Strictly Business Magazine February 2019

LINCOLN • FEBRUARY 2019 TM

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WE MEAN BUSINESS.

Take your business further, faster with ALLO Fiber.

• VALENTINE’S DAY • WEDDING PLANNING • BUILDING MAINTENANCE • SENIOR LIVING

CLIENT SPOTLIGHTS • STUR 22 LOUNGE • HIP REALTY • HEARTLAND OF NEBRASKA WINDOWS

Gustavo Justo Luna

Robert Taylor

Jackie Lienemann

Shane Jensen

Chad Lay

Bruce Cannon

Millennium Decorative Concrete, LLC

Branched Oak Insurance & Financial Services Z.A.A. Inc./Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397 Lincoln, NE 68505

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Luxury Landscape LLC

Godfather’s Pizza

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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The future of your business starts here.

The Cornhusker Bank Corporate Banking Team wants to help you take your business to the next level.

We want to help you take your business to the next level. Wherever you are in your business journey, we’re here to help. With Cornhusker Bank’s team of local experts, you can be confident that you are prepared to reach your business goals.

Serving the Lincoln/Omaha Metroplex Cornhusker Bank Center | 8310 O St., Lincoln | 402-434-2265 Omaha Loan Production Office | 13340 California, Omaha | 402-779-1420 CornhuskerBank.com

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Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

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Elevate Your Business to the Next Level.

ALLO has provided Nebraska businesses with reliable, fiber-fast communications and superior customer service for 15 years – and

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we’re just getting started. In 2019, ALLO looks to meet even more business needs with the addition of a direct connection to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure.

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

PAIGE ZUTAVERN - President 402-730-0096 | av

Businesses Succeed When They Know Their Story

I hope you enjoyed hearing from our team in the last issue of Strictly Business about a few of our goals, both personal and professional, for the new year.

While 2018 was surely a year for the books, filled with milestones and exciting new developments in our office, Strictly Business is always looking forward to the future with aspirations of growth. There is no denying that this is the time of the year when a lot of New Year’s resolutions have either been neglected or completely abandoned altogether. It’s why we see gym memberships spike in January, but then steadily decline as the year progresses. It’s an unfortunate trend that I’m sure we can all admit we’ve fallen victim to once or twice, but I’m proud to say that will not be the case for Strictly Business. As a company, our New Year’s resolution is to continue our commitment to our clients and readers by publishing reliable and relevant news every month. It is our pleasure to tell stories and generate new connections within the local business community through these means. The Strictly Business team is dedicated to upholding the integrity of print media, while also capitalizing on our strong online presence, in order to give our clients further promotion. Just because the excitement of the new year has worn off, it doesn’t mean we should lose sight of our goals. Especially for business teams that just devoted time to planning for the year ahead by identifying their main objectives, this time of the year is still an excellent opportunity to continue recognizing things that need to be improved and then take concrete steps to actually improve them.

Just like an individual trying to break a bad habit or develop good character traits, a business can develop habits that are either helpful or harmful. A useful way to look at the importance of a business plan is to think of it like a story.

Many people in marketing or business have come to recognize the importance of having a story to tell their customers. Author David Miller became a New York Times bestselling author by writing about the importance of storytelling to brand a business. Miller’s lectures for business owners are infused with his own personal stories of discovering the importance of branding in his own professional experience. Perhaps the key principle, which is common throughout Miller’s lectures and writings, is the importance of emphasizing the customer, not the business, in any business’ brand. Before the customer reaches for their wallet, they first want clarity on what a business can do to help them. A successful brand recognizes this as key to the relationship between a customer and a business.

Brian Solis, a marketing expert and principal analyst at Altimeter Group, has discussed this same storytelling movement in marketing. In an interview with Keith Richey, published on the Marketing Land blog on November 7, Solis argues that many marketers have accepted the importance of using

storytelling to establish a brand without understanding why. “As marketers, we’ve bought into the aspiration and the ideal of storytelling-based marketing without going through the exercise of what it actually takes to become a storyteller,” Solis told Richey. In the interview, Solis goes on to discuss these key principles for marketing: • Know your audience, including their needs and wants.

• Think of your client as the hero of the story, not your business.

• Track the results of your marketing to see whether you are out of touch with your desired customers.

David Pilcher of the FreeportPress has discussed the importance of storytelling for all major college and universities. For prospective students, understanding their future experience on campus is critical to their choice of school. This has made print brochures a key tool for colleges and universities to communicate a story to incoming freshmen. Pilcher interviewed Sandy Hubbard of The Print Media Center on the topic for a post on the FreeportPress blog, published November 27. Hubbard underscored the vital role that print has: “Thousands—and sometimes hundreds of thousands—of dollars are riding on the impressions that these recruiters make. Nobody is spouting off web addresses during these presentations. It’s all print,” she told Pilcher.

The advantage of print brochures in these settings is they economically communicate a personal story to a target audience: A successful brochure helps an incoming first-year student imagine their enriching educational experience at the school. As a tactile object, it captures their full attention and allows them to hold onto the information. Of course, the prospective student choosing a college is much like any customer making a decision that they hope will benefit them.

Like any good story, a New Year’s resolution involves a clear goal, with the potential of success or failure. For customers, any business, product, or service is a tool that they hope will help them accomplish their goals, wants, and needs. A marketer’s goal is to communicate to their audience how they can support the customer in achieving their goals. In other words, completing their story. Print and digital media continue to be the two key strategies to deliver that message to potential customers, which is why Strictly Business pays close attention to reader engagement with our print and digital content. Breaking last year’s records, Strictly Business articles about our clients appeared in Google’s search results over 12.7 million times, and page views on our articles exceeded 366,000 from Google alone. Our goal for this year is to continue to build on this success, and to help our readers identify the best local businesses and services in the Lincoln area.

Let Strictly Business Magazine help you lock in your status as THE EXPERT in your industry, utilizing print, the internet, and social media. Find out how by contacting Paige at (402) 466-3330.

CONTENTS NEWS 4 Business 27 Personnel

35 Non-Profit 46 Health

SPOTLIGHTS 20 Star City Six

50 Restaurant Exposé: Stur 22 Lounge 52 Client Spotlight: HIP Realty 54 Client Spotlight: Heartland of Nebraska Windows

FEATURE STORIES 56 Valentine’s Day

59 Wedding Planning 64 Building Maintenance 70 Senior Living 4 Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

ASK THE EXPERT 19 ComPro COLUMNS 49 Friends4Lunch

51 Downtown Lincoln Association 53 Lincoln Independent Business Association 55 Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397, Lincoln, NE 68505 P 402.466.3330 • F 402.466.3476 STRICTLY BUSINESS is not responsible for unsolicited material. All rights to submission, including letters, will be treated as unconditionally assigned for publication and copyright purposes and are subject to our unrestricted right to edit and comment editorially or creatively, unless otherwise negotiated with the author. Nothing may be printed in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. The publication of any advertisement in STRICTLY BUSINESS is not an endorsement of the advertiser or of the products or services advertised.

Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright ©2019 by PZAK, Inc. Third Class Postage Paid at Lincoln, NE 68505

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we look to serve more businesses like yours with our superior service.

ABOUT THE COVER

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Our business services include: [Full Name]

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ALLO COMMUNICATIONS Fiber Voice: Reliable, crystal-clear phone connections and a full rang offerings, including our robust Hosted PBX system, easy-to-use ph Experienceof The Fiber Difference LINCOLN • FEBRUARY

2019 TM

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SIN ES S. management and conference Take your business ALLO provides internet, TV and phone services that move at portal, the speed of light—so that its communities cancalling. further, faster with ALLO Fiber. move at the speed of business. 15 years ago, our company was founded to bring the most modern network possible to people across the Midwest. Since that time, we’ve grown to provide faster, friendlier service to Fort [Date] Fiber Data: Amazingly-fast 100% network to increase productiv Morgan, communities: Alliance, Bridgeport, Gering, Hastings, Lincoln, fiber North [Date]Colorado and eight Nebraska Platte, Ogallala, and Scottsbluff. oura leading cloud service connectivity, Metro Ethernet, and WAN Name] At[Full its core, our growth is the resultplus of two things: better product and better service.

[Full Name] [Street] Dear [Recipient’s Name], Our all-fiber network delivers First speeds that fit your business’s needs, that speed affects more than just around the connecting you toandvarious locations the world. internet.

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WE ME AN BU

• VALENTINE’S DAY • WEDDING PLANNI NG • BUILDING MAINTE NANCE • SENIOR LIVING CLIENT SPOTLIGHTS • STUR 22 LOUNGE • HIP REALTY • HEARTLAND OF NEBRAS KA WINDOWS

Gustavo Justo Luna

Millennium Decorative Concrete, LLC

Shane Jensen

Branched Oak Insurance & Financial Services

Robert Taylor

Ebbeka Design Co.

Chad Lay

Lincoln Airport Authority

Jackie Lienemann

Luxury Landscape LLC

Bruce Cannon

Godfather’s Pizza

Z.A.A. Inc./Strictly Business Magazine PO BOX 57397 Lincoln, NE 68505

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Z.A.A. Inc. LINCOLN, NE PERMIT 1328

Construction is nearlyservices complete in Lincoln—our Our business include: largest market to date. As construction progresses in other communities and we expand into new markets, we

look forward to providing unmatched services for additional local businesses.

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Fiber Voice: including Reliable, crystal-clear phone PBX connections and a full range of offerings, our robust Hosted system, easy-to-use phone Fiber Data: Amazingly-fast 100% fiber network to increase productivity, plus our leading cloud Kathy Carstensen We’ve been leading businesses into the future for 15 years, and we’d love to phone share what our of offerings, including our robust Hosted PBX system, easy-to-use management portal, and conference calling. service connectivity, Metro Ethernet, and WAN connecting you to various locations around the world. fiber-fast management services can do for you your business. portal, andand conference calling.To receive a free ALLO Business quote, ALLO Business Sales Director Fiber Amazingly-fast 100% fiber network toavailable, increaseplus productivity, TV: Our all-fiber signal delivers theusbest quality customizable TV give us aFiber call at Data: [XXX.XXX.XXXX] or visit at picture AlloFiber.com/15Years.

Fiber Data: Amazingly-fast 100% fiber network to increase productivity, packages you to choose fromconnectivity, over 110 channels based on your business needs. plus ourallowing leading cloud service Metro Ethernet, and WAN plus our leading cloud service connectivity, Ethernet, and WAN connecting you to various locations around Metro the world.

Sincerely, ALLO looks to meet even more business needs with the addition of a direct connection to Amazon Web Services (AWS) and connecting Microsoft Azure.you to various locations around the world.

Fiber TV: Our all-fiber signal delivers the best picture quality available, Fibercustomizable TV: Our all-fiber signal delivers the you bestto picture quality available, plus TV packages allowing choose from over 110 Kathy Carstensen plus customizable TV packages allowing you to choose from over 110 channels based on your business needs.

ALLO Business Sales Director channels based on your business needs.

We’ve been leading businesses into the future for 15 years, and we’d love to share what our We’ve been leading businesses into the future for 15 years, and we’d to Business share what our fiber-fast services can do for you and your business.

To receive a freelove ALLO quote, fiber-fast services can do for you and your To receive a free ALLO Business quote, give us a call at [XXX.XXX.XXXX] or visit usbusiness. at AlloFiber.com/15Years. give us a call at [XXX.XXX.XXXX] or visit us at AlloFiber.com/15Years.

Sincerely,

Kathy Carstensen

Kathy Carstensen

Visit AlloFiber.com/Business or call 402.480.6685 for a quote today!

Sincerely, PRODUCTION TEAM: Sincerely, Editor Hannah E. Hundley - Editor@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Art Director Holly Ryan - Design@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com

Kathy Carstensen Kathy Carstensen Kathy Carstensen

SALES TEAM: Kathy Business Carstensen ALLO Sales Director President/Sales Paige Zutavern - Paige@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com ALLO Business Sales Director Executive Assistant Sarah Young - Office@StrictlyBusinessOmaha.com Publisher/Founder/Accounting Shayne Zutavern - SZutavern@Yahoo.com

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BUSINESS NEWS Koen Japanese BBQ & Sushi Announces All-Day Happy Hour Everyday New to the Lincoln dining scene is Koen Japanese BBQ & Sushi, and they have just announced that their happy hour menu will now be offered all day, everyday!

Originally from 4 to 6 p.m. daily and all day on Sundays, Koen has decided to make their discounted happy hour menu available from open to close, all week long. This is a chance for patrons to enjoy some of Koen’s signature rolls and BBQ items for half price! The happy hour menu includes starters, Nigiri (limit one piece), salads, soup, rolls (raw, cooked, deep fried, and vegetable), BBQ (a la carte or courses), and dessert. In addition, Koen will also be starting Izakaya Koen this month, which is a Japanese social lounge that will offer Japanese small plates along with drinks on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Koen is the only restaurant in town where you can enjoy authentic Japanese BBQ flavors pre-marinated and brought to you plated and ready to grill to your liking. Sharing a meal has always been a cultural cornerstone that brings people together from all walks of life.

Koen in Japanese simply means “a gathering place,” where creating lasting memories with family, friends, and loved ones is built right into your table, literally!

To find out more about Koen Japanese BBQ & Sushi, an affiliate of Shogun and Kinja restaurants located at 2601 Jamie Ln., STE 100, please visit www.koenlincoln.com or call Koen at (402) 480-6116.

Don’t forget to connect with Koen on Facebook (@koenlincoln) and Instagram (@koenjapanesebbqandsushi) as well!

Round1 Bowling & Amusement Celebrates Grand Opening Weekend Round1 Bowling & Amusement held its official grand-opening celebration, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony conducted by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the weekend of December 15 and 16. The 50,000-square-foot facility is located in Gateway’s JCPenney wing with an exterior entrance accessible from 66th Street.

Round1 offers state-of-the-art fun for the whole family—from millennials to multi-generational families, Lincoln residents will enjoy bowling, top-of-the-line arcade games, private karaoke rooms, billiards, and ping-pong within the complex. In addition, guests can choose from an array of craft beers and wines. Appetizers, snacks, and entrees range from pizzas, burgers, wings, sides, and more.

The venue is ideal for celebrations, ranging from birthday parties to corporate or school events.

Round1, owned and operated by Round One Entertainment company, aims to provide endless entertainment to everyone, everywhere, in everyday life. To achieve this goal, they are serious about having fun and creating a space where families, friends, coworkers, and couples alike can have a great, memorable time. Round One Entertainment is rapidly expanding nationwide.

Round1 Bowling & Amusement at Gateway Mall is open every day from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. To learn more, please visit www.round1usa. com/location/gateway-mall or call (402) 480-6336. Keep up with Round1 on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as well.

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Graceful In Home Healthcare Updates Website with Fresh New Lookin Home Graceful

As a part of an Healthcare ongoing initiative to Peace, Love and Dignity in Care better distinguish their Flight Companionship | Senior Living Care Maternity Care | Disability Care brand and overall Flight Companionship | Senior Living Care | Maternity Care | Disability Care Transfer assistance | Bathing assistancewebsite a new image, Graceful In Home Healthcare gave their Transfer Assistance | Bathing Assistance | Incontinence Care Incontinence care | Meal preparation look and layout. The newly-designed website went live in January.

Meal Preparation | Transportation Transportation | Light chores | Light Chores Compared to the previous layout, the improvements and updates Free Consultation!

20% up-to-date Off 1st Time Visit! that were applied resulted in a cleaner look with the most information efficiently arranged in tabs, making it easy to navigate 20% off CALL TODAY TODAY! (402) 387-7933 1stCALL time through all of Graceful In1500 Home Healthcare’s services and health (402) 387-7933 service South 70th1500 Street, Suite 102 | Lincoln, NE 68506 South 70th Street, Suite 102 care options.

Lincoln,| NE 68506 contact@gracefulinhomecare.com GracefulinHomeCare Free

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Graceful In Home Healthcarewww. is Consultation proud to GracefulinHomeCare the appropriate G r a c e ful idevote n H o m e Care .com GracefulinHomeCare.com amount of time to marketing themselves in the community, ensuring their image and brand are accurately representing the high level of service they provide. As a top finalist for 2018 KFOR Best of Lincoln and 2018 BBB Integrity Award recipient, Graceful successfully delivers exceptional care for patients of all ages and varying needs.

Types of care offered at Graceful In Home Healthcare include senior care, personal care, companion care, disability care, maternity care, and Alzheimer’s/Dementia care. Services are provided on an hourly basis all the way up to 24-hour care seven days a week.

Private pay, long-term insurance, and Medicaid are accepted. For more information, and to check out the revamped website, visit gracefulinhomecare.com, or call (402) 387-7933.

Levrack Featured on New Season of Discovery Channel’s Garage Rehab Levrack, Lincoln’s locally owned and operated storage solutions company, is excited to be featured on an allnew season of Discovery Channel’s hit motor series, Garage Rehab, which premiered Tuesday, January 8. New episodes will continue to air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Richard Rawlings, star of Discovery Channel’s popular Fast N’ Loud series, set out on a new venture last year by investing in struggling garages across America. Joined by project manager Russell J. Holmes and auto shop consultant Chris Stephens, Richard travels the country to find shops in need of restoration and then selects a garage to invest his time, money, and contacts. One contact this season is native-Nebraskan Ryan Stauffer, co-founder of Levrack. Levrack is a perfect fit for the show as each episode demonstrates how to turn around cluttered, struggling garages in to a functional, efficient, and organized space. Levrack’s design streamlines commercial and residential storage by creating a solution for problems many garages have: dead space and no room.

“The last year spent traveling with the guys at Garage Rehab has been incredible. We’re putting Levrack to the test across the country and are excited to see how we can contribute to the incredible work that Richard, Russell and Chris are doing,” Ryan said.

Whether it’s for your home, shop, or business, Levrack’s exclusive system effectively triples your storage space by combining the best of pallet racking and mobile-aisle shelving. The patented design is more durable, more efficient, and less expensive than other forms of highdensity storage currently on the market. Check out the website at www. levrack.com or call the team at (402) 875-9466 to learn more—and don’t forget to keep up with this season›s episodes of Garage Rehab on Discovery Channel! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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BUSINESS NEWS Edward Jones to Host Presentation on Healthcare in Retirement

Butterfly Bakery Partners with Capital Cigar Lounge for Valentine’s Day Event

Edward Jones invites you to join them on February 26 for a presentation, led by Financial Advisor Bethany Arnold, titled “Healthcare In Retirement: The Prescription is Planning.” The educational opportunity will be held at Granite City Food & Brewery (6150 O St.), starting at 6 p.m.

Dinner will be served.

Butterfly Bakery and Capital Cigar Lounge are joining forces to offer the ultimate Valentine’s Day getaway for couples and singles alike. The event begins at 7 p.m. at Capital Cigar Lounge, located off of 14th and Old Cheney (5505 S. 16th St., STE 100).

Butterfly Bakery will be pairing their desserts with Capitol Cigar’s preferred wines, bourbons, cocktails, and cigars for an evening of relaxation, good company, great service, and amazing desserts! There will be gourmet brownies, truffles, mousse cups, and of course, chocolate cigars—all of which pair perfectly with your favorite wine and/or champagne.

Capital Cigar’s mission is to allow their clients to experience minivacations with every visit! The ambiance of the lounge is better experienced than explained, so swing by for a delicious cocktail, highquality cigar, and good conversation. With community in mind, Capital Cigar Lounge has many more events, like the Valentine’s Day getaway, planned for the future. Keep up with the Capital Cigar Lounge on their website (capitalcigar.com) and Facebook page (@capitalcigarco).

Butterfly Bakery prides themselves on their products that are always made fresh, from scratch, using quality ingredients. Innovative designs and attention to detail truly make every item the create a piece of edible artwork. Visit Butterfly Bakery, located at 4209 S. 33rd St., to pick up some mouth-watering sweets this Valentine’s Day. Learn more about the bakery online at www.butterflybakeryne.com or call (402) 499-0620 to place an order.

At Edward Jones, understanding your goals and partnering with you to achieve them is what they do best. Financial education is an important part of that partnership, and that is why Bethany is offering this event as a chance to learn about strategies to help you achieve your financial goals.

As a financial advisor, Bethany partners with business owners and their team members to ensure that the business entity is structured in the most financially efficient way. Edward Jones uses an established process to find out what’s important to their clients and focus on where their clients are today, where they want to be, and how to help them get there. This process is the best way to develop a personalized financial strategy.

Learn more about Edward Jones online at www.edwardjones.com. To reserve a space for yourself and a guest at this presentation dinner, please contact (402) 421-7418 / molly.guenther@edwardjones.com.

The Woodlands Receives Recognition as Top-Rated Senior Care Provider for 2019 The Woodlands was recently featured in the annual SeniorAdvisor.com Best of 2019 Awards, which recognize outstanding senior living and home care providers who have received consistently high ratings from residents and their families. Winners of the SeniorAdvisor.com Best of 2019 Awards are located all over the United States and Canada and represent the top 2–3% of inhome care, assisted living, and other senior living providers.

This year, 660 senior living communities and home care agencies were recognized. They received a special designation on www. senioradvisor.com as well as materials to promote the award within their communities in January 2019. For a full list of this year’s awardwinners, go to www.senioradvisor.com/awards/best-assisted-living.

Located at 9421 Gable Pines Rd., adjacent to the beautiful Hillcrest Country Club, The Woodlands is a home-like, service-rich, gracious senior living community, where residents can live more relaxed and worry-free. It features a thoughtfully designed and crafted environment with carefully chosen amenities to fit the needs and lifestyles of its residents.

Offering both assisted living and memory care support, The Woodlands gives both residents and families peace of mind that they are living in a community that cares. The 24-hour nursing staff, the recognized programming that keeps the residents as independent as possible for as long as possible, and the security provided is what makes The Woodlands a community worth checking out for any family’s loved one.

Learn more at woodlandsathillcrest.com or call (402) 261-0261 for leasing information. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

CONSTRUCTION AT • IT’S • BEST

Perry Reid Construction is a general contractor located in Lincoln, Nebraska, established in 2017.

MISSION:

PRC's mission is to exceed our customer’s expectation through integrity and teamwork you can count on. Our goal is to build a relationship and finish the project to the highest level of customer satisfaction.

President, Ben Velinsky and his professional team have over 85 years of combined experience in the construction industry, and have completed a number of construction projects over the years.

Services: • Commercial • Multi-Family • Retail Space

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(402) 488-1666 | WWW.BUILDPRC.COM FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS Jonathan Curtis Design Announces Expansion of Services

Omaha Fashion Week Uses “Fashion for Good” During Spring Season

Jonathan and Ashley Curtis, owners of Jonathan Curtis Design, have recently announced their decision to expand their services to meet more needs of their clientele. Along with their regular custom furniture and deck repair, the local business will now offer kitchen, basement, and bathroom remodels; custom additions; and pergolas. Jonathan and his team have many years’ worth of experience in the areas of custom cabinetry, countertop manufacturing, wooden doors, roofing, framing, decks, repair, fine furniture, fine finishing, trimming, soffit, fascia, metal work, and more— virtually every aspect of home remodeling.

With over 11 years of service, Jonathan Curtis Design considers craftsmanship and integrity two of their most important values. Designing a space or piece of furniture that complements a client’s home and personal style is what they strive for, along with respecting their budget and timeline.

“I like to meet in person, if possible, to get a feel for what’s most important to the client,” explains Jonathan. “I try to find ways to accomplish these things in the least expensive way. I provide drawings and formal estimates/contracts to make sure we’re all on the same page.”

Jonathan Curtis Design is family-owned and believes in glorifying God and taking care of others. To view their project portfolio and numerous positive customer reviews, visit their Facebook and Instagram pages (@jonathancurtisdesign). To get in touch with their team, contact implementjonathan@gmail.com or call (402) 570-1136.

Omaha Fashion Week (OFW) is excited to kick off another showcase, February 25–March 2! OFW’s “Fashion for Good” season is a week dedicated to supporting the community, inspiring students, and showcasing emerging and established design talent.

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Doors to Omaha Design Center open each evening at 6 p.m. Join OFW before the shows for the Pretty in Patina Pre-Party with live entertainment and shopping in the Pop-Up Shop Market, as well as the Borsheims Red Carpet Experience! Plus, don’t miss out on the Village Pointe Aesthetic Surgery and Dreams MedSpa VIP Lounge, where you can take in all the fashion and glamour with complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks from the ABSOLUT ELYX Bar! It all leads up to the main event: a packed showcase on the Allure Health & Med Spa Runway to Beauty!

Omaha Fashion Week has proudly grown into the nation’s fifth largest fashion event, supporting more independent fashion designers than any other organization in the region. To view the complete show schedule and purchase tickets for Omaha Fashion Week’s spring season, go to www.omahafashionweek. com. OFW can also be contacted at (402) 937-1061 / info@ omahafashionweek.com.

Apartment Association Announces Launch of Nebraska Maintenance Academy The Apartment Association of Nebraska (AAN) has announced the launch of the Nebraska Maintenance Academy (NMA). The first session of this groundbreaking program is scheduled to launch on February 4 at the Omaha AAN Development Center, located at 4862 S. 96th St. Additional academy start dates include June 3 and October 7.

NMA’s goal is to train 45 people per year at no cost to the student, and then to immediately place those now-trained individuals into careers.

Students of Nebraska Maintenance Academy will spend three months in training, including classes and apprenticeship. Students must be able to pass a criminal background screening, a drug screening, and have access to a vehicle to use for work. Once accepted, students will attend class from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a half hour for lunch for two months. The day is designed to model a typical working experience in the industry. Each student will be placed in a one-month apprenticeship at an AAN-member apartment community with the goal of providing a real world work and training experience in the rental housing industry with a goal of full-time job placement. At the end of the year period, each student will earn the ANSI accredited CAMT certification (recognized in the multi-family industry at both the local and national level).

“We are excited to be able to provide a proven training program that will be part of the solution to the problem, and we want to get students out into the workforce quickly,” said Gretchen Arroyo, education coordinator for AAN and NMA. “This program has been successfully implemented in the state of Maryland for the last three years through the Maryland Multi-Housing Association’s Service Training Academy (MMHASTA), and proven to positively impact both the students and the properties in which they were placed. It will be great to do the same thing here in Nebraska and have a positive impact.”

The Apartment Association of Nebraska is an affiliate of the National Apartment Association and was founded in 2002. For more information on the Nebraska Maintenance Academy, visit www.aaneb.org or call the AAN office at (402) 333-5331. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Nebraska Safety Council Announces Teen Driver Education Opportunities The Nebraska Safety Council will be offering Teen Driver Education courses in February and March.

They are the only AAA-Certified course provider in Lincoln, providing top-notch classroom instruction and hands-on training for new drivers.

The winter driver education course will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5 to 7 p.m. between February 12 and March 7, and additionally on Saturday, February 16 from 8 a.m. to noon.

All winter courses will take place at the Nebraska Safety Council, 3243 Cornhusker Hwy., STE A10, Lincoln. Dates for the spring driver education courses are March 11–14, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Southwest High School or Southeast High School.

The Nebraska Safety Council, a non-profit organization headquartered in Lincoln, encourages new drivers to register early for their winter and spring driver education trainings—spots in class fill up quickly!

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for teens 15–18 years old in the U.S. It is critical to educate new drivers on how they can stay safe behind the wheel. To register your teen driver for the winter or spring driving course, go online to www.nesafetycouncil. org or call (402) 483-2511. Contact Laurie Klosterboer at (402) 483-2511 / kloster@nesafetycouncil.org for additional information.

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The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the awarding of numerous grants throughout the nation to improve access to job training in rural communities, including close to half a million dollars awarded to Southeast Community College (SCC) for distance learning.

The $495,631 Distance Learning grant will benefit SCC’s Beatrice and Lincoln campuses, as well as the six learning centers in Plattsmouth, Wahoo, Nebraska City, Hebron, York, and Falls City. The grant will enable students from throughout the 15-county service area to take part in health science courses at SCC. Students will take courses at the learning centers and Beatrice campus through distance learning technology. The Lincoln Campus will serve as a hub.

“This grant will provide collaboration throughout southeast Nebraska and will open doors to health care education for individuals so they can meet the workforce demand while staying in their rural communities,” said Jill Sand, dean of health sciences at SCC. Sand said the grant will provide advanced learning tools, including simulation mannequins (SimMen) and Anatomage Tables, which provide a 3D image of the human body, eliminating the need for cadavers. They will be part of the creation of a multi-campus simulation laboratory (sim lab) spanning the learning centers and Beatrice and Lincoln campuses.

Southeast Community College 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. SCC empowers and transforms its students and diverse communities by offering more than 50 programs of study on campuses in Beatrice, Lincoln, and Milford.

Learn more at www.southeast.edu, or contact the Lincoln campus at (402) 471-3333. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Roper & Sons Funeral Home Announces February Events This month’s Roper & Sons Topic Breakfast, held at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 21, features Ryan Sothan, outreach director with the Attorney General’s office. Ryan will share a presentation entitled: “Safety in Numbers: Four Lessons in Cybersecurity.”

Topic Breakfast, held on the third Thursday each month, is free and open to the public. To reserve your seat for Topic Breakfast, please call (402) 476-1225 or email info@roperandsons.com.

