwards where guests enjoyed complimentary fare and refreshments. Thank you to all who stopped by throughout the day; there was an overwhelming turn-out and it was so much fun meeting everyone!

Don Miltner Jr. and his team are excited to offer many different Farmers Insurance products to those in the Lincoln community, with the ultimate goal of helping each client find the right fit for their specific needs. Miltner Jr. is a licensed agent providing home, auto, life, business and property, casualty and compensation, and renter’s insurance all in one place. The team at Don Miltner Jr. Farmers Insurance Agency is committed to always being there for you, with flexible appointments to fit any schedule and the ability to call and speak with your agent at any time, even after office hours as needed.

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Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

For more information, please contact Don Miltner Jr. at (402) 890-1537, via email at DMiltner@farmersagent.com, or find the agency online at agents.farmers.com/ne/lincoln/don-miltner.

BUSINESS NEWS

Hire-A-Maid Transitions to New Ownership Hire-A-Maid, Inc., a locally owned a n d o p e ra t e d company offering the full spectrum of customized residential and commercial cleaning services, was recently purchased by Dale Nissen. The company’s office is now headquartered at 4444 O Street, Suite 8 in Lincoln. The transaction was facilitated by MJ Cassner of Transworld Business Advisors (tworld.com/lincoln).

A leading provider of professional cleaning services, Hire-A-Maid, Inc. has been serving clients in the Lincoln community since 1990 and maintains an A+ Honor Roll rating with the Better Business Bureau and an Excellent rating on Angie’s List. All services are tailored to fit the specific needs of each client, with no task too small or large for HireA-Maid’s trained, experienced and insured team of professionals.

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To find out more about Hire-A-Maid, or to request a free estimate, please visit the company’s website at www.hireamaidnow.com. Dale Nissen can be reached directly at (402) 560-1904 or via email at info@HireAMaidNow.com with any inquiries.

Check out our menu!

From Shepherd’s Pie to Bangers & Mash, we have a variety of Irish cuisine.

Heartland International, Inc. Recognizes 2016 Premier Commercial Roofing Contractors Heartland International, Inc., a nationwide distributor of Conklin Commercial Roofing Systems, has named their Illinois, Colorado and Kansas 2016 Premier Commercial Roofing Contractors.

Ken and Jeff Dean and their company Dean Construction of Canton, Illinois is Heartland’s Illinois Premier Roofing Contractor for 2016. This award recognizes Dean Construction for their reputation built on successful installations of Conklin Commercial Roofing Systems over the past 25 years and their recognition as Conklin Company Master Contractors for the past 18 years. They have installed over 550 roofs in four states, including their largest project of 175,000 square feet…that’s 4 acres!

Leonard Hostetler, the founder of Quality Cool Roof Solutions in Hotchkiss, Colorado, and his sons-in-law, Randall Hostetler and Aden Gingerich, are being recognized a Heartland International’s Colorado Premier Roofing Contractor for 2016. Quality Cool Roof Solutions started in the spring of 1997 doing commercial roofing projects in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming and Kansas. The business was taken over by the next generation fully in 2013.

Francis Taphorn and his company FRT Company, LLC is Heartland’s Kansas Premier Roofing Contractor for 2016. Taphorn has been associated for 39 years with the Conklin Company and installing Conklin Roofing Systems since 1981. FRT Co. has completed commercial roofing projects large or small across Kansas, but no city in the U.S. probably has a higher percentage of their city protected by Quality Conklin Roofing Systems than Marysville, Kansas—over eighty percent of the roofs in this city of 3,300 are protected by Conklin Roofing Systems. Francis is also Sales Director for the Conklin Company, a duty he’s had since 1994 working with all of Conklin’s six product divisions.

Heartland International, Inc. is based in Lincoln, Nebraska and is responsible to screen and train contractors to install the Conklin Roofing Systems. For more information or to apply for one of our current openings, email JordanDNun@gmail.com or call (402) 540-1545.

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SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS

Rise Lincoln Presents 2016 Fall Series The Rise Lincoln 2016 Fall Series is set - so open up your calendar right now, mark down the dates, and invite your friends and co-workers!

The series of informative sessions will kick off with “Getting Your Brain in Shape for Taking Risks” on Thursday, September 22nd. This session will feature a presentation given by HBDI Certified Speaker Diane Kortus, so it’s certainly not one to miss!

Looking ahead, the following sessions will be “Pursuing your Passion at Great Risk” on October 20th and “Supporting your Business’s Success by Supporting Your Community” on November 10th. “Pursuing your Passion at Great Risk will feature Pam Dingman, P.E., Lancaster County Engineer; Karen Kunc, Director, Constellation Studios; and Sara Gilliam, Editor-in-Chief, Exchange Magazine and Founding Board of Directors for Carry the Future. “Supporting your Buisness’s Success by Supporting Your Community” will feature representatives from the following Lincoln businesses: Cornhusker Bank, Raising Cane’s and Firespring.

Rise Lincoln is a motivating series designed to connect the community of Lincoln’s women business leaders. All sessions begin with networking, drinks and discussion at 5:30 p.m. followed by the presentation from 6:15-7 p.m. Come, meet, and learn from brilliant women just like you!

For more information on Rise Lincoln or to view additional details on the upcoming events as they are announced, please visit www. riselincoln.org or email riselincoln@gmail.com.

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Register Today for Lincoln SCORE’s Next RECIPE FOR YOUR SUCCESS Workshop Are you thinking of starting a business?

D o yo u n e e d a refresher on the basics of running a business?

Lincoln’s SCORE Chapter is here to help with an information-packed workshop series, led by experts in topics relating to starting and managing a small business. Don’t miss this opportunity to create a mock business plan and experience the steps it takes to begin a successful business with the guidance of professionals!

Simple Steps for Starting Your Business Workshop Workshop location: SCC Jack J. Huck Continuing Education Center – Room 406 (301 S. 68th Street Place, Lincoln, NE) The next 2016 SCORE workshop series breaks it down into five Thursday night interactive sessions from 6:30-9:30 p.m. will be starting again in September.

• Startup basics (Sept. 15) • Business concepts (Sept. 29) • Marketing plan (Oct. 13) • Financial projections (Oct. 27) • Funding sources (Nov. 10) In cooperation with Southeast Community College and the Small Business Administration, this workshop series will be supplemented with individual one-on-one mentoring to provide help bringing you the utmost benefit for your business idea. Course materials will be provided in class. Individual mentoring sessions will be scheduled at the end of each class so bring your calendar!

Course fee is $120. To register, call Southeast Community College at (402) 437-2700.

BUSINESS NEWS

Zebulon Innovations Joins Forces With Local Nebraska Companies

Daily Cleaning Services

Zebulon Innovations is working with two prominent alternative fuels companies in Nebraska, Otte Oil and Propane and C.A.F.E. Nebraska, to educate and promote the use of clean, affordable, domestic alternative fuels. Zebulon is the Exclusive North American Importer and Distributor of the Zavoli LP gas (liquid propane gas) and CNG (compressed natural gas) vehicle conversion systems, and Exclusive U. S. Distributor of a select line of IMPCO Automotive conversion systems.

A subsidiary of Century Towing Inc., a highly respected company serving Lincoln and surrounding areas since 1989, C.A.F.E. Nebraska sells and installs both LP gas and CNG vehicle conversion systems for Zebulon and has been performing conversions for five years.

Otte Oil and Propane is a trusted name in Nebraska, with five public access LP gas stations including four convenient locations in Lincoln and one station in Columbus.

Fleets across the country are converting to LP gas and CNG. Zebulon offers a complimentary estimated return on investment with no obligation; call (515) 289-2121 or visit www.zebgas.com to learn more.

The Nebraska Energy Office rolled out their Clean-Burning Motor Vehicle Fuel Rebate Program in January of this year. The program offers qualifying fleets and personal vehicles a $4500.00 per vehicle rebate to convert to LP gas and CNG. Government fleets also qualify.

For more information on Nebraska’s rebate program visit www.neo. ne.gov or call (402) 471-2867.

BBB Issues Warning to Businesses: Directory Scams on the Rise Recently the Better Business Bureau has seen an uptick in directory scams (or “Yellow Pages scams”) aimed at small businesses. Reports to BBB Scam Tracker (bbb.org/scamtracker) have been increasing dramatically, and BBB is reminding business owners and employees not to fall for this trick.

Here’s how the scam works. The company gets an invoice in the mail for what turns out to be a fake directory ad. The scammers are hoping that the company’s accounting department will just pay the invoice without checking to see who ordered the ad.

The most recent angle to this scam is when the scammer calls the business claiming to be “verifying your information” for a directory or “updating our records.” The caller asks a bunch of questions, including the address for the business. An important aspect to this scam is getting the employee to say the word “yes” at some point.

Soon, the business receives an invoice for several hundred dollars for a directory ad. The invoice often fraudulently uses the name Yellow Pages or its famous walking fingers logo to appear authentic. If the business protests that they never ordered the listing, the scammer offers as “proof” a recording of the original phone conversation, which may be edited to make it sound like the employee said “yes” to advertising.

Whatever the scenario, if the company refuses to pay, the scammer makes collection calls, sends urgent collection notices, and even threatens to report the company to a collection agency, take them to court, or ruin the credit of the owners and employees. Often, the business will pay up just to get the scammers to leave them alone, but that rarely works.

Once scammers have pegged a business as an “easy mark,” they will be back with more scams in the future.

Your best bet is to simply ignore the scammer. If you get a call, fax mail or email solicitation say “We are not interested” and hang up. For more information to help your business, go to bbb.org/biztips.

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SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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STAR CITY SIX

SUE ELLEN Sue Ellen Stutzman

NESCO RESOURCE

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Nesco Resource is one of the leading national staffing and employment agencies, offering temporary staffing, permanent placement, or direct hire opportunities as well as a host of other staffing, recruiting, and on-site management solutions. The new Lincoln office located at 620 N. 48th Street, Suite 104 recently opened its doors in June of 2016, joining over 100 established branch offices across 22 states, including the Omaha, NE branch that’s been serving clients for over 30 years. Sue Ellen Stutzman is the Branch Manager at Nesco Resource’s Lincoln office.

Tell us a little about your business. - Through our growing branch office network, we offer clients and employees a wide range of human resources services. Nesco Resource remains a financially stable and family-owned company, driven by our lengthy heritage and led by the original founder of our company nearly 60 years. Our constant commitment to quality at all levels has earned us numerous awards and accolades, including Inavero’s Best in Staffing Award for both Talent and Client categories from 2011 to 2016, putting Nesco Resource in the top 2% of staffing firms and employment agencies in the USA and Canada.

How did you get started in the industry? - I began my career as a recruiter in 1994 and realized that I had finally found my niche. I discovered that I could connect my love of helping others with my love of business and customer service; it’s been a very rewarding journey.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married to my husband Tim Stutzman for almost 18 years. We have 3 children: Mark (26), Lizy (17), and Shelby (15). We enjoy doing things as a family; our favorites are movies, racing, camping, and playing cards.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? The loss of my father to cancer in December of 2014. He demonstrated the importance of faith, family, and leaving your children with a legacy that they can be proud of.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Settle in with a good book and read.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I love scrapbooking because it’s writing your family story in pictures.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Integrity.

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - Carry On Wayward Son by Kansas.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - A meteorologist. I find weather very interesting.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - My church, Mercy City. I enjoy being involved in many different things there. What I hold most dear is that they truly welcome everyone and want to make each and every person feel comfortable and at home.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - This Present Darkness by Frank Petretti.

What is your favorite movie? - P.S. I Love You. What is your favorite TV show? - Gilmore Girls! Copious amounts of coffee, family dysfunction, and sarcasm…what is not to love?

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Stauffers Café. Nothing beats all that pie.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Abraham Lincoln.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Call our Lincoln office at (531) 289-1116, email me at sstutzman@ nescoresource.com, or visit our website at www.nescoresource.com.

STAR CITY SIX

Look Great in Any Season

NATASHA Natasha Plooster

EAT FIT GO LINCOLN Providing fresh, perfectly portioned, nutritionally balanced, grab-and-go meals, Eat Fit Go recently opened a Lincoln location at 2901 S. 84th Street.

Natasha Plooster is President of Eat Fit Go Lincoln.

Tell us a little about your business. - At Eat Fit Go it’s all about eating well and living better, without the work. You are what you eat! Our chefs prepare everything daily from scratch to guarantee the highest quality meals for our customers’ enjoyment.

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How did you get started in the business? - The convenience of healthy food has always been a challenge for our active family.

It often seemed like all I did all day was either plan a meal, shop for groceries or prepare meals on any downtime to keep the family properly nourished. I was burnt out and wished that there was a better solution. That’s how Eat Fit Go was started.

It is the solution that I longed for. Our refrigerator is now full of nutritious, portion-controlled meals, to ensure that we are eating well even when we are on the run.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Balance. I have never been able to leave my work behind at the office. I take great pride in providing the best service, and to me, there is no such thing as an 8 hour work day.

Tell us a little about your family. - There is never a dull moment in our home with our three children, all under the age of three.

Our oldest, twins, Theo and Grace, will soon be turning three and William, our youngest, is 16 months. My husband, Matt, is also a business owner. And lastly, we have two big dogs, Wrigley and Max. What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - If there is such a thing as a day off, I love to take my family on adventures around Lincoln. We live in such an amazing community; it’s such a joy to see it through my children’s eyes.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I was actually born in Russia and came to America when I was 9 years old. Through hard work and dedication, my mother and I learned the language and are now living the American dream.

What are you the most proud of? - My family.

If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be? - Loyal.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Multiple arms! There’s always a child to hold and an additional task to accomplish. Sometimes all you need is another set of hands.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - A doctor, but unfortunately I’m terrified of blood and needles.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I am on the Board of Matt Talbot Kitchen and Outreach, as well as a committee member of Matt Talbot’s Ending Homelessness Initiative. Matt Talbot is such an incredible organization that helps the working poor of Lincoln. The staff and guests there are truly inspiring.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Eat Fit Go! If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - I can be reached at (402) 875-2728, via email at lincoln@ eatfitgo.com, or check out our website at www.eatfitgo.com.

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STAR CITY SIX

JASON Jason Luong

SWITCH UP MEDIA Jason Luong is the co-founder of Switch Up Media, a multimedia marketing and advertising agency headquartered in Lincoln, NE.

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Tell us a little about your business. - We handle everything from web to print, but like to focus on video and social media marketing. Tyler Weihe and I started the company about eight months after we both graduated from Doane College in 2013.

We got our start in wedding videography and that’s ultimately how we bankrolled our business.

Now here we are, two years later, pivoting away from our roots in weddings as we move more towards commercial work. This was always the plan so now that we’re in our third year of business, it’s a great feeling to be able to sit back and see how far we have come in such a short amount of time. Tyler and I were both able to transition into working full time at Switch Up Media this year and that’s helped our growth as young entrepreneurs and as a business.

How did you get started in the business? - The first (and only) job I got out of college was being a Commercial Producer at 10/11 News. That’s where I gained a lot of experience working with commercial clients. I learned a lot while I was there, but I also worked at Switch Up Media part time and it eventually got to the point where my full-time job was getting in the way of work at my company. So I left that job and haven’t looked back since. It’s scary making that jump to being solely self-employed but I couldn’t be happier.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Dealing with the stress that comes with owning your own business.

There’s a lot less responsibility when you’re just an employee at a company. So I have to figure out how to manage my time efficiently so I can take care of all the accounting and boring stuff, while still finding time to be creative and actually make the products we sell.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- I’m not big into awards but when Switch Up Media won The Knot’s Best of Weddings award for 2016, I was really proud. It was nice to be recognized for all the hard work we have been putting in.

The award is good for publicity and all that, but really it was great for our own morale because it signified that we were on the right track and that we could do what we love and do it well.

Tell us a little about your family. - I’m on only child who was born and raised in Cozad, NE. My parents moved to Seward while I was in college so it’s been great to have them closer.

What are you the most proud of? - Switch Up Media; we have built something out of nothing simply by working hard, not giving up on the dream and doing good work.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Pho Nguyenn is the best place to eat in town, hands down. If you love Vietnamese food or have been curious to try it, it’s a must; I highly recommend the #2 and some spring rolls! I also love Lazlo’s, Dozo and Honest Abe’s.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - The best way to reach me is by email at jason@ switchupmedia.com; you can also contact me at (308) 325-4661 or message me on Facebook. Feel free to visit switchupmedia. com to see what we’ve been working on as well.

24

Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

STAR CITY SIX

ERIC

Eric Schnakenberg

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Aqua Systems has been helping people improve their water since 1959, servicing clients across Nebraska as part of a national company with over 300 dealers nationwide. Eric Schnakenberg is the Director of Business Development for Aqua Systems in Nebraska.

Tell us a little about your business. - We are a water treatment company that specializes in water softeners, drinking water systems, water purification, problem water solutions and large-scale water solutions for both residential and commercial clients.

How did you get started in the business? - I began my career with owner Jeff White in high school hauling big water jugs around to stay in shape for football. From there, I worked my way through different positions in the company, from service tech to installer to sales. I am now overseeing the cooler and ice division.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? Overcoming my reputation as a daredevil when I was younger.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? - I created a fundraiser that I run annually called the Travis Tinney Hashtag Movement. It originated as a prank on my best friend Travis, who hates hashtags, and then turned into a powerful fundraiser the following year. It uses hashtags to fight cancer by raising funds for breast cancer research at The Cancer Center in Omaha.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have 2 kids; my son William is 12 and my daughter Jaden is 10.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?

- I would say probably the five years I spent in New York City, which helped me see the world differently; especially how business is done there versus here in Nebraska. I appreciate the pace of life here. It also helps me stay calm in traffic here!

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Spend time at the lake on a boat with the kids. We fish and tube.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I am a dancing phenom! I have competed in country dancing competitions and am currently working towards learning Latin and ballroom dancing.

What are you the most proud of? - Definitely my kids! They are both so focused on being good people and helping others.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - “Respect your fears, but never be crippled by them.”

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - Guitars and Cadillacs

by Dwight Yoakam.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - I would love to be able to fly. I really enjoy sky diving.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Aqua Systems is proud to work with a lot of non-profit organizations in the community. To name a few: Friendship Home in Lincoln, Children’s Hospital in Omaha, and The Shriners.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters by Matt Ridley.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Billy’s Restaurant, JTK Cuisine & Cocktails, Single Barrel, MōMō Pizzeria & Ristorante, Culinary Underground…so many good places to eat in Lincoln!

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - Freddy Mercury of Queen.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - Readers are welcome to reach me at (402) 580-5734 or via email at erics@ilovemywater.net. You can also visit our website at ilovemywater.net.

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STAR CITY SIX

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Founded in 1903, Cornhusker Bank remains Lincoln’s oldest locally owned bank, demonstrating hometown heart, stability, soundness and continued commitment to the success of its valued customers, associates, and the Lincoln community. Audrie Bates is the Retail Relationship Manager/Officer at Cornhusker Bank.

Tell us a little about your position at Cornhusker Bank. - I get the privilege of working with clients to help them meet their financial goals. My office will be at the Corporate Center at 84th & O Street when the building is complete. However, I am currently at our Apples Way location at 6100 Apple’s Way. Cornhusker Bank has six locations across Lincoln.

How did you get started in the business? - When I was in high school, one of the local banks was looking for summer interns. My name was brought up as a candidate and I was hired. I worked not only in the summer, but during my junior and senior years. When I moved to Lincoln to attend college, I got a part time job as a teller and then worked my way up from there.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- I am blessed to have wonderful clients who I have the privilege of assisting on a daily basis. These client relationships are built by ‘doing life together’ as I work with them to help them achieve a goal or to resolve a problem. Simply being able to talk with people is a great part of my job. I have worked with many of my clients for over 10 years.

Tell us a little about your family. - My husband, Brian, and I have been married for 20 years and have two wonderful children. Ryan is a sophomore at UNL. He runs cross country, indoor and outdoor track for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Carlie is a junior at Lincoln East. She is active in softball and other activities. We love to travel and have been fortunate to travel to Italy, Ireland and have taken many trips throughout the United States. One of our favorite places is Disney World in Florida.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I really enjoy being with my family, especially attending sporting events, watching movies, and spending time together.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Do what is right for the long term. Don’t sell something to someone just to meet a goal, but to help the individual. If you are true to that, you can look anyone in the eye at any time and know you did the right thing.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - The Lincoln Boys Choir (LBC) This organization consists of organized choral groups which promote healthy, lifetime singing skills through musical performance and strive to instill a sense of self-confidence and achievement through a commitment in excellence. The ages of boys range from 3rd graders to seniors in high school. I have a passion for this organization because my son was a part of it for seven years and we were able to travel to Italy and Ireland for music festivals because of the Lincoln Boys Choir. I am the President of the board of directors.

