Strictly Business Lincoln - August 2023

My Two Cents on Happiness

In today’s society, almost everything is focused on ourselves. We think about what we can do to make our own lives better, often without much consideration for how even some of our smallest actions can impact others. While it isn’t necessarily a bad thing to look out for ourselves, at what cost are we focusing on our own happiness?

I was scrolling through posts and quotes online and came across one from Keysha Jade, someone I have never met, that I just couldn’t fully understand. She said, “Choose to put yourself first and make you a priority. It’s not selfish, it’s necessary.” I kept thinking to myself, “How can you not think of how your actions are going to affect someone else?”

Though I consciously try to put others first, I do have moments where I only think of myself. But, it doesn’t make me feel better. It makes me unhappy. For example, I’m terrible about honking my horn in traffic. But, I know that honking my horn is only making everyone around me, as well as me, upset.

While it’s important to focus on your personal health and well-being, it shouldn’t come at the expense of someone else. I once read that the happiest people are those that think of others, that focus on giving and doing for others. Consciously and actively striving for the benefit of others is how we escape the “me-society” that we seem to be living in. My two cents on being self-centered? Don’t do it.

Those we live, work and interact with are affected by our actions and decisions. From showing up to work late to forgetting to regularly talk to someone we care about, our actions impact more lives than just our own. Everything that we do impacts others, regardless of if we want our actions to or not. No one likes to be

on the other end of someone who doesn’t consider the impact of their actions on others. We don’t like to get the short end of the stick, so why should we put others in that same situation?

Though it’s easy to sometimes feel like we don’t do anything for ourselves, the majority of people are happier when they focus on others. The more you focus on yourself, the more likely you are to be unhappy in the long run. According to social surveys in the United States, only approximately 14% of Americans say that they are very happy. That number should be a lot higher!

Because focusing on others makes you happier, it is also a great way to combat depression and stress. Research shows that helping others makes you calmer and that those that consistently help others experience less depression than those who focus more on themselves. Acts of kindness, such as volunteering your time or donating to those in need, is one of the best things to help with depression and stress.

So, my challenge for you is to take the focus off of yourself for one month. Consider how each of your actions will affect someone else and think of others before you think of yourself. If a month seems like too big of a challenge, take just one day to focus on others. Spend one day where you think about other people in everything you do and you will be amazed at the end of the day at how much better you feel. The more we try to make other people happy, the happier we will be – even if it is just for one day.

Consciously and actively striving for the benefit of others is how we escape the “me-society” that we seem to be living in. My two cents on being selfcentered? Don’t do it.

Lincoln Airport Authority Paves the Way for Luxurious Travel

With a brand new airline, Lincoln Airport Authority couldn’t be more excited. Anytime you add several new markets, you see way more people flying. It is too early to tell exactly what this will do for LNK and the community, but they are seeing the numbers they want to see, hearing the feedback they want to hear and hope the community continues to support the service and spread the word because that’ll make all the difference in the success of Red Way.

Red Way was a group effort that has been in the works for over a year. Struggling to gain traction from the big, main carriers, Lincoln Airport Authority started thinking outside of the box. With collaboration from their air service consultant and support of the LNK Board and staff was the idea of a new way to fly – Red Way. From the passenger standpoint, they wanted to really enhance customer service to make the product the best experience possible while flying to destinations that the local community consistently wants to visit.

It took an incredible amount of work and financial support from the City of Lincoln and Lancaster County for a total of $3 million dollars, which provides backing to the airline to help assist with costs incurred from startup.

Lincoln Airport Authority didn’t want to just launch one or two routes, though, and chose to make a big splash to get people excited to fly out of LNK again. Announcing the new airline shortly after the opening of the new terminal, they were able to rally the community behind flying to new destinations on a beautiful aircraft while also getting to experience a brand new terminal.

Opening the new passenger terminal on June 1, Lincoln Airport Authority welcomed the new airline with a resounding “WOW” from the community and passengers. The new terminal is more passenger friendly, as passenger flow was a primary focus. Many of the features are intentional to make this feel like a “Nebraska” airport, but with an upscale, fresh feel.

The new terminal is equipped with six new gates, a pub and a market called N-flight that features some local beers and Nebraska favorites. Taking those who have disabilities or special travel needs into consideration, LNK added a beautiful mother’s room, adult changing room, a pet relief area and lower and higher seating to accommodate all travelers. They also recently were approved to add a second TSA line, which will help move passengers quicker through security. Food options were moved to post-security where they also have a brand new Flyer’s Club Lounge which will be an exclusive area for frequent flyers of LNK Airport.

Lincoln Airport Authority is transitioning into phase two of the project and expects the whole LNKNext project to be done in early 2024. Phase two will include new administrative offices, baggage claim, moving rental cars to their permanent locations and a new board/community room.

Lincoln Airport Authority wants people to know that this airline is here to serve Nebraska, but also to remember that there are a few things that are different. There is no mobile check-in at this point, so everyone who does fly Red Way has to check-in at the counter. They ask travelers to get to LNK two hours prior to departure so they can check-in, get their bags situated and make it through security in plenty of time. The counters close 45 minutes prior to departure because they are starting to load the plane, so they want people here early and not stressing about missing flights.

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Black Hills Energy Announces State Leadership Appointments

Black Hills Energy announced on June 28 that Kevin Jarosz is now the vice president of operations in Iowa and Nebraska, and Quintin Gaddis is now the general manager for Nebraska. With 35 years of gas operations experience, Jarosz most recently served as the vice president of operations for Nebraska for the past three years. He is an advocate for community service and economic development, serving on numerous boards including Sarpy County Economic Development, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and Partnership for Economic Development, the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce, the LaVista Community Foundation and Black Hills Corporation Foundation. Prior to joining Black Hills Energy in 2022, Gaddis held several leadership positions at Portland General Electric, PacifiCorp and Dayton Power and Light Company. He has earned an M.B.A. from Mount Vernon Nazarene University, a B.S. in Aeronautical Science from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and served in the United States Air Force. Gaddis will build on the utility’s customer focused and safety driven reputation, and commitment to supporting our communities as a volunteer at Bryan Health, the Lincoln Food Bank home delivery program and United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County.

Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.3 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp. com and www.blackhillsenergy.com.

JetSplash Breaks Ground on 8th and 9th Locations

Since 2003, JetSplash Car Wash has washed nearly 9 million cars in Lincoln. Now, they’ll be washing even more thanks to two new, convenient locations. The 8th JetSplash will be located at 851 West O St. on the south side of the street just west of Roundhouse Drive. The spot will mark JetSplash’s first location west of downtown Lincoln. The 9th will be at 27th and Vine St. where the old Imperial Palace once stood. It will provide even more convenience for anyone looking for a speedy, spotless car wash and hand-dry – especially customers who frequent the 27th and Superior location a few miles down the road.

Development will begin soon at both locations, with the goal of opening sometime in 2024. Follow JetSplash on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more updates.

JetSplash provides the best, most comprehensive wash (and handdry) in town – and they do it in a jiffy. They fly you through so you can fly away quick and clean (or you can fly away slower and clean by using their free vacs, free air and free mat cleaners after your wash). As a locally owned business, they are excited to bring the community more options and convenience for a speedy, spotless wash.

JetSplash takes pride in our community and strives to give back through donations and fundraising opportunities. For more information, visit jetsplash.com.

Krueger Development Moves Offices

Krueger Development has moved its head offices from the Yankee Hill Business Center to 78th and Yankee Hill: 8501 S 78th St. STE A. The move occurred June 26 and they couldn’t be more excited about their new location.

The Woodlands at Yankee Hill development between 70th and 84th off Yankee Hill is booming. With an existing residential neighborhood, up-and-coming commercial businesses and a brand-new apartment community, it makes sense for Krueger’s headquarters to be located in the middle of all the action.

Krueger Development will soon be breaking ground on six commercial office buildings just to the west of their new headquarters. The buildings will be approximately 6,000 square feet, with the ability to break down into 1,500-square-foot suites. If your business is looking for a southeast location with frontage to Yankee Hill Road, this is the spot for you. Questions about the new office location can be directed to Commercial Property Manager Allison Santana at asantana@kruegerdevelopment. com, or to Director of Development and Sales Christina Melgoza at cmelgoza@kruegerdevelopment.com.

Since 1987, the family-owned and operated Krueger Development has contributed to Lincoln’s residential and commercial marketplace by developing residential and commercial communities, retail centers and multi-family residences. For more information about available commercial or residential spaces, contact Krueger at (402) 423-7377 or visit kruegerdevelopment.com.

Southeast Community College Showcases Surgical Technology Students

Southeast Community College (SCC), is proud of their Surgical Technology students who took part in a hands-on learning session with orthopedic devices June 8. The session, conducted by representatives from DePuy Synthes, the orthopedic division of Johnson & Johnson, was held in SCC’s Health Sciences building. They demonstrated the latest innovations in knee and hip replacements. “The patient is always first, and we view ourselves as an important part of the surgical team,” said Seth Brown, senior sales representative from DePuy Synthes. “We prepare the operating room for a successful surgery 20-30 minutes before the surgeon walks in. From my perspective, providing a hands-on experience for these students is priceless.”

The SCC Surgical Technology program has trained surgical technologists for nearly 50 years. The program takes five semesters to complete, and students are awarded an Associate of Applied Science degree. Classes are taught on the Lincoln Campus or online. Learn more at www. southeast.edu/surgicaltech.

“Our students are getting their hands dirty in their clinicals, but this type of classroom experience allows them to see the procedural sequence before they are in a high-pressure situation,” Elliot Wagner, 2018 SCC Surgical Technology program graduate, explained. “There is a lot of detail involved with surgery, and learning all aspects of the process is important.”

SCC plays a vital role for our communities in southeast Nebraska by bridging the higher education affordability gap and filling a need for a qualified workforce in Nebraska. Find more information about Southeast Community College at www.southeast.edu.

TAC Payroll Solutions to Host Ribbon Cutting August 1

TAC Payroll Solutions has scheduled a ribbon cutting for Tuesday, August 1, at 10 a.m. to celebrate their first year in business. The open house will be 9:45-11 a.m. so that there will be time before and after the ribbon cutting ceremony for networking.

TAC Payroll Solutions is a locally owned professional business providing customers with quality full-service payroll including multi-state payroll, Davis Bacon reporting and so much more. Payroll services can also include timekeeping service options and an employee portal where employees may receive their paystubs and W-2s along with being able to view their demographics and tax withholding elections. Employers also have access to this portal so they can view all their employees’ information along with being able to produce their own date-driven payroll reports as needed. Additionally, TAC provides quality bookkeeping services.

As their customer, you can expect great, personalized customer service. Their skilled team will handle every step of your payroll and bookkeeping needs so you can be guaranteed reliable services. Their services are designed to make your life easier!

For more information about TAC Payroll Solutions, please visit tacpayrollsolutions.com.

Siding · Soffit · Fascia · Aluminum Cladding · Roofing

The Waterford Communities Celebrates 23 Years at Waterford Williamsburg Location

Waterford Communities

Assisted Living is celebrating 23 years at their Waterford Williamsburg location. They are grateful for all the families that have entrusted them with their loved ones for 23 years. Their leaders and team make them successful in serving the needs of families and residents. It is truly a privilege to become a part of their residents’ family.

The Waterford Communities Assisted Living has three locations to serve the Lincoln community. Their communities are named by the neighborhood they are in: Waterford Williamsburg, Waterford Wilderness Hills and Waterford College View.

Finding the right assisted living community can leave you feeling overwhelmed. The good news is you are not alone. The Waterford Communities Assisted Living and Memory Care will help you find the perfect fit so you can stop searching and relax knowing you have made the right decision. Their team of professionals is committed to using their talents and strengths to serve the needs of their residents. The Waterford Communities is made up of three communities that offer assisted living and memory care to seniors in Lincoln. For more information, visit www.thewaterford.net. Administrator Jura Michael can answer questions at (402) 423-0000 / home@thewaterford.net.

John Henry's Plumbing Heating & Air Now Offering Electrical Services

John Henry's Plumbing Heating & Air is now offering electrical services! Starting in August, John Henry’s is proud to now offer a wide range of electrical services including electrical panels, outlets and switches, wiring, grounding and bonding, safety devices and so much more.

They are proud to be able to offer all trade services including plumbing, heating, cooling and now electrical! They are very excited to become a one-stop shop for Lincoln and the surrounding areas. Call them today to have your home’s electrical panel, wiring, outlets, switches or safety devices checked to ensure the safety of your family and your home.

Established in 1996, John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating and Air is a fullservice plumbing, heating, air conditioning, air quality, duct cleaning, water treatment and electrical business. They have a committee set aside to ensure they are doing all they can for the community around us. For more information or to discuss your home’s plumbing, heating, cooling and indoor air-quality needs, visit jhlincoln.com, call (402) 435-5555 or email info@jhlincoln.com.

SP Group, P.C. Kicked Off Summer Bikes and Beers

There’s no better time than summer to get back in shape after tax season, so why not hit the Lincoln trail system to do just that? SP Group, P.C.’s Summer Bikes and Beers kicked off recently when team members took their bikes to the Jamaica South Trail. Benefits included enjoying the great outdoors, team bonding with work friends and getting the body moving and heart pumping.

Eight riders started at the SP Group office and jumped on the trail heading south to Roca. They hopped off the trail for a quick break accompanied by an adult beverage or two at Roca Tavern. Then, back on the trail, they headed back to Lincoln and Corn Coast Brewing Company where they were joined by several non-riders to cap off the ride with offerings from the taphouse and snacks, shooting the breeze and spinning tall tales about their 14-mile bike adventure. SP Group, P.C., a growing entrepreneurial accounting firm, was founded on four core values: relationships, the power of team, life/work balance and competitiveness. Bikes and Beers covered all four core values in one evening with the next one already in the works. For more information, follow SP Group on Facebook (@SP Group, P.C.) or Twitter (@SPGroupPC), call them at (402) 420-7758 or visit spgrouppc.com.

Eschliman Commercial Real Estate Announces Move for Autism Center of Nebraska

Ted and Robin Eschliman of Eschliman Commercial Real Estate (ECR) are proud to announce the future relocation of the Lincoln branch of the Autism Center of Nebraska (ACN) and its corporate offices to a new convenient site in central Lincoln.

ACN is a nonprofit funded additionally and independently through a long history of donations and the State of Nebraska. It was founded in 2006 and opened its first Lincoln location in 2018. It owns its location in Omaha and recently opened a Lincoln retail outlet, The Art Garden, last fall in College View where products on display are distinctly fashioned and refurbished by clients and staff with the objective of teaching creativity and skills training while participants gain necessary employment, with all profits returned to the artisans supported by the organization. ACN provides residential, day services and support to individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. With the mission to support and enhance the quality of life of those serviced, the organization is certified through the State of Nebraska to serve individuals. Learn more at autismcenterofnebraska.org.

Eschliman Commercial Real Estate was started by Robin Eschliman in the 1990s, providing site selection services for office, retail, warehouse, land and commercial investment prospects, as well as listing and consulting services. Robin also produces an economic development show, “Grow Lincoln,” on 1400 KLIN AM that covers businesses opening, closing, moving and expanding, as well as local guest interviews. Podcast links can be found www.klin.com/grow-lincoln. For more information about Eschliman Commercial Real Estate, visit their website www.ecrproperty. com or contact them at (402) 420-3239 / info@ecrproperty.com.

Lincoln Young Professionals Group Announces Return of YP Week

Lincoln Young Professionals Group (YPG) is excited to announce the return of YP Week, scheduled for October 2 through October 6. This year’s YP Week theme will be Vitality Lincoln, aligning with the Vitality Lincoln community strategic plan as outlined on lcoc. com/vitality-lincoln. YP Week will once again offer a variety of unique opportunities to network with like-minded young professionals and learn more about our incredible city.

One of their biggest YP Week events is their Young Lincoln Leader Awards. Lincoln YPG invites you to nominate young professionals or companies you think deserve to be recognized in the following seven categories: Young Professional of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year, Young Nonprofit Professional of the Year, Emerging Leader of the Year, Next Generation Workplace, Diversity and Inclusive Excellence. Visit www.lincolnypg.com to submit your nominations and learn more about this highly anticipated week. If you are not a member of LYPG yet, you are encouraged to join!

Lincoln Young Professionals Group is dedicated to empowering young professionals with educational, leadership and networking opportunities. They hope to empower the youth in Lincoln to create an energetic and dynamic environment of learning, networking and entrepreneurship. To learn more or join, visit LincolnYPG.com.

Legacy Retirement Communities Recaps 2023 Jerry Joyce Living Legacy Awards Luncheon

Legacy Retirement Communities and KFOR hosted the 2023 Jerry Joyce Living Legacy Awards Luncheon at Legacy Estates on June 13. The Jerry Joyce Living Legacy Awards were created in memory of the late Jerry Joyce, founder of Legacy Retirement Communities. These awards have been given annually since 2010 to honor the unsung heroes in the Lincoln community who exhibit the same kind of quiet, giving spirit that Jerry had shown others in his life. Each winner is given the opportunity to pay their monetary award forward to the nonprofits of their choice. This year, there were two $2,500 Jerry Joyce Living Legacy Award winners and one $1000 Legacy Caring Heart Award winner.

One Jerry Joyce Living Legacy Award winner was Ron Tegtmeier, who chose to donate his $2,500 to Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association and Center for People in Need. The second winner of the Jerry Joyce Living Legacy Award was Connie Plettner, who split her $2,500 between Nebraska Lions Foundation, Bridges to Hope, Camp CoHoLo, Matt Talbot and the Floyd Rogers Diabetic Foundation. The 2023 Caring Heart Award winner, Bill Roehrs, donated his $1,000 to the Food Bank of Lincoln and Pickleball Lincoln.

Congratulations to all Legacy Award Winners for 2023, sponsored by Legacy Retirement Communities and KFOR Radio. Thank you for all you do for the Lincoln community, and for leading by example.

Learn more about Legacy Retirement Communities at www. LegacyRetirement.com.

L-R: Cathy Blythe and JJLLA winner Ron Tegtmeier

Lutz Announces Leadership Transition Plans

Lutz, a Nebraska-based business solutions firm, recently announced various management changes over the next several years.

Mark Duren will begin transitioning his responsibilities of managing shareholder and chair of the board to Ryan Cook over the next three years. Duren started at Lutz in 1992 and has held numerous leadership roles, including long-term membership on the firm's Board of Directors, department head of both the tax and audit practices and his most recent term of serving as managing shareholder since 2015. Additionally, Ron Nebbia will begin transitioning his duties as president of Lutz's financial, M&A, talent and tech divisions over the next two years to various existing leaders within these divisions. Nebbia joined the firm in 1987 and has been instrumental in many positions, including serving long-term as a board member, managing internal operations and inspiring the evolution of new service offerings. Nebbia's advisory skillset has been vital in serving clients and providing direction to leaders inside and outside the firm.

Lutz is a business solutions firm for people seeking a partner to help energize and heighten economic and organizational success. Their experienced team provides accounting, financial, talent, M&A and technology services. Lutz works to simplify complexities, help make critical business decisions and focus on the things that are truly important to you. They embrace your business as their own to spark the right solutions and help you thrive. That’s Lutz’s promise: to mind what matters. Learn more at www.lutz.us.

ChoicesTreatmentCenterOpensColumbusOffice

Choices Treatment Center is proud to announce the opening of an outpatient treatment office in Columbus. This office will initially be located inside of Colegrove Counseling Center at 1460 35th Avenue. The Columbus location will be in addition to the original Choices office located in Lincoln

The initial focus of treatment services offered by Choices will be problem gambling treatment. Choices is affiliated with the Nebraska Gamblers Assistance Program, providing free outpatient problem gambling treatment services for Nebraskans struggling with problem gambling and their loved ones, including no-cost assessments, consultations and interventions. Counseling services are available for both the gambler and their family members.

“As in-person and online gambling options continue to increase throughout Nebraska and beyond, the need for problem gambling treatment services continues to evolve and grow. We are proud to offer our services to the Columbus community and surrounding area and hope to assist individuals needing support throughout eastern and central Nebraska,” stated Deb Hammond, director of Choices Treatment Center.

If you are concerned that you or someone you know has a gambling problem, please contact Choices’ 24-hour helpline at (402) 4762300 for confidential and caring support. Choices staff is also available for education and presentations to schools, community groups, churches and businesses on topics related to problem gambling and other addiction-related topics.

Choices Treatment Center is an outpatient treatment and recovery facility committed to helping individuals overcome problems related to gambling, substance abuse and mental health. Visit www.choicestreatmentcenter. com for more information.

TFLC Provides Tips to Parents to Help Prevent Youth Vaping

As we gear up for the new school year, it's the perfect time to focus on children's health and well-being, both at school and at home. Tobacco Free Lancaster County (TFLC) proudly supports Lancaster County schools, contributing educational materials, quit resources and technical assistance. They also want to help parents by offering practical tips to encourage tobacco-free lifestyles.

Tips for Parents:

Be a Role Model: If you use tobacco, consider quitting. This powerful action significantly lowers the chances of your child using tobacco. Foster Open Conversations: Engage in discussions about the health risks of tobacco, the perils of peer pressure and strategies for coping with stress.

Champion Healthy Routines: Make regular exercise and balanced eating a family norm.

Tap into Support Networks: Begin your journey to quit by contacting the Nebraska Tobacco Quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW. If your child uses tobacco, text "QUIT" to (202) 899-7550 for advice and support. Talk to your healthcare provider for additional resources.

Stay Informed: Keep yourself informed about youth tobacco trends for relevant, informed conversations. For more information, visit TobaccoFreeLancasterCounty.org.

Funding for Tobacco Free Lancaster County is provided by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services/Tobacco Free Nebraska Program as a result of the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement. For more information about Tobacco Free Lancaster County, go to tobaccofreelancastercounty.org.

Skin Experts Announce Referral Program

Did you know Skin Experts has a referral program?

Skin Experts rewards you for sharing the gift of glowing skin! Refer your friends and family to Skin Experts and receive a FREE product of your choice ($99 value). This offer is available for any friend or family you refer (family or friend must make a facial appointment with Skin Experts).

Word of mouth is one of the best and most effective ways to help Skin Experts grow their business. They greatly appreciate customers when they share what they love about Skin Experts with their family and friends as well as when customers recommend Skin Experts for a facial – and Skin Experts wants to return the love!

Skin Experts offers luxury, hi-tech facials for all skin types at a price you won’t believe. When it comes to skincare, they combine revolutionary technology from Europe and Asia with carefully curated ingredients that work synergistically for all skin types. See a transformation worth sharing! For more information on personalizing your skincare, visit www.skinexperts.com or contact hellolincoln@skinexperts.com / (531) 500-5224.

Venue Restaurant & Lounge to Host Rombauer Wine Dinner August 24

Venue Restaurant & Lounge is hosting their Rombauer Wine Dinner Thursday, August 24, at 7 p.m. The event will feature Chef Spencer Mullins and Rombauer Vineyards. Cost of attendance is $80. To reserve your table at the dinner, call Venue Restaurant & Lounge at (402) 488-8368.

Guests can expect an amazing meal of five courses paired with excellent wines. The first course consists of a grilled lobster salad and chardonnay. The second course is scallop and mole paired with sauvignon blanc. The third course is thyme brined duck and merlot. The fourth course is chicory shortrib paired with cabernet sauvignon. Lastly, the fifth course contains blueberry granite and zinfandel.

Venue Restaurant & Lounge is a part of PILLAR Restaurant Group, a locally owned company that also consists of Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs, Piedmont Bistro by Venue and Venue Catering & Events, with the Jasmine Room by Venue and the Scottish Rite Ballroom by Venue. For more information, go to yourvenue.net. Additional questions can be directed to their team at (402) 488-8368 / info@yourvenue.net.

D.E. Guns Offering Free Demo Rounds and Swag August 26

On Saturday, August 26, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at D.E. Guns, Sig Sauer will have a factory rep, a pistol technician and a rifle technician on premises and on the range to answer all of your questions while you shoot five rounds out of the demo guns for free! Free swag will also be available.

D.E. Gun’s inventory boasts some of the most popular handguns, rifles and firearms as well as some of the most uncommon varieties that you may have a tough time finding elsewhere.