In addition, Roper & Sons Grief Program meets weekly on Sundays.

Grief Programs are open to the public, regardless of whether services were facilitated by Roper & Sons.

1st and 3rd Sundays: Guided Group with Facilitator Melissa Thorne, designed for those whose loss took place more than 18 months ago.

Meets from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Roper & Sons Reception Facility at 4300 O St. 2nd and 4th Sundays: Structured Group with Facilitator Tiffany Eisenbraun, designed for those whose loss is more recent than 18 months, who may be addressing some more pressing first-time needs.

Meets from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Reception Facility.

2nd and 4th Sundays: Substance Abuse Loss Group with Facilitators Brenda Moes and Tiffany Eisenbraun. Designed for those whose loved one died as a result of drug or alcohol use. Meets 5–6 p.m. at the South Lincoln Chapel, 40th and Yankee Hill.

To learn more about Roper & Sons, a family-owned business offering a wide variety of choices when it comes to making funeral arrangements in Lincoln, visit www.roperandsons.com or call (402) 476-1225.

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business 9

BUSINESS NEWS KENL INN Staff Becomes S.A.F.E. Certified through American Kennel Club

BNI Holds Member Recognition Events During International Networking Week

KENL INN is excited to announce that they are now a certified S.A.F.E. (Safety, Assurance, Fundamentals, Education) grooming salon through the American Kennel Club (AKC).

The American Kennel Club recognizes the importance of proper grooming for the health, well-being, and overall comfort of dogs. The AKC Safety in the Salon course is designed to cover best practices focusing on pet care, health, and safety, and to enhance the knowledge and practices of trained groomers to ensure that these needs are met for all dogs in a salon. By educating on the best practices in grooming safety, the AKC helps teach pet care professionals the most up-to-date safety practices, so they can provide the best care possible to pets and for their owners.

KENL INN promotes life-long learning and improvement activities, giving their employees the opportunity for self-assessment and to continually expand and refresh their knowledge. KENL INN feels this demonstrates staff commitment to learning and engagement in improving their skills.

The newly-certified staff members at KENL INN include Emily Ruwe, manager of the salon. She is certified in pet and human CPR and safety.

Maria Swancara, Jenna Welcomer, and Denisha Kirsch are stylists in the salon. They are all certified in grooming and safety. Owner KQ Allen is very proud of her team for their accomplishments.

Learn about KENL INN, located at 10241 Old Cheney Rd., online at kenlinn.com or contact them at (402) 488-8190 / frontdesk@kenl-inn.com.

BNI® Heartland lined up member recognition events across the region during the first week of the month, which is known as International Networking Week™ (INW)—a global initiative that encourages business networking and relationship building among professionals who may otherwise not have participated. INW is an annual event that always takes place the first full week in February.

BNI Founder and Chief Visionary Officer Dr. Ivan Misner stated, “We live in a world where business at all levels is more global than ever. I’m incredibly excited by the new opportunities that BNI® provides members to grow their businesses and build new communities across the world.”

Increasingly, members of BNI® are conducting business with one another across regional and international borders, creating a truly global business network where leaders can expand their businesses and compete on the world stage.

BNI® is the world’s leading referral organization, with over 245,000 members in 70+ countries. Members generate word-of-mouth business for each other through structured, results-driven groups around the world. In 2018 alone, BNI members generated over $15 billion (USD) in revenue for member-businesses. For more information on becoming a BNI® member, visit bniheartland.com or contact (402) 880-6311 / info@bniheartland.com.

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Kinetic Business brings you a full suite of high-performance business services, such as: One Gig Fiber Internet with no data caps and equally fast upload and download speeds OfficeSuite®, our award-winning, cloud-based voice service that includes HD video, audio and web conferencing Always-On, our wireless Internet backup connection that delivers 99.999% Internet uptime Service Level Agreement (SLA) Network security solutions, from our basic anti-virus Internet protection to our fully managed network security service

Learn more at 1-877-445-9462 or windstream.com/Lincoln Visit our retail store located at 1440 M Street in Lincoln Kinetic by Windstream: Speeds and solutions may vary and are not guaranteed. Many factors can affect actual speeds, and certain geographic and service restrictions may apply to One Gig Fiber Internet services. © 2019 Windstream Services, LLC. All rights reserved. Kinetic and Windstream are registered service marks or trademarks of Windstream Services, LLC. and/or its affiliates. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.

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BUSINESS NEWS Fields Floral Announces Plans to Reintroduce Monthly DIY Wine & Design Event this Spring Fields Floral is bringing back their monthly DIY Wine & Design events this spring. The monthly event will begin in March, and the dates that are slated for the 2019 season are March 14, April 4, May 2, and June 5. Gather your friends, relatives, and co-workers, and join in on a night of creativity, laughter, food, drinks, and fun. Each month will have a specific theme, but participants have the freedom to create their own signature floral designs. Previous years’ themes have included succulent gardens, football centerpieces, cornucopias, wreaths, and more! The Fields Floral team will provide materials, appetizers, and project guidance for $45 per person. To register for their monthly DIY Wine & Design events, call (402) 483-4564!

Field’s Floral has been providing floral arrangements and gifts to the Lincoln community since 1977. The shop is quaintly located in the historic College View neighborhood at 48th and Cooper Ave. Find out more about Fields Floral on their website at www.fieldsfloral.com and on Facebook (@fields-floral).

Women in Sales & Business to Host Monthly Luncheon on February 13 The Women in Sales & Business (WISB) monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 13 at The Venue in the NE/Lancaster Room at 4111 Pioneer Woods Dr. At this month’s meeting, members and guests will have an opportunity to network with one another in a fast-paced activity. Those planning to attend should bring business cards and prepare to give a one to two minute summary of their business and goals.

Please take this opportunity to join Women in Sales & Business this month and get to know their membership! The meeting starts with lunch at 11:30 a.m. with the meeting following from 11:55 a.m. until 1 p.m. Cost is $18, which includes lunch (cost is $10 if you only attend the meeting).

Register online at www.wisblincoln.org on the events page to RSVP. More information can also be found on the website or by contacting WISB at (402) 937-8872 / info@wisblincoln.org.

Infusionmedia Publishes Iowa Sports Rivalry Book and Launches Website 4 campuses.

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Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

Infusionmedia has published an Iowa sports rivalry book, titled River City Rivals: Sioux City’s Basketball Rivalry between Briar Cliff University and Morningside College by sports writer Barry Fouts. In addition, a website devoted to the book has been launched at rivercityrivals.com. The book captures the memories of those who played, those who coached, and those who simply enjoyed over 50 seasons of rivalry between Sioux City, IA’s two college basketball teams, Briar Cliff University and Morningside College. The 6”×9” paperback includes interviews with key players and coaches, as well as historical photos of both teams. The website, rivercityrivals.com, provides more information about the book and its author, as well as an e-commerce functionality to sell the book.

Based in Lincoln, Infusionmedia’s services include custom book publishing, content marketing, website development, and managed website hosting.

Find out more at infusion.media or contact (402) 477-2065 / hello@ infusion.media. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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CBMC Offers Six-Part Video Series, “Who Needs God?”

Perry Reid Construction Makes Headway on Primrose School Project Perry Reid Construction (PRC) was selected as the general contractor for the construction of Primrose Schools of Lincoln at Wilderness Hills. Primrose Schools is a national system of accredited private preschools that provides a premier early education and childcare experience for children and families. The 2.9 million dollar project broke ground on November 26, 2018 and is projected to be completed this summer. The 12,500-square-foot school is being constructed off of 27th and Yankee Hill, 8811 S. 28th St., and will accommodate up to 182 students. Primrose is currently scheduling tours of the new school facility. Fill out the form online at www.primroseschools.com to schedule a tour of the new school, or call Primrose today at (402) 803-8525.

PRC was very excited to work with the Primrose Schools franchise on this project. This is just one of the 40 million dollars’ worth of projects the company has in the books for 2019. PRC takes on both commercial and residential projects in Omaha and the surrounding area. They have a vast knowledge of multi-family dwellings, hospitality buildings, and medical facilities.

Perry Reid Construction, a subsidiary of Perry Reid Properties, was created with enthusiasm and passion by joining the minds of Craig Reid, Ben Velinsky, Alex Perry, and Angie Welton. Established in 2017, the PRC vision was to create a general contracting company that would value its employees like trusted family, and serve its customers like a respected friend. Their goal is to provide unmatched service and support to all owners, including architects, subcontractors, and our community. Learn more about PRC’s projects by visiting buildprc.com, or call the team at (402) 488-1666. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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CBMC Lincoln (Christian Business Men’s Connection) will be offering a six-part series on Thursdays from 4:30–5:30 p.m., starting on February 14. The series, titled “Who Needs God?,” will take place at the CBMC office (5625 O St., STE 5). Total cost for all six sessions is $15. Space is limited so register soon.

Americans are migrating away from religion at an unprecedented rate—Christianity in particular. Once upon a time, people believed religion offered solutions. Today, many people view religion as the problem, in their office or at home.

Some of the questions this series will address include: Do you have religious doubts? If God exists, why is there evil, pain, and injustice in the world? Does science make God seem unnecessary? When your prayers go unanswered, do you wonder if God exists? Should we really believe something just because the Bible tells us so?

Andy Stanley delivers six compelling messages to help give answers or insights into these questions. He is a pastor, author of more than 20 books, and an insightful and dynamic speaker. In addition to the church he pastors, he has spoken at annual conferences such as Catalyst, Leadercast, and the WCA Global Leadership Summit.

You can find out more about CBMC (lincoln.cbmc.com) and register for this series by contacting Larry Middendorf at (402) 540-1093 or Lmiddendorf@cbmc.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS Lied Center Presents “A Celebration of Music and Milestone, N 150”

All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning Announces Discount on Diagnostic Fee

On Charter Day, February 15, the University of Nebraska will celebrate its 150th anniversary with a monumental evening of live performance and multimedia entertainment, A Celebration of Music and Milestone, N 150. At this special event, host Jeff Zeleny, University of Nebraska alum, native Nebraskan, and Senior White House Correspondent for CNN, will guide the audience through some of the University’s major accomplishments.

More than 175 artists will unite to perform a program including Wagner’s “Entrance of the Gods,” Orff’s “O Fortuna” from Carmina Burana, and N 150-commissioned new works by Nebraska alums David von Kampen and Garrett Hope. Special features include tributes to celebrated alumni Willa Cather, Roxane Gay, and Ted Kooser.

Performing ensembles include the Cornhusker Marching Band, UNL Symphony Orchestra, UNL Opera, UNL Dance, Chamber Singers, University Singers, and the Varsity Singers. They will be joined throughout the evening by notable University of Nebraska alums, including actress Marg Helgenberger. The production will seamlessly integrate multimedia and projection, music, and lighting in an impressive tribute to the University.

Tickets are $30 and are available at: liedcenter.org/event/celebrationmusic-and-milestone-n-150/, by phone at (402) 472-4747, or at the Lied Center box office, 301 N. 12th St. UNL students can purchase tickets at a 50% discount with a valid NCard. Children 18 and younger are eligible for half-price tickets. For more information, visit LiedCenter.org.

This month only, All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning is offering a special discount promotion on their diagnostic fee. For only $59.99, All Pro will send one of their professionals to inspect your entire HVAC system and present you with available options. The diagnostic fee ensures that you receive service on time, within a reasonable time frame, and from a highly-trained technician. At this time, their technician will be able to quote you exactly how much it will cost to repair your system, giving all pricing before any work is done, so you can decide if you want to move forward with the repairs.

The team at All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning, led by owner Constantine Syiny, want you to be 100% satisfied with your experience. Most of all, they want you to have a comfortable home environment in every season. During these cold winter months, a furnace that can’t be restored is usually very stressful to deal with. All Pro technicians are trained to go through this process with you to make sure you find what is best suited for your home. Their educated staff is available 24/7 to help find you the right system and they will install the system in a timely fashion. At All Pro, you can expect remarkable maintenance and installation service and financing options.

To redeem this special discount on the diagnostic fee, contact All Pro Heating and Air Conditioning this month by calling (402) 405-2959.

More information can be found online at allprolincoln.com.

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BUSINESS NEWS Star City BaconFest 2019 Returns April 7 Star City BaconFest returns to the Capital City for the fifth year on April 7 at Lincoln’s Cornhusker Marriott Hotel. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m., with bacon sampling continuing until 7 p.m. Admission is $25 for adults, with children 10 and under free. Ticket availability is limited, Pictured: Hundreds of bacon lovers so purchasing early is strongly enjoyed an evening of tempting treats featuring bacon cooked suggested. Tickets can be purchased up by some of Lincoln’s most online at starcitybaconfest.com. creative chefs during the 2018 Chefs from several popular area Star City BaconFest. Proceeds of restaurants will offer up their creative the event go toward scholarships bacon-infused samples of everything for Nebraska culinary students. from sweet to savory—and about everything in between. Entertainment will be provided by Screamers Dining and Cabaret. Throughout the evening, BaconFest attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite bacon-inspired treats.

Hormel Foods is providing products for the chefs to use during Star City BaconFest.

Star City BaconFest 2019 is sponsored again this year by the Nebraska Restaurant Association (NRA) and the Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA). Proceeds go toward scholarships for culinary students in Nebraska. For more information, visit Star City BaconFest at starcitybaconfest.com.

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Home Builders Association of Lincoln Presents Annual Home & Garden Show February 8–10 The weekend of February 8–10, the Lancaster Event Center will feature more than 250 exhibitors at the 47th Annual Nebraska Builders Home & Garden Show, produced by the Home Builders Association of Lincoln (HBAL). The show will take place in Pavilions 1 and 4 on Friday, February 8, 1–9 p.m.; Saturday, February 9, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; and Sunday, February 10, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Entrance fee for adults is $8; $7 with a non-perishable food item for the Lincoln Food Bank. Children ages 12 years and under are free.

The Nebraska Builders Home & Garden Show will have great ideas for landscaping, decorating, remodeling, or building a new home. It features the latest products for both the do-it-yourselfers and those who want to hire a professional. Whether talking to builders or seeing new products, the show is an outstanding opportunity to get inspired.

In addition to the Home Show, HBAL also promotes home building and remodeling through its annual Spring and Fall Parade of Homes and the Tour of Remodeled Homes. Did you know, HBAL has also given over $174,000 to the Lincoln community? Almost one-third of their financial contributions go towards scholarships for students entering a residential construction field. HBAL is currently accepting applications for three scholarships valued at up to $750 each. These scholarships are awarded to high school seniors attending The Career Academy in the building pathway who plan to continue their education at SCC-Milford. They also offer a $1,000 President’s Scholarship which is awarded to a high school senior who has a parent, grandparent, or other relative who owns or works for an HBAL member company. For more information about these scholarship opportunities, or the Lincoln Home Builders Care Foundation, please contact the HBAL office at (402) 423-4225.

To learn more about the Home Builders Association of Lincoln’s Nebraska Builders Home & Garden Show, go to www.hbal.org/builders-homegarden-show. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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BUSINESS NEWS Nebraska Repertory Theatre Presents “Dutchman” Performance

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The Nebraska Reper tory Theatre, Nebraska’s Actors’ Equity Association’s professional regional theatre, continues its 50th Anniversary season with Dutchman by Amiri Baraka (LeRoi Jones). Nebraska Rep is proud to announce that Ron Himes, producing director and founder of The Black Rep, will direct.

“In February, we honor Black History Month by producing Amiri Baraka’s Dutchman,” said the Nebraska Repertory Theatre’s artistic director Andy Park. “This riveting play first premiered in 1964 and remains shockingly relevant. The Black Rep is the largest professional African-American theatre company in the nation, and we are honored to welcome Mr. Himes.”

Performances are as follows: February 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. (preview performances); February 15 at 7:30 p.m. (opening night); February 19, 20, 21, 22 at 7:30 p.m.; February 16, 23 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and February 17, 24 at 2 p.m.

Performances are in the Temple Building’s Studio Theatre, 12th and R St. Tickets are available by contacting the Lied Center Ticket Office at (402) 472-4747 or (800) 432-3231 or at the ticket office window at 301 N. 12 St. between the hours of 11 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tickets are available online 24 hours a day at liedcenter. org. Individual tickets are $30; $15 for students/OLLI (Oshser Lifelong Learning Institute) members. Learn more about the Nebraska Repertory Theatre at nebraskarep.org.

Lincoln Haymarket Development Corporation Hosts 33rd Annual Chocolate Lovers Fantasy The Lincoln Haymar ket Development Corporation (LHDC) filled The Historic Haymarket with the sweet smell of chocolate on Friday, February 1 for their annual Chocolate Lovers Fantasy fundraising event.

The event brought professional and local chefs together with chocolate connoisseurs to raise money for the Historic Haymarket District and United Way/CHC (Community Health Charities) Campaign. Together, United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County (www.unitedwaylincoln.org) and Community Health Charities (www. chcne.org) raised funds to support 64 charities that support the community’s needs in the areas of education, income, and health.

This event would not be possible without the following sponsors: Platinum Sponsors—KFOR Radio, Ayars & Ayars, Inc., and 10/11 Cares; Gold Sponsors—Buzzard Billy’s, BVH Architecture, Eagle Printing, Lincoln Mattress & Furniture Co., Pinnacle Bank, Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill, Empyrean Brewing Co., Strictly Business Magazine, The Mill Coffee & Tea, Union Bank & Trust, and Woods & Aitken, LLP; and Silver Sponsors—Brewsky’s, Ivanna Cone, Olsson, Pio Real Estate LLC, and ArtFX Screen Printing & Embroidery. LHDC is thankful for all event sponsors and auction donors.

The Lincoln Haymarket Development Corporation, a non-profit board, is committed to continuing the economic development, revitalization, preservation, and growth of Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket District. To learn more, visit lincolnhaymarket.org or contact (402) 435-7496 / info@lincolnhaymarket.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS

N E W ! Half-Day

Lincoln Running Co. Enters 600+ in Launch Your Toughness Challenge The Lincoln Running Co., along with their LRCN Racing Team and Brooks Running, are please to announce that over 600 people signed up for the Lincoln, Launch Your Toughness challenge. The challenge motivated participants to run or walk at least one mile outside every day—even in these cold winter months! Lincoln Running Co. had “running buddies” available every Wednesday during the challenge. Participants were then entered into drawings for prize packages that were raffled off each Monday throughout the month of January. The Lincoln Running Co. is very happy with the participation in the Lincoln, Launch Your Toughness challenge this year. Ann Ringlein, owner of the Lincoln Running Co., noted that people were “ready to get after it this January!”

In addition, the Lincoln Running Co. will be offering Brooks First Thursday Runs the first Thursday of each month, April through October starting at 6 p.m.—another way to get your run in!

Lincoln Running Co.’s mission has always been to help people in Lincoln find the right shoes and gear to be fit, whether that be with running, walking, or just moving. For more information, give Lincoln Running Company a call at (402) 474-4557, email them at lincolnrunning@windstream.net, or stop into their location at 1213 Q St. in downtown Lincoln.

Capital Cigar Lounge Announces House Band and Upcoming Events

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Capital Cigar Lounge is excited to announce that their lounge will feature live music every other Saturday from 8 p.m. to midnight, beginning February 9. The band, Wise, will be performing each time as Capital Cigar’s own official house band. Realizing their music felt out of place in any one genre, the band coined the term R&B Rock, which has hints of jazz and neo-soul, as their signature sound. Band members include Cole Shoemaker, Brandon Rakes, and Jonathan Leach. The three are very excited to be partnering with Capital Cigar Lounge to entertain its clientele with their music.

In addition, on February 8 at 6 p.m., Capital Cigar Lounge will be hosting an event with their vendor partner, Diesel Cigars. The event will consistent of one of Diesel’s newest releases, Whiskey Row, including the beverage director for Rabbit Hole Bourbon. This cigar is aged in Rabbit Hole Bourbon barrels to create a unique and desired pairing between the two brands. In addition, Capital Cigar will be holding a Cornelius & Anthony (CA) event on February 15.

Jeff Smith, a CA representative, will be in Lincoln for this exclusive event at the lounge from 6 to 10 p.m. Jeff will share the CA story while offering new products and great swag. There will also be specials on box purchases and lots of fun as everyone partakes in the enjoyment of the leaf.

Capital Cigar Lounge, located off of 16th and Old Cheney, is the Midwest’s premier cigar lounge. It is a place for everybody and anybody. All friends in the community are invited to enjoy a cigar or a cocktail in Capital Cigar’s classy and comfortable public lounge.

For more information about Capital Cigar Lounge, visit capitalcigar. com and follow their Facebook (@capitalcigarco) and Instagram (@ capitalcigarco) page to keep up with the lounge’s upcoming events and exciting news! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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BUSINESS NEWS EventLNK to Host February Meeting at Wilderness Ridge

Russ’s Wine and Food Experience Set for February 22

EventLNK has announced that this month’s meeting will be Tuesday, February 12 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Wilderness Ridge (1800 Wilderness Woods Pl.). This month’s fun EventLNK meeting is all about the wilderness, consisting of a tour of the beautiful lodge at Wilderness Ridge.

Wilderness Ridge, managed by KemperSports, is open to the public and includes an 18-hole golf course and a 9-hole golf course / foot-golf course; an upscale-casual restaurant featuring steaks and seafood; as well as private banquet spaces for events of varying sizes. Wilderness Ridge will be providing complimentary appetizers in their grill with a cash bar. EventLNK members will meet Jordyn Swanson, director of marketing and promotions, who will cover venue rental information, venue tours, golf tournament packages, and much more.

EventLNK brings together Lincoln’s event professionals by providing education and resources to enhance and support professional growth.

With the financial support of Union Bank, EventLNK held its first meeting in March 2013. EventLNK has since grown from 30 members to 200, simply by word-of-mouth. They continue to look for relevant venues, educational topics, and networking opportunities for their members.

Visit www.eventlnk.org/meetings to register. To find out more information about EventLNK, visit their website at www.eventlnk.org or email Jill Mlinar at info@eventlnk.org.

Benefitting the Lincoln Community Playhouse, the 2019 Russ’s Wine and Food Experience will be held at the Embassy Suites on Friday, February 22 from 5–8 p.m. This is the 11th year for the event, a favorite of Lincoln-area wine lovers. The Russ’s Wine and Food Experience raised almost $400,000 for the Lincoln Community Playhouse over the last 10 years.

Approximately 90 booths will fill the main ballroom, offering a local and international selection of wines. Foodies can sample fine cheeses, gourmet desserts, beef, seafood, and many unique items. Russ’s Market bakers will be making several varieties of fresh baked artisan breads at the event. In addition to the main ballroom, reserve room guests will enjoy an exclusive selection of reserve wines and a buffet prepared

by Russ’s Market Catering Department.

The goal for this year’s Russ’s Wine and Food Experience is to raise $30,000 for the Lincoln Community Playhouse. General admission tickets for the main ballroom are $50 in advance; $60 at the door. Advance tickets for the Reserve Room are $70; $80 at the door. Those holding reserve room tickets may enjoy both the main ballroom and reserve room beginning at 4 p.m. There are a limited number of Cellar Room tickets available for sale at $125.

Tickets are on sale at Lincoln area Russ’s Market locations and online at www.RussMarket.com. Follow Russ’s Market on Facebook and Twitter (@RussMarket).

Max D. Larsen and Associates, LLC Companies that do well during uncertain times have actionable strategic plans to guide decisions!

• Is your company prepared for what may happen in five years?

• Are you hiring employees that will meet your needs in the future?

• Are your sales and company’s productivity what you want?

• What can you do to boost morale and improve customer service?

Contact me for a no-cost discussion about how to address these issues:

Max D. Larsen max@maxdlarsen.com (402) 488-7102

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Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

BUSINESS NEWS Yield Champions to Host Pro Ag I Training in Lincoln February 18–19 Dennis Nun, president of Yield Champions, has announced the location of a special crop production intensive coming up in Nebraska in February. On February 18 and 19, the Pro Ag I, a two-day crop production intensive, will be available for producers of corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa, as well as their agronomists, seed, and fertilizer suppliers, in Lincoln at the Embassy Suites. Breakfast will begin at 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday the 19th and the program will start at 7:30 a.m., ending at 3:30 p.m.

The focus of Pro Ag I is on reducing input costs while increasing yields.

This is a unique program that many of the NCGA State and National Yield Champions credit with having provided them with the knowledge necessary to increase their yields and profits.

Dennis Nun, president of Yield Champions, says, “We’re excited to be able to bring cutting-edge fertility training to our customers and clients as well as opening up these programs to seed and fertilizer dealers, farm managers, land owners and other agricultural professionals.”

To preview the concepts shared at these programs, go to www.300BushelCorn.info. For more information on tickets to these events, visit yieldchampions.com/educational-seminars or contact Dennis Nun at Dennis@300BushelCorn.info / (402) 430-7727 (call or text).

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Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum Presents Aircraft Adventure Series The Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum will offer a new lecture series that includes an opportunity to view inside historic aircraft. The Aircraft Adventure series is focused on the museum’s collection, highlighting historic events from World War II through the Cold War. The curator-led speaker series will include the opportunity to view artifacts that are not on display and learn about historic events from a subject matter expert. Each event begins at 10 a.m. with a presentation near each featured aircraft. Aircraft tours will end at 2 p.m. The series begins February 9 with a presentation on the C-54 Skymaster’s role in World War II and later the Berlin Airlift with an opportunity to get inside the aircraft. The event begins with a presentation focused on Captain Norm Stevens and his experiences with the C-54 Skymaster aircraft during World War II and later the Berlin Airlift.

Captain Stevens (5/23/1923–6/7/2016) was a Nebraska resident with a 10-year United States Air Force career. He flew the C-54 military transport around the world. He evacuated prisoner-of-war nurses from the Philippines in the latter days of World War II, hauled food and fuel into besieged Berlin during the airlift of 1948-49, and ferried wounded troops from Korea to Japan during the Korean War. The museum’s curator will display unique artifacts from the museum’s collection for each event. The February 9 Aircraft Adventure will include 1940s flight gear, an illustration from the Columbus Evening Dispatch to Gen. LeMay about his work with the Berlin Airlift, and technical drawings and manuals of the C-54 Skymaster.

These Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum events are available to the public as part of general admission and are free for members. General admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors or military, $6 for youth ages 4–12, and free for children three and under. The museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Learn more online at sacmuseum. org, or call the museum at (402) 944-3100. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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402-423-4853 | NeemannAndSons.com FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

19

BUSINESS NEWS Center Sphere Announces February Events Center Sphere hosts events each month that are open to both members and guests in order to give non-members a chance to learn more about this amazing network.

Dates for this month’s public events include: • February 7, 8:30–10 a.m. — Coffee and Connections, hosted by BB Roofing at Gianna’s Java & Gelato, 2241 O St., STE T. • February 19, 4:30–6:30 p.m. — Social Hour, hosted by Sage Nutrition, 2917 Pine Lake Rd. Center Sphere is an established network of business professionals whose mission is to share referrals, ideas, and resources through genuine relationships. For more information, visit www.centersphere. com or contact Cheryl Hansen, area director for Lincoln, at (402) 499-2009 / Cheryl@CenterSphere.com.

Better Business Bureau Shares Tips on Creating and Maintaining Strong Passwords Local Loans for Your Greatest Goals

With local decision-making, local processing and quality servicing, you can rest assured that your mortgage lending needs will be addressed right here in Lincoln, NE by experts who know the area.

CONTACT A MORTGAGE LENDER TODAY!

Together with the Federal Trade Commission, the Better Business Bureau is sharing tips to make passwords more secure. These include: • Make your password long, strong, and complex.

That means at least 12 characters, mixed with uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid common words, phrases or information in your passwords.

• Don’t reuse passwords used on other accounts. Use different passwords for different accounts so that if hackers compromise one account, they can’t access other accounts.

• Use multi-factor authentication, when available. For accounts that support it, two-factor authentication requires both your password and an additional piece of information to log in. The second piece could be a code sent to your phone, or a random number generated by an app or token. This protects your account even if your password is compromised.

MORTGAGE LENDERS (L-R)

Jordan Moehlenhoff Wayne Kreikemeier 402.853.7212 402.323.6521 wkreikemeier@westgate.bank jmoehlenhoff@westgate.bank NMLS#644161

NMLS#1487726

Kiann Ridgeway 402.323.7253 kridgeway@westgate.bank NMLS#493975

• Consider a password manager. Most people have trouble keeping track of all their passwords. Consider storing your passwords and security questions in a reputable password manager, an easy-toaccess application that stores all your password information. Use a strong password to secure the information in your password manager.

• Select security questions only you know the answer to. Many security questions ask for answers to information available in public records or online, like your ZIP Code, mother’s maiden name, and birth place. That is information a motivated attacker can obtain. Don’t use questions with a limited number of responses that attackers can easily guess, like the color of your first car.

• Change passwords quickly if there is a breach. If you receive a notification from a company about a possible breach, change that password and any account that uses a similar password immediately.

westgate.bank | 402.323.8987 EQUAL HOUSING

LENDER

20

Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

Better Business Bureau has been serving the local communities since 1936. The overall mission of BBB is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. Learn more online at bbb.org/nebraska, or call (800) 649-6814. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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

by Chris McPike, Vice President ComPro Insurance

Prescription Drug Costs Are you dealing with the high cost of prescription drugs? In June 2018, an article written by Kaiser Health News and published in USA Today identified the monthly costs of some of the most frequently advertised drugs.