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Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

What is your favorite TV show? - I don’t specifically have a favorite TV show; however, I enjoy watching the Food Network and HGTV. What is your favorite local restaurant? - Ming’s House.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Call (402) 434-6780, email me at Audrie.Bates@cornhuskerbank. com, or visit us online at www.cornhuskerbank.com.

STAR CITY SIX

TOM

Beat the Summer Sun with Automotive Window Tinting INVEST IN YOUR COMFORT AND VEHICLE’S LONGEVITY

Tom Garvey

IMMANUEL Immanuel, the parent company to Immanuel Communities and Immanuel Pathways, is a renowned leader in providing senior care and services ranging from independent and assisted living, memory support, and long-term care to the PACE program, which helps eligible seniors with more acute care needs receive the care they need while remaining in their homes. Tom Garvey is the Vice President of IT at Immanuel.

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How did you get started in the business? - For most of my career, I served in various IT leadership capacities in the insurance industry.

In 2013, I was invited to join Immanuel’s Board of Directors to bring a technology perspective to the board. After a year, I was asked to lead IT team to meet the growing demand for the senior services we offer. It was very much a matter of being at the right place at the right time.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have been married for 29 years to my wife, Fran, and we have two married daughters, Jessica and Jennifer. Both are nurses in Omaha. Last January, we were blessed with our first grandchild.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - It happened early in my life. My father was killed in a farm accident nearly 50 years ago, leaving behind me, my mom and my two younger sisters. Before the accident, I was destined to be a farmer – I loved farming, but this tragedy changed my course of study, the school I attended, and ultimately where I would make a life. As they say, when one door closes, another opens. I don’t know how my life would have turned out had the accident not happened, but I cannot imagine being more blessed than I am today.

What are you the most proud of? - Without a doubt, I am most proud of my family. Both of our daughters have grown to be responsible, respectful women, but that doesn’t just happen. My wife has been a wonderful role model for them. It is supremely satisfying to see my kids become successful and embark on difference-making vocations, and to have had a steadfast partner to accompany me on my life journey.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - I have a couple examples. Literally one of the last things my dad said to me was – The most valuable lessons you will learn in life will come at the feet of your elders. In other words, experience is a great teacher. Perhaps there is some connection to that advice and where I am today. In addition, my wife had a constant word of advice for our daughters that I think would benefit any of us – Never turn down an opportunity to be kind.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - I am such a huge sports fan and have been my entire life that any alternate profession consideration would likely be sports related. I have always thought it would be great fun to be a broadcast journalist or some type of sports information director.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - John Wooden, the late famous basketball coach at UCLA. While he was an ultra-successful coach, he was also a management guru and behavior specialist. He was a masterful example of someone who saw people’s talents and helped them utilize those talents to realize their utmost potential.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Via email, tgarvey@immanuel.com, or visit www.Immanuel.com.

SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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ASK THE EXPERT: COMPRO 402-488-5100 www.comproins.com

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We receive inquires about dental insurance every day. We recommend that you do the math to determine whether it is a good value. This applies to group dental plans and individual dental policies. You begin by estimating the cost of dental services if you do not have dental insurance. This chart is a composite of average cost figures for Lancaster County, NE that was obtained from the search tools on dental insurance websites.

Average cost of dental services in Lancaster County, NE:

Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

Dental plans are typically offered with 3 to 4 categories of services that are covered by the policy.

• Preventive services • Basic services such as fillings and extractions • Major services including crowns, root canals, bridges • Orthodontia Preventive services are generally covered right away and there is $0 or very limited expense to the patient. Basic services and Major services may have a waiting period before the policy will provide benefits. A waiting period of 6 months for Basic and 12 months for Major are typical on an individual policy or a group plan for a business with 5 or less employees. It will vary for larger group plans. Orthodontia is not covered on policies for individuals and can be an optional benefit for group plans.

Basic and major services may have a deductible that the patient pays, and then the insurance plan and the patient will share the cost. A common benefit is that the insurance pays 80% of basic services and 50% of major services. Most plans have a maximum benefit of $1000 to $1500 per year.

Most dental plans use a network of dentists. Using a network dentist will guarantee that you will not pay more than the contracted amount for a specific service. Some dental plans are indemnity plans. This means that the dental plan will pay a certain amount for a specified service and that you are responsible to pay the balance charged by the dentist.

Based on the chart above, if you go to the dentist twice a year for a checkup and cleaning, and you have one set of x-rays during the year, you will spend $245 - $345 for your dental care. If your premium for health insurance is less than $30 per month, you will spend $360 for premium and get all of your preventive care for free. You will also receive help in paying for other services after the waiting period has been satisfied.

For most people, dental insurance is a good value. In the years where your care is limited to preventive care, it’s a break even benefit. But in the year where a tooth gets chipped or you need a filling or crown, you come out ahead with the dental insurance. ComPro offers dental insurance plans for employer groups and individuals.

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PERSONNEL NEWS Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers Hires Emma Grobe Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers is excited to introduce the newest member of the team, Emma Grobe, who recently joined the company on July 21st as a Weight Loss Counselor. Emma is a Lincoln native who will be attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the fall to study Elementary Education/ Special Education. Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers is located at 5377 S. 34th St., Suite 200 inside Williamsburg Village.

Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers offers six expert-designed weight loss and nutrition systems specifically created to help one start losing pounds and inches right away. Each system offers a nutrition plan put together by licensed dietitians to help you get the proper amount of protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals to meet specific needs and goals.

Included with each weight loss plan is a six-week program led by Dr. Kirk Brown, LMHP. These one-hour weekly sessions are designed to help you identify your current eating tendencies and provide you with new tools to change your thoughts and habits regarding food. Also among the wealth of weight loss services are Pathway Fit, which provides personalized information and recommendations based on one’s genetics, and LipoGenics, a revolutionary, non-surgical, non-invasive laser body contouring system that eliminates unwanted fat stores from the body.

Call today to speak with a counselor or to schedule a convenient free consultation. Find out more about Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Centers by visiting pwlclincoln.com, calling (402) 483-7952 or emailing info@ pwlclincoln.com.

HoriSun Hospice Welcomes New Employees HoriSun Hospice is pleased to announce the addition of Rita Price, RN as Hospice Case Manager and Jolie Vega as Bereavement and Volunteer Coordinator to its team.

Price received her Practical Nursing Degree from SCC-Lincoln in 2006 and then obtained her Associate Degree in Nursing in 2012.

Prior to joining the HoriSun team, Rita worked at Bryan Medical Center Trauma Intensive Care as a staff nurse.

Vega graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from Bellevue University in 2012 and is currently working on completing her Master’s Degree in Clinical Counseling. She previously worked as the Suicide Prevention Program Manager for the Nebraska Army National Guard and outside of work serves as the founder, president, and trained and certified birth and bereavement doula for No Footprint Too Small Birth & Bereavement Services.

Rita Price

HoriSun Hospice believes that hospice care affirms life. Their mission and promise to our Jolie Vega community is simple – to provide the best care possible, 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all whose lives are affected by a life limiting illness or condition. Comfort, compassion, and caring are HoriSun Hospice’s guiding principles. For more information, please call (402) 484-6444 or visit www.horisunhospice.com.

Don’t miss this event!

11th Annual Cyber Security Conference for System/Network Professionals Thursday & Friday, Sept. 29 & 30, 2016 SCC Gymnasium, 8800 O St., Lincoln, NE - $99

In addition to our partnership with the state of Nebraska Office of the CIO, we are partnering with the Nebraska Infrastructure Protection Conference to bring you additional panel breakout sessions and an executive-level tabletop exercise. The United States Industrial Control Systems-Computer Emergency Response Team will be facilitating the Friday session from 8 a.m.-noon.

NOTE: Friday has a limited number of seats available for the tabletop exercise on a first-come, first-served basis. There are plenty of spots open for Thursday’s conference.

To register: www.southeast.edu/continuing, click on the REGISTER NOW button. Use Keyword Cyber

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All courses recognized by BICSA for continuing education credit.

Contact Paul Lytle at 402-437-2508 to learn more.

PERSONNEL NEWS Lincoln DanceCentre Welcomes New Instructor Jessica Connelly Lincoln DanceCenter is pleased to welcome Jessica Connelly to their team of talented, accomplished instructors.

A Lincoln native, Jessica choreographs for The Stage Theater musical productions in Hickman, NE and is a member of their board of directors. Jessica’s professional dance career spanned the globe. She was employed by Princess Cruise Lines (2009-2015), and her resume also includes performance seasons dancing at the SandCastle Dinner Theater in Saipan with Baldyga Group International (2012-2014). Prior to her professional work, Jessica lived in Los Angeles upon being awarded a work-study opportunity with the Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio. Jessica will be teaching classes at both Lincoln DanceCentre’s main studio on at 2701 O Street as well as the school’s satellite program in Hickman at the Legion building downtown. She is thrilled to be at Lincoln DanceCentre where she can carry on her passion for educating and encouraging students in the art of movement.

Lincoln DanceCentre proudly offers Lincoln’s most professional dance training, providing opportunities for students of all ages, skill levels, and desired outcomes, whether the goal is to try a new style for fun or pursue a career in dance. New students can even try their first class for free! For more information or to schedule a class, please call (402) 405-6470 or email lincolndancecentre@gmail.com.

Eastmont Welcomes Jennifer Smith and Karla Frese The Eastmont Towers Community is pleased to welcome two new staff members to the Sales and Marketing Team, Jennifer Smith and Karla Frese.

Jennifer Smith, Marketing & Special Events Coordinator, is a Lincoln native and a graduate of Lincoln East High School. Ms. Smith has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management from Bellevue University. With over 20 years of experience her expertise includes market research and data analysis including email marketing, as well as web Jennifer Smith analytics and project management.

Karla Frese, Sales Director, will be primarily responsible for premarketing Eastmont’s expansion project at 50th and Yankee Hill Road. Ms. Frese is from West Point, NE. She has a Master of Science and Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her 9 years of experience in senior housing includes sales, marketing, and public relations in Lincoln and Omaha, as well as premarketing 4 communities in GA, TX, NC, and OH. Karla Frese Eastmont is a comprehensive senior lifestyle community, offering independent living, assisted living, skilled rehabilitation, long term and end-of-life care. As an independent not-for-profit, Eastmont is mission driven and committed to being the choice provider of progressive senior living services, setting the standard for the delivery of personalized care where individuals thrive in all stages of life.

For more information about Eastmont’s unique lifestyle options please contact Betsy Sheets, Director of Marketing and Development, at (402) 489-6591 or visit EastmontTowers.com.

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PERSONNEL NEWS

West Gate Bank® Promotes Kristi Thornton to Vice President

Larry Gadeken Named New Director of The Arbors Memory Care

The West Gate Bank® Board of Directors has elected Kristi Thornton to the title Vice President, Branch Manager.

Larry Gadeken has been c hosen as Executive Director at The Arbors Memory Care Community.

Thornton joined West Gate Bank® in 2011 as an Assistant Branch Manager at the Midtown location at 50th and O Street.

In 2015, she was promoted to Branch Manager/Assistant Vice President at the Southridge location at 27th and Old Cheney Road. She transferred back to Midtown as Branch Manager later that year. Thornton brings 18 years of banking experience to her new role. As Vice President, Branch Manager, Thornton will oversee the Midtown and Southridge locations, with responsibilities for developing and maintaining business relationships with customers, providing personal service to meet their financial needs and coaching her staff to achieve customer service and sales goals.

Gadeken grew up in Sterling, NE and studied Psychology at the University of Nebraska. He comes to the position with a solid background in working with seniors, including his latest role as Director of Guardian Angels Homecare for five years. Over the past 20 years, Gadeken knew and spent time with the Legacy Retirement Communities’ founder, Jerry Joyce, and said, “I have been a part of The Legacy Community since it was founded. I just finally get to work here.”

Kristi Thornton is located at West Gate Bank® Midtown at 4955 O Street, and can be reached at (402) 323-8951 or kthornton@ westgatebank.com.

The Arbors is a state-of-the-art Legacy Memory Care Community and is a unique assisted living community designed specifically for individuals needing memory care support. For more information regarding memory care and The Arbors, call (402) 466-3777.

West Gate Bank® is a full-service community bank focused on Lincoln.

Stop by any of our seven branches to experience the local community bank difference and see how Lincoln’s Bank can serve you. Free Checking, Free Gifts and a Buy Back program for your unused checks and debit cards. Visit www.westgatebank.com for more information.

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Gadeken and his wife, Kathleen have raised four daughters and one son, and enjoy spending time with their two grandsons.

The Legacy Retirement Communities is celebrating 20 years of helping seniors and offers independent and assisted living at three locations throughout Lincoln. For more information, please call (402) 436-3000 or visit www.legacyretirement.com.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Rachel Rentschler Joins Sales Team at Lincoln First Realty Lincoln First Realty has welcomed Rachel Rentschler to its sales team. Rentschler is a newly licensed agent who selected Lincoln First Realty because of its local ownership and supportive business philosophy that gives the newly licensed agent a great advantage in experiencing early business success. She has her office at the Williamsburg Village location of the Cornhusker Bank building at 5701 S. 34th St. Rentschler invites anyone seeking professional real estate services to contact her by calling (402) 430-7431.

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Lincoln First Realty is a full-service professional real estate company offering services ranging from representation of buyers and sellers in a real estate transaction to pricing opinions and marketing strategies that assist their clients in the decision-making process. The main office phone number is (402) 434-2222 and the company website to view all of Lincoln’s residential listings is www.lincolnfirstrealty.com.

Hospice Community Care of Nebraska Welcomes Alicia Brown Hospice Community Care of Nebraska is pleased to announce that Alicia Brown has joined their team as Community Liaison. Alicia is a Seward resident along with her husband Daran. She brings to HCC over 18 years of experience in end of life care. Prior to joining HCC she worked in management and business development for several health care agencies serving the elderly. Alicia will be serving Seward, Lancaster and Saline Counties by providing education and end of life resources.

Hospice Community Care seeks to meet the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of patients and families who are facing a lifelimiting illness. It is the expectation of Hospice Community Care that all employees and volunteers are strongly committed to the dignity and worth of each individual human being. For more information, please contact Alicia Brown directly at (402) 631-3961, call the office at (402) 328-2350, or visit www.hospicecarenebraska.com.

Tami Thompson New MBA Director at NWU Dr. Tami Thompson has been named Program Director for Nebraska Wesleyan University’s MBA Program.

Thompson started at NWU in 2003 as an adjunct instructor in the adult undergraduate business program. She has taught in the MBA program since its start in 2014, and most recently served as the business program director for the university’s adult undergraduate program.

On July 1 she retired from the Nebraska Air National Guard after 28 years of service.

She was a colonel and mission support group commander with approximately 400 people reporting to her.

Nebraska Wesleyan’s MBA program is offered in Lincoln and Omaha and includes several specialized tracks including leadership, innovation and social entrepreneurship, health care management, accounting and non-profit. The program also includes a joint MSN/ MBA degree. For more information on the MBA program and upcoming open houses, visit www.nebrwesleyan.edu.

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PERSONNEL NEWS

Six New Instructors Join Harris Academy of the Arts

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Six new instructors have joined the talented team at Harris Academy of the Arts.

Kara Eddy (cello, beginning piano, Kindermusik, Children’s Music Academy) earned a Bac helor of Arts in Music from Kara Eddy Mathew Fuerst Hastings College.

Eddy moved to Lincoln from the Omaha area and previously taught at the Omaha Conservatory of Music, where she taught “Cello Sprouts,” a program for young, budding cellists.

Lincoln Havranek Joy Holz Mathew Fuerst (piano, composition, music theory) received his bachelor’s degree from the Eastman School of Music and his Master’s a n d D o c t o ra t e degrees from The Juilliard School.

His composition works have been Marcelo Lian Aaron Stroessner performed in Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, New York State Theatre, and more.

Lincoln Havranek (saxophone) is currently working on his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance at the University of Nebraska (Lincoln). He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Saxophone from Wayne State College, and a Master’s of Music from the University of South Dakota.

Havranek has been and still is active with many roles and ensembles including wind ensembles, jazz bands and more.

Joy Holz (violin, viola, chamber ensembles, string quartets, beginning piano) earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music at Kansas State University where she also served as Principal Violist of the University Orchestra. Holz also holds a Master’s degree in Viola Performance and Pedagogy from Colorado State University.

Marcelo Lian (piano, music theory) is an Argentinean pianist born in Buenos Aires, living in Lincoln after having completed his Doctoral degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying with Dr. Paul Barnes.

Lian holds extensive experience in both performing and in teaching. In collaboration with pianist Nicholas Reynolds, Lian founded and directed a new festival in Portland, OR, called “Pianists of the Americas.”

Aaron Stroessner (guitar, bass, beginning drums, rock band, jazz, music theory) recently earned his Doctoral degree in Jazz Guitar from the University of Nebraska (Lincoln) following a Master’s degree from New York University and a Bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston. Stroessner teaches both contemporary and classical guitar, as well as electric bass, theory, and rock band ensembles.

To learn more about Harris Academy of the Arts, please visit harrisacademyofthearts.com or call (402) 423-7121.

PERSONNEL NEWS

Woods Bros Realty Welcomes Associates Woods Bros Realty would like to welcome Kasandra Myers to the Country Club office and Jennifer Cappos to the Lincolnshire Square office.

For more information about Woods Bros Realty, visit www.WoodsBros.com.

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Woods Bros Realty is a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate and a wholly-owned subsidiary of HomeServices of America, Inc. The full-service company offers 127 years of expertise in real estate as well as experience in mortgage, title, closing, and insurance services. Providing an easier way to buy and sell, over 200 sales associates work with clients in Lincoln, Seward, Beatrice, York, Wahoo, Grand Island, and southeast Nebraska.

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Cornhusker Bank Announces Promotion of David Shiffermiller and Audrie Bates

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Cornhusker Bank is pleased to announce the promotion of David Shiffermiller to Executive Vice President/Lending and Audrie Bates to Vice President/Retail Experience.

Mr. Shiffermiller joined Cornhusker Bank in 2008 and has a total of 30 years of banking experience. He is a valuable asset to the bank’s senior management team and also in his service to bank affiliate, Lincoln First Realty, LLC, as a director.

Mr. Shiffermiller has a commitment to continued development in the field and is a graduate of Pacific Coast Graduate School of Banking. He has completed numerous training courses and schools sponsored by Nebraska Banker’s Association as well as NBA/KBA Schools of Banking as well as serving on various committees for both. Dave has previously held Nebraska Real Estate sales, broker’s and appraiser licenses.

Ms. Bates has over 26 years of banking experience and will also become a member of the senior management team for the bank with this promotion.

David Shiffermiller

Audrie Bates

Audrie’s service as President of the Board of Directors for Lincoln Boys’ Choir, active participation at St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church, and service as co-treasurer of the Lincoln East Softball team are just a few of the ways she displays her commitment to our community.

Cornhusker Bank remains Lincoln’s oldest locally owned bank, demonstrating stability, soundness, and continued commitment to the success of its valued customers and associates. For more information, please visit CornhuskerBank.com.

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PERSONNEL NEWS

Lisa Lavene Joins Horizon Physical Therapy Horizon Physical Therapy is excited to announce the addition of Lisa Lavene to its team of professionals. Lisa joined Horizon Physical Therapy in May of 2016. She graduated from UNMC in 2001 with a Master of Physical Therapy degree. She has worked in a variety of settings including acute hospital care, acute inpatient rehab, home health care, skilled nursing, and general outpatient therapy. Lisa recently completed a Therapeutic Pain Specialist (TPS) certification from International Spine and Pain Institute.

Pain can be complex and involves many factors. Lisa’s treatment approach focuses on educating people more about pain, not just anatomy, with an evidence-based biopsychosocial approach. She combines pain neuroscience education (PNE) with other physical therapy treatment strategies such as manual therapy, neural tissue mobilization, therapeutic exercise, aerobic exercise, relaxation techniques, and many more. Lisa empowers patients to learn strategies they can do themselves to calm a sensitive nervous system and improve well-being.

For more information about Horizon Physical Therapy, located at 1919 S. 40th Street, or to schedule an appointment, please call (402) 420-2500 or visit www.horizonpt.net.

Nebraska Home Sales Welcomes Three New Agents Nebraska Home Sales is pleased to we l c o m e A n d r e a B o e t t c h e r, Ka ra Lacey and Cody Jankovits to their team.

Boettcher grew up in Nebraska and believes this is where her strong work ethic and Midwester n values come from. Boettcher worked in the private sector and over the last several years is pursuing her childhood dream of real estate. Boettcher can be contacted at (402) 570-6265 or Andrea.Boettcher@ NebHomeSales.com.