D.E. Guns aims to provide registered buyers with the best tools for shooting sports, hunting or whatever their firearm needs may be. The retail store is 110,000-square-feet standing on 34 acres of land. They have over 1,000 guns on display from all the top-tier brands and over 10,000 in stock. This spacious location gives D.E. Guns the opportunity to offer customers thousands of new products, training classes, CHP (Concealed Handgun Permit) classes and the helpful knowledge to further their firearm experience.

D.E. Guns is Nebraska’s largest gun store with an outdoor shooting complex, training rooms, large ammunition selection and thousands of guns to choose from. To get in touch, call (402) 875-6500 or email ffl@deguns.net. For more information, go to www.deguns.net.

Cruise & Associates Seeking Reviews

Cruise & Associates is seeking customer reviews on their most recent experiences. They value your input and look forward to hearing what they are doing well and what they can improve upon. To leave a review for the Lincoln office, visit g.page/r/CWf-gA1Fr4gAEBE/review. If you would like to talk to them about your experience, please call Michele Hahn at (800) 401-4284.

To leave reviews at surrounding locations, please use the corresponding links:

• Albion: g.page/r/CXlhzKD91XoUEBI/review

• Columbus: g.page/r/CV_5hWJ4TmRgEBE/review

• Grand Island: g.page/r/CROArolWDM9ZEBE/review

• Norfolk: g.page/r/CcrfWKTBx_0xEBE/review

• Omaha: g.page/r/CVHjul0SvbjlEBE/review

• Wayne: g.page/r/Cf5_PAojV14BEBE/review

They appreciate your time and business. A Google review gets you entered into a monthly drawing for a $25 Casey’s gift card. Watch for their drawing on Facebook Live. You do not need to be watching to win.

Cruise & Associates provides income tax, payroll and accounting services. They have offices in Albion, Columbus, Grand Island, Lincoln, Norfolk, Omaha and Wayne. Robert Cruise started the company in 1991 to help small to mid-size businesses grow their business and take it to the next level. The staff listens to business owners to help develop a plan that makes their businesses more efficient and profitable. To learn more about Cruise & Associates, visit www. cruise-associates.com.

Build Your Vision, Build With Quality

TradeGAMZ Officially Launched

TradeGamz is a platform for helping students and job seekers find their path to a happy and successful career by connecting with businesses and professionals for career exploration and opportunities. Students and job seekers are able to explore different industries and career opportunities and learn directly from the professionals already doing it. TradeGamz works with educators and professionals to share their knowledge and experience as it relates to their career. With professional insight, experience and education, students and job seekers will be able to identify their areas of interest and connect directly with businesses on the platform.

Businesses and professionals have the opportunity to promote their company and their work. Your business will be able to accept resumes and applications from students and job seekers that have watched your content and are interested in your business, whether that be during high school, during college or when entering a career. TradeGamz gives you a platform to help solve your workforce problems by offering student education and engagement, and the opportunity to expand your business and workforce.

Take the next step in educating the emerging workforce and promoting your business with TradeGamz at www.TradeGamz.com.

Altitude Motion Media Celebrated Six Year Anniversary July 1

Altitude Motion Media celebrated their six year anniversary on July 1. The company was founded by Ryan Lindbeck in 2017.

“I am so proud of the growth we have had at Altitude Motion Media and grateful to all of our clients that trust us to create the content they need,” stated Ryan. “I feel blessed and thankful for the team we have put together. The future is bright.”

Altitude Motion Media started with just Ryan working full-time, but has now grown into a team of six. Over the last six years, Altitude Motion Media has learned to adapt to the changes in technology to allow them to create digital content, especially video for their clients.

“No one can argue the power of video anymore and we are here to help clients create what they need to reach their current and prospective clients. And after 6 years of refining our process and growing our team, we have become experts in doing that.”

Altitude Motion Media consistently provides the highest quality video production, podcasts, photography and drone services. Their services increase your potential to succeed by producing content that stands out while building on your brand and reputation. For more information, go to www.altitudemotion.com or get in contact with Altitude Motion Media at (402) 417-0678 or team@ altitudemotion.com.

Maven Tile & Stone Announces New Tile Collections to Their Expanded Space

Maven Tile & Stone is excited about the new collections of tile they recently received. With many of the tiles arriving around the Fourth of July, they were quick to display the various designs in red, white and blue.

The studio at Maven Tile & Stone helps customers bring their design ideas to life, creating custom looks unique to their tile and stone preferences. They specialize in full house projects offering individuality as well as identity to the spaces both interior and exterior. Maven features the finest selection of tile and stone from respected manufacturers all over the world showcasing materials with textures and patterns that can be used on many surfaces. They have recently undergone an expansion in their showroom to provide their customers with a larger in-person selection of products. In their showroom and design center, Maven has merchandised concept boards for builders and home owners who want to get ideas and advice for their new build or remodel.

Maven Tile & Stone prides themselves on giving you the tools, advice and resources you need for your project. They are dedicated to creating the perfect vision, and offer several services to the Lincoln area. If you want more information, you can reach them by phone at (531) 249-5917 or check out their showroom at 7011 Kentwell Ln STE 300. You can also find more information at maventileandstone.com.

SCORE Lincoln to Host “What’s Involved in StartingaSmallBusiness”WorkshopAugust12

SCORE Lincoln is hosting a “What’s Involved in Starting a Small Business” workshop Saturday, August 12. The event will take place at Turbine Flats from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. SCORE Lincoln's workshop helps startups and small business owners get answers to essential questions necessary to starting or running a business. You will hear from a banker, an attorney, an accountant, two marketing professionals and a business plan professional.

The full day costs $49, including lunch. The registration fee will be reimbursed by Community Development Resources upon attendance at the workshop. To register, please visit score.tfaforms. net/17?EventID=a105a000009oICW. Attendees may also sign up with SCORE for FREE one-on-one mentoring.

SCORE Lincoln, the local chapter of the nation’s largest network of expert business mentors, is a nonprofit organization and a partner of the SBA. Dedicated to helping small businesses get off the ground and achieve their business goals, SCORE has provided FREE mentorship and education to more than 11 million entrepreneurs since 1964. Services offered by SCORE include mentoring, webinars/courses on demand, a library of online resources and various local events. For more information about SCORE, or upcoming workshops and events, visit www.lincoln.score.org or call (531) 225-6451.

LCOC Announces Boutiques at the Ballfield Summer RISE Event August 3

Lincoln Chamber of Commerce (LCOC) is excited for their Boutiques at the Ballfield summer RISE event August 3 hosted by NEBCO at Haymarket Park. The gates will open at 6 p.m. and the game will start at 7:05 p.m. They look forward to seeing you at the ballpark for a day of fun!

At the event, attendees will have the unique opportunity to connect and network with the impactful women of Lincoln’s business community, shop locally at their woman-owned business summer market and relax and enjoy a complimentary Lincoln Saltdogs game, courtesy of NEBCO. A full list of the attending boutiques will be released soon at www.lcoc.com/event/13507365-riselincoln. For more details on RISE Lincoln, visit www.riselincoln.org. The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce is Lincoln’s leading business organization, providing advocacy and connections to help businesses grow and thrive in Lincoln. They are committed to being a five-star accredited collaborative partner in Lincoln’s success as a place of endless opportunities and work closely with their partner organizations. Learn more at www.lcoc.com.

Kenl Inn Introduces Daycare Extraordinaire Service

Kenl Inn is excited to reintroduce their daycare extraordinaire services –your dog’s personal trainer! Dogs learn best with consistency, repetition and rewards, so that is the approach Kenl Inn takes. Dogs eight-16 weeks old are considered perfect puppies, four-eight months old considered young explorers and eight-12 months considered free spirited teens. The more often your dog is trained, the quicker they learn.

Daycare extraordinaire is available Monday-Friday. You should commit your dog to daycare two to four days per week. Pricing is based on three days per week. There is no discount for fewer days and no increase for additional days. You also have the option of paying weekly, monthly or as a complete package. For more information about pricing, visit www.kenl-inn.com/daycare. Each level will depend on what your dog already knows, frequency of attendance and temperament of your dog. All levels of training are based on the four quadrants of playing, learning, cultivating and exploring. Play involves continuing to learn proper play with other puppies/dogs to develop great social skills. Learning involves basic commands and manners. Cultivation pertains to developing a quality or skill. Exploring uses the five senses to give your dog some time to be a dog and to fulfill their innate needs specific to their breed.

Set on 44 acres just outside of Lincoln, Kenl Inn is devoted to providing the best possible care for your pets. The full-service pet care facility offers overnight boarding, day care, training and grooming. For more information, visit www.kenl-inn.com or contact (402) 488-8190 / dian@kenl-inn.com.

CHOICES

These 24/7 helplines are confidential and will direct you to a certified counselor who can provide immediate help. The Nebraska Gamblers Assistance Program (GAP) pays for the assessment and treatment of problem gambling for Nebraskans struggling with problem gambling and their families. For more information go

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available.

Better Business Bureau Announces Awards Luncheon September 19

The Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) signature event of the year is back for its 26th year. Join them on September 19 at A View West Shores for the 2023 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics luncheon. The event promises to be an unforgettable celebration that includes the winners of the 2023 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics and BBB Spark Awards, and the recipients of the 2023 BBB Students of Integrity scholarships.

Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum President and CEO Clayton Anderson will serve as the event’s keynote speaker. Anderson, who successfully executed six spacewalks and is considered “Nebraska’s Astronaut,” will deliver a sure-to-remember story of big dreams and perseverance.

The event is open to the public. Tickets are $85. Secure your ticket today for the 2023 BBB Torch Awards for Ethics luncheon - the only accolades that honor integrity over profitability, popularity or growth. Both tickets and sponsorships can be secured at www.bbb.org/omahatorch. Questions can be directed at jplanos@bbbinc.org.

“In its 26th year as an annual event, we are excited to start a new chapter,” said BBB VP of Communications and PR Josh Planos. “We are excited to celebrate all that makes our community such a special place to work and live.”

BBB is a nonprofit, business-supported organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. BBB services to consumers are free. Visit BBB.org for more information.

LIBA to Host Member Tailgate September 23

Lincoln Independent Business Association (LIBA) will be hosting a LIBA Member Tailgate Saturday, September 23. The event will take place at From Nebraska Gift Shop located at 803 Q St. The tailgate will start four hours prior to kickoff and run until 30 minutes before kickoff.

LIBA is focused on connecting members of the business community to come together to shop local and support local business. The economy of Lincoln will only thrive when local businesses are successful. The LIBA Tailgate is a time to bring business owners together to support local as well as to support the Huskers.

LIBA was founded in 1980 to serve as the voice of small businesses in Lincoln. The mission of LIBA is to provide leadership and educational opportunities to the business community, to educate the public concerning the vital role of business in the creation of meaningful jobs and in meeting the payrolls that allow our citizens to enjoy quality of life, to communicate the concerns of the business community to elected and appointed officials at all levels of local government and to support political candidates who understand and promote the free enterprise system.

LIBA is always invested in providing development and educational opportunities to their members with front-row access to leaders and decision makers in the Lincoln business community. Learn more about becoming a member and other upcoming events at liba. org or call the office at (402) 466-3419.

by Krista Peeks Dittman Agent, Individual & Senior Benefits

It’s After Hours and I Need To See a Doctor. Where Do I Go?

Depending on where you live, there may be several choices or just a couple. Here are some guidelines:

• Emergency Room: If a medical condition is life- or limb-threatening, or involves severe wounds, go straight to the ER at the closest hospital. Examples include an injury to the head or neck, chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness, injuries from an accident, etc. You do not need prior approval before receiving treatment at an emergency room even if it’s outside your plan’s network.

• Urgent Care: If the medical condition is not life-threatening, Urgent Care can be a less costly and much faster alternative to the ER. Urgent Care is designed to handle less serious medical conditions that still require immediate treatment. An Urgent Care clinic typically provides the kind of routine injury treatment and medical care that a primary care physician performs in the office.

• Convenient Care: Convenient Care tackles the most minor of cases, such as ear infections, sore throats and some routine preventive care. A Convenient Care clinic is typically found inside another retail business such as a grocery store or pharmacy and is frequently staffed by nurse practitioners or physician assistants.

• Telemedicine: Your health insurance plan or a provider organization may offer Telemedicine services. This involves using a mobile device such as a phone or tablet to connect with a medical provider for a virtual doctor visit that usually includes a video call. This can be a great option if you are in a more remote location or if a medical need comes up in the middle of the night. Minor infections, a cold, pinkeye, rashes and fever can be initially treated by Telemedicine. It may also require follow-up with your regular physician. These services do not replace your primary care physician. They are for people who can’t get to their physician’s office during regular business hours or for an immediate medical need.

Check the benefits of your health insurance plan. An Emergency Room is always the most expensive place to be treated. An Urgent Care visit may be priced about the same as a doctor office visit. Convenient Care offers more limited services and is usually priced lower than an Urgent Care visit. Telemedicine services vary. Know before you need to go!

Got questions about your health insurance? Contact ComPro at (402) 488-5100. They are your trusted and local resource for health insurance plans for Employee Benefits, Individual and Family and Medicare! For more info, visit www.comproins.com.

care.

I love the culture at ComPro. It’s got such an encouraging vibe to it. I appreciate how much our team cares for each client and how we support each other.

“We believe healing is a collaborative endeavor that requires honest caring without judgment, and we cooperatively assist clients in clarifying their goals for treatment.”

THE CONCRETE CRAFT DIFFERENCE

When you hire Concrete Craft® to beautify your home or business and be ready to hear "oohs" and "aahs" from everyone who sees it. When you tell them that it was half the cost of other materials with fewer hassles and less maintenance, you might even get a big round of applause. We consider ourselves craftspeople who take pride in bringing artistry to one of the most durable, affordable, and beautiful materials on earth.

Your options to customize with color, design, and finishes are virtually limitless. We offer stamping, resurfacing, and staining, and because most projects are an overlay over existing materials, jobs go quicker, with a lot less mess and upheaval.

When you’re ready to transform your space, choose the team with experience as solid as the materials we use.

ASHLYNNE STAR CITY SIX

Ashlynne Meyer AOI

Meet Ashlynne Meyer, furniture account manager at AOI.

Tell us a little about your business. - AOI is a women-owned business providing solutions for the built environment through commercial furniture, prefabricated architectural products and general construction. We are the exclusive MillerKnoll furniture dealer in Nebraska and have access to hundreds of other furniture manufacturers. We’re focused on helping clients create and reimagine spaces in which they work, learn and heal.

How did you get started in the business? - A very determined recruiter (who now also works for AOI) found me in the food logistics industry and convinced me to meet the Lincoln GM for a quick coffee. We ended up chatting for almost two hours about the position, industry and culture of the company, and before I left, I knew AOI was where I wanted to be. Changing career paths after being with a company for 10 years was a scary thought, but it was the best decision I have ever made for my professional career. I could not be happier!

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?Working in the food logistics industry during the pandemic was something I will never forget. During the quarantine, every hour had a new challenge on how we were going to deliver food to thousands of customers with logistic, driver and employee limitations. Navigating the supply and demand daily proved to be very challenging due to ever-changing regulations defined in each city and state. We rallied as a company and took each day as it came. I learned how to work under extreme circumstances during the pandemic and I know that I am better for it. From these experiences, I came to respect logistics and drivers on an entirely different level. Almost everything we have at our disposal in our everyday lives has arrived because of a driver, so please be kind both on and off the road.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I love a day off where there are no set plans – I can do whatever I feel like doing that day! Relaxing at home with my pup, brunch, dinner with friends, spending the day with family, thrift shopping and crafting are some of my top picks.

Who inspires you? - My family, friends and teammates continue to inspire me daily with their outlooks on life, how they handle situations, their accomplishments and positivity.

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

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Each year, AOI selects a committee of employees from different departments to work together and raise funds for a nonprofit of their choosing, called AOI GIVES. Our company and our partners look forward to this every year! Last year, I had the opportunity of acting chairperson for AOI GIVES and the nonprofit we chose to raise money for was CRCC. Children’s Respite Care Center of Omaha (CRCC) provides a wide range of programs to families in our community, addressing the cognitive, therapeutic and social needs of children in their care. It was an amazing experience, and I cannot wait for this year’s fundraiser.

What is your favorite TV show? - I have a lot of favorites… New Girl , The Office , Workaholics , Supernatural , Outlander and The Witcher .

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Vincenzo’s Ristorante.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - ameyer@aoicorp.com; aoicorp.com.

STAR CITY SIX SAM

Sam McAtee CAPITAL CARE STAFFING

Meet Sam McAtee, CEO and president at Capital Care Staffing. Tell us a little about your business. - We are a nursing staffing agency that helps provide RNs, LPNs, Med Aides and CNAs for our local communities of Nebraska when their staffing census is low.

How did you get started in the business? - I worked in healthcare as a CNA / MA for 15 plus years. With many years of experience as an agency employee, I knew I could create a better experience for other agency healthcare workers. After finishing nursing school, I decided to go a different direction and formed Capital Care Staffing.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Being a young, growing company in an already competitive field of work.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Continued growth, expansion and strong team base.

Tell us a little about your family. - Wife and mother of two. Boy mom!

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - Becoming a mother.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Golf.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I can juggle.

Who inspires you? - My brother.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Keep going.

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

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - 2000’s rap. If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Time Traveler.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - Party planning.

Which talent would you most like to have? - Any type of engineering. If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Vacation blogging.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - BraveBe Child Advocacy Center / Center For People In Need / Nebraska Community Blood Bank.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?The Wish.

What is your favorite movie? - Anything Spooky! I love Halloween!

What is your favorite TV show? - Vampire Diaries.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Too many to choose! However, the few top contenders would be Hacienda Real, A Taste of Louisiana and Florios.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - Our doors are always open to anyone who would like to come and talk to us! We’re open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday-Thursday. Call us at (402) 413-1086. Email me directly at Samantha@ capitalcarestaffing.com.

A TILE DESIGN STUDIO

Sadie Jensen LINCOLN-LANCASTER COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Meet Sadie Jensen, tobacco prevention health educator at LincolnLancaster County Health Department.

CREATING THE ART OF EVERYDAY

CALL THE SHOWROOM (531) 249-5917

7011

Mon – Thurs | 10am – 5pm Fri – Sat by appointment only MavenTileAndStone.com

Tell us a little about your business. - We collaborate with community partners to champion a tobacco-free environment for the residents of Lancaster County. Through our partnership with the Tobacco Free Lancaster County Coalition (tobaccofreelancastercounty.org), our mission is to educate every member of the community about the dangers associated with tobacco use and exposure. By focusing on reducing youth initiation and offering effective resources for quitting, we strive to transform Lancaster County into a community free from tobacco. We are dedicated to creating a healthier, safer and more informed community in Lancaster County.

How did you get started in the business? - Before my career in public health, I dedicated over a decade to working in human services and criminal justice with Lancaster County and other agencies. I was able to join Leadership Link, an organization focused on personal and professional development, offered to City of Lincoln and Lancaster County employees. This involvement granted me the opportunity to establish connections with individuals from various departments and divisions, expanding my understanding of the diverse opportunities present within our local government.

As I embarked on a search for a new and fulfilling challenge, these connections led me to my current role. Having been a former tobacco user myself, I recognized this opportunity as an ideal platform for my personal and professional experience to make a positive impact on the lives of others. It was clear to me that my background and expertise could effectively support others in their journey towards living tobacco free and overall well-being.

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What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - One unexpected challenge I encountered upon beginning the position of health educator in tobacco prevention and education was the need to confront and overcome my own preconceived notions and internalized feelings about tobacco use. Drawing from my personal history as a former smoker, I intimately understood the anger and judgment often directed towards individuals who use tobacco, resulting in internalized shame and guilt. Overcoming these internalized sentiments required a significant amount of self-reflection and introspection. However, this process enabled me to authentically share my own experiences with others, creating a platform for empathy and understanding. This reaffirms the importance of open dialogue to reduce stigma so we can build healthier, more resilient communities.

Tell us a little about your family. - I live with my partner, our two dogs and our inherited leopard gecko. We recently moved to a new house, so we are excitedly making it into our home.

Who inspires you? - I draw inspiration from various sources. When engaging in projects or crafts, I enjoy seeking inspiration from the work of others, learning from their creations and incorporating their ideas into my own. Characters in books and authors who share their lived experiences or expertise inspire me, as their words resonate and provide valuable insights. Moreover, I find inspiration in authentic individuals who can openly share their stories, fostering connections and building meaningful relationships through their relatability.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - I have many favorite local eateries, but my top three are Copal, Engine House and Honest Abe’s. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - (402) 441-4685; SJJensen@lincoln.ne.gov; tobaccofreelancastercounty.org.

KENTWELL LN STE 300, LINCOLN, NE

WINNER TOP PRESIDENT OF THE YEAR 2023

LIZETT NISSENSON

STAR CITY SIX MALINDI

Malindi Gabelhouse MOSAIC IN SOUTHEAST NEBRASKA

Meet Malindi Gabelhouse, associate director at Mosaic in Southeast Nebraska and Mosaic in Omaha.

Tell us a little about your business. - We see people as unique, beloved and important. We listen to what matters to you and help you lead a meaningful, healthy life on your terms.

We meet you where you are because we’ve been there. We’ve been excluded, unwelcome and in need of help. When things get hard –and they will – we will be there to see you through. We’re problem solvers and connectors. We partner with people to create meaningful lives in caring communities, giving a voice to people’s needs.

Our team harnesses data, processes and technology to provide high-quality services to as many people in need as we can. We build relationships to drive outcomes for communities, funders, families and, most importantly, the people we serve.

How did you get started in the business? - Ever since I was young, my desire to assist others has been strong. Our world is filled with negativity and discrimination towards those who do not fit society's standards. I believe people with disabilities have amazing abilities and deserve the same respect as anyone else. We are all human and have only one life to live. Helping others achieve their goals and aspirations is my passion and purpose in life.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I love spending time outdoors, whipping up delicious meals in the kitchen and even tackling household chores. When I'm not busy, I enjoy spending time with my furry friend, Douglas, and my close circle of friends. I derive happiness from all things nature-related, be it taking care of my garden, unwinding on my front porch, or going for a motorcycle ride.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - During my youth, I had a strong passion for rugby. I participated in the UNL rugby team and also joined a women's rugby club. Additionally, I explored various martial arts such as karate and judo.

Who inspires you? - My late father was truly a remarkable figure in my life. His teachings were invaluable, and his wisdom and guidance have continued to inspire me long after his passing. I am forever grateful for the lessons he imparted to me, and I strive to live up to his example every day.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - My goal is to travel the world and immerse myself in diverse cultures as much as possible. These experiences hold immense value as they are unique to me and can never be taken away.

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.” - Helen Keller.

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? - Invisibility.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - I would love to become a surgeon because the ability to repair and heal the human body is truly remarkable art. Saving lives and enhancing people's quality of life is simply amazing.

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - I can be reached at the office at (402) 477-2101 ext 54011, on my cell at (402) 429-0088 and via email at malindi. gabelhouse@mosaicinfo.org.

Troy Stentz SP GROUP, P.C.

Meet Troy Stentz, EA, director of operations at SP Group, P.C.

Tell us a little about your business. - SP Group, P.C., is a public accounting firm founded in 2003, based in Lincoln, but serving clients across the Midwest and beyond. We provide tax planning and tax preparation services for our clients as well as audit and assurance services, accounting, bookkeeping and payroll services.

How did you get started in the business? - My family’s former business had been a client of Dave Swan, CPA, the managing shareholder for SP Group, P.C., for many years. When we sold the business in 2015, I asked Dave out to lunch to let him know I was looking for a new position and asked him to keep me in mind if he had any business clients that were looking for a person with my experience. A month later, Dave called me up with an opportunity to join the team at SP Group and I’ve been with the firm since 2015.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - While there have been many “big” challenges during the course of my career in the traditional sense, I think the biggest challenge is the change in the way the world operates now compared to when I was in college. That challenge is our devices that allow us to remain connected to the office at all times. By my nature, it is difficult to disengage from that.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- I’m very proud of the opportunity to have been mentored by a lot of great teachers and leaders. In turn, my most important achievement has been to return their generous gifts by mentoring others. I get deep satisfaction from observing personal and professional development in the people I have worked with over the years.