Eliquis - $503 Humira - $5,846 Trulicity - $876 Keytruda - $8,369 Lyrica - $1,070 Cosentyx - $11,310 (Source: www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/06/06/pricecheck-top-10-most-advertised-drugs/676763002) Health insurance plans that provide prescription drugs develop “formularies” that are a list of the medications that a plan will cover.

This applies to medications that you purchase at a pharmacy or through a mail order service. This is true across all segments of the market—employer plans, individual health plans, Medicare, and other government healthcare programs. If your medication is not included on the formulary, it generally means that your health insurance plan will not contribute to the cost of the medicine and will not apply your cost toward the deductible on the policy.

A friend that uses an expensive medication to help with severe nerve pain recently found out that even though it was covered by her insurance plan in 2018, it won’t be covered in 2019.

So, what are your options?

• If you haven’t already tried alternate medications, find out if a lower cost drug will work for you.

• If your plan requires “step therapy” before approving the medicine that you want to use, then provide the history of other medications that you have tried.

• If “prior authorization” is needed, ask your doctor to submit the needed information.

• You and your doctor can work together to request an exception to the formulary. This requires you to provide documentation explaining why you need to use this particular medication. Each insurance company has a process. If your request is approved, it means that the prescription will be covered by your policy. It doesn’t mean that your cost will be low.

• Talk to your doctor and pharmacist about programs that provide lower cost access to the medicine that you need.

• Search online. Drug manufacturers usually offer the best cost-savings programs. Frequently, there is a copay or discount card that helps with the cost for a limited amount of time. All the medicines listed above offer savings programs on their website.

If you have questions about your prescription drug coverage, talk to ComPro.

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

DESIGN. BUILD. REMODEL. Kitchens • Baths • Sunrooms • Additions • Decks • Pergolas • Fine Furniture JONATHAN CURTIS DESIGN (402) 570-1136 | @JonathanCurtisDesign

Often Imitated. Never Duplicated.

PIZZERIA & RISTORANTE 7701 Pioneers Blvd | 402-261-5966 | momospizzeria.com

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

21

STAR CITY SIX

GUSTAVO

Gustavo Justo Luna

MILLENNIUM DECORATIVE CONCRETE, LLC

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Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

Millennium Decorative Concrete, LLC provides concrete contractor services, specializing in stamped concrete, decorative finishes, acid stain, dyes, and colored concrete. Gustavo Justo Luna is co-owner of Millennium Decorative Concrete, LLC. Tell us a little about your business. - Our services include concrete countertops, flatwork, patios, driveway and sidewalk paving, garage and basement slabs, concrete steps, and concrete tear-outs and replacement. We take on both residential and commercial projects. I’m proud to put my name behind a company that offers high-quality work for such affordable prices.

How did you get started in the business? - My brother and I started Millennium Decorative Concrete four years ago. We had both worked for different companies in the construction field, but we were ready to take our experience and focus on concrete in order to meet a specific demand in the local marketplace. Thanks to interior designers and artisans, concrete has become a stylish medium in the home, and it remains a popular choice for commercial interior flooring due to its affordability and durability. We noticed this trend and decided to capitalize on it.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Starting your own business is not easy. We’re working hard to make a name for ourselves and to get people to believe in us. It’s all about making connections. That is why we do our best to stay active in the business community. I’m proud to say that we’ve made some great partnerships.

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Taking Millennium Decorative Concrete from a dream to reality, and becoming an owner of my own business.

Tell us a little about your family. - I live with my wife and two daughters.

Lincoln is our home. Like any other family, we have our ups and downs, but we are very close. To us, family is like a team and we work together to make it through challenges that life throws our way.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - The rare times when I’m not working, I like to play video games and I’m also a big soccer fan. I enjoy watching games on TV and cheering for my team, Chelsea.

Who inspires you? - Definitely my parents. My dad always encouraged me and my brother to start something for ourselves, and that is what we did when we started Millennium. Both of my parents are good people and I’ve always wanted to make them proud.

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - Stay true to yourself, yet always be open to learn. Work hard, and never give up on your dreams, even when nobody else believes they can come true but you. These are not clichés, but instead real tools you need no matter what you do in life to stay focused on your path.

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

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - I’m actually pretty good at cooking. I make some mean tacos.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - Politics, so I could make positive changes in the world.

What is your favorite movie? - I enjoy scary movies.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Granite City Food & Brewery.

They have an amazing Asian salad flatbread!

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

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? Phone: (402) 802-5438; Email: gussluna19@gmail.com; Website: www. millenniumdecorativeconcrete.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

STAR CITY SIX

ROBERT

Robert Taylor

EBBEKA DESIGN CO. Ebbeka Design Co. creates visual communications and corporate identity packages for businesses on the local, regional, and national levels. With an emphasis in design, the company develops and implements marketing strategies and websites for both businessto-business and direct-to-consumer clientele. Robert Taylor is a graphic designer at Ebbeka Design Co. Tell us a little about your business. - Ebbeka Design, located in the Haymarket, has been in business for 18 years. I’m new to the team, and I’m really enjoying settling into the amazing team of designers we have on staff. We have a wide range of services, from web development and logo design, to photography, and videography.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - Starting over with a new career path. I spent most of my adult life working in restaurant management, but always felt creatively unfulfilled. At the age of 27, I ended up going back to school to get a degree in graphic design. I joined the GD|MA program at Southeast Community College and I was challenged from day one. I’m really grateful for the classmates and teachers who helped me make it to where I am today.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? Being awarded at the annual AIGA SHOW graphic design competition for the last three years. This event is an opportunity for students and professionals alike to submit their best work from the past year to be considered for awards by a group of nationally renowned designers.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - Skateboarding with friends and volunteering at The Bay! Who inspires you? - Mike Smith, Phil Burcher, and Dave Nelson all come to mind most readily. They put so much thought into building their community. Seeing their hard work reminds me that my hard work has an effect on others too, and it makes me more mindful and intentional with my actions.

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

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? - I’m a pretty great tailor. I worked in the costume shop at Nebraska Wesleyan University when I was 18. I didn’t know a thing about sewing when I started, but I picked up a lot working there for two years.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - An actor. I spent three years as a theatre major at Wesleyan, and it’s still very much a part of who I am. I love to tell stories and share important messages. Helping businesses craft their stories is why I’m a designer, and it’s the same reason I love acting.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I’ve volunteered at The Bay since it opened in 2011! It’s really great to be a part of an organization that is working to help our community create a safe space for kids to find themselves. We provide mentorship for kids, meals to at-risk youth, and programs to help kids connect to a digital art space that will help them grow skills to use in the real world.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - If I Understood You, Would I have This Look on My Face?: My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating by Alan Alda. It’s a great story about his quest to communicate better.

What is your favorite TV show? - Doctor Who. What is your favorite local restaurant? - AmuManu Ramen Bar. If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?

- Phone: (402) 441-4649; Email: info@ebbekadesign.com; Website: www.ebbekadesign.com.t #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Stur 22 offers a unique and colorful array of cuisines’s incorporating Caribbean and West African flavors.

Our cocktail menu features our own hand crafted, signature cocktails.

2110 Winthrop Road, Lincoln, NE 68502 402-805-4579 or info@stur22lounge.com Hours:Tues - Thurs: 4-11pm, Fri - Sat: 4pm-1am (special events until 2am), Sun: 4-9pm, Mon: Closed

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FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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STAR CITY SIX

GET ACTIVE

JACKIE

IN 2019

Jackie Lienemann

LUXURY LANDSCAPE LLC

We Buy, Sell, Trade Quality New & Used Sports & Fitness Equipment

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402.483.7447 • 48th & Vine PlayItAgainSportsLincoln.com • Mon-Thurs 10-8 • Fri-Sat 10-6 • Sun 12-5

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New Menu/Specials FREE Shrimp Special Order any of our Texas-sized steak dinners and get 5 fried shrimp FREE! Specials served: (Mon-Thurs 4:30pm - 9pm, Sat 12pm - 4pm & Sun 12pm - 9pm)

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Stop in today! Mon-Fri open at 4:30pm | Sat-Sun open at 12pm (noon)

200 N 70th St. • 402-904-4666 • TexasTboneSteakhouse.com 24 Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

Luxury Landscape LLC is a full-service landscape company, offering an array of services, from landscape design training and complete installation, to tedious maintenance such as pulling weeds, trim shrubbery, clean up, and mulch. Jackie Lienemann is co-owner of Luxury Landscape LLC. Tell us a little about your business. - We provide customers with an awesome landscape experience. We make it fun and easy to understand what’s being done during the landscaping process. Not only do we do full installation, we cater to the DIYers who want to do it themselves, but don’t know how!

How did you get started in the business? - My fiancé Ken and I have always wanted to own our own company together. With Ken’s 40+ years of experience in landscaping, we knew this was a no-brainer for us!

Tell us a little about your family. - I am the youngest of seven and have two amazing, loving parents! I also have two grown daughters and Ken has two grown children, who have given us a total of nine grandkids.

We are all very close and our hearts are full.

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

- Ending my 26-year career in physical therapy. I had a passion to be my own boss in order to have more time and freedom for myself and my loved ones, and it has proven to be the best decision.

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

Just kidding! Since we don’t do snow removal, I’m fortunate to have more free time in the winter months. I love traveling, golfing (with a cart and cold beverage, of course!), and visiting wineries.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I competed in a bodybuilding competition in my late 20s, when my daughters were young. I placed first in the lightweight division...I was also the only one in my division (LOL).

Who inspires you? - My kids and grandkids. They are so driven and full of life!

What is your favorite quote or the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? - If you’re going to make a move professionally, make sure it’s two steps forward, not just one.

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

If you had a theme song, what would it be? - “Turn The Page” by Bob Seger.

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - Saving others from disease and illness.

If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be? - A full-time world traveler.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Capital Humane Society. They handled the cremation of my Great Dane less than a year ago and they were so loving, compassionate, and sympathetic.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero.

What is your favorite movie? - Dumb and Dumber.

What is your favorite TV show? - Bachelor/ette…I can’t believe I just admitted that!

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

- Phone: (402) 640-6034; Email: luxurylandscape.ne@gmail.com; Website: t. Also, follow Luxury Landscape on Facebook and Instagram. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

STAR CITY SIX

SHANE

Shane Jensen

BRANCHED OAK INSURANCE & FINANCIAL SERVICES Branched Oak Insurance & Financial Services provides fee-based financial planning, wealth management, and insurance. Shane Jensen is the owner and a financial advisor at Branched Oak Insurance & Financial Services.

Tell us a little about your business. - What sets our agency apart is how we care for our clients, regardless of their income or asset levels.

We work with affluent clients, but I believe there are many hard-working people that are underserved.

How did you get started in the business? - My father was a community banker, so I always saw myself working in financial services. I studied economics, but taught myself web development and worked on a few startups in the late 90s (including one that is now Spreetail). However, I was a really bad programmer and when the bubble burst, I went back to what I knew best.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - When I started in this business, I didn’t understand how most retail investment companies worked. They will hire just about any kid off the street and have them sell their friends and family high-fee proprietary products that can’t be moved when the kids fail (which 90% do). The company then redistributes clients and assets to the preferred advisors of the firm.

I learned that you can try to do everything right for clients, but it can still be undone without fiduciary standards for the firm and entire industry.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? - I haven’t done it yet.

Tell us a little about your family. - Almost 15 years ago, I met a girl after a work Christmas party. I saw her across the room and, before I had even talked to her, I told my friend that I would marry her. Lucky for me, we did hit it off and now have three wonderful kids.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I love coaching. I’ve always seen sports as metaphor for how we can improve ourselves and influence the lives of others through teamwork and doing the right thing.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know? - I was recruited to swim for UNL but tried to walk on for the Nebraska football team instead. They (rightly) cut me.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - I have been involved with United Way of Lincoln/Lancaster County for many years, and I believe they are a critically important part of leading our nonprofit efforts to identify and fulfil needs in our community. Everyone has a church or charity, but I ask anyone reading this to give to United Way. What is your favorite movie? - I watched the movie 2001 on New Year’s Eve of 2001 and Stanley Kubrick changed how I thought about cinema.

What is your favorite TV show? - I DVR CNBC all day and always catch Squawk Box. My DVR is also full of other “news” shows like Ag PHD, Market to Market, Meet the Press, and This Week. I also love Silicon Valley and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

What is your favorite local restaurant? - I hesitate to say because my favorite restaurants seem to go out of business, such as Tastee Inn and M & N Sandwich Shop. Now I’d probably say Phat Jack’s, Down the Hatch, and Toast.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - I’d love to talk with former Nebraska Senator George Norris about his vision of the Unicameral and the New Deal.

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? You can schedule a meeting or request an insurance quote (which could save you money) from my website: boifs.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Transform Your Outdoor Space

STAR CITY SIX

Imagine your ideal outdoor space and start living it with the help of Eagle Nursery! We are a full service company dedicated to quality work, materials, & integrity service.

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Patios | Walls | Water Features | Fire Pits | Trees | Shrubs | Annuals Perennials | Ornamental Grasses | Landscape Lighting | Potted Materials

I've known Tom for a long time! Always courteous and professional. Our new trees look great!!!! - Scott Mausbach

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Happy New Year!

CHAD

LINCOLN AIRPORT AUTHORITY The Lincoln Airport Authority is responsible for every aspect of developing, managing, and maintaining the Lincoln Airport. Chad Lay is the director of planning and development for the Lincoln Airport Authority.

Tell us a little about your business. - Our duties encompass a wider array of activities than many people realize. This includes maintaining three runways, 12 taxiways, and all of the associated systems on nearly 2,500 acres of airfield; managing the Terminal Building and maintaining the surrounding infrastructure to facilitate commercial air service for the Lincoln community; overseeing the General Aviation area of the airport, which serves as home to several aviation-related businesses; and developing the Industrial Park on the west side of the airport. In many ways, an airport can compare to a microcosm of a city, with its own departments of public works, planning, finance, and police. All of these departments are working toward the goal of growing the aviation services and businesses available to the local community.

How did you get started in the business? - I started working for the Lincoln Airport 15 years ago in the operations department. Over the years, I’ve worked my way up through several different roles within the organization, from maintenance to engineering, and now planning.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I enjoy getting some fresh air outdoors, pursuing activities such as hunting, biking, running, and skiing. I also enjoy backpacking.

Who inspires you? - Elon Musk—specifically for his ability to take seemingly far-fetched, imaginative ideas and turn them into fully-functioning, reliable, and marketable technology. While I won’t mention them all, there are several other prominent science, technology, engineering, and mathematics leaders throughout the country that I admire. Who said American innovation and industry are dead?

If you could have a super power, what would it be? - To fly like Superman. Which, ironically, would eliminate my need to use an airport! Although, it has always bothered me that most flying superheroes don’t wear goggles.

Which talent would you most like to have? - I wish I were a more gifted public speaker. I’ve always been in awe of people who seem at ease and comfortable while addressing a large group of people.

What is your favorite book or the last good book you read? - The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe. It was written in a truly original style, and it describes a fascinating period of our country’s history from a unique perspective.

L I S T ED. S HOW N.

SOL D. WOODSBROS.C OM

What is your favorite local restaurant? - Lately, I’ve been enjoying enchiladas mole at Hacienda Real. When I’m in the mood for something different, I’ll stop by Tandoor Indian Cuisine and order lamb madras.

If you could have dinner with one famous person from the past or present, who would it be? - I have always wanted to be able to talk to one of our country’s founding fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson. I think it would be interesting to get their take on many of the challenges that democracy faces in a modern republic. I’d also be curious to know if they are surprised by how long the country has lasted, and by the extent to which the country has grown and succeeded.

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

- Phone: (402) 458-2400; Email: v; Website: www.lincolnairport.com.

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STAR CITY SIX

BRUCE

Bruce Cannon

GODFATHER’S PIZZA Godfather’s Pizza, Inc. is a chain eatery with top-notch catering options, specializing in thick-crust pizzas, in addition to offering sides and desserts. Bruce Cannon is a franchise owner of two Godfather’s Pizza locations in Nebraska.

Tell us a little about your business. - We are a Godfather’s Pizza franchisee with two locations and we have plans for additional locations in the near future. Our newest location is at 3301 O St. in Lincoln. This is a hybrid concept we developed with the parent company that gives all focus to an online ordering platform. We realize today’s need for modern convenience to order online (or call) and pick up at the driveup window or we will deliver to your home or business.

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How did you get started in the business? - I’ve enjoyed over 30 years with Godfather’s Pizza, Inc. at the corporate level since graduating from Boise State University. As a senior vice president, I was able to guide national franchisees through their own growth plans. In 2008, I achieved a long-time goal to own my own company under the corporate umbrella by purchasing an existing franchise in Norfolk, NE. What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? - The decision logic that we use to be successful for our own company can be completely different now that we are owners. We have a very talented team of people that are working for us as managers and key employees. We enjoy giving them new perspectives on how to be successful in this industry. However, we also continue to learn from them each and every day as we believe success will always be a team effort.

Serving Lincoln, Lancaster County, and the greater Nebraska market.

Thomas W. Kubert Owner

New Location: 6001 S. 58th Street, Suite F | Lincoln, NE 68516 Inquiries? (531) 500-0890 (Lincoln Office) | KubertAppraisal.com

What has been your most important achievement professionally?

- Seeing our own store being built in Lincoln.

Tell us a little about your family. - My family is one of my greatest joys! My wife Elizabeth is a successful regional manager for Michael David Winery. My son and daughter have successful lives in Florida and California, respectively. My daughter Nicole works as director of operations for a regional pizza company, so this business runs in the family! I also have three beautiful grandchildren. We are proud of them all, and the best moments are when we are all together.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? - I enjoy golf, hunting, hiking, and being active in the great outdoors! Truthfully, when it’s cold outside and I can’t go play, I like nothing more than to enjoy a slice of our own Godfather’s Pizza and watch the Golf Channel.

Who inspires you? - With so much passion to my career, I have been inspired in business by several CEOs, which includes the founder of Godfather’s Pizza, Willy Theisen, and the current president and owner, Ron Gartlan. Willy took a simple concept and parlayed it into a pizza company that continues to shine on a national level. He proved that quality food abundantly topped and delivered with exceptional service will always supersede trends! Ron Gartlan and I are in constant communication about this new concept in Lincoln and our growth plans going forward. The friendship and mutual respect that comes from a partnership, now decades old, is one that we count on in the future to keep us moving forward.

What local non-profit organization(s) are you passionate about or involved with, and are there any special reasons why? - Being a ‘hands-on’ business owner is very rewarding and satisfying. On a personal note, we look for opportunities to quietly help those in need.

Sometimes, it may be a special cause for an ill child or a veteran in need. Our son Ryan enlisted in the Army and was deployed to Iraq twice. I am very passionate about helping our vets and their families.

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

- Email: 1stcourseinc@gmail.com; Website: godfathers.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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INTRODUCING OUR NEW HOUSE BAND

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PERSONNEL NEWS HoriSun Hospice Welcomes Tara Stahl HoriSun Hospice announces the addition of Tara Stahl, RN, as hospice case manager to its team. Tara graduated from Bryan School of Nursing in 1998. She previously worked as a traveling nurse at the Lincoln Regional Center, and in eye surgeries in Kansas City prior to beginning a career in hospice in 2004.

HoriSun Hospice staff and volunteers have the training and expertise to guide you through the entire information gathering process. They will discuss all of your care options and help you determine the right care for you and your family. When you call HoriSun Hospice, you will be encouraged to ask the questions that you may have been afraid to ask.

HoriSun Hospice believes that hospice care affirms life. Their mission and promise to the 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 their guiding principles.

Learn more about HoriSun Hospice, located at 2200 S. 40th St., STE 101, by calling (402) 484-6444 or go online to www.horisunhospice.com.

Berry Law Firm’s Erik Fern Earns AV Preeminent Rating Berry Law Firm is proud to announce that attorney Erik Fern has been awarded the AV Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell.

The Martindale-Hubbell peer and client review ratings acts as a benchmark for the legal community to determine the most highlyrespected, ethically-sound, and successful attorneys. It is a significant achievement, and Berry Law is excited that another member of the team has received the prestigious award.

Erik Fern has been practicing law for more than 12 years, focusing his practice on personal injury, civil rights, general civil litigation, and appeals. He believes that sound preparedness, careful thought, and diligence are the most important assets to being successful, not only in the legal field, but also life in general. Fern’s designation as an AV preeminent lawyer is no surprise to his colleagues or clients, who have consistently provided him with positive reviews. Fern will join Berry Law attorneys John Stevens Berry, Sr., John S. Berry, Jr., Andrew Strotman, Christopher Ferdico, Kathleen Pallesen, and Susan Napolitano as a recipient of the AV Preeminent Rating.

The Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating is extremely selective and only awarded to attorneys who have been ranked highly by judges, local attorneys, and other peers in their respective legal practice area for both their professionalism and legal ability.

The AV Preeminent rating is the highest peer rating standard that Martindale-Hubbell offers, and the award is reserved for lawyers who represent their clients with the highest ethical behavior and professional ability. Individual attorneys are rated by their peers on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) in five different categories, including: legal knowledge, analytical capabilities, judgment, communication ability, and legal experience.

If you or a loved one are facing a legal crisis, please contact Berry Law Firm at (402) 817-6550 to see how they can help you fight your next battle. The firm’s website is www.jsberrylaw.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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PERSONNEL NEWS Karen Butzke of Aflac Celebrates One Year as Office Manager, Passes Insurance Exam

ATL DEN ORD MSP

That’s just blue-sky thinking.

Kerry Butzke, a veteran benefits advisor for Aflac in Nebraska, is proud to announce that her employee and mother, Karen Butzke, passed her insurance exam in December.

Karen is also celebrating one full year of being Kerry’s office manager, gaining exposure in the insurance field. Kerry has been in her Aflac business for almost eight years and brought Karen on a year ago in response to the growing demand for supplemental insurance. Karen’s duties as office manager include general office and clerical tasks, as well as submitting claims and policy changes, running new quotes, and ensuring clients’ needs are met.

The state of Nebraska requires all agents to obtain a state insurance license, which can only be done by earning over a 70% on an intentionally difficult exam. Karen will now be able to run quotes immediately over the phone for clients, helping each claimant sign up for one-day pay and get paid faster with Aflac SmartClaim.

Together, this mother-daughter duo can grow their business by being able to manage more needs for new clients and current clients.

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Contact Kerry Butzke, offering supplemental insurance through Aflac in Lincoln and the surrounding area, at Kerry_butzke@us.afla.com / (402) 413-9108. You can also connect with Kerry on Facebook at (@butzkeinsuranceAFLAC).

Virtual C Adds Samantha Karg as Event Director for Collaboration Center Virtual C is pleased to announce the addition of Samantha Karg as event director for the Virtual C Collaboration Center. Samantha has various backgrounds within the hospitality industry, including a position within the Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL, where she received department recognition for her efficiency and courtesy.

Samantha grew up in a small town located in Minnesota and came to Lincoln four years ago to extend her education and seek new opportunities where her communication, organization, and leadership skills could be utilized to drive results for a company. In her spare time, Samantha enjoys reading books to further develop herself, hiking, watching movies, and cooking. Her boyfriend Austin Hillis is the co-owner of the Capital Cigar Lounge.

Virtual C was founded by business and technology experts to empower companies to pursue their passions. Their mission is to be an unbiased partner to organizations and to help guide strategies that get businesses operating at their most effective level. The Virtual C Collaboration Center is the area’s premier location for training, conferences, strategy sessions, and other professional events.

Virtual C offers executive consulting services and works with businesses to facilitate agile transformation. Adam Walter works with companies to offer up agile CIO strategy and interim management services. Andrew Storz is an expert in lean, agile cultural transformation; breaking down company silos. Their services allow you the benefits of a full-time chief information officer (CIO) without having to pay for a full-time CIO. The Virtual C team ensures visibility involving technology needs that will give you a competitive edge in the marketplace. For more information please email info@virtualc.biz or visit www.virtualc.biz. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

PERSONNEL NEWS Susanne Blue of Matt Talbot Selected to Participate in Nonprofit Executive Institute Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach executive director, Susanne Blue, CMSW (Certified Master Social Worker), was recently selected to participate in The Nonprofit Executive Institute, an 11-month leadership program offered through the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (www.nonprofitam.org).

The program offers skills and strategies to non-profit leaders to enhance organizational sustainability and transform the communities they serve. Through a competitive application process, 20 leaders from Lincoln and Omaha were selected to participate in this year’s class.

“I am excited to learn with and from this great group of non-profit leaders and discuss some of the pressing issues facing our industry,” said Susanne Blue. “This is a wonderful professional opportunity that will strengthen Matt Talbot and, in turn, our community.”

Susanne Blue has been executive director at Matt Talbot for 20 years, serving as the first director of the organization, which was founded by volunteers in 1992. She received her master’s degree in social work from the University of Nebraska–Omaha in 2000 and has more than 30 years of volunteer and professional experience in community organizing, advocacy, crisis support, program planning, program evaluation, and grant writing.

Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach has become a diverse community of servants, called by God to nourish and empower one another in a spirit of dignity and love. The organization’s office is located at 2121 N. 27th St. Learn more at mtko.org or call (402) 477-4116.

Mourning Hope to Host Renowned Grief Expert Dr. Alan Wolfelt The Mourning Hope Grief Center welcomes Dr. Alan Wolfelt to Lincoln in February as the facilitor of two different seminar opportunities. Dr. Wolfelt is director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition in Fort Collins, CO, and is known throughout North America for his educational contributions in the areas of both childhood and adult grief.

On Tuesday, February 19, there will be a community-wide seminar on the topic of “Loving from the Outside In, Mourning from the Inside Out,” which will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Bryan Health Medical Center. Attendees will learn how to integrate grief into their life and how to gently embrace the reality that the capacity to love requires the necessity to mourn. There is no cost to attend this event, but pre-registration is required due to limited seating. Register online at bryanhealth.com/calendar.

In addition, a continuing education seminar for professionals, titled “When Grief Gets Stuck: Companioning Complicated Grief,” will be held on Wednesday, February 20, 8:30 a.m. at the Jack J. Huck Continuing Education Center at Southeast Community College.

After a significant loss, grief is normal and necessary, but sometimes a mourner’s grief becomes naturally heightened, stuck, or made more complex by difficult circumstances surrounding the death or complications surrounding the nature of the relationship. Register online at southeast.edu/continuing. The $129 fee includes lunch and CEUs. These events are co-sponsored by the Mourning Hope Grief Center, Bryan Health, HoriSun Hospice Community Foundation, and Southeast Community College. For additional information, visit mourninghope. org or call (402) 488-8989. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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PERSONNEL NEWS Sam’s Club Welcomes Caleb Perrine as New Legacy Retirement Communities Names Club Manager Renee Pickerel Executive Director The North Lincoln Sam’s Club would like to welcome Caleb Perrine, the new club manager. Caleb is a graduate of Wichita State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He started his career working in retail part time after school, selling a variety of items. Then, after a few years of selling, he took on the role of sales manager, which led him into becoming a store manager, market manager, and then a district manager. He has moved four times across the country filling these different leadership roles.

Caleb enjoys spending quality family time with his wife and their three young children, doing lots of outdoor activities. He is excited for this new journey in Lincoln and the opportunity to serve all the associates and members alike!

Sam’s Club is committed to becoming the membership you love most. They will do this by providing excellent products and services in clubs, online, and through mobile devices. There are two Sam’s Club locations in Lincoln: (North) 4900 N. 27th St. and (South) 8480 Andermatt Dr. The north location can be reach at (402) 438-3540 and for the south location, call (402) 975-6902. To learn more, visit www.samsclub.com.

Legacy Retirement Communities recently named Renee Pickerel as executive director of Legacy Arbors Memory Care. Pickerel is originally from Fullerton, NE and studied business at Grand Island School of Business.

She comes to the position with a background in memory care, including her latest role as the executive director for Bickford Cottage.

Pickerel has recently added certified dementia practitioner to her resume as well.

“Renee’s natural sense of compassion combined with her expertise in memory care fit nicely with the company’s mission and our commitment to serving the individual,” according to Human Resource Director Jenny Gall. “Renee has been and will continue to be a valuable resource to families in the Lincoln community that are navigating the challenges of dementia.”

Legacy Retirement Communities offers memory care exclusively at Legacy Arbors, located at 3777 N. 58th St. and independent living and assisted living at three other locations: The Legacy at 5600 Pioneers Blvd., Legacy Terrace at 5700 Fremont St., and Legacy Estates at 7200 Van Dorn St. Legacy Retirement Communities offers a world-class experience for its residents and employees. Learn more at www.legacyretirement.com or call (402) 436-3000.

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PERSONNEL NEWS

There’s a SIMPLER WAY.

Sumner Place Team Members Named Recipients of Vetter Senior Living Scholarship Sumner Place Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation is honored to announce that three of their team members were each awarded a $1,000 Vetter Senior Living Scholarship: Shelly LeFever, Makenna Sheldon, and Shelbie Bolinger. All team members gathered in Sumner’s lobby area on December 13, 2018 for a celebration.