Andrea Boettcher

Lacey grew up right outside Lincoln and loves calling Nebraska her home. Lacey’s love for real estate started in property management and has grown to every aspect of the industry. Lacey can be reached at (402) 802-1110 or Kara.Lacey@NebHomeSales. com.

Jankovits learned the importance of hard work and dedication at a very young age while helping on the farm in McCook.

He currently attends the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and plans to receive his bachelor’s degree in finance in 2017.

Jankovits is very eager and excited about his new career in real estate. Jankovits can be contacted at (308) 340-4666 or Cody.

Jankovits@NebHomeSales.com.

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Nebraska Home Sales is a full service real estate company and is one of Lincoln’s top producing real estate companies.

Go to www.nebhomesales.com or call the main office at (402) 489-9071 for more information.

Kara Lacey

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PERSONNEL NEWS

Serving Lincoln for over 60 years!

Michael Henkenius Joins Union Bank Team Union Bank & Trust (www.ubt.com) recently hired Michael Henkenius as Assistant Vice President & Trust Officer in Personal Trust and Wealth Management. Henkenius brings 19 years of comprehensive charitable gift planning experience to Union Bank. He serves as a relationship manager, assisting clients with all aspects of trust and estate administration. A graduate of Creighton University, Henkenius holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics and a Juris Doctor from Creighton University School of Law. Henkenius is a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association, the Nebraska Partnership for Philanthropic Planning and the Serra Club of Lincoln. He is active in various capacities at St. Joseph Catholic Church and serves on the board of Pius X High School’s BOLT dinner and auction. Henkenius is also a past Board member for Lincoln Junior Saltdogs Baseball League.

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Nebraska Hearing Center Welcomes Dr. Jessica Hart, AuD, CCC-A Nebraska Hearing Center is pleased to introduce Audiologist Dr. Jessica Hart, AuD, CCC-A, who recently joined the practice.

A Nebraska native, Dr. Hart earned her doctorate in Audiology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Dr. Hart is currently accepting new patients.

She has experience in all aspects of audiology and hearing devices as she most recently worked with the Veterans Affairs Medical Hospital in Omaha, NE. Nebraska Hearing Center is centrally located at 5625 O Street, Suite 104. Call (402) 486-3737 to schedule your complimentary hearing evaluation today.

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Guardian Angels Settles Into New Location, Welcomes New Director Guardian Angels, providing exceptional care through a wide variety of personal services for our local seniors, is excited to announce that some big changes have happened within the company recently!

Kris Beckenbach has returned as the Director of Guardian Angels. In her four-year absence Kris worked in residential senior living and for the Nebraska Legislature. “On my return I was delighted to see how many of our clients and caregivers are the same. That speaks volumes about our company culture of caring for our clients as well as our team members!” said Kris.

The office has also relocated to 5600 S. 48th Street and is officially moved all operations to that site. Now in a larger space, there is more much-needed room for training opportunities and future expansion to better serve its growing client base. Guardian Angels is proud to join a great community of merchants at Plaza South and all of the nearby local businesses!

Since 2003, Guardian Angels has been dedicated to providing exceptional, affordable in-home care to elders and others so they are able to remain independent. Guardian Angels can be contacted at (402) 474-4000 or you can find out more about the locally owned and operated company online at www.guardian-angels.us.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Two Keynote Speakers, Theme Chosen for 2016 Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands “Who’s Telling Your Story?” is the theme of the 2016 Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands.

This is the 10th year of the Summit, sponsored by the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. To celebrate a decade of helping nonprofits help their communities, NAM has two keynote speakers lined up for this year’s Summit. Tim Delaney has served as president and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits since 2008. He previously founded and was president of the Center for Leadership, Ethics, and Public Service. Andy Goodman is co-founder of The Goodman Center and the author of three books on storytelling, presenting, and strategic communications. Goodman is internationally recognized for his expertise in storytelling.

The Nonprofit Summit of the Midlands is Thursday, November 3. More information is available at www.nonprofitam.org.

Go Bald for Childhood Cancer Research Firespring (firespring.com) will host Lincoln’s seventh annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser at the Railyard in Lincoln, NE on Friday, September 9 at 5:30 p.m. Volunteer shavees are still needed to show solidarity with children who often lose their hair during cancer treatment. Shavees raise funds through donations, and other individuals and organizations can participate by donating directly or helping to sponsor the event. Anyone interested in joining the fight against childhood cancer can sign up to shave or donate at the event website, ShaveALife.org.

WasteCap Nebraska 2016 Mission to Zero: Annual Awards Luncheon & Workshops WasteCap Nebraska is hosting the 2016 Annual Awards Luncheon & Workshops on Friday, October 7th. Join for workshops and to honor the annual awards winners plus enjoy the company of others who share your business and community values. The luncheon will be held at 11:30 a.m. at The County Club of Lincoln and will feature keynote speaker, Will Sagar, Executive Director of the Southeast Recycling Development Council. Two workshops will be offered including Recycling by Design and Zero Waste Business starting at 8:30 a.m.

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Mr. Sagar, is going to present Recycling by Design, a workshop where government, industry, and non-profits can come together to form an effective and sustainable recycling system in Nebraska. This workshop will provide expertise on how to approach the development of Hub and Spoke systems, improve contamination rates, negotiate agreements, and provide effective incentives for recycling.

Also presenting a workshop will be Carrie Hakenkamp, Executive Director of WasteCap Nebraska who received her certification as a Zero Waste Business Associate with the US Zero Waste Business Council. Carrie will be presenting a workshop called Zero Waste Business. The Zero Waste Business workshop will focus on 12 credit areas including redesign, recycling, leadership, innovation, reduce, training, closed loop system, reuse, hazardous waste prevention, diversion, compost and upstream management.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

Lincoln South Rotary Club Recognized for Volunteers Still Needed for Safe Quarters Strong Leadership, Community Involvement Initiative to Support Friendship Home Lincoln South Rotary Club was recognized as a top performing Club during the 2015-16 Rotary Year.

The club earned the coveted Rotary International Presidential Citation – Gold Level. Criteria for earning the award include active service projects in Rotary’s Avenues of Service – Community, Vocational, International and Youth Services.

There were membership, public image and club administrative challenges met as well.

Lincoln South Rotary was also recognized for strong leadership in collaborating with the other Rotary Clubs in Lincoln on joint projects.

Outgoing President Clay Ehlers led the club and the activities, serving the Lincoln community as well as our International neighbors. Under the leadership of District Governor Rod Bates, four of the 43 clubs in the District qualified for the Presidential Citation.

Want to make a difference in your community through service? Visit www.lincolnsouthrotary.org and contact Lincoln South Rotary Club for more information.

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Safe quarters save lives.

Te a m s o f v o l u n t e e r s are still needed to walk Lincoln neighborhoods on Sunday, October 9th. A team generally consists of 8-12 members and all ages are encouraged to participate. Volunteers will receive t-shirts and collection buckets for the drive. You can help provide “safe quarters” to someone in crisis.

On October 9, 2016, over a thousand Friendship Home volunteers will canvass the city knocking on the door of each and every Lincoln household collecting financial contributions for victims of domestic violence. $90,000 was raised last year and as a result, Friendship Home was able to change 1,611 lives. To register a volunteer team, visit www.friendshiphome.org. For questions and/or more information about Safe Quarters, contact Lauren at laurenp@friendshiphome. org or (402) 434-0167.

Funds collected during Safe Quarters provide safe confidential shelter, crisis services and ongoing support for families who are rebuilding their lives because of domestic violence. To access safe shelter and services, call (402) 437-9302.

NON-PROFIT NEWS

Matt Talbot’s Transitional Housing Program Receives Donation of New Furniture Matt Talbot’s transitional housing program received new chests of drawers this summer thanks to Lincoln Mattress & Furniture, INSPRO Insurance, Greg & Darla Ernst and Rick & Denise Costello.

“The men and women in our transitional housing Lincoln Mattress & Furniture delivers a program are grateful new chest of drawers to the women’s for the opportunity to transitions house in July. be housed during their recovery from addiction. And they feel truly blessed by this gift of furniture. Having a sturdy place to store their belongings during their stay goes a long way in restoring their dignity as they move from homelessness to greater independence,” said Susanne Blue, Executive Director.

Matt Talbot’s transitional housing program was established to help individuals move from homelessness and addiction to a stable living environment. Matt Talbot has operated a men’s Transitions House for over twelve years, and opened a second house for women in recovery in 2013. Because the need for transitional housing in Lincoln is great, both houses are consistently full and have active waiting lists. Learn more about Matt Talbot’s hunger relief and outreach programs at mtkserves.org.

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Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska Opens New Location, Hosts Ribbon Cutting Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska (LFS) i s exc i t e d t o announce the opening of their newest Lincoln location at 2301 O Street! An official ribbon cutting and open house was held with the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce on July 26th.

The new building opened on May 3 and hosts a wide range of human care services provided by collaborating organizations. At this location, LFS offers behavioral health, children services and refugee services. The building also houses the Health 360 Integrated Care Clinic, a partnership of LFS and People’s Health Center (PHC), systematically coordinating general and behavioral healthcare for all patients. Other services include a legal clinic offered by Legal Aid of Nebraska, the Veggie Van operated by Community Crops and a Head Start Center operated by Community Action of Lancaster and Saunders Counties.

Established in 1892, Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska is a faithbased, not-for-profit, multi-service human care organization with locations across Nebraska and Council Bluffs, Iowa. The organization’s mission is to provide human care services that build and strengthen individual, family and community life.

In celebration of an expanded human care footprint in Lincoln and the opening of the Health 360 Clinic, LFS will be holding its annual Faith in Action® award event on Thursday, September 8th at Wilderness Ridge in Lincoln, Nebraska.

For more information, please visit LFSneb.org, call (402) 591-5063 or email development@lfsneb.org.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

Christian Heritage to Host Annual “Foster Stories” Educational Event

Child Guidance Center to Host Community Reception Welcoming New Executive Director

Christian Heritage is pleased to announce that their upcoming “Foster Stories” meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 27th from 6:15 p.m. - 8 p.m. It will be held at First Free Church, 3280 S. 84th Street in Lincoln.

Katie McLeese Stephenson started her new position as Executive Director at the Child Guidance Center in mid-July. Katie has worked with children and families in the Lincoln community and across the state for over 30 years in the non-profit sector and in both the judicial and executive branches of state government. Most recently she served as the Director of the Nebraska Court Improvement Project working with judges and stakeholders across the state to improve practices for children and youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. Additionally she has served as Chief Operating Officer at CEDARS and as a Child Welfare Administrator for the Department of Health and Human Services.

“Foster Stories” is an annual event in September where you can hear stories from current foster parents and enjoy dinner courtesy of Christian Heritage! This event is aimed for people just like you wishing to learn more about the different ways Christian Heritage cares for at-risk children, ask questions, and learn more about the children and families they serve. Whether you feel called to foster care or would simply like more information about foster care through Christian Heritage, this opportunity is FREE to the public and all are welcomed to attend. There is no obligation to become a foster parent after attending this event.

Christian Heritage is a Christian foster care agency that has been ministering to Nebraska’s abused and neglected children for more than 35 years. The organization seeks to work with families who feel “called” to care for hurting children. Every year, Christian Heritage serves over 700 children across Nebraska through its foster care, family outreach, and family finding services.

Christian Heritage’s administrative offices are located east of Lincoln at 14880 Old Cheney Road, Walton. To learn more about Christian Heritage and the difference they make in the community, please visit www.chne.org or contact Brian Berrier at (402) 421-5437 or email BrianB@chne.org.

The public is invited to an open house to meet Katie on Tuesday, September 13th, from 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (with remarks at 5:15 p.m.) at the Child Guidance Center offices at 2444 “O” Street. Please RSVP by September 8th to Jenny Cardwell at jcardwell@child-guidance.org or Whitney Kuhn at wkuhn@childguidance.org or call (402) 475-7666.

Child Guidance Center is dedicated to meeting the mental health needs of children and their families in the Lincoln area and surrounding communities through effective and flexible therapeutic partnerships and a commitment to advocacy and positive social change. For more information about Child Guidance Center, please go to www.child-guidance.org.

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westgatebank.com | 402-434-3456 | member FDIC 42

Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

Amber Holmberg 402-323-8948

NON-PROFIT NEWS

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NCF Celebrates Small-Town Success Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF; NebraskaHometown. org) held its quarterly board meeting in Shickley, NE on August 25-26. The 18-member board, representing communities from across the state, travels to affiliated fund communities for its regular board meetings, and takes full advantage of getting out and among the people they serve.

On Thursday afternoon board and staff members toured Reinke Manufacturing led by Sandi Wendell, who serves on both the Reinke Manufacturing board of directors and the NCF board. The group also visited the new Jennifer Reinke Public Library in Deshler, which was funded in large part by Jennifer Reinke’s NCF donor-advised fund.

Later that afternoon, the Byron community (pop.83) entertained the group at its new million-dollar community center, built with the help of a gift of land which NCF helped to arrange.

An evening reception, dinner and program was held in the Shickley Community Center, also built entirely with charitable contributions.

Volunteers from affiliated funds in six adjacent counties participated in an evening celebration. Twelve affiliated funds in those six counties –Fillmore, Thayer, Clay, Nuckolls, Adams, Webster – currently have nearly $5.8 million in charitable assets. What’s more, $4.3 million of those assets are held in permanent, unrestricted endowments, which means a steady flow of revenue will be available forever to meet the needs and opportunities that cannot yet be envisioned today.

HBAL Celebrates 65th Anniversary, Building Future With New Look January 2016 marked the 65th Anniversary of the Home Builders Association of Lincoln (HBAL).

Commemorating the momentous event, the HBAL Board of Directors redesigned the HBAL logo. Variations of the previous logo date back to the early 1960’s, which does not reflect today’s style of building. The new logo is more modern, reflects the change in times and in the industry.

One thing that has remained constant in the logo design is “Experience, Ethics, Excellence.” HBAL is committed to this motto and encourages people looking for contractors to visit our website at www.HBAL.org to find a list of members.

The new logo will be unveiled at a ribbon cutting ceremony to be held at the HBAL office on September 8, 2016. President Justin Johnson said, “We are very excited to bring this new logo to our members and the community. HBAL has been and will continue to be a viable and visible association with strong community ties.”

The Home Builders Association of Lincoln is a 650-member trade association active in the community. HBAL has built 12 Habitat for Humanity homes, supports The Career Academy, the Lincoln Children’s Museum, the Lincoln Police Union’s Santa Cop project and awards scholarships to those entering the construction industry through the Lincoln Home Builders Care Foundation. HBAL also sponsors the annual Spring and Fall Parade of Homes, the Nebraska Builders Home & Garden Show, the Tour of Remodeled Homes, puts on two annual golf tournaments, along with many other networking activities for members of the Association.

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While Butler® building systems are pre-engineered, their final design is not predetermined. Using Butler’s advanced engineering capabilities, we can help you design a building from the ground up. Even special design elements like skylights, fascias, and entrance systems can be incorporated to produce not just any building, but your building.

For systems that meet your building needs, choose Butler. For the experience and expertise to get the job done, choose us, your local Butler Builder®.

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2013 BlueScope Buildings North America, Inc. All rights reserved. Butler Manufacturing is a division of BlueScope Buildings North America.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS

WISB to Host Conference on September 14th Wo m e n i n S a l e s a n d Business (WISB) is hosting a c o n f e r e n c e We d n e s d ay, September 14th at The Country Club of Lincoln at 3200 South 24th Street, Lincoln, NE. The theme of the conference is Be YOU, Be AWESOME! Lunch will begin at 11:30 with keynote speaker Diane Mendenhall, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development and Ticket Operations at UNL, who will be discussing Presence, Confidence, and Developing sense of self in business and beyond. Sheila Kepler will lead a dynamic session to investigate the three indisputable laws of leadership and building a great team. Sammi Kaiser, Assistant Director of Academic Advising at UNO and Gallup certified strengths coach, will facilitate an interactive session to help us learn more about naming, claiming, and aiming our top five Gallup Strengths for success in our personal and professional lives. The day will end with a networking cocktail hour. The afternoon will be an excellent opportunity to strengthen leadership skills and network with women in the Lincoln business community.

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Cost is $80 for registrations submitted by September 9th ($90 for registrants after this date), which includes fantastic speakers, lunch, Gallup Strengths Finder assessment, and networking cocktail hour.

Please register online at www.wisblincoln.org or email wisblincoln@ gmail.com to RSVP. More information can also be found on the website or by contacting WISB via email.

Gettman and Pigsley Share Top Sertoma Award Ken Gettman and Jerry Pigsley are the joint recipients of the 2016 Lincoln Northeast Sertoma Club’s Sertoman of the Year award. In addition to lining up informative and entertaining speakers for the club’s weekly meetings, they are both active in the club’s many activities and as well as other worthy projects to help make Lincoln a great place to live.

Fall Is Around The Corner, Boost Your Immune System During The Changing Season, Naturally!

Ken Gettman, Jerry Pigsley (holding award) share Sertoman of the Year Award.

Gettman’s retirement years are busy with the Ollie actors group, collections for the Food Bank, Meals on Wheels and the Center for People in Need.

Attorney Pigsley is a leader in his Masonic Lodge, Sesostris Shrine and numerous church activities. His work with the Sesostris clown program contributes to the Sesostris Hospital Transportation Fund for children in need.

LINCOLN NORTHEAST SERTOMA CLUB is celebrating its 46th year of improving the quality of life for those impacted by hearing loss and supporting worthy human need causes.

The Club meets weekly from 7:00 to 8:00 a.m. Thursdays at the HyVee community room, 5010 “O” Street. Program speakers are public/private sector leaders making a difference in our community.

Guests are welcome. For more information call/email club president Sharon Cunning, (402) 540-1515, sharoncunning@gmail.com or visit www.northeastsertoma.org.

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Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

NON-PROFIT NEWS Fresh Start Celebrates 25 Years Fresh Start is celebrating twenty five years of service to homeless women in our community! They have been working to strengthen our community, one woman at a time, since 1991. To commemorate this milestone, they will be hosting a celebration at Country Club of Lincoln on Thursday, September 29, 2016. Reception with the Board of Directors will begin at 6:00pm, followed by dinner and a program.

The program will feature a Fresh Start alumna and Senator Kathy Campbell. The event is open to the public, including all past and present supporters.

Fresh Start is a transitional shelter that helps homeless women change their lives as they utilize their strengths to overcome barriers to selfsufficiency and move out of homelessness. Fresh Start has assisted over 1,500 women during the past 25 years. Event proceeds will support the essential services offered, such as food, shelter, case management, and much more. Proceeds also will support shelter facility costs, including roof repairs. Help Fresh Start keep a roof over our heads for the next 25 years!

Tickets are $60, with additional sponsorship opportunities available. Visit www.FreshStartHome.org or contact Monica Zinke at (402) 475-7777 to reserve your space or for more information on the event.

National Coaches Challenge Campaign & Lincoln TeamMates Seek to Close Mentoring Gap According to the National Mentoring Par tnership’s (MENTOR) report, one in three children (9 million youth) will grow up without a mentor to offer them real life guidance.

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Data shows that mentored children have improved academic, social and economic prospects. Young adults who had a mentor are 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor.

In Lincoln, more than 700 TeamMates students who want a mentor are still waiting for a caring adult to help them envision a successful future and reach their education and career goals.

Mentoring youth provides great benefit to our local business community by providing an educated and well-trained workforce.

Approximately 95 percent of the Lincoln TeamMates graduating seniors had post-secondary education plans in place.

The Coaches Challenge began in Lincoln as a friendly competition between Coach Tom Osborne at NU, and Coach Bill Snyder at KSU in 2008. Since the campaign became national, teams in seven states have participated. During 2015, nearly 10,000 fans stepped up.

The Challenge campaign runs through November 30, 2016. Lincoln TeamMates has joined the national call to action and setting a goal to have more than 150 new volunteers apply to become mentors.

Apply online at www.lincolnteammates.org > Click on Become a Mentor > Complete and pass a background check > Attend a 2.5-hour training > Start meeting your mentee at his or her school!

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HEALTH NEWS

Join the Alzheimer’s Association and Walk to End Alzheimer’s® on September 18th The Alzheimer’s Association is inviting Lincoln residents to unite in a movement to reclaim the future for millions by participating i n t h e A l z h e i m e r ’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s®. Walk to End Alzheimer’s will take place on September 18, 2016 at Holmes Lake Park in Lincoln.

Walk to End Alzheimer’s is more than a walk. It is an experience for more than 2,000 participants in Lincoln who will learn about Alzheimer’s disease and how to get involved with this critical cause, from advocacy opportunities and clinical studies enrollment to support programs and services. Walk participants also honor those affected by Alzheimer’s disease with the poignant Promise Garden ceremony.