Tell us a little about your family. - My wife, Lisa Rosar, and I have been married for 31 years. She is a registered nurse and a native of Colorado that came to Lincoln to attend the University of NebraskaLincoln, where we met and fell madly in love during a very rainy spring in 1987. Her family back in Colorado gives us plenty of reasons to return to the Denver area for regular visits. My parents and my brother and his wife all live in Lincoln.

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

- It may be a cliché answer, but I was very lucky to find the love of my life and someone that was so compatible on a pretty chance encounter. A lot of twists and turns have happened in my life since that time, but the one constant through it all has been my supportive and loving wife.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I work in the field of tax and accounting, but my college major was English and I enjoy reading and writing just as much as I enjoy numbers and math. I won the Vreeland Award for Creative Writing at UNL as an undergraduate and used the prize money to buy an engagement ring.

Who inspires you? - My parents, each and every day. They were very young when they had me so I feel blessed to have known them for so many years now and to be inspired by their generosity to me and my brother, and also to their many friends and volunteer activities.

What local nonprofit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Meals on Wheels. Beyond just delivering a meal to someone, you get to be a friendly face they see that day.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - The Oven. Other great local restaurants have come and gone over the years but The Oven has always been consistently great.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?(402) 420-7758; tstentz@spgrouppc.com; www.spgrouppc.com.

STAR CITY SIX DAN

Dan Klein Jr. WATERFORD COMMUNITIES ASSISTED LIVING

Meet Dan Klein, Jr., chief solution finder at Waterford Communities Assisted Living.

Tell us a little about your business. - The Waterford Communities Assisted Living serves our residents with a caring spirit, compassion and commitment to dignity. Our team member selection is integral to our success.

We promise that while we can never replace your home, we are going to try to make our communities feel like you never left. At Waterford, we do everything we can to ensure that you always feel at home.

Waterford is a family business based in Lincoln. We have three assisted living communities named for the neighborhood where they are located: Waterford College View, Waterford Williamsburg and Waterford Wilderness Hills (memory care). How did you get started in the business? - Our family grew up in SW Michigan. In the early 80’s we moved to Nebraska. At a working age, we did construction for summer and part time jobs. Then, in the early 90’s, we began as building contractors under the name Regal Building. We built homes and commercial buildings in Lancaster County, and then built several assisted living facilities for other operators. In 1999 we built Waterford Williamsburg as our first assisted living to own and operate.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?Operating our business through the pandemic and adjusting to the impacts of the last three years. We’ve had to change how we interact with everyone to ensure everyone stays safe.

Tell us a little about your family. - I have an amazing wife, Lisa, of 31 years. She’s my rock! We have two adult children. Daniel, our youngest, just got married and is beginning grad school at Creighton School of Dentistry. Haleigh, our oldest, is a social worker and lives with her husband in Colorado, and they have just made Lisa and me grandparents for the second time. Grand parenting is the BEST! I’m thankful for cruise control to drive to Colorado, and for Facetime when in Nebraska.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? - In 1997, while helping with construction on a summer youth service mission trip to Panama, I gave my heart to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Anything family related. I have a son, daughter-in-law, nieces, nephews, sister, brother-in-law, mom and dad (and of course friends) nearby that I love spending time with. We love going to Woodcliff Lake.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I was a volunteer Acrobatic coach for Union College for 15 years. I love working with young people and making a difference that impacts their lives. Who inspires you? - My father. He is the most joyful and positive spirit. He is a friend to anyone.

What is your favorite TV show? - The Chosen .

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Choosing one is difficult. Currently my wife and I enjoy Copal, Lazlo’s, Fireworks and Piedmont Bistro. Lincoln has a lot of great local restaurants. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? - www.thewaterford.net; dkleinjr@thewaterford.net; (402) 480-6950 or (402) 435-3550.

SLEEP BETTER AND LIVE BETTER:

The Connection Between Sleep Apnea and Snoring

Ignoring snoring and the possibility of sleep apnea can have serious consequences for your overall health and wellbeing. Some of the potential consequences that may result include high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, depression or anxiety, daytime fatigue and reduced quality of life overall. Fortunately, there are ways to treat sleep apnea and snoring. It all starts with diagnosing sleep apnea by completing a sleep study in your home.

A New Way To Do A Sleep Study in the Comfort of your Own Bed!

Imagine being able to undergo a sleep study in the comfort of your own home, guided by the expertise of your trusted dentist. At our dental practice, we’re excited to offer you this convenient and effective solution for diagnosing sleep apnea and teeth grinding related issues.

Traditionally, sleep studies required spending a night in a sleep center, which could be uncomfortable and disrupt your regular sleep patterns. However, with our innovative approach, we provide you with a sleep study kit that you can use in the comfort of your own bed.

Here’s how it works: During a routine visit to our dental office, we’ll provide you with a specialized sleep study device that is designed to be user-friendly and non-intrusive. With simple instructions, you’ll be able to set up the device at home and comfortably wear it while you sleep.

This portable device collects essential data throughout the night, monitoring various parameters like breathing patterns, oxygen levels, and sleep quality. Once you’ve completed the study, you’ll return the device to our dental practice, where our skilled medical team will analyze the collected data and provide you with a comprehensive evaluation about sleep apnea and teeth grinding.

Oral Appliances: A New Solution for Sleep Apnea

As a sleep apnea dentist in Lincoln, NE, I, Dr. Kim Polley, want to introduce you to an exciting alternative treatment for mild to moderate sleep apnea: oral appliances. These custom-made devices, recommended and fitted by dental professionals, offer a comfortable and effective solution for managing sleep apnea without the need for CPAP machines. By gently repositioning the jaw or tongue, oral appliances keep the airway open, promoting uninterrupted breathing and reducing the symptoms of sleep apnea, such as snoring and interrupted breathing.

Working together with the medical team, Dr.Kim Polley can effectively assess sleep-related issues and provide personalized recommendations for improving your sleep quality and overall well-being. From detecting potential sleep apnea and addressing chronic snoring, our goal is to help you achieve a restful night’s sleep and wake up refreshed and energized.

Don’t let snoring and sleep apnea disrupt your sleep and affect your health. Get the proper diagnoses and treatment, and start enjoying a better night’s sleep today! Learn More At: northstardentalne.com/how-to-stopsnoring-and-sleep-apnea

S LEEP APNEA HEALTH CONCERNS

J-Tech Construction & Solar Promotes Jason Cieslik to Lincoln General Manager

J-Tech Construction, a leading construction company known for its exceptional workmanship and commitment to excellence, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Cieslik “JC” as the new general manager of its Lincoln location. With an impressive track record as J-Tech’s sales manager and a demonstrated track record of initiative and vision, JC brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to this key role. Having excelled in his previous position as the sales manager, JC has consistently demonstrated a strategic mindset and an unwavering dedication to achieving goals. His exceptional sales acumen, combined with his ability to foster strong relationships with clients and stakeholders, has played a pivotal role in the company's success. His extensive experience in driving revenue growth, managing teams and delivering exceptional customer service has positioned him as a natural fit for the role of general manager.

JC embodies the values that define J-Tech Construction's culture, emphasizing integrity, teamwork and a commitment to excellence. His patient and collaborative nature will foster a positive work environment where every team member feels supported and empowered to achieve their best. As general manager, he will prioritize employee development, ensuring that the team receives the necessary resources and guidance to excel in their roles.

J-Tech Construction and Solar provides the best in residential and commercial solar panels, window and door replacement, home siding, gutters and metal roof installation as well as repair for both commercial and residential properties. For more information, visit jtechconst.com.

Lincoln Coin & Bullion's Kaydee Smith Selected for Small Business Advisory Council

Lincoln Coin & Bullion is proud to announce that their Numismatic Manager Kaydee Smith has been selected to participate in the Lincoln’s Chamber of Commerce Small Business Advisory Council. The Small Business Advisory Council meets on a monthly basis, with their first meeting recently held June 27. This is only the second Small Business Advisory Council formed by the Chamber of Commerce, giving owners an opportunity to discuss real barriers to success while providing ideas for solutions and working towards putting the solutions in motion for the greater good of small businesses. Local businesses are the heartbeat of the community and it is extremely important to keep them alive, profitable and attractive to grow the local economy and keep local talent here in Lincoln. For more information, please contact Kaydee Smith at (402) 3272853 or Kaydee@lincolncoinandbullion.com.

Lincoln Coin & Bullion is a full-scale precious metals business that serves customers interested in buying and selling gold, silver, platinum and palladium, as well as numismatic coins and paper money. Their staff strives to provide a biased-free, educational environment to meet your specific needs and goals. If you are a seasoned stacker, or are new to investing in precious metals, they are happy to have you come for a no-obligation visit to meet their staff, see their inventory, ask questions and hear what they think you should know prior to purchasing. For more information, visit LincolnCoinandBullion.com.

CaringFriendsInHomeCareAddsCase ManagerSaraMertens,RNtoTeam

Caring Friends In Home Care is pleased to announce the addition of Case Manager Sara Mertens, RN to their team. Sara has found caring for people has always been a passion of hers. She has worked in healthcare for 22 years, starting her career as a nursing assistant in a rural county hospital and then later completed nursing school to obtain her associates degree in nursing. She has worked in a variety of settings and positions including clinical, long-term care, rehabilitation and RN home health case manager.

In her free time, Sara loves to spend time with her family outdoors. They enjoy camping, fishing, watersports and spending time together with family and friends. Every summer they look forward to the county fair where she gets to enjoy her children showing their livestock and competing in various events. It is Sara’s pleasure to join Caring Friends In Home Care as a case manager and she looks forward to being a part of such an amazing team of people.

For more information, visit caringfriendsinhomecare.com or call (402) 207-1050.

UNICO Group Grows with Key Hires

UNICO Group, a client-focused insurance broker, is pleased to announce the addition of Austin Beber and Cody Roach, risk advisors and Jackie Damon, account manager to UNICO’s team.

“We are excited to add Austin, Cody and Jackie to our team,” said Shane Ideus, executive vice president. “We are confident that they will contribute to our continued growth and success.”

Austin Beber joins UNICO with over 10 years of insurance experience. He began his career with Zurich and most recently served as a regional commercial sales leader and commercial lines producer at Universal Group Insurance in Omaha. Austin can be reached at abeber@unicogroup.com.

Cody Roach has spent the last 3 years building a solid reputation by creating strategic property and casualty insurance solutions. His prior experience as a safety director at Nebraska Beef enabled him to transition seamlessly into the insurance industry. Cody can be reached at croach@unicogroup.com.

Jackie Damon brings over 10 years of experience supporting clients in the auto dealer and banking industries. Previously, Jackie served as customer insurance advocate where she successfully managed a large book of business. Jackie can be reached at jdamon@unicogroup.com.

This dynamic team will be concentrating on building tailored insurance solutions within the auto dealer, towing and auto after-market industries across Nebraska.

For more information on UNICO Group, call (402) 434-7200 or visit unicogroup.com.

Austin Beber

Jackie Damon

Cody Roach

Husker Rehab Highlights Michelle Spicka, Guest Lecturer for SCC PTA Program

Husker Rehab is proud to highlight Michelle Spicka, a guest lecturer for Southeast Community College’s (SCC) PTA Program. She teaches a lecture once a year in the SCC Physical Therapist Assistant program on pelvic physical therapy. She has done this for over 10 years and Husker Rehab is proud to partner with SCC for PTA education.

Even though many of the PTA students do not plan to specialize in pelvic physical therapy, it is important for more healthcare practitioners to be informed about pelvic floor dysfunction and treatment options. The majority of women over the age of 40 have some type of pelvic floor dysfunction (from incontinence to constipation to pelvic pain or pelvic organ prolapse) and men have many issues with pelvic pain or urinary leakage after prostate surgery. Being able to identify patients who would benefit from specialized physical therapy services is a key part of interdisciplinary care for everyone.

Husker Rehab proudly offers therapy services in five clinics in four different Nebraska cities, where they serve physicians and their patients with unique, highly-intensive, highly-customized rehabilitation, wellness and preventative care therapies that make a difference in people’s lives. They listen to every patient’s needs and desires, analyze the problem and figure out ways to get people moving again. For more information about Husker Rehab and their services, visit huskerrehab.com.

FNIC Adds Sales Executives Joey Mumaugh and Vagas Mathiesen to Team

FNIC is pleased to announce the addition of Sales Executives Joey Mumaugh and Vagas Mathiesen to the Omaha and Lincoln teams.

Joey Mumaugh is a sales executive specializing in personal insurance where he designs and implements risk management programs for his clients, ensuring their comprehensive protection. Joey thrives in an environment where change is constant. No two days are ever the same in this dynamic industry. However, what Joey finds most rewarding about his job is the opportunity to continually learn and assist individuals in finding solutions that meet their needs and ultimately safeguard their families.

Vagas Mathiesen is a sales executive focusing on insurance for the agriculture and transportation industries. Vagas has established himself as a knowledgeable professional in the insurance industry. He carefully reviews his clients risk management programs and offers recommendations based on their situation. He leverages his relationships and experience to construct tailor-made insurance solutions that address their unique needs.

Joey Mumaugh and Vagas Mathiesen are passionate about supporting their clients with a high-level strategy that meets their objectives. Their strategic vision and innovative approach will play a central role in FNIC's future endeavors and expansion plans.

FNIC is a regional market leader for insurance and financial benefits. For more information, go to fnicgroup.com.

Joey Mumaugh

Vagas Mathiesen

Nebraska Safety Council Announces New Team Members

The Nebraska Safety Council (NESC) continues to expand their team so they can best serve the state of Nebraska. As the team continues to grow, new services and offerings will be added.

“We are excited to welcome these three fantastic people to our growing team,” says John Lefler, Jr. “The expansion of the Nebraska Safety Council is about people and the ideas and energy they bring to help us best meet the needs of our members as well as other businesses and organizations throughout Nebraska.”

NESC is welcoming the following team members to help support their mission of empowering Nebraskans to live safe and healthy:

• Kelsey Pruss, MS – wellness services manager: Kelsey joined the Nebraska Safety Council in 2023 and brings 14 years of experience in health and wellness. She specializes in program development, education, health coaching and operations management. In her free time, you can find her chasing her daughters and dog around, exercising, reading and enjoying the outdoors.

• Eli Haschke – administrative coordinator: Eli Haschke recently started at NESC in 2023. She has experience working in the retail industry where she gained the skills to connect with the public and brings a consistent positive attitude to the team. She spends her free time making art, cuddling with her cats and being with her loved ones.

• Kirk Van Pelt – road safety specialist: Kirk was raised on a farm and ranch in western Nebraska. He attended Western Nebraska Community College (WNCC) and the University of Wyoming. He worked as a professional photographer while being an assistant instructor at WNCC. He spent 30 years in law enforcement as chief deputy sheriff and deputy director of emergency management. He has worked as a contracted instructor for NESC since 1998. Kirk is married and has two sons.

To learn more about what an annual membership of the Nebraska Safety Council covers, visit nesafetycouncil.org.

The Mission of the Nebraska Safety Council is to provide education and leadership to empower Nebraskans to live safe and healthy. They offer comprehensive programs, training courses, events and services that are designed to improve employee care at a desk, on the production floor, behind the wheel and on the job. To learn more or to sign up for membership today, visit nesafetycouncil.org, call (402) 483-2511 or email nesc@nesafetycouncil.org.

Kelsey Pruss

Kirk Van Pelt

Eli Haschke

ComPro Welcomes Darin Turner as Small Group Account Coordinator

ComPro welcomes Darin Turner to its team as small group account coordinator. Before joining ComPro, Darin’s work experience included being a team lead at Allstate Benefits in their customer service department. He was responsible for responding to inquiries and assisting policy owners, agents and co-workers. One of Darin’s best qualities is his big heart and compassion for helping others. An experience he had that was especially rewarding in this area was teaching job skills to individuals with developmental disabilities. This servantheart attitude will be a great asset to not only their clients, but their team as well.

Darin had this to say about the ComPro Team, “I’ve only been on staff a short while, but I can already tell that this is a team that works well together. They genuinely care about each other and are like-minded in serving their clients with excellence. I’m looking forward to being part of this.”

ComPro helps clients connect the dots of their health insurance by offering a wide variety of plans for individual and family Medicare and employee benefits. For more information, call (402) 488-5100, or visit comproins.com.

Blingle! Premier Lighting Announces New General Manager Darin Engelbart

Blingle! Premier Lighting is excited to announce that Darin Engelbart is the new general manager in both the Lincoln and Omaha locations. In March of 2022, Darin started with Blingle! in the corporate office located in Omaha. He recently started in his new position Monday, June 12, and has wasted no time settling in. He can be reached at (402) 658-1633 / dengelbart@blingle.com for any inquiries.

Blingle! Premier Lighting looks forward to being the number one resource for outdoor and holiday lighting in Lincoln and surrounding areas. They want to create a presence and awareness that they are the resource not only in their founding location in Omaha, but Lincoln and surrounding areas as well. They have no issues branching out and have completed several projects in various towns outside of Lincoln and Omaha.

Blingle! is a customer service-obsessed team here to serve their clients’ premier lighting needs in landscape lighting, holiday lighting, permanent lighting, event lighting and commercial lighting. From education to installation, their professionalism and commitment to providing a superior outcome is what differentiates them in the market.

Franchise founders, owners and partners Mike Marlow and Taylor Olberding brought Blingle! Premier Lighting to Omaha to provide creative lighting solutions for any space. Learn more about them and their services at Blingle.com/lincoln-ne or contact them at (402) 9331985 / lincoln@blingle.com.

J-Tech Construction & Solar Introduces StateWide Sales Manager Teddy Wettlaufer

J-Tech Construction is thrilled to announce

Teddy Wettlaufer as their new sales manager. Teddy's joining the team marks a significant milestone for J-Tech, and they are confident that his expertise and leadership will contribute to their continued growth and success.

Teddy brings with him a wealth of experience and a strong work ethic, qualities that align perfectly with J-Tech’s company values. His dedication to excellence is evident both in his professional and personal life. Teddy is a family-oriented individual, married to Tiffany and blessed with two wonderful boys, Gavin (eight) and Jonas (five). Additionally, he shares his home with a spirited nine-year-old Shorkie named Jack. Having grown up in a small town of 150 people in North Central Nebraska, Teddy developed a robust "Blue Collar" work ethic at a young age. He understands the value of hard work and perseverance, which will undoubtedly inspire the J-Tech team.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Teddy enjoys staying active and pursuing his hobbies. You might find him at the gym, honing both his physical and mental strength. When he's not busy with work or fitness, Teddy indulges in his passion for impressive vehicles. He recently acquired a Supercharged RAM TRX, and if you're curious, ask him about his Camaro—it's quite a story!

J-Tech Construction and Solar provides the best in residential and commercial solar panels, window and door replacement, home siding, gutters and metal roof installation as well as repair for both commercial and residential properties. For more information, visit jtechconst.com.

McGill Law Hires Bethany Allen as Associate Attorney

McGill Law is thrilled to announce that Bethany A. Allen has joined the McGill Law firm as an associate attorney based out of their Lincoln office!

Bethany practices all areas of family law, but specializes in estates planning and providing legal services for small businesses. Bethany is committed to providing clients with highquality legal representation and personalized attention to their needs. Bethany’s warmth, intelligence and compassion have already made a valuable contribution to the firm. When she is not in the office, Bethany enjoys gardening, raising backyard chickens and spending time with her friends, family and husband. McGill Law is grateful to have Bethany on the team as a valuable asset to the families they serve in Lancaster County and beyond.

McGill Law is a woman-owned and operated family law firm practicing collaborative law, collaborative mediation, mediation and litigation. McGill Law is a female focused firm, specialized in helping women through legal issues like divorce, child custody and modifications. The firm believes that the best results for women are achievable when educated decisions are made with their family’s future and well-being in mind. With McGill Law guiding you through your family law matter, you will have a compassionate, caring, experienced attorney taking you through the legal process with the goal of achieving a peaceful resolution for you and your family. To contact McGill Law, call (402) 548-5418 or email info@McGillLawyers.com. For more information, go to McGillLawyers.com.

Union Bank & Trust Promotes Nicole Penwell to Assistant Vice President

Union Bank & Trust is excited to announce the promotion of Nicole Penwell to assistant vice president – project manager in the Retirement Plan Services (RPS) department.

Penwell joined UBT in June 2001 as a teller through the student program and was promoted to supervisor. After transferring to RPS, she served as a specialist, coordinator, special projects manager and officer. In her new role, Penwell will continue to manage RPS systems, implement new products and services, lead RPS projects, create processes for the department and develop system reports.

A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a bachelor’s degree in finance, Penwell also completed the University of Nebraska-Omaha College of Business Administration Project Management Workshop.

Union Bank & Trust is a privately owned Nebraska bank that offers complete banking, lending, investment and trust services in addition to serving as program manager for Nebraska’s NEST College Savings Plan. The bank has 38 full-service and loan production offices in Nebraska and Kansas. It is the third largest privately owned bank in Nebraska, with bank assets of $7.6 billion and trust assets of $43.4 billion as of December 31, 2022. Learn more at ubt.com.

Strictly Business Welcomes Josue Meza as

Sales Intern

Strictly Business recently welcomed Josue Meza to the team as a sales intern. Josue’s role at Strictly Business is entirely sales focused. He will work with prospective clients on ad and press release sales. He is excited to work with clients from the office as well as at networking events in the Omaha area. Though new to sales, he is excited to learn more about what a sales position entails.

Josue grew up in Madison. His parents are first generation immigrants from Mexico and he’s very proud of his heritage. In his free time, he is always looking for new local music talent as well as attending music shows that align with his schedule.

Josue attended Northeast Community College before continuing his education at the University of Nebraska Omaha. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in communication studies. He’s always been interested in the human element of business and is excited to get more experience interacting with clients.

Please help Strictly Business welcome Josue Meza! Josue can be reached by email at josue@strictlybusinessomaha.com. To view monthly articles and stories on Omaha businesses and other local professionals, go online to strictlybusinessomaha.com.

Schwarten and Korth Celebrate Milestones at Home Builders Association of Lincoln

The month of August marks significant milestones for two staff members at the Home Builders Association of Lincoln (HBAL).

Michaela Schwarten has been with the Home Builders Association of Lincoln since 1998. In her 25 years serving HBAL, Michaela gained knowledge in all aspects of association management. She served as the staff contact for the Remodelers Council of Lincoln for nine years and has coordinated many of HBAL’s events and projects. In 2015, Michaela was promoted to executive vice president. She continues to oversee the Nebraska Builders Home & Garden Show, the Spring and Fall Parade of Homes, the Lincoln Home Builders Care Foundation and HOMEPAC.

Jennie Korth was hired in 2008 and serves as the director of marketing & communications. She is project manager for both the Parade of Homes and the Tour of Remodeled Homes and creates HBAL’s monthly newsletter, The Lincoln Business Builder. She is also the event contact for HBAL’s annual golf tournament and sporting clay shoot and serves as staff contact for the Remodelers Council of Lincoln. For more information about the Home Builders Association of Lincoln, visit www.hbal.org.

AHA Announces Jackie Pueppke to Lead 2023 Omaha Go Red for Women® Movement

The American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization devoted to a world of healthier lives for all, announces Jackie Pueppke of Baird Holm LLP as the community volunteer chair of the 2023 Omaha Go Red for Women movement. Go Red for Women is a worldwide initiative of the Association designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women locally, nationally and globally.

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women in the United States, claiming more lives each year than all forms of cancer combined. Cardiovascular disease continues to be a woman’s greatest health threat, taking the life of one in every three women.

“I see remarkable stories of adversity and recovery every day,” said Pueppke. “My experience as a stroke survivor and seeing firsthand how the work of the Association affects the lives of everyday Americans is what inspired me to chair the Go Red Movement this year, and I know we can take our message of self-care and prevention to even more women than ever this year.”

This year’s Go Red for Women movement and its local achievements will be celebrated on September 28 at the 2023 Go Red for Women Expo, sponsored by Methodist Health System.

For more information about Go Red for Women visit heart.org/Nebraska.

For more information about the American Heart Association, visit heart. org or call 1-800-AHA-USA1.

Michaela Schwarten

Jennie Korth

CINCF Announces New Office Location and 70th AnniversaryCelebrationEvent

The Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation (CINCF) office has moved and is now located on the Bellevue University campus. CINCF’s new address is 1036 Bruin Boulevard, STE 110, Bellevue.