Larry Van Hunnik, administrator of Sumner Place, presented them with their awards.

Shelly LeFever has been an licensed practical nurse for the past 19 years.

She has work for Vetter Senior Living for a total of 15 years. Shelly is currently attending Metropolitan Comm unity College to pursue becoming a registered nurse. Not only is Shelly the assistant director of nursing for The Loft, she is also the infection prevention nurse, quality assurance nurse, and has implemented an Antibiotic Stewardship Program at Sumner Place.

M a ke n n a S h e l d o n i s t h e s t a f f i n g coordinator. She started working at Sumner Place about four years ago as a certified medication aide and certified nursing assistant. Makenna is currently attending Southeast Community College in Lincoln for long-term care administration.

She is an organizer who visualizes results and directs her resources for the successful completion of her personal and professional ambitions.

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Shelbie Bolinger has been working at Sumner Place for four years. She started Shelbie Bolinger as a certified nursing assistant. After an opportunity in the restorative department became available, Bolinger began her current role as a restorative aide. Shelbie is also attending Southeast Community College in Lincoln for long-term care administration. Shelbie is naturally caring and empathetic as she invests whatever is necessary to heal the needs and concerns of others.

Sumner Place Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation is thankful for the Vetter Senior Living (www.vetterseniorliving.com) Academic Committee for Excellence for making these scholarships available to help others pursue their growth and education. Learn more about Sumner Place at www.sumnerplacecare.com or call (402) 475-6791.

It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know and Who Knows You! At Strictly Business Magazine we strive to recognize local businessmen and women for their significant awards, promotions, ac hievements, 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 or submit your news via our website at www.strictly-business.com. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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PERSONNEL NEWS Lincoln Young Professionals Group Elects New Chair, Vice Chair

Eagle Nursery Welcomes Doug Miller as Landscape Designer

The Lincoln Young Professionals Group (YPG) elected a new chair and vice chair during its 2018 October meeting. The organization’s leadership council unanimously elected Nikki Rentfro Archer, previously vice chair, from Lincoln to lead the group as chair in 2019.

Archer has been involved with the Young Professionals Group since 2008 and is a personal lines underwriter for State Farm Insurance. Archer succeeds Keith Peterson, D.A. Davidson.

Jordan Gonzales was elected as the 2019 Nikki Rentfro Archer vice chair. Originally from Morrill, NE, Gonzales is director of alumni engagement at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and has been with the Young Professionals Group since 2014.

Lincoln Young Professionals Group serves as a hub to engage Young Professionals in the community, originally founded by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce with the help of many local sponsors in 2007. YPG has grown to be the largest in the state. Serving over 1,700+ members, YPG capitalizes on the dynamic Jordan Gonzales talents of Lincoln’s Young Professionals. Learn more at www.lincolnypg.com or contact Kayla Meyer at (402) 4362369 / kaylameyer@lcoc.com.

In January, Eagle Nursery announced the addition of Doug Miller to the landscape design team. In this role, Doug will assist homeowners and contractors with the layout design of their landscapes, including plant material and hardscapes. With 33 years in the industry, Doug is excited to bring his expertise to Eagle Nursery. Doug is from Lincoln and he graduated from Southeast Community College–Milford with an architecture degree.

Prior to this new position, Doug owned his own landscape and construction company. He decided to sell his business and then heard that Tom Scharfen, owner of Eagle Nursery, was looking to add another designer to his team. Still passionate about the landscaping industry, Doug connected with Tom and looks forward to helping the company grow.

Eagle Nursery offers residential and commercial landscaping design and installation, landscape maintenance, hardscapes, landscape lighting, tree spading services, and snow removal. The company is proud to utilize Nebraska-grown and Nebraska-hardy trees, shrubs, and perennials. Visit their website at www.eaglenurseries.com to learn more about their services or to scroll through their gallery of past projects. Eagle Nursery offers many resources online so you can obtain information from the comfort of your home. Or, feel free to contact Tom (402) 781-9337 / tom@eaglenurseries.com for more information.

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PERSONNEL NEWS Nebraska Community Foundation Welcomes Four New Board Members Four community leaders were recently elected to the Nebraska Community Foundation (NCF) board of directors.

Pam Abbott of Ogallala grew up in central Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a degree in education. Her life and career have involved a variety of education positions, including teaching in public schools, preschool, management at an educational and employment testing corporation in Illinois, and treasurer of a school board. Among numerous other volunteer activities, Abbott is currently vice chair of the Keith County Foundation Fund in Ogallala.

Brad Bauer is the regional president for Pinnacle Bank of Nebraska based out of Grand Island. Prior to that, he and his family spent 17 years in Ogallala where he was involved as a volunteer with the Keith County Foundation Fund. Originally from the Scottsbluff/Gering area, Bauer received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. As regional president of Pinnacle Bank, Bauer has had numerous opportunities to become familiar and wor k with many Nebraska communities and has seen firsthand the positive impact NCF affiliated funds are having in communities across the state.

Yesenia Peck is originally from Lima, Peru where she worked as an attorney for the Supreme and Superior Courts. Peck holds a master’s degree in leadership from Bellevue University and is certified in workforce diversity management

by Cornell University and Bellevue University. Peck is a diversity manager for Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) at their Columbus general office.

Peck has volunteered for over 13 years with the Nebraska Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and is the current president.

She was recently appointed by Governor Ricketts to the Nebraska Latino American Commission.

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Kiel VanderVeen of Nebraska City is a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, helping individuals and families plan for and transition to work optional lifestyles by focusing on tax mitigation, income planning, and charitable planning. VanderVeen holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting from the University of Nebraska.

He has been involved with Nebraska Community Foundation, both locally and statewide, since 2005. He was a member of the Leadership Nebraska Class X and is involved with EDGE Nebraska City, Nebraska City Growth Fund, and the Nebraska City Board of Public Works.

Nebraska Community Foundation unleashes abundant local assets, inspires charitable giving, and connects ambitious people to build stronger communities and a Greater Nebraska. For more information, visit NebraskaHometown.org or call (402) 323-7330. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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PERSONNEL NEWS Tracy Thorpe-Sorensen Joins United Way as Parkinson’s Nebraska Welcomes Amber Director of Administration Winter to the Team United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County has hired Tracy Thorpe-Sorensen as director of administration.

Thorpe-Sorensen came to United Way following eight years as a paralegal and office manager at a local law firm. Prior to that, she served Lincoln’s youth at two United Way agencies. Thorpe-Sorensen has a bachelor’s degree from University of Nebraska–Lincoln, where she majored in political science. She is a long-time community volunteer. In her United Way role, Thorpe-Sorensen will facilitate workflow and provide oversight of administrative support functions.

The purpose of United Way of Lincoln and Lancaster County is to assess, on a continuing basis, the need for human services programs, to seek solutions to human problems, to assist in the development of new or the expansion of existing human services programs, to promote preventive activities, and to foster cooperation among local, state, and national agencies serving the community. In addition, it is their goal to develop the financial resources, governmental and voluntary, needed to meet the human services needs of the community and to reduce the number of appeals for financial support for services.

United Way distributes financial support in a way that maximizes the resources available to agencies providing services aimed at the most urgent needs of the community. Learn more online at unitedwaylincoln. org, or call the organization at (402) 441-7700.

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Parkinson’s Nebraska recently welcomed Amber Winter to the team in December as the new administrator. Amber brings a passion for fostering a strong and supportive Parkinson’s community. In her previous role at the YMCA, she witnessed the impact exercise and a strong community made on Parkinson’s patients. Her non-profit management education, coupled with her passion to serve, has prepared her to lead Parkinson’s Nebraska. As the only full-time staff member, Amber is responsible for carrying out the board’s vision, facilitating the delivery of services and education, and cultivating partnerships to benefit Parkinson’s patients throughout the state.

Parkinson’s Nebraska is the primary source of education, support, and resources for Nebraskans whose lives are effected by Parkinson’s Disease.

They are locally-based, passionate, and proud that all funds stay in Nebraska. To learn more, contact Amber at amber@parkinsonsnebraska. org / (402)-715-4707 or visit www.parkinsonsnebraska.org.

BancWise Realty Recognizes 2018 Award Recipients BancWise Realty is proud to announce the achievements of three local agents, who all received prestigious honors in 2018: Jessica Monroe, Ashley Hustad, and Andrew McNeely.

Jessica Monroe was the recipient of the coveted 2018 BancWise ‘We Care’ Founder’s Award. This award is given to the individual who has not only reached high production standards for sales but also uses their time and talents to better those around them. Jessica was voted by her peers to receive this award and is most deserving.

Jessica Monroe

Ashley Hustad earned the Top Producer Award for 2018. The award is given to the BancWise realty specialist with the highest dollar volume of closed sales in a given year. Ashley not only demonstrates a very high level of production, but also a very high level of care for her clients and teammates.

Finally, Andrew McNeely was named 2018 Newcomer of The Year! This award is given to an individual agent who positively impacts the team environment while producing a high level of production. Andrew has been a huge asset to the BancWise team and is truly worthy of this award.

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BancWise Realty, located at 6120 Apples’ Way, STE 100, is your full service, one-stop resource for saving time and money while minimizing stress during the process of buying and selling your home. The majority of BancWise agents rank in the top 100 of over 700 active agents in the Lincoln market.

Andrew McNeely Their agents’ experience, knowledge, and problem solving abilities are second to none.

Learn more online at www.bancwise.com, or call (402) 323-6777. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

NON-PROFIT NEWS The Set Me Free Project to Host Comedy for Change Event The Set Me Free Project will host a Comedy for Change event on Thursday, March 7 from 6–9 p.m. at A View On State. Join in on an evening of comedy, food, and fun! There will be a dinner and a live auction where all funds raised will go to help change the lives of youth and families in the community who have been affected by the darkness that is sex trafficking. Tickets can be purchased through their Facebook page or website.

The Set Me Free Project is unique because they don’t just bring awareness to sex trafficking, they bring education. Their educators empower each audience member to protect themselves and others from traffickers. Educators show students how and why they are at risk, and teach them ways to protect themselves. The Set Me Free Project’s curriculum reaches students (grades 3–12), educators, parents, and leaders in every facet of the community.

Additionally, The Set Me Free Project has announced openings for part- and full-time educators. Other positions are available through the AmeriCorps VISTA and include data analysis and a volunteer coordinator. Interested individuals are encouraged to reach out to info@setmefreeproject.net or (402) 521-3080 or apply at setmefreeproject.net/join-our-team. Find them on Facebook at (@ setmefreeproject).

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Bright Lights Announces Application Dates for Summer Scholarships Bright Lights is pleased to announce that need-based scholarships will be available again this year for kindergarten through eighthgrade students interested in summer classes and camps. These scholarships are made possible through the generous donations of committed community organizations and individuals with the goal to make Bright Lights classes and camps available to all students, regardless of financial ability.

Students may apply for a scholarship at BrightLights.org starting Saturday, March 23. Applications will be accepted until April 15. All scholarship applications are then reviewed and awards are based on financial need until funds are depleted. A student is eligible for one partial scholarship that can be used for either a half-day class or a full-day camp during Summer 2019. Once a student’s application has been reviewed, they will be notified of their scholarship award amount. A student’s spot in the class/camp they chose is reserved during this review process. The program weeks for this summer are June 3–7, June 10–14, June 17–21, June 24–28, and July 15–19.

Bright Lights classes are an ideal way for elementary and middle school students to maximize the fun of summer vacation while secretly allowing parents to know their children are avoiding learning loss.

Full information about the scholarship program can be found at www. brightlights.org/programs/resources/scholarships.html.

Contact Bright Lights by calling (402) 420-1115, and don’t forget to follow along with them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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First National Bank Assembles Care Packages for Overseas Service Members First National Bank is proud to salute all military veterans who served or are serving in the United States Armed Forces. To show the bank’s support and appreciation for their honorable service and patriotism, First National Bank invited the public to nominate service members to receive cookies (L to R): Front Row-Michelle to ring in the New Year. As a Pictured St. Clair, Amy Riley, Teresa Faxon, result of this effort, First National Noelle Jacquot, Sierra St. Clair, employee volunteers packaged Samantha Schulte, Tearah Kendall, and sent over 36,000 cookies Jen Lamprecht, Lisa Colberg. Back overseas. Cookie packing events Row-Jhett Jacquot, Ron Votipka, Jack Weeks, Tom Klein, Larry White. took place at eight bank locations on January 3, including the First National branch at 13th and N St., in Lincoln. Each Cookies from Home care package also included candy and notes of thanks, many of these written by students in the community.

The Cookies from Home program gives First National Bank the opportunity to make an impact in our communities while sharing the joy of the holidays with our service members overseas. It’s also a way for employees to get involved, from helping package the cookies to making nominations themselves. The care packages were delivered in late January to help our service men and women start their New Year with Cookies from Home.

First National Bank is a subsidiary of First National of Nebraska. First National of Nebraska and its affiliates have more than $23 billion in assets and 5,000 employee associates. Primary banking offices are located in Nebraska, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, South Dakota, and Texas. Learn more at www.fnbo.com.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Nebraska Recycling Council to Hold Webinar Lincoln Community Foundation Presents on Organizing Glass Recycling Programs Lincoln Littles Early Giving Day The Nebraska Recycling Council will host a free w e b i n a r o n Tu e s d a y, February 5 from noon to 1 p.m. The webinar will be led by Lauren Henry, regional program manager for Ripple Glass since November of 2017. Ripple Glass is a glass recycling company that helps over 80 communities keep glass out of their landfills. Lauren is responsible for all glass recycling programs outside of the Kansas City metro area in nine different states.

Lauren’s prior experience is seven years as a neighborhood services specialist with the City of Jefferson, MO, managing CDBGs (Community Development Block Grants) and environmental programs to improve the livability and sustainability of her hometown.

Lauren will discuss how to begin a glass recycling program with Ripple Glass and how the glass industry is doing despite the changes in recycling. To register for this free event, go to attendee. gotowebinar.com/register/9214460891135700226.

Nebraska Recycling Council is a statewide, member-based, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Their mission is to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of resource recovery in Nebraska. The goal is to re-energize resource recovery in Nebraska through innovation, education, training, and the power of collaboration. Visit www.nrcne.org for more information, or contact (402) 436-2384 / info@nrcne.org.

In support of the Prosper Lincoln early childhood community agenda, Lincoln Community Foundation (LCF) is hosting a special giving day to raise funds for early childhood education for children in need. On Tuesday, February 12, in celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday, the community is invited to come together for the first ever Lincoln Littles Giving Day—a day to celebrate our namesake’s birthday by making a gift to Lincoln’s future. Gifts can be made online at www.

LincolnLittles.org until 11:59 p.m. on February 12.

The goal of this 24 hours of online giving is to raise thousands of dollars for the Lincoln Littles Early Learning Fund, a new fund at Lincoln Community Foundation.

Grants from W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Buffett Early Childhood Fund are seeding the new fund to catalyze additional fundraising in the community and create a sustainable giving program. Grants will be distributed to early childhood providers in Lincoln who meet the state guidelines for Step Up to Quality and serve low income children.

The Lincoln Community Foundation, established in 1955, strives to continually enrich the Lincoln community by promoting and achieving perpetual philanthropic support. The foundation currently manages $135 million in assets and has distributed more than $117 million in grants to non-profit organizations that have improved the lives of thousands of residents. Learn more on LCF’s website at www.

LincolnForever.org, or call (402) 474-2345.

Southeast Community College Emotional Intelligence: The Foundation of Lifelong Success Thursday, Feb. 28, 8:30 am-4:30 pm, $229

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Thursday, March 7, 8 am-Noon, $145*

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Thursday, March 7, 1-5 pm, $145* *Register for both for only $229!

Certified Fiber Optic Technician

Mon.-Wed., March 25-27, 8 am-5 pm, $895

Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Splicing Thurs. & Fri., March 28 & 29 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., $849

Certified Fiber Optic Specialist/Testing & Maintenance

Sat.-Sun., March 30 & 31, 8 am-5 pm, $849

To register: http://bit.ly/RegisterCE All classes/workshops at Jack J. Huck Continuing Education Center, 301 S. 68th St. Place, Lincoln

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NON-PROFIT NEWS City Impact to Host Scheels Gym & Fitness Center Grand Opening this Month City Impact is excited to announce the grand opening of their Sc heels Gym & Fitness Center this month.

The exact date is still to be determined, so the community is encouraged to follow City Impact online for updates.

In December of 2014, City Impact received a $500,000 grant from Scheels All Sports Foundation to add a new gym and fitness facility to the City Impact Center, located at 1035 N. 33rd St. The organization is thrilled to finalize the construction process and open the facility for their youth and families. City Impact is thankful for Scheels and their generous support, along with the many other community partners.

City Impact is a non-profit organization whose mission is to transform vulnerable communities through holistic youth, family, and neighborhood development. They mentor, teach, and empower kids to overcome their vulnerable circumstances and to transform their lives and neighborhoods from the inside out.

Learn more online at cityimpact.org, or contact Lisa Guill with further questions at (402) 477-8080 / lguill@cityimpact.org.

Camp Sonshine Opens Summer Camp Registration

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Camp Sonshine summer camp registration officially opened on February 1. Camp Sonshine offers day camp programs for Kindergarten through sixth-grade campers, as well as a leadership training program for seventh through ninth-grade campers, at Camp Sonshine and overnight camp programs for thirdgrade campers through twelfth-grade campers at Camp Solaris.

Registration will remain open until all spots are filled.

Camp Sonshine, a non-profit camp and conference center in Roca, NE, offers a unique environment for families to experience the love of God through innovative programs, fun activities, and genuine relationships. Camp Sonshine was established in 2007 and served over 100 children during its summer day camp. Camp Sonshine was gifted a second site called Camp Solaris, home to two dorm-style buildings for housing and one large multi-purpose building in Firth, NE, served over 2,300 campers during the summer of 2018.

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Camp Solaris is home to two dorm-style buildings for housing and one large multi-purpose building. Both site programs also offer teenaged volunteers in tenth–twelfth grade the opportunity to fulfill a variety of important roles within the camp program. They serve as assistant counselors whose job is to lead scheduled activities, help with camper groups, and work behind the scenes to help ensure campers are having the best experience.

• Financing Available (Includes Low Rate Energy Loans)

Due to the tremendous growth each summer, Camp Sonshine has begun strategic sit planning with Fletemeyer & Lee Associate to continue the expansion and development of site and facilities to accommodate the continually growing camper enrollment. Learn more at CampSonshineMemories.org. Further questions can be directed to Trisha Keiser, Camp Sonshine founding director, at (402) 423-8746 / info@campsonshinememories.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Food Fort Expands to New Neighborhood, Welcomes New Staff Member

HopeSpoke Introduces Have a Heart for Children’s Mental Health Campaign

Food Fort is thrilled to have Wade Saddler as a new member of their staff this year. He came on board to help meet the demands of Food Fort’s new location, a neighborhood near West Lincoln Elementary School, where they expanded to in the fall of last year. Wade is fulfilling the “bus driver” position, which includes providing students transportation to school and enriching their lives with kindness. According to Food Fort founders, Ben and Michaela Akridge, he is exceeding all of their expectations.

During the month of February, HopeSpoke is launching the Have a Heart for Children’s Mental Health campaign in hopes of raising $5,000 or more in gifts.

These gifts are to help ensure that all children and families who need mental health treatment and services are able to receive them, regardless of their ability to pay for services.

Food Fort is a non-profit dedicated to serving children in unreserved neighborhoods. They are currently focused on serving three target neighborhoods in Lincoln: 29th and Holdrege on Mondays at 5:30 p.m., North Chester St. and West Dawes Ave. on Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m., and 13th and Saratoga on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m.

Food Fort is thankful to have their own office space within Turbine Flats, which they moved into in 2018. This space is being used for both office work and expanding their ongoing tutoring program. To date, the organization has had an opportunity to serve just over 7,900 meals since the launch of Food Fort meals. The relationships they have built within these neighborhoods continue to change both the lives of volunteers and the entire Food Fort staff. Learn more online at www. lincolnfoodfort.com, or contact (402) 540-4445 / lincolnfoodfort@ gmail.com.

A gift of $111 will provide one outpatient services therapy session for a child or adult who is uninsured. Even when there is a funding source, there is a gap of what the service costs to provide and the reimbursement that is received. Your gift of any size will inspire children and families to move forward.

HopeSpoke inspires healthy futures for children and families through comprehensive behavioral and mental health services. During the last year, 1,841 children and their families and adults were served through a variety of programs, which included outpatient services, school programs, crisis and residential services, and the extendedday treatment program.

For more information about HopeSpoke programs, or to make an online donation today, go to www.hopespoke.org or call (402) 4757666. Please contact Jenny Cardwell, CFRE, development director, for more information.

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It’s A Career

When he first started at McGill Restoration during the summer of 2006, Jeff McGill may not have realized that he was beginning down his career path. He only started with McGill Restoration as he recognized a company that valued his skills, hard work, and leadership abilities, all while paying a competitive wage. Jeff’s dedication, commitment, and astute abilities have allowed him to advance and grow into a professional career with a company he loves.

Right now, we are looking to hire the following positions at competitive wages: • • • • •

Estimator / Project Manager Superintendent; Foremen; Mechanics Concrete Finishers; Industrial Painters Pavement Marking Specialists General Laborers

McGill Restoration Offers a Wealth of Opportunities for Professional Growth and Development Please contact Stefanie Phelps at (402) 558-7989 (Omaha office) if you’re interested in working for a company that values your skills, hard work, offers career advancement, and pays a competitive salary.

McGill Restoration is a Nebraska-based contractor, specializing in concrete and masonry repair, as well as high performance specialty coatings, offers restoration services for preserving infrastructure such as buildings, parking garages, stadiums, and roads.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS CEDARS Offers Classes to Local Parents Held at CEDARS Northbridge Community Center, 1533 N. 27th St., “Circle of Security” classes will be offered Monday evenings, 5:30–7 p.m. from February 25 through April 15. The classes are free but pre-registration is required. Childcare is available at no cost.

For any parent wishing to gain a deeper bond with their child, CEDARS is offering an eight-week class called “Circle of Security,” designed for caretakers of children from prenatal to age eight, but applicable to older children as well. Attendees will learn to strengthen their relationship with their child, to be present with their child during the best and toughest of times, recognize their child’s needs and make sense of their behaviors, and meet their child’s needs by being bigger, stronger, wiser, and kinder.

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All parents wonder if they’re getting it right. They’re not alone.

Sometimes it’s hard to tell what your child needs, what their behaviors mean, and if you’re doing the right thing. CEDARS has been helping kids in crisis and building strong families in Nebraska for over 70 years.

The Nebraska-based child caring organization is proud to offer classes to support the families of this community. To register, or for more information, contact Lindsay at lhenkenius@cedars-kids.org / (402) 730-0909. To learn how CEDARS supports families in the community, visit cedarskids.org or call (402) 434-5437.

CEF of Nebraska Offers Good News Club® Quick Start Training

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Since more than 80% of children do not go to church to hear of the “Good News” of Jesus, Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) of Nebraska is taking the Good News to them through the after-school Good News Club®. To spread the impact of this program, CEF of Nebraska offers a series of quick training sessions designed to help anyone who is interested in starting a Good News Club.

Nebraska 24/7 Helpline—Call 1-800-522-4700

Good News Club is a dynamic Bible club held right where the children are—in churches, neighborhood homes, community centers apartment complexes, local public elementary schools—just about anywhere the children can easily and safely meet with their parent’s permission. These action-packed clubs meet once a week right after school. Each club features snacks, prizes, songs, an exciting Bible lesson, a missions story, review games, or other activities. They are led by trained teenagers and adults.

Good News Club Quick Start Training sessions are tailored to the needs of new Good News Club teachers or those who want further training. Good News Club training is available through local CEF chapters or online.

In 2011, the Supreme Court ruled that the Good News Club (GNC ) should be permitted to offer prayer and Bible reading to students.

Since then, GNCs have been held in over 3,500 public elementary schools throughout the USA. Currently, eight GNCs are being held in Lincoln all in public elementary schools with over 250 children are attending! Volunteers and financial partners are always needed, not only for existing GNCs, but also for beginning new GNCs. To help make an eternal difference, contact Child Evangelism Fellowship of Nebraska at (402) 484-7877 / office@ceflincoln.org. Learn more online at www.cefnebraska.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart ®

®

All calls are confidential and always answered live—no automation.

The Nebraska Gamblers Assistance Program (GAP) pays for confidential counseling with certified problem gambling providers to Nebraskans and their families who suffer a gambling addiction. A list of all GAP-certified counselors in Nebraska is located at

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FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Junior Achievement of Lincoln Seeks Spring Community Health Charities of Nebraska to Classroom Volunteers Change Name, Launch Rebrand Campaign Junior Achievement of Lincoln (JA) needs volunteers this spring!

Did you know Junior Achievement classes are taught in every Lincoln Public School and almost every parochial school? There are nearly 200 teachers requesting JA assistance in the months of April and May who are still in need of a classroom volunteer. As a JA volunteer, you will teach five 30-45 minute lessons in the classroom on one of JA’s proven financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship programs. Volunteers will be provided with all of the materials needed to teach the JA lessons, and a step-by-step guidebook that will walk them through exactly what to say and do in the classroom. Volunteers and teachers work together to mutually arrange the required number of sessions, taking into account the classroom schedule and volunteer’s work schedule.

Junior Achievement volunteers go into K-12 classrooms and not only teach the JA lessons, but share their real-world experiences to create impactful learning experiences for the students. There are many reasons to be a JA volunteer, including having the opportunity to represent your company and industry to students. Plus, it’s a chance to connect with the Lincoln community and learn about the challenges and successes local schools face.

Over 380,000 young people have participated in Junior Achievement of Lincoln’s activities throughout the organization’s 47-year history. For more information, visit www.jalincoln.org or contact Alison Gottsch-Walton at (402) 467-1741 /alison.walton@jalincoln.org.

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LOVE OUR ROOFS

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Effective July 1, Community Health Charities of Nebraska will change its name back to its original name, CHAD (Combined Health Agencies Drive).

“This opportunity lets us revert back to being a totally local and unique entity in the state and the country,” said Michelle Grossman, president and CEO. “Many of our donors, volunteers, and community partners remember us as CHAD, so we are excited to move forward with a name from our past and let our future as an organization reflect all the great work and history the CHAD name encompasses.”

Since 1972, the organization has raised funds for Nebraska’s premier health charities, distributing more than $56 million since its inception to its local members to make sure all Nebraskans affected by health issues have access to the resources and support they need. CHAD has operated as Community Health Charities of Nebraska since 2005.

As CHAD, the organization will continue to fundraise for its existing 22 member charities in workplace giving campaigns across the state, raising dollars to support its members’ missions. In Lancaster, Douglas, Sarpy, and Pottawattamie counties, the organization has contracts with United Way, but it operates independently in Greater Nebraska.

Combined Health Agencies Drive worked with Pat Buffum and Dean Vavak of PB&J Designs out of Omaha on an update and modern refresh for its logo through PB&J’s non-profit assistance program. Learn more online at www.chcne.org, or call (402) 614-8500 (state office).

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NON-PROFIT NEWS TeamMates Receives Support from Local Business for Toys for Tots Campaign TeamMates of Lincoln joined the Marines’ Toys for Tots in collecting and distributing toys to brighten the holidays for area families. Lincoln Public School District Office employees joined the effort to donate gifts, and the Lincoln Bike Kitchen donated 10 refurbished bikes for the December 13, 2018 event.

TeamMates served 113 families who came to select presents for 363 children. Family members were warmly greeted by volunteers who guided them to the toy displays featuring Star Wars Legos, Jenga, art sets, and other age appropriate toys, ready for wrapping.

Local businesses provided food and beverages for the event. Costco, Fresh Thyme, Hyvee, Kitchen Sink Cookie Company, Russ’s Market, and Scooter’s Coffee were among the generous contributors.

TeamMates appreciates the businesses that helped them help others in the Toys for Tots campaign. If your business would like to join TeamMates in serving the Lincoln community, please call their office at (402) 436-1990. Learn about the TeamMates’ mentoring program and other organization happenings at teammates.org.

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Community Action to Enroll Individuals Into “Free to Save” Program Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties (Community Action) has received a $525,541 three-year grant to provide 4:1 savings match to give 90 low- to moderate-income individuals the opportunity to purchase homes and vehicles, pursue post-secondary education, and start or expand small businesses.

The grant-funded program, Free to Save, will build off the success of the agency’s Individual Development Accounts (IDA) program, which also provides savings match for homes, post-secondary education, and small business start-up or expansion. Free to Save participants will have the added chance to receive savings match for safe, reliable vehicles, which Community Action has identified as a need among the 17,000 individuals it serves annually.

Free to Save participants will save up to $1,000 of their own money, which will be matched with $4,000, for a total of $5,000 to use for their asset purchases. In addition to saving, participants will complete 12 hours of financial education and receive individualized financial coaching from Community Action’s Financial Well-Being team, designed to support them in achieving savings goals. The agency will partner with several area organizations to prepare participants to make their asset purchases.

The Community Action Partnership (communityactionatworkorg. presencehost.net) program will target low- to moderate-income individuals with annual income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (currently $50,200 a year for a family of four) and with net worth less than $10,000. The agency encourages all who think they might be eligible to apply.