In addition to the 2-mile walk, participants will enjoy entertainment, a kid zone, food and vendor booths from local sponsors, and a special tribute to those who have experienced or are experiencing Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s disease is a growing epidemic and the nation’s sixth-leading cause of death. As baby boomers age, the number of individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease will rapidly escalate, increasing well beyond today’s more than 5 million Americans to as many as 16 million by 2050.

To start or join a team today, visit the Alzheimer’s Association alz.org/ walk. To learn more about disease and available resources, call the toll-free Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at (800) 272-3900.

Nebraska Community Blood Bank: Special Platelets Needed to Save Lives When you donate blood with Nebraska Community Blood Bank you are helping patients right here in Lincoln. NCBB is always in need blood donors but you may not know that they are also in constant need of platelet donors.

Platelets, plasma, and red blood cells are the three components in a whole blood donation. Platelets are the essential component of blood that controls bleeding. Every year, platelets save and sustain the lives of cancer, transplant, and trauma patients, and people undergoing open-heart surgery. With a shelf life of five days, platelets must be constantly replenished.

Nebraska Community Blood Bank is asking donors to consider becoming regular platelet donors to meet the growing demands of our hospital partners. Through an automated process, you can give more of what patients need by making a specialty donation of platelets. Blood types most needed for platelet donations include A+, A-, B+, B-, AB+ and AB-.

To determine if you qualify to be a platelet donor, ask to have your platelet count tested at your next blood donation. If you qualify, we will contact you to schedule your platelet donation appointment. To learn more about donating the right type for your type, please call 1-877-486-9414.

Since 1968 Nebraska Community Blood Bank has been committed to connecting people and saving lives. Nebraska Community Blood Bank supplies lifesaving blood to healthcare facilities throughout eastern Nebraska. For more information, visit www.NCBB.ORG. Connect with them on Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter (@NCBBLincoln).

SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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HEALTH NEWS

Register Now for the 4th Annual EYE RUN Standard registration remains open through event day for the fourth annual EYE RUN, an eye health education and fun walk/run event hosted by Christian Record Services, Inc. Walk or run the one miler or 5K or run the 10K at Holmes Lake Park on Sunday, October 2. Virtual participation is encouraged for individuals who cannot attend the Lincoln event. In addition to the walk/ run, local businesses will be on hand with information, activities, and giveaways about eye health and healthy lifestyle choices.

Medical science has established that moving more is great for overall well-being, and that includes eye health. Incorporating exercise though events like the EYE RUN can help reduce the risk of health-related eye problems, such as diabetic retinopathy, later in life.

The EYE RUN encourages team effort. It’s okay to walk or run alone, but going with a team is more fun! Assemble teams of 4 to 9 members to receive discounted registration pricing through event day. Complimentary registration is available for people who are blind and their sighted guides. To receive a comp code, individuals who are blind may contact Jeri Lyn at (402) 488-0981 Ext. 213.

Funds raised by the EYE RUN fund free programs and services through Christian Record Services, Inc. for people who are blind. To register, visit www.EYERUN.info. For EYE RUN updates, “Like” Christian Record on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChristianRecord.

Innovative Blood Resources and New York Blood Center Join Forces in Lifesaving Mission Innovative Blood Resources (IBR; www.innovativebloodresources. org) and New York Blood Center (NYBC; www.nybloodcenter.org) recently announced that they are combining their operations to create one of the nation’s leading blood centers, serving patients and hospitals in the Northeast, Midwest and nationally.

Currently one of the leading blood centers in the Midwest, IBR was formed in 2012 through the combination of two strong, nationally recognized, community-based nonprofit blood centers: Minnesota-based Memorial Blood Centers and Nebraska Community Blood Bank. With a combined 100 years of blood industry experience, IBR provides comprehensive product and service capabilities focusing on value-driven solutions for patients, hospitals, physicians, researchers, and other health care partners.

The combination of the strengths of IBR and NYBC provides the opportunity for greater breadth of services, efficiency and financial stability. The goal is to continue to provide the highest level of blood and hematology related products and services in a fast-changing environment for community blood centers nationwide.

IBR’s donors and volunteers will continue to receive the excellent service they’ve come to expect from the organization. Moreover, hospital customers will have access to an even broader range of blood products and services as a result of the partnership.

In an exciting expansion of IBR offerings, NYBC’s cutting-edge medical, laboratory and testing services are expected to become part of the organization’s offering to current and future customers.

Advanced Medical Imaging is the only physician office in the region offering the new SphenoCath procedure that provides most patients with immediate relief of headache pain with a simple, gentle, comfortable in-office procedure.

• 10-15 minute in-office procedure • Majority of patients experience immediate relief • Safe for adults and children as well as pregnant women • Reimbursed by most insurance companies and Medicare • SphenoCath treats migraines, cluster headaches and trigeminal neuralgia

Contact our office today at 402-484-6677 to schedule a consultation

Not affiliated with Advanced Radiology of Grand Island, P.C.

50

Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

HEALTH NEWS

The Body Shoppe to Host Open House at New Location The Body Shoppe welcomes the Lincoln community to join them for an open house event on September 11th to celebrate the recent move to their new location at 4740 A Street, Suite 200 on the lower level of the Lincoln Surgical Doctors office building.

This is an exciting time for The Body Shoppe, with the relocation officially complete and further expansion of the horizon. From 2-5 p.m., guests will enjoy tours, snacks and refreshments. All are invited to come share in the celebration, check out The Body Shoppe’s new home and meet the entire staff!

With balance of the mind, body and spirit as the ultimate goal, The Body Shoppe offers a wide variety of massage techniques that promote relaxation and healing. The Body Shoppe is open seven days a week by appointment only. For more information, visit thebodyshoppelincoln.com.

Four Women Selected for Local Makeover Challenge by American Heart Association and Madonna ProActive Lindsey Adams, Dee Huber, Shellie McIntosh and Sara Tic hota are the four local women who were recently selected by the American Heart Association for the 2016 Lincoln Go Red For Women BetterU Makeover Challenge presented by Madonna front row, left to right: Natalie Micale ProActive, which started Pictured (10/11 News), Sara Tichota, Shellie McIntosh, on August 10th with an Joy Patten (Alpha Media/KFRX), Dee Huber and orientation. Following Lindsey Adams. Back row: Lisa Graff, Karen a July 14 casting call O’Shea and Sharon Duffy (ProActive staff). that attracted nearly 50 women, Adams, Huber, McIntosh and Tichota were chosen to participate in the free 12-week challenge that enables women to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.

BetterU, which is a part of the Go Red For Women initiative sponsored nationally by Macy’s, is also supported locally by media sponsors 10/11 News and 106.3 KFRX. Joy Patten with Alpha Media/106.3 KFRX and Natalie Micale from 10/11 News will take part in the program alongside Adams, Huber, McIntosh and Tichota.

At the end of the challenge, participants will be recognized at the Lincoln Go Red For Women Expo on November 10 at The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. Visit LincolnGRFW.org or call (402) 875-7382 to purchase individual tickets or tables.

For additional information on American Heart Association events in the Lincoln area and statewide, please contact Jamie Schneider at (402) 810-6851, (402) 915-0955 or Jamie.Schneider@heart.org.

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SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

“ Building Relationships

Through Craftsmanship ” For Over

30 Years

McGill Restoration began in 1985 as a small company with a handful of employees and a big vision. After only 5 years in business they were so successful that in order to meet the demand for their services, a move to a larger facility was required. Yet again 18 years later, the company expanded to the over 30,000-square-foot facility where they are currently located in the heart of the Florence Area in Omaha, NE. McGill Restoration also has a 6,000-square-foot facility in Lincoln, NE which was opened in 2013, mainly to best serve their growing clientele in the Capital City and surrounding areas.

From the very beginning Timothy P. McGill, Founder of McGill Restoration, has had a firm commitment to doing things the right way.

McGill realized early on that if the business was going to succeed they had to develop a good reputation by consistently satisfying the needs of the customer.

Pictured L to R Darin Cielocha, Vice President; Dennis Rice, Superintendent; Tim McGill, Owner/President; Jeff Benning, Estimator/Project Manager

“That’s the thing that fueled our growth – saying this is a long-term business. How do you survive in the long term? You have to do exactly what it is you tell people you’ll do.” - Timothy P. McGill Because McGill Restoration has consistently implemented these principles over the years, they have formed partnerships with some well-known companies that have come to count on the excellent service and dependability of McGill Restoration and their second-to-none craftsmanship.

Following in their father’s footsteps, Timothy P. McGill’s sons have been actively involved in the business throughout the years. The second generation has been equally dedicated to upholding the company’s standards of excellence and preserving its legacy. Timothy F. McGill came on board as an Estimator in 2000, bringing his expertise in Structural Concrete Repairs and Protective Coating Applications to the team. In 2010, when Timothy P. stepped down as President of McGill Restoration, Timothy F. became the President and Chief Operational Officer. Along with Lincoln’s key team members – Jeff Benning, Estimator/Project Manager, who brings a wealth of knowledge about concrete restoration and specialty coatings; Dennis Rice, Superintendent, who has 30 years of experience in the industry and is responsible for critical aspects such as safety, quality control, production, scheduling, and development; and Darin Cielocha, Vice President of Business Development, who excels in working with clients, design professionals, and has extensive knowledge of construction materials – the strength of the team’s collective experience and industry knowledge is unparalleled.

While McGill Restoration’s primary focus of business started with masonry restoration, over the years it has expanded into many different facets of repairs. Today the company’s portfolio of projects includes parking garages, stadiums, industrial manufacturing facilities, power plants, bridge repair

and preservation, and ag-grain storage facilities, just to name a few. Tim’s leadership has brought new growth, as McGill Restoration continues to aggressively expand their Specialty Services while consistently providing the highest level of excellence in the Concrete and Masonry Restoration industry.

Their core services now include Parking Garage & Stadium Restoration, Masonry Restoration, Historical Restoration & Cleaning, Building Envelope Services & Commercial Waterproofing, and Industrial & Infrastructure Restoration – when it comes to restoration, McGill Restoration has the expertise and industry knowledge to perform the task to perfection.

“I started working with Tim in 2008, and since then McGill Restoration is my first call on projects that relate to concrete flat work, waterproofing or major parking structures. He has the knowledge as well as the resources to tackle most any restoration project and has assisted both myself and The Nebraska Medical Center in many different projects. Tim is extremely personable, ethical and I would recommend McGill Restoration on any project, especially those related to where your building is exposed to the elements.”

- Brian Hovey, Bellevue Medical Center No matter the scope of the project, you can count on McGill Restoration to uphold their promise: “To provide the highest quality restoration services in the industry that meet the needs of our customers and exceed their expectations.”

There’s truly no other company in the area that takes pride in preservation as much as the dedicated team at McGill Restoration.

Learn more about what McGill Restoration can do for you by visiting www.McGillRestoration.com or by calling (402) 558-7989 today!

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Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

ASK THE EXPERT:

J-TECH CONSTRUCTION

Going Green With J-Tech Solar The most common question asked in the solar energy industry is easily “How do solar panels work?” To put it as simply as possible: The cells in Photovoltaic Solar Panels convert the sun’s energy into a DC current, which flows into an inverter and changes the DC to AC electricity.

This is how solar panels provide power to household appliances, machines or utility loads. Of course, there is a little more to it than that and if you’d like to learn more there is an abundance of information at Jtechsolar.com.

The second most common question is usually “How much does solar cost?” The answer to that question will depend on your individual usage and what your wants and needs are. If you think back to the 70’s and 80’s, solar was a very large investment. The good news is solar panel system costs have been decreasing consistently for the last two decades. There are several reasons for these price drops.

The most obvious reason is the technological advancements that have been applied to the manufacturing of the solar panels and inverters. Another large reason they have become more affordable is the competition. You might be surprised to know that the same company that makes several of your household appliances also makes Photovoltaic Solar Panels! That’s right, all of the major players in appliances, batteries, and renewable energy have put many of their resources into manufacturing the most effective solar panels on the market. This means they are also competing to provide consumers all of this technology at the most affordable price possible. On top of the competition and the technology it has

Jason Olberding, Owner www.JTechSolar.com • 402-261-8207

also become easier to install these systems. This means solar panel installers are more efficient on job sites, minimizing the cost for labor. Bottom line, if it has been even just a few years since the last time you looked into solar, an updated estimate could surprise you.

Once you’ve made the choice to go solar, your J-Tech clean energy expert can help you decide what type of system is right for you.

When you think about solar panel systems, you probably think about your roof. A south-facing roof mounted system is usually the best way to go if possible. The panels will collect sun for a longer amount of time throughout the day if you can make a south-facing system work for you. Now, say you’ve got some big beautiful trees covering the south area of your roof, what then? Well, J-Tech Solar provides several variations of solar system installations. An evaluation will be done on site to determine the most cost effective, practical, and efficient installation method. As its name suggests, a Roof-Mount Solar System can be mounted directly to the roof or with ballasted racking systems. Awning Solar Systems can be engineered to provide both power and protection from weather.

A Ground-Mount Solar System is also an option. With a GroundMount Solar System, applications can get set at a fixed angle on a single pole or multiple poles.

Remember, with J-Tech Solar, consultations are always free. If you would like a consultation simply contact J-Tech at (402) 261-3682.

Our friendly staff will line you up with a free evaluation and assessment of your wants and needs. They will then provide you with a free estimate for the solar panel system that is right for you. If it is possible, it is always helpful to have any information regarding your past years energy bills at the time of your consultation.

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SANDLER TRAINING

You Should Hate Doing Sales Presentations

When I first entered into sales, untrained and hungry, I loved doing presentations. They were fun to put together and I gave killer performances. I actually believed that when I gave presentations, I was doing my job and the time was well spent. Of course I was completely fooling myself because I was 100% commission and only three out of ten presentations actually paid for my performance. I have since learned to hate doing presentations and only do them if I am almost completely certain I will get the order when the presentation is done. My current close rate is over 80%. Therefore, I want you to hate doing presentations because I believe your close rate will increase dramatically as a result. Warning, this is not for wimpy salespeople. . .

First, let’s do a little exercise. On a sheet of paper, build an inventory of activities, materials needed, and resources required to pull off a presentation to a prospect. Now, sum up the number of hours used, multiply that by your hourly rate, and add the hard costs of printing, marketing materials, plane tickets and other expenses. The sum total represents how much each presentation costs you and your business. This is good information to know so you can better appreciate that presentations are not free.

When I was in commercial HVAC sales, simple presentations took about two to four hours to prepare and the more complex presentations took multiple days and lots of resources. My cost would vary between a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. This expense drags on the margin of a business if you are only closing three out of ten. Are you starting to hate presentations yet?

Now, I would like you to think about how much time, effort, and money you have invested into yourself to become the industry expert that you are. Your prospects know that you are the expert in your field and that you contain knowledge that will help the prospect’s business. They very much want your

by Karl Schaphorst, President www.karlschaphorst.sandler.com • 402-403-4334 knowledge, your proposal, your pricing because if the prospect can get it, the prospect has power. For some reason, in sales, this valuable knowledge is given away to prospects for free almost all the time. In fact, from the previous paragraph it actually costs the salesperson money to give away their intellectual property for free. Next time you go to a movie, tell the person in the ticket booth that you will pay for the movie on the way out but only if you like it. What do you think your response will be? And they make a lot less money than you. Are you starting to hate presentations yet?

Yes, I do presentations. But when I agree to present a solution to a prospect, I am certain that what I am really doing is going in to pick up the purchase order. Before I agree to a presentation, the prospect has revealed to me his/her genuine, emotional need for the service I provide. The prospect has demonstrated that he/she has the ability to pay for the service. The prospect has proven to me that he/she can make a decision, yes or no, in regards to my service. If the prospect fails to reveal, demonstrate, prove their qualification to me, the sale is over, I close the file, and I leave without giving a presentation. When these three elements of qualification are effectively vetted, you will be amazed at how much the prospect will be leaning in to your solution. So much so that you will know that when they see it, they will buy it! In fact, I have had prospects close themselves during the qualification process, without even seeing a presentation! So, I have a rule.

The best presentation you will ever give is the one the prospect never sees.

Presentations take time. Presentations cost money. If you give a presentation that does not result in an order, then all you have done is give away valuable knowledge to your prospect for free. To me, this makes no sense. If you do present, then at least agree that if the prospect likes what you present, they will agree to buy it. So, are you starting to hate presentations yet?

Sandler Training is a global training organization with over three decades of experience and proven results. Sandler provides sales and management training and consulting services for small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as corporate training for Fortune 1000 companies. For more information, please contact Karl Schaphorst at (402) 403-4334 or by email at kschaphorst@ sandler.com. You can also follow his blog at karlschaphorst.sandler.com.

LINCOLN’S ONLY

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6 2016

Information Session Concordia’s Lincoln Campus 12 to 1 p.m.

5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY, NEBRASKA 570 Fallbrook Blvd., Suite 203 Lincoln, NE 68521 Refreshments will be provided.

cune.edu/mba 54

Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

LINCOLN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

by Coby Mach, President & CEO

402-466-3419 • www.liba.org

County and NRD Hold the Line on Taxes While Mayor Beutler spent months trying to pass a property tax increase, other taxing entities worked to find ways to hold the line on their tax levy. For that, I would like to say thank you!

I appreciate the hard work done by the Lancaster County Board, County Administrators, and county department heads and elected officials to hold the line on property taxes in their budget. The increased commitment to the Railroad Transportation Safety District (RTSD) by this Board meant that maintaining the overall tax levy would require a small reduction in the county’s general fund levy. Their willingness to make the efforts necessary to do that and protect the interests of taxpayers is deserving of applause.

I appreciate and recognize their plan to begin building up savings to pay for the East Beltway project by placing a half million dollars in a fund this year. LIBA appeared before the County Board and explained our belief that the East Beltway is absolutely vital to our transportation infrastructure in Lancaster County and to the future growth and development of our capital city. Thank you for your investment in this important project.

And while the East Beltway is an important piece of our future infrastructure planning, LIBA would also like to reiterate our call for continued investment in our roads and bridges. Month in and month out, we continue to see our county road and bridge work fall behind as natural elements take their toll on decades-old infrastructure. With each storm, our bridges take a hit. County Engineer Pam Dingman has worked hard to put together a plan that would address our aging bridges, deteriorating asphalt and concrete, and our need to pave county roads that see increasing numbers of cars using them daily. We are glad to see a commit of an additional $1 million to these projects compared to last year’s budget.

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LIBA is asking that any additional County revenue be directed to the County Engineer. This year there is an unexpected $120,000, which may not seem like much, but even the slightest amount will help us continue to meet our infrastructure needs.

I also want to recognize the Natural Resources District or NRD. It is our understanding that the proposed budget requests the same amount of tax dollars collected as the amount collected last year.

Because assessed values have increased, this means that the NRD tax levy will likely decrease. LIBA applauds their commitment to keeping the interests of taxpayers in mind as they set this budget while also funding the important work of the NRD.

LIBA studies and promotes these types of issues that are important to businesses and our community. If you have an interest in joining LIBA, please call me at (402) 466-3419.

LIBA membership is not restricted to just businesses.

We also have “individual” memberships for those who want to help influence our local government decisions.

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“It was a bold statement coming from a college student who hadn’t gotten his degree yet but I grew up with it,” Jones said.

Years later, Jones and his wife Jennifer own Southern Hospitality Ventures, the company responsible for bringing Raising Cane’s to Lincoln. The two operate five locations in Lincoln and Grand Island and celebrated their 10-year anniversary last month. The couple attended Louisiana State University soon after Raising Cane’s first opened.

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Justin learned he couldn’t own a Raising Cane’s yet, but was brought on as a manager from May 2003 to April 2006. Though Justin’s main duties were managing districts and opening Raising Cane’s in new locations, his priorities shifted once Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana. Justin became responsible for shuttling product and people down to New Orleans from Baton Rouge once they werefor able to Nebraska commute. State A Benefit the

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“OneThursday of Justin’s stores happened to still have power so they took people who , October 15, 2015 wanted to work and hired a few people and took them to New Orleans,” VIP 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Jennifer said.

“Raising Cane’s actually won awards because it was one of the 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. first restaurants open, and they were feeding not only civilians but also tons Beerwho Tasting, Sampling, of people came Food in to help with relief efforts.”

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After Hurricane Katrina, ToddCenter Graves, the founder of Raising Cane’s, called Lancaster Event Justin into his office and asked Ave. if he was still interested in owning a Raising 84th & Havelock Cane’s.

Check our website for more information: “I didn’t even ask Jennifer, I just called her and said ‘Hey, we’re gonna own www.oktobeerfestnebraska.com a Raising Cane’s,’” Justin said.

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Lancaster Event Center Jennifer said she remembers Justin calling and asking what she thought of 84th & Havelock Ave. Lincoln, Nebraska. She proceeded to pull out a map. The two visited Lincoln in April of 2006 to get a feel for the city and decided to take the plunge.