On August 29, the CINC Foundation – founded in 1953 as the Nebraska Independent College Foundation – will be celebrating its 70th anniversary of raising scholarship dollars for students attending Nebraska’s private colleges and universities with an event to be held at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel. This will be an informal reception with a brief program to include a special presentation and remarks by Governor Jim Pillen.

CINCF’s 13 member schools include Bellevue University, Bryan College of Health Sciences, Clarkson College, College of Saint Mary, Concordia University, Creighton University, Doane University, Hastings College, Midland University, Nebraska Methodist College, Nebraska Wesleyan University, Union College and York University.

The Council of Independent Nebraska Colleges Foundation represents Nebraska's leading independent colleges and universities. It's their responsibility to help raise funds and awareness so everyone understands the economic and personal impact these institutions have on our state and our students. CINCF is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to making excellent higher education opportunities accessible to students from diverse backgrounds and communities. For more information about CINCF, please visit cincfoundation.org.

Voices of Hope Offering Free Support Groups

Voices of Hope offers various support groups on an ongoing basis. All groups are free of charge and childcare is available.

Groups offered include:

• Latina Support Group: Tuesdays 1011:30 a.m. in person or zoom

• Domestic Violence Support Group: Tuesdays 5:30-7 p.m. in person only

• DV101 Class: Wednesdays 3:45-5:15 p.m. in person

• Sexual Trauma Support Group (STSG): Wednesdays 5:30-7 p.m. in person or zoom

Voices of hope provides free, confidential 24/7 crisis intervention services to all genders who are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and related forms of abuse. They also assist victims’ families and supporters. Questions about available support groups can be directed towards Resource Development Coordinator Yaquelin Lizarraga at Yaquelin@voicesofhopelincoln.org or (402) 476-2110.

Voices of Hope has been a vital part of our community for over 40 years. Voices of Hope began in 1975 when the Lincoln Coalition Against Rape, a campus/community group, organized and began to provide a crisis line and support services for victims of sexual assault. Before long, the group also began providing services for victims of domestic violence.

Voices of Hope’s vision is that all victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as their families and communities, receive responsive, empowering services and support that meet their needs, both individual and cultural, through advocacy and education aimed at eliminating recurrence, challenging oppressive social institutions and reducing violence and oppression.Learn more at voicesofhopelincoln.org.

The Bridge Behavioral Health Seeks Donations for Summer Essentials

The Bridge Behavioral health is in need of donations. In a typical year, 1,100 individuals will access services at The Bridge. Over 85% of their clients cannot afford the treatment they need, but no one is turned away because of their inability to pay. Whether someone is seeking withdrawal services, respite or residential treatment, The Bridge provides them with the necessities to ensure a dignified and comfortable stay. Some of the most requested items during the summer are water bottles, athletic shorts and sunscreen.

This August, The Bridge Behavioral Health is hosting a summer supply drive to collect new/unused items such as clear reusable water bottles, athletic shorts (sizes L-2XL), underwear (sizes L-2XL), flip flops (all sizes) and travel-size sunscreen. Visit thebridgenebraska. org/support-us to shop The Bridge’s Amazon wish list and ship items directly to their office. Donations can also be dropped off MondaySunday at 721 K St. If you or your organization is interested in hosting a donation drive, contact Taylor Brethouwer for more information at tbrethouwer@thebridgenebraska.org or (402) 413-2203.

For nearly 40 years, The Bridge Behavioral Health has provided a continuum of services for people suffering from substance use and related mental health conditions. Their programs include detoxification and medically monitored withdrawal, substance use and mental health respite, residential treatment and outpatient services. Learn more at thebridgenebraska.org.

Spots Left for Aiding Angel’s Golfing for a Reason Fundraiser August 26

The 14th annual Golfing for a Reason Fundraiser for Aiding Angels is set to take place at Highlands Golf Course on Saturday, August 26. Spots have been filling up fast, but there are still a few spots for teams left! Register today to support the Aiding Angels Foundation. The registration deadline is August 14. Registration is $125 per person and $500 for a team. This includes green fees, carts, a gift, dinner and a giveaway. If you register after the deadline, prices are $130 per person and $520 per team.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available at multiple price points. For more information or questions, call Brenda at (402) 730-6244, LuAnn at (402) 430-7975, Maid To Please at (402) 434-2472 or visit aidingangels.com.

To register and/or be a sponsor, send your registration along with payment to: Aiding Angels, 1101 Arapahoe St., STE 104, Lincoln, NE 68502. If you would like to pay by credit card, please call (402) 434-2472.

Aiding Angels is a local, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing free, professional house cleaning to the cancer heroes in our community during one of the most stressful times of their lives. A clean home and environment contributes to the welfare and recovery of patients. All that is needed is a note provided by the doctor’s office stating the individual is going through cancer treatment. It is not cancer specific or financial-need based. For more information, go to www.aidingangels. or call (402) 434-2472.

The White Cane Foundation to Partner with 12 Schools to Provide Students Two New Outfits

The White Cane Foundation (WCF) was formed in 2019 with the mission of providing two brand new outfits with tennis shoes to students in Title 1 elementary schools. WCF visits schools weekly, providing every identified child with two fittings per school year to accommodate changing seasons and growing children. They are proud to announce that they will be in 12 schools beginning in Fall 2023, including Belmont, Lakeview, Clinton, Norwood Park, Prescott, McPhee, Everett, West Lincoln and Hartley. New to 2023 is Elliott, Saratoga and Huntington. Some of these schools have limited space for WCF and they just purchased a new truck that will travel to the schools to accomplish this mission with a greater inventory supply. Each package that a child takes home is called a "bundle of joy" (BOJ). To date, WCF has gifted over 1,500 packages to students. They will more than double that in the 2023-2024 school year with increasing demand.

If you have questions or would like to volunteer with The White Cane Foundation, please contact Kelly Lauer at klauer@ thewhitecanefoundation.org. For more information, visit www. thewhitecanefoundation.org.

Game Day Play Dates at the Lincoln Children’s Museum

The Lincoln Children’s Museum is offering Game Day Play Dates again for the 2023 Husker football season. This drop-off option offers parents and caregivers the opportunity to register their child to attend a staff-led play date at the Museum while parents and caregivers head to Memorial Stadium to cheer on the Huskers.

With the museum located in downtown Lincoln, the convenience and atmosphere go hand-in-hand to make Game Day Play Dates a success. The museum’s Director of Operations and Engagement Mandy Haase-Thomas said, “This program is a great opportunity for kids to grow up within the Husker fan-base, which is such an exciting part about living in Lincoln. Plus, parents and caregivers can participate in their own Husker traditions while the kids get to have their own fun.”

Game Day Play Dates provide football-themed games and activities, time to explore the museum exhibits and a mid-game snack or the option of a meal from Kazoo’s U-Stop Café for games during lunch or dinner times. Attendees are also encouraged to wear their favorite game-day gear supporting their favorite team.

Game Day Play Dates are offered during most Husker football home games. The program is reserved for ages five to 12 and requires pre-registration. On game day, children can be dropped off 60 minutes prior to kick-off and picked up within 90 minutes after the official end of the game.

To learn more about Game Day Play Dates, visit lincolnchildrensmuseum.org/GDPD. To learn more about the Lincoln Children’s Museum, visit www.lincolnchildrensmuseum.org.

Ample Food & Sturdy Drink!

• 50 Irish Whiskeys

• 20 Beers on Tap

• Open Daily at 11am

Check out our menu!

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

Kitchen open daily until 10 pm

151 N. 8th St. Ste 140 (In the Haymarket)

402-477-0021 • www.McKinneysPubLincoln.com

Fallbrook YMCA to Host Youth Triathlon September 4

The Fallbrook YMCA will be hosting its seventh Annual Youth Triathlon on Monday, September 4, in support of the YMCA Annual Fundraising Campaign – Strong Kids. The Youth Triathlon route will start at 9:30 a.m. and end at the Fallbrook YMCA with the race throughout the Fallbrook neighborhood. The race consists of a swim, bike and run with designated distances based on age – open to kids ages five and up. All skill levels are encouraged to participate in this fun, untimed event. Registration is $25 per participant and will include a t-shirt for all those registered prior to August 16.

“This event is a great way to give kids a taste of the triathlon setting in a fun and non-competitive environment,” commented Kelly Fink, associate executive director for the Fallbrook YMCA. “It’s a great opportunity to promote fitness and activity while also giving back to a great cause.”

All proceeds from the event will go to the YMCA Annual Fundraising Campaign – Strong Kids, which ensures financial limitations are not a barrier for children and families wanting to participate in critical YMCA programs. For registration information and additional details on the Fallbrook YMCA Youth Triathlon, visit YMCALincoln.org/YouthTriathlon.

One of Lincoln’s largest nonprofit organizations focusing on youth development, healthy living and social responsibility, the YMCA of Lincoln has served the community for over 150 years – promoting positive values through programs that build spirit, mind and body for all. For more information, visit YMCALincoln.org.

It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know and Who Knows You!

At Strictly Business, we strive to recognize local professionals for their significant awards, promotions, achievements and/or efforts in partnership with other organizations and the Lincoln community. If you know of someone who meets these criteria and wish to include their news in our publication, please call (402) 466-3330, email cemre@strictlybusinessomaha.com or submit your news at strictly-business.com.

The Hope Venture to Host Night for Hope October 6

The Hope Venture is hosting their biggest event of the year, Night for Hope, and you’re invited! Night for Hope will be held at the Rococo Theatre on October 6 at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at thehopeventure. org/nightforhope.

Night for Hope is for anyone in Lincoln who wants to make a difference in the world. The event is crafted around immersive storytelling and inspiring generosity, and this year The Hope Venture will be raising money to empower vulnerable mothers and their children in Uganda.

“The Hope Venture and I were both born and raised here in Lincoln, and we share the dream of helping this small, Midwestern city make a global impact through generosity,” shared Marketing Director Josh Peterson. “This October, we want to gather as many people as possible under one roof to make an incredible impact together. If you live here and you want to see Lincoln impact the world, this is a night you won’t want to miss!”

The Hope Venture is a nonprofit in Lincoln that’s helping people in Asia and Africa through education and health projects. For more information about the event or an interview, contact Carli Huston, head of mass marketing, at carli@thehopeventure.org or (308) 991-6248. To learn more about The Hope Venture, visit thehopeventure.org.

Branched Oak Observatory to Host Ninth Annual StarBQ

It’s not too early to plan for Branched Oak Observatory’s (BOO) upcoming ninth Annual StarBQ held at the Branched Oak Observatory on September 9 from 5 to 11 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend to see the newly expanded Observatory grounds. Tour their new Kunkel Family Multipurpose Center and walk on their new sidewalks for ease of access to all buildings and telescopes. Also, visit their Gift Shop to take some memories home. There will be plenty of activities for you to enjoy, from safe solar viewing to making projects like a sun dial or planosphere. BOO’s trained staff will make it a breeze. They will also have a lot of fun stuff for the kids to make and take as well.

BOO’s SATCOM array is another experience where attendees will talk with satellites and maybe even the International Space Station. And, for a truly out of this world experience, come and send your voice to the moon and back through their EME (Earth Moon Earth) radio system and become a vocal astronaut!

Branched Oak Observatory will have two food trucks, a cover band and drawings for some nice binoculars in honor of all the branches of service to this nation. If you are a Veteran or are currently serving, you will be put into a special raffle.

Established in 2015, Branched Oak Observatory is an astronomy park located just southeast of the Branched Oak Recreation Area 20 miles outside of Lincoln. For more details about upcoming events, visit www. facebook.com/branchedoakobservatory or theboo.org.

Region V Services to Host Annual Symposium September 21

Region V Services is excited to announce their annual Symposium will be held on Thursday, September 21, at the Holthus Event Center in York. The Region V Services Symposium is a day where individuals supported come together and listen to presenters share about themselves, including their life stories and experiences, while attending a professional conference.

Region V Se rv ices

Those presenting at the Symposium practice for months leading up to the event in front of friends and family to prepare for the big day. New this year will be a celebration of direct support employees and a session on how to be a better self-advocate for yourself and others presented by Disability Rights Nebraska.

For more information, contact Sarah Railsback at srailsback@ regionvservices.com / (402) 471-6400 ext. 108.

The mission of Region V Services is to provide desired education and support to individuals with disabilities, promote safety and respect and advocate for dignity and inclusion within the community. Region V Services has served Lincoln and Southeast Nebraska for over 45 years. They strive for a community where those who experience disabilities are included. Region V Services educates the public and connects community members by providing tools and resources. To learn more, please visit regionvservices.com.

Community Action Collecting Items for Families Exiting Homelessness

Many of the participants in Community Action's Homelessness Prevention programs enter new homes without the costly supplies they need. Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties’ Welcome Home Donation Drive is seeking basic home supplies to help participants reach their goals as they exit homelessness and enter a new home.

Community Action is accepting new donations of the following items: silverware, dish sets, drinking glasses, food storage containers, towels/wash cloths (kitchen and bathroom), bed sheets (twin, full, queen preferred), pillows, cleaning supplies (mops, brooms, sponges, sprays, etc.), trash bags, plungers, laundry detergent, toilet paper, trash cans, laundry baskets and shower curtains with hooks/rings.

Community Action will accept new or gently used donations of the following items: pots/pans, hangers, clocks, lamps and home decor. Donations can be dropped off Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Community Action’s office at 210 O St. Items can also be ordered from an Amazon wish list via the QR code and shipped directly to Community Action.

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CASA for Lancaster County to Hold Donut Dash for CASA September 23

CASA for Lancaster County will hold the 2023 Donut Dash for CASA on Saturday, September 23, at 9 a.m. at Mahoney City Park (70th & Fremont). This is a family fun run to raise money to support CASA for Lancaster County and their work advocating for abused and neglected children in Juvenile Court. Runners can register on GetMeRegistered.com, keyword – Donut Dash.

This year, runners can register as individuals or as a team of two. Runners will run three loops around the park and eat a dozen donuts. There will be prizes for the fastest individual and team. Participants can also run/walk without competing for prizes. All participants will receive donuts and a t-shirt. Russ’s Market is the donut sponsor and Norland Pure is the water sponsor. For questions about the event, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Amanda Conradt at (402) 474-5161 or aconradt@ casa4lancaster.org.

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for Lancaster County is a local nonprofit that recruits, trains and supports community volunteers who advocate for the best interests of abused, neglected, truant and ungovernable children in Juvenile Court. To learn more about how you or your business can support these efforts, visit www. casa4lancaster.org.

Matt Talbot's Community Impact in 2022

In Matt Talbot’s 2022 Community Impact Report, they celebrate the past year while looking boldly to the future. Last year, the agency saw impact within each of their four areas of focus: relieving hunger, defeating homelessness, addressing addiction and providing outreach.

In 2022, there were 179,932 instances of hunger relief, which is provided through nutritious onsite prepared meals, emergency food pantries and the distribution of high-quality donated food. There were also 19,753 outreach services provided (a 37% increase from 2021). These services include basic and emergency needs such as laundry and shower, message/mail/phone services, life skills and tenant education classes and assistance obtaining vital identification documents.

Another way the organization moved towards their vision to defeat homelessness was through providing intensive case management to housing clients. Professional staff provided 17,497 case management services last year.

Matt Talbot could not provide their services without the help of their dedicated volunteers. In 2022, volunteers contributed 24,562 hours of service (a 45% increase from 2021). Volunteers contribute in a variety of ways, including laundry and shower services, gardening, organizing donations, hunger relief and more. To read the full 2022 Community Impact Report, please visit www.mtko.org/about/financialinformation.html.

For the past 30 years and counting, Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach has been helping individuals and families facing poverty and homelessness find possibilities when things seem impossible. Learn more at mtko.org.

Child Evangelism Fellowship of Nebraska Announces Good News Club and 5-Day Club

For the upcoming school year, Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) of Nebraska has their after school club called the Good News Club, where children hear about the Gospel in a safe and fun environment. Snacks, games and activities all centered on a Gospel message will be taught each week throughout the school year. The primary focus is on elementary schools. If your school doesn’t have one, please contact CEF’s office at (402) 484-7877 or email Local Coordinator Joe Pelling at joseph@ceflincoln.org.

Another CEF cornerstone ministry is their 5-Day Club where they bring the Gospel to you in your home or neighborhood. CEF’s trained teachers from Christian Youth In Action (CYIA) will come in teams of three all across the state to teach the Gospel in your own backyard. So, whether participating in the Good News Club, the 5-Day Club or daily ministries with the Party Club, let CEF bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the elementary age children of Nebraska. Child Evangelism Fellowship is a Bible-centered, worldwide organization composed of believers whose purpose is to evangelize boys and girls with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and establish them in the local church for Christian living. For more information, visit cefnebraska.org or check out the Facebook page for CEF of Nebraska.

Fresh Start to Host 13th Annual Project

Funway November 17

Fresh Start is excited to announce their 13th annual Project Funway will be held November 17 at The Cornhusker Marriott Hotel in downtown Lincoln. This popular event features a fashion design competition and runway show where UNL students and local designers compete by creating one of a kind, original outfits out of recycled clothing. Winners are selected by a panel of judges as well as event guests. Each year, guests are amazed by the creativity and skill of the designers. The evening also includes a silent auction and hors d’oeuvres. All proceeds will benefit Fresh Start, a nonprofit goal-oriented housing program for women experiencing homelessness offering skill development and supportive services. Project Funway raises over $40,000 annually and has an average attendance of over 200 community members and Fresh Start supporters.

Interested in entering the design competition? Entries are due by September 30. Designs must be original and must be created out of cast off or thrifted clothing.

Advance tickets for Project Funway are $60 each and VIP tickets are $85. Don’t wait to get your tickets! VIP tickets often sell out and the price increases at the door. Visit www.freshstarthome.org to purchase tickets and to sign up to be a designer. Please contact Amanda McKay at (402) 475-7777 or by email at amandam@freshstarthome.org with any questions or to find out more about sponsorship opportunities.

For more information about Fresh Start services, please visit www. FreshStartHome.org or find them on Facebook @FreshStartHomeLincoln.

Tabitha and Gateway Sertoma Club of Lincoln Tee Off for Meals

Tabitha, Nebraska’s industryleading senior care provider, and Lincoln’s Gateway Sertoma Club invited local businesses and community leaders to NuMark Golf Course for the 21st Annual Gateway Sertoma Golf Event – a day of golfing for good to benefit Lincoln’s lifeline meal delivery program, Tabitha Meals on Wheels. This year’s event raised a total of over $87,000, equal to about 11,600 meals. These proceeds benefit meal recipients in the Lincoln area, eighty-one percent of which cannot afford the price of their meal, yet ninety percent say the meal allows them to continue living independently in the comfort of their own home.

“Older adults, now more than ever, are counting on us,” said Tabitha President and CEO Christie Hinrichs. “It’s a true blessing to see the outpouring of support at the Gateway Sertoma Golf Event year after year. Tabitha is grateful for everyone who joined us today, knowing the importance of the services that Tabitha Meals on Wheels continues to provide to the most vulnerable. Thank you to the businesses, community members and leaders who gathered for a cause, donated their time and treasure and fulfilled Tabitha’s PURPOSE: empowering people to live joyfully, age gratefully.”

Supporting families since 1886 across Nebraska, Tabitha offers a range of services, from results-driven rehabilitation, accessible home health care, innovative living communities, resourceful serious illness support and compassionate hospice services. Tabitha is Your Answer; learn more at Tabitha.org.

Nominations Open for 2023 Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Awards

The nomination process for the 2023 Nebraska Statewide Arboretum (NSA) Awards is open now through September 29.

Individuals and/or organizations may be nominated in the following four award categories:

• Blazing Star Award: Recognizes an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution toward advancing the horticultural use of native plants or the restoration of native plant communities in Nebraska.

• Johnny Appleseed Award: Recognizes an individual who embodies the generous spirit of Johnny Appleseed through a sustained personal involvement in tree-planting in Nebraska.

• Educator Award: Recognizes educators who have made an outstanding contribution toward advancing the knowledge and appreciation of plants among their students.

• Community Landscape Award: Recognizes individuals, groups, businesses or organizations (including units of government) for the implementation of a landscape project or activity that has significantly improved the green infrastructure of a community. To nominate an individual or organization for an NSA Award, please visit plantnebraska.org/awards and complete and submit the electronic nomination form. Contact Hanna Pinneo at hpinneo2@unl.edu with questions. The 2023 Nebraska Statewide Arboretum Awards ceremony will be held on November 3.

The Nebraska Statewide Arboretum plants Nebraska for healthy people, vibrant communities and a resilient environment. The organization offers resources to help Midwest gardeners improve their home and community landscapes, encouraging plants and landscapes that are beautiful and beneficial for individuals as well as the larger environment. To learn more, visit plantnebraska.org or contact the Arboretum staff at (402) 472-2971 / arboretum@unl.edu.

Huskers Build Homes for Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln

Members of the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team have been helping build homes for two local families for Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln. The athletes have volunteered on the job site on Saturdays this summer doing various construction projects including trimming and installing siding. Huskers Head Coach Matt Rhule has often mentioned his desire for his players to be well-rounded individuals who give it their all not only on the football field, but in the communities they live in as well.

“We are thrilled to have the support of Husker Athletics,” says Habitat for Humanity’s CEO Josh Hanshaw. “It’s so inspiring to see the players we root for on TV work alongside our volunteers to make a real difference in the life of a Lincoln family.”

Established in 1988, Habitat for Humanity of Lincoln has helped over 202 families through new home construction, repairs and mortgage funding. Through community partnerships, Habitat builds strength, stability and self-reliance alongside families in need of decent and affordable housing. To learn more, contact Director of Development Deanna Walz at (402) 310-7884 / dwalz@lincolnhabitat.org or visit lincolnhabitat.org.

Single Tickets Now Available for Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-2024 Season

Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra (LSO) is now offering single tickets for their 2023-2024 season!

Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony with Esther Heideman, Susan Platts and a large combined choir opens the season. Other symphonic masterworks include Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition; Brahms’s Piano Concerto No. 1 featuring Mark Clinton; Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons with concertmaster Anton Miller; and music by Bach, Handel, Beethoven and Sibelius.

LSO introduces new Composer-In-Residence, Elena Ruehr, with her piece Unquiet Earth. LSO will present several regional premieres this season, including James Lee III’s Courageous Lights for English horn, featuring LSO’s Darci Gamerl; Double Concerto for Clarinet, Violin and Ensemble performed by the composers Kinan Azmeh and Layale Chaker; Groovebox Fantasy by Kenji Bunch; and Damian Montano’s Concerto for Piccolo, Contrabassoon, and Orchestra, performed by LSO’s Rebecca Van de Bogart and Joyce Besch.

Other highlights include 15-time GRAMMY award winner Béla Fleck performing his own Juno Concerto and a new transcription of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue for banjo, a pop concert of Star Wars music, LSO’s annual Deck the Halls conducted by Lucas Waldin and two family concerts full of educational and musical fun. New this year, LSO offers a chamber orchestra performance in the Johnny Carson Theater with Copland’s Appalachian Spring and Prokofiev’s “Classical” Symphony.

Subscriptions are available starting at just $80, and single tickets are now available with prices of $20/$40 for adults and $5 for youth.

Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra presents a season of 11 concerts which are attended by 10,000 audience members annually. Visit lincolnsymphony.com, email info@lincolnsymphony.com or call (402) 476-2211 for more information.

HopeSpoke Encourages Parents to Talk About Youth Mental Health

As students head back to school, HopeSpoke reminds parents and caregivers that mental health is an important part of overall wellbeing and to create space for youth to share their feelings.

In Nebraska, 36% of youth in grades nine-12 reported symptoms of depression in 2021, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (www. cdc.gov) asked students whether they had experienced feelings of sadness or hopelessness for at least two weeks in a row to the extent that it affected their usual activities.

The number was even higher for female students (49%), and for LGBTQ+ students (66%). And, 19% of Nebraska high-schoolers said they had seriously considered attempting suicide. (Data from the 2021 survey are the most recent figures available).

In addition to listening, you can help your student by watching for withdrawal from family, friends or activities; changes in appetite or sleep patterns; destructive behavior; comments indicating a desire to harm self or others; and substance use or abuse.