If you are interested in lending your skills/expertise to support participants in achieving their goals, contact Andrew Ritta, financial well-being administrator, at (402) 875-9351 / aritta@ communityactionatwork.org. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Domesti-PUPS Announces Dates for 2019 I Love My Dog Expo Domesti-PUPS is excited to announce that the 2019 I Love My Dog Expo, southeast Nebraska’s family-friendly premiere dog lovers event, will be held on Saturday, February 23 and Sunday, February 24, with extended hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The event will be held in Pavilion I at the Lancaster Event Center at 4100 N. 84th St. in Lincoln. Admission is $10; children under the age of 10 are free. Well-behaved, fully vaccinated dogs are welcome.

The I Love My Dog Expo is a perfect opportunity to showcase your products, services, or non-profit organization to thousands of pet lovers in the area, while helping to promote responsible dog ownership.

With entertainment, games, and training demonstrations, and, of course, plenty of shopping, the expo attracts thousands of dog lovers of all ages and interests. There will be booth space for a variety of vendors including manufacturers, veterinarians, boarding and grooming facilities, rescue groups, retailers, and more.

Proceeds from the I Love My Dog Expo benefit Domesti-PUPS, a service organization that provides assistance dogs for persons with disabilities, pet therapy programs, classroom dogs and educational programs, and a rescue dog training/adoption program. DomestiPUPS serves clients locally, regionally, and nationally. This annual event helps the general public better understand and appreciate the many ways that dogs enrich the lives of many. To learn more about Domesti-PUPS, visit www.domesti-pups.org or contact 1-866-515-PUPS / (402) 465-4201 / info@domesti-pups.org. For sponsorship and vendor details, and any additional information about the event, visit www.ilovemydogexpo.com.

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business 43

NON-PROFIT NEWS Educare Lincoln Announces Annual 2019 Educare Learning Network Meeting

Friendship Home Celebrates 10-Year Partnership with Allstate Foundation

Educare Lincoln is hosting the Annual 2019 Educare Learning Network Meeting in April of 2019. The event, slated for April 16–19, is expected to draw master teachers, school directors, national evaluation partners, parents, family support supervisors, and other champions throughout the nation of quality early childhood experiences! The conference will focus on the diversity and inclusion that make Educare Lincoln a model for quality early childhood learning experiences.

Educare Schools develop strong collaborative partnerships in an effort to provide high-quality comprehensive services for children from birth to pre-kindergarten. There are essential components that guide the philosophy and programming in Educare Schools. These include the use of research-based strategies in educating children, continuity of services for children from birth to age five, an emphasis on language and literacy development, enhancement of math skills, promoting positive social skills, on-site family support, an emphasis on visual and performing arts, and high-quality staff qualifications and staff development.

Educare Lincoln (www.educareschools.org) is located at 3435 N. 14th St., adjacent to Belmont Elementary School. Children and families at Educare Lincoln benefit from the support extended by the University of Nebraska, Buffett Early Childhood Institute, Lincoln Public Schools, and other generous local and federal donations. Contact Michelle Phillips or Karla Bohl at (402) 458-3171 to learn more about Educare Lincoln and how their services can support your children and family.

Friendship Home is celebrating its 10th year of a partnership with the Allstate Foundation. Allstate’s Purple Purse foundation is dedicated to helping victims reach financial independence and break free from domestic violence. They do this through supporting domestic violence organizations around the country through grants and scholarships.

Since the first grant, awarded in 2009, Friendship Home advocates have received training from Allstate experts at national conferences.

These conference trainings are funded by Allstate and they increase the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the attendees.

With Allstate’s help, Friendship Home has been able to offer educational resources to help teach financial independence. Their support comes with a powerful tool: Moving Ahead Through Financial Management. The Moving Ahead curriculum was specifically designed to address the real-life financial issues that victims face after leaving an abusive partner.

Friendship Home (www.friendshiphome.org) provides services to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking.

If you are interested in volunteering or have any questions, contact Rainey at (402) 437-9367 / raineyh@friendshiphome.org.

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Fresh Start Donation Center Emphasizes Need for Winter Supplies Throughout the month of February, Fresh Start is focusing on winter supplies such as Kleenexes, sanitizer wipes, hand soap, lotion, and ChapStick. These items will help their residents stay healthy during cold and flu season. Fresh Start offers donation times on Mondays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1p.m. During these times, there will be a staff onsite available to help unload your vehicle.

“The women living at Fresh Start appreciate knowing there are people not judging them, but are willing to help by donating needed items,” said Meg Damme, program coordinator. The women who live at Fresh Start have first access to the clothing donations and what they don’t select, The Daisy volunteers sort through for the shop. All proceeds go back to supporting services offered by Fresh Start.

Fresh Start’s mission is to empower homeless women to overcome barriers to self-sufficiency by recognizing and utilizing their strengths.

It is more than a shelter; it’s a goal-oriented program designed to support women who are working diligently to improve their lives. To learn more, please visit www.FreshStartHome.org, call (402) 4577777, or find Fresh Start on Facebook (@FreshStartHomeLincoln).

Nonprofit Association of the Midlands Sets Dates of Finance Fundamental Series The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) believes that non-profits have an obligation to act as responsible stewards in managing their financial resources. This is why they are offering training opportunities through their Finance Fundamental Series. Upcoming trainings will be held on February 19 and March 1 in the NAM Training Room (11205 Wright Cir., STE 210).

The February training, 990’s for Beginners, will be from 8:30–10:30 a.m. Presenters Jerry O’Doherty with Seim Johnson will answer the questions about organizations’ Form 990 that many representatives may be too afraid to ask. Attendees will walk away with a solid understanding of Form 990.

The March training, Federal Tax Law Changes, will be from 9–11 a.m.

Presenters Brandon Dickerson, Like Meyerson Hatch LLC and Lorraine Egger, KPMG, will discuss the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that became effective on January 1, 2018 and significant tax law changes that affect tax-exempt organizations. The IRS has not yet provided much guidance on many facets of these new changes. Specifically, the new law treats certain expenses associated with transportation benefits provided to employees as unrelated business income that may need to be reported to the IRS by non-profit employers and taxed at the new 21% corporate tax rate.

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We are dedicated to using the best products on the market, and going above and beyond when building our projects. We train knowledgeable and friendly carpenters to ensure our customers receive the best experience possible.

All non-profits must comply with all legal requirements related to financial matters. Registration is required for both events, $35 for NAM members; $70 for not-yet members. Register online at www. nonprofitam.org/events.

The Nonprofit Association of the Midlands (NAM) is a state association that represents more than 600 non-profit organizations in Nebraska and southwest Iowa. Contact Abby Hughes at (402) 557-5800 / abby@nonprofitam.org with any questions. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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NON-PROFIT NEWS Heartland Cancer Foundation Announces Guest Speaker of Mardi Gras Casino Royale Heartland Cancer Foundation has announced that Miss Nebraska, Jessica Shultis, will be a guest speaker at their signature event, Mardi Gras Casino Royale. The event will take place on Friday, March 1 at the Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel from 6 to 9 p.m. The Heartland Cancer Foundation will also be recognizing outstanding work ethic within their volunteer guild membership. Highlights of the event, emceed by Dean Wysocki of Channel 8 KLKN-TV, will include Bourbon Street happy hour, a raffle, ballroom dinner, live auction, casino gaming, and after-party featuring the band, Thirty Minute Hangover.

There are tickets, tables, and corporate sponsorships available for purchase. Last year’s event raised $47,000 between the silent auction, sponsorships, and goodwill donations. You can help the Heartland Cancer Foundation beat last year’s funds raised by signing up to sponsor or by registering for the event today at www.heartlandcancerfoundation. org/mardigras.

Heartland Cancer Foundation was founded with one belief: No cancer patient should fall behind because they struggle to afford their expenses.

Supporting local cancer patients is the organization’s passion and their goal is to provide practical and immediate assistance, so patients can focus on healing. For more information, visit www.heartlandcancerfoundation. org. Questions can be directed to program director, Rochelle Essay, at (402) 261-9974 or heartlandcancerfoundation@gmail.com. Make sure to follow the Facebook page as well (@HeartlandCancerFoundation).

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Girl Scouts Introduce New Cookie for 2019 Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska has launched the 2019 Girl Scout Cookie Program by introducing a tasty new cookie and celebrating the largest annual financial investment in girls in the United States.

The new cookie, Caramel Chocolate Chip, features rich caramel, semisweet chocolate chips and a hint of sea salt in a chewy glutenfree cookie for $5 per package.

The remainder of the 2019 Girl Scout Cookie line-up includes Thin Mints, Caramel deLites, Girl Scout S’mores, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwich, Shortbread, Thanks-a-Lot, and Lemonades (all still $4 per package). Cookies will be sold February 1 through March 10.

The Girl Scout Cookie Program is a powerful entrepreneurship incubator for the next generation of female leaders. Research shows that female-founded start-ups generate more revenue over time and per dollar than male-founded start-ups, but only 17% of start-ups are female-founded. Given that over half (53%) of female entrepreneurs and business owners are Girl Scout alums, supporting local Girl Scouts is key to supporting the change-makers of today and tomorrow.

The cookie program teaches girls to unleash their Girl Scout Cookie CEO superhero skills—goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics. One hundred percent of the net revenue from Girl Scout Cookie purchases stays in Nebraska. With their proceeds, Girl Scouts take part in formative leadership experiences in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), camping and outdoor adventures, community service projects, and so much more.

To find Girl Scouts selling cookies near you, visit GirlScoutsNebraska. org or use the official Girl Scout Cookie Finder app, free on iOS and Android devices. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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HEALTH NEWS Nebraska Community Blood Bank Offers Sickle Cell Donor Program

SCIP Community Awareness Launches Series to Promote Healthy Behaviors

Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) encourages people of African, Hispanic, Middle Eastern, Asian, Indian, and Mediterranean descent to donate blood for patients with sickle cell disease as a part of their new Sickle Cell Donor Program. The program involves extensive blood typing to match donors with patients in need.

In February, the nation celebrates the remarkable and groundbreaking work of African Americans. NCBB recognizes the important work of Dr. Charles Drew, one of the founders of modern blood banking. Dr. Drew was a distinguished physician, surgeon, and researcher. His work aided the Allies during World War II and led to technology and practices that would be used in the nation’s first blood banks and bloodmobiles.

Dr. Drew would be proud to know that his efforts would one day support patients with sickle cell disease, the most common hereditary blood disease in the U.S. The disease impacts one in 500 African American children and one in 1,400 Latino children. Often blood transfusions are often the only way to relieve frequent episodes of pain and complications related to the disease. NCBB, in partnership with Nebraska Medicine, provides specially matched blood for sickle cell patients.

Nebraska Community Blood Bank asks businesses to empower their employees to step up and participate in the Sickle Cell Donor Program.

NCBB supplies lifesaving blood to healthcare facilities in six counties throughout Nebraska. For more information, call (402) 486-9414 or visit NCBB.org. Connect with NCBB on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter (@NCBBLincoln).

SCIP (School Community Intervention and Prevention) is partnering with Lincoln Public Schools, Bryan Independence Center, and the Lancaster Prevention Coalition to put on a community awareness series with valuable presentations about how to support the health and well-being of our community’s youth. These events are open to parents, students, school professionals, and community members. No registration is required.

Their upcoming seminar, Human Trafficking & Our Youth, is happening on Thursday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in the Multipurpose Room at Scott Middle School. The presenter, Stephanie Olson, is a speaker, author, and the CEO/president of the Set Me Free Project. She has extensive experience in the study of human trafficking prevention education and social media safety. Stephanie will discuss what human trafficking and sex trafficking is, and the factors that make individuals most vulnerable to sex trafficking. She will also address the dangers present on social media sites, how to spot a trafficking victim and what to do if you see a victim, and how to prevent our youth from becoming victims of sex trafficking.

School Community Intervention & Prevention is supported in whole or part by Grant #2B08T1010034 under the SAMHSA Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and the Nebraska Division of Behavioral Health and monies passed through by Region 4 and Region V to prevention providers ($135,170 or 53%) and $121,933 or 47% from non-governmental entities. For more information about other presentations in the series, visit www.lmep.com.

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HEALTH NEWS American Heart Association Launches American Heart Month Campaigns

American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network to Host Tobacco Prevention Day

The American Heart Association encourages the public to wear red and raise awareness while sharing photos using the hashtag #GoRedNE on February 1 in honor of American Heart Month. Since the first of the month is National Wear Red Day®, the public is invited to wear red to support the fight to end heart disease and stroke, the first and fifth leading cause of death in the United States each year.

The organization will be facilitating other incentives as well. To kick off the month, every baby born in the state of Nebraska at participating hospitals will receive a red hat through the American Heart Association’s Little Hats, Big Hearts campaign. More than 1,600 hats will be delivered with love from people across Nebraska and around the United States, for babies in the community.

The Little Hats, Big Hearts program raises awareness of heart disease, and congenital heart defects, the most common type of birth defect in the country. This year, 27 hospitals across the state will receive hats to distribute to newborns. The week of February 7 is Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week, and the American Heart Association and the American Stroke encourage you to follow the hashtag #LittleHatsBigHeartsNE. The media is encouraged to reach out directly to the hospitals for video footage or photographs.

The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association are devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke. To learn more or to get involved, call 1-800-AHA-USA1, visit heart.org.

Join advocates from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and other public health organizations in efforts to reduce tobacco use in Nebraska.

This year’s Tobacco Prevention Day at the Capitol will be held on Thursday, February 21, from 8 a.m. until noon. A new year brings new opportunities to save more lives in the fight against cancer.

Attendees will learn about the toll tobacco takes on Nebraska, meet with their state senator or their staff to discuss current tobacco prevention legislation, and get an understanding of how to bring about meaningful change that saves lives.

The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) is the non-partisan advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society. ACS CAN supports evidence-based policy and legislative solutions designed to eliminate cancer as a major health problem.

The American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) is on a mission to free the world from cancer. Until they do, they’ll be funding and conducting research, sharing expert information, supporting patients, and spreading the word about prevention.

To register for the event, please visit tobaccopreventiondayne2019. eventbrite.com. For additional information or questions, contact Matt Prokop, ACS CAN Nebraska Grassroots manager, at matt.prokop@ cancer.org / (402) 262-0032.

Tabitha Offers Grief Groups, Remembrance Service, Hospice Volunteer Training Tabitha, Nebraska’s industryleading senior care provider, offers grief groups and a remembrance service and individual hospice volunteer training throughout the month of February.

The following are upcoming grief and support groups, open to anyone in the community experiencing loss or needing support. Call (402) 4868577 for confirmation of all dates.

• Loss of a Loved One Drop-in Grief Group: Every Monday, 10–11:30 a.m., at the Front Porch Coffee Shop, 5925 Adams St. • Loss of a Loved One Drop-in Grief Group: Every Wednesday, 1:30–3 p.m., at The Harbor Coffeehouse, 1265 S. Cotner Blvd.

• Men’s Drop-In Grief Group: Every other Friday, February 1 and 15, 1:30–3 p.m., at Hy-Vee deli, 7151 Stacy Ln. Tabitha invites you to join the Tabitha Hospice team for a special Valentine’s Day Remembrance Service to celebrate the life of your loved one and share in the support of our community. The service will be held on Thursday, February 14, 6 p.m., at Tabitha Chapel, 4720 Randolph St. For questions, please contact Ray Boeche, Tabitha Hospice bereavement coordinator, at (402) 486-8546.

Tabitha also offers individual hospice volunteer training throughout Lancaster County. Hospice volunteering is a rewarding opportunity that provides companionship, pet therapy, bereavement support, respite care, light housekeeping, and office and clerical support, while providing comfort and joy to Tabitha clients. For questions or to learn more about hospice volunteering, contact Jillian Harold, Tabitha Hospice volunteer coordinator, at (402) 486-8577 / Jillian.Harold@Tabitha.org. Tabitha (Tabitha.org) is your answer for senior care.. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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FRIENDS4LUNCH Last Month - Cactus Modern Mexican & Cantina by Venue Cactus Modern Mexican & Cantina hosted our most recent Friends4Lunch on Friday, January 11. Cactus Modern Mexican & Cantina, owned by Pillar Restaurant Group, is a family-oriented restaurant that utilizes fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to dish out innovative, modern Mexican cuisine. Our group was able to choose from options such as their Taco Salad, Two Rellenos, Cactus Burrito, Nachos, and the Enchiladas. Portion sizes were large and many attendees had leftovers to take and enjoy at home. The atmosphere consisted of tasteful southwestern flare and plenty of natural lighting. Some of the restaurant’s amenities include a cantina bar, private dining room, and spacious patio for the warmer seasons. Thank you to all who came out for a fun Friday lunch!

Cactus is located at 5500 S. 56th St., STE 1. Find Cactus online at www.cactusmmc.com or on Facebook (@cactusmmc).

This Month - Koen Japanese BBQ & Sushi On behalf of our Strictly Business team, we would like to invite you to our upcoming Friends4Lunch event on Thursday, February 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Koen Japanese BBQ & Sushi. Koen is located at 2601 Jamie Ln., STE #100 in south Lincoln.

Koen Japanese BBQ & Sushi is one of the newest and hottest venues in the Lincoln dining scene. At Koen you can enjoy authentic Japanese BBQ flavors, pre-marinated and brought to you plated and ready to grill at your own table, as each table is equipped with self-serve stoves. Koen is based around bringing people and groups of all sizes together over amazing cuisine in a modern, functional atmosphere. Join us for a unique dining experience that you won’t want to miss out on!

Prices range from $7 to $20. Don’t forget to RSVP to office@ strictlybusinessomaha.com or by calling the Strictly Business office at (402) 466-3330. Find the event on our Facebook page (@ strictlybusinessmagazine).

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RESTAURANT EXPOSÉ

STURRING THE POT AT STUR 22 LOUNGE!

For this restaurant exposé, our team decided to mix it up...or should we say, “stur” it up. We were very excited to dine at Stur 22 Lounge, known for its colorful array of Caribbean and West African cuisine.

Upon arriving at our anticipated feast, we were warmly greeted by friendly servers and restaurant owner Trokon (Charles) Brewer. The vibe at Stur 22 is intimate and chic, but also laid-back and fun!

Bright-colored paintings on the wall and lime green chairs really add to the electric atmosphere.

What we learned from our dining experience at Stur 22 is that it’s all about pairing. All entrees are served with your choice of rice and a side. We were fortunate enough to have a very knowledgeable server who gave us good recommendations for pairing. Some of our favorites included: African Fish Stew—Paired with white rice and cilantro mixed greens.

Our first dish was the African Fish Stew, which is tilapia topped with a sautéed vegetable braise.

It definitely has a spice to it, as is the way with most African-inspired dishes. The rice and cilantro balanced out the flavor very well.

Coconut Curry Oxtail—Paired with yellow rice and fried plantain slices.

Have you ever eaten the tail of an actual ox before? Don’t knock it until you try it! Stur 22 does an excellent job with the cooking and seasoning of the meat, mixed in well with turmeric curry peas and carrots. The plantains were a highlight of this ensemble. They were fried to perfection. Our group noted that they were yummy enough to be a dessert item!

Caribbean Jerk Chicken—Paired with red beans & rice and mango pineapple coleslaw.

This pairing was unanimously voted our group’s top favorite. The marinated chicken was perfectly baked and flash fried, and the sweet Jamaican Jerk BBQ sauce on it was savory without being overpowering. We were really impressed with the coleslaw (so much so that we even asked for more). It’s peanut and mango zest were a pleasant surprise.

The restaurant has vegan/vegetarian options as well. These include their Vegetarian Rasta Pasta, Vegan African Okra Stew, and Vegan African Spinach Stew. The pasta had a good spicy kick to it and the stews were both full of flavor.

Another notable part of our dining experience at Stur 22 was the colorful drink menu, featuring creative blends that are mixed up at their bar. We tried the known house favorite and our group’s decided upon favorite, the African Paradise. It is infused with fruit slices, which compliment the Malibu rum very well. We highly recommended Stur 22’s classic mojito and their mango mule as well. It was probably the best mojito we’ve ever had, and the mango mule gave a refreshingly fruity and sour twist to your average Moscow Mule. Most of these tried and true cocktail recipes are rum-based, as it is the Caribbean way. The bar also carries bottled beer and beer on tap, along with an accommodating wine list.

Overall, we were very pleased with our experience at Stur 22 Lounge. We are lucky to have an authentic Caribbean and African restaurant here in Lincoln.

Fun Fact:

Stur 22 Lounge got its name from Charles’ memory of cooking with his mom when he was a young boy. Originally from Liberia, Charles’ mom was big into African cooking, and she let Charles help her in the kitchen. As stirring is a common direction with African dishes, Charles remembers his mom always telling him to stir things at least 22 times. He also remembers her spelling the word “stir” as “stur.” Thus, the name Stur 22.

Hours: Tues–Thurs: 4 p.m.–11 p.m.; Fri–Sat: 4 p.m.–1 a.m. (Special events until 2 a.m.); Sunday: 4 p.m.–9 p.m. (Sunday dinner buffet); Closed Mondays for private events. Kitchen opens daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. (Closes at 9:30 p.m. for special events) Social Hour: Tues–Thurs: 4 p.m.– 6 p.m.; Fri–Sat: 10 p.m. to midnight.

STOP IN TODAY! (402) 805-4579 | www.Stur22Lounge.com | 2110 Winthrop Rd. 52

Strictly Business FEBRUARY 2019

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DOWNTOWN LINCOLN ASSOCIATION Count on us for EVERY Season

by Terry Uland, President 402-434-6900 • www.downtownlincoln.org The Unexpected Interior of Downtown’s Graduate Hotel

In June of 2017, AJ Capital out of Chicago reopened the former downtown Lincoln Holiday Inn as The Graduate, a little-known hotel chain. From the outside, the building at 9th and P Street looked like the same standard hotel, albeit “The Graduate” emblazoned above its 16 floors, and the addition of a red and white striped marquee.

Step inside, and it’s a different story.

One look at The Graduate’s lobby and you might feel like you’re in a time warp. 1970s plaid cushions on mid-century furniture have replaced the typical Holiday Inn florals and swirls. Painted brick walls, wood paneling, and Grandma’s acrylic Midwest landscapes occupy the once wallpapered beige walls. Three old-school arcade games sit in the corner.

Make no mistake—The Graduate’s retro kitsch doesn’t stop there. It took six months to completely renovate everything from the hotel rooms to the event spaces to the elevator, all while researching our state’s history and scouring local antique stores to make Lincoln’s Graduate hotel distinctly Nebraskan.

The Graduate’s general manager, Troy Terwilliger, had been with the former Holiday Inn for 13 years before it was bought and completely turned inside out. “I was nervous, right?” Terwilliger said. “We were a very plain and simple Holiday Inn. Nice, but a Holiday Inn. All of a sudden, they start bringing in this decor that’s currently in here. They did a model room and I was like, ‘holy cow, I’m going to have to find a different job.’ It was just so crazy.”

As the renovation went on, Terwilliger said he began to appreciate the due diligence the company did on Lincoln’s history. “It’s grown on me,” he said. “The level of research they do is impressive.”

The location-based research is a key part of each Graduate hotel. The concept originated with the renovation of a run-down Days Inn near DePaul University, outside of Chicago. The redesign was kitschy, fun and had ties to the heritage of DePaul University, and the new hotel took off.

The experiment launched The Graduate hotels’ concept: target large, university-anchored markets where the typical hospitality is owned by hotel chain big-leagues like Marriott and Hilton, and bring in something totally off-the-wall and unique to the city. Today there are 13 Graduate hotels, all in college towns. Next year there will be 25, and in nine of the Big Ten markets.

Lincoln’s Holiday Inn was an obvious pick for a Graduate renovation with its walking distance to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, State Capitol and entertainment district—and you’ll find ties to all of Lincoln’s landmarks and history in every nook and cranny of The Graduate.

Take a look at your room’s keycard, and you’ll be holding the old student ID of a famous person that went to UNL—like Johnny Carson, Brook Berringer, Gabrielle Union, or Edwin Perkins, the inventor of Kool-Aid. The curtains in guest rooms are patterned with corn, the elevator floors are covered with vintage Nebraska postcards and even the lamps on bedside tables are in the shape of roller-skates—a tribute to Lincoln’s National Museum of Roller Skating.

“For me, the change from the Holiday Inn to the Graduate has reignited my fire a little bit,” Terwilliger said. “You know, for 20 years I wore a suit and tie. The Graduate belief is we can give you whatever you want and we don’t have to be stuffy. It allows for a little more personality.

We’re not the Embassy Suites. We’re not the Cornhusker Marriott. We’re The Graduate.”

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

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CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Your Local Source For Apartment & Commercial Real Estate Give us a brief synopsis of what your company does. - HIP Realty (Holroyd Investment Properties) is a full-service commercial and apartment real estate sales, management, and leasing firm, offering personalized real-estate services while employing the highest ethical standards.

HIP Realty prides itself on providing the type of five-star services that today’s sophisticated commercial and apartment markets require.

How long have you been in business? - HIP Realty is proud to be celebrating its 25th anniversary!

Who are the owners? - Founder, president, and CEO, Michael Holroyd, is a Lincoln native who boasts more than 30 years of experience in the real estate industry. He adopted a hands-on approach that is unmatched in the Midwest. Michael holds a Nebraska Real Estate Broker’s license and a Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation with the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).

Michael started the company in 1993. In the beginning, HIP was just a one-man operation with only 20 apartment units.

1993

In 1996, Michael founded OffiCenters Executive Office Suites and Services, an executive office suites company that provides a full-service office environment, including office rooms, receptionist, administrative support staff, conference room, kitchen, copying center, and break room to a diverse professional clientele.

1996

Following the start of OffiCenters in 1996, which is still in operation today, Michael added the accounting team and then maintenance personnel was brought on to the staff shortly after.

1998

Today, HIP Realty has a midsize, multi-division team and manages almost 1,000 units between Lincoln and Omaha.

Eight years ago, HIP expanded into the Omaha market.

2011

2013

A separate entity but located in the same office space as HIP Realty, OffiCenters filled up to 100% in six-month period, and in 1998, it expanded to include 50% more offices.

2019

In 2013, the company launched rebranding efforts by updating their logo and introducing new website.

What do you think makes you different from other companies similar to yours? - HIP’s success is largely due to its accomplished, detail-oriented team. Our emphasis is on maintaining the close relationships we have built with our clients by providing them with star quality service. Our property managers take a proactive approach to onsite inspections and the follow up of details. Accounting perfection is critical; therefore, we have an expert in-house accounting team. We also have one of the strongest and most qualified maintenance teams in the industry.

What do you like about doing business in Lincoln? - Lincoln has the benefits of a large city while providing a small-town feel. We work with a diverse group of clients yet can focus on providing the best service to each individual. Lincoln is moving forward in the areas of technology, development, and infrastructure, while still preserving the history that made this city what it is today. As a part of our appreciation for the Lincoln community, we do our best to stay involved and give back. For example, HIP Realty has partnered with the Food Bank of Lincoln to host many food drives throughout the years.

HIP REALTY’S STAR QUALITY SERVICE Value Statement: We value honesty and integrity in all interactions. In all the areas that we serve, we want our customers to receive the best our company has to offer, every time.

Culture Statement: HIP Realty was founded on hard work, integrity, and honesty. We are invested in a culture that supports teamwork and creativity. We focus on accountability, responsibility and quality. Our employees are encouraged to reach goals within the company as well as in their personal life.

Contact us today! (402) 465-8911 | www.HIPRealty.com | Office@HIPRealty.com | HIPRealty 54

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LINCOLN INDEPENDENT BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

by Coby Mach, President & CEO

402-466-3419 • www.liba.org

2019 Legislative Priorities on Pro-Business Policies In January, the Nebraska Legislature started the 2019 legislative session. Over the next few months, LIBA will be hard at work at the State Capitol building advocating for the following legislative priorities for the benefit of Lincoln businesses: Reduce Nebraska’s Cell Phone Tax: At more than 25%, Nebraska ranks fourth highest in the country in terms of the tax rate we pay to use of our cellular telephones. This high tax has direct negative impacts on families and businesses. LIBA supports pursuing ways to reduce the cell phone tax imposed on Nebraska families and businesses.

Prevent Statewide Land Bank Authority: Legislation to expand land bank authority statewide will lead to expanded government involvement in property development. Land banks can submit an automatically accepted bid on any available property and receive tax breaks and benefits that are unavailable to private developers. For example, land banks are exempt from paying taxes on a property they own, and they receive 50% of the property tax for five years upon the sale of a property.

Require a Vote of the People to Establish New Joint Public Agencies: Under state statute, two public agencies can create a separate government agency known as a Joint Public Agency (JPA). There are currently seven JPAs in existence, three of which are in Lincoln. JPAs are an added level of bureaucracy that can levy and collect property taxes and issue bonds (with voter approval). LIBA supports amending state law to require a vote of the people to establish new JPAs. Eliminate the Personal Property Tax on Nebraska Businesses: The personal property tax not only costs businesses financially, but it is also costly in terms of the time and effort necessary to complete and file the appropriate tax returns. LIBA supports the elimination of the personal property tax, which directly affects Nebraska’s existing and new businesses.