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402-434-6900 • www.downtownlincoln.org

The seeds of Lincoln’s Southern Hospitality were planted in 2002 during a career fair. Justin Jones approached the Raising Cane’s booth and asked “How do you own one of these?”

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Strictly Business SEPTEMBER 2016

now we’re here,” Jennifer said.

By July 2006, the first Raising Cane’s location opened in Lincoln. The downtown location would open six years later in November 2012. With new restaurants opening up and their employee list growing, Justin and Jennifer decided to find a new, large and open space that could accommodate their growth. They decided to anchor Southern Hospitality Ventures at a newly remodeled space near the capitol building, 1220 Lincoln Mall. Jennifer said their new offices are a far cry from their first space.

“Justin and I’s first office started in the basement of our house,” Jennifer said. “It wasn’t even a finished basement; it was not a happy space. From there we moved into another building and it was a two-office, with a little space for an office in the open room. We outgrew that one and we moved to our previous location. As we open more restaurants, we’re able to grow our company and our vision and mission.”

Since opening in Lincoln, Jennifer said Southern Hospitality Ventures has given back over a million dollars to the community, something the company plans to continue.

Founded in 1967, the Downtown Lincoln Association provides services and champions initiatives for maintaining and enhancing our vibrant downtown. Our vision is to create an energetic downtown environment where we live, learn, work, invest and play. DLA has evolved into a multifaceted organization supporting a wide range of programs and activities including maintenance, economic development and advocacy. For a complete listing of downtown businesses, events and residences visit downtownlincoln.org. ‘Like’ us on Facebook at facebook.com/downtownlincoln.

LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

by Wendy Birdsall, President

402-436-2350 • www.lcoc.org

AOL Co-Founder Plans to Spotlight Lincoln’s Startup Community

Lincoln’s tec h star tup scene is in the national spotlight once again.

Steve Case, co-founder of AOL, says he will bring his Rise of the Rest Startup Tour to Lincoln in October. Since the tour’s inception in 2014, Case has invested more than $2 million in 20 startups in cities across the U.S. while travelling 4,000 miles via bus. Eighty cities were nominated in all, with five Western regions selected for this next tour. Lincoln joins Salt Lake/Provo, Albuquerque and Phoenix as tour sites--all were chosen because Case believes they are leading the charge in a new era of technological revitalization.

In addition to introducing our startup community to a national audience, the tour stop also comes with a chance at landing an investment from Case’s investment firm, Revolution. Startups in each city can submit applications for a pitch competition during the tour stop. The winners will receive a $100,000 dollar investment from the tech icon.

I simply can’t say enough about the incredible explosion of growth and viability in the entrepreneurial scene in Lincoln. Five years ago, our community was in its infancy when it came to creating a positive culture that nurtured the concept of startup businesses. Today, the majority of job growth and investment comes in the form of startups and small businesses related to technology.

Lincoln’s growth hasn’t gone unnoticed by members of the media or populations on the coasts; our community has been featured in United Airlines in-flight magazine, a CBS News special report, and articles in publications like Forbes and Bloomberg news. Locally, Lincoln’s Startup Week has help enliven the community’s awareness of what’s going on behind the startup revolution occurring in the Haymarket, West Haymarket, and Nebraska Innovation Campus. Silicon Prairie News has even gone so far as to call Lincoln “something of a postcollege paradise”. That’s big news for a city who has long strived to combat the outflow of talent from our high schools and universities.

If you or someone you know is interested in submitting an application for the pitch competition or if you just want to find out more about this incredible opportunity for Lincoln, you can visit the Rise of the Rest website, simply type Rise of the Rest into your web browser. I can’t wait to see who will rise to the occasion and garner an investment from one of America’s tech pioneers.

The Chamber’s mission is to improve the lives of Lincoln residents by providing increased economic opportunity and can only be accomplished together. For more information, please contact Jaime Henning at jaimehenning@lcoc.com.

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

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Olsen Family Story

FOSTER CARE

The

Jen grew up in the foster care world. Her dad had been a foster kid for ten years before a family took him in during his junior year in high school and he was with them until he graduated. A few years later, this family became Jen’s grandparents, even though they weren’t related by blood.

Over the course of about three years, the boys’ dads relinquished their parental rights. In June 2015 the boys were adopted and officially became part of the Olsen family. The boys also have two older sisters and they have contact with them during birthdays and holidays.

Jen herself was adopted and didn’t know much about her biological family until she graduated from college.

God has used Eric and Jen as a platform for foster care, not only at Christ’s Place but in other avenues as well. They have witnessed God planting seeds, watering them, and making lifelong changes in these boys and in their own two children as well.

Jen’s husband, Eric, understood where she was coming from but didn’t have anything like this in his past.

Jen knew Christian Heritage’s foster care supervisor, Doug, and his wife, Misti, from college and then ran into them at Capitol City Christian Church as their kids attended the daycare there.

Eric and Jen decided to attend training for foster care at Christ’s Place. They really hadn’t found a church for their family, so they started to attend the church too. The pastor was doing a series on scars, which really spoke to Jen, and she went forward to accept Christ as her Savior.

Jen and Eric moved forward, finished training, and were licensed for three. Before long, they got a call from Doug about three boys whose mother had died. They said yes.

Since 1980 Christian Heritage has been caring for Nebraska’s abused and neglected children. There is currently a huge need for foster parents in our community, and if you would like to find out more about the process to become one, please visit chne.org.

There is a huge need to care for hurting children in Nebraska.

Christian Heritage turns away children every week because we do not have enough foster parents to care for them.

If you would like to schedule a home visit to learn more about foster care please call Brian Berrier at (402) 421-5426.

Ad Courtesy of Tom Sundvold

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Entertaining Clients Establishing a good rapport with clients and building a relationship that’s mutually beneficial is the goal of any businessperson who understands exactly what it takes to be successful. Entertaining clients is one of the best ways to achieve this because it’s not all about the business transaction, but more so about finding common ground. By inviting your client to get together outside of the normal business setting and treating them to a nice experience, you’ll not only so have a better understanding of each other afterwards but as a result of that important personal interaction, your partnership will become stronger.

When it comes to matching the client’s personality, interests, preferences, and so on with the ideal activity or setting, it can be tricky to decide what’s best out of the many options that are available. Therefore, we’ve covered some of our favorites below to give you a few ideas to roll around!

A Quick Lunch Let’s start simple. You’d be surprised at how much ground you can cover of the course of a lunch meeting, and not necessarily just for conducting business either. Inviting a client to grab a quick lunch and catch up is always welcomed, schedule permitting. There are plenty of great places around town to grab a bite, so you can pick and choose based on the most convenient location, your favorite spot, or a new place that you can introduce to your client or both try out together. You’ll both be enjoying a little bit of actual real-world face time, which is refreshing given that so much work now is done via computers and mobile devices. The expense of two lunches and the time away from your desk is minimal compared to the relationship that you’re cultivating.

Eat Fit Go is a great place to grab a bite on the southeast side of town, and you could also pick up meals that are already prepared and ready to go if you’re looking to treat your clients to a healthy and delicious lunch at a different location.

“It’s always wonderful to connect with the people you do business with on a more personal level,” says Natasha Plooster, President of Eat Fit Go Lincoln, located at 2901 S. 84th Street. “Getting out of the office and enjoying an experience together helps break down any existing barriers so that you can tap into that next level of a personal connection, which builds better and longer lasting business relationships.

With client entertaining it’s important to create an experience, and that doesn’t necessarily have to be difficult or time-consuming. For those Natasha Plooster who are stuck in their office most of the day, Eat Fit Go Lincoln something active is a welcome respite from the grind. But above all, have fun with it! The best events are the ones where the host is genuinely present, so let the professionals do the work for you if it’s an option on the table.”

In the southwest quadrant of Lincoln, Teriyaki Madness is a newcomer to the thriving dining scene at 27th & Pine Lake Road. As a fast-casual restaurant concept delivering its specialty, delicious teriyaki-inspired fare served in a variety of ways depending on the ingredients you choose, it’s a great spot to grab lunch too. “It’s always nice to be able to introduce a new restaurant to your client, so now is the perfect time to give us a try!” says Matt Skibicki, General Manager of the Teriyaki Madness Lincoln location. “For those planning events, we also recently launched our catering offerings. When entertaining, it’s so important to have great food for your clients to enjoy, whether it’s just a snack or a full meal. You can find our menu on our Facebook page: Teriyaki Madness - Pine Lake or feel free to give us a call with any questions or to place an order.”

Located in the Preserve Development at Pioneers Blvd. and Lucille Drive, MōMō Pizzeria & Ristorante is another must-try experience for lunch. The menu changes seasonally, so there’s always something new to try among the favorites that have become staples and are offered year-round. All items offered on the menu are made in-house from scratch by MōMō’s talented

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Lunch is great any day of the week, but it’s hard to beat a TGIF lunch date that’s for sure! Centrally located at 70th & O Street, Texas T-Bone Steakhouse is now open for lunch Friday-Sunday, offering a casual, Texas-style dining experience during the day that’s just as amazing what as they are well-known for in the evening. Among the lunch menu selection are Texas Size Sandwiches and Favorites as well as a lighter size of their signature option to “Create Your Own Salad.”

Just a little bit down the road, if authentic Mexican fare is what you’re looking for, La Paz Mexican Restaurant has plenty of delicious dishes to choose from paired with great service and of course, complimentary house-made chips and salsa. Who knows, you might even be able to sneak in a margarita if you have the afternoon free!

For those who work in the downtown or the Haymarket, it’s generally most convenient to stay in that area for lunch engagements. Yowie’s Lodge is a great place to stop for lunch, offering a scratch-based menu that’s got fantastic range with a unique take on all of the classic lunch fare—salads and soups, sandwiches, burgers, steaks and seafood, and the popular Lodge Special that changes daily. As a nod to the theme of the venue, the menu even incorporates wild game! While Yowie’s Lodge is definitely a recommended stop for lunch, it’s one that’s well-suited for just about any occasion—dinner, drinks, and definitely on a Husker game day!

Grabbing Drinks Speaking of adult beverages, whether the plan is to hit up a vibrant happy hour or unwind and enjoy a more laid-back atmosphere, this is one of the best ways to spark up an easygoing conversation.

Each bar, lounge and restaurant in town offers its own unique atmosphere, so it’s all about choosing the scene that you think best fits the person you are entertaining. For a wine connoisseur, look for a place that has SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business 61

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an impressive wine list, such as Venue Restaurant & Lounge or MōMō Pizzeria & Ristorante, that also boasts a fantastic selection of specialty drinks, or commit all the way and take them to Lincoln’s first true-to-concept wine bar, barVino.

If a more casual classic bar environment seems to be more their style, try out a popular happy hour such as the one at The Local, a newer neighborhood spot in south Lincoln. Or if you’re in the Haymarket area, McKinney’s Irish Pub is a favorite stop for many, mainly due to its upbeat atmosphere and of course, great selection of authentic drinks and fare.

There’s something for everyone, so have fun “picking your poison!” But also in this particular setting, be sure not to over-indulge and to stick as closely as possible to your usual business etiquette; even though the goal is to get personal, there’s a fine line between unwinding and coming undone.

Out & About…

Aside from lunch dates and meeting for drinks, there are plenty of other opportunities to invite your clients to get together for a little fun outside of the work environment. The setting and experience should always be determined by what you think the client would like as well as what you think they’d be most comfortable with for the best outcome. There are many great things to do in Lincoln as well as other gems that are outside of city limits but yet at a reasonable distance to travel. …On The Town If you’re looking for something different from anything you’ve done in the past, that’s not necessarily a tall order these days with all of the new, fun things to do that are always popping up on the local scene.

For a group experience that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser, whether it’s a smaller crew of up to six people or a somewhat larger gathering of up to 15 people, a Group Therapy Bike Tour is it.

“With our new conference bike and our classic trolley bike, there are a lot of options for entertaining your clients,” says Katie Philippi, owner of Group Therapy Bike Tours.

“Whether it’s an unconventional ‘stroll’ through the park or enjoying the different atmospheres found in Lincoln’s hotspots for entertaining, from the vibrant downtown area to the modern Railyard and the historic Haymarket, you are free to choose the destination that best fits what you have in mind. While we’ve put together a great selection of different routes to choose Katie Philippi from in a diverse range of settings and potential Group Therapy Bike Tours stops along the way, we also offer the option of designing your own tour. We love getting creative with the tours, so the possibilities are endless! You could also choose to rent either bike in order to offer your guests the added enjoyment of rides at a corporate event, or book the conference bike for concierge bar services. No matter which way you choose to go, it will be a unique way to bring people together for an enjoyable time and a chance for more personal interaction outside of your usual business dealings.”

While the Paint & Sip concept has been around for some time now, Pinot’s Palette has recently brought its fresh take to Lincoln with the opening of the

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new studio. One of the biggest things that sets Pinot’s Palette apart is that all classes are guided by personable instructors who are also professional artists and art teachers. Moreover, they choose from a treasure trove of copyrighted paintings that were designed by their national network of artists. This ensures that your painting will be well designed to be readily paintable by novices but also an artwork you will want to display.

“Probably the first evidence of intelligent life on our planet was found in the cave paintings dating back 42,000 years; I think painting is in our DNA,” explains J. Christopher Cook of Pinot’s Palette. “I have never known anyone who did not like painting, at least once they picked up a brush. Even the guys who claim they were forced to come later admit that they had fun.

As a form of business entertainment, Pinot’s Palette hits all the right buttons. Painting parties are great places for low pressure socializing, J. Christopher Cook since people don’t have to continually carry on Pinot’s Palette a conversation. Everyone has fun and ends up with a painting on canvas suitable for framing. The painting will be a continuing reminder of the fun they had when you treated them to a unique experience.

When entertaining a couple or a small number of clients, I recommend coming to one of our regularly scheduled painting events. With entertaining artists and a good wine and beer selection, customers can relax, be entertained, and share what is frequently a new experience.

However, we are also the place to go for entertaining larger groups of clients as we offer private parties that can be customized. You can pick a painting from our copyrighted library or we will even design a unique painting for you. As Pinot’s Palette is locally owned, we can be very flexible and we will design a party that meets your needs.”

Cook further advises, “The ever-increasing diversity of our customers and clients means that developing strong friendships, trust, and mutual business goals has become much more complicated. The old ways of entertaining don’t necessarily work for everyone. Businesses need to recognize the uniqueness of their clients and find entertainments that fit busy schedules and different interests. Ideally, they should provide an opportunity for unpressured socialization. I think everyone wants to be understood and appreciated for their differences and making the extra effort to identify and provide activities that match those interests would be greatly appreciated and rewarded.”

Another form of entertainment that’s relatively new to Lincoln, but also new in the fact that there’s the possibility for a different experience each time you visit, is the escape room experience provided by Escape Lincoln.

“Escape Lincoln offers a unique alternative entertainment option when looking for something interesting to do in town,” explains Abby Bartholomew, co-owner of Escape Lincoln. “Escape rooms offer a tangible way for professionals to interact with their clients outside of the workplace in a very different environment than a restaurant or bar. Working together to solve puzzles and find clues can be great for building that relationship, similar to team building with coworkers. You work on strengthening your individual problem-solving Abby Bartholomew and communication skills, as well as learning new ways of effectively communicating with Escape Lincoln one another.

As an added bonus, we are located in the Historic Haymarket within walking distance of amazing restaurants, activities, and hotels. We work with customers to plan custom bookings throughout the week by request, so people entertaining clients can book a time and room(s) that fit in perfectly in their busy schedules.”

As Nebraska’s “Home for the Arts,” if you’re looking for something along those lines, the Lied Center for the Arts not only brings many fantastic performances to Lincoln each year, but is also a great space to host an event of your own as well!

“Whether it’s a new or existing client, you should always aim to provide

an experience that the client will remember long after the event has passed-- like taking them to see a world-class artist perform at the Lied Center,” says Bill Stephan, Executive Director of the Lied Center for Performing Arts. “Entertaining clients at the Lied can range from ordering a block of prime seats through our group sales program (402-472-8510), hosting a pre-concert reception, arranging a meet and greet with our world-class artists, or creating your very own one-of-a-kind event.”

He adds, “When it comes to entertaining clients, Bill Stephan choose an activity that will leave a lasting Lied Center for impression. Your clients will remember their Performing Arts Lied Center experience long after the curtain closes. Many of our business patrons either bring clients to a performance themselves, or treat them to an unforgettable evening in downtown Lincoln.

Tickets to a performance are not only thoughtful, they are extremely affordable.”

A sporting event is another great example of live entertainment and an experience that’s different each time you attend. The Lincoln Stars hockey games have provided a great setting for entertaining clients for years now, whether it’s just seats to a game, a reserved sky box, or the popular Galaxy Club. Speaking of the Galaxy Club, this year Lincoln Stars Hockey will debut a new all-inclusive section in that area with some exciting changes in store for guests!

“We’ve teamed up with some of the best restaurants in Lincoln to enhance the Galaxy Club experience by providing this section with dinner throughout the game,” says Adam Micheletti, President of Lincoln Stars Hockey. “The Galaxy Club is now structured as an all-inclusive package, which includes dinner and two drink tickets for the private bar. This is a great way to entertain clients as well as reward employees, or just for a great night out with friends and family.” …On a Road Trip!

Sometimes getting out of the normal scenery in town is the best idea, and hitting the road for Adam Micheletti an adventure isn’t just something you can do Lincoln Stars Hockey with your family and friends.

Located near Fremont on the Platte River, Bryson Airboats provides a great way to get out into nature with the added thrill of cruising up and down the river on an airboat. There are plenty of opportunities to catch an amazing glimpse of the wildlife in their natural habitat, with eagles soaring around in close proximity to their nests and picturesque views among the spectacular highlights. When it comes to impressing your clients with an experience they won’t soon forget, this is the way to go!

“Our most popular Three Hours of Fun package includes continuous airboat rides as well as access to the riverfront property and amenities, including a grill, horseshoe pits, bean bag toss, sand volleyball court, and even swimming in the river if you like!” says Bryson, the locally famous face of Bryson Airboat Tours.

“There are picnic tables lined up that will accommodate seating for up to 40 people, and there’s plenty of room for more to join the fun by renting tables, chairs, even a tent, or bringing out your own. Weather is unpredictable, so Bryson sometimes spending a little extra to rent a tent Bryson Airboat Tours is cheap insurance that your event can still go on even if it is raining. We’re close to Lincoln and Omaha, so you can invite clients from either area with no worry that it’s too far away!”

Planning an Event As a client, it’s especially nice to be treated to a night out or a good time by those you do business with as a gesture of thanks for your continued partnership. So on the other side of the table, hosting your own event to entertain a number of clients is the perfect way to bring many busy

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professionals together, and when that happens, you know there are sure to be multiple benefits! Everyone in attendance will also have the opportunity to expand their own circle, so by providing the opportunity to mix it up, make connections and have a good time, it’s a win-win for all.

Catering If you are setting up a special event where you’ll be entertaining your clients, you’ll want to line up the location and then work out the details for catering, because no event is complete without great fare! As with lunch or drinks, this is also an area to consider what best fits those you’ll be entertaining. Similar to what we’ve covered regarding great spots for lunch, dinner or drinks, there’s a diverse range of businesses in Lincoln with excellent catering offerings. You can do so much with event catering today due to the creativity and talent found in our local industry, so it’s advantageous to lay out the details as far as head count, location, theme, and any other key details first. Then, let the caterer present ideas and go from there!

With a variety of options involving its specialty--delicious wood-fired rotisserie chicken--along with your choice from a selection of 15 sides, you can decide to go healthy or hearty (or a mixture of both!) when incorporating catering from Cowboy Chicken into your next event.

Whether it’s a dinner-style spread, fresh salads, sandwich trays, or even their famous chicken enchiladas, the Cowboy Chicken staff will help you plan a meal that will meet all of your needs and then ensure that everything is executed flawlessly. With tailgating just around the corner, if you’re hosting this year, give Cowboy Chicken a try!

Special Touches Among the highlights of an event that leave a lasting impression, food and drink are atop the list, but it’s also nice to add to that foundation by incorporating other unique elements. This might include live music, luxury transportation, or even activities surrounding a themed event.

“Planning more than just a meal helps make an event memorable for both potential and existing clients,” advises Vicki Harris, owner of Harris Academy of the Arts. “Adding live musicians to an event provides a warm, inviting ambiance and there are all sorts of ensembles that would fit well

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with any type of affair. In fact, live musicians help greatly in achieving the appropriate mood, filling the background with delightful music so that there’s no need for overpowering conversation or on the opposite side, no opportunity for awkward silences.