HopeSpoke serves children and teens with a variety of mental health services, including outpatient therapy available in person or via telehealth. HopeSpoke therapists are also available within Lincoln Public Schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels. A sliding-fee scale is available, and no one is denied services for financial reasons. To learn more about mental health services for youth, or to support HopeSpoke’s work, please visit hopespoke.org or call (402) 475-7666.

Here at Wyuka, it is an honor to care and a privilege to serve. We’re Wyuka Funeral Home and Cemetery, a place of rest.

No one life is the same. We understand that here at Wyuka. We are here to serve your family.

AngelsAmongUsReceivesGenerousDonation fromYoungChiropractic&RehabilitationCenter

Angels Among Us is thrilled to have received a generous donation from Young Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center! Angels Among Us appreciates their partnership and couldn’t be more thankful.

With their new office being open starting in August, Angels Among Us is grateful for the donation that will help fund their mission. Angels Among Us will offer emotional support programming in their new home. They want the space to be a place where families can come and relax, enjoy camaraderie and feel supported by Angels Among Us and the community.

Over the last 15 years, Angels Among Us has helped over 600 families with expenses totaling more than $3 million. But, most importantly, they have helped over 600 families read bedtime stories and play board games without the all-consuming worry of paying bills such as rent, electric, auto payments, gas cards and more.

Angels Among Us provides fi nancial and emotional support to families that have a child battling cancer that lives in or is being treated in the state of Nebraska. They are able to support and pay these bills for the length of time that the child goes through cancer treatment (anywhere from six-36 months). For more information, reach out to Amy Kent at (402) 934-0999 / amy@ myangelsamongus.org or visit www.myangelsamongus.org.

Brain Injury Alliance Seeking Survey Input

Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska is helping the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center (MSKTC) reach out to the TBI community and gather data for the creation of researchinformed resources. If you know someone with a traumatic brain injury, please help Brain Injury Alliance and MSKTC better serve the TBI community by sharing your information resource needs. Please visit tinyurl.com/MSKTCUserNeeds to take the 10-minute survey and share your input.

With school right around the corner, Brain Injury Alliance is also offering parents and teachers free access to a toolkit to help students who have had a concussion or brain injury return to the classroom. Use the password TACTnebrasksa2020 at tact.getschooledonconcussions. com/Nebraska to view the content.

The Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska was founded in 2009 to create better futures for all Nebraskans through brain injury prevention, education, advocacy and support. Serving the brain injury population means securing and developing community-based services, providing support groups and access to pertinent information and medical resources and service referrals. For more information on the Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska, contact Executive Director Peggy Reisher, MSW at peggy@biane.org or (402) 890-0606. Additional information can also be found at biane.org.

Bridges to Hope to Host Lip Sync Contest Fundraiser August 24

Bridges to Hope is hosting a lip sync contest to raise money on August 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Screamers Family Restaurant. Only 12 contestants and 100 seats are available, so reserve your spot early! The entry fee for contestants is $75, which includes dinner. The lip sync contest will be judged by three categories: costume, performance and accuracy. Three local “celebrity” judges will select six finalists. Audience members get one vote each for their favorite finalist. The first place winner will receive $1,000, with second receiving $650 and third $350. Tickets for guests cost $50 per person, which includes a buffet dinner of roast beef/chicken schnitzel, mashed potatoes, green beans and dinner rolls. A cash bar will also be available with five percent of sales donated to Bridges to Hope. For $20 a ticket or six tickets for $100, guests will have the chance to win a raffle prize of a three night, four day stay at Ocean Front Myrtle Beach Condo. There will also be a silent auction and 50/50 raffle.

For more information, please visit www.bridgestohopene.org/general-5. To register as a contestant or to reserve your spot as a guest, email info@ bridgestohopene.org or call (402) 420-5696.

Bridges to Hope is located at 3107 S 6th St., STE 107. For more information about the organization or to donate to the cause, visit bridgestohopene.org or contact Executive Director Rhonda Mattingly at (402) 420-5696 / Rhonda@bridgestohopene.org.

Mourning Hope Grief Center Launches Ninth Annual Wonder Women Friend-Raiser

Mourning Hope Grief Center believes Nebraska is filled with everyday heroes. As Wonder Woman herself said, “Anyone can be a hero by offering four simple words: “How can I help?” In 2014, two courageous women answered that call by organizing a “friend-raiser” to build awareness about the impact of grief and how Mourning Hope’s programs offer comfort to bereaved children, adults and families. Every year since, these Wonder Women have brought generous community leaders together to raise funds to support Mourning Hope’s mission that no one has to grieve alone.

These friends are boldly campaigning for at least 300 women to join Mourning Hope’s superhero ranks this year by making a taxdeductible donation of $100. In early September, Mourning Hope will invite new and returning Wonder Women to enjoy cocktails and music at the Country Club of Lincoln, celebrating the unified efforts and everyday heroism these Wonder Women bring to our community. The evening will be hosted by generous friends of Mourning Hope so that all Wonder Women gifts go directly to support services for the bereaved. Pre-registration is required. Become a Wonder Woman at mourninghope.org/supportus/ww.html.

Mourning Hope Grief Center exists to companion children, adults and families before and after a death loss. By offering support groups, education, resources and referrals at no cost to participants, Mourning Hope’s programs ensure a compassionate response for all bereaved Nebraskans. Learn more at mourninghope.org or by calling (402) 488-8989.

Team Registration Open for Friendship Home’s Safe Quarters

Friendship Home opened its team registration in July for its largest fundraising event of the year, Safe Quarters. On Sunday, October 8, over a thousand Friendship Home volunteers will head out to Lincoln and surrounding neighborhoods for the 21st annual Safe Quarters. By registering, you can help them reach their goal of knocking on every household door in Lincoln and surrounding area communities to collect financial contributions for survivors of domestic violence and raise awareness of the life-saving services they provide. Safe Quarters is Friendship Home’s largest annual fundraiser. In 2022, over $90,000 was raised, and as a result, Friendship Home was able to serve over 1,500 survivors of domestic violence.

Teams of volunteers are needed to walk Lincoln neighborhoods. A team generally consists of eight to 15 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 during this annual event.

To register a volunteer team, scan the QR code. For questions and/or more information about Safe Quarters, email whitneyw@friendshiphome.org or call (402) 434-0167.

Funds collected during Safe Quarters go towards Friendship Home’s mission to provide safe, confidential shelter, crisis services and ongoing support for families who have experienced domestic violence and are rebuilding their lives. To access safe emergency shelter and services, call Friendship Home’s helpline at (402) 437-9302. Learn more about services and how to get involved by going to www.friendshiphome.org.

Lincoln TeamMates Aims to Serve 365 New Mentors

In the 2022-23 school year, TeamMates supported over 1,200 matched mentors and mentees. It was a great, successful year of mentoring – a year to keep building back from the pandemic years when recruitment was limited. Yet, there were far too many young people left on the “I’m waiting for a mentor” list.

As such, Lincoln TeamMates wants to match as many of those young people as possible. So, Lincoln TeamMates has plans in place this year to welcome 365 new mentors, 124 more than last year. That’s a 50% increase.

Jim Bennett, Lincoln TeamMates coordinator, thinks the 365 goal is doable, “We do whatever is best for kids.” Bennett says, “We’re aiming for this big number, because we know the incredible impact on not only the young person’s life, but also on the life of the mentor and the community as a whole.”

Reaching out to the Lincoln business community to form and/or expand relationships with business leaders is part of the plan. Research consistently shows that employee engagement as volunteers reduces turnover and increases productivity. Mentors in renewal training confirm this. “I feel energized when I go back to work,” says Clay, a mentor for three years.

Will you and your business partner with Lincoln TeamMates to impact the community through mentoring? There are many ways you can help. Contact Jim Bennett for more information about partnering with TeamMates. Call (402) 436-1990 or visit LincolnTeammates.org.

People’s City Mission Announces Annual Back to School Bash Hosted by Christ Place Church

People’s City Mission is excited for their annual back to school bash hosted by Christ Place Church August 9 and 10. On August 9, it will be a private event with a BBQ at the shelter for personal guests. On August 10, the public event will be held at the Help Center.

The event began as a means to ready children, youth and families experiencing homelessness to go ‘back to school,’ giving them confidence and excitement about a new school year with new backpacks and school supplies, new shoes, free haircuts and more. Today, it still encompasses shelter guests, but has grown to include the many children and families in the community that People’s City Mission serves at their Help Center. They are grateful to Christ Place for many years of helping kids and families feel special!

If you would like to help prepare a child or youth for the new school year, you can drop off new or gently used backpacks and school supplies to either of People City Mission’s locations – their shelter or the Help Center. New or gently used adult backpacks are always in need as well.

If you or someone you know is in need of school supplies, please review the calendar at Pcmlincoln.org for details about distribution. People’s City Mission was started in 1907 by local churches, offering food and shelter for transient and impoverished men, women and children. For more information, visit www.pcmlincoln.org or contact info@pcmlincoln.org / (402) 475-1303.

Christian Record Services Celebrates Successful Summer Camp Season

This summer, Christian Record Services provided over 100 separate summer camp experiences for children and adults who are blind or experiencing vision loss. Since 1967, over 50,000 campers have experienced camps through National Camps for Blind Children, a program of Christian Record Services.

This summer, campers enjoyed a plethora of indoor and outdoor activities at summer camps in Minnesota, Maine, Indiana, Oklahoma, California and Washington. An additional camp will be hosted in Florida in September. Activities included horseback riding, archery, water skiing, crafts, cooking and even a zip line over the lake.

One of the campers this summer shared this about his camp experience, “It means so much to all of us and gives us all a chance to feel normal.”

Each camp is scheduled at a well-equipped site, chosen especially for the standard of excellence and geographical location. Committed staff and counselors are trained to meet the needs of legally blind campers who are between the ages of nine and 65.

Do you know someone who is blind? Would they be interested in attending camp next summer? For more information on how to make this happen, please visit www.blindcamp.org.

Christian Record Services is an international ministry to people who are blind. The nonprofit was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Lincoln. To learn more, visit www. ChristianRecord.org, call (402) 488-0981 or connect on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn (@CRSBfriends).

Leadership Harbor Foundation to Work with Schools on Suicide Prevention

Leadership Harbor Foundation and Leadership Harbor LLC have partnered with the Global Traditional Martial Arts Association (GTMA) to write a leadership curriculum for their students and school owners (approximately 250+ schools nationwide). One of the schools participating in Lincoln is Longoria’s Academy.

Leadership Harbor Foundation is also partnering with the same schools to do board breaks in honor of National Suicide Prevention Month in September. Each school will host a board break and the funds raised will be used in their communities to do CALM trainings and raise awareness about suicide and bullying as well as about what anyone of any age can do to help prevent future incidents.

Through CALM, participants will learn a simple protocol to implement for when they or someone they know is experiencing bullying or thoughts of suicide. Their goal is to connect people with the necessary tools and resources to get help in times of need.

The Leadership Harbor Foundation enhances Leadership Harbor through a partnership that allows their team to add value to, serve and recognize in five distinct areas: CALM Suicide and Bullying Awareness Prevention; Veterans; Youth Leadership; Education; and Scholarship. Learn more at leadershipharbor.com/foundation.

The Arc of Lincoln Relocates to New Office Location

The Arc of Lincoln has recently relocated to a new office space at 5200 Francis St. Their mailing address is PO Box 57002, Lincoln NE 68505. The Arc of Lincoln welcomes all to visit their new office space for upcoming August programs.

On Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m., there will be Art Class Make it/Take it Creation. Friendly Faces Middle/High School Social Club will commence August 17 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Hands of Heartland (7501 O Street). The topic is Back to School Projects. On August 25 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Hands of Heartland (7501 O Street), The Arc of Lincoln will host a Come Together Adult Social Club: topic TBA. At their new office space (5200 Francis Street) on Tuesday, August 29, will be a Parent Network Group with Dr. Alisha Bollinger and Dr. Mindy Roberts from Lincoln Public Schools sharing about Independence Academy and Transition Programs though Lincoln Public Schools.

The Arc of Lincoln serves people of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as their families. The Arc of Lincoln empowers people with disabilities and their families to promote and protect their rights and interests, while enhancing their lives. To learn more or to inquire about The Arc of Lincoln, visit www.arclincoln.org or contact Executive Director Jennifer Stuhmer at director@arclincoln. org / (402) 421-8866.

Epilepsy Foundation to Host Signature Event

September 23

The Epilepsy Foundation Nebraska is proud to announce their ‘90s Retro Fest – a Blackstone Stroll Event on Saturday, September 23, from 3 to 10 p.m. Advocates, supporters and local leaders in epilepsy care from across the state will come together in the heart of the Blackstone District to reinforce the Epilepsy Foundation’s commitment to improve the lives of those impacted by epilepsy and seizure disorders while furthering awareness.

The ‘90s Retro Fest will be a truly unforgettable afternoon/evening to celebrate a great cause, fundraise for local programs and recognize accomplishments in patient care and beyond. Together, the community will shine a light on the vital need for more research, awareness efforts and funding to end epilepsy and eliminate the stigma surrounding the disease. Guests will be treated to one-of-a-kind food and beverage from a host of venue partners throughout the Blackstone District along with local entertainment from the Inside Out Band.

At the event, there will be a best-dressed contest where guests get to show off their best ‘90s styles. Strolling the Blackstone Bars will start at 4 p.m., followed by a ‘90s after-party at Scriptown Brewery with a live performance from Inside Out Band starting at 7 p.m.

General tickets are $75. VIP tickets are $100 and include a one-hour hosted pre-party at Scriptown Brewery.

To contact Epilepsy Foundation Nebraska, email Nebraska@efa.org. For more information, go to epilepsy.com.

Mosaic in Southeast Nebraska Expands Mosaic at Home® into Saunders County

Mosaic in Southeast Nebraska is expanding its most popular residential service, Mosaic at Home, into Saunders County.

Mosaic at Home matches someone who shares their home with an individual who has an intellectual or developmental disability and provides the help that person needs to learn and grow. Help includes things like assistance with some of the tasks of everyday life and getting involved in the community. Providers work independently with the support of Mosaic to ensure success for everyone.

If you have a heart for others and a home you can share, working independently as a Mosaic at Home provider may be a perfect opportunity for you. Or, if you have a loved one with an intellectual or developmental disability, Mosaic at Home may be the perfect opportunity for them to have a new experience living more independently, but still getting the constant support they need. If you are interested in becoming a Mosaic at Home shared living provider, visit mosaicathomecareers.org.

Mosaic is a whole-person healthcare organization reaching across 13 states in more than 700 communities and providing supports to nearly 4,900 people. Their services empower people with disabilities, mental and behavioral needs and autism as well as aging adults to live their best life. Mosaic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit www.mosaicinfo.org.

Junior League of Lincoln Announces Diaper Bank

Junior League of Lincoln’s (JLL) goal is to raise awareness and bring assistance to the thousands of Lancaster County residents who struggle with diaper needs, which is the insufficient supply of diapers to keep babies and toddlers clean, dry and healthy.

Just as more families in Lincoln are struggling with hunger because of rising prices and inflation, more families with young children are struggling with diaper needs. JLL works to collect, store and distribute free diapers to families.

Since diapers can cost anywhere between $70 and $80 a month per baby, most parents who experience diaper need must decide on whether they will provide diapers or some other necessity for their families that month. Despite the apparent need, there are still no federal or state child safety-net programs that provide funding specifically for the purchase of diapers. SNAP and WIC assistance cannot be used to purchase diapers.

The Junior League of Lincoln Diaper Bank focuses on providing diapers to over 6,000 children in Lancaster County that may experience diaper need. A diaper is a small thing, but every single diaper provided through the Junior League of Lincoln Diaper Bank will make an impact on children and families in need.

This past year, JLL partnered with Lincoln Littles to provide diapers to children receiving care through one of Lincoln Littles’ 28 qualified child care providers.

To contact Junior League of Lincoln, email juniorleagueoflincoln@gmail. com or call (402) 464-2050. Find out more at jll.org.

Lincoln Community Foundation Announces Strong Neighborhoods Grants

Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF) is excited to share that Civic Nebraska and members of the Community Builder Coalition announce the Strong Neighborhoods Grants program to support neighborhood-based, resident-led programs and projects across Lincoln. Lincoln Community Foundation has provided $25,000 to support and equip neighborhood stakeholders to achieve neighborhood development goals.

Civic Nebraska will serve as the fiscal agent and distribute the funding at the discretion of the Community Builder Coalition, a group of community builders and organizers from local organizations developed out of Prosper Lincoln’s Strong Neighborhoods initiative.

Strong Neighborhoods grants may include neighborhood events that bring neighbors together and strengthen relationships in the community; projects that enhance the safety, beauty or social connections within a neighborhood; and/or develop leadership skills and roles of neighborhood residents. The maximum amount available is $1,000 for each project.

Lincoln Community Foundation, established in 1955, provides leadership and tools that connect donor generosity to local needs and passions. The Foundation has distributed more than $214 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that have improved the lives of thousands of residents. The Foundation serves as a faithful steward for many types of philanthropic gifts and helps donors create lasting legacies of giving. They have distributed more than $185 million in grants to nonprofit organizations that have improved the lives of thousands of residents. To learn more, visit www.lcf.org.

GirlsontheRuntoHostSoleMatesCharity Runner November 5

Support Girls on the Run of Nebraska’s (GOTR) 20th anniversary as a SoleMates Charity Runner this fall and receive a free entry into the Metro GOTR 5K on November 5.

SoleMates is a national program that empowers adults to achieve fitness and running-related goals while raising money, support and awareness for Girls on the Run. SoleMates raise money for GOTRNebraska while completing a physical activity challenge of their choice. Whether they are counting miles on the trail, laps in a pool, reps in the weight room or downward dogs in the studio, all SoleMates are champions for girls in their local communities. If SoleMates want to complete a 5K run/ walk, they will receive a free entry into the Metro GOTR 5K November 5 in Lincoln.

Running, hiking, yoga, weightlifting, cycling, whatever – train for any activity you are passionate about. You don’t need to be an athlete and you don’t need to finish first – dream up a challenge that works for you and commit to go the distance.

SoleMates are asked to raise a minimum of $200. They will receive:

• A personalized online fundraising page

• Branded SoleMates apparel

• End-of-season thank you note from one of our girls

• Recognition on GOTR-Nebraska’s Facebook and Instagram for your achievement

Visit www.GOTRNebraska.org to learn more or to get involved as a coach this fall with Girls on the Run of Nebraska!

Heartland Cancer Foundation Seeking Volunteers to Join Guild

The Heartland Cancer Foundation’s (HCF) Impact Guild is a group of passionate volunteers who help engage the community at large to spread awareness of the organization’s mission, programs and events. Guild members also participate in fundraising events and host awareness activities both small and large.

The Heartland Cancer Foundation believes no cancer patient should fall behind on treatment because they struggle to afford their everyday expenses. Its mission is to provide practical and immediate financial assistance to eligible cancer patients in our community so they can focus on what matters most: healing.

If you are interested in volunteering your time or talent to help HCF fulfill its mission, reach out. There are many opportunities to give back to patients who are struggling with both a cancer diagnosis and financial hardship.

HCF’s signature events include the Mardi Gras Gala, Oncology Symposium and Heartland Golf Classic. The Impact Guild helps plan event details, procure auction items, organize community fundraisers and more.

Your support makes a big difference. Together, we can accomplish so much more!

To learn more about the Heartland Cancer Foundation and apply, visit heartlandcancerfoundation.org/volunteer.

Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum Commemorates 25th Anniversary

The Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum is proud to celebrate its 25th anniversary as a beacon of aerospace history, education and innovation. Since its inception, the museum has successfully fulfilled its mission to preserve the legacy of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) while capturing the imagination of tomorrow's scientists and explorers through STEMfocused programs.

When the museum was established in 1998, it sought to showcase SAC’s important work and preserve historically significant aircrafts and artifacts. Today, the museum stands as a testament to SAC’s historical significance, but it has also embraced its role as an educational resource, inspiring future leaders in STEM.

In the coming years, the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum has an array of exciting exhibits and events in store. Among the upcoming highlights is the much-anticipated "Mission: Astronaut" exhibition set to take place in 2025. Drone soccer and a new planetarium are on the radar as well, aiming to engage young minds and ensure that the museum remains a vibrant and ever-evolving destination.

The SAC Aerospace Museum’s continued success and impact relies on the support of individuals and the community. Supporters not only help preserve our aerospace heritage but also help ignite curiosity, inspire young minds and shape the future of aviation. Call the SAC Aerospace Museum at (402) 944-3100 or visit sacmuseum.org for more information.

Youth from Lincoln & Omaha Return from JDRF 2023 Children’s Congress

Aiden, 15 (Lincoln), Alex, 17 (Lincoln) and Brooklyn, 17 (Omaha) of the JDRF NebraskaIowa Chapter have returned from a once-in-a-lifetime experience in the nation’s capital, where they joined more than 160 youth from across the country July 9-11 as Delegates to JDRF 2023 Children’s Congress.

Throughout the event, these youth—ages four to 17—participated in leadership and character-building programming, interacted with T1D role models including American Ninja Warrior Women’s Champion, Katie Bone; NFL Super Bowl Champion, Orlando Brown, Jr.; Broadcast Journalist, Madison Carter and engaged in a number of activities on Capitol Hill including attending a Senate Committee hearing to share personal testimonies that highlight the challenges of living with T1D and the need for continued Federal funding through the Special Diabetes Program (SDP).

Joining the U.S. Delegates were five International Delegates traveling from Australia, Canada, Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Together, the Delegates conveyed to the Federal decisionmakers that T1D is a global issue that requires a global response.

JDRF has a mission to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. They do this by funding innovative research, advocating for government action and providing a support structure for our community. For more information, please visit jdrf.org/nebraskaiowa or follow JDRF on Twitter (@JDRFNEIA).

Humanities Nebraska Announces “Voices and Votes” Exhibition

Humanities Nebraska (HN) announces that “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” from the Smithsonian opened at the Thayer County Historical Museum in Belvidere on July 19 and will run through August 20. Located at 110 9th Street in Belvidere, the museum is open Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. or by appointment.

Previously on display in Howells and Kearney, “Voices and Votes” is based on a major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History called “American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.”

It has many dynamic features: historical and contemporary photos; educational and archival video; engaging multimedia interactives with short games and additional footage, photos and information; and historical objects like campaign souvenirs, voter memorabilia and protest material.

“Voices and Votes” is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration of the Smithsonian Institution and Humanities Nebraska. This exhibition is brought to Nebraska with funding support from Nebraska Cultural Endowment, the Nebraska Trucking Association and other generous donors. More information is available at humanitiesnebraska.org/voices.

Humanities Nebraska is a statewide nonprofit that is celebrating 50 years of helping people explore what connects us and makes us human. HN is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities, an appropriation from the Nebraska Legislature, private donations and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment. Visit humanitiesnebraska.org for more information.

Nebraska Folklife to be a Community Partner in New American Arts Festival August 4

Nebraska Folklife is thrilled to announce its participation as a community partner in the highly anticipated Benson First Friday’s New American Arts Festival (NAAF). Celebrating

Nebraska Folklife’s 20th anniversary and NAAF’s 10th anniversary, this event will be held in the heart of the Benson Creative District in Omaha, honoring and showcasing the rich cultures of the immigrant, migrant and refugee communities within the Omaha Metropolitan area. Mark your calendars and be sure to attend the event August 4 from 6 to 10 p.m.

NAAF will have a variety of captivating exhibitions, mesmerizing performances and engaging booths, creating an immersive experience for visitors of all ages. Nebraska Folklife is particularly excited to introduce Danza Tlacololeros de Schuyler, a vibrant folkloric dance group from Schuyler, who will be performing at the festival for the first time. With their unique costumes and traditional pre-Hispanic dances from Guerrero, Mexico, their performance is a sight to see.

Nebraska Folklife’s mission is to amplify the presence of folk and traditional artists throughout the state, providing them with greater exposure and recognition. By providing a platform for the artists like Danza Tlacololeros de Schuyler, they aim to foster a deeper appreciation for cultural heritage and promote understanding within our diverse Nebraska communities. For more information and to get involved, please visit nebraskafolklife.org.

A Legacy of Plumbing Excellence in Lincoln

Choosing the right plumber can be daunting. Who are you inviting into your home? How efficient are they? How considerate will they be? Are they going to do a good job? How much communication will there be, and will I know how the project is progressing?