Limit Taxing Authority to Property Tax Asking Plus Midwest CPI: LIBA supports requiring taxing authorities to limit their general/operating fund property tax asking to the previous year’s property tax asking, plus the Midwest Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period ending in March of the current year, up to the maximum levy provided in statute.

Support the Deployment of Small Cell Technology: The wireless industry is planning to deploy hundreds of thousands of small cells across the country to boost wireless services and prepare for the introduction of 5G. The annual small cell fee in Lincoln is $1,995 per device, compared to $50 or less in similar Midwest cities. LIBA supports legislation that would set reasonable statewide small cell deployment fees and streamline the permit process for attaching small cells.

Utilize a National Test to Assess Nebraska Eighth Grade Students: Nebraska students are currently administered four tests in eighth grade under NeSA. If Nebraska eighth grade students were given a nationally recognized exam instead, we could better determine how our educational efforts match up with other states, and lower the burden on eighth grade students by reducing the number of required standardized tests.

Increase Transparency for Schools: Nebraska’s schools receive a large portion of property taxes to make improvements to schools and keep them running smoothly. Adding a line-item budget or check register to public school districts’ websites would increase transparency in how property taxes and other funds are spent.

LIBA studies and promotes these types of issues that are important to businesses and our community. If you have an interest in joining LIBA, please call me at (402) 466-3419. LIBA membership is not restricted to just businesses. We also have “individual” memberships for those who want to help influence our local government decisions.

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LIBA NEW MEMBERS

Fallbrook Assisted Living & Memory Care Fallbrook Assisted Living & Memory Care, located at 6600 Juliet Ct. in the newlydeveloped Fallbrook area, is Lincoln’s premier care facility that works to guide individuals through new chapters in life.

Fallbrook’s varying levels of care allow you to live independently and find the security and comfort you need out in assisted living. Fallbrook prides themselves on their friendly care staff, home-cooked meals, entertaining activities, and comfortable private apartments.

NE W Y EA R NE W KI T C H EN !

Fallbrook Assisted Living & Memory Care is a community under Nebraska-based MJ Senior Housing. Between co-owners Jason Lange and MaryLynne Bolden, there is over 20 years of experience in handson and executive level management in senior housing communities.

Day that Wood With this in mind, you can rest1assured you’re Restoration in good hands with Fallbrook Senior Living and MJ Senior Housing. For more information, Refacing Redooring visit fallbrookassisted.com or give them a call at& (402) 261-9050.

Kitchen Tune-Up

New Cabinets + Design Free In-Home Estimates

Kitchen Tune-Up, the national kitchen and bath remodeling company known for its signature one-day wood restoration service, has graced Lincoln with local franchise owner Jason Krueger. Meeting the growingLocally demand homeowners seeking to ownedfrom & operated.

Financing available. update and upgrade the look of their kitchens, Lincoln’s Kitchen Tune-Up is serving communities throughout Nebraska with its customized services KITCHENTUNEUP.COM and eye-popping results. Kitchen Tune-Up is an award-winning company that has established itself as the industry leader with more than 30 years of success behind it. Jason has a background that includes working in operations and project management. This experience has given him the foundation to launch and grow Kitchen Tune-Up locally. In addition to residential clients, Lincoln’s Kitchen Tune-Up offers kitchen remodeling for commercial customers. Services for both client bases include the company’s famous Tune-Up, a proprietary wood reconditioning process, as well as cabinet redooring, cabinet painting, cabinet refacing, custom cabinets, granite tune-ups, and accessories. Visit www.kitchentuneup.com to learn more, or schedule a consultation with Jason by calling (402) 340-0008.

402.340.0008

Movement Chiropractic & Integrative Wellness Movement Chiropractic & Integrative Wellness is passionate about more than just treating symptoms. They utilize a whole-body approach, using chiropractic care, functional medicine, acupuncture, and massage therapy, in an effort to uncover the underlying cause of disease, pain, and/or dysfunction.

Whether you have symptoms or are just looking to optimize your health, the goal of this local practice is to help you achieve a higher level of health through comprehensive history, physical examination, and when necessary, laboratory findings in order to customize a health restoration plan for you.

Movement Chiropractic exists because restoring the health of the community is paramount in creating a healthier future for generations to come. They work with a variety of patients: newborn babies, pregnant women, those interested in taking their health to the next level, those who suffer from fibromyalgia, infertility, autoimmune disorders, inflammation, obesity, gastrointestinal issues, and hormonal health.

Contact Movement Chiropractic & Integrative Wellness at (402) 4898880 or go online to movementintegrativewellness.com to learn more.

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business 55

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT

Quality Windows

At Affordable Prices

Give us a brief synopsis of what your company does. - Heartland of Nebraska, LLC is a local distributor for our manufacturer, Heartland Windows, which is out of Aplington, IA. We only market and install the Heartland brand replacement windows and patio doors for residential and for new construction.

How long have you been in Lincoln? - Heartland of Nebraska, LLC was formed and opened for business on August 25, 2015.

Who are the owners/important executives? - Heartland of Nebraska, LLC is a locally, family-owned company. Gary and Kathy Shunkwiler are the owners. Their son Ethan Shunkwiler is job site foreman, nephew Cody Shunkwiler is a valuable installer, and daughter Tracy Schulz manages all appointment criteria.

What do you think makes you different from other companies similar to yours?

- We truly care about our customers from the very first minute they set an appointment with us to the very end of the job. We do not play “pricing games” or use any type of high pressure tactics when we visit with our prospective customers. If needed, we offer low-interest financing options to help customers purchase their new windows.

We do not install “pocket” windows, which means we remove the old windows all the way down to the original opening (studs) so that we can insulate and seal the windows properly and correctly. Our installation crew always respects the customer’s home and cleans up at the end of each day. Our warranty is a true lifetime warranty on everything, and not just covered for a few years and then prorated after that.

Bottom line…at Heartland of Nebraska, LLC we believe in offering the highest quality product at the lowest price and treating our customers and their homes, like they are family.

What do you like about doing business in Lincoln? - It’s local. We can market and install anywhere, but we stick mostly in the Lincoln area. There are so many homes in Lincoln that need our replacement windows that we are happy to help them out. Staying local helps to keep our costs down, which we can then pass on to our customers. It also keeps our sales people and installers close to home, so they can be home with their families every night.

What kind of community organizations/groups is your business involved with?

- We are currently a member with HBAL (the Home Builders Association of Lincoln).

What is your business philosophy or mission statement? - To keep it simple. We want to provide a high-quality product that people can enjoy and always feel good about the decision they made to purchase from us.

What is one of the biggest challenges that your company has faced? - Hiring new individuals that want to work and take pride in that work. Whether, we are looking for additional sales people, canvassers, or installers, it difficult to find the ones who want to “find a home with us.” So many people have been treated poorly in previous jobs that they don’t believe that we (or anyone) will treat them properly. We treat everyone like family if they are willing to work hard and treat our customers with respect.

What is the most unique or interesting thing about your business that most people don’t know? - We are unique in the way that we do business. It’s more of an “old school” approach. We try to do everything the right way from the beginning and if there is an issue or concern, we take care of it immediately and make it right. We don’t tell you something that we know isn’t true. We don’t exaggerate anything. We actually explain things as we go along and if there is a concern, we tell you and get your approval before we continue to do anything.

What is one goal for your business that you have yet to accomplish? - Being able to do one job a year for a family in need at no cost.

“

I bought these windows for my house a year ago and they are awesome! I needed a new sliding door for my house was just getting that. Then we decided to do our basement windows. After those where done we loved them so much we got the rest of our house done. They are amazing windows. We live close to the interstate and with my old windows you could hear it. With the new, ones I can’t hear anything. Plus the sliding door keeps out the nasty cold north winds. My old cheap door let so much cold air in and when you to touched the old sliding glass door it was freezing. With my new one it’s cool to the touch but not cold. If you want some AWESOME WINDOWS THIS IS THE PLACE! – Melissa B.

”

Gary & Kathy Shunkwiler, Owners

Contact us today! (402) 430-3852

HeartlandofNebraska@windstream.net | HeartlandofNebraskaWindows.com

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LINCOLN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

by Wendy Birdsall, President

402-436-2350 • www.lcoc.org

Chamber Ready for 2019 Legislative Session The first session of Nebraska’s 106th Legislature is underway. At the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, we are prepared for a busy next few months protecting and advancing business interests at the State Capitol.

Some of our key policy priorities for 2019 include: updating state business tax incentives, proposals that support talent retention and attraction, proposals that support improving the state tax and regulatory climate, and supporting state legislation to assist communities with building sports complexes. Others will be added after we review over 700 legislative proposals we expect to be submitted.

Your Storage Solution A PLACE FOR ALL YOUR...EVERYTHING! CLEAN EFFICIENT DURABLE • Shelves turned inward • 24 feet of shelves in • Industrial-grade steel so that no one sees 12 feet of wall space • Uses pallet racking your mess • Overhead storage of rated to 3.5 tons • Boltless shelving pallets • No motors or complex adjusts easily • Up to 3x more storage parts • Pegboard organizes per square foot every tool

The Legislature welcomes 13 new senators this year, with one senator who previously served in the Unicameral. We know that the new composition of the Legislature will change the dynamics of how the legislative body will work together. How this plays out exactly will evolve over the course of the session.

Various committees will look quite different than in years past, with the early election of senators to those committees giving us an early indication of just how much legislative dynamics could change this year as debate and discussion of bills will heat up.

The revenue committee, which is obviously a critically important committee, will change dramatically because of term-limits. This is one among many committees where the chair position is an open seat.

Let’s discuss your options today!

402-875-9466 | www.Levrack.com

The Unicameral will be a 90-day session this year. The projected final day is not until June 6, which allows for extensive scrutiny, review, debate, and adoption of a two-year state budget.

The state budget will include several subsets of debates, such as: how to implement the voters’ approval of the ballot measure to expand Medicaid coverage; replenishment of a depleted state cash reserve fund; taxes (cuts, shifts, and increases); state education funding (K-12 and Higher Ed); corrections funding; and the myriad of other state agency spending.

To make sure that business interests are protected, we work closely with elected officials at all levels. When public policy is developed, we consider it our number one job to make sure elected officials understand the impacts on business and our community at large.

We are proud of the diverse and thriving Lincoln community and our dynamic economy. Lincoln is leading the way on quality of life, career opportunities and innovation. We will work for state policy that assists us and we will challenge and oppose policy proposals that undermine our growth.

Throughout the legislative session, we look forward to working with the governor and senators to keep Lincoln and Nebraska growing!

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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, please contact Jaime Henning at jaimehenning@lcoc.com.

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Valentine’s Day Valentine’s Day is a great excuse to shower the people in your life with love. It doesn’t have to be a significant other—it can be your best friend, a family member, co-worker, roommate, etc. It can even be you! If you don’t show yourself some love now and then, you won’t be as able to show your love to those around you. Whether you’re looking to plan a “Gal-entine’s Day” gathering for you and your girlfriends, take your sweetheart out for a memorable date, buy yourself something special, or simply find a way to spread a little love and kindness...we’ve asked a few local experts for advice to help you plan for Valentine’s Day here in Lincoln.

A Date to Remember As one of the newest restaurants in the Lincoln dining scene, Koen Japanese BBQ & Sushi is the perfect spot to have a memorable experience with your loved one(s). What makes Koen unlike any other restaurant in town is the way it engages its guests. When you order one of the many delicious Japanese BBQ options, you’re invited into the preparation process.

After the high quality pre-marinated cuts you order are delivered to your table in a brilliant presentation, you are able to grill them to your liking by using the self-serve stove built in to each table. Specially designed ventilation systems pull smoke away and vent completely outside, so you can relax in a clean and healthy atmosphere; and if family style grilling isn’t your goal, come in and relax with an Asian inspired cocktail, partake in daily happy hour specials, or order freshmade sushi for dine in or carry out.

Besides the yummy menu, Koen Japanese BBQ & Sushi is offering a special Valentine’s Day course for two starting at $54.99. According to general manager, Inez Retnosari, this course includes a choice of starter, main entree from the grill or sushi menu, dessert, and a bottle of wine. This is a great deal! “We are also starting Izakaya Koen this month, which is a kind of Japanese social lounge that will offer Japanese small plates along with drinks on Fridays and Saturdays from Inez Retnosari 9 p.m. to midnight,” adds Retnosari.

Koen Japanese Another local favorite dining establishment is MoMo Pizzeria & Ristorante. If you and your mate are Italian food lovers, BBQ & Sushi you’ll be happy you chose to dine at MoMo. Off of their impressive made-from-scratch menu, the Brussel Sprouts and Baked Ricotta come highly recommended. Offering an intimate, classy atmosphere, MoMo definitely sets the mood, especially if you choose to pair your delicious meal with a glass from one of the finest wine selections in Lincoln. Cheers to love and food! Pretty sure they go hand-in-hand.

By now, you’ve probably heard about one of Lincoln’s newest and hottest hangout spots, Capital Cigar Lounge. The lounge is considerably upscale, KOEN is the only restaurant but don’t let that fool you...Capital Cigar is open to all friends to enjoy.

The majority of the establishment is made up of the public lounge, which in Lincoln where you can all community members are welcome to escape to any day of the week. enjoy authentic Japanese This Valentine’s Day, the lounge will be hosting a special event for couples BBQ flavors pre-marinated and singles alike. Capital Cigar Lounge is partnering with Butterfly Bakery, and brought to you ready to pairing the bakery’s desserts with their preferred wines, bourbons, grill . Every guest becomes cocktails, and cigars for an evening of relaxation, good company, great a world-class chef with service, and amazing desserts. It’s an event you won’t want to miss! personal smoke-less grills built right into each table.

“At Capital Cigar Lounge, our goal is to create two-hour mini-vacations for our guests,” notes KaDeja Sangoyele with Capital Cigar Lounge. “With the help of Butterfly Bakery, the Valentine atmosphere will be in full force at Capital Cigar, making our lounge the perfect post-dinner spot for any couple or group of friends. We will be featuring decadent desserts, paired with flights of either bourbon or wine. Guests will love Butterfly Bakery’s Chocolate Cigars—a fan favorite off their menu that happens to be very fitting for this Valentine’s Day Specials starting at event!”

KaDeja Sangoyele Capital Cigar Lounge Capital Cigar Lounge is a place where friends Includes: appetizer, sushi or grill course, enjoy friends, whether that’s your best friend, dessert, and a bottle of wine. your forever friend, or a new friend. With a state-of-the-art ventilation system, non-cigars-smokers will enjoy their experience just as much as cigar enthusiasts. Capital Cigar boasts a selection of 15,000 high-quality cigars, Reserve a table now! including the coveted Alec Bradley brand. There is also a full-service bar for guests to connect over a cocktail. With community in mind, Capital KoenLincoln.com Cigar Lounge has many more events, like the Valentine’s Day getaway, (402) 480-6116 planned for the future. Keep up with the lounge to learn more about poker 2601 Jamie Ln., Lincoln night, ladies night, holiday celebrations, and much more.

Join Us For Valentine’s Day!

$54.99

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Share the Love...and the Sweets There is no wonder why Capital Cigar Lounge jumped at the opportunity to partner with Butterfly Bakery for their Valentine’s Day event. Butterfly Bakery is quickly becoming everyone’s not-so-guilty pleasure. With care and craftsmanship going into each pastry, baked good, and delicious dessert, there is not much to feel bad about.

“We are able to personalize our desserts to compliment your loved one’s style,” Mary Urtel with Butterfly Bakery informs. “We work with our customers to ensure we have a clear vision of the story they want to tell through our handcrafted and scratch-baked artisan pastries.

We currently offer a variety of small pastries and cookies in wide ranges of flavors. Our most popular items during Valentine’s Day are our gourmet chocolate-dipped strawberries, decorated, cut-out sugar cookies, petit fours, and chocolate truffles. We offer delivery at a discounted price the week of Valentine’s Day, Mary Urtel so having something special delivered to your Butterfly Bakery significant other is always recommended! Who doesn’t love a surprise? Especially one that is shareable with coworkers! For the single ladies, girls’ night wouldn’t be the same without some chocolate and wine! At Butterfly Bakery, we have gourmet brownies, truffles, and mousse cups that will pair perfectly with your favorite wine and/or champagne.”

Let’s not leave any of the senses out. Love can be seen and smelt too...A prime example being a breath-taking arrangement of flowers that has the power to brighten up a day and fill an entire room with a rejuvenating, fresh scent.

Getting flowers for your loved one on Valentine’s Day is a classic move. Here in Lincoln, we have a variety of florists that can assist you. One we highly recommend is Fields Floral. “Our forte is creativity and flowers,” comments Sara Sudman with Fields Floral. “We take your vision and make it a reality by creating unique floral arrangements within your budget. We figure out what is in season to be cost effective, while also incorporating your needs and wants. We do it all from start to finish and can even deliver! Coral is a big trend, from weddings to personal flower gifts. After all, Living Coral is the Pantone Color Sara Sudman of the Year for 2019! And it’s a very fitting shade Fields Floral for the Valentine’s Day occasion.”

Fields Floral is well known for offering dependable delivery service and unmatched floral designs. Just give them a call and let them know who you are buying flowers for, and they’ll deliver a beautiful arrangement to your loved one no matter where they are. Flowers are a great surprise to get at work! Brighten up your sweetheart’s desk with one of Fields Floral’s many bouquet options. If you set up a bouquet subscription with Fields Floral, you can pick dates throughout the year that you want to have flowers delivered to that special someone and Fields Floral will take care of the rest.

Love Yourself “Treating yourself is the way to go, and indulging in a massage or special treatment certainly fits the bill,” says Erin Lange of 5 Elements Massage. “I’ll be offering chocolate wrap massages as a Valentine’s Day special. Topically applying raw cocoa can reduce the look of fine lines and uneven texture on the skin. It actively hydrates the lipids in your skin, tightens and tones, giving you a more youthful, slender look. It also has a very energizing effect on the body and spirit; it’s very cool how many positive health benefits are derived from the use of raw cocoa.

Erin Lange Based on my professional training with sugar 5 Elements Massage scrubs and salt glows, I’ve put together my own blends that I utilize in conjunction with the different massage modalities I vv offer. Reach out to me if you’re curious to learn more!”

No matter if you are practicing a little self love or treating your true love to something special, take this Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to enjoy an exciting new adventure in Lincoln. There are so many professionals in the area that want to help you make this V-day a day to remember. XOXO!

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A Sweet Treat For Valentine’s Day!

• Custom Cakes • Wedding Cakes • Cookies • Breakfast Pastries • Decadent Desserts • AND MUCH MORE!

Now offering catering platters!

Call today to place your order!

(402) 499-0620 | 4209 S. 33rd St.

Visit our website to find the perfect massage for you!

Give The Gift Of Relaxation

Services Include: • Prenatal • Hot Stone • Heated Bamboo • Deep Tissue • Swedish • Sugar/Salt Scrubs • Aromatherapy • Reflexology • & more!

Book yours today! (402)617-7992 | vagaro.com/5elementsmassage

Just In Time For Valentine’s Day!

Sign your loved one up for a bouquet subscription!

SEND A FLORAL ARRANGEMENT TO YOUR GIFTEE ON DATES OF YOUR CHOOSING THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. YOU PICK THE FREQUENCY & WE WILL SEND A BEAUTIFUL ARRANGEMENT EACH TIME!

GIVE A GIFT THAT KEEPS GIVING ALL YEAR LONG!

Set up your bouquet subscription today!

402.486.4564 | FieldsFloral.com | 3845 S. 48th St. FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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Love Your Home

Now Is The Best Time To Sign Up For A Service Maintenance Plan On Your Heating & Cooling System!

Some benefits of a Service Maintenance Plan are: • Extends life of equipment when properly maintained • Lower fuel bills because your system is running at top efficiency • We get a hold of you to schedule service to take pressure off of you • Potential problems are spotted before major expenses occur • Discounts on breakdowns • Peace of mind with service experts you can trust • Customized plans to fit your equipment with discounts on multiple systems

Contact us today! 402-435-5555 • www.jhlincoln.com 60

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Wedding Planning

Did you get engaged over the holidays? It wouldn’t be surprising, considering that Christmas is the most popular day to get engaged.

With family all together and celebration in the air, it makes sense.

Not to mention Valentine’s Day is the second most popular time to get engaged, which is coming up! This is definitely a fitting time to talk about wedding planning. There is a lot that goes into making your special day just perfect...or at least, as close to perfect as possible.

While most engagements happen this time of the year, most weddings actually take place between June and October, so this is the time to plan! If you’re newly engaged, we bet your mind is jumping ahead to the gorgeous gown you’ll wear down the aisle. There is nothing wrong with that, but before you spring for the dress of your dreams, you need to be realistic with your budget. You may consider hiring a wedding planner, who not only has experience in this area but one who can share your vision for your big day and help you achieve that vision without going into debt. If you are confident with your planning abilities, go for it! Just make sure you are taking every aspect into consideration.

Selecting the venue is usually a good place to start. This will help you determine the date of your wedding. If you have a specific venue in mind, approach the venue coordinator(s) with a couple of different dates. This is to see if their availability allows you to have your wedding during the time of year and/or month that you were hoping for. Tom Benes with Graduate Lincoln can attest to this. “I would say for our hotel, when booking one of the ballrooms, having a few different dates in mind will improve your chances of Tom Benes one being available. If you want a summer Graduate Lincoln wedding, June specifically, I would start looking at venues as soon as possible. June tends to fill up quick, so the sooner you make a decision, the better your odds are of getting your preferred venue.”

Graduate Lincoln can accommodate the wedding ceremony, wedding reception, bridal shower, and rehearsal dinner. From grand mid-century inspired ballrooms to smaller spaces for intimate receptions, Graduate has a spot that is just right for you. The Ardis Ballroom is ideal for large events; with 5,800 square feet, it can hold up to 450 people.

For medium-sized groups, we recommend the Scarlet Ballroom and Legends Ballroom. Both of these spaces have inspired personalities all their own that will enhance the atmosphere of any event.

A trend we are noticing is smaller, more intimate wedding ceremonies.

Most of the time, this means the bride and groom will choose to do a separate reception or celebration for the full list of friends and extended family to attend. Typically something couples do if they choose to have a destination wedding and most of their guest list can’t afford to travel in order to attend, this route is becoming common even for a couple who choose to hold their ceremony right here in Lincoln. An intimate ceremony results in a lot less stress for the bride and groom; they can just focus on their close family members and friends during their short and sweet nuptials. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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A popular venue for an intimate event such as this is the Talon Room.

A vintage wedding venue located in the heart of downtown, Talon Room features a unique and rustic style that is sure to charm your guests. This banquet hall can easily be decorated to fit any wedding style or theme and is the perfect place for ceremonies, receptions, and rehearsal dinners, as well as bridal showers and engagement parties. The staff at Talon Room is committed to excellence and will help create the event of your dreams, from planning the whole event to the fine details that make your big day a success.

“From start to finish, we take your vision of the perfect wedding and bring it from conception to reality,” says Matthew Rogge with Talon Room. “We’ve had great results with bundling the entire wedding into the perfect weekend for couples and their families and friends. Moreover, we can work with any budget. The biggest trend that I have noticed lately is brides and grooms footing the bill without the help of family. With a little bit of flexibility, we can plan the perfect budgetfriendly wedding that won’t break the bank.”

Matthew Rogge Talon Room is an indoor venue that can Talon Room accommodate between 50 and 250 guests, including your furry companions. They have one room ready for you to put your distinctive touch on it, with a bar already set up. There is parking available, and the Talon Room is wheelchair accessible.

Talon Room is available for single and multiple days for weddings and special events, and they offer event planning services to ensure your day unfolds exactly as planned. This venue offers all-inclusive packages and also allows outside vendors. Set up and teardown are included in their wedding packages, and their catered wedding package includes cake cutting. They have a selection of tables and chairs to choose from and can provide linens and barware as well.

The venue also has wireless internet for your convenience.

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If you are looking for a one-stop wedding shopping experience, the Talon Room is perfect for you. Book your free tour today at www. talonroom.com or via email at matt@talonroom.com.

No two venues are the same. It’s nice to have so many options in Lincoln!

The next event space we want to highlight is the Lincoln Firefighters’ Reception Hall. The Firefighters’ Hall is proud to have a dynamic entertainment space that can accommodate any style of event up to 300 people (seated). They offer modern conveniences and affordable elegance to create the perfect atmosphere for your special event!

Located within minutes of downtown Lincoln, the Firefighters’ Hall provides quick and easy access to lodging, restaurants, and shopping, without the inconvenience of parking downtown and having to pay.

Featuring a full 90-stall parking lot that is paved, lit, and handicap accessible, guests will have no problem finding a place to park at the Firefighters’ Hall. Their amenities include all-day access, table/ chair set up, the ability to bring in your own catering or use our large commercial kitchen, a projector and screen, wireless mics, internet access, bar service with staff available, centerpiece items, decorating/ lighting options, and much more!

You can even go on the Lincoln Firefighter’ Reception Hall website (www.firefighterhall.com) and check out their online calendar for available dates!

Flowers are an important aspect of every wedding. They have the power to transform a room and they really define the color palette for the entire event. Make Burton & Tyrrell’s Flowers your first choice for premium fresh flowers and upscale design artistry for your dream wedding and all your special occasions!

“We take special care to ensure the bouquets and on-site floral décor reflect your individual style and budget…whether you prefer timeless tradition or a sleek contemporary look,” says Gary Tharnish with Burton & Tyrrell’s. “Each wedding, party, or special event we do is custom-designed with you in mind! Our floral design consultants can offer lots of beautiful style suggestions in an effort to create the overall look you hope to achieve.”

In planning the decorations for the wedding Gary Tharnish ceremony location, consider all the areas that Burton & Tyrrell’s may be enhanced with flowers and foliage.

Some of those areas may include: • The altar • Columns/candelabra flanking the altar • An archway or canopy • The podium or lectern • Ends of the pews or aisle itself • Communion rails • Window ledges • Dressing rooms • Restroom countertop • The entry vestibule • The guest book table • Wreaths on doors leading into the sanctuary • Stair rails outside the entrance For everything else on your reception decor and accessories list, Sam’s Club is the place to go! Sam’s Club has outdoor wedding decor; party decor, supplies, and gift wrap; floral supplies; folding and stackable furniture; and table covers. Outdoor wedding decor at Sam’s Club includes arbors and trellises, outdoor canopy tents, fountains and ponds, outdoor lighting, and gazebos. Their wide variety of floral supplies will help you create the perfect centerpiece. Choose from different vases and vintage bottle collections.

Sam’s Club even offers online ordering of fresh floral wedding collections, including centerpieces, bridesmaid bouquets, corsages and boutonnieres, and flower petals. According to the experts at Sam’s Club, there are six ways to make your wedding flowers last: #PrintProudDigitalSmart

1. Choose flowers that take longer to wilt, like hydrangeas, orchids, and lilies.

2. Schedule your delivery to get your flowers 48 hours (two days) before your event.

3. Trim your flower stems at a 45-degree angle with floral shears, and re-cut every two days.

4. “Nourish to flourish” by spraying flowers with Floralife Crystal Clear flower food (sold at Sam’s Club).

5. Keep stems in filtered, lukewarm water until ready to arrange.

Change water every two days.

6. Keep cool(ish) by keeping flowers out of direct sunlight and away from vents.

Become a Sam’s Club member today to enjoy exclusive savings and access to a wide range of products, in store and online. With two Lincoln locations (4900 N. 27th St. and 8480 Andermatt Dr.), Sam’s Club offers high-quality products that reflect your values and needs.

With everything that goes into wedding planning, at any given time there will be something that needs your attention. This is why it’s comforting to talk to someone in the industry who knows a thing or two about the process, especially when it comes to the food. We asked Jayme Lowell with Venue Catering and Events a few questions on the topic of wedding planning. Here are her responses: How can your business be of assistance with planning weddings and/or related events?

Jayme Lowell Venue Catering and Events We have a very talented catering team that can create a custom menu, tailored to what the client is envisioning on their special day. Being a completely scratch-based kitchen gives us the flexibility to give our clients the flavors they are looking for while keeping the food quality at a maximum. Not only can we serve up to 1,000 people for large wedding receptions, but we can also take care of the catering needs for all of the events leading up to the reception. We have private rooms at Venue Restaurant & Lounge, Piedmont Bistro, and Cactus Modern Mexican & Cantina that work perfectly for bridal showers, couples showers, and rehearsal dinners. No matter where you decide to have our catering served at, you will be working with an event planner on all of the details to ensure you receive amazing food and excellent service.

What makes your business unique within the wedding planning realm?

The most unique aspect of Venue Catering and Events is that we are not limited to the private rooms we have on site at our three restaurants. We handle all of the catering needs for the Scottish Rite Ballroom and the Jasmine Room, and are a preferred caterer at Glacial Till, Champions Club, and the Wick Alumni Center. We cater all over the city of Lincoln and the surrounding areas.

What are some new trends you’re seeing in the wedding industry?

Over the years, we have seen formal plated dinners be the trend, then fancy hors d’oeuvres receptions, then less formal food stations, and now we have come full circle back to a traditional dinner buffet.

I think a lot of couples see the value in having more choices to offer their guests and it’s typically at a better price point than the other options.

What do you find to be the most exciting thing about the wedding planning process and why?