For businesses wishing to entertain clients, Harris Academy of the Arts offers professional musician services that are sure to please. Music plays a large role in setting the overall tone of an event, and live musicians have proven time and time again to add class, elegance, and Vicki Harris fun to social gatherings and business events Harris Academy for clients. of the Arts Live musicians definitely provide an entertaining and relaxing atmosphere for any event, small or large. For smaller events, a simple solo piano provides a nice ambiance throughout the room, whereas the performance of a string quartet could really make a lasting impression for larger events.

Holiday parties are coming up on the horizon, and present an excellent opportunity to entertain clients that many take advantage of every year.

Another popular option offered by Harris Academy of the Arts is the Charles Dickens Carolers, which is a fun and interactive option to provide for clients over the holiday season. Carolers dress in Dickens costumes and stroll through the event singing carols and even leading groups in singalongs. The spirit of holiday music, accompanied by vibrant costumes of a Dicken’s Christmas, is a special touch that’s sure to impress AND entertain!”

Eliminating the need to worry about transportation is one of the best received perks as far as special touches go, especially if you’re extending a safe ride to and from an event where you and your clients will be enjoying adult beverages. It’s also great for entertaining clients who are in town on business, as you can arrange for airport transportation and corporate car service as needed.

“Having recently added a 34-passenger limo bus to our fleet, which includes a wide array of sedans, SUVs, and several different sizes of Lori Hiebner limousines, we are now able to accommodate both small and large groups,” says Lori Leisure Limousine & Sedan Hiebner, owner of Leisure Limousine & Sedan. “We are a premier transportation service, so you can count on us to provide a safe and professional experience no matter what you have planned for your client.”

When it comes to adding the special touches, Stacy Leners with Blur Parties also offers a few key pieces of advice. “The number one thing to do is be prepared ahead of time for not only the event but things that may come up during the event! The more prepared you are, the more stress-free you will be and the more time you will have to entertain and make the most out of the entertainment experience.

Second, whether you’re entertaining a client or potential client, find out what interests them.

What do they enjoy doing as a hobby, do they Stacy Leners like to golf, are they foodies, or are they sports Blur Parties fanatics? You want to invite them to something they enjoy so they are comfortable in the situation. For example, don’t take someone golfing who has never been on a course before. This can create a stressful time for the client and is not enjoyable or beneficial for either party.

All of the events that we host, including College World Series and of course, Nebraska football tailgates both in-town and out-of-state, as well as an annual wine festival, are all-inclusive ways you could entertain your clients.

While tailgates are full of action, fun, and energy, the wine festival is a more easygoing setting that would be a better fit for a client who enjoys wine, local artisans and live music. It’s all about finding or creating that ideal opportunity to connect.”

Tailgating Exclusive Among the fun activities that you could opt for given the time of year is a Husker tailgate! Hosting out of town clients on game days here in Nebraska is sure to provide an amazing, unforgettable experience. And, since the vast majority of your in-town clients are fellow Husker football fanatics and will be observing a Saturday tradition here in Lincoln, you may as well capitalize on that and host an amazing tailgate event!

We asked a few of our clients to share their take on corporate tailgate events: “One of the most important seasons is upon us! With tailgating just around the corner, we are so excited for the convenience of Eat Fit Go on and off the tailgate-turf. Tailgates are such a great way to show appreciation to clients in a non-formal setting. Who doesn’t love to get together and enjoy a great Husker game! I absolutely cannot wait to serve our Turkeylicious Chili at our tailgate; this dish is even amazing when enjoyed in 110 degree heat!” – Natasha Plooster, Eat Fit Go Lincoln “While I am a University of Nebraska alumni and love the Huskers, I can’t bring myself to watch the game until we are at least 30 points ahead. I cater to those folks who are like me and to those who don’t watch football. I have painting parties during the games for football widows, people who want to avoid the game day crowds, and for folks who couldn’t get a ticket. I also offer an alternative for all the people who come to Lincoln for the game day shopping and fun, but don’t end up going to the game. My southern location lets people avoid the traffic and after game crowds, and the restaurants in my area don’t always have lines of people trying to get in. For out of state clients and those who aren’t interested in UNL football, my painting events are an opportunity to entertain, provide a unique and memorable experience, that still lets people socialize, share an experience and bond.” – J. Christopher Cook, Pinot’s Palette “At Blur Parties our specialty is game day tailgate hospitality, both for Nebraska football and the College World Series, including entertainment with the day’s best games on TV, DJ’s, food and beverage, along with celebrity appearances and tailgate games and giveaway. Everything is pre-arranged and pre-paid so that all our clients have to do is invite their guests, show up and we take care of the rest!

For these types of events it’s best to know your guests interest levels ahead of time, and not only sporting interest but social interests. What do they like to eat and drink? Do they like to partake in tailgate games or would they rather watch other games that are on that day? Is there a certain type of music they prefer? We also put together packages with game tickets, hotel and transportation for guests coming from out of town.

As many of you are already aware, our first away game is at Northwestern this year on Saturday, September 24th. Staying true to our tradition, Blur Parties will be bringing our famous Husker tailgate to Evanston, IL! Enjoy appearance from the NU Spirit Squad along with other surprise guests.

There will be football combine challenges including relay and throwing accuracy as well as all of the classic tailgate games--washers, bag toss, beer pong and flip cup. Watch football games on HD TV’s or listen to the DJ while enjoying an unlimited Chicago style buffet, beer, wine and soda!

Try a taste of Chicago with an unlimited buffet including Chicago style Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago style char-grilled hot dogs, Leon’s Chicago char-grilled polish sausages and AMYLU’s chicken sausages, veggie burgers, along with a variety of sides. Beverages including Bell’s IPA, Coors Light, Blue Moon, Nebraska’s only Sea of Red game day wine, Husker punch, Coca-Cola products and water.

Full package options are available online at www.blurparties.com/ northwestern and you can also view videos from past 2012 and 2014 Blur Parties Northwestern tailgates!

The advantage to selecting any type of Blur Parties tailgate is you can create a full game day experience where everything is already taken care of, making it easy to simply sit back and entertain while others do the work such as setting up the environment, managing a guest list, catering, tearing down the tailgate, and so on. Leave the hard work to us and sit back, entertain and enjoy the day, which can include the tailgate and on to attending the game or alternatively, just hang out at the tailgate and watch the game with beverages still flowing!” – Stacy Leners, Blur Parties “Our traditional ‘trolley’ bike is perfect to book for your next corporate tailgate party! You could choose to keep it stationary for concierge bar

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services or opt for renting the bike out to give your guests rides around the downtown, Haymarket or Railyard areas on Husker game days, which makes for an amazing experience.” – Katie Philippi, Group Therapy Bike Tours “The bars at Parkway Lanes and Hollywood Bowl both offer unique and affordable venues to host your next Husker tailgate. Reserve the whole bar or an area for your festivities. If you want to offer a tailgate to please all ages, the Legends Lounge inside Hollywood Bowl is a great choice. With its several large screens and seating areas, pool table, bags game and darts, your lively guests will have plenty to do at commercial breaks. And there’s always bowling for those that are really into the spirit of competition!

If you’re planning a more intimate gathering of friends, then the Parkway Pub is the perfect setting, with its authentic English Pub feel, cozy corner seating, padded booths and servers with class and experience!

Both locations can help you put together a custom package that meets your food, beverage and budget needs. Choose your location and before you call us, it’s helpful if you have 1. Date(s) and time(s) in mind; 2. Group size; and 3. An idea of the amenities you want to provide your guests.

We can talk you through food and beverage options over the phone or in-person. For inquiries about the Parkway Pub, call 402.483.7763. For information about renting the Legends Lounge inside Hollywood Bowl, call 402.466.1911. We do recommend reservations in advance, especially for Husker parties as we can fill up quickly.” – Jennifer Davis-Korn, 48 Bowl “We have a great selection of Tailgate packages for any size party and we can tailor the entire order to fit your specifications, which makes it easy to order just what you need for the size of crowd you have to feed.

Each tailgate order comes with our fresh-never frozen premium chicken fingers in sizes of 25, 50, 75 or 100 fingers and Cane’s Sauce. And if you are looking to add a little more to the tailgate experience, you can add on our grilled Texas Toast and creamy Cole Slaw. Placing a tailgate order is easy: Simply call one of our Jennifer Jones restaurants to speak with the Manager on Duty and they will take care of everything. And if Raising Cane’s you’re struggling with how much food you’ll need, we’d love to help out. Our Community Coordinator is an expert when it comes to planning tailgates and on-site events and will be able to help you every step of the way. If you’re interested in scheduling and on-site event, email community@shv-inc.com to learn more.” – Jennifer Jones, Raising Cane’s “The Lied Center hosts many tailgating parties throughout the season including corporate clients and even the Chancellor’s tailgate! One of the best things about hosting a tailgate party at the Lied Center is its prime location and picturesque views of the UNL campus, not to mention it’s just steps away from Memorial Stadium. Events are completely customizable and as a theatrical venue, almost anything is possible. We allow clients to select their own caterer to best fit their needs, budget and event atmosphere, which has taken many forms over the past two and a half decades, from multi-course sit down dinners, to made-to-order Neapolitan pizzas from a wood-fired oven.” – Bill Stephan, Lied Center for the Arts “Because of our convenient location, Husker fans can stop in for a quick escape before the game day activities begin or after the game is over if they’re looking for something else to do while they’re out and about downtown. It’s an especially fun experience to recommend to those travelling to Lincoln from across Nebraska who will be in town for the weekend and want to do something new. Go Big Red!” – Abby Bartholomew, Escape Lincoln Now that we’ve presented an extensive range of options, it is our hope that you’ll be able to draw inspiration for your next opportunity to not only entertain your clients, but do so with flare. While we often spend most of our time in the business world educating people about the benefits of our offerings, sometimes it’s more about taking the opportunity to simply entertain and see where the time spent together takes you. As put very eloquently by Walt Disney, “I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate and hope they were entertained.” The point is that there is always something you can learn by simply spending time with one another outside of the environment in which you do business.

Senior Living As the senior population in our community grows, we are proud to report that the resource-rich Lincoln area has stayed on pace with meeting their needs. Not only that, but in an effort to best anticipate the needs of the future, there is always work being done to improve current services and to fill in any gaps as they are identified.

Across the spectrum of senior care, there will always be new problems to address and solutions to be applied as things change with time.

However, much remains the same every year at this time with respect to preparations for the winter months or planning how you’ll spend the holidays, and it’s also one of the more ideal times to adjust to any changes that need to be made, such as a move or integrating a higher level of care, if deemed necessary. As such, we’ve taken the opportunity again to catch up with our local experts, who have graciously provided helpful information for our readers about a host of timely topics related to senior living.

With the baby boomers now entering their senior years, it makes sense that as such a large population transitions, there will be plenty going on in an effort to accommodate that influx. As this is ongoing, many professionals in our community are contributing their efforts to ensure that all seniors are receiving what they need to remain healthy and happy despite the various challenges that are currently present.

“This is the first time in history that our society has seen such long lifespans for such a large number of people,” says Laurie McAdams, Family Service Representative at Butherus, Maser & Love. “It can create great challenges as some of these seniors deal with poverty, a disability or isolation.

Also, the reality now is that many adult children are trying to care for their aging parents while also raising children and sometimes even grandchildren.

make a world of difference. There is an old saying in the volunteer world which is, ‘To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.’

Another major challenge that’s present is the high cost of medication for serious health issues. As more prescriptions are ordered, many seniors must decide between their medications and paying their bills. And when there are grave health conditions, seniors (and their families and caregivers) can struggle with nearly unmanageable costs. Some seniors are often too proud to ask for help.

While in the past, seniors were respected and even revered, unfortunately now they are often ignored and even looked down upon. Valuing seniors as assets to the community rather than burdens on it will provide opportunities for them to help in the lives of others.

As seniors are valued more, they will be able to make an impact on the lives of other seniors and younger generations.

Along the same lines, having a conversation with seniors regarding their wishes are is key. More than likely they have spent a lot of time thinking about where and how they choose to live. Although we face many challenges, Lincoln provides many options to help keep seniors in the place they call home. There are resources available at the city and state levels along with other social programs. Also, coordination between service providers can make a tremendous difference in what resources are available for seniors. It greatly helps in reducing crises along with reducing costs associated with their care.”

Concerned Mom isn’t getting enough physical activity?

One of the greatest challenges for many seniors is when they lose their ability to drive. It can result in putting off a doctor’s appointment, avoiding doing grocery shopping and face isolation.

Laurie McAdams Butherus, Maser & Love

Our elders who live in poverty face serious difficulties. During the winter months it can be particularly difficult for seniors who remain in their homes. Their feeling of isolation increases and good nutrition can be an issue.

Tabitha provides Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors and there are many clubs, churches and senior centers, which provide gatherings, meals and transportation to events during the winter months. A magazine, Living Well, is published out of the Aging Partners organization and it has all of the activities that are provided by that agency.

Other things such as falls and automobile accidents are a major concern. Preventing injuries, illnesses, and crises in the life of older adults is important to maintaining their quality of life. Making sure that the home is un-cluttered so that falls are avoided and good nutrition practices are followed is critical. Moreover, attending doctor appointments and monitoring prescription usage and their overall well-being is essential.

As an adult child, a neighbor of a senior or someone who has regular contact with them, a phone call, delivery of a homemade meals or offering a ride to church, a special activity or going out for meal can

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Michaela Williams, President of Care Consultants for the Aging, addresses in detail the challenges that caregivers of seniors face: “Navigating our long-term care system can be overwhelming and problematic for people taking care of seniors in our society. It can be somewhat difficult to research available options when making decisions for a loved one, especially during a crisis situation. If you are a caregiver for someone, it is helpful to know what government programs are available in order to determine what financial resources and options your loved one has and to work on getting legal affairs in order.

Michaela Williams Care Consultants for the Aging

Throughout ones care journey, the reality of needing more than one service to care for your loved one is high. Those who know what senior services are offered tend to make better choices when they need to change or add to their care plan. Care Consultants produces the ElderCare Resource Handbook. The Handbook offers a complete listing of senior services in the Omaha and Lincoln metro areas. It is available in print and can be viewed for free online at www. careconsultants.com.”

She also expands on several other key issues impacting seniors, their loved ones, and even caregivers, who may also fall into the second category.

“Winter is approaching and tends to lead to higher levels of isolation.

Caregivers can be utilized to help keep seniors active and safe.

They can come over and visit with a senior who may not receive a lot of visitors. Or they can take the individual out on a walk, to get a bite to eat or to participate in activities. Sometimes those simple encounters that we take for granted can make a huge difference in a senior’s life. Senior centers and other organizations around town offer bingo, card games and clubs for seniors to socialize with people with similar interests.

When assessing a senior’s living environment, it is important to consider safety, nutrition and socialization. Not only is it necessary to make sure they are physically safe, it is important to make sure they have access to proper food as well as opportunities to socialize and keep mentally stimulated. If you have concerns about your loved one’s safety, it is wise to seek help. Home care can always be a good first step when you are looking for care. Sometimes having companionship, someone to prepare meals or assistance with personal cares can be just what is needed to help the senior keep their independence. Care Consultants can find caregivers to work with seniors from one to twenty-four hours a day. It can be flexible and adapt to your changing needs.”

Kris Beckenbach, Director of Guardian Angels, adds, “The risks we all face in winter months are significantly more dangerous for seniors. Slips or falls on slick surfaces can have devastating consequences for an elder. Rehabilitation from injuries requires more time than with a younger person. We encourage clients to consider tasks that can be handled by a caregiver, such as grocery shopping. Putting a delivery service in place from a local grocer or pharmacy is also a good way to avoid being out in winter weather.

Kris Beckenbach Guardian Angels

Should there be a c hange in living environment to be undertaken it’s good to control as many variables as possible. Retaining known caregivers for a time is reassuring to a senior undergoing a significant change.”

“The decision for a person to move out of their home into another 68

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setting will never be an easy one, but it can be made less difficult,” further emphasizes Deb Maguire, LPN, CDP, CADDCT of HoriSun Hospice. “As with many things in life, things usually go much smoother when you plan and do your research. Plan, plan, plan—it can’t be said enough. It’s important to understand that people have different needs and that certain living options are dependent upon individual needs. Living options are not ‘one size fits all.’ Take a good look at your loved one’s Deb Maguire care requirements so that you will have a HoriSun Hospice clearer idea of which levels of care would be the best fit for them. It’s important to tour several communities before you pick one to place your loved one. You need to make sure the community can meet your loved ones level of care now and at the time that their level of care changes to avoid your loved one having to move right away. It is very stressful to make a change as we age and multiple moves are very difficult not to mention costly. The key to a smooth transition from home to a community is going to be to assure that the proper level of care has been chosen and as your loved one ages and their needs change the community can meet those changes as they occur.

As far as concerns on the horizon with the impending change in weather, while many people wish for a ‘White Christmas,’ the reality is that snow and ice can be a painful one-two punch, especially for seniors who have arthritis or difficulty walking due to a previous stroke or other illness. A single fall can cause debilitating and costly injuries. A few simple tips can help get through the winter months like staying indoors if it’s snowy and icy, keeping walks and driveways clean, and remember to socialize as depression is higher in the winter months due to social isolation. It is important to make efforts to spend time with family, friends and neighbors, and when weather makes visiting difficult, pick up the phone for a chat. It is important to know the likes and dislikes of your loved one to help them remain active in the fall and winter. They can play cards, watch movies and do crafts. Another fun activity is ‘armchair traveling’. If your loved one has always wanted to go to Hawaii then rent a movie about Hawaii, turn up the heat in the house a little, play Hawaiian music and make some popular Hawaiian food!”

Specifically regarding hospice care and related services, which are at the end of the senior care journey, Maguire advises about the importance of knowing when to ask for hospice services. “It is estimated that only 1 in 4 Americans who die each year receive comfort care at the end of life. Hospice is more readily available and affordable than most people think. In fact, most Americans do not know about hospice services or that they are eligible for fully paid-for care by Medicare and some other insurers. As health care providers we need to be aware and notice the signs, ask the difficult questions, and then have those conversations sooner rather than later.

These conversations initially need to start at home between family members so that everyone knows the person’s wishes. But even more important is the hospital staff, nurses, and social workers having those conversations with patients as well. The national average of length of stay for a hospice patient is less than 7 days and we need to change the perception that hospice is all about dying when in fact it is actually about continuing to live life on your terms so you can enjoy the time you have left.

Our goal at HoriSun Hospice is to expand patient and family access to hospice and palliative care across all settings. This includes the exploration/creation of a model of care which allows patients and families to benefit from the coordination of supportive services offered by the Interdisciplinary Team earlier in the patient’s disease trajectory as well as efforts supporting earlier and routine opportunities for advance care planning. We ensure quality of care and access to services throughout the hospice community by: 1) Breaking down barriers health care professionals experience working in hospice through aligning their responsibilities with those they have in other health care sectors; 2) Supporting patient

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preferences for attending physicians; and 3) Working toward greater hospice and palliative care training across education curriculums. Seniors can utilize their primary care physician as a resource or call a local hospice agency and ask questions. Here at HoriSun Hospice we are as much about education as we are the care.”

Along the same lines of understanding the different types of resources that are available to seniors, Roxann Rogers-Meyer of Immanuel Communities also points out, Roxann Rogers-Meyer “The choices for senior housing are often Immanuel Communities misunderstood. Many people believe their only option is a nursing home. Our goal at Immanuel Communities is to educate the public on the types of senior housing and to guide and advise families on making an informed decision.

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Seniors and their families could benefit from doing their homework and researching options before a health crisis forces them to make a decision. Immanuel’s website, Immanuel.com, features a questionnaire that can guide families on the appropriate care level.

In the past few years, we have experienced more families visiting our communities at a time when their loved one can no longer live safely at home. In many cases, the senior has waited too long and independent living is no longer a choice. Assisted living is the appropriate level of care and that can be difficult for the senior and their loved ones to comprehend.

Immanuel Communities hosts the University Series. This educational forum gives seniors the opportunity to explore the community and to better understand independent living. Research shows that seniors who move into independent living when they are healthy live an average of seven years longer.”

She also touches on another important aspect of senior living, the opportunity (or lack-thereof) for social interaction. “Social isolation “The Funeral Home Family & Friends Recommend.” can impact the health, well-being and quality of life for seniors. It is important for seniors to stay active – physically, cognitively and socially. Immanuel Communities has a wellness philosophy that addresses the Body, Mind and Spirit. Our residents participate in Wii > on our web site there should be•no and could we flip the logo box and the website box? ocaps n-site cremation Facilities tennis tournaments, bocce ball tournaments, competitive bridge and The Landing at Williamsburg Village produces an annual Melodrama • on-site reception Facilities featuring the residents and staff. Immanuel AgeWell Centers focus with kitchen on physical health by tailoring individual plans to improve well-being.