If you’re looking for a plumbing company that you trust in your home, your search is over. With trained, licensed team members and a commitment to customer service, Lincoln can count on ICON Plumbing for their plumbing services. They’re not in your home to do a job — they’re there to make a lifelong connection of service for your family.

At ICON Plumbing, they put their customers first every step of the way. With a passion for the efficiency of your home, their team goes above and beyond to make sure your plumbing is flowing smoothly. They pay attention to the details, use clear communication and always offer upfront pricing. They know how stressful plumbing services can be in your home, so they strive to be the plumbers you’re happy to invite into your home

Last Month Recap

July is gone in the blink of an eye, but August is here with even more exciting events to offer. We took a break from our Friends4Lunch networking event and decided to have a relaxing Friends4Drinks event hanging out at Mi Tierra Family Mexican Restaurant. We absolutely love this place. Ever since their Northeast location opened, we can’t get enough. Our group networked around the clinks of “cheers” from the delicious margaritas and piña coladas we had. Mi Tierra knows how to do the salty and sweet combo best, so of course we indulged in the cevíche and fresh tortilla chips to accompany our drinks.

We are in full swing with the new month because we’re back to hosting both Friends4Drinks AND Friends4Lunch! We have missed having both events during the busy summer months but we’re thrilled to hear you all did, too!

Friends4Drinks will be hosted at Ironhorse Bar & Event Room on Friday, August 4 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Ironhorse is located at 728 Q St. They have a rich history in Lincoln, residing in the former Lincoln Hide and Fur Company building, first constructed in 1909. Their unique venue is in the heart of the Historic Haymarket and is ideal for any event you can dream up. We love their space and can’t wait to host Friends4Drinks with them.

On Thursday, August 10, we’ll be having Friends4Lunch over at Lila Mae’s Southern Kitchen and Lounge over at 2110 Winthrop Rd. from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We’ve raved about this place numerous times and still love it each time we go. We’re looking forward to their classic Nashville Hot Chicken strips and the best wings you can find in Lincoln – Lila Wings. We’re always put to the test here because saving room for dessert from Sweet Things by Marcy is a large but worthy feat to overcome. How can we be expected to say “no” to Kentucky Butter Cake? The short answer is...we’ll see you at Friends4Lunch so you can experience it for yourself!

We hope you’re able to join us and get in on the fun. Our networking events are an amazing opportunity to have a nice relaxing time while also getting connected with other Lincoln businesses. You can find more information on our Facebook page (@StrictlyBusinessMagazine).

As always, these events are free to you – you only pay for what you order! We’ve been loving the energy you all have been bringing to our meetings recently, and we can’t wait to see you and your friends at the next one. If you have any questions, reach out to cemre@ strictlybusinessomaha.com / (402) 466-3330.

RSVP is encouraged for these events. Please let the Strictly Business team know if you plan to attend by calling (402) 466-3330, emailing cemre@strictlybusinessomaha.com or marking yourself as “Going” on the Facebook event pages.

At Kingery Construction Co. it is their mission to provide a superior level of professionalism, integrity and honesty, while offering cost-effective solutions in a timely manner. With exceptional management skills and a solid work ethic, their team can ensure that the highest-quality workmanship is evident on every project. They value relationships and vow to remain true to their employees, project owners, vendors and partners.

The Kingery Construction Co. Team is what holds the company together. Their team allows them to pursue their values and deliver outcomes that exceed their client’s expectations. All of their staff brings an extensive amount of expertise to the table. Each member of the Kingery Construction Co. Team truly cares about and is dedicated to each and every client and project.

Their management team can oversee construction projects of all sizes; whether it is a restoration, tenant improvement, an addition or the construction of a new facility. No matter the project, Kingery Construction Co. will deliver. Their promise is to complete your project on time and on budget, while meeting your needs and exceeding your expectations.

WHAT THEY DO

KINGERY IS A GENERAL CONTRACTOR OFFERING THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:

DESIGN-BID-BUILD

Traditional project delivery process.

Multi-phase project completetion.

DESIGN-BUILD

Create single point of responsibility.

Delivery of design and construction.

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Provide service coordinated with the design team from beginning to end.

CM is responsible for timeline, cost and quality.

PRE-BOND/PRECONSTRUCTION ASSISTANCE

Assistance with bond approval process and preconstruction items.

Provides an easier transition to project start.

With an eye toward the future, Kingery is excited about the possibilities that await. Their ongoing contributions have left a lasting imprint, and they take pride in the positive changes they have helped bring about. As they look towards the future, Kingery eagerly anticipates the prospects that lie ahead, as they continue to foster and cultivate their partnerships. They are eager to embark on new ventures, tackle innovative projects and contribute to the growth and development of Nebraska communities. Through their ongoing dedication and nurturing of partnerships, they aim to create a lasting and positive impact for years to come.

MON-FRI 8am - 5pm (402) 465-4400

www.kccobuilders.com

Robinson Elementary School

by Jason Ball, President

LCC Federal Legislative Summit: A History of Innovation and Collaboration

The Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce and the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry, is proud to announce the return of our popular annual Federal Legislative Summit on August 8. This year’s event, which will once again take place at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in Ashland, will welcome Nebraska’s federal delegation and feature an insightful keynote address from U.S. Chamber of Commerce Executive Director of Government Affairs Christine Scullion.

This impactful event has been presented by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce since 2009, when the idea was initially pitched as an opportunity to connect with members of the federal delegation after news of the collapse of Lehman Brothers sent shockwaves through our nation’s financial system upon our team’s return from a Federal Fly-In in Washington D.C. Moving forward, the Lincoln Chamber set the goal of hosting this exclusive event, featuring all members of our Nebraska federal delegation on an annual basis.

Initially branded as the Federal Fly-Back: Bringing D.C. Home, our first Federal Legislative Summit featured breakout sessions from each delegation member and a powerful keynote address from U.S. Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Tom Donohue. Building on the momentum of an overwhelmingly successful pilot event, we were excited to further expand our reach by inviting our Chamber partners to join us as event co-hosts. To this day, we are so grateful for the incredible partnership of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, as both organizations play an instrumental role in the ongoing success of this event.

The Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum has served as an exceptional venue to present insightful, thought-provoking messages. Throughout the years, our impressive list of keynote speakers have discussed topics such as international and domestic trade policy, infrastructure and energy, tax reform, national intelligence and more.

Continuing our history of innovation and collaboration, we are excited to welcome guests to our 2023 Federal Legislative Summit and invite you to join us for this highly anticipated policy event. We extend our gratitude to our federal delegation of senators and congressional representatives who have always been eager to participate and share their expertise with members of our communities. Visit lcoc.com/ events to learn more about this event and to register. We hope to see you at the Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum in August!

The Chamber of Commerce’s mission is to improve the lives of Lincoln residents by providing increased economic opportunity and can only be accomplished together. For more information, contact Derek Feyerherm atdfeyerherm@lincoln.org.

Dr. Todd Johnson

EXPERIENCE THE BUTCHERY INSIDE VENUE AT HOME

The perfect place to purchase everything you need for an old-fashioned grill out.

With summer in full swing, what better way is there to get together with friends and family than an old-fashioned barbeque? You don’t have to be a meat expert or grill master to cook a great meal when purchasing from The Butchery Inside Venue at Home.

At the Butchery by Venue, all beef comes from Certified Angus Beef ® brand, which has 10 quality specifications beyond the USDA. Performing in-depth research to ensure all of their beef comes from Nebraskan beef farmers and using an in-house butcher to hand cut each steak they serve, the Butchery by Venue is committed to supporting locally and providing only the best quality.

When purchasing from the Butchery by Venue, you will receive a guide to help cook your steaks to perfection. This helps ensure that anyone, regardless of their cooking experience, can enjoy a delicious steak. Aside from the meat, a variety of charcuterie, specialty seafood, seasoning blends, alcohol, desserts, meals and sides are available. There truly is something for everyone.

The staff here at Strictly Business was more than happy to spend a lunch period grilling up the meat, snacking on charcuterie and enjoying the warm weather and good company. We couldn’t believe just how big of a meal we prepared. It was almost a feast!

On the charcuterie boards was a variety of cheeses including Kasemeister Creamery

Cave-Aged Cheddar, Vermont Farmstead Windsordale, Eichten’s Tomato-Basil Gouda,

Eighteen’s Hatch Chili Gouda and Boursin Garlic and Herb. Among the crackers were

Fine English Cheese Co Water Crackers, Potter’s Organic Classic White Crackers, Potter’s Organic Cranberry Hazelnut Crisps, Venue House-Made Focaccia Bread and Matiz Valencia Almonds. Additionally, we got to try Empresas Chili Mango Lime

Jam, Empresa Spicy Red Pepper Jelly, Matiz Romesco Sauce, Terrapin Ridge Farms

Hatch Chili Cream Cheese Dip, JOSE Olive Oil with Rosemary, Maine Homestead

Pickled Asparagus and Maine Homestead Pickled Carrots. All of them were a hit!

With many of the cheeses and crackers being new to some of us, it was fun to try new things. There wasn’t a single thing any of us tried that wasn’t good. We all gravitated towards different items, meaning we each got more of something we liked! By the time the steaks came off the grill, our bellies were half full!

The delicious aroma from the grill had our mouths watering. The three different cuts of meat, including a Cowboy Ribeye, a Ribeye and a New York Strip, were all tender and flavorful. As we said, it was “meat bliss.” Cooking the meat was no problem, though there were questions about how we were supposed to be cooking the meat. It was a good thing we had the handy cooking guide from the Butchery and that the meat flavor and tenderness spoke for itself. Also coming off the grill was Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus. For those that tried it, it tasted great!

With beautiful days ahead, we encourage you to give The Butchery Inside Venue at Home a try. It’s a great place to get the fixings for a backyard barbeque and get-together. They are so helpful when it comes to giving you the tools you need to succeed in cooking a delicious meal.

Scoops, the Newest Ice Cream Spot Downtown

Owner of Gotham Bar, Mike Bretta, decided he had enough with the Batmanthemed bar down below and wanted to tackle a street-level spot. Thinking that ice cream deserved more attention, he put it in front of everyone. At street-level, no one could miss it.

Scoops opened their third and newest location in the spot that formerly housed 402 Creamery. They have three locations in Lincoln, one on South 70th St., one on North 70th St. and one in the Haymarket. With all three locations doing well, they are excited to open a fourth one soon.

Rather than being made locally, Scoops ice cream is made in Michigan. However, that doesn’t make the locals love it any less.

According to one customer, “This is amazing!! It is so fun to have delicious square ice cream!”

Since Bretta recently bought Topper Popper Popcorn, in addition to ice cream, those who prefer salty treats can indulge as well.

One customer was so pleased with the variety, they wrote, “This is such a fun ice cream shop with a little something for everyone!”

In their Haymarket location, Scoops has a popcorn kiosk full of Topper Popper Popcorn. In addition to the popcorn and ice cream, you can get fresh fudge, shaved ice and Dole Whip. Their specialties include Snowflakes shaved ice, Ashby’s ice cream, homemade fudge and more!

As one customer put it, “There is a reason there is a line down the block every night for this place. The ice cream is amazing! The smell of waffle cones hits you as soon as you cross the threshold and it just gets better from there.”

Scoops is open every day from noon to 10 p.m.

• The South location is at 2840 S 70th. St.

• The North location is at 830 N 70th St.

• The Haymarket location is at 311 N Eighth St.

For more information, go to scoopslincoln.com.

August

76 Years of Naval Aviation Excellence

The Guardians of Freedom Airshow is one of the Midwest’s premier aviation events with an established tradition and reputation. Partnering together, the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, 155th Air Refueling Wing of the Nebraska National Guard, 55th Wing of Offutt Air Force Base and the Lincoln Airport Authority will coordinate this family-friendly community event to offer new and unique performers, stunts, exhibits and displays.

Headlining the 2023 airshow will be the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration team. The airshow is expected to welcome over 250,000 people to Lincoln for the two day event!

In 1946 the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Chester Nimitz, had a vision to create a flight exhibition team in order to raise the public’s interest in naval aviation and boost Navy morale. In the 1940’s, the Navy thrilled audiences with their precision combat maneuvers in the F6 Hellcat, the F8 Bearcat and the F9 Panther. During the 1950’s, the Navy refined their demonstration with aerobatic maneuvers in the F9 Cougar and F-11 Tiger and introduced the first six-plane delta formation, still flown to this day. By the end of the 1960’s, they were flying the F-4 Phantom, the only two seat aircraft flown by the delta formation. In 1974, the Navy transitioned to the A-4 Skyhawk, a smaller and lighter aircraft with a tighter turning radius allowing for a more dynamic flight demonstration. In 1986, the Navy celebrated its 40th Anniversary by unveiling the Boeing F/A-18 Hornet. In 2021, they transitioned to their current aircraft the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and celebrated their 75th anniversary.

Event Partners

by Bud Synhorst, President

Be Open to Changing Times and New Ways to Promote Your Business

In March of 2020 when COVID was shutting everything down, we all had to find new ways to connect with our customers. Immediately after the shut-down orders and limitation of gatherings, LIBA was scheduled to have our monthly luncheon. We had to cancel and were figuring out how to connect with our members. We had a member suggest instead of doing our monthly luncheon, have me come to their office where they had a studio to do a Facebook live show for the members. I first thought, “Okay, this is going to be interesting. I wonder if anyone will watch.” After our first Facebook Live, he suggested we do it every week. EVERY WEEK!?! We decided to do it every week and cover local topics for business owners and feature business-owner guests weekly. This became a great way for us to connect with members during difficult times and we continued until our networking events were held in person again. Now, every LIBA luncheon is live streamed via Facebook. I cannot thank Jethro Hopkins at No Coast Business Advisors enough for his idea to continue connecting with our members in a new and different way.

Fast forward to spring of 2022, I was approached by a local radio station about doing a podcast. Really? A podcast? How in the world does this work? Meetings happened, I had discussions with the LIBA Board, and on July 1, 2022, we launched the Lincoln Business Beat Podcast. I wondered how to fill content for a weekly podcast. We divided the podcast into two “segments,” the first is on important topics and short discussions around the issues, then a “deep dive” segment where we spend a greater amount of time to “dig deep” into an issue impacting businesses. From time to time, we have guests on the podcast be part of the deep dive issue or have guests who are there for the entire time discussing different issues. Over the first year of the podcast, we have reached more than double the number of unique users than we have LIBA members. Thanks to Ami Graham at Broadcast House for the idea and Mark Vail, my co-host, for helping LIBA grow our reach and discuss important issues for business owners.

Earlier this year, I was approached about doing a live weekly radio show to talk about LIBA and local business. Really? A LIVE radio show? How in the world will this work? After several discussions, and approval from the LIBA Board, in June we launched the LIBA Business Hour on 93.7 The Ticket. Talk about going into something blind! We are only a few months into the show, but it is a great way for LIBA to add value to our members and be able to promote our organization with a new audience. During the show I interview two different business owners during separate segments and have time to discuss ways to get involved in LIBA and our upcoming LIBA events. A win-win for both LIBA and our members. Thanks to DP and Rebecca at 93.7 The Ticket for inviting LIBA to do a weekly radio show to promote LIBA and our members. The entire crew at 93.7 The Ticket has been great helping me navigate live radio!

As a business owner, I hope you will consider being open to new ideas and be willing to take creative chances, pushing your boundaries to help grow your business. As you recall, my predecessor at LIBA was a wildly popular (and sometimes controversial) radio show host. When I interviewed with LIBA, I said I never wanted to have a radio show. Now, I am eating those words by being open to new ideas and willing to change to help promote our organization and members, communicating with members and most importantly, adding value to our members. I love finding new ways to share information with members and prospective members while telling our story and how we add value to our members. We must change with the times and be open to trying new things.

LIBA studies and promotes these types of issues that are important to businessesandourcommunity.Ifyouhaveaninterestinjoining,pleasecall LIBAat(402)466-3419.LIBAmembershipisnotrestrictedtojustbusinesses. Wealsohave“individual”membershipsforthosewhowanttohelpinfluence ourlocalgovernmentdecisions.

Our health is something that many of us highly value. In good health, we are able to partake in the activities that we most enjoy and keep our independence in older age. Without the dedicated, hardworking, amazing healthcare staff in Lincoln, many of us would be living a very different life.

As we re-emerge into a ‘normal’ society after the pandemic, it is hard to ignore the sacrifices the healthcare industry made to help keep our community, as well every other community in the world, healthy. They proudly stood on the front lines, courageously prioritizing the health and lives of others before their own.

As such, Strictly Business is introducing a brand-new feature that’s sole purpose is to thank healthcare staff. We are excited for the first ever Thanking Healthcare feature, and hope to see many more down the line. We are so thankful for the healthcare staff that helps the Lincoln community thrive, and want to give a giant thanks for everything you do! You are noticed, and we do care!

If you would like to be featured in next year’s Thanking Healthcare feature, please reach out to Shae at shae@strictlybusinessomaha. com or call our office at (402) 466-3330. We want to highlight as many healthcare staffs as we can!

Pine Lake Behavioral Health & Medical

Legacy Retirement Communities

We are proud to recognize Kelly Beer, a medication aide for Legacy Retirement Communities . Kelly has worked on our team since 2021, embracing every role she’s been in, including charge medication aide. She is a dedicated, caring and compassionate caregiver, and has a strong work ethic. She is an asset to all four of our communities, going above and beyond to help in all scopes of nursing. If you were to ask anyone on our Legacy team, they would tell you Kelly is always upbeat and puts the residents’ needs first. She is the first to step up and help when it’s needed. Beyond being an incredible caregiver to our residents, she is a single mom to an 11-year-old boy. When she is not working in one of our communities, she is supporting her son at his sports games. Kelly also visits the communities on her off-days, bringing her son and dog to visit the residents. We are so grateful to have Kelly on our Legacy team. Thank you, Kelly, for your dedication to the residents and your co-workers!

Legacy Retirement Communities provides Lincoln with awardwinning elegance, superior care and countless reasons to live an enriched life. Learn more at www.LegacyRetirement.com.

Associates in Counseling & Treatment

At Pine Lake Behavioral Health & Medical , we are proud to thank our amazing team of professionals for their dedication to providing the best care possible to each and every patient. Our staff goes above and beyond, and we couldn’t ask for a better team.

Pine Lake Behavioral Health & Medical is one of the largest private medical & behavioral health partnerships serving Southeast Nebraska with a carefully selected team of physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, psychologists, psychotherapists and counselors. Philosophically we are united, and we only work with highly experienced and capable partners who share our core values. We think it’s really important that clinicians have a mixture of clinical skill and human qualities, meaning you can place your trust in them. We interview every potential partner in person before we agree to work with them. What is important in a patient/provider relationship is fit not function, and the foundation for success is built upon skill set not specialty. We are here for YOU!

New to the team in 2023: Adam Brank, MD; Fahima Hasan, APRNFNP-C; Ryan Ernst, PsyD, MSCP; Safeta Hurko, PLADC.

For more information about Pine Lake Behavioral Health & Medical, please visit www.pinelakebh.com.

Associates in Counseling & Treatment is extremely grateful for our incredible staff members. Their commitment, empathy and knowledge help serve individuals in our community as they strive to resolve the mental health and addiction issues that impact the area. Despite challenging times, the staff have worked hard to provide quality care with a compassionate approach.

Associates in Counseling & Treatment’s staff members go above and beyond anytime someone takes a day off or when new employees or new clients start. Our staff continues to step up to help with bringing on new clients, to aid in helping our clientele feel comfortable and to provide a culturally competent safe environment for anyone who walks through our doors.

Our staff loves being surrounded by supportive team members as they perform a variety of group and individual tasks. Working with clients on a personal level and being able to see the positive long-term impact the program is having on them is one of the best parts of the job.

Those at Associates in Counseling & Treatment believe that it is important for us to be able to lean on one another. Because of the bond built between our staff members they frequently joke about being a family due to how much they care for one another.

Associates in Counseling & Treatment provides specialized counseling services for individuals and families in Lincoln and the surrounding areas. For more information, please visit actnebraska.org.

HoriSun Hospice expresses its deep appreciation and gratitude for its caring and professional staff! Our employees’ dedication, knowledge, compassion and professionalism continue to positively impact the lives of many in our community and help our hospice agency shine. They provide comfort not only to our patients, but reassurance to our patients’ families, loved ones and support systems as well.

It takes a group of very special individuals to care for people at the end of their lives. In an industry highly susceptible to employee burnout, we acknowledge the hard work and compassion that our employees give every day. We are so proud of each and every one of you, and we know that our community appreciates the care you give to those that need it in Lincoln, Seward and surrounding areas. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

HoriSun Hospice believes that hospice care affirms life. Our mission and promise to our 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 our guiding principles. For more information about HoriSun Hospice, visit www. horisunhospice.com, or call (402) 484-6444.

New Outlook Counseling

We are so proud of the team here at Nebraska LTC Pharmacy. There is no way to describe what goes on behind closed doors here. You see the awesome results, but there is so much to be done behind the scenes. With the ever-changing and growing demands of this job, the amazing team here continues to rise to the challenge without complaint or hesitation, knowing that so much of our time is just donated. This team is small but mighty! There are few crews that could hang next to these studs for a full day, let alone a full week!

This team never complains because they love their jobs, their community and the people we serve. Thank you for being such giving, hard-working, dedicated healthcare workers who put their patients and customers’ needs ahead of their own. We don't go home until our work is done. We don't get "lunch" or "meal" breaks, there aren't "restroom" breaks and we certainly don't "close" for meals. Thank you for being you, and for doing such a great thing to better the lives of so many others!

Nebraska LTC Pharmacy does more than just count pills and slap labels. To learn more, visit www.neltcpharmacy.com.

Capital Care Staffing

We want to express the utmost gratitude for the amazing clinicians at New Outlook Counseling! The amount of empathy, compassion and unconditional positive regard that they show to their clients every day is inspiring. Our mission at New Outlook Counseling is to first and foremost, build relationships with our clients, to truly see, hear and understand who they are and what they are seeking through counseling to help them develop goals that will lead to healthier, more satisfying lives. We strive to empower all clients with tools to help them make real change and grow to their ideal selves. We endeavor to give clients specific tools and a new outlook to help them make the desired changes in their unique lives. The clinicians at New Outlook Counseling show this every day with the clients that they work with. They are understanding and dedicated to collaboration, client care, continuous self-improvement and honor the vulnerability entrusted to them by their clients.

New Outlook Counseling is located in Lincoln. Our clinicians treat anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, relationship concerns, life transitions, perinatal mood disorders, stress, self-esteem issues, complex grief and addiction. For more information about New Outlook Counseling and their services, visit www.newoutlookcounseling.org.

We cannot be more thankful for our Capital Care Staffing team of nurses, nurse aides and med aides. They provide quality, compassionate care daily and with dignity to everyone they help. We believe they are the best examples of healthcare workers and professionals that Nebraska offers. Their strong teamwork ethics and drive for excellence are incredibly appreciated. Our team shows up every day with confidence to help the communities of Nebraska. They show up to help other teams when times are tough with a low staffing census asking, "Where can I help? What can I do? Who can I help?"

Not only are we thankful for our team, but also for the other teams that we aid in caring for their customers. The friendships that our team creates wherever they go helps build better teamwork and communication. We are so thankful that our team has so much passion and care for the people, places and environments they are a part of. Thank you to our partnerships and their teams for trusting our team to care for your customers. Every healthcare professional and worker deserves appreciation, no matter which team they are a part of. For more information about Capital Care Staffing, please visit www. capitalcarestaffing.com.

As summer starts to wind down, the familiar combination of excitement and dread of a new school year fills the air. It’s once again time to fill backpacks with fresh school supplies and for classrooms to come alive with the buzz of learning as students of all ages return to school. Parents, soak up the time with your kids home while you can! Students, enjoy your last few weeks of summer break!

Whether you're a student preparing to rejoin your classmates, a parent navigating the intricate dance of schedules and routines or an educator ready to inspire young minds, the back-to-school season is a chance to embrace change. You have the opportunity to improve systems you put in place last year to accommodate everyone’s schedules and needs.

Together, we'll unravel the secrets of a successful transition, sharing insights, tips and strategies from local professionals to make the most of this exciting time. The back-to-school season is all about fostering a positive mindset and developing effective habits that cultivate success. If we start out strong, we’ll last a lot longer before we get burnt out!