I love to sit down with the couples and get to know them. When you learn where they are from, what’s important to them, their family traditions, etc., you can better understand what they are looking for on their special day. I hear over and over again that people do not want the standard wedding food they have had before. Figuring out what they are really looking for and then finding a way to make that happen within their budget is, to me, the best part of the wedding #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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planning process!

Transportation is another factor to consider, especially if you aren’t holding your ceremony and wedding in the same venue.

Lori Hiebner with Leisure Limousine & Sedan thinks you should arrive in style with one of their fabulous limos, SUVs, or party buses! “At Leisure Limo, we provide prompt, professional, affordable, and, most importantly, luxury transportation service for your wedding needs. Our chauffeurs have the ability to be flexible and will customize Lori Hiebner the trip as you go. We want you to have fun Leisure Limousine & Sedan and not stress—let us take you where you need to go!” exclaims Lori.

After getting all the most necessary budget items figured out, then you can start looking for your dream wedding gown. Adorned Bridal knows that choosing the wedding gown is really when everything starts to come together.

“We love helping brides get their vision of their wedding day translated through their wedding dress and accessories,” comments Cheryl Thompson with Adorned Bridal.

“A bride may have the venue booked, her colors picked out, and an idea of the desired decor, but until the wedding dress is decided upon, the full picture can’t fully take shape. At Adorned Bridal, we also offer custom-made veils. We love when we get the chance to re-make an heirloom veil into something that today’s bride can actually wear! We have Cheryl Thompson bridal jewelry and bridesmaid, flower girl, Adorned Bridal and prom dresses as well.”

Cheryl agrees that budget is an important part of planning a wedding; therefore, they really attempt to honor that and help a bride get what she wants within the budget she has set. “We try our hardest to make suggestions that would be budget-friendly, while still getting the look she’s going for,” says Cheryl.

Gowns with deep-V necklines and sheer bodices are very popular right now, mentioned Cheryl. However, many brides are looking for something a little more modest, which is why Adorned Bridal’s designers offer most styles with a snap-in liner feature.

“My favorite part of the wedding planning process is, of course, when the bride chooses her gown!” shares Cheryl. “There are a lot of emotions that go into the decision, and for some, it’s a long process of trying on at a number of stores. When the decision gets made, there can be a great sense of relief accompanying the joy and tears!”

“Enjoy the planning process as much as possible,” Cheryl adds.

“Remember, you don’t have to have everyone’s opinion or approval on all things—it makes the process much more stressful than it needs to be when you’re trying to please everyone. One to three people are all that really need to help you make dress decisions (yes, that includes bridesmaid dresses). You can bring others back into the equation when it’s time to pick out veils and accessories.”

You’ll look back on the photos and videos from your wedding for the rest of your life, and no matter how perfect your dress is, the last thing you want to see is a version of yourself that you’re not proud of staring back at you. We’re talking about your health and fitness. A lot of people take the initiative to lose weight and get in the best shape possible before their big day. In Lincoln, there are a few gyms that can help with that.

For example, 9Round Fitness is a specialized fitness center for people who want a unique, fun, and proven workout that guarantees results.

9Round offers a kickboxing-themed fitness program that incorporates functional, interval, cardiovascular, and circuit training regimens. The programs consist of a proprietary system of nine challenging workout stations developed by a World Champion Kickboxer. In addition, there is Capital City Fitness & Performance, the only Training for Warriors (TFW) affiliate in Lincoln. What separates the TFW system from other #PrintProudDigitalSmart

training programs is its culture. Although TFW encompasses signature warm-ups, speed training, strength training, endurance training, flexibility work, and nutrition, the most important component of the system is its motivational approach and family environment.

Hair and cosmetics also play an important role in a wedding-ready appearance. Aside from the ultimate wedding bod, you’ll also need to consider booking your trip to the salon and spa for other grooming needs. These are all things that will need to be planned well in advance.

“At Ovation Salon, we have plenty of experience working with wedding clientele, offering services for brides, grooms, and members of the bridal party,” says John Aguirre with Ovation Salon. “You may not think of your hair as a part of wedding planning, outside of just setting the dates ahead of time, but there’s more that goes into the final wedding day look. It’s a creative, collaborative process. We take your direction and inspiration while applying our expertise by making suggestions based on your hair John Aguirre type, face shape, and other things that might Ovation Salon affect your desired outcome. Everyone has a signature style, and to achieve that goal, remaining true to that is important. However, exploring different options is the fun part! Don’t be afraid to deviate a little bit from your comfort zone. Doing a trial run allows you the opportunity to exchange ideas with your stylist and try things out. You can even schedule it on the same day as another big event since you’ll leave with great hair!”

As professionals who take great pride in our work, the team at Ovation Salon want nothing more than for you to be a vision of perfection and look absolutely stunning on your wedding day. That ‘glow’ comes from feeling good about yourself!

Wedding and Engagement Ring Spotlight: Sartor Hamann Jewelers For our readers who are in the engagement preparation stage, we want to highlight our favorite jeweler in Lincoln: Sartor Hamann Jewelers. Finding the perfect engagement ring isn’t hard to do, at least, not when you work with a jeweler who knows how to help you find exactly what you and your partner are looking for. Sartor Hamann is home to Nebraska’s premier diamond selection and offers bridal customers their choice of popular brand names such as Hearts on Fire, A JAFFE, Beverley K., Parade, Sylvie, True Romance, Benchmark and more. They also offer custom design services, and you can check out all of the options that are available on their website.

“We have the perfect wedding bands, as well as engagement rings, for men and women,” confirms Anna Alcalde with Sartor Hamann. “We offer hundreds of styles, varieties of metals, and amazing finishes for a one-of-a-kind look. At this moment, all the rage is for ladies to mix and match varied designer, thin decorative bands to stack below or flank (border) the engagement ring. Brides and grooms can express their own style with different metals and styles as ‘couple matching’ is NOT the norm these Anna Alcalde days. Individuality is encouraged and we Sartor Hamann have your look in one of our three locations!

Can’t find what you love? Ask our awardwinning jewelers to design one custom for you or your partner.”

Making the right choice can involve a lot of pressure, but with the help of the experienced staff at Sartor Hamann and a large selection of high-quality fine jewelry at your fingertips, rest assured you’ll find the perfect piece that’s on the cutting edge of style, fashion, and technology.

Let the wedding bells ring! We hope you were able to get something out of the expert advice shared above. If you plan ahead and utilize the resources right here in Lincoln, your wedding day will be everything you hoped for and more! #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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Home Inspections

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Serving All Of Your Tool & Fastener Needs TOOFAST SUPPLY is full-line distributor of power tools, hand tools, instruments, and accessories. We also stock an extensive line of fastners and hardware. With quality as our highest priority, we provide the best heavy-duty tools for professional COMMERCIAL & INDUSTRIAL work.

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BUILDING MAINTENANCE Protecting Your Property: How Proactive Building Maintenance Can Guard Your Health and Savings The season of spring cleaning is fast approaching, but there are many problems that can affect a home or office that are not limited to one season.

Health hazards like the flu virus and mold can cause lost work days, and an untidy home or office can make guests or customers feel unwelcome.

Lincoln businesses with expertise in building maintenance spoke to Strictly Business about this topic, providing timely advice for business-owners and homeowners who would like peace of mind knowing that their property is safe from the most common problems.

Jon Paolini with ServiceMaster Professional Building Maintenance is convinced from personal experience that a clean building is key to making a welcoming environment for both customers and staff in any business. “A clean building is not only inviting for our customers, clients, and staff, it is also more productive. Our clients are able to spend their time focusing on their business, not on cleaning. And a properly cleaned building leads to less sick time for the occupants,” says Paolini.

One of the most common aspects of building Jon Paolini maintenance and cleaning is floor care and ServiceMaster carpeting, and Paolini believes that without scheduled care, carpeting becomes more Professional Building Maintenance expensive than it should be. “Flooring, especially carpeted floors, need regular cleaning in line with the manufacturers’ specifications in order to get the full useful life out of them and to look good for the years they should. It protects the client’s investment by doing so. And not getting them maintained according to the manufacturers’ specifications may void their warranty,” warns Paolini.

A practical, economical way to protect all types of flooring during the snowy and rainy months of the year is walk off matting. “Walk off matting is a cheap and easy way to preserve flooring and help any type of facility stay cleaner,” says Paolini. Most businesses require more protection than the average home. “Most facilities have matting in a vestibule at most but that’s only about four feet. The generally accepted math is that 12-15 feet of walk off matting is necessary to reduce the amount of dirt coming in to a facility. And this is year-round, not just during inclement weather.

Keeping this amount of matting year-round and having it changed out or cleaned monthly can reduce up to 90% of the soils that would be brought in to a facility from foot traffic,” advises Paolini.

Paolini is proud of ServiceMaster’s record and history of service. “We have expertise in many areas and we have served the Lincoln community for nearly 30 years,” he says.

For a useful checklist of common problems that can affect homes and places of business, we spoke to professionals from Essentials Home Services, founded by the Lincoln native motherson team Mary and Chris McCombs. Chris Chris McCombs McCombs says that he identifies with customers who feel frustrated when building problems at Essentials Home Services

#PrintProudDigitalSmart

home interrupt their daily lives and schedules. He believes that, after family, a home is one of the most important commodities and investments someone can make for the future.

Here are five common maintenance issues McCombs has identified as essential for many homes and places of work: • Regularly changing air filters to prevent impure air and allergic reactions • Replacing caulk around sinks and bathtubs to prevent water damage and mold/mildew • Ensuring that smoke detectors and fire extinguishers are functional and periodically replaced • Cleaning gutters to prevent rain damage • Ensuring pipes and hoses are properly drained or stored for the winter to avoid freezing damage McCombs says that proactive maintenance is essential to prevent these small tasks from growing into expensive problems. “There is no problem a property can have that should ever be considered small! Even basic things like ensuring your faucets and other plumbing is free of leaks can eliminate major problems down the road. A dripping pipe under a cupboard left unchecked can cost an owner thousands in repairs,” says McCombs.

For readers who are more “do-it-yourself” types, TooFast Supply offers a wide assortment of commercial and industrial tools and fasteners.

Roger Kontor, president of the locally-owned and operated TooFast Supply, has sold tools, fasteners, and more, whether they are for everyday tasks or for professionals in the heating and air conditioning industries. To ensure quality from the products they sell, Kontor says that employees of TooFast Supply test each new product. “We actually try our products and use them. Then we talk to manufacturers, do research on them. For the stuff we bring in here, we try Roger Kontor and use it, play with it in the shop. That way we TooFast Supply can stand behind it when we sell to our customer,” says Kontor. Customer feedback is also important to TooFast. “Say there’s a new product coming out. A brand-new drill comes out and we sell five or six of them. When they come back in the next few days, we ask them if it works, what they think about it. We don’t want to put bad products out into the industry,” says Kontor.

Kontor believes that by researching recent developments in the tool industry, he can help his customers save time on the job. “If we look back to 10 years ago, everyone used a drill for everything possible. Now they make an impact, which is meant to put the screw into that hole. It could be five times quicker if you are using the right product to put that screw in.” Kontor says he believes there is always a right tool for a particular kind of job, and their goal is to help their customers identify the correct tool for the job they are hoping to complete.

Proactive maintenance is an important tenant for professional home care services, but what are the most important priorities for property owners who want to protect their property? Ryan Reinke with TruBlue Total House Care believes an added value of hiring a cleaning and maintenance service is giving a knowledgeable person an opportunity to catch problems in your home before there is expensive damage. “Some people just don’t own hammers. Some people just don’t have the time…I’m always impressed with teachers and nurses who have those skills that I couldn’t do. If I’m going to think about finances, Ryan Reinke TruBlue Total House Care I’m going to go talk to my banker. If I’m worried about health, I’m going to go talk to my doctor.

You wouldn’t own a car without changing the oil. So your home should have a look-over at certain intervals.”

Reinke says that a goal of TruBlue Total House Care is to provide most basic services a house or rental property could require, as well as offer recommendations of specialty services when they spot a potential problem.

“We are unique in that we have such a wide range of skills and abilities,” says Reinke. For example, Reinke explains how, while helping a customer with a flooring project, TruBlue employees have noticed problems like water stains from leaking roofs that need immediate attention. Having worked professionally as a manager of rental properties, Reinke believes a reliable

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2626 O Street • 402.476.2194 • www.smpbm.com home inspection service is useful for both homeowners and all property owners who lease to tenants. “Building maintenance is really important for tenant retention,” says Reinke. “We call it ‘bullet-proofing;’ we like to build things that will not have to be repaired and go well into the future,” explains Reinke.

When having a building inspected, it’s wise to check for radon gas to protect against cancer.

Randy King worked in building maintenance and construction before founding King’s Home Inspections. One of his most important personal goals is to help people understand what radon is and what to do about it. “Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It comes from the decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils.

Radon gas is colorless, odorless, and without taste. The presence of radon in a home cannot be detected by human senses. The only way to know if your home contains radon gas is to test.

Randy King EPA recommends that homes with high Radon King’s Home Inspections concentration above 4.0 pCi/L be mitigated.

There are many straight-forward reduction techniques that will work in almost any home,” writes King. Because radon gas can vary across states and neighborhoods, King recommends each individual home test for radon, and to include a radon test in any building inspection made before purchasing.

To protect health and air quality, maintaining HVAC systems is also vital. Aaron Rood is a residential development manager for Lincoln’s Star City Heating & Cooling. Rood describes their process as customer-focused: “We help Aaron Rood homeowners and commercial property owners Star City Heating with all their heating and cooling needs, whether & Cooling it be service, repair, or replacement. Our technicians don’t work on commission and we make recommendations based

FEBRUARY 2019 Strictly Business

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on the client’s best interests, not our profit.”

Star City Heating & Cooling advises customers to consider these six key traits they should look for in their heating and cooling service: 1. Up-front, flat-rate pricing 2. Thorough evaluation and repair options 3. Customer approval of repairs before they begin 4. A call or text before visiting the property 5. Background-checked technicians in a company vehicle and uniform 6. Financing options for all products and services The age of a home also effects the frequency and type of maintenance it needs. John Henry’s Plumbing, Heating, and Air services heating and air conditioning equipment to improve efficiency. Deb and John Henry “Jack” Zohner started John Henry’s out of their home in 1996.

Joe Reinke is a plumbing manager at John Henry’s. He encourages his customers to keep an eye out for any leaks, drains that are backed up, or any signs of corrosion or deterioration on pipes and call a plumber if they see any of these signs. “Depending on the age of the home, the older the plumbing, the more you Joe Reinke may need to have someone come take a look.”

John Henry’s Plumbing, Reinke says many customers prefer to have Heating, and Air their plumber visit at least once a year to check for potential problems. “If you get a plumber in yearly, it’s good to have them check out any potential issues and make some recommendations when they come.”

An annual visit gives the plumber opportunities to spot these potential issues. Reinke says that John Henry’s prides itself on helping their customers understand what potential problems can be fixed and giving their customers all final decisions on work to be done.

“Any time we are out there, we basically run through everything with our customers. We do our best to talk with them, look at things, notice things.

Maybe while we’re on site fixing a toilet, we may notice a faucet in need

of repair, and bring that up to them. We want to let our customers know what’s going on. For example, we offer to check for carbon monoxide on every visit. We give them the option of repair or replacement. Ultimately they make the decision, but we like to educate them on the options they have,” says Reinke.

Reinke says this same policy of helping the customer understand their options is true of John Henry’s work in HVAC as well as plumbing. “On the HVAC side, we provide a service maintenance plan with the heating and air conditioning. We come out twice a year and service the equipment, make sure it’s all working. Usually before the summer and before the winter,” concludes Reinke.

What are considerations home owners should give to their garage door to improve their home security and how can an improved garage door add value to a home? Jacob Hiatt with Raynor Doors of Nebraska has been involved in the garage door business since he was young; Hiatt’s father founded the Lincoln business in 1995. Hiatt has worked professionally for Raynor Doors of Nebraska for nine years, and he discussed important considerations for homeowners who need a garage door for their home and how recent technology has improved security.

Jacob Hiatt • Insulation: The more insulation a door has, the more it keeps out noise and keeps the Raynor Doors of Nebraska temperature in the house regulated. “That means lower energy bills. Since the garage is so big and attached directly to your house, if you insulate your garage door, your utilities won’t have to work as hard,” says Hiatt.

• Quality: “Most of the time when it comes to picking out a door, cheaper is not always better. You’re buying the quality of the door. Do you want to have to replace it in the next 5 years, or spend a little bit more for the quality and be set for the next 15 years? Basically, if you buy cheaply, you’re going to get cheap,” says Hiatt.

• Safety: “We recommend an OSA. Oil service and adjust. It means you

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go over all the moving parts in the door and the operator, and check all smaller parts to make sure they’re tightened and well lubricated. Most of the time if you hear something that just doesn’t sound right, or if you look at it and it just seems it’s not supposed to do that, we recommend you call for maintenance.”

• Theft-prevention: Some garage doors can be set to close automatically if they have been left open by accident. An automatic deadbolt locking system called “Raynor SecureLoc” can also be used to prevent a door being forced open without the use of the garage door opener.

• Privacy: Satin glass allows more light into the garage door, but will not let outsiders see what is inside the garage.

Hiatt says that Raynor Doors of Nebraska’s showroom has been set up to help customers visualize different styles of doors and find the right fit for their style and home. “We have a showroom at our office. We have 8 doors on display. It’s good to show them a visual representation of what their door can look like. Obviously, we don’t have every single style in the showroom, but we have a software where we can show them what their door will look like on their house. We will recommend based on our experience from the past what we think might be a good style or fit for a house,” says Hiatt.

A concern for many home and property owners is not understanding their options, or why each product costs what it does. Cecil Grant with Overhead Doors of Lincoln offers advice based on his conversations with customers who have commonly had these concerns: “Here’s one thing a property owner should consider, whether he or she has an existing building or having one built: is the door and opener correct for that particular building? For instance, having a non-insulated door installed on an insulated building. The heating and in some cases the air conditioning costs would be more than if an Cecil Grant Overhead Doors of Lincoln insulated door was installed. Another question would be: Is the door opener correct for the door size and weight of the door? If not it could result in the opener wearing out before its time.”

Grant strongly recommends his customers to use their ears to discern when a door is in need of maintenance or replacement. “Sound is a great indicator on both garage doors and openers that something may not be right and needs checked out. When first installed a door and opener sounds smooth and quiet. Over a period of time as both are being used and neither have been serviced they tend to start making noises not heard at first.” Here are three common sounds to listen for which indicate a door may be in need of service: • Popping and cracking • Creaking • Rollers clicking Grant uses some simple reminders to always ensure his own doors are properly maintained: “When I pull the lawn mower out for the season I service my door and opener. When I pull out the snow blower for the season I service both again. It’s just an easy way to remember to service both.”

For advice on how to reduce costs through building maintenance we spoke to Jim Johnson of Biggerstaff Plumbing and Heating, Inc. “Nothing makes us happier than a customer reporting back to us with a cost savings of 30 to 50% on their heating and cooling bills,” says Johnson. “It’s important for tenants to keep on top of property maintenance because in their lease they are usually the one paying the utility bills.

If a system starts to lose efficiency and capacity from a lack of maintenance the utility bills can double. We’ve seen it happen.”

Jim Johnson Johnson offers advice to tenants on how to Biggerstaff Plumbing protect themselves from high costs: and Heating, Inc. • Ensure filters and condensate lines are checked regularly: “Clean filters in regular intervals are a must. Properly flowing condensate lines need to be checked as often as the filter gets changed....Ceiling/water damage will anger most office managers and it’s very avoidable by having the equipment regularly maintained,” says Johnson.

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• Remember the two major energy burners: “The two biggest power consumers in any commercial office building are the lights, and the heating and cooling. More efficient light fixtures using LED technology are available, and as heating and cooling go, high efficiency equipment with modulating/inverter technology is also available,” says Johnson.

• Consider how often your building is used: “The way the building gets used is the biggest factor in determining how often the equipment should have scheduled maintenance. Some of our customers require quarterly maintenance and some just twice a year,” says Johnson.

• Check that your refrigerator coils are cleaned: “Most of today’s refrigerators have a coil underneath them that needs to be cleaned. I’ve never opened one that’s been running for at least a year that wasn’t a blanket of dust,” says Johnson.

Johnson emphasizes that professional maintenance can not only help these systems work better and last longer, it also promotes the health of everyone who uses the building. “Better quality filters and Indoor air quality products make for a healthier home or work environment,” he says.

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The considerations for a home can differ significantly from what a small or large sized business will need for their plumbing. Jordan Gottula with Mark’s Plumbing has worked for large and small clients and offered a perspective on how property owners should factor the size of their building into their maintenance needs. “Usually for a business it costs a lot more because business buildings are typically a lot larger. They have larger sewers, so the prices go up on materials. They also have more restrictions on what they are allowed to hook up to stuff. For example, soda machines.

Jordan Gottula What we do is prevent contamination on your Mark’s Plumbing water supply,” says Gottula.

Most property owners know that it is important to have a house inspected before purchasing it to avoid expensive repair costs. What many may not know is that it is also a good idea to inspect the sewer system connected to the building. “Most inspections don’t inspect the sewer, which can be the most expensive thing for home repair. I encourage they get that inspected.

That could cost upwards of $2,000 for minimum repair, and full replacement could cost up to $8,000. You could end up paying that out-of-pocket repair costs.” Gottula also recommends checking the lifespan of their water heaters.

Due to harder water in the Midwest, Gottula finds that most water heaters have a life span of 10 to 12 years. There are also special requirements for restaurants and small businesses with kitchens. “If a business owner has a restaurant, they are also required to have a grease trap on their sewer system which catches any grease that goes down. Most small business owners forget to clean them out every three months.” Gottula emphasizes the value of a thorough inspection, which includes a sewer inspection, for any homeowner or business that wants to avoid out of pocket repair costs.

Large and growing businesses often have specialized technology and maintenance needs. Established in 1994, the mission of Engineered Controls is to offer building control solutions including system design, new construction and owner-direct retrofit sales, installation, repair service, and preventative maintenance work for smart buildings. “The comfort and safety provided

by proper maintenance of your building’s mechanical and electrical subsystems enables you and your employees to give proper focus to your core business or mission,” writes Engineered Controls in a description of their services. “The bottom line of properly controlled and maintained building systems is maximum employee satisfaction, maximum productivity and cost savings,” writes Engineered Controls.

One of Engineered Controls clients has been Father Flanagan’s Boy’s Home, known around the world as Boys Town. “We spent most of the time listening,” said Pat Killeen with Engineered Controls. “It was essential to thoroughly understand Boys Town, and the pitfalls and problems with existing vendors and systems. Most of all, we needed to have a clear vision of what Boys Town wanted to achieve,” said Killeen. The purpose of this process was to help Boys Town integrate a comprehensive and cost-effective building system, which Engineered Controls continues to help them maintain efficiently.

Pat Killeen Home owners who are considering moving to Engineered Controls a rural neighborhood in Nebraska, or business owners considering expanding into a rural market, may not have considered the unique issues for homes which are not connected to an urban sewer system. Jamie Kubik with Southwick Liquid Waste has practical advice for those who currently own property connected to a septic tank system, or those considering purchasing property in the country where such systems are more common. Kubik says that, although maintaining a septic system is not difficult, property owners who are not used to such a system may be unaware or forgetful of Jamie Kubik what they need to do. “The most important item Southwick Liquid Waste for a customer to remember is to keep the tank pumped regularly. Unfortunately, since you

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only need to pump a tank about every three to five years, this is hard for customers to remember.

Here are Jamie Kubik’s four key pieces of advice for owners of property with a septic system: 1. Consider water usage: “All septic systems are sized according to the number of bedrooms in the house. It is assumed that there is at least 1 person per bedroom in a home and that one person uses about 100 gallons of water a day. Therefore, when the water usage EXCEEDS this amount, there will be problems with the system. Again, I use the analogy of a five-gallon bucket being asked to hold 20 gallons of water. The same is true for your septic system.”

2. Ensure the proper, single-ply toilet paper is being used with your septic system: “Customers living on septic need to be very mindful of what they flush down the toilet. Items can get easily plugged or caught in the lines.

Just because something says it is septic safe doesn’t mean it is. If water can’t break it into small pieces, don’t flush it.”

3. Do not interfere with your property’s lateral field/leach field/drain field: “Customers should know where this area is located in their yard and leave it alone. Don’t drive over it, build over, or plant anything more than grass on it. It needs to be left free to evaporate water.”

4. Pump your tank every three to five years: “Think about your septic tank like you do changing the oil in your car. It needs to be done regularly.

The more people who live in the house, the more frequently it needs to be pumped.”

In addition to sending their customers with septic systems helpful reminders, Southwick Liquid Waste also offers service contracts which allow them to take care of regular maintenance and pumping. “For a monthly fee, we come out every six months and give the system a check-up and then every three years we pump the tank,” says Kubik.

As the local owner of The Tint Shop, Keith May has personally worked with clients to recommend and install a variety of quality window films from 3M’s cutting-edge, patented products. These products can serve a decorative function and also help minimize strain on HVAC systems by blocking UV solar radiation during the summer and insulating heat during the winter.

“Energy savings is the biggest thing window film does, along with UV protection. There’s a lot of money and expensive wall coverings and floor coverings being put in buildings lately and UV just destroys them. Window film blocks out 99% of the UV rays,” says May. While helping clients install the right window film in their homes and offices, May has seen many examples of how UV radiation can damage property. “When I walk into a home or building that’s been there for a few years, if you just lift a rug up, you’ll just see the discoloration the UV has caused,” he notes.

May says that different 3M products can serve different functions depending on a space. For example, decorative film can provide an aesthetic look, prevent employees in large glass buildings from becoming distracted, prevent people from walking into panes of glass, and deter people from peering into offices. It can also unify the look of a building and prevent unsightly clutter from being seen from outside the building. Other films are designed to promote better energy savings and are more cost effective than fully replacing older windows.

“If the film is blocking out 50–60% of the UV coming in, or keeping 30–35% of the heat in during the winter months, that puts less strain on the HVAC system. In essence, it reflects the interior heat back into the building rather than letting it escape. You lose about 30% of your heat through windows.

3M’s Thinsulate film is the only film built to correct the problem of escaping heat,” says May. “Other patented window film products are built to add strength to a window. 3M has security and safety films that will hold the glass together and hold the glass in the frame. It can help deter theft and prevent shards of flying glass. The safety and security films are made thicker and stronger than the regular silver films are. It can never fully prevent theft, but it can buy more time in many cases and can discourage thieves after a failed attempt,” says May. Whether it’s for older buildings hoping to add UV protection without the expense of fully replacing old windows, or newer buildings with significant amounts of glass hoping to provide better insulation and comfort to their employees, window films are a practical choice to consider.

Whether it is plumbing, heating and air conditioning, or security, a house or workplace is often a complex system of parts. Keeping these systems maintained and replacing them when they expire protects the health and safety of the people who use the space, and can save money in the long run by preventing expensive disasters.

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Keep Your System Running Efficiently Residential septic pumping • Septic maintenance programs • Grease trap pumping Commercial liquid waste removal • Soil percolation tests • Septic installation

Call Jason or Jaime Kubik today!

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402.475.2462

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Raynor Doors of Nebraska, Inc. is a garage door company specializing in many different types of garage door sales, service, and installation. We can customize an order to find the perfect door and operating system to best fit your needs.

Commercial • Residential • Industrial Call or stop by today! 402.477.5504 RaynorDoorsOfNebraska.com | 1634 S. 3rd St.

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This Spring, Spend Time with Family and Talking to Elderly Relatives about Their Priorities for Retirement Living After the rush of the holidays, when many families enjoy the opportunity to get together with parents, grandparents, and other senior family members, the late winter and early spring months are an excellent time to reflect on the health concerns of elderly loved ones and prompt a conversation with your senior family members about their wishes for retirement and living arrangements for old age. The tradition of spring cleaning is meant to help set aside time to take care of important household tasks that have been set aside for part of the year. Those who follow the spring cleaning tradition, or would like to start, might use their spring cleaning as an opportunity to help elderly family members organize their belongings and discuss the future.

Even if a senior family member is completely healthy and capable of performing all their household tasks today, having this conversation in early years can prevent stress and confusion in later years when old age or health concerns become a greater issue. Many professional services can offer advice on important issues that seniors face and the many choices and services available to assist seniors. Because every senior is an individual, with their own unique health needs and personal priorities for their living situation, we also asked Lincoln business experts their opinions on their personal experience with their families, and what kind of feedback they have received from their customers about different services available for seniors.