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As you can already see, a common theme with all matters related to aging is that there are so many different types of resources to consider. “The Lincoln community is resource rich!” emphasizes Amy Fish, Executive Director of Lancaster Rehabilitation Center. “Use these many experts to your advantage. Call upon trusted physicians, outreach programs, and the many health care facilities to help guide your decision making.

Amy Fish Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions in order to ensure Lancaster Rehabilitation Center you have all the facts. Some health care providers have limitations on Medicare, Medicaid, VA, or insurance policy participation. You always want to ensure you’re taking full advantage of the benefits or programs you qualify for. And remember to take it one step at a time. Let others help in whatever way they can. Focus on the most critical decisions first, knowing that there is plenty of help available.

The overall health care continuum is becoming more and more

transparent, with continual improvement in the level of communication between healthcare providers. This is a benefit to seniors and their families, as we all work together to provide the most appropriate care at the most appropriate time and place. The available options for health care services also continue to expand for both long and short term needs. Seniors deserve to take full advantage of the benefits or programs for which they may qualify.

Lancaster Rehabilitation Center is the largest skilled nursing facility in the state of Nebraska. This allows for us to provide for all skilled healthcare services under one roof including: traditional long-term care, short term rehabilitation, along with memory and behavioral support.

The team at Lancaster Rehabilitation Center can serve as a resource for any long-term, memory support, or short stay rehabilitation needs. We also have a certified SHIIP counselor on staff for help with any Medicare questions. Community members are welcome to contact us anytime with questions. We’re here to help!”

As far as things to take into consideration when assessing if a senior’s current living environment is meeting their needs, Fish adds, “When trying to balance the want for independence with the need for extra assistance, it’s most important to keep as the primary focus the provision of the most appropriate care for that particular moment in time. Evaluate what additional services will help maintain their utmost freedom and independence while providing them the safety and security desired. Easy things like arranging for Meals on Wheels or chore services might be the minimal answer. Don’t feel like you need to make a major jump to 24-hour care if that’s not what is vital or necessary as a first step. It will often be better received if services are gradually introduced, especially to those seniors who are very independent.

When a decision is made on the services needed, and the elder is in agreement with this help, make sure your expectations are clearly communicated to the provider selected to deliver this service. Often, a breakdown in communication leads to frustration on everyone’s part. Hold the provider accountable to your expectations, and solicit feedback often from the elder receiving the services to ensure their comfort with the change.

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Home Modifications · Lift Chairs · Ostomy · Incontinence

As my other colleagues have mentioned, getting out and about in the winter months can be treacherous for anyone, let alone for those who have physical limitations or safety concerns. Therefore, before deciding to make that trip to the store, or medical appointment, senior’s need to be sure the route will be free of obstacles like snow banks or icy sidewalks. Volunteering to clean the drive or sidewalk for a senior is a kind gesture and may allow them to make even simple trips to the mailbox worry free. Another kind gesture would be offering to assist them with their travel needs, or just stopping by to pass the time. The cold and dangers of winter can isolate seniors, making simple tasks more difficult. It is important to lean on the many resources our community offers to seniors every day, including things like meals on wheels, and home health care services. At Lancaster Rehabilitation we also offer short term respite stays, where seniors can take up temporary residence, until spring arrives. That way, they get all the comforts of home, plus an actively engaged activity program, and delicious home cooked meals!”

“If considering a new senior living option, it is often a good idea to make that transition in the late summer and early fall prior to the cold and snowy days of winter,” adds Beth Friesen of Oasis Senior Advisors.

She agrees, “Many seniors who reside in their homes become socially isolated during the winter months leaving them prone to depression and loneliness.”

Beth Friesen Oasis Senior Advisors

Friesen also offers a few ways that you can make a difference in how a senior loved one fares through the winter months.

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take them a meal to share with them, play cards or if the weather permits, take them for an outing. Make sure their heating units are operating efficiently and safely and check to be sure they have adequate food and are able to safely prepare it during long cold spells during the winter months.”

When it comes to planning for the future, she further advises, “People don’t like to have difficult conversations, especially those that entail a decline in health or end of life issues. We need to remove the stigma of these conversations within our families and within our community.

Growing older certainly has its challenges, but it is a privilege denied to many. It’s going to be difficult, but even more difficult is a sudden change in status for which no one is prepared. Over the next couple of decades it could become difficult to find openings at assisted living and memory support communities because the demand has the potential to be very high as the baby boomers advance in age. It’s important to visit with a senior living advisor and determine which communities you prefer and then get onto a waiting list before the need becomes critical.

Furthermore, you can’t search the internet for something you aren’t aware exists. Senior living advisors, such as Oasis Senior Advisors are a prime example. Many health care providers as well as industry experts and families have no idea that this resource is there to help people when it becomes time to consider senior housing. Having a simple discussion and allowing me to get to know you and your loved ones can save countless hours and much stress down the road.

It allows you to focus on your loved one and their needs at the time of transition instead of visiting countless senior living communities that may or may not be able to address your loved one’s needs.”

As we age, any number of issues can arise that affect our health and quality of life. Two of the most common are hearing loss, difficulty with mobility, and incontinence issues.

In fact, with respect to the first, recent studies from Johns Hopkins

show that hearing loss can lead to dementia or Alzheimer’s. This, among other equally impactful reasons, is exactly why monitoring your hearing is so important.

“At Nebraska Hearing Center, we firmly believe in education,” states Leslie Frank, MS, CCC-A, Audiologist and owner of Nebraska Hearing Center. “This is why we offer complimentary hearing evaluations. We encourage people to treat their hearing as any other annual exam Leslie Frank so they can compare results from year to year. If it is free, why not get the hearing Nebraska Hearing Center evaluation done?”

When considering a senior living environment, it’s a good idea to evaluate the services available at each and on past that, which combination will best meet your needs. A Hearing Aid Technician from Nebraska Hearing Center visits five senior living communities in Lincoln on a monthly basis at no charge. It can be difficult to get out, so they’ll bring the service to you.

Furthermore, socialization is so important at any age. Seniors really look forward to holiday gatherings and visiting with family. If you or a loved one is experiencing hearing loss – why wait to take action? Why miss the conversations of another holiday season? “This is just one of the many reasons why we offer the free hearing evaluation,” states Leslie. “We want you to hear the grandkids and enjoy an enhanced quality of life.”

Common signs to look for regarding hearing loss are: • Overuse of the word “What?”

• The TV volume is too loud for others.

• Ringing in the ears.

You’ve had plenty of awkward conversations.

What’s one more?

You two can talk about anything. Don’t let discussing retirement living put an end to that. We’ll provide information and advice to make the conversation a little bit easier. See where the conversation goes.

You might just find a place uniquely your own. Give us a call at 402-420-9355 or visit Immanuel.com.

Affiliated with the Nebraska Synod, ELCA

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• Your loved one appears to be able to hear loud noises, but doesn’t seem to follow conversations.

• Your loved one has trouble understanding a conversation in a noisy environment, like a restaurant.

Finally, when looking for a hearing professional, be sure to work with an Audiologist. Find someone that you are comfortable with because adjusting to hearing aids is an ongoing process.

Next, mobility and incontinence issues are also major factors that will impact a number of seniors as they age.

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“As individuals get older, it is not uncommon to experience changes to our body,” notes Joe Frey, owner of Triumph Home Health Supplies. “Sometimes these changes may include aches and pains, changes in sleeping patterns or incontinence issues. Millions of seniors experience these issues. We assist many individuals with their incontinence concerns every day and have many products or options to address these concerns.

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Individuals with incontinence concerns should begin by meeting with their doctor first to address the issues. After that, we can provide product samples. This is an excellent opportunity to find the best product for you. We can provide many different types of products, from insert pads for minor incontinence concerns to pull-ups and nighttime protective wear, all the way to a tape-style brief for heavy incontinence. We realize changes occur and the product matching your needs today may not tomorrow. Therefore, we encourage an open conversation with a professional team to determine what product fits your lifestyle now.

Also, as already touched upon, driving in snow and other conditions can be a challenge. Our delivery trucks run every week of the year locally. For clients across Nebraska, we offer a shipping program in discrete boxes, allowing them the same access to our products.”

When it comes time to approach any important decision regarding a senior loved one, many are apprehensive, conflicted, and unsure of the necessary steps to take moving forward.

Larry Gadeken Legacy Retirement Communities

“It can be very difficult emotionally for families to make decisions for their senior loved ones,” says Larry Gadeken of Legacy Retirement Communities. “It’s easy to think that one good moment is the norm. However, in the 2-3 hours on average that a person may be able to spend with their senior loved one due to busy schedules and everything else going on in life, it’s only just a small glimpse into how things are going and may not be an accurate representation of what happens throughout the entire week.

Being in denial and waiting too long to look into care for their loved one is all too common. In hindsight, most admit they should have done things sooner.

So, instead of assuming that everything is going well until it’s painfully clear that it isn’t anymore, be proactive and take the time to see what his or her daily life looks like. What do you see? What do you hear? Did your loved one tell you that they need to go to certain appointments and then forget about them?

Safety is always the number one priority. As an adult child, do you see things out of place? Are they keeping the same routines as they used to? What’s their interaction with their friends like? Do they avoid social situations because it’s uncomfortable, perhaps because they can’t hear well or don’t remember certain things? Did they stop playing with their card group?

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Freedom, rights, choices--we all want them and should have them. But how often do we think of them in terms of dying? Do I really have choices at the end of life; do I really have the right to choose and the freedom to do so? One day I asked myself, ‘Self, why don’t we take the time to think about the choices we have surrounding dying, before I’m dying?’ Thirty years of educating expectant mothers that they have choices in childbirth, choices in their care for themselves and unborn child made me ponder this question even more. The childbirth organization I was certified to teach through, International Childbirth Education Association, has a motto: ‘Freedom of choice, based on the knowledge of alternatives.’ Then it struck me, well not literally… “Why haven’t I looked at approaching end of life issues as I’ve taught hundreds of women to approach birth?’

Being in a position in which I provide education on end of life, I’d started thinking about what all this really means. Specifically, what are the choices and alternatives and how does a person make sure that they’re followed through at the end of their life?

During the winter it’s dark early, which can cause depression at any age. Watch for signs of what’s called “Sundowners”, or loved ones who like to wander. It can be very typical to get lost, resulting in wandering in frigid cold temperatures. With memory issues, your loved one may also run the risk of locking themselves out of the car or house.

Along with safety and socialization, make sure that they’re taking their medication as directed and going to doctor appointments.”

He continues, “It’s important to remember this: Don’t feel guilty. You’ll feel far less guilty if you avoid the problems that are compounded by waiting to act. You’re not taking away something, but rather, you’re giving them a better quality of life. It’s comfortable. It makes sense for them. They’re not likely to feel like they’re ‘different’ in an environment where they are surrounded by others who are at similar points in their lives and share common ground. There’s nothing wrong with being different as we age. It’s okay. To be in an atmosphere that’s safe, engaging, loving and inviting is a gift to your loved one.

They may not be receiving that at home anymore. Particularly in a memory care facility, the staff is trained to meet them where they’re at, moment to moment. There are no expectations of them to “function up”—the staff accepts them just the way they are. Residents at the Legacy Arbors share the same experiences, so they have a lot of conversations. They may be over and over again, but they share the same memories. That socialization is critical for any senior as it keeps them engaged and active.

Above all, consult people who know what they’re doing. With every parent or older adult, it’s different. At Legacy Retirement Communities, we get to know the families so that they are always part of the conversation, even if they can’t be there.”

Approaching any major life decision is not to be done without careful consideration, that’s for sure. Rhonda Saunders of Hospice Community Care of Nebraska also provides the following insight on navigating the journey that comes as a result of aging: “As quoted from Margaret Mitchell’s classic novel, Gone with the Wind (1936)—‘Death, taxes and childbirth! There’s never any convenient time for any of them.’

For seniors, hopefully their time for thinking about childbirth is long in the past, like the Civil War. However, taxes and death are still before us. As painful as all three are, they are a part of life. The Bible says, ‘For everything there is a season’; life too has its seasons, like tax season. We prepare for our taxes, young mothers prepare for their child’s birth, but how many of us prepare for our deaths? We all know it’s unavoidable and we do all sorts of things to delay it, but the fact is we don’t want to think or talk about it because it’s unpleasant! So we don’t.

Rhonda Saunders Hospice Community Care of Nebraska

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For example: • Do I want or have a DNR? Do I really know what this means and how it impacts my body?

• What is tube feeding and what are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Do I still get to eat?

• What types of medications can be used to keep me comfortable at the end of life and how might they impact me?

• What are the things that are most important to me at the end of life?

• Can I stay in my home? What if I need more care, what are my options? What might my surroundings include to make me feel physically and emotionally comfortable? Flowers, a favorite pillow, blanket, pictures, windows, lighting, sound, smells, etc.?

• How involved do I want my family and friends? And what does that look like?

• And most importantly, who will make sure my wishes are followed?

The time to think about these things is now! The time to tell your family, friends, physician… is now! Talk, really talk, about choices, options and YOUR preferences surrounding YOUR end of life NOW. Then, until that time comes, you can live your life in mental and emotional peace knowing you’ve made decisions based on the knowledge of your alternatives. Until then you only have to look forward to paying your taxes!

If you’d like to schedule a time to visit and find out more information, feel free to contact me directly at (402) 405-1797 or via email at rsaunders@hospicenebraska.com.”

With so much for seniors and their loved ones to consider, it truly does help to simply have someone to talk to about anything, big or small. As with most other things in life, it’s all about using the available resources to your advantage. There are certainly plenty within our community, and there’s no time like to the present to begin familiarizing yourself with what’s out there. Planning for the future encompasses what might happen tomorrow or next month as well as years down the line, and often our decisions now impact those that we will face later on, so with that in mind it’s never too early to ask the important questions and search for what the right answers are for you and your family as you continue down your path in life.

RESELL REMODELING Freedom is a big part of being a homeowner as you can transform your space, indoors and out, as you please. What’s more, there is inspiration to be found everywhere!

Projects around the house can be planned and executed for any number of reasons. With the real estate market still going strong, one of the prime goals for many homeowners is getting their house ready to list for sale.

While many remodeling efforts are done with a new look, better function and personal enjoyment in mind, resell remodeling is all about the things that need to be done to get your home sold. This of course varies for each home, but there are some good rules of thumb as far as projects that provide a better return on investment than others. When weighing out the pros and cons, your best bet is to get outside opinions directly from the professionals, and we’ve compiled some great advice to get you started in the right direction!

With any remodeling project you do to your home, it’s beneficial to consider how it will impact the future sale of your home when the time comes. Roger Reynolds, a local agent with Woods Bros Realty, offers the following advice based on his experience with numerous local real estate transactions: “When it comes to those considering a remodel, there are three different stages of homeownership that all have similar Roger Reynolds characteristics but yet a few different aspects Woods Bros Realty to consider: 1. You’ve just bought your house and there are things to be done!

These may be priority items that need to be completed ASAP or just things that you want to get out of the way while you’re already in transition so that you have more time to enjoy your new house.

2. You’re preparing for a major life event or the opportunity presents itself as a result of one. You might be hosting a big graduation or birthday party, backyard wedding, the kids are moving away and you’re repurposing the extra space, etc.

3. The one we’re covering here, for resale, when you’re getting a home ready to put on the market.

First and foremost, keep the big picture in mind with any improvements you do to your home. While you may be living there for a number of years, it won’t be forever; eventually it will come time to sell. Personal tastes do vary a great deal, but it’s wise to express that in ways that can be adjusted to a more universally-pleasing look when the time comes.

Going crazy with color isn’t a good idea unless it’s paint, which can be easily changed. Accent walls are an ideal way to incorporate color that won’t generally detract potential buyers as it stands, or alternatively, won’t require much effort in the event it’s determined that you’d be better off going back to neutral. In most instances, a fresh coat of paint is one of the less expensive ways to freshen up the look of the home’s interior when you’re getting it ready to list and show, so it’s almost a part of the process anyhow. However, when it comes to finishes, these can be very expensive so it’s most beneficial to go with a shade in the neutral range that would appeal to most and then incorporate pops of color in other design features as desired. Backsplash tiling is another great example of a way to incorporate color that can be easily adjusted, of course not as much as paint, and also serves the purpose of transforming the look of a house.

Next, you’ll want to assess anything that appears dated. If there’s

wallpaper, you’ll probably benefit from getting rid of it. Fixtures are relatively easy and inexpensive to replace, such as lighting, outlets, handles and knobs, etc. For resell remodeling, it’s mainly about the little things you can do at a reasonable cost that will make the biggest impact.

Hardwood floors are very popular and sought after, but if you have them, you’ll want to make sure they are looking their best. Also, if you’re looking at replacing the carpet in an older home, you may find a hidden gem in the flooring underneath! Popcorn ceilings are a big turn-off for today’s home buyer, so keep that in mind too. Moving from inside to outside, this is how you make a good first impression on a potential buyer, so it’s very important too. You’ll want to clean out flower beds, trim the bushes and trees, fix any peeling paint or damaged fencing, keep your lawn cut and edged, get rid of any leaves or debris that have settled into areas of your property, and so on. Adding a pop of color with flowers or freshening up the plant beds with new mulch can really transform the look of a yard without making a major investment.

For staging purposes, cleanliness is key. You’ll want to attend to every little detail, from cleaning the windows and dusting the sills to cleaning around the floorboards and inside all of your cabinetry. Decluttering is also important, and along with creating an open and inviting space, you’ll also want to eliminate any personal touches—it’s imperative that the potential buyer seeing themselves living in the home.”

He continues, “There are plenty of ways to achieve a unique, signature look for your home with smart investments that will be appealing to buyers and will either yield a decent return on investment or at least not be detrimental to the sale.

When approaching any project, always ask a professional how it will affect resale a few years down the line. While it’s not exact science, a projection of what to expect can only be helpful moving forward.

As a Realtor, I also often see another issue—homeowners remodel without considering the value of the other homes in the neighborhood.

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Be very careful on overspending and then getting stuck with a home that’s not priced competitively as this can be a disadvantage when it comes time to sell.

There are very few instances where you’ll get back dollar for dollar what you put into a home, regardless of how amazing the finished product turns out. Therefore, all things considered, finding a balance of what’s on your wish list for your dream home and smart investments that will benefit you in a few ways, from enjoyment to function, visual appeal, attractive to buyers for ease of sale, and so on—this is the best way to go.

In fact, with my background owning and operating my remodeling business for 30 years prior to becoming a Realtor, I always find it to be a little sad that homeowners put a lot of time, money and effort into remodeling projects specifically to sell their home and then don’t get any enjoyment out of it themselves. So, I encourage anyone considering remodeling projects to do them sooner rather than later.

A lot of the return on investment with respect to remodeling projects is the enjoyment you get out of them, and without that, it becomes less of an exciting, fulfilling labor of love and more of something unpleasant that you have to do to get your home sold.

With remodeling projects, it’s also important to be focused on how they will provide better function, improving your quality of day to day life.

For example, in the master bathrooms of most newer homes, there’s a separate bathtub and shower. The bathtub is often the more fancy luxury item and is certainly enjoyed on occasion, but in most cases, the shower will be utilized on a daily basis and would benefit from being the nicer of the two. The trend of paying more attention to the shower has caught on in recent times, so there are a lot of very nice ones out there, but it’s a common remodeling project for many nonetheless because it gets a lot of use—it’s an investment that gives you a return on each use because of the added enjoyment it brings to your life.

Before you even get started with any sort of remodeling efforts with the goal of putting your home on the market in a short amount of time, you’ll want to consult with a Realtor to see what they advise as far as the must-do’s. Right now in Lincoln housing inventory is incredibly low, so if your house is in the sweet spot of $125-200K, you’re likely to get multiple offers quickly regardless of a few minor problem areas that need to be addressed. Alternatively, for the homes at higher price points, it’s generally not as quick of a sale because the choice to build and get everything exactly the way a person wants is an attractive option on the table too. Due to this factor, certain remodeling projects that are considerably more of an investment than simply painting the walls could be more beneficial here and are often worth considering, particularly if you’re having problems getting the home sold and feedback points directly to something you could do to remedy that.

While the little things do make a big difference as previously stated, always deal with the big issues first. If you are already aware of the outcome of an inspection, which will happen down the line, you may as well address the issue right away to avoid anything that would put the sale at risk. Also, address anything that would be a major turn-off.

If there’s a permeating odor, you’ll probably be looking at replacing the carpet or you may even want to have your air ducts cleaned out.

As you’re the one living in the home you may not be the best judge of these things, so get someone else’s opinion and take it to heart.”

In agreement that seeking the advice of an experienced professional is atop the list in terms of items of importance for someone who is planning to remodel their home specifically to turn around and sell it, Sandra Larsen of BancWise Realty, another seasoned real estate professional in the Lincoln area, offers some words of advice as well.