The evolving landscape of education can be hard to grasp, as emerging trends, technologies and methodologies shape the modern classroom. Parents, we know that education looks a lot different for your children than it did for you. Good news is, the professionals of Lincoln are here to help navigate the ever-changing terrain and equip you with the knowledge and tools needed for an outstanding educational journey. Local professionals are one call away from helping prepare students for the first day of school.

Items for Active Students and Parents

With school right around the corner and the list of back-to-school items growing, money can be tight. To help with the sting of expenses, Play It Again Sports offers

Be ready to roll this Back to School Season

At Firehouse Subs, we like to think it just takes one mouthwatering sub to make any day feel like a party. So, whether you're getting ready for the big game, or a big test, or any other fall Team activity, Firehouse Subs is your perfect choice. Plus, just like every purchase at Firehouse Subs, a portion of your catering sale will go toward providing lifesaving equipment for first responders. Two convenient Firehouse Subs locations for you to choose from!

Kyle McMurray

FALL MEANS CROSS COUNTRY

and look at the wear on the soles of your shoes. They are dedicated to providing you with the best shoes for your unique needs.

“We then look at the shape of their foot and the height of their arch and bring out four or five styles to try,” said Ann Ringlein. “What we always say is that the ones that you notice the least are going to be the best ones for your feet.”

Locally owned and operated, Lincoln Running Co. is committed to helping the community find the right shoes to be active. Along with shoes, they carry a variety of other helpful products that will encourage your kids, and yourself, to be active this school year. From shorts and tops to socks, headbands, headphones and smart watches, Lincoln Running Co. has you covered.

Food on the Go

The start of school means things are about to get a lot busier with team sports. With kids needing lunches and their time spent participating in extracurricular activities that travel anywhere and everywhere, finding a way to feed students can be challenging. At events, parents, coaches and administrators not only have to source meals for the kids, but coaches and support teams as well.

An affordable, hearty meal isn’t the easiest thing to come across in many restaurants nowadays, but Firehouse Subs® gives it everything they’ve got. They make it easy to order and receive all the catering food you may need, from box lunches to platter with everything you want. Founded in Jacksonville, Florida in 1994 by two brothers and former firefighters, Firehouse Subs is a brand built on decades of fire and police service and hot and hearty subs piled high with high quality meats and cheeses. Firehouse Subs is a restaurant chain with a passion for hearty and flavorful food, heartfelt service and public safety. With the ability to serve large groups of people efficiently, they are ideal for traveling sports teams – the athletes, coaches and parents can all get a great meal. Plus, they have excellent catering for celebrations, both large and small.

cash or store credit for gently used sports and exercise equipment families clean out of their garages, closets and other areas.

“This is a great time to clean out the closets, ball bags and garages from last year!” suggested Owner Kyle McMurray. “Bring in your gently-used athletic equipment and get some cash to help pay for your back to school supplies. It’s also a great way to fund the coming year’s sports expenses. We pay cash on the spot for gently-used equipment for almost any sport, and then you can shop the selection we have in-store at well-below retail prices.”

Not only do they buy gently used athletic gear from families for cash, but have a full inventory of fall sports equipment right now. Football, softball, golf and even some gently used running shoes for everyday use are available. Play It Again Sports is ready to help get families prepared for the school year!

The start of the school year is focused on the kids and their needs, but Play It Again Sports doesn’t forget about the parents. They have exercise equipment for quick workouts in the few minutes parents have between games and practices. Trying to find a new workout routine? Let Play It Again Sports provide the equipment!

Back-to-School Shoes

Children rarely slow down, especially during school when they are surrounded by their friends. To help your kids keep up with their busy lifestyle, make sure they are fitted with a great pair of shoes from Lincoln Running Co. You might want to buy a pair too if you are a parent chasing them around!

Lincoln Running Co. takes shoes seriously, starting the fitting process as soon as someone walks into the store. First, the staff watches how you walk and looks for any irregularities. Then, they measure your feet

Driven by the passion of Firehouse Subs franchisees to serve their local communities, for the fifth consecutive year, based on recent Technomic Insight consumer data, Firehouse Subs was named the number one brand in the restaurant industry that “Supports Local Community Activities.” What better way to support your family than with something dedicated to supporting the local community?

Where Will Education Lead?

As little kids, we dream of becoming rock stars and astronauts –professions that are unrealistic for the vast majority of us. In reality, most of us don’t know what we want to do with our lives when we are in elementary, middle or high school. Most of us don’t figure it out until college, halfway through college or well after we’ve entered the workforce. Real life experiences shape our desires and interests, but wouldn’t it be great to have an idea of what we want our futures to look like before we try to make puzzle pieces fit where they don’t belong?

TradeGamz, a new business striving to connect students to careers, offers a platform for students and job seekers to connect with professionals from various fields, businesses of all sorts and colleges/ universities around the country. The platform helps people explore different industries and career opportunities. By learning from those who experience it every day instead of Google, the goal is for students and job seekers to better understand their opportunities. Plus, while students are learning about their opportunities, they are simultaneously building their profile and resume through TradeGamz – something they can use to apply directly with the professionals they are learning from.

TradeGamz, in collaboration with educators, works to give each student a unique learning experience. With over 200,000 career options at their fingertips, educators can use the platform to connect students with careers they are truly interested in.

Though the start of school can be overwhelming, the professionals of Lincoln are here to help make the transition as smooth as possible. The 2023-2024 school year is upon us, and everyone is ready to help however they can!

Ann Ringlein Lincoln Running Co.

Being in the heart of what many consider to be “wedding season,” we can’t help but get swept up in all aspects of weddings. From dreaming of our perfect wedding to planning and attending weddings of family and friends, they are definitely something to talk about.

When it comes to our own weddings, we hope that everyone talks positively about the big day and the days leading up to it. It is important to remember that though it is nice to have others gush about the big day, the most important thing is that the married couple looks back on their wedding with a smile on their faces.

One of the most well-known aspects of weddings is all of the stress that comes with. We panic about the guest list, caterers, vendors, photographers and all of the little details that tie the wedding together. Not only is there a desire for a perfect day for the happy couple, but a desire for the guests to gush over how amazing the wedding was. With a desire for the perfect wedding comes the stress of realizing that you can’t make a dream a reality without help. Though it isn’t the easiest thing for some of us to ask others for help, there are countless professionals in Lincoln that’ll be there for you every step of the way if you let them.

Handling everything from the venue and music to the food, flowers, jewelry and more, you can’t go wrong when working with the professionals of Lincoln. They will build relationships with you so they can tailor your wedding to your personality and vision. It’s your wedding, not theirs, and they want it to be as close to what you want it to be as they can make it. They won’t rest until you are happy with their service.

Weddings don’t have to be so stressful that you don’t get to enjoy starting your life with the person you love. Want proof? Check out some of the amazing resources in Lincoln that are waiting to help create your dream wedding. They will leave no stone unturned for the wedding party or guests.

Your Party Destination

Rehearsal Dinners and Engagement Parties

When planning a wedding, the venue that first comes to mind is the one where you will have your ceremony and reception. But, it is also important to consider where you will have your engagement party, and then later on, your rehearsal dinner.

Ironhorse Bar & Event Room is a fabulous venue choice for rehearsal dinners and engagement parties. They will also host small wedding ceremonies and enjoy seeing how guests transform a room with unique wedding decor. With a variety of seating ranging from loungers to high-tops, everyone can find a comfy spot to enjoy the event. A group of 50 doesn’t feel cramped, yet a group of 20 doesnt feel lost in the space. Some guests have even commented that the comfy, cozy feel at Ironhorse is similar to if they were in their own homes. This dose of relaxation is just what many wedding parties need before the big day.

The unique venue is conveniently located in the historic Haymarket district and is filled with original details including large builtin wooden bookcases filled with hardcover books that have interesting covers and spines, giving the event space a very special ambiance. If you’re looking for a venue with character, they don’t get much more unique than Ironhorse Bar & Event Room.

Where’s Dessert?

The classic wedding cake is a staple for anyone thinking about weddings, but taking a nonconventional approach to the dessert table may give your wedding an extra pop to stand out against the crowd.

“ Nothing Bundt Cakes has four sizes of delicious cakes to choose from. Our smallest cake, the Bundtini works perfect

for engagement parties, bridal showers and receptions. They are easy to serve and can be purchased by the dozen in a combination of any of our ten flavors,” said Sharon Hansen , co-owner. “Our Bundtlet size is perfect for gifting to out-of-town guests as a nice welcome surprise as well as a delicious gift option at a bridal shower. Our larger 8” and 10” cakes can be decorated and placed on a table that can serve as a centerpiece as well as dessert.”

Nothing Bundt Cakes come in a variety of flavors, ranging from chocolate to fruit to everything in between. With these size and flavor options, you can cater to all of your guests with small portions of multiple cakes. Sharon has noticed a lot more creativity and uniqueness going into the look of the cakes, and her team is happy to assist in creating a special look. Tastings and the selection process is an enjoyable process with Nothing Bundt Cakes, and Sharon looks forward to helping you decide what will be perfect for your celebration.

“If you are interested in getting pricing for a few options or would like to discuss your event in more detail, give us a call. We offer delivery and set-up, and we can coordinate timing and location with the venue or planner,” Sharon explained.

Eye-Catching Jewelry

Weddings pose the opportunity to get dressed up, have your hair, makeup and nails done and wear your finest jewelry. The right accessories can turn any good look into an amazing one. If you’re looking for eye-catching jewelry to either wear to a wedding or gift, we recommend visiting Sartor Hamann

For the soon-to-be married couples, they offer a wide variety of wedding bands. From alternative metals for men to beautiful stackable rings in an array of styles for the ladies, Sartor Hamann is sure to have something you’ll love. They are also prepared to solder and polish your rings so they shine on the special day.

For guests, their vast selection of amazing colored gems and diamonds makes it easy to find breathtaking rings, pendants, bracelets and earrings you can’t live without. You have your choice of earth-grown or lab-grown diamonds. And, for the men, Sartor Hamann has quite the selection of watches that can be engraved if you are wanting to make a gesture or give it extra meaning. They’ll even gift wrap the jewelry for you, giving it the final touch!

Sartor Hamann has fine jewelry for all occassions and every budget. Their knowledgeable staff will help you select the perfect pieces. They know that jewelry can be a big purchase, so they do everything they can to make sure you are buying only the best. Sartor Hamann encourages you to buy local not only to support the community, but so that you look at what you are buying in person as well.

Why Not Celebrate Before and After?

Getting married is a great reason to throw a party. While your wedding itself is a celebration, that doesn’t mean you can’t throw a party before and after – or several. If you want to start the party off with a bang, we recommend booking a party bus with Tailored Dreams Party Buses. True to their name, they provide a dream experience.

Tailored Dreams is known for their friendly drivers and for creating an experience tailored to your particular group. Their dependable, luxury fleet of party buses can accommodate 26-45 passengers. Buses include the Mirage, a 35 passenger pink party bus; the Oasis Party Bus, which holds 26 passengers; the Odyssey, a 28 passenger party bus; the Fantasy, a 35 passenger black party bus; the Disco, a 35 passenger gray party bus and the Executive, a 45 passenger party

Sharon Hansen

Nothing Bundt Cakes DeeDee Loomis Tailored Dreams

bus. All 35 passenger party buses are wheelchair accessible. It isn’t hard to find the perfect party bus with their available variety of options.

“All of our buses have a Bluetooth sound system, loud speakers, heating and A/C and fun LED lights,” shared Owner DeeDee Loomis . “We know how to throw a party!”

With available dates filling up a year in advance, Tailored Dreams Party Buses encourages you to reserve your dream bus as soon as possible.

Glowing with Beauty

Ladies, if there’s anything we truly care about when it comes to going out in public, it’s our skin. We try countless skincare routines in the hopes of finding the perfect one. But, reality is, great skin takes time. At Skin Experts , they know how important it is to feel beautiful and confident on your wedding day. To help you feel like the gorgeous girl you already are, they will work with you three months, six months or even a year prior to your wedding day, implementing a strategy for glowing skin. Having the ability to accommodate large groups, they are also happy to work with your entire bridal party. Guests, they will work with you too.

Depending on your skin goals, they work with you to create the best suited facial schedule. Skin Experts recommends that you start your skin-care plan early to avoid any potential irritations or flare-ups. The final month before the wedding is focused on maintaining the results already achieved by a monthly or biweekly facial plan. One week before the wedding is an ideal time to receive your final facial. For the final facial, they recommend a gentle maintenance facial focused on keeping the skin hydrated and healthy.

Self-care is an essential part of wedding planning. Whether planning your wedding, helping with someone else’s wedding or planning to attend one, Skin Experts is waiting to introduce you to their luxury experience.

A Gorgeous Venue

Whether you are planning a big or small wedding, you will likely need to book a venue for the ceremony and reception. Wouldn’t it be great to have both of them in the same place so guests don’t have to travel? At James Arthur Vineyards , you can book space for everything for the day of your wedding and more. They offer a wonderful venue for bachelor/bachelorette parties, bridal showers and rehearsal dinners as well. It’s also a great place to “pop” the question and celebrate your engagement.

“If you choose James Arthur Vineyards to tie the knot, just know you’re going to feel like you’re in paradise,” said Owner Jim Ballard . “From providing seating, setting up, tearing down and a private room for the bridal party to get ready, to toasting the newly married couple at the end of the ceremony with wine, we handle everything.”

James Arthur Vineyards does all of their weddings outside because the setting is beautiful. They offer the option of having the ceremony at the winery in front of the waterfall - talk about a gorgeous, intimate backdrop. The setting can accommodate up to 70 people. For larger weddings, they have a park area just to the south of the winery near the vineyards that can accommodate up to 200 people. Both locations are amazing, with the vineyard staff working closely with the bride and groom to organize all the details to create a perfect day. And for those brides and grooms to be, James Arthur Vineyards is a fantastic host for rehearsal dinners and bachelor/bachelorette parties.

A Unique Gift

Wedding planning is stressful, but finding a gift for the couple doesn’t have to be. The team at Lincoln Coin & Bullion can help you choose something out of the ordinary – something unforgettable that stands the test of time and helps to invest in their future.

Lincoln Coin & Bullion is a locally owned and operated dealer that buys and sells gold, silver, platinum, palladium and historic U.S. currency. Buying a gift from Lincoln Coin & Bullion for the soon-to-be-married couple guarantees you’ll leave a lasting impression. You’ll likely be giving one of the most unique gifts to celebrate the occasion!

Fun for the Guests

Nobody enjoys going to a boring wedding. Long, drug out ceremonies and receptions with little to do are hard to fully enjoy. To entertain guests of all ages, we recommend looking into the packages Lincoln Inflatables offers. Toddlers and young adults will be entertained all night long, and you’d be surprised just how much fun the adults will have too.

“Our lineup includes activities for individuals of all ages,” shared Owner Jason Gayed . “We strive to make sure everyone has a great time.”

Bringing anything from inflatable bounce house units, slip and slides, waterslides and obstacle courses to combo units, Lincoln Inflatables is happy to provide anything you want. If you want it and they can do it, it's yours.

Jim Ballard James Arthur Vineyards

Jason Gayed Lincoln Inflatables

VOTED LINCOLN’S BEST JEWELER

Known for having prompt communication and excellent customer service, Lincoln Inflatables won’t add any extra stress to an already stressful day. We’ve all seen and felt bad for couples so busy entertaining guests and cleaning up messes on their wedding day that they hardly get to enjoy it. Though Lincoln Inflatables can’t relieve all of the stress of a wedding day, they will take care of entertaining your guests so you can focus a little more on enjoying your wedding!

A Rustic Venue

Finding a wedding venue that matches your theme and personality seems easy with so many wedding venues available, but is much harder than it appears. Not only do venues book up quickly, but many lack the natural charm that might be just what you need to perfect your vision.

If rustic-urban charm is in your wedding vision, you’ll want to check out Talon Room – a beautiful event venue that can help you host the entire wedding weekend. From the rehearsal dinner to the ceremony and reception, Talon Room is equipped to accommodate up to 250 people. Their outstanding catering service will serve your guests gourmet appetizers and entrees with options that can meet any budget and setting – even if your reception is at a separate location. Bar services can also be brought to your party, and Talon Room has a full-service in-house bar that can mix together amazing drinks. They consistently offer only the best, so you won’t have to worry about sub-par wedding food or drinks.

With the goal of making your wedding go as smoothly as possible, Talon Room helps out as much as they can. They want everyone to have a great time and will go the extra mile to ensure that you have an unforgettable wedding. According to Owner Matthew Rogge , “We set it up, you make it a party!”

Make the Day a Little Sweeter

Sometimes the dessert table at a wedding is so full of sweets that it gives you a toothache just looking at it. Other times, the dessert table is so scarce that your craving for sweets grows stronger rather than going away. If you’re looking for a unique dessert table to appeal to everyone, though most importantly the soon-to-be married couple, local Sweet Things by Marcy can help you find the perfect combination of sweets. Sweet Things by Marcy is a locally owned bakery in Lincoln that has a vibrant menu of sweet treats.

“I have a wide variety of flavors and cake options to choose from, many of which aren’t the most common,” shared Owner Marcy Haas . “If you want to stray from the traditional cake, I am more than happy to bake up something that will be on your guests’ minds for weeks!”

Sweet Things by Marcy makes all of their desserts from scratch, loading each and every one of them up with love. Marcy has a passion for baking and enjoys sharing it with others. She hopes that you enjoy her sweets as much as she enjoys baking them.

Getting to and from the Wedding

Though most people don’t think of the transportation involved in a wedding, it is something important to consider. The soon-to-be married couple, as well as the wedding party and immediate family members, need convenient transportation to and from the ceremony and reception. They are the stars of the wedding, after all, and can’t be late.

Marcy Haas

Sweet Things by Marcy

Matthew Rogge Talon Room

At Eastside Transportation LLC, they understand that transportation plays a vital role in the course of a wedding day as well as the days leading up to the wedding. That’s why they work hard to ensure that their vehicles are always well-maintained, clean and equipped with the latest technology to ensure your safety and convenience.

Whether needing efficient transportation, wanting to roll up in style or both, Eastside Transportation strives to make your experience a great one. There’s nothing worse than having something go wrong on your wedding day, but having bad customer service or a nervous breakdown about getting to the venue on time is almost just as bad. You should be able to enjoy everything about your wedding day – something Eastside Transportation goes the extra mile to help out with.

An Unforgettable Day

Your wedding day is one of the biggest days of your life. Many of us dream of our wedding years before it is even a possibility. We dream of everything from the wedding attire to the venue and music. But, when the day comes, how do we make our dream wedding a reality?

Situated on one of Nebraska’s most prestigious golf courses, Wilderness Ridge offers an ideal setting and ambiance for a one-of-a-kind wedding that’ll live up to your expectations. Voted as Lincoln’s best, Wilderness Ridge is equipped with only the best wedding professionals.

The Lodge and Wedding Island have space for guests for indoor or outdoor ceremonies and for up to 300 guests in their indoor reception space, Yellowstone Ballroom. Wilderness Ridge includes tables, chairs, linens, napkins, staff, setup and teardown assistance and planning assistance from the date you book with them until the last dance. Their relationships with vendors in the area make them the primary location for many florists, DJs, photographers and more!

Wilderness Ridge provides seasoned wedding professionals. Doing everything they can to alleviate stress, Wilderness Ridge works towards a wedding day the happy couple can fully enjoy. Rather than stressing over the details, you should be able to enjoy yourselves, celebrate with family and friends and take the time to connect with your life partner as you enter a new phase in your lives together.

With weddings happening left and right, it’s hard not to imagine our own future weddings. From picturing our dream wedding attire to the venue where we want to get married, or even drooling over the cake we want to have, it’s almost as if our own wedding day can’t come soon enough. As much as we want it, though, we know better than to rush into marriage. We have the rest of our lives, so why not just focus on enjoying the moment?

Whether you are preparing for a wedding, waiting for a proposal or searching for your life partner, don’t stress about the details yet. The engagement, rehearsal dinner, wedding and all the celebrations before and after will work out.

If you haven’t gotten engaged and/or married yet, keep these local professionals in mind for when the time comes. They are more than happy to help make sure the entire process goes as smoothly as it can. But, remember, it’s okay to laugh along the way when things don’t go quite as you planned. The professionals of Lincoln will make sure you never forget your wedding day for all the right reasons.

Are you considering the exciting opportunity of buying a business?

Taking the leap into entrepreneurship is a thrilling and potentially rewarding venture. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a passionate individual looking to make your mark in the business world, the prospect of buying a business presents a myriad of advantages and opportunities.

Buying a business is a life-changing opportunity. It’s a chance to try your hand at something you’ve always dreamed of doing. Or, for those of you who are looking to expand an already existing business, it’s a chance to reach more people than ever before.

However great the reward, it is also important to acknowledge that buying a business is not without its challenges and risks. Conducting thorough due diligence, seeking professional advice and carefully evaluating the business's financials, market conditions and growth potential are critical steps in the decision making process.

Buying a business is a monumental decision – you shouldn’t make it without first consulting those close to you and other professionals. With the help of Lincoln professionals and the amazing community, get ready to embark on a path that could lead to new horizons and a prosperous future as a business owner.

Costs of Buying and Operating a Business

Buying an existing business typically involves more upfront cost, but it also presents less risk than starting a business from scratch. Financially, you’re looking at actual profit/loss records and have a clear history of sales to assess. Interpreting such information can be tricky, though, and you should always consult a professional. Cruise & Associates can assist with properly interpreting financial documents and help guide you to determine the full costs of purchasing and operating the business.

If you are about to buy a business, you’ll want to know exactly why the business is up for sale. To help determine if the business will be successful under your ownership, carefully review all documents pertaining to the business and the transaction including the letter of intent, confidentiality agreements, contracts and leases, financial statements, tax returns and sales agreement. Learn as much as you can about the business’ successes, failures, challenges and future opportunities.

“Understanding the process is the key in making sure you are making the best business decision and not setting yourself up to fail,” advised Robert Cruise. “Once a purchase price is reached, you need to make sure you understand the written agreement before you sign. Don’t leave any ambiguities that could cause trouble at closing or even after the sale has gone through.”

Choosing to buy an existing business is a valuable entrepreneurial accomplishment that will impact your life for years to come. With the right connections and a lot of hard work, you can be the perfect person to turn a good business buying opportunity into a great future. Cruise & Associates hopes to be by your side to assist with and witness it.

Physical Advertising Options

What has the business you want to purchase done for advertising in the past? Did it work? What could be done better? Though advertising isn’t a priority when making the decision to buy a business, it should be considered all the same so you are prepared to attract business once you are the owner.

One form of advertising that many don’t think of in today’s technology-based society is signs. Work with the team at Sign Pro to invest in signs, banners and vehicle graphics that’ll catch the eye of every passerby. Signage contributes more to the success of a business than you think. Eight in 10 consumers enter a store or business they have never visited before based simply on its signs, while 60% of people claim that the absence of signs deters them from entering a store or business. Just think about all the business you could have with amazing signs!

Sign Pro has a variety of signage solutions to fit any project or budget. They offer interior and exterior signs as well as yard signs to help you best advertise your new business. Additionally, you can purchase banners, flags and vehicle graphics that spread the word wherever you travel! Regardless of which route you want to go with when advertising your new business, Sign Pro can help you find successful promotion.

Practice Due Diligence

One of the biggest considerations when buying a business is understanding what is driving success in the existing business and what the risks are to this success continuing once you are the owner. Because it is easy to overlook key details, hiring a professional to help is highly advised. One that comes highly recommended is Lutz .

Lutz focuses on the readiness of the existing business, which significantly impacts the buying process. The more time and energy spent by the existing owner to limit the risks of their business reduces the time and money spent during due diligence for both parties. There is no perfect list for due diligence since every business deal is unique. Therefore, they tailor the due diligence process toward the greatest risks, which could be risks to an overinvolved owner, employees, suppliers, customers, competitors or technology.

Most of the time, taking an existing owner out of a business will have a negative impact. The goal of the due diligence process is to quantify this potential risk so you can get comfortable with the purchase price and terms of the deal. However, sometimes this

tends to be overlooked because the buyer does not inquire enough about the roles and responsibilities of the existing owner. Lutz can help ensure potential risks such as this are taken into account.