As a mission-focused non-profit with locations in 28 Nebraska counties, the mission of Tabitha is to offer a comprehensive line of senior care services. According to senior living advocate Aubrey Paulsen, Tabitha seeks to serve seniors at whatever stage they may be in their aging journey. “Tabitha’s one of the few nonprofit, for-purpose organizations serving Seniors in Nebraska and approach our work in the right way, for the right reasons. You can call Tabitha experts, with any question, free of charge or obligation. We’ll find the right answer for you, Aubrey Paulsen even if that means utilizing a resource other than Tabitha Tabitha,” says Paulsen. As the baby boomer generation retires at a record rate of 10,000 a day, Paulsen anticipates quality senior care services will grow more crucial to American families. “Seven out of ten adults over 65 wish to remain in their homes; however, 70 percent will require some form of assistance,” says Paulsen. Rather than think of all care options as “nursing homes,” it is widely recommended that families familiarize themselves these types of care options to find the one that most fits their needs: • Senior living • Assisted living • Short-term and long-term skilled nursing and rehabilitation • Residential-style skilled nursing • Hospice care Paulsen encourages families to reach out to Tabitha with any questions #PrintProudDigitalSmart

they have about differing levels of care for seniors. “We’re here to help take the burden off loved ones and caregivers. We will listen, learn and provide expert guidance to best fit your unique situation. Starting with Tabitha will ensure you make informed decisions and our strong continuum allows us to seamlessly work alongside you as your needs evolve,” says Paulsen. For example, for seniors living independently, some services are meant to help with common needs like cleaning or meal preparation.“At Tabitha, our goal is to utilize all of the community’s resources available to help Seniors in whatever way necessary. A Tabitha expert can coordinate bringing in cleaning services or companion care into your home or even set up daily delivery of Tabitha Meals on Wheels,” says Paulsen.

Each senior is an individual, and living options should be considered based on how they can meet their needs as an individual.

An example of specialists in transitional care would be Old Cheney Rehabilitation, which opened in 2017 and is designed to provide transitional care for clients who require a regimen of therapy or skilled nursing following an acute hospital stay in order to ultimately return home.

“Transitional care is an optimal setting for patients that require a regimen of skilled therapy or nursing care following an acute hospital stay,” writes the Old Cheney Rehab leadership team. “The rehabilitation services at our facility include physical, occupational, respiratory, and speech therapy services. Our goal is to help each patient get back to living an independent life. Rehabilitation services are offered seven days a week, up to three times a day as tolerated,” they write. Clinical services are provided based on the individual needs of a patient. These include respiratory services, infusion services, nursing services, and complex medical services targeting specific medical issues.

Lancaster Rehabilitation Center offers both a short-term rehabilitation program and long-term care. The rehabilitation program is designed to promote recovery. “The program’s goal is to help you regain a full range of functional abilities while preventing complications. This includes frequent and thorough updates on your therapies, schedules, and progress. We invest time to work with you and your family to develop the right plan for long term success!” says Amy Fish with Lancaster Rehabilitation Center.

Amy Fish Long-term care offers 24-hour health care and Lancaster Rehabilitation assistance with daily tasks, including certified Center nursing assistants, culinary services, social services, beauty and barber shop services, and attending physician and therapy services. The Lancaster Rehabilitation Center welcomes individuals to bring belongings which will help them feel at home. “Much of that will depend on your intended length of stay with us. We do encourage you to bring your personal items to make your room as homelike as possible.

We only ask that you consider your own safety and the size of your room.”

Families considering the Lancaster Rehabilitation Center should take into consideration their loved one’s medical needs and talk to their physician.

“The first thing we will need is a physician order from your doctor indicating a need for placement at our facility. Our staff will then do a pre-screening visit with you or your family to ensure we can meet your needs,” notes Amy. In contrast to transitional care, which focuses on helping patients recover and return home following a hospital visit, memory care focuses on providing ongoing support to those suffering with Alzheimer’s or dementia. This is why it is important for families to keep the differing types of care in mind. Not all services may fit an individual’s particular needs. Sumner Place Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation is an example of a residency offering these three types of care: short-term/rehabilitation, long-term/ skilled nursing, and Alzheimer’s/dementia care.

Megan Herter Megan Herter, admissions and public relations Sumner Place Skilled coordinator for Sumner Place Skilled Nursing & Nursing & Rehabilitation Rehabilitation, says that they focus on providing resident-focused care, independence, and a home-like atmosphere. “Our culture is what really sets us apart. Family Serving Family is a value that we have truly adopted,” says Herter. “Our multi-disciplinary team of #PrintProudDigitalSmart

Welcome

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professionals deliver superior clinical care, with cutting-edge programs and consistent deficiency-free results on the annual survey conducted by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. All operating decisions are made locally to assure that Sumner Place remains responsive to the needs of our residents and the community.”

An example of a community that specializes in memory care is CountryHouse Residence.

Senior living consultant Kayla Jerkovich says this focus on Alzheimer’s and memory care is central to their mission. “CountryHouse is dedicated solely to people who need memory care, and our families tell us this was very important to them as they chose a community for their loved one. Everything in our community centers around what supports people with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia best.

Our floorplan is set up to allow residents the Kayla Jerkovich freedom they’re used to enjoying at home, but CountryHouse Residence with added supports to make sure they are safe and secure. Our staff is specially trained in how best to communicate with and encourage our residents, in addition to how to provide care. Our activities and daily outings in the community are all planned around what gives residents moments of joy and connection. Even the color of our dishes was chosen to reduce the depth perception problems dementia can cause, which helps reduce frustration and make meals more enjoyable! We hear from families that they’re amazed how much happier and more engaged their loved one is after they’ve settled in. That is the highest compliment we could ever receive.

The road our residents and families walk is difficult, and being able to be there for them on that road is an honor. We truly do feel like family.”

Barbara Scott is the director of clinical operations for Legacy Retirement Communities. Scott believes it is wise for seniors to organize their belongings as one of their first steps prior to considering senior living options. “A stepping stone prior to moving to independent or assisted living would be downsizing your current home.

One of the most difficult things that people encounter upon moving is the fact that the apartment size may be much smaller than their current home and it is hard for people to let go of some of their belongings. Challenge yourself or your loved one to practice downsizing before Barbara Scott a move is even being considered. These small Legacy Retirement changes allow for an easier transition later on Communities if necessary. If you’re seeking additional help, Changing Spaces SRS in Lincoln is a great resource. They are professionals who deal with rightsizing, downsizing, estate sales and more,” says Scott.

When a family is prepared to choose from many senior living options available in Lincoln, Scott advises touring your top options first. “Figure out what is most important to you. Is it location, dining, activities, cost? Maybe you have a preference on which side of town you’d like to live on. If dining or offered activities is your most important, ask to see a menu in each community or the activities calendar. Most communities would allow you attend an evening meal as a guest to be able to ensure that this meets your expectations,” says Scott.

In Scott’s opinion, one of the most important distinctions families should understand is the difference between assisted living care and skilled care.

“Speaking in terms of operating independent and assisted living, I think it is important for people to understand what staff or the community are allowed to do under the guidance of the state regulations. Under state guidelines, assisted living care is quite limited compared to skilled care,” says Scott. While this topic requires some work from families to research the different services, Scott believes it will ultimately help families have clarity on what the caregiver provides. “I highly recommend taking the time to understand the difference. Educating yourself alleviates any confusion between you and the caregiver and ultimately results in better quality of life and well-being for the one receiving care,” says Scott.

Scott says one of the unique services provided by Legacy Retirement Communities is offering a licensed practical nurse 24/7. “I feel the residents

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knowing that a nurse is available 24/7 for both independent residents and assisted living residents gives the residents a peace of mind,” says Scott. They also offer Legacy Plus for residents who live independently.

“This is a scheduled service in which residents pay a small fee for certain assistance such as bathing, laundry, bed making, and walking your dog,” explains Scott. These are just a few examples of services Legacy Retirement Communities offer to independent residents.

As part of its mission to help seniors live as independently as possible, the Lincoln Housing Authority works in a collaborative partnership with Aging Partners. Linda Hecht, the resident services specialist for the Lincoln Housing Authority, works closely Jacki Eden, the care manager for Aging Partners. Spring cleaning season is a time when both Hecht and Eden work together with seniors to help them organize and prepare for their future. “We provide in-house educational programs to help residents organize and declutter,” says Hecht.

There are community programs designed to Linda Hecht Lincoln Housing Authority help seniors who want to live independently in their own home.

Jacki Eden encourages seniors and family members to read the Living Well Magazine for information on Aging Partners’ programming.

“For example, The Handyman Program can do some outdoor spring cleaning for clients who live in their own home,” says Eden.

According to Hecht, it is very important for families to plan ahead and understand whether the community they are interested in has a waiting list and can offer the services the senior needs.

Jacki Eden Aging Partners “Often, when someone inquires, they are looking for placement immediately. Mahoney Manor’s current waiting list is nine months to a year. So, I will make referrals to Aging Partners for other senior housing options. Families also do not seem to know about the different options that Lincoln Housing Authorities will offer. People may not be aware that there are other options that Lincoln Housing Authority might have available to accommodate them,” says Hecht.

According to Eden, thanks to subsidization by the Congregate Housing Services Program, they are able to help eligible seniors find affordable services to remain independent. “The CHSP program available at Mahoney Manor works to ensure that they can live independently through a grant provided by HUD, Housing, and Aging Partners working together,” says Eden.

In contrast to residential housing options for seniors, in home healthcare is meant to assist seniors who wish to remain in their original homes, whether independently or with family.

Grace Kats, RN/BSN-CHH, is the director of Graceful In Home Healthcare. She says that many seniors and family members have been excited to learn about their free home health consultation services. “They feel it was so much easier meeting us in person, and being able to ask all their questions, and getting guidance in how to go about getting set up with home Grace Kats health,” said Kats.

Graceful In Home During face-to-face consultations, Kats hopes Healthcare that seniors can have all their questions answered about the various services available and how they can service seniors’ needs. “Many times, families and elders state they wish they had known sooner about Graceful In Home Healthcare Free consultation. We encourage everyone looking into home healthcare to give us a call to see if we can help them find what fits their individual needs,” says Kats.

Fallbrook Assisted Living and Memory Care is an MJ Senior Housing Community located comfortably in the Fallbrook Neighborhood in North Lincoln. MJ Senior Housing has over 20 years of senior housing experience including ownership, development, and management of senior housing. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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The Waterford at Williamsburg Assisted Living 3940 Pine Lake Road, Lincoln, NE 68516 402-423-0000 The Waterford at College View Assisted Living 4848 South 48th Street, Lincoln, NE 68516 402-434-2680 The Waterford at Wilderness Hills Memory Care 8939 Keystone Drive, Lincoln, NE 68516 402-421-8105

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402.802.0631 | www.thewaterford.net

The Waterford Communities are locally owned and operated.

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Choose

Individualized Care As an artist at heart, Jocelyn embraces individuality. With her dedication to serving those looking for retirement living options, know that your individual needs are met with the open eyes, ears and heart to help you in this season of life. www.LegacyRetirement.com

Jocelyn Fitzgerald Legacy Terrace 57th & Fremont St. (402) 464-5700

Moving a family member to a retirement community can be a high-stress event while planning what will be going to the new space and not wanting to get rid of or sell what can’t be moved.

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Store It All can help. We offer a wide variety of units within a gated, code access perimeter with surveillance cameras to ensure a secure facility. The entire property is well-lit, including lighting inside each unit, with wide drive-up access.

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Currently their portfolio includes independent living, assisted living, and memory care assisted living communities in Nebraska. Fallbrook is their newest community.

“Making a move from one home to another is hard for anyone. It’s particularly hard for seniors. I love the fact that someone can move in with us and as his or her needs change, we can adjust the services we provide for them, so they can continue staying right here at Fallbrook,” says Virginia Cole, executive director. When helping residents and their family members determine the best level of care, a nursing evaluation is completed by one of Fallbrook’s on-site nurses.

“Our services are designed to support you in Virginia Cole maintaining as much independence as possible,” Fallbrook Assisted Living says Deb Maguire, director of healthcare. For residents who live in Fallbrook Memory Care, the architecture, design, and programming is meant to remove frustrating problems for those affected by Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia. “We believe these design features allow for our residents to have as much personal success as possible,” says Virginia.

Fallbrook is excited to open its doors and welcome its first residents this month. The Fallbrook focus is “We’re all about YOU!” and they mean it. They deliver on that motto in the Deb Maguire services they offer, providing residents with six levels of care.

Fallbrook Assisted Living Orchard Park Assisted Living was originally founded by Virgil and Jan Carner. Their mission was to long-term care which provided more than the traditional nursing home. Virgil notes that they are committed to “a health-first philosophy that emphasizes familiar comfort and creating moments of joy for each resident.”

Virgil’s advice for those looking for 24-hour long-term care is to consider the three Cs: • Care • Comfort • Cost Meals at Orchard Park include home-style cooking. “Our cook’s goal is to create dishes that remind residents of the favorites they’ve been cooking and eating their whole lives,” writes Orchard Park Assisted Living. Private apartments give residents the choice to enjoy reading, television, or private reflection on their own, and social activities like card games and coffee socials are also regularly available.

Barb Tyler, the director of community relations for The Woodlands at Hillcrest, says that besides exceptional health care, their mission is to offer exceptional hospitality, amenities, and security for residents and their families.

“The Woodlands offers both assisted living and memory care, making any future transition for more care easier on both the family and the resident, as they are familiar with the both the staff and community. Our assisted living offers some services that others do not, such as twoperson assistance. We hope this is the family’s Barb Tyler last move for their loved one, with the goal of The Woodlands at Hillcrest staying with us until end of life,” writes Tyler.

The Woodlands provides family resources which are meant to help families considering care options for loved ones. “Go and tour different communities to see what is out there! Two bedroom/two baths, one bedroom with a den...what do I really need in order to live comfortably? Participate in all events open to the public as a person can get a ‘flavor’ of the community, such as The Woodlands. Our Valentine Tea on February 15 is one such event; come and enjoy our guest violinist and light refreshments.” Tyler’s advice to families is to pay attention to their loved one and consider #PrintProudDigitalSmart

financial options and benefits for different housing options. “Look at their health situation TODAY, and look into the future as well; is there a condition that their loved one has that will only worsen as time goes by? Can the community take care of the condition with an experienced and trained staff? Finances are a consideration; is there a LTC policy in place? VA benefits? Pension and savings? All are to be considered for budgeting purposes.” Tyler emphasizes that one important topic every person should ask about is long term care insurance policies, way before retirement or health problems creep up. “Long-term care, many of which are available through employers, are only going to get more expensive as our population ages. The younger you are when you get them, the less expensive they are. They have played a role in making a move even possible in some cases,” says Tyler.

An option for some seniors who wish to remain in their home is personal in-home care, which is a focus of Home Care Partners of Nebraska.

As a co-owner, Karla Frese provides her perspective on how this choice can help seniors maintain their independence while providing peace of mind to their family. Frese believes that spring cleaning can also be a useful time for helping senior family members. “It is important to prepare for what can be an emotional process. Spring cleaning provides the opportunity to reduce the risk of falling by Karla Frese removing clutter, but also helps you honor your Home Care Partners heirlooms and choose joy.” Frese offers these of Nebraska helpful tips to help begin the process: • Don’t do it alone. Ask someone who doesn’t have the same sentimental relationship to items to help. An outside opinion can help determine if an item is truly necessary. Home Care Partners of Nebraska caregivers can provide support and help with the stress of clearing the clutter.

• Remember your timer. Do small tasks and when it gets overwhelming, come back to it. Setting 30-45 minute cleaning session helps manage your time and keeps you from getting lost too far down memory lane.

• Honor through your speech. Thank you for serving me and providing me memories of (this item), then with a thankful heart bless and release the item (donate) to share with the joy to a new home. (You can see more of this in the Netflix series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo.)

• Capture the story. While you are cleaning you may come across items that spark a memory or story. Document these memories through audio, oral histories, written notes and share photographs with your family. Your memories are precious and part of your family history.

• Share. Determine which items are important to share with loved ones.

Sharing memorabilia will bring it to life, give purpose, meaning, and intention.

Frese also suggests that having open conversations can help families focus on what is most important. “They may ask for an item that has a special story behind it for you to share with them. This will make the item a true treasure for them,” says Frese. “If you have larger cherished items you wish to share, take a picture and document the meaning of it. Then give the gifts while you can--in person! Home Care Partners of Nebraska offers caregiving services created to improve quality of life and provide peace of mind. Let us help you in your spring cleaning to clear the clutter and embrace the joy of today!” says Frese.

Natalie Leon is the owner and executive director of Visiting Angels in Lincoln. “The services we offer help the elderly continue to live in their homes. Working families are struggling; their days are longer, they barely have time to eat dinner together, and they have even less time to spend caring for their aging parents. Visiting Angels helps ease the daily load by providing non-medical in-home care,” writes Leon. With 11 years of experience in health care, Natalie Leon says the importance of a service like Visiting Angels is the option it Natalie Leon offers to families with seniors where moving isn’t Visiting Angels desirable. “Through my research, it was evident that with the combination of a rapidly growing senior population, the rising costs of nursing homecare and depleted

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retirement funds, there’s an urgent need for in-home elderly care,” writes Leon. Visiting Angels’ services range from Alzheimer’s/dementia care and medication reminders to assistance with daily tasks and meal preparation.

While an in-home care program may be a good choice for independent seniors who wish to remain at home, chronic illness and individuals approaching end of life often require much more comprehensive services. Toni Jones is a patient care manager at Avalon Hospice.

An affiliate of CURO Health Services, Avalon Hospice’s mission is to honor life and offer compassion to individuals and their caregivers when facing a life-limiting illness. Jones explains her work at Avalon Hospice this way: “We help patients control their symptoms, such as pain Toni Jones and nausea that are causing them to live less Avalon Hospice than a comfortable life. Our patients receive nursing visits to monitor symptoms and work on solutions, an aide to assist with personal cares, a social worker to address financial and social issues, and a chaplain to address religious and spiritual issues. When we receive a referral, the candidate’s medical history is reviewed to determine if they meet the criteria for whatever their primary diagnosis is. Those criteria are set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, and apply to all hospices in the United States,” writes Jones.

One of her personal priorities has been helping patients and families understand the importance of hospice care. “People on hospice live 33% longer than those who aren’t because the quality of their lives is better,” says Jones. An aspect of hospice care that many families may not be aware of is that hospice care can be administered wherever an individual patient calls home. This could include any of the following housing options: • A home or apartment.

• A relative or friend’s home.

• An assisted living facility.

• Any traditional nursing home.

Another specialist in medical services for patients facing a life limiting illness is Hospice Community Care. A common misconception about hospice care is that it is only limited to patients of illnesses who will soon die. Lisa Pham, executive director, began her nursing career in 1997. “I’m incredibly honored to have been given the opportunity to serve in my current position at Hospice Community Care of Nebraska. I am so lucky to work with such wonderful people who truly exemplify the heart of hospice care,” says Pham.

Lisa Pham Hospice Community Care’s advice to families Hospice Community Care is to look at hospice care as a way of helping family members treat a difficult medical condition in a way that promotes their quality of life: “Receiving hospice care does not mean giving up hope or that death is imminent. The earlier an individual receives hospice care, the more opportunity there is to stabilize your medical condition and address other needs. Some patients actually improve and may be discharged from hospice care.”

Because of the variety of living arrangements available to seniors, some local organizations specialize in offering information drawing from their experience in the healthcare field to families seeking answers to their questions.

For example, Kyle Johnson, the owner of Care Consultants for the Aging, discussed some of the materials available to walk families through these topics and empower them to make their decisions. “We are Nebraska’s largest in-home care registry. All of our caregivers are CNAs and they work directly for the client. The client Kyle Johnson is 100% in control of their caregiver schedule, Care Consultants and we do not require any minimum of hours for the Aging or financial deposit to begin services,” says Johnson. A resource they offer is the ElderCare Resource Handbook. “This is a publication that our office puts out every two years, and has hundreds

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of resources for any elder care need. Please visit LincolnHandbook.com, or stop by our office to pick a copy of your own,” says Johnson.

Johnson believes the winter months can be an isolating time for seniors, and offers this advice: “We strongly encourage our clients to find a senior center near their home where activities take place daily, and many times will include a meal option. Many local churches also have retirement groups that meet frequently and do local outings together.”

The top advice Johnson offers families considering living options is to speak with a professional and touring communities alone. “This will give you a better understanding of what home care can provide versus the need to make a move. Everyone we work with wants to stay as independent as they can and live in their own home. However, when the care levels increase to a point where a move to a senior community is best suited, we advise our clients and help them in that transition as best as possible,” says Johnson.

Another source of information for seniors is Oasis Senior Advisors, which provides referrals and assistance to seniors and families free of charge. Beth Friesen, RN, CCM, CSA, the owner of Oasis Senior Advisors, spoke to Strictly Business about their free services.

“Oasis Senior Advisors is a referral placement service specifically geared towards seniors who are no longer able to live at home. Our role is to educate and inform clients about the many options here in the Lincoln community and surrounding areas. Any assistance we provide is Beth Friesen absolutely free of charge, no strings attached.

Oasis Senior Advisors We work with seniors and their loved ones in order to streamline the process of finding new living arrangements, which unfortunately can be an extremely stressful situation. We also connect clients to other resources they may need.” says Friesen. After working as a registered nurse, Friesen was motivated to work in elder care and dementia care when her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Friesen is experienced with communicating with families with questions about dementia and Alzheimer’s about options that are available to them. “I’ve found that of those who are going through the process of finding their elderly loved ones new places to call home, and not just anywhere but at a facility that’s the best fit possible for that individual, many do not know that a service like mine exists. By simply applying the right expertise, I’m able to minimize the stress of this process on everyone involved,” says Friesen.

Bridge to Better Living (BBL) also provides a free service to clients and their families when they are considering moving to an Independent, Assisted, Memory Assisted, or Long-Term Care community. Robbie Nathan brings 35 years of experience in home health care as the Director of Training and Staff Development for Bridge to Better Living. “Bridge to Better Living is a locally owned and operated senior living transition placement service in Nebraska. We pride ourselves on ‘Placement with Passion’ and have an excellent reputation for lessening the stress Robbie Nathan of those researching a Senior Living Option.

Bridge to Better Living We are at no cost to the client and a person-toperson service, not a computer-based business,” says Nathan. An advantage of helping a Senior consider their personal situations is reducing their concerns regarding a move to Retirement Living.

“As people age their worlds become smaller; less of the house is used; driving distances are shorter and meals change in portion size and nutritional content. Bridge to Better Living finds the Seniors who have ‘slid’ into these changes without regret most often transition to a new Senior Living Option with less stress,” says Nathan. Being able to socialize is a very important need for everyone, especially Seniors. “Bridge to Better Living consultants are engaged in many community groups and have reliable resources for Seniors and loved ones when they express concern about changes. Because BBL has helped hundreds of Seniors and families, we are often able to introduce like-minded clients to each other when touring. This personal connection helps to let others know they are not the first, nor the last, to transition to a new style of living. Accepting these changes results in an improved quality of life. Consultants at Bridge to Better Living often

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hear clients say they wish the decision to move to a Retirement Community had been made sooner,” says Nathan.

The Waterford Communities are locally owned and operated, with two assisted living locations—The Waterford at College View and The Waterford at Williamsburg—and one location specifically dedicated to providing memory care, The Waterford at Wilderness Hills. All of The Waterford Communities offer a home-like environment along with a host of amenities that allow residents to maintain their independence and the quality of life that they deserve. Christy Merritt is the executive director of their Lincoln facilities. Merritt says a unique Christy Merritt aspect of The Waterford Communities is its The Waterford size. “The Waterford Communities are small Communities in comparison to many of our competitors. Our largest assisted living community has 41 apartments. The smaller community lends itself to more of a small town feel that many residents say feels more like a home than a facility. Lower resident numbers also enable us to really get to know our residents and customize care to meet each person where they are in their journey.” Amenities for the Williamsburg and College View locations are designed with a traditional home-like atmosphere in mind.

When giving advice to families on their choices, Merritt emphasizes the importance of insurance. “One of the most important things is understanding what insurance benefits you or your senior have and how those benefits can be applied to senior living options. Terminology in elder care is constantly evolving and many insurance policies, especially long-term care policies, fail to keep up, sometimes rendering a once valid policy virtually useless.

Medical insurance should be simple but many seniors find that they need supplemental policies to keep up with their care needs. Very few people have unlimited resources, not fully understanding your own or your senior’s insurance coverage can cause you to quickly deplete assets and limit funds needed to pay for senior housing and care,” says Merritt.

A part of having this conversation with elderly relatives and ensuring that they are comfortable and successful is making sure their ability to hear is taken care of. Nebraska Hearing Center was founded on two simple truths: hearing is a vital sense that plays a significant role in your quality of life, and hearing loss affects everyone uniquely. Dr. Leslie Frank, M.S. CCC-A, the owner of the Nebraska Hearing Center, believes that hearing loss can have a dramatic impact on seniors’ social lives and family relationships.

Dr. Leslie Frank Dr. Frank shares the following advice with Nebraska Hearing Center seniors to help them if they are struggling to have conversations due to hearing issues: 1. Do look at the people you are speaking with. We all use visual cues whether we realize it or not.

2. Do try to situate yourself in good lighting to see everyone’s face.

3. Do sit close to the people you want to talk to.

4. Do use accessories like your remote microphone to help you hear more clearly.

5. Do remember listening in a busy environment can make everyone tired.

So take a break when you need it.

“Often, people don’t realize that their lifestyle and behaviors begin to change when hearing becomes a challenge. That in turn affects relationships as we begin to isolate ourselves because we can’t hear.

Bringing back hearing brings people and effective communication back into our lives,” says Dr. Frank. As a service to seniors and their families, Nebraska Hearing Center offers free comprehensive hearing evaluations.

They hope this service can help ease the ability of families with seniors to engage in daily conversation to discuss life decisions with one another.

A difficult topic for many families to discuss is arrangements for the death and funeral of a loved one. However, not discussing the topic in the present can lead to difficulties in the future.

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Jodi Freeman, outreach coordinator for Roper & Sons Funeral Home, has helped seniors and their families with their questions about preparations for end of life. “Making arrangements for your final wishes can never take place too soon. Thinking you are too young, or things would change too much by the time you die is a common misconception. When you plan with Roper & Sons, and most other funeral homes, your plans are transferable to any other funeral home throughout the U.S., for a small fee.” Freeman advises families to be in contact Jodi Freeman with their funeral home if there are changes in Roper & Sons their plans for their final wishes. “At Roper & Sons, we follow up on all of our pre-arrangements every five years or so, and you are always welcome to contact us to make changes if you wish. Time after time, families tell us the best gift they have ever received from a loved one is to have had their services prearranged. It is best to

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prearrange while you are still in good health, both mentally and physically, and to be sure that your loved ones know what your wishes are, where to find your documents, and which funeral home is your funeral home of choice. You can contact us to make pre-arrangements at any time – any age – any stage of life,” offers Freeman.

With locations in Lincoln and Hickman, Butherus, Maser, & Love Funeral Home offers useful resources for families, like their online Simple Planner, meant to help begin a conversation with those pre-planning for funeral services better communicate their intentions for the future. “Most of us plan ahead in life. We plan for our wedding, our children’s education, family vacations, and other significant expected life events. We also plan for the unexpected events of life by purchasing home, auto, and medical insurance,” they write. The advantage of a pre-plan is that it relieves those grieving of additional stress and burden. “Funeral arrangements are a deeply personal choice. Pre-planning provides you with the time needed to make practical, detailed decisions that reflect your standards, lifestyle, taste and budget. We assure you and your family that the choices you make will be carried out as planned.”

Wyuka Funeral Home and Cemetery is listed on the National Registry of Historic places and it is the oldest Cemetery in Lincoln. They offer preplanning services so that families can reduce the stress of wondering how they will take care of funeral arrangements and costs later. The Wyuka staff will be by your side to provide assistance and help comfort you after the death of a loved one. Whether your preference is a traditional family service and visitation, a contemporary gathering, graveside service, cremation, or Veterans service, their funeral directors and staff are prepared to help assist you through this painful process. They also offer resources and outreach for family members in the process of grieving, including services for young and old widows/widowers, children, and teens.

Whether it is a change of living arrangements, or preparing a will, legal issues can create stress for families without skilled guidance from a legal professional. In the past, Christine Vanderford has represented senior clients to protect them against scams, fraud, and abuse during her tenure at the Nebraska Attorney General’s office. She now works in private practice with Vanderford Law PC LLO. Services provided by Vanderford Law include estate planning and elder care.

“Proper estate planning allows you to decide Christine Vanderford what happens to the people and things that Vanderford Law PC LLO are most important to you. It is important for people of all ages and during all stages of life.

People of any age should at least have a health care directive in place in the event you cannot speak for yourself in regards to medical decisions.

A basic estate planning also includes a vehicle, such as a will or trust that directs how you wish your estate to be distributed at your death,” writes Vanderford.

Elder care is meant to help individuals and families with limited resources navigate the legal requirements of government aid programs. “For aging adults that have limited funds for long term care we can help those individuals as well as their families determine a plan in the event there is a need for government aid programs and the regulations of those government aid programs as individuals age and how to find access for those resources,” writes Vanderford.

The advantage of having a conversation with senior family members earlier rather than later is it gives them a chance to vocalize their priorities and concerns for their future in retirement. Like procrastinating on spring cleaning, procrastinating on discussing these concerns can result in stress later from not understanding the various services and living arrangements available when it becomes more pressing. Fortunately, Lincoln businesses offer a range of services and living options for seniors with individual needs and expectations. If spring cleaning is an opportunity for adults to make arrangements for their home, it can also serve as an opportunity for family members to help each other prepare plans for the future. #PrintProudDigitalSmart

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