“As experienced Realtor®, I am involved in buying and selling homes everyday while most folks will do it two or three Sandra Larsen times in a lifetime. Every endeavor has a BancWise Realty standard process or professional protocol that takes place whether it’s planning a vacation, lighting a stage

for a performance, catching a fish or painting a house. Experienced practitioners in any profession complete the needed tasks to get from Point A to Point B better than those who do not practice that profession daily. Realtors® had hours and hours of training, practice and sheer repetition. Your Realtor® has toured hundreds and hundreds of homes in different price ranges and with different condition issues.

We’ve processed many, many transactions. We’ve seen what happens when it’s not done right and what the sad consequences are as a result. Therefore, we can offer insight as to what will ultimately help you sell your home, and for the right price.

It’s a seller’s market for the most part in Lincoln these days, which will directly influence what you’ll need to put into your home in order to sell it. Please discuss your particular scenario with a caring and competent Realtor® who can guide your through the pros and cons of any remodeling projects. We are here to help you make smart, educated decisions; providing sound advice on any topic within the subject of real estate is our specialty!”

While some projects you can easily tack DIY (Do It Yourself) style, others are best left up to the professionals. Anything electrical is definitely one of those for anyone who isn’t experienced!

Eric Hoke, owner of Eric’s Electric, provides the following tips to apply when preparing a list of items to be completed in order to list your home.

“Before committing to any major projects, first take a look around the area you live.

Sometimes people will choose to invest a lot of money into remodeling projects and additions to their homes, but later on will find out the hard way that the market for that neighborhood, area of town, or particular suburb may not support it. Thus, they won’t Eric Hoke get as much money out of it as they thought Eric’s Electric they would when they put it in.

As previously mentioned, light fixtures are one of the items that are very popular to replace because there are good ones out there that are relatively inexpensive, they aren’t much of a hassle or time-intensive to install, and they really help to enhance the overall look of any room in the home. The same is true for outdoor lighting fixtures too as far as enhancing curb appeal to make a great first impression. If you’re looking into installing new overhead light fixtures, consider upgrading with a fan too because it’s an attractive feature that many people are looking for in a new home. It will also promote air circulation for a more comfortable environment and help to eliminate any stale air or odors, creating an inviting space that’s appealing to potential buyers.

Similarly, not having an exhaust fan in the bathrooms is a deal-breaker for a lot of people nowadays. Adding a system will definitely help to sell a house if it’s a feasible addition. While bathroom fans are present in most newer houses, you can take the ‘WOW’ factor up a level with the addition of a timer, which is a relatively newer option that’s really taken off in recent years. I doubt there’s anyone out there who hasn’t gone into a restroom to find that the fan was left on, so having it shut off automatically. Similar to the timed on-demand systems in commercial buildings that regulate the lighting and major systems such as heating and cooling, there are plenty of residential applications for energy efficiency with the use of timers and motion sensors. There are many good examples of the integration of technology throughout the home that provide many benefits, just one of which is energy efficiency. For homes that already have an exhaust system in place, it’s a quick and easy adjustment for your electrician to come out and add a timer.

There are different models at different price points, from spin timers to digital displays, so you can choose what best fits into your budget.

Both presently and in the future, energy efficiency is the way to go.

Buyers are specifically looking for energy-efficient features, so you’ll benefit from them while you live in the home as well as when it comes time to sell. Recessed can lighting, particularly LED fixtures, are by far the most popular in this area and makes a huge difference. On a smaller scale, simply changing out your bulbs is a good idea.

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Anytime you’re installing new light fixtures, outlets, or anything that has an electrical component involved, it’s wise to have an electrician come out and do it for you. Always better safe than sorry! Likewise, if you’re looking to sell your home in the near future, have a licensed electrician come out and do a thorough walk-through to make sure that all outlets meet code, there are no open splices anywhere in the house, etc. A home inspector will do this as well, but this way you’ll catch any issues well ahead of time so that you’ve dealt with them prior to the final inspection.”

“When you are remodeling your house with the intent to sell, there are two factors to consider: the things you see and the things you don’t see,” adds Matt Collins, owner of Oak Electric, Inc. “First, the things you can see; I cannot emphasize enough the importance of good lighting. You can paint the walls all day long, but if you don’t have proper lighting, it will still look like a dark room. If you have an accent wall or a mantle, some directional lights will draw attention to those areas. If you have a new kitchen, consider Matt Collins under cabinet lights. Don’t forget to make Oak Electric, Inc. sure you have proper exterior lighting as well (walkways, patios, stairs, etc.). Second, the things you do not see. We highly encourage you to have a licensed electrician inspect your panel to ensure it is up to code. Do you have any switches or outlets that are not working? If so, get them fixed before you list.

Oak Electric, Inc. is a locally owned, full service electrical contractor that has experience with residential, commercial, and industrial projects. If you have any questions about a remodeling project you’re considering, we’d be more than happy to answer them – you can contact me directly at (402) 440-5969 or find out more about the company at www. oakelectriccompany.com.”

Going back to property values, keeping in mind the average price tag of the homes in your neighborhood and staying reasonably within the norm when doing any type of improvements is highly recommended.

“Make sure not to go overboard with your selections,” emphasizes Nate Bahm, CGR, CAPS, owner of Nate’s Custom Renovations, Inc. “While one might assume that higher quality finishes and fixtures will make the home more desirable to buyers, the truth of the matter is that its value will largely be evaluated in comparison to the other homes in the neighborhood. Due to the location factor, staying in a reasonable, average price range for the neighborhood with respect to any remodeling projects is a Nate Bahm safe bet to ensure you’ll get the right price Nate’s Custom for your home when it comes time to sell.

Renovations, Inc. There are many things that you won’t get the extra investment back that you’ve put in, so for any project, but especially ones done prior to putting a home on the market, it’s best to proceed with caution, thoroughly evaluate your options as well as the pros and cons of each, do your research, and ask plenty of questions before you commit.

That being said, there are numerous upgrades that will positively affect the resale value of your house. Investments where you have the propensity to recoup your expenses and even gain more back than what you originally put in do exist. Anything that would benefit from a ‘brand new’ appearance should be taken into consideration. When you’re in the process of deciding what to ultimately move forward with, it helps to understand that what buyers are looking for goes hand-in-hand with what is in the seller’s best interest. Buyers want to see modern homes, not ones that will need to be updated. Also, it’s difficult for potential buyers to see past the small things and they want a home to be move-in ready, especially since the home itself is a major investment. So if you’re living in your home for five more years

or longer, try to do gradual updates during that time. Then, when it comes time to sell, you’ll have a far shorter list of the other small things that need to be taken care of and you can focus more on decluttering, cleaning, and staging.”

When it comes to staging a home, creating an open and inviting space so that a potential homebuyer can envision themselves living there is the task at hand. It has a lot to do with arrangement and design so that the best features of the home are accentuated and the problematic areas are corrected or at least diminished. For example, if the bedrooms are on the smaller side, you’ll want an arrangement of furniture and decor that makes the space appear larger or at least in a way that doesn’t attract attention to what might be perceived as a negative aspect. Or, if you’ve only used your basement for storage, you may benefit from staging that area as additional entertaining space once you’ve moved everything out. There’s many different ways you can use staging to your advantage—after all, presentation is crucial in any type of sale!

It always helps to see how things would look in person for any type of remodeling project, so visiting a local showroom such as Sutter Place Interiors will allow you to visualize the possibilities. At the same time, you’ll be able to capitalize on the opportunity to consult with an experienced designer and exchange ideas. The professionals at Sutter Place Interiors are able to help with anything related to the interior design of your home, including space planning, furniture layout and specification, custom furniture designs, lighting plan and fixture selection, accessory placement and selection, tabletop design, paint/ palette selection, materials and fabric selection, millwork and custom cabinetry design, and more. Their services also include purchasing, order tracking and delivery coordination as well as site inspections, construction coordination and vendor management, effectively taking any hassle or worry out of the process for the homeowner who is already tied down with trying to sell and likely in the process of moving at the same time.

Again, working with a limited budget is likely as far as staging a home to sell, so you’ll want to be smart and resourceful in order to benefit the most from your efforts. Out of the Box has a 7,000 sq. ft. showroom full of thousands of reclaimed building products and architectural detail pieces that are primarily recycled from custom high-end homes that have been remodeled. Here you’ll find a unique inventory of high-end, high-quality items at very affordable prices, including recycled kitchen and bathroom cabinetry, designer faucets and accent hardware, historic and designer lighting, beautiful marble and granite countertops, windows and interior doors, wood crown and accent molding, flooring and tile, and even recycled ranges and stoves.

Moving from the interior of the home to the exterior, as previously mentioned, there are a lot of ways to ensure that your home has the curb appeal that will attract buyers and make a good first impression.

Aside from the normal property clean-up tasks, if the porch and steps, outdoor patio area, driveway, or walkways—any concrete surface really--are weathered, damaged, or simply unattractive for whatever reason, you’ll want to consider fixing those problems before attracting the attention of potential buyers.

“Our number one priority is to give your home the curb appeal you are looking for,” says Jonathan Zuniga, owner of Elite Concrete LLC. “Attending to the aspects of your property that passersby, anyone who views your listing, and those arriving to an open house and touring will notice first is what will set the stage and serve to enhance appearance of the main attraction, the home itself. There are plenty of different options with pavers that really transform the look of the entire property. Alternatively, freshly Jonathan Zuniga poured concrete might be all that’s needed Elite Concrete LLC to achieve the brand new, clean look that is preferred by potential homebuyers. There can be multiple ways to address a project of this nature for those who are getting ready to sell a home, so make sure to work with a

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company that will take the time to present a few different options so that you make the decision that’s right for your specific circumstances.”

“An outdoor living area that is inviting and comfortable is definitely a selling point, especially in today’s market,” adds Bill Budler, owner of Nebraska Outdoor Living Center. “Improvements that make the deck or patio usable, such as a retractable awning or solar screen to provide protection from the harsh sun, will make the property much more appealing to potential buyers. Also, because outdoor living areas have become so popular, be sure to stage your deck or patio. De-clutter the area and freshen up Bill Budler the stain on the deck if needed. New patio Nebraska Outdoor furniture (or at least cushions), a fire pit, Living Center and a clean grill will help prospects to see themselves enjoying outdoor living in their new home.”

For anything you need to tie everything together on your property, which might include decorative landscape rock, flagstones, borders, mulch, topsoil, or retaining wall materials, consider making the quick trip out to Outdoor Solutions for the best selection in the area. Or if you know exactly what you need and don’t have the time to stop out, delivery can be scheduled to bring the materials right to your doorstep!

We’ve covered a lot of territory already, so to recap as well as touch on a few things that haven’t been discussed yet, Randy King of King’s Home Inspections, LLC offers key information pertaining to preparing a home for sale: • Get a storage unit and move out about half your furnishings. Less is more. Your rooms will look larger with less furniture.

• Repaint to neutrals or modern colors. That hot pink color your daughter had to have Randy King in her bedroom when she was 13 may have King’s Home been cute then; it isn’t now.

Inspections, LLC • Kitchens and bathrooms sell houses. If you are going to spend some remodeling money, that is the first place to do it. New faucets, new drawer hardware, new curtains, new light fixtures are among the inexpensive items that give a bright new look to old cabinets, countertops, etc.

• Get your outside vegetation under control. Prune shrubs, mow and trim/edge lawns, seal cracks in driveways, replace broken sections of sidewalks, scrape and paint all exterior wood trim, and give your deck a fresh coat of stain. Ensure doors open and close correctly, garage door rollers are lubricated and openers operate correctly, drains clear well, gutters are clean and spikes aren’t loose, and the seals around sewer vent stacks are in good condition. Hiring a handyman to go over your house and fix all of the little things shows a potential buyer you have cared for the home. You only get one shot at a first impression.

• Have a pre-listing home inspection done. This identifies issues you may not be aware of, and the inspector can recommend things to repair or upgrade prior to listing that house “For Sale”. Also, having a pre-listing inspection helps with the sale in that it removes fear.

That is the number one obstacle in selling a house--fear that there will be things wrong with it. When you present a pre-listing inspection report, and can demonstrate that you have repaired some or all of the items found during the inspection, it removes fear from the buyer about the house.

• Buy a home warranty for the house when you put it on the market.

It will cost $400-$600 on average, but it protects you and the new owner when the dishwasher decides to leak three weeks after they have moved in, or the furnace fails, etc.

• Have the shingles assessed for approximate service life left and

decide accordingly. If your shingles have about five years life left and you are planning to sell in three years, it may be wise to consider replacing them. Old shingles are usually a major factor in marketing a house.

• Enlist the services of a Realtor. Their marketing experience, knowledge of the valuations in the area, and their ability to take care of the mountains of paperwork, conduct open houses, advertise, and expose your home to potential buyers is well worth the commission that they charge.

For sellers, having a home inspection prior to when a buyer decides to move forward and initiates one can be very revealing as to what you’d want to address before you list, and also with identifying the hierarchy of what’s most important. Specifically regarding home inspections, King also offers the following advice: • Do your homework. Inspection companies are not all the same. Talk to them and ask them what they cover. Understand their fee structures, what they do and don’t test, extra charges you may incur, etc.

• Are you talking to the actual person who will be doing the inspection or will it be another employee? Are they willing to meet with you in person at the conclusion of the inspection to discuss the findings and answer your questions? Is it a locally owned and operated company or a national franchise? If it’s the latter, do they have local references for you to contact?

• Ask about credentialing and experience. Many inspectors are “credentialed” and have little experience in the field, while others with many years of experience don’t hold a lot of stock in “credentialing”. In visiting with a home inspector, get a feel for their skill and competency level.

• Ask about any warranty that the home inspector offers covering their specific services. A home inspection is NOT a home warranty. Those are available for a homeowner to purchase, and are generally a good idea.

• Understand that a home inspection is simply a visual review of the various systems in a house. It is not an in-depth, invasive analysis of the home. Your home inspector is a generalist, not a specialist. They are not an electrician, a structural engineer, a plumber, etc. Their role is to identify areas of concern and either recommend repairs or additional in-depth analysis of a particular area.

• A home inspection will not uncover hidden defects. That’s why they call them “hidden”. Most Inspectors spend no more than 4 hours looking at a house; they will not find every single issue in that length of time. Remember, it is not an exhaustive analysis; it is a visual review, a snapshot in time.

• An inspector cannot, with certainty, determine how old a water stain is, how old termite damage is, how long a pipe has been corroded, or predict the service life left in an appliance or shingle. They can give you estimates and averages, and that is what you should take them for. Estimates. Averages. Not guarantees.

• Radon testing is becoming more common as there is a lot of radon in southeast Nebraska and it is proven to cause lung cancer. The only way to know if your house has it is to measure for it. You can have very low radon levels while the house next door can be off the charts. If your house is high, you should lower it to decrease your exposure risk.

• If the house has been vacant a while, rubber seals in stools, dishwashers, and faucets may begin to drip or leak after being pressed back into service. A roof that appears fine may leak, and your inspector may not be able to detect that in dry weather.

Again, your home inspector cannot look behind walls, inside of pipes or water heaters, scope sewer lines, etc. Those are specialized inspections that your home inspector may recommend if they suspect a problem, or you can also elect to have those done upon request.

A common goal of most resell remodeling projects is to fix any existing issues that would impact the sale moving forward. When it comes to hidden issues that will eventually come to light, Marcus Hellwege with Great Plains Landscaping and Great Plains Epoxy further advises,

“Water drainage issues from the past are a major red flag that no one wants to deal with, let alone right after purchasing a home.

Many times an effort has been made to try and hide these issues by installing new carpet, drywall, and painting over areas that might be rotted. The first areas that I always check for drainage problems are: • How many times does the sump pump go off?

• Are there any cracks in the foundation or Marcus Hellwege basement floor?

Great Plains Landscaping • Has water got in through windows, low and Great Plains Epoxy areas or caused hydro pressure on the walls?

• Is there a spring or high water table causing flooding?

• Do the gutters have problems, from being full of junk to not having enough downspouts?

• Does soil need to be added around the foundation to push away water that settles along the foundation?

Luckily, there are a number of ways to solve these types of issues, but some are more costly and take more time than others. This might include adding soil along the foundation or installing larger gutters, drainage tile, French drain, rain gardens, interior drain tile or adding sump pumps. Directing the flow of water away from the house is key!”

As far as features of the home that he’s found to be more attractive to potential buyers, Hellwege adds, “While it’s a largely still a seller’s market, the trend with current home buyers is that they still want everything new or as close to that as possible.

Flooring is a very popular project to take on specifically to help sell a home. When it comes to choosing the flooring you’re going to have SEPTEMBER 2016 Strictly Business

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installed, there are many options that are worth exploring and ones you may not even be aware exist! Epoxy flooring for garages and lava flow or flake in basements, patios and concrete floor areas are the most popular as far as residential applications, and with good reason.

Epoxy can be less expensive than tile and sometimes even carpet. It is also easy to clean, very durable, and requires low maintenance.

We can give those tired floors a new look!

From a landscaping perspective, buyers want clean planting beds without a lot of clutter and a new palette to work with once they are the homeowners. Easy maintenance is attractive too, particularly for those who don’t have a lot of time on their hands, which is a significant percentage of the population these days.

No matter what type of remodeling project you’re considering, be careful in who you hire and get at least 3 bids. Ask a lot of questions and do not go with the cheapest price; instead, opt for the best design and plan when hiring out work to help renovate or sell a house.

From landscaping and tree trimming to epoxy and correcting drainage issues—all of the little things matter.”

Indeed, when it comes to financing, while outlining a budget and staying within that set amount is important with any remodeling project, it’s definitely critical if the objective is to sell right away. Your budget is likely to be much smaller too, so it’s all about being smart about what you take on. Finding improvements that provide the most ‘bang for your buck’ will allow you to stretch what you can do with limited resources so that you as the seller will get something out of it without putting too much in.

One way to keep costs down if you’re planning on doing a project yourself is renting tools and equipment instead of buying them if you don’t have access to everything you’ll need. Sunbelt Rentals is one of the largest equipment rental companies in North America and backed by a network of over 550 locations, so it’s a solid bet that they’ll have exactly what you’re seeking.

For major remodeling projects, Sunbelt Rentals also has a ToolFlex Equipment Rental Program. This offers customers the flexibility to rent and exchange qualifying contractor tools and equipment as often as needed and in the necessary quantities, all for a flat fee during a 28day rental period. This includes an impressive selection of tools and equipment in the following categories: air compressors and air tools, ladders, compaction, lawn and garden, concrete and masonry, material handling, electrical and mechanical, pumps, facility maintenance, and generators.

The company also provides a “No Sweat” guarantee, which covers the following: Satisfaction – Supplying the right equipment, on time, serviced and ready to do the job at hand or the rental that day is free.

On-Time Delivery – Delivery within 45 minutes of the quoted delivery time or the rental that day is free.

Service – Repair or replacement of down equipment within four hours of the call for service or the rental that day is free.

Availability – If you visit the Sunbelt Rentals Lincoln location to rent a guaranteed stocked item and it’s unavailable, free delivery from another location directly to your job site will be provided at no additional cost.

After-Hours Response – A local operational representative will respond to your after-hours call within one hour or a one day rental is free.

With this extensive a guarantee, you can be assured that you’ll have everything you need to complete your project on time and with the desired end result.

With so many different ways to improve your home in order to make it more attractive to potential buyers, it’s important to target your efforts towards what will provide the best return on investment. When all is said and done, the best feeling ever is seeing the SOLD sign in your yard as a direct result of your resell remodeling efforts!

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Cash Flow: $38, 165 | EBITDA: N/A | FF&E: $21, 440 | Inventory: N/A | Real Estate: N/A | Established: N/A | Employees: 6 Business Description: This popular Nail Salon and Day Spa is conveniently located in West Omaha; the business is in very good condition and the building and equipment is kept very clean. It comes with all of the equipment, most of the decorations, and all of the products. Several personal belongings that are currently in the shop will go with the current owners after the business is sold. These items will be disclosed during the walk through and are not included in the price.

Established Multi-Service Salon in Lincoln: Asking Price: $48, 000 | Gross Income: $158, 529

Cash Flow: $33, 540 | EBITDA: N/A | FF&E: N/A | Inventory: N/A | Real Estate: N/A | Established: N/A | Employees: 2 FT plus Owner Business Description: This salon is a great pick up for someone looking to expand from renting a chair to ownership. The salon has moved to all chair rentals and no employees as of June of 2016. Several lines of service including the salon, spray tanning, and waxing. Owner says the family needs more attention so after ten years it is time to move on. Two of the stations are currently filled, plus the owner. This is a golden opportunity to pick up a solid and established salon at a decent price.

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