According to Consulting Director Ryan McGregor , “The more familiar the buyer is with the existing business or industry, the less likely the buyer will have major surprises after the purchase or buyer’s remorse. They will have an idea of how the company truly makes money and will probably have ideas on how they can grow the business.”

Place

Extra Emphasis on Receivables

When buying a business, it cannot be stressed enough to do a thorough evaluation of the business you are interested in purchasing. One of the most important aspects of a business to factor into your buying decision is the company’s receivables.

It’s important for potential business purchasers to understand that not all of the billings a business sends out are going to be paid. Don’t leave your budget so tight that nonpayment results in the business going under. It’s good to know about receivables upfront to create a policy for handling those cases of nonpayment. AR Solutions is happy to consult with clients to help them set up their receivables process in a way that increases their in-house collections to prevent future issues.

As a collection agency, AR Solutions will work closely with you to determine the reason for any nonpayment of receivables and estimate what you can expect to receive from each instance. If you’ve owned a business before, AR Solutions can track and collect on receivables for you, so you can focus on what your business does to make money – and you don’t pay AR Solutions unless they collect the debt.

Robert Cruise Cruise & Associates

Ryan McGregor Lutz

“We will act as an extension of your new company and conduct direct communication with your clients,” said Founder Aaron Newell . “Our competitive fees are also contingent upon collection, so you do not pay unless we collect.”

Tech Upgrades

In this generation, a successful business depends on the technology powering it. If your network is slow, your production will be slow. Without a strong foundation that meets all of your needs, IT can be the downfall of a great business idea. Before you buy a business, consider the cost of the tech equipment and software you will need to purchase. Yost Network Solutions , a locally owned and operated technology firm, is available for tech consultation and implementation that can help your new business succeed.

Yost believes in a proactive support model – they want to reduce your system management and support costs by helping to prevent problems before they happen. They will build and keep your systems running at their optimum level to ensure you have time to focus on other aspects of your business. Scheduled maintenance plans, active system monitoring and good diagnostics are the key to fully optimized systems.

Yost Network Solutions provides IT solutions that are designed with you in mind. They will work with you to determine your business needs and find areas where technology can make your work even better. They will work with you to determine your needs and ensure your new network can handle the workload. From increasing your internet speed to implementing system automation and creating a data monitoring system, Yost is sure to be able to improve your network.

Unbiased Tax Professionals

Buying a business is an emotional, overwhelming decision. It can be difficult to cover all your bases when you feel pressure to make all the right decisions for your future. As such, it is important to have a team of trusted advisors who know the right questions to ask and that will provide an objective opinion. The professionals at SP Group, P.C. are the type of trusted advisors you want on your side.

A trusted tax professional can provide unbiased guidance in a multitude of areas, including the valuation of the business, the best structure for the transaction and the potential tax consequences of the sale. When evaluating a potential business purchase, it is easy to overlook overall fit from a cultural and process standpoint. A decision that looks good on paper in the short-term may have a negative impact on the culture and efficiency of your business in the long run.

“It is imperative to start the process of every business purchase by defining what the entrepreneur’s long-term goals are, and then outlining the steps necessary to accomplish those goals,” said Austin Zimmerman , CPA. “The most interesting aspect of buying a business is almost certainly the variety – no two transactions are the same.”

When considering the purchase of a business for the first time, remember that there is really no such thing as too much due diligence. SP Group encourages you to communicate early and often with those involved in the buying process to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.

We can help you determine your value and soldify your plans for the future.

Austin Zimmerman SP Group, P.C.

Aaron Newell AR Solutions

Protection from Cyber Threats

When buying a business, it is easy to overlook some of the details pertaining to how it will be fully functioning after you own it. Most people consider the financial and current operational standing of the business, but not so much the smaller details such as cyber security. Buyers, we suggest you speak with Darren Lichty , owner of Panology Tech Solutions , before you close the deal.

“You never want to partner with an IT expert who just tells you what box to click,” Darren warned. “You need to find a partner who is willing to answer questions and educate you from the perspective of your own business, not from the perspective of someone trying to hit a sales quota. To learn about anything in the technology industry, you need partners who will tell you not just what to buy, but why.”

Just like with every other aspect of buying a business, you need to research the tech company you hire. Even though outsourcing is a great opportunity to save some money, a common problem in the online security world is people who believe whatever the IT person tells them to do and end up paying for systems they don’t need. Worried about a scam? Hire someone you can trust: Panology Tech Solutions.

Panology is a tech company devoted to the development of smalland medium-sized businesses. They utilize Cylance, a software that detects current threats and issues in technology better than the traditional antivirus products. With CylancePROTECT, Panology is able to improve the security of your business with a unique artificial intelligence (AI) approach that predicts and protects against known and unknown malware, fileless attacks and zeroday payload execution.

Consider Financial Sustainability

For a lot of businesses, employee costs seem to be one of the largest, if not the largest, cost of doing business. If wanting to retain employees, an employer has to consider wages and benefits to do just that. In most cases, they have to find a payroll provider that can provide reliable services at a fair and reasonable cost. At TAC Payroll Solutions, they will take some of the responsibilities off your plate at an affordable rate so you don’t end up with higher costs than your services.

“It's always my goal that the employer has confidence in me so they know what to expect in fees for the service I provide,” said Owner Terry Clark. “I also provide information about payroll, payroll taxes and benefit costs so they can move onto other decisions that influence their buying process.”

If you’re considering buying an established business, you need to have complete disclosure of all current and comparative financial reports and tax returns for the business. If possible, compare to another business similar to the one being considered.

Then take all financial statements and tax returns to their CPA or accountant to review and listen to their feedback. They want you to be successful too, and have a lot of experience with these situations.

Digital Advertising for Your New Business

In a mostly digital society, advertising and promotion has shifted towards screens in the form of short videos and eye-catching graphics. While creating these yourself is better than having nothing posted online, you might be surprised at the difference in response between the ones you create and the ones professionals design.

As a business owner, you understand your business and vision better than anyone else. That makes it easy to not trust a professional to

bring your ideas to life. But, Altitude Motion Media is a business that specializes in making scroll-stopping videos that are what you want them to be. They are professionals you really can trust with your advertising goals.

“Our company is unique because we are a small, family-owned business, so we understand running a business,” shared Founder Ryan Lindbeck. “When it comes to our videos, we can operate quickly and still provide very high quality content. We love being creative and helping other businesses tell their story. We want people to know that it doesn’t have to cost as much as you might think to get a great video out there to promote yourself, and we’d love to help you in the process of building your brand!”

Most businesses commonly overlook the fact that video is extremely valuable for their initial marketing plan, but studies have shown that it increases dwell time, traffic, leads and sales. If you’re looking for a way to establish yourself as the new business owner, Altitude Motion Media is more than happy to help you rebrand your business.

Buying a business is undoubtedly one of the most serious ventures many of us will ever partake in. It isn’t something to enter into lightly, but shouldn’t be shied away from either just because of the risk it poses. With some of the best experts in Lincoln only one call away, you can rest assured that your buying process will go as smoothly as possible. There are almost always going to be unforeseen situations that arise, and those instances are where the professionals of Lincoln really shine. We encourage all local entrepreneurs to seek the assistance of professional help as you carve a path towards success. We want you to succeed!

Darren Lichty Panology Tech Solutions

Terry Clark TAC Payroll Solutions

Ryan Lindbeck Altitude Motion Media

Buying a home isn’t just about finding a physical structure; it's about finding a place where you can picture yourself living for the rest of your life. It's about finding a neighborhood that resonates with your lifestyle, where you can imagine having great relationships with your neighbors and your kids playing in the front yard. It's about finding a space that allows you to pursue your passions and create the life you've always envisioned.

The search for a new home is a unique and emotional experience. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer eagerly stepping into the realm of homeownership or a seasoned buyer seeking a fresh start, the process of buying a home stirs a range of emotions – from anticipation and excitement to moments of uncertainty and reflection.

Though buying a new home can be overwhelming, there is a wealth of support available to guide you through the home-buying process. The expertise and support of Lincoln professionals will empower you to make informed decisions while alleviating some of the stress associated with such a significant life event.

Smart Financing

When financing a home, it’s important that you understand the process, feel comfortable asking questions and are confident in your financing decision. Katie Thompson at Lincoln Federal Savings Bank (Member FDIC / Equal Housing Lender) is a great resource whether you’re preparing to finance your first home, purchasing a new home or refinancing your current one.

Thompson recommends meeting with a loan officer early in your home search to obtain a pre-qualification letter. This letter will help the seller understand that you’re a serious buyer when the home of your dreams hits

Katie Thompson Lincoln Federal Savings Bank

the market. From pre-qualification to closing day, Katie and the team at Lincoln Federal Savings Bank will guide you, answer your questions and ensure that you’re in the best financing product for your financial situation. When closing day comes, it is her goal that you’re excited and confident as you open your new front door for the first time.

According to Katie Thomspon, “Closing day is such a monumental day for customers purchasing a home. For most lenders, closing day is the best day because everything has come together to get you into your dream house. Instead of paying someone else’s mortgage, you truly are investing in yourself.”

Experienced Real Estate Professionals

Because buying a home is a big decision that can have a multitude of consequences, you shouldn’t hire someone who is mediocre or inexperienced at real estate. Especially if you are new to the homebuying process, you should hire an agent who not only knows the market, but who will protect you. Buying a house is generally the most expensive investment one makes. Ensure you're working with the best by checking their credentials before you hire them. Ask them qualifying questions such as how long they’ve been a realtor, why you should pick them and what they do that other agents don’t. But, don’t just rely on what they tell you. Look them up online and ask around to be sure you know exactly who you are working with.

If you aren’t sure who to work with, consider hiring the Professional Realty Group of Berkshire Hathaway. They only hire the best realtors to serve clientele, and it shows. Their experience, professionalism and attitude sets them apart from other realtors in the area. Selling more real estate than any other team in Lincoln, they have more than enough experience to handle any situation that comes

their way. But, just because they sell a lot of houses doesn’t mean they are sales-oriented.

“Too often, realtors get too busy making the job a social call, and forget they're not salespeople. We're the opposite. We don't tell people to buy houses. We tell them when not to,” said Realtor Ben Bleicher. “Our number one priority is protecting our buyers and sellers.”

Inspect Your Purchase

One important part of buying a home is having a professional home inspection performed prior to purchase. This is usually completed as part of the negotiation phase during the purchase process, and the inspection should be scheduled as soon as possible after getting your offer accepted. Home inspectors are in high demand and are typically booked out several weeks.

When choosing a home inspector, look for one that has years of experience and credentialing with a National Association, as well as someone with the education and experience needed to do the job right.

King’s Home Inspections is one of the best businesses to go with, as Randy King is an InterNACHI Certified Master Inspector with over 25 years in business. He has inspected over 8,000 homes of all shapes and sizes in southeast Nebraska.

“Components in a house have a lifespan, and I can identify the age of components and help you formulate a game plan on when to plan to remodel, replace or upgrade key components of your home,” stated Owner Randy King. “Knowing the life expectancy of your prospective home is especially important if major systems have to be upgraded in the first few years of ownership since it helps you know what major expenses you might be facing.”

Remember, while a home inspection is comprehensive, it is not invasive. This means your inspector will review readily accessible areas of a home, but will refer you to a specialist for further evaluation if a component is suspect.

New Walls, New Home

After buying and moving into a new house, it might not feel like home at first. Nothing smells or looks like what your home should be. A fresh coat of paint can do wonders to help make your new house better align with your style and erase the scent of previous owners. A fresh coat of paint, whether on the interior or exterior of your home, can be all your house needs to start feeling like home.

Walter’s Painting Inc. , a local business offering first-rate painting services in addition to wallpaper removal, power washing, refinishing of decks and other outdoor areas, re-staining, painting cabinets and nearly any coating removal or application you can think of, offers efficient, reliable service to get your house transformed into a home as quickly as possible. They don’t want to disrupt your day-to-day life, so they do everything they can to make sure your project is completed on-time and on-budget.

“Many homeowners are tempted to simply do the painting work themselves, but this takes up valuable free time that could be spent elsewhere,” said Jeff Walters , owner.

Walter’s Painting makes the process simple by providing free estimates and quality prep work in addition to a consultation after the first coat of paint has dried. After the project is finished, they provide a final inspection to ensure the painting job is satisfactory.

A local-family owned residential remodeling company that specializes in kitchen, bathroom, and basement remodeling as well as flooring install and repair.

Ben Bleicher PRG of BHHS

Randy King King’s Home Inspections

Jeff Walters Walter’s Painting Inc.

Buy with Confidence Using a Realtor®

Buying a house in today’s market is not easy to navigate. While it isn’t the frenzy experienced more recently, there is still limited inventory and often more than one buyer involved in negotiating for a property. We highly advise that you consult a local, knowledgeable professional before making any big decisions. Communicating with a realtor is the best way to work through the home-buying process. The options can be overwhelming, and local expertise is the best place to start. And even more, having realtor representation doesn’t cost a buyer anything!

Deb Wagner of Nebraska Realty has been in the Real Estate business for 22 years. She’s an experienced realtor with knowledge in all aspects to guide you when it comes to buying a house, acreage and lots. Being involved for so long in the market, she knows current trends and if you’re getting the best value on your home or not.

You can have confidence that Deb will lead you through the process beginning to end, helping you choose the home and neighborhood that best suits your needs.

“Every buyer is like family to me. I will never let anyone purchase a property that doesn’t fit their requirements or would not be a good investment for the future.”

Nebraska Realty is the largest independently owned Real Estate Brokerage in the state, and now the largest Real Estate office in Lincoln. They‘ve put in the time and energy to become local experts. They believe in the local nature of real estate and understand the importance of local dynamics.

Electrical Security

When buying a house, especially if it is an older build, you should hire a licensed electrician to inspect your panel and ensure it is up to code. If anything electrical doesn’t work properly, you will want to get it fixed right away. Once it’s fixed, you can’t just forget about it, either. As a homeowner, you are now responsible for regular maintenance to ensure that any issues that compromise your house are resolved in a timely manner.

While routine maintenance on your home may seem like a chore, Oak Electric wants you to keep in mind that it is a matter of safety. There’s some maintenance that you can do yourself, making it easier to take preventative measures. One example is by checking your smoke detectors. These should be tested every six months and replaced every ten years.

In addition to smoke detectors, your electrical panel should be examined periodically. If you choose to examine it yourself, use extreme caution. Issues of concern to look for include moisture, corrosion, burn marks or melting. If you see any of these problems, contact your electrician to further investigate and take care of the matter.

The Details Matter

We all have a fairly vivid image of what our dream house looks like. When buying a house, we often let our dream vision cloud our judgment. Sometimes it isn’t about looking at what is right in front of us, but looking at what it can become. We shouldn’t say no to buying a house just because its full potential hasn’t been reached yet.

CT Construction, currently expanding their available services, is happy to help work on the details to turn a house you like into one you love. From building decks to knocking down and rebuilding walls, CT Construction looks forward to turning the house you purchased into something you’ll never regret. They specialize in projects pertaining to bathrooms, kitchens, basements home additions, flooring install and tile.

If you are going to have to remodel the house you want to buy to love it, make sure to factor remodeling expenses into your budget. Though CT Construction will work with you on a finance plan, buying a house

can be expensive enough as it is and they don’t want you to bite off more than you can chew.

Importance of Location

For some, the location of a house matters more than the house itself. For others, living in their dream house is more important than the location. For few, the location of a potential home isn’t even considered until they show up for a tour and realize what they would be signing up for. Regardless of the priority you give location in your home-buying decision, you should hire a realtor that thinks of the things you don’t. Jayson Becker with BancWise Realty understands the importance of these factors and wants to help you find your dream home while also maintaining priority on the “must-haves” list for your house.

“I strive to find the best location to accommodate commutes to school and work for families,” said Becker. “I do my best to find the balance between what clients want and what’s possible.”

With a great reputation in the Lincoln community, Jayson is happy to go above and beyond to help you buy the house that best meets your needs. He is known for being a friendly and honest family man that offers various solution options for all of your real estate problems. BancWise Realty ensures that the home-buying process is as smooth as possible.

Keeping Things Looking New with Pets

Anyone who owns or has owned a pet knows that they can do a number on a house. Whether it is old carpet or furniture or brand new, it makes little difference to our furry friends. As soon as we leave the house, their instincts and desires take over. Little do they know it's sometimes at our expense.

Deb Wagner Nebraska Realty

If you’re worried about what your pet might do to your new house while you’re away, consider having them stay with Kenl Inn, a family owned business that has grown, adapted and expanded to better meet the needs of your pets.

Neither dogs nor cats are ever left unattended, so you won’t have to worry about them getting enough attention when you’re gone. Set on 44 acres just outside of Lincoln, Kenl Inn is devoted to providing the best possible care for your pet. Their trained staff and state-of-the-art facilities ensure your pet receives the best possible care, whether they are staying for a day or for a week.

Insurance for the Unpredictable

One of the first things you need to do after buying a new home is get really good insurance. Especially around here where weather is unpredictable, you want to go with an insurance company that recognizes the damage that Midwestern storms can cause houses.

One Midwestern-based insurance company that comes highly recommended is Shelter Insurance. They have a good understanding of the storms that come through the area and will help you tackle claims from big storms.

“People are often pushed to look for the cheapest policy possible in order to keep their mortgage payments down,” explained Matthew Moorhead. “This can be a mistake. Saving a couple of hundred dollars a year on homeowners insurance can turn around and bite you when you have a claim. As with all insurance, it is important to have an educated agent who can explain what coverages you will need to fully protect your investment. You want to make sure that you have the house properly insured for total replacement cost along with replacement cost on your personal belongings.”

Shelter Insurance has a claims office right here in Lincoln as well as adjustors all across the state that work with Shelter full-time. Though there are some tempting premiums with online companies, you don’t know what kind of coverage you will actually receive. It is better to go with the local expert that cares than a cheap company that won’t fight to help you protect your new home.

Spruce Up Your New Place

When it comes to buying old houses, updates are almost always inevitable at some point in time. Though you can wait until later down the road to update your home, it can be a lot easier to have the projects completed before fully moving in. If you do it before you move all of your belongings, you won’t have to worry about shuffling stuff around for the remodeling process. Plus, you get to move into what will truly be a fresh start. To begin the journey of homeowning, we recommend hiring Remy Refinishing to spruce up your new place before moving in.

Remy Refinishing can modify kitchens by adding extra cabinets, crown moldings or replacement doors. Why move all of your dishes into cabinets that are going to get replaced in the coming years anyway? You might as well go ahead and get the outdated kitchen out of the way first.

They also offer interior painting services specializing in cabinet painting. They offer paints that prevent scuffs, are antibacterial, are zero VOC and others that have various beneficial properties, so you won’t have to worry about messing up the new paint job when moving in.

With moving into a new home comes everyone wanting to see your new home all put together. According to Owner Jeremy Day, “Paint is one of the highest impact things you can do to put your best foot forward when inviting people into your home.” With that being said, what do you want your new paint job to look like?

Market Pricing

Finding a move-in ready home is one of the leading demands of homebuyers across the board, but most prominent among millennials and people who are downsizing. As such, HOME Real Estate Associate Pat Ohmberger claims that anything on the market for less than $200,000 that is in good condition will sell quickly. For most sellers, multiple offers will be made as soon as their home goes on the market. This can make it difficult for buyers to purchase a home they both like and can afford.

“Home buyers today are looking for flexibility, especially as they work from home,” Pat said. “They want home office space, more privacy, outdoor spaces and surfaces that require low maintenance such as wood floors, as well as new windows and as many updates as possible.”

As the search for a house becomes increasingly difficult, buyers sometimes have to shift their focus away from what they want and instead towards what they need. When working with HOME Real Estate, they make sure that you know what to expect in your search for a home. While they want to help you find your dream home, they also want you to be realistic about the home you will be able to purchase.

If you’re looking to buy a home in Lincoln, nobody is making promises that you’ll find your dream home. But, everybody is promising to give it their best shot. From buying what you want right away to working towards your dream home with updates, the professionals of Lincoln are ready to tackle whatever you throw their way!

Jeremy Day Remy Refinishing

arsolutionsinc.com | (402) 817-3929

Having attended the ARMTech convention in Nashville, TN, where Founder and CEO Aaron Newell learned from industry leaders on how to harness the power of technology to improve productivity and mitigate risk, AR Solutions is excited to implement new skills and knowledge to create the best possible experience for clients.

With more than 30 combined years in medical collection, AR Solutions understands, as you do, that it’s time for a new approach – one with real answers and real results.

Using AI to contact consumers can effectively streamline communication and improve customer engagement when used correctly:

PROACTIVE NOTIFICATION

AI has the capability to send proactive notifications to consumers regarding order updates, promotions and personalized recommendations.

VOICE ASSISTANTS

Consumers can use AI-powered voice assistants to obtain information, facilitate purchases and answer questions simply by stimulating AI through smart speakers or smartphones.

CHATBOTS

Computer programs that let us communicate with digital devices to simulate conversation.

SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT

AI can monitor social media platforms for customer mentions, comments or complains, and then automatically reply to ensure timely customer service.

PERSONALIZED EMAILS

Through consumer data analysis, AI can generate personalized emails that target individual preferences.

AR Solution’s collection process is just as important as how they collect. Their specialists approach their work as skillful sales people and are trained and certified to remain professional, ethical, confident and firm – even in the most difficult situations to get payment in full on the initial contact. Their company policy dictates that everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Employing lincoln

The right fit, plus great benefits. Union Bank & Trust (UBT) has been family-owned and thriving since 1965. It hasn’t always been easy, but the bustling, growing UBT that you see today could only become what it is –and will be in the future – by staying true to our core mission. Through employee satisfaction, excellent customer service and a diverse offering of services, UBT has grown through all the ups and downs and has big plans for the future.

UBT has employment opportunities ranging from banking, lending and IT to wealth management and mortgage loans. You know that feeling you get when something just suits you to a T? With an amazing culture and a salary and benefits package to match, check us out – we think you’ll see that you belong here. Find your fit at www.ubt.com/careers or email careers@ubt.com. Equal Opportunity Employer. Member FDIC.

Capital Care Staffing is a Nebraska-based nursing staffing agency in Lincoln.

Our team is full of the best healthcare professionals and workers that Nebraska has to offer.

We offer employment opportunities for licensed and certified: RN, LPN, Med Aide and CNA

We strive to provide our team of nurses with as many benefits and perks as we can to help influence their success. Company perks and benefits packages include:

• Competitive Pay

• Insurance Packages

• Retirement Match

• PTO

• Shift Bonuses

• Flexible Scheduling

We provide an open concept with your schedule to help you ‘Find Your Flexibility.’ For those of you who are students, working parents and those with a financial goal to meet, we want to help you!

Our top priority is helping our neighbors and communities with the best care possible. We’re continuously partnering with long term care homes, assisted living communities and major and rural hospitals across Nebraska which allows our team to work where they are most comfortable with their expertise.

If you’re ready to ‘Find Your Flexibility’ in your daily life and create an easygoing schedule for yourself, contact us TODAY! We’re Always Here. Always Caring. Go to www.capitalcarestaffing.com or call (402) 413-1086 to get started on your new journey with Capital Care Staffing.

Moving forward: How this feature is changing

We all have the same goal – we want to see Lincoln and its economy thrive. Coming up soon, our Employing Lincoln Special Feature is going to have a new look and more opportunities to get your open positions posted. We’re excited to announce that this Special Feature will be monthly instead of quarterly. We wanted to give our clients and readers alike the most current coverage about the needs in our community. Businesses will be able to plug their job openings into our column dedicated to Employing Lincoln more frequently and job seekers will be able to find the most up-to-date available postings in every issue of Strictly Business .

Whether you’re an employer looking to expand your team or a job-seeker looking for the right fit, our Employing Lincoln feature is here to help. We’ll be open to receiving job posting write-ups any time you’re ready to hire. Reach out to Cemre, our director of operations, at cemre@strictlybusinessomaha.com / (402) 4663330 to find out more information.

We’re happy to highlight UBT and Capital Care Staffing opportunities this month. These businesses are amazing to work for and have several good reasons to join their team. Take a moment to read about who they are, what they have to offer and why you should work for them.

To the amazing businesses of Lincoln, make sure you take advantage of the opportunity to post your job to get the highest quality candidates and create your dream team.